One morning the sun rose with a mask of dark billowy clouds…the early morning light refracted eerily through the thick mist and fog…the ship rocked mechanically left and right across the rough waves and the already worn sails whipped to and fro with a new vigor that made them seem almost alive…the sailors were only minimally concerned about the wind and waves…the clouds on the horizon told another story as they seemed to swell and engulf entire sections of the ocean…the clouds were threatening and the atmosphere had a general feeling of instability…the seagulls that were often seen wheeling in the sky above the ship did not appear…

"…Looks like we might have some rain…"

One of the shipmates noted to Cecil as they stood on the deck of the Kingfisher. He held a spyglass poised to one eye and squinted intently across the sea.

"Where does rain go when it hits the ocean?"

Rydia was entertaining herself by grasping the railing of the ship and swinging dangerously out over the sea. Edward watched her from a distance with an obvious tint of paleness on his face…his eyes grew slightly wider and his muscles stiffened each time she lurched toward the sea…

"Rydia --" he stepped hastily to her side. "--Why don't you let go of the railing?" He grabbed at her arm on one of her return trips. "--You are making me a bit nervous…"

"Edward!" she whined loudly, letting him drag her to her feet nevertheless. "--I'm not gonna fall!" She skipped across the deck. "-It's boooring…" She nearly toppled to the deck as the ship listed lazily.

"I assure you --" Edward said, staring at the ocean anxiously. "--When this storm arrives, you won't be bored…"

"We might end up swimmin' the whole way to Baron!"

Edward turned to the sailor who spoke up after overhearing the conversation…he watched the man wind a rope over and over his arm until it resembled a thin coiled serpent…

"--Yeah --" the sailor continued, tossing the coiled rope onto the deck. "--The storms in this time of year can tear these ships apart before ya know it --" He stared at the waves as they clutched at the ship. Edward raised his eyebrows, and the man turned to him with one eye squinted thoughtfully.

"--Heard from some crazy feller one time --" He looked up, his eyebrows creased. "--Hell, he was a pirate or straggler or that sort --" He looked back at Edward. "--Never did take mind of the weather…left dock one day headed with foul cargo…sky threatening, like it was warning him, ya know?"

Edward nodded and listened carefully.

"--Only a coupla hours later a nor'easter tore the ship in half, I'm tellin' ya --" His voice was rising. "--Ripped the mast off, man!"

Edward stared at him in horror, his face pale.

"--Yeah --" the sailor concluded. "--They say the storms get pretty harsh…but --" He leaned closer to the shocked prince and whispered secretly:

"--Sometimes…I think it's more'n the storms…"

The sailor winked and turned to leave. Edward frowned, puzzled…he drew a nervous breath to ask the man exactly what he meant when a sharp pain suddenly coursed through his calf and his leg almost gave beneath him. He felt something squirm beneath him and heard a high-pitched frantic giggle; as he stepped aside, his foot tangled in something and he crashed to the deck helplessly.

"...Sorry, Edward!"

A voice, a little girl's voice (which didn't surprise him in the least), trumpeted an apology breathlessly in his ear.

"…Lord…Rydia!" Edward gasped.

Rydia had commenced to amusing herself by sitting in a round metal plate that resembled a shield and pushing herself up and down the deck of the ship. Her endeavors finally sent her careening toward Edward to her absolute joy.

Edward clutched his shoulder and Rydia appeared over him, red-faced, giggling uncontrollably, her hand extended toward him.

"Edward --" she gasped with a giggle. "--I'm sorry!"

Edward groaned as she snatched his hand, a huge smile on her face.

"--Yes --" he sighed as he climbed to his feet. "--I can tell…"

She watched him closely.

"I was just playing --"

"--Well --" Edward brushed himself off and looked toward the sky. "--You should play down below or you will get soaked in a --"

"I like the rain!" Rydia claimed indignantly. "--I don't care if it starts flooding --"

"But Rydia --" Edward insisted, knowing too well that it was hopeless to argue. "--There will be wind and the waves will be huge and --" He paused for dramatic effect. "--There will be thunder and lightning…"

As if on cue there was a low rumbling in the distance…the droning seemed to travel through the wooden body of the ship and ripple through Edward's muscles and finally end in his head, which was already throbbing…Rydia did appear scared but it was only for a brief moment…

"I think you're the only one scared of thunder and lightning, Edward!" she declared. "I'm not scared!"

Edward glanced down at her doubtfully.

"I'll remind you of that when you're running around on deck like the proverbial 'chicken with its head cut off…'"

She stared at him with sudden fascination.

"What's a proverbial chicken with its head cut off?" she giggled as she repeated what he said.

"--Well…it's --" he looked around thoughtfully. "Ohhh --" he sighed at last. "--Never mind…it isn't important…"

"Does it have four legs like a dog?" Rydia asked hopefully, grabbing Edward's hand.

Edward smiled…four legs like a dog…

"Actually…no --" he answered. "--It's really not important…"

Thunder rumbled in the distance again…Edward heard several murmurs from the men…he remembered what the sailor told him earlier…

(…they say the storms get pretty harsh…)

Edward gazed at the storms swelling in the distance…

(…the storms get harsh…)

The steady rumbling of the thunder pealed through the air again…

(…sometimes…I believe it's more than the storms…)

Suddenly Edward shivered…the wind seemed to have become colder…

"---Are you?" Rydia was saying. Edward blinked and tore his gaze from the clouds.

"--What did you say, Rydia?"

She sighed impatiently and spoke louder.

"I said --" She cleared her throat as if she were saying something of extreme importance. "--I don't care if it rains cause I'm not scared of rain…are you?"

"Of course not --" Edward declared quickly. "--It is just rain --" He glanced at the dark threatening clouds in the distance…there was a wink of lightning…gone faster than the blink of an eye…Edward beheld it as some sort of warning…what it meant, he did not know…

"--A little rain never hurt anyone…"

* * * * * *

Several hours later the swollen clouds finally drooped low from the heavens and burst…within a matter of seconds gray sheets of rain were falling and the sails whipped back and forth in the gusty winds…Despite the torrents of rain, Cecil stood on the deck of the ship and aided the sailors in lowering the sails…the ship listed dangerously low in the crashing waves and it was nearly impossible to remain standing…the cool rain pelted Cecil’s face and the roaring of the wind made communication difficult…

"Aw hell!" the captain grunted, his hands latched to the shipwheel. "—The best thing we can do is lower the sails…let this blow on through!"

Cecil nodded and nearly had to scream over the steady whining of the wind…

"This won’t knock us too far off course, will it?!"

The captain strained to hold the wheel then he shook his head, sending great drops of water left and right.

"Nah!" he shouted. "Hell no!" He looked into the blinding rain and squinted thoughtfully. "—Maybe a half a mile or less!" He nodded toward the mast. "—My ol’ girl can handle this!"

Cecil nodded but still remained doubtful. He stared around the soaked deck and watched the sailors doing what they could to insure the safety of the ship. As one of the sailors approached the captain hastily, Cecil turned his attention to the enraged ocean. He peered through the bands of silverish rain and the cold drops stung his cheeks…there was a strange trembling for a moment then the ship careened violently toward the sea…Cecil stumbled back and tasted a salty mist swirl near his face…

"What in God’s name is going on?!"

The captain’s feet were planted as firmly as possible in the drenched planks of wood and his teeth were gritted as he tried vainly to keep the wheel from spinning without control…

"Swells!" he gasped. "It’s them damn swells!" It seemed that the shipwheel would tear his arms off if he didn’t release it.

A drop of the salt water burned Cecil’s eye and he shut one instinctively for a moment…from one eye he could see the whitish foam of the crests of the waves boiling from the sea as if it were alive…as it churned again Cecil nearly lost his footing…the ship creaked back and forth and several of the sailors toppled helplessly to the deck…the rain was a strange silver color as it struck the raging sea…

"Sir!"

Cecil heard Yang’s desperate voice over the roaring wind…The captain held the wheel with both hands and leaned his head toward the warrior…

"We can’t…hold…this…much…longer!"

He staggered forward as if providing proof to his words.

"Release…the…ropes!" the captain gasped resolutely, struggling with the shipwheel, which had become like a living creature between his fingers…

"—Lower… the...sails…dammit!"

Rain lashed Cecil’s face as he watched the ragged sails whip violently in the wind…He nearly fell to the floor as waves gushed over the railing and flooded the deck…Suddenly there was a gout of salt water that rushed upon the deck with such force that it sent men sprawling to the deck…The captain cursed loudly and dropped to one knee…he still held the shipwheel but the creature was gaining its strength…his efforts were becoming futile…

"It’s…no…use!" Cecil shouted in the man’s ear through the wailing wind and rain. He heard a creak as the ship listed precariously on its side. He felt a sudden nauseating rush as he thought he was going to fall headfirst into the crashing and merciless waves…

"We…should –"

"CAPTAIN!"

A man’s voice rang out very close to Cecil…the voice was so frightened that it was unnerving…the captain whirled around and the shipwheel almost sent him reeling to the deck…

"I saw him, cap’n!!"

Cecil clutched the rope lying nearby and found himself dangling against the ship railing…people cried out in surprise as the churning water licked out at them like crooked fingers…

"Get over here…and help me…man!"

The sailor’s hands were trembling as he clutched the captain’s shoulder…

"—He’s come, cap’n!!" The man’s voice was high-pitched and terrified. "—He’s come!"

The captain snatched the man’s arm angrily.

"Get a hold of yourself, damn you!"

"I saw him, cap’n!" the sailor stuttered again…the wind whipped Cecil’s hair into his eyes and he pushed it away impatiently…water flowed around his feet…his toes felt nearly numb…

"What is he talking about?!"

"I saw the Master of the Seas!"

The captain released his hold on the shuddering man and completely ceased controlling the shipwheel…the creature it had become whirred vehemently in the storm…Cecil watched the captain closely and the man drew in a deep breath to speak…

A piercing scream erupted from the boiling waves and a jet of silverish green water spouted from the ocean…it struck the ship railing, tearing apart pieces of the wood…sheets of the sail were ripped instantly from the mast…Cecil saw a quick flash of silverish-blue…how strange…

…it resembled fish scales…

(…more than the storms…)

Screams rang out all around…the captain watched in awe then the ship lurched forward and sent everyone sprawling to the saturated deck…waves crushed against Cecil and he heard gurgling screams as several of the men were dragged into the swirling waters…

"What the hell is that?!"

The captain crawled across the deck but Cecil managed to get a grip on one of his boots…

"The Master of the Seas!!"

…Master of the Seas…?

"It’s…only…a…legend!!" The captain abruptly revealed in a shaky pathetic voice…Cecil shook him roughly and glared into his eyes…

"—What’s only a legend?!"

The captain seemed paralyzed as he quivered and stared past Cecil into the ocean…Another scream…an animal-like scream, flared around them and Cecil winced instinctively….water struck the back of his legs and he almost collapsed over the captain…

"What is going on?!"

"It’s Leviathan!! He’s come!!"

Cecil watched in horror as the panicked sailors flung themselves over the railing that remained…something suddenly struck the ship and it careened dizzily to its side…Cecil was close to being engulfed by the greenish water and the shipwheel was spinning uncontrollably…the captain clung to the base of the mast, unmoving…Cecil moved closer to him and thought wildly for a moment that the man must have died of fear or shock or both…at last his eyes locked Cecil’s face but it was a dumb look…a look of not understanding…he appeared as if he had never seen Cecil before…

"Why didn’t…you…tell…me?!"

Cecil dragged the captain to his feet by his collar…the captain babbled incoherently…

"…I…I…th-thought –"

Cecil shook him roughly…

"Spit it out, man!!"

Cold rain pelted Cecil’s face and salt water stung his eyes but he was too angry…frightened? Everything to even care…the wind made the sails emit a strange flapping noise as if they were the appendages of a gigantic bird…

"It…was…only…a…legend!!" the captain was the verge of tears but he didn’t care. "—It…was…just...some…god-forsaken…legend!"

Another animal-like shriek rain above the noise of the waves and the rain and the wind…Cecil watched, his breath stuck in his throat, as a thick muscular tail…oh God it was a tail of an animal…that was covered in shimmering blue-green scales surfaced then disappeared almost as quickly as it had come…

(…he’s come…)

…Almost like a dream…

(…he has come…)

"Do you… call …that –" Cecil jabbed a finger in the direction of the unknown owner of the tremendous tail. "—A…legend?!!"

A stream of water spouted from the tumultuous ocean in a fine mist…the rain falling was at once changed to salt water…

"Do you call that a legend?!!"

Cecil shook the captain again and the man stared at him, wide-eyed…

"You…could have…told…someone!!"

There was a sharp crack nearby and Cecil’s hand shot up instantly…the huge wooden mast was cracking…he heard voices around him shouting a warning…shouting that they must make sure the mast does not break…Cecil staggered away and believed to himself that it was hopeless…

"Our judgment has come!!"

A voice rose above all of the others and Cecil would have ignored it if it had not been for the fact that it sounded awfully --familiar…He looked around blindly in the sheets of rain and at last his gaze fell upon the owner of the voice…he regretted that he ever looked or cared to know…

…it was the young cloaked stranger from the bar chamber…

Cecil couldn’t have recognized the strange man except for his clothing…the black robes which seemed even darker after they were soaked with rainwater…the young man’s long grayish hair was plastered to his cheeks and water poured constantly through the tuft of hair at his chin…his cloak was lashing furiously against his legs….but despite the situation he was calm…his dark eyes locked on Cecil for a heartbeat…and Cecil subconsciously felt a cold chill in his spine…

The ship lurched once more and men toppled to the deck…the hapless man positioned in the crow’s nest was painstakingly ascending the mast…Cecil watched in horror as he lost his balance, dangled by one hand momentarily, miraculously…and at last with an agonizing scream tumbled to the deck where he smashed into the unforgiving planks with a sickening thump and laid motionless…Cecil watched, stupefied, as a wave washed in and seemed to clutch the dead man…in a second he was gone…

Prince Edward appeared on the deck in the sheets of rain…he had a rope coiled around his wrist and hand and helped desperately to hold the remaining sails against the weakening mast…his teeth were clenched tightly as he leaned back against the wind, the rain, the waves…his weight was against the mast…only a few sailors remained on deck, holding a rope to the mast and sails in the same manner as the prince of Damcyan…most had surrendered themselves to the turbulent sea and the great creature that drifted beneath its surface…

Cecil coughed feverishly as the salty mist splashed onto his face…when he could draw a deep breath, he searched for the captain…

"It is the Dark Knight that brought this judgment upon us!"

Cecil spun around and in a flash of lightning he could see the mysterious young man addressing the bedraggled sailors around him…

"--Evil knows one of its own kind!" the hooded man stabbed a finger accusingly at Cecil. "--The Master of the Seas has come to claim one of his own!"

Cecil squinted and glared at the strange prophet…he started toward him…

"Perhaps if we throw the Dark Knight into the raging sea, it will satisfy the accursed Leviathan!"

Cecil stooped short but continued to glare at the young man…

"You bastard!"

He started toward the man again…

"--You --"

A strong hand grabbed Cecil's shoulder and he stumbled, whirling around to see the captain…the frightened man must have considered the mysterious hooded figure's words…he clutched Cecil's arm and gritted his teeth as he tried to drag the dark Knight to the deck…

"Maybe…he's…right!" the captain grunted. The ship listed sharply again and Cecil's hand fell back onto the deck…they were too close to the railing…

"What…are …you…doing?!"

Cecil gasped as a torrent of rain and waves swept over them…they were locked in a fierce wrestling match as they smashed against the railing…Cecil's blood froze as he felt the weakened wood shudder beneath them…he closed his eyes and waited for the dark water to wash over him and swallow him…the railing held firmly by some miracle and Cecil groped wildly for the captain's neck or hand or arm…at last he found himself with a fistful of hair and with a grunt, he pulled the captain's forehead into the corner of the railing…the man groaned and Cecil felt a warmth spreading across his hands and arms and it was not the warmth of the rushing sea water…the captain's fingers instantly loosened and another wave swept him across the deck…

Cecil clambered to his feet and heard the unearthly wailing of the gargantuan sea creature…the ship was wracked mercilessly and Cecil grabbed the railing to steady himself…sailors strove vainly to keep the shredded sail down…the mysterious young man remained on his feet, one hand pressed on the rail…his golden irises were locked on Cecil through the silvery streaks of rain…his other hand was hidden in the depths of his black cloak…

"May the devil's work be done!"

He lunged at Cecil…Cecil saw a flash of silver as he approached…in his hand was a dagger…Cecil was helpless as he tried to maintain his balance…

As the young man leaped toward Cecil, the ship listed violently…otherwise the dagger would have plunged deep into Cecil's chest…the man's momentum sent him forward too quickly and the dagger barely missed Cecil's chest, grazing his arm instead…Cecil swore as he flailed backward…he hardly noticed the pain in his arm or the blood oozing from the wound…he and the cloaked figure grappled for possession of the weapon…a huge wave burst upon them and Cecil felt his lungs fill with salt water…he choked and gasped and sought for the dagger in the tumbling waters…he groaned as the man's knee fell heavily into his stomach…without warning the boat tipped dangerously close to the sea…the prow was buried in the raging water…Cecil snatched at the base of the mast and he heard the scuffling of sailors as several slid down the length of the deck…at last he saw the dagger and when he had it in his fingers he saw the young man rush at him madly…once more the ship listed with such force that Cecil was li ted from where he leaned against the mast and sent sprawling into the young man…they crashed against the deck brutally as a wave tore through a section of the railing…Cecil threw his hands over his face and he was suddenly being drawn into the churning sea…miraculously he fell against the railing and it creaked but withstood his weight…through the blinding rain and waves he noticed the young man's body…his foot was lodged in the railing for a brief second…the dagger protruded from his stomach

(the dagger)

Cecil didn't remember holding the dagger

(the young man)

He did not recall swinging the dagger toward the young man…

The mysterious prophet remained between the posts of the railing for only a second more…his lips were curled back from his shiny teeth in a strange smile…a sneer…

As the wave captured the young man and dragged him into the darkness of the ocean, Cecil knew he would always remember that cruel and wicked smile…

The other sailors approached Cecil …he needed to scream and swear to them that nothing would satisfy the Master of the Seas for God's sake it's not my fault this is happening nothing would satisfy the sea dragon nothing would…

Before he could say anything he heard another scream…it was familiar and he wished instantly that he didn't hear it…he was suddenly nauseated…

"Rydia!"

He peered through the lashing rain and glimpsed the little girl…

"Edward!!"

The prince still had a death-grip on the rope holding the sails…Cecil realized he was paralyzed…that's all…paralyzed with fear…

"Edward!" Cecil repeated urgently. "--Get Rydia!" He gestured wildly. "Get Rydia!"

Just as the final word left his mouth, there was a deafening crack like an explosion near Cecil's head…he threw his hands over his ears and felt small jagged pieces of wood slash into his cheeks and arms and hands…

The mast was being ripped from the ship…

There was a final crack as the mast was sheared from the base…ropes whipped around and around and the men holding them dove aside as the mast was dragged by the wind and waves…

Edward watched in terror as the mast teetered then fell…he silently and fervently thanked God that it was falling away from him…suddenly the rope he held dropped from his hand and lashed around his leg like an angry serpent…in an instant he was thrashing furiously against the taut rope…his fingers clawed desperately for a grip on something, anything, but it was hopeless…at last after being battered relentlessly for what seemed like hours, the tugging on his leg shuddered to a halt…rain pelted his face and soaked his hair…Edward was disoriented and his mind was cloudy but he did recall what Cecil had said…

Rydia…

…she was on the deck…

Edward shook the rope from his leg and crawled to his knees…

"Edward!"

He heard a squeal over the roaring of the wind and crashing waves…he frantically sought the voice…

"Edward!"

Edward finally saw Rydia kneeling on the deck…she was balled up and shivering and the first thing he discovered was that she was near the railing of the ship…she was too close to the railing of the ship…

The ship abruptly pitched forward…a wall of sea water gushed over one side…

(…I'm not gonna fall…)

Rydia was too close to the railing…the ship plunged deep into the dark water …

(…you are making me nervous…)

Edward was blinded as a tremendous wave rushed into him…it struck him and to the deck he fell…it was followed by a piercing shriek from the darkness and confusion…

(…I'm not gonna fall…)

…she was too close to the railing… one entire side of the ship submerged…

When Edward thought he couldn't hold his breath any longer, the waters fell away and he gasped for breath…the salt burned his eyes but he opened them and searched the deck through the gray sheets of rain…

(…I don't care if it rains…)

"Rydia!"

(I'm not scared)

When the ship rose again with the waves, she was not there…

"Rydia!!"

Edward climbed to his feet and stumbled dizzily across the soaking deck…

"…Oh…God…" he muttered…

…He realized it was hopeless…

"Rydia!!"

Cecil watched as the prince shouted for the little girl; but he had seen her near the railing when the ship sank and she was not there when it reappeared…he prayed and prayed that she was at another part of the deck or maybe someone else grabbed her before she fell and maybe she was even holding onto the edge of the ship and now someone needed to help her so go help her you idiot before it's too late go rescue her you hero

From the corner of his eye Cecil saw a flash of movement and he recognized it as Yang…the warrior dashed across the deck with amazing nimbleness…

"Yang!"

Cecil screamed for the warrior but the valiant and daring man would not listen…

"Yang!"

In a flash the dark-skinned warrior tore his shirt from his shoulders and leaped gracefully onto the visible railing in the waves…

"YANG!"

Cecil screamed one last time as the warrior sprang from the railing and with unintended perfection plunged into the black depths of the sea water…the blackness of the water came from an elongated shadow very close to the ship…

There was another deafening snap as the prow of the ship fell into pieces…jagged chips of wood and metal sprayed through the air and Cecil saw the prince of Damcyan fall; his head snapped back and hit the shipwheel hard…

As Cecil crept blindly toward he injured prince, the last thing he remembered was a thick muscular tail laced with blue-green scales, shimmering and dripping with seawater, crashing into the body of the ship…there was a roaring explosion everywhere that seemed to destroy the entire ship…the sea…the sky…the world…Cecil's head ached then everything turned to a suffocating black…a living darkness…and the world suddenly disappeared…

* * * * *

A dull roaring surrounded him…maybe it was only in his mind…his mind was throbbing in perfect rhythm with the soft roar…darkness pulsated in his eyelids and his body felt heavy…if he tried to move he knew he couldn't but it would not be a bad idea to try…

His eyes opened lowly but they wouldn't remain open for very long or even open very wide…the roar was steadily diminishing then, as if it had changed its mind, it began to fade in again…he felt for sure that his neck wouldn't move and his head couldn't be lifted but once more when he tried it, it worked…it was very slow and painful yet he did lift his head…

His eyelids were heavy as he tried to sit up…the roaring that he heard was the sound of waves…

(…waves…?)

He thought he left the ocean long ago…his mind was hazy…

(…Yang…)

Suddenly he remembered…

"Yang…?"

The waves continued to break gently at the shore…he whispered the name again…

"…Yang…"

There was no answer but that didn't mean that he was alone…

"…Edward…?"

No response…his voice sounded very loud although it was only a whisper…

"…Rydia…?"

He felt sand beneath him as he shifted to stretch his stiff limbs…

"…Is…anyone…here…?"

He almost couldn't speak through his parched lips…his mouth was dry and there was a bitter taste…

(…anyone…?)

"…Please…if someone's…here…"

The reddish moon stared down at him from high in the night sky…he was kneeling now…he didn't remember rising…

"…Where…is…"

The words trailed off…it was useless anyway…through his squinted eyes he could see no one around him…the waves continued to fall gently into the sand…

Cecil climbed to his feet and staggered forward dizzily…his head was reeling and he took an uncertain step through the sand…he sensed the moon gazing at him…he stumbled forward again and the sand sank beneath his heavy boots…when he felt like he could walk without feeling nauseated, he took a few more experimental steps and suddenly he was falling forward into the sand…it was strange…something was in front of his foot and at once he pitched face-first in the sand…

He mumbled an impatient curse into the sand…he tasted the gritty pieces as they clung to his lips…After spitting the salty sand from his mouth in disgust, Cecil rolled over, exhausted, and peered back into the sand at his feet to see what he had stumbled over.

Two black eyeholes stared at him from a black helmet…an ivory horn rose above one of the eyeholes…another ivory horn was on the other side of the helmet but it had been broken almost completely off…

Cecil's head sank wearily back into the sand…everything rushed into his mind at once…he was very tired…he decided that he wouldn't think about it anymore…with one final curse of frustration he tore at the double-cross of Baron upon his shirt…it ripped easily between his fingers and with exaggerated amusement he tossed it aside…

Cecil's arm remained where it drooped on the sand…the waves continued to lap gently against the shore; but once they returned to the sea, there was a passenger churning in the foam and sand…the shredded emblem of the Dark Knights of Baron, the double-cross, drifted away with the waves and disappeared in the depths of the ocean...

* * * * * * * *

He stood motionless once again at the wrought iron gates of the city in the pale light of the early morning sun…The streets seemed busy for such an early hour, but how could the scene be different? He would be forced to see what he saw the last time…he heard a surprised cry from a woman…she couldn't see him…was he really there or was it a dream?

This time as he motioned for the soldiers behind him to enter the gates, the soldiers were not there to do as he commanded…He heard the pounding of boots on the streets and he glanced up wearily to see several young men approaching him…he heard the distinct scraping of metal as swords were drawn from their sheaths…this time as he reached for his own black blade, it was not to raise it against the men but to drop it to the ground at their feet…he meant to say that he would do no harm but his mouth was dry and his lips were cracked and he couldn't speak…his action was misunderstood as an action of resistance…

"It is the dark Knight!"

"He has returned!"

"Kill him!"

Suddenly the crowd surged upon him before he could throw his sword to the ground…he thrashed left and right but his efforts were weak and his sheath was torn from his shoulders…the guards approached him, the golden hilt of a sword flashed in front of his face in the sunlight and struck his dark helmet…it too was torn from head as hands groped at him from all sides…

"Kill him!"

"Kill the dark knight!"

Voices erupted in his ears and he was being dragged toward the dirt and stone…he fought desperately to remain on his feet because he knew he would die if he ever fell...through his squinted eyes he saw the leering face of one of the guards and he felt a sharp pain as the butt of a spear smashed into his jaw…He reeled backwards and instantly tasted blood on his lips…he was falling and he landed heavily on his side in the dirt and immediately he covered his head with his arms as the mage-guards kicked at him viciously…blows from the boots feel mercilessly upon his arms, his ribs, his back…he would certainly die now…

"Damned dark knight!"

He closed his eyes tightly…

…Suddenly death didn't seem to matter…

"Halt!"

A loud voice rose above the commotion…the guards looked up quickly…the Elder of Mysidia stood on the steps of the Tower of Prayers, his old eyes glittering strangely in the sun…

"Step away --" he commanded coolly. "--Let him speak --"

The guards nearly protested, but at last they backed away with obvious reluctance. The young knight of Baron lay on the ground, his chest heaving painfully…as soon as the old man saw the dark armor, his eyes narrowed, and in his eyes flickered something that resembled surprise…shock…

"---Cecil Harvey --"

"It is the dark knight!" One of the guards spat impetulantly. "--It is because of him that our crystal is gone!"

"Where is the crystal of Water?!" another demanded harshly, glaring at Cecil as he struggled to prop on one arm…Cecil shook his head weakly…he wanted to explain everything…his change of mind…the king of Baron's change of mind…

"…I…I…don't…know…"

"Liar!"

A guard leaped toward him angrily, his sword raised…

"Perhaps --"

The Elder's stern voice forced the man to halt…

"--Perhaps he speaks the truth…"

One of the mage-guards prodded Cecil with a spear…

"He lies! The dark knight is lying!"

Cecil shook his head again.

"I have no reason to lie…now --" his voice quivered uncontrollably. "--I've lost everything…I'm not…even…one of the dark Knights…anymore…"

The Elder stared at him thoughtfully…

"Why have you come here again?"

Such a simple question…why was it so difficult to answer then…? Cecil drew a shuddering breath and licked his dry lips…

"I…know…I can't apologize to you…for what I've…done…I never meant to come here…again --" He paused. "--I was traveling across the ocean…and there was a --"

(…sea creature that was only supposed to be a legend but it wasn't…)

"--s-storm and all I can remember is waking up…on the beach --"

The old man's emotionless eyes gazed at him until he spoke again…

"--There was…nowhere else…to go…"

One of the guards smirked but Cecil ignored him…

"--I'm…surrendering everything to you…now --" Cecil spread his arms wide, heedless of the mage-guards surrounding him. "--I can't repay…you…for your losses but you can take my dark sword...and armor --" He stared at the dark sheath regretfully. "--It may…be worth enough…to rebuild those parts of the city --"

"We do not want your charity!"

The guard stared at him and spoke with an insolent voice…

"Then kill me!" Cecil retorted angrily. "--Kill me and stick my head on a post in the middle of the city and let the people curse me every time they pass!"

The Elder watched him wordlessly…his youthful eyes seemed to calm Cecil's anger…for some unknown reason his eyes cooled Cecil's rage…

"--I…I…have nothing…left --" Cecil admitted at long last. "--My life…is…worthless…"

The old man shook his hoary head in contradiction.

"You will never know the value of your own life…it is others who will find your life invaluable…"

Cecil pretended not to hear as he clutched his ribs…clutched his heart would have been more appropriate…the old man was right…but it was too hard to accept now…Cecil felt as if he were not breathing correctly…it was too painful…At last he turned to the mage-guards surrounding him…

"--I…forfeit my life…to you --" he stated softly then dropped his eyes. "----I know…treason…is punishable by…death…and I'm willing…to accept…the punishment --"

The guards began to close in on him and Cecil squeezed his eyes shut tightly.

"Let justice be done swiftly!"

Cecil was too aware of the guards standing above him…swords poised at his head…he wondered what he would feel as he died…it was all he deserved…he only deserved to die here…where he had caused others pain and suffering and…he never even cared…

He was dimly aware of the steady pounding of his heart which would cease soon…it wouldn't be long…

"But that choice is not ours…"

The Elder's voice declared coldly from the steps of the Tower…

The guards spun around, surprised, impatient…the old man's face showed no emotion…no explanation…Cecil almost wished they would kill him…he deserved nothing less…

"Put away your swords and bring him into the Tower of Prayers --" the Elder of Mysidia commanded in the same cold voice. "--I shall like to speak with Sir Cecil alone…"

* * * * * *

"…I see…"

"--I lost…everything --"

Cecil's voice echoed softly through the chamber. He was standing in front of the Elder, and before he continued, he glanced at the dark horned helmet in his hands…

"--All I have is this dark armor…and this dark sword --" Here his voice dropped angrily. "--And this helmet…even after the shipwreck…I couldn't get rid of it…it's a curse…"

The old man watched him closely.

"It would be your trial…but, it is a trial that everyone must suffer --" His voice relayed no concern or pity to the dark knight…it was simple explanation…justification. "--Understand that you are not the only one who has faced such hardship…"

Cecil bowed his head solemnly…the old man was right…so many others had suffered and for what reason?

(…because you started this…you started this when you dared to touch the crystal of Water and now you're here again and for some reason you are alive still so quit whining isn't it enough that you are alive?!)

How could I be so selfish…Cecil thought but aloud he said:

"It would satisfy these people --" he haphazardly indicated the air around him as if he stood before a jury of specters. "--If they could see me beaten and executed in the town square --" His voice rose bitterly. "--After everything I've done, I don't deserve to stand in this tower and speak with…you…I have nothing left and I deserve nothing less than death…"

The elder sighed impatiently.

"As I have clearly said, that is not our choice, Sir Cecil --"

"What do you expect from me?!"

Without warning, Cecil spoke in a passion.

"I can't ask for forgiveness and believe you'll accept it after I…murdered --" He could hardly say the word. "--After I…murdered…these people!"

The withered old man eyed Cecil intently, almost sadly, for a moment…

"Cecil --" he spoke in a measured voice. "--Do you understand that the repentance of sins is only possible through the will to forgive?"

Cecil said nothing as the elder watched him closely…

"--The gravest sin committed by man --" the Elder revealed with sorrow. "--Is to deny the forgiveness of his brother…"

Cecil started toward the old man without realizing it…

"I don't deserve anyone's forgiveness!"

His eyes flashed brightly as he lifted the black horned helmet to shoulder level.

"Look at this!"

His hand trembled as he clutched the helmet…its deep black eyeholes calmly regarded the Elder's face…

"--Even after a shipwreck in the middle of God knows where --" Cecil was on the verge of screaming. "--I wake up and everything's gone but this!"

He thrust the black helmet toward the old man again but the old man never flinched…Cecil lowered his gaze to the ivory horn of the helmet, a strange smile playing on the corner of his mouth, then he laughed, a high-pitched hysterical kind of laugh…

"--I lost… everything I… had --" His voice rose in amazement. "--So why can't I lose this god-forsaken helmet too?!"

The knight was nearly in tears…tears of anger and self-pity and regret and confusion…the Elder bowed his head with a deep sigh as if he were trying to care for a hot-tempered young child…

"--Maybe…it is true…what is said --"

His voice drooped wearily…

"--Maybe a man can gain the world, but in gaining the world, lose his own soul --"

Cecil gaped at the elder in disbelief…the words had a strange sound to them...a strange quality…

(because they're meant for me right they really hit home that time)

"…His…soul…?"

Cecil's words were almost not spoken…they were spoken senselessly…dully…he stared at the dark eyeholes that seemed to always be watching him…how odd…he had never seen the helmet from this side…

"--But…I --"

The truth of the Elder's words was suddenly clear…Cecil faltered…the elder drew a deep breath to speak again, but Cecil spun around, slamming the dark helmet unto the floor vehemently…

"I never asked for this!"

He turned away from the old man quickly, but not before the Elder saw a glint of light in his eye…Cecil couldn't speak…he feared his voice would quiver and the tears that stung his eyelids would spill hotly over his cheeks…

"--All…I ever wanted to do --" He fell back against the wall, his hands on his head. "--Was wear the crest of Baron as one of the dark Knights of the king --" His voice was unsteady but he didn't care.

"--I wanted to carry the dark sword and fight only to maintain the virtues of strength and honor and loyalty --"

The elder made no remark…he was unmoving…a statue in the dimly lit room…

"--It's all I have left…from my…father --"

Cecil wasn't speaking to the elder…he seemed instead to be speaking to himself…the elder could not help but feel pity toward the young man…

"---I couldn't let everyone…down --" Cecil spoke to the old man again, his eyes sparkling dully. "--Especially my mother…so I had to follow his footsteps --"

The old man watched as Cecil glanced at his dark helmet…

"--I swear --" he started softly, turning toward the door. "--I always asked myself 'Why?'"

It was a confession…not simply a statement…

"--I doubted myself and the dark knights and the king --" Cecil turned to the elder again. "--I wondered why we did some of the things we did…and I asked myself more than once 'Why do I have to do this?'"

He lowered his eyes to the floor thoughtfully…then with a shake of his head:

"--But we weren't supposed to ask questions…we weren't allowed to falter --"

The elder thought for a moment that he could see a faint smile playing at the young man's lips…it might have been only the shadows from the flickering candles…

"--It's because that was what he did --"

The old man scowled as he pondered Cecil's statement…suddenly he realized that the young man as finally answering the question he had so often asked himself…

"--But is this what he was?"

Cecil indicated himself with a dry laugh…

"Was he just a selfish bastard who wanted to do nothing but be a hero by wearing the dark armor and swinging the dark sword around like his own pride was worth dying for?"

The Elder of Mysidia waited a moment before speaking…

"--Loyalty --" he stated softly. "--Is never wasted if you are satisfied with the rewards…"

The dark Knight stared at the floor for a long time without uttering a word…Just as the elder started to speak again, Cecil's voice rose bitterly…

"--Everyone was satisfied with my rewards…everyone was satisfied with what I was and what I stood for --"

He paused for a moment…the elder thought he detected a slight quiver in the young man's voice…One more thing, Cecil's mind raced wildly…one more thing to say and then it'll all be clear to me and to him…

"--Everyone --" He spoke deliberately now. "--But…me…"

Long silence…the words sounded more convicting that he imagined they would…and then silence comes to fill in the dead space…perfect…why did it always seem that when there was nothing to say, silence came and then you were forced to think instead?

At last Cecil spoke with deep regret:

"--I never realized that pledging my allegiance to the nation of Baron meant I was pledging my soul to darkness…"

The elder of Mysidia nodded sorrowfully…

"Those actions taken in the night and what we notice first as the sun rises…"

Cecil silently agreed and he felt that he should say something aloud but he was relieved when the elder continued:

"I do recall a time, Sir Cecil, when the knights of Baron were honorable men --"

Cecil nodded…

"It was hard for me to see the changes…when I was inside…looking out…"

Another silence…the Elder seemed to be pondering something as he stood with his chin rested in his hand…

"--The one called Golbez --" he stated finally. "--That you spoke of…he is also a dark knight…"

"He's just another pawn like me --" Cecil declared ruefully. "--But I think he has more authority over the nation of Baron that King Odin --" He stared at the old man standing before him. "--He doesn't care what happens to anyone as long as he gets what he wants ---"

"--And I am afraid --" the old man revealed wryly. "--To ask exactly what it is that he wants…"

"--The crystals --" Cecil said without hesitation. "--The crystals of the elements --"

A pause…

"--He's finishing what I started when I took

(those innocent lives)

the crystal of…Water…"

The old man bowed his head.

"--It is what I feared --"

Maybe so but did you know he's over half-way there, Cecil demanded silently…Did you know that more innocent people have fallen and even more will fall because he's still not finished…?

Of course you wouldn't know, Cecil answered his own question for the elder…why should you? You've already suffered…why should you have to carry the burdens of everyone else?

"--He's already claimed the crystals of Fire and Air --" Cecil said after a moment's hesitation. "--With the crystal of Water, it means he only needs one more --"

The Elder of Mysidia nodded…his nod clearly said 'I know…'

How do you already know? Cecil wondered but aloud he said nothing…

"…Oh…it is a grievous situation --" the old man intimated. "--He does not realize the magnitude of the destruction that will be brought upon the Earth if he attempts to wield the power of the crystals --"

"--That's why I'm going to stop him --" Cecil intoned with a little less determination than he wished. "--To end this --" He spread his arms wide and turned away from the old man.

"--It's all I have to offer to those who have suffered because of my carelessness --"

Cecil faced the elder again to see his wrinkled face and bright eyes gazing back at him…

"--The next time I meet Golbez, it'll be the last --" Cecil promised in a voice that was barely audible.

"--Either for him…or…for me…"

The old man stroked the beard dangling from his chin and said in a tone of bitter regret:

"--I am afraid that in your present condition, it would prove to be the last for you, Sir Cecil --" he indicated the sheath on Cecil's back.

"--One such as Golbez cannot be harmed by the sword of darkness --"

"--If that's the only thing stopping me then I'll kill him with my own hands --"

The knight appeared to be considering removing the scabbard from his back but the elder shook his head with a faint smile:

"He cannot be killed by one of his own kind --"

There was a mysterious undertone in the man's speech but Cecil was oblivious to it…he only heard the words 'one of his own kind' and thought of himself being compared to that monster who had killed those innocent people in Damcyan and Fabul…Cecil turned his back to the old man…at long last he gave a strained laugh:

"--I wish there were a way to forget a certain period of time in my life…and pretend like that part of me never existed --"

He expected the elder to respond immediately; however, the old man sank into deep thought for a moment before speaking:

"Cecil Harvey --"

The tone of his voice reflected a seriousness that Cecil did not expect.

"--Do you truly wish to renounce your loyalty to the Order of the Dark Knights and put aside your dark sword forever?"

Cecil nodded and felt as if he answered a bit too quickly:

"--I would have done it long ago if there were any way possible --"

(…would you really…?)

A voice suddenly asked deep in his mind…

(…Do not lie to yourself, Cecil Harvey…)

It's true, he defended himself silently…he was relieved when the elder continued:

"--There is but one way to rid your soul of darkness…and that is to open your heart to the light…"

Cecil was about to reply but that voice penetrated his thoughts again…

(…you cannot rid your soul of its darkness…)

"I'm…willing…to do it…sir --" Cecil managed to stammer…his lips were dry and he had to moisten them before he could continue…

(you have sold yourself to the darkness)

…No…

(…you cannot redeem yourself…)

"--I'll…do…whatever…it takes --"

Cecil nearly gasped the words and he hoped the elder didn't notice…of course he would never be able to hear Cecil's thoughts anyway…

"It can only be achieved by your own will --"

By his response Cecil imagined the old man could in fact read his thoughts…a strange chill coursed through his chest…Cecil waited for heart to cease its frantic beating…the Elder must have taken his silence as an agreement because he continued:

"--Your only option then is to travel to the Mount of Ordeals in the west and seek what force is hidden at the peak --"

…Mt. Ordeals…? But it has nothing to do with everything else he wanted to scream…Cecil couldn't have forced himself to complain aloud…after all, he was the one who was practically standing at his judgment…

"--But Golbez will take the last crystal if no one tries to stop him --"

It was the only thing Cecil could say and it embarrassingly enough came out sounding like a plea or a whine…

"--That one cannot be you, Cecil Harvey --" the Elder was prompt with his reply. "--Unless you accept the light and deny the darkness --"

A pause…Cecil's own mind was convicting him of what the elder should have been saying…

(…that one can never be you…no matter what you do because you will never turn from that darkness…have you not tried before…?)

"Our God will not allow Golbez to act against others as he awaits the one who has been lost to be found again --"

Cecil was relieved once again that the old man interrupted his thoughts…the words were not reassuring…

"What is the force at the peak of the mountain?"

He changed the subject, hoping that the voice in his mind would remain quiet…The elder shook his head hopelessly…

"That I do not know --" he admitted, much to Cecil's surprise. "--It is a force beyond my comprehension…it is a variable force --"

…A variable force…? Cecil wondered in dismay…then how can I rely on a force that's always changing…?

The old man answered as though he could hear Cecil's silent question:

"--Each individual will experience a different trial as he stand at his judgment --"

Cecil nodded…of course…it made perfect sense…

"How can I…pass…the judgment?"

For some reason he knew the elder could not thoroughly answer the question…the old man seemed to consider Cecil's question for several minutes before speaking…

"--It consists of the physical and emotional trials which you encounter as you make your way to the peak of the mountain --"

…Physical and emotional trials…Cecil turned the possibilities over in his mind…if he were not physically strong by now then he must have just been lucky…as for the emotional trials…

(…in your heart you are emotionless…)

"--The final trial is the spiritual trial --" The Elder's voice contained a trace of sorrow. "--That is your final judgment --"

It was said in such a manner that Cecil expected him to follow those words with 'This is where you will not succeed, sir Cecil, because by now you most certainly do not even have a spirit…'

(…not one worth reconditioning…)

"--It takes place within your heart and soul --" the old man revealed. "--Where good and evil struggle to overcome the other --"

(…it is where you have often been…)

"--And in their struggle you are tortured as each one tears into your very soul --"

(..your soul? You do not even have a soul…)

"--Only one will rise in the end --" the elder stated in a soft voice.

(..the only one that has always been there…)

"--And that choice, Cecil, is yours and yours alone…"

Cecil gazed at the old man, expecting to say something more…

…Why don't you say there's no possibility that I can do this? I don't really have a choice…

"If I conquer the…darkness --" Cecil's voice quivered. "--What will happen?"

(…If you conquer the darkness……you lie to yourself…)

The Elder of Mysidia nodded as if Cecil's words had been 'When I conquer the darkness…'

(…If you attempt to conquer the darkness, you will be destroyed…by your own inner strength…)

"--You will be adorned with the White Robes of the Holy Knight…the Paladin --"

His voice sounded awe-stricken…but it fell in almost the same instance…

"--And you will be a Dark Knight no more --"

(…You…? A Dark Knight no more…? It is not possible…)

"--And if I…lose…?"

Cecil didn't intend to ask such a question…his mouth just seemed to drop open and say it without his consent…

"--Then you will never walk upon the Earth again --"

There was a slight chill in the old man's voice…never walk upon the Earth again…it didn't sound like such an unfortunate turn of events…

(…You do not deserve to walk upon the Earth as you are…)

"--And I can only assume that your soul is claimed by the darkness and will remain somewhere between life and death --"

The old man's face fell into a grimace…

"--It is a land more terrifying than a mortal mind can begin to imagine --"

…Could anything be worse than this…?

"--Why can't I just wear the White Robes of a Paladin --" Cecil started. "--Without overcoming Mt. Ordeals?"

He couldn't understand why he asked such a silly question…the answer was more than obvious…

"--It is not that easy --" the elder noted wryly. "--The white robe is the physical symbol of your spiritual cleansing --" He stared intently at Cecil with his youthful eyes. "--The true test is the test of your will --"

(…You are a fool…you cannot succeed in such an undertaking…)

"--The true change of spirit is here --" the old man lifted his thin fingers toward his forehead…

"--And here --"

He laid a withered hand upon his chest…

(…his heart…it is something that you do not possess, Cecil Harvey…)

"I know!"

Cecil wouldn't have realized that he had spoken aloud if the old man's eyes didn't turn to him suspiciously. Cecil flushed fiercely but said nothing to clarify his remark…instead his voice rose in anger:

"--How can I pretend I'm worthy enough to be one of the Holy Knights?"

(…You finally speak the truth…)

"--I --"

"--Mt. Ordeals does not induct the Holy Knights --" the elder pointed out, one skinny finger raised. "----It only makes your spirit vulnerable to both good and evil then it waits to see which one you will accept --"

(…Which one you will accept…? You have no choice but to accept one…and you know which one it will be…)

It won't…Cecil thought decisively…it won't be anything that I don't choose myself…It's my choice for God's sake and I can't surrender…

(…You are too weak…admit it to the old man…will you let him believe in you for this long…?)

"--It feels like I shouldn't waste my time --" Cecil's voice was weak…he didn't care anymore. "--And I can't help it, but I still doubt it's the only way --"

(…Why do you still doubt…? The old man is offering a chance for repentance as your only way now you must accept…)

Long silence…Cecil stared dumbly at the floor as if he were deep in thought…but…

(…you should not have to consider your choices…)

"Although the final struggle will only be with yourself," the old man said finally. "I cannot expect you to attempt this alone…"

He turned toward one of the adjacent halls, but Cecil grabbed his thin arm quickly.

"Sir, I can’t ask you to risk other people’s lives for what I have to do…" he pleaded, staring intently upon the Elder’s wrinkled face.

The old man looked at him with a nonchalant wave of his withered hand.

"I regret to tell you now, sir Cecil, that you will find it difficult to overcome what trouble you may encounter…the sword of Darkness is useless against the true evil lurking in Mt. Ordeals --" A thin smile appeared briefly across the elder’s face.

"--Besides, I know two young people who have openly expressed their wills to be tested --"

Before Cecil could protest, the old man turned toward the hallway.

"--Porom! Will you and your brother come in here for a moment?"

Cecil felt a nervous quivering in his stomach as he waited to see the people the elder had summoned…He heard a slight scraping sound, like a chair being pushed across the wooden floor, then muffled voices, followed by a giggle and at last footsteps in the corridor.

"I almost finished studying the last chapter of the book you gave me --" a girl’s voice drifted into the room an instant before the young girl appeared.

She paused as she stepped into the room and realized that the elder had a visitor.

"--Oh --" she smiled shyly when she when she noticed Cecil. "--I didn’t know someone else was here…"

The moment Cecil saw the young girl, he thought of Rydia…he didn’t understand why…the girl didn’t really look like Rydia at all…she was several years older than Rydia…not a child anymore, but still not an adult…the girl had short dark brown hair that fell just a few inches past her ears…some of her hair was tied with a light green ribbon near the top of her head. She was average height for a girl her age, but her clothing seemed a little less than average. She was a plain shirt and a pair of pants that resembled any pair of pants that could be found on a common stableboy…the pants and shirt were deep scarlet, and her attire was completed by a short light green cape over her shoulders that drooped to the back of her knees and matched the bow in her hair…Around the white collar of her shirt was a pendant, falling into an emerald cross.

"Porom, dear --" the elder looked into the hall behind her. "--Where is your brother?"

The young girl’s face crinkled into a scowl. Her eyes shimmered thoughtfully…Cecil once again thought of Rydia…he realized that the girl was pretty, with her large, luminous brown eyes; but she was still not at all like Rydia…Rydia had just been a sweet and beautiful little girl…

"I called him a minute ago --" Porom was saying with a frown. "--He was outside the window, not studying his books as usual --"

The Elder smiled with a shake of his head, and the girl started hastily across the room:

"--I’ll go drag him in…"

Without warning a crackling sound erupted next to Cecil, and he leaped aside quickly. Smoke billowed out all around the entrance of one of the halls and Cecil took another step back…it reminded him of what happened last time…Why wasn’t the Elder concerned? The young girl didn’t seem to care either…What if something happened and Cecil were blamed…?

From the plumes of smoke he heard a sudden coughing and hacking. He squinted into the ashes and haze and recognized the outline of a person…he couldn’t make out the features of the person but it appeared to be a young boy…several gasps rose again, followed by a muffled curse, and finally, with another series of wheezing, the figure stumbled from amidst the cloud of smoke.

It was a boy. He appeared to be about the same age as the girl, and oddly enough, he resembled the girl, having the same dark brown hair and dark eyes. His clothes were like his sister’s, his plain thin shirt and pants being green instead of scarlet, and instead of green, the cape tossed haphazardly over his shoulders was scarlet. He was a little larger than his sister, but he was rather thin compared to the other boys of his age.

Cecil imagined that he must have looked like a total idiot as he gaped, dumfounded, at the boy as though the answer to the mystery of his arrival would soon be revealed; but the look on Cecil’s face couldn’t have matched the shocked look on the boy’s own face.

"Palom!!"

The girl gasped as the boy gazed around in amazement….he seemed appalled that he was standing in the room with the old man and his sister and…a strange Dark Knight of Baron. The elder glanced at the boy, eyebrows raised, but the boy merely sauntered back with a nod.

"Check it out, dude --" he announced, grinning proudly. He indicated himself with his arms spread wide. "--Let’s hear a round of applause for the arrival of the Mysidian genius…"

Porom groaned and shook her head. The elder cast him a wry smile and approached him.

"A true Mysidian genius must learn to perform the spell of teleportation without soiling his garments…" the old man brushed ashes away from the boy’s shoulder, his eyes twinkling good-naturedly.

"--And learn to brush his hair --"

Porom added, pointing to Palom’s disheveled hair, which seemed to not have been brushed in weeks.

"--It looks like a deserted chocobo nest…"

The boy was undaunted.

"What’s the news, Gramps?" he inquired, rumpling his own hair and showering the floor and Cecil with ashes.

Porom gave him a dirty look, but he didn't notice.

"This had better be good --" Palom continued, glancing at Cecil doubtfully. "--I was scoring some major points with---" He paused and looked at the elder.

"Who?!" Porom demanded, glaring at him.

"--No one…" Palom said quickly with a mysterious smile.

Porom cocked her head to the side and watched him, eyebrows raised.

The old man gave Palom a look of admiration.

"And how many years your elder is this woman that you have so thoroughly charmed..?"

Palom shrugged nonchalantly.

"--Ohhh…just a few…."

Porom stared at him.

"How many is a few?"

He looked at the ceiling thoughtfully.

"--About nine or ten…"

"Oh, please --" Porom scoffed. "--Girls younger than you think you're a jerk…Why do you think girls older than you would---"

"--I don't know --" Palom shrugged. "--Ask Mistress Jena---"

"Mistress Jena?!" Porom gasped, wide-eyed.

"Dude---she is HOT!"

Palom winked at Cecil.

"Dude --" Porom mocked, "--she's your teacher!"

"And --" Palom added matter-of-factly. "--She's been here…in this building…in my room!" He gave Cecil a proud nod.

Porom shoved him.

"She only came here to tell Grandpa how much you disrupt class…"

"Well…" Palom shrugged again. "I didn't say why she came here…"

Porom shook her head.

"What about last week?" she demanded, her hands on her hips; a giggle escaped her mouth as she tried to scold her brother. A grin spread across his face.

"Awww…that was nothing --" he claimed indifferently. "--Older women enjoy guys with a sense of humor…"

Porom glared at him.

"There was no humor in the way she grabbed you by the arm and threw you out the door like a six year old…"

Palom brushed the comment aside with a wave of his hand.

"She got over it…it only took a couple of days for the room to dry --"

He looked up thoughtfully.

"--It still reeks a little…like mold or rotten fish or something…"

Porom sighed.

"Face it, dude…Mistress Jena thinks you’re a brat…"

Palom shook his head quickly.

"Last week is a thing of the past… Jena is a very forgiving person…"

"Jena?!" Porom stared at him in shock. "Don't tell me she lets you call her Jena…"

"Of course not!"

He turned to her with mock surprise, then, with a sly smile:

"--She lets me call her mama…"

Porom gave a cry of frustration and punched him hard on the shoulder. Palom collapsed against the wall, laughing crazily. The Elder began to shake his head slowly, unable to hide a faint smile.

"Palom, my son…will you ever learn to commit yourself to something worthwhile?"

Palom straightened his cape and stood up, nodding vigorously.

"Mistress Jena IS worthwhile!" he insisted. "I was 'expanding my educational horizons…'"

The Elder sighed and cast a glance at Cecil hopelessly…the dark knight was gawking at the spectacle that was taking place…

"Then please explain how I may expand my patience so you will not slowly drive me into dementia…"

Palom held up his hands innocently.

"Wait, Gramps…I can't explain all of that at one time…"

The old man smiled in spite of himself.

"…Oh…dear me…where did I begin to flag in your upbringing…?" he murmured good-naturedly. Then he looked up again.

"But I fear that we have strayed too far from the urgent subject at hand…"

Porom turned to face the old man anxiously.

"What's wrong, Grandpa..?"

Palom, too, suddenly appeared concerned.

"Nothing…bad…is happening…is it…?'

There was no trace of joking in his voice anymore.

The Elder bowed his head sadly. Cecil hadn't lifted his eyes from the floor; he could almost feel the children's eyes on him. He wondered if they knew…him…did they know what he had done…?

"I cannot tell --" the old man intoned. "--If only I understood what the future holds…but, it is not for me to see --"

He paused a moment.

"--Our actions in the present are what make our future --"

Cecil felt as if he should nod in agreement…the statement was probably meant for him…

The elder suddenly turned around and hobbled a few steps away from the others.

"Porom --" he said at last, thoughtfully. "--Haven’t you often wished that you could travel to faraway lands and visit those parts of the world that you have never seen…?"

Porom leaped toward him excitedly.

"I’d love to!" She had a dreamy look in her dark brown eyes. "I’ve always wanted to see the deserts and mountains and forests…"

The Elder nodded then turned to Palom.

"--And Palom…haven’t you often expressed your discontent in your current position as a mere apprentice..?"

Palom nodded, a little confused.

"--Go on…"

"--You have desired to be ‘put to the test,' as you have so delicately said --"

Palom nodded again.

"--Now," the old man declared, his eyes twinkling. "You will both be given the opportunity to fulfill your dreams --"

Porom watched the elder closely.

"What are you talking about, Grandpa..?" she asked softly.

"--I would like for you and your brother to accompany Sir Cecil --" Here he indicated the dark knight. "--To the West…to travel with him into the peak of the Mount Ordeals…"

"Mt. Ordeals?!"

Palom’s jaw dropped.

"Isn’t that a little…harsh..?"

"Mt. Ordeals!" Porom repeated in amazement. "But…we haven’t even been past the beaches near the city!"

Palom nodded vigorously.

"A walk to the beaches isn’t nearly like a walk to Mt. Ordeals!" He threw his arms into the air, exasperated. "It could take weeks or months!"

The Elder nodded.

"--It is guaranteed to test you, my son --"

"But we’re having the Festival of the Legend in a few weeks!" Palom exclaimed. "Dude! We can’t miss it!" He had a look of absolute dejection.

Porom’s face lit up in sudden remembrance.

"It’ll be over before we get back…"

Her face fell immediately.

"Then --" the Elder smiled. "--You must leave as soon as possible…"

"Sir --" Cecil started. "--I can’t ask you to let them come with me --" He lowered his voice. "--It’s too dangerous…"

"They are willing --" the Elder said shortly, then, to the children: "--Are you not, children..?"

Porom looked away hesitantly.

"Well…I guess…"

"If that’s what you want us to do, Grandpa…" Even Palom was reluctant to answer.

The elder nodded decisively.

"--It is my desire --"

He hobbled across the room and indicated the door with a sweep of his thin arm.

"--So you may now have the opportunity to boast to those unfortunate ones who will not be allowed the chance to travel as far west as the Mt. Ordeals --"

Suddenly a smile crossed he old man’s lips.

"--And bid farewell to those even less fortunate ones who will miss your company…"

Palom scratched his head thoughtfully.

"…Hmm…it might take a few weeks to do that…"

His sister quickly assured him that No, it wouldn’t…

The Elder smiled again and gestured toward Cecil, who had for some reason, began to feel extremely downcast as he stood in the Tower of Wishes with the elder and the two young apprentices.

"--I am certain that Sir Cecil will not mind if each of you spends time with your friends -"

Cecil nodded quickly in agreement and was about to verbally express his consent when the boy shook his head with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

"It doesn’t matter for Porom since she doesn’t have any friends…"

"Palom!"

The girl shrieked and punched him hard on the shoulder, glaring at him in amazement.

"You’re a jerk!"

Palom’s mouth dropped open in mock surprise as he turned to the old man.

"Grandpa! Did you hear what she just said?!"

He glanced back at Porom to see if he would get the desired reaction.

"--Can you believe it?"

Palom shook his head as though it were very unfortunate that his sister would manipulate violence and foul language in the presence of the elder. The elder, however, regarded the boy critically.

"Palom, my son, are you quite sure that you did not instigate the remark from your sister.?"

"He did!"

"I did…" Palom agreed, looking at his sister hopelessly. Cecil imagined that she would chastise her brother again, but the elder ended their conversation with a gusty sigh.

"Children…you should not bicker back and forth between yourselves…"

"Well…" Palom observed quickly. "It’s kinda hard to bicker by yourself, Gramps…"

Porom elbowed him hard in the side and turned to the old man apologetically.

"Grandpa, I’m sorry my childish brother is being so uncooperative right now---" Her words seemed to be directed at Cecil as well as the elder. She glanced at her brother deliberately as she continued:

"--We’ll leave so you and Sir Cecil can talk alone --"

"--And so Porom’s mouth won’t keep yapping nonstop --"

Palom appeared genuinely disgruntled at her behavior; Cecil was almost certain at this point that she would do something not intended for the eyes of the elder…all she did was shake her head helplessly.

"--Palom’s mouth needs to be sewn shut --" she observed, with a frown at her brother; Cecil inwardly thought that her remark countered Palom’s remark rather well, but Palom paid no attention to her and with a thoughtful scowl, asked no one in particular:

"Should I leave the same way I came in…?"

Porom was shaking her head and Cecil thought she would certainly embarrass him with a comment this time…the Elder prevented her from speaking by turning to the boy hastily.

"Let me discourage that method of removing yourself, Palom --" he advised, with a tiny smile. "--And offer you the suggestion of the convenience of the door…"

Porom grabbed her brother’s arm and started dragging him toward the door.

"That’s what I would’ve said…" she pointed out disdainfully. Palom snatched his arm away from her.

"You had better start running before I kick you outta here!" He threatened with a smile and leaped toward her. Porom gave a breathless laugh and bounded away from him…whereas a heated pursuit resulted until they disappeared from view, and Cecil and the elder were alone.

It took several minutes for Cecil to regain his voice.

"--You shouldn't have asked them to take part in this --" Cecil informed the Elder. "--It's something I have to do alone --"

The old man brushed the idea aside with a wave of his hand.

"--Perhaps you have too often tried to perform a task alone --"

Cecil couldn't force himself to meet the elder's gaze.

"--Sir Cecil --" the old man stated knowingly. "--It is for your own sake that I requested the children to travel with you to Mt. Ordeals --"

Cecil nodded quickly and returned:

"--But it doesn't make sense to risk the lives of children --"

"--Yet --" the old man interrupted matter-of-factly. "--You cannot accomplish this feat without the aid of magic-users --" He smiled and turned his attention in the direction that the twins exited.

"--However inexperienced they may be --"

…Inexperienced…? Cecil thought…they're just kids…The elder noticed his obvious doubt…

"I understand that you are hesitant to attempt such an undertaking --"

Cecil would have liked to agree whole-heartedly…but for some strange reason he felt that he shouldn't…

"--If it is your will, Sir Cecil --" the Elder continued. "--You may leave tonight and contemplate that which is to be done…"

Cecil shook his head impatiently.

"--I've already been given too much time to contemplate --" He regretted to admit that fact, but he hated even more the fact he had yet to admit:

"--I've also been given too many chances to redeem myself and --"

"--You should consider yourself fortunate then --" the old man revealed shortly. "--Everyone deserves at least one chance to redeem himself, but only a chosen few will have that opportunity more than once --"

(…a chosen few…you must feel like quite a hero…you are one of those few, Cecil Harvey…)

"If I leave now --" Cecil began. "--Undecided…I wouldn't expect to live longer than one hour in the gates of this city --"

His voice was not remorseful and he knew the Elder must have heard.

"--By my word, Sir Cecil --" the old man declared irrefutably. "--If anyone dares to harm you, upon his head will fall such a curse that he will desire Death at his die but he will discover that the mighty one does not seek him…"

He spoke with such authority that Cecil could not question the words.

"--Then give me tonight --" Cecil said finally. "--And by dawn my decision will be made…"

After he spoke it, he didn't believe his own words…

(…But now you've promised him and you can't tell him you lied…)

The Elder nodded.

"--It will be done --" The old man started to make his way feebly across the room. "--What course of action you take is in your hands and your hands alone…"

Cecil stared at the floor.

"--It's a shame --" he gave a mirthless laugh. "--This will be the first time…"

Silence reigned for several moments…Cecil expected the elder to reply sooner than he did…when he finally did reply, Cecil was relieved that it was not in regard to his last statement…

"--Good night, Sir Cecil…and may God be with you --"

Suddenly Cecil realized that the old man would have liked to end at that but he continued nevertheless:

"If he even cares to waste his time on a damned dark knight…"

The elder glanced at him.

"--He gives his time freely to look upon those who demand his attention --" He shook his had slowly. "--But too many times he desires to be blind to the behavior of man as he carelessly reigns here on Earth --"

Cecil nodded…

(…If only he would have been blind to what you have done…)

"--You should leave now, Cecil --" the elder suggested at last. "--For there remains only a few hours before the sun sets into the ocean in the east --"

Cecil closed his eyes wearily with a nod.

…Sunset…

…How long will it be until I see the sunset from another angle? Does it still set over the mountains and the plains or does it only set over the ocean…?

Cecil finally tore his mind away from those thoughts and looked at the old man.

"Good night, sir --" He glanced at the dark horned helmet but never stooped to the ground to retrieve it. "--And I'll always be in debt to you for the second chance you've given me..."

He nearly expected the elder to say something; but after a few more minutes of awkward silence, Cecil turned slowly and trod through the hallway…He forced himself to not look down the adjacent hallways…

(…It might be as you remembered it last time…wouldn't you rather not spoil your good fortune on this encounter…)

The withered old man watched Cecil wordlessly until he disappeared into the darkness then he sighed deeply and turned around.

"Dear God, let him pay that debt soon --"

He bowed his head and closed his eyes…the whitish hair fell over his face and his beard quivered down his neck…

"--Let him pay that debt soon…"

The orange glow of the candlelight reflected in his bright eyes a moment before he looked away…then he hobbled weakly toward a door in the back of the room which, if Cecil would have remained any longer, he would have recognized as the door to the crystal room.