The evening sun was indeed beginning to set across the ocean in the east as Cecil walked listlessly through the streets. There were very few people still meandering around…most were heading toward houses or tossing blankets over merchandise so it would be protected. On his way out Cecil had approached the guards who attempted to arrest him earlier. He could still hear one of the men's mocking words and see his sneering face:

"Why does the elder waste his time with one such as you?"

The other guard had smirked and added:

"--There's nothing to expect from a mere servant!"

The biting words echoed in Cecil's ears as he passed a group of people, who, as he expected, stepped away suspiciously and collapsed into soft whispers.

"…the dark knight…"

"…that monster…"

Bits of the conversation drifted to him and he bowed his head, ashamed…he continued walking in the direction of the dreary inn, where the innkeeper was standing outside, hanging a lantern from a post near the door. The grizzled fellow turned around as Cecil approached, and the instant his eyes fell upon the dark armor, he scowled:

"...We are closed for the night…"

The man's voice was flat…it clearly told Cecil that he was not wanted here…the man backed away from Cecil and grabbed the door to draw it closed. Cecil said nothing as he watched the door swing shut. The lantern swayed for a moment then came to rest…the little flame stood tall like a sentinel in the night.

When Cecil at last turned to leave, he noticed that a small crowd was gathered behind him. Most of the people scattered when he started toward them…most of them glared at him…one man pulled his wife and child close to him and frowned, saying:

"--Who have you come to kill now, dark knight?"

Others in the crowd laughed but kept their distance.

"Stay away from me and my family, dark knight…"

Another voice rang out at Cecil's back.

"--Leave this place and lie down with the wolves!"

Laughter rang out again. Cecil could say nothing. He feared that they would use what he said against him as an excuse to have him killed…

…Do I deserve anything else…? He thought…

(…we all deserve at least one chance to redeem ourselves…)

I've had that chance, Cecil reminded himself. Everything I'm offered now is just a favor from God…

(…but only a chosen few have more than one chance to redeem themselves…)

…Chosen for what? To continue suffering…?

(…or to finish what you have started…)

Something made Cecil look toward the west…he hoped to glimpse the Mt. Ordeals in the distance but the world was quickly becoming shrouded in darkness…

Before Cecil realized it, he found himself passing through a tiny gate…he immediately recognized the area as a cemetery…small crude graves surrounded him and strangely enough, a cool breeze stirred through the tall weeds and chilled the back of his neck…There were several mounds of freshly dug earth with wooden crosses sprouting from one end…

Cecil couldn't still his racing heart….it was instantly washed with guilt as he stood among the

(victims)

dead.

(this is what you started)

But there is a way to finish it…Cecil told himself…the Elder believes that there is a way to finish it…

(Will you do it?)

I'm afraid…that's why I can't finish it…I'm afraid…

"--When the sunset in the east is beautiful, I often find myself thinking of her --"

Cecil's heart nearly stopped beating when he heard a voice break the silence…

(…a ghost you're in a cemetery it's a ghost because you didn't hear anyone when you arrived…)

Cecil blushed fiercely and reprimanded himself for being so frightened…the source of the soft voice was a person kneeling very close to him…the figure knelt over a tombstone as if in silent reverie for the deceased lying below…Cecil recognized the voice as that of a woman and at last he realized that she was talking about the grave before her…He felt that he should say something but he didn't know what that something could be…

"--Is…it…your --"

"--Daughter --" the woman supplied sadly without raising her eyes. "--My only…daughter…"

"--I'm…sorry…"

Cecil stood awkwardly beside the woman…

…I'm sorry…he repeated silently to himself…what in God's name is that supposed to mean…? Does it mean 'I'm sorry it's your daughter?' or does it mean 'I'm sorry it's your only daughter?' As if it would lighten the blow if she had another daughter…

…She still lost one, didn't she…?

"--My only comfort --" the woman said. "--In seeing this --" She indicated the grave. "--Is knowing that she is in a much better place than she could ever find on Earth --"

Cecil nodded in agreement but he didn't think the woman noticed…She shook her head and touched the wet dirt in front of the tombstone…

"--She couldn't have been taken at a more convenient time --" then as an afterthought. "--For her sake --"

She finally glanced at Cecil and he desperately hoped that she somehow couldn't see him in the darkness…maybe his dark armor would be a camouflage in the night…however, he knew (or felt) that her eyes were on him…when she spoke again, her voice was emotionless…

"--Her death came as a result of the attack of the dark knights --"

Although her voice was without emotion, her words stung Cecil as though they were physical blows…

(now is the time that you should apologize)

"--She had fallen ill and remained sick for several days --"

The woman's head was bowed solemnly over the grave.

"--We had no means of retrieving medicine from a doctor --"

(as a result of the dark knights)

Cecil felt his only response to her expressionless conviction would be to drop to his knees at her said and scream "I'm sorry!" over and over until he was breathless and could not speak…

(…so why can you say nothing…?)

"--Her father was also taken during the attack --" the woman stated…Cecil closed his eyes slowly as she continued: "--I could not leave her side --"

She paused and Cecil dropped his head, ashamed, wishing that he could say something valuable enough to reimburse her losses.

"--And by the time I realized that I had no other choice --" Her voice quivered. "--It was too…late…"

Although Cecil did not understand exactly what the woman must have felt, he imagined that he understood a small portion. He had lost Rosa, hadn't he? He scolded himself and reminded himself that she was not quite like a daughter…but he had lost Rydia too and hadn't she been like a daughter? Oh God how he'd give anything to hear her childish laughter or excited giggles or anything to prove that she was happy but all he could imagine her saying was 'Why didn't you take care of me, Cecil? You said you'd take care of me, Cecil, but you didn't…Edward tried and even Mr. Yang tried but you never tried and now I'm gone and you're still alive but you still can't decide if you wanna finish what you started…'

"I'm sorry!"

Cecil declared a little louder than he intended…the woman didn't appear to notice as she remained kneeling in silence…

(look at yourself)

The voice in Cecil's mind wouldn't stay quiet…

(…they were right when they said that there was not much to be expected from a servant…)

"There is something I remember her saying --"

The woman whispered, not lifting her eyes from the ground.

"--She was fascinated by animals of any kind --" she said then added with a small laugh. "--Particularly the kind that are small enough to store in pockets --"

Cecil couldn't help but smile. It was the only light-hearted thing the woman had said since he had begun talking to her.

"--She was staring in the dust at a large insect, perhaps a beetle or spider --" the woman recalled, closing her eyes. "--It had obviously been injured and tiny ants started to cover it as it struggled to free itself --"

Cecil listened closely…after all, there was really nothing he could say…

"--She said 'Does it know the ants are on it?'" the woman paused with another small laugh, and Cecil felt a bit awkward when she turned to look at him.

"--I nearly laughed as I started to answer and tell her 'Of course it does'--" she informed Cecil then after a thoughtful pause. "--But I could not bring myself to say it --"

Cecil understood exactly what she meant…about being unable to say something when you felt that something should be said.

"--It seemed like the beetle would know that the ants were there --" she said, frowning. "--That it was being slowly devoured alive --" She glanced at Cecil once again.

"--Yet it began to remind me of us --"

At last Cecil looked at the woman…the last rays of the fading sunset sparkled in her eyes.

"--We all have something upon our backs…something that is slowly killing us --"

He knew her words were directed at him and he saw the truth in them too soon.

"--But we may never know --"

Her voice wad barely audible but Cecil knew exactly what she was going to say…it was something he had always known but would never admit to himself.

"…I never…thought of it…that way…"

…Liar…Cecil knew he was lying…the woman knew he was lying too. There was a long silence, which faded quickly as the crickets began to hum their nightly song.

"--I don't believe I ever answered her question --" she intimated regretfully, casting another glance at Cecil. "--I don't think I knew exactly what to say at the time --"

(you know what to say now, Cecil…)

…Where did that come from? Cecil wondered…

(are you not listening to her, you fool…?)

Cecil turned toward the woman and discovered that she was rising slowly from the dirt, her head still bowed in sorrow. A coarse cloak was draped upon her shoulders and the moonlight that had suddenly crept into the sky reflected from her black hair. She took a few hesitant steps then spoke again:

"--You should not remain in a cemetery very long after sunset…"

Another moment passed after her suggestion then without another word, she walked away slowly without the aid of a lantern or candle.

Cecil watched her leave…he felt something like disdain…he would have listened to her speak forever if he could get away with it…

(but all you have ever done is listen…now you must act…)

He knelt at the tombstone where the woman had been minutes earlier. He could see the imprints of her hands upon the moist earth. He desperately wanted to say 'It's not my fault' but he couldn't…

(you cannot say it because it is your fault…yet you have an opportunity to right the wrong…)

Cecil's heart pounded wildly as he placed one of his hands upon the dirt. His palm sank easily…the earth was warm…

He had the chilling sensation that his fingers touched the palm of the small child beneath the soil, and he snatched his hand away and rose quickly.

(slowly being devoured alive)

The cemetery seemed to be devouring him alive…the cool breeze sifted through the trees around him and he glanced left and right, feeling that someone was watching him…feeling that the darkness was devouring him…

Cecil turned abruptly and as he started to leave, he suddenly recalled that the woman kneeling at the grove bore a striking resemblance to Rosa…

* * * * * *

"—But Grandpa…he’s a dark Knight!"

Palom stood in the elder’s chamber in the Tower of Wishes. The feeble man sat at a crude wooden desk, a large dusty volume of the work of the Ancients in front of him. He finally rose from the seat as Porom began to nod in agreement.

"How can you expect us to trust him when we’re taught to hate the Dark knights?" Porom persisted, her arms open wide. The old man closed the book with a sigh.

"Children –" he said sadly. "—Do not judge Sir Cecil by his past…only judge what he now intends to do –"

"—But he’s not just a Dark Knight—" Palom added. "—He’s the one that stole the crystal of Water from Mysidia and started all of this!"

Porom gazed into the old man’s eyes.

"How can you just forget what he did to you? –How can you forget what he did to everyone?"

The elder approached them wearily but said nothing.

"—I don’t know why we have to help him –" Palom muttered. "—I don’t know how he had the guts to come back here after what he did…"

"I understand how you feel toward Cecil Harvey –" The Elder stated sadly. "—And I too have often felt the same –"

"—Then why –"

"—And –" the old man lifted a frail hand and continued. "—I would not offer assistance to him—" A thoughtful pause. "—Except for one thing –"

Porom looked up quickly.

"What’s that…?"

"I cannot say exactly –" the elder admitted with obvious regret. "—I often pray for the answer…for something to be revealed –"

He paused again, glancing at the book upon the desk.

"—Children –" his voice was soft. "—Do you remember when you were very young, I would tell you the tale of the Knight in the White Robes?"

"Yes!"

Porom nodded in excitement.

"—The Holy Knight…the one that’s supposed to save the world in the end –"

The Elder nodded.

"It’s the Legend of Mysidia, isn’t it?"

Palom stared at the old man, his eyebrows raised.

"It is –" the Elder turned around. "—Children, please remember the Legend –" His voice suddenly grew tired. "—Please remember it…tell your children and make certain that they do not forget…"

Porom nodded solemnly but uncertainly, wondering what more the elder would tell them…Palom was shaking his head with a look on his face that clearly proved that he didn’t understand…

"—But I thought it was just an old wives’ tale…like any other myth or something—"

The Elder’s voice rose sharply.

"Some day, my son, the riddles of the Legend will be revealed…the words will no longer be a mystery –" His voice lowered again. "—Even now, the words seem to make some sort of sense, but…I still cannot grasp the true meaning…"

"What part do you understand?"

Porom asked curiously, her eyes twinkling. The old man clasped his hands.

"—Not enough, my child…I fear not enough –"

Palom began pacing across the room…

"—I don’t know what this has to do with us and Cecil and Mt. Ordeals and –"

The Elder watched him rather sadly.

"—I am not certain either, my son –" He spoke in a regretful tone that the twins had heard too many times recently. It was almost frightening. "—And yet –"

His voice trailed off, and Porom turned to him in sudden anger.

"—Then why do we have to go to Mt. Ordeals with him?!" She was nearly crying. "—I don’t understand why you’re making us –"

"—But dear child –" The Elder looked at her in surprise. "—I thought you would be excited to finally have the opportunity to see other parts of the world –"

Her lower lip trembled and she couldn’t speak. The old man gazed at the two children then with a sigh:

"—I have seen you grow from small children to be beautiful…and handsome…young adults –" His voice regained its tone of sadness. "—And I understand that as you grow older, you begin to wish for…something…else…"

The twins peered at him wordlessly.

"—I understand that you long to find your own place in this world –" The Elder was suddenly much older and weaker than he had ever appeared before, and Porom was ashamed that she ever questioned the frail man.

"—I could not help but notice your discontent, my children, and I only sought to appease you when I asked you to join Sir Cecil to the Mt. Ordeals –"

"Oh, Grandpa!" Porom hurried to the old man’s side. "—I’m so sorry for acting like I wasn’t happy here –" There were tears in her eyes. "—It is boring and I do want to see the world, but –" Her voice quivered. "—I…I…never expected to do it without you…" She flung her arms around the old man’s neck and wept.

"Dear child –" The Elder stroked her hair soothingly. "—If I had the choice, I would have you two by my side forever…but, I shall be doing you a great misfortune if I did so –" He felt tears rise in his own eyes. "—I cannot expect you to remain in this city forever –" He sighed heavily.

"—Besides, I fear that I shall not be here much longer…"

Porom gaped at him in surprise and anger.

"Grandpa! Don’t say that!"

Even Palom seemed disheartened by the elder’s words.

"—That’s not true! You’ll be here forever, Gramps, even when we’re old –"

A smile briefly flashed across the old man’s face.

"Yes –" he mused. "—I think that I shall like to see you when you are…old…"

"But if we go to Mt. Ordeals with Cecil –Isn’t it dangerous?" Palom stared at the elder, his face a question mark. "—Haven’t lotsa people disappeared there?"

"We’ll be gone for so long!" Porom added. "—We…we...may never see you…again!"

"My dear children –" Tears trickled down the old man’s wrinkled cheeks. "—I would never expect you to complete a task that I did not think you could do –"

Porom nodded and drew several shuddering breaths.

"—Although he is one of the dark knights of Baron –" The Elder continued after a moment. "—I know Sir Cecil will not allow harm to come to those in his company, as long as he remains alive to protect them –"

Palom nodded half-heartedly…this was not unnoticed by the elder, who added:

"—I pray that I am not mistaken when I say this to you…"

"Well I dunno if I can ever change my mind about Cecil –" Palom declared shortly. "—Or any dark Knight –"

The elder breathed another sigh…

"—Palom, my son, that is also one of the objectives of this task…you must learn to not only work for yourself, but you will never make it if you do not work with others as well –"

He gazed at the boy intently.

"—I hope that you, Palom, and you, too, Porom –" He glanced at the girl. "—Will learn to trust others, despite his or her actions…"

Porom nodded slowly.

"But what if all of this is for nothing?" Palom exclaimed suddenly. "--We sill don't even know if Cecil's gonna go to Mt. Ordeals! We don't even know if he wants to accept the challenge!"

"I will!"

A voice from the dark corridor startled the three figures in the room, and all whirled around quickly.

"Sir Cecil!"

The young knight of Baron emerged from the shadows hesitantly.

"We didn't know you came in!"

Cecil nodded hastily, his black horned helmet in hand.

"I just walked in…I…I…only heard…the last thing…you said --" he stammered. They couldn't see him blush in the semi-darkness. He regained his composure and started toward the old man.

"--Sir, I…I've decided…that I will…travel…to Mt. Ordeals…"

The twins gaped at him curiously, and the Elder even appeared quite surprised.

"Are you certain it is your choice? You need not decide too soon; it can only be accomplished when you believe it can be --"

Cecil nodded again decisively.

"--I've made my decision…something

(Rosa)

told me…that…it…is…the only way…"

The Elder of Mysidia nodded sadly, regretfully; yet there was something in his voice that might have been mistaken for jubilance…

"It is, unfortunately, the only way, Sir Cecil --"

He hobbled toward Cecil slowly.

"--But seeing as how you have clearly made your decision --" The old man eyed Cecil in a way that caused the Dark Knight to shudder involuntarily…the elder's countenance seemed to proclaim 'this pact has been signed in your blood and in the blood of others…'

At that moment Cecil realized that he could never turn back…

"--My final suggestion to you is that you prepare to leave as quickly as possible --" The elder hovered over the desk with his shriveled hand resting on the dusty book.

Porom looked at the elder suddenly.

"So we're going after all?"

She couldn't hide the disdain in her voice…but somewhere in her voice was the sound of excitement and anticipation.

"But not now, right?" Palom asked, not directing the question to Cecil or the Elder. He indicated his sister with a tip of his head.

"Porom still needs her beauty sleep…"

Porom's eyebrows dropped down into a scowl.

"Not as much as you --" she shot back, glaring at her brother, who grinned slyly for a moment then ceased to pay attention to her altogether.

"Worry not, children --" The old man stepped around the desk toward the twin magicians. "--Sir Cecil will not be ready for several days, I suppose --" He gave the knight a questioning glance. "--It will give you a sufficient amount of time to gather what belongings you desire to carry--"

"Does Mistress Jena count?"

Palom's eyes lit up; the elder shook his head grimly, but Porom shoved her brother and took it upon herself to answer his question.

"Palom, she'd just laugh at you…"

His face fell immediately.

"Oh, right --" he frowned thoughtfully. "--I guess I should pick someone who's a little more serious…"

Porom heaved a sigh in response to Palom's matter-of-fact statement…Cecil thought he heard a muffled groan from the elder as he peered at Palom critically…

"My son, I hope that this experience will impact you in such a way that you will begin to view life more seriously…"

Porom placed her hands on her hips and glared at Palom with a skeptical glance.

"Grandpa, you know Palom will never grow up…"

In response to her remark Palom made a hideous face in her direction; his unexpected display forced Porom to suppress giggles. The Elder, however, sighed helplessly.

"--I fear I have done all I can do with your brother…"

Palom agreed with a nod of his head.

"--The rest is up to Mistress Jena!"

He had a lopsided grin plastered on his face, and he wore it on such a way that it seemed to shout 'You know what I mean?!'

The look on Porom's face showed him, no, she did not know what he meant…

"Palom, it's past your bedtime --" She gave him a deliberate scowl, which he ignored. "--I think it's time for you to leave…"

Before Palom had the opportunity to return the favor, the Elder hobbled hastily toward (as hastily as one of his age could be expected to move).

"I believe that both of you have delayed here in the Tower for your allotted time –" he observed decisively, casting both of them a stern glance.

"I think you’re just getting sick of Porom’s lip –" Palom muttered…his words were instantly followed by a boot planted on his toes and a whispered ‘Hush!’

The Elder was undaunted by the twin’s antics.

"You may retire to your chamber now in order to rest for the night –" he offered, but by his tone of voice, they both knew it was a command and not an option.

Porom nodded obediently and turned toward one of the adjacent halls.

"Good night, Grandpa…"

She gestured for Palom to hurry, but the boy seemed to be torn between gawking at Cecil and following his sister out of the room. When she started back toward him in preparation for another motivational speech, he finally gave a great sweep of his hand in the direction of the two other occupants of the room.

"See ya, Gramps!"

Porom smacked him on the shoulder for his untimely farewell, but Cecil was not a bit surprised at the boy’s carefree manner toward the venerable old man. The elder said nothing as the children started to leave; Cecil thought he even caught a glimpse of a faint smile upon the old man’s face.

"—I wish I could share my chamber with Mistress Jena –"

Cecil heard the boy’s hopeful voice drift by as he and his sister disappeared down one of the corridors.

"Two people can’t fit under a rock, Palom –"

Porom’s exasperated voice quickly followed his statement…Cecil could almost see the look on her face…it would be a look that asked, not kindly: ‘Didn’t you already know that?’

"I thought you didn’t have a problem doing it…"

It was the last audible remark made by the boy then both voices faded…Cecil knew that although he could hear no more of the conversation, it marked the beginning of another showdown between brother and sister…

At last Cecil and the Elder stood alone…if Cecil had thought about it very long, he would have realized that the two figures in the room of the Tower of Wishes stood in exactly the same places as they stood many months ago…in a different time…in a different season of the year…in a different situation…

But he did not think about the last meeting between him and the Elder of Mysidia because it was a thing of the past…

The old man was shaking his head with a rueful smile playing on his lips…

"I regret to say that I cannot remember being that age, Sir Cecil –" the elder’s smile widened as he stared at the Dark knight, who turned his dark helmet over and over in his hands…

"—Otherwise, I would understand what the young man is thinking…"

He peered at Cecil with bright eyes…it was so strange, Cecil thought; he has such bright eyes for one so old…Cecil said nothing…

"I realize that you are not overjoyed with this arrangement –" The elder commented to Cecil’s chagrin…Cecil blushed fiercely…it was true, but he didn’t want to point it out to the old man…

"I don’t have much experience –" Cecil started apologetically. "—Dealing with…younger…people…"

But he thought of Rydia…the little girl…his heart sank…

…dealing with her had been quite an experience…

"I trust that they will behave properly in the company of a stranger –" the old man stated with a final nod. Cecil returned the nod with raised eyebrows.

"—I grant you full authority over them and hope that no conflict arises…"

Cecil thought he detected a hint of amusement in the Elder's voice…he figured it to be a bit unbecoming of the old man to claim that no conflict would arise…

"Sir Cecil --"

The sudden change in the elder's voice made Cecil's heart freeze…the way he addressed the dark knight led him to believe that a great revelation would follow. He hesitated to glance upon the Elder's face, fearing the old man could somehow read his thoughts. Cecil cringed as he awaited the Elder's message…

"--Do you still honestly believe that you have chosen with your heart and not with your mind, or not with your intuition, or not by your experience?"

Cecil stared upon the visage of the old man, those penetrating bright eyes…the eyes of the knowledgeable protector of the wizards of the village of Mysidia…the eyes of his own sympathetic magistrate, whose worn hands seemed to grip Cecil's very life from the omnipresent jaws of death…Cecil's own grip upon the dark horned helmet went slack and the untruthful words on his lips slipped from his mouth just as the dark helmet slipped from his fingers…

"--I don't know…"

It sounded silly, sheepish…as though he were not even taking the ordeal very seriously…

"--Only one situation can indeed prove what truly lies in your heart --" the elder intoned as Cecil stooped hastily to retrieve his helmet.

"--I...I…think I know what…it…is…"

Cecil felt flustered…everything he said now sounded, well, frankly…stupid.

For a brief moment Cecil longed to find himself waking on the sand of the beach again…his lips parched, his mouth dry, his flesh burned and tingling from the heat, the roaring of the waves around him…He longed desperately for it all to recur simply to change his course of action…to change the Elder's course of action…

(…why not return then to the moment you found yourself forced to answer that question:…to wield the blade of darkness…to employ the armor of darkness…Cecil Harvey…)

…I swear…

The words echoed in Cecil's head…I swear…he nearly repeated them aloud…it was deafening…his head throbbed.

"--When you feel that you must rest --"

The old man's voice tore Cecil away from the vision in his mind…

"--You may sleep in the antechamber of this Tower --"

The antechamber of this Tower…where the screams of the guards would still remain to haunt him…where the shouts and laughter from the other knights would encircle him like a sickness and hover above his head until he falls…where the thick black acrid smoke would enshroud him, choking him, suffocating him until he was forced to yield to the blackness and searing flames, and all of the countless horrors that composed the nightmare…

"Thank…you --" Cecil stammered…it was really all he could say. "--You've done…too…much…for me…"

"Think nothing of it --" the old man said briskly, striding toward the back of the chamber. "--You owe nothing to me, Sir Cecil --" He looked at Cecil pointedly. "--The event that is to unfold in Mt. Ordeals is only what you owe to yourself --"

A pause…then the elder bowed to Cecil…

"--Good night, Sir Cecil…"

The tone of his voice was so final that Cecil was once again struck speechless. When the elder disappeared into the shadows of the chamber, Cecil had no choice but to wander in the direction of the antechamber and prepare to sleep.

Needless to say, Cecil slept very little in the antechamber of the Tower of Wishes, where the restless ghosts of the victims of his first visit hovered around him, chilling his blood and numbing his bones to the point of exhaustion.

* * * * * * *

Several days later Cecil Harvey and the twin mages departed from the humble village of Mysidia almost unnoticed…they were provided with horses, which were now loaded with a various assortment of supplies (to their obvious discomfort)…There was only a select few who stood at the outskirts of the town to bid farewell to the trio…Porom prolonged her farewell as long as possible…the usually passive elder shed tears as she embraced him warmly, insisting that she didn't want to go but since he asked them to go, she would travel to Mt. Ordeals gladly (even if Cecil was a stranger, and a dark Knight at that). A group of young girls made up the rest of the spectators from the village, and they were huddled close together like a flock of sheep, whispering fiercely to Porom that what she was doing was a bad idea, and they were of course, crying silently…Palom left with his usual vigor, sitting proudly upon the broad back of the horse, the silly smile plastered on his face, waving to the meager amount of bystanders as though he were a great war leader…he left in the image of a glorious fanfare of trumpets and banners and celebration that only he could muster. The bow and quiver of arrows strapped to his back could have been the weapons that ended the reign of chaos in the Age of the Cataclysm…and his less than majestic horse could have the charger emblazoned with the banner of the Holy Knights, galloping to victory against the opposition…

Of course, Palom saw these images only in his mind as he raised a triumphant fist into the sky…

Cecil did not look back. As he adjusted the dark horned helmet upon his head, through the eyeholes he could see the object of his journey, Mt. Ordeals, rising high above the haze in the horizon, towering over the green trees densely populating miles around the mountains…it was very far away, as far away as yesterday, as far away as last week, as far away as the months separating his first meeting with the Elder of Mysidia…the encounter that changed his life and would ultimately change his life forever…

As Cecil left behind those memories and ventured into some kind of strange new memory, he felt suddenly like a blind man, now shrouded in the darkness of the moonless night, stumbling upon the stones and briars, now with a vague awareness, approaching the edge of the world, where he would inevitably slip into the unfailing claws of oblivion, swallowed by nothingness.

* * * * * *

In the summer season in the lands east of Mysidia, the sun seemed to rise early and set long after the two moons appeared in the dark sky.It was hot, unbearably hot; but there were few inhabitants in the region to take notice. Lush vegetation surrounded the small band of travelers…it was satisfactory to this particular crew…they were hunters, but anyone could have mistaken the motley crew for hikers due to the lack of game in their midst. Their garments were a drab olive-green, nothing pleasing to the eye…but the goal was not to please the eyes; their goal was to remain unseen by the eyes of wild game…

"Damn this heat, " one of the men grumbled, wiping his brow impatiently. A grunt of agreement rose from the others half-heartedly.

"Even the deer stay away in this sort of heat," another stated. His arrows rattled in the quiver on his back.

One man came to a sudden halt, his head cocked intently to the side.

"Wait, Ravi," he claimed softly. "We might have some luck yet…"

He pointed in the direction that the distinct sound of footsteps could be heard…the visibility was poor due to the dense leaves of the trees.

"They're comin' too fast, man…" another man claimed uncertainly.

Everyone's breathing seemed to cease as they realized he spoke the truth.

"It's dangerous game…"

An ominous whisper rippled through the silence.

"...Dangerous game…"

Their breaths were still held…nervous glances were exchanged among the men…At last an oath uttered by one of the men broke the awkward silence.

"My God…"

What the men saw was hardly what they expected.

Three riders approached them hesitantly. The leader (or the one who they supposed to be the leader by his position) wore black armor that sparkled in the bright sunlight…a black helmet was perched upon his head…two white horns protruded from the sides of the helmet, one horn slightly longer than the other...the men warily kept an eye upon the sword strapped to the strange figure's back…the black eyeholes of the helmet stared blankly into their midst, leaving them unaware of exactly where the man or spirit or beast was peering…

The other two figures in the company of the imposing stranger were less frightening...both appeared to be young and not very threatening, although they both carried weapons. One of the figures was a girl, much to the relief of the band of hunters.

The moment the odd travelers came into view, the young boy, to the surprise of the hunters (and the members of his own party) unexpectedly flung his arms skyward and shrilly made an exclamation of his innocence. The girl seemed mortified by the boy's bizarre behavior, and even the hunters exchanged quizzical looks.

At last one proceeded to speak:

"It's pretty hot to wear armor like that…"

The armored figure reached to his helmet and drew it away from his head. The hunters looked on quite apprehensively…they didn't know what to expect to see underneath the dark mask…there was one great inward sigh of relief when the face of a man appeared…he shook his whitish hair as if he were grateful for a breath of air.

"We have to display our loyalty to the banner we serve…"

The young knight announced in a monotone voice. One man gave a small laugh as he stared at the knight. The clearly revealed that the hunters had come in contact with many servants similar to this one…The young man's face seemed to darken as the man eyed him curiously.

"--And what banner might that be, Sir Knight?"

The Dark Knight hesitated as though he pondered whether or not he should declare his allegiance to the banner he served…When at last it appeared that he had totally disregarded the question, and as he began to don the horned helmet again, another hunter ventured to ask:

"You aren't trekking through the forest of Shur, are you?"

There was a brief pause, and for a moment the man who had spoken thought the young knight must have been hard of hearing…at last, however, he responded shortly, almost haughtily:

"Of course. What other reason would we have for being here?"

Without realizing it, the man backed away. The knight's tone was a bit testy, and although the man was equipped with a bow and arrows and a variety of other hunting tools, he did not particularly care to see bloodshed…

Especially his own…

"I…I...don't…know…" he stuttered, hastily snatching his bow from the tall grass where he had unknowingly dropped it.

The one named Ravi spoke again:

"This forest don't get many visitors --" he commented, still glancing at the trio suspiciously. "--Especially of this world --" He gave a wink. "--If ya know what I mean…"

By the look on the girl's face, the hunters realized that she knew exactly what they meant. The dark Knight, however, was undaunted; for he made no start.

"Thank you, sir, for the advice --" the young knight finally stated. "----Even though I could have heard those same words from the mouths of children --"

The hunters cast sidelong glances at each other. They obviously disliked the knight's arrogant tone…

"--But today the Forest of Shur will be entertained by earthly visitors…"

The girl's eyes opened wide in amazement and she even appeared to disapprove of his bold words; she said nothing. The young boy's face lit up in excitement as he glanced at the girl beside him.

It seemed to be the last thing the dark knight would say because he pulled the reins of his horse and spurred it into a trot. The hunters scattered left and right with muttered curses as the horse nearly trampled them underfoot. The boy glanced at the girl again and in return, she shrugged, and they both commenced to follow the knight, although they trotted past the hunters with less authority than their bold leader.

"Be careful, Sir Knight --"

The man named Ravi spoke toward the knight's back…

"--The Forest of Shur don't take a likin' to the earthly visitors…"

The dark knight didn't slow his pace, but if the men could have seen beneath the dark horned helmet, they would have noticed an obvious change in his expression. The hunters gazed at the knight and his less-than-likely company only until they disappeared into the thicket…as though they were swallowed by the forest…then with a nonchalant shrug, the man named Ravi gestured for the party to continue on their way.

* * * * * *

"Sir Cecil, did you hear what that guy said?"

Porom nudged her horse close to Cecil and watched him with apparent concern. Cecil said nothing but nodded. He paid little attention to the hunters' words…their tales of the forest…tales of "unearthly visitors…" Vagabonds like them were always filled with outlandish stories, fit for nothing but a union of travelers around a campfire or a dimly-lit, smoke-filled tavern where the ale poured faster than an insult from the tongue of a drunken dwarf.

Yet the hunter's last request still echoed clearly in Cecil's ears…

'Be careful, Sir Knight…'

Spoken in a convincing tone…most ruffians never offered such condolences unless they were believers of their own words…

(…be careful, sir knight…)

After the encounter Cecil would most definitely heed the warning…

"…Ghosts…"

Porom gave her brother a look that claimed it would have been best if he did not mention the word…He grinned slyly at her and pressed on.

"Did ya hear that, sis? Ghosts…"

"So?!"

She glared at him as if she didn’t mind the fact that ghosts would soon be surrounding them.

"—I don’t care…"

Porom wished that she believed herself. She was irritated as Palom began to laugh softly to himself.

"What?!" she demanded, scowling angrily at him. "What’s so funny?!"

"Nothing –" he claimed quickly, only half-managing to suppress his laughter.

Porom continued to glare at her brother.

"You think I’m scared?" she asked, trying to keep her voice defiant; but ending up making it sound as if she should have asked ‘Does it show that well?’

"I didn’t say that…"

The grin on his face was infuriating. Porom wanted to shove him from the horse and get rid of that smile.

"But I know that’s what you think!"

Palom hove up beside her and nearly ran her into a tree. Her horse snorted and glared at Palom as forcefully as Porom glared at him.

"Well sure…it’s what I think –" he admitted, not regretfully: "—I just didn’t say it…"

"It’s probably the first time you kept an opinion to yourself –" she scoffed, trying to maintain a satisfactory distance from him. "—And don’t call me sis!"

"Sorry –" Palom offered in genuine regret. "—It’s short for sissy…"

Porom groaned in exasperation and said nothing more. She knew it was impossible to try to argue her way ahead of her brother. Everything she said urged another comment from him, and he wouldn’t keep quiet unless she did first.

The next time she spoke, it was directed to Cecil.

"Did Grandpa tell you how long it will take to get to Mt. Ordeals?"

It was one of the first things the twins had said to Cecil since they started their journey, so he was stunned for a moment.

"No –" Cecil admitted guiltily. "—He gave me a few vague directions, but nothing very specific…"

Porom couldn’t hide the dismay that crossed her face. Cecil noticed and decided to add something heartening to the statement.

"—We can follow this river for awhile --"

She knew exactly which river he was talking about…it was the one just beyond the thick bushes that she had been discreetly avoiding ever since it appeared.

"—That way, we’ll always have fresh water nearby…"

Porom silently agreed like she thought it was a great idea…she was actually nervous being so near a body of flowing water…

A fact that was not unnoticed (or unmentioned) by her brother…

"Hey Porom!" he called loudly before she could rebuke him. "—Don’t get too close!" His sarcasm was thick enough to catch in the flask she carried on her side. "—You might fall in!"

"If I do, I’ll drown you."

She was rather proud of her remark, and she was ready to continue the friendly conversation; Cecil, however, wanted no part of such a family feud, so he took it upon himself to subtly interrupt the quarrel.

"The Elder of Mysidia –" he started, maneuvering his horse between the twins. "—You call him Grandpa…is he –"

"He’s not really our Grandpa –" Palom broke in. "—Most of the kids just call him that…"

Porom snorted in derision.

"Yeah…and some of the really dumb kids call him names like ‘Gramps’—"

By her tone of voice, Cecil knew her words were directed at her twin brother.

Palom looked at her like she had revealed a secret that he longed to be part of:

"Only the cool ones call him that, sis…"

Porom rolled her eyes and turned to Cecil to finish her explanation.

"I don’t know why everyone calls him Grandpa –" Her voice became thoughtful. "—He doesn’t seem to mind; even some of the adults call him Grandpa…"

"He’s old enough to be everyone’s Grandpa," Palom informed whoever was listening, which, at the moment (to his extreme delight) were his sister and Cecil Harvey. Cecil would have whole-heartedly agreed with the boy, but he knew that Porom would reprimand her brother and, frankly, he wanted no part of it.

"You’re an apprentice to him, Palom –" she reminded her brother. "—Don’t forget that…"

Palom didn’t reply (Cecil could not admit that he was ungrateful for the silence), and the trio continued deeper into the forest under a veil of apprehension and with the words of the hunters still ringing in their ears.

* * * * * *

The heat of the dense forest was nearly suffocating, and, although they saw no ghosts or unearthly visitors, Cecil thought he was on the verge of hallucinating only a few hours after midday. They all agreed, miraculously, that they should stop for a moment at the bank of the narrow river that murmured always at their side. It was a harmless suggestion…the horses, after all, needed some sort of refreshment…the sides of the huge beasts were flecked with foam; and more than once Porom made a declaration of sympathy about the animals.

As the horses stood in the shallows of the river, Palom started trying to make some acute observations into the clear water that flowed around the horses’ skinny legs by leaning precariously forward over the horse’s long neck…his endeavors ultimately ended when he tumbled headlong over the horse’s head and sprawled helplessly into the river with a tremendous splash. The dumfounded beast sauntered backwards, and, as Palom surfaced, sputtering and causing a ruckus in the fashion that he only he could; the horse’s puzzled countenance reflected the boy’s own as he gazed around to see who noticed his performance. Before the water streamed from his eyes, he could hear Porom’s loud laughter.

"HAHAHA!" She stared down at him, grinning like a pickpocket on market day.

"I knew that was going to happen, Palom!" she declared triumphantly. "Now you look like a wet rat!"

She did not appear upset about her brother’s fall into the river, but Cecil immediately believed that the boy must be seriously injured…

…After all, he made no remark as he surfaced from the clear water…

"Are you okay?"

Cecil’s voice was filled with nothing but anxiety as he looked upon the present situation.

"Oh…I meant to jump in --" Palom replied, minimally concerned about the fact that his bow was lost somewhere downstream and his quiver of arrows was overturned, sending its contents washing down the river in every direction. He flashed a sly grin at Porom as he slapped around in the shallow water.

"I thought I needed to cool off since I’m so hot!"

His tone of voice obviously presented that he was not indicating being hot by qualifications of the temperature. Porom scoffed at him as she dropped down to the ground beside her horse.

"---And since you reek!" she added, hands on hips. Cecil felt that he should say something…he decided, however, that Porom had taken quite a maternal role over her brother and she would handle the situation with a well-deserved scolding.

"It’s just your upper lip…" Palom said haphazardly, starting toward the bank. He appeared not to be having as much fun as he had several moments earlier.

"Are you gonna help me out or not?"

Cecil presumed that the boy was speaking to him…his demand was aimed at his sister, which Cecil soon found out by her response.

"Hmm…I guess I could get you out of trouble --" she groaned as though she could have just as well given him an answer in the negative.

"—For the hundredth time!" Porom added pointedly as she approached the edge of the water.

"You know --" Palom began thoughtfully, "--I owe you one, sis --"

Porom’s foot sank into the mud, and she turned her nose up in disgust as she slowly extended her hand to her brother. His hand was outstretched as he patiently waited for her hand to close around his…at last, with a groan of disgust, Porom’s hand closed tightly around Palom’s hand, and she prepared to drag him from the water.

"—So I’ll pay you back NOW!"

Palom shouted gleefully, snatching his sister’s hand with all of his might. She gave a shriek, which was abruptly cut off by a loud splash as she flailed into the river.

Cecil feared that for the few minutes that followed, Palom’s laughter would never fade away in the once peaceful forest.

Porom’s head emerged from the water; she coughed and sputtered angrily.

"Palom!" she managed to gasp between coughs. "You moron!!"

She rubbed her eyes and glared at her brother, who, to no one’s surprise, was grinning broadly.

"Porom!" he exclaimed in mock surprise. "Now is not the time for a swim!"

She swatted a jet of water at him in frustration…succeeding in only making him collapse into laughter.

"You are such a moron!"

Porom mopped her hair from her face.

"Now I’m all wet thanks to you!"

He seemed about to reply, but he never stood a chance as Porom lunged at him, sloshing water over him (not to mention herself)…a fierce splashing war ensued, accented often by bursts of loud laughter from the twins.

"Uh oh --"

Palom at last gasped through the waves of water gushing over his face. He gazed at the shore with unexpected apprehension.

"--Darkie not happy…"

He was indicating Cecil, who stood on the bank of the river, staring down into the water but trying not to appear too concerned.

Porom gave the dark knight one quick glance before agreeing.

"No…darkie not very thrilled—" She splashed Palom once more, adding: "—And I wouldn’t be either if I had to put up with you!"

"You don’t ‘put up’ with guys like me, sis!" Palom insisted casually. "--You cherish the time you get to spend with such wonderful human beings…"

"You’re a dork" came her short reply as she started to the edge of the river, pulling herself out of the now murky water. She surveyed her clothes helplessly before turning back to her brother with a scowl.

"Palom, will you get out?" she demanded. "You’re attracting flies!"

With an impatient sigh, Palom scooped up as many arrows as he could conveniently reach and hoisted the quiver, the bow, and the handful of arrows onto the bank before climbing out himself.

"I’m not the only one who’s gonna smell like pond scum!" he made the prediction almost victoriously and sniffed deliberately in Porom’s direction. By the frown on her face, Cecil could tell that she was thinking of something to match his conviction.

"Well…mine will eventually wear off…"

She smiled at him triumphantly, but her smile slipped into a frown as her brother pointed out, with a tinge of remorse:

"—But your face won’t—"

Porom sighed as she began to fiercely wring out her clothes. Both of the horses stood in the exact spot that they had been when the twins dismounted (if the method by which Palom removed himself could be labeled a dismount), and now the big animals stared lazily at the twins.

And with a bit more patience than the dark knight…

Porom noticed that Cecil was not sharing in the twins’ enthusiastic (and accidental) swim in the river. She hastily grabbed at Palom’s horse, who in turn loped toward her obediently.

"Just get on your horse and let’s go…" she instructed her brother, kicking his quiver of arrows across the ground. She turned toward her own horse and in the process gave Cecil an apologetic shrug that clearly said ‘I would have left him in the river if he wasn’t my twin brother..’

They managed to leave again; Porom was more than nervous because she knew the Dark Knight must have been totally disappointed in his company…her thoughts were quickly interrupted as Palom’s voice inevitably rang out:

"I guess you don’t want me to tell you that you’ve got moss strung all up in your hair…"

If Porom could have seen beneath the dark mask of the knight riding in front of her, she would have seen on his face an unexpected smile.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Only a few minutes after the drenching of the twins, Cecil felt a strong prophetic atmosphere him…he knew before he heard the girl's voice call to him meekly that soon one of them would ask if they could pause a moment to dry off. Cecil hadn't removed his horned helmet ever since the encounter with the band of hunters, but in the sweltering heat, it felt that it would suffocate him if he wore it any longer.

Palom, however, didn't appear too happy after Cecil's agreement to Porom's request.

"Oh, great, Porom --" he muttered sarcastically. "--Are you gonna slow us down all day?"

Nevertheless, he was the first to leap down from the horse and unceremoniously snatch off his cape and wet shirt, tossing them into the grass.

"No --" Porom retorted, dropping to the ground next to him. "--Your lack of intelligence is going to slow us down…"

Once more Cecil couldn't help smiling as he slowly dismounted, rubbing the horse's nose before turning toward the twins.

"It's your fault that we've gotta stop anyway --" Porom was saying, pointing a convicting finger at her brother. She indicated her clothes, which clung wetly to her skin. "--You're the reason we're both soaked…"

Palom wrung out his cape nonchalantly and watched in fascination as the brownish water poured over his fingertips and streamed down his arms.

"Geeeez, it's just water, sis --" he stated with mock impatience, slapping at her with his cape. "--You act like such a girl..."

"Well, I'll let you figure that one out yourself…"

Palom seemed to take her advice because he sat back thoughtfully. The trio sat in awkward silence for a few minutes…Porom desperately wished that she could think of something to say that wouldn't cause another outburst from her brother.

"What's it like to be a knight, Sir Cecil?"

It was the only thing she could say…it seemed that it might make for a harmless conversation. Cecil shook his head regretfully as he laid his helmet upon the grass.

"You can call me Cecil --" he offered, trying not to sound too ashamed. "--I'm not…a knight…anymore…"

"Oh --" Porom said quickly, embarrassed. "--Well…you…umm…had the armor…and helmet…and…I thought --"

"You don't do much of that, do ya?"

Palom was forced to make his presence known once again. He might as well have said nothing because his sister completely ignored him.

"What was it like --" she continued. "--When you were a knight?"

While Cecil scrounged for a satisfactory answer, Palom voiced his own opinion.

"Where've ya been, sis?" he asked loudly. "Didn't ya know it's all about fighting and stealing and attacking little villages and killing innocent people?"

"Palom!" his sister stared sat him in horror then glanced at Cecil to see his reaction to the insolent remark. Palom, on the other hand, turned to Cecil to press the subject.

"That's what you do, isn't it?"

"Palom!"

Porom punched him hard on the shoulder.

"Don't say things like that!" She leaned closer to him and hissed between clenched teeth. "--Don't you see that he doesn't wanna talk about it?"

"No, really --" Cecil interrupted quickly. "--I don't mind…"

He did not say anything after that…Porom felt sorry for starting the conversation in the first place. Her brother didn't mind continuing the conversation in her place.

"You know ---I knew that kid you pushed around in the Tower --"

Cecil did not want to be reminded of that situation.

"--Philip --"

Palom supplied the name of the young page in the Tower of Wishes. Cecil would have preferred him to remain nameless.

"--He was a little screwed-up for awhile after that happened --"

Of course, Cecil thought…who wouldn't be…? It was a traumatic experience…

But not only for the Mysidians…

"Palom, at least he got over it --" Porom said, glaring at her brother. "--You're still a little screwed up in the head…"

"--Your face is screwed up so I'm still better off --"

"--No, you're just an idiot --"

"--You're a big pile of llama dung --"

The conversation between them was reaching great heights.

"--You're the fungus on an ogre's toe!"

Palom broke into high-pitched laughter and leaned close to his sister.

"Look at me!" He elbowed her hard. "I'm Porom and I think I'm sooooooooo funny!"

Porom shoved him aside in disgust.

"Palom, get away --" She glared at him. "--You're obnoxious..."

He leaned back with a satisfied sigh.

"--Then my job here is done!"

"--And put your shirt back on!" Porom eyed him scornfully. "--I'm feeling sick…"

Surprisingly he made no comment, and he began to wrestle his shirt down over his head, succeeding, in the meantime, to tangle his hair more than it had previously been.

"So, why'd ya do it?"

Palom's voice was muffled through the folds of his wet shirt. Cecil watched the boy until his eyes appeared, and, by his questioning glance, Cecil realized that the boy was addressing him.

"The crystal and all that --" Palom repeated. "--Why'd ya do it?"

Porom gave her brother an extreme look of disapproval but the question had already been asked. Cecil wasn't sure exactly what to say…

"I…I…had to --" Cecil finally stammered. He knew that wasn't a good explanation. "--It was my responsibility as Captain of the Red Wings…"

"But you didn't even know what the crystal was for…"

Porom hadn't intended to join the conversation. She began speaking before she realized it.

"I know --" Cecil admitted with a sigh. He could not look at the twins. The only thing he could see was the dark helmet lying in the grass. "--That part bothered me --"

It was no lie…he was still bothered by it…

"--But as a Dark Knight…I was expected to follow the instructions of the King --" He glanced up to see the twins gazing at him curiously.

"--It was considered a weakness if you questioned orders --"

It was such a vague description, but he needed to say nothing more. They would never have to know exactly what happened during his years, his life, as a dark knight of Baron.

…God, I still wish I could forget everything…

His answer seemed to satisfy them for a moment. At last Palom spoke again:

"Why didn't you just say no?"

It sounded like a very innocent question, but Cecil felt a pang of guilt when he tried to think of a good answer. Palom seemed perfectly happy to answer it himself.

"I mean, when all of those girls come up to me and wanna --you know --(this he said with a sly smile), I just have to say no --"

The boy was convinced of his own moral stature, but Porom stared at him in mock surprise.

"Hmm, I must've missed that --" Her voice couldn't have been more regretful. "--Does it happen before or after they totally blow you off?"

Whether or not Palom heard her was unknown…he continued his insistent interrogation of the knight without a glance at his sister.

"--Seriously dude, you couldn't have said no?"

Cecil shook his head.

"--It's not really that…easy --" he confessed unwillingly. "--Any order given by the King is absolute…"

"It's absolute crap if you ask me --" Palom scoffed at the statement.

"Nobody did --" Porom pointed out with a smug glance.

Palom's face lit up.

"--Then you got more than you expected!" The way he said it would have made someone think that his sister had received quite a valuable reward.

"—And that’s a good thing?" Porom was skeptical as she slowly rose to her feet and brushed her clothes off. "—I think I’m dry enough now…"

"--But still not very bright…" Palom observed, wringing his cape out with childish splendor.

"Palom, can I see that?" Porom approached her brother, hand extended eagerly as she indicated his cape. He frowned but handed the green, balled-up cape to her. She promptly smacked him on the shoulder with it.

"OW!" He stepped back, rubbing his shoulder. "What the --?"

"Now I feel much better," Porom sighed, tossing the cape at Palom. She ignored his confused look and turned to climb upon her horse.

Palom began adjusting the still-wet cape around his neck again, watching as Cecil also rose to his feet and pulled himself up in he saddle.

"Are we leaving already?"

Porom indicated Cecil, who was straightening the sheath on his back.

"—Obviously…"

There was a pause as Palom finally started toward his own horse.

"Aww, too bad –" he declared in a tone of deep regret. "—I was ready for another swim…"