Chapter 1 Beneath a blood red sky lay an enormous, dark fortress. Inside this sinister place, a source of pure evil dwelled. This being's unrestrained evil had destroyed all that had once lived around him. The land was barren and cracked, for the earth itself had perished as a result of this evil. He who dwelled in this sinister place was only known to exist in stories, the ones people told to frighten young children. Many believed him to have died long ago, but they did not know the truth. Emthane still lived on! "Asiiia..." a deep, growling voice rumbled. A young woman stepped forward with trepidation. She put on her bravest face and replied, "Yes, Master. I am here." "I have a mission for you..." the voice said from behind the large jeweled throne in which the evil one sat. "I am ready to do your bidding, O wise Master," she said. "Come closer, then, I will tell you what you must do." Asia stepped forward hesitantly. She bent lower so that she could hear the whispered words from the demon-like mouth. She could barely make out what her master was saying, but she understood well enough. The assignment was horrifying; it involved Cricket, the girl from Asia's village who had been her best friend. Cricket still believed they were friends, and Asia did nothing to stop that image. Cricket knew nothing of Asia's new life. Asia had turned to Emthane because she realized his unstoppable power. She knew he would never be defeated. Still, the job was blood-curdling. But, Asia knew that defiance would be her death. She nodded grimly and bowed to Emthane. "I will do your bidding, Master." She set out for her small village, fearful of what she must do to keep her life. Cricket sat with her younger sister, playing a game. she raised her head when Asia burst in the door. "Hey Asia. How's it going?" Asia was still breathless from the long trip. she said, "Crick, I need to talk to you," and promptly turned and walked out. Cricket was surprised; her friend seemed worried about something. She told her sister she would be back soon, and she ran after Asia. Asia had gone to the corral and taken out two horses. She tossed one�s reigns at Cricket, mounted swiftly, and took off galloping. Cricket was never one to lose a race, so she kicked her horse into a gallop also. Soon, both riders had disappeared into the horizon. Finally, they reached their favorite place, a pool surrounded by lush trees. Asia stopped and drank from the pool. "Crick, I have to tell you something," she said hesitantly. "What, Asia?" Cricket was impatient to find out what was plaguing her friend. "I'm so sorry for this, Cricket. Please forgive me..." With that, she promptly hurled herself on Cricket and applied a swift blow to the back of Cricket's head. Cricket was unconscious immediately. Asia sighed. How did it ever come to this? Why was she doing this to someone who had always been true to her? No matter, she was here now, she would get it over with... But, in the back of her mind, she had a brilliant idea. Instead of killing her friend, she tied her to a tree, and gagged her. There... she had saved her friend for now. Asia mounted her horse again and set out for their village. Cricket's eyes opened slowly. Her vision was a little blurred, but then she blinked and things came into focus again. She was tied to a tree! Now if only she could remember what happened... she remembered that she and Asia went out like usual on their horses, and they came to the pool, and then... she couldn't remember anymore. She strained to see around her. Her head was throbbing. She decided to use her psychic powers to try to see what happened. She saw burning... death... destruction. People were screaming, fire was crackling... She was horrified! She knew something awful had happened, and she had to get back to find out what. Now if only she could get out of those darn ropes. Out of the bushes stepped a handsome young man. He had a large double-edged sword strapped to his back. Cricket gave a muffled cry, for her gag was still in her mouth. The stranger laughed. Cricket yelled something from under her gag, and it didn't sound like a compliment. "What was that?" he laughed again. Then he removed the gag. "Interesting situation we've got here," he said jovially. "It's not everyday a lad like myself finds such a dashing young maiden like yourself strapped to a tree." He seemed to be deep in thought. He scratched his chin. "Untie me and you may keep your life!" Cricket yelled at him. "Well, how about a name? Hmm? I'm Strator, so pleasant to meet a nice gal like yourself." He was simply cracking himself up. "My name is Cricket, now please set me free! Something terrible has happened, I know it!" "And how would you know that?" he inquired. "Set me free and I'll tell you," she said to him. "Tell me and I'll set you free," he replied slyly. Cricket let out a deep breath. "I... I have mind reading and psychic powers," she admitted. Strator laughed like a maniac. "Oh, what is so funny to you all the time?!" she shouted at him. "Nothing, really. Just that you have no idea what is coming to you." "What?!" she demanded. Strator was moving closer. "Get away from me! Stop it!" He came closer, his face inches from hers now. "Let me go!" she yelled in his face. "Haha, you're a nice girl. I like you." and with that, Strator pressed his lips against hers. Cricket gave a muffled yell. Strator cut the ropes with his sword. Cricket fell to the ground. She quickly leapt to her feet. "Yeah, I guess I like you too," she said with a smile. Then she socked Strator in the stomach. He fell like a stone. He looked up at her with an expression of pain on his face. "Come on, are you coming? Let's go!" She dragged Strator onto the horse and they set out at a breakneck speed for the village she knew was in peril. Chapter 2 Faster and faster, Cricket urged the horse forward. She could feel the horse tiring, but she knew they had to get back as fast as possible. She channeled some of her own power to the horse to give it strength. The horse perked up and ran faster. Strator clung to her, fearing what had happened, because Cricket told him what happened on the way back. Cricket's face was set. She would get back. Now. At last they came to the road that led to the village. Cricket's fear was building. They thundered down the road, oblivious to all that surrounded them. The countryside whizzed by as they hurdled down the dirt road, the dust smoking up behind them. The village came in to view at last. Cricket's worst fears had come true. Where the village and all her friends had once lived, there was only a pile of smoldering ashes and rubble. She hurled herself to the ground. She knelt there, among the ruins of her peaceful home. Strator hung back a ways, letting Cricket be. He felt awful, though he had never seen what the village had looked like before its destruction. Cricket rose slowly to her feet. She walked to where her home had once stood. Then she saw something that made her cry out. A charred skeleton, perhaps a child's, lay amidst her burned house. She fell to her knees. Her sorrow was beyond tears; her grief was beyond speaking. She sat there miserably, her face drawn and solemn. Strator came forward to her. He put a hand on her shoulder. Cricket turned her face up to look at him. "Why? Why would someone do this?" Strator's face was as solemn as hers. "I don't know, but I am so sorry." A tear dripped down Cricket's face. The realization of what must have happened hit her. The tears came in full force, and Strator said nothing. He just hugged her and let her cry. He knew she was distraught. Any talking from him would send her into a rage of fury. She wept on his shoulder for a long time, and he held her. "Have you completed my mission?" the horrible voice growled. "Yes, Master. I have done what you wished," Asia said. "And the girl?" he asked. "Dead," said Asia, "I killed her myself." "Ah, I knew you would," said Emthane gleefully. "Ha, she was the only one in that pathetic little village who could have stopped you. So much for her..." A chill ran down Asia's back. She tried to laugh with him, but it came out as a harsh barking sound. She coughed hurriedly, anxious to cover it up. "Hmm..." he mused. "That's funny. I sense that she lives. Why is that, Asia? Hmm? Why don't you tell me?" "I... I thought she was dead, Master. I left her." "Now I will have to compensate for your idiocy! Send Lance and Cliff to finish her off. Perhaps they can fix your mistake." Asia bowed low and turned to relay the news to her cohorts. Lance and Cliff, hmm. She thought. Those bumbling doofuses. She knew Cricket better than anyone. Cricket would have no problem finishing them off. Ha, too bad for them, she mused. She went off to find them. Cricket and Strator sat by the fire of the small camp they had made. They had made a meager dinner, but they were still hungry. Cricket hadn't said a word since that afternoon. Strator was still being as nice as he could to her. He brought her a blanket from the pack. A rustling in the bushes perked them both up. Strator motioned for her to keep quiet, and he grabbed his sword and strode off into the shrubbery. Cricket sat numbly. Thought ran through her head like a river, flooding her mind. Asia... why? Her sister, parents, friends, house... gone. Asia had done it, she knew it in her heart, but she didn't want to believe it. Asia had knocked her out after all. Suddenly, she was angry at herself. She had allowed herself to act like a child. She was not a child. She was a warrior! She had her mind made up now. She would find out once and for all why Asia had done this, and either destroy her or forgive her. Strator reappeared from the greenery with a man. He looked happy, and he was laughing. The other man was carrying a bow, and a quiver of arrows was on his back. Strator introduced him to Cricket. "Crick, this is Kou. We knew each other when we were kids. Haha, where have you been, you old rascal?" He cuffed Kou on the back. Kou retaliated with a punch to his shoulder. "Ah, well, I've just been doing this and that... y'know." His eyes saw Cricket. "And who is this?" He looked very interested. "This is Cricket," Strator said with a slight edge to his voice. "Pleased to meet you, Madam," Kou bowed to her and kissed her hand. Cricket shoved him away. "Whoah there!" He laughed again. "Ok, Ok, sorry!" Strator said to Kou, "So, how would you like to come with us? We're not sure what we're doing yet, but we'll figure it..." Cricket interrupted him. "Yes, we do. We know exactly what we're doing and where we're going. And Kou is coming with us." Kou looked as puzzled as Strator felt. "W... we do? Err, I mean, We do! Yes, we definitely do. Why don't you tell him, Cricket?" "We are going to avenge my dead family, village, and friends. We may perish, we may not, but I must know why my friend has done this." Kou was taken aback by this. "Err, tell me what is going on here, please!" Cricket and Strator filled him in on the start of their quest, which now had a purpose. Cricket lay sleeping. Strator and Kou still were awake, sitting by the dwindling fire. "So," Kou asked slyly, "Where did you find the chick?" Strator was not amused by this. "Hey, we're just uh... friends. Yep, that's it!" Kou was not convinced. "You were always the worst liar," he laughed. "Well, if you're just uh... friends, hmm, then I guess you won't mind if I try to become uh... more than friends?" Now he was the one cracking himself up. Strator jumped to his feet. "Now you listen, you..." Kou wiped his eyes from the tears of mirth. "Haha... whew... boy, you sure don't mind, I guess!" "Hey, man, just stay away, ok? I tried to kiss her and she socked me in the stomach!" Kou rolled on the ground laughing. The morning came, and the three uh... friends set out on their quest. Chapter 3 Cricket, Strator, and Kou had set out again. As they walked along, they talked about little things. Kou and Strator were trying to find out what exactly Cricket could do with her powers. She explained it to them as best she could. "Well, I can communicate with people without speaking, like this..." Hey you two! Strator and Kou heard a voice in their heads. If you want to say something back, just think it to me and I'll hear it. Strator replied. Ok, I've got it I think. Me too! said Kou. "Ok, good. I can also read people's minds." "What?!" exclaimed Kou and Strator indignantly. "You mean you can hear what we are thinking?" Strator was worried. "Haha... Ooh, Strator's in trouble..." said Kou. "Well, I could if I wanted to, but I... I don't know. I guess it's like intruding on people. I don't like doing it without permission," she told them. Strator and Kou looked relieved. Cricket continued on with her speech. "Also, I can do minor psychic things, like putting a defensive spell on someone, or channeling my power to something, or taking something's power and using it for myself." "In other words, we don't want to mess with you," said Kou jokingly. "Do you doubt me, Kou? Here, think about something, and I'll tell you what it is then." Cricket closed her eyes. She opened them and said, "You're thinking about how you don�t believe me and how much you want some food." Kou's jaw dropped. He stammered, "Wow, you can do it!" "Yep," was Cricket's reply. As they neared a clearing, they could hear laughing and movement. Kou and Strator grabbed their weapons from their backs. They tiptoed off stealthily to the clearing. Cricket heard them calling her name a few seconds later. "Cricket, come here, it's ok!" Cricket ran into the clearing. She looked around her. There were about twelve other people in the space with Strator and Kou. There was a large cart sitting there also, so Cricket figured they must be some sort of performing troop. "Cricket, these are all of the Mystic Troupe of Performers. This is Link, their leader," said Strator. A short, dark haired girl of about Cricket's age stepped forward. Her long lashes batted furiously at Kou. He blushed. "Pleased to meet you all," she practically purred at them, especially Kou. He coughed and looked away. "So, Link," Cricket said, "who are the rest of these people?" Link called over two tough looking men. "This is Hlao, and this is Chris. They do a strength type of show for the Troupe." Hlao had a large club in his hand. He thwacked it against his hand. Chris had a sword in his hand. Chris spoke to them first. "How day do," he said, bowing low in a theatrical manner. " Ah, fair lady, it is my pleasure," he addressed Cricket and kissed her hand. Hlao nodded to the three travelers with satisfaction. "Yes, I am Hlao. They call me The Mace Wielder." After they had met the rest of the troop, they sat down to dinner with them. "Ha, we're coming up on a big performance in Goldenlake. You guys are welcome to come along," said Link. Goldenlake was the kingdom not far from where they were camped now. The king and his daughter, Princess Garnet, were known throughout the land for their wealth. "Sure, we'd be happy to," said Strator before Cricket or Kou could object. Cricket looked a little mad. What are you doing?! she asked indignantly. Oh, you could use a good time, fair lady. He chuckled. Cricket sighed. She knew she would regret this. "Well, I suppose..." she said reluctantly. "Great!" said Link. "We're due to give a top-notch performance for his majesty tomorrow's eve. Best get some sleep, we have to get an early start," Link said cheerily. Kou groaned. He was definitely not a morning person. So, with their new friends by their sides, they bedded down for the night. Silent. Deadly. Slinking towards the firelight they saw so dimly. Lance and Cliff, the assassins from the fortress, stole quietly into the sleeping camp. They crept quietly to the first bedroll they could see, thinking the girl must be inside. Cliff produced a small, poisoned dagger from his black cloak. He raised it above his head, and sharp as a whip, slammed it into the sleeping body. There wasn't even a scream. Lance uncovered the face. It was not the girl. It was not even a girl. It was one of Link's traveling companions. In her sleep, Cricket was having a peaceful dream. She was dreaming of her sister, and how happy she was before. Suddenly, she felt a silent scream run through her body. She awoke instantly. Strator and Kou were sleeping nearby. She woke them up hurriedly, and then she went to Link, Hlao, and Chris. She saw the dark figures and the gleam of the dagger in the firelight. "Alarm!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. In an instant, pandemonium broke out. Lance and Cliff could see the figures rushing them with weapons raised. Lance inhaled sharply, and when he let the breath out, a stream of fire came with it, torching the first runner to dust. "Clear out!" Strator yelled to his friends. They all ran to the woods. A few people were still at the fire, trying to ward off the enemies. They either got stabbed by the dagger or singed by the breath of flames. Now that the few idiots who had stayed behind were taken care of, Cliff and Lance turned their attention to the girl. "Which way did she go?" Cliff asked his cohort. Lance pointed to the trees. He blew out sharply, igniting the trees in the woods where, unfortunately, Cricket, Strator, Kou, and their other friends were hiding... Chapter 4 Cricket could feel the heat from the burning wood. She and her friends ran through the woods, trying to escape the fiery hell behind them. She knew they could not keep this up for long. Turn around, everyone! Get ready to battle! Remember, these are not normal people we are dealing with here. Be careful. She nodded, and they all spun around. They leaped through the fire. Hlao hung back in the woods a ways, on the other side where it was not burning. Strator leapt at Cliff. Cliff disappeared, and Strator fell into thin air. Cricket whirled around, and seeing that Cliff was right behind her, she aimed a punch at his face. The blow connected, and he staggered. Then he was up again, coming at her. She tried to punch again, but he was ready this time. He held up his dagger, and sliced at her hand. Her hand spattered blood. She was shocked. He grabbed her hand, placed it against a tree, and chopped. He had cut off her hand! Cricket looked at her bloodied stump in anguish. The pain was intense. She blinked back the howling pain inside her, and took cover behind a tree. Link saw Cricket roll off behind the tree. She ran to her. "Cricket! Give me your arm!" she had an urgent tone in her voice. Cricket raised her arm to Link. She was losing blood fast, and she was going unconscious. The poison from the dagger was taking effect. Link had to act. Link took a deep breath. She raised Cricket's arm, and she kissed it. Cricket's eyes snapped open again. She stared in wonder as her hand sprouted from the stump. Her fingers grew. Her hand was back! She looked up at Link. "What? How did you? Tell me!" she wanted answers. Now. "I'll explain later," said Link, and promptly collapsed on the ground. Cricket looked around frantically. Kou she said. Come take Link somewhere safe! She's hurt! Kou released his arrow. It pierced Lance in the leg. I'm coming! He burst over to where Link and Cricket were. He lifted Link up, slung her over his shoulder, and took off into the woods. Chris was watching... watching from the woods... watching. He watched Lance. He drew his sword. Lance came closer... he lunged! Out from the trees! He stabbed, again and again. Lance staggered, and he fell to the ground. Chris wiped his sword off on the grass. Strator and Cliff were still engaged in battle. Strator hurled himself at Cliff, but Cliff was gone again. "Your friend is dead," said Strator cockily. "Bring his body back to your master." Cliff appeared from the trees. He knelt and lifted Lance. Them he disappeared, Lance and all. Strator, Hlao, Cricket, and Chris stood in the clearing. Scorched bodies lay strewn about. Cricket wiped a tear from her eye. Strator came over to her. "Where did Link and Kou go?" he asked gently. "I... I sent them into the woods. Link was hurt," she replied. Link... Kou... can you hear me? she called to them. Back came the reply. Yes, and we found a good spot to camp tonight. said Kou. Tell us where you are said Cricket. About 200 yards east from where you are. And we are very close to GoldenLake now. noted Kou. The survivors took off into the wood, to the east. After a short while, they came into another clearing, in which Kou was sitting and Link was laying. Cricket rushed to Link. "Is she ok? What's happening to her?" she flooded Kou with questions. "Why don't you tell us?" said Kou. She looked around at the rest of the men. She took a deep breath. "Link... she saved me. I don't know how. Cliff cut off my hand with his dagger, and she came to me and kissed my arm. The hand regrew. See, look!" She held out her arm. They all leaned in to look. They could see the scar of where the hand had been severed. It was a ring around her wrist. After a long silence, Strator spoke. "We'd better get some sleep if we are going to make it to GoldenLake tomorrow," he said reluctantly. He wanted to talk to Cricket alone, but he could tell she was not in the mood to talk to anyone right now. Six weary travelers lay down for a much-deserved sleep. In the distance, the sun was rising over GoldenLake...