A darkness covers the land. No moons are shining this night over the land of Ispar. All the residents of the small farming village are tucked snugly in their beds, waiting for the next day of work under the sun. Out of the endless dark, a glow appeared. This was not just any normal glow caused by fire, this was the mysterious purple glow of portal space, growing larger and larger in the middle of a field. The village was soon filled with the bright purple glow that emitted from the portal in the field, yet all of the inhabitants still slept soundly, except for one. He rolled over in bed, unable to sleep.

Yesterday he had been ambushed by a boy with a sling and took a crushing blow to the head. His head was still throbbing with pain many hours after the encounter. Even now only an hour till dawn he could still not relieve himself of pain and sleep. Slowly he rose from bed and dressed in his usual breeches and tunic, preparing himself for the day of work in the fields that lay ahead.

After he dressed, he descended the stairs from his second story room, only to encounter the portal�s bright purple glow radiating through a window. Forgetting the pain in his head, he ran out of the house and stared longingly into the swirling purple mass. He knew not what to do or who to wake. Thinking back, he remembered Llan�s father telling a story of these purple doorways appearing in other villages, and sucking people in when they approached the purple gateways.

Thinking fast, he sprinted down the dirt road to the house of his best friend hoping to find some answers. He neared the house and came to a stop. Panting, he looked sideways at the door, and to his surprise it opened. �Llan! Llan! You�ll never believe what I just saw!� He gasped, still breathing deeply in exhilaration.

�What?� Responded Llan, staring at Ryucho through the thick darkness of the moonless night.

Still winded, Ryucho did not respond. He simply pointed up the hill past his house and into the fields. Llan gaped at the swelling purple mass. He stared longingly into the never-ending purple tunnel. �Do you think we should go in? Or even go near it?� Ryucho wondered, having just regained his breath.

�I don�t know if that is such a good idea, Ryu,� Llan responded. �What if your brother doesn�t know where you went?�

�We can wake him up! He will probably be coming out of the house soon to start his chores anyway.�

�Alright, lets go wait for him. My dad will know that I went in. Honestly, he probably won�t even care. He thinks I�m �Some good for nothing kid who can�t pull his own weight around here�.� Llan responded sarcastically as they approached Ryucho�s house.

They sat down next to it and stared out towards the portal. Ryucho heard Keltslash rummaging around in the kitchen for a quick snack before he began work.

Llan stood up and was reaching for the door when Keltslash had thrown it wide open and began laughing, �So! A portal has descended on our fair little village. No doubt all the villagers will venture into it soon. I left a note on the table saying that we are all heading in. You�re free to come with us if you like, Llan.�

�Kelt, how di-� Ryucho started, but Keltslash merely waved his hand, silencing him.

�Do you honestly think that I would be stupid enough to believe that you wouldn�t want to go? It seemed rather obvious. You and Llan have always been shooting off those bows of yours at anything that moves, outside livestock. Now, why don�t we head out? I�ve heard those portals don�t last more than a couple hours.� Keltslash responded, sending both of the men into silent awe.

Ryucho jumped up and followed Keltslash to the portal, with Llan close behind.

�What do you think it�ll be like?� Llan asked, �Nobody has ever come back you know.�

�I�m well aware,� Ryucho stated, knowing none of them would ever see this town again, �I hope we all come out in the same area at least. I wouldn�t want to be separated from you guys.�

�Are you two done discussing? We�re here.� Keltslash hailed them from up the hill. �We might as well be on our way before the sun comes up, you never know what people will say if they see us go in.�

They stared in silence at the portal. Three men who had always yearned for something more exciting than farming had finally found salvation from their boring lives.

�Lets go.� Ryucho announced, and walked directly into the swirling purple mass, with Llan and Keltslash right behind him.

Ryucho, Llan, and Keltslash had just embarked on the rest of their lives.

Chapter Two

Hoping that he would not be seeing last night�s dinner again from the hasty spinning and twirling inside the portal, Ryucho spotted a small patch of sand growing closer to him. He tried to yell to Keltslash and Llan, but both of them were nowhere to be seen. The portal came to an abrupt halt and threw him onto the sandy earth he had seen while in portal space. Oddly enough, he landed quite softly and was able to remain standing after his feet hit the ground.

�Welcome!� shouted a friendly female voice, just as Ryucho took a step away from where he landed. �Hope that ride through portal space wasn�t too bad!�

Ryucho looked around. He saw Llan lying next to a tree and Keltslash apparently hadn�t materialized yet. Llan was looking slightly pale after all the spinning of the portal. Standing next to him was a woman wearing a shockingly bright blue robe. She had an oddly transparent shield in her left hand, which was radiating a green glow in a ring around her.

�Are you alright?� She said, nodding at Ryucho when he looked at her.

Confused, he responded, �Yeah, I�m fine. Llan, are you ok?�

�He is a bit on the sickly side,� she interrupted, before Llan could speak, �He took a pretty bad fall when he came out of the portal. Apparently he didn�t know it was going to land him softly and he braced himself, which is definitely the wrong thing to do.�

�Will he be alright?� Ryucho wondered.

�Don�t worry, he will be just fine. Give him a little time to rest and he�ll be up and about. Say, you don�t happen to have another friend coming through, do you?� She asked and pointed in the direction of the place Ryucho had just stepped away from.

To Ryucho�s surprise, a human was slowly forming from what seemed like a purple stick figure. It grew to the size of a person, and then Keltslash appeared in the place it had just been. �Rough ride, eh?� he gasped. Seeing Ryucho standing, he straightened up and looked around to Llan. �Looks like he wasn�t so lucky.�

�He�ll be fine shortly.� Said the woman, walking over towards the brothers. �Neither of you are hurt I hope?�

They nodded. After a short silence, Ryucho asked, �Do you mind if I ask who you are?�

She curtseyed, �I am Zharina al-Zhahib, your local advocate to the town of Yaraq. Now that I have answered your question, would you two tell me who you all are?�

Keltslash nodded, �I am Keltslash Rajileth. This is my brother Ryucho Rajileth, and Llan al-War, a friend of ours.�

Ryucho was deep in thought. This place resembled their village. The landscape was the same, the people were the same, it seemed so much like home. �If� If this isn�t Ispar, then where are we? This place seems just like our hometown, and the people here have the same color skin as most of our neighbors.�

�This is Dereth.� Zharina said as she gestured to the world around her. �I can tell you are from Ispar. We are all from Ispar. We are still on Auberean, but we are nearly on the opposite side of the planet from Ispar. This island is most likely the smallest on the planet, and we have been summoned here for one reason, and one reason alone-�

�-To help Asheron.� Keltslash interrupted, causing us all to stare at him.

�How did you know that?� Zharina asked hurriedly. �No one knew about Asheron until they had arrived here! Nobody could have gone back to Ispar, it is impossible!�

�It is a very long story. I�ll tell you another time. Feeling better Llan?� Keltslash asked, as Llan got to his feet and wandered over to us.

�I�ll be ok. The shock just got to me. I�m fine.� Llan said in a hushed voice, and then added, �Thanks, Zharina.�

�Don�t mention it.� She said politely. �It is my job to help newcomers to our world. Speaking of which, you three should go through the training hall. You�ll be told how to modify your skills and attributes to suit what kind of skills you will learn for survival.�

�Thanks. I take it we take that portal over by the building?� Ryucho asked.

�Yes. That is the Advocate�s Spire. I will be waiting for you there when you have emerged from the training hall and are fully trained in combat and other techniques. Oh, and you can call me ZZ. My name is quite long and I like the nickname more.� She responded.

Llan began walking towards the portal. �Lets go you guys. We might as well get a jump start on training!�

* * *

The drop out of the portal was not quite as bad this time, having gotten used to it after their first experience. By the time Ryucho had stepped out, Keltslash and Llan were already deep in conversation with the training master. �-Your focus and strong spirit will most likely make you a very good mage,� the master said, nodding to Keltslash. �I can sense that you will have a very high mana capacity with your level of inner focus.�

�Magic� Are you telling me, that I get to learn magic?� Keltslash questioned, in awe of the circumstance.

�Yes, yes, they always love the thought of becoming a mage and casting all sorts of spells. Lifting things over your head or making things disappear and whatnot.� Responded the training master, obviously having said this many times before, �However, magic is not as it seems. Magic is the ability to conjure spells to strike down monsters or heal allies. It can be used to increase skills for temporary amounts of time. Magic is the essence of this world. It enhances every part of life, from increasing your knowledge of cooking to make better meals, to weakening monsters and making them easier to fight.�

�That�s really good Kelt! You�ll probably make a great mage.� Llan added.

�What�s this? Another arrival?� Questioned the training master as Ryucho walked up. �Hmmm. I already know what you want to be.�

Awestruck, Ryucho asked, �How- but, how do you know? I haven�t said a word since I came out of the portal.�

Looking him up and down, the master said, �You have very strong coordination. I can tell because you came out of the portal without stumbling or wincing. You also have unusually high quickness, noting your strong calves and ankles. You will be an excellent archer. I would suggest a bow for you, definitely not a crossbow. You are too quick and nimble for a large bulky crossbow to hinder your movement.�

�What about me?� Questioned Llan, hoping to also be an archer.

The master didn�t even have to look at him when he responded, �You will make an excellent swordsman. By the look in your eyes I can tell you want to be an archer, but you do not have the vision of a hawk, like this one here,� He pointed to Ryucho, and indicated his eyes, �You would not be very good at firing from far away. On practice targets you may do quite well, but they are immobile and much easier to hit than a tusker charging full on at you.�

�A tusker?� Keltslash asked.

�They are giant apes. They often wear armor and can run at speeds that even some of our best mail runners cannot compete with.� Said the master, then continued, �You three will find equipment in the next room. Arrows are in quivers on the walls along with longbows and nayins. I suggest you use a nayin, seeing as you have the thin eyes, generally thinner stature, and slightly browned skin you would be better off with a Sho made bow.

�For Keltslash, I recommend a Gharu�ndim made wand or stave. A wand made by your race will better attune to your magic abilities. I do, however, question how you and your brother are not the same race. He is of Sho stature and you have the dark brown skin, long muscular legs, and large hands of a Gharu�ndim man. you must have had a Sho father and a Gharu�ndim mother, noting that Ryucho is on the more muscular side.

�Lastly, for you Llan, I recommend a Shamshir, seeing as you are also Gharu�ndim, so you should use a Gharu�ndim sword. Studded leather armor is provided in the next room, along with spell components for the three of you. Our archmage will tell you which components to select for the magic you can use. Good luck to you!�

They began walking down the poorly lit hallway which led to a room full of gleaming weapons. There were swords shining in the torchlight, bows polished and strung hanging on hooks, along with quivers of arrows, and an assortment of wands and staves with precious gemstones set in, which radiated with magical auras. They all selected their weapons. Ryucho immediately took a jet black ebony nayin, along with a quiver of broadhead arrows. Keltslash decided upon an emerald green stave set with rubies, which would glow when he rubbed them. Llan had selected a polished silver shamshir, with a pommel made of pyreal. Together they walked into the next room, when they were hailed by a woman wearing a sleek emerald gown.

�Welcome! Welcome! The master informed me that you were coming. My name is Julia, the academy arch mage. Please, suit up in the studded leather I have set out and then we will talk about what components you will all be needing.� She paused, and then added, �You, with the stave, you are known as Keltslash, am I correct?�

�Uhh, yeah, that�s me.� Keltslash replied, rather reluctantly.

�You have no need to put on the armor. We have specialized robes for mages,� She called back to him, after walking off to a door. �Come with me please.�

�This stuff is pretty light,� Ryucho commented, pulling on his studded leather boots and buckling them up. �Wonder what Kelt is getting.�

�Probably some cool robe while we have to wear this lousy brown armor,� Llan responded while tugging his gloves on. Then, pointing, he exclaimed, �Haha! Look! Here he comes now!�

Much to their enjoyment, Keltslash emerged in a bright orange robe with a white sash at the waist and a vest made of steel. Keltslash seemed to like his robe and said to them, �Its much better than that leather junk you�re wearing! At least it has some color to it. I like orange anyhow.�

�Yes, yes, its all nice and fun. Now, let us begin choosing components,� Julia said, silencing the laughter. �Please, sit down and we will prepare you for survival on Dereth.�

* * *

�Dereth is a world of combat and technique. Learning to fight is the key to survival on this land.� They spent the rest of the day thinking of these words while in the training hall, destroying the targets and completing the tasks assigned to them by the trainers. Keltslash had mastered most of his war spells, now able to shoot bolts of fire, acid, lightning, and frost. Llan had proved able to use a wide range of fighting techniques including the ability to double strike and parry weapon attacks. Ryucho successfully hit moving targets from up to one hundred meters away. He could pierce an arrow fourteen centimeters into a solid block of sandstone and could hit a bulls-eye on a target nineteen out of twenty shots from up to ninety meters away.

Together, all three had mastered basic and even some complex abilities of their weapons and skills by the end of their second day on Dereth. At last, the combat trainer approached them.

�All three of you have excelled past the levels that we normally teach in your skills. You have completed your training at our academy and you are all ready to experience real time combat outside on Dereth. I wish the best of luck to you. Zharina will brief you on what to do before leaving the outpost. Then you may do as you wish.� Concluded the trainer, directing them to an exit portal. �Good luck to you all!�

Ryucho stepped in first, then Keltslash, and lastly Llan. None of them even flinched after exiting the portal this time. Zharina waved them over to an odd looking object. As they neared, it appeared to be three large stone fingers protruding from the ground, guarding a slowly spinning sapphire blue crystal in the center of the claws. Zharina hailed them as they approached.

�Welcome back my friends. You are now going to learn some of the basics of this world. For starters, this gem that you have all been examining is a lifestone. Lifestones are our saviors of life on this land of Dereth. When Asheron created this island, he created lifestones along with it. Whenever you touch a lifestone, your life energy will be attuned to the gem inside. Therefore, if you are to die in combat, you will be resurrected back here, at this exact spot. Please touch the gem now.�

They all touched the gem, and they were surrounded by a shining blue aura. As the aura wore off, each one felt something odd move through their arms and into the stone. Zharina continued, �You will now resurrect here when you die, so don�t be too afraid of getting killed in combat. You will, however, be given a penalty which will hinder your skills and attributes. Hunting and fighting monsters will reduce this penalty until it is gone all together.�

Ryucho then asked, �So, you�re saying that if we die, we�ll be sent right back here? You�re saying that we can�t truly die?�

�That�s correct.� Zharina responded, �You will be alive and well even after falling in battle. A corpse will be left behind, and you may return to it to pick up your lost items and money. Speaking of money, here you are,� She handed them each a special looking piece of parchment with a large V stamped across it, �These are our paper trade notes on the island. The coin currency is called pyreals. This amount would be equal to fifty of your Isparian dollars. You should be able to afford extra components and larger packs for your items as well as better weapons and armor in the town of Yaraq.�

�Thank you, Zharina!� They all responded in chorus.

�You�re very welcome. Now, along with you. You should start hunting and earning experience to gain levels. Good luck, and good hunting!� She concluded, and returned to her advocate�s spire.

They turned and walked down the road towards the town of Yaraq, waving good bye to Zharina until the advocate�s spire was out of sight. On their way to Yaraq, they passed a large, mostly empty, field with six very angry looking bulls grazing nearby.

�We had best leave them there,� Ryucho said, in fear of these muscular and evil looking bulls, �They look quite tough. I don�t think we should mess with them.�

Keltslash and Llan nodded, and they continued down the road towards the town. They passed through some cove apple orchards and met the town crier of Yaraq. He informed them that the merchants in Yaraq charged lower prices to newcomers and they would gladly outfit their group for around five thousand pyreals each. Keltslash thanked the crier and then they proceeded to town.

Once in town, Ryucho met the town archer and began buying and trading arrowheads and arrow shafts. Llan sold his studded leather armor to the smith and bought some gleaming chain mail. Keltslash found the mage and bought mana stones and spare components. Before leaving town they all purchased larger backpacks, extra belt pouches, and roll-up mats and blankets for sleeping out doors. Llan and Ryucho bought extra supplies to make meals, as well as healing kits.

They departed, waving good bye to the merchants and counting the coins in their new pyreal bags. Keltslash noticed something moving in the orchard as they headed back towards the fields where they had seen the bulls. �Hold up guys,� He had stopped walking and beckoned them to him, �Look there. Do you see that movement in the orchard? I think it might be some kind of monster. Maybe we can kill them for some experience!�

Llan walked closer and they followed him into the orchard. �Look! They are some kind of cat creature!�

His assumption was correct, indeed they were cat-like beings, and they were quite short tempered when they found the men invading their orchard. With a scream and a wave, the creatures charged Llan. Acting fast, he drew his sword and began fighting with the two closest monsters. Ryucho saw one of the creatures sneaking up behind Llan and killed it with three well guided arrows. Keltslash had killed two of the creatures with his fire bolts and then began replenishing Llan�s health with his healing spell.

After they defeated all of the monsters, Llan searched the fallen bodies for anything they could use or sell in town. He acquired a club and a few throwing darts, as well as some old jewelry from the bodies and put the loot in his backpack. �We had better be more careful next time. You�ve got some nasty scratches there Kelt,� Llan observed as Ryucho began wrapping a deep gash on Keltslash�s arm.

�Thanks Ryu,� Keltslash said, wincing as Ryucho tightened the bandage. �I�ll be fine, don�t worry. I�ll say that we definitely won our first real battle on Dereth!�

Chapter Three

After successfully defeating another group of the cat-like monsters, which they learned were called drudges, Ryucho heard screaming coming from the field where they had seen the bulls earlier. Llan and Keltslash looked around confused, but Ryucho had already run off down the road with an arrow knocked on his bow. Once they realized something bad must have happened, Llan and Keltslash jumped up and ran off after Ryucho. They cleared the orchard just as Ryucho fired off a barrage of arrows at a group of bulls advancing on him. Behind him lay another person, apparently injured and immobilized by a bull�s attacks.

�Somebody help me over here! Someone is injured!� Ryucho was yelling out at the top of his lungs, �I can�t kill them all alone!�

Keltslash immediately began shooting fire bolts at the advancing bulls while Llan ran up to help Ryucho fight off the irate bulls. Ryucho crouched down and began bandaging the injured person on the ground. After Keltslash and Llan fought off the last of the bulls, they both noticed that Ryucho was helping a girl who had been attacked by enraged bulls. She was sobbing in pain and some of her armor was stained red. Ryucho was doing his best to patch her up and comfort her while Llan quickly checked Ryucho for any wounds. Luckily, Ryucho had not been hit by the any of the sharp horns or deadly hooves. Keltslash began scanning the horizon for any more bulls, incase of another attack.

�Are you alright? Where are you hurt?� Ryucho repeated in a slightly desperate and worried voice. �Keep watch for more bulls guys, she�s hurt pretty bad.�

Llan and Keltslash made sure that nothing came near them except for other people who happened to pass by and wander closer to offer help or attempt to see what was happening. After ten minutes, the girl had regained her senses and was finally willing to talk to them. �Who- who are you?� she asked as soon as she found her voice.

�I�m Ryucho Rajileth, this is Keltslash Rajileth, my brother, and Llan al-War, a friend of ours from Ispar. What is your name?� Ryucho asked calmly.

�My name is Tandy. Nice to meet you Ryucho, Llan, Keltslash. Thanks for the help. Those auroch bulls nearly had me.� She said, in a relieved tone.

Keltslash had been talking with one of the people who had stopped to help and was talking to Llan. Ryucho saw Llan nod at something Keltslash had said, and then came over to him. �Ryu, this is Wizlet, he is a mage and would like to invite us into his clan. We are going to go and find out what they do and meet some people. Will you be ok without us?� Llan asked.

�Don�t worry about us, we�ll be fine,� Ryucho said, nodding at Tandy. �We�ll be around here somewhere, so just come on back when you�ve become acquainted.�

They nodded and walked off towards town, heading to the meeting hall slightly East of the main town. Ryucho turned back to Tandy and helped her up. �Thanks,� She said, and smiled. �Sorry to waste your time. My patron had to run off to get components for his spell when the aurochs ambushed me.�

�That�s quite alright. We�re new here too. This is our second day. How long were you in the training hall for?� Ryucho asked.

�Only a couple hours. The arch mage just fitted my armor and then sent me into combat training, I didn�t learn any magic skills. I have Defiance for that.� She answered.

�Defiance?� Ryucho asked, remembering she said that she had a patron. �Who is Defiance?�

�I know, the name sounds weird. It is his nickname from Ispar,� She told him. �He said it was his nickname because he never took orders from anyone and wouldn�t do nearly anything anyone told him to.�

�Well, he sure sounds like a fun guy,� Ryucho said, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. �Where did you say he went?�

�I�m right here,� said a voice from behind Ryucho, causing him to jump. He turned and saw a tough looking mage, who was pointing a sapphire blue stave at Tandy, �Are you alright Tandy? Has this person been bothering you?�

�No, no! He helped me,� Tandy responded hastily, �The aurochs attacked me after you left and Ryu and his friends ran up to help me.�

Defiance took a surveying look at Ryucho, assessing his strength. �You are an archer, yet you have the stature of a swordsman, with all of those muscles showing through your leather armor.� He said.

�Uhh, thanks, I guess,� Ryucho responded. �By the way, I�m Ryucho, Ryucho Rajileth. You missed my brother by a few minutes, his name is Keltslash, as well as my friend, Llan al-War.�

Defiance seemed to be thinking, �Were they just headed out to the meeting hall East of Yaraq?�

�Yeah, that would be them.� Ryucho responded.

�That guy they were with, Wizlet, he is widely known on Dereth as a pretty strong mage. What I would give to be his vassal. Looks like your brother is going to be, lucky guy.� Defiance stated, obviously envying Keltslash.

�Really? Wow, Kelt is definitely getting used to this place fast.� Ryucho said.

Ryucho was scanning the horizon when he saw a group of people come rushing towards them from far off. �Ryucho, Ryucho!� Defiance heard Keltslash yell, apparently trying to get everyone�s attention.

As the group neared them, Ryucho asked, �What�s up Kelt? Why are you guys in such a hurry?�

Defiance knew the answer. �Ryu, Kelt and Llan have been recruited into the Defenders of Honor. They�re a widely known clan that many people wish they could get into. Apparently, Wizlet recruited your brother without so much as a second guess of his decision.�

�That�s right,� Wizlet said, in a clam and deep voice. �Ryucho Rajileth, I invite you to join our clan as well. Keltslash has sworn allegiance to me, and Llan has sworn allegiance to Magna Defender.� Wizlet pointed to another mage who was wearing a suit of blood red plate mail.

�Hiya,� Magna said, and waved. �Its just as Wiz says. You are invited to join our clan as my vassal if you wish.�

Keltslash nudged Ryucho and whispered in his ear, �You�d best do it. These people are widely known throughout Dereth and should be able to help us greatly in our adventures.�

Ryucho accepted Magna�s offer and swore allegiance to him. Magna handed Ryucho a rolled scroll of parchment, �This is a copy of our clan creed. We are the Defenders of Honor, known far and wide for our generosity and willingness to help others. I hope that you are able to help others as much as possible even if it means risking a trip to the lifestone. Welcome, Ryucho, to the Defenders of Honor!�

* * *

Darktide had fallen over the land of Dereth, and it was once again a moonless night. Ryucho, Keltslash, Llan, Magna, Wizlet, Tandy, and Defiance all went to the Yaraq town meeting hall to escape the pouring rain outside. Once in the main room, Wizlet guided them to a side hall that led to a series of small apartments for everyone to sleep in. Ryucho, Keltslash, and Llan took one room and each of them put their things in a chest at the foot of each of their beds. Wizlet, and Magna went into a room across the hall and put their things in chests. Tandy went further down the hall with Defiance. They both went into separate guest rooms and put their things in their chests. When Tandy and Defiance had come out of their rooms they were both wearing light blue guest robes that were left in their rooms for whoever happened to be staying as guests. Everyone else had washed up and began heading out to the main room of the meeting hall.

Zharina was standing next to a podium talking to someone wearing an elegant robe. He looked to be very important and Zharina was apparently his second in command by the look of her robe. Wizlet was wearing a robe just like Zharina�s and they stood on each side of the important looking man.

�Welcome, Welcome one and all! Those of you that are sworn into our clan are now all official Defenders of Honor! I am Daark al-Slayer, monarch of the DoH.� He announced.

A woman in a mint green robe walked by and handed out white robes trimmed with green to each newcomer to the clan. Once all the members had a robe, Daark continued, �Now that you all have your member robes, please go and change into them, and then return here. Don�t forget to thank Lindela Shima for sewing and dying all of the robes.� Daark said.

�Thank you Lindela!� the group responded in chorus.

Lindela curtseyed and said, �You�re welcome everyone. If anyone finds any dye, I�ll gladly accept it so that I can dye more robes!�

Everyone dressed in their robes and returned to the hall, where Daark announced upcoming events and hunting trips. After the meeting, the clan ate dinner in the meeting hall and slowly the amount of people still in the hall began to shrink as people went off to their rooms to sleep. Ryucho, Keltslash, Magna, Llan, Wizlet, Zharina, and Daark all went into a room behind the podium that was obviously Daark�s quarters.

�Wizlet tells me that you three are new to this world, and yet you already know more than some of us about Asheron. Zharina tells me that you knew about him even before you had gone through training. I would like to know how you learned all of this, and if you could tell us anything that we may not know?� Daark asked them politely.

Keltslash was the one who responded, �I know about Asheron because one day a long time ago he visited our village on Ispar. He came through asking for people to join his cause and rid this land of the horrors that haunted it. Many people didn�t believe him, but my parents did. Ryu was very young at the time, and he didn�t know much about it.

�My parents joined him and left our village with him to come here. Asheron had said they were both skilled magicians and he asked them to join his group of sages who were going to help him exterminate the olthoi on Dereth.�

Daark, Wizlet, Zharina, and Llan all looked amazed at what he had said. Ryucho just sat listening trying to remember what had happened. Keltslash continued, �Asheron recruited our parents and brought them here. We don�t know what happened to them, but the night that Asheron opened the portal to our village to bring us here, I had a dream that he wanted us to come here to help him as our parents did. I knew that he only wanted us to come from the village, because everyone else there had thought he was crazy.

�I told Ryu and Llan to hurry through the portal because I knew that it would close before dawn whether we had entered or not. Guessing that Asheron only really wanted me and Ryu to come, I wasn�t sure if it would let Llan in, which is why I went in behind Llan, to make sure he made it through. The reason why Llan was so disoriented after the portal trip was because he wasn�t supposed to come through. Never the less, he did, and here we are, safe with you.� Keltslash ended his story and sat down on the couch next to Ryucho.

Daark stood up, �Thank you Keltslash. We shall make sure that for whatever reason Asheron brought you here, that you are kept safe and under our watch. Now, you should all get to bed. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.�

With that, Llan, Ryucho, Keltslash, Wizlet, and Zharina all left for their rooms.

Chapter Four

Ryucho awoke the next morning to find that Keltslash and Llan had left the room and were already in the main hall. Quickly, Ryucho dressed in his studded leather and ran down the hall towards the main room. He was greeted by the sound of many forks and knives scratching against plates and many people having a chat over their breakfast before heading out. Llan saw Ryucho and waved him over, �You�re late! You really should try this food, Ryu, they�ve got some great stuff.� Llan said.

Ryucho walked over and sat down next to Llan at a long table. He picked five strips of fresh bacon as well as some oatmeal and began to eat. After most of the clan had finished, Daark walked behind the podium to begin the morning meeting before everyone left the hall. �I hope you all are well rested and ready for some hunting today. Those of you above level seventy who do not have vassals will be joining Zharina and myself on a trip to the obsidian plains. For everyone between levels forty and seventy, you will be going with Magna to the northern shores. Those below level forty may do as they please. Your patrons may have separate plans for you, so please follow their directions. Defiance has offered to take a group to the beach ten days from now for people between the levels eight and fifteen. Those of you under level eight, get hunting so you can go! Today is a bright and sunny day, so lets get some hunting done! Good luck!�

Daark sat down as others began rising to begin a long day of hunting and questing. Defiance and Tandy had just left the hall when Ryucho and Llan finished their breakfast. �Well, I�ll be seeing you two later,� Keltslash said. �Wizlet is going to show me around and take me hunting a little bit, so you two can go around and do whatever you want for today.�

�Alright Kelt,� Llan responded. �We�ll probably go take on some drudges or aurochs, don�t worry about us.�

�Lets get going Kelt,� Wizlet announced, heading for the exit portal. �I want to get a jump start on things today.�

Keltslash ran off after Wizlet into the portal. Llan and Ryucho stood up and headed out after them. Ryucho stepped out of portal space just as Llan was heading down the steps from the portal enclosure. He caught up to Llan and they ran off towards the aurochs. �You think anyone will have killed them yet?� Ryucho asked.

�Doubt it, the sun has just come over the mountains. We�ll probably be the first there.� Llan responded.

They came up on the fields and, as Llan had predicted, nobody was there. Ryucho checked his arrows and knocked one on his bow string as Llan drew his sword and put up his shield. Ryucho pulled back his bowstring until it was taut. �Ready?� He shouted to Llan, who was standing about twenty feet ahead of him.

�Fire!� Llan shouted as he began to charge the bulls. Ryucho let his arrow fly and it hit the bull straight in the head, killing it upon impact. The bull Llan was fighting had blocked all of Llan�s blows with its horns and proceeded to attack him. Llan parried the first two attacks and then took a slash at the bull�s back. His sword cut deep into flesh and the bull let out a horrid noise somewhere between a scream and a howl. Llan took another swing and felled the bull quickly so as to put it out of its misery.

�Nice one Llan!� Ryucho yelled while knocking a fourth arrow to fire at a bull advancing on him. The bull charged him and had reached him by the time Ryucho had knocked his fifth arrow. Ryucho took a hit to his left leg and killed the bull with his fifth arrow fired. Immobilized, Ryucho began to panic and started shooting faster at another approaching bull. Three of his first four arrows fired missed horribly, for Ryucho did not aim them well in his desperation. Out of nowhere, Llan swung a hefty blow to the bull between the horns with the flat of his blade and smashed its skull.

�You alright there Ryu?� Llan asked as Ryucho patched up his wounded leg.

�Yeah, I�ll be fine. Blasted thing got me square in the thigh. Don�t let them hit you, it hurts really bad.� Ryucho responded, wincing.

While Ryucho had been busy with his two targets, Llan had gone and killed off the other four before they could do any damage. He was unscathed and waited patiently for Ryucho to finish patching up his leg. Afterwards, they began wandering around in the wilderness looking for monsters that they could take on. Llan had wandered a ways away from Ryucho when he heard a shout. �Llan! Llan, look at this!� Ryucho was hailing him from atop a large boulder.

With his chain mail clicking wildly, Llan jogged over to the boulder Ryucho was settled on. Ryucho was pointing down onto the shoreline at a large black figure. �It looks quite a bit like a really big dog,� Llan guessed. Ryucho sat thinking about what it could be.

�Llan,� Ryucho asked, �Didn�t you learn a monster assessment technique while we were training?�

�Yeah, I did. I don�t see what good that does us.� Llan responded, rather annoyed.

�Well, can you use it? Can you identify that monster and tell me what it is or how much health it might have?� Ryucho questioned, eager to find out what Llan knew.

Llan did as Ryucho bid, �That is known as a Blood Shreth. There are smaller shreth around, known as Gnawer and Carrion shreth. This one apparently has around forty health. The aurochs had eighty, but this blood does probably twice the damage,� He said as Ryucho knocked an arrow to his bow.

�Lets take it on then. Those bulls weren�t so tough, so this cant be any harder.� Ryucho said, letting his arrow fly.

The shreth let out a howl of rage as the arrow stuck in its shoulder, unhindered by its appearance. It turned and charged Ryucho mad with bloodlust. �THAT THING IS FAST!� Ryucho yelled out, retreating back up his rock and knocking another arrow to his bow. He let it fly just as Llan had engaged the monster. The arrow had hit it directly in the leg, and it was apparently unwilling to attack Ryucho, so instead fought Llan. Ryucho did not want to risk shooting another arrow, for it may hit Llan instead of the shreth.

Having underestimated the shreth, Ryucho feared that his arrows may have not injured it very badly. Llan kept blocking its heavy blows with his shield as he attempted to stab at its arms or legs. The shreth took a final hit on Llan�s shield and then made to run. Ryucho seized this opportunity and fired an arrow just inches over Llan�s head and felled the beast. �I really could have used some help you know!� Llan yelled angrily at him as Ryucho replenished Llan�s health. �That thing evaded me nearly every time I swung at it! The first two arrows you fired hardly even went into its skin. It had a coat stronger than an iron plate. Good thing that arrow hit it in the neck. That�s always a weak spot.�

�Sorry,� Ryucho said weakly. �At least it�s dead.�

Llan walked over to the corpse and rolled it over with his foot. It had been carrying a pair of steel toed boots that it must have stolen from someone it had killed. He picked up the boots and inspected them. They were a bit bloody on the outside, but were as good as new on the inside. He walked down to the water, washed off the steel plating, and slipped them on. �Good fit,� He commented, showing off the boots and stowing his old ones in his pack. �Probably a lot more protective than these.�

Ryucho began walking down the shoreline looking for more monsters. Llan felled two blood shreth and Ryucho had killed a group of drudges. Ryucho picked up a chain mail breastplate off one of the drudges and replaced his studded leather breastplate with the chain mail one. Llan found a kite shield on the corpse of one of the shreth and equipped it. They continued down the beach until they saw a lighthouse with drudge screams emitting from it. Llan charged it as Ryucho tried to hit the two drudges guarding the top of the tower. As Ryucho felled the last drudge, he became surrounded in an aura of red, yellow, and blue mist. Shocked, he looked to Llan for an answer. The mist quickly died off as Llan guessed, �I think you just leveled. We all did twice in the training hall, although the colors never appeared then.�

Ryucho led the way out of the lighthouse after they had looted the corpses. Once he had stepped out of the door, he noticed a group of pylons sticking up out of the water with a strange blue mist filling the air around them. Ryucho and Llan walked into the water and were surrounded by the blue mist. Out of nowhere, a screech emitted, and the mist began forming a wavy object that was approaching them. Llan drew his sword and rushed it. The water wisp attacked Llan through his armor as Llan swung at it�s pulsating heart. Ryucho fired an arrow at it, but the heart simply hovered to the side to evade the arrow.

�I can�t hit it Llan, it just dodges my shots. You can take it!� Ryucho yelled through the noise of Llan�s sword clinging against the pylons as he missed a swing.

Llan swung a well aimed blow and shattered the wisp�s heart. It dissolved into nothing and the heart fell to the ground and fused its parts back together. �This could be useful someday,� Llan said as he grabbed the glowing heart out of the water. �Must be good for something.� He pocketed the heart and walked back to the shore where Ryucho waited.

They headed back down the shoreline, fighting the monsters they came across on the way. Upon arriving at the pastures, Ryucho noticed more bulls had spawned and were ill tempered as ever. Before Ryucho could even knock an arrow, they began their charge towards him as Llan hefted his shield and engaged two of the mad bulls. Ryucho quickly felled two with three arrows each. The other two bulls who had not been taken care of had reached Ryucho. He quickly turned around and ran off down the pasture to put some distance between the bulls and himself. He had about fifty feet between them when he stopped and knocked an arrow. He shot the nearest bow and it deflected his shot with its horn while continuing to charge him. He shot off two more arrows, one hitting each bull in their front left leg. Both went down hard, and struggled to regain their footing and charge. Ryucho shot one squarely in the neck and felled it. The other was up and charged him. Llan yelled out just as the bull stuck its horn straight into Ryucho�s stomach. Ryucho stood gaping for a moment as the bull turned and rushed Llan. Llan felled the bull with a swift blow and continued running to Ryucho. �Ryu! Ryu!� Llan yelled, �Are you al-� His voice faded as Ryucho continued to bleed through the hole in his abdomen. Suddenly, he was in portal space. The last thing he remembered was the bull with its horn deep in his chest, and then, nothing. He came out of the portal and looked down at his chest. Nothing. No hole, no scar, nothing. He was completely unscathed. Bewildered, he looked up and saw the lifestone, spinning endlessly for all time. Ryucho turned slowly and ran out of the outpost towards the pasture.

Llan was sitting next to the corpse, waiting for Ryucho to return. �Yeah, yeah, I know, the lifestone brought you back. Just as you fell I saw your weapon and backpack disappear into nothing. Suddenly I remembered that ZZ had told us the lifestones would bring us back unscathed.� He told Ryucho.

Ryucho picked up what had been left on his corpse and re-equipped the armor and his bow. �What did it feel like, Ryu?� Llan asked, curious.

Ryucho didn�t know what to say. �Uhm, I guess it felt kind of� well, like nothing had happened.� He said, rather curious himself. �There was no pain. All I saw was a gaping hole in my stomach and the next thing I know I�m standing in the outpost with not so much as a scar on my chest.�

�Nifty,� Llan responded, satisfied. �ZZ said that you would have a skill penalty until we hunt for more experience,� Then, adding, �I leveled right after you died by the way.�

�Congratulations.� Ryucho said, patting him on the back. �Shall we go kill some drudges? Honestly I�ve had quite enough of the bulls today.�

�Sounds good to me!� Llan jumped up and ran off towards the orchards, with Ryucho close behind.

Three hours passed. Darktide was approaching when the two men had dinner and then began heading back to the meeting hall. Along the way the talked about what loot they had collected and planned to stop by town the next day to hopefully make some money off their haul. Ryucho stepped into the meeting hall portal with Llan right behind him. They sat down at the tables, already dressed in their robes. Daark informed the clan of the upcoming plans and group by group everyone headed off to bed. Half an hour after everyone was asleep, Keltslash and Wizlet returned.

�Better get to bed Kelt,� Wizlet said. �We can finish off learning the portal loop and visiting the starter towns tomorrow.�

�Night Wiz,� Keltslash said, yawning. �See ya tomorrow.�

* * *

There was no morning meeting the next day. When Ryucho and Llan had started eating very few clan members were still in the hall. Most of the clan had left to begin their day. Ryucho and Llan ate with gusto and then headed out. They didn�t plan on fighting until the afternoon, so they decided to wear their robes into town. Ryucho sold all of his loot while Llan was looking at a nice new sword that the smith had acquired through a trade. Llan did not have enough money for it, so Ryucho let Llan borrow what he needed. �Thanks a bunch Ryu!� Llan said happily, brandishing his new blade, twirling it in the air.

Ryucho and Llan spent the rest of the day lounging around, eating and fishing at the beach. By darktide, Ryucho had caught three fair sized fish while Llan had only managed four mollies. They returned to the meeting hall early and gave their fish to the cook so he could use them for dinner. He thanked them and gave them two thousand pyreals for all seven fish and set off to cook them. Many of the diners thanked them for catching the delicious fish before heading off to bed. Ryucho was really starting to like life on Dereth.

For the rest of the week, Ryucho and Llan got up early and went out hunting, following their usual route. Now and then Tandy would go along with them, venturing a little farther along the coast every day until Defiance caught them one day and told them not to go any farther because it got too dangerous. They explored the mountains around Yaraq, the southern beach, and the southern pastures gaining experience and having fun. On the seventh day of their exploration of the lands around Yaraq, Ryucho and Llan had reached level nine and were well on the way to level ten, when Tandy had just reached level nine.

�Congratulations Tandy!� Ryucho said, as the colored light faded. �Tomorrow Defiance can take us all out on the harder beach.�

They headed back to the meeting hall before the sun had set. Wizlet had acquired a deck of playing cards from a casino that he and Keltslash had visited. Ryucho thanked him and dealt out a game of Olthoi poker. Llan had wondered why it was called Olthoi poker. �It�s called that because the chips we play with are carved out of an Olthoi carapace.� Wizlet told them. �Some people wanted to use Niffis shell chips, but niffis shells are much harder to come by than Olthoi heads and carapaces.�

At the end of their game they all cashed in their chips for pyreals with Wizlet and stashed their money. Ryucho put the cards back in the box. He walked over to the table staring at the box, and then noticed something. �This box says these cards are from the Al-Arqas Gharu�ndim Casino.� He said.

�Figures.� Defiance said, �The Gharu�ndim casino is the only one for miles. I hear there is one somewhere near Yanshi that is Sho owned, and another by Holtburg that is Aluvian. Pub told me that the Gharu�ndim are usually the best dealers. He says that the Aluvian guys are usually pretty sneaky.� Ryucho was about to ask who Pub was, and then remembered that Defiance had mentioned his patron�s nickname was Pub. He still didn�t know what Pub stood for, but he just figured that he didn�t need to know.

Chapter Five

�Wait� What?� Ryucho stuttered, listening in on Defiance�s conversation with Keltslash, �Where?�

Keltslash and Defiance looked at Ryucho, glanced at each other, and then looked back at him. �Sorry Ryu, but you can�t come along on the hunting trip to the Black Spawn Den, it requires level twenty and up.�

�Don�t worry about it Ryu,� Tandy said, sitting down to breakfast, �We can just go back out to the beach where Defiance took us yesterday. Anyhow I hear BSD is really hard until you�re in mid thirties.�

�I never really liked the thought of giant apes beating on my skull anyway,� Llan mumbled through a mouthful of toast, �Magna tells me they don�t really like archers that much as well.�

Ryucho sat slouched for the rest of breakfast, and when they left the meeting hall he was reluctant to go outside. �Its for your own good that you don�t come Ryu,� Zharina yelled and pushed him into the portal leading back to Yaraq.

Ryucho, Llan, and Tandy were soon back out on the beach where Defiance had taken them yesterday. After an hour Ryucho had to stop because he had run out of arrows. Llan watched out for any monster spawns nearby as Tandy and Ryucho fletched a few hundred arrows to stock their quivers with. When they had finished Llan noticed some dark clouds coming towards the beach shore. �We should head back soon guys, looks like there is a bad storm coming our way. I sure don�t want to be on the beach when it hits.� Llan said.

The trio continued hunting for another hour before considering heading back. Ryucho and Tandy had both reached level ten, while Llan was already level eleven and well on his way to twelve. The dark clouds Llan had spotted seemed to bring with them no storm, but instead just hovered over the beach and covered them like an evil force determined to block out the sky. Ryucho, Llan, and Tandy were heading towards the town crier when he yelled out, �You had all better get inside fast! That is no ordinary storm. For the record, no ordinary storm has ever formed over the middle sea.� Whimpered the Town Crier.

�Wait a minute, there is land on the other side of that water? I thought it was the ocean!� Ryucho wondered.

�No, no, my boy. On the other side of that sea is the Direlands.� The Town Crier went on, �Nothing good ever comes out of the direlands, ever. The virindi produce these storms and try to raid our towns by materializing spires from the clouds. I really hope that they do not land in Yaraq, that would mean the death of everyone here.�

Ryucho and his friends were walking towards the meeting hall portal enclosure, when a crowd of people, all suited up in armor and fully equipped with weapons charged out of portal space and headed towards town. Daark appeared, yelling, �DO NOT LET THEM TAKE YARAQ! FIGHT TO THE DEATH!� and ran past the trio throwing on his heaume and charging after the group. Keltslash appeared with Defiance and they approached Tandy, Ryucho, and Llan.

�You three had better go inside with Lindela and the others. We�re on guard duty at the portal incase some manage to get to the meeting hall.� Keltslash said, and pulled out a shining green pyreal battle staff, matching Defiance�s emerald battle staff.

Ryucho was dumbfounded. Tandy and Llan looked at him wondering what he was thinking. �They aren�t coming for Yaraq,� Ryucho said in a voice very different from his own. �Don�t protect Yaraq! Tufa is their target! PROTECT TUFA! HURRY BEFORE THE VIRINDI ARRIVE!� Ryucho closed his mouth, quavered a minute, and then collapsed.

Keltslash stood rooted to the spot. Out of nowhere, Wizlet walked up. �I think he knows something we don�t.� Wizlet said, rubbing his ears from the booming voice that had come from Ryucho�s mouth. �The cloud isn�t centering over Yaraq� It is moving slightly East and North. They always center directly over the town to cause the most damage.�

Defiance pointed the way to Tufa, �The town is that direction� there are path markers leading from Yaraq to Tufa so that merchants do not loose their way during sandstorms.� Defiance finished. Wizlet was pulling a sparkling piece of paper out of his belt pouch and began writing on it with an elegant quill. He paused a moment, read the parchment, and wrote again a few lines lower than where he had ended. He stopped again, stared at the parchment, and nodded.

Out of nowhere, words appeared in the air, with Daark�s name in bold before the message. Keltslash read it aloud: �The cloud is not heading to Yaraq. It may be a trick, but the virindi are not that clever. I have spoken to the monarch who resides over Tufa and he can�t see the cloud as of now. As soon as he has visual, we are heading out to Tufa. Make sure you thank Ryucho, however he managed to know where they were going.� Keltslash finished, while Defiance and Llan dragged Ryucho�s limp form into the portal with Tandy close behind.

The meeting hall was full of people amusing themselves with random games. All of the benches had been removed from the hall and giant human-sized chess boards lay on the floor. Two of the boards were occupied with a team of Drudges representing the white side and a team of Mosswarts representing the black side. Llan did not recognize anyone in the room other than Lindela and Hiro, Lindela�s husband. Hiro welcomed them and invited them down to play a game of Olthoi Poker or Chess. Defiance and Keltslash sat down to play chess while Tandy and Llan played a game of Olthoi Poker with Lindela and Hiro. Ryucho lay on another card playing mat, still unconscious.

* * *

Later that night Ryucho awoke to find nobody in the main hall with him. He slowly stood up, and clutching his head, he stumbled off up the stairs towards the portal room, where he heard talking. After getting up to the top and walking towards the portals, he realized that Daark and many of the clan members who had left to defend Tufa had returned, and did not look happy. The crowd moved aside as Daark turned towards Ryucho. Daark shook his head and lowered it slowly. After a few moments of silence he muttered, �Thank you for your early warning Ryucho, no matter how you managed to know that they were headed to Tufa.�

Daark went silent. Ryucho did not understand why he was so gloomy. Surely the defenders managed to protect Tufa, there were hundreds of people running out to defend the town� how could they have failed? Ryucho could not stop thinking about this, but he also could not find his own voice to ask any questions. Then, Zharina walked over to Ryucho, and quietly, said four simple words, which explained the entire situation to him.

�Ryucho� we� We lost Tufa��

Chapter Six

The next day at breakfast no one dared to speak. Daark did not show up for breakfast, neither did Zharina or Wizlet. No one would answer any of Ryucho�s questions about what happened. After asking three people he gave up because nobody seemed up to talking very much. Ryucho sat down and finished breakfast in silence. Llan didn�t even chew with his mouth open as he usually would. Ryucho finished his breakfast and headed out instead of waiting for Tandy or Llan. As soon as he stepped out of the portal, Daark, Zharina, and Wizlet walked up. �Good, we expected you to come out first. I�m glad you did.� Daark said, beckoning Ryucho to come over to them. �Here, come with us.� Daark motioned, summoning a gateway.

Ryucho stepped in to the summoned white gateway. Zharina and Wizlet met him when he came out of the portal, but Daark was nowhere to be seen. Ryucho turned around and witnessed a horrible sight. He was standing right next to a huge waterfall, leading into a giant black crater that was crackling with purple electricity left by the virindi.

�Welcome to Tufa, Ryucho. Or, what is left of it.� Daark said, walking up to them. �They managed to plant the main spire here before we could stop them. We managed to destroy the spire, but at the cost of the main town. If it weren�t for your help this whole area would be a giant black crater just like this one, except it would reach all the way to Yaraq.�

Ryucho stared into the crater. He took a few steps toward it and examined an obsidian shard that was as tall as him. He stuck his hand out to touch it, and just as he touched it, the obsidian became dust and blew away. Daark, Zharina, and Wizlet stared in amazement of what Ryucho had just done. �Was� was that normal?� Ryucho asked, rather halfheartedly.

�No� No! It sure wasn�t normal! Amazing Ryucho! If you can do that, imagine what you can do to a shadow!� Wizlet exclaimed, excited at the possibility of having a way of undoing the evil the virindi had brought to the land.

�This is quite a revelation, Ryucho. You wouldn�t mind trying a few things for us, would you? If you can do that to an obsidian shard, you may be able to help us greatly in destroying the virindi spires.� Daark hypothesized.

�Um, sure� Why not. I don�t want this to happen to any other towns.� Ryucho staggered, dumbfounded.

And so began the war between the virindi and the Isparians� The Shadow Wars.

* * *

The image of the blackened crater of Tufa did not leave Ryucho�s thoughts for the rest of the week. Tandy and Llan did their best to cheer him up, and even when Ryucho reached level nineteen he still did not celebrate with his friends at his accomplishment. Ryucho began falling behind on hunting trips because objects on the landscape would catch his eye and remind him of what was left of Tufa. One day Llan saw Ryucho fall back from the group, �Hey, Tandy, something is wrong with Ryu.� Llan called to her.

Tandy strolled over slowly and looked at Ryucho. He was staring at his hand with his mouth wide open. Slowly, Tandy turned her head to look down at his hand and screamed, �Ryu! Your hand! My gosh! You hand� its� Its obsidian!�

Llan turned his gaze towards Ryucho�s lowered hand and his jaw dropped. Sure enough, Ryucho�s hand was the same glassy black as obsidian. He dropped his hand to the ground and the sand that touched it flashed and then faded to the same black color as Ryucho�s hand. Tandy was shaking, �How� How will you wield your bow again if anything you touch turns to obsidian?� She ventured.

Ryucho simply shook his head and did not say a word. �We had better see Daark about this.� Llan suggested, and helped Ryucho up. On their way back to the meeting hall, Tandy saw Daark standing in town with a group of people. Ryucho recognized many of them as clan members, but did not know the others.

�Ahh, Ryucho! Just the man I needed to see,� Daark hailed them as they walked closer. He stopped, and then noticed Ryucho was holding his bow in his right hand and not his left. �You normally hold your bow in your left ha�� He shifted his gaze to Ryucho�s left hand, ��nd? Ryu� WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HAND?!� Daark shook with horror.

He shook his head, �I don�t know, just don�t touch it. Anything it touches turns to obsidian just like it. It must have been something from the shard I destroyed. I will need to have a glove lined with obsidian made to keep me from making everything I touch into obsidian.�

�Do you think it can still destroy the magical Virindi obsidian?� Wizlet ventured.

�I hope so,� Ryucho responded. �Is there any way I can test it out?�

Daark produced a small obsidian shard from a pouch on his belt and placed it on the ground. �Everyone, please pay attention, you may never witness this out of combat ever again.� He said.

Ryucho slowly walked over to where the shard stood on the ground. He knelt down and slowly moved his obsidian hand closer to the shard. His finger touched it and in an instant, it dissolved. A roar of approval arose from the crowd. Ryucho was hefted up and carried off towards the meeting hall. Ryucho nervously guarded his hand to make sure no one touched it.

Ryucho shook hands with many people that night and was toasted to many times. He did not like receiving so much attention, and sneaked out to Yaraq to speak with the blacksmith. �So you�re our savior from the Virindi, Eh?� The blacksmith made conversation as he fitted the inside of a plate mail gauntlet with obsidian plates.

�Don�t worry about any sharp edges. I�ve tried punching the anvil in the meeting hall and didn�t feel any pain or bust my hand. I can move it oddly enough, and it feels almost mechanical when I do.� Ryucho responded.

�Well, make sure you don�t break that hand o� yours. We need it to help us in the fight against the shadows.� The blacksmith said as Ryucho fitted the gauntlet. He opened and closed his fist to make sure he had full mobility. He began to pull out his pyreal bag when the blacksmith added, �No charge, just use that hand to stop those damned shadows from taking over Dereth. Come back any time you need the obsidian replaced. There is plenty here from the last eruption of Mount Aerlinthe.�

Ryucho waved to the blacksmith and headed down the hill from Yaraq to the beach. He pulled out his fishing rod and put his armor in his backpack to enjoy the warm sunlight that shone down upon Dereth. He sat down on the beach, wearing only his swimming trunks and single plate mail gauntlet. He baited the hook and swung his fishing pole out towards the water. As he began to reel in the line, it caught and began to move away from him. Pulling harder, he tugged the line towards him and the water began to thrash wildly. Other people at the beach were now watching Ryucho fight with whatever his line had caught, while the water sloshed and frothed madly where his line went under. Hiro Shima happened to be at the tackle shop when he saw the water shoot up near Ryucho.

�Oh no�.� He whispered to himself, and set off at a run towards Ryucho.

Chapter Seven

�ARE YOU INSANE RYUCHO?! LET IT GO AND GET OUT OF THE WATER! HURRY!� Hiro yelled out while closing in on Ryucho. Ryucho did not move. He stood stock still holding the rod, refusing to let go or let it get away. He carefully removed his gauntlet while still holding the pole with his right arm. The wisp�s essence swirled violently. It let out a cry so loud that the onlookers were forced to cover their ears. Ryucho began walking forward towards the enraged wisp. Hiro was petrified with horror. Is Ryucho completely insane? He thought. He surely can�t take on a strife wisp on his own!

Ryucho continued advancing on the wisp, his line still enveloped in the wisp�s ethereal form. It was struggling madly. It pulled at its captor trying to bring Ryucho in close enough for it to attack. Ryucho was almost within an arms reach of the wisp. He began to put out his hand, when the wisp lunged at him. A woman in the crowd screamed as a bright flash engulfed the two combatants. People shielded their eyes from the blinding flash of light, many had already lost their vision due to the brightness. Slowly, the light began to fade. Ryucho�s form was barely visible through the blinding light. The wisp however, was nowhere to be seen.

Hiro got to his feet. With his eyes shielded he slowly began to walk forward into the water. �Don�t.� Ryucho said.

Hiro stopped. �Are you alright?� He asked.

�I�m fine. The light should wear off in a minute,� Ryucho sighed. �You should get the healer down here to attend to those who were blinded. It might have a permanent effect if not treated.�

Hiro nodded. He turned and began running up the beach towards Yaraq. Ryucho was holding his eyes tightly shut. Did I actually do that? He thought to himself. That wisp would have torn me apart� I wonder what happened.

The radiating light faded off. Ryucho opened his eyes and turned around. The crowd was obviously in bad shape. Most of the people were staring blankly around, their vision destroyed by the light. He looked down at his hands and noticed he was grasping something in his fist. �What�s this?� He asked himself. Ryucho tried to drop the obsidian object. It seemed almost glued to his hand. He flailed it around trying to get it off. �Come off you blasted thing!� He yelled. A girl in the crowd was staring at him in wonderment. The adults in front of her had blocked out the light, and her vision had not been harmed.

�What�re you doing, mister?� The little girl asked.

Ryucho became aware there were a few people staring at him who could actually see. He stopped shaking his hand about and hid it behind his back. �Uhh.� He tried to think of something to say. �This thing�s stuck to my hand.� He said, going red.

The little girl looked puzzled. Ryucho walked back up to the beach and she looked at his hand. �It looks like your hand is stuck to it. It isn�t stuck to your hand.� She said.

�What is that supposed to mean? They�re the same thing!� He grumbled.

�No they aren�t.� She said. �Look at your hand. The rock and your hand are like, uhh, fused together.�

Ryucho stared very carefully at it. The girl was right. His obsidian hand was fused to the rock, not the rock to it. He flicked it with his right hand. Unexpectedly, the obsidian resonated in a deep tone. �Obsidian is a rock� It shouldn�t resonate like that.� Ryucho said. He began wondering if his hand was obsidian at all, or if it was some undiscovered substance unknown to Derethians.

�It makes a pretty noise.� The girl said, flicking the lump protruding from his palm. It resonated once again in the same deep tone. She then gave Ryucho a very questioning look. �are you hiding your real hand inside that black glassy thing? Normally people�s hands are covered in skin, like mine.� She said holding up her hands to show him.

Ryucho looked down at the hand. �No, my hand is the black glassy stuff.� He said, moving his fingers. �See?�

The little girl shrieked. �Don�t do that! Its creepy!� She yelled.

�Sorry.� He said apologetically.

�Why is your hand like that anyway?� She asked.

�You are a nosy little kid, aren�t you?� Ryucho said teasingly.

She crossed her arms. �Fine, be that way.� She said, and ran off.

�Wai-� Ryucho said and reached out after her, but she was already running away from him down the beach. He sighed and stretched his arms. �Oh well,� Ryucho took a quick glance around. The crowd had dispersed, many of them went with the healer to have their vision checked. �Maybe I should get out of here before more people start asking questions.� He said aloud to himself. He jogged back to where he had thrown his belongings. He put his clothes back on and grabbed his backpack. He stared at his gauntlet on the ground. �Maybe I don�t need that anymore except as armor.� He said. �After that little girl touched my hand she was fine, so maybe I don�t have to worry anymore.�

He dropped the gauntlet into his backpack and set off towards the meeting hall. Once he had arrived he went straight to his room. He ran into Hiro in the hallway. �Be prepared.� Ryucho whispered to him as he walked past. He went into his room and closed the door behind him, leaving Hiro standing in the hallway.

Hiro raised an eyebrow. �What is he up to now.� He said to the door. He took a quick glance around to make sure nobody saw him, and then he walked off towards his room.

Chapter Eight

Ryucho kept to himself over the next two days. Tandy and Llan had heard rumors of what had happened, but everyone who had heard of the incident, even those who had seen it first hand, were hardly able to believe it themselves.

�I wonder what really happened out there,� Tandy said to Llan. �I just want to know how Ryu knew that he could stop the wisp and turn its heart to obsidian like he did. It just seems like he wouldn�t have known how unless someone was like, controlling him or something.�

Llan shrugged. �Beats me. All I know is that he�s definitely acting really weird. I�ve known him his whole life and he has never been like this before.�

The two friends stopped walking. They had been out hunting in the Yaraq Tunnels, a dungeon full of drudges that Keltslash had shown them earlier that day. They were now standing in the Cove Apple Orchard south of Yaraq. Before them lay a scene of complete chaos. Daark was standing on the roof of the Blacksmith�s building trying to restore order to the crowd. �Please, Please!� He yelled out above the din. �Calm down! Everyone!� he said as the crowd hushed. �We all have heard rumors about what is going on and I want to give you the facts plane and simple.� Daark stopped as the crowd finally stopped talking. He nodded a greeting at Llan and Tandy before continuing.

�Simply put; Arwic has just reported sightings of a shadow spire.� He said as the crowd broke out with cries of terror. �Please! Be quiet!� Dark yelled, silencing the crowd. �Please understand, the spire is very far from Arwic. We will have plenty of time to prepare to fight for Arwic against the shadows. In the mean time, I want you all, to stay calm so as to not send Dereth into upheaval. We will be meeting in the meeting hall at Evensong to begin planning the defense of Arwic. Our allied monarchs will be attending with their advisors, so everyone who comes must be in their meeting robes. Lastly, I have heard tat Ryucho has gone missing. If anyone can give me any information on his whereabouts, please find me after I finish here and we can talk. That is all. Long life the Defenders of Honor!�

Daark jumped down from the roof amid the uproar of cheers. He made his was through the ecstatic crowd to Tandy and Llan, who were very glad to see him.

I assume neither of you have seen Ryucho around? He and Hiro have been missing since Dawnsong. Lindela said that he was gone when she had woken up.� Daark said quietly to the pair.

Tandy shook her head. �We haven�t seen either of them. Earlier we heard someone say they saw Hiro heading towards the Al-Arqas portal with someone he couldn�t Identify,� She sighed. �I just hope they�re both alright.�

Daark nodded. �Al-Arqas you say. Maybe we should send out Wizlet with a search team. We will need Ryu�s newfound talent to stand a chance against the shadows.� Daark stopped for a minute to think. �Ah!� He yelled as he remembered, and began rummaging into his pack. �Wizlet made these this morning, �he handed them each a rolled parchment scroll and two iridescent quills. �These are our form of long distance communication. Write the person�s name and then your message. If they have the paper with them, they will receive your message and be able to respond. The paper and quill are attuned to your soul, and may never leave your possession. Use them wisely!�

�Thanks,� Llan said. �I assume you�re already tried messaging Hiro and Ryu on theirs?�

�Yes, we have. Zharina is probably trying to communicate with them as we speak.� Daark responded, seemingly preoccupied with something.

The pair left and headed down to the beach where Ryucho was seen before the fight with the wisp. Tandy sat down in the sand and ran her hands through the fine grains. Llan watched the water expanding out to the horizon. A gull sailed nearby, catching the wind rising off the sea. Other beach goers avoided the pair and let them be, not wanting to disturb them after the crisis they have had recently. Lindela was also down at the beach, her wedding ring in hand and looking out over the waves.

Legend has it, that when a soul dies from causes beyond the sacred lifestones� abilities, their spirits travel out to an island invisible to all physical beings. In ancient times there was an island out in the center of the sea, but in years since then its isolation caused it to sink beneath the waves. Everyone read the legend off the welcome letter they received as they stepped out of training. Lindela thought back to when she and Hiro stepped out of the portal together and he read the legend to her. A solitary tear slid down her cheek as she thought of all the wonderful times they had experienced together. She hoped the shadows would not harm him, for she had never been separated from him since their wedding. Tandy walked down the pier towards her and put her hand on Lindela�s shoulder.

�He�ll be fine, Lindela.� She said comfortingly. �After all, he has Ryu and his anti-shadow power to protect him.�

Lindela sniffed. �Thanks, Tandy. I�m sure they will both be fine. I just wish Hiro had told me he was leaving.� She wiped the tears off her cheeks. �I�m sure he had his reasons to keep it secret, but still.�

Tandy nodded. �Will you be alright?�

�Yes. Thank you.� Lindela responded as Tandy began walking back down the pier. Lindela turned and faced the waves once more. �Please do come back safely, Hiro.� She whispered.

* * *

Llan watched Tandy as she walked back towards him. He noticed Keltslash run into the tavern from the orchard to the south. �I wonder where he is off to in such a hurry,� Llan said to himself, and turned back towards where Tandy was standing a minute ago. �Hey, Where�d she go!� He yelled, startled.

�Over here,� Tandy said from the water. �Come look at this, maybe you�ll be able to make more sense of it than me.� She yelled back as she struggled to keep herself upright in the small waves.

Llan stood up and walked over. Tandy was looking down through the crystal clear water at a thick flat slab of obsidian, extending out into the sea away from them. Llan stared at it for a minute until the waves blocked it out with foam. He looked up and saw Tandy running off towards Yaraq. �Hey� Wait for me!� He yelled after her.

Daark was sitting on the balcony of the tavern with Keltslash and Wizlet. Wizlet was trying to learn how to read the arcane inscriptions of the virindi that are often sealed inside message shards. Keltslash learned the language from the translator residing in Yaraq, and was trying to teach Wizlet how to read it.

�No, no, no!� Keltslash thumped the table. �It�s send not show! You know this Wiz! Stop mixing those two symbols up.� He said, shaking his head. Tandy appeared suddenly ad the top of the stairs. �Hail!� Keltslash greeted her.

�Llan and I just found something!� She yelled, gasping for air. �Down at the beach, come and see!� She turned and dodged past Llan on her way out of the tavern.

�Hey! Wai-,� he began, but Tandy was already out of the building and running back down the beach. �Oh forget it!� He yelled out after her as Daark, Wizlet, and Keltslash all jumped down from the balcony. �Whoa,� Llan said in awe. He walked over to where Daark had landed and noticed two foot imprints centimeters deep in the grass. �They sure can jump!� He said to himself.

Down the beach, Tandy was already waist deep in the water. Daark and the others ran up as Tandy regained her breath. �Look at what Llan and I found! It�s like a big slab of obsidian in the water!� She gasped, completely winded.

Daark wielded an extremely sharp jet dagger. �Where should I cut, Kelt? I can�t read the markings to tell if they�re runes or not.�

�Here,� Keltslash pointed. �The runes begin here and they end down here.� Keltslash said, pointing to two spots.

Daark plunged into the shallow water with his obsidian dagger. He slides the obsidian slate easily and quickly hauled it up so Wizlet could help him carry it out. Keltslash threw a towel on it and quickly dried it off as he prepared a parchment and charcoal to make a copy of the runes. He bent over and began rubbing the parchment into the groves to lift off the markings. �This has to be done as soon as possible. Once the virindi realize we have intercepted their communications they will destroy the runes.� He said, losing his breath from transferring the runes very quickly onto the parchment. He lifted the parchment free and looked down at the obsidian slate. A wave rushed over it, and when the water had gone the slab was flat and free of markings.

�Close call.� Daark said, relieved. �Good work Kelt.�

�I should have these translated by Gloaming. The sooner the better, because Ryu will probably want to read it when he gets back.� Keltslash responded, wielding his stave. �See ya!� He paused, �AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry, I don't have the correct incantation for Portal Recall. I will add in spell words as soon as I get a chance!!~~� and then dissolved into a purple haze.

�Taught him to recall already, eh Wizlet?� Daark said, nudging Wizlet.

�Yup,� Wizlet said, nodding. �He�s a fast learner for sure. He can�t wait until he can summon gateways.�

Daark sighed. �It is a shame that he did not specialize in the Heiromancer�s or Enchanter�s arts. Four School mages have such a hard time becoming powerful.�

�Yes,� Wizlet said, and sighed. �Artifice, the school of item enchantment. Verdancy, the school of life magic. Enchantment, the school of creature enchantment. Strife, the school of war magic. While most of us only start with two or three, he started with all four. With his power divided among them he will be very weak for a long time, poor guy.�

�Indeed,� Daark said, nodding. �It is amazing what the arcanum researchers have done. With these new foci and prismatic tapers, you only need to carry around all of those bulky components until you have read your scrolls and learned how to cast them. Such advanced ideas for the mages of yesterday. We will still be in their debt even after this land has been purged of the evil that plagues it.

�Aye, that�s the truth my good friend,� Daark said as he began walking back towards Yaraq. �Speaking of friends, did you see where Tandy and Llan disappeared to? They were here a minute ago-� his voice trailed off.

Wizlet ran up to him and encountered a astonished look on Daark�s face. �What is it Daark-� his voice died as well as he turned towards town. There were shadows everywhere. Hundreds and hundreds of shadows, all flooding through the town. At first Daark was scared, but then he noticed that not a single weapon was held by any of the shadows.

Wizlet wielded his stave. �Hurry! They�re attacking the town!�

�Wait, stop!� Daark grabbed his shoulder. �They aren�t attacking, they�re rejoicing! They have no weapons and they are crying out in jubilation!�

Wizlet was dumbfounded. He had never seen shadows happy before in his life. He thought all they wanted to do was kill and destroy.

An  umbris shadow was floating through the crowd looking around expectantly. It�s sightless eyes locked on Daark and the shadow sped over to where the two men were standing. �You are the one know as Daark al-Slayer, correct?� The shadow asked hastily.

Daark hesitated. �Yes, I am.� He mumbled. �Why are you all here?�

The shadow made to clap its hands together, but no sound emitted from them. �Ryucho has sent us! We are very glad we have found you,� The shadow continued, as many other shadows began to approach them. �Ryucho said that we will no longer be forced to serve those dreaded virindi with their evil deeds. He said we should instead live harmoniously with the humans from which we were created in the image of. Ryucho also said that you need help preparing for a war.� The shadow�s voice was quavering with excitement.

Wizlet looked at Daark and shrugged. �How can you help us fight against your own kind? Doesn�t that seem at all illogical to you?� Wizlet hypothesized.

The shadow did its best to frown at this statement. �But we can help! Look here,� It turned and made to clap again. Immediately, several shadows floated forward out of the mass. They bore gleaming bronze armor.

Wizlet raised an eyebrow. �So what? This is just bronze amuli. We already have armor just like this in our armories.�

The shadow again tried to frown. �This is no ordinary amuli! This is how we will help you.� It said. The shadow raised an ethereal fist and swung it at the armor. A brazen CLANG resonated from the armor. The shadow rubbed its fist and turned back towards the shocked men. �This is Shadow Hunter Armor. It is extremely sturdy armor which was made by hardened shadow fragments fused with crystal shards from crystal moieties. With this armor the shadows cannot phase through you or your blows.�

Daark was extremely pleased with this new armor. �Where in the world did you find all of those shadow fragments and crystal shards?� He asked, still awestruck.

The shadow laughed. �After the explosion in Tufa, we had enough fragments to make a never ending supply of armor. The crystal shards were harder, however. We had to coax the virindi controlled moieties, as well as the herald shard, into producing shards for us to use. It was slow work, but we managed to produce many suits.�

�Are you getting all of this, Wizlet?� Daark hazarded. �This could be very useful to know for the records.�

Wizlet finished scribbling a few lines on a piece of parchment that he had pulled out a few minutes before. �Every word Daark.� He responded.

Daark pulled himself together. �So� so you want to help us prepare for war with your brethren?� He asked.

The shadow looked horrified. �Oh my no!� It said clasping its hands over what seemed to be its ears. �They are not our brethren! We were enslaved by those virindi after many of the more powerful shadows joined them. Ryucho and his accomplice freed us from the virindi control when they destroyed the shadow spire in the outskirts of Al-Arqas. I don�t exactly understand how Ryucho did it, but one moment we were bloodthirsty savages bowing down to the enslaved spirit of Thorsten Cragstone, and the next moment we were cleansed from the virindi control, and we were left staring at two humans wearing Shadow hunter armor. Ryucho is our savior! He has freed us from the virindi�s control!� The shadow would have been jumping up and down in celebration, but due to its lack of legs it only floated up and down.

�So that is what they have been up to.� Daark began. �Hold on� You mentioned the herald shard. Do you know where the herald shard resides?�

�Of course, all of us do, but that does not matter now. It is safe, and Bael�Zharon remains trapped inside.� The shadow responded. Then realization dawned upon it. �You- you don�t want to destroy the herald shard� Do you?�

Daark crossed his arms. �You must tell us where it is. That shard mustn�t be destroyed.� He said, sternly.

Many of the nearby shadows started open mouthed at Daark. �Uhhh�� The shadow began. Then it straightened up. �You cannot know where the herald shard resides! Bael�Zharon will destroy this world and all who reside upon it! He is the end to all life, the ultimate evil! Bael�Zharon must remained sealed inside his prison!�

Daark gripped the shadow�s shoulders as best as he could. �Look here, shadow. I don�t want trouble, and I don�t want to destroy your shard, but if you don�t tell us where that shard is we�ll have you all sent right back to those virindi and make sure you are never freed again. There are certain clans on Dereth who want to destroy the shard and release BZ so that he will rule the world and they can be his followers. We need to get there first so that we may protect the shard.�

The shadow seemed slightly relieved. �We will tell you, but right now no human can gain access to Bael�Zharon�s prison. The surrounding barrier is made of the same material that shadow spires are made of. Therefore only Ryucho can breach these walls.�

Wizlet nodded. �That�s good enough for me. We may want to explain to the clan who Bael�Zharon is, however. We will want them to be prepared.�

Daark released the shadow. �Alright, we will wait, for now.� He paused. �Back on the shadow spire subject, do you know when Ryucho will be back? I would love to hear how they did it!�

Daark turned to Wizlet, who was facing south down the road. �Don�t look now, Daark, but here they come!� He yelled.

A cheer arose from all beings present.

* * *

Keltslash finished the translation. He slowly put down his quill and began to read it from the beginning.

�Oh no��

Lindela was walking down the hall towards Keltslash�s room to drop off more parchment. She was about to reach for the door handle when the door swung inward.

�Oh. Hi Lindela.� He said, stumbling out of the doorway. �Gotta run!� he yelled back down the hall as he ran headlong towards the entrance portal.

She sighed. �Why is everyone in such a rush these days!� She said, dropping the parchment on Keltslash�s desk. She turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Keltslash appeared outside Yaraq. He stashed his stave and set off at a run towards the town. He was not surprised when he saw the mass of shadows in the town because he had heard yell something about shadows in town while he was in his room. He ran up to Daark and paused to catch his breath.

Daark looked down at Keltslash, who was bent double. �Have you found anything?� He asked, amused.

Keltslash passed Daark the parchment. Daark�s eyes scanned the paper in silence. His jaw dropped. �Wha- How can they! This is not good!� He gasped.

Wizlet ran over and read the lines where Daark�s finger was pointing. His voice immediately left him and he stood there gasping for air.

Keltslash straightened up. �This is a dark day for Dereth.�

Lord Aerbax, the flesh puppets have destroyed a shadow spire. We must take action. Our master must be released. Those flesh puppets will pay for their crimes against the singularity. We have lost control over a large number of shadows, and they no doubt will reveal the location to the flesh puppets. I will depart on the night of the full moon to oversee the opening of his prison.

Bael�Zharon will rise again!

Chapter Nine

The meeting hall fell silent as Daark approached the podium. The monarchs and council members of several clans were gathered in the meeting hall in addition to the DoH. It was indeed a grim day for humanity.

�My friends, I will not make light of our situation. We all know why our allies have been called in, and we all know that a great evil has made its presence known.� He paused. Lowering his eyes, he continued. �Bael�Zharon will soon haunt this land once again.�

Those assembled let out cries of horror and dismay. Full grown men in full platemail had to remove their helmets to wipe tears from their eyes.

�Order! Order please!� Daark shouted.

Alliance stood. �BE QUIET! ALL OF YOU!� He roared in his deep voice. �I may not be monarch here, but we are all human beings, and despite the fact that we are in separate clans we must stand strong and stand together!�

The hall fell silent. Alliance sat down as Daark resumed his speech. �Thank you, Alliance.� He said, nodding towards the great monarch. �Alliance is one of our allied monarchs. His clan will be assisting us in the protection of the herald shard. We must not allow Bael�Zharon to be freed, and as you may know, the virindi are planing to destroy the barrier around the herald shard.�

Lorcan cleared his throat. �I know that this is not my meeting hall to govern over, but I would like to make sure everyone knows the facts, plain and simple.� He announced.

�Please, go on.� Daark said, sitting down.

Lorcan took the podium. �I know many of you are new here, and I know that few of you do not know what Bael�Zharon really is. Bael�Zharon is evil incarnate. His intentions are to destroy all who oppose him, and his law will rule, if he becomes free.� He paused. �BZ was sealed inside the herald shard by Asheron. Legend says that if and when BZ returned, Asheron will come forth to protect the land until his followers are able to destroy BZ. Through researching much of Asheron�s lore, we have found that, despite his extreme strength and power, Asheron will not be able to stop Bael�Zharon.�

The meeting hall instantly filled with screams of terror at this statement. Lorcan lowered his head and stepped from the podium. Alliance patted him on the back. �You did well, old friend.� He said amid the uproar.

This time Lisamc took the stand. �Quiet please!� She yelled out. The hall once again fell silent. �Thank you. We need to keep the hall quiet so we may discuss this matter further. I understand that a new form of armor has been invented by the shadows which may help us.�

As she finished her sentence, a gateway flared open at the back of the meeting hall. It�s milky white mass surged and grew as a large black figure began to step out of it. The hall remained silent in pure terror of what they were seeing enter the hall.

�What is the meaning of this!� Alliance roared. All monarchs and council members had their weapons pointed at the menacing shadow. �How did you get in-�

The shadow�s voice rang out like thunder. �Fool. Dare you question a Black Breath?� It said in a voice that made Alliance�s roar seem like that of a kitten�s.

�A black breath?� Lisa said, her voice quavering. �But black breath are the most elite warrior of the shadows!�

It nodded. �Indeed we are. I, however, was freed when Ryucho destroyed the shadow spire. Though I resent humanity and all it has become, I have come here to assist you in your protection of the herald shard.� It sang out in it�s thunderous voice.

Lorcan put down his stave and motioned for his council to lower their weapons. �A black breath, helping us? It is unheard of. Black breath have been feared by humanity as mass killers. Lone black breath have destroyed whole armies of isparians!�

The black breath laughed. �We are indeed mighty warriors. Invincible to your human standards.� It scanned the room. �Your Ryucho is not present?�

Daark looked around. �Why isn�t Ryucho here?� He asked Wizlet.

Wizlet shrugged. �I thought you called them to the meeting.� He said.

Zharina jumped up. �Keltslash, Tandy, Llan, and Defiance as well! I know they were summoned. Why did they not show?�

�Forget them!� The black breath roared. �All that matters for the time being is that Bael�Zharon is not released. Never again do I wish to have those virindi fools controlling my mind. I would much rather be killing on my own accord rather than as a slave to those weak puppet masters.� It shivered. �You should consider yourselves lucky, you may be the only humans to ever speak to a black breath and live to tell about it.�

�Thank you, uhm, sir?� Lisa ventured.

It laughed. �I do not have a gender as you humans do. Shadows can merely form shadow children from their own essence.�

�Erm, sorry� Lisa said. She regained her composure. �Now, we must mobilize quickly. The next full moon is only three days away. If our troops are equipped with shadow hunter armor I am sure we will not have any problems.�

�Actually,� The black breath interrupted, �that armor will have no affect against the virindi magic. Hollow minions will still be able to phase through it with their deadly fists, but the armor will reduce the damage done to your body substantially. The virindi dolls will also still be able to damage you, but again, the armor will protect you substantially.�

Daark took the podium again. �Thank you. Is there any specific weaponry you suggest we use against these foes?�

The black breath grinned. �Now we�re getting into the good stuff.�

* * *

Ryucho, Tandy, and Llan were sitting in the orchard with Hiro as Keltslash walked up. Ryucho tossed him a cove apple.

�Sit down Kelt. I take it you want to hear our story, eh?� Ryucho guessed.

�You know me too well Ryu. We�ve been brothers too long.� Keltslash said, laughing.

Hiro propped himself up against a tree. �Bloody meetings. Daark always calls them at inopportune times. What�s going on this time anyway?�

�Well, that message I translated, it said that the barrier protecting the herald shard is going to be destroyed at the next full moon.� Keltslash responded.

Keltslash looked up from his apple to see everyone starting at him open mouthed. �What? What?�

�The herald shard? The same herald shard that Bael�Zharon is imprisoned inside?� Hiro gasped.

�The same.� Keltslash responded.

�Aren�t you worried?!� Tandy cried out. �Bael�Zharon will destroy us all!�

�Not even Ryu can stop him!� Llan said, shivering with fright.

Ryucho knew what the herald shard was, and what would happen if it was destroyed. �Aren�t there monarchies looking for the herald shard so that they can destroy it and release BZ?�

Keltslash nodded. �Yes, there are. However, Lisamc, Lorcan, Alliance, and Daark are preparing to mobilize to protect the shard. We are in good hands.�

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.  �We should be at the meeting though, I�m sure they�ll want Ryu to be there.� Tandy said.

�Not to worry, Tandy.� Ryucho said. �I�m sure it can wait a few hours while we tell you our story.�

Keltslash nodded. �They can prepare for war without us. I�m sure Ryu and Hiro could use a break from the action.�

�That is for sure.� Hiro said, taking a bite out of a cove apple.

�Well, go on Ryu!� Llan said. �We�re all anxious to hear what happened!�

Keltslash pulled out a quill and a large roll of parchment. He dated the parchment and gave it a title. �Whenever you�re ready Ryu.�

�Its amazing what Ryu can do with that hand of his,� Hiro said. �That shadow spire didn�t know what hit it.�

Ryucho then began their story.

Chapter Ten

�Ryucho, you must listen to me Ryucho.� Ryucho glanced around in the darkness of his dream. His eyes locked on to a tall, bearded figure in an elegant black robe. �Al-Arqas is going to come under attack. That rock that was fused to your palm from the fight with the wisp is actually the key to destroying shadow spires,� He paused. �You look confused. Do you not recognize me?�

Ryucho thought for a minute. �You- you�re Asheron!� He yelled out.

Asheron nodded. He then pointed at Ryucho�s hand, with the gem still bulging from his palm. �Push it in, fuse it with your hand, Ryucho.� He said.

Ryucho felt the obsidian meld and shift, and then the gem slowly began to fuse farther into his hand. He screamed out in pain as the gem sank deeper and deeper into his mutant appendage. �Don�t fight it, boy! You must accept the stone! RELAX! RELAX RYUCHO!� Asheron bellowed out.

Penetrating the darkness, light shot forth from Ryucho�s writhing hand. His body began to relax as the purifying light enveloped the pair.

�It is done, my lord,� Ryucho said, and jumped. The voice that came from his mouth was not his. Instead, it was a deep and gallant voice, unlike his own. �Did... did I say that?� He said again, the deep voice still present.

�Yes, Ryucho. The will of Thorsten Cragstone now lies within your being.� Asheron explained. �That wisp you fought was sent to kill Thorsten while he was on his quest to slay the Olthoi Queen. Instead, the Queen had slain Thorsten, leaving the wisp to collect his spirit. When the virindi discovered that Thorsten�s spirit remained, they infused his spirit into the wisp�s heart in order to make the wisp into the ultimate killing machine.� He concluded.

�So, basically, I am Cragstone now?� Ryucho asked.

Asheron thought about that for a moment. �Actually, its more of having a substitute to take over for you when the going gets tough. Also, shadows will now recognize you as the wisp, and therefore an ally to them. They do not actually see a physical form when they look at anything, they see the essence of spirit from whatever they are, well, looking at. This way, you can approach a shadow spire safely and destroy it while hidden from their eyes.�

�Well then wont the virindi be able to control me when Cragstone�s will is dominant over mine?� Ryucho asked.

�Another interesting query. If you ever feel the darkness clouding you, fight. Fight against Cragstone for control. You should be able to win dominance over him if you fight him back with everything you�ve got. I would, however, make sure that you always have someone with you to accompany you in your endeavors where Cragstone may be needed. If you feel the virindi grasp, make sure that whoever is with you is aware that, be you unable to take control of your body, will be prepared to use deadly force in order to keep the virindi from taking you from us.�

�What?!� Ryucho gasped. �Kill me? Wouldn�t that make whatever mission I am on, a failure?�

�Failure is acceptable. Allowing the virindi to take you away is not.�

�What do you mean, take me away?�

Asheron thought for a minute. �They will have the ability to recall your body to their fortress while Cragstone is dominant. You must have your guardian kill you if you can sense a link between the virindi and yourself. It is the only way.�

�Alright,� Ryucho sighed. �I guess I�m off to destory the spire then?�

Asheron laughed. �That�s the spirit! Good luck to you, Ryu. I would recommend taking Hiro Shima with you. He is extremely loyal and a highly skilled mage. He will be able to protect you until you near the spire, and from then on you will be the one protecting him. Once you are within the shadow�s territory you must keep physical contact with Hiro if he is to make it to the spire safely.�

�Can�t we just run through?�

�No. Do not alarm the shadows. Approach the sire slowly and make your way while drawing as little attention to yourselves as possible.�

�Thank you, Asheron.� Ryucho said, as his vision was clouded by fog. The next thing he knew, he was sitting up in his bed.

* * *

�So that was it?� Llan asked.

�Well, for the dream, yes.� Ryucho sighed. �So basically, I�m �possessed� by some ancient hero who was killed by the Olthoi Queen.�

Keltslash nodded. �He was a fearless warrior, that Cragstone. A fearsome figure indeed,� He paused. �To think, my brother would be the one to carry on in his footsteps.�

Ryucho laughed. �You better watch yourself, Kelt, or I�ll let Cragstone teach you what�s what!�

Everyone laughed. As the laughter died down, Keltslash rolled out more parchment and readied his quill.

�Whenever you�re ready, Ryu.� He said.

Ryucho continued the tale.

"ASHERON'S CALL�, ASHERON'S CALL DARK MAJESTY� are trademarks of Turbine Entertainment Software Corporation. Copyright 2004 Turbine Entertainment Software Corporation. All rights reserved."