"The Dreamers"

Chapter 01 Chapter 02 Chapter 03 Chapter 04 Chapter 05 Chapter 06 Chapter 07 Chapter 08 Chapter 09 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37

"Northern continent? I thought they had left the northern continent!" Tristam exclaimed. "How could the map piece be buried there?"

Eliezer looked at her and shrugged. "I have no explanation. All I know is that this presents a problem for us."

"How exactly are we gonna get to the northern continent?"

"Well, for one thing, we need to wait for Lukas and Sean to return from getting the other map piece. Until then…we wait."

Lukas continued running at breakneck speed, the tears forming in his eyes obstructing his vision. All he could think about was the rugged highlander he had grown to admire. "I…I never apologized…for getting short with him…" A horrific screech caused him to stop and turn. The spider-like stilva approached, its limbs covered in blood. Lukas assumed the worst and screamed, running as fast as he could toward the exit. The stilva continued its chase, quickening its steps to catch up to the young Lukas. He managed to reach the rope, lunging on to it. As he began climbing, the bloodthirsty stilva grabbed on to one of his legs, letting out another high-pitched shriek. Lukas struggled to climb, hoping and praying that something would cause him to let go.

The stilva suddenly released its grip as Sean, covered in blood, clubbed the creature with a huge rock. "Go on, lad! Get out while you can!"

"No! I'm not gonna leave you!"

Sean shook his head. "I'll be alright! Go now."

Tears filled Lukas's eyes as he sobbed, "I can't, Sean!"

Sean thought about yelling, but lowered his voice to a whisper and calmly stated, "Lukas, go." Lukas nodded and climbed the rope, looking back to see Sean keeping the Stilva at bay.

Sean hit the creature once again with the rock and began climbing the rope himself. The stilva grabbed his leg, and, unlike Lukas, had no one to save him. Lukas's screams filled the well as the bloodthirsty creature pulled its victim down the rope and into its dark lair.

The ravages of war never ceased to unsettle the King of Apacia. He and his son waited for Egido's troops to enter the battle, in the meantime discussing the situation. "According to Field Commander Fenrir, Barosh has placed troops strategically in the X and Z quadrants," Sebastian reported, pointing out the position to his father on a map divided into four sections, cleverly named W, X, Y, and Z. "If Egido positions his troops here, we can possibly have the element of surprise."

"And we are currently here, in the W quadrant."

"Yes, Father. Barosh has troops located both southeast and south of us." Both looked up to see Egido, along with several other commanders, coming to meet them.

The Captain of the Guards saluted the king and Sebastian, informing them of his plans. "We will dispatch troops to protect you and your son, sire, from the troops located to the south and southeast. We currently have troops attacking them from behind, but undoubtedly some will attempt to advance to your position. I will personally protect you, your majesty. Commanders Veradine and Fenrir will lead the troops to protect our current position."

Dadrien nodded, wary of his untrustworthy captain. Egido himself smiled as he planned his next move.

The party consisting of Gideon, Tiras, Delilah, Marcus, and the "subservient" entered the quaint little town of Rosa, looking for an inn for the unconscious Venge. Delilah turned to the others and noted, "We'll be joined by my old friends in a little while. They usually hang out in the café."

"And then what are you going to do?" Gideon asked.

"Not sure exactly. I really would like to tell off Egido III, though."

Gideon nodded and added, "And if Venge wakes up, I have a feeling he'll want to have a talk with him too, now that he knows what the king has been up to over the years."

Several Baroshian troops made it past the blockade and advanced toward Dadrien's position. Sebastian brandished his sword and defeated them single-handedly. "What would I do without you, son?" his father smiled.

"I guess you'd have to fight yourself," his son returned, smiling also.

An arrow flew towards the unprotected king, who unsheathed his own sword and sliced it in two, watching the pieces fall harmlessly to the ground. "I have had some training in my day."

Egido joined them, turning to his king. "They are falling, sire. Soon we will be victorious!" He then stared his king right in the eyes. "I feel this will be a great day for the kingdom of Apacia!" A Baroshian soldier aimed his crossbow at Dadrien in hopes of felling the king himself. "Sire, duck!" Egido yelled, pulling his king down to avoid the arrow.

Dadrien looked down to find his clothing covered in blood. Further examination revealed a gaping wound in his stomach and a bloody dagger in Egido's hand. He looked at his king, smiling devilishly. "...A great day, indeed."

Dadrien collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. "You... traitor."

Sebastian turned to see his father on the ground and raced to his side. "Father!" He turned to Egido and asked, "What happened?"

"I ordered him to duck, for an arrow was headed his way. Unfortunately it was directed lower than I thought and got him in the abdomen."

Sebastian examined his father's wound, trying to hear his father's words. "Se...bastian... Egido... murderer..."

"This… this isn't an arrow wound!" Sebastian exclaimed, now noticing a dagger in Egido's hand. "You murderer!"

Egido calmly smiled and said, "It's time for a new order."

Sebastian glanced at his dying father and drew his sword. "Then fight me!"

Egido nodded and drew his own sword, but Sebastian was startled by something behind him. He was met with an almost metallic gaze by a creature with gold eyes. "I have plans for you, Sebastian," Egido said, allowing the creature to take hold of Sebastian. His evil smile pierced Sebastian's very soul, but he could do nothing about it: the creature touched him lightly, knocking him out. "Take him away," Egido told the stranger.

Veradine and Fenrir heard a cry for help behind them. "Sounds like Captain Egido!" Veradine said. The two rushed to his location, finding a distraught Egido standing over his fallen king's body. "What happened?!" Fenrir asked, rushing to his king's side.

"A soldier broke through and hurled a dagger at the king, and his accuracy was deadly," Egido said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sebastian attempted to fend him off, but he was killed too. I can't find his body."

"And where were you during this?" Veradine questioned.

"I was protecting my king by fending off a couple of other soldiers; I guess they were just decoys. By the time I had finished them off, the damage was done."

Veradine nodded and comforted his captain. "Come on, Captain; let's give the king a proper burial."

Fenrir studied the king's body and became puzzled. "This seems like the knife was twisted in..." He glanced up to see Egido leaning on his sword, as if in prayer. "I'll get to the bottom of this..." Fenrir muttered to himself.