Once again they met at the old ruins of Taben's Peak. Seren gazed out at the scenery below them. The sky had grown dark and cloudy, and the land seemed deserted and lonely. Nall sighed. "Things will start to look worse if Tallas ever gets his way. So far, I think we're doing pretty well. We got the armor, the sword, and our next Dragonmaster. Now all we gotta do is find Tallas."
Denyx glanced over at Daleth, who nodded. "Nall," he began, "Tallas hides out in the ruins of Neo-Vane. Ayin and I overheard Kossori speaking with Daleth about it when we came upon them in my lair."
Daleth nodded in confirmation. "Tallas mainly stays around Neo-Vane, plotting his next move, surveying all of Lunar, and always alert in case of any setbacks that might occur. That is why he destroyed New Tamur. He had sensed something there; something he feared might foil all he had planned."
Ayin gasped then, and Tsadde looked down. "Then it's all because of me," Ayin said softly, tears welling up. "If he hadn't--I mean if I wasn't there-"
"If you weren't there you'd be dead!" Nall cut in, clasping his hands on her shoulders. "Ayin, you didn't know what was to happen. Tallas would have caught you off guard if you weren't at home! You wouldn't be here right now if that happened! You didn't know you would be the next Dragonmaster that would cause Tallas' downfall! So don't blame yourself! If anyone's to blame, it's Tallas."
Ayin looked up at Nall. "Oh Nall.... I can't help but feel guilty for all that has happened. All our friends, our family...."
Tsadde went to comfort his sister. "It's all right Ayin. Nall's right; it's not your fault-it's that freak Tallas'."
Ayin hugged him. "Thank you Tsadde. You're right, it's Tallas that we have to face. So, how shall we approach this?"
"Where have you been Kossori? You had better have a good excuse."
Kossori gulped. Still prostrating to Tallas, he gingerly spoke up. "I-I had gone to the Star Tower. I thought that if the dragons were meeting at their corresponding lairs simultaneously, then perhaps they were obtaining a new Dragon Armor. And if that were the case, I thought that they would most likely be in need of the Sword of Althena, which was last used by Hiro, whom went to the Blue Star to be with his love, Lucia."
"I have no need of a history lesson, Kossori. Get to the point."
Kossori nodded, and cut right to the chase. "So I went to the Blue Star in hopes of obtaining the sword before they did, but unfortunately I ran into a former colleague of mine, also known as the Premier of Vane--and he blasted me so hard I fell unconscious. By the time I had regained consciousness, they had already retrieved the sword. I also noticed that there was another who had joined their party as well; she was but a child, with blue hair and eyes, and a strange pendant." Tallas tapped his foot impatiently. "Master Tallas, sir--this may interest you! That girl is the daughter of Hiro and Lucia herself!"
Tallas raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Hmm, that is most interesting. What is her name?"
"Her name is Lumiya."
Tallas smiled; it gave Kossori the creeps. "Excellent work Kossori. It seems you have redeemed yourself. Where are they now?"
"I-I don't know, sir," Kossori admitted, his gaze still downcast.
Tallas nodded. "Quite all right. I shall find out shortly." He exited the room, and Kossori couldn't help but feel relieved as the chill of Tallas' presence left as well. Slowly, he got to his feet. "I'll find them before he does. Then he'll never doubt me again. I best be careful of Rykea, though. He has gotten much more stronger and skilled than when I knew him before." Kossori then left.
Ayin sat by the window, fingering the intricately detailed handle of the Sword of Althena. Lumiya stood outside, leaning on the rail and gazing out at the vast lands that stretched before her. "Wow! This place is so cool! And it's so warm here--there's no chill or anything."
Ayin smiled. Lumiya was so awed by the strange new land she had just entered. She was eager to go hither and yonder; to see all the sights and visit all the towns. Lumiya hopped down from her perch and trotted over to Ayin. "I'm so glad I could come here. I never knew their could be so many wonderful sounds, so many colorful creatures! So when do we get out of this tower? I want to go outside!" Ayin couldn't help but smile at the girl's enthusiasm.
"Okay, let's go out for a while. I guess you can't stay cooped up in here forever." The two girls headed outside.
Rykea sat at the foot of the peak, silent and alert. He looked up as he heard the the girls coming down. "Ah, Ayin, Lumiya. On a little outing?"
Lumiya nodded vigorously. "Mm-hmm, we're going to explore!"
Rykea chuckled. "Well, be careful. I know we haven't seen many monsters around lately, but that doesn't mean they're gone for good." Ayin nodded and started off with Lumiya.
Rykea got up. Something isn't right. I'd better go with them.
The sky had grown unusually dark and gray, but there were no clouds that showed signs of rain. Rykea stopped. He did not like this. Something definitely wrong here. I have a very bad feeling about this.... He glanced around him. Fortunately, Ayin and Lumiya were still in sight. He headed over to them, when suddenly a loud crash of thunder sounded, and a dark bolt of lightening struck just a few feet before him. "Kossori!"
"Hahahahahahahahahahaha! So, you recognize my technique?"
"Only you would be interested in Shadow Skills," Rykea retorted, and he clutched his staff in a defensive position. "Ayin! Lumiya! We got company!!"
Ayin and Lumiya rushed over to Rykea's side. "What's going on? The sky got so dark!," Lumiya said, a hint of fear in her voice.
Ayin grasped her sword. "Stay close, Lumiya."
Kossori appeared before them. He grinned. "Hello Miss Lumiya. My master Tallas would like an audience with you."
Lumiya stuck out her tongue. "What do you take me for? Some sort of lunatic?!"
Kossori was slightly taken aback by the girl's answer. "Why you..."
"Take no further step, Kossori. Otherwise I'll give you more than what I did at the Star Tower." Kossori narrowed his eyes. "I don't see why you joined that freak Tallas anyways," Rykea continued. "You won't gain anything by force. Why do you fight against us anyways?"
Kossori laughed haughtily. "Hah! Please Rykea, I don't need your little pep talks and other such nonsense. Now you shall DIE!!!"