The story so far...

Chapter One
Prologue

Time flows like a river, and history repeats.  Such is the case for a group of young friends nestled away in the southeastern reaches of the Finny Isles.  Barin, Dugo, and Apul often spent their off days at the local tavern, which Apul owned, downing ale and swapping stories.  Barin had sailed amongst the Finny Isles since he was a boy, and was now known as the shrewdest merchant to sail in the past century.  Apul grew up with Barin, and was the nephew of a great adventurer and founder of their town, Belatcern.  After his uncle's death, Apul solely inherited his fortune and sat on the town council.  Dugo appeared on the island six years ago after a series of strange storms swept over Green Island.  Besides having a reserved and mysterious air around him, Dugo befriended Barin and Apul quickly, and serves as first mate to Barin aboard The Element.

8th of August -- Trône Doré (The Golden Throne)
Dark clouds have gathered and rain falls in torrents...

        Barin: Those storms are kicking up in the east again.  Reminds me of the ones that came before you 
                    showed up, Dugo.

        Dugo:  I still can't remember those years very well, but no worries, it will pass like any other.  Come out of 
                    that rain and join me for a pint.

        Barin:  Have you seen Apul recently?  I need to speak with him about the barrels of ale sitting in the holds.

        Apul:    Ha, my friend! Returned from the Blue Isle have you?  Leaving poor Dugo here nothing to do but 
                     drink and listen to idle gossip was a poor choice indeed.  Now my stocks of blue ale are nearly 
                     dry!

        Barin:  Ah, I thought he could use some off time, and don't get so excited, your ale is on the Element right 
                    now...

At that time evens that were set in motion six years ago were coming full circle.  Dire winds blew out of the Sloefig highlands, foreshadowing the darkness that would come over the Finny Isles.  Within hours an evil presence would make itself known, and those in its path would have to fight, flee, or lie down and die...              

Chapter Two

        Barin: Dugo, gimme a hand down at the docks.  We wouldn't want to keep Apul waiting...

        Apul: I'll give you a hand too.  That way we can resume our drinking faster!

Midnight
9th of August -- Fructis Alley

The three friends walk the dimly lit streets toward the docks, trudging through the downpour and the howling winds.  The only other person walking the lonely streets that night was Naelroe, Belatcern's most sought after bachelorette.  Walking home from god-knows-what social event, she had just turned onto her street when she ran smack dab into Dugo...

        Naelroe:   SMACK Ow... what the hell?

        Apul:         Christ Dugo!  We haven't even started drinking yet!

        Dugo:       Sorry Nae, give me your hand.  

        Naelroe:  Thank you.  What are the three of you doing out this late?

        Barin:       I just got back from the Blues.  Heading to the ship to get some ale with these two.  Besides, 
                         since when is midnight late?!?

        Naelroe:  Hm... ale from the Blues you say?  Would you mind a little feminine company?  Might be good 
                         for lonely Dugo over there...

        Apul:        We readily welcome you!  I'm sure Dugo would love to walk with you. Wink wink nudge nudge.

        Dugo throws Apul into a dark alley and walks ahead with Naelroe whispering in his ear.

Unknown to the four merry Belatcernians...

The western shores of the Green Isle were already under siege by a foreboding cloud of ash and smoke, and the rain that poured down so violently earlier had turned into a hail of fire.  A swath of destruction was left in its path, the only survivors being the few who managed to flee to sea.  Some tried outrunning the cloud by land, but were quickly enveloped by the cloud and perished amidst the darkness and flame...

        Barin:     Naelroe! Leave Dugo alone for a minute! We really could use a hand down here...

        Naelroe: Fine! I'll wait up on deck.  He isn't being all that talkative anyway.

3 AM
The Element's Holds

        Dugo:      Well... that's the last of it.  You ran a big risk taking on such a heavy load.

        Barin:      It was worth it.  I can hear the coins dropping into my hands now...

        Apul:       You'll get your money when this is all off your ship and back at the bar.  Tomorrow morning the 
                        workers will be able to offload and cart it all back up.  Then you and I both will be making profit.   
                        However, right now I think we can start...

        Naelroe: AAAAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!

        Dugo: What the hell...?

Break to the deck.

From the ship's deck, Apul, Barin, and Dugo could see the cause of Naelroe's scream.  The terrifying shadow creeping down the mountain and the flames that could be seen leaping from Apul's manor were enough to strike fear into the most courageous of hearts.  The speed at which the ash and fire approached afforded no time to waste.  Barin and Dugo cut all the lines and unfurled the mainsail in record speed.  They had barely made it clear of the docks when red daggers of flame erupted from the buildings of Belatcern.  The screams of anyone not immediately killed by the inferno were drowned out by the raging winds and crashing waves.  The brimstone hail had stopped at the shore, but the smoky fog overtook them just as they reached calmer seas.  They waited quietly in shock; the darkness hid their fear, all afraid to speak of the horror that had just just befallen.

The eastern storms had been like mild showers compared to the fury of the western tempest.  The utter destruction laid out of eyesight just beyond the flickering shadows, but the four knew that their homes and friends were all lost in that inky night.

An hour passes
the ship slowly emerges from the cloud
and the time comes for a decision to be made.

Chapter Three

        Barin:  The port of Samghon on the western shores of the Red Isle will shelter us.  

        Dugo:  If this storm speeds up and follows us, we are screwed sitting out here.  The cave networks on the 
                    Red Isle would provide safe haven.  Let us make haste.

8 PM
10th of August - Off the coast of Samghon

The familiar glow of civilization beckons the ship into the port of Samghon.  Eight green eyes reluctantly scan the horizon, surveying the island ahead of them.  They may be safe there, but it is not their home.  Home lies behind them, still burning from the firestorm.  The Red Isle is a great deal different from the Green Isle the four had lived on.  In place of lush forests and rolling fields, there were only mountainous volcanoes and cracked lava plains.  Only a few coastal cities held a true population.  The interior of the island contained small, remote mining outposts only reachable by airship.  From these mines came the only source of income for the Red Isle.  Everything here ran around earth and minerals, dirt and jewels.  The largest city, Samghon, lay before them, rock spires rising up behind the docks and merchant ships.  Scarred and bettered, the Element finally reaches its destination.

        Barin:      This ship used to rank among the finest ships of all the Finny Isles.  Now look at her; what a 
                         wreck.

        Naelroe:  Maybe we can fix it?  It's only superficial... I think.  I can't say I know all that much about boats.

        Barin:      Ah, don't worry about it.  We have more pressing matters.  Dugo and I will go into town and try to
                         find some lodgings.  Apul?  Keep an eye on the ship, and keep Nae out of trouble will ya?

        Apul:       I think I can handle that.

Ten minutes later...
Red Ripple Pub

        Barkeep:  Yo, we got some rooms.  Seventy-five rupees is the going price.

Barin slides the requested jewels across the counter and receives the key in a similar manner.  A cloaked woman brushes past Dugo on her way out, gazing at Barin as he orders some refreshments up to the room.  A curious blade peeks out from beneath her cloak, and catches Dugo's eye.  With a vague recognition, Dugo files away the event in the files of his brain, unconsciously knowing it to be an important fact.  Just then, Barin concludes his business and the pair make their way back to the docks to collect the remnants of their party.

Back out on the streets, Barin and Dugo barely make it a block before the cloaked woman reappears in front of them...

        ????:   <presenting Dugo's dagger> You really should be more mindful of your possessions.

        Dugo:  ...wha?? ...no one has ever been able to... pickpocket... how???

        ????:   I'm just good at what I do.  I'm just better at it than you.

        Dugo:  Am I supposed to know what you are talking about?  Do I know you?

        ????:   Not me particularly, but I expected you to recognize Elgofiian garb.   

        Dugo:  Your blade seems vaguely familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

        ????:   It should look familiar; you made it.

        Barin:  You want to fill me in?  We've got people waiting on us.

        Dugo:  Ah, I nearly forgot!  Hey, ...you?  Come back to our ship with us.  Care to join us at the inn?  What's
                     your name anyway?

        ????:   That's not important right now.  I'll come. 

   A new ally, or a foe in disguise?
Who is the mysterious woman, and what are her motives?
Who is Dugo?  Who WAS Dugo?

Chapter Four

        Barin:  You sure about this?  We don't have any idea who she is; besides, she's looking at me funny.

        Dugo:  Trust me on this, friend.  I think she likes you.

        Barin:  Alright... <smirk> you think so??

1 AM
11th of August - Red Ripple Pub 

        Dugo:      So let me get this straight... I'm a Milleuian prince, I'm a master swordsmith, and an expert 
                         swordsman to boot?

        ????:       Not exactly a prince.  More like the adopted son of the king.  For whatever reasons he had a 
                         the time, King Veda took you under his wing after a terrible accident in the royal armory.  No 
                         one knows what happened, but you were the only one to emerge from the flames.  For a year 
                         and a half, you lived the life of a prince and began to earn the trust and respect of the people.  
                         This all took place about ten years ago...

        Barin:      That puts us at about the time Dugo showed up on the Green Isle.

        ????:       Not quite; Dugo disappeared from Veda's court on the second anniversary of the accident.  his 
                         quarters were missing nothing, his horse was still in its stable, and nobody had seen or heard 
                         anything out of the ordinary that day.  He simply vanished...

        Dugo:      Wait, hold on a second everybody.  I want to know one thing first.  How exactly do you fit into 
                         this whole story?

        ????:       My name is Najen.  I am the Elgofiian assassin Veda hired to kill you.

        Naelroe:  No!  You can't hurt Dugo!

        Najen:      I'm not going to hill him now... I already failed once.  It's the only time I've ever failed.

        Naelroe:  Well excuse me if I'm not exactly heartbroken over that...

        Dugo:      Not to be selfish or anything, but can we get back to talking about me?

        Najen:      I can explain more as time goes on.  All I can tell you right now is that I've been looking for you 
                         for the past five years.  It seems I wasn't the first person to find you, though.  The firestorm that 
                         destroyed your homes wasn't just a freak weather condition.  Only the arcane magics of the 
                         Rexarian sorcerers could cause the devastation you describe.

        Apul:        Rexarians?  What land do they come from?

        Najen:      No one knows; the only thing I know about them is that they serve the emperor of Sloefig. 
                         Everything about them is shrouded in mystery, but it is said that they hail from a nation far 
                         beyond the reaches of the outer ocean.

        Barin:       Now I really an finding all of this very interesting, and I hate to interrupt, but does anyone smell... 
                         smoke?

        Naelroe:  Look out the window, the docks!  It's our boat!

        Barin:       MY BOAT!  What the hell is going on!?!

With the night sky lit up with the inferno from the docks, the band of five set off full speed towards their only mode of transportation.  Barin, Dugo, and Najen reach the docks to find a dozen armed men, watching the boat be engulfed in flames.  Najen pulls out twin daggers from beneath her cloaks and impales the nearest brigand.  Dugo unsheathes his sword and enters combat with the now alerted enemy.  Barin manages to retrieve the sword leftover from Najen's handiwork, and jumps into the fray.

Apul and Naelroe arrive at the scene to find their three friends engaged in battle with a band lf black-clad men.  Dugo has three bodies strewn about him, and parries the attacks of what looks to be the leader of the game.  Swords clash and sparks fly as the steel blades dance through the air.  Behind them, Barin and Najen stand back-to-back fending off the attacks of an encroaching circle of bad guys.  Najen's daggers pierce leather and flesh like a hot knife through butter.  The opposition thins out as Barin knocks off his second foe.  Only Dugo and his adversary remain.  Apul and Naelroe run over to Najen and Barin to aid in any way they can, but all they can do is watch as Dugo battles it out.  Dodging sword swipes, Dugo ends up backed against the end of the dock.  Behind, the still burning skeleton of a ship.  Ahead, the charging blade of a deadly adversary.  In a skillful showing off of a talent long gone unused, Dugo throws off the attack of his assailant and trips him off the end of the dock into the flaming heap.

Escaping with only minor cuts and scrapes, the three warriors return their blades to their sheaths and breathe a huge sigh of relief.  It finally becomes clear that this is a journey that is going to be fraught with danger.  Their journey, however, seems to have come to an end as they gaze upon the burnt beams and warped boards of the once renowned  Element...

Chapter Five

        Barin:   My boat...

        Najen:  Those men had to get here somehow.  They must have a boat anchored somewhere around 
                      here.  I don't think they'll need it any time soon.

        Dugo:   Well then, let's go about finding this pirate ship of ours.

3 AM
11th of August - Samghon Outskirts

        Naelroe:  Are you guys sure there is a boat out here?

        Barin:       No... that's the whole point of 'searching'.

        Naelroe:   I really hope we find it soon.  Maybe they have food on board, and some ale, and nice beds,     
                          and and and... bunnies!

        Dugo:       Bunnies?  Why in God's name would pirates have bunnies?!?

        Naelroe:   Why?  DUH, 'cause they are soooo cute!

        Dugo:       Oh yeah... pirates... cute... makes sense.

        Apul:         I think I see our mysterious bunny ship up ahead.

        Naelroe:  Are you making fun of me?!?

        Apul:         I wouldn't think of doing such a thing...

        Najen:      Apul is right, there is a ship about a thousand yards up the coast.

        Barin:       Looks like our search is just about over...

        Naelroe:  What are you guys talking about?  All I see are three poles sticking up in the air.

        Najen:      Those would be masts... of a ship.

The natural configuration of the stone cliffs allowed the three-masted sailing vessel to dock right up against the shore.  A natural walkway leads the five down to a point where a gangplank can be crossed to board the deck.  Naelroe, the last to cross, stops onto the wooden boards of the ship.  Suddenly, the gangplank behind her shifts and falls between the ship and cliff, making quite a loud racket.  Four pirates, those rascally few who were left behind to watch over the ship, emerge from below to investigate.  Upon finding our five adventurers standing there, they draw their swords looking for a fight.  Twangs of clashing metal fill the night air as the second battle of the night erupts.  Two of the pirates are obviously unaccustomed to battle, as Najen sinks her steely knives into the torsos of each man.  How a seemingly weak woman could dominate over these brutish men astounds Naelroe, who watches from a corner.  Barin makes quick work of his foe, parrying his strike and then flipping him over the edge of the ship into the cliff wall.  Not ten feet away, Apul smashes a short plank over the head of the fourth, and final, pirate.  Barin finds a length of rope and ties the man up against the main mast.

        Barin:   At least now we might be able to find out what this lot is after.  I would like to know why they 
                     burnt  my ship.

        Najen:  I haven't any idea who these men are or what business they have with you.  I propose we make     
                     haste in setting sail northward towards the White Isle.  There are many great sages who reside 
                     there and may provide answers to our questions.

        Apul:    Not a bad idea...

Three hours pass as Barin, Dugo, and Najen prepare the ship for departure.  Alterations what will allow their small numbers control such a large ship must be made.  Barin's previous experience comes in useful as he oversees the changes.  They christen their new vessel "The Dark Prowler" just as the sun peeks up above the horizon.  Irony at its best.

Just then, as the sun bathes the ship in warmth

Everybody's favorite pirate awakens...

        Pirate:  Haha!  You think just the five of you are going to sail this ship?  Not a chance in hell has you!

        Barin:   Actually, that's exactly what I was planning on doing.

        Pirate:  Wha...?  You mean to say you are a sailor?

        Barin:    I've got quite a reputation around these islands.  Name's Barin.

        Pirate:  Barin?  The ale runner?  THE Barin?  Barin of Blue Waters?

        Barin:   How flattering...

        Pirate:  Dammit!  Whose idea was this?  I knew a hundred rupees wasn't worth the effort of this trip... no 
                     matter!  The Pirates of the Black Isle will plague you until your death!

        Barin:   How cliché... now tell me.  Why did your crewmates attack us and burn my ship?

        Pirate:  I'll never tell!  I'd die before another word escaped my lips...

And that's what he did.  Within seconds of uttering those words, the pirate fell deadly silent.  A wicked cackle blew over the ship as a dark figure tore off from the bow of the ship.  Flying east, it disappeared over the cliffs...  

Chapter Six

Dugo:  In order to find out what happened, I think we should follow that specter towards the Black Isle.

        Barin:  I agree; I want to put those bastards in their place.

10 AM
The Dark Prowler
En route to the Black Isle

        Barin:      <This journey has brought me nothing but misfortune.  This crew seems pretty trustworthy, 
                        though.  In all my time running shipments, I've never had such a closely knit group.  It's 
                        almost like all of this has forced us to mesh together and work as a team.  I still can't believe 
                        the Element is gone...my dad built that ship... it was a good ship.>

        Apul:       What are you moping about Barin?  Still angered about your boat?

        Barin:      Damn right I am.  My dad built that ship.  He hauled the stone from the quarries on the Gray Isle 
                         all the way to Belatcern -- that stone was used to build the pub, our homes, even your manor, 
                        Apul.  That boat had some history, and all my childhood memories revolve around that ship.  
                        Those filthy pirates...  what a waste.

        Naelroe:  Anyone who likes bunnies can't be ALL bad!

        Najen:      Get over the damn bunnies!  There are ZERO bunnies onboard this ship.  It's full of rusty 
                          swords, dirty maps, and surprisingly little booty.

        Naelroe:  I like tea!

        All:           .........................

Dugo mans the rudder while the rest retire below deck for some much needed rest.  They have planned that around one o'clock, Barin will wake and relive Dugo so he can get some sleep as well.  In the meantime, Apul collapses on the first available cot and Naelroe trips over him into a bed of her own.  Barin and Najen move to the far corner of the room so they can talk without disturbing the sleeping pair.

        Barin:  Are you really here to help us?

        Najen:  I intend to find out what's going on.  I can't say I set out on this journey with the intention of helping 
                     you, but your best interests are my best interests now.

        Barin:  Excuse me if that doesn't give me the warm fuzzy feeling I was searching for.

        Najen:  I may be an assassin, but I do live by a code of honor.  You have helped me thus far, and so I can 
                     guarantee your safety... from my blade, at least.

        Barin:  And the others?

        Najen:  Apul is safe.  Naelroe... would you really care?  Dugo... I have yet to decide what my feelings on 
                     him are.  

        Barin:  I need everyone to work together if we are going to get to the bottom of this mystery alive.

        Najen:  We shall do our best.

        Barin:  Thank you, Najen.

Barin did not sleep soundly.  His dreams are haunted by visions of his crew dying one by one, in horrible, gruesome ways.  He cannot help but think that he is somehow responsible for all this.  Najen is awakened by his tossing and turning, and his disturbing moans.  She takes pity on him and lays down next to him, draping a comforting arm around him.  The knife under her pillow is enough to dissuade anybody from having any... "indecent"... thoughts.  

While Barin and Najen slept below deck, Dugo watched as white curls disappeared among the black sea.  The morning dawn provides warming rays of light, but the chill ocean breeze quickly counters the warmth.  Hours pass, and the Black Isle, along with promises of imminent doom, approaches beyond the horizon.

2 PM
The Dark Prowler
En route to the Black Isle

        Dugo: <I don't know what to make of all of this.  Why would anyone want to kill me?  I couldn't have 
                    been that dangerous or powerful in a past life, could I?  Now I'm just blindly wandering, 
                    leaving a swath of destruction behind me.  Belatcern... The Element.. who knows what will come 
                    next?  I couldn't go on if I was responsible for any of their deaths.  I need to find out what's going 
                    on before it's too late...>

        Barin: Time for you to get some rest, chief.

        Dugo: Did you sleep well?

        Barin:  I got enough.

        Dugo:  Well then.  I suppose getting a little shut eye wouldn't be a bad idea.  Who knows when the next 
                     time we have some peaceful time to ourselves will be?

        Barin:  Have a good one.  I think we'll arrive at the Black Isle in about five hours.  I'll get everyone up 
                    before then.

Dugo descends the narrow stairway into the interior of the ship.  He brushes shoulders with Najen near the bottom, but they exchange no words.  She continues up, presumably to speak to Barin, and Dugo reaches the door to the bunks.  Apul's snoring can be heard from the far side of the room, although the darkness shrouds him from view.  A tiny lump gives away Naelroe's location on the bottom bunk near the door.  Almost collapsing from exhaustion, Dugo pulls himself up over Naelroe and immediately falls asleep.

~Dream World~

        Barin:      How many ARE there?!?!

        Najen:     Thousands...

        Apul:        I've heard rumors of this island...

        (Silence...)

        Naelroe: AND??!!??

        Apul:        I forget...

        Najen:      You would do well to avoid my blade... Dugo.

        Dugo:       Why is that?

        Najen:       I'd hate to kill... family.

        <CRASH>

Dugo awakens on a beach of black sand, beams of wood strewn in disarray all about him.  Confused as to how he got here, he stands up and surveys his surroundings... and only then he realizes that he is alone.

Chapter Seven

Only two sets of footprints lead into the interior of the island, but it seems that there are also two sets of smoothed-out sand, like something large was drug by whatever caused the footsteps... Hard, cracked earth and jagged boulders will make this path more difficult.

7 PM
11th of August
The Black Isle

The footprints lead Dugo into the sandy interior of the island.  Unlike the golden beaches of his homeland, this desert was composted of finely grained volcanic rock and soot.  Large boulders, yet to be ground down by acid rain and the strong dust storms, lay scattered along the path.  The set of footprints snaked in and out of the stones, leading Dugo deeper and deeper into the island.  In the dimming light, Dugo could just make out a flickering campfire coming from a tightly clustered group of boulders.  Approaching quickly, but quietly, and with sword drawn, Dugo closed the gap between himself and what he hoped were his friends.  Dugo scaled a boulder to a height of about fifteen feet off the ground, and found himself nestled in a bowl-shaped depression.  Scared to pop his head over the lip and risk revealing himself to any possible threat, Dugo waited patiently for some clue as to the camp's inhabitants.

        Barin:    I sure hope Dugo made it to shore safely.  It seems odd how we all washed up together, but he
                      was nowhere in sight.

        Apul:     We'll just have to wait and see how things turn out.  For the time being, I'm just glad those weird 
                      creatures didn't follow our trails back at the beach.

        Barin:    I think we are all glad for that.

        Apul:      How long do you think until Najen and Naelroe wake up?  They must have gotten hit real bad!

        Barin:    They are both breathing fine, I just think they got knocked unconscious by the blast.  They'll be all
                       right in an hour or two, hopefully.  I'm not too keen on spending any more time here than we have
                       to.

        Apul:      Which brings me to my next two questions: What the hell was that blast, and how the hell are we 
                       getting off this island?  Our luck with ships has not been good recently.

        Barin:    I'm not sure what hit our ship.  All I remember is talking to Najen up on deck, and hearing this 
                      screaming coming from ahead in a wall of fog.  The fog wasn't all that odd; a cloud of it always 
                      seems to surround the Black Isle, which just adds to the mysteriousness of the island.  I know a
                      few competitors have come here in search of precious gems and ores.  The ones that have
                      returned have only made meager returns, and the ones that haven't... well, I just never thought this
                      place was worth the risk.

        Apul:      Barin... the crash?

        Barin:    Right.  I just remember the scream, and then we entered the fog.  All of the sudden the scream let
                       out again, and it seemed to come directly from the port side.  It was a helluva lot closer, too. 
                      Then this blue light just comes rocketing out of nowhere.  Saw it coming through the fog, lighting
                      everything up, and enveloped in flashes of lightning.  It was an amazing sight... until I realized that
                      it was on a direct course for our boat.  It dipped below the waves, and Najen and I lost sight of it. 
                      She ran to the rail to look into the sea, but just then it came crashing up through the deck.  Didn't
                      even have a chance to yell or react before the entire world just went blindingly white.  Next thing I
                      remember was you waking me up and dragging the girls through the sand...

        Apul:      Yeah, I must have been asleep because I only remember opening my eyes on this beach and 
                       wondering where the hell we were.  The three of you were lying a little ways down the been in the 
                       shallows.  I managed to drag you up a bit further into the dry sand.  Dugo was nowhere to be
                       seen, so I checked a little ways down the beach in either direction... nothing.  When I came back,
                       you woke up pretty much as soon as I checked to see if I could rouse you.

Dugo, having heard the conversation, and more than satisfied that his friends are below, pops his head up over the bowl and makes his presence known.  The sudden voice from above damn near scares Barin and Apul half to death.  

Dugo leaps down from the boulder, and the group is quickly reunited.  They decided that they should get some rest before the girls wake up, so Barin and Dugo hoisted Apul on top of the bowl shaped boulder.  Since Barin and Dugo had gotten little sleep on the boat, they both instantly passed out.  The dusty environment and uncomfortable ground did not deter them one bit.  Apul maintained a careful eye on the horizon in all directions, but detected nothing worthy of raising alarm.  A gray skink with red stripes skittered across the bowl and across Apul's hand and tore off towards the north as fast as its tiny legs could carry it.  That little reptile was the highlight of Apul's night, for all around him everything else was dead... or sleeping.

Midnight
12th of August
Ebony Downs

Apul heard Najen moaning down below, and crawled down from his perch to wake up Barin and Dugo.  While Barin helped up Najen, Dugo aided Naelroe to her feet.  They both had some cobwebs that needed to be shook out, but the party seemed to be in pretty good condition, taking into account the crash that they had all survived.  They all agreed that they had better set off in some direction.  No one really had any idea which was was best...

Chapter Eight

        Apul:   North is as good a direction as any.  At least it'll take us closer to the straight between here and 
                    the Red Isle.  If we are really lucky, maybe we'll meet on of those mineral hunters you were talking 
                    about, Barin.

        Barin:  Not a bad idea, Apul.  Let's head north.

The group walked north towards the straight, making their way around quite a few large boulders blocking their path.  Hours seemed to pass without any signs of life, especially not from anyone who could help them get off the island, and they began to lose hope.  Eventually they stumbled onto a very large, and oddly shaped, rock formation.

        Naelroe: I'm tired of walking, and we're not finding anyone to help us on this useless hike.  We should 
                        rest.

        Apul:       I agree with her; we should head for that giant rock formation over there.  At least it will provide 
                        us with some cover.

        Najen:    We've barely walked at all today!  Surely you both can't be tired already!

        Barin:     They do have a point, though... we haven't found anyone to help us get off of this island yet.  I 
                        don't see any harm in just resting for a while.

        Naelroe: Then it's settled!  We go to rest at the Devil Cat's Maw!

Barin, Najen, and Dugo all shoot confused looks at Naelroe.

        Dugo:     How in the world do you know the name of that place?

        Apul:       She doesn't.  It looks like a cat's mouth, see?

        Naelroe: And it sure does look devilish!  Grrr!

        Najen:     Whatever... let's just go.

The five walked and climbed their way over to what had been dubbed the Devil Cat's Maw, and as they grew closer they realized that there was a tunnel not much larger than the size of a person in the side of it.  They made their way over to it and looked inside.  The tunnel lead down towards a single large room that, at the moment, was empty.

        Naelroe: Come on, let's go inside!

        Dugo:      You aren't usually one for bravery, Nae; what's gotten in to you?

        Apul:        Nothing has gotten in to her, Dugo.  The room clearly looks safe, and if you'll look above you 
                         you'll notice that it's going to rain any moment. 

        Najen:       Why are you defending her so adamantly all the sudden, Apul?

        Apul:          Was she being attacked?  My statements were simply there for clarification, nothing more.

        Najen:        Well she can clarify things for herself, can't she?

        Barin:         Enough out of you two!  He's right; let's just get inside the cave.

They carefully crawled down the somewhat steep tunnel and out into the chamber.  It was disturbingly quiet there, and the five hoped silently that it was a sign that they were alone.

        Naelroe: Hey Apul, let's check this cave out a bit!

        Apul:        Why not?  Let's go.

Naelroe and Apul made their way over to the far end of the chamber, leaving the remaining three to talk amongst themselves.

        Najen:   They sure are acting strangely...

        Barin:     I suppose so, but I wouldn't worry about it.

        Dugo:    True enough.  What possible harm could their craziness do, anyway?

        Najen:    Well, for one, that Naelroe's antics are giving me a headache.

        Barin:     You'll learn to live with her eventually, I'm sure.

        Najen:     It seems more likely that I'll teach her to die before I do any of that sort of learning.

        Naelroe: Barin, come over here for a minute!

        Barin:      You just get some rest, Najen; it'll do you well.

With that, Barin made his way over to the other side of the chamber, where Naelroe and Apul were waiting for him.    

        Dugo:  Now that we are alone... would you mind telling me a little about my past?

        Najen:  Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt.

Before Najen could tell Dugo anything, she was interrupted by Naelroe's piercing scream from across the room.  They both quickly looked over in the direction of the scream.  To their horror, they say Apul standing there with an evil grin on his face, grasping the hilt of a sword.  The blade of the sword was protruding from Barin's back, and as Apul pulled the sword from his chest, his lifeless body crumpled to the ground, landing in a rapidly growing puddle of his own blood.  Naelroe looked at Apul with a look of absolute horror in her face  After shaking of the initial shock of what they had seen, Najen and Dugo rushed over to their fallen comrade.

        Najen: What have you done?!  You traitorous bastard!  I'll kill you!

With that, Najen drew her duel daggers and thrust them towards Apul's chest.  Mere seconds before her blades made contact, she felt something very heavy smash into the side of her head.  Najen fell to the ground much like Barin had, and Naelroe stood over her holding a rock and wearing a grin similar to the one Apul had on.

        Dugo: Have you both lost your minds?!  What the hell are you doing?!

Before waiting for an answer, Dugo let his anger take over and he lunged toward Apul.  Naelroe came up behind him but he deftly kicked her aside.  Apul tried to fight off Dugo's attacks, but it was no use.  Within seconds Dugo had thrown Apul's weapon to the ground and was about to drive his sword right through him.

        ????: Sorry friend, but I'm going to have to stop you right there.

Dugo whirled around to see who had spoken up from behind him, but just before he could even turn halfway around he was greeted by the hard kick of a boot to his head.  Dugo fell limp just like the two before him.

        ????:      Get him.  Leave the other two; they are of n use to us anymore

        Apul:       Sure thing.  Help me out here, Naelroe.

        Naelroe: Now now Rivers, there is no need to continue calling ourselves by those foolish names, is 
                        there?

        Rivers:    No, Tryn, I guess there isn't.

        Tryn:         All right, help me pick him up and we'll get going.

Tryn helped lift up Dugo and got him situated on Rivers' shoulders, and then the two of them followed the mysterious character out of the room.  Hours later, Najen awoke with a headache hundreds of times worse than any one she could have gotten from Naelroe's ramblings.

        Najen:  Apul... stabbed Barin and... then... Naelroe hit me in the head with a rock!  Dugo... where is 
                     Dugo?!  Can Barin really be gone?  Damn it!

Chapter Nine

    Najen: Barin can't be dead!  He just can't be!  I have to try and save him!

Najen looked around frantically, trying to find anything at all that she could use to help Barin.

    ???:      He's dead.  I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for, but nothing you can find in this cave is 
                  going  to bring him back.

    Najen:   Who are you?!  And what do you know about it?!

    ???:       Who am I?  Well, I'm glad you asked!  I'm Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora!  As 
                   for your other question... it doesn't take a genius to know that a rock covered in moss isn't an 
                   effective means of resurrecting a person.

    Najen:    ...shut up.

    Render: Well now, that was neither polite nor clever, wouldn't you say?  One would think you would treat 
                   better the person who holds the remedy for your little problem.

    Najen:    What?!  You can cure him??

    Render:  I most certainly can!  Here, take this!

With a flourish Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora removed a small vial from somewhere beneath his puffy shirt and long cape and handed it to Najen.

    Najen:    Th... thank you...

    Render: No thanks necessary.  Now, I apologize, but I really must be going.

Before Najen could respond, Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora was gone.

    Najen:  Okay Barin... let's see if this does the trick...

Najen poured the contents of the vial into Barin's mouth.  Before long Barin's body started to shake... slowly at first, but it quickly became more and more violent.

    Najen:  Barin?!  What the hell is going on??

Barin's body continued to shake, and Najen became more and more worried.  Fortunately for her sanity, the shaking began to slow down, but as his body became more stable, it also began to seemingly twist and shrink.  Within a matter of moments Barin had changed from an average sized human to a rather tiny young kitten.

    Najen: What?!

    Barin:  Meow?

    Najen: ... I'm going to kill him.

Najen scooped little Barin up in one arm and ran for the exit Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora had used just a few minutes later.

    Rivers:   Did you give it to her?

    Render: Of course!  Was there ever any doubt?

    Tryn:       And she actually believed it would just bring him back to life?? Ha ha!  Some people are just so 
                    foolish.

    Render:  Yeah yeah enough talk, let's get back to the ship before she's up and after us.  I'd rather not deal 
                    with her now.

    Rivers:    That's right.  There's nothing more annoying than an angry woman.

    Tryn:        What?!  You chauvinist pig!!  What do you mean by that?!

    Render:   Ugh... feminism... we've no time for this, LET'S GO!

    Najen:      Not so fast!

    Barin:       Hisssss!!

    Render:    Wonderful... Tryn, you deal with her.    

    Tryn:          Fiiiiine.

Tryn ran towards Najen and Barin, pulling out a knife as she came closer.  She lunged at Najen, but a quick sidestep sent Tryn flying into a nearby tree.

    Render: Rivers?

    Rivers:   It would be my pleasure.

Rivers closed his eyes and began to concentrate, and a pair of green, glowing spheres began to form in his hand.

    Render: No matter how many times I see that, it still looks oh so wrong...

When the spheres were at their full size, Rivers hurled them towards Barin and Najen.  Najen looked wide-eyed at the pair of bombs flying towards her face, while Barin occupied himself licking her hand.  Mere fractions of a second before they made contact, Najen leapt out of the way and the bombs flew off towards Tryn and the tree she was sitting dazed under, hitting them both directly.

    Render: Did you really just miss?  This is truly pathetic.

    Rivers:   Well if she would just hold still...

    Render:  Just... stand right there and get ready for another throw; I'll make sure she doesn't move again.

Najen stared at the tree and Tryn, to see what those two blasts had done; but to her surprise, nothing seemed to have happened.  Tryn stood up, looking very groggy, and tried to walk back towards Rivers.  A look of frightened realization came over her face suddenly, and Najen, too, noticed what Tryn had come to realize.  Her feet had become planted to the ground, the tree's roots working their way up her body.  It only took seconds for her to become completely fused with the tree, leaving one larger tree where she and the tree had originally gotten hit.

    Najen:   You... fused her with the tree?!

    Rivers:  That's what fusion bombs are for...

    Render: Ha ha ha!  Poor little Tryn... or perhaps I should say, poor little "Treen!"

    Rivers:   Ah ha ha ha!

    Najen:    Whaaat?  That wasn't even funny!!

    Render:  Oh, it most certainly was!  But not quite as funny as what's about to happen to you!

Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora rushed over and grabbed Najen from behind, whirling her around so that she was face-to-face with Rivers.  He had her arms held tight, so she couldn't escape, but Barin was free and began to scratch at Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora's hands.

    Render: Arrrg.  Damned cat!  Hurry up, Rivers!

    Rivers:   Alright, alright, I'm ready.

    Render:  If you hit me Rivers, so help me...

    Rivers:  I actually hit them!  I hit her and even that little cat!!  I don't believe it!

    Render: It's about time you did something right.  Now, let's get out of here.

Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora and Rivers quickly fled the scene and left Najen and Barin reeling from the blast.  Najen began to get up and started rubbing her head.

    Najen:    Ah... what the hell... where did...

But before she could finish the thought, she and Barin began to merge in the same manner as Tryn and the tree had done just a short time before.  Meanwhile, Rivers and Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora continued to run through the forest and away from Najen and Barin.

    Rivers:   Did you see that?? I was amazing back there!

    Render:  Enough already.  Hurry up, we're gonna be late.

The two ran a few more yards before hearing a loud growl and slowing to a stop.

    Rivers:    What was that?!

    Render:  ... damn.

    Najen:     Thought you could get away from us, did you?  Well too bad!  We have a lot of questions for you, 
                    and you aren't taking another step until I get some answers!

Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora and Rivers slowly turned around to face Najen.  They gasped in unison as they saw what she had become.  Before them stood a creature that stood up on two legs like a human, but had the features (including a tail) and fur of a large cat.  The strangest part of this new being was the second head it had, slightly smaller than the other, to the right of the first head.

    Render:  What the hell??  That's the ugliest thing you've created so far, Rivers!

    Rivers:   Oh come on... it's not that bad

    Najen:    Shut up, both of you!

    Render:  Don't get yer... fur all in a twist there.  I'll answer your damned questions, just get on with it.   

    Najen:    That's more like it.  Okay then, this doesn't make any sense whatsoever!

    Render:  What do you mean?

    Najen:    This whole situation!  How did you turn your friend into a tree?  Why are Barin and I now a 
                    two-headed cat freak??  Why are we all of the sudden in a FOREST?  We were on a barren 
                    rocky island before we went into that cave, and when we came out, we were running through the 
                    forest??  Where did that tree that you fused with your friend even come from??  This all makes no 
                    sense!!

    Barin:     Meow meow MEOW!!

    Najen:     Barin brings up a good point.  Apul, you lived your entire life back on that island with Barin.  How 
                    in the world did you suddenly become some sort of undercover traitor working for this fool??

    Render:  Hey!  There's no need for name callin' here!

    Najen:     Shut up!  It's your fault this is happening!  You are the reason nothing makes sense anymore, so 
                    stop whining and start explaining.  And one more question before you get to it... what the hell 
                    happened to Dugo??

    Render:  Those are perfectly fair questions, my dear, and the answer is quite simple... what??  Tryn can 
                    walk??

Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora had a look of pure shock on his face as he pointed towards an area behind Najen/Barin.  Najen/Barin, confused, turned to see what he was pointing at.

    Najen:    What are you talking about?  There's nothing there...

Najen/Barin turned back around to find Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora and Rivers already well on their way out of the area.

    Rivers:   That was brilliant!  You sure got us out of one awkward situation there.

    Render:  What can I say?  That's part of my job.  Now we better be quick if we don't want her to catch up 
                    with us again.

Captain Thomas "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora and Rivers ran as fast as they could, but soon they met an obstacle in the road.  Dead center in the path ahead of them was a tree.  It wasn't a particularly large tree, but it presented a problem for the two.

    Render:  Damn!  Which way to we go now??

Chapter Eleven

    Random Passerby:  It's a tree... why the hell are they having problems deciding which way to go around it?

In the confusion to decide which way to go around the tree, Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora and Rivers split up and each went different directions around the tree.  Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora went to the right of the tree, and Rivers went to the left.  A few seconds later, Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora was on the other side of the tree waiting for Rivers, but when he looked back he noticed Rivers sprawled out on the ground.

    Render: HA!  I KNEW there was a forcefield on that side!

    Rivers:   Awhu.. then why didn't you tell me about it?

Rivers pulled himself up and went around the other side of the tree to meet Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora.

    Render: There are just some things a man has to figure out for himself.

    Rivers:   What?!  That's a horrible reason!

    Render: Oh well, there's no time to waste arguing about this; we'd best be on our way.

Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora and Rivers walked a short distance before the random passerby that had noticed them earlier appeared in front of their path.

    Random Passerby: d00d, why'd you fall down next to that tree?

    Rivers:                     There was a forcefield!

    Random Passerby: Lame.

    Render:                     So, Random Passerby, do you have a name?

    Random Passerby: But of course, my good man!  I am the Glorious Lord Eric, Grand Master Barbarian 
                                       Mage of the Third Cave of Hariant!

    Rivers:                       Uh...

    Render:                      His name's longer than mine...

    Rivers:                        Yeah it is, a whole lot longer.

    Render:                       Well that's not gonna work.  I'm the leader, I should have the longest name!

    Rivers:                         Let's change it to just "Eric", then.

    Render:                       Better yet, Enrique!

    Rivers:                         All right then.  Your new name is Enrique.

    Enrique:                       Cool.

    Rivers:                          While we're at it, I'd like to change my name.  I've been with the group a while and I 
                                          think i deserve a longer name.

    Render:                         All right then, as long as it's not half as long as mine.

    Rivers:                           It's not!  Call me... Rivers FUSION!

    Render & Enrique:       ........

    Rivers:                           C'mon!  'Cause of my fusion powers!

    Render:                          What ever you want.  Now, let's get going before that he/she giant cat thing catches 
                                            up with us.  You're part of the group now, Enrique; let's go.

    Enrique:                          w00!

The group, now with one more member, continues their flight from the angry Najen/Barin power duo.  A very short time later, they are stopped once again by a strange looking creature.

    Strange Creature: Hello travelers, might I interest you i...

    Render:                   No time, strange creature!  Come with us and we'll talk later.

Now with four members, including the addition of the strange creature, the group continues its trek.  An even shorter time later they are stopped once again, this time by a large stone wall.

    Render:                   Augh!  We don't have time for this!!  Get out of the way and we'll let you join us, large 
                                     stone wall.

    Large Stone Wall: Mmmmm... urrrrrrrrr... ohhkaaay yooomaahhhn... 

    Render:                   It's not "human", it's Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora.  I'll introduce everyone 
                                     later, let's go!

The group of five resumed the journey, and surprisingly were not slowed down at all by the addition of a large stone wall.  Despite that fact, they were stopped yet again shortly after, this time by none other than the two-headed wonderbeast Najenbarin.

    Najenbarin: So, I've finally caught up with you, meow!

    Render:       AAAAAHH!  DAMN IT ALL!  I'm just trying to get practically four feet from the damned cave to 
                         the ship and every two seconds I'm getting stopped by these RANDOM ENCOUNTERS!  And 
                         now she's caught up with us AGAIN!  How many times are we supposed to face her before 
                         she's gone for good?!

In a burst of anger, Captain "7-Eye" Render VI of Trelenodora threw down the controller in his hands, sending it crashing to the ground.

    Rivers:                   HEY!! That was mine you big jerk!

    Enrique:                d00d where'd you get a controller?

    Render:                 That's not important right now!  First we have to deal with Najenbarin AGAIN!

    Rivers:                   The left analog stick is all loose.. and it's got dirt all in it...

    Najenarin:              You won't get from meow this time, meow!

    Enrique:                 Uh.. what's goin' on with her?

    Render:                  Oh.. Rivers "Fusion" over there fused this girl with her boyfriend.. who happened to be a 
                                    cat at the time.

    Enrique:                  Freaky.

    Render:                  Tell me about it.

    Rivers:                    And these buttons stick every time you press 'em.. I have to keep hitting the side of it to 
                                    be able to come out so I can press 'em again... 

    Najearin:                 Meow!  Stop meowing side conversations and meow attention to MEOW!!

    Large Stone Wall: Thiiiis iiiiss noooo yoooo-maaahn... buuuut iiiisss  aaaaarrrohhgaaaahhnt liiiike aaaa 
                                     yoooooo-maaaahhn... Thee fyooooozhuuhhn  muuuhst beee truue.

    Strange Creature:  Yes, I suppose that one there lamenting the loss of that strange thing he's holding must 
                                     really have fusion powers... interesting...

    Rivers:                     The right side is all cracked open, too...

    Najerin:                    MEOW MEOW I'LL MEOW YOU!!

    Render:                    Ugh.. will you just sh....

Render froze in the middle of his sentence when he turned around to finally pay full attention to Najerin.  Apparently something strange was happening with the fusion, and the two heads were slowly being fused together.

    Najrin:        Meow are meow looking at, meow?!

    Everyone:  ...

    Najin:         Meow Meow me!!

    Everyone:  ...

    Nain:          MEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOW!!!! 

With that final meow, Nain seemingly exploded in a large burst of fire and smoke and leaves and dirt.  There was no change of anyone having their attention focused on something else at this point, and the group just stared wide-eyed at the explosion.

    Nain:  What in the world...

The group was confused at how Nain could have survived, and waited for the smoke to clear to see what had become of her.

    Render:  The smoke is clearing up... I think I can see something...

    Rivers:    This is completely useless now... you owe me a new one...

    Render:   I definitely see something now... what is i... HOLY CRAP!  It's ________!

Chapter Twelve

    Render:     Well, it sure did take a long time for the smoke to clear from that explosion.

    Rivers:      Feels like it's been two months since the explosion happened... I wonder what's taking so long.

    Enrique:   Damn lag.

    Jonathan: It actually cleared quite a while ago... where were you guys?

    Render:    Huh... Oh well.  Where's everyone else?

    Jonathan: I took a large stone wall, a strange creature, some generic looking person, this whiney emo kid, and his bitchy girlfriend back to 
                      the ship, and Barin, Najen, Apul, Naelroe, and Dugo are all waiting for you at the beach over there.

    Render:    Whiney emo kid?  Girlfriend?  Generic person?

    Rivers:      Oh yeah... you must be talking about Jordan and Liaunde... dunno about the generic guy, though.

    Render:    Jordan and Liaunde?  Friends of yours, Rivers?

    Rivers:      Sort of... I know them from high school.

    Render:    Alright then...

    Enrique:   What about the generic d00d?

    Jonathan: It's probably just another one of those people who decided that they want to be involved in our little story here, but then is too lazy 
                      to bother giving themselves any sort of flair or even the slightest bit of personality, so they just sit around and slow the entire story  
                      down.

    Rivers:      Why would someone do that if they weren't going to follow through, though?

    Jonathan: I'm not sure... It is pretty irritating, though.

    Enrique:   Ya man, it's lame.

    Render:    In any case, let's not worry about that right now, we have to go meet those five... wait five?!  Did you say Apul was there?!

    Jonathan: Yes I did, why?

    Render:     I thought you were Apul!

    Rivers:      No... I was just disguised as him.

    Render:    Well, I know that much, but I didn't think there was a real Apul.

    Rivers.      Oh... well, there is.

    Enrique:   Wild.

    Render:    Wasn't Naelroe on our side, too?  Or was that just another disguise?

    Rivers:     How the hell should I know?!  You're the one who went out and met her in the first place!

    Render:   Well, even if she was, I'm sure she's not too happy with us now.  You did turn her into a tree, after all.

    Rivers:     That was an accident and you know it!!

    Render:    It doesn't matter now... let's just go.  We need to take care of those people and get to a ship, andt hen we can sort out all of these 
                      new "mystery" crewmates we seem to have acquired.

    Jonathan: we could use another party member, though.  It wouldn't be the best to rush in there four against five.

    Render:    Ah... you're right.  Hey Enrique, aren't you a wizard or something?  Can't you summon up another ally or something?

    Enrique:   Sure, what do you want me to summon?

    Rivers:      Wait... why don't we just warp ourselves to the ship or something, and just leave them here waiting for us?

    Render:    Well, I suppose we could do that, but we aren't going to level up at all if we just run away from every battle.  And then what 
                      happens when we can't run away?  Huh?  Huh?  Huh??

    Rivers:      It was just a suggestion, jeez.

    Jonathan: Enrique, you'd better just get to the summoning.

    Enrique:    Ok.

Enrique began a summoning spell, and a cloud of red smoke began to form in front of him.

    Render:    Agh... Not more smoke.

    Rivers:      Yeah.. hopefully this wont' take months to dissipate.

    Jonathan: It's already gone... I don't see what your problem is with smoke.

    Render:   Oh... well... anyway...

    Enrique:   Done.

    Rivers:     What did you summon?

    ???:          He summoned me!

    Jonathan: A... vampire?

    ???:          You wouldn't think a frickin' minotaur would be surprised to see me.

    Render:    So what is your name, then?

    ???:          Dracula!!

    Render:    ...Dracula, eh?

    Rivers:    That's... pretty horrible.

    ???:         Why?  Hey wait... why didn't my ??? name change to Dracula??

    Render:   We are not calling you Dracula.

    ???:         Why not??  It's bad ass!!

    Enrique:   Ugh...

    Jonathan: Hey... you summoned him!

    Enrique:   Not my fault.

    Render:   Just pick something else, vampire.

    ???:         Ok, ok... how about... SEPHIROTH!!

    Render:   This is going nowhere...

    Rivers:     That's even worse.

    ???:         Ok, fine.  I'll choose a new name.

    Render:   No, you've lost your chance.  Your new name is n00b.

    n00b:       What?  No!  Hey, it changed!  Damn you!!

    Render:   No complaining.  Now, let's go.

The group of five walked toward the beach, where they ran into a familiar looking group of individuals.

    Barin:       I've been waiting a long time to get my revenge, Render.

    Apul:        And I've been waiting a long time to find out who's been impersonating me... This ends now, Rivers.

    Dugo:      And I've been waiting a long time to get another damned line in this nonsensical story.

    Naelroe:  And also, I have been waiting quite a long time to not be a tree anymore... and also to have my name back.

    Render:   So you are Tryn, then... Well nothing here is making much sense, now is it?

    Najen:      It's funny you should mention "nothing", because that's exactly what you're about to become!!

    n00b:       And you guys called me lame.

    Jonathan: I'm going to have to agree with n00b on this one... that was a pretty awful line.

    Rivers:      Yea... that was just terrible.

    Enrique:   Totally.

    Barin:        Enough talk!  Render, you're mine!

    Apul:          And I'm taking you out, Rivers!

    Naelroe:    I'll get... hmm... I guess...

    Jonathan: Yeah... Who are we supposed to fight here?

    n00b:        Well...

Chapter Thirteen

n00b: Jonathan vs. Naelroe

Enrique vs. Dugo

 n00b vs. Najen

Naelroe: So, Jonathan the Minotaur, eh?  I guess you get to be the unlucky one to first bear witness to my ultimate power!  They are going to 
have to call you Jonathan the DEAD Minotaur when I'm finished with you.

Narrator: Without a word, Jonathan took a few steps towards Naelroe, lifted his large right leg high into the air, and crushed her flat with a 
single stomp.

Rivers: Whoa... Hey... did we always have a narrator?

Render: Yeah, but he demanded to be credited from this episode on.

Narrator: And is that so wrong?!

Render: No, no, you deserve it.  

Enrique: Totally.

Narrator: Th-Thank you... Well then, back to the descriptions.  All of the other combatants quickly turned towards the sound of the mighty 
crash, and Barin and company gasped in horror when they realized what had happened.  Render and pals, however, just smiled 
knowingly, as if to say "Did you expect anything less from THE Jonathan the Minotaur?".

n00b: HA!!!!!!

Narrator: n00b shouted out while pointing towards the spot where Naelroe had met her untimely end.  Najen, infuriated by this cocky 
outburst, responded by quickly thrusting a knife into the throat of n00b.

Najen: Something funny?

Enrique: Ouch man, ouch.

Dugo: You would do well to pay less attention to other battles and focus on your own, Enrique!

Narrator: With that Dugo lunged at Enrique and thrust his sword directly towards Enrique's heart.  However, Dugo's sword came to a 
complete stop fractions of a second before piercing him.

Dugo: What?!

Narrator: Dugo looked on in horror as Enrique stood before him, holding a single finger on the tip of Dugo's sword.

Dugo: How... How in the hell?? How did you do that?!

Narrator: But Enrique did not answer him; he just continued to stand there with his finger on the blade.

Dugo: Answer me, dammit!  How did you stop me?!

Narrator: Enrique continued to stand there, staring directly at Dugo and not saying a word.

Dugo: Say something, damn you!!

Enrique: Moo.

Narrator: And with that, Enrique grabbed the sword by the blade and tore it form Dugo's hands.  He held the sword out to his side, and 
almost immediately it crumbled into dust.

Dugo: Oh, come on!  That's not even fair!  Najen, get your ass hover here and help me!

Najen: What do you expect me to do?!

Dugo: I expect you to move your damned legs and bring yourself over here and help me!

Narrator: Najen grudgingly relented, and made her way over to Dugo's side.

Dugo: Now you... monster.  I don't know what you are, but you won't take us down without a fight!

Render:  *sigh* Maybe if you actually read this story ever instead of just skimming through this particular issue with the sole purpose of 
finding something to complain about, you'd know what he is.

Rivers: Yeah, really.  He definitely told us exactly what he is the first time we met him.

Dugo: I wasn't even around when you first met!  Wasn't that during my extended mandatory "vacation"?

Render: Hm... was it?  Maybe.

Rivers: Yea, I remember it being nice and peaceful then... so he must not have been here.

Jonathan: Nice and peaceful?  That was when you were being chased by a mad kitten fusion monster!

Enrique: Good times.

Barin: I'm so sorry to interrupt, but in case you've forgotten, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BATTLE!

Apul: Ya!  We gotta kill deez fool sos we can gets back to da boat en DRINK!!

Najen: When did you become an idiot, Apul?

Rivers: Chapter 1.

Apul: SHUDUP!!

Render: ...Barin does have a point.  Enrique and Jonathan, why don't you finish those two off?

Jonathan & Enrique: Sure

Narrator: Jonathan and Enrique approached Najen and Dugo from opposite sides, forcing the two to face them back-to-back

Najen: Alright Dugo... I have a plan.

Narrator: Najen whispered her plan into Dugo's ear.  They then looked back and forth between Jonathan and Enrique, and without further hesitation, initiated the plan.  Dugo ran as fast as he could towards Jonathan, with Najen close behind him.  When they were close enough to him, Najen leapt up onto Dugo's shoulders.  Jonathan swung at the two with his mighty fist, but Dugo countered by quickly jumping up onto Jonathan's outstretched arm and then onto his shoulders.  Upon landing on Jonathan's shoulders, Dugo jumped again, this time backwards as high as he could go.  At the highest point of the jump, Najen leapt off of Dugo's shoulders and went flying feet first directly towards Enrique.  Neither Jonathan nor Enrique had expected such a feat of acrobatics, and Enrique had not expected an attack at all, since they had both charged Jonathan, so he was unable to react in time.  Najen came crashing down with both feet hitting Enrique directly in the face.

Rivers: *wince* ... that looked painful.

 Narrator: Najen landed and made her way back over to Dugo, where they both resumed their back-to-back position.  Enrique was still standing in the exact position he was before the kick, but the force had knocked his head back.  He continued to look at the sky for a moment, impressed that they had actually been able to pull something like that off, but after a few more seconds he brought his head down and looked directly at Najen.

Enrique: Nice.

Narrator: Enrique