"Mjoinir MountainsMidgards greatest mountain range." Theodoric spoke thoughtfully as he surveyed the majestic peak just across the horizon.  "Inhabited by only-God-knows-what, but youd have to plunge into it to get to Glast Heim, Geffen and Al de Baran."

"The last I went there is when I was pepping myself up to be a Hunter." Signy laughed.  "And that wasfive years ago. I dont remember the roads well as I used to be."

Sibyl was pining away, looking extremely sulky.  "Do we really have to leave civilization behind? I meanif we go in those mountains therell be less people! Who am I going to Steal from? Its so boring!"

"You have no choice, mate." Altair tapped her on the shoulder.  "Mjoinir might be home to very few travelers, but rare items are all found there. I remember getting hold of an extremely rare Apple o Archer there when I was still a Novice."

Sibyl grumbled, looking less than pleased.

Nerva soon joined the group. He had a bulging backpack slung to his right shoulder. Altair was glad to see he was using the headset he gave him. Sibyl straightened up.

"Hey, you look good without your cape." She said, flashing her most flirtatious smile.  "And that skull on your shoulders great as well."

Nerva flashed his yellow eyes on her briefly but didnt say anything. Theodoric guffawed very loudly, his hands on his belly. Sibyl threw him a dirty look.

"See, I told you!" Theodoric winked at her.  "Im just waiting at the other side of the road, baby."

"Where is Wealthow?" Signy asked.  "And whats taking her so long?"

"The archbishop summoned her this morning." Altair replied as he checked his things.  "But dont worry, it wont take long now."

Signy looked around. People were busy moving around. Everyone was doing something. The capital city of Prontera was being rebuilt. It was nice to see the people having such unity at a time like this. In no time at all, perhaps when they finish their task, Prontera would be back to being the marvel that it was before the siege.

"Bugger, Im really excited you know!" Altair told them.  "Ive never been this jumpy before!"

A group of Novices who had been watching them for some time now finally plucked up the courage to approach.

"Excuse me, could we bother you for a minute?" said the blushing green-haired boy who led the group.

Nerva, Theodoric, Signy, Sibyl and Altair looked at each other, puzzled.

"Erhmsure, why not?" Altair smiled.

A pigtailed Novice stepped forward.  "Are you really The Firnheild? You guys?"

"Err, yes, you could say that." Altair nodded, wondering what would happen next.

The Novices murmured and exchanged looks of deep awe and amazement. The green-haired boy puffed up his chest and looked at Theodoric.

"Im going to be a Knight someday, sir!" he said.  "And Ill follow your footsteps! Im going to uphold justice just like you do!"

Signy, Sibyl and Altair looked at each other, blinked, and then burst into a hysterical laughter.

"Theodoric, can you believe it? He doesnt know how dumb you are!" Sibyl roared.

"I cant believe it! Theodoric upholds justice?" Signy snorted.  "That has got to be the worst compliment I have heard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Oh Bugger!" Altair choked.  "Bugger, my stomach hurts! Bugger!"

Nerva shook his head. Two of the Novices approached him hopefully. He gave them a small but sincere smile.

"We plan to be Mages, sir." The boy said.  "This is my sister Kiara. We want to be a great Wizard like you. Can you give us an advice?"

Nerva paused for a while.  "Dont be so nice. The world is full of evil. If you are too good youll be abused. Sometimes you will need to fight violence with violence. Never lose your courage."

The two Novices looked at each other.

"Are you Kay Stonewall?" the girl asked.

"Unfortunately, no." Nerva answered.  "The guy youre referring to is dead. My name is Nerva alThor."

"The legendary Nerva alThor of Geffen?" the girl repeated.

Theodoric grinned and had an arm around Nervas shoulders.  "Yep, no one else!"

The boy and girl didnt know whether they ought to be frightened or astounded.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Wealthow panted as she came to a stop before them.  "The archbishop had me in some thingsIm sorry Im late"

"Thats okay." Signy smiled.  "Catch your breath."

Wealthow straightened up and was surprised at the crowd of Novices around them.

"Where are you guys going?" asked another Novice.

"Mjoinir mountains." Altair grinned.  "And we bet we wont be seen for a while."

The Novices looked disappointed. Theodoric put on his plumed helmet and mounted his Peco-peco. Altair swung his massive hammer and set it on his shoulder. Signy whistled and Odin came out of nowhere, perching himself on her shoulder. Sibyl finally put on her veil to announce she was ready. Nerva stood waiting, his cape clutched in his left hand. Wealthow looked around at the Novices.

"Before we go I would like to bless you all." She said.  "Aspersio!"

"Aspersio?" Theodoric raised a perfect eyebrow.  "How lucky you kids are. Wealthow has never given us much even of a Magnificat."

Altair laughed.  "Or maybe a BS Sacramenti."

"You dont deserve any of the sort." Wealthow replied satirically.  "I wouldn't waste my Mana for worthless fools whore condemned to hell."

Signy hoisted her shoulder bag in place.  "I see were ready. See you!"

Firnheild left Prontera for Mjoinir Mountains to continue on with their task. The Novices watched them leave until they were long gone into the horizon.

So far, the journey toward the foot of the mountain range was still peaceful. In Theodorics standards, they havent met much trouble yet. Goblins, Mandragoras, Dustiness, Argos and Savage werent problems yet.

When afternoon came, Firnheild was up by the gentler slopes of Mjoinir. It would then take them some four more days to reach Al de Baran. The men set up their camp in a clearing while the women prepared food. It was a tiring day.

"Ugh, what is this?" Altair grimaced as he spewed up what Wealthow served him as ragout.  "Seriously, do you people know what REAL ragout tastes like? Eewbugger, I think Ill have diarrhea next"

Signy frowned deeply.  "For your information I cooked that."

Theodoric, who was just about to swallow his first mouthful, changed his mind and spat the contents back into the bowl.

"What is wrong with you, people?" Signy stood up, fuming.  "Nothings wrong with my ragout!"

"Yeah, nothings wrong except the taste, yeah." Theodoric added helpfully.

Signy picked up her shoulder bag and whacked it into Theodorics face. The loud clank from it confirmed ankle traps and snares. Altair Thorne stood up and rolled his sleeves.

"Ill show you what REAL ragout tastes like." He said.  "Wait there."

Altair went over to the cooking pot and carelessly threw the contents away.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Signy shrieked.  "I COOKED THAT!"

But Altair just waved a gloved hand impatiently and started chopping up new vegetables and another fresh slice of meat. Wealthow watched him with a smile playing on her gentle lips.

"Lets see how Albertans excel in gourmet, shall we?" she grinned.

"Youd be forgetting who you are after you sample my dish." Altair said proudly.  "Im not just a Blacksmith, but also a Chef!"

At this, Signy frowned even deeper and stuck her tongue out at Altair.

"Ive just noticed" said Theodoric, looking around.  "Where the heck is Sibyl?"

Wealthow looked up.  "What? Ohnow thats a mysteryshe was here a minute ago"

"And Nervy?" Altair asked.

"He said hed go bathe in a nearby river." Wealthow replied as she returned to her Bible.

Altair and Signy caught each others eye.

"I smell danger." Signy tried to hide a laugh.  "Dont you, Altair?"

"NoIm smelling something worse, if thats what you mean." The Blacksmith smiled mischievously.  "Something a lot moredeeper"

Theodoric stood up.  "Now look herewhat does Nerva have that I dont? I mean, Im a lot more handsome, you knowand I definitely know how to SMILE"

"Well, the fact that Nerva has BRAINS and that he isnt reckless like a monkey with a club" Signy spoke in a voice of mock concern.

"I have brains!" Theodoric protested.  "And most definitely Im not a monkey with a club!"

Altair giggled shrilly as he dropped the vegetables into the simmering pot.  "Ah, nowmaybe its in the face"

"I am not starved-looking!" Theodoric burst out, puffing out his cheeks.  "See? Im not thin!"

Wealthow shut her bible.  "Or maybebecause Nerva isnt a perverted lunatic?"

"Bugger, thats it!" said Altair, waving a long ladle.  "Thats the answer!"

"And" Signy added importantly.  "Nerva doesnt spend his time stealing panties."

"Unlike someone else we know, definitely not." Altair went on nastily.

Wealthow made the sign of the cross.  "May the Lord our God forgive him."

Theodoric went very red in the face. He looked so ridiculous that Wealthow, Signy and Altair were soon laughing their heads off. The ragout was forgotten, and when Altair remembered it, all the soup dried up and the vegetables became too soggy to be eaten and the meat was reduced to bits. It was his turn to suffer Signys ridicule.

Sibyl was edging carefully, trying her best to keep herself hidden behind the rosebushes. In Midgard it was very uncommon for girls to chase after boys, but Sibyl was an uncommon girl so her ways would count uncommon as well. She couldnt bear Nerva failing to notice her even though she was very, very pretty; it also seemed an insult because she had many suitors, and now that she found Mr. Right he wouldnt even get near her.

Sibyl crouched low and made a hole in the bush. She smilednow this is a clear view; she only needed to find Nerva.

"Ooh, there he is!" Sibyl squeaked excitedly as she spotted him.  "Now thats what I callhot."

Nerva was in the waist-deep water rinsing himself. He had his back facing her, so that Sibyl could see the fifteen-inch scar etched into his fine skin. Sibyl wondered where he got it; did he perhaps obtain in Byalan Island? Anyway, with scar or not, Nerva still had something to be proud of. She was itching to go feel his arms, but she knew it was too dangerous

"Hee hee hee hee" Sibyl cackled.  "Can I join you in the water, Nerva?"

There was a loud crack. Sibyls heart seemed to stop when she saw she stepped on a dried twig. Her eyes snapped back to Nerva, and she saw he stopped dead, listening. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest.

"Whatdoidowhatdoidowhatdoidowhatdoido?!?" she muttered nervously. "AhI know! Hiding!"

Nerva turned around, yellow eyes surveying the thick clump of rosebushes by the shore. He rose from the water and magicked himself into his clothes. Still keeping sharp eyes on the thick bush he pushed the wet hair out of his eyes. He withdrew a stiletto from his belt.

"It turns out" Nerva spoke as he walked toward the bush in careful treads.  "That somebody is clearly enjoying to see me take my bath."

Sibyl shut her eyes and started to pray frantically.

"I do not like sneaks." Nerva went on.  "I hate sneaks so much I freeze them alive and burn them to the tiniest atom."

He paused and then added,  "Especially when theyre spying on my private moments."

Nerva shifted his gaze on the yew tree a few inches behind the rosebush. He raised his right hand and threw the stiletto straight at the tree. Like magic, Sibyl materialized out of the tree, the stiletto missing her left ear by five centimeters. Nerva lifted a perfect eyebrow.

"And what are you doing here, Sibyl?" he asked in a steely voice that she did not like.

Sibyl sighed and stepped out of the bushes. She walked up to him so close that their faces were just inches apart. Once again her flirtatious smile was in place.

"I was watching you." She said.  "You know I like youIm pretty and youre handsome"

She reached out, and when he did not move she laid her index finger on his right shoulder. Still smiling even though nervous she ran her finger down his arm.

Nerva still did not react. She cleared her throat and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Can I kiss you, Nerva?" she whispered.

Still there was no answer. Taking that for a yes, Sibyl stood on tiptoe and went nearer.

"Go on" Nerva said.  "Nearer you get"

Sibyl thought he was referring to her. But just as when her lips were just and inch away, Nerva whipped out his Mighty Staff and pushed her away. She fell into the bushes with a shriek.

"Whispers." Nerva narrowed his eyes into slits, surveying the five Whispers who popped out of nowhere behind Sibyl.

The ghosts fixed on him their blind stare and floated to attack.

"SOUL STRIKE!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Theodorics heart nearly leaped out of his mouth. He, Altair, Signy and Wealthow jumped to their feet as Sibyl came crashing out of the woods, her eyes huge as dinner plates. Altair was just about to ask what was going on when Nerva came catapulting after Sibyl and slammed into the ground.

"Bugger, what the hell?" Altair managed to spit out.

Twenty Whispers came soaring out of the woods. Nerva was fast on his feet, Mighty Staff ready. The ghosts paused for a moment before gliding to attack.

"SIGNUM CRUSIS!" Wealthow shouted.

The nearest approaching Whisper exploded in a puff of smoke. Wealthow faced the other ones, Mace ready.  "SIGNUM CRUSIS!"

Altair, Signy and Sibyl had no choice but to retreat. Theodoric rushed forward on his Peco-peco, lance ready.

"SPEAR BOOMERANG!"

One of the Whispers fell back. It then went for Theodoric next.

"Uh-oh" said the Knight, pulling his Peco-pecos harness quickly.  "RUN!"

The Peco-peco responded and dashed to where Altair and the others were. Nerva and Wealthow were left alone, cornered by twelve more ghosts.

"Weve got to help them!" Signy said urgently.  "They cannot kill those alone!"

"And what attack, do you suppose, will work on Whispers?" Altair countered.  "Do you think my Research Oridecon will kill them? Or maybe my Hammerfall?"

"My poisons wont work, Im telling you." Sibyl shivered.  "How about your Double Strafe, Signy?"

Signy shook her head.  "What? My arrows will just go through their bodies!"

"Theodoric, help them!" said Altair, pulling on the Knights cape.  "Your Spear Boomerang worked!"

"No way! Im afraid of ghosts!" Theodoric refused.

"Are you a Knight or what?" Altair spat.

Theodoric cast a nervous look. He saw Nerva grab a branch above his head and flip off from the ground. Nerva then casted another Soul Strike before jumping back down to the ground. Wealthow was using her Demonbane and Signum Crusis, but still, the Whispers were closing in on them.

Knight as he was, Theodoric summoned all his courage and charged.  "SPEAR BOOMERANG!"

"Oh I hope theyll manage." Signy sighed.

Nerva and Wealthow cast their final spells, and with Theodorics assistance the last of the ghosts vanished. Wealthow dropped to a sitting position on the grass, breathing heavily.

"You okay, Wealthow?" Signy asked.  "You need anything? Grape? Blue Herb?"

Wealthow waved a hand to say she was okay, merely catching her breath.

"Where the hell did those freaky things come from?" Sibyl shuddered.

"Summoned." Nerva replied.  "A Mage or Wizard summoned thembut he discovered he called forth too many. I do hope whoever summoned those ghosts are all right."

"Bugger, I dont think this place would make a good sleeping ground." Altair added.  "Who knows what else might leap on at us?"

"Ill stay up as a guard." Nerva volunteered.  "Ive been asleep for five years, so I think Id be suitable for the job."

Theodorics eyebrows shot up.  "What? Youre kidding! Look at you; Ive never seen anyone unhealthy as you are! Ill stay up instead!"

"Never mind it." Wealthow said, finally regaining her breath.  "You sure its okay for you to stay up all night, Nerva?"

Nerva nodded.

"So be it then." the Priestess stood up.  "Lets fix the tentswe smashed it"

Stars twinkled bright, looking like rivulets of milk dropped against the black cloth of the night. The moon was full and glaring, challenging all creatures and travelers alike to journey under its guiding light. Somewhere a Wolf was howling, announcing a successful hunt to his pack. Cicadas hummed softly and drowsily in the darkened blades of grass.

Nerva was reclining comfortably atop the strong branch of a yew tree just above the tents of his comrades. His headset blared the song Numb into his ears. Hed wrapped his cloak around him to keep himself warm. His eyes were staring blandly at the full moon.

Every now and then he would remove his headset and listen. When assured there was no danger hed put them back on again and continue listening to the endless and repetitive chain of songs. He let the gentle moonlight play over his face.

He stared into the moon for hours, allowing it to draw him deep into a trance. He was sinking lowerlower

Lower

Lower

Lower

An invisible force swept through all of Midgard. Nerva felt its impact like the sudden slap of a breeze in his face. He straightened up, his mouth hanging open, looking around for the source. It came from Geffen. He was not sure but he knew the direction of Geffen.

"Agh!"

His chest tightened for no reason at all. White-hot pain erupted from his chest and coursed through his body. The thing in himthe thing that the Shadow left behind after assailing his bodywas coming back to life. It was starting to move in him once more.

Nerva lost his balance and crashed to the soil just beside Theodoric and Altairs tent. His hands were clawing his chest as he gasped for breath, writhing and twisting with pain on the ground. He could feel it awakening, struggling against him.

He couldnt breathe.

He couldnt see

He felt deep pain stabbing every inch of his skin.

Nerva resisted the urge to scream by biting down his lip. Blood trickled down his chin. Tears started to leak from his unseeing eyes. He needed air. He desperately needed air!

He started to crawl away from their camp. The last thing he needed was to wake everyone up and disturb their sleep. He had to go somewhere; somewhere he can scream.

He inched on the grass like a worm, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The thing in him was struggling, struggling with all its might, and it was causing his pain.

Nerva came upon the same river he bathed in earlier that day. He stopped just beside the water.

Couldnt anyone stop the pain? Anyone?

And then it stopped. Nerva wheeled around, his face up at the shady canopy of trees. It was awake now, the creature in him. He could feel it beating alongside his heart. It was alive again. And it meant danger.

"Its back." Nerva sighed.  "Its walking Midgard again"

The Shadow was let loose once more.