Back at the Dark Dreams Gaxy, Antoinette is being held prisoner inside a cell. Right now, she appears to be sleeping peacefully and she is not harmed. Lying in her bed, the Necromutants view her in her cell.

  "This human is sleeping like a beauty." Fozoworu said. "A perfect capture for the taking."

  "Wiping out the poor Kingdom was a success, your grace." Echrezar said.

  "It is indeed." Fozoworu nodded. "However, Hazon told me that the Emissary refused to give up the gem that she now possesses. Why is that?"

  "It appears the Emissary of Light needs to find the seven remaining gems out there." Echrezar said. "Her mission has not been fulfilled and it would be too early for us to simply take just one gem."

  "The big question is how she managed to find the first gem?" Fozoworu asked. "There must be a guidance of some sort that is leading her the way to the gems."

  "No idea." Echrezar shakes his head.

  "We need to find out more about this." Fozoworu said. "We do have our Bck Death being a spy towards the Emissary."

  "Right, your grace." Echrezar said. "We indeed have her watching that girl."

  "Hmmm..." Fozoworu turned away and takes some steps. Then he said, "One of these days I will confront that Emissary..."

  Echrezar said nothing and sees Fozoworu leaving the area. The Necromutant turned back to see Antoinette. Their prisoner is still lying-in bed. Then, Echrezar walked off.

  Shokei and her party have returned to Itaea. Arriving back from a long trek, the party made it back to Kichiro's house. There, the party sees Lei inside reading a book as she rexes on the couch.

  "Hey! We're home!" Kichiro said to Lei. "Everything looks ok here?"

  "Why of course!" Lei replied. She maintains her innocence as if she never left. "Nothing's happening here. Well...it was kind of boring, but I did go out in the town for a bit."

  "Gd to hear that." Kichiro said.

  "Funny how you weren't bored just because you had to stay here." Beatrice said to her.

  "REI!!" Lei cheerfully said out loud and goes over to her to give her a hug. "Ohhh, you returned as well!!"

  "Ehhhh?!" Rei felt the hug and got confused by the sudden movement.

  Beatrice, Marie, and Saeko giggled as they all look to see Rei's "guest" gave her a hug. Rei blushed in embarrassment by the action Lei did to her. Instead of brushing away the hug, she submitted to it.

  "Oh Rei, I missed you so much!" Lei said looking up at her. "I was thinking about you and hoped that you returned."

  "Ummm...yeah..." Rei said with a bit of embarrassment. She looks at Lei's face. "Yes, it was quite a long trip. Although we have encountered through obstacles in our way."

  "At least you're back here in one piece." Lei said.

  Rei turns back to Shokei. Shokei stood there as if she has nothing else to say to her. She shrugged and Rei shakes her head, not knowing what else to do.

  Something's off about this girl..., Shokei thought. Her behavior is concerning me...

  "Oh, by the way..." Kichiro asked Shokei. "Who's the new guy that you brought along here?"

  Shokei pipes up and see Kichiro pointing at the new traveler they met from Forest Valley.

  "Oh yes! I forgot to introduce you to him." Shokei said. "Kichiro, everyone...meet Ferron."

  All of Shokei's party members looked at him and Ferron can see that they are all stares towards him.

  "Ok..." Ferron said, scratching his head but waved to everyone. "This is bad...heh heh."

  "We met Ferron during our mission to the mountains." Marie said. "He was a big help during our time at the temple."

  "I see." Kichiro said. "Then again, you're welcome in my house. Make yourself comfortable."

  "Gee thanks!" Ferron nodded.

  "Hmmm," Saeko whispers to Sadako. "He's a bit shy but bulky. He was helpful on that journey, was he?"

  "Of course." Sadako replied. "But he seemed shy around us. I'm sure he will make a great fit with us."

  "I see...I wouldn't mind the hotness for someone that's bulky." Saeko said.

  "Really?" Sadako asked, giving her a sly look. "Don't press your luck."

  "Hehe, I'm kidding." Saeko joked. "Anyways, we should warm up to him just in case."

  "...if you say so..." Sadako said, shaking her head.

  Later, Shokei looks back at the gem that she has obtained, which is the Fire Gem. With one of the seven gems in her possession, she gnces at it. Then, her room door opens, and she looks up to see Kichiro coming in the room.

  "Oh, what's up?" Shokei said to him.

  "Nothing much," Kichiro replied. "Say, you want to meet my friend again?"

  "The one that lives in some mansion-like house?" Shokei asked.

  "Yep." Kichiro nodded. "It's been a few days since we left here, so he should be back by now."

  "Ok." Shokei said and puts the gem away. "Let's meet him."

  Together, the two left the house and they are heading to Kichiro's friend's house. When they arrived, they notice that the gates are opened.

  "Oh! That means he's home now." Kichiro said.

  Shokei and Kichiro walk up to the front door of the house. Kichiro knocked on the door to find out if his friend is avaible. The door opens, and Shokei can see someone standing at the door. The appearance is a middle-aged man donned in gsses and an outfit resembling more of a scientist attire. His grey eyes are narrow, and his build is median length, straight white hair.

  "Kichiro!" the man said. "Haven't seen you for a while."

  "Hey!" Kichiro greets the man with a handshake.

  "And it looks like I have a visitor." The man notices Shokei behind him.

  "Yep." Kichiro said. "Shokei, this is my friend Nobuatsu."

  "Nice to meet you." Nobuatsu greeted Shokei with a handshake.

  "Yes." Shokei nodded, shaking his hand back.

  "It's nice to have company over." Nobuatsu said. "Come on in."

  Steeping inside, Shokei looks around the pce. Nobuatsu's pce is big in scientology and astrology. In the center of the room looks like a projection of three pnets. There are books that deal with the study of Astronomy and other science reted material. Shokei then turns her attention to a wall and then she sees a map of Nolea and all the continents to its cities and areas.

  Shokei continues her little tour around Nobuatsu's mansion. Going upstairs, she sees more things reting to Astronomy. Walking into a room, Shokei looks up at the ceiling and sees a consteltion of stars that are around in a circle. Shokei finds it amusing to her eyes and sees that the stars are shining softly above.

  Interesting...wonder if Rei would be amazed by all this..., Shokei thought.

  "Shokei?"

  Shokei's thoughts were interrupted and turns to see Nobuatsu calling out to her.

  "Oh hi..." Shokei said, blinking.

  "What do you think?" Nobuatsu asked her.

  "Your pce is amazing." Shokei replied. "Lots of things that rete to space and mostly scientific resources."

  "Why yes, I am heavily focused on these materials as you can tell, thanks to my own study and research." Nobuatsu said.

  "It seems so." Shokei said.

  "Now then...," Nobuatsu said. "Kichiro said that you have something to show me."

  "Oh right!" Shokei remembers.

  Shokei takes out the map that's marked with the symbol in it. She hands the map to Nobuatsu.

  "Here." Shokei points out the location of the gem's location. "I am curious what kind of pce this is? I know it's a Necropolis, but..."

  "Let's see here..." Nobuatsu said, viewing the map up close. "Odd...what's this weird mark doing on this map I must ask?"

  "That symbol indicates the location of a gem that is hidden there." Shokei said to him. "This map is not ordinary as it appears to be ancient."

  "Really?" Nobuatsu asked. "And I am curious what kind of gem are you really looking for?"

  Shokei takes out the Fire Gem and shows it to the Astrologer. Nobuatsu eyes on the gem that is glowing softly. Looking at the Gem, his face appears amused and in awe of the gem as it glows inside.

  "Impressive, child." Nobuatsu said and asked. "How did you obtain this?"

  "I obtained it by killing one of the monsters that have this gem in its possession." Shokei replied.

  "I see..." Nobuatsu said, giving the gem back to her. "I believe that you, child, have sin one of the guardians that holds this type of gem in particur."

  "Huh?" Shokei said with a surprised look and asked. "Do you know something about this?"

  Nobuatsu walks up to a window and then he responded, "Yes..."

  "You must be kidding me." Shokei said. "I'm sure you are familiar with the Dark Age era. Tell me if you have any knowledge about this."

  "I'll tell you one secret." Nobuatsu said to her. "As long as you don't mention this to anyone, but it is a secret that you won't believe."

  "I won't tell." Shokei promised. "You can trust me."

  Nobuatsu remained silent for a minute. Shokei waits for his response.

  "I...am a survivor from the Dark Age era." Nobuatsu tells her.

  Shokei blinked in surprise.

  "Yes..." Nobuatsu continued. "You would think that I am lying, but I am being truthful to my own words. Perhaps you should listen to my side of the story."

  "Sure..." Shokei said, doing her best not to get excited.

  "At the time of the Dark Age era, war has broken out in this town years ago when darkness ruled over here as a vilge." Nobuatsu expined. "I can clearly remember how many lives were lost during those horrific wars that took pce back then. I am the fifth generation of the name Nobuatsu as I have lived in a timeless century for which I cannot reveal as Astrologer."

  Shokei opens her mouth but closed it to listen to him.

  "In my studies from the past," Nobuatsu continued. "There was one pnet that lies in the Gaxy Forest called Du-Mek. The pnet is surrounded by darkness to this day as it caused a disaster on Nolea and second pnet, Zibato. Throughout my own notes and my observations, there appears to be a source of an evil and rotten within the pnet. The dark forces that ruled Du-Mek is the source of creating powerful creatures and causing havoc on humanity and nature. I have heard legends that had ruled the continents and drained energy out of the areas that are making resources dry. On that day, these legends are known to be guardians. The guardians are the responsible source for doing more harm and sucking up life's resources. Then came a time when one hero fought against the guardians from past centuries ago. My memory was not clear enough, but I recalled him defeating "The Creator" from Du-Mek, sealing an end to his wicked deeds."

  Once Nobuatsu expined his brief past, he looks at the Fire Gem in Shokei's hands.

  "Now, the new era that you are in at this time marks a new generation of dark forces." Nobuatsu continued. "This new force has risen, and I fear that your enemies are attempting to destroy both pnets that are in danger of being succumb to darkness. Looking back on that map, your objective is simply to go southwest to the sandy continent of Danevana to continue your journey."

  "I see," Shokei said and asked. "How do I get there?"

  "You must go to the town of Egesul." Nobuatsu replied. "There, you must depart on a ship that will help you with your travels."

  "Right." Shokei nodded.

  After leaving Nobuatsu's home mansion, Shokei meets up with Kichiro and together they are walking back to their spot.

  "I wasn't there during your talk with my friend." Kichiro said.

  "No worries." Shokei said to him. "I didn't see you inside, but you were outside waiting for me I guess."

  "Yeah, I thought you just wanted to talk to him privately." Kichiro said and asked. "Did you get the information you needed?"

  "We need to get to Egesul and aboard a ship to get to the continent of Danevana." Shokei replied.

  "I see..." Kichiro said, thinking about something.

  "What?" Shokei asked.

  "Rather than heading to Egesul, why not use Rei's ship instead?" Kichiro suggested.

  "Great idea!" Shokei said in agreement. "But...oh man, the ship is stranded at Malluraea. I hope Rei didn't forget about her ship."

  "We should remind her about her ship." Kichiro said.

  "Absolutely." Shokei said.

  From walking, the two returned at the house. They noticed that Rei is not there.

  "She's not here." Kichiro said.

  "Looks like it." Shokei said. "Same with the others, including Lei. I guess they all want to hang around in the town."

  "Don't worry about it." Kichiro said. "You can ask her ter when she comes back."

  "You're right." Shokei said, yawning. "I feel sleepy...I need to get some rest."

  "I don't bme you if you're tired." Kichiro said. "Suit yourself."

  "Thanks." Shokei said.

  Shokei returns to her guest room and closes the door. She goes over to her bed and tucks in to fall asleep.

  During this time, Rei is hanging out with Lei in one of the town's taverns. Lei is spending quality time with Rei as she is showing interest towards her.

  "So, Rei," Lei said as she sips a drink. "Tell me more about yourself."

  "Really?" Rei said, unsure why Lei would say that but insisted. "Ok. I'll say it."

  Lei listens to her.

  "First off, I can be a nice person as times," Rei said to her. "But I can go paranoid if someone tries to give me an attitude. I have no parents when I was growing up and my past...how should I say it... its quite fuzzy."

  "Fuzzy?" Lei asked, slightly confused. "What does that mean?"

  "Since you're interested, I'll tell you...," Rei begins. "Growing up was rough to begin with. I mean, really, rough that me and Shokei went through in a past life, but that's a very long story. Back then, I was a nobody at first. All this time being made fun of, had to face issues toying with my life, it was not easy. As I got older, I get into fights. Real fights in case you're wondering. My first fight was some sick joke trying to flirt with me. Things went ugly as he got violent, and I had to beat the crap out of him."

  "Woah...you must be strong enough to fight a creep." Lei said, blinked.

  "I sure did." Rei said, nodded with a smile. "He deserved it though."

  Lei giggled.

  "I guess you can find it funny," Rei said. "But as I progress further in life, I got even stronger in terms of more fist fights. I became powerful that I cannot tell what lies within my strength. Then, I was part of a guild for a period of time...until I found my own guild for which I call them my true friends."

  "That's cool." Lei said to her. "At least you have comrades that'll look out for you."

  "Pretty much...heh, other than the new allies we have, I knew my older buddies a long time ago." Rei said.

  "Hmm...that reminds me..." Lei said and thinks for a quick second. "Have you..."

  Rei waits for what Lei is about to ask her.

  "Have you ever had a significant other?" Lei asked personally.

  "Who? Me?" Rei replied, pointing at herself. "Psh! I never had a boyfriend to begin with. That there is absurd."

  "Ah...well, hope I didn't go too far into asking such question." Lei said, moving her eyes on one side.

  "I should tell you though that I had a partner before," Rei tells her. "But something happened. And...it was just..."

  "Just what?" Lei asked. "Did she do you any wrong?"

  "You're always asking questions huh?" Rei asked, eyeing directly at her.

  "Uhhh..." Lei felt uncomfortable when Rei gave her the look.

  "No need to behave like that." Rei goes on. "Anyways, back then, I had a partner that was with me for some time. Unfortunately, a tragic moment happened to her...and its something that I'll never forgive what those hooligans have done to her."

  "Oh my, that's terrible." Lei said with an unhappy look.

  "It truly is." Rei said, bringing her head down. "I recalled caring for her and what she has done for me. I...just can't imagine what those brutes have done to her."

  Lei hears this and nods.

  "And if you think that's not much to the story..." Rei clears her throat and tells her. "I recalled the day when I heard that her attackers were murdered tragically."

  "...wow..." Lei said as she hears the tragedy.

  "The murders were gruesome, if I recalled." Rei said. "I remember that there were those out there that did not approve of me being with my partner. I know that it may sound strange, but I did not care what anyone thinks. I remember being there for her and all, but to see her corpse in front of me..."

  Rei sighed as she paused for a minute. Then, she looks up to Lei.

  "Either way, I really don't want to go too deep in my past." Rei said to her, trying to forget the conversation. "It's been a long time back in my days growing up and I rather move on with life than seeing the past."

  "That's fine by me." Lei said, sipping on her drink. Rei did the same as she takes a sip of hers.

  "Ahh," Rei puts her gss down and asked. "So, tell me about yourself."

  "Who me?" Lei said with a surprised look on her face.

  "Of course." Rei replied. "And you don't have to be surprised at all."

  "All right," Lei said, taking a breath and looks at Rei. "If you remember, I am from the faraway pnet, Du-Mek. I told you and your allies about this."

  "Right, regarding on what you said before, I have no idea that there's life that exists on the pnet after all." Rei recalled. "By the way, you're not making this up are you?"

  "No." Lei shakes her head. "Why would I make things up? You want to pinch me if you think I'm lying to you?"

  "No, not even..." Rei replied. "But looking at your outfit, you're much different from other people around here."

  "Yes, heh heh, I sure do." Lei nodded and continued. "I was born and raised in a Kingdom called Ugygas. I remember my world over there. It used to be a big popution, but due to Du-Mek being covered in darkness, there's hardly any life forms now on the pnet."

  "I take that your homend must be fancy." Rei guessed.

  "Oh yes, it was." Lei said. "Now...it's...it's just covered in darkness."

  "I see." Rei said.

  "I... I don't remember my past very well...," Lei said, looking down. "I don't think my memory would come up with anything that I would recall when I was young."

  "Really? That's fine." Rei said, finishing off her drink.

  "My mind feels stumped from all this talking." Lei said and sighed. "I need another drink so that we can talk more for a while longer."

  "Sure, not a problem." Rei said.

  Lei takes her time to take a sip on her drink.

  This girl is weird...is she really a human from Du-Mek or not? She appears strange to me, but I can never talk about her personality... Rei thought.