It was dark. Dark and musty from lack of sunlight. No place anybody would find appealing. Certainly no normal person that is.

A man in large, broken armor sat alone at a table in front of a chess board, chortling to himself as he thought.

Another man, shorter yet slimmer with long grey hair walked into the room quietly to report.

“Everything is set. The plans have all been achieved and the information has been found.” he said with a small bow to the other man.

“Good,” chuckled the other. “Now all that’s left is to make our move.”

He picked up a simple pawn in his hand. “Soon we shall send the army and step one will be complete.”

“When shall we send them?” the slim man asked.

“Tomorrow at nightfall. When they are all asleep.”

The bigger man got up from his seat and walked to the wall where battle plans and writing replaced its dark grey paint. He analyzed the data for a few moments before speaking up again.

“Those two will pay for what they did to us!” The man exclaimed, crushing the silver pawn in his large hand. “And we will make them pay slowly!”

The slimmer man laughed chaotically. “Yes. Both for recently and for thirteen years ago!”

The crushed dust from the pawn slowly fell from the taller man’s fist as he unclenched it.

“They will be surprised to see us not only alive. . .but stronger!” He walked away from the wall and back to the table. “They will be surprised to see me, Vaclav!”

“And Solon!” the slimmer one said laughing.

“I may have failed the first time, but this time I will make sure to take control of the other kingdoms. And this time without the Legacy in my control!” Vaclav laughed beginning to leave the room.

“Make sure the army is ready to go as soon as the sun sets tomorrow.” he told Solon.

“Yes, sir!”

Vaclav left the room, feeling as if everything will go right this time, leaving Solon alone in the basement.

“He may have only recruited me for one reason, but that one reason will serve me well.” he told himself walking over to the wall where Vaclav had been standing a moment ago.

“Once this war begins my desire will be met. Though I am looking forward to the torture. . .”

---

“Raphael, are you sure you want to go alone?”

A large framed man know as Raphael sheathed his sword as he gathered the supplies needed for his journey. He had shoulder-length silver hair, broad muscles and a short beard with whiskers growing around his mouth into a mustache. His clothes were well fitting and covered with bits and pieces of armor. He depicted himself to be in his forty’s, possibly a bit older.

“I have to. If a big group travels it will be easier to spot.”

“I just can’t  believe you’re going to go through with this.” the unknown man said shaking his head. “How are you even sure the facts you obtained are true!? How do you know for sure if this will even  resolve in a war!?”

Raphael looked to his concerned friend. “I appreciate you worrying, but after so many years I need to come out of hiding. Besides,” he swung the bag he had packed over his shoulder. “if I do this we will be able to obtain more information and know for sure if our theory is correct.”

The other man put a hand to his forehead. “They could still be looking for you. You are aware of this?”

“Its been over ten years, I’m sure they’ve given up…”

Raphael opened the door to the small cottage he was sheltered in. He stood in the doorway for a while staring up at the sky that was dark and pouring rain. Soon the rain would stop and move on to the East.

“Just be sure not to get yourself into trouble. And make sure you meet back here in exactly three months!”

“I will. Don’t worry so much, Vail!” Raphael turned and smiled to the older man just before walking out into the rain and disappearing.

Vail, a man about fifteen or twenty years older of age than Raphael with short red hair, dark eyes just above large circles indicating lack of sleep and a boney figure, watched as his friend walked out.

Perhaps to his death. . .

---

It was sunny in Werites Beacon, though the sky was beginning to darken after noon. It wasn’t at all warm out. For some reason, the Legacy had been quite and less active ever since Grune disappeared along with the black mist.

No. Back then it was brighter. And even though everyone smiled they also felt dark, like the sky inside. Especially Norma, she and Grune were best friends. Though Moses did seem attached to her every now and then. . .

Senel thought deeply while walking to Will’s house. Something he seemed to do a lot lately, thinking. Many monsters had been killed lately and none looked to be a threat. That was why he and all the others had been so board lately.

He finally made it up to the doorstep. Senel was just about to turn the knob when he heard a rustle in the bushes next to him.

Quickly he looked over to see what the noise was, but he saw no sign of life. Just a bunch of plants. . .

He once again started to turn the knob.

“Hey, Senel!”

Senel sprung around but was then pounced on by his older, yet not at all smarter, friend Moses. Luckily, they both landed in the grass, though Moses was right on top of Senel smiling like an idiot.

“How’s it goin’, buddy!?” he asked.

“Umm. . .great, Moses.”

“That’s good. Cool!”

Senel stared at him for another awkward moment. “Say, Moses?”

“Yep?”

“Could you please get off of me?”

A large blush spread across Moses’ tanned face. Though just as he began to climb off of Senel’s chest, the sound of footsteps were heard.

“Gee, Senny. I always wondered about Red, but I never expected you to be like that. . .”

Both Moses and Senel looked up to see Norma standing beside them with a wide, arrogant smile across her face and Shirley at her heals.

Senel quickly jumped up off the ground as soon as Moses had pulled himself to his feet.

“Don’t look at me! He’s the one who jumped me!” Senel exclaimed pointing at Moses who just grinned nervously.

“Hey, Im not that way either. He shoulda been more quick on his feet!” Moses retorted.

Norma shrugged. “Well, whatever. What are you guys doing here?”

“I was going to see what Will was up to. But it doesn’t sound like anyone’s home.” Senel said, not hearing any noise coming from the inside of the house.

“Nothin’ much goin’ on at the camp, so I came here and just happened to see Senel comin’. So I thought I’d give him a little scare.”

Senel glared at Moses, “Well, congratulations. You scared the hell out of me.”

“Norma and I were going to the inn for some coffee.” Shirley told them. “Only problem is we don’t have any money.”

Moses shook his head sighing. “And Bubbles dragged you over here to find a few cents, huh?”

Shirley reddened a little, but nodded.

“So Teach isn’t home, there isn’t anything else to do. . .Does anyone know where C is?” asked Norma sitting on the front doorstep. Nobody had seen her for a while, even though she did still stay at the hospital.

“She’s probably out with Elsa. They certainly have been hanging out together a lot lately.” Senel told her as Shirley walked over and sat beside Norma.

“They have, haven’t they?” she pouted.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting jealous, Shirl!” laughed Norma poking her in the cheek playfully.

Shirley gently shoved her finger away with a smile. “Well, maybe just a little.”

Senel watched the two quietly, not noticing Moses walk slowly around him.

“So, seein’ as we got nothin’ else to do. . .” he said putting his hand on Senel’s shoulder. “Why don’t we see how much better you got at wrestlin’ over the past year!”

He grabbed Senel around the neck and flipped him around until he was on his back, eyes dazed and surprised while the girls giggled at his misfortune.

Moses cocked a smile and offered his hand to Senel to help him up. Seizing the opportunity, Senel grabbed Moses’ hand and yanked him down to the ground while he jumped to his feet yet again. Moses hit the ground with a thud and an ‘oof!’

Senel laughed, “How’s that for some ‘wrestlin‘?’”

Moses got to his feet, and he and Senel continued to pummel each other while Norma and Shirley watched.

“I’ve got a hundred gald on Red. How bout you?” Norma whispered to Shirley.

“I thought you didn’t have any money!” exclaimed Shirley. Norma shrugged with a edgy giggle.

Senel and Moses were still fighting when Senel heard a familiar noise. He made out the sound of a small bell jingling as Moses pinned him to the ground. When he looked up, he did indeed see the shorter, raven-haired boy beginning to walk up to the others.

“Jay!” Senel exclaimed nudging Moses off of his back. He got back up, along with Moses, to greet his friend.

“What brings you here?” asked Senel whipping the grass clippings off his shirt and shorts.

Jay shook his head. “There hasn’t been anything to do lately at the Orisorin Village. So I thought I would see if anything interesting is happening here.”

“And just what do ya mean by ‘interesting’?” Moses asked with a twist of his head.

“You know, death, fights, impregnations. . .” answered Jay mischievously.

Senel and Moses looked at each other uneasily and then back at Jay.

“Well, no. Nothing like that.” Senel said scratching his head awkwardly. Jay continued to stare at the two until finally sighing and asking the put off question.

“So what exactly were you two idiots doing a moment ago?”

Both Moses and Senel tensed a bit and then blushed.

“Well. . .” Senel began.

“Just havin’ a little fun.” Moses continued for him. “Wanna’ join in, Squirt?”

Jay shook his head with a defeated gesture. “No thanks, I don’t really want to know what you mean by ‘fun’ anyways.” He lifted his head back up then and glowered at Moses angrily. “And don’t call me that!”

Moses chuckled while the girls continued to talk amongst themselves, until Norma finally spoke up that is.

“How’s about we all head over to the bakery and get ourselves some sweets, sweeties?” she asked taking hold of Shirley’s hand and pulling her over along with the boys.

Both Senel and Shirley scowled at her. “I thought you didn’t have money!” they both said in unnasion, making Norma step back smiling.

“Whoa! I quote myself, ‘cranky couple attack!’” Norma teased.

Senel and Shirley both flushed red while Moses and Jay shrugged and waited for Norma to be finished with her ‘smart’ remarks.

“Whatever, Bubbles. There’s nothin’ to do anyway. So, yeah, lets go do somethin’ before my brain explodes.”

Jay wanted to fire back at Moses from his comment, but Norma beat him to it swiftly, not missing a beat.

“What brain there, Red?”

Moses fumed as Norma ran past him laughing, though soon he was right behind her. Shirley also walked quickly behind the two.

“Jay, Senel! Come on, lets go!” she called to them while catching up with Moses and Norma.

Jay shrugged and turned to follow the three with his hands shoved deep down in his pockets. Senel began to trail him, but just as he began to take a few steps from where he stood, something caught his eye.

He looked down to see a silver object lying on the green grass, glistening in the barely visible by clouds sunlight. Senel bent down to pick up the object, noticing it was a silver bell threaded with a purple ribbon about five inches long.

Jay’s.



Senel picked it up and ran out of the yard.

“Jay.” he said simply.

Jay turned around. Not quickly, but still gave a little effort to Senel. “Yes.”

Senel toyed with the bell between his fingers for a bit. “Check you’re pockets.”

A confused look spread across Jay’s face, but Senel could see the young boy’s hands venturing in his pockets. Suddenly Jay’s look of misunderstanding turned to fear, and he hastily ripped his hands out of his pockets and scanned the ground tensely.

Senel chuckled slightly and walked closer to Jay, showing him the bell in his fingers. Jay soon looked relieved as he took the bell from Senel’s hand and pocketed it again.

“Thank you.” he stated in a calmed tone patting his left pocket which held the silver object.

“No problem. It’s a good thing I found it before someone else did.” Senel replied reassuringly.

Jay smiled a bit. “Honestly, who would give an ounce of energy as to pick up a bell?”

Senel thought for a few seconds. “A cat?”

Jay shook his head again with a quite laugh escaping his lips. “You really are dumb, you know that?”

“Im not the one who carries around a bell.” Senel shot back playfully.

Then, a sudden déjà vu feeling crossed over both of them.

“Huh…” Senel thought to himself.

“What’s wrong?”

Senel cleared his throat before answering. “Did that slight conversation not seem a little…familiar to you?”

Jay ran the question through his mind a while before answering. Of course it did. For some odd reason. Surely, Jay, Jay the Unseen, would remember something as simple as a chat. But, for something so simple he didn’t remember it at all. So, why did it strike him as reoccurring? That was déjà vu for you.

“Maybe its just the heat.” he answered sarcastically.

Both he and Senel laughed uncomfortably. “The heat, huh? I wish.” replied Senel.

The two were cut short by, once again, Norma screaming from halfway to the bakery.

“Will you two hurry up!? Reds going to eat all the cupcakes if you don’t get you’re butts in gear!”

Jay looked a bit peeved to Senel, but he let the emotion pass and motioned for Senel to follow him to the, in his words, low-educated or maybe simply just idiotic, girl.

Senel snickered “And to think, you two are the same age…”