Rydia stumbled but caught herself before she hit the new morning’s ground, frozen by the chill of the shadows. She was freezing and the day’s frosty air did not aid much in her fleeing. The Sage Olvin was after her. This wizard was sent here on one specific mission by his own ruler, but while here he decided on a hunt in order to quench the lingering thirst of boredom: tracking down the last of the Callers. Though where he was born and how he got to Earth in the first place was unknown to Rydia, the fact that he was after her for what she was became apparent some time ago. Being able to sense his presence gave her only one conclusion: he had to be a Caller as well. Was he even a Caller? She had never seen one like this before and what little Callers were left resided only in the town of Mist. And he was most certainly not from her old hometown. But that did not make her question his powers.

If not a Caller, then what exactly was he?

Olvin was one for a good hunt to chase away the boredom; it was one particular reason why he made it his own little side mission to track down the last of the Callers--the other being jealousy, though he thought himself above that feeble human emotion. To him it was a challenge worthy of his power. His ruler had given him strict orders, however, but to prove himself to his master, he would track her down, kill her and make his presence known throughout this insignificant world. He would do this all only to prove his point. It was indeed a worthy challenge.

Rydia glanced behind her, strands of jade hair falling into her eyes, blinding her vision from the unearthed root a few feet ahead. The trees seemingly streaked by the young girl as she sprinted on as best as she could with frozen limbs. With a small yelp, her ankle came into contact with the uprooted bedrock, twisting her foot and causing her to fall forward. But she cought herself before she fell. Ignoring the sharp pain from her now bruised and most likely sprained ankle, she continued on limping.

“Foolish child...” Olvin ribbed as he followed along; a steady pace simply to toy with her. “It was quite unwise of you to leave the Land of the Summoned Monsters. Did you not know that you were protected there?” The sage brushed the leaves of the nearby shrubs from his path. He knew she could hear him. His voice echoed in her mind, where he knew she could not escape it.

Rydia walked lamely into a clearing, tumbling face first onto the cold, merciless ground. She was too tired, too weary to continue this endless chance. She managed to roll herself onto her back and slit her eyes to the piercing rays of the sun. She knew he was there, watching her, waiting for her to continue the hunt. But when he realized she would not move, he came from out his refuge, picking her up by her short hair.

Olvin pressed the tip of his sword against the already punctured skin of her throat. “Come now, child. I thought you would have put out more. And to think, you were the last.” He smirked as he began to dig the blade deeper into her throat, relishing in the deep crimson that dribbled down her neck.

“Mist!” Rydia cried out absentmindedly. In a brilliant shower of white light, the newly summoned dragon descended upon the two; mist was now surrounding the area in which they stood. The Mist Dragon. The only piece of Rydia’s deceased mother that she still carried with her.

Surprised by the newcomer, Olvin let go of Rydia, who went running despite her fatal injuries. The dragon soon disappeared when she was sure Rydia had escaped, but the haze still remained trapped within the caverns of the woodland, curling around Rydia as she ran, like the arms of a mother's embrace.

She is strong. Olvin sheathed his sword. The blood still remained on the blade and trickled down as he tilted his weapon. No matter. I will cross paths with the girl once more... He tilted his hooded head to the side, sensing another unmistakable presence within the air. “Decca... So you are here as well? How...unexpected.”

***

“Kain!” Decca called after him, running to catch up with the Dragoon Knight. Luckily for her, elves were one to be great with swift movements. She found him in no time. But Valzer was not as swift, so waiting for him took quite some time.

“Next time...” Valzer panted as he rested a hand upon the elf’s slender shoulder, “try to walk slower.” Kain grinned broadly at his friends, crossing his arms. The Black Wizard caught his breath and stood upright, facing him. “If you don’t mind me asking, Kain, where are we going?”

“We’re--I’m going to search for Rydia.” Kain simply said, watching his friends as their expressions faltered.

Decca then smiled, leaning on Kain’s shoulder. “Correction, Kain. We’re going to find Rydia.” She nodded as Kain’s forehead creased in bewilderment. “Besides, you need me. Your sense of direction leaves much to be desired.”

“He needs me too.” Valzer raised a brow at his childhood friend, ready to duel in lighthearted fun.

“He needs a Master of the Bow.” Decca motioned to the bow, strung around her shoulder.

“So? I know magic.”

She grinned broadly and placed her hands on her hips. “So do I.”

Kain sighed with a slight smile. He didn’t wished to be isolated on any quest, not anymore. The thought that perhaps he was ready to allow another back in his life caused him to smile at his companions and their fighting. It reminded of times long gone when he was traveling with others, fighting monsters and demons of the past. The past... Why does it always come back to the past? But this knew found fear only made him desire to keep as many people close to him as humanly possible. That and the idea of Decca’s destiny being intertwined with his own was not that bad of a fate.

Finally, he said as offhand as possible, “I need you both.” That caused the pair to stop bickering and glance at each other with victorious smiles. Kain couldn’t help but think that they staged the fight so that he would bring them with. Unbeknownst to Valzer and Decca, but this Dragoon would have asked them to come along anyway. "From what I can tell, Rydia is being hunted. And in order to hunt the hunter, I need someone who knows this forest." He glanced Decca's way.

“She has power, Kain. I could feel it when we talked only for that brief moment. Is that the reason she is hunted?” The elf followed Kain’s gaze as it went deeper into the seemingly endless abyss of the forest. Though their current situation was not one for celebration, the forest was a breathtaking scene: thin streams of light splitting the emerald leaves of the trees above; sparkling down upon the soft dewed grass, the light seemingly lit the path beneath their boot-clad feet. The vegetation around them seemed to glow with the rays of light, as they looked up above at the great trunks of trees, which were as wide as mountains and as tall as the sky itself.

“The look on her face...” Valzer’s voice broke the silence that had came from gazing on the beauty of the Mysidian Forest. “That was not something I could soon forget.” Their wizard breathed in the air about them, sweetened with the damp flora of the woodland.

“Leave it to Valzer to be sympathetic.” Kain smiled as he leaned his head to the side, observing the different world around them.

“Hey, I’m as sympathetic as the next wizard.”

Decca folded her arms as she laughed. “Valzer, you can’t even spell sympathetic.” But her amused facade was gone within an instant, though her friends didn't seem to notice. What was that...?

Footsteps...

The blue-robed man snorted at his companions. “Of course I can: S-I--”

“Shhh...” Decca covered Valzer’s mouth as she scouted the forest with her jade eyes. The sound of boots against the dampened earth floor echoed within her mind. No one else seemed to hear what Decca had heard, but none could dismiss it, for elves could hear a pin drop in a room riddled with thunder.

After a moment of silence, other than the breathing of three souls, Kain followed his elvin friend’s gaze. “Decca, what is it?”

Decca removed her hand from her brother's mouth, still watching that certain spot with fixed eyes. Is my mind playing tricks on me? I know I heard something... “Nothing. I thought I heard a noise. Maybe it was just an imp.” An imp? What I heard was no imp...

Kain watched her as they moved on, knowing well her mind still remained at that certain spot in the forest. He wished to question her of her certainty, but he knew she wouldn't be able to answer him without doubt. Kain remained quiet as they continued on throughout a world spread with endless trees and magnificent rivers. But this beautiful scenery was suddenly disturbed by fog settling within the branches of the trees.

“Guys...” Decca kept her keen eyes on the fog as she readied her bow and matched it with an arrow from her quiver. The wood of the magnificently crafted weapon barely squeaked beneath her strong grasp. “This is no ordinary mist. It’s a Caller’s mist.”

“Leave it to elves to know magic.” Kain now looked back to the spot where his elvin friend had noted an abrupt noise, suddenly feeling the distinct sensation that they were indeed being watched quite closely. “Rydia has been Calling. Then someone is after her.”

“Come on then.” Decca commanded, taking lead. Just as the mist began to settle in, so did the darkness. Its eternal embrace covered all in a shadow of cold. The elf shivered slightly, but still stood in lead. She simply reached for an arrow from her quiver and chanted over its metal tip. Much to her companions’ surprise, the arrowhead lit in a small spark of flames. Content with her new light, Decca sent the slender object into the gloom around them, watching as its light created a small path through the thick mist.

“Ah, good thinking, little elf.” Kain twirled his lance to his left hand, for he felt more comfortable with a weapon in his strong grip. He smiled at the elf as he walked passed her.

“Little?” Decca squinted at him, fake contempt in her stare.

Kain's grin became more sheepish as he followed the light path, Decca and Valzer in rear.

***

King Edge of Eblan had been called to seek audience with King Cecil of Baron, or so the letter that was addressed to him said. The King of Eblan, just recently coming fresh from his coronation, had begun rebuilding his castle some time ago and it was nearly complete when the message arrived. Now Edge strode up to the gates of Baron, a small smile edging his lips. Wherever he went off to, he expected an adventure to follow closely behind. “Lord Cecil!” The gates were clearly open, but Edge was not one for delaying the journey. “You sent for me?”

“It is simply Cecil to you, my friend.” Cecil was making his way towards him, his wife on his arm. They were both dressed in combat uniform, but still had the air of king and queen about them. “Yes, I have sent for you.”

“Then we are ready to depart then?” Rosa gave a courteous bow to Edge and he, in return, kissed the soft, pale skin of her hand.

“Yes, I believe we are.” Cecil regarded one of the soldiers that had entered the courtyard with him and his wife with a glance. “Call for Cid and his ship. We are ready to leave.”

“Sir.” The guard gave a slight salute before parting to the engineer room to find their engineer. The Falcon soon appeared before them; its large mast peering up from the vessel. Airships were one popular way to travel, especially for such a powerful nation as Baron. Cid jumped off from the deck, landing with a loud thump upon the dust coated ground.

“You did well in fixing this mighty vessel, Cid. And in such great time.” Cecil patted his old friend's shoulder, a grin on his lips. “Too bad you cannot accompany us on this quest.”

“I think my time for adventure has come to its end, Cecil.” His saddened tone faded as he smiled with a certain sparkle in his brown eyes. “Besides, my daughter worries about me as I age.” Cid chuckled and stroked the glossy finish of his ship.

“Ah, good old Falcon. Just as I remember her.” Edge patted the red side of the vessel as well, but was halted by the older man's glares.

“Listen you,” Cid jabbed a pointer finger into Edge’s stomach, sneering at the youth. “You put one scratch on her, you’re gonna paint the whole thing with your tongue.”

“Hey... Where’s your common courtesy?” Edge grinned, showing his cool, offhand facade and he guided Cid’s finger away from his stomach. “Relax, old man. I’m as careful as any carefree ninja could be.” But the engineer’s expression still showed no sign of mirth.

“Come now, Edge. If we are to leave then we must leave now.” Cecil adjusted his sheathe around his waist. He did not know for certain of what lied before them or if there was to even be a battle involved, but he would not stop his searching until he found his Dragoon ally.

“Wait, aren’t we missing someone?” Rosa looked passed Edge as if she expected someone to be standing behind him. “Rydia. Didn’t you send for her as well?” Edge’s face lit up slightly at the mentioning of the pretty, green-haired Caller.

"I never received a response from the Land of the Summoned Monsters. I'm sure she is too busy with her new life there to worry about little old me." Cecil smiled, and even though he meant that lightheartedly, a touch of sadness was there from memories not quite forgotten. Rydia was like a sister to him and not having her around just added to Cecil's emptiness. But at least he knew where she was, even if that land felt another world away. He walked briskly passed Rosa, his boots echoing on the wooden gangplank. I hope she's all right there...

Rosa followed with a newly disgruntled ninja king onto the Falcon. Apparently Edge didn't like Rydia so far away as well.

Cid shielded his face from the falling debris as Cecil rose the mighty vessel into the air. The engineer watched them depart from the Castle of Baron, a part of him longing to accompany them on one last journey.

“Come on.” Decca pushed on Kain’s shoulder for him to rise up from his place on a fallen tree. The elf’s two companions had decided on a quick rest, but that brief moment soon became a long hour. “How do you except to find Rydia if you will not move?” She couldn't seem to understand their need for such a long rest. But then again, what elf would?

“Shh...” Valzer pressed a finger to her soft lips, leaning back on the forest wall. “You’re disturbing the wildlife.”

“Fine, move over.” The elf surrendered for once, pushing Kain aside and joining them on the log.

The once pale blue sky gave way to a stream of yellow, pink and orange. The air grew even colder then before, blowing throughout the trees, between the shrubs and whispering to all that night was soon to come. The towering trees hid the warmth of the outside world well, containing in with them the chill of shadow. In these shadows, imps scurried around, showing no real threat to the group of three. Decca left the trunk to gather small stones, placing them in a circle upon the ground before them. Within the small ring, she chanted for fire to come to her aid. With a flicker of scarlet, flames appeared, and wind that would normally extinguish any other manmade fire helped to form the tall, flickering blaze.

Valzer began his sorting through the black velvet bag he had brought with him, tied around his waist, and concealed under his cloaks. Dumping its contents out on the soft woodland floor, the black wizard began separating his items into three piles.

“Healing herbs, some little trinkets...and a whole pile of nothing.” Valzer sighed and began to now divide the trinkets from the more important, like healing herbs, potions, and any ornament worth currency.

"What’s this?" Something caught Decca’s eyes, forcing her to reach within the third pile, fingering a golden chain. She pulled the necklace out of the mound of trinkets, other little pointless charms falling where it once had been, and held it up in the streams of light flowing from the moon. The piece of jewelry did not have too brilliant of a luster and looked to be in need of a good polishing, but it still seemed to sparkle and catch her eye. On the end of the chain dangled a sapphire stone, a stone that she could swear called her name in the whisper of the breeze. “Where did you get this, Valz?” She asked in a hushed voice, still watching the twirl of the necklace, as if mesmerized by its graceful dancing in the wind.

Valzer shrugged, eyeing the trinket as the elf place it now around her neck. “I found it around where I found you.” The Black Wizard smiled at his childhood friend. “Around the Shrine of Amyl. Why, does it look familiar to you?” A touch of hope lined his voice. Both Valzer and Decca in their childhood had used their spare time to search for Decca’s past. But she could never remember, not even the faintest detail.

“No. Nothing.” Decca watched as the stone glistened in the full moon’s pearly glow. “I don’t remember ever seeing this before now.”

Valzer nodded, squeezing her shoulder. “You’ll remember one day, kid.”

“When, Valzer? It’s already been fourteen years.”

Kain rested a hand upon her shoulder in some sort of comfort attempt, and she glaced up at him, smiling sadly. He dared not to speak, in fear of saying the wrong thing. The Dragoon Knight merely returned her guesture and she leaned her soft cheek against his fingers.

Valzer sighed quietly, patting Decca’s back before leaving their spot on the fallen trunk to where the fire was lit, warming his hands over the flames. “We best make our camp here for the night then.”

***

Cecil steered the ship clear through the night. He did not rest for he thrived on sheer determination. The crystals of the night sky vanished to new morning and the rising of the sun. The King of Baron closed his eyes for a moment, lost in dreams and memories of the past. He could not let the past to rest. Not while there was a slim chance he could bring it back. The sun peeked out from behind the mountains, showing itself to the new day, and covering the quiet night in its warm blanket.

The wind blew back Cecil’s white hair, picking it up with the soft breeze, strands now in his jade eyes. His wife was watching him for some time now, but would not speak. She could see the willpower in her love’s eyes, yet she could not help but feel also the strength of Kain. This White Mage knew Kain, not as well as Cecil, but well enough to know he needed to be free from the shackles of the past. And he could not with Cecil pursuing him.

Finally deciding to speak, Rosa came by her husband’s side, away from the mast she had been leaning on. “You've had no sleep, Cecil. You should take rest if you truly wish to find him.”

He paid no mind to her concern for him, merely regarding her with a glance. “Yes, we have been going all night, but we cannot search on sky for much longer. Kain is a hard one to find, but he will be found. I will not leave him in the position he is in.”

“What position, Cecil? We do not know what he has been through, what people he has met, what has become of him through these last six months. He could have well moved on with his life by now. We may be looking for a ghost." She rested her weary head upon his shoulder. "It is best to leave the past to rest.” Rosa watched as his expression changed, the look of determination gone to realization.

“Perhaps you are right, Rosa.” Cecil smiled faintly. “But the only way to know this is to see for ourselves. I must see for myself.”

“So you wish to search somewhere closer to ground? A town?”

“No...” Cecil thought of how much Kain had loved sleeping under the stars when they were children, even though the warrior never admitted it. "A forest perhaps."

Rosa watched him with curious eyes. “But there are too many forests to search. Where would you begin? Baron Forest?”

Cecil shook his head, his eyes closing again. “Baron holds too many memories of pain and loss for him to dwell near it. The woodland near Mysidia is almost another world away...away from Baron. We will search there in hopes that I still know a piece of Kain’s mind.”