Meliadoul's Journal
Chapter IV: Byron




Autumn 21, 6:03 A.M.

We have just arrived in Tandar! We got here a little late, but I don't think the group cares. I'm sitting at the Pub, along with my friends Moogle, Ivy, and Kazin.
"Have you guys checked out the marketplace yet?"
Ivy replies "Yeah. The shopkeepers are laughing at us. They claim that our weapons are mere toys compared to theirs."
"Are they?"
Kazin nods and says "Yeah. They've got spells here that are REALLY powerful! The staffs and swords are strong too! But there's something that's even more amazing! The bows here shoot 2 arrows at once!"
"Two?!
"Yeah! Imagine how usefull that could be on the battlefield!"
"Cool."
"But everythings expensive. It's all good stuff, but it's also all expensive stuff. You'd need a lot of money to buy stuff here."
"Ofcourse." I turn to Moogle. "Hey, I need to talk to you. Alone."
Ivy and Kazin immediately left the table.
"Do you know why we came to Tandar?"
"To get weapons, armor, and skills?"
"That was a reason. But I really came here for you."
"For me? How?"
"Back at the healer in Karko Canyon, he told me something. When you were possessed by the spirit, your body's level of spiritual energy went up drastically. When the spirit left your body, the energy stayed."
"So your saying that I'm a ghost?"
"No no no! I'm saying that it won't effect you at all. But, if you choose to take advantage of the spiritual energy, you could become much more powerful. Imagine being more than an adverage swordsmen. There is a person here who can help you reach a new level in skills. Use this gift of yours to help yourself and the group. Do you want to atleast see him to see what it involves?"
"I guess it's my duty to the group to become stronger...."
"No, I want you to do it for yourself and no one else!"
"I'll see the man then. But I don't want to promise anything."
"That's all I needed to know. Come on, lets go see him."

Autumn 21, 7:43 A.M.
We are talking with the guild's leader.
"So, you can help Moogle to become a more powerful fighter using his spiritual energy?"
"Yes, I can, but he would have to train here with me."
"How long would the training be?"
"Well, if his spiritual energy is as high as you say, we should be able to teach him how to use it within a few days. However, the abilities he learns will be limited. Only Moogle can gain abilities. We cannot teach him more than the basics. He will learn the rest as time progresses."
"Really? Great!"
"Ofcourse, this is going to cost money. To train him in the ways of a Dark Knight, it would cost him 40$. This includes his training and his default abilities. He can use the same armor and equipment as a dark knight, but the training will definently increase his physical attributes. The fee is definently worth it."
"That's steep. You up for it, Moogle? You could get more abilities than simply Spirit Sabre if you go for it, plus you'd be a Dark Knight, which is one of the highest respected classes of a swordsmen."
"I'm think about it. Let me get back to you."
"Oh, and Meliadoul. If you have swordsmen other than Moogle, we can train them as well. They can becomes Knights, who use different abilities. While a Swordsmen uses emotions, a Knight uses his sword's inner abilities when attacking. Each sword has it's own ability, and you learn the skill as soon as you get the sword. This only costs 30$ and the training time is the same length as Moogle's would be. Ofcourse, their physical strength would increase as well."
"I'll recommend you to the group. Well, we're going to go shopping right now. There's plenty of stuff here worth buying!"

Autumn 21, 3:02 P.M.
Moogle decided to go ahead and train. He left the group and is training at the guild. None of my swordsmen became Knights, but that was mainly due to the price. Speaking of money, I'm flat broke now. I got some good equipment, but I couldn't afford a new staff or spell. I guess I'll just have to make due with what I've got. Rochel's on his break and we are talking in the pub.
"Well, thanks for letting me travel with you, but I'm going back to selling skills."
"Are you sure you don't want to help us some more? Your fighting skills are superb and we could use a hand incase Byron sends more mercenaries."
"Your a great ally yourself, but I'm afraid I have a business to keep up with."
"I understand."
"Speaking of the business, it's time for me to get back to the corner. See ya around, Meliadoul."
"Bye."
As I start to get up, Ivy walks over and sits down across from me.
"Oh, hello Ivy."
"Hi. Mind if we talk?"
"Not at all. What about?"
"Well, first of all, I want to ask what you were trying to do back at the Arachnid Queen's."
"What do you mean?"
"You pulled out that staff and said it was only a one time use. What were you trying to do?"
"Oh. Earlier that day, my friend Bainey was killed in my arms to save me. I lost my temper and pulled out the legendary Elemental Staff. I don't know how I did it, but I let out a blast so powerful it fried all of the enemies and made me black out. All I remember was a bright light."
At this moment, one of the waitresses overheard me and shouted.
"You mean your the one who did that?! That flash earlier that night was you! No way!"
"Excuse me?"
"A week ago, we all saw a flash comming from the Karko Canyon mountains! It was too long to be a lightning bolt! You must be some mage to pull that off!"
"No, not really. I wasted myself doing it. It's nothing."
At this point, everyone was staring at me. I was blushing under my hat, but no one could see it. Slowly, everyone went back to what they were doing. Ivy then continued the conversation.
"Wow. I didn't expect someone like you to pull that off. No offense, but I've never seen anyone do something that strong. If you could harness that energy, then you could have finished off the Arachnid Queen in one jolt."
"Listen, I didn't know what I was doing and I nearly killed myself trying. That's the power of the elemental staff. I never knew it contained such power. But it seems like a useless stick now. It won't work anymore. I guess the elemental gods from Mt. Juna must have wanted me to use the staff there, because they said I could only use it when I was worthy. That's why I have to travel. I'm helping people at every town. So far, I've done so everywhere but here."
"Alright, I'm gonna get right down to it. What's your past? You wouldn't tell me the other night, but I don't know if I can trust you if you won't tell me."
Before I could reply, we heard Rochel shouting from the street. We quickly got up and ran out the Pub's door, I left a tip behind on the table.
"What's up, Rochel?!"
"Them!" He pointed to a group of 6 people. "They're causing trouble. They're packing equipment too! They've already beat up the castle guards. I think they're raiding the town's supplies. That swordsmen came over here threatening to beat me senseless if I didn't give him some skills. I naturally kicked his butt. But he ran back to the group and their Priest healed him in full! These guys have some serious skills. I can't take 6 of them at once. Feel like helping?"
"Why not? Besides, I don't like them either. I have a thing against evil mages. They killed me once."
He staired at me.
"Nevermind."
The group approached us, but Dragoniz came running through the streets, with the Green Dragon right behind him. My party members saw the Dragon and immediatly went into action. It seems some other people from the crowd are with them. We must have picked up some allies. I see a few ninjas. I guess Ninjas really do like Dragons!
"Look, guys, we don't want trouble, but then again, we don't want a boring fight. So if your gonna fight, don't be wimps!"
Their Wizard led them. "Hey, who do you think you are?"
"I'm Meliadoul, and these are my friends."
"Well, seems like you guys get to die together. After all, we wasted the guards with no troubles. What makes you special?"
"The fact that I'm the posessor of the Legendary Elemental Staff, as well as the most powerful Dragon this side of Juna and the greatest team of warriors of all time!"
"Elemental staff! Give it to me and I'll let you live!"
"You want it? Come and get it!"
And so we entered battle.

Autumn 21, 3:17 P.M.
The battle was longer than we had planned. Our enemies were very powerful, but in the end, we proved ourselves to be the better. The group has already healed their wounds and everyone has gone back to what they were doing. Rochel went back to selling skills after saying his thanks. As great as this town is, we won't be able to afford to spend too much more time here. We should be leaving in a few days.

Autumn 21, 5:21 P.M.
I'm sitting in the pub. I was walking in the streets earlier, when a man approached me. He told me to meet him in the pub. So here I am, waiting for him to show up.

Autumn 21, 5:34 P.M.
I'm getting tired of waiting. I think I'll leave.
Just as I rise to leave, I find the man has walked in. I suppose I'll have to talk with him now...
"Sorry I'm late. You are Meliadoul, correct?"
"Yes, I am. And you are?"
"A messenger."
"From whom?"
"King Tandar himself."
"What does King Tandar want with me?"
"Earlier today, you defeated a group of thieves."
"Yes, we did."
"They took out the castle guards with no trouble at all. Had you not stopped them, we would have had to call out the Knights to deal with them, and by then, it would have been too late. King Tandar wants to give you his thanks."
"So he's doing it through you?"
"No, he has invited you and your entire group to the castle tonight. He also wants your friend Rochel there."
"We'd love to attend, but I fear we don't have anywhere to stay, so we may leave the town as soon as Moogle and our Knights finishes their training. We aren't residents of Tandar, we're just travellers passing by and picking up supplies."
"Oh, I'm sure we have space for you in our castle. How big is your group.?"
"We have a very big group. Well over 25 of us, including a dragon."
"So I've heard. We can make accomondations for all of you. You do accept, correct?"
"I'll talk it over with the group, but I'm sure they say yes. So, we can spend the night there?"
"Ofcourse. You will dine with King Tandar and the royal family."
"Where should we meet you for this occasion?"
"If you and your group can be at the castle's main entrance at 7:00 P.M., we will open the gates and show you to your rooms."
"If you are going back to King Tandar, please give him our thanks."
"Why? You'll see him in person tonight!"
"Ofcourse. Well, I've only got a little over an hour to gather the group, so I've got to get going."
We said our goodbyes and I paid my tab at the Pub, then I left to gather the group.

Autumn 21, 7:35 P.M.
The group gathered at the gate, as we were instructed, and we were let in. We have been split up. My room consists of Ivy and myself. Dinner is scheduled for 8:00, so we have time to walk about the castle and talk with eachother. I, however, am staying in my room, reading over my Journal and trying to piece together whats going on. It is my good fortune that I am in a castle with the King of Tandar, but I want to find out what to do next. I'm starting to get a headache after reading over what happened. Elemental Staff, Green Dragon, what makes them so special? The green elemental goddess said that I'd find out when I'm worthy. I don't see what I have to do. I think I'm gonna go crazy trying to figure out what's going on.
Just then, someone knocked on the door to my room.
"Come in."
Ivy walked in and hopped down on her bed.
"We've got some time to kill, so I thought I could ask you one last time. What is your past? Where did you come from? What is so bad that you won't talk about it?"
I let out a sigh.
"Alright, you win. I'll tell you, but I'm only going to say this once."

"When I was young, I had no interest in magic or fighting. I simply wanted to play and be like every other boy. I grew up in a small town. It wasn't very big at all, so most haven't heard of it. It's been so long that I've forgotton it's name. We were peacefull people and never wanted anything to do with the bigger towns and kingdoms. One day, however, an outsider came into the fold. He wasn't a powerful wizard, but he was stronger than anyone in our town, for we didn't know offensive magic or use weapons. He had been weakened in battle, so we naturally helped him. My mother and father were healers, but not mages. They were apothecaries, so they merely grew herbs and found ways to make them bigger and more powerful. My sister, however, was extraordinary. She was a few years older than me and had practiced white magic in order to help my parents in their healing. Since my birth, I have seen no Priest more powerful than her. Had she been trained in the ways of a wizard, I'm sure she could have wielded the Elemental Staff without any worries. Anyway, this outsider stayed with us for a while. We healed him over the course of a few weeks. Eventually, he had reached his full strength again."
"On the day he was to leave, we asked him how he had been injured. He told us for the first time. 'My group was raiding a small village. We found that they had money and were stealing it from everyone in sight. We were stopped by the town's militia, however, and I was stuck here. Thank you for healing me. And I have learned that you have no defenses, so I recommend you give me everything you own!' He then pulled out his staff. This was all happening in the middle of our town, so everyone heard him. My father, who was considered a leader in the town, stood up to him. 'We saved your life and this is how you repay us? We will do no such thing!' The mage then cast a spell, I believe it was Flame on him, and my father died instantly. We had no armor or training to stand up to this kind of attack. We had no way of defending ourselves. My mother ran to him, but the mage grabbed her arm and pulled it behind her back. He then shouted to the people that they must give him all of their money and anything of value. All this time, my mother shouted that my sister and I should run. I didn't want to leave her, but my sister grabbed me and pulled me away from the town. She being older than me, I had no way to break away."
"Finally, we reached a safe distance and looked back. The village was burning. We saw the mage standing there, killing off our neighbors. People we had known all of our lives were being taken from us. I hated that mage. I hated the way he killed my father. But then I saw it. My mother was living and he had beaten her with his staff so badly that she wished she was dead. She lay there, struggling to breath, lying on my dead father's body. The mage was laughing at her. The last thing I saw before my sister forced us to move on were the flames. Part of me died in those flames. I lost my family, my friends, my life.
"My sister and I found our way to a nearby town. My sister worked hard to support me, but at her young age, she could not find many jobs. The town had a guild in it. Not a very big one at all, but a beginners magic guild. I urged my sister to go there to increase her abilities in white magic and use her gift, but it was no good. She had to support herself and me too, for I was not strong enough to work for farmers, nor skilled enough to become a weaponsmith. All I could remember was how my life was destroyed by that wizard. I began to attend the guild to learn how to use black magic. I wanted revenge against that wizard. I wanted him dead and I wanted to be the one to kill him. My innoscence lost, I was no longer a boy. Soon I had learned the basics of wizardry. Most mages begin at a later age, but I started as young as I was. I eventually reached a skill level good enough to win battles, but I lost more than I won. My sister would heal me with ease when I was injured, for her white magic skills had all but faded."
"If you have not found out by now, the town I am speaking of is Juna, where this quest began. I was happy. My sister had become a mother to me and our bond deepended further with each passing day. One day, however, things changed. A group of travellers came into the town and were injured greatly. Their leader claimed that they had been attacked on the way to Juna and that they had even more wounded a few hours away. No one in Juna was willing to help them, for they were not rich and could not pay for the services of others. I spoke with my sister about these people and told her that she could help them. She agreed and left with the rest of the group to return to the accident. I never saw my sister again. I do not know what happened to her, for the next day when I left the town, I could not find her. After searching for monthes, I eventually accepted that she had died and I moved on. I had nothing all over again. I then heard of the local prophet. I respected him greatly and he was the one who years later instructed me to claim the Elemental Staff. And thats when I realized that I could use the power of mine to help people. Prevent others from dying the way my family had. To prevent the deaths of those who do not fight, like my people. I was born anew."

"and that is how it happened. There. I don't like to talk about it because it hurts to think of all that have died without reason."
Ivy was about to say something, but someone knocked on our door and informed us that it was time to eat.

Autumn 21, 8:03 P.M.
I'm at the table now. The appetisers have been served and everyone is eating. The King has sat down at the end of the table. I am next to him at the end of the table, only on a different side, and Ivy is to my right. Across from me is a young woman, who I assume is the Princess. She is about my age, a little younger, and is wearing a white dress. The King notices that I'm paying attention to her and quickly begins to speak.
"Meliadoul, I want to thank you for what you and your group did earlier today."
"It was nothing. We try to help people whenever we can."
"How nobel of you. So, why are you in my town of Tandar?"
I told him of the Elemental Staff and my journy up to this point.
"You seem like a powerful mage to pull off a stunt like Fusion."
"I'm not really that good. I still don't know how that happened."
The Princess entered the conversation.
"That spell is very powerful. Only the greatest wizards know that it even exists, and very few of them have survived casting it. It is known to most grandmaster wizards as the Kamikaze Bolt."
"Princess, I did not know that you studied magic."
The King puts in.
"My daughter is a student. She has learned much here in the castle, but lacks the experience needed to become a true mage. As the Princess, Tandar will be hers when I leave this world, so she does not enter battle with anyone. I do not even understand why she learns magic when she has more important things to study."
"Father, I want to learn magic because I don't like sitting back while the Knights defend the castle! I want to be there with them, to help every step of the way! I do not want to be one to be defended, I want to defend others."
"I can understand that, but your Kingdom would suffer if you were to be defeated in battle. Anyway, Meliadoul, what are you to do next? Where will you go to?"
"I'm unsure of my next destination. I've had instructions up until now, with the Green Dragon leading me to Brandor, the need of a healer in Karko Canyon, and Moogle's traing here. I honestly do not know where I am going next."
The appetisers are taken away and the main course is brought in. The Princess begins to speak again.
"How many battles have you been in?"
"A dozen, give or take. Why do you ask?"
"I have never been in true battle and I wanted to know what it was like."
I see the King giving me a look.
"It...isn't what you think. It's not all glory or anything. You get hurt. Badly. As you know, I was nearly killed, and had my group not reacted fast, I would have surely died. I do not enjoy it at all. I wish I could become worthy of the staff without fighting, but I'm not so fortunant. My group has chosen to follow me, each person with their own reasons. None of us enjoy to fight, but we do what we must."
The King looked relieved that I didn't glorify magery infront of his daughter. He obviously doesn't approve of her learning magic.
"Well, I would still rather learn magic than sit back while others fight for me."
The conversion changed many times through the meal; the King and Rochel talked about getting Rochel to train his Knights for a price, Ivy described the Forest Children, and so on. Eventually, the Princess excused herself. I found this a good chance to speak with her, so I excused myself and, with the King's permission, entered her chambers to talk. He thinks that I will convince her to stay away from magery. I, however, simply want to talk.
"Hello."
"Does my father know your here?"
"Yes, he does. He thinks I'm going to talk you out of becoming a mage."
"It's not going to work."
"I didn't think so and I'm not going to try. Instead, I just wanted to talk."
"That's good. What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, first of all, I still don't know your name. Everyone referes to you as Princess."
She smiles and says
"Jessica. Jessica Tandar."
"When did you first want to become a mage?"
"When I was very small. I had always been special. When I was 5, I began to do amazing things. First, I simply formed sparks. Eventually, my hands began to cover with frost when I thought of something cold. When I was twelve, I began to practice this gift. I didn't want it to be wasted and I thought that if I was born with magic, it was for a reason. My father hates that I study magic, but he won't forbid it. He loves me too much for that. He would rather I learn things in the castle where I'm safe, instead of going out and gaining the experience like you did."
"Well, seems like you would be powerful if trained correctly."
"I'm powerful now. I've already learned quite a few spells, but I want to learn more."
"Do you have any kind of magic that you like more than the rest?"
"I like all kinds of magic, but I like attack magic most. I can do defensive magic, but it's not as strong as my offensive skills."
"So, what are your plans for your gifts?"
"Sadly, I'm forbiddin to leave the castle to learn."
"I see. What would you do if you were allowed to learn? What would you be willing to give up?"
"I would go with anyone and rough the hardest challenges to become a mage and a worthy defender of this kingdom!"
"Are you absolutely sure you are willing to take on the hardships that lie ahead on a magical journey?"
"Why? What are you getting to?"
"Answer the question, Jessica."
"Ofcourse I would."
"Then it's settled. I will see you in the mourning."
I then left the room and returned to my own. Ivy had already come back and gone to sleep. I can't believe I'm gonna do this....

Autumn 22, 6:49 A.M.
We are gathered in the King's Throneroom.
Everyone is here; the King on his throne, Jessica to his side, and our group assembled before them, with myself in the middle. The King is speaking.
"Rochel, you have an announcement to make?"
"Yes, sir, I do. I decline your offer. I will not train your Knights, for I will continue to travel with Meliadoul, not to fight, but to train people everywhere. I will no longer fight with you, Meliadoul, I will only train your swordsmen."
"I understand. I also have something to announce."
The King raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"I put a lot of thought in this and I've come to this. I ask that you would please allow your daughter to come with us. I will take her on as an apprentice and an ally. I will protect her from harm and get her the experience she needs to defend her kingdom. I ask your permission, ofcourse."
"You wish to take my daughter from me and put the Princess of this kingdom in danger?!"
"I talked with her last night. She wants nothing more than to learn. She was born with a gift. I have full faith that it was for her to learn magic and use it for the good of the world. If you keep her here, her gift will fade and in the event of an attack, she will have no way to defend herself. As the attack yesterday has shown, the guards can't protect her forever. If she doesn't learn to defend herself, then she's in more danger than if she goes with us. With us, I can protect her as she masters her gifts."
"What garentee do I have that you will return my daughter safely to me?"
"Look around this room. There are over 2 dozen warriors here to protect her. We are the best guards you can get."
"Is this what you really want, daughter?"
"Yes!"
"Then you may go with them. But remember, Meliadoul, if anything happens to her, I hold you responsable."
Jessica jumps from her seat, kisses her father on the cheak, runs down, and begins to hug everyone in the group. She then went to her room and gathered her belongings. For the rest of the day, we helped her all we could. We helped her gather supplies and taught her the basics of travel. When I went to sleep that night, I promised myself that I would not let anything happen to this girl. This was a promise I was sure to keep.

Autumn 23, 5:31 A.M.
I awoke early this morning in order to prepare. The King told me that if I were to find Byron, I must go to a new city. But this one was different. It is much more advanced than the towns we have been to. It is where guns are made. He says that if Byron escaped on a helicopter, he got it from the city to the south. Sadly, he could not tell me of it's name, because whoever goes there gets so fascinated by the technology, they don't return. It's as if they forgot all about the other world. Well, if Byron is there, we are going too. I want to find out what he wants with the dragon and more of this profecy that the assassin told Dragoniz about. But most importantly, I want to get him to call off his mercenaries and call back the bounty on my head. It didn't bother me as much before, but the headhunters are getting stronger and now I have someone to protect as well. As soon as my men return from their training, we will leave town.

Autumn 23, 3:09 P.M.
Moogle has returned from his training as a very powerful Dark Knight. I have other people in training, but I can't wait much longer.

Autumn 23, 3:21 P.M.
News has reached me that Byron has found out we are in the castle. I fear he will do something horrible if we stay much longer, so we shall leave soon.

Autumn 23, 3:33 P.M.
It's too late. A group of 4 from the south has arrived. They appear to be Mecs. I've never actually SEEN a Mec, but I'm assuming that this is them, for they are made completely of metal, or so the messenger says. They are at the castle gates. They request to see me and my group. If we refuse, they will kill the guards and force their way in. It seems we have no choice. But against Mecs? Lets hope we can handle them. Rochel hasn't been ID'd by Byron yet and he doesn't wish to battle anymore, so we're going to let him stay in the castle to guard the King.

Autumn 23, 3:35 P.M.
We are at the gates. The front Mec begins to speak.
"Are you Meliadoul?"
"I am. What is your business here?"
"Byron has a bounty on your head, dead or alive, $1,000. We are here to ask that you surrender and make things easier for yourself. Otherwise, we will destroy you and the castle you have been living in."
"It's pretty stupid to attack a castle. What with all of the Knights and everything."
"We defeat Knights easily."
I saw this as my chance. I've heard that Mecs are weak to lightning, now I'm gonna find out for myself.
"Well then, how about mages? Shock!"
A glistening bolt of lightning flies from the heavens and into the lead Mec. But it took very little damage.
"What?!"
"We are equiped with Shield Generaters. Magic will not harm us. Surrender now."
"Lemme get this straight. I surrender and you take me to Byron. Or I fight and have a chance at living?"
"Estimates show you have a very low chance of winning."
"Good. I love a challenge."
I hope Jessica's ready for her first battle.

Autumn 23, 3:50 P.M.
What a workout. Those Mecs were the toughest thing yet. Many of us fell in this battle. Thank the elemental gods no one was permanenly injured. The Green Dragon's power is rising, as it has mastered a new ability, one that will surely help us in the future. Jessica, though inexperienced, will also be a strong asset. Ivy got us through this battle. If not for her healing abilities, we would have more injured than now. These Mecs have worried me. One of them alone nearly killed us all, and had they been sucessful in their final attack, we would have died allong with half of Tandar. If Byron can build machines like this, what is to stop him from sending more of them? In larger numbers? Because I fear he can create even stronger machines capable of harming people, I have given my group only a few hours to prepare for the trip to the south. The swordsmen I knew as Orlandu has returned to the group as a powerful Knight. I feel that there will be others in my group who will train as knights, but I can't afford to wait for them. If they go into training, they will have to meet up with us in the next town. I just hope we can make it there shorthanded. Well, I'm going to make my final rounds through the townhall and get some information on the mysterious city from King Tandar and the local people.

Autumn 23, 6:01 P.M.
We are now leaving Tandar Castle Town. I'm aware that the sun will go down very soon and I hope we can use the cover of night to travel. I spoke with a cartographer from the town and he told me that the best way to reach this city was to go south for a day and a half, where I was to look for someone who could help me. Who this someone is and how they can help me is unknown to me, but I believe I'll find out. The Cartographer told me that once I had gotton help from this person, I was to continue south, travel through a small forest area (not nearly the size of the one in Karko Canyon), and once I'm on the other side, I should be at the gates of the city. I don't know how reliable this person is, but he's the only one who knows the way to the southern city, so I have to follow his directions. Another bonus to the traveling at night is that quite a few of the people in my group are wearing dark clothing and Moogle gains strength at night. Well, we're leaving now.

Autumn 25, 11:05 A.M.
It seems my plan for traveling at night has worked, because we haven't met any opposion from Byron or his mercenaries yet. It's been a day and a half now and I haven't seen whoever it is I'm supposed to. Most of the group is resting now, for we have been traveling all night. We found a nice, well hidden area to stay in durring the day. We are resting in shifts, so that someone will always be awake to warn us of approaching enemies. I'm going to sleep now, for my watch is over.

Autumn 25, 12:42 P.M.
Delita awoke me. I thought we were under attack, but he informed me that when he and Dragonmage made their rounds, they heard someone walking. Dragonmage followed the person to find that we were only a short distance from a small structure. Delita continued watch and Dragonmage showed me the way to the structure. Sure enough, there was a small cabin not very far from our location. I assume this is the home of the person. I don't want to wake the others, so I'm going to approach this person with Dragonmage at my side. I knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"We are travellers from the North. Can we come in?"
"How big is your group?"
"My group is over two dozen, but only two of us, myself and one of my friends, wish to enter your home right now."
At first I didn't get a reply, but I then heard the deadbolt slowly unlock and I was invited in. The person was an older man, not elderly, but not in his prime. We sat down at a small, round table.
"So, what brings you so far south of Tandar?"
"My group and I are going to the city south of here. A cartographer in Tandar told us to see you for help in some way. Do you know what he was refering to?"?
The man thought for a moment, then replied
"The only thing I can do for you is sell you accessories. That's what I do. I sell things to travellers in order to help them on their journies. I have a few things that you won't find anywhere else. I also train pets, if you have any. I haven't got anything when it comes to weapons, but I'm sure you'll love my herbs. In fact, a few weeks ago, I travelled all the way to Brandor for the harvest celebration and boughts quite a few harvest herbs. I'd be willing to part with them, but I have to make a bit of money, so they'll be more expensive than they were at Brandor."
"I don't want to ask a stupid question, but what kinds of accessories do you have?"
"Well, they all do different things, so they're hard to understand. The stones give you the ability to elementalize your normal attacks. Imagine elemental arrows, only it's not arrows, it's normal attacks from anyone. Once used, the stone is gone."
"Do you have other things too?"
"Ofcourse."
He then went into telling me about each of his items. After a few minutes, Dragonmage and I returned to the group. They have a few hours to buy things from him, then we move on towards the southern town.

Autumn 25, 9:31 P.M.
After we had finished shopping, we bid the man farewell and continued southward. I think the cartographer was off a bit, for we saw no forest. He must not have come down here recently, because the only things here are these holes in the ground. There are hundreds of them. I can't help but wonder what caused them.

Autumn 25, 10:05 P.M.
We are approaching the gates to the city. There are 2 Snipers at the main gates. One of them, a young man, speaks to me.
"Why have you come here?"
No need to tell him that we're here for Byron, because if word got out that we were here, we'd be covered with bounty hunters and assassins.
"We are travellers and we would like to enter your town."
"No one enters without Byron's permission."
Byron? It appears he is at a higher possition in this town than I first anticipated.
"Who is Byron?"
"If you do not know who he is, you have no business here. I suggest you return to whereever you are from now."
"Listen, it's too far of a journey back to Tandar, so can we atleast stay here the night?"
"No, you can not."
Jessica walks up out of the crowd.
"Do you have any idea who you are addressing?"
"Hush!"
"I most certainly will not. I am Princess Jessica Tandar and I order you to open the gates to this castle immediatly."
"Great.....There goes our cover."
"Hold on a moment."
The gates are opened. But instead of us going in, two human-sized Mecs come out, with something huge between them. Oh no! It's another Battle Mec!
"If you are Jessica Tandar, then that must be Meliadoul!"
"We aren't looking for a fight, we simply want in."
But it was too late. The second sniper had run for the alarm, but we were fortunent in that Eez had taken it upon herself to dissable it. It always helps to have an intellegent sniper.
"They've destroyed the alarm! This is as far as you go!"
I took a deep breath. We could use some swordsmen right now. We entered battle.

Autumn 25, 10:21 P.M.
We didn't fair very well this fight. The enemy battlemec unleashed a very powerful attack that put most of us in critical condition. We will survived, but we won't forget the carnage that we endured. These Mecs get stronger every battle. I don't know how many more of these fights we can take. At any rate, we've defeated them. The doors of the town are being opened by Eez, who seems to know a lot about machinery. We are now inside of the town. It's suprising to see that it's even darker inside. A sniper approaches us.
"Why are you outside at this time? It's light's out at sundown."
"We didn't know that. We've just arrived in this town. Can you direct me to the Inn?"
"How did you just arrive? The guards were told to not let anyone in after sundown!"
"Guards? We didn't see any guards. When we got here, the gates were open."
The sniper looks behind us to see the gate has, infact, been opened and there were no guards on duty. He immediatly forgot about us and went to gather some of his fellow snipers to investigate. We used this to our advantage and snuck past them. We split up into seperate groups and all went into different directions. Had it not been night, we wouldn't have been able to hide our dragon in an ally. This was not going to be a fun night.

Autumn 26, 6:05 A.M.
The night was horrible. I haven't slept in an ally in ages. I haven't missed it either. Well, the sun's comming up, so the group is going shopping. I've done my shopping and I'm going to get information on this city. When I look arround, I see all kinds of advanced things, things that scare me. I don't know much about this area and no one could tell me anything back in Tandar. I also want to know why the town has a sundown curfew.

Autumn 26, 7:49 A.M.
I've looked arround the town and asked people everything I could. No one was helpful in any way at all. I did, however, meet a young woman whom I'm talking to right now. I hope she has information. We're speaking at a private table next to a window in the pub.
"I'm not from arround here. Could you let me know what's going on?"
"First of all, how'd you get in? Noryb isn't exactly the easiest town to enter."
Before I could reply, Jessica walks over and pulls up a stool.
"Hiya Meliadoul, whose she?"
"Did you just say Meliadoul?"
"Jessica, your not supposed to say my name. Every bounty hunter in town wants me dead, remember?"
"Oops."
"Wait, your Meliadoul?"
"I suppose you won't believe me if I say no."
Her face lit up with joy.
"You have to come with me. Come on, and bring your friend Jessica too."
I don't know where she's taking us, but I guess I'm going to find out. If she tries to turn us in to the guards, Jessica and I will take care of her. If she knows who I am, she won't want to start a fight.

Autumn 26, 8:07 A.M.
A short distance from the pub, the young woman takes me and Jessica into an ally. She looks to see if anyone can see us and finds no one in view. She then pushes on a brick in the wall and it moves back. She pushes her arm back and then pulls on the wall, causing it to open like a door. We follow her inside and find a corridor of darkness. At the end of it, there was a room filled with people, computers, and weapons.
"What is this place?"
"This is the center of the Noryb Rebellion."
"Rebellion?"
"Against Byron. He rules this city."
"WHAT?"
"He's the ruler."
"How did that happen?"
"When he first arrived in our town, we had concealed our technology. No other town in the world even knew that our town existed. He began working under the king when a great economic problem came about. Tander wouldn't lend us money because they feared that we would get them involved in the great war. There were many raiders at the time, and since Tandar hadn't ever heard of our city before, they feared us. Without any help from Tandar, we could not repair our economy and our people went into a depression. Byron advised the king to start selling our guns to the rest of the world, but save the most powerful ones for the Noryb military. The King did not want to introduce guns to the war, but did so for the sake of his people. The introduction of guns to the war ended it fairly quickly and the money brought in from other kingdoms for them was more than enough to repair our economy. Byron was credited for saving our town and ending the war. He suceeded the King when the King was killed by an unknown attacker."
"Wow. I would have never known. So, what's with the curfew?"
"Byron doesn't want the town to fall under attack, so everyone is ordered to be inside at night, when most enemies attack, so that his snipers can take care of any enemies seen."
"Oh. Why are you telling me this?"
"Byron soon heard of the Legend of Elementals and feared it. The legend states that a mage, who was chosen by destiny, will ride upon an jade dragon and wield the elemental staff. This mage is destined to gain unparalleled powers in magery and will use this power as he or she sees fit. Byron knew that whoever this was could challenge him for power. Byron's goal is to rule the world and he has killed many people to do it. He fears that this mage will challenge him. The battle would be long and hard for both he and the mage and Byron didn't want to chance losing. He ordered men from his army to go to Mt. Juna and retrieve both the elemental staff and the jade dragon. His men found the dragon and captured it, but not without a confrontation with Meliadoul. Byron's men moved the dragon to Brandor, where Byron was to meet up with it. Some of his corrupt men wanted money and began to sell views of the dragon to ninjas. The jade dragon was freed by Meliadoul just as Byron arrived. He wants both Meliadoul and the Jade Dragon in his possession and hopes to harness the power of the elemental staff. Or kill them to prevent an attack on his life."
"That explains the bounty on my head."
By now, everyone realized who I was and stopped what they were doing.
"What?"
"If your Meliadoul, then we have a chance at overthrowing the tyrant. We have learned that he has a supreme weapon, one with unimaginable power, and we are going to attempt to destory it."
"What kind of weapon?"
"We don't know. We're going to find out though. Will you and your group help us? Your the only ones who can stand up to the mecs."
"We came here to get Byron to call off his mercenaries, but I'm sure we can help you with this. By the way, I never caught your name."
"My name is Lumina. I'm a light mage."
Jessica chimed in before Lumina could explain her skills.
"A light mage is a form of wizard who is a master of the elementals Fire, Lighting, and anything light based."
"Thank you, Jessica. Round up your group. We've got a plan."
"Is everyone here comming in the battle?"
"Sadly, it'll just be your group and me. They're going to help out any of your snipers though. They can convert human snipers into powerful BioMecs."
"That's impossable. Mecs are machines."
"A Bio-Mec is a Biological Mechanism. A human fuses with a mechanical body and becomes very powerful with all guns. A BioMec can run many programs, all of which you can buy in the town. If you have any snipers who can afford to buy the programs and equipment needed and still give my men 30$ for their work, we can turn your sniper into a full BioMec. They keep their soul and everything, they're just a lot stronger."
"How long would the process of mecification take?"
"Don't worry about that. Your sniper friends would be up and about in time for the assault on Byron. If they buy the right stuff, they will be invaluable in the fight."
"I'll talk to them about it."
I bid Lumina goodbye and Jessica and myself left. We have to get supplies and talk to our people about the assault on Byron. I wonder if my Snipers will want to become Mecs. What I really want to know more about is the legend. If I'm the mage in her story, then I could gain the power needed to defeat not only Byron, but all of the evils of this world. But right now, I need to get my group together.

Autumn 26, 12:04 P.M.
The group is still buying things, but this quick entry is only to inform you that the Knights have arrived and are ready for battle. This will be a fight like no other.

Autumn 27, 3:16 A.M.
We've all gathered and are currently inside of Byron's base. We got in by having some of the rebellion's spybots run through the streets, which got all of the guards after them. We're using their curfew against them. We are all inside and having a hard time. Stealth operations don't work with more than 20 people. I'm suprised we haven't been caught yet. This place is huge. It'll take us forever to find Byron and his weapon.

Autumn 27, 5:40 A.M.
Eez, the sniper I mentioned earlier, became a BioMec yesterday. She's pretending to escort the Green Dragon to Byron. The guards inside the base have guided her to Byron. The fools think she is a BioMec mercenary. Because of the attention given to the Dragon, we've made it easily through the halls. We are now in a very large room filled with Mecs, many of which I have never seen before. Then it happened. Kazin sneezed. We were found. We were guided through Byron's armory and into his little corporate area. He's talking to me now, but I don't know where he put everyone else.
"You were foolish to come here. All of the mercenaries in the world and you bring yourself to me!"
"Well, I kinda wanted the reward...."
"Funny. You will need humor where I'm sending you."
"And where might that be?"
"Heaven, if your lucky."
He pulled out a gun and pointed it at my head.
"That's it? All these mercenaries, all these mecs, and your just gonna shoot me?"
"Ofcourse. I'm not stupid. I'm not going to give you any chance of escape."
"You already have."
"Oh?"
Moogle walked out of the shadows and grabs the gun before Byron can react.
"Thanks, Moogle."
"Any time. One of the advantages to being a Dark Knight is that your trained in hiding in the shadows."
"Bravo, but you should have killed me."
"Seems to me like your outnumbered and outclassed."
"I don't think so. As we speak, your friends are being executed."
"Don't bluff."
"I don't have to. See for yourself."
He turned the monitor of the computer on his desk and I saw all of my friends back in the room with the Mecs, except they were tied up.
"You have 1 minute to get there before I activate all of the Mecs."
He put his finger over a button on his watch.
"Don't think your getting out so easily."
Moogle grabbed him and threw the watch to the ground, where I stomped on it.
"Let's go."
Moogle and I make our way to the Mec room, with Byron as our hostage. None of the guards even attempt to make a move. We eventually reach the room and I unbind my friends. Lumina begins to talk with Byron.
"We've finally got you."
"Do you now? Omeca, activate!"
We turn to see the mother of all mecs activate. It sends an energy beam into Byron and he dissappears.
"It killed him?!"
I hear Byron's voice from the Mec's speakers.
"No, Meliadoul, it didn't."
"How'd you get in there?"
"All of my men have spent countless hours perfecting teleportation and Omeca is the final product. It has a massive arsenal and contains every Mec program to date. When we tested out the teleporter, well, you've seen the results."
I thought for a moment.
"You don't mean...."
"Yes, the forest. Omeca has teleported all of the forest into the sun!"
"The ultimate weapon! You can't block that kind of attack!"
"Exactly. Prepare to meet your doom."
Eez comes in with the Green Dragon. What a relief! But I don't know if it will be enough. If this thing can teleport you into the sun, then we have little to no chance of winning this battle.

Autumn 27, 6:00 A.M.
I don't believe we won. Byron's being dragged out of the machine by Beedrill51 and Mystalic now.
"Looks like your ultimate weapon's a dud."
He only smiled.
"What makes you think this is over?"
"Don't try any tricks with me. I want you to call off your bounty and I might let you live."
"You've missed the first rule of battle, my friend."
"What might that be?"
"Don't leave until your oponent is defeated."
We heard an odd noise and turned to see Omeca reactivating. It's teleporter pointed me.

Autumn 27, 9:00 P.M.
Well, I found your Journal. This is Xeno. I found the note in the inside cover that said if anything were to happen to you, let Xeno continue the story. I suppose I should write down what happened. After Byron's Omeca fired it's teleporter at you, there was a flash. You were gone and the only thing left was your Journal. The Green Dragon was also sent away. Byron had eleminated the threat. The Jade Dragon, the Elemental Staff, and the Mage of Destiny. We were fortunant to escape when we did. Moogle's eclipse fooled everyone out of Byron's base into thinking it was night and that the curfew was in effect. We would have killed Byron on the spot, but he used the last of Omeca's energy to teleport him inside of it and seal the locks on the hatch. We would have destroyed the hatch, but he fired one of Omeca's last lasers at the wall, getting the attention of the guards. We knew we couldn't defeat them in our weakened state, so we fled. We barely made it out alive. We went back to Lumina's base, grabbed the available supplies and left the city. We planned to make a return, but we found that Byron had launched a shield of energy around Noryb. It seems he's had the power to do so all allong. I can only assume he hasn't done it before in hopes that someone would bring Meliadoul to him. It's no longer necessary. At any rate, we can't get in and no one inside can get out. The group that had helped Lumina has joined us and we are going back to Tandar to rethink our plan. Many members of the group are wounded. Omeca put up one incredable fight. The cold Winter is setting in and it will prevent most, if not all, travel between cities. We will be within the walls of Tandar for the Winter.