Noma...deserted!?

[paladinchambers]

As you enter in Noma, the village is very quiet. There are no signs of life or any additional destruction. The entire village is empty. Even the graves in the graveyard are open and bare. Did something bad happen here? Try to see if there is any sign of life at all here to get to the bottom of this

[paladinchambers]

Lindsay is shocked. Everyone search everywhere. I think I saw some movement in the shopping district. Be on guard. Hopefully nothing malnevolent has occured. Everyone split up. The harpies as well as Ayane searched the graveyard. The graves were neatly unearthed and no signs of the corpses were invovled. Paul and Zaku searched the empty castle, but there was no signs of anything different either. Lindsay went to the shopping district while Rukia walked around the outskirts by herself. While she was thinking to herself, there appeared unto her a time rift and out climbed Sakura. "You...I know you" said Rukia. "Yes, I know you too. Are you Rukia?" "Yes, are you Sakura?" "I am" Why do we know each other?" I don't know, but my heart has comfort seeing you..." While both women were trying to sort out thier confusion, a beacon of warm light surrounded them. Both women melted into the light without any trace left behind.

Lindsay started her searched into the shop of holy relics. The shop keeper was there and seemed to have barracated himself in the back of his shop. "Shopkeeper, are you in? This is General Dobson!" cried Lindsay. "General!" I'm so glad you are here." the shopkeeper came out a few moments later holding a cloth bundle. There were these lights flying around and everyone disappeared. Even the grave! I don't know what in the world has happened." "Calm yourself. What do you have there?" asked Lindsay. "Oh, it's princess Lily. The bartender found her alone in the center of town. For some reason, those lights were circling her constantly. I'm not sure why those lights didn't come near the rest of the shopkeepers or myself, but the rest of the amazons are gone and there has been no sign since. I believe the secret shop owner mentioned that one told him "The answers lie in Chuzu". Another light told me to seek out Dyrad" Lindsay took the bundle from the shopkeeper. It was indeed baby Lily. "Shopkeepers, I leave this vilage to you and the rest of the shopkeepers. Do what you wish. I, along with whoever wishes to accompany me, will venture to Chuzu to find out why fate is leading us there. I'm going to meet with Noma's remaining forces. We have come planning to do. "May Shinato watch over you all" said the shopkeeper as he knelt down and kissed Lindsay's hand. Lindsay turned and with newfound resolve in her eyes she turned and left

[paladinchambers]

Lindsay gathered all who came with her, but Rukia was missing. Everyone was worried, but figured Rukia should be able to fend to herself. Right now, they had to get baby lily to safety and make preparations.

Both Sakura and Rukia found themselves in an anceint city in the sky. Everywhere they turned, they witnessed what seemed to be angelic beings frozen in time. "This is powerful time magic" said Sakura as she touched the beings. "Over here. Please come" said a distant voice. Both women ran toward the voice. It's source was a fiery haired but petite angel wearing what seemed to be a nurse uniform. "Master Sakura, I knew fate would lead you back. You must undo the evil done by Empress Zeal. She possessed some unknown person I can't recall and she used her powers to freeze us" " Who is Zeal? What does she have to do with Danny Chambers" Rukia associated a horrific moment with the man known as Danny, but the scene was cloudy and confusing. shinato told me before the magic got him. She's in an almighty fairy being. A cruel being hellbent on making a new world order. She targeted the heavens shortly before heading to Merak. Sakura concentrated and braced herself. This magic was advanced and she would have to use alot of power to undo what was done. Sakura went into action and with difficulty she broke the magic, but it drained her. The angels were restored. "Thank you. I am grateful that Shinato hid me" said Lily. "Marvolous Archangel Lily" said Shinato as he rose up. "General Dobson, I'm joyed that you are okay. And you Rukia Kuwinska, are a blessing to my old eyes. Before alligning with Danny, the Amazons served no gods, so Rukia didn't hold much respect to Shinato. I know you have suffered a loss fair Rukia" said Shinato. "You have lost something special to you" "How do you know this" asked Rukia. "They were frozen in time. They just simply couldn't move" added in Sakura. "With Shinato's all-seeing eyes, he still could have witnessed what happened" "That's correct Master Sakura" said Shinato. "I have also witnessed the falling of my former soldier, Danny Chambers, or should I say Euu Avalon" Lily looked very uncomforable, but Shintato placed a caring arm on his shoulder. "My friend Voltentis did as much as he could. It's up to you, heroes of this land to help. Let's have a talk, and I'll explain all."

Once it was over, Sakura and Rukia learned who Danny Chamber's really was, they also learned all the necessary info about Zeal and the fairys. Rukia was also told that she was a hero of time, the legendary 7th no less. "Please protect baby lily. Euu and Zeal will come after her. I'm not sure why, but someting is special about her. Take her to Chuzu, but not to the grave. Give her to Ayane. She will take good care of her until the time is right. Now return back to Noma. Your friends are looking and waiting for you. Sakura, can I count on you to lend us your power?" asked shinato as he bowed. It was odd for a major deity to pay homage to Sakura. She bowed right back and gave her word. Both women were dismissed and were transported from heaven. "Is there really nothing we can do?" asked Lily. "This is a matter that needs to come to pass. Us angels descended from fairys. We stand no chance even againest thier ghosts and weaker tribes. Besides, I have a feeling that the seventh, sixth and fourth hero of time can bring salvation to this land once more"

[hibryd]

hibryd impatiently tapped his foot, arm in a sling with Palin standing close by, waiting for Lindsay and the others to finish their preparations to leave for Chuzu. hibryd didn't know why, but Alahathrazzar had prodded him into leaving for Chuzu with Lindsay.

He wouldn't come out into the field in hibryd's mind where they usually spoke, instead remaining in the shadows of the edges of his concious, apparently afraid of losing some sort of information that only he had.

There were gaps in hibryd's memory, something he didn't like. Nothing before his arrival in Noma was disturbed, which was some small comfort, but there were spots after his arrival that he knew should hold a man of some sort. However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not bring up a face or a name. There was nothing left where he knew there should be someone important.

"Alahathrazzar, whatever you know, you need to tell me. We'll have to take a chance at it being forgotten, because of the chance of it being vital."

"That's the thing, mortal. It doesn't seem like it should be vital at all. It's a face. . .a face you know, I'm sure. I keep seeing the face of Euu Avalon, only when he was Danny Chambers. . .but something keeps on telling me his name isn't Danny Chambers or Euu. . ."

"So that's the big secret? The ex-ruler's face? I am astounded with you. You said it was information too valuable to risk, then you risk it and it turns out to be worthless. The face of Danny Chambers, just not Chambers? Unless he had a twin, who I'm sure we've never met if he does, there is no reason his face should be important. You wasted my time worrying about something so petty. . .Goodbye for now, then. If I happen to come to a battle, I believe I'm going to need you to take over so I don't die. Be ready."

hibryd looked at Lindsay and the others once more. They were making final adjustments to their packs and straps to go to Chuzu. hibryd looked at Palin and nodded. Palin gave an even smaller nod back in acknowledgement, and pulled white robes over his current black ones. He would need to look as weak as possible while travelling, so as to give an edge in battle in that it would be surprising just how powerful he was.

"Well, General, if you're ready to leave, my Disciple and I have been ready for half an hour. I hope you aren't as slow when travelling as you are when you're packing. For the same resaon, I hope to camp as little as possible."

Palin smirked at this remark. Lindsay, however, unfazed, walked up to his face and said, "And if you, Master hibryd, are as quick in bed as you are at packing, then I do hope that when we find out what happened to the Amazons, that none of them foolishly blunder about after you." She smirked, backed up a little bit, then turned around and motioned to everyone else in the party that it was time to go.

hibryd stood where he was for several moments, dumbfounded by Lindsay's audacity.

[paladinchambers]

Lindsay called together the entire remaining forces of Noma. Lindsay was relieved to see Rukia approaching but was surprised to see Sakura. She wondered why she seemed so famliar, but Lindsay knew she was friend and ally. "Warriors of Noma. As you know, the Amazon nation of Noma may very well be gone. We are all that is left now. We will get to the bottom of these matters, destroy our oppressors, and get Princess Lily to safety. After that, our paths will most likely separate once this is over. As for me, I will continue to preserve the legacy of the amazons." After a moment of silence, Lindsay spoke again. We have three objectives. First, Ayane Kovats will be in charge of caring for Princess Lily" "ME?! But Danny is after her!" "I'm still working on that, but that's the plan so far. Please have faith..priestess" Ayane gasped and felt embarresed being scolded about her faith by General Dobson. Ayane looked down and bit her lip in shame. It was true, ever since witnessing the enormous spirtual power of Rictor Avalon as well as the demonic nature of her beloved Danny, in addition to that horrible necromancer, her faith has been dwindling. Not to mention that the renegade paladin Andrew Caspers as well as the silence from the heavens has been troubling her too. Ayane silently prayed for forgivness and strength from the heavens, not sure if they were heard or not.

"The second objective is we need to travel to Dryad's Manor and see if she indeed knows about anything that happened. Dryad is an ally of Noma and also considered to have the second most polical pull in Merak. I'm sure she will help with all her might." "Lastly, we must head to Chuzu. It's a very long trip and might take us months to get there." First let's head to Chuzu. Ayane will accompany us until we are in Chuzu" Lindsay breathed in deeply. "If everyone will allow, please let us implore the gods of this dimension to aid us, even if they cannot hear us. General Dobson bowed to a knee and so did Ayane, Sakura, Demetra and Rukia. Paul decided to not join in the ritual. He stopped believing a long time ago...

After a few moments, General Dobson as well as those feminine pillars of Noma, rose up with a look of beauty and determination that moved all those in attendence. Dryad's manor is only half day's walk from here. We should make it there by sunset. Let's go if everyone is ready. Demetra gave a funny look to Paul. "Hey Paul, what's that on your forehead?" she asked. Paul returned the odd look and looked into a nearby pool of water. He lifted his hair. He gasped. What was that mark on his head? Rukia came foward and knelt down so she could see it too. Her eyes widened in shock. She removed her headband quickly. Sure enough, Paul was wearing a trianglur mark just like Rukia. "Wait, you too General Dobson? asked siren as she pushed Lindsay's hair aside. Paul, Rukia and Lindsay all circled one another. All three were wearing the same mark." I've always had this mark, but when did you guys get it?" asked Rukia. It was strange, just hours ago, neither Lindsay or Paul had this mark, but now it was there with no prior warning. Hey, that man Rictor Avalon had the same mark. Didn't he call it "The Mark of Fierce Deity?" asked Ayane. "But he said that only espers, heroes of time, or select indivuals had it?" asked Demetra. "Wait, Shinato just told me that Iwas the Seventh Hero of Time, whatver that means" said Rukia. "Rictor said he was the First Hero of Time." "So it has happened. I cant believe I'm witnessing it" said Sakura exicitly as she came up. She bowed down at Paul's Lindsay's, and Rukia's feet. You three are the last of the heroes of Time. Finally all seven have been found!" "wha..." asked Lindsay. "I'll explain more when the time is right. I believe Rictor said he left a book about that at the library. We'll explore when we get a chance. Come on, we'll go my way!" said Sakura loudly. She kissed all three surprised heroes and then she conjured a very large cloud. "Come on, step on it. It will be okay as long as you are a good natured. All stepped on it, but Paul fell through. "Whatever" said Paul. I'm better off on my own anyway." Paul sped away with his famous inhuman speed. "Come on. Let's go" said sakura. The cloud rose and at a quick, steady pace the remaining group went to the Monestary of Nature.

TO BE CONTINED AT "THE MONESTARY OF NATURE