On three royal steeds, pure white as snow, our heroes ride into the mysterious Murky Woodland. Vi and Faeda shares a horse, Faeda is holding onto her, for Vi is skilled in riding horses. Adie is holding onto a very annoyed Galen. And Edeline has an horse to herself.

Galen: "Remind me again... Why do I have to carry the Mage?" (;u_u)
Adie: "Because, it's so romantic!" (*_*)
Galen: "Stop hugging me!!!" W('O')W
Adie: "Okay, okay! Geez, so grumpy!" (-_-)
Galen: "And... why are going through these woods???" (;u_u)
Edeline: "Adie said it was a shortcut to Fox Arbor." (;^_^)
Adie: "I know this area, of course. We're near my hometown, after all!" (^o^)
Faeda: "Olden Gorge, was it not?" (o_O)

"Yep!", smiles Adie, "And we'll pass it, on our way to Fox Arbor! So, we must stop and I'll give you guys a tour, as promised!" Galen looked a little uneasy, thinking of a town full of Mages... He wondered how many times, per minute, he would be turned into a chicken... "About that," blush Faeda, "I was hoping we could just go straight to Fox Arbor." Galen looked suddenly hopeful. "How come?" asked Adie, becoming disappointed. "The Song has been urgent, lately." nods Faeda, "Something else is disturbing the order of this journey."
"You mean, Sonya." frowns Edeline. "Yes," says Faeda, "Sonya and her soldiers are looking for a special gem." "Right," remembered Galen, "You never told us what that was about." "It's a gem called The Golden Soul." explains Faeda, "It's really the soul of the Guardians, crystallized into a gem. It's hidden deep in Serenity and only with the The Key Of Songs, you may find it." "I see," nods Adie, "So that's why we're trying to find this key."

Galen: "Wait... there's something I don't get..." (o_O)
Edeline: "...No surprise there..." (u_u)
Galen: "Why is this gem so important? What's it's power?" (O_o)
Faeda: "With the gem, one has the power to control the Guardians. Therefore, control the balance between light and dark." (-_-)
Adie: "Oh, I get it... if people like Sonya get their hands on the gem, they can cause darkness to take over Serenity at will. Right?" (o_O)
Faeda: "Not only that, they will gain the power to rule over the world with that gem." (-_-)
Edeline: "I see... So, Lord Zev and Sonya are planning to turn Serenity into a world of death, and then rule over it. Sounds like them." (u_u)

"Hey," remembered Faeda, "You never did tell me who Lord Zev is." "That's right," nods Galen, "I guess we forgot." "Lord Zev is a war-hungry scoundrel!" growls Adie. "Pretty much." smiled Edeline. "He and his army have killed many villages in the past." explains Galen, a cold expression across his face, "He waged war with every living population he came across." "Why?" asks Faeda. "Just because he can!" growls Galen. "Lord Zev," continues Edeline, "And his army, they know The Arcane Arts. This make them very powerful. And when people with dark spirits gain power-" "They become cruel." finished Vi. "Have...?" asks Faeda, hesitant, "Have you guys crossed paths with Lord Zev before?"

Edeline: "Sonya... She came across a few of my clan, in Avens Woods, five years ago. She killed them." (-_-)
Vi: "Several years back my people had to leave our village of Elven Dale. We were lucky and all escaped in time... But our beautiful city is nothing but ruins now. Now, my people are scattered throughout Serenity." (-_-)
Adie: "I once had friends, in the neighboring town of Bowcrest... But when the war started, many of them had to leave that town for safety. I never heard from them again." (-_-)
Galen: "..." (u_u)
Faeda: "What about you, Galen?" (o_O)

"Can we talk about something else?!" growls Galen, "Like finding our way out of these woods?!" Galen pulls up ahead, suddenly, leaving the others trailing behind. Adie's screams echo from ahead, "Slow down, you jerk!" Faeda looks away, sadden. "Um," says Edeline, "Don't mind Galen... He's... Well, his story is kinda sad. But, I'm sure he'll tell you, when he's ready." "Maybe I shouldn't have asked." sighs Faeda. "I didn't mind telling you my story.", says Vi, "Because I know that you'll make Serenity a better place, once we find that gem." "Yeah," smiles Edeline, "Besides, I have no problem sharing with my friends."
"But Galen does?" asks Faeda. "Gee," grins Edeline, "I'm surprise you didn't notice, but Galen's a whole different person! He rather stuff his face with food and get into fights, than to share his true feelings. He's a huge weirdo!" Vi giggled and Faeda blushed. "I've just noticed something..." says Faeda, still blushing, "You like Galen, don't you?"

Edeline: "WHAT? What do you mean?" (o_o)
Faeda: "You know what I mean..." (>_>)
Edeline: "Faeda, you're so funny!" (*^_^*)
Faeda: "I can see it... you get annoyed when Galen does something stupid, but you kinda like it too." (^_^)
Edeline: "Okay... that's enough fairy tales!" (*^_^*)
Vi: "She can't stop blushing!" (^o^)
Faeda: "You see, I'm right!" (^_^)
Edeline: "You guys! Cut it out!" (*^_^*)

Vi and Faeda giggle, as Edeline blushes harder. Galen and Adie comes galloping back on their horse, Adie scolding a mile a minute. "And you're rude!" she screams, "And mean! And stupid! And there's no wonder why you were turned in a chicken so many times! You have NO social skills, whatsoever!" "Shut up, already!" growls Galen, "I bought you back, so quiet!" "Hmph!" sulked Adie, folding her arms. "Did you find a way out of this forest?" asks Faeda. "Yeah," nods Galen, "I think so. I really couldn't check, because motormouth was yapping in my ear!" "Stupid Monk!" yelled Adie, hopping from the horse and heading for Edeline's.
"You can just ride alone, then," Adie huffed, climbing onto Edeline's horse, "Barbaric beast!" "Fine with me," shrugs Galen, "I never wanted to ride with you, anyway. You're the one who insisted! And... my condolences, Edeline." She gave Galen a long stare.

Galen: "What is it now, Edeline?" (;u_u)
Edeline: "N... Nothing." (*^_^*)
Galen: "You look weird... Are you sick or something?" (o_O)
Faeda: *whispering* "They would make a great couple, don't you think?" (^_^)
Vi: *whispering* "Uh-huh!" (^o^)
Edeline: "Hey! You two, stop that whispering! Ahem... we should continue on." (-_-)
Galen: "Seriously, you look pale... is it gas?" (O_o)
Faeda: *gasp* (o_o)
Vi: "...Oh, boy..." (u_u)
Edeline: "GALEN!!!" (o_o)
Adie: "You see... NO social skills!" (>_<)

"What?" asked Galen, completely oblivious. "You don't ask girls that!" blush Faeda. "Why not?" frowns Galen. "It's so obvious why!" yells Adie, "Wow, you really are stupid!" "I don't understand you girls at all!" growls Galen. "That's an obvious fact." mumbles Edeline. "Well," sighed Adie, "Let's pretend he didn't say that." Vi and Faeda nodded in agreement. "Hey!" frowned Galen. "Where are we headed?" asks Edeline, changing the subject. "Yeah," sulks Galen, "I'll lead the way."
They follow him through Murky Woodland, keeping an eye out for monsters, should they appear. But despite it's name, very few monsters live in these woods, and the few choose not to appear. After a while, they came across a cobblestone path. "I know this path." smiles Adie, "This is the way out!" "How can you be so sure?" asks Edeline. "I often visit these woods to collect ingredients for spells." smiles Adie. "Wait," growls Galen, "So you knew the way out, all this time?!" "Of course not!" frowned Adie, "Well... I sorta know it. But I often get lost here, myself. But once I find the stone path, I always find my way back out."

Edeline: "Well, let's go. If we want to make Fox Arbor before nightfall, we must hurry." (-_-)
Adie: "Wouldn't it be easier to just stop by my hometown?" (u_u)
Edeline: "It's really Faeda's call." (;^_^)
Adie: "What do you say, Faeda? Even if we make it to Fox Arbor before nightfall, we'll still have to rest and wait til dawn to follow the Song, anyways. So what's the difference, between a night in Olden Gorge or Fox Arbor?" (o_O)
Galen: (o_o)
Faeda: "Well... you're right, Adie. I guess there really isn't a difference." (^_^)
Galen: "Oh, no..." (o_o)
Faeda: "We can spend a night at Olden Gorge." (^_^)
Adie: "Yay!" \(^o^)/
Galen: "Gah!!!" (@_@)

Adie is now talking non-stop, describing the town and the fun, happily making plans of a tour for her friends. Galen is sulking and constantly mumbling to himself. He then notices the worried glances from Faeda and pulls along side Vi's horse. "What's wrong?" he asks Faeda, honestly concerned. "I'm sorry, Galen." she says in a small voice, "I didn't mean to make you upset earlier." Galen is confused at first, then remembers. "Yeah," he said, heavily, "That..."
"I didn't mean to pry." nods Faeda. "It's not you." sighs Galen, "You didn't make me upset... that memory just doesn't sit well with me. It really has nothing to do with you, so stop worrying." "Okay." smiles Faeda. "And don't worry about my story..." he continued, "One of these days, I'll tell you all about it." "Whenever you're ready to." nods Faeda, "There's no rush." "Come on!" shouts Adie, "Stop lagging behind! Hurry up! We're going to Olden Gorge!" Galen turns pale, while Faeda smiles...