The stranger is in stance, his arrow pointed towards our heroes, as his stare is devoid of all feelings. Galen is ready to move, Edeline and Vi by his side, as Adie guards Faeda. "I have no tolerance for trespassers." says the cold stranger, "It's useless to put up a fight. Just lay down and die!" "Like hell I will!" shouts Galen. "Hmph." grins the stranger, "That's the answer I was hoping for. I love it best, when they struggle." A stone flies from nowhere and hits the stranger in the head, knocking him out!

Galen: (o_o)
Edeline: "What was that?!" (o_o)
Captain Pete: "Bugger off!" (>_<)
Vi: "Did the Captain just toss a rock?" (o_O)
Captain Pete: "Of course I did! That bloke is mental, going on about like that." (;u_u)
Adie: "Way to go, Captain Pete!" \(^o^)/
Faeda: (;^_^)
Edeline: "Okay... that's not how I've expected that fight to go..." (>_>)
Galen: "Yeah... tell me about it..." (-_-)

The stranger staggered to his feet, growling. "Ow!" he winched, "A rock? Who the hell throws rocks in a fight?!" "I do, mate!" cheers the Captain, his chest puffed. "Um," frowns Adie, "Really not something to be proud of, Captain." "Hang on," frowns Captain Pete, "Weren't you just swooning, a minute ago?" "I was not swooning!" huffed Adie, "And... I was just happy you took the guy out. Not agreeing with the form." "Could have fooled me!" yells Captain, folding his arms. "Could have fooled me too." mumbles Edeline, Galen nods in agreement.
"Hey!" yells the cold stranger, now angry, "Just who ARE you people?!" Faeda steps forward, hoping to reason with this guy, but he quickly raises his bow. Galen and Edeline quickly shields her, while Captain Pete grabs another rock. "STOP!" shouts Faeda and the stranger lowers his bow a bit. "I'm trying to explain," she pleads, "Just stop threatening our lives!" "I'm listening." he says, coldly. "Well," begins Faeda, "I am Faeda Ynair, of the royal family of Ynair, of Gryphon Islands. And these are my friends. I am on a quest to retrieve the Key of Songs."

Cold Stranger: "I see... but what does that have to do with me?" (-_-)
Faeda: "Well, all of Serenity is in danger. If I succeed -and I plan to- all of Serenity will be safe." (^_^)
Adie: "That includes you, buddy!" (u_u)
Cold Stranger: "Yes... I know the story of the 'seer' and the 'Guardians Of Light'. I understand fully about your quest and what it means. Still, I see no reason why your life... or death... should matter to me." (-_-)
Galen: "Gah! Are you stupid or something! If Faeda fails, every living being will die in Serenity, that includes YOU!" W('O')W
Cold Stranger: "What I'm trying to explain is... I do not fear death. I like to give it, as well as receive it." (-_-)
Edeline: (o_o)
Faeda: "But..." (o_o)
Adie: "That makes no sense at all!" (o_o)

Another rock hits the stranger again! "Mental!" shouts Captain Pete. "Okay," nods Adie, "This time I agree with the rock throwing!" Captain Pete smiles. "Stop throwing rocks!" shrieks the stranger, crawling back on his feet. "Wait," frowns Galen, "You don't fear death, but you have a problem with rocks?" "They hurt!" growls the stranger, pointing to the lumps on his forehead. "And death doesn't?" laughs Edeline. "That's different!" sighs the stranger, "Death's pain is only for a moment, until one fades into the void. Getting hit with rocks are pointless! There's no eternal release afterward, just pain."
"Well," frowns Captain Pete, "That's because I'm holding back, mate. With the right amount force..." A light sparkled in the stranger's eye. "Try your best." he says, raising his bow, "No longer hold back." Everyone exchanged looks. "Nah," waved Captain, "I'm not falling for that trick again." "What trick?" asks Adie, confused. "Who said anything about tricks?" frowns Captain Pete. "You just did!" huffed Adie. "I did?", he frowns, "I don't remember."

Cold Stranger: "I grow bored of your antics... please leave." (-_-)
Faeda: "I refuse! I've come here for the Key of Songs." (>_<)
Cold Stranger: "I have seen no such thing here." (-_-)
Faeda: "You wouldn't. Only the seer and their Bard may find it." (u_u)
Cold Stranger: "You misunderstand... These caves are my home. I know every inch, like the back of my hands." (-_-)
Faeda: "No, you are mistaken. There is a hidden passage in these caves." (;u_u)
Cold Stranger: "How can you be so sure?" (-_-)
Faeda: "Because, the blood of the Guardians are crying out, at this very moment!" (;u_u)
Vi: "Do you insist on standing in the way of an seer's path? Be prepare to know my power." (-_-)
Edeline: "As well as ours!" (u_u)

Everyone steps forward, protecting Faeda in the middle. Captain Pete bounces a rock in one hand, as if it's an rubber ball. The stranger stares for a while, weighing his strength against theirs, finally resting his eyes on the bouncing rock. "I don't see what the big deal is." he shrugs, "This salvation you seek is only temporary... that is, if you succeed." "I will succeed." nods Faeda. "It will last for generations, at least." says Vi, "And it is all that we can hope for, until the next seer's term." "And it's a VERY big deal!" huffed Adie.
The stranger lets out a sigh. "Fine," he says, "You may wander the caves. But find your relic and leave quickly." "Thank you," smiles Faeda, "Mr... um...?" "My name is not important." he waves, uninterested. "Be an proper gentleman!" shouts Captain Pete, "Introduce yourself!" "I don't take orders from you." says the stranger, turning to leave. Captain Pete tosses a rock, it nearly hits the guy. "Fine!" yelped the stranger, "It's 'Oar'! Now, stop throwing rocks!" "Oar?" asks Adie, "What an funny name." "Shh," frowns Faeda, "That isn't nice, Adie." "I'm just saying..." she shrugs.

Edeline: "Now that's over... which way do we look?" (o_O)
Faeda: "We should follow the tunnel. The doorway can be found beyond there." (^_^)
Oar: "I must interrupt..." (-_-)
Galen: "What do YOU want?" (u_u)
Oar: "There's nothing hidden at the end of the tunnel." (-_-)
Vi: "Only Faeda and I would know that for sure." (-_-)
Oar: "I would know so... That is where I've made my home." (-_-)
Faeda: "I see... Well, you wouldn't mind if we'd-" (o_O)
Oar: "Search my sanctuary? Yes, I would mind, very much!" (-_-)
Galen: "Hey, you said we could search here for the key!" (;u_u)
Oar: "Yes, the caves... but not my personal space." (-_-)
Edeline: "How about gold? Could we pay you?" (o_O)
Oar: "I have no need for riches." (-_-)
Adie: "Captain Pete! Put down that rock!" (o_o)

Captain Pete drops the rock and folds his arms. "You're no fun, love." he mumbles. "Look," sighs Edeline, "Believe me, we don't want to intrude..." "You've intruded enough." nods Oar. "But we really need to reach the key." nods Edeline, "It's important. Just name your price." Oar was ready to dismiss them, but thought for a moment. "Do..." he began to ask, "Do you have access to a copy of Binderson's '101 Cookbook'?" "What?" frowns Galen. "It's a book!" gasps Adie. "I got that much," growls Galen, "I'm not stupid, you know!" "No," waves Adie, "I mean to say, I know that book!" That sparkled returned in the stranger's eye.
"Oh, you do?" Oar asks hopeful, "Do you happen to have it with you?" "Heck yah!" nods Adie. In a puff of smoke, Adie pulls a book from the air. "Woah..." gasps Edeline, "Reminds me of Reeth." "Bloody hell!" shouts Captain Pete. "Pretty cool, huh?" nods Adie, proud of her trick. "You're a bloody Mage!" he shouts, pointing. "Duh!" frowns Adie, "Of course I am!" "You claimed to be the seer!" huffed the Captain. "I did not!" growls Adie, "You assume I was!" "Assumed what, love?" he asked, forgetting already. "Oh, forgoodness sakes!" growls Adie.

Galen: "So... do we have a deal?" (>_>)
Oar: "Yes... for the book, you may search." (-_-)
Galen: "I don't understand why a guy would want a cookbook?" (u_u)
Adie: "It's not a 'cookbook', Galen. It's really a spellbook, for us Mages. A beginner's book, really." (;^_^)
Edeline: "Wait... do you have another copy? Are you sure you want to give it away?" (o_o)
Adie: "Sure! I'm WAY past beginner's level!" (^o^)
Galen: (o_o)
Faeda: "Maybe you should keep it, just in case..."(;^_^)
Adie: "In case of what?" (o_O)
Oar: "No book, no search." (-_-)
Vi: "Looks like we have no choice..." (u_u)
Galen: "Gah!!!" (@_@)

"Oh, relax.", waves Adie, as she hands over the book, "It's no point to holding onto something you've outgrown." "What about something that's brand new?" mumbles Galen. Edeline elbows him. "Oof!" he doubles over, "Why'd you do that?!" "Be nice." she whispers to him. "Could have just said that." growls Galen. "If you are ready," says Oar, now impatient, "Follow me."
Oar leads them through a series of tunnels and caves. Everyone can hear the echoes of monsters, lurking just outside. Faeda huddles close to Galen. "They can't get in," whimpers Adie, "Right?" "They have no need to." says Oar, still leading the way, the book clutched closely. "How do you survive," asks Edeline, "On a island full of monsters?" "They do not have a need to bother me." answers Oar, his voice devoid of any emotion, "They're more like my family, in a way. They take care of me, even bought my bow and arrow... and of course, all that is here..."
They walk into a small cave, at the end of the tunnel. It is full of books, one old wooden desk, and a meager wooden bed. "You're kidding!" gasps Edeline, "The monsters accept you and they bought you all of these things?" "Yes." nods Oar, "It's too complicated to explain... not that I care to." "Bloody hell..." says Captain Pete, "The things you learn at sea..." Oar carefully places his new book on the desk, as if it was made of glass. "Hurry and find your relic." he says, not looking at anyone.

Edeline: "Where do you think it is, Faeda?" (o_O)
Faeda: *listening* (-_-)
Galen: "Hey... I just realized... how are we going to get back to the ship?" (O_o)
Captain Pete: "Fight our way, of course!" o(^_-)O
Edeline: "We'll never make it!" (o_o)
Oar: "I will ask the monsters to make a path." (-_-)
Adie: "You're kidding! You can do that?!" (o_o)
Oar: "I wouldn't have offered, if I couldn't." (-_-)
Edeline: "That's amazing! You can communicate with monsters!" (^_^)
Oar: (-_-)
Faeda: "It's here!" (^_^)

Faeda pointed to an wall. "Galen," she nodded, "Captain Pete, could you please move the bed?" Both men quickly moved the bed away from the wall. "It's just a wall." says Oar, now becoming agitated. Faeda took a deep breath and began pressing each stone in the wall, in a distinct pattern. There is a click and the wall slides open. "Interesting." says Oar, in awe. "Way to go, Faeda!" cheers Adie. They all head inside the secret dark room, Oar quickly lights the torches inside.
In the middle of the room, there is an alter, a golden key floats in a beam of light. The light seems to be traveling from outside, through the ceiling, but there is no visible hole leading to the outside. "Wicked!" gasped Captain Pete. "Um," smiles Faeda, "You guys must stay here. Only the seer may approach the alter." "Understood." nods Edeline. They watch as Faeda reach the alter, confident and ready for her task. Suddenly, huge angel-like wings surround her!

Galen: "Faeda!" (o_o)
Vi: "Don't worry! This is good news. It means that the key have accepted her." (^_^)
Edeline: "Whew..." (;^_^)
Galen: "Now what?" (o_O)
Vi: "She will gain the key and she will be given more instructions." (^_^)
Adie: "What? There's more?" (O_o)
Vi: "Yes, this is just the very beginning..." (;^_^)
Oar: "Interesting..." (-_-)

The wings unwrap and disappear, Faeda steps away with a golden key, that now has tiny white fluttering wings on it. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." she smiles. "You could have warned us about the angel wings." growls Galen. "Oh," Faeda blush, "I forgot about that part, myself. Sorry for worrying you all." "It's not a problem." shrugs Edeline. "What now?" asks Adie.
Faeda holds up the key, showing everyone. "You see," she explains, "This key is not complete. In the five empty impressions there should rest five crystal shards." "Don't tell me," sighs Galen, "We have to find the shards, right?" "Yes," nods Faeda, "The shards are hidden and scattered throughout Serenity. The Guardian's Song will let me know where each shard lies." "I see," says Oar, "This is done to ensure, that even if dark souls shall find the key, they could never wield it's power easily." "Correct." nods Faeda.

Captain Pete: "Bloody hell!" (o_o)
Adie: "What is it now?" (u_u)
Captain Pete: "That girl is a seer!" (o_o)
Adie: "Tch! Keep up with the story, you're lagging behind!" (;u_u)
Faeda: (;^_^)
Oar: "I believe I've changed my mind..." (-_-)
Galen: "What?" (o_O)
Oar: "I don't want the book, I want something else." (-_-)
Galen: "Too bad! We've already made the deal and searched the place." (u_u)
Oar: "Yes... but you're not off the island yet..." (-_-)
Galen: "Why, you little-!" W('O')W
Edeline: "Okay... what do you want, Oar?" (;u_u)
Oar: "You can have the book back... and I'll make a safe path from the monsters... " (-_-)

"The price!" frowns Captain Pete, "Name your price!" Everyone nodded in agreement. "I wish to travel with you." Oar says, finally. "What?!" yells Galen, "Why?!" "Wait," frowns Adie, "I thought you said, you don't mind death! Why do you suddenly want to stop it?" "I don't." he answers, "I have no intentions of getting involved with this quest. I do, however, want to observe it. It's highly fascinating, better than the short tales in my books."
"What an odd request." says Vi. "Quite so, love!" says Captain Pete, shaking his head. "Then again," grins Adie, "This is an odd guy." "I see no harm in it." nods Faeda. "What?" asks Edeline, confused. "He can travel with us," Faeda continues, "Just as long as he doesn't get in the way." "Believe me," he says, "I have no intentions to." "Then it's settled." smiles Faeda. Everyone, besides Oar, gives Faeda an odd look.
"So..." sighs Edeline, "Let's leave this island. No use sticking around." "Yes," nods Oar, "You guys, meet at the entrance, I'll rush ahead and alert the monsters. Don't worry, they will listen to me." And Oar takes off, leaving everyone behind. Slowly, they make their way towards the entrance...

Edeline: "Are you sure about this, Faeda?" (-_-)
Faeda: "Yes. We can trust Oar." (^_^)
Galen: "How can you be sure?" (o_O)
Adie: "Yeah, the guy's in love with death. And your purpose is stop a major massacre! Are you so sure we can trust him?" (>_>)
Faeda: "I can see into his heart. Yes, it is filled with darkness... but there's also a hint of light too. And... he's not tagging along, to cause trouble." (;^_^)
Vi: "How do you know?" (O_o)
Faeda: "Because he's genuinely curious about a seer's journey." (^_^)

As they reach the entrance, Oar ducks in, out of breath. "Hurry," he warns, "They've agreed to stand aside. But they can easily change their minds!" Everyone leaves the cave and are surrounded by thousands snarling monsters. Oar leads everyone down a narrow path between the threatening crowds, until they reach the boat. "Quickly, ladies and gents." nods Captain Pete, "Hurry on board. These monsters are loosing their patience!" Galen lifts Faeda onto the boat quickly, as Edeline pulls Adie on board.
The monsters grumble as Oar hops on board, after Vi. "Don't worry!" he waves to them, "I will come back! Just going away for a little while!" "Hmm..." says Captain Pete, "The new kid's a bit rum, don't you think? Giving an tearful goodbye to foes and all." "It's not tearful!" growls Oar. "Oh," shrugs the Captain, "It's okay to be a little teary, when leaving family." "But," frowns Galen, "You just called him weird for being tearful! Now you're saying it's okay?!" "I'm not tearful!" shouts Oar. "Ugh..." frowns Edeline, "Men..." "So," smiles Adie, changing the subject, "Where too next, Faeda?"
"Howlingrift." answers Faeda, "That's where we'll find the first shard." "Well..." says Captain Pete, "I'll sail you back to Fox Arbor. That was our deal, remember? To The Bone Cliffs and back." "Right," nods Faeda, "Thank you, Captain Pete. You have been a great help in our journey!" "My pleasure, love." he bows, slightly. Our heroes sail towards Fox Arbor, under a sea of stars...