Terrified screams and the smell of burning wood, surrounds our heroes, as they enter into the merchant town of The Ever Hills. "What's going on?" gasps Edeline, drawing her sword and looking around. "What happened here?" gasps Adie, staying close to Galen. "Looks like a war." he says, a dark resentment to the very word. "But why here?" frowns Edeline, "This is just a merchant town! Something doesn't add up..."
A young girl collapses before the group, Galen and Faeda rush to her side. "She's badly wounded!" frowns Galen, "Dammit!" "It's okay," nodded Faeda, "I'll heal her." Faeda places her hands together and a soft pink light sparkles over the girl, healing her...

Girl: "I... I thought I was gonna die!" (o_o)
Galen: "It's okay, we got here in time..." (u_u)
Faeda: "Whew..." (;^_^)
Edeline: "Say, girl... what is going on in this town?" (o_O)
Girl: "The soldiers! They came out of nowhere and starting asking for this gem... We had no idea what they were talking about. So, they decided to destroy the town and kill people!" (o_o)
Adie: "That's horrible!" (o_o)
Faeda: "...This gem... did they say what it was?" (o_O)
Girl: "I think they called it... The... Golden Soul." (>_>)
Faeda: *gasp* (o_o)
Vi: "..." (o_o)

"Do you know about this gem, Faeda?" Edeline asks. Faeda looks towards the ground. "There's no time for talk!" growls Galen, facing ahead, "We've got company!" Ten soldiers, dressed in blue, white, and gold garb, are marching towards our group. "Quick," says Adie, to the young girl, "Hide somewhere safe!" "Yes." nodded the girl and disappears down an nearby alley. "Okay, ladies..." grins Galen, "Get ready to take these scum out!" "Right." nodded Edeline and Adie.
The soldiers draw their swords, sinister looks of pure hatred for our group. Filled with high confidence, these soldiers have only one plan... To kill our heroes quickly and move on to more victims! Faeda steps behind the group, to keep out of harms way, and to heal any of her friends who may need it. Galen and Edeline is in front and ready to take down as many foes, while Vi and Adie stand behind, casting their arts. The soldiers charge!

Edeline: "Ai-yah!" (o_O)
Galen: "You've pick the wrong group to mess with!" W('O')W
Adie: "...Beyond the reaches of the plains..." (-_-)
Faeda: "Oh, no! Here you go, Edeline!" (;^_^)
Edeline: "Whew... thanks Faeda!" (^_^)
Vi: "..." (-_-)
Adie: "...Hear my cry and let the enemy..." (-_-)
Galen: "Oof! Didn't see that coming!" (>_<)
Faeda: "Galen! Here!" (o_o)
Galen: "Alright! Now you scum will die!" W('O')W
Adie: "...Perish now! Lightning Strike!..." \(^o^)/
Vi: "..." (-_-)

Adie's lightning bolt headed towards our group! "Look out!" screams Galen, pulling Edeline out of the way! Faeda and Vi duck to the ground. And the bolt misses Adie by inches. "What the hell was that!" screams Galen. "Oops..." blushed Adie, "Sorry! I don't know what went wrong..." "Ai-yi..." sighs Faeda, "That was a close one." "Crazy Mage!" growls Galen. "Hey!" frowns Adie, "It was an honest mistake!"
"Wait a minute," says Edeline, looking around, "How come the soldiers aren't on us? They've had ample time to..." Every soldier was frozen in place, some caught in mid air, with their swords raised high. "What..." gasped Galen, "What is this?" "I sung a note." smiled Vi, "I like to call it 'The Stop Note'." "Alright, Vi!" cheered Adie. "That's amazing!" gasps Edeline, staring at the frozen figures.

Galen: "Well... it's no use standing around. Let's finish these guys!" (^_^)V
Woman: "Tsk, tsk, tsk... What an unscrupulous thing to do, killing off men who can't defend themselves." (-_-)
Adie: "Who are you?" (o_O)
Galen: "How fair is it, for these men to attack the innocent? Could the fallen villagers defend themselves?!" (u_u)
Woman: "Touche'..." (-_-)

A woman, in elaborate armor, stands before them. She has the look of long lost knowledge and power, a dark grin spreads across her face. "From your looks," says Galen, "I'd think you were the leader of this evil plot." "You would assume right." she says, coldly, "I am Sonya, Commander of Lord Zev's Army!" "Lord Zev?!" gasps Edeline. "That is correct," she says, peering down at Edeline with deep disgust, "You Koians know us well." Edeline growls. "Edeline..." says Adie, sadly.
Sonya spots Faeda in the group and a look of concern flickers across her face. "Hmm." says Sonya, in acknowledgment, "I see... So, this task will not be so easy for us." Faeda gasps, looking towards the ground. "Enough talk!" growls Galen, "You will pay for the unforgivable crimes you've committed here!" "All so gallant." chuckles Sonya, "But all so futile! I will give you your deaths... later. For now, I must report to the others of my new found knowledge." "No!" roars Galen, "We finish this now!" He charges after the woman, but she disappears, without so much as a poof!

Galen: "Hey! Come back and fight!" W('O')W
Adie: "What an evil witch!" (o_o)
Edeline: "You have no idea..." (u_u)
Faeda: "Um... who is this 'Lord Zev'?" (o_O)
Galen: "Oh, no... We'll answer your question, when you answer ours!" (;u_u)
Edeline: "What's going on, Faeda? It seems like Sonya knew you." (o_O)
Vi: "It's starting... isn't it?" (-_-)
Faeda: "Yeah..." (-_-)
Vi: "We're going to the same destination, aren't we?" (-_-)
Faeda: "Yeah..." (-_-)

"What's going on?!" screams Galen, "Enough with the secrets!" Edeline and Adie nodded in agreement. "You're right." sighs Faeda, "You should know the truth... but not now. We have to hurry to Ivy Castle. I'll explain everything, once we get there..."