"Eric, where's Natasha?" Miguel asked.

"She left. Off to find her parents, she said," he responded.

"She thinks they could still be alive?"

"Apparently. She left town a few hours ago. Headed to Nikeah, I heard."

"Well, I hope I hope she finds what she's looking for."

Eric looked at him. "Something wrong?"

"Nah, just a little down this morning," Miguel replied.

"Had another nightmare, eh? When are you going to learn to put it in the past? It was over a year ago. I mean, everyone's forgiven you."

"Yeah. It's a shame none of the Returners found out, though," Miguel answered.

Miguel ordered a drink and sat at a table. He thought of the great treasures he had once had and how the Empire stole them. He wanted revenge, but since the Empire that stole his stuff was now gone, he could only think of what could have been. He finished his drink and left.

He thought to himself, /I need to do something. No real treasures around anymore. Most have been found in this area. It's time to look in other places./ So Miguel tarted with hunting down the Tintinabar.

********

He asked everyone he saw that morning about the Tintinabar. Most of them said the last thing they heard was that Gestahl had given it to the Returners. But a few were helpful. One man, about in his 30's, said that Locke would have tried everything to revive his girlfreind, but he couldn't remember her name. Miguel thought it over and decided that the first thing to do was to find out where Locke's old girlfreind lived.

He asked many people about Locke and his girlfreind. He found out only two things. That she lived somewhere to the west, and that her name was Rachel.

He returned to the cafe.

"Eric, it's been nice knowing you. I don't know if I'll be back," Miguel came out and said.

"Where ya headed?" Eric asked.

"I don't know," Miguel responded. "To the west is all I know." Miguel sat down at the bar. He saw a white piece of paper on the bar. He picked it up. "There are 4 places to the far west. Zozo, Jidoor, the Opera House, and Kohlingen, right?"

"Yeah," Eric replied.

Miguel drew a circle and divided it into four equal parts. He placed it against the wall and grabbed a dart.

"I'm going to turn around and throw this behind my back. Wherever it lands, that's where I go," Miguel said.

"Yeah? And what if it lands in the wall?" Eric replied.

"Hey, I'm the best darts player here. I'll get it on the paper."

"Yeah, well, just remember who's winning most of our games." Eric joked.

Miguel turned around, closed his eyes, and threw the dart. He turned around and opened his eyes. The dart had landed dead center on the part with Jidoor written on it.

"That's where I go to, Jidoor," Miguel said.

"Well, what are ya standing around here for? Get going," Eric said.

First Miguel ordered a drink, then he was off. He went to his shack to pick up some things: a few potions, antidotes, and a tent. Then he headed to the bay area and hoped aboard his small, but sturdy, boat, and was off.

His boat was a simply, small sailboat. He traded in two Hero Rings for it. Not a bad deal, considering the mobility he received with this boat. He could now go off to far off places searching for his treasure, and many times it paid off.

He measured the direction and speed of the wind and decided he could take an hour to sleep. He really needed it, too.

~ ~ ~ ~

"MIGUEL!" someone yelled.

~ ~ ~ ~

Miguel woke up yelling. He had had that nightmare again; it had become more frequent. He sat there in his bed for a few minutes, trying to shake the dream from his memory. He could not. His dream mixed with stories of the Returners' hideout in Jidoor was just too much. About a week ago, one of Miguel's friends, a Returner, told him that the Returners were in Jidoor. As he would think of himself, he didn't lay that down as law, but the thought has crossed his mind. Then he remember to check his course.

He walked to the deck and checked his position with his map. He measured and saw he was only ten minutes from Jidoor! It seemed he had taken more then an hour's sleep.

He could see the town and the port now. He sailed the boat into port and tied it to a poll. He talked to some of the other sailors to "shoot the breeze" but mostly to find out where all the great-looking girls hung out. They talked for about a half hour and Miguel decided to get back to his search, since according to the sailors, most of the great-looking girls were either taken or were snobs.

He strolled around town and, not surprisingly, saw a few old friends. He avoided most but talked to a few. He didn't ask them any questions about Locke, Rachel, or of the Tintinabar. He wanted to remain inconspicuous.

He entered the Auction House to see if he could get something for cheap and sell it higher. This was indeed his lucky day. There was hardly anyone there and he ended up getting some good things. He got five potions, five elixers, and a Black Belt all for the low price of 3500 GP. Yes, he was indeed lucky none of the high auctioners were there. Then a pair of Dragoon Boots came up. He couldn't believe something that usually went for 9000 GP only got to 5000 when it slowed down. He was sure this must be beginner's night or something. He bidded 6000 GP and then no one. "Going once," called the auctioneer. "Going twice..." Miguel felt lucky, but then someone yelled "I bid 10,000 GP." Miguel sank. Damn, so close to a 3000 GP discount. He definitely didn't have the money to keep going. Then he relized who's voice that was.

"Gregory!" Miguel yelled.

"Hehe, you remember me, old friend," Gregory said.

"I sure do. Come on, let's get out of here." Miguel grabbed some of his stuff and Gregory picked up the Dragoon Boots.

"Banon wanted me to pick these up for someone." Gregory explained. "You don't know how tempted I was to bid against you earlier."

"Well, I'll sell you what I got for 6000 GP," Miguel joked.

"I won't, but maybe Banon would," Gregory said.

"NO!" Miguel shouted. "I mean, I can't. I'm on a tight timeline here."

"Please explain," Gregory insisted.

"Alright," Miguel said. "I'm looking for where Locke's old girlfriend, Rachel, lived. Do you know where?"

"I sure do. Up in Kohlingen," Gregory said. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm looking for the Tintinabar." Miguel said.

"Really? You know, we once had it - I mean the Returners," Gregory said.

"Yeah? Now where is it?" Miguel asked.

"I don't know. I don't know if we still have it." Gregory said. "Maybe Banon knows."

"I can't waste the time. I have to get to Kohlingen as soon as possible," Miguel said.

"Well, in that case, I hope I see you again," Gregory said.

"I hope so too, old friend," Miguel replied and was off.

On the way to his boat he met up with a very atractive woman. He hesitated; he gave thought to it, but coundn't waste the time for yet another one-night fling. He had a town to get to. Some of the sailors asked him if he got lucky but he ignored them and was out to sea extremely fast. He was on the verge of something big, he could feel it.

He remembered once when going from Jidoor to Kohlingen wasn't so far. But now he has to go around a large mass of land and then twist up and around again. In his sailboat, it now took a good several days to get there. But he felt something extremely big at Kohlingen. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he had never doubted his instincts.

He couldn't help thinking about that Tintinabar he had once had. He wanted it so badly, he would do almost anything to find it. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that he wouldn't find it in Kohlingen, or even find any clues. But his insticts kept pushing him to Kohlingen. Then he saw something.

He was just reaching the beginning of the continent which Kohlingen was now located on. It was very faint and off the distence, on land. As he neared he could make it out. "Just a house," He thought. He dodn't know who lived there, if anyone did. He couldn't wait and find out; he was on a tight schedule.

~~~~~~~~

"MIGUEL!" a Returner yelled.

~~~~~~~~

Miguel woke up. Another nightmare. He was starting to lose more and more sleep over these dreams. It was starting to worry him.

He neared Kohlingen. He could tell; the land shifted from a north- western heading to a north-eastern heading. "Another few hours." he said to himself. With no one aboard, the journey was a real bore. All he did was look off to the sea and let his mind wander.

* * *

He reached Kohlingen with no trouble, and anchored his boat near the shore.

The town was very quiet. It was much more peaceful than Jidoor; then again, Jidoor was very crowded. The residents of Kohlingen didn't tell him anything. They would respond "I don't know any Rachel." or "How do you know Rachel?". Miguel had a very hard time, and often got frustrated at the lack of information.

It was getting dark and Miguel was very tired and irritaded. He spent the night at the inn, but with little sleep. That dream, nightmare, all he saw was one person yelling his name. He knew why; he didn't want to confront it. His dream was very vague.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He could see Returners walking out of Mt. Kolts. He decided to take a walk after his unpleasent conversation with his father. They neared him.

"MIGUEL!" a Returner yelled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He woke up in a cold sweat like he always did. This nightmare, which seemed to grow, was haunting him. It only made him more angry.

He walked around town, asking people about Rachel. None of them would tell him anything, until an old man approached him.

"So you knew Rachel?" the man asked.

"Accually, no, I'm jut looking for her," Miguel responded.

"Looking for her, eh? I knew her, and her boyfriend Locke. I used my herbs to keep her alive, my herbs I used. Mwa ha ha."

"Then please tell me, did Locke ever try using the Tintinabar to revive her?" Miguel asked.

"No, can't say he did," The man said.

"Damn. Now where do I go?" Miguel said to himself.

"Well, I must be going, I have my herbs to grow. Mwa ha ha."

"Yeah, thanks," Miguel replied.

Miguel left town and went back to his ship. /Damn,/ he thought over and over again. /Another dead end,/ he said to himself. He now had no clues or anything. /This is too much of a wild goose chase,/ he thought.

He set sail back to South Figaro to stop by home. There he would regroup and plan his next move.

"MIGUEL!" a Returner shouted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lightning screached across the sky as the rain poured down. His small boat had no chance in this storm. He kept trying to steer it through, but it was no use. He started to pull through, but then lightning struck the side of his boat and it began to sink.

He hurried to get below deck and grab some of his things before his boat sank. He grabbed some relics and weapons and armor. He didn't get out with much.

Waves were now starting to pour over the side. The boat, now sinking rapidly, was tipping to one side. Miguel slipped down and off the boat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darkness.

Darkness all around. He let out to yell but nothing. He opened his eyes and all he could see was water. He was drowning, and the pressure in his lungs was getting stronger. He let himself go. He started moving in one direction, so he swam in that direction.

He reached the surface. The storm was still raging on. Waves kept pushing him in all directions. Then one giant wave came at him...

Darkness.

"Orders from the Emperor. Our deal is off," a soldier told him.

The young man left the town to wonder the wilderness thinking of what he had done. It was nightfall and he just kept wondering. He then spotted Mt. Kolts in the distence and fighting going on up there. It was his fight. He reached Mt. Kolts and saw a few Returners coming out of the cave at the foot of the mountain.

"MIGUEL!" a Returner yelled.

The Returner reached him. "Miguel, they found the location of our base! How, though? How did they find out?" the Returner asked.

"I... I... don't know," Miguel responded. He kept his head low, keeping sure not to look him in the eyes. "Is Banon dead?"

"No, he and a few others took the raft and are now on Lete River," he responded. "Locke is headed for South Figaro as we speak. C'mon, maybe we can help him."

They started to South Figaro, but the wounds on the few Returners that were with Miguel took their toll. They reached South Figaro as a battleship was just leaving dock, and the town was now heavily fortified. As they approched, Imperial troops stopped them. One noticed Miguel.

"How's it going? I see you brought a few Returners as captives," The soldier told him.

"What?" the Returner said. Miguel just looked at him.

"Come along then... and Miguel, the Emporer was very pleased that you gave us the location of the Returner Base. He will gladly pay you your 100,000 GP," the soldier said.

"WHAT!" the Returner now yelled. "You TRAITOR!" The Returner raised his sword to strike him, but Miguel quickly grabbed his knife and struck into the Returner's chest. The Returner dropped down to his knees, then died.

"Well, I guess you secret is safe for now," the soldier said with a chuckle.

Miguel couldn't believe he had killed his friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miguel felt water all around, but his head was cold, feeling the breeze of the air. He was soaked from head to toe. His lungs were in great pain. He opened his eyes to see the sun about to rise. The horizen was bright orange and the sky above a drak blue. He saw sand all around him, and water from time to time came passed his eyes and back behind him. At first he couldn't move, but he soon forced himself to. He moved his arm from under his body and turned onto his back. He moved his hand across his chest and head and felt many cuts and scars. He felt pain every time he tried to move, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to move. The sound of birds chirping, waves crashing, banging in the distence...

Banging in the distance?

Miguel forced himself to sit up, causing great pain. He saw he was on a beach, but he knew not where. He could hardly see anything around him. The waves were crashing like they do on every beach; he saw mountains in the distance, and a lot of vegitation but not quite covering the entire ground. He saw patches of dirt were no vegitation grew. It looked very similar to the beach just north of South Figaro.

"Could I really be near South Figaro?" he asked himself.

He waited a long time to try to stand up. He was dead exhusted and his lungs still were in pain. He would cough a lot, and water would come out. He knew that his lungs had water in them, so he kept coughing and kept forcing himself to cough to get most of the water out. He did get a lot of water out, but his pain was as great as ever.

When he did try to stand the first time, he noticed a large gash on his left knee and sand partially covering it. He moved closer to the water and tried to wash the sand off. He did wash the sand off, but the salt in the water brought on great pain.

The banging in the distance was much louder now. He walked toward it but could only move a few yards a minute. It took him a great while to even see anyone.

It was a few hours after leaving the beach when he finally spotted someone. He yelled for help.

"HEY!" the man yelled. "GUYS, OVER HERE!" A few others ran towards Miguel. His cuts now bleeding and salt water still in his eyes made him look in very bad shape, and he felt worse.

"Just lay down, we'll get help," the man said. "How did this happen?"

"...Out at sea... ship sunk." Miguel now just found out he could barely talk. "... Where... am... I?"

"Don't talk. Just stay calm," the man said.

Many men and women came over to Miguel. They carried him off to a small hut where a doctored examined him.

"Well, he has a lot of water in his lungs, the cut on his knee is pretty bad, and so are the cuts on his chest. He also has a bite on his foot." He turned to someone Miguel couldn't see. "Get me an antidote, some tonics and an eyedrop." He heard the door open and close. "You had quite a trip, friend. You managed to get bitten by a poisonous creature that only lives out at sea. Where did you come from?"

"He said we was on a boat and it sunk," a man said.

"...storm..." Miguel said.

"I see. Can you tell me how long you were out there? Looking at these wounds, I'd say you were out there pretty long," the doctor said.

"...lightning... ship sunk..." was all Miguel could say.

The door opened. "About time," The doctor said. He made Miguel drink half of the antidote and then applied some to the wound. Miguel started to few better already. Then the doctor put the eyedrop in Miguel's eyes. The doctor made Miguel sit up. He gave Miguel two tonics to drink. Miguel downed them quickly. The doctor started to treat the wound on his knees.

Miguel could now finally see. He looked out the window of the hunt and say many people walking around, constructing buildings and the like.

"What's your name?" The doctor said.

"Miguel, yours?" Miguel asnwered.

"Everyone just calls me Doc," he answered.

"Alright, Doc," Miguel said.

"Where you from?" Doc asked.

"I was on my way to South Figaro when a storm sunk my ship. Then I ended up on the beach to the west."

"Where did you depart from? Maranda? Albrook?" Doc asked.

"No, Kohlingen," Miguel responded.

"KOHLINGEN?" Doc yelled.

"Where am I?" Miguel demanded.

"This is Tzen."

"Easy! Calm down!" Doc told him.

"That's impossible. How could I have come all this way?" Miguel asked.

"I don't know the answer to that, but that would explain this bite and some of these cuts. Only ocean creatures could do this type of damage," Doc said.

Miguel sat up quickly but everything went fuzzy.

"Hey, don't move too much too fast. You're still not ready to go back off to your adventure." Doc said.

"I have to get back to South Figaro," Miguel said. "I... have..." Miguel winced and groaned in pain. He felt his chest and the cuts were as deep as they were before. He also felt his head and there were more cuts there then he remembered. The pain was so great now, especially in his left knee. He sat up slowly this time and he felt alright now. He looked down at his knee and saw a huge gash, bigger then any cut he'd every seen.

"What could have done that?" Miguel said, pointing to his knee.

"Hmmmm, I'd say a few pirahnas and a lot of salt water, which is what you got enough drifting all this way," Doc responded.

"Damn. Will I be able to walk?" Miguel asked.

"Here," Doc said, grabbing a crutch that was leaning against the wall. "Use this. It'll help." Doc gave him the crutch.

"Thanks," Miguel said. "It looks like I'll need this."

Just then a man with fancy clothes on followed by a few armed soldiers walked in.

"We understand you're from the north," the man in fancy clothing said.

"Well, yeah. I am," Miguel said.

"Please, we've been waiting for word from King Edgar. Do you know what has happened?" the man said.

Miguel seemed shocked to hear the name King Edgar mentioned, but then completely forgot where he heard that name. "Uh, no. I don't know a King Edgar."

"What?" the man said, surprised. "You don't know King Edgar?"

"I... uh... no," Miguel said.

Then Doc stepped towards Miguel and asked, "What do you remember?"

"Well, I was sailing from Kohlingen and..." Miguel was cut off.

"Before that, do you remember anything before that?" Doc asked.

Miguel thought. It seemed like a stupid question, but then he realized that he couldn't remember anything before that. He thought hard, but nothing was there. He sighed. "No. I can't remember anything."

"Oh, great," the man said, frustrated. "I guess we'll just have to rely on Lahndo to get the message to our people. C'mon." He and the armed men left.

Miguel stood up using the crutch. Why couldn't he remember anything? It had seemed all clear to him before. "I'll be around, Doc," Miguel said. Doc nodded and Miguel left the tent.

He wandered the streets, more like dirt roads, looking around. He was wondering why these people weren't in their homes. In fact, he was wondering if he was actually in Tzen. No buildings, streets, or anything.

It seemed he could remember general things, like town locations and simple general knowledge, but he couldn't remember specifics except his name and a few recent things. He knew he had been sailing from Kohlingen and headed towards South Figaro, and that a storm sunk his ship. But that was it. He couldn't remember his family or freinds, or exactly what he did for a living. A man without an identity.

He tried very hard, but he could not remember what he was doing in Kohlingen. Then he stumbled and fell.

"Ouch!" Miguel yelled. "What the..." Miguel grabbed his crutch and used it to pick himself up.

"Sorry about that. Would you be interest in buying a tonic, maybe an antidote?"

"A what?" Miguel asked.

"A tonic!" the merchant yelled. "Are you stupid? Don't you know what a tonic is?"

Miguel didn't answer. He kind of just shrugged and walked away. "A tonic?" Miguel thought. "I wonder what that is."

He continued to walk, but his leg was in real pain now. He headed back to Doc's tent, but Doc found him first.

"What is it?" Doc asked. They were near a two-story-high wooden building.

"It just hit me. I don't have money I need a place to stay," Miguel said.

"Well, come with me, Miguel. I arrange for you to stay in the Figaro headquarters." Doc said.

"Thank you a lot. I really appriciate it," Miguel answered.

They went in the building and Doc told him to go upstairs. Doc stopped at the desk and said something to the desk clerk.

Miguel went up the stairs and saw a few very soft beds. He laid down on one and he couldn't remeber ever being more comfortable, which really wasn't that long of a time to remember. He still couldn't remember anything. He quickly fell asleep.

*******************************************

Miguel awoke to a loud sound.

"What the...?" Miguel thought.

Miguel looked over at the stairs and saw light emanating from below. He grabbed his crutch and sat up slowly. He got to his feet and started going down the stairs. He could barely see, but when he reached the bottom, the light completely blinded him.

When his eyes adjusted he saw a finely dressed man say to someone, "Thank you from freeing me from that hellish prison. Allow me to introduce myself."