but do not despair, for it is one that

will help in his quest, instead of

harming it.

--The Ancient Prophecies of the Espers

Cursed are the three goddesses, for they

bring with them only evil and destruction.

--The Book of Kefka

Lahndo was having a moral crisis. He had lied to someone, for no reason whatsoever. He didn't know anyone in Tzen, at least, he hadn't for a long time, so why did he say he was visiting friends? Suddenly, all thoughts of motive vanished from his mind, for Tzen came into view, and what a view it was. Tzen, which had been a beautiful city before, was now a shantytown. It was filled with mud huts, tents, and shanties. The place was wrecked.

Upon closer examination, however, Tzen appeared to be awfully clean for a shantytown. The dirt roads were clean and groomed, and not terrible mudpits like in most other ruined villages. Heck, there were even merchants selling out of their tents. Lahndo walked down the main "street" of Tzen, looking for some clue to his mission.

Suddenly, Something caught his eye. A flying chocobo! His eye followed its flight path to a set of green tents on the edge of town. The tents flew the flag of the Chocobo Legions of Figaro! Lahndo headed towards them, intent on finding out why the Legion was here, and where the flying purple chocobo had come from.

Lahndo was unprepared for dealing with the military. Upon arriving at the tent, he had asked the guard on duty where the purple chocobos had come from. Two hours later, he had gone through a seriously long registration process as a "wanderer passing through", and was facing the commanding general.

"I believe that you may have information that we need about the state of the world," The General said.

"Umm...What do you need to know," said Lahndo, "And why is the Figaran army in Tzen anyway?"

"We need to know why communications from Figaro ceased abruptly. We are here at the command of King Edgar. Our orders are to Take Tzen as a province of Figaro."

"When did Figaro go Imperial?" Lahndo asked, puzzled.

"After the defeat of Kefka, King Edgar returned. He ordered the mobilization of forces to take surrounding cities. We took Jidoor, New Zozo, West Mobliz, and we were going to take Tzen, when the citizens attacked in a suicidal resistance, and destroyed their own city with a magical Hurricane. I was a lieutenant then. After the storm subsided, we organized the survivors, and set up this temporary camp. We will rebuild Tzen soon, as a province of Figaro. The problem is that Figaro stopped communicating after we were dispatched. King Edgar became disturbed, and started blasting towns with a device like a light of judgment. Then all communications ceased, and no one knows why. That's why I'm asking you for help. As a traveler, you are bound to hear rumors, and we want to know what is happening in Figaro, and what we are supposed to do. Can you help?"

"I'm sorry, but I just set off myself. This is the first town I've been to since I left home. Perhaps you can help me, though. I'm on a sacred quest, and I was told to learn how to use the weapons I carry. I'm a Blue Mage by trade, and I don't know the foggiest thing about swords and armor. In exchange for a bit of training, I'll take a message to either Figaro, or one of the other occupied cities for you."

"OK, we'll train you...report to the parade grounds at 1300 hours for drills. I'll write a note for the King or the other generals. Pick it up at 1900 hours. Dismissed!"

* * * *

Lahndo was whipped. He had been training hard, learning how to use a sword, ride a chocobo, Jump with his dragoon boots, and dodge enemy attacks. He picked most of it up, at least enough not to hurt himself, but he was tired. He stopped by the general's office again, to pick up the letter.

"Thank you for your help, the army's stability is riding on this. It's a great service you're doing us and...What's that?" the General said, pointing to Lahndo's swords.

"Um, they're my swords...They're kind of dull..." Lahndo replied.

"Hmph. Those are magical swords. I'd suggest that you report to the artificer at once. He's in the infirmary, healing. He was hurt rather badly in the hurricane, but he survived. Take these with you," said the general, handing Lahndo a pair of sunglasses. "They're the artificer's Mysidian Shades. They let you see magical energy. Here's the letter. You depart at 0500 hours tomorrow. Dismissed!"

* * * *

So, Lahndo went to see the artificer. She was a healthy young woman, no older than her early teens, But she was very pale, having been in the infirmary since the Hurricane. She had broken several bones, but was healing quickly. She introduced herself as Candace.

"Did Andy send you to keep me company? Oh he's so sweet!" She said.

"Um...The General sent me to ask you about my swords...He says they're magical," Lahndo said.

"Oh good, I get to go back to work! Gimme those!" She said, taking the swords and shades. As she examined the swords, she babbled on about her past. "I found these shades in Thamasa when I was really young...I was on a trip with my parents! I got them to buy them for me, and when I wore them I found that I could see magic! I watched every magical thing I could, trying to see how it worked! I saw when Kefka came and tried to intimidate King Edgar! He looked cool! I mean you could just see the magic cascading off of him! And the end of the world! THAT was cool! I mean have you ever seen the magical ripples given off by a Light of Judgment? That is the coolest thing! Except that King Edgar's LoJ doesn't give off magic. It's boring. But anyway, I was asked to join the army when We started invading so that I could tell if anyone had magical stuff, and how it worked! Is that a cool job or what? Anyway, I saw this really cool..." Lahndo rapidly became bored as she trailed off on another description of something cool she had seen. "Hey, are you listening to me? I said your swords are cursed!"

"What?!" Lahndo shouted. "Cursed?"

"Yes! They're each cursed in a special way...Only one is sharp at any given time! The other is really just a dull pipe. However, they switch which is sharp and which is dull! If you are able to fight in the right rhythm, You can slice your enemies into ribbons! Or, you'll just beat them to death in a clublike manner! However, it seems odd that anyone would have swords like this...even a Genji Glove wouldn't give you the right rhythm...It's odd. What could these have been made for?"

"Hmmm...What about these?" Said Lahndo, "They were with the swords."

"What are they?" Candace asked, intrigued

"They're sword cuffs. Here, let me see those," Lahndo asked, pointing to the swords. Lahndo slipped the cuffs on his wrists, where they looked like normal wristguards. Lahndo drew the two swords in either hand, the white sword in his left, and the black in his right. He clicked his wrists together, and the sword cuffs extended, covering his hands, and locking with the hilts of the swords. Lahndo took a few practice slashes in the air.

"Cool," Candace said. "They leave cool trails magic, because of their curse!" She raised her glasses. "Thanks for showing me, Mister...Oh no! My eyes are going! Aaaahhhh! You're all white! I've lost my ability to see color!"

"No, No. I'm an albino. I have no color."

"Oh. Your armor's white too. What's it made of?"

"It's made from the hide of a white dragon," Lahndo said. "The Sainted Heroes of Balance killed it on their way to fight Kefka."

"Cool." Candace said. "Come back and see me sometime...I'll be up and walking around in a few weeks."

"Okay," said Lahndo, as he left the infirmary. 'She's a nice kid,' Lahndo thought, as he headed towards the barracks. 'Awfully nice of them to put me up for the night.'

villains, as well as the heroes. For It

Will be a time of great confusion, and

many will switch their roles.

--The Ancient Prophecies of the Espers

The man who was fated to become me was

mad and evil. As a show of my compassion,

I have given him a new life, and a new name.

--The Book of Kefka

Lahndo awoke to a shout. The soldiers in the wing where he was staying were being called for some emergency duty. Lahndo shruged, and got out of bed, hoping to see what they were doing. He put on his ceremonial robe, and realized that he must look like a ghost, being all white. 'Hope I don't scare anyone,' he thought. Little did he know that the events of the next hour would be more terrifying that anything he could do.

Lahndo followed the soldiers down the hall. They were madly rushing, and guarding a cart with something on it. It appeared to be an incredibly large emerald, or perhaps a piece of jade. A large green jem, anyway. "What's with the stone anyway?" Lahndo asked a passing soldier.

"Some farmers found it in their feild while tilling. They turned it in because it tingled with a strange energy. We're taking it to the artificer," The soldier said. Lahndo almost laughed at the thought of how Candace would react.

* * *

The wraith was intrigued. Not only was this creature learning how to fight, it had also lead him to a powerful magical source. The wriath decided that It should ave the source for it's own purposes. It would make its attack tonight.

* * *

Candace was excited. "I've never seen a magical aura like this before! It's so weird! Not only is the field unfamiliar, but it seems to be missing some part of the flow pattern!"

"Hmmm... I've only seen a pattern like that once before," Lahndo said, using his blue mage training to its fullest extent. "That was on the statues. This stone must have some connection to a living being, one with powerful magical abilities."

"Wow! Cool! I wonder if we can get it out? That would be so neat!"

"It's possible, But I wouldn't have the foggiest Idea of...What the Hell?!" Lahndo was rather dsiturbed by the appearance of a dark figure. One of shadowy substance, but with no real form. A wraith.

"Give me the stone," The wraith said. "It belongs to my master, who by divine right has control of all magic."

"The power of magic belongs to Lord Kefka, and is his to distribute as he pleases. Your master is nothing but an evil attacker bent on ruining this world, and it is my Sacred Duty to destroy him and you!" Lahndo shaouted at the writh, with venom in his voice.

"Puny human, you could not even hurt me, let alone my master. You are a fool and a nuisacne. Begone before I destroy you."

"Lahndo...His name is Rankhor," Said the familiar voice of the Metatron.

'Thanks,' Thought Lahndo. "That's where you're wrong, Monster! It's you who will be destroyed. I'll send you back to the netherworlds where you belong, for I know your true name! Rankhor!"

"What?!" shouted the wraith as it felt it's power slipping. "You shall know my wrath! Even if you destroy me, you shall never have my Prize! Oh Master, by the powers of Darkness that you alone control, Grant me the power to destroy this Interloper! Let The Earth Shake!!!" An earthquake rocked the camp. Several cracks opened up beneath Lahndo's feet, but he sidestepped them. The Gem fell from its stand.

"I hold your source of life in my hand, and with you true name I command you, get ye gone to that outer darkness where your evil kind belongs!" Lahndo shouted. A glowing gate appeared in the air, and tendrils of light came out, sucking the wraith in. It gave a last dying shriek as it was sucked away. Then something even more out of the ordinary happened. Streaks of light were pulled back out of the gate to a green mist that was forming. The Gem had been crushed when one of the fissures closed around it, and had transformed into this unnatural fog. It sucked soul energy from the gate hungrily, untill it closed. The gasses congealed, and there stood a man, dressed in fine clothes. The remaining soldiers, and some other watchers who had straggled in gasped.

"Thank you for saving me from that hellish prision," Said the man. "Allow me to intoduce myself..."

where he must go and what he must do.

Chance and Luck shall guide him, as

well as the whims of his companions.

--The Ancient Prophecies of the Espers

Follow ye the path which I have lain

out for you, for only through the

cleansing of the world shall a new one

be reborn. Your path is twofold:

Destroy that which is evil, and Create

that which is good.

--The Book of Kefka

Everyone in the room gasped. The Green magic crystal had shattered, and a man had emerged from the shards. He was tall and thin, but obviously strong, and was dressed in dark finery from a time long forgotten. He held a cane in one hand, topped with a green gem. He had a long face, wild hair, and deep piercing eyes. He looked around the room, and, addressing Lahndo, Candace, and the others, began to speak:

"Thank you for saving me from that hellish prison. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a man of great wealth and taste. You may address me as Omega."

"You were the man in the crystal!" Candace exclaimed. "What ever happened to you? What was it like?"

"To tell the truth, It was hideous. 'Life' within the crystal was devoid of anything but terror. How I arrived at that fate is too long a story to recount." Omega lied gracefully. 'I must figure out what has happened in the time I was trapped in the crystal,' He thought, 'and what happened to the guardian. These pitiful creatures could never have destroyed it, so something else must be happening, and I must find out what.'

A young man with a crutch and several bandages stepped forward. "Hello Omega, I'm Miguel. I also have lost my way in the world, seeing as I have amnesia. Perhaps we could work together to solve our mutual problems."

Lahndo stepped forward and introduced himself. "You two appear to need spiritual direction in life. Perhaps I can be of assistance. I am currently on a Holy quest to locate and destroy a great evil being, who is called Master. I can take you along with me, and help you out. After all, this is a cruel world we live in, an it's not safe to travel alone. We would all be much better if we traveled together. Miguel, where did you say you came from?"

"I'm not sure. The only thing I remember is that I was sailing from Kohlingen to South Figaro... I don't know why."

"I'm heading to Jidoor. I know there's a small desert near there with a Figaran castle Tunnel entrance waystation. I need to contact the Jidoor garrison and possibly King Edgar himself. I can get you a ride to South Figaro easily. Omega, you should come too. We can teach you about this world, and you can tell us your story."

"Hey! What about me? Don't I get to go adventuring?" Candace whined.

"YOU have a duty to the Figaran army, young lady," Lahndo said in mock superiority. "Besides, you still have some heavy-duty healing to do. Miguel, Omega, Get some sleep, and we'll meet back up in the morning."

* * *

General Andy himself came out to wish them a safe journey, which was nice, because he also provided them with purple chocobos to take them to the Jidoorian continent.

The flight was rough, feathery, and rather uneventful, seeing as the skies were a clear blue, the air was devoid of other fliers, and the chocobos' wings made so much noise that communication was impossible. When they landed, they released the chocobos and watched them flutter back towards Tzen.

"How odd," said Omega, "that people would chose large birds as a mode of transportation. Truly the world has changed much from my day."

"The world has changed much in the last few years," said Miguel. "It was near-destroyed by a power-crazed demigod named Kefka."

Lahndo winced.

"You know, there may have been a reason for that," Omega said. "Many powerful mages have used life energy to create great magical effects. Perhaps this 'Kefka' had some reason for his actions."

Lahndo decided that he liked Omega.

"Look!" said Miguel suddenly, changing the topic. "The City! This must be Jidoor! We got here quick!"

"That's odd," said Lahndo. "I don't recall Jidoor having large, rickety towers. We must have landed too far north. That's not Jidoor. That's Zozo."

"Thank you for saving me from that hellish prison. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a man of great wealth and taste. You may address me as Omega."

"You were the man in the crystal!" someone exclaimed. "What ever happened to you? What was it like?"

"To tell the truth, It was hideous. 'Life' within the crystal was devoid of anything but terror. How I arrived at that fate is too long a story to recount." Omega lied gracefully. 'I must figure out what has happened in the time I was trapped in the crystal,' He thought, 'and what happened to the guardian. These pitiful creatures could never have destroyed it, so something else must be happening, and I must find out what.'

Miguel noticed Omega looked over to him and saw him. He really had no choice but to introduce himself now. "Hello Omega, I'm Miguel. I also have lost my way in the world, seeing as I have amnesia. Perhaps we could work together to solve our mutual problems." Miguel tried to impress Omega who was obviously well educated.

A man stepped forward and introduced himself. "You two appear to need spiritual direction in life. My name is Lahndo. Perhaps I can be of assistance. I am currently on a Holy quest to locate and destroy a great evil being, who is called Master. I can take you along with me, and help you out. After all, this is a cruel world we live in, an it's not safe to travel alone. We would all be much better if we traveled together. Miguel, where did you say you came from?"

Miguel looked down trying to remember. "I'm not sure. The only thing I remember is that I was sailing from Kohlingen to South Figaro... I don't know why."

Lahndo began to speak. "I'm heading to Jidoor. I know there's a small desert near there with a Figaran castle Tunnel entrance waystation. I need to contact the Jidoor garrison and possibly King Edgar himself." For some reason Miguel felt his stomach turned at the name King Edgar, but he couldn't recall why. He had a terrible feeling about that person anyway. "I can get you a ride to South Figaro easily. Omega, you should come too. We can teach you about this world, and you can tell us your story."

"Hey! What about me? Don't I get to go adventuring?" someone whined.

"YOU have a duty to the Figaran army, young lady," Lahndo said in mock superiority. "Besides, you still have some heavy-duty healing to do. Miguel, Omega, Get some sleep, and we'll meet back up in the morning."

Miguel turned around and headed back upstairs. He slowly climbed the steps and laid back down in his bed. He looked up at the ceiling wondering mostly about who he was. He slipped into slumber.

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

Fires roamed the city and no matter how much rain fell, they kept burning. The citezins ran throughout the streets while soldiers walked around in heavy armor burning down buildings. The citizens were running into the mountains and out of the city. A cloaked figure walked through the blaze and up to Miguel. His stare burned into Miguel's mind. Then he spoke the word "Zozo..." and vanished, and so did the image.

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

Miguel woke up in the middle of the night sweating and breathing heavily. He stood up, grabbed his crutch and and walked to the window. He saw a few men walking around and doing jobs, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Miguel walked back over to his bed to continue his sleep.

Miguel, crutch in hand, walked down the steps and to his suprise, Doc was standing at the counter.

"Doc," Miguel said.

"I see you slept poorly," Doc said.

"Yeah, rough night. Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me with something," Miguel said.

"Sure boy, what is it?" Doc said.

"What does "zozo" mean?" Miguel asked.

"Zozo?" Doc asked. "Zozo is a town near Jidoor, but with your amnesia, I don't suppose you remember either. Zozo is a town to the west where it never stops raining and all the citizens are liars and thieves." Miguel could only wonder what his purpose was there. Doc reached behind a counter and took out a map. He showed Miguel the route there.

"Gee, well thanks." Miguel said. He walked out and into the sun. He couldn't imagine why he would need to go to Zozo. Doc walked out of the building.

"You know, boy, I recently got this newsletter thing that explained what really happened during the downfall of the Empire. It was written by the elder of Narshe. Perhaps it could help you remember some things. Miguel read the news letter about Gastahl and Kefka. About the tower of Kefka which was right to the south of him. But nothing could clear up his memory. It was just like being in a history class.

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

Miguel, Omega, and Lahndo were on their way. The Figaran Army was nice enough to lend them some Chocobos. Miguel would occasianly do some trick or stunt that would get the attention of Omega and Lahndo. When the asked how he did that, he always responded "Ask me again when I get my memory back." They countinue their journey until arriving at a city.

"How odd," said Omega, "that people would chose large birds as a mode of transportation. Truly the world has changed much from my day."

"The world has changed much in the last few years," said Miguel. "It was near-destroyed by a power-crazed demi-god named Kefka." Lahndo Winced.

"You know, There may have been a reason for that," Omega said. "Many powerful mages have used life energy to create great magical effects. Perhaps this 'Kefka' had some reason for his actions."

"Look!" said Miguel suddenly, changing the topic. "The City! This must be Jidoor! We got here quick!"

"That's odd," said Lahndo. "I don't recall Jidoor having large, rickety towers. We must have landed too far north. That's not Jidoor. That's Zozo."

"Yes it is Zozo, and I am sorry for bringing you here but I must be here." Miguel responded.

"Why is that?" Omega asked.

"I don't know. But I must serve some kind of purpose here. And I need to find out what it is." Miguel said. Miguel walked into the city.

"You guys decided to come along?" Miguel asked.

"I don't have anything important to do right now. Besides, whatever it is you plan to do, you could use some help." Lahndo replied.

The three walked into Zozo but didn't see any citizens. They looked at each other and wondered where everyone was at. From a distance, they heard some kind of machinery. It was coming closer to them. Then, from behind a building walked out some kind of walking robot with what appeared to be a soldier sitting inside.

"Hey!" yelled the soldier.

Miguel grabbed the two and ran behind the building.

"We have to leave." Lahndo said.

"NO!" Miguel yelled. "I stay. If you two want to leave, then go!"

Miguel, without waiting for a responce, ran for the closest staircase and ran up it. Lahndo and Omega followed. The soldier circled the building looking for them. Then he looked up and saw them running.

Miguel saw a set of rusted armor sitting in the corner of the balcony. He grabbed it and throw it down at the soldier. The armor hit the control deck of the Magitek armor. Suddenly, sometime shot out of the armor and hit a near by building. The armor then started raceing in one direction. The soldier tried to get out but the Magitek armor blew up, killing him.

"Well, they definitely know someone's here now." Miguel said.

"Miguel." Omega said. "Let's go. There's nothing for us here."

"I'm not leaving," Miguel said. "I have... to find what... I'm supposed to do... here..."

Miguel grabbed his head and then collapsed.

Then... darkness.

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

"MIGUEL."

"MIGUEL."

"MIGUEL."

Miguel heard an unfamiliar voice calling to him. Miguel openned his eyes and saw a kind of image of someone looking at him. He didn't recognise it.

"Who... who are you?"

"I cannot tell you, but I can tell you that you're not what you think you are," the image said.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Miguel, you must free these people. Only then will you find your true identity..." The image faded.

"What? Come back, please!" Miguel said. Miguel grew tired and then his eyes closed again.

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

Miguel woke up in a room he had never seen before. He was still low on energy and could barely move. He also noticed a bruise on his shoulder.

"Look, he's awake!" someone said.

Miguel looked over and saw three people looking at him.

send strong minions after the chosen

one. However, to the one with the given

powers, even these will be nothing.

--The Ancient Prophecies of the Espers

The world has been plagued by evil from

all sides. From now into eternity, I

shall watch over the world and protect

it from the harm that they would do.

--The Book of Kefka

Miguel fell to his knees, and blacked out. Lahndo and Omega rushed to help, but were held back by an unseen force. Miguel stood, and stared at them, with a wild look in his eyes.

"Lahndo. At last I've found you. Now you DIE!" He shouted, and lunged right at Lahndo's throat. His lunge was stopped in mid-swing by Omega's staff.

"It's not right for companions to fight amongst themselves," he said. "Why don't you just relax, and tell us what the problem is?"

"My mission is to kill Lahndo. I have failed my Master before... I shall not fail again." Omega looked quizzically at Miguel, then placed his hand on his forehead. Miguel collapsed into a heap.

"Muscle control. That explains the wild look in his eyes...How would you feel if you couldn't control your own body?" Omega said. "Good thing I can absorb magical energy... But who could control him like that?"

Suddenly, the normally dark, grey, dismal sky of Zozo became considerably darker. Lightning streaked across the sky. A dark form materialized in the air near Miguel.

"Very good," said the wraith. "I will deal with you, once I have disposed of him." The wraith turned to face Lahndo. "You, Mortal. You have caused us much distress. Now I have come to do away with you, once and for all. You will pay for the trouble you have caused us." With that, the wraith launched a wave of frigid darkness at Lahndo.

While the wraith had been giving his monologue, Lahndo had been receiving instructions from the Metatron.

"This one is stronger than the others. He has intelligence of his own, and powers beyond those of his fellows. You will have to remove the source of his power before you can destroy him. It shifts as the evil matter that makes up his body does. You must cut it out of him, and then exorcise him. His name is Kebranyth. This battle will not be easy. You will have to work harder than you ever have before. Good luck, Lahndo."

Lahndo dodged the wave of darkness by a hair's breadth. He pulled the sword cuffs from his pack and clamped them on his wrists. He grabbed his swords. "Let's see how you fight in the REAL world, creature of darkness!" Lahndo shouted, as he felt the sword cuffs close tightly around the hilts of his blades. "Prepare to meet YOUR doom!"

"Foolish creature, you cannot ever hope to defeat me," The wraith boomed. "You are for too weak, and I am far too strong... From the depth of the prime evil which I can control, I call the GLOBE OF OBLIVION!!!" A sphere of pure darkness enveloped Lahndo. There was no escape... except one possibility.

Lahndo lunged towards the wraith. "Creature of darkness, you do not realize that I cannot be hurt by your pitiful evil. I have the God, Kefka on my side!" Lahndo stood, and bowed his head in prayer. The eternal storm of Zozo stopped for a moment, and the clouds parted. A shaft of pure, white light came down from the heavens. A Light of Judgment. The light buzzed past the buildings, passing through them, and causing no damage. The light struck the globe, and it disappeared. "Praise be to Kefka," said Lahndo. "Now wraith, prepare to be eradicated from the face of the earth."

The wraith levitated up to the next floor of the rickety tower. Lahndo stabbed his swords into the wall, using them to make handholds for climbing. He reached the wraith, one floor higher than previously. Lahndo lunged at the wraith, slashing. His swords passed through the wraith's outer "substance", but clanged hard against an object hidden deep within. The wraith let out an unearthly shriek, not of sound, but of emotion. It consisted of pain, fear, loneliness, and desperation. Those who felt it knew what the world would be like if the Master had his way, though few understood what it meant.

The wraith retorted, sending an electrical shock coursing through Lahndo's body. He was in incredible pain, unable to withdraw the sword from the wraith's "body". Suddenly, the deadly wave ended. Lahndo realized that the semi-solid object inside the wraith's body was the source of it's power. Lahndo lunged again, slicing around the object, trying to separate it from the wraith. The deadly wave of electricity flowed again, almost blacking Lahndo out.

"Fool," shouted the wraith, "you cannot affect me. I am invincible! No sword can touch my body!"

'No SWORD..." thought Lahndo, 'But what about something else?' Lahndo prepared for a last-ditch attempt to stop the wraith's attacks.

Lahndo leapt and slashed at the wraith. "You fool... Now you will surely die!" shouted the wraith. But it was not to be, for Lahndo had released his sword cuffs. The swords flew through the wraith, and embedded themselves in the wall, and Lahndo caught hold of the dark sphere that made up the wraith's central core. Electricity coursed through Lahndo's body, but he held his grip.

"Now, wraith," Lahndo growled through clenched teeth, "I have you in my grasp. I command you with your true name! Kebranyth! Get ye gone from this world and return no more!"

Slowly, the encroaching darkness and thunderclouds withdrew, returning Zozo to its normal drizzle. Lahndo trudged down the stairs to check on Omega and Miguel. Omega was out cold. He had been hit by falling debris that broke off the tower during the fight. Miguel was nowhere to be seen. The balcony had given way, and he had fallen. Lahndo rushed down the stairs, searching for Miguel's body, but didn't find it. It had been moved during the fight.

Lahndo went and recovered his swords. He then attempted to hack a hole in the wall of the tower. Unfortunately, his timing was off, and his swords were dull as clubs. He recalled what Candace had said, and attached them to his sword cuffs, and cut a hole right through the wall into an empty room. He hefted Omega onto the bed, and went down to the corner to sleep himself. He would look for Miguel in the morning.