Several days had passed since Edge and Timon had left the Water Palace in search of Gaia's Navel. Edge had collected some necessities before the journey: provisions, clothing, and some pieces of armour. Edge now looked more than impressive in his red and black Kung Fu Suit, accessorised by a pair of silver Armbands and a black Bandanna which Edge used as his mask. Timon also found some armour while fighting with Rabites along the way. He, too, looked heroic in his Overalls and Headband. Gaia's Navel was a beautiful sight to behold. The legends told that this very spot was the centre of the whole world. A large mountain loomed before the pair. Waterfalls sparkled in the sunlight and could be seen all over the mountainside. The mountain itself was not steep; rather, it appeared to have many tiers from which the waterfalls sprung. Eager to reach the top, the pair began to climb immediately upon their arrival. The climb took them the greater part of the afternoon and, tired from a hard day's combat, the pair made camp under a large, lush apple tree. Not too far off lay a clear, refreshing pool of water. Pink flowers grew all about, adding a wonderful perfume to the whole area. Edge had not seen such a beautiful place in a long time. It took more than the trees and flowers to impress Timon, however. "Do we HAVE to stop now, Edge? We're so close to the top!" Timon pouted and paced back and forth across the glade, kicking small stones with youthful impatience. "Tired warriors are soon dead ones, Timon." Edge sat upon a rock and polished his Spear, one of the weapons of Mana. "Besides, I kinda like it here, don't you? We can see almost everything from here!" Edge gestured to the countryside, which indeed was a sight to see. "Well, I s'pose." Timon threw his bedroll onto the ground and unrolled it. "But I still don't see why we couldn't bring a tent." Edge grinned. "Aw, c'mon, only SISSIES sleep in a tent. REAL heroes sleep under the stars. That way, if anything tries to sneak up on us, we can act more quickly that if we were zipped up in a tent." Timon sighed, and sat cross-legged on his bedroll. "Yeah, I guess. I didn't know that bein' a hero was such hard work! And there's so much to remember! Thrusts, parries, dodges, spins... are you SURE I have to know all this, Edge?" Edge stared up at the sky. A bright silver moon bathed the glade in its eerie light. "Yep. It might seem like work now, but once you're used to it, it's a snap." Timon stood up, walked over to Edge, and looked up at the sky beside him. "What'cha lookin' at?" he asked. "Oh," Edge said, distractedly, "Your Moon. Beautiful, isn't it?" "Yeah, it's nice." Silence fell between the two for a few moments. As an afterthought, Timon added, "You miss them, don't you?" Edge turned to face the young warrior. "Who?" "All your other friends. Whenever I get lonely, I go to a special place and sit there, doin' what you're doin' now... lookin' up at the sky and wishin' that I wasn't so alone..." Timon's face drooped slightly. "Yeah, you're right. I do miss them." "Tell me about them?" Timon asked, returning to his bedroll. "Sure." Edge smiled and, stoking the campfire, began to tell the tale of himself and his adventures with Cecil, Kain, Rosa and especially Rydia. As the night rolled on, Timon drifted to sleep. Edge looked up at the moon and, curling up in his own bedroll, said, "Good night, my friends... wherever you are..." Edge, too, was soon fast asleep. Morning. A light dew covered the ground and the trees all about. As Edge and Timon stirred, a young deer could be seen drinking from the pond. Edge motioned for Timon to be silent. The deer turned to face Timon. It seemed to stare him right in the eyes, holding its gaze for several long seconds. The young deer then nodded, turned and bounded down the hill. Timon shivered. "T-That was cool." Edge stretched. "Yeah, most animals are very sensitive to humans. Guess there's something special about you after all." Edge restarted the campfire, then walked over to the pond. Timon checked the fire, then ran after Edge. Reaching the pond, Edge withdrew a makeshift fishing rod made from the Spear and some twine. Looking around, Edge muttered, "... bait, bait..." Timon rached into the pocket on the front of his Overalls and handed a large worm to Edge. "Here y'go. I found it last night... had a hard time sleepin'. Fish around here love nightcrawlers." "Hey, thanks, big fella." Edge punched Timon jokingly on the shoulder. "We'll make a warrior of you yet." Edge baited his line, then cast it into the pool. Edge managed to catch several fish. Bringing them back to the campfire, Edge instructed Timon on how to clean and cook them. Timon did so with great delight, making a mess of himself as he spilled fish parts on himself. When the two finished their breakfast, they continued up the mountain. By noon, they reached the top. A great pool of water covered the top of the mountain. A hollow could be seen in the centre of the pool, carved into the rock on the tip of the mountain. "There it is!" Timon said excitedly, "The entrance to the Land of the Dwarves!" Timon ran into the pool, which was waist-deep to him, and waded to the cave. Edge ran after him, calling, "Hey, you wild and crazy kid, wait up! Don't make me have to hurt you!" Edge shook a fist in the air, laughing all the while. The pair entered the cave. Large, stone passageways led deep into the heart of the mountain. Natural springs ran the length of most of the passageways. On occasion, limesone, coal and even small specks of gems could be seen lining the walls. Timon managed to involve himself and Edge in several minor skirmishes with Cave Bats. For the most part, they were victorious, but one Bat managed to sink its teeth into Timon's shoulder. Timon suddenly grew pale and sank to his knees. Edge leapt over Timon's form and skewered the Bat, slaying it. Edge then knelt to examine Timon's wounds. "Timon, what's wrong?" Edge asked concernedly. "I-I don't feel so well... dizzy... hot..." Timon fell over on his side, unconscious. "Poison!" Edge said aloud. "Gotta find an antidote... quick!" Edge stood and began running about the cavern, looking for something that might cure Timon. "Argh! Where's yellow mold when you need it?! It always grows in places like this...!" Edge suddenly felt a throbbing from under his tunic. "What?" Edge reached into his tunic and withdrew the Talisman of Mana, Undine. It glowed faintly, seeming to be alive. A voice called to Edge, seemingly from far away, but so close... Edge eyed the Talisman suspiciously. "I'm not sure how!" Edge concentrated, gripping the Talisman tightly. "I need a cure for the poison in Timon's body!" The Talisman thrummed with power. Edge raised his hand into the air and chanted, "REMEDY!" A circular aura of light surrounded Timon's unconscious form. Bright stars of light rose into the air and surrounded him. When the light vanished, Timon rose. "Hey, I'm all better... ouch!" Timon rubbed the place where the Bat had bitten him. "Well, not ALL better..." Timon frowned. Edge glared ay the Talisman. "Can you heal wounds, too?" The Talisman thrummed. Edge rose his fist in the air and chanted, "CURE WATER!" A large droplet of water drooped from the cavern ceiling and fell upon Timon. The bite wound quickly closed, scarred and healed itself almost instantly. "That was AWESOME, Edge! Thanks!" Edge grinned. "Glad I could help! Thanks to YOU, Undine..." Edge said to the Talisman, then looked up, "And you too, Luka." Restored, the companions continued their descent into the great mountain.