"My monster's name?" asked Torin, confused.
"Of course! It should have a name!" said Alice.
"Hmm, I never thought of that," said Torin. "But I suppose you're right." Torin stopped to think for a moment.
"I know!" he said after a few moments. "I'll name the monster Golem!"
"That sounds like a good name!" said Alice.
The two chatted for a while and then Torin resumed his work. Alice decided to help him. The two discussed techniques for building the monster and Alice suggested some magic and enchantments to add to its construction. She spent much of the day working with Torin on the creation of Golem.
The work had a rejuvenating effect on Alice. As the day drew to a close she went back inside the city walls. She was inspired by Torin's work and hoped others would feel the same. Alice tracked down Garin as he was giving one of his performances. She told Garin about Torin working outside and asked him to make a song about him. Her hope was that Garin could share Torin's story with the rest of Cantlin and that this would finally convince them to work again.
After that, she returned to the inn. Suzanne and Thomas were both there.
"I'm sorry, Susie," said Alice. "I shouldn't have yelled at you the other day. I know you would never abandon Ron."
"Don't worry about it, Alice," said Suzanne. "And not everything you said was wrong. I did give up too easily on finding Ron. Just like I gave up too easily on him lifting the people's spirits after Hauksness. I became so focused on our quest I forgot about the people involved. Above all else, our mission is to help the people."
"It's alright, Susie," replied Alice. "You weren't completely wrong either. The best way to help the people is to stop Zoma and we need to figure out how to do that."
"All of our approaches had their merits," said Suzanne.
"And you were also right about the effect this world is having on us," said Alice. "We should definitely return to the upper world tomorrow."
The three slept through the night. The next morning they were treated to a welcome sight as they entered the lobby of the inn. Ron was sitting at one of the tables. The other three were shocked to see him. Ron got up and walked over to his friends.
"Hey guys," he said nervously. "How's it going?"
"Where have you been?" demanded Alice, already angry.
"Calm down, Alice," said Suzanne. "Getting into another argument won't help anything."
"No, she's right," admitted Ron. "I've been acting like a child. I didn't get my way so I ran away. Somehow I convinced myself that you guys didn't appreciate me and that you were ganging up on me. Stupid, I know."
"Don't be so hard on yourself," said Suzanne. "We were wrong too. We should have let you play your music from the beginning. We could've gotten past the authorities trying to get rid of us. Not that many in this city would bother trying."
"In any case," continued Suzanne. "We're glad you're back."
Ron turned towards Thomas. "I'm especially sorry for how harshly I treated you, Tom. I know you just did what you thought was best."
Thomas shook his head. "You were harsh towards me? I'm the harsh one in this group. Always grumpy and getting everyone down. It is I who should apologize to you."
Alice could not help but laugh. "Geez, guys! Listen to us! Everyone falling over each other apologizing! Where are the arguments, the good-natured teasing?"
"Finally, some laughter," said Suzanne with a smile. "There's been too little of that lately. We've been talking recently about how depressing this world is. We were going to take a break from Alefgard and go back to our world today."
"Before we do that, we should head back to Brecconaly," said Ron. "I went back there on my birthday and couldn't bring myself back to this depressing city for a while. Then I ran into someone who snapped me out of it. He's…well I think it'd be easiest if I just brought you to meet him."
"Okay then," said Suzanne. "Back to Brecconaly then."
Reunited, the heroes returned to Brecconaly. Ron led the group to one of the healing houses. He had a few words with one of the workers there who allowed the four to go upstairs. Ron went to a door and knocked on it. A raspy voice granted the group admittance.
The man inside was a somewhat larger man though he looked to have seen better days. He looked like he had not had enough to eat in some time and his skin was hanging off his bones. Further, the group could see numerous bruises and boils on the man.
"So, ya brought 'em back, Ron," said the man. "I don't imagine they recognize me either."
"Have we met before?" asked Suzanne.
"Ya," answered the man with a slight smile. "Not under the best of circumstances. I'm Kandar."
The other three gasped at the revelation. Kandar had been a large, muscular, and healthy man. His voice had been loud and boisterous. The man in front of them was large, but still smaller than Kandar had been. His voice was quiet and raspy and he was far from in good health.
"The blue paint," said Thomas. "Is that what did this to you?"
"Ya," answered Kandar. "Worst experience I'd ever had. Once that paint wore off…the pain was indescribable. I don't know how I survived. My body hasn't been the same since. It's like the paint made me heal quicker but after it wore off it had the opposite effect."
"How did you end up here?" asked Alice.
"Believe it or not, I went lookin' for ya guys," answered Kandar. "When ya fought against the Archfiend. I wanted to find ya and make amends. Got chased around by some monsters into some cave. Next thing I know I fell here."
"You went to the Necrogond alone!? In your condition!?" asked Thomas.
Kandar chuckled. It was a sad-sounding chuckle. "Maybe it wasn't ya guys I wanted. Maybe I just wanted to end it. I don't know."
"But then I came here," continued Kandar. "I see the people goin' around in their lives. They keep going, most of 'em anyway, despite all the bad that happens. Seein' that, I couldn't keep feelin' sorry for myself. So I've been tryin' to live an honest life working at the house of healing here. I ain't the best worker but I give it a try."
"Wow, that's very good of you," said Suzanne.
"Nothin' compared to the bad stuff I did," said Kandar. "But it's weird. Most people who fall here get depressed. Me, I just figured I got things better than most of the people here so I better not mope around."
"Considering what you must have suffered, I'm not sure you have things better," said Thomas. "But for you to continue on with hope is quite admirable."
"Thanks," said Kandar. "Anyway, you guys ever hear of the Stones of Sunlight?"
"We heard about them in Cantlin!" said Alice excitedly. "How do you know about them?"
"Oh, I don't know much," said Kandar. "Just rumors and bits here and there. Some say they're the key to ending the unending darkness of this land. Others say they can kill Zoma. Some just say the come in handy if your lantern's out. In any case, they sounded important. And when I heard about some group with some legendary shield around I got curious. When I heard the descriptions, I know it was ya guys. And I figure ya guys would know what to do with a mysterious, important item."
"You're giving us the Stones of Sunlight?" asked Suzanne.
"Well, I'm not, but I got a bud at the castle that has 'em," answered Kandar. "Don't worry, they're not stolen. Ya can even take them to the authorities if ya want! But I had a word with him and he agreed to give 'em to ya if ya showed up. Funnily enough, he has been using 'em when his lantern goes out!"
"How do you know they are the Stones of Sunlight?" asked Suzanne. "And if they are the Stones, why did he use them as a lantern if they're supposed to be so legendary?"
"Well if ya haven't noticed, most folk in Alefgard like to keep out of sight," said Kandar. "Getting' noticed by the people will get ya noticed by Zoma a lot of the time. He figures he has the Stones but doesn't want Zoma's goons comin' to his home to kill his family. Actually, he's glad to be rid of 'em as long as the exchange is discreet."
"I don't know what to say," s
aid Suzanne. "Thank you Kandar. Despite your past, it seems like you are trying to be a good person."
"Thanks, but I know I got a long way to go yet," said Kandar.
Disclaimer: Dragon Quest 3 does not belong to me in any way. It belongs to Square-Enix.
Chapter 38: Sources of Light
The heroes went to see Kandar's friend in the castle. Kandar's friend worked in the castle kitchens. One night after all the other workers had gone home the four were let into the castle kitchens where they could take the Stones of Sunlight. As Kandar had said, his friend was indeed eager to be rid of such high-profile items.
It was easy to see how the man had kept the Stones for so long without anyone else realizing what they were. There were three Stones. The largest Stone fit perfectly into Suzanne's hand while the smallest could be called a pebble. They emitted a soft light.
At first, the group was thrown off by how underwhelming the Stones seemed. Then Alice performed her usual analysis on the Stones. Despite their humble appearance, Alice assured the group there was mysterious power within them.
"The trick here is that the Stones are only emitting a little of their power," said Alice. "They are storing a great deal of their power inside, unused at the moment. Right now, a good lantern would give off more light than these things. However, if we could tap into their whole power it would illuminate a whole area as though the sun was out."
"What do you mean by a whole area?" asked Suzanne.
"I mean, if we were outside in a fairly wide open spot of plains, we would think we were in the upper world for a moment," answered Alice.
"That sounds pretty awesome!" exclaimed Ron. "If we throw that much light in Zoma's face I'm sure it won't like that at all!"
"So we'd blind it for a second," said Thomas. "I imagine it will take more than that to take down Zoma."
"I don't know if we should use them against Zoma at all," said Alice. "We were told the Stones of Sunlight would be used to reach the Archfiend's island, not in combat against the monster itself."
"We'll have to figure out a way to use this gift," said Suzanne. "But for now, let's return to the upper world."
The four returned to the upper world. It was nice to see the sun again. As Ramia was involved in the magic to return them to the upper world she was able to sense that the group had returned. The heroes talked with Ramia over what had been happening since the heroes had left.
It is difficult to confirm but I believe Zoma has been at work in this world, said Ramia. There have been numerous attacks near borders on official personnel. Relations between Portoga and the Romalian Empire are deteriorating again. My suspicion is that Zoma is organizing covert attacks and staging them so that one country believes another is responsible.
"It is the master of Baramos, after all," said Thomas. "Baramos built its power while the nations refused to work together."
I have tried to calm the leaders of the nations down and present my findings but they do not listen to me, continued Ramia. King Saldor will not grant me audience anymore. Even Emperor Vilisik makes efforts to dodge meeting with me.
"Couldn't we take them to Alefgard?" asked Alice. "If they saw what it's like there and heard the people they would have to realize the threat Zoma presents!"
"Good luck getting them to jump into the Great Pit of Giaga," said Thomas. "We'd have to tell them to jump down an apparently bottomless pit on the good faith that we can and would return them. And given how they don't want to believe anything about Zoma, they'd probably still think we conjured up a powerful illusion."
"None of them want to believe that there's something worse than Baramos coming for them," said Suzanne. "And Zoma is already spreading mistrust. At this rate, it could launch a direct attack on another nation, as it did Aliahan, and they would think it was an attack made by one of their neighbors."
Other than Portoga and Romaly things are not so bad yet, corrected Ramia. But they are not improving.
However, there is another matter to attend to, said Ramia. There is a place I wish to bring the four of you.
"Where is that?" asked Suzanne.
Have you ever been to the Forest of the World Tree? asked Ramia.
"We were at the outskirts of the forest, once," answered Suzanne.
Northwest of that forest are some tall mountains. Mountains that no human has ever climbed. On the top of these mountains is a castle. It is there that we shall go, said Ramia.
"How can there be a castle there if no human has ever been to the top?" asked Ron.
Humans are not the only ones to build castles, explained Ramia. Indeed, you will see several unfamiliar beings at this castle. Do not be alarmed and do not draw your weapons. The residents there are allies to our cause.
"They'll help us against Zoma?" asked Suzanne.
Not directly, I'm afraid, said Ramia. But they can still give us some aid. Now we must leave quickly. My reasons will become apparent after we arrive.
The four rode on Ramia and after a day of flying they arrived at the castle. As Ramia had said, the mountains upon which the castle stood were quite steep; rivaling even the Necrogond. The castle itself was large though not very decorative. The heroes returned to their feet and approached the gate. They were met by some horses. However, these horses had horns in the center of their heads. Further, they were able to speak.
"Halt!" said one. "Who is it that approaches the castle?"
They are with me, said Ramia.
"Friends of Lady Ramia?" asked the horse that had spoken. "Then you must be… Come! There is little time! Our mistress awaits you!"
Is she unable to come up here? asked Ramia.
"Alas, it is so, my lady," answered the horse. "Our mistress would dearly like to speak with you again. Instead, you must pass any message meant for her to us."
Tell her that I am sorry she must suffer so much, said Ramia. But assure her that her son will be safe.
"On behalf of our mistress, we give you our thanks, milady," said the horse. "Now we must proceed."
The horses led the group into the castle. Inside there were some large pools. The pools were so spacious that it would take a man quite some time to swim from end to end. The horses led the four to a large building in the center of the court.
Ron and Alice fell back a bit as the group walked. "What is up with those horses?" asked Ron.
"They're unicorns," answered Alice. "I didn't know any still existed! They're said to be wise creatures with powerful healing abilities."
The unicorns led the group to the building but stopped there. "Go inside. Jordan should be there. Tell him you are the ones Lady Ramia spoke of. He will lead you to our mistress."
The four did as they were told and entered the building. Inside was a dwarf sitting sullenly at a table. Suzanne approached him and relayed the unicorn's message.
"Greetings," said Suzanne. "We are friends of Ramia and we are here to meet with your mistress. The guard outside told us to seek you."
"I see. Well then we had best hurry," replied the dwarf. "Our mistress will not be here for much longer."
"Does she plan on taking a trip?" asked Suzanne.
"The greatest of trips," answered the dwarf. "She is dying. Soon she will lay an egg and in it will be her son. But her son will come in exchange for her life."
"I'm so sorry," said Suzanne. "If it is not out of place to ask, how do you know that giving birth to her son will cost her her life?"
"She has been cursed by the Master Archfiend," answered the dwarf. "It saw our mistress as too great a threat and so cursed her to remove her."
"You know it was the Master Archfiend that did this?" asked Suzanne. "I did not know that any in this world knew of Zoma."
"Our mistress is still quite powerful," said the dwarf. "She knows the source of her distress. And she knows of the Master Archfiend. She is aware of the true threat to this world."
The dwarf took the four through several doors towards the center of the building. Like the outside, the
interior of the building was not decorated at all. Unlike the exterior, the rooms on the inside were very cramped. The dwarf took the heroes to a thin hallway. The four thought the dwarf was leading them across the hallway. Instead, the dwarf stopped halfway through and tapped on the stone wall to their right. A secret passage opened up.
"Go," commanded the dwarf. "Our mistress awaits." He motioned into the passageway.
The group proceeded through the passageway. On the otherside they emerged into a large courtyard. The courtyard was surrounded on all sides by the central building but was quite spacious. Light from the sun shone down on the area.
There was a dragon laying there as the four arrived. It was the largest dragon the group had ever seen, probably even the biggest monster the four had ever encountered. The dragon was terrible to behold. Its body was covered in thick, blue scales. On its head were two wicked, red horns. Under its belly and wings was a frightening orange.
The four instinctively began to draw their weapons. Then Suzanne remembered the warning Ramia had given them and motioned for the group to stop. However, this exchange did not go unnoticed by the dragon.
"Typical humans," growled the dragon. "Always wishing to draw blood. And yet now we must lay our hopes upon you."
"We apologize for our rudeness," said Suzanne. "We were startled to see a being as formidable as you."
"Save your excuses," ordered the dragon. The dragon then gave a long roar. At first the group thought the dragon roared out of anger at their actions. However, the end of her roar sounded pained.
The dragon spoke again, "I am the Dragon Queen. I will not dignify you with the honor of my true name. And I have already heard of your names from Lady Ramia."
"Ramia had a message for you," said Suzanne. "She said she is sorry that you have to suffer so much. She wanted us to assure you that your son will be safe."
The dragon gave another pained roar. "Hollow words. She knows as well as I do that none are safe so long as Zoma lives. Even you humans know that."
"Is there anything we can do to help, Your Highness?" asked Suzanne.
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