As High School was still ongoing, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Big McIntosh, and Flash Sentry, had made the decision of working on their studies in order to get good marks, get lots of gifts, get ahead in rankings and friends, the usual everyday tasks in order to graduate from Secondary School and head to the next big point in life.
But despite academic priorities, they added one more in their life. That priority is the Halidom: The Castle and Capital of New Alberia, a nation from a long yet unknown history. When they get the chance, the four of them would visit for a little while during their school days. For times when they wouldn't go, they made their plans and designs for the Halidom that they'd want to achieve the next time they come over for the weekend.
Flash was allowed to borrow a few biographies of adventurers that wield lances from the Halidom with the goal of mastering the lance on his free time. From his previous training with a bo staff, he was able to learn new ways to incorporate it into lance skills. Cleo watched and was quite impressed at how the young teen had improved in a single week, but alongside Rarity and Adagio, she did not allow him to have a go at the fiends that wounded his body.
"Please???" Flash dropped pathetically to his knees.
"You are a stubborn and foolish boy." Cleo gave her narrow glare, "You want to fight them so badly? Swing your lance seriously, and breathe."
"Fine..." Flash rolled his eyes once again, forcing a smile as he began his breathing exercises. Sweetie watched, though a little bored from doing anything, but with a little bit more attention.
For Big McIntosh, he was known to be a handyman and builder from time to time, sometimes building small durable chicken coops and greenhouses at his extended family farm, to repairing any fences, food bins, and even machines for irrigation or crop dusting purposes. Over the school days, Cleo gave him the plans and blueprints of various facilities in the Halidom, and Big Mac was carried away by their unique designs and interesting material, not to mention that the ones responsible for drawing up the plans and building the facility were the Smithwyrms; Dragons that devoted themselves to the art of carpentry, masonry, any art when it comes to building.
"Y'all Grasteans have it easy, don't ya?" Big Mac laughed, "Havin' dragons do yer dirty work."
"Not all Grastaeans rely on dragons that much." Cleo corrected, "Certain nations build things without the help of Smithwyrms. In fact, we're the only nation to have Smithwyrms."
"Ah, ma bad... In any case, ah'll be more than happy to start. What do ya suggest buildin'?"
"Hmm... The altars are simple to repair, as most of them only require specific mana essences." Cleo decided, "Perhaps you should work on the Dojos first. I suggest you start with the Lance Dojo, then the Staff and Dagger. For every building you complete, I'll pay you."
"No problems..." Big Mac stood tall and proud, "but uh... Ah may need a helpin' hand."
"No worries! You can get Flash to help you!" Cleo suggested,
"Hey... I may not be doing my lance training, but I still have some interest in building a weapon."
"Sorry Flash, I forgot to mention." Cleo shook her head, "The blacksmiths of the Bejeweled Dagger and the Hero's Sword requires more than just physical work, something that neither of us has."
"Muh???" Flash turned white all over, horrified that one of his goals of building a weapon was impossible to reach.
"Lemme guess... Ya need a dragon to do some smithin'. Right?"
"Close!" Cleo nodded, "A dragon was the teacher for our blacksmiths, but our blacksmiths use much more than smithing techniques."
"Interesting, interesting!" Big Mac grinned, "so Flash. Are you still in?"
"Why must all my hopes and dreams get taken away???" Flash lowered his head, brooding to himself.
"Ah think we broke 'im." Big Mac frowned, "in that case, ah'll take yer mumblin' as a yes."
"I will never have my chance to shine..." Flash whined as he showed no resistance to being towed away by the farmer, Sweetie Belle watched eagerly at the two boys, while mostly paying attention to the stone on Big Mac's wrist.
For Rarity, thanks to the list and photos of many clothes worn by the female fighters of Alberia, she was hard at work over the school days coming up with a design that she claims will fuse the fashion from Cleo's era and her own. The Grastaean half will involve something durable and tough like armour, as there were political strife and conflict between nations, and not to mention the outbreak of fiends that can fatally harm innocent travellers. She spent the day in one of the bedrooms of the Halidom, explaining her design idea to Cleo.
"Leather armour?" Cleo rephrased, "I think that's a good idea!"
"Even the Ogres and Oubulettes universe can inspire non-geeks like me!" Rarity laughed, "But now comes the second part. I found out that most of your allies wore the colour that matches the element they are attuned to."
"And pray tell, who is the lucky person to wear your design?" Cleo asked,
"Before anyone else should try, I figured I'd be the model before anyone else. It won't feel at ease for others if it doesn't feel right for my own! In that case... You think Yellow would fit?"
"Interesting..." Cleo smiled, "That you'd pick the colours of Estelle. However, I think Purple suits you."
"The Shadow Element?"
"The reason you were able to wield the magic of Light Mana, was because Estelle was attuned to light. You, on the other hand..."
"You mean I'm more attuned to Shadow?" Rarity arched an eye, "It's very interesting. I mean, it is true that the colours I do love to wear are purple and white, but do you think it's because of those preferences that I am judged as a wielder of Shadow?"
"Remember your sister's videos? Just because people harness Shadow Mana does not mean they're evil by nature. Regardless, it's still hard to say... I can't sense any mana present in you, nor can I for the others, or any human in this age." Cleo responded, "rather, I sense something else in you. Something similar to mana, but isn't. You and Adagio seem to have that."
"Oh... I see." Rarity's eyes shone, knowing what she was talking about,
"I know what it is now thanks to Adagio's story, It is a magic that comes from another dimension; A dimension where magic is rife and ponies romp the land instead of humans. As far as other worlds and dimensions go, I'm afraid I have no further knowledge about the Equestria where you got this magic, and where Adagio was originally from."
"It's okay. It's another concern for another time." Rarity cheered up, "Now back to the clothing, I found something AMAZING! Do you remember that Dragon Scale we found last week?" She pulled out her phone, "well, I borrowed it from Big Mac and..." She pulled up a video and showed it to Cleo.
The video showed Rarity holding her phone camera like a selfie, holding the Squallscale on her free hand, with a vibrant green dress behind her. For her demonstration, Rarity inserted the scale into a small indent of the dress that she carefully made for the scale to fit in without dropping. A few seconds later, the dress began to move and sway from side to side, while still being held together by the mannequin wearing it.
"It's like the dress is blown gently by the wind's breeze!" Rarity explained, "If I sew or add this as an accessory on a dress or shirt, it can move like the wind without any external breeze or complicated machinery! It's like Mareilyn Monroe without the air vent underneath her skirt!" Her eyes sparkled with wonder and delight, "This is a revolutionary item for clothes and fashion! I MUST acquire more!!!"
"Very creative!" Cleo complimented with wonder herself, "I've always known that the scales of the Greatwyrms were used to power and strengthen the mana within myself and other allies, but never for this. You and the others never cease to surprise me with the way you use things."
"Heh heh," Rarity smiled, "I can say the same to you."
"Speaking of which, you should know that it's not just the Windwyrm that can shed their scales. The other greatwyrms can shed their scales too."
"You mean depending on the Dragon's element, their scales can yield different styles!?" Rarity gasped, "This. Is. ASTOUNDING! I cannot contain myself! I MUST see the dragons for myself immediately!!!"
"Hmmph!" A loud and long 'hmph' can be heard from the door. The two ladies stopped their talking to see that one little Crusader was peeping through the open door.
"Sweetie Belle?" Rarity tilted her head, "Did you need anything?"
"No..." Sweetie Belle looked down and shut the door.
"Now that I think about it," Cleo pondered, "She was rather lonely today, watching Flash and Big Mac from afar."
"Figures," Rarity shrugged, "Ever since we convinced her not to record any more videos here for her history assignment, she didn't have any other plans to think up for her free time here."
"No wonder why she felt lonely." Cleo concluded, "In that case, she needs someone to look out for her. Will you permit me to do so?"
"I think Sweetie Belle trusts you after all the times we've been here, as do I and everyone else. You've already shared your impressions of my design, so I'm more than happy if you can keep Sweetie company, you don't even have to ask for my permission in the first place!"
"Thank you," Cleo bowed, "I shall be on my way."
"Sweetie Belle?" Cleo called out to the wandering child, "Do you want me to walk with you?"
"Oh... Ms Cleo..." Sweetie slowed down, "Hey there. Sorry for eavesdropping."
"I don't believe you're doing that," Cleo responded as she caught up, "Rather, I just think you want some attention. I figured you need it since you're getting a bit lonely."
"... Yeah." Sweetie Belle admitted, "I was wanting to invite Applebloom and Scootaloo along but Scoots has the weekend away with her aunts, and Applebloom is out all day with her big sister. Besides, despite explaining how Adagio's changed, they're reluctant to visit if she's around, not to mention that inviting more people into the Halidom can well... Pose a problem, considering you didn't want to have videos of the Halidom shown to others."
"Oh no!" Cleo shook her head, "You misunderstand! I say that because I know that videos can spread like wildfire, even more so than a Ninja's pigeons, or even Chanzelia's Cats. But if it's just inviting people only, that's completely fine by me. I'd love more visitors, it can get rather lonely when you're the only person in the Halidom."
"Oh yeah... You told us you've outlived everyone when the Halidom was an actual nation."
"Yes." Cleo chucked with a melancholy feeling, "To be honest, It's really hard to describe how to feel when you outlive your friends."
"I guess it's painful living forever. Well... Not if you're a dragon, but for you, yes."
"I don't know if I would call myself immortal..." Cleo replied, "But I lived through more than one war, so seeing allies pass away peacefully is a blessing."
"Wow... You must have lost a lot." Sweetie opened her arms, "Do you want a hug?"
"Sure..." Cleo smiled as she embraced the young girl, "And it's alright, it's thanks to them that the Dragons and I have made sure to live for the future, and for anyone who gets lost in here."
"Hmm..."
"Tell you what, why don't you and I go for a walk together? Explore a new place. Just the two of us..."
"Hey, Cleo? I'm back from the weekend deliveries!!!" Adagio's voice can be heard from the distance,
"... And Adagio." Cleo changed,
"... You want to walk through the forest?" Sweetie looked a little afraid,
"Of course not. As I said, it's going to be a new place, and since Adagio still has Francesca's essence on her, it'll be a peaceful journey with her on our side."
"So..." Sweetie deduced the hints, "A place where Francesca's wind powers are effective against fiends?"
"Ah! You're almost there!" Cleo nodded, "But yes. After we let Rarity know, you and I will be going to the Lake!"
"Jeez..." Sweetie panted as she, Cleo and Adagio emerged from the eastern part of the forest onto some flatlands, "How long does this route take?"
"Normally we would have gone around a mountain range, to which we would have taken days or weeks. But thanks to the cooperation of dragons and humans, they were able to pave a shortcut through that range with a safe and indestructible tunnel." Cleo responded, "The forest you see now is not part of the Rovetelle Forest. Rather, we're on the other side of that mountain range. If you want to run a bit further, we'll be there..."
"Ah!" Francesca, who was adagio in her guise, called to the two, "I see it!"
"Go ahead," Cleo encouraged with a smile, "Take a look from where Adagio's standing."
With only a nod, the young girl ran forward to the knoll where the merchant stood atop. Once she did, she was greeted with a marvellous view that only nature could accomplish. Sweetie's jaws dropped when the view below her was a colossal river of pure clear water, glistening with radiance from the reflected light of the sun, though a bigger spectacle than the summoning pool due to size. Sweetie could make out a few patches of land situated in the middle of the lake. Some were stranded, but some were connected by a path of nature and a few wooden bridges. Regardless, from Sweetie's point of view, there were like little pieces of land floating in the water, and Sweetie could just not shake the fact that it applied a touch of cute to an already breathtaking view.
"Wow!!! This lake is so big and beautiful!!!" Sweetie yelled joyfully with all her lungs, "You can see even the bottom of the lake for some areas!"
"Yep," Francesca snapped her fingers, "Welcome to Myriage Lake! Unlike the forest that is full of trees and wind, this is open space with a body of freshwater!"
"It's freshwater!?"
"Well... If you don't count all the sand and grit that came from the rocks, sure!" Francesca laughed,
"This is amazing!" Sweetie excitingly turned to the Healer, "We should come here and have a dip!"
"That is a great idea, though there may be a few fiends lurking in the water..." Francesca sniggered, "If you're cool with that."
Sweetie felt a large chill down her spine, and the reaction she gave made the Dazzling Merchant laugh.
"There are very little fiends capable of swimming," Cleo corrected, "And they were only spotted around the Saint Lotier area. Otherwise, Fiends are just as weak to the power of nature, at least fiends that aren't attuned to water. If I recall correctly, you have used that trick twice. Right? Back when everyone was still alive, we had no such time or possibility to pull such a plan off."
"Or maybe because you guys were already powerful." Francesca shrugged,
"Nevertheless, It would be wonderful if you would keep us safe Adagio," Cleo asked, "But if you're interested in sharing issues, feel free to join!"
"Yeah, forget it." Francesca sneered, "I only took this place because I needed some training and steam to blow off. Some guy thought he was king of the road and didn't bother to give way to a zebra crossing, and as I said, I'm not interested in sharing stories."
"I don't mind," Sweetie asked nicely, "You can be happy to join us whenever you want!"
"Not. Interested." Francesca glared, then realised who she was present with, "No offence, but I'm not in the mood for talking."
"She's got a pretty bad temper today." The young girl blinked as the merchant scampered off,
"I'm beginning to think she's putting up this tough girl act whenever you or the others are around, and unlike the times for me, it doesn't show any sign of stopping."
By the time Sweetie and Cleo reached the lake's level, the area was clean of fiends, and footprints on the dirt identified the cleaner responsible. Sweetie Belle thought that like the forest, the area wouldn't be so filled with fiends, but Cleo noticed her confused expression and explained,
"We weren't able to strategically place as many sacred enchantments around here as the forest, but because this village is the home of two of our sylvan friends, we did it anyway. One of them is quite the troublemaking ally, let me tell you."
"Who?"
"A sylvan archer by the name of Luca," Cleo answered, "By troublemaking, he's one that would play ridiculous pranks on his allies, as well as teach children weird habits and things. If there was one thing that still infuriated me, it would be the time he taught the little kids something stupid like opening their mouths to catch and taste cherry blossoms petals like they would with snow. But... Even so, he's has a good heart, bless--"
Cleo looked around and saw that the young crusader ran ahead to touch and play with the lake's water.
"Oh!" Sweetie jumped, "Sorry if you were still talking. I just got distracted by the water. It does look like a safe place to swim if you ask me! We should bring the others next time, along with our swimmers! ANYWAY! You were talking about a Sylvan Archer named Luca?"
"He's a troublemaker, but a good and honest boy." Cleo shortened her sentence. "But in any case, what about you?"
"Me?"
"Aside from the intention of wanting to do something so you won't be bored this weekend, I'd also like to listen to your concerns."
"Oh... Really?"
"Anything about your friends, issues, even if it's about your older sister! Just between you and me."
"Well... Why don't we walk some more then?" Sweetie responded, "I would love to explore!!!"
"Hey, gentlemen?" Rarity called, approaching the two boys outside on the castle grounds.
"Oh! Hey Rarity," Flash waved at the base of a ladder. "What can we help you with? Well... After what we're doing." He looked to the top of the ladder he was on, where Big Mac was pulling and hammering away at various nails.
"Oh, it won't take you away from your job, I'm just worried about Sweetie..."
"Is it about her taking a walk with Ms Cleo and Adagio, and not involving you?" Big Mac responded, while still focusing on his job. "To be fair, ah have an inkling on what's happenin'. As an older sibling, ah'd understand."
"I understand that she has her complaints about me, as I do her." Rarity sighed, "But the point is this. She's been eyeing each of us for the past hour on our work. It's not me she's concerned about, it's about you two as well. I feel like we're neglecting her today, especially at a time when she would feel lonely."
"Really?" Flash turned around, letting go of the ladder, "You flatter me, but I think she's bored to bits since we stopped her from filming this place for her school assessment. Scootaloo was just as disappointed because she was interested in learning more about New Alberia too. She says it's not fair that two of her favourite people in the world are having fun discovering something new, possibly a place full of treasure she says!"
"Flash! Hold that ladder!" Big Mac ordered, "And besides, you could've invited her along."
"I did, but she declined. She's spending the weekend away with her aunts, for her sake and theirs," Flash answered, holding the ladder again.
"How's that a relieving situation?" Rarity answered,
"Aunt Allgood and Uncle Shutter work overseas," Flash explained, "And by their recommendation and the law, her extended family is responsible for her care. On the other hand, Scootaloo herself chose to spend time with her mother's best friend and her family instead, so you can imagine how lonely and worried the aunts can get."
"Okay, I get it." Rarity smiled in understanding, "But still... Knowing Sweetie, she's got some issue with the three of us, leaving her alone like that... And getting Ms Cleo to assist her."
"How can I say it?" Sweetie sighed as she and Cleo hopped on the dry path that cut through the wide lake. "Rarity's a bit more disciplining ever since she's got that Loving Hand."
"Has she ever slapped you with it?"
"No, but pulling it out is scary enough." Sweetie gulped, "If she's capable of using a Staff to send two giant fiends to their grave, I don't want to know what pain it would do to me!"
"Ah, but you misunderstand," Cleo explained, "That form was--"
"-- The Loveless Hand, I know." Sweetie interrupted, "I sneaked a peek at Estelle's Bio. The dark side of the hand is reserved only for fiends, and yet I still can't shake the possibility it may happen to me."
"No." Cleo responded, "Rarity would never use the Loving Hand on you like that, and neither would Estelle."
"Well, I can say for sure that Rarity is FAR from being Estelle!" Sweetie responded, "For one, whenever she whips that thing out, it's not just for bad behaviour, she even does it for single mistakes! Mistakes that I've done before!"
"Hmm... That's a bit harsh." Cleo responded, "But at least, she didn't hit you with it."
"No..." Sweetie looked away with uncertainty, "And I know the hand is not meant to hurt. Knowing her though, well... I'd doubt Rarity would inflict painless punishment."
"Then perhaps I'll have a talk with her after this," Cleo promised,
"Really? That would be so nice!"
"Hey! Cleo!" Francesca came charging towards them, "I need healing!!!"
"We shall cross the lake soon, and we'll come across Woodhaven, the village where Luca and his sister Sarisse were born in," Cleo instructed,
"Okay!!!"
The Child and the Healer made their way to the mentioned village where the merchant waited nonchalantly. Like Rovetelle, the village was a ghost town, and with some of its houses decayed or crumbled over time. However, a small wooden pier was in durable quality, and Sweetie wanted to take a rest there. The healer accepted, and pulled off their shoes and socks and soaked their feet in the water. It felt cool, it was refreshing, and it brought a warm and satisfied smile to the young girl; What better way to ease their aching feet after walking for a long way. The merchant refused to join due to the reason of making sure no Fiend jumped them, even though the village was the heavily enchanted spot of the entire lake. Sweetie knew that she just didn't want to socialise.
"Oh yeah!" Sweetie remembered, "There were some other issues that have been bugging me."
"Is this about someone else?"
"Two people, for what they wear..." Sweetie answered, "The Pactstones. I remember that they turn the wielder into dragons. What's the story behind that?"
"Ah, so you want to learn about the Pactstones' history... Well, aside from its functional abilities to grant the powers and blessings of a dragon, it also poses as a symbol of proof, of a dragon's pact with a human. In the cases of our time, this proof is the utmost importance to show the world that Humans and Dragons can coexist."
"How so?"
"As I've told you, Dragons and Humans had fought against each other long before I was born. When humans resorted to summoning demons, that's when the Dragon Elysium sought the cooperation of Ilia, and both gathered allies from both sides to seal Morsayati and his demons. This action convinced both sides to put aside their differences and live together, and that led to the pactstone's discovery. The first one being the Primal Pactstone."
"I assume it's the most powerful one?"
"Indeed. Formed after centuries of peace and harmony between races, the pactstone's light was what keeps all evil at bay. That's when Alberius the founder, my first master, then brought that bond further to many individual dragons and formed a pact with them, which brought forth the pactstones you see on Adagio and Big Mac today."
"But then... The power to make pacts and draw forth the Dragons... Only Alberius could do that... And then that power was passed through his descendants via bloodline," Sweetie pieced together, "And it's only through them that the power can be shared to those without."
"Yes..." Cleo nodded, "King Alberius, the Illian Church, and the Dragons decided to shatter the Primal Pactstone into what we call Sacred Shards to seal the demon Morsayati for a second time, then place them around the nation as a way to expel fiends from ever entering this world completely. Over time, and with the influence of evil's shadow, the shards lost power, which sadly brought the fiends back. Even so, Prince Euden made sure to rebuild that long-lost trust between humans and dragons, and I've worked with several members of the Illian Church and other unaffiliated healers to create an enchantment similar to those shards; which resulted in merely warding fiends away from enchanted areas instead of banishing them outright."
"However, Prince Euden's gone now..." Sweetie spoke, "Even though making friends with giant beasts that can eat you on the spot was brave. Do you... Do you think we can get their help today if we find them and ask?"
"I fear you may ask that..." Cleo shuddered, "... As I said, the Dragons have lived for very long and have watched man develop. I'm not sure if you know, but the reason why Dragons and Humans began to fight was because of the desire to 'progress'. Make no mistake that this ambition is not evil on its own, but for it to bring deforestation, water pollution, emission, energy overconsumption, not even a single sight of a Sylvan or Qilin... These very actions angered the dragons, and it's no different today."
"Oh..." Sweetie responded quietly, who looked like she was in a trance of uncertainty from what she had heard, she pulled out her phone and looked at it with great worry. "It's really sad to see things like this are built at the cost of losing a tight relationship with the dragons. To be honest, if I was given the decision to choose, I... I might choose Dragons over fancy gadgets..."
"Interesting..." Cleo blinked, "but you seem so attached with your phone everywhere you go. Not to mention that Flash, Rarity, even Adagio has one too. Would you throw away something that you enjoy?"
"Well..." Sweetie Belle tried to explain, "It's cool to have a dragon as a friend, almost way cooler than being a vlogger or an owner of the latest phone. Furthermore, I am aware that there are many health risks and accidents due to people never putting down their phones, some classmates or older people I know make that mistake. Sometimes, I feel guilty whenever I hear advertisements about such warnings when I'm on my phone 24/7. On the other hand, the Dragons you talk about seem intelligent, and who knows? Perhaps things may be different if Dragons influenced us. We may come up with new inventions or new ways to 'progress', but in a way that we're working together!!!"
"You are an optimistic child Sweetie." Cleo smiled, "You've also got quite the big ideas!"
"Hey, I just turned thirteen last month," Sweetie frowned, "I've lost that child part of me now."
"Being a child at heart is not a bad thing..." Cleo chuckled, "But that optimism is truly a gem, something that is important. Tell you what, the next time we come here, we can go deeper into the lake this time."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because this lake happens to be the home of the Waterwyrm. If you're ready, perhaps you'd like to say hello?"
"Wow! I'd love to!" Sweetie jumped to her feet on the pier,
"Just remember to stick by me. Mercury wouldn't harm a former ally of hers." Cleo smiled, "of course, once she realises how kind and accommodating you are, she'll warm up to you."
"Hey, girls, sorry to break your heart-to-heart talk." Francesca walked up after being silently away, "Something is blocking the way back home, three big ones."
"Ah... Well isn't that a nuisance." Cleo spoke as she and Sweetie looked towards the direction the merchant pointed. As she said, there stood the three blue 'big ones', slowly making their way towards three fresh-looking humans ripe for the kill.
The first blue beast had four legs, sharp canine fangs and teeth, all covered in fur, and has eyes terrifyingly combed in a way that looked like its eyes were literally on fire (and not to mention its tail also imitating a flickering fire).
The second one was a beast with no legs and has a very long body of scales and skin. It was very much akin to a snake that Sweetie had seen, but this one's head was packed with thorns that look like sharp icicles, its pupil was sharp and white instead of black, and like the first beast, it had a sharp set of fangs itself; Fangs that were far too big for any snake, and were hanging out.
The third and final beast was on two legs, or rather two incredibly fat legs to balance out the incredibly fat body, arms, and round head. Though it didn't show its intimidating teeth unlike the other two, this one was by far the biggest of the three, and if that wasn't intimidating enough, the beast also brought along a giant wooden makeshift club that it wields as a weapon.
"A Hefty Sapphire Hound, a Great Drowned Basilisk, and a Water Troll." Cleo analysed, "Wonderful..."
"Well, you know what I'm here for," Francesca chuckled, "It doesn't matter how big they are... They'll go down easily."
"Time to go then." Cleo stood up. It didn't take long for the two relaxing girls to dry their feet and put back on their socks and shoes, and observe the advancing enemies.
"Hey, Adagio? Ms Cleo?" Sweetie looked a little confused,
"It's Francesca!" Francesca reminded,
"Whatevs, the three large fiends look like they're burning. Do you see all that purple smoke coming out from them?" Sweetie pointed out.
"Now that you mention it..." Francesca focused her gaze, "you're right."
"Ah. These fiends have more power than ordinary ones. We've termed them menaces." Cleo explained. "However, I've never seen large fiends having that menacing power, so be wary as you fight Francesca. I'll provide support as usual."
"You got it." The merchant nodded,
"Sweetie, stay behind me." Cleo responded, "this won't take long."
"Hey!" Francesca yelled, "You guys just walked into your doom!"
"Adagio and I have fought menaces together." Cleo explained, "they may be oozing with black mana, but all they do is keep them alive a little longer and allows them to hit harder. As long as you still have an advantage in elements and a strong and sustainable team, they'll fall like the rest."
"Heeeeeeelp!!!" The merchant yelled, flying past the Child and the Belle Healer, losing her hat along the way.
"My goodness!" Cleo rushed over with shock, "that was some knockback! Are you alright..." Her voice trailed off at the sight of her homestay.
"Argh..." Adagio moaned in pain, in a mess of dirt, bruises, and unfitting clothing. "There's something wrong... With those fiends."
"Woah! Adagio!!!" Sweetie exclaimed in astonishment, "your chest turned flat! I mean uh... You're back to normal!"
"Is THAT what you focus on first!?" Cleo blurted out, then turned back to the merchant. "Francesca... You're... No..." She looked to the hair, all long and curly, and a lack of long bunny ears.
"Just heal me first!" Adagio rasped.
"Elder Cure!" Cleo chanted, reminded of her priorities. A green burst of light emanated from the Merchant-reverted-Dazzling's body, repairing any cuts, wounds that were formed. Sweetie herself was nearby and she felt the effects of the healing too. It felt like a cane firmly tapping her diaphragm which seemed to release that ball of green light. The energy from that light was powerful and rejuvenating, almost as if Sweetie was de-aging and regaining her childhood spark and energy.
"This is bad..." Adagio picked herself up, "my waist and legs feel tight because of these clothes... I'm somehow back to my normal self."
"Check it out!" Sweetie pointed to the Dazzling's chest. A circle of light was present on top of where Adagio's heart would be, only dimmed by the layers of clothing. "Isn't that the place where you insert the Adventurer essence into your body?"
"Yeah..." Adagio nodded, carefully removing her vest and inner shirt to expose the full light upon her skin. However, something dreadful was exposed too.
A nasty purple-coloured fume billowed out of the light, a smog similar to what the menacing fiends were expelling. The three girls looked closer to see a most horrendous sight, The gateway of light that allowed the entry and exit of essences flickered and faltered, and the only thing that wasn't flickering was the most grotesque splotches of black, staining that circle. It didn't take a genius to find out that it what its purpose was.
"Those black things..." Sweetie looked at it, then back to Adagio, "I think it's affecting your Francesca powers!"
"Worse..." Cleo corrected as she ran a hand over the light on Adagio, "It has blocked the connection between you and the essence completely!"
"No way..." Adagio shook her head while beginning to panic, "... Those Menaces can turn me back into Adagio!?"
"Ms Cleo, can you do something about this?" Sweetie asked, who also began to panic, "Can you cure her!?"
"I'm afraid I can't..." Cleo panicked, "This affliction doesn't match with any of the eight common ones that Fiends tend to give. To make matters worse, I've never seen this affliction before in my entire life!"
"Grrr..." The three menacing fiends entered the village, their eyes locked onto the three females before them. The hound licked its lips, the Basilisk hissed maliciously, and the troll held his club in a threatening stance.
"Please tell me there's more than one way out..." Sweetie responded,
"The lake's too big for us to swim across." Adagio responded, "and we don't have a boat. That island-hopping path is the only way out and in."
"Then we need to lose the heat on them." Cleo commanded, "and I know where we're going to hide. To the left of us yields another island-hopping path that will lead to a ravaged part of the lake. Located there is a Waterfall, and that's where Mercury lives! Can you run Adagio?"
"Clothes are tight, but I can manage!" Adagio pulled her clothes and gave a firm nod.
"Run! Now!" Cleo commanded and bolted off, with the other girls in tow. Like predators to prey, they broke out in hot pursuit, chasing their fleeing targets down the lake.
But little did the predators and prey know, that a beast was watching them the entire time... A beast that was considered the highest of the food chain in Grastaea, and even Equestria... Lurking in the waters of the very lake the prey came to visit. And as the two groups began running towards the ravaged shoreline, it submerged its two curved horns and dove back into the depths of the lake... In silent chase.