Volume 22:
The Fourth Gathering
4-24-02 to 6-19-02
Meanwhile, the effects of the Seal of Altir's removal, albeit temporarily, are still being felt across Felora. Of most importance, the faerie that were under the protection of the elementalist Ki, being wholly magic in nature, had perished. The shadow of the demon Skiff, who was behind the seal's removal, appears to taunt Ki. For the death of the faerie was his true intent, for it was they who held in place the paling that prevented the incursion of the Abyss upon the mortal world. Now, that paling was slowly fading away, and nothing could stop it...
On the other side of the world, at the Feloran Capital, the next Gathering is held. Many newcomers join in the great tournament, as well as an old friend. Ferah, daughter of the werewolf clan' leader Corellan, has returned and, with the new control over her werebeast heritage, intends to compete in the tournament.
The great tournament also brings in its share of spectators. The Minions D'kan, Phaithe, and Ji Baran are brought by D'kan's apprentice Adele under the guise of an avian family. Other than a brief confrontation with Belemon, however, they are able to avoid any serious trouble.
As the great tournament commences, two participants begin to draw notice: Alisten Korremere, a mysterious offworlder; and the enigmatic Rem, an apparently blind man who wandered in from the surrounding wilderness. Both achieve many victories, and when Alisten defeats Ferah after a long battle they face each other in the final match. Their match begins and, much to the suprise of all present, both achieve Aura! The Feloran Empire had not seen such power since Daemon Ra himself had returned!
Their fight continues for some time, until something begins to drain the competitors power. It is Teiger, the madman who had briefly interuppted the last Gathering with his supposed bid to conquer the world. Last time, he had been powerless and thrown in prison, but this time his eye had been replaced by a magic crystal that drained the aetherial power of those around him! Rem and Alisten find their own immense power turned against them, and it seems they are unable to stop the crazed lunatic. Until, that is, Alisten stops summoning forth his power and faces Teiger as an ordinary man. With a single swing of one of his many weapons, Alisten is victorious.
As the Gathering draws to a close, the Empress Everline makes a speech to the whole capital and announces her intention to bring Earth into the Feloran Empire...