Dave deserted the army after the banquet. Neither head or tail could be found of him. He had left Phillip and the squad a note. In it, Dave apologized for leaving the squad. "You guys are the best," the note read. "I wish I could stay with you but certain vain people (no names mentioned) prevent me from 'fulfilling my duty to my King and country.' (or whatever the heck that clause says in the contract) So I must leave. Make sure JJ behaves and don't get too near Vanessa." Signed, "Dave."

"Well that just flat out sucks," Abat spoke. "I'm gonna miss that guy."

"We all will," Phillip agreed.

"Yeah...I even miss his Princess Elis jokes!!" JJ exclaimed. "Well...not exactly..."

"Did you guys see the look on Vanessa's face when he did that??" Bianka laughed. "Priceless!!!!"

The others laughed at the fond memory. "Ha, ha, ha!!" Abat roared. "I couldn't have done it better myself!! Dave is the bomb, man!!"

"It won't be the same without Dave," JJ commented.

"I have a feeling we're gonna see him again," Bianka spoke.

"Yeah..."

There was a pause.

"Hate to change the subject, guys, but we've got a three-week break," Phillip said. "King Granseal decided his troops needed a rest from the fighting."

"What?? Cool!!" exclaimed Abat.

"I'm just gonna vegetate," Bianka said, stretching. "But I'll be in town for sure."

"Well, I'll be around if you guys wanna hang out," Phillip said.

"Me too," said JJ. "Maybe we could go to castle to see Elis...?"

"NO!!!"

For the next two weeks, Phillip's squad lazed around Granseal. Abat went on a treasure hunt during the beginning of the first week and was scheduled to return by the third week. JJ's birthday was around the corner. He wanted to have a party, but he did not want to have it at his house because he did not want to be around his father. Bianka and Abat's mother offered to host JJ's party. JJ was grateful, but he wanted a simple celebration, not a big party. He invited Phillip, Bianka, and Abat to his celebration. The celebration was set for the day when Abat returned. The squad would be having a sleep-over at Abat and Bianka's house.

The day of Abat's return -- and JJ's celebration -- soon arrived. Phillip and JJ arrived at Bianka's house in the late afternoon. There was still no sign of Abat.

"Do you think he's gonna come?" asked JJ.

"Of course!!" Bianka exclaimed. "He'll be here."

Presents decorated the table in the living room. Bianka and Abat's mother had left the bottom story of the house to Phillip's squad; she and her husband were upstairs, minding their own business.

"Hey, you know what I heard?" said Phillip.

"What?" asked Bianka.

"Vanessa went home after Dave did that and cried her eyes out."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Bianka said, "but that's funny. I couldn't believe that she even told her dad to shut up...in front of everyone!"

"King Granseal didn't say anything either," JJ spoke.

"I know," Phillip said.

"He was just like ignoring her," Bianka remembered.

"How could he make her replace Astral?!?! She'll disgrace the kingdom!!" JJ cried.

"Oh God, he better find someone else!" Phillip exclaimed.

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. "That's Abat!!' exclaimed JJ.

"I'll get the door." Bianka ran to the door and opened it. There stood Abat with a bulging bag of goodies.

"I'm back!" Abat announced.

"Cool!!" cried JJ. "You're just in time for the presents!!"

"Oh here -- I got you one!!" Abat tossed JJ a wrapped package.

JJ caught it. "Cool...what is it?"

"You'll see." Abat shut the door. "We should stay inside."

"Why?" asked Bianka.

"It's overcast right now. I think it might drizzle."

"How odd...it's almost the summer. Oh well...I hope the late rain doesn't damage the crops."

"Here -- I brought you something." Abat threw Bianka a clasp and a ring.

"What are these??" Bianka examined the ring and the clasp. Both had a metallic gold bird emblem on them.

"I know you like phoenixes, so I got you those," Abat explained. "The clasp is for your sash. The ring I think allows you to rise after death, like a phoenix. Or, that's what the artifact dude said."

"Is that where you were today?" asked Phillip.

"Yup." Abat reached in the sack. "You have no clue how much stuff is out there."

"Where'd you go treasure-hunting?" asked Bianka. "Not the ancient ruins, I hope?"

"Yeah, the king prohibited anyone from going there," Phillip commented. "I have no idea why."

"Well, I wasn't there," Abat said. "I just went near Yeel."

"Yeel is only the most interesting town in south Grans Island!" Bianka exclaimed. "There is exactly half of nothing to do there!!"

"How 'bout playing the piano?" joked Phillip.

"Ha, ha," laughed Bianka.

The squad spent the entire evening talking and playing games. Darkness had descended upon Granseal like a black veil. Outside, thunder and lightning marked the coming of a storm. Around midnight, the storm picked up in intensity and fury. Then came the rain. It was more of a shower, but there was something sinister in the air; an aura of evil seemed to sweep over Granseal.

"What the heck is with the weather?!?!" wondered Phillip. "It's never been like this before!!"

"I know." Bianka put down her cards. "It's odd for this time of year."

"Hey!! Stop it!!" JJ hid his cards.

"Stop what?" asked Abat.

"You know what's in my hand!!" complained JJ. "Stop reading my mind!!"

"I'm not!!"

"That's why you always win!!"

"No it's not."

Suddenly, the sound of thunder boomed through the squad's ears, shaking the very core of the house. Bianka and Abat's mother came running downstairs. "Wow, what a storm!!" she exclaimed. "You kids are still up? Are you guys okay?"

"Yea, we're fine," Abat said.

"Okay." And with that, she was gone.

"Hey, you know what would be really cool?" Bianka suggested. "If we turned out all the lights and told scary stories!!"

"Yeah!!" Phillip agreed. "The storm sets the perfect mood!!"

"Cool!!" JJ exclaimed. "I'll get the flashlights!!"

"Am I the only one still playing cards?" asked Abat. "Grr...okay." He threw down his cards. "I'll clean up the cards." The four gathered in the living room and turned out all the lights.

"So how's this gonna work?" asked Phillip.

"How 'bout we each shine the flashlight on whoever's talking!!" JJ suggested.

"Okay, sounds cool," Abat agreed. "Me first." He grabbed the flashlight and waited for the others to settle down. The room was so dark that the occupants could only see the shadows of the others and the occasional flash of lightning.

"Okay, shoot," Bianka said.

"Well, do you care if it's real or made up?"

"Something you heard!!" JJ exclaimed.

"Okay birthday boy. You got it." Abat paused. "This is a story I heard. One time there was this soldier. He was standing guard in the castle. He always worked the night shift, so, as usual, this was the night shift. Then suddenly, his friend comes up to him and says, 'I think there's something you should have a look at...' The guy got worried and went with his friend to inspect whatever it was.

"They tiptoed towards the front of the castle, just outside the main entrance. It was horribly dark and they could hear the wolves howling. By this time, they heard some rustling in the bushes. 'I'll get it,' the guard said.

" 'Be careful!' his friend said.

"So the guy poked the bush with the butt of his halberd. Then suddenly, something jumped out at them!! The friend's blood-curling scream was enough to wake the dead!!"

"Omigod, what was it?!?!" cried JJ.

"It was Vanessa in a short dress!" Abat said. The others roared in laughter. "Sorry guys -- I couldn't resist!!"

"Hey...that's not scary!!" JJ protested.

"Yes it is!!" Abat insisted.

"Yeah, try imagining Vanessa in a short dress!" Bianka laughed. "Now that's terrifying!!"

"ARGH!!" Abat screamed and clutched his head.. "Don't say that!! I can see the image in JJ's head!! My poor mind!!"

Bianka laughed. "I'm glad I don't have telepathy!!"

"Hey, she better not become head of Astral's school!!" Abat said.

"I can't imagine school with Vanessa as schoolmistress!!" Phillip exclaimed. "We'll learn how to praise her and how to bow to her..."

"Eww!!" Abat exclaimed.

"I can't imagine growing up with Vanessa as teacher," JJ said. "Hey!! Remember when we were going to Astral's school? There was this one guy. Mini-Le, do you remember him??"

"Le?" asked Bianka. "You mean that guy you were this much taller than?" Bianka held her hand far above her head.

"Yeah!! Him and what's her name...Sheela..."

"Hey, what ever happened to him??" asked Phillip. "Wasn't he from Galam?"

"Yep. Last I heard he was gonna be a priest or something..."

"Oh..."

"Okay, your turn, JJ."

The crowing of the rooster woke the sleeping squad. "Wow, what time did we go to sleep?" asked JJ.

"Around one...two..." Phillip yawned and stretched.

Bianka walked over to the window and drew the drapes. "What the -- ?!?!" she cried.

"What's wrong??" The others ran to the window. Traces of last night's storm could be seen outside. Broken branches lined the pathways and the ground was still wet from the rain.

"Something's wrong," Bianka said. "Look -- there's a soldier coming this way..." Through the window, they watched the soldier run to the door of Abat and Bianka's house. He rang the doorbell. Abat proceeded to open it. The man had look of worry on his face.

"What's wrong?" asked Abat.

"The sealed door to the Ancient Tower opened last night," the soldier said grimly.

"WHAT?!?!?!" Everyone stood shocked by the unprecedented event. As far as anyone could remember, the Ancient Tower had never been opened.

"How did this happen?!?!" demanded Phillip.

"It happened last night. During the storm. There was lightning, then we found out the tower had collapsed and the door had opened. The Minister wanted me to summon you, Phillip, because the King had fallen down. He's in great pain. We don't know what's wrong with him."

"Oh my Lord..." Bianka gasped. "How?? What happened??"

"We don't know...he was alone in the throne room and when we returned, then he had collapsed. He hasn't awakened since that time."

"Okay!! Hang on!! We've got our weapons!!"

"You guys need to get Sir Astral!! The Minister wants him to come to the castle!!"

"All right. We'll get him." Phillip's squad rushed to Sir Astral's school.

"I'll go in and get him," JJ volunteered.

"Thank you...I never wanna know what Sir Astral's thinking," Abat commented.

JJ rushed into the school and summoned Sir Astral. Within a few minutes, JJ and Sir Astral rushed out of the school. "Phillip!! Bianka!! Abat!!" Astral exclaimed. "JJ explained to me what happened to the king."

"Yes, we just got the news this morning!" Bianka exclaimed. They headed off towards the castle.

"I fear the worst," commented Astral. "I wish I didn't have to leave my students, though. This was to be their last day of class!!"

They rushed to the castle. Sir Astral immediately went to talk to the Minister. Phillip's squad waited for news of the king. At last, the Minister came out to talk to Phillip's squad.

"Phillip, Sir Astral and his students have gone to inspect the tower," the Minister explained. "I would like you to remain in the castle and make sure everything is running smoothly."

"Right." Phillip turned to the others. "Let's go, guys!! The vacation's over!!" The squad patrolled the castle for about two hours when a soldier came running downstairs.

"Phillip!! Phillip!!" The soldier was excited.

"What happened??" asked Bianka.

"The King was possessed by a Gizmo!! He suddenly became violent and knocked down Princess Elis!!"

"WHAT?!!?! He knocked down Elis??" cried JJ.

"Is he still possessed??" asked Bianka.

"No, Sir Astral exorcised the demon!! Then Sir Astral collapsed!!"

"What?? A Gizmo?!?! What is that doing here?!?! Is the king all right??" asked Phillip.

"Yes!! He is fine. The Minister is calling all soldiers to the throne room."

"C'mon -- let's go!!!" Phillip's squad gathered with the rest of the soldiers in the throne room. The Minister stood before them.

"As many of you heard, an evil Gizmo possessed the king," the Minister spoke. "While he was possessed, the king knocked down Princess Elis. Fortunately, Sir Astral exorcised the Gizmo, but it is still loose. I want you to destroy the Gizmo." The Minister turned to Phillip. "Phillip, I want you to be in charge of the group!"

"Yes, sir," said Phillip.

The Minister turned to the rest of the soldiers. "That is all the info I can give you about the mission."

"So all we have to do is find the evil Gizmo and kill him," Phillip stated.

"That's right. Kill him before he possesses somebody else. You may go."

"Yes sir." Phillip turned to the soldiers. "Let's go and defeat the evil Gizmo. Forward men!" The soldiers, led by Phillip, marched out of the castle.

Phillip and the others found no trace of the Gizmo. They returned to the castle. King Granseal increased the number of soldiers guarding the castle. He was more nervous after the opening of the Ancient Tower.

Soldiers now guarded the Ancient Tower nervously. Guard duty was looked upon with dread now; many soldiers felt that an evil presence lurked within the tower. The tower emanated a dark aura which chilled the soldiers to the core.

Phillip's squad, fortunately, was too valuable to guard the tower. They patrolled the city and castle, making sure everything was okay. The number of bandits outside the kingdom increased dramatically, worrying King Granseal. He ordered border patrols along the outskirts of the kingdom.

A few days had passed since the night of the storm. Bianka was sound asleep in her bed early morning when she was awakened by a violent shaking. "Huh? What???" she mumbled, half-asleep.

"Bianka!! Get up!!" It was Abat's voice.

"What?! What time is it?!?!"

"Bianka, get up!! Hurry!! Phillip's here!! We've gotta get our asses outta here!!"

"What?? Why??" Bianka sat up in alarm. Something dreadful had happened. Grim looks were on the faces of Abat and Phillip.

"Galam's invading!!"

"WHAT?!?! They can't be!!! We're allies!!"

"Not anymore. There are reports that a huge Galam army is in the outskirts of the kingdom. And that was a while ago already!"

"WHAT?!?! Okay, okay!!" Bianka dashed out of bed and grabbed her costume and laserlance from the closet. "I'm coming."

"Hurry!! We don't have much time!! Momma and Dad are already grabbing our things so we can evacuate to the ship!! We have to warn everyone!! JJ's waiting outside!! C'mon!!"

Within five minutes, the squad raced to the castle. Already they could feel the tension and anxiety in the air. Galam was attacking!!!! How could that be?!?! "Abat, do your stuff!!" Phillip ordered.

"You got it!!" Abat cleared his throat. "GALAM IS INVADING!!! GALAM IS INVADING!!"

"I'll go blow the warning!!" JJ rushed to the castle to blow the emergency horn. Within minutes, Granseal tumbled into chaos. Everyone was everywhere, rushing to safety. Soldiers were running to the entrance of the kingdom to fight the incoming Galam army.

In no time, the Galam army arrived, slaughtering and looting proud Granseal. Phillip's squad had rushed to the castle to protect the king. King Granseal, Princess Elis, Duke John, Sir Astral, the Minister, and Vanessa had gathered in the throne room. They had just received word of the invasion.

"I don't understand!! I don't understand!!" whined Vanessa.

"She never does," Abat whispered to Bianka.

"What's going on?? Why did you wake me up from my sleep!! I was having a nice dream too!!"

"Hush, Vanessa!! Phillip, I want your men to protect us," King Granseal ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Phillip said. Besides his squad, twenty soldiers were there at Phillip's command. Suddenly, the soldiers by the front gate of the castle screamed. The Galam army had broken into the castle!! "King Granseal!! You must flee from here!!"

"Those soldiers can't attack me!!" declared Vanessa. "I'm Vanessa. I'm the daughter of the -- "

Suddenly, King Galam and his men entered the room. Immediately, Elis and Vanessa started screaming like banshees. "Ah, there they are," spoke King Galam. "Cowering in the corners like rats."

"What is the meaning of this?!?!" demanded King Granseal. "I thought we were allies!!"

"Isn't that what you said to King Tiar?" King Galam turned to the man on his right side. "Lemon, you know what to do."

"My...king...I do not understand your orders, but I shall obey you." Lemon rushed towards the king.

"No you don't!!" screamed Bianka. Instantly, Phillip's men and Galam's soldiers began to fight. Vanessa screamed in horror. The king and his entourage just stood there, paralyzed with fear.

While the soldiers were fighting, King Galam made his way to where Vanessa and Elis were standing. He eyed both Elis and Vanessa, then stuck the tip of his sword under Vanessa's chin. "You'll make a good sacrifice!!" he laughed. "You will follow me to the tower or you will die."

"How dare you even think about sacrificing me!!" Vanessa demanded. She looked at Elis. Suddenly, Vanessa backed off, freeing herself from Galam's sword. She grabbed Elis by her wrist.

"Vanessa!! What are you doing??" cried Elis.

"Take her instead of me!!" Vanessa shoved Elis towards Galam. Galam grabbed Elis by the wrist.

King Galam laughed. "How noble of you. Come, princess."

Elis shrieked. "HELP!! Father!! Help me!!"

"Elis!!" cried King Granseal. He tried to save Elis, but Galam soldiers stopped him.

JJ saw the commotion from the distance. He dispatched his opponent and rushed towards the princess. "I'll save you, Elis!!" He brought his sword down on King Galam's arm, freeing Elis.

"ARGH!!!" screamed King Galam. He nursed his wound, then glared at JJ. His demonic stare sent a chill down JJ's spine. JJ quickly tried to lead Elis away from Galam.

"Quickly!!" JJ cried.

"But he's just an old man!! He can't hurt you!!" Elis insisted.

"Very well then, Princess. You must die!!" King Galam suddenly raised his arm. Demon breath whirled above his hand.

"Holy shit!!" screamed JJ. "That's for you, Elis!! RUN!!" The demon breath whirled towards Elis. JJ threw himself before Princess Elis, taking the brunt of the spell. "AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" JJ screamed in agony before collapsing to the ground.

"JJ!!" screamed Elis. She rushed to JJ's cold body and realized that JJ was dead. "JJ!!!!!" Before Elis realized it, King Galam had her captive. "HELP!!!!!" King Galam took her upstairs.

"Lemon!! Cover me!!" King Galam shouted.

"Yes, my king!!" Lemon and some of his men blocked the path upstairs, preventing Philip and his men from going after Princess Elis. Sir Astral rushed to talk to Lemon.

"JJ's dead!!" cried Bianka.

"Oh my God!! No!!" cried Phillip.

"JJ!!!" cried Abat.

"No use -- he's been dead for several minutes..." Bianka paused. "There's another loss....it never ends..." There was a moment for JJ, but it passed. The immediate danger numbed the sorrow Phillip's squad felt.

Abat turned on Vanessa. "You selfish bitch!!" he cursed. "Some friend you are!! You traded in your friend to save your sorry ass!! And JJ sacrificed himself to save Elis!!"

"Well, I'm better than anyone in Rune!" Vanessa declared. "Everyone should sacrifice themselves for me!!"

"Sacrifice this!" Abat punched Vanessa in the nose. The punch knocked Vanessa to the ground. Vanessa sat up, shocked, and began to cry.

"ABAT!!!" King Granseal's voice boomed over the ears of Phillip's squad. "Enough!!"

"Why are you being so nice to her??" cried Bianka. "She just sold your daughter down the river!!"

"I shall deal with Vanessa later!! We must first save Elis!!"

"I think we can break through Lemon!!" Abat said.

"No, evacuate the people!!" cried King Granseal. "Sir Astral, Minister, and I will save Elis!! Take everyone else to the ship!!"

"But -- "

"HURRY!!"

"I'm not evacuating her!" Abat pointed at Vanessa.

"Evacuate everyone!!" demanded King Granseal. "That's an order!!"

Phillip turned to Duke John, Vanessa, and the other people in the castle. "Get to the harbor!!" Duke John and the others immediately took off.

"Okay, we need to go to my room and save my dresses!!" Vanessa said.

"Like hell we are," Bianka snapped. "Get your butt out to the harbor -- NOW!!!"

"But!! But!!" whined Vanessa. "All my beautiful dresses!! And my jewelry!! And my make-up!! And my old toys and my -- "

"Either get your ass to the harbor or I'm gonna stick my sword through your heart!!" Abat threatened.

"How dare you!! I'm gonna tell my father that you tried to kill me!!"

"Well, he'll pay me then. Now, move!!"

"But I need my wardrobe and my accessories!!" whined Vanessa. "I can't live without them!!"

"You look like shit anyways," Bianka commented. "Now GO!!!"

"You haven't heard the last of this!!"

"We'll see."

At last, Vanessa made her way towards the harbor. Phillip and his men ran to the harbor. All the Granseal citizens were rushing towards the harbor. Phillip and his men guided the citizens onto the boat. By the time most of the citizens had clamored onto the boat, the earth began to shake violently.

"What's going on?!?!" cried Phillip.

"An earthquake??" suggested Bianka. "But it's too violent!!"

"Tremors are appearing everywhere!!" cried a soldier.

"Oh God...I hope King Granseal gets here soon!" cried another.

After what seemed like an eternity, King Granseal, Sir Astral, the Minister, and Sir Astral's students boarded the ship. They had failed to save Princess Elis. The order was given to weigh anchor. The ship left port.

"Oh my God!!" cried Phillip. Granseal was suddenly swallowed by a huge chasm.

"That is one giant hole..." Bianka murmured in shock.

"Where are we going??" cried Abat.

"To Parmecia," the Minister spoke.

"Parmecia!!" cried Abat. "But that's a lifetime away!!"

"We can't stay here any longer...the earthquake caused damage all over the island. We'll be back someday."

Eventually, the shock of the Disaster and the Galam invasion wore off. The Granseal citizens returned somewhat to themselves. Services were given for those who lost their lives during the invasion and the Disaster.

The boat sailed and sailed and sailed through the sea. Eventually, the Granseal citizens arrived on the coast of Parmecia. The captain, by order of Sir Astral, crashed the boat onto the shore. The people of Granseal broke apart the ship and built a new city on the coast of Parmecia. They called it New Granseal.

One year after they landed, King Granseal summoned Phillip to the New Granseal Castle. "Phillip, you are the best warrior I have," King Granseal told him. "You and your squad proved yourselves in the Tiar invasion. I want you and your men to find a way back to Grans Island and search for Elis."

"Search for Elis? But...the only people I have left are Bianka and Abat!!" exclaimed Phillip.

"Recruit some more talent," King Granseal spoke. "There are many skilled warriors here on Parmecia, aren't there?"

"Yes, that's true. I shall, then."

"I will give you a thousand gold pieces for your journey. Vanessa will accompany you as a diplomat on your journey."

"What?!?!?" Phillip stepped back. "Umm...but with all due respect, Sir, Vanessa was the one who caused Elis' capture...and she is as good at diplomacy as she is at being kind to others..."

"Yes, I know. The reason she is going is because she feels guilty about trading Elis in to save herself and she wants to redeem herself."

"Vanessa? Feeling guilty? How did this happen?"

"I had a talk with her."

"Oh."

"Gather your men and report back to me. I will give you the money."

"Yes sir!!" Phillip left and explained the king's orders to Abat and Bianka.

"That's a load of bullshit!!" Abat exclaimed. "Vanessa can't come with us!! She can't do anything except annoy people!!"

"Oh god, she better not bring all her clothes and make-up and whatever other crap she brings!!" cried Bianka.

"I'll burn it if she does!" Abat declared.

"How does King Granseal expect us to get to Grans Island?" asked Bianka. "We have no ship..."

"Not here, maybe we can get one somewhere else on Parmecia...we'll explore this island!!" Phillip said.

"Cool. But what about recruits?"

"I'll post fliers, and we'll see who turns up. If not, we can look for people on our way there." And so, Phillip, Bianka, and Abat turned to prepare for the upcoming journey. They knew that it would be a long and treacherous one, so they gathered up their weapons and costumes. The fliers were posted all around New Granseal. It was only a matter of time before the adventure began.

©2000 Blue Pegasus. Any reproduction of the Interactive Story Prologue without the prior consent of the authors is absolutely prohibited!!!