I don't want to overburden anyone with tons of chapters, so there will be one update this week, possibly next week as well. This chapter may also seem out of place, and it could easily have fit as the first chapter, but I ended up placing it here as a "time passing" sort of thing. The rest of the story should iron itself out past this. ^^;

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Chapter 3: Time of Change

The artificial moon loomed above the Gloaming Wildwoods. A pair of knights had just arrived at the first land mass that was part of the Snarbolax's lair. A male dark purple knight in skelly armor was busy looking through an arsenal box. Standing beside him was a female pink knight in a demo suit.

“I don't see why we have to do Tier 1 patrolling. I'd rather be blowing up some mecha knights, or keeping devilites in check.” the pink knight groaned.

“Airi, it is our duty as--”

“Yeah, yeah, it is the duty of the Spiral Order to maintain the peace and ensure the safety of those in need of protection. All I'm saying is that we shouldn't have to do such a simple task by making sure the Snarbolax is in check. I mean, don't plenty of new recruits and first ranks do that job well?” Airi arched her back as it cracked, proceeding to do so to her other joints.

The male knight pulled out a hunting blade, examining it. “This was worth the work to create.” he said to himself. He turned to Airi, “Ok, let's go.” he said.

The two knights walked through the light blue wall of light into the wilderness that was the Snarbolax's lair. There was no movement in the grassy fields, save a dark and eerie mist that blanketed the floor.

Airi reached for a freezing vaporizer bomb attached to a bandolier strapped across her chest. “Do you see anything yet, Caden?” she asked.

Caden shook his head, “This place seems empty.” He stopped walking, holding his hand up to his companion to keep quiet. “I think I hear something.” he said in a low voice.

A faint yelp from some wolvers could be heard echoing in the distance. As the yelping stopped, a loud howl was let out, it seemed to be a sound of pain.

Airi gulped as she put a hand on Caden's shoulder. “I don't think I've ever heard anything like that before.” she said, “Should we follow the sound?”

Caden simply nodded, beginning to walk, Airi following suit.

The sounds grew closer, but no creatures were in sight thus far. The Wildwoods were empty, except for the sound of possible life in the distance. As they got closer still, they could hear rustling and the padding of paws. They stopped by a large set of boulders, hoping to ambush the wolvers.

“You know the drill.” Caden said, “We'll go on three.”

Airi chuckled as she primed the vaporizer in her hand. “This is the part I love.

Caden raised his hand and held up three fingers. “One... two...”

There was a loud roar from behind the rocks, followed by a howl.

“Charge!” Airi shouted, leaping on top of the boulder. She threw the bomb down to the ground below. As her eyes took in the sight on the other side of the rocks, she began to grew pale.

There on the other side was not one, but two Snarbolaxes, along with a bunch of wolver pups.

Airi began to slink down the rocks, her body trembling.

“What's wrong?” Caden asked.

Airi placed a hand over her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. She panted as she began to speak, “There were two of them...” Airi's voice was in a whisper, unable to get the words properly out of her mouth.

“What was that?”

The ground began to shake as large spikes began to pop up in front of them.

“There were... there were...”

A large greenish colored Snarbolax popped out of the ground and stared at them. It bared it's teeth as a foamy saliva dribbled out of it's mouth. The Snarbolax reared up as it howled, shaking the earth beneath it.

“Two of them!” Airi cried at last.

Caden stared at the giant beast in before them. He reached for Airi's hand, but before he could react, there was a loud noise behind them.

A second Snarbolax had peeked out above the boulders. It growled, saliva dripping from it's mouth as well.

* * * * *

It was the second depth of the Royal Jelly Palace. Three knights – two male and a female – were taking the final set of stairs to the end of the palace. The three had finished the four encounters to claim the keys to unlock the gates. The fights had tired them out, even climbing the stairs was draining. They heaved as they forced their legs to continue onward.

“Do we have anymore capsules?” a male red knight in dusker armor wheezed.

“No, I used my last one to finish off that lumber” another male red knight in gunsliner armor groaned.

The two looked to the female white knight in front of them. She had on what appeared to be armor made of plants and other various vegetation. Her helm almost seemed to be tangle of vines and leaves. The visor seemed to be a branch, which wrapped around the left side to the right, two large leaves adorned each side. Behind the visor poked two green beaded hair clips, which held her white hair up in loops. The top of the helmet was covered in long grass blades, which seemed to start at the base of the visor and eventually arch around the back to the bottom of the helm. The numerous bits of grass gave the helmet a feathered look. Upon the side of the helm was a tangle of vines, which helped keep the helmet it place. Her eyes seemed to glow much brighter than normal. Wrapped around her face, and covering her mouth was a set of large leaves. Their stems (which were green like the vines) wrapped around her neck and continued onward around the rest of her body, covering various parts of her arms, legs, and waist. The armor had shoulder pads, also shaped like a set of leaves, which had flowers resting on it. Her chest plate, in a similar fashion to her mouth guard, was also a set of leaves which wrapped around her, it's stems contributed to the tangle of plant life on her. Her leg armor was a large shirt which seemed to be made out of flower petals. Her gloves and boots seemed to be leaves fashioned into arm and footwear, with wooden branches providing extra strength/padding on the outside.

The knight had both her arms stretch out, in the palm of her hands rested a large metallic ring. In the center sat a green crystal which was shining brightly. The knight had her eyes closed as she whispered indistinguishable words. The crystal let out one final burst of green light, before it faded away.

The knight slowly opened her eyes, letting out a deep breath. “The Valestone has called out to the life that surrounds us. It answered my prayers and has granted us more energy to fight.” she said, “I can sustain our health for a few more battles, but I think the crystal's energy has been depleted for today, so please use this gift wisely.” She turned to the two knights, twirling the ring above her head. A green mist was released, surrounding the three.

The mist seemed to revitalize the three knights. Their encumbered bodies suddenly seemed perfectly fine. Both red knights stood tall, raising their weapons and shields up.

“I think we'll be fine!” the knight in dusker armor exclaimed.

The gunslinger knight nodded, ensuring his shadowtech alchemer was ready.

“Onward!” the dusker knight roared, drawing his nightblade back for a strong attack. He began to run for the center of the final chamber of the palace.

The gunsliner knight, followed behind him, with the white knight trailing farther behind them. As they all reached close to the middle of the room, the gate behind them closed shut. Two gun puppies raised from the ground, while the sound of slimes began to fill the room – their gelatin bodies materializing from the goo located around the room.

The white knight held the ring with both her hands as she shouted something in a strange language. As she spoke these words, the jellies were ensnared by vines. Her comrades didn't waste any time on quickly dispatching the jellies before they became free from their trap.

Once the jellies went down, both knights got to work destroying the gun puppies.

The white knight's focus was slowly drawn away from her team mates as she noticed a mist rising in front of her face. The air around them was beginning to grow cold, the heat from her breath causing the mist. “It keeps getting colder, the farther we go.” she whispered to herself.

“Behind you!” shouted the dusker knight. He frantically swung at the jellies around him, trying to clear a path.

Two lumbers were making their way up to the white knight. She immediately knelt on the ground, shouting another spell. Vines began to sprout at her feet, surrounding her in a protective bubble of sorts. The two lumbers raised their arms, striking instead at the barrier she had conjured. The knight continued to frantically pray, but the light within the ring was beginning to fade.

All at once, the lumbers were knocked backwards by a blue light. Their bodies began to spark electricity, until they both collapsed to the ground. The timing could not have been more perfect, as the energy from the crystal faded away, the vines vanishing back into the ground.

“Thanks.” the white knight said, standing up. As she faced the gunslinger knight, a small white puffball began to float down in front of them. Then another dropped, and another, and another, until suddenly the ground had become blanketed in white. She held out her hand in confusion, “Snow?”

The jellies began making strange noises. They had stopped bothering with the intruders, now seeking shelter within the slimy corners of the room again.

“Why is it so cold all of the sudden!” the dusker knight cried, shaking from the sudden drop in temperature.

“I don't like the looks of this, perhaps we should return back to town.” the gunslinger knight said.

The three quickly made their way to the elevator, setting their course back to Haven.

* * * * *

It was dark in the Ironclaw Munitions factory; not even the flood lights that lit the sides of the path were enough to fully illuminate the platforms. The only well lit area was the large center platform which was used to test Roarmulus Twin models. Upon one of the gear switches sat a green knight in mercurial mail. He had a voltedge across his lap, using it as a desk to write on a piece of paper.

“Let's see... shut down the missiles, check! Shut down power to the factory, check. Put a dent in the munitions factory, check check!” the green knight said excitedly as he marked the checkboxes on the list. “The only thing left to do is take down a set of twins for the day.” The knight hopped off the switch, raising a fist in the air. “Alright, the best part!” he exclaimed, “Nothing like keeping those gremlins in check so they don't destroy Haven!”

The knight sprinted for the center of the room, triggering a laser beam and causing the alarm to sound. He raised his sword, pointing it to the left side of the room. “Hit me with your best shot you rusty hunks of junk!” he taunted.

The sound of machinery and grinding metal eclipsed the sound of the alarm. The room began to shake as two massive rust colored gun puppies raised up into their spaces on both sides of the small room. As their eyes opened, fire erupted from them, their metallic surface seemed to erupt with cracks, magma flowing underneath. They both let out earsplitting roars, dripping lava out of their mouths.

The knight was taken aback by these much more aggressive looking gun puppies. He lowered his weapon and shield, mesmerized by the strange appearance. He quickly snapped out of it, entering a defensive stance. “Glad to see the gremlins stepping up their game!” he shouted, “I enjoy a challenge!”

The timing of the knight's words could not have been more perfect. The Roarmulus Twins, although simply programmed to do these actions, appeared to respond to the knight's actions by firing missiles at him.

* * * * *

The air was thick with the smoke from the smoldering ruins of Almire. Orbs of light and spirits that managed to have found a skull, floated around the broken castle walls. The dead groaned and wept for their kingdom despite the numerous years since its destruction.

Four knights made their way up to the corroded gate – the nightmare that was now called Firestorm Citadel. As they reached the blocked bridge, a lost soul began to speak to them.

“Turn back...” it groaned, “This path leads to nothing but death. If you value your life, you will go back whence you came.”

A female amber knight in seraphic armor peeked at the crumbling empire before them before looking back at her team mates. “Are you sure we should be here?” she squeaked.

A male turqoise knight in volcanic demo armor nodded his head. “It's fine, Nila.” he said, “We'll all protect you if you have any problems.”

“But it's so dark and it smells of death!” Nila, the amber knight, cried. Her hands gripped the iron gate to support herself as her legs turned into noodles. The gate gently rattled as her trembling body shook it.

A fiery claw shoved the amber knight aside as a female lavender knight in a volcanic salamander suit stood in front of the three. She heaved a sudaruska above her head, placing the free hand on her hip. “I don't see why we had to drag dead weight along.” she said unenthusiastically, “Honestly, if she wants to help the cause, she should just smack chroma and wolver Pups around all day.”

“Sera, do you honestly ever have anything constructive to say.” a male brown knight in deadshot armor sighed.

“Yeah, yeah, Rahul...” Sera rolled her eyes, “But just because Nila is our guild leader's little sis doesn't mean we should be stuck babysitting.” She pointed her blade at the amber knight who was sitting on the ground sniffling. “And just what do you think you're doing, Veryl?” she asked, resting her weapon the ground.

Veryl, the turquoise knight, had kneeled down to console the distraught Nila. “She is just nervous Sera, there is no need to give her a hard time. She just needs some practice. In fact, I recall a knight who wasn't very enthusiastic about her first journey in her either.” he said, looking at the lavender knight.

Sera was insulted by the comment, almost reeling back from the words. “Tch, at least I didn't whine about it.” she mumbled under her breath. She glared at Veryl, tapping her foot, “My point rests though, she's gunna be dead weight. She'll want her hand held every room.”

While Sera and Veryl argued, Rahul was looking at the bridge. He looked to the left, then to the right, he would stand up on his tip-toes, and crouch down to the ground. “Guys... I think Lord Vanaduke has done some remodeling.” he said.

The two knights stopped butting heads, walking over the deadshot knight and taking a look for themselves. There was a maze of stone barricades zigzagging across the bridge, spiked wheel launchers lined the sides of the bridge.

Sera laughed at the sight and then pretended to yawn. “So, Lord Vanadork finally decided to try and give us a challenge?” she said, raising the heavy sword above her head, “I welcome any attempts he makes to reinforce his kingdom, I refuse to let a villain like him think he runs the planet.” Sera swung the sudaruska with such force that it began to break the rusty gate.

“Wait, we might want to head back up and give a field report.” Veryl said.

Sera shook her head, “No way, nuh-uh, we stop whatever he's planning right here, right now.” She continued slamming the weapon against the gate until it finally gave way. “I'll go on ahead and shut down the launchers, you guys just sit and look pretty.” she said, running off down the bridge.

“No, Sera!” Veryl shouted. He got up to try and stop the brash knight, but a wall of dark flames erupted from the floor. Veryl stumbled back, gazing at the shadow flames dancing from the floor.

“What in Cradle's name did Vanaduke do to this place!” Rahul gasped.

“We need to get Sera back here.” Veryl said, “Before she hurts herself. Nila will you be okay waiting here by the entrance?”

Nila stood up, drying the tears from her eyes. “I think so.” she nodded.

“Okay, we'll be right back.” Veryl said.

As the shadow flames vanished, the two knights quickly made their way onto the bridge. Just as they had begun to run through the maze of traps, the flames erupted again, causing a dark curtain to hide their progress from Nila.

Nila held a hand to her chest as she took deep breaths, she could feel her heart pounding. Between the fear from this sinister kingdom and worry for her guild mates, her body was in overdrive. Nila looked down to the lost soul which was still warning no one in particular to turn back. She looked over to the charred ruins of some wooden columns, orbs of light floated around the ruins mourning the destruction. Nila had had enough of the restless dead's torment and tried looking down at the floor for comfort, she twiddled her hands as she tried to think happy thoughts. “Ooh, I hope they aren't much longer.” she whimpered.

The flames flickered and vanished for a brief moment, revealing Veryl and Rahul carrying an incapacitated Sera. The waiting had felt like hours, despite minutes only passing. They lowered the lavender knight to a safe spot on the ground.

Sera had a strange purple design floating above her head. It was almost like a spell tag, but without the paper charm – it was merely an eerie purple outline with an eye in the center. Sera groaned as she tossed and turned on the floor. “It's... so... dark... and... c-c-cold!” she cried, “A-all... alone... the darkness... s-surrounds me!”

“Sera, it's okay, we're here now!” Rahul said, touching her arm.

“A-all... alone....” was Sera's only response, “It... c-consumes!”

Nila pulled a remedy capsule out of a satchel on her hip. She kneeled before the knight, placing the capsule in her hands. “Sera, what happened!” she exclaimed. Nila forced Sera's hand to tightly grasp the remedy capsule, breaking it and releasing a blue mist.

The capsule seemed to have no effect as the strange design above Sera's face continued to glow.

“They cloud... my vision...” Sera whimpered. She tossed and turned, shouting in pain and repeating strange gibberish.

“I'll see if I can contact someone to help us.” Veryl said, “We need to get Sera medical aid quickly!” Veryl reached for a small badge pinned on his armor, pressing a small button on the back side.