*After Chiara apologised to Rin, he started to seem a little more accepting of her relationship with Tifanel. A few days pass uneventfully. We rejoin the action one morning, in Laurenza's bedroom. She and Red have just woken up and are laying in each other's arms.*
Laurenza: *Kisses her.* Good morning, Red.
Red: Good morning.
Laurenza: I've been thinking. Do you remember me telling you about a place I wanted to show you, near Sol's Pass, where the waterfalls flow backwards?
Red: Yes, I do.
Laurenza: Would you like to go there? We could fly there, but I think it would be more exciting to sail. My family owns a sailing ship, as I'm sure I told you before. It's stored at Miledgia, so we'd have to sail from Dalin. Also, that way we'd see all the coast.
Red: That sounds wonderful.
Laurenza: Shall we go today? I'm sure Kuja will be happy to look after Ana, or failing that, Chiara's always willing to baby-sit.
Red: Sounds like a plan.

*They get up and dressed. Over breakfast, they let the others know of their plans, and Kuja begrudgingly agrees to watch over Ana whilst they are gone. Later on in the morning, they pack a few things and then head down to Dalin village. Dalin is not quite as unfriendly towards Laurenza and her friends as it used to be, so they encounter no trouble. South of the village, they arrive at Port Dalin. Dalin's main industries are farming and fishing, so there are normally many boats moored at the docks, but today there are barely any.*
Laurenza: That's funny... there's usually a lot more boats here.
Red: I wonder what's going on...
*They spot a ferryman stood by a catamaran. It has an impressive triangular sail.*
Laurenza: Let's ask him. *Goes over to the ferryman.* Excuse me, but where are all the boats?
FerryMan: Haven't you heard? Not many people are daring to sail right now 'cos of the pirates.
Red: Pirates?
FerryMan: Yeah, there's a pirate ship going around the Dalisea, attacking and looting any vessels it comes across. Most sailors have just stopped making the passage altogether, as it's not worth the risk.
Laurenza: *Looks disappointed.* That's a shame, because we need to sail to the next town.
FerryMan: I could give you nice ladies a lift. I'm still sailing.
Red: That would be nice of you, thank you.
Laurenza: Yeah, we'd really appreciate that. So why are you still sailing, if you don't mind me asking?
FerryMan: Because I'm not afraid of the pirates, as I don't carry anything worth stealing. *Grins.* So, you two are heading to Miledgia?
Laurenza: Yeah.
FerryMan: Okay then, in that case, I'd appreciate a small donation. This boat doesn't maintain itself.
Red: Sounds reasonable.
Laurenza: *Hands him a few coins.*
FerryMan: Thank you kindly. All aboard! *Helps them into the catamaran.*

*The ferryman unties the mooring rope and opens the sail fully. They set off through the blue-green water, salt spray flying past their faces.*
Laurenza: *Dips her hand in the sea.* This is nice. I've always liked boats a bit.
Red: Preferable to cars any day...
Laurenza: Don't you like cars?
Red: Not really. *She places her arm over the side of the boat.* Too fast.
Laurenza: Heheh, I suppose they are.
FerryMan: *Turns back to them.* So, got business in Miledgia or is it a pleasure trip?
Laurenza: We're actually aiming for Sol's Pass in the end, but we need to swing by Miledgia to fetch our own ship.
FerryMan: Nice place, that Sol's Pass. Just be careful when sailing alone, ladies.
Red: Oh, I think we can take care of ourselves...
Laurenza: Don't worry about us. I don't think we've got anything worth the pirates stealing anyway.

*The catamaran soon arrives at Miledgia port. The actual town is a small walk away, so they bid farewell to the ferryman and make their way into Miledgia. Miledgia has all the hallmarks of an outpost for trade. There is a large marketplace and many stalls offering goods, or peddling trinkets to tourists. Usually, it would be bustling with people buying and selling, however, today the town is filled with terror and dread. The tall buildings are all on fire, and people are running helter-skelter in panic.*
Red: That's not good..
Laurenza: What's happened here? We should help them put out the fire! Aquimari! *Sends a flurry of bubbles from her hand into a burning tree, but does little to quell the flames.* Darn, my water Magick isn't so good...
*Red draws her pistols and aims at a nearby water tower. The tower explodes with water, showering down onto the buildings and quenching the fires.*
Laurenza: Wow, Red, good thinking!
Red: Thanks, but I wanna know how those fires started.
Laurenza: Me too. Let's ask one of the locals. *She stops one of them.* Excuse me, do you know how the town got set on fire?
Local: Rumour says it's a Dragon. I know someone who says they saw it, a big flaming creature, it was. A few of the coastal towns have been hit before this one. Set on fire in the night... people being killed... *Shakes head.* It's not good. I reckon it's those pirates. I wouldn't put it past them having a Dragon as a pet.
Red: *Pauses a moment.* Hmm... we'll try to help however we can.
Laurenza: Yes. If we run into those pirates or their Dragon, we'll teach them a lesson or two.
Local: Heh heh, you'd be crazy to try, but we appreciate your offer nonetheless. *Walks off.*
Laurenza: Poor town... I hope they'll be able to repair the damage. Oh! My ship! I hope it didn't get caught in the fire...
Red: Let's go and check.

*Laurenza leads Red to a house, where she meets with a man who seems to know her. He hands her a key. The girls then walk back towards the port and stop outside a large boathouse. Luckily, the fire didn't reach this far, and the boathouse is undamaged, meaning whatever is inside will also be untouched. Laurenza unlocks the boathouse and they enter it. Inside is a sizeable and beautiful sailing ship, with a carved cat woman as a figurehead. The name 'Spirit of Light' is painted on the side.*
Red: This is beautiful...
Laurenza: Thanks. The harbour master took good care of it for me, didn't he? It's in good condition still. I'm glad the fire didn't get to it too.
Red: I'm assuming you know how to sail a ship.
Laurenza: Well... *Smiles in an embarrassed way.* ...I've never actually sailed one myself before, but I saw my father doing it...
Red: *Considers this for a moment* ..Well, it can't be that hard. I'm sure we'll manage.
Laurenza: Yeah, we'll figure it out in no time.
*They board the ship. It's an old-fashioned vessel with many white sails, though they are currently tied up. Laurenza spins the steering wheel for fun for a few moments, before going over to the masts.*
Laurenza: Hmm... we'll need to undo these. I hope the knots aren't too tight... *Starts tugging on a rope holding one of the sails. She struggles with it for a couple of minutes before it comes undone unexpectedly, and the force of the unwrapping sail knocks her over.* Oh!
Red: *Goes over to her* Are you all right? *She picks Laurenza back up.*
Laurenza: Yeah, I'm okay, thanks. I'm just glad no one else was around to see that. I can imagine the guys laughing about it for days.
Red: Well, they would. But everyone makes mistakes, right? *Smiles a little.*
Laurenza: That's right. *Starts on another sail.* That's one of the reasons I'm glad Li isn't around anymore. I know he's my brother but... well, you know what he was like. I couldn't do anything stupid around him and ever live it down. When we were kids... *Shakes her head.* Heh heh, maybe now's not the time...
Red: Everyone was like that when they were younger. And he is your brother…
Laurenza: That makes it twice as bad. *Smiles.*

*They finish with the sails, haul up the anchor and finally set off, sailing into the Dalisea. Laurenza takes her place at the steering wheel and doesn't do a bad job. Though considering their route is mostly straight, she hasn't much to do. Wind fills the sails and makes them billow out, like the white dresses of many dancing girls. It also ruffles the two girls' hair and keeps them cool from the afternoon sun.*
Laurenza: Isn't it refreshing out here?
Red: *Nods* It's very nice.
Laurenza: And do you know what the best thing is?
Red: I could guess, but tell me anyway.
Laurenza: That I'm here with you.
Red: I thought so. *She smiles.* That's the best bit about anything we do together.
Laurenza: *Laughs.* I hope I'm not getting predictable. I was thinking, it's nice living with all our friends, but sometimes I just want to get away and be with you like this. *Looks out to sea.* Do you think we'll all live together forever, or will there come a point when we go our separate ways? I mean... the couples will stay together, but will they have their own places...?
Red: *Puts her arm around Laurenza and considers this* Who can say for sure what the future holds? Maybe some people will move out, or maybe we'll all stay one big happy family together.
Laurenza: *Looks into her eyes and closes in for a kiss. Just before she is about to, a flicker of crimson light flashes behind Red.* What was that?
Red: *Looks up.* What was what?
Laurenza: There was this little red light just now... *The light flickers again, this time to their side.* There it is again!
*Where the light was, the area of the ship suddenly ignites on fire. Laurenza lets out a small shriek.*
Red: *Gasps with surprise.*
Laurenza: No, no... This ship has been in my family for generations! It'd just be so typical that it's me that gets it wrecked... *Grabs a bucket and lowers it into the sea, filling it with water. She then throws it on the flames, dousing them.* There we go... Not too much damage.
Red: I'm glad. It's a lovely ship. That was some quick thinking. But what was that?
Laurenza: I don't know. Maybe it was the Dragon? But I didn't see anything... Can you get invisible Dragons?
*There are many more red flashes and the entire ship bursts into flames.*
Red: Damn!
Laurenza: I can't fight all this fire with one bucket and you know my water Magick isn't up to scratch. We're just going to have to jump ship, I think...!
Red: Unfortunately, I think I agree! *She grabs hold of Laurenza and jumps off the ship.*
*They splash down into the ocean and watch as the fire burns away at the beautiful ship. Laurenza looks increasingly sad as more wood is licked away by the flames. After a few minutes, there is a sudden flicker of black light and the fire vanishes in an instant.*
Red: Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but… fire doesn't usually just vanish like that, right?
Laurenza: No... That's very weird. I wonder what happened... *Swims back over to the ship and touches the sides, checking that it's not too hot to stand on. She then clambers back over the side and surveys the damage.* Oh no... Look at this, Red.
Red: *Follows Laurenza back aboard the ship and goes over to where she's stood, to look at what it is Laurenza is looking at.* What is it?
*The ship is badly scorched and the sails are ruined. It doesn't look like it will sail again. Before they get a chance to think of what to do next, another ship comes speeding towards them. It is a rather imposing armoured vessel, made of lightweight metal with fin-like sails. A Jolly Roger flies on its mast.*
Red: Oh look, some pirates have come to ensure our day gets even better…
Laurenza: We're just collecting bad luck today...
Red: You know how some days are the kind where you know you should've stayed in bed? Today is one of them. Maybe if we hide, they'll ignore us. I can't imagine they'd think there would be anything of interest on a burnt out husk of a ship…
Laurenza: That's a good idea, Red. Let's go below deck. *Opens the doors to the lower deck and quickly descends the stairs.*
Red: *Follows Laurenza with haste.*

*They hide in a bunk in the sleeping quarters as they hear the pirate ship anchoring alongside theirs. Footsteps and voices echo from above, suggesting they've been boarded.*
Laurenza: *Quietly.* I thought the days of piracy were long gone, but I guess if people like us still insist on using sailing ships, there's the opportunity to mug us. I wonder what they're like... Peg legs? Eye patches?
Red: *In hushed tones.* I should imagine they all have scurvy.
Laurenza: *Quietly.* Aw thanks, now I'm imagining burly peg-legging, eye patch-wearing pirate fiends that are diseased.
*The pirates start descending the stairs and Laurenza throws a quilt over herself and Red, in the hope that they won't notice them. The pirates poke round the cabin for a while, before coming across the suspicious lump on the bunk. They throw the quilt off. The two pirates are not burly, missing any body parts or suffering from any kind of disease. They appear to be women, but it's hard to tell as they are wrapped in layers of long clothes covering most of their bodies. They have thick sunglasses on, and a shawl covering the rest of their face. Any exposed skin has a lot of sun lotion smeared on it. The skin they can see seems to be covered in fine green fur. One of the pirates removes their glasses, showing lamp-like orange eyes. It's Amber, the Velazian bandit.*
Red: *Quietly to Laurenza.* Now, is this a good development or a bad one?
Laurenza: *Whispers back.* I'm not sure... *Turns to Amber.* Amber?
Amber: Red... and Laurenza? I remember you guys! You came to Velaz for the Imperial Ball, right? Made off with a really nice trinket too.
Laurenza: Yeah, that's right.
Red: Hi.
Laurenza: You're a bit far from home, Amber. What are you doing here?
Amber: Surely fellow bandits like you would know. It's a bit tough for Velazians like us to be in the sun, but I guess all the clothing doubles as a good disguise, huh? Anyway, Dalimoor is a treasure trove for hidden riches. It used to have some protective barrier round it or something, so it was a perfect place to stow your goods. We're just here to claim them. *Grins.* How about you?
Laurenza: *To Red.* We'd best play along again.
Red: Yeah, I suppose we don't have much choice.
Laurenza: *Addresses Amber again.* Yeah, us too. We were after treasure, but our ship got damaged.
Amber: That's a real shame, as it's a very nice ship too. Looks like a royal vessel. I bet that was hard to steal.
Laurenza: *Laughs nervously.*
Red: We just got lucky.
Amber: *Looks up at holes in the ceiling where the fire burnt through.* So what happened? Did you have a run-in with the Dragon?
Laurenza: So the Dragon's not yours?
Red: Are we sure it's a Dragon? I didn't see what caused the fire, but I know I didn't see a Dragon. Unless it's invisible.
Amber: I've heard rumours about there being one round here, but they don't say nothing about it being invisible... Though saying that, they all mostly talk about the fire, really.
Red: Well, since it's causing such damage, I suppose it's natural to only think of that.
Laurenza: What else could it be?
Red: *Thinks to herself.* I think I know what it might be, but I'm not sure. *She speaks to the others.* I'm not entirely sure…
Amber: Well, whatever it is, we for sure don't own it. *Laughs.* But I'll tell you, it'd be easier if we did.
*Amber's companion whispers something into her ear.*
Amber: Yeah. *Turns back to Red and Laurenza.* Listen, you won't be going anywhere too fast on this ship now. It just so happens I'm missing a few crew here, so how about I let you on board my vessel in their place? We'll be more successful treasure hunters in a larger group.
Laurenza: Well, actually... we were heading to Sol's Pass. We've got some... um... business there.
Amber: Hmm, I suppose I could give you a lift there… That's of course if you help me, that is.
Red: What do you need help with?
Amber: Come aboard and maybe I'll tell you about it. *Skips up the stairs.*
*Her taciturn companion follows her up. They go back to their own ship.*
Red: *Turns to Laurenza* Doesn't look like we have much of a choice in this, does it?
Laurenza: No... It's not like we'll be able to do much stuck in the middle of the sea with a ship that doesn't sail. And what Amber wants us to do can't be that hard, right?
Red: *Flatly.* I hope she doesn't want us to swab the poop deck.
Laurenza: *Can't help but smile.* Let's go see what she does want. *Climbs up to the deck and heads over to Amber's ship.*
Red: *Follows her.*

*They go below deck on Amber's ship. This vessel, though decidedly more high-tech than Laurenza's sailing ship, has the appearance of being thrown together. The rivets in the thin sheets of metal forming the hull are slightly disturbing in how clumsily they have been hammered in. The ship is also very, very noisy. Amber is rolling up several maps and charts from a small table in the centre.*
Amber: Welcome aboard the Imperial Scourge.
Red: Nice name.
Laurenza: *Looks around.* It looks very... Did you build it yourself? *Looks like she had to try hard to stop herself from adding 'Is it safe?'*
Amber: Yeah, me and the gang put it together out of scraps we repossessed from other ships.
Red: ...So I see. So then, what was it you wanted us to do?
Amber: Straight to business, is it? I think I like that. Okay, I'm searching for something called the Altergem. It's supposed to be hidden in an ocean cave somewhere in the Dalisea. After a few wrong turns and dead ends, I've finally tracked it down to somewhere round here. I've heard it's really valuable…
Laurenza: Okay then, so what do you need us for?
Amber: Well, you see, there's still a bit of travelling to do and this vessel normally needs at least half a dozen people to man. My friend and me are kinda tired from sailing around all this time, so I reckon you two could take over for a bit.
Red: *Glances over at Laurenza and gives her a dubious look.*
Laurenza: But I wouldn't know where to start!
Amber: Oh, don't worry, I'll pilot it. I just need you to go down to the engine room and shovel coal. It runs on steam, you see.
Red: Oh, I see. Yeah… We can do that, right?
Laurenza: Sounds great... *Forces a smile.*

*Amber shows them down to the engine room. It is a stiflingly hot room full of smoke. There is a large boiler on one wall, near a pile of coal. Amber hands them two shovels, smiles and goes back up.*
Laurenza: *Looks despairingly at the mountainous pile of coal.* Red, I'm so sorry...
Red: Don't be. It's not like you started that fire, is it?
Laurenza: No, but this little holiday was my idea. Who would've thought we'd end up shovelling coal? *Starts doing so.* What did I do to deserve this? I always have the worst luck.
Red: *Picks up her shovel and starts helping her.* Well, I'll admit that shovelling coal isn't what I thought I'd be doing with you, but I guess at least it's not manure. And we're together. That's always a bonus. Even when shovelling coal.
Laurenza: *Laughs a little.* Aww...

*They continue powering the ship for quite a while, becoming hot, dirty and sweaty as they do. After what seems an age, Amber into the room.*
Amber: Good job, girls. Maybe you should consider joining my crew full time?
Red: Uh... well, whilst I'm flattered by the suggestion, I don't think we'll take you up on it.
Laurenza: We'd rather stay as our own team, I think. We have our own treasures to admire in other places. *Flashes a smile at Red.*
Red: *Smiles back.*
Amber: Shame. We're here, by the way.
*They go above deck.*
Amber: Now, we'd best be careful. The rumours said this cave is the home of the Dragon.
Red: *Nods* Right. We'll be on our guard.
*They look across at the cave. It is a carved out of a humongous piece of rock jutting from the ocean. The entrance is blocked by a large amount of flotsam.*
Laurenza: Hmm... How are we going to get in? There's a load of debris in the way.
Amber: Not to worry. *Taps on the deck with her foot.*
*Two long cannon-like weapons extend from the front of the ship and fire powerful lasers at the cave. The flotsam is blasted into tiny pieces.*
Red: *Looks taken aback.* Good grief.
Laurenza: Wasn't that a bit over the top?
Amber: Can't a girl show off once in a while? *Winks.*
Red: Well, it did the job quickly, at least…
Amber: And that's all that matters. Let's go go go!
Red: Okay, I'm go go going...

*They climb into a small motorboat and drive across to the cave. Once in the cave, after a couple of metres, the water unexpectedly stops and is replaced with copious amounts of fire.*
Laurenza: Huh? *Looks behind them.* The sea is coming into this cave, but look, it suddenly stops... That's odd enough, but then there's all this fire...
Red: You'd think the sea would put it out... *She thinks to herself.* Now I'm pretty much certain... I was right.
Amber: This ain't something you see every day.
*In the centre of one of the fires, they spot the corpse of what looks like a Dragon, slowly being consumed by the flames.*
Laurenza: *Gasps and points.* The Dragon...?
Red: So, there was a Dragon. It's definitely a 'was' now.
Amber: But it's dead... Looks like it's been dead for quite a while. So what's been doing all the damage to the port towns? What did this to the Dragon?
Voice: That would be me, I suppose.
Red: Oh hell.
Laurenza: *Glances around anxiously.* Who's there?
*There is a flash of red light and forms into the shape of a smirking young man. His long coat, fire-tipped dark hair and blood-red eyes are things Red thought and hoped she would never have to see again. It's Daimonion. He is wearing an unusual trinket around his neck.*
Red: *Looks less than impressed to see him.* You again.
Laurenza: It's that Djinn... But Red, I thought you killed him!
Red: Hmm... I guess we thought wrong… *Looks warily at him.* What do you want now?
Daimonion: What do you think, foolish girl? That ice spell you cast on me didn't kill me, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. *Takes a few steps towards Red.* I'm after revenge...
Amber: So... I take it you know this guy?
Red: He's the kind of guy you wish you didn't...
Daimonion: *Twitches rather violently and looks very angry for some reason.* Don't use that word so frivolously! Now I'm mad. *Fills his hands with fire.* I've got something for you, Red...
Laurenza: Wait! Just a minute... I've got something to ask you...! *Looks like she's stalling for time.*
Daimonion: *Dissipates the fire and looks over at her with amused curiosity.* Hmm, what is it?
Laurenza: Was it you who attacked our boat?
Daimonion: Yes. It was so fun watching you scream and panic. I especially enjoyed making you jump in the sea. I bet your nice clothes are ruined now. And yes, it was also yours truly that attacked the port towns and killed this here Dragon.
Laurenza: I can understand you attacking us to get your revenge on Red, but why hurt everyone else? What did they ever do to you?
Daimonion: Nothing. I'm just a bastard. *Grins in a sick way.*
Red: *Glares at Daimonion.* You're even more horrible than I thought. This time will be the last we meet, however!
Daimonion: Thank you. I agree with you, Dark Angel, because I'll be sending you back to the Hell pit you crawled out of! *Emits a massive wave of fire, blasting the three girls out of the cave.*
Laurenza: Agh...! *Fans her dress because it caught fire during Daimonion's attack.*
Amber: *Kicks water at her.*
Laurenza: *Is soaked, but the fire is put out.* ...Thanks...
Red: *Looks bitter.* He's right. He is a bastard.
Laurenza: Are you okay, Red? Are you hurt?
Red: No, I'm okay. I'm just less than pleased to see him again.
*The entrance is now blocked again, but this time by Daimonion's vermilion fire. The lapping sea is doing little to quench it.*
Laurenza: *Sighs.* It doesn't look like we'll be getting back in there any time soon. Magickal fire resistant to water, it seems... Not much we can do about it.
Amber: Not necessarily. What can we use to beat Magickal fire? Simple: Magickal water. I bet I could re-route the frontal cannons of the Scourge to fire water instead of lasers. If we send a Magick charge through it, I'm sure it'll put that pesky fire right out.
Red: It's worth a try.
Laurenza: We need to beat this guy before he can hurt anyone else.
Amber: Right, I'll get working on it as fast as I can, but it's a tricky piece of engineering. It'll still probably take at least till the morning.
Red: That's okay. Thank you for helping us.

*They head back inside the Scourge. Amber sets to work on making the water cannons, whilst Amber's not-so-talkative friend fixes them all something to eat. After finding out that Velazian cuisine is rather unusual, they go for a rest in the cabins. That night, Red finds Laurenza stood on the top deck, looking over at the flickering fire in the cave.*
Laurenza: *Turns to her.* Red...
Red: Laurenza.
Laurenza: *Looks like she has something on her mind.* We will get him. I know what it's like to have someone ruin your life...
Red: *Puts her arm around Laurenza and nods.* We will.
Laurenza: *Leans against her.* I remember... I couldn't wait to kill the man whose actions lead to the death of my parents. You must feel a similar way about Daimonion.
Red: *Nods.* When he's dead, I'll be able to finally feel at peace about what happened.
Laurenza: I'm sure you will. *Looks up at Red and kisses her.*
Red: *Kisses her back.*
Laurenza: It's a bit cooler out here now. I think I'll head in. *Goes back below deck.*
Red: *Lingers for a moment longer to watch the flames in the distance.*
*Just then, Red hears a voice behind her. It has a similar echoing quality to Daimonion's, but it is lighter and kinder.*
Voice: I have something for you.
Red: *She turns around* …What?
*There is no one behind her, but what she does find a roll of parchment and a small, vermilion bead at her feet. She also catches a glimpse of a flicker of black melting into the shadows.*
Red: How strange. *Watches whatever it was disappear, then bends and picks up the scroll and the little bead.*
*On the scroll, there are a few sentences written in curly gothic script, the first of which reading: 'Please do not judge my child before you fully understand him.' No sooner than she finishes reading the line, the bead becomes very warm in her hand. She feels a sudden swooping sensation as she is whirled around by an unseen force. She lands somewhere that is completely dark.*
Red: *Looks around.* What the hell…?
*A gas lantern flickers on. The scene before her is thrown into light, but she still cannot see it clearly. It is slightly hazy, as though viewed through a misted lens. She is in an archaic and filthy house. Obvious attempts to clean it have not dented years of ground-in dirt. A small, quivering figure is hidden in a cupboard. His eyes can be seen glinting through a crack in the door.*
Red: Hello? Who's there?
*The figure in the cupboard doesn't seem to hear her. A man with untidy hair and an unpleasant expression storms in, slamming the door behind him. Judging by his dress, and coupled with the surroundings, Red appears to be in a time long since passed. The man strides straight past Red without even a flicker of recognition that she's there.*
Red: What's going on? Is this an illusion?
Man: *Calls out.* Slave, where are you?
*The cowering figure does not move, but utters an almost inaudible whimper.*
Man: Answer me when I address you! I know you're here...
*Again, the other person does not move, but this time their cry of anguish is quite clear. The man strides to the cupboard and wrenches the door open. The other person comes tumbling out. They are very short, dressed in filthy, ragged clothing and are covered in bruises and cuts.*
Red: How rude. That's so typical of a man.
Man: *Doesn't hear Red and grabs the smaller man by the collar.* How dare you hide from and ignore me, slave! And why can I see your injuries still?
Slave: *Keeps his gaze low and does not meet the other man's eyes.* Because you beat me so often, master, it seems my healing Magick cannot keep up...
Man: I should beat you again for your insolence! *Takes his belt off and slaps it against his palm threateningly.*
Slave: *Cowers and whimpers again.*
Red: That's just cruel…
Man: And I see the chores aren't done. Were you wasting all this time hiding from me?
Slave: I tried to do them, master, but my Magick doesn't work so well when I'm frightened and hurt… You make me suffer so.
Man: Oh, I'll show you how to suffer! *Beats him mercilessly with his belt.*
Slave: *Screams and cries pitifully, looking up for the first time. His usually vibrant crimson eyes are now dull and almost grey. The ruby flames on the tips of his hair are currently flickering out, but there's no mistaking it's Daimonion.*
Red: *Gasps in surprise.* No…!
*The scene fades to black around her and she suddenly finds herself in the present once more, holding the parchment and bead. The last sentence on the parchment reads: 'Daimonion is only what the humans made him.' It is signed: 'A friend.' Red rolls up the parchment. She holds the bead between her thumb and index finger and looks at it for a while, before putting both objects carefully in her pocket. She looks over at the fire in the cave for a moment longer, before finally following Laurenza below deck.*
Laurenza: Hi Red, I thought you'd got lost up there.
Red: Well… not quite... *Proceeds to tell her what happened.*
Laurenza: So let me get this straight... You saw this memory from Daimonion's past and he was being abused by a human master? You don't know who made you see it?
Red: *Shakes her head.* No. I found a piece of parchment and it's just signed from 'a friend'. There was a small red bead with it, too. I have them here in my pocket. *She takes them out to show Laurenza.*
Laurenza: *Has a look at them.* You don't think Daimonion planted them here to try and throw us off guard?
Red: I don't know... but I think if I had a memory like that, I wouldn't be too willing to share it with people. And the voice I heard... it sounded kind of different to Daimonion's. It had a sort of... sweetness to it.
Laurenza: That's odd. I wonder who it was...
Red: I'd like to know that too…
Laurenza: *Throws the bead and catches it a couple of times.* But does this change anything? I mean it's not nice that Daimonion got mistreated like this, but he still killed Roseanne and has caused all this other trouble...
Red: Well, no. I mean, I understand why he's like that, but it doesn't change how I feel. And I feel angry.
Laurenza: Well... *Holds her hands.* Tomorrow we'll go and settle this once and for all.
Red: *Nods, taking her hand to her face and kissing it.* Yes.
*The two of them go to sleep shortly after.*