The early sun filtered through the treetops, the leaves blocking all sunlight, except for the single spot that bore directly onto Kieran's face. His eyes fluttered open, squinting enough to make out the approximate time based on the sun's position. Roughly seven 'o'clock. He made his way around, nudging Taber and Emily awake. When he got to Alexander's body, however, he paused for a moment. He was sprawled out wildly, snoring embarrassingly with his mouth agape. Kieran's brow twitched. "Get up, loser..."

Alexander jolted in pain as a boot introduced itself to his ribcage, rolling onto his other side in hopes of reaching the spot better. He shot Kieran a dirty look. Kieran, offering only a shrug, gestured for him to hurry up. Alexander put aside his desire for payback and instead opted just to put on his boots and join the others in a circle.

After five minutes, they gathered together. In an attempt to brainstorm, Kieran presented his opener. "So, we know for a fact that somebody has been hiring these people to do their deeds." The others thought briefly until Emily chimed in softly.

"Well, if you think about it... were they really even hired?"

"From what we've seen with Markos," Alexander added, "there's a chance that this person is just forcing their hands. There's a chance that it's the same way with the others who are working under this 'Master Eros' character." Kieran shuddered very slightly at the mention of the name, so discreetly that it was virtually unrecognizable. Nevertheless, he continued.

"If that's the case, then it's almost as if they're slaves to the things they hold dear... or more accurately..."

"Somebody's using the things they love to enslave them..." Taber pondered thoughtfully. "But... who? I mean, we have nothing to go off of aside from the name and the fact she's a woman."

"But then there's the Eros Four," Alexander chimed.

"True," Taber agreed. "They could definitely pose a problem if we aren't careful. However, the issue does still remain that we don't know where the hell to go."

Emily thought. "Then... should we head East?"

"No, nothing exists east of here, nothing that wouldn't be wasting our time." Kieran took a couple of seconds before turning around and pointing to the distance. "Northwest, Farendelle. It's a port town, no secrets pass through more places than the ports. Especially not unshared ones."

The others nodded, agreeing with the logic. With that, they packed up their bedrolls, ensured that the firepit was stomped out and broke camp, grabbing their bags as they ventured further into the Balron Woods. Venturing to Farendelle.

The sun was high in the sky by this point. The walk thus far had been generally silent. Whether for the fact that some were half-asleep or just had nothing to say, there was significantly less banter between the four. Perhaps, however, it was the gentle breeze that tickled the branches around them and shook the leaves on the ground awake. Perhaps it was the fact that there was the perfect amount of clouds hanging in the sky to make the air significantly cooler while the sun's light diffused softly upon the world. More than anything, the four were occupied with just how beautiful of a day it was. The weather, the atmosphere, everything felt worth taking in, even if for the moment.

This was the case, however, for only a few more moments, when the sudden voice of a boy cut through the woods. Looking to the others, Alexander rushed forward. The other three followed suit.

When they arrived at the source of the sound, they crouched down behind some bushes. Against a tree, a young boy, perhaps around the age of 14, had been surrounded by three gruff men. Bandits, Alexander thought.

"Come on, kid," the first bandit barked. "Just give us the damned gauntlet, already!"

A second one stepped forward. "The more ye resist, the more we'll be forced to harm ye!"

"What was that?! Back off you goons, I'LL BEAT YOU BLOODY!" The boy retaliated, reeling back his right arm. Equipped was a brown leather gauntlet with a goldish-bronze trim. Before he could send his fist into the gut of the first bandit directly in front of him, the third bandit shoulder-checked him into the trunk of the tree.

"Lousy kid..." He grumbled, rubbing his arm from the impact with the metal.

The four looked on, unsure of what exactly to do. Alexander whispered. "That kid looks like he needs help." He began to position himself to leap out of the shrubs. Kieran spoke up.

"Leave him be," he hissed. "He's not important to our mission. We need to get to Faren-"

"Sorry, you've gone all staticky!" Alexander hissed as he ran out from the bush.

Kieran thought angrily, What does that even mean?!

Alexander slides from the momentum in the small forest clearing. "Hey! How 'bout you pick on somebody your own size?!" The bandits, to include the boy, turned around to see him standing there, arms raised and a determined grin painted across his face. However, they eyed him from head to toe, chuckling amongst themselves, pointing a thumb over in his direction."

The first one quipped, "you might as well be the same size, shrimp!" The three let out guttural laughs that resonated through the trees. Alexander didn't know whether to be dumbfounded or pissed off. He opted for the second.

"What? Afraid that I could thrash all your asses? I've fought people far stronger than you goons!"

The boy chuckled and chirped out a sing-song taunt. "Uh-oh~! Sounds like somebody's gonna get their asses ki~icked!"

"Shut up, half pint," the second bandit barked behind him. The first bandit rubbed the back of his neck, letting out an agitated sigh.

"Well," he grumbled. "If you mean what you say, kid, then I guess we ain't gonna hold back. Don't take it personally, kid..." Alexander immediately braced himself as the three of the bandits unleashed their auras, Wind and Terra energies whipping at his guard. This was the last thing he had expected. After all, he hadn't sensed anything from them the whole time, not to mention that very few bandits utilized Magic, according to Azerael. The majority of them, in terms of class, were usually brawler or warrior classes. The first one, using Wind Magic, made the first move. "Wind Cutters!"

Alexander was so far in his thoughts that he didn't have time to react, instead doing his best to strengthen his guard with Arcanic Energy. Just before impact, a wall of earth erupted before him, cancelling out the attack as the others join his side. "Damn it," Kieran chided. "Can't you keep out of a fight for one second?!"

"How exactly can you expect me to sit around at a time like this?!" Alexander threw a ball of flames at the second bandit, who erupted a wall of his own. In the commotion, the boy gazed on at the ensuing battle while an excited smile grew on his face.

"Awright, these seem like my kind of people!" He jumped up, kicking off of the tree, flipping backwards over the commotion and landing beside Alex. "So, you got any bite? Or are you all bark?"

"Wait and see, my guy..." He encased both fists in fire. "...wait and see!" The boy chuckled.

"Well then, let's dance!" The boy took a stance similar to Alexander's, rock forming and covering his bronze gauntlet. The two took off, side by side, punching through the second bandit's wall. Almost in unison, they spun around, slamming their feet into the bandit's chin as he rose two feet off the ground. They spun again, sending their fists into his stomach, the force knocking the bile from his lips and embedding him into the tree.

Both of them paused momentarily, locking eyes as excitement brewed in their stomachs. They cheered. "That was awesome!" The boy shouted. They bumped fists, about to say more when Kieran shouted from across the clearing.

"Hey! Two more! Help us! Idiots!" They looked at each other, then nodded. They began to rush down the other Terra bandit. The boy threw back a stone-coated arm.

"Kick-Ass Technique... TERRA FIST!" He socked the bandit in the side of the knee, causing him to cry out in agony. Taber took the chance to slam a hand on the ground, a pillar erupting from the ground at a high speed and knocking the bandit in the jaw. From above, Alexander kicked off of a tree branch, a jet of flame sending his boot launching full-force into the man's face. His nose immediately began to bleed as he fell onto his back, dazed with the world swirling around him. Finally, it came time to face the last one, who was currently locked in hand-to-hand combat with Kieran.

Even with enhanced speed, Kieran was finding it difficult to get past the bandit's defenses, growing frustrated that this was the second time in less than twenty-four hours that a Wind Mage had given him so much trouble. He chalked it down to the fact that despite his enhanced speed, the outburst of wind energy was causing more drag than he could effectively push against. Enough is enough. Kieran leapt back, electricity forming in his right hand. Lightning Magic: Thunderbolt!

The energy collected to a single point, then dispersed all at once in one long-range bolt. To Kieran's dissatisfaction, the bandit saw it coming before it happened, moving his head to the side just in time for the bolt to graze his hair and electrocute the bandit embedded in the tree. The first bandit reengaged, sweeping Kieran's leg and knocking him back with an open palm. "All you kids had to do was leave well enough alone."

"Don't look at me, this wasn't my idea..." Kieran shifted his gaze to Alexander, who was currently sprinting at the bandit. Just before his fist impacted, the wind suffocated his flames. Surprised, Alexander attempted to raise his guard, only for the bandit to grab him by the collar and slam him into the ground. Alexander coughed, struggling to regain his breath as the wind's vacuum began to draw the air out of his lungs. Emily stepped in.

"Water Magic: Jet!" However forceful it may have been, Emily's spell pushed Alexander just far enough outside of the bandit's vacuum to gasp in as much air as his lungs could hold. Taber moved in next, the boy taking the other side. Taber slashed downward, while the boy hooked a jab. The bandit grabbed the boy's arm, using it to deflect Taber's blade and kicking them into each other in time for him to grab Kieran's wrist. Despite the twisting pain, however, Kieran refused to let go of his knife. Finally, he glanced to Alexander, whose glance shifted between the bandit's leg and Kieran's icy eyes. They nodded as Kieran mouthed the words, don't fail me.

Kieran dropped his blade, its cerulean sheen glinting off the polished metal as it rotated and tumbled, influenced by the current of the wind. Holding his breath, Alexander dove forward, attempting to anticipate where it would land. By whatever miracle, he caught it in a revers grip and used whatever energy he had to jam the blade into the bandit's thigh. He cried out momentarily, until Kieran kicked his ribs. Alexander managed to get into a knee, sending an uppercut into the man's jaw. Disoriented, he didn't notice that Emily had created a pit of mud, slipping and landing onto his back. As his vision finally started to combine into one, the last thing he saw were Taber and the boy reeling back fists of stone, before knocking him out cold.

The five stood, doubled over and gasping for breath. Kieran made his way over to Alexander, holding out his hand and retrieving his dagger. He glanced back and forth between his blood-stained blade and Alexander, nodding his head in minor approval.

However, Alexander's mind was still drawn to that first series of attacks with that boy. The way they seemed to be in-sync, how their attacks complimented one-another. It felt like Alexander's unorthodox style of fighting blended perfectly with the boy's more wild and sporadic attacks. He stumbled his way over to him. "That was sick, dude!" Alexander gripped the boy's hand.

The boy smirked back. "Not so shabby yourself, hot shot!"

"So," Kieran's voice cut through. "Mind telling us who you are?"

The boy's grin grew wider as he turned to face everybody, as if proud of the chance to introduce himself. "The name's Elar, at your service," he smiled as he gave a theatrical bow.

"Alright, 'Elar,'" Kieran continued. "What exactly did you do to piss off Bandit Mages?"

Elar raised his hands defensively "Nothing! I was coming back from a quest and they ambushed me!"

"Then I guess you're lucky we got here when we did," Taber chimed, his arms folded.

"What do you mean," Elar chucked nervously. "I was totally winning that fight..."

Kieran pressed his fingers into his eyes and groaned. "Great, now there's two of this idiot..."

Alexander shot back, "what was that?! Shut it, numbskull, I'll beat you bloody!"

Emily let out a giggle, though one that seemed more like a nervous tic. "Yep, there he is..."

Elar made his way back to Alexander, tossing an arm around his neck. "Anyway, you looked so tough walking out like that! Saying, 'I've taken on stronger than you guys!'"

"Yeah, but your combat style is so cool," Alex chirped. "I didn't know you could utilize Terra in an exclusively offensive manner like that!"

"Oh, you like it?" Elar jumped back. "Pretty sick, huh? I call it 'Terra Fist!'"

The two continued gushing at each other as the other three spectated, their eagerness fading as they realized that they probably weren't going to cease anytime soon.