The elementalist awoke from the deep sleep that the Bronze Man placed her in to silence the darkness. She felt completely refreshed and better than she had in a month. Stretching she heard the voices of her companions echoing throughout the temple and went to investigate.

Alyson entered the main chamber and saw Irzen, Willow, Serna, and Neven with one of the militia guardsmen there as well as The Bronze Man. Walking over and standing next to the cleric, "Oh, hey guys. This is Lazheros, he's an old friend of my Uncle Madeous."

The entire party was stunned to see Alyson although Irzen was the first to speak, "Wait a minute! Didn't we leave you at the inn so you could take a nap?"

"You did?" She blinked then shrugged, "...couldn't sleep. Bad dreams and all. Don't remember anything after that."

"Yeah, what in the Realm are you doing here, Alyson?" Serna asked shaking her head.

"Sleepwalking, I think." The elementalist scratched her head.

"From the inn to this temple?!" Irzen asked with a raised eyebrow, "That must have been one hell of a walk. Did you get your pockets picked along the way?"

Lazheros was glad to see Alyson revived and sensed the darkness sealed away once more. Just as it should be. "Your friends have found themselves in a bit of a fix."

"Really? What happened? Who did it? And why?" She looked kind of confused at the cleric then at the party.

Willow calmly explained to Alyson all that happened in her absence leaving nothing out and holding nothing back.

The elementalist still remembered Willow's brutal honesty. Cut throat as ever, or damning from a certain point of view. She recoiled from him somewhat not sure why it bothered her.

Lazehros took notice of Alyson's body language and placed his hand gently on her shoulder reassuring her that all is well.

"Now do you understand why we are in the mess that we are in?" Irzen asked nonchalantly.

"Okay. So now you're the Realm's version of the 'Scooby Doo?" Alyson chuckled.

"Nope!" The Swordsman smiled, "WE are the Realm's version of Scooby Doo! So, do you want your Scooby Snack now or after this mystery is solved?"

"Meh. Not what I was implying but okay." Alyson face palmed herself.

Willow, Neven and Serna gave each other a look as to wonder what their friends were talking about.

"Scooby Doo. A stage show about of group of young adults and their faithful but skittish hound solving mysteries and foiling the plans of the villains they encountered on a weekly basis." The elementalist told the ranger, thief, and shield maiden.

"OOOOOHHHH!!!" Willow, Serna and Neven replied all in unison.

"Or Thorns in the Realm's most notorious villain," Came another slightly deeper male voice to their left.

Alyson turned, "Uncle Madeous?"

Lazheros bowed then embraced his long time friend, "Madeous! It is good to see you after these long years!" He paused for a moment only to realize, "You haven't aged one bit! Time is truly a blessing for you, my friend!"

Madeous Khyng stood before the group tall and regal. He had earned his stripes, medals, or renown long ago during his days in the Realm. He stood six four and was in excellent physical shape for someone who appeared to be in his late fifties. His platinum hair with a matching goatee gleamed in the light of the temple and his baby blue eyes reflected a commanding gaze. He was dressed in regal attire of blue, silver, and gold. No weapons were visible to the party save for Lazheros's natural true seeing ability. On either side of him, was a Dragonee, the color of brass. Half dragon, half lion each the size of a pony.

"Madeous Khyng!" Irzen smiled as he extended his hand in friendship, "Your niece has told us a lot about you."

"She has? Well then my presence isn't quite as intimidating as it could of have gone," Madeous said.

"And what Alyson has not told us, your tales of bravery and cunning more than make up for," Willow concluded, "It is both a pleasure and an honor to meet you, good sir."

"Um, forgive my ignorance," Neven spoke up, "But aside from being Alyson's uncle, who are you really, sir?"

"Madeous Khyng. Fighter, knight, paladin in the service of the Platinum Dragon, Bahamut. King of a far off hidden land within the Realm beyond the Great Veil. My companions were once upon a time, my brother Jack, a master thief specializing trap mastery. Madeline, another master thief, specializing in lock picking, normal or magical. They are Alyson's parents. Lazheros, here was our healer and cleric. Seriah, Shadow Dancer assassin, originally sent by Venger to kill me but I gave her a better deal and she turned against him. And lastly, there was, Celestria, lady paladin of the Bahamut, who was banished to another world with our last fight with Venger. One that was meant to banish him instead backfired forcing those of us not of the Realm to return to Earth. Curses. They are a subtle and dangerous tool in the hands of an enemy with centuries of experience to back it up."

"I bet," Irzen agreed, "So if you don't mind my asking, why have you returned to The Realm? To find Alyson and bring her home? Or have you returned for another reason?"

Madeous Khyng grew quiet at the swordsman question at first. He seemed reluctant to reveal something yet he was asked a simple question therefore his response was, "Finding Alyson was not a simple task, Irzen. Technically, she's already home."

"What? What do you mean I am home, uncle?" The elementalist interrupted him.

Lazheros looked at Madeous then at the elementalist, "You were born here in the Realm but raised on Earth. That is the reason why magic comes so naturally to you. It is also the reason why Venger is drawn to you."

Alyson turned pale and felt sick to her stomach, "Ughhh!"

"Simply put, The Realm's source of magic is mostly derived from the myths and legends from Earth but there are other worlds within the cosmos that contribute as well. Three, the curse that Venger placed on my friends and I took effect as soon as we left the Realm. Called The Curse of Misery. It worked. It succeeded in driving a wedge between my brother and I. He and Madeline took their skills using them for greed and grand theft larceny. They are now serving 15-20 years in prison. Not to mention Jacob, Alyson's older brother was also fell into a life of crime and completely despises Alyson for it. Seriah had gone with us to Earth but her true form revealed her as a old woman. Upon returning to the Realm was a death sentence for her it seems." Madeous paused to catch his breath for a moment, "My role took on raising Alyson for a time but the curse caused me to 'love' my business over my family. Just a friendly reminder don't underestimate Dungeon Master. He shows up when he chooses to but he's not infallible either."

"I've returned to see my niece. To visit old friends, meet new ones, and return to my kingdom beyond the Great Veil for a time." Madeous told the swordsman.

Mention of the Great Veil again triggered a legend Willow had heard from his people growing up. The elders from time to time would tell tales of ancient civilizations as old as the elven cities.

As for Alyson, it took her a few minutes to collect herself from the news. Looking at both Madeous and Lazheros, "How is that possible that I'm from here? I have no memory except all the devious things my parents used me for in their schemes. Bad memories at that."

"You don't remember because you were made to FORGET them to protect you from the powerful enemies of this world." Lazheros went over to the fountain and walked over to her with a cup of wine.

She just looked at him in disbelief but took the cup and downed the wine. She needed it. Shrugging handed the empty cup back to the cleric. "Ummm....thanks I think."