Seed awoke in his tent with a pain in his right shoulder. Hmm, that Gilbert is a far better swordsman then I gave him credit for. Seed left his armour in the tent walked outside to find Gilbert roasting meat over a fire. "What is this?" He asked pointing at the putrid smelling meat.

"Haven't you ever seen a Cutrabit before?" Gilbert replied.

"Of course! But...But not like this."

"Well, you want any?"

"What? You expect me to eat this?" Seed asked trying to hide the fact that he was almost starving. That is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen, I hope he skinned off the hair before he cooked it. But god, I haven't eaten anything since I left L'Renouille. Seed Sighed and tore off a leg and started to eat. after chewing for a few seconds he colapsed and spat it out, followed by repeated coughing.

Gilbert chuckled, "Heh. So the rich boy gets a taste of the great outdoors, eh?"

Seed coughed one more time. "There is alot you don't know about me, so don't bother." He looked over to see Pao gathering his equipment. "Well Gilbert, We're almost to the summit, are you still going to go through with this?"

"Whatever, as long as I get my money." Well isn't that typical. Dumb bastard has probably only eaten with a fork and knife before. Ah, well. People will be people Gilbert thought this to himself as he chomped down on some part of the Cutrabbit. Tasted almost like chicken but more spicey.

"Very well," Seed said as he stood up from his crouched posistion and walked into his tent. As he reached for his equipment, he cringed as his left hand was engulfed in pain. Not again, not now. This happens about once every year. Why? This worthless 'dormant' rune

"Lord Seed?"

Seed was startled and swung around to see Pao standing at the enterence to the tent. He must have heard me somehow. "I'm alright Pao, I'll meet you out there in a minute."

Pao bowed, "Yes my lord."

Seed reached for his sword and closely looked at the blade, "Thanks, father." he then tied the sheeth to his belt and walked out of the tent.

Gilbert looked up at the sun. Something is most interesting. I had only lost once to that man in blue quite a while ago. Then that crazy man, Sydonia. Now, General Seed of Highland. I must be getting rusty.

"Are you ready yet, Gilbert? We're leaving." Seed said as he and Pao began walking upwards.

"Yeah, coming." And they began their journey up Firehead Mountain.

"Ssssshwwwaaaaaaa...whooooooaaaaaaaassshhh" The sounds of ghouls and ghosts plagued the mind of the three men.

Pao was especialy scared, just last night he had seen his best friend beheaded at the hands of this mysterious man Gilbert. The sounds of the ghouls sent cool chills down his spine. He was shocked and turned around only to find nothing. He gripped onto his spear tighter as he looked to the left, then the right. Why was I chosen for this mission, why me? I was no better then the others under Lord Seed. I wonder if my wife in Kyaro even knew that I had gone on this mission. If...If I d..Don't make if back from this mission.... What will happen to her and my daughter. "Lord Seed, may I ask you something?" He asked.

"Not right now Pao, I'm a little busy. Tell me after," Seed replied. Gee, poor child, I can just imagine the things going through his mind right now, I remember being his age. Fresh out of the Youth brigade, the second I put on the officer uniform, I felt ten feet taller. I could have taken on the world. Ever so ready to take on Highland's enemies and serve the great Agares Blight. Then the Highland Jowston war broke out, I served as captain of the guard under General Han. That was a bloody war, and what did each side gain from it? Nothing but the right to the small country town of Kyaro. I hope this 'new' war would at least have some point.

"So where is this Firehead you keep telling me about?" Gilbert demanded.

"I told you, it's an old Zexen legend I picked up from reading," Seed paused. "You should try reading for once Gilbert. About 300 years ago, when this continent was still young, Zexen was populated by only small tribes of nomads. The elder of the tribes was a ruthless killer. Anyone who didn't follow his lead, would meet an untimly demise. One day, a beast descended from the peak of Firehead mountain and killed the elder. Hence the name, the Firehead." Seed said as he continued forward.

"So what exactly does this thing look like?" Gilbert asked.

"It's said to be a large, flaming horse skull, with a scream that is said to make warriors drop dead." Seed smirked.

"Lord Seed...I think I hear.....AHHH!" Pao yelled.

The two jumped backwards as the witnessed the onslaught of Pao being ripped appart by the Firehead monster.

"Where did that come from?!" Gilbert yelled.

"I have no clue." Seed replied.

The Firehead spat out the blood covered body of Pao and floated back inside the cave at extreme speed.

"Pao!" Seed yelled. He walked over to the body of Pao.

"My lord....Uuck, Please....Tell my family..That..I.....lovvvvvegh." The last words made no sence as a pool of blood poured out of the side of Pao's mouth.

Seed stood back up from the side of Pao's corpse. "I've lost two of my elite soldiers on this mission... Gilbert, you had better not fail me."

Gilbert remained silent. "...I don't fail often."

Seed looked back at Gilbert. "Prove it."

The two un-sheathed their swords and charged into the cave.

"wHO dAREs dISTURB mY gREAT lONG sLEEP?" A hissing voice came from deeper within the cave.

The two looked ahead as the Firehead came rushing at them at alarming speed. Seed dropped to the ground and rolled out of the way. "Gilbert, look out!" Seed yelled. Gilbert jumped out of the way. The Firehead screamed in rage. The Firehead ignored Seed and charged at Gilbert again. Gilbert jumped into the air and grasped onto the front of the skull. The Firehead shifted drastically trying to shake Gilbert off. He reached for a dagger on his belt and stabbed it into the Firehead's eye. The creature howwled in pain as Gilbert fell off.

The creature was all disoriented as it started running into the walls of the cave, bringing ruble and rocks ontop of Gilbert and Seed. Once the firehead regained it's coordination, it looked towards Seed and floated towards him baring its sharp teeth.

Seed reached for his sword held it up and striked the Firehead knocking it backwards. The firehead again attacked, this time Seed sidestepped and impaled the skull. The firehead rotated, knocking Seed against the ground. The firehead, now enraged even further, charged towards Seed. The Highland general raised his right arm making the cave glow red, a bolt of flame shot out of his palm, striking a large pointed pillar causing it to fall and impale the Firehead.

Gilbert walked over to the firehead and swung his sword killing the creature. He looked over at General Seed deperatly trying to catch his breath. He saw him take a heavy sack out from his coat, handing it to Gilbert.

"Welcome to Highland Gilbert." Seed welcomed.

Gilbert began to walk towards his humble cabin. He saw Forthoro eagerly looking through the window, like she probably was the entire time he was gone. Forthoro came running out of the door, "Gilbert! Gilbert! You're back! You're back!"

She tackled Gilbert onto the ground has she hugged him. Gilbert's face began to turn red, and he couldn't breath. "Oooooh! I'm so happy that you're back!!" Forthoro screamed.

Gilbert looked up at her in the eyes, "I have to...go. I'm working for Highland now." Forthoro's eyes grew wide with anger, and she got up off of the ground and stormed into the house, locking Gilbert out.

Gilbert got up and began pounding on the door, "Hey! Let me in!"

"No! I'll have no Highlanders in MY house!" Forthoro yelled back.

Gilbert's face turned red, but not with anger this time, but with embarrasment as he said, "I...uh...I have something to ask you?"

Forthoro looked at him through the window, "......what?"

"Will, uh...well I'm gonna be gone for a while and uh....well I was wondering...will you...or uh...do you want to, no no....aw to hell with it! Will you marry me?!" Gilbert managed to get out in about an hours worth of time. Forthoro turned red with embarrasment now as well, and she slowly walked over to the door. She un-did the lock, and opened it. She looked Gilbert in the eye and muttered, "...yes."

For some reason, the rest of the night, Forthoro and Gilbert never came back out of that cabin....