Pluto and Xera looked down from a tall dune at the temple’s court. There were no longer statues there, but instead were people moving around, checking on each other. They slid down the sand to the crowd.

The citizens gathered around the pair and Pluto showed them the long lost instrument. The crowd erupted with applause.

“My name is Obin.” One of the people said. He was taller than the rest, with medium-length green hair and a pleasant face. “Thank you for returning this to us and freeing us from the curse.”

“Thank you, indeed.” Bahruna’s image said from the temple entrance. "Welcome back, my friends. It is good to see you again. Let us thank Pluto and Xera for bringing these good tidings to us."

The crowd applauded again.

"More importantly," Bahruna continued. "Let us thank the Song for bringing them to us. Let us honor Him with a hymn."

The congregation began playing their instruments, starting with a long, rising note. Their canticle began harsh, but soon the cacophony turned pleasant.

Bahruna noticed that his form was solidifying. He went inside the temple for a minute and returned with a cello. He took off the bowtie he was wearing and stretched it out until it became a bow. He joined the symphony; the melody filled the air.

Pluto felt moved by the performance. He felt as though there was a small flame inside him that began to grow. He felt encouraged and strengthened for the journey ahead of them.

Then the earth shook. Water ran down the sides of the temple then a violent rush of water burst from behind the temple and covered the surrounding area. The trench in which the pair came to the temple began to fill with water until it was a mighty river that flowed beyond the horizon.

Water rained over the orchestra. A golden light swirled around Bahruna as he became corporeal.

The hymn hit a high note up to the heavens, then slowly fell back to the planet into silence. Everyone paused for a moment, awed by the gorgeous hymn. Bahruna motioned to Pluto and Xera then they joined him inside the temple.

"I am in your debt," Bahruna said. "In what way could I repay you?"

"Can you help us deliver the rest of the stones?" Xera asked bluntly.

"Unfortunately, that wouldn't be a good idea. If the Cult of Cheron is tracking the stones, as you've said, they would surely notice me going with you across the planet. No, I should return to Sanctus Jungulus with Nevus to discuss the upcoming plans. I can assist you in your journey in several ways; show me which stone you plan to deliver next."

Xera produced the stone that she held and showed it to Bahruna. He stroked his chin.

"This is Atrsun's stone. His temple is not far from here. There is a forest at the end of the Great River, Triton. On the other side of the forest lies the town of Titan. There you will find Artsun's temple. I am unsure of the sate of Titan in Artsun’s absence.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

He went to one of the shelves and pulled off a figure of a ship. He put the boat on water flowing from the temple and let it sail away. He played a chord on his cello, leaned it against a wall, and turned his bow back into a bowtie.

"I wish you luck. When you return to Sanctus Jungulus, I hope to have a gift waiting for you."

The pair thanked him and then left the temple. They passed the orchestra who were playing a new song.

Where the river started was a boat large enough for the both of them, wading in the water. Pluto and Xera boarded and set off down the river.

* * *

Bahruna used what little magic he had to return to Sanctus Jungulus. He breathed in the fresh air as birdsong filled the air. Nevus was standing in the clearing where he arrived, setting Arren up with a package.

"Bahruna!" She cried. "It's so good to see you. I assume your arrival means Pluto and Xera are still safe out there?"

"It is so," Bahruna told her. "They are brave. They found a way to lift the Faithful's curse without too much of an issue."

"Exceptional. Likewise, Arren was freed from captivity because of them."

"Do you think they will be able to return us all to our former glory?"

"Those two are on the right track. If anyone can do it, Xera and Pluto can."

"I have some ideas that could help them on their quest."

"Let me finish packing Arren for his trip. Afterwards, we can discuss your ideas. For now, take solice in sanctuary and get some rest."

Bahruna went in and sat at the table. He smiled as he added his stone to the table with Nevus's.

* * *

Aboard the boat, Pluto and Xera raced down the river. It took time to get their sea legs, as neither had traveled by boat before. Pluto had a locked grip on the edge of the vessel. Wind and water seemed to conspire against them. When they found their balance, they were intrigued by the scenery around them. There was still sand as far as they could, but at different intervals, they saw patches of green begin to sprout. The patches turned to fields, and the fields sprouted changed to trees, and the trees turned into a forest.

Soon, the ship was sailing underneath the cover of trees that grew from the river's banks. After all the time underneath the blazing sun, Pluto was thankful for the shade; the temperature dropped significantly. Xera was the first to feel the boat slowing.

"We must be nearing the forest," she said.

A flock of birds shot out from the cover of the trees as if reading her mind. They heard various animal calls and sounds. The ship groaned as it slowed to a stop.

Xera found a hook attached to a line of rope. She picked it up, threw it towards land, and tied the other end to the boat.

"Are you ready?" She asked Pluto. He nodded.

They took turns leaping from the edge of the boat onto the shore. They made their way into the forest; the dim light through the trees told them that the sun was setting. After about a mile or so, Xera stopped and crouched. She pulled Pluto down to her level and pointed to the far-off distance where a thin wisp of smoke was rising into the air.

She and Pluto were able to sneak behind a set of rocks. They saw four figures, wearing all black and animal masks, standing around a large bonfire.