Six Earth months back:

A stranger riding on a drooling lizard heading to Vie Hano. The nonchalant eyes scans the area.Her mount slowly crawls forward over rocks. Wearing nothing but rawhide and scaled leather, Alto searches for samples of animal life on the island. A tiny cage and a basket swings at the sides of the creature. Inside the cage awaits a flower and a leaf clinging to it.

The Black Hand warrior sees Vie Hano its panic. Confused, she steers her lizard towards the center of panic and made it speed up. Shaking side to side, the lizard gaining momentum. Then it leaps into the center. The people steers clear of it. It groans in pain. Alto pats his side and rubs it. Everyone surrounding Alto and her mount.

"Easy, easy Barka. Sorry for the spurs," she softly coos. It lowers its head.

"Get that thing out of here!"

"Now, now. Everyone calm down," young lady with a bow resting on her shoulder speaks.

Alto looks around at the scornful faces. "Hey lady! Why is everyone in a panic? I just got here. And everything is in disorder already," she gestures.

A hooded man steps forward. "Friend? Well this is a surprise. I didn't expect you to be here. But why are you on this island?"

Alto looks at him. "Just a simple sample collection. I have to contribute. But why everyone's panicking?"

The man calmly speaks, "The nearby kingdom is planning on an invasion. I started this panic. I'm sorry. I didn't want these nice people to get hurt. I am ashamed to ask for help from you. I know that I shouldn't interfere. Or even to ask to interfere. But..."

"... It's not like I can help it. I am my mother's daughter. Fine, I'll help you. But would you please calm everyone down," Alto asks.

"Sorry. I'll go quiet everyone," He replies. And he jumps to everyone and apologizing along the way. The bursts of wind irritates everyone but Alto. She is instead looks disturbed.

She mutters quietly, "stupid enhancements. Twenty is too fast. I should tell my sister about it. But, it is too late to calm him down." She sighs.

The archer approaches Alto. "What the in other plane, is that guy? You two know each other. Who are you," she demands.

Alto gets off Barka. Then she looks at the archer with determined eyes. The archer couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Alto answers, "I don't expect anyone to remember the name Alto."

The archer jumps from the name. "If I were to stop this invasion, I need to know what I am about to fight. And where should I fight," Alto demands. She confidently stares.

The archer thought for a moment that she is witnessing a Yicha(The return of ancestors in times of crisis). She recalls the tales of Alto by word of mouth. She bows. "Please, ancestor! Save us," the archer pleads.

Alto became annoyed. "In what part am I your ancestor? I have no descendants! And I don't recall having any nieces or nephews on this island!" Alto reaches for a longsword from Barka's back. "In what aspect, am I that old!"

The archer cowers in fear. She timidly looks at Alto. Alto changes her appearance. The black armor covers her chest. The face reflects the comparative youth of her age. And the archer swore that she sees the death god standing over Alto smiling. "I I I'm sorry," the archer apologizing.

Alto calms down. With her longsword in its' sheath, she places it on the archer's shoulder. "Your name! tell me," Alto demands.

"It's Garrana," the archer shaken, replies. 

The sheathed blade gently taps both shoulders. "Garrana! Student of Alto, Rise! The will of The Black calls," Alto shouts.

Garrana slowly rises. "G-Garrana w-will answer the call," she timidly says. And she witness Alto nodding yes. She gestures Garrana to follow. Alto pulls on Barka's reign and lead the two away. Garrana tells Alto about the island as best as she could. She couldn't believe that a Yicha happens. A greatest honor for her people, Garrana became her student, her shield bearer. But not for her ancestors, instead it is one of the greatest warrior that she ever heard. The Black Hand was once the greatest force against the Empire. And now meeting "one in the flesh," she hardly contain her enthusiasm.

Alto in the other hand, felt that she had to do this irritating ritual. Annoyed that she must do this, she periodically forces herself to calm down. But most of all, Alto is sure that if the worst happens, she'll return to her berserking self. Not since her lover died, has she lost control. The bleak prospects worries her. Will she able to fully return as Alto the warrior? Or will she become Alto the insane. Her troubled mind aches.