~Prologue~

After the house shook for the third time, Isaac just knew something had to be wrong. The rain was coming down really hard, hitting the top of the house hard enough to cause a leak over his head. At first he didn't think anything of the storm. But now even the wind was picking up and it was making a very odd noise. It was as if the wind was crying; weeping through the clouds as the thunder came crashing down on the village of Vale.

He then gave himself a little chuckle and and rolled over in his bed and opened his eyes just as the room was illuminated by a bolt of lightning. The room slowly went back to its dull hue as he closed his eyes once more. The winds weeping was getting louder.. and he was beginning to think he had an overactive imagination. Suddenly the house shook violently and he heard the front door downstairs slam open.

This is when he knew something was DEFINITELY wrong. He sat up in bed and wiped his eyes. A voice echoed from downstairs, "Isaac! Wake up!"

Dora, his mother, came running up the stairs drenched in water and breathing heavily. She grabbed various items from the shelf and threw them into a bag. "The Mt. Aleph Boulder is going to fall. Isaac, we have to go NOW."

Isaac jumped out of bed and scrambled for his boots. "What? When did this happen? Why?" He fumbled as he began to tie them. "There's not time to explain," Dora said quickly pointing her finger at his Tunic on the other side of the room. "It's pouring outside. Don't go out without your Tunic."

The Tunic began to levitate, gliding swiftly over to Isaac, following Dora's fingertips as she led the cloth through the air and into Isaac's outstretched hands. Together they ran down the stairs, the rain making the journey wet and a difficult because of the holes in the straw roof of the house. Dora stopped at the end of the stairs and looked at Isaac. "Have you everything you need?" Isaac knew that he wanted to save more of his stuff... because for all he knew this would be the last time he would ever walk down these stairs. Despite his personal feelings he shook his head 'Yes' and followed Dora to the door. "Good for you. A lost possession can be replaced; A lost life cannot."

They pushed the door open together and walked into the barrage of wind and water. Isaacs father, Kyle, was just off to the right staring towards the mountain peak. He turned around and at once Isaac knew the severity of the situation. His fathers face was showing an emotion Isaac had never seen before on his father. "Isaac, Dora, hurry! The boulder could fall at any minute."

Dora ran towards her husband and began staring in the direction of the mountain as well. Instinctively, Isaac did as well. He couldn't really see anything at all. Nothing but smog, wind and water.

This storm is unreal. We've NEVER had a storm this severe before. Have we made the gods angry?Did the elders do something they shouldn't have? Are we being punished for something? What is this boulder they keep talking about?

So many questions running through his mind. He wasn't sure how to approach any of them at this moment.

"Kyle, will they be able to stop the boulder?"

Kyle looked at his wife and shook his head. "I don't think so. Not for long anyway. You two go ahead and take refuge in the plaza."

Dora backed off and gave her husband a concerned look. "Aren't you coming?"

Kyle looked at her, giving her an answer that Isaac was sure his mother already knew.

"I need to help evacuate the other villagers!" he said as Dora's eyes grew wide in response. "Let me help you!"

He began to walk towards the houses to the north of their house and turned around to face Dora. "It's too dangerous, Dora. Please, just take good care of Isaac."

She turned to Isaac and gave a caring look. Then back at her husband. "Isaac is old enough to get to the plaza on his own," she said turning back to Isaac. "Can't you Isaac?"

Can I? I'm only 14. The rain is devastating, and I'm sure there are people rushing towards the plaza at once. Can I really take a step away from my parents and do this on my own?

Tonight seemed to be the night of a million realizations. He was suddenly becoming more aware of the responsibilities of getting older. All in a matter of minutes.

"I'll be fine. Go on. The other villagers need your help," he said trying to sound as brave as he could. Kyle walked to his son and gave him a hug. It took Isaac by surprise.

This is the first time he's ever hugged me.

"That's my boy. Strong. I'm proud of you."

The ground shook again as screams were heard from the north. Dora ran to Isaac and Kyle. "You know the way – just go south, to get to the plaza. I love you."

And with that.. the family parted ways. Dora and Kyle running to the north, as Isaac to the south. He began to sprint and then realized he was using way too much energy and was already out of breath.

This is nerve-racking. What if the boulder falls before my parents reach the plaza? Before I reach the plaza?

Suddenly he fell face first into the mud, tripping over a rope being pulled by Garet, a boy about his age. Isaac lifted he head from the mud as Garet pulled him up to the his feet. "Isaac, I'm so sorry! I was trying to pull this chest of all my stuff, but its just too heavy." Garet was about a couple inches taller than Isaac, and had red hair.

Isaac looked at the end of the rope and saw a chest about half the size of Garet, filled to the rim with his possessions.

"Garet... do you really need to bring all these things?" Isaac said as he thought what his mother had said to him previously. Garet gave him a confused look. "Um. Why wouldn't I need to bring it?"

Isaac grabbed the rope from Garets hands and threw it into the mud. "Because, if a rock hits you right now, you'll lose both your chest and your life." Garet gave Isaac a thoughtful look and then bowed his head. "You're right. Come on.. lets go to the plaza."

He isn't the brightest apple in the tree, Isaac thought as they started to jog towards the plaza again. Vale was a fairly large village. It was geographically placed at the base of Mt. Aleph, making the village one of unique design. Navigating in the sunshine was hard enough, let alone in the worst storm the village had ever seen.

There was a large-scale crashing noise from behind them and Isaac heard screams.

The boulder! Is is falling? I wonder if the elders can use their Psynergy to hold it off!

Isaac tried not to think of it. It was too much. The elders HAD to stop the boulder. If they didn't, Vale could be destroyed. Their home.

We're too weak... I'm too weak to do anything about it, he thought as he and Garet made their way to the plaza as fast as they knew how.

Jenna stared into the river with tears in her eyes. Felix, her older brother, was holding on to a wooden post sticking out of the water. The current was so strong that she was sure he was using all his strength just to stay afloat.

Felix... just... hang in there for just a bit longer, she thought as she rose, using the rail of the bridge to stand up. She wasn't even sure this bridge they were standing on was sturdy enough to support anyone in this weather.

But it's the closest spot to Felix. And right now.. we need to get as close as we can. We have to do SOMETHING. I will not stand by and watch my brother die!

Dora and Kyle came running towards the bridge, meeting with Jenna's mother and father. Jenna turned back to Felix and watch him struggle for his life.

"Hang on Felix!" she screamed with tears in her eyes. Dora ran onto the bridge and met Jenna at the center. "Felix will be alright. We'll find a way to save him."

Just then... Felix suddenly vanished. Jenna let out scream as Dora and Jenna's Mother gasped. Kyle grabbed the edge of the railing and squeezed. Jenna sobbed into her mothers arms.

He's gone. Felix is gone.

Despite the force of the raging current... Felix suddenly appeared on the same post... coughing and gasping for air. Jenna's mother pushed Jenna off of her.. letting Jenna see that her brother had resurfaced.

Felix! She thought as he continued to hang on to the post. Kyle threw a rope across the water in Felix's direction... but it wasn't long enough.

"The rope won't reach. We'll have to use Psynergy," he said looking at Nora, and Jenna's Parents. "Do you have any left?"

"I've used all my up, how about you?" Jenna's father asked Kyle. "I'm drained from helping the other villagers."

Dora shook her head in distress as there was another crashing sound close by. "We have to get help." Kyle slammed his fist against the railing. "Damn it! But can Felix hang on long enough for us to get help?!" Dora walked over to him and looked him in the eyes with an intensity that Jenna had rarely ever seen.

"There's nothing else we can do for him here, is there?" She told him as she began walking towards the end of the bridge.

No. They need to stay here. To make sure he'll be alright. They can't leave me here to watch him helplessly. I have to do something.

"Ma'am! I'll go look for someone to help Felix at the Plaza! You guys stay here and watch out for Felix."

Dora looked at Jenna and smiled. "You're a very strong girl, Jenna. How about we both look. You go to the plaza and I'll head up north."

Kyle stopped her. "Up north? Towards Mt. Aleph?" He said very concerned. Dora gave him an I'll-be-okay look and said "I will be fine. I'm only going to look for people who are left. I'll be killing two birds with one stone." Then she turned back to Jenna. "You be careful Jenna. You're brother is counting on you."

Yes. He is.

"Thank you Ma'am." She said as she began running towards the plaza. He legs were killing her and her red hair was getting into her face, making it hard to see where she was going what, but she didn't care. She HAD to get help to save her brother.

I won't let him die. I won't. If he does... I'll take the responsibility on my shoulders. I should've been stronger so that I could have lifted him up when that earthquake knocked him over the bridges railing. I should have tried harder. But I'm only 14, I didn't have the strength or the Psynergy to save him.

But deep down she knew that if Felix died tonight, she would bear the scar for as long as she lived. Never being able to accept the fact that she wasn't strong enough to save him.

So I'm going to save him. It's just as simple as that, she thought as she ran as fast as she could through the trees towards the plaza, wishing that her wish would come true. Yet even she knew that wishing on wishes wasn't exactly the best route to take. But it helped. And that was a start.

The plaza was packed with people looking for shelter from the harsh winds. Isaac followed Garet through the crowd toward the center of the large square. Vale held many festivals here. It was hard to imagine any kind of happiness at a time like this. He was sure he didn't see a dry eye in the crowd, not sure if it was rain or tears. Either way – the sight was a little too much to bear.

We had always lived in peace. And ... this is the first time we've ever had anything like this happen.

Vale's mayor, Garet's Grandfather, was trying to delegate task's to certain townspeople. "You, go aid the elders! The boulder is too heavy for them to hold much longer," he shouted off towards someone in the crowd that Isaac could not see. "We can't let the Mt. Aleph Boulder destroy our village!"

One of the elders appeared... looking as if he hadn't eaten or slept for years. "The boulder is too heavy. We cannot hold it for much longer. If their psynergy runs out.. it is likely that northern Vale will be destroyed." The mayor looked down at the ground... Isaac could tell he was trying not to let his thoughts get the best of him. Then the mayor looked back up and spoke very calmly and very clearly. "We have to hold out until all the villagers are safe."

Everyone in the crowd began to nod and speak of ways they could help prevent the boulder from touching any part of Southern Vale. Suddenly Jenna, a girl who Isaac was very good friends with, came running into the plaza.

"Mayor! Felix is trapped in the river. And my parents as well as Dora and Kyle do not have enough psynergy to save him!"

The Mayor turned to the crowd, acting at once. "Is there anyone here that is a water adept? Someone who can bend the element of water?"

At first there was no reply. And then a man walked forward. "I can save the boy. Take me to the river where he's at."

Jenna nodded. "I will. Follow me."

Without hesitation Jenna and the Water Adept ran to the north.

Jenna... Felix. Mom. Dad. I can't let them risk their lives without my help. What if there is something I can do to help them before the boulder falls?

"Garet. I'm going to go help Jenna and my parents." Isaac said, already starting to run in the direction Jenna had left in.

"What!? Are you crazy! The boulder will flatten you like a pancake!" Garet said, trying to stop him.

"Well then imagine what it could do to Felix. Garet, I have to go!" Isaac said and broke free from Garet's grasp and began to sprint. Garet began to follow him saying "Well.. I can't let you do it alone."

Together they ran as fast as they could towards the bridge.

And here I am... Running back towards the danger zone, all because I can't let myself feel safe if my parents and friends are still in danger. If they are going to die.. then they are going to take me with them. And now its nothing but a race against time.

It wasn't long before they caught up with Jenna and the Water Adept. Dora was running towards them as well.. which means that Felix and the bridge couldn't be too far away.

Okay. We save Felix, grab our families and run back towards the Plaza and take refuge. I feel better doing SOMETHING rather than nothing.

Dora caught up with them as the Water Adept ran past her towards the bridge. He had a job to do. "Isaac! Why are you here!? I told you to go to the Plaza?!"

"I couldn't just leave you and Dad here to get squashed. I had to come see if you were alright."

Dora smiled. "You're just like your father. Virtuous until the end."

And then.

It happened.

Isaac wasn't even sure he was able to comprehend everything that was going on. There was a giant crashing sound. Followed by a massive earthquake that brought him to the ground.

The next thing he knew... he was soaking wet, covered in mud and laying face first on the ground. It happened so fast that he wasn't even sure it really happened at all.

I can't... feel my legs. Everything is so cold. Am I...dead?

He used all the strength he could muster to roll over and look up. Dora was laying on the ground as well.. but she had her eyes open looking back at him.

Mom. You're ... okay?

He looked around and saw Garet... struggling against a tree. He seemed to be alright as well. And then he looked up at the bridge...

Except the Bridge was no longer there. In fact.. the river was not only overflowing.. but it was much wider than it originally was.

And then it hit him

The boulder.. it ... rolled down the river!

Which meant... what?

Isaac looked at his mother. She was in tears... coming to her feet to stand beside Garet.

I guess I better get up. No matter how much it hurts.

Isaac rose to his feet, finally able to feel the blood running through his veins. The air was silent. The rain the only sound, the wind dying down. Dora walked over to where Jenna laid. She crouched down and brought Jenna into her arms. And the two of them wept. Isaac still didn't have his brain about him. He understood the tragedy but not the consequences. He understood what was going on.. but not the effects of the events that had taken place. His brain was in shock. He didn't know how to accept the truth that was staring them all in the face.

The bridge. It was gone. Yes. Yes it was. Gone. The river... demolished. Overflowing with water. Felix... The river. Felix is dead? The Water Adept wasn't fast enough? Wait. The Water Adept... On the Bridge. So. He's dead too? That's horrible. Jenna and her parents have lost Felix... Wait. Jenna's Parents. The Bridge. Trying to save Felix. So. ! They are dead as well?Jenna! I can't believe this has happened. And. Mom. She's comforting Jenna. Jenna has lost her parents. And her brother. Maybe dad and mom will try to help her by...Wait...Wait a second...

He felt his knees go out.

Dad. The bridge.

He was suddenly overcome with an emotion he couldn't quite put his finger on.

His father was gone? No. It couldn't be. Thats not it at all.

Isaac ran to the water's edge. There was no one to be found. Not the Water Adept, Felix, Jenna's Parents, OR his father.

This can't be happening. He...

Thinking was too painful. He had to stop. He needed to be strong. They had raced against time... and came in last place. A bitter end that he couldn't think about right now.

"Mom...Dad... Felix... Please don't leave me all alone..." Jenna's voice could be heard in the moonlight behind him. "It must... be a dream. Please tell me this is a dream." Her voice in a tone he had never heard before.

...Dreams don't feel this real. This is no dream. I have to accept this. I won't let this eat at me. I won't.

And although he told himself this – he knew it was far from the truth. That it would ALWAYS be far from the truth.

Garet walked over to Isaac and put his hand on his shoulder. "Isaac, I know this is a bad time. But ... we have to go get help... the boulder widened the river. We need to get some adults with psynergy before everyone drowns."

Drowns? Death? More Death? No. No more death.

Isaac wasn't even sure his brain was operating correctly. He was able to squeak out an "Okay." and the two of them began walking back towards the square, leaving Dora and Jenna alone together in each others arms. He hadn't spoken to them. He wasn't sure he knew how to.

Should we leave them there? Are they safe? Yes. Mom can take care of herself. With the boulder gone... she'll be fine. She'll be fine. I hope.

Hope. What a useless word. Despite all the hope he had – the night was lost. And there was no way fix what had been done. No way at all. Who uses the word hope at a time like this?Only a fool.

I just used the word...

A tear rolled down his cheek as he realized how much a fool he had become.

Never again.


Menardi was trying to keep up with Saturos.. but he seemed to be in quite the hurry to escape before being caught.

Whats the point. We challenged Sol Sanctum... and we lost. Our Raiding Crew of 8, brought down to only the two of us. This is NOT the how we had anticipated the evening to be brought upon us.

"Menardi, you are slowing your pace. We must hurry out of Vale before the Elders see us." Saturos said quickening his pace even more.

"I don't run from anyone, Saturos. You should know this." She said as Saturos stopped and turned to her.

"Do you want their death's to be in Vain?" He said in an angry voice. More of a statement than a question. He seemed to know deep down inside that he needed a rest too. Although the escape must be made, how can they escape if they are totally worn out.

Besides, how would their death's be in Vain if we were caught tonight? She thought, keeping the bitter piece to herself. Saturos leaned against a tree... he seemed to be watching the villagers of Vale... Watching them scramble about, trying to fix the mess that they had caused.

Or he could be thinking... pondering what went wrong. Who knows. To be honest: Who Cares.

Sol Sanctum was booby trapped. And it was dangerous. Saturos must be thinking the same thing.

Our friends. Dead. All in a effort to save the world? Can we really justify their deaths with that cause?Are we trying to save the world? Or are we trying to save our village. The longer we prepare for another raid on Sol Sanctum, the closer and closer Prox becomes to being annihilated.

Saturos broke her from her thoughts. "I can't believe only the two of us survived."

Tell me about it.

"How could we have anticipated Sol Sanctum would unleash such a fury?" she said nodding her head.

It was true. They had the maps memorized, the plans set. And yet still – they were ill-prepared for the challenge. Saturos stopped leaning on the tree and walked over to her.

"It's a miracle that even the two of us were spared." he said in somber voice.

Its true. When the room started shooting lightning from the ceiling... its wonder we're not dead as well. That switch...

"That switch... it must have been a trap." She said as Saturos pulled out his sword and shouted into the air angrily.

"But who to think it would conjure up a storm this POWERFUL?"

He stood silent for a moment. Staring at the villagers again.

He's lost in thought. He doesn't know how to handle this setback. He doesn't know how to learn from the past and move ahead with the future. He doesn't understand the power that we are up against.

Menardi stared blankly ahead. "Another demonstration of the awesome powers of Alchemy." she said as Saturos turned around sheaving his sword.

"Regardless, we must not fail the next time we challenge Sol Sanctum." he said.

There you go Saturos. Maybe there is hope for you yet, she thought while smirking. It was about time he started learning from his mistakes. From THEIR mistakes.

But not next time. We know what to do now. The only matter is waiting for the protective seal to disappear. Something that will now waste MUCH more time. Time we could have spent preparing instead of rushing. We will not be forgetting this night for as long as we live.

"Next time we shall certainly..." her voice trailed off as another voice cut in. A kids voice. A voice very close by.

"Isaac! Wait up! You forgot to tell your mom where we were going? Why are you standing by that tree?"

"Garet... shut up. They'll hear you!"

We have a snoop?

Menardi jumped into the trees along with Saturos as the Red Headed boy searched the area they were just standing

"Isaac.... there's no one there? I think you're going loopy."

"Garet... I knew I heard voices.. I think it was two people. And they seemed to be saying that this storm was their fault..."

Shit. The boy knows too much. We must take care of him.

Menardi grabbed her weapon, a sickle crafted by the village elder of Prox, as Saturos grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing? You cannot hurt these children."

"Watch me."

Menardi jumped from the trees... and landed in front of the blonde and the ginger.

She made no effort to hide the aggravation in her voice. "You were eavesdropping on us weren't you?"

The two children suddenly backed up. They must have thought of her as a threat.

How right you are little boys.

The blonde spoke first. "No... I wasn't snooping. I swear."

"Isaac... she looks scary... are you sure we should be talking to her?"

Then with perfect timing, Saturos leapt from the tree and landed next to her with a graceful elegance only found in fantasy games. Again the boys took a step back.

Saturos looked at Menardi as if to tell her not to hurt these kids.

Why would you feel bad for killing a bunch of kids? They were eavesdropping.. they could get us caught. Then everything will be all for naught.

Then she stood there. A million thoughts going through her head.

...Saturos was right. I guess I really didn't realize it until I felt the fear of almost being caught. If we are caught tonight.. Our village will die. There would be no hope and everyone who died would have died a meaningless death.

How could she have been so stupid? It is true that Saturos lacked the ability to look past his feelings.. but it seems ...

I lack the ability to feel any at all...

She suddenly readied her weapon. Her conscious bringing her back to the situation at hand.

"You must forget what you just heard.." she said as the boys turned to run, only to find that Saturos had leapt over their heads and sandwiched them in.

"Please don't kill us..." the Ginger said.. and Menardi decided that today would mark the day of change.

If I killed these children... I am no better than the villain in all of the fairy tales. I am no villain. I am only doing what I need to do to survive. To help my family survive.

Its about time I started acting like it.

Saturos smiled. "Don't worry kids. We're not going to kill you. But maybe after this.. you won't remember a thing that happened tonight."

Oh. He's going to use his new Psynergy! Bind. He really does have a soft heart. He'll bind their memories with the power of a blaze. They're still children. It should work effortlessly.

Saturos raised his hand. Menardi jumped back into the trees. Giving the kids the freedom to try to run. Only to be knocked to the ground by a barrage of flames erupting from Saturos's hand. Crimson waves of pure power.... strong enough to render than unconscious. but weak enough not to kill them.

"Menardi. Come. Lets follow the river. We must flee."

And that was that. Their trip to Vale was over. This chapter of her life ending.

They jumped into the tree's leaving the unconscious children behind.

Follow the river huh? Looks like we're going to find that Boulder and see if it will have anything inside. Thats the trick with these ancient artifact ruins... they always have a twist.

Who knows.. maybe the twist was yet to come.

Or perhaps... there were no twists at all.

Either way – I don't think we'll be coming back any time soon.

It was time for yet another chapter to begin.