Adepts of Middle-earth
By Chosha Kurenai
Book One
Fellowship of Two Worlds
Chosha's notes
Hello out there! This is my first GS story, and an xover at that! (I think i'm a little obsessed with them.) This is an xover with the lord of the rings. I'm surprised no one has done one before, but at least you can accuse me of not being original, ne? I've wanted to do this ever since I finished the games, so, here it is! And, on with the show!
Disclaimer: neither GS nor GS:TLA nor LOTR are mine. The 2 GS games belong to Camelot and Nintendo. LOTR belongs to JRR Tolkein. they own all rigths.
Prologue: Venus VisionNight had fallen over the Land of Weyard and everything was quiescent and tranquil. The sky was a blanket of midnight blue, dotted with the jewel-like constellations that looked like a thousand fireflies dancing round the silvery orb of the full moon. Below the sea was still and wave-less, the moon's reflection making it seem like a sheet of scattered diamonds, only disturbed by the lone ship as it all but glided through the wasters of the Great Western Sea.
It was a magnificent ship that had ever been seen in the waters of Weyard, sleek and sturdy, a dragon's head curving elegantly on the bow of the vessel. What looked like large wings graced the smoothly curving sides. Those who had seen the ship were in awe of its beauty, yet they were mystified as to how it could sail at all. There were no sails, nor ores to move it, yet it could outstrip many of the greatest sailing ships made. The deck was deserted, but for the single figure that stood at the helm.
He was a young man of about seventeen years of age, yet had the baring of a natural leader. Bright, azure eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of trouble. Sandy coloured, unruly hair blew gently about his face at the caress of the cool night wind.
Isaac gave the mess of hair a half-hearted glare and brushed his gloved fingers through it, pushing it away from his youthful face. So much had happened to him this past year. It had only been a few weeks since he and his companions had lit the beacon of the Mars Lighthouse and been forced by the Wise One - a mysterious entity of great power - to fight the three headed doom dragon, only to discover the terrible truth. The Doom dragon was actually Kyle – Isaac's own father – and the parents of Jenna and Felix, lured to the Lighthouse and transformed into the great monster. By some miracle, they had all survived the encounter, though for one terrible moment Isaac had the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that they had killed the three adults. Even now, several weeks later, even knowing that Kyle, Elena and Alan were asleep in the lower decks of the craft and travelling back to Vale together, it all felt like a dream. Everything he had ever believed had been turned on its head – he wasn't sure what to think any more.
Gently, he rested crossed his arms over the top of the helm and sighed. He could hardly believe the quest had finally come to an end after so long charging to the four corners of Weyard, hardly believe that they were all finally going home. He should be happy, he should be excited…but he wasn't. He couldn't explain it in words, because he didn't know himself, but there was something. It was like the calm before the storm. But it made no sense. After all, Saturos and Menardi had died back at Venus lighthouse; Karst and Agatio had met their fate back at the Mars lighthouse. Gaia falls had seemed to stop eating away at Weyard. The terrible, life-threatening storms that ravaged the village of Prox had ended and, despite the popular belief, the world had not come to an end when the seal on Alchemy had been broken. Still, the feeling did not fade, eating at him with foreboding.
Which means I must be going paranoid, He grumped mentally. It's probably nothing.
He straightened to scan the blanket of ocean before him. In the distance, he could just make out the outline of Hesperia to the west, while the continent of Gondowan seemed little more than a lump towards the Southeast. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary… that is, until he heard it. Soft, inhuman, yet enchantingly beautiful, it seemed to come from the very wind itself. Accompanying it was a soft voice, singing, though try as he might he could not quite make out the words. They sounded a different tongue than any Isaac had heard before, similar to the ancient language of Lemuria, yet different, unearthly. The adept hesitated, contemplating waking the others, just in case it was something unfriendly, when he felt a presence behind him.
Isaac whipped round, Sol blade drawn, to find himself facing a stranger standing in the moonlight. Not just any stranger, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Tall and regal, she wore strange clothes of pure white that fell like water to pale, silver sandled feet. Hair of pure gold flowed in waves passed her slim waist, a circlet of silver resting on her brow. Intense eyes of the deepest blue locked with his. She seemed to glow from within, a trick of the silver light of the moon or not, he didn't know. See was perfect in every way, almost inhuman. Sharp ears produced from the golden locks.
Isaac hesitated, blade still in hand, unsure what to do. She didn't seem to be posing any danger, but how in Weyard had she got on board the ship so far from land, and still remain bone dry? The woman had a resemblance to Menardi and the members of the mars clan, but without the scales. Even though they had parted on good terms, memories of their hostility were still fresh in his mind and he was not fool enough to believe any of them as harmless, even weaponless as this woman was.
They watched each other silently. Finally, she spoke, that same, mysterious language speaking with her. "The world is changed."
Isaac froze. The woman moved towards him, seemly gliding over the floor.
"I can feel it in the water…I can feel it in the earth…I can smell it in the air. Much that once was, is lost. For none now live who remember it." She was so close now, she could look down upon Isaac, who could see his reflection clearly in her raptor gaze. "Time is growing short, Isaac of Weyard…for my world…and yours. Darkness is creeping back into the forests of the world, whispers of a nameless fear. It watches your world hungrily, binding its time."
"What darkness?" He asked, his voice low, echoing.
"The day is coming…The elements will be called upon, against the Dark lord…"
Isaac's eyes widened. "W-what!"
Suddenly, it was like the whole world had exploded in crimson flames and darkest shadow, a voice that seemed both loud and commanding, yet low and seducing filled his ears, the most terrifying sounds it made, even though he understood none of the words. A great eye stared down at him with an all-consuming gaze that seemed to look into his very soul. Unblinking, it was like a vacuum, trying to suck him in by will alone. His whole being was repelled and horrified. He cried out, lashing out with his psynergy, anything to turn that flame-writhed eye away from him-
And He sat up, biting back a scream. He looked round wildly, disorientated, before falling back, trembling hands covering his face.
"It was just a dream," he mumbled, still shivering. "A dream…"
He was lying in the bunk in the cabin of the Lemurian ship; his slightly rough blankets tangled round him from his thrashing. It was dark, the only light coming from the portal-like window at the other end of the room. The forms of several males were all tucked up in several other bunks – the girls had a separate cabin down the hall – and Isaac could hear the loud snoring of his childhood friend, Garet, that rivalled Gaia falls. The ship rocked slightly as it sailed along the water. The familiar sounds and feelings, however, did nothing to calm the nerves frayed by the dream – no, the nightmare.
The Venus adept tried to swallow the bile that had risen to his throat and attempted to suppress the shivers stemming not from the night's chill. A cold sweat layered thinly on his face and chest. He took a few breaths, trying to force calm onto himself.
That dream…what had that dream been about? Ever since they had broken the seal on alchemy, Isaac had experienced that same dream on and off. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone yet. He didn't want to worry them if it was only his nerves still frayed from all the fighting, yet it played on his mind. It worried him. What did it mean? Was it just that he was getting paranoid, or was it something more?
Isaac sighed and screwed up his eyes, but that eye burst forth in his mind again, causing him to gasp, his own snapping open again. Well, one thing was for sure – he wasn't going to get any more sleep tonight.
Carefully, so as not to disturb the others, Isaac swung his legs out of bed and dropped lightly on his feet to the floor. Slipping on his boots and over-shirt, Isaac slipped past the others in a way a Jupiter adept would be proud, passing by Garet, who's mouth was wide open and was drooling a bit. Carefully, he tiptoed up to the top deck, gasping a little at the sudden shock of the chill wind against damp skin. It was nowhere near as strong or as cool as that of Prox, or even Imil, but it was definitely cold enough to walk him up completely, banishing any weariness he may have felt previously. Softly, he padded across the deck and leaned against the wooden rails, gazing idly in the pink-dyed depths of the sea. On the horizon, Isaac could see sun's first light creeping up, silhouetting the mountains of Gondowan and Angara. Despite the cool wind, everything seemed quite peaceful. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Isaac could see early-rising seagulls flying high in the sky. Isaac took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to rid himself of some of the tension the dream had brought to his muscles. He felt like a snake ready to strike.
"Isaac?"
Isaac looked round quickly, but relaxed when he saw it was only Felix. The elder Venus Adept was standing by the helm; his long, chestnut brown hair was tied in its usual loose ponytail, though the wind blew his long bangs over his face, making Isaac wonder why he wasn't forever pushing them back. He wore his usual clothes, complete with green over-shirt and travel-worn cloak that flapped in the wind. Quiet, chocolate-brown eyes met azure. Isaac gave him a slight, fleeting smile in acknowledgement, before turning back to watch the sun begin to rise in the distance. Silence fell upon them, only broken by the soft lapping of the waves against the ship's hull. This was fine by them. Neither the most talkative of people – less so since they had started their once-separate paths of so long ago – so it was quite comfortable. It gave Isaac a little more time to compose himself before the others woke for the usual bustle that accompanied the work they had to do on the ship.
Namely arguing.
Isaac smiled weakly. Usually it amused Isaac to watch and listen to the highly entertaining arguments – when they weren't aimed at him anyway. Like when Jenna and Garet started squabbling over something or other, as they used to back in Vale, or Listen to Garet yell in horror as Mia doused him to wake him up in the morning. But at this moment in time, Isaac wasn't sure he could face it and retain whatever sanity he had left.
I think I need a holiday…he thought idly, watching the gulls flying south. It'll be nice not to have to fight anymore. Hmm…no. What I need is to go home…go back to Vale again…
When he had begun the quest, reluctant as he had been to leave his friends and mother behind, he had never though he would miss the little village so much. It's chuckling rivers, the fields, that simple life where he had innocently dreamed of the wonders of the outside world as he listened to Kraden's tales of Alchemy.
He had to wonder whether the quest had jaded his outlook on life.
"You look a little tense"
Isaac glanced back at Felix. Despite his usual stoic expression, his eyes revealed his concern. He wondered when the elder adept had got so perceptive. Then again, he wasn't surprised. Felix – though he may never reveal all the things he had experienced since the storm that should have taken his life – had changed a lot. However, despite the conflicts they had shared for a time, Isaac and Felix were slowly regaining the trust and friendship they had shared back in Vale all those years ago.
"I'll be all right. Just a bad dream."
Felix paused for a second. "Then, you've seen it too?"
Isaac froze. "You, too?"
Felix looked into the distance with a frown. "Its strange," he said finally. "It's a little worrying, but I don't think it has anything to do with Alchemy. The lady mentioned something about another world. It was like a warning of some kind."
Isaac looked at him for a moment, trying to calm the shiver that involuntarily made its way down his spine. "You think it's some sort of vision?"
Felix sighed and leaned upon the helm. "I'm not sure. But don't you think it's strange that it only seems to be us who have had it?"
Isaac thought for a minute. "I see what you mean. Back at Lama temple, Master Hama said that only the Jupiter adepts see visions, but neither Ivan nor Sheba have been experiencing them. But it can't be just coincidence that only you and me have had them." He turned to the other Adept. "Do you think we should say something to them?"
Felix touched his lips with gloved fingers in deep though, before slowly shook his head. "No…at least, not yet. Not until we find out why only we seem to be getting them."
"I guess it's for the best," Isaac admitted. "There's no point worrying them needlessly if we're just getting paranoid or something."
Felix smiled at that.
They could hear noise below now as the others began to rise. They could hear the cheerful morning chatter. Isaac's smile slipped a little. "I don't want to worry them, especially after all the stuff that happened at Mars lighthouse…"
Suddenly they heard a short yell and a loud crash that rocked the boat violently accompanied by a roar of laughter. A blond headed boy of about fifteen, Ivan, burst from within, closely followed by a rather wet-looking Garet. Even his hair, which somehow seemed to deify gravity, was weighted down by water and somehow managed to look a worse mop that Isaac's usually did. He looked livid. "IVAN! What the hell was that for? When I get my hands on you I'll fry you to a crisp! And who the hell let you use the douse drop anyway?"
Felix and Isaac glanced at each other and sweat dropped.
"Oh boy"
"Sol preserve us…"
TBC
Chosha's notes
So, what did you think? should I continue? Was it good, bad? please review and tell me your thoughts, or questions! If you want anything explaining, send me a message, and i'll get back to you.
Next time on AOME
Vale has finally been rebuilt, but who is that strange robed guy coming up the road? All Isaac can think is 'Uh-oh...' Next episode: New Vale Stranger
Ja ne!
Chosha Kurenai xXx