Chapter 1-Aftermath & Anxieties
Those two years came and went with almost agonizing slowness, and the once calm land had begun to sink under the shadow of doubt once more. Tensions were rising between countries once content to trade and deal with one another in peace, and all eyes turned to the stirring giant of Tolbi, the gears of life within its high walls clinking active at the head of their new regent. It was only through good luck and grace that the previous ruler, with his unnatural age and use of fear, had not decided to make more active use of his massive army. However, suspicion continued to grow that the new lord was not as…hesitant as his predecessor.
Vicious monsters guided by the unearthly glow of the brilliant sun; powerful creatures that now roamed with ever-increasing cunning and bravery, and forced the employment of monster hunters to counteract them. But for now, the land remained at peace, as calm as a world could remain when the beloved peace rested on the edge of a knife.
After two years of rebuilding, eight heroes had finally begun to start their new lives again…completely unaware of the shadow that slowly began to encroach upon the healing Weyard.
{-}
(Piers)
The wayward sailor was the last to join the group as they embarked on the journey of a lifetime, and yet, he was also the first to leave as well. There was no denying that he had felt a definite tie towards the allies he had fought life and limb to save time after time, even going so far as to consider them kin in a sense. After all, his uncle was the only blood of his still within this world and the home of his birth would no longer allow him to return to that last bit of family.
So was it really wrong for Piers to want to perhaps stay with the brother and sisters-of-arms who had saved him more times than he could count? Well, other than the relentless teasing from the two girls and the almost inaudible snickers of his cynical, dark-haired friend, not at all. He missed greatly the smell of the salt brine and the sound of breakers rising on the horizon, never fully comfortable staying on land for too long, yet the restlessness was certainly something that he had learned from his Adept friends and allies.
However, he couldn't help feeling that perhaps it was best if he moved aside and let them move on without him, no matter how painful it could become for him. After all, Piers knew full well that he felt out of place among the land-locked villages, always hungering for the call of the sea and eager to be out sailing the seas on his vessel once again. It was because, in the end, the open ocean was perhaps the closest thing to setting foot in his homeland once again.
What did it matter if he was alone?
After everything he had seen, the moments he enjoyed with his companions were suddenly so precious; constantly deflecting Sheba's probing questions about his background and age and pranks enough to consider it a daily joke, calming the fiery Jenna while chuckling to himself how strong-willed and stubbornly tenacious she was, and teaching grumbling Felix how to sail while protecting the stoic warrior from his own violent seasickness when lost outside his element.
It wasn't like he was going to be gone forever, right?
They'd see him again for certain.
{-}
(Ivan)
The young wind Adept had joined quite suddenly, for reason all his own, but once aware of the plight of his new friends, pledged himself to their cause and accompanied them across the world. In the beginning, he'd joined them out of convenience, but time and maturity transformed the action into a bond of friendship. At first he hadn't even questioned their grave quest, chasing down one who was once a friend, and not knowing that his actions would save the world instead of destroy it like they believed.
Ivan remembered being so shocked and appalled with himself and at the words of truth he heard in that little house in Contigo, but also slight shame in his inability to see this knowledge before. Hama had told him that he possessed the power of foresight without even having learned that power from her own hands, so then, why could he have not determined their true objectives from the start? And, even if he had seen the future and the truth, would Garet and Isaac have even been convinced anyway? After all, the fact that they were angry over the betrayal was no falsehood. But perhaps the shrouded future must be overcome with a blinded Sight to mature…At least, that's what the young Seer told himself to wipe away his doubts, even for the time being.
Besides, Hama had known the destiny they must embark on right from the beginning and the young boy couldn't honestly blame her, especially after he discovered his own blood relation to her that very day in Contigo. And without meaning to, was filled to the brim with joy at this discovery, only to have to stifle those feelings until the moment when the grand quest would draw to a conclusion. Though within his heart now rested the magnificent truth that he did indeed have a real family, someone who he could share more than just worries and concerns, but a real life. For, as much as the child saw Hammet as a caring and kind father figure, there was still no replacement for the wise guide who was really his older sister.
So as he sat there with his possessions packed in a patched little monochromatic sack, hesitant to leave his friends yet knowing this path was one that he truly wished to follow. Ivan knew now the Contigan blood that bonded him and Hama together, and decided that he wished to part ways with his friends to join her. Growing so close to his companions left him feeling guilty to be leaving but knew that one day he would see them again and closed his eyes in peaceful recognition, rising to his feet to begin another journey.
{-}
(Mia)
A young woman's heart was heavy with worries.
Not only for the world they had fought so hard to save, but for those left to pick up the pieces and start all over again, overcoming all the pain and sacrifice. In truth, perhaps dealing with the afterwards could be so much more trial-worthy than the act of defending life, and left without a goal to strive for after so many times of strife. What was left for them now, now that they had saved the world? How could those who had fought endless battles so easily settle down after coming so far?
No one would ever forget, be they hateful or grateful, of the circumstances all had tread upon in the incredible quest. And yet, they were all just kids, Mia knew full well, and balked that the experiences had scarred all of them forever. It almost seemed as though the glory days of youth were over before they had even begun to flower. How was she to go back to a normal life with that shadow of a past constantly hanging over her head, obscuring her vision from the necessity of the present and forcing others to stare in that ever-painful gauging look of deference? All that the young healer wished to do was return to the life in Imil that she had once forgotten, train her skills for the sake of the village's safety, all under the beautiful blue glow shining calmly from the azure lighthouse above. If however, her gifts were even still necessary for them.
Still, it didn't change the fact that His specter seemed to linger in the very air she breathed, and the soft crunching sound of snowdrifts beneath her feet, preventing Mia from ever truly forgetting. She cursed that vague remembrance and slight ache in the far corner of her conscious mind, silently demanding that the emptiness leave her in peace instead of being so stubbornly haunting, but achieved nothing more than the eerie howl of zephyrs racing over the snow-covered plains.
Sighing softly, the girl with ice-blue hair knelt before the fountain before her, studying the way that the angry purple bruise on her hand faded and vanished under the soft flow of crystal-clear water, pleased with the wondrous gift the great lighthouse had blessed Imil with. Perhaps this water could be a blessing for more than just this northern snowy town one day, and old wounds, both inside and out, could finally begin to heal.
{-}
(Sheba)
It was almost difficult to believe that she was even still alive and breathing, the young girl admitted to herself, running over everything in her mind. Even after the world had been saved, the Wind Adept simply couldn't bring herself to sit still and took to exploring the massive mountain north of Vale, eradicating monsters and collecting interesting trinkets along the highland paths. It was an exciting way to whittle the time away at least, and one that aided the teenage girl in overcoming her growing restlessness and unwillingness to sit in one place for too long, something strongly retained from her adventures.
For so long, Sheba had been isolated and alone even in the friendly atmosphere of her own village, never allowed to go out on her own and soon after found herself torn from Faran's embrace and cast into Tolbi's fierce clutches without a single word on the matter. But things changed quickly for her, almost too fast to follow. From the desert of winds she was taken and spirited away in the company of a group of people with abilities that vaguely resembled what had earned her so much attention over the years. Protected and defended fiercely by a young man with dark hair, Sheba let herself open up to him despite herself, sharing knowledge of her captivity and completely unable to revoke her newfound trust, especially after he risked his own life to save her. Near-death experiences tend to do that sort of thing to people.
Felix was quiet, but that was fine. After all, it was true that words could led to misunderstandings and have more harm than good at times, and perhaps that was the reason he disliked divulging a personal reason for the quest. She couldn't deny she was curious, always trying to find to truth, both to others and her own past. In the end though, the girl decided not to force her mind into the boundaries of others, fearing the idea of losing her trust with them and believing in the friends that she'd traveled with.
So she couldn't bring herself to leave Vale quite yet, discounting of course her frequent forays into the mountains to hunt, and trailed her thin legs over the edge of the house she crouched atop. Her brassy hair had grown out longer, no longer bothering with the close-cropped image she'd maintained in Lalivero, and the blonde locks now hung down her neck. Sheba glanced forlornly at the small house on the outskirts of town with a pained glance and turned her attention to the Sun above her head, unfamiliar images of battles flashing through her skull.
The girl only hoped that the destruction would not claim them again.
{-}
(Garet)
Peace at last!
Where did the time go? The world was moving on, but the young man felt like he was going in slow motion after the terrifying ferocity and conflict had passed. Nothing had the same vibe to it any longer, hell, he couldn't even step near certain areas of the village without bringing up some bad memories without meaning to. Everything felt so alien and unreal, and even his own bed was less familiar than the borrowed fabric of a roadside inn, and he would often stop with a confused glance when someone waved at him as he passed by before remembering what was happening.
Garet knew that people had newfound respect for him and Isaac after the journey across Weyard, but it always continued to feel awkward and unnatural, and he found himself with a half-expectant look while waiting impatiently for some witty insult. He knew he wasn't a freaking scholar thanks to Ivan, but it was still easy to know when someone was making fun of him. Over time on the epic quest though, the jabs were less insulting and more playful, and a casual conversation started to feel meaninglessly empty without them, even if it was the little Wind Adepts teasing him.
Grandfather had started teaching him more as well, and didn't take a genius to figure out why. With the mayor's health starting to deteriorate, people started to question whether it would be best for Garet to start learning more of his mayor's job, and inherit the position one day. Personally, the Flame user found this to be a terrible idea, but only ever dared to vent in front of his friends after the first time Kay smacked him for it.
Yet, even though he was trying to move on, the Adept still found himself at the back of the village at times, swinging his axe and practicing as though some massive danger still shadowed his movements. Or maybe the training was peaceful to him, at least, compared to the shocking change of Vale's apparent lethargy on his action-oriented mind.
{-}
(Jenna)
God, why are the guys being so dumb?
The slow oblivion eating away at her world was ceased now and though vicious monsters still roamed the southern plains, they posed no danger compared to the beasts she'd fought and defeated within the lighthouses. So why was everyone acting so down? The puzzling nature of the situation was lost on her, the young girl with a fiery disposition and the tendency to solve problems through actions instead of simple words, and Jenna wanted to demand answers from somebody before the weirdness got the best of her.
Mia and Piers had both left, and she knew that Ivan was planning to leave soon as well, but their reasons were understandable now that she really thought about it, quiet for a moment's reflection. Garet seemed confused and the female Flame Adept could think of a few fairly rude reasons why; Isaac always seemed busy lately, coming and going all the time; Ivan was leaving Vale, maybe for a long time; and Sheba was quiet for once and usually liked to disappear on little adventures from time to time. The only one who seemed to have not allowed people to see how he'd changed on the journey was her older brother and Jenna found herself wishing she had something to do as well. The energy was racing through her body more and more every day, demanding that she do something with it, and she ruefully thought that maybe the other flame user had the right idea with training after all.
The Sun above and the impatient fire within her…didn't seem at peace as she thought she'd be. Everything was over, right? This was what Jenna had fought so hard to obtain, her family all together again like they should be. All of the twisted trials and problems that had torn her life apart in the past had been resolved. So why was her heart pounding like a drum every time she stared into that glowing orb in the sky?
{-}
(Isaac)
The young man perched on the edge of a sharp cliff that overlooked the budding village that was his homeland, running his hands tensely through his light brown-blonde hair and sighed as he stared at the Golden Sun once more, as if hoping something would happen. The brilliant light replied with nothing more than a vague pulse which had been the only reaction the villagers had seen from the light, bathing the valley in a yellow glow.
From the moment that events had settled down after the Sun's rising, a heated effort had begun to bring Vale back to life once more, the location moving farther south so that they wouldn't be so near the glow that people were deprived of their sleep. Isaac departed the growing town many times, visiting nearby cities to request assistance in the form of workers and materials. Felix often aided him on these forays, but usually ended up transferring all his collected goods to the younger boy before reentering Vale. The blonde never asked the reason behind it, fearing that intruding might drive him off from helping with those necessary trips. After all, neither of them could bring themselves to relax and stubbornly held ground in the matter of keeping guards watching the village just in case.
Shaking his head and rising to his feet, Isaac focused his gaze for a moment on the ruins of Mount Aleph, a harder edge coming into his features for a few seconds as he searched it. A few days after their return, he had personally sifted through the rubble along with the others, but found nothing. It was only slightly disappointing.
The swordsman had grown somewhat over the past two years, but not by much and he kept his head more or less the way he'd always liked it. Isaac had more or less maintained the same image that the villagers had come to recognize him by, and blankly noted that the fact seemed to improve morale for rebuilding, but some small chances did crop up occasionally. His armor was newer, more intricate and thorough, and even found a few metal disks of fine steel to attach to his gauntlets to reinforce them. His unchanged, yellow scarf swung wildly around his neck in the morning breeze.
Isaac remembered vaguely now the promise made to himself two years before that nothing would harm Vale again, whether it be bandits or monsters, nothing would ruin this peace again.
{-}
(Felix)
Loose soil…fell silently to the loamy ground between his gloved fingers under inaudible spoken words and the warrior opened his hand and let the mass fall, before his palm swiftly joined the earth he'd dropped, a dark green glow forming around his hand. An almost unnoticeable circular glow extended outward across the village, and the swordsman sensed everything within that field. He paused for a minute, searching for danger, before releasing his hold upon the energy and the green light faded away.
It was a simple ritual; something that allowed Felix to maintain his strained grip on protecting Vale from danger. Every day he performed it, scanning the encompassing area for any sign of danger and setting down a day-long barrier that would alert him or Isaac to any intruders in the village. Inventing and forming such complex Psyenergy enchantments had taken the combined research of him and Kraden, along with preliminary testing with Isaac. But, in the end, it felt like a little accomplishment to the brunette earth wielder.
After all, it was the very least he could do to repay them for allowing him to even stay in his home after what had happened in the Sanctum. The dark-haired fighter never pleaded for forgiveness for his actions, for the people of Vale were stubborn and suspicious by nature; it was best to simply let them wait until they wanted to let the past go, and accept the necessary evil. Until that time came, he had built a cottage on the western-most edge of the valley, visiting occasionally to see friends, family and tried not to obey his instinct of avoiding the villagers entirely.
Felix snatched up his sword and sheathed it by his side, kicking at the earth rune he used the blade to draw in the soil, no longer requiring the ability until the next day. Building the rune, scanning the area and building he barrier was now more habit than anything and as natural as breathing. Dusting off his thick darkly hued clothes and starting the walk back home, the fighter waited a few moments as he came across two children in his path. They backed up rapidly as their gaze met his curiously narrowed eyes, which had darkened over the years to a near black reminiscent of crude oil, and took off running in the direction of the city center while cursing with panicked voices.
Putting off chasing after them, with the knowledge it might appear far worse than it actually was, Felix glanced at the direction the kids disappeared to and realized with some annoyance the reason why they were there. It was no secret that some of the younger children were scared of him, though he'd never dare harm them, and the more fierce ones thought to make a game of it, daring each other on how close they could get to his little house before getting too frightened and running home.
Leaning against the outer wall of the small cottage and calming the long wild hair that gathered around his face with a casual hand, Felix took a slow, pensive breath. Was there some reason why he felt so tense? He stared at the silent ground beneath his feet in a harsh glare, wondering why his wards…no longer reassured him the way they once did.
{-}
(Kraden)
Surely this couldn't possibly be true!
Given permission to study the crumbled ruins of the great Sanctum nearly crushed to pieces under Mount Aleph's weight was one thing, but the presence of the runic language on the cracked stone was another entirely. Though at first guilty that he had been allowed to enter this hallowed place instead of the hated 'traitor' who'd saved them, Kraden was soon swept away by what he found there. On their previous visit to the Sol Sanctum, the small group had been in a hurry and the scholar had no time to stop and puzzle over the words scrawled in massive arrays of texts across the walls. It wasn't until now that the old teacher truly saw the magnitude of how much writing adorned the richly carved brickwork.
Almost every piece was scrawled out with something that greatly resembled a gigantic narrative, continuing uninterrupted (or would've been, had the walls not crumbled), for an undefinable amount of space. Surely the chronicle laid out in this story must be a recorded history of events many years in the past, for what else could occupy such a massive area of text?
The difficult part was that the writing was in a very old style, similar in aspect to the runic language engraved in the Lighthouses, seen when Kraden had first studied the markings in records in Tolbi, and abided by a different dialect. Translating the words would be tough, but not impossible. Given time, he could perhaps, unlock secrets of history and alchemy lost long ago to the ancient world; maybe even use that knowledge to benefit the revitalized Weyard. The current city-states and townships were too long divided and isolated, broken apart by their distant relations and weakness against the monsters of the wild, halting the progress of humanity. Alchemy could correct this inadequacy and encourage growth and trade as the elements in nature stabilized themselves and more Adepts awakened to counter the wild beasts. What other secrets lay here that could aid the awakened world?
But to the scholar's surprise, he found that many important sections of the text had been worn away and by what was completely uncertain. After all, the rest of the wording appeared completely untouched after what was probably many centuries along with the mountain's collapse, as though parts were intentionally erased…
But who would destroy such important information?
Unless the truth behind these words was more dangerous than Kraden had accounted for.
Consider this a run-down of the character's lives afterward and how well they are faring.
I didn't reference Dark Dawn events in this story because the idea for this story came into being before I ever heard about the third game, so be warned.
R&R please!