Part One:

Dreams

Staffs clacked together in sudden bursts, a silent audience standing around the center of the room. The battle was fast and furious, both contestants breathing hard, sweat rolling down their faces, tangling in their hair.

The Proxinian Elder leaned over to the elderess from their sister city, Onia, a jewel of a village to the East of them. He could hardly mask the smile in his voice. "What do you think?"

"Think?" the Oniat Elderess murmured, stunned. "I can hardly see her movements."

The girl was swift, moreso than any other female or male that had passed through their halls. Her staff cut through the air, hissing and clacking, putting the second girl on the defense. Her red eyes were wide as her chest rose and fell in great gasps. She swung out, and the air left the room.

She missed.

The first girl side-stepped, bringing her staff across and landing a blow gently on her opponent's lower leg. The latter gasped, and tumbled, but did not recover. She rolled onto her back, gasping as the girl leapt in the air, swinging her staff at full-force. Someone in the crowd shouted as the massive staff hurled itself toward the other girl's face.

It was silent as the heel of the staff ended, just inches away from her face.

Karst stood over Jula, breathing hard, her long, magenta hair was pulled back into a tight braid, but strands fell loose, stuck hard against her moist face. Her eyes were locked with Jula's, the latter staring in shock at the pointed end of the staff; the weighted end.

The room erupted into applause and cheers and Karst stepped forward, grabbing her staff by the center, and holding her hand out to Jula. The girl smiled and took it, shaking her head.

Both turned to face the elders, neither one stopping to look at their peers, all shouting and jumping, others with fingers in their mouth, whistling shrilly and clapping. The two elders smiled at them warmly as they stepped forward onto the sparring ring.

It was as though night and day had forced themselves into the bodies of the two; the Proxinian Elder was a small, rotund male with a face to match his size. A small strip of white hung from his chin, beads and ornamental bone woven into the silver strands. The Oniat Elderess was a tall and slender, her red eyes still flashing with life, through deep wrinkles surrounded them. Her head was covered in silver hair, streaked with black that refused to fade.

She held her hand out to the elder, who took it with a smile. He squeezed it tightly and looked between the two girls standing on the floor, breath slowing as the audience fell to a hush.

The Elder smiled, nodded at the first. "Karst of Prox, you fight as though the fires of Mars itself flow through you and not blood." His gaze turned to the second girl. "Jula of Onia, you fought valiantly as well as brilliantly. Your Elderess tells me that staff is not your master."

The girl shook her head of stark white hair. "No, Elder. Dagger."

"Such a small weapon," the Elder said. "Yet you carry the larger ones with grace as well."

"Not as well as my opponent, I fear," Jula said politely, giving a side-long glance to Karst.

The Oniat Elderess lifted her head. "Karst, is it?"

Karst pushed the wet hair from her face, pursing her lips to hide the smile. "Yes, Elderess."

"You fight with an agility I don't recognize from my own village," she murmured. "I feared, coming to a Patriarchal villa such as Prox, that females such as yourself would have their training secondary to the males."

"A falsehood, your grace," Karst said, breathless. "In Prox, we train side-by-side."

"Yet is it true that certain weapon-training is classified for males?" the Elderess asked.

Karst made a slight face. "Typically, but talented women are allowed—"

"And that to leave your village all women must have a male accompany them, correct?"

Karst glanced at the Elder, her mouth fumbling for words. When she found none, she scoffed. "Th-that is true, but… but it—"

"Females bridled down by the whims of males," the Elderess said, pulling her hand away from the Elder's. "As impressed as I am by your skill, Karst of Prox, and your defeat of my fledgling student, we Oniat females cannot abide by such imprisonment."

The Elderess snapped her fingers and Jula winced. She grabbed for her things at the side of the sparring ring, scurrying as the Elderess floated across the room, almost ethereal as Jula rushed toward her. The girl paused for only a moment, flashed Karst an almost apologetic grin as she held out the staff.

Karst grabbed it with a slap, rounding on the Elderess. "We're not prisoners!" she suddenly shouted across the room. The Elder stumbled toward Karst, grabbing her forearm. She pulled out of his reach, and stepped forward. "I'm as independent as any man here!"

The Oniat stopped in the doorway, turned to the girl in the center of the room. "Then leave," she murmured flatly, eyes narrow. "Travel south to wherever you please. Cut off your long hair, and wear trousers outside of training exercises. See how your people respond to you then." The Elderess glanced at the Proxinian Elder. "Consider the pact off. So long as I am Elderess of Onia, Prox and Onia will never be one."

Karst bristled as Jula and the Elderess whisked from the Elder's home and into the evening. The crowd began to disperse as Karst threw her staff against the floor.

The Elder sighed. "Anger will get you no where, child—"

"I don't care," she murmured. She motioned angrily at the window where the two figures were fading into the late autumn snowfall. "Why do they hate us so much? Why won't they just sign the stupid pact and be done with it?"

"I've known the Elderess for ages, Karst," the Elder said with a wry smile. "She is as stubborn as she is wise."

Karst scoffed. "Wise my foot."

"Karst," the Elder murmured, eyebrows close together.

She sighed, eyes on the ground. "I just thought maybe I could prove I'm just as good as them."

The Elder smiled tiredly, taking the young girl on his arm as the last of the crowd dissipated. "Karst," he chided gently, leading her toward the library. "There is nothing to prove. You are one of the best students I've ever taught."

Karst scoffed, throwing herself into a plush, red chair as the Elder leaned against his desk. "You mean one of the best female students you've ever taught."

The Elder stared at Karst for a long moment. "I only say what I mean, child. I would not only stack you against those of your own gender. I include all that I have ever taught." The Elder smiled warmly. "Including your sister."

Karst swallowed hard, squirmed in her seat.

The Elder frowned. "Something troubles you."

"It's nothing," Karst said, smiling sadly.

"Karst, look at me," the Elder murmured, his red eyes suddenly narrow. "What is wrong?"

Karst stared at her palms, tracing the lines with her fingernails. "I've just… I've been having strange dreams, lately. That's all."

The Elder slowly nodded as he folded his hands into his ample sleeves. "What sort of dreams?"

Karst shook her head, standing. "Just dreams," she muttered, starting back into the main area. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to trouble y—"

"They're about your sister…"

Karst spun, staring at the Elder in his doorway. His face didn't change, didn't twitch at any hint of sarcasm or jest. Her eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"

The Elder took in a deep breath. "Karst… I think you'd best come sit down."

Agatio stood at the window in the front room of Puelle's home, staring out at the darkness that engulfed their town with a suffocating thickness. A storm blew deep around their homes. It was a night no one would want to be out in. He sighed darkly, squinting at the faint lights of a distant street. "I can't believe this," he grumbled.

"I can," Puelle said from where he sat.

Agatio turned from the window, the guest house to the North. "You think as an Elderess she'd see the benefits of joining with us."

"The Elderess is a hard woman, Agatio," Puelle murmured, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Hard or no, how are we going to be able to protect the Mars Lighthouse on our own?"

Puelle took a long, thoughtful sip from his cup. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"How soon will that be?" Agatio asked softly. "It could be months or it could be days… We've no word from Saturos and Menardi—"

"We couldn't have kept in touch even if we had wanted to," Puelle said as he set his cup on the table. "Their letters would have been delivered weeks after they had been written… and with autumn drawing to a close, the ships would never have been able to make it far enough inland to even deliver them."

Agatio sighed. "I know. I just… I can't help but worry."

Puelle smiled slightly. "I know."

Agatio shifted his weight nervously, walking back to the window and pulling back the curtain again. "Isn't there anyway we could get them to sign a pact? Someway to convince her we aren't as archaic as she thinks?"

"We thought Karst would be our best bet, but the Elderess managed to belittle even her skills." He shook his head. "She's a smart girl, that Karst… but the Elderess seemed to get under her skin…"

"We should have stayed," Agatio murmured. "She needed to hear kind words after an attack like that…"

"The Elderess did say somethings that might trouble a young woman, didn't she?" Puelle said thoughtfully. "Karst looked upset."

Agatio smiled slightly, turning and leaning against the windowsill. "Even so, I'm certain the Elderess didn't expect her to bite back."

Puelle smiled. "She did look a little upset, didn't she?" He sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't think Karst's words cut deep enough. After all, the Elderess—"

Both stopped as the door flung open, clattering as it slammed into the wall. A human woman stood in the doorway, her red hair hurriedly tied away from her face, auburn eyes wide. She was breathing hard, boots untied, and a heavy shawl around her shoulders.

Puelle slowly rose. "Anne… is something the matter—"

"I need to see the Elder," she said breathlessly.

Puelle and Agatio looked between themselves. Puelle nodded. "Alright. I'm certain by now he's retired for the evening. Not to mention this storm is only beginning. First thing tomorrow morning, I'm sure he would—"

Anne was shaking her head violently. "You don't understand," she murmured. "I need to speak with him now."

Another figure appeared in the doorway, a dark haired man, tall and slender. He grabbed Anne's elbow, smiling awkwardly at Puelle. "Chieftain."

"Charles," Puelle murmured with a nod. "Is everything alright?"

"I told her not to disturb you," he murmured, putting his arm around Anne's shoulder, but she shrugged him away. "The weather is beastly, and the hour even more so. We'll be leaving you now," he said, grabbing her arm again as she pulled away. "Anne, come on. It's time we leave—"

"No," she hissed at him, pulling out of reach and walking toward Puelle. "I need to see the Elder. Now."

Puelle shook his head. "Anne, the Elder will be retiring to bed soon. It would not be in our best interests to bother him."

"He's right, Anne," Charles murmured, pulling his coat tight around him. "It can wait until morning."

"His lights are all still on," she argued. "We can see them from our front room. He's still awake."

Puelle shrugged. "Perhaps he is only just preparing for bed. Either way, we can't just barge in and demand an audience." When Anne opened her mouth to speak, he hurriedly continued. "The Elder has had a long day, Anne. Preparing for the Elderess' arrival, arranging the lunch, the duel… he needs time alone, and for now, I think it's best for you go home and get some rest." He frowned at her. "You look terrible, Anne."

She pulled the shawl tight around her, auburn eyes blazing beneath the dark circles that surrounded them. "I don't need sleep. I need to speak with the Elder."

Puelle shook his head. "I can't let you do that."

Charles stepped forward, grabbing Anne by both arms and pulling her toward him. "Sorry for the interruption, Puelle. We'll be returning home now."

Anne wriggled in his grasp as he dragged her out of the home. "Charles, stop— I need to—I need to talk with—Charles, let me go!" she shouted, turning violently out of his reach, leaving him with only the shawl. She scrambled back through the doorway as Agatio began shutting it, shoved the door open and faced the chieftain.

"Anne!" Charles was shouting, but she didn't hear.

She was breathless, staring at the massive Proxinian before her. "I need to speak with the Elder."

Puelle sighed tiredly. "Anne, I can't—"

"You don't understand!" she said, voice rising. "This is urgent!"

"Urgent or not, I don't have the authority to—"

"I think something has happened with Felix!" she suddenly burst. "Something's happened to them!" She stared at him, swallowing hard. "Something's gone wrong."

Puelle stared at her, Agatio holding open the door as Charles walked back in, looking worried. Puelle frowned at Charles. "What does she mean by this? This is a cruel joke if I have ever heard—"

"I don't know, Sir," Charles stammered. "It's late, and she hasn't been well—"

"I'm not sick!" Anne gasped, rounding on him. "Charles, tell him! Tell him about what's happened!"

Charles stared at her, lips moving, but no sound there. He closed his mouth and stared at the ground, silent.

Puelle's brow was furrowed. His red eyes turned to Anne. "Anne, I suggest you go home. Now, before I become more upset than I already am."

She shook her head. "You don't understand!" she gasped, tears flooding her eyes. "Something is wrong! I can't explain how I know, I just do!"

"Agatio," Puelle murmured. "Please escort Anne and Charles back to their home."

"No!" Anne gasped as Agatio started toward her, gently grabbed her arm. She pulled away, rushing toward Puelle and grabbing hold of his massive forearm. "Puelle, please, please listen to me, don't make me leave, let me explain." Her words blurred together until one phrase became the next and thoughts flew from her lips like the great winds themselves, only distinguishable in words, "Felix… water… blood… dreams…"

Upon the word dreams, Puelle froze. He turned to her, both hands cradling her face as she continued to stammer hysterically. "Anne, Anne," he said, voice terse, "Anne, calm down… look at me… say that again, slower this time."

Anne sniffed and gasped for air until her breathing slowed and she had regained some sort of calm. Her auburn eyes were wide as she stared back at him. She took in a deep breath and began. "I've been having dreams," she said softly.

"What sort of dreams?"

Anne sniffed. "I- I don't… Felix, they're about Felix… I have this dream, that he's standing on a-a pillar, or a tower of some sort… He falls? O-or jumps? Off the tower into an ocean, but… B-but the ocean is made of blood. He's drowning and he can't breathe. He's screaming for Saturos and Menardi, but they never come… I don't think they can hear him…" She shook her head as though to erase the thought. "I… I can't take this, anymore. I don't know what any of this means, but I can't go on like this!" She held in her sobs, but the tears had returned. "I just can't…

Puelle looked up at Charles. "Is this true?"

Charles swallowed, shifted his weight nervously. "She wakes up screaming… she won't respond to me… or to Kyle… we've tried everything we can think of: tried to keep her awake, kept watch over her while she slept, made her special teas…" He sighed. "This last time, she scratched herself. Not… small scratches. They were… gaping tears in her skin."

"May I see?" Puelle asked.

Anne swallowed and began to roll up her sleeves. Long red scars ran from her wrists to the elbow, four marks as deep as wild claws would have cut.

Puelle grabbed her wrist, his thumb gently prodding the wound.

"She has similar markings around her abdomen," Charles murmured. "She's been worried that something might happen to the—"

"I can't go another night with this," Anne said, interrupting Charles' thoughts. "Surely there's something the Elder can do… to get rid of these dreams?"

Puelle slowly nodded. "Of course, I'll wake him right away." He walked to the wall, grabbing for his cloak and fastening it around his neck. "Agatio, stay here with Charles and Anne. I'll be back as soon as the Elder is ready to see them."

Agatio nodded. "Of course, Sir."

Charles stepped toward Anne who threw her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder. She let out a sigh, holding tightly to him. "Thank you," she murmured into his coat.

"You're lucky Puelle is so understanding," Charles admonished softly, lowering his voice as Puelle and Agatio spoke briefly by the door. "Anyone else would have thrown you out without another thought."

Anne sniffed, pushed the tears from her face with the back of her hand. "I knew he would understand. I told you."

"I know," Charles murmured, frowning. "But it could have waited."

Anne pulled away, setting a hand on her lower belly. "It couldn't have waited, Charles. You know that. After what happened last night—"

"Last night will not be repeated," Charles said levelly, taking her hand. "We aren't going to let anything happen to you or the baby, understood?"

Anne sighed, resting her head against his shoulder. "I know, I'm… just so tired."

"You can't sleep," Charles said, shrugging her off. "Not yet."

She sighed, hugging herself around her middle. "I know." She looked to the doorway where Agatio bid the Chieftain goodbye and shut the door. "I know."

Karst was sitting on the Elder's desk, staring at the old man in the red chair across from her. She stared at her feet, dangling carelessly below her. She opened and clenched her fists over and over, trying to relax. "So, you're saying something is wrong… that Menardi is in trouble?"

"I'm not saying that," the Elder breathed. "I'm only saying that those related by blood are often sensitive to their blood member's troubles. This can be reflected in dreams, but it doesn't always mean something has happened. It can mean anything; perhaps she is very stressed at the moment. Perhaps they've encountered a hitch in their plans—"

"It didn't feel like that," Karst breathed, shaking her head. "It felt like… like…" She let out a sharp groan, banged her hands against the desk. "I don't know what it felt like! But it wasn't like that! It was…" She shook her head. "I felt like I was going to explode… or that my body was going to… I dunno, fall in on itself."

The Elder ran his hand over his beard, fingers catching hold of the beads and fiddling with them. "Now that is troubling…"

"Why?" Karst asked. "What does it mean?"

The Elder stared at her for a long moment. "I don't know… but it worries me." Both looked up as a sharp knock came at the door. The elder rose, stepping out of his study and calling across the massive room. "Come in!"

The door opened, Puelle brushing the snow from his hair and shoulders. He nodded apologetically. "I didn't mean to disturb you—"

"Nonsense," the Elder said, smiling. "I haven't begun to retire for the evening." He motioned behind him. "I still have a student with me."

"So I see," Puelle murmured. He nodded at the young girl. "Hello, Karst."

"Chieftain," she said, hopping off of the desk.

"You fought well this afternoon," he said.

"At least you think so," Karst said wryly.

Puelle smiled. "Don't let the Elderess get to you. She's nothing but words and spitfire." He turned back to the Elder. "I'm afraid I'm here on the Valean's behalf."

"Is something the matter?" the Elder asked.

"It's quite serious," Puelle said. "I would rather Anne explain it herself. She's awaiting word at my home. Shall I bring her and Charles?"

"Karst?" the Elder asked looking over his shoulder. "Would you be so kind as to run up to the Chieftain's home and escort Charles and Anne of Vale back here?"

"Of course," she murmured, rushing across the room and grabbing for her things.

"What's wrong, Puelle?" the Elder asked softly as Karst threw on her coat and scarf.

"Anne has been having some disturbing dreams," Puelle said, shifting his weight nervously. "Dreams regarding Felix and the others."

The Elder licked his lips thoughtfully. "Oh dear… this is most unexpected, isn't it?"

"Elder?" Puelle asked, frowning.

The Elder swallowed, looking up at Puelle. "I'm afraid… something has happened to our little group of four, Puelle…" He started toward his study. "Something terrible…"

"Can you believe it?" Garet asked, standing at the front of the ship, staring out at the ocean. "I've never seen so much water before."

"Yeah," Isaac murmured softly, the boat rising and falling beneath them. Seamist brushed against their faces, the waves gently breaking the moon spread wide across the water. Isaac sighed, pushing away from the edge of the boat. "Alright, Ivan. Where are we headed?"

"I thought we'd trace the coast Northward," Ivan said, pointing to the map. "We searched the whole Southern coast, and I got to thinking; the water moved out in every direction…" He shrugged. "I don't know, maybe Felix and Sheba were knocked to the North."

"What about Jenna?" Isaac murmured, Garet turning from where he stood, suddenly attentive. "What do we know about her and Kraden?"

Ivan sighed, propping himself up onto his knees and sitting back on his feet. "Well, we know they weren't at the lighthouse. And Felix said something to Saturos about Idejima—"

"Idejima is gone," Garet said flatly. "That's the first place we looked, remember?"

"I know," Ivan said softly, "just let me finish. When we went there, there were no signs of rubble, or of this… Idejima just falling into the sea. It's like it just vanished."

"You're saying you think that whole place just disappeared?" Garet asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, Garet!" Ivan shouted. "Just let me finish!" He looked at Isaac, shaking his head and rolling his violet eyes. "What I'm saying is what if the whole land mass just… slid away from Gondowan?"

Isaac frowned. "What?"

"Hear me out," Ivan murmured, leaning over the map. "Here's Idejima. Here's the lighthouse. That earthquake was massive, almost as strong in Lalivero as it was at the lighthouse itself, and it would have to have been stronger at the peninsula. Idejima is closer than Lalivero."

Isaac shrugged. "So… What are you trying to say?"

Ivan sighed. "So, what if Idejima didn't sink? What if the earthquake shook it loose and snapped it off of the continent? What if it's floating around out there in the ocean somewhere—?"

"You think it's become an island?" Isaac said, frowning.

Ivan slowly nodded. "Yeah… I do."

Garet scoffed. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard—"

"It makes sense."

The three looked up as Mia walked out of the cabin. She shrugged. "Think about it. It was the Venus beacon that had been lit… It let out a great shock into the ground, it even destroyed one of the towers. Idejima is a short travel from the lighthouse. What if it had absorbed some of that power, the earth energy? It would have had nowhere else to go, therefore no choice but to stay in the rock of the peninsula." She grinned slightly. "Psynergy is an odd power… who's to say what it can and can't do?"

Garet shook his head. "Still sounds sketchy to me."

Isaac sighed. "Well, if that's where Jenna and Kraden are, where would this island be going?"

Ivan shifted his weight. "I can't say, but my guess would be…" He looked at the map, drew a few lines with his hands. "Northeast."

"So we'll cross paths with them?" Garet said. Then when Mia raised an eyebrow, quickly added, "I mean, if this whole 'island-thing' is even true, that is… what I meant…"

Ivan smiled. "Yeah. We should be able to find them."

"Aren't we worried about Felix and Sheba?" Mia asked. "After all, he still has the Jupiter Star."

"Yeah, well he doesn't have this," Isaac said, patting the mythril bag on his side. "And as long as we keep him from reaching Jupiter Lighthouse and Mars Lighthouse, we'll be safe."

"But we don't even know where Jupiter and Mars are," Ivan said, looking up. "They could be anywhere… and this map isn't complete." He pointed. "It's just Angara and Gondowan. And we know that they aren't on either of those continents."

"Yeah, and the two that are there we failed to protect," Garet grumbled darkly. "Some heroes we turned out to be."

"Hey," Isaac said, turning on Garet, "If it wasn't for us Saturos and Menardi would still be around."

"So they're gone, so what?" Garet demanded. "What difference does it make? Felix's still all crazy and wanting to light the beacons like his other buddies in the bad-guy club!"

"Felix isn't like them," Isaac murmured.

"Really?" Garet said, letting out a sharp scoff. "Cause… I would have thought that since he, one: kept Sheba as a hostage, and two: tried to kill us and told us he was still going to light the beacons, makes him an awful lot like that Saturos and Menardi."

"He jumped off the lighthouse to save Sheba!" Isaac argued. "Would either of those monsters have done that?"

"I don't know!" Garet laughed bitterly. "Maybe she was really important to them!" He motioned at Ivan. "Maybe she was carrying Ivan's magic stick!"

"It's a rod! Not a stick!" Ivan shouted, joining in the argument.

"Everyone stop!" Mia shouted, stepping between them. The boys all fell into silence, Mia's azure eyes blazing. "I can't believe you two," she murmured, looking between Garet and Isaac. "You're starting to sound like Felix and Saturos." Isaac opened his mouth to argue, but she was already speaking again. "Did you forget? We're on the same side. We can't afford to let little arguments bring us down like this." She folded her arms across her chest. "I don't think we know the whole story yet." She nodded at Isaac. "You're worried about Felix… and I'm worried about Alex. I don't believe he's evil…" She swallowed hard, murmured, "I can't… I don't know what Saturos and Menardi told them, or did to them, but we're going to find out. And we're not going to let it happen to anyone else."

Garet sighed. "What if we can't stop them?" he murmured helplessly. "Half the beacons are already lit. Felix will know where the next lighthouse is; we don't even know where to begin looking!"

Mia shrugged slightly. "Well, I'm sure we'll find it."

"We don't need to find it," Isaac murmured. "We need to find them… Felix, Sheba, Jenna, Kraden, Alex…" He sighed. "If we find them, we'll get all the answers we need."

"Or we'll get into another fight," Garet grumbled darkly.

"Garet," Mia admonished quietly. She sighed. "And what about Lord Babi's task? To find this Lemuria?"

"Does it even exist?" Ivan asked. "I mean…" He grinned. "Lord Babi is really old. Maybe he's not remembering things right. Potions from an island no one but him has heard of? Does that seem off to anyone else?"

"Everything about this seems off," Isaac murmured, walked toward the front of the ship. "Have you guys ever stopped to wonder what happens when all the beacons are lit?"

"Sure," Garet shrugged. "The world gets destroyed, that's what happens."

"Why?" Isaac asked. "I mean, doesn't it seem strange that two… creature-people-things from the "Northern Wilds" would come all the way to Vale and get the Elemental Stars just to destroy the world?"

Garet frowned. "Wait, wh-what do you mean?"

"Well, think about it," Isaac said. "Mia, you said you felt different after the Mercury Beacon had been lit."

"Yes," she said.

"And I know I've felt different since the Venus Lighthouse…"

"Well, different doesn't mean better," Ivan said.

"But I do feel better," Isaac said. "I feel stronger… like my psynergy is more focused than before… than I could get it on my own."

"I've felt the same," Mia said softly. "I wasn't going to say anything but…" She sighed. "I don't know, I'm almost glad they lit the beacon."

"You don't mean that," Garet said. "Those beacons are dangerous."

"How do we know?" Mia asked. "How do you know?"

"Because the Wise One came to Isaac and me and told us so," Garet said. "It's supposed to be the Guardian Spirit of Weyard. Would a Guardian Spirit lie?"

"I don't know," Mia said. "Would it?"

Garet sputtered for a moment, before blurting. "You're talking crazy!" Then he glanced at Isaac. "Both of you. We've been at sea too long or something. The moon's messing with your heads…" He frowned. "Or maybe that's what the beacons do… maybe they make you crazy in the head…"

"Shut up, Garet," Isaac said flatly. "This is serious."

"Ivan, what do you think?" Mia asked.

He shrugged. "I dunno. I guess if a Guardian Spirit said it then it's probably true."

"Ha!" Garet said, pointing at the tiny boy. "See, we win. Wind and Fire beats Earth and Water."

"What?" Mia laughed. "That's absurd! Water always beats Fire—"

"But Wind always beats Earth, see!" Garet said triumphantly.

Isaac blinked. "Garet, that makes it a draw. No one wins."

Garet paused. "Oh, well… that…" He let out a sputtering sound, flailing his arms about frustratedly. "That doesn't matter! We're right and you're wrong!"

"Haven't you felt differently since the beacon was lit?" Isaac asked. "Saturos and Menardi even said Earth and Fire are connected. If I'm crazy, you must be crazy too."

Garet frowned, glancing from Isaac to Mia to Ivan.

Ivan shrugged. "He's got a point."

"And you have been acting pretty weird lately," Mia said with a smile.

"No I haven't!" Garet gasped.

"So, you admit we're right?" Isaac asked.

"No!" Garet stammered. "You're still wrong!"

"So you are crazy?" Ivan asked.

"Don't help them!" Garet shouted. "No! I'm right and not crazy at the same time!"

Mia rolled her eyes, walking away. "It's like talking to a wall. Oh, and breakfast is ready," she called over her shoulder.

The anger suddenly left Garet's face. "Breakfast? I'm starved!"

Isaac and Ivan watched Garet bound toward the door after Mia, both laughing as he shouldered past her, running down to the bottom of the ship, leaving Mia to scream at him to not eat everything before the others arrived.

Isaac glanced at Ivan. "You don't think I've gone crazy, do you?"

The boy grinned. "Only sometimes."

"Come'ere," Isaac said, grabbing the young boy in a headlock and racking his knuckles across his head. Ivan shouted, laughing and wriggling out of Isaac's hold. Isaac chuckled. "Come on, kid. Let's go get something to eat."

The Elder was gently rubbing a salve onto Anne's arms, everyone sitting in silence since Anne had finished telling her dream to the Elder. His red eyes were narrow and thoughtful, his mouth pressed into a fine line.

"Well?" Anne asked, breaking the silence.

"I don't know," the Elder murmured, not looking up from her arms.

Karst straightened in her seat. "You don't know? What do you mean, 'you don't know'!" She looked around the room, the adults all sitting in awkward silence. She let out a hard scoff. "Am I the only one here that thinks this is too strange to be a coincidence?"

"Karst," Puelle said softly. "You need to calm yourself—"

"Calm myself?" Karst gasped. "Two people from two bloodlines are having the same sort of dreams about their blood members, and I'm supposed to believe that nothing is wrong? Menardi could be hurt, dying… and Felix and the others, what about them? What's happened to them? Aren't you the least bit worried—"

"Of course we're worried," the Elder murmured, looking up. "We've been worried since the day your sister and your son," he said glancing at Anne, "left with Saturos and Alex… But as I've said before, dreams do not reflect a reality. That is not a gift given to Mars Adepts, a class which both of you belong to," he added firmly. "And there are no Jupiter Adepts left in this world. The gift of foresight no longer exists, and dreams may be only dreams—"

"But doesn't it seem odd that both Ann and Karst would have dreams about Felix and Menardi on the same nights, with the same details?" Charles murmured. "The bloody sea, the darkness; Menardi in the water, unable to speak to Karst. Felix drowning, unable to find his companions…" Charles shook his head. "It almost makes too much sense—"

"I don't feel like myself," Anne added hurriedly. "I can't explain to you how I feel, and I don't expect you to understand…" She sighed. "Call it 'mother's intuition,' but I know there is something wrong with my son. I just…" She shut her eyes tight. "I can't explain it."

"I feel the same way," Karst said, pressing her hand against her chest.

The Elder shook his head. "I would be more concerned if it was Melima, not you, Karst, who was having these dreams."

"Menardi and Mother weren't on good terms when she left," Karst said. "If Menardi's sending me a message or something—"

"It is a dream," the Elder said flatly. "Not a vision, not a message—"

"—it would make sense that it would come to me and not Mother," Karst finished. "The same way that the dream came to Anne instead of Charles," she continued. "Charles and Felix fought before he left. I mean, Felix and Charles are both Venus Adepts. Shouldn't the message have come to him?"

Puelle leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. "The child is right, Elder. There is too much here for this to all be chance."

The Elder sighed, pushing Anne's hands away from him and leaning back in his seat. "Alright… for a moment, let us assume that these are visions… or messages… not just dreams…" He glanced at Karst. "What do they mean?"

"Something bad has happened," she answered immediately.

"We already know that," the Elder said. "What else can we draw from both dreams?"

"Ocean," Anne murmured. "They must be on a coast somewhere."

"The towers," Karst said. "Maybe it's one of the lighthouses or something."

"Blood," Agatio suddenly spoke up. "There has been a battle… and someone has lost."

Karst stiffened. "Menardi and Saturos… they couldn't hear Felix in Anne's dream…" Her breathing quickened as she slowly rose. "What if it's because something's happened to them?"

The Elder shook his head. "That is impossible. Do you know the sort of skill it would take to defeat two fully-trained Adepts? Let alone kill."

"But everything in the dreams," Anne murmured. "Menardi being trapped in the water… No one coming to rescue Felix…" She looked up. "What if something has happened?"

"This is assuming that these are not just dreams, which they are," the Elder said.

Karst shook her head. "No, you said that Menardi had dreams about Weyard dying before you and Saturos even told her anything about it!"

"That was a rare case," the Elder said. "I'd felt from the beginning that your sister and Saturos would be the ones I would send to Vale."

"And a wonderful job they did there," Charles muttered darkly.

Agatio turned to him. "They didn't have to rescue you."

"Rescue us?" Charles asked. "Is that what that was?

"Charles," Anne said softly.

"No," he continued with a harsh laugh. "Your Saturos and Menardi kidnapped us, and forced us here! To this snowlocked wasteland!"

"They saved our son, Charles," Anne murmured.

"And then dragged him from our home and forced him to take part in this damn-fool quest of theirs!" Charles said angrily. "Saved our son? Perhaps, but only to let him die on the other side of the world while we're kept as leverage to keep him following Saturos and Menardi—"

"He wanted to go, and you know it," Anne snapped. "Not even wild horses could have held that boy back."

Charles shook his head. "They brainwashed him. They brainwashed our son—!"

"I believe them, too, Charles!" Anne shouted, standing. "Does that make me such a terrible person…" She sighed. "You've seen the shores of Gaia Falls… You've seen proof that there is something terribly wrong here…"

"Menardi and Saturos were never mean to Felix," Karst said softly. "Saturos treated him like a brother, and Menardi the same…" She wrapped her arms around her middle, frowning. "He was like family for those three years…"

"We are Felix's family," Charles said, his voice suddenly rough.

Karst nodded. "I know, I only meant that—"

"Please," Puelle said, breaking the conversation. "No more arguing. It's late enough as it is without voices being raised." He sighed. "Elder, what do you think?"

The Elder pressed both hands to his face, running them down his jawline and clasping them together over his beard. He stroked it thoughtfully for several moments, before quietly murmuring, "As much as my answer may upset you, I know I must give it…" He glanced up. "I feel that these are dreams."

"What!" Karst gasped, Puelle quieting her with a look.

"I also know a remedy for these nightmares," he said, slowly rising. "An incense that when burned calms the mind and body. You will have a dreamless sleep if it is kept burning as you rest."

Anne swallowed. "What about the…" She made clawing motions over her arms.

"That will not be a problem if the dreams are eliminated," the Elder murmured.

"What if I don't want the dreams to leave?" Karst said. "What if they mean something, and I'm not able to find out because I'm burning this incense?"

"Karst," the Elder said levelly, "if you don't burn this incense, you might end up clawing out your own throat… and Gods know how terrible that would be to awake to." He sighed. "These dreams, and I feel that is what they are, dreams, are too dangerous to be allowed to continue." He looked between Anne and Karst. "I am going to give you each a bottle. Mix two drops with a spoonful of water, and let it simmer in a dish over a candle. The bottles should last for a month at least, and we'll see what happens then. As for other discussion," he added as Karst raised her hand in question, "it is late, and we are all tired. It can wait for tomorrow." He nodded at the two. "I'll fetch the bottles, and we'll send you on your way." When he saw Karst flop into a chair, face wrinkled in a pout, he sighed. "This is for the best, Karst."

The girl said nothing.

He turned. "I'll be but a moment."

Karst didn't move as a hand rested on her shoulder. "He's trying to help you, Karst," Agatio said softly.

She looked up at the Adept. "Aren't you worried about Menardi?"

"Of course I am," Agatio said with a slight chuckle. "As much as you are. Maybe more."

Karst grinned slightly. "I doubt that."

"We both love your sister, and don't want to see anything happen to her," Agatio said. "The Elder doesn't want to see anything happen to her either. If he says they are dreams only, then they must be."

Karst sighed thoughtfully, settling back into her chair. "I guess." But even she didn't sound convinced.

(A/N: The first real chapter! I was writing along, having a dandy time, when suddenly I had the urge, and BAM! Suddenly I decided TTOE2 will officially cover Isaac, Garet, Mia, and Ivan's journey. Replaying the game and looking over the maps have given me some interesting plot points that should be fun! And if there was any question to begin with, no, I'm not big on Garet. He bothers me, and seems pretty slow. He's got a heart of gold, he's just dumber than a bag of hammers, and I fully intend on continuing to write him that way.

BTW, for all those worried about the pairings of Mia-Isaac, Jenna-Garet, Jenna-Isaac, and Mia-Garet, don't be. The only solid pairings in any of my writings are Saturos-Menardi, Felix-Sheba, and Agatio-Karst, though that's not going to develop for a LONG… LONG… time. Then again, neither did the S-M, but the sexual tension was always there. Also, the whole implied Alex-Mia thing is there, AND WILL REMAIN THERE despite the angry anti-Alexians screaming that a villain should never be paired with "wonderful perfect Mia!" Yeah, I'm not big on Mia, either. In fact, I'm not big on any of the original group... Why am I writing about them again? "Through the Other Eyes?" Yeah, I guess that includes them... crud.

Next chapter will pick up, the ball will start rolling, and in case you are curious, yes, a lot of this story is actually being set up to roll in a new GS3 story! Plot points are being set up now, and you'll never guess what I have planned! BWAHAHAHA! Not even if you ask nicely! DOUBLE BWAHAHAHA!

That being said, my traditional reviewer response time!

Hiei17- Somehow, I wouldn't expect any less of you, my friend. And of course, this means you're stuck with me for another agonizing three years of story-telling! TRIPLE BWAHAHAHA!
Li the Twilight Knight: Yes, Agatio is going to go a little nutso. I've always felt Karst and Agatio are a little grief-mad, esp. Agatio when he keeps pressuring Karst to battle Felix in order to finish exacting their revenge on Isaac, even when it's clear both Karst and Agatio know they can't win. I don't know who'll be more vengeance driven. It depends on how they grow, and right now, I don't know how they will. I don't know a lot of what's going to happen in the story yet, so we'll just have to see.
TS: An avidly awaiting fan! Glad I didn't disappoint!
Graficcha: Natural and epic, what a compliment! Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy it. I know I enjoy writing it.
Spirit Seer: O.o That was a lot of happiness in such a short paragraph. jk! Glad to know you're in for round 2 as well! Buckle up! This is going to be interesting!
MoR: Don't worry, GSLAN will be coming up soon. I'm adding a few scenes before the tidal wave washes them away. Besides, then TTOE2 will actually PICK UP where the story leaves off, with Alex waking up after the wave and leaving before anyone can see him. SEE! SEE! The connectedness of all things! IT IS GRAND! …wow, that was pretty vain. No! All this attention isn't going to my head, I swear! And I'll prove it by reviewing your story tomorrow! And I totally get what you mean about the early chapters. I've gone back to revising in TTOE1… holy… crap… I've definitely come a long way since then.
Xanda: heehee, you said tenterhooks. Alright, anyway, YES! Pity poor Agatio! He's a good guy! The fact that he's lost Menardi, and doesn't even realize he lost her before Venus Lighthouse is even MORE tragic! No one will ever know about Saturos and Menardi! … or will they? Do I have plans for a TWIST in a GS3 story! (I just know you'll hate me for saying that…)
Shiny Milotic: ILUFF MILOTIC! …and yet I've never been able to raise one. Stupid fish pokemon. Stupid pokemon in general. I'm such a fangirl.
Chibby: I hope this does turn out as good as the first. It will be a LOT darker, though. I mean, Saturos and Menardi were motivated by the dire situation of Prox. Agatio and Karst are motivated by the deaths (or is it really deaths?) of Menardi… oh, and that Saturos guy. That was kinda sad, too. WHERE'S THE LOVE FOR SATUROS! COME ON, FOLKS!
Azalee: I love Karst, too! I think she's much more of a loose cannon than Menardi was; a little too much like Melima in the first book. Yeah, their Momma's a bit of a maniac. Whoa, I just was thinking what kind of a crazy-person Melima's going to turn into after hearing about Menardi and Karst's deaths! That's going to suck.
THE HISTORY OF TTOE… it wasn't written intentionally, but it started out as a review response and evolved into something everyone should read it they ever wonder where I got all my ideas:

IchiTsuyoi: It was strange for even me to write. I'd been wanting the write the "bad-guy's" story since the first GS, and planned out the whole thing. All I knew back then was that they were from the "Northern Wilds." I figured it was a desolate wasteland, eternally locked in snow. I was right about that, but I'd cast the Proxinians (didn't know the village name at that time) as heathens, living in the caves of some sort, hunters and scavengers.
Originally, Saturos and Menardi were two students under the same master (didn't change), and this Master was dying. The only thing that could save him was the Stone of Sages, which Kraden had mentioned briefly in the beginning. This cast Saturos and Menardi as the tragic villains trying to do good, but bringing about all the bad, completely unaware that the lighting of the beacons would "destroy the world."
This didn't explain why Felix wanted to keep going at the end of the game, however, and before I worked that all out, GS2 came out. I played it, and within a month of finishing the game, all the gaps had been filled. There were family members, a massive community all in danger. It was more than just one person, it was an entire nation they were working to save. I was able to make the Proxinians a much more sophisticated society, and take away the heathen edge they are always perceived with. I cast Saturos as the withdrawn boy thrust into the position of leader, and Menardi into the confident warrioress. Felix is the ignorant one who becomes enlightened, much to his parents dismay.
And Alex? You'll recognize his setting as the original plan for Saturos and Menardi, only it's Mia and Alex and it's Alex's own grandfather. Only he is already dead, leaving Alex cursing himself for not being strong enough, and following the other three in hopes of taking the power for himself. He's the true villain of the series, and Mia now serves as a foil of Alex; the power-hungry man cursing his own weakness because of his inability to save his grandfather, where as Mia accepts and moves on, growing strong as she deepens her knowledge of psynergy.
It's all a tragedy with a capital 'T'. And now we get to shift the spotlight on to two characters we only brushed over in TTOE, Karst and Agatio. It's been nice to revisit all of the old characters from the first story, almost like coming home. But, of course, we're going to be leaving home again soon, aren't we?

Teschio: Ironic you should wish me health, lol! I'm getting my tonsils out on May 5th! It isn't going to kill me or put me out of commission. If anything, you should see an increase in story production in the weeks that follow. I'm not going to have much else to do but write, re-play GS1 and 2, and start playing my new game! Beyond Good and Evil for the Xbox! I've heard it's brilliant. I just hope it doesn't make me want to write MORE fanfiction.
Raine: Yes… and no. (Don't you hate those sort of answers?) There's no definitive answer to whether or not Saturos and Menardi are gone. I never say, and Karst and Agatio never find any bodies. HOWEVER… Menardi's scythe (which was knocked off the tower during the battle) and her headband are found among the rubble. Are they gone forever? I don't know yet, officially speaking. In my book, let's just say in regards to a third story, don't count them out just yet.
And that should do it! The reviewer response actually took up three whole pages this time. I'd like to announce, due to realization that I need to develop Alex a little more deeply, not just for the audience, but for myself, and would like to announce that sometime in the near future, I'll probably be putting out a one chapter piece detailing Alex and Mia's childhood, up until the time of his grandfather's death, and the entrance of Saturos, Menardi, and Felix. So expect that soon.

Even SOONER expect to see Golden Sun: The Lost Age, A Novel, soon to hit the nearest you. The first chapter is ready, and if I do a prologue, it will probably be an exerpt from TTOE1, to bring the rookies up to date. That being said, I've got a lot to do and a lot to get writing! Check my profile often for updates!

Yours truly, as always and forever!

S. Katharine "Kat" Kellermeyer; aka: jedigrl2001)