A/N: just real quick, I took this first chapter down and edited it, basic plot is the same, in case you already read it. The fight at the beginning is the exact same, the rest is mostly just better written dialogue and description; next chapter should be up soonish. More at the bottom.
Chapter One: A Beginning
Matthew ducked quickly, as the Darksword went barely over his head. Then, the Venus Adept jogged back quickly, narrowly avoiding the Darksword that was coming at him. Matthew continued to move backwards, until his back was to a large stone pillar. It was then, that Matthew leapt as high as he could and raised his feet up. Just as gravity forced Matthew down, the Darksword plunged into the stone pillar behind the Venus Adept. Matthew grinned as he landed gracefully on the Darksword. Matthew raised the Sol Blade at his opponent and smiled.
"I win." The son of Isaac said with a smirk.
"Not yet you don't," shouted out Matthew's fiery opponent.
The opponent leapt away from the Sol Blade, and charged up some Mars Psynergy.
"Flare Storm!" Matthew's opponent cried out.
Quickly, bright red-orange flames emerged from the gauntlets of Matthew's opponent. The fire quickly flew towards Matthew, who leapt high up and off of the Darksword, narrowly dodging the Flare Storm. The fires quickly incinerated the stone pillar behind Matthew, and turned the color of the Darksword to a bright orange. As Matthew landed, he rolled to his left, avoiding the fireball that came his way.
Matthew came up on one knee, the Sol Blade firmly grasped in his right hand. Matthew looked up, and watched as his opponent rushed to the Darksword. Matthew sprinted towards the Darksword, but wasn't quick enough; his opponent had taken the cursed weapon into his hand.
Matthew rushed his adversary, hoping to catch him off guard, but the foe was ready. Matthew swung forward, aiming for the head, only for his foe to block the strike. Matthew sidestepped, and swung again, this time waist high. The Sol Blade barely caught the edge of the foe's armor, leaving small cut in the demon mail.
Matthew flipped backward, dodging the incoming attack from his foe. Then, the earth Adept crouched low and swung forward, sending the Sol Blade mere inches from the foe's chest.
"Do I win now?" Matthew asked, holding the blade dangerously close to his opponent.
"Not yet." Gritted the adversary, as he leapt as far away as he could and summoned forth one of his strongest attacks. "Pyroclasm!" Shouted the Mars Adept.
Instantly, the ground beneath Matthew began to glow with heat. Matthew tried using his Venus Adept powers to stop it, but the Pyroclasm was simply too strong. The ground burst forth with lava, trying to incinerate the hero of Angara. Matthew used his Grip Psynergy, to pull himself across the plateau, towards a stone pillar.
Matthew was angry now. That attack could have seriously injured him. The Sol Blade glowed, and Matthew smirked.
Matthew rushed towards his opponent at tops speeds, and then shouted. "Centurion!"
To Matthew, time seemed to slow down, allowing him to strike his foe as many times as necessary. Matthew didn't cut to deep; after all, this was just a training exercise. Soon enough, the moment ended, and time resumed its normal pace, albeit Tyrell now had multiple little cuts along his body.
"Matthew! Cut it out!" Karis shouted from the cabin atop the Goma Plateau. "This is just training, you don't need to actually hurt Tyrell."
Matthew sighed, Karis was right… per usual. "Fine." Matthew breathed out slowly, as he turned around and began walking up to the cabin. "You did a lot better today, Tyrell. You're really improving."
"Not enough." Tyrell replied as he sheathed the Darksword and walked with Matthew. "I'm still not as good as you with my sword."
"You will be eventually, Tyrell." Matthew replied as he pushed open the door to the cabin.
Tyrell rolled his eyes, unsure of his own abilities.
The cabin was quaint; just big enough for five people to live in, though not always comfortably. Isaac was using up a large table off to the right. It was filled with boring maps, dull charts, and even tedious theories. Matthew's father, Isaac, had been researching the Psynergy Vortexes.
Matthew took the stairs down and went directly to the washroom. The powerful Venus Adept sank into a tub and relaxed as the water in it cooled him off. It was refreshing to get to relax. Although, it usually proved to be quite boring too.
Matthew missed the excitement of being out in the wilderness with close friends. He enjoyed the flavor of fighting monsters, sleeping beneath the stars and eating Eoleo's cooking, despite how terrible it was. It was nice, in an odd sort of way. None of those things were particularly appetizing. Fighting monsters was deadly. Sleeping beneath the stars meant that it was cold, and eating Eoleo's cooking could be just as deadly as monsters.
Matthew finished his bath soon, and quickly switched into a fresh tunic. After fastening his sheath to his belt, Matthew proceeded back up the stairs to the main room of the cabin. While traversing the stairs, Matthew could hear Tyrell and Karis arguing. Generally it was hilarious, though on occasion it was simply annoying.
Matthew jumped over the final stair and walked towards the large table that Isaac was standing over. To Matthew, these papers were useless and meaningless. They could on occasion be useful. But Matthew didn't like relying on papers and calculations to discover information. Matthew far preferred to go out into the world and see the facts before his eyes.
"Dad, any progress on the Vortexes?" Matthew questioned. In truth, Matthew had given up caring about the Vortexes. Instead, he simply asked out of courtesy.
The Vortexes were special. Especially the Mourning Moons, though that had happened two years ago. The Third Mourning Moon had been just as devastating as the previous ones, if not more so. The Cabin had to be rebuilt, and a few mountains had come crashing down. Several different cities had to be rebuilt though most ended up better than before.
"No, not yet." Came Isaac's frustrated reply.
Matthew rolled his eyes; Isaac didn't usually figure anything new about Vortexes.
"But, I have a mission for the three of you." Isaac said, finally standing up from his large table.
Matthew's eyes flashed in excitement. "What is it?" He asked quickly.
"Emperor Unan of Sana sent a message. He has arranged for a large meeting between the nations of Angara. He's weary of an assassination, and wants us to guard the monarchs in attendance. So, I am sending the three of you." Isaac answered as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the table.
Matthew just stared. This was it. He would finally get to go on another adventure. He would get to sleep under the stars, and fight monsters. The Venus Adept would get a chance to really live again.
"Who all will be there?" Tyrell asked, scratching his head.
"Your friends." Isaac replied, smirking ever-so-slightly.
Tyrell was confused, he liked things simple. "My friends are already here."
"Your other friends." Garet said, stepping into the cabin.
"He means Sveta, Eoleo and Amiti. Plus, my father will be there and I would think that Rief and Kraden will attend as well." Karis told Tyrell.
"What about Himi?" Tyrell asked.
"Probably not. She's the princess of Yamata City, she should be there, and not at an Angaran Peace Summit." Replied Karis.
"Actually Karis." Garet started, walking towards the group from upstairs. "The Summit is being held in Yamata City, because it's a neutral location. So Himi probably will be there."
Karis' face seemed to darken slightly, in Matthew opinion.
"Well, I guess we can go then." Matthew said, trying to sound like he hadn't changed his mind solely because he would get to see Sveta again.
"I thought that would change your mind." Isaac smirked as he spoke.
Matthew blushed and looked down, embarrassed. Tyrell and Karis both laughed, it was very obvious that Matthew was quite taken with the young Beastwoman.
"So it's decided then, you'll leave tomorrow morning." Garet said.
XxX
Matthew wasn't quite sure what was going on. Usually, right now he would be in his bed asleep, or walking home from Patcher's Place. Usually, he would be dreaming of Sveta or his family. On occasion, Matthew even dreamed up nightmares of Alex killing everyone. Yet, this was different. Even those nightmares still felt fake. The terror was genuine, but the event wasn't. Matthew thought he was dreaming, yet it felt so real. It felt realer that any dream from before.
Matthew looked around. He was standing on the edge of a cliff, though Matthew wasn't sure where. Matthew slowly leaned over the cliff to look. Beneath him, was nothing. Darkness. Pitch black nothingness. It was then that Matthew realized he was standing on the Gaia Plateau.
Named after Gaia Falls, the Gaia Plateau was on the edge of Weyard. For some unknown reason, every time the falls expanded, the Gaia plateau was moved to the edge of Weyard. Matthew searched the premises, and saw that the sky was its normal blue color. The ground he was standing on was a pleasant green. The cliff was made of firm rock. The ocean rocked back and forth in a magnificent shade of blue. Everything seemed perfect.
Yet, Matthew felt fear.
"Matthew." Said the most beautiful voice that the Venus Adept knew.
Matthew whirled around to see the one who he loved the most, Sveta.
"Sveta." Matthew breathed out.
Sveta giggled, and walked towards Matthew. She gently stroked his cheek and smiled.
Matthew took both her hands and forgot about any danger or fear from before. He could accomplish anything if Sveta was at his side.
Sveta had such a pleasant look on her face, Matthew thought. He was completely shocked at what happened next.
Some powerful force shoved Sveta off Gaia Plateau. She just barely reached out in time to grasp the edge of the endless cliff. Matthew dove after her and reached his arm down to pull her up. Unfortunately, she couldn't quite reach his hand.
"You have choice Matthew." It was a voice Matthew hadn't heard before. The Venus turned his head back and saw The Wise One, the most powerful entity in all of Weyard.
"Matthew, if you go to the Peace Conclave, then you will endure a fate as terrible as death, but you will save Sveta. If you do not go, you will live to a ripe old age, but will never see your love again." The Wise One stated with his imposing and powerful voice.
"Is that a threat not to go?" Matthew asked.
"It is a warning. I cannot interfere with what you do." The Wise One replied.
There was a long moment of silence.
"Do you have any other advice?" Matthew asked, determined to save Sveta.
The Wise One seemed to… chuckle? "Don't allow yourself to be consumed by the darkness."
The Wise One began phase away.
"Wait, don't go! What does that mean?" Matthew asked still reaching to grab Sveta's arm.
The Wise One didn't answer, and then he disappeared.
Matthew returned his attention back to Sveta and screamed in horror. Just as he turned around, Sveta fell. Her cry seemed to pierce through Matthew's very soul, and he simply wanted to curl up and cry. Luckily, it was a vision, not reality.
Matthew awoke a few moments later, upset by his vision. What had it meant? Would Sveta die? Would Matthew? It was scary, knowing that something bad would happen, but not knowing what.
Matthew sat up and looked around, slowing his heart rate, and calming. A small window in the shared room displayed the sun just barely coming over the horizon, telling Matthew to get up. Matthew vaulted off his bed, landing next to the ladder. Matthew popped his neck, back and knuckles, noticing that both Karis and Tyrell were still asleep. It was usual for Tyrell to sleep as long as he could, though Karis was usually the first one awake.
Matthew shrugged his shoulders and went to his dresser, putting on his clothes. It didn't take long, so Matthew went ahead with the rest of his usual morning activities. When Matthew returned to his room to wake Tyrell and Karis, he noticed something. Karis' nightgown was quite loose, revealing much of her assets. Out of decency, Matthew pulled her blanket all the way to her neck, and then slowly shook her awake.
"Matthew? What are you doing?" Karis asked as she stirred awake.
"It's time to go." Matthew replied. "I'm going to go wake up Tyrell."
"Okay." Karis said as she finally came fully awake.
Matthew walked over to Tyrell and woke him up quickly. "Tyrell, it's time to go! WAKE UP!" Matthew shouted, in order to wake the powerful Mars Adept.
Tyrell opened one eye experimentally. "Do I have to Matthew?" He asked, while trying to return to sleep.
"Yes, now get up." Matthew said as he stood up.
Matthew left to the room after that, gathering the necessary supplies for the trip to Sana.
Karis stood to get dressed, and bent down to grab her normal clothes. Once she had the, in hand she walked into the washroom to change. Tyrell finally stood up and put on his clothes. It took a few moments, but both got dressed quick enough. Tyrell and Karis both left quickly, and followed Matthew outside.
Just as they were leaving, Isaac and Garet both came out waving.
"Good luck son!" Garet shouted.
"Stay safe!" Isaac shouted with a large smile on his face.
The trio of Adepts left quickly, it was going to be a long journey. They hadn't even been walking for a minute when Tyrell and Karis began bickering. Matthew sighed, this would be a long journey.
Author's Notes: reviews are always encouraged, and are quite helpful too. Jettzul: Shippings are the relationships that will be in the story. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. And any constructive criticism would be great. Also, I outlined the entire story for this fic, so it hopefully won't get off topic too much. It runs to a total of 66 chapters plus a prologue and epilogue. There are a few OC heroes, and several OC villains (in case you don't know, OC means Original Character,) Thanks for reading, I hope you guys enjoyed it!
