-1Chapter Two

The wave seemed to stop in mid-race. It flashed, and ice appeared on its edges. It was slowly turning into a giant glacier. Sweat formed in beads around Mia's face. She could feel her energy draining rapidly. Transforming such a large mass of water was incredibly difficult, even for her.

She extended her free hand. "Glacier!" she screamed. The wave began to transform at a faster rate. A smile fixed on her face. It appeared that the mysterious wave was no longer a problem.

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Garet was amongst the last to slide into the lighthouse. He smiled at the people, and then raised his hand. "Heatwave!" A searing heat filled the room, and the people were instantly dried. Hundreds of them….

Garet nodded to the people as he ran out to see what was happening. He gasped as soon as he saw the wave being turned into ice. Mia held much power…but not that much!

Garet was about to sit down and take a rest when a blood-curdling shriek filled the lighthouse. He whirled around and saw the old woman being turned into a block of ice. Her figure was still, her mouth open in terror, and her hands raised to the sky. The people rushed deeper into the lighthouse, and began to scream. A man lied down, gasping silently, shining in the light pouring from the doorway. Garet rushed to him, and focused, trying to melt him back to normal, only to realize that the man was dead, devoid of inner warmth.

"Ah…a masterpiece, don't you think so, Master Garet?" a voice chuckled Garet felt his heart skip a beat. He slowly turned around.

"You….it's impossible…." he mumbled.

Alex walked towards the pillars that supported the overhead marble and leaned on one of them. He looked at his hand and examined his nails. "Is that the way that you greet an old friend, Master Garet?"

The people were quiet, staring at the man who they once knew. Alex turned his head to examine them, and an old woman fainted. "Oh, don't just stand there looking like sculptures!" he laughed. He snapped his fingers, and none of the people of Imil took another breath. Each of them was frozen for eternity.

Garet watched in silence, in disbelief. He extended his right hand towards his scabbard. " You MONSTER!"

Ragnarok was unsheathed, and its blade burst into a Purple Flame. Garet dashed towards Alex. The sword made contact with the pillar a moment later, and Alex reappeared behind Garet.

"You poor fool. You can't expect to fight me, can you. It has only been a month or two since your battle with Saturos at the eerie. You have grown, but not enough!" Alex laughed. He raised his hand. "Tundra!"

Ice erupted from the marble floor of the lighthouse, racing towards Garet. Garet brought his sword down, its tip touching the floor. "Balefire!" he screamed.

The sword erupted, and a line of purple flame ejected, meeting the ice. Shards of ice flew into the air, piercing the pillars.

Garet didn't hesitate. "Pyroclasm!" The ground around Alex erupted, and fountains of molten lava jetted out. Alex smiled, and the lava touched him harmlessly, sizzling.

Alex let his arm drop. "Impressive. You have become quite a blacksmith to construct a weapon of that power. I would never have expected that from a brute like you."

Garet clenched his teeth. "You monster. When I'm finished tearing you apart with my bare hands…I'll spit on your mangled body."

The smile from Alex's face evaporated. "If you are so eager to die, then let it be by my hand, here and now!"

His arm extended towards the roof. " Water! I command you! I own you! Now let us be ONE!"

Tendrils of water shot out from the ground, whirling around his body, sliding up to his extended arm. It formed into a short sword of water. He screamed, and it froze, shining in the air. He gazed at his other arm, extended towards the ground, and another short sword formed, frozen. Water whirled around his body, changing into ice mail. Alex grinned. " Don't worry. As soon as I am done with you, I'll send that wretch Mia along!"

Garet turned warm. "I don't know how you are alive, and what you want, but now it's personal!"

Alex laughed. "It makes it much more satisfying that way. Prepare to die!"

Garet screamed and stretched his arms. His body erupted into flame. "Aura, heed my cry!"

A Djinn appeared out of thin air, wrapped in flame. It perched itself on Garet's shoulder. A barrier of flame formed around him.

"Raven cur, it's time to die!" shouted Alex. He dashed towards Garet, and Garet assumed his stance….