Here is the next chapter. This next chapter will have little to no action, but please bear with me. Also, I just realized I misspelled Bilibin a few times, oh well.
And yeah, I did read on Golden Sun's wiki that Alex is Amiti's father, I'm keeping that in mind. LOL! I realized I may not have been too accurate following canon in the game and on the wikia, I've made McCoy's son far too nice in this fic... Oh well.
Disclaimer: Golden Sun was developed/published by Nintendo/Camelot.
Chapter VIII: Gathering at Kalay
The group returned to Belinsk and headed for the castle, except for the beastman who they rescued, he was asked by Sveta to enlist in Morgal's army. Isaac and the others who stayed behind were waiting outside the throne room.
"I'm glad you're safe. How were things in Kolima?" Isaac acknowledged.
"We destroyed a parasite that was infecting the woods. Tuaparang was controlling it" said Karis, grimly.
"And it seems that the leader of the Tuaparang military is called Torang Vong. Like Blados, his skin is of a bluish shade" said Amiti.
Isaac thought for a moment, surprised"Is he Proxian? Did Tuaparang attack Prox or have they willingly thrown in their lot with the High Empyror? Never mind this is not the time for speculation. We should head for Kalay in the morning."
"That's fine with me. In fact, I am coming along to Kalay" acknowledged Sveta.
"Is it okay for the ruler of Morgal to be away from her domain?" asked Takeru.
The Beastman queen replied"My people can take care of things while I am away. I don't really do anything special, aside from passing laws and directing the guards and soldiers. Everyone just does what is required."
"The same goes for me, although I merely lead the Ayuthay soldiers I brought with me" said Amiti.
"Bilibin and Yamata pledge themselves to our cause as well. We also have Champa's full support" said Takeru.
Sveta addressed Alexa"Captain Alexa, you and a small squad of our soldiers will accompany them. Hopefully, Bilibin won't mind us crossing back through their territory as much."
"I'll see to it" acknowledged Kenneth.
"Ian, let our people know that I'll be gone for a while, first thing in the morning" Sveta addressed one of the guards in the room.
"At once, my lady" nodded Ian.
"If it is her highness's command" acknowledged Alexa.
The group disbanded to either the inn or the quarters in the castle.
Onboard the Tuaparang airship, Torang addressed a hologram of his master, a man in dark armor and a purple cape with blond hair"Your highness, what is your bidding?"
The man replied"That was a grave mistake, High Commander Vong. Captain Relena sent me a report that Morgal is relatively unscathed. What's more, Blados and Chalis informed me that your elite troops failed to notice that the eastern kingdoms and most of the nations on Angara are banding together, and why have you not succeeded in capturing Arcanus? I was informed that he is a traitor by Lieutenant Commander Blados, he believes that the Mercury Adept was one of the Warriors of Vale."
"Forgive me, excellency. I bear no excuses for my recent failures" Torang bowed his head.
"The invasion will be moved a day in advance, thanks to your incompetence. In the meantime, you are to direct our elite troops to fortify Tuaparang, should those intrepid Adepts try to foil our plans to summon the Silver Eclipse to destroy Angara and the Warriors of Vale with it" instructed the man, dismissing the hologram.
Torang glanced a bit longer at the computer screen on his command deck in thought'Perhaps I merely miscalculated when I had Chalis bribe that silly Bilibin Queen into sending troops with my own to attack Morgal. His majesty may be displeased, but he does not know of my and Relena's secret alliance with 'him'.
Back in Belinsk, Matthew's group woke and met up in the courtyard after a brief breakfast. Kenneth addressed the others"I sent word to my father earlier this morning, I'm sure he'll agree that Kalay and the rest of West Angara should be fortified. Though we don't know if Tuaparang will strike there should they invade."
"Good to know, anyway" said Takeru.
"I take it we're ready?" asked Isaac.
"We are" said Matthew.
The elder Venus Adept nodded in acknowledgement"Then let us make for Kalay with all haste. There we will discuss what is to be done, for we have no idea what lies before us, now beyond the western sea."
"What lies beyond that?" asked Alexa.
"Presumably the Tuaparang Kingdom and Athena Sanctum. But who knows? There could be other places waiting for us that we've never gone. My comrades and I from the day have nearly been all over Weyard, but there are secrets that we've yet to find" said Isaac.
The group, accompanied by the Ayuthay, Yamata and Morgal soldiers and a couple Champa pirates proceeded west back into Bilibin, noticing the Psynergy Vortex over the bridge had shrunk down.
"Its still there? Looks like it, too was affected by that light Psynergy" mussed Kenneth.
"I think so, myself" shrugged Alexa.
They proceeded quickly over the bridge and towards the Bilibin capital, where Lord McCoy and several Bilibin troops awaited. Kenneth was pleasantly surprised"Father, you're alive."
"Thanks to Takeru from what I heard from your mom. I also heard that several kingdoms on Angara are banding together. I don't trust Morgal, but Tuaparang is a far more serious threat. The six soldiers I have with me are all I can spare, I'm afraid. I will return to the castle now, good luck Isaac" said McCoy.
"Same to you" acknowledged the elder blond Venus Adept.
"That's fine, we just need enough help to protect Kalay, assuming Tuaparang will first strike there" acknowledged Amiti.
The group continued on, passing through the caverns back to West Angara. The trip took them south of the plains from Carver's Camp to what looked like a wide river. A solitary bridge stood there. Isaac turned to address the others"The southern continent lies beyond here, Kalay has been shifted to the southern continent, but we only need to go a short way. The bridge is our best bet, since the only other way is to sail there by ship."
"The landscape has really changed since the Golden Sun event, hasn't it?" mussed Kenneth.
The trek lasted well into the afternoon when they reached a merchant town with with a castle. Karis addressed Sveta"It may not be a problem, but would you be comfortable walking in the open? Kalay isn't hostile towards Morgal, I just thought I'd ask."
"It should be fine. I sense no malice or ill will" said Sveta, reassuringly.
"Kalay is Karis', Tyrell's and my hometown. it is a nice place" said Matthew.
"You were born here, then?" asked Morgal's Jupiter Adept.
"Yeah" nodded Matthew.
"The castle is to the north of the entrance" said Karis, leading the way. The others followed, ignoring the curious looks from some of the passing citizens at Sveta and her guard.
The group approached the castle entrance where a guard greeted them"Ah. Isaac, Garet and his party are waiting inside with Ivan and Lord Hammet at present. After you had not arrived yesterday, everyone feared the worst."
Isaac nodded and led the group inside to the throne room. A group of people were in the middle of a discussion with a aged merchant in his still colorful attire. The lord of Kalay spotted the group"Isaac, long time no see."
The rest of the people in the room turned to see Isaac's group. Felix spoke up"You're late."
"You think?" asked Isaac.
"Not at all, actually. My brother's giving you a hard time again. Matthew, is that you?" asked a red-haired woman in reddish clothes.
"Yes, mother" replied Matthew.
"Hey, Matt" Josh said when he spotted the younger blond Venus Adept.
"Josh, Sonja, Uncle Felix, how is everyone?"
"Same as always" smiled Felix.
"We were just discussing matters with Lord Hammet. Rumors are have spread throughout Kalay that Tuaparang is starting to crawl out of their shadow" said an older man.
"Kraden, good to see you" greeted Isaac.
"Ha, same to you, Isaac. Glad you could all join us" acknowledged the old scholar.
The red-head glanced at Isaac"I was very worried about you and Matthew when I haven't heard from you two in days. I'm glad you're okay, but why haven't you written to me, Isaac?"
"I wanted to, but I've been very busy" said Isaac.
Kenneth addressed Hammet"Tuaparang may be after Angara. Though our nations are mostly crippled by the Grave Eclipse, we feel that something must be done."
"The High Empyror is a ruthless man, or so I heard. But he doesn't seem like a terribly evil character, either. I hesitate at the very idea of fighting, given Tuaparang's advanced technology. Angara could very well fall under the sheer power of the nation" said Hammet, gravely.
"We may be lacking in military power, but we mustn't neglect the power of Psynergy. Us Adepts could hold our own, but we do not have unlimited Psynergy" spoke Amiti, calmly.
"Surely, you realize what you are saying?" spoke Hammet's wife.
"We are here to protect Kalay, regardless. And there is a different threat coming our way, the Wise One spoke of the mysterious Silver Eclipse, whatever that may imply. And then there is Alex, he has tapped into greater power" explained Isaac.
"Alex and the Tuaparang are both bad news, I'm surprised Alex is even alive since we hadn't heard from him in the last thirty years" said Ivan, grimly.
"We must find a way to Athena Sanctum to put an end to the Mourning Moon. I had no intention on fighting a war, but I can't ignore the rest of Angara's troubles as well. Lord Hammet, have you heard of the Athena Sanctum?" asked Isaac.
"It is a myth, supposedly. You'd almost have to go someplace with ancient knowledge to learn more" grunted Hammet.
"Then we must go to Lemures" mussed Isaac.
"Hey, you got me, right? I can take us there" grinned Piers.
Nowell addressed her boyfriend"You think the elders will know anything?"
"Possibly" Kraden spoke.
"Either way, it would be best not to take everyone. A small group should suffice" said Sveta.
"Indeed, at least ten or eleven of us should go while the rest of us stay and help protect Kalay. Will that be acceptable?" supplied Isaac.
Hammet nodded"I appreciate it."
Matthew spoke up"Sveta, Amiti, Karis, Tyrell, Eoleo, Himi, Rief, ready for another adventure together?"
"You don't have to ask" grinned Tyrell.
"I'd be most curious to see the west part of Weyard" acknowledged Amiti.
Sveta smiled"I'm fine with it."
"Don't forget about me. I should like to check out the mysterious Athena Sanctum, myself" grunted Kraden.
"I'm with you, too. My ship is docked at Kalay's port, you'll need it" said Piers.
"Queen Sveta, may I come? I will ask Trevor to help protect Kalay" asked Alexa
"Count me in" acknowledged Kenneth.
"Very well" said the Queen of Belinsk.
"Isaac, maybe we should go with them" said Jenna.
Isaac hesitated"All right, just be careful."
Hammet scrutinized the group"Your kids have guts, I'll say that much. Ivan, are you joining them, too? Its been some time since you left Kalay after your quest was over."
Ivan nodded"I would be honored."
"Let us set sail as soon as possible" said Himi.
Cliffhanger, sort of. Sorry I took a while to get this chapter of. Oh, and I know that Hammet and probably Dodonpa and Donpa are probably not still alive at the time of Dark Dawn, but their exact ages weren't specified in the wikia. Honestly, I wasn't even sure which direction to take the story from here. I hope I'm making enough sense.
I know it was probably too soon to add the High Empyror, but that was just a hologram. According to Dark Dawn and the wikia, Tuaparang has advanced technology.
Please feel free to review and tell me what you think.