This Alex chapter is pretty much the lag inbetween where the fun ends and the action begins. It's a bit dry, but I knew that I couldn't get through this without a chapter about Alex and his Uber evilness. I tried, but I just can't bring myself to make a fun chapter about Alex. He's the bad guy! You just don't do things like that. Anyway, here we go!

Chapter 9

"It is most unfortunate that is was you who found me here. For you that is…" Alex sneered. Kraden stood in defiant silence; gazing into the emptiness of the chamber he had discovered. If his investigation of Sol Sanctum had led to this, he has glad it was to become his tomb, so that no one would have to suffer the consequences of his search for knowledge.

"Congratulations Sage Kraden. You have just usurped the original first step of my plan. I needed a way to attract Isaac here."

"Isaac will know that there's something more going on. He'll be ready!"

"So will I."

"They defeated you once, they can do it again."

"They. Did. NOT. DEFEAT ME!"

His words were accompanied by a chill blast that made Kraden pull his thick cloak tighter around him, and cover his ears with its hood.

Alex quickly regained his composure, and continued as if he hadn't just shaken the walls with his fury.

"Your memory must be weak old man."

Kraden gritted his teeth at being called "Old man," but said nothing.

"If you think back; you notice that none of your little teenage entourage even had the privilege of fighting me. Let alone defeating me."

Kraden knew that Alex was right. Though his plan had failed in a most spectacular manner, it was due to the Wise One's intervention.

"In fact, as I recall; it was due to the efforts of you and your little band of 'heroes' that I was granted the power I posses now."

Kraden remembered the conversation at the Mars Aerie when Alex's deception had been revealed. Being used like that in the guise of such a great legacy still stung. Yet he remembered why they had elected to fire the beacon. Alex's influence wasn't the only reason.

"It had to be done." He stated. "We couldn't save Weyard from its slow decline without Alchemy."

Alex was about to relish in the continued anguish he had caused, but Kraden continued: "But I felt that we could save the world from you."

Alex struggled not to lose control again.

"You still have such confidence. You know they've never seen me fight and they've been dormant allowing their skills to dull for years living their pointless little lives! I got to witness two prime examples of their fighting style at the Mercury and Jupiter lighthouses. I have felt the presence of Jupiter leave Vale. I know they will be nothing with one of their elements missing."

Kraden was hit hard by the impact of what Alex was saying. What if they had gotten rusty? The soundness of their party came for having adepts of all four elements; would they be able to handle someone as powerful as Alex without any Jupiter Adepts? If there was one thing Kraden knew, it was that knowledge was as powerful a weapon as any sword or psynergy, and Alex was well armed in all three departments. Kraden was afraid that his concern would show through if he spoke, so he said nothing.

"I have dedicated these years I have spent trapped in this chamber to studying the tomes of the Jupiter scribes that were stored here. I trained my speed and dexterity to take advantage of what they lack. I've formed an infallible strategy to destroy them all."

Alex knew he might be saying too much, but he couldn't resist showing off the perfection of his plan.

"I can manipulate water with just as much skill as Mia. I can douse anything Jenna or Garet can throw at me with that same skill. And I have a few unpleasant surprises planned for the Venus adepts in the crowd."

Alex's frustration and fury rose within him again as Kraden continued to stare him in the face without the slightest hint of fear. He couldn't lose control. A live hostage would be more valuable to him, especially since Kraden would serve only as a martyr if killed. Yet… an ally would be still more valuable.

"Why do you continue to study these ruins? The prophecy of Alchemy has been fulfilled, and certainly no one would blame you for retiring after the life you've led."

Pleased yet suspicious of Alex's sudden switch to small talk, Kraden elected to respond.

"I continue to study because I believe that is the purpose of humanity; to learn and to better ourselves. That is what thrust our world into the Last Golden Age. The search for knowledge is always-"

"Oh, spare me! You know as well as I do that it was the presence of Alchemy that allowed society to advance as it did."

"All the purple bricks in the world wouldn't build Jupiter Lighthouse without some informed minds behind its design. The seal on Alchemy merely took away the raw materials we used to express our genius."

Alex had never heard a more ludicrous idea. Of course, none of this showed on his always sullen face.

"For all you've seen and all you've learned, you're still a fool Kraden. Alchemy is the energy civilization runs on. The purpose of life isn't knowledge. The purpose of knowledge is to gain power. And power is an end unto itself."

"Only the shortsighted would speak of knowledge in such a context."

Ignoring Kraden's insult, Alex continued.

"I don't mean the power of psynergy, or Alchemy, or any other such mysticism. That too is a means to an end. I mean true power; power that only exists because people will it to. The power to force your demands on others and rule over all that lives."

"All."

Alex was confused by Kraden's highlighting of the word.

"Indeed. All that is, all that exists I shall rule."

"There is the hole in your philosophy Alex. There is always more to learn, more to know, more to discover. What will you do when there is nothing left to conquer? Will you end your life because its purpose has ended? Will you start a war and do it all over again? What will become of the great and powerful Alex then?"

Kraden was stubborn; there was no way that Alex could get him to see his side. "There has to be some chink in his armor." Alex thought. "He has great strength of will, but he's still the same old man I once used for my plot. Old man… that's it!"

Kraden adjusted his glasses. He could've sworn he saw Alex smile…

Alex shifted the conversation in another direction.

"It must be hard. To be so old, needing to leave your mark on the world."

"Hmph! My footprints grace hallowed soils that you could never imagine."

"You know not to whom you speak. Even the most sedate of my musings would trump your life story in an instant."

"What are you getting at Alex?"

"You could be part of it you know… My conquest of Weyard. All you would have to do is stand by me. The sight of you betraying them would crush their spirits and have them all ready to give up and die before the battle even started."

"If my death will serve this world merely by my absence emboldening its saviors then so be it."

Kraden's resistance was no longer amusing. Alex wanted so much to destroy him, but he still had value.

Alex's inner conflicts were interrupted by footsteps outside.

"Your 'saviors' are here Kraden. It's a shame you won't witness their heroic sacrifice."

"You won't kill me Alex. I'm still too valuable too you."

"Indeed." It pained him to know that his intentions were so obvious, but he didn't have time.

"Well then, you've made your choice. If you won't be my Knight, you will be my pawn."

Kraden was blinded by a brilliant blast of psynergy. When he opened his eyes, he found himself shackled to the stone wall with rings of ice. Alex walked over to the ornate fountain in the center of the room.

"I have worked for innumerable hours and days purifying the essence of this water until it can be no finer. This essence has become part of my soul. I've charged it into a single attack of unprecedented power. This one ultimate attack will make a very disagreeable welcome for whoever steps through that door…"

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Yays for suspense and mega-evil! I really liked how defiant and virtuous Kraden turned out. Let me know what you think.