Chapter Eleven: Chamber of Stars and Secrets
Silence. That was the constant state of the innermost chamber, the heart of Sol Sanctum, the core of Mt. Aleph. Its serenity had been preserved for three-thousand years, ever since the sealing of alchemy. Untouched by mortal men, unseen by mortal eyes, it simply…existed. It was as if time itself had stopped.
However, the serenity of the chamber was clearly at risk of being disturbed, as the Gate of Sol was shining. It might have seemed strange to see what looked like a large doorway which seemingly led nowhere. However, given that its arch was filled with radiant golden light, one would have probably realised that it did indeed serve a purpose.
Out of that light appeared four figures. Three of them adepts, one a simple scholar, one female, three female, all humans. Was the chamber to be disturbed? Given the bungling, clumsy, ignorant nature of man, that would probably have been the first conclusion jumped to. However, all four were gazing in awe. Clearly such insignificant beings were still capable of understanding true grandeur.
"Wh…where are we?" asked Kraden, his voice barely a whisper. A valid question. The gate and the visitors were situated on what could only be described as an island, considering that it was surrounded by water that lapped against the base of its precipice. Numerous pillars of rock were situated throughout the chamber, seemingly haphazardly at first but on closer inspection it could be seen that they were close enough together that they could be jumped to each other.
"Is that…the ocean?" asked Kraden, his voice just as soft as it had been before. He rushed over to the side of the island to look out.
"No, it can't be. The ocean isn't confined beneath earth and stone."
"The ocean? What's that?" asked Garet curiously. Although silent, Isaac and Jenna were equally eager to know.
Isaac expected Kraden to clear his throat, a sure sign that he was going to launch into a lecture. No such action occurred. Such a place of grandeur had successfully appealed to his humility.
"The ocean is a thing of endless water at the end of the world," said the scholar. Given the look on the adepts' faces, they clearly didn't understand. "You would have to see it to understand. There's no other sight like it. Perhaps you'll be able to see it someday."
"That…that would be nice," said Isaac softly. He gazed at the water. Dark as night, yet brought a sense of comfort. Purple lights shone from its depths. If it wasn't for the water lapping against the island, he could have mistaken it for the night sky.
"Hey, what's that?" asked Jenna suddenly. They saw that she was pointing to a statue of a maiden in one of the chamber's corners. It appeared to be holding a glowing object, emitting yellow light.
"Seems to be holding something," said Garet, stating the obvious. "Any idea what it is Kraden?"
Kraden was silent for a few seconds. Eventually he spoke;
"An Elemental Star. One of the Elemental Stars." Suddenly he took on an unexpected fervour; "They really exist…The Elemental Stars exist!"
"I remember you mentioning them," said Jenna. "Elements are the foundation of all matter."
"Yeah, everything is made up of the four elements," said Garet, not wanting to be left out. Stones, wood, even living creatures."
Isaac nodded to indicate that he knew what they were talking about. However, his mind was elsewhere. Saturos and Menardi had said something about Kraden wanting to retrieve "the four stars." Had he led them here for his own purposes?
"Absolutely correct," said Kraden, in response to Garet and Jenna's summaries. "The four elements; earth, fire, wind and water are indeed the source of all matter. Legend holds it that each elemental star is the basis of its respective element, holding its purified essence."
Kraden gestured to the statue that Jenna had spotted; "The Venus Star…the elemental star of earth." He turned to the statue north of it, holding an orb shedding blue light. "The Mercury Star, possessing the power of water's many forms."
Garet felt like this was rhetoric but was too engrossed to pick Kraden up on it. Kraden turned to the statue west of the one holding Mercury, holding an orb that glowed with red light. "There is the Mars Star, glowing red with the fire within."
Kraden turned to the statue south of it, holding an orb that radiated purple light; "And the Jupiter Star, bound with the wind's fury." By the end of it, he was barely containing his excitement. He turned to face the adepts, who were silent. Too silent for his liking.
"How can you be so calm in the face of such wonders?" Kraden exclaimed. "You're looking at the very source of all alchemy!"
"Huh? Don't remember hearing about that," said Garet.
"Well that doesn't come as much of a surprise," commented Jenna.
"Well do you?"
"That's not important," said Jenna, clearly unwilling to admit that she was just as clueless as Garet was.
Kraden sighed; "Haven't I told you this before?"
"Not to my knowledge," said Isaac simply. "How do the stars work?"
Kraden, arrogance coming back to him, cleared his throat; "The stars are the basis of alchemy and the elements. Together, they give shape to the Wisdom Stone, known as the Stone of Sages."
"Stone of Sages?" asked Garet.
"Yes. The stone dominates everything. It is the very essence of the world. I believe that, before deciding to seal alchemy, the Order of Sages was guarding it, just as each of the clans was guarding the star of their respective element."
"That was during the Lost Age, right?" asked Jenna.
"Correct," said Kraden. "Each star was kept in its own lighthouse, and their light gave form to the Stone of Sages. The sages must have retrieved each star and sealed them here, thus dissolving the stone and withdrawing alchemy from the world."
"What Vani and Abel must have done," thought Isaac, remembering his flashbacks.
"So the stone was destroyed then?" asked Jenna.
Kraden let out a hollow laugh; "No, you can no more destroy the stone any more than you can destroy an atom. As long as alchemy exists in the world, or the potential for it to do so, the stone will exist also, or be able to. It is the ultimate basis of alchemy, said to end only when the world as we know it does. Its power is beyond reckoning, able to transmute lead into gold, even thwart death itself."
There was another period of silence at this, the cavern returning to its natural state. "Surely you now understand its worth," said Kraden eventually. "The modern study of alchemy began for the search for this very stone, trying to find if its power could be replicated. It is believed that the Elemental Stars are the key to this."
"I think I get how it works," said Jenna slowly. "These, stars, they have enormous power, right? And the Stone of Sages owes its existence to them."
"Oh, they're powerful alright," laughed Kraden. "With a single gem, one could conquer the world." There was another period of silence at this. Kraden was known to exaggerate at times, but this didn't seem to be one of them.
"So what do we do now?" asked Garet.
"We turn back," said Isaac simply. All eyes turned to face him in surprise. "We've come as far as we are able. We've seen what we need to. We should head back to Vale, tell the elders about Saturos and Menardi and how we've confirmed their story and have them banished from Vale."
Kraden had a look of absolute shock etched on his face. "Is that what you truly believe?" he asked. "Simply turn back? Leave the stars?"
"What, are you suggesting that we take them?" asked Jenna. "I'm with Isaac on this one, we should head back to Vale and alert the Elders before Saturos and Menardi get their hands on the stars."
"But we've already opened up the way into the chamber," pointed out Kraden. "Who's to say that we can seal the portal again, reset all the traps? Surely it would be better if the Elders took care of the stars. And just think, a chance to study the stars, learn their secrets."
"But if we take the stars, we'd be no better than Saturos and Menardi," exclaimed Isaac.
"Isaac, we wouldn't be thieves if we took them to give to the elders," pointed out Jenna,
"Huh? I thought that you were against taking them," said Isaac, shocked at Jenna's change of heart.
"Hey, Kraden's made some good points," said Garet. "I'm sure the Elders would understand. Anyway, weren't you the one who advocated going deeper into the sanctum?"
Isaac sighed. Yes, that was true, but he'd felt a connection back in the sanctum, mysteries that required his attention. This chamber…disturbed him. It was hard to place, but he felt uncomfortable here, as if something had happened.
"Isaac, we'd be letting the world down if we simply turned our backs on the stars," said Kraden, almost pleading. I…I won't lie to you. I'd always suspected that the stars were sealed in Mt. Aleph. I dreamed of retrieving them so I could discover the truth of their nature."
"So you did need us, to allow you access to the sanctum," said Isaac slowly.
"Yes, but all for the sake of science," Kraden maintained. "It's in human nature to seek truths. Would you be willing to work against that?"
All eyes were now back on Isaac, increasing his unease. Kraden was right, he did feel inclined to discover the secrets of the stars, but would it be right to do so? Another period of silence followed. Eventually, Isaac spoke;
"Very well. We'll take them."
"Excellent!" exclaimed Kraden, clasping his hands together without letting the enormity of Isaac's words sink in. He walked to the ledge and prepared to jump to one of the pillars, ready to retrieve the stars. He hesitated, looking down at the water below, his face pale.
"Careful Kraden, it looks slippery," warned Jenna.
"Yes…you're right," said Kraden slowly. The pillars were completely smooth. If one fell, they weren't going to come back up. Kraden stepped back. "It's no use, I can't do it," he said.
"Don't worry Kraden, age, affects all of us," grinned Garet. "Perhaps eighty years ago, perhaps."
Kraden glared at him; "Keep making jokes Garet, that'll get us the stars." He sighed; "He's got a point though, I'm too old to be jumping around."
Jenna suddenly had a brainwave, indicated by her sudden grin and mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "If you can't get the stars, why don't you make the boys get them?" she asked.
"What?" exclaimed Isaac and Garet simultaneously.
In stark contrast to Isaac and Garet, Kraden was quickly warming to the idea; "Oh, I couldn't ask…would you mind?" he asked, showing that he could indeed request favours.
"Um, well…" Garet trailed off, wondering how he could refuse and keep his pride intact. Heights and water weren't his thing.
"You guys would be happy to get them, wouldn't you?" asked Jenna coyly, the grin and eye twinkle still present.
"Er, sure! I'd be happy to!" said Garet. Jenna's eye twinkle and grin technique could get the Mars Adept to do anything she wanted.
"Great, how about you Isaac?" asked Jenna, keeping up the attack.
Isaac mentally sighed. He did have an inner desire to please Jenna and prove himself to be just as capable as Garet, if not more so, but the rational part of his mind was telling him to resist manipulation. However, the amorous side won out. "Sure, I'll do it," he said weakly.
"Oh, thank you!" exclaimed Kraden, shaking Isaac and then Garet by the hand. He reached into his satchel and took out four bags, seemingly made of fine metal. "Here, you'll need to take these with you," he said, giving them to Isaac.
"What are they?" asked Isaac.
"These bags are made of woven threads of mythril. They'll allow you to carry the stars safely."
Jenna stared at him wide eyed; "Mythril? How'd you afford them?"
"What's so important about mythril?" asked Garet.
Don't you know anything?" asked Jenna. Mythril is one of the most resilient substances in Weyard. It's often used in armour."
"Bookworm," Garet muttered.
Kraden smiled; "I…have friends in high places, rich enough to provide me with the necessary tools. I'd stored them in my cottage for such an occasion. Anyway, enough talk. The stars await."
"Come on guys, get to it," added Jenna.
"Huh? Oh right, the stars," said Garet, hopping on the pillars, headed to the Venus Star.
"Isaac, aren't you going?" asked Jenna, employing her usual tactic.
"Yeah, don't worry," he sighed, hopping after Garet, doing his best not to look down. "Damit, why do I let her use me like this?" he wondered.
"I think you know the answer to that," replied another side of his mind. Isaac smiled-it definitely had a point.
XXX
"And this is all you can say for certain?
"Yes, anything else would be mere hypothesis."
Los sighed. Kite had told him what she knew about her mystery visitor which amounted to little more than a physical description. Useful if he ever ran into him, but little else besides.
"You do trust me, right?" asked Kite, noticing Los's silence.
"Yeah, I believe you," he said. "Just seems odd that you didn't try to find out more, simply taking him at his word. Didn't you try to find out anything?"
"He told me to ask no questions," said Kite, clearly unnerved by the experience. "Something…something was different about that man. There was great inherent psyenergy, but something else. A different kind of power. For all we know-…
Los raised his hand, putting a finger to his lips to indicate the need for silence. He made a small gesture to the cave's exit. Kite heard it too-the sound of footsteps. Someone was walking around outside. And from the sound of things, that someone was getting closer and closer to the cave.
XXX
Kay stopped walking and glanced at Vale Cave. She could have sworn she heard some voices inside, but decided to let it go and continue her stroll. "Probably just some kids playing a silly game," she thought. "May as well let them have their fun."
After giving the flowers that Garet had brutally crushed their proper burial and farewell and salvaging what she could, Kay had decided that she needed to clear her head. What better way than to stroll through Vale, feel the wind rush through her hair, appreciate the colours of autumn, see the sunset. She smirked-if Garet had caught her thinking like that she'd never hear the end of it.
At the thought of her younger brother Kay felt her anger rising. Under normal circumstances that was a rare occasion, as Kay was far more calm and level headed than the rest of her family. Still, she could be angry when she wanted to be, as Garet had found out on numerous occasions.
But what good did it do? Her entire family would tell Garet off and force him to apologise to Kay. Not that that stopped him from being any less clumsy around her flowerbed. It happened so often that she was suspected that he crushed her flowers deliberately.
Kay sighed-the flower crushing wasn't going to end anytime soon. She couldn't help but feel that her parents viewed it as nothing more than a hobby that she had yet to grow out of. Those hotheads would never understand. It was more than a hobby, it was a passion. Perhaps it came from being an elder sister but Kay had a love of seeing things grow. It was definitely a high point in her life when Aaron had been born, knowing that she could see him grow from a little scamp to… well, at this point in time, someone like her other brother.
Kay cast one last look at the cave before heading down the steps that led to where Felix's house had once stood. She smiled faintly-little had changed since childhood in that Garet still went out of his way to annoy her and Isaac and Jenna laughed from the sidelines. Felix tended to pull Garet back in line (perhaps due to general dislike given how he acted around Jenna) but those days were over, what had occurred in Vale Cave twelve years ago would never be repeated.
Kay finished walking down the steps and stopped short. Not due to the destroyed house, which she managed to come to grips with, but at the body lying near it. She quickly ran over and saw that it was Thomas. She quickly checked his pulse. He seemed to be ok; perhaps he'd had a fall and somehow knocked himself unconscious. Still, given the fact that the only thing to fall onto was soft grass, that didn't seem likely.
"Thomas? Thomas, you ok?" she asked softly, lightly shaking him. To her relief, Thomas let out a groan, slowly turning his head to face her.
"Kay? Is that you?" he asked, still a bit out of it. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same thing. Why are you lying on the grass? Had a fall or something?"
Thomas managed to sit up and look around. He was clearly in a daze, yet a fall somehow didn't seem to be the case. Something foul was at work here.
"I…I don't know," he said eventually. "I remember coming to pay my respects here and then…ohh, everything's a blur after that."
Kay's gaze narrowed; "Do you think foul play could be at work?" she asked.
"I…I don't know." Thomas was rubbing his brow; "It…it's hard to explain, but…" He trailed off.
Kay nodded in sympathy; "We better get you to the healers," she said, fetching over his nearby crutch. "Can you walk?"
"Yeah, should be able to." Thomas rose steadily to his feet. Kay offered to help but he shook her off. Surprisingly, he even refused his crutch. The largest surprise came when he stood on his own two feet, as if the sprain in his ankle had never occurred.
"My…my ankle's healed," said Thomas, the full enormity of the event sinking in.
"But that's impossible!" exclaimed Kay. "Your ankle's been giving you trouble for three years. How can it suddenly heal like this?"
"What does it matter how it healed?" declared Thomas, slowly walking, the joy beginning to come. "All that matters is that I can-…" He stumbled right into Kay. "Walk again," he finished sheepishly.
Kay resisted the urge to groan at this turn of events. "You're probably still a bit faint and healed or not, you won't be able to walk perfectly." There was a few seconds of silence before Kay continued; "Here, I'll help you get to the healers."
"Thanks," said Thomas, using Kay's shoulder to support himself.
Kay mentally sighed as she helped Thomas along. Although she believed that his difficulty to walk was genuine, she couldn't help but suspect that he was enjoying this, considering that he seemed to be putting quite a bit of weight on.
Having turned twenty a few months ago, Kay was beginning to notice many of Vale's younger men were beginning to cast sideways glances. Some more subtle than others, but not so subtle that she failed to notice. There was no reason to believe that Thomas wasn't one of them, given the rather content look on his face at the moment. To take her mind off things she looked up at Mt. Aleph. Usually it brought a sense of comfort, as if it were a sentinel keeping watch over the village. Looking up now though, it seemed cast a foreboding shadow.
Kay couldn't help but feel that something was amiss. She could only hope that if that was the case, the ramifications wouldn't be too severe.
A fool's hope, as it was.
XXX
After jumping from numerous pillars that reminded Garet of the times that he was forced to play hopscotch with Aaron, Isaac and Garet reached the statue which held the Venus Star. Nearing it, Isaac felt…it was hard to describe. As if and the world were one. Like he could sense the feelings of all living creatures, sense the age of rocks. He also felt psyenergeticly stronger.
"So what now?" asked Garet, interrupting Isaac's thoughts. "How do we get the star?"
"We'll probably have to use our psyenergy to lift it into the one of the bags." He handed one of the mythril bags to Garet. "I'll do the lifting."
Isaac walked up to the star. Perhaps he was being over-cautious, but if mythril bags were needed to transport the stars, holding them could be dangerous. He tried lifting the Venus Star from the statue with his psyenergy. It wouldn't budge.
"Something wrong?" asked Garet.
"Yeah, the statue won't release the star."
"Weakling," smirked Garet. "Let me try." Garet did just that. The same result occurred.
"Is there a problem?" asked Kraden from the central island, clearly growing impatient.
"Er, no, just give us a sec," said Isaac. He examined the statue again. A simple maiden of seemingly no real interest. However, something was carved at the statue's base. Isaac knelt down to look.
"Isaac, the star isn't on the floor," said Garet.
"Shut up," Isaac murmured, wanting to concentrate on the symbols. They looked like they could be turned. One bore the symbol of a stone, fireball, hurricane and water drop descending upon a globe, the same symbol that had been at the sanctum's entrance. The other showed a lightning bolt descending upon a globe. Apart from what was descending, it was exactly the same, apart from the fact that the former was glowing with silver light.
Isaac decided to turn the symbol with the four elements. Upon completion, the silver light stopped and there was a clicking sound, accompanied by a soft rumble. Looking up, he saw that the statue had released the Venus Star, which was hovering above it.
"Well, that was convenient," said Garet slowly. Isaac used his psyenergy to move the star and dropped it into the mythril bag.
"Excellent job boys!" called out Kraden. "Now go get the next one."
"Yes sir," Garet muttered. Isaac was silent-they'd actually taken one of the stars. Were they doing the right thing? Was it too late to turn back? Given that Garet had started to head towards the Mercury Star, Isaac didn't have time to ponder such thoughts.
Soon enough (not in Kraden's mind), Isaac and Garet reached the Mercury Star. Both adepts felt as if soft water was washing over them, a kind of cool, calm feeling. Garet seemed kind of off colour, but given his dislike of anything to do with water, Isaac wasn't too surprised. They followed the same procedure as the Venus Star and put its Mercury counterpart in another mythril bag. A slightly louder rumble occurred.
"Good, good!" exclaimed Kraden, his excitement rising. "Now go fetch the others."
"Calm down Kraden, you're as giddy as a schoolgirl," said Jenna, watching the old man in amusement.
"Yes, I guess you're right," said Kraden. "I have to keep my dignity."
"Well you're failing so far," murmured Jenna, seeing that Kraden's excitement wasn't diminishing. She turned her attention back to Isaac and Garet, who were now heading for the Jupiter Star, as the positioning of the pillars didn't allow them to head straight for Mars.
It was humorous in a way that Jenna could make Garet dance to her tune so easily. The reason wasn't that hard to find, as it was blatantly obvious that he had a crush on her. She decided to let him continue to attempt to flirt, it made for an amusing show. Plus, it was rather flattering in a way.
Isaac was far more emotionally stable and knew something about subtlety, but Jenna could still tell that he felt something for her, something that went slightly beyond the bounds of normal friendship. Luckily, he wasn't as obnoxious as Garet.
However, the overall humour was dampened in that Jenna knew that deep down (although she'd never admit it) the feelings that Garet and Isaac showed were partly mutual. They'd been friends since childhood, perhaps it was inevitable. Still, Jenna couldn't help but feel slightly guilty in letting their emotions fester. Did this make her a flyer? Was it moral to let this behaviour continue?
Jenna wasn't particularly reflective but she'd been given the issue some thought in recent times. Isaac was calm, collected and the only person who was constantly there for her after she'd lost her family, the only one who could relate to what she'd been through. Although rather quiet, he'd still willingly engage in friendly conversation and had a sense of humour. And although his nature didn't allow it to show too often, he definitely possessed deep compassion.
Garet was a different story-loud, sometimes annoying, direct and clumsy. Still, anyone who knew him well could see that he always had good intentions, if not always adapt at expressing them. He was funny to be around and was always willing to stick up for his friends. He was clearly concerned for Jenna and Isaac's well being after the boulder struck and was the only one who's company Jenna didn't resent apart from Isaac. Plus, there was no denying that their personalities were distinctly similar.
Unless something drastic happened, Jenna knew that if there was ever someone that she wanted to be with, it would have to be Isaac or Garet. Relationships were encouraged at their ages and if it wasn't for the fact that Jenna was torn between the two, she might have already conformed. Still, she was beginning to realise which one she truly had feelings for, reassuring herself that she'd tell him someday before Isaac and Garet's friendship was ruined. However, that still meant that the other would have to bear with the pain of rejection.
Given that Isaac and Garet were only halfway towards the Jupiter Star, Jenna knew that they weren't going to get out of this chamber anytime soon. She turned back to face the gateway that they'd come through. Its golden light was majestic, but what really caught her attention were the runes inscribed along its arches.
"Hey Kraden, any idea what these runes say?"
The scholar turned to face the arch, frustrated at Isaac and Garet's slow progress, at least slow in his mind.
"Hmm, should be able to," he said, taking out his translation book from his satchel. He spent a few minutes deciphering them before coming to a conclusion.
"Seems to be another poem," he said, showing Jenna the translation.
Here before you are the Alchemy Stars,
Jupiter, Mercury, Venus and Mars.
Honoured traveller, do take heed,
Destruction awaits the sin of greed.
But for those whose heart is pure,
Great catastrophe shall they endure,
As this chamber was a battlefield long ago,
Remove the stars and it shall again be so.
Slightly cryptic, but clearly a warning. Jenna turned to face Kraden, a look of fear on her face. "What?" asked the scholar.
"Kraden, it's clearly a warning," said Jenna, a sense of urgency in her voice. "We shouldn't be taking the Elemental Stars."
"What, suddenly you're backing out?" exclaimed Kraden. "I thought that we agreed that taking the stars was for the best!"
"That was before we read those runes," said Jenna simply. "I'm warning Isaac and Garet."
Jenna turned to face the opposite direction, seeing that Isaac and Garet had nearly reached the Jupiter Star. She expected Kraden to protest, but he was oddly silent. If catastrophe was to come of this, this had to stop now. She reached the edge, ready to-
"Make a move or sound, and it will be the last thing you ever do."
The voice was filled with malice and sounded familiar. What was truly on Jenna's mind was that a scythe had come around her neck.
Catastrophe had come.
XXX
After many gravity defying leaps, Isaac and Garet reached the Jupiter Star. It felt like there was a breeze wafting by, a sense of calm. For some reason though, Isaac felt slightly…uneasy. There was something about this star that he didn't like. Regardless, he and Garet followed the same process. An even louder rumble occurred.
"Is it just me, or are those rumbles getting louder?" asked Garet.
"Definitely the former," answered Isaac, paused in thought. "Perhaps we should-…" He trailed off.
"What?" asked Garet. He followed Isaac's gaze, seeing what he saw. "Shit," he murmured.
Crude, but appropriate, given that Isaac and Garet were definitely in a world of shit right now, considering that Jenna and Kraden were on their knees, a scythe around Jenna's neck and a long sword at the back of Kraden's. Their wielders were none other than Saturos and Menardi respectively. Jenna's staff and Kraden's satchel lay sprawled nearby.
"It looks like they've spotted us," mused Saturos.
"So what difference does it make?" asked Menardi. "It's not as if they can do anything."
"You want to put that to the test?" snarled Garet, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his anger rising.
"Garet, calm down," said Isaac, restraining him. "We won't do Jenna and Kraden any good by acting rashly."
"I'd listen to your friend if I were you," said Saturos smugly. "There's no reason for things to become unpleasant. Just hand over the stars and we'll let you all go."
"So, it is true!" shouted Kraden. "You do mean to steal the elemental stars!"
Menardi let out a hollow laugh; "That's rather hypocritical, wouldn't you say? Weren't you in the process of removing them yourselves? Didn't you only know how to get this far into the sanctum due to our information? Didn't you lead your students in here just so you could obtain the stars?"
"That…that was…" Kraden trailed off, unable to rebuke those points.
Saturos turned to face Isaac and Garet; "See, we aren't so different. I think-…"
"We're nothing like you!" shouted Isaac, his anger rising rather than Garet's. "We at least set worth on the value of life!"
"Indeed?" sneered Menardi. "We saw the bodies of three vermin on our way here. I suppose you set value on their lives too?"
Isaac's face stiffened, Menardi bringing up unpleasant memories; "That was self defence," he said. "At least we didn't cause the storm three years ago!"
"What?" exclaimed Jenna. She would have faced Saturos and Menardi if the scythe around her neck hadn't prevented her from doing so. "Is this true?"
Saturos sighed; "Yes, it is. We were careless and inadvertently triggered Sol Sanctum's trap, which-…"
Saturos was interrupted by Jenna as she battered Menardi's scythe aside, swiftly rose and launched herself at her female captor, screaming in rage. She never made contact, as Menardi brought the butt of her scythe around, hitting Jenna in the forehead with such force that she fell back down on the stone floor. Menardi kicked Jenna's staff into the water with one foot and placed the other down on Jenna's neck.
"Try something like that again and your body will be with your staff," she snarled.
"You…you filthy murderers," Jenna rasped, due to lack of air.
Menardi placed her foot down harder; "Why don't you say that again, little girl?"
"That's enough!" yelled Garet. "You so much touch one hair on her head and I'll…I'll…" He trailed off. There was nothing he or Isaac could do. Their psyenergy didn't have the range or power to do anything and they'd never reach Jenna and Kraden in time if they tried using their swords.
"Do nothing," Saturos completed, nodding at Menardi who lessened the pressure on Jenna's neck. Jenna barely noticed though, she was still staring at Menardi hatefully, one of those who had caused the deaths of her entire family, all for their own selfish purposes.
"There's no need for hostilities," continued Saturos. "Simply give us the stars and we can avoid any ugliness."
"Ugliness for you perhaps," rasped Jenna. "What will you do with us once you have them?"
"Probably do us in, as they'll have no use for us," said Kraden solemnly.
Saturos pressed his sword against Kraden's neck with more vigour; "You barely know us old man and you're already assumptions? Rather rash, wouldn't you say?"
"We know enough!" shouted Isaac. "You want the stars for your own ambitions!"
Saturos went to say something but Menardi interrupted him; "Don't waste your breath Saturos, they're Valeans after all, wrapped up in false truths."
Jenna continued to stare at her captors with pride and hatred showing in her eyes; "What's…false?" she asked.
"Nothing that concerns you," snapped Menardi. She faced Isaac and Garet; "Stop stalling and give us the stars!"
"We'd rather not, no reason to hasten our deaths!" he snarled.
"Relax, you will not be hurt," drifted a voice.
All eyes turned to the source of the voice. Another individua had entered through the portal. He seemed to be in his late teens, his face hidden behind a blue mask. Dark brown hair tied up in a short ponytail could be seen. A broadsword hung from his belt. A light green tunic with leather armour could be seen, along with grey trousers and a light green travelling cloak.
He walked over to Saturos; "That was our agreement, was it not?" Jenna raised an eyebrow-there was something familiar about him-his voice, his stature…
"Bout time you showed up," murmured Saturos. He turned to face Isaac and Garet; "It depends on how well they co-operate."
"They'll be safe as long as they hand over the Elemental Stars," said Menardi. "Isn't that enough?" The newcomer nodded.
"Alright, you heard us," said Saturos. "If you wish to save your friends, then give us the Elemental Stars. The alternative is making this chamber a tomb! Which will it be?"
Isaac and Garet looked hopelessly at each other. Although the newcomer didn't seem to radiate evil in the same way that Saturos and Menardi did, he was clearly on their side. They were outnumbered and inferior psyenergeticly. Not appealing odds. Isaac glanced at Jenna, still at Menardi's mercy. The Elemental Stars were powerful, but were they worth a human life? Given that the life currently at risk was Jenna's, Isaac knew what the answer was.
"Alright, we'll hand them over," he said in a monotone.
"No Isaac, you must not give them the stars!" yelled Kraden.
"Why would you deny us? Surely these terms are acceptable," said Saturos.
"Please Kraden, don't make this more difficult than it already is," pleaded the newcomer. He turned to face Jenna. "Please, I don't want to see anyone hurt."
Jenna raised an eyebrow; "Who are you?" she whispered. The newcomer turned away, almost as if ashamed.
"If we give you the stars, what guarantee do we have of our safety?" asked Kraden, ever the diplomat.
"Guarantee…" mused Menardi. "Ah, I have one." She turned to face the newcomer. "You'll have to remove your mask."
If the man's face was visible, one would have seen that all its colour had been drained. "Th…that means…" He looked at Saturos for support.
"Ah, a fine idea," said Saturos, no support forthcoming. "He will be our guarantee."
"What's up with this?" Garet asked Isaac.
"Your guess is as good as mind," said Isaac vaguely. Most of his attention was focussed on the masked man. Damit, why was he so familiar?
"Given the circumstances, we have little choice," continued Saturos. "Felix, remove your mask!"
"Felix?" asked Kraden to Jenna. "Wasn't that the name of your brother?"
"Kraden, don't jump to conclusions. My brother's dead, killed by…these people," said Jenna, loathing in her voice.
"He…he said Felix didn't he?" asked Garet to Isaac.
"So he shares the name of Jenna's deceased brother," said Isaac. "He's obviously a different Felix."
There was an uneasy silence. "What's wrong Felix, don't you want your friends to feel safe?" Menardi asked smugly.
"Fine. I'll…I'll do it," said the man, apparently named Felix. "I'll…take off my mask." He turned around so that his back was facing them He took the mask off and tossed it through the portal. With a sigh, he turned to face them, his visage clearly visible.
"It…it's not possible," Jenna gasped.
The Felix that had died three years ago and the Felix that stood before them.
They were one and the same.
XXX
Not exactly a cliff-hanger, but it seemed like an appropriate place to leave off. I'm generally pleased at how this turned out. Anyway, there's some stuff I'd like to point out.
-Los knows what the stranger looks like, but I intentionally didn't give a description in the paragraph so you don't know who it actually is, rather than being skimpy. He'll know him when he sees him. You guys won't (insert evil laughter).
-I hope Jenna didn't come off as too much of a flyer. It's clear that she holds feelings for both Isaac and Garet, but one in particular. And no, I'm not saying who. (Insert groans from Valeshippers and Flameshippers).
-Menardi may seem unusually aggressive towards Jenna, but that aggression presents itself through much of the game. I decided to kick start it early.
-I probably could have made the obtaining of the stars more descriptive, but I doubt that you'd be too interested in reading about that.
-I decided to cut out the shooting up of pillars and only leave the rumble. Seriously, if that happened, I think it would be pretty obvious that removing the stars was a bad idea.
-Yes, this title is based on "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." So sue me.
Ok, I think that's everything. Reviews are appreciated.