Chapter 34

Isaac stood there, staring at the note, reading it to himself over and over. He wanted to feel shocked at this. Maskah had taken four of his companions from him, taking them to Tolbi for an unknown fate. But he found that he could not feel shocked anymore. It was not that he wasn't surprised, but what he felt was overhelming resolve. His path, unwillingly, had been set for him. And it was time for him to walk that path, even though he had no idea what would be the end of it.

He looked around at the other three there beside him. Garet, his best friend, had always been there in his toughest times. Jenna, his wife, the one true love in his life. And Ivan, the once strange young boy, now a wise and trustworthy young man. This would be his party for the path ahead. They would fight together. For their lost families, for their stolen companions, and for the well-being of Weyard.

In that moment of utter resolve, Isaac spoke, "You realize what we must do now," the glossed gaze was gone from their eyes, they did understand, "We will fight Maskah and Alex. We will storm Tolbi and get our comrades back. We will get Felix back. We will avenge the loss of our families," Isaac was overflowing with confidence now, "and we will save Weyard from the corruption it faces."

As he spoke, for the first time, he felt in truth as the leader of this party. It was as if the revelation had hit him square on, with all these events transpiring, it was time for him to step up. He drew his Sol Blade, Felix's Sol Blade, and turned south, the sword glinting in the western sun.

"We will travel to Contigo," he declared, looking around at the others.

Their faces of determination told Isaac all he needed to know. He knew now that they would not lose again to Maskah. Battle-toughened, they would fight to the death, with the fury and determination that once made them heroes.

"Let's go," declared Garet, distain in his voice, "I'm not spending another minute in this filthy town."

They all nodded, and Isaac started to walk, the sun setting to his right. They would travel through the night, and nobody would argue. Speed was of essence now.

Who knows what Alex has planned for those four…

The sky was dark and the stars were twinkling above them when they arrived at the ship on the other side of Shaman Village Cave.

Isaac, deep down, was somewhat surprised that the ship was still there. Maskah surely had made a tactical error in leaving it for them. By taking it, he could have stranded them on Hesperia, or at least delayed them while they attempted to find a ship.

Then again, perhaps he really does want us to get to Contigo.

Isaac would not be afraid if Maskah was there waiting for them in Contigo. Whether they faced him sooner or later, they would be ready. Ready to show him what they were made of.

They all boarded the ship, and stumbled in the dark to assume their positions. Piloting this ship was quite easy, as Isaac had learned sailing Babi's Lemurian ship five years ago, chasing Felix's party and the elemental stars. Now, it had become even easier with the Hover Jade, which luckily was in Ivan's possession.

Isaac assumed his spot at the helm, and at the same time Ivan raised his palm, a purple haze emitting from it. "Hover," he muttered quickly. All four of them felt their psynergy drain a little as the ship rose ten, then twenty feet into the air. Isaac took the wheel and they were off, moving faster than any normal ship with ease.

Garet then said aloud what Isaac was thinking of the same time, "I guess anyone can pilot a flying ship, huh?"

And through all the determination and resolve, all the seriousness, Isaac still grinned widely and laughed aloud, manoevering the ship between two mountains.

It was still dark when they reached Atteka Islet. To save psynergy they may need, Isaac lowered the ship safely to rest in the islet. It was here where the ship had been given its wings, its ability to fly. They all grabbed their weapons and got off the ship. The sky was just starting to lighten as they took off for Contigo. Isaac led the way along the quiet path. It was still somewhat strange to see the continents so empty. There were no signs of human life at all in the islet, and it was somewhat disturbing. But they continued, not missing a stride along the narrow path of sand.

The sun rose to their right as they traveled north. Slowly, the world became bright, dew clinging to each blade of grass they stepped over. So much had changed, but the passing of day and night would never change. It was somewhat of an encouraging thought as Contigo finally came into view for the adepts.

As they approached, there was no clear sign of human life. But there was also no sign of destruction. Off in the distance, Isaac saw a curious blue gleam he had never seen before. It was in front of the town, but they were still too far to make out what it was.

Suddenly, as they walked still closer, Isaac started to feel uncomfortable. The blue gleam appeared to be a human form, a person in blue clothing slumped on the ground.

Isaac walked slower, staring at the increasingly apparent figure before him. He could not take his eyes away as they walked closer still, the long blue hair, the pale face. He knew that face…

Isaac ran. He ran towards Mia. Then, in a horrifying moment, he realized the mechanics of his vision. He was close enough to see now…it was sickening…devastating…

He felt his breath leave him as he fell to his knees in front of her…

Mia was slumped on the ground, dead. A wooden stake had been hammered through her heart, a piece of parchment hanging off its end.

The ground of Contigo was stained with her blood.