Isaac stood at the helm of Babi's Lemurian ship, the Black Orb placed
neatly on its pedestal. The caravan was as quick as Babi promised, even
with Triad's flying machine added to the weight of it all. Isaac was
curious as to why the inventor brought the contraption along, but the
inventor had been eerily silent since they spoke with Babi the previous
afternoon.
His attention was turned to his Mars Adept friend, whom had tripped over the anchor rope for about the sixth time today, nearly dropping the crate of supplies he was carrying. Isaac walked down the stairs to the main deck, where he assisted Garet in picking up the crate.
"Having a little trouble, Garet?" Isaac asked, helping him carry it down to the cargo hold.
"No, I just have never developed my sea legs, that's all."
"In other words, sailing scares you to death?" Dargon asked, whom had already set his cargo crate down.
"No!" Garet snapped back, irritated.
"Jeez, Garet, calm down. What are you complaining about? I've never even seen the ocean up so close before. And this is my first time on a ship, period." Dargon replied, smiling.
"You'll get used to it eventually, Dargon." Isaac said to the landlubbing Imilian. Isaac himself loved the open ocean; it was peaceful and serene, but could also be very unpredictable and dangerous. The Venus Adept may have used ground skills, but this one was fond of the water and the sea breeze. One could wonder that if Isaac liked the sea because it reminded him of the person he loved, or if he just simply enjoyed the sight of the water itself.
"I don't know how you can be so starry-eyed about the ocean, Isaac. We spent a lot of time fighting storms to get to Lemuria, you know! That wasn't exactly my idea of a good time, you know!" Garet replied.
"He's entitled to love the sea if he damn well pleases, Garet!" Jenna shouted down from above at him. Isaac smiled in retort at him after Jenna had let Garet have it. Strange, no matter what Jenna said to Garet, it always seemed to stop him in his tracks. Isaac could've sworn his instincts about the two of them were always correct, but in recent days, it seemed as though he was more right than he ever imagined. The Venus Adept climbed back up to the deck and back to the bridge of the boat, where he looked down to the pier.
"Iodem, is that everything?"
"Yeah, that's the last crate, Isaac. You and the others be careful, and take care of this ship! It's one of a kind, you know!"
"Sure, we can handle it." Isaac waved back down, glancing to the poop deck, where a large tarp covered Triad's flying machine. The inventor was leaning up against it, drinking from a small flask of water, with Ivan standing next to him, talking about something. Isaac rolled his eyes; it was unbelievable. Though he and the others were on a desperate mission to stop Saturos and Menardi from causing chaos and mayhem, they seemed to be quite at ease; on the surface, at least.
"Ready to shove off, Captain?" Mia asked, climbing to the perch of the bridge where Isaac stood.
"Well, if whomever is lookout gets up into the crow's nest. . ." Isaac muttered. "Hey Ivan! Get into the crow's nest and be our lookout!" He shouted across the ship. The Jupiter Adept's head turned after hearing his name, and Isaac could make out a faint nod.
"Yeah, okay. I'll be up there in a minute." Ivan responded, leaving Triad to climb the rope ladders to the top of the mast. The inventor quickly disappeared under the tarp, undoubtedly to work on his project. After Ivan had reached his perch, Isaac gave out a call.
"All hands, prepare to launch! Repeat, all hands, prepare to launch!" Isaac shouted from the perch. "Rise anchor!" Garet and Dargon, upon catching wind of Isaac's call, quickly began cranking the hefty iron anchor from the ocean floor. "All hands, let's set sail!" He exclaimed, placing the palm of his right hand on the Black Orb. The orb began to glow a faint gold color, mimicking the color of the Adept controlling it. The ship slowly pushed its way out of its moor and into the open sea.
"You have a real knack for this, Isaac." Mia said, taking his free hand into hers. "I'd have never guessed you a sailor; not when we first met."
"I would've never guessed it either. I'd never seen the ocean until after I met you and we set sail for the first time." Isaac said, observing Jenna teasing Garet for tripping over the anchor rope again. "Would you look at those two? It's shameless the way they flirt."
"Are they unlike someone else I know?" Mia asked to Isaac.
"Not at all." He smiled. "It's shameless how much we flirt too."
"Ivan and Sheba are a little more careful about their relationship than Garet and Jenna. . . so they're probably the best behaved couple on board this ship."
"Yeah, they are. So, you figured them out too?"
"It was easy enough. . .the look in Sheba's eyes sold her."
"It probably sold you out to the others, too. I'm surprised Garet hasn't given me a hard time about our relationship yet."
"It's because you have more ammo to throw back at him with his coupling with Jenna. The girl's got him wrapped around her little finger. Not that having control is a bad thing, mind you." Mia smiled. "I'm sure you're not unlike him in that sense."
"What? That I'm wrapped around YOUR little finger?" Isaac asked. "Well, if you think that. . . I think you'd be right." He said, kissing her quickly on the forehead. Mia's face blushed slightly, and she paused before continuing in a slightly more sober voice.
"Do you think we could stop Saturos and Menardi if they got their hands on the Anubis Orb?"
"We stopped them when they fused together into that dragon, remember?"
"Yes, but now they may be able to fuse AND steal spirits on top of it. Besides, we don't even know how the Anubis Orb works yet."
"And if we don't get there first, we may figure it out the hard way. I've already set the proper course for the boat, so we can leave it be for the time." He said, drawing his right hand away from the Black Orb. He quickly turned and grabbed Mia's remaining hand and gazed into her eyes. "Don't you worry, Mia. We'll nail those two evildoers something good! And don't think I've forgotten what I promised you in Imil! I'll keep you safe no matter what it takes." Mia leaned up to kiss him, but a flash of light interrupted her from doing so.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Flint asked, in a halfway snide voice, as he perched on Isaac's shoulder.
"Your timing couldn't have been worse, Flint." Isaac sighed. "What do you need?"
"Well, I came to warn you I sense a disturbance in Psynergy waves. . . I think Saturos and Menardi have something to do with it. I'm not sure what they're doing, but whatever it is, it's definitely not natural. Their power is unnaturally strong."
"What do you mean?! Did they already get the Anubis Orb?!" Isaac asked.
"No, but I think their sudden power swells have something to do with Edward Giles. I think there's a lot more to that man than meets the eye. Don't take that archer lightly, Isaac." Flint stated, before another flash of light appeared. Fizz stood, perched on Mia's shoulder facing Flint.
"Flint. . . Aren't you forgetting something?" Fizz asked.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. All of the other Djinn are ready for action as well. Hopefully you won't need to call on us, but we stand ready to do so."
"That wasn't what I was referring to, Flint." Fizz said, hopping over to Isaac's shoulder, next to Flint.
"Oh, that. . ." Flint replied. "Do I need to tell them?"
"Do it." Fizz said, snuggling next to the Venus Djinn.
"You don't need to, Flint." Mia said. "I know what Fizz means. I'm sure Isaac knows too."
"Knows what?" Isaac asked, earnestly not knowing what was going on.
"Well, Fizz and I. . . we're like you and Mia." Flint said, voice shaking with embarrassment. "Well, you know." Isaac laughed at his little Venus companion.
"I thought all this time Fizz hated you, not loved you! I mean, throughout our entire adventure, she was always picking on you and making jokes about you."
"She reminds me of Jenna in a way, Isaac." Mia said. "Though Flint hardly reminds me of Garet. He's too crazy even to be Garet." She smiled.
"Hey! I take offense at that remark." Flint snapped. He was silenced by Fizz rubbing closer to him. "Umm, yeah. . ." Flint stammered. "Gotta run!" A flash of golden light occurred, and the Venus Djinn disappeared into thin air.
"Looks like he ditched you, Fizz." Mia sighed. "I don't think he's used to your sudden affection to him."
"He's not." Fizz said, happily and dreamily. "I just better follow him." Fizz disappeared into oblivion with a blue flash, and Mia turned back to Isaac.
"I never imagined that Djinn could fall in love." She said.
"I guess they're more human than we could even know. Though, I have to admit, I'd never think Fizz and Flint would ever. . . I mean, Flint's hopeless, and I didn't even know Fizz was a girl. I mean, you referred to her as 'little guy' back in Imil. . ."
"Well, she is a girl, and she was just about as hopeless as Flint before you came around. The reason why I said little guy was because she acted like a guy so much, I forgot at the moment she was a girl. I actually think those two are really cute together; our two first Djinni together much like us. It's quite appropriate." Mia said, snuggling up to Isaac how Fizz did to Flint.
"Umm, yeah. . ." Isaac stammered. "Gotta run!" Isaac exclaimed, leaping from the bridge of the boat down to the deck and he charged down below decks. Mia couldn't help but laugh at Isaac's accurate but mocking imitation of his Djinn.
***********************************
Isaac lie awake on his bunk in the rocking sea. His room was shared with Garet, whom had done nothing but harass him about being in love with Mia all the previous night. However, Isaac landed his share of blows; turnabout was fair play, after all. Isaac didn't know why he couldn't go to sleep; the day before had been fair and calm, even amongst the tempest of life he was going through. Perhaps it was the memories of Vale that had stolen his sleep from him; he missed his hometown deeply, as well as all the people within. As he had determined earlier, the only thing that kept his sanity in check had been the Mercury Adept from Imil he loved so deeply. He sat up from his bed, and glanced over to his best friend, whom was sleeping soundly, but not snoring; something unusual for the Mars Adept. Isaac himself had tried to fall asleep for over three hours now, and he couldn't stop tossing and turning. By now he'd given up, trying to rest his fleeting mind before it got away from him completely. He now leaned against his pillow and also against the wooden wall of his quarters, eyes wide open. The memories of his town again flooded into his mind, and he was compelled to let them overcome him.
****************************
"Garet, hurry up! If we're late, Jenna will have our hides!" Isaac shouted, running in place, waiting for his young Mars Adept friend to catch up. "You know how much she hates us being late!"
"Yeah, yeah! I'm coming Isaac!" Garet shouted back as he tried to catch up. "What did she say she wanted to see us for?" He asked, wooden training sword strapped to his back.
"I'm not sure exactly, but she said it was important!" Isaac replied, running off alongside Garet. "I wonder myself what she wants that's so important." They ran down the beaten paths of Vale before they reached a small field nearby to Kraden's cottage. Jenna was tapping her foot impatiently, a wooden staff in her left hand.
"You two nimrods are late!" Jenna shouted at the two friends. Isaac and Garet stopped and both showed signs of nervousness. Jenna was not a girl you'd want to ever make mad, and she certainly was right now.
"What is it you wanted to show us, Jenna?" Isaac asked, sheepishly.
"Oh yes, I did want to show you something. Stay still, please." Jenna smiled. The young Mars Adept smiled as she raised her wooden stick into the air. Small and weak rings of red energy surrounded her body, and she then pointed the staff directly at Isaac and Garet. The two suddenly felt a huge surge of heat, as a blast of Flare washed over them. The flames of Mars burned like no tomorrow, and Isaac could hear Garet yell out in pain, and Isaac followed a moment later. The flames subsided quickly, and Isaac let out his breath.
"Jenna, what the heck was that?!" Isaac shouted.
"Flare. I just learned how to use it properly today." Jenna replied, smile beaming. "Well, did it work?"
"Did it work?! I thought my skin was going to burn off!" Isaac replied.
"Yeah! Why the hell did you do that to US?!" Garet shouted back. "That fire really hurt, you know!"
"Yeah, well. . . I'm surprised you're still not feeling the heat, Garet." Jenna smirked.
"What do you mean?"
"Garet, I think you really should go put yourself out." Jenna said, trying to contain her laughter.
"What ARE you talking about!?"
"Garet, your hair is on fire!!!" Isaac shouted at him.
"What?!" Garet shouted, realizing Isaac was right. He started running around in circles and screaming like a dolt. "My hair is on fire! My hair is on fire! Put it out, put it out! AAAAA!" Garet tried to fan the fire to put it out, but he inevitably made it worse. "AAAAAGH! Help me, Isaac!!!" He shouted, charging toward Isaac.
"Keep away from me!" Isaac shouted, trying to keep his distance from the inferno that was Garet's hair. Isaac began running away from his immolated friend and started through the woods. "Garet! Calm down!" Isaac managed to gain ground away from Garet, but he was forced to stop short when he reached a river bank. The Venus Adept looked behind him, to see Garet continuing his rampage toward him. "GARET! NO WAIT!!!" He shouted to his friend, who obviously wasn't capable of listening at this point. The Mars Adept slammed into him, sending both of them careening into the stream below, where both their heads surfaced a couple of seconds later.
"Ah, that's better. My hair's not on fire anymore." Garet sighed in relief.
"Yeah, but did you have to take me along for the ride?!"
"You two are worth so many laughs!" Jenna exclaimed, bursting out in laughter as she reached the river bank. "That was rich!"
"Not as rich as this!" Isaac exclaimed, dragging Jenna into the river and shoving her under. Both he and Garet began belly laughing when Jenna resurfaced. Her expression changed from mild anger back into laughter when she saw her two friends as soaked as her.
***********************
That was the first time any of them had learned to use the power of Psynergy for direct attack. Jenna had always been very talented, especially with Psynergy. She had far more skill in her element than Garet, and if Jenna was of the same element of himself, she would undoubtedly be much more powerful. Though she was talented with Psynergy, it came at the cost of her feebleness in direct combat. He and Garet were excellent swordsmen, and they both could hold their own in the fray. That memory, however, filled Isaac with joy and sorrow; he remembered it was about a year before the Sol Sanctum incident. While the moment was happy, it reminded him of the time in his life where he retained his youthful innocence; he'd really had done nothing to hurt anyone to that point. After the Sanctum was defiled, Isaac inevitably lost some of his humanity to violence. Isaac wanted nothing more now than to stop hurting people, even if it was an evil person. He reclined into his pillow, where he finally fell into a deep sleep.
His attention was turned to his Mars Adept friend, whom had tripped over the anchor rope for about the sixth time today, nearly dropping the crate of supplies he was carrying. Isaac walked down the stairs to the main deck, where he assisted Garet in picking up the crate.
"Having a little trouble, Garet?" Isaac asked, helping him carry it down to the cargo hold.
"No, I just have never developed my sea legs, that's all."
"In other words, sailing scares you to death?" Dargon asked, whom had already set his cargo crate down.
"No!" Garet snapped back, irritated.
"Jeez, Garet, calm down. What are you complaining about? I've never even seen the ocean up so close before. And this is my first time on a ship, period." Dargon replied, smiling.
"You'll get used to it eventually, Dargon." Isaac said to the landlubbing Imilian. Isaac himself loved the open ocean; it was peaceful and serene, but could also be very unpredictable and dangerous. The Venus Adept may have used ground skills, but this one was fond of the water and the sea breeze. One could wonder that if Isaac liked the sea because it reminded him of the person he loved, or if he just simply enjoyed the sight of the water itself.
"I don't know how you can be so starry-eyed about the ocean, Isaac. We spent a lot of time fighting storms to get to Lemuria, you know! That wasn't exactly my idea of a good time, you know!" Garet replied.
"He's entitled to love the sea if he damn well pleases, Garet!" Jenna shouted down from above at him. Isaac smiled in retort at him after Jenna had let Garet have it. Strange, no matter what Jenna said to Garet, it always seemed to stop him in his tracks. Isaac could've sworn his instincts about the two of them were always correct, but in recent days, it seemed as though he was more right than he ever imagined. The Venus Adept climbed back up to the deck and back to the bridge of the boat, where he looked down to the pier.
"Iodem, is that everything?"
"Yeah, that's the last crate, Isaac. You and the others be careful, and take care of this ship! It's one of a kind, you know!"
"Sure, we can handle it." Isaac waved back down, glancing to the poop deck, where a large tarp covered Triad's flying machine. The inventor was leaning up against it, drinking from a small flask of water, with Ivan standing next to him, talking about something. Isaac rolled his eyes; it was unbelievable. Though he and the others were on a desperate mission to stop Saturos and Menardi from causing chaos and mayhem, they seemed to be quite at ease; on the surface, at least.
"Ready to shove off, Captain?" Mia asked, climbing to the perch of the bridge where Isaac stood.
"Well, if whomever is lookout gets up into the crow's nest. . ." Isaac muttered. "Hey Ivan! Get into the crow's nest and be our lookout!" He shouted across the ship. The Jupiter Adept's head turned after hearing his name, and Isaac could make out a faint nod.
"Yeah, okay. I'll be up there in a minute." Ivan responded, leaving Triad to climb the rope ladders to the top of the mast. The inventor quickly disappeared under the tarp, undoubtedly to work on his project. After Ivan had reached his perch, Isaac gave out a call.
"All hands, prepare to launch! Repeat, all hands, prepare to launch!" Isaac shouted from the perch. "Rise anchor!" Garet and Dargon, upon catching wind of Isaac's call, quickly began cranking the hefty iron anchor from the ocean floor. "All hands, let's set sail!" He exclaimed, placing the palm of his right hand on the Black Orb. The orb began to glow a faint gold color, mimicking the color of the Adept controlling it. The ship slowly pushed its way out of its moor and into the open sea.
"You have a real knack for this, Isaac." Mia said, taking his free hand into hers. "I'd have never guessed you a sailor; not when we first met."
"I would've never guessed it either. I'd never seen the ocean until after I met you and we set sail for the first time." Isaac said, observing Jenna teasing Garet for tripping over the anchor rope again. "Would you look at those two? It's shameless the way they flirt."
"Are they unlike someone else I know?" Mia asked to Isaac.
"Not at all." He smiled. "It's shameless how much we flirt too."
"Ivan and Sheba are a little more careful about their relationship than Garet and Jenna. . . so they're probably the best behaved couple on board this ship."
"Yeah, they are. So, you figured them out too?"
"It was easy enough. . .the look in Sheba's eyes sold her."
"It probably sold you out to the others, too. I'm surprised Garet hasn't given me a hard time about our relationship yet."
"It's because you have more ammo to throw back at him with his coupling with Jenna. The girl's got him wrapped around her little finger. Not that having control is a bad thing, mind you." Mia smiled. "I'm sure you're not unlike him in that sense."
"What? That I'm wrapped around YOUR little finger?" Isaac asked. "Well, if you think that. . . I think you'd be right." He said, kissing her quickly on the forehead. Mia's face blushed slightly, and she paused before continuing in a slightly more sober voice.
"Do you think we could stop Saturos and Menardi if they got their hands on the Anubis Orb?"
"We stopped them when they fused together into that dragon, remember?"
"Yes, but now they may be able to fuse AND steal spirits on top of it. Besides, we don't even know how the Anubis Orb works yet."
"And if we don't get there first, we may figure it out the hard way. I've already set the proper course for the boat, so we can leave it be for the time." He said, drawing his right hand away from the Black Orb. He quickly turned and grabbed Mia's remaining hand and gazed into her eyes. "Don't you worry, Mia. We'll nail those two evildoers something good! And don't think I've forgotten what I promised you in Imil! I'll keep you safe no matter what it takes." Mia leaned up to kiss him, but a flash of light interrupted her from doing so.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Flint asked, in a halfway snide voice, as he perched on Isaac's shoulder.
"Your timing couldn't have been worse, Flint." Isaac sighed. "What do you need?"
"Well, I came to warn you I sense a disturbance in Psynergy waves. . . I think Saturos and Menardi have something to do with it. I'm not sure what they're doing, but whatever it is, it's definitely not natural. Their power is unnaturally strong."
"What do you mean?! Did they already get the Anubis Orb?!" Isaac asked.
"No, but I think their sudden power swells have something to do with Edward Giles. I think there's a lot more to that man than meets the eye. Don't take that archer lightly, Isaac." Flint stated, before another flash of light appeared. Fizz stood, perched on Mia's shoulder facing Flint.
"Flint. . . Aren't you forgetting something?" Fizz asked.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. All of the other Djinn are ready for action as well. Hopefully you won't need to call on us, but we stand ready to do so."
"That wasn't what I was referring to, Flint." Fizz said, hopping over to Isaac's shoulder, next to Flint.
"Oh, that. . ." Flint replied. "Do I need to tell them?"
"Do it." Fizz said, snuggling next to the Venus Djinn.
"You don't need to, Flint." Mia said. "I know what Fizz means. I'm sure Isaac knows too."
"Knows what?" Isaac asked, earnestly not knowing what was going on.
"Well, Fizz and I. . . we're like you and Mia." Flint said, voice shaking with embarrassment. "Well, you know." Isaac laughed at his little Venus companion.
"I thought all this time Fizz hated you, not loved you! I mean, throughout our entire adventure, she was always picking on you and making jokes about you."
"She reminds me of Jenna in a way, Isaac." Mia said. "Though Flint hardly reminds me of Garet. He's too crazy even to be Garet." She smiled.
"Hey! I take offense at that remark." Flint snapped. He was silenced by Fizz rubbing closer to him. "Umm, yeah. . ." Flint stammered. "Gotta run!" A flash of golden light occurred, and the Venus Djinn disappeared into thin air.
"Looks like he ditched you, Fizz." Mia sighed. "I don't think he's used to your sudden affection to him."
"He's not." Fizz said, happily and dreamily. "I just better follow him." Fizz disappeared into oblivion with a blue flash, and Mia turned back to Isaac.
"I never imagined that Djinn could fall in love." She said.
"I guess they're more human than we could even know. Though, I have to admit, I'd never think Fizz and Flint would ever. . . I mean, Flint's hopeless, and I didn't even know Fizz was a girl. I mean, you referred to her as 'little guy' back in Imil. . ."
"Well, she is a girl, and she was just about as hopeless as Flint before you came around. The reason why I said little guy was because she acted like a guy so much, I forgot at the moment she was a girl. I actually think those two are really cute together; our two first Djinni together much like us. It's quite appropriate." Mia said, snuggling up to Isaac how Fizz did to Flint.
"Umm, yeah. . ." Isaac stammered. "Gotta run!" Isaac exclaimed, leaping from the bridge of the boat down to the deck and he charged down below decks. Mia couldn't help but laugh at Isaac's accurate but mocking imitation of his Djinn.
***********************************
Isaac lie awake on his bunk in the rocking sea. His room was shared with Garet, whom had done nothing but harass him about being in love with Mia all the previous night. However, Isaac landed his share of blows; turnabout was fair play, after all. Isaac didn't know why he couldn't go to sleep; the day before had been fair and calm, even amongst the tempest of life he was going through. Perhaps it was the memories of Vale that had stolen his sleep from him; he missed his hometown deeply, as well as all the people within. As he had determined earlier, the only thing that kept his sanity in check had been the Mercury Adept from Imil he loved so deeply. He sat up from his bed, and glanced over to his best friend, whom was sleeping soundly, but not snoring; something unusual for the Mars Adept. Isaac himself had tried to fall asleep for over three hours now, and he couldn't stop tossing and turning. By now he'd given up, trying to rest his fleeting mind before it got away from him completely. He now leaned against his pillow and also against the wooden wall of his quarters, eyes wide open. The memories of his town again flooded into his mind, and he was compelled to let them overcome him.
****************************
"Garet, hurry up! If we're late, Jenna will have our hides!" Isaac shouted, running in place, waiting for his young Mars Adept friend to catch up. "You know how much she hates us being late!"
"Yeah, yeah! I'm coming Isaac!" Garet shouted back as he tried to catch up. "What did she say she wanted to see us for?" He asked, wooden training sword strapped to his back.
"I'm not sure exactly, but she said it was important!" Isaac replied, running off alongside Garet. "I wonder myself what she wants that's so important." They ran down the beaten paths of Vale before they reached a small field nearby to Kraden's cottage. Jenna was tapping her foot impatiently, a wooden staff in her left hand.
"You two nimrods are late!" Jenna shouted at the two friends. Isaac and Garet stopped and both showed signs of nervousness. Jenna was not a girl you'd want to ever make mad, and she certainly was right now.
"What is it you wanted to show us, Jenna?" Isaac asked, sheepishly.
"Oh yes, I did want to show you something. Stay still, please." Jenna smiled. The young Mars Adept smiled as she raised her wooden stick into the air. Small and weak rings of red energy surrounded her body, and she then pointed the staff directly at Isaac and Garet. The two suddenly felt a huge surge of heat, as a blast of Flare washed over them. The flames of Mars burned like no tomorrow, and Isaac could hear Garet yell out in pain, and Isaac followed a moment later. The flames subsided quickly, and Isaac let out his breath.
"Jenna, what the heck was that?!" Isaac shouted.
"Flare. I just learned how to use it properly today." Jenna replied, smile beaming. "Well, did it work?"
"Did it work?! I thought my skin was going to burn off!" Isaac replied.
"Yeah! Why the hell did you do that to US?!" Garet shouted back. "That fire really hurt, you know!"
"Yeah, well. . . I'm surprised you're still not feeling the heat, Garet." Jenna smirked.
"What do you mean?"
"Garet, I think you really should go put yourself out." Jenna said, trying to contain her laughter.
"What ARE you talking about!?"
"Garet, your hair is on fire!!!" Isaac shouted at him.
"What?!" Garet shouted, realizing Isaac was right. He started running around in circles and screaming like a dolt. "My hair is on fire! My hair is on fire! Put it out, put it out! AAAAA!" Garet tried to fan the fire to put it out, but he inevitably made it worse. "AAAAAGH! Help me, Isaac!!!" He shouted, charging toward Isaac.
"Keep away from me!" Isaac shouted, trying to keep his distance from the inferno that was Garet's hair. Isaac began running away from his immolated friend and started through the woods. "Garet! Calm down!" Isaac managed to gain ground away from Garet, but he was forced to stop short when he reached a river bank. The Venus Adept looked behind him, to see Garet continuing his rampage toward him. "GARET! NO WAIT!!!" He shouted to his friend, who obviously wasn't capable of listening at this point. The Mars Adept slammed into him, sending both of them careening into the stream below, where both their heads surfaced a couple of seconds later.
"Ah, that's better. My hair's not on fire anymore." Garet sighed in relief.
"Yeah, but did you have to take me along for the ride?!"
"You two are worth so many laughs!" Jenna exclaimed, bursting out in laughter as she reached the river bank. "That was rich!"
"Not as rich as this!" Isaac exclaimed, dragging Jenna into the river and shoving her under. Both he and Garet began belly laughing when Jenna resurfaced. Her expression changed from mild anger back into laughter when she saw her two friends as soaked as her.
***********************
That was the first time any of them had learned to use the power of Psynergy for direct attack. Jenna had always been very talented, especially with Psynergy. She had far more skill in her element than Garet, and if Jenna was of the same element of himself, she would undoubtedly be much more powerful. Though she was talented with Psynergy, it came at the cost of her feebleness in direct combat. He and Garet were excellent swordsmen, and they both could hold their own in the fray. That memory, however, filled Isaac with joy and sorrow; he remembered it was about a year before the Sol Sanctum incident. While the moment was happy, it reminded him of the time in his life where he retained his youthful innocence; he'd really had done nothing to hurt anyone to that point. After the Sanctum was defiled, Isaac inevitably lost some of his humanity to violence. Isaac wanted nothing more now than to stop hurting people, even if it was an evil person. He reclined into his pillow, where he finally fell into a deep sleep.