To Everyone who gave me help: THANK YOU!!! You guys are lifesavers (not the candy, 'cause I do eat them all the time) and so awesome! Thanks again! And I'm sorry THIS chapter took so long to get out. Finals are here... they're here, they're here, they're here... x___x ... Although I know that is no excuse. Again, my apologies...

Midnight C, Alex, Jupiter Girl: Thank you! And I'm sorry haven't been able to update, I got stuck in one of those writing jams called writers block... but, if its any consolation, I am starting a new GS fic. The couple will be unreleased until further notice or unless I say so. I suppose you can wait. Besides, I'm still undecided on who should be with who.

Miss Black Dragon: Ooh, lucky you, lucky you...

Snoopy6458: Uh... *looks at old message*... would you believe me if I said I was planning on one in the very far future? I have to think of the coolest plot first... ^___^ And I won't settle for just a one-shot fic.

6 - Desert Dream

"Ugh! Isaac, why did you bring us here again?" Garet snapped. "It's so hot, I swear I could drop an egg on the sand and it would fry!"

"Garet, if you remember, you were the one who suggested we go through this gods-be-cursed desert! In fact, you were the one who proposed it first. I'd swear you were ready to beg us to go through, except I know that you would never beg for any reason," Isaac managed to bite out, dragging his sleeve across his sweaty forehead. As soon as the fabric left his face, new drops began forming and pretty soon there was a shiny sheen of moisture across his forehead once more.

Letting the two childhood friends send their banter back and forth, Ivan and Mia walked behind them. Uncomfortable, but saying anything about how hot it was would only increase the conflict between Garet and Isaac... so, they stayed quiet except for the occasional comment and thought about shade and water.

"Garet, why can't you just let it go?" Isaac asked in a plaintive voice – obviously, he didn't really want to argue about just who it was that had led them into the Suhalla first.

"Let it-! I wasn't the one who started this!"

"Yes, you were!"

"Tch!" For a lack of any other response, Garet dismissed Isaac's answer with a grunt. "I truly did remember you telling Ivan, Mia, and I how hot it was just before we began this stupid argument!"

"That was you, numbskull!"

"Stick!"

"Bone head!"

"Stubborn mule!"

"Dim wit!"

Each wanting to be the 'winner' of the argument, Isaac and Garet continued to return and retort much-used names. Mia and Ivan could only sigh in defeat and plod after the two.

If only they would concentrate on the more important things right now, Mia thought wistfully, as she pulled damp blue hair away from her neck once more. She'd decided to stuff her robes in her pack and wear a flowing blue dress she'd bought in Kalay instead. Her robes would definitely be much too heavy and uncomfortable to wear in the hot desert. The dress, however, was completely sleeveless – in Mia's eyes, unseemly. So she had a light white and lavender cloak, oddly with her Ancient Clan's ancient script on it, to cover her bare shoulders and arms. It was waist-length, but the back trailed so that it reached the back of her ankles. Being as it was quite billowy and light, Mia felt freer than she would in her own robes, weighed down by the heavy fabric.

Ivan had also donned new, lighter fabrics, but he had kept his original cape and, obviously, the staff. Isaac and Garet had both opted not to get new clothing and just keep what they had, insisting that they should 'save the money for more important things.' Things such as weapons, shields, and potions that might be needed for future battles, and in particular the one that they would surely face against Saturos and Menardi.

I think it's a good thing we left Iodem behind for this part of the journey. At least, until we found our way through the desert. He'd probably wonder why Babi would put his life and trust into the hands of a bunch of squabbling children. Well, after getting to Lalivero successfully, it won't take us very long to find our way back to Kalay and then two of us go and bring Iodem back while the other two explore Venus and Babi Lighthouse. I don't think Isaac and Garet would explore too much without me and Ivan.

Usually, Isaac would have put Garet with Mia, or even himself with Mia, but Ivan and Mia had proved to be a great team, both of them making a solid bond of friendship. They didn't share much of the same interests, but whenever they did anything, they did it in a thorough and precise manner. Also, the fact that they were both quiet and heard many things (including useless arguments) might have had something to do with it.

Beside her, Ivan bit his lip and shifted his pack to his right shoulder, at the same time trying to rub his left. He was carrying the bulk of their potions, herbs, and a big chunk of Psynergy stone that was heavier than it looked.

"Do you need some help?" Mia asked softly, so as not to disturb the two Valeans' argument. Ivan nodded wearily and handed his pack over. Grabbing a herb from his pocket, he crushed it in his hands and then reached under his shirt at his neck to rub his shoulder.

"Is it the new cure-ache herb we found?"

He nodded, smiling grimly. "We're lucky it functions best in heat." The usual light-hearted hint of a smile he wore had been replaced by a tired frown.

"Do you need me to heal something…?"

"No. The ache is most likely only temporary. I will be fine when we sit down and rest for a change. Don't worry, Mia," Ivan said after glancing at her, "We will rest eventually. Those two will stop squabbling. And we'll make it through this intact and still together."

Returning his heavy pack and giving him a hopeful smile, Mia turned her gaze back to the endless sands ahead.

"Who do you think brought us here?"

Ivan didn't answer quickly; she'd doubted he would. Since they had so much time on their hands, just walking through the endless desert fighting all sorts, he could afford to think for awhile about his reply.

"We all brought ourselves here. I mean, think about it. Isaac didn't have to leave his home, although the guilt of not knowing what happened to Jenna and Kraden would have haunted him forever. And you know, him knowing that Saturos and Menardi were preparing to light all the lighthouses and he wasn't doing anything about it... I suppose you can imagine what might happen. Garet didn't have to follow either. I didn't have to join them, and you didn't have to join them either. So we all brought ourselves here. Although-" The younger boy chuckled, a smile lighting up his serious face, "-If you're talking about who it was of the four of us who led us into this desert by argument or force, I'd think Garet. And he was the one who had started the argument. He also led us into the woods that time, too, didn't he? Mogall Woods. He had us lost for days, even more than we had been previously." Ivan shook his head, his smile getting wider. "He's really a good-hearted person. Just more laidback than Isaac is. And more sarcastic. And at least we're not in the Lamakan Desert. I remember it was much more drier and scorching there."

The healer smiled also in agreement, as the other two were still arguing but had stopped at a small pool of water and some trees. In the very near distance they could see a swirl of wind, quite possibly the tornado that had thrown them the first time they tried to enter the desert. Ivan calmly asked if Mia could please use Douse to fill up the small pool of water, because what was in there was hardly enough for one person, let alone the three of them plus Garet. This time, before Garet could start protesting and yelling, Mia clapped her hand over his mouth and used the other hand to make rain fall in the general area. Finally, some peace and quiet, a chance to relax, and have some water to quench their thirst.

Or, supposedly.

A roar split the air as the wind started whirling around their feet wildly. All of them automatically raised their arms to shield their eyes, and through the flying sand, they could just make out a large lizard.

"It's a Tornado Lizard!" Mia cried, pulling out her weapon – a Righteous Mace. The others followed suit, and readying their Psynergy just in case they needed it.

A short battle ensued, with all of them trying to save their Psyenergy by attacking with weapons. Once, when the Lizard had made a quick swipe in Ivan's direction, he'd barely escaped by a staff-length. Afterwards, he stayed a safe distance away and attacked when the Lizard was distracted or distracting it himself so the other three members of their party could slowly chip at its life. Eventually, though, the Tornado Lizard was defeated and Mia cast Wish Well on all of them so that their few injuries were healed.

"What could have triggered it? We haven't seen any monsters ever stepping into this stupid desert, and every time we do, we get blown away by tornadoes." Garet shook his head in frustration, feeling like stamping his large foot on the ground.

"Could it be..." Ivan muttered, sitting down on the ground to think. His eyes shut and his brows came together as his forehead scrunched in concentration.

"Could what be?" Garet asked.

"Garet, be quiet!" Isaac shoved Garet's head down and pulled him away from Ivan, seated, and from Mia, who was watching him carefully to make sure he didn't go into a trance.

"Th- It's water! Your Douse must have attracted the monster in the tornado. And look, it's not blocking our way anymore! The section is open!" He pointed to an opening in the tall rocks not very far away. Before, the tornado had obscured the view and their road.

"Brilliant!" Mia murmured, deep in thought. She remembered what the villagers had said – that only buckets of water made the tornados disappear. But who could carry enough water to go through a desert of tornados?

Nobody!

Unless you were an Adept, and had the elemental water in your power...

"We should go! All we have to do is run into a tornado, and then I'll use douse. Do you think Tornado Lizards are in everyone one of those things?"

"Maybe not," Garet said doubtfully, turning serious and leaving his humor behind. Fighting monsters was never 'funny' and especially when they were all worried about the girl named Sheba, Saturos and Menardi, Felix, Alex, and Jenna and Kraden.

"We should expect the worst. With our kind of luck, there would be one in every tornado. And a tornado blocking whichever pack we choose to take. And then a bigger one when we reach the end of the desert at that," Isaac sighed, and they began tramping off across the Suhalla.

"We're not going to make it out of here by sundown," Ivan murmured, watching the sun. It was low in the sky, light barely making it over the cliffs, caves, and rocks in the vicinity. Its glow was no longer a hot yellow, but a dim red and orange of warm colors, instead of bright. The desert did not have heat waves in the distance from the high temperature, but all of them felt the noticeably cooler temperature. And, from their experience with the Lamakan Desert, it would only get cooler as night approached.

"Why don't we just make camp under those sheltering rocks over there? We've been keeping such a tiresome pace all day and now, all evening. Besides, we'll have to eat sometime." Mia rubbed her sweaty face, and sighed. Her hair lay lank against her back, without its usual luster. After taking a look back at his tired comrades, Isaac reluctantly agreed to set up camp. And so, the first full day of their trip in the Suhalla was over. Night passed without incident, for no monsters dared to stray near their bright, almost unnatural fire. And they had all gained ready knowledge that one of power, that could use elemental magics to fight, was with them.

Their second day was as frustrating as their first, but even more so. Isaac's prediction had been made from aggravation of their ill luck, but it was as if he had gained a second sight, if what they encountered that day was any indication. There truly was a tornado in every fork in the road, and thus a Tornado Lizard in every path they tried to take. And just their luck; every road they took happened to be the wrong one, a conclusion they reached simultaneously as dead end after dead end was found. But, tired and weary on their feet, the group of four continued on, dragging their feet but still alert for any Magicores or Harridans that might still yet appear in their path.

After a battle in which Isaac was blinded by an attack which continued to affect him even after it was killed, he had to give up his leadership, saying that if he tried to lead them out of the desert in his condition, he'd probably get them lost. And so, Garet volunteered to lead them. Happy to be free of leading the others, Mia because she wanted to make sure Isaac didn't hurt himself, and Ivan because he had to help Mia and Isaac watch their footsteps, the two relinquished the lead to Garet.

"If one of us had volunteered, we would never be in this mess," Ivan groaned helplessly, sitting down in he shade of a large rock. They had been wandering aimlessly, searching vainly for their lost path, for hours on end, and it was nearing sundown again.

"Garet... how did you manage to get us lost in this desert?" Mia murmured to herself. Isaac didn't even bother; he just slumped down next to Ivan and rubbed his still-blurry eyes.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I thought we were going in the right direction..." Garet, looking sheepish, guilty, and embarrassed all at the same time, was standing in the same shade and looking dejected.

"It's alright. It's the thought that counts," the three repeated.

After the unfortunate turn of events, Isaac still managed to find their way back on the path to the Suhalla's exit. There were several things which plain bad luck had thrown their way.

First, was that Garet had been leading them in the completely wrong direction all along, and it took them a day to get back to where they had been before he had taken over.

Second, they were running short on their meager supplies, and were in very bad need of re-outfitting. There were almost no herbs left, not many potions, and they hadn't been able to find any Psy crystals to replace the ones they had used against a surprise ambush against a Vile Dirge and four Magicores.

Third, Isaac's prediction came true and there was a very big tornado at the end of the desert. As soon as they had exited, it began chasing them around the open area, and, unable to outrun it, all four turned to face it. As they swirled higher and higher in the winds, Mia let loose a storm using her Douse, and the tornado stopped abruptly. Even the winds that had been tearing at their clothes all day stopped.

A chilling silence swept itself through the desert. Mia could almost feel chills running up her spine, and Isaac swore later that he could feel the hairs on his arm raising. Even Garet admitted to being thoroughly nervous as they waited for something to happen.

A loud, outraged roar split the air, and made Mia and Ivan clap their hands over their ears, almost brought to their knees from its severity.

"What is that?!" She cried, as the winds tore her question from her throat.

She could faintly hear someone answer 'storm lizard.'

"Come on, you guys! Heads up!" Garet yelled, before dodging the giant lizard's attack. It's tail whipped over and very neatly separated Mia and Garet from Ivan and Isaac.

Their fearless leader attacked in earnest, whipping his blade up and around for a chop at the creature's side as he ran past. The weapon merely glanced off harmlessly, and the Storm Lizard clawed at him, outraged. Their physical attacks did no more than make it livid and it attacked them quicker, striking numerous injuries to everyone as the battle wore on.

And then, Ivan used his Shine Plasma, aiming it for the lizard's head.

To their astonishment, the attack missed and hit its shoulder instead. Then, it seemed to go mad. It was quicker than before, and its attacks were so accurate, it was almost uncanny. A Storm Lizard in its condition, swiping madly and tail whipping all over the place with magic flying all around them, was triply as dangerous as it had been before. Trying to hit Mia, the Storm Lizard missed and its Sonic Slash hit the other three Adepts instead, causing serious damage to them this time. Ivan could barely get up, having to resort to his staff in order to stand on his feet. She unthinkingly cast Pure Wish to instantly heal all the cuts and bruises they had gained from that single attack. But she hadn't counted on the lizard going for her as she was in her momentary trance, encircled by a mystical blue aura and streams of water.

"Mia!"

Her scream pierced the air. Not able to think, she acted on impulse, falling and rolling so that when she came up, a weapon was between her and her opponent. As Garet and Isaac had trained her over and over, she threw her arms above her head, raising her Righteous Mace to futilely block an attack that would surely kill her.

But the blow never came. Daring her eyes to crack open, she saw Garet's solid form blocking the view of the Storm Lizard. His Dragon Axe was braced against both hands against the Storm Lizard's forefoot, and even his muscles bulged and strained against something so much stronger and larger than he. Mia desperately fought to scramble up and cast something, anything, on it, to help her friend. The wind, which had picked up during their battle, whipped fiercely through her robes, making it hard to think. Everything seemed to freeze as she raised her arms to summon four of her Djinn and cast Boreas.

Before she could blink, a graying scene greeted her eyes, tinged with red and accompanied by pain. She tried to move an arm, but waves of intense throbbing rippled through her shoulder and down her entire body.

"No..." Her rasping voice coughed up blood, and as her shock wore off, she realized that she was no longer standing, but lying on the ground. Unimaginable pain came from her chest and stomach area, and she also managed to grasp that Garet had been hit by the very same tail that had smashed into her with amazing speed. She could vaguely see him getting up bravely through the black haze that was slowly dominating her vision.

I can't see anything... so dark.

The last thing she could recall was a golden sword flashing through the sky, and the other three running toward her.

The sun was shining.

Ah... Nereid, I feel like all those warriors at Colosso stampeded over me.

She hurt in places she hadn't even known existed. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar... the walls had a doughy and dry look to them. Peering from the corners of her eyes but not moving, she saw unfamiliar plants and the open window where sunlight filtered through the white curtains, blowing in a light breeze. Tensing her arm to brace against the bed, she prepared to get up and find out where she was.

Before she could even sit up, Mia's head had fallen back on the pillow and her entire right arm was numb from the exertion, pain racing up and down her shoulder, chest, and stomach. It was then she noticed that all she wore was her thin blue shift, usually worn under the rest of her robes. She also noticed that her movements were limited to what the thick layer of bandages encasing her chest and stomach and her arm allowed her. If she moved so much as an inch, more pain would spring up in her shoulder and especially her abdomen. Unable to stop herself, she groaned weakly.

"Mia? You're awake!" Ivan peered worriedly at her, getting up quickly. The clatter following his approach to her bed made her chuckle, albeit feebly.

"Go pick up your chair first." Doing as she asked, he came back, putting a cold wet cloth to her forehead and pouring a glass of tea for her. She drank it thankfully, detecting a hint of herbs and minty flavor in it.

"Well, you've broken your arm, several ribs, a minor concussion probably acquired from your force of hitting the cliffside, a multitude of bruises along your arms, your head, your legs, and many internal injuries with internal bleeding to boot. You lost a lot of blood, but Isaac said you'd survive. He was concerned for your welfare, I believe you should know. He's still sleeping. He kept an overnight vigil when we brought you in yesterday afternoon, and hasn't closed his eyes for a nap until now. I, myself, have not eaten for quite a while. I will bring Garet up, and let him tell you what happened after your lapse into unconsciousness and before your awakening. Last I saw, he was downstairs trying to gorge with a guilty conscience." Before she could even voice a weak protest, Ivan had left. Garet ran up soon afterwards.

"Mia! Are you alright? I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Garet sat down worriedly on the side of the bed, and Mia smiled weakly.

"It wasn't your fault," she whispered.

"Well, I tried..."

"Tell me what happened afterwards."

"After you were hurt, Isaac used Ragnarok and killed the Storm Lizard. He was extremely worried, and there he bandaged the worst of your wounds and braced your arm. He'd run out of Psynergy, you see. He also insisted on carrying you even though I easily could have done the same. We fairly ran through the Suhalla Gate, finding the two guards hurt and reporting that Saturos and Menardi had been the ones to do so. In less than two hours, we managed to pass Venus Lighthouse and saw Babi's Lighthouse in the distance. We delivered you to the inn and summoned the local healer from the Sanctum, but then we received news that the healer had taken sick and could not help us. So, Isaac brought you up here and bandaged you up completely. His Psynergy still hasn't replenished entirely, and he kept a vigil over you, hoping, I think, that you would wake up soon. He fell asleep only a mere dozen minutes ago. After you get better, we're going to look at the Venus Lighthouse and look around. Nothing seems to have happened yet. Also, we plan on going over to see how construction of Babi's Lighthouse is going. Ivan insisted that we do so." Glancing at Mia, he realized that her face was flushed and red as a beet.

"What's wrong?"

Sometime while he had been informing her of what had been happening, Mia had pushed down the blanket slightly. Now, she indicated her shift.

"How did bandages get beneath my shift?" Augh... my head feels so muddy.

"I told you, Isaac bandaged you. Especially your ribs. He used what little Psynergy he had to heal them, and everything else was bandaged, with salves, balms, and herbs crushed and mixed."

"He did what?" Even in her weak state, Mia's astonished voice clearly expressed how shocked she was.

"He- oh!" Garet looked over at Isaac, who was still sleeping soundlessly in his chair not far away. Understanding, he nodded.

"Yes, I suppose he did have to take off your clothes and shift in order to dress your wounds. They were very serious. He'd been very afraid that you'd already lost too much blood." At that moment, Isaac woke up to see who was speaking, and realized that Mia was also awake. He ran over, effectively cutting off their conversation. Garet waved himself away and walked downstairs, yawning.

"Mia! Are you alright? How do you feel?"

"Tired. Weak."

"Drink this. Me and Garet had this made for you. Ivan looked it up in one of the books in the bookshelf over there." Without waiting for her answer, he began feeding her himself. Feeling irritated that she couldn't do something as simple as eating by herself, she sat motionless and allowed him to spoon the delicious soup into her mouth. The mixture was warm, tinged with spices, herbs, and a faint chicken tang. She immediately felt better, more rejuvenated than she had felt for awhile. Looking at Isaac's concerned face, Mia smiled faintly.

I'll think about him some other time. For now, I will concentrate on getting better so we can explore the Venus Lighthouse.