*Winds of Change*
Felix and Garet had had their fill fighting the onslaught of bird creatures. Exhausted and drained of the last drops of Psynergy within them, they were all but ready to give up when their targets suddenly sputtered and turned to ashes. They looked at each other in surprise and saw that the whole village and all of the people in it were fading away into the air. What had just happened?
"What in the name of Venus…?" Felix trailed.
"You saw it too?" Garet questioned. "I thought maybe I just took too many hits to the head."
Felix paced a few steps and saw the shadows approaching the clearing where the village had once been. For a moment, he held up his sword in preparation for another fight, but quickly let it drop when he saw his sister and the others.
"Jenna!" he exclaimed in relief.
"Jenna?" Garet asked, turning.
The Mars Adept in question dashed forward, her eyes watering out of happiness and the full realization that the ordeal was over. Felix outstretched his arms in wait, but she ran right by him and plowed into Garet. To say her brother was annoyed would be an understatement. His lip twitched as he watched the two of them embrace.
"Garet!" she cried, fighting tears. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again!"
"Where on earth were you?" he asked. "I was worried sick!"
"It was Tristan," Picard said wearily. "He had us all fooled, I'm afraid. He created this whole village in order to lure us into his trap."
"Trap?" Felix inquired.
"He needed an Adept of each clan to further extend his life," said Isaac. "He was going to drain our life essences until Ivan showed up and put a stop to his plans."
"And where is that guy now?" Garet demanded. "There's no way I'm letting him get away with making fools out of us!"
"He's dead, Garet," Ivan sighed. "Time finally caught up with him." He looked to Picard. "How's Sheba?"
Picard lowered himself into the grass and set Sheba's limp body down. Her eyes were still clouded and unblinking, staring into nothingness. "I don't know what Tristan did to her, but it must be different from the trances he placed the rest of us in. Otherwise she would be awake by now."
Mia lifted a hand and cast Ply, but it had no effect. "I don't think my healing powers know how to deal with this sort of thing. They aren't meant to treat mental afflictions."
"Leave it to me then," Ivan said. He knelt beside Sheba and cast Mind Read to try and figure out what was going on inside her mind. To his surprise, he was literally thrown backwards by a sudden blockage standing in his way. Something had sealed Sheba's subconscious behind an impenetrable wall. He bit his lower lip and tried again but it was no use. There wasn't a single weak spot in this wall. What could he do?
"Ivan?" Isaac questioned. "What is it?"
"I…I can't get in," he replied quietly. "Whatever spell Tristan cast, it's beyond my power to break. Her mind is…trapped."
"Trapped?" Jenna repeated. "You mean Sheba's going to be stuck like this…forever?"
Everyone looked completely helpless, not knowing what to do. Ivan kept trying Mind Read over and over, getting more desperate each time he cast it. A raw and immensely painful sadness began to work its way into his heart as he slowly realized that there was nothing he could do to help his friend, his mirror, out of this catatonic state. His purple eyes started to water.
This is all my fault, he thought. If I had caught onto Tristan's plans sooner, this wouldn't have happened! He looked into Sheba's blank eyes. You can't leave me like this, Sheba. What am I supposed to do without you? I…need you… And without even thinking about what he was doing, Ivan leaned over and kissed Sheba.
It was electrifying. A twinge of power passed between the two Jupiter Adepts and something sizzled, crackled, and sparkled to life. Within that one moment, lightening flashed and a tempest of emotion neither one knew existed burst forth, shattering every blockade in its path. Sheba moaned slightly, and then Ivan became aware that she was kissing him back! They embraced each other tightly and looked into each other's eyes. Sheba's were alive again, filled with their usual lively energy as well as tears.
"Ivan…!" she cried, falling into sobs. "I'm so sorry! I was such a fool—I fell right into Tristan's trap! How can you ever forgive me?"
"I already have," he said. "I'm just glad you're OK. You had me really worried for a moment there."
Sheba sniffled. "You're so good to me, Ivan. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Garet was snickering. "That sure was some powerful mouth-to-mouth you gave her, Ivan!"
The Jupiter Adepts turned the color of vine ripe tomatoes. Ivan sprung to his feet and promptly whacked Garet over the head with his staff. Garet fell over but continued laughing even when he was met with a bolt from Sheba's hand.
"When's the wedding, anyway?" he joked as he got up. Ivan and Sheba looked at each other with dastardly grins and began chasing Garet around, firing spells as they went. The others shook their heads and sighed.
"Well I'm glad things are back to normal," Picard said.
"Depends on what you mean by normal," Felix muttered. "Jenna, what on earth do you see in that buffoon?"
Jenna smiled sweetly. "He gets under your skin, dear brother. Isn't that a good enough reason?"
When morning came, the whole group headed back to the hidden cove where the ship was anchored. Only now it was in plain sight instead of being properly disguised by the Cloak Ball. Cautiously, they stepped on board, preparing to fight whatever had invaded their vessel.
"Felix, I thought you Cloaked the ship!" Isaac whispered.
"I did!" he insisted. "If you hadn't been so broken up about your girlfriend going overboard, maybe you might've noticed!"
Jenna hit her brother. "Felix!" she hissed. "Don't talk to Isaac that way!"
"Well someone's definitely here," said Ivan. "I can feel it."
"Me too." Sheba added. Her eyes glowed a moment. "Behind that door, right Ivan?"
He nodded, and Garet, Felix, Isaac and Picard went to the indicated door with their swords at the ready. Felix tentatively reached for the knob when the door suddenly flew open, knocking the four boys over. And standing before them was an all too familiar figure.
"Well it's about time!" Kraden said indignantly. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten about your dear teacher!"
"Kraden?!" everyone cried in surprise.
"How did you get here?" Garet asked.
"You think just because I'm old that I can't find my way around the world? In my day, we walked across the continents, uphill both ways, and we never stopped for so much as a snack! And you young people accuse your elders of being weak and feeble and burdensome! For shame!"
Quiet groans passed around the Adepts. Isaac forced a smile. "Well, we're glad that you're here, Kraden. We've been worried about you."
"No need for that," the old man said briskly. "We have a lot of catching up to do. You wouldn't believe some of the discoveries I've made during my travels! Ancient ruins and artifacts and a wealth of information about Alchemy and its ties to this world! Come sit with me Isaac and I'll tell you—you'll be amazed!"
Isaac looked to the others for help and was met with unsure shrugs. "I don't believe we've met," Picard piped in suddenly. "And I think you're due a proper introduction, Kraden. I am Picard of Lemuria."
"Lemuria?!" Kraden's eyes lit up. "The Lemuria?!"
"That is correct. Isaac and the others have told me much about you, Kraden. I hear you are quite the scholar."
"A real Lemurian!" Kraden exclaimed, shaking Picard's hand vigorously. "By the Elements, Isaac, you hit the jackpot, didn't you? You simply must tell me everything about your civilization—don't leave out a single detail no matter how insignificant it may seem!"
The two of them walked off towards the stern of the ship. "Poor Picard," said Felix. "How long do you suppose it will be before Kraden drives him over the edge with his questions?"
"I can only imagine…" Jenna trailed.
"I owe him a huge favor for this," Isaac said. "Picard's definitely one of the good ones."
Later, when the ship was once again cutting a path through the sea, Ivan stood out on deck and reveled in the embrace of the breeze. He could hear Garet and Jenna arguing on the other side of the ship, but it was easy to ignore them when surrounded by this wind. Sheba appeared beside him, a smile on her face.
I wanted to thank you, Ivan, she said to his mind. For everything you did for me back there. And I also wanted to apologize for the way I acted.
Don't give it another thought. Tristan had us all fooled—it wasn't your fault.
But I should've listened to you. I should've trusted your judgment!
Ivan smiled. Sheba, it doesn't matter. He tricked you by preying on your desire to learn about your origins. I can't say I wouldn't have reacted the same way if it had been me.
Ivan… Her smile grew wider and she pecked him on the cheek. I wish I'd met you sooner. Everything always feels so right when I'm with you.
I feel the same way. He blushed a bit. About that kiss…I can explain it…
She chuckled. No explanations are necessary. Whatever you feel, I can honestly say that I feel it too. I love you, Ivan—I just didn't realize it until now.
They interlocked their hands and gazed out at the sea. I guess you were right, Sheba, Ivan said. I think the answers we want lie ahead of us, not behind us.
Sheba laid her head on his shoulder. And we'll face whatever we find together.
Mia, standing on the deck above, smiled down at the two young Jupiter Adepts. This adventure had indeed turned into some sort of romantic cruise when they weren't busy fighting evil monsters or people or getting lost at sea. She followed Ivan and Sheba's gaze into the unknown expanse of turquoise ocean, admiring the way the sunlight reflected on the water, and then she felt a familiar set of arms wrap around her waist.
"Ivan and Sheba sure look happy, don't they?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. I saw this coming a mile away, didn't you?"
"There were clues." He squeezed her a little tighter.
"What is it, Isaac?"
"Nothing. I'm just glad to be here with you like this."
Mia smiled, turning her head to meet his eyes. "I'm going to worry you into an early grave, aren't I?"
"That's one way of putting it," Isaac chuckled. "But I will say that every obstacle we encounter only makes me more certain of how right this is. I love you, Mia."
"I love you too, Isaac. Forever and ever." And they kissed.
From his place on the bridge, Kraden shook his head at the whole spectacle. "I see that you've all been quite busy during my absence."
"You could say that," said Felix.
"Teenagers," Kraden harrumphed. "And to think this bunch is the hope for the world."
Picard was grinning broadly as he looked at the rest of his friends. "I couldn't think of brighter stars to wish on," he whispered.
Author's Note: If you couldn't tell, I deliberately set this up so that it would more or less coincide with the Lost Age. This was my great plan from the very beginning, and now that I've played the Lost Age, I know exactly how I want to bring this whole thing together. Long story short, there's already a sequel in the works! ^_^ It will start off with the journey to and lighting of the Mars Lighthouse, the ending of the Lost Age, and then some other twists on the way to Isaac and Mia's wedding (!). But since this next installment will contain major spoilers for the ending of GS, I'm going to hold off writing it for awhile to give more people time to finish the game. In the meantime, expect some much needed updating to my very neglected Ocarina of Time parody as well as a few other surprises! ^_^ See ya!