Yes, it is your one and only SirGecko speaking again. I am here with the third chapter for you folks. Slightly longer than the second, but not by much. Perhaps half of a page.
I do not have much to talk about here (since I mostly covered it during the second chapter), but I do wish to thank all of my reviewers, whoever you are. Your support/criticism is much appreciated, and I want you all to know that. Give yourself a pat on the back.
And now, for the disclaimer. You all should have enough sense to know that I don't own Golden Sun, but I'm gonna tell you anyway since I have a gecko of mine standing in the freezer chyucking ice cubes at me. So, here goes *conk*. I DO NOT OWN GOLDEN SUN. You happy now, you damn geckos? Good.
Now, without further ado, onto chapter 3!
Chapter 3: Gone to the Wind
Back on the ship, Isaac and company set to work. Isaac and Mia put away the food that they had bought, and Garet and Ivan set about making a living area for Solaris and Lunora inside their remaining cabin. Since Isaac and Mia were working by themselves, they had a chance to talk.
"What do you think of Solaris and Lunora?" asked Isaac to Mia.
"Well, I don't think they're allied with Karst and Agatio. And they seem very nice, but a little bit quiet. I guess we have no choice but to let them do what they wish," said Mia.
"They're only quiet because they haven't adjusted to us yet," said Isaac. "Trust me, they'll be more sociable as the days go by."
"I guess you're right about that," said Mia.
"Solaris is pretty good-looking, isn't he?" remarked Isaac.
"What's your point?" asked Mia. Isaac shrugged. "I just thought he was good-looking, not to be disgusting or anything."
"Oh Isaac, did you think I'd really be attracted to him?" said Mia, glancing at Isaac.
"Well . . .to be honest . . .yes, a little," said Isaac slowly, avoiding Mia's gaze.
"I can see how you'd think that," said Mia, with no irritation in her voice. "However, even though he is good-looking, I was taught at a very young age that you have to commit to the decisions you make."
"Oh . . .okay," said Isaac, beginning to understand.
"Besides, I think you're better-looking than him," said Mia smiling at Isaac, and wrapping her arms around his waist. "For some reason, macho-guys don't really attract me."
"Right," said Isaac, sounding much happier.
Meanwhile, things weren't going too well over where Ivan, Garet, Solaris, and Lunora were inside a vacant cabin. Garet wasn't helping set things up at all; he was leaning against the wall talking to Solaris.
"So, do your clans have any Djinn? Like us?"
"Yes, we do," said Solaris. "Solar Djinn look similar to the Mars Djinn. They have . . . oh, maybe it's better if I just show you."
And to Garet's great surprise, Solaris pulled seven Djinn from the knapsack that was slung over his back. As he studied them, he saw that they were indeed similar to Mars Djinn in size and shape, but they were yellow and they had a Sun on their tail. Garet took out his Djinn as well, and he saw the similarities and differences even better than before.
"Their names are Flare, Heat, Pyro, Core, Supernova, Boil, and Aurora," said Solaris. The Solar and Mars Djinn seemed to like each other, and they went off into a corner to talk.
"Hey, Lunora," said Garet. "Do you have any Djinn?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, I do," she said. "Their names are Crater, Darkness, Eclipse, Aura, Midnight, Phase, and Season. She pulled out seven Djinn from her knapsack as well. They looked like Mercury Djinn, only they were black in color, they the full moon was on the ends of their tails, and where the points on the Mercury Djinn's head should be, there were crescent moons.
"They look nice, too," said Ivan. "We should get Mia in here to see what she thinks of them."
"She's probably too involved with Isaac right now," said Garet scornfully.
"Garet, are you jealous?" said Ivan teasingly.
"No, I'm not! I'm only saying that she's probably too busy right now," said Garet, looking embarrassed.
"Anyway, get over here and help me with this bed!" snapped Ivan. He was having trouble making it fit so that it wouldn't block the door. Garet came over and lifted one end of the bed into a corner, so that it fit easily in it. The beds were now on either side of the cabin.
"Thanks," said Ivan, puffing.
"Well, thank you guys very much," said Solaris. "I believe we'll be OK for now." Garet and Ivan nodded and left the room.
"Well, that's that," said Ivan. "I guess we should go see what Isaac's doing."
Garet didn't reply. He wasn't bothered by the fact that Isaac had a girlfriend, he was bothered by the fact that this meant that Isaac was spending a lot more time with her than with him, and they had known each other since birth. He was surprised that he was also feeling this way . . .
They went over to Isaac's cabin door, and knocked. Isaac said, "Come in." So, Ivan and Garet entered Isaac's cabin. Isaac was sitting on his bed, reading a book about the history of the four elements.
"Is everything OK?" asked Garet.
"Oh, fine," said Isaac, in a distant faraway tone.
"Are you sure?" asked Ivan.
"Yep," said Isaac, closing his book and putting it down. "So, how are Solaris and Lunora doing in their cabin?"
"Just fine. They say that it's good for a ship," replied Garet.
"Hey, I just remembered. I was reviewing the map of Weyard and our current position. Ivan, we're making even better time than you thought because the tide is with us. We should be at the Jupiter Lighthouse by tomorrow afternoon, if not, earlier. We should hold a meeting tonight at dinner to discuss our plans."
"Where's Mia?" asked Garet.
"She's checking the potions and supplies," said Isaac. "Why?"
"No reason," said Garet, quickly. "What's for dinner?"
"Mia's cooking chicken," said Isaac. I figured we should take a break from energy mixes."
"Good idea," said Ivan gratefully. "Let's go see what we can do to help."
*******
"Dinner's ready!" Garet roared up the stairs to Solaris and Lunora. Isaac, Ivan, and Mia were just bringing out baked chicken and rice from the kitchen. The smell wafted over toward Garet, and he started to feel the familiar pangs of greediness that he only felt around good food.
Solaris and Lunora came thumping down the stairs. They sniffed the air and showed signs of approval at the delicious smells of chicken. They sat themselves at the short end of the table. Isaac sat on the other side of them. Mia sat to his right, Garet to his left. Ivan sat between Mia and Lunora. Lunora smiled at him as he sat down, and he grinned back.
"Okay," said Isaac importantly, stepping into his role as leader of the team. "We are here." He pointed to the southern tip of Hesperia. "Jupiter Lighthouse is here." he pointed in the central part of the continent. "We'll dock at this beach directly west of the lighthouse. The river that stands between the beach and the lighthouse is shallow and narrow, so we can wade across it without any problems.
"That's the easy part. The lighthouse itself is the hard part. No one who has entered that is non-adept has survived it. That tell me that there are either really tough monsters, really dangerous traps, or both. Either way, we have to prepare for both."
"I don't think the monsters of Jupiter are that tough," remarked Solaris slowly. "I think it's just full of complicated puzzles that get everyone lost. They die trying to find their way out."
"Like I've said before, it's better to be safe than sorry," said Isaac. "We shall prepare for both."
"You're the boss," said Garet. "We'll do whatever you say."
"I knew you wouldn't let us down," said Mia, her eyes sparkling.
"See, this is why you're our leader," said Ivan. "You always think ahead."
"Yes, you do seem well-traveled to be thinking along those lines," added Lunora. "But, you hold wise information, and Solaris and I will do as you command."
"It's decided then," said Isaac. "I have watch tonight. If we get there early, I'll sound the bell. As unpredictable as the tides are now, I advise all of you to get prepared tonight."
"Right," said everyone.
And with the discussion over, they started to eat. It was some of the best chicken anyone had since Lalivero.
"Boy, Mia, you sure do know how to cook," said Isaac, clasping her free hand.
"Delicious," said Lenora and Solaris.
"It's very good," said Ivan.
Garet was too busy chewing a lump of chicken in his mouth that was the size of the Black Orb, so he couldn't say anything. But judging from the brown mushy ball that everyone on the opposite side of the table could see, he thought it was good too.
After dinner, they all went to prepare for the traps and monsters that would await them at the Jupiter Lighthouse. Isaac was already prepared, as he had shined and tested his armor and Gaia Blade, he went upstairs onto the deck and settled down on the steps. He had watch tonight. He sighed. Watch was so boring, it wasn't even funny. He wished Mia or Garet would come up so he'd have some company. To his relief, Garet came up from the stairwell, spotted Isaac, and sat down next to him.
"Pretty dull, huh?" he remarked.
"Tell me about it," said Isaac.
"So tell me, how are things with you and Mia?" Garet asked.
"They're just fine," Isaac said, thinking about how cool it was to have Mia as his girlfriend.
"That's good," said Garet.
"But, even though I have a girlfriend, and she is very important to me, you're still my lifelong friend, and that will never change," said Isaac. Garet smiled and looked away. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes.
"Well," said Garet, "I'd better go get ready."
"See ya later," said Isaac, watching Garet retreat down the steps.
Mia came up a little bit later. "I thought you could use some company," she said sweetly, sitting down next to him. "I know how boring watch can be."
"Me too," said Isaac, and they both chuckled.
"Mind if I stay out here with you?" asked Mia.
"Not at all, I could use the company," said Isaac gratefully.
They did not talk for the remainder of the night. Mia fell asleep on the floor of the deck, and Isaac, longing to go to sleep as well, stayed up, scanning the horizons. His Djinn were checking the ship for any problems. He really liked his Djinn. They were good friends and partners. He heard them squabbling off in the background.
"I know I put the rope ladder here!" said Sap in an indignant squeak. "I used it to climb over the side of the ship and check for leaks."
"Dammit, Sap, it's not here!" came Flint's angry crisp voice. "This is where it's supposed to be."
"Don't I know that?" snapped Sap. "That's why-"
"Okay, all done with the ladder!" came a happy chirp. It was Quartz. She and Ground were carrying the ladder back where it belonged.
"Man, Quartz, you could've told me you borrowed it," said Sap tiredly. "I just got chewed out by Flint."
"Oops, sorry," said Quartz sheepishly.
"That must have been hardcore," whispered Ground. "Not very pleasant when he chews you out, is it?"
"Not at all," said Sap. "I think he gets enjoyment out of it. Even though he's still our friend . . ."
"What are you talking about over there?" said Flint suspiciously.
"Oh nothing. Just about how unpleasant it is when we get chewed out by you," said Sap casually.
"I did not chew you out!" squeaked Flint, and the whole process started again.
Isaac chuckled as he heard them argue. He knew Flint was the one to take charge. Usually, his other Djinn didn't mind, but Flint could be bossy when he wanted to. Isaac stared around at the skyline, and at the same time listening to his Djinn, for a long time after Mia had fallen asleep.
*******
Garet was thinking about what Isaac had said to him a few hours before. It had felt good to hear that from him, even though he knew they were best friends before he said that. He sat there, shining his armor and weapons and organizing his items and potions. All of a sudden, he heard a call from up above, on the deck.
"Jupiter Lighthouse, dead ahead!" Isaac roared.
**************************
Well, there you have it, my first noticable cliffhanger. Now, excuse me while I go into deliberation with my geckos on whether we want you to wait for the next chapter for a day or two longer, ow whether to show mercy and get it to you by Thursday.
Oh yes. Review, or you shall suffer the wrath!