And now, the person you've all been waiting for . . . yes, it is I, SirGecko! Sorry I haven't updated as frequently as normal. School has not been treating me well lately . . . damn place! But anyway, I have the much-awaited final battle here for all of you to read. It's a long battle chapter, once again 11 3/4 pages . . . I'm getting good at this long chapter stuff now.
Oh, and I was just thinking . . . we've come a long way, haven't we? From the beginning of the journey to right here . . . if I'm making it sound like this is the last chapter, don't worry, it's not. We've still got one left to go. And an epilogue. And then, after that, a sequel, if you so desire it. I've got the ideas all planned out in my head, but don't mention this in your reviews yet. We'll talk about it in the afterthoughts, which comes after the epilogue.
Okay, I got a storm of reviews! YAY! Fourteen of them! You guys are great. Now, to hear my replies . . .
AnimeMaster7: I'm glad you liked this chapter. I enjoyed writing it. And there will be no more cliffhangers, but I have to make them, otherwise you might not want to come back! But, I will say that constant cliffhangers would get old. I've never read a story with one, but it would get irritating, now wouldn't it? And I hope you got that project of yours done. Procrastination . . . another thing I'm good at as well. ^_^
0==l=R=a=g=n=a=r=o=k=: Yes, you did guess right! Good for you! And, maybe I should tone down on that near-death stuff . . . but then again, I didn't want it to be one where they just sailed through it with no problem. That wouldn't be very entertaining either.
Dragoon knight: Supposedly they did die. And how they survived . . . well, I'll explain that at the beginning of this chapter.
Bunder Black: Well, you should get a signed account, and add me to your favorites list! ^_^ Just kidding. But, I'm glad you like this fic. Thanks for your support.
jg1790: Well, I've made chapter 23. So be happy, and I hope you haven't starved from lack of reading this. But this is a mouthful, so you should feel pretty satisfied.
lemon eater: Your advice is good, and I'm glad you like this fic. however, I will not create a lemon. Sorry . . . but, I guess, just imagine it. That's the best you can do. I know you're not too happy with me right now . . . but hey. I can't please everybody.
cheese: You must have a lot of randomness. So do I. I'm glad you liked the last chapter.
Ssonic: My geckos have hereby declared war on you! They've barricaded themselves in an anti- weapons fire prism, and are calling in recruits! MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Seriously though, keep reviewing. I'm glad you like my work.
QueenDragonGoddess: Well, somebody who likes cliffhangers . . . I never would have thought of it. Great, though! here's chapter 23 for you!
NintendoGamer: Well, I finally heard from you. I was beginning to wonder if you were dead . . . well, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad you liked those chapters, and I understand about school. That's why I took almost a week to update this. Otherwise I would have had it done Sunday. And get to work on that story! I've been waiting too long! And don't have too many heart attacks. I almost had three today, and they don't do much for you, now do they? I hope this chapter pleases you.
Kevin C: I haven't heard from you, but judging by the fact that you gave me so much praise, and by the fact that you added this to your favorite stories list, and me to your favorite authors list, I can tell you like this stuff! I'm glad! Always nice to get such strong positive feedback. And yes, I made this vastly different from the game, otherwise the story might get boring. I'm glad you like my writing style. On a different note, I hope you're feeling better now. And there's no way you can eliminate all gecko food. They have their own Black Market that you have to bust first . . . heh heh.
Akachi: You've added me to your favorite authors list! Cool! Thank you very much. Now, you did guess right, which tells me that you're pretty smart! Don't listen to your muses. I'll send my geckos over there to deal with them if they ever get on your nerves again. And yes, I decided early that Saturos and Menardi wouldn't die. Even though they appeared dead, they weren't. And anyone who thinks they're evil needs to talk to my geckos about that. They'll change those anti-Proxians' view of things. Yeah!
TankMasterG: Yes, I'm glad you like the chapter. Keep reviewing, your support is much appreciated. And yes, I do have ideas for a sequel, but don't mention it until the afterthoughts, by which time I will discuss that with you. Oh, I'd like to see you try to get ahold of my geckos . . . geez, what is it with you guys? That's the third threat made on them in a week! Oh well. It's not like they can't handle themselves.
Sonja3: You're most welcome. I'm very glad you asked my permission first. Keep reviewing!
Okay, I think that's it. Onto chapter 23!
Chapter 23: Battle for Weyard
"How . . . how . . ." said Garet, dumbstruck.
"How did we survive?" Menardi finished the question for him. "It was close, and Saturos and I were on the brink of death. But somehow, the beam of Venus energy that had shot up through the lighthouse as we fell was enough to slow us down to where we could land, and not die on impact. And then, as you saw how we were rejuvenated when Saturos cast in the Venus Star, we were slowly healed by the Venus Psynergy, seeing as Venus and Mars share a symbiotic relationship."
"That makes sense," said Isaac cautiously.
"I'm still surprised to see you here, though," said Alex, not looking surprised at all.
"Yeah, you thought that you'd see us in Hell, did you?" sneered Saturos. "Well, consider us angels from Hell. We've come here to take you."
"What are you talking about?" asked Agatio, looking both confused and surprised.
"You, your fight against Isaac and his friends, and my brother . . . you've been fighting the wrong people! They just don't know the truth!" said Saturos.
"What is the truth?" asked Mia, looking keenly at Saturos and Menardi.
"Yes, it is time you were told," said Menardi. "We'll start from the beginning.
"Four years ago, when Vale was struck by that terrible storm, we were part of a raiding party that was tasked with stealing the elemental stars from their resting place, Sol Sanctum. We set out-"
"We know all this!" snapped Garet impatiently. "But, what we want to know is: why did you need to steal the elemental stars? Because you wanted power?"
"No, exactly the opposite," said Saturos. "We wanted to give power. Not to any human, even though the last person to touch the last star gets Alchemy's power, but to Weyard."
"What?" asked Mia.
"Weyard is eroding," said Menardi simply. "You and Isaac are probably the ones who will understand this concept most. You are aware of the power of water, yes?"
"I am," said Mia. "I should know, I use it."
"Well, You know that water can wear away at the earth, erode it?" said Menardi.
"Yes, I am," Replied Mia slowly, trying to absorb every detail.
"Well, why can't Gaia Falls, the falls that surround Weyard, erode away that the land, or Venus element?"
The whole group sat pondering this, except for Karst and Agatio. They had obviously known about this as well, seeing as they were the ones who would take over if Saturos and Menardi failed. They just listened, with bored expressions on their faces. Alex, meanwhile, had an unreadable expression on his face.
"It can . . . I guess," said Isaac.
"It is, even as we speak," said Saturos. "Can you think of what the eventual result will be if this is to continue?"
There was silence for a moment. Then Ivan said, "It erode its way all the way into the center of Weyard, until there's nothing left of it."
"Exactly!" said Menardi, gesturing toward Ivan. "The combined elemental power of the lighthouses is the only thing that can control Gaia Falls from devouring Weyard. That's why the lighthouses must be lit. To prevent the destruction of Weyard."
"But Weyard will be destroyed anyway! Won't it?" asked Lunora softly.
"Perhaps, yes," said Saturos. "But, the erosion is definite. If we don't act, it will definitely destroy our world. Now, we have to take the risk with the other one."
Isaac and company sat pondering this for a few minutes, while the Proxians, Alex, and the captives watched them apprehensively.
"All right," said Isaac, finally. "We believe you."
"Isaac!" Garet protested. "But, what about the Wise One?"
"The wise one is miles away, on Angara. We're in Lemuria. And their story makes sense with everything. And it's better to act on certain proof than just speculation."
"I guess you're right," said Garet, giving in.
"I have a question though," said Solaris. "Why didn't you tell us this beforehand? We could have helped you, not try to kill you!"
"We didn't think you'd believe us," piped up Karst. "With the thought-defeat of Saturos and Menardi, we thought that your arrogance of having defeated your toughest foes would blind you of the truth."
"Well . . . I can understand where you're coming from," said Solaris.
All watched as he put down his Sol Blade, walk up to Saturos, and smothered him in a huge, bearhug. Saturos looked startled for a minute, and then smiled, and returned the hug, patting Solaris on the back. Isaac noted that this was the first time he'd seen a genuine smile from somebody from Prox. And, in truth, it was a nice sight to see.
This spurred Menardi and Karst to also hug, and Isaac, Garet, Ivan, Mia, Solaris, Lunora, and even Agatio couldn't help but grin at the sight of two siblings rejoicing with those siblings thought dead. Alex merely looked on, as though bored.
Eventually, Saturos, Menardi, Karst, and Solaris broke apart, staring into the eyes of the person across from them. They then formally shook hands and turned to face the others.
"We apologize for making such a scene," said Karst, smiling slightly at them all. "We as warriors try to hide our emotions."
"No, not at all, it was a welcome sight to see," said Lunora, smiling at them.
"Question," said Isaac.
"Mm?" asked Menardi, looking at him.
"When you appeared in your mysterious form, you said that there would be no bloodshed today, except on one person. Well . . . who? Me?"
Instantly, Menardi's and Saturos's faces darkened. Their happy aura seemed to die, and their smiled turned upside down. Isaac recoiled slightly at the hatred he saw now burning in both sets of eyes.
"No, not you," said Saturos. "Definitely not you." And there was the clue. Their faces slowly turned towards Alex.
"Wha . . . Alex?" asked Mia. "Why him?"
"He has been plotting all this time to do what you were set out to prevent!" spat Menardi.
"What? You mean . . . use Alchemy's power to rule and destroy Weyard?" asked Lunora.
"Exactly!" snapped Saturos.
"Well, I don't know why you'd think that," said Alex.
"We hear things, things from peasants, people who willingly give us information," explained Menardi. "There was one man who lived along the large river that runs through Gondowan, a man who tried to kill himself, in fact, but he was rescued by a ship passing by."
"That was us!" said Ivan at once. "We saw that man, and rescued him!"
"Was that you?" asked Saturos, surprised. "Well, I'm impressed. But, the reason he tried to kill himself was not because of Alchemy returning, it was because he knew that there were dark times ahead of us, all because he overheard Alex reciting his plans to himself as he wrote them in his journal!"
"No, I said those things when we were . . ." Alex then stopped there, realizing what he had just done. It was him.
"Nice going, Alex," said Solaris, extracting his Sol Blade. "Now you've given yourselves ten opponents."
"Thirteen," said another voice.
Felix had strode over next to Isaac, and he had his own sword out. Jenna had her mace at the ready, and Sheba had a staff clutched in her hand that the rest had never seen before.
"No problem," said Alex, whipping out two glowing, blue scimitars, and holding them in an X pattern in front of himself. "I see there's no point in backing out of the mistake I so foolishly made. Yes, I plan to use Alchemy to gain eternal life. That will be my wish, as of now!"
Everyone else watched in horror as the tossed the star lazily at the hole in the middle of the floor, but it was knocked away by some device thrown at it. Isaac looked over at Solaris, in a position like he'd just thrown something. Isaac also noticed an empty sheath, the sheath where his serrated knife was kept.
The star rolled across the ground. Both Ivan and Alex lunged for it, but Alex was closer to it. He managed to grab hold of it, but he got his hand cut in the process by Ivan's Kikuichimonji. Crying out, Alex instantly moved his good hand over his bad. When they could see the cut hand, it was completely healed again.
"You see?" he said, in a superior tone of voice. "No matter the level of damage you inflict upon me, I can always repair it. So come on! Give me all you got!"
"Are you in on this, Menardi? Saturos?" questioned Garet.
"Damn straight," snapped Saturos, whisking out the sword that they had all known. Menardi twirled her scythe around her artfully.
"You're up against some of the fiercest warriors in all of Weyard!" called Ivan. "Do you really think you can take on all of us at once?"
"Yes, actually I do," said Alex, smiling and waving his scimitars. "I get stronger with every lighthouse lit. So, I have the power of all of you put together, plus ten more!"
"Arrogance and him do not go well," muttered Jenna.
"No they don't," agreed Karst, stepping up beside her. "Okay, Alex. Let's see if you're made of what you say!"
She and Menardi ran forward, scythe raised in a defensive position. Alex got in a battle stance, and met them head-on. All the rest saw were two blue blurs whirling about in the air in front of Alex, and the two sisters trying to defend themselves. They had virtually no opportunity to attack him.
Karst eventually lunged backward and cast Supernova on Alex. He was knocked backward, and he fell off his feet. Singed, but otherwise not affected by the attack, he leapt back up and, grasping his swords on either side of him, spun around viciously. Menardi had to duck, and Karst launched herself back again.
"I'm unstoppable!" cried Alex gleefully. "I've been going easy on you too!"
He cast Diamond Berg on Karst, encasing her in a solid, jagged block of ice. Then, he ran forward and began to slash viciously at the ice, and, when he broke through it all, he continued to slash for a second or two. When he was done, and he'd stepped back to look at what he did, he and the others saw Karst slump to the ground, shallow slashes painting red streaks all over her body. She had fainted, but was still alive.
"You fiend!" shrieked Menardi, swinging her scythe wildly, in a fit of rage.
This time, it was Alex who had to avoid the cuts with the scythe. He was somewhat taken aback at the new energy that flooded her. She swung wildly, trying to hit, to harm any part of Alex that she could, the one who had harmed her sister.
Eventually though, she began to lose energy, and through her increasingly feeble swipes with the scythe, she saw that she had done no harm to Alex at all. He just stood back and watched her try to hit him.
"You have energy, and spirit," he said plainly. "But I win."
And with that, he threw one of his scimitars at Menardi. Had she not moved three inches to the left, it would have gone straight through her abdomen, but no. This critical move landed one of Alex's scimitars in her right side, down to the hilt.
She did not scream, but instead gritted her teeth, panting, as she slowly reached blood-stained hands to the hilt of the weapon that penetrated her. She slowly grasped the handle, and with one swift move, she pulled the weapon out of her side, letting out a shriek of pain as she did so. As soon as the weapon was out of her body, she collapsed on the ground next to her sister. Menardi's blood then Merged with Karst's and it became a puddle next to them.
Mia ran forward and examined them, casting Pure Ply on Menardi's wound, and casting it all over Karst. The wounds healed and the skin mended, but the blood lost was not replaced. She turned back to the group.
"They'll survive," she said. "But they're going to be pretty sore when they wake up." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone, that is, except Alex.
"Dang," he said. "I'm losing my touch. But practice makes perfect. Who is next to challenge the power of Mercury?"
"We are," said Saturos and Agatio, stepping forward.
"And I am to fight alongside my brother, and his teacher," added Solaris, stepping next to Saturos. "Here, Agatio, take this," said Garet, holding up the second Sol Blade. "You're much better with it than I am."
"Wise move there, Garet," said Agatio. "Thanks."
"Well, what are you worried about? That I'll land a fatal blow on one of you? That may be the case. But not if you're lucky!" Alex cackled insanely.
The battle raged on, as Saturos, Agatio, and Solaris ran forward to engage Alex. Blades whirred. The sound of colliding metal rang the air, and grunts could be heard as the men in battle whirled their swords through the air. Saturos had apparently gained more skill with his blade, and he was now as efficient with it as Solaris and Agatio were with the Sol Blades.
"You wield that piece of crap of yours well Saturos," Agatio joked.
"Shut it! I'm trying to survive here," growled Saturos, knocking away one of the blue scimitars.
"Trying, yes . . ." said Alex, blocking a blow from Solaris. "Succeeding . . . I think not."
Alex knocked sway Saturos's sword hand, and then plunged his scimitar straight into Saturos's abdomen. Saturos grunted with pain, and fell backward, and, since Alex was still holding onto the scimitar, the sword slid out of his stomach. Saturos rolled away from the battle, faintly aware of Agatio and Solaris continuing the fight with Alex.
Mia met him while he was rolling on the ground, away from the fight taking place. She healed the flowing wound in his abdomen, and Saturos stopped rolling around. The skin and wound were mended, and he was still conscious.
"Thanks," he muttered. "It still hurts like Hell."
"It will for a while," said Mia. "I'd try walking around, so you can get used to the pain."
"I'm a warrior!" he said, getting up. "I'm no stranger to pain, especially after the Venus Lighthouse."
"Sorry, we didn't know," said Mia in a small voice, guilt rising in her chest.
"We're the ones who should be sorry. We brought it on ours-"
But his words were silenced by another shout of pain. Saturos and Mia looked over, and Saw that Solaris had been the next victim to the scimitars. His wound wasn't serious, but it was in a critical area. Mia rushed over, so that less blood would have dripped from his neck had she walked there.
"Are you okay?" she asked, but Solaris could do nothing except cough blood onto Mia. She seemed not to mind though as she healed his neck.
"Thanks," Solaris said weakly after a minute, taking his red-stained hands away from the now-mended cut on his neck.
Agatio was still fighting Alex, but it looked like Agatio's energy was dwindling. Alex, meanwhile, didn't look fazed at all, but wore his usual, expressionless look as he swung his scimitars to attack and defend against Agatio.
"Agatio! Use this!" rasped Solaris, tossing Agatio his Sol Blade. Agatio easily took it in his left hand, and resumed fighting Agatio.
Now, two titans were engaging in swift combat, each evenly matched with two swords. Agatio didn't seem affected by the extra weight of the second Sol Blade. He whirled it about in his left hand as skillfully as the one in his right.
Then, Agatio leapt up into the air, like Solaris had done way back when he was fighting the bounty hunters. Twirling both swords in his hands so fast that nobody could see them, everybody watched the master at work as he artfully worked with the swords.
Then, Agatio was coming down, the swords pointed straight down at Alex. Alex reared back with his scimitars, and swiped them forward with all his might. His aim true, he knocked the swords away from his body. Agatio, taken by surprise at this defensive move, didn't alter the swords in time. One of the Sol Blades, Solaris's, went straight through his opposite arm.
Agatio hissed through his teeth in pain, and instantly wrenched the now-bloodstained sword out of his right arm. He grasped so that less blood would escape from the wound. He saw Mia running up out of the corner of his eye, and a second later, felt her by his side.
"It's not so bad," said Agatio. "I've had worse."
"Well, let me take care of it anyway," said Mia, removing Agatio's hand from the wound, and casting Pure Ply on it. They both watched as the blue skin returned, good as new.
"Thanks," said Agatio. "But I can't fight anymore."
"Round two to me!" crowed Alex. "Come on. Who's next? Let's hurry up, I want to get this lighthouse lit."
"Third time's a charm, Alex!" said Felix, as he, Jenna, and Sheba walked forward. "And the charm is ours."
"We'll see about that!" said Alex, and Felix, Jenna, and Sheba began to battle.
Isaac, Garet, Ivan, Mia, and Lunora watched with interest; it had been over a year since they had seen Felix and Jenna fight. They didn't know how Sheba fought at all, so they had something new to see.
Apparently, Felix and Jenna had gained a considerable amount of skill as they traveled the world, for they were now fighting almost as good as Isaac and Garet. They had always been the two better weapon-wielders of the four. Sheba had a style of fighting that they'd never seen before. She'd lay back for a minute, until she saw something about the battle. She'd fight for a minute or so, and then lay back again. She seemed to be looking for a strategic weakness in Alex.
"Felix, where did you and your sister learn to use weapons so well?" asked Alex, blocking a blow from Jenna. "I didn't think you escaped much."
"We felt it was necessary, in case we were attacked," said Jenna.
"I thought so too," added Sheba. "And it paid off. We have to fight scum like you."
"My dear, I merely have ambition," said Alex. "Now, you have a problem on your hands."
With that, he took his two scimitars and slit Sheba's wrists. Since this was not a painful wound, but still fatal, she gritted her teeth and walked over to Mia herself, who had seen the wound and was walking to her.
"Looks like I got off lucky," said Sheba.
"Well, you wouldn't have if I hadn't seen this so soon," said Mia, healing Sheba's wrists.
"Yeah . . . well, I don't think I'll fight anymore," said Sheba slowly. "I learned as a small child that lucky rarely strikes twice at the same door."
"True," said Mia.
Felix and Jenna were putting up a valiant effort; Felix was able to defend both of them while Jenna tried to hit Alex. But, as good as the defense was, Jenna kept missing. It wasn't because she was a bad aim, it was because Alex was too quick for her.
"Tired yet?" asked Alex, swiping at Felix, who blocked.
"Getting there," said Jenna casually, swing at Alex, who dodged. "At least we admit it. We're not arrogant, like you."
"Ah, but I have good reason to be," said Alex. "I have taken down six Adepts, and-"
But Jenna had stepped back and cast Flare Storm on Alex. He reeled slightly, as he did when he was hit by Karst's Supernova. But, the spell didn't knock him off his feet. On the plus side, Alex was showing small signs of fatigue here and there.
"Vicious, your whole clan," said Alex to Jenna, as she lunged back into the swordfight. "You're all brutes."
"And I can't even start to describe how much you disgrace the Mercury Clan," said Felix, blocking both Alex's scimitars from piercing Jenna's throat. "It's horrid."
"Well, maybe there'll be more like me," said Alex. "And then the others will be the disgraced. And when I have Alchemy's power, that will be the order of things."
He took this moment to do a fake with one of his scimitars. When Felix went up to block it, Alex plunged the other one into Felix's left leg. Felix jumped away on his one good foot, and fell to the ground, moaning in pain, clutching his stabbed leg.
Mia came over at once, and put her hand gently over Felix's leg, healing it completely. She told him, as she did everyone else, that he'd be stiff for awhile, but he'd be just fine. She helped him to his feet, and they hobbled away from the battle.
"Do you think she's gonna be okay?" asked Felix, referring to Jenna, who was still dueling with Alex.
"She's lasted this long, hasn't she?" said Mia optimistically. "I think she'll be fine."
She was proved wrong, however. She had no sooner let the words slip her mouth when there was a shriek, and she saw Jenna fall to the ground, her staff rolling across the stone roof of the Sol Lighthouse. Mia rushed up to her, and pinpointed the source of her pain. Alex had sliced her across the right shoulder.
"It's okay, Jenna," Mia said soothingly. "We'll get this shoulder taken care of." She healed it instantly. "Okay, you're fine now. It'll be stiff for a bit, and you shouldn't fight anymore." Jenna nodded.
"Okay, come on, let's go!" said Alex, pulling out the star. "I want to put this where it belongs."
"Down your throat?" snapped Lunora. "Why, all you had to do was ask." Ivan and Garet chuckled.
"All right," said Isaac. "Let's send this bastard straight to Hell."
"With pleasure!" said Garet, walking over and picking up his Sol Blade, swinging it around.
"Garet . . . be careful," pleaded Jenna, clasping his hand as he walked by. Garet nodded numbly, amazed at this show of affection.
Isaac, Garet, Ivan, Mia, and Lunora slowly walked forward to face Alex. Mia suddenly held out her arms, halting the rest in her tracks.
"This is personal," she whispered.
She approached Alex slowly, a determined expression set in her face as she slowly drew out her Crystal Rod. It seemed to take forever, but she finally stopped in front of Alex, Crystal Rod gripped in both hands.
They stared each other down for what seemed like an eternity to the others. Isaac saw burning hatred in Mia's eyes, and a black, expressionless void in Alex's. He was neither intimidated or unchanged at this sudden change of action.
Then, at once, they both raised their weapons and lashed out at each other, metal clanging on metal. It was split-second, staff and swords joined together at the attack that occurred at the same time. Then, they began to duel.
Isaac's, Garet's, Ivan's, and Lunora's mouths hung open as they watched Mia fight Alex. They had never seen her battle like this, with such fire, energy, and hatred. It was doing wonders for her skill. She was dodging every attack from Alex not with her staff, but leaping in every direction to avoid the stabs. When she wasn't leaping, she was attacking with such ferocity that Alex was slightly taken aback.
The staff, sensing this radiating power from Mia, unleashed Drown upon Alex. Of course, it had hardly any effect, except to get him all wet. Then, she leapt back and cast Ice Missile.
Alex was able to block many of the razor-sharp icicles raining from the sky, but there were a few that did get through. And when the attack was over, many shattered icicles lay scattered around Alex, but there were a few embedded shallowly in his chest. He wrenched them out slowly, and saw that the tips of the icicles were being melted by his own, hot blood. He looked at Mia with a mixture of amazement and anger.
"A smart move," he said stiffly. "I'll admit to you that that was painful. But if you'll forgive me for saying so, it didn't do much."
Mia and Alex then lunged at each other again, and began locked in another swift, fierce battle. Metal clanged off metal, as the battle raged on. It didn't seem like either was running out of energy.
"Boy, I've never seen her fight us like that," said a weak voice from behind Isaac, Garet, Ivan, and Lunora.
"Nor have I," said another voice.
Isaac, Garet, Ivan, and Lunora spun around quickly, and saw that Menardi and Karst had woken up. They were obviously watching the battle from where the were lying on the ground.
"Auuuuuuugh!" came a sharp cry of pain, but this time, it was not from Mia. It was Alex.
Alex apparently had been cut across the chest. There was a rip in his clothing, and they could see a red line streaked across the chest underneath; apparently Mia's staff had a sharp spot on it.
Now, Alex looked furious. He started to swing his swords wildly, in a rage. It was not soon after that Mia paid the price, but she got very lucky. At one particularly wild swing, the hilt of one of Alex's scimitars connected with Mia's skull, and she slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Mia!" shouted Isaac, starting towards her, but stopped when he felt a blade held to his throat.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Alex manacingly. He looked deranged.
Isaac stepped back, and Alex lowered the blade. He was now furious as well, and he was ready to shred Alex into a thousand pieces.
"Kill him," he said, glaring at Alex.
"Fine by me!" roared Garet, lunging forward with his axe raised. The rest followed suit.
Alex, now bleeding, rather tired, and very angry, was starting to lose some of his fighting ability. He was able to dodge and block many of Isaac's, Garet's, Ivan's, and Lunora's attacks, but soon he was wearing thin. He knew drastic action must be taken.
"Freeze Prism!" he shouted.
Because this move was so unexpected, Isaac, Garet, Ivan, and Lunora didn't have time to fend off the cages of ice the size of houses. All twelve cages slammed onto them, one after another. Isaac, after getting hit with two, was able to slow down the rest that came his way with his sword, but others weren't so lucky.
After the attack had subsided, all the battlers but Alex were found staggering around the roof of the lighthouse, cut, battered, and bleeding from the barrage of ice that slammed onto them. Garet, being weak to Mercury, had just collapsed, motionless. Lunora was the least-beaten up of them all. She was still in pretty bad condition, but she wasn't staggering.
Soon, Isaac and Ivan were able to gain control of their staggering, and they met up again in front of Alex, next to Lunora. Now regaining strength, they took up battle stances with bloodstained hands.
Alex showed no mercy. No sooner had Isaac, Ivan, and Lunora got ready to fight again then Alex cast Froth Spiral on them. The bubbles flowed out of his hand, and soon collided with Isaac, Ivan, and Lunora with the force of a small explosion. Not only that, but the water didn't allow breathing either. So, by the time the torrent of bubbles ended, all three were lying on the ground, conscious, but certainly not able to battle anymore.
"That was too simple!" shouted Alex, sheathing his scimitars artfully.
"What? It's over already?" whispered a small voice.
Isaac looked around, and saw Mia tilting her head upward, to get a good look at what was going on. She had a throbbing lump on her head, and the red of her blood and the blue of her hair meant that there were purple streaks in her hair. She was watching as Alex drew out the star.
"I'm sorry Mia," said Isaac slowly. "He unleashed his most powerful psynergy on us, and took us down. We didn't have a chance."
"Well, this is it," said Lunora. "All the lighthouses will be lit, and the erosion will stop, but a new terror will be unleashed on Weyard. A ruthless dictator with a lust for power and wealth."
All were watching as Alex began to walk towards the gaping hole in the middle of the roof. He was going to toss the star in, and them he'd be immortal, have all the power he could want, and all the money in the world. If somebody didn't stop him . . . if he dropped the star in . . .!
Lunora prayed with all her might that some force would arise and take down Alex before he had a chance to toss the star into the Sol Lighthouse. She prayed to Sol that all would be safe, that Alex couldn't get to the well in time.
For a minute, it seemed as though her miracle was occurring. She saw Solaris, Sol Blade extended in front of him, sneaking behind Alex. With a thrill, she realized that he was going to stab Alex and take the star before he could throw it in.
"For Weyard!" he heard him shout.
Alex started, and before he could turn around, let out a piercing scream as Solaris drove his Sol Blade straight through his gut, the other half of the sword coming out of Alex, front, the metal smeared red and dripping with Alex's blood.
Alex started to wretch, and then, as though in a last-ditch effort, caught Solaris completely by surprise this time. As he collapsed to his knees, he rolled the Sol Star as hard as he could on the ground, toward the well. He was going to light the lighthouse anyway!
Solaris, letting out a roar, let go of the Sol Blade, and threw himself forward in an attempt to grab the star, but he came up short. The star rolled just barely beyond his reach, and dropped into the well.
It was as though time had stopped. All waited, all except Alex watching in pure horror at what just occurred. After what seemed like an eon, they felt the rumbling and shaking of the Sol Lighthouse. Seconds later, a brilliant flash blinded them all, and the swirling ball of Sol energy rose to the top, and began swirling above the well. It was yellow, and it glowed more brightly than any of the other spheres they saw.
All of a sudden, Solaris's Sol Blade fell out of Alex, and Alex's flesh began to mend. His strength returned. All watched as he got to his feet, and flexed his arms. They worked perfectly.
"At last! My dream has been fulfilled!" he shouted gleefully, opening his arms to the sky. "Oh mighty Sol, talk to me! Confirm that I have your power!"
"Alex . . ." said the voice all recognized to be Sol's. "You have gained my power, of which includes immortality, infinite wealth, and infinite power. I have nothing more to say-"
"Yes!" shouted Alex, arms still extended. "I shall harness my power to destroy the village of-"
"Except one thing," Sol finished. "Seeing as the Sol Adept, Solaris, made a valiant attempt at trying to defeat you for his own purposes, but failed . . . I still admire that willpower. So, I'm granting him one wish, to do with what he pleases. He may have anything he wants, except for anything Alex already has."
"Really?" asked Solaris, looking dumb-struck.
"But . . . but Sol you can't . . ." started Alex, but he fell silent as his own comprehension dawned on him. "No. No, I do not mind. He cannot have anything of mine, of which includes immortality. So, let him waste it. I do not care."
Solaris was still absorbing what Sol had given him. He wondered what to use his wish for. Being reunited with some of his own clan came to mind, along with several other things . . . but, then he stopped thinking about himself, and tried to think about what would benefit the world in the dark times to come.
"Solaris!" he heard Mia shout from behind him. "Come here. I have something to tell you."
Wondering what this could possibly be about, Solaris nodded and walked slowly towards Mia, who was looking like she had just figured out how to become a God. She waved her finger at Solaris, telling him to bend down so that she could whisper in his ear.
As she told Solaris what she wanted him to hear, Solaris kept nodding all the way through. As soon as she was finished, he looked like he had been appointed the ruler of the Gods himself. Smiling serenely, he strolled over to Alex.
"This was Mia's idea Alex," he began, "and I happen to like it very much. So, I'm going to make my request."
"What is there to request?" said Alex triumphantly. "I have all power, limitless life, and wealth! What good can you do? What can you do to benefit yourself?"
"Arrogance, Alex . . ." said Solaris, shaking his head, "has always been your worst enemy. I don't wish for anything for myself."
"Give it up!" shouted Alex maniacally. "There's nothing you can do to stop me! I have it all!"
"Oh see, my request is very simple," said Solaris. "Alex! I . . . want . . . you . . . dead!"
"Solaris has made his wish," said Sol.
"Wait!" said Alex, looking very frightened now. "I have immortality! You said he can't wish for anything I don't have!"
"And he didn't wish for immortality, did he?" replied Sol. "I'm afraid this is your end, Alex. Farewell."
And, despite Alex's shouts of protest, a translucent, yellowish-green sword descended upon Alex from the sun. Alex, seeming to have been immobilized, watched the sword with great fear in his eyes. Then, not moving, the sword struck him right where the heart was. He fell to the ground, his right hand outstretched in front of him his blood once again pouring onto the roof of the lighthouse.
Mia had gotten up and stood next to Isaac, who was laying behind Solaris. She watched Alex writhe with a vacant expression in her normally cheerful cerulean eyes. She watched Alex die, her arms crossed, and her face in a frown.
Alex looked up at her, just before he died, and rasped, "Bitch." He then collapsed, not moving, not breathing, on the floor of the lighthouse.
Everyone looked around at each other. Mia, seeming to have regained her identity as a healer, went on a rampage, casting Pure Ply on everyone in sight. Soon, everyone was getting to their feet, standing in disbelief.
Ivan then spoke. ". . . It's over."
**********************
Their quest is over. But now, they have to get home . . . so, stay tuned! The story is not finished yet!
And, remember the SirGecko deal! The more reviews I get, the mire I type, and the faster I update! REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!
(I would have updated sooner, but school got in the way. I apologize . . . it won't happen again.)