Umbriel: We're DONE with part 3!!!
Fizz: It looks like a big one...
Hail: That's because she couldn't easily fit everything in something UNDER 10 pages!!!
Umbriel: I think the readers will like the large amount of time I spent on it!
Fizz: We have an award to give...
Umbriel: Because she was the first to review for the previous chapter! Thank you!!!
Hail: Congratulations Jupiter Sprite!
Fizz: You win a Chibi Ivan Plushie!
Umbriel: It squeaks! *gives plushie*
Fizz: For the disclaimer... Does it LOOK like she owns Golden Sun?
Umbriel: *is wearing a T-shirt that says 'I do not own Golden Sun'*
Fizz: Also there is a LITTLE bit of Jenna/Saturos to make it more complicated.
Hail: Number 1, that's not the reason, number 2, it's in there for about three sentences!
Umbriel: Hey! Stop talking! Let's start!!!
Hidden Betrayal: Reunion
The Doom Dragon was huge, to say the least. Mia had been dragged into the fight with the first group. "Just like old times," she thought watching Ivan, Garet, and their leader Isaac out of the corner of her eye. A sudden gust of wind whipped her hair in her face.
Attack after attack was endured. Ivan fell first, eyes white with terror. The image was enough to haunt anyone for the rest of their life. Blood poured out of his small body. Mia knew that if they won, he could be revived, but that was a big 'if'. Looking around at the others, she realized a Mist Potion was needed. She pulled of the cork and squirted the contents to her allies. The blue liquid flew over everyone and a refreshing sensation healed. The fight continued.
The dragon roared and everyone was thrown back as a Dark Ruin came to meet them. With all her Djinn recovering, the Mercury Adept did not have enough energy to stand the attack. She let the darkness envelope her. The last thing she knew, Picard was taking her place.
Suddenly, she saw nothing, knew nothing. There was nothing, she was nothing. A grand suspension of nothingness surrounded her and she felt nothing. Wait, no, in all the nothingness, there was something. Alex was there, she could see him. She saw a dazed expression on his face, stricken with tension. It was as if he were having an inner battle. He was climbing Mt. Aleph. "Alex!" Mia called to him.
As if heard, he turned to her. His eyes were sorrowful, his body exhausted. Then his eyes darkened, "The Golden Sun... The very quintessence of Alchemy's power! It's beginning! wait for me! Please, wait! Wait until I reach the summit of Mt. Aleph!" his gaze darkened further into a glare, a look of hatred. Quickly, Mia looked away. Had she looked closer, she would have seen the grief behind his eyes, something totally different than the monster Alex was becoming.
"Mia, wake up! Get off me!" A voice pierced the girl's thoughts. Slowly, the world returned. Mia blinked. The snow had stopped, she had an interesting view of the sky from this position. Ivan's voice rang out again, "I can barely breath! Mia I know your not dead. Your too heavy, your squishing me!"
"Oops," Mia blushed, "Sorry Ivan." She got up and surveyed the area. Ivan had been revived and was looking much better. Three people were laying on the floor of the aerie.
"Who are they?" Ivan asked first.
A deep voice could be heard, "That's what I was trying to warn you about!" Everyone looked to see Kraden standing on the stairs. "It wasn't the dragon you killed..."
Looking at Garet, one might think he was on his deathbed. He sounded it as well, "I remember you warning us, but it was too late for us to stop..."
Mia inquired, "Kraden, what do you know? Why were you trying to stop us from fighting the dragon?"
There was a pause and everyone could hear breathing. Mia's chest heaved, trying to draw in air. Finally, Kraden spoke, "It was the Wise One's final trap.."
Trap? How could this be a trap? Ivan spoke, "Trap? What do you mean?"
"Took the works out of my mouth," Mia muttered, no one heard.
Kraden continued, "The Wise One knew he couldn't stop you, so he played a cruel, wretched trick on you instead."
Isaac gave Kraden a hard, piercing look, "Kraden, I don't understand... What are you trying to tell us?"
Jenna turned to the three people and said softly, "Sheba, lets see who these people are while they try to sort this out." She started up the stairs, one foot after the other.
However, Kraden had heard, "No, Jenna! Don't look! You mustn't look! It will only bring you pain," he went into a state of panic none there had ever seen him in.
Sheba tried to speak, "What are you talking about, Kraden? They can't hurt us anymore... We'll just-"
Jenna backed away. Her eyes were filled with horror and disbelief. Several times, her mouth opened and closed. She took a few steps back, eyes never leaving the three people.
"What's the matter, Jenna?" Sheba finally asked.
"It can't be... How? How," Isaac gasped, his eyes paralleled Jenna's.
Mia had never seen Isaac like this, it scared her. One of the people laying on the ground groaned. "What is it, Isaac?" Mia finally asked. Another groan followed, as if it was trying to speak.
"Isaac! I... I know that guy! That's you dad!"
Sheba put two and two together, "Then, does that mean... the other two are."
Jenna gave a sob as her parents stirred, unable to do anything. Picard walked over and turned to Mia. He spoke in a rushed manner, "I'll heal Jenna's parents! Quickly, Mia! Tend to Isaac's father!"
The young Mercury Adept turned to the fallen parents and began to send her Psynergy rushing through them. "Ply," she cried, "Please Ply."
How had this startled? So many people she knew had been hurt, people that still might die. Pain and suffering followed her, taunting her every step. Yes, they were saving Weyard in the process, but Saturos, Agatio, did they deserve to die? No, the lighthouses could have been lit without deaths. It was the Wise One's fault. He entrusted Isaac with the Mars Star to prevent the lighthouses from being lit. However, Isaac agreed. Then again, he would have died if he didn't agree. There was little doubt there wouldn't have been deaths if no one had resisted. Which brought up a new question... Why had Alex brought Karst and Agatio into this? Was he behind it all? The letter, the disappearance, it made sense. No, she knew Alex better than that, he would never - Mia paused, horrorstruck. What had his words been? "I can't stay the same Alex you knew forever-" The Mercury Adept stopped using Ply, she was out of Psynergy. Why?
"Don't give up, Mia. You can't! You have to save them," Ivan argued from the side.
Mia felt helpless, there was nothing she could do. Another day of loss, "it's no use, Ivan. I'm tapped," Darkness threatened her vision again and so, she concentrated on breathing. Subconsciously she gripped the Saffire in here pocket.
Thoughts drifted through her mind. What would she have done differently? What could she have done? She gave it her best and despite some people being hurt, more had been saved. If Alex really did make this harder on the people of Weyard she couldn't forgive this new Alex. She thought she had an idea of exactly why he did this, but that wasn't enough.
"I never imagined that my actions would help to save the world," a voice Mia identified as Picard's spoke.
"Even though lighting the beacon may create wars and strife, I regret none of this," Mia spoke, attempting to make it true by saying it.
Kraden turned to Felix, "There's little time left, Felix... Use the Mars star and light the beacon."
Felix walked around the beacon as if to say 'so this is it..." He turned to Jenna, Picard, Sheba, and Mia. He heard Mia mumble, "If Alex set this all in motion, then he's responsible for this, and I'll never forgive him."
Several hours later, Mia sat in the snow. Tears ran down her cheeks, threatening to freeze in the cold weather. What would she do now? Alex had left her, done something unimaginable.
Miles away, Alex reached the top of Mt. Aleph. His dreams were so close, not of world conquest, something that required unlimited power. Most of the deal was just something that came with it. The problem was with the power, something strange had arisen in him. But what was it?
Four magnificent beams of colored light raced to collide over the mountain. Alex looked up and saw the splash of color and a spiral as the Golden Sun began to be formed. The light came down on Alex and he lifted his hands to the sky. The light rolled over him, filling his insides with hope and warmth. A new power pulsed into him. Then, the light vanished as quickly as it had come.
"At last! I have it! Eternal life... and limitless power! At last, the power of nature is mine to control as I will! Rise, storms! Rise up and unleashed your might upon Vale and the foothills of Mt. Aleph!" The possessed Mercury Adept yelled. What is up with me? Alex thought. Something else was pouring out words. The same presence that had been in him sense his first trip to the Mercury Lighthouse. The voice continued, "That's odd... I should have limitless power... So why can't I call up a simple storm?"
Alex was starting to wonder about this as well. Shouldn't he have limitless power? Unfortunately, a large rock with an eye taking up over half of it's body chose to appear. "W-Who are you?" Alex asked.
"I am called the Wise One..." the rock spoke. Wait, the rock spoke? Well, it was also floating, and looking at him. Could it be?
Alex blinked in surprise, "The Wise One? Vale's protector?"
"You wish to have limitless power?" the Wise One asked.
"Wish to? I just got it!" Alex responded.
"No, your power is nearly limitless, but it has boundaries."
"Nearly limitless? You speak in riddles. Can't you see? The power is mine!" Alex's voice flared out of control.
"Yes. You also have nearly endless life. And your Psynergy is... somewhat stronger."
"If you are trying to anger me, have a little taste of exactly how much power I have attained!" Alex was confused now. Why was he trying to pick a fight with the rock, it would just a waste of time. He could understand trying out his power with a little storm, but this? It was if he had no control over his actions or words. However, he continued to activate his Psynergy, "Look at me! My body is brimming with power!"
The circles indicating the use of Psynergy flowed over the Wise One. His power reached out to Alex and knocked him over. Alex was now extremely angry at the fact that he was loosing to a rock. It was a protector, but it was still a rock. Why couldn't he control himself. "How!? What's going on? I should be all-powerful! How can you defeat me?!?
Again the Wise One directed the Psynergy towards Alex. Alex cringed before being lifted up and then mercilessly dropped. "You are not all-powerful, Alex. Your power has its limits, as does your life."
This was not encouraging to hear as most of the Adept's bones were soar, if not broken. Blood gushed out of many slits caused by the falling on small rocks. Words were forced out of him yet again as Alex inwardly rolled his eyes, "That cannot be! Who is responsible for this treachery? Who has robbed me of my dream?"
"I, the Wise One, imbued the Mars Star with some of the power of the forming Golden Sun. It rests even now in the hands of young Isaac."
"Why?"
"The heavens and earth are changing, Alex! You must flee now!"
At this point, Alex chose to let the world slit from his view. He no longer wanted to live if he would be used to wreak havoc on the world. On Mia. No, never. Blackness consumed him and he made a point of staying right there. He would not move while this thing took over him.
"Wha-What!?" the remains of Alex spoke.
"Mt. Aleph will soon be drawn into the heart of the earth! You must flee or join it forever!"
"Flee?! I can't flee! I can't even move!"
The Wise One looked closer at Alex and a look of realization washed over him, "Ah, yes. You now see the limits of your power. If you are swallowed by the earth, you may not survive. If you survive, perhaps we shall meet again someday..."
Alex's body shook with the mountain. A scream whipped through the air as his body fell down Mt. Aleph.
The group returned to Vale, and after a teary reunion with the citizens of Vale, a celebration was held. Mia decided to forget everything and be happy. It was a change for most people, not under constant pressure that is.
One person did not seem to be very happy at all. Jenna didn't smile and toward the end of the celebration, disappeared all together.
Mia went to bed in one of the houses still remaining. There were enough places for all eight Adepts who completed the quest to sleep on. The citizens of Vale were more than happy to let them be used.
"Mia? You awake?" a feminine yet rough voice made it's way to Mia's ear. "I have to show you something very important."
Mia could not identify the voice, though she should have. It was very familiar, but she just couldn't place it. The Mercury Adept rolled away from the voice. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want to think. A sudden flurry of heat rushed over her. So that's who it was.
"Mia, sit up now and come with me. Don't you dare start feeling sorry for yourself," Jenna's voice pounded in Mia's ear. She looked up to see a flaming Mars Adept's burning eyes. There was something in them that was in Mia's as well. It was a sorrow, a deep sadness.
"Jenna, what's wrong? You're crying," Mia asked, concerned for her friend.
"I'm not crying!" Jenna yelled.
"Jenna, your face is wet, your eyes are red, your crying," Mia countered.
Jenna glared but spoke anyway, "He died, Mia, he died."
"Who died?" Mia asked. Who could have died to make Jenna feel this way? The only time Jenna had ever cried was when she thought she had killed her own parents.
"Him!" Jenna screeched. Alright, ever sense the Mars Lighthouse Jenna seemed to have saddened, now she had cracked. "When I was 'kidnapped', I fell in love, now he's gone. I don't want any of my friends to experience the same thing..."
"Wait, that would mean," Mia trailed off. Had Jenna fell in love with Saturos?!? "Okay, what do you need to show me?"
Jenna led Mia to the rubble of Mt. Aleph. They walked along a row of boulders and turned. Mia glanced up at what once was the mountain her Alex was climbing. Wait, he wasn't her Alex, he was a betrayer, an outcast. He no longer needed to exist in her life. Even though she loved him, she had to forget. "Good riddance," she mumbled.
The two of them stumbled over rocks and boulders until Jenna finally stopped and pointed. With the moon as the only light, the thing Jenna was pointing to could barely be seen. A glimmer of sickly red, a trace of blue.
"Alex," Mia gasped.
Jenna held out a blaze of fire for Mia. She saw a bloody mass with splotches of blue. Alex lay sprawled out on the ground. The collar of his tunic lay cut open. His scar was flowing freely. Cuts ran down his legs and arms. One arm had flung out to the side, the other laid across his chest. His sky blue hair was matted to his head and in impossible tangles. His eyes were closed, an energy pumped through his body. Psynergy. "He told me to get you. He will eventually run out of Psynergy and then he will not be able to continue to heal himself. I found him right after the celebration," Jenna went over to Alex and nudged him, "Alex, I got Mia for you."
His eyes fluttered open, they had the look that comes right before death. "Mia... Please... help me," Alex's voice rasped.
"Why should I?" Mia argued. She was going to stick with what she said on top of the Mars Lighthouse, no matter how much it hurt.
"Please... I... need to... explain," Alex rasped again. His eye's pleaded with Mia's.
However, hers were a cold icy blue. "How do I know you're not just going to conquer Weyard after-if-I revive you?" an enrage Mia asked.
"I'm... done... done with... any dream."
"Prove it."
"I.. don't have...limitless... power," Alex was coughing up blood now.
Jenna cut in, "Felix told me what you said on the Mars Lighthouse. What if he's not responsible for setting it all in motion. Alex told me that the Wise One sealed away some of the power before Alex could have gotten to it. Mia, I know you love him," this caused Alex to choke much to Mia's amusement, "and you can't make the mistake I made."
Mia stood looking at Jenna and Alex who were pleading back at her, "Fine! Whatever! Jenna, you're helping me get Alex back to Vale though." Why does Jenna have to torture me like this? Mia thought. The annoyed Mercury Adept was certain that now she could never forgive him. It was too much. She didn't want to think about it! Or did she?
Jenna and Mia miraculously helped Alex back to the ruins of Vale and got him on a bed. He laid back, but not before coughing up more blood. "Just like old times," he thought.
"Jenna, would you go get some herbs? Preferably fresh," Mia asked Jenna who scurried off to find some. "Ply," Mia urged and added her Psynergy to Alex's which was already going. She felt her power scurry through him. It healed scratched and such. It added blood to his body. Jenna came back with a box of herbs.
"Is this enough?" Yes, I need a few of those here. go wake up someone else. Someone needs to make a soup out of some of the herb to sooth his thought. We also need some of the Psynergy stone," Mia instructed.
Jenna woke up Felix who was put to the task of recovering a piece of Psynergy stone, much to his displeasure. Yes, Felix had been friends with Alex, but he didn't not like being woken up on the first night after his quest.
The siblings returned to Mia. They found the girl in a rage. Apparently, even with two Mercury Adepts both casting Ply, not much was improving.
A blue glow surrounded Mia. "Pure Ply," she gasped. Alex's eyes widened and a blinding light filled the room. A soft humming filled everyone's ears. It soothed even Felix and Jenna. The light dimmed and only a few feathers could be seen floating from the air to Alex. When they made contact, they dissolved and Alex appeared to become healthier. The only thing that could be seen wrong with him was his bleeding scar that seemed determined to stay open. Mia turned around, now pale and walked out of the room, "I need to sleep. Please keep an eye on him."
A dazed Felix and Jenna were left in charge as Mia went off to sleep a dreamless sleep. The two turned to each other and shrugged.
Several hours later, Mia was awakened to somebody shaking her. She sat up from the ground and looked at the intruder. It was Felix, "Come, now. There is a problem," he said then left. Mia got up and watched as he led the way to where Alex had been kept. She swore and rushed into the room.
"Mercury, guide me," Mia whispered, praying to her patron god. Her hand slipped into her pocket and she rushed over to Alex. The bleeding from his scar would kill him! She slipped the Saffire into his hand. A prayer came to her lips,
"Mercury god of healing,
god of water,
I am your humble servant
I ask of you please,
tend this wound I can not fix."
Nothing appeared to happen for several moments, Mia kneeled by Alex and continued to pray. It was all she could do. She was out of Psynergy again. She had to heal herself so she would not go unconscious after the Pure Ply. The stone that Felix had brought back had been used up and the scar was still bleeding. It was not logical, it was beyond Mia's abilities as a healer. The only choice left was Mercury himself.
Felix and Jenna walked out, clueless of what to do. Mia looked up in time to see the scar seal up again as if it were being sewed. The Saffire she had found in the Mercury Lighthouse had disappeared. Mia thanked the gods and fell asleep on Alex.
The next day, Mia awoke to a prodding to her side. She looked up to see a rather confused Alex attempting to wake her up and off him. She blushed and sat up allowing Alex to do the same. "You have a lot of explaining to do," Mia muttered.
"About that, it started in the Mercury Lighthouse when I suddenly left. Well, actually it started when I was young and thought it was unfair that I didn't have a family. I didn't have anyone to love and I wanted my parents back most of all. I envied all of the children in Imil who had parents," Alex started. "I found books hear and there," he looked at Mia guiltily, "I read about the Lighthouses. They hinted that one who got all the power from the Golden Sun would have limitless power. I thought it could revive my family."
"You could have told me," Mia told Alex.
"I didn't want to hurt you if it didn't work."
"But you did Alex, you hurt me!" Mia snapped.
"I want to apologize," Alex confessed.
"And what's with this strange new you?"
"It's gone Mia, it's gone."
"What?"
"I couldn't control myself. I did not do it all intentionally."
"You weren't in control all that time? I'm not stupid!"
"Of course your not, please listen to me."
"What if I don't want to?"
"Do you?" Alex truthfully asked.
"No-well, just make it quick."
"I didn't want you to know everything until after for fear that you might hate me. Over all that time I grew less and less in control, I didn't notice until when I was climbing Mt. Aleph. It's brought out something strange in me."
"And you think I'll believe you."
"Mia, please, I love you, I don't want to see you like this. The shadow is gone. I have control of whatever power I have now," Alex sighed.
"You love me? How do I know if your telling the truth?" Mia got up to go.
"I'm sorry."
Mia stopped, "You've lied to much. Betrayal hurts."
"I'm asking for you to give me another chance."
"That is something I can not do unless you prove to me you are telling the truth."
"I love you too much to have wanted to hurt you or the world. If there's one thing I've learned, it's you are my world," Alex got up and followed Mia.
"And I've told you that those are just words."
"Then let me show you," Alex wrapped his arms around her. His lips met hers as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She was shocked at first but gave in. Alex was telling the truth. She returned the kiss as her hands burrowed in his hair. She would forgive him.
That night, Alex went for a walk. So many things could happen so fast. He looked and saw a figure standing under a tree, looking towards the whole that was Mt. Aleph. It was Jenna. "You know Jenna," he waited for her to look up at him. "Though we grieve for those past away, it's the memories that count. Don't look at me, I know about you and Saturos. Maybe it's supposed to be like this." Alex looked over his shoulder to see a confused looking Jenna staring after him. The Mercury Adept continued to walk, he had things to reflect about, and then there was always the question about what to do about Imil.
End of Part 3
Fizz: It's Done!!! ^________^
Umbriel: I LOVE it!!!
Hail: It's really long....
Umbriel: You have a problem with that???
Hail: e.e Why whould I?
Fizz: THAT TOOK WAY TO LONG! X.X
Umbriel: You ARE overdramatic! And I didn't have anything better to do!!!
Fizz: REVIEW!!!! Please?
Hail: Stay tuned for the 'Epilog' whatever that's going to be...
Umbriel: It shouldn't be as long but it's going to wrap everything up.
Fizz: And it's an EPILOG because it takes place completely after the Golden Sun story line! ^.^
Fizz: It looks like a big one...
Hail: That's because she couldn't easily fit everything in something UNDER 10 pages!!!
Umbriel: I think the readers will like the large amount of time I spent on it!
Fizz: We have an award to give...
Umbriel: Because she was the first to review for the previous chapter! Thank you!!!
Hail: Congratulations Jupiter Sprite!
Fizz: You win a Chibi Ivan Plushie!
Umbriel: It squeaks! *gives plushie*
Fizz: For the disclaimer... Does it LOOK like she owns Golden Sun?
Umbriel: *is wearing a T-shirt that says 'I do not own Golden Sun'*
Fizz: Also there is a LITTLE bit of Jenna/Saturos to make it more complicated.
Hail: Number 1, that's not the reason, number 2, it's in there for about three sentences!
Umbriel: Hey! Stop talking! Let's start!!!
Hidden Betrayal: Reunion
The Doom Dragon was huge, to say the least. Mia had been dragged into the fight with the first group. "Just like old times," she thought watching Ivan, Garet, and their leader Isaac out of the corner of her eye. A sudden gust of wind whipped her hair in her face.
Attack after attack was endured. Ivan fell first, eyes white with terror. The image was enough to haunt anyone for the rest of their life. Blood poured out of his small body. Mia knew that if they won, he could be revived, but that was a big 'if'. Looking around at the others, she realized a Mist Potion was needed. She pulled of the cork and squirted the contents to her allies. The blue liquid flew over everyone and a refreshing sensation healed. The fight continued.
The dragon roared and everyone was thrown back as a Dark Ruin came to meet them. With all her Djinn recovering, the Mercury Adept did not have enough energy to stand the attack. She let the darkness envelope her. The last thing she knew, Picard was taking her place.
Suddenly, she saw nothing, knew nothing. There was nothing, she was nothing. A grand suspension of nothingness surrounded her and she felt nothing. Wait, no, in all the nothingness, there was something. Alex was there, she could see him. She saw a dazed expression on his face, stricken with tension. It was as if he were having an inner battle. He was climbing Mt. Aleph. "Alex!" Mia called to him.
As if heard, he turned to her. His eyes were sorrowful, his body exhausted. Then his eyes darkened, "The Golden Sun... The very quintessence of Alchemy's power! It's beginning! wait for me! Please, wait! Wait until I reach the summit of Mt. Aleph!" his gaze darkened further into a glare, a look of hatred. Quickly, Mia looked away. Had she looked closer, she would have seen the grief behind his eyes, something totally different than the monster Alex was becoming.
"Mia, wake up! Get off me!" A voice pierced the girl's thoughts. Slowly, the world returned. Mia blinked. The snow had stopped, she had an interesting view of the sky from this position. Ivan's voice rang out again, "I can barely breath! Mia I know your not dead. Your too heavy, your squishing me!"
"Oops," Mia blushed, "Sorry Ivan." She got up and surveyed the area. Ivan had been revived and was looking much better. Three people were laying on the floor of the aerie.
"Who are they?" Ivan asked first.
A deep voice could be heard, "That's what I was trying to warn you about!" Everyone looked to see Kraden standing on the stairs. "It wasn't the dragon you killed..."
Looking at Garet, one might think he was on his deathbed. He sounded it as well, "I remember you warning us, but it was too late for us to stop..."
Mia inquired, "Kraden, what do you know? Why were you trying to stop us from fighting the dragon?"
There was a pause and everyone could hear breathing. Mia's chest heaved, trying to draw in air. Finally, Kraden spoke, "It was the Wise One's final trap.."
Trap? How could this be a trap? Ivan spoke, "Trap? What do you mean?"
"Took the works out of my mouth," Mia muttered, no one heard.
Kraden continued, "The Wise One knew he couldn't stop you, so he played a cruel, wretched trick on you instead."
Isaac gave Kraden a hard, piercing look, "Kraden, I don't understand... What are you trying to tell us?"
Jenna turned to the three people and said softly, "Sheba, lets see who these people are while they try to sort this out." She started up the stairs, one foot after the other.
However, Kraden had heard, "No, Jenna! Don't look! You mustn't look! It will only bring you pain," he went into a state of panic none there had ever seen him in.
Sheba tried to speak, "What are you talking about, Kraden? They can't hurt us anymore... We'll just-"
Jenna backed away. Her eyes were filled with horror and disbelief. Several times, her mouth opened and closed. She took a few steps back, eyes never leaving the three people.
"What's the matter, Jenna?" Sheba finally asked.
"It can't be... How? How," Isaac gasped, his eyes paralleled Jenna's.
Mia had never seen Isaac like this, it scared her. One of the people laying on the ground groaned. "What is it, Isaac?" Mia finally asked. Another groan followed, as if it was trying to speak.
"Isaac! I... I know that guy! That's you dad!"
Sheba put two and two together, "Then, does that mean... the other two are."
Jenna gave a sob as her parents stirred, unable to do anything. Picard walked over and turned to Mia. He spoke in a rushed manner, "I'll heal Jenna's parents! Quickly, Mia! Tend to Isaac's father!"
The young Mercury Adept turned to the fallen parents and began to send her Psynergy rushing through them. "Ply," she cried, "Please Ply."
How had this startled? So many people she knew had been hurt, people that still might die. Pain and suffering followed her, taunting her every step. Yes, they were saving Weyard in the process, but Saturos, Agatio, did they deserve to die? No, the lighthouses could have been lit without deaths. It was the Wise One's fault. He entrusted Isaac with the Mars Star to prevent the lighthouses from being lit. However, Isaac agreed. Then again, he would have died if he didn't agree. There was little doubt there wouldn't have been deaths if no one had resisted. Which brought up a new question... Why had Alex brought Karst and Agatio into this? Was he behind it all? The letter, the disappearance, it made sense. No, she knew Alex better than that, he would never - Mia paused, horrorstruck. What had his words been? "I can't stay the same Alex you knew forever-" The Mercury Adept stopped using Ply, she was out of Psynergy. Why?
"Don't give up, Mia. You can't! You have to save them," Ivan argued from the side.
Mia felt helpless, there was nothing she could do. Another day of loss, "it's no use, Ivan. I'm tapped," Darkness threatened her vision again and so, she concentrated on breathing. Subconsciously she gripped the Saffire in here pocket.
Thoughts drifted through her mind. What would she have done differently? What could she have done? She gave it her best and despite some people being hurt, more had been saved. If Alex really did make this harder on the people of Weyard she couldn't forgive this new Alex. She thought she had an idea of exactly why he did this, but that wasn't enough.
"I never imagined that my actions would help to save the world," a voice Mia identified as Picard's spoke.
"Even though lighting the beacon may create wars and strife, I regret none of this," Mia spoke, attempting to make it true by saying it.
Kraden turned to Felix, "There's little time left, Felix... Use the Mars star and light the beacon."
Felix walked around the beacon as if to say 'so this is it..." He turned to Jenna, Picard, Sheba, and Mia. He heard Mia mumble, "If Alex set this all in motion, then he's responsible for this, and I'll never forgive him."
Several hours later, Mia sat in the snow. Tears ran down her cheeks, threatening to freeze in the cold weather. What would she do now? Alex had left her, done something unimaginable.
Miles away, Alex reached the top of Mt. Aleph. His dreams were so close, not of world conquest, something that required unlimited power. Most of the deal was just something that came with it. The problem was with the power, something strange had arisen in him. But what was it?
Four magnificent beams of colored light raced to collide over the mountain. Alex looked up and saw the splash of color and a spiral as the Golden Sun began to be formed. The light came down on Alex and he lifted his hands to the sky. The light rolled over him, filling his insides with hope and warmth. A new power pulsed into him. Then, the light vanished as quickly as it had come.
"At last! I have it! Eternal life... and limitless power! At last, the power of nature is mine to control as I will! Rise, storms! Rise up and unleashed your might upon Vale and the foothills of Mt. Aleph!" The possessed Mercury Adept yelled. What is up with me? Alex thought. Something else was pouring out words. The same presence that had been in him sense his first trip to the Mercury Lighthouse. The voice continued, "That's odd... I should have limitless power... So why can't I call up a simple storm?"
Alex was starting to wonder about this as well. Shouldn't he have limitless power? Unfortunately, a large rock with an eye taking up over half of it's body chose to appear. "W-Who are you?" Alex asked.
"I am called the Wise One..." the rock spoke. Wait, the rock spoke? Well, it was also floating, and looking at him. Could it be?
Alex blinked in surprise, "The Wise One? Vale's protector?"
"You wish to have limitless power?" the Wise One asked.
"Wish to? I just got it!" Alex responded.
"No, your power is nearly limitless, but it has boundaries."
"Nearly limitless? You speak in riddles. Can't you see? The power is mine!" Alex's voice flared out of control.
"Yes. You also have nearly endless life. And your Psynergy is... somewhat stronger."
"If you are trying to anger me, have a little taste of exactly how much power I have attained!" Alex was confused now. Why was he trying to pick a fight with the rock, it would just a waste of time. He could understand trying out his power with a little storm, but this? It was if he had no control over his actions or words. However, he continued to activate his Psynergy, "Look at me! My body is brimming with power!"
The circles indicating the use of Psynergy flowed over the Wise One. His power reached out to Alex and knocked him over. Alex was now extremely angry at the fact that he was loosing to a rock. It was a protector, but it was still a rock. Why couldn't he control himself. "How!? What's going on? I should be all-powerful! How can you defeat me?!?
Again the Wise One directed the Psynergy towards Alex. Alex cringed before being lifted up and then mercilessly dropped. "You are not all-powerful, Alex. Your power has its limits, as does your life."
This was not encouraging to hear as most of the Adept's bones were soar, if not broken. Blood gushed out of many slits caused by the falling on small rocks. Words were forced out of him yet again as Alex inwardly rolled his eyes, "That cannot be! Who is responsible for this treachery? Who has robbed me of my dream?"
"I, the Wise One, imbued the Mars Star with some of the power of the forming Golden Sun. It rests even now in the hands of young Isaac."
"Why?"
"The heavens and earth are changing, Alex! You must flee now!"
At this point, Alex chose to let the world slit from his view. He no longer wanted to live if he would be used to wreak havoc on the world. On Mia. No, never. Blackness consumed him and he made a point of staying right there. He would not move while this thing took over him.
"Wha-What!?" the remains of Alex spoke.
"Mt. Aleph will soon be drawn into the heart of the earth! You must flee or join it forever!"
"Flee?! I can't flee! I can't even move!"
The Wise One looked closer at Alex and a look of realization washed over him, "Ah, yes. You now see the limits of your power. If you are swallowed by the earth, you may not survive. If you survive, perhaps we shall meet again someday..."
Alex's body shook with the mountain. A scream whipped through the air as his body fell down Mt. Aleph.
The group returned to Vale, and after a teary reunion with the citizens of Vale, a celebration was held. Mia decided to forget everything and be happy. It was a change for most people, not under constant pressure that is.
One person did not seem to be very happy at all. Jenna didn't smile and toward the end of the celebration, disappeared all together.
Mia went to bed in one of the houses still remaining. There were enough places for all eight Adepts who completed the quest to sleep on. The citizens of Vale were more than happy to let them be used.
"Mia? You awake?" a feminine yet rough voice made it's way to Mia's ear. "I have to show you something very important."
Mia could not identify the voice, though she should have. It was very familiar, but she just couldn't place it. The Mercury Adept rolled away from the voice. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want to think. A sudden flurry of heat rushed over her. So that's who it was.
"Mia, sit up now and come with me. Don't you dare start feeling sorry for yourself," Jenna's voice pounded in Mia's ear. She looked up to see a flaming Mars Adept's burning eyes. There was something in them that was in Mia's as well. It was a sorrow, a deep sadness.
"Jenna, what's wrong? You're crying," Mia asked, concerned for her friend.
"I'm not crying!" Jenna yelled.
"Jenna, your face is wet, your eyes are red, your crying," Mia countered.
Jenna glared but spoke anyway, "He died, Mia, he died."
"Who died?" Mia asked. Who could have died to make Jenna feel this way? The only time Jenna had ever cried was when she thought she had killed her own parents.
"Him!" Jenna screeched. Alright, ever sense the Mars Lighthouse Jenna seemed to have saddened, now she had cracked. "When I was 'kidnapped', I fell in love, now he's gone. I don't want any of my friends to experience the same thing..."
"Wait, that would mean," Mia trailed off. Had Jenna fell in love with Saturos?!? "Okay, what do you need to show me?"
Jenna led Mia to the rubble of Mt. Aleph. They walked along a row of boulders and turned. Mia glanced up at what once was the mountain her Alex was climbing. Wait, he wasn't her Alex, he was a betrayer, an outcast. He no longer needed to exist in her life. Even though she loved him, she had to forget. "Good riddance," she mumbled.
The two of them stumbled over rocks and boulders until Jenna finally stopped and pointed. With the moon as the only light, the thing Jenna was pointing to could barely be seen. A glimmer of sickly red, a trace of blue.
"Alex," Mia gasped.
Jenna held out a blaze of fire for Mia. She saw a bloody mass with splotches of blue. Alex lay sprawled out on the ground. The collar of his tunic lay cut open. His scar was flowing freely. Cuts ran down his legs and arms. One arm had flung out to the side, the other laid across his chest. His sky blue hair was matted to his head and in impossible tangles. His eyes were closed, an energy pumped through his body. Psynergy. "He told me to get you. He will eventually run out of Psynergy and then he will not be able to continue to heal himself. I found him right after the celebration," Jenna went over to Alex and nudged him, "Alex, I got Mia for you."
His eyes fluttered open, they had the look that comes right before death. "Mia... Please... help me," Alex's voice rasped.
"Why should I?" Mia argued. She was going to stick with what she said on top of the Mars Lighthouse, no matter how much it hurt.
"Please... I... need to... explain," Alex rasped again. His eye's pleaded with Mia's.
However, hers were a cold icy blue. "How do I know you're not just going to conquer Weyard after-if-I revive you?" an enrage Mia asked.
"I'm... done... done with... any dream."
"Prove it."
"I.. don't have...limitless... power," Alex was coughing up blood now.
Jenna cut in, "Felix told me what you said on the Mars Lighthouse. What if he's not responsible for setting it all in motion. Alex told me that the Wise One sealed away some of the power before Alex could have gotten to it. Mia, I know you love him," this caused Alex to choke much to Mia's amusement, "and you can't make the mistake I made."
Mia stood looking at Jenna and Alex who were pleading back at her, "Fine! Whatever! Jenna, you're helping me get Alex back to Vale though." Why does Jenna have to torture me like this? Mia thought. The annoyed Mercury Adept was certain that now she could never forgive him. It was too much. She didn't want to think about it! Or did she?
Jenna and Mia miraculously helped Alex back to the ruins of Vale and got him on a bed. He laid back, but not before coughing up more blood. "Just like old times," he thought.
"Jenna, would you go get some herbs? Preferably fresh," Mia asked Jenna who scurried off to find some. "Ply," Mia urged and added her Psynergy to Alex's which was already going. She felt her power scurry through him. It healed scratched and such. It added blood to his body. Jenna came back with a box of herbs.
"Is this enough?" Yes, I need a few of those here. go wake up someone else. Someone needs to make a soup out of some of the herb to sooth his thought. We also need some of the Psynergy stone," Mia instructed.
Jenna woke up Felix who was put to the task of recovering a piece of Psynergy stone, much to his displeasure. Yes, Felix had been friends with Alex, but he didn't not like being woken up on the first night after his quest.
The siblings returned to Mia. They found the girl in a rage. Apparently, even with two Mercury Adepts both casting Ply, not much was improving.
A blue glow surrounded Mia. "Pure Ply," she gasped. Alex's eyes widened and a blinding light filled the room. A soft humming filled everyone's ears. It soothed even Felix and Jenna. The light dimmed and only a few feathers could be seen floating from the air to Alex. When they made contact, they dissolved and Alex appeared to become healthier. The only thing that could be seen wrong with him was his bleeding scar that seemed determined to stay open. Mia turned around, now pale and walked out of the room, "I need to sleep. Please keep an eye on him."
A dazed Felix and Jenna were left in charge as Mia went off to sleep a dreamless sleep. The two turned to each other and shrugged.
Several hours later, Mia was awakened to somebody shaking her. She sat up from the ground and looked at the intruder. It was Felix, "Come, now. There is a problem," he said then left. Mia got up and watched as he led the way to where Alex had been kept. She swore and rushed into the room.
"Mercury, guide me," Mia whispered, praying to her patron god. Her hand slipped into her pocket and she rushed over to Alex. The bleeding from his scar would kill him! She slipped the Saffire into his hand. A prayer came to her lips,
"Mercury god of healing,
god of water,
I am your humble servant
I ask of you please,
tend this wound I can not fix."
Nothing appeared to happen for several moments, Mia kneeled by Alex and continued to pray. It was all she could do. She was out of Psynergy again. She had to heal herself so she would not go unconscious after the Pure Ply. The stone that Felix had brought back had been used up and the scar was still bleeding. It was not logical, it was beyond Mia's abilities as a healer. The only choice left was Mercury himself.
Felix and Jenna walked out, clueless of what to do. Mia looked up in time to see the scar seal up again as if it were being sewed. The Saffire she had found in the Mercury Lighthouse had disappeared. Mia thanked the gods and fell asleep on Alex.
The next day, Mia awoke to a prodding to her side. She looked up to see a rather confused Alex attempting to wake her up and off him. She blushed and sat up allowing Alex to do the same. "You have a lot of explaining to do," Mia muttered.
"About that, it started in the Mercury Lighthouse when I suddenly left. Well, actually it started when I was young and thought it was unfair that I didn't have a family. I didn't have anyone to love and I wanted my parents back most of all. I envied all of the children in Imil who had parents," Alex started. "I found books hear and there," he looked at Mia guiltily, "I read about the Lighthouses. They hinted that one who got all the power from the Golden Sun would have limitless power. I thought it could revive my family."
"You could have told me," Mia told Alex.
"I didn't want to hurt you if it didn't work."
"But you did Alex, you hurt me!" Mia snapped.
"I want to apologize," Alex confessed.
"And what's with this strange new you?"
"It's gone Mia, it's gone."
"What?"
"I couldn't control myself. I did not do it all intentionally."
"You weren't in control all that time? I'm not stupid!"
"Of course your not, please listen to me."
"What if I don't want to?"
"Do you?" Alex truthfully asked.
"No-well, just make it quick."
"I didn't want you to know everything until after for fear that you might hate me. Over all that time I grew less and less in control, I didn't notice until when I was climbing Mt. Aleph. It's brought out something strange in me."
"And you think I'll believe you."
"Mia, please, I love you, I don't want to see you like this. The shadow is gone. I have control of whatever power I have now," Alex sighed.
"You love me? How do I know if your telling the truth?" Mia got up to go.
"I'm sorry."
Mia stopped, "You've lied to much. Betrayal hurts."
"I'm asking for you to give me another chance."
"That is something I can not do unless you prove to me you are telling the truth."
"I love you too much to have wanted to hurt you or the world. If there's one thing I've learned, it's you are my world," Alex got up and followed Mia.
"And I've told you that those are just words."
"Then let me show you," Alex wrapped his arms around her. His lips met hers as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She was shocked at first but gave in. Alex was telling the truth. She returned the kiss as her hands burrowed in his hair. She would forgive him.
That night, Alex went for a walk. So many things could happen so fast. He looked and saw a figure standing under a tree, looking towards the whole that was Mt. Aleph. It was Jenna. "You know Jenna," he waited for her to look up at him. "Though we grieve for those past away, it's the memories that count. Don't look at me, I know about you and Saturos. Maybe it's supposed to be like this." Alex looked over his shoulder to see a confused looking Jenna staring after him. The Mercury Adept continued to walk, he had things to reflect about, and then there was always the question about what to do about Imil.
End of Part 3
Fizz: It's Done!!! ^________^
Umbriel: I LOVE it!!!
Hail: It's really long....
Umbriel: You have a problem with that???
Hail: e.e Why whould I?
Fizz: THAT TOOK WAY TO LONG! X.X
Umbriel: You ARE overdramatic! And I didn't have anything better to do!!!
Fizz: REVIEW!!!! Please?
Hail: Stay tuned for the 'Epilog' whatever that's going to be...
Umbriel: It shouldn't be as long but it's going to wrap everything up.
Fizz: And it's an EPILOG because it takes place completely after the Golden Sun story line! ^.^