Mmmm….Reviews. Thanks to everybody for taking the time to read my fic, and review it.

In response to the reviews….

GDD- Don't worry, I take constructive criticism easily, and it has helped me improve my writing a lot!

Both Insanes- I was more specific with dialogue this chapter.

Everyone else- Who Isaac picks will come eventually! Just read and find out!

Happy New Year!

Chapter 5

The Morning After

    The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, but it was enough to flood the town of New Vale with light. Hurricane resumed his vigil towards Isaac's house. When he arrived he stopped to kneel on the ground, still reeling from the effects of the one sided fight with Felix. Gazing up at Isaac's large house, he could feel a palpable power emanating from one of the rooms. Regaining his senses, Hurricane walked towards the door, and to his surprise, found it unlocked.

'Then again, who would attack the strongest warrior of all Weywerd?" Closing the door, Hurricane looked around. The house was huge to only suit three people. Isaac's humble abode was well adorned with the treasures of his travels. A particular mantle caught his eye. Embellished with jewels of every color and shape, Hurricane couldn't help himself. The house began to echo with footsteps from upstairs.

'Damn! Who wakes up at dawn?' grabbing a dark blue jewel and a sliver orb, Hurricane dashed to the stairway. Peeking his head around the corner, he saw the same blonde guy from the bridge.

'Isaac! I'll take him on now!' Before stepping from hiding place, he remembered Alex's sage counsel.

'When the urge to end lives comes over you once more, remember we need them alive!' Hurricane scowled, then searched around for a window. As Isaac stepped into the room, Hurricane dived out the window. After a quick pocket check, he stumbled off to the inn.

    At the very same inn, Ivan was lying on the ground, with a cacophony of sounds in his head. Suddenly, Ivan had the terrible urge to vomit, and raced towards the nearest garbage barrel. His body felt like it was being torn apart, his only comfort being the cold hardwood floor.

"So, this is what it is like to die?" thought Ivan. The rusty hinges of Ivan's door began to creak!

"You can leave it open!" screamed Ivan clutching his head. Looking up, he saw Mia in his doorway.

"Can we talk, Ivan?"

"I only heard a loud crashing sound"

"What?" said Mia, not in the mood for cutting sarcasm. A playful kick to the ribs roused Ivan from his hangover.

"Allright, allright! Can we make this fast?" Ivan crawled to his bed.

"Did you notice how different we were acting last night?" said Mia, looking at the sunrise from the window.

"Yeah! You didn't say almost anything, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing" chuckled Ivan. Mia only growled.

"Did you see Jenna and Isaac last night? They should have gotten a room!'' Laughed Ivan. Mia cringed and just kept staring at the sunrise.

"That was pretty strange, I've never seen you have alcohol in all the time, I've known you!"

"I plan on that being the only time!" Ivan sat up and looked up at Mia. "You allright?"

"I'm fine, thanks for listening to me drone on." Smiling, Mia left him to recover.

    At Kraden's new house, Garet was walking in the door.

"Hello, Garet! It is good to see you again!"

"How do you know my language?" said Garet, quickly taking a step back. Kraden just sighed, and asked,

"How can I help you?"

"I'm glad you asked!" Producing a rock from his pocket, Garet held it in the air, and let it fall. "It is my newest invention!" Rubbing his eyes, Kraden sighed deeply.

"You invented a rock?"

"No! Look how it falls down!" drawing out the word "down".

"That's gravity!"

"You'll not steal my invention!" pulling the rock to his chest. Before Kraden could interject, the door opened. Kraden and Garet looked at the visitor quizzically.

"Is this the house of the scholar Kraden?" asked the traveler.

"Hey, I remember you! You were at the Tavern! Reading that crazy book!"

"Yes, people do go to taverns!" From his black tunic, the traveler revealed a dark blue jewel. "I'd love to continue our conversation, but I'm not fluid in 'Idiot' so you won't mind if I turn over here" glaring at Garet for a moment.

"Can you tell me what is the significance of this jewel is?" Hurricane placed the jewel in his hand.

"Ah, let me examine it'' Kraden sauntered to his desk, always excited to see something new. All around his small house was adorned with artifacts of every kind, books to one side, shields and swords to another.

"Traveler! This is a rare Teleport Lapis! Where did you find it?"                                   

"Teleport Lapis? Didn't we have one of those?" echoed Garet, walking up in a full suit of medieval armor.

"I believe we did! This jewel is embedded with the power to allow its user to teleport!" said Kraden, scratching his beard.

"Thanks, scholar." Right before Hurricane reached the door, he turned around and lifted up Garet's helmet mask. He was in one of Felix's memories. Something on top of a lighthouse. Raising an eyebrow, Hurricane went out of the house, and towards Mt. Aleph. The early morning sun was shining across the entire town, waking the people.

    Woken by the sun, Jenna turned over in her bed. Remembering last nights events, Jenna quickly sat up.

'Wow, I've never acted like that ever! But even worse around Isaac!' She buried her face in her hands. 'I have to go talk to him.' Rushing downstairs, she saw Felix with on the table; she could easily notice the teardrops on the wood. She only stopped for a second to give him a glance of compassion.

    Hurricane reached the Mt. Aleph ruins. In the early morning light, the ruins had an eerie glow about them. Looking around, and clutching the jewel, he set off the find Alex.