Disclaimer: I do not own Golden Sun, so don't rub salt in the wound.

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It Begins

Light filtered through the boughs of the forest just outside of Vale as Isaac, Mia, and Ivan traveled through. Ivan paused suddenly, listening to the forest without.

"Did you guys hear that?" He questioned, causing Isaac and Mia to stop. After a few seconds of waiting, Mia spoke up,

"Maybe you are just hearing ." Mia did not get to finish her sentence as a streak of golden light collided with Isaac, sending him rolling into the green foliage.

A chubby brown creature waddled on Isaac's chest happily. Its deep blue eyes matched Isaac's in intensity and shade, and its armless form rolled easily on Isaac's torso.

"Looks like he likes you," Mia giggled with Ivan. The creature disappeared into Isaac's tunic as he stood back up.

'Yeah, looks like I have a new friend,' he pointed out to Mia as the creature reappeared on his shoulder.

'Mia, tell Ivan that Vale is just over there,' Isaac thought, pointing to the light at the edge of the forest.

A foul stench struck the three adept's senses as they climbed out of the forest. The hills of Vale were changed from purest jade to charcoal black. The buildings of the village were smoldering from recently put out fires and the waterfall that ran the course of Vale was darkened to a crimson shade. Isaac gasped inaudibly at the state of his former hometown. Beside him, Ivan and Mia were shocked into silence.

"What happened here?" Ivan questioned as they took in the destruction.

"Maybe." Mia's voice stopped as arrows sang through above.

From all around them, soldiers clad in dull armor advanced. The largest stepped in front of the group, towering over them with a mighty axe. He was set apart from the others not only by his great height, but also from his immense red hair that defied gravity.

A deep voice filtered through the faceplate hiding his features, "Halt, what business do you have in Vale?"

Mia answered, "I am Mia, this is Ivan, and he is Isaac. We."

The soldier's quick movements silenced her as they surrounded Isaac. "I see you have returned, demon," the leader said.

"I wonder if it is coincidence that you returned on the eve of the assault on Vale," he spit out vehemently.

"Enough talk, men bind him and take him to the sanctum. My father should be there with the Great Healer."

The men reached forward and bound Isaac's hands and arms. They then marched Isaac in front of them as they headed up towards the sanctum.

"You may come too, if you please," the leader said, stepping ahead of Mia and Ivan. The tone made it sound more like an order then a request.

The doors to the ancient sanctum burst open as the guards shoved Isaac roughly to the floor. The leader stepped through the doors after, taking off his helm. Mia and Ivan walked in behind and they both rushed to where Isaac lay, helping him stand up.

An aged man turned from his conversation with the Great Healer to speak with the leader. "Garet, what is the meaning of this intrusion?" he yelled.

"Isaac has returned," Garet stated flatly.

"Good, good," the Healer's ancient voice stopped the unsaid insults. "The Wise one awaits him and his friends," the Healer ambled toward the back of the sanctum. The Great Healer stood before the pedestal in the back of the sanctum, chanting incantations. Isaac, Mia, Ivan, and Garet watched in awe as the lights in the sanctum flickered rapidly and a great boulder with a dominating eye formulated on the stand.

"Listen and be silent," a booming voice commanded in their minds.

"Many centuries ago, there was a great power in the world mastered by the ancients. Alchemy, as it was called, commanded the powers of the four elements, granted eternal life, and changed any metals to gold. Many battles were fought for this power and much blood was shed. After many losses, the leaders of each clan saw the dangers in Alchemy's power. An adept from each clan met secretly and quested to seal the power of Alchemy. These heroes succeeded in their ventures and sealed away the lighthouses. The lights of the lighthouses were stored in the Elemental Stars and a glorious sanctum was erected around them, Sol Sanctum. Vale became the protector of these ancient orbs and has stayed so until the present."

"Yes, I know all of that, but what does it have do with me?" Garet spoke out.

"GARET!" the force of this brought the adepts to their knees.

"You know that the Fire Clan of Prox stole the Elemental Stars and kidnapped both Kraden and the girl Jenna to light the lighthouses."

His voice calmed some before he continued, "I ask the four of you to stop this catastrophe and save your friends."

The occupants of the room fell silent as they looked within themselves. "If you chance to accept this quest, there are those who can help you," the creature that had found Isaac earlier reappeared in a flash of light on his shoulder.

"The sages of Alchemy, or Djinni, were scattered across Weyward after the stars were removed. The more you find the better. Now go and make your choice!"

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Well that's it. I will get the next chapter up sometime. Now for the thanks to my two reviewers (HINT, HINT):

MercuryKitten- I came up with it after watching the second or third episode of Inuyasha (Which I also do not own.)

Cowpuppy- I have read both of them and they are really good.