16

I didn't by my own explanation of Jupiter Lighthouse, so I'm extending on it in this chapter.

Chapter 15

Tribunal

"This'll be great!"

"I cannot wait to see the looks on their faces."

"Hey, Alex, I think-"

"Agatio, if you call me Alex one more time, I swear, I'll-"

"Don't argue you two. Stay focused."

"Yes Ma'am." Piers and Agatio both said humbly as they looked back at the papers the Elder's wife, Marci, held. Piers had heard talk that the kindly old woman had lost some of her flare when her son had died. But the sparkle in her crimson eyes seemed to show that playing matchmaker was exactly what the doctor ordered.

"Now." She said lightly, her lips pulled up in a small smile, "Let's go over this one more time." She pointed at Piers,

"Borrow a Djinni from Sheba, and put Felix to sleep for a little while," The Mariner recited. Marci nodded as she looked at Maria, the midnight-haired Proxian smirked.

"Ask Karst to help around the Inn," She said mischievously,

"An give her a bop on the head if she won't come." Her brother added. Marci nodded once more, clapping her hands together happily,

"And lock the both of them in the Inn until they can work everything out. Marvelous!" Piers felt his smile grow into a full-blown grin as the group waited a while between each person leaving, trying to make sure no one noticed anything suspicious.

Who knew what kind of people one could find in a Broom Closet?

The plan might be a bit over the top. Okay, it was way over the top, and much of it was uncalled for, but there was still a nice chance that it could work. He'd just have to make sure the Sol Blade went 'Missing' for a little while afterwards, so that Felix didn't 'Find' it buried in the Mariner's stomach.

"Hey, Alex, I-"

"What did I just say about calling me Alex?" Piers moaned; his eye twitching slightly as he faced Agatio, "Do I look anything like that stoic war-monger?" Agatio raised one finger, his mouth half open to reply as Piers slapped one hand down over his eyes.

"Don't answer that. Please, don't answer that..."

'Coulda been Jenna, there's a very good chance it was just Jenna. Why would it have been anyone other than Jenna? I mean, it's perfectly reasonable that it was just Jenna who was holding onto his arm so possessively. What's so bad about his sister showing her affection that way? Yes, I'm positive it was just Jenna.'

Karst slapped one hand over her eyes as she fell backwards, and onto the long couch in her home in front of the fire. She still had her boots on, but had deposited her gloves and sweater on one of the chairs.

Damn it, why couldn't she have gotten a half-decent look at that girl with Felix? A flash of auburn hair was all she had been able to see past him. Not that she'd been looking at the young woman who had attached herself to him like that. No, she'd been slightly more interested in Felix himself.

Another storm was blowing in; she could hear the winds blowing past the top of the chimney, slipping through the small cracks in between the mortar. It had been almost a decade since major repairs had been made to the house, but Karst chose not to think on why that was. Focusing instead on the power she could feel building within the storm. They were less frequent now, and noticeably weaker than Karst could ever remember them being while growing up. But that didn't mean they were at all quiet.

She flipped over on to her stomach, using her stretched out arms as a pillow as she turned her face towards the fire. Karst tried to follow the flames with her eyes as they licked at the wood. They were sending various shadows dancing across the walls in the rusty-gold light, the whole house seeming rather dark with only the content bundle of fire in the central pit.

'It was probably just Jenna. I mean, it's not like he could have found some one. It's only been... a year?' Had it been that long already? Karst continued to lay there musing.

The length of time seeming to long, but as she thought on it, it really made sense. A full year she'd spent since Mars Lighthouse had been fired, and Prox and the rest of the world saved. A full year since she had been spared from death, and had returned to her... home. A full year since Felix had brought her back, and then left before she could finally make her apologies...

--FlashBack--

'I'm cold; it's just, so cold...' I thought; the pain running through me had grown to be too much for me to accept, I really couldn't feel my life slipping away anymore. 'I... Have to hang on; I have to see... the Beacon's light...' There were voices, my sight fading swiftly, so I could hardly make out the face above me. But I could see enough, tears formed, blinding me even more as a hand rested lightly on my cheek,

'Your hands are so… warm...' I thought slowly, 'I had, forgotten...' I knew there were two dark eyes focused on me, and I couldn't keep back the feelings of complete relief as I truly knew whom it was.

'Felix, I was... so worried about you... I thought... But you're here now...'

"You must fire the Beacon..." I choked, unable to say what I wanted to him, "Please... Let me see the Light of Mars, before I die..."

More voices, many speaking at once. His hand stayed there for a moment though, I could feel his presence watching over me, and then he was gone. And I heard footsteps fading away down the halls.

'You're alive...'

It must have been hours. I don't know why it was I didn't move on. Everything still pained me beyond belief, my senses continuing to fade, hardly intact. But I could taste the blood in my mouth. Could feel the wetness along my skin and knew it to be more of my life pouring out of me, and into the Lighthouse.

'Have to... hold on... The beacon... have to tell him...'

There was… a shard of stone, just under my hand. I didn't know where it had come from; that would've been too much to think on. It had one sharp edge on it, right at my finger tips. I suppose it was something to focus on, I think it helped me somehow.

'I have... to see... the Beacon...' It didn't take much of my strength to roll the small piece of ceramic around; I could feel it dig into my fingers if I pressed slightly. Though, how that one small pain made it through to me, I could never say exactly. All I knew was that it did, and that I had to fight to make sure I didn't lose that awareness.

'I have... to say I'm... sorry...' I don't know how long I lay there fading, but all at once, my ears picked up a faint sound, a rumble somewhere in the distance. My beaten flesh picking up on a slight disturbance in the blood pooled around me. Was it the Beacon? No, Jupiter hadn't shifted in the slightest, until the Star had been cast in, then the rumbling had begun full-force.

But… what if the tremors were at full force, and I was simply to far gone to sense it? Not something I should have been thinking at the moment, but... what else was there?

Dimly, I almost thought I felt a surge of power, and the echo of a fierce roar reached my ears. Was it the demons fleeing the tower? Running away from the beacon? What was-

I see you both still live.

My eyes were closed, and I felt a powerful presence over me. I would have cracked one eye open to see who, or what, it was, but that was too much to ask of myself. I already knew anyways.

Whether or not the beacon is fired, you shall perish here.

Wise One. Its words didn't phaze me, that was what I had come here for, wasn't it? To die, and repent for what I had done? I knew Felix was alive, at least, I thought I did. My senses had failed me atop one Lighthouse, why should I trust them in the belly of another?

Hmm. I see you have not accepted that it was indeed the Venus-Adept who felled you. Understandable. Perhaps my illusions have clouded your sight more than I had originally surmised.

'Your, illusions...?' I wanted to speak, but I couldn't open my mouth, of bring my voice to work. What did it mean by, 'It's illusions'? For a moment, I almost thought I could feel the Stone's single eye on me.

Alchemy may yet be unleashed, but only by souls worthy of the power of the Golden Sun. Neither of you are worthy.

Stupid rock, Agatio and I knew this. The Lighthouse had already told us we lacked the will to go on. It had said that just before it had stolen our forms, made us into those blood-thirsty demons!

No. You failed long before Mars Lighthouse. You showed that you were un-worthy atop Jupiter.

My stomach clenched. Jupiter's Aerie, where we had turned against- where we had almost killed...

You were not strong enough mentally. Physically, you held the power to complete your goals. But you could not find the strength to continue, once you witnessed your own weapon, coated in a dear-one's blood.

I thought I heard a scream, the kind you hear when some one's being harmed. I was finally able to pick up on Psynergy, some where off in the Lighthouse. There must have been intense amounts for me to feel it, all the way down in the bowels of the Tower. The structure shook again; I could hear the supports shifting slightly in unrest. What was happening up there?

The time has come. It seems that, while you could never continue with such conflicting emotions in your mind. Isaac and his companions have proved themselves to be much more... How shall I put this? More… single-minded?

'Isaac's group?' I thought 'But... It is Felix's destiny; he is supposed to be the one who...wait... no...'

Had I known any better, I would have said that the Stone of Sages was mocking us. And perhaps it was. Once more, the whole of Mars Lighthouse trembled. Clearly now, I could hear voices screaming, a mighty roar echoing through the tower.

Then silence. One last explosion of power, and there was no more sound. Nothing at all, it was deafening after the shouts and cries of the battle. My mind began to grow numb again, my consciousness slipping away, though I tried to remain focused on staying alive.

I realized again how frigid it was down here. With molten rock in the next room, I couldn't grasp how I was still frozen inside. I tried to open my eyes, barely cracking them before the soft light from the magma forced them closed again. The Wise One was, somewhere, close-by. But I couldn't tell where.

'What if that explosion was...? What about... the beacon?' That cold sensation seemed stronger, robbing me of my feeble strength as I felt icy all over. I could feel death climbing up my legs, and through my arms, reaching for my heart. 'Felix, please... all of Prox; and... the rest of the world is... depending on you... Please...'

Warmth. I... didn't know where it had come from, if flowed over me out of no-where, yet everywhere at once. Part of me thought I could feel the ground shaking violently beneath me, but... it was so far away. The echo of crimson tile shattering, as the Lighthouse tore itself to pieces, hardly registering in my ears. My own heart-beat, hollow and fading, all that I could make out as the warmth continued running like a river.

I knew it was fire, flames licking at the walls of the Lighthouse, filling the corridors up to the Aerie. Those flames brought warmth, brought strength. They gave me the strength I needed to slow the blood still dripping from my wounds, the strength I needed to bring myself back from the brink, if only for a little while.

It reminded me of him in a way; He was always so warm, maybe it was his mixed blood, he was of one element, but that didn't mean he didn't carry traits from both his own and Fire. He was always warm, like what I had felt that he'd kissed me softly. And he could make you feel so safe, like when he'd held me that night I'd been afraid.

I wanted to feel like that again, I wanted to feel his arms around me; I wanted to taste his lips against mine. I'd always had to be weak for him to hold me but... I was willing to be just me to have him. Not be the warrior, detached from everyone. Not that stoic victim, to proud to be helped at all. Just me, me...

I'm afraid I cannot allow this.

In a flash it was all gone though, my thoughts grinding to a halt as that healing fire vanished. My eyes snapped open and a faint cry fluttered past my lips, and I could make out nothing but flames around me, but why couldn't I feel them anymore?

I panicked; losing that warmth was like losing him all over again, and I couldn't take the thought. The pain from my wounds, it had faded so quickly, but now it was back, hitting me like a blow. My vision was horribly clouded as I reached out blindly, trying to touch the flames again.

Cold, so cold. I ran into something, my hand up flat against whatever it was that was blocking me. A barrier, I felt the chill bite through my gloves, and my hand dropped down instantly. I didn't have the strength to cringe, not to weep at the unfairness or out of pain. I could feel the last of my hope dying within me.

"No..."

I cannot allow you to survive. It would only serve to upset a balance that has been reached this day.

"His... family... don't..." 'So cold... w-why does it have to be; s-so cold?'

If Fate shall allow, Felix's family shall survive. Their rolls in this matter have ended; I have no hand to play in their lives any longer.

My mind was so numb. I was hardly aware that I was speaking, or what at all I was saying.

"No... Agatio..." 'My word is worth little enough; don't... don't make me break this last... promise...'

The silence was deafening, my heart pounding in my ears. Everything fading out as the Wise One continued to block the warmth from me.

'I... beseech you. Please... I'm going to be with... my family... don't make him... leave his...'

I looked around me, trying to make sense of what had happened. Fire, it was everywhere. On all sides, above me, even under my feet, I couldn't see it burning anything; it was simply there. It just, existed, it was as if I was suspended in a fire-pit, but I could feel nothing holding me. Nor could I feel any heat from the flames, as they danced around my ankles. For a moment, how they all moved reminded me of how the winds must look if they were visible. Even my own breath disturbed the fires in their graceful and fluid dance.

I walked around in a daze, not sure how I was able to move at all, there was no ground, was there? And, hadn't I been, bleeding? I... I was hurt, I had been hurt at least.

Where was I?

I cannot allow that.

I do not care!

I glanced around, trying to find the voices in the flames. I felt a weight at my back as I turned, and saw my split cloak hanging down my back. I looked over my shoulders to get a better look, and had my chin bump up against a leather neck-guard. I blinked a few times, finally taking myself in as a whole.

I was wearing my armor. It... It was still coated in blood. I felt the color drain from my face; I couldn't be standing here if I had bled so much. I couldn't, not unless it was Fe- No. I cut the thought off instantly, shaking my head no. The last thing I remembered was...

I understand your unrest-

I will not stand for your interference!

'Karst...'

You must take everything into consideration before you-

Silence, you meaningless pebble!

I paused as I heard the voices; a bellowing, throaty, voice, along with a more reserved, calm one, both arguing with one another. And then a third one in the middle, oddly out of place in the mix. It was so much softer, seemingly almost unaware of the argument.

'I didn't know it was you, Karst,'

The voice sounded so close, as if the person were speaking right before me. But... it sounded, muffled... faded even...

Mars, you must see the reasons for this. You could not have expected-

For those who had suffered so much to die by your hand? NO, I could not have expected that!

Each time the lower voice bellowed in anger, the gentle movements of the flames would become fierce and uncontrolled, almost mimicking the furry of the voice.

They could not have been allowed to continue, they would have disturbed the balance that—

I am Fire!

'I didn't know, I swear it. If I had, please, please know I would never have done it. I'm sorry it took me so long to come back.'

I flinched as the louder voice sent the fires around me into a flurry. Sending them spinning up in a monstrous, hurricane-like storm; the sound of which almost drowned out the middle voice, it was so familiar, why couldn't I-

As such, I am the one who decides, whether or not those born under my star shall thrive or perish! You have no authority! You have no right too kill one whom I have deemed fit to live, and, for all your talk of balance, forcefully allow her companion to continue!

I watched as the flames parted, showing me a vast expanse of darkness. Nothing at all shedding light, the fires not stretching beyond some unmarked barrier. The shadows seemed all consuming, nothing at all standing out against the sheer, unending expanse… It was all too much like the Rift.

I chose to bring them both back, you insignificant Stone! YOU have no place defying ME!

But-

SILENCE!

There was; something... something that hung in that emptiness. I strained my eyes trying to make out whatever it was. It seemed like it was standing undisturbed in the darkness.

All at once, that small spec grew. I stepped back in surprise as two beings appeared before me. It all seemed so unreal though, as if their images had been expanded as they looked as if they had come closer, without really moving on their own.

'Damn it, I didn't know it was you, Karst!'

My breath caught as I took in the Beings, The Wise One hung there, that horrible boulder arguing unsuccessfully with the other Entity. It's singular white eye and black iris as wide across as my arm was long, it's cracked and chipped grey form spherical and hovering in the void. My eyes traveled up its opponent; a dragon of massive proportions hung there. It's serpent-like body coated in layers of white and gold scales, claws that glittered like diamonds, three feet long at least. A main of fire was wrapped around its thick neck, trailing down its back and becoming a solid flame at the tip of its tail.

"M-Mars..." I breathed, terrified of the sound of my own voice, but in complete awe of the spirit of my element and people. The Dragon whipped that flaming tail back and forth in aggression, black eyes fixed upon the boulder in rage. Had the Wise One a true face, I was sure it would have cringed.

They are of MY power! They are MINE to watch over!

I flinched and took a step back as the God's voice shook me to the core. The Wise One's eye narrowed slightly,

You have been in a deep sleep for many centuries, Mars. The Wise One stated, in the same unconcerned tone it had always used. The two in the very heart of your Lighthouse had repeatedly failed in the trials set before them. That is why they must be sent to death.

I couldn't understand how the Wise One was not humbled in the face of Mars's raw power. The dragon tossed its head back, letting out a furious roar that seemed to shake the darkness, the flames growing with the strength of the cry.

You Lie! Mars accused, I felt myself go cold, finding myself frightened of the God my powers derived from. What kind of damage could he inflict upon the Wise One? I did not wish to know. The Wise One's eye widened at the accusation,

'I saw a pair of dragons, I didn't see the both of you, I'm so sorry.' I looked around vainly once more, trying to find the source of that voice. I could almost feel the person right beside me, so why was their voice still so distant?

Excuse me? The Eye questioned, seemingly insulted, it looked as though neither one had noticed me standing there, or that floating voice. Mars only roared again, but it seemed more controlled now. The Mighty Dragon lowered its head, its onyx eyes focusing on the Wise One once more, serpentine chest heaving in and out with deep breaths.

You lie. I realized now that it was not speaking with its tongue, its gapping jaws still wide open, allowing its slender fangs to be seen in the darkness. You're reasoning was that you could not allow for more than two of my power to be directly touched with Alchemy. Despite the fact that I have already made it clear that I have done no such thing. And now your reasons are that they failed the tests. You lie.

Why must failure result in death? Mars is correct in this matter.

Both of them heard this voice, looking off somewhere else in the emptiness, I followed their eyes as there was a ripple in the shadows. It happened so swiftly, the ripple grew, and a Falcon appeared in the emptiness.

It must have been as great in size as Mars, brilliant plumes ruffling slightly, as their seemed to be air circling around it. Long graceful wings a glittering shade of silver, violet showing through in some feathers as it flapped them slowly. Two white, pearly eyes looked out upon the world from below a slender band violet, unlike anything else I had ever seen on a real bird. Its beak seemed carved from the finest of alabaster, almost glowing in the dimness.

I have been listening, The voice sounded almost like a woman's, and it seemed some-what hollow, as if she were speaking through a tube, though a flute was truly what came to mind. Wise One, you have made it clear that these tests were to find those powerful, and worthy of truly unleashing the last of Alchemy. And you did such, with remarkable success. Two white eyes focused on the Stone of Sages.

But, where has it been stated, that those who fail, must die? There was an edge of anger in the fluttering voice. The Wise One seemed nervous somehow, and again I heard that hidden voice, and I almost saw something.

'That's no excuse. After all, out of everyone, aren't I the one most familiar with that, particular, Proxian talent?' I felt it graze my consciousness ever-so-slightly. I gave a small gasp as I was engulfed in cold, only to have it retreat as swiftly as it had come. The Falcon's eyes darted around, as if it had heard the voice as well, two orbs, like the purest of snow coming to a rest on me. Did they seem; intrigued?

I bore witness to your tests. The Falcon's eyes snapped back to the others another ripple coming into existence on the other side of the Wise One. It took a moment, but then the Beast appeared, at first I couldn't put a name to it. I had heard stories of mammoth creatures which inhabited the oceans, but never had I seen one.

A deep blue, like the sky during a winter snow-fall, only the barest shade lighter than the void around them all, the body of a fish, only far to large, and missing the gills, webbed fins, and up-right tail. A square nose that I supposed took up the better part of the Creature's head, the line of the mouth seemed to come almost all the way up to the small, nearly unseen eye, glittering white like a diamond.

The voice I... It made me uncomfortable to say the least; I could practically feel the power of the Ocean in that, slow, mystical drawl. Dimly, I could recall a sailor once recounting a story, and speaking of 'Whale Songs' Perhaps this was what it was.

Stone of Sages, I have seen the greater part of your tests since my awakening. The Being spoke, that drawl making it difficult to pick out the words. I witnessed the barbarity atop my Sister Jupiter's Sanctum. From my perch atop the northern world I could feel the pain invoked on both sides by your illusions. Why is it you choose to create more of this pain, now that this humble realm is free once more?

What is more, what can have possessed you, to defy Mars in such a way? The Falcon asked; its concentration seemingly divided for the moment. From how the Entity moved its head, it looked as if she were, listening for something? We are our own masters. We are your masters. And if you do not have a sufficient answer then...The Falcon left the threat hanging, and the Wise One seemed to tense.

You wish for all of my reasoning? The being asked crisply, receiving a nod from the three Gods assembled. Very well.

It cannot be allowed for more than an equal number of each Element to be present at the final release of Alchemy. Or else balance shall be lost. Allow me to continue. The Wise One's eye resting on Mars, the Dragon seemingly ready to vent its rage once more.

That is not my true reason of course. It is this; the People of Prox, will-fully entered Sol-Sanctum, and stole the Elemental stars, thus resulting in the eruption of Mt Aleph, and the near-destruction of the Town of Vale, set to guard the Elemental Stars, back even in the time before Alchemy's original sealing. The Wise One paused at this, and I felt my anger spark.

How dare he? My people had been forced to turn to theft. I shook my head in disgust, the Boulder's statements making me sick.

The two in question committed acts that would have resulted in various punishments across the lands they traveled. They resorted to intimidating tactics to get that which they wished, further-more—

"We lacked character?" At first, I was startled by my own voice, the anger in my words hung in the darkness for a moment, before the four of them seemed to pause a moment.

Continue. Mars spoke, not facing me, but I knew I was the one he was speaking too. I took it as an order, so I did.

"We were so d- so focused on saving our own people that we didn't stop along the way to be polite?" I asked, my voice tense, and it was difficult for me to keep my words civil, "The fact that the people of Vale wouldn't heed our warnings about the world dying, thus forcing us to enter the Sanctum, and have our best die in the traps means nothing, then?" It looked as though the Dragon lifted an eye-brow, something glittering in charcoal eyes.

Your best did not all—

"Close enough." I snapped, not caring about the Wise One as he tried to contradict me. "Two out of six return; we call that a lot."

No, Proxian's call that a lot. You—

You shall be silent. I flinched as I heard the Whale's flowing voice again, thinking it was directed at me, until I noticed the small eyes focused on the Wise One. You have no place throwing such a thing as Death in this soul's face, Stone of Sages. It seems you have become corrupt over the ages.

The Wise One's eye went wide, the pupil shrinking down to a small point as if in fear as it spun to face the Entity of Water.

What do you-?

I agree. The Falcon spoke. The Wise One turning again, seemingly in disbelief as yet another pair of eyes narrowed. Yes, you are corrupt; I can see it in your essence. The melodic voice floated, uncaring, in the emptiness. You harbor... distaste for those of the Mars Clan.

That is ridiculous, why would I-?

You… could be said to… to hate them. The group turned to see yet another member approach, or rather, this one was already in their midst, they seemed to have just not noticed though.

I knew this creature, it was a Doe. Her black eyes too match those of Mars, but though with a softer warmth deep within them. Its speckled fur was tinged with green, bringing with it the peace of the forests and prairies. Its voce reminded me of the wind through the leaves of a lush forest, shy, and yet impossible to ignore.

Gaia, Mars said solemnly, the Dragon sounded almost smug with what was happening. Will you lend me your aide in this, Sister? The Doe bent her slender neck at the question, what most would take for a nod.

So much pain; and all for petty hate. The doe shook her head, almost sightless eyes focused mercilessly upon the Wise One. I can hear his pain even now. Can you not also Jupiter, my Sister of the Winds? The Falcon ruffled her feathers slightly,

So that is what we have heard. The Venusian's pain, so it is not his voice as he would use for his fellows we hear, is it Sister? The Doe nodded, and the other two seemed at a loss for a moment,

We? The Whale asked, before her small eyes followed the other's gazes, where they had all come to rest on me. I suppose they had forgotten I was there after… Gaia… had shown herself.

The Falcon's words repeated themselves in my mind, Venusian? Did she mean... Isaac would not care, and neither his father nor the other would think of it all that much. And... I wasn't even going to consider—

'Why do you have to leave me to be at peace?'

I froze, the voice finally connecting. The words, seeming to fade even more, as they finally made sense to me, as everything became clear to me.

Dead. I... I was dead! No... No, not yet, I'd heard him, I could hear his voice calling me! I couldn't die yet. I... He'd come back... He had come back. He hadn't died atop Jupiter Lighthouse, he-he'd fought me in Mars Lighthouse! He'd gone to light the Beacon, I, that's what I had asked of him, to go and fire Mars' Beacon. And he had! I'd felt it! That's why I was here now, because the Wise One had kept it from me, because it hated me, it hated the people of Prox.

And he'd come back... He was here with me now, after the beacon- after everything! He was h—

No... not here... there... Felix was there... that was as close as he could come because... because I was...

Dead...

"Felix..." His name hovered on my lips for a moment, tears blurring my vision, though I don't know how I was able to manage tears. I then noticed how the anger in the Dragon's eyes seemed to have regained its former strength.

Meaningless. It seethed, shaking its head in anger, the Wise One moving rigidly as it felt the growing rage being directed towards it.

Useless. The Falcon's voice seemed just shy of a whisper as it ruffled its glittering feathers in agitation.

Unnecessary. The Whale's drifting voice seemed firmer.

Corrupted. I felt a tingle along my spine as though some sort of power was charging the air. For all the unrest the Wise One had caused, even I held no wish to watch its punishment. My mind was moving to quickly, trying to comprehend what had happened, for me to have focused on it even if I'd wanted too.

I could be with Menardi again, couldn't I? I mean, I was d- gone, and... and so were they, right? I shook my head violently though, not giving the thought a chance to settle. No, I could be with them when I'd actually lived my life. Not when it was simply cut short. But... there isn't any coming back from death...

'Karst, I can go forever without those answers,' Felix's voice was almost beyond my range of hearing, growing fainter, and farther away by the moment, 'Just as long as, for a moment, I can have you back.'

"I'd go back..." I whispered to myself, my voice breaking slightly as I wrapped my arms around myself.

I don't think Felix heard me, but, some one just as important did.

Very well then. Mars's deep voice echoed in my ears. A bright light filled my vision, something carrying me away so quickly; it made me feel as if I had been torn in two.

I nearly screamed as pain flashed through me, my skin burned as everything merged together, becoming one massive, incomprehensible blur. Explosions of colours ran rampant through my mind; red, blue, green, violet, gold… I felt blood pumping through my veins as a raging torrent of water, air escaping my lungs with the force of a bellow, my body stiffening and relaxing without my control as though to assure myself that it was truly solid, and then a burst of heat radiating out from my chest to make sure I was alive…

And, I went back.

"I'll come back, Karst, I promise you that. Please, just get better. I... don't want to lose you again..."

My sense of touch was the first thing to return, my hearing following soon after. I was aware of words being whispered to me gently in the darkness, but for the longest time I could not grasp their meaning.

But of course, by the time I could sense the words, I could feel. One thing I remember though, possibly only hours before I was finally able to bring myself fully into the waking world again, was a slight warmth on the side of my face. And something soft pressed down on to my forehead for a moment. A short time later, the smallest amount of pressure, so light I was hardly aware of it, came down gently over my lips.

I couldn't have moved no matter the circumstances, my mind unable to take in everything that had occurred. Part of me knew this was alright though and... I suppose I felt safe. I... I knew who it was there with me.

After Felix left, I drifted back into a deep, healing sleep. I awoke a few hours later, truly woke up. I felt as if I were tied down, but I was able to open my eyes, and see the Elder and his wife sitting next to my bed in the small room I was being kept in. It took my eyes a few moments longer than normal to adjust to the dim light, a small candle on a table the only flame by which to see.

It took a few moments, but at last Marci seemed to realize I was awake. I noticed all the bandages wrapped around me as she took my hand and held it gently. She whispered to me quietly for a while, trying to sooth any worries I may have had. She told me that Agatio was well, though I had already known that. Somewhere in there, I'm almost sure she mentioned being rescued in the Lighthouse.

For any one thing either one told me, the other would ask after me. Was I in pain, was I cold, was I hungry. I was surprised to learn that it had been over a week since I had been brought back from Mars Lighthouse, though they both seemed disinclined to tell me how I had been returned.

"Was Felix here?" I mumbled, feeling how coarse my voice was. Marci licked her upper lip as she gave a slight nod.

"They... they left just a short time ago, Child." The Elder said gently, "Their ship set sail just this morning, nearly all of Prox was there to see them off." I felt empty for some reason, I suppose more than anything I had wanted to speak with Felix. Wanted to apologize and see if it could make even a slight difference...

"I'm sorry, Child; they promised they would return to Prox once they learned of Vale. They remained here long enough to recover from their ordeals, and left immediately after." The Elder paused slightly. "I'm sorry, Karst." He repeated, "I'm sure there was much you had wished to speak with Felix about."

I nodded, feeling sleep rushing me again. I was more than a little disheartened, but then again, I had never expected that Felix would ever wish to speak with me again, why was I so surprised that he had left?

'I'll come back...'

I swallowed as my vision faded out again, Marci and the Elder making sure I was comfortable, as I heard them leaving.

'Will you really?'

--End FlashBack—

'I'll come back, Karst, I promise you that.'

Karst's eyes opened wide, taking a moment for her eyes to focus in the darkness. She must have fallen asleep, the fire was nothing more than a few smoldering embers in the pit.

Karst sat up, ignoring the slight twinge in her back and arms as she straightened. She then sat their biting her lip.

A year. That promise was a year old. It had taken him this long to honor it. But, he had, hadn't he? Wasn't he in Prox again? Wasn't he fulfilling his end of the bargain? Karst smirked at the thought,

'What bargain? It's not like we ever made a deal with one another. "You come back and I'll come over so we can talk things through, alright?".' Karst couldn't find the humor in her own joke.

It, it really did make sense. He was here, and, that's what she had been hoping for, right? To have him come back, so that she could... talk, to him about what had happened? Wasn't it what she had been rehearsing over and over again over the past few months?

Karsts eyes drifted to her cloak splayed across the table across the room. Not her split cloak, a plain, old, woolen one, the same mossy grey color as much of the clothing in Town.

'Just go over...' She thought, 'Worst-case-scenario is... something I don't want to think about...' Karst sat there debating with herself for a few moments, before she finally coaxed herself up and- walked into her room.

'Oh; am I that pathetic?' She accused sourly, growing a bit annoyed with herself as she stared into the small mirror hanging on the wall. 'Y'know, this belt isn't really the best one I—damn it not again!!' Karst stomped out of her room and back into the main part of the house. She wasn't stupid, if she kept up as she was, she was either going to end up killing something, or weeping like some small child in a corner… Neither option was looking very pleasant.

Karst paused with one gloved hand on the door. She closed her eyes for a moment. 'Mars gave me back my life; it's mine to do with as I choose. Felix, I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused, I know you won't forgive me… But I've got to at least try.'

Karst stepped out into the growing winds, shutting the door tightly against the cold. She kept her eyes facing forward, forcing them to stay off of the ground, and away from her feet.

'I've got to at least try.'