HI EVERYBODY! Welcome to another edition of Oracle's greatest story, Golden Sun: Legends of Lemuria. As an added note, I feel obliged to say, IT'S THE LAST BIG BROTHER TONIGHT! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaac: You actually watch that?!
But of course.
Leggy: Why did Stu have to leave?! I miss my Chicken Stu!
All: ......
Leggy: Oh...I mean, I miss Michelle, she was a babe! Yeah!
O...k, worried about the sexual preferences of my muse now.
GloomDrifter: Once again, thanks. I know I keep making mistakes, but doesn't everyone? My spell and grammar check is permanently set on English (U.S) which might have something to do with it.
Mercury Gold: You'll have to wait and see, but I guess you won't have to wait that long since you're reading this story, aren't you? You'd better!
Sorian: No more sugar for you. I promise, cross my heart and hope to die, that I will never insult you again. I like your evil laugh by the way. Very sinister.
(NOTE FOR ALL REVIEWERS: I can't help notice that you wish to know my secret of the fast update. I wouldn't normally tell anyone this, but as you lot are sooo special, I'll tell you.
Number one: It is summer holiday so I have much more time on my hands than I normally would; getting it off is the tricky bit. HAHAHA! Comedy, gotta love it!
Number two: I have already written out most of my story on paper so that I can adjust and rewrite in on my computer if necessary.
Number three: My nickname is Billy-No-Mates so I have spent the past week doing this and nothing else. Yeah, I'm sad.)
Yami: Oracle own not Sun Golden.
A Teary Reunion
The fog had cleared as a group of five travelers arrived at the entrance into a huge city, surrounded by an enormous wall. The heat of the afternoon sun burnt their necks and shoulders through their clothes, and sweat ran down their faces and necks.
The man leading the group stopped in front of the gate causing the younger red-headed boy to crash into his back.
"What's going on?"
"We're here," Piers said in an all knowing voice that made Garet and Felix roll their eyes and glare.
Isaac simply chuckled at his friends' behaviour and moved closer to Mia. Even in the heat, the heavenly glow that surrounded her and gave hope to others remained. She looked at him with those aqua eyes and grinned.
"What?"
"Can't a guy just gaze loving at a girl?"
"Well, I guess you can, but I draw the line at drooling!"
They grabbed each other's hand and continued to smile. Repressed fits of giggles came from Garet's general direction and Felix looked slightly amused. Piers, on the other hand, seemed unaware of his companions as he placed his bare hand on a carved panel to the left of the gate. There was an earthshaking groan before the gates slowly opened.
"This is Lemuria," Piers announced proudly as he walked through the opening into the beyond.
They stood at the edge of a bustling city. It was full of tall white, church-like buildings with pale roofs made of the finest glass that reached up high into the air and all looked very ancient. Colorful banners flew from the top of each structure and a huge castle loomed above it all. At the heart of the village square sat a large fountain flowing with crystal clear water. Many of the people walking about the streets had blue hair like Piers, and their garments were elaborately embroidered with silver and gold thread.
"Wow!" Isaac gasped, utterly amazed by the beauty of it all.
"This is Lemuria?! So, what was that place we've just been walking through?"
"Don't worry Garet, all will soon be revealed," said a voice to their right.
They turned to see a man standing next to one of the smaller buildings on the outskirts of the city. His wild blue hair and handsome face bore some resemblance to Piers'.
Behind him, a younger figure stood, quivering with excitement. A bright smile glowed on his face as he looked at the group.
"Oh Ivan! You're alright!" cried Mia happily, sweeping him into her arms like a mother would.
"Mia! I...can't...breathe!" he gasped, struggling against her strong grip, but happy all the same.
As soon as she let go, Garet came up to him and gave him a friendly slap on the back that sent Ivan down onto his knees.
"Good to see you," he said, helping him up again with an almighty tug, "Sorry about that."
"It's alright." Ivan gave his strong friend a weak smile as he rubbed his painful back and throbbing arm.
Finally, he turned to Isaac and Felix who both grinned at their recovered team mate.
"Are you alright?" Isaac asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Never better. I quite enjoy traveling between different world, nearly killing myself in fog and being slapped by a would be friend when we met up again."
Garet laughed nervously as Mia glared at him.
"Is Sheba here?" Ivan asked, looking around curiously.
"Ivan, I didn't know you cared so much about her!" Garet laughed; unaware that his friend's face had fallen when he saw that she wasn't.
"We haven't seen her or Jenna," Felix explained, a similar look of sorrow on his own face.
"Well, let's just hope they're together. Anyway, Jenna's always been able to look after herself," Isaac replied confidently.
A hand suddenly fell on Ivan's shoulder in a some what comforting way.
"It would be best if we went back to the palace now Ivan," the older man said, receiving a questioning glance from Mia and the boys. "Oh, how rude of me. My name is Lord Avon, Piers' uncle and brother of King Hydros, current ruler of Lemuria. There is a teleportation circle nearby if you'd follow me. It's much faster than walking."
The group slowly began walking into the busy city, passing many people on their way that all looked at the visitors in interest. Everyone was silent as they stepped onto a circle made up of different runes and symbols. Piers stood in front of everyone and held up a small dark blue stone. He said the word, "Teleport", and the markings on the floor lit up with a golden light. It felt as if their bodies were being absorbed into the wind. They split up and disappeared leaving the site empty as if nothing had happened.
"Sheba! Don't let go!"
High up on the walls that surrounded the mysterious city of Lemuria, voices echoed in the growing wind and dark fog.
"I won't! Try to grab my other hand!"
A figure swung in the howling wind as she hung from the stone bricks.
"I can't hold on!"
"Just reach!"
Jenna's feet scrapped along the rough rock while she frantically tried to climb back up.
"Just a little further!"
"I CAN'T!"
Jenna's grip was loosening around Sheba's wrist and her other arm couldn't find anything to hold onto.
"Jenna, listen to me! You can do this!"
"I'm sorry Sheba."
With a last burst of strength, she whipped her hand away from Sheba and began to fall.
"NO! JENNA!"
Sheba's hand reached out as if to catch her but there was nothing left to grab. As a last desperate attempt, she cried out, "CYCLONE!" Fuelled by emotions, a huge hurricane appeared and descended into the darkness at a terrific speed. It was gone for no less than five agonising seconds before it rose back up, pulling a startled but otherwise unhurt Jenna along with it.
"Jenna! Are you Ok?"
The cyclone carried Jenna to the battlement at the top of the wall and placed her next to Sheba before disappearing in the wind.
"I'm fine. Thank you so much! I would have died if it hadn't been for you!" Jenna cried. She was still shaking as she wrapped her arms around Sheba. Shocked by this, Sheba took a step back, but then leaned into the hug and comforted her friend to the best of her abilities.
"We'd better get under some shelter, there's a storm coming," Sheba finally managed to say, nervously eying the pitch black storm clouds that were heading their way. The weather seemed to be constantly changing in this strange world making it difficult for even the young Jupiter Adept to predict what would happen.
"HALT!" A figure appeared out of the shadows the battlement contained with his gloved hands held up. The girls didn't even have a chance to react before the psynergy hit them, immobilising them. All they could do was watch as two other men followed the first, all of them wearing thick metal armour and their long blue hair waving wildly around their handsome faces.
"Come with us," said the second guard as the other two released them from the psynergy and wrapped strong ropes around their wrists.
Knowing that resisting them would be stupid, the girls did as they were told and quietly followed the men along the battlements and into a small tower. Before they did, Jenna was able to make out a massive castle, towering above them and knew that they would have a hard job trying to escape this time.
As they entered, the first drops of rain hit the floor and thousands followed. Inside the tower, the noise was deafening and by the time the group had reached a set of spiral staircases leading down into the castle itself, Jenna had a headache that constantly beat against her skull and Sheba's ears were ringing.
The stairs seemed to last forever and weren't the last ones. They descended four more stair cases and each time they reached the bottom, they were able to catch brief glances at the corridors. The first was decorated with extravagant carpets and wall hangings, but as they went further and further down, the furnishing changed, becoming much duller and badly kept.
Finally, the guards took a left at the bottom of a stair case and led them down a passageway until they ended up in front of a dingy prison cell which Jenna and Sheba were roughly pushed into.
"You will stay here until Lord Avon decides what to do with you," one of the guards roared over the girls protests.
Leaving them in the filthy cell, the guards walked back towards the stairs.
Quite suddenly, Jenna laughed.
"Sheba, look! They haven't even got a door for this cell!"
She walked straight towards the opened they'd just been pushed through then stopped. Sparks were crackling all along the walls and shot out at Jenna's body, forcing her back into the cell.
"Jenna?! Are you Ok?"
Jenna laid motionless on the floor, sparks still flying up off of her body and when Sheba came close enough, they shot up at her fingers.
"Jenna?" she whispered again, carefully placing her fingers on Jenna's pale neck. There was still a pulse. Gasping at the shark shock of psynergy, Sheba pulled Jenna over the floor and propped her back against the wall.
Jenna opened her eyes weakly and turned to Sheba's surprised face.
"Why does this sort of thing always happen to me?"
Almost laughing, Sheba shrugged her shoulders.
"Same reason it usually happens to me, I guess."
Jenna coughed heavily, her breathing coming out in short, rasping bursts. She moved her arm to get herself more comfortable and gasped.
"Oww! Won't be trying that again in a while."
She lifted her arm more slowly this time and said, "Healing Aura". Red light surrounded both her and Sheba, but faded quickly.
"My...psynergy...I can't....heal myself..."
With no energy left, she rested her head against the brick wall and fell into unconsciousness.
As a last resort, Sheba used Mind Read again to reach out to Ivan, but found herself becoming very dizzy.
The barrier on the cell, it must be absorbing my psynergy, she thought. Her whole body was growing weaker and she too ended up slipping onto the floor beside Jenna and allowed the weariness to take over.
The instant that the sparkling orbs appeared on the castle's primary teleportation pad, a guard was waiting for them by a nearby door.
"Lord Avon, not long ago, the guards on the Eastern Battlement caught two thieves trying to break into the castle. They're adepts as well."
"I understand," Lord Avon replied, turning to the adepts, "If you want, you can stay in one of the meeting rooms until I'm back."
"Thank you Lord Avon," Isaac said, "I think we could all do with a rest."
The others nodded, each of them looking rather tired.
"There's an empty room at the end of that corridor," Lord Avon said, pointing in the direction of another completely white corridor, "Piers, if you could show them the way?"
"Of course."
Splitting up from Lord Avon and the guard, the group of six headed towards the said corridor.
"Ivan? Are you coming?" Garet asked, stopping to turn back to his friend.
Ivan didn't move. He remained as still as a statue. His eyes were unfocused and Garet recognised this as the trance Ivan went into when using Mind Read.
"It's Sheba," he said, looking up with eyes that were full of fear, "She's close and...something's wrong. Her psynergy is very weak; I can hardly sense her...She'd gone!"
Ivan turned to Lord Avon who'd heard the trouble and had walked back towards them.
"I think she's in the castle."
"Then I believe we have found the identities of the 'intruder'. Follow me."
Garet, Ivan and Felix quickly followed him and the guard down a different corridor and deeper into the castle. Mia had decided that Isaac was still too weak and refused to let him go with them although he continuously stated that he felt fine. Piers led the two to the meeting room instead while the others went to investigate.
Half an hour of constant walking finally led the group to the darkest passage way they'd come across yet. It was a huge contrast to the white halls higher up in the castle and created a very depressing feeling. The only light came from flaming torches that hung from brackets along the stone walls.
"I can't stand it down here," Ivan whispered, "It gives me the creeps."
"I know what you mean," Felix muttered back.
As they continued to walk, it became darker and colder. Cells appeared along their left hand side, damp, dirty yet empty cells. Felix began to shake from fear and the intense coldness. With every passing moment, he felt more and more nervous. He hardly knew this 'Lord Avon' person and following him gave him the idea of walking into his own prison cell.
"These are the prisoners," said a second guard who'd been patrolling in front of one of the cells. He pointed at the two figures that were slumped at the back of the cell. "You two, wake up! Lord Avon wished to speak to you!"
He unlocked the force field door and moved towards the unmoving people.
"I said WAKE UP!"
Now nervous too, the guard bent down and shook one of the prisoners by the shoulders, but they still didn't stir.
"Lord Avon, they're unconscious!"
"Out of the way!" yelled Felix, pushing past Ivan to rush to their sides, "Revive!"
Light lit up the dark cell and surrounded the two people. Life flooded back into them and the smaller one stirred then woke up.
"Mmm...who's that?" asked a female voice.
"I'm Felix, are you Ok?"
"Yeah, I think so. But my friend isn't. She touched that force field and got shocked. Will she be alright?"
"Don't worry, I promise to look after her."
"Wait...Felix? Ivan? Garet? It is you!" the girl suddenly cried with joy. With Felix's help, she got up and limped out of the shadows. Her short blond hair hung limply around her face and her once beautiful robes were dirty and torn in places, but that bright sparkle in her jade eyes assured them that it was Sheba.
"Oh, thank the elements!" Ivan yelled as he rushed into the cell and hugged the smiling girl tightly, "I thought something awful had happened to you!"
"And I thought something had happened to you!"
"Well, something did," he admitted, showing her the scar on his hand, "But I'm fine now that I know you're safe."
Garet was grinning almost evilly, trying to memorise each for moment for future blackmail, but the smile faded when he caught sight of Felix. His face was white and his eyes were bulging with fear as he stared at the second figure on the floor. It took a while for Garet to connect the dots.
"Jenna...JENNA!" he cried. His feet barely touched the floor as he pushed past the guard and ran to his life long friend's side. Her body stayed limp when he sat her up in his arms. His tears fell on her cold skin which glimmered in the flickering fire lamps outside the cell.
"I never knew he liked her that much," Ivan whispered to Felix.
"He'd better not!" Felix growled angrily, moving over to Jenna and Garet with a scowl on his face. He knelt down beside them and began to use Potent Cure.
"What's with him?" Ivan asked.
"He's her brother and is very protective," explained Sheba, "Garet may be an old friend, but no one is good enough for Jenna in Felix's eyes. You should have seen him when Alex tried to kiss her."
They turned back to Jenna just in time to see her eyes open.
"Sheba? What happened...Felix? How'd you get here?"
"That doesn't matter now; we just need to get you out of here."
With Garet's help, despite the unfriendliness between them now, they lifted her up and took her back up the stairs to the room Isaac, Mia and Piers had disappeared into. Ivan opened the door and looked at Isaac with a grin on his face and Sheba in his arms.
"Hey, good to see you Sheba, Jenna. I guess you two were the 'intruders'."
Mia and Piers looked up from their conversation and moved to allow Felix and Garet to place Jenna on one of the chairs in the room. Rubbing their aching backs, the two boys sat in the two chairs surrounding her.
"What's wrong with you two?" she asked.
"I don't remember you weighing so much before, Jenna."
"GARET!" Whacking him with a cushion, she couldn't help but grin at his innocent face.
Everyone else sat down in one of the other chairs and looked expectantly at Lord Avon who'd been waiting for them to finish.
"Well, now that all eight of you are together, I can explain. To those who don't know, I am Lord Avon and you are currently in Lemuria."
"Lemuria? But how did we all get here in the first place?" asked Jenna.
"Piers was able to find you in that inn in Daila where you where being attacked by the Mars Adepts and used his psynergy to bring you here. Unfortunately, the ancient spells protecting this city affected his psynergy, splitting the group up and causing you to end up in the fogs that surround Lemuria."
"What's with that fog anyway?" Garet interrupted.
"If anyone but a Lemurian is able to get to the city, they are transported to the wastelands surrounding Lemuria where the fog appears which is impossible to get through. Now, about your quest..."
A loud knock interrupted Lord Avon and a young guard entered.
"My Lord," he announced, "There are three people here to see you. They say it is of great importance."
"Ah yes, my other guests. Please, let them in."
A murmur travelled throughout the group.
"What other guests?" Garet whispered to no one in particular.
Three people had already entered the room though stopping anyone from answering without being heard.
One was a very beautiful girl. Her long red hair, a much bolder shade than Jenna's, cascaded down her back, surrounding her shoulders that bore a sleeve-less shirt of a fuchsia colour. A magical aura surrounded her; even her eyes that were a pale chestnut sparkled with power. With her head held high, she grinned at everyone and waved a greeting.
The second girl was almost the complete opposite. Obviously younger, she looked more boyish with her tan tunic and blond hair cut short like Sheba's. She had the same colour eyes as the other girl, but her skin was much darker than anyone they'd seen before. She had a bow and a set of arrows strapped to her back as if she was ready for a battle. She even had a short sword sheathed at her side. Again, she looked very confident as she gazed at the occupants of the room, but showed no signs of greeting.
The last person was a small boy who seemed very interested in a spot of light on the floor and blushed a deep red as he felt the attention of the room move to him. He was unusually short and much too young to be hanging around with the two girls. It seemed that he wanted nothing more than to disappear. His cute black hair curled around his sweet face with still burned with embarrassment. He wore much plainer clothes than the girls which were way to big for him. His hands were hidden under long sleeves and his feet couldn't be seen at all.
Isaac gazed at the boy curiously and found himself looking at the end of his sleeves. Something was shinning from underneath where his hands should be. Before he could look closer, the boy had hastily pulled his hands further inside the fabric then gave Isaac a frightened glance. But Isaac was sure that there was something else hidden in his eyes, something like hatred, maybe even loathing. He was forced to remember the dream he had. This boy slightly resembles the person with the metal chest who had taken Mia away from him.
"These are Trinity," Lord Avon said, first pointing at the red-head, "Alicia and Max," he finished pointing at the other girl, then the boy. "They are the last known users of the hidden psynergies."
"New psynergies? I didn't know there were any other than fire, wind, earth and water," said Ivan.
"They are now very rare. They are the only ones in the world who can use them. They are Psy, Life and Metal. Trinity is a user of Psy, Alicia, Life and Max is a Metal user."
"That good and all, but what has that got to do with us?" Garet asked bluntly.
"They are the keys to lighting the final two lighthouses."
"You know of our quest?"
"I have know of it for a long time, Felix. If you want to rescue your parents and take them away from Prox, I suggest you'd accept their help."
"But...our parents died." Jenna looked at Felix. "Didn't they? Felix?"
"Jenna, no one died that night. Mum and Dad are being held in Prox until I am able to light the final two lighthouses. As well as your father Isaac."
Isaac nearly fainted. His father was alive? After all this time?
"Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"I was going to, but we were interrupted by those two Mars Adepts."
"May I please continue?" asked Lord Avon patiently. Jenna, Isaac and Felix nodded. "It has come to my attention that an evil force has entered Lemuria in disguise and wishes to harness the unstoppable power of the Golden Sun."
"The Golden Sun?"
"The form Alchemy will take when all of the lighthouses have been lit. At the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse, when its beacon is alight, the Leaders of each element will be revealed and it will be their job to protect the Golden Sun when it rises."
"Whoa! Leaders of the Elements?"
"There will be seven Elemental Leaders which will be granted new powers to protect the Golden Sun from all that want its power. They will be the ones to stop the evil force. This is why you'll need Trinity, Alicia and Max. Being the last of their element's users, there is no doubt that they will be three of the Elemental Leaders."
"Ok, I'm officially confused," Garet admitted, shaking his head in dismay.
"There's a surprise," said Felix.
"It would be best if you all got some sleep. Don't worry; rooms have already been prepared for you. In the morning, I will take you to the Jupiter Lighthouse where all will be revealed."
Lord Avon ushered them all out of the room, their heads literally buzzing with this new information. The group grew smaller as they split up and entered their separate rooms until only Isaac and Mia were left. They opened their door and were shocked by the beauty of the room. Although the colour was still mainly white, there were several other furnishings inside. Two small beds stood side by side with a table to one side which held a lit candle. Twin chairs sat under an open window and a cupboard stood in the corner. A second door led off next to the cupboard into a tiny marbled bathroom.
"Oh wow!" Mia gasped, gazing around in wonder, "It's beautiful."
"I know," said Isaac, but he wasn't looking at the room. He twisted her around so that they were staring into each others eyes. He gently pulled her close before they kissed again.
Mia was in heaven. Paradise. Everything was perfect as long as she was with Isaac. They parted and continued to stare at each other.
"I love you," Isaac whispered.
"And I love you," answered Mia. The last rays of sunlight visible from the window disappeared from sight, plunging the white city into darkness. Only the small flame dancing on the candle wick remained to repel the shadows.
Mia vanished into the bathroom to undress while Isaac did the same. When she returned, he was already in bed, wearing his shorts and thin shirt. Mia moved across the room and slid under the silky covers of the second bed. Isaac couldn't help staring at her from his own bed until he couldn't take it. He got up and slipped under the covers with her, wrapping his arm around her waist. She stiffened for a second then snuggled into his chest.
"What would happen if we lose this fight and I lose you?" she asked, her face displaying the anxiety that had begun to build up ever since the speech Lord Avon had given.
"You'll never lose me," he replied, holding her hand in his, "We're going to be together forever. It's destiny."
He felt her radiant smile and smiled to himself while running his free hand through her smooth hair.
"I promise."
Leggy: (SNIFF) It's...so beautiful.
I know. I'm getting good at this.
Isaac: (SNIFF) Thank you so much! I love being with Mia. She's so beautiful.
Yami: Ewww! Mushy stuff!
Can't please everyone I suppose. Reviews from Mudshippers appreciated. See you next time!