Isaac's sword gave off a clang as it was split in two by the reaper's blade. He slid back against a wall, awaiting the inevitable. Weaponless and defenseless, he stood steadfast, his fists raised and ready to fight to the bitter end. Before he could lash out, a blue light shone behind Death itself and Isaac again heard the cooling words of the angel.

"Leave him alone. It is me you must fight if you wish to get him."

"It's his time! No one shall stand in my way!" Death hissed back, and Isaac watched the battle that ensued intently. Although he had seen it many times before, it always felt like the first time, and he never realized he was dreaming. As the shadow of Death dissipated around the square, the angel approached him, and he recoiled as before.

"Do not fear me." The angel stated, approaching him slowly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. . ." Isaac stammered as before. "Thank you for saving me." The dream proceeded as usual until after the angel had given Isaac the first kiss. Isaac then struggled to speak, still not realizing he was dreaming. "I've often wondered who you are. . . Will you allow me to guess your name?"

"Certainly." The angel replied, eyes and continence full of love and admiration, her wings still wrapped around Isaac's torso.

"I believe your name is Mia." Isaac said. The angel smiled even more warmly. She pulled him in for another kiss before she replied.

"You are correct, Isaac." She whispered, very softly into his ear. "I will always be here for you." She continued, her volume not increasing. "I will always be here, because I love you." Isaac was taken back by this statement. He now realized he was dreaming, but somehow he didn't wake up. The words felt so real, and so did the wings, and the lips of Mia. But, this was all an illusion.

"Mia, answer me a few things, please. This is a dream, isn't it?" The angel's expression saddened, but she did answer the question.

"Yes, it is."

"And two other things, Mia. How can you and I be together in the real world? You're an illusion." The angel's expression grew mysterious, yet she still looked into Isaac's eyes with love.

"Or am I? You yourself called me your guardian angel, did you not? Perhaps I am no more than a mere illusion, or perhaps I am an exact interpretation of what you see in the real world and how you feel about her. I am no more and no less than you think I am." Mia replied. Isaac's expression grew puzzled. "I didn't think you would understand, Isaac."

"I understand fine, Mia. I just. . . had never thought of it that way." Isaac replied, softly. "But Mia, even if we could be together in the real world, I couldn't fall in love with you! My code forbids it!" The angel of Mia just smiled warmly again, and pressed her lips back to Isaac's. Isaac's emotions flew a thousand places at once, not being able to place what he should do. The warmth this angel produced was all-too real. . . it didn't feel like just a mere dream. After Mia finally broke her kiss, she began to whisper to Isaac once more.

"Isaac. There's been someone who has been meaning to speak with you. Close your eyes and open your ears, Isaac. Listen well to what he has to say." Isaac obeyed, and he closed his eyes and opened his ears. Suddenly a golden light began to flood the recesses of his mind, and it flooded into his shut eyes. The golden light grew to an incredible intensity and eventually dissipated. With his eyelids drawn shut still, he could make out a figure standing before him.

The figure glowed with an incredible golden light, but through it all, Isaac could make out the figure of a huge man dressed in plate mail with wings made of pure light. The armor on this figure was thick and looked extremely heavy, and it was made of the brightest and most reflective gold. His sword was the same way, and there was no imperfection in any piece of equipment. However, all of the golden light masked the figure's face. Isaac could feel the intense righteousness of the being in front of him and only recognized it as the source of bravery, courage, loyalty, valor, and honor. A gasp escaped the squire Isaac, as he realized he was standing before Sol, the sun god himself. Sol, the one he was serving under in the mortal realm, was now standing not five feet away from him.

"Young Isaac." Sol stated, his voice commanding and strong, yet not inspiring fear. "You are certainly one of the finest to grace the Paladin order, even I have no doubt of that. You are strong, courageous, brave, full of honor, loyalty and valor. However, you do suffer from your own flaws." Sol continued. Isaac was in shock. This was no more than a dream, wasn't it? It had to have been a dream! However, Sol's spirit felt undeniable; nothing so pure could ever be dreamt. "Isaac! Do you know what your problem is?!"

"No, sir." He timidly replied. Sol chuckled lightly.

"You are intimidated by me, I can tell. Any mere mortal would be, though you should fear me no more than you fear that angel. However, I digress. Isaac, your problem is that you do not fight with your heart."

"What?"

"You fight with all of your spirit, your bravery, and your courage, it's true. However, you do not fight with your heart. You do not fight with love in your heart." Sol stated again.

"But, you forbade fighting in such a way! The code of Sol specifically says that love is forbidden!" Isaac replied, his voice objective, yet reserved. Arguing with the god you served didn't strike him as a good idea, but he had to know why the code was so.

Sol's voice boomed. "Did you ever stop to think that I was NOT the one to write the code? Naïve Isaac. The code was written by a mere mortal who misunderstood my teachings. Do you not believe true virtue and bravery come from fighting to defend? If that is the case, you are no Paladin."

"My lord, I don't understand."

Sol sighed in mild annoyance. "Very well then. Isaac, answer me this. Which town would you likely defend harder, your hometown of Vale, or the town of Bilbin?"

"I'd defend both with the best of my abilities."

"That is not so." Sol stated, looming over Isaac. "You would defend Vale with more ability, for it was there you were born and reared. Your love for your hometown would carry you to your victory, Isaac. The code forbids not the loving of hometowns, and doesn't the loving of others cause one to fight more nobly as well?"

"My lord, I believe I am beginning to understand what you are having to tell me. . ."

"Then tell me, Isaac. What do you believe I am trying to tell you?" Sol asked, his voice commanding and questioning.

"I believe you are trying to explain to me that the code is incorrect and that love for people will cause one to fight better."

"No, you are not correct, and I fear you may have missed my entire point." Sol sighed in annoyance again. Mortals were so slow and ignorant; Sol had always tried to remain patient with them, but the endeavor of doing so was arduous. "Isaac, my point is that one must always fight with his heart. One cannot fight with his heart unless one can follow its will. Always do what is in your heart, Isaac. Never forget that."

"I will not." Isaac firmly stated, finally fully understanding what Sol had been trying to explain to him.

"Now go, my son, my disciple, and my charge. Go, and trust in your heart." As Sol finished his statement, the golden glow surrounding him faded away, as did he. Finally, Isaac's eyelids snapped open, and he looked back into the eyes of the angel Mia, whose wings still were wrapped around him. Mia's gaze locked onto his eyes and she had a look of concern.

"What did Sol tell you, Isaac?"

Isaac paused before responding. "He told me to always trust in my heart, and that the code is not necessarily correct."

"What does your heart tell you now, Isaac? Listen to it carefully."

Again, Isaac paused. Mia's gaze softened, and her continence returned to its original loving and admiring state. "My heart says. . . that it wants to stay with you, Mia." The angel Mia again smiled, and kissed him adoringly again. They remained like this for several moments, returning each other's love before Mia abruptly broke away a few inches.

"I'm sorry, Isaac. I must leave now. It's time you returned back the world you know. Remember. I'll always be here for you." She said, and she kissed him one final time before everything again went white.

***************************

Isaac shot forward in his bed, the room still dark. His burns and injuries attacked his flesh wildly, and he quickly settled back down into his pillow. What a dream; was it even a dream? It felt too much like reality to be a dream. Never had his dreams felt so real, even his previous encounters with the angel. Everything about the dream was real. . . Sol was what convinced him. Although he found it unlikely that the Sun God himself would wish to have audience with him, the aura of truth Sol exuded was very real indeed. He had never felt anything in his life with that much valor. Sol HAD spoken to him. He was convinced.

What now troubled him was the angel of Mia. Was this Mia a reflection of how he saw Mia subconsciously in the real world, or was she just a dream figure? Maybe she was both? Could it have been she was neither? Or, as strange is at may have been, was Mia his actual guardian angel? It was an awkward topic; his code forbade him to love, but he felt some kind of unusual bond between the two of them. Isaac was unable to comprehend what he truly felt about her. He figured he'd have a couple of days to think it over, given the fact that his injuries weren't going to be letting him go anywhere for awhile. He sighed lightly, letting his eyes drift shut.

Mia, as he knew her in the real world was truly an interesting person; her heart was pure and she thought nothing of herself before ensuring the safety of others. She was dedicated to her work, and she held a powerful loyalty to those she considered friends. She was very kind, serene, and peaceful most of the time, but she could certainly stand up for herself and not let herself become a victim without a good fight. She could very well have become a Paladin had women been allowed in the corps. Isaac knew that law in their code would certainly be amended one day, and he looked forward to then. To top off her personality, even to Isaac's eyes, Mia was stunningly beautiful. She knew she was so, but never once did she let vanity get in the way of anything in her life. Isaac had never known anyone so pure of mind and thought, save maybe his master, Felix. He began to grow weary again, so he let his thoughts drift into obscurity and he let himself sleep.

************************************

Sheba handed Isaac a wooden cup filled with warm tea. He graciously accepted and sipped it carefully. Isaac had stayed in bed for about three days, as Mia had ordered, but it wasn't easy for the young Paladin squire. Every time one of the girls looked like they may have needed help, Isaac tried to get on his feet, but Mia would have none of the sort, while Sheba was supporting her fully. However, it looked like Mia would let Isaac stand and move around today. The squire intended to make full use of this as soon as the healer gave him the go ahead. Mia was yet to arouse from her bedroom, but Sheba had been up bright and early.

"Are you feeling well today, Isaac?"

"I've been feeling well since a couple of days ago. It's just Mia insisted I stayed put."

"You can't blame her, Isaac. She's only doing what's best for your welfare. I really hope you understand she's kept you down for the best. She cares about the people she treats; she always has."

"I understand her point of view perfectly. Mia's a fine healer, and certainly one of the kindest and wisest people I've ever met."

Little did either of them realize that Mia had overheard the conversation behind her bedroom door, and she stood directly behind it, listening intently. She usually wasn't an eavesdropper, but she felt compelled to listen.

"Yes, she certainly is."

"If women were allowed into the Paladin corps, I say she'd certainly make the cut. Wouldn't you agree, Sheba?"

"I would agree based on righteousness, but Mia abhors violence. . ."

"Most Paladins do, Sheba." Isaac pointed out. "Personally, I don't like using force myself. I believe there is usually a diplomatic way to solve things rather than just going in blasting Psynergy. Some cases, like the wolves out in the field, you really don't have much say in the matter. However, I believe that the bandits could've been talked down."

"Possible, but unlikely. Besides, Mia loves her life as a healer. I don't think she'd want to do anything else, really."

"As a job, Mia does indeed love this work, but I know she thinks there is more to life than this." "Isaac, have you enjoyed your stay here?"

"It's been very relaxing, Sheba. This small town has everything anyone would ever need to live happily. It's beautiful out here. By the way, were you born here, Sheba?"

"No, I was born in Lalivero, far away from here. I was orphaned relatively young, and a couple from Imil adopted me. When I was twelve, my parents were killed. . . in an accident. Mia, who was deeply remorseful that she could do nothing for my parents, offered to take me in. I've been living with her ever since."

"I'm sorry to hear of that. When did this happen?"

"About three years ago." Isaac and Sheba remained silent for awhile, before Mia finally decided to make her entrance. The yawn she gave off after leaving her room was genuine, however. "Good morning, Mia. Did you sleep well?"

"Quite well." She smiled. "So, Isaac. . . I'm assuming you want to get out of that bed and move around some, right?" Isaac replied only with a smile. "I figured. Come on, up with you." She said, helping the Venus Adept to his feet. He grunted and stretched his legs to work out their stiffness. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Just a little stiff from lying in bed so much, that's all." Isaac stated, continuing his stretching. Mia smirked as she covertly picked up an apple from the table behind her and palmed it carefully. Quick as lightning, Mia wound up and flung the apple at the squire at full speed. The squire caught the motion in his eye and spun around, catching the apple in his right palm just before it would've impacted. Isaac smiled, and casually took a bite from the apple.

"Your reflexes seem okay, Isaac. Your stiffness seems to be wearing off too."

Isaac swallowed his bite of the apple before he replied. "Quite an interesting reflex test, Mia. I would've pegged you as the take the small hammer to the knee." Isaac again bit into the fruit.

"Normally I am." Mia smirked. "Today I just felt like doing something different. I'm glad to see you didn't end up with an apple shaped lump on your head." Sheba laughed, while Isaac gave a closed mouth smile while he continued chewing his fruit.

"Now," Isaac stated, swallowing his mouthful. "How can I help you today, considering I doubt you'll let me leave."

"Well, it's not I who needs your help, Isaac. The villagers are putting up a new barn on the outskirts of town and could use a little more manpower. I think you might be able to help them there."

"Excellent." Isaac said, actually finishing off his piece of produce. "I'm off then. Call me if you need anything."

"Isaac, are you planning on leaving tomorrow?"

"If at all possible, yes."

"Good. We'll see you off in the morning then." Mia smiled, as Isaac walked out the door to go assist the builders in constructing the newest addition to the town.

*****************************

Felix rubbed his eyes with his hands violently. He had been searching for days now for Isaac, and there still had been no sign of him. The leader of the Paladins of Sol was now beginning to accept the fact that his apprentice was, in all likelihood, dead. Wing Sarten had began calling off his search and rescue teams in replacement with recovery teams, and Ivan, Garet, and Felix were preparing to return to Vale and give a full report to King Picard. Felix packed the last of his things and slung his sword over his shoulder. He gave one last look at the inn room he had been lodging at for the past couple of nights, giving it more attention than he had at any other time.

The room was of moderate size, made completely of wood. There were finely decorated wooden dressers to the left of the queen sized bed that he had slept in. On a side wall was a large wardrobe where Felix had slipped his equipment in while he wasn't wearing it, but otherwise paid no heed to. Adorning the dressers and tables of the room were candlesticks, none of them lit during the light of day. On Felix's nightstand lay nothing but a dip candle, its wick worn away from use. Felix sighed, opening the oak door and leaving the room. He ventured outside in search of Ivan and Garet.

The two other Adepts were waiting for him in the town square, Garet haggling with a food vendor over the price of a couple of oranges. Felix wasn't compelled to show much emotion in the first place, but one could go so far as to say he felt negative emotion at this particular moment.

"Are we all set up to leave, Ivan?" Felix asked.

"As soon as Garet stops his stupid bickering with the sales clerk we can go."

"I'm telling you, these don't weigh that much!" Garet complained. "20 coins isn't an unfair offer!"

"30 coins, sir." The dealer said.

"Come on, how about military discount?" Garet said, giving a big goofy smile to try to back it up.

"No."

"Please?!"

"No."

"25 coins or I walk." Garet said.

"No you won't. You're too hungry to walk away." Garet paused before returning an answer.

"Damn! I hate it when salespeople know me. Okay, fair enough. 30 coins it is then." Garet sighed, giving the man his money. The dealer flipped Garet three oranges, where he proceeded to skin one on the spot and began to consume it.

"Garet, can't you think of anything besides your stomach?" Ivan sighed.

"Nope." Garet said, his mouth full of orange.

"Fine. Now that the lummox here is fed, let's go back to Vale. I have a report to make." Felix sighed, walking off in the direction of home. "Come on then! We have a three day journey ahead of us!"

"Lord Felix!" A familiar voice called from the distance. Felix turned to the opposite side of the square to see Dargon riding toward him at full speed.

"Dargon, what brings you back to Vault?"

"News, Felix. I just got a report from Imil. It seems that the bandits troubling them have been apprehended."

"What does that have to do with us? Imil's two hundred miles from here."

"The warrior that captured the bandits was said to stand 5'11'', sandy brown hair, blue eyes, and appears to have the symbol of Sol on his tunic. Reports also say he's a Venus Adept."

"Isaac?!"

"That's my guess. The kid ended up in Imil instead of sixty miles away. If we ride out now, we might be able to make it to Imil in a few days."

"How about horses, first?" Felix asked.

"I came prepared. There are some guards riding horses for you. They are prepared to return to Vale on foot should we have need of their horses. Stay here and I will get them." Dargon replied, his horse galloping off. Felix sighed, his heart relieved. Now all he had to do was find his young apprentice.

*********************************

Mia sighed in relaxation as she sat by a warming fire. The embers within the fireplace burned and crackled, while she idly listened while reading her book. She glanced out the window to the full moon, shining in all of its glory. The night was cool and dry, and the dark sheet of the sky was dotted with the thousands of stars in the cosmos. Mia returned to her book for a few moments before looking up. Up at the sleeping squire. Isaac had fallen asleep on the couch, and he looked very peaceful and serene; much like the angel she had dreamed of. She sighed quietly, realizing it was likely this would be the last night she'd see his soothing continence again. The Mercury Adept regretted not speaking to Isaac of her dream, but as a Paladin, her opinion would've meant little in the long run. She sighed longingly again, and thought how much he had helped in this small town. The barn today exhausted him, but he was integral for its timely completion. As soon as Isaac had returned, he went straight to the couch to relax, and he quickly dozed off. Mia thumbed through the pages o her book quietly until she heard the howling of a hound.

"Must be the neighbor's dog howling at the full moon again." Mia muttered to herself with a sort of half-smile. She returned to reading, until she heard the howl again, this time with a companion. Two canines howling. In a few moments, they were quickly joined by a third and a fourth, then a fifth and a sixth. Mia listened intently; each of the howls seemed to begin at the same instant. "No. That could only mean that. . ." Mia trailed off as she heard the screams of several people within the town. Mia threw her book to the side and immediately ran to Sheba's bedroom.

"Sheba! Wake up! They've returned!"

"What?" Sheba asked, groggily.

"They've returned, Sheba!"

"Oh no. . ." The Jupiter Adept said, leaping from her covers.

"Get changed and hurry. I'll wake Isaac." She rushed back out and jostled Isaac violently, waking him instantaneously.

"Mia? What's wrong?" He asked, quickly realizing something was amiss.

"Isaac. . . we need your help, again. The townspeople are in grave danger. Grab your sword and let's go!" Isaac nodded quickly, grabbing his scabbard and slinging it on quickly. Sheba was by now changed and the three Adepts dashed out to the main square. The square was empty and everything was eerily quiet. Isaac drew his sword and opened his ears. No sound was heard. He quickly footed into an alley, where he promptly tripped over something. He leapt back to his feet and realized he had just tripped over a dead body. He examined it quickly, but turned away disgusted quickly. The person had several lacerations to the face, neck, chest, and abdomen, his body scarcely more recognizable than ground beef. Isaac retched quietly in the alley before returning back out to the plaza.

"Isaac? You look a little green. . . are you feeling okay?"

"No. There was a . . ." Isaac was cut off by a loud crash as a huge three- headed hound pounded through the house next to him, with the body of an innocent man dangling from the middle head's jaws. The other two heads snapped at it viscously. Isaac dashed out of the way quickly. The creature was massive, and it appeared like a Fenrir except thrice the size and with an additional head. Isaac believed that this was what was known in legends as a Cerberus; a three headed demon dog said to guard the gates of Hell itself. The creature's rust colored fur was illuminated by the full moon, giving its already demonic appearance an unneeded boost. The middle head was snacking on its meal, its crimson eyes blazing in a murderous joy. Isaac continued backing away to size up his chances against such a beast. The monster was too big to take on directly, even if it was distracted by its hunger. As Isaac prepared to attack, a second hound, almost identical from the first, bounded into the square and began fighting with the other hound over the dead carcass. Isaac, both disgusted and outmatched, did his best to get to cover quietly. He quickly noticed Mia joining him, and she was trembling horribly. Sheba was quick over as well. The three Adepts slunk behind an adjacent house just as what remained of meat on the body of the man was gone. The two Cerberi growled and started sniffing around. . . the sound of their nostrils drew closer to Isaac, Mia, and Sheba. Both girls trembled violently, huddled near Isaac. The Paladin squire was afraid of the beasts, but he did his best to keep from shaking; a futile gesture. As the snoot of the first hound appeared around the house, a shrill whistle was heard. The Adepts covered their ears and shut their eyes tight; the sound was unbearable. Finally, when the noise subsided, the snoot disappeared from the corner, and both hounds' running footsteps could be heard running away from them, and all three heads barked evilly along the way.

Isaac peered out first, seeing the dogs pass out of town and sight. He sighed. "I think they're gone." He whispered, not being able to speak louder. Mia and Sheba still looked terribly shaken. Isaac rested one hand on each of their shoulders. "Tell me. What were those creatures exactly, and what is going on here?"

Neither of them replied.

"Mia, please. . ." Isaac said, quietly and assuring. "what is going on here?" Mia's eyes welled with tears and she turned away. "Mia?" She took off at a dead run out of town, in the opposite direction of the hounds. Isaac took a step to follow her, but he was restrained by a hand touching his shoulder. Sheba held him back very lightly, and he paused. Her eyes were tearing as well, but she could form words."

"Isaac, let her go for now. . . she needs to be alone for awhile. Besides, I know where she's going. Just give her a little time before you go out to look for her." Sheba said, restraining her tears. "Right now, we should issue the proper rites to the poor souls who met their demise this evening." Isaac paused.

"I agree."