The celebration in the town of Imil commenced immediately, even though it was scarcely bright enough to see anything without a torch. The Imilians immediately set up a bonfire, and many of them began to roast various meats over it. Drinks were passed around, and laughter and smiles were not in short supply. The people had never been happier.

However, there were three who were not attending the celebration right away; the very three who gave the people the chance to do so. Isaac, Mia, and Sheba all lay asleep in their beds, completely exhausted from the fight. The Imilians didn't care, however. . . they'd celebrate in their honor even if they hadn't decided to come. The celebration went on through the night, into the following day, and into the dusk. By noon after the battle with the summoner and his hounds, all three heroes had attended the celebration and were given congratulations of unbelievable proportions. As the hours passed, Isaac found himself surrounded by the town's girls, each wanting to become his suitor.

"You're so brave and selfless. . ." One girl said.

"Um. . ."

"Can I kiss you?" Another asked. "You know, for good luck?"

"Since when is kissing a squire good luck?" Isaac responded, nervously. This had been going on all day. . . no girl seemed to get the fact that he was not just a squire, but a Paladin squire.

"Please, have dinner with me and my sister!" Another popped up.

"Uh, I've eaten so much I can barely move!" Isaac said. Isaac sighed inwardly. He knew Garet would be having the time of his life right now, getting to choose between any of the attractive girls in the entire town; but this sort of thing didn't appeal to the young Venus Adept.

"Marry me, Isaac!" One shouted.

"Um. . . I can't, you know. . . me being a Paladin squire and all. It's against the rules." He was now officially sick of this. "Please. . . I really need to move around. I'm getting tired of just standing in the same place; my legs are stiff." He made an effort to get through the crowd, despite the disappointed groans of the young women. He dashed away once he was clear and ducked around several corners before finally sitting to rest behind a house. It was here he sat, thinking. That battle last night was intense, but Isaac sensed that something even stronger lay behind it. A spirit of that power could only be created by the most powerful of sorcerers. The most powerful, and also the most evil. He frowned, and then sighed. He didn't even want to think about that. His body and mind were still racked from the night before. He made his best effort not to think at all then, but his thoughts kept wandering idly. His thoughts wandered to his training, the fight, the evil behind the summoner, the well being of Felix and the others, Vale, King Picard, and finally to Mia. As soon as his mind turned to that subject, it jumped. There it was again; the thought that always put a strange feeling in his heart and brought a smile to his face. Mia just seemed to have an effect on him; he even remembered how his promise to her gave him the power to pull his sword from the wall. Even more mystifying was the feeling he felt while combining his power with hers. Somehow it felt very natural, like their powers were meant to be used as one. Isaac shook his head and rubbed his forehead with his hand. Sol had told him to follow his heart, but he wasn't sure what his heart was telling him exactly. His head turned as he heard the sound of grass rustling nearby.

"Who's there?" Isaac called out. The figure of a small boy emerged from behind the wall.

"Mister Isaac?" The boy said. The squire recognized the boy's figure from the day before; the one whose father was killed two nights ago. He had brown hair and eyes, and he wore a red tunic with blue pants and brown sandals.

"Oh, it's you. . . um, I don't think I caught your name."

"My name is Justin, sir. I came to say thank you." The boy walked over and sat next to Isaac.

"It's not necessary, Justin."

"Yes it is." He replied. "You've kept your word to me, and now I honestly believe that my father can now rest in peace. You don't know how much that means to me and my sister. I feel very indebted to you and your bravery. No others aside from Mia and Sheba had the courage to stare them down with such a purpose. You've spent so little time here, and you fought as if your own parents were in danger. I'm sure they would be proud of you when they find out."

Isaac paused. "My parents are gone, Justin." He said. "Killed by a couple of people who didn't want to pay a fair price on a couple of weapons."

"I'm sorry, Isaac. . . I didn't know. Besides, I do believe your parents are still proud of you. You have a steadfast resolve that is not seen in many." Isaac smiled and patted the child's head.

"You're quite wise for someone of your age. Thanks, Justin. By the way, what do you want to do in your life?"

"I've always wanted to study Psynergy. Me and my twin sister are supposed to be able to use it."

"Do you know what alignment you are?"

"No, we've never received formal training, so we really can't do anything with it."

"Well, maybe I'll teach you some day. I'm sure your mother would be very proud of you for becoming an Adept." Justin paused.

"My mother's been gone for years now. She passed away shortly after me and my sister were born." Isaac's expression hardened; this young boy just lost both his parents. . . just like him.

"How and you and your sister going to get by? Who'll take care of you?"

"The innkeeper agreed to help us by giving us a job and making sure me and my sister are okay. We'll be fine, Isaac."

"I'm sorry I couldn't have done anything sooner, Justin. Well, maybe I can put in a word for you with Lord Dargon or Lord Felix to be put up for an apprenticeship as a Knight or a Paladin."

"I appreciate it, Isaac. However, I really don't like the thought of advocating violence. I've never been the violent type at all."

"Neither was I when I was your age. I still don't like using violence, but sometimes people are given no choice. In training you learn when to fight and when not to. I respect your thoughts. . . you truly are wise beyond your years."

"I'm sorry to have to leave now, Isaac. . . but I have to find my sister Megan." With that, the young Justin stood and walked back the way he came, turning the corner and disappearing from sight. Isaac sighed. Now he had something else on his mind; how to help those kids. He stood and looked into the setting sky. He wanted to get a better view of it, so he turned and began walking. There was one place in town where he could be alone and get a clear view of the sky. . . the top of the barn he had helped build. It was on the other end of town, but he could get there without being noticed if he took the back roads of Imil rather than venturing through the square.

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

He looked up the ladder to the roof; someone must've forgotten to put the ladder away after the construction was finished. Isaac shrugged and ascended to the roof. His mind was flooded with thoughts, much like it was when he was on the ground. However, his mind suddenly focused on one as he reached the top of the roof. There, sitting passively where he intended to was Mia. Her back was turned away from him and town; she was staring at the sunset in the distance. He was preparing to go back down when she turned her head, slowly.

"Hello, Isaac. Did you come to watch the sunset?"

Isaac hesitated before answering. "Yes, yes I did." Mia smiled.

"That's quite a coincidence. Care to join me?" Isaac nodded. "Then come over here and sit down. The view's incredible." The squire did as Mia said and sat beside her. "How was the celebration?"

"Ah, it was okay if you like every girl in town drooling over you. If my friend Garet was here, he'd be in heaven." Mia giggled lightly.

"A wannabe ladies-man?"

"Yes, he certainly is." Isaac chuckled. "He certainly enjoyed the lessons in respecting women. . . especially when it came to showing unselfishness and charity."

"Garet's a Luna Knight then?"

"Yes, he is. He just received his commission as one days ago."

"That's great news for him. When do you become a full Paladin?"

"Well, Lord Felix said I was ready to take the tests to become one as soon as we returned from our mission in Vault."

"That's nice."

"However, it's likely that Felix is worried that I've died. . . I need to return to Vale as soon as I possibly can."

Mia jumped internally. She knew Isaac wanted to leave before, but she inwardly hoped he'd decide to stay in Imil. Something inside her was hurt by the thought of Isaac departing. She sat silent for a few moments, contemplating her inner feelings. The more she thought, the more it hurt her in the knowledge that she may never see him again. It was now she fully knew and understood that she loved him. The feeling was stronger than ever, and she knew she would have to tell him, but how? She somehow managed to keep her facial expression neutral during her inner turmoil as the sun finally sank below the horizon.

"Did you enjoy the celebration, Mia?"

"Not really. I've never been much of a festival person. I prefer to have peace and quiet; a simple meaningful thank you is all I need to feel appreciated."

"Me too. The whole banquet in our honor thing just didn't strike me as necessary." He replied, laying back and gazing at the now darkening sky.

"Isaac, what's Vale like?"

"Well, it's a huge city; people everywhere, businesses everywhere, and military everywhere. To top it off, King Picard's castle sits within the center of it all. In Vale, the people are friendly for the most part; you have your occasional person who is a menace to the tranquility of it all. It's a very nice place to go if you like diversity and seeing other cultures. Vale's a huge hub for trade, much like Tolbi. I think you would like to visit there sometime."

"Do you like Imil?"

"I do. It's so much more. . . brotherly here. Everyone knows each other and they all do their best to help each other. To be honest, I may like it here better than Vale."

"That's sweet of you to say about here, Isaac."

"I'm not saying anything. I'm stating." Isaac corrected, with a smile.

"Of course." Mia replied. She reclined against the incline of the roof much like Isaac already had. Several minutes passed as they lay on the roof, totally silent save for the soft sounds of breathing. The sky was now dark, and the stars began to show their faces in the endless midnight blue expanse.

"Mia. . . may I ask you a question?" Isaac asked, softly.

"What's that?"

"Tell me. . . what do you dream about?"

Mia faltered. "I don't think I've ever been asked that before. Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know. If you rather not answer, I understand that too." Isaac stood, preparing to leave the roof.

"Wait. I'll tell you. . . just stay up here." Mia said. Isaac halted and returned to his original position. "Isaac, I've been having some dreams lately that have puzzled me until now. They started about a week before I met you. In my dream, I wander around alone in the ruins outside of town. As I wander, I'm drawn to the main temple. There on the floor, is an etching in stone; an etching of an angel. The angel held a sword in one hand and a dove in the other, and the background behind him was split into destruction and harmony. I've never been able to discern the meaning of it. However, as I sat there pondering its meaning, several skeletons try to attack me. I managed to fend them all off with my Psynergy, but after I finish them off, something else comes for me." Isaac gulped. He already knew what it was that was coming for her. "Death himself came looking for me; and as soon as everything looked lost, the angel from the etch in the floor came to life and saved me with his incredible power. . . Isaac. . . the angel. . . he sounded and looked exactly like you."

Isaac jumped. "What?"

"Isaac, you saved me in my dreams and saved me in my life. I truly believe that you are my guardian angel. . ."

"Mia, I'm no angel."

"Maybe not literally speaking." She said with a soft sigh. "But you've done so much for me, and you've hardly known me. Isaac, you're the kindest person I've ever known. . . and. . ." She had trouble forming words as she spoke. Isaac sighed as a he finally understood what he felt.

"Mia. . ."

"Isaac, no. . . I can't say it. It would be against everything you stood for."

"Mia, please listen to me." Mia winced and was fighting back her own overflow of emotion. "Mia, I've been dreaming for weeks now. . . I've been sitting in the town square of Vale, awaiting Felix's arrival. Always I've sat on an ornamental fountain and I've always admired the statue in the middle of it all. A beautiful angel stood amongst the spraying pots surrounding her. As I sat captivated by the sight, several skeletons leapt to attack me as well. After dispatching them, the spirit of Death sought me out as well. I fought with all of my might and as the reaper prepared to take me, the angel of the fountain emerged from a blue light and saved me. Mia, that angel was you." Mia gasped. "But there's more. . . recently, I've questioned what's happened in my dreams, and Sol himself spoke to me as I slept. I'm sure it was him. He essentially told me that a Paladin's heart was what made him strong. He told me that I must always follow my heart's will; even if meant something the code forbade."

"You mean? . . ."

"Yes. Mia, I've been trying to understand what my heart has been telling me to do recently, and now I finally know. Mia, what my heart says is that I love you." He said, taking one of her hands. Isaac gazed at the Mercury Adept he just professed to; she had always been beautiful, but the pale moonlight above illuminated her figure, making her appear even more angelic. The light made her glow, giving her calm complexion a beautiful highlight. Her eyes were full of pure emotion as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Isaac. . . I love you too. . ." She said, clasping one of his hands in hers. Mia looked back at the Venus Adept. He was everything she had envisioned in her dream; the moon even managed to give him the aura she saw in her mind. His normally calm and objective face was full of truth and love, making him all the more alike the angel she had dreamed of. His eyes were full of understanding and love. They sat, staring into each other's eyes for several minutes, each feeling their love for each other grow with every passing moment. "Isaac. . . Luna spoke with me in my dreams as well. She told me that there was no shame in love. She knows, because she was in love with Sol."

"I understand. For the first time, everything feels so clear." Isaac stated. "I truly love you, Mia." They drew closer together and met in a soft kiss.

"Isaac, what should happen if anyone in your order finds out?"

"Then I shall resign." Isaac said, kissing her softly again. "Sol told me to do as my heart said, and my heart says it wants to be with you."

"And my heart shall always be with you, Isaac." With that, they kissed again under the soft moonlight. "But Isaac. . . you will soon return to Vale. . . what will I do without you?" Mia asked, softly.

"Have you ever desired to visit Vale?" Isaac asked, no more audible than a whisper in the light breeze.

"Isaac. . ." Was all she could say to him before she pulled him in for another kiss.

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

"Lord Saturos. . ." A voice called into the massive throne room. There was the sound of a book slamming shut out of irritation, and then came a sharp reply. The skeletal servant's face was unable to change, but thoughts of caution entered its simple mind.

"What? Out with it! I'm busy with my reading!" Saturos snapped, walking into view with a book titled "Hell's Own Psynergy: The Ultimate in Mars Psy Power"

"As much as I hate to interrupt your session in the world of magical satire, milord, it's just I've received a message."

"And?"

"The summoner of Cerberi, Acrolot, has been defeated and destroyed, as well as his summoned hell-hounds."

"Ah, Acrolot. . . one of my first summons, too. And my favorite. I do believe summoning him about ten years ago to test out my powers on the town of Imil. Why that foolish spirit wished to remain haunting such a remote town as Imil is beyond me. It's lucky for him that I had fondness of him. Now, I must find out who killed him." Saturos whirled around back to his throne, and gazed into a birdbath-like fountain nearby; however, instead of flowing with water, it appeared to flow with black ooze. "Now then, show me the ones who defeated Acrolot." He stated to the fountain. The skeletal servant moved over to glance over Saturos's shoulder. The muck bubbled and oozed for a moment and then a picture seemed to form, crystal clear. There, before Saturos, was the very image of a Paladin squire, sitting alone with someone else. Saturos frowned. The man who defeated one of his greatest summons was no more than a mere squire. He cursed himself and then swore aloud before turning to the skeleton.

"Get Darkfire. I have a job for her to do."

"Did somebody say my name?" A feminine voice sounded, as the black-clad figure dropped from the ceiling. "So, Saturos. . . I knew you'd need my help again. What's my job this time? To steal more things from right under people's noses?"

"No, this time you are going to be doing what you do best, miss Darkfire."

"I'm quite good at many things, Saturos." She smirked beneath her mask. "Could you be specific?"

"Look here." He commanded. Darkfire shrugged and looked into the fountain Saturos pointed to. "You see that boy? I want him dead, understand?"

"Ah, assassination; my personal trademark specialty. What's in it for me besides the glory of the hunt? But before you answer that, who is that?"

"I do believe that is the Paladin squire that has been training under Lord Felix himself. I remember hearing his name was Isaac, and I want him dead right away; and bring me his head. As well, if he is in possession of a blue orb like the one you recovered from Kolima, bring it here as well."

"Whoa. . . this is a Paladin we're talking about. We're talking divine retribution here, Saturos." Darkfire faltered.

"Do it, and you can name your own price. Bring me the orb I desire, and I shall grant you even more."

"What?"

"You heard me, Miss Darkfire. Get the job done. The squire's current position is in the town of Imil. I assume you'll be making tracks right away?"

"Yes, even so, it will take me some time to get there. Imil isn't exactly around the corner. Okay then. I'm off. Just remember, Saturos. . . you better have a lot of gems when I get back!"

"And miss Darkfire. . . I'd appreciate it if you didn't just appear out of nowhere like that again." Saturos stated. Darkfire gave another smirk beneath her mask and seemed to dissipate into the dark background. When he was sure she was gone, he turned to his skeletal servant.

"Yes, milord?"

"Get my undead magi ready. As soon as we confirm that miss Darkfire has finished the job or has failed, I want her dead, understand?" Saturos demanded, his red eyes flaring like fireballs.

"Yes sir. She will not leave Imil alive. Sir, may I ask why you wish to kill her?"

"She knows too much. If she ever figured out the power of the Elemental Stars she would steal them for herself. Besides. . . I have enough to worry about if my brother Agatio ever grows a brain."

"Doubtful of that, sir. I shall summon your magi immediately."

"Good. Miss Darkfire, I hope you enjoy going down in the flames you so dearly love."