Disclaimer: Golden Sun is owned by Camelot. Just in case you didn't know.

A/N: (co-authored with Prince Suzaku)

Hello there, all! Welcome to my (actually, our) latest work. This is the Top Secret Fan Fiction Project that I've been alluding to before in a couple of different places. The base story and concept were developed by the great Prince Suzaku, whom I'm working with on this as co-author, though he insisted on putting it under my name. So, with his ideas, and a few conversations on MSN working out the finer details, we jointly wrote this story. There are a few inspirations that should be given credit, but we'll deal with them when the relevant things are revealed. (Don't wanna spoil anything for you!) Well, without further ado, we bring to you…

END GAME

CHAPTER ONE

"BLOOD DEBT"

The cold, winter air of the northern Prox climates blew mercilessly across the snow covered plains, scattering flakes of snow in its wake as it passed over the small town that was home to the Mars Clan. The white fields that glistened in the sun were cast with an unnatural red light from the aerie of Mars Lighthouse. Although the blizzard-like conditions of Prox were far more severe than any other region of Weyard, even Tundaria, it was actually considered to be rather mild by the people who lived there, as the warming effects of Mars Psynergy slowly rekindled the life of the land…and two very powerful Proxian warriors.

Trudging through knee-high snow, with that unnatural red tinge from the Lighthouse behind them, Karst reflected on how much the region had already warmed up, although only a native of Prox would notice. The winds were not so fierce, the snows not so thick, the air not so wintry. And yet, it was still so cold that her people would still be forced to scratch a living of the land.

But it did not matter, those of her Clan were immune to the cold, it did not bother them the way it did the "Southerners". Leaning up against Agatio for support, the two struggled to make it to the small snow covered town of wooden houses before them. Their bodies were badly battered and bruised, cut and bloodied. It was remarkable the two of them were still alive, let alone walking.

As they entered the town, dozens of cheerful townspeople, many of them friends and people they knew, surrounded them in celebration, congratulating them for their efforts.

But we haven't done anything for them! she thought bitterly. We failed! All because of that accursed Wise One!

That was the last thought that went through her mind before everything went black, and she fell to the cold ground.

"Karst! Are you alright!" Agatio's deep voice asked from what seemed a long way away and then she knew no more.

XXXXXXXXXX

When Karst awoke, she was tucked in bed under thick woollen blankets. The room she was in was small, with two beds and a crackling fireplace in the opposite wall gave the air about her warmth. She sat up painfully, as her body was still badly wounded. Getting out of bed, she was that her body was bandaged in many places and she ached all over.

Menardi wouldn't let a few injuries stop her. Karst angrily ripped a few bandages off, she didn't need them. Menardi would get straight back on her feet and straight back to business.

In Karst's opinion, her older sister was the greatest warrior in all of Prox, regardless of what others said about Saturos and Agatio. What more, if Menardi would do something, then she would as well. The red-haired young woman was immensely proud of her sister's skills, and aimed to be as good as her some day.

I will avenge you, Menardi, no matter what it takes. Bitter anger and cold hate twisted at her insides, as she thought of the one she hated more than any other. Isaac.

I had him! He was dying! His blood was on my hands and I could've killed him! But then she'd been betrayed by the one Southerner she'd thought she could trust: Felix.

If there was one thing that was more unacceptable than anything else, it was betrayal. She had been about to bring justice to that brutal murderer Isaac, when Felix and his friends had forced her to stop. Instead of lighting Jupiter's beacon like he'd been asked, he'd betrayed her – for an enemy as well! - and stopped her from fulfilling her one burning desire: Isaac's death at her hands. And for that unforgivable sin, he deserved to die.

But Isaac will die first. He killed Menardi, he will die first. Slowly and painfully.

"Are you just gonna sit there, or what?" a deep voice asked from over by the fireplace. She looked up to see Agatio standing there, staring into the flames.

Karst mentally cursed herself. How could she be so foolish? As Menardi had taught her, a good warrior never allowed themselves to be distracted, nor did they fail to take notice of everything in their surroundings. She had failed at both, and that was unacceptable. The red-haired young woman was determined to become as great a warrior as her sister. No, better! She would become a fighter to make her big sister proud.

She stood up, wincing slightly at the pain, and removed the last of the bandages from her arms.

"What happened? How long was I out for?" she demanded curtly.

"You passed out form blood loss," the burly Mars Adept explained. "So did I soon after. They took us here, to Puelle's house. We've been here, unconscious, for about two days while they helped heal us. I only woke up about half an hour ago, and Puelle's wife explained all that to me. He's coming down to speak with us now, and explain everything."

"I see." She stood by the fire, staring into the roaring flames, absorbing the warmth. They of the north might be immune to the cold, but it didn't mean that they didn't appreciate the warmth.

I'm a failure, Karst berated herself through bitter anger. I failed to kill Isaac and avenge Menardi's death. I failed to defeat Felix after he betrayed us. I failed to light the Mars beacon. I won't fail again. I will kill those two. I will honour Menardi with my skills as a warrior. No matter what!

There was a creaking of the wooden door as Puelle entered the room.

"Good to see you're both up and well," e said with a warm smile, then flashed a disapproving frown at Karst's missing bandages. "You won't heal quickly if you start doing that."

"I'll be fine," the redhead replied icily. If Menardi could handle something like that, then Karst could as well.

Puelle simply shrugged. "As you wish." He motioned them to a wooden table. "Come, have a seat. My wife will be bringing us some dinner shortly."

The mention of dinner made Karst suddenly realise how hungry she was, and her stomach rumbled painfully. How long had it been since she last ate? On unsteady weak knees, she took a seat at the table with Agatio and Puelle.

"So, tell me what happened to the two of you?" the mayor asked. "We thought you were dead."

Agatio turned to her. "Karst, do you mind if I tell?"

"Not at all." Agatio was always the one of them that preferred to do the talking.

The muscular warrior began explaining how the two of them were making their way through Mars Lighthouse, when they were confronted by the Wise One.

"He told us we lacked the will to go on," he snorted derisively. "Pfft. Wise One…what does he know! Me and Karst have more willpower than all those brats combined!"

After that…'something' had happened to them, something strange. Neither of them was really too sure what; their next few memories were dark and blurred, lost in fiery, primal rage. But some people, whom they later discovered to be Felix, Isaac and their friends, defeated them. They took the Mars Star…and left them to die. There they lay, cold and dying, hanging onto the last thread of life they possessed as they were determined to see the beacon lit before they passed on. Then there was a brilliant red flash of Psynergetic power, and warmth flooded back into them, pulling them back from the brink of death and healing them just enough to struggle back to their village.

"…and that's the whole story." Agatio finished. They were now greedily slurping at the chicken soup Puelle's wife and brought them, eager to fill their bellies. "So… what do you know about what happened after that?"

"Only what Felix and Isaac explained to me after the beacon was lit," Puelle replied. "Here's what they told me…"

It didn't take him long to explain, and once he was finished, Karst was struggling to hold back her rage. She noticed Agatio was too.

"You mean…Alex betrayed us, and got the Golden Sun!" Agatio asked, gob smacked.

"That's what the Wise One told those kids," Puelle replied.

"That low life traitor!" The burly Mars Adept clenched his fists, white knuckles tight, flames forming about them. "He used us! Of all the cowardly, scumbag acts…" Agatio made an animalistic growl in his throat. "I can't believe I didn't see it! To think he'd just help us for no personal gain… I oughta snap the creep's spine in two…"

"When I see him, I'm going to cut off both his arms and legs, and make him wriggle on the ground like the worm that he is," Karst hissed murderously. "That monster…"

Karst wouldn't have thought it possible, but she now hated someone more than Isaac. Alex. He would die first, then Isaac, then Felix. Her "people-to-kill" list, it seemed, was growing rather quickly.

"I should point out that we don't know exactly if Alex succeeded or not," Puelle interrupted. "Felix only left just before you two arrived, so we won't know for sure for a few more days, at the least."

At hearing this turn of events, the red-haired Mars Adept felt a burning hatred lick at her heart. Alex was nothing but a manipulative snake that deserved to have his tongue and all of his protruding parts slowly burned off his body for using them as his pawns. Regarding Felix, no punishment short of death in her mind would be sufficient for the Venus Adept's treachery, as he owed a life debt to Saturos and Menardi and repaid it by his betrayal when they needed him. But Isaac…he delivered the most serious and personal attack onto the crimson haired warrior. While his allies may have helped him, it was ultimately by his hand that both Saturos and her sister Menardi were slain in their quest. And it would only be fitting that she be the one to exact vengeance onto their killer. Whereas the green-eyed Valian's death would be swift and merciful due to his years in Prox, Karst would accept nothing less than Isaac screaming in soul-searing agony, killing him long and slow, begging for her to take his miserable life so as to end the pain.

"So then, Alex has the Golden Sun," Karst repeated in a deceptively cool voice, her tone like the calm before the storm. "And both Isaac and Felix returned to their home."

Puelle gave a slight nod of his head, not liking where this was headed.

"Then we're going to Vale," she announced in a tone that brooded no argument from either the mayor or her friend. Her red lips curled in a manner that was colder than the arctic weather outside.

"How fortunate it is for us that all our enemies are in the same place. This way, we get to kill three birds with one stone and ensure the powers of Alchemy remain pure."

Turning to look at each other, both Puelle and Agatio felt the waves of fury washing over Karst. They knew that she had thought the world of her older sister, and emulated everything about her as a warrior, even down to the Psynergy and fighting skills she possessed. Despite the fact there was no love lost between him, Isaac and his allies, the muscled warrior knew that Hell itself would have no equal for the sadistic torment the young Venus Adept would face if the red-skinned young woman saw him again.

Sensing that there was nothing either male could say to convince her otherwise, Puelle then spoke.

"I know I can't change your mind now, Karst. You're just as stubborn as Menardi was. If you must go, then do so…after three days of rest."

"Three days!" She jumped up irate, knocking aside the mostly-empty bowl and unconsciously causing the flames within the fireplace to briefly flare up. Slightly stumbling due to her still fresh injuries, her scarlet eyes narrowed at the older man. "You can't be serious, Puelle!"

Sternly looking at her, the mayor of Prox folded his arms in finality.

"I'm completely serious. Three days, Karst. You can hardly stand right now. Both of you need to recover your strength in full before you even think of leaving."

Before she could respond with how such petty injuries wouldn't have stopped her older sister, Agatio then added with a slightly wry smile, "He's right, Karst. At our current strength, we're no good to anyone. Besides, do you think Menardi would go out if she was in your condition?"

That stopped her cold. Karst knew that her sister would not allow her emotions to run her, regardless of the circumstances. Like the highly skilled fighter she was, Menardi would have taken this time to recover her strength and plan ahead, figuring how to obtain sweet vengeance while keeping her cool. Once more she mentally berated herself for conduct unbecoming a warrior. Neither she nor Saturos would or could undertake such a trek if they were at her present condition, so it would be suicide for her to attempt to do so.

Moreover, Puelle was correct in assessing their condition. Presently, neither she nor Agatio would last a day in the arctic background of Prox, never mind questing all the way to Vale to kill off their enemies. While her spirit was more than willing, Karst's flesh was still sore and wounded after that narrow escape in the Mars Lighthouse, and she needed her strength. But soon, they would regain their strength. And once they did, they would travel to Vale and hunt down their foes. Felix, Alex and Isaac would be screaming for death before she incinerated them in the flames of her burning hatred.

Consenting, the crimson-skinned warrior agreed to the mayor's request. "Three days then. Then we'll return to Vale and put an end to all of this."

"Once we recover, then we can hunt Alex down and rip out his spine…assuming he actually has one," Agatio remarked with a slight smirk on his face before yawning lightly. "Then, we can visit Felix and show him what happens to those that break a life debt."

Closing her eyes, the tone of Karst's voice was as sharp as the scythe she wielded as she spoke. "You can have those two. But Isaac…is mine."

With that being said, she made her way close to the fire and gazed into it as she fell asleep, the warm glow of the flames providing a soothing contrast to the raging inferno inside of her heart. The last thing she envisioned before sleep claimed her was the visage of her older sister Menardi. It was the blonde warrior promising her that she and Saturos would return within a year's time with all four Lighthouses aglow once more.

A small tear ran down her sleeping face as she thought back to that fateful day…

XXXXXXXXXX

One year earlier…

As the snow softly fell in the town of Prox, all of its inhabitants were waiting at the gates for their heroes to appear. Today was a monumental day, as the two chosen ones, alongside the young man named Alex, would begin the quest to light the Elemental Lighthouses once more. All of the Proxians were in attendance to give their support and their blessings for Saturos and Menardi, the two warriors that had led the group three years earlier to enter Sol Sanctum. Of the mighty force, only they faced the awesome powers of Alchemy and lived to tell the tale. As they waited, they had a moment of silence for the ones who were lost in the earlier attempt. This time, there could not…nay, would not be any miscalculations and second-guessing. Not only did all of their lives depend on the duo's success, but indeed Weyard itself.

Agatio stood with a proud smile on his face. As the mightiest warrior in Prox, he had wanted to accompany his comrades on this important venture, and ensure the safety and prosperity of their people. However, the people wanted him there in case of-Sol forbid-Saturos and Menardi failing on their journey. Regardless, the Mars Adept had total confidence in their abilities and intelligence, and knew they would light the four Lighthouses or die in the attempt. He even held a great deal of faith in the young Southerner Felix, whom he had considered to be a little brother of sorts during his time in Prox. As for Alex, he was needed for entry into the Mercury Lighthouse, so Agatio had to show him respect. Truthfully, he held the Mercury Adept in contempt, as the fire warrior considered him arrogant and other things that could not be repeated in front of small children. If anything were to happen to Alex, he wouldn't shed a tear.

Running to the forefront of the crowd, Karst gazed upon the ship that would hold its rather small crew. The ship was much emptier than the previous journey, with only four Adepts populating the deck as opposed to the previous expedition of a dozen Proxians. Saturos and Menardi stood by the boarding ramp, farewelling their people. The Mercury Adept Alex, with long blue hair framing a calm face with mysterious eyes, stood on the ship already. Unlike his fire-wielding allies, he showed no interest in the people whose hopes rested upon him. On the contrary, he looked away from them as though they didn't exist, staring out to sea with hands clasped patiently behind his back as though eager to be off. The Venus Adept, Felix, was right next to Saturos, looking slightly awkward and unsure of himself. Since arriving in Prox, he had undertaken training in Psynergy and swordsmanship under the lithe Mars Adept, and not only carried a blade at his side like his master but also began wearing his hair in the Proxian fashion.

But Karst had eyes only for Menardi. Reaching her sister, the red-haired Mars Adept then (for there was no better term for it) glomped her older sister affectionately, glowing in the love only a sibling could provide. Breaking off from her, the young woman could only stare in awe at the blonde. Not only was she intelligent and beautiful, but an honourable and lethal warrior. The fact that, even above Agatio, she was chosen to accompany Saturos was but further proof of these things, and only served to fuel her competitive fires to someday equal, or-dare she hope, surpass-her older sister. In fact, one could say she worshipped her. She, like Agatio, wanted to help the pair restore the Lighthouses to their former glory, but was too young to join them three years ago at the tender age of thirteen. Now three years older at sixteen, she was much stronger and more skilled but still thought of not being old enough to undertake such a dangerous quest, making her jealous of her big sister.

"Look after yourself, sis," Karst pleaded. "Make sure you come back, you hear me?"

"Don't worry, Karst, we'll be fine," Menardi replied reassuringly, softly smiling at the young warrior that thought the world of her.

"We know what we're doing this time. Besides, Saturos says there's some Alchemy Sage in Vale that can help us. We'll be fine."

That clenched it for the red-haired young woman. Menardi had always been a forthright and honest (or as Saturos would occasionally remark, brutally honest) person. The blonde warrior was not the type to make promises on a whim, which only helped to prove her sincerity on the rare occasions she did. With the grey-skinned Mars Adept and Felix by her side, there was little doubt the task would be done. Since Menardi had vowed to see this through to the end, as far as Karst was concerned, the Lighthouses were as good as lit.

Turning to regard the blue-haired young man at the head of the ship, Karst's pink eyes narrowed to scarlet. She had a bad feeling about Alex. It wasn't just his quietly smug countenance that so thoroughly brushed her the wrong way, though it was a large part of it. The Mercury Adept carried himself with the attitude of one who was gracing those around him with his presence, which put off Agatio, Menardi and even Saturos to no end. Privately, she was amazed that Felix could even tolerate him. Nor was it simply his nature to never indicate his true intents, and to quietly brush off any attempts to do so, albeit in the guise of a mannerable gentleman. It was something tangible about Alex that bothered her...

"Karst, I promise you," Menardi started, interrupting her thoughts, "that we'll all be back in a year's time. Me, Saturos, Felix…even Alex, we'll all return here with the beacons lit, you'll see."

"What about Alex?" she interrupted, briefly glancing at the cerulean-haired young man. "There's something about him I don't like…"

"Alex?" Menardi flashed a look at the Mercury Adept then looked back to her sister.

"He's just a jerk, ignore him. Besides, he's harmless. His Psynergy is weaker than that of a child's, and he doesn't know the first thing about either armed or unarmed combat. He's just with us so we can access the Mercury Lighthouse."

"Even so, I still don't like him," Karst remarked to her with thinly veiled distaste, knowing her older sister shared her sentiments. Indeed, even the normally tactful Saturos was occasionally annoyed by the manner in which Alex would talk at times, like a parent would a particularly slow-witted child.

"Okay, we've wasted enough time as it is," Saturos declared. "It's time to get a move on. Felix, pull up the anchor." The Venus Adept swiftly rushed up the gangplank and began hauling the chain which anchored the ship in place.

"Oh, so we're leaving after all?" Alex remarked casually as though simply noting the weather. The wind blew his hair back as he continued to gaze out into the vast realms of ocean in front of them, anxious to leave this place and set about on their quest. "I was beginning to think the sentiment of the moment was getting to you, Saturos."

The Mars Adept growled softly, gnashing his teeth; an expression that Menardi nearly mirrored, followed by Karst.

"We'll talk about this later," he warned the Water Adept softly. Nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders and disregarding the threat, Alex turned back to the oceans.

Mentally, Saturos groaned at knowing think that they were going to have to deal with that all the way to Vale and the four Lighthouses. But to save their people, they would gladly endure that twisted Hell. Again, he was thankful Felix was coming along as well. The young Venus Adept would ensure he held back his Psynergy to set a good example…and would be excellent assistance in keeping Menardi from ripping Alex's tongue out in a fit of pique.

Waving goodbye to the people of Prox, Saturos then boarded the ship, followed by Menardi. Led by Agatio, the cheers of the Mars Adepts were loud and long, as the hope of their future laid in their capable hands. Everyone called out their farewells to the trio, but Karst's young voice was heard over them all.

"One year! I'll be waiting for you! That's a promise, all right?"

Menardi laughed and waved, as the ship began moving slowly away from them, toward the warmer southern waters…

XXXXXXXXXX

The three days passed surprisingly quickly. While she healed physically, Karst prepared herself for the journey mentally. She sharpened her scythe to a razor edge, preparing the keen blade to taste the flesh of her foes. The female Mars Adept also armed herself with two large, deadly belt knives. They were keen on both sides and balanced to her specifications, making them as perfect for hand to hand fighting as they were for throwing. As a final precaution, she had two smaller ones tucked into her boots as well, just in case. She would train with her Mars Psynergy, focusing her mind and body to produce the greatest and most lethal attacks she could unleash. And for two hours a day, she would forgo both flame and weapon to further hone her hand to hand combat skills, her fists and feet moving with rapidity as she envisioned every physical strike crippling Isaac. The redhead wore a new magenta battle dress tailored to look just like her old one, which had been badly damaged in the Mars Lighthouse. However, in remembrance of her sister and as a reminder of why she fought, the dress held the same markings as that of Menardi's.

As she honed her body and Psynergy for combat, Karst readied her sharp mind, which was both an inferno of flame and a tomb of ice created from her hate. She mentally recalled every detail of her enemies that might be relevant, from their favourite and most used Psynergy attacks to their choice of weaponry. She would picture scenarios in her head, and mentally prepare counters against them. The Mars Adept planned numerous strategies and assaults, hoping to come up with something that worked against her foes. As fate would have it, she knew where her enemies were, for they were all conveniently gathered in Vale…or at least, the three she most desired to slay. However, the redhead didn't know what the village looked like, so most of her strategy regarding battleground tactics would have to wait until she'd laid eyes upon it. Throughout all of this, Karst always remembered Menardi telling her one particular rule from the warrior's code: Keep your wits and your weapons sharp, and never let either go dull. As in all other similar aspects, the blonde's word was gospel.

Agatio himself wore new clothing and armour, much like his old ones but made from stronger material. As for his choice of weapon, he chose a fearsome war blade with a double keen edge. A heavy sword that would take normally require the use of both hands for those men that could lift it at all, the burly Mars Adept expertly wielded it with only one, saying volumes about his great strength. For at least three hours each day, he would engage in intense Psynergetic training, pushing himself as hard as possible without sacrificing his recovery. In the climax of his training, the area around him would reach intense temperatures, which would have been hellish for any save his fellow Proxians. If one were able to be close to Agatio during that intense training, they would have seen hot tears of bitter pains glittering from his eyes. Losing those two, as both warriors and as friends, wounded him much deeper than any enemy's sword. There was no doubt about it: like the crimson-haired young woman, he was out for blood.

They packed their ship with all the supplies they'd need, including food, water and spare weaponry. Prox only had a few vegetables to offer, as the plant life that could survive the near-Arctic surroundings were few and far in-between. But as the Mars Lighthouse slowly thawed the land, there would be more variety of flora. As a result, they would have to hunt for such victuals on the mainland.

Once the three days had passed, and she and Agatio were fully healed once more, they set out from the small town towards the icy harbour where their ship was anchored. As she'd expected, it was now firmly entrenched in the ice. Though it was not as thick as she would have expected, it seemed the warmth from Mars Lighthouse had thinned it somewhat. Even so, it was hardly a challenge for fire wielders of their calibre.

With the aid of their considerable Mars Psynergy, they were able to melt off the ice, and set it sailing south to the warmer waters. Agatio stood by the steering oar, moving the ship with the Psynergetic Orb. Karst stood at the head, arms crossed against her chest, appearing as a figurehead of dark omen. The Mars Adept ignored the biting cold, focusing her hurt, hatred and rage until her heart burned with wrath. She would use that destructive energy to guide her fighting spirit, her scythe and her Psynergy to fulfil her utmost desire and cover her weapon with the life blood of her enemies.

None of their fellow Proxians knew that they were gone; they'd left in the middle of the night, under the cover of night. There was no doubt they wouldn't have wanted to see their 'heroes' leave. The loss of Saturos and Menardi was still considerable fresh, and they couldn't bear compounding that with the deaths of Agatio and Karst, especially since their salvation was already obtained with the rebirth of Alchemy. The Proxian Elder had argued for them to stay, but eventually conceded defeat when he realised, like Puelle, that there was now stopping either of them. Destroying those that so wronged them was of utmost importance to them, and nothing short of oblivion would prevent them from doing so. Only though the deaths of the two Venus Adepts and Alex would they find a bittersweet sense of closure.

It doesn't matter much to me. As long as I get to kill Alex, Felix and Isaac…especially Isaac, Karst thought as they left Prox behind them, the town becoming increasingly faint to their vision. Just as you took the lives of my sister and Saturos, we will take yours.

As events had played out three years earlier, a ship from the town of Prox sailed south to warmer climes. But whereas the first voyage was one of discovery, and the second doomed to tragedy, the goal for this quest was simple: bloody vengeance.

The two Adepts' quest for revenge had begun…

A/N: And that wraps up the first chapter! Hope you liked it. As you might have guessed, any reviews would be appreciated, be they good, bad or in between. Constructive criticism accepted, flames are not. Until next time, we look forward to hearing from you all!