A/N: Well folks, I'm back, after a surprisingly long time. Sorry! I've been real busy over the X-Mas, New Year and subsequent time period. Also, for the last 3 weeks, I had absolutely NO internet, because my modem broke! Well, it's here, it's done, hopefully my fans haven't forgotten me. Speaking of which:
GoldenSunGeek: I don't mind the wait. Given how long I took to update, I should be the one apologising! Glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy the Felix part!
Inix9: Thanx! I thankful you enjoyed it! Thanx for reviewing!
Spirit Seer(all 3 of 'em!): Thanx for your reviews! Sorry for stealing your idea! Actually, I'm not the first to attempt this, really. I'm glad you like all the detail, I go to great lengths to ensure that! Thanx for pointing out the misspelling, I'll try to avoid such things in future. Oh, and thanks a lot for those romance pointers. Great suggestions, hopefully they'll make a difference! But if not… well, I tried!
OffTheWall: Thank you! Yes it is hard work novelising a game, but the challenge is part of the fun!
The Moose: Thank you for your comment on me being a great writer! I love being told that! (But then, who wouldn't?) Just out of curiosity, who did you think was better than me? (Not insulted or anything, just curious)
Disclaimer: (Insert Disclaimer here)
Ok, all that done, let us get on with the chapter, no more from me!
CHAPTER FOUR
THE QUEST BEGINS
"I thought Mount Aleph was inactive…" The Great Elder mused in a deep, wizened old voice, as he stared up at the massive mountain while he stood next to Vale Sanctum where Kraden had talked earlier with one of the Elders.
His bushy, shoulder length white was pushed back and he stroked his bushy grey beard thoughtfully. He continued to look up at Mount Aleph with concern in his brown, wise looking eyes, his wrinkly brow already furrowed.
His white clothing was of better quality than the other Elders and his blue cloak had some fancy embroidery on it, signifying his being more important than the other Elders.
The ground shook violently and thick, black smoke poured out of the top of the mountain. Already the sky seemed to darken red with heat and small bits of ash floated down from the sky. But it seemed as though it should have completely erupted by now. There seemed to be some power, the Great Elder sensed, holding it back preventing it from exploding, the way volcanoes are supposed to when they erupt. The Great Elder was an expert in Psynergy and he had never seen anything like this, Psynergy working to prevent itself from being dispersed by a volcanic blast.
The mayor stood next to him, also looking concerned. The Mayor, also Garet's grandfather, leaned on his walking stick to support his weight, furrowing his already wrinkled brow and staring with concern with his brown, thoughtful, grandfatherly eyes. He was many years younger than the Great Elder, but still had grey hair and wrinkled features, he even looked similar in age to him, although the mayor's Psynergy skill weren't nearly as potent, or as skilled, as the Great Elder's of course, but Psynergy skills or power counted for little in Vale except amongst the Elders.
"Oh, I hope my grandson isn't really in there!" He cried out quite concerned, "Will Vale be destroyed by this eruption?"
Garet's older sister, Kay, stood next to his grandfather.
"Grandpa, Garet isn't that stupid!" She said, trying to reassure him, "I'm sure he's already gotten of the mountain! It's been rumbling like this for a while now, they must be long gone. We should get out of here while we still can!"
"This eruption will not destroy Vale." The Great Elder declared, "Those three are no longer in any danger, I have been told." He didn't bother to elaborate how he knew this, or who had told him.
"But sir, somebody saw him and Isaac and Jenna climb up the mountain." Garet's younger brother, Aaron, said, "No one has seen them come down yet! We have to rescue them and get out of here before Vale is destroyed!"
"Those visitors from this morning were seen going around the village, leaving the mountain." One of the elders informed the Great Elder, "Apparently with a couple of others with them, though no one got a good enough look at them to see who they were or even if it was that group."
"Isaac and Garet said they were going to Mr. Kraden's house." Isaac's mother, Dora, spoke up defensively, "He was supposed to take them up the mountain, so he would have led them away safely! We should leave this village before we are destroyed by the volcano!"
"This eruption will not harm Vale or its inhabitants." The Great Elder declared in a tone that brooked no argument, "We must bring calm to the people and ensure they stay here where they will not be hurt."
"That's suicide!" Kay protested.
"Enough!" The Great Elder cut her off, "Mayor, Elders. Round up the people, and calm them down. Ensure they do not leave Vale or they may be harmed."
The Elder hurried of to carry out the order while the mayor began shouting orders to the nearby villagers who had gathered.
-
Isaac stopped running down the mountain suddenly when he saw that Garet had stopped there also, looking quite afraid. Isaac tensed expecting to see those two, no four now, strangers standing there or…
"Oh no. It's my grandad. And the Great Elder. And your mum! We're gonna get it for going into Sol Sanctum." Garet told Isaac worriedly.
"You don't have to remind me…" Isaac grumbled, wondering if maybe their escape was all for nothing. What would their punishment for trespassing the sacred sanctum be? Exile from Vale? Well, right now there was only one alternative to facing the music.
"There's a volcano erupting behind us." Isaac stated, "And the quickest way to run is through Vale. We've got to get out of here!"
"Garet!" Kay called out. Immediately everyone around noticed them there.
"Isaac!" Dora called out straight after, noticing them there, looking decidedly relieved, instead of angry as he'd imagined. "You're safe!"
"Come over her, both of you!" The mayor called out to them.
They both clambered down the last of the mountain path to them and stood with them next to Vale Sanctum.
"Where have you been?" The mayor asked, in a concerned voice, temporarily ceasing to try and control things behind him in Vale, "You should have come straight back to the village! We were getting worried!"
"What happened?" The Great Elder asked, already knowing the answer to the mayor's question. "Why has Mount Aleph begun erupting? What happened with you and the Wise One?"
How does he know about the Wise One? Isaac wondered, but it seemed unimportant just now.
"Where are Jenna and Kraden?" Dora asked, noticing the lack of their companions.
"Well, they were taken away…" Isaac began in reply.
"By who?" The mayor asked interrupting.
Isaac paused for a moment trying to find the words. Those people supposedly only arrived this morning, would they know of them or have heard of them?
"Hmm… I understand that things have become greatly complicated." The Great Elder spoke calmly, sensing that there was more to this than met the eye.
"We'll need you to tell us exactly what happened on the mountain." He continued, taking control of the situation. "Come into the Sanctum, both of you. Dora you can come to as you're his mother, as well as you mayor, for being Garet's grandfather and to fill in for his parents, until they can be found." He turned to Garet's two siblings. "I'm sorry Kay and Aaron, but you cannot intrude on this meeting."
"I understand." Kay replied calmly, looking at the mountain with worry, not at all convinced the Great Elder was right to order them to stay there.
"Hrm. Not Fair." Aaron stomped on the ground angrily. He probably wanted to see what happened when his brother got in trouble.
"Go fetch the other Elders." The Great Elder said, turning to the Elder that Kraden had spoken to before, "Restore calm in the village, make sure no one leaves. If those visitors really are who we think… well, there's no time for them now."
The Elder, bowed his head respectfully, before quickly turning to go.
With that the Great Elder led them through the stone doors and into Vale Sanctum.
-
Suddenly Mount Aleph finally stopped holding back and erupted. A great pyroclasm of fire and magma blasted high up into the sky, well above the clouds. The thick black smoke started to turn a purple colour, turning the surrounding countryside unholy shades of purple and red. Little tiny purple gems, which the Elders of Vale knew as Psynergy Stones, were blasted far of into the distance unleashing their power wherever they came to land. Sometimes, larger Psynergy stones or large rocks were flung out landing randomly for miles around. Some of the stones were completely torn apart by the force of the explosion and were ground into little particles of purple dust settling unevenly over everything around the land. The smoke seemed to react violently with the atmosphere, creating blasts of violent lightning, which unleashed unsafe blasts of Psynergetic light, adversely affecting anything that was hit by its glow. The whole power of the Psynergy in the mountain seemed to have been blasted out and scattered around the world changing the environment forever, although the results would not be apparent for a time yet. The effects of the Psynergy released and scattered across were felt all over Weyard, the tremors felt for miles around, as far as Kalay, and the lights so incredible, they were seen even as far away as the Kolima.
-
It was now late afternoon and everyone who was concerned had entered Vale Sanctum. Around the room were two of the Elder's of Vale, sitting in the extra wooden chairs that had been brought in for the impromptu council.
The inside of the Elders Sanctum in Vale was completely unlike anything Isaac had imagined. It was all underground, which kept it cool, although a small fire at the back warmed the air a bit, and there were no windows to see out of. It was a simple square room, made of yellow-orange bricks. There were four lanterns placed evenly around the room to provide light, as there was none that could come through from the outside, unless they left the door open, which they obviously couldn't.
Isaac had expected something somewhat more impressive for the leaders of Vale. There was a ring of half a dozen wooden stools that had been completely rearranged now that they were here.
Dora sat on one of the stools towards the side of the room; next to an empty one that was Isaac's. The mayor was on the opposite side of the room; also next to an empty seat that was Garet's, whose parents sat next to the mayor. Jenna's grandparents were temporarily unavailable, lost in the confusion outside in Vale.
The two Elders flanked the door. The Great Elder sat at the head of the room in the centre, looking down on the two youths as though he were a judge in a court room.
They had all heard the violent explosion of Mount Aleph just minutes before, though the Great Elder refused to order an evacuation, demanding that everyone stay in the village, forcing them to have this council.
Is it really safe to stay here with an erupting volcano right next to us? Isaac wondered, I hope the Great Elder knows what he's doing.
"Were their names Saturos and Menardi?" The Great Elder asked Isaac and Garet who stood in the centre of the room somewhat awkwardly and humbled.
"Yes, how did you know that?" Isaac asked.
The old man gave a deep sigh. "This is not their first visit to Vale."
"I know, we saw them once three years ago," Isaac replied, and began telling them of how he had heard their conversation, before being attacked by them. The others in the room seemed shocked by this tale he had never told them and even Garet remembered again. But they held back their reactions as they listened to what the Great Elder had to say.
"So our suspicions have been confirmed then." The Great Elder nodded, "The first time they visited here was indeed precisely three years ago today. There was a group of eight, from a distant land; Saturos and Menardi were their two leaders. They arrived claiming to be diplomats for their people. Tried to convince us to let them in to Sol Sanctum. They made up lies about needing the Elemental Stars to release Alchemy upon Weyard once more, trying to get us to believe that terrible things would happen otherwise. But we, of course, knew better. We ignored their threats, told them to leave and never come back. They left somewhat reluctantly, telling us we had damned ourselves. That night the storm that claimed your father's life and those of Jenna's family came over Vale. We had our suspicions that it was that group that had trespassed upon the Sanctum, but we had no evidence beyond mere coincidence. We couldn't even prove that the storm was a result of the violation of the Sanctum. They never returned though, and we hoped that maybe they were gone for good, or better yet, slain in Sol Sanctum's traps. And now, they return to Vale, and again trigger a trap which, even now, causes Mount Aleph to erupt over us."
The town mayor gazed intently at the two boys with his brown, deep eyes. "I think it's time we heard the story these two have to tell." He spoke.
The two Elders murmured agreement among themselves. So Isaac and Garet began, leaving out nothing.
The Great Elder stood over by the fire, gazing into its flames as he listened to Isaac and Garet's story. The Elders both sat gazing intently at the two boys as they told their story, eagerly listening.
One of the Elders insisted on handing out punishment on the two boys straight away, but the Great Elder insisted on hearing their side of the story first, not wanting to make any judgements in ignorance or haste.
They had just finished telling the last of the story when they sat down to hear what the leaders had to say. They were all quite stunned by it all.
"Who could have imagined… the true Sanctum?" The mayor murmured to himself. "This changes everything."
"They took Jenna and Kraden prisoner?" Dora asked, unable to comprehend it all, "Just so that they can seize this ultimate power?"
Isaac nodded. It was hard to accept that she had been taken away. He could never forgive them for that. Jenna would remain in his heart always, even if he never saw her again.
"This is awful..." She murmured.
"How did this group learn so much that we, the Elders of Vale, don't even know?" asked one of the Elders, Terry
"It is unclear…" The other replied, glancing at the Great Elder who remained silent, staring intently into the flames.
"And this young boy holds one of the legendary Elemental Stars right here!" Terry spoke in awe. "Those thieves must be desperate if they resorted to kidnapping an innocent girl and poor Kraden." His partner nodded in agreement.
"We can save her!" Isaac pleaded, "Both of them! They only took her so they could have the Mars Star! If we just give that back…"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Terry shouted, "Do you have any idea what power it is they are trying to seize!"
"I agree, Isaac." Garet added, "You heard what Kraden said. If they get that Sage Stone thingie… well, there won't be a Jenna to rescue."
"She may not be entirely lost…" The mayor mused, "Her brother, Felix, he'll protect them both, won't he?"
Isaac nodded uncertainly. He had been one of their best friends as children; the four of them grew up together. Now he was back from the dead and cavorting with the enemies of Vale, toying with powers that could destroy the world. He wanted to believe that he would do what he could to save her… but how could he be sure? Was Felix the same as he used to be? Poor Jenna… Isaac's heart longed to see her again, he never realised how special she was as a friend to him.
"To be honest, I wouldn't trust Felix as far as I could throw him." Garet snarled bitterly, "He betrayed us and kidnapped his own sister! He's an enemy through and through!"
At that moment, Isaac gave up entirely on Felix, and vowed silently to himself that he would have his revenge on his former friend someday.
"How could he though?" Dora mused sadly, "He used to be such a nice boy… always wanting to do the right thing…"
"Felix can never again be one of us." The mayor declared with his voice full of authority.
"I agree." Terry spoke, "However, that does not change the worst of this news, the theft of the Elemental Stars. We can keep the Mars Star safe here in Vale for some time, guarded by us, but the Elders must set out as soon as possible to seize the other three."
"I agree." replied Tom, "Kraden and Jenna must be rescued, and Felix brought to trial."
"You can't do that!" Isaac suddenly protested, "You don't have any idea how powerful Saturos and Menardi are!"
"Isaac, dear, calm down." Dora said in a soothing voice, "I think we should listen to what the Elders have to say…"
"Sorry, ma'am, but Isaac's right." Garet interrupted, "They are very powerful, I don't think anyone here is strong enough to challenge them."
"Well then, lad, what are we supposed to do would you say?" his grandfather asked, "If you say that it's impossible to somehow defeat these two, how can we save the world from its doom?"
"Well, uh…"
"The mayor is right; we must at least attempt to retrieve the Stars." Tom issued.
"And we can't just leave poor Jenna or Mr. Kraden with their captors." Dora pleaded, "We have to do something!"
"If worst comes to worst, we can always hide the Mars Star where they can never get to it." Terry suggested, "After all, the need all four to release Alchemy and seize the Stone of Sages. With just one missing, their plans are ruined."
"Unless we want them to give Jenna back to us…" Isaac muttered, which he feeling he wanted to do, even though his better judgment told him not too.
"However, doesn't this leave the world dangerously exposed to other parts of Alchemy and the full power of the Lighthouses when these thieves light them with the Stars?" the mayor queried, "The world will still be on the brink."
"So what are we going to do then?" Tom asked.
"Do our best to defeat them." Terry answered, "And get the Stars back."
"And please try and rescue Jenna…" Isaac pleaded softly, though no one gave any indication that they had heard.
"Uh… if you don't mind my asking," Garet spoke up, "What's going to happen to us?"
"Garet, my lad, you're always foolishly getting yourself into all sorts of silly mischief." His grandfather sighed exasperated, "But now you and your friend have put the whole world in jeopardy with your stupid actions. Finding a punishment for you will be… difficult."
"Please, you can't say you're planning to exile them?" Dora panicked, "They're only children! Isaac's the last family I have left since Kyle passed away! Please…"
"Relax, Dora." The mayor interrupted, "There won't be any exiling or rash decisions made… Hmm…. Great Elder what are your thoughts on the matter?"
The Great Elder made no response, still staring into the flames of the fire.
"What is wrong Great Elder?" The mayor probed, "You have been very quiet."
It was true; he hadn't said a word during Isaac and Garet's speech, unlike every one else who kept asking questions throughout trying to get a better understanding. Even Terry and Tom were eager to know more about the hidden part of Sol Sanctum. But the Great Elder had remained quiet, listening carefully to every word.
"You look like your mind's a thousand miles away." Dora added, noting the man's distant look on his face, "What's going to happen to my Isaac? What are you doing to do about those thieves?"
"That hovering stone Isaac and Garet described," He finally said slowly, silencing everyone, "The one that called itself the Wise One."
"What about it?" The mayor asked, urging him to go on.
"I have seen it often before in my dreams. In my mind's eye, it appeared to me again just now and spoke to me. It in fact spoke to me during the eruption telling me to forbid evacuation, explaining why we should stay in the safety of Vale."
"The Wise One's been talking to you?" one of the Elders, Isaac wasn't sure which, asked in a shocked tone of voice.
"Indeed. It is assuredly the Wise One, Guardian of the Elemental Stars. It told me what happened to you in Sol Sanctum."
This produced a moment of shock amongst everyone. The Wise One was the legendary guardian of the Stars, yes. But he was also the being that had helped seal away Alchemy, or so the legends say anyway. And it was he who tasked the Elders of Vale to guard the secret of Sol Sanctum and not let anyone ever find out about it. He also allowed the power of Mount Aleph to give all the inhabitants of Vale the power of Psynergy to some degree to aid them, but also warned the dangers of ever letting anyone from outside the village find out about these powers, as they would not understand them. No one knew what exactly he was, whether a god, an Adept from the Lost Age or whatever, but he was incredibly powerful. And now the legend had indeed come to life.
"So, what did the Wise One say to you about the eruption?" The mayor asked with a hint of concern in his voice. The volcano had erupted only minutes ago and every one was still a bit edgy. The Great Elder remained silent and said nothing.
"Will the volcano destroy Vale?" Dora asked trying to prompt a response after he gave no reply, "We're right next to it, so we must be in danger, yet you keep saying we'll be safe staying here."
"It is impossible to stop the eruption now." He replied grimly, "It's magma will pour out uncontrollably, yet worse still it's true power will be scattered about the land, infusing itself into all life forms."
"But what of us?" one of Elders began, "Will Vale be…"
"Vale will be safe." The Great Elder interrupted, "The Wise One has told me that it will prevent the lava from reaching us." Everyone, including Isaac, breathed a sigh of relief.
"I was wondering why you made us stay here…" Garet mumbled.
But the Great Elder still wore a look of concern on his face.
"What's the matter Great Elder?" the mayor asked noticing this, "There's something worse troubling you, isn't there? Is it regarding the Elemental Stars?"
"Something dark and powerful will be threaten Weyard once more." He said.
"What!" The Elders asked in unison.
"A terrible power." He stated, "The Elemental Star gems house this power. Long ago, a great battle was fought on the slopes of Mount Aleph, the last battle of the Lost Age. The battle was fierce, but in the end, a brave group of Adepts who had extinguished the Lighthouses and taken the Elemental Stars were able to seal away Alchemy. The legends say that power and darkness were sealed away forever, by a brave hero of an army of defenders of the light. The four Clans who fought that battle left to the Lighthouses, to defend them lest such horrible darkness unleash ruin on the land once more. However, a brave order of knights stayed to defend the Sanctum and the Stars. They founded Vale, and swore the people to defend the world against the darkness and power sealed away."
He finally stopped, letting his very serious story sink into the people's heads.
"So the people of Vale are the descendants of heroes of legend?" the mayor asked, beginning to understand. "But you have said that the Clans no longer exist to protect the Lighthouses… so we are the only defence against this dark power being released once more…" The Great Elder nodded before continuing.
"The Elemental Lighthouses will unleash the power of the Elemental Stars upon the world." He explained, "Once that power has been released, Alchemy will touch the world, the Stone of Sages will reform and the whole world will…" He trailed off, not wanting to say the next bit, although they could all guess at the seriousness of it.
"And the Wise One has commanded that we retrieve these gems?" Tom asked, "For that is our purpose. To guard the gems and now we must get them back, or else we will have failed."
The Great Elder nodded. "This world is ours, to save or destroy. Our inaction may bring about its destruction. Even ignoring the powerful and horrific wars that could once more be fought with Psynergy used by everyone… the very shock of unleashing such potency as Alchemy could very well destroy Weyard."
"What a pity…" the mayor mused.
"We cannot hope for salvation." The Great Elder informed them, "Not like the ancient legends say once happened in Weyard's darkest day. We must save ourselves."
"Then what are we going to do?" Dora asked.
"Acquiring the Elemental Star is the fate of these two. The Wise One has commanded that they be sent forth as heroes. He says that only they have the potential to save Weyard from it's doom." He replied gesturing to the two boys standing in the centre of the room.
"Are you saying the Wise One has ordered that we put the fate of the world in the hands of Isaac and Garet?" Dora burst out.
"Garet is only a child." The mayor began, "You can't expect him to bear such a burden."
"The Wise One has spoken." The Great Elder replied unquestioningly, and then turned to look at Isaac and Garet, "Each of you shares responsibility for this. Now each of you must make his own decision. You both have great potential inside of you yet."
Isaac and Garet thought for a moment. This was a heavy burden indeed. But, who else could they turn to? The Elder's of Vale were powerful, yes, but not nearly so as Saturos and Menardi and who knows about Felix, or that Alex guy. Plus, the Elders weren't warriors. They weren't trained to fight and those two sure looked like they were.
Isaac and Garet both had tremendous potential and both wanted to train their abilities. If they were as potentially powerful as the Elders said they were, and they could learn to fully harness their power, then perhaps they would be Vale's only hope.
The Wise One had also mentioned something about destiny inside the sanctum.
Besides, Felix had questions that needed answering. And Isaac wanted to avenge his father's death. And the deaths of Jenna's parents.
Jenna. He had to rescue her. He couldn't abandon her to whatever Saturos had in mind for the beautiful young girl. She meant too much to him.
"Yes," Isaac finally told them, "I'll do it. I accept this quest."
"Well, not alone you aren't." Garet replied, "You're my best friend and you can't go without me. I'll join him!" he finished proudly.
"Oh Isaac," his mother groaned, resting her face in her hands, "You can't mean it…"
"It has been decided then." The mayor declared, "There will be no further discussion. As much as I do not like the idea of having these two sent out… this is a job for the Elders, not children… but, if the Wise One commands it… then we have no choice." He sighed dejectedly.
"O, Wise One," The Great Elder began, as he gazed up at the roof as though to the heavens, "These two have accepted you quest, give us your next command!"
With that a ghostly image of the Wise One appeared before them in the air.
You two are quite brave to take on this quest. It's deep, commanding voice told them in there minds. I shall be watching you. You are about to take on the first step to fulfilling your destiny. Only you can save the world from destruction. You have it within you to destroy the threat to Weyard, and only you can realize this potential. No one else can save your world. Choose your destiny wisely. You may yet be a reincarnation of legendary heroes.
"So that's the Wise One…" Dora breathed in shocked awe to herself, "I had always wondered what he looked like…"
"What more do you have to say, Wise One?" the mayor asked. Both the other elders seemed too shocked for words right now.
Felix must unlock the power. The Wise One told them.
Felix must unlock the power? What does he mean by that? Isaac wondered at this.
Find the lighthouses. You'll have the guidance of the Elemental Star. The Wise One continued, Only Isaac has the power within him to face to true foe of this world. He must choose his path now. His destiny awaits.
Destiny! Isaac didn't want to go out on any adventure and fulfil a destiny involving the fate of the world! He was no warrior, the Wise One couldn't ask this of him!
"Wait, Wise One!" Isaac called out, "Why didn't you stop them when they were stealing the stars? You were just watching the whole time!" It was a question that had been bugging him.
There are yet things that must be done It replied sagely, Destiny must be fulfilled. Certain events cannot any longer be avoided. It is up to you to do this now; my purpose is no longer to guard the Stars. There will come a time when you do not regret my choice of action. Farewell, may the blessing of Sol be upon you and guide your destiny.
The ghostly image of the Wise One faded and vanished from the room.
"Surely, that cannot be all the Wise One has to say." The mayor muttered. But the Wise One was gone, he had said what needed to be said.
"That is all." was all the Great Elder said.
"That's it!" The mayor asked exasperated, "Isn't there anything else you can tell them Great Elder?"
"These two must take this journey themselves, relying on their own strength. No one from this village can help them."
He slowly, yet confidently, walked out the door. Before leaving he turned to them and said, "I leave it all up to you Isaac, Garet." Then he left, placing his faith in the boy's abilities and the Wise One's commands. The other two Elders followed him out, protesting at his decision, leaving the two boys, Dora and the mayor alone.
"Well, what good are those guys?" The mayor asked incredulously, "Sending children off with no help or directions. They cannot do this alone"
"I agree," Dora began, "But they didn't give us any other choice. The Wise One commanded they do this on their own… their destiny… I'm not so sure about this…"
"It's my destiny…" Isaac muttered, "Save the world? I can't do that… but it seems I have to…" The Wise One had made it perfectly clear that only Isaac could save them, "But I have to save Jenna somehow. And Kraden. So I'll do it."
"Hey, I feel kinda responsible for this, so let's do it." Garet shrugged, "Besides, won't it be great to be remembered in stories and legends all over the world as the heroes who saved Weyard?"
"Being a hero isn't all it's cracked up to be…" Isaac replied, "It's all hard work and life risking danger… I don't want any of that! I just want to get Jenna back… I wish none of this had ever happened…"
"Yeah, you're right…" Garet replied, but was cut off as his grandfather and Isaac's mother began speaking.
"When should they leave?" They mayor asked.
"It doesn't sound like the two of them can afford to wait." Dora replied.
"Tomorrow, then?" The mayor offered, "That would be best. It would give us time to prepare, while getting them set off quickly after those thieves."
"Tomorrow? Yes, that sounds good." Dora replied, deciding their fate for them.
Isaac hated it when his mother made big decisions for him.
-
The next day…
Isaac and Garet stood side by side at the town gate, surrounded by their friends and family, and many of the residents of Vale. They were all still saying their farewells.
Isaac had found an old sword that had belonged to his father, which he had strapped to his back, while Garet had found a heavy, double bladed battle-axe from somewhere to use as a weapon. Both wore simple leather clothing, and light steel armour given to them as a gift by the village blacksmith to help out on their dangerous journey to save the world. It was the first time either of them had worn armour or carried weapons. Isaac had to admit he didn't exactly feel very comfortable like this, and even Garet seemed to hold himself a little awkwardly.
"Good luck Isaac and Garet." The Great Elder told them from the middle of the crowd, surrounded by all the other Elders. "May the blessings of Sol be upon you and the Wise One guide you."
"Remember, with Mount Aleph's eruption, the power of the Psynergy Stones inside it may have been spread about the land." One of the Elders warned, "Learn to defend yourself. We believe you both have it within you to become powerful warriors."
"But be careful." Another cautioned, "A true Adept only ever used their power for the common good, never evil. The ancient guardian knights of the Lost Age used to say something like that."
"Don't eat too much, Garet." Garet's younger brother, Aaron, said cheekily, "You have to make those provisions last the trip!"
"Hey, I know how not to eat, you know!" Garet replied, annoyed.
"Don't listen to him, Isaac!" His older sister, Kay, told him, "He's a pig! He'll eat anything that's not tied down."
"I know, I'll have to be careful he doesn't waste our provisions." Isaac laughed.
Garet didn't see the funny side of it. "I don't eat that much!" He replied defensively, "No more than anyone else my age at least, anyway."
"Man, I wish I was going on a trip outside Vale!" Aaron moaned, "I'd love to be on an adventure!"
"Don't be silly, son." Garet's dad scoffed, "This is dangerous stuff. The fate of the world hangs in the balance! Garet, you bear a lot of responsibility that I'm not sure you're ready to handle, but you're a man now, and it's up to you to make your own life decisions."
"Isaac!" Jenna's grandmother called out. She trotted up to him sadly. "Please, bring Jenna back… she's the only family I have left after my husband." When told of Felix's betrayal, she had refused to believe it was really him, and still acted as though he was dead. Maybe, in a way, he was. Isaac wondered if maybe he should try and think of his former friend in the same way.
"I'll do my best, Ma'am." Isaac promised with all his heart.
"Please don't let her get hurt… we love her so much." Her grandfather put in.
You and me both. Isaac thought silently, nodding in mute understanding.
He held out his hand, and pressed a few gold coins into Isaac's hand.
"For the journey." He said.
"I can't take this!" Isaac protested, "You can't afford it…" But he cut the young Earth Adept off.
"Don't worry about it. We'll do anything to bring her back. If she doesn't…" he didn't continue, merely melted back into the crowd and left Isaac to stew on his own thoughts. He pocketed the coins gratefully, many residents of Vale had given them gifts for their journey to help save the world. The leather travelling boots he and Garet wore now were one of them. They had some food in their packs also from the village Innkeeper, and many camping supplies from various others.
"Hmm… Dora is awfully late." One of the Elders mused. Isaac felt a little concerned at this, but refused to think on it.
She'll come… please Sol, let her see me one last time… I may never see her again.
"Oh! That's right!" Garet's sister, Kay, suddenly spoke up, remembering something, "Aunty Dora asked me to give this to you, Isaac."
She dropped a necklace of pearly white beads into Isaac's open, leather gloved hand. Her Catch Beads. One of his mother's prized possessions. The Catch Beads were a Psynergy Item that allowed an Adept to wield Catch when they channelled Psynergy through it, although Isaac didn't know how it worked. It was very helpful around the house. When used, a person could reach out with invisible flows of Psynergy and grab hold of light, distant object, bringing them to themselves. Memories of that night when his mother had used them to grab his cloak before leaving to run into the storm came into his head. His mother had asked someone else to give them, instead of offering them her self?
Isaac swallowed a lump in his throat. When he'd gotten up this morning, she'd looked very sick. She said not to worry, that she was just tired and would be up in time to see him off. But Isaac was very concerned. He couldn't just leave her; abandon her without at least saying one last goodbye.
He put the beads in his pocket, and thanked her quietly.
"So… what, we ready to go yet, or what?" Garet asked him, not sensing his anxiety.
"Wait, Garet!" Kay scolded him. "Dora isn't here yet. Isaac has to say good-bye to his mother first!"
"It must be very difficult for Dora." Garet's mother said to Isaac, "As Garet's mother, I know how Dora must be feeling. But I still have Garet's father and my two daughters as well as his grandparents. All Dora has is you."
She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and smiled at him in a motherly way that only mothers could do.
"She doesn't want you to go, Isaac." She said, "But she knows that you have to, and it hurts her to see you leave."
Isaac nodded understandably, but a lump in his throat hurt him too much to say anything. This quest was very important and he couldn't just stop because it hurt to say goodbye. Maybe that was why she didn't want to come say farewell. Although he was sure that she had been genuinely sick earlier. He may have learned a bit about healing wounds with his Psynergy, but if it was a sickness, which was similar to poison, then he couldn't do anything about it. He just had to let it go.
"Remember, Isaac." One of the Elders called out, "When you visit other villages and towns… you absolutely cannot use your Psynergy. It's not like here in Vale, where it's used all the time. Other people have never seen it, and won't understand. They might think you're something evil. Only use it when others cannot see it, and be careful not to get caught out. This is our final lesson to you."
"I understand." Isaac nodded.
"I wonder what it must be like for people who can't use Psynergy…" Garet mused.
"Well, they can't keep standing around here like this, or they'll never leave!" the mayor called out, "So one final farewell!"
Then everyone called out loudly "FAREWELL!"
"GOOD-BYE!" Garet and Isaac both called out, waving.
And with that, they left, turning their backs on their home Vale, and heading out into the big, wide world.
The quest, that would one day be known as "the Quest for the Golden Sun", had begun.
-
Isaac and Garet began walking out across the fields surrounding Vale, glad to finally see what the world was like on the outside. Isaac stopped for a moment and stared out at the landscape.
It was clear for miles around, a few trees lightly dotting the landscape, the mountains far off into the distance and a dirt road that supposedly led to some town called Vault. According to the map of Angara, Vault was the next nearest town, a two day walk from Vale. It seemed the only place to go. From there they would have to talk with locals to find out where the thieves had gotten to. Assuming of course, that was where they had gone.
Well, the Wise One did say we would have the guidance of the Elemental Star. Isaac figured, Somehow, maybe it will just happen to lead us along the right path.
It was a peaceful, idyllic day, not at all like the previous day when Mount Aleph erupted. But Isaac tried not to think about it.
"So, we've finally gotten out on our big adventure, eh?" Isaac finally said, trying to start conversation.
"Yeah, not at all like we'd imagined it would be growing up as kids though, is it?" Garet replied with a humorous smile.
"Yeah, you, me, Jenna and Felix, we all had planned to go out some day and explore the world even though the Elders forbade it." Isaac said back to him, "Now it's just the two of us, trying to rescue one of our friends and probably fight the other because he's sided with evil. And at the same time trying to save the world."
"Not at all like we'd planned for it, is it?" Garet asked with a smirk.
Isaac smiled. He was glad to be with his best friend, at least. He wasn't sure if he could've done this if he was on his own.
"Well, we'll just have to take it as it goes." He replied. He began to think about they're plans. They had enough food for a few days, although he hoped they could probably scrounge up something in the countryside, he'd had practice before with this sort of stuff, camping with his friends out in the forest near Vale. Not a real great distance of course, but it helped make them feel as though they were really out and about.
"So, where exactly do we go from here?" Garet asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"Well, according to the map," He replied, "The best direction is south, towards a town called Vault. The Elders agree that it's the best way to go if we want to find out which direction they are going in. After that, who knows where we'll wind up?"
Garet nodded.
Isaac started thinking about something that had him concerned. "Do you think that there really could be dangerous creatures out here?" He asked, "The Elders were quite concerned about that. They thought that maybe, due to the eruption spreading the Psynergy stones all over the place, some creatures would be infused with its power unnaturally, making them dangerous enemies, like how Kraden explained."
"Don't worry," Garet replied, "I'm sure they wouldn't be anything to worry about. We can handle them."
You could always count on Garet's good old-fashioned over-confidence.
As they walked on, Mount Aleph rumbled like a sleeping giant, after shocks of its previous eruption, and spewed out large chunks or rock into the sky.
The Elders had warned Isaac and Garet of the possibility the mountain might have a few "mini eruptions" for some time afterwards.
Huge rocks, almost the size of boulders fell heavily from the sky, slamming into the ground like meteors, shaking the earth below the two young Adept's feet.
"Woah, I wasn't expecting that! Let's get out of here!" Garet shouted over the explosion.
Isaac agreed wordlessly, and the two set of at a run down the path. Several other rocks landed nearby, one so close Isaac thought that they might be hit. Then the shower of volcanic debris ended, and Isaac and Garet stopped and turned back.
Mount Aleph was still once more, and the sky no longer held danger. But smoke still rose like a warning from the mountain peak.
"That was close!" Isaac sighed. They could have been crushed if they'd stayed where they were. "Let's hope it doesn't happen again!"
"Oh, it will." Garet warned gravely, as though he knew for sure, "It'll happen, probably when we least expect it."
"What are you, a prophet now?" Isaac asked jokingly.
"Me? Nah, leave that to the Jupiter Clan of old. We Mars Adepts can just blast them things out of the sky when they come, don't need to know when it's going to happen."
"I didn't see you doing anything to help out then!" Isaac smiled, giving his friend a playful punch.
"Yeah, well…" Garet trailed off, unable to think of a comeback.
"Come on, we should get going now." Isaac suggested, "The further away from here we get, the less likely to be killed by that volcano." He stood, and began walking back along the dirt road.
"Hey, you Earth Adepts can't do much about falling rocks either!" Garet called out, racing to catch up with Isaac.
"I never said we could." He shrugged off his friends attempted barb.
"Yeah, well… I was just saying…"
The two continued along the road to Vault.
-
Isaac flopped down onto the ground for a rest. They'd been walking for close to five hours, by his guess, and there was still nothing left in sight besides trees, grass, and the same winding road. Garet sat heavily next to him and glanced over at his friend.
"Do you think we've even moved at all?" he grumbled, "We've been seeing the same thing all day! I'd have thought the world would be more exciting and interesting than this. At least a few landmarks or something."
Isaac glanced in the direction they were travelling.
"Well, we probably have a while to go before we see anything interesting, I suppose. Vault is still a day and a half away."
"Hmm… I guess." Garet mused, "I wonder what time it is now?
Isaac looked at the sun. "I'd say it's about time for lunch."
Garet's head snapped to Isaac. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Isaac shook his head and opened his backpack. In the short time that they'd slept last night, some of the villagers had arranged supplies and food for them to bring on their quest, for which he was grateful. He grabbed a couple of sandwiches out of his pack and tossed one over to Garet. They both began to munch on their food, content to sit in silence.
Isaac went over what the mayor had said about the city, Vault. It was nestled in a small valley a fair way south of Vale. It was mainly a residential settlement, with small amounts of trading with the surrounding towns, including Vale from time to time. It was also the most likely place that Saturos' party would have stopped after leaving Vale. Hopefully they could pick up some clues there to figure out where they went next.
"Hey Isaac," Garet started.
"Yeah?" the Venus adept responded.
"Do you really think we stand a chance?"
Isaac looked over at his friend, surprised.
"What do you mean?"
Garet looked down at the ground. "I mean, they have half a day's head start on us, if not more. We have no idea where they're going. And let's face it; Saturos and Menardi by themselves are more powerful than we are." Garet's face seemed to harden. "And with Felix and that blue-haired guy, Alex, on their side, how can we possibly overcome them?"
"We have to," Isaac said simply. "I have no idea how, but we must stop them. If what the elders said is true, then the fate of the world is at stake, and we're the only ones who can potentially stop it." Isaac swallowed, and then continued. "Besides, we have to save Jenna and Kraden."
Garet was quiet for a moment. "I hope they'll be safe."
Isaac thought of Jenna in the hands of Saturos and Menardi. He shook his head rapidly, trying to clear out the image, before the anger and hurt clouded his mind.
"Felix is there. I don't know what he's doing with Saturos and Menardi, but he said he won't let them hurt his sister. We have to trust in that."
Isaac wasn't sure how much he could believe that, but he so desperately wanted Jenna to be safe that he was willing to hope for even as something as wild as that. But his vow for vengeance against him, like that of Saturos and Menardi, would always stand.
Garet nodded, finishing off his sandwich. "Personally, I don't honestly believe Felix will look after her, as much as I'd like to believe he would. We can't trust him."
Isaac ate his last few bites in silence, briefly wondering who he was trying to convince of Jenna's safety. The continued walking towards Vault, the rest of the day passing silently and without event. Even Mount Aleph didn't bother them again with erupting rocks.
Eventually, the day came to an end and night set in. It was supposed to be a two-day journey to Vault, so they made camp near a large old tree for the night on top of a small hill and started a fire with Garet's Psynergy, cooking some salted meat that they had. They didn't have much, and it was easier to carry more fruits and vegetables and just hunt wild animals for meat.
They both ate dinner silently, their minds dwelling on the monumental task and destiny ahead of them.
As Isaac sat there, his mind drifted to Jenna. He hoped she was alright. For the first time, it occurred to him that maybe Saturos' party might never get caught up by them; that they would be following in vain forever. And Jenna would never again be freed. He cared a lot about her and with good reason.
After that storm three years ago, she had been the only one that had understood the pain he felt at the loss of his father. And he partially understood the loss of her family. They took comfort in each other's grief.
The day after he'd woken up in the village Inn, tired bruised and burnt. The healer had said he must have been hit by lightning. He had been unconscious, couldn't remember what had happened after the boulder and was severely burnt in several places. Logically, it could have been the only thing that happened. He'd believed the man, but hadn't understood the look of doubt in his eye, as though he didn't believe what he was saying, as though he suspected something else. Now, of course, he knew the truth.
He and Garet were both allowed to rest in a couple of rooms for a few days while they recovered. And Jenna, because she had nowhere else to go, took a room next to his.
The Innkeepers let them stay for free, and refused to accept payment of any sort. His mother, grief-stricken, stayed at home, unwilling to see anyone. Garet had been inundated by his family, his parents fussing over him, and his grandfather, the town mayor, insisting they visit one at a time.
A few of the villagers and friends of his father had come to visit him, trying to comfort him, telling him what a great man Kyle had been and what a brave lad he was for going through all this.
But their words were cold comfort. They sounded more like they were trying to make themselves feel better than himself. And he resented their presence. He wished that they'd just leave him alone, but they wouldn't. He was grateful when night came and the mayor ordered the three of them left alone. He didn't know what had happened to Jenna, but imagined she got the same treatment.
That night she had climbed into his bed and cried into his shoulder, pouring her heart out about how she felt. And he was glad of her presence. They comforted each other in their own way, and they were closer that night emotionally than ever before, and always would be ever after, trusting each other totally.
After that, he had to tell her his feelings, opening up his heart to her. He was so desperate to help, but still he failed. Because he wasn't strong enough. He tried to get help… but he failed again.
He didn't even remember what happened. He was so sure he could have saved them, but he wasn't strong enough. Like she had told him, the fact that he didn't even get to say good-bye, just had his father taken away from him like that, hurt immeasurably.
He cried his pain away, and she comforted him, wiped away his tears, and soothed his soul. He had opened up his heart to her, and he felt so much better to have let it out and have had someone listen.
She'd left to go back to her room sometime after that. A while after the incident, when things had settled down again, the three of them had begun training themselves in Psynergy, under the Elders supervision, and guidance. On the first anniversary of the accident, he and Jenna had gone out at night to the very pier where their loved ones had died. They wanted to honour the memory of those who had passed away. They murmured a few words of prayer for their lost souls, holding each others hand in silent respect.
"I envy you, Isaac." She said at one point, "You only lost your father. You still have Dora, you still have someone to care for you. I have no-one to care for me. I'm all alone."
"That's not true." Isaac told her, "You still have your friends. I still care."
He hugged her again as she started crying again. Whether to comfort him or herself, he didn't know. Maybe both.
He cared too much for her to see her hurt. He wanted her back as much as the Elemental Stars.
He was still gloomily thinking on those old memories as he finished eating. Finally he decided to push them out of his head, ignore them. He had to focus on the quest ahead of him, not let painful old memories get to him.
After dinner, they set up they're tent and went quietly to sleep. Nearby, the river flowed silently.
They heard Mount Aleph rumble some more behind them, but if any more volcanic rock was thrown out, it did not come near to where Isaac and Garet lay asleep.
-
Felix stopped and looked around. They had just arrived in the town of Vault. There was a time when he would have been surprised to see such a large town, but that time was long over now. Saturos had just booked a room at the local Inn and they were just about to enter. He looked to his sister, Jenna, to see how she was reacting. She still refused to talk to him or even look at him and would not listen to a word that was said to her about why they were on this mission.
Her hands were bound behind her back with steel restraints, because she kept using her Fire Psynergy to burn the rope bonds. They were hidden by her cloak. Why Saturos had been carrying those things around, Felix didn't know.
He sighed. She would probably never forgive him for siding with these people. She noticed his gaze and quickly turned away, red ponytail swinging behind her back.
She'll come to understand eventually he reassured himself, at least, I hope so.
"Stay quiet, and don't draw attention to yourself girl." Menardi warned Jenna softly.
"You can't tell me what to do." Felix's sister snarled back. Throughout the entire trip to Vault, she had been nothing but argumentive, stubborn and violent, made worse by her small training in Fire Psynergy. She had been quieter the last few hours, and hadn't tried to escape once, which was new. Felix suspected it had something to do with what his blue-haired friend, Alex, had done to her after a particularly violent tantrum, although Felix had never found out what that was. But it had been enough to calm her temper down considerably.
They entered the Inn and quickly settled down in their room. Surprisingly Jenna didn't make a scene. Maybe she was beginning to accept defeat. Only Kraden would really know for sure, he was the only one she had willingly talked to throughout the trip.
Saturos ordered them to not attract any attention to themselves and keep a low profile. They didn't want anyone who might be following them to know that they had been there. He and Menardi then sat down over their map and began some quiet discussion.
"Best to head east, then swing towards Mercury Lighthouse, like Alex says." Saturos told his companion, "It would save having to backtrack from Venus Lighthouse; especially now that it is possible some of the people of Vale may be trying to follow us."
"True, Mercury is the best one to head to first." Menardi replied, "But what about the Mars Star. How will we ever get that?"
Alex sat down with them and joined in the conversation.
"I'm confident that they will meet with us with the Mars Star if they do happen to survive." He informed them smoothly, "They will want to get Jenna and the old man back."
Felix turned his back on them, ignoring their conversation. He was stuck making sure their prisoners Jenna and Kraden didn't do anything. What could he say to them? He was silent for a while before coming to a decision. Sitting down opposite them on a bed he decided to try and lighten the mood a little.
"You two must be kinda hungry now, I suppose." He asked them casually.
Jenna turned away and didn't even look at him. Felix felt a pang in his heart at this.
My own sister!
"Young man, do you have any idea what you're doing by trying to release Alchemy on the world?" Kraden asked him, the first time he'd spoken to Felix now that he knew their plans, "What you are doing is foolish and dangerous and must be stopped now, you don't understand the forces that will be released…"
"Quiet!" Saturos snapped at the scholar, "I've tried explaining it to you already. We need to do this!" Then he turned back to discuss things with Menardi again. Alex was sitting to the side now, idly listening while no longer partaking in the conversation.
Jenna really began to glare at him with her chestnut brown eyes in a murderous way then. What he was doing was very contradictory to everything that the Elders of Vale had taught them.
Hearing such… blasphemy, as she must have thought of it, was an act of betrayal upon their hometown. To go against their Elders teachings of protecting the seal on Alchemy and stealing from the very place they were sworn to protect would have been unforgivable in her eyes. To hear him say that must have really infuriated her. She was fiercely defensive of everything that she believed in and aggressive in letting others know she didn't agree with them.
But what can I say?
"Listen," he began, in a softer tone, trying to earn their respect, "if either of you wants something to eat, I'll go down into the Inn common room and see if they have any dinner available. I'm going down there myself anyway so it's no trouble."
No matter how hard he tried to get on friendly terms with them, neither ever wanted to cooperate with him. To Kraden, he was just some young kid that was one of the bad guys and incidentally happened to once have been Jenna's brother. Jenna viewed him as one of the enemy and still thought of her brother as being dead, not even acknowledging she even knew him any more.
"Well?" He pressed, eager from some sort of response from the two of them.
"Very well, then." Kraden sighed reluctantly, then went back to daydreaming about whatever it was went through the Alchemy Sage's mind.
"Jenna?"
"Shut up." She snapped coldly.
"Hey, I'm trying to help you, won't you even listen?" His tone was pleading with her. She ignored him.
"Hey, I'm your brother for crying out loud!" He snapped, eager for some sort of acknowledgment.
"Shut up, you don't know me!" She growled venomously.
"Aren't you going to realise we're brother and sister?" He tried to get through to her.
"Get away from me; I used to have a brother with your face. I don't want to see it on a traitor." She spoke with coldly, meaning every word. She then fixed Felix with such a glare of venomous hatred and contempt, he looked away, unable to face her any longer.
If only you understood why I'm doing this.
He got up and said to Saturos, trying not to let his sadness come through with his words, "Hey, I'm going down to get some dinner, I'll be back up in a minute." Saturos nodded to him and quickly turned back to whatever it was they were talking about now.
"I will go out also." Alex stated simply, "I wish to see if there is anything to learn in this town." Then he warped, vanished in a blaze of white light. He was always doing that, just warping in and out whenever he pleased. Saturos didn't like it, but knew that he needed him in order to enter Mercury Lighthouse.
Felix left the room, catching the last of Saturos and Menardi's conversation.
"...need to find the Rod of Hesperia somehow." Saturos told Menardi.
"And also a Wind Adept before we reach Jupiter Lighthouse. We have Adepts of every other element to enter the others..." Menardi continued, trailing off as Felix left the room.
He went down stairs towards the Inn kitchen. He still planned on getting something for Jenna to eat, despite their last conversation. If he knew her as well as he did three years ago, which he realised dismally he might not now, she would probably just throw it in his face as a means of defiance. But he was willing to take the risk.
As he entered the common room he noticed a group of merchants and a young servant sitting around the fireplace in open discussion. Felix could hear everything that they were discussing. Apart from him and those merchants, the only other people were a couple of guys sitting over in the corner away from everyone else engaged in their own conversation, but they spoke quietly and secretively that no one could hear what was said. They looked almost suspicious. Felix stood by the kitchen door, listening for a moment to the conversation amongst the merchants.
"Master Hammett, there are still some wares left in our wagons, we can still make more profit before we leave." One of the merchants spoke.
"No, it is far too dangerous to stay around here anymore." Replied the man who Felix assumed to be Master Hammett. He was a round, jovial appearing man who wore a bandanna over what was probably a balding head and a long, thick moustache that Felix had come to recognize as popular among Kalayan merchants.
"Ever since that volcano erupted to the north, there have been dangerous rocks falling over the country side." Hammett replied. Felix knew immediately he was referring to Mount Aleph. Even though it had been two full days since that eruption, there was still the occasional aftershock in the mountain, resulting in the odd rock falling from the sky.
"We leave tomorrow at lunch time and not a moment later." Hammett finished.
The merchant who he was arguing with stood up next to the fire and replied, "But I just think we can make a nice profit if we stay here at least one more day! It'll take all of tomorrow till lunch time to get our wagons ready and I don't think we could sell anything in that time."
"I'm sorry friend, but our own safety must come before profit. There is no way around it." Hammet replied in a kind, but firm voice.
The two continued their irrelevant conversation, but Felix's attention was distracted by the young servant standing next to Hammet, staring intently at the other merchant. Felix was shocked to see that the servant was glowing with the light of Psynergy!
That kid, he couldn't of been more than 15 years old, must be an Adept! There was no other explanation! This servant had a mop of blonde hair that nearly got in his eyes, which were purple, and he was wearing ornate purple silk clothes and a green cloak with gold embroidery. Obviously his master took very good care of him.
An Adept… Felix observed, His appearance is that of a Wind Adept, although I have no way to know for sure.
But that rod he was holding, he was sure that it held some power. It looked familiar from pictures he had seen in some old books, if it was really what he thought it might be, then Saturos would be very interested indeed.
"Ivan, please fetch us some more wine." Hammet asked, and the servant got up with a polite nod, and made his way to the counter, ceasing his hold of Psynergy.
Must be some sort of Adept that was born naturally Felix figured. That was very rare, in fact Felix was sure it was supposed to be impossible nowadays. Even Saturos, Menardi and Alex had been born in 'Adept Climates' as Kraden had put it.
Ivan stopped at the bar next to Felix.
"More wine for Master Hammet, please." He asked the Innkeeper in a small, meek voice. As the Innkeeper left to retrieve the wine, Felix looked to the young servant and began speaking.
"Excuse me… uh…" he suddenly realized he wasn't sure what to say. Ivan looked at him with big purple eyes, seeming slightly nervous. "That rod of yours…"
"This?" Ivan queried, holding up the wooden rod he held for some reason, "It is called the Shaman's Rod. Master Hammet asks that I look after it for him."
The Shaman's Rod. Felix though, Yes, that was another name for the Rod of Hesperia…
How had he come across that? It didn't matter, they needed it for Jupiter Lighthouse.
"Do you think that you master might be interested in… maybe selling it?" Felix asked.
"No." Ivan replied, in a firm voice Felix thought unbecoming of the small boy, "I'm sorry, but it's not for sale. Why do you want it?"
"I'm, uh… a collector of artefacts." Felix stumbled, probably not sounding, or looking convincing of the lie. "My master will pay any price for it."
"It's not for sale." Ivan answered meekly, looking to the floor, "I'm sorry."
Well, he would talk to Saturos later. Maybe he could speak with Master Hammet and arrange some sort of deal, for now, Felix decided to focus on this kid's obvious Adept abilities.
"When you were looking at that merchant with your master, over there." Felix gestured, "You were glowing with some sort of power…"
"No!" Ivan cut him off in a panicked voice, "No power. I don't have any strange powers, I'm a normal person, that's all." The innkeeper came with the wine. Clearly this servant had no idea what his powers were and was afraid off them, afraid to let others know of them. Such was the life of an untrained, uninformed Adept.
"Excuse me." Ivan picked up his master's precious wine, and quickly turned to leave, careful not to spill any.
He thanked Ivan's back for his time and headed back upstairs to his room without ordering any dinner from the Innkeeper. He had to tell Saturos about his suspicions concerning the rod and the servant.
When he entered the room, Saturos and Menardi were still talking with one another, now over some casual matter, while Jenna and Kraden sat to the side, Jenna glaring daggers at her captor's backs. Menardi was calmly brushing her long blonde hair with a comb.
Felix immediately told them everything he had just observed in the Inn common room.
"You honestly believe that it was the Rod of Hesperia the boy held?" Saturos asked doubtfully, pushing back his blue hair, "In the hands of some common servant?"
"Yes, but he calls it the Shaman's Rod." Felix replied, "Didn't you say that was another name it was known by?" Saturos nodded unconvinced.
"I just saw them in there with that stick." Felix told them, "And Hammett's servant is in fact a Jupiter Adept."
"A Jupiter Adept? Are you sure?" Menardi asked in eager surprise, ceasing her brushing and tying her hair back.
"Well, I know for a fact he is an Adept, but it's only a guess that he's one of the Wind element." Felix replied.
"Are you certain of all this?" Saturos asked, more curiously now that Felix had mentioned an Adept.
"I saw it with my own eyes." he replied.
"We need to get that rod." Menardi said, "We cannot even enter Jupiter Lighthouse without it!"
"And we need to see if we can convince that boy to come with us." Saturos added. "At least, if he really is a Wind Adept as Felix suspects."
"A merchant's servant?" Felix asked doubtfully, "You would have to explain everything to him, and it seems unlikely that he would believe you. He has grown up with normal people in the world. He doesn't understand what his powers are or how he got them."
"Well, the simple solution is to kidnap him." Alex stated, walking in through the door. Had he hear everything? It would be like him to listen without making his presence know immediately. Being a weak Adept, he naturally acted sly ways.
"And how, may I ask will we do that under the noses of a dozen merchants, their guardsmen, and the whole town of Vault?" Saturos asked incredulously, "Besides, the boy may not be like young Jenna here, he may be strong enough to put up fight."
Jenna muttered something like a curse under her breath, but Felix wasn't listening. His attention was all focused on his master.
"Felix has a good point, Saturos." Menardi told her friend, "It may be better to just leave him for now. Maybe if we're lucky, we will meet another Wind Adept elsewhere in Weyard, or even near Jupiter Lighthouse. We can just leave the boy."
"But we cannot leave the Rod." Alex curtly reminded her.
"Well, someone must find a way of obtaining it, there is no other choice." Saturos told them with a sigh, "I'd prefer a peaceful way of obtaining it... but if they won't part willingly, then we may have to take drastic measures."
"You're nothing but petty thieves!" Jenna remarked, although no-one was paying her any mind now.
"I cannot believe that such a relic really has been found right here in Vault, in the hands of a young servant!" Kraden spoke softly to himself.
"Well, you heard the rumours of thieves staying in Vault?" Felix asked, "I don't want to do this, but it does seem to be something that we may have to do..." and then he explained carefully his plan obtain the Rod if it could not somehow be given to them. Jenna looked away in disgust as Felix laid out his idea, but there was no choice. He wanted a peaceful resolution to all this as much as anyone else.
Outside of town, far off into the distance, wolves howled out loud at the full moon in the sky.
-
Suddenly, the howl of wolves awoke Isaac. Wolves!
I'd better investigate he thought groggily as he awoke. Garet groaned in his sleep at the sound, but quickly calmed down again. Isaac tried shaking him awake and when that didn't work, he started yelling at him and hitting him lightly.
What a heavy sleeper he thought to himself I'm glad I don't rely on him to wake me up.
He finally managed to rouse the heavy Mars Adept, though he was grumbling and complaining and wondering why Isaac had woken him up. Isaac shushed him though and told him about the wolves he could hear.
"Wolves?" Garet answered, still not fully awake, "What's so big a deal about them? We don't have to get worried."
"Garet, wolves are dangerous!" Isaac told him, "Besides, if the Elders are right, they could be much more dangerous than normal. We'd better go check it out."
He got out of the tent, leaving Garet to follow. And there they were, a pack of vicious looking wolves, six of them, just down from the hill they were camped on. Armed with his Psynergy and his sword, he thought he might be able to defend himself against them and with Garet's flame powers worked up into powerful attack; they could probably wipe them out. But then, Isaac noticed that they weren't normal wolves at all. They were unnaturally large and had glowing yellow eyes. They had been changed by the power of Psynergy all right. The Elders were right. This could be dangerous. Garet quickly came out with his axe in tow and saw what Isaac was looking at.
"We can take 'em." Garet whispered confidently.
Then Isaac remembered that they weren't wearing their armour, they had taken it off before going to bed. But there wasn't going to be time to put it back on now, no way. But he quickly came up with a plan.
"Garet, when I give the word, give them everything you've got. Launch your most powerful Psynergy attack at them. I'll create a small earthquake so that they won't be able to move. After that we'll run up and slice whatever is still alive." He realized that he was taking the role of leader here, but Garet didn't seem to mind
"Alright boss," Garet replied jokingly "I'm ready when you are."
About then, the wolves seemed to notice them from down the hill, and climbed up to meet them. This was it, their first battle.
"All right then, NOW!" He shouted.
Garet launched a powerful fireball from his hands that smashed into the nearest one sending it back into its companion behind it. It exploded sending flames in every direction and severely burning the others. Garet then erected a flare wall right through their ranks, scorching them even more.
Isaac created a tremor in the earth directly under them, making it impossible for them to stand and run while being burned. Isaac unleashed more Psynergy and caused a landslide along the hill, completely burying the wolves at the bottom. Garet let out a whoop and said, "Good work Isaac! I knew we'd come through!"
"Don't celebrate yet." Isaac warned, motioning to the rubble, where the still alive wolves were stirring. That would have killed any normal creature, yet here they were still breathing. A couple of the wolves got out, but instead of running, they turned to face them again.
"I can't believe that they're still going to fight!" Garet said, obviously shocked.
"Let's take them out one by one, before they all recover and get out of the rubble!" Isaac suggested.
They lunged at the two charging wolves, Garet launching another fireball at them. Isaac, he didn't know how he did it, but he created and launched a stone spire out of thin air at them. He must have created it with his Psynergy. The two wolves were stopped in their tracks by this and knocked to ground, they stone spire shattering into dust and the fireball exploding in a wave of flames, but they weren't yet dead. Just as they were getting up Isaac used his sword to kill one of them, stabbing it through the heart and Garet decapitated the other with his axe.
With those two dead, they looked with horror to see that the remaining four were now all out and attempting to circle them. They seemed to be more intelligent than normal wolves, two going for Isaac on and two for Garet on both sides.
Isaac used another earthquake to slow one down, crumbling the earth beneath its feet and getting it trapped in the ground. Then, turning to the other, he somehow, without knowing how, filled his blade with Psynergy, causing it to glow with a yellow glow, and sliced at the wolf, his blade passing through its flesh like a hot knife through butter.
Garet tried similar tactics. He launched a fireball at one, blowing it back a few feet. He was getting better at those fireballs. When the other wolf got near, he channelled his Psynergy through his axe and it began to glow red hot. When the wolf reached him, he struck it with all his might. The blow sent the wolf flying back in two flaming pieces.
Now only two, severely weakened wolves remained to challenge them. Isaac finished one of with his sword, Garet the other with his axe. Now all six wolves were dead and they were exhausted.
"Wow, I've never used so much Psynergy in one go like that." Garet muttered in between heavy breaths. The Elders and their parents always insisted that they go slow with their training, so that they don't hurt themselves, or someone else, but they didn't seem to have much choice now. Now they needed to learn hard and fast.
"Yes, we seem to be getting the hang of using them without thinking about what we are going to do beforehand." Isaac replied.
"Well, let's get back to the camp." Garet suggested.
"Sure," Isaac agreed, "But from now on, we should take turns keeping watch to make sure nothing like this happens again."
They had both come close to dying that night, and Isaac didn't want to take chances.
Garet agreed and Isaac volunteered to go first.
In the distance, Mount Aleph rumbled ominously, and hurled more rocks into the sky, but none fell near where the two young Adepts slept.
-
They only changed over once during the night before it was morning and they were both equally refreshed from the previous night's battle when the sun rose.
They had a quick breakfast before getting ready to be moving again. They continued following the road to Vault without seeing anyone. Isaac estimated that sometime today they should reach this town of Vault. They started going over a few small hills, which were in their way along the road. They noticed that there were a few farming settlements out here, and they were getting more and more frequent as they journeyed further and further. They were slowly reaching the top of the hill that Isaac hoped was the last one in their way.
"How much farther do we have to go?" Garet mumbled, "We've been walking all day now! Soon it will be afternoon and we'll have to start thinking about camping again!"
"Relax Garet." Isaac replied, "We must be almost there now. Just a bit further."
They topped the hill finally to see their destination laid out before them. The town of Vault.
A/N: And that's done! What'd ya think? As per usual, direct all questions, comments, critiques, etc. to Master of Reality via review. (c'mon… that's the standard tradition of this site!)