A/N: Welcome back!
Okay, another chapter. I'm running low on my pre-written chaps, better get writing! Well, just a few notes- First of all, I will be sending the crew of to mercury lighthouse BEFORE Kolima, because it just makes more sense in my opinion. I mean if that was where Saturos was heading, wouldn't you go there, instead of to Kolima? Besides, later on, Kolima Forest will sort of be on the way, anyway.
Anything else? Um, no. Okay then, review replies!
Cyan Light: Thanks for your praise! I know you always like my work!
Spirit Seer: Thanks for pointing out those spelling mistakes. Just when I thought I'd gotten rid of them all! That figure that Isaac saw… it was going to be that guy trying to catch forge. I was originally going to have him meet the crew, but took it out because it was irrelevant really, and just left that part of him in there to mystify all who read, lol. I can understand why you miss the Djinn, but it would be very difficult to have them all in it, I mean, doing characterisation for like, 72 djinn (eventually)? It would be very hard. But I think the battles are better without them, because the summons would be very hard to work in (I think). Besides, they don't really talk in the game, except when you first meet Flint. But anyway, thanks for reviewing!
GoldenSunGeek: Hey! Yeah, I can understand crappy school comps, I used to have to deal with them. I'm glad you liked how I clarified Ivan meeting the other two. I just thought it was a good idea to do. And yes, mercury is coming first! But what does Mia say in the game if you go to Kolima first? I don't know because in the game I went there first!
Jenna Wilder: Yeah, I only thought about it once I started work on it. Although, I tend to think quite a bit about the game, being the insane fan that I am. (rubs where he has been poked) yes, yes, I'm updating!
Spacejoe: Yes, throwing in lots of little extra things does tend to spice up the story a little bit. Ooh! A cookie! Thanx! (eats cookie) mmm… you can really taste the sugar…
Okay then. I think that's it. This one is really a bit of a filler chap. Just about the crew getting to Imil. Anyway, this will be the last "travelling chapter" for want of a better term. The next chapter will actually feature Mia and Mercury Lighthouse! I promise! I want her to get in as soon as possible! So, yeah, just sorta filler chap, really. Anyway, read on.
Disclaimer: You know who don't own you know what.
CHAPTER SEVEN
HEADING NORTH
The three Adepts quickly reached the southern gate in the Bilibin wall. It wasn't really a gate, it was just a large open part of the wall, wide enough for four abreast to walk through, with a large wooden sign spanning it above, with the title 'Bilibin' written across it in large red letters.
It was the thought of a nice warm bed and a hot meal that drove them to get there quickly more than anything else. As they approached the gate, Isaac noticed that there was a small tree growing to the side inside the gate, which he thought quite odd.
It was only slightly larger than a tall man, it's two main branches stretching out like arms.
As Isaac approached, he noticed how twisted and wrong it felt to him through his affinity with the earth. It even looked as though it had a twisted face of agony and pain in it's bark at eye-level.
No, wait. It did have one!
There was no mistaking that it was a face of some sort, one in the same pain that Isaac was sensing from it.
"That's one creepy looking tree!" Garet noted. "If I lived in this town, I'd want it cut down and burned!"
Isaac slowly walked up to it to touch it, but his hand quickly recoiled the second it came into contact with the wood, as he felt the pain inside it flow through him.
Not physical, but spiritual pain that ceased as soon as he lost contact with it.
Very disturbing.
"I'm sure there's a reason for it being here." Ivan shrugged in dismissal, "Come on; let's find an Inn for the night."
"There's something not right about this tree," Isaac told them, "I can feel it. It's in pain."
"Oh come on, Isaac. It's just a tree!" Garet replied impatiently, "I'm hungry and tired! Let's go!"
Ivan walked up and studied the tree closely, touching the bark with his hand. He didn't recoil, but then, he wasn't an Earth Adept, so he wouldn't feel anything.
"Garet, Isaac is an Earth Adept, so he can feel and sense things to do with earth that we can't." Ivan explained carefully, "So it would have to be more than just a tree. Hmmm... I wonder..." he trailed off and started to glow light blue with Psynergy, at least to the Adept's eyes, and Isaac realised he was using his mind read trick.
He had told them that it worked only on people and animals, but not trees, which made sense as they didn't really have minds anyway. So what was he trying to do then?
His purple eyes began to widen suddenly in shock and he took a step back.
"That's no ordinary tree!" He exclaimed in a shocked voice, "That's a man!"
"WHAT!" Garet and Isaac both exclaimed.
Isaac, now that he thought about it, could definitely feel that it was twisted and wrong in a way it wasn't supposed to be, as though it was Psynergy that made it that way. But originally a man! Not even Psynergy could do that! Venus could make plants and flowers grow healthy and strong, but change a man into a tree? That was impossible!
Then that would make four impossible abilities that I've seen recently Isaac thought to himself.
"How is that possible?" Garet asked doubtfully. "If it looks and feels like a tree, then how can it be a man?"
"He seems to have been changed that way by something somehow, but not by Psynergy Stones." Ivan replied grimly, "I couldn't continue to bear reading his mind after that, and I wouldn't dare do it again. Anyway, I doubt he knows very much."
"But it just can't be possible to do that!" Garet objected. "You agree, don't you, Isaac?"
Isaac shook his head. "I don't know anymore, Garet." he replied with a shrug. "I always thought it was impossible to fly or teleport, but the one called Alex did that in Sol Sanctum. Ivan can read minds, and even the Elders of Vale never knew the ability existed. Maybe it is possible to change a person into a tree with Venus Psynergy? I think that the people of Vale only really know a fraction of what's capable with Psynergy."
Garet nodded slowly, agreeing. "I suppose that makes a disturbing kind of sense." he admitted. "But that doesn't explain who or what did this to him."
"Do you think someone from the group we're following could have done this?" Ivan asked with concern and fear mixed in with his normally light and cheery voice. Garet shuddered.
"I hope not, because I don't want to be turned into a tree!" he said fearfully.
"Don't worry." Isaac reassured him. "It would have to be a complicated process, not done easily or quickly. I think, well, assume, our powers could easily defend us from that." Garet looked a little relieved, but only a little.
"Do you think it would be possible to reverse the process?" Ivan asked hopefully. "Isaac, you're an Earth Adept. Could it be done, do you think?"
Isaac shrugged his shoulders. "Probably." he replied. "But it wouldn't be easy, I think, and I don't know where to begin. And I don't want to risk the man's life trying. We'll just have to leave him for now. Our own quest must be fulfilled first."
"You're right, there's nothing we can do." Garet nodded.
"We can at least ask the townsfolk around here if they know anything." Ivan mused, looking around to the few people still wandering the streets in the afternoon sun. "They might at least know something."
"But it's getting late!" Garet moaned. "Ask them later!"
"Well, let's hurry up and find an Inn before the sun sets!" Isaac told them, and they trotted of down the streets in search of an Inn.
The streets were wide and open, dirt roads crisscrossing the city in straight lines. There were few people out, most rushing to get home before dark. They entered what Isaac assumed to be the town square, a large round paved area surrounded by merchant's shops and houses, and in the centre stood a large statue of a woman who, according to the name carved into the dais the statue stood on, was Lady McCoy.
Probably Lord McCoy's wife, Isaac reasoned. These rich, wealthy lords could afford to waste their gold on such things to impress their loved ones. She looked to him to be an imperious woman, strong and more interested in riches and jewels and expensive clothes to care about the welfare of other people. But, then, it was just a statue.
"Here's an Inn." Ivan's voice chimed behind them. Isaac turned to see a large double story building with a sign proclaiming it to be the "Lady McCoy Inn". Another tribute to the honorary woman.
"Finally, a chance for a nice hot meal!" Garet exclaimed excitedly.
They entered through the wooden door quickly, and stood before the wooden bench that was next to it inside. The Innkeeper, a round cheery looking man with a thick moustache and a balding head greeted them.
"Good afternoon, good sirs, how may I be of assistance?" he asked in a deep voice as he wiped his hands on his apron.
"We would like to book a room for the night, three people, if you please." Isaac replied politely.
"Ah, young warriors interested in the reward Lord McCoy's offering; are yeh?" he asked noticing the sword on Isaac's back and the axe at Garet's waist and the armour they wore, paying no mind to Ivan.
"No, we're travellers from the west and new in town. What's this reward?" Isaac asked him. At the mention they were from west, the Innkeepers eyes lit up.
"From the west yeh say?" he inquired, forgetting about the 'reward'. "Over the Goma Mountain Range? Ah, then surely yeh must have news of what happened over there nearly a week ago, with the glowing lights and stones falling from the sky! Rumour had it a great volcano erupted. What do yeh know about any o' that?" Isaac grimaced, the Mount Aleph eruption.
"We were... in Vault at the time." He replied, lying. "Mount Aleph to the north of us erupted unexpectedly. We decided to come here to be safe, in case it happened again."
The Innkeeper nodded thoughtfully.
"Ah, so that's how it was. Well, I must say yeh came tae the wrong place tae be safe."
"Why, isn't it safe here?" Garet asked. "And what's with that reward you were talking about."
"Ah, well it ties in together, yeh see." he replied. "You see, lately ol' Lord McCoy, he's been doing a lot to impress his wife, surely you saw that statue of her out there?" He gestured towards the door. They all nodded and he continued.
"So, she asked him to build her a palace, so she could live in more luxuriant conditions than that manor they already have, I suppose. So McCoy, he purchases lot's o' lumber from Kolima, over east. Lovely town if ever yeh saw it. Anyway, they cut down many a tree from Kolima Forest to meet demand, even though it was supposedly sacred tae them. Then one day, purple and red lights began glowing over the mountains west and the precious stones fell. Apparently wakened the Curse of Tret they say, all the people of Kolima were turned to trees! I didn't believe it myself, until one fellow actually reached the south gate of the city and turned intae a tree before the people's very eyes! After that, Lord McCoy had a barricade built to prevent anyone going or coming from Kolima. Now the flow of timber for the palace has dried up and construction has halted. The lady has been a bit miffed at this, so his Lordship has offered a large reward to any warrior, like yehselves, who can slay Tret, the guardian spirit of the forest, which is meant to break the curse. If yeh young men are interested, you should go to the McCoy manor to talk with him and see about getting a key to get passed the barricade blocking the path tae the east."
Isaac paused for a moment to take all this in. That curse was partially their fault. Both because they had entered the forbidden Sol Sanctum and been unable to defend it form the thieves. He would have liked to help these Kolima folk, both out of pity and guilt, but he couldn't. He had to fulfil his quest, stop Saturos and his lot, retrieve the Elemental Stars and save Kraden and Jenna.
Jenna.
Isaac's heart yearned for her. He shook the thoughts out of his head, he had to focus. His gut instinct suggested north, not east, perhaps on the guidance of the Elemental Star.
"Uh, sure, we'll think about it." He murmured in reply. The Innkeeper took down their names and showed them to their room, a spacious place with three beds and a small table.
After he left, Isaac quickly unstrapped his sword sheath and chucked it on his bed and his armour quickly followed. He felt uncomfortable wearing it all the time. He noticed Garet was doing the same and even Ivan was hanging up his expensive looking green robe. Getting himself comfy, he kicked of his travelling boots and started removing his leather gauntlets as he sat at the table. They'd left the Innkeeper with requests to have their meal brought up to them.
"So, where do we go from here?" Garet asked.
"We can't go east where the Curse of Tret is." Ivan said aloud.
"I think the way to go is north." Isaac responded.
"Why do you say that?" Ivan asked.
"Because of the guidance of the Mars Elemental Star." he replied. "My gut tells me that they are headed for Mercury Lighthouse. If they intend to light the four beacons and release Alchemy on the world again, that would be the nearest Lighthouse. I mean, they obviously want to seize its power for their own, so why waste time?"
"So then, we'll have to stop them before they do that somehow." Garet said. "But how?"
"We can head them off at the Mercury Lighthouse." Isaac responded. "Kraden explained to us that the Lighthouses are structured so as to make it impossible for people who aren't Clan members to get to the top. There are a whole lot of traps and puzzles to prevent access to the aerie where the beacon of the Lighthouse is, or was. They will get pretty slowed down in there, perhaps even weakened from battle, so we might just be able to get the stars from them if we stand together, and plan our assault."
They were silent for a moment, and finally Ivan nodded. "Well, you know what you're doing, so I'll do what you want."
"I agree." Garet added. "I'm with you all the way if it's the only way we can stop them, then let's do it!"
"Alright, so it's agreed." Isaac sighed in response.
Once again, they looked to him to lead them. He didn't like it, but then, they would need someone in charge to be able to accomplish the difficult task ahead of them. Isaac definitely was NOT looking forward to this confrontation. But there was no way around it. They had to retrieve the Stars and rescue Jenna and Kraden. Isaac couldn't, wouldn't, leave her behind. He was determined to slay Saturos, Menardi and Alex, then return home to Vale with Jenna in his arm, the Elemental Stars in hand and Kraden at his side with Felix tied up to answer for his crimes to the village elders. Then all would be well again and the could live a life happily again.
At least, it would almost be the same. Nothing would bring back his father, or Jenna's parents, and Felix would never again be one of them. But still, a part of him wanted Felix to change back. Maybe he would understand, and they could forgive him. But would the people of Vale?
But he couldn't think of that, Felix was one of them now, and they would have to be prepared to fight him.
The sound of the Innkeeper entering their room with dinner pulled him out of his grim thoughts.
"Here is your dinner, good sirs." He called to them. "Roast beef it is, I hope it is to yeh'r liking."
He handed them three plates of succulent slices of beef, covered in gravy, which he laid in front of them. They thanked him politely and he left. Garet and Ivan talked much about the journey to Mercury Lighthouse.
At the foot of the Lighthouse, just a short distance off, was the town of Imil. It was once home to the Mercury Clan, but now only simple peasants lived there, few in numbers for the town was eternally winter-locked due to being so far north.
But Isaac only listened with half a mind, not saying much and only responding when asked a question. He still thought about what they would do when they got there, the inevitable showdown.
Ivan couldn't eat all his food, so Garet kindly ate it for him. After they finished their meal, the conversation shifted to the Curse of Tret, and if they could do anything about it. Their powers could help them slay the legendary Tret where the other warriors failed, and they could have helped all those people.
Isaac felt that maybe he should do something about it. Maybe when this debacle had been sorted out at the Lighthouse, they could go on one more adventure into Kolima Forest. But until then... Weyard's fate was in their hands.
Eventually they finished up and went to bed. But Isaac slept fitfully. He kept dreaming of being lost in a deep, dark forest as a horrible power attacked him, twisting his body as he warped into a tree.
When he awoke the next morning, he found Garet already at the table eating out of a big bowl of porridge, and Ivan just getting out of bed.
"You kept me awake all night!" he complained as he rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his mop of blonde hair, "Honestly, do you have to snore so loud?"
Isaac chuckled in spite of himself. He had, of course, gotten used to Garet's snoring, but Ivan hadn't yet.
"Oh, come on, it's not so bad." Garet replied. The Mars Adept's hair wasn't spiked anymore. It was all matted down on one side and sticking out in every direction on the other like orange flames. He alway managed to style it perfectly every morning so that it was spiked up. How he did it, Isaac didn't know.
Isaac's blonde hair still stubbornly stuck out wherever it felt like. He'd never bothered to try and keep it neat, and now he had no time. He didn't care how it looked anyway.
He sat down and helped himself to some toasted bread, and was shortly followed by Ivan. He wasn't very hungry, unlike Garet who alway was, so he ate less than usual.
They quickly finished and got dressed for the road again, putting on their armour. They needed to stop off at the armoury quickly to get Ivan some battle gear before they left town.
As they paid the Innkeeper the coins for their night's stay, he again asked Isaac and Garet if they would consider going into Kolima Forest.
"We people o' Bilibin have been afraid that the Curse of Tret might spread tae over here, we have." He explained. "None o' the other warriors that McCoy sent have yet returned and we fear the worst. We desperately hope for new warriors tae aid us."
Isaac sighed. He began to understand why they were so desperate for help, that they would even ask children in armour for help. There was no other way to defend themselves against the Curse, and only the slaying of Tret would help them. But they couldn't help. The quest was to much more important. But what if they were to be victorious at Mercury Lighthouse only to return to a Bilibin full of trees? But it couldn't be helped.
"We'll see about meeting Lord McCoy." he murmured in reply. The Innkeeper seemed so pleased, he didn't even notice the fact that Isaac seemed not to really mean it. As they left the Inn, Ivan pointed them in the direction of the blacksmith's armoury. They entered a large open area with many swords, shields, maces, breastplates and other tools of war leaning against and hanging from the walls. A large, heavy-set, muscle bound man stood behind the counter forging some tool with a heavy hammer. He looked at them as they entered.
"Ah, good morning lads. How can I help you boys?" He asked in a deep, yet friendly voice.
"I'm looking to purchase some form of armour." Ivan spoke up. "And a sword of weapon of some sort as well." he added with a look to Isaac.
"Ah, young fellas like yehselves aren't thinking of gallivanting of tae Kolima Forest, eh? Not all of us are that desperate yet!"
"No, we're getting equipped to defend ourselves on our journey north." Isaac replied truthfully.
"Ah, well you seem like an honest lot." he replied cheerfully. "So, a young man like you will probably do best in light armour. Maybe some mail, hmm... let's see now."
He began rummaging in back of the store, before returning with a heavy looking chest. He opened it up and pulled out a shirt of chain-mail. Holding it up to Ivan's chest, he mused that it seemed a good fit. A glinting, silvery looking thing caught Isaac's eye in the chest.
"What about that one there?" he asked pointing to it.
"Ah, you must be a connoisseur if that caught your eye." he said proudly as he pulled it out and showed it to them, "I got it from a merchant who had fallen on though times a while back, and he was willing to sell it at a good price. It is Mythril Mail, and almost nothing can break it, yet it is very light and flexible. Here, try it on."
Ivan took of his cloak and tried it on. It fit perfectly.
Isaac could sense that it had been forged with Psynergy and must be very old.
"It looks very good on you." he remarked. "If you want it, I can sell it for 50 gold pieces."
50! That was a lot!
"I'll take it." Ivan said before Isaac could say anything about the price. Ivan pulled out a bulging purse and handed over almost half the contents. How had Ivan come across so much? Master Hammet must have paid him well.
They spent some more time looking for a good sword. But Ivan was young and inexperienced; the blacksmith convinced him to take a short sword to train with before he took to something larger. He purchased a short blade called an Elven Rapier. By the time they left, the sun was already well over the horizon.
"We wasted too much time in there." Garet remarked.
"But we got Ivan equipped for battle." Isaac replied. "So he'll be a lot safer now. It was necessary. Anyway let's hurry up and head north."
"The road is fairly flat and easy." Ivan added, looking at the map. "So if we keep up a good pace, we should reach the Northern Mountains by tomorrow night. We should be able to cross them the next day and make our way through the snow lands to Imil, and Mercury Lighthouse."
His green cloak was back on and hid his mail, and his sword buckled at his side, from view, although he still carried his rod in one hand. They left Bilibin immediately and headed north-westerly.
Over the next two days, they walked quickly over the unpopulated plains, stopping only momentarily at noon to snack on lunch. They needed to make up for lost time. They crossed a large river by a wooden bridge not long after lunch, which meant that they had reached the halfway mark. They tried to avoid the notice of any monsters, but occasionally a large rat thing, or vicious bird decided to try and eat them, though the three were easily able to promptly kill it.
A couple of times they ram into a patch of 'killer mushrooms' as they called them. The first time, Ivan swept them all away with a whirlwind, the second time Garet fried them with a blast of fire.
Even before they left, they could make out the tall mountains, there snow-capped peaks wrapped in a fine misty fog. As they drew closer and the mountains became bigger, they noticed grey clouds blowing overhead and a chilly wind blowing from the north.
"We are getting close." Ivan remarked when Isaac spoke of it. The winds became colder and Isaac was glad of his thick blue tunic as he put it on. They began to get into the foothills of the mountains and Garet asked how they were going to pass these mountains.
"There's a tunnel called Imil Cave that passes through the mountains at a high, relatively thin point." Ivan replied. "That's the quickest way to get there. It's a bit like Goma Tunnel, really."
Garet seemed quite displeased.
"That last tunnel we went through almost killed us!" He argued. "Are you sure that it's the safest way there?" Ivan nodded.
"This isn't like the Goma Cave. No creatures live in it; it's too cold for them."
Isaac continued leading the way ahead of them, along the road in the direction of the cave, listening with half an ear.
"But if there really is an Earth Adept with them, like Isaac says there might be," Garet countered, "how do we know they won't try to block our way again?"
Ivan smiled and his eyes twinkled with humour.
"Because they're making a two-way journey." he replied to the Mars Adept. "They'll want a way back over." Garet said nothing in reply.
They quickly found the cave entrance in the mountain-side. The trail up the mountain easily wound it's way up until it reached the hole in it's side that was the tunnel, large enough for the three of the to walk in upright with plenty of room left over. Inside, Isaac noticed, it was even colder than outside, the smooth walls twisting and stretching into the distance. Garet pulled out a large torch from his pack, and the flames crackled into life on the end of it under the flow of his Psynergy, despite the chill in the air. He always insisted on carrying and lighting the torch, perhaps due to his love of fire. They trekked their way through the cold, dark tunnel, a wary eye out for trouble.
"I hope there aren't any bats in here." Garet muttered under his breath. Outside, they heard the wind howl, but inside the air was still, cold.
"Don't worry." Ivan replied. "Like I said, it's too cold in here. Besides, they wouldn't have enough food." he added grimly.
"I think we're experienced enough now to be able to fight them anyway." Isaac added.
"Well, whatever. If we do run into anything, I'll be prepared." Garet boasted, resting a hand on his battle axe. They continued on in silence, for how long Isaac couldn't tell. There were few living things in there, but what they were, Isaac was unsure.
They must have been normal animals, not monsters, for they were small and did not resonate with Psynergy. Most scampered away quickly into their hidey-holes when the large intruders came past, but a few watched cautiously from hidden vantage points.
Isaac felt they must have travelled miles in this one, dark, long tunnel after hours of walking.
Garet complained a bit about the distance and the creatures, but stopped when Isaac reassured him that it couldn't be much longer. After all, he reasoned, they must be near the end by now.
To pass the time, he asked Ivan if he knew anything about the place.
"This tunnel was built long ago to help trade between Imil and the two southern cities of Bilibin and Kolima, Master Hammet once told me. But as the Mercury Clan slowly died off as they lost their power, the population dwindled. Trade was crucial, because Kolima supplied most of the lumber that they needed, but could not get easily in their own lands, and Bilibin sent food which they could not grow in the snow. Without it, they would of had to rely on fish from the ocean, which would not have been enough for them. But as time went on, the powers of the Mercury Clan faded and shrunk, and they slowly died out. So, the population of Imil began to dwindle."
"But how did they dying of the Mercury Clan result in the population of Imil shrinking?" Isaac asked.
"Because in Imil there is a think called 'the Sickness'. It's like a strong cold that can kill you, apparantly. The Mercury Clan could easily cure it, but it continuously reappeared, sometimes in people who had never been in contact with it. It just somehow generated itself. But as the power of the Mercury Clan faded, more people became infected and died before they could be cured. When the last Mercury Adepts died, they had to find a way to survive. A handful of people were able to heal the disease, but they could only save so many at a time. The population stays steady now, thanks to the descendant healers who built Imil Sanctum to live in. But it cannot grow, or the healers would be unable to cope, and many would die. That's why there is now little trade between Imil and the outside world, so this path is used little."
"Wow, you sure know a bit about the history of this place." Isaac said, clearly impressed.
"Well, Hammet taught me a bit on our journeys." Ivan replied modestly. "He was a bit of a history buff. But I don't think he's actually been to Imil, at least not during the last fourteen years since he adopted me."
They said nothing after this and continued on their way. The further they went down the tunnel, the colder it got, and soon the began to see thick icicles hanging from the roof. They took one last turn, and found the exit, sunlight blinding their eyes.
A cold wind hit them, blowing out Garet's torch and chilling them all. Isaac tightened his scarf and peered out.
The landscape was, as far as he could see, covered in snow. There were patches of pine trees doting the landscape covered in think layers of snow. Isaac had seen snow before in Vale, but never this thick!
"So we've reached the Imilian Snowfields." he mused.
"It's colder than I thought it would be." Ivan shivered, tightening his cloak around him.
"But it's still not too bad." Garet added as he left the cave. Isaac was pretty sure his best friend was just trying to act big. It was pretty chilly.
"Come on, it'll be nightfall soon, so let's get our camp set up for the night." he told them.
The immediately set their packs down and got started, while Isaac went to fetch some firewood. As he picked up dead bits of wood from the snow, he focused on his affinity to tell which were best to use. The snow which was filled with the power of Mercury, or Water, dampened his feeling for the solid ground beneath.
In the distance, he caught sight of something which made his blood freeze. A giant bear-like creature strode on all fours through the woods without turning it's head. He'd been lucky. Taking his pile of wood with him, Isaac ran back up the snow-covered hill to his friends.
When he reached the cave-mouth, he found that Garet and Ivan had already set up their tents, as well as his one, with the openings facing towards the cave. No doubt to keep them warm from the fire which Garet, judging by his behaviour, seemed to intend to have inside the cave-mouth. Isaac rushed up, and told them about the creature he saw.
"Oh, great!" Garet moaned. "More monsters! Everywhere we go, they pop up!"
After Garet had finished complaining, Ivan explained to them what he knew.
"I've heard about these things." He told them. "They're called 'Maulers' for their ferocity and strength. They inhabit this area and occasionally attack travellers if there's no food available. They're difficult to kill, and if they really have Psynergy infused as Isaac says, I imagine that they're very deadly now."
"Well if any of them attack us, I'll just have to give them a taste of my axe!" Garet proclaimed boldly.
"You always resort to the axe." Ivan mused.
"Garet, Ivan said that they only attack travellers if they're hungry, so hopefully they'll leave us alone." Isaac commented.
"If we just stay out of the way, then they should stay out of ours." Ivan added.
But they still kept a wary eye out on the frozen landscape. Night came quickly, and they huddled by the fire for warmth, carefully watching for anything that might come out of the darkness. Garet kindly cooked dinner for them, three large slabs of beef roasted to what Garet called to 'perfection', which meant they were very well done, though Isaac and Ivan were too polite to complain. It was very filling, and Isaac only just managed to fit it in. Ivan couldn't even do that, his tiny frame filled up by only half of it, which Garet kindly offered to finish for him. Then he proclaimed he could still go for desert, but Isaac warned him that they had to conserve their rations.
Isaac was the first to go on watch, guarding against predators of the frosty night while the others slept. But he had difficulty paying attention. All he could think about was what they would do when they confronted Saturos and Menardi, the two leaders of the gang. How could he get Jenna back, safe and sound? Felix had said he would prevent Saturos from harming her, but how could he do this to his own sister? Steal from his own people? The traitor!
Alex had suggested that if they wanted her back, they would give them the Mars Star. Isaac knew that, even though he had been tasked by the Elders and even the Wise One himself, to retrieve the stars and stop the release of Alchemy on the world, he would gladly hand it over to have her back, he couldn't bear to just abandon her to them. Yet he had to. For the good of Weyard, somehow he had to get the stars back.
And somehow, he determined, rescue Jenna. He was glad when his turn was over and Garet took his place so that he could sleep. But he still had nightmares about Jenna held captive by Saturos and Menardi wielding Alchemy, the Mars Star in hand, and Felix turning his back on them all.
When Ivan shook him awake the next morning, he was grateful to be back in reality. At least here, he could hope to prevent such nightmares. After a light breakfast, which thankfully Ivan prepared they packed up camp and started trekking downhill north-east through the snow. The sun had only just risen in the east, and Isaac estimated that, if they kept up a good pace, they should reach Imil by noon. From there, it was straight to the Lighthouse. They managed to make out the trodden down path in the snow, despite the fresh layer from the night before.
It was quiet and peaceful as they walked, snow birds flying overhead and strange creatures scampering in the pines. The whole environment seemed to paint an idyllic winter scene.
But it was still cold, as cold as any winter as Isaac had ever felt, and the bitter, chilly winds didn't help. They tightened their cloaks in an effort to keep warm, their breaths forming mists in front of their eyes. The trail went over a snow covered wooden bridge that spanned a frozen river, and continued through the serene, snowy landscape.
They began to get complacent, comfortable in the landscape and sure that nothing would attack them. Garet actually seemed the least affected by the cold of the three. Isaac reasoned it was probably because Mars Adepts bodies generated more heat, or some such.
The snow trek was pretty boring until finally, something actually happened.
Out of the trees to the side cam a monstrous mauler, standing on its two hind legs. It must have been nine-feet tall! With the back of one hairy, mighty paw, it flung Ivan by his chest off the road. Garet turned to face it, but was to slow to do anything before it flung him down to the ground and went straight for Isaac. Of course, he had the food in his pack.
In an effort to slow it down, Isaac raised one leather gloved hand, focused his mind and made the ground beneath the giant bear shake. The snow was thin on the road, and the tremor was enough the cause the Mauler to step back and stumble uncertainly.
Taking advantage of it's momentary weakness, Isaac formed a stone spire in his hand, the hard rock crystallising at his fingertips. It launched with impressive speed, pointed end slamming into the maulers rough hide, the shock knocking it off it's feet, at which point Isaac let the quake cease.
At that moment, a bolt of lighting lanced from the heavens, hitting the mauler and paralysing it with shock. Isaac knew that Ivan was on the offensive now.
Raising his Shaman's Rod, a swirling whirlwind formed around the overgrown bear. Flakes of snow were spinning around it in a white cloud and it couldn't see, swiping the air in front of it.
Then Garet, up on his feet again, launched dozens of mini fireballs which joined the snowy vortex, melting the snow and burning the maulers fur. The whirlwind died, revealing a very angry looking, burnt and wet Mauler.
With rage in it's eyes, it knocked Isaac's sword out of his hand when he moved to strike it. Turning to pick it up he heard Garet grunt in pain and the Mauler roaring with rage. He turned around again with sword in hand, and saw that Garet had been knocked on his back, just now getting up, and the mauler standing above a dazed and injured Ivan, who held his new sword in hand.
Isaac raced to save him, but Garet got there first. Raising his axe, which glowed with a red fiery fury, and slammed it into it's upper right thigh. A new Psynergy ability seemed to form in his head, and a glowing, white phantom sword of pure Psynergy formed in front of him and slammed into the Mauler's back with incredible velocity.
It exploded in a brilliant white flash, sending glowing, white sparks in every direction. When his vision cleared, the Mauler lay unconscious on the ground next to where Ivan had been.
"That was a close one!" Ivan breathed. "My Mythril mail prevented me from getting injured but I am a little winded."
"I told you we could handle one of them!" Garet panted, with a broad smile across his face.
What was that ability I used? Isaac wondered. A few old legends from the elders came to mind. Ragnarok it was called, a powerful Venus attack of old. And he just figured it out, in order to help his friends. Interesting.
"I never knew you could do that sort of attack!" Ivan said with a look to him.
"Yeah, what was that?" Garet asked his grin fading.
"It was called Ragnarok." Isaac told them. "Somehow it just came to mind."
"Well, whatever it was, it worked." Garet replied with a shrug, and hung his axe back at his side. Isaac sheathed his sword at his back and moved to Ivan.
"Let me heal you of any injuries you have Ivan. And you to, Garet." He added with a look to the tall Mars Adept. Placing a hand on the younger, shorter Adept's forehead, he cast Cure, the warm pulsing yellow glow healing his bruised and battered chest. He did the same to Garet, despite the red-heads complaints.
Then they hefted their packs and continued their way through the snowy pine forest that had been blocking their view north-east and got their first look at Mercury Lighthouse.
The sight took Isaac's breath away. A massive, giant, tall tower that was a sea blue. It must have been as tall as Mount Aleph! But where Aleph was a natural, giant structure, this had been man-made, blue bricks forming a monolithic tower that stood two thousand feet into the air, ending in a wide, flat aerie at the top. That was where the Mercury Star had to go to ignite the beacon of power and light atop the Lighthouse. Isaac knew from legend that there was a pit or well in the centre of that aerie that the Star had to be cast in to unleash it's pure power on the world. And inside they had to somehow climb all that way up?
"That thing's huge!" Garet exclaimed.
"And it's stood for thousands of years, since the Lost Age." Ivan added. "Isn't that right, Isaac?" Isaac nodded.
"Yes, it was the source of all the Mercury Clan's power up until its beacon was extinguished. But if we don't hurry up, Saturos will unleash the power of the Mercury Star, and that will be one less seal for them! Come on, let's go!"
As he looked down, he noticed that a half mile or so away from the Lighthouse, towards them, was the town of Imil. It was about the same size as Vault, all the snow covered roofs had protruding chimneys with thick plumes of smoke leaving them. Without wasting any time, the three Adept's made their way to Imil and Mercury Lighthouse.
A/N: And that's done. Yeah, sorry for not getting straight there, but I wanted to throw in some other stuff before hand, instead of getting straight into it. Well, like I said, next chapter is gonna be good. Oh yes, I've also rewritten the first chap (the prologue), so it's a bit better now.
Oh, yes, before I forget, me and my mate Cyan Light recently posted "Shadow Wars", a novel regarding the war that sealed away Alchemy, with a few new twists. Go check it out! It's really good! It'll be the first ever novel to actually detail the sealing of Alchemy, and actually be completed! (To my knowledge anyway)
And one more shameless plug, check out "Arrival of the Adepts", a really long one-shot detailing how Weyard got Alchemy in the first place, written entirely by me! It's on the same account as Shadow Wars, (you can find links in my bio), so go check it out!
All right, then, that's enough from me, go review now.