(A/N: Lazy again. There's more at the end. BTW, inspiration for this entire chapter comes directly from the game. Go talk to the people from GS: I in front of the Venus Lighthouse, ie: the dying ones. This is where I got most of the ideas for Kraden's character development. Sorry, all those who support Felix x Sheba. This one's more about the old man and his buddies. sigh But don't worry. Things will heat up next time. Just suffer a little and read this one! Enjoy! This one should be good.)

Part 21: No One Spared

Air was thick with the scent of rrshi blossoms, hinted at by the slight scent of the ocean. The sky was surprisingly clear considering the lingering effects of a mild storm from the night before. The sun had been over the peaks of the lower canyons for an hour at least, and movement finally began to take its hold on the camp.

"I trust you slept well, Sir?"

Matthias tugged the short white glove onto his hand as he followed the Area Authority toward the Venus Lighthouse. "As well as one could," he said dryly. "I don't know what could be worse, camping in this wilderness or staying in that dirty, little sand pit they call a town."

"Yes, Sir."

Matthias sighed tiredly. "I don't understand how Lord Babi expects us to get anything done under such conditions."

"Of course, Sir. I trust you know where to find Master Gregory and Master Seamus?"

"The usual?" the elder asked with a quick glance at the guard.

"Yes, Sir. Now, I must away to my duties." And with that, the soldier turned down toward the western path.

Matthias looked around as he approached the lighthouse, already busily at work. Guards were carrying large stone segments of the outer walls, readying them for transport back to Tolbi. Chests filled with rare stones picked off of the walls and statues were also being carted out, loaded onto the back of a mule-drawn cart.

"Good morrow, Matthias!"

The elderly alchemist looked up toward the grand stairway into the lighthouse. He smiled. "Good morrow, Gregory," he said quietly as he approached the stairway. "Any progress with that door?"

The middle-aged man shook his head of thick, greying hair, turning back toward the enormous door. "Still won't budge."

"Have we tried the explosives?" Matthias asked.

Gregory nodded as he looked back down at his notes. "Several times this morning." He grinned. "I was surprised you hadn't awakened."

Matthias chuckled lightly. "That I do not doubt my friend." He glanced around, frowning. "Where are the novices? And Seamus? I thought they were going to study the door today."

"Oh," Gregory said lightly. "I sent them to help the guards with the wall we took down from the North Eastern side yesterday." He shook his head. "Ten guards and four alchemists, and still, they could hardly lift it." He glanced at his colleague. "Strange, don't you think?"

"No . . . not quite," Matthias sighed. "After all we don't know what sort of stone that was, anyway. Beastly to cut, it was. I can tell you that much." He frowned. "And the others? Where have they gone?"

"Lalivero for supplies," Gregory said softly. "They should be back any moment now."

"Good," Matthias said quietly. "I needed Reginald's assistance with something . . ."

Gregory nodded, reaching into the front pocket of his ornate robe and pulling out a small pair of spectacles. He went back to studying the runes on the door as Matthias looked to where a few of the guards sat, playing a game of chance, casting dice into the fine dirt. They laughed uproariously, and the next player grabbed the dice.

Matthias turned as he heard Gregory sigh. "What is it?" he asked.

"I don't understand a single word of this," he murmured, pulling off the spectacles and rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Arcaean was never my forte, you know."

Matthias nodded, smiling sadly at his friend. " . . . I wish Kraden was here. He would understand how to solve this puzzle."

"Well," Gregory murmured as he returned to the wall. "Kraden, may he rest in peace, was just doing his part like the rest of us."

"But that freak accident," Matthias murmured, shaking his head. "After all, who could have known that Mount Aleph at that very time—"

"I remember. Quite a freak indeed, that was." He sighed, looking down at his notes. "I have the runes down, for the most part. I just have no way to decipher them." He tapped the bottom end of his fountain pen on his lower lip thoughtfully. "If we could only understand what they mean, I'm sure we could open this do—"

Both looked up at a loud crack somewhere in the distance. Trees rustled and broke deep in the forest, and a flock of dark birds took to the sky, screaming wildly.

Gregory frowned, watching them rise and scatter. "What do you imagine that was all about?"

"Soldiers most likely fooling around on the job," Matthias said quietly. He gave Gregory a sidelong look. "You know how they are."

"Yes," Gregory murmured. "But that doesn't mean I agree."

"You do not need to," Matthias said as he started back down the stairs toward the great seal at the bottom, just before the lighthouse. "Soon, we will be back in the university in the palace and away from all of this . . . white noise."

"Iris be praised," Gregory chuckled. He glanced over his shoulder at Matthias. "And where are you off to?"

He was staring down at the western path. "How long have Seamus and the others been gone?" he asked.

Gregory paused. He frowned. "A good question . . . An hour . . . At least, now that I have thought of it."

The birds had not yet quieted as their shadows rushed over the lighthouse. Matthias looked up, watching them pass into the east. He looked back at his companion with a sigh. "How far away was the transport?"

"Only a stones throw from the lower path," Gregory murmured. "Why?"

Matthias stared for a long moment at the path his colleague mentioned. "Do you think we should be concerned?"

Gregory chuckled. "Concerned?" he laughed. "Matthias, this is Seamus you are speaking of. Besides, he has those two young lads with him as well as half the regiment." He shrugged. "Should we be concerned?"

Matthias sighed thoughtfully. "No . . . no, I suppose not." He glanced at his companion. "I'll join you in a moment. I'm returning to the tent to retrieve my notes." He looked at the door, thinking silently. "Perhaps together we can decipher these runes."

"Take your time, Matthias," Gregory called, turning back to the wall. "There's no hurry."

"I'll only be a moment," he called back as he passed the guards, one greedily raking at the ground for his newly procured riches. Matthias shook his head, sighing. "Soldiers."

Gregory rubbed his eyes tiredly, surprised at how much they ached. His vision was getting steadily worse. It had been for the last two years. He had hoped that once Kraden returned, he could speak to him about cutting him a new pair of spectacles. That hope, however, seemed far out of reach now.

Kraden's death had hampered their progress more than any of them could imagine. Gregory knew that even when— if, might have been the more proper term— they could decipher the runes on the door, they would hardly be able to understand it. Kraden was the one who had excelled in Old World studies. What may have taken him an hour could take the rest of them months, at least.

He paused in his writing, lowered the pen and looked over his shoulder. Trees rustled violently somewhere deeper . . . And he thought he had heard . . .

One of the soldiers from the group gambling in the dirt leaned back. He stood, glancing at the western path with a thoughtful look. He spoke to the men softly, motioning them to stay seated. He started toward the path.

Gregory cleared his throat. "Corporal?"

The guard turned. "Nothing to worry about, Master Gregory. Just some animal bothering the birds, I would wager."

Gregory smiled, chuckled lightly as he turned back to the door. "Yes . . . quite right."

The soldier on the far right scooped the dice up from the dirt, shaking them in his hand, letting the dirt filter out through his fingers, over his knuckles. He rolled. The men laughed lightly and the next one took up the dice. The group fell into quiet murmurs and groans of shock as the man let out his own private cheer, taking his winnings.

Gregory suddenly stopped. He turned, looking at the guards, playing another round. He glanced up at the path Seamus has taken earlier that morning with the young novices. Birds cackled somewhere behind the lighthouse. A dark cloud was rising in the sky, thick and black. Gregory took in a sharp breath. It almost smelt like . . .

"Get back!"

Gregory frowned. Soldiers' voices. Frantic. The ones playing their game stopped. Turned to the path, slowly rising.

"Hold the lines, men!!"

"You cannot pass!"

"No one goes beyond this point without Lord Babi's leave! Turn away now or—"

fhoomph . . .

Gregory felt himself land on the marble floor of the stairway with a shout. He heard the sharp snap of his old bones, pain shooting up his legs, his hips. The flames of the explosion ripped at the trees, at the men who had not been flung out of its reach. The soldiers of the playing group drew their swords, scrambled toward the fire.

They stopped cold as it suddenly parted. Two figures stepped forward.

"Saturos! No!"

One of the soldiers blanched. "Oh, my—"

Sounded flooded the entire valley, screams blurred by quiet crackling of fire, rushing heat. Gregory felt something cold drip into his eye. He could hardly move his gaze to the ground beneath his head where the thick puddle was quickly gathering. The fire was suddenly fading. He closed his eyes and let himself be led into the silence.

-----

"Felix?"

The boy swallowed, glancing at his sister— visibly shaken— and stepping forward.

Saturos only jerked his head toward the lighthouse, turning to the rest of the group and walking toward Kraden. "What now?"

Kraden said nothing. His jaw was tight and his eyebrows close together.

Saturos frowned. "Well?"

"Give me one reason I should render my services to you now, Saturos of Prox," he said levelly.

Saturos moved his jaw in a slow circle. He took in a deep breath through his nose. "We only did what was necessary."

Kraden's eyes narrowed. "You have destroyed an entire regiment—"

"They would not have let us pass!" Saturos exploded suddenly, lunging toward the old alchemist. "I hardly dared to let them draw their weapons. Do you remember what happened last time they had, Kraden? Do you?!"

Kraden pursed his lips, let his tongue roll over them thoughtfully. He sighed. "I never thought I would see this from you, Saturos. Let alone Menardi—"

"I stand by Saturos," she said curtly. "They would not be moved on their own will." She jerked her head, flipping the hair from her face. "We simply moved them."

"You cut them down where they stood," Kraden said flatly.

Saturos shrugged. "It was the most efficient way—"

"But they were innocent!" Kraden suddenly shouted, stepping forward and bridging the gap between himself and Saturos. He pointed a trembling finger in the Proxinian's face. "What sort of victory do you think you hold here, Saturos? Killing a handful of soldiers, a few old men— and boys, even! Some younger than Felix!"

"They aren't all dead," Menardi said.

Kraden turned his gaze on her. "But with their injuries as they are, they soon will be."

"We've killed before, Kraden," Saturos said quietly. "You've never spoken up, then." His tone grew soft and menacing. "But I suppose it doesn't matter when its only a few bandits on the road, a rogue guard or two. Once it comes a little closer to home— once it's personal, you get a little . . ." He sneered slightly, "squeamish, is that it?"

Kraden bristled. "Those men were my friends . . . my students—"

"Those men were prepared to do anything to stop us," Saturos snapped, cutting Kraden off. "Unfortunately for them, our resolve is a little more than that." He turned back toward the lighthouse, where Felix was standing near the beginning of the tile walk toward the stairs. He shook his head. "Enough with this pointless bickering," he growled. "Our time is short." He walked toward Felix, still speaking to Kraden. "Now, tell me . . . how do we open this door?"

Kraden raised an eyebrow. "You don't know, Master Saturos?" he drawled sarcastically. "All this time you study, and you still do not know?"

Saturos turned, muscles taut. "Master Kraden, you try my patience."

"At least I have not wholly lost my senses," the old alchemist murmured. "Good Iris, Saturos, look at yourself! I understand that you said at whatever cost, but this is too much—!"

"Too much for you?" Saturos snapped suddenly. "Too much for your precious Lord Babi? Well, how many of my people have died, Kraden? How many of Prox have fallen because this thing has not been done? How many more will?" He took in a deep breath. "My father died because of alchemy. Because of the lack of it. My mother killed herself that same winter. That is two. Five men followed Menardi and I three years ago to Sol Sanctum. Menardi and I hardly escaped with our own lives! Now it is seven, Kraden! Would you like me to continue counting?!"

Kraden said nothing.

He glared at the old man, motioning with a hand to Menardi. "We have families, Kraden. In Prox. Actual people who care for us. Not some old man sitting on his throne telling us what to do. If this is not done, they will die. This isn't about your tea time companions, Kraden. This is about Weyard."

Kraden took in a deep breath through his nose. "I thought you promised to spare the innocent."

Saturos bristled. "If they would stop us, the blood of the Proxinians is on their hands. They are hardly innocent."

Kraden took in a deep breath. "You are wrong."

"It doesn't matter," Menardi said, stepping between the two. She looked at Saturos.

He sighed heavily. "She's right. Enough of this. Now . . ." He turned back to where Felix was standing. "How do we open this lighthouse?"

Kraden walked forward. "He is supposed to stand upon that seal."

Felix looked down at his feet. "The tree?"

Kraden nodded, stepping forward. "Only a Venus Adept can open the door."

Saturos frowned. "Why isn't anything happening?"

"What am I supposed to do?" Felix echoed.

Kraden frowned, scratching the beard that covered his chin. "I don't know. In all the studies I've done, it never said anything about th—"

A bright flash suddenly washed over them. Saturos shielded his eyes, waiting until the light faded. Felix was glowing slightly, white radiating from his body. "Saturos?" he murmured.

"Its alright," Kraden said hurriedly. "The lighthouse is making sure you have to authority to enter."

Felix looked at his hands, the light radiating from his fingertips. "How much longer?"

"I . . . can't say," Kraden murmured. "I don't quite what it is expected to d—"

The light suddenly grew, Felix looking down. His breathing quickened as his hands grew hot. Light shone from his fingertips, around his face. As quickly as it had come, it vanished, leaving Felix gasping for air, holding one hand to his chest.

Saturos stepped in front of Felix, looking at the massive gate. He rounded on Kraden. "It's still shut."

Kraden blanched as the Proxinian stormed toward him. "But . . . in all I've read . . . We've done exactly as it said to d—"

"I grow tired of these games, old man!" he roared, grabbing a handful of Kraden's gaudy robe, lifting him off the ground, shaking him roughly. "Now, open it!"

"Saturos . . ."

Saturos turned to Felix who was staring at the doors. They glowed green momentarily, then the light suddenly vanished. The sound of stone against stone echoed loud through the air. The doors were opening.

Kraden sighed gratefully as Saturos lowered him to the ground again. Saturos glared at him for a moment, then turned back to the lighthouse. "Come, we have little time."

-----

"Well?"

Kraden removed his spectacles, turning to look at the group. "I . . . don't think I'm interpreting this correctly," he quietly murmured.

"What?" Menardi echoed.

Alex stepped toward him. "Why? What does it say?"

Kraden made a hesitant face, and replacing his spectacles, turned back to the wall. "It says . . ." He swallowed. "It says this isn't the entrance." He turned, looking at Saturos worriedly. "This is the exit."

"What do you mean this is the exit?" Saturos demanded.

Kraden stammered for an explanation. "That is why I don't think I've interpreted it correctly! There must be some other writings here somewhere."

Felix came back into the long room from the winding corridor, looking more confused than ever. Saturos frowned. "What is it?"

Felix licked his lips. "It's a dead end."

"What?" Alex gasped.

"There was no where left to go!" Felix gasped as Saturos pushed him aside and started down the hallway.

The group followed him, down two sets of stairs, then down a long corridor. The room suddenly opened up into a vast room, almost in some senses a cathedral. The floor was covered in deep, bowl-like indentions, large enough for perhaps two of them to stand in together without touching. Near where they had entered, a surprisingly detailed miniature of the lighthouse stood, almost as tall as Saturos, himself. At the end of the room, stretching all the way up to the top of the ceiling and the entire width of the room was the head and bodice of a woman, carved directly into the stone.

Menardi frowned. "That looks almost like . . ."

Felix nodded. "The ones from Mercury."

"But what would they be doing here?" Menardi asked, glancing at Saturos.

Saturos took in a deep breath. "Alex," he said shortly. The man looked at him. Saturos jerked his head to indicate the statue. "If you would."

Alex smiled. "It would be my pleasure."

He walked toward the statue, stepping until he stood in front of the palms set in cup-formation in front of the woman's chest. He stepped up, into her hands. He took in a deep breath, glancing back at them, then back at the statue. "Here goes nothing."

Alex's hands began to radiate with the tell-tale light of the 'ply' psynergy. Saturos watched, calm and composed as the room grew brighter and brighter. Finally flashing white, the light faded. Saturos looked around the room, now glowing slightly. He turned to one of the indentions on the floor. It had been filled with water. And it was glowing.

Alex frowned, hopping down from the statue. "Well, a lot of good that did," he said darkly. "I thought a door would open, or something like that, at least."

Menardi walked toward Saturos who was bent near one of the many pools gathered on the floor, Felix stooped beside him. "What is it?" she asked.

Saturos slapped Felix's hand as he reached out to touch it. "Not sure." He glanced over his shoulder at Kraden. "Perhaps Master Kraden can help us?"

Kraden had already begun toward the wall, still glowing lightly, as was the statue. He frowned, lifting a hand to the wall. "There's writing here."

"What does it say?" Menardi asked.

Kraden pushed his glasses back over the bridge of his nose. " . . . 'Ye who seek to climb the Venus Lighthouse . . . I will grant thy wish.'" Kraden frowned, pausing momentarily.Heshook his head. "No, this can't be right."

"What?" Saturos asked. "What does itsay?"

Kraden cleared his throat. "It reads . . . 'The path long closed shall not be opened here.'"

"What?" Alex demanded.

Kraden continued, pretending he had not heard. "'That path begins far, far away, on the soil of an ancient people with the sunrise on your . . .left as you gaze at the lighthouse.'" Kraden turned, looking at the glowing puddles that lined the floor. His face brightened. "It all makes sense now . . ."

"What does?" Jenna asked.

Kraden walked toward Saturos. "Don't you see? This shows the true path."

"What true path?" Saturos asked.

Kraden shook his head, pointing at the glowing puddles. "You see? The path isn't opened here. There is another path that leads to the lighthouse. That is why there is a miniature of the lighthouse." He looked at them. "This is the exit."

"Then where is the entrance?" Saturos demanded.

Kraden pursed his lips. He glanced at their Imilian companion. "Alex, the map if you please."

Alex frowned, reaching into his vest and pulling out the map. "Why do we need—"

Kraden snatched it up, opening it wide, Saturos holding the other end. Kraden pointed with his free hand. "If the lighthouse is here . . . Then there has to be an entrance spiking out from . . . somewhere."

Menardi sighed. "It could be anywhere."

Saturos shook his head. 'No . . . what did it say? 'On the soil of an ancient people with—'"

"'—the sunrise on your left as you gaze at the lighthouse,'" Kraden finished quietly. "North."

Saturos frowned. "North?"

"Yes," Kraden said. "East is where the sun rises. If we go north and face the lighthouse, the sunrise would be on our left."

"But how far north?" Saturos asked.

Kraden pointed. "There's a village here Lord Babi was interested in. He wanted to build a lighthouse there. The people had been there for . . . I don't know. Forever, I suppose. That must be where it is."

"Lalivero."

They all turned, looking at the slight, pale-faced girl, staring at the statue.

"What?" Saturos asked.

Sheba swallowed. "There were some old ruins up north near my village." She looked at Saturos. "Lord Babi has already built over them. They might be entirely inaccessible by now."

Saturos clenched his teeth. "Well, he had better hope that they are not." He folded the map up again, pushing it at Kraden. "We'd best be moving out." He glanced over at Sheba, now quietly talking with Felix. "You," he called. "Girl."

Sheba started, she looked at Saturos. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Saturos said. "You know these ruins, I assume?"

Sheba eyed the ground. "A little, I suppose."

Saturos nodded. "Then you will lead us."

Sheba frowned, looking at Felix as Saturos started out of the room. Felix rushed toward his master. "But, Saturos," he whispered. "What about our promise—?"

"She will be returned to her village after she has helped us," Saturos said curtly.

"But you said—"

"Things change, Felix," Saturos snapped. "Are you here to help us save Weyard, or just along for the ride?"

Felix's face fell, stung by Saturos's barb. "I . . . I didn't mean that I—"

"Don't explain yourself to me, Felix," Saturos growled. "Just prove me wrong."

Felix stared in shock as Saturos shouldered past him, Menardi hurrying to catch her companion. Alex sauntered up to Felix, raising an eyebrow. "And so, it begins."

"Shut up, Alex," Felix muttered, starting away. He looked down as a hand fell upon his forearm.

"Felix?" Sheba asked softly.

Felix sighed, licking his lips thoughtfully. "I don't think you're going home just yet, Sheba."

(A/N: Wow, another chapter up before a five month period has passed? It's a Christmas miracle! Yay! The next chapter should come quickly, because I've been waiting to write it FOREVER! My biggest problem was that by the end of GS: I, Felix and Saturos don't seem to be on perfect terms. The next chapter is going to show the actual schism that is coming into the group. You can see it now, but it's only a hairline fracture compared to next time.

Obviously now, Saturos is losing it. Menardi's gotten to the point where she will follow Saturos to death, no matter what his decisions. Alex has his heart set on Saturos's downfall, and Felix is just plain out confused. Everyone else is just along for the ride, unwillingly, of course, but we all know how GS: I ended and how GS: II started.

With that said, here is the deal with reviews. Depending on how nice my father chooses to be, I have ten minutes each week to get on, if that. Posting itself, takes up the bulk of that time, then when I get to my email, I see the whole " Dealio, and just as I'm about to look, my time runs off. When this is posted, I will take all the reviews that are up from the site and just print them off. I know, I feel like I'm a bad writer because I'm not responding to the readers, but I still love you all!!! Don't go away! Next chapter will be up soon. crosses fingers This time, with muy macho Felix and Sheba!! Yay! Not only that, we will see the deteriation of Saturos and Felix's friendship. After all, they weren't exactly on good terms at the aerie, now were they? Stay tuned! And R&R! PLEEEEEEEASE!!)