Long time no see eh? Sorry it's been so long, but I once again tried to upgrade my computer and it (once again) tried to kill me. But I'm back. Let's see if this time I actually stick around, shall we?

Anyhoo, enjoy the chapter. Or not, really your choice.

-Cobaltdragon

Chapter 4: Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water

"In the beginning," Kraden read, eyes peering over his round spectacles. "The towers were constructed over three days each, for at this point Alchemy was strong and all shared in the bond it created. But on the final, the Jupiter Lighthouse on the continent of Atteka, problems arose. The head alchemists could no longer hide the purpose of these towers. But before long the dissenters were silenced and Alchemy's power was vested in these four towers- and the Golden Sun was created as both a sort of hub and a safeguard should Alchemy lose control as had nearly happened in the first age of Weyard. The Stone of Sages was to be locked within at an appropriate time. The peoples of Anemos, the only people on Weyard to possess wings of Angels, would not stand by this decision. It was they whose soldiers had crushed the brewing war in the First Age, with these safeguards in place they had no further purpose.

"The city began to seal itself in, building a central citadel called the Angelus Phasmatis, or Angel's Spire, and a surrounding wall. By that point their warriors were all distracted with finishing the construction. A man from southern Angara, living in a city not far from Tolbi, arose and attempted to take Alchemy for himself. Without the Archangelica to protect them the people fought back, until the Alchemist's Council and the recently created Wise One decided it was time to seal Alchemy once and for all. Sol Sanctum was created and one by one the Lighthouses were extinguished in an epic battle, with four groups of heroes travelling forth and retrieving the purity of the elements into four Elemental Stars.

"Meanwhile, Anemos learned of this treachery- or so they called it- and launched an ill-fated attack on Sol Sanctum to prevent the final seal from being set. All but five of the angels involved perished in the fight, leaving Anemos to reconsider and eventually select the option the Matriarch had suggested- conglomerate the last fading vestiges of their Alchemical powers and leave Weyard before the seal took hold on them too. And with the mystical tunnels underneath the city prepared, they left to become what today is know as the moon, or Luna, the opposite of Sol."

Kraden stopped talking, talking a slow draught of water from his glass; surveying the arrayed town councilmen and women as he did so.

Dora ventured forth a comment in the silence.

"So... what does this all mean Kraden?"

He cocked an eyebrow at her.

"You of all people should know."

She shook her head, and he smiled.

"I see you didn't ask your son much about his journey Dora," he commented, "Alas, it's the joy of teenagers I think."

There was a quiet laugh, but the mayor stood from his seat behind the table. The assembled townsfolk in the Inn fell silent and looked at him intently.

"Kraden, I too would like to know what this means."

Kraden straightened his tunic and looked directly at the Mayor.

"It means with the advent of Alchemy's Return, Anemos' complete powers have again returned and augmented their original powers. The city is ruled by a Matriarch, and her husband the Patriarch. If the Royal Family is losing control then something has gone wrong- we may have saved our civilization to doom another, as it were."

"How so?"

"I'd assume," Kraden began, "That several factions of Anemos have been less than happy with their partially limited Alchemical powers and would have been planning for the eventual release of Alchemy once more onto the world. As such they will have seized their chance and possibly sown enough seeds of discord to try and create a sort of 'new world order' in Anemos."

Dora looked concerned.

"So what do we do? It's clearly at least partially our fault, and we should help."

Kraden chuckled.

"Dora, we are doing something. Sheba may be successful in returning order to Anemos yet, and with Garet there to help her she's in no immediate danger. Until we receive word we will conduct business as per usual."

One of the councilwomen mimicked the banging of a gavel, which received an appreciative chuckle from Dora and the mayor. Gavels were no longer standard practice in Council Meetings, a younger Isaac had seen to that.

"As Kraden has suggested, business as usual," the mayor reiterated, "And I believe we have some 'usual' business from Dora herself."

Dora stood, introducing the next matter to the council even as she was doing so.

"Felix and Isaac have requested permission to continue with the trip to Prox as planned."

Kraden cocked an eyebrow yet again, creating an ever-more familiar facial expression of surprise.

"Dora, aren't you worried they'll try something rash as is their modus operandi?"

"I am, Kraden. In fact I'm counting on it. Goodness knows they wouldn't do it if I showed the slightest bit of approval. As such I've arranged for it to look like somebody has stowed aboard Pier's ship, just to keep them on their toes. The fewer people they trust outside their group the better."

Kraden nodded, his question and concern sated. Another council member stood to ask a question.

"Will Kraden be going with them?"

"Of course," laughed Kraden, "It wouldn't be a crazy and wild adventure into the secrets of Alchemy without me."

There was another laugh.

"Although," he amended, staring intently over his round glasses, "I'll actually be going to Prox. I have business there, as I believe certain other members of the community do also."

The Mayor noted the time with an assistant, and stood.

"Well folks, it grows late and we weary oldsters should long be in bed. I pass for the trip to Prox and should anyone disagree, speak now."

Silence.

"Well this is unusual." the Mayor laughed, "For the first time in many years I've not heard a single opposition, even in the face of such a potential controversy. Instinct has not lead us wrong before, and it shall not again. Motion carries, now let me get to bed before I set you all on fire."

With that, everyone disbanded to sleep, even as the lights overhead did not stop. Dora left with the Mayor, and mentioned something offhand.

"I get the feeling they would've left even had we said no."

"I know Dora, which is probably why nobody said no. This town is funny, has been funny for a long time, and will be forever I think. Even after we've rebuilt it it's still as funny as before. We're a silly place Dora. Dora. Dora. Heh, I'm getting to stuff for this old."

"Mayor, you need to get to bed before you say something you'll regret," said Dora, unlocking the door to her house.

They shook hands, and the Mayor left mumbling things about Catfish and Delicious Fudge Brownies. Dora shook her head, noting the odd colours of the sky before she too went to sleep.

Karst remembered it as clear as day, standing on top of the Jupiter Lighthouse with her scythe in hand. Felix's friend, Isaac… had brutally murdered her sister. There was no sugar-coating it. Although Alex had not spared details regarding Menardi's cruelty to the people they met along the path to the lighthouses, Karst couldn't remember a time when Menardi hadn't been rough. Certainly a kind, gentle Menardi would seem more disturbing.

But to be honest, Saturos and Menardi hadn't been the most intelligent of people.

No, she amended herself, they were extremely intelligent. They were just… less subtle. Manipulation was not their strong suit so they used force. On everything.

And from what she had heard from Alex, it wasn't Isaac's fault. Karst had chosen to believe that, like Felix, Isaac was simply a victim of their unfortunate circumstances. Like her. Like Menardi. Like Prox.

But fact was fact, as Agatio often repeated, and he had killed Menardi whether by choice or not. Karst wanted his blood. She would have to be careful though, because she had grown up being told that she would never equal Menardi, would never be able to fight like her sister. This boy had killed Menardi, and Saturos. What chance did she have?

It really sunk in then. After so long, after so many battles and hugs and tears, Menardi was gone. Her big sister, her guide in life… gone. First her mother, now Menardi. Karst's eyes flamed red and she gritted her teeth tightly. Chances be damned, Isaac must be made to pay.

Then, as arranged, Felix walked up the steps to the Aerie. Around him the air hummed with the breath of angels, singing the lullaby of the lighthouse. Karst paused for only the sparest of seconds, wondering if they had been singing since the building of the lighthouse, always singing the same sad song. But then she was back in the moment. Felix had stopped his quest, let moments slip away while he tried to save his friend. And he had betrayed her, something she had never thought possible.

But then… a second man appeared behind him. The Lemurian, Piers, was with him too. This would complicate matters infinitely more than she desired. Still…

She watched quietly as Felix pulled the round purple gem from his tunic. He studied it quietly, probing the depths with his cool eyes. Even Agatio was held prisoner by the Jupiter Star, bound as it was by the winds' fury. A thousand shades of purple and blue shifted and waved inside the jewel's confines like a calm mist, waiting and pulsing in anticipation of what was about to take place. Then, in a single casual motion, Felix cast the Jupiter Star into the pit.

"I've heard tales of this, but I had no idea it would be so spectacular," marvelled the Lemurian.

And so it was. Deep in the Lighthouse, the Jupiter Star fell into a small pedestal where it came to rest, glowing intensely. The mist inside dissipated and spread suddenly into channels cut in the pedestal and leading out from the heart of the lighthouse. With a sudden rumble, a narrow beam of light cut through the star and it shattered into a million pieces. The energy contained within exploded and floated upwards, coming to rest in front of Felix and Piers. It flashed for a moment, then became solid, projecting the pure essence of Jupiter across the continent.

Felix and Piers turned to Karst and Agatio.

"It is finished here," Felix said quietly.

"We have ignited the beacon... The third lighthouse is lit... Now, let us go..." Piers said, narrowing his eyes as he surveyed them. Karst did her best not to disappoint his suspicions.

"I don't think so," she retorted, glaring at them.

Agatio piped up. "You see, you've betrayed us once already."

"We simply can't trust you anymore."

"And now that Jupiter Lighthouse is lit, I'm afraid we have little need for traitors."

With that, Piers had his sword out.

"Felix, they've betrayed us!"

Karst smiled and darted forward, attacking Felix without a moments notice. But Piers was there, blocking her scythe from removing his head.

"That's right Felix, you remember now. Mars Lighthouse is in Prox, you've even been there. I think we're perfectly capable of lighting the lighthouse by ourselves now."

"Karst… why?"

"You betrayed me!" She yelled, diving towards him again. He blocked swiftly and the two of them moved across the aerie in a flurry of blocks and attacks. "You sacrificed another minute of Prox's life to help that bastard! You stopped me from killing him when I had the chance!"

He looked at her with hurt eyes. She dove at him again, but he dropped and rolled away, jumping up and attacking back. With a quick movement she blocked him and countered with a blast of fire. Felix healed the burn and circled the beacon, watching her.

Meanwhile, Sheba and Jenna had come up from below the aerie and were now actively engaged in containing Agatio alongside Piers. They were breathing heavily and scratched in a dozen places, while Agatio was slowly losing ground to the injuries he had obtained while fighting Isaac.

"Felix, if I didn't love you I-"

"What!" he shouted, pausing to look at her.

"I love you! From the moment we met, I loved you! But now you've betrayed me and you must die!"

She threw aside her scythe and punched him as hard as she could. Felix's head snapped back and his small necklace flew off and slid for the hole below the beacon. Without a word, he threw himself after it, catching it as it fell into the darkness. He snatched his hand out and rolled over to see Karst standing over him, looking down. She reached into his tunic and grabbed the Mars Star, trying not to look Felix in the eye.

When she had it, she looked down. For the first time in a long time, there were tears running down his face. She turned and walked towards Agatio.

"Who betrayed who Karst?" he yelled after her, breathing heavily, "Did I betray you for saving a friend or did you betray your heart for hating me?"

She didn't turn, but rather threw his friends off Agatio and lead him towards one of the towers on either side of the aerie. Alex appeared suddenly and healed them, although his late appearance did not particularly please Karst. They stepped onto the elevator and she stole one last glance at the man she had loved. Had she made the right decision?

Felix sat at the edge of the lighthouse, holding the broken string of the necklace and tying it back together. So long ago it had meant something. So long ago…