A/N: Hey there, everyone. I had writer's bloc for awhile. I couldn't think of proper words to use so that's why it took so long… Anyway, in this chapter, there might be some spoilers for Lost Age in Felix's POV. I'm not too sure how accurate I am with the storyline. ( I can't read Japanese after all!) But oh well, we'll know soon enough; GS2 is coming out in April!

Chapter 10

Felix's POV

"Oh, why do we have to stay out here? There's a town nearby…." Jenna complained. She looked towards the lights the town, Bilibin, gave off.

I sighed, "Because, Jenna. We have a very important meeting with some people."

Jenna raised a brow, which I could clearly see since we were standing close to the fire we have made. "Oh? Like who?" she asked.

"People you don't want to know…." I said quietly.

"Really? They're so important that we have stay out here in the cold with no food and no soft bed to sleep in?"

"Umm… Yeah."

"How can you treat me like this! I'm a girl! I don't deserve this kind of treatment! Look at my hair, it's a mess! Look at my clothes, they're dirty!"

"Well…. You're a hostage, remember?"

"I'm your sister, dummy! You can't treat me this way!"

"I know, I know. But Jenna, please, you just have to live with this for a while, 'kay?"

She pouted and didn't say anything after that. She stormed away and sat beside Kraden. They spoke quietly to each other. Meanwhile, Alex was standing under a tree all to himself. It seemed like he didn't bother to know what was going on around him. He just stared quietly at the moon. We were all resting in the countryside near the town of Biblin. We were to meet some people from Saturos and Menardi's clan, the Fire Clan of the North.

Menardi and Saturos were somewhere…. Probably already meeting with "them".

There was a sudden movement among the bushes. I tensed and drew my sword. Jenna froze and stood up, prepared to fight, while Kraden simply stood back. Alex sensed danger as well as he drew out his own sword.

"Now, now. Aren't you supposed to welcome us?" came a familiar, gentle tone from within the bushes.

Out came two darkly cloaked figures. One was shorter and smaller than the other. I recognized them….

"Karst, Agatio. You're kinda late. Don't you think?" I asked the cloaked figures. I lowered my weapon, but Jenna and Alex were still prepared.

Karst unveiled herself and smirked at me. "Felix,, long time no see," she greeted me. She brushed her red shoulder-length hair away from her pale, grey face. She wore the typical Fire Clan armor, which was black and had an emblem of fire engraved in it. Agatio, the bigger man took his hood off as well and grunted. Agatio's muscular features were easily seen in the shallow light of the fire. His short, light-bluish hair, dangled to one side and his bright red eyes, glowed in the dim light. He stood two heads taller than me and one head taller than Saturos.

"Where are they?" Agatio asked harshly.

"Why, we're right here," Saturos spoke, in a calm but bitter tone. He sneered at Agatio and nodded at Karst. Menardi was right behind him. She happily waved at them.

"Karst, glad you made it," Menardi said.

The younger woman smiled and said, "Hah, I would give anything to see you again, sis."

Menardi gave her little sister a smile, then gave a nod at Agatio who grunted in response.

"What brings you two here?" Saturos asked.

Agatio crossed his arms. "We're here to report your progress of the mission back to the elders. So, did you succeed in getting the Stars?" he growled.

Saturos smiled bitterly, "Why of course we have them and tomorrow, we're going to light the lighthouses."

"The Mercury Lighthouse is nearby," Menardi added.

Agatio nodded. "Then hurry, there isn't much time…." he said a little softer.

We were all surprised, except Jenna, Alex, and Kraden. Saturos flinched just slightly while Menardi and I gasped.

"What… what do you mean?" Menardi asked.

Karst shook her head sadly. "The village… It's covered in snow."

"Snow?!" Menardi gasped. "It's already that cold?! This is… unbelievable…"

Karst and Agatio nodded. "The cold is becoming unbearable. So we're here on a mission too: to get winter clothing and furs for the villagers," Agatio grunted.

"And that's not the only problem," Karst added, "There's some kind of dark rift opening up beyond the Mars Lighthouse."

Saturos raised a brow, "A dark rift?"

The red-head nodded. "An opening that distorts time and space… The elders are afraid to go near it. Some kind of dark energy is being released through it…"

Menardi shook her head, "This… this doesn't make sense. What's going on?"

Karst sighed, "The elders say that there's too much elemental energy flowing in the world. There's no balance between the four elements, that's why there's dramatic changes in the weather all over the world. I suppose the dark rift is caused by the elemental energies overpowering one of another."

"The four lighthouses were supposed to contain the energy within the Stars a long time ago; keeping balance and harmony between the elements. If the four lighthouses are lighted again, I believe the energy will be sealed and the dark rift will disappear. Everything will be normal again…"

Saturos smirked. "You sound so much like an elder, Karst."

I could see her blush a light pink as she quickly lowered her gaze, away from Saturos' stare. "Why, uh, thank you, Saturos." She smiled brightly and continued on, "So… you have the Stars, right?"

Saturos nodded, "We do…"

"Good. We're going to head back then. Give us the Mars Star to light the Mars Lighthouse," Agatio commanded in a deep voice. He stretched out his hand…

Saturos crossed his arms and smirked, "Well, about that…. We don't have the Mars Star."

"What do you mean?" Agatio asked in a venomous tone.

"Well, you see. We ran into a bunch of kids along the way. They got their hands on three of the Stars first, but we forced them to give them to us. But after that, the Sanctum began to collapse and we had to evacuate; leaving two boys behind who had the Mars Star." Menardi explained.

I felt a stab of pain in my heart….. I looked over at Jenna. She was trembling… her hands were clenched tightly to here sides. Kraden looked sadly at the ground and Alex never moved from his position…. He stared coldly at the four Fire Clan warriors.

"Then the Mars Star is lost?" Karst asked in a whisper.

"I don't believe so. Those boys aren't ordinary humans. They're Adepts, just like Felix and those other two children that are with us." Saturos pointed out.

"I'm not a child," Alex said coldly. He gave Saturos a hard, intense stare. He still didn't lower his sword.

Saturos matched his gaze and grinned, "That is Alex. He has joined us on our mission. He has many great skills a Mercury Adept can possess."

"A Mercury Adept? They're descendents of Lemurians…." Karst mumbled.

"Indeed. Alex here, is a fine warrior. He proved to us that he was worthy enough to join us." Saturos continued.

Alex grunted and walked away.

Saturos smirked once again, "He doesn't seem so trustworthy…. He might be planning something."

"If you suspect such things, then kill him." Agatio commanded.

"There's no need. His skills and judgement come in handy, so we'll keep him around." Saturos commented. He then, turned towards me, "Those boys I've mentioned earlier… They were your friends, weren't they?"

I was surprised he'd ask something like that. I hesitated with my answer, "Yeah… Childhood friends."

"I wonder…. Do you think they're still alive?" he asked.

"I…"

"Of course!" Jenna cried out, startling everyone. "They're alive! I know they are! Right, Felix? Right?" She began to sob. "They are…. I know they are…."

I wrapped my arms around her trembling body.

"Shh. It's okay. They're alive. They have to be. Don't cry, Jenna. Be strong. Be strong." I comforted her the best I could.

Agatio looked annoyed. "Why is that girl with you? And that old man?"

Menardi answered, "They're our hostages. If those boys really are alive, then we'll trade the hostages for the Mars Star. Simple, isn't it?" She smirked. "And besides, she's Felix's little sister. Isn't that cute?"

"Little sister?" Karst asked softly, "You must be happy to be reunited with her again, huh, Felix?"

I nodded slowly. Jenna stopped weeping but she remained in my arms.

Karst gave me a gentle smile.

Agatio snorted, "Bah! Let's hurry up. We got to start heading back soon. Saturos, you better hurry and you better not fail us. Fail, then you fail our clan!" He turned and stomped away.

Karst took something out of her pouch, "Felix. Remli wants to give this to you." She handed me a necklace. It was Remli's, the little Fire Clan girl who I used to play games with when I was in her village. This necklace was her most cherished possession…

Why would she give it to me?

"She misses you, Felix." Karst answered my confused look. "She likes you very much. She wanted me to tell you to come back as soon as possible, so she can play hide and seek."

I smiled. Remli loved that game. She loved it a little too much. We always played that game for countless hours, almost everyday when I didn't have anything to do. She was the very first Fire Clan member, besides Saturos and Menardi, to approach me and talk to me. The little one's charm, convinced the other children that I wasn't dangerous. She and some other children seemed to like to play with me, even though I was a human and they were members of the Fire Clan. I also gained the trust of the adults as well, thanks to the children's help.

I do miss her.

"Karst. Tell her I'll be back as soon as I can." I said. She nodded, winked and followed behind Agatio's path.

"Bye Sis! Bye Saturos! Bye Felix!" she called out as she disappeared into the shadows.

Jenna now stood beside me and examined the necklace. The necklace had a small, silver dragon encased in a small, oval, clear jewel. It dangled on a thin silver chain. I secured the necklace around my neck and promised myself, and Remli, that I will take good care of it.

"Get some rest, everyone." Menardi said, with a yawn, "We have lots of travelling to do tomorrow…"

I wrapped my arms around Jenna again. "You okay?"

She sighed, "I want to go home…"

"…..Yeah…. Me too. Let's get some sleep…."

**********************************************************************************

Isaac's POV

"He's here somewhere… I can feel him." Flint whispered.

"Or her…" Forge added.

"I know. I know."

"It's kinda dark down here…" Ivan said quietly.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Shh! I hear something…" Garet whispered.

We froze and listened.

I could only hear the echoes of falling water drops on the cold pavement. We were in the underground waterway of Biblin. After Flint told us he sensed another Djinn nearby, we searched all over the town and ended up down here.

"I don't hear anything…" I whispered.

"Just listen," Garet said quietly.

"Hello?" came a high, shrill voice in the shadows. "Who's there?"

"Forge, be quiet!" Garet warned.

"What? I didn't say anything," the Mars Djinn responded.

"It wasn't you?" Garet asked.

"It came from up ahead," I said. We all became quiet again and waited.

There was a light flapping noise. It got closer and closer as we waited. I could see the outline of a small creature with wings. When it came into the light I saw the little creature's features.

This Djinn was a light purple shade. It had round aqua blue eyes. It had small wings on it's back that kept it afloat. Feathers sprouted at the back of it's head. It gave us a curious look.

Forge and Flint jumped ahead to greet the new Djinn.

"Gust! Glad you're okay!" Forge cried out.

Flint smiled, "It took us awhile to find you."

The new Djinn, Gust, smiled at them, then looked at Garet, Ivan and me. "Did they…?" he began but trailed off.

Forge nodded, "Yeah, they defeated us. Well actually, defeated me, but Flint chickened out and joined them."

Flint shook his head violently, "No I didn't! They proved to me how strong they are!"

"Baaaka. You wimped out."

"I did not!!" Flint jumped up to kick him.

"Not again…" I grumbled. I grabbed Flint in the air, just before he landed on Forge. "Flint. Forge. Can't you two stop arguing. I'm getting a headache listening to you two."

Flint wriggled in my hands. "He started it!" came his muffled voice.

Forge laughed. "Ha ha! Your master has stopped you! There's nothing you can do now, baka."

Garet sneaked behind Forge and grabbed him too. Garet grinned. "Ha ha. Now master has stopped you. Now, stop this nonsense and lets get out of here."

Gust was giggling the whole time. Tears of laughter fell from his little eyes. "Ah! You two still argue too much." he said. He approached Ivan and looked him over.

"Ivan. Am I correct?" the purple Djinn asked.

We were all surprised at how he knew Ivan's name. Ivan smiled, "You can read minds too…"

Gust nodded. "That's right. And I choose you to have my powers."

"What?!" Forge cried out angrily, "You can't do that. He has to defeat you!"

Gust laughed out loud. "I don't need to. I already know he's worthy to have my strength."

"But! But…."

"Forge, don't worry. I know what I'm doing because I, Gust, Jupiter Djinn of Trust, have chosen Ivan to be my master." Gust said proudly. He flew up to Ivan's eye level.

Ivan gave him a small smile. "Gust, thank you. I am honoured to have you on my side."

Gust flew into Ivan's arms. "Good! Now lets get out of this dark, damp place. I'm hungry." the Jupiter Djinn groaned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I couldn't get to sleep that night. Something I saw earlier today was bothering me… That tree we saw… Near the gate. It looked disturbingly like a human…

Why are the people afraid of it?

Earlier today, people acted strangely towards us. They told us to leave that tree alone and that we came in a middle of a crisis. They also warned us not to go to Kolima for there seems to be rumours of a curse going around in that village, where people are turned to trees…

How very odd…

Tomorrow, we're going to Lord McCoy's palace that's just above the small hill to the north of town. From the looks of it, this McCoy must be very wealthy. So anyway, we're going to ask him what's going on with Kolima and lend a hand with this situation.

Hey, we're heroes, right? If we can defeat a bunch of thieves, then we can deal with this "curse".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You know, being a hero and all makes me hungry," Garet said grumpily. He was grumpy because he only got one serving of breakfast. We didn't have much money to spare him an extra meal. We practically had to drag him out of the inn when we refused to buy him more food…

What a pig…

"Quit complaining. After we help the lord, we'll get a big reward. Then you can eat as much as you want," I said.

"Bah! I'm hungry now!" he said as we walked up the stairs that lead to the lord's palace.

Two armed soldiers stood guard at the entrance. They spotted us and stopped us.

"Hold it right there, kids. The lord will only meet with brave and mighty warriors." the soldier on the right, said.

"Kids?!" Garet asked, offended.

"That's right," the one on the right, said, "You kids just go home now."

"Hey! We're warriors! And we'll prove it too. Come on, lets see what you tin soldiers can do!" Garet said as he raised his fists in front of him.

I grabbed him and held him back. "Garet! Calm down. Lets just talk this out." I said. He calmed down a bit.

"Sorry sirs. My friend here just doesn't like being called a child. But he is telling the truth; we are in fact warriors and we can prove it," I said. I gave them the most serious look I've ever have.

The soldier on the right sighed. "Well, if you're up to it. You may see the lord." he said.

I did a little victory dance in my head. I gave him a smile and winked at Garet and Ivan. Garet rolled his eyes and Ivan smiled back at me. Good thing those Djinn aren't with us, they'll surely start yelling at the guards. Especially Forge…We left them back at the inn we stayed in so we didn't look too obvious with them riding on our shoulders.

The other soldier protested, "What?! You can't let them in. They're only children!"

"Nobody else seems up to the challenge. What do we have to lose, hmm?"

The soldier scratched his head and sighed. "Alright. I shall let you pass. Follow me."

The soldier entered the palace and we followed. Inside, I could smell wonderful aromas of meals being prepared somewhere. I couldn't see where, but it smelled good. I could hear Garet mumbling about food. The hallways were brightly lit by candles and torches. There was a red carpet on the main hallway. The soldier disappeared into the doors at the end of this main hallway.

We quickly pursued him. Inside, there stood the guard and a man dressed in fine, silk robes. I assume he is Lord McCoy. He had brown hair and a brown moustache and beard. I could hear them murmuring….

"Did yeh get a good look at 'em?" McCoy said. He spoke in a odd way. I've never heard anyone speak with an accent.

The soldier hesitated. He turned towards us as we entered.

McCoy raised a brow. "Come closer, laddy." he addressed me. I did. Garet and Ivan stood on either side of me. He looked at us one by one. "These the ones yeh were talking about?" he asked the soldier.

The soldier nodded. Again, McCourt looked at us one by one. "They're but children!" he said, a little surprised.

I frowned.

Children? Ha! Stupid adults… Why do they have to treat us like this?

I looked over at Garet who glared at McCoy. McCoy sighed. "And yeh expect me tae believe yeh can save Kolima?" he asked us. It was a little difficult to understand what he said with his foreign accent. But, I managed to understand most of it.

I nodded. As did Ivan and Garet.

McCoy rubbed his beard. "Yeh're a brave lot, I grant you that…" He reached into his robe and pulled out a golden key. He tossed it onto the table that was in between us. "Here. This key'll get yeh past the barricades tae the east…"

I thought for a moment at what he tried to say… I heard a "barricade" and "east". Put those two words together and I hear that there's a barricade. To the east?

I gave McCoy a questioned look. The man looked sadly at us. "Even with that key, such wee lads as yerselves'll never reach Kolima…"

I tried hard enough to not say anything, but not Garet…

"Goddamn it! Why is he calling us children?!" Garet whispered harshly that only us three could here. "It's so annoying!"

"Yeah, I know, Garet." I whispered back. "Let's just see if we can prove to them that we aren't."

"Alright then…." Garet moaned.

I turned back towards McCoy. "So, yeh've decided to accept our little job?"

Garet and I nodded. Ivan hesitated.

Garet noticed him. "Hey Ivan! You're not up to it or what?" Garet asked, a little annoyed.

Ivan gripped the Shaman's rod tightly until his knuckles were white. He looked afraid…. "The curse… It can turn people into trees. Do you think we'll stand a chance?"

Garet looked offended. "What? Of course we stand a chance!"

"We're heroes!" Garet and I both said at the same time. It put confidence on Ivan's face.

McCoy burst out laughing, as did the guard. "My, my, my! Heroes?" he laughed some more. Then he suddenly stopped and looked terribly saddened.

"Yeh call yehselves warriors…. But still, yeh naught but wee children…"

Garet glared at him again. I frowned once more.

McCoy continued, "Aye, these are desperate times, but I cannae send such wee lads tae their doom!" With that, he took back the key.

The three of us gasped.

The soldier looked troubled. "What will happen to Kolima Forest?" he asked.

"We cannae give up hope on our other champions!" he said with confidence.

But… what about us?" Ivan asked meekly.

McCoy shook his head. "I cannae send yeh to intae certain doom."

Garet was irritated. Badly. "Oh yeah! What if we say we were heading east anyway?" Garet asked harshly.

"Yeh can go once things have settled down." McCoy answered, a little annoyed as well.

"That means, you're not letting us go…" Ivan said, disappointed.

"Ach, fer yer own good, lad."

I clenched my fists. Garet glared. Ivan looked at the floor.

"I dinnae want tae talk about anymore, Captain." he told the soldier.

The captain nodded and approached us. "I'm sorry, boys. But you have to leave."

"Alright." I said. I tried to hide the anger in my voice.

I turned around and left with everyone following my lead. Before we were out of the palace, the captain stopped us.

"Wait. Your name is Isaac, right? Sorry you and your friends were rejected." he apologized.

Garet snorted.

The captain continued, "Something like this, has never happened to Bilibin. Please, will you promise me that you won't go to Kolima?"

I wasn't too sure if I should say no. The man was trying to protect us, and I value that. So I nodded.

He looked relieved. "That's good."

I turned to leave, but he said more…

"That barricade… you may not need a key."

I stopped and looked at him. He winked, "But I didn't say that." Then he returned to his post.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We were back in the inn, where Flint and Forge were fighting again while Gust tried to stop them. I laid in bed, thinking.

"You know, there's a town up north called Imil. Wanna go there?" Gust suggested after we told them our story of McCoy. "We could explore there while they handle things here."

Garet rubbed his chin. "We could do that… Or we could check out that barricade. What do you wanna do, Isaac?"

I shrugged.

"Let me think…"

A/N: The next part is determined by you readers and reviewers! Should Isaac go to Imil or Kolima? If Imil, I'll write a short part of Felix's POV. If Kolima, I'll write a longer part for Felix's POV. So which shall it be? And no saying "either one is fine". PICK one!

And BTW, thanks for reading and reviewing! I especially thank Alex and Snoopy6458 for reviewing each chapter! *sniff* You two make me so happy! Bye now!