Greetings all again. So, second chapter of so very many. I want to thank you all in advance and hope that you enjoy this chapter.
Before that though, a word of thanks to Celestia's Paladin, and crazy reader, for their reviews.
This chapter may seem a bit iffy, but it's mainly an intro to the rest of the gang and a bit more.
Anyway, without further delay, to the reading!

The next morning the eight Adepts sat around a table in the inn lobby eating, talking and catching up with each other. There was a definite divide between the two teams of Adepts, an uncomfortable air that wouldn't soon be lifted. They didn't know each other. They hadn't gone through the arduous ordeals that led to trust yet. They knew better than to trust blindly, they knew blind trust was foolish. They knew not to trust until it was earned.

Isaac, the resident Venus Adept and leader of the other team, sat as far from Felix as the table physically allowed. He did not look like the scarred warrior of battle, no, he was much more akin to the mantle of a hero, a champion. He refused to enter darkness like Felix had, even his physical appearance was much brighter than that of his rival. His spiky golden brown hair shone, the individual shoots of hair picking up every different shade of light it could.

His scarf, forever wrapped around his neck, originally a bright yellow, had dirtied to an earthen meld of yellows, greens, and browns. It told the story of battle for him, the one sullied, mature, feature he allowed to be seen. He refused to remove it, or wash it, allowing only rain to do that. It had been his father's.

His face told a different story. It was still soft, and smooth, very much like the handsome men girl's imagined to come on horseback to save them. He still looked so young and innocent. His eyes betrayed that though, within them there was hurt, betrayal, wisdom and battle. Behind the dazzling blue, to those who had come to know what it meant to be a friend through battle and travel, there was pain. The pain was of the past, when Felix had betrayed him and all that he knew.

Jenna, the Mars Adept of Felix's team, sat across from him. For any man, above the age of thirteen, she was, in every sense of the word, sexy. There was no other way to describe her unless you truly knew her. She was undoubtedly the most curvaceous and busty of the three girls in the group. She too had a toned physique, though it was not particularly muscular. Her body was not the most attractive feature of the young woman though, by no means.

Her face was where her true beauty lay. Surrounded by the fiery flame that was the locks of her crimson hair which burned to her waist, a dazzling face stunned any who saw it. Every facet of the visage was elegant and striking. She had full, luscious, lips, a softly curved nose, and such delicate skin one would think it may crack if it was so much as touched. Her eyes though, they were the most piercing feature of the young woman. They were a full wine-red at the centre of her irises, turning to a deep crimson at the edge of her pupils, and to a bright rose-pink at the very edge.

Of course all this beauty may have led many men to doom. Belying her incredibly feminine appearance, she was a tomboy and a fiery one at that. She had embraced that lifestyle from an early age, never liking wearing dresses or playing with the other girls, she much preferred the company of Isaac, Garet, and Felix's, above all else. Many might have seen her preference for male interaction as an open door, and that had been a grave mistake for many boys in Vale. It didn't take much to get on her wrong side and when there it didn't take long before you were on the receiving end of a firestorm. Those who were friends though were guarded by that very firestorm.

Piers, Felix's Mercury Adept, sat next to her, having been her closest confidant over the past months. He was more built than Felix and Isaac, but perhaps slightly less than Garet. He carried the natural air of a sailor, the confidence and salty air that had been worn into his life through the years. His hair carried the scent of the sea more than anything though. Every time he tossed his long teal hair the smell of salt and fresh fish quickly passed through the noses of those nearby.

Beneath that hair, he too carried an heirloom: a bandanna. It was a simple design: an aqua piece of fabric wrapped around the forehead and a long piece of the same fabric flowing from the ears down just past his shoulders. It was often hard to distinguish between his hair and that resident item of his head. His face was a handsome visage. It was confident and soothing. The curvature of his lips was forever in a small reassuring smile for his friends, making his cheeks forever noticeable.

His eyes, currently closed in silent relaxation, were a mystery though, completely. They were a bright topaz, streaked with gold. They were like a treasure of sorts to someone who was a sailor, fitting then. And of course, like his eyes, Piers was a mystery. To any who took a glance, or even a full day staring from across a room, he looked no older than twenty. Those who knew him though knew the truth, not the full one: Piers was older than everyone currently in the inn. Piers was older than anyone one on Weyard not from Lemuria. For there, life was not the norm it is in the rest of the world for it is far longer. The chances were that Piers had seen his one hundredth and fiftieth year, quite possibly his two hundredth. He did insist though, that no one treat him as an elder, he was, by Lemurian standards, as old as the others by normal standards. He insisted he was a child at heart, or so he claimed.

Ivan, the Jupiter Adept of Isaac's team, sat across from Piers. The boy's eyes moved curiously to each and every person currently at the table, wearing his constant boy grin. He was much smaller than every else at the table, save Sheba, even smaller than both Mia and Jenna. He had gained some muscle because of the quest, perhaps not as much as Isaac or Garet had, not a lot but one could see the definition of his body. He wasn't very strong physically, but he was fast and highly athletic, capable of jumping over Garet's entire height effortlessly.

He was young as well, very clearly young. He was still just a boy after all, seemingly incapable of maturing, so he did not seem to be on a quest to save the world. His hair was a blinding blonde, especially when the sun hit. It fell around his head in such an unkempt manner it almost seemed purposeful, yet tidy. Beneath that, he almost had a baby's face, full round cheeks and large bright eyes.

The eyes, they were what told you he was not a boy anymore though, not really. Within their shine of a deep purple, one could see the wisdom he had, the battle he had seen, and the atrocities of the world. He was massively wise though, he didn't let the darker aspects of the world get to him, he knew the world was not perfect, so he was still as close to being a boy as he could be.

He was an… interesting young man, if indeed interesting was the word to use. No matter what you did, you could not stay mad at him, regardless of what he had done. He had a way of getting to you, to keep you together and to keep everyone else with you. His naturally light-hearted personality just made everyone feel the same. It was an amazing ability really, most likely credited to his vast mental ability, the Jupiter adept's natural boon. He could do anything, absolutely anything, and, however he did it in his own personal way, he would diffuse the tension in every situation possible. He didn't like to see his friends hurting, so he did whatever he could for them.

Sheba, Felix's Jupiter Adept, sat next to Ivan, poking him in the side as she spoke. She too was interesting. She had the same stature as Ivan, perhaps an inch or two shorter, but was as toned as Ivan as well. She was the smallest of the group, and she was glue. One couldn't get rid of her, even if you sometimes wanted to, and she helped hold everyone together as well. They could all only imagine what was to happen now that the two 'glues' of their teams would be fighting side by side daily. She was a naturally bright and exuberant person, perhaps slightly odd considering her background as a desert princess.

Her small bright smile was horribly infectious, one couldn't help but smile in return, and her high pitched giggles, sometimes primed to shatter glass, were just as polluting as they forced laughter from everyone else as well. Simply having her in the nearest vicinity made one feel happier, she simply brought that air with her. She was by no means as feminine looking as the other two females of the group. She was considered, due to her size, the cute one. Indeed she was, to any who took a glance, and sometimes she did act cute to get her way. But her nature was not to be cute, she was more naturally suited to antics that were not cute, but fun and entertaining, however, the sheer size of her made it cute anyway. She much preferred mischief and espionage to acting the norm she was considered to be, because she had hated being what she was considered to be all her life.

She was cute though, and there was no way around it. Her hair was that of gold, controlled and perfect above her face. She was tan, much more so than some of the others. Regardless of her colour though, it did not hide the red cheeks of joy she often had. And amidst these colours were two emeralds of the greatest green as her eyes. They were dazzling to look at, almost like the jewels which represented their colour as you looked at them. They were very beautiful eyes.

Garet, Isaac's Mars Adept, was next to Piers, all of him amazingly. He was the heroic one, sometimes even more than Isaac. His build, tall, broad, and muscular, exuded a sense of safety, confidence, and reassurance, when one was around him. Fitting since he would one day be the mayor of Vale. Considering he was always in the company of Isaac this feeling of safety he exuded was greatly heightened. He would never let his friends be hurt, he would do whatever he could for them, never giving up, always doing everything to defend anyone he loved. He was a guard, a sentinel, for all, always risking himself before he would let another be hurt. Since he was somewhat of a comedian, he tried not to scold anyone and risk hypocrisy. Instead he left that duty to Isaac.

He was a child, despite the fact that he was currently one of the oldest Adepts at the table. He was immature more often than not, and when paired with Ivan this usually ended in excellent comedy or fantastic embarrassment, though that was not to say he was not mature. Sometimes he could have been considered the most mature, especially in his serious moments. So, in a way, just as Ivan and Sheba were the personality of the group, he was the heart.

His kind face told this. Indeed it could be said he was perhaps too different from the normal to seem kind in his face, but he was. The face above his broad shoulders, strong jaw, and beneath the extra foot of hair his spiky red hair provided, was flawlessly kind. His broad smile told you he cared, his relaxed demeanour helped this. Then his eyes of auburn, though perhaps more golden-brown at times, were naturally kind. If you looked into his eyes, you learned that he was someone who truly cared. Best of all, he could always make you laugh, make light of the situation, and seeing as he was usually helped by Ivan in this respect, it took no more than a few seconds for him to accomplish.

Mia, Isaac's resident Mercury Adept, was next to Garet. She was talking shyly to the man, who was loud and brash in contrast to her. Never-endingly she smiled a serene, peaceful, curve of the lips. It was not a full smile or a smirk or any variation of that, it was simply Mia's natural look. She always smiled that small smile and as she did, anyone who saw it was given peace and tranquillity. It was so easy and relaxing that it was impossible not to feel relaxed. It was helped, of course, by her wondrously compassionate sapphire eyes. She was naturally beautiful. It was so effortless and natural that she even seemed embarrassed by it. She didn't like fights of any form, silly squabbles or full blown arguments, or fighting for your life, she didn't like any of it. Mia far preferred the simplicity of tranquillity. She was, in every possible way, peace.

Kraden, the scholar of Alchemy, was beside Mia. He was old, somewhere in his eighty-eight year, and so had slightly dozed off every now and then after he had finished his breakfast meal. Garet awoke him every now and then, and as he awoke with a start he pushed his small round glasses up the bridge of his nose, looked around with grey eyes, smiled at everyone and participated in any conversations Garet involved him in. As he spoke, especially about subjects that interested him, he seemed far younger. The deep lines across his forehead were not so deep, his wrinkled mouth seemed to return to smooth youth, and his eyes brightened at the thoughts.

He was a somewhat typical 'old man', white hair and all. However, he was not going bald, quite the contrary, he seemed to be growing even more hair than in his youth. His hair long and white was all combed back, somewhat like a mane. This was made even more prominent as his beard joined with it around his ears. The whites fell from his chin in glorious tumbles of wisdom and stopped just short of his chest. He was fun to be around when he was in one of his 'ecstatic scholar moments' when he seemed like he was fifteen all over again.

Then… there was Felix at the end of the table. He was not an anti-social person as many may believe. He quite enjoyed the company of others, and he enjoyed talking and having fun with friends. He was confident and steadfast. He easily earned respect. He was a leader, in every sense of the word. Others would throw down their allegiances to others to follow him. He exuded confidence and ease readily. He was quick to decide, quick to act, quick to adapt, quick to respond, and quick to learn. He was a leader. He had earned everyone's respect and justly so. He was not a dark man at heart, even if he was technically the darkest looking Adept among the others.

Many facets of his appearance told the story, most notably his cloaks. The two he had, though he had worn the green when with Saturos and he hadn't needed to fight, were horribly torn and ripped. The green was ripped from Proxian abuse, the blue from his own on the world. He was tall, falling just short of Garet's height minus his hair, and very well built after his stay in Prox. The cold and darkness of Prox he carried with him always, refusing to forget, using it to drive him. He seemed to exude it.

Beneath the ebony screen that was his hair, his face was as equally cold and harsh as the wilds of the north. His eyes were almost always narrowed in some form of thought or reflection, always seeming to stem from Prox. Their deep chocolate tone was warm, odd considering all else, especially since their warm colour just seemed to stare a coldness into whatever he looked at. There were so many scars in the unique patterns of his irises, each something he kept with him through sheer force of will to remind him why he fought, to remind him to fight.

At heart, wherever he had locked it away for the past five years, he was not as dark as he showed, however, for the quest, he had to be. That was the only way, after all. He played the role well. His eyes, the darkest of the group, were best suited to hiding the various conflicts he felt within himself playing this role. He didn't like it. He despised it. He loathed that fate had dealt him this hand. But he was more than ready to face it, as long as it meant saving the others from sharing his fate.

He had to save them.

Felix's eyes wandered to Mia, and a slight smile played upon his lips, barely noticeable, as he thought of last night. He thought of how her cerulean hair lightly danced in the breeze and how her bright sapphire blue eyes brought with them an unmistakeable feeling of peace.

"You know, I had been wondering whether or not I imagined Mia leaving last night."

The voice beside him broke Felix out of his reverie, and he turned around, expertly hiding his surprise, to see the mischievous smile of Sheba. When exactly had she moved away from Ivan's side?

"Sheba?" Felix asked quietly, raising his eyebrow. He knew best how to deal with Sheba's plots.

"So what did you get up to?" She urged quickly, wanting to know his secrets, "C'mon, you can tell me." She quickly feigned a gasp, "Did you kiss? Did you rock her world? You did, didn't you!?"

One had to love her imagination.

"Mia followed me down to the plains last night." He explained simply, "She wanted to find out…" His mind searched for a word, "what I was."

"Is that all?" She frowned, hoping for more of a scandal, "Okay, well I don't entirely believe you, but that looks interesting." She giggled gesturing to Isaac and Jenna.

She laughed slightly and went to talk to Isaac and Jenna.

Felix smiled slightly, he knew Sheba. He knew she would return in due time with more questions. He knew she would also question Mia. He knew she would find some way to question both of them simultaneously when they were alone. She knew she would recruit someone to help her dig up these secrets. He had been truthful, more or less. He may have omitted a certain detail. And that was nothing anyway. It was just a hug. There was nothing that would entertain her scouting nature. He stood up quietly, no one seemed to notice, and quickly left the inn.

Mia looked around when Garet paused to eat, she smiled at the sight of new and old friends laughing, talking, and enjoying themselves. She knew this would not last for long. Soon they would depart for the frozen Northern Reaches and Mars Lighthouse.

Her mind wandered back to how she had come to be here, what if she had never met Isaac, Ivan and Garet and accompanied them on their chase of Felix? How different would her life be then? She had grown so much stronger than what she had been in Imil, wounds that would have been a difficult task back then seemed now easily healed. Of course there wouldn't be the constant fear and threat of death if she had stayed, but despite everything she was glad to be there.

She was glad to have met Isaac, Garet and Ivan and to have travelled with them for so long. She was glad they had caught up to Felix and settled all their differences. She was glad to have met him, Jenna, Sheba and Piers.

Despite all the danger, fear, anxiety and uncertainty that stalked their words, actions and every step they took, despite the troubles she had seen on her travels, despite the death and injury she had seen, she was glad to be there.

Her life had been changed forever, for the better? She wasn't sure, but that didn't matter, she didn't care. She was just happy to have met and to be with everyone. They were her friends, they would do everything they could for her and she would do the same in return. She beamed brightly and looked over the faces of the table, they quickly glanced at her and returned a small smile and a wave, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with joy.

Mia's smile quickly vanished however, when she noticed the absence of one member of their party: the long-haired Venus Adept. She glanced around the room and saw the end of a blue, one-shouldered cloak escaping through a door.

She frowned slightly, thoughtfully, "Why would he leave?" She whispered.

"Who? Felix? Ah don't worry 'bout him. He's always been like that, prefers some time to himself."

The Mars Adept's loud, brash voice caused Mia to jump slightly. She turned to face Garet who was still stuffing his mouth with food.

"Besides, why are you worried? You've only known him a day." Garet managed to speak between bites.

Mia smiled slightly realising the truth to his words. She had only known him a day, surely she didn't need to start helping him right away. He could take care of himself. Still though, Mia couldn't shake that feeling of needing to help him and that darker feeling like something bad was going to happen.

"Well I suppose that's just who you are, Mia, always looking out for people." Garet had stopped eating at last and smiled at Mia.

She smiled back, slightly embarrassed at his words. That was Garet, always blunt and true, "Thank you, Garet. But, I think I'll check on him anyway."

"Hey whatever you feel like." He shrugged and continued eating.

She smiled, nodded and left to find Felix. Before she got outside a voice called her back.

"Mia!"

Internally, Mia sighed. She wasn't keen on these delays. After all, Felix may be feeling hurt or worried… She turned with a small smile on her face to see Jenna and Isaac waving over to her. They smiled to her as she walked to their side.

"Where are you going?" The dirt-blonde Venus Adept had posed the question, "We need to be ready as soon as possible."

"Oh, I was just going out to see if Felix was alright. That's all, Isaac." She said trying to seem innocent.

"I wouldn't worry about my brother, Mia, he's always like this." Jenna's eyes were absently drifting around as she twirled her crimson hair through her fingers, "It's best to just leave him he usually comes back happy and sociable… well, to the extent that he can anyway."

Isaac laughed lightly at this. Mia seemed to miss the joke.

"Well, I'm still worried so if you don't mind, please excuse me." She said as curtly as she could.

"Mia, I know you mean well, just don't be shocked if Felix isn't… pleased with the disturbance." Isaac warned, his care revealing that he thought his words to be absolute truth.

"Don't worry, Isaac."

With that she left to find Felix.

Felix found the site of last night. The sheer fact that he came back to here was strange. Chances are he would not have if not for last night. It was dangerous after all. Usually for his silent thoughts he would sit just beyond city gates, or a small distance from camp, not far out into the wilderness. Why he had gone so far last night was an exception, he preferred to think of a distance between himself, Isaac and Garet. He had betrayed his best friends' trust after all, they didn't like it, he didn't like it, and he certainly didn't like that they had agreed to help him. Couldn't they go home, to safety with everyone else?

He sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing with the fact now, it's how it was and nothing he said would make a difference, especially not alone as he was. So, he took to scanning the landscape for ambushers. His previous ambusher's limbs stuck up from beneath the earth, crushed and bloody. Glowing with powerful Psynergetic rings, he focused on returning the ground to its original flat surface once more. He reopened the earth as the beast tumbled down further into the depths of the world and sealed it together again.

He carefully reworked the earth beneath him to settle the cracks and breaks he had created. He smiled and placed his hand on the now soft ground beneath him, calling on the powers of his Djinn, he forced his Psynergy into the earth. Small tufts of grass appeared around his hand and several small blades grew in the landscape. He smiled and once again using his Psynergy to create a small, earthen, seat below the small earthen alcove. In a few days the land would be restored to what it had been, blooming with grasses, plants and flowers.

He leaned back and his mind worked on what was to come next. The short rest they had now would soon be followed by the journey to Prox and Mars Lighthouse. Fraught with danger and perils, they would be fighting ceaselessly for the next few weeks, fighting nature, monsters and, most importantly, the labyrinthine Mars Lighthouse.

He sighed aloud, none of them were strong enough for what was to come, true they had gained great prowess in their journey and their Psynergy had bolstered after their battles, but it still wasn't enough they would need to become a lot stronger, fast. His mind continually worked on how they would achieve their goals, but eventually his thoughts drifted to the eyes of a cerulean haired Mercury Adept.

"Echo…"

The Djinni materialised before him, "Yes, Master Felix?"

"Tell me, Echo, what do you think of Mia?" He asked.

Echo was one of the few who had a great understanding of who Felix was. He trusted Echo. His judgement of Mia would serve as a ground to work from with her. He just hoped Echo was capable of giving him the answers he hoped for.

The Djinni tilted its upper body to the side, much the same as tilting its head, "Well, Master, what do you mean?"

"I mean, what do you think of her?" Felix repeated, making him question his reasoning even more. What was he doing? Asking about Mia, what was the point of that? It was just last night that was all. She had gotten to him, actually cared. But then, Jenna, Sheba, and Piers had cared initially. Maybe she would give up as well. That would be best for her.

"She's a powerful Adept, a strong healer and a-"

Felix held up his hand to signal him to stop, "No, Echo, what do you think of Mia as a person?" His thoughts continually screamed question at him.

"Master, you should know it's more difficult for a Djinni to gauge such things. However, she seems to be a nice person, very peaceful, quiet, determined to help everyone," He paused for a moment, "…and I think she is fond of you, Master."

Felix nodded slightly at his words.

"But, she is a Mercury Clan's healer." Echo added, "A cleric, a paragon. I think it best not to get your hopes to high."

Felix narrowed his eyes at Echo's hope statement before choosing to ignore it as a Djinni's usual insanity, even if Echo was the sanest of his partners. He simply nodded, considering his advice. Mia was a paragon, someone dedicated to purity and helping others. Of course she was. How could she not be? His thoughts drifted back to last night momentarily. Mia seemed so embarrassed for him to try and make sure she was comfortable in the chill of the night, and she was beautiful in the glimmering starlight. And he had opened up to her. Why? Why had he done it? He wasn't even sure. He knew he was wrong, he knew he most likely put Mia's duties as healer and her thoughts into horrible conflict.

"Sir Felix."

He recognised that voice and slowly turned around to see the blue form of the Mercury Djinni, Fizz.

"Fizz?" He asked sceptically, "Why are you out here alone?"

"Miss Mia saw you leave, was worried, and sent me here to find you. Miss Mia is searching the town for you."

Fizz's bubbled words intrigued him, the thought of Mia looking for him, worried, astounded him… or they would have had last night never occurred. Maybe he had doomed her to never-ending worry by telling her so much, "Mia's looking for me? She's worried?" He said astounded.

"Yes, Sir Felix, now if you will remain here I will return to Miss Mia and tell her where you are."

"Anyone else think it's weird that Mia's been gone so long?" Garet yawned pushing away yet another plate cleaned of food.

"Yeah it's not like Mia." Ivan said quickly, breaking out of his trance with a loud clatter of cutlery, "I bet she's lost." He smirked stupidly.

"Nah you got it all wrong." Isaac smiled mischievously, "She fancies him." He joked.

"Mia?" Ivan and Garet said in simultaneous disbelief.

"Felix?" Jenna added in an even more doubtful tone.

"Ah, young love." Piers intoned comically as he leaned back on his chair, "I do think she's attracted to him, on some level."

"Speaking of young," Sheba smirked, "how long's it been since you've been 'young'?"

"Let's not do this again." He sighed and brushed his hand through his long ocean blue hair, pulling several strands out from his bandanna.

He had grown weary of Sheba's constant attempts to discover his true age. Ever since they had first left Lemuria together, he had been berated by constant jives and taunts considering his age from Sheba, and sometimes Jenna, as she tried to coax his age out of him. Thankfully he had managed to keep his mind in check and Sheba had been unable to read the truth from his thoughts.

"Actually I'm interested in this," Isaac chimed in, leaning closer, "I know you prolong life by drinking your draught."

"Used to." Piers corrected, "Lemuria no longer makes the draught. We must drink the natural waters of Lemuria to hold off time."

"Wait!" Jenna interjected, "All of us drank water there! Does that mean we've stopped ageing for a while?"

Piers shook his head in response, "The length of time you were there and the amount you drank may have delayed age by about two days max. You must drink it all your life for it to truly have an effect."

"Oh…" Jenna replied, seeming slightly disheartened, "Well, what about you then?"

"I'll be ageing… slightly faster." He answered.

"Meaning?" The group motioned for explanation.

"I will not be ageing at the same rate as you all. As I have been drinking the waters all my life, long as it has been, dear Sheba," He said, noticing Sheba's silly grin, "it is likely mixed into my system, slowing my ageing, though not as much as if I still lived in Lemuria."

"Interesting." Isaac commented, "So, it's these waters that prolong life?"

"Indeed. The draught was more potent, but we find no use for it since, apart from myself, no one leaves Lemuria. You may also be interested to know that time seems longer in Lemuria. Three days may seem like a few hours, but it is still three days, do not be fooled."

"Okay, thanks." Isaac nodded, "But, back to my original point, thank you, Jenna," He shot the source of the interruption a comical glare, "as I don't want to seem disrespectful, how much of an elder are you in comparison to us, Piers? I assume you're far older."

Piers nodded slightly, that much was obvious, but said nothing more as he did not want to pursue the conversation further. Sadly he knew the conversation would persist regardless of Isaac's intervention, Sheba would not let up for some time. He had considered divulging his age to her in secret several times, but something about her childish nature just nudged away his trust.

"So, are you thousands of years old or something?" Garet frowned stupidly, not fully understanding the concept of age in Lemuria.

Piers simply turned to stare at Garet, even Sheba hadn't guessed above the age of a three hundred, but thousands? That was slightly insulting, but it wasn't meant as such, it was Garet, admittedly not the brightest Adept among them. However he more than made up for it with his heart and unwavering devotion to his friends.

"Don't be stupid, Garet." Ivan quipped, "He is… about… a hundred and eighty six."

Piers made a mental note to be cautious around Ivan, the boy was wise and articulate, but he was just as childish and mischievous as Sheba. Plus he could read minds like Sheba, so he'd have to be more careful about his thoughts. He would be smarter with his approach to it, if he hounded the subject as fervently as Sheba had, but he may only use the attempt as a source of amusement. If he ever discovered his age he might simply become bored and find something new to occupy him.

"Why?" Jenna asked furrowing her brow in confusion.

Ivan shrugged and tipped his head slightly, pretending to scrutinise Piers, "He has that look." He alleged comically.

"Fantastic logic." Jenna mocked with a tone rich in sarcasm.

"Are we done?" Piers asked, hoping for some relief. Nearly every day since he had departed Lemuria with Felix, Jenna and Sheba he had been dogged for the answers, sometimes it lasted no more than a question, others it could stretch into hours. He remembered, with a mental grimace, on one such instance where it had lasted the entire day of travel, filled with constant questions from both Sheba and Jenna.

Thankfully, Isaac decided to be gracious and take charge.

"Okay, everyone," Isaac said sternly, "I'm sure Felix will want us to leave as soon as possible, so go get ready. I'm gonna go look for those two. Be ready by the time I'm back."

"You got it." Garet yawned and stretched out wide as he stood up, physically the strongest and standing head and shoulders above everyone but Piers, perhaps his only physical rival. He slowly ambled up the stairs to the rooms.

"After you, madam." Ivan bowed down low, allowing Sheba to pass. Childish and witty as always no matter whom he spoke to.

"Oh, thank you, kind sir." Sheba curtseyed in the same playful manner and ran past him up the stairs. Ivan followed behind at the same pace.

Jenna yawned and tied her hair back in a ponytail as she slowly ascended the narrow staircase, cursing as she smacked her elbow against the doorframe. Isaac sighed slightly, knowing she would be in a bad mood for a while now.

"Let's go." Piers smiled to Isaac, walking to his side.

"You have everything ready for when we leave?" Isaac asked quickly, not wanting to waste any time.

"Of course." Piers nodded.

Isaac returned it and quickly led the way out into town. They were forced to stand strong against an oddly powerful gust that blew through the town, strong enough to knock lighter people off their feet.

"Jupiter's Beacon is having more of an effect than I would have thought." Piers reasoned looking off to the tall purple Lighthouse in the distance.

"We'll have to hurry then." Isaac grumbled, not wanting to fail their quest because of wasting time.

They walked to the Anemos Crater which overlooked the town. Ancient stories surrounding this crater were dubious at best. Apparently the Anemos, an advanced society of Jupiter Adepts during the time of Alchemy, had their city there. They had mastered the many techniques of the wind, including the ability to construct portable flying devices for man to wear. When the time came for Alchemy's seal, the Anemos grew fearful of what would happen to them and used there Psynergy to lift there city to the heavens, and settled on the moon. All Jupiter Adepts, the scarcest breed of Adept in the world, are believed to be descended from the Anemos.

"See them?" Isaac asked simply, holding his hands around his eyes.

"I'm afraid not. Perhaps they… Wait, there!" He yelled pointing to a streak of blue hurtling towards them.

They prepared themselves for battle as the light swirled in front of them. Then Fizz stood before them.

"Sir Isaac, Sir Piers. Miss Mia needs you down on the plains. Please hurry, it is urgent." Fizz said frantically.

"Isaac, get the others. Chill," Piers' Djinni materialised before him, "guide Isaac and the others to me when they're ready. Let's go." He said chasing the blue stream of light down to the plains, his hair and bandanna flying behind him in swirls of blue rivalling that of the Djinni.

Isaac and Chill ran back to the inn to rouse everyone, Fizz wouldn't have been that agitated if it wasn't serious. And if Mia had left to find Felix… he forced the thought away from his head. Felix wouldn't hurt Mia. He damn well better not have. If he had, he was going to pay, both Isaac and Garet would be sure of that.

Mia followed Fizz to the plains where she had been with Felix, singing calmly, content with the idea of just being with him. She saw him and his small Djinni a short walk from her position on top of the hill. She smiled wider and walked closer. They hadn't yet noticed her.

"I fear the same." Felix's voice came.

"I believed it to be a happy thing amongst humans, Master." Echo's voice replied.

"Usually. But, I can't."

"Hi." Mia said innocently.

The two turned to her quickly, masking something. Felix's eyes focused entirely onto her, shocking her into a feared stillness. Echo's orbs bounced back and forth between the healer and the warrior.

"What's wrong?" She asked quickly, worried she had disturbed something.

"Nothing important." Felix answered politely as Echo swirled back to him, "Are you okay?"

She nodded and smiled wider. A silence fell on them. Felix, not being a conversationalist, watched Mia for the time. She looked back innocently, getting lost in his incredibly deep brown eyes. Those very same eyes that had shown her so much. They had scared her at first, but now that she looked into them…

"Mia?" Felix asked.

His voice broke her amazement. He was staring at her quizzically, his head cocked slightly to the side. She shook herself mentally, trying to regain herself. Why did he always make her lose sight of everything?

"Hmm? Oh, uh, sorry."

"Why are you down here?" He probed.

Mia shrugged, pursing her lips as she thought for a moment, "Why'd you leave? No one seems to care either. Why? That just confuses me... I mean, it seems like even your sister doesn't care if there's something wrong."

"It's not that. They all know I like to have some time alone. To think." He answered, "I usually spend a lot of time alone anyway. The others are relatively used to me walking off without announcing it."

"I'm sorry." She spoke up tenderly, "Don't you ever get lonely?"

Felix shrugged, "I wouldn't know."

"How can you not know?" Mia asked. The very thought of not knowing if one was lonely or not seemed impossible. That's why she was so shocked by his answer.

"After how long I spent alone it's hard to tell." He responded plainly.

"I'm sorry…" She repeated, feeling a ridiculous amount of remorse for him. She searched through all she knew, hoping to find some way to make him feel, to make her feel, not lonely, even if he didn't know it, "Uh… I… do you want a hug?"

Felix raised a curious eyebrow at her words. To her joy a small smile of amusement grew on his lips. He had smiled again. It seemed so odd… somewhat magical in a way. It was a slight curve of light in the darkness. Kind of like the moon in its beginning or ending.

"Sure. Sounds nice." He stood up and walked over to her.

As much as she wanted to hug him, she felt like she had ruined it by asking. Her embarrassment prevented movement. He stood in front of her, looking down kindly. Unable to respond to his sudden tug as she was pulled into his chest, her insides simply jumped. He was warm.

Eventually her body was capable of movement and her arms, slowly and gently, moved to his back. No sooner his hand moved away pushing back locks of her hair. Had she done something wrong?

"Mia," He whispered softly, "have you got your weapon?"

"Huh?"

"We're surrounded. There are about eight wyverns."

She opened her eyes suddenly. She could make out two grey wyverns baring their teeth at them. This may have been why he accepted the hug offer in the first place she thought.

"Oh…" She responded through a breath, "Yeah, I'm all set."

"Alright, three seconds after I attack, you start, got it?" He said decisively.

"Mm-hmm." His level-headedness was much more encouraging than Isaac's battle approach. She didn't dare uestion why she had to wait. He just seemed so right about it all.

She felt his Psynergy course through him. She was waiting for the attack. The earth trembled suddenly and the screeches of the monsters began.

He broke away from her suddenly.

One…

She heard slashing and clawing.

Two…

She felt monsters drawing closer to her.

Three…

She opened her eyes to the sight of wyverns bearing down on her. Her Psynergy responded instinctively firing jets of froth at the monsters before she retreated to a suitable distance. Three of the wyverns were already down in a heap amongst their own gore. Felix was swinging his blade as he drove the wyverns toward his active Psynergy. She shook herself, bringing her focus back to the two wyverns that were after her. Their power was of Jupiter, she had fought them in the Lighthouse, and they were strong. Her element was not particularly powerful against it. Felix had the upper-hand, but a downfall, his was powerful against theirs and theirs was powerful against his.

She raised her elegant staff above her head, imbuing it with her Psynergy. She swung at the closest of the wyverns, contacting its wing with a spray of water. The beast recoiled in pain, falling to the ground for the moment. The other was still flying around her. She tightened her eyes in focus and, raising her hand to the sky, a hail of diamond-ice rained around her.

She opened her eyes as a shriek rang out. The wyvern had several shards protruding from its grey flesh along with several rips through its wings. She swung her staff upward, catching the wyvern beneath the jaw and knocking it onto its back. As it writhed in an attempt to regain itself she cracked its neck with another Psynergetic blow from her staff.

She took a quick glance around, her earlier attacker was clawing toward her and Felix had felled another wyvern. She focused a spray of froth at her attacker, gasping as it dodged around it with ease. Her scream split the air as it sank its teeth into leg. She felt its jaw tighten as bile-tipped teeth dug deeper. She swung desperately at its vice-like grip. It yielded nothing.

Then from nowhere a spire of earth shot through the wyvern's torso, ripping it from her leg. Its jaw had loosened slightly in pain before it was torn away from its bloody feast, so her flesh was saved. She crouched down, pouring her Psynergy into her leg, extracting the bile from her bloodstream.

"Mia!"

She looked up suddenly. There was only one wyvern left and it had decided that Felix was too strong for it. A twin stream of lightning was sparking through the air toward her. She focused her Psynergy to protect her, knowing that it would only lessen the brunt of the attack. Then something spun through the air and over her crouched figure.

She watched it spin through the air, staggering as fast as she could in horror to where it crashed into the ground. She heard a screech and turned to find the wyvern impaled upon many protruding spires of earth. Felix's Psynergetic trap, she reasoned.

She heard a short, ragged laugh behind her, "Got him…"

"NO!" Mia screamed and ran to his side.

She fell to her knees beside him, her robes becoming damp with blood. She ignored the pain in her leg, and turned him onto his back. She was horrified by the state he had been left in by the attack. The lightning had broken through his Psynergy shield, burned through his clothing and bored a hole into his chest. He appeared to have been bitten and clawed in several places as well. Electricity crackled through his body, emanating from the epicentre of the wound.

"Oh, no… Felix…no…"

Felix managed to turn his head slightly, and lifted his bloody hand to Mia's face. She held it to her cheek, her sapphire eyes welling with tears.

"Felix…" She whispered horrified.

He grinned, "You okay?"

She nodded through tears as her Psynergy flowed into the wound.

He moved a bloody finger across her cheek, wiping a tear away, replacing it with blood. She held the hand tighter to her.

"Good…" He whispered as his hand dropped with a thud to the ground.

"FELIX!" She screamed, tears freely flowing from her eyes.

Her Psynergy flared suddenly, responding to emotion, and she forced whatever poison she could from his wounds while she did what she could for the wound in his chest.

"FIZZ!" She screamed, "Get help! Hurry!"

She felt her Psynergy weaken slightly as Fizz left her, but focused entirely upon trying to keep Felix stable and alive. She sat beside him, her robes darkened by his lifeblood, using her powers to try and heal Felix's wounds. She sat beside him for what seemed like a hellish eternity, her Psynergy flowing continuously into his broken body. She could feel the poison from the wyvern flowing through her veins. Her mind told her to ignore Felix and heal herself or she would be no use. After a while she could feel her Psynergy reaching its limits but she never stopped, she refused to let him die. Eventually the constant drain took its toll and she passed out beside him in his pool of crimson.

Sudden? I know, but hey, remember this did start as a oneshot and as it developed I found it hard to edit this out, so I simply changed it a good bit. Anyway, don't worry about it. Thankfully the next few chapters are better.
This chapter was just to test out my descriptive ability and work on several theories behind the ol' Lemurian lifespan, as well as have some Mia/Felix stuff... and in case you're wondering why Mia only got a single paragraph of description she had her very own last chapter, remember?
So, thanks for reading, and if you can I would like you to drop me a review, if you would be so kind. (Who knows? You might actually inspire me to completely edit this injury scene)
Well, that should be that for now,
Your friend and writer,
Droory.