Golden Sun : Book 1

Chapter 3:

Where to next?

After the midnight attack and having to set up the tent again, Isaac and Garet ended up getting only another hour or two of sleep that night. Isaac woke up shortly after daybreak. He quietly got dressed and exited the tent without waking Garet. Might as well let him someone get a little sleep. For a few minutes Isaac sat there just looking around at the great outdoors. Sure is nice out. he thought idly. Then he sighed and got back to his feet, Alright, time to get to work. He pulled out their map and compared it to their surroundings. "Okay," Isaac said to himself, "If that's the edge of the that forest, and way up there to the north is Mt. Aleph…" Isaac double checked the map to be sure he was right. "Huh? That's odd…"

"What is?"

Isaac jumped and spun around. Garet was standing just outside the tent fully dressed. "By Venus, Garet! You freaking scared me!"

Garet laughed at this as he ambled over to Isaac. "Ya, I know." He rested his arm on Isaac's shoulder and looked down at the map. "So what's odd?"

Isaac glared at his friend then answered, "Well it looks like we got out of the valley without noticing it."

Garet raised an eyebrow, "So?" he prompted.

"So," Isaac said, "that means we have more than one direction we can go in."

Garet finally stopped leaning on Isaac's shoulder and paced around a bit. "In other words," he said turning to Isaac, "the question is 'Where to next?'"

"Well…" Isaac said hesitantly, "yeah."

Garet seemed to ponder this for a moment, then suddenly he clapped his hands together. "Ok!" he started, "Seeing as Vault is the only place we actually know exists," he gave Isaac jokingly condescending look, "I vote we go there."

"Fine," Isaac said, trying not to grin, "We'll play it safe." He gave Garet a friendly shove in the chest, "Just pack up the tent already."

"Ok," Garet replied tentatively, "But you-"

"Yes, yes," Isaac cut him off, "I know. I'll carry it."

* * *

They had just barely started walking when Garet suddenly darted forward a few yards. "Hey, what's that?" he asked pointing ahead, slightly to their right.

There, just about fifty yards in the distance, a glowing creature was bouncing around. "I don't know," Isaac replied.

"Well let's go find out!" Without another word Garet dashed of towards the thing.

"Garet!" Isaac yelled as he ran after him, nearly tripping because of the weight of the pack he was carrying. No wonder Garet didn't want to lug this thing around.

Once Garet got within ten feet of the thing, it stopped hopping, turned to face him, and said "Oh!" Garet, clearly surprised by this, stopped dead in his tracks. Isaac likewise slowed to a stop next to Garet. "A traveling warrior!"

It was at this point Garet freaked and whipped out his sword.

"Whoa, Garet!" Isaac yelled as he cast Move on Garet to keep him from disemboweling the little creature. "Hold on there!"

"I'm not taking any chances with this thing, man!" Garet shouted back.

They were both interrupted when the thing spoke again. "And I see you're an Adept, too!" This shut them both up. Garet lowered his sword and Isaac loosened his psynergetic grip on Garet.

What is this thing? Isaac thought. For the first time he took a good look at it. The creature was small, no more than a foot high, and brown . It had many spikes coming off its back which made it look a little fearsome despite his friendly disposition. Is this creature seriously talking to me? It lacked arms and only had little nubs for feet, but somehow Isaac could tell it was very powerful. And more importantly it could tell I was using psynergy.

"You are just the kind of fighter that I've been looking for." it continued, apparently not noticing the boys' nervousness. "Won't you please take me along with you?"

The two friends looked at each other, both of them still struck speechless. "Well…" Isaac managed eventually, "I…"

But the little creature was still unaware of his uncertainty. "I'm a Venus Djinni. My name is Flint." it said cheerfully. Again Isaac and Garet look at each other, but this time more surprised than confused. "I must find my comrades." Flint continued, "We were separated from each other when the volcano erupted." The Djinni got excited suddenly as if it had just got a brilliant idea. "…Maybe you can help gather my friends together as you travel." the little creature seemed to be getting happier by the moment. "if you let me join you, I'll prove to be very beneficial to you Adepts! Your psynergy will grow stronger, and your Adept skills will also improve. You can call on us in battle or just use our power to boost your own!" Garet glanced over at Isaac once more, grinning this time. "If you call on many of us at once, our powers will work together!" the Djinni continued, "What do you think? Will you take me with you?"

Isaac gave Garet a questioning look. The other simply shrugged and grinned even wider, "Sound's like a good deal to me!"

Isaac looked back at the Djinni, "Alright!" he agreed smiling.

The little guy started bounce up and down again. "Oh, you'll see!" Flint said, "You won't regret it!" Without warning the Djinni disappeared into the ground. Isaac looked at Garet then back at the empty spot the Djinni had been sitting in before. Where did he- Isaac's thought was interrupted when hundreds of particles of energy burst out the earth all around him. Isaac was sure that at the time Garet must have been scared out of his mind, but Isaac knew instantly that what he was feeling was there pure power of the Venus element. The energy particles flew around him in an ever-tightening circle until they came together inside of him. With that Isaac acquired his first Djinni.

Isaac looked over at Garet and could barely keep himself from cracking up. The Mars Adept's sword had fallen from his grip and his mouth was gaping wide open. Finally Isaac burst out laughing. "You should see the look on you face!" Isaac said when he had caught his breath.

By this time Garet had regained his composure. "What? Your telling me that didn't surprise you at all?" He retorted while pick up his sword.

"Not as much as you'd think," Isaac replied, "You'll understand when you get your own Djinni."

"Speaking of that," Garet said, "Where is the little guy?"

"Right here!" Flint said as he popped his head out of Isaac's shirt pocket. Now instead of being a foot tall the little creature was only three inches high.

"Huh?" Garet said tilting his head, "Travel size. That's convenient." Isaac just rolled his eyes and began walking towards Vault again.

"What?" Garet called as ran after him.

* * *

They spent the next hour or so conversing with their new ally, telling Flint about where they had come from and about their quest. Eventually there was nothing more to say, and they all walked in silence. Well I guess technically me and Garet are walking; Flint is floating. Soon Isaac heard Garet sniffing loudly. What is he doing?

"Isaac," Garet began, "What I'm about to tell you, I say as your best friend…"

"Yeah?" Isaac asked warily.

"Isaac," Garet said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "We stink." It wasn't until that moment that Isaac noticed the stench.

"Y'know, Garet," Isaac replied, "I think it just might have something to do with the fact that we've done nothing but walk the past two days, and we still haven't had a shower."

"Isaac," he said rubbing his chin in 'deep concentration', "I think you might be on to something there."

"What are you guys talking about?" Flint asked, flying around their heads, "I don't smell anything!"

"That's because you," Garet said pointing at the Djinni, "Don't have a nose." Both the friends chuckled at this.

So they continued on, now with a new reason to get to Vault as soon as possible.

* * *

Several hours later they came across the first real landmark they'd seen all day. "Is that what I think it is!" Garet shouted. A couple dozen yards ahead was a river, more like a large stream, with a rickety, old wooden bridge going across it.

"Yep," Isaac said, "According to the map Vault is a little while…" he looked up and was confused by what he saw, "south…of…here." Garet was sprinting off to the river taking off an article of clothing every few feet. "Garet!" he called rushing after him. "Are you crazy!"

"What? We both need baths." Garet called back as he lost the last piece of his attire and dove into the river. "Come on in!" He yelled when he surfaced.

Isaac walked to the rivers edge and looked around skeptically. "What if somebody comes by?" he asked as he started taking off his scarf.

"Well, then they'll see you're manhood." Garet yelled to him as he floated on his back, "Not the worst thing that could happen."

Isaac was satisfied by this answer and continued taking off his clothes, but he stopped when he got to his boxers. "But what if it's a girl?"

Garet opened an eye to look at him as he floated. "Well then she'll see you in all you're glory, fall in love with you, and you'll live happily ever after." he said laughing.

"Screw you, man" Isaac said as he threw off his last piece of clothing and jumped in the river.

* * *

Luckily for Isaac no one came by as they washed up. An hour later they were on their way again, needless to say much more refreshed. Guess Garet's idea wasn't half bad. Isaac thought as he checked their map. "Alright," he announced, "It looks like we'll have to camp out one more night." Garet didn't seem very pleased by this news, but he stayed quiet. "If we wake up at dawn, we should be able to make it to Vault by noon tomorrow."

"Alright," Garet said unenthusiastically, "Let's try and make as much progress as we can today then," he said picking up his pace. I wonder what's wrong with Garet. Isaac thought breaking into a jog to keep up with his friend. Whatever it is, he doesn't look like he wants to talk about it.

* * *

It was dusk now so they had decided to set up camp. This time Isaac went to get the fire wood while Garet set up the tent. We really ended up making better time than I thought we would. Isaac thought as he walk towards the nearest forest. Of coarse that was because I had to practically run to keep up with Garet's brisk pace. He didn't speak a word the whole time; there really must be something bothering him. Isaac reached the edge of the forest and began collecting dry twigs and branches. Maybe I should talk to him.

A low rustling sound broke his concentration. This better just be a squirrel, Isaac thought as heset down the pile of wood he was carrying and took out his long sword. Slowly some undead…thing stumbled into view. Isaac took a step back, "I-Is that a zombie?!"

"Looks like it," Flint said merrily, poking out of Isaac's pocket. "Oh! This is perfect!"

"What do you mean perfect?" Isaac asked incredulously.

"Well, now I can show you my power!" replied the Djinni, cheerful as ever.

"O-ok," Isaac said, getting nervous as he realized this zombie was shambling towards him. "Uh…help me out here Flint."

"Alrighty!" he said as he started flying around Isaac. Without entirely realizing what he was doing, Isaac made a sudden jumping strike at the undead horror. It was like it was occurring in slow motion. He seemed to float in the air for a second at the peak of his jump. Then with a flash of yellow light everything snapped back into reality. Isaac looked around for the zombie, then glanced down and saw that half of his enemy was laying on either side of him.

"Wow," He said to the Djinni that was now perched on his shoulder, "you weren't kidding when you said the blow could cleave a stone." Isaac gathered up the firewood he had put down and started back to the camp. Garet met him halfway there with a anxious look on his face.

"What happened?" he asked, "I heard a crashing sound."

"Oh, that," Isaac said peering over at Flint. "I was just testing out Flint's power."

Garet looked at the forest Isaac had just exited then back at his friend. "Right."

* * *

After the debacle that was their first night on the road, the boys made sure that someone would always be on watch. Tonight Isaac had volunteered to take first watch. To say the least it was not the most exciting thing he'd ever done. It was near the end of his shift and Isaac had done nothing but sit by the fire with his thoughts. This wouldn't have been such a bad thing if he had something, anything, else to think about besides the tremendous responsibility that had been placed upon him. Or his friend's life who was in danger. Or the family and friends he had left behind in Vale.

Alright, Isaac thought standing up, it's Garet's turn to sit out here. he paused just outside their tent. Garet... There was no denying that something was bothering his friend. Ok, I'll try to talk to him. Isaac crouched into the tent and walked over to Garet, who was snoring loudly. "Garet," Isaac nudged his friend with his foot, "C'mon, Garet, wake up."

Garet finally turned over and rubbed his eyes. "My turn?" he asked sleepily.

"Yes," Isaac replied, "Now get dressed." Isaac exited the tent and stood just outside. A few minutes later Garet walked out loosely gripping his sword. He went over sat down by the fire. Garet still had a displeased look on his face, and for a moment Isaac considered just going to bed. No. I have to at least try to talk to him. Isaac turned back around and took a seat next to his friend. Garet gave him a confused look but didn't say anything. They sat there for a few minutes, neither of them speaking. "Garet," Isaac began, "Is something bothering you?"

Garet stayed silent, and Isaac thought that he might be ignoring him. He was about to repeat the question when Garet looked over at him with a small smile. "I guess you know me to well for me to deny it, huh?" he asked.

Isaac gave him a smile back, "Yes, I do."

Garet sighed and stood up. "Look, I appreciate the thought, but I don't think I'm ready to talk about it right now. Ok?"

Isaac got to his feet, "Sure, that's fine"

"Alright, cool." Garet said a little uneasy, "Well I'm gonna go for a little stroll. You go to sleep."

"Ok," Isaac said reluctantly as he walked back to their tent. He stopped just in front of it and turned back to Garet, "But don't you wander off too far."

"I'll keep the tent in my sight." Garet assured Isaac as he walked away.