Okay, its about time I get another chapter uploaded. Not much action going on in this chapter, it is mostly talking. While I will do some Sveta/Matthew and/or Karis/Amiti fluff in some chapters, the couples' respective relationships will be developed somewhat gradually.
I probably don't need to put this here, but " indicates spoken words, while ' represents thoughts.
Hm. Upon reading the Golden Sun Wiki site, I realized I deviated a bit from canon. Nowell, Isaac, Garet and Felix were canonically missing by the end of Dark Dawn. Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk.
I guess Rief/Himi or Eoleo/Himi would make a bit more sense than Himi/Tyrell, but there will be an OC/OC pairing or two. Still quite a ways to go in the story, so if you'd like to offer an opinion, you may. I might have an OC or two in mind for Garet and Ivan's respective wives while I'm at it, but that will come in a few more chapters.
Disclaimer: The Golden Sun series was developed by Camelot and published by Nintendo.
Chapter VI: Union
The following morning found Matthew waking up at the inn and heading out the door to get some fresh air. Isaac, Tyrell, Karis, Takeru, Alexa and Kenneth were outside waiting for their companion.
"Had a good sleep?" asked Tyrell.
Matthew nodded"Yeah."
"You're awake, then?" Alexa addressed Matthew"Good. Queen Sveta has requested we all join her in the castle dining room for breakfast, but that is strictly voluntary. You need not take us up on the invitation."
Isaac acknowledged"Thank you, we will take her up in her offer."
Matthew nodded.
"That sounds lovely" said Karis.
"I'm... A bit uncomfortable around beastmen due to stories I've heard from my parents, no offense Alexa. But I want to try and forge a better relationship between our nations as Lord McCoy's heir, so I'll be there, too" said Kenneth.
"I am not offended, Morgal has not had any diplomatic ties with the other nations since before Queen Sveta's coronation, so it is only natural for you to feel that way" smiled Alexa.
"I guess we'd better not keep her waiting" shrugged Tyrell.
"I will go with you wherever you must. I am in no rush to return to Yamata, not until Tuaparang has been dealt with" said Takeru, calmly.
Alexa escorted the group went into the castle and led them to the dining room, which consisted of a rectangular table with chairs around. The color of the wallpaper matched the rest of the castle. Upon the table was an assortment of fruit, meat and fresh vegetables along with plates and utensils.
"Good morning" said a voice, Sveta had entered the room shortly after.
"Same to you" said Matthew, shyly.
"I have to admit, this is the first time I, no, Morgal has had guests in the castle who weren't part of the country. I hope you'll find everything to your liking. I arranged to have this set up ahead of time in case you accepted my sudden invitation. I know not the proper etiquette when it comes to inviting guests over, either way" said Sveta.
"Its not a problem, it all looks good" said Matthew with a smile.
The group sat around the table, making small talk and enjoying their food. Matthew took the time to address Sveta"So how were things faring in Morgal?"
"Not as well as I'd hoped, I'm afraid. There was still tension between us, Sana and Biliben. I was thankful for your aid, though we were formidable enough against the foes who attacked us, yesterday" replied Sveta with a smile.
"Isaac, there aren't any... side effects from having a part of your psynergy drained, is there?" Karis asked the older Venus adept.
Isaac responded calmly"No, but it will be a while before I can use any of my stronger psynergy. I had no idea the Wise One had planted a portion of the power unleashed from Mars Lighthouse inside me. How could that have been...?"
"The Golden Sun..." mussed Kenneth.
"You know of it?" Isaac asked.
The Biliben prince nodded"Some say it is an abomination, others state that it was the world's salvation. My parents have... mixed feelings about it. I even have a copy of the books detailing the journey of the Warriors of Vale, back home."
"Whether it was an abomination or no is largely a matter of perspective" spoke Alexa around a bite of fish.
When they'd finished breakfast, the group stood up to clean up the dishes and went to the throne room to speak further. Sveta addressed the others"I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you, Karis and Tyrell, again, Matthew. Though I wish we'd have met again under better circumstances, the same goes for meeting Isaac."
"The feeling is mutual, your highness" said the younger blond.
"Why so formal, Matthew? We are friends, are we not?" asked Sveta.
"That's true" flushed Matthew.
A Morgal soldier entered the room"Your majesty, we just received a carrier pigeon from Prince Amiti of Ayuthay. He is accompanied by representatives of Yamata and Champa. They'll be here, shortly. Should I escort them here for the meeting?"
"No, I shall go greet them personally" replied Sveta, dismissing the soldier.
"That's unexpected, are Champa and Yamata aware of the upcoming invasion from Tuaparang?" inquired Isaac.
"I understand your surprise, I had requested help solely from Ayuthay, earlier yesterday. The news that Yamata and Champa would involve themselves in Morgal's affairs is quite intriguing, mayhap they picked up on the signs, as well" speculated the queen.
'Yamata... Father, you're coming here?' mussed Takeru.
"Are we going to see everyone else, again? That would be awesome" grinned Tyrell.
"This is unlikely to be a social call" frowned Karis.
"Shall we head for the port?" asked Sveta.
The group headed out of the castle to the northernmost side of Belinsk. Karis took a breath at the sight"It sure is peaceful now that the Grave Eclipse has been stopped. I wish it would last."
"Peace is a fickle thing" said Sveta.
The group waited until a familiar ship came into sight, slowly stopping next to the docks. Matthew recognized the old vessel as Eoleo's ship"Champa must really trust its new pirate king."
A bridge was lowered right onto the docks, and five more people disembarked: A blue-haired young man with glasses, a red-haired man, a dark-haired girl with a third eye symbol, a blue-haired young man with pants and a formal traveling cloak, and an older man who could only be the King of Yamata. A pair of guards and a few Ayuthay soldiers followed him.
"Yo! Rief, Amiti, Himi, Eoleo, good to see you again!" exclaimed Tyrell, recognizing them.
"Lord Susa, correct?" Sveta addressed the eldest of the arrivals.
"Indeed, it is I. Though I had not imagined I'd come to this part of Angara" replied the king of Yamata.
Matthew, Karis and Sveta smiled at the sight of their other companions. Amiti addressed them"Its only been a couple days, yet here I am. Karis, Matthew, it is good to see you again."
"How is King Paithos doing?" asked Karis.
"My uncle is not faring well, illness has come over him. I was put in charge as a temporary king until he gets well, I understand that Morgal was recently sieged by the Tuaparang" replied the Ayuthayian prince.
Sveta nodded"It was, but Matthew and Isaac's group helped fight off the Bilibin and Tuaparang soldiers that attacked us so unexpectedly. I'd have assumed all of the countries on Angara have been weakened by the monsters of the Grave Eclipse. Shall we take this discussion to my throne room?"
"Yes, indeed. Ours it not a matter to be discussed openly. I am surprised at your kindness" acknowledged Susa.
"Your surprise is understood, Morgal was a warlike country while my brother was in charge" acknowledged Sveta, leading the way back into the castle.
Takeru addressed the dark-haired girl"Himi, I hadn't anticipated I'd see you again so soon. How's mother?"
"The same, though she still worries about you" replied the Nihan princess.
"I am truly sorry to worry her so, but I cannot return until the world's safety has been secured" said Takeru.
In the throne room, Karis addressed Susa"We were hoping to gain allies to fight off Tuaparang when they invade, but how is it you were willing to come to Morgal?"
"My daughter had a lengthly vision the other night. Another terrible eclipse is prophesied to occur due to the actions of one man: The High Empyror of Tuaparang, himself. And supposedly, Arcanus is conspiring with him, but somehow I doubt that. According to Himi, Arcanus no longer cooperates with them" said Susa, grimly.
"Himi sent me a message around the same time I received Sveta's request for aid. She even asked Eoleo to get involved, as well" said Amiti.
"I wish my premonition was wrong, but alas, the future is uncertain. I telepathically contacted an adept named Josh to warn him about the upcoming events. The eye shows me he is on his way to Kalay" spoke Himi
"I'm just surprised Champa would help us from what I've heard from Felix" remarked Isaac.
"Heh, I just want to secure a future for Champa. And what good man of the seas would ignore such a plight? Himi herself asked me, well, persuaded is more like it" grunted Eoleo.
"I was visiting Yamata at the time, so I came along" spoke Rief.
"About Josh... Isn't he...?" Karis trailed off.
"Felix's son, yes. I saw it in a vision" nodded Himi.
The Ayuthayian prince spoke"What course of action must we now take?"
Isaac addressed Amiti"You are the prince of Ayuthay, right? I wanted to get help so we could protect Angara from Tuaparang. And I am concerned about the Psynergy Vortexes and the Mourning Moon, they cannot be ignored. And who knows what Alex could be up to, now... We don't even know if he's alive after being hit by that light emitted from Matthew and Sveta."
"An alliance certainly sounds prudent. I doubt Sana would be willing to listen to us, but between Morgal, Champa, Ayuthay and Yamata, we could put up a solid resistance once Tuaparang starts its dastardly invasion" acknowledged Susa.
"Bilibin will pitch in, as well. My mother was recently duped by them" said Kenneth.
"Tuaparang is a country of cunning and duplicity, I'll give'em that" muttered Alexa.
"It might be a good idea to fortify the west and southwest portions of Angara" pointed out Isaac.
Kenneth nodded"That we shall do, I will send a message ahead of time to the lord of Kalay. I'm also considering getting into contact with Lunpa, but that may be a bad idea, considering its current leader."
"Not that I hate Lunpa, but we should stay away from their ilk. Lunpa and Kalay aren't on good terms due to an incident between Dodonpa and Lord Hammet. I'm not even sure if Lunpa has returned to its noble heritage... I'm not even sure Lunpa exists, anymore" Isaac trailed off.
"We'll set off for Kalay after we send a message to them in a couple days" said Sveta.
Susa turned to leave, stopping to address the others"Takeru, I am leaving Himi in your care. I must return to Yamata, it will be up to the rest of you to protect Angara from Tuaparang."
"I understand, father" nodded Takeru.
Suddenly, Ian entered the room"Your majesty, something's happened. One of the builders we sent to help restore Kolima after the eclipse came and told me that a strange vortex and a monstrous parasite have taken root, there."
Sveta was shocked"Truly? What of Laurel and Tret?"
"I don't know, but the villagers have mostly been petrified by the monster" replied Ian.
"One thing after another. No sweat, we can handle this" grinned Tyrell.
"We cannot take everyone, but we will postpone the trip for tomorrow. How dangerous is this parasite?" asked Isaac.
"Some of our warriors rushed to confront it, only to be paralyzed. Its as if..." Ian trailed off, afraid to finish his sentence.
"Someone must be trying to stop us from stopping Tuaparang. A team of four to six should suffice for this investigation, which of us should go?" asked Himi.
"I'm going. Matthew, Tyrell, Karis, Amiti, can I count on your aid?" requested Sveta.
"No sweat" grinned Tyrell.
"Count me in" piped Karis.
Matthew nodded.
Amiti stood with them"Let's go."
"The rest of us will wait here, if that will be fine with you, Sveta" acknowledged Isaac.
Sveta nodded"That will do."
The Adepts prepared to leave when Kenneth caught up"I'm with you, too."
"So am I, if her majesty allows it" spoke Alexa.
Sveta nodded"Very well, Captain Alexa. Just be careful."
The group headed out of the castle to head for Kolima.
Cliffhanger time, sorry this took so long. I wasn't sure what to name this chapter. I know I'm being a bit random, but this may not be an interesting story without some action here and there. I will explain the 'parasite' next chapter and introduce Torang, next. I won't say more due to spoilers.
Feel free to review.