Okay, another chapter is up and ready. Oh, and to hopefully avoid more confusion, I'll just use the word bleep for the swears. I'm not very comfortable writing them. There's a bit more fourth-wall breakage just below.
Tyrell: I Reckon this chappy's got a bit more action than the last one.
Amiti: This story is exclusively for entertainment. The Golden Sun series is by copyright law the property of Nintendo/Camelot. Oh, and don't mind me, aside from the disclaimer.
Himi: All OCs involved belong to the author. The canon characters belong to the creators of the Golden Sun universe.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Otherwise, I'll try to do better.
Chapter XIII: Mars Lighthouse Ablaze
The air grew more chilly as the group sailed to the general location of Prox, prompting the group to put on some winter clothes. Mia looked around as snow began falling around them.
"Was there snow falling last time you and the other warriors of Vale visited Prox?" Rief asked his mother.
"I don't remember..." Mia trailed off.
"Prox and Imil are both quite cold, and this atmosphere... I am not surprised to see snow in a place like this" said Isaac, paying attention to the surroundings.
The group docked near Prox and entered the village. Several Proxians were going about their business, rushing too and fro their shops and homes. They then saw a Proxian run frantically into the elder's house.
"I wonder what's up?" asked Rief.
"Let's go see Mayor Puelle" replied Isaac, leading his group's into the mayor's house.
The Proxian man in question was talking to the mayor inside his office when the group arrived"Something is happening at Mars Lighthouse, flames are blocking the entrance and who knows what else is going on?"
The elder frowned"Hm. That would be a problem, not that the lighthouse has anymore use since Alchemy was returned to Weyard. Perhaps we could recall Torang and his brother Blados back here to assist us."
"That won't be possible, the High Empyror would never grant such a request. Gr. Whatever is going on, the fire may eventually spread to prox!" scowled the younger Proxian.
Isaac stepped forward"Is something wrong? Its been a long time."
The mayor looked up to see Isaac"Oh, good to see you again, Isaac. I hardly recognize you. How are Felix and Jenna faring?"
"They are faring fine. I heard that there's a fire going on at Mars Lighthouse, by the way" said Isaac, concerned.
Puelle frowned"According to this man, yes. But our numbers aren't what they once were, half my people were enslaved by the cruel Tuaparang Empire. Mostly the older men and women are left here to fend for Prox."
"What? That's barbaric" grumbled Amiti.
"And who are they?" Puelle glanced at the younger Adepts.
Sveta spoke"I am Sveta, the Queen of Morgal. These are my friends Matthew, Tyrell, Karis, Rief, Amiti and Nowell. We came here to ask for your help against the Tuaparang Empire and save Weyard from the Silver Eclipse."
"The Silver Eclipse? Tuaparang wants to resort to that abomination? I suppose I should expect no less from that despicable High Empyror. His conquest knows no bounds. At any rate, you are welcome here in Prox" sighed Puelle.
"By the way, how do you know about Blados and Torang?" asked Matthew.
"They were fellow Proxians, but some of my people deserted to the Tuaparang Imperial forces out of fear. The empire's technology is highly advanced, but it is more of a military state than anything. Can I count on your help on investigating and putting out any fires at the Mars Lighthouse, Isaac?" inquired Puelle.
"We will do what we can, my group currently has five Mercury Adepts. We will also try to find and neutralize the source, if that will be acceptable" nodded the older Venus Adept.
Puelle smiled gratefully"Thank you, Isaac."
Isaac led his group north of Prox to the lighthouse. Matthew addressed the others"How do you think the fire started?"
"We won't know until we find out" said Mia.
The group proceeded until they came to Mars Lighthouse with a fire surrounding the outside. Amiti glanced at it"Perhaps some other Adept came here and purposely started this, but who would it be?"
"What would anyone have to gain by setting fire, here? Not that it matters. Rief, Nowell, Mia, Piers, Amiti, cast Douse on the flames" instructed Isaac.
The five Mercury Adepts nodded, and cast their water Psynergies, extinguishing the fire. Isaac drew his sword"Let's proceed with caution, we don't know what is in there."
The group entered the lighthouse, cautiously looking around. They kept going until they ran into a group of five fire-breathing Salamanders. Tyrell threw a fireball, only for this target to retaliate with a fire attack of its own.
"Fire Salamanders eat fire, use water if you can" Isaac addressed his teammates while dodging a fire breath attack and cutting down a Salamander.
"Oops, I didn't think about that" shrugged Tyrell.
Amiti and Rief cast their water Psynergies to weaken two Salamanders enough for Tyrell and Matthew to cut down. Sveta dodged a flame attack and a tail whip before landing a mighty punch to the Salamander's chest. Nowell and Piers toyed with their opponent before finishing it off.
"Monsters, it figures" sighed Mia.
The group climbed up the lighthouse, fighting off more Salamanders and putting out more fires as they went. Mia breathed as they headed to the top floor of Mars Lighthouse"What do you suppose was the source of the fire?"
"I think we're about to find out" Sveta spoke, her nose wrinkling in disgust at the scent of burnt flesh. The group entered the final room, which contained several Salamanders and what looked like a gigantic red demon.
"Let's take'em all out" Tyrell lunged at the demon, which swiped at him. Karis, Matthew and Amiti rushed to back Tyrell up while the others charged at the Salamanders. Lining the walls of the chamber were bunches of fire.
"Who would do this? It is unusual for monsters to be this organized" griped Jenna, wiping out a Salamander.
"No idea" muttered Piers, killing a Salamander with his blade.
Tyrell and Karis jumped backward to avoid the Red Demon's swipes, while Matthew and Amiti cast their strongest Psynergies, staggering the demon. The monster furiously spun with its claws outstretched, prompting its opponents to dodge as best it could.
"He is hardly the only one who can fight like an animal" Sveta assumed a stance and darted at the Red Demon with a punch to its back when it finished its spin attack. The Demon clawed at her in return.
"Heck, no. Grand Gia!" Matthew cast his strongest Earth Psynergy, toppling the Red Demon. Sveta and Karis finished it off with wind psynergy.
Isaac, Rief and Nowell wiped out three more Salamanders and proceeded to put out the flames.
"Incoming!" Tyrell spotted one more Red Demon stalking towards them.
"I shall deal with this one" Sveta jump kicked the Red Demon and unleashed a series of blow onto it. Matthew aided Sveta with Meggido from his Sol Sword at the monster, finishing it. Mia and Piers finished off the remaining Salamanders.
"Looks like the fire's out" said Piers, looking around.
"Indeed, but something doesn't feel right. The fire seemed to have attracted the monsters of that same element to this place" mussed Isaac.
"You would be correct" A man in crimson robes and a tunic and pants underneath. He had reddish brown hair and blue eyes.
"Who or what are you?" inquired Jenna.
The man replied"They call me the Crimson Assassin, my name is Fenrir Blaze, a humble servant of the High Empyror."
"I assumed the High Empyror only had four commanders. Am I mistaken?" inquired Amiti.
Fenrir shook his head"Blados, Chalis, Torang and Relena are the four top commanders in the Tuaparang army, I am the Empyror's court mage and a Lieutenant in the army. But unlike other weakling Mars Adepts, I have tapped into greater power, unleashing the true potential of Mars Psynergy."
"Mars is one of the most destructive types of Psynergy. Did you make that fire?" inquired Jenna.
"Tis a trifle compared to what the legendary Silver Eclipse could do, or so it has been said. Do you wish to test me for yourself?" inquired Fenrir.
"You bet" Tyrell readied himself.
Fenrir raised his hand and summoned forward a Fire Wall. Amiti, Mia and Nowell quickly cast spells to hold back the flame while Fenrir drew a blood-red scythe and lunged at Isaac, swinging his weapon. Isaac dodged the deadly weapon and countered with Quake. Fenrir jumped and threw down a fireball, which was quickly neutralized by one of Tyrell's fireballs.
"Mars Adepts could fight other Mars Adepts all day and neither of their psynergies would come out on top" said Jenna, glaring at Fenrir.
"Ah. True, but that's not all I got!" Fenrir summoned a Crimson Vortex in the sky, which shot forth red lightning at the group. While the group was struck, Fenrir darted at Jenna and was about to swing his scythe when Isaac intercepted with Oddessy.
"Tornado!" "Deluge!" Amiti and Karis's Psynergies blasted Fenrir backwards.
"Ready to give up?" Mia kept a hand on her stave.
Fenrir got back up"Now is not the time for me to admit defeat. Next time, it won't be so easy" and teleported away.
"Why did he set this place on fire in the first place?" wondered Amiti.
"Probably a trap from the looks of it" shrugged Rief.
"Hey, he dropped something" Tyrell spotted a tablet on the ground and picked it up.
Isaac walked over to inspect the tablet"Hm. This might be important, we'll have to study it later. For now, we need to return to Prox and let the elder know the lighthouse is safe."
As the group left the lighthouse, Mia pondered"How did he get here, anyway?"
"Probably the same way our opponent back at Mercury Lighthouse did" said Amiti, thoughtfully.
Back at Prox, the elder was glad to see them"Good, you're all safe. I trust that Mars Lighthouse is back to normal?"
"Yeah, but that show-off in red is still cruising for a bruising" shrugged Tyrell.
"Have you heard of Fenrir Blaze? We encountered him in the lighthouse, it seems he was responsible for that fire" said Amiti.
Puelle frowned"Hm. Yes, Fenrir is a Tuaparang Agent, or so I hear. While not as powerful as the other Tuaparang commanders supposedly are, he boasts a level of power no other Mars Adept has dared tap into. Keep in mind that these are merely rumors, we don't know if it is true."
"Is there any chance you can render aid to Kalay? They're readying for battle with the empire. My group is looking for the Athena Sanctum, which supposedly lies deep within Tuaparang" inquired Isaac.
Puelle shook his head"We cannot afford to spare anyone, I am truly sorry about this. The rest of my people are enslaved in Tuaparang, sad to say."
"I understand, we'll be on our way" acknowledged Isaac.
As Isaac's group returned to their ship, Matthew addressed Isaac"Why would Tuaparang enslave Prox?"
"I haven't the foggiest, but we'll have to save Puelle's people. Hopefully, once we're back in Kalay, we can come up with a solid plan to infiltrate the empire" replied the older Venus Adept.
"We haven't found many clues, though. Do we have what it takes to confront the empire?" frowned Rief.
"I'm sure everything will work out" smiled Mia.
Finally got this chapter up. I'll try to get another one done tomorrow or Sunday. I know this one may not have had anymore action than last chapter, but I'm trying.
Rief: Reviews are appreciated as always.
Nowell: But please refraim from needless flames, those will be doused.
Amiti: Uh, I believe flames in this case would be needless insults.
I know this chapter seemed short, but the next chapter should be longer.