This may be the second-to-last chapter, guess I should've gotten a Beta Reader since I am still not sure if I was making any sense.
Disclaimer: Please remember that the Golden Sun series and its characters, locations, etc. were created and copyrighted by Nintendo/Camelot
Chapter XX: Haniel's Ark
Isaac's group flew back to the Sol Sanctum and rushed towards the Wise One's location. When they got there, Gabriel had already faded a bit. Matthew addressed the bing"We got the Prism."
"Very good, I shall draw upon its power to restore my vessel" the being then meditated and summoned a glowing, white light from the prism. The room gradually brightened until the group had to shield their eyes for a moment. The light soon vanished, and a familiar stone with its organic eye is revealed in Gabriel's place.
"You've regained yourself?" breathed Sveta.
"Indeed, I have. The materials for the Sun Scepter are fairly common except the prism, you should already have what you require. A simple shaft and a piece of the Sacred Prism should be enough. I will await you outside Haniel's Ark" said the Wise One.
The group headed back outside to the airship. Isaac explained to the others who waited on board"We now must craft the Sun Scepter. Ivan, Felix, will you be willing to help me with it?"
"You don't need to ask" Ivan replied to his old friend.
Kenneth reached into his bag, pulled out a shaft and handed it to Isaac"Will this work?"
"Absolutely" said the Adept, accepting the item.
Eoleo addressed Isaac'Why don't you let me help? My great grandmother taught me a little about crafting weapons shortly after I returned to Champa after the precious eclipse, though mostly its just basic theory."
"I welcome your help" acknowledged Isaac.
The three Adepts began work on the materials, attaching part of the reforged gem onto the shaft. Sveta used her spirit sense on the crafted scepter and frowned"I do not sense any elemental properties, perhaps something else needs to be accomplished."
"Can I hold it?" Matthew took hold of the ordinary-looking scepter and was surprised when a surge of light energy seeped from his body engulfing the scepter with a gold aura.
"It seems that light Psynergy was the key" remarked Sveta.
"Indeed" said Isaac, surprised.
Alexandra spoke to the group"Are our preparations complete?"
"Yes" acknowledged Isaac.
"The last battle is upon us, hopefully there's a way to dispel the eclipse" said Felix.
Isaac gazed at the sky for a moment, then said"The time's come. Everyone, the last battle is at hand, with luck, we'll all survive and the quest will be over."
"Let's move, then" said Felix.
Piers took a turn at the helm and piloted back towards the large vessel in the sky. When they entered the docking bay, the Wise One floated before them"I will undo the barrier blocking the entrance. The rest is up to you."
Isaac nodded, and waited while the Wise One unleashed a surge of powerful Psynergy, melting away the barrier with light psynergy. Sveta was surprised"Forgive my inquiry, but you a Light Adept?" She asked the Wise One.
The recently-revived entity replied"I was, back when I was still alive as an Adept. The time to talk as now past, your friends are waiting for you. Alex also resides somewhere in here. However, I sensed another entity when I came. Not just Alex, Karis and Amiti."
"Another entity?" asked Matthew, surprised.
"I do not know for certain. Be careful" spoke the Wise One.
The Warriors of Vale, along with Matthew, Tyrell, Himi, Sveta, Rief, Nowell, Eoleo, Josh, Sonja, Kenneth, Alexa, Caeden and Alexandra disembarked and headed deep into the massive ark.
"Sure hope Karis and Amiti are in there and okay" remarked Tyrell.
"I sense their presence somewhere in this place, just not in the immediate area" supplied Sveta.
They continued inside silently, encountering minor puzzles which they had solved easily. Several silver-cloaked beings waited for them in the next room. Matthew readied his Sol Blade"How did the Silver Eclipse monsters get here?"
"No idea, but we should hurry" Ivan blasted a Silver Wraith.
The other two monsters charged, swinging their blades wildly. The group dodged and pushed back with Psynergy, taking down the silver figures. Matthew breathed as he put away his sol blade"That was no cakewalk."
"Let's see what's in the next chamber" said Himi.
The group came into a purplish passageway with what looked like leaves at the edge of a cliff. Another platform with a strange vortex lay ahead. Matthew and Isaac used their Growth Psynergy to make a bridge and led their allies across, only to one into another Silver Wraith, which Matthew and Tyrell quickly disposed of.
"There are definitely a lot of creepy-looking monsters in here, not that it surprises me" remarked Rief.
"I'm with you there, brother" acknowledged Nowell.
Isaac studied the portal"There doesn't seem to be any anti-Psynergy properties emitting from this one."
"Think its safe, then?" Tyrell walked ahead before Garet could stop him. The younger Fire Adept disappeared inside.
"Mayhap there's something on the other said" suggested Himi.
The rest of the group entered after Tyrell and found themselves in a reddish room. Tyrell was looking around"Man, this place is kind of awesome."
"You think?" said Matthew.
Sveta cringed as a foreign presence was alerted to her through her Psynergy"There's something at the other side of the room."
Matthew walked ahead to find two see-through crystals. What he saw shocked him, imprisoned inside were a familiar green-haired young woman and blue-haired young man"What?"
"What's wrong? Oh, my gosh" Ivan saw the young woman.
"Amiti! Karis!" cried Tyrell.
"Can't we melt those crystals with Psynergy?" said Garet.
"What a minute!" Matthew gasped as a purple dragon emerged from the shadows with a blue and green head.
Sveta used Spirit Sense"Both their bodies and souls are trapped, we'll have to defeat that dragon."
"Alex couldn't have done this... Maybe it was the other entity the Wise One mentioned" pondered Ivan.
The two-headed dragon unleashed a torrent of wind and water, knocking the group back. Matthew charged and slashed at one head, which retaliated with a bite. Mia rushed to heal Matthew while Sveta attacked the monster's main body and got countered by a tail spin attack.
"Fireball! Oddessy!" Tyrell and Isaac blasted the monster, which retaliated with a joint elemental breath. Mia and Jenna hurried to heal their allies as they used Psynergy a d Djinn to increase their defenses.
Matthew readied his blade and dodged a wind spell before retaliating with a powerful Meggido. The energy spell engulfed the dragon and caused the room to glow with a bright light, prompting the group to cover their eyes for a moment. When the light dissipated, two glowing white balls entered the two crystals, causing them to melt.
"Think they'll be okay, now?" asked Tyrell.
"Just wait" said Isaac.
The crystals completely melted away, causing the two people held within to collapse to the ground for a moment before stirring. Ivan ran over to Karis"Are you all right?"
Karis woke up and looked around, her eyes blurry for a moment"Guys, thanks. But what kept you?"
"We had to procure some additional items to stop Alex and put an end to the Silver Eclipse" replied Ivan, giving Karis a small hug. Mia and Rief went to check on Amiti.
The Ayuthayian prince took a moment longer to recover"It was all a trap... I saw Alex begin to change after he set foot in this room with me and Karis, he freed us and surprised me by saying he'll activate the final Alchemy Device located in this ark and stop the Eclipse. However... A strange voice spoke into our heads and... I can't seem to recall what else."
Mia took hold of Amiti's hand for a moment and closed her eyes, infusing him with extra Psynergy as she spoke"The Wise One told us there was another entity in this place."
Karis' eyes widened"That's right, and the strange voice spoke, mainly to Alex. Amiti and I were ambushed by silver-cloaked figures and then some kind of Psynergy locked our bodies in crystal stasis, while our souls were stuck into that shell you just fought. If only Amiti and I were stronger, we could've resisted."
"Who's voice was it?" asked Sveta.
Karis shrugged"The voice said his name was... Hanieli... No, I can barely remember. It all happened so quickly. Honestly, I'm not so sure anymore if Alex is even that bad, because he tried to protect Amiti when the entity set a Crystal Monster upon us. But shortly after, he left just as Amiti and I were imprisoned in those crystals."
Ivan's eyes narrowed"No one enslaves my daughter and gets away with it. We'll deal with this entity after we find Alex and stop the eclipse."
"Thank you, father" said Karis.
The group headed down another corridor, accompanied by Karis and Amiti, unaware they were being followed.
Empyror Darkheart smiled as he secretly followed. He'd used an airship to follow them and Dark Psynergy to bend Torang and Relena back under his command"This plan is perfect. Both Alex, and all of Angara's protectors will fall. Revenge is so sweet."
Torang and Relena accompanied him with a dark aura surrounding them, along with several Tua Warriors.
Matthew and his group went down a long, white corridor and up stone steps to an even longer corridor. Karis and Amiti held hands as they trailed behind their companions.
"I wonder if Alex was serving this entity all along... He's not the type to follow someone's orders" said Mia.
"Possibly. But I wonder..." remarked Ivan.
The group came to a large purplish room with what looked like crystal steps leading up to a crystal form. A familiar, blue-haired man stood in front, but he had changed. The group saw he had a silvery cloak, and great power emitted from him.
"Alex?" Mia spoke to him.
The man had his eyes closed and opened them in a flash, a dual-voice spoke"Please permit me to communicate directly into your mind, so I may help you understand what I am to explain. Alex is still, well, partly in charge of this vessel. Surely, however, you sensed me as well."
"Whoever you are... What are you doing with my father?" inquired Amiti.
The man replied"His soul is still within, and now almost completely under my control. My story began, thirty years ago. I watched as Gabriel's so-called Philosopher's stone trap this man on top of the mountain as it collapsed from the Golden Sun effect. My telepathy and overall power is superior to the power to the so-called Wise One. Perhaps I shall return this man to you for a while. Heh, this could be entertaining."
The group watched as Alex's body changed back to its normal form. The Mercury Adept spoke to them"I'd have hoped to attain greater power, here. But little did I suspect that there was someone else's essence guarding this place. The Golden Sun power enabled me to resist to an extent, but Hanielium's power is just too unbelievable. The power that controls me now, it should be mine. And yet..."
"Hanielium?" Mia raised her eyebrow.
Alex chuckled"The consciousness that haunts this ark, none of Weyard's books of lore could've prepared me for something like that. Amiti, don't you see? Often, greater power is the only way to achieve your goals."
"Maybe, but perhaps not. My ideals are not so identical to yours, father" replied the Ayuthayian prince
"I must say I was surprised to hear you accept the truth. I now share my body with the consciousness of Haniel in exchange for ultimate power, care for a little demonstration?" grinned Alex, summoning orbs of pure water in his hands.
Kenneth handed the Sun Scepter to Isaac, who readied himself with it. Alex sent the orbs crashing into Tyrell and Garet before calling upon a tsunami. The group resisted the spell as best they could and made ready to retaliate.
Isaac cast Oddessy, which Alex dodged and countered with a barrage of icicles. Felix took most of the projectiles for his fellow Earth Adept before attacking with Quake. Alex jumped over it and used multiple Cold Snaps, staggering the group further. Mia, Karis and Jenna concentrated on healing their allies, while Matthew and Sveta attacked with claw and steel. Alex barely dodged it and summoned geysers of water to stagger the pair.
"Fireball!" "Liquifer!" Garet and Tyrell's Psynergies staggered Alex while Kenneth rushed to get a hit in with his lance.
Isaac handed the scepter to Matthew"Use this when he's distracted."
Matthew nodded and blasted Alex with Growth before rushing up to the rogue Mercury Adept and stabbing him. Alex staggered back as he felt power drain from him"Hm. Fascinating, you found a new way to syphon Golden Sun Power. But that is nothing compared to this!"
Alex summoned a Vortex above Matthew, prompting him to jump away and use the Prism's power to blot it out. Alex subsequently cast Cold Snap and Deluge, which Garet and Jenna countered with Fire Serpent and Liquifer. Sveta struck Alex with a five-hit combo while Matthew attacked their enemy again with the Sun Scepter. Alex dodged and sent a torrent of water and icicles at Matthew. Sveta quickly grabbed him out of the way.
Piers used Cold Snap on Alex to stagger him, only to be hit by a barrage of icicles. Sonja and Josh used Tornado and Quake to stagger Alex, giving Matthew time to shoot a beam of light from the Sun Scepter, draining Alex of more Golden Sun energy. Alex snarled in annoyance and cast another Deluge. Karis healed her allies while Amiti darted up to Alex and stabbed him.
"Ready to give up?" Matthew smiled.
Alex healed himself before speaking once more in a dual voice"You haven't even experienced the worst."
"Arcanus!" Eight more people entered the room, the High Empyror and the last of his men.
Alexandra, who had been watching the battle, addressed him"Lancelot?"
"Torang? Relena? I thought those two betrayed him" remarked Matthew.
The High Empyror smirked"Ah. But I used my Psynergy to rob them of their will. Now, you shall all die."
"More company, I see" said the entity speaking from within Alex's body"Perhaps its time I reveal myself. My true power will be shown, and with these insects crushed, I shall be free to take over Weyard."
"W-what? That's not Alex" gasped Ivan.
A dark wave of Psynergy emitted from Alex's body into Torang, Relena and Lancelot's. Alexandra gasped"Lance!"
"Alexandra! Stay back" gasped the older man as he, Torang and Relena were drawn quickly towards Alex as dark mist surrounded all four of them and a dark ball of energy seeped into the forming mist.
Before the whole group's eyes, a large demonic monster in the shape of a humanoid with a blue colored horn on its head. Red, green and black armor covered its body and long neck.
"What's that?" gasped Matthew.
The monster summoned a dark-colored sword with one clawed hand"I am Hanielium, the Chaos Demon. Prepare to meet your doom."
"The entity has fused and mutated Alex, Torang, Relena and Lancelot" gasped Sveta.
"We've dealt with a monster like that, before" said Tyrell, throwing a fireball.
The monster blocked with one clawed hand and sent forth a wave of darkness, knocking them back. Matthew used Meggido on the Chaos Demon, which phased out of the way and swung its sword horizontally, prompting the group to dodge.
The Tua Warriors who were accompanying the Empyror fired at the demon, which countered with a mighty purple wave of energy, killing them.
"Half those warriors were some of my friends, once..." Caeden pulled out a grenade and hurled it, blasting Hanielium back. The monster retaliated with a frozen breath and a quake attack.
"This guy's not kidding around" grumbled Garet.
Hanielium sprouted a pair of dark wings and flew, striking at the group with its massive blade. Jenna and Karis moved to heal their allies while Matthew countered with Meggido and Sveta with some attack Psynergy.
The Chaos Demon threw a series of icicle and dark geyser attacks, scattering the group.
"Not kidding around, indeed" grumbled Felix.
Jenna, Karis and Mia kept their allies on their toes while the rest fought back with their weapons and Psynergy. Amiti cast Cold Snap to stun Hanielium, which countered with a water torrent. Karis blasted the monster with Tornado and was almost slashed by the demon's sword.
Isaac, Garet and Sveta summoned Djinn to shield their allies while Matthew countered the Chaos Demon with Meggido. Tyrell pitched in with Liquifer and Karis with Tornado. Infuriated, the Chaos Demon knocked out the group's Djinni.
Karis drew her bow and fired, striking the Chaos Demon's shoulder. Amiti followed that with a Cold Snap. Matthew rushed to his father and handed the sun scepter over"Sorry, I could not get all of the Golden Sun power back."
"It should be enough. Still, this is really a dangerous foe" said Isaac, indicating the monster.
Sveta walked over to join the two"The entity's powers seem to be dark-based. Light Psynergy may be the key to defeating the Chaos Demon. Matthew, while we are unable to just invoke our Light Psynergies as we wish, the power absorbed by the Sun Scepter, and perhaps a touch of Light Psynergy, we could end this demon."
"Its certainly possible" said Isaac, thoughtfully.
The Chaos Demon readied itself to launch dark orbs of energy when Caeden distracted it with a shot from his gun. Tyrell used Fireball on it while Amiti and Mia cast low-level spells at their enemy.
Isaac, Sveta and Matthew stepped forward. The younger blond and the Morgal Queen unconsciously began to emit a yellowish light. Isaac cast Oddessy to attract the Chaos Demon's attention, which was countered by a barrage of Icicles.
Mia rushed to Isaac's aid, while Amiti and Karis watched as Matthew and Sveta's bodies generated an aura of pure light, which formed into a powerful beam of magic and zapped the Chaos Demon, stunning it. Isaac seized the moment to dash and strike hard at the Chaos Demon's Heart. The monster writhed in pain and attempted to slash once more at Matthew and Sveta. The pair dodged as light continued to engulf their bodies.
Alexandra watched with wonder"I don't think I've ever seen such power."
"So that's Light Psynergy" breathed Himi.
Matthew held up the Sol Blade as raw Golden Sun power and Light Psynergy engulfed it. Channeling the power from his body, the young Venus Adept leapt up and shot forth a powered-up Meggido. The ball of raw energy and light collided into the Chaos Demon, emitting into a blinding flash which prompted the group to shield their eyes from the radiance of the blinding light. When it subsided, the Chaos Demon was no more. The bodies of Alex, Torang, Relena and Empyror Darkheart lie scattered across the ground.
"Sucks for all of them" grinned Tyrell.
"They're still alive, but barely" said Sveta, sensing their slightly faded life force.
Matthew looked around until he spotted what looked like a laser canon pointed out the window of the ark. Amiti and Alexandra rushed to Alex and Lancelot's bodies respectively.
"So... It all ends" The spirit of a man with silvery hair and red eyes greeted them, white wings sprouting"The ark will begin to collapse as soon as the device has been touched."
"So, that was your game all along, Haniel" The Wise One appeared.
"Gabriel, you sly fox. I suppose I cannot deny it, after you almost killed Alex on Mount Aleph, I saved him and ensured that events would see to the reactivation of the remaining Alchemy Devices so that Alchemy would truly reign supreme once more" said the spirit.
"So you were just trying to stabilize Weyard" said Sveta to the spirit, shocked at the revelation.
"I cannot deny it. I had to test your resolve" responded Gabriel before turning to the Adepts"The device before you should stop the eclipse. Once you activate it, I will transport you all back to your airships."
"Thank you" said Karis.
Weakened, Lancelot addressed Alexandra"You've grown strong... My dear friend."
"Can you return to Tuaparang? We need you" said Alexandra, holding the Empyror's hand.
Lancelot smiled weakly"Sorry... I expended too much Psynergy, and that battle drained me even more. The people will feel better with you on the throne... My cousin."
Alexandra bowed her head as the Empyror let go of his life.
Nearby, Amiti spoke with his father after forcing an elixir down the older Adept's throat"You were but Hanielium's puppet the past thirty years, weren't you?"
Alex nodded as he stood"Indeed. I thought his and my mutual feelings meant we'd help each other after I married Veriti and had you without even knowing about the latter. I still retained much of my free will, however. The whole mess with the Grave Eclipse was actually Hanielium's plan. However, nothing I can say or do would make up for what has happened."
"What about Torang and Relena?" asked Alexandra.
Isaac shrugged"We can't save all four of them, such a powerful creature born of their minds and bodies cost them a great deal of their vitality. Even if they won, they would've died, after our deaths. It was almost the same with my father, and with Jenna and Felix's parents."
Alex put a hand on Amiti's shoulder"I will stay and activate the mechanism to stop the Silver Eclipse. You've proven yourself a better man than I."
"Very well, then. I hope you survive" said Amiti.
Alex chuckled darkly"I survived worse. Besides, what's a little wet to a Water Adept? There's water beneath the ark, no?"
Matthew and Isaac's groups gathered around the room while Alex walked over to the device. The Wise One addressed the rogue Mercury Adept"Your actions may not be wholly forgiven, but you should be able to survive after activating the device to stop the Silver Eclipse and dismantle the ark, which contains the power to keep the eclipse going."
"I am aware" said Alex, standing near the device.
Matthew and Isaac's group retrieved Empyror Lancelot's body at Alexandra's request and hurried out of the room, back towards the airships. Alex smiled briefly, looking up to the sky in thought'Veriti, please continue to watch over me. I may join you with this last act, but know that our son is in good hands and alive.'
"Alex, good luck" said the Wise One, warping away.
Alex smiled, he was surprised to see the protector of Vale's survival, but that didn't matter anymore. With all of his resolve, Alex activated the device and pressed a few crucial buttons on it. The room began to shake as he worked, but Alex did not care as he thought'Death by drowning... An ironic punishment for a rogue Mercury Adept like myself... Amiti, perhaps we'll meet again if I happen to live. At least this I could do for you as a father.'
Matthew's group rushed back to the airship, fighting off a few more monsters as they went. The rooms shook even harder as they went, as the ark was beginning to fall apart.
"Quickly, everyone on board" instructed Isaac as they boarded the largest airship.
The ground beneath them started to collapse as bits of the ark fell into the sea. Matthew and the others barely managed to board just before the dock fell. Acting swiftly, Piers and Caeden got the airship running and flew out of the ark, evading chunks of the collapsing structure as best they could.
"Why would this place collapse, anyway?" sighed Rief.
"Perhaps it was Haniel's consciousness that kept it afloat" speculated Sveta.
"Look!" Karis pointed, seeing a beam of light shoot from the ark into the eclipsed sun. The dark moon melted away, revealing the sun once more and the sky returned to its natural blue color.
Amiti breathed"Weyard is saved, once more. Yet, I feel no sadness or any of the sort for Alex."
"I do believe Alex is a strong swimmer, though we've never done that together since we were children. Maybe we'll end up seeing him again, after all. Though I still don't forgive him for betraying the Mercury Clan by showing Saturos and Menardi into the Mercury Lighthouse" frowned Mia.
As the group flew past Kalay, Matthew and Sveta held hands as they watched the blue sky above them, together. The pair smiled at each other, the blond adept sheepishly addressing the beastman queen"I-if its no trouble."
"Yes?" Sveta asked.
"Since we're boyfriend and girlfriend in a way... Would you mind if I kissed you?" asked Matthew.
Sveta blushed"I... I am unfamiliar with the concept, the way Beastman relationships work is a bit different from that of a human couple. Tis' a fine way to show our love, wouldn't you say?"
"I agree" the pair moved closer to each other and pressed their lips gently onto each other, resulting in a kiss.
From the sidelines, Jenna noticed and spoke to Isaac"They're just perfect for each other, aren't they?"
"So it seems. This takes us back to when we had our first kiss" said Isaac.
"I remember it well" smiled the female Mars Adept.
Tyrell had just about shouted at Matthew and Sveta to get a room when Karis shot him a look. Amiti stood next to the green-haired Jupiter Adept, watching with a smile on his face.
Well, that's it. I'll try to get the final chapter up tomorrow or the day after. I hope it was enjoyable. Oh, about Alex's fate at the end of this fic, I thought I'd leave that to you readers' imagination. Unless I make a sequel, which I doubt I could do since I had the characters do a lot.
Please feel free to review.