The last chapter wasn't my best chapter but it's still good. I thank everyone who reviewed this book so far and a big thanks to Sentinel07 for some great ideas and helping me with this fic, Sentinel I can't thank you enough. Now on with the fic!
Disclaimer: I don't own golden sun or any character but I do own the younger adepts(at this point).
Chapter 3: New Friends, Old Enemies
Previously: Eventually, Matthew introduced the young boys to Sveta and the others, who were happy to meet the energetic boys. Soon enough, night had fallen, and it was time for bed. Everyone got rooms at the castle, and everyone was soon sleeping soundly.
However, Matthew wasn't as sure. As a precaution, he always had his earth psynergy working so he could detect any movement on the ground. A little bit into the night, Matthew felt a weird presence. It soon jarred him from his sleep.
"A dark presence, but what could it be?" he wondered. Keeping an eye on the creatures' movements, Matthew gasped as he realized where it seemed to be heading.
"Oh no Karis!"
"Karis!" Karis' eyes shot open when she heard her name. In the slight lighting, Karis looked up to see a dark skeleton towering over her.
"Ahh!" cried Karis as the skeleton brought its sword down. Karis rolled to the right to avoid it, a little difficult to dodge in a nightgown. Nearby, she grabbed her staff, Lachesis' Rule and prepared for another strike. The skeleton roared in her direction.
"Seriously? At night? Why couldn't you attack when I'm actually fully clothed." groaned Karis a s lightning psynergy crackled between her fingers.
As the skeleton roared and raised its sword again, Karis struck. "Shine Plasma!"
The burst of energy struck down the skeleton, taking it down in one blow and causing it to disintegrate. Karis sat down, a little winded from the sudden events. Apparently, everyone heard the noise and had rushed to her room.
"What's going on here Karis?" roared Tyrell.
"Nothing Tyrell. Just go back to sleep." said Karis.
"Fine, but don't wake me up again like that." said a tired Tyrell.
"Karis are you ok?" asked Matthew as he walked over to her.
"Matthew I'm fine, but I need to go on a walk." Karis said. "Care to come with?"
"Sure. I need to calm my nerves down anyway." said Matthew with a smile. With that, the two friends took a brief walk outside. Karis was still in her nightgown while Matthew at least had a shirt and shorts on, but she didn't mind. They went out to the nearby beach just outside Morgal Castle and took a seat.
As they did, Karis turned to Matthew and saw an odd look on his face. "What's wrong Matthew?" she asked.
"Oh, just thinking about all that's happened lately. It's been a wild ride." sighed Matthew.
"I see what you mean." smiled Karis. "But soon, we'll be able to go home and move on from this."
"That's true. Soon enough, it'll be just the three of us back at the Lookout Cabin. Just you, me, and Tyrell." smiled Matthew.
"I like the sound of that." smiled Karis, gently snuggling against Matthew. At her touch, Matthew put an arm around Karis' shoulders and held her tight against him. He didn't tell many others of this, but Matthew greatly enjoyed Karis' company. The two had known each other since they were practically in diapers.
Soon enough, Matthew could feel Karis' breathing even, and he looked at her to see that she had fallen asleep. Smiling, Matthew gave her a gentle kiss on the head. He wasn't the most outspoken fellow, but even he knew what he felt towards the young wind adept.
"I won't let anything harm you again." Matthew silently vowed as he kept the object of his affections close to him. Little did he know that Karis had actually heard him, smiling and snuggling against him more.
The following day, the group said good bye to Sveta, as she had to remain as Morgal's queen. She waved them all a good bye and hoped to see them all again soon. With Eoleo heading back home, it was now just Matthew, Karis, Tyrell, Rief, Kraden, and the new kids.
After some walking, the group made their way to Border Town, happy to see that the border had been reopened.
"Thank goodness. I really don't want to go through Craggy Peak again." said Tyrell in relief. After that, the group crossed the border to the other side and began to head to a nearby inn. However, right as they did, they got an unwelcomed guest. A certain blue-haired warrior from the Tuaparang.
"Alex!" said Matthew, instantly going for his Sol Blade. Alex waved a hand at him.
"Now now, there is no need for violence here. I had been wondering when you all arrive." said Alex casually, as if he was some old friend.
"Enough! What do you want?" roared Tyrell.
"Alex, you traitor!" said Rief, reaching for his own weapon. Alex again waved his hand.
"Relax cousin, I'm not here to fight any of you." said Alex. After everyone looked at each other in confusion, he continued. "I have merely come here to warn you. The Tuaparang's goal of conquest has not been stopped. You merely delayed it temporarily."
"And why should we believe you Alex? " asked Matthew.
"Well, you don't have to believe me. That is your decision. However, I think I should tell you that you won't find your father or Garet at the Lookout Cabin." said Alex.
"What do you mean?" asked Matthew.
"Isaac has returned to your dear mother in Kalay. That is all you need to know." said Alex. Before anyone else could speak, a white light engulfed him, teleporting him away and leaving the group incredibly confused.
"Urgh, what is Alex doing?" thought Matthew as he punched a nearby building. "Oh well, at least Mom and Dad are alright."
"Matthew, do you want to head for Kalay immediately?" asked Karis.
"No, we'll head there in the morning." said Matthew.
The next day soon arrived after a stay at the inn. Before they were about to leave, Matthew had a suggestion.
"Let's go to the weapon and armor shop, just in case we need something." said Matthew.
"Good idea." agreed Karis. As Tyrell and Karis went ahead, Matthew trailed behind a bit and called Thomas and Josh over to him.
"What's up Matthew?" Thomas asked.
"Nothing bad. I just figured that, since you're traveling with us, I'd say you should be properly equipped. I have some old swords that should be helpful to you both. I hope I can trust you with them both." said Matthew as he opened his pack, going through some old swords he didn't use anymore thanks to having the Sol Blade. The first one was a sword nearly identical to the Sol Blade, but with a gold and brown color scheme.
"Thomas, I'm going to give you the Gaia Blade. I see that you have a good sense of leadership, and this is one of the most powerful Venus-type swords. I think you can handle it. said Matthew, handing Thomas the Gaia Blade.
"Wow, awesome! Thanks." said Thomas gratefully. Then, Matthew turned to Josh and grabbed a bigger sword.
"Josh, this is the Sword of Dusk. Before the Gaia Blade, this was another one of my more powerful swords. I'd say this one will suit you best." said Matthew, handing Josh the Sword of Dusk.
"Thank you sir!" said Josh with a smile.
"Just make sure you two both take care of them. They're quite unique." said Matthew. At once, the two boys nodded. "Now, let's head in and get some armor for you both. I'd rather not keep Tyrell and Karis waiting." he smiled.
Later that day, the group came across a random group of monsters. Matthew had decided to allow Thomas and Josh to take the lead in fighting them.
"Matthew, are you sure this is okay?" wondered Karis as the two boys faced the monsters.
"For the fifth time Karis, yes I believe this is okay." said Matthew, a bit exasperated. "We're right here to help if necessary. It's not much difference when dad and Garet helped us when we needed to find Tyrell.
"I guess you're right." said Karis, trusting Matthew's judgment. Right as he said that, he saw the two boys fell the beasts, collecting the spoils.
"All right!" cheered Thomas.
"Well done both of you." smiled Matthew.
"They did well enough I suppose." shrugged Tyrell. Matthew and Karis laughed at his mannerisms.
"Anyway, let's get going. We've still got a long way to go until we get to Kalay." said Matthew.
After that, the group continued on their way, walking for another day or two down the countryside. Soon enough, the group passed through Carver's Camp, glad to see that the bridge had been restored.
"To think, if it wasn't for this bridge being out…." pondered Tyrell.
"Yeah, we might not have met everyone else." said Karis.
"Thank goodness for that. I ended up in a crate after all." shivered Rief.
"Good can come from bad sometimes. It's weird but that's how it works." shrugged Matthew. Anyway, the group passed through Carver's Camp and down the countryside, heading for the bridge that connected to Kalay. Kalay had been slightly separated from the Angara mainland since the Golden Sun event. Bridges alone were what kept the place connected. As they crossed over, Matthew found it a little weird to be back in Kalay.
Ever since he was old enough to be trained, Matthew and Isaac were generally always at the Lookout Cabin, only returning home for a very limited time. While she wouldn't say anything, Matthew's mother, Jenna, was always extremely worried for them, and Matthew knew it. He knew that she knew that they all had a duty after the Golden Sun event. Isaac and Garet's duty was to watch Mt. Aleph, while she stayed behind to help Ivan and his research.
Soon enough, the group passed through the bridge and entered the home stretch to Kalay's main city, as it had become its own country over the past 30 years.
However, as they approached, something seemed to hand over the horizon.
"Is that smoke?" asked Thomas. Josh squinted his eyes and saw that as well.
"Yeah it is, and it looks like it's coming from Kalay." he said. That made everyone's eyes widen. Except for Thomas and Josh, their families resided in Kalay while they trained at the Lookout Cabin.
"Oh no!" worried Matthew as he began running straight for Kalay.
"Matthew, wait up!" called Tyrell as he and Karis ran to catch up with him, with Thomas and Josh trying to keep up with them.
After a little more time, the group arrived at the Kalay outskirts, to which they saw that the cause of the smoke was a house on fire. Karis gasped at the sight, but Matthew didn't waste a single second before jumping in.
"Matthew!" called Karis before following him.
"Do they have a death wish or something?" wondered Tyrell.
Running into the house, Matthew tried to call out to anyone. "Is anyone in here?!"
He then heard a slow and weak voice. "Yes….over here."
Matthew ran over, hearing Karis come up behind him.
"What are you doing here?!" asked Matthew.
"Helping you out, what else?" asked Karis. After that, they heard a piece of wood fall, knowing that they had little time.
"All right, stay where you are and we'll get you!" called Matthew as he saw a figure nearby.
"Hurry!" called the voice.
Matthew reached over to the side, seeing that it was an old man. Karis came over and helped the old man up, getting them both out of the house before anymore debris feel. As Rief helped put out the fire, the others tended to the old man.
"You both are crazy." said Tyrell.
"Well, crazy just saved him." retorted Karis.
"Thank you for saving my life." said the old man.
"It wasn't a problem. Just being a good Samaritan." said Matthew.
"What are your names?" asked the old man.
"Matthew, sir" replied Matthew.
"I'm Karis." she replied.
"Well, thank you to both of you. Your parents would be proud." smiled the old man. Matthew smiled and looked at Karis.
"They are sir. They always have." he said, which got Karis smiling as well.
After the events of the burning house, Matthew and the others waked further into the city, getting greetings from people who knew them from before.
"So nice to be back in civilization." said Tyrell, stretching his limbs. "I can only take so long being at the cabin."
"It does have its perks." agreed Matthew. Soon enough, he stopped the group, confusing the young boys and Rief.
"Well guys, welcome to my home." said Matthew proudly. Thomas, Josh, and Rief all gasped.
"Wow, its huge!" said Josh.
They were all staring at Matthew's house: a two-floor wooden house that looked like a mansion.
"Holy cow!" said Thomas in awe.
"All right, let's go in." said Matthew. After that, Tyrell and Karis waved good bye and headed to their own families. Rief and Kraden decided to look around the town a bit more.
With that, Matthew opened the door. "Mom, Dad, I'm home!" he called out. He heard some rustling until a figure stepped out into the entrance. This was Jenna, Isaac's wife and Matthew's mother.
Like Isaac, she still looked quite young, only about 10 years older than before the Golden Sun event. Her auburn hair was shorter, but she still had it in a ponytail style. She wore a red and brown dress, somewhat similar to what she wore as a teenager. The dress was mostly a light brown that went down to her knees, with a smaller red vest-like garment that slimmed down on her figure and was sleeveless and stopped at her waist.
Jenna's face lit up at seeing her son again.
"Matthew, you're back!" cried Jenna, coming over and giving her son a hug. Matthew was growing up fast, as he was already taller than her now.
"Thanks mom. How have things been?" asked Matthew.
"Sigh, same as always. Ivan's more engrossed in his work than ever since he got that Soarwing thing working." she said.
"That sounds like him." laughed Matthew. Just after that, Isaac finally entered.
"Ah Matthew, I'm glad to see you returned safely." he said.
"Likewise. We got the feather as requested." said Matthew, bringing it out. Isaac happily accepted it.
"Thanks. I know you must have went through a lot to get it." said Isaac.
"You have no idea." said Matthew. Then he noticed Jenna giving odd looks to Matthew's new friends. "Oh, and this is Thomas and Josh. They're two adepts we meet while coming back. They want to train to become stronger."
"Hmm, I see. Didn't expect you to bring home students." laughed Isaac.
"Well, everything kind of changed after the Grave Eclipse." said Matthew.
Jenna looked confused. "Grave Eclipse? What's that?" she asked.
"Oh right, the Eclipse didn't make it this far." Isaac remembered.
"Really? Oh good." sighed Matthew.
"Grave Eclipse? What is that?" asked Jenna.
With that, Matthew explained what the Grave Eclipse was as best as he could. Jenna was nearly stunned by the end of it.
"Morgal had something like that this whole time? Unbelievable." sighed Jenna. Matthew had decided to leave out the part of him dying. He didn't want his mother to panic. Besides, he was alive now anyway.
"Well, that aside, we've got extra rooms. You two can use those." said Isaac.
"Thank you sir!" cheered both of the boys, which got the others laughing a bit.
"Well, get situated in. Guess I have to make dinner for more now." sighed Jenna, although she was really happy to see her whole family back again.
"You understand your mission?" asked Alex.
Before him stood a demonic headless warrior, one that was often deemed as the ultimate warrior. The being stood there in silence, but Alex seemed to think there was acceptance there.
"Good. Having the mighty Dullahan in my grasp should make things very interesting." smirked Alex.