Chapter 5 was one of my favorite and best chapter and Jupiter girl pm me if you have any good ideas and post good things and on with the fic!

Chapter 6: Coming Together

Previously: "MATTHEW!" yelled Jenna and Isaac, as more explosions and weapons clashing continued outside.

"BROTHER!" yelled Elizabeth, as she ran out the door.

"ELIZABETH, COME BACK HERE!" yelled Jenna as she followed Liz out the door.

Matthew and his friends ran eagerly out of the house, going in the direction of the sounds of destruction. The sounds lead them to a more desolate part of town, where Arcanus was standing, a huge towering knight standing behind him.

"Arcanus! What are you doing here?!" yelled Tyrell, grabbing for his weapon.

"Oh, I'm just here to visit, and to make an introduction. Meet Dullahan, the keeper of the light." grinned Alex. The towering headless knight stood behind Alex, his blue blade shimmering in the light.

"Meet your doom!" boomed Dullahan, drawing his immense blade. "Fulminous Edge!"

Dullahan ran his sword against his shield, the sword beginning to surge with electric power. Flowing with power, Dullahan slash his sword forward, creating a powerful shockwave of the attack. The force of the attack blew the whole group backwards, crawling on the ground.

"Ugh, that didn't feel good." groaned Tyrell as he struggled to his feet, using his axe to help him up. Matthew and Karis stumbled to their feet as well.

"They survived the first blow. How about one more for good measure?" smirked Alex.

"Agreed." boomed Dullahan. Once again, his sword crackled with electricity. However, unlike before, this attack had one target: Karis.

"Karis!" Matthew cried as he used what strength he had left and knocked Karis down to the ground, taking the full impact himself.

"Matthew!" cried Karis as she watched Matthew take the attack head on. The full collision caused an explosion, sending of them backwards. Once again, Tyrell and Karis struggled to get to their feet, but Matthew wasn't moving a lot.

"He survived." boomed Dullahan. "Still, his wound is deep. He shouldn't last long. We should take our leave master. My apprentice, Serentor awaits."

"A sound idea." said Alex. "Pardon us Adepts, but we must be moving along. You might want to tend to Matthew quickly." he said darkly before teleporting both himself and Dullahan away.

"Matthew! Are you alright?" called Tyrell as he struggled to get over to Matthew. He put a hand to his chest, hearing his heart beat still. Tyrell gave a sigh of relief. "That's good, he's still breathing. Come on Karis, let's get him back home."

"Right." agreed Karis. Right before she could, she heard two voices.

"Brother!" yelled Liz, running towards the scene.

"Elizabeth, come back here!" yelled Jenna. Liz ran right over to them, her hands covering her mouth as she saw her brother on the ground.

"Brother! What happened?!" she asked Tyrell and Karis. Lifting Matthew over his shoulder, Tyrell gave a small grin.

"Your brother….is a freaking idiot."

Once the group got back to the house, Jenna, Sheba, and Rief got to work on healing Matthew. Karis waited outside the room, her head low as she hoped for Matthew to be okay. Tyrell was sitting next to her, acting a bit more casually.

"How can you be so casual about this?" asked Karis.

"He'll make it. He's too stubborn to let this kill him." grinned Tyrell. Under any other circumstance, Karis would have given Tyrell a stern talking to. However, this time was different. There was no one who knew Matthew better than Tyrell, who was essentially like a brother to the guy.

Eventually, after a while, Sheba and Jenna stepped out.

"How is he?" asked Karis, her emotions under control as usual.

"He'll be fine." smiled Sheba. "Took quite a bit of damage, but he'll pull through."

Karis sighed in relief. "Thank goodness." she said. Tyrell smiled as well.

"Can we see him now?" he asked.

"Sure, but go easy. Rief is still applying some healing on him, just to clear up some minor wounds." said Jenna. Both of them nodded as they were allowed in. Just as they did, Rief was finishing up his work.

"Okay, I think you're good now." said Rief with a smile.

"Thanks Rief. You're always handy in a pinch." said Matthew.

"I try my best." smiled Rief. "I'm going to go take a break. Don't hurt him too much." smiled Rief as he took his leave of the room.

Right as he did, Tyrell smacked Matthew on the head. Hard.

"Ouch!" cried Matthew. It wasn't nearly bad enough to give him trouble with his injuries, but Tyrell was a rather muscled guy. He wasn't lacking in strength.

"You're a freaking idiot, you know that? How many times are you going to nearly get yourself killed? This same crap happened at the Apollo Lens." scowled Tyrell. Matthew just grinned.

"Sorry buddy. I am the leader after all. Gotta put myself on the line for the others." he laughed light-heartedly. Karis giggled a bit while shaking her head, while Tyrell just shook his head.

"And people call me a blockhead. Well, at least you still have your humor. I'll be in the kitchen if anyone needs me." said Tyrell as he turned and left, leaving just the two of them. Suddenly, Karis thought of something.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I got something for you." said Karis, reaching into her pack. Matthew gave her a perplexed look.

"Something for me? For what?" he asked.

"Something I've had since we left Belinsk." she said, pulling out a small object out of her pack.

It was a ring, a very fine one at that. It had a blue gem in it and had his name inscribed on the inside. There also was a mountain roc feather etched in on the left side and a small etching of the Sol Blade on the other side, and around the gemstone there were a leaf, a whirlwind, a flame, and a water drop, formed in the pattern of the elements.

"Wow Karis. This is quite a ring." said Matthew, accepting it.

"I designed it myself while we were in Belinsk. After going through that long journey and nearly getting yourself killed at the Apollo Lens, I wanted to give you something to remember it all." she said.

"You're always thinking of others, aren't you?" smiled Matthew. Karis blushed lightly and giggled.

"Well, I try." she said.

Neither of them noticed how much closer their bodies were as they talked. As they did, they both looked into each other's eyes, as if talking to each other that way. Their faces began to slowly get closer, their eyes closing, as their lips were about to….

"Brother!" cried a voice from outside.

The force of the yell broke Matthew and Karis apart, their faces both blushing red. Liz was standing at the doorway, looking as if she was crying for the past half-hour. Matthew bashfully smiled.

"Hey sis, I'm okay now." he said. Liz didn't waste a second running over and jumping into Matthew's arms.

"Oh big brother, I'm so happy you're alright!" she cried, giving Matthew one of her vice grip-like hugs, nearly crushing the air out of him.

"Liz….too tight….can't breathe…." sputtered Matthew. As Liz loosened her grip, Karis just laughed at how funny the scene was. As she did though, she couldn't help but think of what they were just about to do. Her face went red again at the thought of it, although she smiled all the same.

(LINE BREAK)

Meanwhile, on the lost ship, Alex was looking for the Star Magician.

'Where is he? I can't find him anywhere' thought Alex.

"Alex, it's been a long time." said a mysterious voice. Alex immediately recognized it.

"Ah, Star Magician, it has been a long time." said Alex.

"You're here to get me to join you I presume." said the Star Magician, appearing nearby.

"Yes I am. Nice to know that you are aware of what has been occurring recently." said Alex.

"I will join you, but only if I can have all the powers of the tablets." said the Star Magician.

"Deal" said Alex, happy to see it go so smoothly with the magician.

(LINE BREAK)

At the same time, in a far-off place, Dullahan was awaking his apprentice, Serentor.

"Serentor, rise and serve your master." boomed Dullahan. The ground around the sealed tablet of Serentor erupted and a figure jumped out of the ground in front of Dullahan.

"You have called, master?" said a humanoid figure with metal claws and a mechanical right eye.

"Indeed. We have a mission to fulfill, and you shall help us with that goal." said Dullahan.

"As you wish." bowed Serentor.

(LINE BREAK)

Meanwhile on a ship, Piers was heading for Kalay.

'It has been a long time sense I've seen everyone, except Kraden. I wonder how everyone is doing?' thought Piers.

"Piers, you've been on deck for hours now. Come on let me pilot the ship. You need to rest." said a blue haired girl alongside him. This girl was Nowell, Rief's older sister and Mia's firstborn.

"Ok, Nowell take the wheel." said Piers a little too casually. Nowell stepped up but instantly noticed something off with the controls.

"You put the autopilot on didn't you?" said Nowell, a small glare on her face.

"Yep, I did." smirked Piers. "Besides we'll be at Kalay in about an hour so we should get some sleep."

"Fine." groaned Nowell as she followed Piers below deck.

(LINE BREAK)

At the village of Imil near the Mercury lighthouse, Mia was watching the lighthouse with a fond smile on her face. Seeing the lighthouse always brought back fond memories of her journey with the others; both good and bad memories. Nonetheless, she enjoyed just coming out here and reminiscing about the past. However, a familiar voice broke her trance.

"Cousin, it's good to see you again." said the voice. Mia instantly recognized it, whipping her staff out and turning to the source of the voice, her anger rising.

"Alex! What are you doing here? You're not welcome here anymore…." growled Mia. However, right before she could finish, Alex warped right in front of her, grabbing her left arm in a stern grip, a familiar grin on her face.

"Ah, sweet Mia. I see the years have been kind to you too." smirked Alex. "However, I'm not here to fight. Rather, I'm here to warn you. Your friends need your help." he said.

"What do you mean?" asked Mia, struggling to get out of Alex's grip.

"A new threat is approaching, and all of the Warriors of Vale will be needed to combat it. I hope you haven't lost your touch." he continued to smirk.

Mia couldn't tell which was worse; him insulting her skills, or the mere fact that he had the gall to show his face around her again.

"Why are you even bothering to tell me this?" she asked, her anger not letting up.

"Let's just say my son could use the help. I don't really care for you." Alex grinned as he teleported away, leaving behind a dazed and confused Mia.

"Alex, just what in the world are you planning?" wondered Mia before heading back to Imil.

Regardless if she trusted Alex or not, if there was a chance her friends were in danger, then she would be willing to help them out in any way she can.

"I'm coming my friends. Just wait for me a bit."

(LINE BREAK)

Moments later on the Tuaparang Airship, Alex arrived, bowing as he did.

"When are you going to teach me that Alex?" asked a mystery man, sitting in the shadows of the room.

"Tomorrow, Dragonos. Have some patience." replied Alex.

"Fine, but I want to fight some of those kids. Blados and Chalis say they are very strong." said Dragonos as he stepped out so that Alex could see him.

"Don't listen to Blados or Chalis, Dragonos. They are fools and are a disgrace to the empire. Gather your troops, and meet me in the Hangar. I will get Blados and Chalis." said Alex.

"Yes sir." said Dragonos as he went to get his troops.

(LINE BREAK)

Meanwhile in Matthew's house, there was a heated discussion going on.

"That was Dullahan, the same Dullahan we faced 31 years ago." explained Felix.

"Yes and he's much stronger this time. In addition, he's apparently allied with Alex now." said Isaac.

"But how did he leave Crossbone Isle?" asked Tyrell.

"He's there to protect the Iris summon tablet, right?" asked Garet, who finally arrived shortly after Dullahan and Alex had left.

"That's what is supposed to happen. I wonder how Alex got his cooperation." mused Ivan.

"I can only wonder what Alex is planning. If he had Dullahan at his beck and call, it can't be good." said Isaac, putting both of his hands on his head. He hadn't been this frustrated in a long time.

"Isaac…" worried Jenna as she put a hand on her husband's shoulder. Isaac turned to her and gave a small smile.

"Sorry Jenna. I guess I lost it a bit there. I think we all need to take this slowly and figure out our next move." said Isaac.

"A good idea Isaac." chuckled Kraden. "Perhaps you should discuss it at length tomorrow? The sun is setting and we're all tired. What better than a nice dinner and some sleep to get us ready for tomorrow?"

"As always, you come up with the best ideas." chuckled Felix.

(LINE BREAK)

After a nice dinner, everyone was retreating to their respective homes. Felix and his family borrowed a couple of the rooms, while Thomas and Josh used the same rooms they had the night before. Karis hugged Matthew briefly before leaving with Ivan to go back to her own home. Liz saw this happen, becoming a bit concerned herself.

"What's wrong Liz?" asked Matthew as they were both heading upstairs to their rooms.

"Big brother, what do I have to do to be like Karis?" asked Liz, catching Matthew a bit off-guard.

"Where did this come from?" asked Matthew.

"Well, she looks so strong, and she's always out there to fight with you. Nobody sees me as strong." moaned Liz.

"Don't get yourself down Liz. Remember, you're pretty young. You'll get better in time." said Matthew.

"But I want to be better now! I don't want to just stay in the house like some princess holed up in a castle. I want to be out in the field where you are." said Liz.

Matthew sighed and shook his head. Liz was always the type who wanted to take matters into her own hands rather than let other people solve them for her.

"Maybe I can talk it over with Mom and Dad. Perhaps we can come up with something for you." said Matthew. Liz gave Matthew a bright smile after that.

"You better. Otherwise, I'll just sneak out of the house and follow you anyway." she smiled as she gave Matthew a brief hug and left for her own room.

"Oh boy." sighed Matthew, shaking his head but smiling anyway.

Adding his headstrong sister to his list of problems wasn't exactly ideal