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Felix rested his chin in one hand, staring at the pile of blackened wood before him. A few wisps of smoke were still floating from the debris, curling and twisting in the air before fading away to nothingness. It was so quiet, save for the wind rustling through the trees and the animated voices floating in his direction. He cocked a glance in the direction of the two girls lying huddled together.
It had only been a month since Sheba had come into their group, and already the two of them were like sisters. He couldn't help cracking a smile at the thought. It was a relief that things had turned out so well considering the circumstances of how Sheba had come to join them. Could probably have done without the whole falling off a lighthouse part though. Felix still wasn't sure how he had found the strength to swim all the way to Idejima in those turbulent waters. Luck, he supposed, and he certainly seemed to have it in bucketfuls.
His thoughts were interrupted by the shuffling of feet over the ground. Felix felt the weight of the log shift slightly as someone sat next to him. "Not retiring to bed yet then?"
"Ah, well, the night is still young and I fancied having a good talk." Kraden slumped forward slightly, releasing a long exhale. "I suppose all that travelling really does do a number on these old bones of mine though."
"Honestly, it surprises me how you can keep up with us all the time." Felix could only think of a few times Kraden had tired out to the point he needed to be carried. It amazed him how much zest and vigor the old man could possess at his age.
Kraden chuckled. "Well, I'd hate to hold you young ones back. Just thinking about where our quest is taking us is enough to keep me going for days. I never imagined that I would get this opportunity back in Vale. To think the Elemental Stars really existed and were right under our noses. The people of Vale had no idea what they were even supposed to be guarding."
Felix didn't say anything, though his brow furrowed.
Kraden's keen eyes lingered on him for a while before he spoke again. "We're doing the right thing here. Of that, I have no doubt. Weyard needs Alchemy to be restored. The people of Prox can testify to that."
"The rift," Felix said in a soft voice. "They are terrified. Every day, that rift is crumbling, growing ever closer to their home. If it's left for long enough, then their village will be swallowed up."
"And the lighthouse is supposed to be even closer to that rift than the village itself? If that lighthouse was to fall, then it would be all over. There's no time to waste." Kraden slowly exhaled. "I can understand Saturos and Menardi's desperation. Imagine knowing your home is close to destruction. Not just Prox, but even the entire world could be in danger."
"They went too far though." Felix's voice developed a hard edge. "I understand why they had to take Sheba, but the things they did to get to that lighthouse. Even elderly men fell before them. You must have known those sages who were in their path, right?"
"Some of them, yes." Kraden pushed the glasses up his nose. "It really did hurt to see my colleagues be struck down like that. Saturos and Menardi were quite ruthless in achieving their goals. If people had to be hurt, then so be it. Not that I agree with their methods." He fell silent, looking at Felix again.
"Well. At least they are gone now," Felix murmured. "It's all up to me now. I'm the one bearing the burden of lighting the lighthouses. I don't want to resort to violence to reach that goal." He pressed his lips together. "Though there are still people who oppose us, aren't there?"
"You mean Isaac and the others, right?" Kraden's voice softened. "I don't think you need to worry too much, Felix. Isaac is a reasonable person. I have no doubt that when the time comes, he will listen to us."
"I hope so." Felix raised his head, looking toward the glittering stars in the sky.
"I get the feeling that you still care about Isaac and Garet. You don't like the idea of having to fight them, do you?" Kraden gazed intently at Felix, watching as he shook his head in response. "As I thought. You really are a kind and caring soul. And that makes you a far better leader than Saturos and Menardi."
"Yeah, well, it's not like that's hard. Those guys had serious anger management issues." Felix smiled wryly. "Though, in spite of how they acted, I do still feel a bit sorry for them. All they really wanted was to save their hometown. If things could just have gone differently, then maybe they wouldn't have had to die."
"Perhaps. Who can say. I don't think they were heartless monsters, but they chose to carry on the way they did and because of that, they ended up meeting their end. It's pitiable, really." Kraden reached up to rub his eyes. "We'll carry on the torch, light the lighthouses, and save your parents and Kyle too, of course."
"Maybe I should have said something."
"Hm?"
"About Isaac's father."
Kraden shook his head. "The time wasn't right. Not with Saturos and Menardi around. When we have the opportunity, we'll tell him everything." As his voice trailed off, he let out a yawn. "Think I'd best be turning in now." He rose to his feet, putting a hand on Felix's shoulder as he stepped past him. "Goodnight, Felix."
"Yeah. Goodnight, Kraden." Felix stared at the log pile a bit longer before moving some earth over it and stifling the last of the smoke. Stretching his arms, he got up and made his way to the sleeping area. Tomorrow was going to be another long day on their quest and he needed all the rest he could get. He had no idea what might happen tomorrow, or in the near future, but whatever came, he would face it head on.