Disclaimer: The basic premise and idea of this stroy, along with most of the characters and places, are not my own but copyright of Camelot Software.

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Prolouge

This is a tale of a star in the darkness, of a struggle between good and evil.

The tale of five Adepts, wielders of the elements, who swore an oath to fight the darkness with all their might, even unto death.

A tale of fire; of water; of earth and wind. Of darkness and light, and of the power of the void.

A tale that spans a thousand years; a tale of love and hate, of struggle and peace, of swords and shields, of saviours and souls, and of angels and demons.

This, is the tale of Fivefold Star.

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Part I: Before

In the Anemos Sanctum deep inside the crust of Weyard, an armoured figure stood in silence. The Sanctum was made of a soft yellow stone, once polished to a soft shine that reflected the light; now dulled to a faint glimmer. Serpentine dragon statures led the way to the inner chamber, frills flaring from their heads.

An intricate sword rested in his hand, the amethyst runes carved on the hilt signifying "Formina Sage". The enchantment of the runes had been a gift from the elders of Anemos, and he treasured it dearly. Startled, he wondered how that thought had come to his mind. "Is it possible," he pondered, "That after all these years, I can recall what happened before this hellish existence began?"

He wondered if it had been the arrival of eight warriors, who reminded him so much of himself eons ago. Fighting bravely, valiantly, for a cause they believed in. The figure sighed. After what seemed like eternity, he had suffered defeat at last. The battle between them had been epic, both sides unleashing many glorious attacks. But they had proved to be far more resilient and powerful than he had expected, and to his utmost surprise he was felled. Like the spectre he was, after his physical body was destroyed he had withdrawn to the shadows to watch, a mere spirit.

They had approached his treasured stone, conferring excitedly. What appeared to be the leader, a young man with a wild mane of dark brown hair, stepped forth and laid his hands on the tablet, which glimmered in response. A cluster of runes rose into the air and then, swirling lazily for a moment, quickly converged upon this Adept and entered his body, blessing the man with its power. The armoured figure's heart ("Do I have a heart?" He wondered) had quickened. For better or worse, part of Sol Aurarius has just been unleashed, after millennia of captivity. When the party departed, the figure reassembled his body from darkness and would have hung his head if he had one, uncertain of what to do.

That had been many days ago. Without the tablet, the sanctum seemed more barren, and desolate. A harsh wind blew through the chamber, and dust roiled in this forsaken cave. The darkness seemed to grow, but the figure didn't move, passive in his thoughts. Suddenly, a feminine voice intruded upon his mind:

"Hello! Are any of the Fivefold alive? If so, please respond!"

"A Jupiter Adept!" The figure realized, "and if I remember my heritage, there's only one Anemosian capable of such a feat…" He quickly sent a response: "Shamira! You are still alive! It's been too long!"

"Orior!" The voice sounded surprised and delighted, as one who feels reborn. "You're still alive! Thank the elements! Are you well?"

"Yes, though I'm amazed that you could contact me. The Shamira I knew was not capable of this."

"No doubt as you know, our powers have grown since that long-ago time. But this is not the time to explain. I'll attempt to contact the rest of the Fivefold. In the meantime, meet on the north side of Mt. Aleph. We'll be there."

"Until then, Shamira."

With the shock that always comes with breaking a communication, Orior awoke from his stupor. "Shamira still lives!" He thought, amazed. He looked around at the gloomy room that had been his home for countless years. "I shall be glad to leave this dismal place." Thus heartened, he stepped to the edge of his room, a drop into a black abyss. Casting Volatilis, a violet pynergetic aura enveloped him and faded. Shimmering wings sprung from his back, forming an eight-foot sparkling wingspan. As he leapt into flight down the darkened depths of Anemos Sanctum, he thought, "Dullahan the spectre is no more. I live once again, as Orior, to see the light of Sol. My cursed existence has come to an end. I live, once more."

Part II: Reunion

Orior flew over what was formerly the Anemos River; the eastern border of the Anemosian nation, now had grown to a great sea. The powerful strokes of his Psynergy wings carried him far with each beat, and as he flew he marvelled at how much the world had changed. What was once a vaguely crescent-shaped continent with a single island had mutated into a complex cluster of various seas and continents. Orior glided lazily over a small mining town, and was shocked to see that these people were not Adepts. They completed all of their menial tasks by hand and worked the land solely with a wooden stick tipped with a sharp spike, digging the soil away from precious ore. "What happened here…?" Orior thought in bewilderment. "Is this a result of our actions…? Nothing's the same…" But that wasn't true. The reliable Suhalla Desert, existing since time immemorial, still spread its sandy dunes across the countryside. "Though, even it has changed. It's larger then before," he mused, and in his disembodied voice he sensed a thoughtfulness he had not heard in hundreds of years.

Scanning the country, Orior felt a flash of forgotten memory when he saw the dim figure of Venus Lighthouse in the distance. Himself, a mortal, climbing the high halls he knew lay within with his companions.

Orior overflew the inland sea of Angara, the Karagol. It, too, had grown in size, eroding its shores faster than it used to in the old days. Back then, Venus Adepts would check its growth in a marvellous display of Psynergy, restoring the land. "Is my memory returning?" Orior thought excitedly. Tolbi, the city on the western shore of the Karagol, had diminished in size, and he sensed no Adepts within.

Finally, Orior flew over the Angaran forests that heralded the road to Vale, birthplace of Alchemy, Adepts, and indeed the whole world. But Orior was shocked when he saw what was once the capital of the world: it was in ruins!

Small figures, comparable to ants from his lofty height, worked on rebuilding their city. He could feel the eddy of pynergetic energies that wafted into the air, and he felt at home. "These," he thought, "are my people. These are Adepts."

With a great shock, Orior espied the Venus Adept who had defeated him, and some of the other warriors who had defeated him. He felt an almost unbearable urge to fly down and speak with him, to discover who he is and commend him on his fighting prowess, but he had a promise to keep.

He was close to Mount Aleph now, its golden peak just ahead. He stopped, hovering, surprised. "The same! That means Alchemy is unleashed! But why? And more importantly, how?" He sighed. Aleos could probably explain it, but he had not heard from the scholar since they had parted ways, so long ago. Orior remained true to his target: the north side of Mt. Aleph. Spiralling down the vaguely luminescent rocks of the foothills, Orior came about to what was once a flower-dusted field, where he had many fond memories of, not the least the swearing of his oath. He looked in horror as he observed the fused rock and scorched earth of what was once a paradise. He noticed a figure, armoured as he had been armoured, standing on the edge of this slag, watching the sun reflect off the mountain. He approached cautiously. "Shamira?"

The figure turned, and he beheld the familiar, yet not familiar, armour that clothed this figure. Only the eyes, that vivid lilac that could belong solely to Anemosians of high rank, betrayed the figure's identity. It seemed to him that the figure smiled. "Also known as Sentinel. It's been awhile, Orior." Shamira said, and they embraced.

"So, what of the others?" He asked, his armour groaning as he sat himself on a rock, no doubt thrown from the internals of Aleph, for an eruption is the only thing that could cause this devastation, he surmised.

"I've contacted all, save for Aleos. His mind, if he lives, is clouded." Shamira frowned. "It's strange. I've only met one other person who could cloak their mind so well, and I believe you know who that is." They exchanged dark looks. "So, nothing to do but wait until the others arrive."

They waited motionlessly, their shadows becoming curiously elongated as Sol continued on her journey through the sky. Suddenly, the sky darkened with storm-filled clouds: Thunder crashed, and it began to rain. Calmly weaving a psynergy, Orior cast a barrier to protect himself and Shamira from the rain, but Shamira was distracted. With a frown, she was staring at a place about ten paces distant, and Orior followed her gaze. There was something liquid shimmering on the ground, but the strange thing was that it was already four feet tall! Orior rose. "Show yourself!"

Adding another four feet, the figure darkened and became solid. A figure in a navy blue robe stood before them, a staff clutched easily in its hand. A ball rotated lazily in the hollow at the tip. The figure lifted its head, and Orior caught the glimpse of turquoise eyes. A tinkling, bell-like voice issued from beneath the hood. "Hello, Orior, Shamira."

"MARIS!" Orior and Shamira exclaimed. Again, they embraced, as was their custom whenever they met an old friend. They settled. "Maris, how is it that you can appear from thin air?" Shamira asked, puzzled.

"Not air, Shamira. Water." Maris lifted her head to the sky. "It seems to be a new ability. I can walk with water, and travel with the rain clouds as they journey over Weyard. I'm not sure how it works, but I think I become water. My thoughts are scattered, and I have to concentrate on my destination." She sighed. "Well, I guess our Star Magician has returned… but what of our dear Proxian and Aleos?"

"Our Proxian friend has yet to show his face, and of Aleos there is no word," Orior answered.

They all sighed. Hours passed, and night fell. Orior gathered a patch of struggling firegrass in his hand, rough and corrosive to the touch. The plant only spread its ragged leaves in the remnants of lava, and ash, hence the name firegrass. Seemingly without cause, a tremendous gust of wind blew it back, accompanied by a loud flapping sound. A strange beast that seemed a cross between dragon and demon glided into their midst. Orior saw that it was wearing fire-red clothes that blended with its scales and bore a wild mane of fiery hair. A large warhammer hung at its side, and its muscles were clearly defined across its body. It roared, and then, to the total bewilderment of the three, seemed to smile. "Hello, again."

"Cinaed, you blasted fool, you scared the daylights out of me. Don't do that." She sighed, exasperated.

They embraced, and the demon-like Proxian named Cinaed smiled guiltily. "I apologize for my lateness… a couple of Proxians were in dire straits at Venus Lighthouse, and felt obliged to assist a fellow citizen. I flew them to Prox, and then, after bidding them good luck in their recovery, flew here." He paused. "I guess I'm permanently in this twisted dragon form, and I've taken to the name Valukar." He laughed. "Look at us. We look nothing like we normally do, is this all a result of our quest? All of us are different than we used to be. Except…" His face darkened. "Still no Aleos, though."

"Pleased to see you again too, Cinaed." Orior said tiredly, then his eyes lit up. "Several weeks ago, I was defeated in battle -sarcastic gasp from Cinaed, which earned him a reproachful look from Maris under her hood- by a group of eight Adepts. I saw some of them in Vale." He waved his hand for emphasis. "Have you seen them before?"

Shamira spoke up. "Actually, I have. They defeated me too." A chorus of agreement greeted this.

Orior nodded. "Indeed. Who are they?"

A voice from the shadows of night answered, a silvery and suave voice concealing immense power. "I can answer that."

All heads turned as what seemed to be a boulder with a single eye emerged from the darkness. "They are the ones who unsealed Alchemy. A short while ago, the Elemental Stars where stolen from Sol Sanctum, and the thieves attempted to unseal Alchemy. Thinking that maybe they could be the ones that would finally succeed, I sent two Adepts to test them. Those two Adepts gained an ally from Jupiter and Mercury, and pursued the ones lighting the Lighthouses relentlessly. After firing Venus, they clashed in combat, and emerged victorious.

The survivors fled with the Star of Jupiter, the Mars Star being held by the pursuers. Then, after Jupiter was lit, they reconciled and joined forces. They travelled far, and before lighting Mars sought treasure, and so came to you all. By some virtue, they defeated each one of you. After they broke the seal by lighting the last lighthouse, I imbued its power into them all, but only the Mars Adept, one named Garet, noticed. Thus, I dissipated the united power of Sol Aurarius." It floated closer. "For even then, someone climbed the peak of Mt. Aleph, seeking to take its power."

Throughout this, Shamira concentrated on the power of Jupiter, attempting to crack the mind of the newcomer and discover its identity. Finally, it clicked and she succeeded. "Aleos!"

Cries of joy greeted this, and awkward embraces (hard to embrace a rock, after all). Orior spoke: "Aleos, tell me. Is it he?"

Aleos shook from side to side in negation, since he lacked a proper head to deny with. "No. Someone else, but perhaps influenced by him. I have been Vale, no, Weyard's protector, the Wise One, ever since our time. I fought the one seeking Sol Aurarius, a blue-haired Imilian – Maris gasped- named Alex. He believed himself to be all-powerful, and foolishly challenged me. I defeated him easily, stunning him so when Mt. Aleph returned to its normal state, its crater opened and Alex fell in, the crater drawing shut around him, much like the first seeker to rule. He rests even now deep in Aleph's heart."

Aleos scanned the assembled. "As you may have guessed, Fivefold, our bodies have been twisted by the might of Sol Aurarius. I can heal us, with the power that I have obtained in like manner. These forms will still be available to us, as the power of Sol Aurarius will always rest within us. Do you accept?"

"Yes." Orior solemnly responded. Unanimous assent rose. Aleos nodded.

"It shall be done." He closed his eye.

A rain of sparkles emerged from Aleos' body. They danced in the air, changing colours, and whirled around each one of the Fivefold. They looked on in wonder as their vision brightened, and a shining light grew around their forms, which then shrank and reconfigured. The brightness slowly faded.

The Fivefold looked in amazement and recognition at forms they had not seen for hundreds of years.

Orior, six feet in height and with a warrior's physique. His feathery hair, golden in colour, flowed down to his shoulders, framing his face and emerald green eyes. He wore a green cloak fastened at one shoulder with a lion head buckle. Under this, he wore the same clothing as long ago: a sturdy leather tunic over chainmail, and reliable boots that had seen miles over steady use, but still were bound, as ever, with a golden buckle over the brown leather of their material. Cloth gloves covered his hands, and his sword was strapped to his back, under his cloak. His element was Venus, the earth.

Shamira, standing five foot eleven, ever the warrior. Her lilac eyes gleamed below her slightly wispy violet hair, that fell to her shoulders as ever. She wore a short cape that fell to mid back, purple in colour, and close-fitting light blue armour with chainmail protecting the joints and stomach. Her legendary rapier was strapped along her leg, and her elvish features supported her slender figure. Her element was Jupiter, the wind.

Maris, with deep blue hair flowing like a waterfall to the middle of her back and aquamarine eyes that shone with warmth. She stood five foot seven in the robes of the Mercury clan, blue with a long cloak azure in colour, emblazoned with the insignia of Mercury in a darker blue. The hem of a white gown protruded from the bottom of her robe, with slipper-like shoes over her small feet. She was slender, with a lovely face that radiated kindness and warmth. Her staff she held loosely in one hand. Her element was Mercury, the water.

The Proxian Cinaed stood tall over the rest; his body sheathed in muscle from the life of a warrior. He stood six foot six, with the scaled skin native to all native Proxians. His lush mane of burgundy hair flowed back, wavy and descending to his upper back. His light red eyes were set in his fierce-looking face, mailed as it was with scales. His pointed ears just barely showed through his hair, and his teeth were slightly pointed. He wore ornate armour, dark blue in colour and tinged with red on the edges, and also on the spikes that rose from the shoulders and elbows of the armour, as well as his twin vambrace. A navy blue cloak, fastened on each shoulder, fell to just above the ground, likewise tinged with red on the fringes. It rippled as he moved, moving softly over his ringmailed legs and metal boots in the same style of the rest of his armour. His element was Mars, the fire.

Aleos, the scholar. Five foot eleven in height and of slender, but by no means weak build. Long silver hair flowed to his back, and his grey eyes had a prismatic quality, reflecting the colours of his surroundings. A black cape, lined with silver on the inside, fell from his shoulders to the height of his knees, and he wore loose-fitting tunic of a sturdy cloth, black fastened down the centre with silver clasps, and silver adorned the hems and shoulders. He wore travellers' boots, black leather encased in armour of silver, and loose grey leggings on his legs. A katana hung at his side, encased in a sheath of gold and jewels. Aleos possessed the power of the Void.

"However, if our Great Enemy still lives, we must find a way to prevent him from reclaiming Sol Aurarius from Alex." He closed his eyes. "Or else the world falls into ruin and death. But to do that, we must relive our mortal lives and regain your memories. I can help us there." Raising his hands, he was surrounded by a silver aura, which faded as he cast his Psynergy, Aspectus.

A part of the air in front of him shimmered and became opaque, turning slowly to white. The Fivefold peered inside, curious. And this is what they saw: