Disclaimer: Golden Sun and each of its many characters belong to someone else.

Chapter 4: Ryan

He made his way through the streets quickly, and with a purpose, passing tents filled with the merchandise of small-time farmers. Fruit and produce stands littered every street and the morning rush of customers made it hard to navigate through the maze-like city. Within the brown and ragged cloak that he wore, his body bulged, threatening to tear the threadbare fabric. Under the hood his hair fell flat, a bold orange that only peeked out from the frayed hood. As he neared his destination he slowed and then stopped. He was in front of a small inn. He went inside and with a quick glance, saw that his partner wasn’t there yet. He sat down and, taking up a majority of the small wooden bench placed at the entrance of the inn, began his wait.

Around him people rushed through their errands trying to seem as important as possible. Two guys in particular caught his attention. Dressed in armor and carrying long swords they stood at the front desk waiting for the innkeeper and talked loudly between themselves.

“I’m telling you,” one began, “They’ve found something huge. Otherwise Oscur wouldn’t have put Gidy in control.”

“Seriously, though, how much control can Gidy have?” his friend asked jokingly.

“Well, he asked to take Isaac along and Oscur agreed.” The first responded

“Isaac’s coming?”

“That’s what I hear.”

“I guess it’ll be good for him to get out of the palace and into society.”

“Yeah, maybe, but Mt. Aleph is hardly society.”

After this the conversation turned to the latest Mars Adept to be taken away, and Ryan stopped paying attention. He heard the door open and looked back in time to see Luke walk in, wearing the same kind of cloak. His, however, did very little to cover the long cobalt hair that framed his face. His thin wire-frame glasses were close to falling off the tip of his nose and the glazed eyes of grey-blue showed he was in deep thought. Ryan stood to greet Luke, instantly towering a foot over his bespectacled friend. Luke, however, quickly began to talk business.

“Ryan, something big is going on. I just passed by the castle and there is a big commotion going on.”

“I know,” said Ryan, surprising Luke, “I just overheard that Oscur is sending his advisor and his son out for something ‘big.’ They’re headed for Mt. Aleph.”

“This is huge, Ryan. I think that we may have to follow them.”

Ryan groaned loudly. They had just returned from a long trip to the cliffs of Gondowan which had ended in the running from some of Oscur’s men. He had hoped that he would get at least a few weeks at home to just relax.

He didn’t have long to complain, though. Luke started walking out the door. “Come on,” Luke started, “we have to get to the camp and plan this out; it looks like we might have to leave pretty soon. Ryan grumbled to himself and followed, back into the maze that was Madra.

Soon they were out of the city and nearing a small lake. They made their way quietly, Luke deep in thought and a few steps ahead of Ryan who lumbered slowly behind, mumbling about his discomfort. Finally they reached the edge of the waters. Ryan pulled off the hood over his head and said, “Finally. It’s so hot under these things.”

“Hot? Are you not a Mars adept?” Luke said in mild annoyance. He pushed his glasses up just before they fell off his nose and then placed his arms in front of himself. “Parch” he said after making sure no one was around. The waters began to bubble and an orange light glowed on the water’s surface. As the water evaporated a door was revealed. They climbed down a ladder and made their way inside. As they adjusted to the darkness they slowly saw their city, underground and hidden from the world. A city entirely of adepts.

“It’s nice to be back in Alchym, no?” Ryan asked. Luke was hardly listening though as he made his way through the houses cut into the ground. Ryan groaned loudly and followed the thin man.