Chapter 1:

It was mid-March. In most places the first signs of spring were beginning to show in the return of birds, bright daffodils, and delicate, green sprouts and buds, but not in Imil. Only a barely perceived thawing of the ice and snow was any sign of the quick approach of the Vernal Equinox. This winter like weather was exactly the reason the eight Adepts were currently spending a week in Imil. For you see, saving the world and rebuilding an entire town takes a lot out of you. Thus, the heroes were spending a well-deserved rest sledding, ice-skating, and snowball fighting.

It was after a day filled with such activities that our story begins. The eight members of the Golden Sun crew (Kraden had been left behind in New Vale) were basking contentedly in the warm glow of a merry fire. Their present abode was the mayor's spacious two-story house. The mayor had, quite kindly, offered the town's beloved former healer and friends the use of his home and hearth; moving himself and his family to the inn instead. For once, sleeping arrangements weren't completely awkward as the house had four bedrooms; Felix and Jenna being the only boy/girl pair forced to double up.

The Adepts were scattered comfortably around the main room, their pleasant, and for the most part mundane, conversations broken by the occasional shout of laughter (normally Garet's) and no one seemed to be in much of hurry to get to bed in spite of the late hour. Ivan was in the process of relating a humorous story when a loud knock echoed the room. Curious, Garet rose from the large group eagerly listening to Ivan. With a yawn, he opened the door and through the dark doorway tumbled a small, mousy looking boy of roughly the age of ten.

"Whoa there," yelled Garet as the little miscreant, as Garet later came to call him, catapulted in. Everyone watched in amazement (and no little amusement) as much the larger of the two was knocked down and proceeded to stumble backwards in a bumbling manner, tripping over a green ottoman and landing precisely on top of a hapless, flailing Ivan; who had just reached the climax of his tale of bizarre events.

The boy gasped, and threw his hands over his mouth as the group roared in laughter upon seeing Garet and Ivan's predicament. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he yelped, his large hazel eyes growing wider in his pale, drawn face.

"It's alright," remarked Felix casually, brushing long bangs from his eyes, as he helped untangle the luckless Adepts, "Garet does oafish things like that all the time." His joke was met with chuckles from everyone except a fuming Garet, a semi-conscious Ivan, and the boy, who still looked uncertain.

"Felix is right. Don't worry about it Sam," advised Mia warmly, who, living in Imil all her life, of course knew the boy's name. She stood up and ushered the boy in inside, sitting him on top of the ottoman that Garet had just stumbled over "Now, how can we help you?" she asked patiently.

"Well," the boy, Sam, took his cap off deferentially and began twisting it nervously with his hands, "It's Mum and Pop, they've taken ill. Can you help them? Everyone says you're the best healer in Imil ever." He looked up at Mia with pleading, puppy dog eyes.

Before a now blushing Mia could answer, Isaac broke in, scratching his golden head and diverting his attention from a rather animated chat with Piers, "Did you already ask the new cleric; the one who took Mia's place when she left? Or what about the Hermes spring, did they drink the water from that?"

Sam nodded unhappily and continued to fidget, "I did, ask the healer I mean. But he said it was beyond his skill and the water didn't work so well. Well, I mean, it worked at first, but then they started acting funny and got sick again. So my sister, that's Emily, heard you were in town and bade me to go fetch Miss Mia. He said she could heal them right well.."

The blue haired Mercury Adept (Mia, not Piers) smiled kindly and knelt down onto the mayor's thick, plush carpet (that had undoubtedly been bought with the taxpayer's money. Stupid, corrupt politicians!) Now on eye level with the boy, she replied, "I'd be glad to cure your parents Sam. If they are very sick, we can go now."

The Mercury water didn't work? I have to see this, she thought.

"You can't go now!" blurted out Garet, his clothes in all manners of disarray from finally managing to separate himself from poor Ivan. "It's late," he cried. "You'll get lost for sure!"

"Garet's right, " agreed Isaac calmly. He paused, considering the vast implications and possible consequences of what he had said before continuing, "But if you do decide to go, at least take me with you. You never know what's out there."

Jenna, who had so far been watching the goings on quietly with Sheba decided it was time to butt in, "Well if Isaac goes, I go too!" She stared around defensively, but everyone wisely decided not to meet her eyes.

Mia drew herself up to her full height, (which wasn't very tall, but I digress), and looked them all in the face. "I am an Adept of the Clan of Mercury. I have lived my entire life in Imil, healing its people and guarding its lighthouse. I believe I shall be more than sufficient for the task ahead and capable of defending myself should the need arise. Or do you doubt me?" The other Adepts shrank back, duly chastened, now trying to avoid the eyes of two females.

" Very well then," Mia continued, now serene, "Sam and I will be going now."

There were a few quiet murmurs of dissent, especially from the over-protective male crowd, but no one tried to stop her again. Not so quietly, however, Jenna wondered what had gotten into Mia.

Choosing to pay no mind to the Mars Adept Jenna's last comment, Mia turned to leave with a slight smile of victory on her face. It wasn't that she disliked the others; it was just nice to have a little alone time from them every once in awhile. All she needed was a chance to get her thought in order every now and then. Added to that simple wish was the fact that ever since she was Sam's age she had been out at all hours, healing people. She liked the idea of doing things as she done them before she had met the all too outspoken Garet. And Isaac and Ivan, she added as a mental afterthought.

"Wait Mia!" a voice called from behind her.

Mia froze with a slight, unheard sigh and Sam groaned, impatient to have his parents healed. It was Garet; he placed a hand on Mia's shoulder and turned her to face him. "I-er…"he stuttered, his cheek bones tinged a faint pink and his composure momentarily lost, "Well, I thought that since that since it's, well, you know, all cold and dark outside you might want to take one of my djinn. Just in case." he added hastily; his normal, goofy smile replacing his previous, un-Garet like uncertainty.

The girl stared at the auburn haired boy through slightly narrowed eyes; trying to discern an ulterior motive, such as a lack of confidence in her abilities, before answering calmly, "Yes Garet, that would be helpful. Thank you very much, it's very…err.. thoughtful."

Garet blushed again, a little harder this time, "You're welcome Mia."

The two quickly traded the djinn Fizz and Forge; which was unusual as the Adepts were normally loath to the idea of even momentarily giving up their first. Giving her friend a quick hug and once again thanking him for his, well… extremely un-Garet like thoughtfulness, Sam and Mia set off. However, a sudden thought entered the blue clad

Mia's mind, causing her to look over her shoulder and shout, "By the way, tell the others not to expect me back until noon tomorrow. Sam's family lives pretty far out of town, and I'll probably end up spending the night with them."

Garet waved in acknowledgement and continued to watch the pair until the surrounding darkness enveloped them completely. When he could no longer see even the smallest trace of either, he banged the door shut and turned to pass the evening with the rest of his friends.

Unbeknownst to Garet and Mia, however, Isaac had sat watching their exchange with an odd look on his face. Odd thoughts raced after one another in his mind,; ringing harder in his head the more he tried to brush them off. Suddenly wary, he shook his head, trying to clear it of all the half formed emotions that seemed to cling like cobwebs in his mind. Jenna, too had watched the Mars and Mercury Adepts talk, but her eyes had also been studying Isaac intently as he stared at Mia. She had no trouble deciphering her own thoughts, or Isaac's for that matter. A brief look of glowing anger and jealousy flashed across her face, causing all near her to shrink back in sudden overwhelming fear.

Jenna, they thought, was about to go on the warpath.

What the Adepts were even more unaware of was a still figure, hidden in the shadow of the Mercury Lighthouse.

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Mia shivered with cold as she strolled out of Sam's house. What had been a rather uneventful walk had culminated in the successful, and surprisingly easy, healing of his parents' ailments. Although she doubted she would have been able to heal them so easily before her travels.

However, despite the easy fix, something else about the disease was tickling the back of her mind. It had been clever, if diseases could be such things, and deceptive, hiding behind a network of smaller diseases. What was particularly disgruntling was that she had never seen this particular disease before. The symptoms of the illness had been flu like, but it didn't feel like the fluEvery sickness she had ever healed, any wound she had ever cured, just felt different to her, and this had felt wrong. Most diseases came about from natural, organic means, but this had been different. The sixth sense supplied by her Psynergy, had told her that this particular strain had just felt wrong. It wasn't quite the bitter feeling created by poison, but… the disease was definitely man-made the logical voice in her mind whispered shrewdly.

A frown marred her otherwise idyllic face. But that's impossible, she thought. No one has the technology to actually create a disease! Neither can it be done with Psynergy. Don't be so sure of that, nagged the persistent voice. You've always been too good to explore the darker sides of Psynergy.

"And I plan to keep it that way," she vowed solemnly, but there was something else she had sensed that was ringing alarm bells in her head; a blackness hidden deep far in the minds of the patients. She had sensed some unnatural evil festering, just briefly before it was gone. Mia couldn't shake the feeling that she hadn't managed to get rid of all the disease when the brain was such a closed book to her, "That's Ivan and Sheba's realm…"

"Excuse me Miss Mia? Did you say something?"

Mia started in surprise and stared downward. It was the boy Sam, how long has he been standing there, she wondered. "Oh, it was nothing. I was just, uh…talking to myself. That's all."

Sam nodded, "No matter ma'am. I just came back to inquire whethers you were coming back inside soon. Mum says it cold outside and now that she's better she wants to fix you up some hot chocolate and have you spend the night.

Mia considered the boy's offer. It was true that she had told Garet she would more than likely sleep here, but since it hadn't taken as long as she had anticipated, she figured she would be able to make it back before dawn even began to light up the far horizon. She stared upward at the sky; the stars were covered by a thick blanket of low hanging clouds.

A blizzard in March was not all together unheard of she reminded herself as she stood indecisively on Sam's doorstep. Perhaps it would be wise to stay the night with them….but, no. Mia shook her head If a blizzard did hit, she would be stranded here for who knew how long. Besides, if worse came to worse, she knew how to survive in such stormy weather.

"No, that's alright," Mia told him. "Your mother needs to be rest up and shouldn't be up this late making hot chocolate for me. I think Ill be taking my leave now. I'm sure I'll make it back before it starts to snow."

Sam looked doubtful, but shrugged, "If you're sure…"

Mia nodded decisively and grabbed her pack of supplies. "I am."

"Well, good-bye then Miss Mia, and thank you. I don't know what me and Emily would do had something happened to our folks.

A familiar feeling of warmth and compassion spread throughout Mia's body; this was the only payment she ever allowed herself to receive, and it was more than enough. "You're welcome Sam, more than welcome."

Oh how I've missed this, she thought as she made her way down the chilled path back to Imil.

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"She's late," growled Garet for the sixth time. His body was rigid as he paced back and forth; it was a quarter to one.

"Relax," Piers told the younger (much younger) man, "She's probably just snowed in. Besides, she grew up here, she knows how to survive. Plus, she's a Mercury Adept, we're well suited to the cold."

"Piers is right you know." piped in Sheba as she and Ivan closely examined the dull blade on her ice skate.

"Yeah," muttered Isaac, who had been staring into space as if the far distance could reveal to him the secrets of life, "But if she's not back soon, I'm going out to look for her."

"Me too!" chimed Garet and Jenna immediately.

"No Jenna, you should stay," admonished Felix, staring angrily at a certain yellow-haired boy. Felix was unwilling to go trek through the snow or have his sister leave his sight.

"I'll come, though," offered Ivan, who was nervously trying to avoid making eye contact with a jealous looking Earth Adept.

"No, you won't," Sheba informed him.

"I-I won't?" stuttered Ivan; flinching as Felix sent him a particularly menacing glower.

Taking advantage of her brother's absence of mind, Jenna slipped outside. With the flush of victory sweeping through her, she decided to wait for Isaac and Garet to come out as well.

"No," said Sheba decisively, "You," she jabbed Ivan in the chest, "need to stay with us and help me fix my ice skates. Besides, Felix, Piers, and I could use the company."

Piers shrugged in response and Felix opened his mouth to say something to an opposite effect, but was silenced by a withering glare from Sheba, "Ivan stays!"

"Well, if that's settled, then Garet, Jenna, and I are going to search for Mia," stated Isaac; taking command as usual.

Except for an indignant snort from Felix, no one had any more arguments, and the trio set off; leaving the unlikely quartet of Ivan, Felix, Sheba and Piers behind.

"Why didn't you let me go?" asked Ivan curiously, soon after the others had left.

"Yeah," demanded Felix, "Why didn't you let the little runt go?"

Ivan let out a muffled shout of dismay.

Sheba breathed a long, deep sigh, and held her hands up as if entreating the Gods, "Are all men this dense?" she pondered, more to herself than anyone else.

"I-uh-well," stammered Ivan, trying to find a suitably witty and devastating response.

"Never mind that," Sheba snapped crossly, "it was a rhetorical question. As to why I didn't let Ivan go, isn't it obvious?"

"No," Piers answered flatly, ruffling his blue hair slightly. The other two nodded their agreement.

"Well, if I must spell it out for you…" Sheba began a long winded, and slightly overblown, lecture on the romantic feelings and entanglements of the small group of four (which the author chooses not present to you, dear reader, as it might spoil things and would take too long), finishing with, "As you can see, things are very complicated, it's like some lame, real-life soap opera. And, since, none of us like any of them that way, we would just be outside interference because this gives them a perfect opportunity to straighten things out. That's why I couldn't let Ivan go." A misty look briefly traipsed across Sheba's face, "The whole thing's kind of romantic actually. Any questions?"

The three males stared at her, partially dumbfounded until Piers spoke, "Soap opera… What in Weyard is a soap opera?"

Sheba ignored him. "Any relevant questions?" she snapped.

"I don't have a question, I have a comment," muttered Ivan under his breath, "If you're idea of romantic is being stuck in a blizzard, I'm not sure I want to go out on another date with you."

The blonde stuck out her tongue at the violet-eyed boy, "What about you Felix, have anything to say?"

"Um, yeah," he began, looking more than a little bewildered at having his sister's romantic life thoroughly detailed to him, "Did you figure all this out on your own, or did you use mind-read?"

At that moment, a look of revelation crossed Felix's face, and he turned to face Ivan; saving Sheba from answering, "Wait a minute did you just say, 'another date!' You mean that you and Sheba have already gone out!" he cried.

"I'm-uh-going ice-skating," Ivan gave as way of reply.

He grabbed his skates and fled; a very cross-looking Felix chasing after him and demanding answers.

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Mia stifled a yawn as she hugged Forge closer to her body. She hadn't been far from Imil when the blizzard had struck, forcing her to take shelter in a nearby cave. It had surprised her with its fierceness and suddenness. One minute she had been walking through the quiet wilderness, the lights of Imil already shining in her eyes; the next moment she was blindsided by a whirling mass of snow and ice. Stumbling around, she had vaguely remembered a nearby cave. Her memory had served her well and she found herself sitting high and dry as the wind shook and howled outside. It was just a miracle that Garet had had the forethought to lend her Forge because without his heat she might not have survived the night. I'll have to remember to thank him again.

On after thought, though, growing up in the far north, she should have known better than not to accept Sam's offer of a bed for the night. Well, live and learn she thought wryly

With a groan, Mia stood up and hobbled toward where her djinn had eventually passed out, leaving Mia and Forge to wait out the snowstorm on their own.

"Wake up you guys," she muttered.

The djinn were disinclined at first, but were soon up and running. "Forge," she asked, yawning, "Can you melt the snow blocking the cave and give us a way through?"

Forge chirped happily, and she took that for a yes. With another yawn, she and the other djinn sat down and watched Forge go to work. The first thing I'm going to do when I get back is take a warm bath and go to sleep she thought. Luckily, it seemed she wouldn't have to wait long. Within an hour the Mars djinn had managed to create a pathway to the outside world.

Stretching muscles that had become sore from spending all night curled up in a cave, the almost frozen Adept walked out of the cave. Blinking from the sudden amount of life streaming through her retinas, she realized with a start that it was early afternoon and that the sky had cleared. I hope the others aren't too worried. Oh well, they'll see that I'm alive and well soon enough, she thought as she headed happily towards her hometown.

The djinn bobbed and bounced alongside her. Taking in a deep breath of the crisp, clean air she began to hum softly. There was nothing she loved more than a fresh snowfall. Her dark thoughts from the night before pushed off to the side, she greatly enjoyed the remaining portion of the walk.

Everything was bright and new; covered in a blanket of the purest white. The trees stood stark and delicate against a backdrop of pale, dove-gray. A pristine, unbroken silence seemed to fill the world. Trudging through the strange, evil Lamakan Desert over a year ago had been torture for her when she was used to such icy wonder. It was a blessing that Ivan had been taught Reveal.

Her thoughts thus preoccupied, it didn't take long for her to reach the mayor's house in the town square. She opened the door with anticipation; glad she could set the others' worries to rest. Already she could feel the heat of the fire…

"Mia," you're back!" rang Sheba's voice happily as she rushed to give the older girl a friendly hug. "Are Garet, Jenna, and Isaac with you?"

Mia stared blankly at her, "No…Why would they be?"

A frown creased Sheba's pert features, "They went looking for you over an hour ago. They were really worried."

Mia sat down slowly on the same ottoman from earlier, holding her head in her hands, "Oh no," she whispered.

Sheba placed a comforting hand on Mia's back, "What's wrong? I'm sure they'll be back by tonight."

"They're going to get themselves killed, that's what's wrong!" Mia moaned tearfully. "The area around Imil's riddled with holes, and wells, and caves, and lakes and all kinds of things they could fall into! If you haven't grown up around here you're liable to fall through to the tunnels down below. It's extremely hard to see threats when everything is covered with eight inches of new snow." She sobbed, the effects of her long night catching up with her and draining her of her strength. "I have to go after them."

"No," Sheba told her emphatically, "You're exhausted, I expect you've been up all night.

You need to rest, then all of us will go look for them."

Mia stood up and shook her head, causing her long hair to swing around her.

Determination blazed on her face, "There's no time. They might already be hurt, or…or…" she refused to consider what else might've happened to them. "Just, no Sheba, and besides, no offense, but you would just be an added burden. I can't worry about you and rescue Isaac and the others at the same time."

Sheba nodded warily, realizing she had lost the argument, "Very well, do what you must. But you should take some supplies with you."

The healer agreed, and five minutes later she was outfitted with anything she might need.

Giving Sheba a quick hug, Mia marched outside, then suddenly realized that two Adepts were unaccounted for, "Where are Felix and Ivan?"

Piers, who had been enjoying a warm lunch when Mia arrived, peered out the window, "Hmmm…It seems Felix is still chasing Ivan around the garden. Good endurance, those too."

Mia gave the both of them a questioning stare.

"Uh…uh…err." Was it Mia's imagination, or were the tips of Sheba's ears pink? "Ivan…uh…let something slip that upset Felix." Her lips puckered, as if she were deep in thought, "I really do you need to talk to those two…"

Suddenly, she came to her senses and discovered that Mia was still staring at her. With a nervous cough, the wind seer pushed Mia into the street, "You really should be going Mia. Good luck!"

Mia raised a thin, blue brow; slightly taken aback at Sheba's sudden eagerness for her to leave, but didn't comment. Instead, she made her careful way down the icy streets of Imil; trying not to think about what fate could've fallen her unwary friends.

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Three teenagers stomped wearily across the frozen landscape. In the lead was a tall, muscular young man with unnaturally spiky hair and grim look on his usually cheerful face. Behind Garet walked a golden-haired boy of the same age with preoccupied blue eyes, and bringing up the rear was Jenna; the wind flipping her long brown hair and her eyes drilling holes in the back of Isaac's head.

For some reason or another, tears kept squeezing out of the corners of her eyes. Angrily, she would wipe them away, only to discover more had taken their place. She swallowed hard. In the back of her mind, the female Mars Adept knew why she was so teary; it was the thought of losing Isaac to Mia.

Jenna liked Mia, she really did. Mia was a great friend, but Jenna lov-, well liked Isaac, really, really liked. And she had for the longest time. Though it hadn't been until she was first captured by Saturos and Menardi and had watched Isaac's defiance and courage that she had realized she might have feelings for her friend.

Now that they had saved the world and Vale was rebuilt, Jenna had felt as if she could confess said feelings. But, no. She had watched in envy and anger as it became increasingly obvious it was Mia Isaac loved. It had been Mia Isaac had been worried about all last night, and it was Mia Isaac was so desperate to find. How was she, plain, old Jen, supposed to compete with smart, pretty, perfect Mia?

"Jenna…" like a beacon of light, Isaac's voice broke through her cloud of despair. He wore a concerned look on his face and reached out to touch her shoulder, "Jenna, you okay?"

She scowled and drew back angrily. She didn't need his kindness; his pity. "I'm fine," she told him, her voice harsher than she meant.

A slightly baffled expression crossed his face, "Jenna…Are you sure? You'd tell me if something was wrong? Right?"

She refused to answer. Isaac, an even deeper look of concern and puzzlement on his face now took a step towards her, "Jenna-"

But whatever he was about to say was cut short as an irritated looking Garet barreled past Isaac, "C'mon you lovebirds, we need to find Mia. Or had you forgotten why we're out here frolicking in the snow?"

Jenna glared at Garet. She had wanted to hear what Isaac had to say. Garet had always annoyed her, they were too much alike, and now she could just kill him. Then, something he said caught up with her, lovebirds? Why would he say something like that. Maybe, just maybe, a small bubble of hope rose in Jenna's chest, maybe Garet had noticed something, or….or, maybe Isaac had mentioned something?

Whatever had caused Garet to speak those words, it wasn't showing on his face, and with a sinking feeling, Jenna realized that Isaac had flinched when Garet had spoken them. Despite of this, she kept a stoic expression. "Garet's right," she said brusquely, "we need to find your precious Mia."

"Jenna," Garet snarled in a warning voice, "What's with you? Isaac was just trying to be nice."

Jenna swallowed hard; trying to keep her furious diatribe at bay, but Garet wouldn't let her. He had now completely stopped and was staring at Jenna demandingly, "Well, what's wrong? Why'd you go and get so catty all the sudden? Isaac was concerned for you, so I don't know why you have to get up in Mia's case."

The brunette bit her lip and her face turned red in fury. She opened her mouth and

screamed at the both of them, "I don't need him to be nice! I'm quite fine without him! I don't need you Isaac! Why don't you just go find your perfect, wonderful Mia and leave me alone!" Damn it, she thought, I'm ranting.

A hurt look was spreading across Isaac's features, it made her cringe inwardly, but she forced herself to block it out. She chose to concentrate on Garet instead as he roared back,

"Then what the hell are you doing here! You wanted to tag along as I recall! So if you don't want to help us find Mia, then leave!"

Isaac grabbed Garet's arm, "Don't Garet, she didn't mean it about Mia."

But it was too late. A hot rage now washed Jenna's vision and she walked forward, slapped Isaac, then Garet for good measure. She turned sharply on heel and made her way to stalk off. That was, until the ground gave way beneath her feet and she fell shrieking down a hole; the petrified face of Isaac seared in her mind.

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Isaac spared his friend Garet one look before he dove after Jenna; his only thought to save her.

Garet stared at the hole that Jenna, then Isaac had gone through. For a moment he struggled with whether to leave them behind, especially Jenna, and continue looking for Mia or to jump after them. In the end, the immediate threat won out. With a curse and a silent prayer to the Gods to protect the Mercury Adept, he too leapt into the black pit.

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A stranger clad in a very cliché black cape, with the hood pulled up as to hide their features had watched the confrontation with interest. He hadn't realized how shaky the relationships in the group were. That would make his job that much easier. The hole had also been a surprise. The unknown man frowned, filing through a mental map of Imil in his mind. Suddenly he smiled as he placed the pit. Yes, this would work nicely.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flash of blue as a young girl made her way over a nearby hill. Mia? She had survived? He swore; he had dumped the blizzard right on top of her!

"I shouldn't be surprised," he murmured, "She did, after all grow up here." After some thought, he decided it was actually for the better. This way he would know not to underestimate her or any other of the Adepts. Smiling now, he disappeared.

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A/N: Aloha! Author here. How'd you like the story so far? Review please; constructive criticism is always accepted, and praise is very much appreciated. Flamers, however, will face my undying wrath, or be ignored if I'm too lazy to track them down and light their house on fire in retribution. I'm very sensitive.

Oh yes, my disclaimer. I hate to ruin my beginning by putting it up top, so here it is!

That good enough for ya?

One question before I leave: If Venus is the only planet named after a goddess (i.e female god) Why are all the Venus Adepts in the game male?

Zaurak