Bonding Tales Between Reality and Non-reality

Disclaimer: Golden Sun is the property of Camelot and Nintendo.

Chapter 1: Prologue; The Beginning of the Tale

Once upon a time, a small village existed in the middle of Angara. Bringing the simple name of Imil, this town was known for its beautiful snow and cold winters. The cold winters came every year in Imil; all the inhabitants were used to it, though sometimes the freezing winter caused some unfortunate deaths among the elderly or the vulnerable young children due to pneumonia. Yet, the villagers accepted the fact and continued living there, for death and life was already predestined by fate, or so they firmly believed.

And it was by the hands of fate too, that there lived a couple in a small cottage in the town of Imil, namely Miguel and Saya. They were not well off; their cottage was moderate, they had enough money to last them a simple life, their thick clothing was just enough when the cold winters came. Despite a sickness that had befallen the village and currently had a few villagers under its control whom one of them was Saya herself, they were very happy. Mercury had blessed them, for their first and only wish had been granted, a lovely baby daughter.

The child had inherited her father's blue hair and aqua eyes, and clearly her kind, soft and gentle eyes were from her mother. With much joy and happiness, Miguel and Saya named their blessed daughter Mia with the blessings of the elders of Imil.

As the years passed, Mia grew to be everlastingly beautiful and serene; she was the attraction of many youngsters in her village. She was kind, gentle and caring as what most could see. Though many would have thought she was fragile as she looked, those thoughts were clearly wrong. Many a time the long aqua-haired girl had shown pure determination and maturity, such as when she had taken the job of tending to her sick mother by her own volition at the age of thirteen years old. She was very loved and cherished by her two parents as well as the villagers of Imil.

When Mia turned eighteen, she had blossomed into a lovely young woman; her physical attractive features and personality attracted every single male in the entire village. She captured many young hearts; even a few brave adventurers from other nearby villages stepped into the cold winters of Imil just to ask for her hand in marriage. She had refused them down politely, saying that it was still too early for her, and that she wanted to be a full-time nurse to her sick mother who was getting worse from year to year while her father was out working in a far off place to earn a living for the family.

Such was the life of the young woman, until one day, where her life changed drastically. The many years of pleasantry and happiness in her life was shattered ever since that fateful day...

---o---

Another year had passed; and when the freezing winter came, it was later on described as the worst winter ever faced by the inhabitants of Imil. Many of the elderly and the young fell sick. Worst of all, the freezing temperature and atmosphere did not benefit Mia's mother, Saya, at all. She turned for the worse; Mia could easily see that.

She feared for the worst; she knew this day would come but she had always shaken the thought off, for she hardly liked to think of such horrendous matters. All the time where she had nursed her mother, she could see that her condition was not improving at all, but nor was she turning for the worse. All of the nursing arts that her mother had taught and passed down to her ever since young managed to keep her sickness at bay, but it was never totally curbed.

Only when the cold and freezing weather came did this catastrophe happen.

She loved her precious mother dearly, a thousand times more than words could have ever described; no one else could ever substitute her mother. She had been so kind, gentle and loving... all the while always caring for Mia more than she did to herself. Never a time had she spend a moment on herself, all of her time were lavished on her husband, her child and the villagers whom she cared very much for.

As it happened to be, Saya was one of the best nurses Imil had ever had in their time. Her nursing and dedication in saving countless people's lives had earned her the name 'The Healer'. She would tend to the sick assiduously, looking after them continuously, treating their wounds carefully, executing her same routine everyday tirelessly. Many depended on her, for she was a very important asset to the whole village. She had even given rise to her own orphanage for the young children.

Millions of thoughts raced through her mind as the quiet young woman sat on a chair nearby her mother. She quickly snapped out of her thoughts and rose up from her chair when she heard a sickly groan coming from her mother. "Mother, are you all right?" she asked anxiously, worry in her tone. Her mother had been unconscious for five hours straight, and in that period of time a silent dread had filled her heart.

Saya opened her deep hazel eyes and smiled at her daughter. "Mia..." she coughed, her voice dry and croaky.

"No, mother, please, don't speak. Save your energy for your recovery," interrupted Mia. She smiled reassuringly at her mother, though deep inside the smile was a fake all the way; her heart ached so much at the thought one that she held so dear. Her mother was part of what that formed her own heart, and so it felt as though her heart would collapse and crumble into shards anytime soon.

The older woman shook her head slightly. "There is no need for that, my dear," said she as she coughed again, "I know when my time nears... and I am not afraid nor sad to go." She spoke softly but firmly.

"No! Mother, that can't be! You'll pull through!" Mia's determined voice cracked a little.

Why was fate so cruel to her mother? Had she done any injustice in her life to be punished so severely? Everyone knew that Saya was infuriated on the moment she was put to bed due to her sickness, for she hated to be a helpless burden to anyone.

Everyone knew that the main reason why she had delved into nursing arts was because she wanted to be the one saving, and not the one being saved.

Her mother just smiled again, her thin, pale hand patting her beloved daughter's head. "It's been so many years ever since I fell sick... it's certain I won't get well anymore. I know that...and I know that you are aware... of that yourself."

"But Mother, you can't say that! You must live! You have to! Everyone in Imil needs you! I-I don't know what I'll do if you..." Tears threatened to spill out in a torrent of stream; her blue eyes brimming with clear droplets as one escaped and rolled down her cheek eagerly.

Saya's hand reached out and wiped away the tear. "Mia... I've seen you grow so much this past few years... I know that you are ready... to live on your own... be on your own... I trust you... to finish off what I couldn't..."

"No Mother! Stop it... please... don't... talk like that..." More tears fell. She couldn't hold back any longer. She buried her head in her hands, her whole body shaking with sobs.

With all the strength she had left, Saya raised her daughter's head to look directly into her aqua eyes. So like Miguel's… "Listen to me, my daughter... someday, you will... understand and find the life... that you desire... the one that suits you best... that makes you happy..." She forced herself to talk, her breaths getting hoarse and short. "I'm very proud... of you, Mia. You have long surpassed me... in my healing skills... and grown to be... so kind, gentle, caring and determined... just like your father... I have no fears... in letting you... be on your own... and explore the wide world."

"Mother..." Mia wept. The whole ordeal seems like an eternity of sadness. It pained her so much, more than any pain she ever experienced. The inward feeling of sadness and pure sorrow was truly the worst ache one could ever go through.

Saya smiled wistfully. "Don't cry, child...be strong... It is almost time. I just wish... that your father... is here now..."

By the relenting hand of Mercury, her last wish was granted. As though by magic, Mia heard the sounds of heavy feet pattering, hurrying towards the room they were in. The door was burst open hurriedly, and there stood Miguel, looking harassed and plainly worried. His appearance was in a mess; his hair tousled, his clothes crumpled, his breathing fast and ragged. It was as plain as daylight that he had taken the fastest and quickest route home, no matter what the consequences were.

"Father, you're back!" exclaimed Mia while wiping her tear-stricken face but to no avail. She had sent a quick letter to him a week ago, telling him that Saya's condition was getting worse. It was indeed amazing; he had already returned back to Imil in a mere week. Considering the far distance from Imil to the place where he worked (which was a town named Prox), normally it would have taken two weeks at least.

Miguel rushed over to his wife, clamping her hand tightly in his grasp. His eyes immediately paled at the sight of her pale aged face, her mahogany-coloured hair no longer looking as silky and healthy as it was before, her thin and frail body lying on the bed. "Oh my god... Saya..." Words of speech left him as despair overwhelmed him.

Saya smiled happily, looking ten years younger as her pale face lighted up. "Miguel... I'm so glad..." began she, but stopped midway in a flurry of heartbreaking coughs. "I'm able to see you again... once more..."

"No... no... this can't be... don't..." The blue-haired man shook his head helplessly, a tear already falling down, as he fully understood the grave situation.

"Listen, Miguel..." Her voice though croaky and weak still portrayed calmness and determination. "Take good care... of Mia... she is... our one and only child. She is the best... gift we could ever have."

"Mother..." Mia whispered in the midst of the silent and sad atmosphere.

"Saya... I..."

"Promise me," she interrupted firmly, her eyes focused on her husband.

He nodded his head sadly but solemnly. "I promise you as much, Saya."

Now satisfied, she allowed a sigh of contented relief escape her lips. "I have no regrets in leaving now... my final wish has been granted... and that is... to see you once more, my dear Miguel." She smiled serenely. "Do not cry... men shouldn't cry."

Swallowing his tears, Miguel looked at his wife. "Take good care... of yourself too, Saya..."

Her light cheerful chuckle rang through the whole room. "Don't worry about me..." Her eyes held a wistful feeling as she gazed at her husband lovingly. "Do not... dwell too much on this, Miguel... until you destroy yourself... I just want you to know... that I will always... love you and Mia... forever... even in my afterlife." She paused as her breathing slowly ceased. "I'll always... be with... you both... may Mercury... bless you."

And with that, her beautiful hazel eyes closed... for eternity. Her tense body relaxed as she breathed her last and final breath. The impression that she was now finally released from her prison of suffering and pain...

Mia choked over her tears. "Mother..."

She still could not bring herself to accept the fact that her mother had finally passed away. It hardly seemed real. She did not want to believe it for a second... her mother was so very important and dear to her, it was so hard for her to let go.

Miguel himself felt like crying, but he forced back the tears for Mia's sake. Crying would only make the situation worse. Stepping forward towards his nineteen-year-old daughter, he hugged her to give her some consolation. "Mia... it's okay... don't cry..." He searched fervently through his mind for suitable words of comfort, but none came to him. He himself was very much saddened, perhaps even more sorrowful than his daughter.

The child in return just continued crying helplessly, clinging to him tightly. Moments later, father and daughter were weeping silently as the true moments of sadness and sorrow hung above them like a dark cloud... never to be lifted up again...

And there they remained, the death of their beloved Saya changing their pleasant lives and happy days...

---o---

It had been a month after the death of Saya; all of the villagers had sympathized deeply with Miguel and Mia. They had all mourned and cried for her, giving a funeral that was said the most celebrated one that was ever held in the whole history of Imil. She was cherished and loved by so many people that it was hard to get over her peaceful death.

Miguel, of course, was one of those who were having extreme difficulties in accepting that fact. Day by day, he changed for the worse. His eyes were tired and bloodshot, lines of worry and tiredness creased his forehead, his demeanour usually quiet and sometimes even snappy. Often he would stay in the room where his beloved wife died, looking sadly at her deathbed, sighing and crying miserably. He felt so moody and discouraged, as if life did not serve any purpose to him any longer. He was one of those that could not forget sorrowful things so easily and move on with his life immediately the day after.

Saya knew that was his weak point.

Mia had faced the same problem, though she learned to cope and bear with it slowly day by day. She sternly reminded herself that she could not mope for the rest of her life; she had to get over it and move on, for the fellow villagers needed her services as a healer of Imil. She had taken over her late mother's duties, and considered it as her responsibility in finishing whatever her mother had left. In a way, it had partly helped her to forget the sad turn of events, as she was always too busy tending to the sick and wounded to entertain her own train of thoughts.

And so the optimistic aqua-haired girl slowly got over the haunting event, though her heart still contained much sorrow. She kept her feelings of sadness well-hidden, but her heart ached painfully every night as she lay on her bed. Every night was a torture she could not escape. The whole event kept rewinding in her mind, fresh, clear... and so real.

It was like a ghastly video replaying over and over again in front of her, and which she could not shut down.

Her very mind and soul was deeply hurt and pained, as though a deep wound had scarred it for life, leaving no space to heal.

I wonder how's Father now... it's been quite some time after that... incident... and he hasn't done anything so far... he really must be so sad, more than I am... I guess that's nothing unnatural though. The villagers did say that Father and Mother were the loveliest couple ever in Imil, what the legends of Imil call 'soulmates'... oh Mother... why did you have to leave us so soon?

Little did she know what would her life turn out to be...

---o---

One day, a few months later, Miguel slowly stepped into the small orphanage. By now, the orphanage had been extended into a small hospital, where Mia and other healers could tend to the orphans and also the sick people requiring medical help. The Imilian had changed very much; he was now adopting a cold and blank face that portrayed hardships and sadness throughout his life. He walked stiffly as if it was something unpleasant in his life.

"Father?"

He turned around at the sound of that voice. "Ah, Mia. You're just the very person I wanted to see," he said brusquely.

"Is there anything that you want or need, Father?" Mia asked, feeling rather puzzled. Never had her father come to the orphanage during daylight. He usually spent his time at home mourning. She looked steadily but sadly at her father. He looked ten years older even though just half a year had passed, she thought.

"Go back home and pack your belongings into your bags now," he ordered.

Mia dropped the small package she was holding in her hand. Her eyes widened considerably. "W... what? I beg your pardon, Father...?" Am I hearing things?

Miguel's eyes narrowed. "You heard me, child. Pack your belongings at home now," he repeated. "Don't take too many bags with you."

"But... but why, Father? Where are we going?" Mia panicked. What in the name of Mercury is Father thinking? He knows that I can't just leave here...I can't just chuck up all of my responsibilities here! I need to complete what Mother couldn't...

"To Prox. I need to resume my job over there. Can't have it hanging for long, can I?"

What? Father's really continuing his job now?...Is he just... no, maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but... sometimes I can't just help but wonder, is he really facing the fact that Mother passed away? ...Or is he just trying to escape from the cruel incident... She momentarily stopped and chided herself immediately the second after. No! How could I ever think so badly of Father?

"But Father, I need to take care of the orphanage here! The villagers need me now, especially when the cold winters come... just like how Mother was needed..." she protested, the last part uttered out in a whisper.

Miguel's bloodshot eyes became wide alert at the mention of Saya. His eyes bearing anger and sadness into Mia's, he said, "I don't really care. Just do as I say. If we stay here, how can we cope with our expenditures? I can't just leave and let you be alone here. I promised to take care of you..." His eyes suddenly turned misty.

He just wanted to go away. Away from this place, the place where he shared so many happy memories with his late wife. Happy memories... now only ghastly reminders of her death... He just wanted to forget.

Father... I understand what you mean... but oh dear, how can I leave the village all of a sudden? They need me, especially now that we're short of helping hands...A thought struck her. "Have you told the village elders yet, Father?" asked she. What would they say if they heard about this?

"Yes, I have. They understood and said yes, they will find a replacement for you," was his only reply.

She cocked her eyebrow in surprise. "Oh?" She kept silent. She had to respect her father's wishes too.

"Don't waste too much time. We'll be leaving tonight," he added.

...What? So soon? Frowning slightly, she opened her mouth to object, since it was altogether too much of a rush to finish off her day's work, but she reluctantly closed it again. Mia hung her head sadly. The villagers here were like family...she was going to miss them a lot, but she couldn't very well leave her father alone too. Not when he needed looking after.

"... Very well, Father. I'll go and pack my belongings now," said she, looking downcast.

Miguel nodded curtly before leaving silently.

Mia could hardly believe it. She was going to leave home! Home; the place where she was born, had spent her happy childhood days, had been educated, had shared many meaningful memories...she was about to leave all of those, venturing into a foreign land. Feeling tears springing up to her eyes, Mia sank into a nearby chair and silently sobbed.

"Miss Mia? Are you crying?"

Lifting up her face, she found three young kids staring curiously at her with keen eager eyes. She hurriedly smiled, wiping her tears with her hand. "No, it's nothing. The wind just blew dust into my eyes, that's all," she quickly faked up a plausible explanation.

"Oh...I see," a spiky-haired boy said. "Well, guess we'll continue our game, so...um, see you later then, Miss Mia!"

Mia smiled brightly back. "Don't play too rough, okay? And if the wind gets too chilly, then quickly come back inside," she reminded.

"Okay!" The group then ran off, shouting happily as they trudged through the snow outside.

As Mia rose and looked at the group at the young children wistfully, she felt a heavy pang in her heart. Her village, her hometown...the place where she rightly belonged...it all vanished. How happy they look...how I wish I could be free like them...how I wish I could change time...If only...I could...

She sighed unhappily.

---o---

Night had already fallen, the dark sky clouded and foreshadowing. Two figures could be seen standing in the midst of many people at the outskirts of Imil. The two figures, Miguel and Mia, were having their last words and farewells with the villagers as each of them wished them good luck in their journey. Though of course, it was clearly obvious that Miguel was not very enthusiastic in the farewells, but more eager to be on the move.

On the other hand, Mia was the opposite; she was not enthusiastic at all in leaving her birthplace, but it was something that could not be helped. Apparently most of the villagers had already been informed of their sad departure earlier during the day. Among those who were informed were her two blood-related cousins from Miguel's side, Piers and Alex.

The three of them were very close with each other. They had spent their childhood days together, playing in the snow happily, exploring the town when they were small, playing hide and seek, doing things together...always being a happy threesome. They were as close as brothers and sister. It was difficult for them to see their only female cousin leave the village.

"Cousin Mia...may Mercury bestow upon you her blessings always, no matter which path you choose." Picard hugged her tightly. Being the older brother between him and Alex, he was naturally more of the responsible, calm and collected type. His imagination was perhaps not so vivid as Alex's, but his great field of knowledge surpassed almost everyone in the village. "Be safe."

"Piers...stay well and alive. Look after the orphanage." Mia willingly returned the embrace; her tears threatened to cascade down her cheeks. It was like leaving a part of her body, mind and soul too. The three of them had shared many things in common; it was one of those primary factors that brought them together. One clear thing that they all shared in physical appearances was that they all had long aqua hair and deep aqua eyes, thus earning them the title 'Three Blues'.

"Don't worry, I will. Alex and I will make sure that everything will be quite all right," he assured her. The three of them had learned all the arts from Saya herself, who considered that they were capable and dependable enough.

Alex later on followed Piers' hug. Being the younger brother of the same age as Mia, he naturally shared a tighter bond with Mia than Picard. His wild imagination sometimes brought on a more playful and carefree manner than his brother, but he was a resourceful, smart and dependable person to lean on. "Mia, stay well too. I wish you two the all the best of luck in your journeys," he said solemnly. "Don't forget to pay us a visit sometime."

She nodded. "Oh Alex...I'd definitely visit Imil if I could...take care of yourself too...I'll miss you all... "

"Enough, we're wasting too much of our time. The boatman will be leaving us soon if we don't hurry," Miguel cut in, speaking curtly.

Mia let go from the hug and sadly nodded to her father. Having the last and final look at her beloved hometown, she said, "May Mercury bless all of you now and always with good fortune, my fellow friends. Let Imil prosper as it always has. I promise I shall return one day. So may we meet again... in the time to come."

The nineteen-year-old girl sighed for a moment, then slowly turned and silently walked away with her father, two silhouettes vanishing into the lonely night.

All the villagers could do was to stare after them, wistful expressions on their faces.

---o---

"All ready?"

"Yes, take off now." Miguel's harsh voice rang clearly in the silent surroundings as he talked to the boatman.

"Aye sir." The boatman, a middle-aged man, then took off, taking the two Imilians along. The boat was not very big; it was just big enough to fit the three of them and their belongings without getting too cramped. It had a roomy deck and a few comfortable cabins below the deck.

Satisfied that they had begun their journey back to Prox, Miguel stifled a yawn. "I'm going to get some sleep. You should get some sleep too. We'll arrive in Prox roughly around a week if the weather's fine." He then entered his cabin, leaving her alone with the boatman at the deck.

Mia followed suit into her own cabin, dumping her bags carelessly on the floor. She climbed into bed tiredly, curling herself up. Her face was devoid of emotion as she stared at the ceiling. But her eyes betrayed the blank expression on her face.

She cried.

It was all too much for her, partly because she had not gotten over her mother's death fully. Her sudden departure from her hometown to a new foreign town, while she left everyone she cared for far behind was absolutely the last straw.

The soon-to-be twenty-year-old young woman felt afraid, the feeling seeping into her heart at the thought of being on her own in an entirely new place raced through her mind. For all I know, I may be ditched by the townspeople...after all, Father never said much about on his work there at Prox, so how would I know? Even though I will be with Father and he will look out for me...yet, something still hurts...the pain of being alone, as if Father won't care much about me anymore...

Taking a second thought on it, she mentally slapped herself. No! What am I thinking? How can I think of Father in such a disgusting way after so many years? He's my father! He promised to look after me...so I shouldn't doubt his promise! There's no way he would break a promise...a promise that he made to Mother...

...Yet, why can't I shake off this feeling? The tears...they just can't seem to stop flowing out...

Author's Note: Reedited this chapter, as I saw that there was lots of room for improvement. I thought it'd be nicer also if I added more about Piers' and Alex's character, since they're not gonna be just ditched like that and not to appear in the future chapters.

Thank you to sweetmaiden for proofreading this chapter! Comments, suggestions, constructive criticism and feedback are deeply appreciated.