This is my 2nd fanfic so don't rip me apart if you think the story is bad.
The Story takes place 2 years after TLA and contains Lighthouseshipping and Windshipping. The main focus lies on Felix in this story so dont wonder why Ivan or Sheba don't get much attention.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Golden Sun! So go sue someone else.
Surrender
by ShiaoPi
"You are going to Contigo!" Jenna shouted with her If-You-Don't-Obey-I'll-Dragon-Fume-You-Look.
"NO, I won't! Let Isaac or Garet go but I won't!" Felix didn't raise his voice often, but when he did it, he had his reasons.
Why am I supposed to go tell Ivan, Hama and Sheba that it's time for our annual reunion? Why me and not someone else?
Felix volunteered to tell Piers, but unfortunately for him, Piers somehow remembered the date by himself and showed off in Vale right before Felix wanted to depart, so he had to argue with his sister now...
"What is your problem in taking that trip?"Jenna gave him a curious look, "I thought you would be happy to see Sheba again before the reunion."
She did hit his weak spot. Immediately he was defensive. "I don't mind seeing Sheba...I just..." his mind searched desperately for a excuse, "I don't like to travel for such a long distance..."
"Sure...since when did my brother become such a softy?!"Jenna asked furiously.
Felix started to sweat. An angry Jenna wouldn't be too good for his health as he knew from experience...It seems like he had to go if he didn't want to risk his ponytail set ablaze.
"OK, OK I go! But stop staring at me like that!" he said.
"Then you better go off packing your things..."Jenna said threateningly.
"Sure thing! I'll go do it right now. See you!" Felix quickly went upstairs to pack up.
Why is he so afraid of going to Contigo? There must be some reason...At least I got him on the road...
With these thoughts Jenna reverted towards the cleaning of the guest room for Piers.
Great...I really like to journey...but why Contigo?
Felix sighed and began to pack.
"What's wrong Felix?" Piers walked in. "I heard you and Jenna argue..."
"Oh it's nothing...really...you should go to Isaac and Garet, they have been dying to meet you again." Felix muttered.
Piers turned him around and looked into his eyes. "Look I have been traveling with you long enough. I know it when something bothers you. Why don't you just tell me?"
"You wouldn't understand, despite it is nothing!"Felix turned away his gaze.
"Is it about Sheba?"
"How did you know?"he hissed, shocked.
"I guessed...but I didn't thought it would occupy you like this..."
"But...what should I do?"
"I know it must be hard for you to see her next to Ivan...but you can't allow the pain to swallow you and bottle you all up...maybe this trip is the cure."
Felix didn't answer...
"It seems so..."he broke off.
"Will you get yourself moving?!" Jenna's voice broke the silence."How long do you need to pack things? You are not on a trip across whole Weyard for the element's sake!"
"I am coming! Don't hurry!" Felix yelled to her downstairs and grabbed his backpack and left the room.
"Don't tell anyone! Promise me!" Felix turned around at the doorstep.
"I promise."
"Get down here, Felix! Or do you want to wait 'til tomorrow?"
"I'm coming!" Felix ran down the stairs avoiding the look of pity on his friend's face.
Contigo...
As the sun was sinking towards the horizon, Felix walked through the outskirts of the busy city straight towards the house at the northern end of the town.
That house contains so many memories...
"I am glad that you kept your promise, Felix..."Isaac said.
"Let's hear what he has to say for himself!" Garet exclaimed.
Jenna stepped forward, "What can we say, Isaac? Did we ever fought you?"
"We have been avoiding you, but we never had the intention to fight you." Sheba quickly added.
"That is true, Isaac. And they have helped us a lot on the lighthouse." spoke Mia.
"But this still does not explain why you let Isaac worry that much about you. Why?" Ivan asked.
Piers answered, "Jenna thought we might end up fighting if we met...so we tried to run from you."
Isaac jerked his head in annoyance, "I know that now! But why are you lightning the beacons?"
"You know that I betrayed Vale, right?" Felix asked.
"Thats the reason, why he wouldn't face you, Isaac." Kraden interjected.
"Let me explain please...I...didn't intend to have anyone of you be involved in this. But somehow it slipped out of my hands..."Felix continued only to be interrupted by Garet.
"How did you betray Vale?!"
"I conspired to steal the elemental stars and to fire the beacons..."
"But that was Saturos' and Menardi's plan! Why did you help?" Ivan asked.
"Well..our..."
"Our parents' life were at stake! We had to help!" Jenna chipped in.
Garet was even more confused, "But your parents died three years ago in that storm!"
Kraden jumped in for the answer, "That night, Saturos' party raided Sol Sanctum...they failed to solve the mysteries and triggered the storm. Saturos and Menardi were the only survivors. The boulder of Mt. Aleph in fact didn't kill anyone that day..."
"So that means..."Isaac broke off.
"Yes, Kyle and the others are alive."Kraden confirmed.
Startled Mia asked: "But why didn't you tell us? We could have worked together!"
"We were no match for Saturos and Menardi that time...There was no chance to free our parents."Felix explained.
Kraden continued: "But there is even more reason to light the beacons...Unless the lighthouses are lit, Weyard will eventually be destroyed."
"But how? Why? Wouldn't lighting the beacons cause the world to be destroyed in the first place?" Isaac was completely confused by now.
"The world is shrinking every day." Piers said, "Elemental Energy drives the growth of civilization. Without it we and our world will wither."
"But, Kraden, you said that lighting the beacons will lead to the world's destruction anyway!" Garet spoke.
Kraden nodded: "That might be true, but if we do nothing our world will definitely end."
"So waiting for the end of the world or triggering it accidentally....is this our choice?" Isaac asked.
"This is the whole dilemma in which we are in..."Felix confirmed.
"But why did you wait so long to tell me?" Isaac said, "We could have worked together..."
"No...you wouldn't have thought this way at that time...it means to betray all teachings we got from Vale..."
Before he realized it he stood before the wooden door of the house.
I really should stop daydreaming in the middle of the city...it's not really helpful for what is still in store for me...the hard part of this journey...
And with a sigh Felix knocked the door twice.
Warm light from a lamp greeted him as a blond girl opened the door.
"Felix!"Sheba gave him a broad smile and hugged him. "Hey, Ivan, it's Felix!" she called into the house and stepped aside to let him in "So what brought you all the way from Vale to Contigo?"
How I have missed this wonderful smile...Get a hold on yourself ! She might read your mind!
Felix stiffened himself together as he looked into her clear, green eyes, sparkling with curiosity.
"Well, Jenna was worried that you might forget our annual reunion. So she send me here."Felix barely managed a grin and walked into the living room. Ivan came downstairs to greet Felix and they sat down on the sofa.
"So how has it been in Vale since we left?" Ivan asked eagerly "We haven't heard any news since then."
"Basically we have been rebuilding the whole town and are finally finished by now. You really should have visited, since we are settled down now, even Jenna's temper is cooling down."
"Did she confessed to Isaac by now?" Sheba asked with a smirk.
Felix smiled as he remembered the scene in Madra. "No I don't think so. But even if she did I guess she wouldn't tell me. She thinks I'm overprotective..."
"Well in some way you are."Ivan added. "But don't get me wrong! It's not a bad trait of your character."
Just a very bad trait
Sheba looked at him sharply. He is NOT overprotective! Remember, only his protectiveness saved me that day on Venus lighthouse!
Sure that is the reason why Isaac & Garet are both scared of him to a degree that they don't dare to ask Jenna out.
"So how have you been doing in Contigo? We didn't hear from you either and where is your sister Hama?"Felix interrupted their sudden silence, unable to hear their voiceless chat.
"Hama has returned to the Lama Temple recently. She just wanted to check if the monks are doing any progress."Ivan answered. "We live quite good here at Contigo, but although we did research on the Sanctum of Anemos a year already, we haven't made any major progress in getting to the Inner Sanctum or..."
"...on my origins."Sheba finished with a dreamy smile. "The only thing that we guess is that I am most likely a descendant of the Anemos. It would explain how I ended up falling from the sky towards Lalivero."
Felix nodded. "So when can we head out for Vale?"
I really can't stand it to be so near but still so far away...better finish the journey sooner than later...
"Actually we could start the journey right away next morning or do you still have any commitments, Sheba?" Ivan asked.
"I don't have any urgent tasks to do, but we should really inform Hama before we leave." Sheba knit her brows as she read Felix' thoughts. "So you are really homesick already, Felix?"
Felix shot her a confused look.
"Your mind. I know I shouldn't read it, it's your privacy but I'm getting so used to it."
Felix looked as if he had been hit, but quickly regained his composure and answered.
"Well I have been away from my Hometown 3 years already and I really enjoy each hour I spend there."
But I'm also tortured each hour for not knowing you near...Oh will you get a hold on yourself! Stop thinking these useless thoughts...they can read them...just think of...something else like...Vale...or Vault..whatever!
"Your thoughts are full of Vale indeed." Ivan added with a grin. "So let's start packing our things!" As Ivan and Sheba went upstairs, Felix let out a sigh and took a book out of the shelf.
"The Anemos and their Myths"...they must have been researching really hard...I wish I could help Sheba...but it was not supposed to be so...although I have surrendered everything for her...she still didn't knew...
"Don't you think that Felix is behaving strange?"Sheba asked as they entered their room. " I have never seen him so moody as he is right now."
"Oh don't worry, he is probably exhausted from his trip, he'll be fine."Ivan said. "Beside that he wouldn't tell us anyway..."
"You're probably right...but I'm so used to see him strong at the front, taking everything as it is, never backing off or doubting over his problems."Sheba shrugged and took her backpack out of the cupboard.
"Well I guess the rest after our long journey across Weyard has changed him, but I wonder how the Elders of Vale took his decision." Ivan took an extra cloak out of the wardrobe and stuffed it inside his bag.
"Kraden probably explained it."Sheba dragged her traveling cloak out of the wardrobe and put it on the nearby table. "I'm so glad this journey won't be with Kraden. When we traveled he kept talking and talking, it was almost not endurable."
Ivan laughed. "Don't forget this journey will be much better, just because I'm taking part in it from the start."
"Ooh are you sure? I guess I have to take care of you, bring you to bed and feed you or?" Sheba's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You could definitely be a pain on this journey."
"I don't think so, I'm useful you know?" Ivan winked.
"Surely you are." Sheba kissed him gently. "Got everything?"
"Yep! Got everything for tomorrow, let's go downstairs again before Felix dies of boredom."
Sheba laughed and they walked down the stairs with their bags in hand.
They went into the living room just to see Felix fallen asleep in his seat with a book against his chest.
"He must have been really exhausted to fall into sleep like this."Ivan whispered not wanting to disturb the sleeper.
"I wonder how he came to Contigo. I didn't see Piers ship at the harbor."
"Well, let him sleep now and we should get some rest too...tomorrow we're gonna be on the road!" Ivan suggested.
"Wait I'll get him a blanket so he won't catch a cold."Sheba said and vanished into the storage room.
"I'll be upstairs." Ivan said and took the stairs.
Sheba tucked Felix in, switched off the lamps and went to bed.
Your still such a cute and polite person. Never thinking about your own, always about the others first...
With this last thought the house fell asleep.
"Good Morning, Felix!" a voice called.
Felix opened his eyes and saw Ivan's face right in front of him.
"Morning..." he muttered. "Did I fell asleep while you were packing?"
"Yep, but don't worry we got everything. Take some bread!" Sheba said and handed him a plate with bread, toast and sandwiches.
"Thanks." Felix quietly bit into his sandwich.
Delicious...much better than Jenna's...I wonder if Sheba made them...
"Ivan did them. But I bet Jenna's cooking as not as bad as you think."Sheba smiled. "Sorry for mindreading, but you never say anything."
"Jenna is really horrible at cooking...trust me. I only eat her food, if she forces me to."
Ivan chuckled. "Well cooking is not that hard you know?"
Felix just shot him a sinister look.
If glares could kill I would be dead now for sure!
"Don't stare at him like that, Felix! Just eat up so we can get on the road!" Sheba called as she witnessed their exchange. Felix just grunted, finished his meal and took his backpack.
"Let's go then!"
Ivan and Sheba shook their heads in silent comprehension.
Since when did he became so sensitive?
I don't know, but it seems that he is distracted by something don't you think so?
Hmm... could be...but what could that be? Jenna's cooking?
...Ivan...stop being nasty towards Jenna..
Okay...
"What are you waiting for?" Felix said as he looked back. "I thought you were the ones who wanted to hurry."
"We're coming, don't worry" Ivan and Sheba took their bags and followed Felix.
"So how come you were send to remind us?" Ivan asked.
"Well, to be honest I didn't really wanted to come, but Jenna made me to..."
Ivan laughed and they walked ahead with Sheba following at the rear.
"So Ivan, tell me..." Felix said with low voice "...Are...are you and Sheba happy? Did you fight often?"
"Curious eh?"Ivan gave him a startled look. "How come you are so interested?"
"Uhm..well I've traveled so long with Sheba...I'm just worried...you know?"
Ivan tried to read his mind, only to be repelled by iron-hard walls around Felix' thoughts.
"It seems so that it is really important to you..."Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Felix...is there something I should know?"
"..."Felix shook his head"No...I...just answer my questions..."
"Hmpf...I don't mistreat her if you were indicating that..."
"I'm not indicating anything...just tell me."
Ivan's purple eyes met Felix' brown ones.
"To be honest I don't think that my life with Sheba concerns you that much..."
Felix suddenly grabbed Ivan by his collar.
"Just tell me will you?" He shouted, lifting Ivan into the air.
"What the hell do you want?!" Ivan yelled at him furiously.
"You think this is easy for me to ask?! Will you just spit it out?"Felix' face reddened.
"STOP IT!" Sheba's call made them turn around. "I don't know what's wrong with you guys but you shouldn't treat each other the way you are now..."
Felix looked as if he had been hit. "Sheba..." He put Ivan back to the ground. "I'm sorry..."
Ivan gave Felix a hateful look as Sheba raced towards him to check if he is okay.
Felix couldn't believe what he had just done.
Why did I do this to Ivan? Am I totally insane by now? I just can't let go of her...and I shouldn't or should I...? Why should I let go of her if Ivan could do it? What did Ivan ever did? Did he cared for her when nobody did? Did he traveled with her for a year? Did he face innumerable dangers just to be sure that she is safe? Did he jumped off a lighthouse to save her? I did it all. I love her more than anything...I surrendered everything I had I offered her everything that I had...but still...she didn't chose me...
"Felix! Where are you going?!" Ivan's voice rang through his thoughts. "Will you stay here and explain?"
But Felix kept on walking down the dusted street.
Why? Why did she chose Ivan? Why? What does he have that I don't? What made him special enough for her? Why does he occupy the space in her heart that is rightfully mine? Why?
"Felix!" Sheba called after him. "Felix! What are you doing?!"
Felix turned around. His brown eyes full of sadness and anger met her green eyes full of concern, anxiety and accusation. He stood there frozen, captured by her eyes as she was catching up to him.
These eyes...these eyes over which I have guarded so often to be rewarded by a smile or a absent-minded smirk...did I ever saw accusation in them? Yes...but never towards me...I wonder...did she ever looked to me as I did to her? Remember the lighthouse...never did someones eyes captivated me like this...and never will...
"Felix...?" Sheba stood in front of him, gently touching his face. The accusation disappeared, extinguished by even more concern.
I'm a fool...such a fool...how could I ever claim that she is mine? How blind was I? How could I claim that I surrendered everything? One thing, the one thing I didn't...is my....my love towards her...but...how...I...
"Felix...are you alright?" Sheba asked him again.
Felix shook his head. "I...I'm alright...but you should travel without me...I can't...Just let me leave alone."
"But Felix..."
"Just let me go"
Felix' pained expression hit Sheba to the bone.
Was he ever tortured like this? Not even atop the Mars lighthouse, when he saw that he killed his parents...What is it? I have to know! Mindread!
Felix slightly pushed her aside and continued going, oblivious towards the world around him.
I can't surrender my love...why? Why is it so hard? I want to give her everything, but...Surrendering ...How? How can I do this?
Sheba turned towards him, her eyes growing bigger with each thought she read.
Pain...pain...did I ever felt so much pain? I...I surrender to myself...I give up...but why is it so hard? Why can't I give my love up for her....that she won't feel pain anymore...it seems that when everything is gone the last thing that remains is pain...goodbye Sheba...you will never be disturbed by me again...I...I love you too much for our good....
Felix walked down the road, leaving Sheba behind, heading towards wherever his feet will take him.
"What happened?"Ivan caught up to her and saw her shell-shocked face.
"I...nothing..."Sheba hesitated. "He left...told us to go on alone..."
If I had known....If I had only known your feelings...but you were always the unmovable protector of us all...if...so many ifs...Felix...you should have known...you should have known that I loved you since that fall from the lighthouse...but...you never showed any feelings...and so did I...that it has come to this...I'm sorry, Felix...but it's over...Ivan is my protector now, and although you will always be important to me...it's too late...I'm sorry...
"Sheba?" Ivan's voice pulled her back to reality. "everything alright?"
She looked into his purple eyes, so different from the brown ones of Felix.
"Yes, everything is alright and no, nothing is alright...we should get going..." Sheba gave him a weak smile and walked forward, leaving a dazzled Ivan behind.
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I know that the large remembering part in the middle with the reunion scene was quite unnecessary but I wanted to write it down :D.
If you believe any characters are OOC then have my apology.
Thank you for reading this rather long oneshot! I would love to have some reviews from you!
-ShiaoPi
