Chapter 20: The Future of Two
The bitter cold of Prox reminded Isaac of the Lamakan Desert, oppressive and extreme in nature. It's a wonder anyone could actually live here, he thought as a shiver ran down his spine. The whole town just looked frozen over, stuck in perpetual winter.
The hand Isaac held in his glove was the one warm sensation he had in this cold, dark place and he was thankful to have Mia by his side. Isaac turned his head to see the Mercury adept standing next to him, gazing out into the blinding snow just as he was a moment before.
Feeling his gaze, Mia turned to see Isaac looking at her and gave him a smile. "I think I can see it," the cerulean haired girl mentioned. "It's the large gray shadow in the distance…"
Isaac turned his attention back to the snow, looking away from town at the shadowy shape off in the distance. The Mars Lighthouse… He nodded slowly. "That has to be it," Isaac said. "The snow makes it nearly impossible to see but you're right. I can't tell how far away it is though."
Mia agreed. "There's really no way to know, especially since the locals never go out that way."
Isaac sighed. "It's hard to plan if we can't really tell what we're up against…" he trailed off. "Well we should get back to the others anyway, it's freezing out here and I don't feel like being outside any longer than we have to. At least we know that we are just going to have to get to the lighthouse and climb it in a single day because there is no way we can survive camping near that thing."
Mia nodded and grabbed onto Isaac's arm as they turned around and began to trudge through the snow back to the main part of town. "It's unnaturally cold out here. I'm used to the cold because I lived in Imil...but this? This is a totally different scenario."
The dim lights of Prox greeted the couple when they neared the town center and inn where the rest of their group was waiting for them. It didn't require the whole group to look from the edge of town for the location and approximate distance of the lighthouse, so the rest of the frozen adepts stayed inside while Isaac and Mia volunteered to see what they could find.
I couldn't leave her to handle it just by herself after all, Isaac thought, smiling at how Mia was the first to say she could take a look being the one most used to a cold climate. It was best for me to come along just in case, Isaac knew. "At least we know how miserable the trek to the lighthouse is going to be now," Isaac pointed out dryly.
That got a smile and half a laugh out of Mia who was not too enthused about the necessity of the trip through what was essentially a blizzard. "At least we know…" she repeated to herself, pushing the door to the inn open with her free hand.
"Oh wow they actually survived," Garet's voice called out as soon as they entered the inn and Isaac saw the red haired boy push a small stack of gold coins in front of Ivan in a very visible fashion, pretending they had actually made a bet on their safe return.
Mia rolled her eyes at them and addressed Ivan before Isaac had a chance to say anything. "Hey Ivan, if you want to make a real bet how about we bet on if Garet wakes up in a block of ice or not tomorrow," she said with an evil grin.
Garet flinched up a little bit and Isaac laughed at the situation, bringing weary smiles to the faces of the other adepts enjoying the familiar antics of the group. Felix stayed completely serious through the exchange and looked over to Isaac as the laughter was dying down. Catching Felix's eye, Isaac gave his report.
"It's not at all easy to see out there but we were able to make out the outline of the lighthouse to the north. Unfortunately it seems it will be impossible to camp outside of it and we have to assume the abundance of monsters inside will make it impossible to rest there as well," Isaac stated.
Mia took that moment to speak up. "We aren't going to last too long in the weather out there so we just have to make a straight shot for the lighthouse and won't have much time to recover before needing to ascend it."
"This certainly isn't going to be easy…" Piers added thinking about the task ahead.
"Given that it's the Mars Lighthouse, I would bet the inside is not going to be as bad...Less weather and it's also aligned with Mars...even if it's still inactive that should still have some impact," Jenna contributed.
Felix frowned. "Either way, it's as Isaac and Mia reported...we don't get to camp outside and scale the lighthouse the next day. This weather is only going to get worse the longer it remains unlit so we need to make an attempt tomorrow."
Murmurs of agreement were heard among the assembled adepts, still tired from getting to Prox in the first place. Felix looked around at everyone. "That means we all need to get to bed and get some sleep because we need to head out of here as soon as the temperature rises high enough early in the morning. It's going to be a long day. Make sure you are well rested."
With that, the meeting was over and everyone began to drift off to their inn rooms to rest up for the night. With a glance at Mia, Isaac indicated that they should follow suite and the cerulean haired girl nodded, giving him a smile.
Taking her hand again, Isaac walked upstairs with Mia, going into their room and sitting down on one of the beds. Mia sat down next to him and leaned up against his shoulder, still holding his hand.
"Mia?" Isaac questioned softly, wondering why the cerulean haired girl didn't seem to want to get ready for bed.
Mia looked over at him and said, "Just give me a few minutes with you?"
Is something wrong? Isaac wondered. "Sure," he replied, allowing the girl to put an arm around him as he lay down on the bed with Mia.
Seconds of silence passed as the pair lay together, saying nothing and just spending time in each other's arms.
"It's the final lighthouse huh…" Mia said eventually, breaking the silence.
"Yeah…" Isaac agreed, realizing what she was getting at. "It's all over after tomorrow...one way or another," he added.
Mia shifted against him, getting a better hold on his arm but otherwise stayed silent for a few seconds. "I love you, you know,"
Isaac smiled. "I love you too Mia," he replied.
"I just wanted to say it...to let you know that I love you…" she explained.
...Just in case, Isaac finished her statement in his head. "I understand. We'll be fine, but yes, I love you too."
Mia smiled at him and leaned in to give Isaac a quick kiss. She waited a few more seconds and then said, "You remember the Venus Lighthouse?" Isaac nodded in response. "I had to tell you that I love you now because I almost didn't get to then," she explained.
Isaac thought back to that lighthouse and his near death experience with a massive claw wound. I almost died then, he recognized. I couldn't even heal myself after being hit by that dragon…
"You saved me that day," Isaac said, continuing to follow along with Mia's thoughts. "Without you, I might not be here now...so thank you."
Mia shifted to get a better view of the blonde boy. "I loved you back then too, but I couldn't make myself say anything because I didn't know how you felt. But Isaac...when you got injured on top of that lighthouse, I lost my mind for a second and something happened. you don't remember it and you asked me about it a few times but, I never could tell you."
Isaac frowned, trying to dredge up the memories surrounding that particular lighthouse and his injury. Something did happen? She was acting strangely after those events...but she always denied there was anything wrong.
"I still can't remember everything that happened," Isaac told Mia. "I knew something was weird after all of that, but I really just can't remember."
Mia gave him a half smile. "I was half disappointed and half relieved you didn't remember actually."
"So what happened?" Isaac asked the girl in his arms.
"I kissed you," Mia explained simply.
Isaac was not expecting that response. Wait...she kissed me back then? He raised his free hand to his lips as if he could still feel that first kiss, despite the many that had come after. Mia smiled at Isaac as his look of surprise faded into acceptance.
"You...kissed me…? No wonder you were acting strangely when I didn't remember it…" Isaac said.
Mia laughed. "I wasn't sure what to do and I panicked in the heat of the moment so I ended up kissing you. It's...embarrassing to admit…"
Isaac smiled and moved slightly so he could lean in and give Mia a nice long kiss on the lips. "That's for the kiss I never knew I recieved," he told her as he broke away.
Mia closed her eyes and savored the moment with her head resting on Isaac's chest. She looks so at peace right now, Isaac noted, bringing his hand up to run it gently through Mia's hair, prompting the girl to snuggle up closer to him.
They stayed together in silence while Isaac continued to think back to the Venus Lighthouse. I can't believe that actually happened, he thought. I never realized that she had feelings for me since then too…
Mia opened her eyes to find Isaac admiring her and gave him a caring smile. She quickly leaned in to get another kiss from Isaac and whispered, "I could stay like this forever." Isaac looked at her curiously, waiting for her to elaborate so she did. "Being here with you right now...in your arms without a care in the world...It's an amazing feeling and I wouldn't mind lying here with you forever," she explained.
Forever… something about that word resonated with Isaac and he knew he didn't want to move from where he was at that exact moment. "You're right," Isaac replied simply. "I am content to just stay here with you. It's amazing...this is all amazing," he added, voicing his feelings. Mia's presence next to him was making him happier than ever before.
"It is amazing to think you make me feel this way…" Mia said, smiling at Isaac. "I've gotten so used to being with you that I never want to be apart."
"Me either," came Isaac's reply. She's an amazing person and I've fallen so deeply in love with her. I definitely want to stay with her, but…
"Hey Mia," Isaac said in a more serious tone.
"Hmm?" came the cerulean haired girl's reply.
"Are you still planning to return to Imil when this journey is over?" he asked. Mia seemed thoughtful as she considered the question. "I've always been seeing this quest as an ongoing task that was never going to end because we really didn't have an end in sight for a long time," Isaac explained. "But after tomorrow..." he trailed off.
"I...don't know…" Mia answered after a few moments. "I can't say I gave it too much consideration yet. I never thought this day would come." She looked torn thinking about the end of the journey. "Now that the lighthouse is lit and they have the healing water from that fountain, they don't need me to heal everyone that gets sick," Mia said. "I also really want a chance to see your town of Vale because you always tell me about it and we haven't had the chance to go yet."
"I'd be happy to show you Vale if you want to come visit," Isaac offered.
Mia gave Isaac a smile that he returned before continuing. "I would definitely like to do that. I also think it would feel weird to be apart from you at this point too," she added. "I want to stay by your side as much as I can...I've gotten used to you being here with me," Mia said sheepishly.
Isaac smiled at her answer and his heart soared. "I feel the exact same way Mia. Being with you is what feels right to me and I want to follow my heart that says to stay with you."
Mia's grin widened and she kissed Isaac for saying the words she wanted to hear. "I probably don't have to go back to Imil immediately, although I should return at some point to make sure everyone is doing okay including Justin and Megan. I'm sure they're handling everything fine but…" she trailed off.
I wonder when she'll have to leave to go back to Imil… "Of course you need to go back at some point," Isaac said with a kindhearted smile. "I expected as much and if you don't mind, I'd actually like to come with you."
Mia's face lit up when Isaac said that and the blonde boy chuckled at how excited she seemed to have him along. "Yes! Please feel free to come visit Imil with me too," Mia said. "That would be wonderful…"
Isaac pulled Mia close in a hug and half whispered into her ear. "I don't ever want to leave you my love."
Mia shivered suddenly at his words, overcome by a sense of euphoria when she considered what that meant. "Isaac...I…" she started to say. "I wouldn't mind moving to Vale permanently once I have everything in Imil in order you know…"
She's reading my mind… Isaac thought, giddy with happiness at the fact Mia wanted to stay with him as well. "I think you're thinking the same thing I was", Isaac told the cerulean haired girl. "I know you have responsibilities in Imil so I was thinking about finding a way to stay there with you."
Mia blushed slightly and kissed Isaac again, giggling in happiness as she pulled apart. "You're so sweet for offering to come stay with me," she said. "You are certainly welcome whenever you want," she explained. "I think all the villagers would love a chance to thank you for the return of the lighthouse waters as well."
"If they should be thanking anyone, it's you," Isaac said modestly. "I mean, you were there for them before the waters were working again and you were the one that got us into the lighthouse at all."
Mia smiled. "Well I never would have actually been able to get anywhere in the lighthouse without all of you helping out, but all I know is that people in Imil would like to meet you at some point."
"That's fine," Isaac said. "What would make them that interested in me anyway though?" he asked out of curiosity.
Mia blushed a deeper red and explained. "Well...everyone in Imil knows me pretty well and they always like to ask me if I've found 'a nice young man' yet…"
Oh Venus… Isaac thought, laughing nervously at the idea of being introduced that way to an entire town of people that knew Mia. "Well then…" he commented with a slight pink tinge in his cheeks. "I think I could handle that, but it would probably be more embarrassing for you since they all know you," Isaac said, kissing Mia softly when he was done speaking.
"Probably...but I don't care," Mia replied. "Better to introduce you than to let them come up with their own rumors about you," she pointed out.
That would be quite a mess if she just let them think what they wanted… "Point taken," Isaac said with a smile.
Mia's response was to flip over in bed and snuggle up closer to Isaac so he would be able to hold her as she fell asleep. Isaac felt Mia reach back for his arm and placed it over her stomach, causing him to smile at the girl he loved.
"You really like sleeping like this don't you?" Isaac asked playfully.
"Yes," Mia replied, enjoying the feeling of having Isaac by her side. "Hold me?" she asked simply.
Well that's her cue that it's time for bed, Isaac knew, smiling to himself for knowing how Mia's feelings changed based on her actions. I've spent so much time with her over the past months that it's hard not to learn her personality quirks.
"Of course dear," Isaac replied to Mia who was nestled comfortably in front of him. She let out a contented sigh and shut her eyes in the safety of Isaac's arms.
Isaac took a moment to admire the girl in his embrace and gently leaned in to give her a goodnight kiss on the cheek.
"Goodnight my love," he said.
"I love you," Isaac heard Mia murmur in reply.
Please take this chapter with my apologies for taking so long to continue the story. It's been almost a year since I started writing this and it's not even over yet! I hate waiting for a new episode of something to come out or a new chapter of a story so that's why I always used to get my work up quickly, but I just haven't been keeping up so for those of you waiting to see me continue the story, I really am sorry!