So once again we arrive at the finale of one of Midnight C's goofy fanfics. I never imagined this thing would be so popular! I guess this means I should keep writing, huh? Well, I actually do have some more ideas floating in my head that I'd like to flesh out, so you probably haven't seen the last of me just yet (everyone runs and hides). Oh fine!
And for anyone curious as to where I get inspiration, this is the single quote that helped me forge the plot for this story: "Man…cannot learn to forget, but hangs on the past; however far or fast he runs, that chain runs with him." ~Nietzsche
But enough of that; let's get to the goods.
*Absolution*
"Isaac…"
Slowly, the weary warrior came around, standing up and massaging his aching head at the temples. He took in his surroundings. An endless black stretched as far as his eyes could see. No light, no dark--just a vast emptiness surrounding him in all directions. It reeked of deja-vu. How many times had he found himself in one of these blank voids only to be knocked back into reality? The demon was gone, so why was he still dreaming like this?
"You aren't dreaming, Isaac. This place is as real as you wish to make it."
"I'm too tired for riddles," Isaac muttered. "Just tell me where I am and what's going on in plain English."
A warm, familiar laugh, one that he remembered better than any other, echoed from behind him. Something rumpled his hair in an affectionate gesture, and Isaac turned to meet the eyes of his father.
"Dad…" he trailed in surprise.
"Hello, son," Kyle said. "Been awhile, hasn't it?"
Isaac couldn't find his voice so he just nodded slightly. This felt so real, but it couldn't be could it? Wait, he thought. How can I be dreaming and still know that I'm dreaming? That doesn't make any sense. Then again, very little had made sense during these past few days. He studied his father for several moments, wishing this to be real, but thinking in the pit of his heart that it was only another dream that he'd soon awaken from.
"Tell me, Isaac," Kyle began after several moments. "Why have you been blaming yourself for what happened that night?"
Isaac turned away in shame. "I'm so sorry, Dad!" he whispered with a lump in his throat. "I should've been able to do something to help that night. I stood by and watched that boulder fall and I didn't do anything to try and stop it! If I'd been faster or stronger or—"
"That's enough," his father interrupted gently. "Isaac, a fourteen year-old boy cannot be held accountable for a disaster of that magnitude. There was nothing you could've done."
"But it was so senseless! There was no reason why I couldn't have done something to stop it!"
"Yes, it was senseless and pointless, and you were unfairly robbed of part of your childhood because of it. No one, least of all you, deserves something like that." He placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "But it wasn't your fault, Isaac. Please stop blaming yourself for it. You don't deserve such a painful burden."
Isaac looked hopeful. "Does that mean you forgive me?"
"There was never anything to forgive you for," said Kyle. "But if it means that much to you, then yes, I do."
Something fell away from Isaac's soul. He suddenly felt light, relieved, and—dare he say it—happy. He smiled slightly at his father. "Now if only I weren't dreaming," he said quietly.
"You're not dreaming. This is a limbo of sorts; a place where the soul goes after it's fled its vessel."
"Limbo?" Isaac asked in shock. "You mean I'm dead?!"
Kyle crossed his arms and looked thoughtful. "That depends entirely on you. You had the strength to stand up to that monster, but you can't begin to live again until you learn to move beyond the feelings that created it. If you think your life is still worth living, then you can continue to live it. But if you don't…"
"My choice then…" Isaac trailed. He had felt completely worthless when he was under the demon's power, and he'd given up the fight because of it. He'd received the forgiveness from his father that he needed, but there were still so many other mistakes to account for. Could he make amends for them? Could he continue to lead and protect his friends or were they in danger from him? He still wasn't sure.
"I don't know what the right decision is," he said. "I've made a lot of errors with some dire consequences. I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Perhaps this will help you figure it out," said Kyle. He flicked his hand and a moving image appeared before them. It was blurry at first but then it displayed a devastated section of forest replete with broken trees and large scorch marks on the ground. A light snow drifted from the sky as if trying to hide the destruction. The image clarified a little more and six very familiar figures rushed towards something in the midst of the scarred battlefield. There was a brilliant flash of blue light, unmistakably Mia's Ply power, and then Isaac saw what his friends were gathering around—himself. Their voices echoed around the void.
"Isaac!" Mia cried, her eyes filled with tears. She fell to her knees and turned his motionless form into her arms.
Picard kneeled beside her and felt Isaac's neck. "I can't feel a pulse," he said in quiet shock.
"NO!" the others shouted in a combination of sorrow and disbelief. After the realization struck, the reactions were profound and heartbreaking. Jenna dropped to the ground and started crying into her hands. Sheba threw her arms around Ivan and they both trembled with tears. Mia fell into hysterical sobs, her calls to her soulmate made incomprehensible by her tears. Garet, standing at the fringe of the group, clenched his shaking hands into fists and turned away from the sight. His shoulders quivered with a sorrow that he didn't wish the others to see. Even Picard, who hadn't known the warrior very long, looked quite beside himself with grief.
"You see, Isaac," his father said softly. "You've had a powerful effect on the souls you've touched. The worst way you could ever hurt them is to leave them behind."
Isaac studied the image, feeling a shattering sadness for his friends' pain. Mia's words from before resonated in the back of his mind. We've only survived on this quest because of your strength and your protection. Whether that was true or not could be questioned, but he knew that his friends depended on him a great deal, and he couldn't abandon them when they still needed him. And he hated seeing Mia experiencing the same horrible, searing pain he'd felt when he thought he'd lost her. She didn't deserve such sorrow, none of them did, and he had the power to stop it. He wouldn't let it end this way. But going back meant saying a very difficult final farewell.
"I'm sorry, Dad," he said with a heavy heart. "But I can't stay here. I think I'm still needed elsewhere."
"That's my boy," Kyle said with a wide grin. "I'm so proud of you, Isaac. You're a wonderful young man—strong, courageous, responsible, and compassionate. Go on back to your friends and your soulmate and be happy." He sighed with a bit of longing. "Seeing you with her reminds me of your mother and I many, many years ago."
Isaac smiled and hugged his father, struggling to not get too emotional. "Thanks, Dad. I swear I won't let you down."
"You never will."
"I miss you," Isaac whispered.
"I know," said Kyle. "But I'll never be very far away, I promise."
With that, Isaac started walking deeper into the void, somehow knowing where he had to go to get back. He paused briefly to take one last look at his father, returning his sad smile, and then vanished into the blackness.
"Here's the last of it," said Picard, toting a huge crate towards the docks. "Where do you want it?"
"I'll take that," Isaac said. He approached Picard, but Garet promptly jumped in front of him and took the crate instead.
"Let me handle this, Isaac," he said with a grin. "I gotta pull my weight around here, right?" He grunted slightly but carried the crate towards the hold of the ship. Isaac smiled after him, running a hand through his hair. Everyone had been exceptionally nice to him since yesterday's battle and he wasn't sure how to feel about it. There was something rather odd about Garet's willingness to do heavy labor.
"Are you sure you have all the supplies you'll need?" Picard asked.
"Yes, thank you," Isaac replied. "The hold's completely full with provisions now. I think we'll be all set for quite awhile."
Picard sighed. "I wish you didn't have to leave. It seems like you just got here."
"I know," said Isaac. "But we still have a long way to go if we're going to complete our journey. Thank you for all of your help and hospitality, Picard. I wish there was some way I could repay you for everything you've done."
"No payments are necessary, Isaac. It was all my pleasure." He smiled. "It's been a very long time since I've fought beside such a fine warrior. I'm certain that you'll succeed in every task you undertake."
Isaac smiled back. "I will as long as I have them."
"That's everything," Ivan said, coming down the gangplank. "The hold's full and secure. I think we even have enough food to satisfy Garet's insatiable appetite!"
"I heard that, Ivan!" Garet growled, coming down behind him.
"Think fast!" Jenna suddenly called. A large snowball suddenly whacked Garet right in the face and she, Ivan and Sheba started giggling.
Garet wiped the snow from his eyes and set his sights on Jenna. "So that's how you wanna play, huh? I'll show you!" He scooped up some snow and ran after the two girls, who shrieked and scattered, laughing the whole time. Not one to be left out, Ivan made his own snowball and took off to join the fray. Isaac watched their playful battle, smiling broadly. Somehow their carefree antics seemed so much more important after everything that had happened during the past few days. He hoped that they'd never change--that these brief moments when they could forget about the rest of the world and be themselves would keep happening again and again for as long as they lived.
Something cold and wet hit the back of his head. He turned to see Mia giggling at him. "Head's up!" she said. Isaac lifted an eyebrow, brushing the offending snow off the back of his neck and trying to suppress a chuckle. Mia went up to him and kissed his cheek, then pushed him down to the ground.
"Lady Mia!" Picard laughed, surprised at her behavior.
"What's gotten into you?" Isaac asked.
"I'm sorry, Isaac," she said with a mischievous grin. "This winter weather has a strange effect on me. Here." She extended a hand to help him up, which he took. But rather than letting her pull him up, he yanked her arm and brought her down into the snow with him. Mia growled at him playfully and pounced, pinning him underneath her. "You went and got me all wet!" she accused. "That's going to cost you dearly."
"Oh no," Isaac said in mock fear. "Have mercy, please!"
"Never!" Mia declared. She leaned down and kissed him long and slowly. "Had enough yet?"
Isaac smiled. "I'll never surrender! Give me your worst."
"You asked for it." So she kissed him again. Picard smiled down at the pair and then looked to the others. Garet had been pummeled one too many times and was face down in the powder. Jenna had seated herself triumphantly on his back and Ivan and Sheba were laughing at them uncontrollably.
"Admit it, Garet," said Jenna gleefully. "I was right when I said I could kick your ass in a fight!"
"You're a dirty cheater," Garet groaned, pulling his head out of the fluff. "And you've also been putting on weight!"
Jenna smacked him. "That's no way to talk to a lady!"
"Well, you're not much of a lady!"
"Don't make me come over there!" Isaac called to them. He and Mia got to their feet and brushed off all of the snow. Eventually, the rest of the crew gathered around the dock as well. Like it or not, they had obligations to attend to and the time had come to leave Lemuria behind.
"Well, I guess this is farewell, Picard," Isaac said. "Thank you again for all of your help."
Picard nodded sadly, shaking Isaac's hand. "Good luck to all of you. I'll never forget you."
"We won't ever forget you, either," Ivan said.
"We'll miss you, Picard," said Sheba.
"Thank you for everything," Jenna said.
"Take care," Garet added. "Watch out for monsters."
"I will," Picard replied with a small laugh.
"Goodbye, Picard," said Mia. She smiled sadly up at him. "Thank you so much."
"Lady Mia…" He kissed her hand. "I wish you all the best. I know you're in safe and capable hands."
Solemnly, the other six Adepts boarded their ship and set sail. Picard stood at the end of the dock, watching the vessel as it journeyed out of sight. He smiled to himself. "Travel well, my friends. Wherever the sea takes you, may you find everlasting prosperity and happiness."
As soon as Garet and Ivan were asleep, Isaac sneaked out of their cabin. He silently ascended the stairs to the main deck, wishing to get a little air since it was quite stuffy down below. The sea lay as flat and still as a mirror with no wind to stir up the surf. Nothing disturbed the sky either, and it hung above like a curtain of deep blue velvet decorated with tiny diamonds. Isaac idly strolled around the deck gazing at the calm sky, trying to ignore the biting chill in the air that cut through to his bones. His mind wandered all over the place, bouncing from his nightmares, to the demon's last stand, to the strange serenity he felt now, and then back again. It all seemed so hazy, as if everything had been a long dream. Now that it was all over, the sorrow and despair were rapidly fading away. And they weren't simply being covered up again--they were truly disappearing for good. How strange it was to not feel that burden resonating deep within him anymore, and yet how wonderful it was to finally be free of it.
So many memories…they had come so close to swallowing him completely. He'd learned his lesson. He'd never allow that kind of pain to quietly build and compile until it got beyond anyone's control. There was no need, not when he had so much to live for. And while fate had been cruel in many instances, perhaps it had had a reason at least once. If he'd never ventured into Sol Sanctum, this journey never would've happened. Vale was a wonderful place, but the world beyond its gates had proven incredible in its own right. So many beautiful sights and interesting people. And if he'd never left Vale, he never would've found her. Perhaps she was fate's way of giving something back after taking so much.
The air was too cold to tolerate any longer, and he had an important appointment to keep anyway. He returned below deck, proceeding down the corridor to the Captain's cabin. He opened the door, entering almost complete darkness, and shut it very carefully and quietly behind him. A pair of smooth, slender hands touched his face and pulled him into a long, tender kiss. He embraced the warm body before him and they migrated to the bed, burrowing beneath the covers to shield themselves from the draft in the room.
"Back into our old habits, aren't we?" Mia inquired, laying her head on his chest. She breathed in that sweet, earthy scent from his skin for the first time in days.
"I hope you don't mind," Isaac said, pulling her closer.
"Not at all. Actually, I was hoping we'd have the opportunity to be alone again. I've missed you so much."
"Me too." He curled some of the silken strands around his fingers. "Mia, I wanted to thank you again for everything you said. For saving me from that demon."
"Oh, Isaac. You know I could never let anything steal you away from me. I only wish I could've prevented that whole ordeal from happening in the first place."
"That was my fault," he said. "My own inner fears and self-loathing held me back from dealing with the emotions the demon fed off of. I've learned a lesson from all of this, and it's not one I'll ever forget." He kissed her again. "I know how to fight back now. I'll never leave you behind again."
Mia squeezed him. "I'll always be here for you too, Isaac. We're soulmates, parts of the same whole, and nothing will ever be able to pull us apart. This bond we have can protect us from anything, no matter how evil. We are our own safe haven."
"A sanctuary," Isaac agreed.
She nodded slightly. They laid there together in silence, holding each other and reveling in the security of their love. It was a true safe haven, completely immune from everything in this crazy mixed up world. What more could anyone ask for? What more could anyone need?
"Are you sure you're all right?" she asked.
A simple and yet very complex question. Not long ago, he wouldn't have known exactly how to answer it honestly. But now certain of his ability to protect everyone from harm, including himself, and free from the burden of guilt and sorrow that had shackled him for so long, there was no doubt in his mind about his answer. The truth he knew in the core of his soul.
"Yes."
Come on, you people must've known this would have a happy ending! There's no way I could put poor Isaac through all of that and not have it turn out for the best--I'm not that cruel (usually…)!
And now for a few words of thanks:
To Alex and Akiko: Many thanks for your funny and insightful reviews and for graciously putting up with my evil cliffhangers. Do continue work on the few dozen fics you guys have, as I anxiously await their conclusions!
To Bar-Ohki: Novel quality? Wow, that's about the greatest thing anyone's ever said about my writing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
To PaperCutVictim: I've set a good example by finishing all of my fics, so I'm asking you nicely to finish at least one of yours, OK? Pretty please? I don't care if it takes you an eternity, because I'm young and I'm willing to wait! ^_^
To Onyx-dreams: *with mouth full* Mmmm…good cookie. I'm terribly flattered that you find me amazing, since the feeling is mutual (I'm serious!). Anyone who can write something as funny as "Drinking Games" and then turn around and write something as moving as "The Silence is Broken" possesses a rare gift indeed. I implore you to continue writing and to finish "Silence" before I go bonkers wondering how the hell it ends!
To Triad Orion: My lord, you reviewed some chapters twice! I must've hit a nerve somewhere huh? Thank you so much for all of your useful (and often very amusing) reviews. My only hope is that I've provided a similar service for you. Rest assure that I will continue to follow "The Trials of Destiny," as well as those other GS fics when you get to them, and yell at you whenever you put in evil cliffhangers!
And to all the rest of you: I'm sorry that I didn't single you out by name, but it wouldn't do to make this afterward too long. A thousand thanks to all of you for taking the time to read this and comment on it. I am truly grateful.
So until next time, Ciao! ^_^