Nivuin-the-baby-phoenix: *chirps joyfully and walks over to kechara's desk. Opens a folder. Coughs. Flames come out of her mouth. Papers burning merrily, but smoke goes out the window*
Well, everyone, here it is – probably the second to last or third to last chapter. This story is finally winding to an end. I want to thank all of you faithful readers (and reviewers) for sticking with me (even though I'm awful lazy and busy) throughout this. Thanks again!
Alex: I made you cry?! *surprised* I'm sorry! I didn't mean to, I swear it. But anyway, that's not the end of the sadness… duh duh duh… and of course I don't mind! Sorry that I stole the idea, too, but yeah, you can use something similar to it as long as they don't match thread to thread.
Triad Orion: Yes, Strong Bad… you can't come stay with me cause I've got my own pal over – Nivuin the baby phoenix! *not sure if she's a pyro, too, but whatever… hopefully my own homework and papers won't be burned to crisps*
Midnight C: Well then, you'll probably be happy that I left you a nice, juicy cliffhanger!
Snoopy6458: You couldn't be more right. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon to lessen the suspense.
Jupiter Girl: Thanks! I guess I have a pretty detailed imagination, although it's hard to put onto paper sometimes. And at first I hadn't been planning on other couples, but you know, what with the 'romantic' holiday and all, in my fic and in real life, coming up soon… ^___^
9 – Wounds of the Heart
Mia's heart was torn up inside. She knew… and Alex knew… that what he said, what he had done, would turn out for the better in the end. They both had known all along, but had not wanted to admit, that his prolonged stay in Vale would only bring pain and heartache to her, him, and anyone else who was involved. Despite the old passion flickering, Mia had fallen for Isaac, the quiet and brave leader who had led her, Garet, and Ivan after his friends across two continents. Despite the dangers. Despite the anxiety and the constant worry. But most of all, he'd risked it for his friends, and for the fate of the world. Four people so insignificant until one event that could cause the ruin of their world – the theft of the Stars – had brought out the true heroes inside them.
Isaac, ever since she had met him, had always been uncertain of the bigger decisions he'd had to make. He quailed at the thought of so much resting on his shoulders. But still he persevered. He walked on, perhaps slowing at certain points in their journey, but never stopping. That knowledge had touched a spot deep inside Mia, stirred awake feelings buried because of the hurt Alex had unknowingly inflicted on her. She truly loved him, very much. She would give up anything to be with him.
Why am I so confused? I should be happy that he left. Happy that Alex is moving on with his life, and allowing me to do the same. I should be happy! Mia cried inside. Her tears fell, and she didn't know why. All logic reasoned that she should be happy. And yet…
And yet I still love Alex. Perhaps to a much lesser degree, but it is still true. Why is this happening to me? Why does the victim of all these painful, heart-wrenching events have to be me?! Tears rolled faster, and her choked tears tightened her throat almost painfully. Pretty soon she could no longer hide her sobs, as she gasped for air and let the drops of sadness roll through her fingers.
When he wrapped his arms around her, Mia hoped for a brief second that it was Alex who had come to comfort her, but she dashed her own hopes when Isaac spoke softly in her ear, concerned and caring.
"What's wrong, Mia? Why are you crying?"
Then she tried no longer to hide her pain; muffling her face to his chest, Mia cried herself out. They sat there, huddled together, as her tears subsided, leaving only cheeks stained with a salty taste and bloodshot eyes as evidence for her emotional outburst. She sniffled and drew back, at the same time wiping her hands across the soft fabric on his chest, now damp with moisture.
"Look what I did to your tunic, Isaac… I'm sorry," she murmured numbly.
Isaac drew her to him, tightly in an anxious embrace. "Poor Mia… so saddened that no longer could emotions be contained in so fragile a heart," he whispered, falling into the speech of the Lemurians – poetic and lyrical, romantic and filled with anguish.
They only sat there, in the company of only Luna. He asked to questions – she didn't explain. It was as if he sensed that she would not talk about it until time healed her open wounds. They would heal, but would leave scars. Time will heal me. Time will heal me.
After a while, Mia stirred, opening her eyes and clearing her blurry vision. It was still night, and Luna had moved a very short distance from where it had been before. When she moved as if to get up, Isaac awoke also, blinking rapidly.
"How long have we been asleep?"
She stood up and stretched like a cat, arching her back to rid it of any kinks that had developed as they slumbered in the cold open night. "It couldn't have been long. I can still see the lights from the celebration. Let's go dance," Mia suggested, grasping his hand. He looked at her face for a brief moment before nodding and matching her hesitant smile. They walked slowly down to the inn, reveling in the silence of the nature around them. It was so peaceful, this village at the foot of Mt. Aleph.
And yet, hidden here until the catastrophe of the Stars unfolded and brought him and Garet, then Ivan, to Imil, was Isaac. Such a treasure, secluded in the little village called Vale. It only proved that appearances were not what they seemed.
For the entire night, Mia shared dances with Garet, Isaac, and Felix, as well as others who asked (politely) for one. Everyone was laughing happily, but it was a subdued laughter, quiet, cheerful, and relaxed. Finally, whoever it was playing the instruments announced that they would be playing several slow songs, then have a break, and then one last one before they turned in for the night.
"Mia? Do you wish for a dance?" Isaac asked seriously, hand extended. Garet had already been dragged over by Jenna to the dance floor, and the two were embracing each other loosely. Ivan, also, had Sheba with him, although neither Mia nor Isaac could see them. Felix had disappeared sometime during the night.
"Do you even have to ask? You know I'd say yes." Still, even as she replied, she stood gracefully and took his hand, her lips and eyes smiling to him, with none of her previous sorrow to cloud them.
The songs came and went quickly, and for the short break Mia and Isaac sat off to the side by themselves, just savoring the moment. And when the last song of the night finally started, both got up instinctively, but did not go to the dance ground where all the others were gathered. Instead, in the seclusion of the trees, they swayed gently with each other, the healer's head tucked neatly into the crook at his neck. Their comfortable silence was broken with Isaac's earnest words.
"Mia..."
"Yes?"
He took a deep breath, and his grip around her waist tightened. In response, she curled closer to him, so close that even the softest of her breaths blew over the skin at his neck.
"Will you stay here with me? In Vale? I love you. More than you can imagine. Even... nobody could describe it with words, not even the eloquent speakers of Lemuria. I wish to make you happy. I want to wake up every day, knowing that you would be next to me and would be for the rest of our lives together."
Letting her soft protests fall to deaf ears, he knelt and removed something from his belt. It was a tiny, velvet-covered box, in a dark navy blue. She anticipated what was inside, and it made her gasp and pull her hands to her mouth. Tears behind her eyes sparkled as they fell onto the white snow beneath her feet.
The little box opened. There was the thin, elegant silver band, and from the dim lighting Luna provided she could see something glinting from the inner part. Crowned at its top was a small jewel – it looked as if it were diamond, but Mia could also see traces of blue in it. It couldn't be... the rare Mercury Sapphires? They had the color, and the hue looked right, although Mia had no idea where Isaac could have found the legendary gems. The facets glimmered... almost sparkled as if in anticipation. Isaac's face looked up at hers hopefully, wanting only one answer to his question.
"If you would only say yes, I would never again be unhappy. This is only a promise of what to come, but will you become my betrothed, and later, when we are both ready, become my wife?"