Ahaha . . . it's been many, many . . . manymanymanymanyMANY moons, but I've finally written another chapter! *Gasp*shock*horror* Yeah I know. How slack of me. But to tell the truth, I lost inspiration for this fic for a long time, and it only recently came back to me after playing The Lost Age.

Before you read this, I suggest that you reread the other chapters if you've read them before. It's been a while, and I definitely needed to read them over myself. For anyone new, I'd like to restate the fact that this story is pre-Lost Age. That means that I started writing it BEFORE Lost Age came out. So, anything that happens is based on the first game only, not what happens in the second. Anyway, read on.

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Chapter 7: Divided

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            There was a sound nearby. Sharp, like twigs snapping. The noise brought her back to consciousness, though not fully. Her eyes still shut, Mia allowed feeling to return to her body. When it had, she wished she were still asleep. She ached all over, and a headache was beginning to throb into her skull. Groaning, she shifted a bit and found that she was lying facedown on the ground. She managed to push herself over onto her back and open her eyes.

               A canopy of trees shielded her vision. Lone shafts of sunlight streamed through gaps and illuminated the dust slowly spiraling through the air. I'm in a . . . forest? She tried to focus her thoughts. But the trees are different from the other ones.

Suddenly her memory flashed back to her. Forest. Walking. Barrier. Pain. Falling. In shock Mia sat up way too fast, and clutched at her head as it span in protest. Bringing her hand away she saw a bit of blood on it. Hesitantly she touched her forehead again; her fingers traced along an open cut just above her eyebrow. That's where she was bleeding. Removing her hands again she looked around. It seemed like just an ordinary forest, quite like the one she had been in before touching the barrier. But the trees were indeed different; they were shorter and the foliage was greener. Where on Weyard am I? She had no idea.

Getting unsteadily to her feet, Mia looked around again. Now she was getting anxious. Where were the others? She couldn't see them anywhere. Forest noises, creaking and twittering, didn't offer her any answers.

"Isaac?" she called out softly. No reply. "Garet? Ivan?" Still nothing. Moving forward a bit, she called again. Nothing. Feeling awfully alone, she kept walking. It was no good staying here.

A few minutes later she found her staff. Picking it up gratefully, she checked around for her bag. When she came across it, she was dismayed to find that it was half-empty. All her herbs were gone, and a number of potions were missing. Some forest creatures have probably been rummaging through it. The brief happiness at finding her gear faded as she remembered that she was alone in a strange place. She started moving again, shouting as she went.

"Garet! Isaac! Ivan! Are you here? Can you hear me?" As she picked her way through the forest dark thoughts crept into her mind. What if they weren't anywhere near her? The barrier had lifted her up and thrown her to this place; they might have been taken elsewhere. They might be on the other side of the island. They might be hurt. Or. . .

She gulped. Don't think like that. Stay optimistic. You're still here, and not badly hurt. There's no reason to think that the others are. Stepping around a large fern, she called out again.

"Isaac! Can anyone hear me?" As she paused to take another breath, Mia thought she heard something. Stopping, she listened. Faintly she heard a moan from nearby. Happy and afraid all at once, she turned on the spot and pushed through some large undergrowth. She didn't hear anything again so she called out. "I heard you, I'm coming!" Finally beating her way through the stubborn plant, she came out into a small clearing.

Isaac lay sprawled on the ground at the base of a tree near the end of the clearing. Feeling her heart stop for a moment Mia froze. But then he shifted and relief flooded through her. She ran across the clearing to him and crouched down next to him. "Oh Isaac, I'm so glad I found you. Are you okay?" Seeing that he wasn't fully conscious she took hold of his shoulders and pulled him up next to the tree, so that he was sitting. The movement caused him to groan again, and she paused, worried. She touched a hand to his face. "Isaac? Please wake up. Come on."

"Unh . . . what?" Opening his eyes, Isaac gazed blearily at Mia. "Mia?"

"Yes, it's me. I was so worried, I thought I was all alone and I didn't know what had happened to you." He blinked a few times and tried to focus on her.

"What . . . what did happen?" She briefly felt worried at his strained breathing but decided to tell him anyway.

"It was the barrier I think. Remember we all went into it together? Something about it . . . it tore us off the ground and flung us out here. I haven't been able to find Ivan or Garet yet." That woke him right up. He started and made to move.

"We've got to – ah!" Crying out, he doubled over and clutched at his chest. Alarmed, Mia instantly pushed him back so that she could get a better look. The fact that he didn't protest only confirmed her worries. He was usually so stubborn about being checked.

"Stop moving. Something's wrong, let me check." He merely nodded with his eyes shut tight, wincing. Getting into healer mode, she quickly untied his chest plate and removed it. The shirt underneath didn't have any blood on it, so that rejected the possibility of a gash. She slid her hands underneath the thin shirt and felt over his chest. Running her fingers along each rib, she suddenly came to what felt awfully like a dent. Isaac flinched when she touched it, lightly though she did, and bit back a cry. Looking up at him with a frown, she continued to check. Another rib on this side felt the same, and on his right there was a rib that seemed to be fractured.

She pulled her hands back from under his shirt, feeling intensely worried. Looking back up at Isaac, she saw him attempting to hide the extent of his pain from her. But she wouldn't be fooled.

"Isaac, this isn't good. You've got two broken ribs on the left, and one on the right that's fractured." He didn't seem to be paying much attention though. Taking in ragged gasps he was staring into nothingness.

"It hurts . . . to breathe . . ."

"Oh, no . . . I'll have to heal you right now, or it might get worse. Just stay still for a second."

Bringing her hands up again she held them just above the points on his chest where the injuries were. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused herself. She sent her thoughts to the center of her mind, questing, searching for the necessary power. She waited.

Nothing came.

Frightened, Mia reached for a different strand of her Psynergy. But it wouldn't come. No matter how hard she cast about for her power she couldn't find it. It was gone.

She dropped her hands and pulled back. Staring at her palms, she felt terribly confused and afraid. Where could it have gone? In all my studies I've never heard of anything like this happening. Psynergy is supposed to be deeply linked to the soul. So for it to have gone is . . . Isaac's voice brought her back from the depths of her mind.

"What's wrong?" Feeling faint, she turned back to the Venus adept.

"Can you feel any of your Psynergy?" The confusion in his face briefly cancelled out the pain. Then he obliged her, closing his eyes and growing still. Anxiously she waited for him.

Less than a minute had passed when he opened his eyes with a slight gasp. He looked utterly stricken. "I can't feel . . . anything. It's like it's . . . disappeared." Wincing he shut his eyes again and drew in heavy breaths.

"It's the same with me," Mia said. "I can't feel my Psynergy. So I . . . I can't heal you, Isaac."

"Don't worry about it. I'm . . . I'm okay."

"No you aren't." She realized something then. "Your pack is missing. I'm going to go look for it. You stay here." She wasn't sure if he heard her, as he was staring off to the side again with a hand pressed to his chest. Frowning, she started out to look for his pack. It was rare for them to have injuries as bad as Isaac's, especially since they usually healed with Psynergy right away. She was worried about him. Even though he was obviously hiding it from her, Isaac was in a lot of pain. If it hurt him to breathe, she knew it was bad.

Suddenly, she came across his pack. It was lying under a bush not far from the edge of the clearing. Grateful for this small mercy, she picked it up and swung it over her shoulder. Isaac wasn't in the right state to be carrying anything.

Walking back over to him, Mia's thoughts returned to Ivan and Garet. "Well, I found your pack," she said, stopping next to him but remaining on her feet. "I suppose we have to figure out what to do now." Isaac snapped his head up and looked at her.

"What . . . do you mean?" She stared at him, wondering at his incredulous tone. "We've got to go find . . . Garet and Ivan."

"Yes I know, but . . ."

"You . . . you don't understand. I have . . . to find them." He was getting agitated and upset, which definitely wasn't a good thing for him with broken ribs.

"Isaac," Mia started, but she was cut off.

"I'll do it myself . . . then." And to her dismay, he moved his hands back to grip onto the tree and started to push himself up. She could only watch as he slowly pulled himself onto his feet, using the tree trunk to brace against. Finally standing, Isaac didn't let go of the tree. His face was drained of colour and he was shaking from the effort.

Feeling a sad kind of compassion for him, Mia stepped forward. "No, Isaac, stop," she pleaded softly. She placed both hands on his shoulders and pushed him back gently to lean against the tree. He didn't protest, and kept shivering under her grip. "I know you don't like to admit it, to me or to yourself but . . . you're hurt, Isaac." He looked away from her. "Ivan and Garet are important to me too. But we can't do anything for them right now. We need to find a place to set up camp for tonight. I have to try and see if I can help you at all, without Psynergy. Okay?"

She turned around so that she was next to him, not waiting for an answer she was sure wouldn't come. Taking his right arm, she pulled it over her shoulders and grasped his hand with hers. She moved her other arm down and slid it around his waist. Taking a step forward, she gently pulled Isaac away from the tree. Then she stood still for a moment. "Okay?" she implored again.

For a few moments he seemed to be resisting her, not accepting the help she was offering. But then he slumped into her slightly. Head down, she almost didn't catch what he said next.

"Thank you," he murmured. She squeezed his hand a bit.

"Don't worry about it."

~*~

They had walked for a long time. The forest they traveled through seemed to stretch for miles around, as they hadn't found a break in the greenery yet. No signs of human life pervaded the natural atmosphere. Nor was there any evidence that a person, or two people, had been there.

Glancing up through the trees as she walked, Mia noticed the sunlight growing orange. She saw this with growing concern. Isaac stumbled suddenly, but she kept a tight grip on him and he didn't fall. She didn't comment on the stifled yelp he made. She heard it though.

They had to set up camp soon. Asides from the fact that it would be dark within the hour, there was Isaac to be concerned with. Starting out, he had been able to walk fairly well, all things considered, using her only for support. A few hours later she had noticed that he was favouring his left leg. But he didn't say anything, so she hadn't either. Now though, she had to seriously worry about the toll it was taking on him. He was limping badly; he was more and more dependant on her and leaning heavily on her shoulder; his breathing was ragged and painful, hitching every so often. And Mia was certain he'd never tell her about any of these things. But even he couldn't hide the odd groan and cry that escaped him, no matter how small.

This has to stop. He can't go on like this, and I'm getting tired as well. Just as she thought this she noticed a break in the trees ahead. Trying not to get her hopes up, Mia kept up her pace towards the spot. She urged Isaac to keep going with a squeeze of his hand, but she could tell he was spiraling rapidly.

They reached the trees and Mia looked through with immense relief. It was by no means the edge of the forest; this was merely another clearing much like the one she had found Isaac in. It was enough. There was even a log stranded in the middle of the grassy space. Half-staggering into the clearing, she led Isaac over to the log. She slid his arm off her shoulder, and luckily he was clear-headed enough to realize what she was doing, and let himself be lowered onto the log to sit gasping. Finally relieved of his weight Mia was able to stretch out her arms and tried to work out the aches in her shoulders. Halfway through though, she felt guilty all of a sudden to be worrying about her pitiful problems. She turned to Isaac.

"Do you feel all right?" A nod was all he seemed capable of as he panted. He was clutching his side again, but that was to be expected. There was something else on her mind though. "Liar," she murmured, and then kept talking when she saw him tense. "Show me your right leg." Isaac glanced up at her and, seeing her resolute face, extended his leg with a sharp intake of breath. Dumping both his bag, her own and her staff onto the ground, Mia crouched down and pushed up his pant leg. She grimaced at the sight of a livid bruise above the ankle. Carefully she reached out and pressed the center of it with her forefinger. The feeling of the bone underneath the skin and the strangled sound Isaac made were enough to confirm what she had feared. "Another fracture." She gave him a hard look. "Why didn't you tell me?"

A bizarre mix of emotions flashed across his face. "I didn't . . . didn't know . . . about it. Not . . . until I . . . I started walking."

"We were walking for hours. Why didn't you say something when you started to limp? Don't think for a minute that I didn't notice."

"Because . . . because . . ." His voice faded and he looked away from her. He wasn't going to explain to her, for whatever reason. Perhaps he doesn't know how to explain himself. Her exasperation left her quickly and was replaced with steadfast healer instincts. She stood up abruptly and went over to the closest tree. Looking on the ground, she found the sturdiest fallen branches she could and picked them up. When she stood again she could see Isaac watching her from the other side of the clearing. She called out to him.

"I'm going to have to splint your leg." Carrying the sticks back over, she dropped them on the ground and started rummaging through her bag. Once she'd found the bandages she needed Mia turned to Isaac and set to work on his leg. "A lot of my potions went missing," she started saying, partly for Isaac's sake and partly for her own. "I've only got a few left, so I'll have to find more herbs and plants to make them with." She glanced up at him, then back to her hand holding a stick in place. "There aren't any restoring potions. We used most of those at Venus Lighthouse. I've got a couple of small pain-numbing mixes . . . but I think it would be best if we saved those for the daytime." Pausing, she added, "I'm sorry."

"Why?" came Isaac's quiet voice from above her. Mia looked up at his now impassive face, only his eyes betraying the hurt he still felt. She turned back to the binding.

"Because I can't give you the potions. I want to; but we have to be careful of them." Silence but for the calls of a bird. "And because I can't really help you. At all." She sat back from the fully bandaged splint. A touch on her foreground startled her and she looked up to find him reaching out with a hand. A strange expression somewhere between worry and guilt was on his face.

"You have a . . . wound." Realizing what he meant she flung her hand up to where he was pointing.

"Oh that. That's just a cut, don't worry about it. Now," she stood up. "I don't think we should light a fire, considering we don't know what could find us out here. So we'll just have to eat some bread for dinner. We should do that now, before it gets really dark."

The sun was indeed on the verge of setting, with the dappled light drifting through the trees becoming a darker shade of vermilion. Under the fading light the pair sat side by side on the log and ate their meager meal. Silence pervaded the air around them as neither spoke a word.

Holding the last piece of dry bread in her hands, Mia wondered for the thousandth time where Garet and Ivan were. It was fine to hope they were alive and well somewhere nearby, but pessimistic realism kept sneaking into her mind. It was just as likely that they were hurt like Isaac. I hope they're together though. It's bad enough to imagine them injured, but if they were on their own and hurt . . . She looked over at Isaac, sitting on the log with shoulders curved in and head hung low. They wouldn't be able to make it far if it were as bad as Isaac. Or worse. She refused point blank to consider the other end of the scale.

She took the last mouthful of her bread without much thought. Through the grey light that came with twilight, she could still see Isaac. She noticed that he kept blinking and had a bleary look in his eyes again. It was then that she realized just how tired she was. A wave of exhaustion seemed to hit her all at once, and it was all she could do to keep from falling asleep on the spot. Getting up from the log she went over to where her and Isaac's bags were, and dug out the blankets from both. When she brought them back she was partially distressed to find Isaac standing unsteadily on his feet waiting for her. She bit back a protest though, and merely handed him his blankets. It would be no good arguing with him; stubbornness ran deep with Isaac.

Mia set about stowing their packs, her staff and Isaac's sword away in a relatively safe place beneath a tree trunk. It needed to be done, yes, but mainly she was doing it to give him some time to organize his blankets. Given his injuries, it would take longer than usual. Finally she was done, and went to throw down her own blankets nearby.

Sighing, she lay down under a single blanket, not having bothered to remove anything but her shoes. A few stars shone through gaps in the trees above, reminding her that wherever they were, it was still under the same sky.

"Mia," came Isaac's faint voice, somewhere to her left. She twisted to face him, thought neither could see the other.

"Isaac?" There was a long silent pause between them. The hissing of wind between the trees flared and died.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

She didn't know what he was apologizing for. It could have been the injuries, for allowing himself to be hurt. For having been so dependant on her all day. For being stubborn, for lying about his wounds. For not knowing where Garet and Ivan were. But, she didn't care. All she knew was that he had admitted something to himself, and needed to apologize to her.

"Don't be," she said after a time. "It's not your fault." She thought she heard him sigh, but it may have been the breeze.

It may have been an hour, or a minute later, that she fell asleep at last.

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I won't make any promises this time about when the next one is coming. But I'll do my best. Arigatou.

- Vappa