Um . . . Yes, it's me again . . . SirGecko. Yeah, I'm here. I, naturally, have the eighth chapter to upload, so here it is. I hope you like it.
I again want to thank the reviewers who have, and hopefully will, review this story. Your support/constructive criticism is appreciated.
This one is a lengthy one folks . . . very. My second-longest chapter, and 16 2/3 pages on my computer. So, you're in for quite the read.
Now, for that annoying, retarded, pointless, overrated, required, and utterly stupid disclaimer. Here it is. I DO NOT OWN GOLDEN SUN. If I did, this would be a movie, and I'd be sittin' in a recliner dissing all the teachers I hate.
Okay, enough of my stupid fantasizing. Onto chapter 8!
Chapter 8: Sol and the Flashback
"You were once in love with . . . with Alex?!" Isaac exclaimed. He felt like he'd been hit in the face by a particularly harsh and cold blast of freezing air from outside. He had withdrawn his arms from around Mia's waist in surprise.
"See? I knew you wouldn't like it if I told you! I knew it!" Mia said shrilly, her voice cracking.
"Hold on Mia. I didn't say I didn't like it. I am merely . . . surprised, that's all," said Isaac firmly.
Mia looked over at him, silent tears streaking down her soft, pretty face, her body rocking occasionally as she suppressed the wave of loud, noisy sobs that were threatening to spill out of her. She looked skeptical.
"Believe me, Mia," said Isaac forcefully. "It's okay to tell me. I don't care if you were in love with Alex or not. It doesn't matter. I love you as you are now."
Mia continued to stare at him for a minute. But after she saw that the sincerity on his face did not fade at all, she believed him. She put her arms around him and broke down completely, the held-back sobs breaking out of her with a vengeance.
"Shhh. Come on now, It's okay," said Isaac, as soothingly as he could muster. "It happened years ago. It doesn't matter anymore."
"B-but I've lived w-w-with it for four y-years," sobbed Mia. "That's o-one piece of my past I c-c-can't b-bear to l-live with!"
"Maybe telling us about it would help ease your pain," said a quiet, deep voice. It was Solaris. He came over and sat down on a boulder next to Isaac.
"How do you know about what I told Isaac?" questioned Mia, her swollen red eyes narrowed and searching.
"Your sobs and voice woke me up," said Solaris. "From what Lunora was telling all of us last night, I could pretty well guess why you were crying. So, I've come here to help."
"How?" asked Isaac, who had his arm around Mia's shoulder.
"I can use Sol to travel back in time," said Solaris. Isaac's and Mia's jaws dropped slightly.
"How? I mean, that's hard to believe," said Isaac, in a bewildered sort of voice.
"That's understandable," said Solaris flatly. "You don't know a lot about me yet. But I assure you, I can draw out the power of Sol to travel back in time."
"Like I said, how?" persisted Isaac, this time with curiosity.
"This is another concept that will take a little explaining," replied Solaris. "Hmm, where should I start . . .
"Sol has been around since the beginning of time. He helped create the four chief elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. Therefore, he has control over all four, and can do with them what he wishes. Since Sol has been around long enough to create these four elements, hence, embedding their powers within yourself, he knows about all, and can take those select few with a bit of his own power back through what he has seen and created. Also, he can take back those who wish to travel with a Sol Adept, in other words, yourselves," said Solaris.
"What about Luna?" asked Mia.
"Luna is a totally different story," said Solaris. "Sure, she controls how water moves, but Sol controls its quantity. Therefore, he can choose to dry up Mercury whenever it feels, which deprives Luna of her control."
"I see," said Isaac after a while. Mia looked like she understood what Solaris had said too.
"Of course, I can only do this if Mia is willing to show us," said Solaris, looking at Mia for her approval.
"What will happen if you mess up?" she asked.
"Sol does not make mistakes," said Solaris firmly. "Once I make this decision, and place my request of where to go, he will guide us through time safely and undetected. Actually, what I thought you would be concerned about most is whether or not you wish to share your past with us."
"I am concerned about that," said Mia. "But, I don't see why not, since you've heard enough already. Sure, let's go."
"Are you certain?" asked Solaris seriously. "Once you make this decision, and I take us back, we cannot come back until the memory is finished."
"I'm certain," replied Mia, giving a huge sigh. "Let's do this now, before I actually change my mind."
"Whoa, hold up," said Isaac, putting up his hands. "What about the others? Won't they see us?"
"Them?" said Solaris, nodding his head in the direction of Ivan, Lunora, and Garet. "Nah. They won't notice a thing."
"Okay guys. Let's hurry up," said Mia urgently. "I want to get this over with."
"Right," said Solaris. He grabbed Isaac's arm with his hand, and insisted that Isaac and Mia connect, to form a circle. Once Isaac held onto both Solaris and Mia, Solaris said something else. "Oh damn, I almost forgot. Where and when in time are we going back to?"
"Oh! Um, my house, exactly four years ago."
"Right," acknowledged Solaris, nodding his head. He then shut his eyes and screwed up his face. His thoughts echoed through Isaac's and Mia's minds. 'Oh eldest and powerful Sol, take us back to the time she has requested. Show us the memory she wants us to see.'
Instantly, a golden, sparkling light began to form in the center of the circle that was made up of Isaac, Mia, and Solaris. This light formed itself into a ball. Suddenly, flows of magical energy stemmed out of the ball, met each of the three and began to wind its way up their arms.
"Don't flinch," said Solaris, feeling Isaac and Mia wince slightly in surprise. "It is not harmful. You will not feel a thing except for a rushing feeling."
By this time, the energy had enveloped their whole bodies. They all began to glow brighter, the light flickering in brightness. It went from really bright to really dull, really fast. Then, the light glowed brilliantly, so they all had to shut their eyes tightly to avoid being temporarily blinded. Then, with a blinding flash and a rush of flames, Solaris, Isaac, and Mia disappeared . . .
Imil, four years ago . . .
Isaac, Solaris, and Mia suddenly appeared in a flash of light in a totally different place than in the cave. After looking around, Isaac saw that they were back in Imil, right on the front doorstep of a house, which he assumed was Mia's.
"Solaris . . . what the Hell is going on?" he whispered.
"Relax. This is Imil, four years ago, and we're outside Mia's front door. And why are you whispering? These people can neither see or hear us."
"So that's why everything is in black and white," said Mia.
"Correct. As far as we are concerned, we are nowhere. We are in a setting that does not exist, therefore-"
"Erm, Solaris, would you mind? I'm confused enough as it is," said Isaac.
"Oh, right. You will understand as we move on though," said Solaris. His next words were cut off by the front door opening.
"Mia, you stay here. We're going to look at some wood in Bilibin."
"That's my mom," said Mia. "The other man next to her is my dad, and that little girl in the back of the room there is me."
Isaac took this all in. Her mother looked almost identical to Mia, though her blue hair was considerably longer, as it fell down past her waist. Mia's father did not have long hair though. It fell down to his neck only. Alex's was twice as long as this. The young Mia spoke up.
"Okay mom, I'll keep my eye on the lighthouse."
"See you later." Her dad said this, and he and her mom kissed Young Mia's cheek before departing. Solaris had to take his arm and pull Isaac and Mia out of the way.
"Even if we are invisible to them, we are still solid," he said warningly. "They can run into us."
"Okay," replied Mia and Isaac. They then turned back to the door, which Young Mia had closed behind her parents.
"Let's go in," said Mia. "You won't understand anything if we're standing by the front door."
Solaris nodded, and Mia led him and Isaac through the front door of her house.
It was nice and warm inside. A fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, burning brightly, and illuminating the shiny hair of Young Mia, giving it a golden tint. To Isaac, this was breathtaking.
"Ah, another day alone. Oh well, I can find something to do."
The Young Mia got up from the cozy-looking armchair in which she was sitting, and walked across the room through another door. Mia, Isaac, and Solaris followed. They found themselves facing a set of narrow, rickety stairs. They heard footsteps above them.
"Come on. We need to follow me at all times," said Mia.
Isaac shook his head. This was just too weird. The wording of that statement was just too weird for him to respond to, so he just complied with what she said, and followed her up the stairs.
Mia led them to a room at the end of the short, narrow hallway on the second level of her house. They entered it and found Young Mia lying down on her bed, a book in her hand.
"That's my diary," said Mia. "Get up next to me, and read what I have written."
Solaris nodded, and Mia led the two guys up next to her past self. She had flipped to a page in her diary and was staring at it, apparently going over what she had written. Isaac craned his neck so he could read Mia's neat handwriting.
Dear Diary,
My fourteenth birthday was a few days ago, and I still haven't gotten used to the fact that I am turning into a young woman. What am I supposed to do? There are a lot of cute guys here, but I don't like their personalities. Oh well. I've got a lot of time to figure myself out, and what I want to do with my life. I can't ask my parents for advice. That would be stupid. What should I do?
"Maybe I'll go to the Mercury Lighthouse and figure this out."
Isaac, Mia, and Solaris jumped out of the way, careful not to hit anything, as Young Mia flung herself off her bed. She picked up the staff that was lying at the foot of her bed; Isaac recognized it as the Witch's Wand she possessed when she joined up with he, Garet, and Ivan. Young Mia then strode out of her room. Isaac, Mia, and Solaris followed.
They watched as she gathered up the clothes she would need to have to withstand the cold outside. She was just writing a note to her parents to explain where she had gone, in case she wasn't back by the time they got home, when she heard a knock on the door.
A bewildered expression dawned on her face. Clearly, she wasn't expecting anyone. It obviously wasn't her parents, since they had left only a short time ago. She finished the last few words of her note, and went to open the door.
"Must be someone with a cold."
But when she went to open the door, she found that it was not someone with a cold, for there stood Alex.
Alex looked almost the same here as when Isaac and friends fought him on top of the Jupiter Lighthouse. The only difference in him was his height. He had to be at least six inches shorter, but other than that, Isaac would not have been able to tell the difference between this Alex and the Present Alex. Again, Isaac got that weird feeling inside him that this was indeed too weird for words.
"Right then, I thought he was one of the best-looking men I had ever seen," explained Mia. "He was-"
But she silenced herself immediately, as Alex began to speak.
"Hello."
His voice was soft, smooth, and very pleasant, even four years ago. But, Isaac noticed that he had a look on his face that he had never seen there before. It was pure kindness; no cunning, no deception, no evil. Just an expression you would expect to find on any face.
"Hi, w-who are you?"
"Here, I'd hoped he didn't notice my stutter," said Mia. "I was still getting over the shock of seeing someone standing at my front door that I'd never seen before. And . . . I guess . . . I was also taking in how good he looked."
Isaac nodded. He noticed that the past Mia thought she had sounded rude, saying that to him. But Alex's mouth curled into a pleasant smile.
"Oh, that's right. How rude of me. My name is Alex. I come from the far south."
Alex extended his hand. Young Mia shook it, and blushed slightly. Isaac could tell that she was enjoying holding his hand, since she hesitated in letting it go.
"My name is Mia. Please, do come in."
Alex smiled at Young Mia and stepped into the house, and gave a sigh of content at the warmth of the room he was in.
"So, what brings you to Imil?"
"I've come to seek a new place to live. You see, my old girlfriend," Here, he blushed slightly, "Was expelled from Tundris, the town I come from. I couldn't stand to stay there when she wasn't. So, I left for here. And here I am!"
Here, he chuckled to himself, and Young Mia giggled.
"You can stay here if you want." Here, Young Mia went furiously red while Alex laughed.
"Oh no, I wouldn't presume to trouble you further. Actually, I already met some folks on my way here who offered me housing. They said they were on their way to Bilibin, if I remember right."
"Did you say Bilibin?!"
"Yes."
"Those are my parents!"
"Well! What do you know? It is a small world! How things work out for the better!"
"Here, I got this little voice in my head that wouldn't leave. It kept saying 'Yes! I might have a chance with him,'" said Mia.
Isaac heard, but didn't show any sign that he had done so. He was too keen on watching and listening to what was going on to say anything.
Young Mia had turned as red as a beet at these last words.
"Well . . . um . . . would you like for me to show you around?"
"Sure, why not? I think it would be a good idea for me to know my surroundings, don't you?"
Mia nodded, and they disappeared outside, talking and joking in a flurry of snow.
"Nothing good happens here. Solaris, if we could continue ahead until evening, please," said Mia in a defeated voice.
"Okay then," said Solaris, and in seconds, after the golden orb had enveloped them all with its brilliant light, they disappeared.
*******
When they materialized again, they found that night had fallen, and Young Mia, her mother and her father were seated around their table, sipping what appeared to be a chicken and rice soup. Mia nodded to show that this is where she wanted them to be. Suddenly her mother spoke up.
"So, did you happen to show Alex around at all?"
"Of course, mom. He and I talked a lot as well. He told me about his life in his old town, Tundris, from the far south."
"That's a good girl. Did you show him the Mercury Lighthouse?"
"Naturally. He was very interested when I told him that I was the guardian of it, and what it symbolized. So, I offered for him to help me. He didn't hesitate."
"Whoa, hold it," said Isaac. He looked at Mia. "You appointed him to his position?"
"Erm . . . yes," said Mia, her head bowed.
"Don't feel so bad about it," said Isaac quickly, knowing that he sounded accusing when he asked her his question. "I was just curious."
"I do feel bad about it though," said Mia. "That's the reason he left me. Not that I regret that we're together," she added quickly, but Isaac shook his head dismissively, inviting her to finish what she had started to say. "But if I hadn't appointed him a guardian too, he wouldn't have left for Prox, and he would not have become the evil man he is now."
"Oh, I see. So you feel that-"
"Quiet," said Solaris. "Your father's speaking, Mia."
"So, you've got a handsome young man to help you eh?"
"Dad!" Young Mia went red again here.
"Solaris, we need to go forward again, until Sol is not in the sky," said Mia.
Solaris nodded, and the process that took them forward in time occurred again.
*******
They arrived in the same place they had left, Mia's kitchen. It normally would have been pitch-black inside, but Luna shone brightly and illuminated faintly the walls of Mia's house. A light shone through a crack in a door in front of them.
"Let's go to my room. That's where we need to be," said Mia.
"Okay," said Isaac, and he led the way up the stairs to Mia's room. He entered, and Mia and Solaris followed.
Young Mia was once again lying down on her bed, and once again, she had her diary in hand, and was now writing in it, a faint scratching sound coming from the quill she was using. Mia, Isaac, and Solaris didn't have to wait long for her to finish. Then, they leaned in to read what Young Mia had just read.
Hey! Me again. Today was downright weird. I was going to go to the Mercury Lighthouse, but then a boy turned up at my door. His name was Alex. He's really good-looking, too! Anyway, what's more, he's going to live with us! I might have a change to get him, even though he just had a girlfriend. Oh well, I'm sure he'll forget about her soon, and then I'll have a chance at him. I have to sleep now. I'm really tired.
Isaac had just finished reading the last sentence when there was a knock on Mia's bedroom door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Alex entered the room, smiling at Young Mia's pleased expression. He closed the door and sat down at the foot of her bed.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Hey Alex. Is something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to thank you for showing me around today, it really helped me get used to this place."
Young Mia blushed again. Isaac guessed that it must have been her 20th time that day. He could tell even though he was seeing this memory through black and white.
"You are more than welcome."
Alex smiled at her warmly, nodded his head and left the room. Young Mia continued to stare at the door for a long time afterward.
"By this time, I was sure I was in love with this man," said Mia, disgust in her voice. "I was in love with a man I'd known for 10 hours at most. I later learned that I made my judgment way too early."
Isaac did not reply. He had to still concentrate to understand what he was seeing and hearing. He knew that Mia could not have known what Alex would become, but he secretly agreed fully with her when she said that she made her judgment too early.
"Solaris, we must go forward again. Two months and one week forward, in the dead of night, by the lighthouse," said Mia. "Nothing happens until then, except that I became more sure of my feeling toward Alex."
"Okay," said Solaris. Soon after they disappeared from this point in time again.
*******
The first thing that Isaac noticed when they materialized again was that it was extremely cold. The reason was evident when he looked up at the night sky. It was totally clear out, the stars twinkled down on them with such brightness that they actually illuminated the ground slightly. He looked ahead, and saw a tall, looming structure in front of him, which he guessed to be the Mercury lighthouse. They then heard voices speak.
"I'm sorry you lost your old girlfriend, Alex."
"That's okay. It was a while ago. I have to look to the good thing I have now."
"So, you're over her?"
"Almost, but not entirely. Like I said, I have one good thing to look to now."
"And what would that be?"
Isaac saw Young Mia and Alex sitting at the base of Mercury Lighthouse, on the front steps. Young Mia, not looking as young anymore, was holding her breath, waiting for Alex's next words. She wasn't in vain, either.
"You."
"You're kidding right? I mean, what would anyone see in me?"
"Mia, you need to know something. I've been here for little more than two months, and I already see what people here appreciate in you. You're kind, caring, and not to mention good-looking. I think that's enough you satisfy any guy who loves you."
"So . . . what are you saying? That you love me?"
"I think I've made that perfectly clear now, haven't I? Or maybe this will help."
And with this, he leaned forward and kissed Young Mia straight on the lips. Isaac could see the look of mixed surprise and delight on her face, and then she started to return the kiss. Holding Alex tightly to her, she did not let go until Alex did.
Isaac watched, three emotions running through his mind. One was that he was feeling hatred towards Alex for leaving her, one was happiness for Young Mia at the pleasure she was getting, and the third was slight anger at Young Mia for not knowing that Alex would betray her. However, his anger quickly subsided as he realized that it was not her fault; it was Alex's.
"That first kiss was more pure to me than all healing waters put together. Of course that kiss turned out to be the bane of my bane of my life . . . and the many that followed . . ."
Mia was shaking her head in disgust. She looked over at Isaac to see his expression, but there was only one of mixed emotions on his face. So many in fact, that she could not figure them out by herself.
"Isaac, are you okay? Do you want to quit here, and I'll just tell you about the rest back in the cave?"
"No, Mia. I'm fine. It's just hard to see this, when we know that he would not return the same feelings you had towards him."
"Are you sure you don't want to quit?" she persisted.
"Yes, I'm sure. I've seen this much already, why quit here? Besides, I think you showing it to us will also help you let go."
"Isaac, that's why I love you. You care about me and my feelings, even if they are about another man I was in love with," she said, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. Solaris watched all this with amusement.
"I'm sorry to cut you guys off, but Mia, is there anything else you wish to show us?"
Mia did not answer directly. "I have to explain something first. Alex and I grew closer over the following weeks, and soon, we were not to be seen out of sight of each other. It became common knowledge that Alex and me were now a perfect couple Or so it seemed at the time . . .
"Alex and I were together for about 11 months. I still can't deny it . . . those 11 months were some of the best in my life. However, he left me . . . on Christmas Eve. He went to some town called Prox."
"Are you saying we should head to that night?" asked Solaris tentatively.
" . . . Yes," said Mia. "This whole thing I'm showing you would not be complete if we stopped here."
"Fine, then, to Christmas Eve we go!" said Solaris, and in a few seconds, Isaac, Mia and Solaris faded into nothingness. Alex and Young Mia were still kissing on the steps of Mercury Lighthouse, even after Isaac, Mia, and Solaris left . . .
*******
Christmas spirit was in the air. It was all Isaac noticed as he reappeared in front of Mia's house. Candles were lit inside the windows of the house, a sign that told strangers that this was a place for lost or homeless travelers to get out of the cold. Mia suddenly opened the door and gestured for them to come inside.
Isaac saw Mia's parents as soon as he entered the house, stringing the walls with greenery. Mistletoe hung everywhere. Normally, Isaac would have wanted to step under it with Mia, but things needed to be done.
"I am upstairs in my room right now . . . um . . . just come on upstairs," said Mia slowly.
Hesitantly, Solaris and Isaac followed Mia through the small door and up the stairs to her room. She put her hand on the doorknob.
"I can't entirely remember what I was doing right now," said Mia.
She opened the door, to find Young Mia, looking more like the present Mia, lying down on her bed with Alex, who had her in his arms. They were kissing each other passionately.
"Oh that's right. Now I remember," said Mia, backing out of her room suddenly. She tried to shield Isaac from coming in, but too late.
"Whoa!" Isaac said, putting up his hands and backing out the door. Then to Mia's surprise, she detected a bit of humor in his voice. "I get the idea, Mia." He said this in a hi-pitched voice, unlike his own.
"You're not upset then?" said Mia.
"Hell no, why should I be? Like I said it was . . . what is it now . . . three years ago? It doesn't matter. Looks like you were having fun though," he said, a slight smirk curling his lips. Mia smiled.
"It was fun, yes," said Mia, and then her face fell. "But, it would be the last time we'd-"
"Mia! Alex! The turkey's ready!"
"Okay mom, be right there!"
"Yeah, mom, we'll be down in a minute!"
Young Mia grinned at him and kissed him hard on the lips before putting her arm around his shoulder and leading him downstairs.
"C'mon," said Mia. "We need to see this. And no, Isaac, it's okay to watch."
"I never said anything," said Isaac, looking politely bemused, his voice now back to normal.
Mia caressed his cheek. "I know you didn't, but your expression did. Tell me something, Mr. Isaac . . . are you jealous?"
"Where's the bathroom?" said Solaris, wanting to escape the wave of romance that he knew was about to come. Mia pointed to a door to his left, and Solaris disappeared behind it.
"What were you saying Mia . . . am I jealous? No, I'm not. Not at all," said Isaac truthfully.
"Yes you are," she said playfully. "I can help you with that."
She nodded up at the ceiling, and to Isaac's slight surprise, he found himself standing straight under a particularly large sprig of mistletoe. In an instant, he felt Mia's soft, warm lips pressed hard against his own. Isaac returned it fervently, his hands caressing Mia's back. After a minute or so, she pulled away, smiling at him serenely.
"So, did that help?"
"Well . . . it was enjoyable, yes. But I wasn't jealous," said Isaac, smiling back at her.
"That's okay," said Mia. "But, we have to continue now. Please get Solaris out of the bathroom."
Isaac nodded and knocked on the bathroom door. Solaris reappeared, a smirk on his face. Isaac now knew the real reason he had went into the bathroom, but he overlooked it for now.
"Come on. We need to go downstairs," said Isaac.
"Right. Let's go," said Solaris, the smirk still on his face. 'Isaac must have enjoyed that,' he thought. Even though he was in the bathroom, the door couldn't block out their voices, so he knew exactly what happened. He looked up suddenly, and found that they were already in Mia's kitchen.
Alex, Young Mia, and Mia's mother and father were seated around the table, two red candles burning on either side of an enormous, golden-brown roast turkey. A dish of salad and of mashed potatoes were on the other two sides of the turkey. Tall, green bottles of cider were on opposite sides of the table too. Mia's dad suddenly spoke.
"Well, what are you two waiting for? Dig in, before it all gets cold!"
Alex grabbed the large knife and tongs and started cutting off slices of the turkey. Steam wafted into the air above it, and Isaac was greeted by the strong smell of honey. Alex set the first slice of turkey onto Young Mia's plate.
"It reminds me of you Mia. This one has the most honey. You are my honey."
"Oh Alex, you're such a sweet-talker."
"No Mia, I meant it."
Young Mia grinned at him and took the knife and tongs from Alex's hands. She then cut off the leg and put it onto Alex's plate.
"Alex this is my favorite part of a turkey. It reminds me of you, the favorite part of my life."
"Awwww . . . wasn't that sweet of me?" said Mia sardonically. She then snorted loudly. "Snogging with a traitor."
Isaac gave her a reproachful look at these words, but he didn't say anything. He didn't know why Mia was being so hard on herself . . . there was no way she could have known that Alex would be leaving her soon, and betraying the Mercury Clan.
Alex, after Young Mia said these loving words to him, smiled and took her hand as Mia's dad offered them a cider bottle. Alex took it and poured each of them a half-full glass. Mia's dad then raised his own glass.
"To Alex and Mia, the most perfect couple I've seen in a good long time."
"Cheers!"
Everyone said this, and there was the sound of clanking glass. Young Mia and Alex kissed passionately while Mia's mom and dad drank to them.
"Okay, I've had enough of myself," said Mia, disgust evident on her face and in her voice. She whipped around, facing the front door. "I can remember everything about this anyway. I'm going outside to throw snowballs at something. Call me back in when my mother mentions the mail."
"Okay," said Solaris, as Mia opened the door and strode out, slamming the door behind her.
Everyone at the table by now had started dishing themselves salad and mashed potatoes. A gravy boat was next to the potatoes, and everyone drowned the potatoes, and began to eat. Alex spoke the first words of approval.
"Mmmm! This is very good!"
"Yes, mom, delicious! Everything! Thank you."
"You're more than welcome. This is a special night."
Alex and Young Mia looked at each other, grinning. They both felt the romance and the Christmas spirit thick in the air, and they could help but grin. Meanwhile, Solaris and Isaac had sat down in a couple of those comfy armchairs by the still blazing fire.
"Solaris, why is Mia so upset with herself?" asked Isaac. "Why can't she just let it go?"
"Put yourself in her shoes," said Solaris, resting his chin on his hands. "She had a passionate relationship with Alex, who left her. That's not what bothers her so much. What bothers her is now that she is with you, she feels guilty about having been with Alex.
"She still doesn't know what to think right now. But, I think that after she has shown you this, that will fade away, and she will be able to devote herself fully to you, instead of Alex. She needs time to heal, that's all, and people react to healing in different ways. Do you understand now, Isaac?"
It took a few minutes for Isaac to reply to what Solaris explained to him. "Yes, I do," he said finally. "How do you know all this?"
"Lunora went through the same dilemma that Mia is going through with Alex," said Solaris simply. "And she told me all about it. This to me is just a recurrence of what I've seen before."
Isaac believed him. What Solaris had told him made sense. But he was slightly perturbed by the fact that Mia still thought about Alex . . . oh well. If what Solaris had said was true, and he was sure it is, then Mia would not feel anything for him by the time this was over.
"Thanks for telling me that," Isaac finished. "It really helped me understand-"
"Oh, that reminds me, we got lots of mail today!"
"Really mom? Anything for us?"
Isaac jumped out of his chair and raced for the front door as soon as he heard the word mail. Opening it, he was greeted by a strong blast of cold, though not as strong as what he trekked through at Tundaria. In a second, he spotted Mia hurling snowballs at the frozen river. She was a very good aim, and could hit rocks that were the size of gold coins dead center.
"Mia!" he shouted. She stopped, nodded, and ran back towards the house.
She entered, her face red and her gloves icy. Isaac looked at her for a minute. Then, he saw that she was nodding her head at the dinner table, signaling for them to listen and watch what would happen next. Mia's mom started sorting out the pile of letters next to her.
"Let's see . . . me . . . Dad . . . me . . . me . . . dad . . . dad . . .Alex! Here's something for you."
"Okay. Could you hand it to me? I can't reach the pile."
"It's good that you got mail, Alex."
"I don't understand it though, Mia. I mean, who would write to me that I know of?"
Alex looked utterly perplexed, and he started to rip open the envelope. A small piece of paper with neatly printed handwriting fell out. He picked it up, and started to read. His lips moved silently as he read. His expression went from nonplused to thoughtfulness, and then resolve. It was a stony-faced resolve though, and the romance in the atmosphere seemed to flicker and die. Young Mia was looking at him, concerned.
"What's wrong, Alex?"
"Nothing. Nothing whatsoever."
"Yes, there is. You went from all cheerful to looking angry."
"Mia, there is nothing wrong at all. I just have to think."
"Can I see the letter?"
"No. The person who wrote it asked me to show it to nobody else."
"Who wrote it?"
"I don't know. And please, Mia. Stop asking questions. You will know all soon enough."
And with that, Alex got up from his chair, thanked Mia's parents for dinner, and exited from the room up the stairs. Young Mia looked worried and confused.
"Mom, do you think I should-"
"No Mia. Leave him be for now. He will tell you when he is ready."
"Dad, do you think he's angry with me?"
"No, not at all Mia. He just needs time. Respect him enough to give him the time he needs."
"Okay Solaris. One more time jump, and we'll be ready to return to the cave," said Mia.
"Where to?" asked Solaris quietly.
"Christmas Morning, at the crack of dawn, in my room," said Mia.
"What happens then?" asked Isaac, but Solaris glared at him.
"You will find out soon enough," he said. Ane he transported them to Mia's requested time.
*******
They materialized in a few seconds. Mia's room was bathed in the orange glow of the rising sun. Isaac looked around. Mia was asleep, a small smile on her face. The side of the bed next to her had the covers to the near end, and it looked like someone had been sleeping there. A faint groan came from Young Mia, and she put her arm across the other side of the bed. When she felt nobody there, her eyes snapped open.
"Alex?"
She looked around. There was no sign of him. The possessions of his that Isaac had seen in her room the day before were now gone.
"Alex? Where are you?"
She then looked to his night-stand. A piece of paper lay upon it, written by who Isaac assumed to be Alex. Young Mia picked it up and started to read. Tears welled in her eyes as she did so. When she finished, she dropped the piece of paper, and ran out of the room, sobbing. Mia was smirking at her past self.
"Oh no," she said falsely, still smirking. "I just read a letter by a man who I could not see was to betray me. Come on, let's read it guys! It'll give me a laugh."
"I think she's starting to forget about him," whispered Isaac to Solaris. Solaris nodded, smiling slightly.
"What are you waiting for? My tears to dry? Go on . . . read it!" said Mia, her smirk still evident.
Isaac complied with her wish and bent down to read what was written on the tear-stained paper.
Mia,
Some very important news has reached me here, of which I cannot ignore. I had to leave immediately. I cannot say where. It might give something away. I'm so sorry sweetie, but I had to leave to fill an empty space in my life.
I know I will regret leaving you like this, kind and beautiful as you are. But this was a choice, like I said, that I felt I had to make. You will understand why in time.
When you see me again, which will not be for a few years, I will be a changed man, unrecognizable from who you once knew to be Alex. And it is probable that you will not like the change in me.
I have my reasons for leaving Imil. These reasons I feel you would not understand right now. You will know all, however, as time passes. Again, I'm so sorry I left you like this. Good luck in your future, wherever it may take you.
All my love to you,
Alex
"That's it," sighed Mia. "That's all I wish to show you. We can return to the cave."
"Right, then," said Solaris. He concentrated, called Sol, and the golden light soon wrapped itself around their arms. They were going back . . .
Tundris Cave, present . . .
They materialized right where they left. It appeared that time did not pass while they were gone. Garet, Ivan, and Lunora were all still asleep, the fire was still blazing, orange shadows dancing on the walls.
Isaac and Mia instantly crawled into their blankets; both were exhausted by the events that had just occurred. Solaris, however, came next to Isaac and sat down on a rock. Mia suddenly spoke up.
"So that's it. He left me. I later found out that he went to Prox and became part of the team that organized the plans for lighting all of the elemental lighthouses. I realized all this on top of the Mercury Lighthouse. This was more important to him than me. Power. That's all he wants," said Mia sourly.
"Wow," was all Isaac could say. An awkward silence followed. After a few minutes, Solaris spoke up.
"So Mia, do you feel better now that you've talked about it?"
"Much," said Mia, smiling at Solaris, and squeezing Isaac's hand. "Thank you, Solaris."
"Anytime you need to talk, feel free to ask for help from me," he said seriously.
"I will do that. Thanks again," said Mia. Solaris then walked away and got under his blanket. His soft snores could soon be heard reverberating around the room, along with Garet's occasional hog-like snores.
With the exception of the snoring and the crackling of the fire, no other noises penetrated the air around them for at least five minutes. Isaac suddenly heard Mia call out to him.
"Isaac? Are you still awake?"
"Yeah."
"What do you think about the last scene I showed you? Do you think me weak?"
"Not at all, Mia. You must have been devastated by all that. I would've been."
"I was. But now that I've shown this to you, and now that I have you, that has worn off entirely."
"I'm glad," said Isaac, scooting closer to Mia. "Now, I have a question for you."
"What?"
"When did you start to fall in love with me?"
"Isaac, you have no idea. I've loved you ever since I found out about your loss in Vale. I figured that you would relate to my situation if I ever told you."
"I would have, and I did," said Isaac, scooting closer. "I felt like you did when I lost my dad. I would have asked you to tell me, but I was too worried that you would be upset with me, or think that I was nosy."
"Isaac, I would never be upset with you," said Mia, putting her hand on his face. "Look at me."
Isaac turned his head to face his girlfriend. They were now so close that one breath ruffled the other's hair slightly. She looked somehow stronger than she was before she showed Isaac her worst memories.
She put her other hand on the other side of his face, and pulled him in for a kiss. Isaac grabbed her and pulled her in close to him, and started running his hands up and down her back, and through her hair. She let out a slight moan of pleasure as Isaac kissed harder. Mia's hand was up Isaac's shirt and was moving across his torso region. The healing process was over.
Had Isaac and Mia been more attentive, and not focused so much on their kissing and rubbing and all that, they would have noticed that the absence of Garet's occasional snores meant that they now were not the only ones lying awake.
***********************
I did not particularly enjoy typing up this chapter when I did, but it was necessary to the storyline. If you thought it was too sappy, I apologize, but . . . well . . . I don't know. Try to give me the benefit of the doubt, okay?
And review it! The geckos liked the reviews for chapter seven, and they want ones similar to it! And so do I for that matter . . .