Hero

"I can feel you Felix, be a good boy now."

Felix looked up at the clouds, his mind was racing and his skin was tingling. She was making the situation unbearable for him. He couldn't help but selfishly wonder what would happen to him after everything was over. No matter the winner, things didn't look good. The witch had no island for him, everyone else wouldn't want to go near him. He was stuck in the middle of the ocean. Of course, that was if she let him live. He vaguely recalled being able to fly. Perhaps if he was allowed to live he could fly to land. But he had no home and no family. He wasn't even sure how many years it had been since he had lived amongst people. But the big question was if.

"Let's get on, shall we?"

The clouds morphed into the face again. Despite everything, she was acting as if he were on her side; still talking to him in his head. He felt conflicted in himself. He wasn't on her side, and yet he was. In his heart he knew he was never with her. It's why she had to start taking over his body to get jobs done. But in his mind, he knew as long as she considered him on her side, he was. Whether he liked it or not. He was one hundred per cent under her control. As she had previously said, she needed someone to give her power to in order to keep it. Someone she could control so she didn't lose it completely. He was just the fool that took the bribe.

His self-depreciating thoughts were brought to a crashing end as more clouds covered the skies, swirling and lowering downwards. They slowly morphed into an outstretched hand that began moving towards the ship. People scrambled, running this way and that. Felix bit his lip, clutching hold of the railing again. They were trapped. Felix would have nightmares about situations like this. The witch causing havoc right before him, and all he could do was stand helplessly and watch.

"Who shall we pick first?" the witch was speaking out loud again, though her voice still echoed around in his head, he could vaguely feel her laughter.

Felix shook his head, he squeezed his eyes closed. Flatly humming to himself, trying to drown out the noise. Perhaps there was something he could do. He knew so much magic. He had read countless books, experimented so many times. She had made his destructive magic useless. She allowed him to destroy the island to fool him, to get him on the boat, to gain their trust. Make them feel like they were safe. He shook his head once again, trying to focus. She had a lot riding on this plan succeeding. The island was her home too, it was a big magic source for her. Without it she was weaker. But if she succeeded she'd gain her reputation back. Pay back her debts. Get her magic back. She needed this. He opened his eyes once again, he couldn't think of a way she'd fail.

He sucked in a breath as the hand grew closer to the people. It soon became apparent who the witch was aiming for as the Princess Elena clutched hold of Arthur. They held onto each other, the princess screaming. Though he didn't look like much of a king, Arthur stood bravely, he didn't cower. He held onto the princess, though it was no use. The wispy cloud fingers took a hold of Elena's tiny waist and pulled her feet from the ground.

"Arthur!" she screeched. They latched hold of each other's hands. Others began running towards them to help. Felix shook his head, there was nothing they could do. Just a small tug from the cloud pulled the princess from the king's grasp. Felix watched with a grim expressed as Elena fought against the witch to no avail. Though the witch didn't pull her up into the clouds, as Felix expected, nor did she crush her. The hand paused, the princess was away from the reach of the ship, hovering over the ocean.

"Say goodbye to your Queen," the witch laughed. The clouds spiralled again, the face vanishing. With it, the hand began dissipating too. Elena dropped, screaming as she fell into the waves which were getting rougher.

Felix found himself rushing to the edge of the ship with others who were keen to help. Arthur was yelling for ropes, for floats, for anything that would help her. But nothing they threw could reach. The princess flailed in the sea, being dragged under, resurfacing, yelling for help, only for the cycle to repeat itself. Felix glared at the clouds, the witch was going to pick them off one by one, making the rest watch, unable to help. It was cruel beyond imagination. It was revenge for things none of them were a part of, just because they inherited a kingdom she once held.

His eyes trailed to Arthur. He was defeated. While others still called for her, he stood, head hung, shoulders slumped. He didn't look heartbroken by any measure, the witch had overestimated their relationship. But he was guilty. Felix looked back out to the girl, who had finally lost her voice. He watched her surface again, gasp for a breath only for it to be cut off. His eyes turned to the sky once more. After this, the witch wouldn't need him, not at all. He expected she'd either make him fall with everyone else on the boat, or she'd leave him homeless. She didn't really care about someone who defied her at every turn. But they, he looked to the royal family, perhaps they would be grateful if he helped. If by any sudden turn of events, they did win. He would be trusted if he showed an allegiance to them, more than just words.

Felix stared at the waves where the princess no longer appeared. He could save her. He was the one with the most experience dragging people out of the ocean after all. He briefly reminded himself that the witch would only come back and do it again. It would be futile, delaying the inevitable. But he shook his head, if there was hope he had to grasp at it. It's all he had done for many years. Holding his hands out, Felix tried to summon the strength to bring her out of the ocean. Though his hands were shaking terribly. He couldn't hold his focus for long enough. He dropped his arms again, looking sheepishly around him. His eyes then met Shrek's. Felix remembered their conversation-

He could fly.

The boy didn't think for much longer. He backpedalled away from the railing of the ship, kicking off his shoes and removing his tunic. There was no time to practice. He ran as fast as he could towards the edge and leapt over the railing, using his hands to propel himself over. Giving a startled yelp he found himself falling. He quickly kicked his legs out, pushing himself off the edge of the ship. He squeezed his eyes shut, expecting to hit the water and end up in the same predicament as the princess. But the only water he felt was the ocean spray hitting his face and torso. Felix opened his eyes, he was flying just above the water's surface. His face broke out into a grin, though, not for long. A wave almost came crashing down right on top of him. He jerked away to avoid it, finding his flight followed his body cues. The sudden movement almost made him lose control, he got dangerously close to falling. Felix closed his eyes again, lifting his head upward. Soon, the feeling of the ocean spray left him. He opened his eyes again, he was gaining height. He smiled once more. The wind was whipping around him, he almost felt free. Almost. A shout from the ship brought his thoughts back to the task at hand. Narrowing his eyes, he focused on where he needed to be - where the princess had disappeared under the waves – and his body followed.

Finally, he took a breath and dived from the air into the ocean. Keeping his eyes open in the salty water made them sting. He inwardly cursed himself for not casting a spell to make things easier. He blundered around for a short while before he spotted her. She was floating lifelessly downwards, an arm still extended. He broke the surface to take another breath and immediately swam after her. Her dress was dragging her down, he silently thanked the removal of his own tunic. It made him faster. He managed to clasp hold of her hand, pulling her towards him. Though as he did, a sharp pain entered his head. It caught him by surprise and he yelped, almost taking in a breath. The witch knew what he was doing. He held fast onto the princess, pulling her upwards, so he could wrap his arms around her waist. Felix swam upwards as fast as he could, his lungs screaming for air, head pounding.

Just as he thought his lungs would give out he broke the surface, gasping for a breath before he went back under. He adjusted his grip on the princess, ignoring the screaming pain in his head. Her dress was heavy, if she wasn't a princess he might have tried to undress her. But she was, and he couldn't. He tried with all his might to bring her up to the surface. A wave rolled over him just as he tried to take a breath. He could feel his body trying to choke as he found himself underwater again. He realised with growing urgency that the unconscious girl in his arms needed air. He had to fly again, but he didn't have the momentum. He lifted his head above the surface, trying to simultaneously swim with the waves and rest the princess's head on his shoulder. Another big wave rolled towards him, he took a deep breath, closing his burning eyes. He tried to still everything in his mind despite the pain, he thought of the ocean spray on his face and his chest, the way the wind felt around him in the air. Finally, Felix kicked his legs, pushing himself upwards, and he sprung up from the water, leaving it completely.

The movement made the princess splutter in his arms, even though she wasn't conscious, it meant she was alive. That's all he needed. Before the witch started taking over his body, it was his job to drag the guests out of the ocean and into the island. Many of them were unconscious. He knew what to do. He threw her over his shoulder, it made her cough and splutter more, clearing her airways. He then readjusted her in his arms, cradling her rather than holding her against his chest. He became aware of everyone on the boat watching. He didn't want to give off the wrong impression. Especially not to the king who seemed to be the most important person aboard.

Flying was difficult with the increased weight in his arms, but he managed to slowly to advance towards the ship.

"Felix!"

He cringed, halting his movement, the pain in his head became dizzying. He had to concentrate on keeping hold of the girl. After gathering himself, he ignored the echoing in his head and kept moving.

"Felix... I don't think that's a very good idea now."

"I don't think killing all of these innocent people is a good idea," he mumbled back.

"Innocent?"

The pain in his head got worse still, he dropped in the air a little before regaining control. He screwed his face up, clenching his teeth, "Stop doing this."

The pain dulled a little, he breathed his relief. Though the wind whipped around him faster. Taking an anxious glance to the ship and many faces watching, he decided perhaps it was best to hold the princess closer, lest risk her falling again. He held her against him.

"Look at you," she laughed, "Rescuing a princess, who do you think you are?"

He continued his steady flight back to the boat. Everyone was watching him. They had been cheering. Now they were silent. They couldn't hear her. They had no idea what he was doing pausing in the air.

"They won't accept you, Felix. We're together, you know that."

Felix almost wanted to laugh, but he couldn't. He knew she liked him, but he never thought she'd beg for him.

"I'm not begging for you."

He scowled, "Get out of my thoughts."

"I'm trying to make you come to your senses, my dear. You're only making things worse for yourself, and them."

It was enough to give him pause. He was delaying the inevitable, giving them false hope... again.

"That's right. Just drop her. She's almost gone. I can feel her life draining away like sand through my fingertips. Can't you?"

And suddenly she was sand. He looked down in horror, Elena's body was dissolving away. The grains running over his arms, sliding down his chest, all into the waiting ocean below. He panicked, losing the flight he once held, dropping closer to the waves. "No," he spoke desperately, catching himself before he hit the water. The burning increased in his eyes as tears threatened to fall. He tried to clutch onto the sand that was still running through his hands. And that's when he heard her splutter and whimper. Felix gasped, he squeezed his eyes closed, "Stop, stop, stop!" he rose his voice. He took sharp, haggard breaths until he could feel her body in his arms again. It wasn't real. The feeling of the sand clinging to his skin faded away. He focused on what her skirt fluttering against him felt like, her raspy breath on his shoulder blade. He opened his eyes, looking down at her. His eyes were immediately drawn to the indentation of his fingers in her dress, where he'd held onto her so tight. He'd hurt her, she'd bruise. He felt the panic rising within him again, he lowered closer still to the waves. He'd hurt her.

She coughed again, choking, "W-what..." she spoke. He felt her hand press against his back. He gasped, no, he thought to himself, steadying his breathing, he'd saved her life.

He looked upwards, flying higher. Her grip grew stronger, she put her other arm around his neck. She was still coughing. He had to get her back to the ship.

"If you want to play the hero, Felix, that's fine by me," the witch's voice was blunt. The sharp pain in his head increased yet again, "Go ahead. Betray me."

Lightening flashed in the sky. The urgency swept over him. He began to lean towards the ship, flying as fast as he could. Elena's hold tightened, clinging onto his skin. Her grip helped him balance himself a little more. She was still weak but he was less likely to drop her. Though, just as he was gaining confidence, clouds began forming around him. Elena then screamed. He hesitated a little to look back. The hand formation had appeared again behind him. He could hear people shouting for him on the ship. He began racing forward, Elena lifted her head from his shoulder to look around them. "We're flying?" she spoke fearfully.

"Yes," he managed to respond.

Though she looked up and screamed again, "Look out!"

He stopped abruptly as lightening flashed right in front of him. Taking a glance back, the hand was advancing towards them faster. He felt Elena go limp in his arms once again, the sudden weight of her lulling against him pulling them downwards a little. He ducked and dodged around, trying to get back on his path towards the ship, gaining speed. The situation proving too much for Elena's fragile consciousness.

His heart was pounding in his chest, breathing quickly. He had no idea what his plan was, so far he had: stay alive and get the princess back to the ship. After that was anyone's guess. He didn't have much capacity to think about it. Chances are there would be consequences. He could only hope the worst was directed at him. Finally, he feet touched the wooden deck of the ship. The speed at which he was flying made him have to run a little before he slowed to a stop. He looked behind him once again, the hand was coming at him fast. He allowed the time to pass Elena onto Arthur, before turning. He took a couple of defiant steps towards her, stood tall, chest proud. He threw an arm out, palm outstretched towards the clouds that almost reached him. "STOP," he yelled.

And... She did.

The hand paused abruptly. The pain in his head suddenly disappearing, the contrast almost made him dizzy. The clouds faded, as quickly as they had formed. Felix took a shuddering breath. Though he had no time to register his shock. He whirled around, taking Elena back out of Artie's arms. The king tried to hold onto her, but Felix shook him away. He gently laid the girl on the deck, rolling her onto her side, hitting her back several times. She had spoken to him in the air, but he wanted to make sure. Though she was conscious before, she didn't stop coughing.

"Be careful," Arthur was hovering over him. Felix ignored his words.

Finally the girl's eyes flew open, she resumed her choking. She threw a hand to her chest. Felix felt the relief rush over him. She had lost her shoes and tiara, but otherwise, she was okay. He began to shudder as he processed what happened. It was unexpected, that was for sure. Chasing him, trying to catch him, no, that was very expected. But when she listened to him, it was odd. He looked to the sky, breathing hard, he felt winded.

Arthur fell to his knees, he looked like he wanted to touch her arm, or hug her, but he was frozen in his advances. "Are you okay?" he asked instead.

She took a deep breath, "I... I think so," she spoke softly. She allowed him to help her into a sitting position. Though as he touched her arm she winced, "Ow!"

Artie's hand shot away from her, "Are you hurt?"

Her brow knitted, "I'm bruised."

Felix's eyes widened as the realisation hit him, "I'm so sorry, I held onto you too hard, I-"

"It's okay," she dropped her hand from where she held her injury, her eyes softening as she looked into his. Her gaze then dropped to his shoulder. There were nail marks cut into his skin, "An eye for an eye?" she smiled.

Just as she mentioned it, he began to feel the stinging, he felt it on his back too. Though he didn't blame her. "You're a princess, I shouldn't have hurt you," he bit his lip. Many people would be punished for such a thing. He was just a nobody, and in some way responsible for everything that was going on.

"You're my saviour," her eyes were on his, despite everything they appeared to be sparkling.

Felix smiled at her, though he could feel Arthur's glare burning into him. The panic grew over him again, "Nonsense," he shook off her compliment, "I just did what I had to," he gestured to Arthur, drawing him back into her attention, "For the King, of course."

Elena looked to the person in question, he was concerned, ever so concerned for her. "Of course," her tone was odd, "For King Arthur."

"I was so worried, we tried everything," Arthur spoke quickly, almost as a way of an explanation.

"Thank you," she nodded at him.

Felix stood as people began offering her blankets to warm herself with. He figured he had done his part anyway. The smile returned to his lips as he picked his tunic up off of the ground. He had actually saved someone for once. He pulled the clothing over his head, though his smile froze as he began to feel sick. He could suddenly feel the echo of her presence in his head again.

"Did you have fun?"

He felt the heat creeping over him. He took slow, shuddery breaths. No one else noticed him. They were too focused on the princess, or each other.

"Did you like being the hero, Felix?"

He gulped, trying to swallow down the knot in his throat that was almost making it impossible to breathe.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Sweat formed in beads on his forehead. He wiped them away with a shaking hand. The sick feeling in his stomach began crawling up into his throat.

"You're welcome. I let you have it."

The ringing grew in his ears, until it was all he could hear. All except her voice.

"You know, I was going to keep the worst part for myself."

He staggered backwards, unable to keep his footing, until his hands met the safety of the railing. He clung onto it. His body shaking.

"But seeing as you're stealing all of my thunder, why stop you?"

The black spots danced in front of his eyes, clouding his vision. All he knew was the railing he held and his slow, shuddering breaths. And of course, her.

"I'll let you have this too."