Disclaimer: I do not own Golden Sun...

A/N: I was spoiling you, wasn't I? With all those long chapters. This one is another short one, but don't worry! The next one'll be longer.

I used my Retreat Psynergy to leave Kolima Forest, and I raced to the barricade. I pushed the box out of the way and dashed by. We had to get there quickly.

"Isaac!" Garet called, struggling to keep up. "Slow down!"

Ivan started running. I could hear him scampering towards me.

"Wait up!" Ivan shouted. "Isaac!"

Finally, I had to take a break.

"What was that about?" asked Garet, confused.

"Mercury...Lighthouse." I panted. "They...could...be...lighting...it...right...now..."

I started running again, flying across the land. A bridge.

I had to slow down when I ran into some undead, and Ivan and Garet caught up quickly.

Gust flew at one while I caught my breath, then choked out, "Flint!"
Venus hurt the enemies badly, and one collapsed. Garet cremated the remaining one, and I dashed ahead again.

Another bridge.

Two rats and a bat, but the two rats appeared to be...soldiers? They had a sword and shield!

Jupiter. Flint. Flare Wall. Race ahead.

The cave!

I entered.

Right? No, it was a dead end, I discovered. Left.

Must stop Saturos and Menardi. Must save Jenna! My brain screamed. My legs obeyed, running like the wind.

Right.

Lighthouse...must stop them from lighting lighthouse...

"Wait up!"

What was that noise? It didn't matter.

"Isaac!"
Isaac? That was...me?

"I can't stop! I've got to stop them!" I cried fervently, racing all the while.

"Isaac! You'll die of exhaustion! Stop!"

I paused, and with the sudden stop my momentum pushed me backward.

"Isaac!" Garet was gasping air, breathing hard.

"I know you want to stop them and save Jenna, but you won't be in any shape to stop Saturos and Menardi if you run all the way to Imil." Ivan reasoned.

"You're right," I panted. "I'm sorry, it's just..."

"Don't worry, buddy." Garet settled himself on the hard cave floor. "I understand."

"We need to keep our strength up," said Ivan sternly. "Do we even have any food?"

"Yeah..." I answered. "In my bag. Leftover."

After I ate, I felt much better. "What time is it?" I wondered.

"Probably it'll be dark soon. We'll have to spend the night in Imil before we go to the Lighthouse." Garet figured.

"We need to start going again."

Ivan and Garet looked at me, worried.

"Don't worry-no running." I started walking as briskly as I could.

Ahh...the exit.

"Watch out!" warned Ivan out in the snow. "Bears up ahead!"

"Oh, good," Garet smiled. "Meat for traveling."

The bears ripped into Garet and me, but I was so cold I barely noticed.

Ivan summoned Jupiter. The bears drew back angrily.

I summoned Venus next. This agitated the bears even more.

One reared forward to attack me, and I lost consciousness.

When I awoke, I was in perfect health and the bears were gone.

"We used that Water of Life-thingy that Vault's mayor gave us." Garet explained. "You woke up right away."

"That's nice," I commented, sitting up. "We need more of that stuff."

"The bear-meat is in my pack," Garet said. "Now, come on, let's go! It's almost dark."

It was dark by the time we reached Imil, and all I could do was barely count out the coins to the innkeeper and collapse on my bed.

Who knew what tomorrow would bring...