NEXT CHAPTER! This one's really short, but don't be disappointed, there's going to be several chapters out today to make up for that.
As promised, there's some minor dawnshipping here.

THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS!

I don't own Golden Sun-unless I am the son of the creator, or he actually gives the game to me-which will never happen. :(

Piers's boat sailed quickly across the Eastern Sea, gliding on the waters towards Champa. Piers wasn't happy. He had heard the entire discussion about his terrible singing, and had let Matthew steer the wheel to replace him while he hung about in his cabin, arguing with Kraden. Everyone else was in the cabins, finding ways to pass the time.

On the deck, Matthew simply turned the wheel, lost again in his thoughts.

"Hey Earthboy. You awake in there?" someone asked, knocking him gently on the head.

Without turning, Matthew said, "Karis could you stop calling me like that?"

The wind Adept shrugged. "What are you thinking about? You've been lost in thought for nearly all day."

Matthew didn't answer.

"Matthew."

"Mm?"

"What's wrong Matthew?"

"This joke is getting really old you know." Matthew said

Karis grinned. "I know, but in the meantime, it's probably the only thing that will make you talk."

"What do you want?"

"I want to know what's wrong. You're not acting like yourself. In battle, you keep on holding back, you're constantly lost in thought, and you keep on waking up late at night."

"Nothing's wrong Karis."

The wind Adept didn't believe him. Matthew wondered how he could escape the conversation. He didn't want any of them knowing about whatever he had. He thought widely, and ignored Flint who was saying;

"Just tell her the truth!"

"You also yelled at Bogho when we were at Passaj. This really isn't like you. You always had respect for old people." Karis added.

Matthew shrugged. "I apologized. Besides, I was exhausted. I was fighting with Flint the night before we reached Passaj. He really is annoying"

"I just noticed something: it's always Flint's fault."

"It's true."

Karis peered very closely in his eyes, grinning. "You're hiding something."

Matthew took several steps backwards, beginning to feel pressure build up in his chest. "No I'm not."

Karis didn't break off her paralyzing stare. She peered closer. "Oh yes you-holy Matthew!"

She pulled away suddenly from him.

"What?" Matthew asked, wondering whether to be worried or not.

Karis placed her hand on his forehead. "You're burning. Do you have a fever?"

"No. It's rather you who's freezing. You're hand is like ice."

Karis looked concerned. "Well if it isn't a fever, then what is it? I'm serious Matthew, you really have something. Your forehead is burning."

Matthew took her hand off. "I don't have anything, but-" he suddenly shut up, as a surge of pain shot through his back. He staggered a bit.

"Matthew!" Karis helped him gain his balance.

Matthew felt that his back was getting torn apart. His spine seemed to be melting. He began to sweat, his breath became fast, and his heart was hammering in his ribs at an unnatural rate. He closed his eyes, trying to endure the pain.

The warrior stood in front of a destroyed cabin on top of the Goma Plateau…

"No!"

Matthew opened his eyes, and collapsed to his knees. The pain disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. Panting, he rubbed his arms. He suddenly stopped sweating, and his heart returned into beating at a normal rate. He looked up.

Karis was kneeling beside him, one hand on his back, the other one on his arm.

"Are you okay?"

The earth Adept nodded. He tried to regain his feet, but his legs failed him. He fell back to his knees.

Karis sat on her ankles and looked at him in the eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. I guess."

"What just happened?"

Matthew shook his head. "I don't know. I suddenly felt pain explode in my back…"

"You're sick. I'll get Kraden."

"No! Don't! I'll be fine."

The wind Adept looked at him. "Then tell me what's wrong. I'll probably be able to help."

Matthew said nothing for a moment. "Remember when the Foul Glutton attacked me back at Ayuthay?"

Karis thought, and nodded.

"Well this has something to do with it." He coughed, and tried his legs. This time, they supported his weight. He saw Karis's worried look. "It's fine, I can take care of it myself." though he wasn't so sure.

The next thing he was aware of was Karis hugging him. "Watch out Earthboy. The last thing we all need is you to be seriously injured."

Matthew didn't reply, he brought his arms around Karis. They looked at each other, and slowly, their heads came closer to one another, and-

"Kissy kissy?"

The two teens looked around. Flint had somehow summoned himself, and was looking at them in a very irritating way.

Matthew took three steps towards him. Flint jumped to safety, and began to sing

"Matthew and Karis sitting in a tree-" he got no further, because the two Adepts chased around the deck

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