A World Of Guilt - A Sophfitz Fanfiction {Complete}

~ d e c i s i o n s ~

Sophie and her family appeared just outside of the golden gates of Everglen. Grizel opened the gates with a somber look on her face. Everyone passed through silently, giving a grateful look to her, Sandor's lasting just a second longer than was needed. Nobody really cared though, knowing that the normally feisty goblin was probably mentally berating herself for letting this happen to her charge. Sandor had done the same thing after the Battle on Mount Everest, even though he had almost died, breaking nearly every bone in his body trying to protect Sophie and her friends. Sophie was very glad that goblins couldn't have their minds break from guilt. 

Everyone sped down the winding path, Sophie concentrating on bundling her emotions into the ever-growing knot under her ribs she used to unleash a great mass of power via her Inflicting. 

Finally, they reached the grand entrance to the mansion, Della appearing to open the doors in a simple yet elegant pale green dress. Della put on a knowing and yet pained smile, "Thank you all for coming." Della said, giving Sophie a tight hug. Della took a sharp breath, a determined look in her eyes. "Just know Sophie, whatever happens, it will never change how we think of you." She ushered them into the glittering mansion and leading them to the living room.  As their footsteps thundered through the crystal hallways Sophie couldn't help but think of the last time she was here, Della tried extremely hard to pretend that everything was okay. Now, Della bravely lead them through the house, she was truly one of the bravest people Sophie knew. 

Sophie was surprised when instead of the Alden, Physic, and Elwin she'd been expecting to find in the exuberant living room, she found the twelve Councilors, in full regal garb. 

"Wonderful, everyone's here now." Councillor Emery stated, clapping his hands together, "Now, shall we get started?" He said, turning to the rest of the Councillors, who all nodded in unison. Emery closed his eyes, furrowing his brows together in concentration. 

A few, nerve-wracking moments of silence passed before Emery spoke again.

"We have an eleven votes for the healing, one against." 

Sophie had to catch herself from stumbling back. Who in their right mind would vote against Fitz's healing?  

"What do you mean, one against?" Edaline exclaimed. 

"I'm sorry, but I am not allowed to reveal-"

"Oh, there's no use in keeping it secret." Councillor Alina said with an eye roll. "I voted against."

Sophie hand flew to the spot where the knot of emotions was lodged underneath her ribs. Bronte shot a empathetic look her way as Sophie added a thick string of anger to the knot as to clear her head. Sophie hatefully glared at Councillor Alina. Everyone knew she had once loved Alden, not above using her abilities as a Beguiler to try and take Alden away on the day of his marriage to Della. 

Sophie looked at Della. The look on her face was one of the most terrifying things Sophie had ever seen, lips in a rigid, straight line, eyebrows only a fraction lower than normal, providing somewhat of a glare. What scared Sophie most however, were her eyes. They were void of their usual warmth, only cold, sharp pools of crisp blue. They told the analyzed and powerful story of someone who was seriously plotting a murder. It sent chills down her spine when Della spoke in the most un-Della like voice she had ever heard. 

"Why, Councillor Alina?" 

"Yes, why, Councillor Alina?" Bronte added, a tinge of disgust in his voice. "When you took your oath as a Councillor, you swore to make choices that would benefit the elvin world, not ones based on personal feelings or past emotions." Bronte finished with a glare. 

Councillor Alina's eyes narrowed. "Fine." She replied with a shrug that only made everyone in the room want to punch her more. "Emery, let's debate again." 

The room fell silent once again. The debate lasted longer this time, and the minutes felt like years flying by. Sophie grew more and more restless by the second, knowing that each one that passed was another moment Fitz was in that haze. Then finally, finally, Emery spoke again. 

"We have reached the unanimous choice to have Fitzroy Avery Vacker's mind healed by Sophie Elizabeth Foster." 

Sophie breathed a sigh of  much-needed relief. The Councillors began to mill out of the room, Bronte giving her a smile as he left for the door, Oralie giving her a small hug, whispering a "good luck" into her ear before she joined her fellow Councillors and glimmered away. 

Della placed a hand on her shoulder, warmth returned to her face. "Thank you." She said, beginning to move toward the silver staircase that lead to the third floor where Fitz's bedroom was located. 

Magnate Leto, Elwin, Alden and Physic were in the room, crowded around Fitz's bed. 

Sophie's feet felt like two weights were attached to them. She slowly inched her way to the frame. 

Nothing could prepare her for what she saw.

Fitz looked nothing like himself. His skin was sickly pale, and yet sweat dripped down his forehead, his breaths nothing but soft pitiful wheezes. His normally styled hair was messy and strewn about, some sticking in the air while others stuck to his forehead from the bandage wrapped around his skull. Bits of a purple bruise peeked out from the bandage on the left side of his head. And that was only his physical state. Sophie was terrified to see what his mental state would be like. It made Sophie want to curl up into a ball and cry (although she was pretty sure she was already doing that) and yet punch everyone that attributed to his current state. 

"I-Is he still on sed-sedatives?" She asked, looking at the two doctors. (Yep, totally crying.)

"No, we eased him off them about five minutes ago." Elwin said. "He won't be asleep for much longer, now is your golden chance." Physic finished. 

Sophie tensed. Anxiety tore through her body. 

I can't do this. She thought. I can't do this, too many people are counting on me, what if I can't do it, what if something goes wrong, what if-

A calming scent filled Sophie's senses. Edaline had appeared behind her with a Panakes blossom. 

"Are you okay, Sophie?" Edaline asked, all eyes in the room on Sophie, who was adding a cord of dread to the knot. 

"I-I don't think I can do this with everyone looking at me." She said, wiping the tears from her wet cheeks. 

Several people in the room clamored their protests. Sophie shrank back into her self. Edaline silenced everyone with a glare. "If solitude is what Sophie needs, then that is what we will give her. We don't want to do anything that might affect the healing, and besides, I imagine Biana will want to see her brother when he wakes." Edaline said with finality. 

After a bit more bickering, they decided to have a group outside of the door of the room comprised of Magnate Leto, Grady, Alden and Physic outside while another group of Edaline, Della, and Elwin to wake Biana and then rejoin the first group. "Besides," Sophie reasoned, she had her panic switch and her Inflicting and Telepathy as fail-safes.

Everyone begrudgingly left the room, leaving Sophie alone with Fitz.

Sophie took a deep breath. She was going to do this.