OKAY HI. So…I get it. It's been six years. The fandom is probably dead and probably no one will find this. But honestly, my love for this game never died. And my love for Senel/Chloe never died, either. They are still my very first and favorite OTP. And honestly, looking at my writing style from back then I'm really glad I didn't finish this story then because damn it would have been terrible. All of my stories were kind of bad…although keep in mind, I was 11/12 at the most when I wrote the first few. Maybe 13 during the first few chapters of the unfinished Redemption.

But I've been thinking about it a lot, and I found a lot of old notes for this story. So…I figured that maybe the second time around, six years later…it might be a tad better. And now I'm here, writing this author's note before it starts. So before you read it, yeah, this is still in that shitty SotP timeline if anyone's still around who read that. (aka the story where senel and chloe's OC-ass daughter Blanca time travels from the future, loses her memories, gets them back, remembers Senel and Chloe are her parents, and boom. done. Honestly, that is all you have to know.) If you don't feel like reading it (and I don't blame you), here're the two key things you need to know in this continuity:

-Senel and Chloe are living together at Senel's house. Senel does not see this as a problem because he is denser than a German chocolate cake. Shirley has taken this as "defeat" of sorts; she's starting to see Senel more as a brother. Because of being so close with Senel, Chloe's okay with actually calling him "Senel" more often, though she still prefers "Coolidge". Norma usually picks on both of them for this whole living situation.

-Something I want to change in the whole timeline: no one remembers Blanca; let's just say Grune wiped everyone's memories of her after she told Senel and Chloe the truth. They do, however, remember getting the Summon Spirit Treasures back. Honestly that whole thing was messed up and only Sailor Moon can pull that shit off without breaking the space-time continuum.

-this story begins between maybe one and a half/two-ish years after the game, give or take a bit.

But other than that, that's all you have to know. Everything else is just like the game left it. So do enjoy the story, which, as a quick final note, will be switching PoVs from Senel to Chloe to 3rd person every so often. So, let's go! REDEMPTION, take two!

Ch. 1 – "Let's Talk" - .chloe valens.

"If you ever wield a sword, I will show you no mercy. But if that is your resolve, then so be it."

It had been a long time since I'd heard those words.

"I'm going to become a knight," I told myself, "A knight worthy of the House of Valens."

There was a lot of suffering. Those long days spent trying to revive a House that would never again shine among its peers…they were far gone. The people talking behind my back, the name-calling, the deception…that also faded away.

"I've always been prepared to pay for my crimes just as soon as Elsa was cured," said the one who made my life into a living hell…the one called Stingle—no, the one called Alcott. The one who gave everything for his daughter. I still remember the burning hatred and the blind reaction to draw my sword whenever I saw that snake tattoo. And yet…that, too, is far away.

"You don't have to live in anyone's shadow anymore. You don't have to worry about what the people around you are saying. I don't care what anyone else says…I say it's okay. So stop it already."

And those words…those were the words that pulled that hatred right out of me. Every regret, every bit of the fear I had, and every doubt. They were his words. And I never forget them. I never will, for as long as I live.

Yet…there are still times where I still feel uneasy. Some time after the black mist faded, a strange, creeping feeling began to dwell inside me, like I had forgotten something, or something was left undone. I thought it would fade with time. I thought, as I got closer to him, and to everyone…those feelings would fade, just as my hatred did.

But, as the anniversary of that day reared its ugly head once again…the feeling became stronger than ever. Yes…almost seven years to the day my life changed…the day when everything shattered and I was the only one left to pick up the broken pieces.

And, I sometimes wonder…

"Chloe?"

A familiar voice. It was Elsa, who was looking better than ever, of course. Since the mist faded, she'd been growing stronger and stronger by the day—the only reason she still remains at the hospital is due to Alcott's skill as a medicine man. She smiled at me with her calm eyes and took a quick sip of her tea. Even after I stopped living here, I promised Elsa that I wouldn't stop having weekly tea with her and her father. She—both of them-were very good friends. And…in some ways…Elsa reminded me of myself. I looked to the foyer window, its light bright with the early evening sun. The hospital foyer always looked beautiful in that light, though there was a bit of sadness to it.

"Chloe, what is it?" Elsa asked, "You've been so distant all day!"

"Now, Elsa, mind your manners," Alcott said before I could speak, "Perhaps she doesn't want to talk about it."

"Oh…But Father, she-!" she protested, but I tried to calm her.

"It's all right, Elsa," I returned the smile from earlier, "I'm just…feeling a little under the weather, is all."

"H-huh?!" her eyes suddenly widened, "Why didn't you tell me?! Are you sick? Do you want Father to make you some medicine? If it's for you, I know he wouldn't mind!"

"I'm fine, Elsa," I said, pointing at my empty cup of tea, "Your tea helped a bit."

"Oh, good!" she clapped her hands together, "I put some medicinal herbs in it to make it taste a little better. When I told Father, he said I could take up his profession soon enough!"

"That's right," nodded Alcott with a smirk, "I think she may have more potential at this than I ever did." I could see Elsa's face turn red, just for a moment. She was a bit embarrassed, and turned away from him playfully.

"N-no, I could never be as good as you…" she looked down with a light glow of red still on the tips of her ears, but looked back quickly over at the tea-less teacups and the empty teapot, "But I can at least make some more tea!"

"It's almost evening, though," I told her calmly, "I should be getting back home soon."

"Home to Senel?" my friend turned to me as she gathered up the silverware with this…extremely suspect—and familiar—look. I'm sure Norma taught her that one…

"He's so lucky!" laughed Elsa, "I wish you still lived here with me…but I heard something about you two the other day from Norma!"

…Just hearing the phrases "I heard something" and "from Norma" put together made my stomach churn and a grimace cross my face…for as long as I've lived with Coolidge, Norma Beatty's always tried to make some strange stories up about us…at this point, the only one who still believes her is Elsa. Although…sometimes it's a little nice, to listen to the strange stories she—ah, um, no. That did not happen. Please forget I said that.

"…What did she say this time?" Alcott asked, obviously entertained. It didn't take long after the mist cleared for him to realize my feelings towards Coolidge…or perhaps Norma just told him, too.

"She said Senel and Chloe are going to get married soon!"

"…Did she, now…" I mumbled, shaking my head, "She's told you that how many times?"

"No, but this time she says it's real! She said she saw you two at the beach by Fallingwater last week, and Senel was kneeling on one knee in front of you! Oh, Chloe, please let me be your flower girl! I've always wanted to be a flower girl!" The moment she finished, I knew exactly what she was referring to…and wondered how in the world Norma managed to find that out.

"Elsa, that's…" I started, but shook my head, trying to phrase it differently, "I think she must have seen Coolidge when he was kneeling to put his shoes back on…I was right next to him in case he needed a hand…Alliance Marine uniform shoes are…more complicated than you'd think. Besides…"

"Besides?" asked an interested Alcott—I was surprised he was even playing along with all this. Usually, he'd tell Elsa to mind her manners…perhaps he just likes to see his daughter enjoying herself.

"…he wouldn't propose like that," I looked away from Elsa's gaze—I was afraid the thought of being simply proposed to would embarrass me—Coolidge or not. I honestly didn't know why I was telling her that…It was quite a while ago, but…he explained to me once many different Radiant rituals, one of which they use for marriage proposals. I don't quite remember the entire description, but…being around the Ferines for so long, I wouldn't doubt his affinity towards them rather than normal means.

"Oh, really?!" gasped Elsa, "Then how would he do it?!"

"I don't quite remember…" I fibbed, "But…I can at least tell you that, if I do happen to marry, then…yes, you can be the flower girl."

"Did you hear that, Father?!" she cried almost dropped the silverware in the process, "I'll be the flower girl at Chloe's wedding! Chloe, you will get married, right?"

"Elsa…" Alcott (finally) stopped her, "That's Chloe's personal business. And be careful with those teapots; they're quite old. Why don't you put them back in the kitchen before you get carried away?"

"All right, all right…" she pouted, "But don't leave until I get back, Chloe! I want to say goodbye before you go back to Senel's."

I nodded as if to say I would still be there; carefully, she stumbled over towards the kitchen door in back, and as the doors closed behind her, I suddenly noticed a change in Alcott's demeanor. His expression was…something I was very much expecting around this time of year.

"…It's that time again, isn't it," he asked quietly despite the emptiness of the foyer.

"Yes," I said simply, "It is." He nodded knowingly, covering his forehead with his hand…as if he were ashamed.

"I apologize for bringing it up," he began, "That's all I'll ask."

"It's all right."

…Alcott was a simple man. He never did need to ask for more than he had to. Only what he needed, to keep his daughter alive. I respect that wish. I just…I sometimes wonder if my mother and father would ever understand. I wonder if they would have done the same in that situation, were we not born knights. Whenever I felt sadness from those memories on that day—or any day, for that matter—I scarcely blamed it on him anymore. This world is just that kind of place, even today...and, in the end, it's kill or be killed. But the sadness…it drew out that very feeling: the feeling of a missing piece in the strange, contorted mess of my mind.

The man said little else after that; we engaged in small talk until Elsa had returned. When she did, I noticed the sunlight slowly fading through the window and bade the both of them farewell.

"Take care," Alcott had given a slight nod goodbye and said nothing else. Elsa, on the other hand…

"You'll be back next week, right?" she asked, as usual, "After you're done helping Sherriff Will for the week?"

"I…" I stopped-something prevented me from saying more about what that day next week entailed, "I might be a little late…but I'll try to be here as soon as I can." For a moment, Elsa looked confused as to why I hesitated, but she smiled and told me she'd see me next week, all the same. With a final wave goodbye, I passed through the doors of my old home and looked towards the city of Werites Beacon. It's strange…there are some days when I'll leave the hospital and think of the day when Coolidge came by to give me that medal from Gadoria…After the Bridge Plain War. After Stella had died…and after Stingle had evaded me, when I thought I was done with revenge at the time. Little did I know, I had been far from it…

I still have the medal. At first, I claimed not to be worthy of it, but Coolidge insisted. The Gadorian crest was embedded on the medal, and I would occasionally look back upon it, even after the Knights labeled me a traitor for refusing to kill Shirley…

"I have been given full authority by His Majesty the King," he had said, "My words are his words."

I still question it. The kind, caring King of Gadoria I had known as a child…did he really give those orders? Killing another human being or capturing them with spies for the glory of their country…for as long as I could remember, the King never thought of things like that. He was a gentle, wise man with a love for peace and chivalry. Even in my brief visit to Gadoria all that time ago to visit my parents' grave…the entire country had changed, not only with the fall of Mt. Zeriques, but with the people, as well.

Though, it was no use to worry about the past…Senel tells me that time and time again. Even after all this time, I still don't heed his advice. Thinking of him reminded me that I needed to get back home, but…something tugged at me. I wasn't sure what. But before I was even aware of it, my legs had begun to move, past our house, past the Fountain Plaza, past the bakery and Raynard's home… until I ended up on the path towards Fallingwater and the beach. The view is always beautiful as you walk the paths at sundown, watching the tiny silhouettes of the townspeople head home to their families. As I passed through, I kept asking myself why I wasn't doing the same. The red evening sky faded to dark purples and blues. And still, I pressed on. Past the bubbling Lumen Spring, past the small grove, and onto the tiny beach. A large rock jutted out, near the back of the area—occasionally Coolidge and I would sit there and talk, listening to the sea and being as far away from the water as possible. (I…don't enjoy being too close to water, but the sound of the sea has always been calming to me.)

It was a strange place, this beach. It was small, but the townsfolk always enjoyed coming here on days when the monsters at Fallingwater were few and far-between. Even my friends and I occasionally take trips here, on days where we can all meet up and talk like old times. They've all been occupied with different things since the mist disappeared with Grune, though, haven't they?

It's difficult to get us all together anymore. Coolidge does his work with Raynard as assistant sheriff, while Raynard himself has been spending more time in his scientific studies. Shirley was happy to be chosen as an ambassador between the Ferines and Orerines and continues to work with Madam Musette and the Ferines elder to bring peace towards the races. Sandor and his group continue to live in the center of the city, though they've gone from being bandits to "treasure hunters" on a suggestion from Norma. Norma will help them every so often, going on little adventures with Sandor; sometimes I'll see them leaving the city together one morning and before I know it they'll have returned at dusk with something new…mostly scars on Sandor. Other than that, I'm not all that sure what Norma does in her spare time besides…well, spreading unnecessary rumors. I'll see those two with Jay every now and then, as well, who is still making good profit in the information business to benefit the Oresoren Village. Everyone does something that makes them happy. They don't ask for much more than that (aside from Norma).

And then…there was me. I work alongside Coolidge on most matters concerning the city itself and its well-being. We'll usually take care of the monsters that get too close to town for the day, and report it by dusk. I have also been asked on several occasions to aid Curtis and Isabella in leading the city guard, but…I'm not sure I would fit in very well with their "unique" way of protecting the city. It is satisfying, helping others…that's the duty of a knight.

A knight.

…But I have never really been a knight, have I? My parents…they were proud knights. They served their homeland and its people admirably. And when I think that…the emptiness comes back. I wonder from time to time if they would be proud of me for all I've done…or perhaps they would be ashamed to see me turning my back on my countrymen and living here, on a land that knows no allegiance to just one country. What…would they have wanted?

What would I have wanted? Have I done enough? What else could I have done? – I can't count how many times I've asked myself that these past few weeks. I wanted to feel like all of my friends did now…carefree, happy to have fulfilled their dreams and overcome their fears. It didn't exclude me; they all helped me send my past fears far away. The fear was gone…but my name still remains. I am still Chloe Valens…I can never run away from that. And as I stared out into the dark, open sea, I wondered how far I was from my homeland. I stayed like that, thinking of everything and anything that I could have done there, all those seas away. Until…

"Chloe?" – An all-too-familiar voice brought me out of my head and back into reality. I couldn't see him all too well in the dark, but I knew it was him nonetheless.

"Coolidge?" I was somewhat surprised, "What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he asked, shrugging, "Shirley was on her way home when she saw you heading this way. I told her you hadn't been home yet. She got worried and asked me to make sure everything was all right."

"She doesn't need to worry," I shook my head, "I…" I trailed off and couldn't say much else. I honestly didn't have the words to describe what I was feeling.

"Did something happen?" he sat down beside me on the rock, curious to know more.

"No," I told him, "It's just…almost that time of year again."

"The anniversary of your parents' death," he said simply.

"Yes," I replied, "It's almost been seven years now. Even Alcott remembered…though he didn't say much else on the subject."

"It's okay to feel that way, Chloe," Senel told me, looking towards the sea, "It's hard to forget something like that."

"Have you ever…" I started to say, faltering. It took me a while to start again, "Have you ever wanted to change the past, even if it was hopeless? Even if it would change who you are as a person, or your future?"

"Yeah," he said with a sad smile, "I used to want to do that all the time. When Stella died, I always wished and wished I could go back and save her. When Shirley changed into the Merines, I wondered what I could have done to bring her back to normal. And…"

"And?" I looked over at him—his eyes were still glued to the darkening sea.

"And when you ran off to find Arnold…I wondered what I could have done differently, or what I could have said to get the black mist away," he explained, but turned his eyes back to me, jokingly, "I thought you knew all that."

"I-I'm sorry," I mumbled, "It was an odd question to ask…I guess I just needed an answer, even if I already knew what it was."

"You don't have to apologize," Coolidge raised an eyebrow, somewhat amused.

"I…I've felt the same, though," I said, "I can't stop asking myself 'what if?', or thinking that Mother and Father are disappointed in me for having tea with their killer and his daughter. It makes me feel…guilt. As though there's something I still need to do, to redeem the Valens name."

"You've done a lot," he nodded, "But no matter what we do, we can't change the past, no matter how much we want to. And…that's okay."

"It's…okay?" I repeated, focusing on those words.

"If my past wasn't what it was," he started to say, pointing towards the remains of a giant boat, beached in the sand, "Shirley and I never would have met all of you. We probably never would have even made it to the Legacy. Being who I am now…I don't regret the things that happened. I like living here with you and Shirley and the others—I'm always glad to have met everyone. There'll always be things that I won't like, but…it's still me."

"I see," I nodded, taking his words in and examining them carefully, "…I'm always glad to have met you, too—everyone, I mean. I suppose…it's all right to be this way."

"Exactly," nodded Coolidge, "There's only so much you can do…how far can you go for redemption?" The last words struck me—my eyes widened and something seemed to click within me.

"Chloe?" he asked, "Are you okay?"

"It's nothing," I gave a smile, "I'm just surprised that your boat's still there."

"Will told me the kids play on it now," he shrugged, "There's not really much I can do about it."

"I suppose not," I nodded.

"Anyway," he said slowly climbing off the rock, "it's getting dark. We'd better get back home." He offered me a hand, and I gladly took it. He let go, of course, when I was back on the sand.

"By the way," he asked, interested, "What's for dinner?"

…That question often catches me off-guard. Kinds of questions that a man would say to his wife or significant other—I can't help but ask myself if he realizes the implications of things like me cooking for him every so often, or the very idea of living with him…And he wonders why Norma makes stories up about us. But that side of him…for some reason, I've never really minded it.

"Fish stew bread bowl," I said, "Although we'll need to get some ingredients on the way back."

He gave me this big smile, as if he were just a child and I was cooking his favorite meal…he happily agreed to come with me to get the ingredients. As I followed an enthusiastic Coolidge home, I gazed back at the sea once more before we left, with those words still echoing in my mind:

"How far can you go for redemption?"

I turned to Coolidge on our way back with the phrase still haunting me.

And…with a heavy heart, I knew what had to be done.

…and that was chapter one. Honestly I don't have a lot to say about it but I can say it's way better than the two pages of whatever I smacked on Microsoft Word six years ago. Although it's been a really long time since I've written these characters so bear with me here...if you have any suggestions, I'd like to hear them. I don't know how often I can update this due to work/other personal stuff, but I do know that I don't really have many other writing projects to do/games to play in May-the writing group I'm in is trying to take more time in doing stuff and probably won't update with the next prompt until June, and FFXIV's phase three doesn't start until then, either…so I might be able to get another chapter or two out sooner or later…hopefully I'll stay inspired this time, at least.

Review if you feel like it. It would make me happy to see some life in this fandom. :P

And most of all, thank you very much for reading. I always appreciate you guys who take the time to read stuff!