az: Decided to change the whole thing up. If it comes strange in the end... don't fret. Just enjoy. Complaints and unconstructive flames will be thrown into the fireplace. Stupid unrelated rants will be ignored.

I gonna set this straight. I am content with doing one-shots. Most of my fic series are just plainly in luck if I ever got the motivation and plot to continue the story. Plots are hard to come up with... and I hate cliche'd plots. I kept doing that in the Saiyuki one that I found that I really need to permanently delete them from existence. Oh for those people who only reads but never try to write AND post their fanfics online, should never criticise the fellow authors (including me and the other MC authors) on our plot or lack there is. Most of us wrote for the sake of sharing our dreams and stories regarding our favourite genre. and during the bouts of hyperness, randomness WILL occur.

A thing to note: Most of my one-shots are plotless, unless it was angst-themed. Oh... the cliche'd plot here also had been terminated.

PS: Oh, I've finished the game by the way, but let this plot remain as it is. XD This is my alternate ending for the game. XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Magna Carta: Crimson Stigmata but a copy of the english version copy of the PS2 game, Tears of Blood. Original plot and character designs are copyrights of SoftMax and Hyung Tae Kim. No infringements are intended and plots are solely intended for leisure reading.

Reminder: The whole plot will be revised since I got more into the game plot, and since I don't want to copy the parts of this fic to make another... and since the former part two was crappy... XDXDXD And that means... SPOILERS ALERT! Though the ending part was not quite exact. hehe..

Longing and betrayal

Written by Azzie Izumi Ishtar

The images of the fallen Yason people overcame by Rheuma, kept haunting him. Yes... he hated the Yason. But he never wanted such things to befallen their race. And hearing that last word uttered by the lone Blast Worm who had released him and had died trying to aid his escape, Calintz felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

Even the Blast Worms were getting tired of this war. And he was the only one who even bothered show kindness toward him, a human.

Will this war ever ends?

XXX

'Calintz... why are you here?', cried Queen Amila as he pulled his sword. The queen of the Yason instantly backed away from him. 'No... I don't want to fight you!'

He had heard her calling his name. He had heard her voice. Why hadn't he realized it? Was it because of her different way of speaking that caused him not to realize it sooner?

'Calintz...'

Why is fate being so cruel to him? Must it also robbed himself of this hope? He had no other reasons to live before... other than seek revenge on the Yasons who had destroyed Fuget. The village that had taken him to shelter thought him well after he was found by the villagers there. Alone... with no other family save himself.

To take revenge on that person who had betrayed his trust and burned down his home, that had been his sole reason to keep on living. To kill the one person he had helped but then stabbed him in the back by slaying his master in front of his eyes. That person whose cold smile chilled his heart. Astal. Rianna's husband. But then he found out that he was ordered by a much higher positioned person to destroy Fuget. And in the end, Astal was killed by his own wife. A sad ending. Both to him... and the husband and wife couple. And end of which should not have happened, for Astal was not truly on the side of the enemy..

Even then, he had felt no ease. Even with Astal's death he felt empty. Since deep in his heart, he had not really hated him that much. That in reality... he had actually wanted to hear the explanations from Astal. On the fact that... had he really intended to fool him that day when the two of them had met?

It was the same with her. When she had saved him in that cave, he was already taken by her. Sure... he had to admit it. She was cute. Even Chris would easily tell you that! He would said the same of all the other girls in Efferia.

Not him.

It was different for him. He had met a lot of women in his exploits. He never bothered to care if any of them were smitten by him. He never could notice. Never would. Not that he wanted to care about it. Even as Eonis was in his team, he felt nothing more than just as friends. Or as a sister. So much that he hadn't cared, he never know how much Lehas had loved him. Alas, she was dead. Killed by a Yason called Sdei, the man that Reith, Justina and Rianna let free. Thinking that the man was not a spy, even when he was. A spy of the Turibos...

That was how naive she was when she was still the girl who has lost her memories. Easily believed in people, easily trusting them. Since that day, he couldn't let his eyes off her for fear of her safety. Worrying if someone may trick her and hurt her. He had felt that he just had to be around to protect her always.

Maybe, that was what attracts him towards liking her. Her naivety, her innocence. She had somehow reawaken his heart to start believing again on the hope that maybe someday, humans and Yasons could live together in peace.

What was he thinking? For this one girl who had lost her memories, whom he did not know of her background. He had unknowingly opened up his heart to her, no, as far as giving that heart to her to be cherished. And for what? Now that she had regained her memories, he had found out the real truth about her identity. How can the world treat him like this? How can Reith really be--? That was impossible! It must be!

Even then, it doesn't matter isn't it? Yason or human... he still loved her all the same. But why must fate be so cruel? Not only that he had found out about her true identity and had to suffer for losing her, he found out the real face of the person whom he thought was his friend! And the fact made it worser was that he finally found out the biggest betrayal that friend gave him...

XXX

'Calintz... what are you doing? If you don't give me the Earth Shard now, you'll never see your mother anymore!' , cried Hugo as Calintz lunged towards Amila. 'This was all your fault! If you hadn't started the war--', he cried as Amila evaded him. 'That's absurd. Stop putting all the blame on others--!', she cried as they fought.

XXX

He lunged his sword at her as she tried to deflect it and failed. The force of the impact threw her backwards as her mask fell. Calintz's eyes widened as he saw Amila's trua face. 'Reith--?', he gasped as Mistress Ladrinne also called out in surprise.

'Calintz... I'm sorry.', said Reith as Hugo pressed him to obtain the Earth shard. Reith looked up at him as Calintz still stood in confusion. 'Calintz, please... do it for me.', said Reith as she spoke softly towards him. Calintz looked at her startled before getting down and took the shard from her. Calintz closed his eyes as he hesitated, before throwing it towards Hugo. Hugo laughed as he savoured his victory...

XXX

That went so easy for him. At his own expense, no doubt. After getting what he want, he left with his men before trying to kill them off. Mistress Ladrinne had tried to cast her spell, but it was too powerful for even her to counter. In the end... Reith used the Magna Carta to protect him with dire consequences.

He couldn't forget how heartbroken he felt inside of him when he saw the shattered mask. The only thing that was left of her. He lost her again. This time... probably forever...

XXX

He exited Fuget as he aimlessly walked towards the direction of headquarters. But then he started to hear a lot of voices arguing, and went to investigate. To his surprise, he found Orha, one of the Four Warriors, with-- someone who looked like Reith-- arguing with another warrior, Azhadi. He immediately aided them as Azhadi started to fight Orha...

XXX

'Calintz... please. Take Mistress Serina and escape! Save your life. Don't forget that Reith had sacrifice your life to save you!'

Calintz frowned as he turned towards Orha. 'Is this how you talk to your enemy--?', he snapped as Orha urged him to leave.. 'No time to explain... please. Do it for Reith. Mistress Serina was her only sister!'

'Reith's--?', gasped Calintz as he turned to look at her. And then he realized that her clothes were also different and her hair was short. Certainly not like Reith. He bit his lips before pulling her away. 'Come on... we're leaving...', he said as he took her away as Orha remained to fight Azhadi and his men...

That was the last time he saw Orha. Ironically... despite them formerly being enemies, he felt reluctant to leave him behind. Hopefully... the stupid bastard had not lose so easily, else he'll never forgive him. Though, chances for that is so slim...

XXX

'Captain--? Are you alright?'

Calintz blinked as he saw his fellow comrades watching him with worry. 'A-ah? Oh... I'm okay...', he muttered quietly as Chris frowned at him. 'Really--? You were staring off to space for a long time. You had me worried there--'

He shook his head as he continued walking. 'There's nothing wrong. You guys don't have to worry about me. Let's go--', said Calintz as he went forward to lead the group. Serina frowned as she tailed him close behind. The others sighed as they followed along the path towards Epentar.

XXX

'Let's go---!', cried Calintz as he led all of them towards the castle gates. The others followed in suit as two Blast Worms who had been guarding it rise up to prevent them entry. 'Calintz, leave this to us! You guys go first. Azel, Maya and me will take care of them...', cried Chris as he and Azel rushed forward to tackle the enemies. Maya nodded her head as she followed the two closely behind them to support.

Calintz acknowledged them as he and the others continued their pursuit.

XXX

'Where to now?', Calintz muttered to himself as they merely walked up the long stairs. Moments later, Chris, Azel and Maya caught up with them. Haren smirked as Chris stopped beside him, panting.

'What is this? Blast Worms' too much to handle?', he chidded. 'Are you kidding me? They didn't even get to scratch me--!', Chris snapped back as Calintz scolded them. They continued their way as they spotted some more people in front of their path...

XXX

Calintz and the other stopped in their tracks as Azhadi blocked their way. 'Ooh... do you think you're strong enough to take on us?', he cried as Haren snapped at them. 'Shut your gap! You're going down! Hehe... I've been waiting to kick this blast worm's ass! Calintz, you guys go on!', growled Haren as Eonis brought up her staff. 'He's right. Calintz, let us handle this... you guys have to save your strength!'

Justina couldn't agree more to it as she too took her position. 'I'll back you guys up--!', she said as Azhadi smirked and summoned his familiar, Succubus. Calintz nodded as he led the others away. Azhadi frowned as he ordered the Blast Worms to stop them. Before any of them could do anything, both of the Blast Worms fall dead. Orha called up to them as Calintz followed.

Calintz glared at him as he cried aloud. 'Stupid! I thought you were long gone!', he shouted as Orha grinned. 'Why--? Missed me?', he said as Calintz grabbed him along. 'Not a chance...', he said, though Orha swore he saw a faint smile written in the man's face...

'Orha! You're still alive?', cried Azhadi as Haren punched him from the sides. 'Don't look elsewhere. We're your opponent NOW!', cried Haren as Azhadi growled at him...

XXX

Haren smirked as they joined up with the others. 'Piece of cake. It's a wonder why they called themselves the Four Warriors and had all those rumors about their extraordinary powers around them. They were half-assed wrong!'

Justina rolled her eyes at him as she chidded. 'I guess you're one to talk big. I bet you hadn't remembered the other part of the battle where Eonis had to take over while I healed your injuries?', said Justina as Haren uncomfortably shove it aside. 'Unh... I guess I was a bit over my head about the victory--'

'Well, we had no time for chat now! Carian's over there!', cried Eonis as Serina, Orha and Rianna started to attack the last warrior. Carian scowled as she backed away and summoned Serpent Lord. Orha countered as he summoned his Death Raven. The two familiars fought with each other as the Serpent Lord was defeated. Orha recalled Death Raven as he hoisted his sword towards Carian.

'Now the real battle begins...', said Orha as Serena prepared herself. Rianna smirked as she readied herself. 'Hehe... I get to punch your ass! Astal... this is for you--!', she cried as the three of them attacked Carian..

XXX

Carian stumbled as she was defeated. 'Damn it... Orha! You--!', cried Carian as Orha spat on her. 'Hmmh! Out of breath? This is your payment for betraying the Queen! And that was also for killing Roxy!', Calintz bit his lips as Carian spat. 'Hah! That silly girl thought she could vie with me! Good thing she was dead! She and that half-bred Queen!', she cried as Orha glared at her.

'No more useless talk... Carian! Admit your defeat...', came another deep voice from behind her as a sword plunged right through her chest. Carian gave a look of shock and surprise towards them before falling over to the floor, dead. Calintz and Orha looked up to see a dark figure cloaked in black retuning the gaze. The man smirked. 'Am I right about it? If you lose to an opponent, you admit it. And losers... in the end, must DIE!'

Calintz frowned. 'Neikan... I presume?', he asked, cautiously as the man smiled and pulled off his cape. 'I'm sorry, but I am but his left hand...', he said, bowing towards them. Calintz gave him a deadly look as he hoisted his sword. 'Are you joking with me? Where is he?-! Tell me or lose your head!', cried Calintz as the Dark Yason smirked. 'Then just... try!', he growled as Calintz, Orha and the others jumped on him. Several other Turibos joined in as they battled...

XXX

Calintz grabbed him by the neck as the Dark Yason grinned at him. 'Are you still not giving up? Where is that bastard!-?', cried Calintz as the Dark Yason drew out his last breath.

'What should we do, now--?', Azel asked to no one in particular as Calintz frowned. They've finally made it this far, yet they were no nearer to stopping Neikan or the Light of Salvation. Frustrated, Calintz gave a sigh as he noticed something from out of the window. 'Hah? Orha... come here. What was that tree--?', he asked as Orha took a glance. 'Why... it was the Tree of Life!', he said as his eyes started to widen. Oh wait... was that--?

Orha turned as Calintz already left their side towards the exit...

XXX

Calintz walked out into the garden as he caught sight of a beautiful tree. The flowers were blooming wild and took his breath away. But more than that, was something else that caught his attention. Shining bright like a single golden flower, she stood there beautiful as he had always remembered. Calintz felt his heart thumping hard as he walked nearer.

The girl smiled as she continued to watch the tree. The Tree of Life was still alive. Once the Light of Salvation had been destroyed, tearing down the tree would have ended it all. The Yason will not have to suffer anymore from Rheuma or be restrained by their vindi. Now, she'll wait for the one person that can help her to destroy it.

Sensing Calintz's presence, she turned around and smiled.

'You're coming to keep your word, is it?', said Reith as Calintz was taken aback. Still unaccustomed to hear her speak to him so regally, as he was also stunned speechless to see her in front of him, alive. He looked at her in confusion as Reith gave him a concerned look. 'You're alive! How--? And why did you stay here--?', he gasped as Reith smiled. 'I'm waiting for you. Waiting for you to come destroy the tree. I... cannot do it by myself.'

Calintz nodded his head in acknowledgement. Still, he was shocked at seeing her alive as he reached out and touched her hand. 'You're real! You really are! So, that's why... your familiar was-- But it told me that you really died!', he cried as Reith looked at him sadly. 'I guess... I did die. In one form or the other... '

Calintz looked up to her as Reith smiled bitterly. 'But somehow... I survived. I found myself stranded near Mabres though how, I never actually knew. I then decided to return to Yason-Roven--'

'But that... would endanger--'

'I entered Epentar without anyone noticing. Not even those traitor and the likes of Neikan noticed me. And I stayed here... watching the tree. No one entered this place anymore, so it was a safe place for me to recover my strength.', she said as she turned to look towards the tree. 'But none of that mattered now... the important thing now is--

Calintz turned to face her as he looked at her longingly. Reith gave him a puzzled look as Calintz pulled her into a gentle embrace. She gasped as Calintz kissed her lightly on the cheek. 'I... am so glad you're still alive!', whispered Calintz as the others arrived just in time to see the couple embraced.

Eonis and the rest of the group looked at them in surprise to see Reith still alive. Though a bit unexpected, Orha just smiled at seeing them together while Serina looked away, a little jealous. Justina turned to look elsewhere as her eyes caught sight of something in particular. She turned in shock as she cried towards Calintz. 'Calintz! Watch out behind you--!', she hollered as Haren and Chris looked around in surprise. Calintz also looked up as he saw Hugo with the Light of Salvation--

Without thinking, he quickly shoved Reith aside as Chris pulled Justina away; just as the blast from the Light of Salvation hit him.

As the smoke cleared, Serina dashed towards her sister while Orha helped her up. 'Are you alright... sister?', asked Serina worriedly as Reith nodded her head. 'Yes... but Calintz--', gasped Reith as the three of them turned towards Calintz's direction--

XXX

'You almost got it close there... missy!', gasped Chris as Justina nodded at him. 'Yeah... I noticed that. Thank you.', she muttered before rushing towards Calintz. Chris gave a shiver as he muttered. 'Brrr... I said it again. Cold!', he said as Azel elbowed him. 'There's no time for that, idiot!', he cried as Haren added. 'Yeah, you idiot!', snapped Haren as he ran towards Neikan to launch his attacks.

XXX

'Calintz... are you hurt badly?', cried Justina in alarm as Reith helped him up. 'Don't worry about me.. I'm fine! Just let me at him!', snapped Calintz as Reith frowned at him. Even with him looking like a broken doll and half-covered in blood... he still says he's alright! Reith bit her lips as she scolded him, though noticing that some of his injuries had started to heal. 'You were hurt! Stay put and let the others handle Neikan!', she cried as Justina gasped. 'Yes. Calintz... Listen to Reith!'

'Don't worry about me--!' Calintz bit his lips as he pushed the two girls aside as he rushed blindly towards Hugo--

XXX

Haren spat as Eonis and Chris caught up beside him. 'There's no way we can get to him! The Light of Salvation absorbed most of our attacks!', cried Eonis as Rianna heaved a long sigh. 'Is there any way we could hurt him at all?'

'Let me try!', cried Azel as Haren pushed him aside. 'You crazy? This is too much for you!'

'But--'

Just at that moment, Calintz stepped into the fray as Neikan about to attack again. Not wanting to give him another chance at firing the damned thing, Calintz launched a series of multiple attacks as he could do anything more than to shield himself. 'Huh! Still not giving up...? Calintz... or should I call you Agreian, now? How's mother--? Hahaha...', he mocked as Calintz lunged towards him.

'Captain!', cried Azel as Reith, Justina and Orha came. 'Calintz!', cried Reith as she darted towards them. Orha glared at her in alarm as he tried to catch her. 'Ah! Wait, your Highness... come back here!'

During the commotion, Calintz managed to tackle Neikan hard as the Light of Salvation fell from his grasp. 'Oh no, you don't!', cried Calintz as he used the True Fuget technique to destroy it. Neikan looked up towards him as the Light of Salvation broke into separate shards again.

'No--!', cried Hugo as he pushed Calintz aside to try recover the shards. Calintz coughed out blood as he fell, but Serina came up just in time to prevent him from falling over the ledge. Calintz turned towards her. 'Serina! Help Reith destroy the tree!', he cried as the girl left, while he darted to destroy the separate shards. Reith recalled her phoenix as she tried her best to destroy the tree with Serina's support. The Tree of Life glowed dangerously as some of the shards managed to be absorbed into the tree, causing an imbalance of chi energy that threatens to break it apart. Noticing this, Orha hurried towards Reith, determined not to let the same thing happen to her twice. Neikan rushed in to stop Calintz's action...

Too late. As soon as Calintz managed to destroy the remaining shards, a large explosion erupted from the tree as he, Neikan and everyone were thrown aback. The dust flew around and settled as the Tree of Life started to release all of the chi energy that it has absorbed and started to wilt away into rotting wood...

XXX

Reith got up as Serina and Orha helped her. 'Thanks... Orha.', said Reith as Orha bowed to her. 'I don't want to see you in similar danger anymore, now knowing that you're still alive.', he said as Reith nodded. 'I see... I'm sorry if I caused you grief. I thank you for your loyalty.' Serina sighed, trying to change the subject as she pulled her aside. 'Let's check if the others are okay...', she said as Reith immediately remembered about Calintz.

XXX

'Is everyone alright?', cried Justina as she looked around her. The rest of them gave their thumbs up as her eyes hovered over the fallen form of Neikan. She checked his pulse as she found out he was still alive. 'He's alive. But what should we do about him?', she asked as she got up again.

Haren growled as Eonis pushed him aside. 'I suppose... we have to put him to custody, If we execute him now without revealing the truth to everyone...it won't change things for the better.', she said as Justina nodded. 'Well... please handle this--', she cried as she ran off.

'Hey, who do you think--?', cried Haren as Eonis stopped him. She nudged him towards the other side as he saw Roxy nearby, trying to move Calintz from the mass of rocks. He shrugged as he dragged Chris along. 'Here... give me a hand...', he said as Chris cried aloud for he was trying to follow Justina, who had rushed towards Calintz's direction.

Justina knelt over him as Calintz leant towards Reith. 'I... am okay.', he muttered as he coughed again. Blood came out from the side of his mouth as Justina shook her head exasperately. 'For crying out loud! Take care of yourself... Calintz! What should I say to Mistress Ladrinne if something bad were to happen to you? Do you want her to lose hope on living completely?-!', cried Justina as he looked away.

Calintz sighed softly. 'Sorry... I... got careless. Forgot... mother's... waiting. But at least... everyone... survived. I'm reliev--', he said softly as he held Reith's hand closely. But then, his grip weakened as his head slipped from its perch. Reith cried in alarm as she caught him. 'Calintz--? Are you alright--?-! Wake up--!', she gasped as she shook his body hard.

Justina quickly checked him all over as she tried to calm Reith down. 'Eonis... Serina, Maya! Help me--!', she cried as the girls tried to pull Reith away to calm her.

'No.. Calintz! No! Let me go!', cried Reith again as Chris and Azel helped Justina out. Haren fumed angrily as he turned towards Neikan, who was still knocked out unconscious. 'This is all because of him! If the bastard hadn't--'

'No...!', cried Reith again as the noise started to annoy Justina. She rose as she asked Orha to carry Calintz before going towards Reith and shook her hard. Reith immediately calmed down as Justina looked at her in surprise. 'Calm down! You can do nothing to help Calintz in this condition!', she scolded her as Reith hiccupped.

Serina frowned at her for scolding her sister like that. After all, she had returned from being thought dead! Eonis just sighed as Reith started to cry softly. Justina's eyes softened as she smiled. 'Cheer up. Calintz's still alive. I mean... barely, until we could get him to Mistress Ladrinne--'

Reith looked up happily as she got up to Orha to look over Calintz. Serina looked at Justina in wonder as Eonis nudged her. 'You know... you scared me a little, just now.', she said as Azel walked up towards them. Justina grinned as she glanced over to see Chris and Haren make themselves busy by figuring out how to tie Neikan up in the most uncomfortable way. She chuckled. 'Haha.. I scared myself too. But at least... it ends. We ended the war, isn't it?', she added as Eonis gasped in the realization. 'Yeah... we did!', she gasped excitedly.

'The captain will be alright, isn't it?', asked Azel as Justina nodded. 'Yes. Indeed, all of us could finally start over and lived our lives the way we want it! Calintz... of all people deserved it.'

'Yes indeed...', said Eonis as she nudged all of them to leave the ruined courtyard...

/END/

az: sigh... I at first want to change it a little. but then... ah hell, I make it mostly canon la...Saved me the bother...