Oh, thanks everyone for reviewing to my story. I really appreciate the reviews on the first chapter, and I'm glad to see some are interested. Perhaps if there was a ToA section, this would be easier to find...but whatever. Sorry I didn't update, but the site was down and not letting me go to my login area when I wanted to update.

Okay, review replies now!

SilentCat: Eheh...sorry about the weirdness. I've never written Dist before. But Jade's supposed to be acting that way. Anyway, thanks for your interest and your review!

Silver Nightingale: Yush, I meant to continue yesterday, but circumstances didn't permit. Thanks for your interest and your review!

Noreen: Thanks. A good start is always good, and here's an update for ya's.

On a final note, I am aware that this chapter is short. As I said on DevArt, I didn't have the second dialogue written up all the way, so just to satisfy, I posted this dialogue. For your benefit, if you review at least twice on this chapter, I'll update with the longer Chapter Three. That's not a bribe or anything, it's just that I really only planned to update a chapter a day and figure this wasn't a justice.


"If there was one thing I'd never see myself doing, helping to reform the Jade gang definitely ranks high on the list."

"Give it a rest, Dist. Whining isn't helping to pass the time any quicker."

"The name is Saphir, and I beg to differ, Gailardia."

"The name's Guy, and you're one complaint away from having the business end of my sword up your runny nose."

"I wouldn't doubt your threat either," Dist—or rather, Saphir—murmured. Even lower, he said to himself, "And I don't have a runny nose…"

Although he truly didn't think freedom was worth this sort of trouble, Saphir wasn't in any place to cross Peony. He had no one to back him, and besides…he didn't want Jade dead. Maybe a little hurt, but not dead. Apparently, the emperor knew that, so he was taking advantage of Saphir's brain since currently Jade's was…dysfunctional.

"So where are we planning to stop?" he asked Guy. Thoughts of mild blackmail and death didn't appeal to him at the moment.

Guy shrugged.

"I figured we could stop in Sheridan and set out again tomorrow on the Albiore," the noble said. "Then we could round everyone up…"

"No. We need to at least stop in Baticul," Saphir corrected flatly. "Unless you want a mush-for-brains fonist as a friend."

Guy looked startled.

"Neural degeneration isn't that fast, is it?"

"It's inconclusive," Saphir explained. "It wasn't Lorelei's intention to kill Jade all over again, I'm sure. It's likely to have tried to prevent neural degeneration. Even so, this doesn't mean we know how Jade's degradation will work."

"That's true," Guy replied with a nod. "So what would you say about all this, Di—uh, Saphir?"

Unconcerned with the blonde's faux pas, Saphir answered his question.

"We need to find out exactly what happened those three years that Jade and Luke spent in Eldrant. Perhaps that will allow me to create a firmer assumption."

"Right…and that's why you want to stop in Baticul?"

"Precisely."

Guy couldn't help but grin slightly, although there was no real reason to smile with the situation that faced them.

"It's been five years since we've gone on a journey like this together…it can't be so bad…"

"If not for such a serious purpose and, of course, my presence, correct?" Saphir questioned flatly.

"Sort of…I definitely think it'll take some time for the others to get used you. It's an interesting change from Jade to…well…you."

Dist whirled around at the comment, bearing down on Guy.

"Why? He's smarter? A better fighter? Witty? Better in glasses?!"

"Ah, no! It's not like that!" Guy yelped, leaping away.

"Good. Because I'm plenty smart and witty when I want to be," Saphir informed him. "And I look just as good as he does in glasses!"

"Uhm…okay…?"

For a time, there was only silence. Saphir was too touchy to talk, and Guy wasn't too eager. Actually, the swordsman was thinking. Once they reached Kaitzur, however, Guy spoke.

"Hey, Saphir."

"What is it?"

"How do you plan to fight?"

"…"

Guy sighed. So now the man really was just a brain?!

I guess he really just hide behind his Kaiser Dists after all. Fontech's his game, not fighting.

It wasn't that Saphir couldn't fight. He just didn't want to admit to Guy that he was a fonist, considering he wasn't a powerful one.

The most powerful spell I know is Thunder Blade…what good will that do? Besides, just one use drains my fonic energies…ooh, Jade! Why were you always the better?

However, on the ferry, Guy did press for answers to his unanswered question. It was important to know, as far as he saw it.

"Seriously," he commented, raising an eyebrow, "I can't imagine that you didn't learn anything offensive or defensive around Jade and Peony, insults excluded."

"I'm not here for muscle. I'm here to figure this problem out," the former God-General told him, clenching his fist tightly.

"But we can't protect you constantly…"

Saphir growled, a vein working on his forehead.

"Gailardia, you are beginning to irk me."

"Okay, okay…jeez…"

Guy left Saphir to his musings of weakness for the rest of the trip.


R & R, please!!