Chloe's POV, the next morning
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Nngh... I feel so sleepy... I just want to stay in bed today, even if there's work to do... It's so warm, whatever it is I'm hugging... Maybe I can just skip it this day, Altena would surely be forgiving... It almost never happens... Or was there anything important today...? Uh... I think there was something... but what...? I slowly open my eyes... It's so bright already, must be noon already... I can also feel something strange on my mouth, what's going on here...?
My eyes adjust to the light ever so slowly... This isn't even my room, where am I? What's that in front of me...? Wait, last night, I... oh, that's right, this is our room... The one I used to share with Kirika. I didn't stay here ever since Kirika left, it just felt wrong, the room was so empty, it was almost scary... But now that Kirika is back it's just how it used to be... Though I still don't really know what's going on here... I move myself a little bit and the sensation on my lips is gone, she seems to back off a little bit...
"Kirika...?" I still feel pretty sleepy, but it's making a little more sense now, all of it. Right, I came here because Kirika offered me to stay with her... I agreed and came over, so that's how I came here... though I can't remember falling asleep in a position like this, with my arms around her... I'm pretty sure we were a little bit further away from each other, but maybe it happened while we were sleeping...
"C-Chloe! Uh, I'm sorry about just now..." I let go of Kirika and rub my eyes, it's somewhat cold now, but I need to get up... That's right, the ceremony is today! I almost overslept! This is the most important day in my whole life and I almost overslept... Altena will probably come soon to wake us up... "I don't know what came over me, I didn't mean to just kiss you like that..." I need to get dressed and...! Wait, what?
"Nnh, what did you say just now...?" I still feel pretty tied, but I can't slack off today, any other day would be fine, but not today... I can't really tell what Kirika is thinking right now, she seems to be a little bit absent-minded today, maybe it's because of the ceremony? I'm also pretty excited about it, today will be the day when all this training finally pays off, all those years I spend here, it was all preparing me for today...
"I kissed you..." She did what...? I was about to take off my nightdress, but that somehow stops my movement, I try to make sense of her statement... she kissed me. A kiss... that could signify a lot of things, depending on the sort of kiss, I guess. Altena often kisses me on the forehead, I think that would count as motherly affection. And I read about something like that for sisters or just friends as well. Or could it be... a romantic gesture...?
"What kind of a kiss?" I finally pull the nightdress over my head and collect my clothes from yesterday again, that's alright. We'll perform a ritualistic cleansing before the actual ritual is to take place either way, we'll also get a new change of clothes... I'm pretty excited about that as well, I never got to see those special garments or the actual ritual... only the priestesses know about it, not even the most exalted of the other Soldats know it...
"What kind of a question is that...?" I guess this topic is kind of awkward for her, at least she doesn't seem to be too comfortable about it... There are indications of a frown on her face as well, I look deep into her hazel eyes, searching for some kind of answer, though I don't even know the question yet... A kiss can have a lot of meanings, there are kisses between siblings, parents and children or those that lovers would share... I do hope...
"I was just wondering, a kiss could mean pretty much anything, right?" I don't really know how to tell those apart, I mean, I read about those things in some books and I think it would be a motherly kiss when Altena does it, but the descriptions I read don't really help me... Well, I'd be happy in any case. A kiss is a sign of deep affection, no matter what kind of a kiss it is. This has to be the best day in my whole life...
"I wouldn't really know, it was just some kind of... I don't know why I did it, let's leave it at that..." Well, I guess that's also fine, if she doesn't know it herself yet I shouldn't corner her. I'll give her all the time she needs, we'll be together for the remainder of our lives from now on, after all... Once the ritual is complete we will be the true Noir, this is the day I always dreamt of... I won't let anyone interfere, not this time, not when I'm so close.
"Alright, I think it's about time-" *Knock* Oh, I was going to return to my room for the time being, but Altena seems to be here already, so I might just as well stay here. Since Kirika is still in bed I walk to the door and open it.
"Oh, I was looking for you, Chloe. The preparations for the ritual are almost done, it is time for you and Kirika to come to the altar." This is it, there are only few steps until we'll be allowed to step into the sanctuary and then we can take our vows, afterwards it's over... It's been a long way to get here, but all those trials prepared me for this, all those times I almost died will finally pay off and my dream will come true, no matter what...
"Very well, we will be there in a couple of minutes." Yes, soon all of this will be over, our old lives will end and our new life together will begin... Once all of this is over I will have to properly thank Altena and Kirika, of course I did my very best for both of them, but I still feel that I owe it all to them... and once all of that is done we'll be together, forever... Just the three of us, it would be so wonderful, I can't even imagine it...
"Well, I guess I'll get dressed now." That's right, we shouldn't make Altena wait too long for us, I feel a little bit anxious about all of this, for some reason... it's as if there was something lurking around, just waiting to step in and ruin this moment, this very moment I live for... but I'm probably just imagining things, there's nothing that could get in the way of Kirika and myself, even if Mireille wanted to stop us she couldn't...
"Yes, I will turn around for a moment." I do so and look at the stone wall in front of me. There would also be the other Soldats, they might want to stop this ceremony as well... but if they were powerful enough to kill either of us they would have tried so a long time ago, at a time when Kirika was away and I was too weak to defend myself. Well, I don't think there's much to worry about, but I shouldn't let my guard down...
"So, did you think about it, what you want?" I can hear the sheets rustle. It still hurts me a little bit, she doesn't seem to trust Altena, but I did think about it last night, a little bit. It's too late to decide anything else, from here on we will become Noir together, there is simply no other way. Was there ever any other way to live my life? I find it hard to imagine, since I came here for the first time I strived to become Noir, but what if Kirika had asked me to become something else?
"I want to become Noir, regardless of what happens, and I want the other person to be you." She doesn't look too pleased, but that's how I feel, maybe she would get used to it as well, if she spend some time doing it... maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she was how she used to be again, the other Kirika wouldn't think twice about this decision... then again she doesn't see me as anything but a tool to use as she pleases. I made my decision already when I didn't bring her back.
"*Sigh* Alright, I'm ready, let's get going." I turn around again, Kirika is in the same auburn cloak she got in the village. I do my best to offer her a bright smile, but I think it comes across kind of twisted and wrong, at least Kirika doesn't seem to be too happy about it... I open the door and make a gesture for Kirika to follow me, she does so, though a little bit reluctant. Is this the right decision, is this really what I want...?
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"Here the both of you are again, into what magnificent flowers have you grown... That is the nature of life, the saplings grow into beautiful flowers and the flowers produce new seeds before they die. Of course not all of the saplings could grow into such wonderful flowers, some have to make room for the others to live and grow." Altena was probably talking about Mireille, but Kirika's emotions don't show. She's gotten really good at pretending to be her...
"Yes, I'm so happy right now, Altena..." Kirika doesn't say anything, but her other self also wasn't very talkative, so it's alright. Altena has her usual motherly smile, but she looks so proud as well and that makes me feel proud in turn. I could just follow along with her wishes and be happy for the remainder of my life... but Kirika... she wouldn't be happy, so could I be happy with that outcome? It would all be a lie...
"You have seen and done things no one should have to witness, but know that this is the right thing to do, with your help I will end all of that corruption and return humanity to the way it should be, starting in our own ranks. But enough of my visions for the future, this day is entirely dedicated to the both of you. Let me present your ritual clothing, it is a detailed reconstruction of what the very first Noir wore. Borne, Marennes?"
"Yes, Miss Altena." Those two are priestesses of the Soldats who came here to help Altena with the ceremony, both of them come over to us with a set of white clothes. I doubt that they would offer much protection against anything, but that's probably not their purpose, they're ritual clothes, after all. I'd rather wear the cloak Altena made me, but I guess I'll just go along with it, it's a ritual, after all. At least the decorations look pretty...
"Now then, the preparations are complete. The next step will be to cleanse your body and your soul once more before you can accept your fate, I want you to reflect on your journey and the meaning of 'Noir'. You are free to leave now, you remember where the well is. Don't you, Kirika?" This question... is Altena suspecting something? I don't let it show, but I feel a little bit... scared. What would happen if Altena found out...?
"Of course. Shall we go, Chloe?" She just takes the lead as if she really knew where she was going, with as much indifference as my original partner had. It's somewhat confusing, this act, but it seems as if we could both keep up with it. I guess I'll have to make that decision soon, time is running out... Live in a lie with Kirika or go against Altena towards an uncertain fate... I don't think I can make that decision for her, it is her fate, I will comply with her decision...
"Till later then." I hastily follow Kirika, soon we are out of reach, though we still have to be careful with all those priestesses around... They're all fanatic servants of Altena, probably the same as I used to be, but since I've been reunited with Kirika I have... questioned a lot of the things she preaches. I was always blindly following, I never questioned Altena or Kirika's other side, but now... I just don't know any more...
"Phew... that was really close, wasn't it?" Now that we're alone again the tension dissipates slightly, though Kirika still seems to be a little bit uncomfortable. I can't really make a decision on my own, it's somewhat... frightening, I'd almost call it. I want to make a decision on my own, for Kirika, in the end I'll just follow her instead of Altena, but that is not what she wants, is it...? "Chloe, are you alright? You look... distressed."
"Sorry, I was just thinking about... a lot of things. You made me question... well, pretty much anything I thought to be true. It's difficult for me and you don't have an answer for me either..." She expects me to find an answer to those questions, but I don't have one... Time really is running out, as soon as the ceremony is over... I want to make Altena happy, I don't want to disappoint her, but I don't want to force something upon Kirika...
"Sorry about all of that, I caused you a lot of trouble... but I'm glad." She gives me one of the brightest smiles I have ever seen on her face, she really looks happy... Though I don't understand what she's talking about, so I give her a questioning look. "Ah, I just meant... I'm really happy that you're really thinking about those things I said, I was afraid that you would... reject it without a second thought or even turn against me."
"I would never turn against you, no matter what! I will always be with you. Even if..." 'Even if' what...? Even if it would mean going against Altena? Even if it would mean giving up everything else? Even if it would kill me? All of those things come to mind, but somehow I can't find the right words to articulate that feeling... I'm not sure if I could really do those some of those things, but... "No matter what."
"Well, there's still a little bit of time left before you have to make your decision. But don't forget the important part, I want it to be your own decision, something you won't regret." I don't think there is an option I won't regret in this scenario... If we go against Altena we won't be able to go back to the way things used to be, she'll never hug me or comfort me again... And if both of us became Noir Kirika wouldn't be happy, it would all be a lie...
"I suppose so... let's just go and clean ourselves for now, I still need a little more time to think things through." Why does this have to be so complicated...? I'm starting to think that life was too easy on me until now... Of course it wasn't easy, the moments I almost died are too many for me to count, the training was arduous... but all of my decisions, except for the one to follow Kirika, were made for me... I need more time...
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"This place is really amazing..." It is pretty nice, I used to come here to think about things, it has a very serene atmosphere... it helped me to calm down when Altena told me Kirika was gone and wouldn't return for a long time... The well and the other things are weathered and almost crumbling. The air is moist and damp and it's pretty dark, but it has a certain charm, I can't really explain it... I start to take off my clothes, first the cloak, next my leather armour and finally the remainder. Though I keep my treasure with me, the silver fork...
"Yes, this place is probably the oldest thing here, Altena said it was used by the Noir that were a long time before us for ritual cleansings. I don't know just how old it is, but it's pretty old." I wonder if any of the other maidens chosen had doubts about this when they got to this point... or are we the only ones in the long history of the Soldats and Noir? That tradition was broken for a very long time, I wonder why...
"Alright, let's get cleaned." The water is crystal clear and somewhat cold, but I don't mind, it's been rather hot lately, so a cold bath is just the right thing. Maybe I could just flush away all of those doubts? Haha, if it only was that simple... Altena told us to think about Noir, but I don't even know what it's supposed to be... Sure, it's an ancient fate and so on, but I don't understand what it's supposed to mean, I can't remember it...
"Ah, yes, of course..." What did I admire about Noir, why was it my dream to become Noir? In the end this is also all about Kirika, I never really cared about 'Noir'... Of course I also wanted to make Altena feel proud of me, but the actual ideals behind it... I don't care about any of those things. Altena would be ashamed of me, I feel ashamed of myself for this, but that's how it is... I don't care about 'Noir', it was more like a game to me.
"You're really worried about something, aren't you?" I guess that was obvious... Well, I think I could just as well talk to Kirika about it, she is the only one I actually could talk to right now... though she wouldn't be able to understand any of that, would she? She can't remember anything, in a way that's probably a blessing... She couldn't understand it, her problems are horrible as well, but my whole life... I was happily living in a lie...
"That's... true. I was just thinking about all of those things I thought to be true... and now... can you imagine what it would feel like if you woke up one morning and just realised... all of your life was a lie? Everything you believed to be true... was false? I wonder if I stumbled into Wonderland or right out of it..." It certainly feels like it, all I considered to be true and right was turned upside down...
"Was this another reference to that book?" Oh, I almost forgot that she doesn't remember it, I enjoyed that story and it seems to be rather well-known as well. Why, I shall read it with Kirika someday, I should think that she would enjoy it just as much. That certainly would be nice... Though we'll have to reach some kind of a decision before that... Time really is running out, but I just don't know what to do...
"Oh, yes, it was. But about that dilemma we are facing right now..." I see no way out of this, I really don't... I will have to bite the bullet, one way or the other.
"Well, maybe we could... just go through with it for now and see how it goes? It wouldn't be impossible to leave once we've done it for a while, right?" I suppose so... However, I don't think I can accept that offer, it is generous, but...
"I'm sorry, Kirika, but I don't think I could do that... I would betray Altena and you at the same time by doing that..." I feel about ready to cry... I try to hold it back, but somehow all of that pressure is just too much for me... I never really had to deal with a difficult situation, it was always laid out for me... 'Chloe, this is the right thing, do it.' But all of a sudden no one can tell me what the right thing is, I'm not even sure if there is such a thing...
"Well, it is your choice, we still have time, for now. I will be with you, no matter what you decide to do..." That's... I'm really glad that Kirika says that, but at the same time it hurts... if something goes wrong it's all my fault... no, I can't allow this, this time I can't allow myself any mistakes, I have to decide what I really want. Kirika made herself clear and she encouraged me all of this time, I need to tell her something...
"Kirika..." I don't know what to do or what to say, but does it really matter? I think I know... what I feel for her. All those other things... I'm not sure about them, but this one thing... I take another look at the silver fork she gave me back then... yes, that's all I need, now I know it... I have to tell her, before I can make any decisions for both of us I have to know how she feels. I was way too self-absorbed, only thinking about my own troubles... "Kirika, I have to tell you something. I... I love you... I love you!"
"C-Chloe...?" I walk over to her and throw my arms around her, that's what I truly believe. No matter if everything else is false, it doesn't matter if all I believed in was a lie... even if my whole being was just something created from lies, there is one thing I know to be true now... I love Kirika. The words make it sound so insignificant, they just can't convey these feelings... I lean forward and move my face a little bit closer to hers...
"Kirika... I know this might be strange to you... and I could understand it if you rejected my feelings... but... if you don't mind, could I... return the favour? For this morning?" She looks a little bit confused at first, but I think she realises what I'm trying to say... She looks just a little bit more colourful in the face than usual...
"Chloe... I'm not really sure... about what I feel for you... but it would only be fair, right?" She smiles shyly, this isn't exactly the answer I was hoping for, but... but still, I'm happy. She didn't outright reject me, I don't know if I could have handled that... I finally close the distance between us, her lips are so soft... her hazel eyes are a little bit wide, but that only makes her look even more beautiful...
"Kirika, could we... continue this?" I feel rather insecure about what we should do next, I wouldn't mind just continuing to kiss... unless Kirika would like to do something else, no matter what.
"Chloe!? Come here, immediately!" Wha- Altena...? I practically jump back from Kirika because of the surprise... She just stands there with some towels, she looks... angry?
"Altena? Uh, yes, of course!" I give Kirika another look and dress myself in the new clothes as fast as I can, afterwards I follow Altena as she leaves...
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Kirika's POV, on the training grounds
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"Chloe, won't you tell me what happened already?" She refused to talk about it for quite a while, but I could see the redness she had on her left cheek when she returned... she was looking at the ground almost all of the time now, I don't know what happened, but it seems pretty obvious... though I don't understand why... The ceremony was also suspended.
"It was... nothing. Just forget about it, we're here to train." Both of us were given a sword, but Altena's behaviour was quite different... She didn't seem motherly at all, the way she looked at Chloe when I met them again... I don't understand what made her so angry and she wouldn't respond either, but I could sense the tension... Something happened between Chloe and her... Chloe seems different, she looks so... dejected.
"Chloe, please... after what you told me back then... you can trust me, even if I don't know whether I feel the same way or not..." She finally looks up, I guess I got through to her, after all... though she looks rather sad, not like her usual somewhat childish self at all...
"It was... it was because of what I did back then. Altena said... that was wrong." Huh? I can't say I understand this, but it seems to have quite an impact on Chloe... She looks as if she was about to cry... "She said... she said we couldn't be Noir... if we did something like... that. She said... we have to remain maidens..." Somehow this doesn't really make any sense to me, what did she mean by all of that...? But I think I should rather take care of Chloe, for now...
"Don't worry, it'll be alright. I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding of some sorts, right?" Chloe doesn't seem to be very reassured, but at least she looks into my eyes now and she told me what was wrong. Her grey eyes are glittering with tears, I can see how they slowly take form and roll down her cheeks... I put one arm around her back and hug her, trying to comfort her, but she pushes me away...
"No... no, it wasn't. I understand it now, it was my fault..." I don't understand anything at all, just what is going on here? Altena definitely did something to her. I never saw Chloe like this, she was always so... she just seemed so unwavering, as if nothing in the world could upset her. Now, on the other hand... I want to help her, but I just don't know what I should do, I feel so confused... though it has to be worse for Chloe, I guess...
"I can't say I understand it, but I know that you did nothing wrong. Come on, look into my eyes. Chloe..." I put my right hand under her chin and lift her head up a little bit. She was looking at the ground again, I guess she doesn't want to look into my eyes... but I think she has to see for herself that I don't reject her. "Good, now listen to me. No matter what Altena said or did, you did nothing wrong. Altena was wrong."
"But... Altena... she was never..." I'm walking on thin ice here, I can almost hear it creaking... then again, I've been doing that for the whole time I was here. Had Altena found out about our little trick we would've been in a lot of trouble... things were going so well until now, I won't let that go to waste. I will see it through, I'll make sure that nothing bad will happen, I don't want to lose someone important to me...
"Kirika! There you are..." That voice... Mireille! This is... really bad timing. I don't think Chloe would attack me, but the way things are right now... I can see her in front of some pillars, she has her gun in one hand and seems to be ready for a fight... Chloe looks somewhat confused, but also... almost enraged. This is a bad situation, a really bad one...
"Why...? Why did you have... to come here? If you hadn't come here... If you hadn't come here...!" Oh no... Chloe seems to be... past her limit, she draws her sword, but that's it. She doesn't charge Mireille and she doesn't pull out one of her knives to throw at her yet... "That's right, it's all because of you! It's your fault, all of this! You're the reason why Kirika doesn't feel the same! All because Altena chose you over me!" What...? Does she...
"What are you talking about? I'm not here for you." Chloe... I never saw her this angry, she was always so composed, but now... she seems to be about to attack, but something is holding her back. We're sitting on a powder keg and one spark would be enough to make it all blow up... "I'm here for Kirika." We have... some things to settle, I guess. I didn't remember anything new, but it's true, I killed her parents...
"She has no business with you. If you try to harm her... if you even lay a single finger on her I will kill you!" I'm happy that she feels that way, but this isn't good... I try to think of something to say, anything, but... it's all blank, I can't think of anything that would defuse this situation. I should just wait for now, maybe they will settle it on their own... No, that's just wishful thinking. They never got along and things haven't improved, far from it.
"I think she can decide with whom she has business on her own, right, Kirika?" I guess there's no helping it...
"Chloe, please, calm down. I will handle this..." Both of them look at me, Mireille seems to be rather calm, but firm... I can't tell what she wants to do, but I will accept it. Chloe... I don't think she would let Mireille do anything...
"I am calm! I know what I'm doing, alright? I have something to tell you. Both of you." Huh? Somehow she seems to be... different. Both her anger and her confusion seem to be nowhere to be found, in their stead I see... determination? "Mireille. It was all a lie, a test for both of you by Altena. Kirika didn't kill your parents. I did." Wha-!? No way, I know that's not true, I remember part of it!
"Chloe, you ca-!" I try to say something, but Chloe stops me. She turns around, puts one hand on my shoulder and gives it a gently squeeze...
"It's alright, Kirika. You don't have to bear that any longer." She leans in a little bit closer and whispers something to me... "If you hadn't done it I would have, so it's basically the same as if I'd done it. I love you..." She turns back to Mireille... "Now then, do with me what you want. Just don't harm her. Shoot me, stab me, I don't care. Just leave her alone!" She throws her sword to Mireille's feet... Chloe, you can't...! You can't do this to me, not after all of this!
"Then it is time to receive your punishment, are you really alright with that?" I can't tell what Mireille is thinking, I can't tell what either of them is thinking... Chloe just stands in front of me with her arms spread, this can't be happening...
"I told you already. Punish me however you want, just leave her alone..." I get up and try to push Chloe aside, but she just shoves me back. I try to get up agai- *BANG* No... no way... This can't... no, Chloe wouldn't let something like that hit her, she would... just dodge it and... she doubles over and... "ARGH! My... leg? Are you... that bad at aiming? Or do you want to... enjoy the moment?" Chloe is still... Mireille lowers her gun...
"Neither. This is all there is to your punishment. Even if what you said had been true, I wouldn't have done more." Mireille... I'm so glad, I rush to Chloe's side and take a look at her... there's a wound in her tight, but it doesn't look as if the bullet would be hard to remove or cause any permanent damage... "Truth be told, I didn't come here to get revenge on either of you. I came here for the one responsible for it. And a friend of mine, or two, perhaps?"
"Mireille... Thank you!" This way no one has to die... at least no one important to me... I'm not sure what we should do about Altena, but I've had enough of killing... I help Chloe up, she looks rather confused, but I'm overjoyed... This is what I had hoped for. Both of them can live, not just one of them... and I can live as well. All that's left to do is taking care of Altena, one way or another...
"I can't let you harm Altena, I won't let you..." Chloe... she's in no condition to fight, even Mireille could probably kill her right now... why would she still defend Altena, after all the things she did to us!? In the end it's all Altena's fault, she started all of this... she is the one who ordered me to kill Mireille's parents, she is the one who did those things to Chloe and myself... Mireille must have reached the same conclusion.
"Kirika... I'll leave this to you, I will go ahead and scout the location." Just like that she starts running, out of Chloe's range before long... Chloe can't exactly follow her right now, her agility is pretty restricted... and it's all up to me now... convincing Chloe to let us kill Altena probably won't be easy... I don't want to kill any more, not even someone like Altena, but that's probably what it will all boil down to. I won't let her kill Mireille and I don't want to die either.
"Chloe... please, just forget about this place. Just let Mireille and myself take care of Altena, I won't harm her if I can avoid it." Chloe looks rather torn, if I really have to I will just run and follow Mireille, Chloe wouldn't be able to catch up with us in time... but I rather wouldn't do things that way, Chloe would probably hate us for that and I don't want her to be our enemy...
"Kirika... you're asking me to let you kill... our mother?!" I know what I'm asking her for... I know how hard this decision has to be for her... I never really loved Altena, not even that other me, I think... but Chloe? She lived here for a long time with Altena and she loves her as her own mother... Her face is a mixture of pain and anger, but it has to be...
"I'm sorry, Chloe. I told you you'd have to make a decision sooner or later and I'm sorry for forcing this upon you, but... you will have to choose now, Altena or me." I would make it easier for Chloe if I could, but I can't think of any way...
"That's just... how could I... I love... both of... you." Her voice is shaking, she looks about ready to cry again... but I can't spare her from this, she has to make her decision. If she doesn't do it now it will be too late... "Leave... Do what you must do... just hurry up, before I can change my mind! I'll still love you...!" That's... now I feel even worse for doing what has to be done... but there's no helping it.
"Thank you, I'll come back for you, once all of this is over!" I make haste, I don't want to doubt Chloe, but I can't trust her decision... she said so herself. I don't feel comfortable, leaving her alone like this, but... if I don't do it now this probably won't end well. I have to do it, for myself, for Mireille, especially for Chloe. All of us won't be able to be happy with things the way they are. Altena has to...
"Kirika? Are you coming?" I walk towards Mireille, Chloe seems to have collapsed against one of the nearby pillars, I feel bad for leaving her behind... but there's no helping it. This is what all of our decisions contributed to. This is our hope for a better way, maybe our only hope at all. Once we're through with Altena we'll have all the time in the world, then I can think about what I want to do with Chloe...
"Sure. And I mean it, thank you, Mireille!" I start running and throw my arms around her back once I reach her... She's a true friend, without her help I wouldn't be here right now. She helped me getting to this point, just as much as Chloe did. I can't even express how happy I am, though it might be a little bit too early for that... We still have the difficult part ahead of us and I don't know if Chloe will just wait for us to do the deed...
"Hey, why are you so clingy all of a sudden? But it's fine. Really. I wouldn't feel any better if I killed either of you. You were too young to know what you were doing. The one who would make children do such a thing... she's our true enemy." I guess that settles things with Mireille, at least for now. I let go of her, she smiles as well. This is the best I could hope for, actually even better than what I had hoped for...
"Haha, sorry. I'm just happy to see you again, I thought... back then would've been the last time we'd meet. Though I completely agree with you, Altena is our true enemy." I thought that I wouldn't see Mireille again, I chose Chloe when I accepted her offer to follow her here... Mireille seemed to be pretty angry at that time, but I guess she got over it by now. She's here for us, that's all that matters, for now.
"Heh, of course I'd come for you, you're still half a kid, aren't you?" Half a kid? I guess I'm still pretty young, but the things I did so far... well, if Mireille says so...
"Well, I guess so...?" She laughs, somehow I don't really get her, sometimes. Especially not when she's referring to some books or something like that, but that's always unfair... I don't remember most of my past, so I don't remember any books either...
"Well, yeah. Let's go, let's clean up this mess. Afterwards I don't want to have anything to do with the Soldats and all that crap..."
"Yeah, that makes us two..." Leaving all of that behind doesn't sound like a bad idea, though I have no idea what to do afterwards...
"Come to think of it, you've gotten a lot closer to her, haven't you?" Chloe? Oh... oh, yes, I guess so... Mireille tries her best to look innocent, but somehow... she has that kind of knowing smile, it irritates me a little bit... well, what else should I expect? Chloe was pretty much yelling that she loves me, I'm sure Mireille heard that part as well... of course she did, she needs something to tease me with, after all...
"Hm, you could say that... though I'm not really sure what I should do about that..." I don't know if I feel the same way, I don't know what it's supposed to feel like... it feels a little bit different if I think about Mireille, but that's all I have to go by. Mireille is a dear friend to me, she means a lot to me, even more now... but Chloe? She's important to me as well, but I can't tell if one of them is more important to me than the other...
"Well, I can't help you with that decision, you will have to figure it out on your own, you will have to listen to your heart or something like that. Though I'm pretty sure that she meant what she said. She didn't hesitate or even flinch when I was about to shoot..." That was... really reckless of her. How could she do that...? I wouldn't be happy if she had died there and it wouldn't have erased my feelings of guilt, it would have reinforced them...
Maybe Mireille has some idea? "Come to think of it, what do you want to do once we're done?" She looks really surprised as she pushes back some of her long blonde hair...
"What I want to do after this? That's a pretty good question... I didn't really think about anything like that. I guess I'll resume my studies or something? Well, we can talk about those things once we get there, right? So let's hurry up and get this done." She has a point there, until Altena is dead or defeated in some other way we could just as well forget all of this... and Altena doesn't seem like someone to just give up, that much is for sure...
"Yes, let's do that. One last job." It isn't really a job, it's my choice, this has to be the first time I decided something on my own since... I don't even know since when, I was always following the orders of someone else. It was the same for Chloe, wasn't it? We'll have a lot to talk about, once we're done here... I don't know how to answer her, but I want to learn more about her. I want to get to know her.
...
Author's note: Ouch... we'd really like to apologise for the late update, a lot of stuff has been happening lately. We said it'd probably take a little longer for us to update this story, but half a year...? Damn... we weren't really happy with the way this was going and we're still not perfectly happy with this chapter, but that's still better than nothing after all this time... Once again we'd like to apologise, hopefully the next chapter won't take so long...
...
Nyria Waynes: *Sigh* "I guess this was my fault, again..."
Danielwain: "Yes, it was. I had some personal reasons for this, but you... starting yet another fanfiction while we were having so many other stories to attend to and so little time... That was certainly irresponsible. I shall make sure that something like that won't happen again..."
Chloe: "For once I have to agree with him. That that day would come..."
Mireille: "Well, at least no one had to die so far."
Kirika: "Yes, I don't know about the other things that happened so far, but I'm relieved..."
Chloe: "... Well, it isn't too bad, the way things are now..."
Altena: "This isn't over yet."
