A/n: Before I begin, I wanted to let you all know that this chapter will be more like filler material for the time Mithos is growing up and he will likely get a girl as well. She is likely to be a made-up character who is a half-elf because I figured that she and Mithos would be more likely to get along if she could sympathize with him and his sister about being prejudiced against because of race. Also, this chapter will help my character develop because she hasn't really been used for anything yet. Anyway, here comes Chapter 4 and I'm so sorry it took me so long to add! I've had a crazy semester at college and I'm going to update as many stories as I can tonight.

What If

Chapter 4
Growing Up and Giving Support

Mithos looked up as he heard the sound of a Rheaird engine shutting off nearby. Well, it was good to know that Yuan and his sister were back safe and sound. He looked to Kratos, "Hey, Kratos. Do you think my sister will get a lot of support in Palmacosta?"

Kratos shrugged, "I don't know, Mithos. We'll just have to see what happens."

Mithos nodded, "Okay." He smiled as he saw Yuan and Martel walk in, hand-in-hand, "Hey, Yuan! Hey sis! Glad you made it..."

Yuan replied, "Hi Mithos. We came as soon as we heard."

Martel walked over to Kratos, "How are you feeling now?"

Kratos shrugged, "All right, for the most part."

Mithos sighed, "He's better than he was yesterday, but something else happened today while you were on the way over here."

Yuan asked, "What happened?"

Mithos replied, "I was cutting up some carrots to make a salad for everyone to eat, when I accidentally dropped the knife on the floor. When I went to pick it up, Kratos had already gotten it, but he was gripping it by the blade so that it was cutting into his hand! I asked him if he was okay. He said he was fine, that his hand didn't hurt." Clearly, what troubled the youth was not the fact that Kratos had hurt his hand, but that he had been wounded without even noticing it.

Martel's eyes widened and she checked Kratos over again, double-checking him for signs of injury. She then saw a thin line on the palm of his hand where the cut had been, "...Well, he seems fine now, Mithos. All that's left of that is a small white line."

Yuan seemed greatly disturbed by this as well and asked Kratos, "...Can you feel anything?"

Kratos answered, "Emotion-wise, yes, but...physically, I can't even tell if it's hot or cold in here. It's like someone has gone and ripped out all my senses."

Martel frowned, "...That's not good."

However, after not being able to feel or eat and losing his voice, Kratos made it through the angel transformation with the help of Yuan, Mithos and Martel. If not for them, he may have given up hope.

It was about a week or two later, and Kratos, Mithos and Martel were in Palmacosta, heading for the inn that the group was staying at while Martel was campaigning, when they spotted a small girl with short purple hair, brown eyes and wearing a black sleeveless shirt and red capri-length pants, being picked on by some larger and obviously much older boys.

Kratos told Martel and Mithos, "Stay here. I'll go help her."

Martel nodded and stayed back, placing a hand on her brother's shoulder, "Kratos can handle this, Mithos. We shouldn't get involved."
Mithos nodded and did as his sister asked, staying back from the crowd of boys.

Kratos grabbed the meanest out of the bunch of boys by his shirt and placed him against the wall of a nearby building, "Why are you picking on an innocent girl?"

Another of the boys, outraged by Kratos's behavior told him, "She's not innocent. She's a half-elf!"

Kratos glared, "That doesn't matter. Just because she's a half-elf doesn't mean she deserves to be treated like dirt." He let go of the boy he had pinned on the wall and warned him, "If you take your friends and leave, I will forget that I saw any of this. However, if you continue to pick on this girl, death will seem like a sweet escape for what I'll do to you."

The boy that Kratos had pinned earlier was intimidated by what Kratos had said and told his friends, "...C-come on, guys. This half-elf scum isn't worth it anyway." Before leaving though, he punched Kratos right in the face, "That's for siding with them." He then gathered his friends around him and left the area, but not before taking a knife out and giving the girl a parting slash on her stomach.

Kratos showed laudable restraint and didn't retaliate for any of those actions. He went over to the injured girl and knelt down to her, "Are you okay?"

The girl was very weak, and covered in bruises. She told him, "Y-yeah....I'll be fine. Th-thank you..."

Kratos replied, "I'm Kratos. You don't look fine, and you're welcome. What's your name?"
The girl answered, "Oh, I'm Serissa." She looked at Martel and Mithos, who by this time had joined Kratos at her side. She then asked Kratos, "Why did you help me? You're a human, and...I'm a half-elf."

Martel nodded, responding to the girl in what she hoped was a soothing voice, and just loud enough for her to hear, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Serissa. Don't worry, I'm a half-elf too, and Kratos is our friend. He wouldn't do anything to hurt you." She looked at Kratos, "Kratos, that last wound that the boy gave to her...it looks pretty serious." She used some healing magic to ease the girl's pain, but it was evident that they had to get her out of the city before some others found out what she was and decided to act on their prejudices.

Kratos nodded back, "You and Mithos go ahead and take Serissa. Yuan and I will join you shortly."

Mithos replied, stuttering slightly as he watched Serissa, "U-uh, Kratos...are you sure you'll be okay by yourself with Yuan? Wh-what if someone sees the two of you and...?"
Kratos smiled knowingly, "Thank you for worrying about us, Mithos, but we can handle ourselves. You just focus on protecting your sister and Serissa, okay?"

Mithos responded with more conviction, "Okay, Kratos. I'll protect Serissa and my sister with all I have." He smiled, then blushed as Serissa looked at him, "W-what?"

Serissa answered, "You're so brave, Mithos. I could never face up to someone who wants to hurt me. Well, I could, but I wouldn't be very convincing."

Mithos wasn't sure what to say for once and nodded.

Martel giggled, thinking Mithos's crush on Serissa to be too cute. She then told Serissa, "Oh, come on, Serissa. I'll bet you're stronger than you think."

Serissa smiled, "Maybe."

Mithos was still blushing slightly from Serissa's praise, although he had done his best to hide it.

Kratos sighed, "Mithos, Martel and Serissa, I'm leaving now to get Yuan." He wasn't much of one for love, at least not right now. Perhaps in time he would find someone, but for now, he was the lone wolf of the group.

Serissa nodded after him, a silent way of thanking him for saving her from those bullies. She turned to Mithos, "So...are your parents dead like mine?" She asked, trying to make small talk and hoping that the subject wasn't too painful for the boy.

Mithos replied honestly, "Yeah, they are. They died when I was still a baby. Martel's the only one who can really remember anything about them."

Serissa sighed, "Well, at least you have your sister. I had a twin sister named Shandra, but she was...raped, and killed along with my parents. I'm the only surviving member of my family." She tried not to cry, but it was so hard. She had been forced to watch everything that had happened to her sister, including the brutal murder, while her parents had been killed sometime during the night and she had come into their room to ask for breakfast when she found them dead.

Martel could tell this was a painful subject for the girl, so she changed it, "So, what do you like about my brother?"

Serissa shrugged, "I'm just glad he knows what I'm going through, and I think he's brave, strong and kind. You are too, Martel." She smiled, the first one she had been able to in a while.

Mithos had been able to tell it had been a while since Serissa had smiled and replied, "...Th-thanks, Serissa."

Martel turned to her brother, "So, what do you like about Serissa?"

Mithos blinked, blushing, "P-put me on the s-spot, why don't you?"

Serissa shrugged, "I don't think it's such a bad question."

Mithos answered, "W-well, I..." He sighed and tried to talk plainly before his nerves got ahold of him again, "I like that she is a half-elf and that she has the strength to stay alive despite everything she went through, and...she's not bad-looking either." He blushed when he said that last bit. It had come out before he intended it to.

Martel laughed, "So is there anything you two don't like about each other?"

Mithos shrugged, "I don't really know Serissa that well, so I don't really know. I guess we'll just have to see. Anyway...we should get moving before other prejudiced people decide they want to show up and beat up on her."

Martel nodded, "You're right." She and Mithos both helped Serissa to stand up.

Mithos and Martel helped Serissa leave Palmacosta.

Kratos and Yuan were right behind them.

They headed to Iselia, an area known to not discriminate as much against half-elves as some of the others.

After spending the night there, they continued to campaign for the acceptance of half-elves for quite a few weeks before they had to stop in Ozette. Martel was really beginning to show signs of pregnancy by this time. She had gained 20 lbs., had the occasional mood swing, ate a lot, and was often nauseous and fatigued. She winced as she felt the little girl she was expecting kick her. She had told everyone she was traveling with that she was expecting, pretty much as soon as she had it confirmed by the doctor in Flanoir when they had been there campaigning.

Yuan noticed her wince and asked, "Are you all right?"

Martel replied, "Yeah, I'm fine. Our little girl's got quite a kick, that's all."

Yuan smiled, "That just means she's healthy, and I'm grateful for that."

Martel managed a small smile back, "Yeah, that's true. By the way, the doctor also told me that she will be fully elven-blooded."

Yuan nodded, "I think we can handle that. What should we name her, by the way? We never really discussed that."

Martel thought a moment, "Hmm...how about the name Hope? Or would you prefer Ellen? I can't decide between those two."

Yuan shook his head, "I would like her to be named Kira, but we could always give her two names if you want. How about Kira Hope?"

Martel smiled, "That's a beautiful name, Yuan. I like it. Kira Hope Yggdrassil certainly has an interesting ring to it." She winced as she felt another contraction, then gasped as she felt a bit of wetness on her, "Yuan..."

Yuan noticed her looking a little scared, but also happy, "What is it, my love?"

Martel replied, "It's time. My...my water just broke...ow!" She winced as another painful contraction reverberated throughout her entire being.

Yuan tried his best to remain calm and nodded, "I'm not going anywhere, Martel. I'll stay right here for you, throughout the entire process."
Martel smiled, "Th-thank you, Yuan." She answered, breathless as she screamed through another contraction. Her contractions were slowly getting closer together, that much she could tell, but she wasn't sure how dilated she was or anything.

Mithos came running in, as he had heard his sister scream, "Yuan, what's going on? What's wrong with Martel?"

Yuan answered, "She's having the baby right now! Go get a doctor and hurry about it, Mithos!" He was worried and scared for both Martel and the child that was just about to be born, but he was going to stay there with them no matter what.

Mithos gasped and nodded, running to his Rheaird like a madman. He told Kratos, "Please stay here and protect Serissa while I'm gone."

Kratos nodded, able to tell that Mithos was in a hurry and that something was up with Martel, "I promise, Mithos."

About an hour later, Mithos came back with a doctor, looking really worried and scared.

Serissa did her best to comfort Mithos while Kratos went in with the doctor, to make sure that Yuan wouldn't try to get in the way. The doctor was human, but like Kratos, he didn't care what race the person he was treating was. They could be a half-elf and he would still treat them, unlike other doctors who would've been content to let both Martel and the child die.

About 6 ½ hours later, the doctor came out to Mithos and told him, "You're an uncle now, dear boy. It's a girl and your sister and brother-in-law have named her Kira Hope."

Mithos looked relieved to hear that both Martel and the baby were safe and sound. He smiled, "I'm glad. Can I go in and see them?"

The doctor nodded, "Be my guest."

Mithos and Serissa both walked into the room.

Yuan was sitting on the bed, softly stroking the minutes-old baby's face. He looked to Mithos and told him, with a soft smile, "Come see your niece."

Mithos nodded and walked closer, to get a better look at young Kira Hope, "She's beautiful." He told Yuan and Martel both, "I think she shows the best of both parents."

Martel giggled, tickled by what he had said, "Thank you, Mithos." She would've sat up and hugged him if she wasn't still sore in her lower back from giving birth.

Yuan nodded, "Yes, thank you." He ruffled Mithos's hair affectionately, then sighed, "Well, we're in for some long nights for a while."

Martel replied, "You're right, Yuan, but I think we can handle her." She tried to sit up and kiss him, but it just made her back ache to try and do that so she lay still.

Yuan smiled, "Yeah, you're probably right. Don't try to move too much if it hurts. I'll come to you." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Martel's before planting a kiss on her lips. He then added, "And if you're too sore to get up and feed her in the middle of the night or anything, I'll take care of it for a while."

Serissa was standing in the background for now, watching all of this silently with a smile on her face. She was glad Mithos had so many supporting loved ones too, and she would be pleased to count them as her family if she and Mithos ever started getting really serious. After all, her own family had been killed. She finally spoke up and said, "Mithos...do you want to go to Altamira?"

Mithos was taken a bit aback by her question and blinked, surprised, but then nodded, "Y-Yeah, su-sure, we can go there. W-We just have to be careful a-and not let people see that we're half-elves." He wasn't really comfortable in the up-and-coming resort city, but if it would please Serissa, he was willing to do anything.

Serissa smiled, "All right. Thank you, Mithos." She walked over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek, resulting in a blush from the blonde.

Mithos stuttered, "Y-you're welcome, Serissa."

Yuan rolled his eyes, not impressed by the spectacle. It was clear to everyone in the room, save Kira of course because she was only a baby, that Mithos had a huge crush on the young female half-elf. At least he found interest in something other than his and Martel's mission of bringing acceptance to half-elves though.

Mithos told everyone, "Well, Serissa and I are leaving to go to Altamira. I'll see you all later."

Kratos nodded, "I'd like to accompany you if I may. I'm not comfortable letting you two run around a city with so much discrimination without someone to protect you."

Mithos sighed, "Okay, fine, Kratos, come on."

When the three arrived at Altamira, Kratos stayed at the entrance while the two young half-elves went further into the resort. He wanted to give them some sense of privacy. After all, Mithos was starting to grow up and Martel had harped on him not too long ago for not giving the boy enough privacy.

Mithos and Serissa enjoyed their evening at Altamira until they could both barely keep their eyes open.

Serissa yawned, "That was fun, Mithos. Thank you for bringing me here."

Mithos nodded, "You're welcome." He smiled.

Serissa smiled back, then leaned over and kissed Mithos on the lips, catching the blonde off guard.

However, Mithos soon kissed back and placed his arms around her waist, embracing her and enjoying the moment of quiet. They probably wouldn't enjoy many more once people of the resort found out what they really were.

Kratos managed to keep the people at bay for a while, but eventually the crowd became too large and he shouted to the two, "Okay, we have to get out of here! Sorry to cut the date short you two, but it's not safe now."

Serissa nodded, breaking off the kiss with Mithos, "Okay, Kratos. Take us home."

Kratos was knocked back by one of the crowd members and his blue angel wings popped out of his back, unintentionally. He sighed and grabbed both Serissa and Mithos by the hand, "Hold on tight, you two." As much as he didn't like flying with so many people around, he would've hated to see the two young half-elves be hurt for being what they were even more.

Serissa looked a bit surprised at Kratos, "How did he-? What?"

Mithos answered for the older swordsman, "He went through the angelic transformation not too long ago. He's an angel, so he can fly and he has enhanced strength and vision and stuff too."

Serissa nodded, "That's so cool! Could I become an angel?"

Mithos replied, "You should be able to. If you were to equip a Cruxis Crystal, you'd be one just like that, since you're a half-elf."

Serissa responded, "Let me do some thinking about it first and get back to you." She smiled and yawned, trying not to fall asleep as they were flying over Altamira.

Soon, Kratos, Mithos and Serissa got back to where Yuan, Kira and Martel were. They went in quietly since they weren't sure if the small family was awake or not.

Mithos whispered, "Good night, Serissa." He kissed her on the cheek and gave her a light hug.

Serissa returned his embrace and told him, "Good night."

The couple then went their separate ways to their bedrooms. Yuan, Martel and Kratos had all stressed that they were not to sleep in the same room for quite a while. Though they supported Mithos and Serissa as a couple, they wouldn't be allowed to sleep in the same bed until they were married, even though Serissa didn't have anywhere to stay, that didn't mean she had to share with Mithos. The house they were in was big enough for the two of them to not have the same room.

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A/n: Yeah, that's the end of the 4th chapter. Be prepared for a huge time-skip next chapter to when Kratos meets Anna! Mithos will also be basically all grown up and Serissa too. They may get married and they may not. You'll just have to keep reading to find out what happens with the couple. ^^ Hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks to everyone who made a contribution! You know who you are, and your help was appreciated.