Earlier that day, a new perspective…
As I opened my eyes, I remembered that I turned my lights off before passing out. The pitch darkness almost seemed welcoming, since I certainly didn't feel like my usual self. From my spare room I could still hear sparks from that remained of my computer. I probably will regret that later, but right now there's more important things to focus on than my 4 Goddesses Online profile.
Swinging myself around I let my legs hang off the side of the canopy bed. The silken sheets inviting me back to sleep, but after sleeping an entire day I have recovered from that all-nighter session I was so prone to do. I was about to get up to get prepared for the day when I heard a knock on the door. The voice was one I so longed to hear, but when she spoke, my own was caught in my throat. After yesterday I was too ashamed to face her, so I steeled myself just to listen.
"Hey Vert, it's me. I don't know if you are awake, but I wanted to let you know I'm heading out. I haven't seen you since that happened, so I just was hoping to see you before I left. You probably are still exhausted though since I did wake you up." *soft pained chuckle* "Well anyway, rest up. You seemed really upset yesterday, so when I get back you better be ready to sit down and talk with me sis… I love you so don't worry me like this. See ya later…"
Tears started to fall once again after hearing how hurt Cros still sounded. I only meant what I said as a joke, but in my sleep deprived state I never would've realized that it was something absolutely cruel to a young girl who used to need to beat me off her with a stick. I pulled my legs up to my chest, something quite hard to do with my anatomy, and wrapped my arms around my knees. For a time, I just sat there thinking of a way to make things up with her, to let her know I never meant those words and that I do want spend time with her. I must have been deep in thought, because by the time I realized it, I was waking up for the second time.
Two hours passed. I finally resolved myself to get up, but first I needed to clean myself. A Goddess cannot let her faithful worshipers see her in such a sorry state as I am currently. I walk from my room to the kitchen, to see if Cros was back for lunch to see if she wanted to hop in the bath with me for old times' sake. When I only saw Chika preparing a light salad, I felt the happiness drain from me once again, something the Oracle who would formerly glomp on me at sight picked up on.
"What's wrong Vert, sad I'm not your sister?"
The question was asked innocently enough, no noticeable inflections of spite or intent on wounding. Why did it sting so though? Was seeing the one who lived with me as my only family for so long before my sister was born really that depressing? I think I was hurt more that my view changed that I forgot how much I cared for Chika, even if saying that would only bring her back to her ways of fawning over me trying to get me to do unspeakable things with her in the bedroom. I look away and bite my lip, trying to think of a way to say this without hurting her feelings.
"It's not that Chika. It's just, after yesterday I was hoping to at least see her once… But since you are here, can we talk? Not about work or games or anything like that. Just…talk… I need someone to just hear my words and tell me I'm not crazy for once. Though if you saw the mess my computer is in now, there would be no doubt you would lock me up in a straight-jacket right away."
Putting down the tongs, Chika walked over to me. Lightly, and with a sweet smile, she grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the table. Taking a seat, I watch her go over to the counter and pour two cups of coffee, adding cream and sugar to hers, and my favorite mint creamer to mine. It was surprising how such a little thing could bring a slight smile to my face, but it was a nice reminder that Chika still cared for me. She set the cups down, and sat across from me. For a moment she looked down at her cup, and when she looked up I almost jumped. The look in her eyes was one of seriousness that I never have seen her give me outside of work, which only made the words she said next hit me harder.
"You messed up Vert. Cros is still not even a month old in reality. She may have the maturity far outclassing the 14 years she looks, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need her big sister to be there for her. She may look and act annoyed when you pamper her, but when she pretty much used me as your surrogate when you would go off to work or lock yourself away, I can tell you damn well that she does it out of love. After both of your outbursts, I held her for hours, and she told me how she was going to do her damnedest to get you to acknowledge her, to pull you away from your own world for just a day and focus on the sister you wanted so much. I can understand how ashamed you are, but you need to know this. Now get going! Cros usually comes back for lunch when doing quests, and she hasn't returned yet. I may be making mountains out of molehills, but this is the perfect opportunity for a big sister to show off."
The final sentence was accented with a light smile. With a newfound strength building up in me, I jumped up from my seat. Not even a raging storm could stop me from finding my sister!
If only I knew what was in store when I found her…
Back in Zega Forest, a return to focus…
"…s…..Cr.s….ros….Cros! Please open your eyes Cros!"
Feeling weak, I could only hear bits and pieces of what was being shouted at me as I slowly returned to consciousness. I opened my eyes slowly, only to feel them water when I see who was kneeling besides me motionless body crying her eyes out over what must be a sorry sight. My sister, in her HDD form, was right beside me, and based on the comfort I found my head in, she moved me onto her lap while I was out. When she saw my eyes open and my reaction to seeing her, she threw her arms around me and pulled me into the tightest hug we ever shared, something that sent pain shooting through my body.
"Oh Cros! Thank the True Goddess you are alive! When I saw you just lying there, covered in…I just didn't know how to react. I'm just so glad you are okay."
Slightly worried on why she had a pause in her words after 'covered in' I tilted my head to look down at myself. The sight made me shoot my hand to my mouth as a wave of nausea swept over me. The source of my pain was the fact that my body was covered in scratches and cuts of various depths. From those, what remained of my clothes was stained a deep red, and clung to my body soaked in blood. Had I not been a Goddess myself, I probably would've been dead already…
"Ver…t… Wha-. What happened?"
With a choked voice I asked my sister what was going on. The last thing I remember was being in the center of the forest. On all sides of me, partially hidden by the trees, I was surrounded by the 5 Fenrir I came out to subdue. As they encroached on me, I prayed for my sister to come save me, but just from looking at the situation I am now in, and the way the terrain looks after waking up, that was not the case…
My head rolled lazily around as I tried to collect my bearings, but when I saw what happened to the forest my eyes went wide. Surrounding me, in almost a perfect circle, was a new clearing about 60 yards wide. Large gashes in the earth was all that remained of where trees once stood strong. What trees that were left in the area were now impaled on the bodies of the 5 wolves that attacked me. Their bodies were twisted in a way that showed extreme force was used to not only spear them with the large rods of wood, but to also contort their bodies in ways that would make anyone feel ill.
"Don't worry about it Cros, I'm taking you home now. We will get you checked out so you can just lay in bed and rest. I'll even stay with you until you fall asleep if you would like, okay?"
Vert collected her balance and picked me up princess style before standing up. The sudden movement sent shots of pain coursing through my body, even forcing me to audibly cry out in pain, an act that nearly brought my sister to tears. As we floated into the sky, I was able to get a greater perspective of what I was laying in the middle of. It wasn't just like a perfect circle that the new clearing appeared to be, it was in fact one. Probably the most jarring thing I noticed was right where we once were on the ground. Perfectly made so that I was in the center, a large "X" scarred the earth. It was jagged around the edges and savagely deep, but for some reason I couldn't help but feel like I knew where that design came from. Exhaustion made my eyes sting from looking at this, so I turned my head back to focus on my sis.
On her face was the most pained expression I've ever seen from her. She was scared, terrified, of what she just saw. I don't know when she got there, how long I was out, or the details of how I ended up like that, but she was absolutely shaken at what she saw. Even her arms weren't steady, I felt like I was in a massage chair for a bit with how much she kept shaking, which even knowing the implications felt nice. Through the pain, I lifted my limp left hand and placed it on her cheek. I didn't know what happened, or how I got like that, but one thing was for certain. My sister came for me, and now she was with me, and that was all that mattered. Noticeably shocked, Vert took a second to register the touch of my cut up and slightly sticky hand on her. With as disgusting as it probably felt she still nuzzled into it at the touch, and even through pained tears she wore the most genuine smile. Even while it hurt like hell, I turned my body in her arms to wrap my arms around her. She welcomed my hug by holding me closer, and the warmth from her body helped ease the pain my wounds were pulsating with. Before my consciousness left me again and I fell into a peaceful sleep, I said the words that I know probably caused her to cry even more, but at least they partially could've been out of happiness this time.
"Thank you for saving me sis… I knew that if I prayed for you to come, you would be there… I'm sorry I let you down, but I'm happy that I get to be in your arms again…"
When we got back to the Basilicom, Vert put me not in my bed, but her own. Bandages covered my body and Vert was still a mess, but she held me in her arms while I slept. When I awoke the next day, I remember feeling bliss from being with the sister I've missed for so long, and then dread with not knowing what exactly happened before I blacked out. I need to find out what happened, and why I don't remember a thing after praying for my sister….
Thanks for reading everyone, gonna keep this short. Secrets about Cros will be revealed soon, and a new threat will force Gamindustri to pull together to face it, even if not everyone is ready for the fight...
