The Tower of Guidance was a magical and highly sacred place, particularly to Ashera's faithful. It was especially dear to the people of Begnion, since it stood within their own boarders, yet the Tower held sway within the hearts of all people of all nations, beorc and laguz alike. Those who loved Ashera—those who worshipped her as the goddess—loved the Tower and would never even think of entering it. It was forbidden for mere mortals to enter it anyway—yet even the thought, the curious desire to do so, was considered sacrilege. Certainly, Micaiah had never entertained the thought that she would one day see the interior, much less climb its stairs to the very top level.

She paused on the stairs as they left the room where the unmasked Black Knight lay cold and still against the wall. He seemed to be so accepting of his death that she hadn't known what to say to him (what did one say to a dying man?). Of course, Yune had control of her body at that point, as she often did when they were inside the Tower. Micaiah was becoming so unused to having her body to herself. Not that she didn't enjoy Yune's company or wasn't honoured to be Yune's host, but hosting a goddess came with its own restrictions. Being unable to speak with Zelgius on her own was one of them.

Admittedly, he had been far too weak to speak much at all, even to Yune. What could he have to say to Micaiah? It made sense to speak with Yune—she was the counterpart to Ashera, their enemy, the one he served (although she was not so sure now that his loyalties were given to Ashera alone). Of course he would speak to Yune, his enemy, before he died.

But Micaiah wanted to talk to him. Not because he was their enemy or because General Ike had finally defeated (for the final time) the one man who had transcended all legends of the world but because he had been her protector, her saviour. She wanted, above all, to thank him. Sothe was a devout and good protector but there was something lacking in how he went about that job. Perhaps it was only because his slight, lithe form paled in comparison to the large, muscular one of Zelgius.

Nevertheless, she wanted to thank him. He had protected her—on orders from another, she was sure—and she was grateful. He had never betrayed a hint of dislike in that supposedly self-appointed job. Where he had been the enemy of practically everyone else in the world, Zelgius had been her protector, her friend. She had genuinely liked the infamous Black Knight and defended him to everyone who spoke ill of him. She wanted to tell him that. She wanted him to know that there was even just one person in the world who had not hated him.

That there was at least one person who had loved him.

But he was dead before she had a chance to say anything. Dead after only moments of speaking to Yune. And all that she had wanted to say remained unsaid. The unspoken words did not even hang in the air.

I am sure he knows that now, Yune's sweet voice whispered in Micaiah's heart. Micaiah felt an invisible child-like hand grab her own and give her a quick squeeze of support. How could he not? Your feelings were so thick in the air that he could not have failed to understand. She paused. Feelings often say more than words.

I hope you are right, Micaiah thought. He died before I could speak to him about these things. Can the dead understand the thoughts and feelings of those still living?

If the living can understand and feel the thoughts and sentiments of the dead, Yune replied reassuringly, Then surely the dead can feel the thoughts and sentiments of the living.

And so Micaiah smiled slightly to herself, as Yune squeezed her hand again, and let her feelings, her unspoken words, fly to wherever Zelgius awaited in the Afterlife. With Yune's help in this mystical place, surely they would reach him.

Goodbye, General Zelgius.


Author's Note: I actually wrote this a few weeks ago, but at the time, I wasn't happy with it. Now, after tweaking it a little, I've decided I do actually like it, so here it is. Why didn't Micaiah talk to Zelgius? What did she want to say to him? Well...this is one possibility :D Thanks to adlex47Liger0 for helping me to come up with this idea ^^

Umm...that's all for now, I think. It's time for midterms for me, so I really shouldn't be writing or reading fanfics at all right now. I have essays that require my attention (yet somehow...fanfics are just so much more fun!). And besides...my ideas have, for the moment, dried up DX So until I have more ideas...I might not update for a while ^^;

Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own anything.