Sorry this took so long…feeling a bit sluggish lately. Been writing sad stories. But I'm still working at this, cuz I really like how this story is turning out.

Chapter Twenty-Five. Sheena's Fear.

The group got to Mizuho and they went to see vice-chef Tiga.

He smiled upon seeing them. "Perfect timing. Our informants have just received news on the whereabouts of the rheairds. But there is one problem…" He looked at Sheena. "Without Volt's Mana to power the rheairds , they will be unusable. Sheena, you must form the pact."

Sheena's eyes widened and she took a small step back. "B-But I can't…!"

"You must," He said. "Without Volt's power--"

"I can't!" Sheena cried. She turned and ran out of the room, with tiny Corrine chasing after her.

Tiga sighed. "It seems she still can't get over what happened…"

"What happened?" Lloyd asked.

"About twelve years ago, Sheena's grandfather, Chief Igaguri asked her to form a pact with Volt, " He explained. "But something went wrong. Volt burst out in a rage. Many of our villagers died, and the chief fell into a coma. He's been asleep since then."

Tiga looked out the window and sighed. "Sheena is terrified of Volt and is consumed with the guilt of that day. But she must overcome her fear to be successful in the pact."

Lloyd stood, up.

"I'll go talk to her."

Tiga nodded and Lloyd left.

Crystal stood by the little window and watched as Lloyd went to look for Sheena. Zelos looked over her shoulder and watched as well, until Lloyd was out of sight. Then he looked at Crystal's expression.

"The look on your face says that you can understand Sheena's feelings a bit," He observed.

She kept her eyes to the outside. "I…I can understand the pain and guilt of what she went through…Now I understand why she didn't want to make the pact with Undine before…"

"I'm sure she felt the weight of the sadness of everyone around her who was affected…and you as well, if you've gone though the same thing," Zelos said solemnly.

She looked at him in surprise. "Y-yes, that is true…how did you know?"

"Everyone has one or two skeletons in their closet," He said, and upon seeing her confused expression he smiled and winked. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, sit with me. I'm sure Lloyd and Sheena won't be long."

Crystal agreed and sat with him. She said nothing further on the subject even though she wondered what Zelos had meant. Not to mention how unusual it was for the idiot chosen to say something of substance.

"Hey, Sheena?"

Lloyd walked across the little wooden bridge and around the corner. He caught sight of his friend sitting a little way down the road, so he walked to her.

Sheena was sitting in front of an alter, her knees drawn to her chest, her chin resting on her knee. Corrine was sitting next to her as well, trying to comfort her.

Lloyd stopped right behind her and waited.

"I can't do it…" Sheena said, her voice slightly muffled by her knees.

"That's not true, and you know it, Sheena," Lloyd said.

"No, I can't!" She turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were widened slightly, as if alarmed.

"How can you be so sure?"

"The last time I tried to make a pact with Volt, my people died! I couldn't do it then, and I can't do it now!"

Lloyd shook his head. "What happened before and what may happen now are two completely different things."

"What's so different?"

"You were younger then. You had less experience, it was probably your first time, and maybe you were nervous too. I know I would be. But now you're older, you can control your Mana better and you know what not to do this time so it doesn't go wrong."

Sheena looked worried. "B-but what if something goes wrong again? What if you all get hurt too?"

"I promise that won't happen. Besides…" Lloyd grinned. "You already made the pact with Undine! And that went great!"

"That's true…" Sheena said slowly.

She looked up at Lloyd's encouraging smile. She had the feeling she would regret what she was about to say but something about Lloyd's stupid grin made it impossible to give him any other answer.

The group remained inside, waiting patiently for Sheena and Lloyd to return. Soon sound of the door sliding open alerted them to the fact that their wait was over.

Sheena looked at them and then at Tiga. She gave him a nod.

"I'll do it. I'll make the pact with Volt, and I'll be successful this time."

Tiga smiled kindly. "Very good. I wish you good fortune."

"Thank you," Lloyd bowed his head graciously and then turned to the rest of the group. "C'mon guys! Let's go!"

I know, it's terribly short. Review please?