Heart of the Phoenix

Author: Shaddowind

WARNING: Kratos and general game spoilers aplenty! You have been warned! Also, if you haven't beaten the game, you may wish to revisit this fic later….

Summary: The party can no longer hide behind the half-truths that their worlds have been raised upon as they turn their attention to tying up loose ends. But even friendships forged in battle are tested when answers no one wants are found in plain sight. Will bonds fall apart, or will they strengthen and help to form the courage to find yet more answers?

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia or any of the game's original characters, dialogue, or settings -- I just bend them to my will in this story.

Chapter 29:

The metallic building somehow looked oddly natural against the sandy cliffs of the Triet desert… a distinct contrast to how alien it had looked before.

So close to home… yet we can't go there. If Colette goes back now, she and Raine might be exiled as soon as they set foot in the town….

Liane huffed and stowed her Rheaird away, attaching the wingpack to her pack and reaching up to brush her hair back from her eyes. It was a strange lull in their quest – being back in Sylvarant brought her back to her reasons why she had traded her familiar, comfortable, and somewhat boring life for one fight after another and having everything she had known before turned upside down.

Defeating Rodyle in his ranch had been another flash of familiarity, though having to report Botta's death to Yuan was a new and sad twist. It wasn't as if the Renegades were exactly their friends, but there was no denying that they had saved the party twice – once at the Tower of Salvation and once at the Remote Island Human Ranch when Botta sacrificed himself to give them the chance to escape and see their mission through. Now they carried his hopes and dreams with them as well, no matter that they hadn't known him well enough to know exactly what they were.

More and more is depending on what we do….

It seemed to her that it should be an arrogant thought… to believe that they were so important to their worlds… that they even could make that much of a difference. But who else out there knew the truth? And, out of that small number, how many of them were trying to change things? Outside of their small band, Liane could only think of one, and possibly two… and both of them weren't exactly dependable enough to consider calling them true allies.

We don't even know what will happen if we can find a way to germinate the Great Seed….

Thoughts like those were likely not to be answered until it actually happened, if their record so far was any indicator. As frustrating as it was, no matter the help they got or the pieces of the puzzle that was Sylvarant and Tethe'alla that they stumbled across, they were still largely blind.

And small… so very small… in the grand scheme of things…. Liane and the others paused in the shadows of the Sylvarant Renegade Base and stared up at the structure as the heated desert winds whipped around them. A moment later, Lloyd gestured over his shoulder and started to lead them towards the doors that they were now willingly approaching, versus their last visit when Lloyd had been brought in as a prisoner and the others had gone after him to rescue him.

"I'll wait here," a small voice came from the back of their pack and brought the party to a stop as they turned back to find the half-elven boy that had joined them after his hometown of Ozette was destroyed in a Cruxis attack. Mithos stood still, his eyes to the ground even as his shoulders still revealed tension that kept the boy's frame taut. "I want to be alone for a while."

Genis hesitated for a moment, tilting his head to his friend before his own shoulders slumped and he turned, slowly approaching the other boy. "Mithos…."

The blonde boy looked up, watching the mage's approach for a moment before his eyes widened and he shook his head, his hand echoing the gesture. "Ah, no, it's not about the flute," he quickly clarified his request and laughed uneasily. "I'm sorry."

Liane's mind quickly snapped onto what Genis had been thinking… that the boy was brooding over the destruction of his sister's flute that he had given to Genis when they had left the boy in the care of the Palmacostan government. The same flute that, when Genis had played it out of desperation in the Remote Island Human Ranch, had somehow apparently summoned Aska, one of the few remaining Summon Spirits of legend that Sheena had yet to pact with. "As long as snakes and scorpions don't bother you… it is a good place to find some quiet for a few minutes, I guess," she shrugged, deciding that even if she wasn't quite sure how to take the boy and his presence with the group just yet, she understood the need for a few moments alone.

She even somehow managed to keep herself from reacting physically when she felt the boy's blue eyes slide over to her, keeping a shiver at bay that she couldn't explain, yet couldn't entirely stop every time she had been near him since he had invaded her dreams. I just can't stop seeing… the malice in his eyes. But… he's never really done anything like that to me. Why can't I just get over it??

"All right," Lloyd nodded, oblivious to any turmoil in the dark-haired swordswoman as he nodded. "It's dangerous, so don't leave this area," he spoke firmly, but his tone was still gentle enough to convey concern for the younger boy.

"I won't," Mithos shook his head to Lloyd's instructions and squared his shoulders once again, clasping his hands behind his back.

The party began to move again, but after a few steps, Raine that hesitated and turned back to Mithos. "Then while we're at it, let's return the Rheaird that Mithos borrowed," the Professor shrugged.

"What?" Mithos blinked at the half-elven woman's suggestion, but then quickly nodded, smiling slightly as he reached to his belt and unwrapped the tie that held the wingpack in place beneath the edge of his tunic. "Oh, yes. Please do," he nodded eagerly as he placed the wingpack into Raine's outstretched hand.

It was practical, and that was typical of Raine, but Liane couldn't stop herself from glancing back over her shoulder as they moved to the massive front gates of the base. Mithos merely stood in place, just as Lloyd had asked of him, his hands behind his back and a placid smile fixed on his lips. Somehow, it was that smile that bothered her most… almost as much as the dream she had had with him in it.

"Liane?"

The swordswoman looked to her side to find Genis watching her with an arch to his eyebrow. Grinding her teeth together slightly, she realized that she had been caught… that her friends that had known her for years could read her well enough when they chose to do so… and Genis had chosen the moment that she didn't even understand her unease to question her. "Did… someone ask him where he got the wingpack?" she asked quietly as Lloyd pushed one of the doors open. The others had talked after their escape from the ranch, but she hadn't heard all that was discussed, nor had she asked. "I mean… I know if he was worried, he might have sought the help of another half-elf or something, but that's dangerous right there… there could still be Desians lurking around Palmacosta…" she reasoned. It was, admittedly, a weak excuse, but it was all she could come up with that was reasonably coherent in the face of Genis' confrontation. "Did he just luck into finding a Renegade… or…?"

Genis frowned for a moment and then allowed his own eyes to move back to Mithos as he and Liane stepped into the shadows of the interior hallway of the building. "Actually, I don't think we asked. He said he borrowed it from a Renegade… and they seem to be all over, but… maybe he came looking for us at the ranch…?" the mage offered with a shrug. "Who knows… hopefully, it won't be much of an issue again if we can just get him back to Tethe'alla safely."

"Yeah…" Liane agreed, though half-heartedly, as the door closed behind the party. It was the easiest explanation. What is wrong with me…? She asked herself silently, noting that there were no soldiers anywhere in sight and nothing in the ranch seemed to have any interest in stopping them from entering. It was all unnerving, but she concentrated on one thing at a time, starting with Genis' explanation. If he came looking for us, it would probably have been easy for him to get directions to the ranch, and Yuan and his men were crawling all over that place. I guess… it could have happened that way.

Come on, Liane… stop looking for enemies, she chided herself as they continued along the vaguely familiar corridor into the inner chambers of the base. We have enough problems without inventing more….

The base was silent as they made their way through the same halls that they had once had to sneak through, neither Renegade soldier nor trap apparently having any interest in keeping them from the innermost chambers of the base. With only the hum of the of machinery in the walls commenting idly on their progress, the party soon stood before the door that had, at one time, kept Lloyd separated from his companions. Lloyd stood with them this time, hesitating to spare a glance over his shoulder to the group as if looking for a reason to stop there. With a nod that suggested that he'd found no such thing, the teen stepped forward and passed his hand over a softly glowing panel to the side of the door and the door whisked asked obediently to grant the party access. They filed into the garishly decorated office, stopping only when the aqua-haired Renegade they had come to speak with turned from his desk to eye them with an air of utter disinterest. "You're back," Yuan commented flatly, boredom clearly weaving through his tone as he crossed his arms over his chest and waited for someone else to speak.

"Yuan," Colette pushed her way to the front of the group to face the Renegade, her hands clasped tightly before her as she bowed her head and her hair fell forward in a shower of pale gold. "Botta is…."

The half-elf tilted his head to the girl and blinked once. "He died," he stated coolly, neither his voice nor his body betraying any further reaction to his completion of the Chosen's message.

He… expected it? Liane frowned, but quickly realized that it was a reality of war… that survival was always a 'best-case' scenario. While part of her was saddened by the lack of reaction, she could see that she could have simply been projecting her own experiences on Yuan. Maybe they weren't friends… or maybe he's just seen enough death between Cruxis and the Renegades that it just doesn't touch him anymore. She bit her lip and turned her eyes to the ground. How sad….

"Yes," Lloyd quietly confirmed Yuan's words. "He asked us to tell you that he completed his mission," the swordsman continued, his frown deepening with every word as he kept his gaze on the Renegade.

Yuan's shoulder heaved with a sigh and he nodded his understanding, but offered Lloyd no other true reaction. "I see. Then we'll activate the dimensional transfer system," he stated and casually reached for a small stack of papers on his desk. "You may go between the worlds as you like."

"Is that all you have to say?!" Lloyd suddenly exploded, actually earning a look of curiosity from the Renegade. "Botta gave his life for the Renegades and –"

"Lloyd!" Regal raised his voice only enough to power over the swordsman's outrage and bring the teen's attention back to him. "It is not our place to speak," the convict stated pointedly, keeping Lloyd's gaze until the younger man finally huffed and ran his hand back through his hair in frustration.

Zelos slid up to Lloyd's side and casually dropped a hand on the crimson-clad boy's shoulder with a shrug. "This guy has been with that Botta for a long time," he commented, jerking his head slightly in Yuan's direction even as the half-elf made a show of ignoring them. "Nothing we say will make a difference."

Somehow, Liane appreciated that perspective. No life should pass unrecognized, but no one can tell another how to mourn, either. "We should go," she offered hesitantly. "We've delivered Botta's message and lived up to our part of the bargain," the dark-haired young woman finished, noting the fleeting glance she received from Yuan and offering him a small nod before he could look away. We might not be friends, but respect at a time like this is still a kindness. Botta did save us, after all….

"Fine," Lloyd grumbled after a moment, shoving his hands into his pockets and spinning on his heel to stalk back through the party, only to be stopped by Raine's hand on his shoulder. He looked up to her, his expression changing from disgust to curiosity as the Professor waited only long enough to be sure that he would wait before she let her hand fall away and slowly approached Yuan.

"I almost forgot," Raine began quietly, reaching into one of her coat's pockets to remove the wingpack that she had gotten from Mithos and holding it out to the Renegade. "Our companion borrowed a Rheaird from you, so we'll return it to you now."

Yuan stared blankly at the silver-haired woman for a moment before one eyebrow arched ever so slightly, giving the distinct appearance that he thought she might be crazy as he watched her, not moving to take her offering. "Borrowed one of our Rheairds?" he repeated slowly, his doubt of her dissolving into the crease in his forehead. "We haven't…."

Presea edged closer, the corners of her lips curling down but not quite into a full frown. "What's wrong?" the girl asked, her pigtails dipping with the tilt of her head as she watched Yuan.

"No, it's nothing," Yuan replied with a shake of his head. He tightened his arms over his chest for a moment and drew a breath before he reached out to take the wingpack. "We'll take care of it," he muttered and pulled back hiding his hands in the folds of his cape as he crossed his arms again. "Ask the control room staff about procuring energy for the dimensional transfer system." His hand emerged from his cape once again and handed Raine a small item roughly the shape of one of Sheena's cards. With that, Yuan's eyes swept over the group as he turned his back on them without another word.

Liane hesitated for a moment as the silence filled the room, and then the group slowly began to move back towards the doorway. What else is there to say, really? she wondered dismally, looking back over her shoulder to see that Yuan seemed to have no interest whatsoever in making sure that they actually left his office. It was a cold feeling, but one that slid aside when she realized that Lloyd remained a step behind the rest of them.

"Yuan, I'm sorry," the young swordsman murmured, showing no sign of the anger that had moments before almost sent him storming out of the room.

It was all that was needed. Liane felt that the void left by Yuan's dismissal had been adequately and respectfully filled by those three little words. How can he always find the right thing to say? Liane mused on the truth again, certain it wouldn't be the last time. Even though Yuan gave no indication of hearing the swordsman's condolences, she knew they had done all they could, under the circumstances.

Experience led them back to the control room, where the Renegades oddly treated them as little more than a surprise – and certainly not like an enemy invasion – accepting the card Yuan had given Raine and using it to bring a massive machine in the corner of the room back to humming, glowing life. It was all there was for them to do in the base, so the party quietly exited as easily as they had entered to find Mithos patiently awaiting their return, just as he had promised.

"Well, we should probably get back to Tethe'alla," Sheena shrugged, tensing slightly at a gust of particularly hot desert wind. "There are pacts we need to make there, and we really should get Mithos somewhere safe."

Raine glanced up, shielding her eyes from the sun that neared the western ridge of the mountains that surrounded the desert. "If we go back now, it will be almost morning, if the time difference between night and day when we arrived through the Otherworldly Gate is any indication," she commented and looked back down to her companions. "Maybe we should spend the night at Triet and head back early in the morning," the Professor suggested. "Getting back late in the afternoon or evening would give us time to take Mithos back to Altessa's and decide where we need to go next."

"Triet? What? Whoa, no…" Zelos shook his head stubbornly, waiting until his protest had won him attention before flipping his hair back over his shoulder. "You guys said this is the Triet Desert, right? There is no way I'm staying in a desert any longer than I have to." He frowned, the expression deepening at the blank stares he received. Finally, with an exaggerated groan, he flailed his arms helplessly. "My skin can't take this!!"

Liane saw Sheena ball her fist and did her best not to snicker. "Well, I guess we could go just about anywhere… but the only other nearby towns are Iselia and Izoold… and…" her eyes slid to Lloyd and Genis. "Some of us can't go back to Iselia just yet."

Zelos tilted his head, his eyes narrowing on the swordswoman. "So what's this 'Izoold' like? I suppose 'backwater' goes without saying… but…" he shrugged and chuckled, especially at the growl that bubbled up in the back of Lloyd's throat.

"It's just over the mountains to the east… on the coast…" Colette replied with a bright smile, speaking in place of Genis and Lloyd, who were both too busy glaring at the redheaded Chosen to be inclined to answer. "It's little, but it's nice…."

Liane's eyes widened. Izoold…. While one part of her wanted to suggest Palmacosta or Hima… or even Iselia to chance the wrath of the Mayor… another part of her grabbed onto the idea. Maybe if I go back there… maybe I'll remember something else! Maybe something… might finally make sense!

After another dramatic protest from Zelos where he finally relented to stay in the port town, the party arrived on the outskirts of Izoold, flying over the Ossa Trail and landing just in time to see the sun starting to touch to the western mountains.

At first, their approach to the town was peaceful, serenity only further fostered by the shrill call of seabirds high above and the lapping of the restless waves at Izoold's docks. The sounds and smells of the sea permeated the tiny town, but to Liane, it was oddly comforting – after all of their experiences in Tethe'alla, Sylvarant still felt like home to her. I can handle it this time, she coached herself with a sense of confidence toward her confusion that she hadn't felt before. Things had worked out to give her a moment to return to Izoold – and she did not intend to let it slip by, even if it was more of an experiment than anything else. Looking up as Lloyd led them to the door of Izoold's modest wood-sided inn, Liane started to loosen the straps of her pack, but her eagerness to confront her visions on her own terms vanished with a mangled scream from the direction of the very docks she had planned to visit. She had no prayer of stopping the shiver that raced down her spine at the sound… nor could she stop herself from running along with the rest of the group down the dusty path towards the cries of fear and anger from the shore.

Goddess, I don't ever want to hear that scream again.

But no deity was apparently listening as Lloyd led the party down a rickety walkway to a small stretch of shell-strewn sand. The swordsman charged forward, blades drawn, but Liane's feet suddenly refused to carry her any further - her eyes wide at the sight before them.

Not again.

Liane recognized the green-skinned creature as well as the tattered finery that clung to her gangly form from Palmacosta and Hima. Clara…. She was backed into the water's edge, clawed hands swinging out defensively as the weapon-bearing travelers closed in on her. The villagers were starting to gather along the small rise that overlooked the beach, crowding their way only as far as where Liane stood frozen in place. She could hear the voices behind her, but she didn't particularly care. She's scared enough without them crowding her, and she has to be tired, Liane blinked, her sympathy growing exponentially for the Palmacostan woman. She's spent all this time wandering… hunted? The armed travelers that were slowly circling her were the same ones that had her cornered in Hima – Liane was certain of it.

"This time, we're not gonna let you get away," one of the sandy-brown haired men swiped at Clara with his sword, drawing yet another ear-splitting cry from the creature.

In a flash of red, black, and silver, Lloyd suddenly stood between the adventurers and Clara, both blades drawn and ready to meet them as he kept his back to the green-skinned monster that stood quivering at the surf's edge. "Stop!"

The man that had been pressing the attack on Clara drew back in surprise at Lloyd's appearance, his weapon lowering as his resolve faltered for the brief moment before he groaned in exasperation. "Not you again!" he growled and once again brandished his sword menacingly before himself. "If you interfere, we'll take you out, too!"

"No, it's not what you think!" Lloyd shook his head and signaled with a frantic wave of one blade to the rest of the party that had gathered behind the assembly of adventurers. "Professor, please!"

"I know," Raine murmured quietly, her voice barely sounding over the waves on the otherwise suddenly silent beach. Even Clara remained still as the Professor moved past the tensed fighters to approach the twisted creature. For a moment, the silver-haired woman and Clara seemed to lock their gazes. After what may have been a few heartbeats of understanding, Raine raised her Phoenix Rod before her, and a gentle rain of pale green mana began to glow and resolve into runes that floated in the air around her. "Bring back her soul from purgatory!" Raine lifted her voice and her rod as the glow of the runes finally built to a level brighter than the sunset that lit the beach around them. "Resurrection!"

A spiral of golden-green light enveloped the creature's form at the Professor's command, sending a ripple of gasps through the crowd. The hulking form trapped within the light remained barely visible for a few more moments, and then it began to shift and contort, its dark silhouette collapsing onto itself until the light began to fade and surrender its brilliance back to the sunset. It left behind a barefoot, strawberry-blonde woman clad in the rags that had – just moments before – draped over the tragically grotesque creature.

Liane's stunned gasp echoed in her own ears at the evidence of just how much Raine's power had grown. But it wasn't until the murmuring wave of awe began to rise around her that she realized that her own gasp hadn't actually echoed… the blue-haired man standing just behind and to her side had merely mirrored it. "Regal?" she asked softly, hearing the quietest of hitches in his breathing as he continued to stare at the gathering on the beach. She hadn't noticed him there, but it made sense that the villagers had been stopped behind her if he was there as well. As Lloyd and Colette ran to Clara's side to help her keep her balance, Liane frowned, even after having witnessed such a miracle. Even in the wake of such wonder, Regal's expression was even more grim and stony than usual. "Regal… are you all right?"

"Clara, right?" Raine asked to gain the dazed woman's attention, waiting for her to look up before she spoke again. "Can you hear me?"

Clara blinked a few times. "Y-yes!" she stammered, her shoulders heaving as a smile slowly surfaced on her lips. "Thank you so much! I've finally returned to my original form!" the woman spoke, her voice choked with tears as she leaned her weight onto Lloyd and Colette's shoulders.

Looking back to watch Lloyd and Colette help Clara out of the water, Liane chewed her lip and turned to Regal again. He hadn't answered her. In fact, he hadn't given any indication that he had even heard her. Maybe he's never seen what Exspheres can do to their hosts, she reasoned, reaching a hand out to place it lightly on his shoulder. No, that can't be right. He saw Rodyle's transformation, at least. Liane shot down her own reasoning as she watched his eyes follow the slow procession back up onto the dryer sands of the beach.

"Wh… wh… what?" the adventurer that had been all-too ready to slay Clara moments before shook his head in disbelief. "Why did the monster turn into a human?"

Genis spun on the man, glaring harshly at him as his arms flailed in frustration. "Are you stupid?" the mage demanded angrily before he turned one hand to indicate Clara. "She was a human to begin with, but she was turned into a monster by the Desians."

In the next instant, Regal disappeared from beneath Liane's hand, silently turning and vanishing into the crowd that seemed more than glad to take his place and push past Liane to get closer to the 'miracle,' as some of them whispered. She could only watch as his blue hair marked him as moving up the walkway and fading into the town without a backwards glance. What… happened? she was left to wonder, finally sighing and giving in to the push of the crowd. He's a big boy… he doesn't need me to babysit, she reminded herself, regretting only that she really hadn't had a chance to talk to her friend since they had fought Rodyle. With as protective as he is over Presea, maybe that just really shook him up, Liane offered herself an excuse to try to drown out yet another thought….

Among other things that there just hasn't been enough time to talk about, I guess.

Pushing her way back through those who had just pushed past her, Liane made it through to stand with her group where they stayed still, allowing Clara to catch her breath with her arms still draped over Lloyd and Colette's shoulders. The woman looked exhausted, but she couldn't bring herself to believe that the tears that streaked her cheeks were anything but happy relief. "How can I possibly thank you?" she asked, sweeping her eyes over the party and allowing them to rest on Raine for a long breath as her shoulders sagged. "I have only a vague memory of when I was a monster, but I still remember that you saved Palmacosta."

Colette's smile warmed at the woman's words and she adjusted her arm where it hung over her shoulder. "Please show the people of Palmacosta that you are well as soon as possible," she murmured reassuringly, nodding to Lloyd as she leaned in front of Clara.

Liane looked back over her shoulder to see that the villagers were starting to disperse, disappearing back up the walkway to return to their homes or whatever they had been doing prior to Clara's scene on the beach. "We should get her out of here. Clara has to be tired, and we have to be up early in the morning anyway," she offered as a plan, knowing that they couldn't remain there for much longer. "Let's get back to the inn, and help her get settled?"

Clara nodded with a deep exhale and a weary smile to the dark haired swordswoman. "I can't remember the last time I slept in a bed," she sighed and glanced around the party and then looked to Colette. "Tomorrow… I'll try to find a way to return to Palmacosta."

"You should find Max… I'm sure he'd take you over. He took us before," Lloyd smiled at the woman and started to guide her towards the walkway. Most of the rest of their group started up ahead of Lloyd and Colette, while Raine and Liane remained behind to follow.

Noticing that the adventurers had conveniently disappeared into the crowd, Liane shook her head. Not that they're the only ones that disappeared, she thought with a frown, still wondering why Regal had been so quick to disappear after Raine had healed Clara. He's not that jaded that it wouldn't have impressed him… I know he's not, she tried to tell herself and then shrugged.

I guess we all have our own things to deal with tonight, Liane reasoned and started up the walkway with Raine.


Liane watched Clara wearily disappear into the room that the innkeeper had donated for her and sighed. Raine's magic had cured the woman – restored the balance of her mana and, in turn, her humanity. But what would she find when she did return? Her husband and daughter were both gone beyond the reach of the Professor's talents… and how could she forget the years she had spent trapped within her mutated body? Her life may have been snatched back, but she would never be the same – simply a look into the woman's sunken gaze was proof enough of that.

With a sad shake of her head, Liane sucked in a small breath and glanced to the other end of the hallway to where the rooms they had rented waited. Their party had grown in size since their last visit, so, this time, Raine declared that a room for the females and one for the males was necessary. Things are different this time, she told herself , trying to focus more on that Genis and Lloyd wouldn't have grounds to tease her than that they were missing one of their roster from before. It's not like he fell in battle, she reminded herself, trying to nurture a bitterness that she knew she needed to see Kratos as the enemy over the apparent objections of her dreams.

Her feet carried her a few steps closer to the room that would shelter her for the night. Her companions were already settling in, but she found herself hesitating to join them, her attention drifting back to the front door of the inn. The call was silent, but that made it no less insidious. It happened once before, Liane's thoughts whispered as she spared one quick look back to the rooms, allowing herself an instant of indecision before she turned and followed her plan out the front door and into the twilight-lit dirt roads of Izoold. If I'm quick, they won't notice, she argued over her decision with what she knew was her better judgment even as her logic pointed out that last time, it had been Kratos that had come looking for her.

He… held my hand….

A quick inhale gave her the strength to – at least momentarily – push the thought away, somehow making her realize that she was more willing to take a chance on an idea that she could force a vision… that she could somehow take control and milk its meaning. Liane knew that the plan was shaking at best, but everything that she saw when the visions took control, whether she was awake or asleep, was beyond her control, robbing her of direction or voice. It was annoying, and sometimes, it was unbearably painful.

And it has to stop. If I can understand them… or find their source…. Liane decided that the reasoning was sound even if she had no idea how to actually accomplish it. She was no psychic… it was a fluke that she could control her mana enough to form a spell as it was – telepathy or any other mind-art seemed to be even more of an impossible reach. But there's too much else going on. Too much else that's more important to fight for. We all have to be ready to see this through to the end.

The villagers had sought their homes for the night after the ruckus on the beach, leaving the roads and paths peacefully silent as Liane moved closer to the docks. Her anxiousness grew with every step, but it didn't slow her down. It's a little later than it has been in the visions, but it should be close enough, she tried to encourage herself as she finally stood squarely on the docks. Hesitating, Liane turned her eyes skyward. The rosy pinks and fiery oranges had given way to shades of the night's blue, but they were still there, clinging delicately to the billowy clouds.

Come on… show me again. Make me understand.

Her plea was as heartfelt as a prayer as she slowly made her way to the end of the dock. This is the place. Right… here. Liane stopped just short of the end, leaving enough room for a kindly old captain to stand between her and the ocean, had he stepped out of her vision and into reality. She couldn't help that she sucked in a nervous breath as she moved to stand exactly where the woman in her dreams had and closed her eyes.

The waves breaking against the piers….

The whisper of the damp breeze in my ears….

Liane could almost hear the words of the uniformed captain. Almost. She grasped for every sensory reminder she could find – and so many of them were there… including how her heart was pounding in her chest.

I couldn't make this up. It all feels so familiar, Liane exhaled, waiting for a flash of color behind her closed eyes… or perhaps even the words of the ceremony that were meant to join her forever more to Kratos. She had seen it before… and just once more would prove it was real.

Then she could go about trying to find out why.

Another deep breath of the sea air jolted her senses, and the ponytail that she had loosed from the confines of its braid swung past her cheek – a subtle – if not mocking – reminder that the vision she had been looking for was refusing her. Please… please give me something, Liane begged silently as she surrendered her insistence ever so slightly and opened her eyes. Slowly, she lifted her gaze from the weathered planks at her feet, her heart sinking as she realized that there truly was no one standing before – no warm mahogany eyes waiting to show her that she meant the world to him.

So, maybe I am crazy after all.

The thought settled on her like a heavy blanket that had been soaked in ice water. But why? Why would my mind make up some other girl? Is it just because he spoke of her? Liane's frown deepened. Is it just that I'm trying to figure out what she – or what he – would see in someone that they could love? Or –

Her shoulders dropped, and she hung her head. Maybe I just wanted to know what it felt like so badly. Liane knew she had never met anyone like Kratos – how he danced the blade's edge between what she saw as good and evil, refusing to categorize himself as either and offering no apology for doing so. He was a dark and dangerous enigma, but in that… why won't he let down his guard? Even for someone that's willing to hear him out?

Her eyes lazed open again, still slightly unfocused as she sighed. What kind of person would he ever smile like that for? Liane shook her head and drew another long breath, desperately trying to remember the sight from her dreams – real or not. The girl her mind had apparently constructed to draw such a reaction from him eluded her understanding almost as much as Kratos himself. The only way I would ever smile like that –

The thought was stopped cold by a small burst of color at the edge of her downcast vision – calling itself out simply in its contrast to the darkening waves that carried it. Liane's breath hitched as she could only stare and blink, trying to decide if it was real or another vision that she had sought, but when another swell of the waves lifted the rich pink and white bloom, she was certain that it was her own decision to kneel and pluck it out of the water.

A stargazer lily….

Her hand was shaking as she held the single flower before her. It was real… and so was the tear that had formed and slipped down her cheek before she realized it. The only way… I would ever smile like that… Liane choked slightly as the thought formed again and forced its way towards completion.

was if I knew someone that loved me completely was smiling back at me.

It was something Liane wasn't sure she could truthfully admit. Her love for her family and friends was one thing, but to actually be in love? Is this what it's supposed to feel like? she asked herself, knowing that no answer would come. But… why else would I feel like I'd give anything to see him smile like that… for me? She slowly drew her finger along the crisp, pale edge of the lily until uncertainty finally gave way to her curiosity. Why is this here?! She stood, her eyes sweeping around the dock area as she turned her back to the land. This is no coincidence! This flower is from Tethe'alla… why would it be here… now… if…. Liane shivered at not only the feeling of being watched, but also at the guess of who was watching. "Kratos…?" she lifted her voice just enough to be heard around the dock - and barely enough to hear it over the pounding of her heart in her ears. This is it… this proves he knows something, and –

"Kratos… isn't he the traitor?"

Liane jumped at the voice from behind her, spinning even as the motion cost her some of her startled balance. But when her eyes fell on the speaker, and his voice confirmed his identity, a shiver ran through her from head to toe, any rush of possibility fading with the last light of sunset. "Mithos… what?" she shook her head, lowering her hands to her sides, but still clutching at the lily as she tried to contain a gnawing nervousness she still couldn't explain. What is he doing here? I didn't even see him… or hear him….

The blonde half-elven boy strolled closer, hands clasped behind his back and eyes wide. "I thought I heard you say 'Kratos.' Genis and Lloyd said that was the name of someone who betrayed your group," Mithos explained with a faint note of concern in his voice as he stopped before her and tilted his head in question. "Are you afraid that he's here?"

Momentarily struck speechless, Liane could only stare at the innocence on the boy's face. Was it really the first time she had been alone with him? It certainly didn't feel like it – not with as uneasy as she felt. "He's been a lot of places that we've been," she finally managed to answer the boy. "I suppose he can be anywhere he chooses."

"If he's with Cruxis, you should be careful," Mithos replied, fidgeting his weight from one foot to the other and back again as his wide blue eyes swept the area. "Raine was worried. She was going to come looking for you, but I told her I'd come. I think she's tired from what she did for that human woman. She needs her rest."

Human woman. He had spoken the words no differently than any other in his claim, but his choice of phrasing somehow set Liane even more on edge. It was a differentiation that normally had no real place in their party. Given what Mithos had been through, she tried to let go of the observation, but it was still difficult. "I was on my way back," she finally offered – the words not entirely a lie… she would have gone back after her suspicions of Kratos' presence were confirmed or denied. "And I'm being careful, don't worry. The last thing any of us needs is more worry."

"I don't think he'll bother you now, even if he was around," Mithos shrugged, turning the conversation back to the seraph again and gesturing back towards the town. "Come on, you can tell Raine not to worry for yourself."

"Yeah," Liane nodded in agreement, sparing one last look around before she started to walk past the boy. Maybe I wanted him to bother me – I have questions –

But her unspoken grumbling was cut short by the boy's hand on her forearm, his grip closing over the slightly frayed sleeve of her ivory tunic. "Where'd you get the flower?" Mithos asked, looking between her and the lily.

Fighting back a familiar wave of panic, Liane watched the boy, measuring him for the moment that it took for her to choose her words. "It was in the water," she shrugged nonchalantly, forcing herself not to pull away from his grasp. "I thought it was pretty, so I grabbed it," she explained, opting for the easiest and most honest answer she could give him.

"Huh," Mithos huffed, glancing around before his expression brightened a little more. "I think that was one of my sister's favorite flowers," he shrugged and released her to clasp his hands behind his back once again and walk beside her.

"It's easy to see why…" Liane replied, trying to keep the conversation light as she hurried the steps of her retreat from the dock just a little. She didn't want him to make the leap that the flower might truly bloom only in Tethe'alla, as her dreams had suggested… and more, she didn't want to be alone with Mithos any longer that she had to be. Part of her found the reaction cruel, but the other simply wouldn't let go. He made her nervous, and the fact that he seemed to know about Kratos only made it worse.

Mithos hummed his agreement, his expression pensive as he slowed and gestured to her to start up the walkway to the main part of the town. He waited only long enough to catch her eye before he spoke again. "My sister used to say that you'd only give those flowers to someone very special to you," he shrugged. "It would be a shame if it was from someone like Kratos, huh? With him being your enemy and all…."

It was such an off-handed comment – spoken with such innocence – but, to Liane, it felt like a knife twisting in her chest. I am not even going to try to explain this to him, her thoughts whispered stubbornly as she hurriedly tried to wall over the hole in her defenses that the boy had blundered upon. If she wouldn't have had to explain why to the others, she would have broken into a run to get back to the inn and leave Mithos behind. Instead, she managed a shrug not unlike the one he had given her. "Things aren't always black and white," she spoke as noncommittally as possible. "The flower was in the water… the only shame that I saw was letting it drift by unappreciated." Liane then turned back to the beaten dirt path and proceeded to pass where he had stopped for her.

"It would make Genis and Lloyd sad if something happened to you," Mithos commented as he reached her side again. "If you see Kratos again, you should stay away from him."

"I'll remember that. Thanks," Liane replied, hoping that her shiver didn't show in her voice. The boy actually sounded concerned, but that was perhaps what scared her the most. She had no logical reason to fear the boy – nor could she debate the danger that seemed to follow in Kratos' wake – but none of that changed how glad she was to see the inn before them. "Well, you can tell Genis and Lloyd that I'm back safely, then," she tried to smile for Mithos and pushed the door open, more than eager to get back to her room and away from him. "Thanks, Mithos."

The blonde boy offered her a sheepish wave. "You're welcome. Good night… sweet dreams…" he smiled and turned to trot down the hallway to the room he shared with the other males, leaving Liane standing alone in the hallway.

Not likely, she frowned, giving in to the almost-sickening mixture of nerves and pessimism to exhale and let her shoulder fall. Her eyes fell back down to the bloom that she still clutched in her hand and her heart sank a little more. He was there… it had to be him… Liane's mind whispered to her before she forced herself to turn her thoughts away. She knew that she had to be calm when she walked back into her room – her gut reaction to Mithos wasn't something she wanted to explain… not with how irrational it was. She had no proof and she had no reason other than it was simply how she felt.

He won't be with us forever, Liane told herself and placed her hand on the door handle. Then I can get back to being afraid of intangible nightmares.

Goody.


Kratos' glare sharpened on the door of the inn as it shut behind Liane and her self-appointed escort. He knew it was selfish of him to take Mithos' conversation with her as a warning for himself, but the stakes were too high. His gut had told him that Liane would return to Izoold, but that was the only part of the visit he had predicted correctly. The Palmacostan woman's presence and subsequent cure wasn't something he had ever considered.

The angel had come to Izoold on the assumption that Liane would find a way to break away from the group, and he had brought the lily as a secondary test if he was right about her being drawn back to the dock. The combination was enough to further convince him of the improbable truth, even if he hadn't decided what – if anything – to do about it yet.

But the fact that the Professor had the insight to resurrect the still-technically alive Clara back to her true form – much less, the power to see the plan through – was stunning. The act raised questions he had never considered, and somehow, made it that much more important to see Liane's actions and reactions.

The Exsphere mutation could be cured, he mused, giving in to neither remorse nor true awe. He had made his choice and he had honored her request. But even though the healing arts had long been lost, it ate at him that the ability had probably been present in the world, even if he never had the ability to wield the power himself.

She might have been saved… but I never could have caged her for this long.

His grim stare finally broke into a frown. Dorr might have kept her safe from the world… but at what cost? Clara said that she remembered… what toll would that take on a person? Not to mention that, once she was free, she was hunted like trophy game.

Kratos' resolve snapped tight around him again. Anna would never have wanted to be kept caged… away from her life and from Lloyd, he told himself.

Yet, as certain as he was, Kratos knew that his decision to honor what became his wife's last request had been her choice as well as his. But Liane's appearance in his life - with all that she seemed to carry locked within - was a glimpse of redemption he had never expected or sought, was nothing he could have ever been ready to confront.

Perhaps fate needed her to survive.

Fate. Ever ambiguous and unknowable. So much could be blamed on it as hopes and dreams were destroyed by its power. Perhaps Anna had played her role – proving to Kratos that the fledgling ideals that had drawn him away from Cruxis hadn't simply been a whim and bringing their son into the world as solid evidence that there was always hope for the future, no matter how dark the present.

Perhaps it was Liane that hadn't served her own fate yet.

As much of a confounding mystery the glimpses of Anna in Liane's behavior were, the Iselian girl's simple existence was a series of question marks as well. Fate will have its way in the end. It seemed to have her marked in so many ways, but to her, it was simply her life, no matter how confusing or conflicted her nature was. The church had tested her, considered her an oddity, but not worthy of anything more than a side note in their journals. But the fact remained that a human girl with neither documented traces of elven blood nor exposure to Aionis being able to perform even weak spells was practically unheard of.

It won't go unnoticed, his pessimism whispered to him. Not with Mithos… not if she makes herself obvious to him. Kratos' only theory on her abilities was that, by the same stretch that her mana was mostly occupied with tying a mismatched pairing of spirit and life energy together, it still formed a bond that linked Liane to the effects Anna's crystal had on her… how it changed her.

Speaking to Liane might have helped him understand how complete or fractured the merger truly was, even though his conscience still chided him that it appeared to be tormenting her. But he had also apparently underestimated Mithos' senses, hoping that his vantage point on the rise above the town in the darkening conditions would hide him adequately until Liane proved his hunch that she would visit the docks alone right or wrong. The trip down to place the flower in the water was probably what caught his attention, Kratos silently berated himself, thinking back to his quick trip up the shoreline. He had wanted to give it to her himself, see her reaction from close rather than depending on his enhanced sight to see if she would even react at all from a distance. It was still a test, and that fact was perhaps what had saved them both from everything but Mithos' suspicions.

I can't chance being caught with her again… not with Mithos around.

Kratos summoned his wings and lifted up into the dark night sky, his eyes lingering on the inn for a few more moments. You have to protect each other. I've done all I can for you. He had warned them as best he could before and now he had a bit more information for himself. It was all he could ask.

There's much left to do… for all of us.


"Gah! There's no casino, no bars and not even girls! I didn't realize how tough journeys were!"

Liane winced at the whine that had built along with the frustration factor in Zelos' voice as she closed the room door behind her and sighed. Tucking her fingers beneath the straps of her pack, she started down the hallway to the small foyer where the party was supposed to be gathering for their return to Tethe'alla. Morning had come far too early – or perhaps not early enough – as Liane once again reminded herself to be careful what she asked for. The night before, she had gone seeking visions, but while dreams refused her, nightmares had all too willingly accepted her, leaving her awake and staring at the ceiling in the dark hours of early morning as her only escape from the sword, the broken look in Kratos' eyes, and the dark and profound wish for death. Liane was grateful that she didn't seem to have awakened any of her roommates – almost as grateful as she was that her pack gave her the excuse to keep a hand over the site that had been skewered in her nightmare. Even though she knew she could still feel the quick thrust that drove the blade through her heart, a physical reminder that she bore no true wound had become her lifeline to reality.

"What?" Lloyd retorted to the redhead Chosen just as Liane came around the corner into the room. "The village I grew up in didn't have casinos or bars, but I still had a lot of fun," the younger swordsman shrugged, his hands resting easily on the hilts of the blades at his sides.

Zelos turned to face Lloyd with one eyebrow arched, a sarcastic smirk on his lips. "You back country hick," he shook his head in mocking pity. "Do you really think that kind of healthy lifestyle suits me?"

"Better than being a pompous arrogant jerk, but you seem to be fond of that," Liane muttered as she strolled past the swordsmen, pointedly not looking at either of them, though she was sure she could feel Zelos glaring at her. She heard Sheena snicker quietly, but decided not to antagonize things further. Liane placed her pack on the floor and turned to lean against the wall beside the door, her eyes to sliding closed for a moment. No girls…the Tethe'allan Chosen's words echoed in her thoughts, and she allowed herself a single, slow shake of her head. Zelos, do you actually go out of your way to prove Sheena right about you?

Lloyd's smile grew a little wider at Liane's passing comment, but it then mellowed with an accompanying shrug. "But you don't fool around as much as you claim you do."

"Excuse me?" Zelos planted his hands on his hips and glared down at the younger man.

Liane did her best not to choke at the redhead's reaction as she opened her eyes and lifted her head to survey the room. Poor Zelos. You haven't figured out that Lloyd can actually be observant when he wants to be, have you? Though she couldn't figure out why, Zelos seemed all too happy to play the role of the bored playboy. She was sure that she had seen glimpses of more, and apparently, Lloyd had as well. That'll only change if Zelos wants it to, Lloyd, she sighed and took a quick inventory of her companions. She had been the last out of the females' room, so it was no surprise that all but Raine was present in the foyer. It was her guess that the Professor's presence would accompany those of their still-missing party members. So far, only Lloyd and Zelos were accounted for from the males, which only fueled Liane's theory that the two habitually late sleepers had been cast from their room for bickering.

Lloyd's frame straightened and he crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, if you really hated being on a journey and wanted to quit, you'd have done so already," the swordsman pointed out with a proud smile. Zelos' mouth fell open to retort, but no words formed as his shoulders slumped and he simply stared at Lloyd. The brown-haired swordsman teen his head, but his smile didn't falter. "Why did you get all quiet?"

"You're pretty sharp sometimes," Zelos finally recovered just enough to chuckle and push his hands back into his pockets with a dramatic sigh. "I guess I should head back."

"What?!" Lloyd blurted out as he stared at Zelos in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

Zelos' expression remained flat for a moment longer before his smug smirk resurfaced and he shook his head with a dismissive wave of his hand. "No, of course not," he laughed. "I've got reasons of my own to stay with you guys."

He just wanted to show Lloyd he didn't know him as well as he thought he did. Liane shook her head and tightened her arms around her middle as she braced the sole of her foot against the wall behind her. Sheena and Colette chatted at a small table nearby, almost conspicuously ignoring the other conversation while Presea seemed to be studying the swordsmen's interaction intently. Zelos isn't the only one with his own reasons, I guess. Liane chewed the inside of her lip and looked back down to the wooden floor. I almost wonder if any two of us have the same reasons… or if any of us really know what our reasons are anymore with how the 'rules' keep changing.

"Oh, I see," Lloyd chuckled, recovering from his surprise. "But it'd be lonely if someone left, he offered Zelos an almost-sheepish shrug before his grin returned to curl his lips, "… even if it was you."

The redhead's playful smile twisted ever so slightly with a flash of sarcasm as he rolled his eyes and reached out to ruffle Lloyd's hair. "Okay, now I'm really reconsidering my decision."

Lloyd's laughter filled the small foyer as he stepped back out of Zelos' reach and attempted to smooth his hair. Liane shook her head at their antics, but still found comfort in the familiarity… a focus other than how her mind seemed so determined to feed her details she didn't want… such as the freezing bite of Kratos' blade just before a wave of fire pushed it through her chest, stealing her breath… and her life. By immersing herself in even the most casual of interactions of her companions, she was learning to simply accept it all – visions and reality – until she could finally find a way to deal with the visions… or until they finally left her alone. She glanced up as Raine ushered their missing party members into the room, Liane exhaled and started to push her thoughts aside once again and stooped to shoulder her pack again. How horrible is it that I'd rather be crazy or that I really am seeing someone else's thoughts than even consider that it could be a vision of the future? It wasn't an easy thought, even though she knew 'crazy' was the most logical of the three options.

'Crazy' is probably what I'll end up no matter which option ends up being right, anyway….

"Lloyd!" Genis called out as he dashed past Raine, dragging Mithos along by the wrist. "I told Mithos we'd make sure we found a safe place for him to stay when we get back," the mage announced, stopping in front of the swordsman and staring up to him expectantly. "Right?"

"Yeah," Lloyd nodded his agreement with a warm smile as he swung his own pack over his shoulder and turned to pull the door open for them all. "We'll take you to Altessa's place."

Mithos laughed as Genis tugged him through the door, leaving the boy to pull back for a hesitant moment to smile for the swordsman. "Thanks," he murmured with a nod of his head before his eyes swept around the room only once more until Genis picked up the momentum to pull him out the door.

Liane hated the single shiver that shot down her spine when her eyes met those of the blonde boy for even an instant. She couldn't justify it, nor could she stop it. She could only seek to bury it in distraction… and that distraction took the form of the blue-haired man that walked at the back of the group after having followed Raine, Mithos, and Genis from their room, perhaps enforcing the Professor's attempt to corral the party and get them all moving. She fell in step beside him and pulled the door of the inn shut behind them before she leaned forward to catch his eye and offer him a small smile. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you once we got back to the inn last night," she shrugged, keeping her tone light as she tried not to remember the grim expression on his face the last time she had seen him. "Are you okay?"

Regal turned to her with a nod as they walked behind the others. "I'm sorry. It just seemed that the poor woman was already enough of a spectacle. I didn't feel right adding to her discomfort," he explained, continuing to walk. He glanced over to the dark-haired swordswoman again. "But I understand that I'm not the only one to go off on my own last night. Should I be asking you if you are all right as well?"

She recognized a dodge when she heard it, but to do anything but answer it would be violating her promise not to push him. Liane's thoughts went to the flower that she had pressed in the book that she kept stored in the bottom of her pack and she sighed. "I'm okay," she replied honestly enough, keeping her voice quiet. "I just really wanted to go down to the docks. Nothing happened." Seeing him raise an eyebrow to her, she shook her head in answer to the question she saw in him. "It was starting to get dark when Mithos found me."

"Ah," Regal nodded, not sounding particularly satisfied with her answer, but after a quick look ahead to the others, he drew a deep breath. "I would have offered to go, but Mithos was eager to go. I suppose he was looking for a way to help?"

"Maybe," Liane shrugged as they moved outside the edge of the town. There was more that she wanted to say, but with the others in relatively close proximity, she decided to keep those words to herself. All we have to do is get Mithos to Altessa's… then things will be at least a little more… normal….

It was a hope, more than anything else. But as the party leveled their Rheairds directly at the glowing ball of energy that hovered over the Renegade base in the desert after the quick trip from Izoold, Liane couldn't help but wonder if anything would ever truly be normal again. The flyers ahead of her disappeared into the light in rapid succession, and when she approached, she caught her breath as Sylvarant exploded around her in a burst of brilliant blue light. She could only hold on tighter to the controls as a wave of vertigo wrapped around her, its grip tightening as well, but only until Tethe'alla's growingly familiar land masses began to form from the light.

I don't think I'll ever get used to doing that.

The thought fell away to relief as Sheena and Zelos led the group to the flat meadow that stretched out before Altessa's burrow. Fighting the urge to drip to her knees and hug the ground in gratitude for a more graceful landing than the last time they had crossed over, Liane somehow managed to find enjoyment in Mithos' smile as Altessa and Tabatha both welcomed the boy back into their care.

Noishe added himself to the equation, bounding out from behind one of the carved rock outcroppings near the dwelling to pounce on Lloyd, sending the party into fits of much needed laughter as the swordsman disappeared beneath a shaking pile of green and white fur. He disappeared before we went to go find Raine… so he just stayed here to wait for us? Liane wondered once again – though she was certain it wouldn't be the last time – at the intelligence of Lloyd's faithful companion. At least he stayed safe… it's easier to move around knowing that he's not likely to go anywhere too dangerous on his own, especially when we don't even know where we're going ourselves. It seemed all they had to do was return to where they had last seen the dog-like creature, and – as long as there were no monsters around – Noishe would once again join them. He doesn't seem to like to fly much anyway. I really can't blame him for that after how we came to Tethe'alla.

After a few more minutes, the party began to speak its goodbyes, with continuing with their quest being their reasoning. Altessa and Tabatha promised food would be left for Noishe even as the creature once again managed to disappear without being noticed. Maybe I am just overreacting, Liane sighed, having enjoyed the brief period of light-heartedness and standing back to watching as Mithos spoke his farewells with the Sage siblings. He's obviously more comfortable with them than he is with the rest of us – who can really blame him?

"Well, Mithos, have a good time with Altessa," Lloyd smiled warmly, waving to the blonde boy as he started to turn toward where they had left the Rheairds waiting for them.

The group began to follow the swordsman, the late afternoon breeze rippling the long field grasses as Mithos' voice rose behind them. "You'll come and visit me, right?"

"Of course!" Genis turned and replied with a bright smile for his friend.

Liane paused at the foot of the dirt trail that led up to Altessa's door and looked back. No matter how uneasy Mithos made her feel, at that moment, all she saw was a lonely boy. Maybe… if we reunite the worlds… they can stay friends.

"Take care," Lloyd smiled and waved over his shoulder, falling into step beside Genis as Mithos ran to the rough-hewn wooden fence that edged the porch area of Altessa's burrow.

"I'll be praying for your success in avenging your sister!" Mithos cupped one hand around his mouth and waved at them over the fence with the other.

The party hesitated as a whole and Presea pivoted to face Mithos. She remained silent for a few moments as the wind tossed her pigtails before she offered the boy a deep nod of her head. "Thank you," she replied as she lifted her eyes again, only the clench of her hands into the hem of her dress revealing any turmoil at his wish.

"Avenging Presea's sister? What are you talking about?"

Liane looked to her side to find that Regal had also turned back to the burrow, his eyes moving over the distance between Presea and Mithos, his eyebrows knitting ever so slightly. "In Altamira… we learned about Presea's sister,' she started, a knot forming in her stomach. "While… you were waiting for us…?"

"Oh, that's right," Lloyd frowned, shaking his head a little as he ran his fingers back through his hair. "We haven't told Regal about it."

He didn't ask… and I didn't have the heart to bring it up, even when I had the chance. Liane had to glance away to right her thoughts. It was easy enough to tell herself that she thought he had enough to worry about between himself and Presea… that if no one else had brought up the somber discovery, perhaps it was okay if she didn't either. But it was harder to recognize a darker truth – for even a moment, Liane had entertained such thoughts… that her friend's refusal to enter the town could be more than a need to stay out of sight of the public.

"Ahh…" Zelos chuckled and turned with a flamboyant flip of red curls. "Um… hey, you know, that's not a topic we really need to drag out now, right?" he shrugged and gestured over his shoulder to entice the others to follow his nonchalant stroll back toward the Rheairds.

The rest of the party, however, remained still, only their eyes following the redheaded Chosen until a frustrated growl tore itself from Genis. "What are you talking about, Zelos?!" the mage demanded, his face growing red as a reflection of his anger. "This is important! Presea's sister was killed!" the silver-haired boy sputtered and shook a hand in Presea's direction as if to offer her as evidence of his claim.

"Killed?" Regal repeated quietly, Mithos apparently forgotten as his gaze was now squarely on Presea.

Colette clasped her hands before her and mournfully nodded as she took a few small steps to stand beside the shackled man. "Yes," she sighed and looked up to Regal. "It seems Presea's younger sister served under a noble named Bryant," the blonde Chosen related the story, carrying on her self-appointed role as the group's unofficial historian. Her expression turned from one of simple nervousness to a saddened frown as she lowered her eyes again. "But then, her master Bryant –"

"He's a monster!" Sheena exploded angrily, sending a ripple of uneasy gasps through the group. "How can he kill a child like that?!"

Liane reached over to put her hand on Sheena's shoulder, even though she had no words to tell her she was wrong to be angry. Presea was one of them… and the way that she had to find out about her sister's death was beyond cruel and wrong. "Presea was mistaken for her sister when we were in Altamira," she added to the story as calmly as she could. "Beyond that, the rest of the story just kind of… followed…" she shrugged and looked back to Regal, even as she could still practically feel the anger radiating from the ninja.

"Sister?!" Regal breathed out, still staring at the pink-haired ax girl. He seemed to be stunned as he took one slow step towards her. "It can't be," he shook his head and crouched to meet Presea's wide-eyed gaze on an even level. "Presea, what was your sister's name?"

Presea tilted her head to him as if considering his question for a long moment before blinking and drawing a breath. "Alicia."

No one reacted to the girl's reply, leaving only a faint whisper of wind to keep the area from falling into absolute silence before Regal began to push himself back to his feet. He nodded once he had straightened to his full height but his eyes remained on Presea. "I see."

"Do you know something about this?" Lloyd asked the convict, his head tilted in curiosity that sounded almost eagerly for the possibility of a lead on the mystery.

Regal blinked, severing his gaze from Presea as he turned to face Lloyd. The calm composure that the shackled man wore so often once again seemed to be in control. "I may know who that murderer might be," he replied, his voice absolutely even as he bobbed his head.

Murderer.

"I am a prisoner serving time for the crime of murder."

All of the self-loathing in the words he had spoken at the Toize Valley Mines came back to her like just another voice she didn't want to remember. Once word was all it took, even though it was spoken as calmly as any other word surrounding it in Regal's statement. One word was all it took to tie her stomach neatly into a painful series of knots. Regal… he…. Liane blinked and bit harshly on her lip as a physical reprimand for the thought that made all too much sense, refusing to let it go any further. He was in prison… maybe he knew someone there, she tried to reason, but then, out of the corner of her eye, a flash of red caught her attention. Zelos? Liane's brow furrowed at how he remained apart from the group, still frozen in place from his aborted attempt to get them moving past Mithos' wishes. But there was the faintest of slumps in his posture… and his head was bowed forward just enough that his red curls curtained his face. The wind suddenly felt cold to her – almost colder than it had felt in Flanoir – as she forced herself to look back to where Regal stood with his back to her.

No… oh, no.

"Really?" Presea responded to the convict's claim with an edge of surprise standing out in her voice. Her slight form tensed in eagerness as she looked up to the blue-haired man that towered over her.

Regal nodded and then turned his head to Lloyd again. "Take me to Altamira."

Fighting down a flash of panic, Liane glanced back up to the boy now leaning forearms onto the top board of the fence. Mithos watched the party with concerned interest, but stayed where he was, his hands clasped together. Why… did he have to bring it up… why now? I heard him talking to Presea and Genis… saying how he and Presea were alike… how they were alone. He bonded with them… it shouldn't be a surprise that he wished her well, but…. Liane looked back towards the Rheairds to see that she was about to be left behind if she didn't hurry. But she didn't want to go… she didn't want to go almost as much as she didn't want to go to the Remote Island Human Ranch.

Forcing her feet to comply with what she knew she had to do, Liane walked toward the blue-striped Rheaird that she had taken as hers and stowed her pack, then hesitated for a moment as she watched the others. There was only quiet conversation as one by one, the engines began to whine to life again, but before Lloyd could make room on his Rheaird for Regal as he normally did, Liane found herself speaking before her thoughts caught up to her. "Regal… you can ride with me…?" she called out, freezing as he looked back to her. Please… please… just tell me I'm wrong. While the shackled man might have been able to maneuver a Rheaird if he had to, it was easier to let him be a passenger, and he had always ridden with Lloyd until then. He gave her a look, but then turned to walk towards her, stepping onto the platform of the flyer and bracing himself against the back to wait for her to step up and take the controls. Regal didn't speak… and even that somehow hurt… as if he was ignoring the plea she had never actually spoken.

As the engine warmed up, its whine easing to a steady pitch, Liane chanced a glance back over her shoulder. She really didn't know what to say, but seeing as how Regal kept his eyes to the welded metal that they stood on, she knew she had to say something. "Regal… we don't have to go to Altamira… we don't even know how long ago this all happened…?" she offered, the excuse sounding like a stall even to her own ears.

"No," Regal shook his head but still didn't look up. "I should not have avoided Altamira in the first place," he spoke only loud enough to be heard over the engine. "Perhaps it might have spared Presea some pain…."

Liane knew his words weren't open for comment… it wasn't a conversation. Regal had withdrawn once again, almost as he had the night outside the mines. He was her friend, and it pained her that she couldn't reach him. He's tried so hard to help me… and now… there's nothing I can do for him…?

As a group, they lifted off into the cloud-dotted sky and turned to the east, the whipping winds proving to be a physical barrier to conversation. But it was opportunity and time for Liane to be locked away with her own thoughts, though this time, they had nothing to do with her own secret torment. If he was imprisoned, he had to have met others, she reasoned. Maybe he heard her name… or….

Then… why does he want to go to Altamira again? Did Bryant return to Altamira or…?

No.

Once again, she forced herself to drop the thought. No matter how she tried to mold the benefit of the doubt, it all spiraled back to an end she didn't want to see.

Regal, Liane begged quietly as the island town appeared on the watery horizon. You can read me… I know you can. Tell me I'm wrong. Please tell me I'm wrong… she begged. Please.

It would have meant nothing if she had actually voiced the plea. No matter what he said – or didn't say – would have had a bitter taste that she had to ask. The island with its city that sported glass towers that sparkled like jewels in the sunlight drew ever closer and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Liane knew that she couldn't close her eyes and be somewhere else, no matter how she wished she could. All she could do was hope that it was only baseless pessimism had saturated her point of view, blinding her to any other explanations.

But I can't see it… she frowned as the Rheaird touched down to the ground and she felt the flyer shift under her as Regal stepped from the platform. She looked up, carefully minding her expression even though her friend's back was to her once again. I'm sorry, Regal. I can't see another reason….

"Explaining would be an excuse. I committed a crime. That's all that needs to be said."

The Rheairds disappeared into their Wing Packs, leaving the party assembled outside the gates of the Seaside Paradise. But this time, instead of Regal finding his place beside the supports of the town gates, he stood directly before them, his eyes fixed upwards on the name of the town so elegantly carved into the painted wood. "Where did you hear about Alicia?" he asked without looking away from the sign as the party gathered around him.

Lloyd walked forward, stopping at Regal's side to look up to him with a tilt to his head, but his expression otherwise lacking his normal good-natured smile. "At Alicia's grave," he answered quietly. "In the Sky Terrace of a company called Lezareno."

"I see," the shackled man nodded and squared his shoulders as he lifted his feet and started into the town without another moment's hesitation and without waiting to see if they would follow him. "Let's go there, then."

Liane followed, just as the others did. She tried not to think about how Regal led the group to the Elemental Railway station without any direction from them… or how quiet the party had become. Presea and Genis trailed along not far behind Lloyd and Regal, but she and Zelos trailed at the back of the group. She took a moment to consider how the Chosen didn't often stay to the back of the group, as he normally favored a position at least closer to Sheena. The dark-haired swordswoman looked over to Zelos and took note of the deliberate ease of his stride, how his hands pushed into his pockets… and how he looked anywhere but where they were going.

I know the feeling, she sighed and looked away herself. Liane's gut told her if she asked Zelos anything, she would receive his trademarked grin, but little in the way to confirm or deny her suspicions that he, too, knew more than he was saying. One person avoiding me here is enough… I don't need to prove that there are more… she frowned, noting how the swimsuit-bedecked citizens of the town paused to watch them walk past.

The ride to the Lezareno Company building was as quiet and awkward as Liane expected it to be. The churning of the railcar's engines was mindless enough to concentrate on while she looked around to her companions, finding that the crystal-blue waters that separated the office building from the island seemed to be distraction for most of them, with Presea, Lloyd, and Regal at the bow of the vessel, the only ones actually looking toward their destination. Liane hung her head and looked back toward the land behind them, a quiet if not pointless protest to what was happening.

Everything's going to change… again. Why… why can't things just stay stable… for a few hours? Liane knew the answer, even though it went completely against what she wanted at that moment. Things needed to change. The worlds were corrupt… and their lives were entwined with that corruption. Before things were righted, there would be confrontation, and it would be impossible to say how it would all settle out.

The railcar drifted into the dock in the lobby of the building, but the odd silence that contrasted to the murmur of activity from their last visit stood out more than any noise could have. A wave of tension swept over the passengers of the railcar as the vessel settled, and it was crowned by the sound of Lloyd's twin blades clearing their scabbards as the swordsman vaulted from the boat, landing with his weapons at ready as his eyes swept over the lobby area. "Wh… whoa?!" the breathed out, his voice clear even in the large room that opened to the sea at one end. "What happened?"

The party cautiously moved off the railcar, leaving the conductor to guard their packs as they gathered around Lloyd. Nothing else moved in the room, although the handful of bodies scattered around the room indicated that there had been a good deal of movement recently. Liane edged closer to a uniformed man lying not far from the railcar slip, dropping to one knee and reaching out with the hand that didn't carry her sword to try to find his pulse on the side of his throat. Somehow, she didn't recoil when she didn't find one, an odd cold slowing her from reacting with the horror she felt at the realization. "Someone… attacked? Here?" she murmured in dismay, looking back to the others as she stood.

"What's going on?" Regal breathed out, the troubled rumble of his voice echoing through the room as he approached another fallen form that was clad in the uniform of the company security that the party had encountered on their last visit. He knelt beside the guard as the latter coughed and then groaned deliriously.

"The Exsphere Broker, Vharley," the guard choked, trying to lift his head for a moment before he relaxed back to the floor and lifted a shaking hand to indicate the elevator behind him, "… went inside…."

The leather-wrapped grip of Presea's ax proclaimed the girl's anger for her as she twisted the weapon between both hands, her eyes unflinchingly fixed on the elevator the guard had indicated. "Vharley! He must pay…!"

Regal's response to the ax girl's conclusion rumbled in his throat, not truly finding voice as he rose to his feet and set his jaw with a nod.

"Let's go on in," Colette murmured uneasily, her chakrams already clenched in white-jointed hands as she looked over to Lloyd. The swordsman's eyes flashed around the party even as he nodded his acceptance of the blonde Chosen's plan and started forward to lead them into the elevator.

Once they were all in the fortunately spacious lift, Liane somehow found herself at the core of the group. Even though they were all tensed into their instinctive reaction to what they knew might be a yet another fight, she did her best to remember the moment, realizing that even though danger was once again lying in wait for them, she felt secure… that no matter what else, she trusted those gathered around her with her life. It was all she needed to know to fight with them… knowing that for every bit of that confidence they gave her, she needed to do her part to give it back to them.

The floors ticked off one by one on the elegant dial above the door until only one remained. Then, blue sky and sunlight flooded the small compartment, and they all tensed as the iron gate folded on itself to allow them passage to the Sky Terrace.

"Tell me the password to the inner area of the Toize Valley Mine! Now!"

The gravelly voice filled the elevator and the party tensed in reaction, all of their weapons shifting as much as they could in the closed area in response to Vharley's angered demand. While he wasn't in sight before them, it was clear that there was more happening on the Sky Terrace than they could see… and it was Regal that strode off first, leaving the rest of the party behind without hesitation.

"I don't know anything about it."

The remaining party exchanged glances and then hurried to push out of the elevator with Lloyd and Presea breaking into faster jogs to trail after Regal. The voices were clear to Liane now, and she took a moment to place the second voice in almost an effort to stall… to allow her mind to keep up with what was already out of control. That's… George… the man that gave us his pass… her thoughts whispered as she looked in the direction of the vocal confrontation. Only a brief glimpse of maroon through the thick trellises that surrounded the core area of the Sky Terrace confirmed her guess. What does he have to do with the mines??

The greasy rumble of laughter that answered George's denial froze the party in place as they entered the circular area and stopped behind the obese Broker's back. "Wrong answer," Vharley chuckled, taking a step closer to George with a rust-flecked boot knife pointed at the old man's throat, sending George back a responding step that backed him against the retaining wall of the fountain.

"How about I tell you instead."

The voice was familiar, but the authority that coursed beneath the tone was not. Time ground to a crawl as Regal separated himself from the group and approached behind Vharley, his steps measured and sounding in a slow, ominous rhythm as the Exsphere Broker turned to look over his shoulder, his eyes wide with surprise.

George scrambled back, taking advantage of Vharley's distraction to get out of the other man's knife. He lifted a hand to his chest and breathed out in relief as he looked up. "Master Regal! What are you doing here?"

Liane almost dropped her sword. Wasn't there only one person the old man would address that way? After what they had seen of the man the last time, she couldn't bring herself to think any other way. Goddess… I wanted to be wrong… I so wanted to be wrong….

Vharley stared blankly at the blue-haired man for a moment later before his lips finally twisted into a wicked smile and his frame shook with a chuckle that sounded like it should have hurt. "So the president himself decided to pay a visit," he shook his head and propped his hands at his sides. "Perfect."

"President?" Lloyd breathed out in confusion, shaking his head a little as if to clear the confusion that kept him from understanding what was happening.

Yet Regal continued to walk forward until he stood directly before Vharley, paying no mind to the companions he had left behind. "The route to the Toize Valley Mine opens by my voice print and cornea scan," he stated sharply, glaring slightly down into the Broker's beady eyes. "Forcing it open would undoubtedly cause the Exsphere mine area to collapse."

"They're all so violent."

Her eyes sliding closed, Liane's mind was all too happy to show her all the moments in the mine that she should have questioned… that she had simply accepted his claim that he had worked in the mine and his need for privacy ever since they had left. But all of it pointed to the time they were living now. No matter how she had denied it, she knew she could have seen it coming… that the pieces of his identity had slowly been falling into place since they had first met. George and Alicia's words the last time the group had been to Altamira were only the polish on the tale that Liane didn't want to know, even though she could no longer deny that she did.

"Is that so?" Vharley chuckled, turning his knife to point it at Regal. "In that case, Regal, you're just going to have to come open it for us!" he chuckled and advanced on the unmoving blue-haired man. "I'm gonna be out of business if I don't get my hands on some more Exspheres."

Regal shook his head, unflinching as he stared down the short length of the well-worn blade to Rodyle. "I think not," he stated sharply. "Besides, Rodyle is dead. You don't have anyone to unload huge numbers of Exspheres on."

Vharley blinked, staring at the taller man for a moment before he choked down a breath, threw back his head, and laughed so hard that his entire form shook to show his amusement. "Are you stupid?" he demanded through his labored laugh before the forced amusement faded back into a sneer. "I don't need Rodyle. I've got the Pope himself on my side! And there's plenty of people around who'd love to get their hands on some Exspheres!"

"That's enough!" Presea rushed forward, her ax balanced over her shoulder to face Vharley, a defiant shake of her head loosening the ax from its perch to emphasize its threat to him. "I cannot forgive you for killing an innocent person."

Vharley looked down to the pink-haired girl, raising an eyebrow to her as he chuckled and started to reach out a hand to her, looking like he intended to pat her on the head. He hesitated at the last moment as a burst of smoke exploded a few steps away, leaving him to sigh with what sounded like disappointment and pull his hand back as the smoke resolved itself into a hooded, maroon-clad ninja.

"Kuchinawa!" Sheena gasped, shaking her head in denial as she jerked her thumb in Vharley's direction. "You're working with this guy?!"

It was such an odd collision of the party's foes and mysteries that Liane found herself only able to stare, her thoughts making no sense and racing through her mind far too quickly to catch a grip on any of them. Life was beginning to mirror her dreams, compounding confusion with even more confusion. And even worse, one person that had become something of a rock for her to reach for… to confide in… seemed to be soundly rooted at the center of the current storm.

Kuchinawa's eyes slid to Sheena, hatred burning in their shadowed depths as he walked past her without speaking until he reached Vharley's side. He turned as if making a silent statement of his own alliance and reached out to place his hand on the Exsphere Broker's shoulder.

Vharley spared a quick glare for the silent ninja and then turned a rejuvenated sneer back on the party. "Soon, the King will die and the Pope will take over," he purred, his sick smile reaching his eyes as he fixed his gaze firmly on Regal. "And when that happens, I'm going to grind your pathetic Lezareno Company into the ground!"

Regal's jaw went rigid and he started to take a step toward the Broker. But a flick of Kuchinawa's wrist set another bloom of smoke at their feet, leaving nothing but Vharley's maddening laughter for a few moments, and then – when the wind took the smoke away – there wasn't the slightest hint that either of them had ever been there.

The shackled man stood still for a moment, his back still to the party. His shoulders betrayed that he drew a deep breath and then approached George, lifting both hands to place one of them on the shaken older man's shoulder. "Are you all right, George?" Regal asked, his composure returning to his voice as the man in the suit looked up to him and nodded.

"Yes, Master Regal," George responded with a grateful nod of his head and a sigh of relief before he lifted his eyes once again. "Thank you."

Regal nodded once and his hand squeezed George's shoulder before he allowed his hands to fall back before him again. He stayed there for a few moments as silence wrapped around the small oasis, and then he slowly squared his shoulders and turned to face the party, his expression betraying no emotion as his eyes swept over them all one by one. "My name is Regal Bryant," he stated with no hesitation in his voice. "I was granted the title of Duke by His Highness, and also the president of Lezareno Company." He bowed his head once as if it was a proper introduction before he nodded in Zelos' direction. "Although, it would seem that the Chosen already knows me."

Zelos fidgeted and shifted his weight from one foot to the other as attention momentarily fell on him. "I saw you at one of the Princess' birthday parties," he chuckled uneasily.

"Oh yeah," Sheena groaned, jerking her thumb in the redhead's direction. "I'd forgotten that this guy's actually a member of high society, too," she chuckled sarcastically and shook her head, to which Zelos only answered with a dry laugh and a flip of his hair.

It was a small burst of levity, but it was all that Liane could do to go through the motion of sheathing her sword. Regal… Bryant…. She had wondered if it was an alias when he had first introduced himself, but it seemed that – in the omission – it actually had been. Liane watched him from the side of the group… how he stood tall and unflinching before his companions. He's waiting… she realized as her heart sank. He was waiting for them to judge him.

Goddess, I didn't want to be right.

"Then, Alicia's killer, Bryant is…" Raine breathed out, breaking the silence that had fallen in the wake of Zelos and Sheena's banter, her words only growing more inevitable with every passing moment since he had introduced himself to them.

Colette twisted her hands together before her and took a few small steps to stand before the shackled man, looking up to him to search his eyes. "W… wait," she whispered, shaking her head in denial. "It can't be… Regal…."

There was a pleading in Colette's voice that sent a very physical wave of pain through Liane. The swordswoman could only watch the scene for as long as it took for Regal to draw a breath and turn away from Colette and the rest of them to face the tombstone of Alicia Combatir. Liane choked and dropped her gaze to the ground. He wouldn't deny it or defend himself… and it only made her hurt worse. She wanted to think that he could have confided in her. She was sure she had seen a kind and gentle soul within him that had made it so easy to believe that perhaps his crime had been an accident… something he had taken on himself with undeserved levels of guilt. But now…. Liane was sure that the only thing that had hurt worse was Kratos' betrayal. How… could I have been so… wrong?

A sudden burst of warm, soft light overpowered the waning afternoon sunlight and drew Liane out of the dark spiral of her thoughts. She lifted her watery gaze to see the light collapse in on itself as it had the last time they had visited the Sky Terrace. Her throat went dry as she recognized the pink-haired apparition that now stood directly before Regal, staring up at him with a smile as warm as the Altamiran sun.

"Alicia!" Regal gasped, his voice showing so much aching strain in the one simple word.

Even if it seemed utterly impossible, Alicia's expression brightened even more. "Master, I'm so happily to see you again before I disappear," she spoke in a voice that resounded with an unearthly sweetness. She lifted her hand as if to reach out to him, but then hesitated just before they should have touched, her smile fading ever so slightly as she let her hand fall back to her side.

"I'm sorry," Regal rasped, his shoulders falling in time with her hand. Then he hung his head humbly. "Even after death, you still suffer…."

Liane and the others watched the scene in stunned silence, but she could only speak for her own tears that rolled down her cheeks before she even realized they were there. There was something utterly heartbreaking in the sight, but moreover, no matter what his unspoken admission had indicated in facts alone, it was no interaction between cold-blooded murderer and his victim… and it was no vengeful spirit that confronted her tormentor. What…?

Alicia shook her head, her bobbed pink hair shaking almost playfully as a sad smile curled her lips. "It's all right," she spoke reassuringly, her voice nothing short of ethereal. "It's not your fault."

"Alicia," Presea whispered, a bitter bite in her voice as she approached the vision of her sister and looked warily up to Regal. There was almost a warning in her brief glare before she looked back to Alicia. "What do you mean?"

The spirit met Presea's questioning gaze for a moment before she clasped her hands before her and looked to Regal. The shackled man and Alicia stood locked in each other's eyes for only a heartbeat of would could only have been understanding before she lowered her head and Regal drew a breath to speak, slowly inflating his slumped form to turn and partially face Presea and the others.

"Alicia and I were in love."

Liane saw Presea's eyes widen in surprise, but beyond that, she could only feel her own breath press out of her lungs at the confession. As much as it had hurt her to doubt her placement of her trust, her guilt at being so quick to question that trust made her gut twist. He loved her… what… happened? Liane's thoughts whispered even though she knew there simply couldn't be a reason she would like.

"Then I, his servant, interfered," George spoke from behind Regal, his head bowed low, "… and forced them apart."

Regal sighed, turning his head as if considering glancing back to the old man, but then deciding against it. Instead, he looked back at Alicia and drew another deep breath. "Alicia was handed over to Vharley," he spoke, his voice quiet and his eyes never wavering from the uniformed girl's transparent form. "He wanted to use her in an Exsphere experiment."

Colette stood back, her expression growing more stricken with every bit of the story. "Was he… trying to create Cruxis Crystals?" she asked softly, her curiosity apparently overpowering any thoughts of interrupting the tragic tale.

"It seems so," Regal nodded with his response, glancing to Colette and then back to Alicia before his eyes slid shut. "But the experiment failed."

There was a complete and utter echo of defeat in Regal's voice as he hung his head and fell silent. "Before… you said that the Exsphere killed your body and absorbed your consciousness," Liane mused quietly, drawing the placid blue gaze of the spirit. She found that she couldn't look away even as the pieces slowly began to fall into place. "It… mutated you…" she whispered as a wave of sympathy shook her voice.

Alicia nodded and looked back to Regal with a sad smile even though he wouldn't look up. "Master Regal killed me in order to save me," she explained in her sweet, soft voice. "It was the only way."

"Just like Marble," Genis murmured, shaking his head as his expression reflected the sorrow that had enveloped the terrace.

The apparition sighed and stepped down from the thin platform of her grave marker. She took a few small, silent steps to stand before Regal and clasped her hands behind her back. For a few long moments, no one moved or spoke, but when Regal seemed to realize that he was being watched, he slowly lifted his head again. Alicia rewarded him with a smile that was once again warm and sweet. "I'm so glad I got to see you again in the end," she told him, looking up into his eyes, her smile never faltering for an instant. "I have no regrets now," she stated and tilted her head, allowing her expression to sober only slightly as concern crept into her gaze. "So please, Regal, stop punishing yourself."

Regal's shoulders shook as he stared back at the image of the pink-haired young woman. "Alicia," he started, his head finally shaking and his hair swaying across his back with his denial, "… but with my own hands, I –"

Alicia held up a finger and wagged it at him playfully, even though a glint of welled tears in her eyes betrayed how much deeper the emotions of the moment ran. "I will disappear very soon," she murmured, dropping her voice just a little lower as if to be sure he would have to make the effort to listen. "So please, don't leave me anything to worry about." Her lip quivered for a moment and she shook her head sadly. "You don't need those shackles. You've suffered enough."

Liane lifted her hand to cover her mouth, forbidding herself a sob for the scene playing out before her. It was a love and an understanding so obvious… one torn apart by events neither of them could control… and one that both knew would soon once again slip from their grasp. That's why he wouldn't explain…she realized in dull misery for both her friend and his lost love. He has been punishing himself all along. He's felt her loss for so long… he's kept it all inside.

"I took the life of the one I love," Regal replied miserably to Alicia's request, lifting his bound hands as he looked back into her eyes. "These are a symbol of my crime, as well as my punishment."

Shaking her head, a shining tear slid down over the apparition's pale cheek. Her hands fell to hang limply at her sides in defeat. "You don't need that punishment anymore. "Alicia's voice wavered, her eyes widening as they remained fixed with pleading on him. "Please, Regal…."

Regal stared back into her eyes, his own filling with more despair with every passing moment. His mouth fell open, but no words formed. It was in that uneasy silence that Lloyd stepped forward and looked up to the blue-haired man. "Genis, Liane, and I once experienced the same thing you did," the swordsman offered quietly, not waiting for Regal's gaze to fall on him before beginning to speak. "And I also imagined what it must have been like… for my dad." Regal blinked and finally turned his head enough to look over to the teen at that, and Lloyd bit the edge of his lip before continuing. "When my mom turned into a monster, and the struck her down, he must have suffered as well."

"Your father did the same thing?" the blue-haired man blinked in dismay, staring blankly at the teen, even though his response indicated that he was at least listening… that their words were reaching him.

"That's what I heard," Lloyd replied with a shrug, his expression somber as he shook his head from side to side. "I don't know if the decisions you or my dad made were correct, but I don't think my mom would have wanted my dad to punish himself and live the way you have." His words bore the same gentle honesty that seemed to have opened a path of friendship between himself and the convict in the first place as he shifted his eyes expectantly to where Alicia still stood before them.

Regal's eyes followed Lloyd's and settled on Alicia for a long moment before he spoke again. "Is that true?"

Alicia nodded, her sad smiling brightening a little as she clasped her hands before her. "Yes, it's just as he says," she nodded once – gratefully – to Lloyd and then once again to Regal. "At least, I don't want you to live like that."

Liane couldn't deny that she felt a flash of pride in Lloyd's words at that moment, and she sniffled as she moved to drop her hand lightly onto his shoulder. Even though the fate of his parents still haunted him, it seemed that he was coming to grips with it – and once again – he was using his talent for instinctive insight to help his friends. Alicia loves him… what he did wasn't out of malice… it was out of love. She could never want him to suffer for that, her mind whispered with a certainty she couldn't quite grasp as she watched Regal and Alicia. Something that deep… that precious… is worth anything to protect.

"All right," Regal finally exhaled, his quiet acceptance bringing the smile back to Alicia's lips and eyes. "But I will never use these hands as tools of death. I swear that to you. To you…" he lifted his hands to emphasize his vow and looked over to the young swordsman that stood between him and Presea, "… and to Lloyd." He nodded meaningfully to the teen and then turned back to Alicia. "And once we have defeated those who use Exspheres to toy with people's lives, I shall remove these bonds."

"Thank you, Master," Alicia bowed before him, a show of respect while her voice carried the relief that her pleas had been answered. When she rose again, her smile was back even though tears rolled down her cheeks as she turned to her sister. "Presea… I think I can finally rest in peace," she nodded as if she had made a decision, her hands parting so that she could gesture to the grave marker behind her. "Please destroy the crystal before I am totally absorbed into the Exsphere."

Presea's eyes widened and flashed between her sister and the crystal set in the dark stone. "Why?" she shook her head numbly. "Can't you stay like you are now?"

Alicia's smile fell away as she sadly shook her head. "If I stay like this, I will live on forever," she whispered as if she was afraid of such a fate. "An isolated consciousness, unable to even speak, existing for eternity." Her voice wavered as her eyes shifted back to the crystal that glowed patiently behind her. "It would be true hell."

Hasn't she been through enough? Liane glared at the stone on Alicia's behalf, finding another example of fate's cruel sense of humor in the situation. After all that had happened, Alicia and Regal had been given one final chance to speak… only to have to lose each other once more time… one final time. How much can a heart take…?

Lloyd chewed his lip for a moment and then looked between Regal and Presea. "Presea, Regal, what do we do?" he asked gently as Alicia looked on silently, her hands slowly wringing together.

Regal looked down to Presea and waited for the girl to meet his gaze. After a few long moments, the shackled man hung his head and looked back to Alicia. "Please, set her free," he murmured sorrowfully as he clenched his hands into fists.

"Yes," Presea whispered her agreement and stepped forward to stand beside Regal to face her sister, her eyes welled with tears. "Goodbye, Alicia."

"Thank you," Alicia bobbed her head to Presea and Regal, her smile genuine but contrasting to the tears that streaked her face. Her form began to flicker ever so slightly, almost like a trick of the sunlight on the gazing pool behind the sunlight. "Presea, please forgive Master Regal," she asked in a voice that was almost more wind than words as she faded completely from sight.

"Please."

The lost girl's final wish hung in the air as Presea's choked sob echoed from the stone that marked her sister's resting place. Liane bowed her head along with the others, a moment of silence washing over the Sky Terrace before she looked up and saw Lloyd draw his twin blades. The swordsman waited for Regal to lift his eyes from Presea and then drop his chin once more, his head remaining bowed low. Lloyd set his jaw at the signal and drew both blades back before they lashed out in a pair of elegant silver arcs that shattered the glowing crystal, leaving its shards to fall to the base of the stone monument.

They got to say goodbye… Alicia got to be with the ones she loved in her final moments, Liane told herself as her eyes lingered on the remains of the crystal that now only sparkled under the sunlight, its internal glow extinguished. Is it wrong that I think, in some small way – after everything – she was lucky in the end? She had people that loved her enough… to let her be at peace… and let her go? She swallowed hard and grudgingly raised her eyes to Regal and Presea. Both of them stood motionless… side by side… staring at the gravestone. What can any of us say to them…? she wondered helplessly. Would any words bring comfort? Wouldn't any claims of how they had spared Alicia from a fate worse than the uncertainty of death only bring calm when the fresh bite of grief had faded? I'm in no position to say anything anyway… not… with how… I doubted him….

Regal lifted his head a moment later, his expression once again a mask of calm that didn't quite disguise the storm in his damp eyes. "I'm sorry I never said anything about this until now," he murmured apologetically, keeping his gaze lowered. "I'm a criminal."

The elder manservant cleared his throat and moved to his master's side to face the rest of the party. "Master Regal confessed to killing Alicia and went to prison on his own will," he added, keeping his voice low, though his posture was still straight and proud, though his eyes were turned to the ground at his feet.

"While I was in prison, the Pope promised to arrest Vharley in exchange for kidnapping Colette," Regal continued, his eyes drifting closed as George continued to fill in more of the story that he had kept hidden from them. "I believed him… and agreed to do it."

Colette's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "So that's why you were after us," she commented, not turning it into a question.

"You were trying to bring Vharley to justice… for what he helped do to Alicia," Liane murmured, still processing what he was telling them. She couldn't help that she was staring at George, noting how he kept his gaze averted. "But… the Pope was using you, too… if Vharley is working for him." That… bastard, Liane's thoughts cursed the supposed-holy man. As if it wasn't becoming clearer with their every interaction with the church, the Pope's ambitions seemed to have no limits… and certainly not showing any remorse for how many lives could be ruined – or further destroyed – by his pursuits.

The blue-haired man nodded slowly. "Yes," he confirmed the swordswoman's observation with a sigh and then lifted his eyes once again, this time seeking Lloyd. "Please, I ask you to postpone my final judgment until we defeat Cruxis… and stop them from using Exspheres to toy with people's lives."

Lloyd's expression brightened a bit, a sparkle of determination returning to his eyes. "Of course!" he answered without hesitation. "We'll work together to defeat them and restore the Giant Tree!"

But Lloyd's excitement was slow to spread as an uneasy silence remained firmly in place around the party. The first to act in the odd lull was Genis as he made his way to Presea's side and placed his hand on her shoulder to draw her attention. "Are you okay with that, Presea?"

The girl's eyes remained on Regal for a few moments after Genis' question had faded on the breeze. She blinked thoughtfully, clearly not in any hurry to answer before she was ready. "Vharley was responsible for Alicia's death as well," she murmured softly enough that it almost seemed that she was talking to herself more than anything. When Regal looked back down to her, she inhaled a deep breath… and finally nodded, her pigtails more enthusiastic than her voice. "Okay," she spoke, her voice still showing saddened cracks. "I'll… try not to think of you as my enemy. I'm not sure I can change right away, but…"

Regal bowed his head once again, his arms hanging limply before him. It was a very physical and humble statement of how powerless he was, his request of Lloyd and the rest of them, and recognition of how he would make no excuses for any of what had happened. "I'm sorry," he rasped without looking up to any of them, including Presea.

The pink-haired girl regarded him for a moment before she sighed and turned her eyes to her sister's gravestone. "It was Alicia's last request, so… I won't say a word about it anymore."

It was at very least an uneasy truce, though Liane knew it wasn't something that Presea could even consider simply letting go of so easily. It would be a long process, and one that she couldn't possibly guarantee how she would feel once the truth of her sister's life and death would settle. None of them except Regal and Presea truly had any right to a judgment on the situation… no one but the pair that fate had tied together without either of their knowledge could possibly hope to tell them how to react to the other. But… still….

Liane knew it wasn't right to worry about her own grip at the moment… but even one more shaken certainty in her life had ruined her balance… and it left her shaken. I… don't know how to approach him – or Presea – right now. She knew that the group would have to be closer than before with what they had learned in Sylvarant, but as even more walls had suddenly crumbled under the light of truth, wouldn't it touch how all of them related to each other?

Goddess… where do we go from here…?


Liane closed the door of her room in the suite she shared with Raine, Colette, Presea, and Sheena with an exhausted sigh. What a day, she thought as she fell back onto the bed and snuggled into the hotel's luxurious robe, willing the warmth that had soaked into her during the bath to stay as long as possible.

I can't believe they all still want to go out tonight.

She opened her eyes to stare up at the carved ceiling tiles of the room, but not even the intricate patterns were enough to calm her thoughts.

Poor Regal.

She clenched her eyes shut and tried to banish the memory of his stricken expression as he spoke with the phantom girl from the Exsphere. Liane couldn't begin to imagine what her friend was going through.

How would you feel? She questioned herself with an accusing sting to her mind's voice as she curled into her robe, a distinct chill erasing the warmth present just the moment before. To see the love of my life simply existing like that….

Sitting up and running her hand through her damp hair, Liane pulled it over her shoulder as best she could to keep it out of her face… a simple motion with no true, deeper reason than to ground her back in something other than depression.

I'll have to get him out of Zelos' clutches for a while tonight, she mused, absently combing her fingers through her hair. He had seemed so numb as they had left the Lezareno Building that she wasn't sure he had even realized that he was agreeing to go out with them that night. The only thing he seemed to acknowledge was that Lloyd had finally voiced what she had told him when they had first talked. The swordsman's 'of course' had finally, officially seemed to seal his place in their group. But then, aside from the Tethe'allan Chosen's habitual babbling at all of them, they had all seemed content to leave Regal be… perhaps even avoiding him a little even as the reality of the man's burden settled on all of them.

"Regal…" she whispered with a sad shake of her head. "Why couldn't you have told me before now… why did you do this to yourself… in front of everyone?" She kicked herself for not even asking him about her suspicions after they first 'met' Alicia… how he wouldn't enter the city, the girl that was murdered who looked so like Presea, the noble who was guilty of the crime… how could she have not been confident enough to ask? All of it paired with something in him… his fascination with Presea… his refined nature… the fact that he had already been forced to admit his crime was murder….

Her thoughts shattered as the door to her room flew open, bouncing back from the wall and rattling on its hinges. A startled yelp escaped her as Colette and Sheena ran into the room in a flurry of laughter, each grabbing an arm and dragging her from the bed.

"Hey!" Liane objected, pressing her bare feet out in front of her to stop them from dragging her out of her room. "I'm not even dressed yet!!"

"Well, it took you long enough in the bath," Sheena groaned good-naturedly, punctuating her statement with a snicker. "The guys already left… we're just waiting on you."

Liane glanced over to the glass doors that opened onto the small balcony to see that the sky was indeed starting to darken. "I didn't realize how late it was getting," she sighed as her would-be abductors released her arms. "Give me a minute…."

Sheena smiled and shrugged, turning to sit in the chair beside the bed. "Take two," she gestured nonchalantly with her hand. "It's that much longer that we'll be able to avoid Zelos." The ninja rolled her eyes and snorted. "I'm sure he's found the tavern by now."

Looking toward the doorway, Liane realized that Raine and Presea were there as well. Raine was gently nudging the pink-haired girl into the room. Colette looked up as well, seeing Presea's approach and turning back to Liane with a grin.

"We went shopping while you were taking your bath," Presea muttered as she held the bag she was carrying out to Liane. "Colette said you would like this."

Liane took the bag from the ax girl's hands with a curious smile. "Thank you, Presea," she responded, opening the simple brown bag and removing an ivory tunic made from what she was sure was the softest fabric she had ever felt.

"It's from all of us," Sheena shrugged, her pleased smile growing as Liane draped the top over her lap. "Your other long sleeved one didn't come out of Sylvarant looking so hot."

Glancing over to the pile of clothing near her packs, Liane had to admit that the tattered edges of the tunic in question were an obvious testament to what Sheena had said. The claws of the dragons at the Remote Island Human Ranch had taken their toll on the garment.

"Besides, it's a little cool tonight," the summoner continued. "We had to find something for Presea, too. We can't have you two cold all night long, with the desk clerk saying that the theater is outdoors and all…"

"Thank you," Liane smiled and hugged the soft fabric to her cheek with a small laugh as she looked around to her friends, "… all of you." They were all truly her friends, no matter how long she had known them. The day had once again tried all of their nerves, but if they could manage to all come out of it intact – and possibly even stronger than before – then perhaps even the most painful of trials might be worth it? She stood and started back towards the bathroom with a smile that reflected the ease of the moment. "Give me a chance to get dressed and brush my hair out… then I'll be ready to go."


Stepping off the elemental railway with her companions, Liane surveyed the casino area of Altamira, its lights already shining brightly against the twilight sky. Lloyd stood nearby, casually leaning against one of the columns that supported the upper boardwalks of the area and shaking his head in amusement as the females of the party wandered closer. "Hey, didn't think you were coming," the swordsman chuckled as he leaned forward and pivoted to step onto the elevator to wait for them. "The guys are all up waiting in the casino."

The casino was close to the top of the elevator, the lights almost garish up close, having lost the misty haze that distance had afforded the flashing signs. Lloyd hurried forward, grabbing the door and pulling it open for them. Raine and Sheena entered first, continuing into the room ahead of Liane, Colette, and Presea. Liane saw Genis trot over to his sister, but her eyes quickly scanned the room. There weren't that many people in the casino. Zelos stood out thanks to his red hair, but another shock of color that was conspicuously missing. "Lloyd, where's Regal?"

"He said he didn't want to come," Lloyd looked up to her and shrugged. "We tried to talk him into it, but I guess he just needed his space."

The swordsman's sigh was just enough punctuation on his statement to push Liane to her decision. She sighed and reached out to grab Lloyd's shoulder, just enough that she wouldn't have to raise her voice. "I'll try to be back, okay? I… just need to check on him. I'm worried," she frowned and met her friend's warm brown eyes.

"Yeah, okay…" Lloyd responded, his expression melting in concern as he nodded. "There's still a while before the play starts, anyway," he continued with a nod towards the door.

Lloyd understands… he has to. He worries about all of us. Maybe they won't all come running back if he's there to make sure Regal gets some space, Liane thought as she slipped out of the casino, the chimes and bells already grating on her nerves. With any luck, the rest of them won't even notice I'm gone. If Regal hadn't come with them – if he hadn't managed to find his mask of calm that he normally wore for them… she was worried.

He's carried this on his own for so long… now that it's out….

Liane waited for the railcar to board another couple of passengers before it lurched out of its slip and started back to the main part of the town. Though she wasn't technically alone on the railcar, she truly felt as if her only company was her own pessimism. He… thought she was dead before… but now that he knows she's truly gone…. She shivered against the night breeze that she knew shouldn't have felt cold through her new tunic. Goddess… after everything else… what will it do to him?

Regal was her friend, no matter that he kept secrets from them. She couldn't be angry with him. She felt that she knew him well enough to understand why he couldn't tell them, and now, she was starting to understand just how much traveling with them must have hurt him. Seeing Presea every day… not truly knowing who she was, but seeing Alicia every time he looked at her….

He must have thought he was going crazy.

The thought pulled a bitter chuckle from her. Not like I don't know that feeling… maybe he understood what I was trying to tell him better than I thought he did.

Seeing Presea and Alicia together finally made sense of what the intolerant villagers of Ozette were saying of Presea… how she hadn't aged. It was the only explanation for how Alicia was the younger sister… one old enough to be involved with the Duke.

Duke… Liane mused, her thoughts drifting slightly from the melancholy. I guess… that should have almost made more sense than anything else. Her friend truly was more than she had ever guessed, far beyond the secrets he had held.

She stepped off the railcar and onto the lift that took her back to the city's main level. Her feet carried her over the wooden bridge from the station, but her eyes were cast upward, marveling at how the moonlight reflected from the glass that wrapped around the Hotel. Regal and George had arranged rooms for them for the nights – suites more luxurious than anything she had ever stayed in – but it was still the town outside the Hotel that amazed her. Being surrounded by water and brightly colored buildings, even the night gave the town a practically mystical look. The streetlights glowed softly and reflected all around her, leaving her momentarily dazed… and not noticing that she was no longer alone.

"It's pretty amazing, huh?"

Liane started at the jovial male voice, her head snapping to the side to find a well-dressed man with neatly curled hair standing beside her. "I'm sorry…?" she stammered, blinking away the daze she had worked herself into and taking a small step back.

The red-haired man chuckled and straightened his jacket. "Didn't mean to startle you… I just saw how you seemed to be so taken with the town." He shrugged and nodded as if he was agreeing with her. "This city looks like it has no problems, but there was an incident eight years ago in which several people lost their lives. The big stone beside the hotel, towards the back, is a monument to that incident."

Turning to look in the direction the man indicated, Liane's eyes widened when she realized the monument he had spoken of was the one that had overseen their first meeting with George. "Eight years…?" she murmured softly, her frown reappearing as she looked back to the man. "What happened?" she asked, even though she was simply ignoring how her gut was telling her that she already knew the answer.

"No one around here really talks about it," the man shook his head. "A lot of what you hear about it might be rumors after all this time. All I know for sure is that it really shook up the town. But Altamira is amazing. You'd never think anything bad could ever happen here. It's part of what makes it a paradise… you can almost forget about the rest of the world when you're here."

"I suppose…" Liane nodded, turning her eyes back to the hotel that soared into the night sky. Either that, or this is where you come to let it all catch back up to you. She inhaled a small breath of the fresh sea air and smiled politely to the man. "Thank you… have a nice night…" she excused herself from the man and returned to the hotel, crossing the lobby – this time not paying attention to the elegant entryway. Regal… please don't do anything stupid, she begged silently as she pressed the button to call for the elevator to the fifth floor suites. Liane hoped that she knew him better than to truly believe that it was a real possibility, but she had seen the devastation in his eyes… and that made it difficult for her to be willing to discount anything he might do. She had never loved nor lost as deeply as he had… she couldn't fathom what he was going through as the one left behind.

When Liane stepped out of the elevator, she turned towards the suite that the males had been given and crossed the polished marble floor to the door, her soft-soled boots making no noise to betray her presence in the hallway. Drawing a quick breath, she lifted her hand and knocked lightly at the door.

She waited a few more moments, but only as long as she could force herself before she let her hand fall to the scrolled door handle. The door offered little resistance to keep her out, as a simple turn of her wrist allowed her entry to the darkened common room of the suite, but she still hesitated in the doorway. "Regal?" she called, her worry still growing, but she didn't want to disturb him if he truly did only want some quiet.

"Hello?"

The silence that continued to answer her calls only made Liane's dread grow, panic starting to tickle her nerves no matter how she didn't want to recognize it. No… he wouldn't….

Walking past the rooms one by one, she poked her head into the first… the second…

… but it was the third that ended Liane's search. He was there… a still silhouette alone on the balcony of the room. His back was to her, but from the hunch in his shoulders, she could see that his weight was shifted forward toward the railing. She slowly edged into the room.

"Regal?" she whispered, not wanting to sneak up on him.

The blue-haired man's form tensed, but only enough to be noticeable. Otherwise, he didn't' turn or speak, giving no other indication that he had even heard her.

Liane stopped a few steps behind him, standing in the doorway between the room and the balcony. "Regal, do you want me to leave?" she asked softly. She couldn't know what was going through his mind… she was simply relieved to see him. I could go… he's okay… maybe I'm just crowding him. But she didn't want to go. She would still worry, especially seeing as how he still wouldn't acknowledge her presence.

"Please," he finally replied, his voice little more than a whisper. He hung his head, and his hands could be heard twisting over the metal railing. "Don't go… I…."

She heard him, but only barely. A sigh of relief escaped her as she took a few hesitant steps out onto the balcony to stand beside him. "I won't. The only way I'll go is if you ask me to leave."

"I used to take Alicia up here," Regal murmured quietly, as if he was carrying on a conversation that she had interrupted. His voice was a dry rasp that rattled ever so slightly when he drew another breath. "She loved the view of the sea… from here."

Liane bit her lip and stepped forward, placing her hands on the railing to stand at his side. "It is beautiful," she nodded, taking in the view and keeping her voice low. The lights of the city sparkled off the water like magic. "I can see why she liked it here."

Regal dipped his head forward, still not looking over to her. "I… wish I had been able to take her here more." He shook his head, looking as if it was his only defense against the inner demons that were tormenting him. "I was always too busy. I barely got to spend time with her… I barely got to hold her… I…."

"Regal," Liane hesitated and then reached out to place her hand over his, keeping the gesture light in case he wanted to pull away. "Can you… will you tell me about her?" She couldn't help it. Alicia had to have been so special – especially to him – a life well worth both celebrating and mourning its loss, but at the moment, she thought he needed to be reminded of the former. "Please."

He didn't react to her request at first – with words nor with recognition. Then, he drew a long breath that revealed a shake in his shoulders. "I met Alicia when she was still just a child," Regal started quietly. "I was seventeen… there was so much going on back then that I never noticed the way she would look at me… watch me. I didn't think anything of it until I started to see her more often because of her duties." His voice drifted away for a moment and he lowered his head again. "It probably wasn't until years later that I really saw her as anything more than the young girl who was always so happy when I stopped to talk to her. She was so shy. When I first asked her if she would let me take her to dinner… I couldn't believe she said yes." A dry rattle that might have been a bitter laugh shook his voice. "I never thought she'd see me as anything more than her employer."

Liane slowly pulled her hand back and leaned forward, resting her weight on her forearms against the railing. She looked back out over the city. "But she did…."

"I don't know. Didn't you hear her? She still called me 'Master Regal'…" his voice cracked harshly and he turned his head away from her. Just when it seemed he wouldn't continue, he sighed heavily and shook his head. "Sometimes, she'd even do that… when we were alone," Regal finally spoke again. "When I kept telling her that I just wanted her to say my name, to use my name without titles or status, she'd tease me about it. I never understood why, but… I couldn't bring myself to be angry with her for it…."

"Some habits are hard to break, Regal," Liane spoke quietly. "But to her, those words meant 'you'… you met her as a child – she was brought into your house and she was taught that you were 'Master' to her. Do you really think that, when she heard or spoke those words, you weren't first in her mind… or in her heart? Regal, she might not have spoken as you would have liked, but I heard the way she spoke today. You meant so much to her…."

Goddess, I don't want to hurt him any more… but he has to see this somehow.

Regal's arms tensed and his hands once again tightened and twisted against the metal handrail. "But… as she said goodbye… she didn't…" his voice wavered and he shook his head. "Martel, after all this time, I'm still so selfish as to want to hear her say that to me again!" he slammed his wrists down onto the railing, the bone-jarring crash of metal on metal ringing on the balcony as the shackled man set his jaw. "I don't' deserve those words no matter how much I wanted to hear them from her! I don't deserve the way she spoke to me! I took her life! If not for me, she would still be alive!" his voice rose, shaking with a mix of anger and despair. "And… even when she was about to vanish… I couldn't bring myself to say them, either… because… why would she still want my heart? How can she forgive me?"

Liane stood back from the railing and watched him for a moment… watched him fight against everything that appeared to be shredding him from the inside out. She drew a deep breath and realized that she was shaking. One wrong word, one wrong move, and he might never speak to her again… and he might slip away from any puny chance she might have had to help him and to let the despair devour him. She cautiously reached out once again to let her hand fall onto his arm just above its metal shackle. "Regal, you did something that so few people could ever even consider doing… you cared enough… you…" She paused, restraining her next words for a moment before she summoned another wave of courage and simply pushed them out. "You loved her. You did the most merciful thing you could have done. You loved her enough to free her from the hell she was in. Do you truly believe that she doesn't know that? Can you not feel it in your soul that she wasn't supposed to be like that?"

He turned to her slightly, just enough to watch her from the corner of his eye though his gaze was almost a glare. "You've seen it though… through someone else's eyes, but… somehow, you have. In your dreams…" he murmured with a deep and troubling rumble running beneath his words. "Do you see the mercy in it, then? Or do you feel the fear of death? Do you fear the sword that you've begged for?" Regal demanded, his voice edging towards a growl. "How is that mercy?"

His words struck her almost as a physical blow… he had turned what she had confided in him with against her. Liane had to look away, not willing to give in to her instinct to turn and walk away. She knew that it was his pain talking, but it was that same pain that would tear him apart if he surrendered to it. She turned back to face him, meeting the cold challenge in his eyes with defiance of her own. "You're right," she replied evenly with a single nod of her head. "I have seen it. I may have no right to claim that, but I know I have. I fear death. I have for as long as I can remember. I sat at its door for almost three years of my life, Regal. I fear it, and I respect it. But a mockery of life is not life. Death may be life's opposite, but when life has become so twisted… when you feel your soul being leached away from you as you turn what used to be your hands against the flesh of those that you love…" she let her voice trail off to be sure she had his attention, steeling herself against her own argument. "Is it a mercy, you ask. Yes. Anything is better than life like that. Even letting go of that life."

"But it didn't have to be like that!" Regal retorted, towering over her on the darkened balcony, his voice rising and echoing back around them. "I watched them cure that woman… that woman Colette said spent five years like that… now she is human again! If I had waited… if I had argued with her… Alicia would still be alive! She could still be here with me!"

Liane understood his anger. Clara's rescue had struck a chord in her heart and soul as well. But he was pulling away… giving in to the frustration that was going to eat him alive. She did the only thing she could think of as he began to shout at her – she glared up at him. She stood tall – stood her ground even as she felt so small before him. "Don't ever say that. If you had any idea how it hurts to lose yourself to the monster that the Exsphere turns you into… the five years Clara spent like that will haunt her forever. You honestly think she is anything like what she was before?" she demanded in a growl, advancing a step closer to him. "If you believe that, Regal… you're a fool. She's been through hell. I would beg for the blade in a heartbeat if I were to ever be in that position in my life – fear or not."

"So it is better for her to have died by my hand? Is that what you're saying?!" Regal snarled in response. He glared harshly down into her eyes, his own sparkling with a sheen of dampness. "Are you glad that I killed her? Are you happy that – when she begged me for death – I only hesitated enough for her to strike me twice before I readied my own attack? Are you prepared to celebrate the fact that I had not only the strength to kill her, but that I indeed killed her as if she really was a monster and not the woman I loved??"

"Yes!!" Liane snapped in response. "I am saying that dying by your hand is the greatest mercy you have ever done or thought of doing!!" She was yelling back at him in a tone not unlike the one he was using on her. She knew that she couldn't stand the onslaught of anger for much longer, even if she knew that it was his grief driving it. He was lashing out… lost. But she couldn't back down… even if it cost her his friendship. "And what kind of person do you think me to be to be happy that Alicia died?? What kind of monster are you accusing me of being?? You just don't understand! You did kill a monster… a monster that took the place of the woman that you loved. You freed her, Regal… you truly think she wanted to strike you? You don't think her soul screamed with ever motion of those strikes?? I would never celebrate your pain over this, Regal! I am just trying to tell you that… were this to happen to me tomorrow… knowing what I know of cures and curses… I would still beg for death from anyone who would grant it… just so I would know that I would never hurt those that I loved!"

His eyes widened in the wake of her impassioned retaliation, the anger slowly fading from his expression. "Liane…" he breathed out, a shaking word that escaped before he clenched his eyes shut, his pain so very clear in his expression. Slowly, ever so slowly, he sank to his knees his head bowed low and his hands limp in his lap as his shoulders slumped.

Liane stood for a moment, dazed by the anger that had passed between them and knowing that she had been but moments away from being the one that was on the floor of the balcony. She blinked and felt that her cheeks were wet, and she knelt before him. Hesitating for just a moment, she slipped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry, Regal… I'm so sorry…" she whispered, already feeling guilty for the lengths she had gone to in her attempt to bring him back from the edge.

"I loved her… I never wanted to hurt her… I… I…" Regal stammered softly, his eyes fixed on the shackles that bound his hands. His voice was once again a broken whisper, the anger apparently finally burned away.

"I know..." she whispered back to him, resting her forehead against his shoulder as she tried to ease her own nerves. "She knew that, too... you have put so much stock in what she said on the terrace... but didn't you listen to her...? She doesn't want you to punish yourself... doesn't that tell you that she knew the mercy she asked of you? Don't you think she knew what a gift you gave her?" She knew convincing him would be difficult at best and she prayed to whatever deity would hear her that he would understand as she continued to try to keep her arms around him.

Regal lifted his head, his breath rattling in his chest. "I want to honor what she asked of me, but… how do I let this go? How do I just forget what I did that day?" he asked, his dejected words barely having the breath to escape from his lips. "How can I stop suffering when every day, I roll over as I wake, expecting to find her next to me… thinking everything else to be a cruel nightmare… only the nightmare is real?"

Liane released him and sat back on her heels, meeting his gaze and feeling her chest constrict at the absolute sadness she saw in his shadowed eyes. "You have to live, Regal. You have to live for both of you," she answered, the words tickling something in her memory… something Kratos had once told Lloyd. Every bit of her ached for him. It was no unrequited love that he shared with Alicia... of that, she was certain. The man before her was one of honor... and the reverence that radiated from him when he spoke of this woman was amazing. She was his love... his lover... his own soulmate. He had torn himself apart when she died. "She wanted you to live. That's how you can honor her and her memory. That's how she'll live on..."

"I don't… know if I can. Not like this," he rasped and pulled back out of her awkward embrace, turning his back to her as he faced the metal bars of the railing. "Presea… she must hate me – loathe me – for what I took from her."

He startled her by pulling away so quickly, and she could only watch helplessly as he turned away from her. Presea seemed to be coping… staying close to the party, perhaps for strength… but Liane couldn't say for sure. "I can't answer for Presea, but I honestly don't see her hating you," she murmured with a shrug. "I think she can see that you loved her sister. Talk to her – maybe she can convince you better than I can," Liane shrugged and swiped her hands over her eyes, relieved that the anger seemed to have finally passed. "I can't speak for her. I can only speak for myself… and beg you to try to live."

"Liane… how?" Regal asked quietly, still staring out at the world through the balcony bars. "How can I go on… when I can't let go of her? When every step I take, I want her to be next to me?" He finally turned to look over his shoulder to her. "I don't know how to live without her anymore."

She turned, scooting back to lean against the railing, absently hugging her knees to her chest as she watched him, not even trying to stop the stray tears that had escaped and run down over her cheeks. The last time he was in Altamira, he lived as a free man… in love with Alicia, her thoughts whispered sympathetically. Now he's back here… but everything is different. "If you loved her, you'll never be without her. You haven't been without her for an instant since she found her way into your heart," she whispered, knowing it was a romantic notion at best. It wasn't something she could prove to him… it was something he'd have to choose to believe for himself.

Regal hung his head once again and remained silent for a few moments longer. "I didn't even know about her grave…" he rasped, his hands once again curling into fists, "… that she was trapped in that damn Exsphere!"

"How were you to know, Regal? About the grave, about the Exsphere... about any of it? It's not knowledge that just comes to you. Did you have anyone that could have told you? You did what you had to do... you made your bid to bring the person that hurt her to justice. You did what you could, Regal..." she shook her head. "But now, we're here to help you."

He watched her for a few long breaths and then looked away again. "Liane, I'm so sorry. Here you are, trying to help me… listening like you promised… and I turned on you. I pointed my anger at you when nothing that's happened here has been your fault." A deep sigh heaved his shoulders again. "It's mine. I said I would come here, that I knew who might have murdered Alicia. I put myself on trial in front of all of you… and there she was. I could see her, I could hear her… so, for a moment… it was as if all of my pain was gone. And then I started to remember… how my life was torn apart, all of the evil things I have seen and done… all of it flashing before my eyes. Then… to watch her fade away from me again… she was right there… and I had to watch her go…."

Liane frowned, aching deeply for her friend as she finally shook her head again. "Regal, I don't blame you for anything you've said tonight. I just… I don't understand why you couldn't have told me." She looked down to where her hands clasped around her legs as her frown turned to a scowl. "Damn it all, why didn't I say something?" The dark-haired young woman shook her head. "Instead of having everyone there all at once and facing them alone, it could have been…." Her voice trailed off and she shook her head as the reason became clear to her. "But you didn't want it that way, did you? You still want to be punished," she choked slightly, saddened by the realization that his guilt had such a stranglehold on her friend. "Punishment won't change anything. We can't go back… we can only go forward."

Regal drew in a quick breath and froze as he stared at her. "You knew… didn't you?"

It was Liane's turn to look away, chewing her lip as she wondered how to answer him. "You didn't tell me anything, Regal."

"You knew." It wasn't a question. He drew another shaky breath and clenched his fists. "For how long?"

She couldn't look back at him. He had caught her… and she couldn't bring herself to guess at how he would react. Hearing the waver in his voice, she braced herself for another outburst. "Since the first time we came here," she answered quietly and honestly.

"You knew… and you… you…" Regal stammered, his voice cracking at the edges. "You knew… and you still waited. You never looked at me with disgust, even though you knew."

"You would tell me when you wanted me to know," Liane sighed and scooted a little closer to him, certain – at least for the moment – that he wasn't going to flee from her again. She paused for a moment and then leaned over against his side, resting her head against his shoulder. "You told me so."

He tensed slightly when she leaned against him, but then slowly started to relax. "I wanted to tell you…" Regal whispered, his breathing shallow as the deeper breaths seemed to be physically shaking his form. "I've wanted to tell you… since that night outside of the Temple of Lightning."

Liane leaned back enough to look up to him but not enough to remove himself from his side. But she still frowned, unable to send away a pang of hurt. "So you thought I'd shun you if you tried to explain," she breathed out, "… because you've lived a role from my nightmares?" She shook her head sadly and rested her head back against his shoulder, turning her eyes up to the starfield that was starting to poke through the inky dark of the Altamiran night. "Regal, didn't you think that I would try… that I might understand? It seemed that enough people had turned from you… were ready to judge you by those shackled. I never wanted or felt the urge to be in their numbers. I'm sorry if I ever gave you that impression."

"No, I never thought of you like that!" he shook his head, almost jarring her from her place against his side. "I just couldn't… I didn't know how…" the blue-haired man floundered, a helpless groan finally dragging itself from him. "I didn't doubt you or your loyalty. I was… dreading the day that you would all see me for who I am… and knew what I had done," he finally managed and hung his head again. "Please…."

She rolled her head to look up to him again. Liane knew she couldn't truly fault him… not for harboring such a secret that – in one way or another – would affect them all on at least an emotional level. But maybe… if I had known… I might have been able to help him through some of this… before it came to this. "What would you have me do?" she asked, her frown deepening. "Do you want me to apologize for telling you about my dreams? For trying to convince you how real they are to me? Maybe then you could have told me…" she shook her head. "I'm sorry… but I can't take any of it back… and… especially right now," her voice dropped. "I don't want to. It's starting to feel like it's the only way I can hope to reach through to you." She wanted to cry for him… and for Alicia. But that would come later… perhaps when she finally sought sleep's release from the day. But not now.

Shaking his head, Regal leaned against her as if his strength was finally giving out. "No, that's not it. Please… you were so open with me. You told me everything… I promised I would do the same, and then this happened. I didn't tell you my secrets – I announced them in front of everyone. I want you to understand… to forgive my weakness…."

Liane blinked and came close to chuckling. "Weak? Regal, that would be the last term I would use to describe you." What you've lived through… endured… probably would have killed a weaker soul….

"Liane, I wanted to tell you first… I wanted you to know. I thought you might understand," he murmured quietly, exhaling as his weight rested against her, striking a balance between the two of them. His eyes were still squeezed shut, but his voice was regaining its steadiness, bit by bit. "But then we had to go after Raine… to Altamira… and I hesitated. I didn't have the courage to tell you once we were in Sylvarant, especially when we faced Rodyle. I knew what that battle meant to Presea. Then… one thing led to the next. Before I realized what was happening, everything I feared fell into place. I knew I had murdered Presea's sister… and that I had to confess to her."

She nodded, wrapping her thoughts carefully around what he was telling her. Turning her hand, a laughing wink of silver on her wrist caught her eye. It happened again. I didn't want to believe it… I didn't want to see the truth that I knew. Liane closed her eyes and wrapped her hand around the bracelet with a sigh. "I should have said something. Maybe I could have helped you. Things just got so crazy… and when we did finally talk, I couldn't bring myself to bring it up. It hoped that I was giving you the space you needed…."

He turned to her, but remained silent until she looked up to him. "I have never deserved your friendship, Liane," he whispered a distinct sadness in the quiet words.

"I think that's for me to decide," Liane offered him a shrug and a weak smile before she glanced around the balcony. It was a sad place for him… perhaps it was the entire hotel… or even Altamira. But if the view from the balcony had beaten him down so thoroughly, she wasn't sure her conscience would allow her to leave his side, which could only offer him more awkwardness when the others returned. "Regal," she started, looking back up to him. "Will you do something for me?"

Regal blinked in confusion, but otherwise didn't hesitate to answer. "Of course."

She stopped, trying to choose her words the instant before she spoke, sparing that moment to wonder how her words would be taken. "Take me somewhere else? I… don't think we need to be here right now."

"I…" he started to reply and then stopped. He seemed to be searching her eyes, perhaps trying to find her reasoning, but then he sat forward, giving her time to right her balance before he stood and turned to offer her his hands in a silent response to her request.

Watching him stand, Liane couldn't help but notice a slight wobble in his balance. But when he held his hands out to her, she still didn't hesitate to place hers in them and accept his help to crawl back to her feet. "Thanks," she smiled a bit sheepishly, feeling the sadness that still threatened to boil over. Not now… later….

He nodded in response and released her hand to gesture back into the room. "I know a place that we can talk," he told her quietly and allowed her to step back into his room. He closed the balcony door behind them and then led her back through the suite, out the door and to the elevator without another word of explanation.

Liane could feel his eyes on her – questioning her – throughout the trip down to the lobby, but she couldn't meet his gaze. She knew that staying there on the balcony wasn't what he needed if he was truly trying to regain some semblance of control. And she didn't want to think of the reactions the others would have given them if they found them together… they were both still a little too fragile to face their companions. She didn't want to break down – for any reason – on him anymore. When the elevator opened, she moved to step out first, staying only a step ahead of him in hopes of offering him a shield to the eyes of others that would judge him by the shackles he wore alone.

Once they crossed the lobby and stepped out into the cool night air, Regal moved around her and nodded across the boardwalk. "Over there."

She followed him, falling in step behind him as he led her towards the closed beach. He knows this city better than I do, Liane reminded herself, shrugging as she remembered the words of the hotel desk clerk – that the beach closed at night for the safety of the tourists. She wasn't surprised as he stepped over the barrier and stopped to wait for her to follow. Ah, yes… he definitely knows this place better than I do… I never would have considered the beach, her thoughts almost chuckled as she hopped up onto the barrier and swung her legs over.

"I used to come here when it was late and needed to think," Regal explained and gestured down the flight of cement steps to the glowing sands of the beach. "No one has ever stopped me from coming here… in spite of the fact that it is supposed to be off limits at night."

Liane heard the waves lapping against the beach and felt the breeze in her still-damp braid, but she couldn't help but pause for a moment to close her eyes and open her arms slightly to let the wind wrap around her – and simply feel how it all soothed her senses. "It's perfect, Regal," she sighed, not sure if he would hear her or not.

He stopped a few steps ahead and turned back to watch her. "I'd… nearly forgotten what it looked like," he replied, his expression once again stony and practically unreadable by the moonlight.

She drew another deep breath before strolling forward to stand beside him. "I've always loved the ocean," the dark-haired swordswoman smiled as she studied his expression… her smile fading at the sight of the weariness in his gaze… looking as if he was waiting for something. "Regal, I'm sorry…" Liane started to apologize, kicking herself for making the request to leave the hotel so rashly. "You didn't want to leave, did you?"

"It's not the fact that we left that has me unsettled, Liane. I'm just not sure why you suggested it." He sat down in the sand and crossed his legs before him before gesturing to his side for her to do the same. "If you were trying to protect me from memories, I'm afraid Altamira doesn't have many places that don't hold them for me."

Liane sat where he indicated and watched him for a moment. That's part of it, she admitted to herself only and managed a small shrug. "Regal, I didn't want to deal with the others, either. Not yet. I don't think you need that, either, if you don't mind me saying so. I left them all at the casino when I found out that you hadn't come, so it might only be a matter of time before they come back. I don't' think I could handle them right now. I just thought a little peace might be good for us." Then she sighed and looked out over the silver-crested waves. "We can always go back…?"

Regal met his gaze when she finally looked back over to him. "Why don't you want to see them?"

She felt her frown deeper and she had to turn her eyes back to the ocean. "Honestly? I'm still a little shaky," she admitted with a weak shrug and a dry half-laugh. "Actually, I probably still owe you an apology. I didn't mean to yell at you back there. You didn't need that." Liane's bitter laugh faded completely and turned into a frown as she hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. "I hate it when I let myself get that worked up… I'm not really fit company for a while after I hit that point. I probably shouldn't have made it sound like you had to come with me." She sighed and turned her head back to him with a weak and apologetic smile. "I just didn't want you to have to be alone if you didn't want to be." For just a moment, she thought she saw the corners of his lips curl ever so slightly, but she told herself it was a trick of the moonlight… until he lifted his hands to place one on her shoulder.

"There is no need for you to apologize… for anything," the shackled man spoke softly with no anger in his voice. "I was not myself. I said things to you that I should not have as well… and for that, I apologize." He squeezed her shoulder and his eyes wandered out over the water that was but a few steps away. "But I needed you to say those things to me, Liane. I don't think there is anyone else in this world that cares enough to do that for me. And… you did not force me to come here. I didn't want to be alone either."

Liane watched him without comment, finding the presence of his hand on her shoulder a reassurance. She smiled back at him, even though she knew it was far from a happy smile. "Regal… I don't want to hurt you anymore, but I really do want to understand. What was she like?" Alicia had to have been amazing… maybe… just maybe… eventually… talking about her would help him. But for the moment, she braced for him to get up and leave her sitting alone on the beach.

"She was… shy around me, at first," he answered quietly, his voice distant, but his reply taking no longer than to choose his words. "She seemed to blush whenever I talked to her. But she always seemed happy to talk to me, to spend an extra moment to see how I was doing. There weren't many people in my life then that did that for me… that stopped to ask how I was like it really mattered." Regal sighed and his hand fell slowly from her shoulder, his shadowed eyes following his hands back to his lap. "Alicia was friendly with me, but not like everyone else. She knew of my title… of my status… and she respected it, but she saw me beyond all of that. She reached out to me, and showed me that I wasn't alone."

Nodding slowly, Liane fought off the feeling that she had been robbed by never actually meeting the girl that held Regal's heart so tightly. "She sounds wonderful. I would have liked to have met her," she ventured carefully. He… worshipped her….

"You remind me of her… sometimes."

The comment was just quiet enough to make Liane question whether she had actually heard him speak. She looked over to him and found his eyes fixed somewhere out over the dark waves. "Me? Really?" She couldn't shake the feeling that it was the deepest of compliments coming from him, even though she felt unworthy of any compliments at the morning.

Regal nodded, but didn't meet her curious gaze. "The way you approached me that first night when I had to cook… how you have been here for me even when I could not ask you to be… it just reminds me of her," the shackled man told her wistfully and then shook his head, his eyes sliding closed with what might have been a chuckle. "But then again, Alicia was not as confident as you are, or nearly as outspoken." His shoulders slumped slightly and he bowed his head. "I think… if you had met… that you would have been fast friends."

"Confident… huh," she smiled at the thought, tilting her head as she watched him. "I hope this doesn't sound wrong, but thank you. Being compared to someone you obviously loved so much… I truly take that as a compliment." When he didn't move or respond, Liane bit her lip, wishing she could see his expression through the curtain of unruly blue to be sure she wasn't hurting him more. "She was lucky, Regal," she whispered before she took time to rethink her words. She was trying to filter her thoughts before she spoke them after what had happened on the balcony, but his compliment had truly flustered her. She cringed slightly – and hoped unnoticeably – praying that her comment wouldn't hurt him.

"She used to tell me that all the time, too," he shook his head, his tone suggesting the slight waver of laughter, but he didn't raise his head. "Alicia insisted that she was lucky that, out of everyone else I could have picked from, I chose her. I had to keep telling her that I was the fortunate one… to have someone that loved me for who I was and not for my status or name."

Liane sighed, relieved by his response. "I can understand both sides, actually. It must be a wonderful feeling… to know that you are loved above all others for no reason in particular… to have that security." Her hand fell to the sand, her fingers absently drawing in the soft grains. "You were both lucky."

"You could be that lucky as well, Liane."

Her breath hitched as her head snapped up to find him watching her. She knew that she had to look absolutely idiotic with the look she gave him. "Um… what?"

Regal blinked and then visibly winced. "You haven't told him yet…?" He quickly looked away. "Forgive me… I just thought perhaps that you felt for him… like I did for Alicia…."

"Him?" Liane asked, so absorbed in the events of the day that she had to pause for a few moments before a blush began to burn her cheeks. "Kratos…" she sighed at the realization of where the conversation had turned and shook her head slowly. "Regal, I don't know. I don't think he does – could – feel that way for me. There was the other girl…." She didn't know how far to go to explain… she had mentioned it the night they had spent at the House of Salvation in Sylvarant, but she didn't have any details to give him, either. "He lost her… somehow," her voice trailed off as her eyes fell back to the silver trinket on her wrist. She hadn't expected the angel's presence in the conversation… she hadn't been ready to think of him.

"I'm sorry," came the blue-haired man's gentle apology.

Liane was already shaking her head before his words could fade away on the wind, and she remembered her vow not to break down on him that night. She smiled as best she could and looked back up to him. "I would have liked to have talked to him… maybe told him more than just frustrated outbursts," she shrugged, remembering her failed attempt in Flanoir to draw more than vague comments from Kratos. "But it's hard to compete against a ghost… regardless of what a fortune teller tells you." She tried to laugh, but she knew what came out hardly sounded amused.

He leaned closer, watching her from beneath the jagged crop of bangs. "Liane, it's all right. You don't have to pretend for me."

The swordswoman hesitated for a few long breaths and then turned her body just enough to rest her head against his shoulder again. She didn't want to be too forward, but with their earlier anger gone, Liane needed the contact. I won't cry over Kratos… I won't do it, she told herself stubbornly. Even if I wanted him to, he probably wouldn't even notice if I disappeared. "I'm not trying to pretend," she breathed out, using all of her control to keep that breath even so her words were believable. "I'm just trying to live with it. Something like… that… just might not be for me." She shifted her head to glance up to him and somehow found a small smile. "It's just a blessing that some find it…even once. It's enough to give the rest of us hope."

"There's nothing to keep you from trying." Regal shook his head once in emphasis, but kept his voice quiet. "He has you singled out, Liane… perhaps for more than one reason. Kratos has aided us before now and he does not always act as if he is our enemy. Perhaps if he knew, he might stay with you."

"If you do, forget them."

Liane almost winced at the dismissive comment to her questioning the angel about her dreams, his words still burned into her memories from the snowy city, but then found a smile for his attempt at reasoned optimism. "Maybe… someday. But I don't think it can happen for a while. He's doing things that he refuses to talk about… none of us have any value to him to help with what he's doing now anyway." Her explanation faltered for a moment, but then Liane sighed, deciding that it probably didn't need to be said that she had spoken with Kratos more than Regal knew about. "And he has come to speak with me… yes… but it's never clear why. I can't get my hopes up for anything with Kratos. I just wish… if there was a chance of anything deeper to this… it could be obvious." A somewhat bitter laugh fell from her lips. "But that's just for fairy tales, I guess."

The shackled man dropped his chin again, but before his hair could completely hide him, the moonlight revealed the faintest of smiles on his lips. "I never expected to fall in love with Alicia," he murmured quietly. "She had been there – in my home – for years, and I had never seen her as anything more than the closest thing I had to a friend. It wasn't obvious, it was just as it was." Regal fell silent for a few moments, perhaps lost to the bittersweet memories, and then he sighed and leaned his weight back into her a bit as if to make sure he had her attention. "The night I saw you together, I could see he cared for you, even if he could not express it."

"Really?" Liane knew that her tone was filled with her disbelief, but she couldn't help it. "You honestly believe that? Regal… he never says anything like that," she shook her head, but couldn't look up, almost afraid he would see how much she wanted to believe him.

Regal snorted softly in response, the puff sounding almost like a chuckle. "Why else would he confront me?"

It was more than enough to make her sit up and stare at him. "What? You've talked to him? When?" Liane had been sure that she had been there for all of Kratos' visits – but that he had spoken to Regal – 'confronted' him, even – made her blood run cold.

"The morning after we formed the pact with Volt. I went to get firewood alone, remember?" he asked, turning to watch her over his shoulder. Regal hesitated as if he were gauging her reaction before he spoke again. "He caught me off guard… he seemed to appear out of nowhere. He wanted to know what my intentions were towards your group… and what my intentions were towards you, although, not in those exact words."

The information made her mind spin. "But that doesn't make any sense, Regal," Liane closed her eyes and shook her head. "Why would he do that? Did he see you the night before… near Ozette? He… he didn't hurt you, did he?" So many questions whirled in her mind that it was only a matter of chance that dictated which of them found voice first. "He actually said something about me or was it the party?" Why didn't I know? Why would he come asking questions of Regal… why would he care?

Regal shrugged, his expression betraying no deeper reaction to her alarm. "I assume, since Colette's senses were enhanced by her angel transformation, and the professor is correct in stating that Kratos is an angel as well… he most likely knew of my presence when I saw the two of you together." He fell silent, but kept his eyes on her as if he was waiting for her to digest what he was telling her. "No, he did not hurt me… or even draw his sword. I suppose he did not trust me to accompany all of you on this journey, almost like he knew me for what I am… and what I've done." He tilted his head to her and shrugged, the link that held his shackles together clinking against the cuffs. "But when he asked about my intentions for you… it seemed as if it slipped out, like he had not meant to voice that concern."

Liane frowned and turned her eyes back down to the sand – not out of shame, but more out of confusion. "He… cares?" she whispered, the hope almost more than she could handle. The swordswoman shook her head and chewed the edge of her lip, but didn't' look back up. "What did you tell him?" she asked quietly.

"That if he was so concerned for your welfare, perhaps he'd like to walk back to camp with me," Regal replied without hesitation.

Her head snapped up in surprise at the smirk she could hear in his voice, a dry chuckle slipping away from her even as a sad smile formed on her lips. "He didn't come back with you, thought. Now you see why I question things where Kratos is concerned."

The Duke nodded his understanding. The silence between them filled with the restless breaking of the waves against the sand. "I do not think that – if he does join you once again – he will like me very much after that encounter, though."

She sighed, knowing that if there was already animosity between the two men, it wouldn't likely be cured by forcing them to work together. "I don't suppose so… that would make things difficult."

"But it would make you happy," Regal stated gently. "And even if that meant that we didn't get as much time to talk, your being happy would be enough for me."

"He won't tell me who I can be around or speak to, Regal. Not now, and not when Lord Kratos would decide to return," Liane ground her teeth over the words, turning to him, her tone as serious as she could make it. "He can't possibly think that everything will be forgotten… even I won't forget how he was turned his blade on us. That won't happen for a long time – if ever."

Regal tilted his head to watch her. "I suppose not. But even though he betrayed you… your feelings for him have not changed."

Liane shook her head slowly, her sad smile resurfacing. "Damn it, Regal… you're not supposed to be able to read me like that," she almost chuckled as she moved to rest against his side again. "I don't know if I can even really label what I feel for him, but I can't help it, Regal. I don't know how to make it stop."

"Don't," he whispered firmly. "One of us should get to be with the one we love."

His words settled on her like a heavy blanket. "But what if we're wrong…" Liane asked, almost afraid of the answer. She wanted to believe that her heart wouldn't lead her astray… but all logic seemed to evaporate where Kratos was concerned.

The blue-haired man shifted his weight to allow her to rest against his side. "If you feel for him as strongly as I think you do… you won't be wrong."

"There may be a time when I will truly hope that you're right. Thank you…" Liane turned her head to whisper. She couldn't help but smile, even as she couldn't help the quick peck she left on his cheek. It was small, innocent, instinctive… a 'thank you' for his encouragement where she was still afraid that the others would condemn her - and she instantly regretted it as she froze in place. Oh, Goddess… what was that?! Stupid, stupid Liane!! But she couldn't move… horrified at the rush of possibilities of how he might take the gesturer even as he cheeks flamed and her mind scrambled for some form of damage control. "Regal… I…" she stammered hoarsely, unable to look away for anything.

"Liane…" Regal started, turning his head to her in her instant of stunned shame.

Perhaps he leaned closer with the turn… perhaps it was Liane that closed the small gap. Neither cause could be proven in the instant, but the result couldn't be argued – his lips lingered on hers in that moment of shock that could have been a blink of an eye as easily as it was a few heartbeats. Liane's mind all but shut down as she stared back at him, watching him pull back, her eyes wide. He… he…. She stared back into his eyes, all of the apologies she had been ready to start blurting out forgotten. He… kissed me…?

Regal watched her with concern growing in his expression as he sat back from her. He remained silent for a few moments before the question in his eyes faded into a look of realization… and regret. "Liane… I'm so sorry…," he rasped, shaking his head and scooting back from her. "I… I don't know what I was thinking… I shouldn't have…" he dropped his head and clenched his fists. "Forgive me…."

Slowly… ever so slowly… Liane raised her fingers to her lips, gently tracing over where hers had met his just moments before. Her cheeks may as well have burned away, but it was the only sensation that registered as she witlessly continued to stare back at him. She blinked as his words began to filter through the fog in her mind. He's apologizing…. Her blank expression fell into one tinted with melancholy as she shook her head. "No… please… Regal, don't be sorry," she managed to mumble. "Please don't…" she dropped her gaze away from him and studied the sand before her as she tried to collect her thoughts.

"Liane?" he asked in confusion as his frown continued to deepen. When she didn't respond, he drew in a long breath and looked away as it escaped again from his lungs, his form deflating as a result.

An almost embarrassed smile started to creep over Liane's lips that was completely out of her control. "I just… I don't want you to apologize, Regal." She still couldn't look over him for fear of the most inappropriate of reactions considering the day they had all shared. "Please… just don't apologize."

He looked back over to her grudgingly, his gaze revealing a slide back into the somber sadness that had been wrapped around them when they had first come down to the beach. "But… I…." Regal then almost groaned and shifted his eyes back to the waves.

Liane heard him stammer out the beginning of an objection… and turned slightly to see him staring out to the ocean. Her surprise was beginning to subside as her thoughts started to find order… and her lips started to twitch into a smile. Goddess… I feel so stupid, she chided herself silently. A kiss… like that… can be just a kiss. Just because I've never…. She groaned softly. I have to do something. "Regal…" she whispered, reaching out to put her hand on his forearm. "It's okay." She steadied her voice, beating down the giggle she felt rising inside her. Not now… please not now….

Regal didn't respond to her reassurance though… not with anything but the fact that he didn't shy away from her touch. The giddy giggle inside died when she realized that he wouldn't look at her… wouldn't speak to her. Liane sighed and ran her free hand back to pull her braid nervously over her shoulder. Damn… why do I have to explain… how do I explain…. "Regal… please. Look at me," she pled, bracing herself for what she knew would probably happen.

But at least it will probably be comic relief….

The shackled man sighed, but then slowly did as she asked. Even through her embarrassment, she could see in his eyes that he was expecting outrage… or even some kind of retaliation. The worse part for Liane was that she had no idea how to say what she knew she had to tell him to explain her reaction before things fell any further apart. "Um… first, you have to promise not to laugh," she spoke, the words falling into place before she could keep up with them.

Regal's dark expression melted at her question as he visibly tried to make sense of her request. "I promise," he murmured cautiously, his gaze narrowing slightly on her, "… although, I don't understand why I would laugh?

She sighed and bit her lip, trying desperately not to drop her gaze away even as she wondered how long she would be able to stand his eyes after she told him. Wait… he's a bright boy… maybe I won't have to say it. "Regal," she fidgeted absently with the sand at her sides, hoping that the moonlight made her still-burning cheeks a little less obvious. "There are some things that… happen… in life that an apology is…." Liane huffed and then chuckled her discomfort once again. "Well, it's the last thing a girl wants to hear…?"

Don't make me say it… please don't make me say it.

He blinked several times until realization finally solidified in his eyes. "You've never…."

Liane exhaled, partially in relief and partially in continued embarrassment, finally dropping her eyes from his, confident that she had probably eliminated his need to apologize – at least for the moment. "No," she answered with a half-laugh and a shake of her head.

"Oh, dear…." It was all that the blue-haired man spoke for a few moments, but the tension between them seemed to at very least be receding. Regal sounded like he was going to speak at least twice more before words finally formed. "I… please forgive me," he hung his head humbly. "I didn't realize… I never would have thought that –"

"That I had my application in for the 'Old Maid Society of Iselia'?" she interrupted with a dry chuckle, finding it easy to make fun of herself to break the layer of ice that had started to form between them. "Don't worry about that. I can't knit to save my life anyway." Liane squeezed his arm slightly to make sure she had his attention. "Please don't apologize. I… I'm not complaining. I…" she stammered as her face grew hotter. Even though she knew there was nothing to be ashamed of – it wasn't anything premeditated or particularly romantic – it was simply two lonely friends. In all honesty, if anyone was to blame, Liane knew it could only have been her. She had been so grateful for his encouragement that the peck she had left on his cheek had merely been a reaction. He's a Duke… a kiss can be as casual as a greeting for nobles, can't it? She drew a breath… she had to say it… she knew she had to. "Thank you…" she whispered, still unable to look back up to him. This time, though, she hoped he could understand why.

There was a pause… but then an almost bizarrely unexpected thing happened. Regal chuckled. The sound was quiet, but unmistakable. "Liane, there are times to say thank you." He waited for his gentle chastisement to bring her eyes back up to him before he continued. "After a kiss is never one of them."

It all happened so fast. Liane had been so unprepared… yet her first kiss – no matter how innocent – had come and gone, leaving her with only a shock-fogged memory. She had refused Michael's advances for years. She had seen – perhaps even felt – a true kiss in her visions that left her weak… but it wasn't hers. It seemed that fate was still laughing at her. It had been a chance for something sweet, simple… and sprouted more from friendship than anything as shallow as Michael would have used as an excuse to cheapen the contact. But… does that have to be it? Suddenly, she heard a whisper slip from her lips… if it had been something tangible, she instantly knew she would have gone scrambling to catch it and lock it back in her unvoiced thoughts.

"Um… what about before one?"

"It would depend on the situation, Liane," Regal told her, his tone once again serious as he watched her. "But I'm certain that you do not thank someone for your first kiss."

Liane nodded thoughtfully, almost relieved that he didn't seem to have understood her awkward question. She let go of the pretense of playful banter and shifted to tuck her ankles beneath her, lifting her hand to put the stubborn curl that refused to be confined by her braid back over her ear. "So… what should one say, then? Because I'm feeling pretty awkward here…" she laughed nervously.

He raised an eyebrow to her. "You can say anything you like," he shrugged with a hint of amusement in his voice. He waited for a moment, but then chuckled – once… and the amusement was already fading into a sigh. "Are you sure you want advice on romance from me?"

"It's not like I'm an authority," Liane retorted, finally giving up and shifting again to hug her knees to her chest.

"Still… I realize that I probably wasn't your first choice for that kiss," the shackled man murmured, a darkness hanging over his words as it seemed the lighter conversation had finally given in to the gloom of the rest of the day.

She looked over to him, studying his profile since he had once again looked away from her. Oh, no… he's going to try to apologize again…. Liane sighed, so desperately not wanting to push him, hurt him, or lose his friendship… but seriously… who better than one of my closest friends…? She couldn't say exactly when it happened or how, but she had become so close to the man before her… so quickly. Her last attempt had been half-hearted… and she knew that she would be pushing things, but it was the only way she could think of to show him that – while it wasn't something she had considered before – she would still treasure the memory. "Regal…."

He only turned his head as much as he had to in order to look over to her. "Yes?"

Liane knew that she could still abort the half-baked thought… her mind screamed the reminder at her louder with every heartbeat. I haven't said anything yet… I could still try to just reassure him that I wasn't scarred by the kiss… or that I'm glad it was him and not Michael, or – "Would you kiss me again?" Her voice sounded small as part of her almost fainted from the bluntness of what escaped her.

The tension that had held Regal's jaw taut until that moment apparently evaporated as his mouth fell open and his eyes widened at her request. "Are you sure that is what you want?" he finally asked with incredulous doubt.

Liane sighed, realizing how uncomfortable she had probably made him if it was anything close to how she felt at the moment. "I'm sorry… that was so inconsiderate of me. I just…." Another inhale of breath gave her the courage to drop her excuses and simply try to find words to explain her lapse into apparent insanity. "Yes," she answered him truthfully and released her knees, forcing herself to look up to him, "but you don't have to do it just because I asked." She tried to smile, but knew that some disappointment had to be shining through, as much as she didn't want it to show. "I understand. It's all right."

Instead of the dismissal she was expecting, Regal turned to face her, shifting to kneel before the swordswoman. He watched her with a measuring patience, his eyes locked on hers as if he was giving her the chance to pull back or change her mind. But when she didn't pull away, he brought his hands up to catch her chin. He waited again, another unspoken warning – and one from which she still didn't recoil. Then he leaned down… and pressed his lips to hers for a second time.

Closing her eyes, Liane was content to feel the moment… what the kiss actually felt like instead of just shock that he had actually answered her request. Even when she felt his warmth pull away a few heartbeats later, she remained still, this time willing herself to remember every instant of it. Every girl should remember her first kiss, she thought, still defending her request to herself before she might have to do so to him. She knew that it was her only chance to commit it to memory… and that he could easily come to regret it at any time. But the memory is mine… and no one else's.

Regal drew back silently, watching her expression as he still held her chin. He remained knelt before her, waiting until her eyes opened. Then, one eyebrow arched ever so slightly. "Now this time, don't say thank you."

Liane couldn't deny the small smile that answered his comment. He made a joke...? It helped… a small step for convincing herself that maybe everything really would be okay. "So… does this mean you don't hate me for asking?" she asked – just to be sure – even though she was still slightly afraid of the answer.

"Liane, how many times must I remind you that there is nothing you could do to make me hate you?" he replied, shaking his head as he sat back down in the sand beside her.

Accepting his response with a nod, she waited for his words to fade into the silence before she tilted her head to give him a playfully pointed look. "Then how many times will I have to tell you… that I'm glad it was you?" Liane asked quietly. She was sure that he blushed at her question, but otherwise, he didn't reply. It was her chance to make sure she set things right. "I just want you to know… this isn't what I had planned – I didn't plan anything. I just wanted to talk," she shrugged, still watching him. "I don't' want to jeopardize our friendship, Regal. Did… did I already?"

"No, Liane, of course not," Regal replied quietly, finally meeting her gaze again. "I trust you. I know that you didn't plan anything… and neither did I." He shrugged, his expression softening a little. "I suppose I'm just… flattered… that you are happy that I kissed you."

She nodded thoughtfully, huffing to blow a curl out of her eyes. Somehow, things were starting to feel comfortable again, and Liane was grateful for that, but she could still hear the tiny, nagging voice of doubt. "I just don't want you to look at me differently…."

The blue-haired man watched her, falling silent perhaps to consider her words – and then shrugged. "I might look at you differently, but only when you surprise me," he murmured, his comment ringing with sincerity. "But my opinion of you is not going to change… not because of tonight."

"Oh, I'm full of surprises," Liane chuckled, finally allowing herself to lean over onto his shoulder again. It had been comfortable before, and it was becoming so again, she realized in relief. She knew that she should have felt more guilty… pulling him from his mourning only to drag him to the beach and end up kissing him. But she was being honest when she told him that it hadn't been planned – none of it. Even the kisses were chaste – as well as unexpected – for both of them. It was all simply what had happened. And as much as it surprised her, she was glad. "Are you sure you're okay?" the swordswoman asked, having made her own peace with what had passed between them… at least for the moment.

"I think I will be… in time," he replied, his eyes fixed out over the restless sea before he looked down to her again. "I have promises to keep. I do not know how things will look in the morning or what I will be able to say to Presea when the time comes, but for now… my burden… seems a little lighter…."


From the shadows of the beach's refreshment stand, a pair of sharply narrowed eyes followed the fallen Duke and the dark-haired swordswoman as they picked their way across the sand to climb the steps back to the city above. Kratos had seen the two fighters leave the hotel, but it was the dull, lifeless light in the convict's eyes as they crossed the boardwalk that made the angel follow. It was a look that Kratos knew all too well. From what he could gather listening to the others on the other side of the island, the shackled man had confessed his crime, leaving them all struggling with how to deal with the truth.

But what concerned Kratos more was the blue-haired man's struggle… and how he would deal with having his sin detailed to the others… not to mention confronting the reality once again for himself.

Kratos knew the debilitating ache that saturated every facet of life all too well. What he didn't know was how it would affect Regal Bryant. It was that uncertainty combined with Liane Dale's presence to make it a given that he would follow. The girl's soft heart had been enough to send her seeking out Kratos' presence on more than one occasion – no matter what she knew or how the others felt about him – but the convict's grief was newer, and had recently been exposed to the eyes of the others. There were no guarantees on how balanced the Duke would be… even without the openhearted friendship that the girl offered her companions – past as well as present.

He had stayed close enough to help, but far away enough to remain unnoticed… close enough to hear what seemed to be the pair's collective start to recovery. Kratos had been admittedly surprised when he heard the shackled man encourage her to talk to him… but the game that followed, changed that surprise into anger. Tethe'allan nobility was known for its cavalier nature, and no matter how innocent the scene played out, it had left the angel's jaw ground tightly shut. He held his ground, though, watching it all pass until Liane and the convict stood and moved away from the water's edge. They walked close, but didn't touch, their words quiet out of weariness, but not secrecy. The moment had come and gone, leaving no sign other than two weary people in its wake.

The auburn haired angel watched as they disappeared over the barricade and back onto the lighted boardwalk, but he didn't follow. It was obvious that Liane's heart would lead her wherever it liked when it came to her companions… and that includes me. I've already hurt her more than any of her other companions. Yet she still says she wants to talk to me. The convict, however, was another story. Kratos couldn't bring himself to feel at ease in any way, but even more so because he knew the dark thoughts that probably haunted the Duke like old friends. He simply didn't know how Regal would react to them – especially not with the emotional swings that held them both in their thrall for their visit to the Altamiran beach.

Perhaps… he'll be one more that will try to keep her safe for what's to come.

The oddly optimistic thought caught Kratos off guard, but he still couldn't argue with it. The Duke had treated the swordswoman gently even over his own inner turmoil, reached for her offer of friendship through the pain. The angel decided it was the best he could ask for in the uncertain situation that was only escalating by the day.

It can't be helped, though, Kratos told himself and looked away from the barricade. There is more to do… and knowing that the party was looking after its own helped. I have to find the sacred wood… it's only a matter of time before Yggdrasill sits on his throne again. Everything has to be in place by then.

He sighed and turned back to the blue-black ocean waves. It's getting less and less likely that I will be able to see this plan to its end without hurting any of them in even the smallest of ways.


Once again, I have to say thank you to Yama for moral support and for all the help with this Chapter... and to Aio for support and encouragement (and fanart!), and Rydia and Afficiando for their kind words of encouragement. I don't have words to tell you all how much hearing from all of you helps keep me going! Until next time! )