AN: had things going on offline that I need to take care of. I do intend to finish this story.

Chapter 36

"Aster looked really distracted," Marta said as she watched the two winged dragons fly off.

Emil shook his head, not knowing what the young man might have been thinking about. He personally had his own concerns as he stood in Driselle's front courtyard, staring through the gates and out to sea.

"A lot needs doing," Ratatosk said, covering Emil's silence. "He's probably considering his part in it. As should we."

Ivar turned to face them, clenching a fist. "We need to pound those demons into dust!" He swept his hand out enthusiastically.

"We need to find them first," Sheena said and leaned her weight on one hip, arms folded under her breasts.

Emil was just glad that Ratatosk didn't care about things like that, he was having a hard enough time not looking as it was. This time, it was the Summon Spirit that turned his head to look at Marta, peeling his eyes off the ninja's impressive assets.

"Wouldn't they leave an ooze trail?" Ivar asked. "Like the ones in Nia Khera did?"

"That wasn't exactly ooze," Ratatosk said. "It was mana being pushed out of this world into Nifelheim." He frowned. "Though... you might be on to something there, Ivar." He began pacing as Emil allowed him complete control of their shared form. Ratatosk disliked being stationary and could think better when he was allowed free range of movement. "We should speak with Maxwell," he said. "She would be able to locate pockets of low mana that we could investigate."

"Unless they're in Elympios," Sheena said.

"There's hardly anyone there." Ivar waved a hand, "Why would a demon want to go there?"

"Uhm..." Marta considered that and fell to silence. "Didn't Richter say Alice used a bunch of mana to resurrect Decus?" she asked as she snapped her fingers. "Decus wouldn't be able to go to there for the same reason I can't."

Sheena paled. "Oh no... I kind of feel bad for them if that's the case. Alice is a full demon, Decus was resurrected with mana... They're like polar opposites right now."

"But you know he'd stay with her even if it hurt him," Marta said and shook her head. "The problem is that no matter how much we pity them, we still don't know what they're out to do."

Ratatosk snorted. "I don't care. I want them dead. They're demons. They're nuisances."

"But they were people once," Sheena pointed out.

"People who got in my way," Ratatosk retorted. "Which is why we killed them in the first place." He winced as Marta turned a glare at him. He sighed and looked away, refusing to take back what he had said but at least refrained from saying anything else mean.

Emil cleared his throat. "I have to agree with Ratatosk on this one," he said softly. "Alice and Decus are dangerous. We need to find them and contain them somehow. Whether that's by killing them or putting them in prison somehow. I don't think they should be left to their own devices. They killed Raine and tried to kill Richter. We know they hate everyone else who got in their way before - especially Marta and me. And if they're working with Cain... That could spell the end of our world at the least."

Folding his arms and tapping his foot in thought, Ivar scowled. "What if we made a trap for them?" He said.

Emil exchanged a look with Marta.

"We would have to be the bait," she said.

"I don't like it," Ratatosk objected. "How would we even make it convincing enough to get Alice and Decus to come?"

"If you left the gate unattended..." Sheena said.

Emil shook his head. "They'd see right through that."

Marta began pacing. "What if we made it too tempting?" she said. "If Emil and I were there and it looked like we weren't covered by any help... or Emil looked busy and distracted with messing with the gate."

"But there's nowhere for anyone to hide there," Ratatosk countered.

"Hiding things is my specialty," Sheena said. "Or have you forgotten?"

He squinted at her in irritation.

"Oh, that's an idea," Marta said. "You could make another replica of me, like you used to trick Richter."

"I bet Lord Maxwell would help, too," Ivar said.

Emil licked his lips and shook his head. "Let me... put this together? I'll pretend to be modifying the gate while a Fake-Marta stands nearby. Then when we get attacked, you, plus possibly Lord Maxwell, pop out of the ground and pull a surprise attack?"

"Out of the ground!" Sheena slapped her fist into her palm. "That's it! That's perfect! That's where we can hide."

"We'll need some way to capture Alice and Decus though," Marta said and looked at Emil. "Is there some way to bind Alice and Decus?"

Ratatosk chewed the inside of his cheek in thought. "There's a way, but stronger demons can break out of it - especially with my being weakened still."

"I thought you were all right?" Marta asked. "Has Ivar not been giving you enough mana?"

Shaking his head, Emil said quickly, "I destroyed Ratatosk's gate. It should've been a mortal wound." He dropped his gaze to his shoes. "He probably won't ever fully recover from that, even if a new gate is built and the mana flow is fixed or even if he's fed all the mana in the world. I practically ripped him in half."

Sheena covered her mouth. "What does that mean for his continued survival?"

"I am... reliant upon Emil," Ratatosk admitted. "Where he was originally a creation - an appendage... He is now my only anchor in this world. As long as Emil exists, I will exist. I will be able to split off from him from time to time, but I don't expect that to be for long periods. The arrangement of my attending the Gate while Emil lived out his life as a human is no longer an option."

Marta put her arms around his shoulders and kissed one cheek, then the other. "That just means that you'll both get to be with me," she said cheerfully.

Emil smiled, hugging her in return.

"That's if we can save her from fading like Tiger did," Ratatosk said bleakly.

"Don't give up so soon," Emil insisted. "Let Aster do his work. He'll figure something out. I just know it."

"I wish for us to marry her before we deal with Alice. I... wish to speak with Lord Maxwell about something as well."

"Maybe Lord Maxwell will be willing to perform the ceremony?" Emil considered and could feel Ratatosk's growing elation at that thought.

Releasing Marta, Ratatosk said, "We should go speak with Lord Maxwell immediately. Obtaining her assistance is key to the success of our plans." Lifting his hand out, Ratatosk summoned Judith.

...

Muzet was there, but at least she didn't seem to have as much of a problem with him bringing humans into the spirit world as she had the first time. Then again, he didn't leave the door standing open behind him as he had the first time.

Again, Milla Maxwell was in a field, standing near a tree, watching as he approached with his three companions.

"Back again, I see," Milla said and put her hand on her hip as she tipped her head with a slight smile. "You're running a tour now?"

"Tour?" Ratatosk asked in confusion.

Emil snickered, apparently catching the joke. "No. We came to talk to you again."

"Oh. Well, I suppose I welcome the company," Milla said, swishing her hair with a flick of her head.

"So our company isn't good enough?" Muzet challenged.

Emil shook his head and smiled. "Being around family too long gets tiring. You might care for them, but after a while you get sick of them and just need a break."

Milla gestured. "Exactly. Though I would wonder why Ratatosk would know about that experience?"

Lifting a hand, Emil smiled again. "Hi. We didn't get to meet earlier. I'm Emil. Part of Ratatosk, but I've got a mind and heart of my own."

The Lord of Spirits considered him for a moment, leaning into his face with her hands on her hips. "Hmm. I see. There must be some reason behind this?"

"Yes," Ratatosk said distastefully. "But that is not why we came." He strode closer and grasped her wrist to pull her some distance away. "I need to speak with you privately."

Milla followed, looking mildly confused. Emil glanced back to see that the others had remained behind, also seeming confused.

"I guess it's Great Spirit business," Ivar said and shrugged.

Marta didn't look pleased.

"This isn't about Jude and Ivar, is it?" Milla asked with a sigh. "I can hardly see how that's any of your business."

"What you do with your humans is your business?" Ratatosk said, then sighed. "I did not mean that dismissively." He looked away as he tried to think of some way to broach the topic. "Emil... help?"

Emil took a breath, ears twitching as they had once again taken their combined form of Emil-with-ears-and-tails. "It's sort of on the same topic. You see... Both Ratatosk and I love Marta. But... There are complications - beyond just us being what we are and she being what she is."

"She's no longer human," Milla said. "She's completely composed of mana."

"Yes..." Ratatosk said and stared out across the spirit fields. "I've been... contaminated with human thinking as well. I... think about things like 'the future' and 'family' and 'descendants'."

Milla was nodding, arms folded beneath her breasts in thought. "I think I understand." She looked at him. "I read about something like this in a book once. It's something like fear of mortality." She tipped her head slightly. "I suppose in your current state, that would be a concern for you. You've never been this close to completely disappearing before, have you?"

"No," Ratatosk muttered irritably.

The sweep of bangs that stuck out to the left bobbed as she nodded again. "So you wish to have descendants with her."

"Not sure how I would go about doing that, however," Ratatosk admitted.

Looking at the ground in thought, Milla was silent.

"On another note," Emil said. "How much do you know about uhm. Weddings?"

Milla's hair-whip bobbed as she tipped her head the other direction suddenly. It was distracting and Ratatosk had trouble paying attention to her face as it twitched and waved hypnotically. "I've seen a few," she said. "I was asked to bless those couples." She straightened. "Oh! Are you wanting me to bless-" she looked back at Marta and broke into a broad smile. "I would be glad to. Though, aren't weddings normally held with more people in attendance?"

"Her family is dead," Ratatosk said. "Emil doesn't exactly have any."

"Hey, I have Aster," Emil interrupted. "And you and I both are friends with Sheena, Ivar, Richter - and everyone else. Don't dismiss them so quickly."

Ratatosk took control again. "But we were wanting this done quickly... Before time runs out."

"And you think she would appreciate a rush job?" Emil retorted.

Milla was laughing. "I doubt any woman would appreciate a rush job on her wedding. But I understand the urgency."

"I hate to suggest it..." Emil said, "But... that could be our trap for Alice and Decus as well? And if they don't show up..."

Closing his eyes with a sigh, Ratatosk hung his head slightly. "It would be the most efficient use of time... But we would need to get everyone else there for it as well. Where should we do this?"

"The Word Tree," Emil said immediately. "Everyone we would invite would be trusted there."

"And would serve as an even more tempting target for Alice and Decus... But it puts the Tree in danger. I would like to avoid that. What about the team going to remove the Svent family?" Ratatosk asked. "Genis and Zelos are her friends too."

Milla blinked. "What's this about?"

Emil looked at her. "Gaius, Alvin, Genis, and Zelos have gone to remove Cain Svent's power base. Vance, his twin is the current Patriarch... though I don't really understand any of that." He shook his head, breaking Ratatosk's stare at Milla's hair-whip. "Gaius thinks that taking them out will weaken Cain, since he has something Elise called a Lance."

Her expression went cold. "This is not good news at all," she said. "I believe I will need to get personally involved if there's another Lance of Kresnik."

"This one is apparently portable?" Emil offered.

"That is distressing news indeed." Milla frowned deeply. "I will go to the human realm with you to assist in dealing with this threat. In the meantime, I will consider your request, Ratatosk. I believe it might be possible, given yours and her current state to produce spirit-offspring. Do your friends Genis and Zelos know where the World Tree is?"

"Yes," Ratatosk said.

Milla suddenly turned around. "Muzet. Go find Gaius and offer him your assistance," she said. "Tell him that he is to come to the World Tree in a day's time and he is to bring Alvin, Genis, and Zelos."

Muzet frowned at her. "Where will you be going?"

"I will accompany Lord Ratatosk to deal with these demons Alice and Decus," she said, striding back towards the group. "We will meet at the World Tree in a day's time."

Emil hurried to catch up with Milla. "We'll need to tell Aster and his group too..."

"We can send Tenebrae," Ratatosk said. "Or Aqua."

"We'll need to invite Regal, Colette, Lloyd, Yuan, and Prescea too," Emil added. "Send Tenebrae to them. Aqua will be glad for an excuse to go to Richter."

Marta looked grumpy, folding her arms. "Couldn't invite us to make plans with you?" she asked.

"I was asking her about something else," Ratatosk said. "Spirit matters. However, Cain's Lance glove came up in the conversation. Lord Maxwell decided that needed her personal attention."

Milla nodded. "The Lance of Kresnik is a dangerous weapon in anyone's hands and must be destroyed at once," she said firmly.

"Being that Alice and Decus are likely allied with Cain, they must be dealt with as well," Ratatosk added. "At least we're only omitting part of the truth and not flat out lying to Marta. She's still going to need a dress for the ceremony, correct? How are we going to get her to dress up for that without her realizing?"

"I think if we tell Sheena, then take Ivar off for some training we can trust that she'll get it done," Emil suggested.

"Oh devious." Ratatosk tried very hard not to smile wickedly and knew he hadn't succeeded when Marta narrowed her eyes at him.

...

Watching the door as Sheena left, Zelos decided to collapse to the couch next to Genis and lounged back with one ankle resting on the other knee.

"Why didn't you save him?" Genis asked, voice barely audible over the chatter of everyone else leaving.

"I didn't have the chance." Closing his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I wanted to. I swear on my little sister's name, Genis. I wasn't given the chance."

Genis looked down at his hands in his lap, knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists and relaxed them repeatedly.

"I'm sorry," Zelos said, though he knew that wouldn't make it better. Tiger was still dead. "Elise tried to help him too," he added, hoping that would at least ease the sting. "She channeled mana into him somehow. Boosted him for a bit."

The half-elf boy nodded silently and didn't look up.

"We will begin," Gaius said firmly.

"Not even going to wait for Alvin?" the wounded old man on the bed said, though he sounded amused.

"He will join the conversation when he wakes," Gaius blandly intoned and sat in the single chair with his back to the window. "We will begin by determining the best way to get into Elympios without raising suspicion."

Zelos kept his peace and glanced at Genis when the boy spoke up. "Should probably figure out what all we have available to use."

The king of Rieze Maxia turned to look at the boy. "What sort of abilities do you possess?"

"I'm specialize in attack magic," Genis said. "Elemental based."

Gaius nodded and looked at Zelos with an expectant lift of one brow. Disliking the man's superior attitude, Zelos flipped his hair and was saved from having to say anything by Alvin's groan.

The brunet shifted on the floor and lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck. "I guess you had Jude patch me up?" He peaked at Gaius first, then glanced around the rest of the room.

"You insisted on having say in who received punishment for this transgression," Gaius said.

"I guess..." Alvin looked down as Aster's gun slid out of his lap. He caught it before it hit the floor and held it up.

"Aster's gift," Genis said. "He thought you would have more need for it than he would."

Alvin reached up and grasped the edge of the sideboard and hauled himself upright before moving to the closest chair to lean while he belted the gun onto his hip before collapsed into the seat. The man rubbed his face with both hands and settled back with a sigh. "How far have you gotten in the planning then?"

"I was getting briefed on the capabilities of these two," Gaius said, gesturing towards Genis and Zelos.

"Well, that guy can fly apparently," Alvin pointed at Zelos. "And fights with a sword."

The king nodded slightly. "A dedicated spell caster two short distance and one mid distance fighter." He looked at Alvin. "You being the only one with healing abilities."

Alvin patted Aster's gun. "There won't be a problem with that," he said.

"Though if it comes to it, I too can cast minor healing Artes," Zelos felt obliged to add. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as the air rippled. Lunging to his feet, he gripped the hilt of his sword. Gaius gripped his wrist, stopping him from getting more than an inch of blade clear from the scabbard.

Blue light shimmered then split, opening a black portal. A woman with long blue hair and crystal wings glided out, her gaze moving from Gaius to Zelos and the other three. "You weren't the easiest to find, Gaius," she said, her dark lashes fluttering as her portal closed behind her.

"Muzet," Gaius said, releasing Zelos's wrist.

Stunned by the woman's beauty, he straightened and placed his sword hand over his heart. "My most sincere apologies!" He stepped closer and held his hand out to her. "I can't believe I almost drew a weapon on a woman as beautiful as you!"

"You... don't want to hit on that," Alvin warned.

The woman's eyes widened, cheeks flushing light pink as she pressed her hand against her face. "Whatever do you mean?" Muzet asked of Alvin. "And who are you?" she turned back to Zelos.

Summoning his wings, Zelos lifted off the floor and bowed regally. "I am Zelos Wilder, Chosen of Tethe'alla and ambassador from the world Aselia."

Her lips parted slightly as her gaze moved from his face to his wings and back. "How fascinating," she said and glided closer. Reaching out to touch one of his wings, her fingers sent pulses of light rippling down their surface and tingled in his spine. "You aren't fully human... almost part spirit it seems." Her fingers brushed against his wing again.

"Hey," Genis said. "Enough showing off, Zelos. We've got more important things to do."

Zelos reached up and took Muzet's hand from his wing, placed a kiss upon her fingers before lowering to the floor and causing his wings to disappear. "It is my utmost pleasure to make your acquaintance, my sweet."

"Muzet," Gaius said, barely drawing her attention. "What is your reason for being here?"

"Milla sent me," she breathed, her gaze straying back to Zelos with a slight pink hint to her cheeks. "She said I was to assist you in your mission and that you are all to meet her and Lord Ratatosk at the World Tree tomorrow." She still had not removed her hand from Zelos's hold.

"Well, she can sneak us in to Elympios maybe?" Alvin said.

Tipping her head curiously, Muzet smiled. "I suppose I could, yes. It wouldn't be too difficult to open a portal there."

Gaius nodded. "Now for out attack plan. Our focus should be removing the power structure of the Svent Patriarch." He looked at Alvin. "From what does this boy draw his power?"

"Mostly the family," Alvin said. "And what political pull they've got left. But embarrassing Vance further should break that." He rubbed his temples and leaned his elbows on his knees with a sigh. "If we could make it public that he's trying to start something with Rieze Maxia," he said, "and another world, he might be stupid enough to try to attack us."

"If that is the case," the old man on the bed said weakly, "I will contact Chancellor Marcia to arrange a meeting. Though I will warn her that there may be an attack." Zelos looked over to find that the old man had a strange hand-held device out. His thumb moved quickly across it and moments later, he clicked it shut. A bell sounded. Opening the device again, the old man said, "She agrees to meet you publicly at the Trigleph train station for a good-will banquet."

Gaius nodded. "You will, of course, stay here, Ilbert."

Sighing, the old man nodded. "I fear I am unable to argue with you, sir."

The king nodded. "Then we shall proceed to make preparations of our own." He stood and turned with a swish of his black and red coat, heading purposefully out the door.