Heart of the Phoenix

by Shaddowind

What if death wasn't the end for a certain mercenary's soulmate? Warning: Lots of game spoilers. If you haven't finished the game, please proceed carefully! I don't want to ruin the fun for you! Slight AU

35. Chapter 35

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: Even when the truth is right before your eyes, it's sometimes difficult to believe it… or even see it. The Chosen's cure is tantalizingly close… but each step brings the party closer to secrets long forgotten... and explanations some simply don't want to believe.

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 35:

"Hi-yah!"

The cry echoed through the area that was much more swamp than forest, as far as Liane was concerned. She cringed at the sharp contrast of Lloyd's call to the peace of Ymir Forest, but found comfort in the fact that she saw others flinch as well. What a weird place for a Sorcerer's Ring pedestal, she mused, finding an odd amusement at Lloyd's expression as music – not fire balls, mana, or anything else that could be used as a weapon – sounded from the ring.

Lloyd turned his hand to look down to the ring, clearly disappointed. "Oh, this time it makes sounds," he sighed heavily.

"He looks like someone told him his birthday was cancelled," Liane whispered to Genis, smirking slightly as she saw him nod and quickly slap a hand over his mouth. She knew Lloyd probably wouldn't hear them, as they stood at the back of the group on the small island… but it was worth the chance to see Genis smile. They were heading for the birthplace that the Sage siblings had been exiled from as small children… and, after the day before, the 'homecoming' really couldn't be anything but bittersweet at best.

"Nothing happened," Colette murmured in confusion as her crystal blue eyes scanned the forest around them from the shallow, murky waters to the dense canopy of trees above.

Lloyd huffed again, his gaze turning into an impatient demand on the ring. "Yeah, how do we use this?"

Regal approached the brown-haired swordsman, his eyes sweeping the area before he shrugged. "It may be that it only has an effect in specific places," he suggested, the calm in his voice countering the frustration in Lloyd's words.

"Hmm." Lloyd looked back down to the ring, the hostility fading from his eyes as he began to nod. "I see…." He lifted his eyes, chewing the edge of his lip for a moment before side stepping the glowing device that had changed the ring and hopping up onto a stump that blended neatly into the shadows of the forest. He shifted his footing so that he didn't crush the pale pink flower that grew on the edge of the stump and thrust the ring into the air again.

The party exchanged confused looks as the same light melody as before filled the air. Liane was about to suggest that they find another place to try the ring that wasn't just a few steps from the place that had already disappointed him, but before the thought could be spoken, a distant, rhythmic rumble began to grow. "What is…?" she whispered as she turned, her mind working to identify the noise. The wooden boardwalk that marked the forest as inhabited was easy to hear, but it took a moment longer to realize that the rumble was a specific pattern of strikes… like running… or… galloping?

The answer took the form of a small – but apparently extremely agitated – boar that slid around the turn in the boardwalk and threw itself into a headlong rush at Lloyd. The party scattered, the confusion over the boar's sudden appearance making fighting an afterthought. Liane grabbed Genis by the shoulders and spun them out of the boar's path, placing herself between the creature and the mage as her mind weighed the possibility of toppling into the water. As she felt the creature thunder past, she looked up to see Lloyd frozen, staring at the animal charging at him. Lloyd -!

The instant before the boar slammed into the stump, Lloyd leapt back, landing in a crouch as the sound of the collision ripped through the forest like a miniature clap of thunder. As the sound slowly wafted away, the creature staggered back from the stump, its footing erratic as it swayed in its attempt to stay upright. Then, with a surprised snort, the creature looked up… appearing just as startled as the party that stood around it. Its footing suddenly once again sure, the boar reeled and launched itself back in the direction it had come, looking far more frightened than angry in its retreat.

The party stared after the boar in stunned silence for a few tense moments, none of them moving as if it might bring the boar back.

"Whoa," Zelos breathed out, finally breaking the quiet as he shook his head and swiped his hand over his forehead. "That was scary!"

Sheena crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes over to the redhead. "Heh," she huffed, her lips turned into a smirk. "You're pathetic!"

Zelos' eyes widened, and he shook his head. "No," he objected, his hand slapping to his chest as he gasped for breath. "I totally thought Sheena was charging at me."

"What?!"

The summoner's amusement turned to outrage in a heartbeat as her arms stiffened at her sides and her hands curled into fists.

Liane exhaled, shaking her head as Zelos' feigned fright resolved itself into a wide grin. "I'm not even going to try to stop her," the dark-haired young woman muttered to no one in particular, even though she couldn't help but hope Zelos would hear her. It occurred to her that if Sheena didn't hit him, she just might. I know he likes her… he's so transparent about it… but he constantly goes out of his way to annoy her. Liane shook her head as Zelos dashed behind Lloyd with a laugh. Every time there's a chance for him to be serious about it, he pushes it away. If she thought too long about it – once she got over being irritated at him – it made her sad.

"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Lloyd groaned, stepping out to the side and pushing Zelos back towards the others as the redhead flailed and laughed. The younger swordsman shook his head and sighed, looking back down to the ring on his hand. "So this ring is…."

"It's able to call animals… maybe?" Colette shrugged, her eyes on the ring as well. "It looks like it had an effect when you used it on top of that tree stump."

Raine walked around Lloyd and the blonde Chosen to stand before the stump, touching her finger thoughtfully to her chin as she shook her head. "I have a feeling that it's reacting to the flower and not the stump," she stated, lowering her hand to lightly brush over the delicate spray of pink flowers.

Lloyd turned at the Professor's suggestion, a slight frown curling the corners of his lips down. "That's a weird ability," he sighed. Then his expression brightened. "Oh, well! Calling animals is fun!"

The mercurial mood shift almost made Liane dizzy… but she still shook her head and laughed. "We're going to get eaten, aren't we," she muttered under her breath as Lloyd stepped out ahead of the others to lead them back to the boardwalk. Genis snickered and hurried to catch up with Lloyd and Colette, but Sheena paused beside the swordswoman, one eyebrow arched playfully at her.

"As long as Zelos gets eaten first, I think I'd be okay with it… the rest of us would have a chance to get away," the ninja lifted her voice and turned enough to pointedly watch Zelos walk by.

The redhead answered first by sticking his tongue out at her… and then blew her a kiss… his steps never hesitating as he lapsed into boisterous laughter.

Sheena sighed and shook her head, though she, too, soon started to chuckle as she and Liane began to follow the rest of the group. "If anyone's ever just begged to be monster bait, it's that guy," the summoner groaned, her eyes set forward where Lloyd was leading them deeper into the watery forest.

At that particular moment, Liane knew she wouldn't disagree with her friend, so she remained silent. Her thoughts, however, went back to the night before… and particularly, how excited Zelos had been when Sheena returned after her duel with Kuchinawa. He had carefully stayed just out of her reach most of the night as they all sat around the fire, but he had stayed at her side. He had actually looked happy… truly happy. Even in the times that he clearly was trying to get a reaction out of Sheena… even his eyes betrayed that he was only being playful.

And – perhaps it was just the rush of having things settled with Kuchinawa – Liane would have sworn that Sheena looked at least as happy.

Liane looked over to her friend as she heard the song of the Sorcerer's Ring sound once again. Inwardly, she cringed at the thought of something else crashing through the forest at them, but she couldn't help but take the opportunity. "He was really worried about you last night," she spoke, dropping her voice enough to keep the comment private. When Sheena stopped to look over to her, Liane drew a deep breath. "Really. It didn't look or sound like an act."

The ninja didn't respond immediately, though the laugh that looked like it had been ready to bubble from her lips faded. "I guess that makes two of us that were worried, then…" she shrugged, and they all moved off to the side of the path as another boar rushed past them without paying the party any heed. "Although, I'm not sure that I've ever seen anything from that idiot that I could be certain wasn't an act."

As the boar retreated with a squeal of mixed pain and surprise, Liane bit off any further press on the topic. It wasn't entirely because she didn't think Sheena was listening, though. There was a wistful note in the ninja's dismissal that made her wonder if it was actually hurting her friend to even consider that Zelos could be sincere. If Sheena's content to let it be, I have to be as well, she told herself as the party began to walk again.

Maybe I'm wrong.

That particular thought drove the idea of trying to push Zelos or Sheena into opening their eyes even further from consideration. Liane frowned, her hand absently closing over the hilt of her sword. Aren't two people just supposed to know…? Even as the thought formed, she knew how fantastically simplistic it was – that if it was that easy, no one would ever be alone. Or… at least no one would question it.

Liane bit her lip when she realized that she didn't know exactly who she was thinking of anymore. All she did know was that it felt much more like self-pity than it did pity for Sheena and Zelos.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," came a quiet voice from over her shoulder. "They've been like this for years, from what I've heard."

The swordswoman's eyes widened as she glanced back over her shoulder, though she didn't have to do so to know his voice. "Sounds painful," she replied carefully as a small shiver danced over her nerves. Liane knew she wasn't cold, but being caught in the patient blue of her friend's eyes left her unable to name her reaction to him. Regal had already found his other half…. He had found her and fallen for her despite all obstacles… and he lost her. Liane forced herself to look forward as she heard the others begin to move again. If everyone has one true, destined love… how can you go on knowing that they're gone… and never coming back?

She swallowed hard. And Kratos lost someone, too. The link was impossible to ignore… and it twisted her heart painfully in her chest, the sharp jab smashing the controls she had been building around her thoughts in a single, aching heartbeat. What if the person you're supposed to love… has already lost someone? Does that mean you lost them… before you even met them?

"Liane? Are you all right?"

The warm concern in Regal's voice pulled Liane out of the thought, but it didn't keep her from realizing that she was still shivering. The question was gaining strength… gaining more power to shred her defenses every time it caught her off guard enough to form. "Idiots," she sighed, keeping her jaw tight as she had to rely on her physical strength to hold where her emotional strength had failed. "They're both right there… and they're both going to let it slip away." Though her words were true enough, Liane still sent the ninja and the Chosen a silent apology for using them as scapegoats.

A hand closed gently over her wrist to keep her from walking away… and almost shook the fragile walls she was trying to rebuild.

"What happened?" Regal asked as he pulled her wrist around so she would face him. "You… slept well last night… didn't you…?"

Liane frowned. She knew what he was asking. Kratos had not come to her in the night… nor had she awakened in the cold sweat that her dreams sometimes left for her. But none of that meant that her mind let him – or other recent events – stray far from her thoughts. "I'm fine…" she murmured. "It doesn't have anything to do with that."

Liar.

There was venom in the thought that reprimanded her for her answer, but she still swallowed it down and gently freed her wrist from his grasp. "I'm just frustrated. Really."

She knew it was true… and as close to the full truth as she was willing to tread. Liane saw a flash of doubt in Regal's eyes and felt a pang of guilt that helped her find a small smile for him. "Thanks, though. I'm okay. I just really want to knock their heads together sometimes."

"By the time this is over, you might have to take a number," Regal responded with a nod as he gestured for her to start walking again. There was a thin smile on his lips that answered hers.

It was easy for Liane to see that the smile didn't reach his eyes, though. She sighed and nodded, following the others while doing her best to smother the embers of her guilt. He was trying to help… but such kindness almost made things worse.

Dammit, Regal. You're not supposed to be able to read me that well.

"Lloyd, why are you squaring off against a fish?"

Genis' huffed statement was just odd enough to hush the more troubling thoughts that were already retreating to the back of her mind as she stopped with the others at the edge of the boardwalk. Liane's eyes widened when she saw the spine-backed creature Genis was talking about… half-submerged… its overbite extremely pronounced thanks to the shining, dagger-like teeth that accented its jaw.

Lloyd groaned and looked down to the young mage. "Shut up!" he blurted out, his cheeks red. "I was just taking notice."

Liane edged closer to Genis and nudged the snickering boy's shoulder. "Just stop him before he jumps in after it… then everything will be okay." She smiled sweetly as she saw Lloyd turn to her in disbelief. She could only shrug innocently as the crimson-clad swordsman threw his arms into the air and continued down the boardwalk.

The banter was, at least familiar. It was easier for her to join Genis in teasing their friend than to find a way to banish the lonelier thoughts… or just the ones that she didn't understand. Liane knew she had left things unfinished with Regal, but she just had to hope he'd forgive her for the time being.

With the fierce-looking fish watching them warily, the party continued down the narrow wooden walkway until the forest around them seemed to brighten. The tree canopy overhead thinned, giving the area an almost ethereal feel that slowed the party's pace. Even as the serene beauty of the sight stole their momentum, another unmoving oddity soon brought them to a stop. A few steps ahead, and so still that he seemed to be a natural addition to the scene was a small boy. Distinctly pointed ears marked an elven bloodline within the boy, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes as he watched the party approach.

Lloyd glanced over his shoulder to the others and carefully gestured for them to stay back as he began to edge closer to the boy. The small obstacle stiffened, the fear overtaking the sadness that had been in his eyes just moments before, but he didn't move, almost as if his feet had been rooted in place. Slowly, Lloyd knelt before the boy – well out of reach – bringing himself almost eye-to-eye with the child. "Hello," he smiled warmly, keeping his hands at his sides. "Could you let us through?"

The boy blinked, studying Lloyd and then his companions for a long moment before his expression suddenly hardened. "No!"

"Huh?" Lloyd sat back on his heels as if the boy's denial had actually pressed him back. "Why?"

His bottom lip quivering ever so slightly under the shadow of the boy's pale hair, the boy made no attempt to answer Lloyd with anything but a glare.

"He can't be Heimdall's guard, can he?" Liane whispered as she stared at the boy. She knew that elves aged slower than humans, but not only did he look like a child, he wore no armor and bore no weapons. "That's not right…."

"No… something weird's going on," Sheena commented to the swordswoman beside her and then strode forward to stand over Lloyd's shoulder. "Why won't you let us through?" she asked, her voice more curious than angry.

The boy's eyes widened as they shifted up to the summoner, but he remained silent.

Raine sighed and started forward as well. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice taking on the edge of authority that she normally reserved for her students.

The boy took a small step back.

Lloyd sighed and stood up, arms crossed over his chest. "We can't tell if you don't say anything," he muttered, the smile that had even been in his voice slowly vanishing.

"You don't want to make us angry, kid!" Zelos called from where he stood blocked behind the rest of the group.

As the redheaded Chosen's words rang into the forest, the boy cringed, cowering slightly as he quickly clamped his jaw over something that sounded almost like a sob.

"Stop it, everyone. He's scared!" Colette demanded as she shot Zelos an annoyed glare and pushed forward, weaving around Raine, Sheena, and Lloyd before she lowered herself into a crouch before the boy. The two exchanged uncertain looks, but the boy didn't retreat any further. Slowly, Colette lifted her hand to the boy and offered him a bright smile. "What is it?" she asked softly. "Is something wrong?"

While the boy didn't respond, he also didn't pull away from her. His eyes fixed on Colette, his lip quivered again… and he sniffled….

"Do you want to tell us about it?" Colette asked gently, her hand still patiently extended to the boy.

Liane remained silent with the others, watching as the boy edged forward toward Colette. His eyes danced as he measured her nervously… and then finally placed his hand in hers. She had to smile, releasing the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding in. The rest of us only scared him… but he could sense Colette's gentle nature, she reasoned as the girl once again proved her ability to relate to people. That has nothing to do with being Chosen… that's all Colette.

"Mommy is…" the boy murmured as he leaned toward Colette, almost as if imparting a secret.

Lloyd knelt back at Colette's side, worry curling his lips into a frown. "Hmm?"

The boy looked between Colette and Lloyd for a moment before he clenched his eyes shut and squeezed Colette's hand. "Mom is sick," the elven boy blurted out, cringing as if the words were pulled from him forcibly. "I need a Ymir Fruit from this forest to save her, but there are monsters…." The boy's voice trailed off into a flurry of stifled sobs.

"So… you were standing here… because you were afraid to go any further…?" Liane asked softly as she moved closer to the gap that separated the rest of the group from the crying little boy. It tugged at her heart to hear how badly the boy wanted to help his mother. She saw him nod and pull himself closer to Colette. "Well, we're here… we can take care of monsters…" she murmured and shrugged as Lloyd looked up. She knew they were running out of time for Colette, but from the way the girl let the boy hug himself to her arm, she had a hard time believing the blonde Chosen would object. "Maybe we can… help?"

Lloyd nodded with a bright grin as he turned back to the boy. "Okay, gotcha!" he spoke cheerfully, drawing the boy's curious gaze. "Then we'll go get that Ymir Fruit for you. Then will you let us through?"

The boy with the pale brown hair stood back from Colette and swiped at his eyes as she stared at Lloyd. "You'll really get it for me?"

"Dwarven Vow #11," the swordsman climbed back to his feet, his chest puffed up proudly. "Lying is the first step down the path of thievery. So I don't lie. 'Cause that's my mortal."

Silence fell over the sun-filled patch of watery forest. Liane ground her teeth together as she saw Raine hang her head. Lloyd…. He had such good intentions… and the elven boy clearly didn't know the difference if the smile he wore was any indication….

"You mean, "motto," idiot," Zelos hissed, chasing it with a snicker, effectively breaking the silence.

Even as Sheena pinned a burning glare on Zelos, Lloyd shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, anyway, we'll go get it for you, so just wait here," he told the boy as he reached out to pat the child's head.

"O… Okay," the boy agreed uneasily, ducking his chin as he clasped his hands behind his back.

Lloyd nodded, his posture sliding into casual confidence as his hands found the hilts of his blades and his eyes scanned the nearby trees. "So where in the forest is it?"

"Or maybe you can tell us what it looks like?" Liane suggested when she saw the boy's eyes widen suddenly. He's afraid of the forest. Maybe he hasn't been in it very often…?

The boy's shoulders sank. "Actually," he muttered in a small voice, "I don't know much about it. Just –"

"What?" Zelos groaned as he rolled his head back. "How are we supposed to search for that!"

Sheena spun on her heel to face the redheaded Chosen, both hands curled into shaking fists. But just as the ninja began to shift closer to Zelos, the boy quickly lifted his voice again. "But Mom said, when you're in trouble, the butterflies of the forest will guide you."

While Liane was glad that the boy had spoken up, she still watched Sheena and Zelos with a worried eye, much like the others. She felt her disappointment rise once again even as Zelos offered the ninja his annoyingly arrogant snicker – the one that she could tell sorely tempted Sheena to just hit him and get it over with. But when the summoner grumbled and turned her back to the redhead again, Liane could only shake her head. "So… are the butterflies attracted to the Ymir Fruit, maybe?" she asked, trying to find a link in her own mind between the clue the boy had given them and the fruit.

"They say the butterflies of this forest react to people's hearts," Raine murmured, her voice slightly distant until she turned to look at Lloyd. "If we're having trouble with something, we should look for the butterflies."

Lloyd nodded and looked back down to the boy again. "Okay. Then just wait here," he told the child and then turned to the rest of the party. "So, we probably don't all have to go… the forest isn't that big and someone should stay with him," he slid his eyes toward the elven boy. "Who wants to go with me to find the fruit?"

Colette looked torn for a moment, but then sat back down on the boardwalk beside the boy. "I'll wait here for you, Lloyd," she spoke with a small smile and patted the wood beside her for the boy to sit. "We'll be fine."

"Someone's got to watch you so you don't end up calling a monster you can't handle on your own… or trying to fight one of those fish!" Genis grinned even as Lloyd huffed at him. "I'm going with you."

Raine sighed. "Well, that makes my choice easy…." The silver-haired woman moved to stand with Lloyd and Genis. "You two are not going off on your own to go call monsters… plus, you might need help identifying the Ymir Fruit."

Zelos yawned and pivoted on his heel to stroll back to the island on the other side of the walkway. "Count me out of a glorified babysitting job," he groaned and sat down against the base of the tree, stretching his legs out before him. "Wake me up when it's time to move."

"And that makes my choice easy," Sheena rolled her eyes and moved to Raine's side. "Looks like it would just be babysitting for me if I stayed here."

Liane saw Zelos look over to Sheena and waggle his eyebrows… and found herself grateful that the two were splitting up. If they both stayed here, I might have had to just give up and yell at them. "I think I'll stay, too," she smiled and walked to the edge where the boardwalk met the island, shifting her sword and lowering her pack to the ground before she sat down. Colette had made her choice to stay, but Liane knew that someone needed to stay close to her, too.

"You will be able to move faster with a smaller party," Presea stated softly as she looked up to Lloyd and then made her way back to the island as well, sitting down just out of Liane's reach and pulling her heels up beneath her.

"Presea has a point," Regal nodded. "Heimdall must be close if the boy is any indication. We can continue together as soon as you return," the convict reasoned and also returned to the island, choosing a place beside the tree but within sight of his companions that had chosen to stay behind.

It was a good split, Liane decided as Lloyd led his group back into the forest with a promise to hurry. Both groups would have defensive and healing capabilities if they were attacked – and the forest wasn't so big that if one were attacked, the other couldn't reach them in time to help. The plan was good, but it did leave the group that stayed with the child in a bubble of silence that was only broken periodically by a quiet comment from Colette to the elven boy. Liane shifted to hug her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them as her eyes drifted absently over the muted blues and greens of the forest around them. As her fingers brushed over the warm metal that delicately encircled her wrist beneath her sleeve, Liane couldn't keep her thoughts in place. I wonder… why he gave me this bracelet… she mused, careful to restrain herself from looking down to the silver links. She had wondered about his reasons since he had given it to her on that night that seemed so fateful in retrospect. Some part of her liked to think of it as a promise… one that Kratos would return and lend his strength to them. But every time he did return… it was either to prove that his path was not theirs, or to give her hope some validity so that he could crush it yet again.

Why? Is it all just a game?

Liane sighed and pulled her sleeve down over the bracelet, placing a barrier of cloth between her hand and the metal, deciding no answer was better than the one she didn't want to hear. She looked up to where the colors changed from green and blue to green and golden-white where the sunlight poked through the canopy. It took her eyes a few moments to adjust… and realize that the fluttering amongst the sun-laced leaves wasn't the wind.

Butterflies….

Once she recognized the creatures, she realized that there were many of them… silent, elegant dancers on the rays of light that spilled down on the top of the nearby island's tree… and more further down the path where the forest opened more to the sun… the place she guessed Heimdall to be.

"… the butterflies of this forest react to people's hearts…."

Raine's words hand sounded like superstition… but it was an intriguing invitation to give in and believe… could the butterflies be showing us the way? Liane smiled, feeling a bit silly after the thought as she looked back up to the butterflies that flitted around the crown of the tree that spread out above her and her companions on the island. They're probably everywhere… but it's a nice story.

"This is a beautiful place," Regal breathed out, his voice calm as his eyes drifted around the forest, stopping on nothing in particular.

Presea glanced over her shoulder to the shackled man, observing him before she allowed her eyes to roam over their surroundings as well. "Yes, it really is," she finally spoke, her agreement almost reverent.

"There's just something about the times that all you can see or hear are the things that are supposed to be in a place… whether you or anyone else had ever been there or not," Liane agreed, lowering her hand to touch the surface of the water at the edge of the walkway.

"Things of such beauty move the hearts of those that gaze upon them," Regal murmured and turned to rest against the trunk of the tree opposite Zelos. "Whether it is nature, or a song… or someone's heart."

Zelos sat up, a puzzled look passing over his face before he leaned around the tree to grin at Regal. "Hmm… you're a poet, huh, Regal?"

"You don't have to be a poet to appreciate what's around you, Zelos," Liane sighed as she slid her eyes back over to the island. Regal appeared to be unfazed by the Chosen's teasing, but she still worried that it might break the rare moment of peace that they had been given. "How often do we get the chance to just stop and look around?"

"I… I wonder if my heart was moved…."

The soft words were spoken more to the water than to any of her companions as Presea leaned out over the barely-rippled water. If the question was for anyone… it seemed to be for her reflection.

"Presea…" Regal sat up, his mask of calm tainted with concern as he turned to watch the pigtailed girl.

The ax girl slowly drew away from the water's edge, but to Liane, she looked even more lost than she sounded. For so long… how she felt wasn't even a consideration for Presea… and now it's catching up with her. "That's up to you, Presea," she tried to smile for her small friend. "Things affect people differently… sometimes, there's nothing you can do about it. Some people like sunsets while others will stay up all night to see a sunrise. No one can tell you what moves you."

Presea blinked her wide blue eyes and watched Liane for a moment longer before looking back down to the water. "Am I really thinking by my own will?" she again asked the question of her reflection. "Were the words I just said really the words I thought?"

"No one but that person can truly know what she is thinking," Regal shook his head and pushed himself up to sit on his heels. "Presea, you –"

"It's pretty and all, but it's just water, you know?" Zelos spoke over the Duke's attempts to reassure Presea, flipping a handful of curls back over his shoulder as he turned and crawled over to the ax girl's side. Settling beside her, he crossed his legs and answered the girl's curious look with a grin. "Now, if it tasted good, that'd be another story." He tilted his head to her and waited a moment before reaching out to dip a cupped hand into the water. "Wanna try drinking it?" Zelos asked playfully and lifted his dripping hand to his mouth to take a loud slurp.

Presea, Liane, and Regal could only stare at the redhead until Zelos laughed.

"Oh! It's delicious!" the Tethe'allan Chosen declared happily, looking down to Presea with a wide smile. "Presea, you gotta try some!"

The girl eyed Zelos for a moment and then nodded. "Okay," she agreed and turned to cup both of her hands together and dip them timidly into the water. Presea lifted the improvised cup to her lips and sipped at it, apparently unaffected by the three sets of eyes on her. "Oh, it is good," she commented softly after she pondered for a moment and then lifted her hands to her lips again to finish.

"Isn't it?" Zelos agreed in triumph, waiting for her to finish the water before leaning over to catch her gaze and shrug. "Then, isn't that enough?"

Regal chuckled and turned to settle back against the tree with a shake of his head. "You are right…."

Now, why couldn't Sheena have seen that? Liane couldn't help but watch how Zelos seemed content to stay where he was beside Presea… and how he had shown Presea one way to know that her reactions were her own. It was patient… and kind-hearted… and even if Presea still had a long way to go before she knew herself, Liane had to believe that any progress was good.

"Lloyd!! Don't let go of the bird!!!"

Genis' frantic call split the peace of the forest, leaving the party half of the party that had stayed behind frozen.

"Huh. Maybe I should have gone with them," Zelos muttered with a huff. "Sounds like a good show if Lloyd called a bird big enough to carry him off. "The redhead's display only lasted or a moment longer until it dissolved into a snicker as the redhead flopped back down into the grass of the island.

Liane and Regal exchanged concerned looks, although her thoughts betrayed her and constructed a picture of Lloyd dangling from an oversized bird's talons as the swept through the treetops. Before she realized it, a laugh bubbled out of her throat.

Regal's worried expression twisted into disbelief as one eyebrow angled sharply up at her.

He thinks I've lost my mind…. Liane clapped a hand over her mouth, an act that seemed only to make Zelos laugh harder. But before she could even start to construct her defense….

"Yeeee-hahhhhh!!!"

The laughter sounded far louder than Genis' worry had… and Liane exercised every bit of her willpower to keep her expression even as she met her blue-haired friend's gaze… and simply lifted her hand in the direction of Lloyd's exhilarated laugh to plead her case for her before she giggled again.

Regal shook his head… but then chuckled as well as he leaned back against the tree without comment.

Zelos just laughed louder, leaving Presea to watch him with wide-eyed curiosity.

"It sounds like they're having fun, huh?" Colette murmured as she and the elven boy moved closer to sit beside Liane. She looked down to the boy with a reassuring smile. "See, I told you there was nothing to worry about."

Liane swiped the back of her hand past her eyes to wipe away the tears her laughter had brought. She almost hated to do it… she couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so hard. "I still can't believe no one would help you go get the fruit for your mother," she sighed as she watched the boy twist his hands together.

The boy looked up to Liane, still curled under Colette's arm as if the Chosen was the only one that made him comfortable. "Well, the man in the purple and gold said he'd help me if I didn't have it by the time he came back," he told her meekly. "But he was the only one that offered."

The man in… purple and gold…. All laughter faded from the dark-haired swordswoman as her eyes flashed back to the path ahead. Forcing her lungs to draw in air, Liane bit her lip… and tried to ignore the butterflies floating lazily in the sun.

"He sounds like a nice man, but Lloyd and the others are going to have that fruit for you soon… and then your mother can get better," Colette smiled, paying no attention to how Liane had fallen silent.

Liane clasped her hands in her lap, her eyes fixed on the water before her. It can't be… it has to be a coincidence… others can wear purple and gold, she reasoned. A real guard, maybe?

But the possibility refused such easy dismissal. Her knuckles were white and bloodless before she realized how tight she was clenching her hands together. Wouldn't it be bad if Kratos was there? After Meltokio, she couldn't think things would be any easier.

Do I… want him to be there?

Every question grew more troubling than the one that formed before it, but that question in particular made her look back over to Presea. While she didn't envy the girl's search for her own buried identity, Liane realized she could relate to at least her newest dilemma: were her reactions to Kratos her own? Was the urge to see him or have him back with them something with its roots deep in her mind? Or was her inability to push all o that away and finally see him as an enemy a residual of the fractured life she led when her dreams and visions took her away from reality?

It felt like there was something missing… a hole that was both obvious and invisible at the same time. Was it something she couldn't see… or wouldn't see? Liane sighed and looked back to Colette and the elven boy simply to stop staring absently at Presea before any of them caught her. No. I want to see… I want to know! her mind protested and her jaw tightened. I want my life back…. She blinked, almost surprised by the thought that bordered on anger, though she couldn't argue – the visions had taunted her since the day Colette had received the Oracle. Though they had come and gone as they pleased, it all came back to Kratos.

That's why… I need him. I need to know… to understand why….

It always came back to the certainty that Kratos was the key. And while it wasn't logical or necessarily fair to him… she blamed him. He somehow awoke the visions… and he wouldn't tell her why.

I don't think he did it on purpose… her frown deepened. He always seems to hate me more when I try to ask him about them. Liane's anger faltered once again. I didn't ask for this.

But if it started with him… and if he seems angry when I bring it up…. The swordswoman considered the link as her newest attempt to force the situation into the confines of logic twisted on her. Did I… steal something from him? It was one of the more disturbing and bizarre turns her thoughts had made, but was it impossible? If the journey had shown her anything, wasn't it that nothing was as it seemed?

"Here you go, it's the Ymir Fruit we promised. Take it to your mother."

Liane jumped at the sound of Lloyd's voice behind her. It was only slightly reassuring that it was her own thoughts that had made her so oblivious to the return of her friends. But they were back and safe… it was the extra nudge of strength she needed to tuck away all of the questions for a little longer… along with the speck of guilt her new theory had brought along with it.

I didn't mean to….

"Th… thank you," the elven boy climbed to his feet and reached out with both hands to accept the pinkish-orange fruit that the swordsman handed to him. He admired the fruit for a moment before he looked back up again. "They said humans are inconsiderate, but you guys are different," he began to smile and dipped his head, the flipped curl in his hair bouncing as he straightened and shifted the large fruit to one hand while his other hand went to his back pocket. "Thank you very much," he beamed and held his hand out to Lloyd, his fingers uncurling from a silver metal sphere. "Here… take this."

As soon as Lloyd lifted the sphere from his hand, the boy turned and dashed toward the brighter part of the forest ahead before the swordsman or any of his companions could say anything. "He was in a hurry to help his mom," Liane shrugged as she stood and grabbed her pack once again. "Heimdall has to be that way."

"I guess," Lloyd murmured, looking down to the gift in his hand for a moment longer before placing it in his trouser pocket and turning back to the others. "But it looks like he kept up his end of the deal. Let's go get the Mana leaf herb. It can't be much further now."

With the party reunited, it was easier to keep her thoughts from drifting… but with Lloyd at her side, Liane was pleased that the familiarity brought her solidly back to what she considered reality. Liane Dale… working with the friends she had made toward a goal that affected her life and those of her friends and their worlds. It was as solid as she could ask. Glancing over to Lloyd, she had to smirk. "Big bird?"

Lloyd grinned sheepishly and ran a hand back through his hair. "Huge. It was a blast, though… even if I thought it was going to eat me…."

"Either that or it might have saved you and taken you back to its nest and feed you to its baby monster birds," Genis laughed as he trotted up to walk at Lloyd's other side. "It looked pretty hungry… you got lucky, Lloyd."

"Luck had nothing to do with it," Lloyd shook his head and reached out casually to ruffle the mage's hair. "Besides, if it had tried anything like that, you would have barbequed it. I was perfectly safe."

Liane chuckled at the boys, glad that the ugliness of the journey didn't seem to have changed their friendship. They were almost like brothers in her eyes… and she hoped for both of them that they never lost that. As Genis and Lloyd chattered, the forest around them began to thin, as the sunlight had promised, revealing a path that became better worn with every step they took. Then, at a bend in the trail, Liane saw a roof among the trees. Heimdall…. A few steps further revealed buildings that almost blended completely into the trees… a few more steps revealed a wooden archway… and another step after that….

Liane froze.

Kratos.

It wasn't a surprise. It was a confirmation that made her head spin. How? Why would anyone expect him to be here?

Her frustration faded and she almost laughed. Because he's everywhere.

The angel stood beneath the archway, his arms crossed impatiently, his glare on the party obvious even beneath the veil of thick auburn bangs. "So you've made it here."

Lloyd edged one foot closer to the angel, but didn't complete the full step. "What?!" he snapped, his anger almost as obvious as the fact that he was holding himself back. "Then you do know how to cure Colette's illness!"

Kratos shrugged. "And if I did?"

Liane watched, her heart sinking at what she was certain was another attempt on Kratos' part to goad Lloyd on. They're going to fight again. There's no way around it. It's not a matter of if… it's when. And with the way Kratos is pushing… he won't walk away.

"Why are you helping us?!" Lloyd demanded. "Why are you giving us clues about how to save her? And how did you know that Colette's Angel Toxicosis was the same illness that one of Mithos the Hero's companions had?!"

The angel tilted his head, looking thoroughly bored. "And what do you hope to accomplish by asking that?"

Lloyd drew back, his hands still on his blades, though with the way his shoulders fell, it wasn't hard to guess that using them was no longer an option for the teen. "Ah… well…."

Kratos didn't wait for any further answer to form. He uncrossed his arms and walked forward. "There's no time. Hurry," he muttered as he walked past Lloyd, his tone casual even if his words were cryptic.

No one stopped him. Lloyd didn't even turn to watch the angel walk away… but Liane shivered as he walked past her. He was close enough that all she would have had to do was lift a hand and she would have touched him. No one expects him to stay… no one expects him to help. We're all just braced for him to attack us again. She knew she couldn't speak for the others, but those were the truths that kept her in place, denying any urge to turn and watch his retreat.

"This is the village of the elves. No half-elf may pass."

If the pair of guards had been there during their encounter with Kratos, Liane hadn't seen them. But the two men in light armor now blocked the gateway, and it was clear that their cold gazes were locked on Raine and Genis.

"What?" Colette shook her head, her eyes troubled as she clasped her fingers together before her.

The guard standing furthest from the party stepped forward to his partner's side. "This is a defensive measure against those who brought catastrophe to our village," he stated. "If you cannot accept that, then you humans may not enter, either."

'Catastrophe?' Liane looked over to Raine and Genis, hating that her mind had found a link between the tragic story of their family and the words of the guards. She knew it was probable… and sadly likely… but that was as far as she would take it. So it really isn't just humans that hate the half-elves.

"Lloyd," Raine moved to place her hand on her brother's shoulder and waited for the swordsman to look back to her call before speaking again. "We'll wait here. We'll leave the rest in your hands."

Lloyd's eyebrows knit together, but he began to nod. "All right."

The Sage siblings retreated back toward the forest without another word or complaint. Liane knew it was easier to accept the misguided rule than to fight it, especially since all the guards were asking was that no half-elf were allowed in. No one's going to prison… no one's going to be hurt. We just have to get the Mana Leaf Herb and get out.

But even though Raine and Genis were clearly not attempting entry, the guards remained in place. "Talk celebrating Mithos as a hero is forbidden in this village," the first guard suddenly stated.

"Wow, that was random," Liane grumbled, an additional condition striking her as strange and leaving her to wonder how long it would take to get through the rest of the list.

Lloyd shrugged, watching both of the guards. "Why?"

The second elf sighed heavily and both he and his partner stepped to either side of the gate to open the path for the party. "We have no need to explain. Just do as we say."

The party entered the town slowly, almost as if they expected to be stopped again by the guards. But when the men made no attempt to stop or slow them, their pace picked up to a casual walk. "Huh. Kratos must have rubbed them the wrong way… they seemed just itching to take it out on us," Zelos grumbled. "Some day, we need to get someplace first and set a trap for him. See how he likes that."

"I don't think it was a trap," Liane commented as she watched Colette step off the path that wound through the town to ask directions to the home of the village leader, unaware that her comment had brought the group's attention to her. When she looked up, she realized that her defense of the angel hadn't exactly brought on a rush of support. She sighed. "He wasn't being kicked out. Those guards weren't trying to force him out faster. There's nothing burning and the village seems fine…" and he offered to help that boy, too. Liane drew another breath and shrugged. "I don't think it's fair to call it a trap."

"Yet," Sheena groaned her correction to Liane's statement as Colette returned with the news that the path would lead them to the home of the village elder."

Liane couldn't look over to the ninja. She knew that Sheena held no trust of Kratos… and she couldn't blame her. In truth, she almost wished she could share that level of detachment. But, as things stood, silence was the only reply she knew wouldn't turn around and bite her.

The elves of Heimdall paid them minimal attention as the group passed through the village, most not even looking up from their chores. The town seemed to Liane to be a part of the forest, even the buildings giving the impression of being built around the ancient trees instead of disrupting them – especially those built up off the ground, almost as if the trees themselves had lifted the structures up so that they could serve as foundations. And I thought Mizuho blended into the woods well, Liane mused as Lloyd led them up the steps of the house Colette had pointed out to them.

A wizened elf man opened the door almost before Lloyd's hand fell from knocking on the door, welcoming them all to step inside without questioning their presence. While Liane found it a bit unnerving, it was easy enough to write it off as a sign of another culture that was removed from the outside world. Though she didn't like that the discrimination of half-elves persisted there, she knew that Heimdall at least had something of a reason. It's not blind hatred like the rest of the world... she reminded herself as she stood to the side of the group while Lloyd pled their case to their host. It's not right to hold a single incident against all half-elves, but I suppose if they're going to hold grudges, simply banning them from the town is about as passive as one could ask…. The thought trailed off as she caught the elf Elder's eyes resting on her… and then quickly whisking away as soon as their eyes met.

We're strangers in his home, stupid, Liane chided herself and tried to forget the momentary flash of paranoia. You'd be inspecting a bunch of strangers in your town closely, too….

"… Mana Lea Herb, you said?" the Elder asked Lloyd as he watched the teen out of the corner of his eye. He had been slowly pacing the floor in front of a large window that looked out over the forest, stroking his chin thoughtfully as the swordsman spoke for his companions.

Lloyd nodded once. "Yes. We need it."

The elder stopped his patient walk and turned to face the teen. "That is an important plant that we elves use in our magic," he stated with a slow shake of his head, though his eyes never left Lloyd. "We can't simply tell anyone where it grows."

The room seemed to darken at the Elder's denial. Liane looked over to Colette… and saw how the girl slumped, her shoulders already giving in to defeat. Liane shook her head. "We're not asking for all of it… and we have no reason to tell anyone else where it is…" she started, trying to reason with the Elder before she was aware of the presence at her side.

"Isn't there anything that can be done?" Regal summarized Liane's argument neatly as the Elder looked up. "Without that plant, a friend of ours will die."

The Elder drew back, his eyes widening ever so slightly in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Lloyd lifted his head, standing tall before the Elder. "We have a friend who is sick," he replied, his voice firm with the statement as he met the elf's gaze. "She has… uh…" he blinked, his eyebrows knitting together, "… angel… effect…."

"No, no," Zelos shook his head with a huff. "It was chronic angelus –"

"Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium," Presea stated, her words clipped and precise.

Lloyd quickly nodded and looked back to the Elder. "Yeah, what she said."

Liane rolled her eyes. While she knew how Lloyd didn't like to be bogged down in details, if the Elder took his impatience as any kind of disrespect, he could refuse to help them….

"What?!" the Elder exclaimed, the dry edge in his voice cracking a little in surprise as he stared at Presea for a moment longer before looking back to Lloyd. "That's Martel's…" he breathed out, eyebrows knit together as he turned and walked over to the corner of the room. "So that's why Kratos…."

A jolt of uncertain energy went through the party at the Elder's muttered response to the name of Colette's illness. "What?" Sheena spoke up and slowly approached the Elder. "Did you just say Martel?"

"And what about Kratos?!" Lloyd insisted as he watched the Elder walk past Sheena to return to the place he had stood before Lloyd a few moments before. "What did he come here for?"

The Elder shook his head as he held a wooden staff out to Lloyd. It looked to have been only partially carved… only the shaft smooth and worn while its head was a natural knot of wood – unsymmetrical, but still oddly fitting for the look of the staff. "Don't worry about Kratos," the Elder stated, his eyes boring into Lloyd as the teen accepted the staff. "Mana Leaf Herb grows in a region southeast of here known as the Latheon Gorge," he spoke slowly, as if to be sure there would be no misunderstanding. "It lies deep within mountains covered with mist. Show this staff to the watchman."

Lloyd stared back at the Elder and then to the staff. Liane shared his confusion at how quickly the Elder had changed his denial into help without strings. It was the mention of Martel and Kratos that kept the party in place… and the Elder himself suddenly became another piece of the puzzle of their journey. Why does almost everyone we meet seem to know more about our journey than we do?

"Elder!" Lloyd raised his voice plaintively as the elf turned away from them and walked to the window, his back squarely turned to them.

The elven man clasped his hands behind his back and sighed heavily. "I have no more to say to you, humans."

Lloyd drew a quick breath, but any complaint it might have been meant to form vanished when Regal dropped a hand on the swordsman's shoulder and offered him a single, pointed shake of his head. For a moment, Liane thought her friend was going to argue with Regal's silent guidance, but then, that worry melted as Lloyd turned, striding back to the door and pulling it open before leaving the house.

The group Lloyd left behind exchanged looks, but then slowly backed away from the Elder and turned to follow the brown-haired teen. We were lucky to get this much, Liane told herself as she waited her turn to leave. Whether or not the Elder knew more didn't matter… it was their fight and he had helped them all that he cared to do so… asking any more was rude, no matter how much they wanted what he knew. Taking the door handle in hand, Liane hesitated in the doorway and glanced back over her shoulder to the Elder.

She wasn't expecting to meet the elf's gaze.

"Ah… thank you," the dark-haired young woman spoke, feeling that something had to be said. "We know you didn't have to help us… but we do thank you."

The Elder nodded without speaking, though she felt his eyes on her almost as clearly as if he were physically touching her.

"The answers he wanted are not mine to give," the elf finally murmured. "But you will have them soon. What you do with them will be entirely up to you." Then he turned his back to the door once again.

Liane bit her lip to hold in the urge to beg the Elder to explain. But even that didn't obscure the fact that her stomach spun itself into a knot. We're going to get answers? She drew in a deep breath and stepped out of the dwelling, closing the door behind her. Her eyes lingered on the wood of the deck beneath her feet before she looked down to find the others waiting for her at the base of the steps in varying states of impatience.

Finally, answers instead of questions? It was a strange concept that she mulled over as she descended the steps. But instead of the relief she had thought such a concept would bring, she only found more apprehension….

The truth isn't supposed to make things worse. Anything we find… it'll make things better… right?

---

"Humans are so predictable… it really does make them boring…."

Yggdrasill sighed… a long, dramatic noise that lingered in the throne area as he lifted his hand to inspect his fingernails.

"It's a good thing it makes them fairly useful for the time being… wouldn't you agree, Kratos?"

"Yes, Lord Yggdrasill," the auburn-haired angel answered. He hadn't really been listening to the Cruxis Leader's self-indulgent rambling. After so many years of hearing it, Kratos was fairly certain he could perform the entire conversation on his own and save them both the time. But this time, he knew it was probably better to humor the rote… and it kept him from thinking on the insult too much. One change… one snapped retort… could be all it took to unravel everything.

Yggdrasill threw back his head and laughed, his hair falling in a smooth golden curtain over the side of the throne's arm. "Their stupidity makes them so eager… so compliant. It's like fishing… with just a little bait…" he laughed again. "Like obedient little puppies, they do all my work for me!" He rolled his head to look at Kratos with a wide smile. "And you know the funny thing? They're actually bright enough that they could actually find what they were looking for! All it took was a little push… and they were off! It's like they're eager to bundle the vessel up with everything it will take to fix her and leave her on our doorstep!" His laughter grew louder. "It would almost be charming if I could get past their stupidity."

Kratos merely crossed his arms over his chest. He knew that Yggdrasill was baiting him just as he was bragging about doing so to the Chosen's party. He has to know that I've been in contact with them. Lloyd and the others probably haven't seen any reason to withhold that kind of information from their new friend. The angel put the energy it would have taken to groan into forcing himself to stay still. Being forced to remain reactive grated on every nerve that had been absolutely conditioned to be proactive, but he had no choice. I tried to warn them. If they won't see until it's too late, I can't open their eyes for them.

"You're awfully quiet, my old friend," Yggdrasill crooned as he rolled his eyes to Kratos, the bright green-blue showing a token spark of interest. "You must be tired from that unfortunate incident with the tree? I'm sure there were many details that kept you busy after that…."

"It was relatively easy to contain," Kratos responded casually. "I simply didn't know if you wanted commentary from a human, Lord Yggdrasill." The words were carefully respectful… their meaning was not.

Yggdrasill laughed again, a full, throaty sound that almost seemed ready to carry true amusement. "I value your input, Kratos! Surely you know that!" The elegant blonde man turned and righted himself in the seat of the throne, leaning his weight onto the arm so that he could casually cup his chin in his hand and brace himself there. "Besides, you're not human. We cured you years ago…" he purred, his gaze narrowed on Kratos. "You left all those silly human things behind, remember? Why… you're practically a god… even if those stupid humans can't see it."

As much as she knew Yggdrasill was taunting them, Kratos knew that he actually believed what he was saying. He couldn't say which annoyed him more. "It was safer to guess that you included me with the humans, Lord Yggdrasill. You've seemed so… distracted… since your return."

"Oh, it's just the excitement of having the vessel returned… along with the parts to fix it properly," Yggdrasill sighed with a sweep of his hand to indicate how exhausting it was. "It's such a bother, really, but I've come to hope that it's finally a sign that this vessel will be compatible." He closed his eyes, a peaceful smile curling his lips as if he were dreaming. "At this point, my only worry is if my sweet sister will forgive me for imprisoning her in a human body. Granted, we've gone through all the steps to prepare it properly, but still…."

If one didn't work, it was tossed aside and another was prepared… the human Chosens were simply raw, imperfect materials... expendable resources to Yggdrasill. The hypocrisy was almost enough to make Kratos laugh. "Your sister had a forgiving soul," he stated, his voice flat so that it could hide that there was much more he wanted to say. But even she would have a difficult time forgiving what you've done in her name….

"Has, Kratos. My sister has a forgiving soul," Yggdrasill shook his head, his tone one of playful reprimand as if he were chiding a child, though when he opened his eyes, there was unmistakable malice in their depths. "She'll be overjoyed when she sees what we've done for her to bring her wish to life! And she'll even be able to be at our side to usher in the age of peace that she wanted!"

Kratos sighed. It was a concession to the urge that screamed at him that he simply couldn't remain silent. There had been times when such a calmly explained plan could be excused as part of the boy's grief over his sister's passing. That time had slowly become a habit. To speak after all the time that had passed would almost be worse. No… silence for a little longer is best. Let him believe he's close to winning.

Yggdrasill was suddenly on his feet. "And you, my old friend… will be the one to assure that it comes to pass!"

What? For a moment, Kratos cursed how easy the years had made it to tune out Yggdrasill's rantings. "Lord… Yggdrasill?" he asked as his mind slowly fed him clues to what he might have missed, even though he was already certain that he didn't want to know.

"You will finish what you started!" Yggdrasill's smile beamed down on Kratos from his throne. "The Chosen's little group will inevitably return to the Tower of Salvation. And you will be waiting for them. The vessel will be ours, we will perfect her… and then Martel will live again. My sister will know that her dear friend, Kratos remained true to her after all this time… and we can all move on together! It will be even better than before."

Some small piece of Kratos shrunk away at the thought. The times Yggdrasill sought to recapture were hard but good times… but they were gone. Perhaps at one time, that had been the draw that made it possible to ignore the atrocities Cruxis was imposing on the worlds… but there was no way it would ever be the same again. Even if Sylvarant's Chosen were to serve as a proper vessel, things wouldn't go back to how they were.

And Martel wouldn't want this, either.

Kratos squared his shoulders. Yggdrasill's command was one he had anticipated, but that didn't make it any more welcome. "They could come at any time," he stated with as much indifference as he could manage. He knew it was a test – everything was. "Will the research department be ready for the Chosen in time?"

"With our little pets collecting what we need, there should be no question of it," Yggdrasill shrugged. "If they're not… well, we have researchers that might be less eager to disappoint me." The Cruxis leader took a step closer to Kratos, his smile growing a bit more smug. "You won't let me down – again – will you, Kratos?"

Kratos didn't even try to hide his glare. "You won't be here to see for yourself?" he asked as smoothly as he could manage.

Yggdrasill slowly shook his head. "Oh, Kratos, I trust you. You know how important this is. And you'll be reporting to me once you return with the vessel. A leader has to be able to trust his closest advisors, doesn't he?"

So I'll be stuck… under his watch… until they come. There would be no warning for them… there would be no more preparation for him. Dammit. He would need all the time Lloyd and the others could give him… and perhaps more… but he might be able to come up with an alternative to killing all of them except Colette by then. Maybe. Kratos nodded. "Of course, Lord Yggdrasill," he replied carefully. "I will deliver the Chosen to Welgaia."

"Oh, I know you will," Yggdrasill nodded understandingly. "I know you won't let me down. My honorable, loyal Kratos. You and I… we are family." His smile widened. "Fate has made certain of that… and more over…." He closed the gap between himself and Kratos… and leaned up to his ear.

"I own you."

The whisper was a malicious dare… and there was nothing Kratos could do about it no matter how he ached to do something. Yggdrasill's retaliation would not only lash out at him, but also Lloyd… Liane… potentially, all of them. None of them were ready for that yet. He was still their best chance.

And to remain in that position, he knew he had to remain silent. He had done so before… the last time Yggdrasill had spoken those words. The difference was that the last time, Kratos and his broken spirit had believed him.

"Bring me my sister's vessel, Kratos," Yggdrasill sighed with a confident smile as he patted the angel's shoulder and continued walking. "It will assure your place at our side in the glorious new age to come."

"Yes, Lord Yggdrasill," Kratos answered, somehow keeping his teeth from grinding together.

"Bring me my sister's vessel…."

How wonderfully vague. Kratos considered smirking. It would mean a bit of faith in the Chosen's party, but with a little manipulation, he knew it could work. They had all proven themselves stubborn… that would be their greatest asset now. All I have to do is push as hard as I dare… and wait. Waiting for the party would be difficult… and worse, time consuming. But it might buy him that last bit of freedom he would need.

He heard the large wooden doors of the throne room swing shut, but he didn't look back.

I'm counting on you, Lloyd.

---

"If we lose… and the worlds get destroyed… I hope this place goes first."

Liane groaned her deep wish of the moment as she leaned over the edge of the bank, letting the spray of the rushing water wash over her face. She was certain that she had left her stomach somewhere near the elven guard that had allowed them passage into Latheon Gorge… in fact, her nerves were frayed enough that she was sure they were still tied to her stomach. Heights didn't bother her… not with the Rheairds or the transparent steps that had held them up out of the reach of the abyss at the Tower of Salvation. But a bubble that was made of magic that seemed to have a lifespan no longer than that of one made of soap being the only thing between her and a plunge to a watery, rocky death.

"Ughh."

"Boy, I bet if I told you I saw a warp ring right about now, you'd actually cheer, huh?" Genis asked as he sympathetically patted the back of the swordswoman's shoulder.

The odd thing was that Liane thought he might be right. It didn't stop her from lifting her head to glare at the mage, though… even though it might have been the thing that kept her hand at her side from reaching out and curling into the front of his shirt to push him into the water. "If you're trying to make me throw up, you're doing a good job. It won't take much more…."

Genis laughed again. "Eww. Just be sure to do it over there… a few of the others look a little green, too. Don't want to encourage them too much, you know?"

Just the start of the image in her mind made Liane's stomach lurch again and she clenched her eyes shut. She told herself that her own height wouldn't be too much of a challenge to her rebellious stomach if she could just have a few more moments beside the river. It couldn't be as easy as the guard at the mouth of the gorge saying, "Sure! Mana Leaf Herb? It's right here! Take what you need!" now, could it? she grumbled silently as she tried to coax her stomach back into place. Noooo. It has to be all the way up the side of a mountain… and then we have to beg some storyteller for it. Perfect.

"Lloyd!" Zelos' call was unnecessarily loud in the rocky canyon, and it filled the area around the wet, mist-cloaked bridge. "Are we there yet? How far is it to that storyteller dude? I'm tired…."

Liane braced herself and lifted her head to see the redhead flopped on his back a few paces down the grassy bank from her. As Genis had indicated, the party did seem to be slightly out of balance – Raine and Sheena in particular stood tall and still… their skin slightly off-tone.

Lloyd rolled his eyes from where he stood near the end of the bridge and landed his glare squarely on the Tethe'allan Chosen. "Hey, how should I know?" he groaned with a shake of his head.

"Don't blame Lloyd," Liane murmured and pushed herself back to sit on her heels, trying the new position out before attempting to rise again. "If any of us would have known about this, I think we could have found a way to lower ourselves in by the Rheairds… or something," she reasoned, even though she doubted the mists that hung in the canyon would have been helpful for that.

Zelos moaned again and threw an arm over his forehead. Presea moved a few steps closer to him and shook her head just enough that it looked like her pigtails were swaying with the breeze. "Zelos… you're pitiful…."

The ax girl's words of disappointment were enough to speed Liane's plans to find her feet again. Even though Zelos merely chuckled at Presea's scorn, he made no effort to get up. "We could stay here all day, but it won't make things any easier, she sighed and finished pulling herself back up to her feet. The break and the cool air of the rushing water had helped, though if the magic bubbles of the Sorcerer's Ring had much more say in their stay, she wasn't certain that she would make it out of the gorge under her own power.

"It looks like we can climb up from here," Colette called over her shoulder without fully turning away from what looked to be a rough-hewn footpath along the cliff wall. Her smile grew just a bit wider. "I'm sure we're close. Let's hang in there, everyone."

Liane looked down at a gentle nudge to her side to find Genis holding her pack up for her. She laughed a little at the realization that she hadn't even considered stooping to pick it up – but thanks to her friend, she didn't have to. It took a few moments and a good bit of grumbling to get the party collectively back on their feet, but once they were, the path Colette had found was surprisingly easy to climb – not to mention blissfully solid compared to the bubbles that had lifted them on the winds of the canyon. While Liane couldn't bring herself to even consider what the trip back down the gorge would be like, the sight of a small hut and colorful sprays of wildflowers that weren't puffing air emerging from the mist ahead was enough to make her smile in relief.

Lloyd led the group up to the hut's door, waiting only a moment for them to gather behind him before he reached out to knock on the door. A muted mechanical patter sounded from behind the hut, but it was the only sound save for the nearby rushing water until the sound of the door swinging back open on slightly rusted hinges revealed a hooded figure peering out from within. "Humans? And half-elves?" the man breathed out instead of a greeting, a confused scowl on his mostly-hidden face.

The old man's voice cracked with disuse, but his quick – and accurate – assessment of his visitors kept the party still and quiet with caution until Lloyd drew a breath and cocked his head to the man. "Oh, you must be the Storyteller," he began with an awkward chuckle in his voice. "Can you give us some Mana Leaf Herb?"

Colette's eyes widened in alarm as she pointedly nudged Lloyd in the side and offered the hooded man a smile. "Please," the blonde Chosen added to soften Lloyd's hasty request.

A frown emphasized by the shadows of his hood darkened the Storyteller's expression, though only flecks of light in his eyes betrayed any reaction from the man. He looked down and hesitated when he saw the staff strapped to the underside of Lloyd's pack. "I see you've brought proof from the Elder," he nodded, his voice warming slightly, thought when he looked back up to the expectant gazes of the party, he was still frowning. "I'd like to say just take what you need, but…."

Lloyd took a step back, his shoulders sagging. "Is there a problem?"

Oh, please don't tell me there's no more of it, Liane sighed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she felt a ripple of apprehension slide over the group.

"It's in a somewhat difficult place," the Storyteller responded almost apologetically. "I don't know if you'll be able to go get it."

Silence answered the Storyteller's declaration until Zelos snorted indignantly. "We've made it all the way up this mountain," he groaned and stepped up to drape an arm over Lloyd's shoulder. "We'll get it no matter where it is. We'll just send Lloyd."

"Hey!" Lloyd retorted, shrugging out from under the snickering Chosen's arm and backing further from the door.

Presea observed the swordsmen for a moment before she walked forward to take Lloyd's place before the Storyteller. "Please, tell us where it is."

"We need it for our friend. It really doesn't matter how difficult it is to get to now. We don't have any other options," Liane shook her head when the old man looked up from Presea. "All we need are directions."

The Storyteller remained still for a few moments and then slowly began to nod his head. "Hmm…" he hummed thoughtfully and then nodded once more as if he had reached an internal decision. "All right. Follow me." He crossed the threshold of the hut and moved out into the diffused sunlight as the group parted for him to pass. Moving slowly but deliberately, he led the party down the path that had brought them to his hut and to an old, wooden gate. "The leaf can be found in the cave ahead," he declared as he unlatched the gate for them, waiting for it to swing completely open before he turned back to them. "Be careful."

"Okay!" Lloyd agreed, the Storyteller's aid apparently bring back the teen's optimism as he gestured over his shoulder to his companions. "Let's go, guys!"

Liane heard Colette murmur a quick thank you to the Storyteller as they passed by him, but her thoughts were already moving past gratitude to whatever it was that the old man considered 'difficult.' The long hanks of silver hair that framed the thin face within the hood as well as simply where the old man lived combined to make her wonder what would worry him so much to give such a warning. He lived in the gorge, didn't he? If he wanted supplies, he would have to make the trek down and up the mountain… and if the creatures they had seen on their way up were any indication, the gorge was hardly an easy life. Glancing over to Sheena, she saw a pensive expression there that seemed to agree with her own thoughts. "What do you think? More cliff scaling? It's out on a ledge we'll have to crawl to get to?" she asked quietly as the path began to narrow to hug the cliff face once again.

"With our luck, all of that," the summoner responded in a hushed voice as she moved into line in front of Liane as the path continued to narrow. "I this path gets much smaller, we're going to need ropes to get across."

Liane tried not to groan. "Sounds about right," she agreed. It was just one more scenario – and one that didn't quite seem bad enough. Wouldn't the Storyteller warn us if it were just a matter of gear?

As the group continued forward, the roar of a waterfall grew ahead of them, but the path beneath their feet widened into an outcropping on which they could gather. It was an unexpected burst of good luck that allowed them a moment to regroup, catch their breath… and remind themselves to stay away from t he edge and what had to be a plunging drop from the ledge. Lloyd carefully walked around one of the gorge's native vermilion plants, craning his neck to see around the stream of falling water at the edge. "Ah, that must be the cave," he spoke, reaching out to balance himself against the cliff face to remain steady against the plant's gusts.

Liane looked ahead… first, to the plant that was puffing its own wind currents without any regard for their presence… and then to the gap between the ledge that they stood on and the one beneath the opening of the cave that Lloyd had spotted. Her stomach flipped angrily.

"Ah, I see," Raine nodded, looking up into the rainbow-flecked sky above them. "You can't enter it without splitting the waterfall."

"It certainly is in a difficult place," Regal commented just loud enough to be heard as he moved closer to Lloyd and the plant.

Lloyd turned back to the others with a smile and lifted his hand. "But the waterfall split in two, so we don't need to worry about it."

Liane could still hear the crack as the boulder had come loose from the rock face of the canyon. It was just one more memory she hoped would eventually fade from their trip up through the gorge. But it also served to slow her realization that everyone was gathering around Lloyd and his ring – at the puffing end of the flower – until she felt a small hand curl around her wrist and pull her forward. "Genis?"

"You puke on me, no more magic lessons, got it?" the mage grinned up to her and dragged her to stand closer with the others.

Zelos laughed as the group tightened around Lloyd and the teen lifted the ring higher into the air. "Hey, Liane… don't listen to the brat. If you get sick on him, I'll teach you anything you want to know!"

As the bubble of magic from the Sorcerer's Ring began to form around them, Sheena's hand flashed out to slap the back of Zelos' head, and Genis turned to fix a burning glare on him. Liane clenched her eyes shut as she felt the lurch of the ground falling out from under her feet as they drifted across the gap between the ledges. "Okay, everyone… just stop talking like that…." My stomach doesn't need any more encouragement.

The flight was considerably shorter than others had been, though… and the bubble dropped them neatly on the ledge at the mouth of the cave as it dissolved. It was short enough that Zelos was still backpedaling away from Sheena with a laugh… and oddly, that Liane opened her eyes to find that her stomach wasn't nearly as angry as she thought it would be.

Lloyd turned and led the party into the mouth of the cave. It seemed to be fairly shallow, but idyllic in a strange way. The ground was covered with soft grass that Liane guessed thrived there thanks to the moisture from the waterfall, and an opening in the high ceiling allowed a single shaft of sunlight to illuminate the cave. As much as I hate to say it… it's really pretty….

"Ah-ha! So that's the plant!" Lloyd exclaimed, pointing into the heart of the miniature meadow.

The party fanned out to fill the opening of the cave and Sheena nodded in agreement. "That's pretty distinctive," she commented.

Liane had to agree with the summoner. A single plant rose above all others in the cave… one with pale leaves that seemed to draw in and keep the sunlight as its own. "That has to be it… there hasn't been anything else like it in the gorge…."

"You're saved, Colette," Lloyd turned to the blonde Chosen with a wide smile as he started forward into the cave.

Colette breathed out in relief, her hands clasped before her. "Yeah… thanks, Lloyd!" she smiled… her reaction to the boy's encouragement unwavering despite the illness that had darkened her life.

No sooner had Lloyd separated himself from the party, the ground suddenly began to shake. "Wh-what the…?" the teen stammered, throwing himself against the smoothed wall of the cave. The party followed his example and crowded to the walls of the cave for stability.

As a fine mist of dirt began to drift down from above and the shaking continued, Liane began to worry. "An earthquake? It could bring down this whole cave!" And then where will we go? Jump?

Presea looked up to Liane and then back into the cave. She lifted one small hand to point toward the Mana Leaf Herb and shook her head. "There's something here!"

Behind the plant, the ground was beginning to bulge, the blanket of green grass ripping and falling away as a bloom of people-red petals tore its way free of the ground. The monstrous plant snapped its vines at the air as the rumbling slowed… and it turned the face of its flower toward the group as if it could not only sense their presence, but also could actually see them. "A giant plant!" Regal breathed out, regaining his footing and moving to separate himself from the others as he assured his battle stance.

"It's guarding it?" Lloyd choked out in disbelief as he drew his blades and threw himself into a headlong rush at the plant. He leapt over a swipe of a thick vine and gathered his feet beneath him to launch up into the air, his blades catching the stream of sunlight as they lashed out at the plant. "Tempest!"

Liane dropped her pack and kicked it back against the wall of the cave as she drew her sword. A rain of purple and red-flecked petal shards rained down around the cave as Lloyd threw himself back away from the plant. "Guess out friend wasn't worried about the waterfall after all," she grumbled and ran forward, ducking under the angry whip of a vine as she braced her sword before her and pushed her mana down its length. "Sonic Thrust!"

The moment that Liane was clear, Regal charged in, his right leg already in motion to deliver a strong blow only to be followed swiftly by a kick from his left. As soon as the blow landed, he coiled the muscles in his legs to send him into a back flip, using the arc his body created to strike again. "Crescent Moon!"

The plant's stem rolled as if reeling from the force of the shackled man's attack. But even as it stretched back up toward the sunlight, the ground beneath Colette's feet suddenly split open and a vine snapped around one of her ankles. Colette cried out as the vine jerked her up, dangling her upside down while the rest of the vine freed itself from the ground and arched up near the roof of the cave, pulling the girl up higher into the air.

"Hey, if anyone is sweeping a girl off her feet around here, it had better be me!" Zelos called as he leapt up into the air, his blade leading the way. "Fierce Demon Fang!" the redhead named his assault as the green arc the swing of his blade formed slammed down into the plant.

All of the plant's tentacle-like vines waved as Zelos' attack struck true, but even as the plant recoiled, Colette dropped her chakrams down out of her sleeves and spun where she still hung from the vine's jerking grasp. "Ray Thrust!" the girl called as the golden weapons flashed out around the room, obediently cutting through the vine that held their mistress captive and dropping her to the ground before sticking into the ground to either side of her.

"Ouch… guess that's one way to rescue yourself," Sheena winced as she dashed past where the blonde girl was clumsily trying to right herself to approach the plant's body. "Pyre Seal!" the summoner called as she spun and threw her spell card out before her, sending a barrage of cards blasting out at the plant and sending its vines reeling away from the party.

The plant-creature recoiled, protectively retracting its vines, but as it wrapped them tighter around its stalk, its flower turned up toward the ceiling of the cave. For a moment, it shrunk, but then it began to expand, as if it was drawing in a deep breath. The inhale lasted for only an instant before the air filled with a rain of tiny black seeds, sending the party scattering in an attempt to avoid the attack.

Liane threw her free hand up to shield herself form the razor-sharp rain. The seeds seemed to be able to cut whatever they fell against, the numerous tiny slashes in her tunic and the stinging cuts on her hands attesting to the danger of the plant. Okay, this is not good… she grimaced as the rain began to subside and she lowered her arm to find Presea already rushing at the plant. We have to end this, fast….

"Devastation," Presea muttered as she held her ax close and leapt into the air, allowing the weapon to lead the way as she flipped into a downward strike at the plant. The creature's remaining vines whipped into a frenzy as the cut severed their brethren from one side of the plant.

As Presea landed and retreated, Genis laughed, a slightly cocky sound set against the battle they hadn't anticipated. "Wanna charge?" the mage asked from the back of the party where the purple light of his rune bands lit the rock wall. "Thunder Blade!" The cave roared with the strike of the blade Genis had summoned as it struck the creature's body squarely, the crackle of lightning rippling down the length of its vines.

"Help is on the way," Raine called to her companions from the mouth of the cave. The Professor pushed her staff up into the air, releasing a flurry of pale green wraiths out into the cave. "Nurse!" she commanded as her spell sought out each of her companions. "Don't underestimate it!"

As if to prove the Professor's point, the creature snapped its vines against the rock walls of its corner of the cave and then sent them out at the fighters that circled it. The vines were writhing… grasping for anything it could catch of them.

"That's getting harder to do," Lloyd grumbled as he ran from the place he had taken in front of Genis, jerking his blades up into the air with a leap at the plant. "Tiger Rage!" the young swordsman called, striking out at the creature as he fell back to the ground and quickly sidestepped a retaliatory swipe of a vine.

Ducking under a vine, the Duke jumped at the plant monster once again, throwing out his left leg to sweep it back and forth across a thick stock. Smoke rose from where his Flame Greaves connected with the creature. "Don't like that, huh?"

"Yeah, and take some of this, too!" Zelos laughed as he dashed in to take Regal's place as the shackled man retreated. "Burn, baby!" he grinned as he dropped into a slight crouch and launched himself up into the air. "Hell Pyre!" A graceful arc of the redheaded Chosen's blade flashed and took the form of a trio of fireballs that struck the base of the plant.

The attack faded to leave a few small fires burning in the grass at the base of the plant, but the creature continued to contort and flail even after the flames burned away. After another shudder, the air once again filled with a black rain of seeds.

"Everyone's a critic! Sheesh…" Zelos groaned and swiped his shield out before him to deflect the rush of the attack.

"That's it…" Genis murmured from where he crouched down behind the protection of Lloyd and his Guardian shield. "Liane! It's practice time!"

Liane looked over as she released her own Guardian. Fire… plants hate fire, her mind whispered as her heart thumped nervously. He was right… it was a good chance… a large target surrounded by rock walls. "Okay…" she nodded, seeing that the mage was already working his own fire spell. Colette was already sweeping in close to the plant, and Regal had placed himself between her and the plant without a word. She sighed and drew her sword up before her, closing her eyes to picture the rune pattern Genis had tried to teach her the night before. Got to watch the order….

"Ring Whirlwind!" Colette called out as she threw her arms wide and into a spin, her momentum carrying her chakrams through a series of slashes that further marred the petals of the plant.

"Cyclone Seal!" Sheena's demand came as Colette pulled her chakrams back and floated up out of the reach of the creature's questing vines, giving the blonde girl only barely enough time to get out of range before the winds began to whip around the plant. A green glow built from the base of the spell up… and it finally resolved into a wall of swirling cards. No sooner had the spell taken shape, the ninja swiped her own physical card up into the air – and the cyclone collapsed onto the plant, cutting into petals and vines alike.

Presea patiently edged closer to the plant until Sheena's attack began to fade, but before the green cards that lodged in the bark-like flesh of the creature could completely evaporate, she was already leveling a horizontal swing at it, as if she was intent on chopping her enemy down. "Beast," the pink-haired girl murmured as her ax arced up through the air and turned for a downward slash that blasted out at the creature and rocked it back against the cave wall.

The plant shook, convulsing against the rocks, even its roots twitching. The motions slowly grew into waves of deliberate jerks that finally succeeded in righting the creature. It swayed wildly for a moment longer before it suddenly stopped and dropped the frayed petals of its head to the group. The petals suddenly snapped open to reveal an empty-eyed skull, its jaw open in a silent howl that suddenly spewed a black cloud of angrily buzzing beetles at the party.

At the edge of her concentration, Liane heard Regal invoke his Bastion… and she quickly double-checked her spell. Something had happened… and she needed to fight for herself, not hide behind the others. She could feel the spell pulling on her reserves… but she could also feel that it was stable. "Time to clean out the garden," she sighed and set her jaw as she opened her eyes and swept her sword out to direct the spell past Regal. "Eruption!"

The ground beneath the plant began to split at Liane's command, bleeding an angry glow of red mana that swelled up beneath the creature until it engulfed it almost completely from sight with a blast of golden-red mana that painted the cave with color and heat. I did it! It worked! Liane started to smile and turn to Genis….

"Reduce this evil soul to ashes!" the young mage commanded from the heart of his own burning rings of mana before he thrust his kendama up into the air. "Explosion!"

Liane's jaw fell open as she looked back to the plant. It was still swaying from her attack when the air above it tore open to allow an enormous fireball to slam down on the creature. The force of the blast rocked the room, but the dark-haired swordswoman looked over to her young friend, she could clearly see the glint of excitement in his eyes. "Glory hog," she laughed and shook her head.

Genis only laughed sheepishly as he slid his eyes back to her and shrugged.

"Light! Photon!"

The Professor's call sounded over the residing crackle of her brother's spell, but even as the air above the plant split to rain down a shower of light, Zelos ran in close, purple mana crackling over the length of his blade as he shoved it into the plant. "Lightning Blade!"

Limbs charred from the rapid series of attacks, they could only tighten and twitch as lightning stabbed down into its skull-faced flower. For a moment, the plant swayed, its roots almost losing their grip in the churned-up soil before it slammed its viney tentacles down into the ground and released another wave of hissing beetles. Zelos ducked under the swarm but they arced up through the air to fall down on the casters that had so thoroughly punished the plant.

"Run in close!" Lloyd called out, following his own command as he charged forward, running under the rain of insects, his blades crossed before him. "Finish this thing!" His twin blades swept out to his sides, the metal streaming mana as he leapt up into the air and then angled down at the plant. "Rising Falcon!"

Wow…. Liane's eyes were fixed on her friend's attack with a mixture of awe and envy, even though her feet were following his orders on their own. Lloyd's attacks were changing… growing more powerful, revealing an instinctive talent that couldn't help but impress her. The beetles were just beginning to rain down on her as she ran out from beneath the biting, stinging curtain, but her path to the plant was open. Aware of heavy footsteps behind her that beat in time with her own, she carefully swept her blade down to her side and opened her mana stores to the sword as she swung it up, releasing one and then a second arc of mana with the rolling slash. "Double Demon Fang!" she called, waiting only long enough to be sure the attack struck before pivoting to get out of Regal's way.

The monster shrieked as Liane's attack caught it off guard, reeling from the onslaught, temporarily stunned. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the convict spun on his left leg to deliver three strong kicks with his right, falling into a crouch to deliver a low kick, and then he leapt into a flip leaving his left leg extended to deliver one more blow with the fire elemental greaves. "Wolverine!"

Lloyd walked past the shackled man to approach the unmoving plant, kicking it gently with the toe of his boot before he looked back to his companions in the now-quiet cave. "That thing was pretty touch," he muttered, shaking his head with a long exhale.

"I don't think 'pretty' had any part in that thing," Liane sighed and sheathed her sword. It hadn't been a particularly difficult fight, but she didn't feel the mana loss quite as much as she thought she would after actually completing a spell like Eruption. She smiled at the thought. "I'm never going to look at my mother's garden the same again, though."

Raine moved through the group to kneel beside the plant that the fallen creature had protected so ferociously. "So this was the real reason it's in a 'difficult place,'" she murmured and reached out to carefully snap off the upper part of the plant, leaving the rest to recover and sprout again.

"Oh, well," Lloyd shrugged and guided his blades into their scabbards at his sides. "We got the plant, so it's all good."

Regal nodded and shook his head so that the bulk of his blue hair fell back over his shoulder. "Indeed."

For once, Liane felt like she had actually made a difference in a fight. Her friends had protected her and taught her… and, though she knew she still needed practice, she had helped. It lightened her steps slightly as she shouldered her pack and turned to watch Raine gently store the Mana Leaf Herb in her own pack. That's it… we almost have what we need to save Colette.

It was more optimism than she had allowed herself in some time, but it helped. It was even easier to remove herself from the stomach-twisting trip back to the path that returned them to the Storyteller's hut. It was more a matter of will, she decided – giving in and turning green was acceptable – getting sick and slowing the group down was not. They'd worry… she frowned as she looked to the front of the group to where Regal and Lloyd stood before the door of the Storyteller's home. I can handle this….

The hooded man opened the door after Lloyd knocked, offering them a pleasant nod and a hint of a smile. "So you've made it back safely," he observed, his calm voice sounding pleased with the outcome.

"You knew about the giant plant guarding the Mana Leaf Herb, didn't you?" Lloyd asked with a tilt of his head as the Storyteller moved aside and gestured for the party to enter.

"Yes," the hooded man replied, though there was no apology in his tone. "But even if I had told you, your actions would not have changed. I felt a very strong will from you."

Lloyd nodded as he led his group into the hut. "Of course. It's for our very important friend."

"Lloyd…." Colette murmured as she paused to look back to the swordsman, her smile both shy and grateful.

Liane saw Lloyd blush. Colette was special to all of them, but she knew him well enough that if any of them needed help, the boy would move the earth and heavens alike to be sure those he cared about were safe. She followed the others to a small sitting area and sat down on a wooden stool, taking advantage of a moment of rest before they continued. The churning sound that could be heard outside the hut revealed itself inside in the form of massive tears that resembled the inner workings of a clock. It was almost hypnotic to watch, but not distracting enough to keep her from hearing the curiosity in Raine's voice as she chatted with their host while they crossed the room to rejoin the others.

"By the way," the Professor added to her questions about the plant-defender, which the Storyteller called 'Plantix.' "Have you lived here long?"

The Storyteller chuckled softly and bobbed his head as he passed through the group and then turned to face them. "Yes. I am the one who passes on the lore of the elven village to the next generation. Here, I weave various stories into the mana leaf cloth."

"What kinds of stories?" Presea asked softly as she crouched to the ground and shifted to sit back on her heels.

The hooded man smiled. "Legends of elves descending from the sky, and the birth of humans… the rise and fall of the Balacruf Dynasty. The arrival of angels. The Giant Kharlan Tree, the Kharlan War… and the story of the hero, Mithos."

A ripple of gasps lifted from the group at the Storyteller's answer. "Hey, hey, hey!" Zelos shook his head, one eyebrow arched accusingly at the hooded man. "I thought the hero, Mithos was taboo in Heimdall!"

"This is not Heimdall," the Storyteller replied with a sweep of his hand as if brushing the question away. "I live here to pass on the legends without being bound by the customs of Heimdall."

Lloyd's eyebrows knit together for a moment of uncertainty… and then he drew in a quick breath. "Just who was the hero, Mithos?" he asked as the breath pushed the question out. "We hear his name everywhere we go."

"His name came up in the pacts with the Summon Spirits," Colette added eagerly as the Storyteller's gaze slipped to her.

"The legend of Mithos was involved in curing Colette's illness, too," Sheena commented, a ring of suspicion in her voice as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Liane twisted her fingers together to keep from fidgeting. Hearing all of the 'coincidences' strung together made her anxious. "Even schoolchildren know his name and the stories of his deeds. But so much of that is shared between the worlds… it's getting difficult to see what the truth is."

The Storyteller nodded as each of them spoke, the motion constant as he merely clasped his hands behind his back and let them speak. When the questions faded into the mechanical whirr of the gears at the back of the hut, he lifted his head. "Mithos was… born in Heimdall. He was an outsider who was cast out of the village when the Kharlan War began. He ended the Kharlan War with his three companions so that he could return to the village."

"An outsider?" Raine murmured, her perplexed expression fading as her eyes widened. "Does that mean… he was a half-elf?"

Zelos turned to stare at the Professor in disbelief. "Mithos was a half-elf?! That's impossible!"

Liane glanced over to the redhead, taking in his surprise. I suppose as the Chosen, he probably had a lot more faith in his education than most others, she told herself as she saw that Colette looked almost as surprised. "Not really impossible," she murmured as she slowly took in the new possibility. "If Mithos the Hero and the Mithos that the spirits claimed to be pacted to were one in the same… it actually makes sense." Especially if what Sheena said about summoners having elven blood is true.

"Yes, Mithos was a half-elf," the Storyteller confirmed their discussion calmly. "Only one of his companions was human, and the others were half-elves. They were treated as outcasts, but overcame that and put an end to the war."

"I believed in him…."

It was the faintest of whispers in the back of her mind… like the words to a long-forgotten song. Liane blinked, realizing how easy it was to empathize with such a human. "Even then, there were people that could see past the labels," she murmured, somehow reassured by the thought. She believed in Genis and Raine… trusted them with her life… would that have been that much different for Mithos' human companion? "That just proves how irrational the discrimination is… a half-elf brought peace to the world…."

"Then why is his name taboo in Heimdall?" Regal asked, his mouth set in a frown as he looked from Liane back to the Storyteller.

Genis huffed and kicked his toe into the ground, his eyes fixed down. "It's because he's a half-elf," he muttered sullenly.

The Storyteller shook his head. "No, that's incorrect," he told the silver-haired boy, and waited for Genis to look up before he swept his eyes over the party again. "It is because the hero, Mithos, loved by Origin, is also a fallen hero."

"A fallen hero?" Lloyd repeated the term with a deep-set frown. "What do you mean?"

"Mithos… is a hero… it's how we're all taught," Liane murmured, shaking her head. "There wasn't anything in the legends of a fall," she continued. Intellectually, she knew that it was silly to cling to legends that had been passed down – and likely twisted – over so many centuries… especially when they had already found faults in those legends. But it didn't keep her mind from trying.

The Storyteller tilted his head, observing his audience for a few moments before he drew a deep breath. "The ones who betrayed Origin and used the power of the magic sword given by Origin to split the world in two, were none other than Mithos and his companions." He paused as if he was expecting one or all of them to object. When none of them did, he lifted his chin. "Mithos Yggdrasill, his older sister Martel, and their companions, Yuan and Kratos. The four angels changed the nature of the world, and that is why their names are taboo in Heimdall."

The sound of the gears at the back of the hut suddenly became deafening as the party stared at the Storyteller.

"Yggdrasill of Cruxis is… the hero, Mithos?" Lloyd breathed out, his eyes wide and his head slowly shaking from side to side in denial. "And his companions were Martel, Yuan, and Kratos? That's impossible!"

"No," Liane whispered, though the growing volume of her friend's voice only barely pierced the fog that had closed in around her. Whether the single word was echoing Lloyd's declaration or disagreeing with it, she felt cold. Kratos…?

Colette moved a step closer to the Storyteller, her arms limp at her sides. "Kratos is… the friend of a hero from 4,000 years ago?"

"Even an elf cannot live that long," Regal murmured, clearly skeptical of the Storyteller's words.

Kratos can't be… 4,000 years old. The thought was soft in the back of Liane's mind… so quiet it was almost silent. It was crazy… it almost made her want to laugh. But somehow, she couldn't. The seemingly wild leap was amazingly easy to take – no matter how impossible – when set against everything else they had seen and learned, it actually made perfect sense. "He… is an angel…" she spoke before she could stop herself.

"Angels can use special combat abilities developed during the Kharlan War," the Storyteller nodded. "One ability uses the body's mana to alter its metabolism and stop the body's internal clock. This allows them to stop aging and become capable of living longer than elves…."

"I think… it is not good for one to exceed the lifespan of its species," Presea commented as her small hands curled into tight fists.

"With all that you've seen… all you've lived through… why would you ever want me…?"

The despair in the question made Liane clench her eyes shut, the sensation of speaking the words so strong that it almost completely washed Presea's comment away as the swordswoman fought to be certain she wasn't speaking them out loud. Behind her eyelids, there were no visions playing out for her… there were only voices… one that sounded almost as familiar to her as her own… and the other….

"The wait was worth it… to be with you."

Liane struggled to take control back from the memory as she clenched her jaw tight over a sob that fought to break free… a feat made even harder as another sensation was added… the unmistakable feel of fingertips brushing over her cheek as if to wipe away tears.

It's true. There was no doubt in her mind. No matter how improbable, after everything they had seen on their journey… after how many "certain" things that they knew as fact had crumbled before their eyes… she knew that, even if she believed nothing else that their journey had revealed, the Storyteller's tale was true. Liane opened her eyes, keeping her eyes down. "It… makes sense," she spoke carefully, hoping no one would catch the shake in her voice. But… what does it change…?

"I'm totally confused," Lloyd shook his head harder and looked back to Liane with a frown. "None of this makes any sense."

"Really?" Zelos retorted as Liane looked up when Lloyd contradicted her. The redhead rolled his eyes and huffed. "There's at least one thing we know for certain. The power of Origin is involved with the splitting of the world. And the magic sword… that's the key."

Liane closed her eyes again, trying not to think of Lloyd's response as one of anger toward her. They were all confused.

"He won't stop until he has me back. I can't change that. His power depends on Origin…."

Once again, Kratos' voice pushed its way past Liane's own thoughts. There was something behind the words, though… a deep sorrow… an unspoken apology. She was losing control… but she was still clinging to what little she could. Not now. This is not the place, she told herself and forced her concentration back to the conversation going on around her.

"We must be careful not to lose sight of the true problem," Raine stated calmly as if addressing her students. "Our final goal is to save the worlds."

Sheena turned to the Professor. "Yeah. We couldn't control the Giant Kharlan Tree, but if we can return the worlds to their true form…."

"At the very least, we can reform this system that vies for mana," Regal completed the summoner's statement and looked back to Lloyd, awaiting the teen's input.

Liane looked up as well, attempting to keep her thoughts focused on matters at hand… things that could be changed or affected more than phantoms of her mind. "We know more of the truth than people have for centuries… we have to use that to our advantage," she offered as Lloyd looked over and met her gaze. His brown eyes were troubled… clouded… and she understood completely.

"Yeah," the swordsman finally sighed as a look of frustration passed over his face and he ran a hand back through his hair. "You're right."

"It's a waste of time to think when you have no good ideas."

It was a duet of voices that commented on Lloyd's careful agreement, but no one looked more surprised than the speakers themselves – Zelos and Genis. The two merely stared at each other in muted shock for a moment – and then broke into grins that contrasted drastically with the heavy discussion that the Storyteller's revelation had spawned.

Lloyd rolled his eyes. "You guys are mean."

Even as Genis and Zelos chortled at the first true instance of agreement that they had shared, Presea reached out to touch Lloyd's glove to get his attention. "Let's go on to our next destination."

Colette spun back to the Storyteller, who had been silently observing the party as they grappled with the information he had given them. "Thank you very much for telling us the story," she clasped her hands together and nodded to the hooded man.

"May the Giant Kharlan Tree protect you," the Storyteller replied, bowing his head to the blonde girl and watching as the party slipped out of his hut.

It wasn't doing much protecting in Sylvarant, Liane frowned and stood from the stool to follow the others. But even as the rest of the party quietly muttered to each other as they gathered outside the hut, Liane found it harder to keep her thoughts from drifting to the things that suddenly made sense. That's how he knew what to do about Colette's illness, she realized even as her mind continued to string the impossible elements together. He traveled with Martel… she was sick… it's why her name pops up with the pieces of the cure. Her eyes widened as she moved into the gathering with the others. He traveled with the woman - the half-elven woman - that both worlds regard as a Goddess.

"Now we just need a Mana Fragment," Lloyd sighed as his hands closed on the hilts of his swords. "I wonder if there really are any in Derris-Kharlan…."

Raine tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I'm also curious about Origin's magic sword. That might be a key to saving the world…" she murmured, her voice drifting off as she twisted her hands around her staff.

Liane shivered for no particular reason. "If… if Mithos split the worlds with its power, we might have to have it… but where would he keep something like that," the dark-haired young woman mused, rubbing her hands over her arms to shake off the chill that the mention of Origin's sword had brought for her. "It might be in Derris-Kharlan? Maybe we can find out something about it while we're there?"

"But… it will be dangerous," Regal stated, turning his even gaze on Liane after her suggestion.

The Tethe'allan Chosen shrugged indifferently. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?"

Lloyd tilted his head to Zelos. "What's that mean?"

The party fell silent as they stared at the swordsman. Genis finally let his arms fall to his sides. "It means, if you don't face danger, you won't receive anything important," the mage groaned in exasperation.

"Oh," Lloyd nodded, his smile slowly returning as the translation settled on him. "I see."

Raine sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, Lloyd. You make me sad."

Liane couldn't have stopped herself from glaring at the mentor even if she had wanted to try. "Because that helps things," she grumbled and turned slightly away from the party. She knew as much as the revelation about Kratos and Cruxis had put her off-balance, Lloyd was dealing with the same thing in his own way. Criticism isn't going to help him any… not with this much more on his mind. She shook her head and tried to push the flash of anger away, knowing that she'd already made enough of a spectacle of herself.

Lloyd shrugged off the Professor's comment as he normally did and chuckled. "But Zelos is right," he continued as if nothing had broken the conversation since the redhead had spoken. "Let's go to Cruxis' main base, Derris-Kharlan!"

"But how are we going to get there?" Colette asked with a worried frown.

Zelos shrugged casually. "According to the scriptures, the Tower of Salvation is the entrance."

Derris-Kharlan… Kratos will be there…. Liane frowned, her eyes on the ground. Would it be different… knowing the truth? It had been bad enough when they had first seen him after he betrayed them… she had wanted to see the man that she inexplicably saw as a friend… but that person was mixed with the angel that had drawn his sword on them and tried to take their friend away from them. What will he be now? She knew the difference would likely be entirely in her mind, but that was almost her greatest fear in itself. Biting her lip, she turned back to the group. "If that's the ultimate destination for the Chosen in their journey, it would make sense that it is the link between the worlds and Derris-Kharlan…."

"Then we should go to the Tower of Salvation," Lloyd nodded, his decision made as he looked at Zelos. "There's one on this side, too, right?"

The redhead nodded. "Well, yeah, there is one," he answered, though there was hesitation in his voice. "But unfortunately, we need my Cruxis Crystal. The Cruxis Crystal acts as a key to the Tower of Salvation."

"You know a lot about it," Raine commented with a slow nod of approval.

Zelos laughed. "Well, I am the great Chosen One, after all."

"I see," Lloyd's eyes widened in understanding before they flashed to Colette and then back to Zelos. "You were born with a Cruxis Crystal, too."

"Yep," Zelos puffed out his chest with a slightly smug smile. "My sister has it right now. She's in the Abbey located southeast of the Toize Valley Mine."

Liane looked up. The fact that Zelos had a sister had struck her as strange enough, but that she had his Cruxis Crystal was bizarre. The Priests in Iselia would have flipped if Colette's crystal was too far from her, she thought as she remembered the temple elders… and particularly the ones that gave their lives so that Colette could receive the Oracle. Maybe it's not such a big deal for the Chosen of the flourishing world? Then she looked at Zelos' smile again. Or maybe it's just that Zelos does as he likes….

"Okay, let's head there," Lloyd nodded and turned to lead the party back toward the river….

… ugh. Now we have to leave. Liane clenched her sword's hilt tighter as she waited to fall in with the others, locked in a momentary debate of which was worse – having more information that remarkably opened more questions… or the trip down the gorge via magic bubble. But before she even got closer to a decision, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a worried look from Regal. She knew better than to think he had missed her reaction to the Storyteller's tale, but what could she tell him? With no option other than a blatant lie, she gave him a weak smile and a small shake of her head that she hoped only he would see. Sorry, Regal. I don't even know what to tell myself.

The blue-haired man gave her a subtle nod and gestured for her to walk ahead of him. Liane knew the topic wasn't closed, but she also knew that he would wait until she wanted to open it to him. It was a courtesy that left her alone with the shards of truth as Lloyd cast the Sorcerer's Ring to wrap the magic bubble around the party and set them drifting back down the canyon.

He's four thousand years old.

As Liane attempted to keep her mind from the slightly nauseating float of the bubble, she found it easiest to start with the most basic pieces… those that would frame all the others. While it was crazy on the surface, it made sense even before she added in the fact that she simply knew it was true.

He fought in the Kharlan War… he joined Mithos, Martel, and Yuan to end the war.

Again, the concept felt like more fact than fiction. The only given… was that there would be another battle. It was never clear that the war could end… until Mithos stepped in. For a moment, Liane felt as if she could almost tell a version of the war that she had never read in a book… a tale told from the point of view of a veteran. It was disorienting even without the lazy bobbing of the bubble. As much as the part of her that she recognized as sand screamed at her that she was letting her imagination get out of control, she was sure that, even if she didn't know the exact words, she knew the stories.

Worse, she knew that Kratos was the one that had told them to her.

Liane swallowed hard.

Not to me… to her.

The ride in the magic bubble suddenly seemed a world away. She was the reason Liane wasn't truly surprised by the Storyteller's revelations… she was the reason Liane couldn't find it in herself to call Kratos an enemy and move on with the rest of the group. Even with those certainties more clear than ever before, the woman her visions had once named 'Anna' felt like almost more of a mystery than Kratos. Perhaps it was how genuine her visions felt – absolutely real except that Liane knew they weren't something she had ever experienced. She had felt what it was like to fall in love… to fight for her life… to be a wife and a mother… and to die… all through the eyes of another.

It's not fair.

How many times had she heard and even acknowledged that life wasn't fair? Liane almost felt like a hypocrite for her complaint. But even as she closed her eyes and allowed herself a moment to embrace the anger, she knew it couldn't last, even if it wasn't quite ready to fade just yet.

I just don't want someone else's experiences. I want my own.

Liane didn't want a stranger's influence on whether or not she trusted Kratos… wasn't knowing 'why' better than simply knowing that she did?

Wasn't finding that she could love someone better than just knowing that she should and perhaps did?

The dark-haired young woman sighed out a pent-up breath as the ground beneath her feet was suddenly solid again.

Four thousand years….

She opened her eyes to see the familiar path back to the mouth of the gorge ahead. One more trial was almost behind them… but how many more awaited? Would Kratos be harder or easier to face now that they knew the truth?

I wonder how long he's been alone….

The twist in her thoughts sent a tremor through her that she didn't have time to brace against. Her wild theory that had hatched from puzzled frustration fit so nicely with when they had met Kratos at the Temple of Martel, but it had also had been bound by the fact that Kratos was twenty-eight – not that much older than most of the party. But without that limitation…. Liane's mouth went dry.

If he hasn't aged… he looks the same… sounds the same. It could have been any time. The man I've seen in my dreams and visions could be long gone by now.

Liane felt her cheeks heat and she quickly ducked her head. She wasn't embarrassed… it was far more shame that washed over her. Could I be that blind? How could I be so stupid to assume that it was all new? All fresh for him?

She almost laughed as her heart sank further. He still went back… after all Yggdrasill did to him… to them.

'Insanity' suddenly leapt to the top of the list of preferable explanations for what she'd seen. The strength of its claim was only rivaled by another theory… one she either hadn't or wouldn't have truly considered before.

Reincarnation.

Liane followed the others in a silent daze as the elf that guarded the entrance to the gorge wished them well on their journey. She saw her companions releasing their Rheairds and she mimicked their actions though her thoughts were nowhere near the Latheon Gorge. Is it really possible? she interrogated herself as the flock of Rheairds lifted into the air. In another life… I was his… and he was mine? Some part of her had always liked the possibility that there was more after one drew their last breath – another chance… or maybe just that some part of that person would live on in the world. The question was something more existential than she ever truly liked to think about – not with her early brush with death. But she never even considered the chance that she would be an exhibit of proof that reincarnation was possible.

Setting her jaw as the group banked their flyers to follow Zelos' lead, Liane pulled herself back from the thoughts that were beginning to spiral into the abyss of the unanswerable. It's just another possibility, she told herself stubbornly, refusing to give in entirely to the answer that seemed to tie everything up so neatly. Everything I've seen… it's been fractured… out of order. Maybe there's something else.

Then, that same voice of logic laughed, though it was eerily without amusement.

Would it be so bad if it were true?

The answer came so quickly that she gasped, the puff of air blasting back into her lungs from the speed of the Rheairds.

Yes.

It wouldn't be like the epic literary romances where lovers parted by tragic death recognized each other in the next life. Kratos was still living his life. Even if she was this other woman reborn, he was still Kratos… and she was different. She wasn't the same person he had loved and allowed into his life.

It does explain why he seems protective one moment… and shoves me away in the next. He knows… he sees that I'm just a shadow of her.

She couldn't stop her heart from clenching or from giving in to the possibility that so deviously wove all the reasons together. Love of a lifetime… she choked, grateful for the whipping winds and whining engines that brought her privacy for the moment.

Except his lifetime is still going.

Liane bit the inside of her lip sharply as she realized that their flight was slowing, the bitter tang of blood pulling her back from the despair she was building for herself. It's just one theory, she sniffed as she throttled back on the Rheaird's engine and dropped into the waving grass plain bounded by the ocean. Just another possibility. It doesn't change anything if it's true… and I don't have time to humor it now. The silent chastisement was cold, but there wasn't time for her to fall apart and crawl into herself. Not with what's coming.

Not even if Kratos is there.

Stowing her Rheaird into its wing pack bought Liane enough time to quickly swipe at her eyes and check her control… just to be sure that the vexing possibility was locked away for another time that she already feared would come too soon. She drew a deep breath and turned to join the others as they started out onto the sun washed peninsula that held a small stone structure up as if it was showing it off to the waves.

Just breathe, she coached herself. Don't look any of them in the eye yet… you can do this.

Zelos led the way to the front door of the abbey and pushed it open without hesitation. Tossing a quick wave to the pair of armored guards that stood sentry beside the staircase just inside the door, the redhead seemed familiar with the abbey… or at least enough to give Liane the confidence that he knew where he was going. It was enough for her to cautiously let her mind wander… especially with the eminent promise of meeting Zelos' sister. They keep her in an abbey… probably to keep the Chosen and a potential Chosen from being in the same place… some kind of Cruxis backup plan. Even though she knew she was assuming quite a bit, the wary distrust of Cruxis felt good… comfortable.

When they emerged from the stairwell into a room with a wide ocean view, Liane's eyes widened at the sight of the redheaded girl that turned to them. There was no way that she could deny the resemblance between Zelos and the girl that looked no older than Genis or Presea. Her fair skin contrasted with what appeared to be a Wilder family trait – flaming red hair – and wide eyes of ocean blue that widened as they fixed on Zelos.

"Big bro – " the girl started, the excitement that lit her eyes just starting to creep into her voice before she suddenly snapped her mouth shut with a huff and crossed her arms over her chest. "I see that the Chosen is his usual self," the girl groaned haughtily, "… wandering around aimlessly."

The party exchanged puzzled glances at the mercurial shift in the girls' mood, but Zelos merely chuckled and approached her, his hand extended to her. "Yo Seles!" he greeted the girl. "I need that Cruxis Crystal I left with you. Give it back to me."

Seles glared up at her brother for a moment before the glare slipped to his hand… and then she turned with a snort to the small bed table beside her. "As you wish!" she declared with well-sugared fake pleasure, flipping open the lid of a small wooden box and dipping her fingers in to remove something that flashed gold and red as she spun back and quickly slapped it into his outstretched hand. "After all, it rightfully belongs to the Chosen."

"Yep," Zelos agreed and flipped the crystal up into the air before catching it and shoving it into his pocket.

"Now, if your business here is done," Seles sniffed in irritation, her petite nose thrusting up into the air as he lifted a hand to point to the stairs. "I humbly request that you leave. Immediately."

The party stood in shocked silence as Zelos chuckled and shrugged, an exaggerated sigh drawing his shoulders down as he pivoted on his heel. "All right, all right," he held his hands up in surrender. "Guess I'm as unpopular as ever," he shook his head, though he was still smiling as he began to walk back to the stairs. "Poor me…."

The interaction disturbed Liane in a way she couldn't quite find words to describe. The thought that Zelos had a sister had charmed her somehow… but after seeing them together… they… can't stand each other? There was no apparent familial tie in how they spoke. How… sad….

"W…wait… big bro…."

Seles' voice was suddenly soft, and completely lacking the sharp edge it had bore just the moment before. Zelos stopped, hesitated, and then turned to look over his shoulder to the girl… one eyebrow arched and his grin resurfacing as his eyes fell on his little sister. "Hmm?" he purred. "What is it, my darling little sister?"

Seles' eyes flared and her cheeks were suddenly as red as her hair as she growled in frustration and spun back to the window, her back squared to him. "Nothing!"

"Oh, all right then," Zelos pouted, though his eyes still danced with amusement as he shrugged and started down the stairs with a casual wave over his shoulder.

As Zelos' footsteps echoed down the stone passage, no one moved… except for Seles, whose arms went taut at her sides as her hands curled into fists. Her shoulders then heaved with a sigh. "Please take care…."

The girl's soft plea was little more than breath, but in the silence, it stood out clearly. Lloyd tilted his head as he watched Seles for a moment and then shook his head. "He couldn't hear that, you know."

"I didn't say anything!" Seles exploded as she spun once again, an accusing anger in her eyes as she seemed to take notice of her brother's companions for the first time. "So it doesn't matter if my big brother couldn't hear it."

Genis grinned as an indignant snort punctuated the girl's statement. "Aha!" he pointed at her. "You called him big brother!"

"N… no, I didn't!" the redheaded girl shook her head vehemently, her bobbed hair flaring and almost matching her cheeks where it brushed over them. "There's no way I'd have a brother like that," she ground out through clenched teeth as she stomped her foot and pointed to the door. "Now, please leave!"

Liane heard Genis still snickering as he and Lloyd both turned with a shrug, but Liane was slower to turn away. Zelos didn't seem surprised by his sister's treatment. He might be annoying… but he's still her brother. It was clear that it was one more story she hadn't heard… but it still struck her as sad…

… until she caught the last part of a mutual glare between Seles and Sheena the moment before it was Sheena's turn to stomp down the stairs, leaving Line to follow after the ninja with a frown. Now I really feel like I missed something. Sheena's mixed up in this, too?

The group found Zelos outside the abbey, leaning casually against the wall as he waited for them. "Well, what do you think?" he chuckled and nodded his head to the stone tower of the building behind him. "I'm well-loved, aren't I?"

Despite his carefree grin, it was impossible to miss the bitterness in his tone. Exchanging uneasy glances with the others, Liane fidgeted with her ponytail where it fell over her shoulder for a moment. "I… don't think she's what I expected…" she murmured carefully, holding back the questions she wanted to ask – like how a brother and a sister could treat each other so coldly.

"She's certainly not very friendly," Lloyd shrugged, his observation hesitant as he watched Zelos push away from the wall.

The redheaded Chosen chuckled and waved off the other swordsman's comment. "Don't be too hard on her," his smile mellowed slightly. "She was sickly ever since she was a kid. But despite that, her mother…" his voice trailed off into a sighed laugh. "Ah… never mind."

'Her' mother…? Liane raised an eyebrow. Not 'our'…?

Colette moved a step closer to Zelos, her hands clasped together as she watched him with concern. "As you left, she said, "Please take care,"" she told him quietly, her lips curled into a half-hearted smile.

"Oh." Zelos blinked, his easy smile faltering for only an instant before it was back brighter than before. "Well, anyway. We're ready now, right?" He pumped his fist once. "On to the Tower of Salvation."

"Yeah!" Lloyd nodded in agreement, his excitement flaring along with Zelos'.

"Wait…" Liane sighed as she fought to keep the shiver from her voice. Her objection earned her the full, questioning attention of the party that proved how she really hadn't thought things out. If we go to the Tower, we might end up in Derris-Kharlan… and if we go to Derris-Kharlan…. It was incredibly selfish… letting her fear of what she might find if they ran into Kratos delay their search for Colette's cure… but no part of it seemed right just yet. She drew a deep breath… and carefully met the eyes of her friends again, one by one. "We're not ready," she shook her head. "We don't know what we're walking into. None of us has been to Derris-Kharlan before… we don't know what to expect. We need to make sure we have supplies… and we can't just go in expecting to not have to fight." Sounds good so far…. When no one countered her reasoning, she shrugged. "It's not long before evening… let's get stocked up, set up camp somewhere… and go in the morning?" Although, I have no idea what one night will help….

"Camp, schmamp…" Zelos groaned, his grin betraying no hint of turmoil over the meeting with his sister. "We'll go back to Meltokio! A roof over our heads and supplies nearby… that beats camping any day!" He threw an arm over Liane's shoulders. "Leave it to our Warrior Goddess to come up with a plant to be sure we can deliver the hurt to Cruxis!"

Liane rolled her eyes and shrugged out from under his arm. "Enough with the 'Warrior Goddess' stuff already," she grumbled, hating that her cheeks felt hot. "And it's really not much of a plan… really…."

"Well, it is more than we had," Raine commented. "We shouldn't treat this lightly. We do need more of a solid plan before we walk into Cruxis' grasp." The Professor nodded thoughtfully. "Meltokio will do. We'll leave first thing in the morning, then."

Lloyd cast a glance to Colette as if giving her the chance to object, but when the girl simply smiled, he followed her example and nodded as well. "Well, let's get back to Meltokio, then. Get a good meal and a good night's sleep – then we'll be able to take on all of Cruxis if we have to tomorrow!"

"Hey, don't think I'm feeding you! You're a bottomless pit!" Zelos flailed his arms in mock despair as he started to lead the party away from the abbey.

Liane had to laugh at Lloyd's plan for the evening, but even that didn't do anything for the knot that curled tighter in her gut at the thought of what they would face the next day. All of Cruxis….

"Good that some things never change," Sheena laughed as she walked beside Liane. "That boy's swords and his stomach make for a force not many could hope to stand against. Glad he's on our side."

"It's always been that way," Liane murmured, watching the summoner out of the corner of her eye. The others were nearby… but it made things feel more normal. "So, what was that with you and Seles back there?" she asked casually. "It didn't seem to be the same 'guilt by association' that the rest of us got from her…?"

Sheena's cheeks flushed as her eyes darted to Zelos and then back to Liane. "It… was nothing," she stammered before a small groan pulled her shoulders down. She edged closer to Liane and sighed. "The last time I saw that girl, she accused me of bewitching her brother or something," she shrugged, but kept her voice low over an undercurrent of disdain. "She thought I was one of his 'hunnies' or something. I don't know why she ever thought that… much less why she would care… but… I guess it's safe to say we just don't get along."

The swordswoman might have laughed at how the idea of someone mistaking Sheena for one of the Chosen's groupies seemed to bother the ninja, but she understood the concept well enough herself. And she didn't feel the need to point out her suspicion that Sheena would actually like it… on more of an exclusive basis, of course. Instead, she nodded and chose to ponder the second part of Sheena's response. "They really don't seem to get along. I think it's kind of sad," she offered, but still wondered if Sheena knew any part of why."

"Their history… is sad," Sheena murmured, her annoyance melting over the space of those four words. "I guess this is just how they deal with it," she shrugged and reached for her wing pack as those of their companions began to pop into form around them.

Must be the end of the conversation, Liane frowned but followed her friend's example and released her own flyer. It's probably for the best, she told herself and stepped on to the Rheaird to fire its engine. It has to be a long story to do that to a brother and sister… and probably one that only hurts them the more they have to tell it.

The landscape that slid by beneath them became a mindless distraction as Liane realized that even Tethe'alla was becoming familiar to her. It was almost a pleasant realization… and the flight was just short enough to give her the ability to keep other thoughts at bay until later… when she might be able to count on Sheena's snoring and the protection of a dark room to sort out her thoughts and brace herself for what the next day could bring.

If that's even possible.

The late afternoon bustle of the Imperial City helped as well. Meltokio was considerably larger than any of Sylvarant's cities… and now that we're not wanted criminals any longer…. Liane allowed herself to look at the wares of the street merchants as they passed… and actually make eye contact with the occasional passing citizen without quickly looking away. It was nice… even if Zelos managed to collect a few stray hunnies that adhered themselves shamelessly to his sides until they reached his home. She would have had to be blind not to see the smirk on Sheena's lips as the redhead pried the last and most tenacious of the women from his arm and slammed the door between them to get rid of her once the party was inside.

Liane knew there was no point in bringing up the fact that Sheena seemed pleased as the two of them stowed their packs in the room they had shared just two nights before. Meddling won't help things, she told herself as she noticed the pillows and blankets she had used for her bedding during their last stay had been washed and neatly stacked in the corner of the room… yet another touch of familiarity that brought a smile to her lips.

But before they could settle into their accommodations and get ready for the oncoming night, Lloyd's voice sounded from the lower level of the house. "Hey! Everyone! We have to go to the palace! Now!"

"What's that all about?" Sheena huffed and pulled herself up to her feet from where she had been seated on the foot of the bed. "I thought Sebastian was making dinner while regal and Lloyd went and got supplies with Zelos…" she grumbled. "And here I bought into the whole 'get a good night's rest' thing… you'd think I'd learn by now, wouldn't you?"

With a sigh, Liane tightened her swordbelt over her tunic. "As long as they're not declaring us criminals again, I guess we can't complain… if that were the case, I'm sure there would have been a platoon of knights waiting for us."

I hope.

The party met Lloyd and Zelos in the entry of the Chosen's home where the swordsmen relayed what little they knew: something had happened to Princess Hilda. It wasn't much, but it was more than enough to get them on their way to the Palace, where the knights stationed at the doors were quick to usher them directly to the throne room. Just walking in to the Palace was enough to set Liane's nerves on edge, but seeing the King – seemingly once again healthy – sitting on the throne with a man clad in velvet robes beside him as he beckoned the party closer threatened to bring what little she had managed to eat that day back up.

"Chosen!" the monarch called out, clearly in relief. "It is good to see you again."

Zelos chuckled and crossed his arms, tilting his head to the bearded King. "Ah, well. As you had expressed a deep desire to avoid gazing upon my visage again, I had thought it would only be a burden for you to see me," he retorted, his voice rippling with sugary sarcasm.

Liane cringed and rolled her eyes up to the vaulted ceiling of the throne room. I hope the prison's blankets aren't too scratchy… she thought miserably, seeing the stack of clean, soft blankets back at Zelos' mansion in the back of her mind. Or that they even have blankets… that would probably be enough.

"Chosen!" The man standing beside the King sputtered, his jaw dropping. "What rudeness!"

"Rude?" Lloyd repeated from where he stood at Zelos' side. "He's the one who was saved by Zelos and didn't even thank him!"

A disturbing silence fell on the throne room as all eyes fell on Lloyd… and it was only broken when the King himself lifted a hand to silence his minister. "I cannot deny that," the Monarch dipped his head to Lloyd with a sigh before he lifted his eyes back to Zelos. "But, Chosen, while I realize the impudence, I have a request for you."

The King's humble tone brought Liane a flash of hope… and she wasn't the only one if she read the exhales of her companions correctly. But when she saw the King and his minister exchange looks, she knew the relief would be short lived.

"Princess Hilda has been… kidnapped," the Minister stated evenly as the King cast his eyes down.

"Princess Hilda?" Regal breathed out, his eyes wide as he stared at the man on the throne. "Is this true?"

The King looked up with a thoughtful frown. "Oh, Bryant," he nodded slowly. "So you, too, are a part of the Chosen's group." His frown deepened as he continued to nod. "Yes, Hilda… my daughter, was taken away by the Papal Knights."

Or a moment, Liane had worried for regal above all of them. How long ago had he told her how his freedom was ill-gotten… and if the King didn't know the Duke was helping them while he was suffering the effects of the Pope's poison, had they truly just walked back into the Palace – practically handing the blue-haired man to the king on a platter? But Regal came of his own choice – and without hesitation, she reminded herself, glancing over to her friend before she looked back up to the King… telling herself that the Monarch actually sounded relieved when he spotted Regal. "That's horrible…" she murmured softly, even though the room seemed to amplify her voice. "We stopped him… and he's taking it out on the Princess?"

"Those guys," Genis grumbled. "So they're still up to no good."

Zelos shifted his weight impatiently, his eyes still fixed on the King. "So then why was I called?"

The King lifted his chin and drew a deep breath. "They want to exchange Princess Hilda for you."

Again… silence.

"Wait a minute!" Lloyd exclaimed, shaking his head as if he didn't believe his ears. "Are you saying you want Zelos to take her place?!"

The King was already shaking his head before Lloyd's outrage was done echoing in the hall. "No. We cannot afford to lose the Chosen," he stated firmly. "I want you to pretend to go along with the exchange and round them all up for good."

Liane blinked. As unfair as the request had seemed to be at first, it actually had merit. "An exchange would draw the Pope and his men out of hiding…" she reasoned, glancing over to find Zelos' expression flat. "It could work…."

"I wonder if it will really go as smoothly as that," Raine murmured skeptically, shaking her head from side to side but not offering any resistance to the idea."

Zelos finally sighed and shrugged as he uncrossed his arms. "It's all right with me."

Lloyd turned a stare of disbelief on the Chosen. "Zelos?! Are you serious?"

"Princess Hilda hasn't done anything, right?" the redhead answered, almost sounding bored. "And besides, it'll be a chance to settle things with the Pope."

The younger swordsman's jaw tightened, but his expression quickly began to soften. "All right. If you say so," he murmured and looked back to the King. "I'll help, too."

You're going to get us all tossed in the dungeon, is what you're going to do, Liane frowned as she noted the irritated expression that the King's Minister wore every time Lloyd spoke to the King directly. They might not be wanted criminals anymore, but was there any reason to push things? "Your Highness, we will all help," she stated, lifting her voice to speak for the rest of the party as she knew that none of them would let Zelos and Lloyd fast the Pope and his knights on their own.

The Minister nodded, though his expression remained troubled. "Then, Chosen, please come this way," he gestured to Zelos, who stepped forward without hesitation. "As for Duke Bryant and the attendants, please go to the Grand Tethe'alla Bridge with the soldiers."

As the Tethe'allan King rose from his throne to accompany Zelos and the Minister, Liane heard Lloyd grumble under his breath again – and she had to smile. It was almost amusing when set against everything else that was happening… it was the man in shackles that was addressed correctly – while the rest of them were simply all attendants. It really didn't matter… it simply made Lloyd grumble. But Liane couldn't help but glance to her blue-haired friend as a troop of armored soldiers filed into the room to join them.

It suits him, she thought with a smile eve as the soldiers began to bark their orders. Surrounded by the splendor of the Palace, especially, Liane was sure she could see Regal as the noble he was. He'll be needed more than ever once we're done, she told herself and pushed her attention back to the soldiers' instructions. Regal will be a good guide for his world….

The party joined with the Tethe'allan soldiers – something that was all but impossible until recently. But the soldiers treated the fighters cordially – even Raine and Genis – and the feel of a common goal helped the trail between the Imperial City and the bridge pass quickly. It was clear that Zelos was going to be transported separately, but when she saw the redhead standing out ahead of a pair of the King's knights on the bridge of the deck, the buzz that the newfound goodwill of the Tethe'allan leadership had given Liane faded away. I know he probably couldn't show up with an entire platoon of soldiers… but… two? Zelos may as well have been alone… and the pretense of the group's presence was to escort the released Princess… but it still didn't seem – or feel – right.

A few paces out ahead of Zelos stood Tethe'alla's Princess… flanked by four papal knights. They all stood extremely still… all of them waiting… the tension building in the air.

"The Chosen and Princess Hilda will walk forward at the same time," one of the soldiers behind Zelos called out to the Papal Knights. One of the Papal Knights responded by grabbing the Princess and pushing her out before him, as if placing her on display. "When the exchange is over, we'll raise the drawbridge."

Lloyd looked over to the Professor as Zelos and Hilda began to walk toward each other. "Is Zelos going to be okay?" he asked in a worried whisper.

"I don't know," Raine answered, shaking her head but keeping her eyes on the exchange. "Don't let your guard down."

"He's still armed… and we can get to him fast if something goes wrong," Liane murmured, her hand closing over the hilt of her sword as the Chosen and the Princess got closer, her pulse picking up pace.

Sheena shifted her weight from one foot to the other and back again as her agitation manifested itself. "I can have a spirit out fast if they try anything…."

Liane shivered at the memory of the fall from the opening bridge. Undine had saved them then….

Suddenly, Zelos stopped in front of the Princess, and the girl staggered to a stop as well. "You're not the Princess!"

The sound of armor shifting and weapons being drawn echoed from the metal and stone of the bridge as Hilda stared gaping at the redhead. "I'm…!"

"You can't fool these eyes!" Zelos declared, sounding truly insulted as Lloyd led the others up onto the deck of the bridge behind him. "The Princess is more slender."

There wasn't even enough time to comment on either appreciating or condemning Zelos' observation before a cloud of smoke billowed up around the form of the Princess… and then faded on the winds to reveal the form of a woman with the blue-green hair and glasses… wearing an all-too familiar lab coat.

"Kate!" Lloyd called out in surprise as the group closed around Zelos and the researcher fell forward into Zelos' arms. "Why are you here?"

For once, Liane found herself glad for Zelos' roving eye… and how it complimented his apparent eye for detail. She drew her sword as she saw the Papal Knights rushing at them, halberds raised and ready for attack. "The Princess isn't here…" she shook her head. "We need to get out of here…."

"The Pope," Kate choked as Zelos scooped her up into his arms and retreated a step behind the others. "My… father… intends to kill… both the Chosen… and the Princess," she groaned, her face contorting in pain as she curled against Zelos' chest.

It was never meant to be an exchange, Liane set her jaw as she turned into the rushing Papal Knights and lifted her sword to deflect the closest Knight's weapon, bracing her feet and using the momentum of their locked weapons to turn him away from his companion, catching him in the side with a firm kick. She saw Zelos retreat with Kate out of the corner of her eye as she and Sheena squared themselves against the knight while the others took on his trio of companions. It was clear that they weren't prepared to fight – or perhaps it was that the Pope had sent four of his more expendable fighters. No matter the reason, it was only a few sword strokes, the blast from a Pyre Seal, and all of Liane's weight thrown into her shoulder as she slammed into the knight and sent him toppling over the railing to land flat on his back on the beach below.

The others had no more difficulty humbling the other three knights, leaving the royal Guards that had accompanied the party from Meltokio to round them up as the group gathered around Zelos.

Zelos looked up from the half-elven woman with an angered scowl. "She's been poisoned," he growled as he shook Kate lightly, her head lolling against his chest. "Hey, are you all right?!"

"My father… is… in Gaoracchia Forest," Kate replied weakly, her eyes pinched shut in pain.

Raine approached and placed her hand against the researcher's forehead. "It's all right. There's still time," she stated and cast a meaningful glance around to her companions. "Let's treat her in Meltokio."

"But… she was fine when she was the Princess," Liane frowned and sheathed her sword as the decision was made and the party turned back toward the road to Meltokio. "She wasn't staggering… or anything?"

Sheena looked over and shrugged, though her eyes were troubled. "It was an illusion technique we use in Mizuho… I'm certain of it," she sighed. "Special ones like that are created with great care… based on the illusion of disappearing that smoke bombs use. They must have laced that one with a fast-acting poison." Then the ninja shook her head in disgust. "Damn."

If it was a Mizuhoan technique, Liane knew of only one link: Kuchinawa. Sheena told them that he exiled himself from Mizuho after she had beaten him in their duel and spared his life. Now she's going to blame herself? Liane shook her head as she walked beside the summoner. "We don't know when this was planned," she told her friend quietly. "The Pope could have been planning this from the beginning… in case he got caught. He had to have had it at least as an option before you beat Kuchinawa. This isn't your fault, Sheena. If he was a part of this –" she refused to say 'is' – "it was his choice."

"Yeah," Sheena ground out her quiet agreement. "I know."

Liane knew that it would be up to the summoner to accept that Kuchinawa's path was truly his choose – the fact that he was acting out against her wasn't something she forced him to do.

The party took Kate back to Zelos' mansion, deciding that keeping her there until the Pope was in custody was easier for them… and might possibly slow the Pope if he tried to get her back and he expected her to be held at the Palace. It was a simple matter for Raine to purify the poison in Kate's system, even though it had weakened the researcher considerably. Placing her in one of the mansion's unused guestrooms, the party gathered near the canopied bed as the half-elven woman slept.

"Damn the Pope!" Lloyd growled, one hand curled into a shaking fist. "I can't believe he keeps using his own daughter to do things like this!"

Regal nodded and took a step back from the bed. "We should hurry. The Pope may try to kill the Princess."

"He'll only wait so long after his men don't come back with Zelos," Liane agreed and glanced out to the window into the Chosen's garden. It was just starting to get dark. The Pope needed to be stopped, or there was no telling what else he would do. "I'll stay here with Kate… in case someone figures out where she is and comes after her." She looked up to Zelos' manservant that lingered in the doorway as she felt questioning looks falling onto her. "There isn't much chance… but if they do come, it's not fair to Sebastian to expect him to fight."

Liane really didn't expect any objections – she knew her reasoning was sound – they could spare a melee fighter and they had stronger spellcasters, but in the small chance of an attack at the mansion, she would be enough of both to hold her foes at bay until help could arrive. Then, she caught a small, grateful nod from Sebastian… and knew she had done the right thing.

Lloyd sighed, but he still nodded and turned toward the door. "Gaoracchia Forest, right?" his smile grew a little. "Let's go."

Liane breathed out as she settled into a chair between the bed and the window and offered her friends a small wave. "Good luck…."

Raine, Sheena, and Regal all gave her looks heavy with the sentiment of 'are you sure?' but she still nodded… and found herself oddly flattered that they didn't argue. It should be quiet, she told herself with a glance back out the window. The Pope will be taken care of… they'll save the Princess… and I'll be ready to face… tomorrow… when they get back.

She sighed, her reflection looking uncertainly back at her.

I hope.

"Zelos. Are you certain? You dislike half-elves."

The whisper was almost unnoticeable in the shuffle of feet on the floor as the party slipped out of the room. Liane only just barely heard the words, but she shifted her attention from her own reflection to that of the whole room with a frown. Sebastian.

"It's all right," the redhead answered just as softly as his servant had spoken. "She… the half-elf who killed my mother long ago. They're both victims of the Pope."

Liane sucked in a quick breath. A half-elf killed his mother?? It explained a lot – especially set against the backdrop of a world that already disliked half-elves. But while so many people hated half-elves just because the rest of the world did… Zelos almost had a reason. But other than bickering with Genis… he's helped us and he's helped them. Even when he didn't seem like he wanted to.

Zelos reached out to pat Sebastian on the shoulder. "I'm going to try to stop hating people just for being half-elves."

It was a big step – Liane had to recognize that, even if she couldn't help but be a little disappointed by how he phrased it. "I'm going to try to stop…." It meant that he still did… but it also meant that he was willing to change. He had to give him credit for that.

"I understand," Sebastian nodded and turned to leave the room.

Liane turned as well, watching the redheaded young man that lingered for a moment with a long sigh. It has to be hard, she told herself.

Then Kate moaned… softly… restlessly… and Zelos turned, meeting Liane's distracted gaze before she could turn away. It was just an instant… a silent exchange, but she knew that he realized she had heard the hushed conversation he had just finished with Sebastian. The redhead hesitated for a moment before he winked at her and offered her a small shrug before he pivoted on his heel and strode to the door. "I leave things here to you, hunny. Tell Sebastian if you need anything," he waved over his shoulder and disappeared from sight.

For a moment, Liane could only stare at the empty doorway. She knew Zelos probably didn't mean for anyone to hear the conversation… but she had. She couldn't make him – or anyone else – change his mind, but she realized that she could respect him a little more for what she had heard.

"Chosen…."

The dry rasp in Kate's voice reminded Liane of part of her reason for staying behind. As she heard the echo of the closing front door of the house ripple through the house, she scooted her chair closer to the head of the bed and reached for the glass of water Sebastian had left for Kate. "Here," she murmured as she turned to help the researcher lift her head so that she could drink. "Just rest. You're safe here."

I hope. The Pope should have been more than busy enough with the group of fighters on their way to confront him… but Liane had already seen enough of his twisted schemes to be wary.

"Why did you save me?" Kate asked as she leaned back into the pillows with a pained exhale. "You should have left me on the bridge…."

Liane frowned and clasped her hands, bracing her elbows on her knees as she watched the researcher. "Because that's something the Pope would do," she answered, choosing the man's title over his relationship to the girl on the bed before her. "We're not like that. None of us are."

The half-elven woman closed her eyes and fell silent for a few long, deep breaths. "None of you owe me anything. I should be dead by now."

The sullen response angered Liane, but she bit her lip to keep from snapping too quickly. "You're right. We don't owe you, but is that what you really want? Is your life really that worthless to you?" The Swordswoman shook her head and leaned back into her chair. "I guess he really got to you, huh?" she grumbled. "No life – not yours or anyone else's – is worth anything when the Pope is involved – is that it? Presea… Princess Hilda… how many other lives have you willingly helped to destroy?" It probably wasn't a fair accusation – or the time for it, if it was – but she couldn't simply sit there and listen to Kate's self-pity. She closed her eyes and sighed, debating on just getting up and sitting in the hallway – it would still fulfill her duty… and be infinitely less frustrating. But when she opened her eyes, she found Kate watching her with a look that was all at once curious and shamed.

"It wasn't just for my father," the researcher shook her head. "It was all supposed to make the world a better place."

Liane could only stare at her. Kate genuinely believed what she said… but it was still so cold and removed from the truth. "What about all the people that wouldn't get to see that better world because of your research?" she asked, barely keeping her words even. "What about what you did to Presea… or what was done to her sister or… others?"

Kate looked down. "Great strides require sacrifice," she murmured quietly, though without any real conviction. "In the new world that they helped create, they would be heroes." Her eyes cleared a little. "And in some ways, they would still be part of it."

"What are you talking about?" Liane demanded, lifting her voice more than she meant to. A flash of the ghostly image of Alicia before her own tombstone flashed in her mind and Liane had to force her hands to stay on the wooden arms of her chair. "And don't you dare tell me that you consider Exspheres and Cruxis Crystals a way of existing in your glorious new world!"

"But it is," Kate countered, her brow furrowing slightly. Her eyes flashed to the white-knuckled grip Liane had on her chair, and she slowly drew another breath. While it's true that, in those lost to the creation of Exspheres and Cruxis Crystals, the elements that make that subject a unique being are lost, the elements that are just as important to consider it a life do live on in the resulting crystal."

Liane had to look away with disgust. "You're insane."

"The Crystals retain life energy. Life is not possible without it, therefore, it is part of a living being," Kate continued as if she hadn't heard Liane's accusation. "Energy cannot be destroyed… nor can it be created. It can only be changed. When you consider that the only other part – the consciousness, or the 'soul' as some might call it – might be lost, the other part continues to exist in the world. It is… sad that both cannot necessarily survive, but –"

"Wait." Liane shook her head and the half-elf complied. While it was a wild justification for conscienceless slaughter, there was something else to it. She met Kate's gaze with a glare. "Alicia… Presea's sister… she was trapped in her Exsphere for years… her personality… her image… all of it. Are you saying that's not normal?"

Kate tilted her head. "There have been some studies that suggest an occasional residual presence in the crystals, but it has never been proven… or replicated in a laboratory setting." She fell silent for a few moments and shook her head again. "The crystals only require energy. Any other retention is an abnormality." Then she blinked, curiosity filling her eyes. "Did you say that Alicia Combatir's Exsphere still contains her consciousness?"

Liane shuddered at the interest Kate showed in the information and ground her teeth together. "It did. It was destroyed. Don't even think about it," she almost growled. Let her rest in peace, she demanded silently at the thought that Kate would consider trying to further desecrate Alicia's resting place.

"Perhaps… at that stage in her bond with the crystal, her consciousness and the energy were still fused," Kate murmured as if she hadn't heard Liane. "It would be difficult at a later stage when the energy was more bound to the crystal than the consciousness… the consciousness would be lost without being held in bond to its energy… it would be weak by that point – and dissipate quickly once the bond was severed."

The prattling was almost enough to make Liane put her hands over her ears, but, through some kind of morbid fascination, she continued to listen. Exspheres… and Cruxis Crystals… tear their hosts apart on that deep of a level? She shivered. They take all the energy they need… and cast out the rest.

Kate pushed herself up against the pillows on the bed. "No matter how you see the results, the process is natural," she stated, her voice quiet but still firm. "Even without Exspheres in the equation, the separation of consciousness and life energy still happens occasionally and its' still considered life. So how much different is it to consider that same life energy in a crystal any different kind of survival?"

"What are you talking about?" Liane shook her head, an angered pain pulsing in her head as she heard Kate's calm series of justifications. "Natural? How can you say that a stone leeching life energy from a living being is natural? That person is gone… what made them special… it's gone – it doesn't come back."

The researcher looked down. "The introduction of the crystal… isn't natural," she shook her head. "But the separation can happen without Exspheres… the process isn't specific to their presence. In the case of some injuries – severe injuries – only the life energy might be left with the body. The bond to the consciousness can be weakened and broken from the strain… but the person still breathes… still technically lives. How is that any different? It's the same energy… just different kinds of bodies."

Liane suddenly felt cold… chilled to the bone. "Energy… alone… is not life," she stated, her throat dry as she forced the thought into such a removed analysis of life. "Without a soul… or "consciousness"… that person is lost to everyone that cares about them… to their world."

"It was only a matter of time." She remembered the story being told in the father's voice because her mother wouldn't tell the story. "You wouldn't wake up… and you were getting weaker every day."

Kate shrugged. "It makes little difference – it's all symbiotic… it's just a matter of combinations. Consciousness bound to life energy… life energy bound to a crystal. Each holds the other together in balance. The only time there is true death is when the energy is allowed to wither on its own and nothing stabilizes it. The only thing in the equation that can't survive on its own for long is the consciousness. It's too fragile." She blinked at Liane. "By that fact, an Exsphere is an infinitely superior creation. Its energy benefits the world far more efficiently."

Liane drew in a quick breath and stood so quickly that it made Kate jump. "You're deluded. That's not life… it's just existing. Those two things are very different." Her own voice scared her just a little – it was too firm… too cold. She simply couldn't listen any more. "You should sleep. Once Zelos and the others return with the Princess and your father, I'm sure you'll be moved. You'll need your energy." Turning on her heel, it took her a few steps toward the door to realize that the fists she had curled her hands into actually hurt where her nails dug into her palms.

It had only been a discussion… a theoretical discussion… an exchange of beliefs. But it had struck far too close to home.

"If I stay like this, I will live on forever. An isolated consciousness, unable to even speak, existing for eternity. It would be true hell…."

That's not life.

Kate was wrong. Exspheres weren't alive… they were a shadow of a life. Life wasn't just a state – being alive was the ability to interact… to influence… to affect. Exspheres could only be used.

It's not the same.

It's not natural.

She closed the guestroom door behind her, sagging against it once she heard the latch click shut. Liane knew that she shouldn't have engaged the researcher in a conversation in the first place, but she had actually felt bad for her… so desperate for her human father's love. It had been a slow horror to realize that Kate truly didn't seem to have any remorse for what drove her research even if she did seem to bear some guilt for those it had hurt.

It's not natural. It's not.

Nothing of what the Exspheres or Cruxis Crystals did was natural. Beneficial… in certain instances? Yes. But not at the price of a life. Liane couldn't see it as a worthy trade – ever.

She swallowed the bitter taste of her argument with Kate and drew a breath, her eyes sliding open to trace the pattern in the polished floor tiles.

She's wrong. It's not natural. I'm proof.

She was getting weaker… she wouldn't wake up. The doctor… her parents… the priests… they had all but given her up for dead.

It's not the same.

Liane shook her head, refusing any part of her own history being linked to Kate's blind rationalization.

I was asleep… and I woke up. I survived. Exspheres steal lives… but they were never truly alive.

She set her jaw against the insult of association.

I was asleep… healing. I was alive.

She had always been told that she was lucky… that she had beaten the odds… even with the memories she'd lost. Liane let out the breath she'd been holding. They said I was strong… that someone weaker would have died.

The swordswoman let her eyes close.

I am alive. Kate's wrong about me. I was never like an Exsphere.

---

A/N: We're getting closer to the end! I thank those of you that have reviewed from the bottom of my heart... I wouldn't be this far without your support and your kind words! They definitely keep the inspiration going... and I do very much need that at this point!