10/17/20


Chapter Thirty Seven

Reconnect - (Verb) Re-establish a bond of communication or emotion.

Elma stood in a park, the weather was calm and welcoming. The wide smile on her face was a common sight on this day.

Gathered in the park were many of her closest friends celebrating the date Elma had rather arbitrarily picked to be her birthday. Despite knowing that this day held no significance, the rest of the soldiers gathered were treating it as an immense occasion and she allowed them that. They were very persuasive.

"I still recall the early days."

Elma turned to Nagi, an easy smile on his face.

"When you dedicated yourself solely to your duty. Never did I imagine you'd have so many friends and people that you trust."

Elma nodded.

"Me neither...though Aeon knew from the beginning. At least to some extent."

"Of course he did."

Elma tapped her chin.

"You and Mira were the first ones we opened up to and the first ones to show trust. I'll always appreciate that, Nagi."

The man shook his head.

"All of our lives were at stake...I am cautious when the situation calls for it but who would travel unimaginable distances with a warning if it wasn't the truth?"

Elma shrugged.

"A very dedicated liar?"

Nagi laughed, the sound attracting the attention of several of Elma's friends, the first approached, a familiar crooked grin plastered on his face as he saluted towards Nagi.

"Howdy, Commander."

"Frye."

"You wouldn't mind if we stole Elma away from ya, the birthday gal shouldn't be so far removed from her party. Should she?"

Nagi could only smile.

"She shouldn't."

Frye hooked his arm around Elma and pulled her towards the rest of the group. It was a mix of her Skelletons, the Reapers and several associated ECP and Exodus staff like Kruse. Mira herself had been by moments before but urgent work called her away. It was a small gesture that made this day even brighter.

As Frye and Elma neared the group, Gwin held his drink forward, shouting something in joy while next to him Boris and Danny let loose several poppers, confetti falling over Frye and Elma.

"Hey! Save that for her you knuckleheads!"

Swinging his head around, Frye held a finger up towards Sagis and Alto.

"...and I see you two. Any more confetti lands on me I'm holding both y'all up for it."

The Blood Brothers laughed before putting their poppers away.

"We hope the celebration isn't too much, Colonel."

Reaching the relative center of the group, Frye released Elma who moved towards Irina.

"Not at all...I've never really had a gathering like this."

"Did no one else know when her birthday was? It's easily accessible public information."

Eren stated, somewhat confused as Tai put a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you snooping through people's files again?"

"It's not snooping if the information is public."

Irina crossed her arms, tilting her head.

"We're the Skelletons, of course we knew. However we don't tend to have the gathering get so...noisy. It's usually just wishes and the occasional gift. You Reapers are far more rambunctious than we are."

Tai chuckled.

"We'll wear that title with pride."

Not far from Tai and Eren, Hideo stood with his back to a tree. Nagi moved past the group, bowing his head and offering greetings before joining the other man.

Elma looked to the bench which was neatly organized and decorated with sufficient space for a rather large cake.

"They had you set this up, Kruse?"

The man looked up from his work and nodded.

"Yeah. Of course. For as duty bound as the Skelletons and Reapers are, they're not really patient for this kinda stuff. It's strange."

Tai laughed.

"I apologize for that, Kruse. We tend to dedicate all our strategic thinking to battle. Leaves us as a bunch of immature adults when we're on our off hours."

Eren rolled her eyes.

"Speak for yourself."

There were several bouts of laughter as Elma scanned the party, noting two people were absent. Given the fact that a cake was not present led her to the obvious conclusion.

"Well. It's about time!"

Gwin called out.

Everyone gathered in the park turned their attention to Jaynix and Lyla as the pair approached with a rather large cake, much bigger than most of them were expecting.

Jaynix pointed at Gwin and called back.

"Ya think a beauty like this can get done in five minutes? We pulled out all the stops!"

Lyla nodded.

"Anything for the Colonel."

Elma couldn't fight off her own smile.

"You didn't have to...none of you had to."

Jaynix and Lyla placed the cake down on the table, the latter lighting the candles as Jaynix turned.

"I think I can speak for everyone when I say...we wanted to."

"Damn straight."

Frye called out. Elma looked from person to person, something bright and warm taking hold of her heart as she locked eyes with each of them, ending on Jaynix.

"Happy birthday, Elma."

Nodding she moved towards the cake as everyone gathered around it and began singing Happy Birthday.

It was a bright memory.

One of her favorites.


September 16th, 2060

The flames cast by Feuervogel began to die down with the conclusion of the desperate battle. The jungle clearing was a terribly scorched shadow of its former self. Countless trees were cut down and destroyed by the conflict, the lake was nearly empty, protoplasmic stains dotted the brilliant green grass and Elma's weapons lay where they fell.

Yet none of that mattered. In the center of the clearing, standing in absolute silence was Elma and Jaynix. It didn't matter how much time had passed but the hour was now so late it was steadily becoming early.

Nothing existed in this world that could pull Elma away from Jaynix, she held onto her for dear life. She didn't know if the embrace was hurting Jaynix at all but she couldn't bring herself to release her.

Neither of them had spoken another word, Elma was fine with that. She knew that if she tried, she'd fail in every attempt to talk to the woman she was holding. She wanted this silence, treasured it and the collection of fond memories it brought to the forefront.

The burns along Elma's body and the massive gash along her side were immensely painful yet from the moment Elma embraced Jaynix, the pain vanished. It didn't matter. A much more potent pain, a deeper injury that she'd carried for four years was finally starting to heal.

Nothing else mattered.


September 17th, 2060

Time continued to pass, the late night turned into an early morning when Elma began to feel faint. The loss of fluids was beginning to take its toll, perhaps sensing this, Jaynix moved away from Elma, releasing her.

Taking a deep breath, Elma did the same before looking up at the other woman. Her one eye was studying her, some sense of familiarity still shined within.

Moments later, Jaynix turned and began walking away, Elma following without a word or question. The pair didn't have to travel far before reaching a secluded spot where several worn down logs lay on the ground around a gathering of twigs. This had to be Jaynix's camp, where she spent every night alone for the last four years.

Elma's attention drifted for a few moments until Jaynix stumbled. Elma rushed forward only for the other woman to hold her arm out to stop her. Righting herself, Jaynix walked the rest of the way towards one of the logs, sitting down and reaching for something just out of sight.

Elma sat down across from her, feeling immense relief from being off of her feet.

Jaynix was now holding the end of a rather large cable. Reaching behind, Jaynix pulled up the Phantom cloak. Elma recognized the cable immediately as a part of the protoplasmic reserve unit that was no doubt within Firebird. The cable connected to a port on the Mimeosome's lower back and served to transfer the stored fluids into the body and circulate them.

Hooking herself up, Jaynix let her arms fall before her gaze traveled across the camp, reaching Elma's eyes. Words failed to materialize as hard as Elma tried to force them. The early morning dawn allowed Elma to see Jaynix more clearly than she had during their fight through the night.

The Phantom cloak covered much of Jaynix's upper body. The hood was pulled up over her head but Elma could still see the familiar bits of Jaynix's bright red mane. The lower portion of the Phantom's mask covered the lower half of Jaynix's face and some wrapping around her head concealed one of her eyes.

All Elma could truly see was Jaynix's right eye. Yet with the additional light, Elma could see marks along Jaynix's exposed skin including a web of scars emerging from Jaynix's covered eye. Did she lose it in the crash? That was the most likely answer.

The Phantom was pulled back enough that Elma could once more see the hastily thrown together bits of armor and cloth that made up Jaynix's outfit. Her Skell Gear was nowhere to be seen, no doubt irreparable after the crash. The armor was chipped and the cloth was frayed, the outfit seemed to barely hold itself together and every bit of exposed skin that Elma could see was covered in savage scars.

Elma's eyes traveled up and down Jaynix's body before landing on her one eye. She wanted to pull the hood off, she wanted to see Jaynix's face in full. She wanted so much. But she did nothing and said even less. She waited.

Time continued to pass, the lingering shadows of the early morning giving way as light overpowered the darkness. It was when the last shadows faded away that Jaynix finally spoke. Asking a simple question.

"Are you real?"

Elma swallowed, unable to respond she could only nod. Jaynix didn't seem convinced. Elma wanted to bring up the battle but didn't feel that was right. She didn't want to put any guilt on Jaynix for anything. She just wanted to talk. She had to know what happened over the course of her four years alone. Even though, deep down she knew Jaynix was unlikely to share that answer any time soon.

"Let me see you."

Elma wasn't even aware she spoke, Jaynix searched her face as if looking for proof that she was real...or perhaps proof that she wasn't.

Elma felt faint once more, she'd forgotten about her injury again. She needed to call on her Ares and retrieve her supplies but she didn't want Jaynix to leave her sight. She feared that the woman would vanish the moment she took her eyes off of her. She didn't want that to happen.

The silence continued as Jaynix brought one of her hands to her face, pulling down the face mask under her chin. Revealing her nose and lips, several scars running along the newly revealed skin. Removing her hood, Jaynix's hair fell loose, the usually vibrant and beautiful red was dirty, faded and her hair had grown wild. With her face only obscured by the wrap around her left eye, Elma could better see the line of scars stretching out from beneath the wrap and along the side of Jaynix's head.

Staring at Jaynix now, all Elma could think was that what she was seeing was her fault. Whatever pains or horrors inflicted themselves on Jaynix were all because Elma had abandoned her for years and was unable to find her. She couldn't save her. She let her down.

That thought. That realization. It brought a prickling feeling to Elma's eyes. She thought she had cried enough but she knew that nothing would ever be enough to accurately express the whirling emotions raging inside her.

The words tumbled out of her mouth then.

"I'm sorry I left you…"

Elma shook her head.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find you...I…"

Elma tried to catch her breath, she tried to ignore the hot tears falling from her eyes.

"I'm sorry for everything. All of it was my fault. All of it."

Elma waited for Jaynix to speak. To reject the apology. To denounce their relationship. To do anything. Instead all she did was sit there and watch her.

Elma wanted to say more but she didn't know how else to express herself to Jaynix. Words just weren't enough. Yet the lingering pain and the loss of internal fluids were beginning to affect her perception. Her sight was becoming fuzzier and less reliable. She couldn't afford that.

Jaynix stood up at that moment, her eye focused on Elma before she turned and started walking. In response, Elma got up quickly, the rush caused her head to pound and her vision to fail even more.

Stumbling about, Elma reached out for a sturdy trunk to steady herself, instead she felt something take her hand and pull her up.

As Elma's vision slowly returned to normal, she looked to see Jaynix's scarred hand holding onto hers, tightly. Elma followed the arm up to Jaynix, a faint surprise in her eye as she released Elma, turned away and continued walking.

It didn't take long for them to reach what looked like a dug out pit covered with leaves, branches and vines. Pulling the greenery aside revealed an assortment of supplies, a lot of it reflected the patchwork of Jaynix's own clothes.

Finding what she was looking for, Jaynix stood up once more and held it out towards Elma. It seemed to be an adhesive of some sort, no doubt for the gash along her side.

Elma had her own gear ready and waiting but the last thing she wanted to do was deny Jaynix's kindness and so she took the adhesive.

"Thank you."

Jaynix said nothing, she didn't even face Elma, still staring at her supplies. From this angle, Elma couldn't see Jaynix's one eye so she had no idea what the other woman was thinking or even if she was just looking for something else.

Elma took a deep breath, staring at Jaynix's profile, some part of her still unable to believe that she was standing in front of her. She was alive. The years had not been kind, that was obvious and as much as Elma wanted to know what happened, it had to wait. It had to.

"I am real."

Jaynix turned then, facing Elma with a faint sense of uncertainty. She still wasn't convinced and Elma couldn't blame her. Assuming Jaynix had been alone for four years meant a lot of things, it was possible she had been tormented by hallucinations of all the people dear to her and right now thought of Elma as nothing more than the latest in a long line of ghosts.

Turning, Jaynix started walking back towards the camp, a notable limp in her stride. Elma's arm came to her chest only to realize the bag with the necessary supplies to help Jaynix was gone. Closing her eyes she recalled that the strap was cut by one of Jaynix's first strikes and the bag tumbled onto the jungle floor. Elma could only hope that it wasn't set on fire by the raging battle.

Opening her eyes, she saw Jaynix's retreating form. Watching the other woman as she sat down on the same log. She was still there. Elma didn't want to leave her sight but she needed that bag, she needed the tools in them and more importantly, Jaynix needed it.

Approaching the woman, she spoke low and soft.

"I lost something of mine. It won't take me long to find it…"

Jaynix didn't react.

"I'll be right back. I swear."

Turning, Elma stumbled once more before heading back towards the jungle clearing, the sight of their furious battle.


Standing in the familiar White Whale training room, Elma watched as several soldiers and officers did their best to relax. For some it was sparring, for others it was stretching or meditating and for others still, it was dancing.

The Reapers and Skelletons conjoined training for this day called for dancing. General Kumon's orders. Elma knew that the Reapers were skilled in various forms of the arts as the dance and makeshift concert they threw not long ago proved.

She wanted that moment of levity and joy to continue so she suggested to her Skelletons that they take the time to join the Reapers. They had all danced their fair share during the celebration so there was little resistance to the idea.

Elma watched as Hideo instructed Danny and Boris, the pair were far from the best but having the best teacher would improve their abilities quite a bit. Meanwhile, Eren danced with Irina, the latter stepping on the former's foot one too many times.

"How are you this clumsy, Lieutenant?"

"It's not my fault! I don't dance with women!"

"What does that have to do with it?"

"You have a smaller figure Eren, it's throwing me off!"

Gwin who was dancing with Lyla laughed.

"Irina's lying. She stepped on my foot once or twice during the dance."

"Shut it Gwin."

Tai and Jaynix were off to the side, talking amongst themselves before Jaynix's gaze moved to Lyla and Gwin, praising Gwin's grasp of the simple forms. She then looked to Elma and waved her over.

"You aren't getting out of this without at least one dance."

Elma smiled.

"I didn't intend to."

With a smirk, Elma walked past Jaynix.

"May I have this dance, Major Alistair?"

The blind man chuckled before giving Jaynix a knowing and smug grin.

"Of course, Colonel Elma."

Jaynix crossed her arms and huffed as Elma and Tai walked away.

"Very funny. Ha ha."

As the pairs danced, Elma and Tai moved closer to Lyla and Gwin, Elma leaning over and speaking to Lyla in a quiet tone.

"She is a very adorable pouter."

Lyla giggled.

"I told you."

"You did. And you were far more right about it than I expected."

The women cast quick glances at Jaynix who was standing off on her own, tapping her foot as Sagis and Alto approached from behind, no doubt back from their meal.

Kumon gestured for the Blood Brothers to join with Danny and Boris before moving towards Jaynix.

The pair had some conversation and from the looks on their faces, it was an important one. Elma couldn't help but see the perfect image of a father and daughter in the way that they addressed one another. Jaynix looked at Hideo with adoration while Hideo looked at her with pride.

"Ow!"

Elma snapped back to her dance, realizing she had stepped on Tai's foot.

"I'm sorry."

"Maybe focus on me instead of the Corporal, alright?"

Elma raised an eyebrow.

"You are blind, right?"

Tai smiled and said nothing else as Elma cast one more look to Jaynix who gave her a thumbs up.


Returning to the scorched jungle, Elma searched for where her bag may have fallen. In doing so she found both her Tandem Blade and Pistol, picking the weapons up the battle flooded her mind. She nearly dropped the weapons once more before shaking her head and pushing those memories away. Returning the blade and pistol to their proper places, she continued to scour the burnt land.

Coming to a stop, Elma noted the tarp out of the corner of her eye. Turning towards it, she felt a chill travel up her spine, the sensations that bombarded her when she attempted to touch the tarp were so strong she felt them even now.

To think that the source of that darkness was Jaynix left Elma feeling very uncertain about the state of her friend. Even though she seemed calm now, Elma had no idea what it was that could possibly set her off again.

Was Elma's presence a surprise? Or was it her reaching for the tarp that spurred Jaynix into action? Or perhaps she'd been tormented by ghosts for so long she simply wanted to be alone no matter the cost.

Shaking her head once more, Elma dispelled her thoughts, worries and concerns. She found Jaynix, she needed her supplies before returning to Jaynix's side. The longer she was away, the more she feared that she'd return to find her friend gone once more, only this time she'd never be able to track her down again.

Avoiding the tarp, Elma continued moving. The jungle seemed so different in the daylight and free of the raging inferno. Even so, the damage was everywhere. Some trees were burnt down to mere sticks and many more had been cleaved to pieces.

Elma's eyes scanned the devastation until she spotted her bag at the foot of a collapsed tree. The bag was scorched but upon reaching it and inspecting the contents, everything appeared to be in order. Whispering a silent thank you, Elma tied the bag's broken strap together and around her shoulder before turning around. Her gaze caught something unnatural beyond a gathering of trees.

She wasn't sure what it was but from this distance it looked like a mound of dirt. It brought to mind the mounds of dirt and rock created when digging a hole. Elma's thoughts began to whirl about what it was before she stopped herself.

She could just as easily ask Jaynix but they needed to open a conversation. A real conversation. In Elma's mind she always imagined that Jaynix would be reluctant to talk so she wasn't surprised. But despite all her plans, she found it impossible to form words herself.

She needed to fix that, if this was going to work. If she was going to bring Jaynix back, she needed to talk to her. To tell her everything. She needed to put the effort in, clearly Jaynix was incapable of it and Elma couldn't blame her.

Taking a deep breath, Elma began walking back towards the camp. There had to be something she could say to Jaynix, something that would remind her of the depths of their bond. Something.


At the camp, Jaynix sat in silence. Her gaze remained empty and unfocused. Every so often she looked up at the log in front of her before moving her gaze elsewhere.

This day was a strange one.

After so many terrible days and even more horrible experiences, what was happening now felt...different. There had to be a catch or something. There was. She just wasn't sure what it was, at least not yet.

Hearing some faint rustling, Jaynix took hold of her blade. Her gaze focused on the trees as the...person...returned. The person wearing such a...strange face.


Elma stood across from Jaynix once more, one hand resting on the bag she carried. Instead of sitting back down she moved closer to Jaynix. She realized how poor of a move that was upon seeing Jaynix's body tense up followed by red steel becoming visible as Feuervogel left its scabbard.

Elma moved back immediately.

"I'm sorry."

Jaynix stared at her, silent as ever.

"I only want to help. I…"

It would take far too many words to explain what she wanted to do to Jaynix but she had to get used to talking to her again. Whatever reactions her words might cause, she needed to say them.

"Jaynix. I need to check the status of your Mimeosome. I can only imagine what pain you're feeling right now and I...I want to help."

Elma took one step forward which caused Jaynix to stand and fully draw her blade. Freezing in place, Elma tried to say something but the look in Jaynix's eye kept the words from coming out.

"...you don't trust me?"

Jaynix moved back down but kept her sword drawn. Barely audible words leaving her lips.

"I don't know what you are."

"What I am? Jaynix. I'm your friend."

Moving back, Elma decided it was best to sit down, approaching Jaynix any further was a bad idea. Removing her bag and placing it aside, Elma took out the adhesive that Jaynix had given her, showing the item to Jaynix.

"Here. I'll trust you."

Elma set the item aside before working on the straps of her armor, clenching her teeth as she opened her top, feeling it pull on her damaged skin and the vicious cut.

The mesh combat suit below was cut clean through as she expected, Feuervogel's fine edge was a fearsome thing.

Pulling the end of her suit up, she looked at the extent of the injury for the first time and recalling how Jaynix had carved through her with no remorse still unsettled her.

Her eyes moved to Jaynix to see the other woman's gaze was on her injury as well.

Returning her focus to the adhesive sitting aside, Elma picked it up and applied it to the deep wound, flinching as it made contact. It was not a kind feeling but she'd bear with it. Not once did it cross her mind that it could be harmful to her Mimeosome, she refused to believe that Jaynix would ever consider that approach.

Even after throwing dirt in her eyes and attempting to drown her.

Once she was done, she pulled her combat suit back down and worked on her armor before facing Jaynix, seeing a faint spark in her eye.

The silence that stretched on was filled with countless loud and intrusive thoughts in Elma's head. She needed to open a conversation with Jaynix but from the looks of her, she was still wrestling with whether or not Elma was real. She needed to put that doubt to rest. But how?

"You still don't think I'm real…if so…"

Elma gestured to the adhesive at her side.

"Why did you give this to me?"

Jaynix shook her head but said nothing. Her eye avoided Elma's gaze.

"I took it from you. I used it. What kind of ghost could do that?"

Falling silent, Elma watched Jaynix turn her head, hiding her one eye from Elma's gaze. The last thing Elma wanted was to come off as accusatory or aggressive. She just wanted Jaynix to realize that she wasn't some illusion. Mira was capable of many things but a specter capable of physical interaction was not something they'd come across. Yet.

Closing her eyes, Elma thought back to the first few days on Mira. Losing Danny and Boris, learning about Aeon's sacrifice, all while she struggled with the thought, the belief that she had killed Jaynix.

She remembered that day behind what would later be called BLADE Tower. Nagi had asked her what she wanted to do and she saw for the first time a ghost in the form of Jaynix. A hallucination no doubt.

"I'm not going to say I understand what you're going through. I don't...but I've seen you a few times since losing you. Every time I would give anything for it not to be a trick. I always wanted it to be you."

Jaynix didn't seem to react, with her eye hidden Elma wasn't sure if she did.

"Those ghosts...I never touched them even though I wanted to. I knew the illusion would break. You took my hand, Jaynix. I'm still here."

Jaynix faced her, a dull anger in her eye.

"That proves...nothing."

Her voice was low, hoarse. She struggled to say those three words before turning away once more, moving one of her hands to her neck.

"Answer me this, Jaynix. Why didn't you kill me?"

Elma waited once more, Jaynix continued to massage her neck as her other hand, which was still holding Feuervogel tightened its grip on the hilt of the blade. Elma could tell Jaynix had no desire to make further eye contact but that didn't stop her, it couldn't stop her.

"You wanted me dead. You probably still do and like I said yesterday...I get it. After what I did...so why?"

"Stop."

Jaynix turned, a more potent anger in her eye.

"Stop talking like you know me."

Part of Elma told her to hold off. To wait. To not stoke Jaynix's rage but she couldn't. She was talking to her and Jaynix was responding even if only a few words.

"If it's a matter of trust. Why are you okay with me being here? You could've sent me away."

Elma fell silent, trying to ignore the desperate pounding in her chest. She felt like she was walking along a precarious cliff, one wrong move and she would fall. One wrong word and Jaynix could very well attack her once more. Just like the night before, only this time Elma would be in no condition to defend herself. The fight would end the moment it began.

"Jaynix. Talk to me."

Instead of saying anything more, Jaynix returned Feuervogel to its scabbard. Her gaze remained fixed on the jungle around them as she slowly rose from her seat. Elma felt her breathing stop as Jaynix turned to look into Elma's eyes, searching for something. Deceit maybe? Anything to dispel the illusion.

Neither woman made a move for what felt like ages. This time nothing whirled around in Elma's heads, words refused to cooperate. All she could do was stare and wait for a response. Any response.

Instead, Jaynix reached behind her and unhooked the cable from her back, the device falling to the ground as she turned around. She stood there for a brief moment before walking away.

In response, Elma stood up and started to follow which prompted Jaynix to hold out one of her hands to stop her.

"Jaynix!"

Elma watched Jaynix walk away, picking up her pace. She shouldn't push. She really shouldn't. But after four years of wanting to find her she was not about to let her leave her sight. No matter what happened, she wanted to be at her side.

Taking a deep breath, Elma watched Jaynix walk into the trees. Nodding to herself, she took off after her.

"Jaynix!"

As she broke through the trees she saw Jaynix start to run. She was fast, Elma could not afford to lose her. Despite her body's complaints she pushed herself to keep up with Jaynix as best as she could.

"Wait! Please!"

She wasn't sure how long she was chasing Jaynix when the woman came to an almost immediate halt. Elma was unable to stop herself as Jaynix swung around. Clenching her hand into a fist, Jaynix struck Elma in the face.

Hitting the ground, Elma felt her head pounding from the impact, moving one of her hands to the injury. She spotted Jaynix standing over her and held her other hand out in a futile attempt to hold her back.

Jaynix pushed her hands aside, pinning them to the ground. Now on top of Elma, Jaynix stared down at her and Elma saw an intense mix of emotions on display all over her scarred face.

Above all however, she saw that rage starting to form again as Jaynix whispered.

"What are you?"

Despite the pain in her face, Elma did her best to smile.

"Your friend."

"No."

Jaynix shook her head.

"You're a ghost. Another...temptation. Another lie."

Elma did not struggle against Jaynix's grip as she spoke.

"You know that's not true."

Jaynix's eye continued to search Elma's face. She knew that Jaynix could kill her easily in this position. Yet that no longer scared her.

"I'm not falling for it. Not again."

Jaynix whispered before releasing Elma and standing. She was still for a moment before walking away.

Sitting up, Elma sighed. She watched Jaynix's retreating form, she needed something more solid to prove to her without a shadow of a doubt that she was real.

However, everything she thought of, every precious memory could easily be pushed aside as a ghost's imitation. A manipulation. Perhaps Jaynix had this same conversation with a ghost not long ago. Or maybe she had this conversation all the time.

Elma needed something more personal, something unique. Something special. Elma's gaze then moved to the surrounding jungle. It was so peaceful. Something about it reminded her of-

"Wait!"

Standing, Elma followed Jaynix again.

"I can prove it. I know something that no one else ever could. No one."

Jaynix continued walking away as if she didn't hear Elma. Taking a deep breath, Elma steadied her heart and spoke.

"2025."

Jaynix stopped walking.

"You were five years old. Flame was three."

Elma blinked, now finding Jaynix facing her, closer than ever before with Feuervogel at her throat. Jaynix's eye was filled with intense burning hate.

"Don't you dare say her name."

Despite the chill running down Elma's spine, she continued.

"The two of you were playing in a park. Your parents were watching over you."

"Stop."

"Nagi and Kumon joined you later-"

Jaynix pressed her blade against Elma's throat, one motion is all it would take.

"-as did a third person. In a robe."

There was confusion in Jaynix's eye then.

"Your sister was trying to avoid you tagging her...she ran into the stranger and fell. She got scared and hid behind you. So you stepped forward to protect her."

Feuervogel moved away from Elma's throat.

"The stranger knelt down in front of you and asked you…"

Elma took a deep breath, thinking back to that day. Steadying her voice, she spoke just as she did back then.

"Do you like life?"

Jaynix pulled away from Elma completely.

"And you said...you like life because you get to be with your sister. Your mom. Your dad. Your friends."

Elma smiled.

"It makes you happy. That's why you like living."

Tears escaped Jaynix's eye as she spoke, her voice hoarse.

"How do you know that?"

Elma could see it in that moment. Despite asking the question, Jaynix already knew the answer. Moving closer, Elma spoke.

"Because that stranger was me."

Jaynix took a step back, Elma closed the distance between them, keeping her voice low and soft.

"That was the day we met, Jaynix. Thirty five years ago."

Elma stood in silence, watching Jaynix's face as she took one more step back.

"You remember, right?"


The hooded stranger knelt down in front of Jaynix and asked her such a strange question. Jaynix answered it as best she could, the stranger's smile led her to believe that her answer was correct.

However, in that moment. Seeing that smile, she felt like there was more to this stranger. Despite the shadows cast, her face seemed so...bright and her eyes shined like stars.

It was a strange sight, a strange moment, so strange Jaynix thought she had imagined it.

It was an incident, a meeting so small that Flame forgot about it the next day and eventually...Jaynix did as well.


Blinking once, Jaynix thought back to her time recovering after the Lawless incident. Lying in bed visited by memories and ghosts of her parents. She saw that meeting reflected in those memories and so she slowly nodded her head.

Elma smiled, it was that same smile. Thirty five years later. It was exactly the same.

"I swear to you with every fiber of my being, I swear to you on the lives of everyone I love. I swear, Jaynix...I'm real. It's me, Elma."

Jaynix studied her, a new but familiar expression dawning in her eye. This time it was Jaynix who took a step forward, her mouth opening and her voice breaking.

"What took you so long?"

Elma struggled to respond, her heart shattering.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Placing a hand on Jaynix's arm, Elma eased her down to the ground. Whispering apologies all the while. There was nothing else she could say. She'd failed Jaynix for four years, the only positive was that now she could start making up for it.

Jaynix looked at Elma with overpowering emotions. The familiar light had returned to her even as she cried, heartbroken and heaving sobs escaped her throat. Unable to speak it was all she could do.

Despite the sadness and the overwhelming pain there was a sense of relief deep inside.

For the first time in this long nightmare she could finally accept that she wasn't alone.