Chapter 17
More revelations
The group was resting at the upstairs quarters, not sleeping, rather taking it easy. Colette was sitting on one of the beds, while on the other, Raine and Sheena sat. Genis was at the small furnace, cooking up dinner. This was because the dock house did not really facilitate food. Lloyd was the only one standing, close to the door, as if guarding it.
"Are you sure you do not need to sleep, Colette?" Raine informed.
The blond girl shook her head. "I feel fine, professor. Really."
"If you say so." Probably she'd ask again over a small period of time.
Lloyd had stepped closer to Genis, making the young boy look up. "Something the matter?"
Glancing to the side for a moment, which was already uncharacteristic, the teen then took two mugs. Holding one up, he said: "Hot," and then the other: "Cold?"
Frowning, the young elf took the mugs. "You want a hot and a cold one? Why?"
He was still glancing to the side. Genis actually followed the look, landing on Colette, who was talking with Sheena so she did not notice. "Trust me." Came the quieter answer.
That threw him off, but the boy nodded. He filled both mugs, then using some of his ice magic to make one of them cold. He handed them over, still curious what the whole deal was. Raine seemed to have followed it all with her eyes, but did not say a thing to stop the process. Maybe because she was just as curious or on to what the teen was trying to do?
Colette looked up as Lloyd offered her a mug. "Oh, thank you Lloyd." She took it with a smile, taking a sip.
"Too hot?" The brown-haired teen asked.
"No, it's just fine. Nice and warm."
"Cold." Lloyd remarked shortly.
"Huh?" Now she looked confused.
"Lloyd asked me to make it cold." Genis said from his place at the furnace, playing along.
"Oh, hehe. Yeah, of course it's cold."
Lloyd shook his head at that, pointing out the steam coming out of the mug. The girl let it drop out of her hands, it hitting the floor and hot contents spilling out.
The others all looked at Colette, who truly looked like she had been caught. Raine was the first to speak up.
"Colette, can you not tell hot from cold?"
"I-it's not like that!"
"You couldn't tell the difference. And now that I think about it, when you tripped at the ranch earlier, you weren't hurt." Genis remarked.
"N-no, I was. I don't cry easily, you know that." The girl defended weakly.
"You don't eat much either. You even eat things you normally wouldn't like."
"Yeah, and even I noticed, you don't sleep any more either." Sheena joined in.
"I sleep." A meagre giggle. "My eyes aren't red or anything."
"Colette, that is quite enough. We are your friends. Why can you not tell us what's really going on?" Raine asked with a sigh.
"It's.. it's not like that." The girl looked down. "I don't really know what's going on myself and I didn't want you all to worry."
"Please, just tell us what you are feeling."
Taking a deep breath, Colette nodded. She explained first feeling strange after releasing the first seal; no longer feeling hungry. And even if she ate, it didn't have any taste. With the next seal, she stopped feeling sleepy. Even if she tried to close her eyes, nothing happened. The last seal they had just done, seemed to have taken her senses. Hot or cold, even pain, she could no longer tell.
After having told all that, Raine, Genis and Sheena were in utter shock. And of course, the blond girl apologised once again.
"I didn't mean to keep it from all of you. I just wanted this journey to be fun, and no one to worry. I don't know what's going on."
"I wonder. You gained your wings at the first seal. Maybe this is also part of it. Remiel did call it a transformation, did he not?" Raine cupped her chin in thought.
"Part of what? What is happening to her?" Sheena was confused and still shocked by all of it.
"I believe it is part of the trial. Colette is becoming an Angel."
"So, each time you release a seal and take a step closer to becoming an angel, you lose a part of what makes you human?" Sheena asked, trying to understand.
"Losing her humanity? That's terrible! Then, what's going to happen to her in the end?" Genis said in horror.
"Ah, that's... well."
"Professor, everyone. It's alright." Colette said, looking at all of them with a smile. "I'm sorry to worry everyone. Right now, things are a little difficult, but once I become a complete angel, it may be a lot easier. So don't worry. It's okay."
"But this is too hard on you! If you're tired, you want to sleep, don't you? Don't you miss the taste of the foods you like? And you can't even feel the warmth of someone when you hold their hand… You should just stop this crazy world regeneration!"
"Thank you for your concern, Sheena. But if I quit now, all the people suffering throughout the world won't be saved. I was born for the sake of the world regeneration, so I'm going to make sure I do my job. Okay?"
"That is the fate of the Chosen. As you have been taught even since you were little." Raine nodded.
Shaking her head in disbelieve, Sheena spoke softly, mumbling to herself. "This is what a Chosen learns from the very beginning? He never told me."
Colette tilted her head, she heard that with her very keen hearing. "Did you say something?"
"N-no, it was nothing. Isn't there anything we can do? Find some way where Colette doesn't have to become an angel?"
"I don't think so. The world will be regenerated when the Chosen becomes an angel. It's always been like that. And it probably always will be. So…"
"So, you're really okay with things the way they are now?" Genis and Sheena asked in unison.
Colette nodded. "Yes. I'm going to become an angel. I will do what is needed to save the world."
"And that we all have to accept. But Colette, the path you've chosen is not going to be easy, as you already know."
"Yes, Professor."
"There was to be another way." Sheena more muttered to herself.
Colette looked over to Lloyd, who was still a small distance away. He seemed to be trying to avoiding her eyes, as if he was ashamed. So, the girl stood up and walked towards him, taking his hands in hers.
"You were just looking out for me. I'm actually relieved that everyone knows now. Thank you. It's good to know you all are with me, even when I'm changing."
His red eyes looked into her blue's, a slight squeeze in her hands. "Colette is Colette."
Honestly, the girl felt like she wanted to cry and smile at the same time. But she couldn't do that anymore. At least, she was with her friends, and they were here to help and support her. That meant a lot to her.
The next morning, after they had breakfast, the party left the room they were staying at. Approaching the receptionist, they asked about the transport towards the geyser. She asked for just 60 gald, when this was paid, she pointed them to the dock and wished them save crossings.
When they got to the dock, a short walk away, they stared at what was waiting for them.
"They're... washtubs?" Genis was absolutely flabbergasted.
"Is that normal?" Sheena asked with a deep frown.
"Of course, it isn't. This place really must be hitting bad times."
"They look like fun, professor. Let's get in!" Colette said cheery.
But the elven woman did not move. "Go on without me."
"Uh, sis. What are you talking about? You got to come with."
"Yeah, you are part of the group. What's the matter?" Sheena informed, still frowning.
"N-nothing. I'm just not getting in that thing."
None of them were used to Raine stammering like she just did. Colette took her hand, pulling her gently. "Come on, just don't think about it. It will be fine."
"Ah!"
Now they all gawked at her. Well, Lloyd kind of just stared, but the others were very put off.
"Ah? Professor, are you afraid of water?" Sheena asked.
"I...was about to say ah, this is going to be fun." Stubbornly avoiding the subject, Raine went ahead and stepped into one of the tubs.
The two girls looked at Genis, who could only shrug and shake his head. He went on to join his sister. Since they didn't trust the tubs to hold more than two people, the girls took the second one as Lloyd was left with the last.
Thankfully, the water was calm as they crossed. It didn't take long; only ten minutes worth of peddling. The island wasn't very big and seemed to only house the geyser. Despite this, quite some people were there, seemingly fascinated by the natural phenomenon.
Some boats and other modes of transport were lined at the docks to attest to this. Reaching the summit of the geyser, the party counted around twenty people, which felt rather busy on the small island.
"This a real attraction, huh?" Sheena remarked, noting the people from the dock.
Everyone had stepped out of the wooden tubs, Raine was very last. Lloyd offered her a hand as she crawled up and spent a little time on her hands and knees. When she finally got up, the teen helped her again.
"Thank you, Lloyd. This is to be expected; such a natural phenomenon is unique and so for many people interesting to visit at least once in their life. Genis, tell us how it works."
"Me?" He sighed, no doubt this was a test of sister, to keep his mind sharp. "A geyser is basically boiling water, pressurised in such a way that it spouts upwards with force. I heard this one does so pretty regularly."
"Sounds awesome. Can we wait until that happens, please?" Colette pleaded.
"Focus, if you please, Colette. We have to find this oracle stone."
"Alright professor."
She knew the elven woman was right, so did not protest. They walked past where the most people gathered at the front of the geyser. Behind, there was a big rock formation and what seemed to be an entrance into a cave. But there seemed to be no way to reach, since it was high up and right above the boiling water.
To the far right, there was a second information board, informing tourist about the location. While the most studied this, Lloyd went on to look behind it and pointed.
"Huh, what is it? Oh hey, it's the oracle stone!" Colette called out.
"Well, that's good. I wonder what it will do for us."
"We'll see soon enough, Sheena. Colette, place your hand on it.
The Chosen girl nodded, doing just that. To their surprise, and all the people looking on to the geyser, a bridge made of light appeared. It arched up to lead directly to the entrance of the cave higher up.
"Can we really walk on that?" Sheena eyed it nervously.
"Uhu, we did so in the tower of mana. It's completely safe, don't worry."
"Come on, let's go."
Raine took the lead, her little brother hurrying after her. They did proof that the light bridge was indeed safe. Lloyd looked to the two remaining girls, seemingly waiting for them to go first. He followed last, making sure that no one would come after them.
People just looked on in awe, having no real clue what all if this meant. But they were sure they were witnessing something really special, as they watched the party head into the cave. The bridge disappeared when they did.
They all had expected it to be dark, but it wasn't, not completely. Everything had a blue glow to it. Somehow everything seemed bigger inside then it looked from the outside. Still, they made good use of their senses, mostly depending on Colette's because they were sharp.
"Before we go on, I've been meaning to ask; what comes after this? There are only four seals, right?" Sheena asked.
"The last step, lies at the top of the Tower of Salvation." Raine said with an exceptional monotoned voice. Her little brother knew she mostly did this to hide her true feelings, but he decided to not point it out right that moment.
"That's... quite a long way."
"Yes, we will have to get our hands on a ship first, to cross the ocean. It won't be easy to find anyone to sail it these days because of the threat monsters. And then we go to Hima; I have heard of a man there that arranges dragon flights to the Tower. I plan to ask him if we can rent them."
Genis scratched his head. "How are we gonna cross the ocean if it's dangerous?"
"I wager we are strong enough to fight them off."
"Not if they hit the ship first, sis."
"So, you need something protecting the ship, hm? I might have an idea." Sheena piped up.
They looked at her curiously. But the former assassin wouldn't say any more on the matter and started go on ahead. Even though she had started the whole subject. Oh well, they had to concentrate on getting through the cave first.
There was a puzzle involving a scale and water, as a matter a fact, the whole place seemed themed around water. After some back and forth, the puzzle was finally done and the way to the final room was opened up for them.
They all knew what was coming now; a fight with the seal's guardian. Sheena's eyes squinted as she seemed to spot something around the seal. "Wait, don't charge in yet," she told the others.
"Huh, what's the matter, Sheena?" Colette looked at her.
"This place has a very useful summon spirit. I am pretty sure it's Undine, the one that rules over water. She could help us out with the ocean problem."
Raine's eyebrows rose at the remark. "How do you know about that? And how do you suggest you do that? That art has been lost for ages."
"Look, I just know, okay?" She sighed. "I can try to form a pact."
"Wow, Sheena, you are really amazing!" Colette cheered chipper.
"N-not at all..." she muttered this more than said it.
"But, don't we still first need to defeat the guardian of this place?" Genis remarked.
"Yes, that is part of the trial after all." His sister nodded.
Lloyd drew his swords; he was ready to go. The others followed his example and went in for the fight. It seemed to be a large, aquatic creature. It had a big fish tail and typical head extensions. Instead of fins, there were arms, but made of what looked like small sharks.
The guardian mainly used them to bite at them, or to shoot bubbles. Next to that, it liked to use its tail to sweep at them. However, soon it became apparent that the party stronger was than the guardian.
Growing desperate, it charged up a spell, planning to hit them all with it. Lloyd acted quick, he hit the ground with a heavy slash of his sword, causing tremors and rocks to shoot up and hit the guardian out of its focus; Grave Blade. This bought time for Genis casting Spark Wave with a lot of flair to finish the battle, which was admittedly rather short.
Colette looked at Sheena first, before she would approach the alter. "This summon spirit, do you first want to approach it?"
Shaking her head, the young woman said: "You need to release the seal first."
"Okay, I will." Nodding, she went on towards the alter. Remiel appeared like always with a flash of bright light.
"Your journey has been long. You have done well to reach this far, Colette, the Chosen one."
"Thank you, Lord Remiel.
"Let us grant you, our blessing."
Colette bowed her head, receiving just that.
"You have taken another step closer to becoming an angel, yet you seem anxious."
"Ah, no. I'm very happy."
"Very well. Now, Chosen One. Your journey is finally drawing to a close. It is time for you to rejoice. The path to the Tower of Salvation is open. Head to the Tower of Salvation and offer your prayers of regeneration. Then, you will be able to climb the stairway of heaven."
"The world regeneration is finally going to take place." Genis said it a bit softer than his normal voice, but they could still hear him.
"Is regeneration really going to happen?" Sheena bit her lip, not sure if this was right or not.
"I shall do as you instruct, Lord Remiel."
Remiel gave a nod and then vanished from the scene. His voice still echoed: "I shall await you at the final seal. There, you will become an angel, like me."
Colette descended to the floor and put her angel wings away. After that, she walked towards the others. She looked at Sheena then. "You are up."
"Uh, I suppose I can try to make a pact. But I can't promise it will work."
"I believe in you, Sheena." The blond girl smiled.
Damnit, why is my heart so weak, Sheena thought to herself. Corrine appeared on her shoulder, looking at her. "I do too. You can do it, I know you can."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded to his words. Approaching the alter, she again did see the outline of Udine. She decided to show herself as the dark-haired woman came closer.
"You who possess the right of the pact. I am one who is bound to Mithos. What is your name?" The spirit asked with a voice which seemed to echo. She was completely blue, light to dark. Other than that, she seemed to have a rather human form.
"Mithos? The hero of the Kharlan War?" Genis frowned. "Not only was Mithos a swordsman, he had the ability to summon as well?"
"Mithos is a common boy's name. It's not necessarily Mithos the Hero." His sister remarked, which was true enough.
"I am Sheena! I seek a pact with Undine."
"As things stand now, I cannot."
Sheena seemed to be taken aback by this. "Wh-why?!"
"I am already bound by a pact. I cannot form two pacts at the same time."
"You mean your pact with that Mithos guy?" Sheena turned towards the rest of the party, looking at a loss. "What am I supposed to do now? They never said anything about this at the research institute."
Frowning at that last little bit, Raine thought for a moment. "Can you not ask her to cancel the old pact?"
"How? It's not that easy, you know. We don't even have any idea where this Mithos person is! A Summon Spirit pact requires a vow. The Summon Spirit approves the pact-maker's vow and agrees to the pact. As long as the pact-maker upholds that vow, the pact remains valid, not to be broken."
Undine nodded to this and said: "That is correct."
"I see." Raine still wondered how this very old, nearly forgotten art was seemingly common knowledge to this young woman.
"Ask annulment." Lloyd his rare words were.
Sheena looked at him for this. Before she could say anything, Colette jumped in. "Please just try. Maybe this Mithos has broken his vow or has... passed away?"
"Is it really that simple?" Genis frowned.
"I suppose you could call it simple, but if the previous pact-maker is still alive and hasn't broken his vow, then there's nothing we can do about it." His sister remarked.
"Okay, I'll give it a shot." With a deep breath, Sheena turned back to face Undine again. "Undine. I am Sheena. I ask that thou annulst thy pact with Mithos, and establish a new pact, with me."
It seemed the spirit gave a nod. "Before I can allow the formation of a new pact, I must test your worthiness as a pact-maker. Draw your weapons."
"Wait, what? We have to fight?!" Genis did not expect this. None of them really did and before they all knew it, they were engaged in another battle.
Udine proved to be the real challenge. She used only water-based spells, but she worked fast and seemed almost impossible to interrupted. The torrents she summoned were troublesome to work around, some hitting, other time blocked by barriers.
Still, they were with five people, and the spirit was just alone. They worked tightly together, to go in and overwhelm her. Genis his lightning, Raine's light, Sheena's cards, Colette's chakrams and Lloyd's dual swords eventually worked her down.
Finally, after a tiring fight, Undine was done. She focused her attention on Sheena again. "Splendid. Now, swear your vow. Upon what vow do you form our pact?"
"Right now, at this very moment, there are people who are suffering. I vow to save those people."
"Understood. I pledge my power to you, Sheena."
Undine transformed into a stone crystal, of course just as blue as she was. The former assassin put this in her pocket, releasing a breath she hadn't released she was holding. After this, she turned back to the others.
"Are you all alright?"
"A bit tired, but we'll be fine." Genis answered.
"Congratulations, Sheena, on your pact." The girl went on to say as she smiled at her.
"Uh, thanks, Colette."
"The end is finally in sight. Let's head to the Tower of Salvation. Ah, after some rest, of course. You all need it."
"Colette, are you sure?" A quieter question from Raine, having a worried, motherly look.
"Yes. I'm fine." She nodded and put up her smile.
"Let's get out of this cave."
Everyone nodded to Sheena's suggestion and they did just that. Luckily, they were able to avoid most of the monsters. As they exited, the bridge reappeared, only to disappear again as soon as they were back on the ground.
Right after this happened, Colette seemed to stagger and Lloyd was fast to catch her before she fell. The professor was with her quick.
"Is it the Toxicoses again?"
Opening her mouth, the girl seemed to want to answer, but nothing came out.
"Huh, what's the matter?" Genis asked worried.
She tried again, but was met with the same result. Due to that, Raine could only conclude: "You have lost your voice?"
Of course, Colette wasn't able to answer. Sheena looked very troubled by this. "That is..."
"We have to set up camp here. Let Colette rest."
"There is hardly room here, but I guess we can make it work." Genis said to his sister's words.
They did manage to gather fallen branches of the few trees around to make a campfire. Sitting as far away from the boiling water as possible, Raine sat Colette down and urged her to take it easy. Out of her little brother's backpack, she took pen and paper, and give it to her.
"This way, you can still communicate with us."
Despite everything, the blond girl still smiled and nodded as she took the items. She went on to write: Thank you.
It was already getting late; all visitors had left the island. It was just the party. Sheena looked at the faces around her, mostly lingering on Colette. Finally, she made the decision, and stood up.
"Everyone, I have something to say."
"Huh, what is it?" Genis looked up to her, tilting his head.
She took a breath. "I want to explain to everyone why I was trying to assassinate the Chosen."
Where was this coming from? That was what probably was on all their minds. No one asked that question however. Instead, Raine said: "All right. We're listening. Tell us about your homeland. A land that doesn't exist in this world."
"You knew?!" Sheena looked at the elven woman wide-eyed.
"No, but you have said some odd things over time. And your reaction just now affirmed it."
"Yeah, good point. You know, it's really a shame that your intellect's being wasted here. You're right. My homeland is not here, not in Sylvarant."
"What does that mean?" Genis couldn't wrap his head around it.
"The world I come from, is called Tethe'alla."
"Tethe'alla? You mean the moon?"
She laughed at that, her somewhat tense stance relaxing. "Of course not. My world isn't on the moon."
They all looked puzzled at her. Well, except for Lloyd, he just had his rather standard stare. But he was listening, none the less.
Shaking her head, Sheena continued: "Even I really don't understand the specifics, but there is another world that lies entwined with Sylvarant, as shadow is to light. That's Tethe'alla, my world."
"Two entwined worlds?" Raine raised a brow.
"The two worlds lie directly adjacent to each other. They just can't see one another. Our scholars say they exist on shifted dimensions. Anyway, the two worlds can't see or touch each other, but they do in fact exist next to and affect each other.
"What do you mean, affect each other?" Genis asked.
Rubbing her arm, the young woman looked down. "They vie for the supply of mana. When one world weakens, the mana from that world flows to the other. As a result, one world is always flourishing, and the other waning. Sort of like an hourglass."
Genis stood up, seeming getting winded up by this all. "Wait, so, right now Sylvarant is…"
She gave a nod. "Yeah. Sylvarant's mana is flowing to Tethe'alla. Therefore, Sylvarant is in decline. Without mana, crops won't grow and magic becomes unusable. If there is no mana, the Summon Spirits that protect the world alongside the Goddess Martel can't survive in Sylvarant either. As a result, the world slips even further down the path of destruction."
"Are you also telling us this, because the Chosen's world regeneration is actually the process of reversing the mana flow?" Raine was catching up quick, no surprise really.
"Exactly. When the Chosen breaks the seal, the mana flow reverses, and the Summon Spirit that governs the seal awakens. I was sent to prevent the world regeneration from happening. I broke through the supposedly impassable dimensional fissure for the sake of protecting Tethe'alla."
"In other words, to assure the decline and destruction of Sylvarant?" Genis remarked.
Colette stood up, seemingly in shock.
"You can say that, but your journey of regeneration is also an attempt to destroy Tethe'alla. We're both doing the same thing."
Raine shook her head. "It's hard for me to believe all of this."
"I'm the proof." Sheena placed a hand on her own chest. "I possess summoning arts that have been lost from this world. You saw me."
The blue eyes stared at her. She shuffled, feeling a little uncomfortable and guilty. "Please don't look at me like that, Colette. I know that wasn't your intention. I don't know what I should do either. I came here to protect Tethe'alla, but this world is impoverished and everyone is suffering. But if I allow the world regeneration to occur, then Tethe'alla will become just like this."
"But right now, you're helping us, right?"
"I can't just stand around and watch people suffer! But that doesn't mean I can just abandon Tethe'alla! I…I don't know what to do. Isn't there any other way? A way for Sylvarant, Tethe'alla, and Colette to all be happy?"
The next to stand up was Lloyd. He nodded, seemingly agreeing with Sheena's words. It was surprising, but it was appreciated.
"Have you considered that perhaps nothing that convenient exists in the real world? The best thing we can do right now is to save Sylvarant from its current crisis."
"What if we don't regenerate the world and just defeat the Desians?" Genis looked at his sister. But she shook her head.
"Although we succeeded in destroying some ranches, we cannot possibly eliminate all the Desians. The mana will eventually be exhausted."
Lloyd tilted his head. "Mana important?"
"I suppose only magic users and scholars worry about it. But mana is even more important to life than water. Without it, the land will die. Mana is the source material which composes everything. At least that's what I've been taught." Genis explained.
"Unfortunately, the Giant Tree of ever-flowing mana in fairy tales doesn't exist in the real world. We live by chipping away at the limited amount of available mana. Why do you think the ancient magitechnology was lost? It consumes large amounts of mana. If things continue the way they are now, Sylvarant will eventually lose its mana just as it lost its magitechnology, and be destroyed."
There was a silence. Most of them looked at the ground, letting reality set in. Lloyd was the only one looking up, to the Tower of Salvation in the distance.
"Tree seed."
Raine finally stood up, at hearing that. "What was that?"
The teen's hand went up, a finger pointing high up the tower. "Gaint tree, seed."
"Up there...? How do you know that?" Where was this coming from? There was no answer, as his red eyes just stared at her.
"Well... We are going there anyways, no harm in seeing if that is really true right?" Genis remarked.
Colette approached Sheena, using her pen and paper to write. The former assassin looked on as she did and read it out loud.
"I'll try asking Remiel if there's a way to save the two worlds." She looked to the girl then. "If it doesn't work out, I may have to kill you after all."
When that time comes, I may fight back because I love Sylvarant too. This was the written response. Seriously, this girl... "I understand. You intend to become an angel, no matter what, don't you?"
Colette gave a very firm nod. None of them got much sleep that night, but at least their bodies were resting. One of them wasn't, however. Being extra quiet and careful, Lloyd left the four of them, walking behind a series of rocks. Further ahead, someone was waiting.
Sitting on a larger, round boulder, the red-haired man watched him approach. Equally red eyes surveyed the teen up and down, finally landing on his eyes.
"Something is different."
There was no response, Lloyd just gave his standard, void stare. Kratos stood up, stepping closer and resting his hands on his shoulders.
"You know I've watched you. This is close to over. Just a little longer and we can figure out if this can truly be broken." Kratos his eyes went down to the gem on his son's hand.
"Chosen, sacrifice." Finally, he spoke.
"Yes. They all have been. And not even for what most people believe. At least, not completely." The Seraphim shook his head; that was hardly the point. "Bring her there, it will be the last."
Mithos had said that, with all the confidence in the world. This one had to be the last. After four thousand years, it will finally be over. So Kratos hoped, so he prayed. It was all he could really hold on too. He was foolish and blind to truth.
Still, there came the little quieter: "Why?"
The volume and slightly solemn tone, made Kratos look into his son's eyes. There was a light, shimmering, as if fighting against a strong wind. Was he really...? That wasn't possible, it was unprecedented.
Lloyd stepped back then, shaking off his father's hand, and turned around. He started walking back the way he came.
"Tower, Chosen." He said flatly as he left.
The Seraphim was left alone, not sure what to think anymore.
