I felt my wings rip through my dress as I plunged into darkness. I see Alias falling backwards by the glow of the pendant. I beat my wings faster as I close in on him. I reached my hands out…
I can't believe what I am seeing. White feathers are floating down towards me. They looked like part of an angel's wings. This angel like person holds out its hand out to me as it approaches me from above. I sought my hand in the darkness. We intertwine fingers as I am lifted out. When the light finally broke and my sight was restored to me. I found myself looking into the angelic face of Trinity. Her auburn hair flowed behind her and her hazel eyes peered into my face. She looked breathtaking but not just her features; it was the huge white wings that resulted in my silence. Finally I managed to speak.
"My God you're not just an angel, you look like a goddess!"
She smiled, her eyes filled with amusement.
"Don't get too comfortable," she said as we continued to make out way up.
We drifted up into the sky. I grabbed Alias' other hand and pulled him up so we were eye to eye.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and turned his head to accommodate me.
"What has happened to Fanelia?" he gasped in disbelief of the ruins.
I placed my hands on his chest raising my head so I was looking into his eyes.
"When I was dueling with Thomas, my heart was set on destroying him for what he did to my family and country," I described.
"That somehow counteracted with me wanting to destroy everything," I continued.
"Which is why Fanelia is in wreck," Alias replied.
I picked up the pendant subconsciously letting it dangle between my fingers.
"If I can wish that Fanelia be restored to the way it was," I said out loud.
"The power will be release. What you want me to do?" he asked lifting my chin with his gloved hand.
I captured the pendant into both my hands resting them on where Alias' heart would be.
"I need you to think of good things, about Fanelia. Wish deep into your heart, don't let any bad thoughts come through," I instructed.
I closed my eyes as he held me closer to him allowing my head to fit under his chin just like the first time we had kissed. The stone began to glow brighter and hotter against my palms. I managed to ignore it by forcing my brain to register good memories of Fanelia. How my father took me out riding in the woods and my mother picking flowers with me. I had cherished my childhood, which I had received so much love and here I was trying to destroy the very memory. Fanelia was a memory to me. Everything that I had done as a child was like a picture being painted. The glow of the pendant began to dim. Slowly there was no more light and the surface was cool between my fingertips. I opened my eyes to see Fanelia restored to the way it was before. My father had spent so much effort rebuilding Fanelia since the Great Was.
"We did it! Thank you," I congratulated to Alias.
"I was only thinking to how you and I were little playing in the woods with your brothers," he said timidly reaching out to play with my hair
"We better get down and find the others," I said softly.
To my disappointment we had to break apart so we could reach the ground faster. I held on to his hand tightly. As our feet touched the earth, we heard shouts of joy celebrating the defeat of Zaibach with my white feathers floating among us.
"Merle, I can't breathe!" I exclaimed struggling to break new embrace.
"Oops! Sorry Vanessa, I had to hug someone and it couldn't her embrace.
"I suppose your right," I said stealing a peek at Marcas.
He was barking orders to guards as the guymelefs started coming back. After he was done, he came over to join Merle and me. He kissed Merle on the cheek and then wrapped his arms around my waist. I felt slightly stiff at first but relaxed into his arms.
Flashback: "Take your mother first Marcas! She's the queen."
"Can't you see my father is going to save her just like how I'm going to save you."
"You're not afraid of anymore."
"For you I'll risk my life."
^End of flashback^
"What are you thinking?" Marcas whispered in my ear.
"I wonder if your brother and others are alright," I answered running my hand through his black hair.
"They will be fine," he said in a determined tone.
I nodded and turned my head to avoid the wind blowing my hair into my face. A Zaibach guymelef was flying in. I could feel Marcas' arms tightened protectively around me.
"Marcas, look," I said gesturing to the guymelef's left shoulder.
Alexis and Hitomi were huddled together gripping the cape of the guymelef. Marcas let go of me and flew up to help them down. Everyone stopped for a second to see white feathers floating around me. They looked up and in awe saw their princes flying down with their white wings opened. Marcas had to reveal them to me when he rescued for me. As for Folken well he sure didn't want to be held by his own brother.
"Prince Marcas and Folken," the general said as he sank to one knee.
"What is it, General?" Marcas asked aware he was staring dumbfounded at this wings.
"Are you going to stand there and gap or are you going to report to your prince!" Merle snapped.
The general snapped out of his daze and accounted the events of capturing the Zaibach soldiers.
"Bring them here," ordered Marcas.
The general returned with all of them including the leader Thomas surrounded by more guards.
"Throw them in the dungeon," commanded Folken.
"Just a minute brother," Marcas considered just before Folken could punch Thomas in the face. Marcas stood there regarding Thomas with a silent look. I placed my hand on his upper arm.
"My lord, if I may suggest something?" I asked.
He tensed knowing I had discovered what he was going to go.
"What do you propose Lady?" the general inquired politely when Marcas didn't say anything.
"The King decides what punishment is suitable for intruders. Since he is not here I suggest they be taken someplace where they can rest. Perhaps send a healer and some food to them," I suggested.
"Prince Marcas I am waiting for your decision," the general asked.
"For once don't think of revenge!" Merle shouted to Marcas.
"All right do as the lady recommended," he replied after much thought.
"Why did you do that Marcas?" exclaimed Folken.
"We still haven't found Trinity," he said coldly.
I noticed that Alias' name wasn't mentioned but I decided to keep quiet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"Trinity?" my mother asked uncertain upon seeing my wings.
"Mother, are you hurt?" I asked rushing over to her and giving her a big hug.
"Not, but I did have help," she hinted as if she was giving me some kind of warning.
"Father," I greeted solemnly as he stepped out from his hiding spot.
He fixed his eyes on Alias with his jaw clenched. I looked over at my mother but she shook her head passively indicating that the subject was clearly my father's decision. I glanced over at Alias but his face remained unreadable. To everyone's surprise I sank down on one knee and bent my head down.
"Father, you mustn't blame Alias. This incident was mine only," I defended.
"The subject is closed," he said grimly.
"I wish for Alias to be my husband and no one else," I said with confidence.
"What!!" Both my mother and father echoed out.
Author's Note: "*" is Alias' view, "~" is Trinity's view and "-" is Vanessa's view.
I will be on vacation so it will be really hard for me to put up a chapter during my month of vacation. I will try to put up two chapters when I return. (Sorry Oki Miya even though I am mad at you for peeking!)
