Dias hesitated, then spun back, picking the man up by his shirt collar. "What did you say her name was?"
"C--Cecille she said it was! Le--let me go please!"
The swordsman dropped the stranger, and sighed. "...who knows about her..."
He knocked once on the second room of the inn, and then tried the knob. It was open. He entered slowly, his eyes shifting from right to left. "...someone wanted to speak with me? Hurry it up."
"...brother?"
He flinched, then glanced toward the door leading to the room's bedroom. "Who are you."
A young girl appeared slowly from the room, her hands wrapped around herself. Dias took a step back. "Brother?... it's me, Cecille."
Unmistakably, she was a remarkable image of his younger sister. Even he himself had to admit this. But she was... she had been...
"...Cecille...?"
"Brother! It really is you!" she ran over to him, leaping into his arms. He stood still for a moment, and then leaned down to hug her.
"Cecille...this can't be. You were... I wasn't able to..." he lifted her up, looking her straight in the face, trying to decipher what kind of trick this might have been. Her face was identical to the one he had seen years back, just a little older, matching of the age she should have been then. He hesitated, then lowered her, shaking his head. "No... this must be an illusion..." he unsheathed his sword, raising it over his head and pointing it toward the image of his younger sister. She blinked up innocently at him, putting her hands together in a praying position.
"Brother? What are you doing?"
"You're just my imagination, aren't you... Disappear!" he plunged the sword down, and shut his eyes for a split second. When he reopened them, he saw that the sword had barely missed his sister, and she was looking up toward him, confused. She put her small hands on his, and attempted a smile.
"What's wrong with you, Brother? It's me! Cecille! I don't know why but I'm back..." she frowned. "...you didn't miss me?"
Dias paused, scanning her. "...what about...mother and father...?"
"...I don't know," Cecille replied, her eyes casting downward. "I'm sorry, brother..." she hugged her brother, not caring when he didn't return the gesture. He released the sword. "...they said you were fighting because of us...but I'm back now...you don't have to fight anymore...we can just live peacefully together back in Arlia, can't we?" a tear fell from her cheek. "I missed you, brother!"
"...not as much as I've missed you...Cecille..." the man scooped his sister back up into his arms and squeezed her tightly.
~~~
A few hours later, Rena, Ashton, and Celine had made it to Mars Village. After they had walked a while and questioned a few people, they found a man who seemed awfully suspicious. He told them that he had seen someone by the name of Flac a moment before.
"You mean that you've seen Dias?" Rena ventured to ask, and the man from before nodded enthusiastically.
"Mr. Flac should still be present around someplace in the village," he said, glancing around, "I haven't seen him leave. The last I saw of him was that he was heading toward the inn. I think in order to meet someone named Cecille."
"..Cecille..?!"
Celine stepped forward, her eyes narrowed and pointing a finger accusingly at the man. "Are you sure that the person was named Cecille? Darling, I think you must be mistaken." she crossed her arms and shook her head. "Don't you know that Cecille is already dead? Oh, of course you don't! But who cares about that. Where is Dias now?"
"U--um the person who claimed she was Cecille said something about being in the second room of the inn...maybe Mr. Flac is with her?" the man nervously backed away, "U--um if you'd excuse me..."
"Rena..." Ashton turned toward her. "You want to go?"
"Of course," the young woman replied, "..Cecille.. I need to know what's going on."
"Yes of course, darling," Celine said, "But we'd better hurry, in case he cares to leave while we're standing around."
Following her advice, the three made their ways to the inn, pausing when they heard a bunch of people in the hallway. "Is he dead?" a voice cried out.
"No, he's not. He's still breathing..." another said.
"Wait! I think he's saying something..."
"...........I can't make it out."
"I think we should get him to a bed or something...he might be sick."
"Maybe he fainted..."
"Or was drugged?"
"Don't make it so overly dramatic!"
"Um, excuse me," Rena said, stepping over to the group of people. "What is going on?"
A girl of around twelve years of age blinked up at her, then pointed to the center of the group. "Some guy was lying on the floor of a room, and the room was wide open so now everyone's making a whole bunch of commotion. I think I recognize the guy but I don't know for sure. Maybe he was in the Tournament of Arms a long time ago... yes, I think that's where I've seen him."
Ashton and Celine exchanged glances. "You don't think..."
By this time, Rena had managed to get to the center of the area, and she gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. "..Dias..!"
The swordsman was on the floor, his sword laid a few inches away from him. His chest rose and fell lightly, and he seemed to be in a rather peaceful sleep. She approached him slowly and squatted down next to him. "Dias?"
His lips moved slightly, and she leaned down to try and decipher his
words. She listened to him breathe for a while, until he spoke again, softly:
"........Cecille........"
"Someone help me take him to a bed!" Rena called out, "There's something wrong with him.. this isn't just some normal sleep. I know Dias well enough to know that he isn't the kind of man who would simply fall over and collapse either!"
Celine waved a hand, "I'll see if there's anything suspicious around here... I have to find that man who told us about Cecille!"
A couple of strangers raised arms to motion that they would help the man to a good place to rest, while Ashton tried to move the rest of the group away. "Stand back, everyone," he called out, "We don't want to get in the way!"
~~~
Rena sat silently in one of the other rooms of the inn. She was looking up at the ceiling, a hand over her heart. The door opened slowly to reveal Celine, who shut the door quietly after her and took a seat next to the young woman on the bed. "Rena darling... did you find out anything? I'm sorry but I couldn't find that man again. I think he ran away or something. He seemed the type." she rolled her eyes. "Next time I see him, I'm going to burn him into charcoal--"
"Dias won't wake up."
Celine raised an eyebrow, paused, then spoke, "And do you know why that is, darling?"
"No.. but I have a feeling it has to do with those men who are after Noel and Chisato.. and me, I guess. When I was with him, Dias kept whispering Cecille's name. It's almost as though he's imagining her--in a dream or something. ..but he won't wake up.."
"He must be stuck in his dream then." the mage brushed her hair from her face. "At least it isn't a nightmare, darling."
Rena spun around to face her, eyes brimming with tears. "It's not something to joke about! What if Dias doesn't get better? It'll.. be mostly my fault again! I knew I shouldn't have let him go off alone.. I should have run after him when I could have."
"This isn't the time to be blaming yourself. ...Darling, our main problem right now is that now that Dias is out of it, he can't even tell us where the men were heading."
"But what about Dias in general?! I can't leave him here and go look for--"
"That's the point!" Celine said, standing up and putting her hands on her hips. "Don't you get it? If we stay here, it'll be like the men will be expecting! Cruel or not, we'd better go on. We have to. Now that our clues are gone, we're going to be at a disadvantage, but we still have Claude and Precis on our side. We have to watch out for what Dias had happen to himself. But! We can't wait here until he recovers. Are you going to leave Noel and Chisato alone because you're worried about Dias?! Dias will recover. Believe in him. We have to go on. After we find Noel and Chisato we can come back for Dias. Do you understand what I'm saying, Rena darling?!"
Rena looked toward Celine, her eyes widened. She sat silently for a while. "..no. I don't understand. Noel and Chisato are important, I know, but.. but Dias.."
"...fine! If you're going to be that way, I'll take Ashton darling and search for the men myself! You can stay here and weep over your friend all you like." Celine turned around in a huff, storming to the door, then glanced back once. "Darling, if you stay with Dias, you might end up causing trouble. Remember, the men aren't only after Noel and Chisato. They're after you too!"
The Nedian watched her friend leave, then buried her head in her hands. "..that's right.. all I'm doing is causing everyone trouble.. Dias.. Ashton.. Celine.. everyone.. ..yes.. everyone..................."
~~~
"Celine! That was too cruel!" Ashton complained as she explained what she had said to Rena.
"Darling, if you don't pound things into that girl, you won't get anywhere with her! You need to learn more about her. I thought you'd know better by now!" Celine argued, as she paced around the room, "She'll understand soon enough. Give her a day. If she hasn't changed her mind, I'm going on without her. You understand, don't you Ashton darling?" she waited little for a response. "More importantly, you should try and convince her yourself. I have an odd feeling that you might be a little more convincing."
"Well, I don't know about that..."
"You are too NICE to her! If it wasn't for me, I'd bet you'd be staying here with her until Dias was well, and by then Noel and Chisato would be out of this world! Argh!"
"We don't even know what the men will do with the two... we don't really even know if they're after Noel and Chisato..."
"Darling. I hope you aren't really thinking they aren't going to hurt the Nedians. Or else why would they be attacking Arlia in the first place? Don't you care about what happens to her anyway? If Noel and Chisato are finished off, then Rena will be the next target!"
"But--"
"But whatever! Darling, when it comes to Rena, you're as hopeless as when it comes to barrels! (Although I guess that's not too great of a comparison.)" she turned around, kicking a decorative urn which was conveniently in front of her.
"...Celine, that's an urn, not a barrel. (Poor urn, don't kick it too hard or else it might break...)"
"That's not the point!" she took a deep breath. "Anyway, listen. We need to make sure Rena comes with us. We have to protect her. ...I don't want to leave her alone here either, but we're already behind schedule. I'm going to call up Claude and Precis tonight and see what they have come up with. Darling, you talk to Rena. Make sure she's not planning on staying with Dias. Persuade her somehow. I don't care how, just do it quick! I don't want to leave her here. Heck, I'm worried about Dias as well, but knowing him, he'll end up fine." she stopped pacing and sighed. "...I guess I'd better apologize to her later today too. Knowing Rena darling, I've hurt her feelings much more than I should have."
"Celine..."
There was a knock on the door and both turned to see Rena enter, her head lowered. Her ears were drooping. "...hi, Rena." Ashton attempted. Celine moved away to let the other young woman sit down. Rena gave no reply, and simply lay down on the bed, covering her face with both arms.
"...darlings, I think it's about time that I go to my own room," Celine said, giving a stern glance in Ashton's direction. "I'll check up what's going on with Claude darling and Precis." The young man nodded and watched as she left the room. He then turned toward Rena.
"...are you alright?"
"..do I look it..?"
He sighed, remembering Celine's words, but unable to speak harshly toward his girlfriend. "I'm sorry about what happened to Dias..."
"You make it sound like he's dead."
"Rena...!"
The Nedian moved her arm away from an eye to see Ashton's hurt expression. "..I want to sleep." she said flatly. "Would you mind turning off the lights?"
He made no move toward the switch. "I know that you care about Dias and all, but what are you planning on doing about Chisato and Noel?"
She shifted a little. "..oh no, you too. You're going to lecture me too, aren't you? You're going to say to leave Dias and go on to look for Noel and Chisato aren't you? What happens if the men try to attack Dias? I can't leave him in this state.. he's too weak. You don't know Dias as well as I do. I feel bad for him, I really do.. he's lost his family in front of his face.. I've known him since I was small.. he's like my older brother. I can't leave him here! I just can't!" she sat up, her eyes narrowing. "You don't understand.. you're like Celine! You're on her side, aren't you? You don't understand me.. you don't understand me at all!!" he could see that her lower lip was trembling, and she immediately fell back down on the bed, covering her face again. "..sorry.. Ashton. I'm so sorry.. but.. let me stay here. Please.. I can't leave Dias like this."
"...so in short you want to say that you care more about Dias than Noel and Chisato?"
"Don't compare them! ..don't.." she sniffled. "Ashton.. please."
Ashton stood up, turning away. "I'm sorry. I understand... or at least I think I understand both you and Celine's feelings. Leaving Dias will make you worry... but staying with him... would make everything so much harder. Noel and Chisato won't have any warning about anything..."
"Claude and Precis can find them." she said, trying to sound emotionless, but failing miserably. "They might have already been found. Have you ever thought about that? The only other Nedian is me. They'll have to come to me. Why do I have to look for them.."
"Rena!"
"You can go with Celine and look for Noel and Chisato. I'll stay here with Dias. He'll get better soon, I know it. Then I'll go and find you all again. There won't be a problem with that, right?" she turned over, burying her head in her pillow. "Right?" she asked, muffled.
"...you know I couldn't just leave you here..." the young man murmured, turning and walking back toward Rena. "If you want to stay, I'll stay here with you. I will protect you." he sat down on the bed and leaned over to give her a quick hug. "Do what you want to do. I'll stay with you whatever happens."
"Ashton.." she moved back around, making it easier for him to embrace her. "I.."
"Rena... listen to me. I know it's hard on you... and I won't force you if you don't want to. But if at all possible... I want you to think about the others. Dias is important, but Dias is Dias. The men shouldn't try and hurt him any further... and if you can find them, maybe you can find a way to cure Dias. So..."
"..so you want me to go on with my search.."
He moved her arms away from her face and looked her straight in the eyes. "...I want you to do what you think is right."
She nodded slowly. "..yes.. to do what I think is right.. give me a little bit of time to think, Ashton." she nuzzled against him and returned the embrace. She watched the young man smile a little, trying to be encouraging, and couldn't help but tighten her arms around him. She leaned up, allowing him to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Ashton."
~~~
After midnight, Rena got up, rubbing her eyes from sleep. She could hear Ashton's soft breathing from the bed next to her, and gave a sigh of relief. Standing slowly, she tiptoed to the window of the inn. The moon was shining brightly, leaving enough light for her to navigate, but not enough to be a nuisance for sleep. She eyed it silently for a while, then nodded once to herself. She could hear barely any noises spare for an occasional owl hoot outside and his breathing. Her heart was pounding though, and blocked out any other small noises. She turned away from the window, then slipped her hairpin out of her hair. She had kept it carelessly on her this day, even when she slept, for she had too many other things to worry about. She had also not bothered to change into her pajamas. This, for now, was at her advantage. She placed the hairpin down on the table, and then stepped quietly toward Ashton's sleeping figure.
She opened her mouth, then shut it, blushing slightly. She had never taken the time to watch him when he slept, and she noted that people were right when they said one could look like an angel when sleeping. He shifted in his sleep, making her freeze in place, but didn't wake. Rena shook her head, trying to assemble her thoughts. She wasn't up to watch him sleep... she had something else on her mind. Even though she didn't wish to leave his side...
She leaned over him, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "..Ashton.." she mouthed, "I'm sorry. ..please take care." she kissed him once, quickly, then pulled away, a tear forming in the corner of her eye. "I love you." She brushed it aside and turned around. "You'll forgive me, won't you?"
She glanced back once, then left the room, shutting it quietly after her.