Sibling Reunion

"Vincent, please wake up," begged Virginia, "I didn't know that my magic would do this to you. All I wanted was to show you the truth, to show you the power that lies in our blood. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Dist Dims would have this averse effect on another Shaman."


"Oooooooooh, sister, is that you," he gasped out. Suddenly, the young man opened his eyes. He saw the worried face of his twin coming into focus. She had been crying, he noticed, crying for him. Vincent began to think into the "even ifs", although he no longer believed that his mother had hated him. Even if she did, his sister had never tried to harm him in any way. Granted, she'd fought back when he had attacked her, but few people will just stand around and let you shoot them. And how could she have known that the man she was fighting against had been the man who had raised him from infancy?


Now that he thought about it, Vincent could see the dark side of Leehalt's ambitions. Oh sure, he'd done it so he could survive with the new body he'd gotten after the accident, but every other soul on Filgaia would perish. Vincent had always believed that the Prophets would give him a body to survive in that environment when the time was right, and that's why he hadn't tried to stop them. But would they really have done such a thing? Even if they could, many people who had been nice to him would die. Including Leehalt's brother, who had taken care of young Vincent when the man was busy with work. Did Leehalt, Melody, and Malik want to live that badly? Were they trying to cause the people to undergo a transformation that would render them mindless slaves instead of the intelligent beings they were?

Virginia said, "What a relief, you're going to be ok. I was worried that my magic did something to you, that you weren't going to recover, ever. But since you're ok, why don't we put this little squabble in the past before someone gets hurt even worse. I'd hate to have to kill my own brother."

Vincent looked at her. "I'm sorry, Virginia. I let myself get so caught up in the pain I'd felt, that I refused to see the obvious. Mother was crying when I saw the three of you on the picnic, she just didn't let Father see the pain she felt. Grandfather's magic was not directed at me, it was being used to shield himself from my attack. And you've never tried to hurt me. Heck, if you and your friends can take out all three of the Prophets, you would be able to waste me in three seconds flat. If you really wanted to kill me, I wouldn't have made it out alive when I attacked you at your house that time."


"Apology accepted Vincent," she replied, "I'm just happy that we can become a family. Let's go to Boot Hill, I must tell Mother and Father what has happened." With that, she began pulling Vincent along, like she used to do with Jet when they'd first met. Jet was hoping that Vincent had as much energy as he did, or else Virginia would wear him out long before they arrived at the gravesite.

* * *

"Mother, I've got a surprise for you. My twin brother, Vincent, is alive. I know you were looking for him for a long time. Here he is, I found him. Vincent, say hello to Mother," stated Virginia.

Vincent walked up to the grave, and whispered, "Hello, Mother. I'm sorry that I wasn't here for you. Aunt Victoria tells me that your sickness came from despair over Father's disappearance. And of the lingering grief you had over me. I just want you to know, I'm sorry for hating you all these years. I'm sorry I fell for Leehalt's tricks. I mean, how can a person hate the one who died because they hadn't been there for him? Please, find it in your heart to forgive me." A tear fell down his face.

Suddenly, the air began to distort. When it cleared, a woman was floating before the twins. She had long blond hair tied up in a ponytail, and vibrant green eyes that locked on the two of them. The woman was dressed in red Shaman's robes. A pendant of a pair of angel's wings was around her neck. Her voice sounded calm, like the gentle flow of water. "My son, you're alive and that's all that matters to me. Whatever happened to you in the past wasn't your fault. I admit, I gave up on ever finding you alive, having no idea of a plot directed at getting revenge against Werner and myself. I would have given in to despair if it wasn't for Virginia, and the concern she'd shown whenever I wasn't feeling at my best. And when I died, my one regret was not being able to save your life. All I ask for, is that you treat your sister with kindness and respect from now on, and that you live a long and happy life." She began to fade.

"Mother!" screamed Vincent, "Don't go! I've finally found out what really matters, so please stay with me a little longer. Tell me all about yourself, and your past. I want to know all about you."


"I am sorry, my son, I was lucky to be granted this brief time to talk with you. Virginia, please take care of him. I know you can do it, you are my daughter after all. I have watched you from afar for all these years, and you have made me so proud. You have a kindness that even few of those Shamans who worship Raftina are able to attain. Your love for your husband is the purest I've seen, even purer than mine for your father. Please, be happy in the future," she begged her daughter.

Virginia nodded. She and Vincent watched as their mother's spirit continued to fade, and soon it had vanished entirely. But she did not cry, she had to help her brother in the ways their mother never could. It was the only thing she could do to make it up to him for all of the suffering he'd endured.

Vincent stated, "Well, at least I got to speak with her. Now I know what you saw Virginia, you saw the kindness deep in her heart. I'll never let my emotions get in the way of my reasoning again. We're a family now, like it should have been. But how will I ever make up for all the crimes I've committed?"


Virginia held her brother close. "Don't worry, nothing was your fault. Although you acted consciously, you were practically under Leehalt's control at the time. You can make it up by simply becoming a better person, and helping out the people who care about you, even as they help you."


"Ginny!" called Jet, "Your aunt and uncle want to speak with you, they want to know all of the details surrounding what happened with your mother and brother, and how you saved him."


"Oh well, guess it's time to face the music. Now what excuse can I make up this time? Let's see, I simply knocked him unconscious might do the trick. What do you think?" she asked him.

Vincent shrugged. "Don't ask me, I know nothing about being a Shaman, or how to hide myself from those who might want to hurt me. You're telling the story, so use whatever you want."


Virginia then punched her brother in the arm as a joke. But all that did was lead to a wrestling match. By the time Jet had called out to his wife again, wondering what was going on, the two of them were really dirty. This time though, they went inside, to discuss the situation with Tesla and Shalte.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

I'm thinking of new ideas now. Let's just thank those who helped. First, to Media Vision for the game. Second, to the variety sites that got me into Wild ARMs. Third, to Squaresoft, as we too that quote about a sister and brother fighting one another from their game "Legend of Mana". Fourth, to Namco, as I swear I was inspired by "Tales of Destiny" in at least one scene. (For those of you who don't know, ToD's heroine must fight her possessed father and the brother who is being forced along or else his father kills this girl who he cares about).