I tell you, Christmas holidays are a terrible thing. The general storm of activity around said holidays is what I'm blaming this time for the exceedingly long delay between updates. That, and a severe case of writer's block. ^^;; My apologies, everyone. It's totally my fault this time.
There were a LOT of reviews this chapter ( ^________^ ), so I might as well get started!
The reviewers . . . .
Allexandra Radcliffe: Hey, what can I say? I don't know about Suzaku, but I don't much like Isaac . . . well, considering my three favourite characters are Karst, Saturos, and Menardi . . . . Ahem. *sweatdrop* Thanks for the cookie, though! *eats cookie quickly, before muses can steal it*
Akachi: Thanks to your hyperactive muse, I now have extensive redecorating to do . . . . -_-;;; I personally support Karst/Puelle (when I'm not supporting Karst/Ryou, that is!). And you'll see about Saturos and Menardi, that you will . . . !
Empress Dotdotdot: Whatever gave you that impression, Dotdotdot-chan? ^_~
The way the whole collab thing works is a lot like our beta-reading arrangement, actually. One of us starts a chapter, e-mails it to the other. They tweak what the first person wrote, add on their own stuff, and e-mail it back. This can happen up to six times, depending on how inspired we feel, how long we want the chapter, the content, etc. Chapter Six was so well blended that I'm not quite sure what I wrote and what Suzaku did. Almost every sentence was a team deal. Although it's safe to say that my sections have no swearing in them, if that helps.
The last scene was Suzaku's, and Karst's rage at the very first was pretty much mine, but towards the middle it was mostly Suzaku's. I have no talent for description, so you're probably talking about his part. -_-;
Glad you liked the chapter--and fic! ^_^
Yoshimi Takahashi: Well, you know how I feel about those two! And I understand what you mean about powerful things talking to people. . . .
Yoshimi, your Ringwraiths are starting to scare me. . . . Even more than Menardi.
Menardi: What do you mean, even more than Menardi?
Vyctori: Eep! I was just exaggerating! No one scares me more than you! Not even crazy Nergal from Fire Emblem (another reason why my updates are in the toilet)!
Menardi: Goooood. Because I'd be forced to give you a reason to fear me.
Vyctori: 0_o;;
SSJ-KybokSilverfang: I agree with everything you said! Prox does indeed rock! ^_^ And so do Saturos and Menardi!
DragonTamer: Thanks a lot, to both you and Monsu!
BishouDuo (x3): *big grin* Thanks for the compliment of reviewing! Suzaku's great at ranting, ne?
You speak three languages? That's great! Or is it just random words here and there? And you'll have to ask Suzaku about the Tensuiga . . . he named it.
Valderaq: We inspired you?! Wow, that makes me so happy! And I'm not messing with dragons, so I'm updating! Good luck with your insurance!
******
WOW! Eight different people reviewed! That's incredible! Thanks so much for the reviews, everyone!
Now, go read the chapter, considering it took me long enough to post this!
~ * * * ~
Agatio watched helplessly as his strong, fearless, independent partner cried her eyes out in Ryou's arms outside of Jupiter Lighthouse. He wished there was something he could do, anything to comfort her, but knew it was hopeless.
"I don't understand," Agatio mentioned to Felix, who also was standing uselessly by. "What's happened? When we first found out that Saturos and Menardi were . . . dead. . . ." He could barely say the word. He rubbed a thick hand across his eyes and took a deep breath. "She didn't cry then. Afterwards, whenever someone mentioned it, she still didn't weep. She just went hard inside, and became more so every day. Now. . . ." Both their gazes swung to where Ryou was murmuring soft nothings to Karst, trying to soothe her.
"I think it's because that she's lost all hope." Felix sighed, face sad. "Before, when she had thought of slaughtering Isaac on her hands, even though she knew in her heart that it wouldn't bring them back, at least she felt like she was doing something. Now that even that one thing has been denied to her, she's just . . . well, collapsed is the only word I can think of it. It's as though her flame has been extinguished.
"It's really hard seeing her like this," he continued. "I've known her for three years and have never seen her like this. I can understand why--I feel the same way--but I didn't think anything could break her, ever."
"Well, I guess we both were wrong," Agatio commented softly.
* * *
Felix's group opted to stay with Karst and the rest. They knew they would make no more progress that day, but Felix simply couldn't leave one of his best friends in the middle of the worst period of her life. As for the others, though they didn't know Karst personally, they were still sensitive to his wishes and didn't say anything, instead preparing camp and simply waiting.
Ryou sat on a stone, arms still cradling Karst. The fight and her emotions had worked together so that the Proxian was now sleeping a deadened sleep in his hold. Her crimson hair covering her tired and saddened eyes, she continued to murmur Menardi's name unconsciously. Like a mother, Ryou slowly and gently rocked her back and forth as he thought.
Should I tell her what the Tensuiga said? he wondered. But would she not believe me? Or, worse, would she believe me? If her hope returned after such a terrible time and then I could not resurrect Menardi and Saturos, that would truly destroy her.
He tenderly gazed at the sleeping Karst, normally such a stormy torrent of energy when awake, but now…His face sobered. He couldn't bear to see Karst this way. Perhaps he should start coming up with a plan to get to Venus Lighthouse. Before, when the Tensuiga spoke to him--and he still had trouble believing a piece of metal could talk—he had simply thought that he could have Alex use Teleport to take him there. Now. . . .
Karst stirred in his arms, interrupting his thoughts. Her eyes blinked open, at first clear, but then becoming leaden as she realized to which reality she awoke. As Ryou gazed onto her face, he saw that weakened spark in her crystal eyes literally die, and it nearly brought him to tears.
How the mighty have fallen, Ryou morbidly thought.
"Did you have a nice sleep?" he questioned softly.
A nod of her tired head was his answer. Despite her earlier slumber, she seemed no more rested than when she had crumpled on Jupiter Lighthouse. The white-haired Adept longed to tell her of his daring plan to revive her sister and close friend, but decided against it. If he did promise her their return, but failed to deliver, she'd never forgive him…and he'd never forgive himself.
"R-Ryou. . . ." Karst murmured softly. She then began to cry again, pressing her face into his tunic and continuing to vent her sadness. All of her pent-up emotions were released as she continued to weep in her slumber, Ryou's arms and body providing her with the loving warmth she so desperately needed right now. Taking a few slow steps, he carried his friend to a spot where she could rest easily, slowly taking mental steps in his fertile mind to restore her loved ones. With the greatest care, he placed Karst in her blanket, gently fluffed her pillow and watched as she unconsciously shook in the realm betwixt reality and sleep.
As he stood guard over her, Ryou began to ponder. Yes, she had a tough attitude, great fighting prowess and a slightly stronger preference for violence over rational thought. However, though she'd be loath to show it, she too was subject to times of sadness, needing comfort and the reassurance that someone would catch her if she falls. Just as much as Mia or Sheba, she too had bouts of a feeling that Ryou could only describe as fluffiness. As she slept, with a tiny stream of tears on her frown-covered face, she seemed like such a cherub, an innocent young girl whose life had been torn asunder by the cruel winds of Fate.
Such cruelty and pain does life force on those most undeserving, the white-haired boy mused. Karst doesn't deserve this. Such a beautiful angel should have no reason to cry. . . .
His eyes widened as the thought passed. Where in blazes did that come from?
To avoid thinking about that, he turned to look at Karst, who was softly whimpering. Though he wasn't aware consciously of what he was doing, he simply kneeled down and hugged her close to him. Just as she started to cry, she stopped again, the last bits of her energy drained from this soul-destroying day. She hugged him tightly as if it was a natural thing, which made his heartbeat speed up rapidly and his body heat up.
Okay, I'm not a Mars Adept, and we're not that close to the fire, Ryou thought. Karst isn't using any Psynergy . . . so why am I feeling so warm? And why do I like this?
As she continued to squeeze her white-haired teddy bear, she then manoeuvred her face so that it was directly in front of his. Then, with only the fire as their witness, Karst kissed Ryou's cheek, her warm lips burning onto him in a sweet but short moment.
"Thank you," Karst whispered before she left this conscious realm.
With a blushing face, Ryou swiftly got up and silently left the camp to head back to Contigo, hoping to find someone that could help him on this self-imposed mission.
I don't know why she did that . . . but it felt amazing, he thought with a tender grin on his face.
With only the slow fire crackling, he vanished like a thief into the night. Though he considered it a trick by the flames and pale moonlight, he thought he saw Karst smile…
***
As Ryou silently plowed through the thick growth, he felt another Adept following him. Stopping and noiselessly preparing an attack plan, he stood onto the shadowed earth and fired off a powered-down Repukken so that it wouldn't hurt them, but allow him a good view. The wave tore through the leaves and struck, a stone-coloured blade reflecting it and sending energy sparks everywhere. Recognizing Phaeton's Blade, Ryou knew whom he was confronting.
Felix, Ryou thought. Show yourself, for I've no time for games.
As if the white-haired Adept summoned him, the brown haired Valean appeared, his sword still singing from the technique. His normally sombre brown eyes were focused on the fighter in front of him, trying to mentally read out his plan.
"So, Ryou, " Felix asked. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to see a priest in Contigo," Ryou answered.
"This late at night?"
"I have my reasons," Ryou stated cryptically. "And don't take this as an affront, but I'd rather not tell you them."
"I guess hanging around Alex has you picking up his mannerisms," the Venus Adept responded. "Seriously, where do you think you're going?"
Knowing that he was stubborn and that he'd follow him all night if need be, Ryou sighed.
"Fine then, Felix. I shall tell you my plan. But you must swear that you will tell no one of this."
Felix gave his word of honour. Having done that, Ryou began his story of his talking Tensuiga (at which Felix raised an eyebrow), the plan he cooked up and the confrontation atop the Lighthouse of Jupiter before his group came up there. Throughout the short narrative, Felix said nary a word, though his eyes told more than language could dream of. After he finished, Felix simply said one thing,
"She must mean a lot to you."
Yes, she does, Ryou thought. Then reflecting on that kiss on the cheek Karst gave him, a quick blush escaped him. Thankfully, the dim shadows covered it from Felix's eyes. As he got up and began to continue walking, he made one final request.
"If I come back with Saturos and Menardi, you will be the first to know. If I do not, then for Karst's sake, make no mention of this plan. I don't want her to be hurt anymore."
"You have my word, Ryou."
As the Venus Adept watched Ryou vanish into the night yet again, Felix muttered softly to himself, "Good luck, Ryou. Fate guide you, for all our sakes."
* * *
As Ryou continued towards Contigo, he let his mind roam--specifically, back to that brief moment by the fire, where Karst had freed herself from her grief long enough to thoroughly throw him off kilter. Paying just enough attention to keep himself from getting killed by a stray monster, Ryou set himself to the task of pondering.
Why had she kissed him that way? Could it just be the kiss of two friends who had known each other for the majority of their lives? But if that was so, why did he feel so…tingly…even remembering it now?
Ryou shook his head, his silvery-white hair swinging back and forth across his back. Thinking about the problem only made him more confused. He could not deal with his emotions at the moment, not when more serious matters were pressing forwards, demanding his attention. Once he found out if the Tensuiga was indeed powerful enough to resurrect Menardi and Saturos, then he could concentrate on working out the enigma that was Karst.
The sun was beginning to rise as he finally stopped his walk. He knew that it would take him several days to reach Contigo by ordinary means, but if he were to allow himself only a few short hours to sleep and eat, he might be able to shave off a full day off his travel time. He didn't want to be apart from Karst any longer than he had to.
I know she has Felix with her to prevent her from doing anything…hasty, anything with irreversible consequences, but I won't feel better until I'm back with her, along with her sister and Saturos.
It took him almost six days to reach Contigo. He arrived just after dark on the fifth day, limping from a wound he only had time to half-heal. He knew he looked a real mess, with tousled hair, dark rings under his eyes from lack of sleep, scratches from both bushes and monsters alike, and clothing that was fraying at the edges.
I only hope that they'll let me in, Ryou thought to himself, a half-smile ghosting his face.
"Who's there?" the woman on the first shift of night watch called out.
"I am a traveller who needs to speak with the priest of Contigo," Ryou answered steadily.
The woman lit a torch and held it up, to better scan his appearance. Satisfied that he could do no harm in his condition, she let him through.
"You should probably have someone see to those wounds, young man," she advised.
Ryou smiled. "Don't worry. They're not a problem at all."
Slightly grimacing, Ryou fell on one knee, still weakened from the hike. The many cuts the flock of Harpies gave him with their claws two days back still lingered on his body. Though he decided to heal the venom with the Cure Poison Psynergy, he knew the wounds wouldn't be enough to do any major damage, so he went on.
With a worried shake of her brown head, the young woman helped to lift the tired Adept up and helped guide him to the glorious Sanctum, where the priest awaited. The two flames softly burning at the door signalled he was still within the holy area, so with a tender knock on the door, the woman called out, "Priest Motoi, there is a young man out here who requests your assistance. He has travelled far and long, and has suffered great wounds in the process."
With a voice that was like the boom of a drum, there was a response. "I've been waiting for him. Send him in, Lorelei."
The doors parted, allowing the two to see the enclosed realm within. A great fountain with crystalline water flowed in the back, with flowers on all sides and a massive stone table in the centre. Standing behind the table was a middle-aged man of considerable girth about the height of Agatio, with lengthy black hair and silver streaks showing his age. Despite his naturally fearsome face, his wise green eyes were those of a kind, caring soul. As he stared into the tired and worn face of Ryou, he began to speak.
"So, Ryou. It appears you've come to me finally. What caused you such delay?"
The young man couldn't answer that, as the stress and fights of the past few days struck, causing him to silently collapse in front of the priest. Gently, he picked up Ryou and carried him to a bed so he could rest. Placing a hand on the Adept's head, the priest peered into his mind and read why he was here and what he hoped to gain. A sudden telling expression appeared on the priest's face.
Removing his hand from Ryou's forehead, Motoi set about gathering a small vial of water from the fountain. After speaking a few arcane words softly, he gently poured the liquid down Ryou's throat. As the healing water went down, the Adept's eyes opened slightly, allowing him a dim view of his surroundings.
"Sorry about falling out like that," he whispered softly.
"It is okay, Ryou. The race you ran to get here, in the condition you're in, they would have slain lesser people," the priest consoled.
"How do you know my name, Father?"
"Well, reading minds is one of the fringe benefits of being a Jupiter Adept."
"That was the next thing I was going to ask you," he admitted, leaning up on the bed.
"See what I mean?" Motoi joked. Then his normally jolly face became serious. "I read your mind while you slumbered, and I know now the reason you are here."
"You . . . do?"
"You wish to revive the ones known as Saturos and Menardi. Is that not right?" the priest asked.
"That's right, priest. They were unjustly slain and I wish for their return."
"And you intend on using the Tensuiga to do this, am I correct?"
"You are correct," Ryou said.
"Then you must learn about this blade's powers, and the cost of it."
Ryou was puzzled. "Cost? What do you mean cost?"
Gently retrieving the weapon and placing it in Ryou's hands, Motoi explained.
"Everything in this world has a cost to it. We eat meat at the cost of an animal's life. We plow fields at the cost of some land. We love one person at the cost of another. For each action you make in this life, you must be prepared to give some compensation."
Staring at the lethal beauty of the sword, he continued. "And so is the case with your Tensuiga. It is a holy blade. It has the power to cleanse the heart and heal the body. In this instance, you wish to restore the lives of two you hold dear . . . for one you hold dearer."
". . . For one you hold dearer?" His mind asked itself. Is he talking about Karst?
"If the person was of pure heart and noble spirit, reviving them with this weapon would be child's play. Yet, if the person in question was of a cruel bent, they too could be revived by the Tensuiga's power . . . but at a cost."
The priest's green eyes softened before he continued. "This blade can only be handled and mastered by one with the power to truly cherish others. It opposes darkness, and will never willingly heal the evil. If the blade were ever used for reviving hateful ones, the user of the blade would die, their life force consumed by the blade as punishment for perverting its intended use."
Ryou's eyes became closed, taking in all this information. He never realized just how powerful and pure his blade was. And now, he learns that if he revives Saturos and Menardi, he could die, for how is he to know the blade's interpretation of good and evil? Did it have its own morals, or did it simply adapt the beliefs of its master?
"And now that you know all of this, do you still wish to revive these two?" the priest asked.
In an instant of clarity, the scene of Karst crying at the top of Jupiter Lighthouse, reducing her to her current pitiable and broken state, flashed into his mind. To see that tragic replay confirmed his decision.
"Yes, Motoi," Ryou stated. Picking up his blade, he began to follow the priest into a dark corridor. The dim torches flickered in the cold stone hall, reminding the white-haired Adept of a medieval dungeon. He nearly ran into the priest as he stopped in front of a massive golden door.
"I am to be admitted," the priest chanted. "Open, open, open."
With bone-chilling slowness, the entrance was unblocked and the doors vanished. Feeling a cold prick of fear on his spine, the younger man followed the priest into the mysterious room. It was pitch black, with no windows or any light of any kind. It was obviously filled with things, as Ryou tripped on a few things within that room.
"I am in," Motoi repeated. "Shut, shut, shut."
As the door closed with a dull boom, a brilliant light shattered the gloom and showered the room with brightness. With a carefree gait, the priest walked up to the platform on the far end of the corridor and picked up a small golden medallion. Inscribed on the item were two wings. One of which was soft and heavenly black, like one on a fallen angel, whereas the other was sharp and metallic ivory like a sacred demon.
Ryou began to grow impatient, like a child waiting to playing with the Christmas joy their sibling usurped. He didn't know why, but he wanted that item immediately! It was a longing he couldn't describe, a thirst that he didn't know with what to quench.
Why do I want that thing so much?
With the greatest care, the venerable priest and Adept walked out of the corridor and back into the Sanctum. He looped the medallion around his charge's neck and began to speak.
"This item will allow you to move with the speed of wind and teleport to distant locations. Wearing this medallion, you can travel the world in a night. To find the two you long to restore, simply think of a happy memory involving them, and the medallion will take you to wherever they are. The Tensuiga will do the rest."
"Thank you, Motoi," Ryou cried, a few tears pouring down his cheeks. He would finally be able to see his old friends again. "I'll never forget this."
As he ran out of the sanctum and into the starry night to finish his promise, the priest simply shook his head.
It appears this young lady is quite important to you. In many eyes, such devotion would be considered . . . love, thought Motoi with a knowing smile as he headed back into the holy dwelling.
* * *
"Okay, from what Felix told me, Saturos and Menardi died right beside each other. So if I find one, I can locate the other," Ryou muttered to himself as he plowed back into the woods, standing at the edge of a quietly flowing stream. "Now the first thing is to think of a fond memory involving the two."
Sheathing his blade, he focused his mind and thought back to long ago, to when he was just an innocent babe, and back to falling snow . . . .
* * *
Time passes, people move. Like a river's flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition. Young love will become deep affection. The clear water's surface reflects growth.
Now think on your memories and reflect upon yourself. . . .
"Can't catch me, Satty!" a tiny voice declared. A young Menardi ran through the snow-blanketed fields of Prox, her lengthy blond hair flowing in the biting wind as a snowball narrowly missed marring her pink skin.
"You just watch, Menny!" a younger Saturos said running after her. His blue skin and burning red eyes were in perfect contrast to the white snow about him, but as he scooped up another sphere in his hands and prepared to throw, two errant snowballs dropped from the clouds and got him in the back.
"Ah!" he winced, the swift cold shocked him into alertedness.
"Great throw, Agatio!" A young girl giggled from the frosty treetops. Her short crimson hair and scarlet eyes were slightly lighter in the ice-blue sky, which still rained down snowflakes.
"You should never take your eyes off the enemy!" boomed the other person, a young man who was quite large and muscular for his age. Like Saturos, he bore the same blue skin, yet his eyes were more of molten lava, and not a dark magenta like his leaner friend.
Jumping down from their protective foliage, they proceeded to team up on the unsuspecting Saturos and pelt him with snow. Seeing this, Menardi had to help out her friend and started shooting right back at the deadly duo.
Both sides were so absorbed in helping their partner and blasting the other two senseless that they didn't notice a young boy's eyes open at the top of the hill where they lay, revealing two chocolate ones full of mischief. . . .
They didn't see the hands slowly pick up some snow and form it into lethal weapons. . . .
They didn't see the figure above them take aim. . . .
But they surely felt it when it fired.
Agatio, Karst and Saturos were all hit with the sneak attack. Only Menardi managed to dodge the trick and formed a snowball to throw right back. The counterattack struck the person, driving him forward to roll down the hill, ending up with him covered in snow. As he brushed himself off, the person was revealed to be. . . .
"Ryou!"
The little boy simply laughed at the foursome, his snow-white hair shifting in joy. Even though he had taken a less-than-dignified roll down the snowy hill, he still felt victorious. What a marvelous trick! What genius! What skill! What. . . .
Pow!
The stinging snow pelted down on Ryou heavily as his friends joined forces to take down the lone wolf. Snowballs of all sizes struck him, causing him to strike back as best he could. For one against four, he gave as good as he got, effectively taking out Saturos, then Menardi, and by a stroke of luck (and a snow bump), Agatio.
Leaving just him and Karst.
Circling each other like in their training, they each had a snowball in their hand, each waiting for the other to make a false move or error. The other three were silently, watching this showdown. Only the wind blowing could be heard.
And then, Karst struck. Whipping out her hand in an instant, she threw the snowball right at Ryou, but he narrowly escaped and formed another. He tried to end it, but her lightning fast reflexes served her well, and Karst gracefully dodged. Standing about five feet away, the snowball instead struck Saturos in the face. She then picked up the icy powder and threw one snowball, which Ryou easily evaded. Then she threw the second and it hit him square in the face.
He fell backwards to the snow-covered earth with his friends on top of him throwing snow in his face, vanquished in his own game, but happy in his defeat. . . .
* * *
He then found himself kicked out of the memory and into a chapel. The inside was pitch black, so he knew it was still night.
It works, Ryou crowed mentally. It works! It. . . .
He then saw a large crystalline coffin, containing the bodies of Saturos and Menardi. Aside from the wounds they suffered in the battle against Isaac and friends, they didn't look any different alive than dead. Slowly drawing his Tensuiga, he muttered a silent prayer before opening the coffin and looking at the two.
Will this work? Will the Tensuiga accept these two and revive them…or will I revive one at the cost of my own life?
Taking a long, deep breath, he placed the blade onto their hearts and waited. The sword began to glow a deep bluish color, which began to cover the two Proxians. Ryou could only wait as time seemed to stop. . . .
And suddenly, Saturos and Menardi's eyes opened slowly. Waking up from their deathly slumber, they slowly got up and took in their surroundings.
"Wha-what happened?" Saturos asked Menardi. "The last thing I remember was falling down the Venus Lighthouse. . . ."
"So do I," Menardi said, confused and a tad nervous. "But then . . . how did we get here?"
"I brought you here," Ryou answered her.
Menardi, just having been revived from the dead and it being the middle of the night in a strange church with no recollection on how she got there, did what any person would do. . . .
Bap!
"Gee, what a show of gratitude," muttered Ryou as he rubbed the bump on his head where her fist had connected.
"Ryou?" Saturos's face gave way to a warm grin at the voice, which gave way to an even warmer hug. "Ryou! It's you!!"
Feeling a bit sheepish after striking him, she used her Wish Psynergy to heal the bump while hugging the Adept herself. "It's been so long!" she cried, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Ryou couldn't help but cry either. It had been so long since seeing them, and for a few minutes, they just stood there, not saying anything, but saying everything.
"How . . . how did you do it?" Menardi asked.
"Apparently, my blade has a bunch of healing powers, one of which being the ability to restore those of pure heart."
"So, we're good?" Saturos then got up and shouted. "Ha! Up yours, Wise One!!"
Menardi and Ryou simply backed away from the crazed Proxian.
"Are you okay?" Menardi asked, thinking this whole experience has sent him round the bend.
"Of course I am!" Saturos gloated. Then his face grew a bit sadder. "But where are Agatio, Felix and the others?"
"And where's my baby sister?" Menardi half-demanded.
"You'll see them, soon enough," Ryou laughed. "Now just hold hands. . . ."
And Ryou teleported them away, the warm kiss Karst gave him allowing them the memory for a safe return….
* * *
Back at the camp, Felix's group had gotten to know Agatio and a somewhat-better Karst over the past few days, and had developed a sort of bond with the two Proxians. When Ryou's whereabouts were questioned, Felix told them he had gone to meet with some old friends. (Felix couldn't help but notice a slight frown from the Mars Adept when she heard that.) After introductions were made and stories were told over a nice fire and hearty meal, new friendships were formed, including the formation of the "Terrible Trio," which consisted of Jenna, Sheba and Karst. No one there wanted to get on the wrong side of those three, so things were generally upbeat.
Then Alex came back.
At first, Agatio and Piers had to hold Jenna and Karst back from mauling the Mercury Adept, though Felix thought the two males wouldn't have minded if they had. As usual, he entertained few questions and gave fewer answers, which irked everyone there. His comments at Contigo were not forgotten, nor forgiven, as it was basically everyone vs. Alex.
A tiny ring like that of a bell signaled the trio's arrival. Ryou simply strode out in front, a soft yet secretive smile on his lovely face. When the group saw him return, Agatio lunged over and gave the Adept a huge pat on the back that knocked him flat. Karst gave him a hug, which had him seeing red for a few moments. Jenna, Kraden and Sheba bombarded him with questions, while Piers simply gave a warm smile. Alex, who wouldn't have cared if he suddenly sprouted three multi-colored, fire-breathing heads and grew twenty feet tall, simply gave a little quirk of the lips. And when his eyes met Felix's, the sparkle they had made the Venus Adept giddy.
"As Felix told you, I went to go visit a few friends. Though most of you cared," he shot a steely glare at Alex, "I decided to bring them back with me. Please step out of the shadows so they can get a better look."
As the bushes parted and Menardi and Saturos appeared, everyone had a different reaction. Jenna and Sheba began to cry openly, while Felix tried to wipe away the tears of happiness on his sleeve. Piers (who didn't know that much of the two), was in shock as well. Agatio's face was a mixture of joy, astonishment and disbelief. Alex's was that of disbelief and horror, as well as fear.
Only Karst spoke, slowly walked up to her older sister, and said simply, "Menardi . . . my sister. . . ." then proceeded to cry into her dress. Unlike last time, however, these were tears of pure, radiant joy as they melted the last bits of ice around her heart.
As he cried, she took a moment to glance at Ryou, whose eyes were drowning in unshed tears. The Proxian decided that explanations could wait.
For right now, she had everything.
~ * * * ~
Vyctori: Well, that's everything! So far, so good, I think. Sorry once again about the long delay. *dramatically* Fate conspired against us, and--
Menardi: *casts Fiery Blast* That's enough out of you.
Vyctori: *after putting self out* What, only Fiery Blast? You must be in a good mood!
Menardi: I am. And in order to prolong my good mood, you all should review. Because we all know what happens if you don't. . . . *cracks knuckles*
Vyctori: 0_o; Er . . . what she said. *walks off quickly*