Author's Ramble
FFC: I'm back!
Pryce: After two months.
FFC: Yup. I kind of got stuck at the last part of this chapter, so it took quite a while to get me mind straightened out.
Pryce: It was only the date with…
FFC: knocks Pryce with a large mallet… thingy let them read.
Pryce: unharmed Okay. FFC doesn't own anything. Except me.
FFC: I don't own you actually. Remember you were the one that said you'd become my muse or something.
Pryce: But you wrote me into existence.
FFC: Nope. Microsoft Works did.
Pryce: Huh?
FFC: Nevermind. On with the chapter!
=Chapter 8=
Alarms blared in the GISB HQ.
"Code red! All personnel report to your stations!"
"When did the SOS come?" Rio shouted over the din as Éclair prepared to take off, "And why do you have a sore cheek Duo?"
"You should know all too well," Duo replied, rolling his eyes. Rika glowered slightly nearby. Jen appeared on the screen then.
"What's going on there?"
"We just received an SOS signal from unbreakable."
"Where Chikage is?"
Rio nodded, "It seems that their under attack by an unidentified force. Could you send Peroth over? I think we might need her powers."
Jen looked over at Peroth, who nodded.
"Okay," Jen switched off his intercom. The two were alone in the hospital room. Peroth had decided to stay with Jen for the time being to look after him. Apparently she still felt guilty for his condition.
"Is something wrong Peroth?" Jen asked, noting her slightly uncomfortable expression.
"Umm…" the brunette started to say something, but hesitated. Finally, she stood, "I think I'll have to go."
"Alright. Be careful."
"Um," with that she left. Jen sighed and looked out of the window. Silence fell for a moment.
"Start afresh huh?" Jen muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, amid a cluster of WNS launch ships, Éclair burst forth, leaving behind a trail of blue energy particles.
"We've lost contact with unbreakable," Duo notified everyone, "We'll be going in blind, but we do have the commander's tracking signal. It's reading strong."
"Understood. Suit up everyone."
"Roger!"
Back in unbreakable, Sora was typing at the console in the negotiations room.
"The communications channel has been severed," Sora muttered, "Hopefully the SOS went through."
A warning sign appeared on the screen just then.
"What's wrong?" Chikage asked, leaning over to take a look.
"There's been a security breach," Sora keyed in a few commands, bringing up the surveillance cameras. Several guards were shooting at something.
"What the hell are those?"
"Retreat!"
It was too late. Several creatures nimbly shot forward, pouncing on the guards. Ripping sounds filled the speakers as cries of agony rippled through the entire prison. The creatures were humanoids, standing on their rear legs as their front limbs nearly sweep the floor, claws long and menacing. Their mouths were circular in shape, with rows of jagged teeth lining the gums. Their eyes were blood red, numerous tubes flowing out from the back of their heads, and together with their skin, possessed a pale grey colour. One of the creatures spotted the camera and roared, destroying the contraption with a mere swipe. Static filled the screen.
"What was that thing?" Chikage asked, frightened.
"Soul demons. They're also made from soul cells," Sora replied as he continued to type at the console. Chikage looked at him, a mixture of curiosity and fear.
"Who are you?"
No reply. Dead silence reigned as Sora stopped typing. After a while Sora stood, picking up the rifle nearby and a belt of ammo and grenades.
"Sora?"
Sora loaded the weapon and turned to Chikage. It was a moment before he spoke.
"GISB."
Silence. Then, Chikage smiled.
Outside, in the main field, the cyber angels landed with GISB troops flanking them.
"It's quiet," Rio remarked as thor touched down amid a spiraling sea of dust.
"Too quiet," Duo added. No one was there. In the enclosed space where the convicts would normally hang out, not a single soul could be seen. The silence was deafening.
"What's going on?"
"I don't like this one bit," Duo muttered. Just then his sensors detected something, "The entrance!"
All turned to watch as a guard stumbled out. His right arm was gone, and blood flowed freely from multiple wounds on his beaten body.
"H-HELP!"
That was his last word as something caught him by the ankle and dragged him back in. Screams of pain met the cyber angels' ears as they flew forth with the GISB troops.
"What in the…"
A grey blur pounced forth onto a GISB troop that had flown forward to investigate. Luckily, as it raised its claws, thor's hammer came hurtling through the air and struck the creature, causing it to howl angrily and crash to the floor. Quickly, it regained its ground and dodged the GISB troops' gunfire.
"It's too fast!" a troop shouted. The grey beast was practically running across the walls.
"Just stay still!" Duo grunted as he managed to encircle the creature with his shield. Instantly, various shells flew to it, engulfing the creature in a fury of explosions.
Meanwhile, inside unbreakable, Sora and Chikage were running down the corridor as their footsteps echoed in the silence.
"We have to get to the roof as quickly as possible."
"Um."
As they reached the end, they came to the block of cells they had went through just hours ago. Sora stopped in his tracks and looked around him.
"Is something wrong?" Chikage asked from behind. It was dead quiet, and Sora could detect no life, save for one. Looking at a dark corner for a moment, a pair of red eyes began to glow. Prepping his rifle, Sora shot a grenade out, and it exploded, illuminating one of the grey creatures before engulfing it with a powerful blast.
"Let's go," Sora said, grabbing Chikage's arm. As they were halfway across, snarling sounds could be heard as several grey creatures jumped down from the higher levels. Sora emptied a cartridge at them and followed Chikage. As Chikage stole a peek backwards, she saw the detached pieces of the creatures jerk and take shape into more of the grey beasts.
"How did those things appear here?"
"As long as there are soul cells, these creatures can be created," Sora turned to look at a passing cell. Leaning against the wall was a dead man, his blood splattered across the wall as his eyes were widened, face contorted in fear. There was a faint crystalline line traveling from his hand across the floor, "And there are plenty of them here."
Outside, more snarling sounds caught the GISB troops and cyber angel's attention as they spun round. Soul demons began pouring out of the main entrance at an unbelievable rate.
"What in the…" Duo's sensors detected something behind them. As he spun round, he saw multiple purplish holes emerge from thin air as more soul demons fell to the ground from them, "We're surrounded!"
"All units! Attack!" Rio shouted, and a furious fight ensued.
"What are these things?" Duo grunted, launching guardis' missiles at a pack of the grey beasts.
"We've never seen anything like them before in the matrix," Fio replied, receiving Maya, Eliza, and Peroth's affirmation.
Meanwhile, Sora and Chikage were almost to the roof. Soul demons appeared to block their way, but somehow Sora has been able to distract them long enough for the two of them to escape. The snarling sounds behind them behind them was getting louder by the second as the reached the stairway that would take them to the roof of the prison. Sora spun round just as they reached it and fired a grenade, catching the first demon that came round the corner and exploding. When the dust cleared, Duo and Chikage were long gone. As the two reached the top, the sunlight flooded their eyes as Chikage opened the door. Even temporarily blinded, Sora could tell something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Look out!"
Chikage found herself being pushed aside. In slow motion, she watched in horror as Kaiser appeared, a spectral blade appearing in front of each of his hands as he did a 360 degree turn.
Meanwhile, the cyber angels and GISB troops finally managed to destroy the soul demons, or at least, they stopped coming.
"Everyone, regroup," Rio panted through the intercom, "Support battalion, tend to any wounded and damaged WNS."
"Roger."
"Sis? What's going on down there?" Jen's voice came through the speakers, "Are you alright?"
"The…" Rio never got to finish her sentence as a metallic slash was heard. After a pause, a section of unbreakable's top broke apart and fell, a series of thunderous crashes echoing in the field. A cloud of dust hurtled across the flat plain, blinding everyone temporarily. Rio coughed as Duo's voice came through the line.
"I've detected Chikage's tracking signal on the roof."
Looking up, Rio could just make out a rough shadow. As the dust finally settled, her jaw dropped in horror. Kaiser could be clearly seen, with one arm round Chikage's neck.
"Ma'am!" Rio shouted. Thor's hammer began crackling with electricity, "Let her go!"
Kaiser lifted Chikage off her feet, causing her to wince and choke, placing her in front of him, "If you value your commander's life, you won't throw that."
"Damn!" Rio cursed, "What do you want?"
Silence. It was awhile before Kaiser spoke, "Nothing, human. Your species is worthless. That's why we shall cleanse this world of your race."
"What are you talking about?"
"Your race is like a virus, the plague of this land," Kaiser continued, "This world had been left in your care, yet you've abused it. You've turned this place into nothing more than a polluted, rotting rock with your careless actions. As such, we were sent here to punish your sins."
A spectral blade materialized in front of his hand as he brought it near to Chikage's face.
"Ma'am!" Rio stepped forward, but numerous purple holes appeared. Hordes of soul demons appeared, completely surrounding the GISB troops and cyber angels.
"This doesn't look good…" Duo muttered under his breath.
The soul demons growled threateningly at the GISB members, outnumbering the small force by almost threefold.
"You cannot deny your fate. It is inevitable!" With what Kaiser said, the soul demons leapt forwards, claws open, teeth bared.
"Stand your ground!" Rio shouted, batting away a soul demon, "Assault squads in front! Form a barricade! Support teams aid them! Demolitions in center! Take out as many as you can with one shot!"
"ROGER!"
"Duo, Chi, Mei, Banks. Form a shield around us! Guard them Rika!"
"Got it!"
"Not bad, you've gotten better sis," Jen muttered through the intercom. Rio smiled.
"Not as good as you Jen," thor's hammer began to crackled with electricity yet again, "but I'll brag to you if we make it back alive."
The fighting was furious. The GISB members managed to hold their ground for awhile, but slowly they were beginning to struggle with the enemy's limitless numbers. Chikage had been watching all this from the roof, pain visible in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but Kaiser covered it with his hand.
"Watch as they stubbornly refuse to admit their defeat. Watch, as they die, for you."
Those words hit Chikage hard as memories she tried to forget flooded back to her. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
'Not again…' Chikage thought, 'no…'
"I'm out of ammo!" A troop shouted. Various similar calls were heard across the small force.
"Damn it!" Rio cursed. In the prolonged fight everyone was getting tired, and even worse, ammo was low. Even the cyber angels' energy supplies were falling rapidly. To Rio's horror, thor's hammer sparkled violently and went docile.
"No!" a soul demon pounced forward, almost as if it was grinning sadistically as it brandished its claws.
"Rio!" Banks shouted, running over. He couldn't make it however, as the beast came down upon Rio.
Someone else did though.
There was a blinding flash of light, and time seemed to stop as the soul demon hung in midair. Seconds later, it split in two head down, falling limp to the ground. Rio's eyes widened in shock.
"What?"
Across the field, numerous other soul demons fell in the same fashion as the GISB members looked on, stunned.
"What…" Kaiser sensed a powerful aura, his eyes widening, "It… can't be…"
"Why do you say so?" A voice asked.
The oracles sensed a powerful force then, and turned to the direction of its source. Standing there, head bowed, was Sora. In his left hand he held a metal staff, the same one that he had used while fighting Fio in her viral form. On closer inspection however, one tip of the staff had a pair of small black wings that were thrown backwards. That end also acted as the source of the scythe's energy blade. A black jewel was encased on the other end, it's opaque texture slightly reflecting light. The staff's handle held various inscriptions in blood red, of an unknown language.
"Sora?" Fio called. The aura surrounding him was unbelievably powerful.
"My master said that you had lost your powers!" Kaiser exclaimed, clearly surprised.
"Some of them. Not all."
Kaiser cursed slightly under his breath, finally gaining back his composure, "It doesn't matter. Even with your powers you cannot hope to defeat an entire army of soul demons!"
As one the grey beasts surged forward, bearing down on Sora with inhuman speed. However, Sora merely smiled lightly, his eyes hidden from view by his hair.
"Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars."
Sora raised the staff in his hand as an unnatural draft caused his clothes to flutter.
"He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a shout like the roar of a lion."
The soul demons continued their charge as the others watched on helplessly. The first few in front leapt towards Sora as energy began to gather at the tip of his staff.
"When he shouted, the voices of seven thunders spoke."
The gathering energy rapidly hastened round Sora's staff as an orb of teal energy gathered. Seemingly having reached its limit, the orb exploded and engulfed everything in a blinding light.
"And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the heaven say, 'Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write them down.'"
As the light faded, Fio looked around her.
"What… happened?" she heard Maya mutter beside her.
It was as if the soul demons were frozen in time, completely still. Those that were in mid jump were hanging in mid air, their faces still contorted in fury. Sora stood there as the unnatural wind caught his coat. A steady orb of energy was hovering at the tip of his raised staff, it rippling like a water's surface.
"The angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, the sea and all that is in it, and said…"
Sora raised his head, eyes visible now.
"There will be no more delay!"
The orb upon his staff jerked and flashed with a violent sound. The soul demon nearest to Sora exploded into a fury of shimmering crystals. The orb flashed again and again, each time a soul demon shattering into nothingness save traces of glimmering lights, forming a spiraling shape as they all merged into the orb, it growing steadily brighter.
"Sora…" Fio whispered. Everyone else was too stun to speak as soul demons exploded around them. Oddly, the scene looked… calm, almost serene. Yet, that was why it was unnerving. Soon, all the soul demons were gone, and Sora calmly brought the staff to point at Kaiser, who took a step back tentatively.
"Let her go." Sora said quietly. Chikage felt Kaiser's arm tighten round her neck.
"You wouldn't dare harm her, would you?" Kaiser shot back, raising Chikage to his front. She was gasping for breath now as she struggled helplessly.
"Ma'am!" Rio finally got back her senses and shouted. All weapons were all pointed at Kaiser now.
"Put down your weapons!" Kaiser snarled, "If you value your commander's life put them down!"
Hesitantly, all the GISB troops lowered their guns.
"You too," Kaiser added, looking at Sora. However, he didn't even budge, save for the fact that his eyes were hidden from view by a shadow cast by his hair, "Are you listening to me?"
"Chikage."
Chikage opened her eyes slightly as she heard her name being called.
"Chikage," Sora continued, "Are you afraid?"
"Sora…" Chikage winced as Kaiser's grip tightened.
"Keep quiet!"
"Chikage, it's alright to cry. No one is perfect in this world," Sora muttered, "No one can hide from their sadness and fear for long."
"Sora…" Tears began falling from Chikage's eyes, "H-help me…"
"I said keep quiet!"
Sora smiled softly, "Understood…"
The orb on Sora's staff exploded into a magnificent fury, taking the form of a majestic teal energy dragon. Roaring, everything was illuminated with a teal hue as the dragon charged forward, straight towards Chikage and Kaiser.
"NO!"
The dragon crashed through the prison, sending debris flying everywhere as the entire section was ripped apart in a grand explosion. Everyone shielded their eyes from the blinding light.
"…commander."
"See you tomorrow, Chikage."
"Um. Bye."
Chikage was at a desk doing some paperwork. Outside, the sun was rapidly setting, washing everything with a soft orange hue, including a figure that stood before the seated Chikage.
"This is…" Chikage muttered, looking at her own younger form as she continued to write out something on paper, "My memories?"
"Chikage."
Chikage spun round, and her eyes widened as she saw the man standing at the door. He looked exactly like Jen, though he was older and looked more mature, and had lighter red irises than his brother.
"Paul…" Chikage whispered. Slowly, a smile crossed her face as she stepped forward. Her younger self however walked right through her and jumped into the man's embrace.
"Paul!"
"I thought I'd come to pick you up, Chikage."
"Um hmm. Hold on for a second. I'm almost done."
Chikage watched the couple from where she stood. She then looked down at her own hands.
"Why?"
Something wet fell to her palm.
"Why?"
More of the wet spots appeared on her hands. Chikage felt her knees buckle as she fell to the floor, sobbing.
"Why am I seeing all this again?"
Her surroundings began to blur and change, and as Chikage looked up, she was behind herself. This Chikage looked almost as old as her, and she was barring the path of the man known as Paul.
"I don't want to hurt you Chikage," The man said quietly, head bowed, "Please step aside."
"Why are you doing this?" Chikage asked, "Paul? Did Herald or father say something? If it's only a misunderstanding we could…"
"No, Chikage. This has nothing to do with the General or your father."
"Paul?"
"Do you believe in angels?"
"Paul, what are you talking about?" Chikage was getting desperate. Footsteps could be heard behind Paul.
"Do you, Chikage?" Paul asked again, looking up at her, smiling slightly, sadly, "Because they exist, but in a far more realistic way then white wings and flowing robes."
"Paul?"
"GISB, do you know what it really means? Everything you know, they're all lies, meant only to misguide you from the truth."
"What truth?"
"The matrix… is a gateway… to another dimension, one which we will never be able to fathom, or overcome…"
"He's over here!" A shout came from behind.
"No! Wait!" Chikage called out as she placed herself between Paul and the band of soldiers. She felt something pull her away though, and her eyes widened as she saw Paul embracing her. A gunshot sounded, followed by numerous more. In slow motion, the Chikage who had been sitting on the floor all this while watched in horror as Paul's back was ripped open by screaming shells.
"Paul!" The Chikage in Paul's arm cried out, tears welling in her eyes as both of them fell to the floor.
"Remember… my words… Chikage…"
"No! You can't die!" Chikage held Paul as he looked up to her and smiled. Gently, he caressed her cheek, and gave her one final kiss, before departing to the next world.
"NO!" The Chikage nearby screamed and covered her eyes. The scene blurred away into blankness as she quietly sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Why?" she muttered, "Why is this happening? The only person that I ever loved… Why did he have to leave me?"
No reply, everything remained perfectly still.
"Why… did he leave me all alone?"
As she sobbed, footsteps echoed as a shadow loomed over her form.
"Chikage."
Looking up, Chikage came face to face with Sora.
"Sora?"
Kneeling, he gently wiped away her tears, "Don't cry, Chikage."
"Sora… I…" her voice wandered as she turned away. It was too much to handle for her right now, "I'm sorry…"
"For?"
"I thought I was strong… I thought that I had gotten over… him, but then…"
Silence. It was after awhile that Sora stood, "Memories are nice Chikage."
Chikage looked up into Sora's teal eyes and tried to speak, but no words came out.
"Treasure them. Always. Even if your loved one is gone, he still lives on in your heart."
"Sora…"
"Let's go back Chikage, everyone's waiting for you," Sora said, extending his hand.
"Everyone?" Chikage repeated.
"All those that you still love, Chikage," Sora smiled, "All those people, that still care for you."
Slowly, Chikage began to smile also. Reaching out, she took Sora's hand, and immediately the blank space grew white, engulfing both of them in a blinding light.
"I still have people whom I care for… that I love with my heart. I'm not alone in this world. I never will be. Ever…"
As Chikage opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a white bed. She had seen this room before countless times, but she never would have guessed she would become a patient of this hospital.
"Ma'am!" Turning slightly, Chikage came face to face with Rio. The red hair was glad beyond description as she embraced Chikage, "We were so worried!"
Absentmindedly, Chikage stroked Rio's hair, "I'm sorry for causing you all so much trouble."
Rio parted from Chikage and shook her head, smiling brightly, "I'll go call the others."
Watching as the girl left the room, a smile crossed Chikage's face. Turning to the window, Chikage watched as the mockingbird sang outside.
"Paul…"
After a few moments, everyone had come to Chikage's room, and upon seeing that their commander was alright, were very relieved.
"If only I was there, I would've made him regret ever holding you hostage," Jen swore, but everyone laughed. The only person who didn't however was Peroth.
"Jen…" Peroth muttered in a silent voice as she watched him laugh with everyone else. Her actions were not left unnoticed however.
Chikage also couldn't help smile, but as she looked around the room, she couldn't find the person she was looking for.
"Where's Sora?"
Silence. Everyone grew quiet. Chikage instantly realised the situation, but chose to wait for an explanation.
"Well?"
"He… disappeared, right after he shot…" Jen's voice strayed, but Chikage understood.
"He had no choice but to do it. You can't blame him."
"But ma'am!" Rio protested, "He could have killed you!"
"Didn't he try something like that some time ago?" Chikage queried. She was referring to the first time Sora piloted Sora, when he was fighting the cyber angels.
"He almost killed us then, but he didn't only because that program in his helm stopped him," Duo retorted, "It's really been bugging me for awhile now. We know close to nothing about him. Also, there doesn't seem to be any records of his existence at all!"
"Do you judge a man by his past, or by how he is now?" Chikage asked. Again, silence fell as no one replied.
"I think…" Fio said after a moment, breaking the silence as everyone turned to look at her, "Sora… isn't really a bad person. Just… unique."
Somewhere else, in the matrix, upon a cliff that overlooked the sea, Sora lay, watching as clouds rolled by. His staff was standing nearby, under the shade of a solo oak tree. A soft breeze was blowing, causing the grass to waver and leaves to rustle. Sora closed his eyes, feeling the sunshine on his skin.
"Dozing off are you?"
Sora opened his eyes and looked up, seeing a young man around his age peering down at him, eyes hidden from view by his blue hair. Sora smiled.
"No, Sora."
The young man smiled back, albeit slightly sadly.
"I won't go back just yet."
"Alright."
"Take care."
"You too."
Sora blinked, and the young man was gone. Sora sat up and looked out to the sea as it glistened in the afternoon sun. Sora looked down at his hand after awhile.
"My existence…"
Everything was serene as Sora stood, the breeze catching his coat as it billowed behind him. Turning, he walked towards the oak tree and touched it gently, feeling the texture of the bark. Sora pressed his forehead against the tree.
"You've grown a lot, Whisper," Sora muttered, smiling. The tree's leaves rustled, as if replying to what Sora had said.
"Thank you, Whisper," Sora answered back, taking his staff, "I'll leave it to you then."
With that Sora raised his staff. A brief teal light engulfed him, and he disappeared.
The darkness of the human heart…
The vengeance that lies in the human soul…
What are they?
Are those the only things that define humans as what they truly are?
Mere beasts in disguise, waiting for the time to go wild and destroy all that they had built with disillusioned ideals…
Is that true?
Is that… humanity?
"Neh, where did he go?" Maya grumbled, leaning back against her chair and stretching. She, Fio, Eliza, and Peroth had been searching for Sora the entire morning, but to no avail. So, they decided to take a break at a small café.
"We've searched almost the entire matrix, and the others still haven't found any sign of him outside," Fio added. Silence fell for a moment, broken only by the ice tinkling in one of their glasses.
"Peroth?" Fio muttered, looking over at the brunette.
"Hmm?" Peroth answered back distantly. It was as if she was in a world of her own.
"Peroth, are you alright?" Fio asked.
"Oh. Yes, I'm fine."
"Is something bothering you?"
"Neh, it's about Jen, right?" Eliza said suddenly, grinning impishly. Peroth snapped out of her trance-like state and turned a bright red.
"N-no!"
"Peroth likes Jen hehe!" Eliza sang.
"E-Eliza! Stop that!" Peroth retorted, cheeks burning.
"Neh, onee-sama, do you really like Jen so much?" Maya pressed.
"W-why?"
"You've been spending a lot of time with him lately," Fio pointed out.
"There's no such thing!"
"Neh, other than teaching us at school, all you've done is stay at Jen's side in the hospital the past week."
"I…"
"You even baked him your pastries and cookies everyday."
"Well… it's… just that…"
The three girls leaned in closer to Peroth to listen to what she had to say.
"I… I…"
"Have you girls found anything yet?"
Peroth's heart leapt to her throat as she heard that voice.
"Jen!" Maya, stood, smiling brightly.
"Neh, neh. What are you doing here?" Eliza asked, tugging at Jen's sleeve.
"Just taking a walk. The doctor said that I shouldn't strain myself too hard for the time being."
"Really? You should listen to him then," Fio replied, smiling also. She noticed Peroth sitting there, not even daring to turn round to look at Jen with her beet red face.
'What should I do?' Peroth thought frantically. However, she needn't have worried as her sisters had already begun hatching a plan.
"We'll see you around then Jen," Maya said, pushing Jen into the seat opposite Peroth, who promptly lower her head to hide her blush, giving her no chance to escape her sisters' ploy.
"I'm sorry to trouble you, but please look after Peroth for us. She seems slightly under the weather," Fio said, standing.
"Hmm? Is she?" Jen asked.
"I'm not!" Peroth finally raised her head and retorted.
"Your face is all red," Jen noted, slightly concerned. Peroth covered her burning cheeks and bowed her head yet again.
"I-it's just the sun. That's all."
"See you guys then!" Eliza called. Peroth saw that they were already well down the road, and she didn't know whether to cry or to be happy with what her sisters just did. A waiter came by just then.
"Anything for you, sir?"
"Coffee. Black."
The waiter bowed and left. Jen sighed and stretched, and Peroth realised that she was examining his body rather meticulously. Blushing yet again, she looked down at her own black coffee.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Jen asked concerned.
"Hmm? Oh! Um… yes, I'm fine." Peroth stuttered, looking up. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she stared into those red eyes of Jen.
"I wonder where Sora is…" Jen muttered, turning to look at the street next to them. Peroth could see a mixture of emotions rising within him.
"What are you going to do when we find him?" Peroth asked. Jen smiled slightly.
"Probably punch him in the face for what he did to Chikage, but I don't know…" Jen sighed as he looked up at the sky, "It's been a long time since Chikage was so… relaxed…"
"Jen?" Peroth whispered, seeing his distant expression. Jen suddenly stretched and turned to look at Peroth.
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
"A w-walk?" Peroth's heart was thumping madly as she blushed. 'Is he… asking me out for a… date?' she thought. Jen nodded and smiled.
"I hope you don't mind, Peroth."
"N-no, I don't…" Peroth muttered.
"Let's go then."
"Um."
Somewhere else, in his personal room, Valdez sat upon his throne as Kaiser stumbled in, badly beaten. Kaiser forced himself to kneel despite the excruciating pain he was going through.
"M-master…"
"You failed?" Valdez said in an almost bored manner, picking up a cup of tea from the small table next to him and sipping it.
"F-forgive me, master," a mixture of feelings surfaced within Kaiser, fear being the most dominant one. Valdez placed the cup down and stood, putting his hands on his back.
"It appears that we've underestimated Seeker," began Valdez walking towards the shaking Kaiser.
"If you give me one more chance master… I will get rid of him. Please!"
"No."
Kaiser found himself powerless to fight back as Valdez placed his hand on his head. An eerie black glow surrounded Kaiser and his wounds began sealing themselves. When the job was done, Valdez let go.
"Rest, Kaiser, you will need your strength."
"M-master…" Kaiser gasped, almost relieved that Valdez didn't kill him.
"Seeker is too powerful for you to handle alone. I'm surprised that you actually survived."
"T-thank you," Kaiser muttered, unsure of how he should react. Valdez smiled lightly.
"You may leave."
"Yes." Kaiser replied hesitantly, fading into the ground. Valdez raised his hand and his black orb appeared.
"What are you planning next, Seeker?" Valdez muttered, staring into the dark abyss. After a moment, he smiled.
"Let's try something else now."
Meanwhile, Peroth had finally gotten used to the presence of Jen and stopped blushing that much. The two of them were walking around the emporium, unknown to them that they were being followed by three girls.
"Neh, Neh! How far do you think those two will go?" Eliza asked, smiling impishly.
"Maybe they'll do 'that'… he, he!" Maya replied, watching as Peroth and Jen enter a shop.
"Maya!" Fio scolded, blushing, "Don't say that!"
Meanwhile, within the small crafts shop, Peroth was looking at the figurines on display with keen interest.
"They look so real!" Peroth exclaimed, almost like a young schoolgirl. Jen smiled and nodded, eyes examining not only the figurines but the goddess reincarnate standing just beside him.
"Peroth?"
The brunette jumped slightly at the call of her name and spun round. Seeing the woman before her, it took a while for Peroth to realise who she was.
"Aeries?"
Aeries smiled, "So you do remember who I am."
"Are you shopping?" Jen queried.
"Just looking around," Aeries replied, "how about you two? Out on a date?"
The two of them blushed.
"I-It's not like that!" Peroth retorted, but found herself regretting her words a moment later as she fell silent. Aeries giggled slightly, before remembering something.
"Oh," Aeries produced a small package from her handbag and held it out to Peroth, who looked it half surprised and curious. Aeries smiled, "Please give this to Sora when you see him."
"Eh?" Peroth looked up at Aeries.
"You do live with him now, don't you?"
"Umm… but wouldn't it be better if you gave it to him yourself?"
"It does't really matter, Peroth," Aeries said, albeit slightly sadly, "I don't think we'll be seeing each other anytime soon…"
She trust the small packaged into Peroth's hands and, with one last smile, walked off.
"Miss. Aeries!" Peroth called, but the woman was already gone. Peroth looked down at the package in her hand as Jen peered silently at it from her side. A ringing sound disturbed the moment, and Jen picked up his mobile.
"This is Jen Saints speaking… what?" Jen had a surprised expression as Peroth looked up.
"Did something happen?"
"Chikage disappeared from the hospital," Jen replied, before running towards the exit. Peroth didn't follow, for mixed emotions arose within her.
"Jen likes…?" Peroth muttered, unintentionally clutching the package in her hands a bit too tightly. Something breaking could be heard, but Peroth didn't pay much attention to it.
"Peroth!" Jen called surprising the brunette. He stood at the door, waiting for her, "let's go."
Peroth hesitated at first, before finally answering, "Alright."
Meanwhile, Chikage stood before the vine covered gates of what appeared to be a cemetery, only a small shawl draped over her shoulders as she still wore the hospital's clothes. Her hair was down, the medium locks wavering gently in the breeze. Pushing them aside Chikage walked forth and touched the gate. It opened with a soft creak, surprising Chikage slightly. Nonetheless she continued , walking the cobblestone path before her, passing numerous gravestones, some well-kept, others left to be consumed by mother nature. The path seemed endless, yet in the distance a figure loomed, standing before what appeared to be a pink tree. As Chikage approached, a solitary gravestone could be seen just in front of the tree. On it were the words: 'Here lies our beloved son, brother, and husband, Paul Saints'. Sora turned his head slightly as he sensed Chikage's presence, before returning to his original position.
"You came after all."
Chikage walked forth and knelt down, reaching out hesitantly, before finally touching the engravings on the gravestone. A small, sad smile appeared on her lips.
"It's wrong. Paul and I never got married. It was suppose to be on the day after he left this world," no tears came, for there was no need.
"This is your first time here, isn't it?" Sora asked, receiving a nod for the answer. He looked up at the tree for a moment, before continuing, "The cherry blossoms never stop blooming here."
Chikage looked up at the pink tree, watching as the faintly coloured flowers fell gracefully, as if dancing with the wind.
"It's said that the tree obtained its pink colour when it the blood of someone buried underneath it seeped into the roots."
"Blood?" Chikage whispered, before a strong breeze suddenly blew, causing more cherry blossoms to fall from the tree and Chikage's hair to waver. The black coat of Sora surrounded Chikage, falling to her shoulders gently as a pair of hands held her safely.
"He was full of life then," Sora muttered, "and the tree represents it. He still watches you from where he is now, so that you may be safe."
Silence fell, before two single word escaped Chikage's lips.
"Thank you…"
"Chikage!" in the distance, Jen and the others could be seen running towards the two. With Sora's help Chikage stood, just as the group arrived.
"We've been looking everywhere for you," Jen said, panting. Chikage smiled.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't think you'd be so worried."
"Why wouldn't we be? What would we do without our cute commander?" Duo said that, and paid for it with a Rika's foot slammed directly onto his.
"They're at it again…" Rio muttered, sighing as duo hopped around in pain. Seeing that Chikage was back in safe hands, Sora turned to leave, but was stopped by a voice.
"Sora?" Peroth called, cheeks slightly flustered. Everyone turned to watch as Sora looked at Peroth. In her hands she held the partially crushed packaged, "I'm sorry. This was from your mother, but I accidentally…"
Peroth stopped. For a moment, a look of surprise seemed to flash past Sora's face, surprising everyone. However, it apparently was a dream, as his somber face remained, although it did seem slightly strained and sad.
Sora took the package and opened it. He looked at the small broken figurine of a bright red crab resting in his palm, it holding a small scroll. It read: 'Do your best!'
"I guess this completes the set…" the breeze caught the torn remains of the packaging, sending its spiraling through the air with a fresh patch of cherry blossom petals. Sora clutched the small figurine in his hand and held it close to his chest, to his heart.
"Thank you, Aeries."
Author's Ramble
FFC: Like it? Hate it? Review pls. Flames are welcome, but not spam or spasms. I have too much of that at home already. Fujizk can be seen jerking about in the background, tossing paper with 'spam' written on them
Sweatdrops Pryce: Interesting ending…
FFC: Would you prefer that all of the girls glomp you?
Pryce: Err… no.
FFC: Too bad. They would eventually.
Pryce: WHAT?
FFC: In another way Pryce. In another way… but for now… CIAO!