Note to Readers: I got another chapter and before everyone started coming with torches (WHY ME?) as well as one on Nino's Life. Anyways, if you really love some tragedy mix with romance and you also love SHEELOS (Sheena/Zelos), then check out my latest one-shot "No Regrets". Anyways, thank you all and hope you enjoy the latest chapter of a "Separate Link".
Red:
The first review! Thanks for the comment. If Zelos was here, he'll go "that was clich". Thanks for the review as well.
Noin Marquise:
Cute couple indeed! Lovely, excellent, perfect, etc. Any words are nice to describe this couple…well maybe except for quiet…but anyways, thanks for the review!
Ryukia:
To be honest…I like plot holes, but not in romantic tales as this. If no one is out of character, I'm glad. Now if I wrote a story about Yuan and Martel, now that would be out of character. I'll help you spread it! I love that guy! Thanks for everything including review.
Michelle of the Night:
You noticed it too??? I'm going to update all the other stories if I could just get myself to do it. Thanks for the review and encouragement!
FireEdge:
You liked that part? Well it took awhile to think about…but I have my own method of doing so. It's pretty well known, even though I haven't read it yet (sorry!), I know the title and everything. Not many people mention about Orochi so I thought I talk about him. Thanks!
Cardmaster372:
Now, I'm really disappointed that I didn't catch a disease or something. Joking of course, but thanks for the analysis. I really need to improve in all four huh? Thanks!
NatsuRuby:
I like this name a lot! Anything with amethyst or ruby or sapphire, I love names like that! Oops, now I'm off the subject. I know! I hate that soooo much! Spoilers!!! Why Kelos (nickname) have to die??? I didn't choose the Kratos path, mind you, but my brother did and he just has to show me that part. But if there is a sequel, it better have Zelos living! Sorry for the rant as well. Thanks for the review!
SweetMisery430: (looking around for Nino and failed) You're a SHEELOS fan now? I should make a SHEELOS supporter in my bio or something like I did with SERK (Serra/Erk). Anyways, nice to have you aboard and it's so true that they have conflicting personalities. If we, writers, don't have the power to change readers' minds, we truly suck. I still remember how I converted into a Raven/Rebecca fan because of a single great fanfic. Thanks for the review!
Suggestion to SM430: Just a small suggestion since I'm a big fan of "Being Sain", could you do one in which Sheena and Zelos switch bodies? That would be hilarious! Zelos could do things he could never do before and Sheena would have to deal with all his hunnies. Hehe, I'm so evil.
Frozen-Harpie-Mimi: Even though you didn't review the first time, I'm glad you did now. Believe it or not, I check every single of my reviewers' profiles and check their favorites and all that. I am so glad we have so much in common! FE (Ravecca), ToS (Colloyd and Sheelos), and FFVIII (Squinoa and Seiftis) rules! For some nice fics on these three subjects, I suggest you check out my favorite stories since they're all tip-top stories. Thanks for the review!
A fan: I'm hoping by writing this story there will be more SHEELOS stories in this section as well. The last time I counted, there are four of them I think. Thanks!
Lor: I agree with you. There should be more SHEELOS stories, I'm working on one-shots for those two so this pairing could live on forever! Thanks for the review.
Joachim7: Thank you so much for telling me you love this story since I love it too! The more SHEELOS fics the better… Thanks for the review as well.
DragonofDarkness18: You're the one that wrote that one-shot I read, I loved it! I agree, this pairing is so cute! I don't think anyone deserves Sheena more than Zelos. XD
Wow: I was just hoping someone told me that, and you did! Thanks for the review and info.
Demon Dragon Queen: You reviewed right before I updated! Thanks for the review and comments!
But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must happen and will happen to throw a hero in her way.
-Jane Austen
A Separate Link
Chapter III: Two Paths
By Potter29vo
It seemed to me I stood by Yggdrasil, the tree of life, and for a while I saw two paths I could not enter, for the way was barred to me. The tree was beautiful, big and luxurious with green. The land surrounded the tree was healthy and the air was filled with love and happiness. This must be a dream.
No sunlight was coming from the sky nor was there a single speck of cloud covering the sky. Then, like all dreamers, I was possessed by a sudden urge to reach out and touch the tree before me but at the same time, knowing that I would passed it like a spirit through a barrier before me. The tree was still in front of me, shaking and moving as it had always done, but as I advanced I was aware that the tree was but an illusion. Yggdrasil was nothing more than a seed right now, needing the love to grow and prospered.
Reality, like always, had triumphed in the end and I shook my head in realization. Years…ten…hundreds…it might take forever for the tree to grow. To have the wind sliding and playing through its branches, to have the branches entangled with human embrace…no not only humans, but elves and half-elves and even dwarves.
And there were other life in this area as well, roses blooming in the road to the right of me while endless fruits and vegetables growing in the road to the left of me. There were even different species of plants growing and flourishing in between, plants had I did not recognize. They leap and thrust out of the quiet earth, along with anything else alive in this area or in which I could remember.
The ground was speechless though while the flowers danced and sing with the wind. Maybe if we work together, the world could become as beautiful as this place. If Lloyd could do the impossible, I might as well do too. Maybe this place was a landmark of our time, a place that never existed…nothing but a mere dream.
Slender fingers touched my arms gently, so gently that made you felt like you have a mother who cares and worries about you even if you don't have one. I faced the tall mysterious woman in front of me, her hair flowing while her eyes filled with gentleness. "Martel?" I asked, my voice taking over my thoughts.
"Sheena…" Her voice was cool and clear, and beautiful. No sound in the world ever sounded so tender before…tender but not the best in the world. Even if his voice was not beautiful or tender, his voice was the one remaining deep in my heart and never could be replaced.
"Martel, why am I here?" I asked once more, hoping for an answer for why I am standing in such a glorious place such as this.
"I could not tell you that, you must know it yourself. Look deep inside your heart, what do you see?" She turned the question back on me, never once leaving her eyes off of me. In front of her, I felt small…even tiny in this big world.
"There's Mizuho…there's Zelos…" I answered truthfully, closing my eyes and waiting for her next words as if addicting to her very words. The two things I truly wanted deep in my heart were no lie…but could never be accomplished at the same time.
"Yes, that is why I am here. I'm here to help you." She said plainly, holding tight to her staff and staring deeply into my eyes.
"Are you helping me choose one over the other?" I asked, wishing that somehow Martel could actually help me make a decision. A decision I know I won't regret. But her next words were of bitter disappointment to my ears.
"No." The hurt on my face was visible to anyone at this point as she gently touch my cheek. "You must do it yourself. You are the only one that could make the correct decision. I could not. I'm not forcing you to choose one over the other either, there might be a way to lose both or even gain both. It's all a decision."
My heart was breaking now. One decision that could change my future? One that could choose one path over the other, gained none, or even gained them both? This was frustrating, even more frustrating than the time I tried to use Genis's kendama. One decision…if only Lloyd was here…he had gone through something like this once before, many times before. The one with Collete, the one with his father, the one with Sylvarant. Is this how he felt? I took a deep breath before continue speaking. "Please show me the paths."
Martel gave me a gentle smile as we walked through the first path, the one to the left. Martel stared at me one last time before I found myself in Mizuho again. What in the name of Goddess Martel is going on? I decided not to say that out loud or it might sound awfully rude.
Standing here would not make a difference at all so I took my chance and walked into the village. It was awfully quiet, must be dinnertime in Mizuho. The vegetable gardens were even richer under the moonlight as I entered my house.
I gasped when I saw myself older, perhaps ten years older? Orochi and I were eating together, speaking not a single word. This was indeed the Igaguri style- it's impolite to talk while eating. Dinner didn't take long as I washed the dishes while Orochi meditated for a bit. That didn't last long either as I watched myself walking by Orochi without a glance and towards my bedroom. Orochi was the one to stop me by grabbing my arm.
"Shee- I mean Chief, good night." He made the last comment as I nodded in agreement. He was about to kiss my older self as I stared in amazement how fast I reacted by moving my head to the side. This also meant that Orochi got a bunch of my hair instead. He bowed and went to the room beside mines.
That was what surprised me the most, even in the Igaguri style, husbands and wives were to sleep in the same bedroom. What's going on? I stared in disbelieve as Martel appeared next to me and grabbed my hand. The next thing I know, I was inside my own bedroom but my older self wasn't asleep.
The fact that she wasn't asleep was bad enough, but seeing her crying on her desk felt even worst. I couldn't believe my own eyes…I, or her, seemed so happy just a few moments ago but now she was breaking down in sobs. Seeing anyone crying was bad enough, but my own self? It was too much. Before I could look away, I heard my older self mumbled to herself something. Too soft that it was hard to hear.
Martel knew what I wanted as she urged me to walk closer. I obediently listened and walk closer to my older self. This time, I heard it clearly…as clear as the moon. "Zelos…why did I choose this path? Zelos…I love you…but I could not…get myself…to say…it…Zelos…you stupid Chosen…always so idiotic… " My heart felt like it stopped beating the minute I finished hearing those words. Even if I left a tough face on, I was miserable inside.
Martel saved me from the punishment of myself as I reappeared in the land where Yggdrasil slept. My eyes grew with tears as Martel touched my shoulders once more. "Sheena…it's not entirely accurate.." She persuaded but the tears won't stop falling. She's lying. It was too accurate.
When I finally got the nerve to speak again, I demanded in a determined voice now. "Please show me the other path." She nodded as she stared at me once more before I changed location once more.
This time, I was back in Meltokio in the evening instead. Now, I was sure what was going on this time so I was ready to meet anything. This must be the life I chose to be with Zelos instead. The location now changed once more but this time, inside one of his elegant bedrooms where I once again meet my older self. She was different from the other one though.
For one thing, her face wasn't as pale as before and bright too. Her face seemed to be in perfect condition, maybe because she washed it everyday and didn't have to fight much anymore. At this moment, she was dressing up to get ready. Two maids were by her side, helping her wear one of those silky clothes and elegant white gloves.
I was sitting on the comfortable bed, watching what's going to happen next. Sebastian knocked on the room as one of the maids answered it. Sebastian took a deep bow towards my older self. She gave him a sweet smile before speaking. "Zelos promised me that we're going to spend time at home today, not at one of those fancy parties. Isn't that right?" Sebastian nodded.
"Madam Sheena Wilder, are you ready for dinner at home today like you requested?" My older self nodded as Sebastian took a deep bow before leaving the room. Next, she dismissed the maids as she left the room by herself. I let out a sign of relief that at least, I didn't let myself to be led out to dinner by servants too.
Following my older self, I watched in amazement as Zelos went up the steps and picked me up in his arms. Knowing myself, I never knew I would let myself be taken by such a childish display…but I guess time does change people. Zelos finally dropped me and spoke in his usual voice. "Do you like the silky dress like always?"
My older self rolled her eyes before answering. "Silky and open like always." Hearing myself was quite awkward, but I know that voice so well. The one that says "If I don't like, you don't like it either." Zelos ignored this as we walked down the steps, my arm tight around his.
Unlike the Mizuho scene I saw earlier, the two ate in a large table filled with food. But what did I expect? Zelos was rich. The two were talking, arguing, teasing, accusing, and much more during that dinner. This is also different from the scene earlier, Zelos somehow changed me and I am now talking during dinners. But seeing this…I sighed to myself. It seemed I would be much happier in this life. But what about Mizuho?
Dinner was finally ended, it felt like an hour or so as Sebastian started to clean up the dishes and send them to the cooks to wash them while the two sat down in the balcony in the backyard and talked. My eyes were now watery, not of sadness but of disappointment. Was my life actually going to be better if I stayed with Zelos?
Time for bed was late as well and not as early as back in Mizuho. I was surprised at myself to see how much I held onto his arm without letting go. They went upstairs to the same bedroom. Another difference between the two lives. We actually sleep in one bedroom. Martel appeared before me once more and took me to the bedroom.
There I heard their conversation together. Zelos was the first to speak. "Sheena, how do you like your silky sexy nightgown?" He asked as my older self repeated herself once more.
"Silky and open like always."
He gave her an approving look as he lighted the room with red candles…I supposed so that it could be romantic I think. They kissed sweetly on the lips before going to sleep in that enormous bed on their own side of the bed. Then, I heard my older self started complaining about the candles as Zelos put them out and saying something about "more mysterious". I also noticed him moving in closer to my older self's side before the room completely blacked out.
Martel and I were now back in the living room. I just have to ask her. "This seemed too real to be true. How could I be that happy while the other one I could be that upset?" Martel shook her head in reply.
"There is no perfect life, Sheena. Those who claimed so are just people who thought there was nothing important in life. Watch." The sky lighted up the next second as the bedroom appeared once more. Zelos was now finishing brushing his hair to look good while I saw my older self still in bed. Even though the blanket was covering her whole body, I had this feeling that she was naked.
Zelos finished dressing up as he leaned down to my older self and peck her lightly on the forehead before leaving the room. Not long after he left, I saw my older self walking down the steps in her usual outfit, the purple one. Sebastian greeted her while she stared out the window after Zelos.
"He always leave and come back home at night. I wish he could spend more time at home." I heard my own self mumbling to herself as Sebastian started to close all windows and covered them tight with red window shills. He locked the doors quickly and went to the kitchen.
This was all so confusing all at once as I turned to Martel for the answer. "Why did he do that? Why is he locking all the doors as if he's holding a criminal or something!" Martel just looked at me with bits of sorrow in her eyes.
"Criminal is such a harsh word… actually the correct word would be traitor." My eyes opened in amazement as she continued her answer. "After the Chief died, they need you. But with you gone and live with Zelos, Mizuho was at a brink of destruction and almost died out. Only a few survivors were left and they are all looking for you for revenge."
This sounded even worst than the first path. Both paths were horrible! I felt all the power left in my body was gone. Martel continued on despite my condition. "And to add to that, Zelos still continues to see other females during the day. Not that he do anything bad or something, but you have no clue whatsoever what was going on since you are constantly hiding during the day." That added bit of information made me slump down on my knees, wishing this nightmare would end already.
"Martel…what should I do?" I finally asked her, trying hard to hold the tears bobbling up in my eyes. Martel and I were back in the land of peace before she answered me.
"There's nothing you can do, but follow your destiny. Remember what I said before, life always has its own hardships…it could never be manifest. What is manifest is a single thing you do to make this world manifest as well as yourself." Nothing was coming through to me as I merely looked down at the rich earth. Nothing was perfect, nothing!
"Martel, then why these visions?" I asked once more, hoping she could give me a clear answer what to do. She disappeared slowly now as I tried to pull her back.
"I am Mana. I come to help solve your problems as well as provide the world with land. Without mana, the land will die. Without Mizuho or Zelos, your life will be exactly like death. So think…don't choose…change…for life is not easy and not taken for granted. If you do not like the path you see, change it. Like Lloyd would say- If you have to change something, change it yourself."
Most of her body was disappearing by the second. "Martel, I will change my paths! Please don't go! Please don't leave this world in despair once more! Please…I would love this life no matter what happens as long as the seed lives! Zelos…Mizuho…I will change my path…myself." I cried out with all my strength as she stopped disappearing and stood next to me once more with happiness in her eyes.
"The seed still lives. Sheena, those lines you barely spoken, do you speak the truth?" She asked once more. I knew what I had to do now, I knew what I must do now.
"Yes, I swear on the good name of Sheena Fujibayashi that I will change my own paths and not depended on anyone else. I swear that no matter what happens in my life, I will live my life to the fullest and live it happily with love to all." Martel nodded at my answer as she touched my cheeks once more.
"For those words you had spoken…Sheena Fujibayashi…your life already manifest."
Opening my eyes, I was dazed out and looked up at the ceiling of my hotel. Taking minutes before I could fully recognized my surroundings, I stand up and prepared myself for the new day. I remembered how I asked the Chief permission to speak with Presea and Regal before I left for Sylvarant with the rest of Mizuho. The Chief agreed and the rest of my village already went on ahead to the snowy city, waiting for me to return.
My mind was fuzzy. Everything was fuzzy, but I did remember the last words I spoke and Martel spoke…
"Yes, I swear on the good name of Sheena Fujibayashi that I will change my own paths and not depended on anyone else. I swear that no matter what happens in my life, I will live my life to the fullest and live it happily with love to all."
"For those words you had spoken…Sheena Fujibayashi…your life already manifest."
Can I really do that? Can I really change my own path? I decided to think about this later when my mind was less confused. I quickly get ready and flew on my Reaird to Altimara.
Despite how much I hated the resort, I must say good-bye to Presea and Regal before I leave. I walked through the streets, staring at the beach at moments. The beach reminded me so much of Zelos, how much he loved the beach and the girls that were there as well. I sighed to myself, thinking about him would not help. I must take action.
Heading for the Lezareno Company, I went up to the President's Office and asked George to see Regal and Presea. Unfortunately, Regal was out of town but Presea was available as I smiled in happiness. Presea and I met at the roof of the company as we sat in front of Alicia's grave and talked.
Presea's face wasn't too bright or cheerful that morning at all. She took a small breath of air before speaking directly to me. "Have you said good-bye to Zelos yet?" It was awkward to hear Presea talked about Zelos, but not awkward that she asked such a question for their last meeting.
"Presea…is something wrong?" I asked, knowing her face too well now.
"Zelos…he's in trouble."
Ending Notes: Why do I make such weird endings? Not much to say left but that Presea is officially going to be in the story now. I have been thinking of lots of complicated ways on how Sheena would meet her, and then the idea struck me out of nowhere. Just a simple idea. So I did put an easy way of how Sheena met Presea again. Now, let's talk about the next chapter. As you can probably tell by this ending that something might have happened to Zelos, and you know what happens next. Thanks for reading. Love you all, and please review!!!