Author's Note: I am so sorry it has taken so long to update! I am back from my vacation at last, so I can finally update. Seeing the new reviews, I guess that nobody really wanted Milla to die (who would?). I will promise that she is not permanently dead.

My thanks to those who reviewed!

saya: Thank you, once again, for reviewing. Everybody seems to have liked the conscience arguments, for some odd reason.

xifa: I liked Tal's internal conversation as well. The ending is yet to come.

Word of a Sayre: That was a very eloquently written review, Eriko.

Darkphoenix: Well, it was either her or Malen. And I kind of need to keep Malen. Don't worry, Milla will be back- she's my favorite character too.

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Disclaimer: I think we all have this memorized by now. NOT MINE.

Chapter 9- Conversations of Dilemmas

Tal watched almost dumbfounded as Malen vanquished the most powerful shadow to ever live within Aenir and the Dark World. The reality of all the events that occurred in that those few minutes had not yet hit him. First, Milla sacrificed herself to save him, and now, Sharrakor was dead.

He was slumped upon the ground, cradling Milla's lifeless body in his arms, staring that wide expanse of the cave, willing himself to wake from his nightmare. He found that his mind could not focus, and he could not move. The shock would remain for a long time, he knew. A tired voice made him turn slowly to face the speaker.

"I guess you and I know what pain is now, Tal," said Malen softly. She, too, was supporting a still body, and had a pained expression akin to his.

With another upsetting realization, Tal saw that Malen was hugging Crow. His focus on Milla had made him forget about Crow's bond with Sharrakor. Since Malen had defeated the shadow, Crow's lifeline was gone was well.

"I guess we do," croaked Tal. "Though you must suffer more than I do."

"Why is that?" asked Malen, who was stroking Crow's hair and replacing his feathered hat. "I would have thought it was worse for you."

"I was only close to Milla," replied Tal simply. "Crow and I…never really acquainted. Both of them loved you though."

Malen smiled faintly, still absentmindedly stroking Crow's hair. "He loved me?" she asked.

Tal snorted. "It was a bit obvious, Malen. He was considerably nicer to you- aside from Ferek, that is."

"But Milla did love you, Tal," retorted Malen. "As you did her. Do not give me that disbelieving look! Every person from the Ruin Ship to the Castle can vouch for my statement. It is true."

Tal faced Milla's empty eyes and sighed. "It is a pity then, that I learned too late. I should have told her."

"She already knew, Tal."

He sighed once more. Then, looking around the cavern once more, he said, "So, how do we return after this? We will eventually have to go back and tell them…And yet…somehow I cannot do so."

Malen nodded slowly. "It will be difficult to tell them all of this, especially since these two are rather significant to our society. Leaders of the Icecarls and Freefolk."

"Which reminds me- we will have to explain how Crow died again."

"I'm not dead."

Tal and Malen nearly flew at the sound of the voice. "Cr-Crow?" sputtered Malen. Due to her shock at hearing his voice, she had promptly dropped him upon the stone floor and zoomed several stretches away.

"Yes." Crow sat up, grimacing at the new, throbbing pain at the back of his head from hitting the floor. Rolling his eyes, he said, "Ow…I'm tired of having an early eulogy! I'm not dead, for goodness sake."

"Y-you…you heard…everything?" asked Malen, fearing that her little secret had just been given away.

Crow glanced at her worriedly and replied, "No. I only heard about Tal being oblivious and me dying again. I didn't hear everything."

Malen sighed in relief and said, "How do we know you are not Sharrakor come to life again? You could be anybody, and Tal and I are not in the best position to trust many at the moment."

"Would Sharrakor do this?" asked Crow. He strode over to her and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. He hugged her, while Tal looked revolted.

"Light save me, get a room, you two!" he spluttered, waving his hand and looking away. He lifted Milla's body up gently and started to walk out.

"Wait up, Tal!" Crow and Malen easily caught up to him. "Need help?" offered Crow.

"Nah. Violet's not that far."

"Uh, Tal…it's at least 9 floors up from here."

"I got it."

"Tal?" interrupted Malen hesitantly. "If I may suggest, I think you should make some bed of light to carry her. It could be less of a suction on your strength."

Tal stopped. Somehow, that idea had not occurred to him. Quickly, he focused on his Sunstone, and a rainbow of light flew out, roping together to make a seemly bed. Afterwards, he resumed to his walking, unaware of the slow decrease of his strength from the Keystone.

He wished he were unaware of Crow and Malen though. The two seemed very content with their lives- laughing, holding hands, and chattering about Castle life. It almost made him sick of how happy they were. They already seemed like they were married. Even his parents didn't act like this. Fighting twenty water spiders appeared more entertaining than being near them.

Craving silence, he began to mentally formulate ideas of how to bring Milla back. She had promised to see him again, and she never broke her promises. Malen had received her wish- Crow had returned, but his wish now seemed impossible.

Maybe Malen would know of a chant to revive Milla. One of the Crones might- they seemed ancient enough to be able to uncover one. The Codex contained innumerous files of information from the Icecarls and the Chosen. It should have some idea of what he could do. It had to have something.

Milla always seemed to have to save him from trouble. For once, couldn't he have paid attention? Couldn't he have saved himself? 'I should have died instead,' he thought moodily.

You always were depressing.

That voice sounded awful familiar. Tal glanced at Milla's light-supported body in alarm, and to an ironic relief, found it still. So where had the voice come from?

'I am officially losing my mind,' he contemplated. 'I'm imagining voices that aren't there and I'm talking to myself.'

If that is how you want to label this then.

'Are you my conscience?'

Tal, it's Milla.

'But you're dead.'

I know I am dead. We all know I am dead. Listen, Tal, my time is short. I cannot talk to you for long. I seek my final path, but my spirit does not perish so quickly.

'I have no idea what you are talking about! Go back and start over!' ordered Tal, wondering what in the Light's name Milla was babbling to him about.

Everyone and everything has a time to die. I am being told that this is not my time.

'So you aren't really dead yet?'

Yes…and no. My body is dead, but my spirit is not. So I remain in Death until there is some way I can return.

'You need a body to inhabit?'

That is one choice I have to return, but I do not want that. I wish for my own.

'Bit picky, aren't you?'

Would you rather I inhabit your body so you may dwell in this infernal place?

'On second thought…no.'

That is what I thought. Now, you need to find someway I can come back.

'You mean you don't know how to get back?'

Oh no, Tal, I just happen to have that wonderful idea in my fur coat! No, I do not have it!

'Fine…calm down. No need to get sarcastic. But do you have any idea at all where I can get help? And how come you're talking to me instead of Malen?'

You are the only one who knows that I am dead and is thinking of it. It was easier to contact you. Malen…Look at her, Tal. Does she look like she is grieving as you are?

Tal whipped around to look at Malen. The Crone was currently captivated with another story from Crow, and laughing as he followed with flamboyant hand movements. 'Oh, yes. She is very sad for your cause, Milla. Totally depressed.'

She merely hides it better than you. Malen could be sad, but Crow makes her happy. I am happier that she is like this, and I only wish you were too.

'Uh, thanks. Listen, why don't you try inhabiting someone else while I think of more things? Try Ebbitt or Clovil or someone.'

Ebbitt and Clovil, Tal? Are you trying to make me wish I remain here? Ebbitt's mind will be like entering a complicated labyrinth, and Clovil will be filled with sublimity.

'True. Ebbitt might keep you there, too. He enjoys company a lot. But unlike me, he might talk to you out loud…You should try one of the Crones. Or Gill.'

I think I will remain nearby, to help you when I can. And my first advice: Tal, take me off your Sunstone light. You are weakening from keeping me up there.

'Would you rather I carry you until I collapse from that as well?'

I just spoke to Ebbitt. I have told of your location, and he will come with the Freefolk.

'How did you talk to him that fast?'

Long story, Tal. For now, you three need to stay where you are.

Tal stopped obediently, and began to unravel the Sunstone light. He gracefully caught Milla's body, and propped it against the wall

"Why are we stopping, Tal?" asked Crow.

"I need a rest," lied Tal. "And I think the others are coming."

"And you know this…how?"

"Instinct."

"How long will it take them to arrive?"

"Umm…" Tal panicked, thinking wildly.

Give or take, 26 minutes, according to Ebbitt.

"At least 30 minutes," replied Tal. "It will take them a while." Inside, 'You know, it might pay to have you stay there.'

I hope that I will not have to.

'You won't. There will be a way to bring you back.'

There should be.

'You sound confident.'

Confidence keeps people optimistic. It is better to love life than to hate existence.

'If you say so.'

While I am here, can you please ask Crow how he is still living? I do not understand how he lives while Sharrakor does not. The shadow said himself that Crow would die if he did.

'You trust the shadow more than Crow?'

I trust Crow more, but I am merely…curious.

'Sure, Milla. If this is your trust, I wonder what your suspicion is like.'

You have already experienced it. Remember how we met?

'Forget I said anything.' Tal could almost see Milla smiling, and it irritated and annoyed him at the same time. 'Since you're so "curious," I'll ask him.'

"Crow?"

Crow and Malen looked up from their conversation. "Yes, Tal?"

"Just wondering…and don't get me wrong or anything…and I'm not trying to be offensive-" Tal babbled, unsure of how to ask.

"Tal. Just ask."

"Well, Sharrakor said that if he left you, you would die. So…how are you still alive?"

The Freefolk met his gaze, and Tal saw a glimmer of honesty. Malen waited with silence, also searching for truth. "The shadow lied," said Crow, sighing. "He was hoping that none of you would dare to kill me as well, and it almost worked. He didn't expect anyone, especially Malen, to do anything.

"Everybody thought that I lived only through Sharrakor- that his life and mine were linked. In reality, he depended on my life. So he could die without much consequence to me. But his thoughts…his memories still linger within." Crow shut his eyes, as if in pain. "These brief flashes keep coming. I have no idea what they mean, and it's all a blur. This shadow had a long life, apparently. One of these days, I will finally understand a memory of his."

Suddenly, Crow opened his eyes, and they were wide with shock. "And I think I just did right now." He abruptly stood. "We have to get up to the main floors. Now."

Malen stood also, a look of confusion marring her face. "Why? What happened? What did you see? What is going on? Why am I asking so many questions?"

Tal and Crow stared at her. "Where do I start?" asked Crow. "We just have to go up there. There's some…shadow…that's been ordered to cause some mayhem from Sharrakor. I saw a memory of his that expressly commanded to distract everybody while he would kill all three of you. And…I don't know why you're asking so many questions."

"I can't get up there so quickly," said Tal, stressing out. "What will we do with Milla? Wait- You two go on ahead, and I'll meet up with you as soon as I can. Ebbitt should be coming soon. For now, the two of you should just run."

"Running," said Crow. He took Malen's arm, and took off. Tal watched as they disappeared through the winding corridors, worry etched across his face.

"Good luck."

Author's Note: I would appreciate it if you left a review to tell me what you thought about this.