Conflictions of the Mind
-Chapter 11-
This Shared Dream

-

You know the lies they always told you
And the love you never knew
What's the things they never showed you
That swallow the light from the sun
Inside your room..

-

It was the wave that had gotten her.

Raine could feel it pulsing behind her, and all around her. It was the wave of emotions buried deep beneath the surface of her consciousness; though it wasn't exactly her emotions alone.. it was as if

(a CHORD)

had been struck as soon as her head had hit the ground in that last battle; a symphony of cries and warbles that didn't make any sense, rising and falling in two distinct syllables,

(mar)

Rising as the darkness became an ocean wave, cold, rising and falling over her head, swallowing her whole.

(TEL)

But she was alive; she could feel it. The water poured in and all around her, but she was alive-

Then nothing. Just blackness. Or was it?

The feeling of being swallowed.. that sensation..

(..mar...)

Her eyes opened, and to her surprise, Raine found that she was floating. Not flying; floating.. unless it was a tug; a tug that was pulling her away..

Floating, as if she were one with the air around her! No pressure, exactly; perhaps some, as her consciousness was heavy. She felt weightless (so light; not heavy, but LIGHT), and yet there was nothing to hold her back. Free-

(Detached)

-Detached. That seemed a better word, she concluded. For what would she need to be free from? Besides herself.. besides her identity..

This was most certainly a dream, Raine told herself. In dreams your limbs never did what you told them to do.. if you could even feel them in dreams..

Then what was this freedom? She could not feel anything; was this perhaps numbness? Then again.. how was she seeing, if she didn't have her body? And that's when she saw. She was rising from the bed; she had not actually gotten up, as her body was lying there still, prone

(lifeless!)

No, there was breathing. Slow breathing. Was it hers? Yet right now.. she sensed that she had no form.

(She was looking at everything through a green lens, yet everything was sharp: her vision, though she had no eyes; her hearing, though she had no ears... and that was all..)

Colette was there. Standing with a blank expression, staring up at her-if she could even see her-

This room was stark white, she noticed, despite it all seeming green. And Colette - was it Colette? She hadn't been there a moment before - though then again, Raine was only just noticing the room itself; watched it change, saw machines appear that hadn't been there before- and the angels!

(...TEL...)

The symphony again, rising and falling. One sound, one breath. Tell who? Tell what? Raine wasn't even sure if she had a voice; a consciousness, surely, her thoughts, definitely, despite it all feeling muddled; but a voice? Nay.. that would be beyond her.

It was frustrating. Now that feeling of freedom had passed; she felt trapped. But within what? This greenness? What was it? Not that she really wanted to know..

She felt sick.. nauseous.. And wondered how she could feel anything.. if she wasn't.. anything.

..A form.. like wind.. yet she was trapped.

But that wouldn't make any sense! ...Even though dreams seldom did.

..And this wasn't a dream.. it was...

(RAINE)

..A vision? A nightmare? It certainly wasn't real..

And Colette smiled, as if she had heard her. It wasn't Colette's smile, surely; something seemed different. With her eyes, her smile.. the way she was holding herself. It was as if she were a different person entirely.. and then a thought struck Raine once more; not an entirely pleasant one.

The ritual had been completed.

-

Mithos was enjoying his shard-induced hallucination.

He knew full well that he was asleep, and having a dream, one that he had many times in different forms. The revival of his sister, the completion of his project, thousands of years in the making..

It all seemed so simple now, except for the fact that the Renegades, not to mention Lloyd's band of stragglers were so against the completion of the world. In fact, if their trend continued, it would only lead to the world's destruction.

He would fix that, though.

Instead he wanted to enjoy the moment that was his vision. Inside the innermost chamber of the Tower that he had built, salvation had come at last. The Chosen of Sylvarant was no more; in her stead stood his sister. Not as she once was, but how she would be thereafter.

A sad trade in, regardless. And he smiled at her as he looked to his left. In his Angelic form, mind; he wouldn't be as stupid as to reveal to Raine his identity. Not while their connection lasted, and not before it was time. If she'd even remember enough of this to make sense of it. Though the shard was a strange thing, and not to be taken too lightly.

"We meet again.." He said, and embraced her; this girl, his sister.

Her arms wrapped around him in return, whispering his name so that no other would be able to hear, even with heightened senses. "Brother... is it true? ..Am I.. free?"

"Yes.." He whispered, reaching up to tuck a lock of hair away from her face. She'd be able to change her appearance soon enough. Just as he did. "Free from the responsibility of being the Goddess... All of this is yours, now.. your life, your vessel..."

"But what of.." Her words trailed off, and she turned her eyes towards the Great Seed. The Great Seed, where she long tarried in an extended existence as a martyred Goddess.

Things move on. Now that she had her body.. the Goddess would move on as well. As would this world.

His perfect beings, the lifeless beings, would get their chance to shine.. after the Age of Half-Elves was begun, and their birthrights claimed. Once the humans were gone as were the elves themselves.

He looked to the seed as well, his eyes knowing full well what lurked beyond it's clear green hue. "You have moved on. The worlds will still be safe, once I recover the Mana links."

"You can do it, brother.. I have faith in you.." Martel/Colette whispered, wrapping her arms around him once more. Crying. Crying those sheer tears of joy.. but he knew full well that they were his own. They were his imaginary tears, as it was mostly him who had begun this scenario in the first place.

Martel would be happy.. she would live again.. and then these past four thousand years would be erased and begin again.. a clip in time, perhaps, if he could...

That was getting too far ahead. His main goal had been to get his sister back. He would enjoy this

(Dream/Vision)

For as long as possible...

He didn't often have dreams, but when he did, he didn't want to leave them. Yet time, time was a precious thing. He looked to his left, where one last figure had appeared within the dream, and bade him move forward so that she could see.

"And do you, Genis Sage that once was, now pledge to take your place in the land that you belong?"

The half-elven boy, once so young, so pure, walked to the center and stared straight into the seed, where Mithos' sister once was imprisoned and now the boy's own sister would be for perhaps another eternity, until Mithos' plans were completed and had the worlds spinning the correct tune once more.

He bent down on one knee, his eyes a cold, steely blue. "I pledge my life to Lord Yggdrasill. I pledge my heart to his ideals. I will strive to uphold the age of the lifeless beings. Where everyone is the same. My last sacrifice to this cause will be to finally be the one to destroy Lloyd, and let fate run it's course as it should be."

Lord Yggdrasill smiled, then released the shard as he left the dream.

Two minds cried out as one.

-

A scream..

Bright sunlight hit her face as Raine Sage opened her eyes, wincing at the sudden brightness, and trembling, simply trembling from the experience.. or lack of one. Body.. yes.. Limbs, yes.. she was herself again, and she was whole.

Or as whole as she'd ever be, at any rate, she reminded herself, attempting to sit up but feeling entirely too shaky to do so. She'd manage it; a brief study of the room made her certain that they had reached Iselia, and that this was most likely Frank's home..

She felt the hot tears on her cheeks, and wiped them away, quickly. No one needed to see that!

Enough sleep would refresh one after an arduous battle; she could sense that she had healed even with that horrifying nightmare experience. Forcystus must have fell, then; things were likely set to rights by now. "I hate being out of the loop," she muttered, bringing her hand up once more to push a lock of silver hair from in front of her face-and now she saw it: the blood, not dry, but fresh, slowly trickling down her arm like a clean line of ink.. her eyes traveled up this stream to the origin of the wound, and she could see what must have happened:

The shard, that she had held onto so tightly, tightly enough that it explained why her body felt strange; her entire arm had gone numb from the shock-Had been driven into the center of her palm, likely during that ridiculous dream that she could barely remember right now, she was so surprised-

Though even as she watched, with some sick fascination that made her stomach twist, before her eyes she could see it continue to-

(Sink in)

Yes; that's what it was doing; it was as if the very shard itself were alive, tunneling it's way inside her-yet this could not be right; perhaps she was /still/ asleep, and seeing strange things- ah, but that song, that symphony- that would echo on, indeed. Even as the shard disappeared, the wound that had opened now closed; healing itself, perhaps, and she could see that strange tinge of blue just below the surface; it was inside now.. and getting it out would be a pain..

...Pain. Her head was spinning now, spinning with nausea and confusion. She could feel that pain; oh yes, it burned, though at the same time, she was managing to keep herself distanced from it-she would not cry out, she would not, no-and the stream of blood now that was left on her hand began to dry as quickly as it had begun-and by 'dry', the word that she was searching for was evaporated, because suddenly there wasn't anything there.

Normal.

Had she imagined it? The blood?

(The BLOOD)

Surely she was awake now. She blinked a few times, but it was gone. Good. Now was no time to focus on the irrelevant.

If it was.

Raine shuddered slightly, though then she heard the door open, and a familiar, cheery voice spoke as the door closed. "Oh, you're awake! That's good.. I thought I heard you scream earlier.."

"No, I'm fine." Raine lied, as she raised her eyes from her hand and looked up at the blonde, frowning. "..Where are Lloyd and Genis?"

Colette sat down on the edge of the bed, her own blue eyes lacking their usual sparkle. "They're at Dirk's house. The mayor is being rather stubborn about letting them return.. though we're trying to get the townspeople to understand.. though it's a bit difficult, since they've.. learned some truths."

"About Genis and I." Raine replied flatly.

"..Yeah.." Colette smiled weakly. "Though they aren't too warm to me either, being the failed Chosen and all.."

Raine shook her head. "Don't you worry about that. Just think of what we're doing as.. another journey of salvation. This time we're protecting you, rather than sacrificing you. I.. blame myself, for going along with that in the first place."

..It made us no better than the Desians...

"It's okay, Professor Raine. It was the truth as we knew it then. Without you around to keep me focused.. I mean, it would have been worse off if I had been more selfish, you know? But.. we've all changed, I think. Right?" Colette's voice was bright once more.

Raine looked down at her palm. "..You are correct." she paused. "Colette, I am going to go for a walk.."

"You sure?" The young girl inquired.

"Yes.. the last thing I remember is being in that ranch, after all, and I haven't seen Iselia in such a long time.." She paused, "...Everything is taken care of, isn't it?"

Colette grinned. "Yep! Thanks to Sheena, that horrible tree stopped growing, and it's gone. We still don't know much about what was damaged, though.."

Raine nodded. "I see. Thank you, Colette. I'll see you again in a little while. We do have to regroup, after all."

She turned her body to the side, letting her feet rest on the floor for a moment, unsure if they could support her. That nauseous feeling hadn't quite left yet, though she was determined to put that behind her.

She wobbled slightly, though found that standing was easier than she expected. Colette frowned slightly, reaching out a hand to steady her, though Raine shooed her off- "No, it's all right, dear, really."

Such a liar..

All Colette could do was nod, of course, and thankfully didn't hinder her departure from the room.

She needed some air...

'No.. I need to see Genis..' She thought, pausing as she looked down into her palm, winced, and made her way down the stairs.

-

Iselia was a.. peaceful town.

Despite the current ruckus in the town square. The Mayor was surrounded by a group of the townspeople as they argued the current situation.. Regal stood off to the side, watching them almost warily, frowning at the words discussed.

From his distance away, he could hear a few choice phrases.. 'half-elves', 'failure', 'traitors' among some of them. As a diplomat, he knew at least most of the truth, though wasn't sure how to implement it with most of the main people being discussed not being present or able to defend themselves.

Those that they had saved from the ranch were holed up inside the schoolhouse, until the mayor decided what to do with them.. he would have been happier if they had been left to rot.

Anti-aggressive policies.. these people knew full well of what went on, and chose to ignore it. Now they saw themselves as being 'better'.. a strange breed of humans, this. It made Regal sick to think of it.

He and Presea were clearly outsiders, here. Zelos as well, for that matter, though the redhead was unsurprisingly popular with the women on this side as well. At least that was one thing in their favor..

"It's like.. Ozette.." Presea whispered. The man glanced down at her. The girl had been quiet, for the most part, ever since arriving in Iselia.. he was surprised to hear her speak now.

"In what way?"

The girl glanced up at him, almost surprised to see him standing near her. Almost. "This village.. It's quiet, and.. out of the way of most towns, with a forest near it.. and a dwarf living nearby.." For a moment the usual robotic tone had left her voice, and she seemed almost wistful..

"Yes. That is what makes them similar." Her voice returned to it's normal tone, and Regal merely nodded as she looked away from him once more. "Yet this village still stands. Genis still has a home, even if they do not welcome him.. I have nothing to return to."

Regal cleared his throat. "With all that has occurred in the past few months, is it not surprising? ..Things will be different.. once things are set to rights."

"...Perhaps.." The girl spoke softly, her eyes traveling to the arguing group once more. Angry villagers.. he saw her wince. Perhaps she was used to this in some way.. he had remembered how the people of Ozette had reacted to her.

Zelos had turned to glance in their direction. A smile lit up his face as he lifted his hand in a wave-Regal raised an eyebrow, though realized it was likely directed at someone behind him- though Zelos had already walked over towards them. "Welcome back, my Ultra-cool Beauty!"

Regal turned around to see Raine shaking her head with an annoyed expression. "Thank you, Zelos." Her voice was dry. "I heard that you all were out here. Does anyone mind filling me in on the details that I seem to have missed?"

"She gets right to the point, doesn't she?" Zelos smirked.

"We don't have much time to waste," Raine pointed out. "And I'd like to see Genis as soon as possible after the current state of affairs here is settled."

Regal nodded. "Ah.. yes. We do need to find out a bit more about his.. situation.." he paused, glancing towards his other Tethe'allan comrades. "As it is.. Forcystus has been defeated. We are sure that he is dead.. he fell into the large opening in the floor." He winced slightly at the memory; the man had stepped into that giant hole willingly, even if it was the surety of his death that awaited him.

Raine folded her arms. "I see." She glanced towards the group of villagers, a few now seeming to notice her presence with the outsiders. "I hope that they are taking things well."

"That's an understatement." Zelos replied, still with that slight smirk, though it faded slightly. "I'd say they can use a bit of an attitude adjustment. You care to come along?"

Regal frowned faintly. This would be where he could use his diplomatic nature.. if the scene were to become any more tense, there was always the possibility that it could turn to fighting.. he glanced at Presea, who was watching the scene impassively..

Zelos and Raine began walking towards the group. Sighing slightly, Regal followed. He could see that some of the rescued captives were stepping outside as well, the girl named Chocolat one of them, in the forefront.

He could see the mayor's face redden considerably when he noticed Raine's approach. He moved close enough to hear the insults being thrown in her direction, and could only stand there, watching as she did nothing to defend herself against them; her face a blank mask, she merely stood there. Stood there.

Zelos began to pick up his argument, defending the rights of Lloyd and Genis, declaring loudly that the reason they were banned from the village was now obsolete.

"The ranch has no power over you anymore!" The redhead shouted loudly. "It's leader has been thrown down, as well as the other Desian Leaders on this planet! It is because of Lloyd, Genis, Colette and Raine that their threats will no longer plague you!"

Regal watched the expressions of the crowd. Some were unchanging. The Mayor was red in the face, but he stood his ground. "And how would you know? You are an outsider! You claim that you aren't even from this world! Which is impossible!"

"If you open your mind, some things aren't impossible." A voice spoke from behind him, and Regal stepped aside, allowing the girl to make her way through the crowd as well.

"So says another outsider. And you're just as creepy as those others." The mayor turned a scathing glance towards Raine, still with her blank expression. "To think we trusted you, when you and your brother, and that Lloyd, were the reasons why the Desians attacked in the first place! It probably was planned just so you would be on the journey with the failed chosen!"

"False statement detected. Correct statement required." Presea's quiet voice spoke chillingly.

Regal glanced back towards Raine, though to his surprise, the woman was quickly making her way away from the group without looking back.

-

Frank's house was quiet, the doors blocking out the sounds from outside. Colette's father was seated at one of the kitchen chairs, having a quiet conversation with his mother.

They were discussing all of the things that they had just learned, of course, as well as what they would say to the Mayor after the villagers had mulled their new situation over. Obviously the town would have to be made a bit bigger for those rescued if they chose to remain in this town.. though at this rate, it was a wonder that they would want to.

Kratos, after spending some time contemplating a few things, had gone upstairs to speak with Colette. The pair downstairs had learned from already what he was going to say to her, and judging by the child's reaction, she wasn't much pleased with what she had to do.

Kratos could only take a breath and remain calm. For someone who was willing to sacrifice herself willingly, she certainly was stubborn about getting herself healed.

"Colette. It's time you told them the truth."

"No." The girl crossed the room to stare out of the window, the sun illuminating her body. "I.. I can't."

"Hiding it from them won't make the problem go away. It'll get progressively worse. Do you want to die from this after all of the trouble they went through to save your life?" His tone was calm, impassive. Unnerving, even.

"..No..." Her voice was almost a whimper, though then it grew stronger. "I'll be fine! It's nothing.. I.. my skin... it's so... ugly.."

"It can be fixed. If you tell them the truth. If you learn more about your condition. That is.. the most help that I can give you. If you want to save yourself, you will have to tell them that you need to look up the old records from four thousand years ago."

Colette turned around to face him as she shook her fists in front of her, her cheeks burning crimson. "No! I won't tell anyone! Especially Lloyd!"

"Why? Are you too proud, Colette?"

"..Y-you don't understand! I'm not... I'm..."

Footsteps on the stairs caused them both to go silent, as they turned their heads in unison to look at the doorway. It was only Zelos, who leaned against the doorframe with a concerned expression. "Is this man giving you trouble, my little Angel?"

"This is a private conversation, Mr. Wilder, if you don't mind." Kratos glanced over at Colette, whose expression wavered. "Unless she wishes to speak now."

"I won't! I can't.. I.." Colette covered her ears and rushed from the room, moving so quickly that Zelos only caught a brief whiff of her wildflower-scented hair as it streaked past his nose.

"Whoa.. what did I miss here?" Zelos studied Kratos with a raised eyebrow and a faintly smug expression. "Or are you not going to tell me?"

Kratos shrugged. "This is something that Colette must reveal on her own if she wishes to live. She does not realize the true danger that her.. toxicosis possesses to her body."

Zelos smirked, crossing his arms. "I'm sure that your great master isn't pleased. Little Colette is dear to me. Let me know what's up.. surely she'll listen to me."

"She only listens to Lloyd." Kratos replied dryly. "It's best if you keep out of this."

"Uh huh. We'll see about that. I'll find out the truth myself." The crimson-haired Chosen grinned, turning and stepping out of the doorway.

Kratos lifted a hand to his forehead and sighed. He knew that he would have to move quickly in order to save this group. Hopefully he would be able to maintain his status with Yggdrasill as well without running into any unexpected problems..

-

Running. Running.

She ran as fast as she could. Away. Away from them. Away from the villagers gathered in the square near the schoolhouse. The schoolhouse that she loved. Where she was hailed as a teacher and was secure.

To the only other place that she could have called home.

Raine stopped short as she arrived at her house. She could see that it was burned; everything was burned. The frame.. the inside.. even the towels hanging outside on the line were singed.

The villagers had put out the fire, but hadn't bothered to rebuild all of the homes destroyed in that one attack.. was it because of Genis? Genis who demanded that he be exiled as well? He was a noble, noble child.. she stared at the house, waiting. Still listening to the arguing, until the arguing in the square faded away.

She stepped inside. The rooms were bare. There was nothing inside, save for things burned too badly to even be considered useful to anyone else in the village. Empty. This small house, which she had spent years to get.. years to earn.. for five years it was her corner of the world..

At least the schoolhouse still stood. Hopefully there was a suitable replacement, to teach those children who needed it; though now, of course, with all that they had uncovered, there would need to be a serious adjustment in exactly what they were taught..

Hot tears were on her face once more and she wiped them quickly with the back of her hand. The people of Iselia had to figure out the truth sooner or later; the question, of course, was who had exactly revealed that truth to them? Not that she really wanted to still live a lie..

Raine backed out of the house, turning her head away. No more. This house, this village.. it was now part of the past. Her past.. most of which was still a blur to her. Those years, raising Genis.. he had only been seven years old when they had moved here.. a precocious child, like herself.

Thoughts swirled through her head, and she shook it. One hand was fisted, held over her heart. Her eyes closed. Just leaving it all behind again... let it go..

'You aren't surprised, are you?' That mocking voice again; she bit her lip and ignored it.

The sooner they were out of this town... she sensed a presence behind her, though didn't turn around.

"Raine?" It was Regal's voice. "..Things got settled back there. The freed captives will be able to stay and nurture themselves as long as they need to.. and the crowd supported you after you left... the Mayor isn't too happy, though he was outnumbered, in the end."

She turned around. "Is that supposed to be comforting?" It's not like it really matters.

Regal lifted his shoulders in a shrug, and she could see Presea appear behind him. "It is merely an update. I would hope that it would be a comfort."

Raine shrugged. "I don't waste my time lecturing pigs. I am glad that someone else was able to."

"We should wait at the entrance for the others to arrive. Zelos went inside to let Colette and the others know that things have been resolved here... and we should see how Genis and Lloyd are holding up.."

Raine closed her eyes. "Why did you bring me back here, instead of with them? I barely got to speak to him.."

She heard Regal sigh once more. "..There is something different about him. It was better this way.. now that you are rested.. we can go over there to discuss what we do next. I believe Sheena will meet us over there as well."

Raine opened her eyes slowly. "Indeed.." she replied distractedly.

-

"Colette? Wait up!"

The blonde girl was fast, sprinting her way down towards the exit of the village.. though Zelos was faster, and caught up, catching the girl as she tripped on a loose stone on the ground. "Whoa!"

He stood her back up, and let go. She turned around to face him, breathing heavily. "..Zelos.. why did you follow me?"

Zelos put his hands on his hips as he too caught his breath. "We're both Chosen, remember? And besides.. you were upset back there."

"..Yeah.." Colette blinked slowly, trembling somewhat. "Zelos.. it's okay. You didn't have to follow me. I'm fine."

Zelos shook his head. "No you're not. I saw you back there, talking with that.. that Kratos. If he did anything to upset you.."

"..Not exactly.." Colette lowered her head. "I can't tell anyone this, Zelos.. I.."

Zelos took a seat on the fence, trusting the girl enough not to run without him blocking her path. "Why not? I can keep secrets well, if it is one."

"It's not that.. not exactly.." The girl hesitated, studying the redhead's face. "I mean.. I couldn't tell you what.. I won't even tell Lloyd.." She brought her hands up to cover her eyes; she was weeping softly.

Zelos watched her for a few long moments. "..Does this have to do with being the Chosen?" He asked quietly.

"...I guess.. it's a punishment.. because I failed, you know? ..And I was.." She could barely finish her sentence. "I was so happy, to live, you know? And.. then I remember.. all that I learned.." she was crying, still.

"Come here.." His voice was soft now. "Come on, I hate to see a beautiful girl cry.."

"It's all the same to you boys, isn't it?" Colette wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "You and Lloyd, too! It's 'oh look, a girl', and its always about the pretty ones, the beautiful ones.. Zelos, I am not beautiful! I am not a princess! I was a girl who was supposed to die for the sake of this world, and I didn't, and I am being punished for it!"

Her eyes were blazing. Zelos was taken aback; he had never seen Colette this angry before; this passionate in her speech. "My skin, Zelos! It's.. it's.. hard, and green.. and.. and it's disgusting! I don't know how long my clothes can cover it up.. the truth... I'm ugly!"

Then she seemed to realize what she had said, and her eyes widened, and she clasped a hand over her mouth. "No.. no! I..."

Zelos was staring at her in shock. "You could never be ugly, Colette! Your beauty is different from that of other women! It's your soul that counts, that pure soul... it's a rarity.."

"It was supposed to be gone! Don't you get it?" Her hands were fisted now, and she didn't bother to wipe her eyes again. "It was supposed to be gone! And instead, I'm turning-I'm turning into.. something! I'll be.. a giant exsphere!"

"You don't know that.." The red-haired chosen said softly. "Let me see, Colette. Let me help."

"You can't. You'll- you'll be disgusted! I know you will! It's why I can't tell anyone else!" She was babbling now, unbuttoning her top, uncaring that she was outdoors for the moment; of course, she was wearing something underneath that strange white vest. "Look at me! Look at me now, because you'll never want to look again!"

Zelos' eyes widened once more. The skin-just below her neck, hidden by that collar- it was entirely green, a moss green in color. He leapt to his feet, not wanting to touch it, though he did cringe at the way it seemed to eat the skin in that area.. the skin around it was discolored, and yet he reached forwards gently, to touch the blemish, to stroke the area, to button her top.

She stood there shaking, trembling now. "...It's disgusting, isn't it? You hate me; your eyes, you don't want to be near me.. I should... and.."

"Shhh." He finished adjusting the top, so that everything was in place as it was before. He still looked a bit ill. "That isn't your fault. It's.. this whole Chosen thing! You right now.. that could just as easily be me. Granted, I probably would be dead already before even getting this far. You're pure; that doesn't change anything. It's what Kratos meant, isn't it?"

"..Y..yes.." Colette stammered, barely able to keep her eyes open. "He.. he keeps hinting at these things.. these records.. but he says that only I can save me if I tell you all... but.. it would be distracting.. we.. we've come this far.. and.."

"Colette. You deserve to live." He brought his lips to her forehead, kissing it, before pulling away. "Don't you forget that. You're special, little angel. We'll tell everyone, and find out as much as we can about this.. this toxicosis, okay? Because you're special."

"Zelos.." Colette managed to smile weakly. "Thank you.. I don't know.. if anyone else.. would have.."

Zelos grinned. "I'm sure they would have! You probably would have been happier if it was even Lloyd who found out this way."

"Maybe.." Colette sighed, and to Zelos' surprise, wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "You're much nicer than anyone will give you credit for."

Zelos laughed, then swung her around in the air. "Yes indeed, little angel, indeed. Just don't let anyone else know about it! Heh... we should find the others, you know?"

"Yeah.." Colette said softly.

"Keep smiling, Colette." Zelos winked at her. "Just keep a smiling face, and know that you'll get healed from this."

"You're right."

Laughing, she began skipping towards the village entrance. Shaking his head a little, Zelos grinned himself before following.

One good deed...

-

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