Disclaimer- Capricorn belongs to meh, Shiru and Raishin belong to my buddy Ryu, and Chrisanthy belongs to my buddy Christy. Everything else is owned by Namco.

MoonCannon- Yeah, I had to take some stuff from this chapter to make it three pages... but the last chapter is coming up, and that's about 6 1/2 pages long. I'm working on an Epilouge now, but it's still imcomplete...

A/N- Yes, this is the last chapter. BUT, I'm posting up the Finale right after this... I'm still in the works, but I'm also writing an Epilouge as well, so stay tuned for the ending. XD

Capricorn's head automatically tilted to the side in curiosity.

"Wait, what?" she asked, looking down to the back of her hand. Forcystus shook his head.

"I was young, maybe only a few years older than you at the time. I was on my way from my village in Iselia forest, heading for another Half-elf town nearby. Upon reaching the village entrance, I was surprised to see that Lord Yuan and Martel were there, conversing with the village Elder."

Forcystus paused for a moment, brow furrowed in mild thought.

"After speaking with them, I learned of you and your condition while you were living in Triet. Lord Yuan told me about the Ranch that Lord Yggdrasill was building in this area, and asked me if I would like to be the one to rule over it.

Of course, my own village had once been attacked and nearly wiped out by humans, so I jumped at the opportunity to be able to do that. Lord Yuan simply nodded in reply and gave me the second half of your Cruxis Crystal, explaining that it was impossible to piece it back together without accidentally killing you."

"So that's why…" Capricorn muttered, slowly shaking her head. Forcystus looked up.

"What was that?" he asked, distractedly watching a few birds flutter from tree to tree in the distance, looking for a place to rest for the night. Capricorn startled slightly.

"Umm, nothing." she answered, fingering the hilt of her rapier anxiously. Forcystus took a slightly hesitant step forward.

"No, it's not nothing." he said softly, noticing the restless look in her eyes, "What's wrong?"

"It's just that… it all makes sense now." she paused for a moment. "The result of you having my Exsphere… but I thought it only happened in fairytales…?" she let her arm fall to her side.

"Martel used to tell me stories when I was little, back before the War. They were always filled with some sort of happy feeling… I remember one story involved two people that shared an Exsphere." she began, her hand now running through her hair, "The shared Exsphere caused them to become attracted to each other, although their differences were many.

"Don't you see?" she asked, eyes changing from unease to something along the lines of loneliness, "That's why I can't help but love you!"

Capricorn stopped, eyes wide, and clamped her hand over her mouth.

"Did I just…?" she muttered, staring at the ground. No answer. She instead heard footsteps quietly approach. Looking up, she jumped slightly as the sight of Forcystus standing right next to her met her eyes.

"You know," he said softly, holding out his hand, "It doesn't matter what you said." Capricorn raised an inquiring eyebrow at him, but sheepishly took his hand anyway.

"Here, Capricorn." Yuan said cheerily, handing a sheathed weapon to the young Half-elf, "I just got this for you as proof that you've learned how to properly use it."

Capricorn carefully took the weapon from her friend's hand and slowly unsheathed it, the silver blade glinting in the sunlight.

"Thank you, Yuan!" she cried, giving him a fierce hug. He had to gasp for breath for a moment before replying.

"Don't mention it, Capricorn." he replied, prying her off him, "Just don't forget, no matter where you end up, you'll always be like my little sister."

"Capricorn, you awake?" Forcystus' voice stirred her out of her thoughts.

"Uhh, yeah." she replied. She shook her head to fully wake herself up before realizing that they must have moved back off the roof, because she was now sitting on the stone bench by the pond.

"Well, Capricorn… there's been something I've been meaning to ask you…" Forcystus started, tearing his eyes away and staring into the pond.

"Yes…?" she asked, looking at him curiously. He continued to focus his gaze on the fish.

"Well, everybody knows that all Half-elves exude mana, correct?" he said, a slight zephyr ruffling his hair. Capricorn nodded. "Well, within the last couple of days, every time I've been near you, I've- well, the mana level has increased, to be blunt. You know, that can only mean two things… either you've been granted wings by Cruxis, or you're-"

Shiru, who had been seated just outside the courtyard, jumped as she heard their conversation. What? There was no possible way that… unless…

"Something the matter, Shiru?" an all to familiar voice asked. She looked up and smiled as she recognized Raishin, the second in command of the Palmacosta ranch. Behind him was Chrisanthy, who, although she was yawning, had her journal and pencil in the crook of her arm.

"How do you stay up so late?" she asked, yawning again and rubbing her eyes. Shiru laughed softly.

"It's amazing what coffee can do for you." she replied, grabbing Raishin's hand as he helped her up, "Tea has the same effect to some extent, though, Christy."

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" Raishin asked keenly, looking awkwardly at his friend. Shiru shrugged.

"I was out here with Capricorn, but she's having a… conversation with someone, so I was just waiting for her to finish." she replied, rubbing the back of her head. Raishin looked at her questioningly, but Shiru shook her head, and her took that for an answer.

"Alright, let's get going… it's too late for you two to be wandering around outside, anyway." he said suddenly, looking up from the ground, "You should get some sleep. There's rumor that the two that attacked your guards a while ago are back in the area, and considering they've already tried to go after the other Cardinals…"

Shiru jumped at his words and grabbed Christy, pulling her through the doorway.

"Okay, see you later, then, Raishin…" she muttered, shutting the door behind her. He nodded and folded his arms across his chest before turning and going another way, entering the Ranch through a side door and heading towards the guest quarters.

He'd be staying here for the night.