Forever Strong
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I think I failed to mention this in the last chapter, probably got lost when I was transferring computers: There will be at least one mini sequel to this coming in the near future when this is finished. I don't have much info on it right now, and I would give what I have on it now, but that would completely ruin the final chapter (even though half of you probably know where this is going).
It is truly a wonder that I actually managed to get this done, for school has officially started and I have discovered on most days I will have this many hours to work on any of my stories: zero. Getting up at 6am, getting dressed and eating takes until 6:45 when I leave for the bus, get back around 3:30, then homework till soccer at 6, dinner after that and shower, then bed when all that's done. Isn't the school year just wonderful? And you don't even get PAID for it! And yes, I would MUCH rather pluck out each of my eyelashes one by one than go back. Weird comparison by the way… Oo
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'It seems so far, my plan is going like clockwork. Sheena is staying with me, and she'll be happy. Now, if I can just stall enough to stay here for two more days…'
"—dys'go."
"Erm, what'd you say?" Zelos snapped back to the reality of his love rolling her eyes from the gates of Iselia. How he had ended up here—here of all places—with Sheena, he was unsure of, but bet there were hidden spirits in his drink.
"I said: 'If you're ready, let's go'." She repeated, a tad slower than normal.
Inwardly, he felt himself wince. "Whaddya mean? We aren't leaving."
She raised an eyebrow, her eyes inquired an explanation alongside their usual daring gleam. "Oh, aren't we?"
"Nope."
"Well, in case your brain became detached from your head, it would be best if we left here. It's just where the M.I.N. expects us to be."
"…Sheena tell me, just how smart is the M.I.N.?"
"That's a dumb question."
He shrugged, "An intellectual, Elvin prisoner escapes jail, he's been talking about returning to his homeland the days before. To where does he go when he's out?"
She paused, trying to find a relation between his story and their situation. "I dunno where you're going with this, but the answer is obvious, I s'pose. He'd be going back to Heimdell or Derris-Kharlan if he was a little over the edge."
"And that is how we're going to outsmart the M.I.N."
"Hmm." She crossed her arms, "Dare I ask, but what does your 'brilliant' plan have to do with some insane—possibly maniacal—elf?"
"Reverse psychology, babe." Zelos assertively wrapped his arm around her, subliminally leading Sheena away from the gates. "The first thing they'll expect us to do is flee, so if we stay here, we should be safe… err, well, for the while anyway."
Sheena eyed the former Chosen perspicuously, searching for any falters on his part. "Has anyone ever told you your logic is a bit… out there?"
He smiled, "I've been told a lot of things."
Sheena then sighed and glared minuscule, mock daggers at him, "The most recent of them being to get your perverted hand off my ass."
"Hehehe, whoops. Now how'd that get there?"
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With much successful persuasion on Sheena's part, the two left the village—only temporarily Zelos made sure—to the Church of Martel just east of Iselia. Their trip was uneventful in the eyes of swordsmen, but filled with hope for the ninja. Throughout the entire day they had spent in Iselia, she could have sworn she heard a small, familiar voice calling to her, and even stronger when they entered the Temple.
She had awkwardly asked Zelos if he heard anything upon entering the temple. Though inadvertently, he had answered with a discouraging "Nope.", so she set it aside as just being all in her head.
After retiring to the Inn after a long day, they had no choice but to vacate a small one person room due to many villagers staying in the Inn while their houses were being rebuilt. For the two, it was quite a squeeze as compared to the vast outdoors of which they had become accustomed.
Needless to say, Zelos was very outgoing with the idea of sharing a bed. Sheena… not so much, however she had made it very clear she wouldn't participate in any 'activities in pajamas or less'. He had laughed at her statement, but willingly agreed that it wouldn't be in their best interests.
A first, she called it.
The entire village seemed so quaint and serene blanketed by the darkness of the night, the stars glistened overhead as if winking to the moon in its brilliant white glory.
In contrast to the smooth going brought upon by the navy sky, Sheena lay content in body, but puzzled in mind in a snoozing Zelos' arms. The voice continued to summon to her, but to where? Even more unsettling, she tried talking to Corrine as she had usually done in the past, but felt as if her prayers fell on deaf ears.
Brown, fuzzy, fox-like ears.
Fed up with her attempts to slumber, she craftily slid out from underneath the covers, using her pillow to keep from disturbing Zelos. A childish move really, but enough for now.
The door to the Inn closed with a barely audible click, or so she had thought. She heard a gasp in reaction to her presence, and just as startled she promptly turned on her heel to see a small boy staring back at her.
"H-hey… what are you doing out this late?" she asked of the boy in a kind voice.
The boy looked down, scowling, "Runnin' away…" he replied guiltily.
"Now why would you do that? You'll worry your parents sick!"
The boy continued to avoid her eyes, his own now reflecting more emotion. In her haste, she had failed to notice the boy was a half-elf. Her heart swelled with compassion for the boy and assumed the worse. "…They aren't… here, are they?" she whispered.
The boy shook his head, his untidy green hair fell over his eyes in attempt to mask the pools of liquid filling beneath his pupils. "Nope. The Mayor had them killed 'cause he thought they were Desians. He's a butthead."
She smiled and put her arm around the boy in a comforting manner. "Yeah, that Mayor can be a butthead, can't he? Even so, where do you plan to head? The nearest city is far from here and through a deadly desert, you don't want to go there, trust me."
He looked up at her, blinking away his tears, "Then where am I supposed to go? I'm not accepted anywhere. I opened up my heart, but no one took me in. Where are the half-elves supposed to go?"
Sheena paused, taking in his every word. "…You know, I once knew a half-elf, said the exact same thing. A wise friend of mine told him he could live anywhere. As long as you're not doing anything wrong, you should live… proudly out in the open." She smiled at her unconscious recitation of Lloyd.
"But… this world isn't very accepting, I know…" she sighed, "And I really would like to say to live anywhere with all honesty, but right now, that's not very realistic… I have an idea, come with me. I'll take you to a beautiful land where you can be welcomed with open arms, for sure."
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The young boy was in awe as they glided over land masses and oceans as if they were on Aska's wings. Upon landing, he hesitantly looked around, all glee from the ride gone and replaced with a deep trepidation.
She smiled and took his hand to reassure him, "Don't worry," she whispered, "this village is entirely composed of half-elves. They'll take you in as one of their own. …Maxwell, which house should I take the boy to?"
"…Hun-ba, wha?" replied a sleep-filled, craggy voice, "Gah, don't you whippersnappers know what time it is! Some people sleep at this hour, I'll have you know! And another thi—"
"I'm sorry, Maxwell. I just need to find a good home for this child, and I thought since you were here when we made the pact, that you—"
"Who are you talking to, crazy lady?"
"I agree with the kid…" Maxwell grumbled.
"C'mon, please!" Sheena huffed softly, "Just help me out here."
"Fine, fine… daheer…" The summon spirit seemed to be making up his mind, "…that one. Now let me sleep!"
Anything but ominously, a small light appeared over a house ahead of them. Taking that as Maxwell's choice, Sheena led the boy to the house and gingerly knocked on the door.
Moments later, a groggy female half-elf opened the door, seemingly indifferent that visitors came to them in the late hours of the night. "Whaddya wan-nigh, hi?" she mumbled.
Sheena bowed her head respectively, "I'm sorry to bother you this late, but my friend here—" she motioned to the boy, "—needs somewhere to live. He's a really good kid, and I would love to take care of him, but I don't have the money and I want him to live somewhere where he's safe from discrimination."
The woman brightened, "I see, well, I guess I can't say no, now can I? Come right in, lad…"
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Sheena was very surprised at the outgoingness and warmth radiating from the village of Exire this night. A village full of half-elves, most of them hating towards humans for the hate inflicted upon them, had really turned full circle after the events of the past weeks. Either that, or the old coot really knew the right family to pair the boy with.
Dwelling on the situation past, she stumbled upon a similar memory of her own when she was a child. At the time, she had not known who her consoler was by name, but as the years went by, it became crystal clear that it was the Chosen himself who had been there for her…
"Hey there. Haven't seen you here before… you new to this town?"
I glared up at boy, he looked about my age with red hair tumbling off his shoulders. I didn't care. "What's it matter to you?" I spat venomously.
He held his arms up in defense and laughedFreaking laughed. "Touchy, touchy. Don't be that way. Now, what's the matter? I don't like seeing people frown."
I stayed silent, hoping he'd get bored and leave if I ignored him. A stupid move, for it only piqued his interest further, "You know what they say, 'A sorrow shared is half the pain'. …Then again, I've never believed in that myself, but I have some, uh, 'special circumstances' what with being unwanted and all."
I looked over at him, "…You too?"
He nodded sadly, "Yup. The general public wasn't very pleased with my birth, so much so, my mum got killed for it…"
"I'm sorry," I said on impulse. He shook his head, "Nah, don't be. It's not like I really ever knew 'er, besides, I bet your story is far worse than mine."
"Perhaps… An orphan over in Mi—err, my village, my grandfather took me in, but now he's become really sickly and no one's helping us. Me, I'm only eight, I can't get a job or anything to get him medicine, I can't continue his line of work as a craftsman. I… just don't know what to do…"
"So you ran away? To try and start anew?"
I nodded slowly, mouthing a 'yeah'.
"…That… doesn't make sense."
I glared at him, "What do you mean!"
He shrugged, a common motion for him I've noticed. "Well, if your grandpa is ill and he loves you, wouldn't that, like, carve his tombstone or something? You can't just abandon the ones you love when the going gets rough… that's what I've been taught, anyway."
I paused, taking in what he said, "…You're really smart. You attend the universities here, or something?"
"Nah, I'm actually from Meltokio. Just came to Sybak to escape the idiots back home…crazy weirdoes."
I nodded, and began to get up, "Well, thanks a lot, it really helped my out. Nice to know there's somebody in this world that cares for a complete stranger."
He smiled, "You going back to your grandfather? I hope we meet again."
"Yeah."
Sheena smiled at the memory and chuckled softly,
"Even then he couldget me wrapped around his finger… oh brother."
As she flew lower, nearing the outskirts of the sleeping Iselia, she could hear the voice rise to call her once again…