A/N: A million apologies for not updating in forever. Truth be told, I wasn't even sure if I should put the other parts up. But seeing as that I showed this to some friends a long time ago, I decided that it was finally time.I now bring you Isis' side of the coin -- enjoy.

Sycophancy: Part II

I never knew before how warm one's hands could be.

She wants to be right. I want her to be right. Had fate followed its course, I could have told her that she should prepare for the worst - but that would have made me heartless, wouldn't it have? I have no wish to see her cry because of my duty as a messenger; I've seen too much of that.

She's such a sweet girl, still young and vulnerable to the world. She still has so much to see, so much to learn...yet she hopes for the best in everything. She has an idol to look up to; I must follow only myself and follow the path that a false prophet laid down for me.

Shizuka...you are kind. What is it that you are hoping for most?

The return of our brothers and the destruction of darkness. I think that is something in which we are all alike.

You wanted to know what Malik was like back then. Had he grown up normally, I assume that he would have been someone like your own brother. He was especially curious in the affairs of the outside world, as was I. He loved learning about new things. We were children who appreciated the world because we hardly caught any glimpses of it.

...it's the same with you? That's why you're so hopeful...

I wasn't trying to imply anything by that. Go one with what you were saying.

I like your brother. He's a strong person, one to be admired. Maybe you're right; maybe he will be another one to overthrow the chains of fate. He seems to be the type of person who won't let himself be ruled by anybody.

I would like to believe that it's true, but I'm worried that the good part of Malik is gone. He is within Anzu, but the thought of him never getting his body back worries me.

I don't my brother to be the one who ends the world.

...oh, gods, I didn't mean to say that. I'm sorry for scaring you like that.

Please don't run away.

You're not going to?

Thank you, Shizuka, for everything.

I have faith in you. You're going to grow up to be someone very strong one day.

...no, not "strong like me", but you're able to give strength to those around you. It's something that I try to accomplish when I can. Now go and see your brother, he'll be happy to see you.

Malik?

I'll see him afterwards.

Yes, I'm sure he'll be happy to see me, too.