Disclaimer: I don't own starocean
Karin: you know, that was kind of bad of you for doing this.
...i don't care, do you?
Karin: not really, just means more work for you, that's all.
...oh.
After that strange event, Fayt and Maria went back to the castle before they met anyone else weird and familiar. Luckily, they managed to run away just before Roger came along. He appeared in town to grab something, and it would be hell if he saw Fayt and Maria. As soon as they stepped into the castle, Fayt pulled Maria into the chapel. No one was inside, as he would have hoped.
"What is it, Fayt?"
Maria asked, puzzled by his sudden actions.
"Let me ask you this, Maria. Do you believe that all of this will work?"
"What do you mean? Fayt, what are you talking about?"
"You know what i am talking about. Maria, do you seriously believe that it would really work between us? Do you? We're siblings! We're twins! Is it really alright for us to be like this?"
Fayt let out his true feelings. Maria felt devastated by his words. Was he really pained by this fact? Why couldn't he just... pretend? What was wrong? Why couldn't they work it out together?
"... If we believe, then won't it?"
"Believing is not enough! What this is... this is... it's not right! People call it a sin for a reason!"
"Then wouldn't we be the happiest sinners if we managed to work it out? Why, Fayt, why? Why don't you think it'll work?"
Maria felt the tears well up in her eyes.
"I want to... i want to believe that it will work out, Maria, i really do. But i... i don't know! I'm not sure of anything anymore!"
"Then why can't we just take this slowly? I'm sure it'll work out for both of us. If you don't believe it to be so, then my belief would be strong enough for the two of us! Let me believe for the two of us that it can work out!"
Maria cried, wrapping her arms around him as she wept. Was there nothing can help her now? The silent statue of Apris stared down upon the two, as though bearing witness to their plight. Fayt pushed Maria away.
"Maria... let me ask you this, are you certain? Can you really live freely and normally by my side even with this knowledge within you?"
Fayt asked her, with a serious look. She had never seen so serious after the battle against the creator. At that time, they were fighting for their very existence, but now... why did he have that look on his face?
"Maria, answer the question."
"I-... i want to."
She answered bitterly. Was this the end? Was this how her love would end? Because of blood ties? Because of a family that she wished for? That she would lose everything else? Fayt sighed and took her hand. With a swift move, he took the silver ring off her finger.
"Wha-? Fayt?"
Maria did not understand. Fayt stood there silently, looking at the ring. He slowly pocketed it.
"Fayt? Why? Why Fayt? What's wrong? Didn't we promise to be together forever? Didn't we?"
Maria could not understand, her mind did not want to comprehend it. Her heart was torn. What was the meaning of this? Why was Fayt doing this to her? Why? Her tears, would not ease her pain. The ring she cherished. Though it may not be Fayt's there was still a meaning to it. It was a sign of their love for each other. But now... where is that love? Where did it all go wrong?
"Fayt? Fayt? Why? Why can't it work out? Why Fayt! Answer me!"
Maria cried in his chest.
"Why, tell me why! Don't stay silent, Fayt! Answer me! This has to be a dream, it is a dream, right? Please tell me! Fayt!"
Maria cried, as loud as possible. But her pain, her question, would not go away. Fayt felt torn inside as well. He didn't know that it would hurt her that much. But it must be done. It had to be done. He placed his two hands on her shoulder and pushed her away from him.
"Don't ask too many questions, Maria. If there is one thing you must know, you tend to misunderstand the situation and overact. This would be the second time."
Fayt sighed. Maria did not understand.
"Wha-?"
She wanted to ask what he meant, but Fayt knelt in front of her, and took out a small box from his pocket.
"Fayt?"
"I told you before, that i would not let you go. We would spend forever by each other's side, till the end of time. If you believe that it will work, then i shall believe with you. If you should ever cry, i would want to cry with you. If you feel joy, i would jump for you. If you would feel sad, i would be there to cheer you up. I would not go anywhere without you. Maria Traydor, no, Maria Leingod, i want to spend the rest of my days with you. Maria Leingod, will you take this-"
Fayt opened the small box and sat neatly in it was a small silver ring with a diamond set in it.
"and marry me?"
Maria was speechless. All this time, was he just testing her? Was he testing her resolve? Her will? Her love? The tears rolled down her cheeks, but not in pain, or sadness, but of joy. She did not know what to say.
"Maria?"
Fayt looked at her questioningly.
"Fayt... you-... you were testing me?"
"I didn't need to for i already know your resolve. So, will you?"
"Yes. Yes!"
Maria nodded, her tears overflowing. Fayt gently took her hand and placed the ring on her finger.
"I had my inventors create this. I told them i wanted to perfect ring with the perfect stone. The ring is made from pure silver. It has a mythril lining in the middle around the ring and also as the holder for the stone. The stone is one of the best i could find. Diamond, in a perfect cut."
Fayt explained the ring, but Maria had no need to know what it was made off. She loved it. Even if it was made of grass, she would still love it. The stone shined from the brilliance of the sunlight that shone through the skylight. As though a form of gift from the gods, birds flew into the chapel through the skylight, encircling the two. Doves, sparrows, all flocked around them, witnesses to the scene that unfolded infront of them.
The light shone brightly through the roof, lighting the entire chapel, engulfing the darkness within. The statue of Apris sparkled radiantly, giving off the aura of supremecy and greatness. And under this light, did the two lost souls kiss. The passion and love, filled their hearts, and joined as one. The two who were united under the eye of god, would gain eternal love. For now, and forever more. Under the sky of heaven.
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The great throne sat sat in the giant audience chamber, empty. The sign of poewr, gone. The symbol of strength, missing. The person of authority, absent. Where one would find the person of highest power in this land, now found dust. A puzzle left unanswered. But a note was left. It was to everyone's surprise that their beloved ruler could disappear without anyone knowing.
As a result, Fayt, Maria, Nel, Albel, Sophia and Ryoko were summoned to the audience chamber. Standing next to the throne was the queen's new advisor. A young lady with greyish hair tied up in a bun. Her face was still young compared to her hair colour.
"I have called all of you as the Queen has left a note with your names on it, therefore i feel that it is appropriate that you would hear it. I will summerize it to cut it short."
The advisor cleared her throat and began.
"The Queen is currently away with the King for an important meeting with the leading council members of Greenton. She wishes that no one is to follow them. She wishes that Nel and Albel follow master Fayt on his journeys and let them settle down to start a new life by themselves by master Fayt's side."
"What?"
Everyone could not believe their ears.
"Let me finish. The Queen also wishes that Larni and her squad act master Fayt's bodyguards as of today. Larni, Mino, Klo, come out please."
The advisor called and three shadowy figures appeared. At that instant, Fayt recognized them. They were the three who had their daggers at Fayt's group's throats when they arrived. The leader turned and faced Fayt.
"It is an honour to meet you. My name is Larni Hin, squad leader of the shadow hunters second squad. These are my officers, Mino-"
Larni pointed to the girl with the short brown hair.
"And that is Klo."
Larni pointed to the girl with the shoulder length black hair.
"It is a pleasure to serve you."
Larni bowed.
"Wait a minute, is her majesty sure of this?"
Fayt asked.
"If she says so, then it must be. Her majesty never makes a hasty decision without giving it considerable thought first."
The advisor spoke up.
"Well... if her majesty wishes it so... i guess i have no choice but to comply."
Fayt scratched his head.
"But it's going to be all space battle. I'm not sure what you can do-"
"We can do any sorts of work, cooking, fixing complex machinary, message relays."
Larni replied quickly, as though trying to protect the pride of her work.
"Well... i guess we can find something on board for you three."
Fayt considered. At that moment, the three girls all knelt in front of him.
"Huh?"
"We thank you for letting us join you. We will not fail you."
The leader said.
"Er... right, get up, please. This is embarrassing."
Fayt scratched his head. Could this day get any more... full?
AN: This is starting to be like Suikoden, collect the 108 stars of destiny... coo, huh? i don't own that concept, but i think i can borrow something along those lines.