az: I've decided to change everything from the beginning. The story started to suck... anyway. XDXD

Disclaimer: I don't own Magna Carta: Crimson Stigmata but a copy of the english version copy of the PS2 game, Tears of Blood. Original plot and character designs are copyrights of SoftMax and Hyung Tae Kim. No infringements are intended and plots are solely intended for leisure reading.

Reminder: Oh... forgot to add. Thanks to Gerald Guess whose walkthrough of Magna Carta had been used for this one-shot plot.

Waiting for the light of hope

Written by Azzie Izumi Ishtar

Eonis quietly stepped into the room as she nudged Justina from her watch. 'How is he--?', she asked as she glanced towards the sleeping figure of Calintz with Reith asleep also by the side of the bed. Eonis smiled wistfully. 'He looked so at peace.', she said as Justina nodded. 'Yeah... as if nothing actually happened...'

Eonis's expression turned somber as she looked at the sleeping figure with concern. 'Nothing new?', she asked as Justina shook her head. Reith woke up slowly as Eonis sighed. 'It's been three days! What's going to happen to him?-!'

'Calm down!', said Justina as she glanced towards Calintz. 'It'll be alright soon. I'm sure of it.', she said as Eonis cried aloud. 'What do you mean--? How does having him lie there like this be--'

'I had contacted Mistress Ladrinne--', said Justina as Eonis went quiet. 'She'll be coming to-- I hope. It's her son after all...', she said as Eonis glanced at her in surprise. Mistress Ladrinne after all hadn't recover herself much after the incident in Lake Astine.

Chris barged in unexpectedly as Eonis and Justina turned towards him. 'Hey--! Rusty's here. Wonder what--', he started to say as the girls dashed out in hurry. Chris turned towards their backs as he stuttered in surprise. 'Eeh?-! What happened?'

XXX

'Hey pops, watcha--', Chris started to say before Mistress Ladrinne walked out after Rostin. The Great Priestess seemed to have snapped out of her reverie as she looked around for Justina. Chris gasped as Justina rushed towards her side. Mistress Ladrinne glanced worriedly towards Justina as the young priestess grabbed her hand. 'Justina, Calintz--!'

'This way--', she said as she led the Great Priestess towards the sleeping chamber, followed by the rest of them.

XXX

Mistress Ladrinne affectionately caressed Calintz's face as she placed a soft kiss on his forehead. 'Silly child. How many times should I remind you to take care of yourself better--!', cried the Great Priestess as she held his hand tightly.

'Will he... be alright--?', asked Reith as Orha and Serina looked at her worriedly. Reith hadn't eaten anything ever since three days ago, stubbornly announced that she will not do anything other than looking after Calintz. All this while, it was both of them who had gone to sort out the confusion in Epentar after Neikan was defeated. When the Light of Salvation was destroyed and the tree was dead, a powerful wave swept pass the battlefield rendering each side incapable of fight. Even then, there are some who are still stubborn. Those were the ones they have to take care of.

The same goes to the rest of the group who had been trying so hard to finally convince the remaining Alliance troop that the war is no more and had them return to their homes.

Haren, Eonis, Azel, Chris, Maya, Eonis and Rianna also looked up towards the Great Priestess as Mistress Ladrinne glanced away with fatigued sorrow. 'I'm... not sure. Justina told me that Agreian, err I mean, Neikan... hit him with the Light of Salvation?', she asked. Haren and the guys looked at each other, feeling troubled. After all, she had spent all those years thinking that he was her son. And now, her real son was lying before her in the brink of death. Eonis nodded. 'Yes... h-he did.'

Ladrinne shook her head before noticing the golden bracelet that Calintz was still wearing. Though it was a wonder that Calintz actually survived. She wondered if the magic in him and Reith's familiar was the only thing that had saved him, and cringed at the thought that might be if he hadn't have that protection...

She stared blankly at both their bracelets as she held his hand. All of the Esthar family members have perished, leaving the two of them that remained. Her mind wandered back towards the moment where General Esthar had been in a similar state. And her grief on his death as she walked aimlessly around the charred remains of their home in Maracatte, searching for her only son...

She had forced herself to recover after hearing about Calintz. There's no way she's going to lose her child again!

She sighed as she let go of his hand. 'I think I can do something. Hopefully... my current powers could heal him', she said finally as Reith, Justina and Maya looked up to her. 'We'll help!', said Reith as Ladrinne thanked her. 'Thank you... but please. All of you must rest. I-- I'll call if I need assistance.'

'B-but--', said Reith as Justina nudged her away. The others took their cue as they left, leaving the mother and son alone by themselves.

Ladrinne turned towards Calintz as she started the healing magic on him. She smiled bitterly as the color slowly returned to Calintz's pale features. 'You're going to be fine soon, I promise. My precious child... Agreian..', she said as she continued with her spells...

XXX

Justina walked out of the room as she took a seat with the other. 'The mistress had done all that she could. She was resting beside Calintz. Now, we just had to wait...', said Justina as she took a sip of her tea and sighed. Haren groaned as he took a bite off his drumstick. 'Huh! I don't like waiting...', he blurted as Chris rolled his eyes. 'We know! You kept telling us all that ever since we started on this bullshit...'

'Huh...', he snorted as he noticed Reith's stew was still untouched. 'Hey.. Reith. Go stuff yourself on that or I'll throw you into the cavern! Queen or no queen, you gotta eat!', cried Haren again as Orha threw him a dangerous look. Eonis giggled as she slapped his shoulder playfully. 'Haha... Haren! I see why Felicia liked you. I never thought I'd see that again! You're so awkward...', Eonis said as she giggled some more.

'Yeah... just say it straight next time...', teased Chris as the others joined in. Reith looked at all of them in wonder as she lowered her head. 'I'm sorry... I caused all of you to worry...', she apologized as Rianna pointed her goblet of wine towards her. 'Don't mention it. Besides, all of us are so happy to see you alive. You don't know what happened since that day. Calintz was like a wreck--', Reith looked up in alarm as Chris countered her statement. 'Hey... you can't blame the captain! With the chick this cute, why wouldn't he fall in love with her? Or how he won't be so depressed at losing her?', he said as Reith blushed. Haren spat on that statement. 'Hah... he's so stupid. Why on earth he bothered to go falling in love suddenly...? And not to just any girl, that is. A Yason Queen! Now, I wonder about his high taste-- Probably runs in the family...'

Orha and Serina rolled their eyes at him as he paid more attention to his food, ignoring the chatter.

'Oh... come to think of it, Calintz is after all Mistress Ladrinne's true son. Wow... I hadn't given this a thought before, but... that was amazing.', said Rianna suddenly as Justina glanced at her, deep in thought. Eonis sighed at the statement as she agreed. 'Yes... that explains why Calintz could use elemental magic in his swordfighting. It also would explain how only he can open that chamber door where the ice shard was kept. It was strange... Calintz had been wondering about his family for a long time, and inadvertently found his mother without knowing...'

'It was not that hard. I guess... they already knew it in their hearts.'

Everyone turned their attention towards Justina as she explained. 'I always noticed Calintz being drawn towards the mistress. He had always been able to open up to her when he was feeling troubled. And the Mistress already treated him like a son and had even reminded me to look after him before this journey...', said Justina as Azel wondered.

'I guess... ties of blood will never be severed, huh?', said Reith as Serina glanced at her. Chris chidded. 'So is ties of love... ain't it, sweetie?', he joked as Haren threw some bones towards his face. 'Cut that stupid talk, Chris! Or I'll send you off to the cook to be turned into mincemeat!'

Chris held out his hand as he surrendered. 'Hey... take it easy. Yish...', said Chris as Haren growled. 'Eh... guys, I had one freaky thought. Do we have to call Calintz... Agreian now?', he cried as he made a face. Everyone on the table glanced at him in horror as they thought of Neikan...

'Nah...!', everyone cried in protest as Justina said promptly. 'I preferred Calintz. It bode well with his family name anyway. Besides, I'm used to calling him with that name...'

Azel looked at her in surprise as he jumped at her. 'What? You know about the captain's family--? Who--?'

'No use asking me. They were no more in this world after all.', said Justina coldly as Reith asked. "Why... how?', she asked as Justina explained. 'The Dark Yason... killed off the entire Esthar family members years ago as a revenge on the general's defeat on the Yason army.', she said as Reith looked away. 'Oh... I see.'

Justina sighed. 'So that's why... it was important that Calintz survived. I don't know what will happen to Mistress Ladrinne if he died...', she said as the everyone went deathly quiet..

XXX

'I... missed you so much!'

Reith wiped away the tears that had started to come out again as she sat beside him.

'It... doesn't matter if you're a Yason or human. I've told you before, right? I'll always be protecting you... so please. Don't leave me anymore...!'

Those were his last words before he pushed her away and was hit. That time she really did thought it was the end. Just when they were finally reunited again. Stupid... now who's about to leave who?-!, thought Reith wildly as Calintz remained motionless. She continued to reflect back to the events, days ago..

When he went limp after that blast, she really felt as if she had died again. Nothing else matters anymore. Not even the fact that she was still the Queen of the Yason, the ruler of Epentar by rights... who, should not be thinking about things such as love. Especially since she had fallen in love with a human...

Like how she once said to Raul, Rianna and Justina... that even after regaining her memories, she will never forsake this new identity that she had made ever since that chanced meeting with Calintz. She had vowed never to leave his side... becoming his strength and support. How destiny made their lives so dreadfully confusing and full of pain and heartache? Why can't everyone lived together peacefully?-!

Reith sighed as she rose from the bedside.

'...no... I...wait... mother--!'

Reith blinked as she looked down to see Calintz stirred in his sleep for the first time. She gasped in delight as she gently urged him to wake up.

Calintz woke up in confusion as Reith help him to sit up. He stared at her blankly as Reith cupped his face. 'Thank goodness you're finally awake! I was so worried about you--!', she cried gratefully as she embraced him. Reith looked up at him as she slowly leaned closer while both of them kissed. Calintz blushed deeply as the sound made Eonis and Haren rushed inside.

'What happened--?', cried Eonis before catching sight of Calintz awake. Both of them cried in surprise as Calintz jumped in embarassment and pushed Reith away.

XXX

Mistress Ladrinne watched the Azure Wings flew away as they took Neikan to be put on trial. Despite the real truth that he had deceived her to being her son, she still could never truly believe it that he was so capable of doing such things to herself and Calintz. Somehow... she couldn't accept that reality. Though it came to her surprise that the child whom she had cared like a son was really her real son...

'Mistress Ladrinne...!'

She turned towards Justina as the young priestess rushed towards her. 'Justina, what--?', she gasped as Justina cried in excitement. 'Calintz... he... he...', she gasped as Ladrinne looked at her in delight...

XXX

Reith blinked at him as his face started to flush an even deeper shade of red. Haren smirked as Eonis giggled at him. 'Hehe... Calintz, too late for shyness now! We've seen it!', teased Eonis as Calintz looked away. 'Who... wanted you to look...?', he muttered softly as Reith giggled. He glanced towards Haren and Eonis. 'How long had I been unconscious?', he asked, trying to hide his embarassment as Haren shove off his three fingers at him.'Three days! Three stupid days that you made us wait! Why...? Do you think it's funny to make us worried so long for you?', he cried as Calintz lowered his head.

'I see... and I'm sorry.', he said as Haren tossed a pillow on his face.'Throw that gloomy face away! No good showing that face to Mistress Ladrinne..'

Calintz looked up towards him as he was a bit surprised. 'Mistress Ladrinne... is here?-!', he gasped in surprise as he tried to get up. He winced as his body exploded in pain and Eonis and Reith cried aloud to stop him. 'Stupid! You've just recovering after receiving an almost fatal injury! Don't jump off for no reason before you're fully recovered your health!', scolded Eonis as Reith gave him a reprimanding look. 'But mother... is she alright?'

'I am... my dear. You don't have to worry...'

Everyone parted as they gave way to Mistress Ladrinne as she walked towards Calintz's side. Calintz held her hands as he looked up towards her. 'Mother... are you well?', he asked as Ladrinne run her hand on his hair. 'I'm fine... I can't keep on shutting myself up after hearing that you're in such grave condition. You're the only one that I have left.', she said as Calintz felt an urge to embrace his mother. But noticing the presence of the others and the fact that Orha, Serina, Azel, Maya and Chris had entered the room, he fought the urge as Orha called out.

'Hey... what are you feeling embarassed for?', he cried as Calintz made a face at him. 'What the hell, Orha--!', he cried as Mistress Ladrinne embraced him tightly. Orha chuckled as he left the room, feeling overwhemingly amused. Calintz ignored the others as he savoured the comforting presence of his mother. The feeling that he had been yearning to have ever since he had been found and cared by the people of Fuget. Reith smiled as she ran her hands on his arm.

Ladrinne smiled at her before letting him go. 'Come on... you must be tired. Go rest...', she said as she rose from the bed. Calintz shook his head as he tried to get up. 'No... I-', he said before suddenly collapsed on the floor. Everyone cried in alarm as Calintz had trouble breathing. Justina helped him up as Mistress Ladrinne looked at him with worry. He shook his head again before she had a chance to say anything. 'It's alright. I... don't want to stay in bed...'

'But just now--', cried Reith as Calintz waved his hand at her. 'I'm okay...', he said as she sulked. Ladrinne grinned as she helped her son to stand. 'Stubborn like your father... is it? Alright... have it your way..', she said as all of them walked out of the room...

XXX

The Azure Wings airship changed directions as it turned back towards Epentar. Neikan laughed as the remains of the dead clerics and pilots littered the area. His eyes gleamed as he thought of Calintz.

'Hahaha... Mano, I'm not going to let you live!', he growled as he steered the ship south.

XXX

Maya glanced beside him worriedly as Calintz smiled weakly at her. 'Don't worry... I'm fine!', he said as Maya gasped aloud. 'But--!', she cried in a very soft voice as Calintz looked at her in surprise, having heard her speak for the first time. He beamed at her as Reith gave her a smile. 'I guess... your influence on Maya's starting to break her shyness. Amazing!', she cried as Calintz turned towards her, his lips brushing her cheeks for a moment before he started to blush. 'Umm... thank you.', he muttered softly as Eonis giggled.

'So... this is peace, huh? I'm already starting to enjoy it...', she muttered off-handedly, ignoring the glare from Calintz who realized that she was teasing him again. 'Unh... really. But we still had much work to do. Not to mention rebuilding the place again... wondering what to do after this...', growled Haren as Eonis slapped him. 'Shut up... you're ruining the mood!', snapped Eonis as Haren glowered at her before realising that she meant about Calintz and Reith. Calintz glared at her, face red as she started to snort. Haren shook his head as Azel looked up towards the captain.

'So captain! What will you be doing after this?', he asked as Calintz jumped. He shrugged as Reith looked at him, curious. 'I guess... mother will still need to find someone to replace her position. And after that... I don't know. I had been wondering about my real family all this while, I don't know what to do...', he said as he felt gentle hand touching his back. He looked up as he saw his mother smiling to him.

But suddenly Chris rushed in as Orha glanced at him in alarm. 'An Azure Wings airship just crashed near Asera Woods. All clerics and pilots found dead!', he cried as everyone save Calintz and Mistress Ladrinne rose. 'Clerics--?', cried Haren as the same thought rammed into everyone's mind. Everyone instantly dashed out from the hall as Orha asked Reith to stay behind. Serina nodded at her as she cried. 'Don't worry... we'll take care of it.', she said as she went off after Orha.

Reith turned towards Calintz and Mistress Ladrinne as Calintz frowned at the news.

'Hugo...', he snarled as he clasped his mother's hand tightly...

XXX

Orha and the others regrouped in front of the castle as neither of them caught sight of Neikan everywhere. 'Damnit!', cried Haren as he punched a tree beside him. Chris jumped as one of the dried fruits fell on him while Orha merely slapped them away. 'Hey... watch it!', he cried as Orha muttered by himself.

'Strange... if Neikan plans to escape, he shouldn't be turning back towards Epentar...', he said as Azel agreed. 'If it was me, I'd be off running away from Efferia right about now.'

Chris also started thinking about it as Justina's thought went back towards the time when they had took Neikan towards the prison. They had been carrying Calintz away when Neikan caught sight of them. She remembered the look he gave when they passed him...

She suddenly gasped as she hightailed back into the castle. Chris cried aloud as the realization dawned on the others. 'No... Captain!', cried Azel as Orha, Eonis and Rianna dashed on Justina's tail. 'Sister!', cried Serina as everyone rushed towards the inner hall...

XXX

A cry from the corridors made the three of them jumped as Calintz rose to check it. Mistress Ladrinne caught his arm as Reith shook her head at him. 'Let me take a look. You're still weak...', she said as Calintz frowned at her. 'No... if Hugo was out there, I don't want you to get hurt. Either of you...', he stressed as he walked towards the corridors.

Suddenly, a hateful snicker was heard from behind him as he turned only to see his mother and Reith looking at him in alarm. Confused at the sudden occurrence, it took him a moment to notice as Neikan caught him from behind and placed a sword on his neck.

'Calintz!', cried Mistress Ladrinne as he moved away from the entrance while dragging Calintz with him. Neikan looked up and smirked as he saw her and Reith. 'Well... hello again, mother! Sorry since I had to take Agreian away from you again...', he snickered as Calintz snarled at him. 'What do you want--!', he cried as Neikan hit him hard on the stomach with the back of his sword. Calintz coughed out blood as he laughed. 'Should have listened to your girl... aren't you? You know... when I found out that you were really Mano that I met years ago, I was very amused--'

Justina and Orha arrived soon after followed by the others as they saw Calintz and Neikan. Neikan laughed. 'I should have thanked Astal for all the good he'd done. Because of him... I've found the real Agreian Jei Owen after so long losing him during the confusion in Fuget and made me able to further put my plan into action. To think... that traitor did some good for me after all...'

Rianna grinded her teeth in anger as Calintz flinched in pain. 'Astal was a lot better than you! At least he told me for what he really is... Bastard! You used both of us as puppets...', cried Calintz as Neikan pressed the sword harder as it drew blood on Calintz's neck. 'Did you really want to die so soon? Fret not... you're still my favorite doll. I won't kill you off so easily...'

Calintz spat at him as Ladrinne cried in alarm. Neikan turned towards her as he called out. 'Do you know something... mother? If Calintz hadn't ran back towards Fuget during the attack, I would have had him killed that day. Be thankful that you get to meet him now...', he said as Calintz shoved him towards the wall to free himself. Neikan swung his sword towards him as it cut pass Calintz's sides. He backed off as Orha's knife nearly nicked his ears.

The former member of the Four Warriors smirked as the half-Yason fled from the hall. The others chased him as Orha, Reith and Mistress Ladrinne came to Calintz's aid. 'Thanks...', gasped Calintz towards Orha as Reith tried to heal him. 'Don't push it. I've grown quite fond of you... that's all.', said Orha as Calintz smiled at him.

Mistress Ladrinne held Calintz close to her as she looked up. 'I thank you all the same...', she said as Calintz asked Orha to help him stand. Together, they went after Neikan's pursuit...

XXX

Neikan managed to get pass the lot of them as he darted towards Calintz and Mistress Ladrinne. He threw his sword towards them as Reith cried. Orha got in between in the nick of time as he countered the sword away and landed a multiple slash attack on Neikan. Calintz froze as Neikan stumbled towards him, smiling despite the fatal injury. Orha frowned as he noticed him not picking up his sword from the floor. 'Heh... not a bad company you have, eh?', he said as he placed a bloodied hand at the side of Calintz's face.

He chuckled. 'You know... despite all of those lies, I really liked you. Wished... you get... the kind of world... you dreamed of. Mano...', he gasped as he collapsed dead in Calintz's arm. Calintz stuttered in shock as Neikan's body slipped onto the floor. He looked at the still body of his former friend as his mind replayed all the times that they have spent together. 'Calintz...?', asked Reith in concern as he looked up towards them. 'He's... Hugo's dead... is he?', he gasped in horror as Mistress Ladrinne walked towards him.

'Calintz, it's alright...', she said as Calintz touched the side of his face to see Neikan's blood. His last words rang inside his head...

'Mother--! What's the meaning--', he gasped as tears fall from his eyes without warning. He looked up towards her in confusion as he fainted. 'Agreian!', cried Mistress Ladrinne before catching Calintz as everyone rushed towards them.

XXX

'Come on everyone! Shouldn't keep everyone waiting...', called out Rostin as everyone packed their things in the cargo hold. Rianna sauntered in without further notice as she had done her share of farewells. Haren shrugged as he followed Eonis and Chris into the airship. Maya gave her farewell bow towards Orha and Serina as she hurried to join Chris's side.

Mistress Ladrinne bowed courtly before excusing herself, leaving Calintz, Reith, Orha and Serina by themselves. Orha turned towards Reith. 'Are you sure about this--?', he asked as she nodded her head. 'Yes... it's been too long already and I have grown wary of the position. I'll help occasionally if it needs to... But for now--', she turned towards Serina, '--I leave everything to you both. We've finally attained the peace that we've waited so long. And this time... you'll rule as yourself, not in my name.'

'You okay?', asked Orha as Calintz looked up at him. He nodded. 'Yeah... I guess. It's hard put to sort up all of the confusing matter, but I'll manage.', he said as Orha gave him a friendly shove. 'Take care. And see you later...', said Orha as they parted ways...

XXX

Rianna glanced towards Calintz who was asleep beside his mother as she thought of the previous talk they had after Neikan's death...

'Calintz... what did he meant about the kind of world you dreamed of?', asked Orha as he shrugged at him. 'Uh? Oh... it's nothing much. Just that... I dreamed for a world where people can live together in peace...'

'Really...? Humans and Yasons living together peacefully...?', asked Reith as Calintz blushed. 'Umm... I... thought of that after Reith said she wished for that kind of world. After Fuget was destroyed... I had placed no more hope in that dream...'

Rianna thought of the exchange between Neikan and Calintz about Astal as she asked him. 'Calintz... how was Astal like when you first met him?', Calintz gasped as he looking at her, puzzled. He shrugged. 'I met him injured in the woods... despite the fact that Reith had scolded me so much about inever going out in the woods alone before...' Reith laughed aloud as Calintz flushed deeply. 'We made fast friend... despite his persistent question on why didn't I feared him. After that... we parted, since not many people there was even friendly to Yasons or half-Yasons. It was around that time too that I met with Hugo. Not long after that... well, Fuget was attacked... and I saw Astal again...', said Calintz as he went quiet...

Rianna leaned closer as she asked again. 'So why aren't you afraid of Astal? The Yason killed off most of your family members... Justina told us.', she asked as Calintz just shrugged. 'I... cannot remember about the time before I came to Fuget. And Astal that time... doesn't seem at all bad. Even now... I still feel confused after seeing him again...'

Rianna chuckled as Orha wondered lazily. 'I guess... there's is still hope for peace between humans and Yasons, eh?', he said as Calintz glared at him in surprise at the change of topic. He rolled his eyes at him. 'I mean... if there are still gullible people like you who trusted people with ease, I guess we could attain such peace.'

Calintz glared at him as he stood. 'Who are you, freely saying that I'm so gullible?', he cried as Orha grabbed him around the shoulders. 'Well... you're fooled TWICE by half-Yasons. Three times if you counted your meeting with Mistress Reith. Perhaps we could use you as ambassador for the peace between the two races...', he teased as Calintz face turned red with embarassment...

'Hey...!', cried Calintz as laughter erupted between them...

Rianna chuckled at the memory as she turned towards the scenery outside. 'Heh... I guess we had a long way to go!', she said as Eonis glanced at her. 'What do you mean...?', she asked as Rianna chuckled. 'What other things that can help spread the peace message other than the love between a former Yason queen and a human mercenary captain?', she said as both girls giggled. Haren, who was sitting nearby leant a deft ear towards them as he feigned ignorance.

Reith grinned as she clasped Calintz's hand gently while he opened his eyes, smiling to her, oblivious over the amusement between his fellow members...

/THE END/

az: Oh please let me end this! XDXD Ah well... I'm about to finish the game before some selfish person prevented me from finishing the game. Well... this was as best I could get with the shot. Happy Reading... Hihi...