Chapter IX) The Stars Light Up Our Targets (Part Two)

-

"How strange, how compelling a pain; to cause injury to a loved one."

Jacqueline Carey, "Kushiel's Chosen"

-

Alwyn jumped at the sudden crackle of the communicator as it sparked into life. Ignoring Vorne's amused giggle, the elf listened intently as Pietro's voice filtered through.

"Sir, the preparations have been made. We're ready to haul out the old cannons whenever you give the order."

Alwyn nodded. "Understood. I'll inform the captain."

"That's if he can drag himself away from his gallant duties," Vorne muttered sourly. "I mean, honestly…"

"Well, somebody sounds jealous," replied Alwyn, glad for an opportunity to get one over on the young navigator.

"Oh yeah, sure. I'm a real green eyed monster." Vorne sighed. "You know what he's like with a new female face – especially if it's an attractive one. I just feel sorry for the girl."

"I don't know…" The elf smiled as he checked the instrument panel in front of him. "Don't you think he seems…different this time?"

Vorne yawned. "Maybe. Time will tell."

Alwyn chuckled as he thumbed the communication device. "Captain, are you there? This is the bridge. The cannon's are prepped and ready to go."

The sounds of battle roared through the device before Quinn's panting voice could be heard.

"…Right, get us level with the Aria…have Pietro roll out the cannons as we ascend. Damn…hold on for a second." The sound of metal on metal and a scream followed. "…Right, when we're level, let them have it. We'll sever the ropes this end – the invading party are already being beaten back."

Alwyn nodded, wondering why he did that in response to a disembodied voice. "You got it. Have fun now. Out." The elf looked at the helmsman. "You heard the Captain, let's give Merendez a little surprise."

-

Presea dispatched another pirate and looked around, feeling exhausted. Her arm hurt a lot now, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep wielding the axe. It wasn't just that though. Despite fighting, she couldn't get Rochelle's words out of her head. The pink haired girl was confused at the range of emotions the exchange had generated within in her. There still seemed to be so much regarding feelings that she didn't understand – like how such confusing words had brought tears to her eyes.

Trying to focus her mind on the dwindling battle, Presea saw Colette, who looked terrible, land beside a mast and collapse to her knees. The former Chosen had blood streaming from a wound in her head, and another on her arm, and was gasping for breath – looking completely dazed. The pink haired girl ran over to her friend, dropping her axe as she checked the wounds.

"Colette, are you okay?

Colette looked up, her eyes heavily glazed. "Presea? Yeah, I'm okay…just a little tired, that's…all…"

She fell forward and Presea winced in pain as she caught the blonde haired girl in her arms.

"Fighting on will only aggravate your wounds – you should preserve your strength," she whispered, her stomach sick with concern. "The cut on your head is deep."

"…Yeah…it hurts a little, but not as much as before…"

Quinn ran over, sheathing his sword. "The pirates are falling back." He knelt beside Colette. "How are you feeling."

The blonde haired girl smiled weakly. "I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, but…there's others that are worse off than me. Some…died, so I…can't really complain."

"Man, are you always this selfless?" Quinn slowly, delicately, placed a hand on the former Chosen's cheek; tenderly brushing aside the few strands of hair, matted with blood, to get a better look at the wound on her head.

Presea realised she was staring far too intensely at the pair and averted her gaze, feeling uncomfortable – as if she was interrupting something. The look on Quinn's face, the way he moved and acted – it seemed so sincere and so different to how he normally was. The pink haired girl found herself, despite her own concerns for Colette's health, moving aside to give them space.

"It looks as though someone's already tried to heal the wound through magic or something. It's not as bad as it could be," he was smiling softly. "So…is this how far you'll go to avoid taking me up on my invitation?"

Colette returned the smile, her eyes losing some of the earlier sheen to them. "I'm sorry…I didn't –"

"Ssh." Quinn looked around as the Dawn Sabre shook, the ship beginning to ascend. "It was a joke, though I guess it was probably in bad taste."

Colette didn't say anything for a moment, then shook her head – wincing slightly at the pain. "It wasn't…but…you know, if you wanted…um, you could always give me another invitation…though maybe on the ground this time."

He laughed, "Yeah…sounds like a plan." Their gaze met and held for a few moments before they both realised and snapped out of it. Quinn shook his head and laughed. "Now rest up for a moment, okay? There's just one thing left to do before we can carry on to Mizuho." Quinn got to his feet and looked across at Presea, a rosy tint in his cheeks as he wiped his brow. "It's time to take care of the Aria. We need to sever the remaining mooring ropes whilst my crew holds off the pirates. I'll make sure the ones near the bridge come down, and you can take out the ones this end. What d'ya think? Is your arm up to a bit more action?"

Presea nodded, though she felt far from confidant. "I will do my best."

-

"Okay people, time to disengage and return to the ship. We're about to kick some pirate ass." Alwyn's voice sounded cheerful as it crackled through the communicator. Lloyd began to steer the ship around to head back to the Dawn Sabre, firing off a warning shot or two at any vessel that came too close. Although he had dealt some damaging blows to the enemy ships, he had refrained from firing directly at them when they weren't able to fire back. It didn't seem…fair.

-

Rochelle struggled as she supported Ceiridwen through the doorway into the busy medical bay, the effort required in carrying the older Felesian successfully taking her mind off feeling wretched. Bodies in various stages of life and death littered the beds and floor of the room, and the severely overwhelmed staff hurried about, performing their various duties.

A tall female elf looked absently in her direction. "And so our resident Felesian joins the ever crowded battlefield between life and death."

"What?" Rochelle blinked. "Yeah, she's injured bad – you gotta help her."

"I am required to help everyone that comes through those doors. But there are those worse off than our esteemed engineer. Find a spare space on the floor for her and someone will get to her."

"That's not good enough," growled the Felesian, frustrated enough without having the addition of the elf's coldness.

"It will have to be," she replied calmly. "I can tell you now, as I'm in charge here, that we are woefully understaffed for this kind of situation. Needless to say, we will try our best, but Ceiridwen is just one of many injured people in this room – no more or less important than anyone else."

"Understaffed?" Rochelle snapped, then looked round the room. The elf did have a valid point, as much as it annoyed her to concede it. These injured people probably had friends too, and family. Through the heavy mist of frustration, an idea formed in the young Felesian's head, although she was extremely reluctant to voice it. She had already helped Colette that way, but if she did it now then there would be no hiding it. Everyone, including Big Sis and Lloyd, would know - but then, it was probably the only way.

Big Sis. Rochelle let her thoughts wonder, feeling absolutely ashamed at her actions. I bet she hates me know, she thought glumly. And Colette too. I bet Presea told her what happened.

She sighed. "…I can…help you, I think."

The elf raised her eyebrows. "How? You do not look like a qualified doctor."

"No but I…I have this." She rolled up her tattered sleeve to reveal the Exsphere.

"Is that? I see…you have an Exsphere. And this allows you to…?"

"I can heal…kinda." Rochelle paused, feeling her cheeks flush. "I'm not too good because I haven't really used it that often…but I can probably help with minor things if that frees up some of your staff."

"Every little helps," the elf replied, holding out a hand. "I'm Esther. Welcome to the team. Now…" she paused, then sighed and shook her head. "…Oh, I swear my conscience will be the death of me. Lets have a look at your friend then."

-

"Captain Merendez! The last of the mooring ropes have been severed. The Dawn Sabre is ascending to our position."

"Evasive manoeuvres." Ardell cursed, banging his fist on the arm of his chair. "Take us up quickly – whatever Quinn is doing, I don't want him to pull it off!"

"Ascending." The helmsman looked around in alarm. "Captain! The Dawn Sabre is moving at a faster rate than we are. It must have been charging its engines while it was stationary. It will be alongside us in under half a minute."

"What is the fool up to? Whatever is causing the mana guns to stop working is still active right? So he can't fire either." Ardell rose from his seat and walked to the bridge window, seeing his opponent's ship moving up through the cloud alongside them. "Ready the cannons – if he is responsible for this, and he shuts it down, then I want to be ready to fire."

"Affirmative." The vice-captain squinted out the window. "Captain, what is that movement on board the Dawn Sabre? It…looks as though they are moving the mana cannons away from the portholes."

-

"Alwyn?"

The elf thumbed down on the communicator. "Yes, Captain?"

"The ropes have been severed. Time to let those bastards have it."

"Aye sir." Alwyn switched channels. "Okay Pietro. Let's make these shots count. Fire at will."

-

"Captain…the mana weapons on board the Dawn Sabre have…t-they have been replaced with regular cannons."

Ardell's eyes widened. "What?"

"Old cannons, like on boats, sir. They don't need any mana to operate, and at this range they –"

Merendez didn't need to hear any more. He knew what damage could occur and at such close range there would be no time to avoid the attack.

"Bastard," he muttered, slumping back down in his chair.

-

Just before he guided his ship into the hanger of the Dawn Sabre, Lloyd caught a glimpse of the spectacle that would stay etched in his mind for a long time afterwards.

Accompanied by a deafening serious of bangs, the Dawn Sabre unleashed round after round of cannon fire into the pirate ship, the balls smashing through the hull and mana engines alike – shattering the vessel and sending flaming debris arcing across the sky.

As the enemy ship began to descend – a mass of gaping holes, flames and smoke – the clouds began to move in to conceal it, tinting yellow and red as they did so. Beyond their cover, all that could be heard was a series as explosions as the mana engine and weapons ignited and exploded.

Lloyd exhaled, only then realising that he had been holding his breath. Somehow, they had made it.

-

Presea, unaware that she had been sharing the same sight as Lloyd, slumped against the mast beside Colette – her face warm from the scorching air that had come from the exploding ship.

"The Aria has been eliminated," she informed her friend. "It is an enormous relief…I think my energies have been thoroughly depleted." She watched the crew of the Dawn Sabre mop up the remainder of the pirates, whose will to fight had been lost with their ship.

"Yeah, I'm beat too." Colette shifted a little to look at her friend. Her eyes had taken on that sickly gleam again, and Presea was worried that the blonde haired girl was about to fall unconscious. She tried to change the subject matter into something that would encourage a reply, feeling a little uncomfortable with the topic that popped into her head.

"Try to remain in good health," she said. "You…ah…don't want to miss your rescheduled date with Quinn."

Colette's sudden blush contrasted heavily with the rest of her pale face. "Ah! It…it's not a date."

"Strange. Is it just a meeting between friends then? It is just…the way he acted when he was checking your wound seemed very…intimate. Was I mistaken?"

"Uh…um…I don't know. Maybe?"

Presea found herself smiling – thinking that, for once, she probably wasn't. "I see…"

They sat in silence for a few seconds, before Colette shifted position again. "Presea…it was…nice though. The way he was, it…"

"…Made your stomach flutter." Presea finished her friend's sentence, fully understanding that particular feeling.

"Heh…um…yeah…"

Oh, how it was all so confusing, the pink haired girl thought. That feeling, for her, signified happiness and hope. She wondered if her assumption that it was the same for Colette was wrong.

"I used to…and still do…get that feeling with Lloyd. It is strange…but I like it – and I know why I get such a strange sensation. Do you believe that it is the same for you? Maybe…it means that you are…attracted to Quinn?" Presea wondered if she had any right in discussing such things – knowing as little about such matters as she did.

Colette laughed a little, obviously embarrassed. She didn't reply, but the gentle smile remained on her lips.

Presea paused, watching the thick smoke opposite swirl upward through the clouds. When she had mentioned Lloyd's name it had brought back the question she had wanted to ask him after the Altamira race. It hadn't seemed right at the time and she wasn't sure it did even now, but she couldn't shake it from her thoughts.

"Colette…can I ask you something?"

"Huh? Sure. What is it?"

Presea swallowed, feeling slightly foolish. "Rochelle…" she felt a sharp pang of sorrow as she mentioned her friends name, "…she said something to me a few days ago and it has…been on my mind a lot since. I do not know if I am being overzealous or confused about the issue."

Colette shifted her weight across on the mast, so she and Presea were leaning against each other, side by side. She really didn't look too good, but she smiled warmly. "Really? How can I help."

Presea leaned her head on Colette's shoulder and the comforting warmth that came with the contact felt pleasant to the pink haired girl.

"I, um…" she paused, wondering if she should even say anything at all. After all, Colette was Lloyds close friend too – was it right to ask her opinion? But some part of her mind forced itself onwards to voice her thoughts.

"I will probably sound irrational and absurd but…I think I would like to…become Lloyd's wife."

"Huh?" Colette sounded surprised, but she didn't move. "Get married? Really?"

Presea looked at her feet, feeling crestfallen. "Yes. I…am being ridiculous, correct?"

"What? No! Of course not!" Colette leaned her head against Presea's. "I think it's wonderful. You both…you two are so great together. It's a lovely idea – I'm really happy for you Presea."

"R-really? You think it is a…good idea?" Presea felt a sigh of relief escape from her lips. "I have had many doubts about it, and also about mentioning it to Lloyd. I thought…if I am thinking these things, then shouldn't he be too? Wouldn't he want something similar?" The pink haired girl massaged her injured arm, feeling very self-conscious. It had been a while since she had someone to talk to about her feelings for the young man. "But yet…he has never mentioned anything so…maybe I am being slightly hasty."

"Umm…well, why not talk to him about it then?" Colette suggested. "I'm sure he wants to be with you forever. He's always speaking about you."

"He is?" It shouldn't have really, but it surprised her that Lloyd would speak about her to Colette, and the idea filled her with warmth.

"Yeah, so tell him how you feel, and ask him." Colette gave her friend's hand a quick squeeze and giggled. "Oh, but tell me what happens."

She had been alone for so long before Lloyd and the others, that Presea still sometimes felt as though she still was, even when she knew she had the friendship and companionship of others. It was one of the main things she wished she could overcome, but still found herself lapsing into old ways of thinking. It was during these moments that the closeness of others – especially Lloyd and her friends – was particularly welcome. She curled her fingers around Colette's, feeling reassured by the contact, and felt happy that the Chosen shuffled closer.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You truly are a wonderful friend, Colette."

As the pink haired girl looked up she saw Quinn heading their way – smiling brightly as he passed through the crowds of crew personnel tying up the remnants of the pirates.

"That sure was something, eh?" He said, kneeling down beside the former Chosen. "How you both doing?"

"I will be fine," Presea replied. "But we should get Colette to a doctor now that the battle has ceased."

"My thoughts exactly." Quinn scooped the blonde haired girl up gently in his arms, ignoring her protests. "As a special treat, I'll even take you myself. It's been a while since I've been down there though, so I hope we don't get lost." The captain looked at Presea. "You look like you should come too, though I'm not sure I can carry both of you."

Presea shook her head. "No, I will see the doctor later. The other ships should be returning now, correct?"

Quinn looked thoughtful for a moment. "Oh, your young firebrand. Yeah, they should be docking now. The hanger is on the same floor as the medical bay, so follow me."

-

Rochelle took her hands away from the patient's arm as the shimmering blue light fading from them, and checked what was left of the wound to make sure it had healed.

She sighed, exhausted both physically and mentally from the night's events – but felt good about herself for being able to help the injured. The Felesian turned from the bed and looked around at the sound of new arrivals, seeing if any of them had minor injuries she could deal with. She knew she was overexerting herself, but the rest of the medical staff were doing so much, that Rochelle felt compelled to push herself on. Punishing herself in this manner also made her feel better following her earlier outburst.

"Hi," she said as cheerily as she could, approaching the new batch of patients. "Please be calm and a member of the medical team will be with you as soon as possible. In the meantime, are there any minor wounds that I can deal with?"

One of the crew members, a young man, paused to see if anyone else would speak, then shrugged. "Yeah…I guess mine is only minor. Just a gash on my arm, but my chief sent me down here as it was preventing me from operating the cannons."

Rochelle smiled reassuringly, trying to put over she was more competent and happy than she really was. After all, she had seen several people die in the medical bay – and treated some pretty horrific wounds too.

"Cool, uh – well, not really, um…it's cool that I can help I mean." She gestured to an empty seat, flustered. "Ah, take a seat over there and I'll check your arm."

The wound was fairly deep, but a clean cut rather than anything more serious. Rochelle closed her eyes as she placed her hands over it, silently invoking the power of her Exsphere. She felt the tingling that accompanied the soft blue light on her hands as the magic began to knit the man's skin together again.

The crewman gasped in shock, but Rochelle smiled again. "Don't worry – just a bit of magic and…" she removed her hands from the arm, "…there! All done! You should probably rest it for a while though."

The man offered his thanks and stood to leave. Rochelle had heard more people enter while she had been at work, and turned round to greet them. Her heart skipped a beat as she realised it was Presea, Colette and Quinn – all three watching her.

Rochelle felt such a sudden combination of feelings all at once that it threatened to overwhelm her mind. Shock, relief, fear, panic, anger. The Felesian stood there dumbly for a few seconds, returning Presea and Quinn's shocked stares – not knowing what to do or say. After what she has said, they must absolutely hate her. Then, she noticed their wounds, and all thoughts of the earlier argument flew from her head as she realised how injured the pair were.

"Oh no, Colette! Big Sis! Are you guys all right?" She dashed over and hugged the stunned pink haired girl tightly, feeling her eyes grow damp with the release of emotion. "I told you to take care of yourself!"

"I estimate that my wounds look worse than they really are." Presea paused. "I…did not know you possessed magic."

"Uh…yeah…" Rochelle felt her face burn as she fumbled for an excuse – not wanting Presea to find out about the Exsphere until she had a chance to tell her. "…I…don't really use magic much babe, that's all. I'm not too good. Listen…um, about earlier…I…I need to talk to you later, okay? But…I need to help out here a bit more first."

Presea nodded. "Affirmative. I need to go and locate Lloyd first, anyway." She looked slightly worried to Rochelle, and the Felesian guessed she wanted to make sure her partner had returned safe. She smiled, feeling an overwhelming love for her friend completely destroy what was left of her earlier frustration.

"Sure. Okay babe, um…meet me on top deck later?"

"Yes." Presea looked at Quinn. "How do I locate the hanger?"

"Here, I'll take you there." The captain found an empty bed and placed Colette gently down on it. "You're in good hands now, eh?"

Colette nodded and smiled. "Yeah. I'm…sorry to have worried you."

"Enough of that! It's my job to worry about the welfare of a beautiful lady." Quinn looked across as Esther approached.

"…Greetings Captain. We don't often have the pleasure of your company down here."

"Ahaha, sure…hi Esther, you're as…creepy as always."

The elf paused, looking coldly at him. "And I see you're as charming as ever…now if there's nothing else you need to do here…"

Quinn squirmed under her intense gaze. "Yeah…well, I gotta dash. My pretty little Presea needs directions to the hanger." He quickly made for the door. "Rest up Colette. Presea, let's go."

Rochelle stared after them as they left, partly relieved. "That was…odd."

-

"…I am not sure I like being used as an excuse," said Presea as she followed Quinn down the corridor – her mind slightly distracted by Rochelle's magic abilities.

"Ah, now you weren't technically an excuse. You did need directions after all."

Presea massaged her sore arm, still trying to work out if she actually liked the man or not. "Be that as it may…" she trailed off, becoming nervous now they were getting close. What if Lloyd wasn't there? What if…

No, she told herself. He would have made it. He had to have. She distracted herself from her concerns by resuming the conversation with Quinn.

"The exchange you had with Esther was slightly unusual. Do you not like elves? Or is it just her?"

"Ouch! That came out a little harsh don't ya think?"

Presea frowned. Had it? She replayed the comment in her head as the captain continued.

"Just between you and me…there's a little bad blood between us."

"Bad blood?" The pink haired girl blinked. "You mean negative feelings?"

"Yeah…well, it doesn't matter now. Anyway, look – here's the hanger bay."

Presea looked up at the doorway beside Quinn, suddenly feeling apprehensive. The hanger beyond was a vast chamber, filled with the numerous small craft that had been participating in the earlier battle. Additional vessels continued to enter, with various amounts of damage, as Presea rushed forward through groups of pilots into the room. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked hastily around the ships and the engineers tending to them. He had to be here.

Suddenly she saw him, climbing out of the vessel he had presumably been flying – which had taken some minor damage by the looks of things. The massive weight of concern that had been building up inside of Presea was released, and a huge smile spread across her face as she ran towards the young man.

"Lloyd!" She almost ran into him as he turned at the sound of his name, and wrapped her uninjured arm around him in a half embrace. "You are unharmed!"

"Presea! Yeah, I'm fine!" He embraced her warmly. "Man, it was rough up there."

"Yes. It was quite intense here too."

Lloyd looked down then and noticed her wounds and injured arm. "Presea, are you all right? Your arm…"

She rested her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes. "It will be fine. I am going to the medical bay shortly. I…just wanted to make sure you returned safely with minimal wounds."

"Presea…" Lloyd smiled. "Well, I'll walk you there. You look like you've suffered more than I have."

Quinn was leaning against one of the ships nearby. "Have fun up there?"

Lloyd shook his head. "I…don't think being in the battle was that much fun…but those ships are pretty amazing to pilot."

The older man nodded, a smile on his lips. "They sure are, and it looks as though you came through well. You did all right, Irving – we'll make a man out of you yet!"

"Huh…what?" Presea felt Lloyd stiffen.

Quinn turned to leave, waving a hand. "Haha, just kidding kid. Later!"

Lloyd watched him go. "You know…I –"

"I know." Presea smiled, taking his hand. "Let's go. I require some medical aid on my arm."

-

A few hours later, Rochelle strolled out the top deck, moving to an undamaged section away from the repair teams. Leaning against the railings the young Felesian gazed out at the first hints of dawn across the horizon. The clouds had thinned now, and she could see a lot more of the view than earlier in the night.

Rochelle sighed, feeling wretched. A terrible unease filled her about what she would say to Presea about the Exsphere, and her experiences in the medical bay had not brightened her mood following her earlier rant. She had no idea what she was going to say over the damn thing, but wanted to clear it up before they arrived at Mizuho.

That's if she turns up, thought the Felesian dejectedly. And I couldn't blame her even if she didn't. She wiped her eyes, wondering if she had lost the closest friend she had ever had.

But, as a few moments passed, she became aware of a presence behind her.

"Thanks for coming babe," Rochelle whispered, without turning around. Somehow she had known it was Big Sis.

The pink haired girl walked up beside her, joining the Felesian in leaning against the railing. Rochelle could see that the injured arm had now been put in a sling – probably to keep Presea from using her axe again as much as for the sake of healing.

"You do not have to thank me. I…wanted to see how you are doing anyway. I haven't seen you much since…."

"Yeah…it's been a riot, eh?" Rochelle felt her tail twitch sadly. "Big Sister…I know your arm is stuck in that sling but…can I…have a hug?"

"A hug?" Presea looked confused. "…Affirmative."

Rochelle rested her head on the pink haired girl's shoulder as she was embraced – feeling slightly strengthened by the contact. "I'm so sorry for what I said earlier," she cried – clutching Presea tightly. "I'll never forgive myself for…" she trailed off, sobbing and felt Presea stroke her hair comfortingly.

"It's okay," whispered her friend.

Rochelle looked up to meet Presea's gaze. "No, it's not," she replied – her voice trembling. "I shouldn't have said what said – I'm such an idiot! The young girl sniffed and wiped her eyes, feeling herself laugh out of embarrassment. "You're always so nice to me. I…I was wrong when I said I didn't want to be like you, babe. I want to be like you so much! For what I said before…I've got a reason…it's not an excuse, but I…I hope it explains things…"

She licked her dry lips before continuing. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you, babe…but I've been scared to." The Felesian moved out of the embrace, sitting herself down on the deck floor. "I don't want you to hate me…but…well, I don't want to hide things from you either. Not anymore."

Presea sat down, joining Rochelle in facing the horizon. "I…think I understand. What is it you want to say?"

"You…" Rochelle blinked, still wondering if she was doing the right thing – even though it was far too late to back out now. "…You saw me…healing. With magic."

"I did. You are fortunate. It is a very useful ability."

"Yeah…you'd think that…but the reason I can do it is…well…" Rochelle hesitated for a second, before taking a deep breath and pulling up her sleeve to reveal the Exsphere. "…It's because of this."

-

Presea blinked in amazement as the Exsphere caught the first rays of the pale dawn light, glistening and hauntingly beautiful. But it wasn't what it was that made her breath catch in her throat – after all; she had seen so many people possess one. What amazed her, and concerned her, was that it looked identical to her own – an exact copy to be precise.

"Where…did you get that from?" She already knew the answer before Rochelle could open her mouth, but allowed the Felesian the opportunity to get the issue off her chest.

"I…don't know. One of the many things I wish I did." Rochelle's tail flicked erratically as she bowed her head, looking glum. "I don't really understand what they are or do. Or at least I didn't until recently." She touched the Exsphere gently with her hand, as if she was scared of it. "This is…a dead person, right?"

Presea looked at the Felesian, not wanting to lower the young girl's spirits further, but it didn't seem practical to lie about something which seemed like common knowledge. "In a way, that is correct. A living creature nurtured that Exsphere in life, and died as a result of it being taken away. What you have on your arm is a remnant of that life…nothing more."

Rochelle nodded but remained silent for a second, her ears twitching furiously. "I hate the thing. I hate it more with everything new I learn about it.

The pieces began to fall in place. Presea nodded her head. "…That is why you were so curious about the Exspheres Lloyd and I possess."

"Kinda…I'm sorry…"

Presea shook her head. "There is no reason to apologise. Is that why you wanted to come with us too?"

Rochelle eyes widened and she shook her head frantically. "N-no! I can't describe why I felt the need to go with you…but it didn't have anything to do with Exspheres." The young Felesian brushed her windswept hair away from her face and sighed. "I've seen a few of them since coming along with you guys…but, well, you must have noticed right? Mine…it's exactly like yours…just in a different place."

Presea had realised that, and it suddenly dawned on the pink haired girl that her own Exsphere was different from the ones other people possessed. The one Vharley had placed on her had been of a different variety, based on research into Cruxis Crystal development. If that was the case then Rochelle's…

Her thoughts descended into concern and she looked across at the Felesian. Had she been a victim of Vharley's cruel work too? That really didn't seem likely - but was the young girl still in danger?

Presea reached out a hand. "Can I…see it for a moment?"

Rochelle's arm instinctively flinched away, but then she paused and, finally, nodded – her cheeks flushed bright with sadness.

Presea looked at the Exsphere closely, still not quite believing that it was the same as her own. At the centre of it lay an elegant Keycrest – one that was intricately carved. The pink haired girl felt a surprising amount of relief flood through her body on seeing it – once again realising how protective she had become over the Felesian.

"You have a Keycrest." She pointed it out to Rochelle as she spoke. "That means that you are protected from the negative effects of the Exsphere."

"Oh…yeah…" The Felesian looked down at it absently. "Grandpa said that I'd be safe…I didn't question it at the time."

There it was again. Presea met Rochelle's gaze. "Who is this…Grandpa?"

"He…" Rochelle hesitated, looking sad again. "He…brought me up. At least, he's taken care of me for as long as I've had a memory. Dlandir…that was his name…and he was a Dwarf."

"Dlandir…how did he meet you?"

"He found me one day in the woods near where he lived." Rochelle absently scratched at the wooden floor with a single claw. "Apparently I was hurt real bad…like I had been burnt or something cos I was coated in smoke and my clothes were smouldering. But…he took me in and looked after me. He made something for the Exsphere…I guess this…Keycrest thing must have been it."

Presea looked back out across the horizon, seeing the sun sneaking out above the sea. "Yes. He must have seen the Exsphere didn't have a Keycrest and constructed one to protect you."

"Yeah…" Rochelle looked sadly at the distance. "He…he got ill one day…but before he died, he told me…he told me never to show it to anyone, and never use the magic it gave me unless it was really important."

Considering the nature of the Exsphere, Presea could see his point. She wondered if the Dwarf knew about Rochelle's past.

"I am sorry for your loss," she said – placing a hand on Rochelle's arm.

The Felesian smiled sadly. "I guess it happens babe. He…also gave me a letter, but told me not to open it until five years had passed. Guess I still got a few more to go, eh?"

Presea couldn't find any comforting words to say, instead just keeping her hand on the Felesian's arm. Tears began to roll down the young girl's face. "Do you…hate me now?"

"What?" Presea frowned as she looked at Rochelle, who avoided her gaze. "I do not understand."

"The reason why I got so mad earlier was because I saw how much power that Exsphere gave you. It became a deadly thing…and it helped you kill that pirate. I know it meant you could protect me but…I…I don't want to be able to do something like that, yet…I…I know I've already done bad things using my Exsphere."

Presea opened her mouth to ask why, but Rochelle waved a hand. " Don't ask me how or what or why, I can just…feel it. It's like a memory that's always at the back of my mind…or a bad feeling. Regal, Lloyd and…you, Big Sis – you were all speaking so fiercely about people who abuse Exspheres and I'm worried…I'm worried that I might be one of them."

The statement overwhelmed Presea and for a moment confusion forced a silence upon her. She wondered what she would think of the crying girl in front of her if she knew that Rochelle had done bad things with the Exsphere. What the Felesian had done before she lost her memory, if she had done anything at all, did it matter? Would that make this Rochelle a different person to what she once was?

Presea felt an overwhelming sadness build up inside of her, and found her heart aching for the young Felesian – again, wanting to comfort her.

"If…if you have done bad things before…that does not concern me. It is what you do now that is important. From the time I have spent with you, I have learned that you are full of noble virtues and intentions." Presea looked up at the stars, which were beginning to fade in the pale blue sky. "Also…please remember that not every power the Exsphere grants you is used for the purpose of harming others. For instance, your own allows you to heal – the very opposite of what you fear."

Rochelle had stopped crying, and her wet cheeks and eyes sparkling in the light as she nodded. She still looked unsure though – her tail and ears continuing to droop sadly. Presea tried desperately to think of something else to say that would comfort the Felesian, and the idea suddenly came quite naturally to her.

Shifting closer, she placed an arm around Rochelle's shoulders and gave what she hoped was a warm smile.

"About your earlier query…I will never hate you," she said softly. "Regardless of the circumstances."

Rochelle looked round at Presea, her shimmering eyes still catching the first rays of morning light. "Y-you really mean that? Promise?"

Presea nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Promise. You are…my Little Sister. I couldn't hate you."

"Oh Big Sis!" Rochelle's cry was muffled as she leant into Presea's embrace, burying her head in the pink haired girl's clothes. A strange sensation overcame the pink haired girl at that moment – the strange familiarity from before surging back into her consciousness. What was it about such simple words that evoked this strange sensation? There was something else too – a strange scent, one that was strong despite only being present in the air for a few seconds. Strawberries?

Presea's gaze returned to the horizon as some forgotten memory tugged violently at her senses, but it was soon lost in the waves of emotion that began to flood through her as she comforted her companion.

"I promise…I shall always protect you," she whispered, watching the mainland come closer and feeling her stomach flutter with excitement. Soon they would be at Mizuho.

Rochelle shifted around in Presea's arms, joining her in watching the mainland roll slowly closer. "And I you, babe. Promise."