A/N - So, it's been like 6 years since I've done anything with this fic. Life got really overwhelming and, sometimes, I thought I was done with writing for good. But I've finally decided to return and hopefully give this fic the ending it deserves. Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of me despite my terrible upload schedule lol. I really appreciate all of you.

Melia knelt down in the grass, closing her eyes as the gentle green blades tickled her shins. The air around her was warm and perfumed by the nearby gardens. She breathed in the sweet scent of Mystic Dahlias. It had been too long since she'd been able to relax like this. With the recent Telethia attacks and her increased royal duties, she found that any wasted time left her guilt-ridden. She should be doing more. A faint sigh freed itself from her lungs, allowing – if only for a brief moment – an outward expression of her inner turmoil.

But all too soon, she remembered she wasn't alone. Her personal guard, Catlaina, watched over her from a short distance. About ten feet. Not close enough to hear the sigh and yet, Melia bottled up the negative emotions anyway.

It wasn't that she couldn't trust Catlaina. Of course, she could. No one understood her like the guard who had protected her for the past 50 years. After all, they were both Homs Entia in prestigious positions. Positions that certain High Entia believed they didn't deserve. They had bonded over their mixed blood, over the hardships they'd faced. Catlaina was the closest thing to a friend she'd ever had. She supposed she didn't want to burden her guard any further. And so, she hid her less favorable feelings.

Sometimes, it seemed as though she did little else those days. She prided herself on her independence. Even if it bordered on withdrawn, secretive. Emotions were inconvenient. Distracting. It was better if she didn't feel at all. Although that wasn't realistic, she tried her best. It was merely the way she'd been trained to behave. Endless lessons replayed themselves in her mind, reminded her to be silent unless spoken to. Not to mention her tutor's barked reprimands – stand up straight, be charming, do as you're told. That last one had always been the hardest for her to swallow.

Yet she always obeyed.

Though, perhaps that was only because she hadn't known that she could have refused. She strived for perfection, to be an heiress loved by all. A desire so deeply engrained in her that it would have taken years to rid herself of it. If that was even possible. She shook the thought from her head. There simply wasn't time. Not with the world crumbling around them as it was.

The Bionis deteriorated below her floating utopia, the decay more noticeable as the days wore on. And she could only watch from her shelter, through thick glass panes and wisps of fragmented cloud.

There had to be something she could do for them – those people she'd never seen. The ones that lived beneath the Eryth Sea, beyond Frontier Village and Makna Forest. Who were they, she wondered. What dreams did they have? Her mind invented question after question as she stared ever downward. No matter how many times she found herself here, pressed against the glass dome outside the Villa, it still disappointed her that her gaze alone couldn't part the watery veil of the sea.

In all her years of royal training, the topic of Homs and their history had been avoided. There had been her mother – the only Homs she had ever laid eyes upon. And yet, her father expected her to one day break the rules of isolationism to take a Homs man as her consort.

She knew nothing about their race, nothing concretely factual anyway. There were the stories her mother had told her when they were both much younger. But they never went into much detail. She suspected that was on purpose. To, perhaps, shield her from what was coming. Her father had used kinder terms when he'd first told her. Blissful marriage and building a family of her own. By then, she was old enough to know better.

Relinquishing her freedom, she could handle. After all, she'd never had much of it in the first place. But her body too…

Her heart lurched into her throat. Fear. It was an emotion with which she was well-acquainted. She knew exactly how to force it down. But this time, she couldn't quite manage it, no matter how tightly she hugged her knees to her chest. She longed for her mother's embrace, though she knew it was forever gone. Her mother had died decades ago, left her alone with emotions that overwhelmed her on a daily basis. Now, she had no one to confide in. Except Kallian.

As if on cue, she heard the telltale footsteps pounding down the path toward the Imperial Villa's entrance. She briefly entertained the idea of remaining seated. Perhaps he would not notice her, pass her by. Then her feelings and royal duties could be kept at bay until she was better equipped to take care of them. But such behavior was unacceptable.

"Good morning, brother," she greeted as she stood and brushed stray blades of grass from her skirt. "Did you need me for something?"

Kallian turned toward the sound of her voice. He nodded brusquely to Catlaina then smiled at his sister. "I wish I didn't. But yes. Father has requested your presence in the throne room." He approached her cautiously, as if he worried she would lash out if he drew close too suddenly. "Have you eaten yet? I had hoped to spend some time with you before I depart for Valak Mountain."

"You have business in the mountains?"

"Surely you didn't forget," he said with a laugh. "I'm leaving in a few hours."

"Oh, of course. How silly of me…" Her eyes flicked over to Catlaina but the guard seemed just as confused as she was. She masked her hurt with enthusiasm. "So, you mentioned breakfast?"

He was all too happy to allow the subject change. "A new restaurant opened in the commercial sector mere days ago. I thought it might be nice to try it. Just the two of us." He shot Catlaina a meaningful look. She bowed her head low, silver bangs falling into her eyes.

A small smile invaded Melia's lips. She couldn't prevent herself from being more expressive when Kallian was around. He always brought out the best in her. Briefly, she wondered how she would manage in his absence. If she couldn't let her guard down every few days… She cleared the thought from her head and found herself nodding.

"That sounds like a lovely idea."

The royal siblings sat down at a small table in a secluded corner of the restaurant. It afforded enough privacy that the other patrons wouldn't notice them. Melia was grateful for the opportunity to exist in public without the stares. And the whispers and sneers. She turned away from the pale orange interior, looking pointedly out the window beside her.

Across the street, a merchant had set up a makeshift stall to sell his wares. She studied each object as he displayed them but she gave special attention to the last item, a locket. It was silver with a chain so thin she could scarcely see it from such a distance. Outwardly, it was rather plain. But what did it hold within? She wondered if it was burdened with as many secrets as she was.

Her brother followed her gaze, found the delicate piece of jewelry. "That's a beautiful necklace." His eyes darted tow Melia's face, seeking a reaction. However, she refused to award him one. "Would you be happier if I bought it for you?"

"What do you mean by that?" she demanded. A light cough rattled her lungs as she regained her composure. "I'm perfectly happy, brother."

He nodded once, agreeing with her and letting the matter rest. Only a moment passed before he filled the silence with shallow conversation. A story his guard Kennet had told him, comments about the restaurant's cheery décor. Nothing of substance. No mention of his mission in the mountains.

What was his objective? Why had he not informed her? Despite what he'd said, she was certain he had never mentioned it before. It was unusual for him to make such a mistake. But she supposed the stress could have been getting to him. Perhaps she should ask him. To be sure that he was alright. The words stuck to her tongue and, before she could shake them loose, their food arrived.

They ate in silence. It was a heavier silence than she was accustomed to. Though she was aware that it was entirely on her end. Kallian didn't notice, focused as he was on eating. She pushed her roasted burdock around her plate, mentally berating herself for ruining breakfast with her insecurity. Because it didn't matter that he'd neglected to tell her. It didn't mean that he hated her or distrusted her. Their relationship was fine. She was being dramatic.

Her appetite never returned but she ate anyway. No reason to make Kallian worry. And with her father's summons lingering on her mind, she knew she would need her strength.

As they finished their meals, the talking inevitably began again. Kallian set down his utensils then cast another glance out of the window. Melia suspected he was looking at the locket once more, but told herself not to say anything about it. Although, she did wonder why her brother took such exaggerated interest in the object. Surely, he knew that she didn't want – or deserve – gifts from him. Especially not expensive gifts.

"But if I did purchase it," he said at last, "would you like it?"

She frowned as she considered her response. Her eyes strayed out the window once more, landing on the necklace. A ray of sun played across the smooth surface. The new light revealed a pattern of gold cutting through what she once thought was uniform silver.

"I would," she said, catching the glimpse of relief that flashed across her brother's usually serious features. "Yet, I don't think I should ever wear it."

The disappointment was almost tangible. He lowered his gaze to the table, didn't press any further. And she wasn't inclined to tell him the reason if he didn't ask for it. Besides, she was reluctant to share with him the full truth. That she could not trouble him in such a way. That she could not wear a locket that only ever reminded her of how delicate she truly was. A locket that would forever remain empty because there was no room in her heart for sentimentality.

After Kallian settled the bill, they made their way back to the palace. He was quiet until they reached the transporter to the throne room. But even when he did speak, it was curt. Just a swift goodbye before they went their separate ways. Melia felt a pang of loneliness resonate within her as she watched him go. It was foolish, of course. But she allowed herself to steep in it for a moment. Why hadn't she asked him about the mountain expedition? She should have… She clenched her jaw and banished the thought from her mind. He would be home soon enough and they could discuss the journey when he had time to rest.

"Are you alright?"

Melia suppressed a yelp of surprise but she couldn't stop herself from cringing. She whirled around and found Catlaina standing close behind. A slight blush crept up to her cheeks. After the decades they had spent together, she really should have been accustomed to the lightness of the guard's footsteps.

"A bit nervous," she admitted. She glanced around to be sure no one else was listening. The transporter guard was stationed several feet away. But he focused his attention elsewhere. She lowered her voice anyway. "Something doesn't feel right…"

"I'm sure it's nothing." Catlaina grinned, the expression brightening the room like a beacon.

Envy gnawed a hole in her stomach. She wished she could have that confidence, the ability to think positively and set aside her duties to smile without calculating it first. But if that's how she was supposed to be, her tutor would have cultivated her that way. She wouldn't be… like this. Usually, that thought was enough to clear the jealousy. Knowing that she was exactly who she was meant to be. This time, the pit only grew wider. She faked a smile.

"Of course. I'm overreacting."

The grin faded from Catlaina's face. Her onyx eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed red. "I… I didn't mean… Forgive me, Your Highness." She bowed hastily.

Melia dismissed the apology with a wave of her hand. "There's no need for that." Then she cast a sidelong look at the transporter. "Well, I'd best not keep my father waiting any longer."

She stepped onto the transporter, leaving her guard behind. Within seconds, she materialized at the base of the crystalline stairs. The first time she'd seen them, as a child, she'd been amazed. Her lips curled into a small smile as she ascended the shimmering steps. Light reflected through the crystal, scattering rainbows across the hall and her skin.

Her father and four knights awaited her at the top of the stairs. The names of these knights popped into her head immediately: Aizel, Hogard, Garan, and Damil. She knew them well by this point in her life. They were elite soldiers – the only ones trusted to guard her when she journeyed beyond Eryth Sea. Most often, they accompanied her on diplomatic missions to Frontier Village. Not that they were necessarily needed, but she allowed herself to feel safe when she knew they were nearby. It felt like nothing could touch her under their watch. She was invincible.

"Father." Melia forced herself out of her head and dropped into an elegant curtsey. "You requested my presence? How may I be of service?"

"My dear daughter, I sent Kallian to fetch you over an hour ago," Sorean replied, shaking his head. But she caught the twinkle in his eye and knew he wasn't angered by the delay. Perhaps he found it cute – though Melia resented such a description. "No matter. I am afraid I have an urgent quest for you. It cannot wait any longer, which is why you must personally see it through to completion."

"Of course, Father," she said. "What must I do?"

"Kill the Telethia that has been rampaging in Makna Forest."

A wave of dread washed over her, turned all of her organs upside-down. A Telethia… But it was her first real mission on her own and she allowed her determination to override the sense of misgiving. She merely nodded, briefly, decisively. Her father's grim smile was her only reward, the only goodbye she received before she and her team set out.

Damil walked backwards out of Frontier Village, squinting up at the glimmering lanterns and the thicket of leaves far above. "I really oughta get my easel out here someday. It's breathtaking."

Melia paused and turned around to follow his gaze. She didn't quite have his eye for art, but she thought she could almost see the potential for a painting. He'd shown her some of his work before. Reluctantly at first. She'd stumbled across him while he was off duty, sketching the people that passed him by. She hadn't meant to impose. But her curiosity got the better of her. In the end, he humored her, flipping through the notebook as she complimented his skill.

It had been a bit of a shock when he accidentally flipped to a drawing of… well, her. A very flattering rendition, in her opinion, though it hardly matched what she saw in the mirror. He'd slammed the sketchbook shut, stuttering excuses and apologies. If she'd been alone, the memory would have made her giggle. She settled for a content exhale.

"Eh, I don't see it," Aizel said.

"You wouldn't," Hogard replied with a deep chuckle.

Aizel scowled and tugged a lock of the larger man's hair. Hogard practically howled. Garan observed wordlessly from Melia's side. Although, she noted, he was rather quick to put his helmet back on. As if he feared his hair was next.

"If only we had time, I'd do a quick sketch," Damil said, oblivious to his companions' conflict. He spun around, facing forward once more, then joined Melia and Garan. "So, what's the plan, Princess?"

"Unfortunately, the Nopon's most recent sightings are a few days old." She unfurled her map and held it so both men could see. As they'd spoken with the residents of Frontier Village, she'd marked the location of each sighting with an 'X'. There was a cluster of five marks on the other side of the forest. "We should start where the Telethia has been seen most often."

"There must be some reason it keeps returning to that area," Garan said, leaning over the map. Then he straightened. "In any case, we should move. We're wasting time."

Melia nodded and summoned Aizel and Hogard. The two eased up on their bickering as she filled them in on what had been decided. But once she finished, they returned to the argument. She rolled her eyes. As long as it didn't hinder their ability to do their jobs, she wouldn't stop them. No matter how it grated on her nerves. At least they trailed several feet behind.

Garan scouted ahead, leaving Melia alone with Damil. Her eyes shifted between the path ahead and his face. He was the eldest of their group, though he wasn't yet 200. Short grey hair, grey irises, high cheekbones. And the long, majestic wings of a pureblooded High Entia. She frowned.

"What is it?" Damil's voice broke into her thoughts.

She started at the sound. He was looking at her, eyebrows knit together in concern. "No, it's nothing. I'm sorry."

Behind them, Hogard and Aizel's dispute died out. But if she thought for a second that they would at last be gifted with silence, their voices rose again. This time, in song. An offkey drinking song. Hogard was a better singer than Aizel, though he reached boredom faster. His voice fell away. Aizel continued on his own, somehow louder than before. Garan jogged back to the group and Hogard took his place down the path.

"I thought he was crying for help," Garan said, nodding toward Aizel then sharing a knowing smirk with Damil.

"He might as well be. Doubt you could do anything, though." Damil snuck a quick elbow into Garan's ribs. "Even with your voice being the sweetest I've ever heard."

The younger soldier rubbed at his side as if the hit had pierced his armor. When he recovered from his grievous injury, he stuck his tongue out in response to Damil's teasing. Melia shielded her mouth with her hand as she laughed softly. So softly that neither man had noticed it.

They continued their trek through the forest. There wasn't any more planning to do for the moment, so they carried on as usual. Which meant more horrible singing, playful arguing, and casual discussion. Melia had only just begun a conversation about how curious Nopon traditions were when a monstrous shriek ripped through the air. Much closer than they had been expecting.

Hogard scrambled back to the group. Aizel's voice cut off mid-lyric, all idle chatter faltered. The knights drew their swords and Melia's grip on her staff tightened. Despite the hour of day, their sight was impaired, for the dense trees allowed very little sunlight to filter in. They circled around, sometimes managing to catch a glimpse of a dark shadow as the beast flew in closer. Hogard grabbed Melia's arm, pulled her into their defensive formation. It protected her from most angles of attack – just not the one that mattered most. Above.

"Don't worry, Princess," he assured, though his voice sounded strained. "We'll keep you safe."

That was when the Telethia swooped down from the heavens. Tree branches snapped like twigs in its wake. All her training left her at the sight of its slick blue skin. She froze. Damil leapt in front of her as the monster's claws sliced through the air. They wrapped around him, flung his body like a toy. He slammed into a tree then fell to the ground. Unmoving.

The other three created a wall between her and the Telethia. They fought with everything they had but… It wasn't enough. The creature was too fast. And any hits that did land seemed to stitch themselves back together. She reached into the ether, tried to summon any element she could. The ether didn't respond. No…

Her powers failed had failed her. All she could do was stare as her companions had their lives torn from them.

And then she was the last one standing. Only corpses remained of the four knights. Disfigured, bloody corpses. She knelt down beside one of them, her knees sinking into the warmth of recently spilled blood. The fingers of her left hand brushed against his face – unrecognizable due to the number of gashes ripped in his flesh. Perhaps this one was Garan. Sweet, quiet Garan who was meant to go home before nightfall to be reunited with his pregnant wife.

Or it was Aizel whose voice should still have been singing as they made their way home after successfully completing their quest. She crawled over to Hogard's body. Only the broadness of his shoulders allowed her to distinguish him from the others. He had to be okay. Who would take care of his ailing grandmother if he wasn't? She shook him gently, tried to remind him of his familial duty. But he wouldn't listen.

She darted past the Telethia to check on Damil. His helmet had been knocked loose by the impact. It lay several feet away from him, wickedly dented. She hoped, prayed. But he was dead too. The back of his head was split open. Yet his face was unmarred by the devil's talons, his grey eyes staring. She was drawn in by them. She took comfort in returning his gaze even though there was nothing but fear in those irises. Fear and the telltale glaze of death. But it wasn't possible for such a man to return to the Bionis. Not when he had unfulfilled dreams. Not when he had already chased them so far. He had wanted to retire from the army one day, focus solely on his art. Dead fingers cannot paint…

Melia stood, knocked out of her thoughts by the Telethia's enraged shrieks. Staff outstretched, she summoned element after element. Whatever block had plagued her before, it was gone now. She launched a few, drew upon more. Cast one last look over the men she failed. Then she ran.

It was her fault. Four men were dead and her own shortcomings were responsible. She had deprived good families of their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers. She selfishly believed that they could protect her. She hadn't tried hard enough to protect them. She had thrown precious lives to the ground, stomped on them until they were ragged and broken. A ruler didn't do such wretched things. The ruler she should be would have never acted so carelessly.

Why didn't she just use the ether sooner?

Without her consent, a strangled sob tore through her lips. She pressed her free hand over her mouth, attempted to force her emotions into submission. But she couldn't manage it – she briefly wondered if she would ever be able to do so again. She couldn't dwell on the thought. The Telethia had found her.

She brandished her staff in treacherously shaking hands, called upon the elemental spirits in screaming, unsteady tones. Tears flowed out of her eyes. They were beyond even the slightest hope of control. Yet she continued screeching, even when her words lost meaning.

The Telethia leaned in close enough that she felt its breath upon her bloodless, sweat-soaked skin. Hot, damp breath that sapped her strength like a gaseous parasite. Her auras vanished without warning, her knees buckled. She felt the impact, saw strange lights and colors dance across her view of the forest canopy. Then nothing. No sensations – a sable blanket smothering her eyes, mouth, nose, and ears.

Everything was gone, consumed by that dreadful nothingness.