She was sitting in a chair beside his bed, sleeping. The gentle rise and fall of her chest mesmerized him momentarily, until he gathered enough strength to pull his eyes away. She was beautiful when she was asleep.
He closed his eyes again as a faint pang intruded upon his heart. Much as he regretted the past and his actions, yesterday held a lot of pain to it. He hadn't wanted to force the choice on any of them, yet what could he do? There was no one else who would be able to kill an angel, not without a lot of death and destruction. He only wanted to have one death occur, if death was required. Well, he had wanted to escape the bonds of immortality, but something held him back from the brink of death. Not Yuan, though his friend had supplied enough mana to sustain his consciousness in the short term.
No, it had been a strangled cry from a heavy heart that had stopped his plunge into the dark abyss.
He had hesitated for an instant, then snatched back the tattered remnants of the mana flows that sustained his body. Yet in that moment of indecision, he felt Origin stirring and breaking away from the seal that bound him. Origin was free at last!
Still, he might have died yet had they not tended to him. Kratos sighed; he supposed he'd have to thank Raine for that. No one else in the group had the capability for healing.
He looked over at Sheena again. 'Still asleep.'
Slowly Kratos reached over and grasped the young woman's hand in his own. Absently he brushed his thumb against the back of her hand, his thoughts far away. The motion seemed to awaken Sheena, though the angel didn't notice. Her eyes opened and she blinked owlishly in the light that filtered into the room through the open window.
For a moment, she wondered where she was. Someone was holding her hand. Sheena let her eyes drift downward, keeping the rest of her body still with quiet discipline. As her gaze fell on the figure beside her, memory caught up with rest of the body. She blinked rapidly as her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly she moved from her seat, dropping the angel's hand to hug him fiercely.
Kratos found his arms suddenly full of a weeping summoner. Confused for a moment, he still pulled her close and embraced her. A tiny voice in the back of his mind wondered why she still tolerated his presence, but was quickly shushed by another that insisted it didn't matter why, but rather that it was important to bring some modicum of comfort to the woman who returned his love. So now, despite the awkwardness of it all, the angel just lay quiet, content to hold his dark haired savior close.
By and by, the tears ceased to flow and Sheena raised her head to look into Kratos' eyes. "Don't you ever do that to me again!"
The angel surprised her by nodding solemnly. Reaching upward to caress her face, he brushed away the trails that her tears had made. "I'm sorry that I made you cry. I didn't want to see you hurting this way."
"I was so frightened when you fell." Sheena blinked against the tears that were threatening to fall again. "Even when Yuan told us that he was helping to keep you alive, even when Raine told me that you were healing, it didn't seem to help. All I could see was you standing there with your wings fading away, and falling into darkness."
"I thought you would never wake up."
Kratos struggled to sit up, grimacing as the act caused him to be light-headed for a moment. Fighting the feeling, he drew Sheena back into his embrace. "Forgive me. I could not leave you like that, not with your heart broken. It was too much to bear, to leave you with the pain and despair that I felt when Anna died."
The room was silent while the twain held each other. Finally a quiet cough broke the silence. Both occupants of the room glared figure on the stairway. Raine merely smirked in reply, motioning Sheena out of the room. Reluctantly, Kratos released the summoner and she headed for the stairs. Sheena turned back to mouth a quick "I'll be back when she's done." before disappearing down the steps.
Nodding silently, Kratos turned and eyed Raine with something akin to irritation playing across his features. It was gone quickly, and the half-elf calmly walked over and peered intently at the angel. Her scrutiny continued for some moments, leaving Kratos relieved when she finally stepped back and regarded him from farther away.
"So, did you find what you were looking for?"
Raine shrugged. "I don't suppose you would be willing to tell me everything that's going on between the two of you?"
Kratos blinked. "That's what you were looking for?"
"No, not really. I was checking to see that your eyes were focusing properly, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. And since you're already up and moving, I can see that nothing else seems to be wrong. Your angelic regeneration seems to have patched you up just fine." Raine hid a grin behind her hand. "In fact, had I not interrupted..."
"Enough." Kratos reached up one hand to cover his eyes. "Are you as hopeless as the children?"
Raine considered his words for a moment. "I could be."
Sighing, Kratos waved the woman away. "Fine. Just leave so that I can get dressed and come downstairs."
Raine's eyebrow arched upward. "And if I don't?"
"I can either call Sheena up to deal with you, or just teleport out of here and leave you to deal with Sheena."
"Spoilsport." Raine turned and left.
Kratos found his former attire, cleaned and slightly the worse for wear, beside the bed. His movements were steady as he dressed, and in a few moments the angel walked carefully down the stairs. An anxious group of faces met him at the bottom.
Both Lloyd and Sheena stepped forward to offer an arm, which Kratos quietly accepted. He ignored Raine's look of astonishment as they helped him over to a chair at the table. While he probably could have pushed himself to walk the distance unaided, there really wasn't a good reason to ignore the offer. So what if he was a Seraphim? Even angels have their bad days.
Everyone else quickly found a place to sit around the table and Kratos noted that the overly cheerful blonde was missing. Colette's disappearance was explained in full by Lloyd, who filled the angel in on everything that had happened since his incapacitation. When Lloyd fell silent, Kratos nodded.
Soul transference, the ability to move the soul betweencontainers,that's how everything had started. Mithos had been the one who had the most experience with the theories, and so it definitely made sense. Mithos' soul would take quite a while to be subsumed by the crystal; in fact, there was the slight probability that his soul could even overcome the crystal and evolve beyond the limits of a mortal shell. The possibilities and powers that would come with such a form were unknown. As of this moment, Mithos had surpassed knowledge and theory.
It was a mute point to debate where their nemesis had fled. Derris Kharlan with its great supply of mana would be the point of the final battle. Within the meteorite there lay vast quantities of knowledge, much of which remained unknown. If Mithos sought answers, he would find them there. Besides, he still had to transfer his sister there, if he was still considering leaving the planet to its doom.
Somehow, Kratos couldn't see Mithos abandoning his lifelong quest to meditate on his newfound state of enlightenment...
"So?"
The question caught him off guard. He blinked and looked around the table to find everyone staring expectantly at him. Even after everything that they'd gone through without him, they still expected his input as soon as he returned. Unfortunately, he'd lost exactly where the conversation had ended up while he pondered Mithos' actions. But with grace born of many years, Kratos merely arched an eyebrow and asked a question of his own.
"So, did you contract with Origin?"
Dead silence fell. Beside him, Sheena fidgeted on her seat. The angel sighed and covered his face with his hand. "I'll take that to mean 'no'."
"Well, we didn't really have time, with him taking Colette, and trying to keep you alive. I'd say that we were a mite busy at the time. Origin was slightly lower on the priority list than you." Raine had her arms crossed in front of her as she spoke. The angel noted the defensive tone and nodded.
"Understood. You did what you felt had to be done. However, there isn't any need for you to nursemaid me any longer, so you should see about the contract now." He turned to look at the young woman beside him, and she nodded in understanding. "Hopefully he will give you a chance. He can be stubborn at times."
"Something that runs in every creature, at one time or another." Dirk meandered into the conversation as he carried in bowls of stew. "Lloyd, mind your manners and help me tend to our guests. You'll all be needing a good meal before you head out to finish your quest."
Gulping, Lloyd hurried to comply with the dwarf's request. Raine stood up to offer her help, but was pulled back into her seat by Genis. Dirk's eyes twinkled as he shook his head at her. "Nay, you are guests here today, and Lloyd has been getting rather out of practice with his hospitality."
Raine pouted a little, but didn't insist that the real cause was that no one wanted her near the food. Granted, no one would have been arguing the point very long...
---
The meal itself was surprisingly good. Nothing much was said at the table while the food was present, but after Raine and Presea helped Lloyd clear the dishes away, the group sat down to discuss their strategy. They currently had two goals, to rescue Colette and to defeat Mithos. As a stepping stone to overcoming Mithos, they also required the aid of the Eternal Sword. Having Origin bound by contract would also be advantageous to their cause, since no one could wield the sword without his permission.
Regal advocated splitting the party as a way of making up for lost time. When Raine (and surprisingly, Lloyd) argued against it, Regal pointed out that only a few members of the party needed to go after Origin. The rest could make a start at conquering Derris Kharlan. At the very least, they could ensure that Mithos didn't leave the meteorite for another location.
In the face of Regal's logic, Raine acquiesced the point. Then talk turned to the forming of parties, and who would go with whom. Lloyd argued back and forth with Sheena while the others watched in quiet amusement. Finally Lloyd gave in and let the summoner have the party of her choice.
Dirk stepped into the silence that followed. "Here lad, I made this for the day when you finally managed to become a man, and I think that the time is now." He laid an exquisitely forged blade in front of his adopted son. It was made out of a crystalline substance that gave it the appearance of ice. Lloyd picked up the sword reverently and slowly tried a few practice swings. The blade felt 'right' in his hand.
Blinking back tears, Lloyd looked at Dirk. "Thanks dad, it's really great!"
Kratos stood up and shared a long look with the dwarf before breaking into Lloyd's fascination with his new weapon. "It really is beautiful, Lloyd, but you need another sword to go with it."
Slowly he drew forth his own sword from its sheath. "Here, take this sword."
It had been forged for the angel long ago, when he had first begun his quest alongside his friends. During all that time it had served him well. Now it would serve his son as a shield, even as Dirk's weapon would serve to carve a path for the young man. Lloyd silently took hold of the weapon in his left hand and held it out at arms length. The sword glowed red, and the flame motif engraved on the blade almost seemed alive.
"Thanks Dad." Solemnly, Lloyd glanced at the swords and then around the circle at all his friends. His face broke into a sudden grin. "Now I'm invincible!"
---
Not much time had been wasted in parting. The portion of the group that was tasked with keeping Mithos contained and finding Colette took their Rheairds and headed for the remains of the Tower of Salvation.
That left the group headed for the forest of Ymir and Origin's resting place. Sheena led the way, followed closely by Kratos. The angel's stride was strong now, no hints of the weakness that had plagued him in the aftermath of his near death experience. They reached the stone without difficulty, mainly dodging the more feral inhabitants of the forest.
When they reached the stone, the forest suddenly became still. Then without warning or fanfare, Origin appeared. Sheena stepped towards the summon spirit, who regarded her with his arms crossed. "I know why you are here. I will not make another contract, after having been betrayed for so long by the last holder of my powers."
Stunned into silence, Sheena gaped at Origin for a long moment before gathering her now scattered thoughts. "Please, we have to have your power! There isn't any other way for us to put the world back together!"
The king of the summons slowly shook his head. "Nevertheless, I have no guarantee that you will not follow the same path of destruction that my former master tread. I am sorry, but I will not form a pact."
"Origin," Kratos stepped forward beside Sheena, taking her hand in his. "Hear me in this. If nothing is done, then the world will wither from lack of mana. For both our sakes, grant her your power to unite the worlds again."
Origin frowned as he gazed down at the angel. "If I should give my power, what is to be my guarantee?"
Kratos stood firm under the spirit's gaze. "I will be your guarantee. No matter the outcome, should you not be satisfied with what has happened, you will be released from your oath. This I swear to you as your friend."
"And her?"
The angel closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and released it before answering. "Our hearts are one. Our paths are one. My oath is her oath, and any that she makes, mine."
"So, Undine was right. How odd..." Origin muttered to himself, and then straightened to look directly at Sheena. "You know that you must test me, and yet you come without an army at your beck. Very well, let it begin..."
No sooner had he spoken the words than the two he had addressed sprang apart to confront him from different sides. Origin smirked as they charged simultaneously. This should be much more entertaining than the battle of wits that Mithos had challenged him in...
---
Dodge. Parry. Strike. Evade. Rinse and repeat, add in a healing or two. Etcetera, etcetera.
Sheena was tired but happy as the fight continued. Kratos had made himself useful in the healing department, and caused the occasional necessary distraction to allow her to strike, but overall this was between her and Origin. So far she had managed to keep stride with the spirit, despite the absence of Lloyd and the others.
She just hoped that things were going as well for them. They had far more problems to deal with on their errand.
Finally the fighting stopped, as Origin backed off and held up his hand. "Enough. Your will is certainly strong enough, and your strength is to match. Now, make your oath."
"All right." Sheena ignored the breeze that seemed to have picked up at the end of the battle. "In order to join the worlds together as one, and to end the suffering caused by fighting for mana, I ask that you grant me your power."
"Done." Origin faded from view, though Sheena felt the distant connection to the spirit. He would come, should she summon him. Kratos stepped up beside her and took her hand.
"One last task, before we can rest."
She nodded, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Without another word they headed off to the area where the rheaird was waiting for them.
---
Derris Kharlan was an interesting place, if you discounted all the monsters roaming freely therein. If there had been time, Raine probably would have been ensconced in the place forever and an eon. Lloyd pondered this as he backtracked his way through the city space. Since he'd entered with his friends, they'd been fighting their way further into the heart of the meteorite. They'd found Colette, unharmed, but encountered a trap that had dispersed the party.
Now he was just trying to find everyone, so that they could finish the fighting and return the world to the way it was. His Dad (Man, it felt too weird thinking of Kratos that way!) and Sheena were out dealing with Origin. He hoped that they were okay.
He blinked as he rounded the next corner and saw two figures floating in the air.
"Sheena? Kratos?"
They were standing in midair, conversing with nothing. At least that's what it looked like to Lloyd. "Hey! Sheena! Kratos! I'm down here!"
---
Mist surrounded them. An accuser with a familiar shape stood before them. Mithos watched them, although they had no knowledge of his presence. Below them was a monster with a familiar voice.
"Hey! Sheena! Kratos! I'm down here!"
Another voice spoke from beyond the mist, trying to convince them that what they saw was what was real. The war of words continued for a moment, but Kratos had heard enough. The vortex that had formed in the mist threatened to take them down to what looked like a monster, but the voice and heart were those of his son. He would trust his heart over his eyes.
It seemed that Sheena too decided to trust what she knew in her heart as opposed to what she could see. As the vortex swallowed them up, she reached over beside her and found Kratos hand in the dark. He gave her a reassuring squeeze as they vanished into the darkness. Whatever happened, at least they would be together.
When the darkness cleared, they were standing in Derris Kharlan with Lloyd in front of them. "Heh. So here we are again." Kratos hid a smirk behind his hand.
"We had a little talk with Origin before we got here, and he said that when the time comes, you can use this." Sheena held out the Eternal Sword. "Though you'll need to wear a ring to be able to use it."
Lloyd blinked. "What ring?"
Kratos held out his hand. Cupped in the palm was a simple silver band. "Here. It will fool the Eternal Sword into thinking that you have magic in your blood. Put it on now, and don't take it off or the sword won't work for you."
Lloyd solemnly accepted both items, placing the ring on his finger and strapping the scabbard that held the Eternal Sword firmly across his back. Turning with his father and Sheena, he ventured back into the city, determined to find the rest of his friends. Mithos would have cause to regret the firm bonds of friendship that had weathered every storm.
They would put the world to right.
---
AN: And so we come down to where the storyline has taken somewhat of a turn from the pure game-line that I have been following. (Rather, attempting to follow) I hope you'll all forgive me the stepping away like this. And no, there isn't going to be a grand end battle scene. This last chapter was long enough without it, and Mithos already got enough coverage.
And for all the jumping around, I appologise.
Hint: this is supposed to be a romance. Even if it took forever for it to get started. The next part is the epilogue, where I hope to wrap thing up nicely for everyone. Until then, questions and comments should be posted into reviews where I will answer them as time allows.
Enjoy!