Chapter twenty-four. Ahahaha! That cliffy got your attention, didn't it?

Raine: The readers aren't the only ones. O.O

Caaaalm, Raine. Deep breaths. In, out; in, out. Let's go!

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"I can't believe he did it again. Augh, he's really got to learn something about self preservation!" She ran as she growled this, the others trotting behind. The Grand Tethe'alla Bridge, that was their destination, because they were sure that's where Regal had gone, too. Sheena slowed to a halt as they neared the bridge, and saw something fall from it in the distance.

"What's that...?" asked Lloyd in puzzlement.

"I think a better question would be, 'Who's that?', Lloyd." It was Zelos this time, squinting at whaterver - whoever - it was.

"Oh, my...It's Raine!" cried the Summoner, eyes wide. How had she fallen off the bridge? What had happened up there? At that moment, they heard another cry of her name, this time in a voice unmistakably Regal's. Sheena looked up toward the Bridge. "Guys, go help Regal." With that, she was off again toward the water line. Which summon? Undine was that of the water, but if there was a way to save her without water she had to take that course. But there wasn't time to think this through too much.

Biting her lip, Sheena stopped on the beach, and raised her hand, about to call Undine. Sorry, Raine...But as she started to summon the water spirit, she stopped. Aska! Aska could fly..."I call upon the light of the heavens! I summon thee, come, Aska!" Granted, usually it was Luna she called. But she needed the two-headed bird now.

With a flash, the Spirit appeared, all four eyes half closed in questioning. "Please, Aska," she panted. "Please, save Raine." Sheena pointed at the half-elf, still plummeting toward the unforgiving water.

With a dip of both heads, the almost fiery looking Summon-Spirit took off. Aska had to dip down a bit lower before he was able to position himself under Raine, and Sheena held her breath the whole time. If Raine hit the water from that far up, it was over. She was done for.

As soon as she saw Raine hit Aska, Sheena let out the breath in relief, and darted toward the Bridge to help out. David, Matthew, and Eric were giving one heck of a fight even against all six of the others. Something had changed in Regal's blue eyes, though...Something she didn't like. He hadn't seen Aska, he didn't know Raine was safe. He thought she was dead, and was now fighting for her.

The skirmish lasted about five or ten minutes, but eventually they were able to overpower the three men. Sheena had Matthew pinned down on the bridge, keeping him there with her foot. Presea had her axe pointing down at Eric - which was fairly amusing in itself - and Regal had David himself, both standing upright, the Duke's hand closed around the other's collar tightly. "You're going to prison again, David," he said, his tone low and dangerous. "I won't kill you here - that would be wrong, no matter the crime. But know this. You have killed an innocent woman. She fell to her death because of you."

"As Karla did because of you," hissed David.

"That was an accident I never imagined. I did not mean for her to fall, it was purely chance that she should stumble back against a weak section of metal. You, however, put Raine in the position that forced her to make the decision she did. She would not have fallen had you not been dangling her out over the edge."

"She caused her own death by casting that spell. She fell because it was her choice--"

"So she could protect me. Because you held her out there. I am sorry about Karla, truely. Her death was not intentional...But Raine's was. You commited murder willingly, David. Again. And for Raine's death you will pay by spending the rest of your miserable life in prison." His eyes were narrowed in something close to hatred. Sheena felt bad for him, but she couldn't tell him about Raine yet, not until the men were being hauled off to Meltokio once more. Thankfully, though, that happened quickly. Lloyd and Colette had gone to get the authorities, and they returned with several armed guards.

Sheena watched them go, David sending a look of corrosponding loathing toward Regal even as he was dragged back toward the capital city. Once they were out of sight, the Duke turned to the broken part ofo the railing, and looked down toward the water with an unreadable expression. She glanced over her shoulder as Aska came low to the bridge and Raine climbed off with a look especially at Sheena, that clearly said "Thank you."

The ninja smiled, and nodded, and everyone present took a step back to allow the couple some space. Raine approached the man by the edge, softly laying a hand against one of his shoulder blades, and murmerring, "Regal."

He looked over his shoulder at the sound of his name, and his eyes widened. He turned, taking her hand as it slid from his back. "Raine...how...you're alive. You're here."

"I'm dry," she added quietly, quirking a half smile. "Aska." It was all she had to say, Sheena could tell from the comprehension in his expression as he looked to her with a little smile of, "Thank you," at which the ninja dipped her head.

Regal switched his gaze back to the epitome of miracles standing before him, and pulled her closer into a gentle embrace. "I told you never to do that again," he chuckled into her ear, so quietly the Sheena was sure only she and Raine caught it.

"I only agreed to try and not get sick. I never said I wouldn't jump off the bridge," she replied in equal tones, returning the hug somewhat feebly.

"Never again." His hold tightened visibly. "Karla is gone. Deryn is gone...The men will not be released. Don't ever do that again."

"...I won't. Believe me...I won't."

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Awww! Husband and Wife reunited...like the worlds. xD

Raine: Not quite.

Close enough. -Shrug- Anyway, Karla's gone, Deryn's kaput, the guys are all in jail! Hmm...

Raine: It's not over, is it?

...Nope.