Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim all rights to all characters (save for those of my own creation) in this short-lived reunion… especially for the one who so dearly longs for the past.

~保護者~

"Heirloom"

~保護者~

As Sonic and Steam approached closer, the flute music inevitably stopped. Sonic heard the sound of very slight movement and looked up in time to see a painfully familiar figure move into a crouch on a slender branch overhead. Emerald eyes peered down, equal parts confused and suspicious and vastly more open than Sonic believed he had ever seen them. Another thing was readily clear as well. He's younger… but not too much younger. He's gotta be at least my age. ...Well, my current physical age. Isn't that… isn't that how old he was before, during, and after all his adventures with Mom and Locke? Whether Steam had any thoughts or words to speak, he didn't voice them and instead gave a very soft nod of greetings.

Never one to waste time, much less with pleasantries and other polite gestures, Kaden dropped out of the tree and looked over them both quickly. However, his gaze soon focused specifically on Sonic. "Your name," he demanded.

Unless Sonic was mistaken, it almost seemed like Kaden… recognized him? That shouldn't be possible. "Uh… It's- It's Sonic."

"Akalei," Steam answered, not wanting to leave himself unintroduced.

Sonic turned his head to him in surprise. "Wait, what?"

"We can talk about it later. We really need to talk to him, first," Steam murmured softly, lightly gesturing to Kaden.

Tucking his instrument carefully under his arm, Kaden interrupted them. "Your name," he said, tone slightly less abrasive than before. He seemed to have no interest in speaking any further words than those two so far.

Steam sighed softly, tossing a mild glare at Sonic before answering. "I go by Steam, primarily."

Honestly, Sonic wasn't surprised that his dad had figured out that whatever Steam had said wasn't what he tended to have people call him. He was, however, surprised that Kaden had bothered to ask about it. But he supposed focusing on the matter at hand was better than wondering about this. "We, uh… Well, we're lost, in a manner of speaking. We were hoping you could help us."

Kaden gave him a long look before turning his head away to contemplate the sky. Just when Sonic became certain his father wouldn't say a thing, Kaden murmured, "I cannot aid in transporting lost souls through time."

Steam picked up the conversation from there, crossing his arms lightly. "Do you know anyone who might be able to do so?"

"Whether or not such a thing is possible where you come from, it is not possible here," Kaden told him frankly. "Our Immortals cannot help you, even the ones who would at least try. No one else can do it if they cannot."

A small flash of annoyance at this grew visible in his eyes, but Steam only sighed. "There are people other than Immortals who are capable, technically," he countered lightly, frowning. "I'm assuming you haven't met anyone like that, then. Others that are powerful like them."

Sonic decided to speak up before these two could further grate on one another's nerves. Although, Kaden seemed surprisingly unruffled so far. "Maybe they aren't active around here in this time period, Steam," he suggested. "I mean… surely someone on this world would have noticed if people like Cere were around, right?"

"If anyone had, it would be Kaden or someone he's associated with," Steam murmured, tapping his foot lightly. "At least, that's what I would think."

The suspicion in Kaden's eyes grew. Finally, he decided to more directly question these two strangers. "Explain why you came looking for me."

After a small moment of hesitation, Sonic relented and said, "That's because we know you. I know you very, very well, actually. And I can prove it if you need me to."

"Do it, then. I do not intend to stay here all morning."

That little snippet of attitude made Sonic smile. It's so good to see you being you… and you have no idea. "Okay, so… to really prove to you that this is real, I'm gonna ask something weird of you." Frowning, Kaden crossed his arms. Sonic hurried to continue. "So, you have a sword named Caliburn in this era, right?"

A flicker of surprise showed in Kaden's expression for a fleeting moment, but he quickly quelled it. "...Yes."

"And I assume you know exactly where it is." Kaden merely stared, so Sonic nodded. "Right. Thought so. Okay, so, a friend of mine taught me a long time ago their weird little magic trick where you can keep weapons and other things on your person and just teleport them into your hand whenever you want or need them. I know you know that trick, too, and I'm gonna do it know. So, fair warning, I'm gonna arm myself but I'm not attacking."

Kaden soon accepted this with a tiny nod. "Fine."

Without further ado, Sonic teleported his Caliburn into his hand. It was visibly older and more well-used, but very clearly still the same sword. That same flicker of surprise colored Kaden's expression and he hurried over, relieving Sonic of the blade and moving away again in one fluid motion so he could look it over and be sure. Knowing he would need to be allowed to do so for the sake of establishing trust, Sonic let him do his thing. Eventually, however, he decided to speak up again. "You gave that to me," he revealed quietly. "...In a manner of speaking, anyway. I found it and, with your permission, I kept it. You helped teach me to use it."

After a long moment, Kaden handed the sword back. He remained quiet for a time before letting out a tiny sigh. "...I have seen you before," he admitted, "with that sword. But only once."

"When?" Steam dared to ask, a thoughtful frown on his face.

"As a child," Kaden admitted. It took him a moment to continue, but he did. "A teacher of mine… possessed a magic whose effects could trigger visions. During training, we both saw you." He glanced specifically to Sonic. "You were with others, but… not him." This time, he glanced to Steam.

Steam nodded. "The main reason is that I'm not of the same timeline. I arrived to help with the threats that he and his allies were facing."

Kaden closed his eyes. "The nature of this threat. Explain that."

Which one? Steam almost asked, but ultimately refrained. "There is a woman who was granted privilege by an Immortal, effectively became like them, and has gone on to slaughter their kind. She now wishes to cause the collapse of known existence, across timelines and realms alike."

Much to Sonic's shock, Kaden's expression shifted into one of deep distaste and he muttered, "Nareish, then."

"How do you know her?" Steam questioned, a deep frown on his face.

"Her and I share a… history," Kaden answered, now supremely unhappy. "However unwillingly on my part. She created a beast we came to know as the 'Time Eater' and forced myself and others to stop her half-assed attempts at breaking multiple timelines. We had a bit of a… confrontation over it."

Steam took a deep breath, then released it slowly. "It's her. That's why we're in such a dire situation about returning to the time we came from."

Another moment of silence came and went before Kaden spoke again. "The vision I saw… in it, she was there. As was him," he gestured vaguely to Sonic, "and various symbols representing other players in a grand war. Is this the time you both come from?"

"Assuming at least one of those other players is Malevolence and the other is the leader of all demons… yeah," Sonic sighed. "That would be it." Kaden muttered something under his breath involving the words vile and obnoxious but didn't care to elaborate. Then, without any explanation on his part, he simply started walking away. Sonic knew enough to follow after him, motioning for Steam to do the same. Something in Steam hesitated momentarily, but he quickly overcame this and moved along after Sonic. Once he was sure Steam was coming, Sonic asked, "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere with fewer prying eyes and ears," Kaden answered him. "I would not have you create a panic in my city."

Steam nodded. "We tried to avoid that when we entered," he admitted. "That's the last thing we need right now."

"Hn," Kaden murmured, idly teleporting his flute away. Looking around, he seemingly made sure the coast was clear before telling them softly, "It may not seem like it, but we are under strict lockdown at the moment. Leaving, even via teleportation, is not an option unless you are looking to pick a fight. I recommend not trying it at the moment."

"How did we get in that way, then?" Steam questioned. "Surely they'd track both ways."

"Someone aided you," Kaden responded. "Otherwise you would have been noticed. The only one who would have even considered helping you lives there." He pointed to a high floor of a massive temple. "She more than likely had a reason for doing what she did. Seeing her would be prudent."

"...Who?" Steam further questioned, glancing to the temple quietly.

Sonic squinted up at the indicated floor. "...Surely it's no stuffy old religious person, right? I mean… I heard they hold to traditions and rules very tightly."

Kaden huffed at him, but actually agreed. "They generally do. Few are willing to accept change, no matter how loudly it beats upon their doors."

"So… who is it, then?" Sonic asked, getting back on track.

"A newcomer, as you suggested," Kaden admitted. Something in his eyes was unexpectedly softer all of a sudden. "Her name is Analia. She has not lived here long."

"Makes too much sense, then," Steam sighed, shaking his head. "She is definitely not like many others."

Doing his best to contain his joy, Sonic tried to focus on the matter at hand. "I didn't know M- I mean, Analia was religious."

At this, Kaden shrugged. "I do not believe she is. But she agrees with their moral stance and the acts of good they strive to commit. She joined them for that reason."

"Leave it to her to do that," Steam commented, smiling faintly. "Anyway… should we just go in?"

The question was reasonable, as they were approaching the steps to the temple, but Kaden motioned for them to stay put. "No. Few outsiders are ever permitted to enter when there is not a service, and no men generally."

Sonic blinked a few times. "You can, though?"

This earned another huff. "Only because one of the Ladies knew me when I was small." He started climbing the steps. "I will fetch Analia. Wait here."

Steam nodded, but only contained the mild disdain he felt until Kaden was gone. "Fuckin' religions…"

"What about 'em?" Sonic asked, putting his arms up behind his head.

"While they can do good, they have a bad tendency to breed problematic people and often have unnecessary and arbitrary rules that illogically interrupt the natural flow of things." It was obvious he was speaking from some experience, but he soon amended what he said. "Though, there are good people that genuinely want to do good, like Analia or Rose."

"Steam… you can't just generalize like that," Sonic sighed. "I mean… this religion here, whatever it is, can't be all bad. You heard Dad. One of the women here knew him when he was little, and I bet that means she's the one who used to feed him and tell him stories and stuff when his sensei wasn't around. And Mom even joined them. So, you know, I figure it's got to be good overall, right?"

Steam sighed softly. "Sorry," he muttered faintly. "Long, long history."

"No need to be sorry for saying how you feel," Sonic shrugged. "We're just having a discussion, is all. No need to get upset, okay?"

"My opinions tend to breed problems," Steam answered softly, crossing his arms. "I've lost people over them too often."

"Eh, you won't run into that problem with us," Sonic answered him. He was quiet before sighing and saying, "Look, I don't know what your thoughts are, but I figure you're a friend by now. I care about what my friends think and feel, even when we disagree about shit. You don't have to feel like you can't share that stuff around me or any of the rest of the group."

Steam murmured something softly under his breath about a child, but ultimately resigned. "I know. Or, rather, I've known, I should probably say."

"Great." Sonic tossed him a quick smile. "So stop being such a knucklehead. That's Knuckles's job, and he's not here at the moment. We don't need anyone to pick up his slack right now."

The green hedgehog snorted. "Don't act like I can't blast you to kingdom come for your dumb little jokes you like to crack." There was no hostility in his voice, only amusement at this point.

"Nah, you wouldn't."

"I'll show you when we're not prone to grabbing unwanted attention. You still need to practice fighting more, anyway," Steam answered lightly, a faint smile on his face.

Sonic made a face, then grumbled, "We… don't talk about that."

"I suppose I'll have to do that as well, maybe see if I can get this Kaden to kick your ass around too. Could be funny."

After sticking his tongue out like the petulant child he apparently still was, Sonic admitted, "I actually really would love the chance to spar with Dad even just once more. I just… don't think it's ever going to happen, you know? Even now, we don't have time."

Steam shrugged softly. "I know, it was just an attempt at a joke. Poor taste, in hindsight."

Sonic answered the shrug with one of his own. "Maybe. Guess that's partly my fault for always being… well, like this. Sorry about that."

A light flick to Sonic's head served as the initial answer. "Hush. You're fine as you are."

Another shrug, then Sonic decided to try and switch gears a bit. "On… On another note, I had a thought. But it's banking on us maybe not being able to leave here right away… and someone having drawn up a damn good map."

"Gonna need more of an explanation than that, Sonic," Steam answered lightly.

"I was getting there, sheesh." Sonic glanced toward the steps to see if Kaden was coming yet, saw he wasn't, and continued. "One of the biggest struggles we're facing in the present right now is Espio. I came to realize earlier today that he would absolutely have been around even before this time period, though I don't know how old he would've been. But that also means Shei and Aniko are around. And considering that the Highlands, just like Chun-nan, were once part of South Island, we might be able to find them."

Steam frowned. "You… realize that if we run across Aniko, there's a chance she'll outright murder me for having the potential to handle Light, right?"

Sonic had a quick counter to that. "Her son is one of the most important things in her life, isn't he?"

"Absolutely. She puts him before most things, as far as I can tell."

"Given that information… I think I can sway her opinion of us pretty quickly, if we can create the opportunity," Sonic answered. "All I know is that we may have to try, because talking to them may give us insight that we desperately need if we're going to save Espio from all of this. ...Not to mention the rest of us."

Steam sighed and nodded. "That… just might be a risk we have to take, then," he admitted.

"It really does have the potential to be a suicude mission, though," Sonic replied. "As you pointed out, Aniko won't take too kindly to us showing up. And, of course, the rest of the chameleons won't, either."

"There's a chance that we can appeal to Shei if he shows up. He, like Aniko, is greatly respected. If we can grab her attention, or his, we should be able to get through to them and not die."

"...Our first step would be finding a mapmaker who even knows that the Highlands, whatever they might be called in this era, exist," Sonic answered. "We-"

Before he could continue, a glimmer of white caught his eye. Turning his head, he found himself immediately overwhelmed by emotion as his mother walked down the steps in one of her pure white ancient outfits. She wore a sort of half-shirt with no sleeves that didn't cover her stomach and a long skirt with a slit down the side for ease of movement in combat. Her sandals made the quietest of sounds as she approached with a smile on her face and Kaden at her heels. "I see… you did make it in safely. I am glad."

Steam nodded softly, giving a greeting much like he did with Kaden. "Is it right to assume you were the one who helped us in?"

"It is," she acknowledged, coming to a stop at the bottom step. Then, before they even had a chance to ask, she explained, "I sensed the disruption in time as you arrived… as did Kaden. We both assumed something was amiss, so when you began approaching the city I decided it would be best to lend you a hand."

Sonic nodded slowly, cleared his throat a little, and asked, "He mentioned the city is in some sort of lockdown? Why is that?"

"A time of great peril has just ended," Analia told him, "but the waves of conflict have not fully ebbed. New people now populate our world, and many hold great fear over it. Everyone has decided to be as cautious as possible here."

Vague though she was, Sonic thought he understood. We arrived at the tail end of the Mobi-Babylonian War, then.

Steam frowned softly, tapping his foot on the ground. "I see. Though…" The idea of this bothered him greatly for some reason.

Analia took a breath and let it out slowly. "I will not burden you both with this issue. As of now… I imagine you have enough to contend with. Please, if there is anything I can do to aid you, I would like to be told so. I wish to help however I can."

"We need to find someone who might be capable of getting us back to our time," Steam answered softly. Kaden suddenly started biting his lower lip a bit in a way he sometimes subconsciously did when thinking hard about something that had captured his interest heavily.

Sonic noted that detail with a bit of a smile and decided to give him time to contemplate. "Is there anything you know of that can help?" he asked Analia specifically.

"I do not," she admitted. "I apologize for that. However…" She turned to Kaden and gently patted his cheek. "You are biting yourself again, Kaden," she gently pointed out. He initially frowned at the reminder not to do that, but nevertheless he stopped. Once he did, she asked him, "You have the beginnings of an idea… yes?"

Although he hesitated, he didn't make any effort to deny her words. "...Perhaps," he said instead. "But I need time to determine if it is even remotely feasible."

"What is it?" Steam questioned, frowning once more.

Kaden shook his head, refusing to say just now. "I will not offer false hopes. Let me deal with this on my own for a time." He met Steam's gaze for a half-second, then Sonic's. "...You have some other business here. State it."

"We need a map," Sonic volunteered. "The best that can be offered… if that's possible."

Analia's whole face brightened with a delighted smile. "It most certainly is," she was pleased to report. Turning to Kaden again, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be a dear and fetch Locke, won't you?" Appearing just the slightest bit flustered and embarrassed by the contact and the term 'dear', Kaden mumbled a response and hastily fled to do as he'd been asked.

Steam decided to ask a question in Kaden's absence, idly noting the embarrassment of Kaden. "There's someone that I want to know if you ever came across. Well, a few people."

"Yes?" Analia gently prodded.

"Did you ever meet two of the 'new people' by the names of Sein and Alana?"

This earned a small smile. "Please, you need not use some terms. We know they are Babylonians now, I can assure you. We are no longer as ignorant as we were. And as for your question…" Her head canted, a look of sadness crossing her face. "Yes. We do know them. Alana… lost her mother only very recently. She and her companion are both grief-stricken. I wish we could aid them more."

"Laralei…" Steam murmured softly. "The Queen of Babylon. That was her mother."

"Yes… we know this."

Steam coughed softly and closed his eyes, quelling the emotion this drug up within him. "Anyway… One more person. Have you ever come across someone by the name of Semari?"

That look of sadness was replaced with one of gentler confusion. "I have not," Analia answered with a shake of her head. "Is she someone of importance to you?"

Oddly, Steam seemed extremely relieved by that. "She's just my mother… and a complete nutcase."

This actually provoked a soft laugh from Analia. "Perhaps you should not say such things about your mother, dear."

Sonic tossed Steam a sort of look. "...Nut case?" he dared to ask.

"You're both better off never meeting her. Let's just say that to contain her inane tendencies and energy, there is something existential in my timeline meant to keep her held. That's the kind of crazy she is," Steam answered, glancing between them both with an entirely serious look.

Eyes widening, Sonic could only mutter, "The hell…?"

A small rush of wind was the only initial indication that Kaden had returned. That Locke was unceremoniously dumped at their feet was further proof. The echidna laid there for all of two seconds before scrambling to his feet and rounding on Kaden. "What the hell, you bastard?! I was asleep!"

Kaden tossed him a fanged grin. "And now you are not," he commented smoothly. "Fancy that."

Steam snickered faintly at this, shaking his head. "We don't need his temper sparked, Kaden, no matter how funny it is."

"I am reasonably sure you will survive it, if it happens," Kaden retorted easily. Only his speed allowed him to duck fast enough to avoid being smacked in the face with an angry fist. Locke, having missed, muttered crossly to himself and bent to retrieve his prized hat from the ground… the very same one Sonic had always seen him in as a child. The sight left him a little choked up, so he thought it best not to try talking just yet.

"I'd be more worried about Sonic surviving, since I've made it through far worse," Steam commented easily.

This snapped Sonic out of it and he glared. "Fuck off, alright? Honestly."

Locke interrupted, perhaps unintentionally, with a heavy sigh. "Alright, let's get this over with… why am I here, Kaden?"

Kaden nodded to Sonic and Steam. "They require a map." When Locke frowned, Kaden huffed and assured, "Not one of your treasure maps. A standard map, but one that takes into account all known portions of the world. I believe you keep all such documents safe now, yes?"

At this, Locke turned to face the pair. "...Yeah, I do. Mind tellin' me why you need to get your hands on something so rare and precious?"

Steam frowned. "We… we need to see the chameleons," he admitted. "A friend of ours is having issues that only they would know about, so we need to learn what we can do to actually help him."

When Kaden and Analia traded vaguely blank looks, Sonic honestly wasn't surprised. By their own telling, they'd never heard of the chameleons before their first deaths. Locke, however… he really knows our world's history. If any outsider would be aware of their existence, it would be someone like him. With that in mind, he allowed himself a measure of hope and asked, "Do you think you can help us find them?"

In a motion Sonic knew too well from his childhood, Locke out one hand on his hip and used the other to scratch at his head a little under his hat. "...Never thought I'd come across folks who actually know about those guys," he admitted. "Reclusive bunch of people, them. And very dangerous, I'll have you know. ...But I imagine you know that, or you wouldn't be asking." He sighed. "Getting to the point… I don't have a clue where they live. But if you have some idea, then yeah. I can get you a map. It stays with me, though. You're welcome to look as long as you want, but you can't take it with you anywhere. It's too fragile for that."

Steam nodded softly. "Understood."

Locke turned back to Kaden. "Do me a favor and teleport me back to Angel Island, you asshole. I am not flying all the way there today. Do you have any idea how long that takes?"

Kaden actually rolled his eyes. "Cease your whining already." He teleported Locke away before the echidna could retort.

"I… think he meant for us to go with him," Sonic said to Steam. "After that spiel about the map not going anywhere and all that."

Steam nodded softly, then turned to Analia and gave a gentle and thankful nod in her direction. "Thank you for being who you are, Analia. You helped myself and a lot of people in my timeline, and you're certainly on the way to doing the same here."

Though she tilted her head, a little puzzled, she nevertheless replied, "Thanks are not required, young one. But I appreciate it regardless." She offered her own smile to him and Sonic. "Get going, both of you. Locke will not like to be kept waiting. Whenever you are finished, return here. I will ensure safe passage into the city again, as I did for these two." She tossed Kaden a look and a smile that seemed to make him a little flustered all over again. His urge to flee once more showed itself in how antsy he got, clearly ready to just run.

Steam nodded and waved before turning and walking to Sonic. "Sorry about that. Let's go, then." Answering with only a nod and somewhat saddened look at his parents, Sonic teleported after Locke, heart heavy with the knowledge that seeing these two together and happy like this might never happen again once they truly left this place. Steam teleported after him hastily, not wanting to waste anyone's time further.

~保護者~

Cere descended the stairs ever so quietly, glancing to either side as she would usually simply out of caution. This all felt unfamiliar, and the area around her had just enough light to allow her to see. Her eyes examined the darkness around her and she felt her heart sink when she realized that this was distinctly fog-like.

Her descent quickened, bounding down the stairs to find the source. The walls around her fell apart, making way for a wide, open room that was already pitch black. Cere could sense the origins of this darkness and ventured further, only to be tackled to the floor by her pupil. The floor cracked and broke under her, and the two went into a free fall with Cere forced to wrestle against Armaris until she could throw the younger woman off. Cere slammed against the ground and held her hand out to summon her halberd in just enough time to clash with Armaris's sword.

This battle raged on before Cere fully realized that this was futile, and that she had no way to stop or save her student. Judgement flowed around her and she, with all of the reluctance of a caring mother, struck the one she dared call her daughter to the ground and drive the blade in to save the child from herself.

A few seconds later, a gentle but insistent nudge on Cere's shoulder interrupted the events at hand, seeming to put everything on pause. The Hexan woke with a start, breaking out in a cold sweat and throwing herself into a sitting position. The intense fear immediately shone within her eyes, and she looked around rapidly. Finis was seated on the edge of the bed she had (at his insistence) borrowed in Nier's home, watching her quietly as she gradually came to her senses. The woman flopped back on the bed, closing her eyes and placing her hands on her face. "What… was I doing?"

Finis seamlessly re-established their usual mental link and replied blandly, "Dreaming." After a small pause, he added, "Perhaps you should cease to do that, for your own sake, hm?"

"Shut up," she murmured, managing a small smile before it faded once more. "It was about Armaris… again."

"What did you see this time?" he asked her, frowning a little.

"She had lost control of herself. I couldn't tell if she was demonic or not… but, we fought. I ended up having to kill her, then you woke me up."

There was another moment of silence. "You let your fears take root far too deeply, Cere," he eventually told her, "in spite of all your preaching about handling emotions properly. You need to begin heeding your own words."

Cere was quiet before she rolled over enough to look at him, a sigh escaping her. "It happens with every child I care for, Finis…"

"No. It does not."

"How can I know that something will not happen to them, Finis? Nareish is still on the loose, and so is Kaden. Either of them could fall at any moment," she murmured.

"You cannot know for certain that they won't," he agreed, "but you also cannot be certain that they will. You cannot treat your fears as an inevitability."

Cere pushed herself back up into a sitting position and wrapped her arms around him softly. Given that he was semi-physical, this gentle contact worked well enough. "I cannot help but fear for them. We have seen so many fall…"

Shaking his head, Finis returned her hug with both arms and then rested his chin atop her head. "These two… they are not like the others. They have the means to survive, Cere. It is why you took to them so readily, is it not?"

She was quiet at this, glancing down before laying her head on his shoulder. "If they do not survive, I do not believe this war can be won," she admitted. "I suppose that is… part of the fear."

"They will survive," he assured her. "They will not die so easily. You must make an effort to remember this. Each of them has far too much to fight for… and far too much to lose should they fail. That is not an outcome either is willing to face."

As much as Cere wished she could tighten the hug, she knew that it would end up simply passing through him, so she refrained and slowly pulled back. "Therin and Kial did not notice… correct?"

Albeit with a touch of reluctance, Finis let her go. "Your nightmare? No. Therin is busy keeping watch over Analia, and Kial has seemingly wandered off. I believe your secret is safe for now."

"The last thing our allies need is a worry or lack of faith in their leadership," Cere murmured softly. "I cannot fail them."

"And you will not," Finis answered her simply. "You will be fine, and so will those who follow you."

"What do you think will come of Li? He has been scarred by this war, far worse than I could have ever imagined. He watched his whole world, his whole life fall apart around him."

"I do not know. It is likely he will recover, but it will take time. He is not as weak as his meek exterior would have many believe. He will make do."

Cere nodded slowly, and her mind began wandering over the rest of their remaining group. "Sona… she has spoken with me on the matter of finding someone to replace her. She believes herself incapable of fulfilling the role like she's supposed to… despite doing very well."

"If she wishes to find a successor, then let her do so," he answered her simply. "It is better for all if someone who wants the role fill it. Obligation alone cannot serve as proper motivation to do a God or Goddess's job."

That much was true, and Cere knew it. The rest of their kind were likely to stay in their positions, but varying other matters came to mind. "Finis, what do you think happened with the situation where Analia was saved? Those three could not have entered that trap, much less left alive."

Finis shook his head again, just as bewildered as she was. "Jet was far from forthcoming about what occurred, and Analia was not conscious for any of it. I cannot draw a conclusion from such a tiny fragment of information."

"It seems unreal," Cere murmured softly. "I feel like… Jet truly didn't know, either."

"Perhaps not, but it does not explain his refusal to speak of it," Finis answered, frowning a little.

Cere sighed, shaking her head. "I simply do not know what to make of much of this… So many unprecedented matters occurring, but I suppose that a war of this kind would warrant such."

"We have been through similar events before," Finis told her softly. "We knew this would be so."

"Hm…" Cere tapped her finger against the bed lightly, making a small face as she thought.

Finis tilted his head, watching her, then reached out and gently tapped her nose. "You are making faces again."

The Hexan broke from her thoughts with a start, blinking a few times before frowning. "You're a pain, Finis."

For once, he managed a fleeting smile - a truly rare thing coming from a neutral being of Darkness. "I try."

She snorted at him, shaking her head. "Armaris would've called you an asshole by now."

"And I would survive her wrath, as I always do," he retorted mildly.

"She's not the one you'd need to be scared of," Cere answered in kind, smiling faintly.

At that point, Finis gave her another slight nudge. "That child of yours has surprised me recently, Cere," he admitted. "Did you know that she has begun to open herself to romance somewhat?"

"I noticed, slightly. She's always been the romantic sort, though. Suppose it plays into how emotional she is," Cere answered softly. "Who are you referring to?"

There was a bit of silence before he answered. "That chameleon she somewhat knew as a child… it would seem she has taken to him quite a lot these days."

"Espio?" Cere asked, tilting her head. "Are you certain?"

"Yes," he nodded. "Very."

Cere frowned thoughtfully. "That's… interesting."

"Indeed." He tilted his head a little. "What are your thoughts?" While it was true they understood one another on a level no one else could ever grasp, he still felt the need to ask as opposed to simply use his own mind to find the answer himself. She usually appreciated such a courtesy, and he did as well.

"If that is who she chooses, then I cannot particularly speak otherwise," Cere answered softly. "Though, he is… dangerous, is he not?"

"More so than most anyone we have ever dared to call an 'ally'," Finis remarked carefully. "...More so than most enemies we have ever faced, as well. And he shows no sign of having reached the limits of his strength and ability yet."

"Armaris has not reached her full peak yet, either," Cere murmured. "She has many skills that she can advance or improve on, but likely would not measure up to Espio in the fields he has expertise in. Not to mention his Darkness is… immense."

Finis's earlier frown returned and grew deeper. "Cere… it is fueled by the endless reserves of the Realm of Darkness itself, as Kaden's is. Have you noticed?"

She nodded. "Yes, I have."

"Her being with him is vastly more dangerous than she may realize," he responded grimly.

"She will not back down," Cere explained softly. "She is not one to fully abandon feelings for someone, be they positive or negative."

"That is not the point, Cere," Finis returned with another frown. "He could kill her. In the wrong state of mind, he will have no qualms about doing so."

Cere nodded. "I understand this, but…" She leaned back once more, sighing. "The same goes for all around him. All of his allies are in danger as well."

He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. "Something must be done. His kind… we bore witness to their exploits in days of old. They were a scourge upon existence and everything in it. They upset the balance for too many times for my liking. We cannot allow those old evils to take hold in any member of that race again."

"Then what do you propose we do?"

"You are in charge. You tell me."

"Do you think we can trust his family and Armaris to keep him from succumbing fully to his Darkness?"

"I do not know. His family, for one thing, is where his Darkness came from."

"Yet, they do not use it."

"I am aware. But the same forces that are at work within their child could take hold in them, should someone choose to introduce any degree of corruption to the pair."

"The same goes for Armaris," Cere admitted slowly. "Though, I do not know what else we can do. Attempting to control any member of that family will be met with harsh retaliation, and from more than just the chameleons. Such a thing is out of the question."

Finis silently sighed. "Something must be done. If this situation spirals any further out of control, particularly considering the two distinct taints his Darkness now carries, we will have no choice but to intervene. It cannot be avoided forever."

"If it does, then we will step in. For now, any action will be met with hostility and cause tensions that we cannot risk."

"I do not like the idea of simply letting this be. Our enemies are far too interested in him and his potential."

"What is there for us to do in regards to this?"

"I do not know." The pair of them fell silent for a time before Finis decided to speak again. "You should attempt to rest more. You have not done that often enough since the start of this conflict."

Cere laid down, but beckoned to him with a quiet, "Lay with me."

He raised an eyebrow almost teasingly. "I was under the impression I was to keep watch."

"You can still keep watch from in here," she huffed.

Shrugging, he did as asked and laid down beside her. Once comfortable, he put his arm over her middle, the action equal parts protective, comforting, and possessive. "Sleep," he quietly commanded.

In spite of herself, she let out a yawn before closing her eyes. "Thank you, Finis."

Softly shushing her, he too closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim her once more.

~保護者~

6,743 words this time. So, uh, I was supposed to have posted this earlier but forgot... and I also managed to lose the entire ending of the bottom scene after the line, "[...]far too interested in him and his potential." I did my best to re-write it from memory, but... yeah. My apologies. Anyway, many thanks as always to Blazing Winds for all of his help and support, and I hope you enjoyed. Posted (at about 7:15 p.m.) 05-18-20.