Me: And here's Chapter/Part Twenty Six!
April: Yup! Though I'm still worried about Genis and Mithos with my sister lurking around an' all…
Me: Don't worry…no one except Pronyma's going to die. Remember that.
April: I know but…they still might get hurt.
Me: Well…that's true.
April: -sigh- it doesn't help that you're agreeing with me.
To Understand: Part Twenty-six
Past Relations
By Harmony283
Reviews: 6 (92 reviews and over 2700 hits! Yay!)
Hiranieas-Ah, don't worry the evil Pronyma will die soon. And, quite honestly I'm not that surprised that people don't like OC's. Especially since some OC's are just…poorly written/described. I don't think I'll ever do an OC as a main character—ever. But yeah, I think that if a person goes into depth about their character (which I think I did if trying for three hours to decide how both Feral and April would look like means anything) and stuff then you at least have to give it a go and read it (but then again don't you have to read it to meet the OC? Uhh…) Now then, putting all that stuff aside here's the next Chapter--enjoy!
Liu Barrowin-Yes Feral has been 'kidnapped' or other was MIA. Will she show up again? Yes, but as for when and as for who kidnapped her/where she is I can't say (though if you go back and read some you can probably figure it out). And yes, Mithos/Yggdrasill X Genis fluff is always good! There should be more in this Chapter! And face your wrath…-gulp- um…I won't have to since I updated right?
Mizuki hikari-Yeah I wish other people'd make fanfics of Genis X Mithos cuz it is popular amongst some people. I mean it has a fan club on dA and the people who reviewed for this story are only some of the fans (though some of 'em like another pairing more than this they still count cuz they like this one, right?) and I mean, 2700 hits? I guess people just don't think they have good writing skills…maybe…or they're embarrassed to put up their work…-cough- uh, anyways…here's the next chapter in all its' glory--enjoy!
DraNKa-Glad you liked the fast update! And yeah…for some really odd reason I'm extremely good at writing scenes like that (my sister read the 1st chapter of TU and this chapter cuz it was on the computer when she was on and said I was…). Basically the part at the end, with Mithos all calm and caring and stuff, is supposed to show the readers that he cares more about Genis' safety than revenge—but of course, he will get his revenge.
Takokinoko-And yet another new reviewer! Yay! Eh-heh-heh thanks for the compliment! Yes I can say that Mithos will see Genis in a Katz suit. Though not until they get some serious time alone (I highly doubt when Raine finds out that she'll let them have some time alone together) And I'm glad you think that my fanfic—as well as my views on the GenisxMithos pairing—are good enough to fav it! That makes me so happy! And here's the next Chapter—enjoy!
Nady-Kun-Eh, yeah, you're right it's the damsel thing all over again—and yeah I made a LOT of people hate Pronyma…but yeah, I'm not killing her off right away and there's a reason for that too. She has one more trick up her sleeve that could-gasp-actually put up some sort of fight against Mithos (now as for what it is…)! And you think you know what the whole thing with the mirror is? Hmm, why don't you tell me about it! You might get half of it right (there's no way you can get all of it right unless you're a psychic…which you aren't…right?). And here's the next Chapter—with its cute an' slightly…suggestive ending! Enjoy!
Alaia Skyhawk-Ah yes, detail oriented readers (that's a complement). You figured out that the swirly lights in Genis' Exsphere does have something to do with Feral (or at least, you're the first one to mention it)! Yes Feral is close by (or else the little swirling lights wouldn't be there) but she's not 'inside' of him as she usually is! (So where is she?) Still…I didn't expect someone to notice that but—someone did! Yay! –cough- anyway, here's the next chapter—enjoy!
Me: I wasn't expecting to get reviews so soon…(I updated the last chapter when it was close to twelve o'clock at night here)
April: Well, you did…and does it really matter?
Me: Well no, I suppose it doesn't…but it still makes me happy!
April: Harmony283 doesn't own Tales of Symphonia or any of its characters. She does, however, own, Feral, the plot and me --so no stealing!
Authors Note: Okay then, now that that's all said and done…in this chapter/part Lloyd and Co. talk over what they're going to do once they reach the Tower of Salvation and April finally answers some questions and tells everyone about her past and all that good stuff. And then we go to Genis and Mithos back in Venheim. Genis finally wakes up and they have a little cute moment (implied lime just to let you know) together before they decide that Genis needs to, somehow, get back to Tethe'alla/Sylvarant so that he can be with his friends. But of course, that won't go as planned now will it?
April: Well you seem, um, more serious about this…?
Me: Eh, that's how I get after doing something torture-ish like I did in the last chapter. But gods, Genis is so going to be scarred when he's older.
April: Err…well…but what's he going to tell Raine?
Me: Not what he's going to tell Raine. What Mithos is going to tell Raine.
April: And you scold us for giving away too much information…
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Aprils' POV
The wind rustled through the surrounding trees as an eerie sort of night fell across the small town we were staying in.
Colette, Sheena, Presea and I were staying at Colettes house while Lloyd and the others stayed at his home. I have to say that this town has a sort of…peaceful feeling to it.
Even with the two worlds hanging in the balance it seems that, here, everything moves…slowly and that there aren't many worries.
But of course, I knew there had to be. I mean, when we first entered the village I had seen the burnt buildings and the people bustling around town trying to get supplies to fix these houses.
I knew that people must've died as well.
I shuddered at the thought.
Now I was glad that the people of Heimdall had all been saved.
Though the damage was…a great deal worse, at least no one had to go through the pain of loosing a loved one, or a cherished friend.
But the people in this village had.
Colette had told me some of what happened, at least, some of what she had heard from Lloyd and Genis when they had joined up with them in the beginning.
Apparently it had been Lloyds fault that the Desians from the nearby Ranch had come to the village. They had had a non-aggression treaty to protect Colette—the Chosen. And Lloyd had broken that treaty by going to the Ranch with Genis.
It made me wonder how come Genis hadn't had the blame placed on him. After all Lloyd had followed him into the Ranch, right?
Maybe it was because the only ones the Desians actually saw was Lloyd?
Well Colette did say that he had fought against some of them.
But because of this, and because the Ranch Leader—Forcystus—had seen Lloyds' Exsphere he officially made him wanted.
And that was how they had been exiled from the village.
I sighed, leaning up against a nearby tree, my eyes drifting shut. This place faintly reminded me of my home. Most villagers were not allowed to go into Torent Forest due to the monsters but…sitting here, like this, with my eyes closed, it felt like I was there.
I wonder, did Pronyma like to sit under the trees in the forest as well?
Was she ever frightened of the monsters?
And…how long had she been with Cruxis? The Cruxis Experiments on Elves had happened close to four hundred years ago—when my parents weren't even over 100 years old yet.
"Um, April…?"
I blinked and opened my eyes to see Colette kneeling beside me, "Hmm? What is it Colette?"
"Well, um, dinner's ready…and you looked like you were about to fall asleep…"
"Ah—it is? And yes, I was about to fall asleep…so thank you for waking me up." I smiled at her. She seemed to be doing better, or at least she was trying to do better, than she was back in Heimdall.
But maybe that was because she was here—in her hometown—where people looked up to her.
And I'm sure they did. Who wouldn't? She's the Chosen! Everyone was watching her, at least here they were.
In Tethe'alla they had been trying to kill her.
I got up and dusted myself off, following Colette inside.
About an hour later, we were sitting around the table, talking about idle things.
Presea had told of some things that she used to do when she was younger.
Colette had talked about her childhood in this village and how she met Lloyd and Genis.
And Sheena explained how, ever since her grandfather had found her in the Garoccia Forest when she was younger, she had been trained in the harshest of ways.
"Hey April, why don't you tell us what growing up in Heimdall is like?" Sheena suddenly asked, leaning on the table with a content smile on her face.
"Yeah you're right! The Professor said that she had grown up there, but that she didn't really remember much of it since she only lived there for a short while."
I smiled, "Okay then…besides, I think I do need to explain some things…about me, and my relation to Pronyma."
The girls nodded their heads and leaned in, obviously ready to listen.
"Well, you see, my mother and father were both elves, of course, and they had lived in the village of the elves all their lives, and yet they had only stayed good friends until, well, they met."
"Um, since Pronyma's a half-elf does that mean her father was a human? How does that work? I mean, humans aren't allowed to live in Heimdall, right?"
"that's right. And apparently, from what my mother told me, he didn't. He lived and worked in Ozette as a wood craftsman, much like you were doing, Presea."
"Really…? What was his name?"
"I think it was Raymond, though I'm not sure…"
Presea nodded her head, "I see. There is a…monument—though it's probably gone now because of the fire—for him. It was carved out of Sacred Wood and…placed near the base of one of the biggest trees near the village."
"So he must've been important."
"Yes. They said that he had developed a new way to plant trees and help them grow so that they were stronger. I had…no idea that…he had a half-elven daughter."
"I don't think anyone did. She would've been persecuted if they had." Sheena said, shaking her head sympathetically.
"Yes. And he loved her, as well as any other race of human beings. He, apparently, was a kind man and the elves allowed him entrance to the village in exchange for his woodworking skills. That is, of course, how he met my mother. Though they were both extremely young at the time."
"How young?"
"My mother was barely over twenty and Pronymas father was in his mid twenties. Though, since marrying humans was somewhat forbidden even then, they married outside of the village once my mother had become pregnant."
"How long ago was that anyway?"
"I'm not sure. Though I do know that Pronymas father died in an accident, and that, about forty years later—when my mother was around sixty years old—my mother found another man, an elf this time."
"That's good that she was able to move on."
"Yes but…"
"But?"
"Remember how I said that Pronyma was the indirect cause of my parents death—of our mothers death?"
"Y-yes…you did mention something like that…" Colette murmured, clutching her hands in front of her chest, a look of sadness in her eyes.
"Well…there was an experiment that the members of Cruxis, and the research teams of Tethe'alla wanted to test. Though no one knew much about Cruxis Crystals, they needed to make some and they wanted to test their effects on Elven blood."
"So they stuck Cruxis Crystals on some of the Elves?"
"Yes."
"What…happened to them…?"
"Presea…you were under the powers of a Cruxis Crystal…and that is what happened to some, though others were fine. Apparently it doesn't affect Half-elven blood as much as it does for humans." "I see…so they…tested it out and…?"
"Pronyma, as well as a man by the name of Forcystus headed off the research. Because of my half-sisters participation in this, my mother immediately agreed to help out with the research. My father, who wanted to have some relationship with his step daughter, agreed as well."
"Did they…die…?"
I smiled and shook my head, "No. And they didn't really have any side effects either. They were able to live another 300 years, or at least they were able to live until I was born. Then my father died. My mother…died when I was eight."
"Then who took care of you?"
"My auntie, the inn keeper."
Colettes eyes widened, "Is that why she let us keep Genis and Raine there? Because they're your friends?"
"Well, yeas, that's part of the reason. The other is that the Village Elder asked her to. Which makes me wonder how she's doing."
"Yeah…it's Pronyma's fault that she got hurt and…when she wakes up and finds out that we didn't save Genis…"
"She'll be really upset."
I sighed, "Well we couldn't really do anything about it. Genis made the decision himself to go with Pronyma…because of the fact that Raine got hurt. I won't lie and say that Pronyma is weak. She's definitely gotten stronger since…the last time I saw her."
"The last time you saw her?" all three girls asked in unison, turning their gazes to me.
"ah…yes. I met her once before, when I was seven. She came back saying that she wanted to see our mother—that she heard that she had fallen ill…but…"
"She was there on Cruxis' orders…right?" Sheena asked, balling her hands into fists.
"Y-Yes."
"That's…she was there to see if the Cruxis Crystal had taken affect yet?" Colette asked.
I merely nodded my head.
"That's so…cruel…"
"I know. But…well…she spoke with our mother, and while she did I was out in the forest playing. And then a monster…attacked."
I took a deep breath before continuing, "and Pronyma saved me. She killed the monster."
"I…then how…? She tried to kill you earlier today! But how could she do that when she cared so much about you back then to save you!"
"I don't know…but she did." I sighed, "The majority of her power comes from jealousy. She can do anything—hurt anyone—when she's jealous."
"But…how can we beat that? I mean, we can't exactly stop someone from being jealous can we?" Sheena asked, leaning back in her chair with a confused look on her face.
"That's true and…that's why…I'm worried about Genis."
"Why would Pronyma be jealous at Genis? They're the same race an' all so…"
I shook my head, "It's not about race or magical ability—though Genis is probably stronger than her by now—it's about—ah…no…I can't really say…"
"And why not?"
"I promised."
"But if it helps us get Genis back—and if it helps us beat the crap out of Pronyma—then let's hear it!" Sheena said, slamming her hands on the table top, causing me, as well as Colette, to jump in surprise.
"Ah…well…how should I put it…um…I guess, back when she saved me she said she was taking lessons under Lord Yggdrasill—she said her leader—and she acted really happy and basically like she had a crush on him."
"So she has a crush on Mithos? What does that have to do with—"
"And if I told you that Mithos didn't have feelings for her but for someone else, don't you think she'd be jealous of that 'someone else'?"
Sheena's eyes widened, "N-no way…you mean he has a crush on—"
"Who? Who does he have a crush on?" Colette asked, obviously not getting it.
"Don't worry Colette, you will…find out soon enough." Presea said quickly, shaking her head from side to side in disbelief.
"And now I'm wondering if I needed to hear that…"
"Yes. It…creates other reasons for why Mithos was with Genis all those times. And Raine…is not going to be happy."
"Pfft that's for sure. Though now that I think about it—it makes sense."
"What does? What makes sense?"
"You know, you're really starting act like Lloyd now." Sheena said, shaking her head from side to side, "Besides, at least now we know part of the reason why Pronyma hates Genis. But the other part…about the key…what was that all about?"
I shook my head, knowing full well that, if I said anything more, I would probably pay for it later. Besides, I didn't want to worry them anymore than they already were.
"Don't…worry so much about it, okay? It's getting late and don't you have to send a letter to Heimdall…to Raine…?"
"Ah! You're right! We have to tell her to meet us at the Tower of Salvation! Though, if she doesn't show up we're gonna have to leave her…"
I smiled, "Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be at least capable to come with us. She might not be able to fight but..."
"Like you said, she'll be there. She'll probably be able to comfort Genis more than any of us could."
"I agree."
"Uh-huh. Now why don't we get some sleep? Like you said, it's getting late out."
"Yes…"
I got up from the table, following Colette and Presea up the stairs as Sheena summoned Sylph…but for some reason I knew that I wasn't going to be able to sleep well tonight.
After all, I had told them that Pronyma's jealousy makes her stronger than normal.
But…as for how strong…I didn't know.
And honestly, I hoped Mithos would kill her before we got there.
Because I too, don't want any of my friends to get hurt.
But somehow I knew that wasn't going to happen.
And it unnerved me.
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Genis' POV
The first thing I felt when I regained consciousness was a sense of…relief. I didn't feel the tight bind of chains around my neck and I didn't feel that horrible sensation of fear. I, in fact, felt strangely calm.
The reasons behind my calmness were revealed when my sense of feeling came back.
Very familiar fingers were running through my hair.
Mithos.
It was Mithos.
I remembered faintly that I had seen him burst in through…wait…there wasn't a door to the room so I guess she must've put up a barrier…but regardless he had come and he had protected me.
That made me really happy.
I shifted around a little, nuzzling closer to him, burying my face into his chest.
I felt his chest tighten as he breathed in sharply.
"So you're awake?" he asked, his voice holding surprise--most likely at my sudden awakening--and yet gentleness in it. It was no louder than a soft whisper.
"Yeah…I am…"
"Good."
I looked up at him, he was smiling at me. He slipped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him.
He then leaned down and pressed his lips against my forehead.
I smiled, "Thank you…for saving me…"
He chuckled softly, "It's not like I can say 'You're Welcome' for something as big as that but…of course I would protect you. You should know that by now." He nuzzled his face in my hair and, even though I couldn't see his face I knew he was smiling.
He then moved on hand, cupping the side of my face in it. The look in his eye was the same that he had that night when he had saved me from those monsters.
That night when Pronyma kidnapped me for the first time.
Soon after I felt his lips on mine. This time it seemed to be…special…and different than all those other times.
Maybe it was because of the circumstances?
But then again if it had then…it would have felt special when he saved me the first time.
But I hadn't been exactly conscious then…
So maybe this time was special because it was like those two times combined.
And that, logically, made it twice as special right?
Ugh, who was I kidding? You can't tack logic onto love.
Because love isn't logical.
I mean, I love the enemy for gods' sake! That's not logical!
So it was baseless logic?
Man…love really was confusing.
Not that thinking about that right now was doing me any good.
Especially since Mithos had just deepened the kiss we were sharing. That and he had moved into a different position.
Now, if I just so happened to fall backwards I would land on the rest of the couch.
Not the floor.
Woah…wait…that…came out wrong.
I tensed up, the logical/responsible part of my brain took over.
Mithos seemed to notice because he pulled away, "Genis…?"
"Ah…um…uh…" I felt my face heat up as he stared at me, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Genis, what's wro--oh…" He flushed, "I'm sorry you're still…I'm sorry…I--"
"You…?"
"I came on to you didn't I?" His face was scarlet and his words were barley even whispered out.
I flushed.
Well, yeah, that was one way you could put it.
"I-I'm sorry…you just woke up and…Pronyma just…"
Wow, I didn't know Mithos could be this…shy…
I smiled, "It's okay you just, kinda, startled me…that's all. I mean, I'm only twelve years old so of course I've never really had someone do that…to me…" Gods this was so embarrassing to even talk about!
"Yes you are…so young…" he seemed to come to a startling revelation, either that or he remembered something he was supposed to tell me that had to deal with our relationship.
"I…I'm so much older than you. It's hard to believe that you--that someone as young as you--could…well…make me fall in love."
"Well yeah it's true that our ages are far apart in comparison but…" the words just tumbled from my mouth and then…I realized it.
The one crucial part of our relationship--the one thing that could possibly tear us apart.
Raine.
My sister.
If she found out she'd…freak.
Why didn't I come to this conclusion before?
Mithos just sat there, waiting for me to finish, "Genis? What's wrong?"
"What if Raine finds out?"
Mithos smirked, "What if she finds out? I don't care."
"B-but I might not be to see—"
I was cut off.
Not by any actions.
But by Mithos' cold stare.
"And you honestly think that'll keep me away from you?"
Well, from the seriousness in his voice and the way he was looking at me I'd say no.
"N-no…?"
Mithos smiled, running his fingers through my hair once more, murmuring; "That's right" before his lips found mine again.
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Me: I know, I know. Ubber fluffiness in the end right? You liked it right?
April: -giggle- aww…they're so cute! It's nice that they have a moment of peace to themselves before stuff goes out of whack.
Me: Yeah, that's true. Though this chapter didn't really go like I thought it would. Man, your past really does take up a lot of space. - -;
April: Hey!
Me: -shrug- but it's the truth! Now then, R&R please! I love reviews—they make me happy and they make me want to update faster!