Me: well here I am with Part 41!
April: Yes it looks that way! I'm glad that Presea and I were able to get out of that…place, though!
Me: Yeah, I was actually not planning on doing it like that, but yeah, you're out--and that's a good thing!
April: Yup it is!
To Understand: Part Forty-one
Battling the Knight of Darkness
By Harmony283
Reviews:
DraNKa-Eh-heh-heh I suppose if I write stuff like I did for the last chapter then yes, I guess you would say that. But yeah, school's still important (I've gotta bring up my biology grade to an 'A'--it's at a low B right now and my dad got mad at me about it so…). Now then, here's the next chapter--enjoy:D
LittleLinor-Hmm, now that you mention it, no I don't think I have put Genis or Mithos in the end credits (and I'm not about to go look through those 40 chapters to see if I put Raine in the end). And yes, Mithos is going a bit far--but let's just pass it off as Genis is mature and can handle that sort of thing (I seriously want to know where my mind was the night I wrote this). Also, yes Mithos did confess his love to Genis while he was staying at Altessas, but the catch is that Genis stayed behind w/Mithos when everyone went to make a pact with Luna (like I said, it was a flashback meaning yes it happened). I have some of it written out--and I'm planning on it being the prequel to this, but I'm not sure when it'll get finished. And you can always e-mail me on who/what you think Feral is! I've wanted people to guess about/ask about her for a long time…and no one has so…yeah (though it'd be easier if you PM me, you can't unless you're logged in)! I don't mind any guesses. After all no one knows who she is so it's cool. And you don't have to be impatient any longer--here's the next chapter! Enjoy:D
Takokinoko-Yup, a super fast update with lots of fluff it was! And yes, Mithos got hurt--he had to fight off a bunch of monsters (the monsters in that weird room with the floating rocks), and no, no one stole the pendant (Zelos has the pendant that I think you're talking about), or anything for that matter. I think you might've gotten confused on that. And as for the whole Presea April scene, no Yuan doesn't find them—they find him (you'll hear an explanation after they're done fighting Mitosu—maybe in the next chapter). And I don't think anyone noticed, but the building that they come out in is actually that building that has that devils arm chest thingy in it (and nothing else in any of the other rooms). So yeah, they'll be fine for the most part. Now then, here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Liebenchen-chan-Eh-heh-heh I'm glad you liked the beginning scene! And yes, sometimes a little fluffy scene here and there is just what us fangirls need! Also, yes, April and Presea are going to be okay. And muffins? What kind of muffins? Eh, it don't matter, they're still good either way! Now then, here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Viaroura Fox-Ah yeah, poor Mithos. He'll be fine though (and you'll figure out how he got hurt in this chapter). Now for where April and Presea end up--remember that place in Welgaia that had the devils arm chest and then every other floor had nothing on it? Well that's where they ended up! Now here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Hiranieas-Eh-heh-heh, don't worry about if you missed the last chapter, I did update a bit fast for these past few chapters. But I'm glad you like the fluffy scene—it was well deserved after all—and here's the next chapter—enjoy!
Alaia Skyhawk-Well you don't need to wait any longer to find out what happens to Lloyd because you'll find out by the end of this chapter! Now then, enjoy this new chapter of TU!
April: Hmm, so everyone's going to go up against Mitosu now?
Me: Yup! Or at least it looks that way.
April: …I hope they'll be okay. I mean, yes Raine, Kratos, and Zelos can heal but…but they aren't as good as I am.
Me: That's true, but Yuan's coming along--and he's been around for four thousand years--and he's a pretty good healer to boot.
April: Ah, okay…I guess. Um, Harmony283 doesn't own ToS or any of it's characters--Namco does.
Authors Note: That was good. Okay then, in the last chapter, as you all know, there was a cute lil' fluffy scene in the beginning--that I'm sure most of you want to see more of--and April and Presea made their way out of that weird cave place they were in. But what happened to Lloyd and the others? Are they really okay? And will Yuan arrive in time to help out?
April: …No really, I hope Raine and the others are okay...
Me: Don't worry, remember I said that the only one who would die would be Pronyma, so they won't die.
April: That's good an' all, but that means Mitosu won't die either.
Me: ...Well that's true...he won't die then but he will eventually die.
April: Yes, but they'll have to wait until the sequel to see/read about that...
Me: ...And yet again, that's true. Now then, let's get on with the chapter!
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Mithos' POV
I felt Genis tremble lightly as I placed yet another kiss on the side of his neck, shifting a little more, eyes closed, facial expression content.
Well he certainly was enjoying this. Though I did feel a pang of, well, guilt. Like I had done something wrong. Yes he was enjoying this--so that meant I wasn't forcing him to do anything, but…he's only twelve years old.
He's not even a teenager yet and I--
No…I can't think about that right now--But I couldn't just force these feelings of guilt to go away.
But there was nothing to be guilty of. Sure if Raine found out she'd be mad, but she'd have to learn to accept it. Genis was, after all, her only family.
I moved so that I could nibble gently at his ears--wondering if I could find yet another sensitive area on the young boy.
And I did. As my tongue trailed an outline along the rim of his ear, he let out a soft moan.
Shortly after, though, he shifted his weight, now leaning fully back on the rock I had leaned him up against.
Cloudy indigo eyes met mine, confusion and happiness displayed clearly in them and I knew then that he wanted answers…
"Mithos…?"
"Yes?"
"How did you get hurt?"
I shook my head; "Does it really matter?"
He looked sad, his eyes looking down towards the ground.
"I guess…to you it…probably doesn't but," he looked back up at me, "It matters to me. Because…because…" He reached out shyly with one of his hands, touching my face with his fingertips.
"Because? I told you that you didn't need to worry. And I don't want you to worry."
He smiled at me, "But it's like you said 'I don't mind caring about someone I love'."
I blinked…that's right I did say that. It seemed like so long ago when, in reality, it was only about a week ago.
"Genis…"
"And I want to worry, because I-I love you Mithos." Tears welled up in his eyes, making me suddenly feel bad.
This was all so new to me--this sensation that another could control the way I felt just by…just by the way they acted, felt, or by sheer will.
It was a scary feeling, one I wasn't used to. But then again, pain was something I had lost a feeling--and knowledge--of long ago.
"I…Genis…I love you too." The boy wiped at his tears, looking up at me while doing so.
"You…I know that so please…did a monster do that? Did you fight all by yourself?"
"Well naturally yes, I fought by myself. You could say that I was being careless in a retreat from battle and a monster attacked me from behind." I paused; looking down at one of the purple bracelets I wore, it was slightly cracked.
"You…it jumped at you…?"
"Yes, it tried to get at you, since you weren't awake and looked like easier prey and I…"
"You?"
"Well I couldn't let it get to you so I jumped…in the…way." Now that I was saying it outloud, it sounded so, well, not thought out. I mean, I was Mithos Yggdrasill, one of the most powerful beings alive and there I was, flinging myself in front of a monster when I could have just as easily disintegrated it with one of my many spells.
But Genis didn't seem to think that. In fact, he just stared at me, eyes widening and filling with tears once more.
"M-Mithos…"
"Ah--Genis don't cry! It's not that bad…please…I don't like it when you cry."
But that didn't stop him.
Though the fact that he was crying now suddenly seemed endearing--something I wanted to keep close whereas moments before I had thought your reasons behind it were, well, embarrassing.
"Genis…"
He hiccuped but continued to sob.
I then pressed my lips against his, pushing him even closer to the rocks hard, slightly rough, surface.
This action made him tense--and I couldn't blame him. With all that's happening now…anyone'd want to be treated gently, wouldn't they?
I loosened my grip on him and he relaxed, slumping down a bit--trying to kiss back all the same though.
I broke the kiss shortly after, pulling away to look at him. His crying had ceased, but his eyes were still slightly puffy.
"Are you…okay now?" I whispered, pulling him into a hug, which he quickly complied with, falling limp, nuzzling his face into my chest.
He barely nodded his head but it was enough.
"That's good."
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Genis POV
I don't know what came over me earlier, but, but being in Mithos' arms like this…it just felt right like this was how it was supposed to be. He always made me feel so safe, and, well, happy.
Then again, I'm sure that's how a person who you love is supposed to make you feel. Or at least that's how they described the one they loved in all the romance novels I had read.
But they had gone much deeper than just the kissing that we did.
I felt my face flush as I thought of those things that no one my age should be thinking of.
Also if Raine ever found out I had read those books then…then…she'd be so mad.
Though I really don't think now's the time to think about that.
I snuggled even closer to Mithos, who in turn pulled me up so that I was sitting on his lap.
"Genis…"
I looked up at him, "Y-yes?"
He cupped the side of my face once more, using his free hand to pull me closer, fingering the back of my torn shirt.
He placed a soft kiss on my forehead, murmuring something between 'I'm so glad' and 'I love you'.
Though how that was possible, I didn't know.
He then pulled away, smiling at me, "You know, we should…be going now."
I blinked, confused, "Where are we going…?"
"Exire."
"…Exire? Why? Aren't we going to wait for the others?"
He glanced back at the ruined Tower of Salvation, and shook his head, "No. I…ran into Yuan while you were sleeping, and he agreed to tell them where we were going. It's…very important that we get you somewhere safe. Somewhere were no one knows what's going on."
I nod my head, "Well…that makes sense. Exire is, after all, the floating haven for Half-elves right?"
"Yes that's right."
"That's good."
"Yes, it is. And the other reason we're there is because of Maxwell."
Now that name sounded familiar, "Max…well? You mean the, um--what was it…the Summon Spirit of…Life?"
"Birth"
"Ah--yeah, Birth." I laughed nervously, feeling my face heat up with embarrassment.
Then I remembered, if Maxwell's the Summon Spirit of Birth--then don't we need Sheena?
"Don't we need Sheena though? I mean, if we wanna make a pact with it--unless he, um, doesn't…hate you?"
Mithos laughed, running his fingers through my hair, "I suppose you could say he hates me. Yuan even suggested against me going there until Sheena's made the pact."
"So what will we do…once we're there?"
He leaned in close, touching his nose to mine, "What do you think? We need some time alone now don't we?"
I flushed crimson, "Um…uh…"
"Unless you really want to wait then we--"
I shook my head, "N-no…no. It's fine, we can go. I mean, you said Yuan's going to tell them where we're going/are so it's not like they won't know."
Mithos smiled once again, then he shifted, moving his hand to where his pocket was--which was dangerously close to my thigh.
I flushed as he reached into his pocket--rubbing the fabric against my leg as he did so--pulling out something round and smooth.
It was his Cruxis Crystal.
So he did have it!
He then tried to…undo…the front of his shirt, which seemed to be hard with me sitting on his lap.
"Here, let me." I quickly undid the small clasp in the front, then undoing the smaller buttons so that his chest was bare.
That's when I noticed the Key Crest placed in the center of his chest.
"That's…"
"Where my Cruxis Crystal goes, yes. Can you put it on for me?"
I nodded my head, carefully taking the red jewel and placing it in the center, where the Key Crest had been grooved out for it to fit.
"There. Okay, it's--"
I gasped as he pulled me close to him, I could feel the Cruxis Crystals pulse--which was odd but not entirely unexpected. It was, afterall, a human soul.
"M-Mithos…?"
"Shh…I just want to hold you. I…remember that my Cruxis Crystal disallows me to feel. And I won't be able to feel the warmth I do when you…when I hold you."
That's right. He wouldn't be able to feel.
That was…really painful to hear.
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Lloyds POV
I watched helplessly as Mitosu walked forward, flame sword in hand. Zelos moved in front of me, and Kratos did as well.
"What did you do to Lloyd?" he demanded glaring at him with, what I assumed, was a hateful glare.
"I just paralyzed him." His tone was cocky and very much like the tone Mithos used when we had first found out his real identity.
And yet he seemed more…more evil than Mithos.
Dammit! I wish I could move but--
"You…paralyzed him?" Raine asked, seeming a bit taken back by this. Mitosu immediately turned his attention to her, scowling.
"Yes I did. And no there isn't any technique that can cancel it. Unless you can destroy--" he shook his head, "Nevermind."
Raine's eyes narrowed. Out of everyone here, I'm sure she was the one who held the most hate for this…boy-man person.
Strange, he looked about the same age as Mithos--though he was a bit taller--but then again he seemed older--more around my age.
Creepy.
"Now then," he turned back to face me, "Since you can't move…I guess you make the easiest target."
"Oh hell no!" Zelos growled, drawing his sword from its hilt and using it, along with Kratos' sword, to block me.
Mitosu only smirked, "Do you really think those flimsy things you call swords will actually hurt me?"
"Who knows? But it's worth a shot!"
And that's when Zelos lunged at him.
And Mitosu just side stepped him.
"Wha--hey!"
"Your moves are so predictable that a child could dodge them."
Ouch.
"I have to say that your sword skills still need practicing,"
"Kratos! I thought you were on our side!"
"But I have never seen a child dodge such an attack--disregarding Mithos of course."
Mitosu smirked, "Well, you certainly do take these things seriously," he raised the hand that wasn't holding his sword, and formed a black magic sphere, "Not that it'll help you in the long run." His face soured considerably as he finished his sentence, as if he was remembering something less-than perfect that happened to him for being overly serious about something or another.
It then made me wonder who this guy was, or rather where he came from.
Mithos already said he didn't come from Tethe'alla or Sylvarant.
So was there another world we never heard of out there?
And why didn't we wind up there instead of--
"Now then, let's get started shall we--" he was about to run forward, but a ball of electrical energy hit him right in the chest, causing him to stagger back.
"Who--?" everyone turned to face the direction of the said attack--excluding me since I couldn't move--wondering who it was.
And, standing there in front of the portal that led to Derris Kharlan, was Yuan, and behind him was April and Presea.
"Hmm, it looks like things were much worse than I originally thought." Yuan replied coolly, walking forward, left hand extended for only a short time before that…massive sword thing…appeared--his cape disappearing as he did so.
Wait, did that mean that his sword was actually his cape?
Or was it somehow hidden in his cape?
Either way, it was still weird.
Now he too was standing in front of me.
Though he seemed more confident about his abilities, and--I don't know if it was just me being overly observant or what, but--Kratos seemed more relaxed.
But that was good. I guess they've been through many a battle together.
No, of course they have--they've known each other for over four thousand years! Yeah, sure they probably didn't get a long the entire time--Yuan did try to kill him back in Hima after all--but four thousand years was a crazy long time to be friends with someone.
Heck, Kratos probably trusts Yuan more than he trusted my mom back when she was alive.
Then again, I'm not sure my mom even knew he was in Cruxis. And if she did, then she probably didn't know how important he was.
That'd make sense…
The clang of metal against metal snapped me back into reality, and I turned my gaze back to the fighting.
It was so weird; I was used to being in the battle. Not watching it like a hopeless bystander.
I noticed that both Raine and Presea were also sitting out, and that April was keeping her distance from the dark Mithos as she cast her healing spells.
I guess now that was all we could do.
My eyes widened when I saw Mitosu draw his sword and try to stab Yuan—obviously still angry for the earlier interruption—only to have one of the beams from Kratos' Judgment attack separate the two.
And then, shortly after that, Mitosu jumped back so that he was now on the railing on the walkway overhead.
He then smirked down at us, seeming almost like a vulture would gaze down at his prey.
"You know, I hate to say this—but you're wasting my time." He then lifted one hand, palm facing up, creating yet another mass of dark magic.
"Consider this my goodbye present to you."
And then he threw it towards us.
Or rather…towards me.
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Me: And there ya go! The end of Chapter/Part 41!
April: Yes…that seems to be the case, but…how did we meet up with Yuan?
Me: Oh you basically just hurried through Welgaia (I seriously don't remember the name, but I think that this is right...), saw him before he got to the teleport pad that led to Venheim, and yelled at him to stop.
April: …Oh…
Me: Eh-heh-heh not too much of a creative way, but it works. Now then, R&R please! I love reviews and they, as you must know by now, make me happy/want to review faster!