Me: And here's yet another Chapter of TU!
Feral: …It seems that way…
Me: …You seem Gloomy today.
Feral: -shrugs- I just am.
To Understand: Part Forty-two
Awakening of Another Darkness
By Harmony283
Reviews:
LittleLinor--Yup you're the first reviewer for TU 41! Eh-heh-heh I'm glad you liked the fluff scene and I agree Genis can be very mature and then very childish at the same time. And yes Mithos does enjoy each side of Genis (the smart because it makes him feel better about the age difference, and the childish because it's too darn cute! XD). And yes, you will see Yuan fighting. Though from the looks of things, that'll start at the end of this chapter. Now then, here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Takokinoko--Yup, fluff and fast updates are always good! And yes, they both feel guilty in their own respects…or views over what's happening (I noticed it when I went back and re-read the chapter…funny how I didn't notice when I was writing it - -; ). And yes, Presea and April ran into Yuan, and yes Yuan will fight against Mitosu. As for Lloyd…you'll just have to wait and see…Now here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Alaia Skyhawk-Yes…how is Lloyd going to get out of his predicament? Well you'll just have to read and find out--here's the next chapter and as always enjoy:D
Hiranieas-Yup I updated. And no Lloyd won't die--always remember--Pronyma is the only one who will die--and yes Genis and Mithos'll have some time to themselves--which of course equals more fluff! Now here's the next chapter--enjoy:D
DraNKa-Eh-heh-heh I'm glad you liked the fluff scene, I'm getting better at writing fluff now (mostly because I just finished watching the shonen-ai anime called 'Loveless' which is awesome and makes me look at ear piercing in a totally different way XD-giggle-). Now then, I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and here's the next one--enjoy!
Nady-Kun--I'm glad I made your day with the whole G/M fluff scenes and such (and also thanks again for drawing that pic of Mitosu! -hugs-) Now then, here's the next chapter of TU--enjoy!
Viaroura Fox--Eh, don't worry about Lloyd too much, I can already tell you that he's not gonna die--so yeah, hopefully that'll put you at ease (a little bit). But yeah, here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Feral: …What's with the title? Is there another evil person showing up soon?
Me: oh hush, you'll figure it out by the end of the chapter.
Feral: …Hmm, well, fine then, don't tell me. I'll just do the disclaimer; Harmony283 doesn't own ToS or any of its characters. She does, however, own any and all OC's showing up in this fanfic, including April, myself, and of course she owns the plot.
Authors Note: Hmm good job Feral. Now then, as you all know Mithos wants to go to Exire now, and so, naturally, they will--or at least in this chapter they'll be flying to Exire. Also you figure out what happens to Lloyd--and why is Mitosu suddenly acting differently? What does it have to do with Mitosu?
Feral: Now I'm wondering why this can't have three genres—Romance/Angst/Action
Me: Because it just doesn't—they don't have that option.
Feral: I was just saying…
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Mithos' POV
I smiled as Genis wrapped his arms around my waist, head pressed against my upper chest, right above my Cruxis Crystal. I hated to do this, but I knew it had to be done. I had to have my wings in order to get Genis to Exire.
And that involved the Cruxis Crystal.
Now I didn't hate wearing it, it proved useful sometimes, and it had a significant meaning to me in general, so it wasn't like I was ever going to throw it away. But it pained me that I wouldn't be able to feel Genis' warm, petite body against mine when we hugged.
Or when he was scared.
Or even cold.
This thought made me feel sick. I wouldn't be able to know…I wouldn't…be able to understand.
I squeezed him closer, causing him to gasp out, "Mithos--wha?" He lifted his head, looking at me with concern in his eyes.
I just shook my head, "I…I'm fine. Just let me hold you…feel you…"
he blushed at those words, falling limp in my arms shortly afterwards.
"O-Okay…"
I smiled, nuzzling my face into his hair once more, sighing softly.
A few more minutes of peaceful comforted silence passed between us before I knew I had to leave.
I stood up, pulling Genis up with me.
"Wha--Mithos…?" he looked startled, and confused at the same time.
"We have to leave now."
He merely nodded his head, moving closer to me, but hesitating, "How do I--?"
I smiled, "Like this." And then I picked him up, causing him to gasp in surprise at how quickly I had moved. I grinned as he lay there, in my arms, eyes wide in shock.
"Eh, um…uh…"
"Don't worry, you'll be fine. I promise not to drop you."
He nodded his head and I smiled. I then closed my eyes in concentration. And soon a pair of rainbow colored wings sprouted from my back. Shortly after this, I quickly moved to where his bag, was, and chanted a spell, which caused it to come a drape itself over my shoulder.
After that was done I lifted into the air, my wings beating only once--for balance--before I headed off in the direction--I hoped--was Exire.
Now I was wondering if keeping Exire constantly moving was a good idea.
But then again, it would be even worse if it just stayed in one place. Even if it was in the sky, people--most likely humans--would have come and destroyed what was left of the half-elven sanctuary.
Suddenly I felt Genis tugging at the front of my shirt, which made me look down at him, "What is it Genis?"
"Won't…won't people see us if we--"
"Don't worry, I won't fly over cities or towns. Besides, how often do people look up anyway?"
his face soured, "Well the sky just kinda disappeared, and Derris Kharlan took its place--no one would be looking at that now would they?"
I could hear the sarcasm in his voice--as well as the truth behind it. Yes people would be more inclined to look up now--during this once in a lifetime--or hopefully in the worlds life time--event occurred.
But it couldn't be helped. The sky was just an illusion to begin with. And illusions disappear overtime, or due to certain events taking place. And due to the fact that I had to break my pact with the Eternal Sword, the sky disappeared.
Some times it surprised me at how something so little could affect so much. The breaking of the pact not only destroyed the Tower of Salvation--and left the towns in its wake in ruins--it caused the sky to disappear and Derris Kharlan to take its place.
Not to mention the huge blow it had on the two worlds. After all the Tower of Salvation was the symbolism of a peaceful, thriving world to them. And to have that suddenly destroyed.
"Mithos?"
The younger half-elven boys voice snapped me away from my thoughts--making me realize that I had not answered him.
"You're right Genis."
He gave me a quizzical look, but didn't question it. He just turned to look past the scenery, flinching as a gust of wind rushed by us.
"I think it would be best if you closed your eyes."
He looked up at me, confused, "What? Why?"
"Just in case. I think I might know where Exire is, but we have to fly over Flanoir to get to it…and I don't think you'd appreciate having cold snow blown in your eyes." I grinned and he blushed, looking down sheepishly.
He then slowly nodded his head, closing his eyes swiftly, shifting closer to me, going limp in my arms.
I smiled, he still must have been tired from the ordeals he had just been through. After all, he nearly died on more than one occasion.
And that in and of itself could leave people traumatized and bedridden for months--or even years.
Though none of the above happened to Genis. He just seemed to take things with stride. I just hoped that, after this was over, he didn't just suddenly break down.
…Like I did.
I flinched as painful memories resurfaced. I had acted like I was fine…like Martel's death hadn't affected me as much as it had…
But that ended all too soon.
I…I…
I shook my head, trying to keep those thoughts at bay, and sighed. Thinking about those things wouldn't be good. I couldn't afford to get depressed at time like this. But I needed to think of something.
Then it came to me.
Mitosu.
Who was he? It unnerved me that we looked so alike, and yet so different at the same time. He…he said that he needed this world--the two worlds--to be at peace in order to achieve what he wanted in his world.
Which led me to wonder why he was fighting against us in the first place.
Yes I knew he needed Genis--that he was the 'key'. But the key to what…and did Feral have anything to with it?
A bitter laugh escaped from my lips--of course she had something to do with this. She was the one who had taken over Genis when we were in Heimdall.
And then…and then Pronyma had said something about a person waking up in the key…
Did that mean…
Did that mean that they were after Feral?
But was the Feral that I met and the one that took over Genis the same person? Feral had said that it was her and yet it wasn't her.
So was that woman her alter ego? Was she like Mitosu was to me? Or was it something different?
She also said something about not being in Genis' head. About being trapped--or Pronyma trapping her.
But with what?
I tried to recall if Pronyma had had anything with her the day she 'kidnapped' Genis.
And all I could come up with was that mirror piece Genis had found when he nearly drowned.
So did that mean Feral was stuck inside that piece of mirror?
But why?
What was so important about it?
I looked down at Genis, who had shifted closer to me as he slept. He murmured something about me in his sleep, sounding content and happy.
I smiled, then flinched as the wind picked up. We were flying over the small snowy continent now and even though I couldn't feel the cold, I knew Genis could so I pulled him closer, shifting his bag--which was around my neck--so that it wouldn't choke me if I sped up.
Now I wished I had a blanket to cover the boy in my arms up. He was now shivering, though it was hardly noticeable.
"Don't worry, we'll be out of the cold soon." I whispered softly, beating my wings once more to gain momentum.
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Lloyds POV
"AHH!" I instinctively screamed out, expecting the attack to hit me directly.
But it didn't…or at least it didn't hurt.
I opened my eyes--which seemed to be about the only thing that could move--to see a black wall in front of me.
No…it wasn't a wall; it was more like a…a barrier of some sort--but I could see through it.
"What?"
"Lloyd! Are you okay…?" a voice--that distinctly sounded like Zelos'--asked, coming up to touch the barrier.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." That was Mitosu. And he sounded distinctly--and sickeningly--happy.
I shuddered.
The realized it--I could move! Or…no…my legs and arms couldn't move…but I could breath easier, and my fingers could move just a bit.
Did that mean that his weird immobilizing spell was wearing off.
"What…what did you do to me?" I called out, though my voice sounded muffled, as if a cloth was stuck in my mouth.
"I didn't do anything. That's just a barrier…" Mitosu then smirked, or at least I assumed that he smirked, "…I'm sure you wouldn't like to see your friends die--ack"
"Who said we were going to die?" That was Kratos.
"Yes, I've lived this long, and if what I heard from Mithos is true--I would love to stay around to see Martel…"
there was a pause--so he had run into Mithos and Genis? Were they okay? Did they get out? Did Genis wake up?
"You…heard from…Mithos?"
"I ran into them, actually." Came Yuans terse reply, I heard a swishing noise, which was--I assumed--the sound of him raising his huge sword.
Dammit! I really felt useless now. I couldn't even see my friends. Or, at least I couldn't see them clearly. It was like I was looking at their shadows--or something.
Not to mention that 'dark' feeling I had earlier--the dark feeling Mithos spoke of, and the same feeling I got when I had found that weird pendant thing--came back in full swing. It seemed to be floating around the air, almost like a sent.
A sent that I'm sure would be horrible if it actually did take the form of a sent.
That very thought made me sick.
But I couldn't do anything about it. I could just stand here and hope that my friends--and family in Kratos' case--were going to be okay.
"--good."
I snapped away from my thoughts at the sound of Raine and Aprils combined answer to what Yuan had told them radiated into the barrier that surrounded me.
Or at least the ending to their response.
"Hmph, enough with the chit-chat," I heard the sound of another attack being readied by Mitosu, and squeezed my eyes shut.
All I could do now was hope that my friends would be okay. Because, honest to goodness, Mitosu seemed to be much more…well, difficult--not to mention stronger--than I had originally thought.
But then again, everyone's always telling me that I rush into battle to often.
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Zelos' POV
I watched helplessly as the attack hit Lloyd, expecting to hear him cry out in pain.
But instead, a type of…was it a bubble--cuz it sure looked like one--barrier surrounded him.
"Lloyd are you okay?" I asked, moving towards the bubble. I reached out my hand, wondering what this weird barrier felt like, when Kratos placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a warning glance.
He opened his mouth to say something--but Mitosu cut him off.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." He had a sickening smile on his face.
Now--without a doubt--I knew that this boy-man…copy of Mithos--or whatever he was--was much worse than the ex-Cruxis leader.
It sickened me to say the least.
"What…what did you do to me?" came Lloyds voice, though it was muffled, and a little…strange sounding.
" I didn't do anything. That's just a barrier…"
Liar.
The dark version of Mithos smirked, "…I'm sure you wouldn't like to see your friends die--ack" he then lost his balance, which seemed odd.
He had been perfectly balanced before, but now he seemed slightly dizzy. As if something unnoticeable to us--something invisible to our eye--was hurting him.
"Who said we were going to die?" Kratos stated, moving his hand off my shoulder, holding his blade up--using it as a pointer to Mitosu.
Yuan then flexed his hand--why I noticed, well, the metal sword-staff-thing moved as well, causing the strange lights in the room to reflect off it differently.
"Yes, I've lived this long, and if what I heard from Mithos is true--I would love to stay around to see Martel…" his voice was calm as he said this, though it held a sense of…truth and hope.
Woah, wait, did that mean he ran into the brat--Genis--and Mithos? Okay yeah, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried…so were they okay?
"You…heard from…Mithos?" Raine asked from over to the side. I turned to look at her, she seemed both nervous, and happy at the same time. Well, at least she seemed to have forgive Mithos for…whatever he did earlier.
That is, if he had done anything at all. But then again, that much tension in one place couldn't have been caused by her unsure-ness of his loyalties.
So yeah, Mithos definitely did something…but what?
I closed my eyes, this really wasn't the time to be thinking about…that sort of thing.
"I ran into them, actually." Yuan replied tersely, moving his sword with one great swinging motion, which seemed to cut the air in such away that it almost looked like a whip.
But then again it was too big and bulky to be a whip. Eh, who was I kidding? Yuan was always the one for grace, and magic tricks, so of course he'd be able to do something like that.
And needless to say, Mitosu seemed impressed.
"That's good." April replied, seeming relieved.
Though shortly after her relieved reply, Mitosu raised a hand above his head, though this time instead of a ball appearing--a disk did.
A very sharp looking disk--for that matter.
Well this wasn't good.
"Go flying disk of…darkness…"
For some reason Mitosu seemed weaker now.
And, just for the sake of it, I had to wonder why.
He had proven to us that he was stronger than possibly even Mithos, and yet he…he looked sick.
He released the dark disk and it came down towards us.
And in one quick motion Yuan was there, blocking the disk and shortly after that, sending it back to its original owner.
To which Mitosu just dodged, though he was much slower than usual.
Then I noticed it--his eye color. It was red like it had been only moments before. Now it was...now it was a yellowish brown. The expression on his face reading pain.
What…what was going on.
Suddenly, just by a few words being spoken, my attention was completely and totally drawn away from Mitosu…and towards Pronyma, who was now leaning against the far side wall looking rather worn out.
"She…already knows…Neo…already knows…" she whispered, bowing her head.
Wait, so this Neo person--the person they were talking about when Mithos left--was a girl?
And she found out about...all this...this fighting and…them loosing Genis the 'key'?
Is that why Mitosu looked hurt?
I shook my head, why should I care? Mitosu was our enemy now. And there could be no sympathy for an enemy.
Besides, it was his fault that Lloyd was now immobilized and in…that weird bubble barrier.
I then turned to face that barrier, a sudden memory flashing through my mind.
"It's like a bubble."
"What?"
"You can't pop a bubble on the inside now can you?"
Just…like that time…
I raised my sword, touching the very tip to the black barrier before raising it and slamming it against the wall.
A painful ringing sound entered my ears, and a horrible…sensation…of pain…laced its way up my arms and through the rest of my body.
"Gah!"
"Zelos!" that was Sheena. Well, at least she sounded like she cared.
"Wha--?"
The barrier shattered, or rather disappeared to reveal Lloyd--looking shocked.
I smiled, "That's good. The barriers gone."
"But how?"
"I smashed it with my sword."
"And I thought I told you not to touch it." Mitosu stated, his voice now right next my ear.
I blinked and looked to my side.
And there he was, his amber eyes glowing.
Then…just like that…the room…started fading out.
"Zelos!"
"Are you alright!"
"Get away from him!"
"Z…Zelos…"
"I'm…goin' to be…fine guys…don't worry 'bout me…" I said, laughing good-naturedly. Though I didn't believe that.
I felt so tired. And my vision just kept getting darker.
And I felt sleepy.
I fell to my knees onto the cold dark tiled flooring.
"Are you crazy? Do you have any idea how--or rather what--will happen to you?" Mitosu stated, backing up.
"Wha…?" I attempted to move my face upwards so that I could face him. But even that small movement left me weak and I couldn't hold it for long.
"Zerasu (1) has now awakened."
And then the room went dark, and I collapsed.
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Zerasu is Zelos' name in Japanese. Though you won't see Zerasu, just remember that this is what caused him to 'wake up'. He's like Mitosu is to Mithos. And Jiniasu is to Genis.
Me: Well that's the end of TU Part 42…and I have some news….
Feral: Oh…it's about the next 2 weeks isn't it?
Me: Yeah. I won't be able to update next week (well I might be able to but I wouldn't like to) or the week afterwards. Why? Well, I have exam review guides to do next week and exams the following week.
Feral: To put it simply, you have no time to update.
Me: That basically sums it up. I might be able to squeeze in a chapter next week. And that's a very small might. But putting that aside, R&R please! I love reviews--and I'll see you all again when winter break starts!