Me: And here's Chapter 51!

April: and the end of the Exire arc…

Me: Yeah, that too…

To Understand: Part Fifty-one

Time in Exire: Coming to an End part 2

By Harmony283

Reviews:

Alaia Skyhawk-Yes Poor Genis, not only is he hurt, but now he's upset at Mithos. Don't worry though, that'll all be resolved at the end of this chapter. As for if Mitosu will get the crap beaten out of him, it'll come, yes, but not in this chapter. You'll have to wait a bit longer. Here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Hiranieas-I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and here's the update you've been waiting for! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Moonshine's Guide-Yes it's a cliffhanger, possibly one of my better cliffhangers for TU, I'm glad you like this story and the way I write the pairing it always makes me happy to hear/read someone say that. And yes you're right that a lot of the characters have said Genis acts like his father, and Kloitz, from something that I read once, has black hair and purple eyes so no Genis doesn't look a lot like him, but I'm sure if he ever does meet Virginia she will comment on how he acts like her late husband. As for if he'll meet her, I can't really say. Now then, I'm glad that you liked the last chapter, and here's the next one--enjoy!

April: Ah, well, I was wondering…

Me: Hmm?

April: Where is everyone going after this?

Me: Oh you'll see.

Mithos: we're going to the hotsprings aren't we?

Me: Mithos…what are you doing here?

Mithos: I was asking a question.

Me: Fine yes you are.

Mithos: -smirk- yay! I get to see Genis--uh -blush- no…nevermind, I'm leaving…-disappears-

April: Um, well, Harmony283 doesn't own ToS or any of its characters. She does however own any OC's that appear, and of course, the plot.

Authors Note: Mithos has to remember to keep it 'T' rated, since that is what I put this fic under rating wise. Anyway, Mithos is right, the next place they're going after Exire is the Hotsprings. Why? Because, as you know from the last chapter, Mitosu and Pronyma show up, and Genis will, most likely, get hurt along with Mithos.

April: So basically they're going there to rest up before making the Mana…Crest, thing…

Me: -nod- yup, that's basically it.

April: Now on with the chapter!

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Mithos' POV

I stared down at Genis in disbelief, "What?"

Genis nodded his head, "She says she's with Pronyma and Mitosu. And…and the only way I can hear her is if she's close by." He looked really worried, which in turn made me even more anxious.

That obviously meant Pronyma was close by. And if, most likely if, Mitosu was with her that'd mean--

"Stay behind me."

"What?"

"Stay…behind…me." I looked down at him, smiling lightly, "I don't want them to take you away again." I pulled him closer to me and he struggled.

'Well he's still mad at me, I can tell that much for sure.'

I let out a sigh, "Will you stop it? I--"

"Stop what? My back…you're touching my wound!"

I loosened my grip immediately as he said that, bowing my head apologetically, "I'm sorry I thought--"

He raised an eye brow and grinned, "That I was still mad at you? I guess I am a little, but right now isn't really the time for that." Right as he said that the look on his face soured.

"What is it? Did Feral say something?"

Genis blushed and looked away, "Yeah she said something. And they're--Mitosu and Pronyma--are already here. It'll be a few minutes, but everyone else should notice. I-I don't want you to fight them on your own. You already know your magic won't work on Mitosu!"

I pulled him closer to me, placing my forehead on his own, "Hmm, really? The last time I tried to fight him I didn't have my Cruxis Crystal. I do now."

The look on his face didn't change though, and he was silent for a few seconds. When he finally spoke again, it was barely above a whisper, "I…don't know. If that's really the same person then," he turned around in my arms to look at the grave, "Does that mean…my father was the same person as that man that--"

Suddenly a mass of dark magic swirled towards us.

Genis turned around quickly and I grabbed him, pushing him down to the ground below. Just as I did this the ball of black magic disintegrated, sprinkling over us like cold rain.

I looked down at Genis as I felt him shudder. He was blushing and avoiding my gaze, "Genis? What's wrong…? Are you okay?"

He shook his head as much as he could in his current state, "I--my shoulders, you're hurting my shoulders."

I blinked and looked at my hands. They were against each of his shoulders, pushing him, and keeping him, pinned to the ground. I lifted them and he sat up.

"I'm sorry."

He rubbed one shoulder; "It's fine. But…where did that magic come from? It looks like something--" he let out a gasp and grabbed his head, "Oww…!"

"Genis?! Genis, what's wrong? Is it Feral?"

He nodded his head, "Y-yeah but she's…ugh…she's in pain…"

This surprised me, "In pain? You can…feel her pain?"

He nodded his head, "Well yeah, we are connected…somehow." He winced, "And she said Pronyma's doing it. She isn't sure how though. I mean, no one but me can get in to where she is…" then his eyes widened, "No, it's not that…"

I blinked, "Then what is that?"

Genis shook his head, "She's trying to do what she did before. She's trying to make the other Feral come out. Pronyma wants her to take control of me again." He moved backwards until he hit the stone structure behind him. He looked afraid, very afraid.

But why wouldn't he be? The last time the 'other' Feral took over, he had attacked me. I didn't want that.

"Genis, is there any way you or Feral can fight it?"

He nodded his head, "That's what she's doing now. I-I don't know how much I can help her, but it feels like she's trying to push something away so I guess I can help her. But the only way I can get to where she is--"

"--is if you fall asleep, or pass out, yeah I know." I sighed, "But how are we going to do that?"

Genis shook his head faster this time, "She says I don't have to do anything, that I can help her like I am now. But you need to block me if--"

"If anyone attacks."

He scowled, "Stop finishing my sentences for me."

I grinned, "But its' fun." Suddenly a…someone with an immensely dark aura landed behind me. I turned around slowly, and there, on the other side of the small platform was my look alike.

Mitosu.

I clenched my fist, "Genis, stay here."

"Oh and you think I won't?"

I shook my head and stood up, walking out from behind the safety of the tree to face the dark version of me. A sickening smile spread across my others face. His yellow eyes flashed and I could have sworn that they had gotten darker…

"So you decide to show yourself." He looked behind me and grinned, "And your boyfriend isn't with you, how sad." He shook his, "Not that that's important right now, I will get him eventually. But first," he raised his hand, and suddenly there was a sword made of some type of black flame in his hand, "I get rid of you."

I shook my head, "Joy. Where's Pronyma?"

"She's somewhere else. Now then," He pointed his sword at me, "Will you fight me here or not?"

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Lloyd's POV

I…couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it. Okay, yeah some pretty weird stuff had happened when the Tower of Salvation collapsed, but now…

This was even stranger.

"It…what is it?" I asked softly, staring at the object in Zelos' hands. It, well, I knew what it was. It was the locket that I had found back in Welgaia, but the wings that had been folded on it, the wings that looked to be made of stone, were now fully spread as if it could take off at any moment.

"I-I don't know."

"Maybe the original owner is nearby?" Kratos offered, "I know of some items that do that."

Yuan nodded his head in agreement, "Yes, but you're right when you say it looks strange. I don't believe I've seen a locket like that in all my life."

"And that's pretty long considering how long you've been alive!" Zelos said, trying to smile, even though he looked like he was in pain. Not only was the weird locket acting up, but the tattoo on his hands was glowing also.

April stepped up next to him, touching his arm, "Your hands…do you think it would help the pain a little if I healed them?" she looked up at him questioningly and he nodded his head gratefully.

"Yeah it might."

She nodded her head before closing her eyes and whispering a spell under her breath. Green light enveloped Zelos' hands and suddenly the brightness in the tattoos died down.

"Ah--thank you." Zelos smiled, "Now then, let's say we get goin'? The Professor looks like she's about to have a heart attack if we don't go find Genis."

Raine snapped to attention then, her smile wavering, "W-well I am worried," she sighed, "Yes, I'm very worried."

I smiled then, "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find him."

"Y-yes."

"But if we do…" Colette looked at all of us, "Will we all keep what we learned a secret from him?"

There was an uneasy pause. I let out a sigh, "You're right. We're going to have to keep it aren't we?"

Raine nodded her head, "Yes. Do you know what would happen if he found out?"

"He'd probably freak."

Raine looked down at her feet, "Y-yes he might…and he'd be hurt beyond reason." She looked like she was about to cry and I, in all honesty, felt bad.

We might be keeping a secret from a friend, but she would be keeping a secret from family. Her little brother.

Suddenly Yuan turned, his cape swished and suddenly it vanished and his sword appeared, "There's someone outside."

"Wh-what?" I drew my swords and looked around, "Who?"

"Whoever it is, they aren't alone, and their aura's…aren't human," Kratos shook his head, "They're too dark to be normal for any race."

Then the door opened, more like was flung open, but it didn't matter. The person who was standing there shocked me.

For some reason he reminded me of Genis. His hair was similar, spiky and then a bit long in the back. But it was a bright yellow. One of his eyes was covered with bandages, and the other was a strikingly deep shade of purple. He was wearing a long sleeved white shirt that had black straps wrapping around the front and it flared out in the back like one of those old-fashioned coats people wore in Meltokio. His pants were pale grey and they strapped to his shoes, which were like mine, except for the fact that they were black.

We waited for a few minutes for this person to speak, but he didn't. He just stared at us. And then, then he smirked and walked folded his arms over his chest. A gust of wind ruffled his hair as he spoke, "Hmm, so you're the ones Mitosu was fighting against."

My grip on my swords tightened, "And? You're a friend of his?"

The yellow haired boy tilted his head to the side, "If you want to call me that. Though that fact makes me sick." He scowled and winced, placing a hand over his bandaged eye, "Not that it matters."

"Did he do that to your eye?" April suddenly asked.

"No he didn't. But then again, that doesn't matter either." He stared at her long and hard, then his gaze fell on Zelos, "Now lets cut straight to the chase. I want that locket."

"Wh-what? This?"

"Yes, it's mine." He outstretched one of his hands, "Or do you want to make your wounded hands even worse?" He smirked, "Because I'm feeling quite angry right now and I wouldn't mind seeing a few people in pain."

That just made me feel sick. Anyone who didn't mind causing others pain had something seriously wrong with them.

"And what makes you think you can just do that? What if we give back that pendant thing?" I shouted.

His smirk only grew, "Well, two things would happen. One, I would think you were incredibly weak, and I would wonder how Mitosu could have had any trouble against you, and two," his smirk was now nearly splitting his face in two, "I would get my pendant back. Of course you probably have no idea how that could be bad for you, but that's just perfect for me. The element of surprise is always fun."

Suddenly there was a horrible screeching sound, like a monster crying out in pain, and, when I opened my eyes, which I hadn't known I closed, that boy had his pendant in his hand, and a girl was standing next to him.

This girl also reminded me of Genis, for some odd reason or another. She had silver hair with blond streaks in it, and her eyes were a clear kind of purple. She was wearing a long black sweatshirt, and a black dark green miniskirt and boots to match. She had her arms folded across her chest, and a scowl on her face.

"Are you done gloating now, Jiniasu? We have to find Mitosu."

The boy looked at her and sighed, "Fine, fine."

"Don't say it so casually. It was Neo's orders. You know how carried away that guy can get?"

"Yes Seiji, I know." He turned back to face us, "You'd better thank whatever goddess rules over you, because she obviously blessed you." His expression turned to one of disgust, "I wish our goddess would do that."

Then, just like that, he left.

And then I dropped my sword, falling to my knees. To my surprise, everyone else did the same.

"Who…who…ugh, I feel sick…" Zelos moaned, "And my hands hurt again."

"Yes, my stomach hurts, and I feel weak." Presea tried standing up, only to collapse.

"Yes I do as well. But…who was that boy?"

"Boy?" Sheena stated, shaking her head while gripping her stomach, "He wasn't acting like a little boy. He was acting like an adult. Ugh, and he's creepy."

Colette nodded her head, "Yes, um, but…his eye…and…that other girl…and--what about Mitosu? They said they had to go after Mitosu, so does that mean he's here as well?"

"Most likely." Yuan said with a nod of his head. He stood up and managed to stay standing.

"Yes, most likely. And if Mitosu is here then that must mean he's after Genis, for whatever reason that may be." Kratos stated, also standing up.

"I'm worried about them, Genis and Mithos. I hope they're okay."

I shook my head; "Well we aren't going to find out by acting sick," I stood up, "So let's go after them! Come on, if you can't stand, let someone help you!"

Everyone nodded their head and began to try standing up.

The only ones out of all of us who couldn't stand without some sort of help were Presea, April, Colette, and Zelos. Though Presea got help from Regal, April from Raine, Colette from her angel wings, and Zelos from me and Kratos.

I turned to face the mayor, who was leaning back in his chair with a startled look on his face, "Where were Mithos and Genis staying?"

"At Belle's house. You'll see it, it's three stories and the Katz normally hang around on the third floor. I highly doubt they're there anymore if this Mitosu person is after them."

I nodded my head in thanks before walking out the door with Zelos leaning on my shoulder.

---------------------

Genis' POV

"What do I have to do to help you?" I asked outloud to myself, watching as Mithos dodged yet another of Mitosu's attacks.

'Well first off you have to stop watching your boyfriend fight, and second, you just have to concentrate. Pretend that you're sending your will power somewhere else.'

"What?"

'Just…concentrate really hard and you'll get it.' Feral said with a sigh. Her voice was higher than normal though, hinting that, despite her attempts to hide it, she was scared.

Regardless of that, I did what she said. I closed my eyes and concentrated. I concentrated on keeping that other Feral where she belonged, inside of the younger Feral. So basically I was keeping her inside of the person inside my head. If that made any sense at all.

"Hey Feral?"

'Didn't I just say for you to concentrate?'

"I know but I was just wondering, if you're trapped in a mirror, and the evil Feral only comes out when…when Pronyma is doing whatever she is doing, then doesn't that mean when you're free she'll be free too?"

There was silence for some time and then she spoke, 'Yes that's right. The evil Feral is who they want to bring out. And since you're the heir of the seal, she can be brought out as you. Essenitally, they want to kidnap you and make you place the piece of mirror I'm trapped in back with the original mirror. That way the other Feral can actually be freed as well.'

"So you'll be like two separate people?"

Feral sighed, 'No we won't be. Ghh, we'll still be the same person, but she's normally, ahh…stronger…stronger than me, and if I were to be away from the mirror, and if they were to kill you like they undoubtedly plan to after you release me, then she will take over…'

She let out a loud gasp then, and I felt something dark swelling up inside me. It was creepy, and I, to say the least, hated it. I closed my eyes and concentrated even more on suppressing the feeling. It felt like it was working, and I could hear Feral sighing in relief.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly and I felt her nod.

'Yes…you…you really are much stronger than you look.'

I didn't know whether or not to take that as a compliment, but I decided it was one and smiled, "Thanks."

Then the cold dark feeling was back. But this time it wasn't inside of me. I shivered and looked around. Mitosu was still occupied by Mithos, so it wasn't him, but then who was it?

I gasped when I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to look above me. There, perched on the top of the stone gravestone like monument, was a boy…a boy that distinctly reminded me of myself.

His purple eye, his only good eye from the looks of things, bore into my own blue ones and he smirked, moving some of his bangs out of his face before doing the same to mine.

I backed up quickly, knowing full well that Mitosu would probably see me, not that he didn't already know I was here, and got to my feet.

"Who…?"

'Genis? Who is it?'

"I--"

"I'm Jiniasu." He jumped down from the gravestone, smirking and moving closer to me, "You must be Genis."

I gasped as his hand reached out, touching my shoulder again, "G-get away from me."

'He's the same as Mitosu. He's dangerous, don't trust him.' Feral warned.

"I'm not going to trust him anytime soon I hope you know."

"Who are you talking to…? Oh?" he looked past me at Mithos and Mitosu. Mitosu immediately stopped and stared, his eyes widening as Mithos turned around.

"Who--hey!"

"And I'm assuming you're Mithos." Jiniasu stated, his voice eerily casual, "Were you trying to protect this boy?" he tugged me close to him and I grimaced. He felt unbelievably cold and the dark feeling seemed to intensify.

'Genis get away from him!'

I tried to push away, but his grip only tightened, "Do you actually think you're going to escape?" he asked, looking down at me, his face serious.

I shook my head, "I can see that I'm not going to easily, but I'm not just going to let you do what you want! I've had enough of that already!"

Jiniasu smirked, "My, for the other me, you sure are persistant." He lifted one of his hands, which I noticed had a bandage on it, and traced his fingers along my jaw.

My stomach felt like it was about to drop, like it did when I rode the rollercoaster at Altimira. Something told me if he was going to do anything it wasn't going to be good.

'Genis…! Genis listen to me.' Feral sounded urgent, but then relieved at the same time, 'Your friends are coming! They know you aren't where they left you.'

That sent a wave of relief over me, but I couldn't relax just yet. This…look alike…was…was…

"You're so cute, you know? I didn't think my look-alike would be this cute. It's too bad, really, that we're planning on killing you after this is all over with. I would like to see how strong you are."

"Big brother! Eww! Let go of him now! You--you know I hate guys!" A girls voice cried out from somewhere nearby. I tried to turn my head, by Jiniasu was still cradeling my jaw with his fingertips.

"Oh, Seiji. If I let go of him, he'll escape. And you don't have to remind me you hate guys. I've known you long enough to know that." His voice was practically dripping with sarcasm.

Finally the girl he was speaking to came into view. What surprised me is that she looked like a slightly older version of Feral. And she looked really, really annoyed.

"Big brother."

"Little sister." The blond taunted back, a smirk on his lips.

"Let him go."

Jiniasu turned to look at Mithos, "And what if I don't?"

"You--"

Jiniasu laughed, "If you attack me I'll use him as a shield." His smirk widened, "But then again you probably should have known that."

I felt sick. He was using me, he was using me and I couldn't do anything about it. He would most likely hurt me if I tried to escape, so, yeah, I really couldn't do anything about my situation.

Except for maybe hope that my friends got here in time.

And, as if on cue, I heard footsteps, lots of footsteps, and the familiar sound of swords drawing.

Then I heard gasps.

"Hey! Let Genis go!" Lloyd shouted out. He seemed a bit surprised though.

'Well, finding your friend in a position like you're in now is quite shocking.'

"I really didn't need for you to point that out now, Feral." I said while trying to keep my face expressionless.

Unfortunately Jiniasu still noticed me, "Hmm? What's the matter?" He looked back at everyone surrounding us, "And you all…seem so shocked?" He grinned then, an evil grin that seemed twice as evil as Mitosu's, "Why don't I shock you a bit more? Besides, I'd like to find out a bit more about you."

I blinked, "Wha--"

but I was cut off. He pulled me closer and…and…

He kissed me.

His lips were so cold, and they felt…weird…not like Mithos' at all. Though the oddest thing about it was the image that flashed through my mind. It was of a young boy and a young girl who were standing outside of a burning building.

Then suddenly, I was out of his grip, and he was halfway across the platform against a tree.

"Ugh…"

"Are you okay?" Mithos asked, me, and I looked up at him. It took me a split second to realize that he had been the one to hit him, but once that sunk in, I collapsed against Mithos. I felt like crying, and he was saying something, but…but…

The odd dark feeling almost immediately dissipated, and I looked up.

"And what, may I ask, is going on here?"

That voice, it sounded familiar. I turned my face and saw, standing there on the edge of the platform, where some stairs led down to a platform with a lone house on it, was that man/woman from before.

He/she was standing there, arms crossed across their chest, an amused look in their eyes.

"I'm surprised," he/she stated, "To see all three of you here. But what were you doing?"

Jiniasu stood up, not appearing to be in pain at all, "It's none of your business. But since you're here, that must mean he knows we're here too."

The red haired man/woman shook his/her head, "Maybe, maybe not. But I can say this." He/she lifted her arms, and the sleeves of her long robe-like attire slid down them, revealing long red tattoo marks on his/her pale flesh, "If you don't leave then your mistress will surely know if you die."

He/she said it so calmly that it sent a shiver down my spine. It seemed to do the same for Mithos, because he pulled me even closer.

A gasp from someone behind me, followed by a loud thud of a body falling to the ground made me shiver even more.

"Zelos!" I heard Lloyd cry out.

And then the man/woman stopped, "Oh dear. It seems that the other me still isn't fully recovered." He/she moved across the small platform towards were Zelos had fallen, "Here, let me see him. These markings should have gone away when you first received them. Or wait, did they get there by accident?"

"Y-you could say that…" Zelos said, his voice raspy. I finally was able to turn and watch what happened and I gasped.

The man/woman and Zelos' hands in theirs, and there was a weird red glow surrounding them.

"So you got these from an unpresidented encounter with darkness?"

Zelos just blinked, "I guess you could call it that."

The man/woman nodded her head, "I see. Well, I can't exactly do anything about that happening. I can only thank whomever it was that made you encounter the darkness, because it means I woke up early, but that's beside the point." He/she let out a sigh, "I'll heal these." The red light intensified and, when I could open my eyes again, the man/woman was standing and walking back across the platform.

And Zelos was passed out on the ground, the weird tattoos on his hands were gone.

"Now I suppose I should leave. But," the man/woman turned to face me, "I never expected you to be…oh never mind," he/she turned to face Mitosu then, "And you, thank you for being the cause of my awakening."

Mitosu looked at his feet, a scowl on his face, "It's not like it was my fault he was trying to be a hero and save someone…" He looked up at the man/woman, "And besides it would've been better if you had stayed asleep, Zerasu."

The man/woman, now known as Zerasu, shook his/her head, "My, I wondered if I would ever hear you say that again. Then again, I suppose I could hear from any of you." He/she looked up at the sky, "But now I suppose I should be going."

And just like that, he/she disappeared leaving everyone a bit stunned.

"Wh-what? Zerasu? Is that who you said…?" Lloyd whispered from behind me.

Mitosu merely nodded his head, "Yes that's who I said would awaken because of his direct contact with the dark spell that I had cast." He let out a long tired sigh, "Man that guy really gets on my nerves." Suddenly wings appeared on his back, they were black as the night and seemed to suck up the remaining sun of the afternoon into them. He lifted to the air and was about to leave when he turned back to face me, "Count yourself lucky for this."

And then he flew off. Only seconds later both Seiji and Jiniasu teleported away.

That's when I was pulled from Mithos' hold into another pair of arms. A head was buried into my hair, and I felt tears fall.

"Wha…? Sis?"

"I'm so glad to see that you're okay." Raine's voice was shaky, but it made me smile none-the-less.

"Of course I'm okay sis. I'm a little sore but other than that I'm feeling much better than I have over the past few days."

"Yes but…are you feeling okay?" she pulled away and looked down at me, "We…saw what he…did…that boy…Jiniasu."

I shook my head, "That? Oh, I'm fine. It's just, uh, it felt weird but I'm fine." I looked over towards where Lloyd was trying to wake up an apparently now asleep Zelos, "But I think you might wanna worry about him even more."

Raine turned and followed my gaze, "Yes, I suppose you're right. But, why are you all the way out here? Or were you looking around town?"

I felt my chest tighten, "Ah…I was…" I looked away from her, the feelings from earlier, of knowing that she would keep from me what she had learned about our family.

"You were?"

"I was, um, l-looking around here. And…" I gasped lightly when I felt a tug at the back of my mind. The pulling got worse and then it was gone.

"Feral's gone."

I sighed.

"Genis? You were looking around here?" Raine laughed lightly, but it sounded forced, "Why around here? See, there's only a house down there that probably no one lives in."

I shook my head, "Yeah I know but I found something interesting." I pulled away from her even more and walked over to the tree. I felt her eyes on me, as well as Mithos' and I turned back around, "Actually Mithos and me found this, come look."

Mithos walked over to stand next to me, and Raine followed looking curious and yet worried at the same time.

I walked behind the tree with both of them following and then I stood to the side, pointing to the grave, "Look at this?" I said, trying to keep the sadness from my voice.

She walked forward and inspected the writing on the grave. A few seconds later and she gasped, backing up a few steps, "Wh-what…? What is this?"

"It's a grave." Mithos answered, "A grave a lady named Belle showed me." He looked over at me with a sad smile.

"And it says Kloitz Sage, doesn't it?"

Raine barely nodded her head.

"And that was our fathers name, wasn't it?" I prodded and she nodded again. I looked back at the grave, "He was buried here, right? When they found him and mom…in a forest."

I heard Raine, as well as the others--who had apparently followed us--at this.

"Genis how do you know that?"

I sighed, "I know that because I overheard it. My mother is somewhere in this town isn't she?"

Raine nodded her head again, though it seemed more mechanic than anything, "Y-yes she is."

"Okay."

"But if you overheard the conversation, then why have Raine tell you this?" Yuan asked, crossing his arms over his chest, his cyan eyes a bit clouded.

"Because I didn't want her to keep the promise of not telling me about my parents." That was all I could think of to say, and apparently that was all I needed to say. I turned to face Mithos, "And I wanted to make sure Mithos didn't keep it a secret either, and he didn't."

Raine let out a shaky sigh, "I-I suppose…that's good. But do you want to meet your mother?" she sounded worried.

Well she had every right to be. I mean, from what I overheard…I didn't think I wanted to meet her. But she was my mom.

Thankfully Mithos spoke up for me, "Well if he meets her before we leave tomorrow, which is when I'm assuming we're leaving, then he meets her. If he doesn't then he doesn't. But right now I think we need to get to the inn, or somewhere, so everyone can get some rest. It looks like you're about to fall asleep on your feet."

To emphasize this, Lloyd yawned, "Yeah he's right, we are really tired. But where's the inn?"

"Oh! Oh! I can show you the way!"

Everyone jumped and whirled around. There, standing behind them, was Amy.

"Ooh! Mithos! Genis! What're you guys doing all the way back here?" she asked, practically jumping from where she was over to where we were.

I backed up as she stepped forward, and Mithos stood in front of me, "We were just looking around, but if you could show us the way to the inn that would be appreciated."

Amy smiled widely, "Yeah! Okay!" she turned and skipped up the stairs to the platform above, waving at us to follow.

But when I reached those said stairs, I nearly tripped. Of course, Mithos caught me and helped me up. Though as a result we set Amy off into a squealing/hyper spree.

Mithos let out a soft sigh and I just smiled, "This is going to be a long walk isn't it?"

He nodded his head, "Yeah it is." Then he smiled at me, "But aren't you glad that everyone's back?"

My smile grew, "Of course I am!"

-----------------------------------------

Me: Wow…long chapter. Okay, well, maybe it isn't the longest chapter I've ever written but it's close to it.

April: Yes, it's nice that you ended it on a happy note, though.

Me: Yeah, and that I didn't have to split this chapter again.

April: Well they technically haven't left Exire yet.

Me: I know, I know, but the next chapter they are leaving. And that's official. Now putting that aside, R&R please! Most people already know this, but it never hurts to repeat oneself, but the more reviews I recieve the more of a chance I'll start on the next chapter early meaning the more likely it'll be up early! So yeah, REVIEW PLEASE!