Me: And here's Part 52 of To Understand! And I promise, this is the chapter that they really leave Exire. As in they won't be back for a while.

Feral: Sure you promise, but then again, you don't know what you'll write in each chapter so you can't really say that.

Me: Oh, hush.

To Understand: Part Fifty-two

What Maxwell Said

By Harmony283

Reviews:

Alaia Skyhawk-No, there wasn't any butt kicking in this chapter, but I promise it'll happen. Chapter number? I don't know. As for where it'll happen, in Venheim. When? After the hotsprings scenes and the making of the key crest for Martel. So you'll just have to wait for however many chapters that'll take. Now then, here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Moonshine's Guide- Yeah, poor Genis. if it were me I woulda slapped Jiniasu so hard that he'd fall off the side of the platform and he'd plummet into the sea. To tell you the truth, I wasn't even sure I was going to put that kissing scene in there at that precise moment. I was going to wait till they got to the hotsprings, but that's more Genis/Mithos fluffy-ness bound to have that stuck in there. And yes they're going to the hotsprings. It's been in my head for a while and it bugged me so much that I decided to put it in just so it'd leave me alone. Also the whole Mitosu, Jiniasu, Seiji, Zerasu thing will be explained in the sequel as my many Authors Notes have said. And of course I'm glad you liked the last chapter and here's the new one--enjoy!

Viaroura Fox-Kyaa! I'm glad someone said they liked Jiniasu! I was afraid people wouldn't like him. And don't worry Only Pronyma will die in this fanfic. Now in the sequel…I'm not too sure, but I know there will be more than one character death--but not any good characters. Now then, here's the newest chapter, enjoy!

LittleLinor-no unfortunately you didn't. But I already told ya why (and it was my fault) and don't worry, you have one in this chapter! And I'm glad you liked the last chapter, it was personally one of my favorites too. All the bad OC's appearing in one chapter (that you're supposed to know about), who really couldn't ask for more? As for if Jiniasu likes guys. Well he certainly doesn't like girls –coughbecauseofNeocough- but as for if he likes guys. Well, it's something he's trying to suppress for his sisters sake. But it DID successfully scare Genis. And you could say Jiniasu wanted to know a little more about him. And here's the next chapter that you've been waiting for! And it's way earlier than I thought it'd be!

Feral: So they're finally talking about leaving Exire? Hmm, well I have to say I'm glad, because they need to hurry up and save me!

Me: Yeah I know, you've been held captive long enough, but then again you've always been held captive, or at least you have for this fanfic.

Feral: Grrr…

Me: -gulp-Don't worry! You'll be free! They just need to listen to Maxwell's explanation of who you actually are first and then they'll leave for the hotsprings, I swear!

April-So you aren't going to put in anything about Virginia meeting them in this chapter?

Me: If I do then I do, if I don't then I don't.

April: Ah, I see, okay then I guess I'll do the disclaimer: Harmony283 does not have in her possession the legal documents stating she legally owns Tales of Symphonia or any of its characters.

Feral: And since she's lazy and puts things off she never wants to get those papers.

April: But she does own us! And the plot!

Authors Note: I think that's the first time you've collaborated on the disclaimer. But putting that aside, yes they will talk with Maxwell, but not before they have a heated game of Crazy Eights! Then of course, something odd happens when they ask Maxwell for help. And then, of course, they agree to go to the Hotsprings. Thus bringing the REAL end of the Time in Exire arc.

Feral: Or so she says.

Me: Or so I say…hey! I DO say!

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Raine's POV

That one scene kept running through my mind. When we had arrived at the scene of where Genis and Mithos were said to have been headed to. And there, standing there with…with Jiniasu's arms around him, and then…the kiss. It made me feel a little ill. I still wasn't used to the fact of boys kissing like that but Genis, he was pure. He didn't need that to happen to him. And yet he said he was fine.

He obviously wasn't fine. Especially if that was his first kiss.

No wait, that was his first kiss, right? He couldn't have been kissed by anyone else before that…

Right?

Why did I feel so unsure about that? He would have told me if he had been kissed before. He promised he would tell me before he got into any sort of relationship with anyone that he'd ask my approval first.

'But what if he thinks you won't approve of the person he likes?'

I let out a soft sigh, shaking my head from side to side. Suddenly a mug with warm liquid, what I assumed was tea, was placed in front of me. I looked up to see April giving me a warm smile, "What's wrong?" she asked in that gentle voice that seemed to say that she knew what I was thinking about.

I smiled, but it felt like it came out wrong, "Oh…I'm just wondering how Genis is doing."

April giggled, "You don't like the room arrangements do you?"

I sighed even louder, "No, no I don't. It's not fair to stick Presea, Sheena, and Colette in one room together."

"but they didn't mind."

"And it's even worse that we had to stick Regal, Kratos, and Yuan in a room together."

"Well the room they're staying in has three beds."

I stared at her, "You're happy with the room arrangements aren't you?"

She smiled, "Of course I am--I mean, I don't mind. I just think it's good that you're letting Genis stay with Mithos for the night. But if it makes you feel better, the next place we stay at we can stay in a room with them."

I nodded my head, "Thank you. I just feel safer when I know where he is. But I wonder what they're doing right now."

"You really worry too much."

"I know but," I sighed again, "I'm thinking about what happened earlier."

April took a seat next to me, "You mean when Jiniasu kissed Genis?"

I nodded my head, "Yes. He…he said he was fine but that must have shocked him. Not to mention Mithos' reaction to it."

That in all due respect was what had bothered me the most.

But April laughed.

I opened my eyes and stared over at her, "That isn't funny."

She stifled her laughter until it was only giggles, "Oh, no, I know it isn't funny. I thought it was really cute."

"Cute?"

She nodded her head, "Yes cute."

I just stared at her, "You think the fact that Mithos reacted that way is cute?"

She shook her head, "Well I thought it was sweet because he seemed to not like the whole situation. And you should be grateful, he saved Genis after all."

I nodded my head, "I know that. But…"

Suddenly there was a knock on our door, nearly making me jump out of my seat. But April was faster. She headed towards the door and opened it. A smile spread across her face, "Oh, Genis! Mithos! Come in," she stepped aside and I stood up, walking over to Genis and hugging him.

He seemed a bit startled when I pulled away but he smiled none-the-less, "Hey sis." He turned to face Mithos, "Mithos and I were just asked to come and get you. Everyone's gathering in Colette, Presea, and Sheena's room for a card game."

Mithos nodded his head, and that's when I noticed his hair was in a braid. He almost looked like a girl when it was pulled back from his face, "Yeah it's…Crazy Eights…or something like that."

Genis laughed, "Yeah, Mithos doesn't know how to play so I agreed to teach him. Do you two wanna come along? I mean, if you don't want to that's fine but you'd be the only ones not coming."

I sighed, "Fine, fine, we'll come. But how are they going to fit everyone into that one room?"

Genis shook his head, "I don't know."

"They're girls," Mithos said, fiddling with his braid.

Of course Genis saw this, "Hey! Stop messing with that! You know it'll come out…"

Mithos scowled, "But I don't like having my hair up."

"Or brushing it, on account that you've never been considered a girl in your life until recently."

Mithos just stuck his tongue out at my little brother, and was returned by a laugh. He turned to me and smiled, "Okay then, we'll see ya in a few minutes." I then watched them walk back down the hallway and towards Sheena, Colette, and Presea's room.

After they turned the corner, obviously going back to their room to get something before going to the card game, I let out a long sigh. I turned when I felt a hand on my shoulder, and smiled back at April, "I'm fine."

"Of course you are…not." Her eyes softened, "You're worried aren't you?"

I closed my eyes, shaking my head from side to side, "You know me too well."

I felt her shift and I opened my eyes again. Now she was standing right in front of me, her arms crossed over her shoulders, her head tilted to one side, "I know you as well as I should."

Now that normally wouldn't have bothered me. But she sounded so serious.

"And how well would that be?"

She smiled sweetly, "Oh, I'd say pretty well," she turned around and walked out the open door, "now let's go! I'm sure everyone is waiting!"

I nodded my head and followed her out of the room, closing the door behind me. A few minutes later and we were standing in front of everyone in our group. They were huddled in a kind of circle around some playing cards that lay in the center of the room. Genis was leaning up against one of the beds with Mithos nearly glued to his side as he explained the rules of the game. The blonde would sometimes nod his head, and then other times he would just smile.

As we walked into the room, everyone shifted so that we had room. We sat down, and looked around at everyone, "Okay then, who's going first?"

Sheena shook her head, "We don't know. Genis is explaining the rules to Mithos so he can't go first. Kratos 'kinda' knows the rules, Yuan says he's a master of any card game--"

"--which isn't true--"

"-and of course no one else really seems to care. What do you think we should do?"

I sighed, "Well I don't really care either, but just for the sake of making things easier…let's let it go from oldest to youngest."

I waited for someone to say something, but they all just nodded their heads.

Well, everyone except for Mithos.

"Do you mean our actual age, or the age we look like?"

"To make it less complicated let's do it by the age we look." Yuan stated, "Because that'd mean, Kratos'd go first."

"Are you saying I'm old?"

Yuan shook his head, "No, but you're older than me. And you still would be even if we were going by original age."

Mithos let out a loud sigh, causing them to look over at him, "Why are you even fighting about that anyway? Let's just get started."

Genis then raised his hand, "But what about me an' Presea? We're both the same age."

Presea nodded her head, "Yes, he's right. But I think…if we're going by the ages we look…you would be a few months older than me."

Genis nodded his head and smiled. He didn't even seem nervous when he spoke to her like back about two months ago…when we first arrived in Tethe'alla.

I couldn't exactly ask him about it, as the cards were dealt out between us--taking up almost the entire stack of cards--and we began playing.

Of course Yuan added in a rule, a rule that had something to do with if you had a 2 of any suit, (1), and Kratos nearly lost his cool…

I remember laughing, and then almost losing once because of the so-said rule, and Yuan and Kratos somehow getting all the twos and then, a few rounds later, it was Colette, Presea, Kratos, Lloyd, Sheena, Regal, Zelos, and I who were sitting out.

All that were left was April, Genis, Mithos, and Yuan.

I was sitting right next to April, so I could see her cards easily. I was actually quite surprised at the amount of luck she had. She had about two eight's--meaning she could change the suit at any time--and the 2 of hearts, meaning that she could make Mithos pick up 2 cards if he didn't already have a two.

It wouldn't surprise me though if each of them had a two.

And, ironically enough, I turned out to be right.

Yuan put down the 2 of clubs, April put down her 2 of hearts, Mithos put down a 2 of diamonds, and Genis put down a 2 of spades.

I flinched and so did Yuan.

He had to pick up, what, ten cards now?

Genis let out a big grin, as Yuan grudgingly picked up ten cards, as Mithos chuckled next to him.

The eventually had to reshuffle the deck, and start again. Soon after this, though, April forfeited, like the rest of us had, and sat down next to me with a pleased smile on her face, "That was fun while it lasted!"

And then we watched to see who would get out next.

Ironically enough Yuan somehow got Mithos to forfeit as well.

"Hey, agh, oh crud, whatever," Mithos placed his cards, which he had somehow accumulated half of the deck, back into the drawing deck, and sat back, immediately looking at the cards Genis had.

A few minutes later Genis was laughing his head off while Yuan muttered a few things under his breath that had me standing in front of him, whacking him on the head, and Kratos chuckling beside him.

"This…that's…it's…not fair." The blue haired ex-seraphim said finally, standing up, "I'm going back to our room."

And he turned and left with Kratos and Regal following behind him, saying good night.

Shortly after that Zelos and Lloyd left, and soon after them a very tired Genis and a happy looking Mithos got up to leave.

But I couldn't let Genis leave just yet.

"Genis?"

he turned to face me, rubbing his eyes sleepily, "Hmm? Yeah sis?"

I walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead, "I'm glad you're okay, but I need to speak to you…about what happened earlier."

"Can't it wait till tomorrow?" he whined, "I'm sleepy!"

Mithos came up behind him, "He's nearly falling asleep on his feet, whatever you want to talk about can wait till tomorrow." He put a hand on Genis shoulder, "That's also when we're planning on asking Maxwell…about Martel."

Genis nodded his head, "Yeah. Good night sis," he stood on his toes and kissed me on the cheek. Then he turned and left the room with Mithos guiding him down the dark hallway.

I let out a soft sigh and turned to April, who smiled at me, "I think we should be going."

I nodded my head, "Yes, good night."

"Good night." Sheena, Presea, and Colette answered in unison before crawling back in their beds.

Before I went to bed that night, April turned to me and smiled, "You know you worry too much."

I let out another tired sigh, "I know, I know…"

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Genis' POV

The night seemed to pass quickly, or at least much faster than I had wanted it to. Now I was laying in bed, blinking as the morning light flooded into the room from the window beside my bed.

I really didn't want to get up. In fact, that was probably the last thing I wanted to do.

But a feather light touching of something soft to my lips woke me up right away. It was Mithos, he was bending over me with a soft smile on his face, "Good morning."

I smiled, "Morning…did you just…?"

"Kiss you? Yes. I didn't get a chance to wake you up like that yet, so I figured why not?" He got off my bed and helped me up.

Though my back was still hurting, which made me wince.

"Your back…? Does it still hurt."

I smiled weakly, "Yeah, well, I didn't expect it to get better in one day."

Mithos nodded his head, "Well that's certainly true. Let's go downstairs, Raine came to wake us up a few minutes ago, and I was the only one who got up."

I blushed, "O-oh…um, yeah, let's go. I mean, we also have to ask Maxwell about--"

My blush only deepened as Mithos kissed me again, this time on the forehead, "I know." He took my hand and we walked out the door and into the hallway.

Once we made it to the lobby, I could tell Zelos and Lloyd were in trouble again. Not that it should really surprise me.

"I can't believe how inconsiderate you two are! What if--"

Mithos and I walked over to them, "Morning sis." I said with a smile on my face, causing her to jump.

She whirled around to face me, a hand over her heart, "Genis don't do that!"

"Well it wouldn't've scared you if you were paying attention." Mithos stated, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Raine scowled at this, "Well this is kind of important?"

"And what is 'this'?" we both asked in unison.

"Raine just got mad at us." Lloyd said, a nervous smile on his face.

"Nothin' you two should be concerned about." Zelos added in.

I sighed, "You mean you two got in trouble for the same thing you did last time?"

Both of them blushed at the exact same time, and Raine's face went from beet red at the question to extremely pale, "You…you know what happened?"

"Maybe."

"So you two really are together now?" Mithos asked, tilting his head to the side.

To this they both cried out, "And how did you know?!"

Mithos grinned, "Well for one it was slightly obvious, even if I hadn't seen you two when I went to visit Genis, it would have been obvious."

Raine backed up, "'went to visit Genis'? You mean you did come to Flanoir…?"

Mithos nodded his head, "I don't see any reason why I shouldn't tell you that," he turned to me, "You don't mind do you?"

I shook my head, "Well I was going to tell her anyway, so yeah, it's fine."

Raine looked extremely tired then, "Oh whatever. Weren't we supposed to ask Maxwell something?"

"That's what I'm here for." Sheena said, walking over to us, glaring at Zelos and Lloyd before raising hand, "Maxwell!"

and in a flash, Maxwell was there, floating in front of us.

'Wow, he really does look old.'

Then I felt searing pain in my head and nearly fell over, if Mithos hadn't caught me.

"Genis?!"

I shook my head, "I'm fine."

"Ah-ha-ha, yes you're fine, but don't ever call me old. I'm not old!" Maxwell laughed, a strange glint in his eyes.

"Yes well you didn't have to…hurt him."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow, "Hmm, oh really? But what is it that you want?" He pointed his staff at Mithos, "And make it snappy."

Mithos' eyes narrowed, "Fine. It's about Martel."

"What about her?"

"Let me finish talking please."

Maxwell shut up and nodded his head.

"Good. Martel," he looked over at me, "Martel might be able to be revived in a different way than I originally thought."

Maxwell nodded his head, stroking his beard with his free hand, "Oh really now? What makes you say that?"

I gulped as his eyes fell on me, "I-I found it in a book I read while I was…recovering…in Heimdall. We have what we need to make the special Key crest, but we don't have her original body."

He seemed surprised at this, "I see. And you wanted to ask me if there was a way to revive her original body?"

Mithos nodded his head, "Yes, you're the Summon Spirit of Birth. It seems like something you would know."

Maxwell let out a sigh, "You're right about that. And I do know a bit about that sort of thing. Unfortunately I'm not the one who can do that."

"What?"

"Martel died remember? I'm the Summon Spirit of Birth I create things. Give life to things. Not bring back body's from the dead." Suddenly he laughed, "That's more along the lines of her job."

"Her?" We asked in unison.

"Yes her," now Maxwell's laugh was down to a chuckle, then it all together stopped, "Her, the Summon Spirit of Death."

This made me freeze, and I felt Mithos move closer to me, "Summon Spirit of death…?" he asked, "Where do we find her?"

"I don't really know. All I know is that she was sealed away when her former master died, oh, I believe more than ten years ago."

"So all we have to do is let Sheena make the pact?" Lloyd asked, "That seems easy enough."

Maxwell shook his head, "If you really believe you're strong enough to beat her, then by all means you can try. Though I do believe you may have already encountered her." Now his eyes were nearly burning holes in mine, "I believe that wound you have, on your back, the ones who are searching for her gave you that didn't they?"

Then I got it.

And it made me feel sick.

I nodded my head, "If you mean Pronyma, Mitosu, and then those other two. If they're looking for the Summon Spirit of Death then they did hurt me. But why would they want her?"

Maxwell shrugged, "I have no idea. But that's almost like asking why they want you. That's why you were here, right? To recover?"

Raine stepped forward, "Yes that's true. But why do they want Genis for that?"

"I don't know that either. But I may be able to find out." He raised his staff, "Step forward Genis."

I blinked, "What the heck? No way!"

"It won't hurt."

I glared at him, "Yeah right."

Then Kratos stepped forward, "He's right. Whatever you're going to do…will hurt him won't it? He's been through enough, you could already see that when you laid eyes on him."

Maxwell shook his head, "I know that. I just…want to see his Mana Signature. There may be something special about you that made them believe they needed you in order to get to Feral."

Now there was a large lump in my throat, and I couldn't breath, "Feral…? I-Is that her name?"

Maxwell nodded his head again, "Why yes it is. Have you heard them use it before?"

I nodded my head, "S-something like that…"

"Well then aren't you curious as to why they chose you."

I shook my head, "Right now I don't really think I wanna know."

"But you're curious?"

I bit my lip, 'Okay yeah, maybe I am a little.'

"Good, then step forward.

I flinched, "Stop reading my mind!"

Maxwell laughed, "Oh don't worry, I don't do it often." He beckoned me forward, and I felt my legs move.

I didn't want to get closer to him, but I did. Suddenly I was standing under his rod and a warm light engulfed me.

Then it felt cold, and just as it started to numb me, it became warm again. I staggered back on stiff legs, and felt a hand grab my arm. An even brighter flash of light engulfed my vision this time, and then I was on the ground.

I blinked, trying to adjust my vision to the normal light of the room, only to realize that Mithos was next to me, his hand on my arm.

Then Maxwell spoke, "I see. You're still weak from your wounds." I looked up at him, and he actually looked worried, "You should heal those wounds as quickly as possible."

"So…? You didn't get an accurate reading?" Mithos asked with an edge in his voice.

And just like that Maxwell laughed, "No, I didn't, unless of course you two are the same person! Wah-ha-ha!" then he promptly disappeared.

"W-well that…was odd. Are you okay Genis?" Raine asked, bending down to my level and feeling my forehead, "You're cold."

I nodded my head, "I feel cold. And my back hurts."

April bent down to us as well, even though I hadn't even noticed she was in the room, "Well he did say that you were still weak." Her eyes lit up, "I think I know the perfect place that may help you heal those wounds faster."

"Really? Where?"

she stood up, "The Hotsprings! Do you think we can stop by there? I'm sure we could all use a bit of break for relaxation anyway."

Sheena, Colette, Presea, Zelos, and Lloyd all nodded their heads.

Raine stood and smiled, "I suppose that would be better. It's fine with me." She turned to Yuan, Kratos, and Regal, "what do you three think?"

Yuan sighed, "I have no objections. Not that I could have any since it is a majority vote."

"Neither do I." Regal stated with a firm nod.

"I…why not?" Kratos shrugged.

April clapped her hands, her smile widening, "Okay then!"

"To the Hotsprings we go! Whoa yeah!" Zelos punched the air then, with a smirk on his face. Though shortly afterwards he was slapped in the face by none other than Sheena.

And the only thing she had to say in her defense was "pervert!"

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(1)-This rule, playing where if you draw a 2 of any suit and if you place it down, the person going next has to draw two (or four if it's the 2 of spades) unless they have a two is the way I learned how to play Crazy Eights. My dad taught it to me two summers ago and I thought it'd be an interesting way to play instead of the normal way. Also, with twelve people playing the deck runs out really fast, and if you have more than a set number of cards—or if you feel you have too many to win—then you can forfeit (or at least that's the way everyone was playing when I played it with my family/relatives on vacation). That's how come everyone got out so fast. Yuan just never thought he'd lose, so that's why he kept up even after it seemed like he wasn't going to win.

Me: …Okay…that didn't exactly go as planned.

April: Well at least they're planning on leaving Exire.

Me: That's true. It was a lot harder explaining a card game than I thought.

Feral: That does happen sometimes.

Me: Yeah I guess it does. And, as always, R&R! More reviews equal a faster update! Really, this is probably the fastest I've updated since…I don't know, back in September?