On My Honor

by Yamato795

A Regal musing fic that gives you a look at the game from how he saw it, and a better look at his past

2. Two

Title: On my Honor

Author: Yamato795

Pairing: Lots of mentions of RegalxAlicia, but no other ones planned at the moment…

Rating: Let's go PG-13 to be safe, since they do swear in the game, and the violence.

Status: Chapter 2 out of ? parts. Lots planned, but a number is not clear just yet.

Disclaimer: Don't own Tales of Symphonia. Please don't sue me.

Spoilers: A TON, mostly for Regal. I'd say this story is better suited for those who have beaten the game if you ask me. Read at your own risk of spoiling anything. Since it starts where Regal comes in, it should spoil quite a bit of the game after that, don't you think?

Summary: Take a look through Regal's eyes as well as a look into his past.

Author notes: First, I operate under the assumption that Regal does not live in the Lezareno building but in some sort of mansion like Zelos. Trust me, it makes sense, or will to you later. I mean, honestly, who lives in an office building? Second, if you cannot tell, I will tend to breeze through parts of the game that I do not think are both important to this story and Regal or, if you have played the game through, you don't really need to hear it from me again. Honestly, there are many parts of the game that I don't think I should have to touch too much on, either because Regal wasn't there, or because you should have seen it before when you played the game. Lastly, I really did not intend for this chapter to be so long, but when I had planned it, I decided to stick certain events in just like the first chapter, and these scenes seemed to accumulate. So hopefully, even though it is long, you will still be able to enjoy! (Flashbacks are still in italics, but lines in the flashbacks that are not are memories of something said before. Trust me, read and it will make sense.)

On my Honor

Chapter two

"Master Regal! There's been an accident!"

It was after that that the Elemental Railway no longer ran to the Lezareno building at night.

"Master Regal, your parents—"

They'd been on the railway, headed back to the station, back home. But something had happened to the train. There was an accident, a horrible accident. Neither his parents, nor the train's operator, had been found just as the cause of the incident couldn't be determined. Even though the bodies hadn't been discovered there was very little chance that they could have survived if the tide came in to sweep them out to sea. Altamira was devastated by the loss.

Not as much as the son they had left behind though. Regal's mother and father had been his entire family, his mother teaching him the ways of the royal court while his father taught him how to run Lezareno since childhood because he was their legacy. He'd been left the title of Duke, previously his father's title, as well as the huge company to keep running smoothly and court sessions to attend in the place of his mother. It was because of both of these responsibilities, those that had been his mother's and those of his father, that Regal Bryant, only seventeen years old, had no time to grieve the loss of his family, for he had new burdens to carry. He had been raised to follow the expectations of high society, to move on, to take on these new tasks, and to not even bat an eye at the fact that one night his parents had disappeared never to return.

As soon as the funeral was over he was given no time to contemplate any sort of pain that should have come from loss, from grief. There was too much to be done, too many things that required his attention, for Regal to have a chance to mourn his parent' deaths.

Too much was changing. He was needed to attend functions of the royal court in the place of his mother, and at the same time the company needed constant supervision, constant care. And when he came home from the office one night not long after the funeral, he found that the staff of the Bryant estate, the staff that for the most part, had worked there all his life, were packing up their things to leave.

"George, what is going on?" The older man appeared to be the only one who was not preparing to vacate the premises. His servant seemed startled to see him, but not nearly as unsettled as Regal appeared seeing every familiar face in his memory practically marching out the door. All of the cooks, the maids, the butlers, and every member of his staff that lived on the estate were filing out, some even shooting George piercing glares. Dozens of questions sprung into the Duke's throat but died before reaching his tongue, he was too flustered to voice his thoughts.

"Forgive me, Master Regal, but I only have your best interests at heart." His calm tone seemed to only be on the surface because his expression along with his posture read of nervousness. "But after what happened to your parents and the suspicious circumstances, I thought it might be better for you to begin again with a clean slate. There was always a chance that someone under your employment could have been somehow involved--"

"You cannot be serious." Regal interrupted hotly. Helplessly he glanced at the people who were walking past them to leave, to exit his life just as the only family he had ever known had, for a reason that wasn't even justified. "How can you do this, it's practically like you are accusing all of them of having a hand in what happened! Do you have any proof, George? Do you have any real foundation to this belief that firing the entire staff is what's best?"

"Master Regal, I am doing this for you." His servant insisted, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You will see that in time. The new staff that I hired will be here in two days, and things will be back to the way they always were. You will see."

It did not sit well with the young Duke though. Regal saw the injustice of it, couldn't stand that it was happening under his own roof, and yet he could not find the strength to speak out against it. George had been a trusted servant to his father, as well as a close friend to the Bryant family for years, perhaps the older man believed he was looking out for his charge's welfare. But for Regal it meant something entirely different.

Almost everyone he'd ever known would soon be gone.

I was just suddenly awake, as if my awareness had been snapped back into place abruptly. There were no thoughts of surprise that sprung into my mind, only a fair amount of pain that instantly brought back my most recent memories. The Chosen and his group, the fight in Gaoracchia Forest, and the image of that girl hit me in a swirl of recollection. Making it to my knees while finally sensing that there were others close by, right next to me even, I couldn't help but gasp in confusion. "?..."

Once my vision came into focus I could see Slyvarant's Chosen, Colette, rise to her feet before me, smiling. "Oh, he's awake."

In spite of the ache in my limbs I climbed to my feet, noting that someone stood up behind me as well. A quick glance from side to side told me all I needed to know. I was no longer in that dark forest I was in a small village that I definitely did not recognize, and the group that surrounded me now was definitely the same one that had defeated me. "Wh…where am I?"

"You're our prisoner. Don't try anything funny." Lloyd remarked sharply from behind my back, the threat lacing his voice more than just a warning. The irony of becoming the prisoner of a group that I had been sent to capture a member of was not lost on me. Nor was the fact that I found it pointless for the swordsman to threaten me when I had not wanted to battle any of them in the first place. Unfortunately, I was the only one who saw that.

Even so, I needed to comprehend my current situation before I could do anything about it. "I like to think I'm smart enough not to start trouble when I don't understand the situation."

"Lloyd, we should go check on Sheena...see what her Chief has to say." Zelos commented taking a few cautious steps towards me. "We'll just have to take him with us for now so that we can keep an eye on him."

As if escaping was what I wanted anyway. I allowed them to lead me into a large hut through a secret passage, and as soon as all of us had entered a voice beckoned my captors to join them in the main room. I was seated between the white haired woman, the wall to my right, and Colette, as if they expected that during their impending conversation that I would try to run for it. But there was no point to running away.

Since I was still alive after facing them in the forest I still had the chance to try to speak with that girl Lloyd had called Presea. If they were going to keep me prisoner that meant I could stay close to her, I could watch her, and maybe even ask her the questions that plagued my thoughts. I did not like the idea of being their captive, yet I knew I could endure it, as I had endured much in my life already.

Though I did not partake in their discussion, I gathered much from it. First, I'd been taken to the village of Mizuho along with the others of this little fellowship, by the dark haired woman that I assumed was the Sheena that Zelos had mentioned outside. She was from this village, and had been sent to kill Colette, which obviously, she did not do. Then the Vice-Chief of the ninja village asked Lloyd about his goals now that he was in Tethe'alla.

Lloyd proved to be an idealist. He wanted to stop the system of one world victimizing the other, even though he had no clue how to actually do so just yet. The Vice-Chief was impressed, and ordered Sheena to continue to travel with them, as well as assured the group that Mizuho's information network would locate the Rheairds for them. When I had first encountered the people from Slyvarant, I had not expected to discover they were in a struggle to save their dying world as well as do so without sacrificing Colette or Tethe'alla. I also had not expected to respect them for their goals.

What had I gotten myself into?

And what were they going to do with me?

When we left the Vice-Chief's hut, I soon found myself circled by these strangers, their eyes on me intently. For a moment, I wondered what they saw when they looked at me. Or perhaps, I wondered a bit more about what Zelos saw when he looked at me. I had yet to see any sort of recognition in his gaze when it was on me, I suppose that was enough to be grateful for, as if they knew all of my secrets I doubt they would let me anywhere near Presea.

Lloyd cocked his head to side curiously. "What's your name?"

His threats were gone, and yet that simple question was enough to worry me. The risk that giving them my full name might ruin my only chance to speak with the girl that reflected my memory was one that I was not willing to take. Not with the Chosen of Tethe'alla staring right back at me, waiting for my response. It was not that I wanted to lie to them, or hide the truth, because I took no pleasure in doing so. The only reason I could not be completely honest was the fact that I was ashamed, and I knew that once they saw it, I would be rejected instantly. "…Regal."

It was after all my name, as little as it had ever been used.

"Regal, huh? I'm sorry but we're gonna have to keep you prisoner for a bit longer." He seemed almost apologetic when he said that. After what I had heard him say in the hut only minutes ago, though, I was not surprised. He obviously respected life, and others, and probably felt that keeping me captive was the only way to insure the safety of his companions.

Zelos, at my left, spoke up suddenly, and it made my stomach twist until I heard what he had to say. For a moment, I believed he realized who I really was, but instead he suggested, "Lloyd. How about lettin' pops here fight, too?"

To say the least I was relieved, almost thankful. Instead of being their prisoner I could join them in their quest, as well as finally ask Presea what had been on my mind since the instant I'd laid eyes on her. I would have spoken up in my own defense, to offer my skills even, but the young spell caster with the white hair exclaimed, "Even though he might betray us?"

"He has business with Presea, right? Then he's not gonna try anything before he gets a chance to speak with her, you know?" the red headed swordsman interjected on my behalf. His sudden interest in my coming along with them had me suspicious. Did he really not recognize me? Or was he better at hiding his disgust and is waiting for the right moment to divulge any knowledge he has of me to his friends? Perhaps, if I went along with them, I would have to be a bit more careful around him than the others.

"Actually, that's not a bad idea." The white haired woman said softly.

That made the boy that resembled her go rigid. "Raine!"

She gave him a nearly secret, apologetic glance.

I could see the ninja woman cross her arms over her chest, biting her lip a bit agitated. "I dunno about this, but I won't make a fuss. I also started off as your enemy."

Lloyd turned back to me, his dark eyes warmer than they had been before. "…Well? Will you fight alongside us for now?"

"All right." I breathed out, pushing aside my nervousness because of the Chosen's stare and my eagerness to speak with Presea. Before I had wondered what I was getting into with these people, and before that I had regretted my decision to make a dastardly deal with the Pope. I did not want to do anything else I would regret. I was already suffering enough. Agreeing to this might increase that suffering, but I believed it worth it if my fate was tied with this girl who had the face of Alicia. "I swear upon my good name and these shackles that bind me, I shall not betray you."

The same boy who protested before gave me a harsh glare, clenching a fist at me. "If you do anything even the slightest bit suspicious, I'll burn you to a crisp, got it?"

I couldn't help but blink in surprise at the threat coming from a child, particularly one that I had in no way directly threatened. Indeed I had made an enemy of myself to them in the sewers, and I had fought them in the forest, but I had never even spoken to this boy and he already held such strong contempt for me. Sadly enough, I more than likely deserved it, whether he knew it or not.

"Well, then, welcome to our group, Regal!" Colette chimed in as if she had not heard her friend's harsh words towards me. The smile on her face was genuine, welcoming, as she clasped her hands together in front of her.

Her companions were not so warm, and I had not expected them to be. Raine, the white haired woman, seemed more focused on the boy who had detested her agreement with Zelos' idea, her concern more transparent as she moved over to his side and put a hand on her shoulder. Sheena, Lloyd, and Presea had already moved towards the gates of Mizuho, as if they were going to leave without us. I could not hear what they were saying, but a man in a blue uniform had told the dark haired ninja something that seemed to make Lloyd and Sheena both more relaxed. Presea seemed to make a comment after the crimson wearing swordsman that made him falter, but I managed to pick up the last thing he murmured.

"Okay, to Ozette first then."

My mind began to shut down, and I knew it was ridiculous to hope, to think this way, but Presea wanted to go to Ozette. It was too much of a coincidence to ignore! It had to be. There had to be a connection to this girl and my distant memories, how else could I look into her eyes and see those of the woman I loved?

"You won't be able to get her to talk to you that much." A voice at my side startled me from my thoughts, and I glanced down to my left to find that Zelos still stood only a few feet away with his gaze on the child that had a face so much like someone else's. I suppose he did not expect me to reply, or perhaps he even thought that I would not understand what he meant, but he continued on without any sort of prodding. "Her Exsphere makes her like this. She barely talks at all."

"Hm." So that cursed stone made her more like a doll than a human? Was that the explanation of why she barely reacted to anything but a danger to herself and those close to her? From what I knew of Exspheres they increased the strength, speed, and other capabilities of those using them, but I had never heard of them taking away the awareness of a person. I had never heard that they could subdue emotional responses such as fear or any other extreme reaction to one's surroundings. This…Presea…did seem so empty…so indifferent, almost.

How could someone have done this to her?

"Come on, guys, it's time to go!" Lloyd called, standing just outside of Mizuho and waving back to us.

I found my feet moving before I thought about it, falling into step with the red haired Chosen before I realized what I was doing. How had I made the transition from prisoner to member so quickly? Well, it was not as if they had done me any harm, other than defeat me in the forest, and it seemed that only one of them did not care for me to accompany them. And I did not want to worry about something like that at the moment. Yes, I had joined their quest, but mostly for the purpose of growing closer to the girl they called Presea.

And in spite of what Zelos had told me, how could I not try? How could I keep silent when she was right there? How could I keep back the questions that leapt onto my tongue the closer I came to her? The fact that her very visage managed to unhinge the walls of my defenses, that looking at her caused me both to flinch as well as internally weep with regret, was eating away at me. I had to know more about her, to know more than just her name. Even the caution I'd been giving from the Chosen wasn't enough to stop the urge welling up within me.

There was still a chance she would speak to me.

"Your name is Presea…correct?" She did not look over her shoulder, nor did she acknowledge the sound of my voice. She merely kept walking. I did not let that deter me, I stayed only a few steps behind her, unrelenting in my hope that perhaps I could get through to this child in spite of her Exshpere. "About your family…"

"H...hey! Get away from her!" The young spell caster ran over to the both of us, outrage lining his childish features. I had not even gotten out a complete second sentence before he had charged in, as if I meant to attack the girl who still walked in front of us undisturbed. Had he been watching to see if I would approach her, waiting to step in when I did? I studied his face for another moment until I realized the cause for his dislike of me, why he was trying to keep me away from Presea.

He meant to protect her. He probably cared for her.

I tried not to sound too smug. "I apologize. So you're her little knight…"

That caused him to bristle instantly, thinking I meant to mock him. "Don't make fun of me! I've got magic, you hear me!"

"Genis." Presea's voice cut in softly, nearly indifferent to what was occurring right behind her. She did not even glance at him, but he scrambled for a moment to fall into step next to her, color flooding his cheeks that I doubt she ever saw.

"Wh…what is it? Don't worry, I'll protect you." He assured her instantly.

"He bears no hostility." She remarked in a quiet monotone, her gaze never wavering from the path out in front of her. "There is no need for combat."

This seemed to fluster Genis, as he stole a glare back at me, and then seemed almost to deflate as he appeared to decide she was right. I did feel a good deal of sympathy for him, knowing that he only meant to protect someone he cared for from any threat of danger, as I knew what that was like. "Ah…oh…"

"Also, I have no need for your protection." Presea added.

That made the boy's face fall completely. "…Oh."

I could not blame him for wanting to step in and keep his companion safe. There had been a time when I did the same thing for the woman I loved, when I would have braved any danger to keep her from harm. When I watched Genis gaze over at the pink haired girl who no longer seemed to notice him, I could see in his eyes something that tore at my shattered heart. I knew that instinct to protect so very well, and yet I did not want to be reminded of it. Here was a girl who wore the face of my beloved, as well as a boy who cared for her deeply, and all it did was make me think of how I failed her. How I failed to protect Alicia the way I had promised to.

Unable to watch the two of them together any longer, I slowed down so that I could fall behind them, even behind Raine who was busy answering a question for Colette and Sheena. There was a part of me, as I trudged on, that wondered just how everything could always remind me of her.

Perhaps it was my price to pay.

I should not have been surprised that I dreaded entering the city of Ozette. I had never been to the quaint little town before, even after everything I had heard about it, and perhaps deep down I was expecting some sort of harsh welcome for entering the town. But I had no real time to dwell on it, for as soon as we began up the large tree branch that would take us into the village, Presea ran ahead. She said not a word, just surged forward without looking back leaving her companions, as well as myself, stunned.

Where was she going?

This seemed to upset Genis instantly, for I could have sworn I saw his face fall after the pink haired girl ran off, and he turned to Lloyd, hiding his distress by crying out urgently, "Lloyd! We have to follow her!"

The young swordsman still seemed stunned from Presea's departure. "Huh? Yeah…"

I was more concerned with the fact that Presea had run off, giving me no more chances to speak with her, than with Lloyd's questions about my shackles. The younger man had approached me to ask me a few questions, mostly about why I wore them. He came up with his own explanation for them anyway, probably because I refused to offer him one, and as off as his explanation was I did not want to think about it. My thoughts were more on what the girl who nearly shared the face of my lover could be doing, why she had gone off on her own.

Thankfully, Raine deterred the party from going into any of the shops. She was firm in the fact that she wanted to find Presea to make sure the girl would be all right before anyone decided to comb through the weapons and armor stores. I would have voiced my agreement, but Genis seemed to think he knew where his friend had gone, so there was no need. We headed down a branch near the back of the town to find only one house at the bottom, and on the porch was not only the child we were looking for, but a strange man.

There was something about him that made me cautious. He seemed too focused on his glee that Presea had returned; even though she was quick to enter what I assumed was her home. She had ignored Genis' outcry that we needed to make her a Key Crest, which is what Colette had told me, in her long list of introductions and other tidbits of information on my new companions, was the entire reason we were headed to the home of Altessa. When Presea went inside he left shortly after.

Raine felt the need to point out he was a half-elf, and Lloyd mentioned something about seeing him in Meltokio. I lost track of what they were saying after that, unfortunately. I could not ignore the fact that I still needed to talk with this girl, especially now that it seemed she no longer intended to travel with us even if this group's current goal was to obtain a Key Crest for her. If she did not remain with the party there was a chance that Lloyd and the others could become too involved in their quest to stop the two worlds from hurting each other that Presea's condition was the least of their worries. Part of me thought it cold for me to believe they could forget her so easily and yet I knew the main reason I had joined them was for their connection to the girl that reflected my lover's face.

"At any rate, we should have a talk with Presea." I interrupted a small feud between Genis and Zelos once I snapped out of my own daze, turning to Lloyd to hope that he understood my concern.

"Yeah." He nodded to me, leading the way into the house.

A strange odor hit my nose as soon as we stepped inside, a scent that almost had me take a step back it was so overpowering. None of my new companions seemed to take notice of it until Lloyd stepped into the second room, freezing in place for a moment, having just inhaled.

"That smell…" The swordsman practically whispered.

Presea seemed immune to the odor, running from one side of the room to the other, distractedly and she did not even glance up as we came in. Her attention was centered wholly on what she was doing, her hollow eyes forward at all times, her small hands working without pause. For a moment I could not deny she appeared a puppet, that she was a doll because of her Exshpere, just as Zelos had warned and Colette had struggled to explain. There was no other explanation for her behavior, for the way she seemed so empty of anything that made one human. But then a gasp from Colette jarred me from the heartache I felt watching the pink haired child scurry about aimlessly. "Look!..."

I followed the gazes of my new comrades to see a bed in the corner that I had not noticed. There was definitely something under the covers of this bed, what could have been a person, but as my mind took into account the smell, and the idea of someone lying on that mattress, I was no longer certain. I did not want it to be so when the thought of what could be under those sheets came to me, but Raine was already there. And the look of horror in her expression was enough to confirm my fears. "…Oh my…how horrible…"

Zelos gagged loudly. "What the…this is not cool."

There was a corpse in that bed. Presea was oblivious to that fact. She was fiddling with something on the table in front of me, as if none of us were standing in her home and talking about her. Before she had been running from the head of the bed over to this table, but now she seemed to be working on something, the scent of death not distracting or disturbing her in the least.

"How could this happen?" Sheena questioned.

I had instinctively taken a step closer to Presea, the urge to shake her from this trance nearly overwhelming, and it seemed Raine had felt compelled to come closer to her as well, almost at my side when she came to the conclusion, "Most likely the effect of Exspheres' parasitism. Presea has no idea what had become of the person in that bed."

The pain in Genis' voice was unmistakable. "How could that…"

"Presea. Are you not coming with us?" I asked her softly. I had seen her strength before, and I was not willing to make myself a threat to her just to get an answer. Even if everything that made up my entire being wanted to question her, to know just how it was possible to see Alicia when I looked in her eyes, I could not do so now. While it was possible for her to respond, the rotting body in that bed was proof enough of how lost she was to the world right now. We had to bring her to see the dwarf that Colette spoke of. We had to get her a Key Crest.

There was always the chance that she had no answers for me, that her face was just an eerie coincidence, but even so, she did not deserve to go through what was left of her life this way. No one deserved to fall to the cruelty of Exspheres.

I was only slightly amazed that she turned to look up at me for just a moment. "I must…do my job…"

And then I was promptly ignored, as I no longer posed as a distraction, I suppose. She went back to what she was doing, and again I wanted to shake her. Where was the child that was trapped inside that small body? Where was the girl that should be out living a life free of such a curse as that stone, with whomever was in that bed to hold her hand? I wanted to find that girl; even if she had no connection to my lover other than they were both victims of something so horrible no real words could ever describe it.

I could not save Alicia…I cannot allow the same mistake with Presea…

Raine seemed reluctant to speak again. "…Let's leave Presea here for now."

Lloyd sprang to life again. "Here!"

From the corner of her eye she was looking down at the pink haired child for a moment, and then applying to the boy's reason. "If we try to move her, she will just fight back. Let's go see Altessa by ourselves to ask him about repairing the Key Crest."

He seemed just as reluctant to leave her behind. What was it that Colette had said about Lloyd being determined to save everyone? No sacrifices and such? No leaving anyone behind? I suppose it was fitting, being that he wanted to stop two worlds from sacrificing one another just to survive. With a sigh, he gave in to the wishes of the teacher Colette had informed me Raine was. "…Yeah."

As much as I did not want to leave Presea in this house, I could better serve her by going with this group to this Altessa to try to obtain her a Key Crest than to threaten her decision to stay here. Even in my reluctance I trailed my new companions back out into the small village, glancing over my shoulder a few times as if I expected the small girl to change her mind. I should not have expected that, for I had seen too many times now that she was being controlled by that damned stone, but I suppose I couldn't bring myself to stop hoping. Part of me did not want to give up on the child that seemed to have my beloved's face.

Sheena seemed to be attempting to get Genis' mind off the fact we had left Presea behind by mentioning that our cooking supplies were low. Colette had told me that Raine was the boy's older sister, which their similar appearances made obvious but the information had been appreciated, so I could see why she readily agreed with the idea of making a quick stop for ingredients before departing. Lloyd was quick to lead the way up another large tree branch where the small shop was located above us, but he stopped suddenly once he reached the top.

A strange man was blocking our path. He seemed to be fuming about something, his harsh gaze combing over all of us before he practically spat, "You're all with her, aren't you?"

"Her?" Lloyd repeated confused.

The man practically growled at the teenage swordsman. "Presea. You were with that monster."

In an instant I could see the small white haired mage light up with anger, his glare narrowed and sharp on this stranger. "Don't call Presea a monster!"

He took a step back, stunned that anyone would speak out for the girl that he seemed so contemptuous of. For a moment he could only shake his head in disbelief, and I could not stop myself from wondering just what his grudge against Presea could be. As far as I was concerned, because she was under the power of her Exshpere, she did not attack unless provoked even with her great strength. What could she have done to make this man think of her as some sort of monster? "Wh…what? She hasn't aged a day for the longest time!"

"…What are you talking about?" I demanded without thinking. There was too much on my mind right now for these games, and I could not stand to think that there might be something even worse going on with that poor girl who stared back at me with Alicia's eyes.

His piercing gaze met mine as he cried, "That's not all. Even though her father is dead, she won't even make him a grave. She's a monster. Half-elves are nothing compared to her."

Even as I heard Lloyd gasp I was bristling, much like Genis. Neither on of us wished to continue to listen to this man speak ill of a girl who could not defend herself from such accusations. I could see that her small knight was nearly reaching for his weapon as to make this stranger stop his ranting, but he kept his control as did I.

"Will you guys take that monster and get out of the village?" This man suddenly had the audacity to ask of us. "I'll thank you for it. You won't regret it."

"How can you say that!" Lloyd had grown angry as well.

Fury now back in place, the stranger flailed his arms. "Oh, so, you're saying a child that never grows up isn't weird!"

What did he mean, a child that never grows up? How was it possible that Presea could not have aged a day? Yes, she was practically controlled by her Exshpere, and it increased her strength enough to wield an ax that should have been much too large for her, but could it have effected her growth? Had it made it so that she stayed a child? Could one of those evil stones do that to someone as well as turn them into a monster?

Presea…how did this happen to you?

The leader of our party was caught off guard, unable to respond to such heated words when the situation was too complicated to explain off hand. "Well, I…But there's a reason why Presea is like that…"

"Hmph. I don't know what it is, but it doesn't change how freaky she is. I doubt you outsiders would understand." With that he ran past us, down the tree branch. I thought it particularly foolish of him to go right by Genis, as the boy still seemed struggling to contain himself, but the young mage made no advance on him.

The awkward silence was broken by the dark haired ninja, who seemed a bit dejected. "Outsiders…It's true that we didn't watch Presea stay young while everyone else grew old."

So she had no doubt that Presea had not aged in a long period of time? She was just going to take the word of a raving stranger who set her off balance by calling us all outsiders? Perhaps what he said was true, and certainly the mysteries of Exspheres made it possible, but did that mean that poor girl had a choice in this? That she chose to become a doll? I was clenching my hands in to fists, knowing that arguing with Sheena was not going to get me anywhere. Truth or not, it already seemed that the people in this village avoided Presea. And that man had known about the dead body in her house.

"But…that's not Presea's fault!" Genis insisted defensively for his friend.

"It's the same reason half-elves are persecuted." Zelos pointed out, which surprised me that he would want to talk about a subject like that. Although when Colette had told me that Raine and Genis were both half-elves, to which I had already suspected as much, I was a little stunned to see the Chosen of Tethe'alla so friendly with the both of them.

"Yes. If half-elves could live apart from humans like elves, things might be different, but half-elves have no choice but to live in human villages." Raine put in with a long sigh. These thoughts had to have plagued her a lot, I could tell.

"And humans experience the difference in the passage of time and are constantly reminded of the fact that they are different species." Why I had to add that I do not know. I had never been one to discriminate against half-elves, and even though I knew the reasons that others found the disgusting need to, I did not understand their feelings towards the poor people caught in the middle of humans and elves.

Lloyd had been staring at the ground sadly, his shoulders slumped. "…Let's save Presea. Nothing good can come out of it if she stays this way."

Altessa's was not far from Ozette, just on the outskirts. Raine, Lloyd, Colette, and Zelos had given themselves the task of buying new weapons and armor for the party so that we would be prepared when we left town, while Sheena and Genis insisted on finishing the shopping for ingredients. Since I had not readily volunteered for anything, Raine suggested that I accompany both the mage and ninja, just in case. In case of what, she neglected to mention.

Once we had enough food to last us for quiet a while, we began back down the large tree branch, Genis in the lead for he saw Lloyd and the others were waiting anxiously for us. Sheena had been walking next to me for a moment now, an almost pensive look on her face as her mouth opened a few times, closing just as quickly to swallow whatever it was she might have said.

"I've been wondering about this for a little while now, but…you want me to get those things off your wrists?" She finally asked gesturing to the shackles I wore with a small, friendly smile now that she had found her voice.

I don't think she noticed that I blanched at her suggestion. "There is no need."

That was the only response I could muster, given I had never expected any of them to even suggest it, much less the summoner. Colette had gone into great detail about the pacts Sheena had managed to make with the Summon Spirits of Slyvarant, and generally how powerful the girl now next to me was. I was not exactly well-versed in Mizuho's customs, except their type of fighting style really, and I was not anticipating her to nearly laugh off what I'd said.

"But isn't it kind of inconvenient like that?" Again she was staring at my bound wrists, her head cocked to the side in confusion. I suppose it would seem odd to her that anyone would want to remain restrained, and choose to do so.

My throat began to feel tight. How could I explain this to her without giving myself away, or worse yet, lying to them? Their goal was relatively the same as mine, they wanted to save Presea. I did not need to alienate myself from any of them, not when I could still keep most of my past hidden from them. I did not truly wish to keep secrets from them; I really had no reason to, other than the selfish need to ensure that I could talk with Presea and possibly get my answers. "I've never felt it to be particularly inconvenient."

At this she smiled even more, as if she had completely forgotten how I had pretty much made myself their enemy before. "Don't be shy to ask for help. I'm great at opening locks."

She made a step towards me, and I instinctively took one back, trying to ignore the hurt that flashed through her gaze. I was fumbling for a way out of this situation that would not end with the both of us at odds, so I hurried to insist, "I told you there is no need."

Again she tried to laugh off my attempts to refuse her kindness, still moving closer to inspect the handcuffs I wore. "Ahh, I see. You're just embarrassed. Don't worry about it. Just let me see them for a minute."

I should not have reacted like I did. She did not know what it was she was suggesting, what it would have meant for me to remove my bonds, and yet I couldn't stop myself from jerking violently from her reach. Yelling at her didn't help either, but I snapped before I could regain control. "That's enough!"

Any pain I had seen in her a moment before fled her instantly, her reflexes causing her to draw back from me in case I might lash out at her. Then she clenched her fists at her sides, mad that I had rejected her kind, albeit misguided, offer rudely. "Ah…hey! And here I was being nice to you! Fine then, I won't take them off even if you come back and ask!"

She stormed off to where the others were waiting, and I was almost reluctant to follow. If she had asked anything else of me I would not have reacted so badly. I would have been able to keep calm if she had talked to me about anything else, if she had wanted to know why I wore them like Lloyd had, I could have handled that. But she wanted to remove them! She wanted me to cast off these metal restraints as if they meant nothing, and although she could not have known that they meant anything at all, I could not help my reaction.

Someday…she may understand…

"Hey, Regal!" Zelos' voice brought me out of my thoughts, and I saw him waving at me while the others were headed off back in the direction of Presea's house since that was the fastest way to the dwarf's location. "Come on! We're leaving!"

Heaving a sigh I hurried to rejoin them, careful not to meet Sheena's gaze. I did not want to risk another confrontation, or incur more of her anger, since I could not apologize for my behavior without admitting why I refused her attempt to be kind. There was not another delay for the group to get moving, other than just before we left Ozette I had to look back a Presea's home, thinking for a moment that I saw her in the window.

Who could think that poor girl a monster?

Altessa's home was in the side of a large hillside, set into the rock much like a cave would be. Dwarves were not known to be surface dwellers, so few were ever seen, and it seemed this one could not even leave behind an earthen home. Lloyd ran up the hill ahead, either determined, or eager to go inside. Had that strange man's accusations of Presea added to his resolve to set things right with the small girl?

I was amazed at just how eager the swordsman was though, for he went right in the front door without knocking, gesturing for all of us to follow. I thought the abrupt entrance strange, rude even, but no one else seemed bothered, trailing behind our young leader as if it were always ordinary to enter the house of someone we did not know without permission.

A young woman stopped in her tracks at our entry, staring at Lloyd, not with surprise, or even annoyance, but quite evenly. "WHO IS IT?"

Her voice was peculiar, devoid of emotion with the same even tone for each syllable. I let my eyes scan her and noticed that she was not breathing, or if she was breathing, she'd been well trained in being able to keep any movement and sound that would indicate it hidden. Her green hair was tied back neatly, and the small dark dress was familiar, but I pushed that thought aside quickly, wondering where the dwarf that supposedly lived here could be.

"Ah, excuse us. We've heard that there is a dwarf living here." Lloyd suddenly seemed to remember his manners, watching this young woman curiously. Had he noticed how she didn't seem to be breathing, or did he just find the sound of her voice odd? "Is there any chance we could see him?"

"YOU DESIRE A MEETING WITH MASTER ALTESSA." Our hostess replied in that polite, even tone. "PLEASE COME INSIDE."

She took us into the house where there was a small staircase leading to what could have been a modest workshop. Here was the dwarf, a rough looking creature who seemed startled to have company, unlike the woman who was at his side in a few even strides. Sharp eyes usually focused on craftwork scanned over each of us before he barked out, "Who are you people?"

"My name is Lloyd." Why no one else spoke I couldn't be certain, but perhaps they were more used to such odd situations with the crimson wearing swordsman since they had been with him longer. "We've come in regards to Presea. We heard about you from Kate in Sybak."

The color drained from Altessa's face. "…Leave!"

He turned to the desk at this side as if that could shut the rest of the world out, the young woman turning to watch his expression. I noticed that his hands were clenched at his sides, and he seemed waiting for the sounds of our retreating footsteps.

But Lloyd did not give up that easily, and he seemed more angry than confused by this response. "What?"

Not looking at him, the dwarf growled out. "I don't want anything more to do with that girl! Get out of here!"

I could only guess the green haired woman that had greeted us at the door was a servant of his, for once he again told us to leave, and she gently escorted us away from the work area back to where we had spoken with her before. Her face had not changed, she did not even seem uneasy with the fact that the teenage swordsman was fuming now, glaring at her.

"What was that all about?" He demanded in frustration.

"I APOLOGIZE." What could she be that she did not breathe and she spoke in such a mechanical sounding voice? Was she even human? I doubted it, but pushed the concern to the back of my mind. Altessa had refused to help Presea. Without his help, was there a way to restore her to the child she should have been? Was there a way to reach the little girl that was trapped inside that doll when we could not even obtain a Key Crest from this dwarf? "THE MASTER DOES NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH PRESEA."

"Why?..." Genis questioned sharply throwing up his hands, albeit helplessly. I sympathized with him. I did not understand how the dwarf could reject us before we could even plead our case. It was at the mention of Presea's name that he had become unstable, so did that mean there was a connection between them? Did he know something? "He doesn't care if she dies!"

The thought was ghastly. She was so young; she did not deserve death, not by that damned stone someone had attached to her. Colette had tried to explain the situation, but she had not really understood the secondhand information she had received from Lloyd and Zelos, and therefore I had not gotten many details from her. All I knew was that that Exshpere was trying to destroy her, and I could not allow that to happen to her, even if it was only to discover she had no ties to Alicia. But what could I do if this dwarf was unwilling to assist us? I had never studied Exshperes much, I knew very little about them, or Key Crests, but there had to be something I could do. What would be needed to reign in the power of her Exshpere so it no longer controlled her? What was missing from her stone that had caused this?

"IT IS NOT THAT. IT IS BECAUSE THE MASTER REGRETS WHAT HE HAD DONE." The young woman tried to explain to Genis to calm him down.

"Then please, save Presea!" Colette implored clasping her hands in front of her in what could have been a plea. "All she needs is for her Key Crest to be fixed."

"…I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WOULD TRULY BE IN HER BEST INTEREST." Was the hesitant reply from our hostess. It was the first sign of emotion from her, the first sign of her actually thinking about something before saying it, and I noticed her eyes dart back in the direction of her master for just a split second. Her reluctance to answer said that she knew more about Presea's condition than she, or the dwarf, were willing to let on.

"Why?" Lloyd remarked hotly. "How could anything be worse than living in that cruel condition waiting to die!"

It was then that the young woman seemed to give in to whatever sympathy she might have had for Presea, just barely glancing over her shoulder as if she would be caught saying too much. "IF YOU ARE THAT COMMITTED, THEN YOU SHOULD SEARCH FOR INHIBITOR ORE."

"Presea's Key Crest isn't made out of inhibitor ore?" Lloyd asked in surprise.

The woman nodded slightly. "CORRECT. HER CREST IS--"

"Tabatha! What are you doing? Get rid of them!" The dwarf must have just become aware of our lingering presence, shouting from the other room and cutting off this Tabatha before she could finish what she'd been trying to tell us.

"I APOLOGIZE, I MUST RETURN." She told us hurriedly yet her tone was still even, emotionless, just as Presea's had been. "PLEASE COME BACK AGAIN. I WILL ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE HIM."

Dejected, Lloyd began to head for the door, which Zelos was nearest to. We filed out, back into the dwarf's front yard, standing out on the hill now sullen. Their main goal was to fix the system of one world always flourishing while the other paid the price and went into decline, but they also did not want to sacrifice anyone. Presea had even been one of them for a time, according to Colette, so obviously, they did not want to lose her.

And if Altessa would not help us, we would have to save her on our own. But what could I do? I did not know how to repair a faulty Key Crest. What could I actually do to save this girl whose face reflected that of my beloved?

Colette sighed heavily. "Where can we find inhibitor ore?"

I could not repair the girl's Key Crest, but I had access to the metal we required to help her. Why had I not thought of it before? How could I have allowed myself to become so distracted? "I've heard it's mined in the mountain range that extends between Altamira and the Ymir Forest. I would like to help if you're going to create a Key Crest for Presea. I can lead you to the mine."

Lloyd's brown eyes locked on my own, quizzical. "Just what is your relation to Presea, anyway?"

I was more than relieved that it was my concern for Presea he questioned, and not my knowledge of where to find inhibitor ore. Having worded my suggestion to sound as if I had obtained the information in passing from some forgotten source, I hoped to distract them all from the fact that I knew all too much about those mines. That, and I had no reason to lie to them, none of them had lied to me as far as I could tell, and they had kept nothing from me. But I could not divulge everything to them yet, not my connection to the mines, or the suspicion I had of my ties to Presea. I actually had no idea if Presea was nothing more than someone who wore a resemblance to my lover, so I did not lie when I replied, "There is none."

Raine was watching me over her shoulder, probably expecting to catch me in some sort of lie. Out of the entire party, she seemed to be the most suspicious, the most skeptical. "Yet you sure seem concerned about her."

The crimson wearing swordsman shrugged when I did not give the Professor any sort of response. I found it better if I said little so that I could avoid having to cover up anything I felt they shouldn't know yet, than to actually have to be dishonest with these kind people. "Well, either way, you haven't done anything suspicious so far. You're welcome to come along with us."

Would you say that if you knew…?

"Inhibitor ore is found relatively near the surface of the Exshpere mine." I told him, having gone over every word in my mind twice already to make sure that it would not cause them to question me now. I had already created some animosity between Sheena and myself, so I could not risk giving away too much of my true identity while I was still so new to this group. As foolish as it was to hope they could accept me whether or not they knew of my past, it was even more foolish to want them to accept me now when rejection was only waiting on the horizon. "The mine I know of is across the sea from here, on the southern continent."

"You said Altamira, right?" Zelos exclaimed with excitement. "That place is awesome! Let's stop by there on the way!"

My gut twisted in horror, even if it would have never shown on my face. Just the thought of having to go anywhere near Altamira was enough to freeze me in place. I was not ready to go back there, I might never be ready to go back there. And how could I explain that to any of them if they all decided to go with the Chosen's suggestion to stop by Altamira on the way to the mine? No matter what excuse I could concoct, I had a very slim chance of fooling Zelos if I showed any sort of reluctance to enter the gates of that town.

But my fears were soon eased by none other than the summoner that I had angered before. "We don't have time to hang out at that gaudy resort!"

Even Raine was distracted now, gazing out at the far horizon, suddenly nervous. She seemed apprehensive, murmuring to herself. "The sea?...We're going out to sea again?"

"Okay, then. Let's go." Lloyd cheered, oblivious to his teacher's discomfort.

"Yeah! Let's hurry." Colette agreed, and then led the way down the hill. Genis chased after Lloyd, only stopping to make sure Raine was behind him, and Sheena was right on their heels. I was about to follow the rest of the group when I realized that Zelos had not moved from where he stood, which made me determined to keep my gaze straight ahead.

"…By the way, this had been bugging me for a while now." His statement brought about a sense of déjà vu of my previous encounter with Sheena, but I kept my expression stoic as though I didn't hear him. "Haven't we met somewhere before?"

I could not answer him without lying; there was no way around it. I could both answer in the affirmative and lose my only chance to help Presea, to get closer to Presea, or I could do the only thing that would ensure he might avoid another confrontation such as this. Ignoring the fact he was only feet from me, his gaze focused on me intently while awaiting some sort of reply, I walked right by him. The action was totally against my nature, I was not raised to be so blatantly rude to anyone, but I had to do this. I could not let him realize who I am just yet.

"…Fine, ignore me!" He called behind me. "Not very friendly, are ya?"

No one found it odd how when we entered the Toize Valley Mine that I went slightly ahead, or that I was observing the machines that guarded the mine carefully. Perhaps Zelos was enough of a distraction though, laughing as soon as he perceived all around us, acting like a small child that no one really noticed what I was doing. "Wow! So this is that sealed mine! It sure looks like it might house a ghost or two, don't you think? Hmm?"

Again, Sheena did not seem interested in allowing him to behave as if we were not on a mission. "Argh! Will you just be quiet for a little while!"

The Chosen was doing well to keep the attention on himself, which meant I had another moment to inspect the guard system that as far as they knew I had no idea what it was or what it did. He crossed his arms over his chest giving her an annoyed glare. "What's with you? Don't get mad, Sheena."

That's when I finally saw it. One of the panels was heavily dented, another missing, wires already sticking out from it. Even though it was one of the best pieces of technology, it was a mess now, considering some of the major parts had been damaged. Now the system that was meant to keep intruders out was noting more than a raging obstacle that I could not disguise shutting down while the others had their backs turned. "…This isn't good."

It was as if I was suddenly brought back to their attention, only momentarily forgotten. Not that I took any offense, as I was planning to try to stay out of their focus long enough to disarm guard system. Lloyd spoke first. "What's wrong, Regal?"

"The door to the guard system is out of control." I informed him, hoping that it sounded more as if I were making a casual observation other than an informed one. Keeping my eyes on the machinery, I attempted to keep them slightly in the dark about my knowledge of the mine. "Someone must have destroyed it when trying to force their way through."

"Then let's bust it up even more!" the teenage swordsman suggested without hesitation, pumping a fist in the air. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think of him now. His first solution was to finish what a band of would-be robbers had started? This was the young man the others had picked for their leader? To guide them on this journey? He was an idealist for sure, and he wanted to save both worlds as well as keep his friends safe, but he was so quick to act.

"That's our Lloyd! That's an easy to understand plan!" Zelos commented with a few snickers behind his hand even though he seemed to agree with the plan.

"Yeah. I'm fine with that, too." Sheena nodded, surprising me.

Colette smiled brightly. "Well, if Lloyd says so, it's fine with me."

Genis groaned at that, shaking his head at the both of them. "Don't blame me if it goes wrong."

Raine shook her head as well her shoulders slumping and it appeared she had to resist the urge to smack her own forehead. Was she used to these half-baked plans and Lloyd's impetuous nature? "…Honestly!"

Drawing his swords, Lloyd leapt into battle, triggering what was left of the guard system's defenses. As the mechanisms activated, the others rushed in to help as well. Genis was readying a Lightning spell as Raine was casting a Barrier over the crimson wearing swordsman in an attempt to protect him as well. Sheena was using her cards to attack one of the smaller floating guns, with Zelos keeping her safe from any shots the rest of the guard system could make on her from behind. Colette had made it to the auto repair unit using her strange Para Ball technique to strike it down and prevent it from regenerating any of the other units.

Realizing it would be strange not to join in on the chaos, I ran in to aid Lloyd so that we could take down the orbits quickly. I took a few too many hits without having the chance to block, and noticed that Raine was busy with casting a healing spell on Colette so that she could remain in the battle, and Zelos was casting his own Lightning spell on one of the units, so I pulled back.

I heard Lloyd yell something to me, as if he knew that I was injured, and I saw him moving towards me. That was until he saw a circle of light underneath my feet, as well as the concentration in my expression. I murmured only one word that I am certain he managed to hear over the sounds of the battle around us for a grin crossed his face just as my body was enveloped in the green light I had created for an instant. "Healer."

"Oh, you're a healer too!" He laughed, turning back to strike the orbit before it could recover from the pause in his relentless attacks. I rejoined him shortly, our combined attacks managing to take down the orbits which could not be revived thanks to Colette and Genis taking out the auto repair unit. The rest of the fight was short after that, considering the auto repair could no longer function, and the seven of us had taken to destroying it further.

Zelos laughed again when it was finally over, standing in front of the now open door that would take us into the mine. "Okay, good work everyone! Now, let's go get that whatchamacallit."

"Inhibitor ore!" Genis corrected him loudly, frustrated with the Chosen.

"Yeah, that!" the red headed charmer insisted, unfazed by the young mage's comment. He made as gesture for all of us to follow him in. "Come on, let's go!"

The rest of the party went in along with him, determined to move on after our victory. I could not help but hesitate, my gaze falling on the now destroyed guard system. I did not know who had been here before us who tried to force it open, but I could not understand Lloyd's logic in demolishing it further to gain access. Would that always be the solution? To fight whatever stood in our way? I shook my head. "…They're all so violent."

I had to be extremely careful in how I informed them of anything that lay before us in the mine. No matter how much easier it would have been to simply give them all of the facts I had about the mine, how it worked, and where the inhibitor ore would most likely be, that would only raise questions I could not answer. I could not tell them how I knew so much of the mines.

This meant I had to hold back pieces of information and it meant there were times I had to be silent and let them explore the mine on their own. I did not want to, I wanted to be able to tell them everything, but I could not risk their rejection so soon. Even though what I was doing seemed so selfish, the fear and the doubt in the back of my mind kept me from being completely honest with them. I told them only what I was certain they needed to know, even cautioned Lloyd from using the Sorcerer's Ring recklessly now that it would create small mana bombs.

Acting as guide, I led them deeper and deeper, springing to action when monsters appeared out of nowhere to challenge us. How the monsters had made it inside, I would concern with myself with later, I merely wanted to move onward. I wanted to leave this place, with the inhibitor ore so that we could help Presea, so that I could know for sure if there was some string of fate that connected me to her.

But I must have become distracted by trying to only divulge information that seemed more like general knowledge that I forgot about the trap until Lloyd stepped on it. No one was hurt by the boulder that came rolling down the slope after us, but I had made a mistake.

I could have gotten someone hurt, or worse.

Zelos was annoyed, his hands on his hips. "Whoa, that was close! What was that?"

"I'm sorry, I had forgotten. That's a trap to stop intruders." I murmured from behind him, watching his stance. Out of all of them, Zelos was the one that could identify me, if he only knew. And with that information he could, if he was so inclined, turn the rest of them against me. Was it so selfish of me to try to prevent that?

"Pay attention to what you're doing!" he scolded rather sharply.

"There's a switch on the wall ahead. If you press it, the boulders should stop coming out." I told Lloyd, since he seemed more likely to listen to me at the moment. He nodded and moved on ahead to find the switch, and instead found another device blocking our path. This time I gave them the entire span of my knowledge on the device, much to Raine's pleasure, and that served to help Lloyd come up with a plan to destroy it so we could proceed.

How long had it been since I was this deep into the Toize Valley Mine? I couldn't even recall considering I had not paid much attention to any of the tours I had taken of it years ago, only really remembering the waterfall. Once we were over the bridge, I gestured to the small area ahead of us, the deepest part of this stretch of underground caverns.

"This is the inhibitor ore mining area." From Lloyd, Colette, or Sheena, I didn't expect them to question why I knew all of this. Genis was probably too distracted with his need to protect Presea and save her from her Exsphere to pay much attention to me. It was Raine or Zelos that had me concerned. Yet the Professor did not say a word, she was not even looking at me. And the Chosen had been speaking with Colette while looking around since we had passed by the traps. I should not have still been worried at this point, we were to our goal, and soon they would focus on nothing but returning to Ozette, but my doubts were still with me.

Lloyd's gaze passed over the stacks of boxes. "So which one is inhibitor ore?"

"Hmm…let's search this area." I suggested, not knowing just which box contained the metal we required. "There may be some left over in the wooden boxes."

A loud groan came from Zelos. "Oh, please, I'm not going to go through all those boxes. Let's just blow them all up!"

"I agree!" the crimson wearing swordsman piped up instantly. I thought I heard Raine actually slap herself in the forehead this time, and I understood why. There were not that many boxes that we would have to search through, but again, Lloyd had decided to go with a more destructive approach, albeit the faster one.

After a few careful detonations, there was only a small box left. I opened it, handing its contents to Lloyd. "This is inhibitor ore."

"We did it, Lloyd." Colette cheered behind him, her bright smile nearly infectious. She clasped her hands in front of herself again, a habit of hers I assumed after seeing it so many times. "Now we can save Presea."

He smiled as well, clutching the metal in his gloved hand. Although there was a grin on his lips, his eyes were more contemplative combing over the piece of ore in his hand that we had all worked so hard to obtain. Didn't Colette say that he had been raised by a dwarf? I really wish when she'd been kind enough to try to fill me in on everyone that she had slowed down, as she had said everything much to fast for me to catch all of it. But if Lloyd had been raised by a dwarf, he might know some of their arts when it came to craftwork such as Key Crests. So was he trying to figure out if he could prepare it for Presea himself? "Yeah. All I need to do is prepare this."

"How long will that take?" I did not mean to rush him in anyway, as I had no idea what he planned to do to the ore to have it ready for the child waiting in Ozette, but I could not bear to think of Presea staying in that house surrounded by the stench of death with a corpse in the bed.

"To be honest, only a dwarf could do it right." He admitted, almost sheepishly. Turning the metal over in his hand again, he continued, "But if I carve the charm directly into this, I think it'll serve in place of a Key Crest. If that's all right, I can make it right away. Wait just a little bit."

Genis offered to make lunch if we were going to be staying for even a short amount of time, Colette offering to start a fire so he'd be able to cook. Raine was thankful to get off her feet taking a seat on a rock and pulling out a large book from her bag. Lloyd had also sat down, more off to the side, and Sheena had taken to watching him for a moment, and then decided that if she helped with lunch it would be done that much faster. Zelos complained for a minute or two before he went back to annoying Sheena.

I just took a deep breath, grateful for the fact that I had kept them oblivious, but ashamed of my ability to do so at the same time. Though I was not doing this to hurt them, I had no intention of breaking the trust they had given to me, I still regretted that I had to practically deceive them. It wasn't right, and it was gnawing at the back of my mind. Would they still trust me if I ever revealed myself to them, if they learned what I had been keeping from them?

During our rest and meal, my companions seemed perfectly at ease while Lloyd worked on the inhibitor ore in between bites. I had never seen him so focused, even in the battles on our way into this part of the mine. Dwarven arts did require the utmost skill and concentration, which until now I did not think our teenage leader capable of, but in practically the time it had taken for Genis to cook, everyone to eat, for Sheena and Zelos to fight over who would wash the dishes, and for Raine to finally command them both to just get them done, Lloyd had finished carving the charm into the metal.

He stood triumphantly. "…I think this will do. Later, once Presea has returned to her normal self, let's have Dad or Altessa make a real one."

I stood as well, giving him a small nod. "I understand. Then let's return. It's unbearable to leave Presea in that house steeped with the stench of death."

"Yeah." Lloyd agreed.

Our trek back towards the upper level of the mine was an unhindered one, as it seemed we had defeated all of the monsters that would try to block our path. As usual, our ever eager leader pulled ahead, Colette hurrying to keep in step with him, and Genis not far behind too distracted by something he was talking to the Chosen of Slyvarant about to give me small glares. It was as if he felt he needed to ward me off, even though he knew I meant Presea no harm.

But as we reached the exit, I heard a voice, and realized that someone was in our path. The young swordsman at the head of the group had noticed it as well, although he probably did not recognize the rough voice echoing off the walls like I did. "It's no good, there's no Exshperes around here either…"

I could not breathe. I should not have heard that voice, I should not have been able to hear that voice here, now, where it did not belong. This was not possible. But standing only yards away was none other than the man I had betrayed all of my morals to imprison, free, with two men who had to work for him. "…Vharely!"

He turned, still the stout, greasy man I had seen in my nightmares for so many years in my cell. He sneered at the sight of me, his yellow teeth showing as he gave me a sidelong glance since he had not seen me in quite some time. Did he know who I was? Was that why he was smirking like the vile creature I had always known him to be? His laugh was still dark, enough to make my skin crawl. "Regal! So you're the one that destroyed the guard system outside."

I knew my entire body had to be shaking, that with how tightly I had my fists clenched that my nails had to be digging into my skin enough to draw blood, but it didn't matter. That was the last thing on my mind. In the corners of my vision I was seeing red. There was a scream of rage clawing at my throat but I could not release it, I had to remain in control or I would do something that I would surely regret. Even if that bastard of a man was standing not far from me, even if every piece of my soul screamed to take him down, I had to stay back. I had to restrain myself.

"Who's that?" Lloyd asked in his confusion.

"That's…Vharely, the Exshpere broker." Zelos spoke up, thankfully. At the moment I would not have been able to explain anything to them. The Chosen sounded a bit confused by the presence of not only Vharely, but of the two men in armor he had with him. "What is he doing here?"

My gaze me that of the man I despised most in the entire world, and I snapped. "Why are you here! Why has the Pope let you stay free? That's not what I agreed to!"

"Hahaha! Did you think the Pope would really keep a promise to a murderer?" Was the taunt I received, the taunt that made my entire form just freeze. He'd called me a murderer, in front of all of them! He'd called me by the one thing I had never wanted any of them to hear, not yet, not when I was so close to all I needed before I could just end my journey with them! I merely needed to talk to Presea, and even that Vharely was ready to take from me! "And you've forgotten your promise to bring us Colette! You joined them!"

It wasn't supposed to be like this! They weren't supposed to find out like this!

But fear gave way to anger, and hate, emotions that I had buried for the sake of my sanity long ago, lashing out without reason, without my bidding. If there was anyone in the two worlds that I hated with every fiber of my being, it was Vharely. "Silence! If the Pope will not fulfill his promise, then I will punish you myself!"

"No way! I'm getting out of here!" Vharely shouted, gesturing to his men to retreat. So they ran away from me, cowards until the end. I would have followed, I should have followed and delivered his punishment as I had waited to do for years, but that would mean leaving the others behind, leaving behind my chance to speak with Presea.

And it would mean running away from my shame. I saw them all turning to me, I saw the confusion in their eyes and I knew how soon that confusion would turn to disgust. There was no doubt that they had heard Vharely's comment, that they were wondering why he would say such a thing. Perhaps it had only been a matter of time; I should not have pretended that it would be anything else but a matter of time before they found out! I could barely look into the eyes of Colette or Lloyd, the ones that seemed to have trusted me the most in the short time I had accompanied them.

"Regal, who was that man?" The blonde young girl asked me timidly.

"He called you a murderer…" Genis murmured in disbelief.

I could feel the blood in my palms, but made no move to loosen my balled fists. I could feel their eyes on me, and yet I couldn't lift my gaze from the mine floor. "I am a prisoner serving for the crime of murder. I won't blame you if you look down on me."

…Or if you hate me…

There was an anxiousness in Lloyd's voice, almost a desperation. Was he hurt that I broke his trust? Was he trying to explain to himself why he had found it so easy before to turn a blind eye to the fact that I was indeed a criminal before he even met me? "What happened?"

Why was it so hard to stare him in the face, I had done something like this once before, as hard as it had been then, as painful as just the memory of was. I took a deep breath to steady my voice, hating how weak I felt in front of them now, hating how I wondered desperately as to what they were thinking now. "Explaining would be an excuse. I committed a crime. That's all that needs to be said."

"…My stupid actions have killed many people." An expression of pain gripped his youthful features. "…I don't know what you did, and your crime won't go away, but when you're suffering it's all right to at least say so."

"Um, I don't know how to explain it very well, but I think we have the Goddess inside all our hearts." Colette added as if to soothe me. I could not believe that they were not furious with me, that they were not ordering me to stay far away from Presea. Did they not truly understand what I was? "So I think the Goddess also bears the burden of your sins with you. Um…that's all."

I do not deserve your kindness…

"…Perhaps someday I will have the opportunity to tell the story…" I told them in a hollow voice. What did my promises mean to them now? Why would they want to listen to the tale of a criminal, of a murderer? "I apologize…"

Raine had grown uncomfortable in the silence that came over all of us, turning back to her students as if to wake them from some sort of daze. "If necessary we can discuss this later, in a better place. For now we still need to return to Ozette and save Presea from the parasitism of her Exsphere, all right?"

"Yeah." He turned to lead the way out of the mine, but not without glancing back at me. I had seen the look that he held in his eyes too many times before. It was the same look that so many people had given me over the years, the look that always invaded the eyes of those who knew I had blood on my hands.

"Your Majesty…" One of the Royal Guard announced, glancing over at the other knights that had followed him to the throne room and then at the foreboding man behind them. Shifting nervously on the balls of his feet, worried about what would come of this he then continued loudly, albeit shakily, "Duke Bryant insists he speak with you immediately."

The King of Tethe'alla tried to see if the shadowy figure behind his guards was indeed the young nobleman announced, but the lighting of the room was not enough to reveal the identity of this separate party approaching the throne. Concern etched into his brow, the ruler tried to think of a reason that Regal Bryant would need to see him so abruptly, but came up with no answers of his own. "Then bring him forward."

When the knights parted to the sides of the carpet the man that had been concealed by the dim lighting stepped forward towards the stairs leading up to where the King sat with his daughter at his side. Once this man was within their view Princess Hilda shrieked in terror, even His Majesty gasped at what he perceived. It was indeed Duke Bryant that had come in with the Royal Guard, dressed in all the finery he was accustomed to, yet his normally flawless appearance had been shattered by the blood soaking into the front of his shirt and jacket along with the red stains on his hands and the right side of his face.

Left on his face were the remnants of tears streaking down under his eyes, his normally immaculate and slicked back hair in disarray, the front of his shirt ripped diagonally from his left shoulder to his abdomen. Without thinking, His Majesty stood, even more worried for the young man he considered a friend, glancing at his Royal Guard as if they had any knowledge of what could have happened to the Duke.

"Duke Bryant, what—?"

"I killed her." Agony lit azure eyes as they stared at the blood that painted his hands, stained his clothes. Never before had anyone seen him so distraught, so unraveled. Every limb of his body shook violently, a new wave of sobs battling up to escape the confines of this throat, and his breathing was soon shallow barely enough being gulped into his lungs. "I…killed her."

"Bryant, what are you talking about?" King Tethe'alla demanded, only having caught a bit of the noble's quiet response, alarm plain on his face.

"I am a…murderer." The words were forced out as if each one had burnt his tongue on its exit; eyes squeezed shut to keep away the images springing into his mind. Then Duke Bryant did his best to draw in a deep breath, steeling his shoulders, clenching his fists tight, and gathering all of his courage to look the ruler of Tethe'alla in the eye when the world seemed to sway in and out of focus. He had given up on the long trip from Altamira to Meltokio that this might just be a horrible nightmare, that there was still a chance he would wake up in his own bed any second now. Steadying his voice back to that of the man he'd been only hours before, Regal said again, "I killed her. I murdered Alicia Combatir."

For the second time Princess Hilda screamed, hurrying out of the room having all she could take of this, skirts rustling with the fast movement. The King could not believe his ears. He knew Duke Bryant, just as he had known the younger man's father, and he knew both of them had always been decent, upstanding, honorable men. Regal Bryant could not be a criminal, no, it wasn't possible!

But there was so much blood on the Duke's clothes, on his hands, even on his face. Did that not confirm what Bryant had admitted to? No, there was blood, that much was obvious, but had there been a crime? Had it really been murder? As King he had to remain calm and to set an example of strength for all the eyes on him. "Bryant, what happened? How did it happen?"

"The circumstances are irrelevant." Tears had flooded that broken azure gaze, but everything else down to his posture was stoic. "I murdered Alicia."

"No, it couldn't have happened just like that!" the King did not hide his frustration, balling his fists in an attempt to contain himself. The Royal Guards were passing their glares over their lord and master, back to the Duke, silently watching this unfold in front of them. King Tethe'alla took another moment to collect himself before, subtly, pleading with Regal to reword what he was saying. "Tell me what really happened."

Duke Bryant looked away in shame. "There is no story to tell. I killed her."

He had confessed before the king, and by law, branded himself a criminal. All of the strength having evaporated from his body, Regal fell to his knees on the red carpet, head hung so his long bangs now hid his face. "I have come to accept my punishment."

The King wanted to scream at him, to yell at him to explain what had occurred, because he knew Regal was an honest man. That meant he had killed Alicia Combatir, yet that did not speak of the "irrelevant circumstances" of her death. There had to have been more. Duke Bryant would not have hurt anyone without sound reason, but if he did not admit that reason there was nothing the King could do to help him now.

The King waited. And he waited and he waited. Regal said nothing more. So the ruler of Tethe'alla found that he had to turn away, to do anything but look at the younger man as he made a gesture to the knights bearing witness to all of this. "Take him away then."

Two of the guards came up on each side of the nobleman, taking his arms to pull him to his feet, one of them reciting protocol. "Duke Bryant, by the order of the King and the laws of Tethe'alla, you are under arrest for the murder of Alicia Combatir, and will be held in the dungeon for life for your crime."

There were no sounds of struggle as Regal was carried away, a broken man.

To be continued

End notes: First of all, I know there wasn't any blood on Regal during the flashback in Altamira where it shows how he killed Alicia. But I decided that this was a bit more fitting, and although I am kinda squeamish myself, I thought the blood would be much more dramatic. Also, I added a tiny bit of dialogue at the end of the last scene in the mine, since I always thought it was weird that they ended it without a very good transition. My only other comment is that I am really enjoying the angst, and can't wait to get further into the game! Oh, and thanks to Christie, who has been supporting me from page one! This is for her!