Author's note: I don't own Star Ocean Till The End Of Time

The True Nature Of All

Chapter 17: Explanations

Airlia had watched the path they took like a hawk, remembering the way back would be imperative at one point or another. When they had reached the place the boy called home, she looked at it. It was a circular home with a strange looking door. It had a few windows, however, it looked so out of place of everything that they knew and yet looked in place with everything around them. However, when they approached the strange door, it suddenly dropped down which allowed them entry. Flad smiled brightly as he said, "I'm hooome."

The older woman was apparently Flad's mother smiled tightly as she said, "Welcome back-Flad, who are those people? And what's with those weird outfits?"

Flad spoke happily, as if it were the simplest truth of all, "Huh? Oh, they're just friends. Friends of mine. They're still in costume after the game they just played…"

Flad's Mother, Adara, smiled tightly again as she said, "Friends, I see..." She watched everyone very closely to see if there was anything that she should be aware of in order to protect her only son from danger. Her feelings of suspicion didn't pass when the rest of the group had entered in and passed her. Flad sat in a chair and pulled his transparent keyboard as he began to punch in things to find out information for everyone.

While he was doing this, Airlia looked around as Fayt filled Flad in on the basic information. However, when Flad began to speak excitedly, it caused Airlia to stop her observation, "There it is. Wow! Okay, so you are who I thought you were. Great, I believe it now. It's just like Blair said."

Airlia latched onto that right away, "Blair?"

Cliff spoke next as he said, "Hey, kid. Share the info, huh? Don't just sit there with your thinking face on."

Nel spoke up gently, trying to get the information out as soon as possible to save her world, "If you know something, could you please tell us?"

Cliff looked at him through eyes of suspicion as he asked, "You're not related to those Executioners, are you?"

Flad seemed to think about what he was going to say before he said, "No, not really. Hmm, how should I explain this? You guys live in the Eternal Sphere, right?"

Airlia questioned this next, it wasn't the first time she had heard that phrase, "Eternal Sphere?" Flad brought up a screen showing the brutal fight of the Aquaelie. Everyone watched in horror as the battle had just happened and knew all too well the resulting ending of the brave crew.

Maria spoke, "That's a battle between the Federation and the Executioners..."

Flad nodded eagerly, having proven his point; however, he knew he had to drive it home, "That's right. This is what's happening right now, in the Eternal Sphere."

Cliff turned around and demanded next, "What's happening? Hey, kid, what the hell is the Eternal Sphere thing anyway!? How can we see the fight between the Federation and the Executioners?"

Flad smiled soothingly as he said, "Relax. I'll explain everything. The Eternal Sphere is a universe inside a simulator. Earth is one of the planets inside that universe."

Fayt spoke up, having used simulators so often before this crazy journey began, "A simulator?"

Flad smiled eagerly as he said, "You can watch the Eternal Sphere and the events happening in the Milky Way on any terminal. And you guys are characters from inside the Eternal Sphere simulator."

Sophia and Fayt exchanged expressions as Sophia questioned what he was saying, "Hey... What's this kid saying?"

Fayt had trouble digesting the facts he was just told, however, Airlia quickly understood what was unspoken as she questioned, "... We're just...characters living inside the simulator?"

Flad nodded sadly, "That's right."

Cliff felt like icy water was just tossed on his back as he said, "In other words, we're programs?"

Flad had the good nature to put on a sad expression as he said, "Well, yeah, if you wanna put it that way."

Sophia questioned next, "So, you're saying that our universe is nothing more than a computer game?"

Flad shook his head vehemently as he said, "Mm-mm. No. It's an online reality that everyone shares. Nobody can reset it, so it's not what you'd think of as a game. I guess it's kind of a parallel world."

Fayt felt like screaming, however, he restrained his words by saying, "I... We're just puppets for you people to manipulate?"

Flad spoke again, choosing his words very carefully, "Well, in a way, yeah. But you all have your own individual AI programs, so you're really not that different from us. It's not like we can move you around with a joystick or anything like that. That's why I think you are more or less like us. You just live in a different dimension."

Maria spoke the unspoken remainder of the sentence, "Thus the parallel world."

Airlia had to ask, "How do you explain what I did back in the Kirlsa Training Facility, where I revived several people?"

Flad seemed to ponder it for a second before explaining slowly, "I'm not exactly sure myself, however, all I can think is perhaps that you pulled their data codes out of the air around you from another universe parallel to your own…"

Airlia looked at him with wide questioning eyes, "So they aren't the ones that were from our world?"

He shook his head, "It's very hard to say, however, with data, anything could be possible. Perhaps, even if it were that they were from another dimension, which pulled into that one, their minds were wiped of any knowledge of what they had known there and replaced with ones from your world. However, please remember that this is all speculation, and there are no hard facts to explain something of this nature."

Fayt had to ask about the Executioners, the reason they were there, "Then what are those Executioners? Are they programs, too?"

Flad grinned slightly as he explained, "Mmm-hmm. Exactly. According to a recent press release, a problem was found in the 'Milky Way' region of the Eternal Sphere simulation. That's where you guys live, right? They say if they don't do something about that problem; it'll affect the entire program. The Executioners were sent in to delete anomalies that caused the problem."

Maria picked up on the line of thought instantly, "So they're fixing bugs."

Cliff had to muffle a bark of laughter that welled up by saying, "You're kidding me... I figured those thing weren't gods, but now you're telling me they're programs?"

Sophia understood most of what was said, however, she was deeply worried about something, "But wait, if we're programs, how can we exist here? If what he is saying is true, this should be impossible."

Flad shook his head as he said, "Now that, I don't understand, either."

Maria explained next after sending the parents of her friends a scathing look, "That must be my power-the Alteration gene. The power given to me by Professor Leingod, a program created by a program. ...It's kinda scary if you think about it." Everyone reluctantly noted the silence of the Robert and Ryoko Leingod as well as that of Clive and Kyoko Esteed.

Cliff nodded slightly as he said, "Say, kid, how do you know so much about all this?"

Flad was more than happy to explain that link, "'Cuz, my buddy works for the company that developed the Eternal Sphere. Her name is Blair. She told me all sorts of things. But, don't get me wrong. I'm really not one of the bad guys."

Airlia asked eager to get on with the mission that would save not only her home, but that of all of the worlds, "Then, why did you bring us here?"

Flad blushed slightly, "Ummm... Curiosity, mainly. Programmed life-forms coming into the real world-amazing! I mean who would ever imagine such a thing?"

Albel smirked, "Now that you put it that way. I can't say I blame you."

Flad stood up, having moved the keyboard away as he said, "You guys came here to stop the Executioners, right? What do you think your chances are? Think you can do it?"

However, before anything could be done further, several garbed men showed up pointing guns at the group. Flad looked around in dismay as he said, "Security?"

Cliff questioned, "Bad guys!?"

Airlia questioned Flad next, "Flad, did you-!?"

Flad shook his head with such vehemence as he said, "I didn't do anything!"

The first man said, "Freeze! Get your hands up!"

While the second one spat out, "You people are under arrest!"

Flad turned to demand of his mother, "Mom! Mom, did you call security!?"

Adara looked up as she tried to explain, "Flad, what was I supposed to do, I was so worried about you..."

Flad cried out, "Aw, Mom! Can't you mind your own business?"

He sat down and began to type things into his computer as the group turned to question each other, "What do we do now?"

Cliff asked as Airlia said, "Whatever we do, we can't let ourselves get captured."

Everyone nodded as Maria said, "Shall we?"

Everyone spoke next, "Yeah!" They hold up their hands as if not resisting capturing. When they went outside, however, Albel was the first one to strike, wounding the soldier nearest Airlia. Smiling, she shot a Thunder Flare at the guard nearest her two small friends. Fayt quickly sliced at the soldier nearest Sophia who looked at him gratefully.

Before long, all of the guards were defeated. One of them said, "D-damn, you." Everyone looked around in mild surprise.

Albel smirked with his cocky grin as he said, "Hmpf. Maggots, be sure you can win before fighting me again next time." Airlia sent him a mock glare as Nel said, "That was too easy."

Cliff nodded, some relief flooding through him as he said, "That was easy. I assumed everyone in 4D was tough, like the Executioners."

Sophia spoke up softly and yet thoughtfully, "I guess the Executioners are exceptions."

Maria nodded in agreement as she said, "The Executioners must be specially designed for the Eternal Sphere."

Airlia spoke up next, filling in the blank, "I suspect it is as we thought. However, I want to get a move onto this place called Gemity. I want to see if this is as it should be."

However, before they could leave, Flad ran outside, his mother on his heels, "Here, this is for you!" The disc was in the air before anyone could think of anything else. Cliff caught it easily, making Flad smile in relief.

Flad spoke before anyone could question the item as he said, "If you guys don't believe what I told you, then check it out for yourselves! There's a special Eternal Sphere terminal in Gemity, go take a look!" Airlia smiled as Robert nodded, thankful to have a reason to not feel tense for a moment.

The group walked around, trying to find how to get to the mysterious town of Gemity. Maria pointed to the cube that Flad had spoken about and they entered in one after the other, coming out to another town. Sophia smiled, "This must be Satellite City." Upon looking around, they saw a pair of cubes and looked in wonder as to which way to go. However, they went to the north and found that one took them to another strange location.

However, Peppita smiled brightly as she went up to someone and asked, "Where is the Spacetime Station?"

The woman smiled brightly as she said, "Right through there."

Upon nearing the building, they noticed a sign that said Sophia said, "Gemity is an amusement city. I wonder what it will be like there."

Airlia looked questioningly at everyone as she shrugged her shoulders, "Let's get there first and think about it second. I doubt there are any enemies there waiting for us."

Everyone walked up to the device that would bring them to Gemity. Fayt spoke softly, "It's like a transporter."

The attendant smiled brightly at them, "Where would you like to go?"

Maria looked at her with a kind smile as she said, "Gemity please." She smiled as she nodded. They stepped inside as they were brought to the mysterious town they had heard so much about. When they came out, there was nothing different, yet. Airlia looked around as Albel kept a suspicious eye on her newly acquired family. Robert seemed to be fearful of something, though he would not admit to that. Ryoko just looked confused about all of the matters at hand. Clive and Kyoko, Airlia observed, were trying to talk to Sophia who merely appeared to listen, even though her eyes told the Princess otherwise.

"Let's go outside everyone. Maybe that will help us more." Fayt suggested as everyone walked outside.

Airlia found herself shielding her eyes, as did Roger, Albel and Nel. "It's too bright." Albel muttered as Airlia nodded in agreement.

Nel spoke next, "Talk about driving home the fact that they created our world." Some of the buildings were like those out of Peterny and Arias.

They walked around for a time, and yet, they didn't go in any of the stores yet. Everyone just found the place too strange to be real. "Let's find out where we can use this disc, to confirm Flad's story, even though this place alone does a great job." Maria suggested as everyone began to walk again.

They went to the north, where they overheard was the location of the Eternal Sphere Terminal. When they went past the town, they saw a strange building and it appeared as if everyone was walking on clouds. A group passed them appearing to be like Gonella, another man and Queen Aquaria XXVII. They moved at their own pace and came to a strange crossroad in there. Taking that path, they appeared in another room with a strange woman who was like a flight attendant. She smiled as she said, "Welcome. This is the master terminal of Sphere's interactive, multiple timespace programs, the Eternal Sphere. You can send the same character data that you use at home to another time or galaxy with this system. Of course, you can also use this terminal just as you would use any other ordinary terminal."

Fayt nodded as he said, "All right, I would like to use the Eternal Sphere."

The woman who sat in the chair shook her short cropped dark brown hair as she said, "At present, access to any time period of the Milky Way is completely prohibited. If you were playing the Milky Way, I suggest you move to another galaxy. Everyone, please stand in front of me and close your eyes. It is my solemn duty, as your guide to other worlds, to send you safely into the Eternal Sphere." Fayt nodded as everyone gathered closely to the blue-haired brother of Airlia.

The woman began to speak, "Reeyoo, luoca, nasei, keeyoo. Open for us, door between space and time!" When the light died down, everyone looked around in confusion.

Cliff growled out, "Hmph, what do we do now?"

Sophia, Fayt and Maria smiled as they went to the console as Sophia spoke next, "I think we can change the settings with that device there."

Maria tried to input the information to access the disk, however, after some negative sounding beeps, she shook her head and said, "...It's no good. It's asking for an ID disk. Looks like you can't access from here unless you register first."

Robert shook his head as Cliff spoke out in surprise, "Seriously?"

Fayt kicked at the ground as Airlia spoke, "Arg! And after coming all this way..."

Sophia spoke softly with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, "Hey, do you think maybe we could use Flad's disk?"

Fayt smiled brightly as he said, "Maybe! It's worth a shot! Maria?"

Maria tried the disk and smiled back, hope in her eyes as she said, "Ok, this looks good." Suddenly a screen popped up as she said angrily more out of frustration than anything else, "Nope."

Albel growled out, "What's wrong?"

Maria spoke again, informing on what came on the screen, "It's like Flad said. The Milky Way is locked. You can't get in."

Fayt growled out in frustration, "What should we do?"

Sophia seemed to think for a minute before speaking up, surprising everyone, "Excuse me, can I try?"

Maria nodded with a bright smile on her face, "Sure, I don't mind." Sophia sat down before examining the device closely; however, there was a sudden flash of light that surrounded both and blocking out sight of everything in the meanwhile. When it died, the screen began to flash with such speed that Maria shot back into the chair that Sophia only had seconds to get out of. Robert smiled cryptically as Clive felt at a loss of what to say to his daughter.

Kyoko shot him a dirty look as she smiled brightly at her daughter, "That's a girl, I knew you could do it."

Cliff shook his head and asked, "What's going on?"

Maria tried to not shout with the joy she knew she felt thoroughly as she said, "I can't believe it. I've got system administrator privileges."

Airlia asked, knowing she wasn't the only one at a loss, "Sophia must have done something to it when she touched it. But how?"

Sophia looked sad at the thought of causing problems for her dearest friends, both old and new, "All I did was touch it. I thought maybe I could do something, like I did with the Time Gate. I wished as hard as I could that I could go to the Milky Way. I'm sorry..."

Airlia gave her a bright smile that drew Albel's attention. The princess spoke, "Don't you ever be sorry about doing anything! You managed to provide the connection to bring us home when we need to return there after completing our mission here, but let's establish a firm connection… Maria?"

Maria nodded with a smile on her face as she explained, "At any rate, we're in. I'll grant myself access privileges to the Milky Way. Then I'll leave a Trojan that will allow me to access it whenever I want."

Airlia looked at Albel as Fayt began to talk to everyone individually she said softly, "Albel, I don't want anything to happen to you, this is the only chance we have to keep one of us safe…"

He kissed her soundly before murmuring against her lips, "If you're trying to get me to stay home, forget it. However, I want you to go home where you'll be safe…"

Airlia looked at him with a tender expression, "We both know I can't stay home while everyone's fighting to protect our home. I promised the city of Airyglyph that I would protect them with everything I had…"

Fayt came over as an uneasy silence fell among two people. Albel shook his head, "I repeat Leingod, hurt her, and I'll kill you. Slowly."

Fayt nodded as he left the pair to confer with Maria. However his mother stopped him with a proud smile on her face, "I'm so proud of you Fayt."

Maria looked behind her at Fayt, "Okay... Done! Where would you like to go?"

Sophia smiled brightly as she said, "Anywhere's fine with me."

Cliff smirked as he said, "I wonder what Mirage and the rest of them are up to. I hope the Executioners didn't get them."

Airlia smiled as she said, "I wonder how the others are holding up? Could we go to my home?"

Maria nodded as she said, "So you want to check out Elicoor II? Okay, let's go." Everyone vanished in a bright light as they reappeared on Elicoor II.

Airlia immediately recognized their location, "It's the Kirlsa-Aire Hills! We're home!"

Albel smirked dirtily as he said, "Hmph... A boring world." However, he smiled gently at Airlia's expression of happiness. Even if what he said was true to him, he would never force his love to leave a world that she loved so dearly.

Cliff looked at the hills in amazement, "Unbelievable that we made it this far and we didn't even have to use the Time Gate."

Everyone was gasping in amazement as Maria spoke softly, bringing everyone to a crashing reality, "I guess we have no choice but to believe what Flad was telling us."

Airlia grimaced as she said, "I guess that I just pulled those people from an alternate reality where they were alive and in so doing, they remembered what they knew from here, and not where they came from where they lived so much longer…"

Nel shook her head, "it doesn't matter, so long as they really live so to speak."

However, some had a hard time coming to grips with what they 'were.' "So we're really just programs? Somebody made us?" Sophia asked, confused and her eyes showing Fayt how vulnerable she was at that point.

Maria shook her head, trying to ignore all they had just been told, however, there were the facts, plain for all to see, "That's what it looks like, yes. I don't know what else to think. But... Even if we are programs, we're still alive. We have to be. If we see something as reality, then isn't that reality for us? Isn't that true!?"

Nel looked at the group sharply, trying to bring them back to reality and hope, "Don't despair! You're stronger than that, aren't you!?"

Albel merely scoffed, "Whether we're real or not, let's not mope about it. You're pathetic." Then he looked at Airlia and said, "Even if this isn't real, I'm happy that I've had a chance to know a true angel, even if she is an ice angel."

Airlia had the grace to blush as Robert growled, "I don't know if you're the right one for my-"

He could have continued, would have, that was except for the fact that Airlia growled out; "Don't you dare call me Mirabel! My name is Airlia, Airlia Bohnleid."