Chapter XIV - Dilemma

"I wonder what I should do with this hn~?" Thanatos said as he observed the light blue orb in his hands. He grinned, "I guess I shall play with him for a while."

(Mari POV)

I felt a magic restriction spell activate which quickly got canceled. Raz stopped walking and looked back. I asked him what was wrong but he just shrugged it saying it was nothing.

He suggested we start our return to the camp, I agreed. I had to tell Seighart about something afterall.

I saw Raz deep in thought. He looked like he didn't mind his surroundings. This is one of the things Lass and Raz didn't have in common. If Lass was deep in thought, he'd still be aware of his surroundings.... what with being an assassin after all.

Raz expression kept on changing from worry, frustration and agitation. I don't know why but I didn't want to disturb his thoughts so I kept silent.

When we got back to the camp, what greeted us was a panting Athrun and Marge. Marge was, I guess, explaining something to Seighart, Ryan and Lyra frantically. Shock and fear appeared in their faces after Marge stopped talking.

I told Raz that I'll talk to Sei and the others about something and he nodded.

Sei had his arms crossed, his face serious. "Where is he?" I heard Sei mutter.

"Why what's the matter?" I asked the group.

"Thanatos. He's nearby." Ryan said biting his lip in frustration.

I narrowed my eyes. How can Thanatos be here? Specially with Seighart around.

"How did you guys know about this?" I asked and glanced at Lyra and Marge.

"Well.... I regained-or rather-- got my memories unlocked." Marge stated. "I did a restriction spell and I caught up Thanatos' magic within it."

"So that was you...." I said. Well, that explains why she was here talking with them about Thanatos. I guess that also connotes that Lire regained her memories also.

"What do you suppose we do, Master Seighart?" All eyes turned towards the 1000 year old general.

After a while, he closed his eyes and said, "Be aware of anything 'wrong' in your surroundings." He opened his eyes. "Be vigilant. Keep sight of anything happening around you, be it natural or not. I don't want any casualties, specially without me around."

All of us nodded. None of us wanted to disobey him. As Grand Chasers, we should be careful of anything.

"Elesis, Ronan, and Lass.... huh." I heard Seighart mumble something incoherent. He scratched his head and said, "If Arme here had her memories ever since she got reincarnated due to her powerful magic abilities...."

"Then it should be the same for anyone having my level of magic or higher," Arme continued frightened.

Everyone fell silent. If that were the case, then Thanatos-- if ever he was released... wait a second. He's the God of Domination right? What if...

"What if Thanatos used his power of Domination to... to dominate-- use-- or manipulate someone's memories?"

Seighart stared at the ground. "I was afraid of the same thing Mari," he said. "If that was the case, we'd be fighting against one of our own."