Me: And here we are yet again for another chapter of Salvation! I've been meaning to get these out earlier, but I've been pretty busy. You see, I've been-
Richter: I doubt they care about your personal life.
Me: Just because you don't care doesn't mean they don't! ;_;
Richter: ...Whatever. Eternal Wings owns nothing but this story and her characters.
Chapter Five
"I don't...want to get up…yet...!"
Ariel turned and twisted violently in bed, pulling the blankets and sheets over her head in an attempt to block out the rays of sunlight that were brutally attacking her tired eyes. Once she accepted that her attempts to fall back asleep were in vain, the brunette groggily sat up and stretched.
"Man...I slept really good last night. That's a surprise," she thought as she continued to work on flexing herself and fully awakening.
"Usually, I never sleep well because of nightmares. They still shake me up, but I can handle them a lot better now than I could years ago. I remember when I was young, the nightmares were so intense that Yuan would have to wake me up…I always thrashed so wildly and screamed so loudly in my sleep. As I got older, the fierceness of my reaction to my nightmares decreased – much to Yuan's relief. Though, no matter how old I get, I still react exactly the same to the first nightmare that I ever had...to that nightmare. I was only five years old.
"It came back – again and again and again. And no matter how many times it came back...no matter how many times I had it... my reaction never changed. Even now as an eighteen year old young woman, I still scream and cry and thrash about like a horribly frightened whenever I have that nightmare just as I did when I experienced it for the very first time...and even now, thirteen years later...I'm still unsure of its meaning."
"Ah...Richter isn't here..."The eighteen year old noted as she looked around the room. The half-elf was nowhere to be found.
Before she could register anything else anything else, the aroma of tasty food hit the tired girl's nostrils with a great force – and promptly, her stomach began to growl loudly. Deciding to see who was cooking, Ariel got out of bed and ventured downstairs. As she made her way down the stairs, the brunette allowed her mind to drift back to last night so that she could recall whatever mental activity had taken place instead of a nightmare.
When her dream finally returned to her, the young woman's entire face turned beet red and her eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what...why would I dream about something...something like that?! N...no...it didn't have any meaning. That's right...it had no meaning at all – none whatsoever. It was just a dream. Only a dream. Just...a dream...!"
"I see. So you're the one who's cooking." Ariel greeted as she entered the kitchen and sat down in a chair, still trying to wake up as she forced the recollection of her dream out of her head.
"Ah! Ariel! Good morning!" Colette smiled warmly at the younger female as she continued to cook.
"Good morning." Ariel returned the former Chosen's smile with one of her own.
"Did everything work out last night with you and Richter?"
"Yes. I slept in the bed and he decided to sleep on the floor. When I fell asleep he was in the corner, but that position looked really uncomfortable...so he might've laid out the blanket I gave him and slept on it, but I'm not entirely sure."
"Ah, I see. At least the two of you didn't seem to have any major problems. That's good."
"Yeah, it is."
Colette walked over to Ariel and set a plate and silverware down in front of her. "Genis had cooked really early this morning for everyone and we ate it all up...but you weren't awake to get any, so I decided to cook you a hot breakfast so that you wouldn't be hungry for too long after you woke up."
"Thanks, Colette. You really didn't have to go out of your way to do that." Ariel thanked the angelic maiden.
Colette shook her head. "No, I wanted to. Even though it's not as great as Genis' cooking, I hope you like it."
"Hmmm...ah! But your cooking is really good, too, Colette!"
"Really? You think so?"
"Yes! Most definitely!"
"Hehe, thanks. I've never been a terrible cook, but I really have gotten a lot better because before, I could only cook a small variety of things with a limited variety of ingredients. I can cook a lot more with a lot more things than I used to be able to because I've been practicing."
"Makes sense. Where are the others, by the way?" Ariel asked.
"Well, Professor was asked to teach classes today as a fill-in for the teacher who could not make it to work today, Genis went with her to help out, Isuzu is at school, and Lloyd and Richter are sparring just outside of the village," Colette answered.
"I see...so that's why Richter wasn't there when I woke up..." Ariel trailed off just before she stuffed another forkful of food into her mouth.
"Yes. I think they wanted to practice some and make sure they weren't rusty before we go to find Centurion Ventus in case we can't avoid a fight."
"That's actually really smart of them. Once I finish everything here, I might go out and do the same myself, or at least study their combat moves...I haven't really done any fighting since I came here to Aselia."
Silence filled the atmosphere between the two young women as they continued their businesses; Colette walked away to the other side of the kitchen in order to finish preparing something and Ariel continued to eat in order to satiate her hunger.
"So...what did you dream about last night?" Colette randomly asked a few minutes later, attempting to start another conversation.
Ariel slowly took another bite of her food before answering. "...Um...I-I...er, you know, I actually can't remember what my exact dream was, which is weird because I have never forgotten a dream before...but I know for a fact that I didn't have a nightmare. That's a first in a long time."
"You have nightmares often?"
"Well, I guess 'nightmares' isn't completely correct. Sometimes I have nice dreams, but I usually have unusual or unpleasant ones. Only every once in a while do I have a true full-fledged nightmare. My nightmares used to come to me a lot more often when I was younger, but over time they became blurry and occurred less and less. Recently, though, I've been having those sorts of dreams again and they're actually getting clear again, like when I was a child..."
"I see. It's really good that you didn't have a nightmare last night, because I know how scary those can be. Though, if you usually have unpleasant dreams and always remember them, do you think there's a reason you don't remember having one at all last night?"
"I don't know. My recent dreams haven't been all that bad. They've actually been kind of...um, 'interesting'...to be honest. Lately, I've just felt very...safe. Like there's some sort of comforting shield guarding me and trying to block out everything that harms me. And ever since I woke up after falling unconscious at the mayor's house, I've felt as though some sort of warm protection has wrapped itself around me and is trying to prevent me from being hurt, too. I can't really describe it."
"Hm...well, do you have any idea what those things could be?"
The brunette stopped to think for a moment. "A comforting shield guarding me and blocking out the things that harm me...isn't that pretty much what my Guardian is supposed to do? Did I feel so safe because Richter was with me last night...? Would that be the reason why last night I dreamed that...? Er, no...it was probably nothing like that. It...it couldn't have been. If anything, it's more likely for it to have been because my earring released emotions due to sensing its counterpart in the area. That would cause me to feel safe as a reaction. But that doesn't explain that warm protection I've been feeling...hn...could it...could it possibly be that...?"
"...No. I have no idea." Ariel shook her head, deciding to dismiss her suspicions.
"What did you dream about last night?"
"...Um...well..." Colette paused, seeming a bit nervous.
The Cyrian raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Was it an embarrassing dream or something?"
"Erhm, no...it's just...you might think I'm weird..." The Aselian trailed off with worry audible in her voice.
Ariel laughed. "Colette, I already think you're weird!"
"Well...well...promise me that you won't think I'm so weird that you wouldn't want to be friends anymore!" Colette exclaimed with sudden seriousness.
"Colette, I would never think that of you. Promise." Ariel nodded, surprised by the former Chosen's reaction.
"Okay, well...don't laugh, but...last night, I...I had a dream about...about...about bell pepper trees! It was so awful!" The blonde informed the brunette with a completely straight face, showing that she was one hundred percent serious.
.
.
.
"..." Ariel was unable to say anything as she sat there and gave Colette an incredulous look.
"Please don't look at me like that...it really was a terrible dream! You see, they were evil bell pepper trees! And there were lots of them! They chased me the entire dream and there was no one who could help me or save me from them! And even worse than that...they made me eat their peppers!" The twenty year old described her dream in horror.
"Colette...do you hate bell peppers?" The eighteen year old ask slowly.
"Yes! Very much so!" The angelic woman nodded her head furiously.
"That explains a lot..." The Bearer sweat dropped. "Well, I'm finished eating. Thanks again for breakfast."
"You're welcome! Hehe, we finished together!" The Sylvaranti smiled as she brought a tray over to the table so that her companion could see it. On the silver tray were two tall glasses, a glass pitcher full of lemonade, and a glass plate piled high with delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies on top of it.
"Drinks and snacks? What are these for?" Ariel tilted her head in confusion.
"They're for Lloyd Richter. I know it's windy outside, but they've been outside sparring since dawn. I thought they might need something to replenish their energy, so I made them a little snack and I plan on taking it out to them," Colette explained.
Ariel shook her head. "No can do."
When Colette gave her a confused look, she continued. "You've been working all morning. I want you to go sit down somewhere and rest – I'll go give this to the boys."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to have to go out of your way..." The blonde trailed off.
"Don't worry about it. I was seriously thinking about going outside to get some fresh air anyway. Wouldn't kill me to walk around for a little while and find those two. It'll give me a chance to show them up at sparring, too." The brunette grinned.
"Well, okay...only if you're sure."
"I am. Now, where exactly did they go to spar?"
"They left through the front entrance of the village and headed towards the Iselia Forest."
"Okay. I'll get on it. You make sure you rest up – don't want you to be tired when we go to the Martel Temple."
"Alright! I will! Thank you!"
"No problem."
With that, Ariel picked up the silver tray and turned around to leave. Once she had left the former Chosen of Sylvarant's house, the Cyrian made her way towards the entrance of the village of Iselia. The wind toyed with her hair and the sun beamed down on her as she walked. The villagers were all up and about – smiling, laughing, and simply enjoying the peaceful day. When she passed the school house, Ariel caught a glimpse of Raine, who seemed to be giving a lecture, and Genis, who seemed to be explaining something to one of the children.
Ariel couldn't help but smile to herself. Everything here was so nice and the world itself was beautiful.
But then, she remembered the beginning of the dream that she had had the previous night.
"That's right – it is beautiful. But only at the cost of Cyria is Aselia beautiful. While Aselia prospers, Cyria suffers. While the Aselians find peace and stability...the Cyrians find only chaos and hardship," a darker side of the Bearer reminded her.
She had lived in Cyria for most of her life, but already the fact that its salvation should always be her foremost concern had not been kept in the front of her mind. She had spent only a few days of her life in Aselia, but already she had come to grow attached to it. Too easily, she had almost let herself forget the true nature of the natural order.
"What if the only way for this world to continue to exist is at the cost of your world and what if the only way for your world to find salvation is at the cost of this world – then what? Have you prepared yourself for the possibility that there may be no such thing as what you hope to find?"
As she thought about Ratatosk's words, the Bearer of the Right realized that she had no answer. It was indeed a possibility that what he had said could be the cruel reality of it all...so if it happened to be, what would she do? Would she really be able to sit back and allow Aselia to be destroyed? But then again, would she really be able to allow Cyria to perish by preventing Aselia's destruction?
A twinge of guilt began to pain the young woman. The decision she should make was obvious – if it were to come down to it, she should do whatever necessary to protect Cyria, even if it meant allowing Aselia's destruction. Even though Aselians like Lloyd and Colette were genuinely good people, if things came down to it and there was absolutely no other option, there was no doubt in her mind that even they would choose to save Aselia and allow Cyria to perish because Aselia is their home.
The logical decision should have been easy for her to make, but after coming to Aselia and witnessing what this world was like for herself...after seeing that Aselia was not necessarily a 'parasitical world full of greedy strangers' like she had been raised to believe it was with her own eyes...she was unable to bring herself to make a decision as vital as that.
The fact that her once iron resolve was now filled with doubt startled the Bearer of the Right to no end. The fact that she could not automatically choose her own world's salvation over the existence of this foreign world made her feel terrible.
Perhaps the Cyrian Knights were right after all.
Perhaps she really was nothing more than a traitor.
Perhaps...
Ariel's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of clashing metal. Reeling herself back to reality, the brunette realized that she had absentmindedly traveled right into the Iselia Forest. "The clashing metal I just heard...that must be Lloyd and Richter," she realized, deciding to pick up her pace a little. After a few more minutes of wandering through the unfamiliar forest, the Cyrian woman stumbled upon the training grounds of her companions.
Despite the strong and cool wind, both of the young men were drenched in sweat, their breathing slightly labored. The male fighters were motionless, poised and carefully watching the other with wary eyes. Without any sort of warning, the red-haired Tethe'allan broke his position and lunged at the brown-haired Sylvaranti. Lloyd reacted quickly and blocked the older male with the sword in his left hand. Richter swung the axe in his left hand forcefully before stabbing at Lloyd swiftly with the sword in his right. Lloyd twirled and dodged the redhead's maneuver, slashing his swords at the half-elf furiously and quickly as a measure of retaliation. Richter turned sharply to avoid being pierced before initiating a barraging attack of his own.
Ariel watched as the two dual wielders continued to lock themselves in their intense battle, the sound of muddled metal clashing filled the air constantly as they fought. Their weapons clashed again and again, their bodies moving and twisting in an almost graceful manner as they showed off their great skill. In the heat of battle, both the brunet and the redhead looked so alive and full of vigor...
They were truly warriors.
Lloyd and Richter simultaneously jumped back and separated themselves, stopping for a moment to catch their breath.
"I see you've kept your skills up in my absence, Lloyd Irving." Richter was the first to speak after calming his heavy breathing.
"Hehe, of course. I still had to show you up once you got released from Niflheim and all." Lloyd grinned just before taking a huge intact of breath. "Phew...you know, this really is a work out. You've gotten a lot stronger since the last time we've fought. Been forming any more pacts with demons lately?"
"Heh, I've only been practicing. There's not much to do when you're released from a demonic realm after two years of burning your body's mana. You'd better keep on it – if you slack off for even a moment, I might surpass you."
"Pffft. Like that'll ever happen."
"You never know."
Lloyd opened his mouth to voice the smart remark that had been going through his head but stopped once he sensed the presence of another. The brunet turned to see Ariel standing off in the distance watching them. Lloyd relaxed himself from his poise as she walked towards them. "Oh, Ariel. I didn't notice you. How long have you been standing there?"
"That doesn't surprise me – the both of you were concentrating so hard on your sparring. And not too long." Ariel returned Lloyd's grin with one of her own. "Colette wanted me to bring this to the both you of. You should remember to thank her for being so considerate."
"Heh, I most definitely will!" Lloyd gratefully took one of the two tall glasses off of the silver tray and filled it with the lemonade from the pitcher.
"What's the matter? Are you too manly for lemonade and cookies?" Ariel teased as she poured lemonade into Richter's glass for him once she noticed that he had not moved an inch. The half-elf briefly glared at his Bearer before walking up to her, taking the cold glass from her, and exchanging a small thank you.
"You saw us battle, didn't you? What do you think?" Lloyd asked the brunette for her opinion.
"The both of you are very skilled fighters. Your styles are powerful and aggressive, but at the same time, they're quick and graceful. And you both look so lively when you're fighting...in my opinion, it was a beautiful sparring match," Ariel answered the brown-haired swordsman with a smile.
Flattered, he scratched his head and grinned. "Heh heh...thanks."
"In Cyria, I was taught that Aselia was split into two by Mithos Yggdrasill with the help of a blade called the Eternal Sword and that the great hero Lloyd Irving used that same blade in order to combine the worlds again. I was taught that the Eternal Sword was only able to be wielded by half-elves, so how were you able to use it and what happened to it?" Ariel inquired.
As a response, Lloyd held up his twin blades. "I was able to wield the Eternal Sword because someone important to me made me something called the Eternal Ring. This is the Material Blade – Flamberge deals fire elemental damage and Vorpal Sword deals ice elemental damage. Once I gained the right to wield the Eternal Sword, it split up and fused with the Material Blade."
"I see...that's actually pretty interesting. Cyrian studies only say that it isn't certain what happened to the Eternal Sword after it was used to restore the true form of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla or if it even still existed..." The brunette trailed off. "What about your weapon, Richter? Is there anything special about it?"
"It wasn't used to split any worlds apart or put them back together, if that's what you're asking." The redhead held out his sword and axe. "My sword is Mani and my axe is Sol. I wield Mani in my main hand and Sol in my off hand – because I'm right-handed, my main hand is my right hand and my off hand is my left hand."
"I see...I'm also a dual wielder but I haven't been fighting since I arrived in Aselia because of the mana level. I'm very sensitive to mana levels and have to adapt to them – whenever the mana level changes, I have to take it easy until I've grown tolerant of it. When I first arrived in Aselia, it felt like there was some kind of pressure constantly pushing down on me and I felt really weak...but I'm used to the mana level now because I've had a few days to adapt. It's kind of ironic...mana is the substance that makes up and sustains all life – I'm sensitive to the very same matter that keeps me alive, and even though I've lived in Cyria for most of my life, I was born in Dherris-Kharlan where the mana level is very high. Anyway, I usually fight with sais but for long range combat I fight with my bow and arrows. I'm also able to use healing artes and my right allows me to gain the power of each Centurion I form a pact with," Ariel explained.
"So you mean, when you form a pact with Ventus, you'll be able to use wind magics and wind artes? Doesn't the make you a Summoner?" Lloyd chugged down another glass of lemonade
"No. Summoners can form pacts with Centurions, Summon Spirits, and any other immortal being that's willing to accept their vow. I can only form pacts with beings that my right allows me to, particularly the Centurions and their master the Summon Spirit Ratatosk," Ariel replied.
"Hm... I really want to see you summon a Centurion – I bet it's the coolest thing ever!" The brunet exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Lloyd, I recall that one of your companions was a female Summoner. Summoning Centurions isn't very different from summoning Summon Spirits," Richter pointed out.
"But it is different – I've seen a Summon Spirit be summoned before, but I've never seen a Centurion be summoned! In fact, I've never seen any of the Centurions besides Tenebrae and Aqua out of their core forms!" Lloyd countered.
Richter sighed. "You know that on your journeys, you always start out enthusiastic but then quickly get bored... The process of summoning Centurions won't be any different."
"Everyone!"
The trio turned around to see Colette running towards them. Before Ariel could scold her for not resting, Colette apologized, "I know you asked me to take it easy, but I wasn't sure when everyone was planning to go to the Temple of Martel and I didn't want to be the reason everyone was held up...I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't worry about it. By the way, thanks for the cookies and lemonade. It really hit the spot," Lloyd thanked his angelic companion.
"No problem!" Colette smiled back at him.
"Hmph. Well, since we're all here, we should head towards the Temple of Martel and look for anything that may be related to Centurion Ventus. After talking with the mayor earlier, I learned that only the priests and the former Chosen are allowed in the Martel Temple now. We need you to lead the way and observe." Richter folded his arms.
"Okay! That's fine with me." Colette picked up the empty tray after setting the empty glass pitcher and empty glasses on it. Once she had walked away, Richter silently walked after her. Ariel began to trail after the two but, before she could get very far, she was stopped by Lloyd grabbing her wrist.
"Can we, uh...can we talk for a sec?" The brown-haired swordsman asked.
"Sure...what do you need?" The brunette cocked her head in confusion. What could Lloyd possibly want to say to her that he didn't want the others to hear?
The two began to walk together very slowly and in complete silence. Once they were lagging behind the others considerably, Lloyd raised his left hand to Ariel. "I remember you said you had some kind of connection to Cruxis and also that it seems like you study about a lot of things since you're from Cyria...could you take a look at my Exsphere?"
"Why? Is something wrong with it?" Ariel asked with a glance in the direction of the small stone.
"I...I'm not exactly sure, to be honest," Lloyd answered.
After looking at him with a thoughtful gaze, the Cyrian took the Aselian's hand and examined the stone attached to it carefully. "...This isn't an Exsphere anymore. It's a Cruxis Crystal. It must have evolved." She informed the older male.
"A Cruxis Crystal...? But just this time yesterday, it was an ordinary Exsphere..." Lloyd trailed off.
Ariel caught sight of the disturbed expression on her companion's face. "Lloyd? Is something the matter?"
"...When we first met in the mayor's house... after you kissed me, this strange light emitted from both of our Exspheres. You remember that, don't you?"
"How could I forget?"
"Well, ever since then, my Exsphere hasn't felt the same...I haven't felt the same. I mean, I'm not hurt...and since my Exsphere seems to have evolved, I even feel a little stronger. But, I still...I still feel so...vulnerable. This Exsphere feels heavier...for the first time ever, it actually feel dead. This Exsphere has always given me strength – from it, I have always felt a warm protection that supported and guided me...but ever since yesterday's incident, it feels as though that warm protection has left me. The fact that my Exsphere has evolved into a Cruxis Crystal is proof enough that a change in it was triggered by our meeting."
"...I...I see...to be perfectly honest...none of this surprises me. The fact that your Exsphere reacted like that must mean that my Exsphere...because of who I'm supposed to be to you, this can only be expected."
"Who you're supposed to be to me? What does that mean? And why are these things to be expected?"
"...No. It's...it's nothing. Let's catch up with Richter and Colette – they're leaving us behind."
Before Lloyd could try to pry an answer out of her, Ariel grabbed his hand and began to drag him behind her. Once he eventually accepted that she wasn't going to say any more at the subject, at least for now, he freed himself from her grasp and willingly followed.
It wasn't that she planned to keep everything a secret from him – that wasn't it at all. She knew that eventually she would have to confront this matter, but right now there was too much at stake. She would have time to think over and explain things, but now wasn't the time to ponder on such things – now, she needed to find Centurion Ventus and form a pact. Now, she needed to stay focused.
The voice that I heard yesterday...that was you, wasn't it? The one who I share life with...the one who my existence was modeled after...all this time, everything has come back to you, hasn't it?
XxXxXxX
"This is the Temple of Martel. It's nothing extraordinary but, to us, it's a very holy and sacred chapel," Colette explained to the Tethe'allan and the Cyrian as they arrived.
Ariel peeked around and examined the place with great curiosity while Richter merely continued walking, uninterested in the chapel.
"Hehe, you know what? It feels like I'm on my journey of world regeneration again, coming here like this," Colette said to Lloyd, who was following directly behind her.
"It does, doesn't it? And we kind of are – only this time, it's more like we're on a journey of world salvation," the brown-haired swordsman agreed.
"I can't believe it's already been four years since the last time we came here...a lot has happened and a lot has changed since then."
"Yeah. Times have definitely changed and I really do think that they're changing for the best."
"I agree. Hehe...we've matured a lot, haven't we?"
"That's kind of what happens when you get older, you dork."
"I know, but still...reminiscing like this just gives me a nostalgic feeling."
"Me too. But at the same time, it's disappointing...when we set out on our journey four years ago, we had the goal in mind to save the world and to bring peace. Even though we managed just that, one thing after another keeps happening to threaten the peace. First, Cruxis and the Desians. Then, the whole deal with the Vanguard and the Centurions. Now, something's going on with other worlds and the Centurions again. Every time we solve one problem, another one rises. It almost feels like we'll never have peace..."
"Don't say things like that – of course we'll have peace! If we keep fighting and do our best, then we'll be able to create a place where everyone from every world can live freely and peacefully. If we stop believing that it'll happen, then it never will – that's why you can't lose hope."
"...You're right, Colette. Things will work out...they will."
"It's very strange that there aren't any monsters around," Ariel interrupted. The conversation that the two Sylvaranti had been having had became a little painful on her ears.
"'Of course we'll have peace! If we keep fighting and do our best, then we'll be able to create a place where everyone from every world can live freely and peacefully. If we stop believing that it'll happen, then it never will – that's why you can't lose hope', Colette had said...and Lloyd seemed to be genuinely confident that everything would work out, too..." Ariel thought.
"How can they talk like that when nothing is absolute? How can they talk like that...how can they have so much faith...when they don't even have the power to change a single thing about the natural order? When the fate of the entire universe lies on the shoulders of a coward like me..."
"A coward? Ariel, you are far from a coward," The Cyrian heard the female Gemini Twin say to her mentally through a mind link that she had opened. Through mind links, the Gemini Twins could have a telepathic conversation with their master in privacy without even having to reveal themselves – though of course they could, seeing as they could act upon their own free will and did not require to be summoned.
"Of course I'm a coward...today, I've begun to have doubts about this entire journey. I've begun to think, 'what if Ratatosk's words are right? What if there really is no way to save all of the worlds? What will I do if people and planets must be sacrificed?'. Only a coward would have such doubts...only a coward would become so worried about success because they realize just how powerless they really are," Ariel replied bitterly.
"That is not true. The fact that you have doubts only means that you have accepted that in reality anything could happen and the simple fact that everything does not always end pleasantly. You have only realized that just as you could succeed...you could also fail. There is nothing wrong with having doubts – it means that not only do you have faith in your ideals, but you also understand the other possibilities. You know both your strength and your weakness – you have faith in your capabilities, but you also take in account your limits," Hikari told her master.
"But Hikari...-" Ariel was cut off by Hikari, "Ariel. Would a coward stand against all of her friends and comrades in order to do what she felt to be right rather than be conformed, follow the others, and do what she felt to be wrong? Would a coward try to find a better way that would result in everyone's salvation rather than allowing others to be sacrificed for the sake of her own salvation? Would a coward go out and change the things that she did not like herself rather than sit around and complain while waiting for someone else to do it? Would a coward be able to let go of her hatred and go to a world that has caused her nothing but pain and agony in an attempt to save it from destruction?"
"..."
Yami interjected, "Exactly. Just as Hikari said, you are not a coward – not by any means. You are only being realistic. You are idealistic enough to dream of a universe where everyone and every planet can live in harmony, but you are also realistic enough to realize that there may not be something that convenient. It takes bravery to admit that you may fail...it takes bravery to accept that you may have to decide between the lesser of the remaining evils because something that convenient really may not exist."
"Yami..."
"But it takes even more bravery than that to have confidence in yourself and your skills when all odds seem to be against you. It takes true bravery to continue to believe in and fight for your ideals when there is a great possibility that they will only end up being crushed. Those two that you had thought about, Lloyd Irving and Colette Brunel...they were not always as brave as they are now. Once upon a time, when the salvation of their world rested upon their shoulders, they too had doubts just like you – the very same ones. But as their journey continued, they learned and matured – as will you. The only thing that you can do for now is to do your best on your own journey and follow their example so that you may too mature the way they have. Hikari and I want nothing more than to see you succeed...so please, Ariel...find and decide the true meaning of bravery for yourself."
"...It must be because of fear," Richter decided, knocking Ariel out of her thoughts.
"W-what?" Ariel slightly stammered as she closed her mind link. She recalled Ratatosk saying that once the relationship between her and Richter was on good enough terms, she and Richter would have access to each other's minds similarly to the way the Gemini Twins have access to her mind. That being said, there was no way that Richter had been able to eavesdrop on their conversation...there was no way that he could know about the doubts she had in herself and how much of a coward she felt like she was...
Right?
"The monsters. They must not be here because they are hiding," Richter explained.
Ariel let out a silent sigh of relief as it seemed that she had not been busted. "Afraid? Why would the monsters be afraid?"
"Of Centurion Ventus, I'm assuming – I'm almost certain that Ventus is here because the closer to the chapel we got, the stronger the wind became. The monsters in this chapel must be mostly earth-elemental," The half-elf responded.
"Let's keep going, then. We'll take you to the seal – it's where we first met the angel Remiel and where Colette's journey of world regeneration first officially began. If a Centurion really is here, then it would be in the Seal Room – at least, that's where I would be if I were a Centurion." Lloyd began to walk again.
Being led by Lloyd and Colette, the quartet continued walking and transitioned from the entrance of the Temple of Martel to the Room of the Seal.
Once they entered the room, the four young adults looked around for anything that might give them clues about the Centurion of Wind. After searching the room from top to bottom, they found that there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
"Hm...maybe Centurion Ventus isn't here? Maybe we should look somewhere else?" Colette suggested.
"Huh...well that's odd. I mean, this is a seal...and seals are where the Centurions return when they're weak, hurt, in their core form, or something, right? This is definitely where I would be if I were a Centurion..." Lloyd scratched his head as he began to think.
"The fact that you would be here is reason enough for Ventus to not be here – it doesn't want to think in the same vein as an idiot," Richter retorted.
Ariel gave the room one final scanning as Lloyd began to bicker with Richter. Her attention was eventually drawn to the seal in the middle of the room. Something about that seal...something about it attracted her for some reason.
"...You guys, I feel something. I can feel Ventus in this room somewhere – I know it is, I'm absolutely positive. But somehow...it seems as though we're missing him or something..." The Bearer trailed off.
"How do you know Ventus is here?" Lloyd raised an eyebrow.
"I explained to you earlier that I have a right that allows me to form pacts with particular beings – I am one of the three remaining Bearers of the Right. Something else that my right allows me to do is sense the presence of a being that I'm able to form a pact with when I am in the same location as it. I had never encountered a Centurion before so my senses aren't very sharp and until they become stronger, I'll only sense one as I'm approaching it. Right now, it feels like Ventus is so close...it's like Ventus is right here in the room but we just can't see it," Ariel explained.
"Colette, you said that this was a seal, right? Was there anything you guys had to do to break the seal?"
"No...this wasn't one of the seals we had to break – all we had to do was get the Sorcerer's Ring and shoot it at the door. Um...but at the other seals, there was something called an oracle stone outside of all of them and they identified me as the true Chosen. Well, the ones in Sylvarant, at least," Colette informed the younger female.
"Did you have to do anything to breach the oracle stones?"
"Um...I had to press my hand against them so that the door would open, if that helps?"
"Touch...maybe that's what I have to do..." Ariel trailed off. Seeing the platform of the seal before her, the Bearer of the Right slowly reached down and touched it gingerly, as if afraid it would crack. Instantly, the white orb in the center of her necklace began to glow. "Symphonia's Core is reacting...is something about to happen?" She wondered.
As the core grew brighter, it released a blinding white light that hit the seal – as a result, a portal was formed.
"Way to go, Ariel! If it wasn't for that right of yours, we would have missed Centurion Ventus completely!" Lloyd grinned.
"Er, I didn't really do anything amazing. All I did was touch it…this core did all of the real work – without it, we wouldn't have been able to get to Ventus," Ariel mumbled modestly.
"You must be so happy to see that it reacted, though! It means that you really do possess the right. I was very happy when I touched the oracle stone the first time because it proved that I really was the Chosen and I really could do it." Colette smiled.
"If the three of you are about finished, we should go ahead and see if Ventus really is on the other side of this portal." Richter walked towards the portal.
"What do you think is on the other side?" Colette looked up at the brunet at her side.
"There's only one way to find out." He dashed towards the portal and beat Richter through it.
"...That idiot." Richter sighed before following the younger male in. Sweat dropping, the two females trailed after the boys, only moments away from finding out what lied on the other side.
XxXxXxX
"Whoa! It's windy as I don't know what here!" Lloyd called to the others loudly in order to be heard over the extremely strong wind.
"Where are we anyway?" Ariel called back.
"It seems as though we're on the top of the Temple of Martel. But why is it so windy...?" Colette said with the same loudness in response.
"Turn around and look!" Richter snapped in the same volume that the others had used.
As the three turned around, they immediately realized what was causing the strong wind. Several feet before them stood a large and fierce-looking sky dragon beating its powerful wings at a considerable tempo.
"That male dragon...that must be Centurion Ventus!" Ariel voiced her realization.
"So then this odd wind Sylvarant has been experiencing...this wind is really coming from Ventus?" Colette gasped.
"What?! But the wind he's creating can be felt all the way in Palmacosta...is Ventus really that powerful?" Lloyd's jaw dropped in shock.
"At the very least, his wind is," Richter responded with his eyes completely focused on the immortal being before them.
"Who are you people?" Ventus asked without missing a single beat of his wings.
"My name is Ariel Irving. I wish to form a pact with you, Ventus." Ariel stepped forward and practically shouted to the Centurion so that he could hear her over the beating of his wings.
"Are you a pact-maker? No...that item you wear around your neck...I can sense that it is Lady Symphonia's core. You must be a Bearer of the Right." Ventus eyed the Bearer.
"That is correct. We are here to form a pact with you. For the sake of -" Ariel began, but was cut off by a barrage of wind summoned by the snapping of the Centurion's eyes. It felt as though a hurricane had landed on top of her – the extremely violent and incredibly powerful wind felt like sharp blades against her delicate mortal skin. After a few moments, all of the wind came to a halt. Ventus had stopped beating his wings.
"...!" Ariel dropped to her knees. That had actually been painful...
Very painful.
"Bastard! You're not going to get away with hurting Ariel! What the hell did she do to deserve that?!" Lloyd angrily yelled at the Centurion of Wind.
"I do not wish to hear her vow. I have no interest in hearing the vow of a weakling. Prove to me that you deserve to possess the power of the wind...prove to me that you deserve to be acknowledged," Ventus replied simply.
"Are you alright?" Richter asked the brunette.
"Yeah, I'm fi-" She began to respond but stopped and warned, "Look out!"
Richter caught the glance of a mass of air blades coming their way. In the nick of time, he picked Ariel up and jumped out of the way. After avoiding the attack, he set her back down on the flats of her feet.
"It looks like a fight can't be avoided. Get ready – here he comes!" Lloyd unsheathed his twin blades. Moments later, he charged at Ventus and began to attack the Centurion.
Following his example, Richter dashed after Lloyd as he drew forth his weapons and assisted the younger male in attacking the immortal being. After pulling out her chakrams, Colette stayed were she was and summoned her angel wings, beginning to cast a spell.
"Hmph. You guys are taking up all the action – that's not fair, considering I'm the only one who he's attacked so far," Ariel muttered as she held her hands out. Her long silver sais appeared almost instantly before she ran at Ventus to join Lloyd and Richter in their barrage of attacks.
"Beast Sword Rain!"
"Mortal Equinox!"
"Rising Falcon!"
"Enduring Autumn!"
"Psi Tempest!"
"Bloody Howling!"
"Super Sonic Thrust!"
Ventus staggered as he was bombarded by attacks from the two young men. Again and again, their blades clashed against the scaly skin of the dragon. Richter slashed Ventus with Sol before stabbing him with Mani. Lloyd furiously swung his sword at the Centurion and landed damaging blows before delivering a powerful thrust. The two fights continued their rampage until Ventus swiped his claws at them and hit them with his tail, sending them flying.
"Angel Feathers!" Colette exclaimed as the two males back flipped and landed on their feet gracefully.
Ventus began to raise his wings, but he was stopped by Ariel falling down on him from above and stabbing him with her sais. "I don't think so, dragon boy. How about we not use our painful wind magic? Thanks!"
When Ventus clawed at her, she pulled her sais out and jumped back, dodging the hit. She charged at him again and began to assault the Centurion brutally in the name of vengeance, alternating between using her sais and kicking. Colette summoned another round of Angel Feathers followed by Torrential Para Ball and Stardust Cross in order to assist Ariel.
Furious and thoroughly damaged, Ventus' eyes snapped wide open – Ariel and Colette were sent flying by an unknown force. The skies began to darken as power began to concentrate itself around Ventus. The wind creature opened his wings and began to be lifted into the air. Powerful and vicious winds began to swirl around and engulf the Centurion – intensity was at least ten folds the power that Ariel had felt earlier when Ventus had directly attacked her.
"What's happening?" Colette had to yell as loud as she possibly could over the wind Ventus was creating, though the others could still just barely hear her.
"Ventus is summoning forth all of his power into some sort of defensive wall made of wind magic – if we come too close, it seems as though the wind will lash out at us and from the intensity of it, I'm thinking the attack would be fatal," Ariel yelled back.
"How are we supposed to fight him then? We can't get near him!"
"We don't have to."
"I'll have to fight him from a long range from here on out...but my bow and arrow probably wouldn't be enough. I suppose that means I'll have to use that weapon...I have to use Centurion Gemini's power," Ariel thought as she held her hand out.
Her sais disappeared before a beautiful and extremely fancy silver bow appeared in her hands and a silver quiver full of black arrows appeared on her back. The Bearer pulled an arrow out of her quiver. Colette had already begun to summon another angelic spell.
Ariel drew the black arrow back on the silver bow. Concentrating hard, she aimed for Ventus. Centurion Gemini's power was extremely strong – so strong that she knew it would completely drain her mana after only a single use. She was even more sure of this considering the fact that she had never had to use Centurion Gemini's power before and she was not use to summoning it. That being said, the Bearer had one shot and one shot only.
She could not afford to miss.
"Chaotic arrow cursed with the force of piercing contamination...pure light blessed with the gift of purging...upon this weapon that was crafted from both the weakness and the strength of the mortal heart, I summoneth thee. Divine being created from both the negativity and the positivity in the hearts of mortals...I demand that thou lend me thy power!"
An immensely powerful white light engulfed the black arrow – blinding purity began to clash with captivating chaos. Ariel could already feel her body's mana being drained from her and pouring into the attack that she was charging. She would allow the forces to feed off of a little more of her mana – she would wait for the perfect moment to let the attack go.
"Judgment!"
Light began to descend and assault the Centurion harshly. As Judgment rained down upon Ventus and weakened him, Ariel saw the perfect opportunity. Loosening her grip on the arrow, the Bearer thundered, "Strike!"
Immediately, the arrow was released and flew towards the Centurion of Wind. With a force unlike any other, the arrow struck Ventus, who howled inhumanely in agonizing pain. The wind creature was struck out of the sky upon the great impact and he crashed back down onto the platform on the roof of the Temple of Martel. The wind stopped once again and the skies lightened. Everything returned to normal.
"...Was that enough...?" Ariel whispered before her body collapsed.
"Ariel!" Colette darted to her friend's side, her voice thick with worry as she asked if she was okay. Promptly, Lloyd and Richter joined the two.
"Whoa! What the hell was that attack?!" Lloyd demanded as soon as he approached the girls.
"I'm...fine, Colette...I just need to rest...that attack used up so much of my mana...phew, I'm wiped out...and Lloyd, that was...the power of Centurion Gemini...the only immortal being...I currently has a pact with..." Ariel explained through her labored breathing.
"I've never seen someone do such a cool attack before! That was incredible!" Lloyd grinned.
"Heh, if you say so...just don't expect me to do it again anytime soon...it takes too much out of me...I knew it would so until now...I've never used it before," Ariel said between gasps of air.
"Be quiet," Richter ordered as he knelt down to the younger woman. He placed his hand on her stomach firmly – after a few moments, she began to feel a warm energy fill her.
"Are you giving me some of your mana? But why...?" The brunette looked at the redhead.
"I'll be fine – I have mana to spare. Mana deprivation can result in fatal ailments or even death. The outer worlds can't afford for you to die and the goddess' will also binds me to you as your Guardian Knight – that's why. The side effects of mana deprivation probably won't wear off for awhile, but you should be beginning to feel better," The half-elf told her as he pulled away.
"Thanks...I appreciate it." The Cyrian smiled gently him. Her Guardian only grunted in response.
"...It looks like Ventus is badly hurt." Colette glanced at the Centurion, who was lying limp on the platform several yards away.
Ariel sat up. "He'll be fine. But because we had to initiate battle with him, I won't be able to form a pact with him unless he's in his core form."
"Then let's deliver the finishing blow." Lloyd whipped out Flamberge.
"Mama!"
Ariel froze in terror. She turned to see Isuzu running towards them. In order for her to get to them, she would have to past Ventus – who was raising his claws weakly with the intention of extracting revenge.
"Oh, no! Ventus is going to attack her!" Colette gasped.
"Dammit! She has nothing to do with this battle, Ventus! Leave her out of it!" Lloyd began to dash towards the Centurion, but there was no way that he could possibly make it to Ventus before he was able to attack Isuzu.
"Go back to the house! Please! Mommy couldn't bear to lose you, either! Please...please, Mommy is begging you...go back. Be a good girl for Mommy and listen. Please."
Something in Ariel snapped as she heard the eight year old shriek. "Isuzu, no! Get away from here! Please, run away!" She screamed at Isuzu, too injured to be able to do anything to save the girl as she watched Ventus close in on her menacingly. All she could do was watch as the Centurion's sharp claws fell down and raced towards their target.
"Gravity Well!"
Everyone's attention was directed at the portal – standing in front of it was Raine and Genis. Ventus released a roar of pain after being struck with the powerful attack and collapsed back down onto the platform.
"You should have known you weren't going to get away with attacking an innocent little girl, you know." Genis glared at the immortal being as he held his kendama threateningly.
Ariel raced to the raven-haired child's side. "Are you alright, baby? Were you hurt?"
"Mama...Isuzu knew that Mama would come back for Isuzu one day...Mama kept Mama's promise...Isuzu knew...Mama would..." Isuzu smiled weakly before passing out.
"Isuzu!" Ariel cried, scared that the child had been hurt – or worse.
"She's alright. It seems she only passed out from shock. She only needs to rest. She'll be okay," Raine assured the younger female.
"Why is she even here? Why are you and Genis here, too...?" Ariel inquired.
"Genis, Isuzu and I were at the school house – I was teaching, Isuzu was learning, and Genis was helping the students. Everything was fine and normal until Isuzu suddenly got up and ran out of the school house – her only explanation was that her gut was telling her that something terrible had happened to you. We tried to stop her, but she refused to listen, so after getting someone to watch the class, Genis and I decided to go after Isuzu. We ended up finding her just as she went through the portal that happened to still be activated in the Temple of Martel, and...well, you know the story from there," Raine answered.
The brunette looked down at the much younger female. "So she came here...Isuzu came here because she was worried...about me..." She whispered before holding the unconscious eight year old even tighter in her arms. "...Thank you."
"How dare you...you pitiful creatures who received only half your ancestral blood...how dare you mere halflings strike a high-ranking Centurion like myself?" Ventus spat at the Sage siblings, unwilling to accept the fact that he had been defeated.
"The only one who is pitiful here is you...for allowing yourself to be taken down by the 'mere halflings' that you so detest," Raine retorted as she raised her staff. "Photon!"
The light-elemental arte acted as the finishing blow and defeated the Centurion of Wind once and for all. Ventus reverted to the form of a green orb.
"Phew...I'm glad that's over. Ventus is a lot stronger than I expected him to be..." Lloyd let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"That's only to be expected. The Eight Servants of the Lord of All Monsters are divided into two categories: the Upper Centurions and the Lower Centurions. There are four Upper Centurions and four Lower Centurions. Ventus ranks fourth out of all eight of the Centurions. He's a high-ranking Centurion, so he isn't an opponent to be trifled with," Ariel explained as she continued to cradle the sleeping girl in her arms.
"Fourth? So there's three Centurions left who are stronger than Ventus?
"Yes. From eighth to first, each Centurion is stronger than the last – significantly. Even the eighth Centurion is quite a formidable opponent."
"You seem to know a lot," Raine said to Ariel, who responded, "Each Cyrian must complete an immense amount of intensive studying as an obligation. We take pride in our intellect and being well-informed we are. I like to learn new things, so I choose to study even more than required. I could bring some of my books to you..."
"Really?! I would love that! The chance to study the history of another world and even the opportunity to study Aselian history from the vantage point of another civilization...!" Raine's eyes gleamed in excitement and anticipation.
"Uh-oh. Raine's in Ruin Mode...we're all doomed." Genis sweat dropped.
Ariel watched as the two Sage interacted with each other, Raine threatening to smack her brother and Genis attempting to elude his sister's wrath. "When they first came through the portal, they both used magic by casting spells, so maybe they're angels...ah, but those of angelic blood casts spells through the use of their angelic blood – that results in the appearance of their wings and neither of them had wings. So, they can't be angels. That must mean that they're elves. But, then again...Ventus had called them 'pitiful creatures who received only half their ancestral blood' and 'mere halflings'...could they possibly be...?"
"Don't forget why we are here. You still have to form a pact with Ventus," Ariel heard Richter's voice interrupt her thoughts.
"Ah, yes...that's right. I didn't forget." Ariel nodded as she handed Isuzu to Raine. The brunette walked up to the green orb and picked it up.
Ventus' voice was heard in everyone's mind. "As the wind, I am a free spirit - I have never been bound to anyone by a pact before...but you and your companions have shown me that you are indeed worthy of a pact with me. Now, state your vow."
Ariel closed her eyes as she began to state her vow. "For the sake of protecting the four worlds and seeing to it that they exist in harmony, I asketh thee – lend me thy strength. Lord of Wind...Centurion Ventus...bestow thine power unto me."
"I accept your vow."
The green orb began to glow in unison with Symphonia's core. Abruptly, Ventus' core dematerialized in the Bearer's hand. Ariel gripped it even tighter and held it even closer to her chest. In a matter of seconds, Ventus' core disappeared, its power now laying dormant within the young brunette.
"...It's over. My pact with Centurion Ventus has been completed," she announced to her companions.
"Let's go back to my house and rest, everyone. I'm sure that taming Ventus took a lot out of all of us," Colette suggested.
"Sounds like a good idea to me – I'm beat!" Lloyd agreed with the blonde.
After a few more words were exchanged, the group began to migrate towards the portal. Just as he was about to follow the others through the portal, Genis saw out of the corner of his eye that Ariel had not moved.
"Need a hand?" The silver-haired teen made his way over to the brunette and extended his palm out to her helpfully.
"N-no!" Ariel screamed, scrambling to her feet.
"Ariel...?" Genis gave her a questioning look.
"Ah...um...I-I mean, no, I'm alright. I don't need any help. I'm fine, so you shouldn't worry yourself." The Cyrian offered the half-elf a tiny smile, but he could tell that it was clearly forced and nervous.
"Okay, something's definitely up. We've been getting along so well up until now...why are you acting this way all of a sudden?" Genis tried to reach out for his companion again due to being genuinely concerned about her.
"No! Get away...don't touch me!" Ariel jerked out of Genis' grasp as soon as his finger tips grasped her and back away.
Surprised, Genis slowly drew his hand back.
Sapphire clashed with ruby as an attempt to find an explanation took place. The brunette immediately broke the intense gaze, but not before the silver head was able to find the answer that he had been searching for. As she averted her eyes, she caught a glimpse of his sad gaze.
"Ariel...is this about what Ventus had said? Are you acting this way because...?" Genis whispered as his long silver bangs fell to hide the emotions his eyes now held – rejection, sadness, shock, pain, and above all others...disappointment.
Ariel couldn't even bring herself to answer. Instead, she instinctively turned and ran away, disappearing through the portal and leaving Genis behind. She found that she could not stop her body from shaking...she found that she could not stop her feet from retreating.
This reaction...
Even though I know they're good people...even though I know they'd never intentionally cause anyone harm...even though they saved us and I owe them so much...!
People like me...are absolutely pathetic.
XxXxXxX
"Ariel, Genis...are the two of you okay? Is something the matter?" Lloyd asked with concern in his voice.
The two teenagers had just entered Colette's living room to join the others, being the last ones to return, and they had both had headed into opposite directions, standing as far away from each other as possible. The brown-haired swordsman had noticed this, along with the fact that each one refused to even glimpse in the direction of the other, and decided to ask if something had happened.
Genis shook his head before offering an obviously fake smile. "No, Lloyd...everything's just peachy. Right, Ariel?"
"...Y-yeah." Ariel slowly nodded as she held her right arm, glancing away almost as soon as her eyes met Genis'. She didn't bother to force a smile of her own – she knew it would look even more fake than his had.
Raine had also noticed the two teenagers' strange behavior, but instead of questioning them, she decided to turn to Richter. "...So now that a pact with Centurion Ventus had been formed, what do you plan to do now? What is your next move?"
"We need to get Ratatosk to join us before Cruxis is able to convince him to join them because he is able to locate the Centurions much faster and much more efficiently," Richter answered.
"Do you know where Ratatosk is?" Colette asked.
"Yes. Ratatosk is in Hima, but he refuses to join anyone unless they are able to bring back to him a mineral called Aionis."
"Aionis? That's the material Kratos obtained in order to forge the eternal ring so that I could wield the Eternal Sword. It's also the weird stone that Zelos said he was made to digest so that he could wield magic swords and use magic," Lloyd informed the half-elf.
"Aionis...that's located in Heimdall. Genis and I were born there and we've visited quite a few times over the past four years. We would easily be able to take you to Heimdall and show you where Aionis is produced," Raine suggested.
Stifling an involuntary gasp, Ariel interjected, "You don't have to do that!"
"And why is that?" Raine asked sharply as she turned to face the brunette.
Ariel stumbled over her words. "I-I just meant that I'm sure Richter knows his way to Heimdall since he's from Tethe'alla...you and Genis don't have to waste your time and energy accompanying us. We'll be fine."
"It wouldn't be a waste of time or energy. Even if Richter does know the way to Heimdall, Genis and I wouldn't mind coming along," the silver-haired woman replied.
"But it isn't necessary...and besides, the people of Iselia need you here to help them much more than Richter and I need you to come with us to Heimdall."
"The people of Iselia are capable of handling themselves. I don't see any reason why me and Genis going with you should be a problem – unless, of course, you think of us as nuisances and would prefer to get rid of us."
"N-no...that's not it at all...it's just that-"
"Raine. We will be leaving Iselia tomorrow morning at noon. If you and your brother still intend to follow us, you had better be ready by then," Richter interrupted the two females, leaving the room as soon as he finished announcing his verdict.
Knowing that there was nothing she could do at this point because her Guardian had approved, Ariel lowered her eyes and decided to back off.
Seeing the dismay on the older teen's face, Genis softly asked her, "Are you...are you really okay with us going with you and Richter?"
After a moment of hesitation, the brunette looked up and offered the silver-haired teen a weak smile. "...If it's alright with Richter, then it's fine."
"It's a good thing that you don't have a problem with us going, then...because even if you were dead set against it, we still would. Nothing you could have said or done would have prevented that," Raine said harshly to the Cyrian as she looked down on her with hard and icy eyes.
Isuzu threw herself onto Ariel. "Isuzu is going to miss Mama so much! Isuzu loves Mama!"
"...Hehe, I'm going to miss you as well, Isuzu. I love you too." Ariel lightly laughed and returned the little girl's affections.
Without the slightest bit of hesitation, she used the young girl as an excuse to avert the schoolteacher's stare.
"Heimdall is pretty far away...I'll go prepare things to cook something for the trip in the morning." Colette excused herself from the room.
"I'll help." Genis offered, trailing after the blonde.
"I'll go get ready, then." Raine turned and walked away.
"Hm...I'll go talk to Richter one last time before he sets off again." Lloyd followed the others' example and left the room as well. Isuzu and Ariel were the only remaining ones.
"Everyone is gone...what will Mama do until Mama gets ready to-" Isuzu began to ask, but she stopped when she felt something wet hit her cheek. The eight year old looked up to find that her motherly figure was crying. "Mama...why is Mama crying?"
"...Don't worry about it, Isuzu...your mama is just really stupid and inconsiderate, that's all." Ariel gave Isuzu a trembling smile.
Isuzu shook her head furiously before throwing her arms around the older female and hugging her tightly. "Nuh-uh, that isn't true! Mama is the nicest and the best mama in the whole wide world! So please, Mama...please don't cry anymore."
"Hehe...if only that were true," Ariel murmured softly before she wrapped her arms around the young child and buried her face into her shoulder, embracing Isuzu and finally allowing her silent tears to fall.
That one question...
When I met her harsh stare...I saw anger and disgust. When I met his sad gaze…I saw hurt and rejection. Both times, I ran away from their eyes...both times, the same question had been there in the depths of their betrayed crystal blue orbs:
"Is this really worth it?"
Me: That's it, you guys!
Richter: ...Hn...
Me: What is it, Richter? Thinking?
Richter: ...It's nothing. Read and review please.