(Reyavie pokes head in room cautiously…before being pushed to her chair and chained to it by Thanatos). Remember when I told you that it was going to be a good thing to have my Bro back? Forget all about it. (Thanatos gaps while muttering "she said WHAT?". Reyavie glares at him). I said to forget it.

Hey everyone! Now that the new chapter is here I request for all the pointy objects to be left outside of the room until I leave…that and anything related to explosions. It wasn't a cliff-hanger that bad. (Thanatos coughs loudly. Rea glares again). I DON'T OWN ANYTHING IN THIS STORY, ok? (Reyavie turns to brother) But I do own the ability to confiscate your birthday gift. (Thanatos pales and turns very silent). Yes, my dear older brother's birthday is coming in a few weeks. Mine too. (Twelve of September. Please do not say the "one tragedy never comes alone" joke. I've heard it too many times.) Anyways let me continue before any reviewer tracks down my computer to stop me from reaching that date.

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To my dear reviewers:

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Rae Anderson – Hey again! Happy to know that you're enjoying the path this is taking. From this point on it's all my brain trying to make a plot. The original one ends in about two chappies so…your words really help me. Thank you. About your story and its size…well, maybe you just didn't divide it on the right places and the chapters got to big. Don't worry about that before you begin posting. In the beginning when I put Second Life first on the net I thought that the maximum I would make would be about thirty. Well, this is number thirty and I still have about one hundred and fifty pages to go and I'm still writing. So just write and in the end you'll see that everything will fall into place. (Rea gives a thumbs up). But if you do want some help I wouldn't mind to beta it for you. I have my email on my page so just ring a bell if you need me. And yeah, waiting for parental figures to leave the computer is harder than walking on water. Your Dad really sounds like Thanatos when we only had one home. (Thanatos opens mouth to speak but closes when sees glare. Goes away to sulk). I really hope your mom manages to put yours online, I'll be crossing my fingers. And don't worry about saying anything wrong. Have you actually noticed what I say sometimes? (An "I did" is heard somewhere in Reyavie's house. Rea rolls eyes). Thank you once more for you review and hope you like this chappie so TTYL…? Enjoy.

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Meepills – (Reyavie winces) Hey...you do know that you're one of the reasons I had a ticket booked to Aruba and why I'm currently chained to a chair, don't you? (Thanatos looks at screen "Hey, she has a twitchy eye". Reyavie points at calendar and he shuts up). I'm in death danger and he says something like that…(Heavy sigh). Anyways maybe it was a bit ebil…ok, maybe it was a lot. But you don't have weapons so I'll probably live…until you reach the end of this chapter. (Rea winces again). Promise the next one won't have a cliff-hanger?

About Hyne I really don't know where did I get the idea to put her in the story but hey, she's here, she's kinda of crazy and…well, who wouldn't feel alone after spending who-knows-how-many-years watching others live? I'm really glad you liked the Bearer thing. It was something I was kind of wary of using at the beginning but it seemed to work. About Aria's return I can only say for you to read below as soon as you finish this. You'll get the idea pretty soon…and then you'll threaten me with extreme bodily harm. And unearthly? Maybe it does. Magic is the main topic in it so I think that that describes it well.

To end this comment…my own book? I had an idea to write one. I even have a drafted story plot and universe (Fantasy of course. I'm hooked ever since little) but little time to do it. Right now the project it's resting on my bottom drawer until I get the guts to go and continue it. But I would have to translate anything first because what I already did write is in Portuguese. How about this? If I manage to write it one day I'll send you one as a gift. And how much is 94.56 dollars in Euros? (Reyavie shrugs). Thank you so much for your review and your email. Now I'm going to run before you read the chapter. Try not to maim mental me too much alright?

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Auron's Fan – Oh My God! You reviewed my story! (Rea gaps at screen) And you added it to your favourites? Alright! So welcome to my review hall.(Thanatos yells at parents something about "who gave her sugar again"). I'm so happy you liked it. And normal sarcasm? (Reyavie grins sheepishly). If there's one thing (and probably one of the few) I inflicted Ariadne with from my personality is the sarcasm. The first time I was speaking with a friend of mine and didn't make a comment he asked me if I was feeling sick. I was. So continue to read and I'll continue to write 'kay? And about your C2 I'm really flattered you considered putting my story on it. Don't worry about that. I'm going to create one that will be an arquive to all the stories in any Final Fantasy universe that include an original character previously from the "real" world. What do you think about it? Well, I guess this is it. Fly away then. Cheers.

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Serene Angel Wing – You're back! You're really back! (loud fireworks are set loose). Hey…huh Sen, yep, definitively Sen. If you used Saw it would sound way too strange so Sen it is. But Serene? That's when you're not on a sugar high right? Just when is that I wonder…( Reyavie grins). I'm just kidding. Welcome back then. So you liked the chapter? That's really great to read. As I've said above I was a bit afraid of how readers would react with the whole Hyne and Bearer issue (And don't you just love Hyne? She makes Clare, the constantly high student from Galbadia Garden, seem a calm and thoughtful girl. I loved writing her part.). I had a great holiday. Netherlands is great but it has three major flaws:

One. In Portugal, at this time of the year, you don't have temperatures below 30º C and no rain at all. When I reached there I had to walk around with an umbrella and long sleeved sweaters.

Two. Everything they eat has some kind of sweet in it. I love sweets…out of my salad and meat or fish or soup and whatever. I'm Mediterranean so hello salt, vinegar and olive oil.

Three. THEY TOOK AWAY MY COFFEE! (Rea sobs). Their coffee can't be called coffee. It's just so…argh. Guess what I did as soon as I got back.

But other than that it was a great holiday. But why are you going to school in the middle of the summer? I only have one friend doing that and it's because she can go to the second exam phase in September. It really bites. And yes, you must be sugar-high because the one second I think in going back to classes a headache appears. Anyways…of course I used Meva Ysimad. You weren't thinking I had asked for the name for nothing were you? And now do you see why it was strangely apt? Cause it was a way to save lives. And patience. Such a wonderful thing (Reyavie begins to try and evade chains before wincing). Good you don't mind about the moment I've left it in cause you're definitively going to mind the one I'm going to leave it this week.

And another Squalphie? You are? Really? WOW! I'll be waiting eagerly for that. Thank you for warning me about it. You can count on my reviews as soon as you get it posted. (Thanatos mumbles something and Rea gaps). The world is ending. My bro said something intelligent. I'll review if I don't get myself a free ticked to the Underworld by some very ticked off reviewers.

Ok, I think I must stop for now. (Rea opens closet and takes giant bag of chocolate) For you. This is one thing Netherlands has everywhere. (Before slapping Thanatos's hand away when he tries to steal her chocolate cookies and begins munching). Xhanks cho mux! Well, gotta go. Take care : )

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Duke – Wow! A new reviewer! Hello and welcome to Second Life. I'm happy to know that you think it's a good story. And NO! Please don't give up! See? Already another chappie. This story updates every Thursday and had a hiatus because I was on vacation abroad and didn't have internet around. Thanatos couldn't answer to the reviews so I really didn't have other way but to make you guys wait. So here it is my newest chapter. Hope you like it and thank you for your review.

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Before I continue I'll just have a small proclamation to make. Please use extreme sarcasm while reading it.

I just want to thank, as a Portuguese citizen, to my government for the wonderful job they have done to stop the fires all over the country. I'm quite sure it won't happen again…because next year we won't have anything left to be burnt. (When you look out of the window of the house where your father grew up only to see burnt trees you tend to get angry. That explains my mood)

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So welcome to the thirtieth (OMG! Already?) chapter of Second Life. Bro release me cause I want to live…(Thanatos unlocks the chains and both flee)

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- "Yeah...I want to go to Earth..." – Ariadne let her companion absorb her sentence before finishing it with a barely noticeable smile – "But just for a while..." - Aria shook her head, caramel brown hair fighting as gravity pulled it once more to its place. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, her posture tense but resolute…she did not look at the sorceress.

- "I love Earth. Always have. Always will. I grew up there. How could I not?" – The smile turned sadder as she looked at the white floor, her gaze locked with it as if the answer to all her questions was etched in it.

- "I love my family, my friends…" - She continued calmly – "Everyone I knew while I lived there, everyone that was a part of my life on one way or another but..." - Ariadne stood taking as much dirt from her clothes as she could.

– "Gaea is my home now Lady Hyne. It is my home now and I love it dearly. I can't just abandon everything I fought so hard to gain, all that I tried to built…And I love everyone I have met there. People that have welcomed me with open arms without asking anything in return. I can't abandon them. No...Gaea is my world now…they are my family as well" - She shook her head once more.

– "I am going home. To Gaea. But nevertheless...can you give me a few moments? Just to make sure they're alright? Just to…" - The Seed sighed gently – "Just for me to know that they have moved on" - The grin that appeared in Hyne's face almost made Ariadne take a step backwards.

Some people scared others with sneers, some with scowls, some with glares...Hyne had a grin that could scare even Ultimecia.

- "On it." - And she snapped her fingers.

The darkness that filled Ariadne's vision made her wonder if she had done well in allowing the sorceress free reign in whatever she was doing.

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- "Shit" – Hyne grinned once more to the Seed that, at the moment, was in a very undignified position on the floor.

Ariadne glared as dangerously as possible when one was attempting to stand and failing miserably. She had just been sucked out of a void and dropped through something that could be vaguely considered a portal just after a really strange talk with the crazy guardian of her new world and battling a sorceress that had made her last months hell.

If that couldn't explain her snappish mood nothing could.

- "You know, you should probably stand" – Hyne advised calmly- "You'll attract attention like that." - Aria did so slowly, very slowly, while trying to get ride of the cramps that were begging for attention.

She had the strange idea that she had cramps in places where she didn't know she could have cramps and that even her cramps had cramps.

Strange but weirdly correct.

Basically her body had run out of adrenaline which could only mean that if she had been in Galbadia Garden she would already be on the Medical wing with a dozen sleeping pills on her stomach.

- "Considering that I'm very near magical exhaustion you should probably help me" – Ariadne shot back not the least amused. Hyne smacked her forehead earning yet another frustrated look from the younger girl.

- "Forgot that" – She confessed as if Aria hadn't noticed it. Her fingers snapped once more as she mumbled something under her breath and Ariadne breathed more easily as a wave of some kind of energy filled her body.

Her wounds and aches resolved to leave her alone for the moment and even her ever appearing headache had taken a hike while her hands were hastily healed, with what Aria could recognize as a low class healing spell, and shoved inside her gloves.

- "They are not cured" – Continued Hyne – "But the bleeding has stopped and the spell should make them less painful until we get you home. Now you can't go anywhere looking like that" – Aria rolled her eyes. Now she had to deal with a wannabe fashion designer. Her life just kept getting better and better.

- "There. All better. Now you don't seem as if you have just left the slums." – Ariadne had never ever thought that she could ever meet someone that could test her patience more than Ultimecia.

The Universe chose to prove her wrong once more. Why had she stopped waiting for the impossible to happen? She would only be less surprised if she had continued with that kind of thought pattern.

Her eyes moved downwards to notice that her normal black pants had disappeared to be replaced by a pair of jeans that weren't ripped all over the place and a white shirt that actually didn't have blood in it. An improvement if she had ever seen one...

- "Why don't they teach this kind of spells at the garden?" - Ariadne thought absently.

– "Because you are supposed to be mercenaries and not fashion consultants Aria" – Came the easy answer of Sacred.

– "Now tip your head a bit" – Commanded Hyne chidingly – "Your hair is a mess."

- She's nuts – Deadpanned Minotaur as the sorceress proceeded to drop a water spell on her hair.

– "Clean you face to get rid of all the grime and put your hair up and we can go." - And she grinned again as Ariadne followed her instructions apparently not hearing the girl's grumbles as she did so.

- "Now I trust that you know where we are" – Declared Hyne – "Cause I don't really" – The Seed took off the sheaths of her weapons, obviously biting the comment that was fighting to leave her lips, and looked around.

The beautiful lake she remembered from her childhood greeted her, its blue surface shining on the warm sun. The forest had been somewhat reduced to give origin to a couple more houses but other than that the whole scenario was sufficiently familiar to the young woman.

The village hadn't grown a lot too but the passage of time was visible in every little thing that had been built, every tree that had grown.

Even with the little she could see, even with what she recognized, there was something Aria couldn't deny. It wasn't home anymore.

- "Ariadne?" - Sea green eyes blinked in slight confusion before she snapped out of her trance as a backpack was trusted into her hands.

– "Hide your weapons there. I doubt anyone here carries something like that"- Hyne had really bad issues with mood swings. – "I'll be back in half an hour or something like that. Cheers." - And she vanished leaving a very frustrated warrior behind.

– "Remind me again" – She asked – "Why did I ever left Galbadia Garden?"

- "Stubbornness and unwillingness to keep quiet and out of trouble" – Answered Sacred – "Clear enough?" - As if Hyne hadn't been bad enough.

She rolled her eyes again before starting down the road she had crossed so many times when she had been younger while attempting to force her katanas inside the pack Hyne had given her. She could almost see the comments and looks she would receive if someone saw those particular pieces of weaponry.

If anyone stayed long enough instead of running in the opposite direction.

- "They would have good reason for that" – Commented Sacred – "You should probably take the blood from your arms." - He was probably right. She wouldn't say that out loud though. With a sigh she knelt next to the lake and cleaned the blood and sweat that could be seen dripping down her skin.

- "Do you guys think the others are ok?" - A snort was heard in her mind.

– "Hyne would not have brought you here if you were needed" – Answered Sacred. To Ariadne that didn't really counted as an answer.

– "So basically keep your alarms down, disconnect the whole pack of killing instincts cause no one is going to try to kill you here and relax a bit." - Added Minotaur.

Aria raised an eyebrow with that causing her guardian to shut up. As if she could relax where she was and about to do what she was about to do. Another sigh left her lips as she rose and began down the track once more.

Her steps were silent and calm as she walked, a consequence of the years she had spent training, and her expression was as stern as she could make it. An easy way to hide her insecurities. Her braided hair fell heavily behind her still wet with the spell that had been placed on it, drenching her shirt on the process, but she gave it little thought.

Sea green eyes rolled from one object to another as if she wanted to keep the memory of them inside herself for the rest of her life.

And she wanted. She had chosen. There was no going back.

She had people waiting for her...at home.

Yeah...

- "Any problem miss?" - Aria almost jumped ten feet in the air when an unfamiliar voice made itself hear near her...well that and she had almost used a Fira.

- "You must be completely exhausted to react like that" – The Seed didn't give the unnecessary answer, not to mention the sarcastic "really?" that was begging to be said, to the older guardian choosing to she watch the man that had surprised her instead.

A kind face greeted her, brown eyes understanding and happy with a joy of living that was plain for all to see. Black hair was crossed with grey and white patterns showing that he could no longer be considered a young man. His dark blue business suit was spotless, his hair neatly arranged, his shoes a shiny black in the sun.

- "Huh?" - That hadn't been her most articulate response. Aria had an urge to hit her head on a wall.

- "I asked if you are alright Miss." - He repeated gently – "You seemed a bit out of yourself. Do you need any help?" - Only a great deal of effort kept her facial expression without any surprise. She couldn't look that bad...could she?

- "Yeah, you can" – As if she wasn't expecting Minotaur to input some of his wisdom. – "But it's not like that's abnormal."

- "No" – She answered with a small nod of her head – "Thank you for your kindness but I am alright."

- "At least something stayed from your diplomatic lessons" – And of course Sacred couldn't stay out of the conversation. The man smiled before he frowned slightly as he looked at her more closely.

– "Excuse me miss but you could tell me your name?" - Sacred seemed to have a new found friend in the man. So much politeness seemed almost too good to be allowed.

- "You seem...familiar" – Aria almost winced. With just as much politeness she smiled charmingly before presenting him her hand.

– "I am Scylla Trepe. A pleasure Mr...?" - Ariadne was positively out of her mind to use her middle name but her brain had resolved not to cooperate for the moment.

- "James Mortimer. Pleased to meet you Miss Trepe" – He said – "Strange...you do remind me of someone..." - This time she did wince but, thankfully, not enough to be noticed.

- "Maybe you know my cousins?" - She smiled again as her brain began waking to the world. Or at least to allow her to think of a way to get out of the hole she seemed to be getting into. – "Or my Uncle and Aunt? Mr and Mrs Beckerman?" - Comprehension filled the man's expression as he gave her a small grin.

– "So that's from where. You look a lot like their young daughter, Ariadne" – His eyes turned sad and she winced again when Minotaur's voice crossed her mind.

– "That's cause she is their young daughter you moron." - A slap was heard shortly after.

- "Poor girl." - James continued – "Her death was really unfortunate."

- "They think I'm dead" – The dryness in her mental tone could have dried the Atlantic sea. The sarcasm didn't exactly helped. – "Oh goodie."

- "You disappeared for nearly five years Aria" – Sacred declared softly – "What were you expecting?"

- "Not much really" – Was her answer

– "Indeed it was. But I must leave now." - James smiled again.

– "Of course. Give my compliments to your cousin then and please tell him that I'm guarding Kenneth's package until they come back. Hope to see you soon Miss Trepe" – Ariadne gave him a short goodbye completely lost.

- "He had dad's WHAT? And WHO the hell is coming back from WHERE?"

- "To know that, I suggest you walk" – Advised Minotaur – "As in placing a foot in front of the other." - Now Ariadne was really certain of something she had suspected for some time.

She had really screwed up in another incarnation and she was really cursed. There wasn't another explanation.

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My POV

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So I am dead.

I had already expected that but hearing it from another person was something very different. Next thing I know someone will be taking me to place flowers in my tomb.

Now tell me if that isn't the most depressing thought anyone could ever have.

I guess this gives me at least some kind of leverage to what I am about to do but...maybe I shouldn't have come. If they think I'm dead shouldn't it be better for them to continue to think so?

No...

No bloody way! I am NOT going to start again with the What Ifs. I am sick and tired of them.

This was my choice and I own them an explanation. They deserve to know. Even if it hurts at the beginning...they have to know.

So...how do you tell your family, which thinks that you are dead for five years, that your alive and kicking...literally?

Let me guess...

Hi mom, dad, Bro! Remember me? I vanished five years ago 'cause I was transported to another dimension. You know...one that is documented on a videogame?

Yeah...and all that war that they told about.

Well I lived through it. Would you believe if I told that I was brought there cause I bought a small amulet that ended by being the connection between the sorceresses and the powers that Hyne gave them?

Oh and that Hyne is touched in the head.

No? Thought so.

But still I hope that I can at least have the two things that I came here for. Forgiveness is one of them.

As much as Red and Taur keep saying that it wasn't my fault, in the long run I was the one that wasn't there when they need me. And I was the one that caused them more pain that they could have ever expected from me.

So I am to blame.

And the second...an opportunity to say goodbye.

For a last time in this life just say goodbye to my blood family, the one that cared for me, that took care of me through my childhood. So that I can follow my own path.

Someone could think that I'm trying to just get rid of this guilt but that's not it. I can never go on if I keep dragging these shackles behind me.

This life will end here. The Aria I was before will end here.

I am Ariadne Scylla Beckerman, Seed from Galbadia Garden.

This is me now. And this is my life.

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3rd Person POV

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Sea green eyes were calmly staring at the house in front of her. There were a lot of things she didn't recognize.

Like the small lake that had been placed where her mom had her most prized rose bushes. Or the soft rose colour that had replaced the cream she had always known her home to have. Or even the small mail box that had replaced their completely ancient one.

She smiled slightly as she remembered her mom saying time and time again that it had to be replaced. The thing couldn't even hold letters anymore before she left.

But there were things that were still the same and her smile widened as she saw them. The swing, the bird bath, the trees her parents had planted when Lugh and her had been born. They both towered above her now making her feel heavily the passage of time.

She cleaned hastily the tear that had escaped her forced control and continued watching in silence pausing every now and then to look at the bell.

- "Would you just ring the damned bell?" - She sent the mental equivalent of a glare to Minotaur that had been catching her language all too well for her tastes. Sacred just sighed as if he had lost any hope he still had in controlling his brother. Apparently he had.

- "Who are you?" - For the second time in the last fifteen minutes Ariadne had been surprised.

That wasn't the best for her life expectancy when she got back. A spy that was constantly caught unaware. She could almost hear Alex's laughter.

Nevertheless she turned her eyes to a small girl that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Dark brown hair framed a delicate pale face punctuated by two big dark green orbs. She was little, so little that she barely surpassed Ariadne's knee, and the cutest thing the warrior had seen in the last months.

Aria was glad no one had ever found her fondness for little kids. She would never hear the end of it.

- "Hey" – Ariadne knelt so that she could look at girl's eyes and smiled openly. A small hand touched her face curiously.

- "You have weird eyes" – If it was anyone else, that anyone would have been on the floor meeting unconsciousness by the very hard blunt of a katana. They were her grandma's eyes after all. But it was a little girl in front of her with the most adorable expression on existence as she traced her face.

- "You think so huh?" - Ariadne asked amusedly – "They were my gran's. I think their nice. They change when I'm angry...or so everyone says." - Dark green eyes widened impossibly as the girl grinned.

– "Really? Can you show me?" - Aria almost laughed out loud. Most people would pay not to see her angry.

Hell, her friends would pay to be very far away from her when that happened. So she smiled again ruffling slightly the girl's hair.

- "Maybe later little one" – Aria answered – "Now how about you go home? You shouldn't be here by..."

– "Medea!" - A very familiar voice interrupted her. Too familiar. She paled a bit as tears rushed to her eyes as she raised them to meet an even more familiar face.

- "Haven't I told you not to wander off Medea?" - The man in front of her smiled apologetically before really looking at her and freezing just as she had done.

Dark green met sea green. A small tear rolled down her face. His showed only incredulity and confusion.

- Ariadne!

The single word in her mind pretty much summed the whole situation she had found herself in.

- "Shit"

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(Reyavie enters room covered in armour). A cliff-hanger. Another cliff-hanger. One that will sign my obituary but that had to be made. The next chapter will not have one. Honest. And it will be more interesting than this one. You can believe that. So please don't forget to warn me of errors that you might have found while you read. Suggestions, advices, critics and death threats are welcomed (The last one isn't but will appear anyway so…). Basically REVIEW EVERYONE! Now to get rid of this armour…

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Next chapter: Blood versus new life. Another original character finds its way to this story. A particular interesting one. (A tablet of chocolate to the one that guesses who)

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See ya all next week

Reyavie (A screech is heard when Rea attempts to wave). Bro, where's the oil? (Thanatos appears and drags sister away)