9. Sin—

That night, once the other patrols arrived to see what had happened, they debriefed Kiro and the others and secured the area. A large battalion of reinforcements finally arrived from Corneria, and it was almost certain that this new force would be sufficient to deter any further attack by Doma, at least for the time being. The battalion of Cornerian knights would spread out and keep a close guard over the boundaries of the town while the villagers rebuilt over the coming months. Thus, Kiro and his company were released, and they made their way back towards Corneria, but it was already getting late, so they had to stop and make camp along the way. Soon after all had pitched their tents and gone to bed, Agrias came to Kiro's tent.

"Kiro…" she said, her voice soft, but shaking, almost sobbing.

"What is it, Agrias? Do you need healing?"

"I… I never killed anyone… before."

This was true. Rarely did officially sanctioned questing parties ever fight other human beings. Beastmen were so grotesquely violent as to warrant little care, and monsters were slaughtered often to clear areas for new settlements, or just for their meat, hides, and bones. However, peace had so long been a part of the lives of the young warriors that it was strange to be placed in a position against one's fellow adventurers.

"I know I had to, and... but… it was so close. I very nearly was killed, today. One more inch and that would have been me lying there."

Kiro recognized that Agrias needed a deeper, mental healing, the kind Kiro was luckily able to perform.

"Take off your armor, Agrias. You need to get comfortable for now."

Agrias looked with a gulp at the armor that had protected her during the battle. It had her blood on it where there were small cuts, and it had the blood of her fallen foes as well. She placed it outside the tent, not wishing to look at it any longer. She was now wearing only the sturdy cloth in which warriors usually slept, not unlike thick pajamas, designed to comfort, but also to protect slightly against lighter attacks.

"Now, please, lie back and open your mind to me, Agrias. I am going to have to look into your heart and mind in order to help you. Just try to relax and be calm. Everything is alright now…"

Agrias closed her eyes and lay on the cushion that Kiro had set up to be his bed for the night, as Kiro knelt next to her. As Kiro peered into her mind and felt the barriers that once existed open up, he saw that Agrias had been suffering in silence long before she killed the enemy knight. She was insecure. As bold as she appeared outwardly, she was always striving, never sure whether or not she was doing enough. Her heart ached for the soldier she had slain, but it ached for herself as well. Had she done the right thing by joining this trade? Had she had any other choice? Had she done enough, or should she even be bothering Kiro right now, or should she just tough it out on her own? Kiro… there was a strong place in her heart for Kiro. He had protected her and comforted her whenever she had needed it, and now she was taking away from his sleep to gain additional comfort. Did he know how much she appreciated him?

The battle had not been the cause of her current woes; it had merely rattled her enough to bring these deeper problems to the surface. Beyond these insecurities lay a lingering sadness. Agrias had made friends in her academy of swordsmanship, but she only ever seemed to know them superficially. Somehow, she was never able to really open up or to see someone on a more intimate level. She was lonely. Kiro's heart was overwhelmed by this rush of emotion, the likes of which he had not felt so deeply, so up-close, ever before. He tenderly felt her every tear, every chink in her emotional armor, and realized what she needed. She was so lonely, she needed affirmation. She needed to know that she was a good person, that she was loved. She needed…. Kiro felt his instinct for healing overtake him, knowing what Agrias needed, and Agrias knowing everything Kiro was feeling, he kissed her.

Kiro was shocked at what he realized he was doing. He was doing it before he ever realized what his body was doing. She, surprisingly, was less shocked. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down to her. Kiro felt his arms clasp Agrias tightly as she kissed him. Kiro's mind was flooding with both panic and calm at the same time. His mind was reeling. This could not be happening. What was happening? Was this a dream? This is wrong! No White mage should ever violate the trust between a White mage and one's party in this way. Was he taking advantage of her vulnerability? He had to stop.

And yet, at the same time, he felt an even more powerful feeling wash over these panicky rebellions and quench them. Somehow, on some instinctive level, there was a feeling this was right, that this was healing. Kiro felt his energies flowing into and mingling with Agrias' energies, comforting and healing in a way he had never been able to do before. He felt Agrias' heart strengthen and her mind ease with this tender affection, but he could not shake the knowledge that it was wrong, according to how he had been trained as a White mage to believe.

Agrias held Kiro tightly, and soon rolled over on top of him. She caressed his body, pressed hers against him, and continued to kiss him while running her fingers through his hair and around his body.

Kiro outwardly was powerless to resist. He returned her kisses passionately, and lovingly wrapped his arms around this noble, powerful woman who had pushed herself so hard for everyone's benefit. With her body pressing down on him, the dominance of this affectionate connection was unquestionably established over Kiro's sense of guilt that had been taught into him. The last few protests from that part of his mind called for him to resist, but most of him now knew that to be a completely futile gesture. Not only did Agrias need this, Kiro needed this. Kiro felt a deeper power filling him, flowing between him and Agrias that dwarfed anything that Kiro's superego could muster.

As Kiro's inhibitions were finally silenced, he passionately embraced Agrias and allowed whimpers of pleasure to escape him. She held him to her and whispered a heartfelt "thank you" into his ear before nibbling on his ear lobe and planting kisses down his neck.

Agrias did not leave Kiro's side until late the following morning. When she finally emerged from Kiro's tent, it became evident that the others had already awakened, and it was now impossible to hide what had transpired. Agrias merely blushed and proceeded to wash off her armor, smiling. How could she be so calm, Kiro wondered. Does she not know what this means? But Agrias was barely fazed. Traces of her old insecurities had been healed by Kiro's magic, and nothing would get her down now.

Kiro remained inside his tent. After putting his robes back on, he placed his face into his hands. No. Everything was falling apart. If only it had been a dream, but no. It really happened, and now he had to face Ahmad and Hulma, but it would not end here. He had to leave. This could not be allowed to happen again. But, then why did it feel so right? Why did he not resist?

As Kiro finally emerged, he caught the gaze and emotions of his party. Agrias was calm, happy, and cheerful. The violence of the previous night was a thing of the past, and she felt deeply confident in herself for the first time in a long time. She felt confident in her abilities and in her goodness. She was going to go back to Corneria and take a well-deserved break before returning to the battlefield. She felt very grateful to Kiro for his help and the pleasure they had shared, and she hoped that he could continue to be with her for at least a little while longer.

Ahmad merely noticed with some small surprise what had transpired, but as it did not affect him, he did not dwell on it, returning to his thoughts about how he had fought the previous night.

Hulma's gaze was the most uncomfortable. She, of all those in the party, knew that Kiro had violated a sacred trust, and her gaze was one of scorn. This scorn was mirrored in Kiro's own heart as he tried to strike his tent as calmly as possible and prepare for the final leg of the trek back to Corneria.

When they arrived at the city walls, dismounting their chocobos at the stables, and started towards the heart of the city, Kiro told the others simply, "I am sorry, but I have to leave you, now," and started back towards the White magic academy. Before he had gotten five paces, though, Agrias ran to him and embraced him. She knew that Kiro had some personal issues to process, and while she wished he could join her, she also knew that she no longer needed him. His power had healed her heart, and she was ready to face the challenges that awaited her. She would miss him, but she would not be lost without him. She tenderly whispered "Thank you," one final time into his ear, and let him go.

As Kiro left, that final "thank you" stuck with him, and, strangely enough, comforted him more than he would expect, given the nature of the transgression from which it came. Kiro tried to put that comfort out of his mind, however, as it was, according to his teachings, ill-gained. Kiro walked back to the White magic academy to confess and atone for his sin.

This was it. This chapter was the daydream that inspired this story from the beginning. Everything until now had really been leading up to this, in my mind. Kiro has had a very powerful experience, but he has some serious issues to work out. I have some ideas for some later events to transpire in Kiro's life and in the world at large. I have a few more chapters already outlined. Please review and let me know what you have thought so far. I want to improve my writing, so it helps to receive constructive criticism, as well, if you have any to offer. I would like to hear from several reviewers, if possible, so that I can get a better sense of how my writing is received in general. Thank you very much for reading.