Sympathy for the Diva

Disclaimer: Don't own so don't sue

--

Part 6: Thicker Than Blood

--

Saya's mind was beyond troubled as she searched her room for something to wear in place of the dress she had been given by her abductor/savior. Her night as Solomon's "guest" had left her confused and disheartened. She truly did appreciate Solomon's feelings for her, but she could not accept them, certainly not as they were. He claimed to love her, to want to be among her loved ones and be a part of her family. Yet he had tried to kill Haji out of little more than feeling threatened by his relationship with her. He also seemed so willing to have her simply abandon everything she had devoted herself to, including Kai and Riku. She wondered if Haji would do that if she asked it of him. Perhaps, but at the same time she was certain that Haji truly cared for her wishes as his own and would not want her to abandon them and run away to live however she pleased.

Speaking of Haji, his words about his bond with her still echoed in her mind. She had rarely seen him so… emotional, even before the trauma that changed him in Vietnam. On the surface his claims of devotion to her were similar to Solomon's, but with an important difference. There were no conditions. Haji wanted to be with her and protect her, but he asked nothing of her and never tried to force his own desires on her in the selfish way Solomon had. If, that is, he even had such desires for her…

Saya didn't like thinking along those lines though, not when she was still so sure that killing Diva had to be followed by her own death. If she focused on what-ifs regarding Haji's relationship with her she could end up doing the same thing as Solomon, abandoning her duties for her feelings. Still… she had to admit Haji looked quite heroic when he spread his magnificent wings. A slight blush formed on her face as she relived the memory.

But no, she chastised herself, shaking her head to clear it, her main concern now was the new revelation Solomon had given her about Diva and that Kai had been told about by Diva herself. It confirmed her worst suspicions about her sister's interest in Riku, but that made it no easier to accept.

"Diva and Riku's… children…" she said softly, still finding it hard to comprehend.

On the one hand she was happy to know that Riku was alive and well, at least physically. Yet when she met him again would anything remain of the Riku she had known? She couldn't begin to imagine just what over a year with her sister might have done to his psyche. Had she brainwashed him, traumatized him so badly that he would choose to side with Diva? Did he have an actual relationship with her sister or did she treat him like a prisoner, providing nothing but the necessities and taking whatever she wanted from him? For that matter, just what did Diva do all the time?

This caused her thoughts to meander down new paths. She realized she actually knew very little about Diva as a person, even if what she did know was more than most. It was hard for her to even guess what Diva's normal, everyday life was like. Clearly she wasn't constantly slaughtering people or causing suffering, yet at the same time it was hard to see her doing anything a normal person would do.

No, trying to see Diva as a person was pointless. What mattered was finding her while she could still fight. She put a hand to her forehead as a slight wave of dizziness her. These attacks of fatigue were becoming more common, now no longer occurring only when she strained her body in combat. Her thirty year sleep was drawing nearer, and if the past was any indication there was no telling with certainty just when it would hit her full force. For now she had to recoup what strength she could via normal sleep and hope for the best.

-- Time skip

James Ironside was not a man known for being impulsive or overly emotional. He lived his life by calm and steady logic. Logic that was dictated by a few simple rules, rules that revolved around his reason for living, the single most important thing in his existence. Diva.

Diva was everything. She was the beloved mother who had given him this eternal life, this power beyond any mere mortal. Even more than that, she had given him a higher purpose in serving her.

Yet, now it was all falling apart. He had failed to kill Saya and indeed had lost against the combined assault of Saya, Haji, that brat Kai and the Schiff back on that island. For all the shame of his failure he still wished he had died there. It was better than living with Diva's rejection of him.

He really should have died, yet Amshel had somehow been able to get to him in time to preserve enough of his body to keep him living.

--Flashback--

Hack

Cut

Those were the sounds he awoke to. His hearing seemed to work well enough but he was so tired he couldn't even open his eyes. What had happened to him? He tried to think back. He had been on Christina Island, acting as part of a trap prepared for Saya and her allies. He had engaged them with some success, his superior tactics and the sheer number of Corpse Corps with him granting an advantage, as did his armor plated body. Yet at some point they had swarmed him and worked together to tear off one of those plates, allowing Saya's blade to strike true.

He had grabbed her, prepared to take Saya with him into the depths of the vast hole he had prepared for her, a worthy end. And then… then that accursed Solomon had come and saved her! The traitor… he would see to it that this chevalier he had long hated for being mother's "favorite" would die for this! Die… why was he not dead?

Hack

Cut

There were those sounds again, followed by enough sensation for him to tell that his body was being struck and cut into, that these instruments were the source of the sounds. He managed to groan slightly, not in pain, for he felt numb all over, but in frustration over not knowing just what was happening.

"So, you have regained some measure of consciousness? It appears I was right, your dense body structure slowed the crystallization just enough to save your life."

James knew that apathetic voice anywhere. Amshel… so he has come for me…

He must have somehow arrived in time to keep Saya's blood from spreading to his head and heart by cutting away every part that was infected by it. It was strange he was not in more pain, but his body must have simply been too much in shock from suffering such horrific damage.

"It truly is a shame," he heard Amshel remark casually. "So much effort was placed in creating chevalier from Saya's blood, yet in the end we were hardly able to use them against her before the samples deteriorated to the point that further cloning was impossible."

Another stab and cut, another piece of his body torn away forever.

"And yet, it is fortunate that we were able to replicate the superior aspects of Moses' blood into the samples provided by Diva. These Corpse Corps are vulnerable to Saya's blood, but their fighting abilities are similar to those of the strongest Schiff and as you know, they can be mass produced."

He felt himself moving, someone had picked him up.

"Furthermore, such mass production makes replacing lost body parts easier than ever before."

There were mechanical noises, as though something were being opened.

"I do hope you will make better use of such replacement parts than Karl did."

Now he felt himself being placed into some kind of liquid. He grew tired, and at last passed out once more.

--End Flashback--

He had spent weeks slowly healing in a special chamber of liquid but even a chevalier could not regenerate entirely lost parts, only reattach severed ones. Thus Amshel had given him spare parts, much as he had given to Karl. It was a simple matter really. Just as Amshel had grown artificial chevalier from Saya's blood, he was now doing the same with Diva's blood, and had in fact already done so earlier for Karl. These counterparts to the Schiff, the Corpse Corp were vulnerable to Saya's blood, but the fact remained that Diva's blood was far more available to them than Saya's. After so much cloning Saya's blood samples had also deteriorated, rendering them useless for creating more Corpse Corps.

As for Diva's rejection of him, he could not bring himself to blame her. In his eyes his mother could do no wrong. No… it was the fault of those accursed boys who had seduced and charmed her into abandoning him, into replacing him. They were the reason she now looked at his body with such disgust and regarded him as no longer the James she knew. Because of Riku she had long since stopped showing him much physical affection, but still often admired his body. She had often said his good looks were the main reason she had agreed with Amshel to make him into a chevalier, and with those looks now altered she equated him with the Schiff, who she referred to as "dolls."

Dolls… artificial fabrications, inanimate representations of something real and alive. Things were worse than they had ever been with Solomon, for now she only had eyes for Riku and also seemed very interested in bringing his brother, Kai, officially into the fold, maintaining that her wayward chevalier needed to come home to his "mother." James would listen to this without so much as twitching, but inside he boiled with anger.

For now at least, Riku was off limits. He could not and would not go against his queen's orders, which were to not lay so much as a finger on Rikku without her say-so. However, Kai Miyagusuku was another matter entirely. Diva had only expressed a desire to have him join her as a chevalier, as his replacement. Yet the little fool had refused. As far as James was concerned that made Kai fair game for venting his anger on. Yes, he would kill Kai Miyagusuku, if only to keep him from Diva.

Regardless, the elimination of Saya had to remain his first priority. If he was lucky perhaps he could accomplish both objectives at the same time. One thing was certain. He had nothing to lose, and this time nothing short of death would stop him succeeding in his mission.

-- time skip

It was surreal, perhaps more surreal than anything else he had experienced. Yet there they were.

His children.

His and Diva's… children.

His and Diva's… cocoons?

Indeed, that was what Diva was now excitedly showing him as he stood silent at the sight. How was it possible he had helped make these strange cocoons? He had accepted it but now that they had been cut out of Diva and were right in front of him he found it made him feel so very strange. He then wondered if that feeling came from the fact that he had children or the fact that they were in cocoons, but he doubted he'd figure out the answer any time soon.

He was then engrossed by thoughts of how Saya and Diva were once in cocoons just like this, so many years ago, and would create somewhat different cocoons for their dormant years. Perhaps Haji was so stoic simply because he encountered such incredibly strange things so often that now virtually nothing was capable of fazing him.

"Here, hold one!" Diva said happily placing it, or rather, her in his arms and brining his pondering to an end. "Aren't they precious? Amshell says I should wait a bit before giving them blood to get them out of their cocoons, but knowing they are in there just makes me feel so wonderful! I haven't even been able to come up with names for them, I've been so excited!"

Surreal or not, seeing Diva so happy brought a genuine smile to Riku's face and as she danced around with the other cocoon he looked down at the one he was holding and sighed. "I never thought I'd be a dad so soon, and I have no idea if I can ever be a good one. But I know I want to be there for you, and your sister. I want both of you and your mom to be happy. I just… don't know how. I was a burden to my sister and brother and I wasn't able to save my friend. I couldn't even protect myself."

Yet, the more he looked at the cocoons and the more he thought about the children within, the more he felt a bond with them grow. He wanted to protect them, wanted it more strongly than he had ever expected. So was it possible he did have a bit of a father in him somewhere?

-- time skip

Riku could feel his eyes moistening at the sad sight before him. Solomon hung in chains, beaten to within an inch of his life. When Diva had related to him the chevalier's attempt to kill her he had been initially relieved to know she had relented from killing Solomon while defending herself. Yet now he briefly wondered if it would have been better if she had killed him. He was reminded again of just how powerful Diva was that she could leave Solomon like this and not receive so much as a scratch herself.

What's more, beyond his injuries the chevalier's spirit appeared utterly broken, as though he had given up on everything. Riku didn't know what to say, and wondered if the man was even conscious enough to hear him or know he was there. This was proven soon enough though as the dark-suited Solomon addressed him in a weak voice.

"I must… make a pathetic sight… Riku…"

His words pulled Riku from his thoughts and he turned his attention back. "Solomon… I…" he still honestly didn't know what to say. What could he possibly say? Solomon spared him that dilemma though as he spoke again.

"James… James intends to…" he paused to rest and consider his words. "When he is done, I will have betrayed Diva for nothing."

"What do you mean? What is James going to do?!" Riku demanded, feeling this must involve his family in some way.

"He's going to attack them soon. He wants to kill Kai as well but Saya is his main target. He came here… gloating about how he would kill her…he is more dangerous than ever before… he feels he has nothing to lose…"

"Why are you talking like Saya and Kai are already dead?!" Riku yelled back, quieting as he realized it would be better not to advertise his presence here but continuing to speak with some intensity. "They can fight him, they can win! They did it before didn't they? And you can help them, I'll let you out. Just give me a chance to find the keys-"

"It is useless."

Riku had for a moment been stunned silent at the interruption. Such words didn't seem right coming from this man. "But… but you already risked so much… why is it useless now?"

Solomon gave a bitter laugh. "Are you disappointed in me Riku? Yet it remains that Diva has shown me it is pointless for me to struggle with my place in life. Even in death I will not be able to serve Saya. Nor am I worthy to…"

"Solomon… that's… you're wrong… your feelings about this do matter…" Riku trailed off, wishing he had sounded more confidant.

Solomon raised his head slightly to get a better look at the boy. "You know Riku, I once was a lot like you, I felt a great deal for the world around me. However, I was possessed by a desire to escape the harsh realities of the human world once I realized I could not change them. Becoming a chevalier gave me that, but at the same time I eventually stopped caring about human lives at all. I was indifferent to them. I was surrounded by apathy, manipulation, murder and greed and that is all Diva has ever known. Yet Saya has somehow kept her heart for humanity after all these years. You are like her Riku, you are so full of kindness and understanding, while I have traded it for apathy and now… despair…"

He hung his head. "If we had known each other back then… perhaps we could have been friends… but it seems the hand fate has dealt me is a cruel one, brought about first by my urge to escape the world's problems, then my blood's desire for Saya."

Riku clenched his fist and jaw, beginning to sound angry, the words he wanted to say finally coming to him. "Don't say that…"

He then repeated it more strongly. "Don't say that! Because I know you don't believe it! Don't go and blame fate for the choices you made!"

"Riku…" Solomon remarked in a confused tone. Just what was the boy implying?

"You chose to serve Diva and you chose to stop caring about the people in the world, just like you chose to start to care again, even a little bit, because you saw what Saya had chosen to do. Then you chose to follow your feelings for Saya, chose to go against Diva and now you've chosen to pity yourself!"

He stepped closer, his expression serious. "My sister never wanted to fight Diva. It would have been easy to stop caring and just live for herself, to run away and forget all about Diva. But she decided there were more important things than what she wanted."

"Is this what you hope to teach Diva? To choose her own path? To do what is right rather than what is easy or desirable?" He chuckled bitterly, a sad and broken laugh. "Odd words… coming from someone she has so thoroughly broken. How can you urge me to overcome my blood when you are a slave to your own blood's desires?"

Thankfully Riku had given that question a lot of thought himself over the past year, and was now well-prepared to give an answer. "It's true that Diva has some hold over me, and that a lot about me has changed since I became a chevalier." Then he continued with conviction, "That doesn't mean I'm still not me. I still love my sister and my brother, and I want to protect them, being with Diva hasn't changed that. In fact, I'd say the one who really needs to be freed, the one who has really been broken isn't me or even you but Diva."

"You may be right," Solomon allowed with a sigh, "however, Diva has been a slave to her hatred for almost as long as she can remember, a slavery that is supported by my brother Amshel. She will never let go of that hate, she cannot let go of it and neither can Saya. It is part of their identities now. I can see that because all my efforts to reach her heart and Saya's failed. Their war can only end in death for one or both of them. To change that is as futile a thing as my making Saya love me or believing I could actually kill Diva."

"That's not the point!" Riku practically yelled. "Don't you see you're just being selfish?!"

Solomon was surprised at the new accusation. "Selfish? How-"

"Yeah, selfish," Riku repeatedly angrily. "All you're thinking about is how sorry you feel for yourself. If you really love my sister then you'll try to find a way to help her no matter where you are or what you're doing. Even if you can't find a way if you just keep trying then there is still hope that something can change and that you'll be there to take advantage of it when it does. It's what I have to do every day I'm here with Diva."

"I see," the chevalier remarked, inwardly impressed with the strength of resolve the boy had developed in his time with Diva. It seemed this was how his overall psyche was still intact after facing such trauma as his kidnapping.

He sighed, the feeling of self-loathing lightening in him. "Don't misunderstand. I do want to help her," Solomon stated, some force now behind his words, "but what can I possibly do now?"

"You can rest and heal and think up a plan," Riku remarked back. "And rethink your priorities."

"My priorities?"

"Yeah, like stop wanting to give up everything because Saya won't return your feelings. That doesn't mean those feelings don't mean anything to her! If you really love her then you'll show it without expecting something in return! You'll protect her because you love her and care about what she wants!" He breathed in and out deeply, his expression softening. You don't need me to tell you this either, you already know its true."

"It's not just you either…" Riku continued. "I want… I want to make the best of the situation I'm in. I want to be strong and not give in to despair. I want to believe that Diva is changing and has changed. I want to believe that I can change too, into something better."

"Yes, Diva is full of hate and anger, anyone can see that but… deep inside she's… so sad and lonely… so broken and in so much pain… she doesn't understand how wrong the things she's done are, no one ever taught her what right and wrong even were."

"But I want to believe in her… I want to believe she can become a better person, that she can change just like you changed, like how the Schiff changed. I choose to believe I stay here for more reasons than because my blood tells me to. My blood feels lust for Diva and makes me want to be with her, but it can't make me care about her as a person. I chose to do that."

"Maybe it's selfish… Maybe I want to believe there's good in her so much because if I didn't I couldn't live with myself and the things I've done with her… but its still my choice to make. Even if its just a stupid fantasy I'd rather believe in it than accept that there's no hope at all in this. If I just give up on everything now, then what was the point of living this long in the first place?"

Solomon looked him in the eye now, his voice mocking but his expression sad. The boy's optimism was making him feel quite conflicted now. "Beautiful words… but what if there is in fact no point? What if there is no hope, no good that can come out of this for anyone, especially Diva?"

Riku was silent for a moment, then fixed Solomon with a stare so intense that he gasped at the sight of it. Riku's eyes had turned blood red and his voice had gained a slight edge to it that wasn't there before. "Then I'll make my own hope. I'm still alive, and so are you. As long as that's true then there is a chance to find a way to make things better. If there was even the slightest chance wouldn't you want to find it and use it? Well, wouldn't you?"

For several long moments they had held each other's gaze, when suddenly the confidence returned in Solomon's expression. "Yes," he answered, conviction his again. However, just as suddenly his expression fell at the sound of a light clapping in the background. He glared into the dark corners of the room, Riku now on edge as well. Slowly a tall figure proceeded to emerge, clapping one hand against his palm.

"Bravo Riku, Solomon. I was truly moved."

Solomon gave him a suspicious glare. "How long have you been there, Nathan?"

"Long enough," Nathan replied, enigmatic as usual. "I was heading down here anyway after all." The gaudy chevalier now glanced at Riku, who was staring at him in apparent shock at being discovered.

"Take it easy little one," Nathan reassured, holding up his hands in a surrendering position, "I'm not the type to scold anyone. Though I cannot say the same for Miss Diva should she wake up and find out you aren't around."

Riku knew full well how right Nathan was. He had waited a good while for Diva to fall asleep with the cocoons containing his and hers'… it was still hard to accept… daughters, before sneaking out to check on Solomon. He knew if he went too far Diva would likely sense it and track him down, but he'd learned that so long as he stayed near the mansion she would probably sleep undisturbed.

Nathan looked at him seriously. "I would suggest that you get back to her right away, the dear has had such a busy day and if you're there you can help keep those nightmares of her at bay." He then turned away as if dismissing Riku and stood before Solomon.

On impulse Riku had started walking out, but now stopped, looking over his shoulder at the scene and feeling considerable concern for the white chevalier. "What are you going to do with him?" he asked quietly, his timid side surfacing again.

Nathan glanced back and smiled. "Set him free of course, after I give him a bit of my blood that is. He'll need it as he can't go anywhere in his current state."

Riku felt his jaw drop. "… Let him go? But… but why, why are you helping?"

Nathan eyed Solomon, who seemed still skeptical but willing to listen, and grinned a bit. "I want to see just what his resolve leads to. Normally I make it a rule not to interfere in these matter, but I can't deny a chevalier who chooses to break free of the urges of his blood and choose his own path. That is one thing I hold in high regard, and so I will allow Solomon to carry out his choice to the furthest degree that he can, just as I have chosen to honor my own choices until the very end."

"Your own… choices?" Riku repeated in confusion.

Nathan looked back at him, his expression a strange mix of wise and whimsical. "Don't expect any big revelations from me Riku. After all, every epic story needs a bit of mystery and suspense to it don't you agree? Keep my words in mind, ponder them… or don't. Either way makes no difference to me."

"You're… a very strange person Nathan…" Riku remarked before walking away, not sure what to feel about all this.

"Aren't I though?" Nathan replied with a wink.

--

Saya swore under her breath. It was true that feeding more often on blood and exercising her chiropteran abilities had increased her overall power a great deal. Yet, with her sleep approaching, actually using such power was becoming more and more difficult. Invariably she would feel her energy slipping along with her consciousness after too many exertions, leaving herself open to attack. Thus it was that the queen was having difficulty fighting the skilled chevalier James Ironside.

Lulu, who had come to visit and watch television earlier, had along with Irene (who had remained behind while Kai and the others except Haji and Julia went on a sabotage mission), attempted to fight alongside her and Haji on the roof after James ambushed them. Their goal had been to defeat James as a group as they had once before. Yet the man would not allow himself to fall for the same ploy twice and constantly evaded their efforts to hold him down and tear his armor off. More than that he seemed faster and more driven than before, shaking off every hit they managed to land. Thus their attacks did little but slow the chevalier down and though Moses and Karman had been contacted, she doubted they would arrive in time to help.

Irene had opted to transform her arms once her sword proved useless, but even her monstrous claws could do little but scratch the surface of James' armor and her strongest punches only caused small cracks to appear in it. Saya's physical attacks were actually more effective at face value, her kicks strong enough to snap James' head back and even send him air born for a short distance before crashing hard on the ground. Yet the damage was just as ineffectual, and with his longer reach such attacks were dangerous to execute.

Dodging a punch to slip close inside his guard, Irene now tried a new tactic. Her eyes glowing red, she snarled as she gave James a double shot of the spike weapon from her arms, extending the spikes into poles instead of firing them like darts, in an attempt to increase her leverage and pierce his armor plating.

James was hit in the chest and pushed back several feet, but while it did crack his armor once more refused to break. "Be gone you worthless defect!" He shouted and promptly snapped the pole spikes before knocking her aside with them and nailing her body to the roof of the building that served as the floor of their fighting ground. Pierced by her own spikes through the shoulder and abdomen, she could only groan in pain as she struggled to pull them out.

The others had not been idle in the time Irene had brought them and had surrounded James for another attempt at a coordinated attack. Each coming from a different direction, Haji, Lulu and Saya charged James at top speed only to have James' huge but surprisingly nimble body step back out of range of Saya's slash and promptly block Lulu's axe with one arm and Haji's claws with the other. He turned quickly and with a fierce punch sent Lulu sprawling, her axe falling from her grip. He turned back just in time to receive a slash in the eye from Haji, who he still managed to impale on his own firing spikes even as he let out a roar of pain. Saya had started another attack by now and aimed a thrust of her sword at the eye Haji had damaged, only to have James again jump back just enough to avoid it. It was then she noticed a particularly large crack in the armor of his shoulder, completely open to attack, and in range from her current position.

Now's my chance! Turning her blade up she now aimed at the crack ready to thrust her sword like a spear. If she could focus all her strength on a point where his armor had already been cracked, then she was sure she'd be able to stab all the way through. The point of the sword met the armor with a clash and began to penetrate, the crack widening. She only needed to push a bit more…

But it was not to be. Her exertions in this fight had been too much. At the worst of moments her hibernation symptoms erupted again, her sight blurring, her strength leaving her, replaced with a overwhelming fatigue. No… not now! …not now…

James noticed it immediately and struck at the opening he'd been given. With a mighty swipe of his claws he tore Saya's sword from her grip and held it in his huge hand as she stumbled back away from him.

"I will kill you with your own sword!" he shouted, wondering briefly what Nathan might think of the dramatic irony even as he renewed his attack, raising the sword over his head and swinging toward Saya as she struggled to regain her footing. Haji had nearly freed himself to intercept him, as had Irene but James doubted they would make it in time. He'd impale Saya through the neck before cutting her head off in a shower of blood that would make Diva care for him once more. This struggle is over!

Yet his vision did not come to pass as he found his blade blocked by Solomon's chiropteran blade hand. He stood in front of Saya, struggling to keep his footing against the powerful chevalier while in human form. Solomon knew he couldn't transform completely in his weakened state but hoped to be able to do some damage at least. Saya could only stare wide-eyed at her rescuer.

James shock did not keep him silent for long. "Damn you Solomon! Do you really think you can fight me in that form?"

Though his voice was strained, the outcast chevalier spoke with a fire in his eyes that gave James pause. "I will live by the vow I made to Saya and fight as her chevalier. I will not allow you to harm her or those she cares for. With that vow I will overcome my blood and live beyond it until the very end!"

"Overcome your blood?" James mocked after loosing a harsh laugh, "You fool! You convictions are nothing but water to blood. We chevalier are all slaves either to the blood of our mother Diva or to our bride Saya. You have only switched mistresses because you wish to propagate your treacherous genes!"

"No." Solomon stated in a deadly serious tone. "Not anymore. I will no longer demand anything of Saya. I will fight beside her because I love her, not because of the desires of my blood. That resolve will remain even if she never chooses me as her groom."

With his words came a surge of strength and he pushed James back. But the whims of coincidence can be cruel, for his action caused James's grip on the sword to loosen and as the sword fell, it cut a shallow wound in Solomon's chest, sending Saya's blood into his system. He paid it no heed but his strength gave in regardless and James pushed him back before flinging him aside.

By now Haji, Irene and Lulu had all gathered in front of Saya and readied themselves to defend her. James glowered at them. Why would they just not die?! "Again and again you rise up to futilely oppose me, to oppose Diva! Why?!"

"Because what you're doing is wrong!" Lulu stated with conviction as she hefted her ax. "You really think the world you're making will be better than this one?"

"I care nothing of what becomes of this world. It can all be damned to hell if that is what Diva wills. For Diva's will is everything. She is everything. The greatest and truest purpose a human can hope to find in this wretched world only exists in the honor of devoting yourself to pleasing her! Diva has given me that honor and that is all that matters!" James snarled back only for another voice to interject.

"Diva's will… do you really think her will is the reason for all this is?"

It was Solomon, kneeling to the side of them, exhausted from overstraining himself.

"Diva's will… heh…"

He chuckled darkly. "It's strange James, it truly is… I had always considered you the one who loved Diva the most. However, seeing you now, I realize how wrong I was to think that. You really think what we have been doing all these years is Diva's true will? No, you have followed Amshel's will because doing otherwise would have jeopardized your ability to stay at Diva's side. You wanted to hang onto the facade of Diva that Amshel has conditioned her in all these years, rather than see her for the damaged, sick girl she is and truly help her."

"You…" James was all but speechless, shocked at Solomon's words.

Solomon shook his head and let out another chuckle. "In the end your love for her seems to be above all else a selfish desire for her affection. Then when she took it away you stopped caring about serving Diva and became obsessed with gaining that affection again. Real devotion depends on no ulterior motive. You're like a spoiled child…"

James' eyes burned with rage. "You dare… you dare accuse me of tainted devotion you traitorous dog?! It does not matter what you say or do. Rise back up a thousand times and I will strike you down again! Saya will die for mother, for DIVA!"

He began another charge and the group tensed themselves, Solomon leaping to their side to assist and being acknowledged with a grateful nod from Saya. But suddenly James stopped. He grunted in confusion as he strained to move, trying to discern the source of the pain welling up inside him. As if in answer, red cracks began forming in his limbs and lower body, spreading rapidly from there.

"No… no!" he yelled. "What- is this? What is happening- to- me!"

Karman and Moses had just arrived and as it was apparent that Solomon was again helping them they ignored him in favor of charging James. However, Irene signaled them to stop with a raised hand and a sad shake of her head.

The gentle schiff now stepped forward, giving James an expression that seemed a mix of pity and empathy. "You know as well as I do, it is what we call the Thorn, the flaw that tears our imperfect bodies apart and limits our life spans."

"That is not possible!" James raged, even as the cracks began to multiply and enlarge. "I am of Diva's perfect blood! The blood of the schiff cannot taint me! Unlike you these parts were made from Diva's blood! It is not aged or flawed as Saya's blood sample was! Even if it was imperfect my perfect blood born of Diva would negate it!"

"But Diva hasn't been giving you her blood has she?" replied Irene in a small voice. When he failed to answer she continued. "It is only by drinking Saya's blood that we are able to keep the Thorn from appearing and to treat it if it does appear. It is not a cure but it may lead to a cure someday. I guess you didn't know…"

"No…" he growled in disbelief and tried to renew his attack, "it- cannot- be!"

Saya was not one to ignore an opportunity and any part of her that did feel guilty for taking advantage of the situation was quelled by the knowledge she'd be shortening the chevalier's suffering. Picking up her bloodied sword she ran at James and stabbed the blade into the large red cracks in his armor. It penetrated with ease and within seconds the crystallization was speeding up. "It's over," she stated, her voice showing no elation.

By now James could no longer move his body, only mutter helplessly as his body fell apart. "… Mo-ther-" was the last thing to escape his mouth before he was silenced by his solidifying tongue. Whether it was uttered in anger, love, despair, or some combination, no one could say for sure.

And so ends the life of James Ironside… Solomon couldn't help but feel pity for the man who had worked so hard and devoted so much, even if his intentions were ultimately selfish and misguided. Yet his own resolve was never in doubt as he turned to see Saya addressing him.

"Thank you Solomon, for helping us," she said sincerely with a grateful smile.

He smiled warmly back at her. "Saya… I will always desire to come to your aid." He said this even as he knew the small amount of her blood in him was taking effect, and that he would die from it. He knew there was nothing that could be done for him. For although the wound was not very deep and her blood's effect was taking time to spread, her sword had still cut near his heart. The infected area could not be excised, and he did not wish for his last memory of Saya to be of her face expressing sadness. No, he wanted his last sight of her to be of her smile. He noticed Haji staring at his wound and was grateful the other chevalier seemed to understand his wish that it be kept silent.

"Solomon," Saya started again, her voice pleading. She needed to ask something she had been too shocked to inquire on last time. "Before, after you took me from the army base, you said that Diva and Riku have been together all this time, but that Diva takes good care of him and he is doing well. But how can that be true if Diva is pregnant with Riku's children?! Riku would never willingly do…" Saya paused, looking distinctly uncomfortable, "something like that… not with her."

"It may not be easy to understand or accept, but Riku cares deeply for Diva and she appears to care for him more than I have ever seen her care about anyone. However, he has not been brainwashed, nor is he blind to his situation. He is on your side Saya, and though he wants to save Diva he realizes that it may not be possible. However, if you wish to keep Riku out of harms way, Diva's concert will be your best opportunity as she won't chance bringing him with her. I know you will do what you have to Saya, but please remember what I have told you about Diva."

"Yes, thank you again." Saya's smiled returned, grateful for the information. His words about Diva had touched her, but her resolve didn't change. Her promise to end Diva's life and then her own remained. At least now she knew she wouldn't have to worry about Riku being hurt in the coming fight.

Turning to leave, he glanced back at her a final time. "If you see Riku before I do, let him know that I am grateful to him for what he told me, and that now I can face my future without regret or self pity." With that he leaped away. Despite himself, he smiled a bit as he listened to the fading conversation of Lulu apologizing for not doing better in the fight and Saya trying to reassure her. He was glad to have been part of this family, if only for a brief moment. Goodbye, Saya…

--

A short time later, Solomon's predicted fate was coming true. He was finding it harder and harder to move. However, this didn't keep him from noticing a new presence near him and he wasn't all that surprised to see Amshel had somehow located him.

Forcing back the warm feelings he still held for the man who had been his brother for so long, he charged at him. "I may not be able to stop Diva for Saya, but I can at least die striking you down!"

Amshel didn't move as Solomon stabbed his sword arm at his chest, only to have the crystallizing blade shatter ineffectually against him. "Fool of a chevalier…" he muttered in a near-pitying tone.

Solomon started to collapse forward, and was somewhat surprised when Amshel's arms extended to support him in a partial embrace. He had to admit, he was glad for the contact, even if it was with someone who had caused him and others so much pain. He could no longer fight. All he had now were words, and he would use them to the very end to try to get through to his adopted brother. "She deserves better big brother… they both do…"

Amshel barely glanced at him. "What nonsense are you saying now?"

"I can die in peace, knowing I did all I could and that others will take my place in the fight. I sought to end Diva's life because I believed she could not be freed of her hate, and tonight I saw the wretched fate of someone who died full of hate and despair. And yet, this same night someone showed me that redemption and dignity need not ever be out of reach. Release her Amshel, release Diva. If you truly care about her then you will let her find her own place in the world, a place outside of being a tool for your ambitions."

"My ambitions will change this world," Amshel replied with conviction, compelled to defend himself from such a serious condemnation of his plans. "It will be remade in Diva's image as a testament to my will. Long ago I was forced by Saya to share Diva with the world rather than keep her for myself. So I will give Diva to this unworthy world on my terms. My legacy will be in everything she touches, a world of chiropterans ruled by Diva but orchestrated by my hand. My value will be in leaving Diva as the being I have made her to be. Until then I will continue to discover all I can about just what she is and what she can do."

"Then you are condemned to die…" Solomon stated with finality, "empty and unfulfilled."

"As are you," Amshel mocked.

Solomon could feel his heart struggling to beat as it crystallized, his face hardening to the point that he could barely move his lips. His speech slowed and faltered, but he managed a slight smile, his eyes moistening as he thought back to Riku's resolute face and Saya's appreciative smile. "No- I- have- found- a- place- in- their- hearts."

"To find comfort in being remembered fondly by those you leave behind… what value is there in that… my foolish brother…"

"Much-" Much more than it seems you will ever know, my pitiable brother…

Solomon's smile remained etched in stone, a remnant tear falling from each eye. Within his dying mind his final living thoughts meandered, time seeming to stretch on, a lifetime of memories streaming through his mind in but a flash.

I am glad Saya… glad to have helped you, glad to have loved you, even if you could never return it. I know that you love her as truly as I ever did, Haji… please do what I could not and love her as she deserves to be.

Riku… if anyone can save Diva I know it is you… show her hope in deepest darkness, as you showed me.

Karl… my friend… I hope I can see you again… in a better world…

Amshel remained there, unmoving, for some time. Feelings he had thought long dead and discarded threatening to reemerge. Then, in a single motion he banished them back to the recesses of his mind, stepping aside and allowing Solomon's body to fall and shatter upon the street. He did not look back.

"I have long been prepared to sacrifice humanity for the sake of seeing Diva's potential," he whispered to himself. "It is just as well that he is dead, for he was the only one in this world who could make me feel any doubt in my cause…"

Yes, he reasoned. It was just as well. Now all he had left in the world was Diva, and it didn't matter. For soon, the world itself would be filled with Diva's power. The world, the future, was Diva.

-- later

Nathan sighed from his seat, "So it's just me and Amshel now."

"So what?" Diva asked, not even bothering to look up from petting her cocoons.

Nathan looked a bit surprised but soon regained his passive expression. "Doesn't it make you sad at all?"

Diva continued to stroke the cocoons, barely sparing him a glance. "I have my babies, Riku is mine as well. I need nothing else. After all, Solomon betrayed me, and James was starting to get as annoying and obsessive as Karl was. They're nothing to me, and now all I want is to think about my babies."

Her eyes softened, "I will be a good mother. I will sing for them after they are born and I will give them all that they deserve. They will have everything I did not. I will never leave them alone in the dark and cold."

Nathan seemed touched by her words. "How unusual," he remarked casually, "for you to care about or want to do anything for someone else."

Diva seemed to mull his words over in her head for a bit. "That is true…" she pondered the strange feeling. "I wonder why it is… when I see these children, I just kind of feel that way… like I want to protect them and give them everything. I feel that way sometimes when I'm with Riku too…"

"If feelings like that are awakening in you then it would seem they are the family you've been seeking after all," he stated, pleased with the warm, for her at least, smile Diva was showing.

The queen nodded and stared at her cocoons in adoration. "In this world, of all those who have known who I really am, there have only been those who knelt before me and those who tried to kill me. Riku has been neither, for through him I have gained these children and together they give me something else entirely. I wonder… just what kind of world they will create…"

"Perhaps a world ruled by chiropterans?" Nathan remarked sarcastically. "That's what Amshel hopes, but you know how I feel about that."

"Yes, you think it's ridiculous," she remarked with a knowing look and giggle. "I don't really care either way, so long as my babies are safe."

"I am sure Amshel will ensure that."

"Perhaps…" Diva said with a skeptical look, "but Amshel will also no doubt wish to use them for his own little games and once I fall asleep I won't be able to make sure he treats them correctly."

"Well that's perhaps not until a year from now, given how you woke up so much later than Saya. Plenty of time to figure something out. Besides, Riku will protect them, as will I if need be."

"Will he?" Diva stated more than asked, some skepticism in her tone.

"Well," Nathan replied, "just as your parental instincts have awakened so have his. It may not be certain that he will follow them but even without them he is not someone who would let harm come to infants."

"And what about you Nathan," Diva said, largely ignoring the remarks on Riku, whose loyalty she preferred to not think about, "just what do you plan to do in all of this?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"

Diva's expression turned ominous. "You and I are the only ones who know the truth about you aren't we?

Nathan's expression turned serious for a moment but then loosened again as he shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps… though I think Amshel suspects something."

Diva continued, "I never gave you my blood, nor did you ever have Saya's," she remarked, "and yet here you are. You sought me out and asked to serve me as if you were my chevalier and you have stayed ever since. Why though… just what do you want?"

Nathan leaned back and smiled slightly. "To see the play of your life to its very end, and Saya's as well. You might say I am an observer more than anything else. I might poke and prod you and the others along one or more paths, but largely I am on my own side."

"So I cannot trust you," Diva stated.

"I suppose not, though we both know Diva that you don't truly trust anyone," he pointed out.

For a moment Diva was silent in thought. "Yes… until now… now I want to trust these babies, and I want to trust Riku." A smile came to her lips as she thought about her lover, resting back in their room from her recent feeding. "When I kill Saya Riku will be sad, but eventually he'll see it was for the best. Then we'll have the rest of our lives to live with my babies."

"Perhaps…" Nathan trailed off, not daring to argue with her further. He didn't want to ruin the good mood she was in as he quite enjoyed the sight of her so happy. Though I doubt my dear that things will go as you plan. Nothing in life ever goes exactly the way we think it will.

Diva picked up the cocoons, intending to head back to her room and sleep there with her family arrayed about her upon the bed. Yes, she thought to herself, Riku and her babies. They were all she needed to be satisfied. No one would take them from her, least of all Saya.

Notes:

Well let this be a Christmas present for all those who have been waiting for it. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long. I certainly didn't want this to take as long as it did, but a general lack of energy, college classes, manga obsessions and procrastination do not make for fast writing.

But the light at the end of the tunnel is visible now. For next chapter is the grand climax and I hope you won't be disappointed. Much of it has already been written in fact as events from it were some of my first major inspirations in writing this story.

I'm sorry to Solomon fans who may have been hoping he'd survive in my tale, but it simply didn't serve the purposes of my story. Instead I wanted to show more deeply what may have been going through Solomon's mind during all this and give him some closure. Hopefully I was successful in this as well as the way I included Riku's pep talk. Solomon obviously didn't need it in the anime so I tried to make it clear that the despair he felt in that dungeon was due to the situation rather than him truly giving up. He would have gone to help Saya even if Riku had not come, Riku'' talk just gave him a better outlook on things.

The explanation for how Nathan came to be with Diva without revealing who he really was is my own invention but it made the most sense to me. Diva after all would be the one who would really know if he had been turned by her blood or not and I can see them keeping it from Amshel.

Lastly, the chapter title and James' words about Solomon's convictions are a reference and subversion to the saying "blood is thicker than water," which refers to family (blood ties) as being more important or stronger than non-blood bonds (those with friends and lovers).