Me: I'm sleepy.

Genis: I'm not suprised. You still haven't slept very much since your last update.

Me: I get too caught up in writing and forget to sleep.

Genis: Geeze...

Me:Anyways, so far the votes for the pairing is one for no pairing, two for Lloyd and one for Zelos.

Genis: She owns nothing.


We had just used the warp panel to enter the seal room. The puzzle wasn't that hard to figure out. I had kept my mouth shut after the slip up. No one seemed to notice my silence, which wasn't too surprising to me.

Anyways, Raine was in ruin mode, and I had to admit, ruin mode scared me. I placed my hand on my weapon, ready for the soon to come fight. I knew this was going to be a tough battle. I was just relieved that Sammy wasn't there. I was still scared about losing her.

That's when the Ktugach and the two Ktugachlings made their appearance. I pulled out my weapon and got ready to fight. Kratos started giving instructions on a strategy to defeat them.

Kratos took on the Ktugach, Lloyd and I each took one of the Ktugachlings. We were to detract them away from Raine and Genis so that they could cast. Colette was to guard Genis and Raine and attack from in front of them, but far enough away so she wouldn't get hurt.

When I got the Ktugachling I decided that it would be best to attack from the side. I finally got close enough to the seal guardian and struck it in the ribs. It cried out in pain and tried to hit me with its tail. I jumped out of range of its tail, but I still got a few cuts over on stomach. Luckily, it wasn't too bad and I was able to continue fighting.

The seal guardian made a swipe for me with its claws. I jumped away then quickly counterattacked. When I counterattacked it tried to bite me but I cut the jaw and got my hand out of the way. It cried again in pain and decided to use a basic attack. I charged at me and I tried to move out of the way. I wasn't fast enough and one of its spikes ripped through my side.

I collapsed to one knee and held my side in pain. The seal guardian charged at me again. This time, as soon as I saw it coming at me I moved out of the way. The way I was fighting Ktugachling reminded me at that moment about sparring at Tae Kwon Do. It was just like a simple game of tag.

It kept charging at me and I was able to anticipate its moves. I dodged another charge attack and rammed both of my daggers into its ribs. It cried out of pain and quickly turned to me. I pulled out my daggers and tried to dodge its attack but I couldn't move fast enough. It knocked me to ground where I skidded to a stop on my back.

"Damn it, I can't die here. I made a promise that I would be okay," I muttered as I struggled to get up.

So far it was pretty useless to try and stand. The Ktugachling was already charging at me so that it could finish me off. It happened quickly, the seal guardian was above me and tried to kill me with its claw. I did the first thing that I could think of, I jabbed both my blades into the monster where, theoretically, its heart should have been.

The monster stopped immediately after I did that. Blood splattered over me and then it fell over on it's side, dead. It's claws had been centimeters away from me. That hadn't scared me, it terrified me. I shook my head, cleared it, then sat up. I was still in danger and I couldn't just sit there. I pulled my daggers out of the dead seal guardian. I slowly stood up. I was very weak, I hadn't gotten my injury healed yet, and I had lost a lot of blood.

"Sarah! Retreat to the back for now! That injury needs to be healed!" Kratos called from his battle with the Ktugach.

I nodded and staggered to the back where Raine's attention was immediately turned to me.

"Don't strain yourself and sit down," Raine instructed.

I nodded and sat down. I was wincing in pain ever since I sat up after killing the Ktugachling. Raine started using First Aid to heal my injuries. I looked over and saw that Lloyd and Kratos were working together to defeat the Ktugach. I sighed, at least I was useful to defeating one of the seal guardians.

"There, your healed now. But don't go back into battle yet, it's almost over and your injury could reopen," Raine said.

"Right, thank you," I replied and stood up.

I looked over to the battle and saw that Kratos had just delivered the finishing blow.

We heard Remiel's voice command Colette to offer her prayers at the alter. Colette accepted and walked up to the alter.

I looked over to the mana flowing out of the alter and saw Efreet. I blinked and all I saw was an outline. It was really weird, I was seeing Efreet in the flow of mana at the alter. I wondered if anybody else saw it. I was going to ask but decided to save it for later since right now was a moment not to be interrupted.

After Remiel disappeared Lloyd and Genis went over to Colette to see her wings. I looked over at the flow of mana and I could still see the outline, weird. I decided that I wouldn't say anything.

"He said the next place was across the sea! That means we get to sail on a ship! Haha! I can't wait!" Lloyd cheered.

"A ship…hmm. I wonder if there are any ships sailing with the way things are right now," Raine said.

"We should head to the coast to see what we can find," Kratos suggested.

"What about you, Sarah?" Raine asked.

"Umm… Well, we could head to Izoold, they should have some boats sailing since it's a fishing port. We'll have to cross the Ossa Trail to get there," I answered, talking like I had actually traveled though there.

"Alright then, it's settled," Kratos confirmed.

We then left the Triet Ruins and Colette collapsed when we got out. Everything went how it was supposed to because I didn't interject with the conversation, I just stood aside.

We then started to set up camp with Colette resting. I got stuck with the job of finding fire wood. Seriously, where would I find fire wood in the desert. Sammy came with me as I walked away from the soon to be camp site. I started looking around for firewood, and surprisingly I found a couple of dead trees with broken branches around them.

"Weird, it looks like a fight went down here. Don't you think, Sammy?" I asked.

Translation: "I must agree, and from the looks of it, the fight was recent. It would be best to gather the fire wood quickly and return to camp."

"What's the worst that could happen? There aren't many places to hide anyways," I replied as I walked over to pick up some wood.

Translation: "Don't be so carefree, you'll get yourself hurt!"

I rolled my eyes, "Really Sammy, you need to stop worrying. Even if monsters do attack, they shouldn't be to hard to handle. Also, the others aren't too far away," I responded.

Translation: "Over-confidence breeds carelessness."

I stopped picking up firewood and faced Sammy.

"You just said one of Kratos' lines. You're starting to sound like him now," I said.

Translation: "Well, he is correct. You should listen to him more often."

"I'd rather get it from you than from him," I muttered loudly and turned back to picking up wood.

Translation: "Why would that be?"

"If he wanted to, he could kill me easily. Do you really think that I'd want to die at 17?" I asked.

Translation: "Well, actually you'd die at 13 since you've lived only 13 years. You just look 17."

"It doesn't matter if I'm actually 13. When I came here my appearance turned to one of a 17 year old. So I'm just gonna say I'm 17. It's not my fault I got a few years scrapped off my life," I retorted.

Translation: "Actually it is. You accepted this journey and now we're in this situation."

"Okay, it's my fault. I'm sorry, I just wanted something to keep me busy. I should have just declined the offer. There's no way I'm cut out for this. I've never been away from home this long. I've never even been camping," I said, disappointed in myself.

Translation: "I think that you are cut out for this. You have a spirit that never gives up. No matter how many times someone puts you down, I just keep trying. Never giving up is something that'll get you through anything."

I sighed, "I guess your right. Besides, if I ever want to get home I have to complete this journey. Also, I have your support, and the support of the others. I just wish I didn't have to lie to them."

Translation: "Why don't you tell them the truth?"

"I can't do that. If I told them the truth I'd be telling them that I know the future. Everyone would be relying solely one me and Kratos would probably kill me. That or Cruxis would decide I'm useful and try to capture me, along with the Renegades when they find out," I said.

Translation: "That does seem like a problem. I guess it would be best to continue lying to them."

I sighed again, "We probably shouldn't talk about this. I don't want anybody over hearing this."

Translation: "Do you have the firewood?"

"Yeah, I think I've got enough here," I answered.

Sammy and I then walked back to camp and gave them the fire wood.

"I'm surprised you found so much," Raine said.

"I found a bunch of dead trees over there," I replied, pointing behind me.

So we got the fire going and Genis started cooking. I walked over to where Genis was preparing the ingredients.

"Need any help?" I asked.

"Yeah, could you start cutting the vegetables?" Genis replied.

"Sure," I answered and sat down.

I started cutting the vegetables quickly, with out cutting myself.

"Wow, your fast," Genis commented.

I paused and looked over at him.

"Well, I use to always watch my mom cook, and she usually cut up vegetables for the meal. I guess I got it from watching her," I replied, then went back to cooking.

"Do you like cooking?" Genis asked.

"Yeah, ever since I was little," I answered.

"How good was your cooking when you first started?" He questioned.

"I think it was pretty good. My brother always asked me to make him some soup with noodles because he said that I always got both the broth and noodles flavored," I answered.

"So you always got the flavor balanced. That's pretty hard to do for me," Genis said.

"It's not too hard. To get the flavor balanced in soup, just add in part of the spices at the very beginning then near the end add the rest," I explained.

"Oh I get it, that way the contents of the soup soak up the flavor at first then the broth gets it's flavor when you add in the rest," Genis said.

"Exactly," I responded and noticed I was done with the vegetables. "Here, I finished," I handed him the vegetables.

"Thanks, I think I'll get better at cooking with what you told me," Genis smiled.

"It was no problem," I replied, embarrassed.

"Did you ever mess up when cooking?" Genis asked.

"Who hasn't?" I answered.

"What happened?" He asked, eager to know about my mess up.

"I was making pancakes and accidentally left them there for too long and it started a fire," I replied.

"Wow, you started a fire?" He repeated.

"It was an accident," I defended.

"Don't worry about, I accidentally started a fire while cooking too," Genis said.

"I'm pretty sure anybody that has tried cooking has started a fire or at least burnt the dish," I replied.

Genis soon finished cooking with my help.

After I had eaten, I went over to Sammy and sat down next to her. Sammy got up after I sat down and laid down behind me. She curled up so the her head laid on my lap and I could lean back against her. I started petting her head. I felt really safe at that moment. I leaned back and looked at the stars and moon.

I don't know why, but I've always loved the night sky. It always made me comfortable when I looked up at it.

"Hey Sarah," Lloyd said, walking up to me.

I turned my attention from the sky to Lloyd.

"Hi Lloyd," I greeted, smiling.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Lloyd asked.

"Not at all," I replied.

"So you like the stars?" Lloyd asked, as he sat down next to me.

"Not just the stars, the moon as well. The night sky makes me feel comfortable when I look at it," I answered and gazed at the sky briefly.

"Why?" He asked.

"I guess it's because my brother and I use to play outside when it was dark. We also use to look at the sky sometimes. Then there's also the time my mom took me outside at night to watch a meteor shower. Also, when I was around four, my mom and dad took me outside to just star gaze," I answered.

"I can't remember much about my mom and dad, but I kinda remember my dad taking me out to star gaze. I remember seeing a shooting star that night," Lloyd said.

"Did you wish for something?" I asked.

"I can't remember," Lloyd replied.

"Don't worry, I kinda have a memory like that. I was with my mom outside and I just saw a shooting star. I can't remember what I wished for though," I said.

"I kinda noticed that Sammy is almost always with you, why didn't she come when we went to the seal?" Lloyd asked.

"I didn't want her to get hurt. I knew there was going to be a big battle in there, and I was kinda scared of Sammy getting hurt," I answered, looking down at Sammy and petting her head.

"She's really loyal, huh?" Lloyd said.

"Yeah, she really wants to protect me… Can I tell you something with out you thinking I'm crazy?" I asked.

"Yeah, what is it?" He wondered.

"I can understand what Sammy says. That's why I moved away from the group before we went into the ruins. I was talking to Sammy," I explained.

"I think that's kinda cool. So you can actually have a conversation with her?" Lloyd asked, smiling.

"Yep!" I smiled.

"So has she said anything about any of us?" Lloyd asked.

"Um, not really, she's only said one thing about you guys," I answered.

"What was it?" Lloyd asked, over enthusiastic.

"She said she didn't trust my safety to any of you," I replied truthfully.

"She… doesn't trust us?" Lloyd asked.

"Yep, but she's just over protective, don't worry about it" I added quickly.

Lloyd yawned and got up, "I'm gonna go to sleep, night."

"Okay, good night," I said.

I leaned back against Sammy and sighed. I was really starting to miss my home and family, my brother most of all. I shook my head at myself. I was too clingy with my brother. This journey would probably be good for me, I would stop being so dependant on him. But I still couldn't help it, I missed my brother and that wouldn't change.

I looked up at the sky and whispered, "I miss you, brother. I wish I could see you again."

I then turned to my right and laid down with my head against Sammy. She shifted so that we were both more comfortable. She whine softly.

Translation: "Good night, and I'm sure your brother would be proud of you for being strong about this."

"Thanks Sammy, good night," I whispered and fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up and found that the sun was just about to rise. I woke up early and didn't feel tired because I forgot to remove my Cruxis Crystal last night.

I sat up and looked around camp. The only one up was Kratos, not surprising. I looked down at Sammy to see her still asleep. I smiled at her and started to stroke her fur. Even though I missed home, I still had Sammy with me.

"Sarah," I hear Kratos call.

I turned my attention to him and asked, "What is it?"

"Your skills are unrefined, how long have you been using those weapons?" He asked.

"I know, and I have been using them for very long. I taught myself how to use these weapons… Would you mind training me?" I replied.

Kratos sighed and answered, "Alright then, but I won't be easy on you."

"Don't worry, my last instructor didn't go easy on me either. He taught me hand to hand combat," I responded.

"What would not going easy mean to your instructor?" He asked.

"When I first started his class, he put me up against the most experienced student in a sparring match," I answered.

"I see," He responded.

That's when Sammy lifted her head and nudged my shoulder with her nose. I smiled at her and started to pet her head. I looked over at the fire to see that there wasn't any firewood left and it was about to go out. I stood up and dusted myself off.

"I'm gonna go get more firewood," I said, before leaving with Sammy right behind me.

When we got over to where the dead trees were Sammy sat down and to wait for me.

"I'm going to be training with Kratos," I reported to Sammy while I started to pick up firewood.

Translation: "I see. Just be careful I don't want you getting hurt."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it won't be too bad," I responded.

Translation: "But still… Something just doesn't seem right, just watch your back."

"I might slip up sometimes but I'm always watching my back," I replied.

Translation: "How long do you think this journey will last?"

"I'm not sure, but I have to get stronger if I want to get home. I'm not gonna give up," I answered, determinedly.

Translation: "That's the Sarah I know! Never giving up even if things are stacked against her!"

"Hehe, yeah. I just wish my brother was here to watch me. I'd probably make him proud because of this," I smiled.

Translation: "I'm sure he's always been proud of your accomplishments. He probably just has a hard time showing it."

"Maybe," I whispered slightly.

Translation: "You better not start doubting yourself!"

"Sorry, sorry! I'll try to stop doubting myself!" I defended.

I finished picking up the fire wood and started to head back to camp. When I got there everyone except Lloyd was up.

"Good morning, everyone," I called.

"Good morning, Sarah!" Colette chirped.

I set the fire wood down and sat down next to Colette.

It wasn't very long until we were ready to leave. It had taken a while to wake up Lloyd though. But I was able to wake him because of the experience I had with having to wake up my brother. We had decided to stop in Triet to stock up on supplies before leaving to Ossa Trail.

We were going to spend the night in Triet then head to the Ossa Trail since it took most of the day to get Triet. I had volunteered to get the supplies while everyone else went to the inn.

I bought all the supplies that Raine had written down. It was just the basics, apple gels, orange gels, ect. After buying that stuff I bought myself two journals, a sewing kit, and a bunch of arts and crafts stuff. I bought the arts and crafts because it would help keep me busy. One of the journals was to write down the events of the journey, like a historical record thing, and the other was to write down my thoughts and other stuff like a diary.

I returned to the inn and gave the supplies to Raine. I went to mine and Colette's room and sat down on the bed. I took out a bunch of fabric and the sewing kit. I wanted to create a doll from scratch. My mom use to make dolls for me when I was little, so I wanted to see if I was as creative as her.

It didn't take long for me to finish, I've always been one to get things done quickly. When I looked at my finished creation, I thought it was pretty good for a first try. The hair on the doll was blond and I used black buttons for eyes. It also had a red dress with blue trimming. I looked it over a smiled.

'Maybe I could give this to Colette as a late birthday present.'

Just then the door opened and Colette walked in.

"Hi Sarah, I was wondering if you were okay because you've been up here a while," Colette smiled.

"Don't worry, I'm okay. I was just working on something," I answered and walked up to her.

"Was were you working on?" She asked.

"Here, I couldn't help it. Happy late birthday," I laughed slightly and handed her the doll.

She took it and smiled widely. Her face brightened at the sight of it.

"Oh, thank you! It looks really nice and it's so cute!" Colette chirped really happily.

"No problem, it was my first try with making a doll from scratch," I replied, smiling and blushing slightly. I still wasn't use to being complimented.

"You made it from scratch? Wow! That's so creative!" Colette responded.

"Nah, my mom is way more creative. This is probably amateur compared to hers," I said.

"Wow, she must be really creative!" Colette said amazed.

"Yeah, she is. She use to make all my clothes when I was little," I replied.

So after that Colette brought me down stairs for dinner. She showed the others the doll happily. That resulted in me having a red face for most of the time. I really had to start getting use to compliments. I was in a different world where mostly everyone is nice beyond compare.

That night I remembered to remove my cruxis crystal. It didn't take me long to fall asleep for some reason. It usually took me at least an hour. But then again, I didn't have anything on my mind.

I woke up in the middle of the night like I usually did. I don't know why I usually wake up in the middle of the night but I do. I wanted to get some fresh air so I slipped on my boots and a quietly left the room. I made sure to stay close to the wall so I would make as little noise as possible.

When I got outside I breathed in the fresh air and sighed. I looked over to see that Sammy and Noishe were sleeping. I smiled and walked to the deeper part of town. I didn't want to wake them up. I looked at the oasis from the dock. The moon in the sky and its reflection in the water along with the stars and their reflection made it look beautiful.

I sighed contently and let my body relax. It was slightly cold but the sight of everything caused me to ignore it. I just focused on the view.

After enjoying the view I returned to the inn and fell back to sleep. Although when I was returning to the inn I was sure I saw someone out of the corner of my eye. I just ignored it because I thought I was being paranoid.

The next morning we head off for Ossa Trail. While we were traveling I wrote in my journal about everything that had happened to that point. It was going to be a history record for the soon to be Aselia. That's what the world would be called once it was brought back together. Kratos also started training Lloyd and I when ever the group took a break. Sammy always sat close by to watch our training sessions.

It took us about three days to reach the Ossa Trail. I had kept my cruxis crystal on for the entire three days. So now I couldn't feel pain or anything and I was slowly starting to lose my need to sleep. My humanity was being taken away faster than Colette's. I decided to keep my cruxis crystal off when ever I wasn't fighting.

This was not going to be an easy journey.


Me: I'm starting to have doubts about my story.

Genis: It's probably because you haven't slept much.

Me: Maybe, but I'm still doubtful.

Genis: *sigh* I give up.

Me: Anyways, I'd like more votes for the pairing because I'm not really sure. So please vote and review! Thanks for reading!