Hello everyone! We're back again with another long chapter for you! Thank you for the generous feedback, we always appreciate your enthusiasm! We hope this chapter provides some answers and opens new questions for you. Enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to drop a review!
PS: We don't own 07 Ghost. If we did, lots of bad things would have happened.
Chapter VI—
March 25th, 2143: ? AM/PM—
Alex looked around wildly. It wasn't hard for her to figure out that she was in her dreams again; the flowers around her feet were dead, as if it was winter.
"Lazarus!" Alex screamed, "Where are you?"
Stop resisting and join us...a raspy voice whispered. Alex squeaked, wrapping her hands around herself protectively. Where on earth was he?
Alex wildly looked around, and began to run.You can't escape our master,another dark voice echoed, he will capture you soon enough and banish your little angel away.
"No no no!"Alex thought, "There's more than one of them!" She blinked rapidly, and drew to a stop, panting.
"Alex!" Lazarus's familiar voice called out. Alex looked up and breathed a sigh of relief. Lazarus stood, staring down at her.
"What happened to me?" Alex asked, "Why am I hearing other voices?"
Alex noticed that Lazarus had a worried expression on his face. "You've been infected by several wars," Lazarus explained slowly. He seemed very troubled; it only made Alex more concerned.
"What? Am I going to die? Can't we stop these wars?" Alex asked, her voice rising higher.
You will die if you don't join us, a voice hissed. Alex jumped, looking around warily.
"There is one way," Lazarus said, "I can't get rid of them on my own."
"What?" Alex asked. Her mind seemed to be growing number and number...dimmer and dimmer. Alex felt her thoughts grow sluggish and it was getting hard for her to think.
Lazarus stared at her, and his eyes narrowed. "They're starting to affect your mind," Lazarus remarked.
"What do I have to do?" Alex repeated, frowning. Why was it getting so hard for her to think? She seemed to be forgetting something.
"I must drink some of your blood," Lazarus said. Alex stared at him, uncomprehendingly.
"We don't have much time, you have to do it!" Lazarus exclaimed, "Without your blood, I do not have the energy to destroy the wars!"To Alex's horror, a small dagger appeared on his palm. She immediately took a step backwards.
"No," Alex whispered, "I won't let you!" It was bad enough that Ayanami gave her the scar on her face, and then broke her hand.
"Do you want to die?"Lazarus yelled, "What about Mikage and Teito? Are you going to save them?"
Mikage. Teito.
MIKAGE. TEITO. She had to save them!
Alex thrust out her hand towards Lazarus, who slowly ran the knife over her palm. She winced at the stinging, and watched a fine line of red appear. Lazarus gripped her wrist tightly, and slowly licked the wound. Alex hissed at the pain, and felt her vision blur again.
"You didn't mention I would black out," Alex said, her words slurred. Her eyelids fluttered, and she felt her body give away.
March 25th, 2143: ? AM/PM—
As soon as Lazarus licked Alex's wound, he felt a surge of energy flow to him. "Youdidn'tmenchionthaIwoublacout," slurred Alex, and began to collapse.
He caught Alex as she became unconscious, and gently placed her on the grass. "Thank goodness she agreed to do it,"thought Lazarus, "the wars would've consumed her and then all would be lost."
Standing up, he closed his eyes, and summoned his energy. His fingers pulsed with holy magic, and he smiled. Her blood was especially powerful—no doubt, since it was her.
"I first must send an illusion to Ayanami," thought Lazarus, "he's the only one who sent the wars." Once he had finished forming the illusion, he sent it away through the wars' connection to Ayanami.
Opening his eyes again, Lazarus now faced the wars, this time controlling Alex's limbs. The wars swirled all around Alex's body, pressing against her, whispering terrible lies. Lazarus focused his magic again, and summoned greenish-blue fire. The flames flickered on his palms, and Lazarus forced them to grow bigger and bigger.
"Begone, creatures of Verloren!" Lazarus cried out, and hurled the flames towards the flickering dark mass. The flames engulfed the mass, and the wars howled in agony. Lazarus watched, satisfied, as the wars slowly dissolved away. He failed to notice one tiny mass enter the open wound on Alex's hand; suddenly, Lazarus felt his vision wavering.
"Oh no, I used up all of my energy!" Lazarus thought, alarmed. Looking down, he was slightly relieved that there was a huge body of water underneath them. Lazarus felt his connection with Alex's body give away, and he too succumbed to the familiar darkness.
March 25th, 2143: 2:34 PM—
"Thank you," the soldier said, handing over a few coins to the innkeeper. The innkeeper pocketed the coins and picked up his cloth and a dirty glass. Meanwhile, the soldier took a sip of his drink, while watching the view outside the window.
As he raised his glass to his lips to take another sip, the soldier paused. He noticed some figures moving quickly towards the direction of the inn. The innkeeper paused his polishing, noticing the soldier's stare. He walked to the door and opened it. To his surprise, a person burst in, panting.
"Daisuke!" one person panted, "You won't believe what we just found!"
"Woah, calm down!" the innkeeper said, putting up his hands, "What is it?"
"We were out fishing, and then we saw this girl fall from the sky!" the person replied. The soldier noticed another person enter, this time carrying an unconscious girl. He noted the short hair, the peculiar scar on her face that stretched over one of her eyes, and the twisted angle of her hand.
"Who is this girl?" wondered the soldier, looking at her sympathetically. The girl fell from the sky...perhaps she was riding a hawkzile. What interested the soldier were the scars..."Where did she get them from?"
"Quickly, place her in my room," the soldier ordered, "I will see to her. Go call a healer." The innkeeper and others stared at him in surprise, and began to do as he said.
The soldier followed the person carrying the girl into his room. The girl was placed on the bed, and the healer entered. The soldier silently watched the healer perform healing zaiphon on the girl.
He closed his eyes, and sensed another presence in the room. Looking around, he noticed with a slight frown that it was only him, the healer, and the girl in the room. So who was the fourth presence?
"Perhaps it's hiding within the girl," the soldier thought. Out loud, he asked, "What are the injuries?"
"She's broken her hand," the healer explained, "and there seems to be some bruises. What happened to her?"
"She fell from a hawkzile," the soldier lied. He knew that there was something more serious here—perhaps an attack?
"She's even cut her hand," the healer remarked.
Peering at the wound, the soldier said, "It's too neat to be an accident." The healer nodded, and he stood up.
"I found this," the healer said, and gave the surprised soldier a silver rose. The soldier stared at it, slightly shocked. "She was with Profe?" the soldier thought, "only Profe can have such a flower. So she was at the church?"
"She needs some rest," the healer announced, "I've done all that I can. She also seems to have a slight fever." The soldier thanked him and paid him some yuus. He watched the healer leave, and turned his attention back to the unconscious girl.
"Why do you look so familiar?"the soldier wondered, "perhaps you are the girl from my past life?" He had to find out soon before he had to report back to the higher ups.
March 25th, 2143: 4:52 PM—
Ayanami looked up from his work, brief irritation flickering in his eyes. In front of him, Lieutenant Hyuuga sat there, licking that (vile) treat, looking back innocently at his superior.
"Want a candied apple?" Hyuuga suddenly asked, offering another (vile) treat to Ayanami. Ayanami stared at the treat, before looking back at his paperwork.
It happened so quickly, it was almost a blur; Hyuuga was suddenly on the floor with a huge bruise on his cheek.
"That's surprisingly painful," groaned Hyuuga, but Ayanami quietly interjected, "Teito Klein has the stone."
Hyuuga immediately looked at Ayanami, all playfulness gone from his face. "Stone? Teito?" Hyuuga questioned.
"Teito Klein has the Eye of Mikhail," Ayanami remarked quietly, facing the wall, "He's under the protection of the seven ghosts."
Hyuuga stood up, and Ayanami continued, "He's not completely awakened yet. I was interrupted while trying to retrieve it, but that was the real eye of Mikhail."
"What about Alexander Night?" Hyuuga asked.
Ayanami gave a small smirk, and replied, "You mean Alexandra Night."
Hyuuga gave a surprised look and repeated, "Alex-chan?" He gave a crafty smile and asked, "Will you tell Miroku?"
"Not yet," Ayanami replied, "Unless I see fit. Alexandra Night is also important too."
"She is connected with Lazarus," Ayanami thought, "I must know how and why."Hyuuga's remarks distracted him from his thoughts.
"It'd be troublesome if the church gained more power," Hyuuga remarked.
"Indeed. It would be a worse result than if the worms in our upper ups were to stage a coup d'etat after they got the stone," Ayanami replied, "they may have the same political influence but the high pope and the king have always shunned each other. If the pope got hold of the stone, it will be the Raggs war all over again." Ayanami wasn't willing for another multitude of innocent deaths only because of greed; he knew what grief was like, to grieve over a loved one's death.
Despite that, Ayanami wasn't willing to take open risks. "If we are to act now," Ayanami slowly said, "there will surely be suspicious characters around...and so with such prudence, and promptness. We must bring back that weapon to the rightful control of the military."
He didn't notice Hyuuga's small smile as he continued, "To bring peace to our Barsburg Empire, retrieving Teito Klein from the church is the most expedient way. It is unacceptable to leave the matter alone. By all means, we must avoid loss in our army."
"What about Alex-chan?" Hyuuga asked, "You haven't mentioned anything about her yet."
Ayanami was silent for a few moments. "She is important too," Ayanami stated, "She is no longer at the church; we must track her location first. I will have some other people looking for her."
"Is that why you killed the boy then?" Hyuuga suddenly asked, "though it is true he disobeyed military regulations, and it was inevitable that he meets such an end...but I can't help but somewhat understand the feelings of that kid." He looked at Ayanami meaningfully.
Ayanami averted his eyes and coldly replied, "We have no need for deserters in the army." Hyuuga looked away.
"Betrayal cuts deep," Ayanami thought, "how ironic for everyone. Everyone starts out innocent, but fate changes it. Fate is never kind to anyone, is it?"
"That's why I killed him before his eyes," Ayanami continued, "So that he will come to me. That boy will surely return to the empire, in order to take his revenge on me."
Hyuuga gave a light laugh and replied, "I'll be here to protect you Aya-tan!"
"If it comes to that," Ayanami dryly remarked. He had no doubt that Hyuuga would watch his back—his loyalty towards him was truly admirable.
"I haven't overlooked anything important, have I?" wondered Ayanami. He wasn't completely powerless to find out more about Alexandra Night; interestingly, a majority of his wars was destroyed, but there was still a small portion that was in her mind—Ayanami simply had to visit her in her dreams to find out more.
He and Hyuuga began to head out of his office and started to walk down the long hallways of Hohburg Fort. "But you know," Hyuuga remarked, "normally you wouldn't know where to find that child in such a large church."
"It's intuition," Ayanami quietly replied. "Being the death god has its advantages," Ayanami silently thought, "with the kor, it was easy to sense their presence."He didn't bother to voice his thoughts out loud.
"Oh, isn't it Chief Ayanami?" a new voice scathingly remarked. Three officers stood there, staring at Ayanami and Hyuuga.
"You were ten minutes late yesterday," the other officer replied, a glint in his eyes. As the officers began to walk away, the officer quietly remarked near Ayanami, "It would be troublesome if you were to slacken off."
"Do you have a secret agenda?" the officer asked slyly.
"Yes actually," Ayanami nonchalantly replied, pulling out a pile of papers, "We were investigating the source of the army's mysterious expenses." He silently smirked when he saw the officers look shocked at Hyuuga's remarks about the XX Shabushabu.
"No matter the method, I must obtain that stone. I must protect this country, no matter what I become" Ayanami thought, "I can't fail like last time."
"I will always protect what is dear to me."
March 26th, 2143: 9:42 AM—
Teito was sprawled on the bed, hugging Mikage's jacket. His head felt heavy, and his thoughts were a dim blur. Images were rushing through his mind—Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex...
He pressed the jacket closer to his nose, feeling the rough material against his lips. He inhaled the scent, and felt tears leak from the corner of his eyes.
Mikage's words came back to him: Always walk down the path of light!
"You both were my light," Teito thought dimly, "and he took you both away."
He didn't care about the stupid knocking at the door, he wanted Mikage and Alex. Mikage would always burst into the room like a 4 year old, while Alex would always peep from the corner before entering. Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex,
There was a loud bang behind him. "I'm coming in stupid brat!" a voice called out. Teito knew that voice, but he wanted Mikage and Alex. Mikage and Alex always called him "Teito". Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex, Mikage, Alex,
"Woah! Hey, don't run around!" the person yelled. That person's voice wasn't Mikage or Alex. Mikage's voice was always cheerful, while Alex had a soft voice.
Teito idly turned around, and was shocked to see it was the frea—Bishop Frau. "What now! Don't come in uninvited!" Teito yelled, turning back. He brought his fist to his eyes; he didn't want him to see his tears. God he was crying...
"I have something for you," Frau quietly said. A strange pink creature jumped onto the bed and began worming through...through...through Mikage's jacket.
"What's this?" Teito quietly asked, his sorrow temporarily forgotten.
"It's a serapil, an animal of the church," explained Frau.
There was a brief moment of silence. "The church," Teito whispered, "can't save anything."
"I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD!" Teito screamed, "HE DIDN'T SAVE MIKAGE OR ALEX! The truth is..."
Teito's voice cracked, and he fisted the bed sheets. Tears were streaming out of his eyes as he lamented, "My fault...Mikage and Alex were involved through the promise..."
Teito looked down, chagrined. He felt a large hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault," Frau gently said, "When it's time for a person to be born, they make a promise with the chief of heavens...three dreams. When all three are granted, they are called back to his side. No doubt, Mikage's dream was done. Since all of his dreams are granted, he was gently called back to the heavens."
Frau fixed his hat and continued, "Mikage protected you...his dream must have been to protect someone dear at the risk of his life."
"Those are pretty words for the survivors," Teito darkly said, "you're just trying to console me." The creature was licking his chin; why did Teito like that?
"Well, that could be true," Frau remarked, standing up, "But he's already by your side and watching you." He looked down at the stunned boy and winked.
Teito looked at the bishop wondrously, and back at the squirming bundle of fur in his hands.
"This...no way," breathed Teito, looking down at the creature.
"I'm taking care of it since it fell from the nest," Frau said, "A soul that has all of its wishes granted will reincarnate again. This little guy's soul had the same colour as Mikage's."
Frau's next words fell deaf on Teito. Teito was fixed on the dragon in his hands. Mikage...Mikage was reincarnated, and was with him. His heart was soaring, and the strange throbbing in his head seemed to lighten.
"Mikage," whispered Teito, "I'm sorry Mikage." He gently brought the creature and nuzzled his nose against its soft fur.
"I'll definitely avenge you," thought Teito, "and I will save Alex."
He didn't notice the fact that he was smiling.
March ?th, 2143: ? AM/PM—
"I feel heavy," Alex thought. Slowly opening her eyes, she idly wondered whether she was in the church again.
"The bed feels different," thought Alex, "I wonder whether Mikage and Teito are up?"
"You're not in the church," Lazarus whispered. Alex blinked rapidly. She wasn't in the church? Then where was she—
Oh.
Oh.
OH.
Everything was slowly coming back to her: Mikage, Teito, Ayanami, the wars, Lazarus...
Alex suddenly sat up, wildly staring around. She seemed to be in an empty room. Looking around, she noticed some other articles were strewn about the room. "Someone else lives in this room," Alex realized. Looking down, she saw that her broken hand was mended. She flex her fingers experimentally and smiled when she didn't feel any pain.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable from the heat, and slowly pushed the blanket off her. "I really have to leave,"thought Alex, "What happened to Mikage and Teito?" She felt sad, thinking about them. She was starting to miss Teito's scathing remarks, and Mikage's cheerful attitude. She hugged her knees close, trying hard to not cry.
"Oh, you're awake!" a soft voice called. Alex shot up, and saw a young female standing by the doorway. Her black hair was tied back and she had soft brown eyes.
"How are you feeling?" the lady asked, and walked over to her. Alex hastily wiped away her tears, and looked at the lady.
"I'm fine," Alex said, "Thank you for saving me."
"How did I end up here?"Alex wondered, "Lazarus, do you know?"
"I managed to get rid of the wars but we were falling from the sky," Lazarus silently replied, "That's all I remember."
"No, you're not fine," the lady said. Alex blinked, and looked at her, confused.
"I'm sorry?" Alex asked, "I feel perfectly well." She stood up, and said, "See? I'm fine!"
The lady gave a strange smile. "Alex," Lazarus said, "I don't like the aura of this lady."
"...Why do you never like anyone?" Alex thought, "You always have an issue with everybody."
"I'm serious here!" Lazarus snapped, "Get away from her now!"
The lady held Alex by her shoulders and softly said, "You're not feeling fine. I can see the sadness in your eyes."
Sadness...in her eyes? Alex blinked, and frowned.
"You are sad because you miss someone," the lady continued softly, "You want to see them again. Who is it that you miss?"
Alex was stunned. She...she was right. She missed someone—two people.
"Teito, and Mikage," whispered Alex, trance-like. Someone was yelling in her mind, but she didn't pay attention to it. She was feeling sad...sad. Mikage and Teito...where were they? It was all her fault; she shouldn't have abandoned Teito, she should have saved Mikage. She was so sad...
The lady softly caressed her cheek and whispered, "They miss you too. I can help you see them again. I can grant you three wishes. What is it that you desire the most in the world?"
"What I desire most in the world," Alex thought. An image of Mikage and Teito floated into her mind.
"ALEX NO!" screamed Lazarus, "Stop listening to that kor!"
"She's a kor?"Alex dimly thought, "she wants to help...she can grant three wishes..."
"I want my friends," Alex softly whispered, "I wish...I wish—"
Her voice was cut off when a young man's voice came: "How dare you enter my room kor?"
Turning around, Alex saw a young man standing by the doorway. He had longish straight brown hair which fell over his forehead. What startled Alex the most was his eyes—they were the colour of steel.
The woman stood back, revealing bony wings—she was a kor. Alex stared back at her, horrified.
"Why do you never listen to me?" groaned Lazarus, "your life would've been far easier if you bothered."
"Oh my god," thought Alex, "she's going to kill the man! We have to stop her!"
Alex summoned her manipulation zaiphon and manipulated a lamp. The lamp wobbled, and fell at the woman's leg.
"Nice aim," Lazarus sarcastically said.
"Shut up," Alex thought, "At least she's now looking at us."
The woman had shrieked, and was now glaring at Alex. "How dare you," she angrily said, and advanced towards Alex.
"Don't use your zaiphon!" the man warned.
Alex's eyes widened and she squeaked, "What do you expect me to do then?"
The woman suddenly stopped in her tracks, and a shocked expression appeared on her face. Alex looked, and saw ice shards protruding from her chest. To her surprise, Alex noticed that instead of blood welling out of the wounds, the ice seemed to spread all over her body...and soon the woman was encased in a huge block of ice.
"it can't be," Lazarus suddenly whispered, "he should be dead!"
"What?"Alex thought, but Lazarus didn't say anything. "How many secrets are you keeping from me?" Alex angrily wasn't surprised when Lazarus refused to answer.
There was a heavy moment of silence in the room. "Did you do that?" Alex faintly asked, pointing at the ice statue.
The young man nodded, amused by her surprise. "Well, now that you're awake, how about you get something to eat?" the man asked, "Come on!" Alex stood there, frozen, her eyes widening.
"His uniform," Alex realized, "he's from the military! They've found me!"
Panicking, Alex turned towards the window and hastily opened the shutters. She jumped out of the window, but felt her collar tighten. She grabbed her fingers to her collar, preventing her from choking. She felt herself being hauled back into the room, and she was thrown back on the bed.
"What the hell were you doing?" the man growled, "Do you actually want to kill yourself that badly?"
Alex glared at him. "I'm grateful that you saved my life, but I don't want to go back!"
The man looked at her, surprised. "Go back where?" he asked, "I'm just taking you downstairs for food."
"You know what I mean," Alex darkly said, "I won't ever go back to those stuck up military weirdos!"
There was a brief moment of silence, and to Alex's surprise, the man began to laugh. "What's so funny?" Alex demanded, slightly impatient. She was starting to dislike this man more and more.
"I've lost my friends because of them!" Alex yelled, "you find this funny?" Her voice slightly cracked, and she choked back a sob.
The man sobered at once and replied, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that." He sighed, and said, "my name is Felsen...Felsen Kamerad."
There was an awkward moment of silence. "Alex," Alex finally said, looking at him in the eye, "I don't trust you."
Felsen gave a crooked smile and asked, "What was it that you badly wanted from that kor? Was it your friends?"
Alex looked at him, and didn't say anything.
"I can help you," Felsen finally said after a brief moment of silence, "but you have to tell me what you wished for."
"Why?" Alex shot back, "why do you want to know?"
"Because I am like Castor, Labrador, and Frau," Felsen lightly replied. Alex looked at him, flabbergasted. He knew the three bishops?
"Wait, he can't be a bishop," thought Alex, "no bishop would be part of the military...then he is..."
It suddenly dawned on Alex.
"You're a ghost?" whispered Alex, shocked. Felsen smiled and nodded.
"Ea," whispered Lazarus, "I should have known." Alex frowned at Lazarus's tone...why did he sound so worried?
"Are you Ea?" Alex asked out loud. Felsen nodded again and said, "I am the reincarnation of Ea, the awakening spirit. I can copy another's power." Alex looked at him, wondrously, all of her previous suspicions gone.
"Would you care for some breakfast now?" Felsen asked, and Alex nodded. Together, they both walked downstairs, and arrived at the café. Alex and Felsen sat down, and Felsen ordered something called 'winkhob'. Alex frowned, confused when he ordered that.
"What is a winkhob?" Alex asked.
"They're a delicacy of District 7 actually," Felsen remarked, "they're good! Wait until you try them!"
Alex looked at him, doubtful. "Look," Alex began, keeping her voice low, "I have no idea where my friends are. I don't even know whether they're alive or not."
"You came from the church right?" Felsen asked, and Alex nodded. "He could obviously tell from my clothes," thought Alex, "thank goodness I'm not wearing the military uniform. I don't think I could ever wear that hateful uniform again."
"What happened?" Felsen asked. Alex hesitated, unsure whether to tell him or not. Lazarus was strangely being silent, and wasn't saying anything.
"You can trust me," Felsen gently said, "I'm only wearing this uniform just...just to observe someone."
"You have to tell me," Alex said, "if you keep secrets from me, then I will too."
"Good idea," Lazarus said, "ask him who he's observing."
"Who are you observing?" Alex asked. She noticed Felsen's steel eyes narrow for a moment.
"If I answer your questions, then will you answer mine truthfully?" Felsen asked. Alex slightly hesitated, before nodding.
"I'm observing someone that I believe is Verloren's reincarnation," Felsen quietly said.
"What? Verloren's reincarnation?" Alex asked. She heard Lazarus utter the same words as her in her mind. "You mean...Verloren is reincarnated into this era?" Alex thought, shocked.
"Yes," Lazarus replied, "he speaks the truth."
"But who is Verloren?" Alex wondered.
"Why were you found falling from the sky into the lake nearby?" Felsen asked.
"It's complicated," Alex slowly said, "I am not so sure myself." Felsen didn't seem pleased with her answer; he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I think I was infected by some wars," Alex muttered, "I don't remember much..."
"Why are you here?" Alex asked, "Where is this place?"
"This is the city of Ria, in District 6," Felsen said, "I'm here for a solo mission."
"District 6? Ria?" Alex thought, and formed a mental picture in her mind.
"Oh my goodness," Alex murmured, "I'm in Ria?" That was so far away from the church! How was she going to get back?
"I could get a hawkzile from somewhere..." Alex thought. At that moment, their food arrived. Alex stared at the large purple mass on the plate and gasped, "Is that winkhob?"
"It's good! Try it!" Felsen cajoled, "You'll really like it!"
Alex looked at him, and then down to the dish. She picked up a fork and poked at the purple thing. She slowly took a small piece and began to chew it. To her surprise, it was meat, and it tasted good.
"I told you it was good," Felsen teased, "So how did you get infected by the wars?"
Alex thought of a potential answer. Telling the truth was a big shot, and she wasn't prepared to trust Felsen entirely yet. She wasn't sure if Felsen would even believe her.
Felsen seemed to notice her hesitation. "It's ok," Felsen said, "you don't have to tell me yet."
"Thank you," murmured Alex, grateful, "I promise I will tell you someday...but not today."
"I don't know how to tell you that I'm responsible for the potential deaths of Mikage and Teito," Alex sadly thought.
"Have courage," Lazarus said. His voice was unexpectedly gentle as he continued, "you've come this far. You don't know if they're dead yet. Zehel, Profe, and Fest are watching over them."
"By the way," Felsen said, "I can't believe I forgot to ask you about this." He chewed a piece of winkhob, and asked, "Did you keep the green orb safe?"
"Huh?" Alex asked, looking at him. "Was he...the stranger?" Alex thought, thinking back to that snowy day ten years ago.
"My last words were: 'keep it safe'" Felsen explained, "Did you?"
Alex opened her mouth to answer until Lazarus said, "Alex, ask him why he had the green orb." Alex considered Lazarus's request, and voiced his question out loud.
Felsen shifted in his seat and answered, "Do you know why that orb is special?"
"It's Lazarus, isn't it?" Alex asked, and covered her mouth. "Oh no!" Alex thought, while Lazarus cursed in her mind.
"What? He's been talking to you?" Felsen exclaimed, and looked intently at her.
March 26th, 2143: 8:42 PM—
"Hyuuga, Konastu," Ayanami began, "I have a special assignment for you." Hyuuga and Konatsu stood by his desk, eagerly waiting for their superior.
"It appears that Alexandra Night didn't destroy all of the wars," Ayanami stated, "therefore I was able to track her. She is currently in the city of Ria."
"Ria in District 6?" Konatsu asked, "What's she doing there?" Hyuuga gave a long whistle, and Ayanami coldly looked at him.
"The wars somehow were intercepted, and she is now there," Ayanami replied, "I am unable to pinpoint her exact location."
"So we're going to go and get her back?" Konatsu asked.
"Yay~ I love vacations!" Hyuuga crowed, "I can go get some candy from there!"
"Lieutenant Major!" Konatsu chastised, "We are getting a runway back, not a vacation!"
"Aww Kona-chan is so serious," Hyuuga whined.
"You should listen to your begleiter," Ayanami coldly remarked, "He speaks more sense than you."
"Aya-tan!" Hyuuga said, abashed. Konatsu saluted Ayanami, and Ayanami replied, "You have one week to find Alexandra Night and bring her back, alive." Hyuuga caught his emphasis, and he stopped whining.
"Don't worry Aya-tan, we'll bring back Alex-chan and lots of candy for you~" Hyuuga lightly replied, a crafty smile on his face. Ayanami looked at him coldly.
"Lieutenant Major!" Konatsu shouted, slightly embarrassed. Both of them were dismissed from Ayanami's office.
"I'll try to visit her mind tonight," thought Ayanami, "thanks to part of my wars being there I can visit her when she's asleep."He turned back to his work, determined to finish it quickly.
He had a visit to make.