Hello again, minna-san! Apologies, once again, for the delay! I had technology issues, but that has been resolved! In case you can't tell...I've been dragging this out. I just don't want this story to end!
Mihara: She's not lying. She's got the ideas, but when she sits at her (brand new) computer, she just sits...and sits...and finally goes, "not today."
Me: Shhh! Don't tell them that!
Mihara: Oh, please. I'm sure that they all feel just the same. They want you to write, but don't want it to end yet.
Me: Yes, but I'm so happy with this story. It's my longest, most successful story.
Mihara: Well, don't forget about Successor. You're gonna get that started soon, right?
Me: Yep, that's true. It'll take longer to update that one, though, since I'm actually going to write it in a notebook...
Mihara: Why don't you just type it up, and then transfer it to your notebook?
Me: ...That's genius!
Mihara: Yeah. You'd die without me. How about you answer reviews now?
vampireizzy: Yay for Shippou! Haha, thanks on your idea for Ashera's smithereens blow! And thank you for reviewing!
Angel Of Darkness And Light: Yes, I know...I'm so sad that it's starting to wrap up... (shares a tissue box) I'll take your idea into consideration, too. Thanks for reviewing and the next chapter, as requested!
Avelinne: Yes, it makes me sad... But it's nice that you've been with me through most of it! Even went through...what, three, four screenames? (Haha) Thanks for your suggestion and review!
TheSilverHairedMaiden: I must admit...I laughed at the part where you said "Harry killed Voldemort, not Ron. Not Hermione. Not Dumbledore." etc. Very loudly, may I add. I'm glad I did better in the last chapter with the stuff you pointed out. That makes me happy. =) Thanks for reviewing and suggesting! TRANSFORM!
Ethereal Thoughts: Yes, yes, inputted, yada, yada, yada. (Hehe, just kidding!) Making up words is fun, I will consider what you said, and...OF COURSE NOT! Yay for run-on sentences! ...Sorta. Thanks for reviewing, sis!
Disclaimer: Usual. No own nothing. Drat. Un-recognizable characters? Mine. Mwahaha.
Mihara: ...Is un-recognizable a word...? I don't think so...
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Chapter 32
Irea and Sylvia both shuddered, their teeth clacking together. Mihara encouraged, "Just about five more minutes, guys. I can see Begnion's shoreline. Are you doing okay?"
Naturally, they both nodded. "Ye-yeahhh... I'm-I'm f-f-fiiine..." Sylvia managed to get out.
Mihara rolled her eyes. "Hey, you can't say I didn't ask if you two would be warm enough. I gave you a chance."
Sylvia grumbled. "What-tever..."
"What about you, Harmony? Doing okay?" Mihara called down to the otter.
She replied with excited chatter. She then leapt from the water and landed back in with hardly a splash. Irea inquired, "What-t did sh-she s-s-say...?"
"Her coat is thick. It's keeping her warm. She's fine." Shoen looked at the oncoming land mass. "Five more minutes, I'd say. Then, we can stop and find you two something to warm up with."
As Shoen had said, about five minutes later, the birds touched land and Harmony crawled out of the water. The hawk laguz let their passengers slide off their backs. The only male of the group suggested to Harmony, "I wouldn't change back if I were you. We aren't sure if you'd be completely wet or not, and since you're warm that way..."
Harmony nodded with understanding.
"Are you feeling tired yet?" Mihara asked.
"A little," she replied. "But it's not too bad..."
"Hmm, really...?"
"Maybe otters don't wear out as fast as we do..." Shoen guessed. "But I'm not sure."
While the beorc and branded huddled together for warmth, Sylvia looked at the hawks. "Are you t-two not ch-changing back eith-ther?"
"No. We're also more warm this way. We have some olivi grass with us," informed Mihara.
"How did you g-get it?" came Irea.
"We have our ways," Shoen answered with a curve on his beak, indicating that he was smirking.
"If that's the ca-ase, then I demand y-you give us your ja-jackets..." Sylvia rubbed her arms, already warming up since she had no wind blowing on her.
"...I suppose we could..."
The siblings shared a glanced. They then both went to their half forms. Quickly, before they felt the chill, they shrugged out of their jackets. Mihara handed hers to Sylvia while Shoen placed his on Irea's shoulders. Before anyone could blink, they were back in their full forms. Both thanked their friends for the extra clothing and held them close. Sylvia chuckled lightly and said, "Oooh, pre-heated."
Mihara threw her a light glare. "You're welcome."
"Where are we heading from here?" Harmony suddenly pondered to the two who could understand her.
"To Sienne," Mihara replied immediately. "That's where Ashera's portal has to be – in the Tower of Guidance."
"That's where we're going?" Irea clarified.
"Yeah." Shoen nodded. "We might as well start heading there. It's going on at least ten o'clock. Dad and the others are probably already in the Tower."
With agreed nods, they all began moving, Mihara and Shoen taking to the skies, Harmony crawling on the ground aside Sylvia and Irea. From where they had landed, on Begnion's shoreline, Sienne didn't appear too far away. They would reach it quickly.
Or so they thought.
Before they had even gone a quarter of a mile, the daughter of Tibarn heard, "Wait, Mihara!"
She faltered in her wingbeats, stopping where she was. Shoen saw this and halted, as well. He looked back at her with concern and urgency. "What is it?"
Mihara looked around, searching for the owner of the voice. When she saw a tiny little bird flying their direction, she slowly responded, "It's...Yune."
XxXxXxX
Tibarn glanced around. It had been about six hours since he and the others had first landed on Begnion's shores. He, Ulki, and Janaff had flown to Daein incredibly fast, spoke with Micaiah, only to find that Yune wasn't there. Micaiah had also informed them that it had been at least a week since she had heard from the goddess. So, they flew back to Sienne and had only just arrived. They were now inside the palace, searching for the Mercenaries or anyone else from their group that may have arrived before them.
"...I hear Sir Ike's voice...along with Queen Elincia's...in a nearby room," Ulki reported.
"Alright." Tibarn nodded and fell back, letting his 'ears' lead the way. Ulki led his king and close friend down a narrow hallway and stopped before a door.
He gestured to it with his head. "In here."
"Thanks, Ulki." Tibarn opened the door, not feeling that knocking was required.
Ike was standing in the room, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, facing Elincia, who was sitting in a chair across from him. Geoffrey and Lucia stood beside each other on Elincia's left and Kieran and Bastian stood off her right side. All turned their heads to see who had intruded upon the room. When she saw who it was, Elincia offered a smile. "Hello, King Tibarn."
"Hey, there, Elincia." Tibarn grinned back at her. He then turned his gaze to Ike, back to Elincia, and then to the blue-haired brother and sister. "The two craziest beorc in the same room. A recipe for disaster."
"I agree completely, Your Majesty," Lucia replied with a laugh.
The Hawk King walked into the room, Janaff and Ulki following him. Janaff closed the door behind them, and he and Ulki went off to the side. Tibarn looked towards Ike's direction again. "Is anyone back yet?"
"Ranulf and Nailah got back not too long ago with Laurel and Adrian. I think they went straight to Sanaki." Ike shrugged. "I think."
Tibarn looked at Janaff. "Would you mind going to check, Janaff?"
"Sure. Want me to bring them back?"
"Just Ranulf or Nailah."
"Right. I'll be right back." Janaff slipped from the room almost silently.
Once he was gone, silence fell in the room. Tibarn inhaled and exhaled slowly, then asked, "So what's been going on here?"
"I was explaining to them why Yune probably wanted them here," Ike told him.
"Yune wanted you here?" Tibarn echoed, directing that at the Queen of Crimea, who nodded.
"Supposedly. She asked me to come here. My uncle is watching the country. She told me to be prepared." Elincia frowned. "I don't really understand why she would need me here, though..."
"...I suppose we'll find out soon enough." Tibarn put his hand on his hip. "She's probably going to come here. We couldn't find her in Daein and Micaiah hasn't heard from her in about a week."
"These goddesses sure do like to cause problems, one way or another, don't they?" Geoffrey commented dryly.
"Ah, but then, there would be no mystery in the world, my friend!" Bastian chuckled.
The Royal Knight rolled his eyes. "Of course, Bastian. Goddess forbid."
The door to the room creaked open. Janaff stuck his head in. "I found Nailah, Your Majesty."
"Excuse me a minute," Tibarn said to the seven in the room before walking out in the hallway.
Nailah stood with a stern gaze. "What do you need, Hawk King?"
"I want to ask you something," he bluntly told her.
"...Ask away." Nailah pricked her ears forward, listening to Tibarn.
"Did you happen to catch some scents coming back from the forest?" Tibarn narrowed his eyes. "I want to make sure I wasn't imaging things. The wind was coming in from the sea."
"Now that you mention it, I did." Nailah smirked slightly. "You don't think your children got away from Naesala, do you?"
Tibarn rubbed his temples with his right hand. "It's possible, but that would only mean something had to happen..."
"Ulki and I can go check it out," Janaff offered. "It won't take long."
Tibarn hesitated before nodding. "...Yes. Go ahead. If they are here...bring them to me."
The door opened and Ulki stepped out. "Yes, Your Majesty." He gave a short, quick nod to Janaff, and the two walked away.
Nailah chuckled quietly. "What would you expect? They're as determined as you. I don't know anything about your wife, so..."
With a glaze on his eyes over the mention of Zelena, Tibarn said, "She was the most stubborn woman I had ever met. While Mihara takes more after me, she is even more like my sister."
"Your sister?" Nailah raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you had a sister."
"And a brother." Tibarn sighed heavily. "...They were killed, long ago. But Mihara is most like my sister. Early in life, she was a shy, timid person, but...once our parents were killed, she became so determined, stubborn, and practically unstoppable. Mihara even has her feather color. My sister was a red hawk."
"...I see."
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Shoen crossed his arms. "Okay, Yune, can I make sure I've got this straight?"
Yune glanced at him, in her young child's form. "This is the fourth time, Shoen. Trust me, you've got it straight."
"But...how could possibly get away with that?" Sylvia inquired. "I mean, they're so much more faster and powerful than us..."
"All it takes is willpower. All you need to do is outrun them and make it to the Tower of Guidance. I can help you from there."
Mihara shifted her weight, having reverted to her half form, along with her brother and Harmony. "So, how would we get Harmony there?"
"I can stay. I'd only slow you guys down," Harmony insisted. "If you can fly and make it, then go for it."
"But..."
"It's okay. As much as I wanna help, I know this'll work out better." The otter laguz shrugged. "Maybe I can make it to the Tower on my own."
"You do not know the way around..." Irea trailed off. However, when she glanced in the distance, seeing the Tower standing tall above all other buildings in Sienne, she added as an afterthought, "...Then again, it is tall..."
Yune turned to look behind them, towards the city. She squinted her eyes, then urged, "We need to hurry. Janaff and Ulki are coming. No doubt they can see us."
"Go," Harmony repeated with more emphasis. "I know how much this means to you."
Mihara and Shoen shared another look. They then nodded. "Alright."
"Thanks, Harmony," Mihara added.
"I'll meet you there. I need to get everything ready." Yune changed back into her bird form, then flew swiftly towards Ashera's home.
Mihara and Shoen called on their energy and shifted into their full forms. They bent slightly, allowing Sylvia and Irea to climb onto their backs. They beat their wings fiercely, and Harmony shivered from the cold air the birds were blowing around. Once they were airborne, she called, "Be careful!"
After Mihara shrieked down at her, she and her brother took off, flying straight towards Janaff and Ulki, both in their full forms, as well. Shoen warned them, "Hold on tight."
Obeying, Sylvia and Irea held onto their feathers as tight as they could and burrowed down so they couldn't cause as much wind resistance. When they drew close enough to be heard, they heard Janaff say to them, "What are you guys doing here?"
"Sorry, guys..." Mihara whispered under her breath, though she knew Ulki would catch it.
Once they saw that the children of Tibarn weren't about to slow down, Janaff and Ulki stopped moving forward, watching their movements carefully. Without warning, Mihara rose higher into the air, soaring overhead Tibarn's 'eyes' and 'ears' while Shoen dove down, going underneath them. They both righted, flying at the same altitude again. Janaff started to fly after them, thoroughly confused at their actions, but Ulki got in front of him, blocking his path.
"What's up, Ulki?" he demanded.
The darker colored hawk watched after Mihara and Shoen's retreating figures. He then turned his head and looked at his friend. "No. We mustn't chase them."
"Why the hell not? You heard Tibarn! He said we needed to take them to him."
Ulki shook his head. "No. They need to do this."
"Do what?"
"Just trust me, Janaff." Ulki looked beyond the lighter-colored hawk. "They had to leave Harmony behind. We may as well bring her to the palace."
Janaff sighed. "I hope you know what you're talking about, Ulki..."
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Mihara and Shoen kept flying as quick as they could, arriving at the Tower of Guidance about fifteen minutes later. The residents of Sienne looked up questionably, children pointing at the flying figures, asking what they were doing. The siblings ignored them and came to the front door of the Tower. Sylvia and Irea climbed off their backs, and the two went back to their half-beorc forms. They looked up at the Tower, not being able to stop aweing over its large size. The four close friends looked at each other, nodding. Shoen stepped forward and forced the doors open. The girls stepped inside, and the doors closed behind Shoen.
Sylvia looked up. "Man, I can't see the ceiling. We just go straight up?" Her voice echoed throughout the Tower.
"Yeah." Mihara began walking.
"Can't you just fly us up?" Sylvia inquired, taking off Mihara's jacket. It was rather warm inside the Tower.
"Yune suggested walking. For some reason, we'll get there faster..." Mihara accepted her jacket back, putting it on.
Irea, too, handed Shoen his jacket back, along with a word of gratitude. "That doesn't really sound very logical..."
"Well, this place doesn't make sense at all." Shoen tossed his jacket onto his left shoulder. "Why start now?"
Irea giggled. "I suppose so."
So, the four climbed. They walked up the stairs, only moving up. They had to use a lot of concentration to not look around. They knew that if they did, they would stop climbing. They had a reason for being in there – a very important reason. They couldn't stop moving.
It was eerily quiet in the Tower, the only sound being the echoing of their footsteps climbing up the stairs. They didn't speak to each other, almost fearing something would happen if they did share words. A sudden small breath of wind blew past the four, all jumping slightly. Mihara got a shiver down her spine, and she suddenly found her thoughts turning to the blue cat warrior of Gallia. Despite where she was and what she was there to do, she flushed when she remembered when Ranulf said, "Mihara...I love you."
She shook her head. C'mon! Now isn't the time...
"Mihara? Are you okay?" came Shoen's voice.
She looked back at him. "Huh?"
"Are you okay?" he repeated. "You were shaking your head."
"Oh, that- No, I'm fine," she quickly insisted. To change the subject, she turned her gaze upward. "I wonder if we're almost there."
"I think so," Irea answered. "I can feel Yune's presence."
"I can't feel anything." Sylvia pouted.
"It's probably because you're a beorc." Shoen shrugged. "Then again, I'm just guessing."
After Sylvia glared back at Shoen, she looked at Irea. "So...you're a branded?"
Irea's eyes seemed to become a little harder. "...Yes."
There was a pause before Sylvia grinned. "Sweet! I haven't met one yet. Err, that I'm aware of, anyway."
Irea frowned with confusion. "Umm...?"
"Don't worry about it. She's...special," Shoen told her after settling on a word.
"What was that?" Sylvia's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Nothing, nothing..." Shoen held up his hands in defense.
Not giving her friend a chance to go off on her brother, Mihara said, "Hey, is that the door?"
Silence fell again while the other three sets of eyes turned to where Mihara had gestured. A large door stood, almost three times the size of the doors at the entrance. The two laguz and branded felt a strong presence from inside. Though Sylvia didn't sense the presence, she felt a strong pulse of magic. "...I think so," Shoen finally replied.
He stepped in front of the girls and tested out the doors. He attempted at pushing them open, but they didn't budge. He frowned at it. "They're not opening."
"Obviously." Mihara tilted her head. "But isn't Yune in there?"
"She said she was going to get everything ready..." Irea pointed out. "Maybe she doesn't want us in there until she is finished."
"Maybe..." Sylvia approached the door. "Or maybe..." She raised her hand and knocked on the door.
It slowly opened. Sylvia turned with a triumphant smirk. "I win."
Mihara rolled her eyes. "Right. If you say so."
Yune was suddenly at the doorway, in her child form. "Oh, good! You got here faster than I thought! Come on in. Everything's ready."
Obeying, the four walked inside after her. In front of a pillar lay a motionless body, off to the side, away from the symbols that Mihara recognized. They had been the symbols that Ashera had used to take Mihara's bond to Earth. With a closer look, Mihara saw that she recognized the body, too. It was an exact replica of her mother. Though they were hesitant, they all walked closer, the other three examining the Zelena's body with curiosity. Shoen slowly looked up at Yune. "Is that...?"
"Yep. That's your mother's body. There may be a few things different on her, but it'll all be sorted out once I transfer her soul." Yune looked at the pillar, then back at the four. "I haven't done anything like this before, so...just...brace yourselves, okay?"
They all nodded. A sudden, echoing thud sounded throughout the Tower, causing the laguz, branded, and beorc to practically jump out of their skin. They heard Yune sigh with annoyance. "Honestly. Tibarn could stand to wait five more minutes..."
"That was Dad?" Mihara didn't sound thrilled.
"Yeah. No doubt he's going to give you four the scolding of your lives, but he can wait a little longer. Get ready. I'm about to try this. Might wanna back up."
They took a few steps back, making sure to distance themselves from both Yune and Ashera's symbols on the floor. Once Yune approved how far they were, she turned back to the pillar. She held up her right hand, and a light briefly flashed. The pillar suddenly became transparent, and a faint figure was able to be seen, inside of it. Zelena had one of her hands on the pillar, and was leaning against it, breathing heavily. Worry flashed across Yune's face. She then held up her left hand, aiming both at the pillar. The light came again, but it sustained much longer and grew so bright that Mihara, Shoen, Sylvia, and Irea had hold up a hand each and shield their eyes. The light held out for almost ten more seconds. There was then a pulse of energy that eminated throughout the room, and it hit the four that were standing aside. They were thrown backwards, landing only inches away from the wall opposite Yune. Once they hit the floor, the light faded.
Shoen groaned, sitting up. "What the hell was that...?"
"Beats me..." his sister muttered, pushing herself up.
Sylvia peeled herself off the floor. "Did it work?"
Irea moaned, putting a hand to her head. "I will be sure to let you know once I can see again..."
As soon as the four managed to stand, they looked in the direction they last saw Yune and Zelena's body. Yune was still standing, slouched, breathing heavily. On the floor in front of her, there was a faint rise and fall of Zelena's chest. They slowly made their way over to Yune and Zelena, the children of Tibarn not able to believe their eyes. Once they were standing only a few feet away, Yune's legs shook from under her. Irea, being closest to her, steadied her and eased her down, slightly surprised she could touch the goddess. "I'm alright," Yune immediately said. "I'm just...tired. But...it was worth it... It worked..."
As soon as the words left Yune, Zelena's eyes fluttered open, taking in her surroundings wearily. She rolled over onto her side before pushing herself up, using her arms. She stood and breathed deeply, looking around at the different faces in the room. Mihara found her voice first. "M...Mom...?"
Zelena turned her gaze to her daughter. It took only a second for her to recognize her daughter. She smiled gently, the entire atmosphere soothing. "My Mihara..." She outstretched her arms.
Mihara walked into her mother's embrace, swallowing the knot in her throat. Her heart pounded heavily and a few tears escaped her eyes. "Mom...is it...really you...?" she choked out.
"It is, Mihara. I'm here now," she assured. Zelena looked back towards the only male in the room. Her face softened even more, if it was possible. "...Shoen."
Shoen looked at his mother with a blank stare, trying to force himself to believe that she was standing just before him. He took a few steps forward. "Mom...?"
"My Shoen... You've grown into such a young man..." Zelena's smile became sad. She didn't get to see either of her children grow up. They were almost strangers to her. Yet, at the same time, they weren't. She took one arm off her daughter and extended it towards her son.
Shoen stumbled into her, wrapping one arm around his mother tightly, and the other around his sister, who was shaking slightly. He stood slightly taller than his mother, so he buried his face into her shoulder so that the others couldn't see the stray tears of happiness escape him.
Sylvia, Irea, and Yune watched silently as the three held onto each other tightly. Of course, at the most perfect moment, Tibarn burst into the room, in his full form. "Mihara-! Shoen-!" He froze when he saw Sylvia and Irea, who was supporting Yune. The three were smiling. His golden eyes trailed over a few feet, where he saw his daughter and son wrapped in the arms of a woman who he hadn't seen in almost twenty-five to thirty years...
Zelena.
His wife.
She was...alive...? Now? In front of his eyes? It... It can't be...! From shock, his feet touched ground and he slunk back to his half form.
The three members of Tibarn's family turned their heads to face him. "Tibarn..." His name came from Zelena's lips as just a whisper. Mihara and Shoen looked at their mother's face and released her, stepping away. They went behind her, standing beside each other. When he saw that his sister was crying, Shoen draped an arm around her shoulders. She looked at him and smiled. The two shared a hug.
Tibarn took a dazed step towards Zelena, feeling as though his eyes were playing tricks on him. He then obviously decided that he didn't care. He walked towards her. Zelena didn't want to wait. She ran at him and threw her arms around his neck. Tibarn held onto her, his arms wrapped around her protectively. He picked her up and spun her around, inhaling her scent as deeply as he could. He breathed into her hair, "Zelena... Is this a dream?"
"Not anymore," she whispered into his shoulder. "I'm really here, Tibarn..."
The Hawk King stopped spinning his wife around. He let her feet touch the ground, but he didn't let her go. "Zelena..."
After a few seconds, Zelena loosened her arms around his neck. Following suit, Tibarn loosened his own hold. They only released each other enough to look into the other's eyes. Tibarn brought his right hand around and cupped her cheek, brushing his fingers lightly against her skin. Zelena took her left hand and placed it on top of Tibarn's, holding it there. Then, with no warning, Tibarn leaned in and captured Zelena's lips. The two went into such a passionate, hungry kiss that the bystanders felt it only right to look away.
Once Tibarn and Zelena came up for air, they looked at their children. Mihara and Shoen glanced back at them and saw that they each held out one arm, telling them silently to go over to them. The siblings walked over, and the family shared a large hug, for the first time, together.
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(sniff) Oooh, I had such a time writing this!
Mihara: …
Me: Even she's speechless! I looovvveeed writing the end of this chapter. The only bad thing is that I couldn't find a good spot to end it... Hopefully, that was a good spot!
Mihara: …
Me: Well, hopefully the next chapter will come out sooner! Pllleeeaaassse review! See y'all in the next chapter!
