Finally, I'm up with this new chapter!
First, to answer some reviews:
To everybody: It's good to see you liked my version of a Desian Genis. I always thought if he was raised to hate humans and kill them he would excel at that with all of the magical power he possess. He could easily become a Grand Cardinal if he so wished. Pity we never saw he applying his genius intellect more in the game and instead always left Lloyd and the others come up with the plans. Maybe he was just insecure or it was a child thing.
Dr. Bob: Want to see Alice's reaction? Then, my friend, this is your chapter. Just don't forget that Alice, above all, desires power and, in a way, admires people/beings with it, as she admited in the game. Of course, that admiration is never pure.
Emil C: To all people that are wondering about my Yuri pairing: first all of all, Presea and Colette have to realize they are developing a crush one for the other and Presea herself has to realize what she is feeling. She doesn't know what a stronger attraction is like. Colette, obviously, is on the way of realizing it, but she, obeying the Universal Moe Protocol, won't speak out loud her feelings and wait Presea admit hers. I know, I know... typical anime, puppy character...
Anyway, some surprises are on the way here and some character development too!
Chapter 32
Truth and Companionship
Genis winced as Reriki applied an herbal mix on his wounds, having his torso and forehead bandaged and his arm immobilized.
Another one of the talents of General Sage's perverted aide was that she was a specialist in medicine and first aid. Granted, it was demonic one, but she also knew enough of the body of mortals to know which substances could be applied and which ones couldn't. Rahishi was sleeping, recovering from her wounds, which required a more throughout treatment.
"You shouldn't move your arm for at least two weeks," Reriki said as she finished. "You're lucky he didn't hit any nerves or cut the bone, or we might have to consult Master Richter about a healing spell."
"Considering he doesn't finish what the Spirit's started first…" Genis replied.
Saying that Nebilim's student and Richter weren't good friends was an understatement. Genis and Richter despised each one, to the point they would get into an argument each time they met. Granted, it never escalated into a brawl, but there were times when both were pretty close to it. Richter considered Genis a "smartass, boot-licker brat" and Genis called him an "emo, backstabber-wannabe".
Genis was very aware of the possibility that Richter had been keeping contact with Ratatosk and just didn't ask Lord Nebilim why he allowed such a travesty to occur because he (and only him, as he liked to think) knew that Richter could be useful as a hostage should Ratatosk get too bold. But sometimes he wondered if it was even worth the effort.
At least he's not privy to my Lord's secrets, which means he can't really give away anything that might directly put Lord Nebilim's plans in jeopardy. Genis thought.
The Desian General knew there were secrets to his lord's plans and powers that not even him was allowed to know, but he liked to think it was just because if Nebilim divulged it, some power hungry fool might try and usurp Nebilim's position. Not that it would happen if Genis had anything to say on the matter.
"My, my, what we have here," a familiar, sing-song voice echoed in Genis' room. He turned and saw it was Alice. "When I heard our most celebrated general came back after a f-a-i-l-u-r-e and got injured, I simply knew I had to pay a visit."
"If you wanted to suck the blood out of my wounds or scavenge my bones, you might as well give up, Alice. I'm not dead yet and I don't intent to be so soon," Genis sharply replied.
"My, my, sooo scary. I just wanted to see how you were doing. You know, just a little visit between comrades."
"Oh? I'm your comrade now?" Genis asked in a cynical tone.
It was no secret Alice envied Genis' position and reputation among the Desians. However, she seemed to be even more confused about the young-looking half-elf when he refused a promotion to Grand Cardinal rank. There was no doubt in Alice's mind that if Genis wished, he would have ascended to the rank of leader of the Five Grand Cardinals with little effort.
When she inquired him why he refused the offer, Genis simply said:
"I don't have any intentions of wasting my time breeding inferior beings and farming Expheres, or managing a bunch of suck-ups and morons."
That intrigued the blond girl. She had to admit she also had a mild admiration to the other general. After all, it was hard not to. The silver haired, pure-blooded half-elf was a power house of magical power just waiting to be unleashed. He could easily take on even demon generals. Just the thought of what kind of feats Genis was capable with all of that power made Alice all tingly and a little hot.
But it seemed that, in the end, even he was not a match for the combined might of the reincarnated Summon Spirits, although, according to what she heard, he did a number on them that easily rivaled to the damage Lord Nebilim had inflicted on the group on his meeting with them in the Temple of Darkness.
Alice then looked at his two aides. The spiritual demonic one was still recovering from the crack on her face and the other was sleeping on one of the extra two beds Genis had.
Each Desian General had a room. They were mostly identical and spartan, made out of dark stone with wooden floor. The few furniture in the rooms were a wardrobe, a bookcase, a study desk and a bed. Alice had two because of Decus, although she had also insisted on a divider between them so the blue haired man didn't get too "comfortable". She didn't let him sleep in the soldiers' quarters because the other Desians might think it would be funny to see what color his altered blood was.
In their first night, Decus had acted like an idiot (as always) and gushed about how honored he was that Alice would consider sleeping with him in the same room, getting on his knee and making dramatic gestures with his arms like he was proposing to her. That is, until she brought the divider in and burst his bubble of happiness, replying she just did that because it wouldn't be easy to get another personal slave and she didn't want to have to clean his remains latter.
"You know, the others are saying you're losing your touch," Alice said in her baby voice and sporting her familiar sweet, deceiving smile.
"Hmph! How predictable," Genis said with a mild smile. He then turned to Reriki. "Seems we'll have some smart guys to deal with later."
"Oh good. I wanted to test out the new seal Artes I developed," Reriki said with a smile.
"Really? You developed new Artes? Why didn't you told me so?" Genis said, his calm and cynical demeanor replaced by that maniacal gleam of when somebody spoke about new magic around him.
"I was going to, but I forgot," Reriki said, lightly hitting the top of her head with her knuckle and closing her eyes, tongue sticking out in what some would consider a cute way. "But I can show you, Master Genis. In particular…"
Genis seemed to consider it for a moment, not even getting the undertone in Reriki's voice. Alice saw it as another chance and tried to jump in:
"I wanna join too," she said, her voice sweeter than usual.
"No," Genis immediately said, seeming to come out of his "Magic Mania" mode.
"Why not?" the girl asked, pouting.
"I might be an enthusiast for magic, but I'm not stupid, Alice."
"C'mon. Are you still sore about that incident before?"
When Alice was recruited and after three months of service in the Desian ranks, she met Genis one day. She couldn't sense his aura, otherwise she would find out who he was, since her superiors used to talk about a "weakling, strategist-wannabe brat who couldn't even handle demon blood." Alice admitted she was bored that day and had sent Decus to get her something to eat.
She tried to make small talk with Genis and even throw some charm on him so she could get another servant/slave (Decus was starting to get on her nerves with all of his praising and idiotic talk), but Genis caught on her intention and left, huffing and mumbling something about "disrespect towards seniors." Later, Alice found out the silver haired midget she had talked to was actually the enigmatic General Sage.
"I don't appreciate your treatment of your seniors, Alice. You're lucky I took it in stride the way I did, otherwise I would have ended your life, there and then," Genis said in a cold tone.
"Well, you didn't exactly look like my senior. I mean, you look at least four years younger than me."
"Oh really?" Genis said with a snicker and a mocking smile. "The fact that you judge my age by my appearance just goes to show how naïve you are," Alice looked at him with a confused and offended look.
Half-elves, when they were children, aged just like human children did. However when they reached adulthood their bodies' aging was slowed down considerably. So, until then, their bodies would portray the typical looks of people of that age.
That wasn't Genis' case…
Nobody knew what exactly led his body to completely reject the infusion of demon blood, but whatever it had been, it produced a side-effect after the failed ritual: he stopped aging. Genis was now permanently looking like a fourteen year old. When he asked, nobody knew how to explain it. Rodyle had volunteered to check on him and discover what the cause was, but Genis knew that "check" for the scientist Grand Cardinal meant "turning him into his guinea pig".
Genis suspected Nebilim knew the reason, because the moment his body starting to repel the chaos energy on the blood and he started to scream in pain, feeling his insides burning like acid had been injected into him, Nebilim ordered everybody to cease everything and immediately teleported Genis and himself to the boy's quarters, where he took care of him and casted an array of spells that lessened the pain and effectively purged whatever demonic blood remained on him.
Whenever the half-elf asked his lord about the subject, Nebilim stood in silence, not uttering a word. Eventually, Genis decided to stop asking and count his blessings. Although he still wondered why Lord Nebilim even bothered to save him and nurse him back into health when he clearly hadn't done that to the other failures.
Not aging, meant living longer, but Genis' wasn't foolish enough to think of himself as immortal. Anyway, being permanently young meant he could maintain his peak of magical power, although that normally didn't dwindle with age like physical strength.
There was only one disadvantage at having a fourteen year old body, one that existed ever since creation came into place: hormones. Genis could topple any adversary in the battle field, scheme to take down his opponents and sometimes turn their troops' strengths against them, but when it came to off-business interaction with others of the fairer sex, he could end up looking like an idiot.
Thankfully, the only women to ever see that side of him were Reriki and Rahishi. Thinking on it now, the one that made him discover that his teenage hormones still had power to influence his behavior was Reriki. Genis would never admit to it, but there were times in which he came too close to giving in to the demoness' advances. If it wasn't for Rahishi stopping her just before he succumbed, Genis was sure his name would have joined the long list of Reriki's lovers.
Genis also almost blushed when Alice tried to charm him, but the logical side of his mind soon discovered her true intentions and acted like a cold shower on him.
"See, Master Genis doesn't want you," Reriki said, promptly hugging Genis and stuffing his head on her large breasts. "After all, why would he need a flat-chested girl, when he has me?" Reriki shot a malicious look to Alice, who "humph"ed and turned to leave.
Alice wasn't easily insulted. Most of the time somebody complained about her behavior or presence, she simply took it in stride or didn't acknowledge the comment at all. However, there were a select few that could get under her skin. The most notably ones were Decus, who she always answered by calling him by the so famous nickname Dumbo-Decus, Marta, simply because she never liked the girl ever since she saw her, and Pronyma, who she despised because of her treacheries to get into the position she was currently occupying. Alice had wanted to do that herself.
However, ever since Genis came into the picture and Alice discovered why he was regarded with both respect and scorn by her fellow Desians, she came to also hate his aides, especially Reriki. To Alice, Genis would have fallen for her charms if he didn't have those two to satisfy his "needs". After all, Genis was a boy (or at least had the body of one) and boys tended to desire the company of attractive females. Also, the fact that Reriki pointed out Alice's lacking assets while emphasizing her own, earned the big busted demon a special place on Alice's black list.
"Thanks, but… can you let me go, Reriki?" Genis asked from his position, being squeeze against Reriki's bust.
"Oh, do I have to? Besides, why don't we take this opportunity…" her tone became sultry at that as she showed a seductive smile. Genis looked up and started to blush at that. "And make some time for…" although Genis knew what Reriki would suggest, she didn't get to finish it, for in that moment she was hit in the head by the flat side of Rahishi's blade.
Reriki stood still for a moment, before loosing her grip on Genis and falling back, stunned and unconscious. Genis looked at his other aide, who put her sword over her shoulder, with a look of irritation on her face and closed her eyes as she spoke:
"Honestly, I can't even leave you treating General Sage without you trying to get into his pants, can I, you slut?" Rahishi said in a harsh reprimand. The only answer she got was a moan of pain from Reriki.
- / - / - / - / - / -
Sheena finished tying another bandage around Lloyd's torso, covering his back with a special mix of herbs for burns, which she learned how to make in Mizuho. She said he shouldn't exert himself too much, unless he wanted to feel some pain. Her crush thanked her.
"Don't mention it. After all, what kind of woman would I be if I didn't take care of my boyfriend?" Sheena said with a smirk.
Lloyd laughed at that, though his cheeks became colored with red. He thought he probably would never get used to see a woman such as Sheena as his girlfriend. He decided that this would be a good time to talk to her alone, since the others were dispersed around their camp near the Fooji Mountains:
"Um… Sheena?"
"Yes, Lloyd?" she asked.
"About… what happened before… well…" he didn't know where to start. How did you talk to your (self-proclaimed) girlfriend about a fight they just had with one of their friends about her habit of keeping them in the dark?
"Please… I don't want to talk about it," Sheena said, her smile gone as she looked to the side, trying to hide her look of pain and disappointment.
Silence befell the two. Lloyd knew that Sheena wouldn't admit it, but the ninja had considered Raine as a friend. As much mysterious as the half-elven woman could be, she had helped them through their hardships. Lloyd himself also saw her as somebody he could count on, but he didn't like the fact she never told them about Nebilim, Genis and whatever other things she might be hiding from them.
He tried to place himself in her place. What would he have done if he had known Nebilim when he was still alive and was one of his students? What would he have done if a member of his family turned out to be a Desian? When he couldn't find an answer, he sighed in frustration.
It's no use, I can't even begin to imagine how this situation would have turned out if it were me. Not to say that I still can't believe Nebilim was like Raine described him. the red clad swordsman thought.
"I think you should try talking to her," Lloyd decided to get right to the point, since he couldn't find other way to say that.
"Last time I did, all I got were cryptic messages and strange questions," Sheena replied a bit more harshly than she intended to. She turned to the reincarnated Efreet and spoke. "Lloyd, face the facts: Raine never trusted us. She hid her past, her family and her intention from us."
"Well, you also hid the fact you were from Mizuho from us in the beginning."
To that, Sheena didn't have an answer. She sighed and continued talking:
"Ok, I admit you have a point there. But still…"
"It's because her brother almost killed me, isn't it?" Lloyd dropped the proverbial hammer.
He couldn't see Sheena getting mad at Raine had the situation turned out differently. No. He knew it was because he was almost killed twice by people Raine had a direct relationship. Lloyd might be a little oblivious about what other people felt about him (mainly when it came to women), but he knew protectiveness when he saw it and Sheena had been very protective of him lately.
The reincarnated Luna gave a sad smile as she turned and looked to Lloyd right in the eyes.
"Can you blame me for being mad at her?" she inquired. "I mean… look, I know I might not be a saint and everything, but… I can't stand the idea of you being in danger. That at any moment you might…" she stopped there, not wanting to say the word. Lloyd understood what she meant. "So, can you blame for being mad at her because she withheld information that might have prevented all of this from happening?"
"No, you're right. I can't," Lloyd said, looking to the side before his eyes locked on Sheena's again. "But, Sheena, you forget we're all in constant danger. This is no different from what normally happens to us. So, please, I don't want to see my friends fighting like this."
There was silence after that. Sheena thought on what Lloyd said and, with another sigh, decided to finally give in:
"Ok, ok, I get it. Honestly, you're too soft for your own good, Lloyd…" her face approached his and Lloyd involuntarily leaned back, his own face taking a scarlet color as he saw the voluptuous female inching closer to him. "Then again, that is why I like you so much."
If Lloyd was to describe that moment, he wouldn't know what words to use, if he even managed to come up with any. The sensation of having Sheena's lips on his, how blissful it was feeling her tongue battling against his as the kiss quickly evolved to a passionate one. He didn't even notice the pain when he was laid back in the grass.
Things just didn't escalate even further because it wouldn't do for the two to make love while they were so close to their friends (as Sheena had to remind herself, as much as she was reluctant to let go). So, it was with much effort that the female ninja and the dual swordsman broke their kiss, with the reincarnated Luna still smiling a seductive smile to her (now official) boyfriend.
She then approached her lips to his ear and whispered in a seductive tone:
"I honestly don't know why you were so worried. You're a great kisser, Lloyd."
Lloyd could swear the red on his face would never go away as he felt Sheena now licking his earlobe. Amidst all of that, he wondered if it was Asuka that had taught her that too…
- / - / - / - / - / -
While the reincarnated Luna and Efreet were talking, Zelos and Emil were taking care of Marta, who was still not able to move. Surprisingly enough, Emil discovered Zelos knew how to treat broken bones. As the man was instructing him how to properly bandage and immobilize Marta's members (he would have done so himself, with a grin on his face, but a threat from Ratatosk of cutting his manhood off quickly made the ex-Representative change his mind), the girl couldn't contain her curiosity and asked:
"How do you know so much about first aid techniques?"
Zelos' face sobered a little as he seemed to be recalling a painful memory as he spoke:
"I used to treat my little sister. She had quite a frail health constitution, so I learned everything I could about medicine in case something happened."
"You have a little sister?" Emil asked, surprised.
"Well, actually, half-little-sister. Not that I minded it, anyway. She was quite nice, although a little on the spunky side," he smiled fondly at it with his eyes closed.
"What about the rest of your family?"
Zelos seemed to consider that for a moment. This was a personal matter that he never liked to talk about. He always felt uncomfortable whenever his family was mentioned, even after all these years. But considering what happened lately with their group and secrets, he thought that it was better that he was honest with them, even if this was a relatively harmless secret, just to not get them suspicious about him.
Besides, it's not like they won't understand. Each one of them has lost something to the Desians and the demons. the red head thought. "My mother and father weren't what you could call the happiest couple ever. Actually, they were the exact opposite of you two."
Emil (predictably) blushed at hearing that, but Marta only looked at Zelos with even more interest and curiosity. Zelos then continued as he made himself more comfortable on the ground:
"The marriage was a political maneuver by the church to get one of wealthiest families of the old aristocracy to support them by marrying the Representative to the family's heir. My mother and father couldn't stand each other and, as a result, they never looked at me as their son. I might as well have never been born and it wouldn't make a difference to them," Marta was about to protest, but Zelos continued his story, not giving her the chance. "Then came the news my father was having an affair with a half-elf. My sister, Seles, was a product of that affair.
"You certainly can imagine what happened later… there was a scandal and my father ran away with his other woman. The only thing actually good he did was leaving Seles behind. The church didn't know of her existence, so we could disguise her as one of the servants."
"We?" Emil asked.
"Me and my butler, Sebastian. You saw him. He was the one that actually raised me. He and Seles, they were the only ones that actually treated me like a human being instead of a title. My mother turned a blind eye to Seles, though I still don't know why. Probably because she didn't give a damn about anything."
"What happened to your sister then?" Marta asked.
"She died."
There was a morbid silence after that as Marta's eyes widened and her expression soon turned apologetic by making Zelos recall what certainly should be a painful memory. From the way he spoke his sister's name, it was clear Zelos had loved her and considered her his family. Emil was the one to speak by Marta, apologizing.
"What are you apologizing for? It's not like you two had anything to do with it. Anyway, that was ten years ago, when my family was forced to go on a pilgrimage around Cruxis' communities as an initiation for my role as the new Representative. We had to take Seles too, otherwise somebody might find out she was a half-elf and that could be dangerous to her. Worst mistake of my life…
"The carriage we were in was attacked by a demon. The small task force of the Purge Inquisitors was quickly killed by it. I couldn't do anything, but shake in terror as it tore everyone apart with spike-like claws and horns. I tried to run away with my sister, but the demon… shot her…"
Zelos could remember, the sound of flesh being pierced, the expression of surprise on his sister's face as her body was almost torn in half, with a big, white spike with dark, circular grooves on it stuck out of his sister's body, dripping of blood. She fell to the ground, that expression fixated on her face and he could only look in horror.
He kneeled near her and, unable to accept that she was dying, tried to call for her, just for Seles to look at him and tell him to go on without her, to run away from that demon so her brother could live. Thirteen year-old Zelos did nothing of the sort, just looking at his sister in shock and denial as her eyes closed and she slowly ceased to breath.
When he noticed heavy steps, he looked up and saw the demon there. He could clearly remember it: glowing, yellow eyes that seemed to pierce his very soul, orange, hard scales, three horns on its head, one sprouting back to its forehead after it shot the one that was currently embedded in Zelos' sister and two more on the sides of its head. The demon only looked at Zelos, who had tears of fear and sorrow running at the sides of his cheeks as he looked up in fear at the creature that had robbed him of his blood family.
Then, surprisingly, the demon turned and left, like there was no one else there and nothing more for it to kill. That confused Zelos to this day.
"After it was done with all others, it left. I was the only survivor," he found himself saying before he could stop. "I don't get it? Killing everybody else, but leaving me alive? I was the new Representative, wasn't I?"
He then felt Marta's hand touch his. Zelos looked to the girl, who offered him a comforting smile as she spoke:
"I know how it feels like… my mother was also killed by the demons… I was there to see her last moments."
Marta could still remember her mother's words, her strained voice and pleading expression:
Ratatosk is our best chance, but… please, don't treat him like a tool. We still have… to make up… to him. her mother knew that humanity owed the Summon Spirits and had to fix their past mistakes, so she believed that they should support Ratatosk, but never ask anything of him.
Zelos looked at Marta and smiled a small, sincere smile. Then, recovering his usual tone, he spoke:
"Well, then I suppose we should concentrate on doing our best from now on. But, if you need anything, Marta dear, you can speak to me. After all, I am…"
"The Last Romantic, yeah I know…" Marta spoke, rolling her eyes, but she knew that if Zelos was already back to his narcissistic, flirtatious self it meant he was better.
Emil could just shake his head as he smiled at the red head's antics…
- / - / - / - / - / -
Presea was overlooking Raine treating Colette's wounds and bandaging her torso once more. None of the two girls talked with her about what had occurred, only speaking when Raine asked something. Out of all members in the party, Presea was the only one that didn't seem affected by the news that Raine's brother was a Desian General.
This is of no concern to me. Presea concluded. As long as Colette is safe and Raine doesn't show signs of betraying us, I don't care.
"Ok, dear. This should do it. Just make sure that you don't move too much," Raine said, attempting to sound her normal self, although her voice was still a little bit shaken.
"Raine..." Colette started, her usual smile had been absent during the entire treatment. Raine looked at her inquisitively. Colette then thought better of it. "No. It's nothing."
Raine only nodded, but Colette could swear she saw gratitude in the half-elf's eyes. It seemed Raine was still not ready to talk about what had happened. As the half-elf left, Colette was left alone with Presea.
The pink haired girl tried to think on how to start a conversation with Colette. Strangely, she felt warm and her heart accelerated its beatings each time she thought about this. This was all so confusing for Presea. She decided to simply dismiss it and started talking:
"Colette..." the blonde looked at her. "I... I... wanted to..." she was unable to continue. What's wrong with me?
"Oh, that's right. I forgot to ask how you're feeling," Colette said. "I'm sorry."
Presea had the arm which she had received the gash from Rahishi's sword in a sling. Her dark, dress shirt had been taken off so she could be bandaged on her torso, leaving her only in dark, formfitting pants that barely reached her knees. She also had her body practically bathed in ointment for burns.
"It's... nothing... I'm healing pretty well..." Presea said, feeling very self-conscious around Colette. "But thanks... for asking."
Presea had forgotten what it was like to have somebody care for her. Hearing it coming from such a sweet girl like Colette made blood rush to her face.
"Colette..." Presea said, deciding to question about a subject she had been waiting to talk to Colette with. "Back in Ozette... when we were alone."
"Huh? Oh. Y-You mean..." Colette spoke, the memory of what happened at the time coming back to her. Was Presea going to talk about their almost-kiss? Did she want to kiss for real? Wait. Why am I thinking like that?
"You said that I should live, if not for me, then for the people that cared about me."
"Oh... that..." Colette said, her tone dropping, suddenly feeling disappointed, although she didn't know why.
"I wanted to ask: what did you mean with that?"
Colette then looked up at Presea and saw the girl was fiddling with the edge of her formfitting, dark shorts, in a surprisingly girly gesture. It seemed Presea only showed that less analytical and serious facede when she was around Colette, although Presea herself didn't know exactly why.
"I meant exactly what I said," Colette said. "Presea, you're my friend. And also, Lloyd's and Emil's, Marta's and so on. We all would feel sad if you died. So you shouldn't think that everybody would be better if you were to die. It would the exact contrary. Besides, I think your sister also wanted to see you to apologize, but that's only my opinion."
"My... sister? Alicia?" Presea asked, a little surprise. So, had Alicia really reached the next city?
"Yes. She's working for Duke Bryant, the President of Lezareno Company, as his personal maid. She was fine, but she seemed very sad and upset when she told us about you. I think she regrets leaving you the way she did."
Presea couldn't believe that. Last time she had seen Alicia, the girl had called her a monster and a freak because the way she acted around women and for killing their father. She then ran away while Presea wasn't looking with few supplies and only the clothes on her body, never looking back. That had been sixteen years ago. She thought her little sister had all, but forgotten her.
"But... Alicia said..." Presea said weakly. She felt a warm touch on her hand and looked to see Colette grabbing it. When she looked at the blonde, she saw her giving another one of her heart warming smiles.
"I'm sure whatever she said was only because of the grief she felt at the moment. It was without thinking and possibly not what she really felt for you. People can do things like that when they're really sad..." she looked to the side. From her tone, Presea could say she was speaking from personal experience. "But, I'm sure she has already calmed down and realized her mistake.
"You're a good person Presea. You protected my friends and me several times now. So, please, don't think you're worthless or that people will be happier if you're gone. Don't commit the same mistake I did," Colette said in a begging tone.
Presea felt something moving in her heart. A warm feeling that made her stomach flutter and was enough to almost bring tears to her eyes. What was this she was feeling? She couldn't understand. She then shook her head to clear it and grasped Colette's hand, assuming a determined tone as she spoke:
"Understood. If that will make you happy, then I will not give up on my life. I will continue to protect you, Colette, and your friends… and Alicia should she allow me to."
Colette smiled a grateful smile that made Presea's cheeks gain a pink tone. The golden blonde girl giggled at the reaction. Presea's declaration wasn't exactly what she expected, but it was a start.
Presea, I'll definitely make you see that life is worth living in this world and that you can shape it with your own hands.
- / - / - / - / - / -
Raine stood near a cliff overlooking the plains, thinking as she had done ever since everything that happened near the mountains of the Temple of Darkness. It was clear what course of action should be taken, but… could she?
If she was completely honest with herself, she had always been a devious person. Not trusting anybody other than those of her race that experienced suffering had been the only way of living she knew. She also always thought she needed to preserve the memory of the past, like that of Lord General Neran Illirium. But now she wasn't so sure anymore.
Professor Neran… what would you do in this situation? Raine mentally inquired. No answer came to her.
Of course there wouldn't be one. Neran died in the Kharlan War. All that was left of him was that wraith who called himself Nebilim. She still questioned what could have happened that would have transformed him into that.
No. There's no use in thinking on that now. Raine reprimanded herself.
She sighed and turned, just to see a red head in front of her. A familiar one at that. He pushed his glasses on his face as he regarded his kin:
"Raine Sage."
"Richter," she returned.
"I take it from the look on your face that you've faced your brother."
"You knew about him?" Raine asked, surprise evident in her tone, although she tried to hide it.
"It's hard not to hear about him, considering his accomplishments. When I heard your surname, I only had to connect the dots. I'm surprise he hasn't realized the resemblance yet."
Raine stood mute at that. So her brother really was that famous among the Desians. She remembered what she heard from Netrioh that day in his fortress…
- / - / - / - / - / -
"Genis Sage. That's the person I'm looking for," Raine said to the merchant demon.
"Genis, heh?" Netrioh said, putting his hand on his chin.
"Wait. Isn't that General Sage's name?" Algrioh asked.
"Hey, you're right."
"General Sage?" Raine asked both curious and confused.
"What, haven't you heard?" Algrioh questioned. "He's pretty famous among the Desians. The only half-elf to ever have achieved that rank without even going through the transfusion of demon blood!"
"Actually he did, but I heard it was a failure," Netrioh said in a neutral tone. "But the guy more than makes up for it in magic power. I swear, he's as scary as one of our generals. You should see him when somebody speaks about magic around him."
Raine put her hand over her mouth in a thinking pose. Netrioh noticed that and asked why she was so interested in General Sage if she never even heard about him. Raine looked up at him and said, in her typical serious tone:
"I think that would be part of 'costumer confidentiality'."
"Ok, ok. Just curious. Sheesh, you're really a cold beauty, y' know?"
"If you want, we can arrange for a meeting with him. With your aura, you could easily pass as an undercover, Desian agent," Algrioh suggested.
"Would I have to pay for that too?" Raine inquired, knowing very well nothing came for free from demons.
"That depends…" Netrioh said, his smile turning into a sly one. "Are you sure you don't want a round with good ol' Netrioh here? I promise you won't regret it," as if to emphasize his point, Algrioh leaned over him, putting her hands on his shoulder, with a lewd smile on her face.
"I'll pass," Raine said in a sharp tone. There was a limit even to what she was willing to do for her brother.
- / - / - / - / - / -
Raine looked up at Richter and asked if he had worked with Genis before. The man sighed, immediately realizing she wanted information on Genis' personality.
"He practically kisses the ground Nebilim walks on and is willingly to do anything to get in his favor. I think part of that is because of the fact Nebilim taught him everything he knows about magic and put in his head the idea he must preserve the elven lore."
"Elven lore…" Raine repeated. She knew what that meant. So, he's basically doing the same thing as me. she chuckled at the irony.
"He doesn't like me very much and knows I'm leaking information to you, but can't prove it."
"If he really is still a half-elf, how come he commands demons?" Raine asked.
"Genis is considered an exception in the demonic forces. He uses those aides of his to command the demons. But I didn't come here to talk about him," the silver haired woman looked at him with curiosity. "The motive I came here is you," Raine raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Where do you stand, Raine Sage? With Emil, Lloyd and the others, or with your quest for your brother?"
"You? Asking me about loyalties?"
Richter could see in her eyes she considered that a very hypocrite question, but didn't see the need to correct her. It was a fact he resented the position he was in and, wasn't it because he found it useful to a certain extent, he would have sent everything to hell and join Emil on his quest for the Centurion's Cores.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer. What I want is your answer."
"I have a duty for with my brother, for he is my family. I wasn't able to protect him before, so I want to make it up for him."
"I see," Richter closed his eyes. "In that case…" when he opened them he drew his weapons, standing in a fighting stance.
"You're going to kill me?" Raine asked. There wasn't fear in her tone, rather some kind of acceptance at the inevitable. She knew she wouldn't survive the way she was now, without a weapon. Richter was faster and stronger than her, even without relying on his demonic powers.
"I don't like the idea of killing an unarmed adversary, but for the sake of Aster and Marta, I will do so. Besides, if I bring your head to Nebilim, all suspicions about me will be cleared."
"So, you will take my life for a clear slate with the demons."
He didn't like the idea much, but that was just a bonus anyway. Besides, in Richter viewed this was an insurance as he was sure Nebilim would use the Sage boy should the situation call for it and, from the little he saw from that fight, he couldn't trust this woman to keep her loyalties with her Summon Spirit brethren.
"Think whatever you want, curse me in hell if you so wish, but I won't let you sell out Emil and the others for that brat you call brother."
With that, Richter charged, axe ready to strike. Raine didn't move from her spot, seeming resigned to her fate. It was then a "CLANG" echoed and when Raine opened her eyes, she saw Emil in front of her, his sword blocking Richter's ax. The half-demon also seemed surprised for the sudden intrusion of his friend.
"Ugh… Richter… what are you doing?" Emil asked as he held off the ax.
"Aster… step aside," Richter simply answered.
"So you can kill Raine? No."
Richter and Emil looked down upon each other. Emil knew that as weak and tired as he was, Richter could easily shove him aside, he was always stronger than him. The red head sighed and backed away, but didn't sheath his weapons.
"Emil, listen. This woman might sell you out for Nebilim if he uses her brother as a bargaining chip," Aster's mentor said, trying to reason with him.
"I know. But I think she won't do it."
"And why wouldn't she? You saw she was even willingly to attack one of you for the sake of protecting her brother."
"You… were watching?" Emil asked. He hadn't noticed Richter's presence. Granted, he and Ratatosk were barely managing to survive and stay conscious when Genis almost finished them.
"Yes, but the matter here is that she might be dangerous."
Raine looked to the side, knowing Richter's analysis was spot on. When she saw Zelos ready to slice her brother in two, she had casted Radiant Shackles on him almost as a reflex. How could they trust her with their lives if she couldn't even trust herself not to react on the same way again?
"I don't believe Raine would do it. She isn't that kind of person," Emil insisted.
"You don't know her as I do Emil," the boy let out an "What?" in response before he spoke again. "Trust me. She is somebody that hardly sees other people as reliable and prefers to keep everything to herself, even if it costs other people's lives."
The silver haired Professor's eyes seemed to gleam in understanding. So that was why she always thought Richter looked so familiar.
"You. You were my colleague from Sybak," she spoke, making the two look at her. Emil in surprise at more this secret Raine was letting out, while Richter stared impassively at her. "That's why you looked so familiar when I saw you."
"So, you remembered. I admit it hadn't clicked to me either until very latter. It seems fate that I keep seeing people from my past."
"Hold on," Ratatosk said, assuming control of Emil's body. "You two know each other and never told us?"
"There was no need to."
"Interesting thing to say when you're accusing her like you did before," the red head let out a "What?" at hearing that. "I honestly don't like this whole Desian-brother thing either, but I think I can relate," he looked at Raine with a serious look.
"Ratatosk. Do you know the risk you're taking by letting her to continue travelling together with you? She might betray you at anytime."
"It's not so different from your situation," Ratatosk cut in. Richter grumbled at having that pointed at his face. "You also might suddenly betray us, should the demons order you."
There was silence after that proclamation. Raine looked from one man to the other. She felt strange at having Emil standing up to herself like that. It was just like Lloyd when he said that he didn't care about her race and that he would defend his friends. She let the ghost of a smile play in her features as she thought on how those two were alike.
Richter sighed and finally sheathed his weapons. Emil then recovered the control and hurried to speak:
"Wait, Richter. I don't think you would do it either. Ratatosk was just…"
"No," the older half-elf said. "He does have a point. I can't guarantee I won't end up turning against you either," he turned and, before leaving, spoke to Raine once more. "However, should I catch even a rumor that you're planning on selling out Aster and the others, I won't hesitate to kill you. Summon Spirit or not."
Raine didn't say anything. Richter bid his farewell to Emil and left as the blonde said "bye" to him. After the half-demon left, Emil turned to Raine and asked if she was alright. Raine didn't answer immediately, only looking at the reincarnated Ratatosk, before asking:
"Why did you stand up for me? Richter did pose a valid argument. I can't guarantee what will happen should we meet Genis again."
"Because you're my friend," Emil said with some of his usual shyness back. Raine tilted her head to the side in confusion. The blonde decided to elaborate. "I mean, you're one of my friends. And if Nebilim does use Genis against you, then couldn't we just think of a way of helping him without having to resort to something like backstabbing?"
"But Emil…" Raine looked down.
"Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality," Emil recited, making Raine look up. "I do know that things aren't simple like that, but I think that we all could arrive in some short of understanding. There is no need for you to shoulder all of this by yourself."
Silence came again after the blonde's declaration, in which he felt a little uneasy again. Then Raine started to laugh, real, joyful laughter, not her usual chuckles. Emil wondered if he had said something funny. Raine then stopped to recover her breath and said:
"I'm sorry. It's just that you are right," she smiled as she spoke that. "I've been so caught up in trying to solve problems on my own that I never stopped to think that you all could me help find a solution that could benefit all of us," she gave a pause before resuming her line of thought. "Richter, and you for that matter, are right; I'm too much of an individualist. I always thought that only I could comprehend my problems and thus find the solution."
"But things are different now Raine. Now you have friends, companions, people that you can rely on," Emil said.
"Yes, but I never saw you as such," the young man seemed taken aback by that declaration. Raine then explained. "Companionship is a relationship where a person trusts others with his problems and sees them not as tolls to solve them, but people that can help to find and provide the solution.
"Until now, I didn't see any of you as such. I just took you all as another responsibility to me. That is certainly what has been worrying Sheena and Richter. Because of my disregard to you all as people I can count for support and call as companions, I would simply dismiss you all in my quest to reunite with my brother."
"Raine…" Ratatosk then took control, however, instead of his usual brash or blunt tone, he spoke in an almost resigned tone. "We're not that different…" that made the silver haired woman look at him in surprise. "You are fighting for your family and for that, you were even willingly to become a traitor."
"Traitor?" Raine repeated, detecting a difference in tone when Ratatosk spoke the word.
"Anyway… Marta was worried about you," he said, discarding his previous tone and turning back to his usual brash one.
"Oh. So that's why you came after me," she said, offering another smile.
"N-no! That's not it!" Emil said, taking the control back. "I was really worried about you with all that happened so… speak for yourself, softy. I don't want to get tangled up in this mess," Ratatosk spoke after taking the control back. Emil once more surfaced. "How can you speak that after just saying… shut up. What do you know, anyway?"
Raine just observed the exchange as both of them switched control to argue. She sighed and decided to interrupt before both consciousness got so tangled up, they might assume the control at the same time again:
"You two should really control this arguing habit of yours. People might think you have mental issues."
"Look who's talking, miss Ruin Mode," Ratatosk retorted.
"What does that mean?" Raine demanded, a vein pulsing on her forehead as she crossed her arms.
Ratatosk then backed away, seeing he had said the wrong thing again. As he tried to correct himself, Emil came to his rescue, saying they be getting back before Marta got too worried. That seemed to calm Raine down as she nodded to him.
The Lord of Monsters sighed in relief, well-protected inside Emil's mind. The only thing he loathed in all of this was the fact he now owed one to his "weaker" self…
- / - / - / - / - / -
As morning came, the group was preparing their breakfast. Zelos once more tried to show off his culinary talents as he prepared pancakes with syrup he brought from Altamira and eggs. The meal looked delicious and even Lloyd was salivating at it. However, when he asked if he could have some, Zelos said he had already prepared his and Emil's food in advance.
The brunette and the blond were surprised at that show of consideration from Zelos and went to sit where he had indicated, until they saw their meal consisted of:
"Bread and water?" Emil let out.
"What? Already complaining?" Zelos said, in a hurt tone, although it was fake. "How can you boys be so inconsiderate? Don't you know there many people starving in the world? Bread and water are practically a luxurious meal for them."
"Yeah… but…" Lloyd started.
"Well, if you don't appreciate my efforts then go on, scorn me for being so kind to my bud and his friend with double personality."
"I don't have… !" Emil tried to protest, but Zelos was not listening to them anymore, instead concentrating on the girls, putting his suave tone and charming smile in place once more.
"Now girls, wait just a moment and you will have a feast for your taste buds to never to forget. Ignis, Aqua. You can join in too."
"Really? Thank you Mr. Last Romantic!" Ignis said in her bubbly manner, not noticing (as always) that Zelos had looked at her breasts when he had talked to her.
"Yeah… I think so," Aqua said, sounding a little unsure as she eyed her lord on his place.
The other Centurions looked from the girls to Lloyd and Emil, who were munching the bread with depressed expressions on their face. Ventus sighed and put his wing in hand-mode to his face, shaking it. Solum commented:
"Celsius surely hasn't changed. I remember this was one of the reasons she and Efreet broke up."
"Wait. What? ME AND ZELOS… !" Lloyd let out, attracting the others' attention.
"Correction; your past self and Zelos' past self," Tenebrae said. "They dated for a while."
"I heard from Luna something about Celsius being the bossy one and Efreet barely standing it," Lumen said.
"No wonder our lord and her got along so well," Solum commented.
Suddenly, Lloyd and Emil lost their appetite at being remembered of the relationship of their past selves with Zelos. Sheena sighed while Zelos tried to repress a shiver and ignore some details of his previous existence.
It was then Raine arrived. The entire group turned to look at her as she gave a "good morning" for them in her usual composed tone. The boys greeted her back, but most of the girls seemed unsure of what to say. Sheena didn't even bother to acknowledge her presence and the Centurions were only staring at the scene.
Zelos decided to defuse the tension and said food was ready. He didn't even mind Lloyd and Emil sneaking in to get some. As the group ate and the Centurions talked with their Lord about the last developments while Marta leaned on a Hell Hound that Ignis had summoned for her to sit straight due to her state, Raine waited until most of them had ended before she cleared her throat to call their attention:
"I wanted to talk with all of you. Firstly, I would like to apologize to Zelos for attacking him the way I did; I'm sorry," Lloyd couldn't remember Raine ever apologizing for something, but her tone was sincere.
"Nah. That was nothing compared to Sheena's 'displays of affection' for me," Zelos said in a dismissive and carefree tone, smiling. Sheena closed her fist and had a vein pulsing on her forehead at hearing that.
"Secondly, I realize that I have been unfair with you all, both as a companion and as a friend."
"What do you mean?" Ignis asked.
"Sheena was right when she said I know your goals, objectives and pasts yet I never told you anything of significance about myself," she looked at Emil with meaningful look. "So, to show you that I don't mean ill for this group and that I value you all as companions, I will answer whatever questions you may have about me, my past, goals and so on."
"So, that means you're ready to part with your secrets?" Ventus inquired in his typical wise tone.
"I don't have anything to offer other than my knowledge and apologies."
The group looked between themselves, thinking on what all of that implied. Emil smiled to Raine at seeing she finally trusted them. Surprisingly, the first one to ask was Zelos, with the question that had been on everybody's head:
"Who exactly is Genis? You said he was your brother, but he spoke like he didn't even know you."
Raine nodded in acknowledgement of the question. To speak the truth, she had counted on them asking that and had mentally prepared herself to explain that which was her most closely guarded secret, with details if necessary.
"As I said and you all heard, Genis is my brother. He is the last half-elf to be born from a human and an elf, right at the end of the Kharlan War and the beginning of the Second Invasion. My mother died giving birth to him, already weak from the extreme shortage of mana.
"My father and I ran away from the demons, trying to protect my brother. We then took a boat and tried to escape to the seas, but were ambushed by aquatic demons. It was in a rainy night and the water was freezing cold. The boat was completely destroyed and my brother and I were thrown into the water. I almost drowned until my father appeared and took my brother and I to the shore of a nearby island with the last of his strength. He died due to hypothermia and the stress from having to swim against the maritime currents, carrying my brother and me."
"Oh. So that explains the case of hydrophobia you have," Aqua said. Raine pointedly ignored the comment.
"I took my brother and pressed him against me, leaving my father on the shore and going to explore the island for any sign of civilization. However, the only thing I came across was a circle of stones in the middle of a sandy landscape. When I walked closer, out of curiosity, a portal opened in the ground."
"The Otherwordly Gate," Ratatosk proclaimed as he took the control. The others looked at him. "It is located in an island at the far shore of Altamira. It is a location that is connected to my domain and, consequently, to Niflheim. The Kharlan Tree's roots reached even there, intertwining the two worlds."
"Anyway, when I came to myself, I saw Nebilim standing there. He looked at me and I froze. He only smiled as he approached…"
- / - / - / - / - / -
Young Raine could do nothing, but stand still frozen in fear. The cold of night not even registering in her brain anymore as she became paralyzed by fear at looking at Nebilim's blood-red eyes. It was like there was a force behind his gaze that made all resistance and instincts freeze.
She didn't even register when Nebilim's hand shot out and grabbed her brother, taking him from her arms. The young girl only came to when she heard her baby brother's cries. Nebilim had him in one of his arms, looking at him with a surprisingly paternal expression which shouldn't even be in that demon's face.
"So, this is your brother…" he said to Raine, looking at her. "I can sense he has great potential, just like his sister."
The wraith then passed his fingers over the little boy's forehead, revealing a mark on Genis' forehead, which disappeared as Nebilim's finger passed over it.
"GENIS!" Raine yelled. "GET AWAY FROM MY BROTHER, DEMON!"
She tried to tackle Nebilim and take her brother, but was thrown back by the red head's invisible flame shield. Luckily she hadn't burn herself. She tried to get up, but could only sit, the blow seemed to have taken away some of her energy.
"Don't worry Raine. I promise I will take very good care of him," Nebilim said in that strange, gentle voice that Raine thought impossible for such an evil being to possess. "After all, what kind of teacher would I be if I didn't care for my students?"
That phrase clicked something on Raine's mind. She had heard somebody say those exact same words before. She slowly started to link the person, voice and tone and discovered it was identical to Nebilim's, but… it couldn't be. It simply couldn't.
"P-p… Professor Neran?" Raine let out, eyes wide with surprise and shock.
Neran Illirium smiled the gentle smile he always gave to his students… and soon a portal opened at Raine's feet. Next thing she knew, Raine woke up, it wasn't raining anymore and Genis, Neran and the ruins were nowhere in sight…
- / - / - / - / - / -
"And that was the first time I met him and came to know that he was, indeed, my old teacher," Raine finished.
The group could only stay in silence as they heard the half-elf's tale. They never imagined Raine had passed by something like that when she was still just a little girl. No wonder she had come out with some issues and traumas.
"So…" Marta risked speaking. "You've been looking for your brother ever since that day?"
"Yes. However, the only clue I had were the ruins I saw," Raine said and, for once, there wasn't that maniacal passion in her voice whenever she spoke about ruins, but a sense of purpose and determination. "I travelled the world in search of those same ruins I saw, but never found them again, for I didn't know their exact location.
"Eventually I decided to go to Sybak, the only place that I could think of which would have the knowledge about the ruins that I was searching."
"You could have gone to the Research Institute in Palmacosta Academy," Lloyd suggested.
"I could, but at the time, Palmacosta had already pledged itself to Cruxis and the church didn't have a good view on half-elves. So, the next best place for me to learn was Sybak."
She proceeded to tell them about her years in the academy, up to her graduation as the top of her class, despite some trouble her classmates put her through. Apparently, Raine had enjoyed so much her time there that she decided to get a teaching degree, following the old dream she had of becoming a teacher.
Just like Nebilim… Lloyd thought, remembering who the person Raine admired the most was.
During that time, she also gained more access to the Academy's files and managed to find some information regarding ancient sites and ruins around the world that she hadn't heard of or visited. Then Sybak got attacked and she was forced to flee with all others.
"I briefly saw Nebilim on my way out and went to confront him," Raine said. "A big mistake. I demanded to know about my brother, but he didn't answer me anything, saying that if I wanted an answer, I should make the right questions at the right time. I got angry and charged at him, just to be repelled like I was when I was still a child."
Eventually, Nebilim left and Raine had to flee from the rest of the Desians forces. She described a few more of her travels to the ancient sites she had found on the Academy's logs up to the point where she met Emil and the others on the Triet Ruins.
With that, Raine stopped and left it clear that had been the end of her story. She looked at the group, her eyes questioning if they had anything more to ask her. Emil was the one to ask:
"Is there anything you know about Nebilim that could help us defeat him? Weaknesses of some short?"
"Unfortunately, no. Nebilim's powers are that of a kind that I've never seen before. The only thing I could say about him is that he isn't a demon, but a wraith."
"Wraith?" Colette asked.
"In another words, an evil spirit," Sheena said for the first time since the conversation started, but said nothing more.
"I don't think that's quite correct," Presea said, making everybody look at the quiet girl. "When he touched me, I could feel many feelings, but they weren't just from him. It was like he was collecting a huge amount of negative emotions inside himself."
Raine put her hand over her chin, thinking in the implications of that. She didn't know of any beings, spiritual or otherwise, with those characteristics. Deciding to dismiss the subject, Raine once more asked for any doubts the group had. None of them could think of anything at that moment, since most of their doubts about Raine's past had been satiated when she told her story to them.
However, Zelos spoke up, this time with a known smile in his face that promise something completely unrelated to their mission:
"Have you ever dated anybody?"
And he didn't disappoint the group.
For one moment, they thought Raine would dismiss that with her typical "That's a personal matter", however, to their surprise, she answered:
"Yes. In Sybak, there was a fellow half-elf and we decided to 'experiment' what the sensation was like."
Marta's, Sheena's and Lloyd's jaw dropped when Raine answered that in a nonchalant tone as she did most of the time. Zelos looked surprised, but soon resumed his lecherous smile.
"Oh. So it was just for the sake of 'experimentation', heh?"
"How is it that you youngsters say? We were young and yearning for some form of physical interaction. So, one thing led to another," Raine recited.
Marta, Emil and Colette were blushing at that, while Sheena tried to ignore it. Presea only looked in curiosity. Aqua, not managing to hold off her curiosity, asked Raine who had been the lucky guy.
"Richter Abend," that answer made Aqua's expression turn into a shell shocked one, her jaw dropping.
"WHAT?" the party (save Presea) and even the Centurions let out.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! YOU'RE SAYING YOU DID THAT WITH MASTER RICHTER?" Aqua screeched.
"And to think the quiet and indifferent ones are always the chosen ones," Solum said in a sigh.
Marta and Emil stood in shocked states. How come Richter had never told them anything? Granted, they never asked about his personal life, believing his memories from the Kharlan War period should be painful ones, but he could have at least hinted something. Emil had so much to ask his friend about interaction with girls.
"Why do you need that guy to answer anything when I'm here? Did you forget I dated Celsius?" Ratatosk spoke up.
Yeah, but you didn't have any memory of it at the time. Emil answered.
The group was divided between asking for more details of what happened and simply leaving the subject alone. Zelos was huddled in a corner, looking depressed and hugging his knees, mumbling to himself something about being too late and upstaged by an old man without even a decent sense of fashion.
- / - / - / - / - / -
After Raine applied some spells to mend Marta's broken bones, resulting in the girl recovering enough to make little movements with her previously immobile arm and body, but still not enough for her to walk. With Marta mounted in a Padfoot monster, they started their trek back to Triaar, where the EC of Lezareno would be waiting to take them back to the Altamira continent, so they could continue towards the Temple of Lightning.
However, when they were close to Meltokio, the group started to sense some powerful auras coming from the city's direction. With the training making their spiritual senses better, Lloyd, Colette and Marta could sense demonic auras as well as a group of unknown ones.
"I hear… sounds of battle," Marta said, the wind bringing the sounds to her.
"One moment," Ventus said, flying up to see the situation. He came back down soon enough. "There is a battle occurring near Meltokio! There are demonic troops there fighting against the Purge Inquisitors, plus an army of winged people."
"Winged people? Could it be the angels?" Colette wondered.
"If that's so, let's help them," Ignis said.
"I don't think that would be a good idea. What if the angels think we are the enemy? They don't seem aware of the return of the Summon Spirits yet," Tenebrae said.
"He's right," Ratatosk spoke up, taking control. "Plus, there's something off about those so-called angels."
"Like what?" Lloyd asked.
"I'm not sure, yet. It is just a hunch."
"Even so, we should go and help those people. What if they reach Meltokio?" Colette said.
"I don't think they would want our help," Zelos opened up. "In case you don't remember, I didn't exactly leave on good terms with the church."
The group stood thinking about that, until Colette decided she couldn't simply stand there and leave people dying like that. She wouldn't have a second Iselia if she could. The blonde then turned to the direction she could sense the auras and ran.
"Wait, Colette!" Presea said, running after her friend.
Lloyd and the others saw Colette had already made the decision for them and went after her.
When they could finally see the battlefield and the corpses of armored Martel Knights, they stopped. Hovering above the battle, firing arrows and spells, was a small army of angels being commanded by one with a more elaborated, blue and white armor carrying a sword with a crescent blade on its point.
Zelos and the others also sighted a golden armor and a long lance. Magnar was commanding the Knights against the demons, neither of the sides seeming to gain an edge over the other.
"GO ONWARD! OUR HEAVENLY LORDS ARE ON OUR SIDE! FIGHT IN THEIR NAME!" Magnar roared over the carnage.
The angel commander then gave an order to his troops, which aligned around him. They aimed their bows upwards and let fall a rain of arrows at the fore front of the fight. The arrows fell, hitting enemy and ally indiscriminately, some died from so many blessed projectiles hitting their heads and necks, others fell down just to be trampled by the other combatants.
"Attack formation, Punishing Lightning!" the angel commander proclaimed, spell casters flying forth and charging their spells. Magnar saw that and gave the command to his troops.
"Nor's troops, fall back! Kevin's unit, step forward and don't disengage! Keep them at their place!"
"Wait. What are they doing?" Lloyd asked, upon seeing the mentioned units taking their positions.
A handful of soldiers stepped forward and engaged the demons, who fought relentlessly, until a command in demonic made they fall back. However, more of the humans surrounded them, some of the injured getting up to halt the demon's retreat, just to be cut down as the creatures tried to leave the encirclement. It was then great magic circles appeared over the battlefield, surrounding bother parties.
"NO!" Colette and Lloyd exclaimed, knowing what was to come, however, their protests fell on deaf ears.
Huge bolts of lightning fell, incinerating friend and foe alike, taking out a sizeable chunk of the combatants on both sides. Magnar and the other commanders just stood observing while Cruxis cast their deadly spells. Lloyd clenched his teeth and fists at seeing this act of mercilessness.
"Why didn't they pull the troops back or canceled the spells when the demons started retreating?" he questioned to nobody in particular.
"Because otherwise, the attack wouldn't have been just as effective," Zelos said, his eyes as cold as his tone.
"But… they lost part of their forces too," Presea said, not seeing the logic in such a suicidal move.
"That's just how Cruxis operates in battle…" Emil said and, for the first time, the group heard a tone of strained anger on his voice. They looked at him in surprise. "They let the Martel Knights and the followers of the church go as a front while they attack from the side lines and distance. They don't even care who their attacks hit as long as their enemies go down. They use the Martel Knights' faith and blind devotion as an instrument to make them sacrifices in hope they'll earn forgiveness for dyeing in Cruxis' name."
"The noblest act one might do is to die in the service of justice, fighting for the greater good." Raine recited a passage from the Faith. "Of course, it is open to interpretation what 'justice' and 'greater good' this teaching talks about."
"Justice…" Lloyd muttered. Sheena looked at her boyfriend, seeing his arms trembling. "So… is this 'justice'? To fight just to be killed by those that promised you salvation?"
Zelos didn't comment on it, simply staring as the fight began anew, like nothing had happened. The others were too shocked by that display of ruthlessness to think on anything to say. The Centurions just looked on with grave expressions on their faces.
Lloyd always knew Cruxis could be cruel with those that disobeyed the Faith and in its constant slandering of people, but he never thought they would go as far as throw away the lives of those that fought for them. What angered him even more is that they called this… slaughtering "justice".
"This is their 'justice'," Ventus spoke in his wise tone, though a bit stoic too.
"I won't accept this…" he said in a low tone, making the others look to him. "I won't accept it," he looked up, his expression hardened and his eyes burning with anger as his voice rose. "If this is 'justice' then I rather become a criminal who saves people than someone who condones sacrifices."
"You can't just save everybody, you know," Tenebrae said. "There will always be people who will die as a consequence of one's actions. No matter how hard you try, there will eventually be sacrifices."
"Then I'll minimize them!" Lloyd said, turning to the Centurion of darkness. "And if there is no way to avoid it, then each sacrifice that has been made, each life that has been taken… I will make sure they didn't die in vain. I won't stop until there is peace and this world is stable once more."
There was silence after that proclamation. Emil put his hand on Lloyd's shoulder, making the red clad young man look at him. For one moment, he could swear one of Emil's eyes was a ruby tone.
"I also don't agree with the way things are now. I'll too fight, recover Ratatosk's power and use it to restore the world and defeat Nebilim and the demons. Even Cruxis if necessary."
Lloyd nodded to him and the two shook their hands, swearing they would do everything in their power to make sure the world would be regenerated. Marta and Sheena had smiles on their faces at seeing their boyfriends' resolve.
"Ummm… guys, I hate to interrupt the philosophy moment and all, but…" Lumen said, appearing worried. "Double-L, boss, there's a demon guy coming here."
The two and the rest of the group turned and saw a red silhouette coming. As it got closer, they could see leonine features like a white mane combed in spikes with beads and other adornments on its points. The demon was also carrying a halberd, wore a blue armor and his aura pulsed with all the strength of a demon general.
"That's Merahwdir," Tenebrae said, identifying the demon.
"That lion demon we've met on the Mana Tower?" Marta asked from her position mounted on the Padfoot. Tenebrae nodded to her.
"Why is it charging at us alone?" Presea inquired.
Sheena looked at the demon and then remembered something from the time she had fought him:
"He's not after you, but after me," with that, she ran at his direction, ignoring Lloyd and others' cries as she quickly transformed into Spirit form.
Merahwdir seemed to smile at that as Sheena approached and summoned a light dagger. The two then met their weapons in a shower of sparks, fire and light…
Reincarnation can be a complicated thing when you discover who your past self was...
And before people start flaming me for the RaineXRichter here, read this skit and pay closer attention to what she said! It was never an amorous relationship. Think on it as a one night stand, only a bit longer.
This one is between Ratatosk, Emil and Richter, occuring right after their talk with Raine:
Past Relationships
Emil: Hey, Richter!
Richter: What is it Emil? I have to go back before my absence starts to call attention.
Emil: Um… well… I wanted to ask…
Richter: Yes?
Emil: About… you and Raine.
Richter: …
Emil: Well…
Richter: Why would you ask that?
Emil: Because… well, you're my friend… and you never told me Raine was your girlfriend. So…
Richter: And she wasn't.
Emil: Huh?
Richter: It's complicated to explain, but I'll try as best as I can. We studied together on Sybak. I was a half-elf that used to make research on the basement laboratories during the Kharlan War before I escaped. I just went back to the city on the insistence of a friend that said I needed to have a proper education.
Emil: Friend?
Richter: Actually, she was part of the group that facilitated my and the others' escape.
Ratatosk: Let me guess, Martel?
Richter: The one and only.
Ratatosk: Never thought you would let a woman force you to do something you didn't want to do, leashed guy.
Richter: It takes one to know other.
Ratatosk *angry*: What?
Richter: Anyway, once I was back, I've met a fellow half-elf that also suffered during the Kharlan War. We've got to know each other and one day the subject about our lack of amorous lives came to be. We were still relatively young, so Raine asked me "Do you want to know how it is too?"
Emil: I thought you would be the one to suggest that.
Richter: Raine was always a straightforward woman when it came to try and experiment new things.
Emil: So, do you miss her?
Richter: Not really.
Emil: Huh? But you said…
Richter: That it wasn't a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. It was more of a mutual agreement between us for the sake of satisfying our curiosities and lack of experience on the field. I would say the only thing between us was the need for some kind of human contact and lust to a certain degree.
Emil: Sounds complicated.
Richter: You'll understand when you're older. There are many kinds of relationships out there and not all of them involve a sentiment of love or like. We knew it would eventually end and we would go our separate ways, so there were no compromises involved.
Ratatosk: Well, you know what they say: better have it and lose it than have never experimented on the first place.
Richter: Was that sarcasm?
Ratatosk *grins*: Maybe.
Richter: You're so immature…
Richter obtained the title "Boyfriend"
(insert 0.o emoction here)