*In a battlefield somewhere*

Soldier: Sir! We managed to hold back the Block forces for now, but there is no guarantee when they will be back.

General: Alright, soldier. I will send notice to the author. *turns and shouts* HEY! WE'RE DONE FOR NOW! GET YER LAZY ASS IN GEAR AND UPDATE THE DAMN CHAPTER ALREADY!

Well... don't want to discuss with the general. He's quite scare...

After this chapter we go back to action.

Chapter 36

Objectives

Genis was looking through the holographic reports made on the Summon Spirits' activities. Rodyle might be a creep, but his creations were certainly useful. The young-looking general was trying to guess what the Spirit's next moves would be.

Since they were probably under the protection of the Renegades now, they were temporarily inaccessible to him, unless the demons managed to find out where they were hiding. Genis sometimes wondered how those rebels managed to stay hidden for so long, considering the demons had the whole Aselia under their surveillance.

So, with that in mind, the only thing left for him was to wait for them to make a move. Genis smiled a maliciously at that. They certainly didn't expect him to be tracking them like this and he would surprise them all once they appeared out in the open.

Looking from the perspective of Ratatosk's objectives, they still have to go to the Temple of Lightning and the Temple of Ice. Flanoir is too dangerous for them to go, so they will probably try the Temple of Lightning first.

There is also the matter of awakening the Summon Spirit's powers. From that perspective, they still have to go to Undine's altar in the Thoda Island, which is only accessible by boat. Thoda Island would make an excellent point for an ambush, weren't it for the fact the entire island is surrounded by protective spells against demons.

And there are three other variables to worry about... Genis's expression hardened as he changed the information on the holographic window through touch.

The screen now showed a depiction of each one of the Summon Spirits associated with profiles about their respective incarnations. However, there were four figures that had "unknown" below their pictures.

One of them was Volt, but Genis' attention wasn't on him, but on the other three, each one a formidable threat in their own right should they recover their powers. Above the markings of "unknown" were depictions of Origin, King of the Summon Spirits, Maxwell, Rulers of the Elements, and a single name without an image: Verius, the mystical and secret Summon Spirit of the Heart.

There was no information about who they could possibly be reincarnated into and, worse even, no known location where they might have left the other half of their powers behind. They didn't have temples or anything of the sort.

Genis knew that were they to regain their powers they would be challenging, even if caught alone. Origin held power that went much beyond the magic of this world; he had access to the very forces of creation itself. Together with Maxwell and Ratatosk, he challenged the Grand Demons Lords head on and held his own against Nerithmas, the youngest of the three Children of Chaos.

Maxwell was the ruler of the elements in that world, being the one that first introduced the use of magic to the other Spirits, according to the elven legends, who speculated he was even the one that trained Origin and Ratatosk in the use of the vital force of Aselia and mana. Genis was forced to recognize he was nothing in the matter of magic compared to the aged-looking Summon Spirit.

And finally, there was Verius. There was no information of her participating in the War of the Young Aselia and her origins are a complete mystery to everyone, but her own brethren. Lord Nebilim, who posted most of the information about the Summon Spirits' previous powers in the data banks of the Desians, only came across information pertaining to the hidden Summon Spirit by chance.

They had no idea of the true extent of Verius' powers or the exact nature of her magic. She was an unknown and Genis hated unknowns. You couldn't plan for them. All that they had was that Verius apparently existed to watch over all beings that possessed a heart and never got involved in any fights or disputes of any nature. She never even appeared to anyone before and couldn't be summoned, so it was only logical that information about the Summon Spirit of Heart would be so scarce.

They had no idea if she even depended on mana like the other Summon Spirits or if she was included in Origin's plan of reincarnation. All that the logs said was that Verius' powers came from the heart and the emotions of people. The stronger the emotion, the stronger her powers were… apparently.

That could mean virtually anything. Would that mean Verius' powers diminished now that people were full of sorrow and fear? Or would her powers change to adapt accordingly? Where could she be? Was she already in contact with the other Summon Spirits? Were her powers effective against the spread of chaos energy or were they already mined by it?

Too many questions, too many "if"s and "maybe"s. Genis couldn't work like that. It was like grasping at straws. He reclined back in the chair near his study table, deactivating the device. The General grumbled as he tried to adjust his still-healing arm. He had refused to use a sling when going to the common rooms, believing it would show weakness and incite those that had grudges against him to act (not that they needed a reason to do it in the first place).

He was starting to regret that decision, for his arm, though now better enough so he could move it, still hurt like hell, mainly when he had to grab something or somebody brushed against it. Because of that, Reriki and Rahishi now flanked his sides whenever he left his room. However, he could not show weakness here and...

Genis suddenly felt a shiver crept up his spine. A familiar shiver.

Rahishi was down training, besides, he didn't feel that around her. Alice was (thankfully) out doing some errand or another. That left only...

"Master Genis!" Reriki purred, passing her arms around his chest and pulling him to her, making the back of his head hit her soft, big breasts. Genis fought hard to suppress the blush and the nosebleed that threatened to come forth.

"Re-Reriki?" he couldn't believe how pathetic he sounded right now. But no matter how much he berated at himself, his body seemed to not obey his mind in situations like this.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, always with that cheerful smile.

"F-Fine."

"Is that so?" she looked around. Genis then noticed they were alone in his room. Not a good sign. "In that case, how about we have some fun?" she whispered seductively, leaning closer to his ear.

Genis could feel all of his blood rushing to his cheeks and another part of his anatomy. He started stammering as he slowly tried to get out of Reriki's (soft and comfortable) hold. However, he shifted the wrong way and ended up falling from the chair, right on his injured arm.

Genis let out an "ARGH!" as he felt pain burning through his entire limb. Reriki kneeled and asked if he was alright, taking his arm as gently as she could and inspected it. The spiritual demon then sighed:

"See, that's why you should use a sling."

"I can't," Genis replied, recovering his composure. "If I show weakness, they will all gang up on me," his tone was bitter.

Reriki sighed again, knowing that what he said was true. Genis then felt her scoop him from the floor bridal style and bring him to the bed, laying him there with an almost maternal care. Although he saw how gentle Reriki could be sometimes, it still surprised him when she showed that side of her personality.

"In that case, you should stay here and wait until your arm is better. By my estimations, it should be good in about two more days, then you'll be able to swing your orbs around in no time," Reriki said with an encouraging smile.

"But..." Genis started, but she shook her finger in front of him.

"No, no, no. I know that you're eager, but we won't have any fun until you're better, otherwise you won't be able to fully enjoy it," Genis blushed a scarlet tone at how double-meaning that statement sounded. "Rahishi and I will take care of everything," Reriki offered with a smile.

At least she answered the question he wanted ask. It was then he noticed something else: Reriki had just prioritized his well-being before her desires. He never thought that the lustful demoness would actually do that, considering all that he heard about her from Rahishi.

"Reriki," Genis called as the demoness was about to leave. She turned to him, murmuring a little "hmm?". "Why do you follow me?"

That had always puzzled him. While Rahishi he had to literally beat into submission before she considered being his aide, Reriki had practically begged to be his subordinate. He didn't understand why she seemed so eager to follow him and simply couldn't accept it was just because she wanted to get into his pants. Nobody would go that far and do so much work just for the sake of having sex.

Reriki looked at him with a confused expression, like she didn't understand what he asked. Genis decided to elaborate:

"I had to conquer Rahishi's loyalty, but you practically begged to become my aide. It's not heard of that demons would do this," Genis said.

"Oh..." Reriki let out. She put one hand covered in her long sleeves under her chin as she looked up. Genis thought she looked cute doing that, but wouldn't ever admit it out loud. "Do you know what attract us demons to one another?" Reriki asked finally, looking at him.

"No."

"It's our auras. Well, at least in the case of spiritual demons that is it," Reriki said. "Not that I don't think that a handsome appearance isn't good too," she quickly amended. "But nothing compares to the feel of being near somebody with a special aura."

"I see. You mean you're attracted to powerful auras," Genis surmised.

Reriki shook her head, making the Desian General raise his eyebrow as she spoke again:

"It doesn't have anything to do with power. Some powerful auras are so ugly you can't even look at them, let alone be near," Reriki said with a frown in her face. She then smiled. "But yours is different. It's so unique and strong. It's not ugly like some others, but rather it's..." she then saw Genis' confused face and sighed. "Well, it can't exactly be put into words, but let's just say your aura is really beautiful."

"Uhh, ok... I think..." Genis said, still not understanding, but deciding to leave it be.

As he dismissed Reriki and she exited his room, he couldn't help, but smile a little at the thought that she considered his aura beautiful...

- / - / - / - / - / -

Lloyd, Emil and the others could only stare as Regal showed them the birthmark on his right arm. Tenebrae and the Centurions immediately recognized it as the Thunder Sigil.

"Wow," Zelos let out. "Volt huh? Well, that makes things easier."

"Even so, what about your company, Duke Bryant?" Sheena asked.

"Please, just call me Regal since we will be companions from now on. As for the company, George will take care of everything while I'm away. He's more than capable of doing it. And as I see it, I now have a duty for with the world as a Summon Spirit, correct?" he directed the question at the Centurions.

"Yes," Solumn said. "However that doesn't mean you have to abandon your human life. Origin's intent with his plan was that the Summon Spirits, as living beings, would be able to directly oversee things. As you are in an influential position, that will make your work easier."

"With this the only Summon Spirits missing are Origin himself and Maxwell," Raine stated.

The group looked at her, knowing what she meant. There was also the matter of where they could have hid the other half of their souls, which none of them had any clue about. Lloyd suggested they worried about it when the time came and concentrate on what they would do now.

"Speaking of which, what's the plan?" Lloyd asked.

"Since we still have three Summon Spirits to awake and two cores more to find, I suggest we divide into teams," Ventus said.

"Why do you think so?" Presea asked.

"We have the Renegades' resources at our disposal. Yuan was very clear about how he wanted to help restore the world."

"Yeah," Lumen spoke up. "We could like, take Professor Water to her temple while other group go and find Tornitrus or Glacius."

The entire group turned their looks at Lumen, visibly surprised at what he said.

"That... was... an excellent idea," Tenebrae said, seeming unsure of his own words. "I can't believe that came out of my mouth..." the dog-like Centurion sighed.

"Anyway..." Raine said. "How about we go to Flanoir and collect the Centurion's core there while Emil collect the one in the Temple of Lightning?" although she tried to hide the nervousness in her voice, it still came out.

"I don't think it would be advisable. Considering all of the demons in the area it would be difficult to approach it even with an EC," Regal countered, making Raine go stiff. "If we could get Undine's power however, it would make approaching the continent easier."

"B-But..."

"Raine, we all know you have fear of water and everything, but don't worry," Zelos said, putting on his charming smile. "I, the Last Romantic, Zelos, will be right there to give you support."

"Coming from you that isn't very reassuring, Zelos."

Zelos feigned being hurt as the group discussed their future plans. They decided to go with Lumen and Ventus' suggestion of dividing into teams. Since Flanoir was unreachable for the time being, one team with Regal and Emil would go to the Temple of Lightning to awaken his Summon Spirit halve and get Tornitrus. The other team with Raine would get an EC and go to the Thoda Island to awaken her Summon Spirit powers.

Raine got a little worried at that and it seemed to show in her face, for when Lloyd looked at her, he immediately said:

"I'll go with Raine," Raine looked up so fast she risked breaking her neck. "I would like to give her some moral support."

"If Lloyd's going, I will too," Sheena said, but shot a look at Raine to say she was doing that for her boyfriend, not for the female half-elf.

"I would like to go with Sheena too," Colette said, very determined.

"If Colette is going with them, I will too. My powers might be useful in sea," Presea added to mask the fact she just wanted to be near the blonde girl.

"Well, if that's so, I'll go with the Temple of Lightning team then," Zelos said, making everybody in the group raise their eyebrows at him.

"Really? You're not going to demand to be in the group with the most girls?" Sheena asked, surprised.

"To be honest, I, for one, don't like to be the third wheel, no matter the couple involved."

Sheena's eyes widened momentarily as she understood Zelos' message. He did not speak any further and that gave her some peace of mind.

Which reminds me. Sheena thought as she called Presea for a particular and private talk.

Before they left, however, Emil suddenly called their attention with an loud, but soft "um…". The shy boy then asked:

"What about… well… what happened yesterday?"

The group looked between themselves, a heavy silence permeating the environment. They hadn't talked about Ratatosk's revelation since yesterday. Emil didn't like their silence and could only assume they were angry at his other self.

Raine decided to speak for the group:

"We didn't arrive at any agreement as what to do about it, but, as some of us said…" she looked at Presea and then Colette. "It's in the past, so there is nothing we can do about it. Besides, there are more important things to consider at the moment."

"I see…" Emil said.

That didn't tranquilize the other self of Ratatosk, but at least they weren't going to lash out on him for the Second Invasion (although he felt like he deserved it). He also couldn't get a single thought out of Ratatosk now. It was like his other self had closed his consciousness off and Emil couldn't reach him. He wondered if it had something to do with Marta kissing them.

Emil's cheeks went beet red as he remembered his self-declared girlfriend's lips over his. Luckily the others were distracted again, talking between themselves as Sheena and Presea left the room. It was then the automatic door opened with a hiss and Amelia arrived, Colette turned and saw her mother show her a message on her notebook:

Yuan wants to speak with us.

Colette nodded and bid "bye" to the group, saying she would be back soon.

- / - / - / - / - / -

"What do you want to talk about?" Presea asked as soon as she and Sheena were alone in one of the many guest rooms they had been assigned to.

The ninja took a deep breath before speaking:

"I'll get right to the point, since you would do the same: what is going on between you and Collie?"

Presea didn't look too surprised at the question. Truth to be told, the pink haired girl knew the way she looked at Colette wouldn't go unnoticed by Sheena and Raine. She had guessed that she hadn't been called by the silver haired woman about this before because Raine didn't think it was any of her business. Sheena, however, was another story.

Sheena looked as if she was trying to read her expressions, but Presea had nothing to hide. Besides, she didn't need Sheena's approval to protect Colette. If anything, she could even stay away from the blonde girl if necessary, watching her at distance.

"There's nothing going on between us. I only seek to protect Colette," Presea answered. However, her emotionless tone didn't seem to convince Sheena, for she asked:

"Then let me rephrase the question: how do you feel about Colette?"

Presea could see in Sheena's face that was what she really wanted to ask and she wouldn't be satisfied until she got a satisfactory answer. Not that Presea didn't intent to give her one, she knew Sheena was practically family to Colette and if there one thing she wouldn't do, it was to anger those that only wanted Colette's well-being.

"I… am not sure myself," she admitted and before Sheena could open her mouth, the reincarnated Shadow added. "I feel deeply grateful for her. She was there for me when I wanted nothing more than to disappear. She gave me a reason to go on, to live, even with this cursed existence of mine. For that, I will do anything for her.

"But… at the same time…" here she looked at the floor. "I also admire her. She is a strong person. To go through all she did and still have the will to live on…"

Sheena could see the sincerity in Presea's words and decided to share with her a bit of information:

"Actually, she did that because she knows exactly what you went through," Presea looked at her as she sat on the bed. "In Iselia, there was this person she liked. The demons killed her just to get to Colette and exposed her mother, Amelia. You saw her, she looks just like Colette. Anyway, she was banished and when we met her, she was ready to abandon herself."

Presea looked surprised. She hadn't imagined something like that had happened to Colette. Surely, the girl admitted she knew how Presea was feeling, but she hadn't thought it was to that extend.

"We barely managed to convince her not to give up on her life," Sheena went on as she looked at Presea again. "And, knowing her, I'm sure she wouldn't want somebody else to pass by the same thing she did."

"I understand," Presea said. Then her mind registered a particular word Sheena had used before. "Wait a minute. You said 'her'," she pointed out.

"Yeah, I did."

"Does that mean Colette… ?"

"You should know that. Aren't you just the same?"

Now Presea had a surprised look on her face. She feared that would come out sooner or later. Not that she had been conspicuous when she ogled Martel earlier. She swallowed dry as she waited for the ninja to go on and drop the hammer on her.

"Do you like Colette?"

"Huh?" that… wasn't what she had been expecting. Neither was that begging of a smirk tugging at the corner of Sheena's lips.

"I asked if you like her. From my point of view, it seems like you do, the way you react when around her."

"I…" Presea tried to articulate an answer, but she couldn't. Her mind couldn't come up with an appropriate answer to that. She expected rejection and accusation, but instead, she only got that look of a friend that asked another if she was having a crush on that popular guy. "I'm… not really sure. I don't remember if I ever felt like this. Besides, why would it matter? Colette is so beautiful and nice... she doesn't need a broken shell like me."

Sheena just chuckled at that, making Presea look at her with a raised eyebrow. Colette's surrogate sister then spoke, stifling her laugh:

"Sorry, it's just this looks like something out of a clichéd love novel. I suppose this is the part where I encourage you to go on and pursue what you want, for you don't know for sure if she will or not return your feelings."

"Then you…"

"I only want what's best for Collie and if that happens to be you, then who am I to deny her that? My mother used to say that love comes in many forms and shapes, regardless of social standards or racial grudges."

Presea looked down, thinking about that. By logic, she knew Sheena was right. And if all that she said was true, then there shouldn't be anything stopping her from acting on her feelings. But still…

"I… don't know…"

And there it was again; that indecisiveness and confusion that she hated so much, which prevented her from drawing a conclusion, a course of action towards something. It shouldn't be a complicated matter, so why did she feel like that?

Sheena could see the internal struggle the girl was having and couldn't help, but feel a little guilty. Maybe she shouldn't have dropped all of that on Presea, but the way things were going she felt it was her duty as Colette's surrogate sister to clear that matter. However, she forgot to take into consideration Presea's situation.

The pink haired girl had discovered not one month ago she was a Summon Spirit and that people would never truly understand that. Thinking now, Sheena knew their destiny would be similar to Presea's; stay living for eternity, seeing people grow old and die while they remained. She couldn't imagine what the sensation of people at seeing they were getting old while there were others that stayed always the same was. Surely, that must be the reason some were so afraid of half-elves.

But if that is supposed to be our destiny, then shouldn't we at least be allowed to have some happiness? she wondered.

"I think you should give it some thought," Sheena said as she got up, attracting Presea's attention once again. The ninja then patted her head before she left, leaving the girl with a look of cute confusion on her face. "Oh, by the way…" Sheena then turned with a smirk in her face. "Almost forgot that I had to say this: you hurt her, I'll hunt you down."

For some reason, Presea couldn't help, but smile as she said "understood" in that typically serious tone of hers, as if acknowledging an order.

- / - / - / - / - / -

Meanwhile, Colette and her mother were walking in leisurely peace in the facility. It had been some time since mother and daughter had been alone like that and Colette couldn't help, but smile to Amelia, who smiled back. The two always felt safe and comfortable around each other, just like a united, happy family could.

However, Amelia knew she had to ask the questions she and Sheena combined before they arrived in Yuan's office. She then squeezed her daughter's hand tighter, getting her attention.

"What is it, mom?" Colette asked.

Amelia then transmitted her questions through look and touch, using the old method of communication she and Colette had developed while in Iselia. It had been sometime since they last used it, but she was glad when she saw Colette making a surprised face as she asked her about Presea and the attention her daughter paid to the pink haired girl.

"Um... well... I don't know for sure. I want for Presea to live her life. She deserves to be happy after all she passed through."

Amelia looked at Colette with more intensity, asking:

Do you see yourself in that girl?

"I do sometimes, but Presea is her own person. She sees things in a different way than I do. I'm not confusing things or projecting my feelings on her, mom, I want to help her to find her own way of living, even if we are destined to become Summon Spirits. And..." here she hesitated as her mother tilted her head to the side, as if encouraging Colette to go on. "She's... pretty. And her Summon Spirit form is... so beautiful, I..."

Colette blushed a crimson tone. Her mother giggled a bit, knowing what Colette meant. She had seen Presea's adult form and she had to admit she looked stunning and sensual in those form-fitting clothes, even though Presea made no effort to be so.

Do you like her?

"I... I do, mom. But it's different from what I felt for Maki. I want Presea to be happy and I don't mind if she's with me or not. I just want her to live on, because I feel she deserves that."

And if she decides that staying besides you makes her happy?

"Then I... well..." Colette blushed even more, giving Amelia all the answer she needed.

She didn't know much about the reincarnated Shadow, just what Sheena had told her, but even from that she could see Presea prioritized Colette's happiness over her own and the way she behaved and looked around her daughter was very different from how she did when she was alone, it was like Colette made Presea more relaxed and comfortable.

If she really is that dedicated to Colette, then I wouldn't mind if my daughter chose her. Amelia thought.

She smiled to let her daughter know whatever Colette chose to do, she would support her, just like always. The two then looked forward… and stalled. In front of them was Martel, who had come to look for them and, by her confused face, seemed to have overheard their talk. Colette and Amelia were worried about how much the so-called Goddess of Victory had heard.

"Um…" Colette made.

"I came looking for you two… did I arrive in a bad time?" she asked, seeming a little embarrassed.

Amelia blushed and shook her head to let the half-elf know it was alright. Martel then led them to Yuan's office. The blue haired man invited them to take seat in two chairs that were in front of his desk. Colette and Amelia sat as Martel stood behind her husband.

"I called you two here because there is something I would like to ask you," Yuan started, getting right to the point. He looked at Colette's mother. "From what I've heard, you lived in Mizuho for some time and then in Iselia, right?" the adult blonde nodded. "Do you remember something of your life before that? Like your last name?"

Amelia shook her head and the sent through touch a question for Colette to ask:

"Why are you so interested in our story? We're not really that special," she then amended. "Well, besides me being a Summon Spirit."

"This has nothing to do with you being a Summon Spirit," Martel spoke. "It's just… we happen to be…"

"Martel, let's first be sure before jumping to conclusions," Yuan said, interrupting his wife, who nodded. He turned to mother and daughter. "Anyway, don't you remember anything at all from your original family? Do you have a keepsake or something?"

Amelia stood thinking for a moment and even Colette looked at her with curiosity. The reincarnated Gnome had never asked about her grandparents, being content with just her mother. The cursed woman seemed to be thinking hard, until she looked up with a gleam of enlightenment in her eyes. The blond woman quickly took her notebook and started writing on it. When she was done she showed it to everybody.

In the white page was a single word, a name:

Yggdrasil.

Martel and Yuan's eyes widened at seeing that. The leader of the Renegades asked where she had heard that from and Amelia wrote:

I don't know. The name just came to me. Do you know somebody named Yggdrasil?

Martel finally decided to talk:

"Yes, in fact, my last name, the one that I kept even after my marriage, is Yggdrasil."

Amelia and Colette looked surprised. Amelia didn't remember ever meeting Martel and Colette wondered if her mother really knew the Goddess of Victory, but didn't remember it.

"Yggdrasil was the name me and my younger brother shared. And, if I'm right, it's also…"

"Martel," Yuan said.

"Yuan, it has to be them!" the green haired woman looked almost desperate.

"There's no way to be sure, unless they're both willingly to try out Resonance."

"What's this 'Resonance'?" Colette asked, getting nervous at how the talk was developing.

"It's a lyric spell that is used to test if two magical auras are compatible," Martel said. "For what we are proposing, it would verify if one of you has an aura matching with mine or Yuan's."

"Lyric spell… wait, isn't it like those you know, mom?" Colette asked.

That made Yuan and Martel look even more surprised as Amelia nodded. Sensing their looks at her, she quickly fumbled with her notebook, feeling a little nervous to be under the gaze of the two resistance leaders. She then showed them the message:

I don't remember where I learned them, but when I turn into demon I can utilize them to attack.

"C-Could you sing one?" Martel asked, looking a little nervous and... hopeful?

Amelia nodded and stood. She opened her mouth and letting out a single note. The effect was almost instantaneous as chaos energy swirled around her and she changed into her demon form. Thankfully, her dress this time was larger, sleeveless and had an ample opening in the back, so her wing could appear without much problem and without ripping the fabric off.

Yuan and Martel were quite impressed at what the saw. Not because of the transformation, but at Amelia's demon form appearance. It was, by far, the closest to a demon of high species than they had ever saw, very different from the poison-green, humanoid shaped mass or even the disfigured bodies most of the other cursed half-elves looked like.

She then started to sing in an ethereal-sounding voice. Colette just observed, but could feel some kind of power building up as her mother sang the notes. Martel did too and she was impressed when she felt her aura resonating in time with the song. More so, she could now clearly see Amelia's aura and what laid beneath the chaos energy on it extending just as her own and swirling together between them. She could see traces of an aura… a very familiar one.

Yuan just observed, seeing everything that was happening. When the song ended, the auras of both women returned to their previous states, vibrating normally. Amelia then opened her glowing eyes and asked, her voice now sounding wrapped:

"Um… what just happened? I never saw it happening before when I sang it."

"That was what we call a magical resonance," Yuan explained, seeing Martel was too shocked to speak. "The song you just sang is actually the lyric spell Resonance. Are you sure you don't remember where you learned that? You surely must have noticed that you just sang in elven."

"Yes, I knew that much, but as I said before, I don't remember much about my childhood."

"Even so, you remember that spell."

"Mom used to sing it to me as a lullaby when we were in Mizuho," Colette quipped up.

"Which is a very common use the elves give to it, since the connection between auras enables the caster to transmit feelings of relief and peace more efficiently. Martel used to sing that to our child every night."

"Your… child?" Colette asked.

"We had a little girl," Martel finally spoke. "It was shortly after we started the Renegades. But we lost her in the middle of the crowd in a village that was being attacked by Nebilim himself and never saw her again."

"Her name was Melia," Yuan spoke up again. "Does this sound familiar to you Amelia?"

The demon-turned woman had her eyes wide at hearing that, starting to understand where those two were coming from, but… was it possible?

She knew her family had been an adopted one, they told her they found her unconscious at their doorstep one night. Her adopted family had always wanted a child, but was unable to conceive, so they took her in and raised her as their own daughter.

She couldn't remember much besides that. Everything started to eventually get blurry, so she couldn't make out many details, but she did remember key facts. And now...

"You... you think I'm her?" Amelia asked, to which Martel nodded.

"The fact you know lyric spells is the proof of that. There are no other living half-elves with the knowledge of such enchantments besides me. I used to sing these spells for you when you were little, so you probably guarded them in your mind," Martel said.

"Then, that would make you my grandma!" Colette realized.

Amelia looked down, not knowing what to think. She had had a mother before and she did wondered what happened to her real parents, but now... being in front of them, she didn't know what to do. How did you made up for thirty-three years away from your real mother?

Before she could say something however, Martel hugged her. Amelia blushed, not knowing what to do, but... she also felt incredibly safe and comfortable in the older woman's arms.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Melia," Martel said, her voice a little strained, like she wanted to cry. Amelia, however, felt a pang at being called that.

Even if she was Melia, even if she was really Martel and Yuan's daughter, so much had happened. She didn't feel like she belonged to this picture, but...

She hugged Martel back, trying to transmit some of her own warm to the green haired woman. She might not feel like she was Melia, but...

"Colette… would you accept me as your grandma?" Martel asked as she released Amelia from her embrace and looked at the smaller blonde, seeming a little unsure herself.

Colette smiled a radiant smile as she thought about that. She always liked Martel and she felt she could trust in Yuan too. She had never thought of having grandparents before, but seeing them working so hard for the sake of Aselia made she like the two already.

"Well, to tell the truth, I always admired what you two are doing. So, I would be happy to call you all my family," Colette said.

Martel smiled a radiant smile very similar to Colette as the two hugged each other.

Amelia was happy for her daughter. She might not feel like she fit, but if Colette liked Martel and Yuan and accepted having them as part of their little family then she would keep her doubts to herself.

- / - / - / - / - / - / -

As Amelia (now back to her human form, with the help of Martel) and Colette left Yuan's office, intending to tell the others about their findings, Martel called her husband's attention and decided to tell him what she overheard in the corridor. Yuan raised an eyebrow at hearing that:

"So Colette's attracted to that Presea girl…" he surmised, putting his hand under his chin. He then looked up at Martel. "What do you think about this?"

"Honestly? I don't care," his green haired wife said. "I don't care because we have just found out our daughter is alive and that we have a granddaughter. It doesn't matter what her sexual orientation is. The important thing is both of them are alive and well."

"I am of the same opinion," Yuan said, earning a smile form his wife. "There are more serious things to worry about than this. Besides, she is a Summon Spirit, she will eventually outlive us all and I don't want to be remembered as an incomprehensive grandfather."

"My, my. Already feeling old, darling?" Martel jested.

"Well, I am technically seventy-something. By human standards, I would be eligible to an asylum," Yuan joked back.

"Then I guess I will have to infiltrate it and disguise myself as your nurse. Speaking of, I think it's time for your sponge bath, Mister Ka-Fai," her tone became sultry at that.

"You know, you remember me of my sweet, innocent wife. What is your name again, miss?" the two laughed at their joke and got up, going to their room to celebrate the safety of their daughter and granddaughter.

Before they could get to the door, however, it opened to admit a crimson-eyed, blond young man.

"Ratatosk?" Martel let out at seeing the Summon Spirit look at them with a serious look. "Is there something we can help you with?"

"Actually there is. I have a favor to ask of you two…"

Unnoticed by the three, a figure was hearing everything on the other side of the automatic door...

- / - / - / - / - / -

The next day, the group reunited in Yuan's office once more.

Marta's father looked more relieved after her daughter spoke to him and said she wouldn't back out on her feelings for Ratatosk, no matter what kind of mistakes he did. Brute nodded and accepted her decision, having already given his thoughts on the subject. In his eyes, it wasn't his place to judge a Summon Spirit.

"We called you all here to inquire about what is your decision regarding our offers of support," Brute said, his authoritative tone back.

Regal looked between all of his brethren and they nodded, letting him speak for them.

While he was the newest member to the group, they quickly warmed up to him. Zelos and Regal already knew each other, so they were on a short of friendly basis. Sheena, Marta and Lloyd held respect for his efforts in trying to help Aselia and believed in his morals. Raine was a little skeptical, but after a little chat with him the two bonded on an intellectual level. He was a scholar in the ways of business and economy and she was on history and magic.

Presea held gratitude for him for taking in her sister and giving her a stable lifestyle and Colette… it was quite hard not to warm up around the gentle, friendly girl.

"We've discussed and decided to accept your offer," Regal announced. "As such, we would like to request transport for two locations."

"So, you all are ready to move again, but why two locations?" Brute asked.

Raine was the one to answer, although there was some bitterness in her tone, like she wasn't looking forward to it:

"Since the demons and now even Cruxis are aware of our activities and will certainly be on the lookout, we decided to speed up our journey by dividing into two teams. One will go to the Temple of Lightning to wake Regal's powers as a Summon Spirit…" she meant the President of Lezareno with her hand. "And retrieve Tornitrus' core. The other will go to… Thoda Island…"

Thoda Island: A small rock formation, offcoast, located in the south of the Palmacosta Continent.

Formed by a now sleeping, underwater volcano, the island is famous by its geyser which erupts boiling water at high temperatures from times to times. (...) During the falls, the sea level increases and the lower part of the island becomes submerse, making it impossible for boats to approach. (...)

It is also known that the Thoda Island once housed a temple dedicated to Undine, Summon Spirit of Water. However, its location's records were lost after the War.

(...)

Temple of Lightning: Located north of the Gaorachia Forest in the Altamira Continent, it is a great tower that pierces the skies, situated in a region known for its frequent thunderstorms.

The temple is considered off-limits to civilians due to the high charges inside subjecting the person to become struck by the lightning. Only faculty members and authorized perssonel are allowed inside with the appropriate protection gear. (...)

It is of common knowledge the temple holds an altar which is said to be directly connected to the Summon Spirit of Lightning, Volt. Due to the volatile nature of said Summon Spirit and his insistance in speaking an old dialect, popularly called "Heaven's Language", summoners that attempt a pact, often recruit the services of a translator. (...)

- Excerpt from "Aselia's Most Famous Locations Guide" -