Phase 45: The Crossroads
Redemption.
Time has flown by quickly.
Meiko Virea was once the enemy, now she is a hope.
John Liene has declared war on the world and battle lines have been drawn.
Now enemies must unite for the tale nears an end.
Meiko and Yaro side by side, fighting for the world.
She had never awoken more tired nor more fulfilled in her life, her mind completely blank as she couldn't get past the warmth in her heart to even pay attention to the pain she still felt in her veins. She rolled her head to see Yaro still asleep and she turned toward him wrapping her arms around him and laying her head on his chest, he stirred slightly and his eyes opened. He smiled at her closeness, he knew that they would have to face the world soon as he wrapped an arm around her and sat up.
"Not yet," she moaned with a yawn so he leaned back again. She wanted them to stay like this forever, not to face the world out there but she knew they couldn't hold onto this moment for too much longer. The ship seemed to be slowing which meant they had met up with the forces and sooner than later someone would come looking for them. They were on the edge of a huge battle and neither of them knew what the outcome was going to be, this might be the last quite moment they would ever have together in their lives or it could be one of many more to come. She sighed just holding onto him, she sill felt weary as if she could do with more sleep, which was probably true.
"You know we have to get up soon," Yaro said with a slight laugh, she seemed determined not to move for a while longer. The council would be held if they had indeed reached the rendezvous point and in that case Meiko would need to attend.
"I know," she responded with a slight whine, "just a minute longer. I want to remember this forever." He smiled as she wrapped her fingers in his and he nodded, he wanted to remember this forever as well. Neither of them wanted to see anything else now but each other, so they blocked out the world and everything they knew they would have to face; fighting back the fears and doubts in their mind and focusing on the love they shared. They knew it couldn't last much longer for they both had a responsibility to the world, he by his strong super seed power and her by her skill in a mobile suit
"Athrun, it's good to see you again," Lacus said with a smile as the ORB representatives entered the Eternal's meeting room, the Redemption officials were there as well for this meeting. They would have to make sure they had their strategies all together, even though they had no idea exactly what they were up against. Each group had a full list of the power they had control of and each of them knew that they would all play a part in what was to come.
"I wish it was under different circumstances," Athrun sighed as they all thought about the situation they were in. In the hours they had spent racing here it seemed the ROW forces still had not been sighted but they all had a feeling the attack could come anywhere and at any second. They talked amongst themselves all nervous and all unready for this moment. They had taken the trip to this location as preparation but how could one really prepare to realize that they were about to fight for their lives against power they were not sure was limited. ROW had apparently debuted new mobile suits and weapons in the nations were the wars were being fought, the news had traveled to each of the groups through different channels. So ROW had been making advancements, unchecked and without restraint. Thinking of this in the midst of the small talk Athrun began to wonder what they were waiting for, the meeting should have begun.
"We're waiting on Meiko," Kira answered knowing what Athrun was thinking by the annoyed distressed look on his brother in laws face, "she's a huge part of this as one of our main links to ROW and she said she'll help us in any way she can; she practically commanded Lacus not to make a move without consulting her." Athrun shook his head with a smile.
"It's hard to believe that such a fiery little girl is your daughter when you're so reserved and calm," Athrun responded to that and Kira shook his head, he had thought of that but there were multiple sides to Meiko. He had seen her fiery and ready to fight, angry and then he had seen her in her lowly mind where she was herself completely outside of the influence of circumstances and she was a lot like him in this place with very few words and whole lot of heart to everything she did. She was very influenced by circumstances that made her a hardened warrior but he still saw himself in her eyes in quieter moments.
"She's not really spoken to me since we found everything out," Kira sighed, "so many things have happened none of us have had much of a chance to confront the new family arrangements. Then she has completely disappeared for the most part since then, unless we are in a military meeting." Kira shook his head wondering what he was going to do about it.
"How has Yaro taken his parentage?" Athrun asked, he had been very concerned when he had heard the truth about Yaro because he knew what it was like to be the son of a man who was so deceived that he fought for all the wrong reasons. Athrun wondered at first if Yaro was going to be alright and he remembered that it was hard but it wasn't unbearable to get through plus Yaro would have tremendous support. The important thing was that Yaro realize he was not his father and he was not destined to go down the same path as that evil man.
"Come to think if it," Kira responded wrinkling his brow as he made a connection, "I haven't really seen him either." At that moment the double doors flew open as her hands slammed into them and Meiko stepped in, dressed out in the assassins uniform she had put together while in Redemption; black leather and weapons was what one observed at first as her long red hair cascaded down her back and her violet eyes glowed with determination.
"No need to wait any longer on my account," she said with an attitude as she walked toward the seat beside Lacus but remained standing, "let this begin, I know very many of you know who I am but there are some of you who are wondering what I am doing here and why I am a part of this." She breathed in with a smile as she faced them," you know me by the name of Meiko Virea, but you don't understand what that is. I think it's important now that you know the truth about who I am before we go any further with this. When I was born the circumstances were less than ideal, unknown to anyone but my mother and one other person I am the daughter of Kira Yamato a man who I only met a matter of months ago. But since I was born and abandoned in the world I ended up in a bad place, I am an ex-ROW agent and if you choose not to trust me after that revelation that is up to you but hear this I hate ROW with everything that is within me, they stole my identity from me for 18 years and I want them to pay for that more than any one else in this room as well as all the other things I witnessed while I was there." At this point everyone in the room was murmuring amongst themselves and she saw that Kira was shaking his head at her, she was making a show of herself and expecting everyone to trust her. He knew that the ORB representatives at least would blame her for Uzumi's death, but they had to realize who she was.
"Now to my new identity," Meiko spoke her words with confidence, "I am no longer effected by ROW except for my hatred, I am here to fight alongside you as I have been for awhile now as the Phoenix," there were more murmurs at the mention of that name, "for I lived and survived a great many things to be here today and nothing is going to change what I want and who I am now. I am sorry to say that I take orders from no one but I do fight beside you and at this point I know what is going on more than you do. I have seen so many things now that I am here," she thought through her mind now connecting many of the visions she saw of ROW while under the influence of the super seed. Combined with what she knew of ROW things were beginning to make sense.
"Be prepared to face ROW at it's worst, all rules out; fight with all your might and kill everything in your path," she declared, "for they have nuclear weapons you haven't even dreamed of yet. I remember what it was like to listen to them, I was such a scared little idiot but they have been planning this for a very long time and they will strike the PLANTs first, mark my words they want us all there but they won't be expecting what we have with us. That is the hope and strength that we have here in this room, for we have all faced the darkest of storms and come out of it alive. I know I've heard stories about most everyone of you and don't you think for a moment ROW doesn't fear that somehow we could be powerful enough to tip the scales and destroy them once and for all because it's what they talked about all the time. I mean Lacus they had you thrown out of the PLANTs for fear of you and ORB they tried to destroy you with the STING before now; then there are all you in Redemption, cause they were afraid to utter your name for fear of a curse upon them. We have everything to fear and at the same time nothing at all, we are strong enough to face this, let's stand up for what we believe in and fight for justice, it's what Uzumi wanted and it's what we will gain."
Everyone in the room clapped but they were all in awe of the things they had just heard come out of this girls mouth, Kira included. He had seen Meiko change so much as if before his eyes, he thought back to the first time he saw her and the brokenness she held on her as it was all she could do to keep from breaking. She had refused his offer of freedom and he knew why, because she didn't want anyone else to die because of her; he had hated not being able to help her then and he didn't understand why he wanted so badly to protect her even though he only saw her life as tragedy. Now he saw her before them all as such a different person, no doubt in her eyes only confidence and strength as she smiled for real. Everything had made her stronger and more amazing and he hoped that nothing would dash her now, because even though she spoke strength, the future looked grim.
Kiran typed quickly as he wondered what exactly was going on in the meeting between the nations. He sat in the hangar on his computer, Yaro was doing tune ups to the Dreamer with some of the technicians and Leyas and Trey were being chaperoned by a couple of Redemption guards as they seemed to be planning something together very secretively. He sighed at them, Lacus and Kira had been getting on them still but he wondered how long that would fly with the war, it was just getting to busy to deal with them all the time.
"Kid!" he nearly jumped at the loud voice so close as he realized whoever it was, had been talking to him and he turned to glare at them for calling him kid when he realized who it was.
"Ceveris!" he declared standing up with excitement, he had missed the older pilot who had been something of a mentor to him down on earth when the minerva had gone missing. Ceveris had taught him more about mobile suits than his own father, not that Kira had gotten much time with all the craziness around them to help his son. Ceveris laughed at Kiran's face as it went from shock to anger to excitement all at once.
"You didn't think that I would just stay on earth as Mey took the Minerva to space to fight off the end of the world would I?" Ceveris asked with a laugh and Kiran realized he had a good point, Kiran had just never really thought twice about what was going to happen with the upcoming battle. He had never equated the idea of everyone coming back together again and he hadn't through twice about the Minerva's return even though he knew Ceveris and Meyrin were together once again. He smiled at the thought of it all, for the first time in history it seemed like the entire world was really ready to unite for this purpose of destroying ROW, this time there were no lies behind it all and no false ideas among them all as everyone was tired of the darkness and ready to change everything.
"Kiran!" he heard his name again as Meyrin approached, "It seems you've been given the option of boarding the Minerva again for the coming battle, we'd be happy to have you with us again." She smiled as she talked though behind her eyes she looked tired.
"I would love to join up with you all again!" he exclaimed as his mind turned to Alicesia he wondered about her; if the ORB military was here she must have been as well. He turned to Meyrin to question. Meyrin saw the question in his eyes before he asked, there was a deep friendship between him and Alicesia and they had been separated for what seemed like forever now.
"No," Meyrin said, "Alicesia is not among the ORB forces. Her father had her discharged from the military and she was sent home, it seems the family was leaving ORB for a nation within the NEA. He was frightened by the message from Liene and decided the NEA would protect his family better. She told me to tell you that after this was over she would find a way back to ORB and find you but I have no idea where she went nor how long till we will see her again." Kiran's heart sank at the news that he had just heard, his best friend was gone somewhere and he had no idea where or if he ever would see her again. He looked down for a second before gathering himself, he would have to take his courage and fight the next battle with it at the forefront of his mind. For she clearly had hope that it would all end, if she said she would return when it was over she really believed that the world would be safe and better when it was over. She believed in him and in everyone else so he would not let her down. He nodded to Meyrin.
"Well we will just have to make sure when this is over that we search for her as well," Kiran responded thinking through it all, "she was part of our struggle to return to ORB, she is our comrade and my best friend. So we have to win, I know we can do it." Meyrin smiled, Kiran really was everything good about his parents, he was strong enough to fight in the next battle. He possessed so much strength, Meyrin hoped that his other siblings had the same strength. For what she had witnessed with the others is that they were taking the war much harder than he was.
Jayley Lired held her breath as her captains stood around her. The PLANT council seemed angry at the report and she was being rightfully blamed for what was coming. She couldn't crack a smile as she hoped her leader was right about the out come of this battle. She gulped as the report was confirmed by security footage, their scouts had found the ROW fleet and it was larger than expected, much larger. The scouts had also all been killed before they could broadcast everything. They seemed frightened of ROWs weapons and now she was frightened of what might happen in this battle, all her carefully laid plans were crashing before her. She had always thought ROW would strike earth first and give her more time but now time had run out. They would be here soon.
"Are you sure that they are heading in this direction?" Jayley asked one of the officers.
"Yes," the man said with a hint of anger in his eyes, "and we have sent a message to the NEA, they are bringing ORB and the Clyne faction with them miss. We can't afford to see them as enemies anymore." This made Jayely more angry.
"They are as much our enemies as ROW is!" she declared thinking it through. Lacus Clyne had caused everything. What she had done in allowing the Gibraltar incident had caused the death of Jayley's parents, and before that Lacus had stopped the Destiny plan that would have brought peace. Jayley had grown up with a hatred of Lacus and of ORB, she couldn't drop it for this battle, no she would order the PLANT soldiers to continue to regard the Clyne faction and ORB as the enemies they were and always would be.
"We need their alliance," another council member said, "the people are in a state of panic and at this point they are also ROW's enemies. The enemies of our enemies are our friends and we must regard them as such." It was after the member had spoken that an alert sounded in the building and in the entire plants. Everyone drew in breath quickly as their hearts started pounding.
"It's begun!" Jayley declared rushing from the room with some of her guards, "defend the plants!"
John Liene smiled as his first wave of ships reported successfully engaging the ZAFT lines. There were no signs of the other enemies but he knew it was only a matter of time before they arrived, soon everything would be revealed. He needed to speak to Meiko Virea one last time, there was one more piece to the puzzle to be placed in her mind, for he had been fighting for so long for this moment. He had sold his soul away in the name of changing the world and making it a better place, many only saw the evil he had done in destroying so much but it was necessary. It has to all end here today, Gryser Cerrian would see everything change.
"Make sure we don't inflict too much damage to the PLANTs yet," Liene said signaling his flags, "we need to located Cerrian, then when we have found him destroy the PLANT he dwells in; if he cannot be found to a certain point we will destroy them all." He smiled evilly, Meiko was destined for this but she had fallen out of cooperation a long time before, if he couldn't get to her he would have to do it all himself with the technology he had created he could recreate the world.
"Urgent news, the PLANTs are under attack," It was Leyas's voice broadcasting to everyone within the area. Meiko stood up from where she was and walked toward the screen in the hangar that changed to show current live footage from the battle, it appeared ROW was only sending an advanced fleet while a large and terrifying force waited behind them. Liene knew that the battle had only just begun and that everyone else would join soon so of course he was hanging back and waiting for them. She breathed in sharply and turned suddenly to face everyone there, her heart started pounding as the reality of everything started playing through her mind, this shouldn't be so shocking but she knew now that there was no escaping it. As soon as they were out there everything was on the line and she viewed her life as forfeit. As far as she saw her own life was about to end, but not without victory.
She saw Yaro out of the corner of her eyes and turned to find herself wrapped in his arms as she focused on what was real around her. He let go of her and she looked up at him gratefully and then she turned to see her mother nearby as well.
"This is it," Meiko said to the woman who had forever watched over her from afar, "everything you waited for and there is no turning back now. You've put your life into this mother, to ending everything ROW had ever done; now I want to know is there any bit of you that regrets that? Is there anything you would take back from the years in redemption?" Flay did not expect the question but looking at her daughter she knew exactly what she would take back.
"I wish with everything within me I had been able to find you sooner," Flay responded, "that I could have stopped your destiny and kept you as far away from battle as possible; I wish with all my heart that I could undo everything you ever went through and prevent you from fighting now." It was as Meiko had suspected, the hesitation in her mothers eyes was because Flay couldn't stand the resolve that she saw in Meiko. What Flay saw was the resolve of a warrior that would most certainly lead do a painful and emotional battle; there was so much on the line now, more than just Meiko but somehow Flay couldn't see past her own child. Everything was destiny now, and Meiko's was changing before her eyes, what came next would determine so much more.
"But I am fighting for everything I believe in," Meiko said, "what you have done is prevented me from fighting on ROWs side and dying for something worthless. Whatever regrets you have about not saving me sooner, I am glad you saved me at all because without you to save me I would either be dead or I would be responsible for the deaths of so many more." Meiko breathed in and said her next words, "no more regrets Flay Alster, the past is gone and at this stage in the game regrets will kill you."
"I know," Flay responded turning away, "and I'll let them go before we get there, just let me hang on for another moment or two." She then walked out of the hanger leaving them and Meiko reached her hand to take Yaro's, not bothering to speak as he knew all her fears as well as his own. They were both more resolved than ever to do the impossible, to stop Liene's weapons and win the field.
"Not long now," Yaro finally spoke turning back to the screen at the battle before them, it was clear the PLANTs were completely out matched, "not long now." —-
"We have received coordinates and orders from the NEA," Cagalli spoke loudly to Lacus Clyne, "you must move the troops and prepare to attack within the next few hours." Lacus nodded and turned to Kira.
"Give the orders," she said, "make sure they are fully aware of what we are walking into, send the readouts of strength to each ship and then Kira make sure Meiko see's them. We're getting ready to take the worlds greatest enemy head on, and Meiko's our best chance; perhaps her knowledge of ROW can provide some measures of weaknesses." Kira nodded about to leave when he turned back to see the distress on Lacus's face, the strain of commanding everything was getting to her and she would need to relax until the battle started.
"Hey," Kira floated to her and embraced her, "it's alright Lacus," He held her close as tears started coming from her eyes, "we're going to get out of this like always. I'm here for you." He then let go of her and she smiled, he always knew when she needed him to be there and he was always there.
"I know Kira," she responded, "this is the end of everything, we're going to win this time and we're going to end this, it's just a lot to think about. We've come so far and we're about to come to the end. So much could happen out there, and I know I'm not supposed to think about it but sometimes I just slip a little. We're all going to make it through this one, we are on the side of right." He smiled at her words as determination filled her voice, sometimes she just needed to remind herself what exactly was going on around her. She was one of the strongest people he knew and what he saw in her was the same determination that had gotten her through so many tough situations, and so many near death experiences.
"That's more like it," Kira responded kissing her softly then hugging her once again, "I'll be right there beside you through everything. This is our chance to show the world once again that we are not going to back down.
The ships moved out an hour later. ORB, Redemption and the Clyne faction all together preparing for the battle to come, they had a few more hours before they would make it there. Lacus sat on the bridge of the Eternal looking at the faces of those who were there and realizing how blessed she was to have some of the best people around her now. These were truly the worlds bravest and strongest now fighting alongside each other to protect all the innocent lives that could die from this battle and to look to a brighter future.
He walked down the halls thinking about what was about to take place. They were moving out into a battle and their army was pretty much led by Meiko who was his daughter. She seemed to be hiding from that fact since discovering it but he knew that he had ton confront it soon; he didn't want to wait until the battle was over for so many things could happen before them. This could be their last chance to really talk it over. He had asked around to where she was and he had finally found her in a lone hangar on the Eternal where no one else was; she stood alone staring up at the Phoenix, the mobile suit that had changed her life and the lives of everyone around her.
The way she stood was different that he had ever seen her, it was almost weaker and more submitted to something that he knew he would never understand no matter how had he tried. She was his daughter but the way she was raised was so different than it should have been, the fear that she had lived under was so much more painful than he could ever imagine.
He took a step and she turned softly to see him there, her expression was unreadable as he knew that his gave his entire thoughts away. Her eyes were his own, something he should have noticed before everything changed around them; she was always somehow connected to him and he had overlooked everything. She was his flesh and blood, his eldest child; his daughter. He would have never predicted that through some twist of fate, he would be unable to ever really be an influence in her life; that she would grow up hardened enough to never need him but so much of him wanted to show her that he was her father and that as her father he would be there for her every step of the way. The problem now was there were not very many more steps in life for any of them to take if everything ended today. It was all crashing down around them and they were fighting to hold it all together, and they would all fight to their last breath if that is what it took. Like Meiko, he was resolved and he would protect those he cared about even if it meant forfeiting his own life.
"Meiko," he spoke first taking another step forward and her gaze stooped him as for a moment the blankness of her expression slipped and her hands that were always held in fists loosened. She knew why he was there.
"You're my father," she said before he could say anything else, "we know that for certain now, is that what you want to say? Because I know it makes a huge difference in how you see me because it makes a huge difference in how I see you." It was exactly what he felt now. She was looking now at the man who was her father, something she had never dreamed possible as a child and he was everything that was good and right in the world. He was the white knight of truth and strength who had saved the world many times before, and to his light she was a darkness, so very different.
"You've been through so much Meiko," he spoke no freely since he knew she understood everything, "things that never should have happened but it's way too late to change it all. I know that I was too late, I should have seen it so long before this but it is why I always felt as though I had to protect you…" She interrupted him now.
"I understand," she responded her mask falling off completely now, "I should have seen it before as well because somehow I always felt safest when you were there. When I was in ROW and when you offered me a way out it was like I felt that just by your very words I would be safe, I didn't think I deserved it then but in my darkest hour I knew I could always count on you more than anyone. When I needed someone back then I turned to you not just because you were the strongest but because I somehow felt you would always understand." He nodded.
"And I protected you so much because of that connection," he spoke truly, "and if things had been different… It's too late for that but it's not too late for so much more. Who's to say we won't all make it out of this?" She felt hope in his words and knew that it was this hope that had always brought the world through in the end, the light of Kira Yamato had always brought them through, "Who's to say that there is no life after this? I believe that we are all going to make it, that we are going to survive against the odds Meiko and when we do I want you to know that you always have a home with your family. You have family now and I don't ever want you to feel alone in the world again." A smile lit up her face and she felt a peace come over her, he was talking the way he should now, speaking of the hope they had and giving her a way to live. The reality was all there for her to see now, she had more than one option in the end, she had her mother's life and her fathers life to choose from.
"I'm different from the rest of you," she responded, "but I understand what you are saying now. Keep that strength Father," she spoke the title that he had over her, "for I believe in your light, we can get through this." She looked down for a second then spoke to him again, "and I will be getting to know you all much better after that." That was what he wanted, for her to become a part of his life, to bring his daughter home the way he should have eighteen years before.
They talked for awhile after that, each sharing about themselves looking to what they had at this moment. The hope of Kira Yamato filled Meiko Virea in this moment, because he wasn't giving up she realized she shouldn't. She had resigned herself to death and suddenly it changed, her and Yaro had to make it out of this now, for the future of the world and for a brighter tomorrow. She knew how he would fight, protecting lives despite what she said. It was who he was, nothing she said would change that but she also knew that she would probably follow some of his patterns while leaving behind a lot of it.
He didn't see the past anymore and he realized there was no time to waste in regret. He was proud of what Meiko had become, of the strength and resolve she displayed in the face of an impossible battle. Unlike Flay he saw the destiny in her as a blessing that he knew would bring her into the light in the end; he saw past her to the world in her eyes and the hope that she was offering everyone. That hope was everything now; they shared it and it brought them closer. Father and daughter as they always should have been. They were finally at the end of Liene's madness and neither of them would falter, for now it was time for them to shine brighter than ever before.
Leyas Yamato stood apart from a group of Redemption officers who were speaking to Yzak Joule, he was less sure about what he was doing but he listened to Milady. Leyas believed that the two were together, which she liked because she didn't want Milady to get in between her parents. Right now Redemption was an important support to Leyas despite her worries. Leyas knew her parents still saw her as a child but the war had forced her to grow up quickly. She was no longer as naive as she had been when the war had began, she had seen too much to deny any longer that inside she felt as if she somehow had to play a part in things to come.
So she had a plan, and Trey would help her along with redemption. They were going to show the world that she was not afraid but rather she was embracing who she was always meant to be. She was Leyas Yamato, the princess of the PLANTs and when the battle begun she would rise with them and take back her birthright. Jayley Lired was never meant to sit atop the PLANT nation and to control them in her mothers stead. Jayley had destroyed honor, lied and cheated her world out of the guidance it needed and Leyas would stand for it no longer. People around her were beginning to understand but they weren't doing anything about it. No this fight fell to Leyas and Leyas alone. Jayley would have to suffer for what she did, and the greatest suffering she would experience was loosing the power which made her a threat to the world. Leyas Yamato was stronger than Jayley would ever be and she knew now she would defeat the tyrant once and for all.
As Meiko's enemy was John Liene so Leyas's enemy was Jayley Lired.
Her eyes opened and she awakened everything was different in the world around her. She had been walking a road for so long desiring so many things at once and so many times she had not understood what she should do but after once again witnessing the twisted hatred that existed in the world. Now Meiko felt her heart change as she had fallen asleep, a fresh determination and a fresh strength. Liene had won before but never again. She'd been begging for vengeance for so long and she knew that now she would not rest until it was over and Liene felt everything he had ever felt before; nothing else would make her feel better. She had lost herself in ROW and this day he would loose himself. She no longer cared of the danger for many would say she was playing with fire by the determination and anger on her face but she knew now that though she had found a place of peace her heart would be frozen until it was done.
No more tears to cry for anything nor any reason. Nothing else mattered and she knew now she had closed her eyes from the truth for too long. She was not like those whom now she knew were family. Despite being his daughter she was not Kira Yamato; as she told Yaro he was not John Liene. She would not take her fathers name despite how she loved him already, no she would hold the one thing that was her own, Virea; she was Meiko Virea.
She reached out with her mind trying to once again brush that place where she would find Uzumi but that place was lost to her suddenly. She was resolved and healed of the emotional past that once held her down and now she no longer needed him. He was the driving force behind so many things, so many actions that she had taken. He had saved her more than once and even in death he went on saving her. His memory drove her as she had realized long ago that his destiny was in a way so much greater than hers. He represented hope to her, and his undying faith was immortal.
Now that she stood near the end she held tightly to the memories of Uzumi and the immortal truths that he stood for. From the moment he met her, to the many times he was there; they had faced the dark together and in the end he had shielded her from it. He showed her love, laying down his life for her unselfishly and that was something she would never ever forget. Though the world had seemed to move on around her, she still remembered the moment of his death as if it had happened the day before. She would never forget his bravery and she knew somehow even when she couldn't feel him there he would always be there. No one could change that.
Now she fought remembering him, and the short life he had lived. 15 was too young to die and she knew it was one of the many sins that Liene would pay for. For this she fought and for the world. It was the crossroads and she had taken the road less traveled. This far down there would be no turning back.
To Answer Some Questions:
Gryser Cerrian is making his appearances now, he was the one behind Jayley's entrance and defection from ROW, more on him will be revealed as time goes on. For now he's a part of an organization that has managed to stay completely secret, his motives are unrevealed but he has had a hand in many events. It will also be revealed he has more connections with some other characters in the story. So he will have a more heavy hand in Immortal.
So sorry it's taken me forever to write this chapter, I've been trying to write but I've been distracted with Immortal planning. I just put down into stone a pretty tragic and gruesome scene cause next story the stakes will be raised by a lot and I'm not going to be as nice with second chances.
So I'm extremely sorry, I realized today that it had been over two months since my last update. So I've been really discouraged with the ending responses so far, I got a lot more responses at the midpoint of the story, it seems to be going down every time I post (granted they've been farther and farther). So for the next five phases I am pushing through but I am going to need your help. I need you to keep giving me feedback and reviews to let me know what you think because I already am working on Immortal and I need inspiration to finish this one off first before I continue that one. So review! REVIEW! I did a fast finish to get this chapter up today to let you know I need inspiration! REVIEW!
The Battle starts next phase. I want to hear every thought you have going into it.
-WinterChill