**Hello readers. I have had the nastiest cold, and the writing has been slow... Sorry about that. I'm still sick, but now it's only my throat. Laryngitis is a pain, but at least you won't have to hear my whale croaks on the story. I'm also happy that this is online, where I can't be too infectious...

Unless you or your electronic device have sympathy pains\sickness.

However... This isn't possible.

Either way, enjoy Chapter 56! :)**

Chapter 56: Inner Conflict

I was sitting at my desk, taking notes on everything that had happened...

I had been seriously reflecting on what Nina had told me. I had many questions, and the list of pro's and Con's I had written.

I took a moment to look at it again.

...

Pro's and Con's of the Siege

PRO'S

• On the moralistic side of things, I would be fighting for justice. 1

• Were I to succeed, I could then right the crimes against the victims of a tyranny. 1

• We have the dreamstone amulet, which significantly improves our power and our chances of success. 2

• We have gained powerful allies. 2

• The knowledge that erasal can be undone gives us an advantage. 2

CON'S

• We do not have the element of surprise. 2

• There is an unknown lethal factor that may prove to be a disadvantage. 3

• The stance of the throne or who is to claim it is also an unknown. 2

• The amount of unknown factors may allow for conflict among the group, and conflict with Shinjitsu, if it comes to that. This could mean many casualties. 3

THE GREY: • (More Bad). - (More Good).

- I may be able to bring back fallen allies, if I win. 3

• Kaihn's attack may be a troublesome obstacle, leaning toward more powerful foes. 2

- Kaihn's attack is also the reason we have to fight this. People like him should not be favored by ruler's and leaders. 2

• We are not favored, and Shinjitsu's stance with the heavens has always been unclear. 2

• The Leviathan's may turn on us, due to their unpredictable nature. 3

- Both Hiro and Eiji have sway over the Leviathan's. 3

- Hiro specifically has rule over Max. 2

• The extent of Hiro's power over Max is now unknown. 1

ABSOLUTES

Pro's: 8

Con's: 10

GREY AREAS

Pro's: 10

Con's: 8

TOTAL ODDS

Pro's: 18

Con's: 18

...

The grey was something I had added recently, because lately there have been more of them. I didn't expect the odds to be perfectly matched, and there were so many unknowns that could turn this one way or the other...

It was nerve wracking.

I have the dreamstone amulet in the palm of my hand, yet I'm on the fence about this siege, and the odds are in the air.

I needed to make a decision, and I needed to make it soon.

I will take the night to think on it... Besides, a sleep deprived brain will not make optimal choices.

However, not even sleep could stall this forever.

...

Junichi was taking a casual stroll around the castle. He was still amazed at the fine detail put in after five minutes of work.

He saw Max run by, and he seemed...

Well, bigger. Headed back to Hiro no doubt.

"Hm, well that was strange..."

"Why are you still here?" Asked Loki.

"Did you need something? Or are you back to give me a rematch. I've been itching to break your nose again!"

He laughed. "No need to be so hostile! How's your tooth? Still gone?"

She gave him a flat look.

"Why yes, yes it is... Aren't you just captain obvious."

He smirked. "Well, every captain needs a feisty maid..." He mumbled.

"What was that!?" She barked.

"Nothing, nothing at all." He grinned.

She glared at him.

"You suck... But..."

She looked down.

"Your asshole ways make my asshole life less prominent... I guess."

He laughed. "I don't know if that's a thank you, or an apology... Either way, I accept."

She laughed. "Don't read too much into it."

He shook his head. "You know, I'm not the only asshole here..."

He looked at her. "So, how's your ever blossoming relationship? Still enjoying the 'Romagedy'?"

She looked down bitterly.

"No. It's more of a tragedy now... Like a dead flower. Oh, and thanks for nonchalantly stepping all over my mood."

He had no clue things had gone that badly.

He sighed. "I didn't know. I'm sorry... Are you okay?"

She glared. "Do you really have to ask?"

He looked down. "No, I suppose not."

He looked at her. "My question, if it's welcome... Why would he leave you? Didn't you wait a century for him?"

She clenched her teeth.

"Yes. I did."

Junichi gestured to a stone bench.

They sat down, and she stayed silent. Her expression was angry, but it was obvious that pain lurked close beneath the surface.

"I just don't know why... He told me things had changed."

She slammed her fist on the arm of the bench, breaking it.

"But that's BULLSHIT! I waited a century, just to be ABANDONED!? FUCK THAT!"

She burst into tears, crying silently for a while.

Junichi put an arm on her shoulder.

"I'm really sorry for ruining your mood... And I'm sorry he did that. I've never understood why the people closest to us decide to throw it all away..."

She looked at him.

His eyes were teary, and he seemed to be spacing for a moment.

He looked back at Loki.

"You're a lot like I was... I mean, I've never been to hell, nor do I want to make the trip... Abandonment is a harsh upbringing, and tends to follow it's prey."

"I just don't understand how he came to such a conclusion..." She sniffed.

She looked up, her eyes spilling with tears.

"It's funny... I was just starting to remember my old self. So much for that."

Junichi stared at her...

He himself had said something similar once... But it was to no one.

He felt a pain in his chest, and a flutter when he looked at her eyes...

No. Not happening.

He suppressed the feeling, and sighed.

"Is there anything else I can do?" He asked.

She sighed. "It's getting late, and we should probably get some sleep."

He nodded. "Then I'll be on my way..."

They stood, and walked away.

He turned around. "Um, Loki? Wait."

Dammit. No, stop this. Not happening.

She stopped. "Yeah?" She asked.

Her eyes seemed to entrance him.

"Sweet dreams." He said.

She smiled sadly. "Thank you..."

She looked up at him. "It seems I misjudged you, sleep well."

They walked away, amnd Junichi had to restrain himself from tearing out his own hair.

Idiot idiot idiot! This kind of thing never ends well. She's attractive, and would be a nice friend's with benefits. That's it.

(There's so much more to her. Why am I such an asshole!?)

It's not going to happen.

(Maybe she would understand me...)

Those thoughts will only bury me! Stop it. It's always the same.

(She's different then those ones...)

No! NO! They are all the same, save my sister. That woman is a saint. Kuhn is a forever lucky soul.

(What about Chihiro, or Shisuta? They aren't like those ones either...)

I don't know them well enough to say that, and I know Loki even less.

(Loki... Norse mythology as a god of mischief... How fitting for such stunning woman, with such an equally bright fire burning in dark eyes...)

Why am I doing this to myself? I will regret taking down this wall.

I always do.