Blazing Steel and Freezing Bullets

by Shinn of Destiny

Left alone in a blazing forest, Relon is soon saved and the path before him opens. With much to learn about such as his past, family, friends, even the very people trying to destroy the peace and him to an extent, his enrollment at Thors will be anything but normal.

46. Meeting the Devil and Guardian Angel

I am back! And I made a discord under the name Fanfiction Nation! Let's chat and vibe! I love talking to you all! On to the reviews and story! Whoo!

Link is - discord .gg /nJxvDjhtZs

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dfriel1996: I feel like Rean was forgotten in this chapter he was barely mentioned I know he was unconscious, but Sara his instructor didn't even acknowledge that one of her students was laying on the ground not moving when arrived was really off putting.
Same with Osborne I wasn't expecting him to appear like this but at least a glance at Rean would of been enough considering that Ishmelga that very thing keeping him alive and saved his son's life was in front of him.

Trust me, he wasn't. Just note that I prefer to keep chapters 5k long as to focus on the main individuals involved in the current conflict an then go back to the others at another point. And believe me, everything you've mentioned I've thought of already before the last chapter went up. I'm limited to what I can show and for how long unless I choose to go over the 5k cap. You'll see a lot of things to come that will tie back in with one another once we get to said event. Trust me, I think you may like it but that is just my own opinion as the author so I do not wish to get your hopes up, my fellow reader :)

FireExorcist0: Don't tell me he gotta marry Claire to get the other half of the mark thing cuz this is predictable, and now that Osborne heard that will he still try to control Relon like the control freak he is?

Oh Aidios, no haha. Marraige talk won't be brought up till later lol. As for Osborne... We'll just have to wait and see :D

NERO TOVACK: Hey please don't tell me that Relon's secrets are spoiling so soon? Can it wait until they reach the capital? Plus don't forget about class 7 in their screen time too its not just about Relon you know.

Secrets not all at once but some more later down the line. Some sooner and others later. And as I mentioned above, I can only do so much but trust me, EVERYONE will get time to shine.

FieLover: First of, my condolences for your loss. It's understandable to lose motivation to write when something like that happens. I'm glad you are feeling a little better now!

Definitely love the opness of Yujiro here lol, and I know it will be a while since we see Relon's second evolution (but I'd be surprised if we see it in a few chapters O.o). Overall, good chapter and I'm glad I got the notif~

Thank you, my friend. It means a lot. Yujiro is freaking like Saitama in this fic so hell yeah, beat the shit out of a God with your bare hands king, haha! An I'm not saying anything about Relon's evolution. That will come whenever it happens XD.

Tackler5rb: Great Chapter! I can't wait for the next one. Will Fie find out what happened to Rean also?

Thank you! And who knows? We can only be patient!

Bangetsugo: Does anyone saw how Alisa was worried about Rean the whole time he was unconscious? I smell a situation with her and Fie coming?

OOF! Nah, Fie and Rean all the way. Alisa finds it cute but who that doesn't mean Rean or even Relon won't have moments with the other girls~.

TheGreatDoaistDumpling: I'd like to differ, there is not always a choice. Life sometimes gives us the shittiest hand and yet we have to continue playing with this hand. Sometimes you're trapped and there is only one way out. Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows and this kid needs to learn that. Life isn't fair and you're not always given a choice when you're backed into a corner.

And I completely agree! Relon's ideology against Osborne's is that Relon KNOWS of the harshness reality can bring but doesn't want to BELIEVE there's nothing that can be done.

Darth Simp: I have the biggest smile right now since musse showed up she's one of my fav characters in the series she's in my main cs4 party and can I ask that when class 7 goes to astraia in canon musse is there and begins teasing rean much to Elise and fies annoyance

Musse fans, rise haha XD. Oh, don't worry, there will be plenty of teasing for both Rean and Relon when the time(s) come.

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Shinn: You know guys, this chapter reminds me a lot of Infinity War. I apologize HIGHLY IN ADVANCE FOR WHAT YOUR EYES SHALL SOON SEE.

Yu: W-Wha?! I don't know what to feel now...

Shinn: Neither do I yet I'm the one writing!

Cobalt: Um... what in the world do you guys mean?

Shinn: This chapter that's finally out~. Man am I gonna get an earful from Andrew.

Andrew: Someone call? Shinn, what did you do?

Shinn: Just know, I'm doing this for the greater good of the plot.

Danny: I know the feeling.

Andrew: WHAT DID YOU DO, SHINN?!

Shinn: As Thanos once said, 'The hardest choices require the strongest wills...'

Andrew: Shinn, whatever you did, I am going to murder you…!

Shinn: Look. I love Rean more than the next guy, but I gotta pull a Thanos.

Yu: I think I heard something broke inside me...

Andrew: Oh no!

Shinn: Hug the child. He will need it...

Andrew: I'm giving you lots of hugs because my husband over here is going all crazy.

Yu: Thank you DX

Danny: Sometimes sacrifices are meant to be made...

Andrew: SHUT UP, DANNY! YOU'RE NOT HELPING!

Shinn: Truer words cannot be spoken, my friend...

Andrew: YOU SHUT UP TOO, SHINN! YU IS CRYING BECAUSE OF YOU!

Cobalt: ... The hell is going on?

Unknown

"Rean, it's time to wake up."

Ouch...

Allowing his vision to unveil itself, Rean finds himself back in the safety of the Class VII dormitory.

"What the...?" He gasps looking around. "What am I doing here? Wasn't I... I..." Furrowing his eyebrows, Rean rolls over sitting up on the side of his bed. "Ouch, my chest. What was I doing? And who told me to wake up...?"

Knock knock knock.

"Huh?"

"Oi, Earth to Rean!" A familiar voice calls from the other side of his door. "Are you awake? We kinda need to get going to school, you know?"

Still put off by the odd set of quick events, the Eight Leaves practitioner glances at the time to see it is close to homeroom beginning.

Blinking, he gets up clutching his chest at the strange aching pain. Walking to the door, he stops before speaking up.

"... Relon?"

"Oh good, you're awake! Hurry up, slowpoke. Laura, Elliot, Pippin, and I are waiting on ya!"

"Especially me." The voice of Fie's call blandly.

"A-Alright, give me a few more minutes..." He manages to respond before stepping back falling onto his bed looking at the floor more confused than before.

I slept in? I haven't done that since I was a kid! Wait, scratch that! Relon waking up before me?! Now I know something's wrong with me. At that, he sits up for his chest ache once more. And why does my chest hurt? Why can't I remember what happened before I woke up?

"I guess I'll just ask the others..."

Quickly prepping, Rean looks over his refreshed self and with a nod, he opens the door to be greeted by his friends.

"What took you?" A pouting Fie demands, the others sweat dropping along with Rean as he rubs the back of his head apologetically.

"Sorry. Whatever happened before really did a number to me."

"Didn't you say you were going to help me?" She reminds, her irked demeanor shifting to a scowl.

What happens next causes Rean's eyes to buck wide, the boy unconsciously stepping back. Glaring at him, Fie's yellow eyes turning a bright crimson and her hair shifting to a pitch-black as a dark aura bursts around her.

"Some friend you are." Turning, she walks away leaving a stunned Rean in his place.

What... was that...?

"Oof." Rean notes. "Hey, don't let it get to ya, buddy. She'll come around." He says patting Rean's back, the pain from earlier surging out his back now as said teen recoils.

"Ouch!"

"Whoa! You okay, Rean?!" Elliot asks with worry.

"Relon!" Laura snaps at.

"What?! I didn't hit him that hard, I swear!" He holds his hands up innocently.

"I-It's alright. Whatever we ended up doing yesterday really did a number on me." Rean explains recovering.

"Yesterday?" Relon tilts his head glancing at the other two students holding the same perturbed demeanors. "We didn't do anything yesterday though."

"What do you mean? Wait, what day is it?"

"It's a Tuesday." Elliot answers.

"Do you truly not remember?" Laura asks. "Yesterday, both you and Fie enjoyed the day together like any other day."

"We did?"

"Well, duh. You two are dating." Relon deadpans for Rean to snap up from his pained chest to Relon buck wide.

"WAIT, WHAT?!"

"Of for the love of! Come on, we'll be late if we stay any longer!" Relon groans leaving with Elliot and Laura.

Blinking while processing the sudden news, Rean looks to his room and then to the staircase where the sounds of fading footsteps can be heard.

Fie and I...? When...? How...?! I would certainly remember something like that at least! And that form... Since when could she do that?! It felt just like my Demon Unchained. Wait, where did I get that name...?

Needing answers, he hurries after his friends, ignoring the pain.

Walking along the graveled road passing the park where the kids are already out and about, he files in within the group.

"I'm sorry, whatever happened must have messed with my memory... and hearing." He begins. "But you said Fie, the girl that sleeps all the time and hates schoolwork, and I are dating." Rean clarifies.

"Yeah. I did." Relon nods nonchalantly. "You guys have been dating for a while, dude. Longer than Laura and I." Relon adds causing Rean to stop in his tracks once more.

"... Wait."

"Come on, Rean." Relon groans.

"NO! WAIT A SECOND, DAMN IT!" Rean shouts over the teen stopping the three and flying sword. "You and Laura?" He points back and forth. "When?"

"The day Shifu attacked the train." Relon blandly answers. "It was her and Klaus who happened to meet up with me by sheer coincidence. Repelled Senate, confessed to one another, and here we are." He answers, Laura slightly blushing at the memory.

"Okay... Yet you guys say I've been dating Fie longer than that?"

"Yeah." Elliot nods. "You two have been together since you met back in Ymir. You two are often talked about as the childhood friends that ended up together. A lot of the students envy the love you two show off." Elliot smiles cheerfully at the thought. "Do you really not remember anything?" He asks with concern.

"I seriously don't and learning about all this... it's... kinda frightening to an extent."

"Well in case you've forgotten, you have a date with Fie after school so if you still want that to happen, you better fix things with her." Relon reminds, the group beginning to walk forcing Rean to follow after in further shock.

"A DATE?!"

"STOP WORRYING!" Relon roars back with a chuckle. "The boys and I got you just like every other time you go on dates. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeesh, having amnesia at a time like this really is annoying." He sighs. "What the hell happened to you, Rean? You and Fie finally punch in those V-cards or something?" His question causing Rean's perturbed face to explode into a red mess.

"I DOUBT THAT!"

"Hehe, just messing with you, bud." Relon grins to get whacked on the head. "Ow, what was that for?!"

"Stop picking on, Rean." Laura orders with crossed arms. "The situation can't be helped. Let's just get to class and explain the situation and go from there."

"Yeah, sounds good." Elliot nods in agreement.

"Roger roger, milady." Relon rolls his eyes, rubbing his head, the four and Pippin reaching the school.

If Fie and I are really dating, why did she look so... off the way she did? And better yet, why do I feel like this aching pain has something to do with it?

Entering the classroom, Rean takes sight of his supposed "significant other" sitting in her seat clearly upset with her normal appearance once again.

"Good morning, everyone." Emma greets with a smile.

"Morning." Relon greets. "We got a problem." His words gaining the rest of Class VII's attention.

"What is it?" Gaius asks for Relon to point his thumb behind him at Rean.

"Our boy here has a random case of amnesia." His words causing everyone to widen in surprise, Rean noting of Fie's ever stoic expression.

"Seriously?" Machias wonders. "You remember who we are, right?"

"Yes, Machias." Rean nods with a sigh. "I just can't recall anything I've done up until this morning." He explains massaging his chest.

"Hm. As for the cause, the only one that would know that would be Fie." Jusis notes.

"You two did spend yesterday together." Aurelia adds.

"Yeah. I've been told." He mutters, all eyes going to said girl.

"Hmpf." She cocks her head away.

"Uh, Fie?" Alisa is confused at the attitude. "Did something happen?"

"A couple ordeal." Relon explains.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh..." The class says in unison understanding the simple words.

"Well, hopefully you two will make things up soon." Emma nods.

"The sooner, the better." Jusis crosses his arms.

"Can you at the very least act like you care?" Machias deadpans.

At that, the sound of heels clicking against the floor reverberates from the outside hallways as it skips Sara. Humming in delight, she halts at the podium, her eyes opening for her demeanor to falter at the sight of her class.

"The heck's going on here?"

"A certain someone has amnesia." Relon explains.

"Who has amnesia?"

"I do." Rean raises his hand.

"You have amnesia?"

"Yes."

"Any idea what happened?"

"No, that's what I'm trying to figure out."

"Well have you asked Fie?"

"Not yet." Rean groans.

"Then do that." Sara shrugs.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"She's currently upset with him, Instructor." Aurelia explains.

"For what?"

"Not relaxing with her." Elliot answers.

"Why didn't you relax with her?"

"I told you, I have amnesia!"

"How'd you get that?"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

"Time out for a sec'." Relon intervenes. "Instructor, are you drunk again?"

"Who?"

"I knew it." Relon facepalms along with the rest of Class VII.

"I need to sit down." Rean sighs taking a seat rubbing his forehead due to the surfacing headache. "The hell's going on...?"

First I have amnesia, then there's the dating situation, and everyone is acting beyond weird. Not to mention Instructor Sara clearly too drunk to teach? That's never happened before!

(It'll be alright, Rean.) Alisa whispers reassuringly taking her seat to his left.

"Are you saying that for my well being or that of the class'?"

"Both." She chuckles which causes the boy to faceplant his desk with another groan.

"I just want answers..."

(Well to get answers, you know what you need to do.) Gaius whispers with a smile from his seat in front of the raven-haired boy.

Glancing at Fie holding her perturbed expression forward, she seems to feel his gaze as with a glance back for their eyes to meet, she snaps back forward.

"Yeah..."

Only problem is how do I solve a dating issue when I've never dated before?

With that final thought, class began and eventually, the end of the day had come.

Nice work, y'all haha." Sara hiccups before guzzling another longer drink of beer. "You made it through another grueling day of classes! YAAAAAAAAAY!"

Seriously, how the hell can she speak normally? Rean thinks.

"And in case you've been living like a hermit, tomorrow is your practical exam. Haha, I need more beer~. Y'all whippersnappers better show up time, hic! Also, you have a free day after the exam sooooooo..."

"Um... will the academy's facilities still be open for use?" Emma asks with hesitance.

"Hic! You bet your sweet bippity!"

"Well, er, good. I'd like to use the library if possible." Machias adds awkwardly.

"Ahhhhh!" Sara shouts finishing another long swig. "All of it! It's alllllllll open for use!"

I swear I feel like I've heard all of this before...

"Clubs meet during your free day so keep an, uh.. um... what's this thingy call, haha?"

"An ear, Instructor Sara." Jusis sighing shaking his head.

"Oh yeah, teehee. That. Keep an ear out for clubs y'all want!" She points at the ceiling, her eyes widening. Shit, I forgot we should also go over what's happening tomorrow! Oh well, be ready for tomorrow Toodles~." She suddenly waves skipping out leaving all to sweatdrop.

"She seriously forgot what she just explained to us." Alisa comments.

"If you can call... that an explanation." Rean notes.

And a practical exam tomorrow? I thought the free day came first, not after. Wait, why did I think that? I need to get some fresh air.

Seeing no one gather around him as some leave while others chatter, he gets up beginning to leave.

"So you're not going to apologize?" His head raises up and then down to see Fie sitting on her desk looking at him with a stoic look.

Sighing, he looks forward to her about to for a thought to come to mind.

"Do I really need to considering I have amnesia?" He challenges which causes her eyes to narrow. "Common sense would be to be kinder to your supposed boyfriend if he had no recollection of his memory." He states matter-of-factly

"Your point?"

"My point is if you really are my girlfriend, I'd expect you to be more supportive of your childhood friend slash boyfriend. Especially when I can't even remember what the hell happened yesterday!" He shouts, waving his arms in exclamation.

The sound of a single sniff catches his ears as Rean's demeanor changes as Fie wipes her eyes.

"What do you mean by your supposed boyfriend." Fie whimpers covering her face. "When I lost everything, you were there! Not Sara!" She shouts jumping to her feet causing him to step back. "You think I'm lying about you being you girlfriend? Then tell me, Rean Schwarzer, do you think my love is a lie? My life?!" She looks up, tears flowing like a river.

The sheer sight leaving the teen speechless. Scrunching her face about to say more, Fie doesn't. Instead running out of the room, all Rean can do is stare in both disbelief and confusion.

"What just happened...?" At his question, the sensation of cold water jolts him back to reality to jump away, the sight of Alisa holding a now empty water bottle.

The demeanors of her and everyone else a mixture of disapproving looks and scowls.

"You're the worst." She states coldly turning and leaving with the rest of the class except for one.

"Dude." Relon shakes his head disapprovingly as he approaches his fellow swordsman. "You had all day to think of what to say, and that was what you decided on?"

"No, I... I just had a thought at the last second and..." Rean takes a seat processing everything all over again. "What the hell...?" He rubs his hands down his face.

"If I were you, I would have just listened to your gut."

"How can I trust something considering the situation, Relon?" Sighing, Relon leans off his seat.

"Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"To Fie's room."

"Why?"

"To show you what you showed me. Now you still have her key, right? Check your coat pocket." Still confused, Rean slowly checks over his person to stop feeling something to indeed pull out a key similar to his own.

"Why do I...?"

"Come on, as your best friend, I'll answer everything once we get there." He waves, the two departing.

Walking through the halls glancing at nearby classrooms, all Rean finds are scowls reflected back towards him.

"Why is everybody...?"

"You two are the star couple of the school. That and the door was wide open when Fie let out that outburst."

"But for the whole school to know without anyone hopefully not telling the news?"

"The walls dude. You can hear a rat pissing on cotton from the basement floor while you're standing on the third floor if you're quiet enough."

"How do you know that? Hello, Wandering Beast's son. Info gathering is one of his many skills that and being half human, my senses are just better."

"So you can hear the rats urinating quite loudly?"

"Sadly." Relon chuckles, the two finally leaving the school. "Ahh, gotta love that afternoon air. Come on."

Walking on, they reach the dormitory. Entering, both waste no time heading up to the third floor and stopping before Fie's door.

"Well?"

"This doesn't feel right."

"Come oooooon, we're already here!" Relon groans. "It's fine since you're her boyfriend."

"I question that."

"Exactly. Which is why I'm going to show you the proof but to do that, you need to open. The. Door!" Relon insists, Rean looking at the key in thought before plunging it in and with a twist, it opens.

Walking in, both walk in. Rean looking around. Her gunswords along with a tachi with a white and green hilt mounted on the wall, an unmade bed, and closet with a chest underneath. Both with wrinkled clothes. Glancing at her desk, the abnormality of it being perfectly clean gains his interest as does multiple picture frames. Slowly walking over, he takes a seat while Relon leans against the walk with a smirk on his face.

Pulling over one of the framed photos, he gazes at a picture of himself as a young child. He along with Relon, Fie, and Elise all smiling together. The setting is clearly that of Ymir.

"That was shortly after we took down that hunter." Relon calls with a smile thinking back to that day.

"We transformed for the first time, right?"

"Yeah, and almost died for it." This causing Rean to look away from the photo to Relon. "It's thanks to Fie showing up when she did that we took him down. It was close but you saved her before we both landed the final blow."

"We took him down..."

"Yeah, but it was you who saved Fie. She lost everything before that fight and after it, she gained it all back. Trust, happiness, love. All in the form of you, Rean."

Taken aback, Rean returns to the picture. The smile on their faces seeming genuine though a feeling in the pit of his aching stomach says otherwise. Unable to determine the known cause, he slowly shifts to the next photo. Another picture of Rean and Fie. This time with master Yun Ka-fai.

"Even when you went to train with your master, she stuck right by. Master Yun Ka-fai even trained her in the Eight Leaves in case she picked it up. Of course, we both know the answer to that." He snorts, Rean glancing to the tachi on the wall.

"It's slightly shorter..." He notes.

"Yup. Specifically made for her." Relon nods in agreement. "Our first night here, you two told us story after story about all the training you've done. Even when you couldn't finish due to your power, she stuck by. You two have been together since the beginning and haven't left each other since."

Looking at the picture, Rean holds it firmly. The same nagging feeling returning as he looks closer at the picture. As he does, the eyes on his master seem to twitch for a millisecond which Rean blinks hard as if seeing things right.

"You okay, Rean? You're looking awfully hard at that picture. Did you remember anything?"

Unresponsive, Rean closes in on the picture. Squinting his eyes as to not blink this time, the eyes on his master's face remain still as a picture should. For a solid minute, Rean stays still, Relon arching an eyebrow in confusion.

"Uh, Mr. Eight Leaves practitioner, you good?"

"... Yeah." He finally responds leaning back up straight putting back the picture noting all the others of either Rean, Fie, or the both of them together. "I'm just mentally exhausted." Rean says taking a moment to recompose himself before standing. "I think I just need to walk off everything."

"Considering today, that makes sense. Take your time, dude. I'll make some of my special tea for when you get back."

"Thanks, Relon."

Leaving the room, both head to the first floor. Relon heading into the kitchen as Rean departs back outside. Beginning his walk, he takes note of the Trista residents performing their daily duties. The shop owners working behind the register, the children playing, and Sara... drinking to her heart's content at the café.

Now then, where to go... Rean ponders looking around for an ideal spot to go. My morning spot. Taking off at a leisurely walk, Rean fails to notice the civilians snap their heads to him.

My past, Fie and... everything, our supposed relationship, everything just feels too unreal. He shakes his head. Regardless, Fie's response was too abnormal but no one seems to think the same as me. There's no way her reaction to what I said in the class was anything but strange. So what was the cause for it? Reaching the foot of the field, he sees his destination in sight. Still, as strange as it was, I should apologize and try to clear things up.

Reaching the edge, he continues into the woods before stopping in the familiar setting as shown by the indented grooves on said trees. Gazing around to see nothing out of the ordinary, he stops at the sight of on tree. The initials "R-X-F" inscribed on it. Gazing at it, his hand slowly raises inching closer. Just before he does, the aching pain returns.

"Erk!" He winces kneeling clutching his chest.

This pain... it keeps surfacing...!

Hearing a twig crunch, Rean is momentarily distracted as he looks behind him to see none other than Fie holding what seems like bread. Her look of concern quickly averting itself.

"F-F-Fie... Whoa, there..." Rean steadies himself, Fie glancing at him before looking away.

"What are you doing here?" She mutters.

"Trying to figure out as much as I can about my current situation. Ouch!" He nearly stumbles holding his chest for a pair of arms to catch him.

"I got you..." Opening his eyes, he sees the petite girl holding him.

"Thanks..." He regains his footing taking note of the girl looking down at the ground.

Lowering his eyelids, he thinks back to the odd events today leading up to the revelation of his history with the girl before him. Knowing the only way to get answers, he opens his mouth.

"I'm sorry." Before he can say it, his mouth remains agape as Fie looks up at him.

The sight of her regretful expression causing Rean to silence himself as his mouth closes.

"It's my fault you have amnesia. Just like how it's my fault your chest still hurts." She reveals for Rean to widen before easing himself to the ground against "their" tree.

Patting the spot next to him, Fie sits down gazing at her loaf of whole bread.

"What happened, Fie?" Silence.

Looking more at her, Rean notices her fingers scrunch the grained food.

"We were hanging out. Just like any other day. " She begins, her grip loosening. "We were returning from a walk. Trista was in sight. We were both just enjoying ourselves when... When we were attacked." She pauses, Rean's demeanor becoming shocked though he remains silent. "A group of jaegers surrounded us. I didn't know what regiment they were from."

"Why attack us? That seems so bizarre considering how close we were to Trista..."

"I don't know!" She snaps to avert her gaze at the ground. "Sorry..." She says taking a bite of her bread.

"It's fine." Rean responds in a calm and gentle tone. "Please, continue."

"They said that their comrades fell to your father. The event which led to him becoming the Divine Blade of Frost."

"My dad?" She nods.

"If they couldn't avenge their brethren directly, then they'd do it through another means... It was downright disrespectful as it was a pitiful excuse." She hisses, anger evident in her tone.

Looking at the distraught young woman, Rean gazes up at the canopy. The blazing star's rays shining through slightly.

"We engaged them. Fended them off but in the end before the teacher arrived, I... I..." Fie's form begins to tremble but she shakes away the rising emotions. "Before they could fully reach us.." Her voice hoarse. "I wasn't paying attention and... one of the jaegers saw an opening... They lunged at me and before I could notice..." She takes a deep breath. "Before I could realize it, you put yourself in front of me getting stabbed in the process and hit the ground..."

"And from there, the jaegers retreated and I was tended to as best as I can." Rean speaks up taking over to Fie's own surprise. "Knowing about my power, you all knew I'd heal relatively fast and eventually I was transported back to my bed. I wake up, and skip to now. That explains Instructor Sara's drunk state. She must have felt bad about the whole thing. Right?"

"You remember?!" She nearly shouts, hope evident in her yellow orbs for Rean to chuckle shaking his head.

"No. It just seems easy to guess from there." He smiles for the girl to puck her cheeks out. "Hey, don't pout." Rean chuckles defensively as she leans towards him.

"How can you laugh about something like that?!" Fie questions leaning off him.

"Simple." He says with a slight shrug. "I protected you so everything's fine." He reassures her.

"FINE?! WE WERE ALMOST KILLED! YOU ALMOST DIED BECAUSE... because..." Once again, Fie begins to tremble, a hand gripping her sleeve as she tries to hold it in.

"Yet here I am." Rean's words causing the teary-eyed girl to snap up meeting his warm smile, her eyes widening at the sight.

"I have amnesia, which is a bummer, but it's not the end of the world. It'll come back eventually I'm sure. Plus, we managed to hold off jaegers that fought against my dad. He's told me how outskilled they were. So in a sense, it shows we've grown stronger. Even if I can't actually tell, haha." He rubs the back of his head.

"How...?"

"Hm?" He looks at the stunned girl.

"How can you be carefree after being told that?"

"How? It's because you're safe, Fie. And that's all that matters... to me." He says resting a hand on her head as he leans in, the closeness causing a tint of pink to form at Fie's cheeks.

"B-But!"

"No buts. You're safe and we're both still alive and breathing" He answers with a smile albeit sternly as he moves his face away lifting his hand. "I should be the one saying sorry if anyone. I caused more trouble for you as well as the others. Not to mention I can't even remember my relationship with the girl I've been dating for who knows how long."

"N-No, it's fine!" She waves her hands dismissing his comment to his confusion.

Lowering them, she sits back meeting his wondering expression.

"That quote of yours certainly hasn't left you." She mutters with a smile turning forward to take another bite finishing off the loaf bread.

"Oh? What quote?"

At his question, a gentle breeze blows allowing more sunlight to shine over the duo. Fie took the moment to lean on Rean's shoulder nuzzling it slightly in comfort to his stunned shock. Lifting her head up so their eyes can meet, she speaks in a gentle tone of her own.

"One can't become complacent in their own strength. If you do, then that is when you have lost." She ends with a smile, Rean's eyes widening at a resurfacing memory.

"Look, I'm sure you were listening to my 'ordeal' earlier so it shouldn't come as that much of a surprise. Whether you're my friend, my classmate, or a complete stranger, I refuse to stand idly by when I know I can stop something bad from possibly happening. And yes, I know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. Looking more closely, it seemed you were holding back like I was. But regardless, one can't become complacent in their own strength. If you do, then that is when you have lost."

Fie ceases her walking to glance over her shoulder. Her gentle features are highlighted by the moonlight leaving the boy speechless.

"Noted."

His eyes remain on Fie's, his mouth slightly agape from the ceased memory.

"What was..."

"Rean?" Fie asks placing a hand to his cheek in worry, a dark mist seeping from her hand and cheek to veil his eyes dulling for a moment before the mysterious mist disappears.

"... Huh?" He blinks looking around before coming back to Fie. "Did something happen just now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I... don't know." He raises his lips in thought before dismissing it.

"Rean? You can always talk to me. Don't forget that, 'kay?" Fie gazes with a soft demeanor, one which Rean returns wholeheartedly.

"Noted." He smiles which in turn causes the girl to.

"So what do we do now?" He asks enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

"Don't know, Mr. Amnesiac." She smirks for the boy to roll his eyes with a smirk of his own. "It's going on four now. Unless you want to end up walking back and risk another attack. Something I personally am not too keen on going through again."

"Yeah, you have a point. Then again, why not enjoy what we're doing now? Peace and quiet. What more could someone ask for?" He suggests the girl looking up in thought before smiling with a nod.

"You make a point... Deal." She smiles leaning forward before flopping her upper body onto Rean's lap to his surprise.

"F-Fie?!"

"Hmm? It's more comfortable this way." She shrugs resting her chin over her arm.

"Haha... You remind me of a cat, you know that?" He chuckles massaging her head.

"I've been told numerous times..." She purrs in delight, silence once again falling on the duo.

Taking note of her mellow breathing, he assumes the girl has fallen asleep ceasing his massage. A mumble escaping the girl as he watching her arm lazily search for his hand to find it before placing it on her head.

"Don't stop... Feels good..." She murmurs.

"You got it." He smiles, the girl once again falling to sleep.

Looking at her now, I find it hard to see myself without her. Wait, what was I going to ask her? It had to do with this morning and this afternoon after class. I remember that much but not the exact details... Oh well, it must not have been important. Releasing a low yawn as to not awaken his lover once more, he leans his head against the tree soon dozing off.

"Open your eyes, Rean."

Snapping to, his eyes buck wide quickly scanning his surroundings. The sunset giving everything an orange-like hue.

"Who was...?" Looking down, his panic rises as he no longer sees Fie around him. "Fie?" He calls to hear rustling above him.

Raising his head, he sees nothing but red and white before anchoring his legs as whatever it is lands on his back. A pair of arms and legs grabbing his neck and lower abdomen respectively.

"What the?! Fie?!" He gasps.

"Sup." She pokes her head out for the male to sigh in relief.

"Jeez, don't scare me like that. What were you doing up there anyway?"

"You seemed slightly uncomfortable so I figured I'd continue my nap above you. Having a 'bird's eye view' you could call it." Her grip around him tightening which he takes note of.

"In case those jaegers try something..." He mutters, gaining a small nod in response.

"We didn't get all of them. Who knows when they'll attack us..."

"Don't worry."

"But-"

"No matter what, as long as we're together, nothing can stop us. What happened before was a learning experience."

"A learning experience that nearly cost us our lives. You especially!"

"But a learning experience nonetheless." She slowly lifts himself and the carried girl up as they begin to depart from the woods. "Some things we learn aren't always safe. The incident from when we were kids is a prime example." At this, she widens.

"You remember?!"

"No. Still don't." He laughs lightly for her annoyed demeanor to return along with her pout. "Relon told me about it after class ended."

"Oh..." Her visage becoming neutral.

"Don't worry."

"That's when I worry the most." She intervenes for Rean to grin at that smart mouth he's become fond of. "I'm bound to remember everything eventually. So until then, I hope you don't mind retelling me of everything we've both done and done here at Thors." He looks to her at his words only to see the girl blushing. "Hm? Is something the matter?" He asks to receive the side of her head.

"... Nothing. Perv." She looks back to him with a smug look, the two reaching the field.

"Huh?!" He blurts taken aback. "How am I a pervert?! Wait, I am not a pervert!" He denies for the girl to giggle, Rean sweatdropping as he realizes he's fallen for another trick of hers. "Aidios, help me." He sighs, the girl resting her chin on the crook of his neck.

"So, who were you dreaming of?" She droops her eyes along with a playful tone.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"With the way you woke up, you looked spooked. Were you having a dream of another woman~?" She teases, Rean halting with the two now at the park.

"No. At least I don't think I did." He answers perturbed for the girl's grin to become curious.

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't tell me to open my eyes, did you?" He glances at the girl to get a shake of his head. "Then I guess I did dream of someone telling me to. At the very least, I heard a voice. A feminine one I'm sure."

"Hmmmmmm..." He snaps from his thoughts to Fie eyeing him.

"I swear, I have no intentions of seeking anyone else. I have you after all." He smiles, the girl's face gaining a shade of red as she once again averts her gaze,

(Good.) He smiles, the two soon reaching their dormitory.

Stopping just outside the door, both head inside.

"Piggybacks are nice." Fie grunts out while stretching.

"Yeah, I envy you sometimes." Rean laughs to catch a whiff of a delectable scent.

"Mm, night tea~." Fie hums in delight copying the boy's action. "Want to?"

"Yeah. Relon did say he'd have it ready for when we came back."

Entering the dining area, both find Relon and Laura next to each other. Said girl resting her head on Relon's shoulder. A normal glass in front of Relon and a small cup in front of Laura.

I forgot those two were together. Rean thinking, Relon and Laura raising their heads to smile at the two.

"I'm guessing you two are good now?" Relon asks with a smirk.

"Yup." Fie nods going to the counter to pour a cup of tea, Relon winking at Rean who nods his thanks.

"That is relieving to hear." Laura smiles, Fie coming back with two cups handing one to Rean as both take a seat. "Have your memories returned by chance?"

"Still nothing." Rean shakes his head. "But, I'm not too worried about it." He says for the couple across from them to raise an eye with piqued interest.

"Oh, why is that?"

"Since I don't remember anything, it feels like I am experiencing everything for the first time. Doing something for the first time is always more exciting, right?"

"Huh." Relon responds in thought. "You actually make a good point."

"You make it sound like I never make good ones." Rean deadpans, both girls chuckling at the fact.

"Hehe, you got me there." Relon scratches the back of his head. "But that's why I'm glad we have you girls." He looks around to the three. "To reel us in when we go to far."

"Yeah, I second that." Rean nods, both girls gaining blushes to their faces, Laura lightly shoving Relon with her should to eye her fellow Arseid-user. "Your flirtation is one thing but it is another situation in and of itself when you spread it to others." Laura says with a light pout.

"Haha... sorry, milady." Relon apologizes, Fie and Rean chuckling at the two's antics.

"But... I'll allow it... this time." She mutters averting her head stubbornly.

"Once again, I thank you for another chance." Relon bows smiling and chuckling.

"Never a dull moment with you two. You were made for each other." Fie smiles taking a sip of tea, a single twitch of Laura's eye going unseen by the girl.

"The same can be mirrored back on the two of you. One tall and another short. The perfect chemistry, wouldn't you agree?" Laura retorts taking a sip from her own cup, a twitch from Fie passing for a fleeting moment.

"Uh oh. Here we go again." Relon mutters scooting his seat back before walking to the edge of the table, Rean looking confused.

"What do you mean?" Rean asks looking back and forth between the girls.

"Rean, get in between them for me." Relon sighs looking at the two females continue to sip their tea.

"Huh, why?!"

Both slam their cups on the table showing them empty making the Eight Leaves practitioner jump from his seat.

"Dude, Understanding Women 101. When one bashes another's man and the other retaliates, it becomes a warzone." Relon explains pushing the long table into the lobby. "This is the fourth table this week alone." He sighs once again.

"HUH?!" Rean widens looking to the girls, Laura cracking her knuckles as Fie rolls her neck, both retaining dangerous smiles.

"Let's pick back up where we left of, shall we?" Laura readies herself as does Fie.

"I'm game." Both burst forward to lock hands. "How's it feel to not be on the same level as Relon? Must suck, huh?" Laura's smiling becoming a dangerous glare as with a grunt she lifts the small girl before spinning her around to let go.

Already correcting herself, she flips landing on the kitchen counter.

"I wouldn't know! Tell me, Fie, how does it feel to pale compared to Rean intellectually?" Laura huffs, Fie's smiles shifting to a scowl as she leaps tackling Laura at the abdomen sending both to the ground.

"Fie! Laura!" Rean calls. "Both of you stop!"

"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" She shout at the boy before returning to each other.

"Phew." Relon says wiping his forehead out in the main lobby having brought out the last of the chairs before walking back in to look down at the girls locked in another standstill, both rolling around on the ground. "I thought I told you to stop them?"

"Easier said than done..." Rean lets out a breath, Relon tilting his head.

"You know, is it wrong to say I always find two girls rolling around overtop one another slightly appealing?" Relon wonders, a blush appearing on Rean's face as he closes his eyes.

"I don't want to answer that..."

"How's it feel to be good at only swinging a sword?" Fie wonders for Laura to roll over top of her.

"If you studied with one weapon alone, maybe you wouldn't struggle as much!" The two rolling over once more for Fie to regain the top.

"At least I bring more versatility to a fight! All you bring is a big sword and those big boobs!" Fie smirks, Laura widening as her face goes flush.

"H-How DARE you?!" More rolling and Laura is the dominant one now. "At least I have a body that can satisfy Relon's carnal desires!" Fie widening as her face goes beat red.

"H-Ha, jokes on you, R-Rean LOVES the petite type! Having big boobs would only weigh me down, slowpoke!"

"Oh, really?!"

"Yeah, really!"

"Then I guess Towa would be a better fit for him!"

"I could say the same for Aurelia! Screw that, all of the girls in Class VII are actually!" Fie retorts back.

"Things are escalating to dangerous heights." Rean commend nervously

"Yeah... Alright you two. That's enough." Relon sighs walking over. "Rean, help me out."

Nodding, both manage to separate the girls from each other. The girls' hair and clothes are a mess and wrinkled.

"You two got it all out of your systems?" Rean asks, both huffing for breath before nodding slowly. "Okay, good. Now, Rean and I are going to let go."

"Relon, I seriously don't think that's a good idea!"

"Trust me, Rean." Relon states calmly releasing Laura, Rean hesitant at first but does so.

Both girls eye the other walking forward. About to intervene, Relon shakes his head halting the amnesiac. Stopping before the other, both extend their hands shaking the other's to his once again confusion.

"Not bad, Fie."

"Same to you. Same time tomorrow?"

"It would be my honor."

(What just happened?) Rean walks over whispering to Relon.

(They relieved some stress. This is their friendly way of doing it. They're best friends after all.) Relon chuckles.

(Friendly?!)

(Hey, I wish you could remember the first time this happened. They were trying to kill each other. Chairs being tossed, cracks in the wall. Hell, the table was the first thing to go. You and I had to transform just to stop them.)

(And now they do it... to relieve stress...? Stress from what?!)

(Us guys and how ignorant we can be according to them.) Relon shrugs.

(That makes no sense!)

(Hey, don't look at me. Just because I took the class doesn't mean I understood a lick of it.) "Now, help us bring in the table and chairs." He pats Rean on the back before leaving with the girls.

"Seriously, how do I not remember any of this...?" He murmurs to himself.

Before long, the kitchen is back to the way it was and before both couples bid farewell. Rean and Fie departing upstairs as Relon and Laura remain in the kitchen.

"I didn't realize you and Laura were so close." Rean comments.

"You don't remember but during Gramp Ka-fai's training, he took us to Legram where we met up with Relon. That's where we met Laura."

"So that's when your budding 'rivalry' started." Rean sweatdrops.

Wait, she did just call him Gramps? Jeez, I definitely wouldn't have seen that comin though then again, it is Fie.

"Yup. Been close ever since." She nods, both stopping before Fie's door.

"When did we get here?"

"Stop asking questions." Fie giggles unlocking the door. "Are you coming in or not?"

"Sure." Walking in, Fie hops on her bed watching Rean gaze around the room to land on her desk.

So the four of us have been close since we were kids, huh? And then Relon and Laura got together on the first day of school. And Fie really is my girlfriend... Then why does the mention of that make me feel so odd? Now that I think about it, that pain in my chest has stopped. And that voice. What if-

"Hey Rean, come here for a sec." Interrupted from his thoughts, he glances over to Fie pulling out what seems like a photobook from her desk's drawer.

"Are those of us?" He asks, careful to not reveal he's been here already.

"Yeah. I've had it with me ever since we were kids. Maybe seeing some of these could jog your memory."

"It's worth a shot." He nods taking a seat for his eyes to widen and face to quickly flush. "F-F-Fie?! W-What are y-you d-d-doing?" After seating himself, Fie took it upon herself to seat herself directly on top of his lap.

"What? We do this all the time." She shrugs. "Was the whole upper body on your lap back in the woods not a clue, Mr. Stutterpants?" She smirks.

"N-Not in the s-slightest!"

"Oh. Well now you know." She shrugs once more rotating so her legs drape over his allowing Rean a better view of the desk as well as his own legs. "You...!" Rean sighs. "Nevermind." Taking note of the victorious grin on Fie's face, he redirects his focus away from the weight on him and the reaction to it from his body towards the photographs.

A picture of Relon, Laura, Fie, and himself as kids huddled up smiling. Around the age of 10 and based on the background, he's hazard a guess to say it was Legram. Glancing to the next one, it shows a side view of the four on what looks like a sparring field. Rean and Fie with their tachis facing off against Relon and Laura. Whoever took the photo certainly took a good shot as it shows Relon jumping upon Rean himself, Pippin overhead of the boy in flames.

From the posture, it looks to be Relon's momentum from spinning meaning he was going to use Flame Cleaver or attempt it at least. For Rean himself, it looks like he's preparing to counter with Autumn Leaf Cutter. As for Fie and Laura, his eyes shift slightly passing the Radiant Blademaster and Master Yun Ka-fai spectating from the other side of the photographer to said girls. Fie in a slightly crouched stance gripping her sword behind her as if she's about to blitz the Arseid. The latter dashing towards his fellow Eight Leaves practitioner.

"Hey Fie." He asks in thought.

"Yeah?"

"That posture... Are you using the Second Form: Gale?"

"Yup." She nods nonchalantly for the male practitioner to gawk at her. "Seriously?! How?"

"Who's the fast one in the relationship?" She retorts for Rean to shut his mouth.

"Okay, fair point but still, that's amazing!" His praises causing a mild blush to spawn on her cheeks. "I'm nowhere near fast enough to move like a blur but considering this is you, it makes sense."

"It's nothing that great." She dismisses avert her gaze from her boyfriend. "We're both at the beginning level still so we can still become stronger." She looks back to him with a determined look.

"Definitely! Hmm, I can only use the the fourth form and arc slash while you can use gale..." He mutters in thought to catch Fie's widened eyes. "Is something wrong?" At his call, Fie refocuses on him to shake her head.

"Nope. I thought of something for a moment but it's not important." She shifts her gaze to the scrapbook.

"You sure?" His voice full of concern as he looks at the girl.

Looking back at him, he's met with a wry smile.

"Always looking out for everyone, especially me." She mutters to rest the side of her head on his shoulder. "Thanks, Rean."

Slightly taken aback, he eases himself. A hand gently brushing at her hair.

"I'll always be here so don't hesitate to lean on me. I mean that metaphorically and literally, haha."

"Considering I've already accomplished one of those, you can bet I'll do both as I have already." She giggles for a stifled yawn to come.

"Tired?" She nods hopping off of him, Rean surprisingly saddened over the lost feeling of the short girl to his own surprise though he doesn't show it.

Watching her open her closet, she takes out a set of pajamas. Tilting his head, Rean widens at the sight of the girl lazily unbuttoning her blazer to snap back to the desk blushing heavily.

"F-Fie, what are you doing?!"

"Hmm?" She looks at him curiously and then down as herself making a small "oh." "We always sleep together. Some of your clothes are in the chest." She answers. "Forgot you had amnesia. Oops." She says stifling another yawn.

"You could have warned me, at least!" He berates closing his eyes shut, the sound of clothing hitting the ground followed by other various noises ending with the creaking of a mattress.

"Done."

Opening his eyes, he cautiously turns around to look in awe at the cute sight of Fie donned in black pajamas with small white cats scattered around. Said girl sitting on her bed hugging her legs hiding her blush.

"What?" She asks blatantly snapping Rean from his stupor.

"N-Nothing!" He raises his hands. "It's just... you look really... erm." Averting his gaze, he feels Fie's locked on his. "Cute." He slowly glances to see the girl giving a deadpanned expression followed by jumping to her feet.

Watching her walk back to the closet, she digs in it to turn to Rean.

"Uh, Fie- oof!" He mumbles as a set of clothes hits his face to fall into his hands.

Shaking his head from the dizziness, he glances up to see Fie hop back onto the bed.

"Well? Hurry up and change."

"... Huh?"

Blinking at one another, Fie tilts her head.

"What?"

"When you say change..."

"Change right there or use my bathroom." Fie states nonchalantly.

"Fie..."

"Wassup?"

"You realize I still have amnesia, right?"

"Yeah, and?"

"After I change, where exactly am I sleeping...?" To answer his question, she pats the bed.

"With me like always." Facepalming at the expected answer, Rean sighs.

"Surely, you don't mean that..."

"Why wouldn't I? It helps me sleep. Plus we sleep together both in bed and everywhere else." She shrugs.

"DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT!" He pleads loudly, the girl covering her ears to leans away from the bey until he sighs sitting down. "Jeez, blunt as ever."

"... Sorry."

"Huh?" He looks at the now saddened girl.

"I've been acting as if nothing's changed. The way you're acting down to the small stuff like caressing my head makes it feel as if you never lost your memory.

"Fie..." He mutters watching the girl lean back hitting the bed with her arms out.

"My feelings remain as strong as ever, but yours are still all over the place. It makes sense so..." She lifts herself up, a saddened smile meeting Rean's perturbed demeanor. "Sorry for being so impatient." She says with a forced smile, a single tear forming out the corner of her eyes.

Feeling a single tear trickle down, a hand stops it before it reaches her chin. Opening her eyes quickly, she looks up to Rean standing in front of her. A wry smile of his own.

"I should be the one saying sorry as well." He answers clearing her eyes before taking a seat on the bed next to Fie, both gazing at the carpet. "If you're impatient, then I'm just slow." His words causing the girl to look to him in confusion. "I've been acting without much worry being patient enough to wait for my memories to come back failing to see how not having them deeply affected those precious to me." Now Rean turns to Fie. "Let's try it." He says with confidence albeit wearing an obvious blush.

"You don't have to force yourself, Rean!"

"I know." He stands up, clothes still in hand. "I want to." He gives a genuine smile. "Besides, I could remember something." He heads into the bathroom.

"I doubt that."

"Hm? You say something, Fie?" Rean pokes his out, said girl shaking her head.

"Don't trip." She smirks for him to droop his eyes.

"Haha, very funny." He disappears into the room for a loud bang to happen. "Whoa! Ow!" Fie can only snicker at this.

At least my chest no longer hurts. That's good but now it's my arm. Man, I just can't win.

Before long, Rean returns in a simple t-shirt and shorts rolling his arm.

"That's going to hurt in the morning." He sighs to see Fie smirking at him. "Not a word." he deadpans, the girl using her hand to zip her mouth shut retaining her shit-eating grin.

Walking towards the bed, Fie holds up a hand stopping Rean. Pointing past him, he looks to the door before coming back to her. Said girl mouthing the words.

"Turn the lights off?" He wonders for a nod to come. "You can use your voice again." He frowns for the girl to release an audible giggle before crossing her legs.

"Would you rather sleep with the lights on? I didn't take you for one to be afraid of the dark."

"You're full of it." Rean rolls his eyes with a chuckle before turning off said lights with the flip of a switch. "Wow, even though it's dark, the moonlight sure illuminates the room. Just enough to see the outline of everything."

"The perks of being on the third floor. We don't have trees partially obstructing our view." Fie says pointing a thumb to the window.

Walking over, Rean opens it to lean out. The fresh night breeze, the insects chirping, and the third story view. All of it giving him a sense of peace.

"Thors really is peaceful." Rean notices Fie pop up under him taking a seat on the edge of the window, her back to the outside.

"Yeah. It's one of the few homes I've fallen in love with." She murmurs looking over her shoulder at the view, a gentle smile gracing her features.

"One of? What are the others?"

"Ymir, Legram..." She points in the air rattling one after another. "And..."

"And what?" He asks with a raised eyebrow, her extended index finger slowing turning to lightly poke him.

His whole demeanor shifting to a flushed face with wide eyes as the moonlight gives clear visage to Fie's own flushed face.

"You."

"I believe that is enough." Both snap up and then back to the door to see the outline of a woman.

"That voice...! Who- Whoa, Fie?!" Rean calls being pushed aside, Fie already taking action by jumping on the bed rolling to grab a pillow before throwing it at the woman.

The moment she does, she bursts for the wall grabbing her tachi and gunswords taking aim.

"Who are you and how'd you get in?!" Fie demands, Rean taking the moment to grab his own sword looking back and forth between the two.

Taking a step, Fie shoots the ground but the woman does not hesitate walking forward. Clicking her tongue, Fie dashes in front of Rean putting herself in between the two.

"Your lie has gone on long enough, Ishmelga." The woman states, Rean's eyes widening as a surge of pain comes flooding forcing the swordsman to a knee.

"Rean?! Stop it, you're hurting him!"

"Am I? Or am I saving him. Ishmelga?" The woman wonders with narrowed eyes.

Her voice; it's the same as this morning and in the woods! And this pain, it's pounding my head! Who... is... she?!

"Remember, Rean." The mysterious woman says in a gentle tone.

"Shut up!" Fie fires furiously for her bullets to seemingly go through the woman.

"Remember who you are, Rean."

"I... said... SHUT IT!" Fie's altered voice bellows as her black hair and crimson-red eyes appear once more to Rean's further shock as a large dark blast destroying the floor is fired sending up smoke and debris throughout the room.

As it settles, a large hole where the window was remains. Walking to the edge, the woman looks with a stoic expression before glancing to the desk where the scrapbook sits. Looking through it, both she and the book vanish into thin air.

"Fie, who was that?!" He questions, the two landing on the East exit of Trista. "What about the others?!"

"She was with them! The jaegers! And the others will be fine! That blast was a warning so!"

"But-"

"Hey, there they are!" Both stop to look seeing the remainder of Class VII come rushing out and towards them. "The hell was that explosion about?!" Relon demands, all armed.

"The Jaeger is back and she's after Rean!" At the girl's explanation, said person conjures out of thin air, everyone surrounding Rean with Fie at the front.

"Wait, Fie, everyone!"

"Yeah, right! If she wants you then she'll have to get through Pippin and I!" Relon snaps transforming. "You aren't laying a finger on Rean!"

"I failed to protect my student once and to be given the chance at payback against the very woman who did this to him, well, let's just say my mood has shifted very quickly." Sara glares taking aim.

"Mess with one of us, you have to deal with us all!" Laura calls out.

"I failed once but I'm not allowing Rean to get hurt! Never again!" Fie snaps, her dark aura exploding as the rest ready themselves.

"I see..." The woman responds calmly.

Now directly under the moonlight, he can clearly make out her appearance. A young woman with dark indigo hair which is worn in a braid with matching eyes. She's wearing a white shirt with a jade brooch, pale green sweater and magenta shawl over her shoulders, as well as navy corset, tan long skirt and magenta high-heels.

Sensing his eyes, her own shift to Rean as she gives a kind smile. The pain resurging in full force as he once again falls to his knees.

She... I know her...! But... from where...!

"Rean!" Gaius and Elliot call in worry.

"Remember, Rean. You must. " She speaks gaining all's attention. "Your friends are fighting Senate."

Sen... ate...?!

"Stop it!" Fie dashes in followed by Relon, Sara, and Laura.

Remaining still, their attacks phase through the woman.

"Why aren't our attacks working?!" Relon shouts in anger before blasting a stream of flames enveloping the woman.

Ceasing it, they all widen to see the woman standing patiently.

"What the hell is going on?!" Sara demands.

"You bastard... What are you?!" She hunkers her stance before dashing in a blur skidding to a halt past the woman.

"Enough with the false act, Ishmelga. You healed him and now it is time for him to reawaken. He belongs with me, Ishmelga." The woman speaks.

"He isn't yours! He's Teo and Lucia Schwarzer's son! He's Elise's brother!"She dashes once more for the woman to finally move turning to face the approaching girl. "And he's all... mine!" She roars, her sword overhead as it comes down, the woman raising a single hand as a circular forcefield blocks the attack repelling the girl to the ground.

"Fie!" Sara and Laura call rushing to her side helping the girl up.

"Rean!" The woman shouts for the boy to wince looking up. "Remember! None of this is real! Remember!"

"You shut your damn mouth!" Relon snarls rushing the woman with Pippin, both dashing away and to either sides in a pincer attack.

The woman lowers her hands forming a barrier of light around her. Upon impact, both are sent back.

"Re...lon!" He pants out.

"Rean!" His eyes go back to the woman, worry evident in her tone and demeanor. "Remember who you are, my son! Look deep within yourself!"

"Guys, we need to help!" Alisa says, the rest nodding as they attack doing little else.

S-Son?! Then...! Rean grits his teeth, the pain increasing as does his chest begin to hurt.

"Grah!" Relon careens a kick to phase through followed by another before backing away as Laura and Aurelia drop their blade to also phase her before jumping back, Pippin, artes, an electric shot, shotgun pellets, and a flamed arrow piercing through the woman to slip out her back.

Think...!

"Don't listen to her, Rean!" His eyes snap open at the voice of Fie. "She wants nothing more than to hurt you! Don't believe her lies!"

Narrowing at the claim, the woman turns to face Fie.

"Is that so?" Her tone remaining calm as she holds out her hand for a familiar scrapbook to appear.

"That's...!" Fie begins only to narrow her eyes.

Not saying a word, she lifts it into the air for the pages to rip from the book itself as each hovers above the woman at different layers side-by-side.

"Look closely, dear." The woman calls, Rean getting to a single knee to look up to widen.

Just as before, he takes notice of the pages already shown but as for the others...

"They're... blank?" He gasps to turn towards Fie who scowls at the woman. "Then...!"

"Close your eyes, Rean." The woman calls.

"Ahhh!" Fie screams attacking her to bounce off a forcefield once again.

"Believe me, Rean, and everything shall become clear."

Holding his aching head and chest respectively, he pants looking to his friends fight to the best of their abilities. The woman's caring eyes never leaving his line of sight.

"Don't do it, Rean!" Relon calls still fighting.

If what she says is all true, then...

Slowly closing his eyes, the pounding pain subsides in an instant.

"No, Rean!" Fie cries out hurrying to the boy reaching an arm out.

It's not just that, the sound of everyone, their weapons going off, the shouts and roars, all of it is no more. His mind becomes completely mute.

Where, no, who am I?

At first, nothing, but then the distant sounds of multiple voices begins to near him before the sound of dozens if not hundreds flow around him. The voices of many, the voices of his friends, the voices of his family. Each one as clear as day as he keeps his eyelids shut.

"Rean, I want you to know something. Now, before I tell you, just know that both your mother and I love you and nothing will change that."

"Teo is right, Rean. We wish for nothing to hold our family back and that includes lies."

"Exactly. Do you understand."

"Yeah."

"Good. Rean, you're not my true son..."

"You're going to pay...!"

"For what you did to her...!"

"HAAAAAAAAAAA...!"

"Huff... huff... huff..."

"That's enough for now, Rean."

"But Master, I-"

"Now, now, you shouldn't push yourself. Come sit. Training is never an easy thing. For some maybe but they always find that one roadblock."

"One? It feels like I have a hundred..."

"And that is good."

"How?"

"Each door needs the correct key to open it. What that key is can vary amongst many factors. It is similar to the forms I have created. Each can be learned but it takes the right key to properly inherit such skills. Remember this Rean, for the key to mastering that power may not preside within our time together but your time with someone else..."

"Judging by your appearance, is it correct to assume you would be Rean Schwarzer?"

"Huh? Oh, that's me but how would- Wait, noble essence, large sword, and long blue hair...? Are you Laura Arseid?"

"Yes, it would seem we finally have the chance to meet."

"Yeah, Relon has talked about you a lot! I guess we're just missing him now. Oh uh, hello. I'm Rean Schwarzer."

"Greeting, I am Aurelia Le Guin."

"W-Whoa! That's a name you don't hear everyday. Then again, I guess can be said for the Schwarzer and Arseid, haha."

"Truthful. We all originate from well known nobility and heritage. Though I would ask that you treat us like everyone else.

"Yes, I have had enough of the high order. Such ignorance can be rather crude let alone annoying at times."

"Right. That was the plan from the start."

"Excellent to hear."

"Yes, shall we go? It is possible Relon and Pippin await us."

"Yeah, we definitely have a lot of catching up to do that we never mentioned in the letters!"

"Once again, you speak of this 'Pippin.' I am curious as to these friends you, Klaus, and Master have spoken the upmost about..."

What will you do should something happen to those close to you? Your father is one of the strongest swordsmen but even he is not invincible. Neither is Master Victor nor Mister. Laura, me, even Elise. If anything happened to us, would you be able to live knowing you had the power to save us but were too scared?"

"I... I..."

"Things are being put into motion and we can't afford to take our time! We're here to get stronger and here you are holding yourself back! So what the hell are you doing here then...?!"

"No, no, no! The equation is always negative here, Elliot! And Fie, wake up!"

"Relon certainly is... into the whole 'instructor act' isn't he?"

"Elliot, you have no idea."

"I'm sleepy..."

"Fie, don't fall asleep!"

"Argh, Rean! Go help Emma with Fie while I explain this to Elliot and Gaius! On the double, soldier!"

"Yes, instructor!"

"Just hang in there a little more, Fie."

"Meh..."

"It won't be long now. You can do it...!"

"... Thanks, Rean..."

"You fool, do you honestly expect an answer as simple as that to be right?!"

"This question uses a play on words to mislead the reader, Albarea! Are you to incompetent to see that?!"

"Rean, explain to this bigot that he is incorrect please because I refuse to waste my breath anymore."

"Guys, can't we just get along?"

"NO!"

"That's it, you two, shut up!"

"OOF!"

"And that makes the third time this week Relon has knocked out."

"You're keeping count, Gaius?!"

"And 14 since enrolling."

"Aurelia, you too?!"

"At this point, I'm predicting another six times before the week is even over with."

"Emma?!"

"Ahhhhh, youth!"

"Instructor Sara, please don't cheer for this!"

"Poor, Rean, we're the only normal ones."

"YOU'RE THE ONE KNOCKING THEM OUT...!"

Everyone... His min going to another memory.

"Rean?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful tomorrow. I'll try to get Sara to hurry back."

"Thanks. And please do. It doesn't take an expert to see how worried Relon is about this as well as what can happen. The sooner Instructor Sara comes back, the better our chances are if Senate does show up."

"Senate is a group not to be underestimated." She mutters for his eyes to widen.

"You've heard of them before?"

"Just rumors. But if those rumors were true, then..."

"Yeah... I get it. This just means we have to cover each other. Me, Alisa, Elliot, Aurelia, Laura, Relon, and we can't forget about Pippin. Tomorrow, we'll succeed no matter what comes our way."

"Good. That's what I wanted to hear." She smiles for a yawn to come.

"Seems like that second wind finally passed."

"Yeah... Thanks, Rean."

"Hey, I told you didn't I? I'll help you however I can. Get some sleep and we'll see each other again on Monday."

"Right. Kick some butt."

"Roger that!"

Fie...

"I envy you. I too wished to one day have children of my own."

Huh...?

"And what is stopping you? Certainly it is not the way of the sword."

"No, but it is something that involves my full attention."

"Oh, you and your secrets. Listen Lianne, just because a child is not of your blood does not mean anything."

"Regardless of their appearance? That would not bother you?"

"The question is would it bother you?"

"... No, I suppose not."

"Then that is all that matters."

"... Hahaha."

"What are you laughing about now?"

"In all my years, I never would have realized something to be so simple."

"Oh, come now, you're no different in age than I."

"I suppose you make a point, but you are certainly much fairer than myself."

"Oh stop, we both know you surpass me in that field."

"No, the victor for true beauty belongs to that child in your arms."

"My son an your godson. Rean Schwarzer."

"Aidios has blessed him with a strong father and mother."

"You always speak like that. Here, hold him."

"You do not truly mean that. W-Wait, Lady Kasia!"

"And what have I told you of addressing me as 'Lady?'"

"Forgive me." Gazing at the child, it looks to her with curious lilac eyes. "What do I say?"

"Haha, you can start with introducing yourself."

"... Greetings, Rean. I am Lianne Sandlot and... I'm your godmother."

That name... I've heard it before...

Not able to fully think, the setting changes once more. Landing on a snowy land, Rean looks around to see nothing but destruction.

Where am I...

"NOOOOOOO...! Why?!"

Who...

Looking to the source, he sees bodies and a home in flames. A blurred out man holding a child and woman in his arms.

"What did Kasia and my son ever do to you?! I'm your enemy! I'm the one you want!" The man roars into the smoke-filled air. "Aidios, please! Someone answer me! Goddess or fiend, I don't care!"

At those words, Rean's chest begins to tingling to increase in intensity.

My scar...!

"I'll do anything... Take me instead, if you must! Just please spare their lives!"

"HOW LONG I HAVE AWAITED FOR THOSE WORDS, DREICHELS... FOR 200 LONG YEARS...!

A black humanoid entity in all black appears above them.

"G-G..."

"Kasia, don't speak! You must rest!"

"THIS TIME, YOU SHALL BE MY AWAKENER. NOT THE ASHEN KNIGHT'S.

Awakener? Ashen Knight? What's going on?!

"AGREE, AND I WILL DELIVER THEM FROM DEATH ITSELF."

"... It was you... You're the one who did this... All of it!" The man clenches his teeth in anger, tears streaming down his face. "But I don't care anymore...! Take my body. Take my very soul! Do what you must but allow these two to be together! As long as you do that, it doesn't matter what happens to me!"

"VERY WELL...! SO YOU ASK OF ME AND SO IT SHALL BE!"

In a moment, all goes black.

Rean's Subconscious

Opening his eyes panting heavily, Rean quickly feels his chest no longer aching. Getting to his feet, he finds himself in a fog. blinking quickly, Rean's blurred vision begins to focus as he walks in a straight line. With each step, everything becomes clearer. Reaching what seems like the center, he stops to gaze at his new environment. A cloudy void filled with rising particles and what could be mistaken for shooting stars spiraling upwards around the border.

"Where... am I?"

"Your subconscious, dear."

Turning around, the woman from earlier walking from the mist before him. A dark aura appears next to her in what seems like a cage. Fully conforming, Rean takes a step back at the distrusting creature. A spherical entity with multiple eyes and mouths.

"Is that...?"

"Yes." She nods looking at the creature with a look of disappointment. "That is Ishmelga in its 'purest' form."

"SUCH A PATHETIC MORTAL! TO THINK MY JAILOR WOULD BE SO WEAK AS TO LOSE TO THOSE LUCINANCES!"

"You're one to talk, considering you're in a cage." The woman notes.

"You have a point, um…"

"Kasia." She smiles. "But there is another name I go by."

"Right. Thanks, Mom." Rean smiles to shift back to Ishmelga walking and crouching before the monstrosity.

"WHAT DOES MY JAILOR WANT…? WHY SPEAK TO THE DEVIL OF THIS WORLD…?"

"I want to thank you."

"WHAT?"

"Honestly when I first used your power, I was frightened. Scared of what I had done. Because I was weak mentally, Relon nor I could stop ourselves from taking that man's life. Such an ability so potent, it was almost suffocating."

"WHAT IS YOUR POINT…?"

"You gave a small amount of your own power to save my mother and I. Even if you did it with clear ulterior motives, you still saved us. Even if you are the embodiment of evil itself, you still performed a good deed." Kasia looks at the boy, pride evident in her demeanor.

"I DON'T NEED YOUR GRATITUDE. NOR DO I CARE FOR SUCH PRIVY RECOGNITION. ALL I REQUIRE IS A HOST CAPABLE OF USING MY POWER UNTIL I AM REUNITED WITH MY OTHER SELVES!"

Sighing, Relon stands to his feet looking at the creature.

"You may be evil now, but I hope one day you can see the right side."

"IMPOSSIBLE."

"Anything is possible. I've experienced enough to know that now." His voice brimming with confidence as he smiles at Kasia.

"Those memories I saw, they were yours right Mom?"

"Yes, that is right."

"And that woman and man. I could see her so clearly yet, I couldn't make out dad's face…"

"Lianne was my dearest friend. You could say it was fate that we met. We became almost inseparable when I wasn't around your father. In a sense, I was never alone. I always had the man whose life I fell in love with, the boy I gave birth to, and my best friend who I could console even the most difficult of topics with."

"But then… how did I end up with my adoptive parents? What happened to dad? Who is dad?! How are you here?! And what is this scar on my chest supposed to mean?!" He demands panting.

"HMPF. ALL THIS REDUNDANCY MAKES ME WANT TO DISCHARGE ALL MY POWER IN DISGUST. ONCE YOU RETURN, TRY NOT TO GET STABBED AGAIN. I WON'T HESITATE TO TAKE OVER..." With those partin words, Ishmelga fades into the mist leaving mother and son alone.

"He's always been like that. Even though he cannot simply walk away in this space." Kasia looks on before shifting to Rean. "Now then, some answers are in order." Her expression and tone shifting to business-like.

Gulping, Rean nods in agreement as both take a seat on the space beneath them.

"The number one question I feel you want to know is who your father is. That is something I simply cannot say." This making Rean furrow his brows in confusion. "Let me explain. It is not that I do not wish to tell you, it is that I physically cannot." She explains to pause before speaking on for muffled sounds to come out to Rean's surprise.

"What in Aidios…?"

"I too was surprised. Anything relating to my husband; his name, clothing, work. Nothing relating to him can be spoken by myself. It is the one barrier Ishmelga has placed over my soul."

"Your… soul…?"

"Yes. Our lives were taken when we were attacked. It was Ishmelga's doing that caused everything." This causing Rean's eyes to widen in remembering his biological father mention the same thing. "You were struck in the heart and as was I. Your father gave his own heart allowing you to breathe while instilling my soul within you should something like today occur."

"So this scar… this beating heart… is dad's…" He gasps an audible breath, a hand on said chest. "But, Mom, that means…!" She nods with a kind smile.

"My body is buried but my soul lives within you, Rean. Your father blessed me with the ability to watch over you when he couldn't."

"Ishmelga took him over so that's why…"

"Yes. After we were saved, he took you to a safe place and from there, Teo and Lucia took you in."

"I see… So that's it." A sniffle escapes him. "All this time… I've wondered why. And now that I know, I'm both happy and angry…." He grits his teeth, tears forming at the edges of his lilac eyes.

Feeling a body suddenly wrap itself around him, Rean gasps seeing his mother hold him tightly.

"I'm sorry, my child." She murmurs. "17 years ago, we were once a family but Ishmelga separated us." She pulls back holding both of their hands together, their eyes locked on other's. "I know your father is as well, but we're truly sorry for putting you through such a harsh life."

"It's fine." He says looking to their hands, a knowing look on Rean's face. "You don't have to apologize. It was rough for a while, but there were also times of joy and fun I had with my new family and friends. It's thanks to them that I got to experience a true taste of life. One free of worry. But I know now that both you and dad gave your lives just for me." His small smile shifting to a big one as he looks up to wipe the forming tears from his mother's face. "Thanks, Mom. For everything." She smiles to stand followed by Kasia. "But, I need to go. My friends need me." He announces, determination etched on his face as he holds his sheathed tachi.

Thank you, Aidios, for blessing us with such a wonderful son.

Taking a deep breath to compose herself.

"Before you go, let me ask you one question, Rean."

"Hm? Sure." He nods.

"Who are you?" Kasia asks with a proud smile for Rean to close his eyes before going into thought.

"... I am the boy instilled with the devil's power. Ishmelga's power. A force that I feared for the safety of myself but more importantly for those around me. I enrolled at Thors Military Academy in hopes of finding a purpose for myself only to see the truth thanks to my friends. Opening my eyes, I embraced this power as my own and began to truly enjoy myself allowing my limits to surpass themselves. I am the adopted son of Baron and Lucia Schwarzer. Step-brother to Elise Schwarzer. Godson to Lianne Sandlot. Son of Kasia. I am Rean Schwarzer of Class VII!"

"Good answer." Kasia nods in approval. "Now go, your friends need you. Just close your eyes and wake up."

"Wait, how will I know if we'll ever meet again? There's still so much I want to talk and ask about."

"Call it a mother's intuition." She winks for a soft chuckle to escape. "If anything ever happens, I'll be sure to keep tabs on my 'roommate.'" She winks.

"Right!" Closing his eyes, Rean's form begins to disappear until there is no trace of him left but particles descending upwards.

"When you find Lianne and your father, give them my regards!" She shouts.

"I will!" The voice of Rean responds.

Aidios, please, watch over them.

Real World

Feeling the gentle sensation of the ground and a hard structure to his back, Rean's eyes begin to flutter as the bright light causing him to squirm sitting upright.

"Rean? Rean!" The voice of Alisa calls.

"You're finally awake!" Elliot cheers teary-eyed.

"Yeah." He says looking around to take sight of dozens of soldiers at the border of the clearing along with varying vehicles.

Standing at his feet with little trouble, the two raise their hands to stop him.

"You just woke up! Take it easy!" Elliot warns.

"Yeah, you got stabbed, remember?!"

"It's alright, guys. Trust me. I'm already fully healed." He states turning to Laura and Aurelia. "You two can tell, right?"

Not answering, both gaze for a long moment at Rean before they hum.

"It would seem that is the case."

"I do not see any signs of injury so does it appear as though you're hiding any such pain." Aurelia notes with crossed arms.

"You two can't be serious about letting him fight!" Alisa goes wide-eyed

"At the very least, let me heal you with my art!"

"No time, every second we waste here is a second that Senate can use to escape. Trust me on this one. I've been asleep long enough. I want- no. I need to get back in there and Relon and I could sure use all the help we can get this time around."

"I have been anxious standing around. You needn't ask for the assistance of the Arseid School." Laura nods.

"Or those of the Vander!"

"If you're all going back in, then count us in. Right, Elliot?"

"Y-Yeah! As t-t-t-terrifying as the t-t-thought is, I d-d-don't w-w-want to let my friends go into something so dangerous alone."

"You're a brave man, Elliot." Aurelia notes patting his back, the five run through the soldiers.

One is about to stop them, but Lechter shakes his head as he, Claire, Sara and the others step out of the way.

Glancing at all of them, Rean's eyes look to the Chancellor for a moment. The image of his father's back popping up for the boy to regain his determined look.

I've spent enough time in the past. I can feel it deep down. The presence of both Ishmelga's power and my mother's soul. Ishmelga's is greater than before too.

Stopping next to Relon, all look to the boy as he does them before glaring back at Sephiroth ahead of them.

This time, we won't fail!

---

Fun Fact: Rean was going to cut down the fake Fie and Relon with Relon making the quip "Oh, for Aidios' sake" as Rean notes that Relon doesn't believe in the Goddess.

P.S AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

FROM ANDREW.

Yeah, don't ask. His brain is fried at the moment. Oh! And the next chapter goes up tomorrow so look forward to that and feel free to join the discord! I love talking with you all :D