what a simple life.

The woman doesn’t look at the redhead next to her, as if the very idea of seeing him would solidify the fact that it was going to happen. It was going to happen because she was there now, with him, because of him. There’s a small part of her that wishes Zelos didn’t have to do this, though whether it was more for Sheena’s own benefit than his it was hard to say. This whole Chosen thing was definitely not what it was cracked up to be. She’d known that before their journey had started in the small ways he let things slip through, the way others saw him, treated him, expected of him. But they were here, together, stuck with the cards life had thrown them, for better or for worse.

“You always say that,” Sheena mutters, tone still not sounding quite as normal as she’d hoped it would be. The sensation of Corrine’s warmth has thawed away at her tense muscles, the muffled sound of his heartbeat in her ear soothing the wild fluttering in her own chest. He’s the one that helps her keep going. A small beacon of support throughout her life, always there, always so determined. Every exhale through the summon spirit’s nose ghosts against the side of Sheena’s neck, and as he shifts to situate his forehead more comfortable against her the bell chimes softly again. With or without words, the small fox practically radiates a sensation of love and comfort, silently encouraging her.

Sheena’s eyelids flutter shut, letting a silence settle between them as she focused solely on the small creature in her arms. She’d be okay… So long as she had Corrine there with her, she could get through this. She’d do it for him, for Mizuho, for Tethe’alla. Even for Zelos.

It was her duty after all.

Ever so slightly the ninja unfurls herself from around the fox’s body, gaze briefly shifting to Zelos to look him over for the first time since he joined her.

“How’s your head?” She hadn’t seen him hit the ground when he passed out, but blacking out like that couldn’t be pleasant in the slightest. He had to be hungry by now too, considering he’d been out during dinner as well. That didn’t mean she was going to jump up and make him anything, but it didn’t hurt to make sure the guy wasn’t suffering.

... But now didn’t seem the time. 

Sometimes, he wished that they could be closer. It would be easy to tell her everything. Lay it all out on the line, let her understand the truth - but she wasn’t the type to take it as it was. She may seem like it, may pay lip service to the idea that duty was duty, but Sheena was too soft for the harshness of it all. It was one of the reasons he enjoyed her presence so much. She was a sorely needed breath of fresh air in a sea of troubles.

He wished he could talk to her.

Be honest with her.

Be open with her.

But to do so would only add to her already hefty burden. There was no need to add more regrets to the pile.

By the call of the nickname that only one member of their motley crew said, Genis then realized just what was occurring. Zelos had jumped in front of him, protecting him from the creature’s attack, and all Genis could do was watch the scene unfold with mortified eyes. He remained petrified, pathetically, until Zelos fell to the ground.

Wh-What the hell? Why did Zelos– No, this wasn’t the time to question that. Zelos… There was always something wrong with him right after they finished a trial, and he decides to pull off a heroic act right after receiving his blessing. Idiot! He rushed to Zelos’ side, shaking him and repeatedly saying his name until he was pried off from the others.

They set up camp not far from the temple and allowed for Zelos to rest in a tent they had set up. Helping with the preparations didn’t go as well, since all Genis had in his mind was regret for what had transpired, so all he did was cook dinner while keeping in mind to make it simple so that Zelos could eat without much difficulty.

Once he was finished, he took one plate and placed some soup on it to give to Zelos. He walked to the tent, wondering if the guy was awake. When he arrived right in front, he heard a mumbled voice from inside. So Zelos had woken up. Genis took a moment to take one big breath, and then slowly opened the flap.

Great.

Maybe he ought to feel touched that the brat cares enough to show even a superficial amount of concern, but of all the times it had to be now. Instead he just sighs through his nose, wondering how he should be acting.

People had talked about how useful it would be to fight without the sensation of pain, but this was by far and above the worst thing he’d ever had to experience. The absence of taste had been bad enough, but to be unable to feel... Now, that was something he could never prepare for. He knew the injury was still there, otherwise it wouldn’t be bandaged... but was it mild? Was he still in danger? Should he move, or would it tear it?

 To be safe he gives a muffled groan, working shaky fingers through his thick red hair.

Of course he had to go there.

All at once the world seems to dim, the warmth of the fire nothing more than a feeble flame against the chill that runs through her veins. The hand stroking the summon spirit’s fur stills, jaw clenching, and her eyebrows lower. Of course she knew where they were going. How could she forget? A pop from the fire makes her eyes dart towards the source, the sudden, small flare all too quickly spurring the beginnings of a very unwelcome memory. She presses her lips together to try and suppress it. The weight in her lap shifts, bell softly jingling, and it’s only when the sensation of a soft paw pad touches her hand does Sheena drag herself back into reality.

Eyelids closing, Sheena swallows the growing lump in her throat and does her best to relax. First her hand, then her shoulders… No, not much luck, but at least she wasn’t digging her fingers into Corrine’s fur any more. She rubs the small fox’s back in silent apology before drawing him closer, eyelashes parting slightly to stare numbly at the space above the fire. She couldn’t look at Zelos or Corrine. Just seeing them, anyone, would bring back those faces. The screams. The blinding light and all of the red...

And she can’t let them see that. Can’t let them see she still doesn’t know if she can face it or not.

“… It’s fine.” She whispers, voice dry, though she does her best to sound unaffected. As if her initial reaction wasn’t clue enough, anyway. Corrine’s paws rest gently on her collar bone as the tiny fox presses his forehead against her chin. Sheena pulls her knees towards her chest, encircling the summon spirit with her body, as if trying to absorb the comfort she took from the small creature into her very being.

He lets the words hang in the air between them, wordlessly lifting his eyes to the stars. 

In due time, the pain of that memory would fade. Replaced instead with a bittersweet memory of a journey to save the world, with truimph instead of defeat. Only then would the poison of those memories seep out, and only then would Sheena truly begin to heal.

Would she miss him? Was it selfish to wonder something that stupid while she grappled with the failure she’d never really managed to live down? Of course it was. It didn’t chase the thought from his head. They’d never even really know what happened, only that once the journey was complete everything would be fine again.

Sheena would get prestige.  She’d get a title and lands, of course, not that she’d want to bother with them. It would simply make communication with the outside world that much easier. Mizuho would rise from the ashes of it’s defeat, all thanks to the efforts of one girl. 

“I figured,” he says finally, easy and lightly as can be. “Just thought I should give a heads up, in case you were wondering why we weren’t heading for Flanoir. Once we get one down, the other should be a breeze.”

Then they were done. The world would be saved... just three little temples and then everything would be just the way he wanted it.

   ❝It’s so troublesome, having a person who believes in you                                                                                  more than you believe in yourself.❞

   ❝It’s so troublesome, having a person who believes in you                                                                                  more than you believe in yourself.❞

   ❝It’s so troublesome, having a person who believes in you                                                                                  more than you believe in yourself.❞

Whatever happened, she just figured she was here for the best of her village. Nothing more, nothing less - right? It’s not something she gives much thought to, to be honest, and when the crosses her mind then and there, she slows a tad. The thought of a red clad ninja, eyes as sharp as the daggers in his hands, ready to lash out at a moments notice to take down his target…

… Who was she doing this for again?

Sheena starts a little when her feet come in contact with softer soil, a silent reminder that she had been still moving despite her muddled thoughts. Eyelids fluttering, the summoner rubs her temples. She had to stop spacing out. All this traveling and fighting with so little sleep was getting to her. She just had to focus on what was in front of her and keep moving. Then this would be all over and done with. Then…

She turns to look over her shoulder, gaze landing on the Chosen resting a little ways away from the group. What did he plan on doing after the journey was over? What did any of them want to do? Would things go back to the way they were before? How different would they be once Tethe’alla began to flourish once more?

Her thoughts on the matter don’t continue for very long after that, as no sooner does Raine look up from the contraption in her hands that Zelos leans forward, teetering precariously and—-

"Zelos!"

Sleep for Zelos was not usually a kind affair. There were nightmares, reminders, haunting manifestations of fears and insecurities -- and, rarely, a single shining dream that encompassed everything he ever wanted. This time there was nothing. Not even blackness, not even startling awake and realizing that time had passed. He had been aware every second... just unable to do anything. His body had been more preoccupied with recovery than it had been with his urge to get up.

Just another perk, he thought bitterly.

Night had already fallen. Slowly, Zelos pushes himself up onto his elbows and straightens up completely. Raine had healed the bumps and bruises from their battles, and that rest had done it’s part in restoring his energy levels to their peak. His fingers work their way through his hair and Zelos breathes a short, tired sigh.

Two down, two to go.

... What more would he lose before this was all done? ... Did he even still care? It seemed so... odd that this would bother him, he’d spent his whole live eagerly anticipating the day that the oracle would shine in the sky and this whole cursed journey would begin. Why was he having fun doing this, why was he so okay with the detours and adventures into nowhere that they took?

He had a mission. An important mission.

For Seles.

Someone else was awake. He pretends to rub sleep from his eyes with the heels of his hands, feigning a yawn and pushing himself on to surprisingly steady feet. Carefully he picks his way across the rest of the sleeping bodies and drops down next to her without a word, looking up at the stars.

After a few moments of silence, he speaks. His voice low, more somber than usual. Normally this would be when he teased her, playful edging about how she’d stayed up all night just to watch him sleep, or how if she wanted to look at a star she should just look down.

But it isn’t fair to do that. Not now. Not when by tomorrow, they’d be bypassing Meltokio to get on a rickety boat and head to the one place she’d never want to set foot on again.

Sheena steals a brief look at the others and notes there is no change in their expressions, causing a sense of embarrassment to flow through her. Of course there’s nothing there. No one except Zelos and Remiel, anyway. She forces the knot in her stomach to loosen and ignore her previous concerns, filing it away as something her fatigue had simply conjured up.

Grimacing at her our stupidity, the summoner’s gaze returns to the two figures at the altar. With his wings fluttering across his back, Zelos kneels to pray, bathed in a light that many would consider holy. It seems a little surreal, to see something that could possibly change the world happening right before her eyes. Yet, for some reason, it doesn’t seem to strange to her either. It’s always been like this, really - watching the redhead from afar, as he mingled, lived and laughed with people very similar to Remiel. Pristine, luxurious creatures that lived in a world of majesty far beyond the troubles that crippled the common folk. It’s a world she’d seen him come from, perhaps not always fit perfectly, but a cloth he’d been cut from nonetheless.

And she, much like when she was a child wandering the streets of Meltokio, could only watch from the distance, through the panes of glass of a window, or within the crowd, but not be a part of it. She didn’t fit into the grand scheme of his life. Probably never would outside of this journey, Sheena briefly muses. So why did the thought make her feel so lonely?

Her eyelids close. Shut up, she thinks to the growing sensation in her gut, chastising the small knot of emotion she can’t quite decipher like one would a spoiled child.

By the time she reopens her eyes, Zelos is done and Remiel is gone. With him, it seems, the angel has stolen what could be the last of her energy, as no sooner does the Chosen mention an inn does her body suddenly feel heavy. The thought of a warm meal and a bed sounds nothing short of heavenly right now, and with a groan the summoner rubs the side of her neck and quickly turns to follow the already moving Yuan out. Looks like he shared the sentiment.

They walk back to the entrance, all airy banter and relief. That's two out of four, so they must be well on their way to the end? The others walk up ahead in a cluster, all eager for the warmth of a proper bed and a shower. Zelos lags behind just slightly, feigning fear of a slap from Sheena or Raine or a swift kick in the knee from an overzealous Genis. Yuan leads the group, grumbling under his breath about ungrateful children. Once or twice Zelos catches him looking back, watching him with an unreadable expression.

It's an easy guess as to why.

By the time they hit the entrance, he's exhausted. It's a deeper exhaustion that just fight fatigue, he knows deep in his soul -- but he presses on, stubbornly ignoring it. They have a finite amount of time before the Desian's catch up and he doesn't want that, he doesn't need that. He steadies himself before anyone can even question why he stopped

They make it outside of the caves before the world begins to dim. Raine stops to examine the dias one last time, murmuring that she wished she had more time to study the ancient magitechnology. He busies himself with leaning against the closest wall, trying to regulate his breathing and maintain the cool and collected facade. Holding fast to his determination to at least get to Meltokio before nightfall, like that would make any difference. All they would have to do from there would be to get a boat and it would be a straight shot to Volt's temple. His legs crumple underneath him, barely hearing someone shout his name before he tumbles forward onto the ground.