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I am the Light of this World
The Beacon of Hope for Everyone

~ Hikari ~

The Reyvateil flinched as she grabbed her arm, struggling to stand up. When Nereus came beside her to defend her, she flashed him a grateful smile. "I think so..." She stood fully, one arm clutching the other sore arm, but otherwise not out for the count yet.

Gannon had jumped to immediately attack the Guardian that had struck her and she winced, taking in the sight. Gannon seemed pretty angry, and she had a feeling that it wasn't completely all at the Guardian who'd attacked her, either. Hikari also had a feeling that she'd be in for a scolding from both Gannon and Aaron.

He had been sent flying to meet the ground as well and her worry for his safety overcame her being afraid of his anger. She unconsciously took a step toward Gannon, but then he shouted for her to get out of the way and she quickly complied, reminded that he was still pretty ticked off. "R-right..." She said, not wanting to anger him further.

Nel then called over to her and asked for help with a hymn. Rinna joined right after. "Yes, I'll help too," she called back over to the already singing Reyvateil. She looked to Nereus. "Please cover me while I'm casting, okay?" She asked sheepishly before closing her eyes and allowing the emotions of the two singing Reyvateils to affect her own emotions.

What she sensed from it was a rushed, urgent feeling, but also happiness too. She could feel Nel's happiness at being able to cast a Song for her friends. Okay, I have to connect to that feeling and tone if I want to help her, Hikari realized. She took a deep breath and started singing as well, causing an instant burst in Harmonics with her own strong flood of Symphonic power rushing to join Nel and Rinna's.

My Song is a Shining Light

Together We Shall All Unify in Radiance

"Don't mind if I do." Ina slice the head of the guardian with one sword and stab another with the other sword. "So, we just suppose to protect them till they finish singing or until the guardians realize that this is just pointless?" She kick one to the ground and stab it on the neck.
Blitz was just floating around waiting for Ina to give a command. The familiar was looking at the rest of them doing their part to protect the Reyvateils.

Ishira

His eyes slowly opened to the glass of the dive pod. He had to adjust to the bright wash of the airship's light. For the first time after diving he was genuinely nervous to see Rhaplanca. How would he approach the subject of her secret? This hiss of the dive pod glass seal broke his thoughts. He anxiously climbed out of the dive pod to see Rhaplanca slowly clambering out of hers.







Rhaplanca was shakily trying to climb out of her dive pod, one leg at a time. She looked exhausted but she managed to meet Ishira's eyes for the first time in what seemed like forever with faint smile.

"I am sorry to have worried you," she said softly, "thank you for bringing me back," someone else caught her eye. A broad chested man she didn't know was here with them. It clicked then that she was not in the Behdla dive shop, "Where are we?" her confusion was amplified by her fatigue.





"Nice to see you awake and well, lassie," Renove grinned, "My name is Renove and you are aboard my airship. We are docked in Seraca currently," he explained patiently.

"Seraca.. I see," she held her head and closed her eyes trying to fend off a developing headache, "Nice to meet you," she almost forgot her manners, "If you do not mind could you explain what happened to bring us here?" The question was directed at either of them really.

"I'll leave the explanation to him," Renove motioned to Ishira, "I just stuck around to keep watch over you two while you were in there. I am sure you two would like some privacy now," Renove excused himself.

As Renove left there was a brief silence between the two left in the room. Rhaplanca began to rub her temples.
"I apologize, perhaps an explanation should wait. I feel as though I would not be able to process what is being said. Could we rest a bit first? Surely, an inn would not be far?"

Ishira finally let a out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. Relief set in as he realized things were okay for now. He looked as if he was debating something for a moment. Then all of sudden he breached the space between them and pulled her into an embrace. With a pained look on his face he nuzzled into her hair, "Just a second, I wanna make sure I am not dreaming."

"I-Ishira?" Rhaplanca was completely caught off guard, but something inside her felt like it was placated by Ishira's embrace. After a moment of being stunned her arms timidly reached up behind Ishira to hug him back. A warm bloomed in her chest and it was all she could do to not cry, "Thank you," and all too soon they parted.

Ishira let his arms drop but kept the close proximity, "Let's find a place for you to rest then. After I can tell you what I know, but I caution you that it isn't much," he sighed, "Are you well enough to walk?"

"Yes," she had found new energy for the moment as the last remnants of the blush faded, "I cannot, however, promise that I will be so responsive once I reach a bed," every part of her ached for a restful slumber.

Snow

"Oh good you're both awake," Snow entered speckled with oil and carrying their gear. She wiped her brow on her sleeve, "Happy birthday," she said as she tossed the packs at Ishira's feet. Working on machines was therapeutic for Snow, her mood seemed to lighten a little, "When you're ready to leave you can see your way out," she said as she handed Ishira his naginata and took her seat at the computer again, ticking away at the holographic keys, "Diagnostics look amazing. She should purr like a kitten now," Snow chimed.






"We will excuse ourselves then," Rhaplanca bowed her head, "Thank you for your help."




"You are welcome," Snow said distractedly while engrossed in the holographic screens, "If you two are every in need of a lift ask around for Snow and Renove. We'd be happy to make some extra cash on the side."

Ishira's eyebrow twitched. Why is she so customer friendly all of a sudden? "We'll keep that in mind," he said as he picked up their gear and slung it over his shoulder. All of a sudden he saw Yue crawl sleepily out of the dive pod. The little critter stretched and yawned cutely. Ishira formed a sweatdrop of a guilty conscious.Oh man, I almost forgot about him again. Thank the Goddess he sticks to Rhaplanca like glue. The familiar finished stretching his last leg and shook himself out. He flew straight to Rhaplanca's shoulder.

"Hey there little one, were you keeping me company in there this whole time?" She petted his tiny forehead and he kyuu-ed.

"Alright then, let's head out," he got a half-hearted wave from Snow as they departed with no sign of Renove. However Ishira wasn't about to search him out. Soon they were wandering down the streets of Seraca on route to an inn.

"So where if the others aren't with us where are they?" Rhaplanca began to wonder.

Ishira was unsure how to answer seeing as he didn't know for sure himself, "I suppose I should at least try to start explaining," he sighed, "When we were in Behdla," he began uncomfortably, "That... masked man we fought before ripped us from the dive. He was saying something about a C.P.G. raid but I was out of it from the dive lag," Ishira rubbed the back of his head, "When I looked around for the others none of them were in the dive shop. He said they already left and at first I didn't believe him but I think during one of the brief times I was with it I saw the group climbing the tower from the window of the airship," he stared off into the distance, "I believe they are okay," he tried to reassure her as well as himself.

A myriad of negative emotions took over Rhaplanca that stopped her in her tracks. First she felt a pang of abandonment and betrayal from the abrupt separation from her comrade, followed by guilt of assuming such a thing, they could be hurt or worse for all she knew. She tried not to judge a situation she was not a part of, "Ishira, we should try to find them," she pleaded.

He shook his head, "We will, but not before you rest up," he stated firmly, "I am sure they handled themselves fine," he tried to soothe her, "They had better odds than we did," He was right. It made her feel a little more at ease but she still longed to know for sure, "You know something else?" Ishira began with a confused and frustrated tone, "If that man is with the C.P.G. why on earth did he save us? If it wasn't for him..." he trailed off, "And when I asked Renove about him he fed me some crap about how it wasn't his place to say."

Rhaplanca couldn't supress a chill. Why did that man help them? She couldn't help but remember the feeling she got when they first met. Had she met him before?It can't be him.. she reminded herself.He's been gone for six years. Everyone was sure he perished along with Rhemi's other vanguards after she was escorted to the Chronicle of Orgel. No, I cannot afford to think he's alive now. She shook off the thought and decided not to dwell on it right now.

Ishira was remembering the other parts of the conversation with the man. He would have to want until Rhaplanca was rested before he asked her about that or why the man might have known about it, "Whatever the reason, we should be more cautious from here on out," he warned as he started to walk again.

Rhaplanca felt as if Ishira was holding back something but decided to address it later on. For now she really was feeling the full weight of her fatigued body. As they reached an inn she waited patiently for Ishira to speak tot he receptionist. Soon they were at the door of a room and stepping over the threshold. As Rhaplanca's eyes found the bed they never felt heavier.
"I am sorry, please excuse my lack of grace in this moment," she muttered as she approached the bed and clumsily climbed under the covers, disregarding the fact that she was still fully dressed, even her shoes were neglected to be removed. She was out like a light as soon as her head touched the pillow.

Ishira sighed with an understanding smile. He dropped their gear on a chair and went to at least take her shoes off then adjusted her blankets. For awhile he deliberated whether he should stay in the room until she awoke or if he should take advantage of the time to restock their supplies in town. He eventually decided he wasn't going to risk leaving her out of his sight. He was just starting to feel tired when Rhaplanca tossed in her sleep.

"Don't leave me... I don't wanna be alone again," she whispered with quiet fear in her sleep.

Ishira frowned and sat down beside the bed, resting his back against it, "I won't," he whispered back and his exhaustion overtook him.

Mana~


"You gotta be kiddin' me..." Mana groaned, scratching her head in dismay. "That's super uncool." She sighed. "Oh well, can't be helped, I suppose." She could feel the power of Harmonics flow through her. "Well good thing I'm just gettin' started!" She lifted both of her weapons with the barrels facing her opponent. A glow surrounded her for a few moments before she let loose. "Sonic Boom!" She shouted, and an explosion of Teru Magic accompanied by her bullets sliced right into the machine in front of her, exposing some sparking wires. Ohhh nice, do the honors, Sis?" She asked her twin with a wink.

The young Reyvateil started panting as she sang. "I think... I'm at my limit," she gasped, sinking to her knees. "Sorry, guys." Rinna felt bad but what could she do? Obviously... I've got a long way to go before I'm able to be of any real use to anyone, she thought in shame as she watched her sister Reyvateils continue to sing and carry on the slack for her. I guess... at least I was able to do this much still...

I am the Light of this World
The Beacon of Hope for Everyone

~ Hikari ~

The loss of Rinna's Symphonic boost was felt and the burden on Hikari was immediate. She caught sight of Nel's gaze and heard her plea. "Yes, don't worry," she responded and closed her eyes, focusing everything she had on singing with the other Reyvateil. It was definitely more difficult to carry Nel's Song than her own and she idly wondered if it was because Nel was a more powerful Reyvateil than she was. As she was, she had little more than half of her own energy but it was quickly depleting. But she wasn't going to quit on Nel that easily. Even if ORIGINS took more energy than Hikari's own Song Magic. She redoubled her efforts in singing. On top of carrying the Song, if she stopped, the Harmonics would stop, and that would make it more difficult for Gannon and the others. So Hikari had no choice, she simply couldn't stop. Something interrupted her concentration and she faltered for a moment.

You're getting tired, aren't you...?

Wha...what...!?

You want to beat them, don't you? It's okay to use it, if you want to.

Use... what? What are you talking about!?

Use it. CALAMITY.

Hikari's eyes widened in horror. No... I can't use it! I can't, I can't! Nonononono...! She trembled in fear.

Use it. Use it use it use it use it use it use it...

Sweat dripped from Hikari's forehead. Please don't let this last much longer. I don't know how much more of this I can take...! She silently pleaded with Nel. Terror filled her. Who was speaking into her mind? Who was forcing their thoughts into her? No, they won't have their way! They won't! I refuse to do or listen to whatever you have to say to me! You hear me!? I refuse!!! She locked down her mind and forced every thought out except for Nel's Song.

My Song is a Shining Light

Together We Shall All Unify in Radiance