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She didn't pull her hand away, didn't whine, flinch, sling insults... she was really shaken. As the girl took the rapier into her possession, Zelos smiled. "It suits you, Alihi..."

The man smirked, albeit weakly, at the question. "Why you, huh? Well..." He slid back onto the bed, laying down on his back to conserve what little energy was left. "Well, Alihi, you're the tactician. You've got a mind that's won wars, that's stopped civilizations from crumbling. You're always put through a gamut of hardships. Whether it's your past before this world, getting kidnapped by the morphs, being nearly frozen by a freak snowstorm, or having your friends fight each other and yourself."

He looked out the window, watching the shooting star's trail begin to fade. "You're put through so much more than everyone else, so why not give you something to be happy about? Why not give you someone who chases the doubt from your heart, who's always there for you when you need it? Why not have someone who'd get in a fight just to see if the guy is right for you?"

The trail began to fade faster, Zelos's strength seeming to wane with the star. "I guess I'm just like a guardian angel or something, protecting one of the group's foundations. And don't you forget, you're more capable than you let yourself believe, Alihi..."

(Everyone, huh? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY FOR RAPPAHANNOCK.)

Zelos smiled at the girl's independence, her... epiphany, so to speak. "You'll be fine, Alihi." He coughed slightly, shutting his eyes tight until he finished. As he took a hand to rub his eyes, he looked up at the girl. "...and good luck with Abel..."

As the strength rapidly faded from his body, Zelos looked up towards the ceiling, and then back at the tactician again. "Good...bye... Ali... hi..."

A light enveloped the man as his strength depleted, his figure becoming obscured by light. As the light subsided, Rei sat on the bed, bouncing up and down, as if he was brimming with energy. Although, having full control of the body would definitely mean more energy than dividing it amongst two people.

"Hey, it's Alihi!" He chimed, watching the tears stream down her face. "Whatcha crying about, Alihi?"

"Well, okay, if you say so." He sat up, vaulting off the bed. The moment his feet hit the soft carpet, he lost his balance, nearly falling into the wall. As he spun around, the momentum took his back slamming into the wall, followed by a small whine.

"Owwww..." Rei pushed himself off of the wall, rubbing a hand on his back. "Why'd I lose my balance like that...?" As he looked down towards his robes, he saw the Erebus tome sticking out of a pocket. His eyes widened as his legs began to shake. Everything that had happened since the fight with Asami came flooding into him, an enfeebled shock coming across his body as he grasped what had happened.

"I... I... I almost..." His hands began to tremble, followed by his knees. "H-how... how could I have..." His eyes began to water as his legs gave out, making him collapse to his knees. "I... I... they all could have... it- it's all my fault..."

Rei snapped back to reality, a serious but calm look in his eyes. As he stood up, he took out the Erebus tome, taking a deep breath. "No." He took an orange off the nearby table, throwing it at the wall. Before it even got halfway across the room, a tendril shot out of the floor, enveloping the fruit and leaving no trace behind. "I should have been stronger, more mature." The tendril disappeared back into the wall as Rei closed the book, placing it back in his cloak. "I've nobody to blame but myself..."

"...Alihi, why shouldn't I carry the blame? I could have killed her before all this even started! It's my fault that everyone was hurt, that so many people were killed..." As he tightly closed his eyes, teared flowed down his face, his fists clenched with rage. "I could have stopped all of this from happening, but I didn't. Why? Because I'm weak..."

He looked up at Alihi, disgusted by her concern. "Take it slow?" He glared at her, contempt in his eyes. "I already tried that, and look where it got me: trying to kill my friends. There's no time to relax, Alihi, because that's when the enemy will strike."

He looked out the window as the star faded from view, stopping to make a wish. I wish I could gain the strength to protect what's important, rather than have my strength lead to my downfall...

Javert stared up at the bright night sky, gazing at the stars. He wasn't exactly sure how to feel--when he'd first heard the news, he certainly hadn't been happy about it, but... well, he couldn't feel anything. His thoughts strayed to how the three of them--himself, Katherine, and their older sister Stephanie--once lived together, playing carefree games like children do. Better times, those. Nothing more than memories now.

As far as he knew, Stephanie was still around--she'd always been the ambitious one, journeying from land to land as a Sniper mercenary of some renown. A few weeks ago, she'd sent a letter with some money in it, telling the family she was doing well and she hopes they were doing well, too. She travelled quite a bit, so it was impossible to send her anything.

"So, yer still out here. Charice said ye were out this way."

Javert turned at the sound of heavy, clanking armor. Oh, great. Just what he needed. Someone to try to get him to open up, to tell him they "understood" how he felt--he'd said it to Charice already! He just needed some alone time! Why couldn't--

"...So, Dan's offerin' us all places in the castle guard come tomorrow, it seems."

...Small talk? Well, business did go on, after all.

"...Yeah." Javert answered dully.

"Means I'll be expectin' more outta the lot o' you."

"...Yeah."

"That means you too, Javert."

"...Tch. Yeah, you say that NOW," Javert answered bitterly.

"You weren't ready. Ye went, an' ye woulda been killed, too."

"Oh, and I suppose Charice and Katherine were?"

"They're fliers. Pegasi and wyvern alike are rare in Eyris. You know that. Look, Javert... ah can't pretend t' understand what ye're goin' through. I grew up in a gang, meself... never had much use for the feelin's of others. But I can tell you one thing I've learned that'll help you now: In order t' have peace, one must be prepared for war."

In order to have peace, one must be prepared for war!? What kind of nonsense is that?

"Ah see the look in yer eyes. You think ah'm crazy, right? Javert... one day, ye'll understand."

Ghis turned to walk away. Javert simply glared at the retreating armor in silence. Well, at least he's not telling me he understands.

He sagged, the anger fading.

I just wish I could understand.

As for Ghis...

Javert, ah really hope ye get what ah meant.
Katherine gave her life so others could live theirs in peace.
Now, ah'm not sayin' ah would've done the same, and ah'm not sayin' self-righteous suicide is the right thing t' do, but...
Freedom don't come free, Javert.