Chapter 83 - Second Standings
Xyder Zephyr - POV;
My eyes slowly opened, only to be greeted by the bright shimmer of an overhead bulb while the whirring sound of a fan's blades was all while saved the room from an eerie silence.
"I told them you'd be fine. Hey, how are you?" Evelynn asked cheerfully. I turned to face her and I could see that she had been forcing a smile. The dark bags under her eyes served as definitive proof of her insomnia too. At the foot of the bed, Satella held a troubled and uneasy face although she lay unconscious and across the room from Evelynn, Storm emulated her position on a chair except he'd been out cold.
"I'm fine, but you don't look so good," I told her worriedly, "You haven't slept in a while."
"Haha. You got me," she laughed tiredly. I got off of the bed and walked towards her slowly.
"Hey. You shouldn't move around you know," she complained.
"It's okay," I said, sitting down beside her, "You should rest."
"Okay. Just a bit though," she yawned leaning towards me. I gently lay her down across the chairs and pulled one of my blankets over her while giving the second to Satella.
Looking over to Storm I whispered, "You'll have to make to with my sheets buddy," as I placed it over his subtly shivering body.
I proceeded to the outside where standing at the window sill, Nero had been smoking a cigarette as he stared into the distance.
"Well look who it is. How've you been enjoying your stay in the hospital?" I asked him as I approached.
"Huh? You're awake!" he exclaimed.
"Uh....... yeah," I responded.
"Sorry. I was surprised," he apologised.
"Those three spent the whole night with me didn't they?" I asked.
"Yeah. They must be k.o. by now," he laughed.
"Like babies. You seem to be fine though. You recovered from those injuries you got the night before rather quickly," I remarked.
"Hmm? Xyder.... how long ago was the second match of the tournament?" Nero inquired suddenly.
"Yesterday. And we left you here before heading to the match yesterday morning. Are you testing me for amnesia or something?" I joked.
"Xyder.... the tournament was two weeks ago. You've been comatose since then," he stated grimly.
"I've.... what? Wait.... I'm sorry, what?"
"It's true. So you don't remember. What's the last thing you recall?" he pressed.
"The last? That's uh.... that's right! The Kraken! I blasted him with that lighting attack and then..... that's it," I told him.
"You were in a serious state. That final attack certainly killed the beast but it left your body in a mess; dotted by lacerations, coated in third degree burns.... you went into cardiac arrest and suffered internal bleeding across multiple organs," he murmered.
"Indira Astra acted quickly to jumpstart your heart but it only restarted after five minutes of having gone cold," Dagan continued, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, "Evelynn, Satella and Storm..... they spent all day, every day over the past two weeks with you. The rest of us stayed interchangeably."
As he said this, from behind him came Jacqueline, Sorine, Disas, Celes and Winter. They all looked at me in shock and relief.
"Xyder!"
In the next moment, I found myself in the tight embrace of Storm and Satella both of whom fought back their tears.
"You guys," I said saddened yet overjoyed.
"Maybe this isn't the right time and I'm sorry, but you have to know what happened after you lost conciousness regarding the tournament itself," Nero spoke up once more.
"No, don't be. I'd like to know what went down myself."
***
I soon found myself seated at the hospital's cafeteria where tables lined with chairs served as the ideal location for our large group's discussion.
"The second the Kraken had fallen, it dropped the mother load of gems," Nero explained, "A mountain of them even. These were given to both Zephyr and Astra and though I don't know specifics reguarding numbers of gems, numbers of pairs etcetera I do know the points achieved in all matches total by the clans are as follows;
Zephyr Team X - 97 points
Zephyr Team Z - 88 points
Neptulus Team Orca - 66 points
Atmos Team Nu - 59 points
Blaze Team Omega - 58 points
Glacia Team Snow - 55 points
Atmos Team Mu - 52 points
Astra Team Thunder - 49 points
Fenix Team Alpha - 46 points
Soleis Team Solar - 43 points
Eclipse Team Eins - 39 points
Geodus Team Terra - 37 points
Glacia Team Hail - 25 points
Fenix Team Beta - 20 points
Astra Team Storm - Voluntary Retirement
Blaze Team Lambda - Disqualified
Geodus Team Vita - Disqualified
Soleis Team Lunar - Disqualified
Neptulus Team Shark - Disqualified
Eclipse Team Zwei - Disqualified
Zephyr has taken a huge lead in the competition and it's safe to say that your position in the tournament is safe even if you don't perform very well in the third match."
"That's not our way. All or nothing. That's how we do things. We'll be finishing first, in points AND in the final tournament," I grinned.
"I'd expect no less from you all and I'll be cheering you on all the way," Nero responded happily.
"But this means we'll have far more enemies than ever before," Dagan muttered, "The playing field has been leveled a great deal for the other clans and Zephyr is the only one so out of reach. Surely they'll all make us the highest priority."
"What Dagan says is true. I share his beliefs and concern," Nero revealed, "You all should take extra precaution and care. They tried it once and succeeded so I don't doubt that Blaze may try to sabotage you all again, if another clan doesn't try it first out of desperation. Fenix comes to mind in that second part."
"Blaze and Fenix..... our greatest foes ey?" I said aloud.
"Considering that they paid you a visit or two and they seem indebted, I'd like to say that you are safe with Astra. I doubt they'd try anything with ill intent towards you after what you've done for them. Geodus and Soleis are generally fair and peace loving respectively so you can probably turn a blind eye to them if you can't spare an extra watch on them. I'm on the fence about Neptulus and Glacia. While Neptulus has good intention to Zephyr and Glacia is indifferent, both have been known to push themselves to great extremes for the sake of competition. Eclipse is infamous for dirty deeds. Watch out for them. Atmos would have been on the fence too but I've noticed members of Atmos keeping tabs on you all. Be very careful," Nero finished his break down of enemy threats with a concerned but serious tone.
"Really though, it feels like we have just as many enemies as friends," Evie giggled.
"It does, which is why we should keep our friends close and to do that, we need trust. Everyone! Please, let me tell you the truth about where we were the night before the second match."
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Chapter 84 - The Evil Within
*Two Weeks Ago*
Xyder Zephyr - POV;
"Death and destruction. All must befall this world and those who unleash it may stand above. The Primordial One shall rise again. You stand in our way. Now sleep."
A solid blow to the back of the head was the last I felt before slipping out of consciousness.
*"Xyder. Arise! These heathens will dispose of you if you fail to stir and most of all you'll fail yourself, your clan, your friends and the world. Rise! Lend me your hand. Use our power!"*
"Don't..... underestimate..... MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
"What?! He's still awake?!" Omega A bellowed in shock as the watched my shakily rise to my feet.
I raised my head, glaring holes through my hated enemies. The five were visibly shaken by my resilience. The girls prepared to rush forward but Omega A raised his arm, stopping them in their tracks.
"You are strong Xyder. But not strong enough to stop what's coming," he sighed. Despite the ringing in my ears, I could mostly determine what he had been saying although his voice was unrecognisable.
"Who.... who are you?!" I exclaimed.
"Me? The name's Blaze. You should know this. Oh, and by the way, I think I have something that may be of interest to you," he snickered revealing a book hidden in his jacket's inner pocket.
The world still seemed to be spinning around me but I could clearly make out the distinct covers of the book Evelynn risked so much for: The Third Prophecy! He waved it around as if taunting me as he whispered, "It was fun getting this. Watching your retarded uncle incinerate the home of that poor family while I retrieved it. Oh and those painful cries as those foolish kids watched their mother be mauled by savage dogs..... Truly a scene fit for having housed the Devil's Writing for such a long time. And you know..... your friend, the uh- blue haired girl. Rydia I believe? Her squeals while we tortured her bare, naked skin were just as fulfilling."
"You bastard!" I roared stumbling towards him and swinging my fist in his direction. He dodged my sluggish movements easily, delivering a powerful right punch to my abdomen, forcing me to cough and sputter.
"You're a mess!" he spat, throwing me flat on my back, "We'd planned on taking you out right here and now. Quick and painless. But you want it rough.... have it your way. We're leaving guys. Zegarth! Tear them apart!"
"Oh... so bossy, Little Mister Blaze," the familiar Eclipse Zegarth mocked, stepping out from the darkness.
"Would you like me to forward that complaint to Duran?" Omega A enquired.
"Alright, alright. I'm doing it. Damn, lighten up a bit," he laughed snapping his fingers as Omega A and his female companions departed.
"They'll be here soon. Rest in pieces boy," Zegarth growled before disappearing.
"C- come back! Cowards! Give me back my friends! Give me that book! You assholes!" I cried out, unable to find myself upright again.
"The boss left you here for those dogs but frankly I don't trust Zegarth."
My attention turned to the speaker and it was only then that I realised the two males from Blaze had stayed behind.
"Hasta la vista punk," one of them stated in distaste as he formed a tactical knife, his Persona, in his hands and a jabbed it towards me.
"Urk!"
The male was stopped mid-swing by a powerful knee to his abdomen which caused him to lurch forward. His partner rushed to his aid, unleashing a flurry of blows with his wielded brass knuckles, decorated with piercing spikes that would show no mercy upon impact. The newcomer perfectly dodged and parried the almost endless barrage.
"Damn bastard!"
The first male had recovered and slashed at my saviour, cutting though his back in sucession, eventually ending the combo by stabbing the knife straight through. The second seized the opportunity to drive his knuckles, straight into his foe's midsection. The male who'd been protecting us fell back, rolling some distance before eventually pushing himself back to his feet. The guy, previously unidentifiable due to the shadows which shielded his features, had now entered a region lit immensely by the moon as it peeked out from behind blackened clouds.
"What.... It's you!" one of the Blaze members exclaimed as they looked at the bleeding body of Nero.
"Grrrrrrr!"
The loud, chorus of barks and growls caught everyone's attention and sent us all into a prolonged silence.
"Let's go," one of the Blaze men said as they both retreated.
Meanwhile, Nero rushed to my side shouting, "Come on! We have to leave now!"
He reached out for my arm but just as I was about to grab it, the boy was flung to the side by a demon dog that had pounced on him. After a bit of a struggle, he managed to throw it off of himself and prepared to deliver the fatal blow.
"Gaaah!" he screamed abruptly as a second grabbed his leg, pulling him flat down on his back, dangerously close the the edge of the roof. Two more quickly joined, tearing at his arms while the first dog pinned his core as it bit into his chest. A fifth dog rushed in his direction but this time he prepared to deliver a kick to the fiend with his single free limb, knowing that if this leg were caught, it would be the end of him.
"Grrrrrrrrrr!"
His attention was stolen in the last second by a sixth beast that had crept up to Evelynn's unconscious body and had been preparing to take out its easy prey. Looking around quickly, he spotted exactly what he'd been searching for. Charging his leg in flames, he slammed it into the nearby post of a cell tower, causing the structure to collapse directly onto the sixth demon dog, killing it before it could strike. At that moment, the fifth monster made its move, grabbing onto Nero's final limb, dragging the boy and its allies off the edge and into a free fall.
"Nooooo!" I yelled, watching the scene unfold before me. As if to mock me, a secomd pack of the hellish canines arrived on the scene and hungrily circled my sister and I.
"You bastards! You won't get away with this. I've had it! Let's do this!"
Nero Mendax - POV;
"Damn it! I can't die like this! If I do, they won't last a second.... Damn it!" I exclaimed as I fought to free myself from the canines all while we accelerated to the comcrete below.
"Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiit!"
"Spiral Shadow!"
I found myself enveloped in absolute darkness followed by sharp streaks of light which seemed to cut through not only the beasts latched onto me but the eerie shadows surrounding indiscriminately. Suddenly, I found myself grabbed at the front of my shirt by rough hands which brought me to an abrupt halt. Staring down, I sighed in relief as my vision cleared to reveal the hard concrete barely six feet beneath me before turning my attention to the winged entity which still latched onto me. Something about this non-human struck me as familiar but I couldn't place it until I noticed Evelynn tucked carefully under his other arm.
"Xyder?! Is that you?!" I exclaimed in awe as we both found our feet back on solid ground.
"I guess we both have secrets ey, Mr. Assassin Salesman," Xyder snickered.
"Grrrrrr."
We took up our battle stances once again as the demonic dogs flooded into the streets.
"You.... you're a Demon! The stories are true...." I stated under my breath.
"Trust me, I was even more surprised when I found out myself," Xyder grinned bringing his fingers to his mouth and unleashing an echoing whistle.
All went silent while a cold wind blew past. The Demon Dogs seem to stop dead in their tracks, beginning to sniff the scentless air and moving their heads in sync from one direction to the next as if frantically in search of....... something.
A deep chorus of howls broke the serene atmosphere that had just settled in. Giant canines emerged from the North and South, passing us by as they closed in on our enemies.
"You want a fight mutts?! Try beating my Hell Hounds!" he roared.
I was unsure of how to respond to the sudden turn of events but one thing which was certain was the fact that Xyder's four legged friends easily overcame Zegarth's, tossing them aside like mere toys. Things had been going completely in Zephyr's favour it would seem and I somewhat subscibed myself to the idea that these kids and this clan truly was being protected. Maybe there was something remarkable in store for them? Who knows? Either way, whomever chosses to ally with them would surely come out on top.
"Look out!"
Xyder's shout brought me back to reality, just in time for me to dive out of the way of an old van that had been launched towards me. I found my feet and quickly noticed the perpetrator and my attempted assailant. He.... or rather it was leagues above any of the others; a fact obvious by sight alone.
A creature I could describe only as the Spawn of a Devil towered over its brethren and tore through Xyder's pack effortlessly. It boasted a somewhat higher intelligence to top it off as it seemed to make us it's primary target, launching debris in our direction spitefully.
"What the heck is that?!" I cried out almost panicked.
"Trouble. Nero! Take Evelynn and go!"
"What are you say-" I began.
"Go!" he interrupted, launching himself towards his quadrupedal opponent.
"We don't have to go down this path. Retreat! Don't let a mere man control you!" Xyder shouted as if addressing the monster itself. It proceeded to unleash a series of barks, growls and howls as if returning an intellectual response.
"So be it!" Xyder declared, "If that is your final stance, then face me Fenrir, Legendary Wolf of Unfathomable Strength!"
***
Xyder Zephyr - POV;
"Don't be foolish boy! You know that one mere mortal could never stand against me!" Fenrir growled.
"We'll just have to see that for ourselves now, won't we?!" I bellowed, zooming towards the wolf without warning. I unleashed a flurry of blows with Du Ragnarök which had just barely managed to inflict a miniscule scratch on his snout.
"All of that for a drop of blood?" the twenty foot tall fiend cackled, "Now's my turn!"
With an abrupt swipe of his gargantuan head, Fenrir sent me reeling into the remains of a rotting church. The hole I left in its wall had shattered the remaining structural integrity causing it to suddenly collapse upon me. Quick to follow up, he pounced upon the mangle of wood and beams, delivering a crushing force upon me and driving pieces of metal and splinters into my reinforced muscles. His jaws lurched forward at incomprehensible speeds, breaking through a significant portion of the disastrous mess before his bared teeth swiftly snapped shut around my entire body.
Nero Mendax - POV;
"Stay away you motherless bitch!" I exclaimed, driving my foot through the skull of one of the many demon dogs that had surrounded the sleeping Evelynn and myself. Although my focus lay primarily on protecting us from the hordes, I was very much interested in the major battle taking place not so far away. The gap in power was evident as Xyder took a severe beating and the moment the beast's mouth slammed close over the boy, I felt all hope slip away. The Legendary Fenrir was said to posess a crushing force capable of crushing blocks of the hardest diamonds to dust with little effort. The monster quickly threw its head back, coaxing the chewed Xyder into its throat, and simultaneously warning me that I had to leave on this instant at all costs.
"Come on Evelynn," I murmered as I began to lift the unconscious girl, "we have to get out of here now!"
The beast's growls drew my attention to it one more time before I departed.
"Tch. Damn it all," I sighed, laying the girl down once more and erecting walls of flames around her.
"Die you oversised shit!" I spat smashing my fiery fist into Fenrir's Cranium. For a moment it staggered and a look of worry and struggle quickly overcame it's face.
"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Xyder's desperate roar echoed throughout the night as Fenrir's jaws slowly came Ajar with the demon boy's raw strength serving as the only thing keeping the razor-like teeth from meeting.
With a final eruption of strength, he shot out of the saliva filled orfice, meeting the asphalt with a resounding thud.
"Don't stop yet! Behind you!" I yelled almost immediately. Xyder had barely enough time to look before he was grabbed through the midsection by piercing jaws and flung around like a ragdoll as the beast smashed him through concrete, asphalt, glass and wood indiscriminately before spitting the bloody mess Xyder had become onto the ground.
"Shit!" I boomed as the realisation that we couldn't face a Legendary Beast with merely the power of one or two settled in. The monster turned its attention to me, clearly desiring revenge for my earlier assault. It charged, covering the distance at record speeds. Prepared for the worst, I stood ready to do whatever it would take to make sure we could escape with even our lives.
"It seems I have no choice but to use *that*" I muttered to myself, "I'd hoped that I wouldn't have had to ignite this flame, but it's the only way."
As the the beast was within ten metres of my person, I unleashed a battle roar but alas it would be in vain as before I could even lift a finger in offense, a brilliant golden ray erupted from the distance, consuming the creature almost whole. I could feel an overwhelming, opressive power being exuded from the stupendous strike which spontaneously melted through the glass, concrete and steel strewn across its path.
Moments after the beam receded, a scene ripped out of legends played out in front of me. A shimmering Golden Wolf no taller than my waist bounded effortlessly across the randomly destroyed terrain grabbing Fenrir by the back of its head and bringing it to the floor in a single, continuous motion. Wasting not even a second, it found itself atop the giant neck and a second blast erupted, tearing through the skull of the beast and crust of the Earth without hindrance.
"That's... what is this..." I stated to myself in awe, sights glued to the phenomenon before me, "That's impossible."
***
Xyder Zephyr - POV;
"Hey. Hey wake up!" Evelynn's voice pierced through the darkness in my head, shaking me to consciousness. My eyes shot ajar as I jolted up from my position which had been comfortably lying on Evie's lap. I grimaced as the soreness of my joints and muscles caught up to me.
"H...hey. Looks like you're raring to go," Nero snickered, pain evident in his voice. He sat across from us, leaning against a wall and breathing heavily, all while clutching one of the numerous open wounds on his body.
"What? What happened to you?!" I spoke up immediately.
"Well, you decided to go get your tail handed to you by that mange riddled mutt so I had no choice," he responded.
"Nero fought off the beasts that attacked us while running with us both in tow. I imagine it's because we held him back that he got hurt like this. Either way, he brought us here in this alley to hide and recuperate," Evie answered for him.
"Would of been nice if I could heal as fast as you could. I mean look at ya'. Already back to normal Xyder. Make me a demon too will ya," Nero joked.
"Come on," I sighed seriously as I rose to my feet, "we can share details on the way but for now, Nero we need to get you to a hospital and we have to get to the tournament ASAP Evie."
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Chapter 85 - Love And Hope
*Present Day*
Xyder Zephyr - POV;
"You went after Blaze on your own?! Are you insane?!" Sorine spat after hearing our story.
"You didn't even tell us anything. I- we were so worried when you didn't return that night," Satella added in a sorrowful tone.
"Didn't you atleast trust Satella and me enough to let us know?" Storm muttered, "I thought the three of us were closer than that. And Evelynn, I thought we were done keeping secrets from each other after you signed us up without letting us know. I knew it. You just went and did the same damn thing again, this time with accomplices."
"That's...." Evelynn began before trailing off.
"They're not to blame. I encouraged them to remain silent because for our original operation, a small group would have been optimal for silent infiltration and I knew everyone would want to come along if you all knew. I had no idea it would spiral into madness the way it did. If I knew things would go that way, I would have discussed this with all of you. Please forgive them and direct your anger where it belongs," Nero defended us.
"Whether you asked them to remain silent or not Nero, what everyone says is true," Dagan stated, rising from his seat, "Going after Blaze in one of their hideouts with a three man team is crazy if not suicidal. None of you are innocent of this. On top of that, it's true that we promised that we wouldn't act slyly and hide such great truths from each other anymore. Having you two act this, Evelynn and Xyder, that's frankly a huge betrayal against us and the faith we put in you. I swore an oath to stand beside you Xyder and I intend to hold true to it but you need to come clean with us in turn or this will never work."
"Maybe you're being too harsh Dagan. They wanted to keep us out of it and keep us safe," Jaqueline intervened.
"No.... he's right," I told her, "Dagan, you are the voice of reason in our little group and I'd trust you with even my life. We were stupid and irrational once again but I promise you..... I promise everyone here, that we'll move forward only as a team from this point on. We will never act without consulting each and every member her, no matter the circumstamces. I swear upon my mother and father, I won't let you all down again."
"Anyway, you mentioned that our official was in league with Blaze?" Winter changed the topic.
"Actually when you said that, it came as a bit of a surprise honestly. He never came across as a goody two-shoes type of guy but I certainly didn't expect him to be with Blaze," Celes added.
"I feel the same. He never gave me reason to suspect him. Now that I think about it though, I haven't actually seen or heard from him since the last match," Dagan pondered, "It's odd. After the first match, he sent me messages every so often as the team leader but this time, things have been awfully quiet. I think I'll go give him a ring later."
"Nevertheless, you guys should be careful around him. Who knows what they could be planning," I warned.
"Right back at you. Be careful about speaking of your incident with Fenrir. You wouldn't know this but that incident has spawned large scale investigations, conspiracies and subsequent panic. We should avoid the truth coming out for it may prove to do us more harm than good," Dagan whispered.
"Oh? What's this? A happy little reunion?"
We turned to face the newcomer whom brandished a shimmering smile across her beautiful face.
"Aquarius? What are you doing here?" I asked, somewhat stunned.
"Zephyr isn't the only clan to have had members get hurt you know. I've come to see my own friends but I thought I should drop by. After all that was quite the feat you pulled off the other day. To take down the Kraken..... now that's something," she praised.
"Of course. I should have figured you were here for your friends," I laughed, scratching my head.
"And of course you'd gloss over the fact that you obliterated one of the most powerful creatures in this world with a single blow," a new, dominating female voice bellowed. Seriously, what is with people and jumping into conversations unannounced.
"To draw so much power that it destroys your own body.... what are you, Xyder Zephyr?" Indira Astra continued, standing beside our table.
"Who called you here you electric cow?" Aquarius suddenly spat.
"Why don't you shut up you pampered, wet bitch? If you want to be in heat, I'm sure you can find a dozen pigs to ease your suffering," Indira growled.
Deciding that their personal problems was something I'd rather not find myself in, I stood up and adressed the lightning vessel, "I'm not sure what you mean Indira, but I'm just a normal guy. At best I am the heir to the Regulus name in Zephyr. Nothing more."
"Tch. Whatever. If you won't tell me, I can't blame you. We're enemies in this thing after all. But again, thank you for saving my people," she muttered as she took her leave.
"So you're friendly with those Astra fools I see," Aquarius sighed, "I guess that has nothing to do with me. Anyway Xyder, have you heard from Aurora? She's refused to answer my calls and those back at home says she still has not returned to Neptulus City. It's worrying me."
"Huh? No I haven't heard anything. But it's Aurora we're speaking about. She can handle herself," I answered with determination.
***
Disas Zephyr - POV;
"Hey Celes?" I called out to our Epitome of Ventus.
"What is it Disas?" she responded as she poured a small bucket of water over her head.
After visiting the hospital that day, all of us, with the exception of Xyder himself who was instructed to remain warded a day or two longer by the doctors despite his protests, returned to the hotel to wind down for the evening. In order to pass the time more efficiently, the girls had decided to take showers in groups of three, a feat facilitated by the unspeakably large bathrooms we had been given in our luxurious rooms. I turned off the shower to avoid drowning out my voice as I turned to to the girl who furiously scrubbed her lengthy green hair.
"When Dagan was scolding Xyder, Evie and Nero after they told their story, why were you staring at him like that?" I inquired.
A moment of silence ensued as Celes seemed to be processing what exactly I'd been saying but soon enough, she had an unexpected outburst.
"H- huuuuuuuuuh?! W-what are you saying?!" she exclaimed.
"Oooooooh," Evelynn mocked mischievously as she lounged in the bathtub, "Somebody got caught scouting the goods."
"Disas doesn't mean it like that!" Celes retorted.
"Well, you were looking at him really hard and obviously. And you had this weird smile on your face too," I continued.
"Undressing poor Dagan with your eyes you pervy girl? Or maybe imagine all the things he could do to you?" Evelynn snickered at Celes' expense.
"Don't fill Disas' head with your perversions Evie!" Celes cried out, clearly frustrated.
"So then what is it?" I pressed.
"Eh?! It's..... it's just when he speaks and takes charge of the situation, Dagan is so mature and collected. He's always so calm and he always makes all considerations before he puts anything into action. He will reprimand you if necessary but he won't insult you in the process. He just knows what to say and how to say it. And he's really strong to boot. When I think about the fact that he's on our side I... I just get this warm, protective and reassuring feeling."
"Someone has a cruuuuuush!" Evelynn sang loudly, "Someone's madly in loooooove!"
"Stop it!" Celes squealed in embarrassment.
"Have you ever loved someone Evelynn?" I questioned.
"Me? Of course! My one and only true love is Xyder," she announced.
"Ew."
"Gross."
"Not like that you idiots!" Evelynn fumed, "I love him as a brother but at the same time it's so much more than just that. Sure I may act a bit over the top and people may think some of the things I do are a bit weird but that's because they don't understand the relationship we share. Xyder and I have been together since his birth. We're inseparable even. He's my best friend..... my other half... I wouldn't be able to stay the same without him and he's told me that for him, it's the same. When his parents died, I felt obliged to act in their stead. Despite the stabbing, heartwrenching pulls I felt in my chest.... I refused to shed even a tear at that funeral. Despite the fact that my father and I had been so close and loved each other dearly, I felt that I couldn't let my sorrow show for his sake. Every moment I live in fear of him being hurt or worse. I guess you could say I also love him in the same way a mother does her child in that case......"
"Evelynn...." Celes murmered in empathy.
"Sorry, sorry," she sniffled while smiling through her tears, "I guess I went on rambling huh?"
Celes embraced her and whispered, "We'll all get through this nonesense soon and return home safe and sound. Everyone single one of us, Rydia, Fira, Alva and Cheryl included. When we get back we can all be the best of friends as we are now and live out our carefree lives in Zephyr. We won't let Blaze win!"