lobsterbox | time stop

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time stop

Mithos kept his eyes forward as the Rheaird sped over Gaoracchia Forest. He was situated behind Genis, who was piloting the single craft, and somewhere behind them...was Lloyd, who had trailed them on their entire trip to the Fooji Mountains. Naturally, Mithos had sensed him. He wasn't certain if Genis had figured it out, but he supposed it had worked out in a way—he hadn't needed to use any of his own powers to help them ascend the mountain, and so they had obtained the Fandalia flowers without arousing any suspicion.

And Genis had agreed to stand by him, anyway. It was only natural. Lloyd may have accepted him for now, but he was still only human. He was still different.

Well, once his Age of Lifeless Beings was realized, they would all be the same. But for now...Mithos was already the same as Genis, and half-elves could only exist amongst each other.

"There's the house," he piped up over Genis' shoulder, his gentle voice betraying none of his sinister thoughts. Sure enough, they were almost directly upon the rock face where Altessa lived, and Genis brought the Rheaird into a quick descent, so that they soon landed in front of the dwarf's home. Surprisingly, all but Lloyd's Rheaird were now there—meaning the others had returned earlier than he expected. Mithos' angelic senses easily picked up words from inside the house, but...they caused him to narrow his eyes.

"Lloyd was supposed to be-"

"I can't believe this..."

"What are we going to tell the kid?"

Mithos held tight to the flowers they had gathered as they hopped off of the craft, and he gave Genis an encouraging smile tinged with worry. "Let's hurry in. Even if they found a doctor, they should still be able to use these flowers..."

He said that, but he was beginning to suspect that the doctor plan hadn't worked out in the least. Most likely, any high-profile doctor that the group thought of wouldn't waste their time treating a half-elf.

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He wasn't certain that Genis had rested enough--he seemed rather frazzled, after all--but he decided not to push that issue. He probably wanted to move on now, after all...

First, though, he answered the question about his own whereabouts; there was no need for secrecy with Genis now. "I've been organizing the final preparations for Martel. All that's left is for the Chosen to arrive, but it won't be much longer."

They were so close to bringing back his sister that there was nearly a shine in his eyes, his fingers just itching to move things along. But no need to rush. Haste would only lead to mistakes.

Mithos nodded to himself, then turned his attention back to Genis. "But I also initiated the project for Raine." He paused only a moment before adding, "You'd like to help, right? Let's go!" He extended his hand, standing bright and confident. Whatever worries were plaguing Genis, working to revive his sister would help him forget anything unnecessary.

Mithos understood, after all. They only needed to focus on their sisters with no need to worry about time, the worlds, the humans, anything else. None of it mattered.

All that's left is for the Chosen to arrive.

Colette was going to die.

I also initiated the project for Raine.

More people were going to be killed.

Genis's brows knit in concern, the frown on his face only deepening. Mithos looked so happy an excited, and he knew by now that he wasn't just ignoring the consequences of what he was doing; they were part of what made it enjoyable to him.

How did Mithos get to this point? And how could he bring him back?

Maybe reviving Martel was the key. Maybe he just needed to wait a little longer, understand the process a little better, before he could tell Mithos they needed to find another way.

Even if he ignored it and stayed in the lab with Raine and Marble forever, the reality wouldn't change. He needed to see what was happening to understand it and change it. Then, he could bring Raine back with fewer regrets and a little less shame. He'd find a way to fix everything. He promised.

"Ah, y-yeah. Right," he answered. Despite all his misgivings, he grasped Mithos's hand in his. "I want to know how we're going to do it. Let's get going!"

Although Mithos remained bright, he started at Genis intently while awaiting an answer. He didn't look as happy as Mithos would have expected, and again he suspected that Genis hadn't actually had the rest he really needed.

And as much as he was hoping for a more enthusiastic reponse, Mithos decided that it was enough for now. Genis would probably cheer up once he could get involved in the process and keep busy.

"Right," he nodded and led Genis out of the room. They didn't leave the research facility, though; instead, he brought Genis to an elevator that transported them several floors below, deeper into the facility. They emerged into a block with low light and drab gray walls, and faint sounds reached them here--sighing, murmuring, clanking, crying--and they passed an empty room sealed by metal bars.

They were the sounds of a prison.

A Desian guarding the area stood to attention and knew well enough not to make any comments or questions; Mithos barely deigned to look at him as he led Genis to the wing with occupied cells housing a number of human prisoners, a few selected from what remained of the ranch prisoners and most newly captured from either of the two worlds.

Mithos looked to Genis and, in a low voice, said, "These have been chosen for the experiments based on their compatibility. We'll choose one for the first trial for now. Would you like to pick?"

It may have been an innocent enough question if his voice hadn't been carrying a trace of malice and disdain for the prisoners.

Genis's eyes took in everything as they walked. The colorless walls, the guard, the lines of cells. Genis didn't think he would ever miss the sound of silence so much when he heard the prisoners crying. His heart ached to turn to Mithos and ask him to stop all this; it didn't need to be like this. Whether they were looking at him or not, he felt their eyes on him as he stared at their feet. There were so many of them. Some bony and thin as the prisoners at the ranch, most still whole and healthy.

But they were all alive. They all could have a life outside of here.

His face had grown nearly as ashen as the walls when he looked to Mithos again. If Mithos picked, he somehow felt he would be crueler. It was something about the sound of his voice—but there was no merciful way to sentence someone to experimentation.

Instead, he quickly shook his head. "No. No," Genis repeated, cutting himself off before he could say any more. He hated this. He hated this side of Mithos. "I... How are they chosen for compatibility?" he asked, not entirely to stall.

Was it still too much for Genis?

Mithos couldn't help but wonder as he studied his face. If Genis ever wanted to gain back what he'd lost, though, he had to get over his trepidations.

Whether or not Mithos thought he was stalling, he didn't mind answering the question. Curiosity about the details was just like Genis, anyway.

"It's primarily based on statistics and analyses that we've gathered ever since the organization was formed. There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning," he admitted, "but based on failed versus successful experiments, we can predict the compatibility with good accuracy now."

He glanced over the prisoners with satisfaction. "There are no guarantees that rejection won't still occur...but we've essentially eliminated any danger to the Exsphere." So even if the host body rejected her, Raine's Exsphere shouldn't suffer. Genis could rest assured of that.

It felt to backwards to be considering damage to Raine's Exsphere over the lives of the people who would be nourishing it, but that was what Mithos thought of humans. They were worthless, only kept alive as long as they were useful to him. Yet his answer didn't give him much to work with. If he were going to be entirely honest, it sounded like "compatibility" was nothing more than a correlation statistic. He needed to know more if he was going to change he way Raine's revival was carried out.

"I see..." he started, his eyes drifting away as he sorted through Mithos's explanation. "Can I see the data some time? I want to know more about it."

Maybe if he said he wanted to help from the beginning, he could have spent the past month pouring over that instead wasting all that time rambling and waiting and doing nothing. Raine would have been more proud of him if he did. He'd make up for it, though. Definitely.

"Of course!" he responded brightly. Genis still seemed so sullen, so tired, that Mithos used extra enthusiasm to encourage him. Things would turn around soon; he'd see.

"Don't worry! I'll teach you all about it after we start the first experiment." After saying that, he began to consider some other issues that had to be dealt with aloud. "We should start one of the trials, but then...before we move on to anything else, we need to take care of you, too..."

As he was, Genis wouldn't likely live long enough to see Raine revived. There was one very important change he needed to make.

That decided, he nodded again and turned his attention to Genis. "You remember that I promised you another Exsphere, right? Well, I have a better one for you!"

It was...sort of nice to see Mithos being excited about teaching him and showing him how everything worked. He didn't know what Genis really wanted, but for the moment, it felt like they had the same goal beyond just seeing their sisters again. It was just going to be this first trial, but then he could learn more and hopefully release all of the prisoners. There was still hope.

Though...

Take care...of him?

For a few seconds, it didn't even click, and stared at Mithos in mild concern. Was Mithos going to leave him again so he could "rest"? He regretted not learning more sooner, but he didn't want Mithos to leave him again. If nearly four weeks felt like a short break to him, Genis didn't want to know what a long time would be.

But those fears were put to rest when he mentioned a second Exsphere. Genis blinked, the tension that had been building in his mind drained. Although that tired look never left his eyes, he was relieved. He couldn't believe how relieved he was that he wasn't going to be alone.

Although...it couldn't be an ordinary Exsphere. Genis knew that much at least. "You got me another one? How?" he asked, not trying to hide his honest confusion.

This time, Mithos couldn't help but laugh just a bit.

"Haha... Remember, Cruxis is the head of the Desian ranches. We have many Exspheres at our disposal. Of course," he smiled eagerly, "this one isn't just an Exsphere."

There, in the cell in front of the prisoners that he'd slated for death, he innocently teased Genis just like the young teen he appeared to be, as if everything about the situation was normal.

As if he was...happy.

"Can you guess what it is?"

Was Mithos...teasing him? Like this was some kind of fun surprise and he wanted Genis to guess what kind of cookies he made? The blank staring didn't stop, although a little red rose to his cheeks despite himself. Mithos was so happy right now. He seemed so innocently happy.

It wasn't that long ago that they used to play in the area around Altessa's house, and the two of them were just young teens having fun together. They were normal friends they played together and talked together. Mithos was someone he wanted to spend forever with, as his best friend.

They couldn't be further from that time now, surrounded by prisoners in a sunless prison that Mithos controlled. Mithos's smile and enthusiasm and words were so out of place.

It was a twist in his heart, but he couldn't help to crack a lopsided smile back at his friend. He needed to help Mithos, too, so they could go back to those times.

"You're making it sound like it's my birthday gift," he replied lightly. "Come on, what is it?"

Edited 2016-01-05 22:08 (UTC)

"Maybe it is!" Mithos joked right back. A hint of nostalgia might have nudged at his mind, but he paid it little mind, just focusing on the topic at hand and the future ahead of them.

His teasing demeanor faded; he was still cheerful and confident but with an edge of importance now, as he leaned forward and locked eyes with Genis.

His voice was low, just a little above a whisper.

"It's truly the beginning of your new life, after all...your rebirth as an angel."

He leaned back with a proud smirk. Now Genis could surely guess what it was.

As an angel...

The color faded from Genis's face again, but when Mithos looked so pleased and confident...he couldn't mean that he'd be like the other angels in Welgaia or like Colette before her Key Crest was repaired. No, Mithos wouldn't do something that'd make him lose who he was. He knew Mithos wouldn't do that.

But he was scared. The thought of no longer feeling was scary.

His eyes were wide when Mithos pulled away, but it had nothing to do with surprise or understanding.

"'As an angel'?" he repeated in the same quiet voice. He didn't even think of whether or not Mithos would be able to hear it. "Seriously? And- and we'll be the same?"

He watched intently for Genis' reaction, wanting to take in every little nuance.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, worry and suspicion blossomed, but--

He tore out that blossom almost immediately, and was rewarded with relief.

Yes. Yes. Genis understood perfectly.

"That's right," he breathed. "We'll be the same, Genis!" They'd both be angels--even more superior, powerful, eternal than before--and leave pain, suffering, and discrimination behind. Just like Martel wanted, just like he wanted, just like Genis and Raine surely always wanted, too.

That was his gift.

They'd be the same—so he didn't need to lose anything. He could still be himself. He could still feel, just like Mithos did. Even if his sense of touch and pain disappeared, he could keep who he was on the inside.

He wondered if he really believed that. His eyes started to water, and he quickly wiped his face on the back of his arm. No, he'd be okay. Mithos said before that as long as they didn't lose their sense of purpose, the angels wouldn't forget who they were. It was going to be okay. He needed to remember that it'd be okay.

"I- I'm glad. That we'll both be the same." Though he was still terrified. "I trust you, Mithos."

He stood up straight again. "Thank you, Genis... I trust you, too, so...I'm glad we'll be the same now. Forever."

Mithos smiled again. Now that Genis had something else to look forward to, he waved a hand towards the prisoners. "So why don't we get started? Then you can start the transformation."

It was exciting, in a way. How long had it been since he bestowed a Cruxis Crystal to any but the Chosen?

"Forever..."

They'll be together, forever. Really forever, no matter what happened. Living forever never sounded that appealing to Genis, but if it was with Mithos - if he never had to be alone - then it wouldn't be so bad at all. It meant he needed to put all those years of life to use, though. He owed it to...everyone. The friends he betrayed, his sister, the humans that were going to die for her sake... But he was ready. He had to be.

He had almost forgotten about the trial they were about to start, but Genis couldn't say he wanted to remember. He finally looked up at the prisoners again. Any one of them would be the first to die...

"...right." He looked over to Mithos again. "You were going to choose someone, right?"

Mithos never stopped to think that forever would be lonely. Even if Kratos was starting to turn traitor, even if all the other angels were to leave, he'd still revive Martel. He'd still have his sister with him forever.

But now...he could readily admit that he was glad Genis was joining him. To have someone who truly understood, who was his true friend, forever--that was wonderful news.

He was cheerful in his response. "Yes! Unless you'd like to have first pick." He decided to leave it up to Genis whether or not to take the offer. Maybe he still wasn't ready, but eventually, he would be.

Genis couldn't imagine his heart ever hardening enough to be prepared to send someone to their death. He couldn't. They would always be people. Raine was important, and so was Martel and Mithos, but saying it was okay for some people to die was what humans did. It was never okay.

One day, he really hoped he could see Mithos stop smiling at times like this. He wanted him to have his heart back. Whether that was more or less impossible than finding another way to revive Raine, Genis was going to try.

Until then... He shook his head and tried not to think of what he was agreeing to. "...No, you pick."

Still not ready.

But Mithos didn't mind right now.

"All right," he nodded and motioned for the guard, stating a number. Evidently, the decision was one he barely had to think about--Mithos had already known who he would have wanted to choose: the teenage boy at the back of the cell who had been glaring at them the whole time.

He could hate them all he wanted. It would only feed the Exsphere.

The Desian respectfully responded, "I'll have the host sent immediately, my lord."

Mithos then turned back to Genis. "Let's return to the Exspheres and prepare for the experiment. It won't take long." He held out his hand again. Genis could see that it was all as simple as ordering supplies from a store; surely he'd be able to do it next time.

Humans weren't supplies, and he didn't blame them for hating the two of them under the circumstances. What they were doing was horrible. The ease with which Mithos made his choice made Genis wonder if he had this all planned out before. Which subject should go first, second, third, and down the line systematically. It was as much a process for Mithos as it was at the human ranches.

When Genis placed his hand in Mithos's, his grip wasn't as tight as usual.

"What's going to happen?" he asked. He didn't want any more surprises. If he knew what they were going to do, he could at least mentally prepare himself.

Perhaps Genis still had reservations, or perhaps it was his natural curiosity and intelligence that made him ask the question.

Either way, it was important for him to know, and he was more than happy to explain as he led Genis back to the elevator. "We need to provide nourishment for the broken Exsphere. So like an incomplete Exsphere, we'll attach it to him," he started to explain. The elevator began to move upwards. Mithos' voice was casual, as if he were explaining a simple recipe. "He'll be sedated for the procedure to avoid any problems. Once the Exsphere is attached, we just need to let it feed and monitor the process in the meantime. Simple, right?"

The elevator stopped silently at their floor.

Genis nodded as he stepped out of the elevator and back into Welgaia. He was glad for the silence again and the still air. The process did sound simple. It was exactly what he thought would happen and what he saw happen at the human ranches. In a way, it was better than he expected...though he didn't exactly have any guesses of how the process could be made worse.

Still... "But Raine's Exsphere is in pieces. How are you going to attach it to him? What if some of it is lost?" he added urgently as the thought came to him. Every piece of Raine's Exsphere was extremely important.

That was...a very good point.

"Yes," Mithos pondered, holding a hand to his chin. "As long as we're careful, it won't be difficult to transfer the pieces. But we'll have to ensure that it stays that way."

If it sounded like he wasn't prepared, he amended, "Ah, I do have ways to attach the pieces to a key crest even if they're not whole, so don't worry! I think we'll have to cover the Exsphere and key crest with a seal afterwards, though."

That way, nobody could try to remove pieces of the Exsphere and ruin everything.

If that boy was going to die, he wasn't going to die for nothing. Keeping Raine's Exsphere as complete as possible was essential.

And doing it that way didn't sound so bad. Genis breathed a sigh, giving Mithos's hand a gentle squeeze in thanks. "Okay... I'll leave it to you, Mithos."

Though when he thought of it, if he ever wanted to use non-human subjects, the sealing technique could be important, too. Especially for Raine's Exsphere.

"I want to see how you do it."

He nodded, then glanced back at Mithos with a smile as they headed back to the broken Exspheres. "Of course--I wouldn't leave you out of the process, so don't worry. Once you've learned how it works, you can even supervise it yourself if you'd like."

After all, Genis was intelligent, even if he was young. Mithos would still be involved too, of course, but he was confident that Genis would be capable enough. And it was only natural for the two of them to organize their own sisters' revivals.

Once they returned to the room, he motioned to Marble's Exsphere. "Genis, will you disconnect the capsule? Seal it with this to keep the mana in," he added and handed Genis a lid that he pulled from a cabinet nearby.

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