time stop

[normalization]

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.

Comments

[normalization]

He smiled softly. Mithos understood, and he sympathized; he didn't blame Genis for feeling that way, but he'd help him to change, little by little.

"Right. And you'd do the same for her." Just like he and Martel. They were all the same, really.

He moved his hand from Genis' shoulder to his face, touching his cheek gently in encouragement. "I'm here for you every step of the way, Genis. Don't worry...I'll help you grow even stronger."

His voice grew in confidence, as he hoped that confidence would lift Genis' spirits. "One step at a time, all right? You don't have to rush anything." After all, they had all the time in the world...or they would, once Genis became an angel. But even that could wait a little longer until he was feeling better, now that Mithos understood his hesitation more deeply.

[twohares]

He wasn't nearly as confident, and he didn't know if he could do this, but Mithos was there for him. Would always be there for him, forever. Longer than either of them were meant to live. Forever.

His face grew hot as he sniffled and fought himself to stop crying. Just having Mithos be patient with him made him feel better. They didn't need to rush. Mithos wasn't going to force him to act faster. He'd become strong enough to save Raine.

(Only Raine and no-one else...but whether Genis saved her or not, the world and everyone else would die anyway. This way, at least he and Raine could still be together. ...It still didn't sit right with him. But Raine would do the same for him.)

His hand drifted up to carefully hold Mithos's. Genis tried to give him a smile through his tears, the corners of his lips twitching up. It was going to be okay.

"All right," he replied in a small, strained voice. "Mithos, thank you so much. I- I don't think I could do this without you..." His fingers pressed into his hand. In a lot of ways, he couldn't do this without him. Without him, Genis would have just accepted that Raine was dead, and eventually he'd be all alone.

But he didn't need to. "Like I said, I won't give up. We just need more time, right? Maybe...maybe it'll be okay someday."

It was all for Raine's sake. That was all that mattered.

[normalization]

He answered with a soft, sympathetic smile. Right now, it struck him that Genis much resembled a frightened, vulnerable rabbit--one that would be easily preyed upon, especially by humans. But he had Mithos' protection to prevent that.

How long had it been since he had protected anyone besides Martel? He savoured the sensation of warmth around his hand.

"It will be," he responded. "We're friends...so I'll always be here when you need me."

Yes...Genis might have been teary-eyed, confused, hesitant now...but he would grow stronger, until-

Until he didn't need Mithos anymore?

No, that couldn't be. Even if all the other members of Cruxis were traitors, Genis was different.

He had to be.

"...Forever, right, Genis?" The smile was still fixed on his face, frozen, as he looked Genis square in the eye.

[twohares]

He felt like there was something different about that look in Mithos's eyes when he asked him that, though he didn't look away, only blinking back his tears. His smile felt forced. It was...different.

Maybe it was that he was still hesitating to become an angel, or that he was still scared about what would happen in the future.

But Mithos was his friend and always would be. He was here, holding onto him when he felt like he would fall. Just like when they found Raine died... Mithos was the one person that was always his true friend. And, deep down, he knew it probably felt that way to Mithos, too. They were both each other's only true friends.

They needed each other. Mithos would always be there for him, and he'd always be there for Mithos.

So he shook his head and squeezed Mithos's hand tighter.

"Of course. We promised, right? We're going to friends forever." Always at each other's side, forever. His eyes drifted away, falling to Mithos's shoulder. "Mithos... I'll become an angel, too. That way, we won't ever have to say goodbye."

[normalization]

"Genis..."

Slight surprise caused him to widen his eyes momentarily. That's right, they promised--and Genis becoming an angel was all they really needed to fulfill that promise.

His expression unfroze as he nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you, Genis... This way, we'll uphold that promise together."

There was still a nagging doubt in the back of his mind, but Genis' reaffirmation was pushing it away. It showed how much he believed in their promise, after all.

He pulled his hand away from Genis' face, but didn't break contact--no, he took his hand instead. "Then are you ready to begin right away?"

[twohares]

Genis caught Mithos's expression as he said his name, and for a moment, he was worried Mithos thought he was going to say "No."

But that wasn't right. In the end, being friends forever just meant that much to him. Genis knew he was lonely. In the end, they were both always lonely. Now or in the future. Even back then on the summit of Mt. Fooji, they were both happy that they could always be friends. Friends that understood each other, cared about each other, and wouldn't die and leave the other alone.

This way, we'll uphold that promise together. Though didn't he promise to be by Lloyd's side forever, too?

For a brief moment, Genis fought to keep himself from looking away again. If he thought about that too much, he could feel the guilt weighing down on him. He betrayed Lloyd and all of their friends, but he wasn't going to betray Mithos or Raine.

He couldn't turn his back on them.

So, even if thinking of becoming an angel left a pit in his stomach, he took hold of Mithos's hand, too. He didn't need to change, he wouldn't lose anything, and in the end, Mithos wouldn't worry about losing him.

That was what mattered. "Yeah," Genis answered quietly, meeting Mithos's eyes sympathetically. "Yeah, let's do it. As long as we're together, then I don't mind becoming an angel with you."

[normalization]

Loneliness didn't matter to him, Mithos thought...not as long as he would one day--very soon--revive Martel. He didn't need anyone else, not even Genis.

Nobody at all.

He'd always been alone with Martel, anyway.

Needs and wants didn't have to be the same thing, though. He didn't need Genis, but to have a kindred soul beside him, someone who shared the same thoughts, feelings, and perspective, was something he might have always wanted.

And Genis had to feel the same way. If he hadn't needed Mithos and Cruxis' facilities, he had always wanted a true, half-elf friend.

Yes...it wouldn't matter if Genis became strong enough that he didn't need Mithos, since he would never want to lose that connection.

He held Genis' hand in a firm, confident grip. "That really means a lot to me," he said honestly, accompanied by a pleased smile. "Don't worry, you'll see how convenient it is. It's really nothing frightening! And I'll be here with here," he added as reassurance.

[twohares]

For once, Mithos's reassurance actually did reassure him. And he was glad, too. It seemed like all Mithos really wanted - other than his sister - was to have him there beside him.

...It made him feel a little important. A small, genuine smile came to his face before he wiped his eyes on his arm one last time. Becoming an angel...wasn't really something he could say he wanted, but knowing how much it meant to Mithos, that meant a lot to him. He just needed to remind himself that it'd be okay in the end.

"Right. I'm ready. And I'm glad you're here with me, too." His hand squeezed Mithos's. "What is it like?"

[normalization]

With a smile, Mithos started to turn to lead him back to his room. Genis would be different from all the other angels, even the ones that Mithos had once considered his companions, simply because none of the others could ever truly share their feelings. For that reason, Mithos would stay beside him.

"Like the world is at your fingertips," he answered cheerfully, but without jest. "You'll have greater abilities and total control of all aspects of your body, from your mana to your senses."

He looked ahead again; somewhere in the back of his mind, he could only vaguely remember the angel transformation itself. As far as he was concerned, though, the process didn't matter so much as the results.

"Absolute control of your entire existence... For people like us, becoming an angel is true freedom."

[twohares]

Becoming an angel meant having power. As he listened to Mithos, wide-eyed and curious, he tried to imagine what that would be like. Compared to what he always thought after watching Colette's transformation, becoming an angel with Mithos was nearly the opposite. Being able to choose every aspect of your own being... It was amazing.

What he wanted to know was how the process would work, but Mithos's answer wasn't unsatisfactory. That was just how Mithos saw it.

"I see." He paused, wondering if he should even ask again what the transformation was like, but if it was like Colette's at first, he didn't really want to know. If it was that painful, if there was a big chance he'd lose his humanity, he wouldn't be able to keep walking with Mithos now. "It sounds kind of exciting... I want to try it, too."

Hopefully it wouldn't be slow, painful, or dangerous. As they neared his room, it was getting harder and harder to turn back and change his mind. But it wasn't like he could even if he wanted to. This was inevitable.

[normalization]

Satisfaction with the reply caused him to glance back and smile again as they left the research building. "Isn't it? Soon, you'll be able to have everything you've ever needed."

Security, safety, freedom...power and control over everything.

None could harm or oppose them. Nothing could ever stop them again. They were superior, just the way they should be.

He faced forward once more, pushing open the door to the building where he'd housed his friend. "Genis..." he murmured softly, "you and I...we alone deserve this power. Everyone will become lifeless beings...but they will never be on the same level as us."

Yes...he would end discrimination, and ensure in the process that he would still remain at the top, never under the rule of any other being.

[twohares]

He really liked to see Mithos smile, even though, again, his words struck a chord in his mind that this wasn't right. His earlier smile slipped from his face, replaced by a quiet numbness. Just the two of them were worthy... That's right. That was exactly what Mithos thought, and he was the only one who could make it that way.

It felt lonely already. Mithos even sounded a little lonely. Wouldn't it be sad to be the only angels in the world who were the same as them?

...and wasn't it unfair? Everyone would be the same, but they would still always be at the top, holding all the power. But then, even being each other's only friend, Genis didn't really believe Mithos would put them on the same level. They could have all the power they needed and more, but between the two of them, Mithos would always have the first and last say. Just like now.

His feet slowed and stopped short when they entered the building. Inside, they were completely alone without even a single angel drifting by.

"Hey, Mithos?" he started carefully, gently tugging at his hand. "What does it really mean to be a lifeless being?"

[normalization]

He came to a stop and turned around to face Genis again. "What it really means...?" he echoed. Hadn't he just answered that question - albeit worded slightly differently?

"Ah..." He nodded, realizing he ought to clarify. "That's what it means to become an angel. There's no distinction between evolving into an angel and becoming a lifeless being, because when we become lifeless, we're no longer restricted by the parameters of a living existence."

He spoke with a certain amount of pride, simply because--in his mind--existing as a lifeless being was far superior to being subjected to the limitations of race, society, and time.

With a hint of humour, he added, "And you know, technically we no longer fit the definition of a living organism."

[twohares]

They no longer fit the definition of a living organism - Mithos wasn't wrong. He didn't really like thinking of that either, but he wasn't wrong. They wouldn't grow, they wouldn't need to eat, they might not even need to breathe. This whole time, he was more worried about losing his soul, but losing what made him a living being was scary, too.

He wondered if he'd be as proud and happy about it as Mithos someday.

His eyes watched him in a mix of apprehension and wonder. No, that wasn't what he really wanted to say.

"Oh, r-right." He paused, questioning how much he wanted this answer or not. "But if everyone's an angel, won't we all be the same? Everyone should have the same power, right?"

[normalization]

He smiled at the first question--yes, that everyone would be the same was exactly the idea--though he shrugged off the second question.

"Their powers will still be affected by their natural ability... We weren't able to eliminate that variability," he said casually, not particularly disappointed in an unimportant outcome. "But by turning everyone into lifeless beings, we'll get rid of most of the disparity between them."

He leaned in a bit closer, though his voice remained casual. "Doesn't the caste system of Tethe'alla disgust you? Humans can never be expected to live with half-elves when they can't even co-exist with each other."

After a pause, he continued, "It's just how humans are... So the only way to eliminate it is to take their entire race out of the equation." And it would be done by changing them to angels...or by other means.

[twohares]

Genis's head bowed, eyes falling to the floor as Mithos's words and his memories sunk in. Half-elves were treated the worst in Tethe'alla, but even other humans weren't seen as equals. There was always a disparity. Would Mithos be able to eliminate class, too?

He believed in Mithos, so he looked up, nodding

"Yeah... You're right. Humans are all like that." Except Lloyd. Except their friends.

But they were only a few people. There was no other way for all or most humans to be like that. "Maybe once everyone is the same, people will be able see each other as equals. Real equals."

That would be for them, too, even if they would be the strongest angels.

[normalization]

He nodded together with Genis in agreement; his Age of Lifeless Beings had no place for humans.

Genis understood, too... They both wanted the same thing, to eliminate discrimination by eliminating the reasons behind it.

"That's right... By turning everyone into the same race, and stripping away social status and hierarchies, we can put everyone on similar standing. But..."

Voice lowering, his eyes focused on Genis. "But even that isn't enough. You realize it, too...that discrimination comes from their emotions. They fear anything different, find happiness in ostracizing the ones they fear, and then they rot in hatred when they become the ones oppressed."

This was why the other angels would be different.

"Only by removing their emotions can we truly make them equal."

His Age of Lifeless Beings, populated by soulless angels, would be perfect.

[twohares]

That...was the real difference between the two of them and everyone else. Between them and the angels that had brought him food while Mithos was gone.

Genis didn't look away, but his eyes wavered. The one that was afraid right now was Genis.

"Mithos..."

He shook his head, squeezing Mithos's hand.

"That's- that's terrible," he protested, but his voice lacked the energy it used to have. Giving in before he even started to argue. He could imagine that world, a world full of angels drifting along aimlessly, unable to even think for themselves. Unable to feel anything in any way. There was an uncertain waver in his voice. "Is that really what you want?"

[normalization]

Mithos' own smile faded as soon as Genis began to speak.

"What...?" He didn't register his hand being squeezed; his own hand remained unresponsive in Genis' grip as his expression became a blank mask.

"Of course it is... It's what we both want," Mithos responded insistently. "Genis, you want humans to stop fearing and hating you. This is the best way to make that dream a reality!"

[twohares]

What they both want?

Genis frowned, biting the inside of his lip. Even if Mithos didn't respond, Genis was holding his hand for both their sakes. What Mithos wanted was cruel, but Genis couldn't help but feel sad for him. "That's true, but... It doesn't feel right. We'll be the only ones that can feel anything. We'll be alone."

[normalization]

Darkness shrouded his narrowed eyes, his fingers remaining still in Genis' hand.

"Alone? Genis... Are you saying that our friendship isn't enough for you?" Because if they were together forever, there would be no loneliness, especially once they had their sisters back.

But if the prospect of being with Mithos forever was still lonely--still unsatisfactory--

Abruptly his hand sprang to life and gripped Genis' tightly. "Isn't it enough?" he repeated in a low voice.

[twohares]

"Ah," Genis gasped, eyes turning down to their hands as his fingers twitched against the back of Mithos's hand. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest then as acutely as he could feel Mithos's grip on his hand.

"That's not it," he answered, looking up at his friend's face again. When he looked at him like that he was actually a little scary... But after all, he was the only one Mithos saw as a friend in a long time. Saying they would be lonely probably did sound like having Mithos's friendship alone wasn't enough.

He was scared, but he felt bad, too. However cold Mithos looked now, he was probably hurt, too.

"I'm sorry. It's not that it's not enough... I really like you, Mithos. I'm going to stay beside you forever. It doesn't matter if there's anyone else or not. We'll always be friends."

[normalization]

Mithos was silent and impenetrable, contemplating the reply as if to decide whether that was unsatisfactory.

A frightened rabbit could be too quick to flee at the slightest upset... Mithos could understand that; yet, nevertheless, there was something he wouldn't just dismiss right away.

"Friends forever," he echoed dully, without warmth. "So, Genis... How would you eliminate the hate that causes discrimination?"

His grip on Genis' hand was still firm as he stared piercingly at his wavering ally. Mithos thought he would understand...but if Genis really didn't agree with his grand vision, then did that understanding really exist between them?

[twohares]

Even if he wanted to run, he'd have nowhere to go. No sister, no other family, no other friends. Mithos was his only friend. They really were friends still, right?

It was his fault Mithos's mood suddenly shifted and he was like this now. Mithos had been so nice to him, and he had to be the one to ruin everything.

He messed up.

Mithos's grip, both on his hand and with his eyes, was unflinchingly strong. Genis was frozen in place even as his face twisted and he fought back tears. How would he eliminate hate? How would he stop people from suffering?

This whole time, he wanted to think that not feeling anything at all would be painful, but that was wrong. Suffering was painful. Getting rid of it wasn't.

When he felt like he had nothing else left to lose and a pain in his chest that wouldn't go away, he understood that.

"There isn't any other way," he confessed. "Discrimination comes from the heart. There's no way to get rid of it forever."

[normalization]

He watched Genis squirm, offering no reaction, not even to his efforts to keep from crying.

Mithos hadn't been moved by tears in a very, very long time. Tears didn't prove loyalty or honesty or anything else.

Did Genis' answer prove those things? As of yet, Mithos wasn't entirely convinced of his truthfulness yet, but he exercised control over himself, easing up with a small sigh.

"So, you understand?" he asked softly. "You're willing to change the world this way, with me?"