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

[twohares]

"I see..."

He...guessed that made sense. He guessed there were people who just wanted to live. There were probably a lot of people who just wanted to live...especially among half-elves.

The thought sank into him like a heavy weight in water. These people only wanted to live, and Mithos let them have that.

He wished there was a way they could do more than exist, but in the future, he was sure that was possible.

For now, he had his sister to consider. He stepped closer to Mithos, walked a little faster again.

"I hope they find their will again someday. They look sad..."

[normalization]

Mithos sent him a curious glance. "Sad? They shouldn't feel sadness anymore."

But with Genis picking up his pace again, Mithos did the same to lead them to their destination: the research district. It was nearly as silent here as the rest of the city, only a little more activity occurring. At one time, the research district had been bustling--relatively speaking. For Welgaia, anyway.

There was little research left to do now, though. Martel's vessel only needed to be cured of her illness, and that would be the end...

Except now he could put it to use for Genis. It was still needed.

"Lord Yggdrasill," an angel greeted them mechanically. Mithos barely gave it a cursory glance as he led Genis into a laboratory for magitechnology research, down silent corridors lit by cold white light.

[twohares]

"Oh. What I mean is, they don't look happy..." Genis corrected himself uneasily. It occurred to him that that the people here were probably more like Colette and Presea than anything. Like dolls without any desire except to continue living. A shiver ran down his spine. Countless people, just like the two of them. That was a choice they made, though.

The researchers didn't seem much different from the other angels. Genis's heart skipped a beat at the name Lord Yggdrasill before he remembered. Mithos was Yggdrasill. He was so used to that name that he didn't even need to acknowledge it. He always was and always would be the same person.

...he'd always be his friend. He took a breath, grasping the Exsphere in his hands. There was nothing to be afraid of.

That greeting seemed to be the only noise they heard for a while. Soon, they might as well have been alone again. Their footsteps echoed softly against the silence. It almost felt like they were walking faraway, forgotten ruins that no-one had visited in centuries. It was quiet and lifeless.

"...I wonder if Raine will like it here," he thought aloud.

[normalization]

Ah, well, he could agree that they wouldn't seem 'happy'. They had been freed from all feeling. "Well, they wouldn't. They left all emotions behind for the sake of their continued existence," he explained easily. It was a trivial thing, even if his own will was too strong to be swayed by the angel transformation.

They passed closed doors with no writing; the angels knew where they had to go. Eventually, Mithos stopped outside of one and waved his hand over a sensor to open it as he answered Genis.

"It's completely different from Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, so it might be a bit surprising." A bit. He led them into the room, where various pieces of magitechnological equipment and tools sat neatly arranged on shelves and tables. They were all in pristine condition but not in use...yet.

He picked up a clear capsule from one of shelves and nodded to Genis in encouragement. "But once she's accustomed to it, she'll see how much better it is for us to live here."

[twohares]

He wondered how Mithos could say that like it was no big deal. He frowned as he looked at Mithos, questioning if he was really okay with that. It was their choice, but...there had to have been another way, right? Living with no feelings seemed so sad...even if the angels couldn't even comprehend that now.

As they entered the new room, Genis had to slow down again to take in the sights. "A bit surprising," yeah. There was nothing like this outside of the Desian and Renegade bases. The room and all its equipment was all so clean and new. Everything looked completely unused, like it have been set up for them just now.

And Mithos looked so comfortable. It was no wonder Mithos always seemed to know so much before; Genis couldn't begin to guess breadth the knowledge Mithos must have had. He stepped closer, opening his hands to let Mithos work with the shards. They'd probably go into the capsule to be stabilized, he figured.

"Because there aren't any humans here?" he guessed.

[normalization]

Genis seemed a bit troubled...and while part of Mithos was disappointed, he still understood that they had just come through a whirlwind of events. Genis' entire world had just changed entirely--it had opened up into something glorious. He just needed the time to take it all in.

And he was worried for his sister, of course. Mithos understood.

Even that bit of disappointed was pushed aside at Genis' guess, and Mithos nodded. "That's right. Neither of you will ever have to fear those inferior beings again." He used magic as he spoke to gently carry the Exsphere shards into the capsule, and then explained, "this will concentrate mana around the Exsphere to stabilize it. Now we just have to connect it."

He motioned to a pipe-like tube that ran from floor to ceiling in one corner of the room; smaller pipes branched from the main one and ran all through the room like a web. No mana flowed through them yet, but only because the valves were closed. A small pipe close to them had a connection where the capsule could be secured. "Genis, connect it here. I'll open the mana flow, all right?"

[twohares]

Genis felt like that promise was what brought so many angels here. No longer needing to fear being hated or hurt... It was right, but it was wrong, too. He still couldn't fully stomach it.

By the time Raine returned, he hoped this place was warmer. He hoped he could do more for her than just make sure she no longer had to fear humans' changing attitudes and the possibility they'd need to run away again. Though, just that would make her happy too, wouldn't it? Not having to be afraid was something he always wanted...

As Mithos explained the process, Genis followed along with his eyes. That's right. This was just like a Desian facility. He could already imagine what the room would look like when the mana flow was opened and the pipes lit up. Just this one room would use an insane amount of mana, just to keep Raine alive and make sure her soul would never fade.

...he should be upset, but he was grateful. Just a bit of heaviness left his chest. If Mithos were actually coldhearted and indifferent to others, he would never do something like this for the two of them. They could find a way to make this place feel warmer. There had to be more than just surviving.

"Right," he answered quietly yet enthusiastically. He embraced the capsule in his hands once before carefully making his way to the connecting pipe. After this, he wouldn't be able to hold her anymore—not for a long time, he corrected himself. A strained smile came to his face before he gently placed the capsule inside. Everything would be okay.

"Thank you, Mithos..."

[normalization]

Mithos waited until the capsule was connected before he started to turn the wheel that controlled the valve. A trickle of mana starting to flow through the pipe, quickly becoming a large, glowing stream. It filled the capsule like liquid light, holding the Exsphere shards suspended in the centre.

It was no insignificant level of mana, supplied here now at the cost of multiple lives. But what did that matter? Not all lives were created equally, and sacrifices were a necessary aspect of life. Mithos just happened to be the judge who could decide who was worthy and who was not.

Genis was worthy, though, and so was his sister, so Mithos' smile to Genis was genuine. "We're friends, so it's all right. You and your sister will have as much mana as you need at your disposal." No matter how many lives were required, since other lives were insignificant in comparison.

[twohares]

Yeah, Mithos was really nice. It was easy to smile as he saw the mana filling up the capsule and pipes. She'd live here for as long as it'd take. His fingers gently traced along the glass, feeling the mana warm his fingertips. It was life. There was no way he could doubt that. His heart felt light again.

After a few moments, he turned to look at Mithos, though his hand stayed pressed to the wall.

"Yeah. I can't believe you can do all this. You're really amazing."

They would always be friends. Mithos was the same as he had ever been. He could worry about the future, the angels, the two worlds, another time. Right now, he couldn't think about anything but Raine and Mithos. Their sisters' lives were invaluable. At least they understood that.

[normalization]

"It's nothing. I've just had a lot of experience," he replied with rare humility. Mithos was confident in his abilities and knowledge, but Genis was so honest in his praise... He was a true friend.

And while Mithos was being truthful, there was something he could admit. "To be honest, I haven't worked with a broken Exsphere before. For our purposes, if they had been broken, they weren't much use, so we just kept them in storage for recycling..." He trailed off as he pondered. The ones in storage wouldn't be useful comparisons now; they had been broken too long. If he wanted experimental material to test the best way to revive Raine, he'd need one that was similar to her state.

"Genis, can I have your Exsphere?" he asked abruptly, but quickly reassured, "Oh, but don't worry. It'll just be temporary." Yes, he'd soon give Genis a much better one.

[twohares]

He laughed a little, as hollow as it was, hearing Mithos's answer. He was being humble, and it was so like him. He was Mithos.

The brief period of laughter ended with Mithos's admission, though. It wasn't that surprising. He was more surprised when Mithos told him that there was still a way to revive Raine even if her Exsphere was in pieces. He stayed silent, fingers nervously stroking the glass as if to comfort her - and maybe himself too.

Yet hearing Mithos's next question broke him out of his daze. Genis blinked, finally pulling his hand away from Raine's Exsphere to hold his own hand. "My Exsphere?" he echoed. He looked at Mithos as if that'd make things clear. Maybe it was because he and Raine were related, and their mana signatures would be similar? The pieces didn't connect in his mind, but in the end, there wouldn't be any harm to it. It would only be temporary, after all. He looked down, nodding slowly before pulling the crystal from the Key Crest. "Sure. Here."

He held out the blue Exsphere out to his friend with an open hand.

[normalization]

He knew that reviving someone from a shattered Exsphere was no easy task, to say the least, but Mithos would never consider it impossible. He had the world's best powers and facilities--as well as eternity--at his disposal; if he wanted something, he would make it happen.

No matter what.

"Thank you," he nodded and carefully grasped the Exsphere.

There was no hesitation. Mithos concentrated magic in his hand and snapped his fist shut, crushing the Exsphere with a small crack.

There was nothing to it. He didn't consider for a second whose lives might have been used to make it; he had a purpose for it, and that purpose involved smashing it to smithereens.

[twohares]

Genis's eyes widened, and he felt something else inside him break along with that snap. Genis stared in shock at Mithos's fist, unable to believe what just happened.

That was Marble's Exsphere... It was like a gift to him. He remembered all the times he could feel her presence alongside him when he used its power. And now it was in pieces, in Mithos's hands.

The pain he felt at that moment paled compared to the loss of his sister. He didn't have it in him to be angry or sad. The emptiness inside of him just grew deeper. He stumbled forward, looking from his friend's hand to his impassive face.

"Mithos... Mithos, what are you doing? You said that you were only taking it for a little while!"

[normalization]

Mithos response was only a casual, "Yes, I'll get you another one soon--a better one, even! So you don't have to worry. Nobody will hurt you here in the meantime." Certainly, without an Exsphere, he couldn't be as strong. However, as Mithos promised, no harm would befall him here. There were no humans or monsters to threaten him, and even if there were, he would protect Genis.

So there was no issue, really.

He opened his fist to briefly inspect his work. The Exsphere had broken into a similar number of pieces as Raine's had, and he nodded with satisfaction. "Good, this will work. Now let's stabilize it the same way as your sister," he instructed cheerfully.

[twohares]

His heart was pounding. He couldn't understand. He didn't want to understand. His face went pale, arms hanging at his sides. Mithos...

"That's... I-I know I won't get hurt here, but..."

The Exsphere was in pieces like Raine's was. It nearly looked identical. It didn't matter if he had another Exsphere or not. It didn't matter if nothing would attack him or if Mithos would protect him. He knew all that and trusted Mithos to keep them all safe. That wasn't the point.

"...are you going to try to revive her, too?"

Of course he wanted to see Marble again. Of course he missed her. But like this- this wasn't fair. He could imagine Marble's pain at that moment, her soul in pieces, being used like a trial run at reviving Raine. He felt like he betrayed her all over again. It was like when she was turned into a monster just to punish the three of them. She didn't deserve this.

He should have destroyed and buried Marble's Exsphere before this could have happened.

[normalization]

He observed Genis' dejected form with the barest hint of pity. "Yes," he answered, then amended, "partially. We can't just experiment on your sister, Genis. One mistake, and you could end up losing her forever." He tried to be soothing, but his voice was laced with warning.

That Exsphere couldn't have been anyone nearly as important as his sister, and Genis would have to grow accustomed to many more sacrifices. He would get used to it, or he would never be able to see his sister return to life.

"It will take some trial and error to find the best method for her. You understand, right?"

[twohares]

His face heated up. He felt like crying...because Mithos was right. It was wrong and unfair, but Mithos was right. He could lose Raine or, at best, hurt her even more if they experimented on her. To lose what was left of her soul—Genis didn't want to think about it.

He wanted his sister back. He wanted her back more than anything else. This emptiness was overwhelming.

Over the years, it must have swallowed up Mithos, too. That was how he ended up here now, not thinking twice about experimenting with another person's soul. Marble had already died... He'd try to make her continued existence as comfortable as possible. He'd apologize to Marble a million times later, but there wasn't any other way. In the end, he barely managed a nod.

"I understand," he murmured, a tiny bit of regret sneaking into his voice. Marble must understand, too... "There's no other way, right? We need to do this for her."

He could understand Mithos. They would both do anything for their sisters' sake, no matter how wrong it felt.

[normalization]

The smile didn't return to his face, but Mithos looked at him with a steady gaze. "I knew you would understand. It's all for Raine's sake..."

Just like he did everything for Martel... Compared to her, nobody else mattered. Nobody could ever come close--not even Genis, though he was closer than others would ever be.

He held the shards out for Genis. "For your sister's sake, this will be the first trial."

Reviving a soul from a broken Exsphere was no easy task. This was certainly going to be the first of many trials.

Thankfully, Mithos had plenty of whole Exspheres at his disposal, too.

[twohares]

"Right. For Raine's sake..." He gingerly took the shards into his hands, looking down at them with the same pained expression. He hoped Marble would understand. He hoped this trial would be over soon and she could rest in peace. But then when that happened, there would be another trial. And another. It was going to turn into a trial to see how long he could stand this.

As he turned towards the equipment again to find a new capsule, he remembered how many years and how many Chosens had come and gone since Martel's death. Thousands of years, countless people dying for her revival... And her soul was whole. Lloyd was right; he was a liar. He really was going to do the same thing for Raine's sake. She would hate it—

...but she would always love him, no matter what. Mithos was important to him - maybe the only person that could be important to him now - but Raine would always be his only sister. If she were with him now, everything would be better. He could imagine her hand stroking his hair like she used to when he was upset. It was going to be okay.

He wouldn't turn his back on her. No matter how many trials it took. He stole a glance to her Exsphere once more before storing Marble's Exsphere in a similar capsule and repeating the ritual. This was all for Raine.

"I'm sorry... This is...this isn't what I wanted...but I won't give up, either. I'm serious about this, too."

In case Mithos had any doubts. In case saying that would help offset his guilt.

[normalization]

Mithos silently shook his head as he observed the expression on Genis' face. Even after losing his sister, he was still soft towards humans. If he wasn't careful, he'd end up hurt again.

But Genis was smart enough to have learned his lesson now. Lessons just needed a little time to sink in sometimes.

Luckily for him, they had all the time in the world.

--And Genis seemed to be catching on. His statement garnered Mithos' approval, and he held out a hand with a small smile again once Genis was finished. "Good. I know you are. Let's leave them like this for a little while so that your sister can recover, all right? You should probably rest, too." Genis wasn't an angel, after all. He still needed food and sleep.

"In the meantime, I'll have a test subject brought here for the experiment," he offered, and continued to more or less think out loud. "With the Exsphere broken like this, mana stabilization won't be enough to revive her. The Exspheres need to be properly nourished again..." Just like when they were first growing and maturing, attached to the prisoners at the human ranches.

[twohares]

He took Mithos's offered hand, holding it tightly as he had with Raine's Exsphere. He was tired, but he didn't know if he could sleep now. It felt like the two of them were still watching them from their capsules, souls fragmented as they were. He should stay with them. It was his fault they were here anyway.

But Mithos was holding his hand, and he wanted to be with him, too. Even if he knew Mithos wouldn't need to rest. He probably couldn't even feel the same warmth when they held hands like this. (Was Mithos okay with that, too?)

Yet when he thought it couldn't get worse, it did. When he thought he had accepted the sacrifices necessary, he was wrong. His eyes grew wide with understanding. Another subject meant another victim. The first of so many.

His hand squeezed Mithos's as he stepped closer, voice desperate, "Wait, is there..." There is no other way. He looked down at their hands and his empty Key Crest. "C-can I? Can I do it instead?"

[normalization]

For a moment, Mithos stared back in uncertainty. "You want to do it yourself...? Are you sure?"

...Of course Genis was sure. He was learning quickly, just as Mithos expected.

He smiled softly. "Yes...yes, all right. Of course you'd like to do it yourself." His smile brightened, a cruel glint coming to his eyes. "There must be someone you'd like to choose, isn't there? Like those inferior humans that exiled you...or the so-called doctor..."

He squeezed Genis' hand back with a firm nod. "We'll have to ensure compatibility, but once we've done that, of course you can pick whoever you'd like. It really is perfect...you can help your sister and carry out vengeance for her at the same time..."

[twohares]

...is this really Mithos saying these things? The rims of his eyes were getting watery all over again. He didn't understand... The little bit of relief he felt when Mithos said yes (and it was only a little relief) was dashed. Mithos didn't understand him at all. He was supposed to, but he didn't.

There was no-one in the world he wanted revenge on like this. Not the mayor, not the pope, not the guards that were going to execute him. There was no-one he could hate enough to put them through this.

It was bad enough using Marble and all those other Exspheres. He can't let himself be just like the Desians and use people to cultivate Exspheres. It was wrong, and Mithos didn't get it.

"That's not what I meant!" he cried out as he shook his head. He couldn't believe Mithos was smiling now. "I want to be the one that feeds her Exsphere! I don't want anyone else to do it!"

If he really wanted Raine back, he should be the one making the sacrifices. No-one else.

[normalization]

Confusion was already brewing in his mind at the tears welling up in Genis' eyes, even as he kept talking--Genis was going to get used to it. He had decided on this path--the only right path.

Yet...

The smile immediately dropped from Mithos' face at the outburst, replaced by an almost-emotionless stare that held a hint of skepticism. That just...didn't make any sense. Mithos shook his head.

"What are you talking about? You can't do that. It would be completely meaningless." His mouth curved into a frown. "Those humans are all worthless--no, they're less than worthless. They don't deserve to live after all they've done. They might as well be put to one last use before they die."

[twohares]

"But not all humans have done anything," he tried to reason, getting away from what should really be the point of all this. Mithos was Yggdrasill, he reminded himself; he was the one responsible for the human ranches and the Chosen system. What was so surprising about him saying what would be obvious to anyone else?

...because Mithos was his friend, and he couldn't really believe what he was saying now. Mithos was kind and caring and smart. He was just hurt and taking it out on everyone. That wasn't what he was really like, though.

Genis wasn't going to release his hand.

"I hate humans too, but this isn't what Raine would have wanted." And it wasn't what he wanted, either. "We still need them. I don't want anyone else to die. Even if they are human," he finished miserably.