“What?” shouted the general in disbelief, nearly dropping his shot glass. “Great, this is just wonderful!” He tried to take another swig from the glass, but upon realizing it was empty, he failed to see a point in not shattering it on the roof. “Does this mean we have a double-agent?” He blinked at Pyre, then back at Terrin and spoke very calmly. “Not a word of this.”

They both nodded in understanding. The allied general was the first to speak. “We of the Stars organization offer you our full support.”

Viscen grunted. “You are welcomed and well appreciated here, General Pyre.” He shook his ally’s hand and immediately descended the stairway to the base’s heart. “Come on, we’ve got work to do.”

***

“Zeroun,” Amy said weakly, wrapping her arms tightly around the Wind Mage, “what am I going to do without him?” Tears were trickling from her sealed eyes, her breathing was shallow.

Taken aback at first, Zeroun Adli blinked. Poor dear… She has suffered much. Relinquishing his surprise, he embraced the girl and drew her close as she leaned into him. In all his wisdom, the mage could think of nothing to console her. That boy was her very life. For once, he thought in slight amusement, I am at a loss for words. The least he could do was hold her.

The young widow sobbed quietly into his shoulder until she could hardly stand. Seeing her weariness, Zeroun hefted her horizontally into his arms, letting the girl bury her shoulder into his shoulder, and carried her to her room. Pausing briefly outside the door, he laid down his scepter and carried her through the doorway.

“Amy, you should rest.”

She nodded feebly, tears still spilling down her cheek.

Smiling softly, Zeroun stepped to the bedside and laid her gently down. She curled into a tight ball, facing away from him, eyes still tightly shut. Taking a step back, the mage snapped one finger and the room went dark. Hesitant to leave the young girl, Zeroun stood silently over her trembling body. But his presence would only keep her awake, and so, with a heavy sigh, he turned and strode slowly out of the room.

As the door slid shut behind him, the mage came to a startling realization. “…What?” he cried in disbelief, eyes widening. The Godmaker was gone. A long, tense moment passed.

…Ethan.

***

She looked so heartbroken lying beneath her sheets. Even in sleep, she could not stop crying. Seeing his love like this ripped into his heart, but no tears would fall from his eyes. Why can’t I cry? he thought, scrunching his face. He could cry and sob forever, but not a single tear was left.

Amy let out a small noise as if in pain, curling tighter. Unable to restrain himself, the spirit drifted forward from before the armoire and lay in bed next to her. She shifted, and was now very close to his otherworldly body. Blitz gazed sadly at her tearstained face before wrapping both arms tightly around her. Sweetheart…I’m so, so sorry… God, I’m so sorry…

Then, to his surprise, she thrust out her arms and embraced him. He blinked in disbelief and stared into her beautiful face. Tightening his arms, he realized that he did not pass through her as before. Suddenly, his need to cry intensified. I…I can…feel her… She was warm, yet freezing all at once. Her blouse wrinkled under his fingers as he held her close as possible. Slipping her blouse off of her shoulder, he caressed the silken flesh of her shoulder and watched her shiver with pleasure under his gentle touch. As the spirit focused on his beloved’s face, he saw a faint smile. Still asleep, she leaned closer to him.

He leaned closer as well, but hesitated. Can I…? Is it possible?

Her lips were trembling as she held onto him for dear life. There was hardly a breath’s width between them. Casting aside all other thought, Blitz darted forward and pressed his lips to hers. In that moment, the girl’s sleepy tears dried up and the innate forgot everything. United once more, the two lovers kissed passionately as the world and its problems slipped away.

Not even the dangers marching this way could have torn them from their embrace.

__________________
[ All hail Discordia! ]