Chapter 33

Chapter 33

And here we are, chapter thirty-three for everyone to read! Was the last chapter dramatic enough for you? I thought it was very dramatic – nods at own assessment – Lol. So as I type this right now, I am sitting in a booth – outside – because I work at a fruit market and I am in charge of the U-Pick fields…like I take peoples money when they are finished XD, hehe. But anyway, it's a very laid-back job and its easy…and I type all day long…and draw…and listen to music….and occasionally get up every hour or so to talk to someone…..and on top of it all….I get paid for it! Mwhahaha! Oh and I get to go home if it rains. It's the best job in the world, seriously.

Kraya! You're back! –Huggles—Thanks for the review. Yes, the soldiers shot at both of them, they were listening when Sin'kida was talking to Sin. If you read carefully she says, "I'm also a replica." I think from that, the soldiers could draw their own conclusions that neither were the original. It would probably look a little like witchcraft to them too…seeing two people who are exactly alike in every way. –kicks superstitious ppl –

Anyway, for all of your support I am so grateful.

Enjoy

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Asch's P.o.v.

He walked quietly along the halls of his home in the city of water, so much like his old Grand Chokmah that he could only wonder why it wasn't the same place.

The windows were cast open, letting in the refreshing breeze and blowing the white curtains gently to the side, revealing a peaceful blue sky beyond. He gazed at it quietly as he walked by, finding comfort in the sunshine. He was beginning to like the quiet rays of light much more than he used to. Storms were only exciting for a while, before they went out of control and he wished they would stop.

"Excited for the festival, Master Asch?" a maid that was walking by asked happily, carrying a huge tower of towels.

He smiled slightly at her and nodded.

She continued on, humming to herself. Other people passed him in the halls too, bustling about with their own business regarding the coming festival. It was new years day, so Dailiin, once again, had insisted on a big party for the city. She claimed it kept the people in high spirits and he couldn't disagree.

He turned down the next hallway and proceeded to knock quietly on a door.

"Come in…" he heard Sin's quiet voice respond. His eyes softened as he let himself in and closed the door. She was the only one who wasn't in high spirits.

The replica sat on the railing of the balcony, her hands collapsed in her lap. Her orange gaze was forward, looking off into the clear horizon, but her eyes were clouded with thought.

He leaned on the rail beside her, trying to give her time to think.

Slowly, she turned to look at him. The tiniest of sad smiles came to her face.

"I didn't know I'd end up back here…" she said quietly. "I feel…out of place."

He shook his head. "You know this is the only place for you."

Sin sighed and turned away again, searching the sky. "Unfortunately yes…"

Silence drifted for a moment. He looked at her calmly. Her face was pale, and she hadn't totally stopped the coughing yet but she was getting better again, steadily. The sickness was something she would just have to live with…it would probably never go away. Being a double replica, every challenge that faced her probably seemed larger than life. Maybe the festival would cheer her up though?

Yet somehow he doubted it. She had so many burdens and doubts hanging off her shoulders from everything that had happened to them. There were so many visible and invisible scars that time couldn't even erase.

"How do you feel?" he asked, concerned.

Her shoulders slid down a bit. "Better and worse at the same time…" she confessed quietly. He waited for her to continue. She pressed her lips together, knowing that he was waiting.

"When I was…away…I felt so weakened…so confused with everything," she explained. "Every little thing would trigger the coughing…"

She turned to him, her eyes questioning.

"Do you know why Asch? Why was I so weak?"

He looked forward as he thought.

"No matter how far away from me you are, the effect of the mark will keep you at least somewhat stable. But…" he turned to look at her.

"You've needed stability all along…reassurance. You left your home, your life behind…that's what set the mark off. You changed too many things at once. How could I keep you stable…if you lost yourself and wouldn't turn back?"

Her eyes became saddened as she turned away from him. "Then I suppose it was only a matter of time before the sickness followed…it always comes up when I push myself over my limit…"

He nodded slowly.

She continued. "Everything feels so broken now…I don't know how to repair it…let alone my life…"

"Fixing everything isn't a part of life," he countered quietly. "Surviving it is."

She laughed very quietly, a sad broken laugh that had him smiling and shaking his head at the same time.

"I can't believe I said those things to her…" Sin whispered, her voice breaking. "I told her to drop dead…and she did….right before our eyes. I…I went crazy…I was so angry at her…it seemed like such a big deal that she was with you…and all along she'd come to save me…"

Her head turned a little, almost like she wanted to look at him but was choosing not to.

"Those soldiers followed me…well…followed her technically…I brought death upon us both…"

He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he also knew that was a part of why she was in so much pain.

"Don't think of it like that…she gave her life to protect us. It was her apology for the past."

"I realize that…" Sin replied. "But a bit too late is seems..."

Her head hung low.

"I'm sorry for running away too…please forgive me…I was…hopeless... and being inconsiderate to…your feelings…"

"I'm just glad you're okay…" he responded, shrugging it off as nothing, even though it nearly killed him.

"I…wouldn't classify myself as okay…" she said, her eyes slipping to his with obvious intention. He looked back at her quietly, causing her to flush scarlet.

"But…like you said…I'm surviving…" she quoted, the blush still on her face.

That insane longing built up in him unfairly as he looked at it, that so-obvious love written on her face. It gave him pleasure, peace of mind, and yet it stung all the same. A deep part of him wanted to let go and allow her to move on, like always, but just as deep was the feeling that told him that he wasn't nearly strong enough to do that.

Was it fair to her that he wasn't strong enough to let it all go, to suppress all the memories of their time together?

Because what if they never received another chance? Undeniably, he knew that was exactly what he was waiting for.

While her gaze was turned away, back to the distant skyline, he felt himself move closer and his arms slip around her small, lean frame. He knew it was wrong, society felt that it was wrong…but inside…it felt right, like a piece of the puzzle was suddenly in his hand.

Unfortunately because of all the other pieces, the one he wanted wouldn't fit.

She stiffened, as expected, but he did not let go. He brought her closer, pushed his face closer to her neck. She didn't respond with physical actions, she wasn't allowed. He knew this.

"You know I love you, right?" he whispered. He didn't kiss her though, not here, not now.

Her orange eyes closed softly and she nodded. "Though I pretend…like I don't…"

He smiled slightly. "I told you it would be impossible to pretend…that you were a fool if you tried…"

It was beautiful when she grinned. It was not that broken and defeated smile, it was that of someone who wanted to laugh. A smile that she pulled from her memory.

"Us fools have it the hardest, huh? Running headlong into something and then hitting five more things before we realize we hit the first…" she laughed a little. That was beautiful too, so serene.

He nodded close to her, before hearing Dailiin calling him somewhere off in the distance.

She turned her head too, obviously hearing the voice of the empress. She was so close at that point that he actually had to pull away in resistance, so he wouldn't kiss her right there.

She slipped from the railing and onto her bare feet, looking a little bit happier and a little bit sadder at the same time. He couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing.

"You should go now," she said, letting a calm smile onto her face. He nodded and began his slow walk to the door.

"You should get some rest…it'll be a long night…"he suggested quietly.

She nodded, but her smile faltered. He knew exactly what she was thinking.

A long lonely night.

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The festival was nice, once again. And this time he could find himself enjoying it a little bit more than the last, even though it was Dailiin that was with him.

The amazingly bright lights and music filtered to the very edges of the city. It was probably so bright that the closest towns and their neighbors could see it. It was probably so loud that the ground vibrated for miles, but that only livened up the atmosphere even more.

People were happy when they walked by, waving and cheering at them and hoping that the next year would be as good as this one. Stands positioned on the stone road showed off their flashy merchandise with enthusiasm. They included fireworks, candy, flowers, shiny things that actually attracted a lot of people and…sparklers.

He gazed at them for a moment before Dailiin was pulling him along, accusing him of being a 'slowpoke.' He just smiled slightly and shook his head. Sometimes going slow was easier…and yet sometimes…things caught up and overlapped them.

"Hey there's Sin!" Dailiin yelled happily, making him blink and look around. He hadn't seen her since this started.

She was crossing the road, laughing as balloons of every colour floated along with her. When she finally turned her head and saw them, she blinked and then waved.

Dailiin waved back excitedly and pulled him over. He would have pulled her if it wouldn't look suspicious.

The replica was wearing a lot of colours, way more than any time before. Her silk robe was white, with twirling designs on it of blue and red. Her sash was bright too.

"Hi Sin!" Dailiin shouted happily, even though the replica was barely two feet away. Asch flinched with a small smile.

"Good evening," Sin grinned. It was so polite it sounded wrong coming from her.

"So the guards actually let you walk around this time, did they? I guess my little chat with them worked." She sniffed proudly. Sin nodded.

"Nice collection," Asch mused, pointing at the balloons. "You're not a very good example of sharing. How are the children supposed to learn?"

The replica's grin turned sheepish. Then she casually reached over and pulled a string from the tangled bunch and handed it to him. It was a red one.

"Here," she said, so playfully sarcastic that it made him smirk. He rolled his eyes and took it.

"Oh by the way, these aren't mine. They're Syft's." Sin laughed while looking up at them all.

"You're keeping them safe for him, are you?" Dailiin chirped.

Sin turned back to look at them cheerfully. "You could say that."

Right after she finished speaking, Syft's unmistakable boyish voice cut over the rantings of the crowd. Sin jumped.

"Hey I see you replica!" he was yelling. "Give those back!"

The laughing grin split across her face again as she turned to see where he was coming from.

"Asch says to share!" she yelled sarcastically. Then she turned away, preparing to continue on her evasive course.

"Have a fun night," she said to them. Her eyes turned to linger on him for a moment, his eyes softened in response. He felt Dailiin shuffle on her feet.

Then she flashed him a quick grin and began to run onward.

Not a minute later, Syft sped by them –still yelling for her to stop. Asch had to chuckle quietly, they were such bad friends, they were good.

Syft stalked back a moment later, the edge of his mouth pulled down in a frown. The green haired boy stopped in front of him and Asch raised an eyebrow questioningly.

He was still for a moment before his hand snapped out and grabbed the string of the balloon Asch was currently holding. Then he stalked away while grumbling, the red balloon now floating behind him. It was a sad sight compared to Sin's fifty balloon collection.

Dailiin giggled beside him, her eyes on Syft.

Then she shook her head and turned back to regard him.

"Asch, could I speak with you for a minute…in private?"

He furrowed his eyebrows and nodded reluctantly. She smiled and grasped his hand, pulling him gently along and away from the crowd. They walked down a calm street, the lights were hung around them still but no one wanted to go home yet, so it was still deserted.

Silence passed between them for a minute or two before Dailiin finally spoke up.

"So Asch….how are you?" she asked quietly but cheerfully.

His eyebrows remained slightly furrowed. "I am well…" he responded bluntly. She nodded, thoughtful.

"And how are you and Sin doing lately?"

He paused, suddenly curious and anxious at the same time.

"Fine," he stated bluntly. He didn't know if that was the appropriate word to use for their situation though.

Once again she nodded, as if she was assessing something. He wanted to know what.

"Why?" he couldn't stop himself from asking slowly.

Dailiin stopped and sat down on the ledge of a garden, letting go of his hand gently. She continued to smile as if these questions were perfectly normal.

She sounded very honest. "I didn't want your friendship to be ruined when we were married," the empress replied. "You have been friends for a long time."

Asch remained perfectly quiet, his eyes slightly narrowing in confusion. Where was all this coming from?

"So tell me…" she said softly, leaning forward slightly and driving into him with her huge brown eyes. He suddenly got more than a little worried.

"Do you still love her?"

He stared, stone still and frozen completely to the spot. He didn't know what think, let alone what to respond with. Did he lie, or did he speak what he knew would always be in his heart? Of course he loved her, but how could he tell the one he was married to that?

'Did she see us?' he wondered quickly. It wasn't impossible, nothing was impossible. She could have seen them…somehow. And what did she mean by 'still'? How did she know there was even a 'start'?

He couldn't reply with anything. His mouth was completely useless as he stared back at her. There was a twinge in the back of his mind because suddenly he was afraid for Sin. Dailiin was the kindest young woman, but girls got jealous fast. He learned that while following Luke's party.

Shocking him beyond all belief, the empress smiled. Her response nearly made him flinch.

"I knew it," she said quickly. "You do still love her."

It was a statement. She had kindly enough said it for him. They both knew it, not just him. Now, he had no need to respond. He didn't want to.

"You're so cute when you're stunned," Dailiin laughed. He forgot how to scowl.

"Listen, listen…" she said, waving her hand at him like this whole thing somehow failed to be a serious topic. "Just let me explain…"

He gave her a painfully confused look, somehow misunderstanding how it was her job to explain why he was still in love with Sin.

Dailiin's tone turned quiet but kind. "I knew you two had feelings for one another the moment you came here…it was so obvious…" she laughed slightly.

"I must admit…I…really do having feelings for you too," she confessed, but she didn't flush like Sin would have. "I mean I was jealous of her when she first came…because she got to be with you all the time…"

She continued on, while he listened, still incredulous.

"I remember when you left that she was so sad…so devoted to finding you it was like no one else existed. I…helped her a bit…" Dailiin admitted sheepishly, ducking her head.

"I brought her a map of where you had gone. I remember when I went to her… she asked me if I loved you…I said I thought I did…and I do…" she trailed off, but somehow her tone still didn't strike him a sad or upset. Now he was suddenly intrigued.

"She asked me if I saw her as an obstacle…getting in the way of us…" she gestured to him briefly. "I said I didn't…but I in truth saw her as the tallest wall I could never climb over. I was confused…so I tried to shrug it off like nothing."

He was beginning to have movement in his legs again. What was this feeling that allowed him to be mobile? Was something…breaking?

"So Asch…" Dailiin chirped. "Did you…sleep with her?"

He jerked, and stepped back. She had the right to ask and yet she totally abused the privilege by being so blunt. He was stunned right back into unending silence, his heart beating so fast it must have been on an unhealthy level.

"Ah," Dailiin cooed softly, kindly. "I thought so."

He wanted to glare, but found himself unable. Everything was being admitted, and yet not through his mouth. Was it supposed to feel this easy?

"You know Asch," Dailiin started again. "The night before we were married I was the one that unlocked her cell…"

His green eyes widened in surprise. She nodded solemnly.

"I urged her…almost demanded that she go to you. She did…and that's when it happened I'm guessing? You and her?" she hinted lightly.

She deserved an answer, it was her right.

He nodded, very, very slowly.

Her head bobbed in acknowledgment, her chestnut curls bouncing with the movement.

Silence blew between them for a moment. She seemed like she was waiting for him to say something. He looked at the ground unsurely, knowing that it was his turn to respond somehow.

When he searched her face over however, there was only patience and openness. For some odd reason…she wasn't upset.

"Aren't you angry?" he found himself asking. Why was this so smooth? Why wasn't she crying and throwing sharp objects at him?

The empress stood up fully and finally, a more serious expression fell onto her face. He prepared himself mentally.

"No Asch, I'm not angry."

Confusion swept through him. She continued on steadily.

"Because I used you."

He was startled, but he didn't flinch. There wasn't the slightest clue in his head as to what she was talking about…somehow it seemed like a joke, but the serious expression on her face told him immediately that it wasn't and that she had…somehow…used him. But for what?

She smiled as he lingered quietly. Then she collapsed her hands behind her back and began to walk slowly away.

"Did you know Asch…that if you sleep with another woman three days before a marriage is sealed, the marriage is considered impure?"

He slowly trailed after her, his eyes narrowing at her words. He shook his head in reply.

She turned and smiled at him, her words fast. "And did you know that if such a thing happens within the royal bloodline, the pact created by marriage is nullified?"

He almost tripped, surprise breaking right through his wondering façade and onto his face.

'What!?'

Dailiin giggle good-naturedly. "Oh Asch, don't you know the laws of the city by now? Maybe you should read a few books…"

He shook his head, not believing his ears. He tried to stop himself from shaking in excitement or from getting his hopes too high. What if it was really a joke? What if it was just Dailiin making something funny up to amuse herself?

He had spent so long just going along with it because he had to…because Sin's life had depended on it. He tried so hard to find a loop hole in it all….some flowery pathway that would allow him to just be with her. That was all he ever wanted, from the moment he gazed at her and thought she was different, to the moment they were friends, to the moment he knew he loved her and until this moment…that was all he ever wanted.

Was she giving that to him? Hinting that it was still obtainable?

And to think, the reason Dailiin was saying this now was because Sin had come to him that night and asked him to take her, because he had lost control of what he thought was right and took her, out of his own savage greed.

If she hadn't come to him with those demonic eyes and that sweet, tempting seduction, if she had just…stayed in her cell and they hadn't stepped outside the line for their own personal gain. They would be frozen, cold and unmoving inside themselves.

What was that breaking?

It was the chain of fate, of misfortune.

"So…" he stated unsurely, "You and I…?"

"That's right," she said, her voice teasing him almost playfully. "We're not married."

We're not married.

It took every ounce of his willpower to stay planted where he was.

"I'm sorry I tricked you Asch," Dailiin suddenly confessed, her eyes sad.

He was barely even listening. Tricked him? She had just set him free!

"I don't understand," he shook his head, his long red hair swaying behind him. "Used me, tricked me? I don't know what you mean."

Dailiin licked her lips. "It was a fifty-fifty chance that you would sleep with her that night. I know she is young, but sometimes things can be overlooked, right?"

He nodded.

"I needed you two to be together that night," she confessed, "That's why I let her out…."

"Why?" he asked suspiciously, turning his head.

Suddenly her face turned a little sheepish, and slightly ashamed.

"Well…not only did I trick you…I tricked the whole city…into believing we were married…though I actually didn't know if we were or not myself…"she laughed. "I couldn't be sure if you two would actually take the opportunity."

"I suppose I messed around with fate a little bit there…" she sighed. "Because if you hadn't, this marriage would have been permanent. I would have really…hurt Sin."

He was careful not to nod, not to put any more pressure or hard feelings on Dailiin for him being in love with another.

"But I really do love you, so if you hadn't…done that, that night. You would have been mine fair and square right?" she winked, and he couldn't help but smirk just slightly at her quirky but forgiving attitude.

"I'm still not sure I follow you completely though…" he remarked, crossing his arms. "I can't recall ever being used."

Her eyes brightened slightly, as if proud of her own subtle plan.

"I used you, and the fake marriage to take power from my advisor," she smiled widely. "He thought he lost it all, and so he ran away."

Asch blinked his green eyes and stared at her. That was…smart.

She laughed at his dumbfounded look, but continued.

"But that's when a tiny problem came up," she admitted. "He ran away and I couldn't find him…and that stopped me from telling you everything, like I am now."

Her eyes became saddened and her shoulders drooped a bit. "I'm sorry…" she said imploringly, "But you understand, right? I had to protect myself from him, I had to protect my city and my people. I could not have him coming back with the knowledge that I was no ruler. It was the last thing I could do for my father…and Sin wouldn't be free unless he was gone or dead…"

The empress sank down to one knee, her eyes pleading up at him.

"I'm so sorry Asch….please, please forgive me….I sacrificed your happiness and Sin's for my own safety."

He was already shaking his head slowly before she had even finished. He lowered himself to her and then before he could question himself, he pulled her into a tight hug. She started in surprise.

"I'm sorry too…for being so devoted to another." Asch responded quietly.

She laughed and patted his back. "I find it rather endearing, actually."

He smiled and let go, allowing her to stand up and himself.

"Thank you Asch," she said peacefully. "Thank you for protecting me."

He nodded. She raised her hand and pointed back towards the celebration, towards Sin.

"Now," she began with a smile. "You're dismissed immediately."

His feet stayed still no longer, and he ran.

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Sin's P.o.v.

She walked slowly, running her pale hand over the cold smooth stones of the wall beside her. The wall was a little wet due to the mist from a fountain a short distance away. The sensation cooled her tired body.

Syft had finally managed to retrieve his balloons, after she had handed about half of them over to children she had passed by. He tried to take them, but the puppy eyes the kids had managed to produce sent him running back the way he came.

So now she walked alone.

Alone.

It was a word she had actually…grown out of using when she met him, Asch. How could she be alone, with someone who drew so much attention beside her? For a while, when they trained and traveled together in their quieter days… the word…the very meaning of the word escaped her. He was there even in her dreams. They became one person together, alone together.

Now the essence of that word stalked her, like her very shadow. But it had to be alright somehow. Fate had chosen this for them both…because after all they had been through…all the pain and hopelessness…life couldn't be made up totally of ones choices, right? Where had all their choices gone, all the demanding that they'd never stop until they were together? Was Asch not brought to this world for her? It seemed impossible that he wasn't.

It was impossible.

'Were we greedy?' she wondered, eyes slightly narrowing in thought.

Greedy for wanting something perfect, something...someone…that completed their beings? Greedy for taking a soul mate of a different world, a different age, a different lifestyle with different morals completely? A different smile and a different anger, a different laugh? Greedy for having different views on life…right-side up and upside down?

Like the bird in the painting.

She had to laugh at the memory.

'There was no bird in the painting,' she thought as she walked slowly on. There was no winged creature in that messy picture. That painting could have represented their life…searching and searching for something they desperately wanted to see…but couldn't magically paint for themselves. Life…fate…had to help them.

And it hadn't.

But she needed him so badly. That was all the truth there was.

There was nothing left to lose. No part of her left to surrender.

Sin stopped quickly as she felt that distant, approaching scratching in her lungs, rising to her throat. She blinked her eyes wide, her hand clenching into a fist on the wet wall beside her.

"Then I suppose it was only a matter of time before the sickness followed…it always comes up when I push myself over my limit…"

"Over my limit…" she whispered, trying to futilely choke back the coughing that was coming. She clenched the cloth over her heart while dragging in long breaths.

Broken. Unable to stitch herself back up properly.

A small cough escaped her, making her lean over a bit. Thinking about him caused this, and yet…he was the cure.

'Damn it all…' she thought, weakly trying to straighten herself, but her limbs were so tired…so tired of standing…so tired of lingering.

Strong arms shot around her quickly but smoothly from the back, making her blink in surprise. One arm wrapped around her waist, and the other around her shoulders. They were comforting…they helped her stand.

"Shh…" Asch whispered. "I've got you."

Her eyes widened even more when he pushed his face into the crook of her neck, his gentle breaths sweeping over her.

She breathed deeply, concerned, but somehow her breaths were clear and not distorted in anyway by the need to cough. He really was her cure.

Feeling his comforting arms tighten, she reluctantly relaxed and refrained from pushing him away just yet. It wasn't clear to her as to why he was doing this now…he knew better…and yet, so did she.

Did he have a reason to embrace her now, when nothing had changed?

Gently, after a short minute passed and his lips were so close to her neck that it made her skin tingle in betraying desire, she took her own hands and unlocked his arms from around her while trying to keep the disappointed look off of her face.

But to her surprise and confusion, the moment she unlocked herself and turned around to face him, he was hugging her again, and somehow even tighter. Her eyebrows furrowed, why was he acting this way?

It was then that she noticed he was shaking slightly, his whole body tense around her. She tried to look up at his face for answers, but he was pressing it into her hair and slightly over her shoulder, making the action difficult. Now a little bit of worry was sweeping through her.

"Uhm….A-Asch…" she began shakily, "Is something bothering you?"

Sin looked up as he slowly pulled his face away from her hair, his green eyes sliding and locking onto her concerned orange ones.

He smiled, she started in shock.

"Yeah," the former God-General replied simply.

Then suddenly she was jerked and heaved almost off her feet, him grasping her arms as he pushed her roughly against the wet, smooth stone wall behind her, trapping her there with his own brute strength. Her eyes shot up to his in stumbling bewilderment.

"Asch, h-hey—" she immediately began to protest.

But his lips crashing into hers silenced her.

She froze, trying to turn unresponsive to his touch.

But something was different. Very different.

He kissed her hard, demanding that she give in. There was something else it in though, that confused her into not trying to push him away immediately. It was like he was telling her something...something extremely important to both of them.

His kiss continued, even though she was hardly responding. He wasn't holding back carefully like he did times before, somehow he wasn't afraid of consequences. He was kissing her like she was the only person in the world, like something had slid into place…

Like there was an opportunity.

A chance.

The feeling and desperation were suddenly too overwhelming to ignore. He, himself was impossible to ignore. Her eyes began to close gently and she unlocked that stone-cold denial that she had been carrying to protect herself. She was exposed, drawing the chance at happiness in before it could turn back.

She kissed him back now, loving how free it somehow felt without him uttering as single word.

His hands slid around her, running deftly over her waist and up her sides, making her shiver shamefully. He pulled her closer, away from the wall and into him securely, so that the contours of their bodies had no choice but to match.

Her hands were shaking terribly as she reached up around his neck and slipped her fingers through his crimson strands. In response he broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her neck temptingly, irresistibly, and making her sigh. She could feel his smile against her neck.

She couldn't keep silent any longer.

"Asch…" she whispered quietly, imploringly, over his shoulder.

He pulled away slowly, almost reluctantly, though his face moved no further than an inch away from hers. His eyes wavered patiently for the question and yet, it was as if he already knew the answer.

She swallowed. "Are…are w-we…?" she asked unsurely, suddenly afraid of the answer.

His mouth pulled into a slight smirk. As he spoke, his lips were almost touching hers.

"Are we what?" he teased temptingly and making her heart trip up.

"F-free…?"

He pulled back, his face suddenly going dark. She felt like she was going to throw up in horror.

But then in an instant his expression changed, and he was smiling triumphantly.

"We are!" he shouted, making her start. "It's all over! We're free!"

The sincerity, the happiness and hope that were on his handsome face were undeniable. The tears of joy instantly leapt to her eyes and poured over, crushing her and allowing her to stand so strongly at the same moment in time. This moment.

She covered her eyes with her hands and sniffed, unable to believe it and yet forcing herself into believing it.

She wiped the sleek, wet tears away quickly but it turned out to be futile as they were quickly replaced. She choked a laugh and then reached her arms out to him, begging.

"Carry me…" she whispered, boring her eyes straight into his.

He instantly complied, running his hands along her arms before lifting her into his own.

She curled into him with a smile, wrapping her arms around his neck and choosing never to let go.

He seemed unable to stand still, because he started to spin, just like the Asch in her dream had done, she recalled.

He was laughing. Not that quite chuckle under his breath, but a breathtaking, heart-full laugh that had her widening her eyes and laughing too. It was other-worldly, but that could only fit him perfectly.

"Ah…" she sighed quietly. "We must be dreaming…"

He ceased his spinning slowly, finally looking her right in the eye.

"I was…" he replied quietly. "Until I met you."

Sin smiled and leaned closer to him. "I woke you up, huh?" she asked, her voice playful.

"You pinched me very, very hard," he chuckled a little.

"Well did you know…" she began smoothly while about to press her lips to his with a smile, "That when I met you… was when I realized I could stand on the ground…look up at the sky…" she paused for a moment.

"And know that there was no such thing as higher."

He kissed her.

No such thing as higher than she felt, every moment she was with him.

It was impossible.

End of Soldiers With Wings

Epilogue

The young empress walked down the hall cheerfully, humming an unknown but sweet tune as she went. It was a bright, warm afternoon so naturally, every window she passed was cast wide open, allowing in the welcoming light.

Walking in pace beside her was Syft, a small but happy smirk on his boyish face as he passed underneath the rays of filtering light with her, the sunshine making his pine-green hair shimmer softly. He was quickly becoming one of the more handsome people in the palace. Asch was going to have some competition.

Dailiin blinked her watery brown orbs at him as he was passing under a ray of light beside the window.

Tempted by the flash of his green hair, she pulled him to a jerky stop. They were holding hands, so that was easy enough.

The boy blinked and turned around to face her questioningly. "Unexpected…" he muttered, but the smirk was quickly coming back his face.

Dailiin smiled and then reached up, gently brushing one of his green, spiky locks with her fingertips. This caused her to smile even wider.

Syft shook his head, making the sheen of his hair dance through his spikes, and rolled his eyes.

"You're so cute when you're flustered," she remarked casually, but didn't miss the red that surfed across his cheeks.

"Tch," he replied bluntly as he turned and crossed his arms in front of him. "Don't get used to it."

Laughing, she pulled him along again. They were almost there.

At the end of the bright hall they were heading down was Asch's and Sin's room that they were sharing. It was impossible to separate them the empress quickly realized, as did her servants. They were both very skilled at glaring…and throwing bizarre and wild tantrums too…and that was hard because they worked so well together.

So now the room was theirs to share, and that was just fine.

Coming to their door, she knocked on it lightly.

"What are we here for anyway?" Syft wondered, shifting lightly on his feet.

"Oh, the cooks are wondering who switched the sugar with the salt…" Dailiin replied, trying to hold back a laugh. "And we can only guess who…"

Syft raised an eyebrow. "Sin?"

The empress nodded while rolling her own eyes. "Clever little ankle biter, isn't she?"

"I don't think they're answering," Syft remarked. "Maybe they're out?"

Dailiin turned and quietly opened the wooden door and peered in curiously.

A moment later she turned to Syft with a tiny, devious smirk of her face.

"Shh…" she whispered while bringing her finger to her lip. He nodded eagerly, the smirk on his face growing more noticeable.

They walked in together, letting their fingers loosen their hold on the others hand so they could move around more easily.

The empress' eyes fell onto Asch and Sin like before.

They were sitting in a large, plushy, dark red chair that was positioned right in front of the window. The sunlight splashed in on the duo that were sleeping soundly, their breathing in unison. Sin was on Asch's lap, her head resting on his shoulder. Her orange eyes were closed peacefully, and her pale face was relaxed. Asch's expression was much the same, his head resting against Sin's easily. His crimson red hair was almost blinding as it slide over his shoulders, but it quickly faded into the demonic black strands of Sin's hair as it descended. His hand was positioned loosely around her waist, proving their close bond.

Dailiin had to smile as she gazed upon the two.

"Aw…they're so cute…like lovebirds!" she chirped quietly. Syft laughed a little too, and she looked to see him behind their chair, weaving his fingers together in a repetitive pattern.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a whisper as she went closer.

Syft smirked and continued with what he was doing. "I'm braiding their hair together…it can be revenge for the salt and sugar."

Dailiin covered her mouth with her giggles, not wanting to wake them.

"Asch is going to murder you…" she began, but trailed off, seeing a tattered book that was open in Sin's lap. Syft continued braiding the red and black locks together, now humming the same tune she had been earlier, though it was a much more deranged version.

"What's this?" she wondered, her chocolate brown eyes widening in curiosity.

"What does it say?" the green-haired boy asked.

Dailiin leaned over the book and tilted her head so she could see better.

"A history of the two worlds…" she read quietly. Syft furrowed his eyebrows and shrugged, turning back to what he was doing. She continued to read.

"Two worlds…one that which is bound by that of the…'score'…and its alternate brother from which was split tens of thousands of years ago…and by no means bound by Yulia's score…though the two share the same memory…being once, the same planet…Lorelei's ultimate plan has allowed the twin planets to diverse and become distinctly altered in path and in future…" she stopped reading, feeling lost with it all.

"That makes absolutely no sense," Syft huffed. "Who'd want to read that boring nonsense? No wonder they fell asleep…" he muttered, now just about done the exceptionally long braid.

Her brown eyes continued to scan the page, curious and intrigued with its information.

"I've never heard of something called the 'score'…" she wondered quietly. "It must not exist here…so that may mean that our world is the second twin planet…and the first planet is known as…"

"Auldrant."

Wow.

Can you believe it? Finished. Totally…finished! I never thought I'd see the day.

Uh…hmm…what do I say here? –Ponders—

Well, to start off I had so much fun writing this bizarre but hopefully somewhat charming fanfic, lol. It has really kept me going for a long time, keeping me busy and such with its insane long chapters…ahah.

I never thought it would turn out to be much, but with all of your support and kind words I have managed to make it here, to the end without much in the way of problems. I love you guys! –Hugs for all—and I'll be truly sad not to have anything left to write for the story. How sad…

Eh hem… Thanks to each of the following people.

Halfdemon-kai & Byakugan Hyuga (My school buddies!)

XReplica

Culinaromancer

Alkenet

Cherry474

Destiny921

Freyja-the Fallen Angel-

Hikaru Irving

JC-WV

KeidaHattori

Kraya

Millenia-the-wings-of-valmar

Omegaplus

Rei-chan689

Songlian

TheGreatMillz33

WingedWithFireyMana

Zophie

chocolateriku

little-pocketmouse

xXAsalemXx

xenocanaan

Banana Gun

Dragonskitsune

Mitasco

Narumebleu

Psychopath666

slothfulsinner

Chizure

Kawaii-Little-Neko

Yeah, I never expected to see so many reviews so you guys surprised me, especially since it was an OC too, which tends to turn some people away…but not you guys! Nope, all of you came to read with open minds and for that I applaud each and every one of you. I hope you enjoyed the story. I enjoyed writing it.

Two last things I have to ask. If not for the story's sake then for my own as a writer, please go to my profile and answer the poll there and you'd really be doing me a huge favor. I think I'll fix up a few of the beginning chapters of this story however, before I continue with other material.

Lastly, also for my sake and the last thing you'll have to do is review. It's the end of the story and I'd really appreciate all of your last thoughts on it. I'd like to hear from the people who have put it on their favorites and alerts but haven't reviewed yet, and also the people who just read it but haven't reviewed. This would really make me happy, and it's the least that can be done.

Well I guess I'm done now, and thank you all for reading Soldier's With Wings.

Kazegami-inkpot