Ch 29: Picking Up the Pieces

After 15 years, Alexander Bastille and his two children finally restore their bond. Able to pay their respects at last, they visit Amelia's grave, remembering her fondly.

            Turning to look at Alexander in disbelief, Saria said, “You mean you’re really…?” With a weak smile, he replied, “I told you it would be worth your time.” Looking over at Grey in realization, Saria said, “You knew!” Fumbling for words, Grey finally hung his head shamefully and said, “Sorry…” Starting to tear up, Saria stared down at the ground as she muttered, “Why? Why didn’t anyone say anything?” 

Overcome by his shame, Alexander said, “I’m so sorry Saria. I’m a coward. Every chance I had to tell the truth, I used lies to run away from my responsibilities. I know you must have suffered, alone in a world where few would accept you for who you are. As Fenrip said, there is no excuse for what I did. But if you desire an answer as to why your father did not raise you himself…” Both Saria and Grey, listening silently, were shocked to see tears run out from beneath his sunglasses as Alexander said, “It is because I did not have the confidence in myself to believe I could protect you from the tragedies that seem to befall everything and everyone I come to love…” 

Alexander tried to wipe his tears away as he said, “I won’t ask you to forgive me… and I will understand if you hate me.” Before Alexander realized what had happened, Saria had rushed forth and embraced him. Shifting his eyes down to look at her in surprise as she clung to him, Alexander heard her sob, “How could you think that?!” She continued to cling to him as she cried, Alexander standing there speechless, and after a moment Saria added, “It’s true I was alone for so long, I’d spent years trying to find you all! But to blame you for making a mistake?! For being scared?! Families forgive each other!” Fighting back more tears, Alexander gently put his arms around her as he whispered, “Thank you…”

            Going back out the gate and into the forest, Alexander and the others headed for Amelia’s grave. Arriving at a small mound of dirt with an unmarked stone over it, as Alexander approached the grave, he said, “I’m home Amelia…” Staring at the grave sadly, Fenrip said, “I’m guessing you came back to do this. It wouldn’t make sense to do it while Grey and Saria were still in danger.” With a solemn nod, Alexander said, “I came back shortly after we’d escaped, leaving Grey and Saria in Serius’ care temporarily. I couldn’t leave her out here… I would have gone to Loralu and requested a proper burial, but I knew Alastor would keep an eye on both our home and the town for a good while. I didn’t want to get you and the townspeople involved as well.” 

Approaching the grave with a flower she had taken from the garden, with tears in her eyes, Saria quietly said, “Hi Mom… It… It’s taken me a long time, but I finally found you. I’m all grown up, and now that I’ve found Grey, Dad and all their friends, I’m not alone anymore… So you don’t have to worry about me. I love you, and I hope you rest in peace.” Placing the flower on the grave, Saria wiped her face on her sleeve and moved aside for Grey. Standing before the grave, the image of the pink haired woman flashed in Grey’s mind again, and he said, “Mom… Thank you.” Reaching up and grasping the phoenix stone studded in the necklace that hung from his neck, he continued, “Not only did you give birth to me, you’ve saved my life not one but two times. I’ve been thinking about what Claire said, about how I wasn’t supposed to be born. That if I hadn’t, you, Alexander, and Saria could have lived happily together. Maybe someone else could have even taken down Altera Veritas in my place.” 

Alexander moved to stop him, but Fenrip pulled him back by the shoulder and shook his head, and Alexander begrudgingly continued to listen as Grey went on, “But that’s not how things turned out. You can make all the guesses you want about what could have been, and it still won’t change anything. I should know. I’ve been doing it for a whole year, and it hasn’t helped anyone! So I’m gonna be true to my words now, I’m gonna look to the future. That’s why, even after everything you’ve done for me already, please keep watching over me as I see this through to the end.” A smile on her face, Saria thought, “You’re so strong brother!” Smiling as well, Fenrip thought, “Origin could not have chosen a better person than your son Amelia.” Staring at Grey in surprise, Alexander finally let out a laugh. Turning around with a smirk, Grey said, “What’s so funny now?” Grinning at him, Alexander said, “She would have been so, so proud of you Grey. I know that I am…”

            Returning to the Bastille residence, Alexander began to show them around. Opening the front door of the mansion, he ushered them in as he said, “Those with allergies be warned, I don’t doubt it’s a bit dusty. It’s been fifteen years after all.” Dusty it was, but it still did not disappoint. Flipping the light switch, Alexander turned on the lights of the chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the entry hall. The entry hall itself was huge, a pair of winding staircases at the back corners leading up to the second floor. Decorative portraits hung on the walls, along with a large and interesting looking coat of arms, displayed on the wall space between the two staircases. As they walked across the tile floor, Alexander said, “On occasion we’d host small parties with our friends and use the entry hall as a ballroom.” 

Chuckling, Fenrip said, “Ah, memories! During those parties was the only time I ever remember Amelia wearing a dress.” Laughing as well, Alexander said, “Yes, you wouldn’t think she’d find such importance in dressing formally, considering her usual attire. I asked her about it once, and it turns out she lost a bet with one of Hana’s friends the first time. After that, she received so many compliments that she decided it wouldn’t hurt every once and awhile.” Fenrip simply grinned to himself, saying, “Yes, that sounds so much like her.” Very interested in the subject, Saria asked, “Um, so what did Mom usually wear then?” Without thinking about it, Grey simply blurted out, “Leather boots, leather chest piece, a double belt, kinda like an adventurer’s getup.” 

Unnerved by his accuracy, Alexander looked at him in surprise and asked, “How did you know that?” Blinking in surprise, Grey explained, “Well, I’ve been seeing images of her in my head ever since I got here.” Mulling this over, Alexander said, “I suppose coming here to jog your memory is working after all. Do you have any recollection of when these memories are from? Was it the day of the attack?” Scratching his head in thought, Grey said, “Not really sure. She’s standing in a forest holding the bow Saria has.” 

Thinking for a moment, Alexander said, “She never took you with her into the forest when you were young, that memory must have been from when she had both of you hide in that hollowed out tree. Do you remember anything she said?” Shaking his head, Grey said, “It was just an image. Why, you think she told me something?” With a shrug of his shoulders, Alexander said, “We may never know. When I found her, she barely managed to describe your location. It felt to me there was something else she was struggling to say at the end though. Something important…”

            Giving them the tour of the first floor, upon reaching the kitchen, Saria promptly made Alexander aware they hardly had anything that was still good after fifteen years. Putting the tour on hold, Alexander left them to look about on their own and headed out to purchase much needed provisions, taking Fenrip with him as a helper. Walking out the gate and onto the road leading back to town, Alexander paused as he felt he was being watched. Stopping as well, Fenrip asked, “Something wrong?” Looking side to side scanning the forest around him, Alexander replied, “For some reason, I felt as though we were not alone.” Looking around as well, Fenrip said, “I doubt whoever was poking around the place is still here.” Taking out his key, Alexander closed the gate behind them and said, “True, it’s probably nothing. Still, I’d better lock up all the same.” 

As Alexander locked the gate, Fenrip said, “Anyway, I’m glad everything has worked out between you all. It’s a shame you’ll be leaving in just a few days, I’m up to my neck with commissions at the moment and probably won’t be around.” Putting the key back in his pocket, Alexander turned to him and said, “You’d better get going if you’re that swamped. Don’t worry about me, I remember my way around.” With a sigh, Fenrip replied, “You’re not coming back are you? Once this is all over I mean.” Shaking his head, Alexander said, “I doubt it Fenrip. They’re eighteen now, and they’ll be off living their own lives once this is at an end. As for me, Amelia’s death will only haunt my mind all the more if I were to return here to live by myself…” As they headed off for town together, Fenrip said, “I understand, but you’ll be sorely missed my friend…” 

Watching them continue down the road and out of sight, from his hiding place in the trees, a ninja wearing a ragged black cloak and hood, Grave muttered, “It sure took them long enough to get here! This is a golden opportunity to take the girl and kill the brat, but now I’ve been ordered not to do anything until Alastor gives the word…”

            Walking through a dark hallway lined with jail cells located in the depths of the Vinculus, Rend and Ghost in tow, Count Ferid muttered to himself, “Hmmm… So annoying, making me come down here…” As they proceeded further, they passed the dead bodies of several Ala Morte agents, and finally they came upon Scott Matthews. A young man with blonde hair and green eyes who wore a high tech body suit and brown armor, he was leaning against the wall clutching his head. Quickly Rend moved in front of her master while Ghost drew a pistol, but Count Ferid simply raised a hand, signaling them to wait as he said, “First we shall hear what he so kindly invited me down here to say.” 

Addressing Scott, Ferid said, “Well? You killed all my guards, save one whom you sent with a message demanding my presence. I don’t know how you freed yourself from the restraint collar, but I’m beginning to think you’re more trouble than your worth as a hostage merits. Your words may influence that opinion, so what do you have to say for yourself, hmmm?” Laughing quietly, still clutching his head, Scott said, “Oh Ferid, did you honestly think a restraint collar would be enough to stop little old me?” Taken aback, Ferid raised an eyebrow in confusion and replied, “I would hardly even consider you an acquaintance, so I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you not be so familiar with me.” Laughing quietly again, Scott said, “Oh, now that hurts Ferid! Forgotten me already have you? Here I thought we had something special! Well, I suppose I’ll just have to remind you just why you were always so terrified of me…” 

Suddenly Scott stepped away from the wall and began to gather EDE, and just as quickly, Rend formed claws from out of her fingertips and leaped at him. Still clutching his head with one hand, Scott waved his other hand to the side and Rend flew sideways through the air and slammed hard into the wall as though she’d been hit by a speeding hover truck. Rushing in front of Ferid, Ghost raised her pistol to fire, but Scott simply muttered, “Psycho Reject!” A shockwave of psychic power emanated from Scott’s body, stopping the bullets in place in the air as Ghost opened fire, and quickly Scott leaped across the distance at Ghost with a sweeping jump kick to the side of her head. Ghost raised her arm to block, but the power behind the kick was so great that it sent her sailing into the wall as well. 

Landing before Ferid, Scott relinquished his own head and grabbed Ferid by the collar with both hands. Staring at Scott in terror, Ferid stammered, “B-b-b-b-but how?! Y-Y-You’re dead!” Slowly lifting his face to look at Ferid, Scott grinned madly and, this time in a voice Ferid knew all too well, said, “Really? I feel just as alive and crazy as ever! That aside, I have an interesting proposal to make you Ferid! I no longer need Alastor and the knowledge of the Nameless One, so I think it’s time to start a little plan I cooked up while enjoying my stay in the Vinculus’ dungeon. We’re going to start a little mutiny here, and I don’t think I have to tell you what I’ll do to you if you refuse…” 

Quickly Ferid sputtered, “A-a-alright, whatever you s-s-say Dr. Nova! I’m your go to man! Just tell me what you need me to do!” Releasing Ferid and starting off slowly down the hall, the reborn Dr. Nova replied, “Good boy! For now we just need to rally the troops and plot a course for Loralu. Make sure you keep the stealth field generator active, we’re going incognito. I called Grave using the phone I installed in Scott’s gear and asked for an update on his progress. He’s informed me that Alastor is hatching a plan to retrieve Grey’s sister and Deus Amictus. However I can’t allow that, oh no, no, no! I have plans of my own for our young hero! Yes, big plans…!”

            Bastille Residence. Sunday July 22, 520NA. Finishing up their training in the garden, Grey and Alexander made their way around the mansion to the patio in back, where Saria had lunch waiting for them. As they walked, they chatted with each other about their training, Alexander saying, “It’s always amazed me what a quick learner you are, but you’ve surprised me more than ever today. You’ve learned yet another enchantment I can never hope to master.” Hiding his surprise, Grey smirked and said, “Heh, some ‘Master of Rune Swordsmanship’!” Chuckling to himself, Alexander said, “Don’t think you’re taking my title just because of that! Just like the lesser version Eazel taught you, it was Amanus who composed that incantation. I simply gave you the incantation and the instructions he left behind. He was a natural at Rune Swordsmanship, just like you. He created both of them himself, yet he told me he knew that neither he nor I could master them. I wonder now if he somehow knew I would be passing them on someday to someone who could…” 

Folding his hands behind his head as he walked, Grey said, “Maybe. I mean, he would have had to know that True EDE existed to come up with the idea of an enchantment for it. Plus, the Twin Etched incantation you just taught me would have been a lot harder if I didn’t have both the ability to use the True Edge Enchantment as well as experience combining two different types of EDE.” Suddenly Alexander burst out laughing, and donning an indignant look, Grey said, “What? I’m just saying maybe he knew it would be possible for someone who could control True EDE to exist!” Suppressing his laughter, Alexander said, “My apologies, it was just…" Beaming at him in pride now, Alexander continued, "It seems you’re well on your way to taking my title after all. Your analysis of the incantations and of what Amanus would have had to have known while creating them was quite astute. You came to the very same conclusion as me, and you did it almost just as quickly I did.” 

Feeling his face turn red, Grey looked away and muttered, “It’s not like it was that big of a deal! Besides, it’s not like really wanted to take your title anyway…” Laughing again, with a mischievous grin Alexander said, “Yes, I suppose you’d rather have a title of your own! Since Amanus had it first, even your title of ‘He of the Infinite’ seems little more than a hand-me-down. Sometime we’ll have to come up with something more suitable.”

            Arriving at the backyard patio, Grey and Alexander took seats at the large circular table that rested in the shade of an awning built on the side of the mansion. Saria brought out the submarine sandwiches she’d made and drinks, and as she herself sat down, they all dug in. Looking around the patio as he ate, Grey could see it was as fabulous as everything else, being large in size and equipped with a large pool, marble tile deck, exotic looking potted plants, several small fountains, and exquisite looking patio furniture. While Grey was busy looking around, Alexander commented, “This is quite good. Few of the ingredients I bought were already sliced or cooked, yet if I didn’t know better, I’d say they had already been prepared by a professional before I’d even brought them home. Tell me Saria, you didn’t go into town and kidnap the chef from the diner we passed on the way here now did you?” 

Flustered by his praise, Saria stammered, “It-it’s not that great! It’s just a sandwich… I didn’t have Amy or Guru here to help me, so it was about the best I could do with the ingredients.” Realizing he’d not apologized for skipping out on the celebration meal Saria had helped make back in Halsa, Alexander said, “I’m truly sorry about my behavior that night Saria…” Shaking her head, Saria said, “N-no, it’s fine.” With a smile, Alexander said, “No, it was wrong of me. However, getting back to your cooking, I must say your mother would have been envious.” Putting down his sandwich, Grey turned his attention to the conversation and said, “She couldn’t cook?” His smile widening, Alexander said, “Oh believe me, it didn’t stop her from trying…” 

Fidgeting with the straw in his drink glass, as he stirred the ice around with a reminiscent look on his face, Alexander said, “The horrors she created in that kitchen… I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d been using the eyeballs of the monsters she hunted to add some ‘kick’ to her dishes!” Suppressing a laugh, Grey said, “Wow! What else can you tell us about her? We’ve been here a whole day but you haven’t really told us what she was like.” Glancing at him with a shrug of his shoulders, Alexander said, “I was waiting to see if you’d ask. It’s not uncommon that children who never knew their parents don’t want to be told what they were like, as they fear it would destroy the mental image they held of them. Though I doubt you’d be in any way disappointed, she was an amazing person.” Interested as well, Saria said, “Go ahead. Please, tell us about her.”

            Getting more comfortable in his chair, after a moment Alexander said, “Where to begin? Amelia was your age when we first met. She was much like Amy, a kind and caring person, but also very strong and stubborn. I’ve always found it ironic how their names are basically the same. Knowing that I would remain the same no matter how many years passed, I never thought we’d actually become so involved. She saw something in me, and was determined to help me overcome my troubles. My past and the centuries of isolation had given me a rather sour personality you see. I had moved to the area to get away from people. I was sick of the citizens of Xandaris, the hypocritical nobles who claimed to ‘revere’ us for all Angelorum Lux had done for the sake of our world, yet did not heed my desires for them to abolish the laws in place that allow such terrible discrimination against those who are different. Admittedly discrimination against energists lessened, but that only made things worse for those of half blood. Yet despite my status, there was and simply still is nothing that I could do about it.” 

With a sour look on his face, Alexander sipped his drink and continued, “I’m getting a bit off track, but this may help you understand what I was up against. After the Dark Crusade fell, even Serius himself also tried to put a stop to the cycle of discrimination, but he quickly became discouraged by his inability to exert his influence over his people. Serius and the two houses of the mautauian government are at a stalemate. The mautauian government operates by a voting system that had worked fine for them in the past." 

Counting out the three with his fingers, Alexander said, "The Lord of Mautau, the House of Black, and the House of White each cast their votes on matters brought before them, and the majority wins. However both houses are corrupt, abusing the halman’s worship for their own entertainment, as well as ensuring each new mautauian generation is taught to believe what they want them to believe. Serius however had a rare experience in his youth that opened his eyes to what his people were doing, which is why he was strongly opposed upon trying to take the throne. He was the eldest of his father’s successors though, and his opposition finally abided by the law, not that it did much good. Used like a figurehead, Serius could not oppose the two Houses alone. So after all his other efforts failed, several hundred years ago he finally began using a loophole in mautauian law to hinder them. It was a brilliant move.”

As Alexander snickered to himself, Grey eagerly asked, “What loophole? What did he do?” Taking another sip of his drink, Alexander grinned and said, “Remember how his last return was so brief? As long as he is not present during their meetings, the Houses cannot by law decide certain things without his vote, and they also cannot remove him from his position without taking his signet ring, which is a symbol that shows that he is Lord of Mautau. From what we heard from Serius’ informants, it caused an absolute uproar. They’ve been hunting him down ever since though, he’s had to stay undercover whenever he returned. The two Houses can no longer instigate holy wars between the halmans and other races, and can no longer enforce mandatory tributes...” 

His enthusiasm turning to indignation, Alexander said, “Yet it only solved things on the mautauians’ end. Serius made it quite difficult to abuse the halmans as they have in the past, but he still has no actual influence over the halman theocracy itself without the backing of the two Houses, so the halman rulers now mostly do as they please. It was the lesser of two evils, but it still irritates me to think about how powerless we actually are…” Heaving a sigh, Alexander took a moment to cool off before continuing, “After seeing how the halman theocracy began to abuse their newfound power, I’d had enough. I considered moving to the island where I’d built Lorem Academy, which was just starting to undergo construction at the time, but then on a whim, I used my own funds to construct the town of Loralu and gathered up a group of less fortunate people looking for a place to call their own.” 

Not wanting them to misunderstand, Alexander quickly added, “It wasn’t like I asked to be given such a fortune mind you. I only accepted it back then because the mautauians would have cried to Serius about losing face. I felt uncomfortable hoarding it all to myself, so I gave the people I'd gathered a home and an extremely generous amount of funding to expand and live off of, and with my good deed for the day done, I built this mansion in the nearby forest and shut myself away." Raising up his glass to exemplify, Alexander continued, "I of course needed food and drink, and would go into town and deal with the traders, but I was always quite brief with anyone who crossed my path. Hundreds of years later, the town was starting to become known for being a refuge for half breeds and outcasts, and as a result was growing faster and faster as travelers from all over arrived seeking shelter. Your mother was among those travelers, and twenty four years ago, our paths crossed while I was heading home from shopping. And so, that brings us back to where I was before…”