As the whip cracked across Genis' back, it stung like a thousand bees.

"Where are the rest of your group?" a soldier demanded.

"I don't know!" Genis yelled, earning another whip. He cried out in agony, not knowing how much more he could take.

"Maybe we should let him go. He's just a kid," a female Desian suggested.

"No way! He took out a third of our troops with magic! And do you know what magic means? He's a half elf! Half elfs don't deserve mercy," another Desian sneered.

"But I thought your leaders were half elves!" Genis exclaimed.

"That's because they are superior half elves. You, are not! And I didn't give you permission to speak!" the Desian with the whip screeched, lashing the torture device across Genis' back again. The small boy lay in a bloody heap on the ground, tears streaming down his face. Why do people discriminate against half elves? We're the same as they are, he thought.

"You there! Escort this inferior being to the holding cells. We'll leave this up to Lord Reji on what to do with you," the soldier said to another Desian. Nudging Genis with the tip of his sword, he descended into the heavily armored base with his head hung low. Different machines clanked and clicked as they made their way to the holding cells. It looked like an average jail, except instead of having a row of cells, they had columns. Countless rows of these towers stretched, and Genis had to take an elevator to reach his cell. It was pretty high up, and he didn't know how he was going to escape.

"Don't try anything funny!" the soldier ordered. Genis nodded solemnly, stepping inside the cell and standing there, still even as the resonating clank of the door shutting rang out. When he knew the Desian was gone, he sank to his knees and cried. Presea, I hope you and the others find me soon, Genis prayed silently. Genis sat in a corner, smelling the mold and mildew in the air. The stone was cold underneath him and the cell was awfully dirty. After a few hours, he heard the footsteps and clanking armor of a Desian soldier.

"You there! Half elf! Lord Reji would like to see you," the Desian informed him, smirking. The soldier wielded a whip, and Genis' still stinging wounds were not anxious for any more beatings.

"Walk," the Desian commanded. Genis did as he was told, and eventually they reached Lord Reji's office.

"So, you're the little half elf I've heard so much about. Genis, isn't it?" the Desian commander sneered. Genis got an eyeful of the large man. He had short, tousled black hair and pale skin, along with towering height. Lord Reji scanned his piercing dark blue eyes over Genis, inspecting him like an insect.

"Humph," Lord Reji said after a short amount of time. "We can have some fun with this one. Why don't we find out where his little friends are, and his sister. Raine, that's her name. Maybe Presea will come as well." Genis' heart stopped. "Oh, we will have great fun," the Desian leader chimed, smirking coldly. It felt as if Genis was drained of all blood. He knew he had to do something, he just didn't know what. Acting on crazy impulse, he whipped out his kendama and before he could cast one spell, Genis froze completely. Even when he tried extremely hard, he couldn't move. Lord Reji shook his head, tsking.

"Oh, I forgot to mention this. I, the great Lord Reji, have the power of mind control as well, so don't try anything," Reji told him as if discussing the weather. Internally, Genis wanted to shout and rip the guys throat out. No way he's gonna get Presea or Raine....or Lloyd! I can't let this happen, he thought sadly. However, no matter how much he struggled he couldn't move. Warmth flooded his body suddenly and he dropped to the floor like a ragdoll. Presea, perhaps our time together wasn't as long as I thought it would be, Genis said silently before letting the Desians take him away.

****Switch to Presea's POV (again..kinda. i don't know what POV you call this)*****

Presea awoke to the feeling of strong arms cradling her, arms that she knew did not belong to Genis. After blinking a couple times, the small girl was able to open her eyes and speak.

"What...happened?" she asked. Raine was kneeling on the ground, with hot tears in her eyes threatening to spill over.

"They...took Genis," she managed, almost impossible to her. Regal set Presea down, but she didn't know if she could stand after hearing that. Looking over to Lloyd, she knew that this was true. The ever determined swordsman looked defeated.

"How did this happen?" Presea whispered, kneeling while dipping her head to he ground. She did not want to cry, but as the first tear ran down her cheek, many others followed. Sheena came and wrapped her arms around the girl protectively, trying to soothe her. Regal stepped forward.

"Presea...after you collapsed, we were ambushed by Desians. Everyone escaped, but Genis stayed because you couldn't move. I ran back to carry you, but we were surrounded. Genis told me that once he opened up a path we would run, but he stayed. I was too ignorant to look back until we had safely gotten to where everyone else was. Genis sacrificed himself so we could get out, and I blame myself," Regal concluded. Sheena tighted her grip on Presea, looking up at Regal to glare. The ax-girl shook her head, but kept her gaze in the dirt.

"It...was not your fault. Genis made his decision, and...I..I have to..." she broke off, unable to continue. Sheena stayed knelt beside her, keeping her arms around Presea's shoulders. Even though the ninja was normally stubborn and not so feminine, she looked like a mother comforting a child.

"I'm sorry, Presea," Sheena whispered. The pink-haired girl let her tears fall freely, and soon Raine had to let a few slip as well.

As night fell and people began to move to set up camp, Presea stayed on the ground. No life shone in her eyes, and no motivation was in her movements. She just sat with her knees pulled to her chest, her eyes staring dully into the dirt. If I don't have Genis, I dont have anyone, she thought. Why does everyone I love end up getting taken away from me?

"Hey, Little One! You gonna come eat?" Zelos promted, trying to lighten the mood with his old pet name for her. Sheena didn't even comment. The ax-girl shook her head, never breaking her gaze from the dirt.

"I'm going," Presea said, so quiet it was inaudible.

"What?" Sheena asked, pulling her head away from the fire to look at her. She had the best hearing out of everybody, so she was the only one who heard. Presea lifted her head, looking over at the group. They continued to stare at her, wating.

"I'm going," Presea said calmly, rising from her seat. Raine started to argure with her.

"But Presea, the chances-"

"I know what the chances are. There is a 43% chance that Genis will be alive, and I'm taking it. There is a 17% chance I will survive and successfully rescue him, and I'm taking it," she explained.

"If you are going, I'm going as well. I still feel as if it is my fault he was captured," Regal said, going over to stand beside her.

"Genis is my best friend, and I want him back too. So if Presea's going, I'm going too!" Lloyd announced.

"Me too!" chimed Colette, standing beside Presea with Lloyd and Regal.

"He may have been a brat, but it's not the same without him," Zelos sighed, taking his spot in the group.

"Well, I can't let Zelos upstage me," Sheena said, joining them as well. The only person who remained was Raine.

"I...I feel that this is rash. However, we have successfully infiltrated and rescued people from ranches before. Also...Genis is my brother...and I can't let those filthy Desians have him," she finished, Grabbing her staff as well and joining them. Presea summoned her axe and smiled slightly.

"Thank you," she said before turning and setting her sights one the ranch.

"Let's go!" Sheena shouted, drawing her cards. Everyone broke into a sprint, heading straight for the Iselia ranch.

******************************************

When they arrived, rage eminated from Presea. She sliced her axe ruthlessly through the guards, smashing through the doors.

"You almost feel bad for the guards after seeing Presea mow through them!" Zelos exclaimed, earning an eyeroll from Sheena. Everyone tore their way through the ranch, searching for the prison where they knew Genis would be kept.

"Take the left path!" Raine shouted, remembering what the map on the machine had looked like. They reached the doors of the elevator that led to the many floors of the prison, and instead of killing the guard, Presea pressed the blade of her enormous weapon to his throat.

"You will tell me what floor and cell Genis Sage is being held in, or I will kill you before you can call for backup," she promised, voice full of ice and eyes piercing. The guard gulped, reaching for his sword. Lloyd and Zelos brought there swords up to his neck as well, and the Desian broke.

"Floor 22 cell 4893!" he blurted in a high pitched voice, slumping to the ground as the weapons were removed. Colette took his sword and helmet, and Sheena placed magic cards over his mouth, hands, and feet so he was bound.

"Sorry Mr. Desian, nothing personal," Colette apologized. Lloyd shook his head.

"You don't need to apologize, you dork," Lloyd told her with a smirk.

"I'm sorry," Colette apologized again, to Lloyd this time.

"Everyone, on the elevator!" Raine shouted. Presea sprinted, anticipation filling her whole being. I hope Genis is alive, she thought, keeping her face in a look of determination. If he's not, I swear I will kill every Desian in this whole ranch! she promised herself. The elevator rode painfully slow, and she wanted to bust it open with her axe. Raine placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and Presea lowered her axe, never realizing she had risen it in the first place. After what felt like an eternity, the elevator doors opened. Presea practically launched herself out of it and ran, trying to find his cell. 4887, 4888, she read, running faster. She was almost there.

"4893!" she shouted with triumph, seeing it up ahead. Her friends were a few paces behind her, just as excited. When she reached the cell, disappointment crushed her. Hot tears slipped out of her eyes, as she saw the dark cell to be empty.

"Genis," she sobbed, and Raine began to cry as well. All of a sudden, something caught her eye. She sucked in a breath, cutting off her cries. In the darkest corner, something moved in the shadows.

"P...Presea?" called a raspy voice. She immediately snapped her head to look for the source of the voice.

"It's me! It's Presea!" she called, the group gathering around to get a better look. A dark figure rose, stepping out into the light. A bloodied Genis appeared before them, staggering over the jail bars.

"I thought...I'd never see you again," he whispered, grabbing onto the cell bars. Looking around, he cracked a very small smile.

"You all came, even Zelos," he joked in what would have been a shout if he had not been in this shape.

"What did they do to you?" Raine asked in horror, staring at his tattered clothes and bloodied face. The half elf boy cringed, before pulling away from the bars and turning around. Presea gasped, as did most of everyone else. On his back were the tattered remains of clothes, and underneath it was line after line after line of bloody red marks.

"They whipped me when I couldn't tell them where you all were hiding," he choked out, tears coloring his words. Turning back around, he faced Presea who was already crying.

"I'm so sorry Genis...I will get you out of here. I will kill every Desian who ever hurt you," she promised, anger rising. "Everyone, please back away." Everyone had enough common sense to know that when Presea said back away, you better. Genis put his back against the wall, watching her warily. Fresh anger giving her power, she swung her axe at the jail with as much force as she could muster. The cut a large, jagged hole through the bars and Genis was able to climb out. Not caring about anyone else, she grabbed both sides of his face and kissed him. After she broke away, he wrapped her in a tight hug. Tears coursed down her face, Genis looked over at Raine.

"Hey, Sis," he said quietly. Tears began to fill her eyes as well.

"Okay, enough tears. Let's get outta here!" Zelos exclaimed. Colette smiled at the scene, and Lloyd put his arm around her. Genis suddenly tensed. Presea pulled away.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking into his eyes that seemed to be full of fear.

"You guys...shouldn't have come here," he said unsteadily.

"What, why?" Sheena asked.

"Because-"

"Because of me," Lord Reji's smooth voice rang out as he stepped out of the shadows.

"Such a touching scene...how should I kill the boy now? I have audience, so it must be a good show," he said, tapping his chin.

"I'd like to see you try and kill him," Presea said, readying her axe. Reji snapped his fingers.

"I know! You," he said pointing at Presea. Time to die, she thought, starting to charge the Desian leader.

"No!" Genis shouted. All of a sudden, everyone dropped their weapons, and walked over to the side out of the way. What's going on? I can't move, or talk! she exclaimed silently. Everyone's faces were blank, and they stood in a perfect line. Only Genis could move, but he knew he couldn't do anything.

"How does it feel, half elf, to see all of your friends defenseless? I wonder...how would it feel to have to girl you love most...kill you herself?" he sneered, and Geins' face became one of pure horror. No, not me. I can't kill him! she thought. However, she walked out of the line and picked up her axe, wearing an emotionless expression.

"Presea...don't do this!" Genis shouted. Reji chuckled.

"A futile attempt," he said, standing back to watch. No, no, no...this can't be happening. Genis, run! she screamed inside. Despite all her efforts, she swung her axe. Genis dodged, but Presea knew he couldn't keep it up long. On the inside, she was crying. All this...for nothing. He's going to die...I'll be a murderer! she thought. Involuntarily, she swung her axe again, except this time Genis was too slow. It cut a good three inches into his side, right at his waist. Blood spurted out onto Presea, and he cried out before crumpling down onto the ground. Looking down at his blood on her hands and dress, she lost it. I..killed...Genis...she thought before totally blacking out.

**********Switch to Genis' POV (you know what I mean by now)*******

White-hot pain seared through his side as her axe cut into him. The beautiful blue eyes he loved were clouded and dull. Falling to the ground, he looked up at her with fuzzy vision. Genis could barely make her out, and it seemed she was looking at his blood all over her hands and clothes. Rage flashed in her eyes, and she turned to face Lord Reji. The Desian leader's eyes bulged at the sight of her.

"Impossible!" he exclaimed. With the same emotionless expression, she ran her axe through Reji. The Desian commander's bloodied form went limp, and Presea collapsed. Everyone who had been being forced to stand by and watch broke free of Reji's mental grasp, which was the last thing Genis saw before he blacked out.

**********Switch to Presea's POV (i know this is a lot of switching but just bear with me:)****

Presea blinked, taking in her surroundings. It looked like she was in a tent...back at the camp. They must have brought me back here...but what happened to Lord Reji? They must have killed him somehow...just like I killed....Genis, she thought, tears brimming her eyes.

You monster, a voice inside her head said. You killed Genis! He loved you, and you couldn't resist even simple mind control?

There was nothing I could do! she thought back, crying.

Liar. You let him die. You're a murder! You deserve to die, the voice told her. She rolled her head to the side and saw her axe covered in bloodstains that appeared to have been attempted to be hastily wiped off. Looking down at her hands, she saw the same type of faint bloodstain. I really did kill him, she thought. He's dead...because of me!she thought. Standing up, she walked over and picked up her axe.

Do it, the voice told her. You deserve it.

I know, she thought back. Alicia, Daddy, Mommy, and Genis, I'm coming.

Raising the axe high above her head, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Just as she began to bring it down, she heard a voice.

"Stop!" it shouted. Presea's eyes snapped open and her axe landed on the ground beside her. Turning around, she saw Colette running towards her, dropping the cloths and bandages she was carrying as she went.

"What are you doing?" Colette demanded, grabbing her wrists. Presea started to cry.

"I murdered Genis! I deserve to die," she sobbed. Colette shook her head.

"What are you talking about? He's alive!" the blonde shouted.

"What? But...but...I ran my axe through his side," she said, trying to stop her flowing tears as the memory took place again in her mind. Colette tightened her grip on Presea's wrists.

"I don't know what happened to you, but you must not have seen the rest. After that, you looked at the blood on your hands and turned around. You killed Reji, and after that you collapsed. After Reji died, we could all move and Raine was able to use her new advanced healing arts to stop the bleeding until we got here. Then, she used to left over thread to give him his needed stitches. He's alive, Presea. I promise!" Colette told her. Presea had stopped crying, and she had to blink a few times.

"He's...alive?" she asked incredulously. Colette smiled, knowing she had saved Presea from her suicide attempt.

"Yes. Come on, you can come see him. You are all he's asked about," she told Presea. The pink-haired girl followed, relief flooding her body. He's alive, she kept repeating in her head.

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Whew!! Looooong chapter, and for a reason! Newfound Love has over 100 reads, so a special long chapter to say thanks! By the way, incase there was some confusion the voice that was talking to her was her own, she was just arguing with herself. I thought this chapter was pretty action packed, so I hope you enjoyed it! Please vote, comment, or fan! Love and darkness,

BE