Picture of Reti^^^^

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Emil's POV:

After personally witnessing the selflessness of our friends, I couldn't help but smile. With each and every person that stepped forward to fight for our cause, an overwhelming sense of appreciation and gratitude would rocket through my nervous system, filling every crevice in my entire being with new reignited hope. I looked down at Marta, seeing her beautiful sapphire eyes sparkling with crystalline happiness, something I had feared I would never see again after what she went through a short time ago. A tiny pinprick of guilt began to form in the pit of my stomach at the thought of the incident, but I pushed it away and refused to let it ruin this moment. To find hope in a hopeless situation...that's something that deserves to be celebrated and savored. I turned my head towards Marta, feeling a sudden urge to embrace her tightly to express my feelings. As I looked over, I noticed something about her stance seemed somewhat...forced. Just as I reached out my hand to tap her on the shoulder and pull her out of her trance, however, she suddenly cried out, stumbling backwards as if someone had punched her in the stomach. Using my quick reflexes, I promptly caught her arms and held her upright, watching worriedly as she shook her head a few times and attempted to regain her balance. However, just as I was beginning to loosen my grip, Marta's eyes glazed over and she collapsed onto the floor faster than I could react. Fear struck my heart as I began to yell.

"Marta? Marta! MARTA!"

Her body went completely slack for a moment, and I fell to my knees, desperate to assist her in some way. Her eyes cracked open the tiniest bit, reveling a thin crescent of once bright cerulean orbs that glittered and shone through the thick tears in her eyes. Time slowed down as she gazed back at me, the tears beginning to drip off her cheeks in large, shimmering droplets. Finally, I was able to realize what I saw displayed in her cobalt orbs. Gone was her fire and passion, and in its stead there was lifelessness and unmistakable fear. Panic soon began to rise inside me, choking me from the inside out and temporarily demobilizing me. However, Marta's eyes suddenly snapped shut and she began to tremble violently, shaking back and forth as she clutched at her heart and whimpered. Unable to hold back any longer, Marta threw her head back and wailed, choked sobs barely escaping out of her mouth as pained screams used up her breath.

"Raine, please! There must be something you can do!" I shouted desperately, turning to the half elf. A rare expression of fear and slight hysteria was displayed upon the professor's face as she nodded and quickly ran over, holding her staff above the convulsing form of the woman I loved.

"Please...please make it stop...!" Marta shrieked, curling herself up into a ball as she cried out these few words. I held back my own tears that were beginning to form; I could not afford to break down now. With my heart thumping loudly against my ribcage, I turned to Tenebrae.

"Can you sense anything? What's doing this?" I asked him, my voice cracking as Marta's hoarse pleas ripped my heart out. Tenebrae narrowed his eyes cooly, seemingly doing a quick scan of the energy fluctuating around the room. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

"Lady Marta's heart is being smothered by an enormous amount of dark energy. I believe that I've felt this kind of energy before when we encountered..."

Reti. He didn't speak the name, but I knew. My fists clenched stiffly by my sides, anger beginning to cloud my thoughts. However, I was brought out of my daze in an instant as Lloyd began to shout.

"Tenebrae, how do we stop it?!" he practically screamed, his gaze hurriedly darting around the room as he searched for an answer.

Tenebrae responded in a somewhat distressed tone, "I-I....do not know. Perhaps some light magic may be of use, however the outcome is uncertain."

I looked at Marta, feeling tears begin to drip off my cheeks involuntarily at the sight. Her breath seemed to barely flow in and out, making a loud rasping noise as she tried to gasp for air that her lungs refused to take in. Her fingernails clawed at the wooden floor as she cried out in a hoarse voice, chest heaving up and down from extreme mental and physical exertion. Strands of long chestnut hair clung to her tear stained cheeks, the entire surface red and slick with sweat and tears. Unable to sit back and watch any longer, I grit my teeth and quickly knelt next to her. Raine barely acknowledged me as I desperately tried to ease the Marta's pain. With shaking hands I smoothed the damp strands of light brown hair away from her face before pulling her frail figure into my lap, wrapping my bronzed arms around her stomach and gently but firmly keeping her upright with her back pressed against me. With every passing second my heart shattered further as I watched the strong, confident woman I loved deteriorate into an empty, broken shell of a person filled with intense, agonizing pain. More than ever, one thought was burning its way into my head.

This is all my fault.

My thoughts, however, were smashed apart as Marta suddenly began to go ballistic. She clawed at my arms crazily, thrashing about as she screamed and sobbed incoherent words. I barely felt any pain as I held her even closer, trying to prevent her from harming herself in her delusional frenzy.

"Marta, can you hear me? Please, Marta!" I cried, wishing more than anything that my words were registering.

"HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!" Marta shrieked.

Raine's eyes snapped open, two deep ocean blue orbs full of determination. "Colette, do you think you know anything that could help? I'm trying to reach her with healing artes, but nothing seems to be working." The blonde angel nodded vigorously, wiping tears off her cheeks as she scurried over to cast.

"Holy Song!" Colette cried, causing angelic feathers of light to appear and fall down onto Marta and I. I could feel the tranquility that tended to accompany the arte seeping into my skin and directly into my soul, calming my panic somewhat. Slowly, Marta released her vice-like grip, holding on for as long as she could before allowing herself to completely collapse into my form. She was barely conscious, I could tell, but regardless tears fell off her cheeks steadily, accompanied by her shallow and erratic breathing and the occasional loud sob. She was fighting it, refusing to go completely unconscious despite the horrible pain. Unfortunately for her, her resistance was futile. Eventually the full effect of the arte settled in, causing Marta to finally lose consciousness. As her limbs went slack and her head slumped forward, I reached around her body to feel her heartbeat. It was weak, but it was there.

"She is alright for now. It seems Colette's angelic attributes have kept the darkness away for the time being, however a more permanent solution will have to be prepared soon," Tenebrae stated. "I am truly sorry, Lord Emil. I should've checked her mana levels after the incident a few nights ago."

"It's okay, Tenebrae," I whispered, my voice hoarse and weak. I attempted to clear my throat before asking, "Do you all mind...if I had a few minutes alone with Marta?"

Everyone nodded understandingly and began to exit, showing great compassion and patience on their forlorn faces. After the last person left, I was unable to hold in all the raging emotions inside of me. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I hugged Marta to my chest, gathering her frail form as if she were made of porcelain. Sobs started to rake themselves from my throat as I pressed my forehead to hers, feeling the warmth of her skin.

"I'm so sorry," I cried, more warm droplets rolling off my cheeks, "I wanted to keep you safe, to save you, to protect you, but I've failed. I've failed you and done the unforgivable, condemning you to immeasurable suffering and pain, but please, keep holding on. I couldn't go on living if you died. My life belongs to you, Marta Lualdi. Please keep fighting." I clutched her lifeless form desperately, wailing loudly. Suddenly, I felt a small twitch. Looking down, I saw Marta's slack hands begin to clutch weakly at my shirt fabric, her face an ashen pale white color. Finally, her eyebrows knit together before her beautiful sky blue orbs began to open.

"E-Emil...?" she whispered gently, slowly raising a shaky hand to brush some hair out of my flushed face. She frowned. "Why are you crying?"

Seeing her caring gesture only made me sob harder. I grabbed her hand and held it there, savoring the feeling of her skin against mine. She smiled softly, but the pleasant expression only stayed for a few fleeting seconds before it fell back into a grim one.

"E-Emil....what happened? I...I just remember...collapsing...and lots of pain..."

Terrible guilt caused me to turn my head away from her confused gaze. I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed my lips into a tight line, trying my hardest to stop crying and face her, but the lump in my throat only grew as I thought about how she must've been feeling. Copious amounts of silent tears streamed down my cheeks, and eventually a sob escaped from my lips.

"Emil...please...look at me."

The vulnerability and weariness in her voice tore at my heart mercilessly. I reluctantly brought my gaze back to hers. She looked pale, exhausted, in pain, and confused, but still as beautiful as ever when a weak smile appeared on her angelic face. "That's better," she told me, seemingly pleased to see my green eyes again despite the tears spilling from them. Marta winced, her body falling limp into my arms again with a small cry. "Hn...what...what is that? My heart feels like...it's got a Gravity Well arte in it," she tried to joke lamely. I let out a small chuckle, cradling her head gently and running my hands through the silky strands.

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I gazed deeply into her shimmering cerulean eyes. "I'm sorry...but we don't know. Tenebrae said it was like some sort of dark energy smothering your heart, similar in quality as to that of Reti's..."

Marta winced upon hearing the ex-centurion's name. "Emil...I-I...I'm scared. What're we gonna do? I can't...I can't travel like this..."

I placed my index finger over her lips, silencing the petite fighter. Her sapphire gaze turned to look at me, and my heart throbbed at the hopeless tears shining within them. Offering a shaking smile, I told her, "Don't worry. We'll figure it out. I love you, Marta, and I won't let anything happ-"

Before I could finish, her eyes, widening in sudden fear, flashed electric purple so fast I believed I imagined it. Then, her grip tightened painfully before hoarse screams were torn from her throat once again. Her strangled cries were laced with sobs as she cried and shrieked into my shirt. I wasn't sure, but I thought I heard her actually screaming words. Calming my mind best I could, I listened to her incoherent sobbing and yelling. I could just barely make out a few words in each phrase; the rest were too slurred.

"No...-re!" More incoherent speech. "...stop...!" She paused to sob. "I could never....-ay that...!" Her grip tightened as more screams wracked her body. "...why...-ve him...!" She pressed her face against my collarbone almost painfully. "...you can't...he will never...!"

I couldn't concentrate, my heart was shattering and I could hardly keep myself together. I held her to my chest as tight as I could without hurting her, ignoring the endless ringing in my eardrums. Gathering a large breath, I screamed, "Raine! Collette! Everyone! Marta needs help!"

Before I even finished the phrase, everyone was running towards Marta and me in record time. Collette immediately began casting Holy Song, and I kissed Marta's hair tenderly, trying to calm her trembles. She was practically choking on her sobs now, crying heavily in between shouts of pain and leaving no time for a steady inhale. Numbly, I heard Colette finish her arte as Marta started to relax again. However, after Marta's screams quieted into whimpering and her mind was about to lose consciousness, she suddenly snapped her eyes open and shook her head. Her speech was slurred but understandable. As her gaze met mine again, I began to shake. Staring back at me were not the beautiful sapphire orbs I had come to love so much, but instead were frightening electric-purple eyes, exactly the same as those of a certain ex-centurion. Marta had clear, shimmering tear tracks dripping off her flushed cheeks before getting caught in her tangled chestnut brown hair. She gripped my arms until her nails drew blood, trying to hold on to consciousness.

"E-Emil...I-I know what to do..."

She spoke so quietly I thought I imagined it at first. However, as I stared in her now shockingly violet eyes, her gaze was determined and serious. Colette, Genis, and Raine gasped upon hearing her. For a moment, there was silence as Marta fought for breath.

Finally, she swallowed audibly and whispered in a hoarse voice, "I can hear Reti i-in my mind..." She opened her mouth to continue, but she began to tremble and tears welled up in her electric eyes. She suddenly buried her face in my chest, sobbing loudly.

"I-I can't do it...I c-can't....do it..." Marta clung to my shirt. "I'm so sorry..."

Stroking her hair, I whispered into her ear calmly, "You have nothing to apologize for. Please, tell me what to do. I'll do anything."

Burying my face in her hair, I murmured, "I lo-"

"Stop! Don't say it! Don't say it Emil!"

Shocked, I pulled my face away and stared down at her. Marta shook violently, clutching my shirt fabric and pressing her face into my chest in order to conceal herself from me. "What...?"

"Please," she whispered, her voice cracking. "P-please don't say it."

My heart shattered. Had Marta finally realized that everything was my fault? Did she despise me? An unwelcome voice in my head scoffed, Of course she does. Why else would she prevent you from telling her you love her? Face it; you caused all of this and you know it.

"Marta..." Colette said, shocked.

"I-it triggers the pain."

"Huh?" I asked, snapping out of my depressed thoughts to look down at Marta. Her sobbing had quieted to small hiccups now.

Taking a deep, unsteady breath, Marta continued, "The last time you said that I couldn't even breathe it hurt so bad, and R-Reti told me that if you dared say it again, h-he would...speed up the process..." Marta bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut.

Swallowing my guilt, I gently asked her, "What process?"

Marta turned to face me, bright lavender eyes shining with fresh tears. "Isn't it obvious? He's trying to use your strengths against you."

Watching the tears well up in her now purple eyes, it all began to click together. Hearing Reti's voice...her eyes...all the pain...it made so much sense. "H-he's trying to control you, isn't he?"

Marta squeezed her eyes shut, consequentally sending the tears that were held back down her cheeks. She nodded silently. "He's giving me time...he said he wants to see you suffer, to s-see you tremble at the idea that I'm either going to die, or be possessed and used against you." Her voice broke and she took a moment, pressing her lips together and taking steady breaths through her nose to calm her tears. "I'm so sorry Emil...I-I'm no good..."

My heart, already wrenched out, felt like it just got trampled on again, and again, and again. "Don't you dare apologize, Marta. This isn't your fault. It's all his fault. I swear, I will kill the bastard myself if it's the last thing I do."

The room was filled with agony and heartbreak. All euphoria over being reunited was gone and replaced with shock and hopelessness.

"We'll find a way Marta, we always do!" Lloyd shouted, clenching his fists. Colette nodded, and the rest of the group followed suit.

However, Marta couldn't pay attention as a roaring pain ripped through, and she cried out in a strangled voice. To my horror, strands of her hair began to turn midnight black. The color started at the roots and slowly traveled down certain small sections of her hair, like a water droplet rolling down a sheet of glass. Her flower clips clattered to the floor, mysteriously falling out her hair as if by an invisible force. Everyone gasped, terrified, while Marta tried to gulp in air. Her chest heaved up and down.

"N-not your hair too..." I muttered. Apparently, I startled Marta by saying this.

"W-what do you mean?!" she asked, panicked. Tenebrae, taking pity on the girl, produced a mirror out of a puff of darkness.

"Terribly sorry, Lady Marta," he murmured. With trembling hands, Marta accepted the mirror and slowly held it up. I flinched, turning my head away. I couldn't stand to watch the inevitable terror overtake her face. However, as time continued to crawl along, I heard nothing. No crying, no gasps, no screaming. Absolute silence. I finally decided to turn my gaze back to Marta, and this time, it was my eyes that grew watery.

"No, Marta! You can't do this to us again!" I yelled, watching my one true love's emotionless face gaze numbly into the small hand mirror. She looked just like she had an hour or two ago, with eyes completely void of emotion and a stoic expression. I gently cupped her cheek, turning her gaze back to mine. She let the mirror go in a slow, lethargic motion, and faintly I heard the mirror cracking as it hit the wood floor. Droplets of water began to spill from my eyes silently as I stared deep into Marta's lifeless violet eyes. "Marta...please..." I begged.

By now, the whole group was a wreck. Colette was sobbing as Lloyd held her. Sheena looked heartbroken and ready to cry, and she didn't even protest when Zelos pulled her into an uncharacteristically tender hug. Raine lowered her eyes to the floor, her face wearing a dark expression. Genis covered his face with his hands, not wishing to let the others see him cry. However, the shaking of his shoulders gave him away, and Presea gently embraced him whilst moving her hand across his back in a comforting gesture. Regal's face hardened, being all too familiar with my position. Yet, Marta did not acknowledge anything. Her fight was gone and hopelessness had taken root again.

"I-I'm sorry Marta...this is all my f-fault..." I cried quietly.

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Guess who's back?!?! YES LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I AM NOT DEAD! Alright, this will probably be the longest author's note of all time, however, with how long I was gone it is rather crucial.

First of all, a million apologies for being gone for so long. In the time span I've been gone, I've spent around three months of that time in the hospital, a year in full-blown recovery, and the rest of the time devoted to art, cosplay, and SCHOOL UGH (it was mostly school, really). I wrote little bits from time to time, but I was never struck with motivation. Lucky for you guys, motivation is back!

Speaking of which, I would like to address a new topic: update schedule. I would not like to make you all wait another year to get an update so here's what I'm gonna do. Let's say I'll post a new chapter every 2-3 weeks, however, depending on how much time I have they may only be 2,000 words, or maybe as much as 6,000 if I have a lot of time. Regardless, I think it's better to post a little than to keep you all in suspense (hence why this chapter is rather short).

I also beg that you leave comments on this work. It's reading all your amazing comments and messages that really got me writing again, not to mention each of your comments puts a million watt smile on my face. Plus, it'd be nice to know that, you know, people still read this ^-^*

OH OH also, in case you didn't notice, I changed the title, summary, and cover of the book. When I first started the book, I didn't know where it was going, but now that I do I decided to change all that so it better fit the story. On a side note, yes, that is Reti on the cover for those who wonder. I drew him a while ago just so I could share my vision with you all! >w<

Alright, maybe that wasn't as catastrophically long as I thought because I'm pretty much done. If you read through all of that, thank you! Have a cookie for your efforts. It's chocolate chip! *eyebrow wiggle*

Anyways, I love all you guys, and I'll see you in the next chapter!

Love, chocolate chip cookies, and violet eyes,

Maria ♡

PS Newfound Love is also brimming with a new update, so get ready for that!