19 Perceive and Endure

The desert wind blew, as the showdown commenced between Barret and Freya. Myde kept by Barret with her sword-staffs at ready.

Barret engages his weapon, forming it to a whip. "(I'm losing a lot of blood, but... I can't let her get away with Sandra!)" Barret thought to himself, rushing ahead of Myde quickly.

Freya grins, and aims her hand at Barret. "DEVATOSE! GET THE SHARK UNDER THE SAND! Hopefully you won't have to do too much to your brother." Freya says, letting off some shots in Barret's direction, from her robotic arm gauntlet.

Myde followed up behind Barret, dashing through the sand. Sandra had finally gotten the shark underground, and was out of sight. Barret dodges some of the shots, he swings his whip at Freya, who was caught off guard.

"W-What!?" Freya gasps, her hand now strapped by Barret's whip.

Barret grins, but as he was about to follow up with another attack, The Sand Shark robot was aimed at him. Sandra had started to arm a laser in his direction. Myde's ears flicked, glancing at the sand, as she came up behind Barret. She grabbed his arm quickly, pulling him out of the way. The laser fires, missing it's target, however it nearly hits Freya.

"YOU LITTLE BITCH! DID YOU REALLY ALMOST SHOOT ME THERE!?" Freya snapped at Sandra.

"Like Oh my gosh!" Sandra gawked.

Freya hits the shock button on her glove again, shocking up Sandra. "I'LL TURN UP THE VOLTAGE, IF THIS KEEPS UP!" Freya growled.

"Please don't!" Sandra was still teary eyed.

"THEN GET WITH THE PICTURE!" Freya says, shutting off the voltage. "Now then.." Freya states, looking back to Myde and Barret. Barret was squinting, looking back at Freya. Myde was beside him.

"(I'm feeling so weak...That... monster... Shocking up my sister like some animal.)" Barret thought to himself, his vision getting blurry.

Freya steps over, and holds out her armored arm at them. She begins to charge up dama energy into the palm. "I suppose I'll start singing now. I don't think you boys are going anywhere. It's over."

"Boys?" Myde flared her teeth, as she looked sharply to Freya.

Meanwhile in the shark, Sandra gets a call on her radio. "Hello? This is commander Bombodia, I need you and Freya back to the Renovation Zone, now. We've got a new call to recruit some people."

"Like what?" Sandra gawked.

"What do you mean 'like what?', you and Freya get your asses over here before I start blowing off fingers!" Bombodia spat.

Freya contacts Sandra. "What's the hold up darling?"

"Bombodia wants us like to go back to the renovation zone, or something..." Sandra replied, uneasily.

Above ground, Freya sighs to herself, "Or something? What for? Granted if the commander asks for it, we shall comply. The orders are IMPORTANT." Freya gestured, forcefully.

"... Like, new recruits. I don't know... She said something about blowing off fingers... I think?" Sandra muttered.

Freya smiles, "Oooohh...Fresh meat...You should be excited darling. You'll get more friends to play with." Freya says, looking back to Myde and Barret. "I suppose we'll have to leave them for now...Shame really."

Barret gasps, gripping to the sand. "N-No! You're....Not going anywhere!"

Freya laughs, holding a hand to her mouth. "Ho ho ho. If you ever want to work with your sister. By all means, Join us. Don't fight your future, child."

"I'd never work with the likes of you!" Barret hissed.

Freya turns away from the two. "What a shame...I suppose we'll have to see what fate has in store then. You boys play nice... Devatose and I'll be taking our leave. Ta-ta." Freya says, teleporting away.

"Sa-" Barret had suddenly passed out, falling to his face in the sand.

"Barret!?" Myde gasped, trying to help him up. "Barret?..." She noticed he was unconscious, so Myde pulled one of his arms over her shoulder, and got to her feet."... I need to get him back to base, he's losing a lot of blood...."

Myde looked around, sweating from the heat. "Don't die on me now..." She said, stumbling through the sand, uneasily.

From over the rocks, Witchhazel flew over on her broom stick. She had Issac with her, he was still out too. However, Witchhazel had managed to get him onto her broom. He was leaning on her, so she could keep him on it.

"Oh no, is he out too?" Witchhazel spoke up.

Myde glanced to her, hesitantly. "..."

"Do you need some help? If you could lead the way to this 'base' he mentioned, I can lend a hand." Witchhazel went on.

"I don't trust your kind... however you seem to have Issac with you for some reason... If you could make it cooler, then I can handle the rest." Myde spoke seriously.

"Oh? Gotcha, consider it done." Witchhazel swirled her finger around, and it began to blow a cold breeze of air around.

"Just follow me..." Myde sighed, walking ahead of Witchhazel.

Some time had passed, and the boys were bandaged up in an unfamiliar infirmary. It must have been late, since the lights were out in the room. Issac was staring to the ceiling, in the bed across from Barret's.

Barret's eyes open slightly. He then remembered the conflict. He jolts forward. "SANDRA!?" Gah.." Barret stated, catching his arm. "D-Dang it...I nearly forgot about that wound..But if I'm back here and Issac..." Barret says, to himself looking over to Issac.

Issac was now staring at Barret. "And I thought I was the one hearing voices... So, guessing since we're back here, you must have went after me, huh?" Issac looked off.

"Issac..." Barret nods, "I did....You disappeared from base, so of course, I went looking." Barret states, letting out a sigh. "I found you at that witch's shop." Barret explained.

"Figures. You wouldn't have gotten that wound if you hadn't come looking for me though..." Issac sighed.

"That AND I wouldn't have found out you have a Dark Dama infection. Besides me running into Sandra under Kaos, This is almost icing on the cake. I don't want you out there anymore Issac, not until we figure out something to help you." Barret states, seriously.

"You shouldn't have went after me... I ran off to avoid this kind of thing happening... You don't get it..." Issac sat up, shakily.

"I don't get it?...Issac, I understand your have your problems, but you can't shut out people who want to help you. I'm holding down a lot of my own now. Then finding out you have this infection, and then my sister being under Kaos?" Barret stated, in frustration.

"... I get what you're feeling about Sandra... Chief, I'm gonna be honest. I may be depressed, but there's a feeling worse than that. When I get too close to somebody, there's a chance of them getting hurt... because of me... or in this case.. actually getting hurt. It makes me not want to be open with people... I wouldn't be able to handle... if people around me... died (...it's too much...)... I can't deal with if people I get close to are hurt or taken away..or betray my trust.... It's better if I left...." Issac admitted.

Barret sighs, "Honestly, I understand. Seems like anything we 're getting ourselves into brings even more pain. But all the same, it's your call. I just want to make sure you'll be okay. Even if you don't want to open up, it's a heavy burden to loose people you're close with. Urgh..." Barret leans back on his bed.

Issac glances over. "(You have no idea...) Seeing how it's my fault you got in the shape, maybe I need to stick around... that way you don't get hurt looking for me again..."

Barret laughs, "Make up your mind man." Barret says, looking to Issac. "Honestly though, that doesn't sound bad. In fact, I'm glad you care about my safety."

Issac chuckles, "Dude, don't go gay on me now."

"Like that would be so totally wrong." Barret jokes, adding in a laugh, holding to his arm suddenly. "Grr, this shoulder. I still want you off the field, until we figure out something with the dark dama."

"Don't worry about me, damn thing doesn't want me dead. Otherwise I already would be." Issac looked off.

Barret turns to Issac quirking a brow,"From how you spoke there. You talked with the dama?"

"Pretty much." Issac sighed, with a uneasy smile. "(No privacy... not anymore..)"

"Fascinating... I'll have to take this down in some notes, when I get my barrings." Barret states, adjusting himself on his bed.

"I'll say one thing, she is Creeeeepyyyy." Issac scratched his head.

"She? The dama is female? Like the Necroden mentioned in history?" Barret says, looking to Issac.

"Yeah, uh, can we change the topic? Heh..." Issac looked uneasy. "Oh. By the way, that cat girl keeps checking up on you. Your girlfriend."

"W-What? Myde is not my girlfriend, you romantic demon. She's in a relationship as it is with a mystery man, named Cecil..." Barret states crossing his arms.

"Haha. I can tell that you like her... Why else would you sound so jealous." Issac teased.

"Grr...I'm too weak to fight now, you win, okay?" Barret says, turning his head from Issac.

"Hm?" Issac shifted to Indian style, looking to Barret. "Dude?"

Barret was pretending to doze off. "I'm sorry, what Issac? I think sedatives are kicking in."

Issac crossed his arms, with a smirk. "Oh yeah? Funny thing actually, seeing they didn't use any. Someone's a bad liar."

"Is it really that important right now, Issac?" Barret says, turning back to him.

"You want me to open up right, works both was pal." Issac grinned. "I've accepted that we're friends, and I've told you some things, that no one else knows. It's not something I'm comfortable telling the world, ya'know. So,It's only fair."

"You should write a romance novel, based on how into this you are." Barret teased.

"Just because I like Shakespearean literature, doesn't mean I can get away with writing anything note worthy... Besides, I'm not a romanticist, I'm just polite and classy when I meet ladies, okay?... I also happen to know a lot about how woman work. That doesn't mean I'm into romance, I'm just putting up a front..." Issac admitted. "To seem... normal..."

"I see... Well, okay. I'll open up on this topic. Yes, I do like Myde, alright? It just can't work out though, she has someone, let alone is an alien. How inner species work, if that even were an option, could result like how Xiao's late husband... " Barret states to Issac. "It could be risky due to how genetics work. Elementar crossing with humans have odd qualities. So Ferline with us, could result in the same manner." Barret explained.

"I gotcha, yeah, things like that don't really worry me... well, if I actually was interested in some girl... I'd take risks, regardless of species. If it means I don't want to hurt myself, because of all this bottled up pain... Anguish... I'd risk it... Anyway... I'll shut up... When things clear up, we should go after Kaos and get your sister back though." Issac stated, he was a bit gloomy in tone.

"I think the more you open up like this, the more I understand how you feel about thing. You're keeping so much down... I may not know what you've been through, Issac, but I'm here for you. On that other note, good idea. By the way, you don't seem to be in any kind of physical pain right now." Barret questioned to Issac.

Issac looked off a bit. "If only you know just how bad things were...) Well let's see, I got thrown through some shop shelves, my head bashed around, and maybe some other wounds, that I'm not remembering. Thing is, I feel fine. Well physically." Issac shrugged.

"What? Hmm, my guess it's the dark dama...Without that, you might not even be here..." Barret says, astonished by Issac's statements.

"That's what I was saying." Issac chuckled, leaning back to the bed, with his arms behind his head.

"(If dama was able to do that...Maybe..NO! You'd never go that far...) I don't really know how that all works, but I can see now why Kaos perhaps uses humans in their works..If the dark dama is able to bring out such effects this way. They can make us into anything they want. Given the right amount of things. It's almost sickening..." Barret says, shutting his eyes.

"Yeah... pretty scary crap too." Issac shuttered.

The door opened, as Myde walked inside. She looked to Barret, stopping a bit a ways from his position. Barret looks to Myde. "Oh hello Myde, thanks for your help back there. You really saved us ... Were you hurt at all?"

"You should be more concerned with yourself, you nearly bled out." Myde said, keeping some distance.

Issac leaned to his palm, observing the two. "(They're like Romeo and Juliet in a way. Even if she's got someone. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.)"

Barret laughs weakly. "Yeah, I did cut it close out there. Urgh, if only we could have gotten Sandra back..."

Before Myde could speak, Cravic walked up behind her. "Not like that would have saved her. You two idiots are lucky no one else got taken."

Myde glanced back to Cravic, who peered her way.

"What are you talking about? We could have saved her! Besides that, Kaos had taken others when they took her." Barret spat back to Cravic.

"Look around smart guy. Does this shit hole look like the base to you?" Cravic crossed his arms.

"Cravic does pose an understandable point.." Myde glanced to Cravic, her tail twitching.

"Huh?" Issac gawked, in confusion. He glanced around. "(I never noticed it before, but they're right... where are we?)"

Barret looks to his surroundings, "Wait, you're right. I never noticed it. I must still be really out of it." Barret says, letting out a sigh.

"What happened then?" Issac spoke up.

Cravic turned off from them, "Kaos forces followed you dolts back to base. We're lucky things didn't go sour, and everyone got out. So for now, we're using this location as headquarters. It's hidden, so don't lead anyone else back here... Need more questions, talk to her... I'm out." Cravic walked off.

Myde was looking at Cravic, as he walked out. "... We got careless when we returned." She mentioned, peering back to the boys.

"My gosh, a lot really happened after encountering that fat banshee. I'm sorry you had to go through with that Myde. Are the commanders, and everyone else alright?" Barret asked to Myde, seriously.

"A few cuts or bruises, but everyone's fine." Myde crossed her arms, glancing to Barret.

"(Wonder what happened to miss Lysander... She seemed like a really decent person...)" Issac pondered. "(Something about her...)"

"Well, that's a relief. I'm glad no one got severally injured. We're lacking in forces as it is. It's a miracle...It's just our next objectives. We'll really have to plan carefully." Barret states, adjusting himself a little.

"Xiao and Cravic, both mentioned allies coming from Vectrom." Myde spoke up.

"Allies? You mean Elementar? We honestly don't need that." Barret states, shutting his eyes once more in frustration.

"Dude, you're the one who agreed to it, when Xiao mentioned the idea. To think backed you up too." Issac looked over, lazily.

"I don't trust these elementar either, however it is your commander's call. They could prove useful upon recovering the others. More allies, the better chance against Kaos." Myde leaned to the wall, crossing her arms with a sigh.

"What's to stop them from doing what Kaos would in the past? The problem started with them. I suppose I can understand joining forces for a common goal, but they did this same thing, after saving us from the Dreads. They may have aided in saving this planet from them, but they stabbed us in the back afterwards. They're nothing but invaders." Barret states, coldly.

"I'm sure not all are that bad. I mean, if that were true then wouldn't Cravic be our enemy since he's half?" Issac spoke up. "We did worry about that before, but he's proven he's on our side."

"He is?" Myde kinda listened between the two.

"Issac, twice this planet has been messed up by those Elementar. Cravic is different, he doesn't really like his own kind, though it's the other side I don't really...Urgh. Listen, if my thoughts are bothering you, I'm sorry. I guess I've really have an infliction with them. You're right, it's not good to group them all together, but history repeats itself, Issac. " Barret states, leaning back on his bed.

"Barret is right, even the elementar invaded my planet, and the Usa's, taking innocent people. I think it's wise to keep a close eye on them." Myde agreed. "Cravic is an exception thus far, but whose to say about these others. Even that Witch girl from the desert."

Issac sighed, "(Everyone's not the same... I guess they are too blinded to see that... and I thought I was the pessimist... But she saw Witchhazel? I hope she's alright..)"

Barret sighs, "I honestly don't want to think about it anymore. What the Elementar took away from me, it's the only reason I really joined. Maybe I'll learn to accept them more over time, but it's stupid to let our guard down. So, you're right Myde. We'll keep a close eye on them."

Issac is suddenly tackled back onto the bed by Cynder. She was rubbing her face against his, purring. "My toy is finally awake." She mewed.

"Hey! Knock it off!" Issac gawked uneasily.

Myde's ears went back, as she held her palm to her face. "... Simpleton.."

"Heh, I suppose you two should catch up a little Issac." Barret joked.

"Yeah, maybe we should go take a bath together." Cynder grinned.

"W-What? No." Issac couldn't get from her grip. "(Why is he encouraging her anyway?! I'm pretty sure I made it clear I'm not looking into anyone!!)"

"Come on Blue, don't you wanna get frisky? I thought you said, I was pretty." Cynder had her hands all over him.

"Barret!" Issac scrambled. "(This is your fault!!)"

"Sorry, I'm injured." Barret states, leaning back on his bed.

"(Freak'n jerk...Uh...)" His eyes peer over to Myde, "...Myde?" Issac whimpered.

"..." Myde remained quite.

"Really?" Issac pouted.

"All mines.~" Cynder sing-songed.Cynder picked Issac up over her shoulder.

"Okay! This is not cool!" Issac grew uneasy. "Stop it!"

"You're getting naked, and you're going to like it." Cynder grinned, with glowing devious eyes.

"I need an adult!!" Issac panicked.

Barret looks to them both smiling. "Myde? Might you want to detain her a little?"

"She won't listen to me." Myde glanced to him.

"Oh... I'm sorry Issac." Barret says picking up a book beside him.

"..." Issac looked to Barret, furrowing his brows, and had a shocked expression. "(Of all thing... You jerks!!!)"

Cynder carried Issac, making her way to the exit of the infirmary, however as she drew closer Witchhazel stepped in. "I brought..." She stopped, staring to Cynder. "Potions?..."

Cynder sneered to Witchhazel. "Out of the way, witch. There's a hot bath waiting."

Issac glanced over the best he could "(Witchhazel? She's here.) Uh... a little help... please?"

"Quiet, you just got cold feet." Cynder muttered to Issac.

Witchhazel swirled her finger, poofing Issac back to the bed. "I'm sorry, but he needs his rest."

"Hey!" Cynder gawked, "That's not fair!"

"Life's not fair. You want something, you have to earn it. Otherwise, take your Zio, and buy what you need." Witchhazel looked to Cynder.

"I REALLY don't like you." Cynder growled, storming off.

"She expects to have things so easily, tsk tsk." Witchhazel entered the room, using magic to warp some potions to a nearby table. "There we go."

Issac glanced to Witchhazel, "(I wonder what made her stick around... Well, either way, maybe she'll keep Cynder off of me.... something about her makes me feel at ease..)" Issac smirked, leaning back to his bed.

"As her name implies, she's truly a witch. Keeping a good eye on Issac." Barret laughed. He then goes back to read his book. "My, I've never heard of this tale, but it's quite good. Something more to add to my notes, when I get back on my feet."

Myde glanced to Witchhazel. "Witches, Elementar. They're really the same thing... but you helped out back there." Myde then glances to Barret. "If you need anything, just call. Okay?"

Barret turns to Myde. "Sure thing, if you ever want to talk, be sure to let me know. I think too much of Cynder could drive anyone a little batty."

Myde nodded hesitantly, quickly heading for the exit. Issac glanced over. "Now she's acting weird."

Witchhazel was opening one of the potion bottles. "I think she just has a lot on her mind right now. I wouldn't worry."

"You could be right. (If you read minds like I'm thinking.)" Issac glanced to Witchhazel.

Barret takes his attention from his book, looking to Issac. "Hm? Who is acting weird?"

Issac looked to Barret. "Hello, Myde? Aren't you paying attention at all? If you like her, you really should be watching her body language."

Witchhazel glanced over, listening in.

"I don't want to intrude. Besides, she has someone, remember. I can't worry about it. However this book is really good. I think it's teaching me a lot more on relationships. Well, when it comes to loving writing." Barret says, hugging the book.

"Hey, quit being dense. You're starting to sound Like Asuna, and you're hugging a book? I love my literature too, but come on.... (wait, is that my novel?... No, that's some dirty-girl book. Yuck dude.)" Issac gawked.

"Oh Issac, I was only joking, my friend. I'd never love a book over a real person. How stupid do you think I am? However, what caught my attention even more. Is the fact you haven't kissed Witchhazel's hand yet. That, or I haven't seen it. What makes her so different?" Barret questioned.

Witchhazel glanced over to them more, "Hm?"

"W-What? Don't go changing the subject like that. It's rude to talk about a lady like that when she's in the room." Issac gawked, slightly blushing.

"Should I go?" Witchhazel looked to them.

"You've been squeezing me of all kinds of information, Issac. Don't choke up now." Barret says to Issac slyly.

"Dude, I only did that, cause you hounded me for information, that I didn't want to share in the first place. It was pay back." Issac looked off uneasily. "Besides, I nearly got raped by that cat there. You're such a jerk sometimes."

"Oh Issac, that's racist." Barret mocked.

"Pot calling the kettle black there." Issac retorted.

Witchhazel quietly listened in, instead of speaking up further.

"Just because I have issues based on history with the elementar, doesn't mean I'm racist. There's quite a difference. My views are based on being careful, rather than falling in. Granted I do judge, but that's also based on experience. With you and the 'cat thing', however. Like, I'm willing to give Elementar a chance, you should give the cats or FERLINE a chance. Though I'd feel uncomfortable, with a girl advancing on me as such. I suppose I feel you Issac." Barret explained, picking his book back up.

"You're just... whatever." Issac sighed, leaning his cheek to his fist. "Point is, you changed the subject to avoid the topic."

"I didn't change anything. I asked you a clear question, all you had to do was answer it." Barret says, flipping through some pages. "Ohh, this looks interesting." Barret says, wishing he had his journal with him once more.

"Why do I even bother?" Issac sighed, leaning back.