''Rena I've something to tell you. When I was transported by an alien device, all I wanted was to get home. I didn't try to get caught up in this struggle to save the universe. I didn't even want to save anybody. Sorry.''
The blue-haired Nedian plucked a flower from the ground. She sniffed its sweet scent, gently setting it down to let the wind carry it far away.
That is where Rena wished she could be right now: Far away. She didn't want to have fought evil. All she wanted to do was be a normal girl, a person someone payed no attention to, and live a normal life. She didn't want to have magical powers, or have a strange pendent. Rena didn't want to be one of the only living Nedians left. She didn't want to have her husband's father dead because of evil androids. But fate had chosen her for this. She had to comply.
All Rena could do was steal away. Leaving Claude alone to his own dreams, she slipped fom their bed and wrote a short note. Rena placed the slip of parchment on the table near the bed, kissing Claude once upon his forehead. Claude smiled at her kiss, and rolled over in the bed. Rens looked about, and gathering nothing but a simple fur coat and a large haversack of food, she crept out into the somber silence of Arlia.
As Claude awoke the next morning, he felt the chill from Rena's abscence. With an effort he struggled upwards and glanced about him. Nothing. Claude wasn't too worried however, Rena went out for morning strolls in the Shingo Forest often enough. He got out from bed and pulled on some pants. As he was tugging a plain tsand-colored jerkin over him, he noticed the small piece of paper at the foot of the bedside table.
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I have to find myself. There's been too much to handle in my mind; I've got to clear it somehow. I'll be back soon. Don't worry Noel, and don't worry yourself, I'm okay. I love you Claude, and I hope to be back soon. Please don't come looking for me, this is something I must do myself.
Yours eternally,
Rena
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Rena went across the land, through Salva and across the Lacour plains. Her destination: Lasguss mountain. Rena wouldn't give up until she had gotten there, and once at the summit of the formidable peak, she saw the nest. She found Xine, his feathers resting gently on the nest in his warm blanket of sleep. After a moment hesitation, adminring the great bird, she woke him up. ''Could we fly away? I want to go to someplace I can just sit and see the stars.''
Xine groggily nodded his head, letting her on his humungous back. The two flew into the night. They found a simple sandy hilltop that Rena could sit on. Xine muttered something about coming back in the morning. Rena nodded her head solemnly as the great bird strode off into the dusky paleness of moonlight.
Rena looked up, gazing into the vast sea of stars before her. She remembered all her adventures with her friends. Tonight she decided, was a time of mourning and . She wept for Noel and how he honorably died. How he had given his life to ensure she make it from that beast's territory alive. She and Chisato were the last Nedians. Chisato and Dias had gone elsewhere to find themselves and eachother.
Rena remembered how happy Leon and Precis were together. How Claude helped Ashton find a cure for the Dragons, but letting them live also. She remembered seeing Gyoro and Ururun that one time on Lasguss Mountain. Rena saw in her mind how Queen Celine and King Chris ruled Cross so well and how happy they were.
Rena saw her own child in her mind's eye. How it reminded her so much of herself. Only she wouldn't let herself be taken away from her child like her mother had. Rena let the good memories flow on.
She was still sitting there, her head up, when Xine came the next morning. Gyoro was riding with him. The Excorsision had seperated Gyoro and Ururun as well. She climbed on Xine and went walking once she was back at the foot of Mt. Lasguss. She walked for a while, until she was at the beach. Rena now sat down in the sand, and let the tide flow onto her feet. Rena stayed there until noon, then went to travel back home.
Claude came running up to her. "Rena! You're home! Oh, I was so worried! Where did you go? Oh Rena, I'm sorry. It was a matter of finding yourself, and I won't interfere. I just want you to be with me. I couldn't bear it if I lost you...''
Rena suddenly felt a pange of guilt. She hadn't meant to make her husband afraid for her. Again, you weren't thinking about anyone but yourself, Rena thought, What if something had happened to you? Then Claude would have lost another person he loved. And your child would have been without a mother, just like your own. Rena ran up to Claude and wrapped her arms around him.
''I'm sorry Claude, I'm so sorry...'' Rena wept into Claude's arms.
Claude dried Rena's eyes. ''Don't worry about it Rena,'' he whispered softly into her ear, ''Now that you're home, well.... I'm just glad you're home.''
Rena and Claude went home. When they were just about there, their child came running up to Rena and hugged her legs.
''Noel! What did I tell you about staying at home!'' Claude mock-yelled at his son. The small child pulled up short. Claude smiled cheerfully saying, "It's alright Noel. I'm only joking. Look! Mama's home now. Don't worry.''
Noel advanced swiftly into his mother's artms. ''Mama, why di' you go? I luv you, don't you luv me?'' Little Noel asked Rena. He began to cry when she didn't answer him right away.
''Noel, Noel, don't cry. Of course I love you, of course. Don't let anyone ever think that I don't. I had to go because I had to clear my thoughts. I won't leave again though, ok? Were you good for Daddy?''
Noel straightened up and looked Rena. He then turned his gaze to look upon his father, Claude. ''Yes Mama, I did. I did everything good. I always obey Daddy.'' Noel smiled a smile that only the smallest and most innocent of children can make. He beamed his small, sweet smile at both of his parents, and they both felt much better.
''Come on Noel, let's go inside. I can make some dinner for us. Claude honey, will you go down to the General Store and buy us some herbs? I am out of Aceras.''
''Sure Rena. Noel, you be good for Mommy, K? I'll be back soon.'' Claude went walking to Arlia's General Store at a meandering pace.
Rena and Noel walked into their home. It used to be Rena's mother, Westa's, home. But she had passed away, and Rena had inherited the house. She and Claude had put it to good use, raising Opera, their first-born, now off to live with Bowman and his wife, Nineh, in Linga, and Noel, whom they had named after their friend Noel, in grave remembrance of his noble sacrifice. They skirted the stairs and went into the kitchen. Rena began to make supper for them, and prepare the soup.
''Noel, would you be a good boy and go upstairs to your room? Dinner will be ready soon, and you can play upstairs until it is ready. Ok?'' Rena smiled at her son.
Noel complied, hugging his mother warmly. Rena was still readying dinner a few minutes later, when she heard the door open.
''Claude, are you back already? Claude?'' Rena turned around.
A figure stood in the doorway of the kitchen. It wasn't Claude.