"I'm almost out of people I love." [i] That was new, he actually cared about someone other than himself. [/i] "So instead of dying, I let Lucien put a monster inside of me." [i] He held up a hand, his arm from his elbow down turning into a writhing mass of black tentacles, but changing back just as fast. It was clear he was disgusted by it.[/i] "It kept me alive, but now I have to live with something sharing my body for the rest of my life." [i] He said quietly. He wasn't looking for pity, he was just stating it.[/i]

[i]"I'm sure it will serve a purpose. All things do."[/i] [b]There wasn't much more she could say to comfort him. She couldn't take away his problems... Especially not this... Thing.[/b] [i]"I suppose it will be something you find strength in, even if you don't want to. Best to come out a better person."[/i]

"Yeah. Probably." [i] He said, turning away from her and standing back up, the Ka'kari draining back into his palm, practically melting through his skin soundlessly. [/i] "Hope you have a good time home. Bring it back to what it once was." [i] He says plainly. It was almost like he didn't care she was leaving. He certainly gave that impression. If she only knew..[/i]

[i]"Yes... Well. I'll do what must be done."[/i] [b]With a slight chill passing over her, Chloe rose to her feet, clovers and grass cradling her bare feet as a black formation appeared before, which she quickly grabbed. Her umbrella. Her safe spot away from everything else. She quickly unfolded the device as the long black curtain fell around her, hiding her from sight. All that remained was the faint, dark blue glow of lines that began to swirl around her, taking up her entire silhouette... Strange... They had always been green... And usually only stayed on her arms and legs... But now, they seemed to move across her like geometrical raindrops...[/b] [i]"I hope you find happiness one of these days."[/i] [b]And with that, she moved off, slipping away into the forest, not exactly like a ghost, considering she wasn't exactly silent... But just quiet enough that she could have been mistaken for a small animal.[/b]

[quote]You.. made him happy.[/quote] [i] She hears in her head, that same lilting, almost lazy tone of the Ka'kari invading her thoughts one more time.[/i] [quote]He doesn't want you to leave, but he believes himself poisonous to you. A creature bred for death and destruction, infecting someone full of promise and life like you. He doesn't think he's worthy of it. [/quote] [i] The Ka'kari says quietly within her thoughts. It didn't mention the fact that Desmond's feelings were of great concern to it. After all, it shared a life force with him. They were one and the same. But if Chloe had turned around, her mysterious, brooding, and emptiness filled bodyguard had disappeared, like he'd done so many times before, and was all too used to it..[/i]

[i]"What am I supposed to do...?"[/i] [b]She pleaded quietly, torn between staying and helping Desmond, and returning to her home to fix the coming crisis.[/b] [b]She didn't even want to speak in her head, the words simply spilling out.[/b]

[quote]He doesn't expect you to stay. He doesn't want you to stay Chloephina, nor am I trying to convince you of anything. He wishes for you to go far away from here, back home to resolve your matters. He doesn't want you anywhere near him, for fear of hurting you. I am simply stating what he wouldn't tell you, because he is a stubborn jackass and I refuse to let you leave without knowing his true thoughts. He let Lucien Farcòn put that monster inside of him, because he didn't want to risk you being the one who's life is traded for his resurrection. [/quote] [i] And that would mean Desmond cared for her, enough to be considered a loved one. As a friend or..[/i] [quote]But he believes he doesn't deserve you. He doesn't believe he deserves anything good in this world because of the things he's done. He's killed the people he's cared about the most, unintentionally, and by his hand. He doesn't want to add another name to the list. Go, Chloephina. Go home and control your kingdom. Perhaps some day Desmond Galloway will feel he is worth someone, but that day is not today. [/quote]

[i]"He's lying to himself..."[/i] [b]She remarked, frustrated by the Ka' Kari's words. He was delusional if he thought his past defined him. Hell, Chloe would have never saved him if she thought that herself. She was a testament to breaking free from the past... Even if she was about to reconnect to it.[/b] [b]Slowly, she began to move forward once more, unsure of the future.[/b]

[quote]And yet he believes every word. [/quote] [i] The Ka'kari said, a sad hint in it's voice, as Chloe feels it's presence leave her mind, leaving her alone to her journey into whatever lay beyond..[/i] [spoiler]end?[/spoiler]