A Ghost Reborn

Delithita

{Light.}

Light? What? Where?!

{Open}

Open what?

{Checks okay}

What?!

{Test}

Damnit! Who are you?!

{Moved!}

What moved?!

{Awakening}

Light. Brilliant light. So much that it was painful to behold. I threw my arm over my face in an attempt to save my sight. Sitting up made me weak. I swooned and tipped over, only to be caught by someone's strong arms. I could not see, I was very weak, and was afraid of where I was. The arms were warm. I started crying, I could not help it. I wept like a child, and fell asleep.

=-=-=-=-=-

Looking down at the normally vibrant young woman in his arms Icey looked aghast. She had sat bolt up right, thrown her arm over her face, and tipped over like a boat in a storm. He had been quick to catch her before she fell off the bed, but she immediatly started crying, and the fell asleep. Looking over at Xenogears who merely quirked an eyebrow he was uncertain of what to do. Xeno appeared to get annoyed and regarded them both.

"Take her to her quarters. The 'brids have been silent lately so if you desire, you can stand watch. Just avoid making her angry before she is fully recovered." Nodding slowly as if he were afraid to awake Del, he carefully took her up in his arms, and left.

=-=-=-=-=-

Shaking himself awake he cursed at himself for dozing off. He had intended to stay awake until Del woke up, but his best efforts proved for naught. Opening his eyes he looked over at her bed and was surprised. She was awake. She was sitting up in her bed, with her covers pulled up to her chest. Her hair was tousled and had a grey streak just over her elf-like ears. Her eyes had a haunted look to them as if she expected something to leap from the shadows and strike at her. Slowly she turned her head and looked at him. She opened her mouth as if to speak but no sound came out. Frowning a bit she tried again. Nothing. Panic overtook her as she realized that her voice did not work. Icey was over in a second taking her up in his arms. She fought him at first, but eventually relented and all but let go of her muscles. Every movement drained her so.

Slowly she pushed herself away from Icey to sit up. Shaking a bit as if cold she looked at him quizzically. Almost willing him to understand her question. As if he needed to be asked.

"Xenogears said that you screamed loud enough that you ripped vocal cords. You had blood coming out of your mouth and from various injuries. It may be some time before you can speak again."

A tear rolled down from her left eye as she bowed her head. Icey put his hand on her shoulder and she shrugged it off. He did it again and she looked up at him. Pure anger in her eyes he relented and got up.

"I, uh... Xeno said you should sleep a bit more. You pushed yourself beyond your limitations. So ah..." Another glare and he gave a mock bow and left her quarters.

=-=-=-=-=-

"Icey, where is Delithita?" Altas' voice normally flat had an odd chime to it today.

"What do you mean? She should be in her quarters resting.."

"Nope. I just checked there. I went by to escort her to lunch and she was no where to be found." A tone of worry peeking through his voice.

"Check the herc bay. I will look in the Garden Level. Icey to Xeno."

A note of irritation in her voice. "Xenogears here."

"Delithita has turned up missing. I need you to assist me in searching the Garden level."

Groaning she acknowledged and killed her comm.

"Icey to Ko'ah."

"Ko'ah here."

"I need you to report to Ops for a sit-in."

"Copy that."

-=-=-=-=-=

Standing next to the monstrous oak tree that was Del's pride and joy Xeno looked about and frowned. The garden level seemingly contained everyone but Delithita. Icey came around a corner, obviously thinking the Oak to be Del's location; he was a bit surprised to see Xenogears shaking her head as he came into view.

"So what do you think? Where could that little snipe be?"

"I do not know Icey. I checked the logs for the main air-lock, and it has not been opened since before you took her to her room." Irritation leaking into her voice.

"Ko'ah to Icey."

"This is Icey, go ahead."

"Did you check the Deep End?"

"No, Del does not drink. Why would she..." His voice trailed off. Of course. Maria's Sanctum.

-=-=-=-=

Icey dropped down. Instincts cranked. He had never been down here and he knew Del did not come down here unless Maria was down here as well. The two women had a kinship that boggled even Icey's mind. The first room had a chess board, with all the pieces in the starting positions. A scarp deck with the ace of Life, the rose in glass lay hanging on the wall, the ace of Shade, that which Life hides in, lay in the middle of the chess board.

The sound of metal being beaten against metal floated in from behind the wall. After a few moments the wall near the ace of Life fell away and Delithita stepped out. She pulled the card off the wall, pressed a button and the wall closed up behind her.

Her hair was hanging in her face, her newly aquired gray streak prominantly showing. Exhaustion showing on her face the look on her face was a look never before seen on her face. The look of terrible purpose. Haunted purpose filled her eyes. She raised her hand to brush a stand of hair out of her eyes, something shimmered. Icey reached out and grabbed her arm. Her hand was covered with metal.

"What is this? What have you done?"

She didn't answer, she could not, she did not need to. It was obvious what she had done. She was wearing gloves. Metallic gloves, that covered her hand, and allowed her hand to move normally. "Why did you.... Where did you get the metal for this?"

Almost as if on cue Altas cut in. "Altas to Icey. No sign of Del in the herc bay, but her bug is missing a sheaf of armor off of the left thigh."

"Copy that." Frowning he looked at Del. "Why?"

Del drew back her fist, and punched the rock wall in the chamber. Chunks flew and scattered about. A gaping hole was left about three inches deep.

Forcing a whisper.

"I will not lose next time."

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