Another relatively quick update, it seems. Yaaay! (Come on, 'yay' with me!) Not much so say to open the story up, so let's just get right to the basics...

Spoilers: Middle of chapter six, although nothing is really given away.

Summary: A moment is only a second; very brief, but it can contain something so enjoyable that will make that moment unforgettable.

Disclaimer: Yo, yo, yo! Legendia—is owned by Namco! I ain't a part of that gang, so I write a disclaimer in mah bad slang!

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Chapter IV: A Moment

We walk on, past the glowing platforms and over the steel bridge. Up ahead, I can see the white, glowing diamond that will tell us what the past three images that we have seen mean. In this instant, however, I'm not particularly preoccupied with that. As self-centred as it may seem, I am inwardly replaying the sad (in a pathetic way) event that just came to pass. Norma has been hassling me since we entered the Thunder Monument: "The next time there's a crash of thunder, grab onto Senny and say how scared you are. Boys become putty when they see a girl's vulnerable side!" Why I even bother to take her suggestion—or order, which is more accurate—is beyond my understanding; but I do, and I want to at least try. But what happened when I gathered up the courage to do so? Sandor, of all people, got to Coolidge first! He tossed his arms around Coolidge, shrieking out of fear—like a girl! Like... like... Just as I had intended to do! Coolidge was not at all impressed, and simply brushed Sandor off. Would he have done the same to me? According to Norma, he would appreciate that reaction, but still...

"There's the last one," the remark comes from Will, his voice steady as he stands facing the white diamond. I am impressed by how he can remain so calm when we are about to witness another instance in the history of the Ferines and Orerines.

I see Senel take a step ahead of everyone else, and I am quick to join his side. I have stepped forward with him every time we were faced with these tangible moments of the past, and I would not back down now. I am not sure why I felt compelled to be by Senel's side from the first diamond that we encountered. Perhaps it was because if something were to go wrong, I did not desire for him to be the only one to suffer. I would want to suffer with him, feel what he felt, and see what he saw. We look towards each other with a nod, and then advance to the diamond, outstretching our arms and holding the light in our hands. The light overcomes us again.

It takes a few moments before my vision returns. The whiteness dims out and I can faintly make out the images of the past. Strange, almost everything seems... blue. "Aah!" I cry out with realization: it's water! I am standing above an endless ocean of water! Frantically, I reach for whatever object is close to me; anything to cling onto so that I do not drown. I close my eyes shut tightly in hopes that maybe if I can't see, I won't even notice if I drown. Oh, who am I kidding, I'm—

"Chloe, it's okay."

What a soothing voice. I must already be in heaven...

"You're not sinking," the voice speaks this next line much softer, in a whisper that is only meant for my ears.

In the slowest possible movement, I lift my eyelids and find myself gazing at my reflection in a round, turquoise-coloured gem. I know that I have seen this gem before, but where? Oh... is it...? I bring my head upwards and stare into the eyes of the bearer of that calming voice. That aqua jewel was a part of his outfit, on his chest. And now, as we are face-to-face, I can hear Norma squeal in delight from behind me. As fate would have it, I had stumbled into the arms of Senel. Now that I have allowed the situation to process, I bring my eyes down to the water below me again. It is as though we are floating above it, but my feet feel like they are on solid ground. Even though my footing feels firm, I am still not prepared to let go of Senel. Thankfully, he neither says nor does anything to make me feel as though I should have to let go.

Words are exchanged, but I am not processing what exactly those words are. I'm having a moment. A moment of bliss, of obliviousness, and of security. It is such a comfort to know that Senel will not push me away if I need him there with me. It takes so much to accept another person's fears and to guide that person through those fears; I'm amazed that Senel is willing to stay by my side. I'm so happy...

Suddenly I feel Senel take in a gasp. I glance up to him again and find his eyes looking somewhere away from our group. I follow them, and see what he has seen: in the distance, almost blending in with the water's surreal blue, there stands Shirley. "Shirley..." Senel whispers the name, and I think that only I heard it. The longing in his voice cannot be ignored. I force myself to let go of him, and as soon as I do, he runs to her.

Four companions run after him immediately, but I can't budge. What am I doing, anyway? There is no point in trying to convince a person to care for you in a way that they never will. And maybe... maybe Senel will never care for me the way that I do him. "Norma, what am I doing?" I hopelessly look over to the only one who has stayed behind with me.

"You're doing good, C," she assures me with a hug that I gladly accept. "Just don't give up! Don't let go!"

Let go? She's right. I can't do that. If I let go, he'll run to her for certain; if I hold on, then there's always a chance. "Oh, I'm not giving up," I say while pulling away from Norma and shaking my head. "I guess I just lose a bit of my spirit when I see him with Shirley. It's hard... to see them together."

Norma places her index finger on her chin thoughtfully. "This isn't so much a crush anymore," she muses, to which I can't help but wonder: then what is it now? "You really, really like him."

I can't help myself from rolling my eyes. My voice comes out both sternly and joking at the same time, "Come now. That may be a little exaggerated, Norma." Just a little. I can't help but feel that it won't be long before that exaggeration becomes an understatement... Maybe that's because that little moment that I had didn't feel like enough. Moments are fleeting, so I want to make a point to experience many more of them. And above all, I would adore experiencing those moments with Senel. "Let's catch up with everyone," I tell Norma, and then the two of us begin running to the others. Just as we reach them, Shirley vanishes, soon followed by all of our surroundings. Her moment has also passed, and so I will wait patiently for my next turn to share one with Senel...

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Well, that was rather short. But what the hell? It was a moment, not a... uh... hour! Lame puns aside, I have to say that I could've done better with the ending of this chapter, but Norma's remarks kind of lead into the next chapter of intensity! and drama!. I considered making a chapter for the conversation that Senel and Chloe have about Senel's past, but I've decided on incorporating that event within the next chapter. I'll try and make the next chapter quite a bit longer, too! I won't make any promises, though, 'cause I'm not sure that I'll be able to manage.

Feedback is appreciated, as always. Thank you, reviewers!

Next chapter: Reflection