Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: LANGUAGE, EXTREME OOC-YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

Chapter 3: Impetus

"Why that…that…jerk!" she half-yelled.

Cielo gave himself a mental pat on the back; he knew that Heat wouldn't tell Argilla anything. Well, he was still on track. Now, Argilla would be convinced that the only way for Heat to be found out would be through covert observations.

There were no other options.

And tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity.

Tomorrow, they had a mission…

And tomorrow, Cielo knew that Heat would make contact with his inspiration just before the mission…He knew because he had watched his teammate and the way he would "conveniently" disappear right after the debriefing and return at the garage at the last moment.

Oh yes.

Tomorrow would be the day…

But for now, he merely had to cool his raging dragon a bit…

"Now, now Argilla…Enough of dat ja?"

"Enough!?" she asked in incredulity.

Cielo shook his head, "You had better get some rest ja? We have a mission tomorrow! We'll figure it out den!"

"But…But Heat might get rid of his woman by then!" she half-yelled in an almost frantic fashion.

Cielo raised his eyebrow, "Well, isn't dat good? I mean, you wouldn't have to press charges den right?"

Argilla slumped her shoulders, "I…I guess so…"

Wait…was that…Did she say that with a hint of…regret…?

"Aha!" Cielo said as he pointed a finger on his teammate, "You want to know who it is too don't you!?"

Argilla blushed; so she did! Who cares!? And she would never admit it to Cielo. Not now and not ever.

"Whatever Cielo. Let's turn in for the night. I'll see you at 0500 hours."

Cielo cheekily smiled and waved, "Nighty night!"

He then grinned evilly. Tomorrow…

xxxxx

"Well, let's move out ladies!"

The sound of Serph's command was resolute.

Well, it was time.

During that time though, Cielo watched Heat intently. He had noticed that there was slight tension on the redhead. Cielo smirked.

He saw as Heat spoke to Serph…Aa…He was excusing himself.

As soon as Heat had made his leave, did Cielo bounce up to Argilla and whispered, "Let's go!"

"Go?" she asked in confusion.

He nodded, "Quick! He's getting away!"

"What?" she asked.

Cielo rolled his eyes, "He's going to his woman! Let's go!"

Argilla's brain automatically clicked; right! She remembered Cielo telling her how Heat always disappeared right before every mission! And now, he just did it again!

She suddenly grabbed him by the arm and walked out.

xxxxx

The two stalked the redhead as stealthily as they could. They walked noiselessly; their breathing slow and calm, not even a whiff of breath could be distinguished. No sound was heard…not even a drop of a pin could be perceived…

All was eerily silent…

They knew that Heat had to hurry with whatever it was that he needed to do. They had all been given only five whole minutes…

And that wasn't a lot of time.

Argilla pressed herself against the wall, her palms on the wall's surface and there slowly peeked from the corner and saw that Heat had already entered his room. She quickly yanked Cielo and moved.

A moment later, they stood in front of his metallic door. Argilla inspected it and saw that it was unlocked…

Heat must've been in a real hurry to do whatever it was that he wanted to do…

'Or to see whoever he wanted to see…!' she thought, her eyes blazing angrily. She had warned him already and this was what he still did!

She couldn't help but growl at that.

Cielo grinned from ear to ear. His success, his moment of triumph was nigh…It was there, staring them in the face…the conduit that would transport him upon the face of utter victory…and utter revelation…

For within the strong, metallic massive door in front of them, intent on barring their path, laid his path to salvation…For when he entered within his comrade's room would all things be clear for Cielo…

It was then that he would realize his true calling…

It was within that room that would provide him that timeless wisdom possessed by only the strongest of warriors…of only the mightiest…the proudest…

"Aa…! Let's go Argilla!"

Argilla looked at him and nodded.

And there, slowly opened the door…

The two walked in cautiously, half expecting for Heat to be at the other side…But what greeted them was the twilight that pervaded the room…

All was dark…

Argilla grabbed Cielo's hand and navigated through the large room. It wasn't the standard soldier's room…It was larger…

They took the first two steps within and there froze as they heard the distinct sound of voices…

Argilla narrowed her eyes and there ventured further within with Cielo in tow. They walked further and further within and there noticed how the faint sounds of voices steadily get more pronounced…

'Where the heck is his bed…?!' Argilla thought frantically.

Her question was answered as she then registered the faint illumination in the room; it was very faint…like that of a match's light. But since the room was otherwise pitch-dark, the light illumination attracted her and Cielo like moths to a flame.

Cielo shivered; was this how he was supposed to live his life should he become like Heat and enter the class of Heavy Warrior? His whole room seemed to reek of…

'Of plain creepiness!' he thought with a slight shudder.

But still, they were nearing the end…! He could hear Heat talking!!

The two suddenly froze as if they had been met with a divine being. Their eyes almost dropped from their sockets upon their discovery…

They found their teammate alright…

And apparently…they had found his…'inspiration' as well…

"You…you're my reason for getting up in the morning…you know…?" Heat trailed off, completely oblivious to the people standing in front of him, focusing all of his energy and thought onto his ritual.

"You…you are the one that keeps me going…"

Cielo's heart stopped beating as he beheld the figure huddled on the corner of his room, illuminated just faintly by a small lamp a foot away from him…

'Dat…dat's his…inspiration…?!' he thought with outmost shock, disbelief and a sense of disappointment. He couldn't believe it! If someone had relayed such information to him, he never would've believed it!

Never in a million years!

But with his eyes now, as he looked at him…on the floor…He knew that it was for real. He had even rubbed his eyes over and over to make sure that he wasn't seeing things.

Nope.

He really wasn't.

Heat's source of inspiration was…

Was…

Argilla was stupefied beyond belief, her heart getting caught up within her throat.

Heat was within deep thought and had his eyes closed. His eyebrows were furrowed his concentration, his form huddled closely, resembling a fetus…Only he was sitting up.

They looked from Heat to themselves and there saw how the other's face crumbled from within.

It was a sight that neither Cielo nor Argilla had ever expected to see…

There on the floor sat their teammate, nuzzling his face against his…his cape.

He embraced the piece of clothing lovingly, and held it tightly against him, his head leaning towards its fabric, his nose buried deep within its folds.

Cielo felt dirty all of a sudden as he continued to listen to Heat. And from the looks of it, Argilla shared the same sentiments.

Shock and total bewilderment reigned them both that they could neither move a strand of their hair nor could they utter one single syllable…

Heat was still oblivious to them…and there continued to chant with a dreamy expression on his face, a creepy and eerie smile pervading his ever gruff and rugged facial expression…

"Without you, I won't be able to perform…" he trailed off, his voice low and husky, carefully nuzzling the cape's fabric against his face's skin.

"I…I am the best. I am the strongest…" he chanted, "I am the best…I am powerful…I am the strongest…" he trailed off, caressing the cape's folds within his fingers effortlessly, as if it were silk, his nose nuzzling the fabric gently, affectionately.

Cielo could've dropped dead on the spot.

There was just something in the way Heat looked and the way he spoke that didn't seem right to Cielo. It was unheard of! Heat was a force of sheer brute force and primordial strength! He wasn't supposed to be like the way he was now!

He wasn't supposed to be on the floor…worshipping some…some cape!! That was just…

'Sick…!!!' internally screamed Cielo.

'So…all dose times dat I thought…Oh my god…! He's…He's weird!!!' he mentally screamed, still petrified on the spot.

'He's treating dat…dat piece of cloth…like it was a woman!' he continued to scream within his thoughts.

"We are one…I am you and you are me…I am the best…I am a good fighter…I am the best…My cape…my blanket…My little Capey…My Capey…You're my little blanky Capey…You keep me warm during our missions."

Argilla wanted to vomit at that moment.

'Capey…!?!' she shouted internally frantically, 'That's…that's what he calls that cape!? Capey!??' she finished in utter horror and disgust.

So…the woman whom they thought shared Heat's room was…was a…cape!? So…that was why they had thought her name was "Katie"…

'Oh my God…Heat…needs help…' she thought with the sudden urge to faint.

'Not here you idiot! He could see you!' a voice within her penetrated her thoughts, sending her back to the realm of reality.

She suddenly snapped out of her daze. They needed to leave! Right now! Heat could "awaken" at any time! And they still needed to get to the garage!

Seeing that Cielo was still in shock, she repressed a strong growl from within her and there touched his arm.

Sapphire met pink and there they slowly, ever so slow and ever as careful, retreated from their positions leaving their eccentric teammate…

xxxxx

Serph looked from Argilla to Cielo and blinked, "What's wrong? You two look…troubled."

Argilla looked at Cielo and he looked at her.

Damn.

Serph was right.

They did look troubled.

'Troubled…!?' Cielo thought in total mockery of his leader's earlier choice of words, "Disturbed is more like it…" he grumbled under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

Serph looked unconvinced and there Argilla decided to interject, "Come on Serph. Cielo is just a bit nervous. Come on, we have to move."

Being reminded of their mission, Serph's thoughts about Cielo vanished, "Right. Is…everyone here?"

Everyone looked around.

Heat was missing.

Argilla and Cielo snorted at that.

Now they knew where he had been disappearing to. And why.

'Oh mon…I just wish…dat I hadn't found out…' he thought as he shook his head. He had felt so…disappointed.

So that was what Heat did in order to perform so well…

Cielo's skin crawled, 'If…If dat is wat it takes to be dat strong…den…forget it…'

'I may be a little odd here and dere…but I aint nuts like him!' he shuddered at that.

"Alright. Let's go."

All heads turned to see a grinning Heat. Cielo and Argilla shuddered once more. There he was oozing with strength and confidence.

So that was where he got it.

Their eyes meandered over to the gray cloak that was draped over his shoulders and again they shuddered, "Eww…" mumbled Cielo as he forced himself to look away.

He remembered how Heat affectionately nuzzled his face against it…

"Oh my God!!! I've…I've been scarred for life…!!!" he suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.

Cielo froze as the air had gone quiet. He slowly looked at his teammates and saw that they had all been staring at him with disbelief and curiosity.

He blushed and scratched his head, "Oh…Eheheh…Did I…just say dat out loud…?"

"What the fuck is the matter with you?! You idiot!" thundered Heat from behind him.

Cielo gritted his teeth; what was wrong!? Did he really want to know?!

Argilla bit her lip; Cielo was close to blowing the lid on this one and so, ever the nurturing one, she cut in between the conversation, "Later guys. We have to go!"

"Right…" everyone grumbled.

Whatever the problem was with Cielo could wait…

xxxxx

"So," Cielo began as he found himself seated at the mess hall once more with Argilla, "dat…dat was wat Heat did to…to get strong…?"

He heard a chuckle.

What the heck was so funny?

He looked up in total curiosity and a bit of annoyance at the giggling woman in front of him, "Eh?"

Argilla sighed as she finished her merry laugh, containing her jovial spirit, "Oh nothing. It's just that…"

"Just dat…?" Cielo prodded, waving his hand, gesturing for her to continue.

"There are people like that Cielo. There are people who do not possess their own self esteem…Hence, they draw it from something else…or someone else."

"Eeeeh?" he asked as he scratched his head; even more confused.

She chuckled again and sighed, "What I mean, is that there are many strong and talented people who are only strong and talented when their confidence had been boosted by someone or something else. It might be a friend…or a family member…or a significant other." she paused here to take a breath and then continued, "When that person receives a good praise such as 'You can do it!' or 'You're the best!', their belief on their capabilities improve tenfold! That's because they believe that other person wholeheartedly; without a shred of doubt."

"Ohhh…"

"You see…those people don't believe that they are talented or strong…They need someone else to tell them that and convince them!"

"But, but…"

Argilla shook her head, "It's just that, for Heat, he found comfort in his cape. For him, that cape is special. He thinks that it's that cape that differentiates him from the rest. Somehow, he had managed to convince himself that it was the cape and not his own strength, that had given him the power to strive and succeed in his line of work."

"Which is…a mistake." she finished with a sigh; her tone that of regret.

"Why?" asked Cielo.

"Because, Heat fails to realize that…he doesn't need the cape. Not at all. He is strong and talented in his own rite; on his own. And it wasn't because of the cape. It's him. It's his heart…that made him the strongest. Not his cape…"

At that, Cielo's inquisitive mind calmed down.

"Oh…"

Argilla smiled; she understood Heat a bit better now…

But that wasn't the most important thing. There was someone else who needed to be guided…Someone else had needed to understand something…

"You know Cielo," she began and then paused.

"Huh? Wat?" Cielo asked, still curious as to the wise words that she would undoubtedly impart.

"Heat is like that…because…"

"Because…?" he repeated, his eyes widening as if he were a puppy waiting for his next doggy treat.

Argilla nodded, "He needs that cape…because…he is just insecure. He is dependent on what others think of him and how he sees himself. He sees himself as weak when he isn't…He sees himself as inadequate…when he's really the best of the best in Embryon. You see, Heat needs to realize that. When he does, he won't need that cape anymore…"

Cielo snorted as he leaned back on his chair, "Yeah right. Wid dat display back dere, I doubt dat he'd ever grow up mon. 'You're my blanky…!!!'" Cielo repeated, snorting a bit as he reenacted Heat's display, making a squeaky voice and gesturing his hands to be clasped together while he leaned his face against it. His eyes were closed and had that dreamy expression clearly imitating Heat's earlier actions.

Argilla chuckled. He was deadly accurate with his performance! She couldn't help but laugh. And he thought that Heat was immature…

When all laughter had died, Cielo spoke.

"So, does dat happen to people often?" asked Cielo, slightly afraid that he might turn out like Heat one day. He shuddered uncontrollably at that. He blinked; he felt as though he had felt an eerie and chilly wind pass by him…

Well, whereas before he had wanted to be like Heat, now, he wouldn't want to be in the same room as him for the next ten years.

'Eww…being in de same room wid someone who keep…imaginary friends?! And someone who…worships it!?' he mentally puked.

"No. Not really." chuckled Argilla, "It's more common towards children when they are still battling their insecurities. It usually disappears soon after. Heat's case…is…strange." she finished with a laugh.

Cielo laughed too; albeit nervously, "S-strange?" he repeated, "More like…creepy…ja?"

Argilla caught that and grinned, "I suppose so. But, don't worry Cielo. If you ever start to be like that, I'll bring you back to reality. Hahah…"

"Oh my! I think I just got it!" she suddenly beamed.

Cielo blinked in confusion, "Got wat?"

She then giggled, "Remember the time when you said that Heat came back a grouch from his room?"

Cielo nodded; still uncertain on where Argilla was coming from. He recalled the scenario in his head and there it all clicked, "Oooohhh!" he drawled in understanding.

"Right…!"

"Capey wasn't there…!" they said in a hearty unison.

At that, they laughed once more. Argilla rubbed her stomach affectionately as she continued to mirthfully laugh; as did Cielo.

After their laughter had diminished, somewhat, Cielo, calming himself down spoke, panting, "Yea…Capey wasn't dere…! Hahah…He was probably missing it!"

Argilla laughed again, "Yes. That briefing was a rush. He probably didn't have any time to put it on. And when he came into his room, he probably saw that Capey wasn't fit for battle." she finished with childish snickers.

Cielo wrinkled his nose, "Eww…"

Well, needless to say that what she meant by "unfit for battle" was probably the fact that Capey was probably filthy and was unwashed.

Thereby making it unusable.

"Still, it was, I think, the very first time I saw Heat without his cape…" said Argilla dreamily as she fazed out of their world, imagining her redhead teammate and then finally giggling.

Cielo smiled and shook his head, closing his eyes, "Yea mon. Dat was my first time seeing dat too. And I have a feeling dat dat would be our last…!"

Argilla looked at him and grinned, "You're right. Heat won't let that happen again…! Heheh…"

Still, it did look pretty darned weird to see Heat without his cape that day…But then again, that had been a surprise mission that she didn't even get enough time to ponder about it. Not really. No one had made a comment about that either.

And so, it was merely…forgotten over time.

But Cielo noticed didn't he? He remembered. Well, he was sharper than anyone else gave him credit for!

"Good job on remembering that Cielo." commended Argilla as she chuckled.

"Heheh…" grinned Cielo, "Nah…It's all in de day's work." he said smugly.

Like all gleeful moments, theirs was suddenly accompanied with the inevitable silence. The two sat there and gathered their own thoughts, each keeping to themselves…

And once more, the silence, after a few moments of pure contemplation was broken.

"Anyway Cielo…thanks for covering for me today…" she said as she reached out for his hand.

Cielo's sapphire eyes widened and there, he found himself extending his hand over to hers. A moment later, their hands met.

She squeezed his hand meaningfully as she continued to gaze deep within Cielo's blue eyes, "I mean it Cielo…If it weren't for you…Serph would've been…"

Cielo smiled, "It's…it's alright Argilla."

The two eliminated the contact and were engulfed in comfortable silence. This time, it was Cielo who broke it, "After all Argilla, I am one of Embryon's best mage and healer! It's no sweat sista!"

"So, dat was…Katie no?" asked Cielo convivially, teasingly, wiggling his eyebrows at the pink-haired woman.

She laughed, "I suppose so. Hahah…Who would've ever thought that Katie…was a cape? Hahaha…" she trailed off, shaking her head and telling herself to calm down.

But she just couldn't help it.

There they thought that Heat was having a stowaway in his room! Well, he really was telling the truth when he said that there was no one!

"Katie…?" asked Cielo, "No! More like…"

"Capey!" they said in unison and there laughed to their hearts' contents…and up to the tolerance of their stomachs.

A moment later, all laughter ceased…and there was only silence.

Argilla smiled.

She was glad.

She was glad on both counts. She had been glad that Cielo had saved not just her but Serph as well…

If Cielo had abandoned his position as a mage…then, things would've turned out quite differently…

She didn't even want to think about it…

And more importantly, now that she had put that incident behind her, she was glad that he had understood the real content of what it was she wanted to say…

He had understood and had read in between the lines…

He had found out his true calling…

He had finally accepted his true strength and where it truly lied. He had finally understood the source of his strength…and not merely try to draw it out from something else like the way Heat did from his cape…And not from the way Cielo was doing, attempting to draw it from Heat.

She was glad…

He had accepted who he really was…and not who he was trying to be.

There, behind his cheekily smiling lips, behind his twinkling eyes, behind his child-like face, behind his carefree attitude, laid a man…

A strong and resolute young man.

And she wouldn't have him in any other way.

And the next in line for her wise words? Who else? Heat! He needed to realize that he didn't need Capey…

Oh she would convince him; in one way or another.

She grinned evilly at that.

xxxxx

Cielo had dropped his ambition of being a Heavy Warrior. Argilla was right. He had found his true calling; and this was it.

Now, more than ever, he enjoyed his work.

He found himself smiling.

And he didn't need anyone else either. He didn't need to prove his strength to anyone either. All that he needed was himself and faith in his capabilities. That was all.

As he had saved his leader and comrade that day, he had never thought that he could feel whatever it was that felt on that very fateful day. At that moment, on the battlefield, all that he felt was the overwhelming heat of the battle; that energetic surge of power from within his body.

And the funny thing was, he didn't feel inadequate within himself. He didn't feel as if it was the "wrong sort of power" like he did before. Back then he would say that such power was more suited for mages and healers while the right type of power for men were defined by sheer brute strength.

However on that day, he didn't feel that way at all.

He felt…fulfilled.

He felt accomplished at what he had done.

He may not possess Heat's extraordinary physical prowess or his zealous stamina, but for Cielo, he knew and now realized that his duty, being that of a mage and a healer, had strengths of its own.

What would happen then should Heavy Warriors fall and fail…? Who then would they turn to?

'Us.' he smirked within, 'People like me.'

Yes.

When things had gone from bad to downright ugly, it was people like him and Argilla who saved the day and came through.

He smiled then. That was true power. To be able to save your people when everything else had fallen; to be able to be victorious at the very face of defeat.

He had saved his important people. He had served and saved them; and that was all that mattered. It wasn't something that he could've done should he had abandoned his duty. It was something that only he, as Cielo the mage, could've done. Even Argilla, his fellow mage had been rendered inactive at that point in battle.

It was as if that moment had been made for him and him alone. For him…to fathom…

And then, it was there that he realized…that he had indeed found his true calling. It had always been there…but his insecure and proud self refused to listen to its calm and low voice. No. Cielo almost tuned it out, focusing instead on what he could've have had should he had become like Heat instead.

But now…all had become clear for him.

He felt happy…and he felt at ease.

This was the job for him. This was what he was meant to do. He smirked, 'And I wouldn't have in any other way…' he thought proudly.

And the most gratifying thing of all…was to feel that he was loved. The look of eternal gratitude within Argilla's pink eyes on that day…words could not express. The simple yet wholehearted words of a "thank you" from Serph…were more than enough.

It was those simple, trivial yet meaningful moments that really defined his job…and his character as an individual. To be able to draw such raw emotions and feelings from other people like the way he did with Serph and Argilla…

Aa…

Needless to say…that he had never felt as whole as he did on that day…

"No Serph, Argilla…I should be de one thanking you…" he trailed off into the wind.

And it wasn't just from them either. He smirked evilly. He had found his true calling from Heat who had unwittingly helped him. By watching and observing him, Cielo had realized that he needed not anything else in his life to give him that impetus to strive.

All that he needed was his own heart.

That was what he learnt from Heat.

He sweat-dropped. Actually, it was what Heat was doing that he learnt not to do.

He sighed a bit as he chuckled, "Poor guy…"

Oh well.

He was headed towards the Strategy Room. They had another mission. Well, whatever. Time waited for no one and epiphany or no, profound life realization or no, they still had lands to conquer and battles to win.

'Besides, leader might need his butt to be saved again!' he thought with a chuckle.

He walked in and saw everyone present.

A few minutes later, they had been dismissed.

He looked over at Heat and grinned. The redhead glowered at him, "What the hell are you looking at maggot?"

Cielo shook his head, "Nothing!"

Heat glared further before growling and beginning to walk away.

Cielo grinned evilly; he just couldn't help it…The words just flew from his mouth.

"Say Heat, give my regards to Capey."

xxxxx

FIN

A/N: Yea. Well, when I was a little girl, my father had always said that a lady should always have a handkerchief in her hand. I always did manage to lose mine. So, he gave me a handkerchief that he made into that of one resembling a sock puppet. That way, I'd never part with it. I never did. LOL! I named my little imaginary friend as "Towly-Wowly" or sometimes called him "Mr. Towel"! LOL! I was four at the time. AHEM!