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A bloom of revelation swept over Zaino as he had finally been able to recognize the same woman as his mother, albeit younger in appearance. He was unsure as to why he hadn't been able to see the semblance sooner, and was even more unsure why he was able to recognize her now. He knew that all of this was yet another dream, but it seemed like it was more than that; was it some sort of vision?

[b]"Ren..."[/b] His mother turned from the man whom he assumed to be his father, frowning in melancholy as he took her hand gently in an embrace. Leaning into him, he gave her a smile identical to the one he had given her in the previous dream. [b]"I can't do this without you, they need their father. I need you..."[/b]

[b]"Vera, it's my fault alone for getting us thrown into this mess. It's only natural for me to settle this on my own. Besides..."[/b]

He raised his head slowly, expression unchanging as he averted his look directly at... [b]"You're all Little Zu-Zu needs. He's got his brother, too."[/b]

[i]Is he looking at me?[/i]

[b]"[url=http://www.stockkanji.com/White_Lotus_byakuren]Byakuren[/url], please..."[/b] Vera urged, addressing him by his full name. Removing herself from his comfort, she rose and walked a few steps away from him, hovering over--

That was when Zaino suddenly felt movement from where his arms were; small, miniature hands extended above him as he found himself out of control, yet his conscience fully conscious. Vera proceeded to pick him up and cradle him in her arms, rocking him calmly as she looked out of the window. [i]Is this... me? Am I here, as a baby? I can't remember any of this, let alone understand... it's all a dream, it has to be...[/i]

[b]"I'd do whatever it takes to keep you and them safe, and if this is the only way, I have to take that chance."[/b] Byakuren replied, now standing and looking down at Vera. He joined her and poked Zaino's cheek, smiling as the baby reached to grab his nose.

[b]"But we can just run away, like you said before! Take the children and leave everything behind!"[/b] She retorted in frustration. [b]"Can't we just do that? You don't need to go to war with those Ylisseans!"[/b]

[b]"Three years ago,"[/b] Vera continued, although her voice shifted to a sad tone. [b]"We made vows to never leave one another's side. You're just going to throw them and your life away?"[/b]

This statement seemed to trouble Byakuren, but nonetheless, he held a half-smile. [b]"It's like you told me before; those who aren't willing to sacrifice anything, cannot possibly change anything in this world."[/b]

It was then that Zaino had begun to break into a cry, interrupting the two. Placing him back into his cradle, the two of them tickled his stomach and comforted him until his crying stopped. [i]This is a familiar feeling...[/i]

[b]"I'm going to be fine, Vera; I'll come back to you. I just need to tie up these loose ends."[/b] Byakuren held both of her hands and peered deep into her eyes. [b]"You know, I'm from Regna Ferox; it's not a bad place. Sure, Basilio and Flavia could become a bit annoying at times, but them and another friend of mine could help you out."[/b]

Still saddened by the situation, Vera began to sob, allowing Byakuren to pull her in for a hug as she cried into his chest. As she did so, he turned to the cradle and, almost as if he were able to see into the future, frowned for the first time throughout the conversation. [b]"I'll come back to all of you when it's over. I promise."[/b]

[i]I promise...[/i]