Unto Another World

Written by Becki

(C) Namco

Hm... you know what really bugs me..? KratosxRaine. shudder It just annoys the crap out of me.

Ahem. Anyways...

Okay, here's the Sheena fic I wanted to write about. (..Actually, I had inspiration for another Kratos one-shot ; (not as pointless as the last, I promise)) I don't know how short this fic will be, so don't expect it too be really long. Also, I'm sorry I'm not reading many fanfictions lately, I hardly have any online time anymore .. I'm hoping that writing more things that I like (I.e. Fanfictions) will improve my writing skills for school as well.

Becki

1. A gift from the forest

The last beast fell to the blade swathed in red, slumping to the ground in the slow dance of death. The warriors which slew the attacking beasts looked about, their quick frames reacting to each slightest noise that was made. Their faces were covered, only narrow, dark eyes revealed through the dim light of this accursed forest. Where the trees all bent in like a crone's gnarled fingers, curled and hideous with sickly bones. Where the ground was hard and cold, disgraced and abandoned by the earth's bountiful hand.

Without speaking, one of the slender warriors sheathed his small dagger and motioned the rest to move on. Silently and skillfully they darted through the forest, unbothered by the strange cries and stifled calls which echoed eerily in the forest air. Each step was soundless, and each move was unhindered by the roots and overgrown trees. All warriors were clothed in dark green, and they were just a streak moving quickly through the forest.

What this forest revealed, however, was the agony of lost lives. But even as forlorn as this desperate place was, sunlight still did falter down through the trees, bathing rare spots on the ground with its golden glitter. And even such a dark place would bear gifts and the most unexpected of all.

There was a gentle weeping that the wind suddenly lifted. A small cry that wove its way through viperous vines and deathly trees. No, it was not a pleasant sound however, as innocent as it seemed. It was a cry just barely off from a child throwing a tantrum, but in its own way, it was far worse. It was the similar wail a baby would make if they were filled with fear, the fear of being alone and the fear of the dark. For all fear what they cannot see... or understand.

At this sound, this unfamiliar cry, one of the warriors halted. His eyes were harder and had more experience, marking him as a leader or elder. The other stopped as he had, and looked to him as he searched the overgrowth for the source of the cry.

"Chief." One of the younger warriors said, his voice muffled. "We must return to the village immediately." The leader raised his palm in an order of silence and listened again.

"Then you return." He replied. "The forest gives only what it wants to be taken."

"That isn't possible." Another man replied, a frown deeply embedded on his brow.

"Then will you accompany me, Tiga?" The leader said, looking to the one that had spoke. Tiga let out a short breath in surprise and his frown was released.

"Your curiosity will be the death of you, Igaguri." Tiga said informally, but it was obvious that he was smiling underneath the cloth that covered his face. And he continued to issue orders to the other warriors to continue on. Hesitantly they complied, and swiftly disappeared through the forest.

The Chief clapped his hand on Tiga's shoulder and nodded gently. They proceeded through the forest, ears open. There was no fear in their stance, nor was there doubt in their movements. Both were trained in an organized manner, so organized it seemed they were hired to kill.

The forest seemed to be sheltered and clustered. It became more dense as they fought their way through. But there was no mistake, the source of the wail was just beyond. The forest was indeed hiding something, as well as protecting it.

Finally the two could see a clearer area beyond the wall of overlapping branches. A spider web which was long abandoned delicately fluttered on the sharp twigs on the arms of the dark trees. And this was one of the rare areas where the sun was allowed in through the canopy of trees. A cluster of red flowers crowded beneath the glowing spot. Poppies. The flower of death.

And within this bed of red blossoms a girl crouched, her face covered. She looked barely two years, for most of her bulk was the thick blanket wrapped around her shivering body. Dark, tangled hair covered her cranium as she continued to sob. Tiga slowly stepped forward cautiously with his hand on the hilt of his short dagger. Igaguri was less wary and came towards her, for something had caught his attention. A scrap of paper of some sort, beneath the bed of flowers.

It was a card marked with a letter. Momentarily ignoring the girl, he crouched down to read it. However before doing so, one of the red flowers shed a petal and it fell over the card. When he brushed the crimson petal away, the letter was gone.