PATHWAY
Amazon Bunny: This was intended to be my Christmas ficcie, but I decided to write "Snow Wars" (see profile for details) instead for my Christmas fic. Pairings of the story is KratosRaine, and pre-TOS KratosAnna. Possible Post-TOS KratosAnna.
Let's just get this out right now; I do not own Tales of Symphonia,nor Phantom of the Opera. Or else I wouldn't be writing this. Got that?
Also, as a forewarning; for those purists out there...You decided to read the story. I have warned you in my summary, I have warned you above, and I warn you now. If you decide to give Pairing critism, be certain that I will critisize you back on my "To my Reviewers" section. It will not be pretty; I've just about had it with Kranna fans reading Kraine stories, and then saying stuff like "I hate Kraine, what the hell is wrong with you" and stuff like that. If you hate the pairing, I've warned you three times, you have NO excuses.
Thirdly, the bug on my computer has been cramping words, phrases, and even entire paragraphs together. Don't tell me that it's been really hard to read the story; I know, I'm sorry, but I'm trying my best to make it work out.
Thanks.
Story Summary: (Follows off "Broken Valentine") The dead can not come back. Kratos has had two women when he was alive. Anna. And Raine. In death, he is reunited with Raine. However, he is also reunited with Anna... Sparks fly, hearts are broken, and tears are shed...In the end, who reigns supreme?
The light at the end of the tunnel has faded...A new era has just begun... -Ancient Prophecy
"Do you suppose they'll see each other again?" Colette lifted her eyes to the sky, a cool breeze ruffled her hair.
She and Lloyd stood in front of the Tree of Yggdrassill, where Raine and Kratos had been buried.
"I hope so," Lloyd said softly. "I really hope so."
Clear blue eyes flickered open.
"Wh...Where...?" The feminine voice said groggily. Her pale face turned to see a taller, auburn haired man leaning above her, brown eyes staring, concerned.
"You're awake...," he said in his low voice. "...Raine."
"Kratos...Where are we?" The elvish woman sat up, surprised that the material she sat on sunk with her weight. With her fingertips, she gingerly pressed down on the fluffy white material. "A...a cloud?" Clear, translucent wings appeared on her back. Angels...
"Yeah...Remember?" Kratos said quietly. "We died."
Raine was quiet. "So...the things you said were true. In the church? I..."
"Thought you were just hearing things?" whispered Kratos. The half-elf nodded. "Your spirit may not have departed the Earth just then. Perhaps...since I was dying, you might have heard me?" His wings flapped lightly.
"I don't know..." She turned her head to face the large, golden gates. "I guess this is it, then."
Just as she said those words, the gates swung open. In a stunned silence, Kratos helped Raine to her feet, and together, entered the Gateway to Heaven...
As the pair walked through the town, an angel smiled at them.
"You're new here," she said, still smiling. "Welcome to the first stop from the Gateway of Heaven. We call this place 'Accustom', since new folks like you-" she gestured, smiling all the while, at the two, "-need to get accustomed to walking on clouds. It's rather hard at first, huh?"
"Yeah," Raine said breathelessly. "I feel like I'm sinking."
"Well, you won't," the angel said. "If you do, your husband can help you, I'm sure."
Both Kratos and Raine felt the color rise in their faces.
"Oh, he's..he's not-"
The angel laughed. "Oh, don't worry, I was just teasing. But, really, you do make such a cute couple."
That left the two leaving with rather red faces, and standing considerably farther apart.
"Anyway, we have Transport Diases here, if you want to go somewhere," the lady explained."We have some for Welgaia, Mausonte, Thugaia, and Carpentaria." Seeing the stunned silence on their faces, the angel quickly explained. "Transport Diases," she said. "You stand on them, and they teleport you somewhere. Welgaia's deserted, you don't want to go there. Mausonte is the village of the merchants. Thugaia is the big city, filled with people and all sorts of lively activity. Carpentaria is just a little town where you can settle down and live quietly. If you're new here, I suggest Thugaia."
"Thugaia it is, then," said Kratos.
The angel looked straight at the Seraph. "Say, you're that Cruxis Angel, aren't you?" She said mischiviously. "Shouldn't you know your way around here?"
Kratos blushed slightly. "I don't spend a lot of time here."
"Come right along," the angel winked. "You'll love Thugaia."
As they stepped on the Dias, the angel punched in some buttons on the little automated machine, a light flashed, and they disappeared in a whirlwind of color.
THUMP.
They landed, rather heavily, on the Thugaian Transport Dias.
Thugaia was a large, bustling city. Angels chattered, bartered, and laughed. Not a second glance was spared at the odd looking couple. Every angel seemed lavishly clad, the wealthy.
"Welcome to Thugaia," the angel at the machinery said, almost mechanically. He looked bored. "Would you like a visitor's map?"
"Yes, thank you," Raine smiled, and accepted the parchment.
"Where to?" Kratos asked Raine, once they stepped outside the building.
"How about that little theater?" Raine suggested, pointing across the street.
Kratos frowned. "I never really liked those. Gave me headaches." Raine looked confused. "It's too loud." Kratos explained.
"Oh," she said simply.
"How about the Pasta restaurant?" Kratos suggested.
Raine shook her head. "Genis always liked those..." Her eyes were misty.
"The concert?" Kratos pointed to the map. A small green dot signified the place.
She nodded. "That sounds good."
Being a Cruxis Angel, Kratos was rather...recognized...around town.
Some little girls came up to him and shyly asked for his autograph. Others whispered, pointed, and stared.
"God dammit, do my wings give it away or what?"
"I think so," Raine nodded. "Everyone elses are like mine. Clear wings."
Kratos sighed. "Well, anyway, let's go find a bank first. We have to withdraw some money."
"But we don't have any," Raine pointed out.
"Oh?" Kratos said slyly. He pointed at his wings. "Being a Cruxis Angel, I already have some money banked."
After withdrawing some dough, the two headed off toward the Concert Hall. Large billboards clearly advertised the day's show- "White Ivory". It featured a woman with long chestnut hair, a white pearl mask shading her eyes. A coy smile on her lips, one finger idly twirling a strand of hair. In the background were figures with various instruments in their hands, garbed in white.
"This looks interesting," Raine commented. "'Preforming the old classic, 'Don't Forget About Us'..."
They paid for their tickets and went inside.
The buzz of constant chatter filled their ears. Being the filthy rich angel he was, Kratos was able to afford good seats. Smiling, the pair slipped into VIP seats, and Kratos placed a hand on Raine's. It tensed slightly, but relaxed.
"Did you hear? The performer's going to be-"
A wave of chatter drowned out the name.
"No way! Wasn't she a dancer before?" A voice said excitedly. "That's so cool!"
"Yuh-huh. Some Spiritual Dancer for L-"
A squeal of laughter. "And she sings?"
The building dimmed, and the noisy crowd instantly hushed. It was as if a great blanket had smothered out the sound.
The spotlight focused on the stage. A tall, aged angel stood, microphone in hand, and said clearly, smoothly, "Ladies and Gentlemen! It is our greatest pleasure to bring you the Spirit Dancer herself, a Ms.-" He coughed. "You all know her right?" A rather forced laugh. "Now, 'White Ivory' will be preforming the old classic today-'Think of Me'. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen! White Ivory!" He walked offstage to a thundering applause, the curtains parted, and the audience silenced.
The stage was dim, a shadow of a singer stood, the musicians illuminated. The violinist played several strands of music, accompanied by the piano. More musicians joined in, harmonized. The spotlight shone brightly on the singer.
Kratos let out an audible gasp. His hand fell limply from Raine's to his side.
"Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try."
Raine turned her head to look curiously at the auburn-haired man. "Is anything the matter?" she whispered. The music blurred in her ears, thestunned face of Kratos filling her eyes.Eyesintensely focused, pale, and slackened lips. "Anna", he mouthed.
"When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me."
This Anna singer sang sweetly, her gray eyes meeting Kratos'. Looking straight at him, she bore a questioning look at Raine, wondering who this girl could be. The audience was rapt, soaking in every note of the song. She stared, singing softly,
"We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if
you can still
remember
stop and think
of me . . ."
Raine stared at her. Anna stared back, her voice never wavering, the perfect singer as she was the perfect wife. Kratos, meanwhile, was in a cold sweat. His hands were clammy, his face drawn and pallid.
"Think of all the things
we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things
which might have been . . .
Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned."
In a sense, this was a perfect song for the occasion. Raine felt inferior compared to this woman. She was an unrefined country girl, dirty blooded, low class. She had nothing compared to this woman. She was the best, she was the big city girl, of pure blood, high class. Kratos' woman. She would never be his...
"Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put you
from my mind...
Recall those days
look back
on all those times,
think of the things
we'll never do -
there will
never be
a day, when
I won't think
of you . ."
This woman obviously felt the fright and shock from Raine. She absorbed it, soaked it in, and a coy smile crossed her lips. She felt the insecurity. Her gaze wandered back to Kratos, the smile still upon her mouth. The audience went wild as she paused.
The musicians continued playing, more vigourously, hearing the wild applause.
The spotlight focused on another figure, one who seemed to come straight out from the west corridor. He had deep amber eyes, brown hair and a narrow face.
"What a change!
You're really
not a bit
the gawkish girl
that once you were..."
He lowered his prop opera glasses. They stood on opposite sides of the stage, feigning shyness, throwing each other a shy look, then looking away. Anna did so with a toss of her head, a shake of her hip. The amber eyes angel continued to sing-
"She may
not remember
me, but
I remember
her..."
They walked gracefully to center stage. Anna had her hands clasped at her heart, batting eyelashes. It was obvious that she was putting on such a show for Kratos. Of course, the audience knew nothing- to them, she was simply a great actress and singer. The other angel, hands outstretched, took hers in his. Anna sang;
"We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but please
promise me,
that sometimes
you will think of me!"
The lights dimmed, and for an instant, the entire room was pitch black. The audience gave a thundering applause, screaming and clapping. A standing ovation. The lights were flipped back on, and 'White Ivory' gave a final bow.Anna's eyes met Kratos', a smirk upon her lips. She blew a kiss, and jauntily stepped into the shadows of the curtain.
End
Amazon Bunny: So ends the first chapter of "Pathway". What will happen next...? Comment, and maybe then I'll update soon!I'm rather busy now, with so much school. Updating this was the most I could do- when I'm on the net, I'm supposed to be doing homework. But that's a secret between us, right? Hush hush. I apologize to the people at the Kraine Forums.I'm very very very sorry I can't get on very much; I have not quit, no worries.
Also, there will be lots of songs in here, possible dance routines, so on. Keep in mind, I do not own any unless stated so.
Leave reviews, if you will. Of course, it's only common courtesy... -laughs-
I'll try to update before Christmas, or possibly Thanksgiving, alright? Just hang tight for a while.