Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author (Erinn CriAzuDre). The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.


History always repeats itself..

Until someone breaks free from fate.

.

Since the Times of Myths, with every passing of 200 years, battles for the fate of the Earth has been fought over and over again by the Goddess Athena and Hades, King of the Underworld.

Although, through times rust, the true meaning of these battles now lay forgotten by the many.

.

These are called the 'Holy Wars'..

And now, a new Holy War is about to begin.

The light sound of tapping could be heard as a young teen hurried along the empty walkways, holding tightly to the brown bag held in her arms. As she rushed on, she heard something very strange sound off in the distance, pausing, she turned to listen. After a moment of waiting she heard the muffled voices of two people again.

Assuming nothing of it, she turned around to continue on her way when, suddenly, the voices became louder and clearer, "Hold it!" She heard as another shortly followed, "Com're, you mutt!"

A thud sounded and what was to follow was, without a doubt, crystal clear, "Arhk!" With that one sound, her mind raced, attempting to make a plausible scenario with the little information she had and, unfortunately, it was not a pretty thought.

Gasping, she rushed off after the sound, her motherly instincts quickly setting in as the various thoughts rang off in her head, 'Just what happened!'

Taking a final turn, she skidded to a stop- she really hadn't seen it coming, that when she'd turn that last corner she would catch sight of that suspiciously familiar brown hair, flying free as it's owner kicked in another boy's face with the words, "OF COURSE, IT ISN'T!" leaving his lips in an outrage.

She also wasn't expect the flash of red that was flying straight for her either, 'A bottle of.. red paint?' she thought as she silently caught the twirling bottle of sloshing red liquid.

In the end, whatever thoughts that had been coursing through her head stood still as the equally familiar voice rang out, "Tenma!?"

Turning slowly, she took in the familiar form of Alone, one of her childhood friend, he was a thin fair skinned boy with long golden hair that so gently brushed past his shoulder blades. Currently, he was crouching on the ground holding something close to his chest, which upon closer inspection was a small dog.

Now nearly having the full picture, she stepped back to let it continue on a bit longer, however; "Idiot! Just what were you thinki-" his loud lecture was cut off by a gentle knock to the head, "Ouch! Hey-"

"Oh, would you quiet down already!"


At the sound of my voice, Tenma quickly stopped nursing his, 'hopefully-not-to-injured,' wound and looked up, "Huh?" was his only response, 'real quick aren't you?'

"Ah, miss Kora! Should you really be up and walki- OUCH!" Cut short, the now equally shocked Alone stumbled as the bottle of paint, which been previously in my hand, smacked into his head. He looked up at me with little tears sparkling in his sky blue eyes, 'I've always held a bit of envy for those pretty eyes of his.'

"Tenma's right, you know!" I scolded as Alone squeaked, "EH!?"

"I am?" Tenma blurted out in shock before I shot him a light glare, "I mean- I am!" He said, quickly realizing his mistake.

Looking over to Alone, who jumped at my sudden stare, my gaze softened at his dismayed look, "Alone, I'm sure you worked very hard for this paint, so don't waste all that work! I'm sure you could find another better way to go about this," I said lightly.

'Whatever's going on, that is' I thought, crouching down to gently pat his head, that's when Tenma decided to, quite literally, jump in as well, 'That boy, so rude some times. Hah, what am I to do with you, Tenma.'

"That's right, If you just give it away like that, you'd have to start all over ag-"

"DON'T IGNORE US!"

Tenma didn't get to finish as one of the boys came rushing up from behind with a plank of wood raised above his head, ready to strike.

"Ah-! Ten-" I gasped before turning to see the other boy coming straight for Alone and I with a plank of wood as well.

Jumping down to my knees to protect Alone and myself, I drew his head to my chest, taking no notice of his discomfort or the small blush taking hold of his face.

THKRAHK-THRACK

Snapping my head up, I saw that Tenma had kicked and punched through the two boys make-shift weapons, protecting us from harm. Both the boys were taken aback as they were knocked down by the 13 year old.. again..

'Tenma.. you..'

"You're overdoing it, Tenma," I said with a bland look as Alone turned in my embrace to look directly at Tenma, "Tenma! They only went this far because they have no money! Besides.." He looked down, thinking carefully.

"Besides..?" Tenma urged.

"What's the point if you use violence too! I don't like it!" He exclaimed with sudden confidence as Tenma eyes widened then quickly narrowed as he looked to the side pouting, disgruntled, "I know. Sorry."

I was about to comment when Alone suddenly jumped out of my embrace and stomped up to Tenma, "Apologize to them first!" He sternly stated looking Tenma straight in the eyes, "Why should I?!"

I got up as well, dusting myself off, and said, "He's right, Tenma, you have to understand both sides of a story before taking action," bringing my hands up for emphases, he glared.

"What's this, Tenma- you were talk'n the hot stuff just a second ago," I teasingly added and he looked to the side, narrowing his eyes and pouted even more. Looking to the boy closes to him, he apologized, "Sorry.."

He then looked up to us, "Happy now..?" he said as the both of us silently looked at him before bringing up my thumb of approval, Alone nodding along.

The two boys, now bruised and bleeding, picked themselves up all the while nursing their wounds, "Damn! I'll remember this!" The first one yelled as the other shortly fallowed, "I'll definitely get you back for this, you hear!"

That caught Tenma's attention.

Tenma looked at them in annoyance before trowing up his fist with a promise of pain, "Bring it on anytime!"

As Tenma glowered at the two boys, who flinched and coward before the over-powered 13 year old boy, as Alone and I pulled at his arms, turning to leave.. or in Tenma's case, be dragged away.


"Just who 'n the hell were they, anyway?" One of the boys from before said while looking at the three strange friends walking happily off, conversing as if nothing from a moment ago had just happened.

"I've seen the guy around, he's from the orphanage too, though the girl.. She's apart of the upper class so I don't know much, but from what I've heard, she has a weird habit of hangin' down here 'n the lower quarter's," the second replied.

The two boys looked to each other before the first one wondered aloud, "Say.. Marco, with such clash'n personalities, how'd they become such good friends..?"


"Ah, by the way miss Kora, shouldn't you be resting..? Last I heard, you had a serious fever, did you not?" Alone said as he look to me, concern covering his sweet face.

Stopping short my expression turn sullen, "Alone, what's with all this 'miss' business," at this, both of the boys faces tensed a bit, "Now that you're apart of the upper class, it'd be rude to call you anything other th-"

"Oh, shut it!" I snapped, glaring at them before sighing and taking a calming breath.

"Nothin's changed, y'know?" I said, giving a lop sided grin as I slipped into a more familiar type of speech.

Both looked at me in shock before pulling both their lips into smiles- or in Tenma's case, a large grin.

"Yes,"

"Got it!"

"Ah, hey, you didn't answer Alone's question!" Tenma said, staring at me accusingly as I nearly chocked on air, 'damn, why'd you choose now to be sharp'.

"Alright, alright you've got me!" I said, holding my hands up in mock surrender, "Well, I've been feeling a lot better lately and decided to come visit and- y'know, cook dinner for you all.. Though I'd wanted it to be a surprise.." I said, whispering the last part to myself, though apparently not quiet enough as both their faces changed emotions immediately.

Tenma's from suspicion to hunger and Alone's from concern to embarrassment, obviously you can imagine what their responses where:

"Woohoo! Really, What'll we be having?! Is it one of my favorites?!"

"Eh! But- There's really no need for you to go out of your way just for us!"

I was truly impressed with how they could simultaneously talk like that, now if only they could be saying the same thing because all I heard was the jumbled together;

"Weohoo!hBuoto!- ReThaelrley's nWohneat'elld wfeor yobue thoavgoinoug?t! oifs iytouonre owfaymy ffaovorrituess?!"

"Uh? What..?"

"ThReearlely's Wnhoantee'dll fwoer byoeu htaovigononugt iosf iytouorne woafymy ffoarvoursites!?"

Deciding to give up, I heaved a deep sigh and told them to just stop and eventually convinced them to simply walk me back to the orphanage. They did, of course, and all the while the three of us talked about what I had missed while sick.

I'm just glad I could dodged Alone's question, 'hurray for quick thinking!' I couldn't tell them I had gotten bored and decided to sneak out without permission.

I'm still sick, by the way.


By next morning, I had enough of all the adult's yelling and scoldings, and hopped out the window into the garden.

Hey, you can't blame me! Anyone would've tired of it seeing as it happens over and over and over and-over-and-over-en-OVER!

Plus, to take a scolding from someone like HIM just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, you would get it if you had to deal with it, beside, I miss my family- my true family! Maria, Anna, Caro, Alone, Tenma, and S-sasha..

'I miss you so much,'

I missed her a lot, I missed them a lot! I want to go back to the days where we could all happily play together! Even if there was never enough food or that it got so cold at night it felt like our toes would freeze and break off, we were still all toge- no.. no, that's selfish of me.. If I'm not there, that's one less mouth to feed, right? Besides, now the others will have more blankets to share! It's better this way, it's better.

'Hmm, now that I think about it, didn't Alone take in that cute puppy? Wonder if he's gotten a name yet..' that's when a idea hit me, 'Well, I have time, I could stop an' get him a treat...'

After quickly stopping at a near-by street market I made my way to the church, luckily it wasn't to far a walk.

Making my way up the stairs I was greeted by a few people as they passed me, finally at the doors I quickly made my way through to where I knew Alone would be. You see, Alone had been personally selected to paint a mural for the church, I remembered when he told me he couldn't stop smiling for weeks.

'I wonder if he's close to finishing it, he was really excited to be chosen for this.'

I knew I was getting closer, as I could hear muffled voices echoing around me.

"If you wish to seek 'Real Colors'.. Go to the mountain north of the city.. There, you will find flowers and fruits dyed in red.."

'Huh..?' I was in front of the room now, but it sounded like he was talking about something important, 'should I go in..?'

"By the blood which flowed in splendor as angels were stripped of their wings."

'Sounds like a brutal color,'

"Those possess the truest red on Earth.. You could say it's a real color."

I waited for a bit longer, but after neither spoke again I assumed the conversation was over and pushed the doors open, both men looked up towards me as I struggled to open the heavy doors, "Kora!" Alone shouted in shock as the other, older, blonde stood silent.

'I've seen him somewhere before,' looking at the tall man in confusion, I mulled over where I could have possibly seen him from before, until finally turning my attention back to Alone, smiling gently.

"Ah, Alone, I was just out walking about- when I thought I'd stop by!" I said before looking down to the little puppy, who ignored me as he laid in his spot.

'hmph, fine- be that way,' I thought bitterly, taking out some dried meat, saying in a sicking sweet voice; "Lookie, I got something tasty here!" That got his attention as he immediately bounced to his feet at the sight of the food, having set some on a scrap of paper from my bag. Trotting over, he quickly went to work devouring them.

"Ah, thank you, Kora- you didn't need too," Alone quickly said, looking to the side with a slight blush dusting his cheeks, "It was no problem, ah, but I hope I didn't interrupt something important between you and-" I started, trailing off in the hopes of the man finishing with his name, "Hypnos, and it's not a bother at all, my young lady," he, Hypnos, said looking over at me with his all-knowing grin.

"Ah, well, If you says so," I weakly said, looking to the side as I could feel the heat pooling in my cheeks, 'I don't think I'll ever get used to being called a lady'.

"Well then, I should be taking my leave then, I'm sure I'll be seeing the two of you very soon, Alone, Kora," he said taking a strange tone at Alone and mine's names.

"Ah, well then, goodbye Sir Hypnos," Alone said as I looked over to him before looking back to Mister Hypnos to say my farewell as well, bowing a bit out of habit, "Take care then, Mister Hypnos."

After sharing another of those strange grins of his, he nodded his farewell before walking through the doors, leaving.

"Well, wasn't that interesting! So, have you finished your mural yet, Alone?" I asked looking over to Alone, who was still staring at the spot Mister Hypnos was last.

Narrowing my eyes playfully as a large shit-eating grin took hold of my face, I stuck my face close to his and playfully said, "Paint yourself a picture, it'll last longer," at this his head snapped to look at me, his entire face turning red from my hinting at his man-crush.

"Y-you're wrong! I-it's not like that!"

"Oh, and here I was; wondering if I should be jealous or not!"

"W-What?! Of course not! I already said It's not like that!" He squeaked, blushing so hard that even the tips of his ears turned dark red.

'Oh, Alone- you're just to easy..'

"I know, I know! I was just teasing!" I assured waving my hand before poking him on the nose, "So, have you finish her yet?" I asked again, looking towards the painting as his expression became glum, he looked down to the floor.

"No," He finally stated, his eyes drooping even more, at this my eyes widened, 'Alone.. you..'

"I just can't seem to find the right color for her eyes- OUCH!" he yelled in pain as I used my right hand to grab down on his head. It was a bit of a feat, as, despite being eldest, he was much taller than me.

Gently grabbing him by the cheeks, I leaned in a bit as he stared at me questioningly.

"Kora..?"

"Today's a pretty day, yet you wear such a face."

"Eep,"


After a long, Long, scolding Alone was finally saved when the priest came to suggest that he start heading out.

Of course, He wasn't completely saved though, as Kora refused to look at him while they walked all the way back. By the time they had made it back to the small orphanage, Kora had decided she had punished him enough and finally looked up to him.

'Pretty..' he couldn't help thinking before shaking his head, 'Stop that!,' he couldn't help it, though, she was a pretty young girl who was in the stages of becoming a beautiful young woman. It's also because of puberty; him practically being a teen, and all.

She was very pretty though, with her long curly brown hair and large brown eyes, her face still held a bit of childhood plumpness, but one could already see that it was starting to become more narrow, as one normally does with age.

Alone briefly wondered if all girls became this pretty when they got older, after all he sister was very pretty too, maybe this is simply a normal occurrence..

He quickly shook his head, attempting to clear it.

"Alone?" Jumping a bit he looked at her, his heart beating a bit faster than before as his eyes caught hers.

"Y-Yes..?" He blurted out quickly, his cheeks beginning to burn in embarrassment, "We're here," she said looking at him curiously, her head even tilting just a bit. His cheeks burned even more.

"O-Oh, r-right," her expression quickly became concerned as she leaned forward coming closer and closer to him, now his heart was going into over drive.

BU-THUNK

She was nearly too him now,

BU-THUNK

BU-THUNK

His heart nearly stopped as he snapped his eyes shut when her forehead made contact with his,

'Eh?'

"Hmm, well you don't feel to terribly warm but your face is so flushed, are you really okay, Alone?" She said still not backing away from his face, instead staying nearly an inch of his.

'So that's why,' to say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie, though.

'Hmm?' Kora thought, 'Why does he look disappointed?'

"A-"

The sound of something cutting through air startled the two as the door behind them was thrown open and a chorus of "Big Sis!" rang as three blurs attached themselves to the older girl.

"Gahh-!" She yelled, nearly falling forward from the combined weight hitting her back.

"It's been to long!" Said a tearing Anna, as she clung to Kora's middle, "I missed you!" Caro said, clutching onto her hip and leg. "I was worried you wouldn't ever come back," Maria, who had moved to Kora's front, muffled into the shirt she clung to as she burred her head further in Kora's chest.

"I was here just the other day!"

"TO LONG!"

Sighing to herself she couldn't help smiling as Alone and Tenma, who had been the one to open the door and let Kora be spotted by the younger ones, laughed at the scene.

As, although Kora still missed Sasha, she couldn't help herself from selfishly wishing for things to stay the way they were now.


Later that Day


"Uah-!" Alone yelled out instinctively as he slipped a bit while climbing up the steep mountain.

'This is the mountain he was talking about right.. I hope I'm not going the wrong way,'

He thought as he recalled what Sir Hypnos had said to him earlier that day;

'If you truly wish to seek these real colors... Go to the mountain just north of this city.'

Stopping for a moment, he looked around in uncertainty, "It's such a deep mountain.. Could I really find these 'real colors' he was talking about, here?"

Just as he said that the little white puppy ran ahead Alone, "Ah! Hey! You'll get lost!" Alone called to the pup, but the mix lab just kept running on ahead him.

Rushing a bit to keep the dog in sight, Alone stumbled about, rushing forward just before stopping in awe, taking in the breathtaking sight before him.

Luscious green fields with patches of colorful flowers stretched across the field, within the tree lines.

With what looked to be the remains of a platform of Tuscan columns, looking further to the distance he could see the tips of large structures in the background of the trees. Beautiful Flowers of all colors and all shades, fluttering in the breeze, were growing everywhere within the field.

"Is this.. the place where real colors can be found..? It's such a beautiful place.." he said, pausing as his thoughts finished for him, 'it's like I'm inside a Greek myth, within the paradise beyond the Banks of Lethe, a place where you can only enter with the permission of the gods.. The Elysium Fields..'

A smile slowly began to grow on his face as he looked around the area, looking at all the different shad of red he could use.

Walking over to one of the columns that had flowers of deep red growing on them, touching them lightly with his hand he commented absentmindedly, "Would this be the true red that sir Hypnos was speaking of?" Gently clutching them now, his face turned down sullenly, "but, this isn't what I'm looking for either."

Walking a bit to the side he placed one of his blank canvases down and looked down to the puppy at his legs, "Hey, since we've come all this way to such a lovely place, let me paint you with this scenery." He said, to which the puppy replied with a tilt of his head.

"We'll have to remember to take the others here someday, I just know Kora would love all of these flower, and just imagine what she could make grow here.." he said happily as he thought of his dear friend's beloved hobby.

"Though, you know, even after what Sir Hypnos told me, I still like the many colors that are created by the reflection of light." He said as he took out a charcoal to sketch.

"Red is red, but there are many kinds of red, intense ones, gentle ones, happy ones, and even sad ones.. Just like our hearts, the light has it's own feelings." He continued, as he began to gently sketch out his little friend.

As he spoke softly, all kinds of animals, ranging from rabbits to bears, came wondering out to watch what this pure minded human was doing, "Isn't it beautiful?" he asked, looking over at his shoulder where a bird landed, before smiling gently as it cuddled up closer to his warmth.

"I really like this world, where colors can come from the same body, yet are still each unique in their own ways.. And among all of them, there's also my favorite color-" He was cut off as the animals growled and quivered in fear before running away from the greater predator.

"huh, what's wrong? Why ar-" He asked before pausing as a voice sounded, "If you wish, you can acquire all of the colors in the world," his eyes widened at the unfamiliar voice and turned towards it.

"Did you know? If you put all the colors of light together.. A color of darkness is created," It was a woman, her hair was black as night and her eyes a dark shade of violet, she was wearing a long black dress that did nothing to hide her womanly curves being tied together at her chest.

"My name is Pandora." she said, when Kor suddenly barked and growled giving rise to her anger from being interrupted, looking over angrily, the puppy was sent flying yelping as he went.

Jumping in shock before rushing over, tears gathering in Alone's eye, he crouched down and gathering the puppy into his arms, bringing him up to his face.

"Why..?" He asked not really expecting, nor wanting, an answer, looking down on the scene without feeling Pandora walked over to the crouched boy.

Sitting on her knees she gathered his face in her hands, gently tilting his face up to look at her.

"A person who knows no hate.." She said before her smile widened and leaned forward, her eyes closing, bringing her lips to touch the very corner of his, making his eyes widen.

Blank.

He couldn't think, he was too shocked to think as blood began to run down the corner of his mouth, he brought a hand up to his face.

Backing away Pandora smiled, "I've been searching for you for a long time, my Lord" she said as she lifted a flower ring and pulling it over his head to rest around his neck.

Alone began backing away as the sky darkened with storm clouds, "W-what are you saying?"

It was then that a strange light burst from the necklace around his neck.

"Ah-!"


"Huh?" Tenma sounded as he pushed himself up from the tree he'd been lazying on, 'this feeling..' turning to the mountains he felt a weird sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. If he could recall correctly, Alone had mentioned he was planning to climb it, at the time Tenma had asked if he needed Tenma to go with him, but Alone assured his friend he would be fine on his own.

But.. 'Is he really going to be okay?'


Tune in Next Time for the Next Installment of; Chain of Flowers, Chapter 2!