Disclaimer: I respectfully, although disdainfully own nothing except my plot and my characters

xXx

Rush: Chapter 1, Part 2- Different

xXx

I sighed as I looked out the window of my home in Izoold. Another two years had gone by and now, at the age of twenty I was quite concerned at how my life was headed. It took me a while to realize that, for the second time, Audra was right. I finally began to live my life again although to Audra's disdain, I was a bit of a thrill seeker.

I learned how to fight from Danny…he used to train me when he was still alive.

I thought to myself as I made my way out to the base of the Ossa Trail with my bow and quiver of arrows strapped to the holster on my back. Two wolves that had been following me since I left the port began trotting and growling behind me. I walked past the base of the trail and turned to face them, unhinging my bow and knocking an arrow in it. They lunged, and I chanted,

"Shine from the heavens above, celestial arrow!" the arrow split into beams of pure white light that struck both wolves multiple times, knocking them down, but not out.

They lunged again and one landed atop me, biting at my face. Luckily its jowls caught themselves on my bow. The other wolf was nowhere in sight.

A shout of "Light, Photon!" from behind me incinerated the wolf and I picked myself up to look at the newcomers. One of their group members, a tall man with wild auburn hair finished off the second wolf along with a shorter boy wearing red.

I walked up to the group as they all collected together, "Thank you for you assistance. I really appreciate it." I directed my thanks to the entire group.

"It was nothing." Said the boy in red, smiling. He stuck out his hand for me to shake. I did so.

"Sarah Rush. And you are?"

"Lloyd Irving. And this is Kratos," he pointed to the tall man, "Raine, Genis," he gestured to the two white-haired mages, "and this is Colette." the blonde he pointed to smiled and waved.

"Pleasure to meet you all. Again, I really appreciate the help." I nodded at each individually, giving a faint smile.

"So, Sarah, what are you doing out here?" Colette asked.

"Oh, well I was just scouting around…nothing to do, ya know?" She nodded in understanding, "And what about you all?"

The group glanced around at each other warily before Colette chirped happily, "I'm on my Journey of Regeneration!"

I glanced at her, wide-eyed, "So, you're the Chosen?"

"Yep! And now we need to get across the sea." She told me at my awed gaze.

I looked at the group, "Across the sea, you say?"

"That's correct. We need to find a ship." The one called Raine nodded slightly, moving forward, "You sound as if you could help us with that by the tone of your voice."

"Well, yes. I live in Izoold, but I'm afraid that the only ship running that would take on passengers is on a fishing trip…I don't know when they'll be back." I placed a thoughtful finger on my chin, "In fact, I believe they may have gotten caught up in that storm a while back…"

Again, the group looked at each other as Raine and Lloyd sighed. "Well, I suppose we could take a walk to the northern region…perhaps we could check to see if there are any seals that we could go to until the ship returns…" Raine looked throughout the group and nodded when no one objected.

"I concur." Kratos spoke up, and I, in turn, looked to meet his gaze.

"Alright! Let's go!" Lloyd seemed rather enthusiastic, "You should come, too, Sarah!"

I spluttered a bit, "Wait, what? How did I get roped into this?" I had to admit, I was rather amused at his suggestion…I quite agreed that it would be good for me to get out of that port for a while.

"Oh yes! You must come with us!" Colette clasped her hands together.

"…Well…if you really don't mind, I suppose I could come along…" I was a bit hesitant, although reasonably, I could visit my family… "The Balacruf Mausoleum is out in that direction, I believe?"

The second those words left my mouth I saw the lights in Raine's eyes spark to life, "Oh we simply must venture there!"

xXx

As I walked along with the group listening to Lloyd complain for the umpteenth time, I slowed my pace to walk with Kratos,

"Your skill with the sword is quite remarkable." I told, glancing to my left to look up at him.

He glanced down at me, nodding before his reply, "Thank you."

I said nothing but "You're welcome," for a few moments before dryly starting a conversation,

"You're a mercenary, am I correct?"

"You are." He scanned the area; there were quite a few wasps in an area to the far left, but they were remaining stationary for now.

"How long?"

He gave me a bemused look, "A while. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering if you've ever met another mercenary by the name of Daniel Nylan, is all…" I looked ahead, sighing slightly through my teeth.

"I've heard the name on the wind once or twice, why?"

"Well-" I was unable to finish my sentence on account of the swarm of wasps from earlier had bore down upon us.

I stayed to the rear with the two white-haired siblings as I watched Kratos and Lloyd dash right into the fray, slashing and stabbing at as many wasps possible.

I barely heard either of the two siblings cast their spells, until a sting from a wasp that had come, seemingly out of nowhere, caused me to lash out. I cried out in pain as it pulled its stinger from my arm, which was now bleeding quite profusely.

I stumbled away as Lloyd ran in and killed the creature. It was decided: if he saved my life, I would save his. I charged up a quick spell and channeled the mana into my arrow, "Inferno of glory, incinerate thine enemies…Flaming Javelin."

Just as the butt of the arrow left the bow, it burst into flames and flew in a straight line. I smirked as it hit its target dead on. The wasp was incinerated immediately.

"Hey, good shot!" Lloyd was smiling widely and I knew I was blushing from the praise.

"T-t-thanks." I smiled softly until I felt my arm go completely numb. I dropped to my knees, discarding the bow to the side and clutched my bleeding arm. Swiftly, I ripped the fabric of my sleeve off and gasped at the sight. My arm was turning purple.

"Oh my…Here. First Aid." I felt the rush of mana go through me as Raine used her healing arts, though I noticed that the area where the stinger impaled itself was still purple…and now my arm was in pain.

I glowered at the shredded remains of the wasp that had done this so nonchalantly to my arm, "I think the stinger may have hit the bone."