Chapter 4
When Kratos touched down atop a formidable stone citadel Raine shivered so violently with in his grasp holding onto her became difficult. The former Cruxis angel half guided, half dragged the woman through a heavy iron door. His fingers dug into her waist to keep Raine from falling and Kratos wondered if he should just carry her the rest of the way in.
And better yet why was she wet?
He brought the trembling professor down a spiraling staircase dotted with luminescent bluish mana filled orbs. Finally they came to a iron-banded door set deeply within the dark stone wall.
Kratos ushered Raine in to a room furnished with a sitting area complete with a dark red upholstered couch and a table; off to the side stood a bed with an equally deep red quilt. Kratos left her shivering in the center of the room while he grabbed the quilt and rummaged through a large dresser.
"Get out of those, quickly," Kratos deposited a pile of dry clothing on the couch. When Raine struggled to shrug off her wet torn coat Kratos instinctively helped ease the wet cloth from her shoulders.
He took in her blue lips and chatting teeth with great concern; he never seen her so helpless before. All she could do was hold herself and shiver, nearly to the point of quaking. Raine's hair was a matted mess atop her head, her blue eyes dilated with hints of shock. Her helplessness struck something odd yet very familiar within Kratos.
Her coat fell the floor with a wet slap thanks to Kratos' assistance. Raine then tried to work loose the collar to her white shirt, but stiff cold fingers made the task utterly impossible. It was Kratos who came to the rescue once again and unfastened her shirt at the neck.
This was going entirely too slow for the seraph. Without further thought Kratos grabbed the hem of her shirt and unceremoniously peeled the wet fabric from her body. To his displeasure her pale skin was quite damp. Like undressing a doll Kratos worked methodically and efficiently; pausing only for a second when he pulled off her undergarments.
"Th-Th-thanks," Raine chattered.
Kratos looked into her eyes. Some of the blankness had faded away; a good sign.
"Don't thank me yet," Kratos cautioned. "You're body's still fighting the chill." Kratos then urged Raine to lift her leg so she could step into the pants he found for her. The shirt soon followed and Kratos then had her seated on the couch and wrapped securely in the red quilt.
Her lack of response or comment was particularly concerning. 'She must be in a bad way,' Kratos thought and stood to start a quick fire with the help of some magitechnology. He then went to a small cupboard near the door fishing out some supplies and some stored water, with in minutes Kratos handed the shivering half-elf a steaming cup of tea.
With shaky hands Raine reached for the blessedly hot mug and drank greedily, caring little that the hot liquid burned her mouth and throat. The brew was pungent and miraculously cleared all Raine's congestion. Kratos dared not leave her now and waited patiently for some of the color to come back into her cheeks.
"Are you feeling better?" Kratos finally asked when Raine set took the cup from he lips.
"Yes, much better. Thank you," she sighed gratefully as her body melted under the new warmth. Settling down into the plush cover, Raine was not ready for Kratos' next words.
His voice was flat yet demanding when he said," What are you doing here?"
Raine's spine went ramrod straight and she shot the seraphim an offended look. 'So much for pleasantries,' Raine groused. She then stonily replied, "I assure you, it was not intentional."
"Then…"
"How?" Raine finished the man's question; deep indigo eyes flashed briefly and suddenly her fatigue melted away.
Half an hour and about three different theories later Kratos was at the end of his patience. It was odd how such a brilliant woman could be so self-unaware. Even better, she hadn't shown any signs of wanting to stop either.
"…So that could mean that every time a summon spirit releases large amounts of mana a portion of its residual power…"
Kratos briefly closed his eyes; she really was a piece of work.
"…I don't even know how I triggered it, perhaps the lightening …. Theoretically--"
"Enough!" Kratos exclaimed forcefully. Raine jerked back as if struck then shot Kratos an oh-no-you-didn't look. Hastily he amended, "So you're saying that this was an accident."
The look she sent him could have melted glaciers. However Raine sullenly replied, "Basically…yes, but the real question is how to get back home."
"So it would seem," Kratos agreed crossing his arms thoughtfully; the gears in his head turning.
The seraphim's lengthy silence was beginning to make Raine feel uneasy. She tried to read his body language, but failed miserably. With all honesty the man could be as forthcoming as a brick wall when he wanted to be.
"There isn't," he finally said.
Raine cocked her head to the side. "Excuse me? There isn't what?" she asked with rising misgivings.
"No way back. It's a one way ticket as far as I know," Kratos stood up wanting to give her some time to let it all sink in.
"Wait! What do you mean? Transport-portals work both ways!"
Kratos shook his head, "I'm afraid the distance between Derris-Kharlan and the reunited world is too great, and growing as we speak. The probability of you returning home is slim to none."
Kratos looked away from the half-elf's suddenly ashen face. In the two hours they had been together he had never seen such a wealth of emotions on the normally detached scholar.
"Your body needs rest. Sleep for now and we can talk later," Kratos said softly and turned to leave.
Raine was silent watching the angel's retreating form. True to Kratos' word Raine's body was on the verge of collapse; even her soul felt the burden. Weak and heavy Raine climbed into the cool sheets of the bed. She felt numb and Raine suspected that her chilled body had little to do with the feeling.
'It can't be. I can't. I can't be stuck here,' she thought dejectedly. 'I still have so much to do. Genis…'
Tears stung the corners of her eyes; she just felt so utterly helpless it made her ill. She hadn't had that feeling since she was nine years old; thrust into a strange land with nothing but her baby brother and her wits.
Soon her body won out over her troubled mind and Raine was sound asleep in moments.
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Kratos aimlessly wondered the halls, his white and leather strapped boots scuffing along the old stone floor, lost in thought. He felt anxious, he felt jittery, he felt…excitement? No, he couldn't! Though, the thought of not being alone anymore was more thrilling than he would have liked to admit. Kratos didn't want to find pleasure in her predicament, but he did. It was…disturbing to say the least.
A frown crossed his handsome features. 'This is bad…'
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Hours after he left Raine to rest Kratos found her wondering the halls in the borrowed clothing. The pants were baggy but too short for her legs and the shirtsleeves hung well past her wrists. Her hair was most definitely combed with her fingers giving Kratos a glimpse of a single pointed half-elf ear.
"It's not plausible," was what she said as she walked up to Kratos in the blue lit hallway. "There is always a way. I will get home."
Kratos took his time with the response before meeting her eyes and asking, "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, very--" Raine lowered her eyes to her empty stomach then abruptly looked up. "Wait…"
"Come with me then," Kratos presented his back and disappeared into the flickering blue shadows. He could hear the half-elf's quick steps to catch up with him.
As they walked together Kratos repeatedly told himself that he was in no way stalling the situation. Not at all…
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"This room is an addition?" Raine asked craning her neck to take in the metal paneled walls and intricate magitech storage units. The room reminded her of the ranches and the Renegade base. Raine had long since forgiven his disregard of her statement earlier, but only because her mind and body were weak from lack of food.
While Raine silently took note of her new surroundings with scholarly interest, Kratos was busy rummaging through one of the storage units.
"Yes, before we finished Welgaia this served as headquarters," he answered pulling out a box. He then handed Raine a couple of packets made of a shiny silvery material. She peeled open a packet revealing a grainy dark-brown bar and promptly frowned.
"This food was meant for the angel security squads, it's not meant to be enjoyed but for nourishment," Kratos informed her.
Raine tentatively took a bite and moved the grainy substance around her tongue. "You're not kidding," she said swallowing the tasteless mass.
"Now enough with the evasiveness," Raine caught and held Kratos' auburn eyes. "You're telling me there is no way for me to return home?" Her voice betrayed none of the trepidation or fear Raine felt.
The seraph briefly broke eye contact before explaining, "Not impossible, but very unlikely. Yes, there are transport portals and yes, most are still functional. But the likelihood of you finding a power source large enough to bridge the gap between the planets is very small."
"What are you talking about? Not enough power," Raine argued, stomping her foot to prove her point. "We're standing on a giant hunk of mana."
"It doesn't work that way," Kratos narrowed his eyes; he didn't particularly like her tone. "You need tangible matter for the generator-core. It's not like you can easily plug into Derris-Kharlan's mana."
"Fine then. I still don't see what the problem is," Raine's voice was on the verge of rising.
"Let me put it this way," Kratos said, his patience strained. "The eternal sword was used to send me and Derris-Kharlan into space. There's nothing with that kind of power here."
"So tell me. Are you 100 sure that you're right," Raine eyed the seraph levelly. "Beyond the shadow of a doubt, that there's absolutely nothing that can serve as a power source?"
A lesser man would have been sweating buckets under such scrutiny. But for a battle hardened former Cruxis member the effect of such a gaze was more vexing than anything else. Kratos audibly sighed, she was proving to be difficult.
"There's a chance that you could find an answer in..." Kratos trailed off, wanting to choose his next move carefully.
Raine crossed her arms, her stance was commanding despite her rumpled appearance. "Find an answer where?" she urged.
"Come with me it's easier if I show you," he said gesturing for Raine to follow.
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Raine stood motionless, frozen in time. Kratos too shared her predicament, not because they entered a vast ancient library, but he was completely at a loss about what to do with his half-elf companion.
He had been ready for her to turn fanatical, maniacal even, but catatonic? Kratos at least wished she'd at least show any signs of breathing.
"Raine?" he asked gently, not knowing if the sound of his voice would trigger an adverse reaction.
"This… Is…"
Raine's tight fist came up to her neck. Her eyes wider than Kratos had ever seen.
"This…Marvelous!!"
Ignoring the outburst Kratos said, "I believe you'll find information on machinery and generators over on the left side near the door." Kratos gestured over the stark shadows cast by the formidable bookshelves. "I'm going to run a scan on the working transporters, so I'll be leaving. Will you…be ok?"
"Yes, yes!" Raine nodded vigorously. "You go!" She cast her eyes around in pure rapture, "I'll stay here!"
There was something truly unwholesome about that spark in her eyes. Kratos had little choice than to take his leave, wondering if it was ok to leave Raine by herself. But he couldn't worry about that now with any luck, in this fanatical-mode, Raine wouldn't notice the discrepancy in protocol.
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When Kratos returned he found her, rather a table burdened with books and scrolls. As he approached his sharp ears could detect strange ramblings from the scholar's direction.
"…fascinating…fascinating…"
"Have you made any progress?"
The only indication that Raine was taken by surprise was the slight flinch in her shoulders. Looking up from her work she rubbed her eyes and replied, "I'm afraid not. To tell you the truth I don't really know what I'm looking for. A power source is just too general of a topic."
"Perhaps if you examined the generator."
Raine slapped her forehead. "Of course! That should have been the first thing I examined," she then added quietly, "What's wrong with me?"
Down a stone spiral staircase and two corridors later they arrived in a large room dominated by magitech machinery.
"We used this room often for massive transport," Kratos explained leading a glassy eyed Raine into the room. Noting the slight tremor of her shoulders, Kratos could see the strain as Raine desperately tried to control herself.
"This…" Kratos pushed a few buttons on a waist high consol. With a metallic hiss a small metal pillar-like object rose from the floor. "…Is the generator." Atop of the metal pillar was an elegant red crystal cylinder with gold tips at either end.
Kratos' sensitive ears twitched at Raine's sudden intake of breath. Before he could even blink she was on her knees before the pillar, trembling hands reaching out to touch the cylinder.
With a voice dripping with rapture Raine said, "It's…it's a cramal cage! I never thought I'd ever see one. There is mention of objects that could harness the power of summon spirits before the Great War, but…"
She stroked the ruby colored crystal lovingly, caressing the tips before running graceful fingers down the smooth red crystal. The sight made Kratos uncomfortable in the most interesting of ways.
"Perfect!" Raine exclaimed fanatically. Seeing the cramal cage was just what she needed to give her some momentum in her research. However, a firm hand covered her wrist shattered Raine's blissful haze. Startled she looked up to see Kratos, whose eyes were glued to where he grabbed her wrist.
"I think it would be best to leave the cage here," he said quietly.
"Ah…oh!" Much to her embarrassment Raine found her hand wrapped firmly around ruby cylinder. She let go albeit reluctantly.
'You little finks!' Raine shot glared at her hands.
Suddenly aware of the strange look she was receiving Raine jumped to her feet and paced. "This is good," she said mid-stride. She pulled out a little note pad, warped from being water logged, and began jotting down notes.
"Now I can really get started."
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The great library had succumbed to thousands of years of wear and tear, thin cracks that resembled spidery veins raced up giant stone columns that supported the lofty ceiling. The elaborate gothic windows, tall and proud also sported cracks and breaks, while showing the ominous purple and mauve clouds roiling outside.
Professor Sage however paid no such notice to her surroundings. Slender silvery eyebrows were creased with concentration as she sat before three different opened books. It was the second day of chasing down clues and leads, or what she thought was the second day. It was really difficult to keep track of time in this place.
What could have been a rewarding experience was wasted on her however. As much as she loved research the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her shoulders. The thought of never seeing Genis again was terrifying. As much as she thought he still needed her, she needed him just as much. It was strange how much peace of mind stemmed from her little brother.
Sighing heavily, Raine immersed herself in the text, completely oblivious to the pair of eyes that were watching her every move.
This was becoming a really bad habit. Kratos had admitted that fact to himself sometime ago. But when one spends over a year with only the company of their own thoughts, having another living being for company was too much of a temptation. Who'd have thought Kratos would derive such enjoyment from the act of voyeurism.
'I've become quite pathetic,' Kratos thought wryly, without a hint of remorse.
The heavy pages of a large book fell to a close stirring up a fine cloud of dust that tickle Raine's nose. She sneezed scattering the light particles that reflected the golden glow of the warm lamplight; conveniently produced by Kratos. Raine sat up, her stiff joints popping as she arched in a languid stretch.
"How long have I been here," she yawned blinking back tears.
"Nearly six hours," a deep voice came from no where and everywhere at once in the cavernous library.
Raine turned quickly and promptly winced when one of her vertebra popped loudly. Soon Kratos' faint silhouette emerged from the deep shadows.
"What?" Raine asked hoping he didn't just witness her clumsy act.
Kratos met her eyes briefly and placed a package and flask of water on the long table where she sat. "Six hours. Here I've brought you some food and water."
Long hours and taut nerves had certainly taken their toll on the professor. Her normally clear blue eyes were riddled with red veins while her shoulders slumped with fatigue.
"Oh…thank you," Raine said, gratitude displayed in her slight smile. She accepted more tasteless nutrient bars and some water in a flask.
In the distance a pane of glass crashed noisily to the ground. "The atmosphere can get quite volition here," she commented, nervously looking up to see if any sharp pieces a glass were headed towards her person.
Kratos shrugged then folded his arms comfortably under his chest; given the condition of the old windows it was a common occurrence.
"Wild magic," Kratos answered matter-of-factly. "A result of mana tampering. "
Raine's fatigue melted away, she always loved an opportunity to share newly gained knowledge. "Now that you mention it, I came upon the most interesting passage today. I had no idea that the elves were responsible for the development of magi-technology."
"Yes, the very theory of magitechnology was born here," Kratos answered in his usually measured tone.
Raine chewed thoughtfully and said, "So it is safe to theorize that magitechnology poisoned Derris-Kharlan?"
Kratos shrugged, "that I don't know. When Cruxis was finally formed this place was perpetually deserted."
"Hm," Raine mused absently taking a sip of water. "That could have been a possible theory to the elves' migration to our planet in the first place, and maybe even hint at their current nature revering existence." She made a mental note to take books with her for further study. Little was actually known about the origins of elves.
Kratos motioned his head in agreement. "I think that theory also preludes to the fact that magitechnology was a curse to this world and ours." There was an edge to his voice, "A plague that shouldn't have been created in the first place."
Raine's blue eyes hardened at the statement. "Advancement of sentient beings is inevitable," she argued. "Even if magitechnology was never created there would have been something else to take its place."
Kratos was silent. She had a point, but it didn't explain all the lives destroyed. He could have grown up in that small rural village, grown old and raised a family. Not live for over four thousand years to inflict countless horrors upon others.
Kratos recalled his fondness for the many displaced half-elves; his youth and naivety saving him from the seeds of hatred. Over the years he learned the elves had an affinity with the natural world and that trait was passed to their half blood cousins. Martel was particularly sensitive to the cries of the planet and the dangerous fluctuations of mana. The mounting racism, the war and the deteriorating planet had brought them together. It had been so long ago but the memories were still vivid.
"Were you born during the Ancient War or before?" Raines inquired her interest more than piqued.
"I was born during the war, yes. But at that time it had been in progress for so long many forgot what they were fighting for." The eagerness in the professor's expression told Kratos that it was best to continued.
"As you know it was the golden age of magitechnology. Sylverant and Tethe'Alla were not separate planets but two prosperous kingdoms. Once the new technology came to be the two kingdoms were soon locked in a race of advancement. Soon after came the development of weapons giving rise to both jealousy and fear among the two lands. It was then that the depletion of mana was finally recognized. Unfortunately it did not serve as a wakeup call to both kingdoms, instead they began pointing fingers claiming that each was stealing precious mana from the land. Soon war had erupted over the entire planet," Kratos paused to take a breath.
He then briefly summarized how he had me his three half-elf companions, on the run from a mob of angry humans. Raine sat, enraptured with every word. This was a once and a life time opportunity to get a history lesson from one who had experienced that history.
"…Yuan was convinced that because of the war the half-elf population came to be. The numerous battles sent human refugees into the reclusive elf settlements. When those of mixed blood began to become a race unto themselves, they were looked upon with mistrust." Kratos stopped silently soaking up his audience's attention; her excitement was oddly infections. Kratos could feel his pulse accelerate as he regaled his tale.
"As I understand it the humans hated half-elves because they hadn't declared their allegiance to either side. It was fairly recent that the prejudice stemmed from the humans' jealously over the half-elf lifespan." Kratos added quickly.
"Interesting," Raine said thoughtfully. "What of the elves?"
"As for the full blooded elves their mistrust came from fear of conflict. They wanted nothing to do with the war, humans, or half-elves; even when mana levels became dangerously low. This ultimately left half-elves tragically stuck in the middle."
Raine was silent for a while, "It's a pity that something wonderful like technological advancement can bring out the worst in people. Greed and ignorance…" Raine mused aloud, "Are two of the greatest sins in my opinion."
"It's not the fault of the technology itself, but of those who wield it," Raine added a little more passionately than necessary.
"So what are you trying to say?" Kratos inquired, "That humans have a predisposition towards evil?"
Raine's slender eyebrows arched, "I didn't say that. I'm not saying all humans, but it's hard to dispute the evidence."
"So you wouldn't fall prey to the lure of scientific advancement? Do everything in your power to further your knowledge?" Kratos paused when those intelligent blue eyes hardened.
"What?"
Raine's lips settled into a grim line. "You certainly are talkative."
"Forgive me," Kratos resisted the urge grin, it seemed he got under the professor's skin. "It's been a while since I've heard the voice of another let alone talked to anyone."
Raine's annoyance melted away into concern and curiosity. "There are no other Cruxis angels here?"
"Most either fled or perished with the Tower of Salvation. As for the soulless dolls, when Mithos died there was little reason to exist. So they just stopped…" Kratos trailed off.
'Is that why I asked Lloyd to send me into space?' Kratos asked himself. Surely he hadn't sunk that low.
Raine lowered her eyes saying, "I see…" His existence sounded dreadful, so utterly lonely. She had no right to question his decision to reside here, but it felt wrong to her.
And on the spot Raine silently vowed to remedy that.
TBC