A/N: I'm soooo soooo sooooo sorry this has taken so long for me to update, but I have a lot on my plate right now so I can't promise the next one's going to be out really soon, but with a little bit of luck it will be out quicker than this one was. Also I've given up on titles, so until I get some genius stroke of inspiration the chapters will be refered to by number. Now to reply to reviewers! Thank you for reviewing!

Kusai-bito: thanks, I'm glad you like it. Here's the next chapter!

Kratos Wilder: Thanks, Here's more! Now you can finally be unbored! lol. sorry it took so long...

MindTricks: ek, it wasn't very quick I'm sorry, but I'm glad you're enjoying it lol

Moogle Empress: Thanks, sorry it took so long, but here it is none the less.

Kratos Aurion Fan: Thanks, here's more, sorry it took so long...

iheartruins: Thank you for editing for me (even though I can just thank you in person...)

luvluvkisskiss:Yay for Kranna fans! Lol

Lyra the Sorceress of Scholars: I'm glad you like it. Here's the next chapter (finally)

Disclaimer: I still don't own Tales of Symphonia...

Chapter VI

The next morning Kratos awoke from hisplace on the sofa to find Anna still fast asleep in the bed. He decided to leave her, feeling she had earned a sleep-in. After slipping on hisboots he crept downstairs Kratos looked around. The receptionist was nowhere to be found.He continued to the back, wherethere was a small restaurant overlooking the sea.Kratos took a seat at a table next to a window on the back wall. Looking out the window, he knew that when Anna joined him she would enjoy the view.

A waitress came along shortly to take his order.

"Just coffee, thanks," he told her,"I'm waiting for someone." The girl nodded and left, leaving Kratos alone with his thoughts. The question What now? made itself prominent in his mind. It seemed that he'd reached a dead end. Although he didn't like to admit it, he was almost happy about this prospect. In any case, he would have to talk to Anna before making their next move. It was important to find out whether she had any other family or friends that would take her in or, if necessary, if she couldget a place of her own. His coffee was brought to him shortly. Silently, he sat sipping it and gazing outat the sea.

Anna entered the restaurant looking around for any sign of Kratos. She quickly spotted him sitting alone at a table for two. She walked over and sat across from him.

"Good morning," he greeted her with a slight smile.

Anna merely nodded her head and turned her attention to the ocean.

"Are you okay?" he asked, watching her actions.

She nodded wordlessly, sighing heavily.

Kratos rolled his eyes and said, "Come now, Anna I'm not stupid. What's on your mind?"

"It's nothing," she muttered "You wouldn't understand."

Kratos raised his eyebrows.

"Try me,"he said.

Anna sighed again, not looking at him. "You wouldn't under stand she repeated. Finally, she met his gaze with a deep sadness in her eyes "You have no idea how I feel right now. It's like I'm looking through a window at the rest of the world, but not allowed to be a part of it. Almost like I'm dead or something...a ghost. It's as if time is passing all around me, but it's leaving me behind, and there's no way to get it back. There's no way for me to go back and put myself into the normal routine of everyday life. My parents won'tcome back. Brian can't just give up his family for me. It's all lost. I am no longer a part of it. You have no idea how that feels."

"You'd be surprised," he murmured, dropping his gaze to the now empty cup of coffee. The two sat in silence. Kratos half-expected her to burst into tears, but her eyes didn't even water. She just sat, staring out the window.

"Kratos" she trailed off, her voice sounding like she had just finished crying "What's going to happen to me? I have nowhere else to go..."

He looked at her and gave a heavy-hearted sigh. "Truthfully, I don't know.I don't even know what is to become of myself, but you're welcome to come along with me for awhile, or at least until you can find somewhere to settle down and start over."

Anna nodded solemnly. "What about this?" she asked fingering the gem centered below her neck.

"I think it would be best if we waited to talk to Yuan about that. Right now I think it is best that we both just have some breakfast." Kratos signaled to the waitress who came over to their table immediately. The two ordered then sat in silence as they awaited their breakfast.

Food did seem to cheer Anna up a bit. It even seemed safe to attempt conversation with her. Kratos took a chance "If you're going to come with me we'll need to buy some more supplies I would suggest you get a heavy coat Winter nights can be bitterly cold."

Anna nodded, then changed the subject "Do youreally think the Desians are still after me?"

It was Kratos's turn to nod. "I'm certain of it," he told her "If they followed you to Izoold, then there is no doubt that they want what you have and will use any means to retrieve it. Even if we manage to get rid of the Desians, Mithos still has people looking for me. It's best that we don't stay in any one place too long."

"Where to, then?" she asked, "Where can we find Yuan?"

"Unfortunately we can't. He will have to find us. We'll just have to head over to Asgard and hope we run into him along the way."

"Asgard? Can we go on to Luin after that?"

"Maybe, but I can't promise anything. I think it would be a good idea to try heading to Triet."

Anna nodded slowly before finally returning to her food.

After breakfast Kratos and Anna, along with Noishe packed up, restocked on supplies, and left Palmacosta.Anna had purchasedalong red coat for the winter. It suited her well in Kratos' opinion. However, Anna had gone silent again. She hadn't said a word since they left Palmacosta. This perpetual silence was making him uncomfortable. He didn't like this side of her. It made him feel...well, guilty. Nonetheless, Kratos took comfort in the fact that at least shewas still with him.

It was around noon by the time they reached the Palmacosta House of Salvation. Anna gave him a pleading look and said, "I don't suppose there's any chance we can stop and have lunch here."

"I'm afraid not," Kratos told her "You know I can't go there, and as long as you're with me you're going to have to..."

"Kratos!" a familiar voice cut him off. Kratos turned to see who had called him.

"Yuan! Anna called out to the approaching blue-haired seraph "Just the person we wanted to see."

"Me? You wanted to see me?" Yuan asked with a curious look at Kratos.

Kratos nodded in return."Yes I...we need to talk to you about her exsphere, "he explained gesturing toward the jewel on Anna's neck.

"I see. Well then, we'd be better off going inside," he said, making a move towards the House of Salvation.

"Wait," Kratos commanded.

Yuan stopped and gave him a puzzled look.

"Do you really think it's safe for me to go in there?"

Yuan nodded and said reassuringly "Don't worry about it. Mithos stationed me here, albeit it was by my request. Anyway, I'm the only one of Mithos' men for a couple of miles."

"You don't know how good that is to hear," Anna told him, a broad grin sweeping across her face. Yuan gave a slight smile back.

"Anything for a friend of Kratos."

The three ascended the stairs of the House of Salvation leaving Noishe outside.

"Did you make it to the Toize Valley mines?" Kratos asked Yuan.

"Yes, unfortunately I was caught. I made up some story about being tipped off that you might be there."

"And Mithos believed this?"

"I think so."

Anna looked from Yuan to Kratos, a puzzled expressionon her face. "Toize mines?"she asked from the bed upon which she had seated herself.

"Never mind," Kratos told her sternly. He turned his attention back to his old friend "So what now?"

Yuan sighed. "I have no idea. You say it's only half a Cruxis Crystal?"

Kratos nodded.

"But how are they doing that? What's causing the transformation?"

"No idea Anna, do you know anything about it?"

The now confused young woman shook her head. "When I arrived at the ranch they gave me an exsphere just like everyone else.Then about a year ago they separated me from the other prisoners...something about me being compatible for their experiment. They gave me a key crest so they could remove my old exsphere and then gave me a new one."

"A new one?" Yuan inquired.

"Yes, well, I think it's a new one, but as far as I can tell they're the same" Kratos and Yuan exchanged looks.

"Anna, may we take a look atyour exsphere?" Yuan asked.

"Um, sure," she said tentatively, unfastening the top button on her shirt, revealing the glittering gem right below her collarbone.

"Kratos! How could you not notice this?" Yuan exclaimed.

"Notice what?"

"Look. Her exsphere already has a key crest."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you seet hat little ring of metal around the exsphere?"

"Yuan, that's not a key crest."

"Well then, what is it?"

"I don't know, but that's not inhibitor ore. It's mythril."

"So it's a fake?"

Kratos nodded.

"Do you think this is what's causing the transformation?"

"Yes. I'm almost certain of it."

"Well, then let's take it off," Anna said suddenly.

"Ah, well, I don't think that is such a good idea," Kratos said slowly.

"Yuan, what do you think?" Anna demanded.

"Well, honestly I'm on your side. Kratos, why don't you think we should take it off?"

"Because we have no idea how that would affect her. I mean, have you ever taken off just a key crest? And it's not like we can remove both, because I know that won't work like a real key crest."

"But that's not inhibitor ore. It shouldn't have any effect," Yuan argued.

"But it does. It's turning that thing into a Cruxis Crystal which means we shouldn't try anything until we learn more about it. I'm not willing to take that kind of risk" He looked at Anna "I'm sorry, but you're just going to have to put up with it until we come up with a new plan."

"So I suppose you still want me to get a key crest," Yuan interjected. Kratos nodded.

"Then what? I suppose we equip it then remove the exsphere along with the fake key crest?"

"I don't know," Kratos sighed.We don't know how the mythril will react with the inhibitor ore. I need you to research the Angelus project. Find out as much as you can about how it works and the effects it has on the human body."

Yuan nodded in agreement "Kratos, there is something I need to discuss with you. Anna, if you don't mind, would you step outside for a little while?"

Anna nodded, giving them a reproachful look

"Just go downstairs," Kratos told her. "I don't think you should leave the building."

She nodded again as she left the room.

"I don't know what to make of her," Yuan voiced aloud onceAnna was well out of earshot

"What do you mean?" Kratos asked, almost sounding concerned.

"I don't know, she just seems like such a little girl."

"Well, she is from our stand point."

"Kratos, everyone is young from our stand point."

Kratos shrugged then said, "Come on Yuan, you're a busy man. That can't possibly be what you wanted to discuss."

"It's not, but it is about Anna."

Kratos raised his eyebrows."What about Anna?"

"I think you should take her to Iselia."

"Iselia?"

"Yes. That is where the Chosen's family lives Mithos won't have the Desians or Cruxis causing trouble there."

"But if she goes to Iselia I won't be able to go with her," Kratos said without thinking, something he hadn't done in a few thousand years.

Yuan gaped at him. "And why should that matter?" he demanded to know.

Kratos felt the color rise in his cheeks underYuan's scrutinizing gaze and realized that he was embarrassed, an unpleasant feeling that hadn't surfaced for a good century or so.

"It doesn't," he said quickly, "I'm just so used to going everywhere with her thatI just assumed..."

"Kratos, it's been maybe a week since you met her. She's practically a stranger."

"I believe one can learn more about a person by just living with her for a week than by just seeing her every day for a month."

"Oh really? Tell me, Kratos, how much does she know about you? I don't suppose that by just living with her for a week she's found out that you're really a four-thousand year old angel who is at the top of the organization that's making her life a living hell."

Kratos looked away from Yuan and muttered, "Of course she hasn't."

"Kratos, it's in her best interests that you take her to Iselia. No good will come of you getting attached to her."

"So then what? Are you saying I should return to Cruxis?"

"No. If anything, I'm glad you finally took a stand against Mithos. I'd do the same, but it's more usefulfor me to be an inside man."

"But I can't just aimlessly wander the worlds avoiding Mithos' men for eternity. Maybe it'd be better if..."

"No," Yuan interrupted firmly, "It would certainly not be better if you returned to Cruxis. Look, you just take Anna to Iselia, and then we can talk about what you'll do next."

"But what if she doesn't want to?"

"Kratos, this is ridiculous. First of all, you're not going to give her a reason to doubt going. Secondly, if she values her life she will avoid hanging around you, and as hard as that might be to hear it's the truth, and you know it."

Kratos sighed deeply "You're right, of course."

Yuan smirked then said, "You two should get going if you want to reach Asgard before tomorrow." He handed Kratos two large sacks of gald "Take these. You'll need them"

"Thanks," Kratos said putting the weighty bags at the bottom of his pack.

The two descended the stairs to find Anna lying on her back, her head resting on her hands as she examined the ceiling. The two men exchanged glances of surprise.

"Anna?" Kratos queried. She sat up, a broad grin stretching across her face.

"Finally,"Anna said impatiently, "You have the pack with the food in it."

Kratos sighed, shaking his head, and handed his pack to her.

"Do you want me to make you a sandwich or something?" she asked him.

"Please."

"Yuan, do you want one?"

"Thank you, but I must decline "I have work to do. Kratos, I'll be in touch. Goodbye, Anna."

"Bye," she replied from the floorupon which she was arranging different ingredients between slices of bread. Yuan ascended the stairs leaving Kratos and Anna alone.

"Hey, Anna" Kratos started.

"Yeah?"

"I think it would be a good idea to set off again."

"But we haven't eaten yet," she complained.

"We can eat and walk at the same time. Better yet, we can ride Noishe and eat at the same time."

"Oh, okay" She stood up, sandwiches in hand.

"What's put you in a good mood all of a sudden?"

"Food," Anna explained, grinning. She extended a hand bearing a sandwich to Kratos, who shook his head and accepted it. "Can both of us fit on Noishe?" she asked as they left the building.

Kratos nodded. "We used to be able to squeeze four of us on him, but then again one of us was only fourteen at the time."

Anna giggled at the thought, forming a rather amusing picture in her mind.

The two mounted Noishe, taking turns holding the sandwiches as the other clambered on. Anna sat in front munching happily on her sandwich as Noishe headed in the direction of Hakonesia Peak

"You're really easy to please, you know that?" Kratos declared,watching Anna.

"Only when I'm hungry," she responded with a smile.

He grinned appreciatively, then took a bite of his sandwich. He made a gagging sound so abruptly that Anna turned around in shock; however, she relaxed when she realized that he was just being over-dramatic. She laughed to see him spitting out the bite.

"That's disgusting,"Anna chided. He made a face at her.

"Not as disgusting as what you put in there,"Kratos retorted childishly.

She frowned at him, a confused expression on her face.

"Tomatoes," he explained, "Damn disgusting things."

At this, she burst out laughing.

"It's not that funny," he told her.

"I'm sorry," she said wiping a tear from her eye, "but you just don't strike me as a picky eater."

He looked at her for a moment before saying, "I'm not. I'll eat anything...except these."

This sent Anna into another fit of giggles.

He rolled his eyes and decided to change the subject.

"Anna," he addressed her slowly, "How do you feel about Iselia?"

Anna stopped laughing. She looked at him, puzzled.

"What do you mean? I've never been so obviously I can't form an opinion about it."

"Well, how would you feel about living there?"

"I don't know, why?"

"Well, Yuan and I thought it would probably be the best place for you to stay."

"Me to stay? You'll take me there, right?"

"Yes, I will take you there." he told her truthfully.

"Good," she said, grinning, "because I don't know the way."

He smiled warmly at her before returning to picking the tomatoes out of his sandwich.

The two decided to pitch camp at the foot of Hakonesia Peak, a little ways from the gate.

Anna fell asleep in good spirits. Kratos; however, was not in such a good mood. Thoughts of Anna and Iselia ran through his mind until he drifted off to sleep.

He awoke with a start. His heart was pounding in his chest and he was breathing heavily. He looked over to see Anna, safely sleeping beside Noishe. He sighed lying back down and running his fingers through his sweat-drenched hair. There was no sign of dawn on the horizon except the slightly faded stars that lay close to the ground. He sighed, trying to calm himself. He was not used to night terrors.

He had been walking with Anna on their way to Iselia. She was giggling happily and running ahead of him.

"Come on Kratos,"she had called to him, smiling. He was just moving to catch up with her when suddenlythe world went dark.The only things he could make out were the faint outlines of trees and mountains, and then Anna clearly illuminated as if it were daylight. Two figures appeared in the darkness.

It was one of those peculiar instances where in the dream one knows exactly what something is, but upon waking up one realizes that, in fact,what was imagined in the dream is completely different from what the object actually looks like.

In the dream Kratos recognized the creatures as angels; however, they looked nothing like the angels Kratos knew in real life. They were about as twice as tall as normal human beings.Their skin was gray and their eyes were red with cat-like pupils. They had bald heads and very sharp pointed teeth. Their bodies were disproportional their legs were long and spindly, about three times as long as their stumpy arched bodies. Their arms were similar in structure to the legs, but longer. They were so long that their hands dragged along the ground.The fingers were long, curled and slender, each tipped with a razor sharp nail. The "angels" sneered at him as they grabbed hold ofAnna, their nails cutting her skin. She screamed as they dragged her into the darkness.

Kratos yelled and ran after them. His heart was pounding in his chest. Suddenly, he stopped staring aghast at the creatures that stood before him. The "angels" were holding Anna between them. She was still alive, but there were deep gashes in her arms and cuts all over her face. She was staring at him in horror, her eyes begging him for help.

"Well now Kratos," one of the creatures addressed him, a sickly grin on its visage, "Why the surprised look?"

"Yes," the otherchimed in "You knew this was going to happen."

The pleading look in Anna's eyes changed to one of fear and disbelief. Kratos; however, was too shocked to say anything.

"What's the matter? Not going to rescue her?" The first asked.

At that Kratos tried to move, but found that he couldn't.

"Not going to save her, eh?"said the other maliciously.

Kratos opened his mouth to protest, but no sound came out when he did.

The "angels" exchanged a glance then shrugged. "Fine, we warned you."

There was a sickening sound as Anna screamed and then...

Kratos sighed, staring up at the stars. He would worry about it all in the morning. These were his last thoughts before he drifted back into a more peaceful sleep.

A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed it. And once again I'm soooo sorry that took forever for me to finish. Hopefully the next one won't take me four months to finish... please review!