ANCESTRAL MEMORY STRAND THREE: PART TWO

Era of First Rutabaski: The Second Greatest King

A/N: A Reference to The Currents of Space by Isaac Asimov in this chapter.

Chapter 6: Espionage

The young toddler ran out from his room once he saw his chance. Like every other day when left alone, Xetsu loved to think, with his great and powerful imaginative mind, and today was no exception. Except, perhaps, that this time his mind took him elsewhere entirely. The barely one-year-old was denied of helping his mother and placed in his crib, but Xetsu did not want that; he wanted to DO something, something that would be productive and approved by his mother.

So today, while the toddler was thinking of what he could do, the child was visited by a small sprite, and naturally curious of his rational views of this world, he followed it.

It was a pretty sight to see, with the light of this sprite locked in Xetsu's child sight. In fact, that beauty almost brought him to die if it weren't for his mother. The child almost fell off the steep side of the mountain, where not many could climb easily, but Skyla was alert once she heard the pitter-patter of her only child running out. Like any franatic mother, she screamed out loud, scaring Xetsu but saving him at the least from early death.

"It's alright, it's alright. I'm here for you." She slowly calmed down, hugging tightly to her precious little boy. The tears dripped down from her and onto him, sort of like a soothing light rainfall. Xetsu's chest still riveted in fear, scared that he done this to his mom, but most of all because when that little sprite accepted him, it recognized the similar aura of a great man, so his mind was flooded with old memories of a previous millennium.

War was not something a child would completely understand, especially if it was a toddler you'd show all these images and information to, but Xetsu could FEEL the emotion behind that one person. Firanze De Lupo- Xetsu was shown the experiences of his patriarch, including what he did and how he managed to morph from a orphan boy in the woods to a war hero and then the beloved king he was known for. It was not easily reminiscent soon after, but the main idea was still learned, and of course that's what got the child influenced on being as great as the man himself.

"M-Mama?" Skyla looked down into the eyes of her son, a glimmer in his eyes that assured he'd be alright calmed her down, ridding her of the stress she had prior to this moment. He wiped the tears from her with a smile, which made her laugh at his charm.

"I want you to sing again, Mama. Like you always had." That was the most he ever said at that age, in fact, those were words he didn't really understand himself. It just- came to him.

Skyla nodded, then told him to move to a safe area, which was under the apple tree, if she were to sing. She wondered what gotten into him that made the child act slightly different, but her love was blinding, which meant she didn't give it anymore thought.

"What do you want me to sing?"

"The one that you sing when you play-" He made hand gestures of someone playing a peculiar string instrument. As quickly as the confusion struck her, it vanished when she understood what he was talking about.

"I suppose I'll sing you that one, but first you have to... put your head down." He giggled at the sensitive touch she gently used to soothe him back to sleep. Once she had him slowly closing his eyes for the familiar humming, she started. "En daʃeʋu, No be.."

Retta looked carefully for the sleeping form of the fifteen-year-old. He was wrapped in a blanket, sleeping next to the runt, a black coated four-month-old foal that was the smallest compared to the rest of its generation. "Aunt Kara said I should wake him up if I see him," she softly whispered into the wind, contemplating at the options she could take. "But he looks so peaceful sleeping there." It was questionable why Xetsu was sleeping on the stall floors, but she was a smart individual herself, so she was able to piece together the clues from last night.

*FLASH BACK*

Xetsu had something important to do that evening with Thayme. The man was going to talk to him about something rather important when he came over, but tonight, fate had other plans for him.

"Xetsu, it seems that my students do not know the proper way of wielding the blade," Labim stopped him in his tracks. "Would you mind teaching them some pointers?"

Thayme did speak with utter urgency earlier, but Xetsu was not going to ignore his elder simply because he was needed elsewhere. 'Malik had first hand experience with a sword did he not?' "Sure? Just give me a few minutes."

[Minutes later]

Malik didn't know why the teen was being fussy about bringing him out to the sparring area for no aparent reason other than him saying it would be contributing to the brotherhood. 'If it had been truly important, someone else would have told me instead of this buffoon.' He noted the creeping smile indicating future disaster for Malik; he was use to Xetsu's practical jokes after years of knowing him, so it was the first indication he had of that devious plotting mind.

"Okay Malik, just let me do the talking and then we'll demonstrate for them. You got that?"

"Na'am" He quickly agreed once they entered the ring. 'So many people.. Xetsu better know what he's doing.'

The younger of the two cleared his throat, already knowing what he was going to say as his rivalry between Malik was a fierce, yet friendly all the same. This would at least be payback for several of the times Malik called him 'Novice', feeding off his contradictions for entertainment. "Alright class! Today we're going to learn all about wielding a sword."

'I guess he's not mad about the itching powder I placed in his bedspread the other night.' Malik stood amazed at the boy's maturity. Perhaps, he could finally get some rest without worrying about having to tolerate him for once.

"The first thing we should know is safety," He shifted over, closer to Malik's armless side. That's when Malik knew that the smile on Xetsu's face was undeniably true. "This is what happens when you DON'T use a sword correctly."

It took a lot of his strength to not attack right there and then. As a matter in fact, Malik merely muttered his words before figuring out a proper way to punish him. Even though he was more authoritative than him, Malik still had the right to send him out- in this case, Xetsu would clean the Horse Stalls all by himself. "You dick."

*End of Flash Back*

Retta continued to look at him, sleeping comfortably on the pile of hay. Xetsu was sleeping peacefully like a child knowing he was near the safety of his mother, which brought a little warmth to her heart for an unexplained reason. Apparently, Retta was finding Xetsu as someone she felt attracted to, which she did not want to believe was true; she still saw him as her deceased uncle, not some boy whom they could start a thing together with!

Although she hated to think about any of those thoughts, she somewhat inched closer to him in a trance, like her mind was separated from body and it wanted him. What stopped her in the end was a surprise to her.

"R-Rosa?" The preteen stammered softly while she tried to understand why her aunt's friend was here, sleeping next to her aunt's love interest. If there was one thing Retta was good at, it was her ability to predict possible outcomes in any situation, and she already could imagine that if Kara did not have her trademark patience, Rosalina would have it coming before she could even explain her story.

"Good morning Retta. I see you're taking advantage of this new day." Retta blushed furiously at the hint of blackmail, but as she already knew, Rosalina wouldn't even try to go through with it. "Well, I better get up. Malik has been a Drama queen lately; I wouldn't want him to fume at this discovery," She folded the blanket and took it with her, making Xetsu begin to stir awake.

Xetsu began to wake up a few moments after she left his side, still a bit sleepy, but refreshed to the fullest in weeks. "Oh, hi Retta." He stood up and cleaned his robe from any stringing straws of hay, stretching his muscles for the beginning of a very busy day. "What's up?"

Retta quietly tried to tell him, but she was still waiting to composed herself. Somehow, Xetsu understood that her feelings were strained, so he smiled and told her not to worry. "I take it Kara wants to see me, no? I better get going then." And just like that he left her in the barn, still confounded with the feelings that conflicted with her.

Once he made it outside, he caught his best friend as she tested him like he asked her to. It was easier for her to hide from him at times when he just woke up, but for some reason, Kara was no yet able to lay a hand on him without noticing. "Your getting better." He smiled briefly, but his senses picked up a few fluctuations from Kara that she tried to hide from him. He frowned at what was bugging her, but of course, Xetsu knew that despite Kara being a few ranks below him, she still had as much of a chance to reach his level.

Xetsu grabbed her chin between his forefinger and thumb, in an incredible intimate manner, which would make everyone who saw the two think they were already courting.

Of course, that's what Aru was seeing through a spyglass as he studied the teen. He found it superfluous to study someone as mundane as him. Xetsu was immediately labeled as an idiot by Turne, seeing as the boy was more focused on training like a mindless drone than rather doing other projects.

"I have something for you."

"And what would that be, Karamello?"

"This. Papa had it imported from these new found islands east of Sagratius," She explained while unwrapping the package to reveal a beige cloth about the size of an ideal cape. "When he told me about it I almost didn't believe him, but I guess anything is possible until you prove it wrong." Her voice seemed restraint from spilling out in gushy joy, and Xetsu could tell from the vibes he was getting from her, even without activating his second eyesight.

Aru nearly leaped up from seeing a sudden change in Xetsu's eyes. It went from its usual color, to a golden amber, like an eagle. 'Maybe there is something Sorre deamed him of importance. But what exactly, this isn't entirely good until I have more info on him.'

"Is it really... the real thing?" He heard stories of its existence, specifically from his favorite historical figure and how he wore clothing made of that fabled material.

"Mm hmm; it's Kyrt, the same plant with fibers stronger than any other material known to man," Kara happily answered him with a huge grin on her face. "Dad told me that this is what was left of the trees he could find, so I'm guessing there won't be another source for a few hundred years, unless the stories are true and the plants grow back when the dragons do." Kara began to daydream of the possibilities, which left Xetsu to his own thoughts for the while the two "Platonic" (although Kara is patiently waiting it out) friends had nothing better to do that morning.

"Hey Xetsu," one of the many children that said individual had befriended. Her name was Faviola, being from the far north and having a back-story somewhat relatable lifestyle that Xetsu used to live.

Kara's attention was brought back to reality, just in time to see that her friend with a potential threat to her. She understood Xetsu's tendencies to help others, even if some didn't deserve second chances, but... this was ridiculous! All the while the teen was paying attention to this... child, Kara had this weird feeling.

'She's onto me..' Aru understood that his greatest challenge would be to get the two away from each other, if Sorre needed Xetsu for some beneficial spying. And with Kara being the lookout between the two, Aru had trouble learning more of the target. Even still, he was getting frustrated knowing that this was more of a lackey's task, and he had more of a potential than Turne would ever have. 'Blast that fool... the hell is this..'

Although Aru was a healthy growing male, his education in the basic field of "The primal urges" was not very complete to know what he was feeling as he peeked another look at the girl. 'Damnit! What is this... this feeling.'

"Then that's what you should do, Faviola." Xetsu finally finished explaining her the answer of a simple equation. Now ready to leave, he let out a breath and faced Kara. "There something wrong?"

"..."

"Kar-a?"

"Nothing," She turned away from where Aru had been hiding, yet keeping her eyes alert if something were to pass by unsuspected. "Come on, we got to get ready. Mother is waiting to see you."

Tera had went about her daily routine that morning helping Ayane finished cooking the food for tonight's festivities. A grand assortment of pastries were being taken by Retta and some volunteers were everything was being set up.

"Wait- your missing the sauce. Where did you put the sauce?" Like every other year, Ayane was the stressful one in this particular part of seasons. Tera went searching for it, leaving Ayane to tend the rest of the food that was still cooking in the pots. One little shake was all it took for a container to fall out of its place, but she didn't notice it until after.

"Looks like you need some help, Mrs. Seviche," Xetsu placed the salt on the counter as his friend's mom thanked him. He'd had something else to do, but that could wait for now.

"So Xetsu, I've heard you've gotten a chance at the initiation," She fixed up the remaining salad that needed to be done.

The initiation consisted on a group of specially selected individuals, who excelled at any of the top three ranks, and are brought to the Elder's attention to participate in a "Test", which each individual that participated would have to give it their all in order to pass. After that, they'd get their warrior's name, depending on how they performed; which Xetsu learned he could select one himself when it was his turn. 'Since Firanze called himself Aquilus, which is the constellation of the northern sky, I'll be Altair, a star in part of Aquilus.'

"Yeah. I know it's a difficult rite of passage, but I have this motivation that keeps me going you know. And I have been studying vigorously for the last few years for this." Xetsu gave off an innocent innuendo right when he mentioned motivation and the fact that he seemed happier than usual right now. All Ayane's logical deduction pointed at the fact that it was finally happening.

She was a bit curious to know what was his motivation, and like all mothers who looked out for their children's happy future, so Ayane started to push for that wanted answer out of him. "You know Xetsu, even though you've been assigned all those missions for years, I have never had the thought come to me what you'd do when you want to live... a 'normal' life."

He had a puzzled look on him that would have made any woman feel bad for him, but Ayane could understand the young man had no basic understanding about what she was talking about. 'That Sederouko would have taught him about the nature of the world much earlier than others. It may be a good thing, but this is ridiculous... just look at him. He has no clue what love is.'

"Actually, I do have something planned out," It took a lot of will power for her to restrain from being overanxious about it, but her tail began to betray her actions. Luckily he wasn't aware of that right now. "Perhaps, if I am able in the future, I'll return to my old home and maybe begin my own family," He breifly smiled, remembering what Rotto had told him and how his father used to say "that my mate was my best friend". Neither one of them taught him what to do when he wanted to procreate or what sort of sign there would be, only that when he experiences love, it's when you suffer for someone else and not for your very pleasure. With that... Xetsu would solely be guided by his conscience when the time comes.

"When that is true, when you decide to make a new family, do you have any idea of who you would be an item with? I-I-I mean, the person you'd most likely end up with." Ayane forced a chuckle to make it seem a bit more of a trivial question than needed. Thankfully, Xetsu could read along the lines that the Mrs. was as embarrassed as him talking about this, so he softly laughed with her.

"But seriously... this is something you should plan out completely. What if the woman you choose-"

"-Mom, Have you seen my dress. The one I had ready for the banquet later today; I've been looking for it everywhere," Kara's sudden interruption saved Xetsu from any further interrogating. She mouthed a message for him: Fenn had to talk to him urgently, and in private.

"Erh... I just remembered that I need to finish something," He grabbed an apple to go. "Sorry, it's just so sudden though."

Ayane nodded, understanding that under the guidelines she was being too forward on him. No one would like to have decisions urged on them, especially if it's from someone they still fear. It may not seem like it, but Xetsu could be as sensitive as her nephew Rotto. 'He's been acting indifferently lately. I've noticed it's been affecting him, especially how he acts.. perhaps lenient on a snidely side.'

"Alright, I was about to talk to you about something anyway."

"About what mom?"

"Your mate."

[Sorrento]

Bejita sat on a bench a couple blocks from the carnival, remembering the details of what he learned for the unknowing father. Rotto had matured rather strangely after the set up four years ago, Bejita noted. In fact, he did act over-confidently, like he was wearing a crab shell made out of false pride. Even so, Bejita had his own life to worry about, and it wasn't that he wanted to keep it a secret but he found it much easier this way.

"You seem troubled," Rotto's voice called from behind him, taking Bejita from surprise.

"Rotto! I was hoping to see you tonight." He calmly responded without giving off a sense of dispair.

"I don't have much time, the Duke's party will be starting soon, and I need something that would help disguise me." Bejita looked over to to see that his friend was not wearing the typical robes he would be wearing during his missions. Instead, the man wore what would appear to be renewed clothing similar to that of his old clothes. He even happened to combed that wild uprising locks on his head.

"Erh... listen, I have good news. Do you remember Serenna Azania, well from what I heard, she should be in the carnival tonight. If you so happen to attract unwanted attention, I suppose you could pose as her husband. That should be easy for you, since I know the two of you have been... close."

"Have been..." Rotto's answer showed a bit of agony in the revelation of truth.

"Perhaps I shouldn't had pushed too far."

"No.. it's wonderful," 'Four years is a lot for change. What could she had done in all that time? I hardly doubt she'd bear a child.' "Carnevale is a time for us to relieve stress. Besides, there is something I would have done that guaranteed bringing attention to myself. This subtle news is helpful."

"That's good to know," Bejita laughed off his social embarrassment. "Well, if there's one thing you'd need to do, then that's getting your party invitation. A golden mask perhaps."

"Yeah, I believed I shall one in this shop a few hours ago. Didn't think anyone would buy it; about 90,000 florins, if I can recall correctly."

"NINETY THOUSAND?! Who would buy a mask at such a preposterous amount?" It may have been made of gold, but considering that pure gold would be incredibly heavy and malleable, the most that would had been done was lacing the mask in a thin layer of gold.

"Don't know, and I certainly don't want to wait and find out," Rotto stood up and gave him a pat on the back. "I'll see you at the workshop."

Life had been a rough road without her first love, but Serenna was happy just knowing she had their child. Kakarotte had his father's uncanny looks, though what she did to keep knowing eyes the truth was giving the child a hair cut, shortening the long hair which left her son's wild locks look like the points on a star. "Is this one right?" He showed her a pair he grabbed: the ceremonial Moon's and Sun's mask. Those were reserved for the wealthy class, the class that made her look like a woman of poverty.

"Ah, Kakarotte! Put those back where you found them." She commanded in a hushed manner. Serenna couldn't handle the stress she brought on herself as much as she thought at the beginning of her little charade, but with the help of her unlikely friend she managed four years with no suspicion. Society was the only thing keeping the father from knowing the missing truth, but it had been years since their last meeting.

A few minutes later, Rotto entered the mask shop he recalled about seeing that ticket of invitation. Now unlike what normal agents would do, Rotto did not stop to check who was inside. That being said, as he moved to the corner shelves of the shop, where Kakarotte walked back to his mother with a pout as they'd been inside the shop for quite a while. With many discouraging findings, Kakarotte was losing interest in helping his mother search, so he began to look around and see what else was interesting instead.

'Okay, it's still there. No one's bought it just yet, good.' As he told himself mentally about that, a man walked up to the merchant and began speaking over what Rotto could overhear as the golden mask. He couldn't let that get away, no... he just couldn't. However, as he was about to walk over to the merchant, he felt a tugging at his pant leg.

"Daddy, you're back." This child... he had the same style of wild locks that he had. Almost without a doubt the boy had the same features he had many years before as a kid: same face, youthful and respectful tone of voice. If he wasn't single, he could've sworn that this kid was the son of him and Serenna.

"Kakarotte, don't be rude." The once scornful and bold woman spoke to her child in a strict but nice manner.

At first, his initial reaction was feeling sorry for the kid; somehow, when Rotto looked at the boy, it was like he and his father didn't know each other very well on a ground level. That was replace by shock then after, with the recognition of an old friend. Serenna was apparently now a mother!

"I'm sorry about that si-ir?" Serenna kept herself composed, not wanting to make this scene any more disliking then they'd all like. 'He looks a bit familiar. Where did I see him before?'

"That's alright. I've been called by many titles before. I'd have to say, 'Daddy' is one name I haven't heard or said in a long time." Rotto mentally made a note to thank Xetsu later for the tips he read under a subject called 'The Art of Deception'. On another note, he just couldn't believe this was HER SON. How could she?

"You must be from the west."

"Indeed I am." The child started to eye him carefully, like he knew something was up. Rotto could care less about that right now though; he was still worried about the mask he needed.

"I've never been there before. Is it like they say: a cultural imperialism?" Serenna's inquisition continued to hold him in place while he watch the merchant sell that invite. For once, he could feel hate for a female, but once seeing as he was posing as someone else, the only choice he had was to reveal himself.

Xetsu couldn't believe what he was being told. 'Uncle and Cilan are missing?' Andres was one of the bravest men he knew, and while Cilan was not the best fighter around, he was still twice as strong compared to the average male. "Are you sure. Maybe the letters are taking some time to get here. They could just be working in a faraway country." He almost couldn't believe the fact he wasn't able to make himself sound reassuring.

"I wish that was true too, but Father was taking care of business in Chapelure, which is only 3,965 miles away from East Kairne." Fenn knew his math, he knew almost anything to do with geography due to the skills he needed in the mailing business. And even if his father told him that he'd be taking some dangerous missions in their last letter, he'd get some sort of sign that he'd be okay.

"Well, it could also be that the pigeon lost its way back. Or something else-"

"NO! Pigeons have a strong sense of homing in to the place they need to be. If anything, something happened." Fenn snapped at how unrealistic his cousin could be. Optimism was one of Xetsu's key points of his character, and that was one of the many things that people liked him for. That alone would be enough to stay on the positive side of life, but not entirely fixing problems that are hard as stone. It wasn't that Fenn hated his cousin, he deeply disliked the fact Xetsu was too kind when it came to judge people on his own. "I wouldn't have bothered you if that was the case, but every other second month, their letters arrive, but lately it hasn't. It's been six months since the last I heard of them. I can't stand by and worry; there's got to be something I must be able to do."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'll have to go away for a few months. Look for them myself."

"Wait! You can't do that. What about your promotion?" Fenn didn't really care about his title anymore, though that didn't mean he wasn't stubborn!

"That can wait a few more years. This is a once in a lifetime choice." Fenn retorted with anger.

'What do I do? I can't let him leave; Grandpa can find uncle, maybe a bit slow, but Fenn plans on heading out far. He doesn't even know what the place looks like!' He wished he didn't have to do this, but Xetsu had no choice left. 'Forgive me.' "I'm sorry about this."

Rotto couldn't handle the pressure his ex was giving him. Just as he was going to reveal himself, the boy blew his cover, allowing Serenna and possibly everyone else in the room to see his hidden blade. If his father were alive right now, he'd disapprove the fact Rotto had to resort to this.

"Can you keep a secret?" Serenna felt she could trust this man more than one could rationally comprehend. And as much as Kakarotte could not understand why they had to leave the place, Rotto had the same predicament understanding Serenna's intentions.

'Who does she think she is exactly?' Just having a hidden blade did not necessarily mean one was in alignment with the brotherhood, but as it deems to be by this woman, Rotto was supposedly entrusted with their lives. She just met a stranger a few minutes ago and now they were together outside as if it were a date.

"Err.. you're sure you'd want to tell me?" She had that half angry, half smug expression she used to give him when they joked around. In all actuality, he'd forgotten about that look, but he played it off.

"I take it that would be yes." She opened her mouth to protest, not liking the thought he could read her easily as if she were some random skank, but he interjected quickly. "I used to have a friend like you, always with an air of arrogance, but charming and charming at once." 'I owe you a lot, Xetsu.'

Her face dimmed a bit, somewhat deprived from telling someone off, or was it perhaps that secretly she was hurt by the fact she lost her friend that acted surprisingly a lot like him that tolerated her. She calmed out of it, thankfully, and then looked around before revealing her secret.

"Do you know who Rotto Valogna is?" It was a longshot, but her plan could work.

"Can't really say I haven't. In fact, I've been in a few missions with him."

"Oh really... well, it sounds like you talk to him. Are you two on good terms?" 'What is he doing? That idiot thinks he can fool me.'

"You could say that," Rotto eyed the kid, whom by that time was more interested in the gelato he bought him. Occasionally the boy would look at him strangely, a bit confused why his mom was acting this way. He would feel the same way as well, but Rotto was more distraught by the idea of the boy resembling him a lot. By this deductive reasoning, it meant that the kid must be his, or Sabol's, seeing as the man could pass as his brother. Although he accepted the fact Serenna had the man's child, he still wished she had his.

"Anyway, what is it? I'm sure whatever it is I can keep it a secret."

Serenna carefully selected the words she wanted to use. It would make this problem even worse if her son ever found out about his real father, let alone what Rotto might do if he found out. So all Serenna could do was ask a little favor. "Well, there is one thing I always wanted to tell Rotto, but ever since I had to get married, I wasn't able to."

Rotto was getting a bit frustrated with Serenna taking her time, since his mental clock already told him that the party already started. 'Looks like I'll have to bust inside the place after all.' He looked to see an open window on the side of the Doge's mansion. 'I'll use that route... but first.' He nodded, giving the sign to continue on with her words.

"You see, before I was married, I courted another man." Serenna spoke softly, as her son was listening to the story as well. "This man as you may have guessed was Rotto Valogna, and we were in love with each other... very much." Although he didn't really see it, said person could tell her tear ducts were near the point to release. A brief and faint sniffle confirmed his suspicions right after. Serenna quieted down before Kakarotte could see what she was doing; the boy must not find out what she was doing.

"But one day, something terrible happened... and he had to leave his home for a few years."

Rotto felt guilty about that himself, but it wasn't fair she was bringing it up again. 'Alright, I can only wait two more minutes. Hurry it up..'

"I waited all those years, staying faithful to him, yet my father wanted me to marry. I never wanted to, but eventually, he got me into an arranged marriage." Serenna stopped herself before saying anything else. It was almost like she sensed her husband was looking for her at the moment and their was no room for error in this little plan of hers.

"So what did you do? I mean, you didn't marry someone you didn't love did you?" He wanted to know why Serenna moved on, but he also didn't want to seem over anxious about it. 'Please, I need to know.'

"Actually, he and I reunited a few days before the wedding date, and though I tried to tell him, he found out by himself that this was happening... so he... he didn't try to win me back."

Silence filled the air like the dead of the night. All he wanted to do was run away, from this shame, and though his mind yelled at his body for not responding, his heart spoke to him to stay and listen. What Rotto saw was not misery nor content, but acceptance. Acceptance of what? What could have allowed her to accept that every single day of her life from there on would be with someone else she didn't want to be with?

He was never given an answer, and he didn't seem to answer her from then on. 'I think I hurt him too much.' Serenna never liked having to emotionally attack Rotto, and although she was angry, he didn't really deserve to be shamed. At first, her initial reaction was to comfort him, however with the people coming and going around them, she couldn't risk being scene with another man while her husband was looking for them. "Let's go Kakarotte. It's time to go home."

"But mom, I don't wanna go home." His innocent little mind perceived something Serenna overlooked: The man seemed to be reminiscing the memories he had, seeing if what he done in the past was true, and if he was the real reason why he lost her. Did he take her for granted? No... they were both aware of how deeply involved the other was in the relationship. Then what was it? From what moment did they begin to drift apart?

Kakarotte looked intently at his father as he was carried away; Rotto did the same, seeing his son leaving and probably never seeing him again after this. It was ironic that the two had a strong link between them, confusing each respected male about what they felt. The innocent boy, merely took those feelings and converted them for ones of a friend. And as a good friend, he waved at his predecessor, snapping the man back to his senses.

"Wait!" She stopped in her tracks, conflicted whether or not this man was strange for the way he was acting. Serenna began contemplating whether or not she should slap some sense into Rotto, but she opted out when remembering this was the only individual that truly conquered her heart.

"How'd you do it?"

"Do what?"

"How'd you manage to accept this life? What kept you from doing anything else you'd regret all those years."

"Idiot. I am a mother. How else would I have stayed if I have a child to look after." She wanted to slap him, dearly since that logic deserved one.

"No, that's not what I meant. What I meant was, you couldn't have possibly spent the first year, accepting the fact that you lost," He looked straight into the boy's eyes, realizing he was revealing to much about himself. 'Gotta play it safe.' "Er.. I meant "him", and bear the child of someone else entirely."

It felt like an eternity for him as she beamed her eyes menacingly for a couple of moments, but he soon got his answer.

"I had a dream once. A dream I wanted to become reality. It may have been broken when he left, but at least half of my wish was granted." Then, she left Rotto alone to figure out what she meant about a half granted wish. He recalled a time they exchanged personal information, which brought him to the moment that she once said if there was any one she'd begin a family with, it'd be him. It just made no sense, recalling her exact words, but the more he told himself about it, the more it began to make sense. 'A family... with me?'

'I have to get someplace safe.' Xetsu didn't want to do it, but knocking his cousin unconscious was the only option he had at the moment. Although Xetsu was perfectly obliged to attack Fenn due to him being a potential threat to others, Xetsu having to attack a fellow brother in arms was something against his moral code. That and the fact Xetsu overdid it a little bit more than he wanted to. 'I don't know where else to go. I can't go back to my room, and Kara's place is out of the question. Sorry about this Kara, looks like I'll have to look after him for the night.'

Heading out for a nearby stall, Aru watched closely as his target carried the other target they needed alive. Turne read over his objective silently, and soon understood that this little predicament of theirs would work out in their favor. "Do you have the wagon ready?"

"Not yet, I still need to send this letter to Sorre." Aru attached the letter to a falcon before letting it go deliver the news to the others. "Now, all we have to do is deliver the meat."

Turne scowled at Aru's taste of humor, but the pun was a bit too corny for him to stop himself from laughing.

"So what do we do after we get them anyway?" Aru's senses were a bit heated up, still figuring up what was wrong with him that morning. He hoped that whatever Sorre was going to do to them, it would be quick, since for some unknown reason he wanted to see Kara again. It was a well known fact that little female friend of the fool would always be dressed provocatively to impress said fool, or at least leaving it a fair amount of work on the imagination the average educated male had at the time.

"Kill them, most likely. I don't really care if they live afterwards; they'd be no use to us then after."

Xetsu continued to walk, dragging Fenn with him until Aru came around the corner. "Eh... this isn't what it looks like?"

"Sure..." 'Idiot.' "Looks like you need a hand there." He then grabbed the unconscious Fenn without being told a word and helped Xetsu by carrying him over to the back of a suspiciously waiting wagon. Being naive and trusting the ones he recognized as brothers in arms, Xetsu simply walked into the enemies trap.

Piercing through the evening sky, Xetsu was able to hear such trajectory of the arrows which a traitor had aimed at the master's boy. Aru didn't understand this. When he saw the arrow come down and plunge into the boy's shoulder after being pushed down, he began to wonder why the hell Sorre and Turne changed their plans. This wasn't them though.

Using his other senses, Xetsu was able to see that it was someone else entirely cut off from the main group being commanded by the bureau's own elder. The man clad in black held his bow and loaded it once again, this time making sure he had his mark, but Xetsu had noticed him and his foul intentions that he already knew that he would not do. "STAY HERE KID," His friendly persona had been forced out again by the one he had developed from the encounter with that sprite; it was one of a cynical nature, intolerant of others misguided deeds. This side of Xetsu, of course, was not recognized at all by his previous demeanor, but almost everyone he knew and cared for understood his problem.

"HEY YOU!" The dark half of him yelled out into the darkness, a bold move when the enemy had the advantage of sight. However, the boy was smarter than he looked. With the eagle sense, Xetsu followed up the palisade wall, searching for this agent's whereabouts. The agent saw him come up towards him, as well as the lack of arrows now meant he had to fight him head on. Whilst all of this was happening, some of the people attending the festival had decided to come up near the area the fight took place.

Malik, as such a man who just turned 21, had finished writing the papers and turning them in, took a stroll out near the castle gates. 'W-What! The hell is going on here. They should be at the festival not gathering up here.' His answer was given in physical form as Xetsu punched the unknown double-agent, the result having him skid a few feet back. Yet the man was skilled in a great sense that he seemed to be a master assassin. That's why people were popping up to see this show; Xetsu was holding his own as well as dominating a far more skill and experienced opponent, which it just happened to be so that Rosalina brought Kara over to meet Malik as he promised a fireworks display for that night.

"Let go of me, brat!" He kicked Xetsu up near the head, which he blocked expertly. Using his other hand, he snapped back the agent's limp, crushing it under his own weight when he fell.

"You'll see to it that god will judge you in the next world." Xetsu coldly retorted as he saw him pull out a hidden dagger. In the instant that the large group had witness the fight, he committed a far serious crime, pulling out Terava, the most powerful weapon he had to end the life of an important figure.

"XETSU NO!" Kara yelled out in late time. The guards already had assaulted him, bringing him down to take him into prison. The people who saw what occurred what they just witnessed discussed of the rumors of Xetsu; some had said he was mad and must be put down. It was merely a rumor back in the day when he was a boy, when people would eavesdrop on the master's matters. With today's occurrence, many started to believe in it now, but still... some didn't.

For the week that passed by, Rashid watched over his grandson in his cell, wondering why he acted upon the anger he was seen to have that night. He never got to his ceremony, nor did he have a satisfying answer. "He was red."

What did that mean? Was this a game to him? Rashid hadn't understood that self-explanatory answer, because he did not have such abilities like him. But Rotto did.

When he arrived then, Rashid called him the first thing that morning. Inside the sturdy prison bars, Rotto saw a hint of emotion flitting across the stoic brown eyes. "What were you thinking? Killing a brother of the guild. What would you gain from that?"

Xetsu quietly shuffled his feet, silently reminiscing in the memories he had of that night. Fenn ignored him entirely, believing that his cousin could have gone against him if he wanted, and the clumsy Aru, never had a good look to count as an alibi. He only had the trust from Kara, and perhaps maybe, Rotto. "Can you not see... the blue, the red, and the grey?" He said after the while. What he said, rang familiar with Rotto. As a child he also had several experiences he was having, but colors were not among them entirely. Xetsu continued never the less, "There are the ringing and whispers. They're around us, I just don't know why though. But that fiend, he was red."

Rotto got his meaning now. "And gold? Have you seen that?" He hoped that he was able to tell him what he wanted to hear. It was far too long since he was with another who understood, and he so hoped that at least Xetsu could tell him what it meant. That way, he could understand if it was not madness.

"Gold-" He thought back to the memories he had of his father. He was important to him, the center of his word and dependance. "Gold is significance."

Taurese, who made sure they could not see him kept his expression composed. His subject was edged on the border of madness if one had not known him for long. At times, he'd react indifferent with someone as he did with his niece Kara, then he could impulsively target them as an enemy. He seemed warmhearted and carefree as a virgin, but would suddenly behave coldly. It was almost as if he were two people in one, but there was no significance that his nice self knew of the cynical self. They borderline'd on personality. 'I'll have to see what the master would like for me to do. Perhaps if I can get my favor, Kara could watch over him, soothe his reactions without getting out of hand, but that would take granting him as Master Assassin.'

-x-

"Hi Xetsu," Kara visited him immediately after his release. Her uncle told her of good news, but a bit confused to see they would do this despite his crime. She looked into it, but everywhere she looked it seemed to show no drawbacks.

He smiled, an emotion he hadn't experienced for a week now. The people didn't understand him but she did. Kara was his only true friend; there wouldn't be any betrayal between them, he thought. "Is there something on your mind?" he guessed.

Smiling, Kara focused on what her father and uncle had told her the night before. "So, I was thinking about when you graduating to the next promotion. But even though it looked like you wouldn't, they agreed to let you only if you and I agree to one condition." She was excited to be Xetsu's apprentice, it would mean they'd be spending more time together. It would also mean that they wouldn't be able to get together as a couple, but Kara knew their bond would grow stronger this way.

"And what is that?"

"You'll be my mentor and I'll be your apprentice."

Now uploading new memories...

[Three years later]

In the middle of the dark, tired as he'd usually be after a long run, the young mentor dropped on top of his bed. With the assassination of his newest target, Xetsu thought killing the old man would have been easy, but the man proved to be an exception. As soon as he fell on his back, he tried to ignore the throbbing pain from his ribs. 'Concentrate Xetsu. Pain is now, but it will fade away, just like everything else.'

As soon as he could ignore it completely, Xetsu finally fell into a deep slumber, one that he desperately needed for weeks.

He didn't dream that night, but the next morning was going to change his routine altogether.

…

Kara walked closer to her mentor's room. She had a message for him from Al Mualim, an urgent one, and it was important for them to get ready. 'He better wake up when I get there.'

As she turned around the corner, she eyed Malik who was walking down the corridor towards the banquet hall. "Hey, Malik."

He stopped reluctantly, hungry and wishing to have a simple morning. Ever since Xetsu had been promoted, it had become a routine for him to wake the kid up since he was always coming back with major bruises. He sighed as he walked over to the kid's room. "Alright Kara. Better now than later."

When they opened the door, it wasn't expected to see a bloody robe on the floor. The room was messy; it looked like it hadn't been cleaned for days, and Xetsu seemed to be laying there, undressed and a visible wound on the side of his ribs.

Kara ignored the sight and went straight to her duty. "Wake up Xetsu. It's time."

Malik shook his head, disappointed that the way Kara was talking was like a whisper. The only way to get him up was to yell at him like it was a routine drill.

"Xetsu, wake up."

As she finished, the young mentor sort of moved around a bit, bothered with his surroundings. Faintly, Kara could hear him say something she didn't want anyone else to hear him say out of context. "Not now, I'm eating out, Karamello."

She blushed furiously, silencing up like a clam. Malik took one look at her, confused on how that would embarrass her.

"WAKE UP, DAMMIT!" Immediately he rose up from the bed like a collie would respond to its owner.

Quickly he wiped his eyes, preparing himself for Malik's berating lectures.

"Oh, what's up Malik. Is there something you need?" He innocently began.

"You know that every morning you like to sleep in late and it has gotten to be a morning ritual for us to to do this, but this isn't the time for any of that." Malik recalled what Kara had told him before entering the room. "Get up and change into your attire. The master has another mission for you, so get on with it."

"Come on, Xetsu. We're gonna be late." Kara said while still blushing at the thought.

"Don't worry Kara. Go on ahead and meet me at the fortress."

Fast forwarding to a more recent memory...

"You called for me, Master?"

The old man moved away from the balcony he was viewing from and cleared his recent thoughts. He was sad about the death of his first born. They found Andres's lifeless body in Chapelure. It had taken Fenn by surprise to see his father like that, and even more when he began to wonder what had happened to his little brother. Rashid could only pray to whatever deity was looking after the missing son for protection.

"Ah, Hafeed. Yes, it is good of you to have arrived on time. I have some news brought to me this morning." Rashid pulled out a map of the place they needed to go. "You already know that the Templer leader, King Richard Perikato, has sent some of his men over to Falyen to retrieve an artifact yes?"

Xetsu nodded. It was what many of the informants had been working on over the last few months.

"It is dangerous to let them get that into their hands. All I can tell you is that they are somewhere in this site marked for you." He showed him the map and gave it to him. "Go. Now."

"I'll see you in a few weeks, Jiddo."

A/N: I'm sorry for this chapter for being uploaded after it had already been. I've been re-editing the chapters to make it better than before. Thank you for reviewing.