Hello back again! I was currently busy with test that I had no time until now!

Right now I present a slight flash back. As the teaser for the upcoming fanfic.

Special thanks for tiger002 for beta reading.

I own nothing here…except Vegtam. Then again, he's not originally mine…

---

Four thousand years ago, during the Kharlan War times. Ratatosk, the Summon Spirit of the Kharlan Tree sat and watched a few children below him.

The fact that Ratatosk was more six thousand years old didn't give any guarantee that he knew everything. He knew how to control Mana around that world, he knew the cycle of a monster's life. Yet…he could never predict human's heart. There once was a foolish lad that entered his lair without hesitation. No longer an infant, but not old enough to be an adult, he was just a rash teenager bragging about his life…a lad with red flaming hair.

He called himself Kratos Aurion.

The young Flame (or at least that what Ratatosk called him) was one of the most out of the ordinary humans he'd ever seen. For instance he was ignorant in the cruel world of discrimination, yet his friends were all are half-elves. One called the 'daughter of god', her younger brother the 'born legend', and the 'coffee garden' (1). The Summon Spirit basically refused to call them by their names. He thought names are much more to human's custom, creatures that he despised.

Yet, as much as he loathed the humans, he actually befriend the young flame, Kratos.

"You seemed too fond of that lad."

Ratatosk blinked his double eyes, green and red, then turned his agile body to see an old man standing beside his lair.

"Vegtam…" the Summon Spirit addressed his master. (2)

He was surprised to see his Master was around. All the Summon Spirit knew, that Vegtam was a spirit that gnaws on the Kharlan Tree, that rarely goes to the surface. Ratatosk knew little about his master. The old wanderer was once an almighty powerful warrior, but abandoned his glorious days to seek wisdom under the Kharlan Tree. He was the one who planted the seed, thus the name giver, and also Ratatosk's master.

Under his dark navy wanderer's cloak, Vegtam's face wilted because of age. He was curious about Ratatosk, who was currently watching the children practicing fighting the dragons provided by Ratatosk himself. The 'young flame' and 'coffee garden' fought the dragon, while 'daughter of god' and her brother cheered for them. It was not long until 'coffee garden' became distracted by her affection. In that process he was burnt from the dragon's flame…thankfully the injury was minor.

The Summon Spirit sighed, ordering Aqua to heal him. To his expectation, Kratos was still able stand, even double his task by both helping his coffee garden friend. Aqua complied easily, she seemed happy to have that task, while took the opportunity to steal glance to the young flame. She even confessed to her master that she had a slight crush of him (3). But it was merely an admiration, just like the other Centurions, they seemed to have an interest in another life form other than monsters or their own Master in that lair, especially someone who dared to insult him.

"You let them play in your lair."

Ratatosk snorted as his first reply. He then spoke, "They're merely foolish children. I didn't saw them as a threat."

"Indeed…" Vegtam smiled, "But someday they will be strong and save this tree."

The Summon Spirit was silent for a while. Apparently, he knew few of Vegtam's habit. He had tendency to predict the future. So the children will grow into heroes? It sounds tremendous, and Vegtam's predictions never flawed before…

But then there was some an uncertainty on Vegtam's eye.

Seeing his master's doubt, Ratatosk asked, "What will happen?"

"That young flame…"

"Kratos?"

"Two of his apprentice will bring immense change to this world… Both will endure the same great pain, but take a different path in the end. One will rise but fall and in the end betray you, Ratatosk. The last…will bring the new morning and decide your next fate."

"You have said strange things ever since you drank the fountain of wisdom… I am a Summon Spirit. No one can control my fate."

"Each of every living thing has its own fate… The last will soon become my successor." (4)

Ratatosk eyes widen slightly, "What do you mean?"

It was not long when one of the children cried his name.

"Ratatosk! I did it, I defeated the dragon!"

The young flame ran to the Summon Spirit, smiling proudly. He soon stopped when he spotted an old man beside Ratatosk. Perhaps Kratos couldn't believe that there's actually another human (other that he) that was in Ratatosk's lair. The young warrior blinked his wine eyes to the old man, realizing a strange aura surrounding him.

He noticed…that old man had only one eye.

Where was the other eye? Perhaps this old man was once an old warrior who lost a few parts of his body from battle.

The wonderer walked slightly to Kratos. He gave a sorrowed face, "You will face hardships for the rest of your life… Few sparks of your life will bring your happiness. Only your own blood…will bring your salvation."

Kratos' wine eyes widen with a slight fear. The old man talked in riddles, but most of his revelations were ghastly news. The old man, walked passed him. And slowly he vanished into thin air, as he walked further away.

Confused by his disappearance, Kratos returned to the Summon Spirit's side, "Ratatosk…who… Who's the strange man?"

"Vegtam, he's my master, the name giver of this tree." He answered, "And he's not an ordinary human."

"What he said… It wasn't true…right?"

Ratatosk could only grunt, it was one of the phenomenal events. He was a lord of provoke, but he didn't dare to tell Kratos that most of Vegtam's words are all true.

And that was the day, before Kratos' father was killed…

---

"Emil…"

The boy suddenly snapped in reality.

Ever since he thought he lost Marta, his other inner as Ratatosk rebelled. Personality pressed, or at least that was Tenebrae told him. As he fussed with Ratatosk's battle mode, some of his memory…or at least that was he presumed they were, had given him a few glances of the Summon Spirit's memory. He knew it was not his, but why did it feel so real?

And when Emil was brought back to reality, he couldn't remember anything. It was almost like…a dream.

"What's wrong?" Marta asked. Her face was closed to his.

He saw behind her, Sheena, Regal, Kratos and concerned Tenebrae.

"I'm sorry… I think I had a slight dream. Or…memory, but I couldn't remember. I'm not sure what it is."

"What visions…?" Kratos suddenly was Marta's side, checking on Emil too.

Emil watched the man with confusion…suddenly he stammered, "…red flame…"

Kratos sworn he saw Emil's eyes turned red for millisecond.

"Pardon…?" the seraph raised an eyebrow.

"Oh…oh! Sorry I was just thinking… Let's keep moving!" He sluggishly ran forth.

---

The silence in Temple of Ice was unbearable. Perhaps it was because the place was cold, or it's because they're traumatized by Marta's incident, or maybe they're too busy trying to find the exit…

…or maybe the two of the eldest members of the group have a cold war.

No matter what formation, Kratos and Tenebrae were always in the back of the group. They had the tendency to be the watchers of the groups. Unfortunately, they seemed more watching each other with suspicion than guarding the group. As if they suspected one of them can be an imposter. Emil understood that the stoic man only spoke on necessary terms… But why was Tenebrae silent?

"Do you think something's wrong with Tenebrae?" Emil paced to Marta's side. He was carefully whisper as quiet as possible.

Marta shrugged, "Uhm, I don't think so why's that?"

"He seemed quiet…ever since Kratos came."

"Both of them are stiff. I don't think there's nothing wrong with that."

"Uhm…I guess."

Behind them, Tenebrae was not a happy Centurion. Even though it's true that among those servants of Ratatosk he was known as the calmest one, he found it hard to be serene at this situation. The only problem was, ever since Kratos came back he sensed a presence of his comrade… Lumen, he thought.

Why would he have Lumen's Core with him? From what he remembered it was stolen from Lloyd. Did it mean that he took it from that red lad? Or worse, they actually working together all this time?

Kratos couldn't betray him again, right?

But that couldn't be guaranteed. From the beginning of the journey Kratos never intended to be on their side. He only accompanied Emil and Marta to find a path to Lloyd Irving, the jewel thief. All he cared about was that red lad.

Why was Lord Aurion so concerned about him, of all the teenagers in this world?

---

Thankfully this time someone had broken the silence. The group wasn't surprised that it was Sheena who had the first words.

"Hey, Regal, Kratos… That boy's name is Emil, right?"

Both of males nodded in agreement.

"I feel like I've him somewhere before. Maybe it's just my imagination."

But that's impossible…he thought Emil was… Then again if he really was him why did he appear as a human?

Since Sheena thought it was rude to ask Kratos again who was in deep thought she then asked the boy herself, "Emil, do I know? I think I've met you before."

"I'm sorry. I don't think I remember meeting you." He nervously spoke, half afraid that he might offend her.

"Oh yeah? That's so strange. Your face looks very familiar."

It can't be…can it? Sheena must be mistaken for someone else.

"Yes, I've definitely seen him somewhere. You don't think I'd forget someone dumb enough to fall for the oldest trick in the book."

Kratos looked back to the ninja and then realized something odd on the surface where she stood, "Sheena you're steeping on a…"

"Huh…? AAAAAAAAH!"

Too late she fell on a trap hole…

"I am sorry for this." Regal spoke embarrassed.

Marta was confused, "No, not at all. Let's go find her!"

"Right. She and Kratos saved Marta's life after all."

For the first time ever since they met Kratos again, Tenebrae spoke, "How should we proceed? Follow her down the pit ourselves?"

"We lack the proper equipment to safely descend from here."

Kratos then had a suggestion, "Why don't we first try to find a path that might lead to the bottom of the pit?"

"Good idea, let's look for another way!"

---

"Thanks Emil, for before."

"About what?"

"When you thought I'd been killed you got really furious. I half expected you to be relieved that this annoying girl was finally out of your hair."

"I'd never think anything like that! When I saw you get stabbed…" he paused, "All I could think about was how I never told you how I felt."

"What…?"

"I want you to forget everything I said earlier; about you telling me who I'm supposed to be. I don't really think that!"

"Wait, do you mean that you—"

"No, not that! It's just, I know I'm not the person you think I am, but…"

Marta cut his word, "-No. You're wrong."

"Sure when we first started out together, I had it in my head that you were this all powerful prince charming. But after a while I realized, you're actually scared of a lot of things."

The romantic sense has instantly vanished.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I'm so pathetic."

…or has it?

"But that timid Emil is the one fighting for me with everything he's got, even though he never asked to get wrapped up in all this in the first place. It touches my heart for more than a hero who fights without fear."

"What-?"

"I think that the real you, is much, much cooler than the fantasy I had in my mind."

Tenebrae spoke, "I'm glad to see the two of you so happy."

Regal chuckled, "After all that, don't you have anything to say to Marta?"

Emil blushed, "Uhm…I"

"It's okay. I'm going to go on loving you regardless of how you feel. You don't have to say anything."

Kratos' wine eyes misted, he felt he remember those words. A few years ago, a woman whispered gleefully to him. Her eyes glistened with innocence as she spoke those words.

I don't care who you are. I still love you

The quick turn brought back Kratos to reality.

"Well, let's keep moving. I hope Sheena's all right."

"Right"

Unable to control himself the Seraph paced faster until he had reached Marta's side. He then gripped her shoulder firmly, "He's just nervous."

Marta's face flustered, "Wh-wha…?"

"It is not a man's habit to express their emotion freely, we are more creatures based on action. He really concerned about you."

She's fidgeting her fingers, "Thanks Mr. Kratos… I haven't thank you for saving me. I'm sorry too for calling you a pervert."

He gave a content sigh, "There's no need. I just hope that Emil...didn't get through the pain if that happened." Not really sure what you mean here, but I know that last part is wrong

"What do you mean?"

"..." While Kratos' mind debated whether to tell her or not, Emil exclaimed his discovery of a passage.

"Hey, look! It led to a door!!"

They found a secret passage hidden between frozen doors of Ice Temple. There could be a possibility that the door led to where Sheena fell. Unexpectedly, when they were about to reach the door, Kratos stopped. Many times his angelic senses became a blessing…

But there are some times he thought it was a curse.

"I am not going in there."

"Kratos? Why?"

"There's …a horrible stench in there."

"I don't smell anything." Emil titled his head.

Emil and Marta did not notice that Kratos had acute senses. Only Regal had realized this; he then urged, "Perhaps you should wait here. In case we need someone to guard this door."

"Very well." Kratos accepted his proposal.

"Perhaps I should be guarding outside with him as well." Tenebrae suddenly volunteered.

The centurion did not do this just to help the group and Kratos knew that. He knew Tenebrae wanted to scoop out his secret, it was too obvious. As soon as the pair of Centurion hunters and Regal had ventured the tunnel, they left Kratos with the Centurion. He felt odd about this. Perhaps it's because Kratos always was the watcher, not being watched. With the exception for Pronyma, though the woman was careless, he could easily pry her off.

However, this was the first time he felt guilt since it's a Centurion who was watching him.

"Lord Aurion…" Tenebrae called.

"Yes Tenebrae?" Kratos sighed.

"I might be wrong…but… I felt a strange aura since you came back. It felt like…a Centurion Core."

"Why would I carry a Centurion Core?"

Tenebrae gave a nervous laugh, it was a very uncharacteristic laugh from him, "Yes, it would be silly, wouldn't it?"

Before Kratos answered he heard Sheena yelled, "Not so fast! Celcius!!"

Both of the ancient beings looked back to the tunnel to see the rest of the group run hastily to the surface, with Sheena.

"What is the meaning of thi-"

"Run, Kratos run!!" Marta yelled, without hesitation she pulled Kratos hand draging him out, while the other hand was pulled too, by Emil.

"What happened?" Tenebrae floated following them.

"It's Alice and Decus!! They're the one who planned to catch me!"

Maybe eventually Kratos would have to tell Tenebrae the truth. But for now, he somehow couldn't help but enjoy himself from the Centurion being punished by his own 'speaking ban' rule. His secret was save…for now.

---

When the group managed to escape outside the Ice Temple, it was the moment that Sheena had learned the truth. Of course, like most of Lloyd's friends, her reaction was predictable. She rejected the news.

"It…It can't be him!!"

"But if Lloyd was affected by the Centurion's Core, it's not unthinkable." Emil gave out the other reason.

But the ninja was still blinded by her shock that she turned to the other older males, "Kratos Regal… You guys knew this all along??"

And both of them nodded but Sheena asked again.

Perhaps she was hoping another denial to strengthen her disagreement, "Kratos… Lloyd couldn't be possibly do those things right? Come on Kratos… You said you just talked to him. He had explained things to you, right?"

The old Seraph gave a disappointed sigh. As much as he would have wanted to defend his son, he didn't have enough evidence to prove his innocence. His eyes misted into sadness once again, "I do not know to whom I should trust… He refused to talk to me."

"If he told us his reasons to do so, I would've believed in Lloyd, Sheena… He even attacked Kratos, that wasn't very nice."

Sheena looked amused at Kratos, "He was assaulting Kratos straightforwardly? He's crazy! Now, I'm beginning to believe there's something wrong with him."

Regal spoke, "Perhaps it's because he had confidence since he had won against Kratos before."

"Confidence my ass… I don't think that's all Kratos' power. I mean that guy just beat the pulp out of me. We all knew that Kratos always gone easy with him because he was Lloyd's-"

"-Mentor." Kratos quickly cut her, his wine eyes glare enough to silence her.

"Oh, uhm okay…Argh!!" the ninja suddenly burst her frustration, "I give up! There's no use in idle speculation. Raine and Genis are following Lloyd right now?"

"Uh, yes." Marta answered.

The female ninja's next sentences startled them, "Then I'm going with you."

"Huh??"

"If something's the matter with Lloyd maybe I can be the one to smack some sense back to him…" But she blinked and turned quickly to Kratos with a slight fear, "No offense Kratos…"

"None taken."

---

Now with Sheena added on their side, the centurion core hunters decided to stay in the Flanoir village for a night. They nearly didn't get any place to stay since the Flanoir Inn was occupied with lots of injured citizens from Lloyd's rampage. Eventually they had discovered the Glacies Core's location, outside of the town in the busy city of Meltokio. But since they had been through a lot in one day, a night on a cozy bed would be a welcome change.

They only managed to request two rooms. There's one for the boys, Regal and Emil and the girls; Sheena and Marta, while Kratos and Tenebrae chose to stay out for the night watch as usual. Emil and Marta quickly had fallen asleep, while the elders still sat in the guest room, discussing about Lloyd. Eventually all of them retreated leaving Kratos with Tenebrae. The Seraph half expected Tenebrae to observe the obvious hence again, but in the end he only bade farewell.

"I trust you can watch the night. If you need me, I'll be on Emil's room." Without any further discussion, he retreated to the boy's room.

Kratos didn't answer, or simply regret. He didn't understand why Tenebrae just bluntly declared his trust for him. If it wasn't enough, the most unexpected member came down to stairs to meet him.

"What are you doing in this hour, Marta? It is late."

"I can't sleep." She spoke it honestly, while rubbing her eyes in a way most young girl's behavior.

Her attire was something that Kratos rarely saw, it was her loose nightgown. It was probably was something she wore only if they stayed in an Inn. Nevertheless, without the stoic's permission she sat across him.

"Kratos sighed, "Did you have nightmare?"

"Nah… It's just."

"The bald man?"

"Yeah, too bad, he was actually Decus in disguise… I thought I'd finally meet Daddy."

Kratos nodded, he didn't ask further about Marta's family. He knew there's something awkward about it. During their traveling, the only thing she said about her family was that they lived in Palmacosta. She never mentioned anything about her mother. Which is slightly odd, since mothers are usually there for their children. There must be something that happened to her, that she was left to her father's care.

"Can I ask an uncomfortable subject?"

The stoic men gave a slight grunt. Marta's request was very unpredictable. Usually a girl would've share a secret only with someone her age and sex. But no…Marta was talking with a tedious old man who could send death with a single glare.

"Did your wife die in horrible way?"

"…" Now this was an unforeseen question.

"I'm sorry for asking." She retreated.

"Yes." Kratos spoke blunty, "But how did you figure that out?"

"Daddy was sad when my mom died… He never smiled after that happens."

"I am…terribly sorry for that."

"I'm getting over Mom's death" she shook her head, "It was Daddy who couldn't let her go. Ever since she died, he was so obsessed on getting to rule the world."

"That is indeed rather unfortunate."

"You…remind me of him in some ways. Daddy never smiled after that happened…and you. You never smile."

How ironic…did her father's obsession remind him of someone?

Kratos finally surpassed a sigh as his reply.

"It is hard for a man to lose their loved ones. Most of those events would lead them to insanity."

Marta blue eyes glittered slightly, "Regal was right! Among you guys, you are the most mature one since you had married!"

Well sometimes Dukes doesn't know when to shut their mouth…

"How long did you marry your wife?"

The seraph twisted his lips slightly in uncomfortable ways, "Five years."

"That was short…?"

He snorted, "At least we had a child."

"YOU'RE A FATHER??"

Kratos cursed his frankness, "Yes… Keep it down. People are resting in this Inn."

"I'm sorry! It's just unexpected." she quickly apologized to the Inn keeper. "So…so… What happened to…uh… him or her?"

"Him." Kratos buried his face to his palm slightly debating on his next answer, "He died when my wife was killed."

"Kratos, I'm so sorry…"

There was a slight long silence. Both of them were trying to remember the bitter side of their life.

"Sometimes I wonder… What is the purpose of loving someone if they'll end up dying anyway?"

"Like most people would say: Carpe Diem. To seize the day. Live the fullest as if it would be the last day you lived. That was what my wife usually told me. We exist to love and to be loved…or at least that is the principal I used to believe."

"So, Carpe Diem, huh?" Marta suddenly smiled, "At least before I died, I want Emil to know that I love him!"

The girl suddenly spoke with enthusiasm. Kratos garment eyes misted again, "I'm glad."

"Well, thanks for talking with me Kratos. I think I'm better now." She suddenly said, "Can I ask some tips on how to love Emil?"

He smiled weakly, "Of course…"

She skipped to the stairs until she was stopped by Kratos' whisper.

"Marta…" he called.

"Yes?"

"One thing for certain… Don't get yourself killed."

"I don't understand?"

Kratos took a deep breath, "To some people, death might free their souls… But to those who were left from their eternal depart, they will suffer."

Marta's blue eyes were still locked to Kratos, slowly observing his words.

"Just…" he continued, "Don't get yourself killed, or Emil will suffer."

The girl slowly nodded. She had gone to her room leaving Kratos with a dilemma.

Kratos Aurion had realized why he was so keen on traveling with the pair. Eventually, his relationship with Emil reminded him with Mithos. Not only because Emil is blond like him, his once timid personality, pure kind heart, the overdrive compassion, and constant weak smile matched to his once considerate student. And if his suspicion was correct, both of them might end on the same severe fate too.

…and Marta? Her stubborn and driven passion painfully reminded him of Lloyd. If that wasn't enough, the girl already thought of him as a father figure to replace her lost paternal love from her own father.

That conversation increased Kratos' doubts about betray them…

---

Sorry! No Lloyd for now. I knew this is weird with Marta's conversation with Kratos. But their relationship pretty reminded me of me and my own Dad O.o My Dad was a stoic person much like Kratos, he ended up raising emo kids like him (lol) But thankfully my Mom was much the opposite.

As for explanation:

1) Kratos (red flame), Martel (Daughter of God), Mithos (Born Legend), and Yuan (Coffee Garden). I am aware that in reality Kratos haven't met them until he was already an adult and a high general, there was some sort of twist here. This was some teaser on my upcoming fanfic, and Kratos' age here was about 15 or so.

Yuan's name can be varied depend on the dialect. Last time I check, it had a hundred of meaning…including 'Garden' or 'Tree'. While my Chinese friend says, from the way I said it, it might be 'Money'. But Ka-fai DOES mean coffee. (laughs hysterically).

2) Vegtam is one of Odin's many names. Odin was the father of all gods in Norse Mythology. According to legend, Odin disguised as Vegtam the wanderer to seek wisdom under the Kharlan Tree, which is why Ratatosk would know him as Vegtam. To achieve that he sacrificed one of his eye and tangled himself to the Yggdrasil Tree (or in this case Kharlan Tree).

I might think that the one who plant Mana tree was most likely Odin. He was also fitted the role as the name giver, thus the master of Ratatosk.

3) Haha…there should be a rational reason why Aqua suddenly fell in love in Richter, maybe because they share the same looks? But don't worry it was merely a crush, her man was still Richter.

4) Pretty much obvious, he meant Lloyd. Eventually Lloyd became his successor: as the next name giver of the new Mana Tree.