Hey! Back with another chapter!
By the way, I have to say you guys are amazing. I'm loving the reviews I'm getting, and I apologize for the delays of the chapters. School has been crazy lately. Though, I'm sure you hear that a lot. =P
Anyway, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you. =]
Disclaimer-I do not own Tales of Symphonia.
Now, on with it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 11~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raine's heart began to ache, as her crystal blue eyes examined the wreckage of the city before her.
Crumbles of buildings could be found floating amiss the once, beautiful lake. Dirt, and blood had stained the cobblestoned walkway, leaving Raine with an eerie feeling. She whirled around, looking anywhere, and everywhere for any sign of life. But, she found none.
"This is...horrible..." Colette gasped, slipping her arms around one of Lloyd's, as if she found the wreckage too much for her to handle.
Her eyes found Kratos's fiery ones. She could tell by the expression on his face, he was just as upset by the devastation. He only met her gaze for a brief moment, before striding off.
He was not a man to show his emotions, and the half elf could not help but wonder what had caused this newfound irritation. Sure, the present state of Luin was upsetting. But, for a man, who, as far as she knew had no personal connection with the town, this was an odd way to act.
"Guys! Come here!"
Raine snapped out of her thoughts, almost jumping in the process. It seemed the call had stirred the other three as well, as their heads all whirled in the direction of the voice.
Raine searched frantically for her brother all around her, just now noticing he had left their side.
She raced off in the direction she heard Genis call. And, soon, a large fountain came into view. The marble finish had been shattered, and cracks were formed in the stone.
Her eyes landed on the small silver-haired boy, who, in fact was standing across from a certain dark-haired young woman.
"Genis! Get away from her!"
Genis obliged, slowly stepping away from the would be assassin. She had been after Colette numerous times since they had started the journey, and in each attempt on her life, miraculously, they had stopped her.
Now, here she knelt, soaked in blood.
Raine couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her. She was clutching her side, and her face was contorted into a grimace.
"Oh, its you." She spat out, her chocolate eyes examining the five before her. "If you want to finish me, here's your chance."
A soft cry could be heard coming from Colette's direction. Of course the blonde would not wish for this stranger's death.
"No!" She shouted. Her wide eyes then set their sight on Raine. "Professor! Heal her!"
Raine could feel a sense of defiance overtake her mind. But, before she could speak, a cry could be heard, coming from the direction they had just entered that section of the city.
"Ah! Help!"
When they turned their attention in the direction of the cry, they found an elderly man-a priest-racing to get away from a certain large monster.
"Clara!" Raine heard herself gasp.
As the man and Clara closed in on the distance between the group, and themselves, Sheena jumped to her feet, and darted over to the large green woman.
"No! Get out of here!" She raised her hand, producing a card with charms enscribed in it. Attempting to attack the woman, while the priest fled behind Lloyd and Colette, Sheena was thrown back. More blood appeared, staining her clothes further.
Now, it was Colette who stood across from Clara. She produced her angel wings, almost unconsciously, and began pleading with the monster. "Clara! Please stop this!"
She, too, was thrown back, landing next to Sheena. Clara, amazingly, fled the scene.
Genis ran forward, concern etched on his young face. "Colette! Are you all right?!"
Colette only nodded in response, her eyes set on Sheena. "Professor! Heal her! Please!"
"I don't know if that would be in our best interests. She is after your life, Colette. It may be best if we left her as she is. She may have accomplices around."
"Professor!" This time, it was not Colette who protested, but Lloyd. "Heal her! We can deal with that situation if it comes. Just help her!"
Raine's eyes searched for a supporter for her side. She then looked to Kratos, sure he would side with her.
It seemed he took this as a request for his input. "I believe it would be a good idea to heal her as well."
The half elf could feel her jaw drop, and her eyes tighten in betrayel. She soon snapped out of it, sending the man a glare. How dare he not see it from her point of view? She strode over to the violet-haired girl, placing her staff near her wounds. The blood began to seep back in, as the stains disappeared on her clothing. Once finished, Raine stalked back to her place a few feet away.
"There. Happy?"
Colette clasped her hands together, a broad smile overtaking her face, as she helped Sheena up.
"Th-thanks. But, why did you save me?" Her brown eyes searched the five before her.
"Probably for the same reason you saved that man back there. Anyway, how did you get injured here?" Lloyd answered.
Sheena seemed as though she was struggling with the choice of whether or not to answer. Finally, she spoke up. "I-it was nothing. I was just clumsy....But, I must be going now. I have some things to do for now."
Colette's face fell. "You're leaving? Will you be all right?"
"You're not supposed to worry about your enemy!" She sighed, a bit of humor evident in her voice. When she noted the hurt expression on the blonde's face, she immediately softened her tone. "I'm sure we'll meet again." And with that, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
For a few moments, nothing was said. No one moved.
"Well, that was odd." Came Genis's voice.
Lloyd nodded, and Colette just continued to smile. Obviously, she was pleased at the thought of seeing her would-be assassin again.
Raine could feel Kratos trying to meet her eye, but, she was in no mood to speak with any of them. Especially him.
She was unsure of why the fact of them all wanting her to heal the young woman irritated her so much. She stalked off as Lloyd, Colette, and Genis all discussed the various ways Sheena could have been injured.
When she has made it back to the enterance of the city, she found a detached bridge that stood halfway through the lake. Seating herself on it, she gazed at the beauty of the water. It was still littered with crumbles of buildings, but it still had the clear sheen it was said to have.
"Raine?"
The sound of her name caused the young woman to jump, almost jolting her from her position, and into the water. When she looked behind her, she found Kratos standing there. He still had a trace of the hostile look in his eyes, but, mostly, his expression was twisted into a look of concern.
When she said nothing to answer to him, Kratos stepped closer, seating himself next to her. Raine turned her gaze back to the lake, rolling her eyes.
"Raine, why are you so upset?"
She shook her head, trying to contain her frustration. After a few seconds, she answered.
"Kratos, that woman has been after Colette's life ever since we left Triet. Do you really believe it was a good idea to heal her?"
"I realize that. However, she did try to save that priest. She can not be too heartless. Had I believed she would have attacked the Chosen, I would have never suggested your aid."
Raine nodded her head, somewhat understanding his logic. But, she could not bring herself to agree with him fully.
After a few minute's silence, Raine could feel his hand brush against her cheek, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. He quickly withdrew the hand, as they heard footsteps approaching.
Kratos shot to his feet, as did Raine, as they found Genis approaching the two.
"You guys better come back. Lloyd believes it was the desians that attacked the city. He's not too happy."
Once they returned to the fountain, they found Colette trying to calm a seething Lloyd.
"Damn them! Damn them to hell!" He was shouting.
Genis shot Raine a pleading look, she took as a request for her assistance. She slowly stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Lloyd? Calm down. I understand you are upet, but-"
"Upset?! The desians did this! I know they did! I'll make them pay!" His red-brown eyes were burning with a new fiery passion that sent a chill down Raine's spine. He intended to infiltrate the ranch. She could tell from the look on his face.
"Lloyd, you have got to calm yourself. There's no way-"
"We need a plan. If we can come up with a good plan, we can infiltrate the ranch."
The half elf's eyes widened in shock. She even ignored the fact that she had been rudely interrupted twice in this conversation, too surprised that that suggestion had come from Kratos.
"Are you insane?!" She exclaimed, her piercing gaze turned on him now.
"They have probably taken hostages from this city. We must infiltrate the ranch to rescue them." He fired back.
Lloyd's face lit up slightly at the mention of rescuing the captives, and his muscles relaxed.
"We can set up camp here for the night while we figure out how to get into the ranch.
The plan was this-to storm into the ranch, and attack a few desians. They would steal their armor, and disguise as many of them as they could as fellow desians, while the rest would be the prisoners.
It was decided rather quickly, to Lloyd's disappointment, that he would be a prisoner, since he in fact wanted by the desians.
Later that afternoon, once they had confirmed the plan, they headed northwest, in the direction of the human ranch.
Once they had obtained the armor, they raced back to Luin. It appeared that the only uniform that could be used, that had not been damaged in the fight was that of a woman's. Raine, being the only suited one to wear it, quickly left to try it on. When it was determined it looked natural, and no one would ask questions, they decided to settle in for the night.
Raine being one for a change. She had to admit. It did feel rather odd to not be joining Kratos on a late night walk. But, because this mission was so vital, both had decided it would be best if she got a suitable amount of rest for once.
She watched as he sat next to Noishe, having volunteered once more for the nightwatch. She wondered if the man ever obtained a full night's sleep. She was always the first one to drift off when they did see each other at night. Come to think of it, she had never seen him asleep. Her thoughts then drifted to the events that would take place the next day. She wondered if she would be able to fool the guards. would they really think she was one of them? Or, would they see through her ruse. Oh well. She didn't have the time, nor the energy to think of the consequences right now. She needed to get her rest. Soon, her eyes drifted, and she had fallen into a peaceful sleep.
Kratos watched as Raine's eyes drifted close. She was curled up in her sleeping bag, with her hands under her head, cradling it. He couldn't help but smile. It was nice, her getting the rest she so needed for once.
He could tell she had been stressed lately. The lack of sleep had been catching up with her. He could tell she tried to hide it from the group. She would often convey a more energetic attitude, which, had fooled the younger three of the group. But, not him. He did not miss the moments, when, she thought everyone was looking away, she would close her eyes for a moment, trying to give them a brief's moment's rest.
Sleep well, Raine. He thought, as he turned his gaze to the sky. Stars speckled the black sky in shimmering white dots.
His thoughts turned to the human ranch. Would he be able to conceal his anger from the group? Better yet, would he be able to conceal it from Raine. He thought for a moment that her gaze had lingered on his eyes, a puzzled look on her face. He had to keep his emotions under control. He just had to. No matter how he hated Kvar. He had to keep his past to himself. No one could no what he was now.
His gaze then turned to the moon. He calmed for a moment, taking in the beauty of the bright light emitting from the night sky.
I will protect my comrades, and fight for their sakes, as well as mine.
Morning soon came, as the navy blue sky was replaced with various shades of brilliant oranges and purples. Then, the edge of the sun came into view as Raine was gently nudged awake.
She let out a soft groan, shielding her face with her blanket. "No...."
"Raine, you must get up. You need to change." It was Kratos's voice that startled her into consciousness.
"Huh? Oh. Yeah." She whispered, as she sat up, wiping her eyes. When she was finished, she searched the campsite, to see that Genis, Lloyd, and Colette were all still asleep.
He had noticed her disappointment of having to be one of the first up. "I wanted to let them sleep a little longer. I figured there was no need to get them up while you were changing."
She nodded in understanding, rising from her position, and hurriedly packing her stuff. Once finished, she groggily made her way into one of the broken down inns, figuring that would be the most privacy she would get.
When she came back out, the other three had been woken, and were slowly gathering their things.
Kratos seemed to be getting more and more impatient, but said nothing. He was now stroking Noishe, and occasionally checking to see if the three had finished packing.
Raine decided to hurry them along, seeing as that was part of her job as a teacher anyway.
"Genis, Colette, Lloyd, hurry. We need to get there as soon. And, just think, the sooner we get going, the sooner we can come back and rest."
This seemed to motivate them well enough, though, she noticed they gave her some odd looks. Apparently, they had not gotten a good look at her the night before in her costume. Even Kratos showed signs of surprise.
The armor was rather revealing, she had to admit. It showed off a good amount of her midsection, and the shorts were rather, well, short.
She suddenly felt self conscious, but shook it off. They had a job to do.
And with that, they were off to have another meeting with the leader of a human ranch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Chapter 11~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All right. There you have it! I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know how you liked it!
And, I will be working harder to get updates up here faster!
=]