Chapter 12

Kratos stared at his reflection as he fastened the many buckles and loops on the white ceremonial uniform that the priests had asked him to wear to tonight's ceremony. He worked automatically, his vacant expression having nothing to do with his appearance but with the meeting he had had with Yuan the day before.

They had arrived at Detta three days ago, and for most of that time, Anna had been sequestered in the temple as the priests and priestesses examined Kalar's proclamation and she was questioned on herself and Kalar's credibility. Though the separation had been brief, Kratos was surprised by how much he was missing Anna's presence. He had to admit that things seemed brighter and more hopeful when she was around.

During this absence, Kratos was left to himself and decided to use the time to deal with administrative matters. Yuan met him a few hours walk from Detta in deep forest. He found his blue haired friend casually leaning against an old and gnarled tree, "How goes the reintegration into the living world?" he asked. Kratos shrugged, "As to be expected I guess." Yuan couldn't completely hide a bitter smile when he asked, "And so everyone is rejoicing at the imminent arrival of the next Chosen?" Kratos found a comfortable rock to sit on, "They have a right to be happy. Things have been declining here for so long, it's hard to find someone who hasn't been touched by violence or despair."

Yuan raised an eyebrow at Kratos' dispirited tone, "This is a cycle that we have been repeating for a long time now. Perhaps we need to investigate another way?" Kratos met Yuan's gaze and with a half smile said, "Don't let Lord Yggdrassil hear suggestions like that." He stood now, signaling that he had no intention of listening to Yuan's seditious ideas, "The Chosen's prophecy has been spread. Let Yggdragssil know that the people are ready. Does he have further instructions for me?"

Yuan frowned his disappointment but said, "Not at the moment. I believe that Kvar has been developing some new theories on the creation of Cruxis Crystals that he has been presenting to Lord Yggdraggisl for the past few days. They are…repulsive, but I believe he will soon be granted permission to begin his experimentation."

Kratos ignored the implied criticism against their leader. He knew Yuan was becoming increasingly dissatisfied, but Kratos was not yet convinced that they had any other choice. "What does that have to do with me?" Yuan pushed himself off of the tree, "Nothing at the moment, but Yggdrassil is unlikely to let such a large project go on without direct supervision and he senses my aversion to the project. Don't be surprised if you are summoned again, sooner than you may like." Kratos nodded his understanding and turned to go, he stopped a moment and turned back to his old friend. "Yuan, when was the last time you felt…a part of this world? Alive?" Yuan considered Kratos a moment before saying, "You know that the things that mattered to me were never apart of this world. But I think I know what you mean. Recently I've felt like I've been coming out of a deep slumber and finally noticing the things that are going on around me." Yuan paused, hoping to reach his friend but too cautious to push, "If you find something that can wake you up Kratos, whatever it is, don't let it go." Kratos smiled at his friend, nodded his thanks and turned to walk back into the forest. He didn't hear Yuan depart but sensed his absence.

Now, back in Detta Kratos couldn't keep Yuan's advice from echoing in his mind. The truth that he had to admit to himself was that he wanted to follow it, but something inside him chided him for being foolish. Never being a person to be ruled by his emotions, he knew the danger of acting impetuously. A servant knocked at his door, signaling the time for his entrance into the temple hall.

The temple was austere and classic. Walking in Kratos saw Anna seated at the side of the room, important looking priests on either side of her. They had dressed her in white flowing robes. The colour suited her natural beauty. Sensing his eyes on her, Anna turned to look at him and grinned a greeting before her attention was claimed by the acting priest and priestess. Kratos took his seat with lesser members of the religious community and continued to watch Anna. They were bringing her to the centre of the room now, beneath the engraved figure of Martel. Kratos tuned out the religious droning of the priests, it meant nothing to him. The religion was too wrapped up in customs and traditions to embrace what Martel's sacrifice had truly been. He watched Anna and considered…possibilities. His assistance with the Chosen would not be needed for a few years, until then he was fairly free to follow his own course. Even with the regeneration journey coming up, he could still manage…manage what? That stopped him for a moment and he was brought back to the present situation as the presiding priest introduced Anna and formally declared what Kalar's proclamation about the coming Chosen stated. As expected, the temple erupted with joy and goodwill. Kratos observed impassively, untouched by their happiness, after all, their joy would turn into the misfortune of others. Anna met his eye from across the distance. She watched him with a puzzled expression for a moment until her attention was claimed by others once again.

Everyone was on their feet now, mingling and congratulating each other on their coming good fortune. Kitchen staff entered with trays and the musicians started up. What had begun as a religious ceremony was fast becoming a party and Kratos felt his presence would no longer be necessary. He caught Anna's eye again and nodded towards the door. He slipped out into the quiet and cool night and waited for Anna to catch up with him. He pretended not to notice Anna creeping up behind him, but couldn't resist surprising her by turning quickly, catching her at her waist and twirling her in the air. She threw her head back and laughed until he finally set her to her feet again.

With her arms still loosely held by his she looked up at him and said, "I've missed you. It seems like I've been locked away with the priests forever. Now I understand why Grandfather never pursued a religious life." Kratos smiled gently at her, "Tonight's mingling will be your last duty. Kalar should be on his way now. We can set out for Iselia tomorrow." Her answering smile seemed clouded for a moment and then cleared, "Well I'll just say goodbye to everyone and then help you get ready." Kratos dropped her arms and shook his head, "That won't be necessary, nor would it be polite. Go back inside and enjoy their company again for a while, but make sure you get a good night's sleep. I'll go and get together some supplies now." He turned to go but stopped suddenly to say, "Anna, you look like an angel tonight." Her cheeks flushed in response to the compliment and she watched him until he was out of sight before turning and going back into the temple.

Anna watchedthe sun rise from the window of the little guest room she had been given. They had been in Detta for four days and would be leaving today. Anna had delivered the scroll and answered all questions put to her. While the priests were still awaiting Father Kalar to confirm all that she had said, they were satisfied with what she had told them. The little religious community of Detta had been peaceful and soothing to Anna's agitated mind, and though she had seen very little of Kratos over the past few days, she wasn't worried. Anna had come to a decision. Before they returned to Iselia, Anna would make it clear to Kratos that whatever his secrets, she could live with them. She didn't know how yet, but she was going to make Kratos understand that she would follow him anywhere. The vehemence of her feeling and such a momentous decision would have shocked her only a month ago, but lately she had a feeling of being swept up in something and unable to resist its flow. This was the course she was meant for, she was sure of it.

Anna closed the door to her room quietly behind her and made her way to the main temple where Kratos would be waiting for her. As she caught sight of Kratos, she was surprised to see his green and white dog standing next to him. As she approached she said, "It's your dog! Where has he been all of this time?" Kratos smiled before correcting her, "He is not a dog, and I do not own him. Noishe comes and goes as he pleases. He is my companion." Anna reached out a hand to pet the giant friendly green and white head, "Will he be joining us on our way back to Iselia?" Kratos nodded, "Yes, for a time perhaps. Have you said all of your good byes?" Anna hoisted her bag onto her shoulders, "Yes, I'm ready to go." "Good", Kratos said and then set off with Noishe beside him.

Kratos walked quickly so that Anna could not see his face. He had just told Anna a lie and he felt a little guilty but she didn't seem to notice any change in his demeanor. While it was true that Noishe came and went as he pleased, Kratos knew that this particular visit meant that he was to meet Yuan soon and that later Noishe would lead him to the meeting place. It wasn't a lie exactly, but Kratos felt that he was in the wrong suddenly and he couldn't shake that feeling no matter what he told himself. Finally he willed himself to walk slower so that Anna could catch up. She smiled at him and they walked on, side by side in silence. Inside though, Kratos' thoughts were going around and around and always coming back to the same place. This situation with Anna was coming to a head and he had a choice to make for both of them. Could he trust Yuan regardless of the choice he made? He had no answer for that. He wasn't really sure why Yuan needed to see him again so soon after their last meeting, but he realized that at some point he would have to slip away from Anna. 'Already the deception starts…' he thought.

They made good time and by the end of the afternoon had emerged from the dense forest surrounding Detta into a grassy plain not far from Hakonesia Peak. After selecting a likely area, they set up camp. Noishe pushed his snout into Kratos' hand and he realized that it was time to go. He turned to Anna, "Can you get the fire going? I'll look for something to eat and some water." She smiled her agreement and he set out.

Anna made short work of building up the fire. She looked up from her work to see Kratos off in the distance, just about to disappear into the forest when her eye fell on the water jug. Grinning at his rare mistake she picked it up and set off at a jog after him. He was much further away then she had first thought and by the time she reached the forest edge she had lost sight of him. She looked around on the ground, trying to find some sign of his trail when a sudden gust of wind brought the faint sound of his voice to her ear. She followed the sound slowly. It was hard to follow, as though the words were falling down on to her from some position higher up. She walked deeper in and heard another voice more clearly saying, "Just as I thought, Kvar's Angelus project will be under your direction. It has yet to really begin so I suppose your direct supervision will not be needed for some time. Yggdrasil doesn't mind you… how did he put it? 'Mingling with the dogs until you're needed again. I guess that means he wants you to check in periodically but otherwise you're free to do as you will, as usual."

Anna froze when next she heard Kratos' voice and with shock looked up. High in the tree tops stepping lightly on the thinnest of branches was Kratos with another blue haired man. They both appeared to have wings. In a daze she heard Kratos ask, "Has it been Kvar's base of operations been decided yet?" The blue haired man gave an ironic smirk, "Yes, it will be outside of Luin, the City of Ho-" he broke off and Anna froze as he caught sight of her. His eyes widened and he said, "Nosy human!" She caught a flash of light, a swift movement by Kratos and something that felt like hot electricity whizzing by her. Cowering with her arms over her head she heard Kratos say, "Yuan stop!" "Why?" "Because I'm sure she followed me. It was my mistake, I'll handle this." His voice sounded dead and cold.

With those words what little courage Anna had left broke. She turned and ran, her mind a white panic. So many strange words and sights had just bombarded her and she couldn't make sense of anything. Kratos with wings, that strange man trying to kill her, Kratos saying she was his mistake, following her now to do…what? Blindly she ran, branches and twigs pulling at her clothes, scratching her arms and face but she didn't feel them. All she knew is that she had to get away. She burst through the forest edge into a dazzling sunset. Her legs trembled as she halted for a moment, not sure which direction to go, where would she find shelter? Where could she hide?

She turned away from the direction of the camp and started to run again, her only hope that the coming darkness might hide her and she might be able to stop and think a moment. Her lungs burned and a stitch had begun to pain her side when suddenly she was tackled to the ground. She struggled to turn over and saw Kratos pinning her to the ground, his face a terrible storm of fury and blue wings spread out behind him.