Chapter 13 Finding Friends and Enemies

The eight companions stood in the cover of the trees, close enough to the research facility to have a clear view of it.

Ryan signaled to the others to listen, whispering, "There should still be an unguarded back-door. We can go through there to get in."

"I still don't see why we should trust this-"

Yuan was interrupted by Martel, "He's the only lead we have…"

Yuan grumbled. "Why can't we just leave the twerp there-"

"Yuan!"

"But I guess we need him to make the pacts…" Yuan muttered.

Seeing the guards at the front gate go inside to switch watch, Ryan ran out towards the building, telling the others to follow. Once inside he walked up to the nearest computer, a map appearing on the screen.

"This is like when we where in that ranch, right Lloyd?" Colette asked.

"A ranch? How is this anything like that?" Yuan asked, "Was the farmer really rich or something?"

"Something like that…" Lloyd replied.

"There are three places where Mithos could be," Ryan said, looking at the map, "We should split into three groups."

"Alright, who's going to choose?" Colette asked.

"Bia and I will go retrieve the cure for Kratos' exphere," Ryan said.

"Well, Yuan and Martel could come with me to the northern prison, and Colette, Lloyd and Kratos can go to the southern prison," Victoria said, "How about that?"

"I see no problem, let's hurry," Kratos said, walking off.

Yuan sighed. "I guess this is what we're doing. Thanks for listening to our opinions, Kratos!"

--

The first thing Raine was aware of was the cold metal floor against her face, and that she was lying on the floor. She sat up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room. Raine looked around, seeing that she was in what looked like a prison cell. She staggered to her feet, surprised how cold and weak she felt. Above the sink was a mirror, and upon seeing her reflection, Raine gasped. Her hair was black, long enough that it was close to reaching the floor; her skin was extremely pale; and she over all, looked horrid- worse than the people in the human ranches. Raine went to pick up her bag of supplies when she realized she couldn't move her arm. Looking and seeing that she had an exphere attached to her hand, she groaned, hopefully Origin knew what he was doing.

Picking up the bag with her left hand, leaving her right arm hanging uselessly at her side. She walked over to the bars of the cell, looking for some sort of lock. She froze when she heard footsteps.

A man and a teenage girl walked around the corner, the girl pouting.

"C'mon, Dad! After everything that's happened, you're still not going to tell him?!" She exclaimed, "What's up with his exphere anyways?"

"He thinks his father is dead, so we might as well keep it that way, Bia."

Bia sighed, "Hey, did you just avoid my-" she had noticed Raine, running up to the bars, "Are you alright?"

"I am fine, for now," Raine replied.

"Okay!" Bia said, grinning, "Da-Ryan, you grab the medicine, I'll get her out of here!"

Ryan sighed, "Right, right. Stop acting like your sister."

Bia looked around quickly, and saw the electric lock beside the prison. Quickly deactivating the lock, the door opened.

Raine walked out, leaning against the wall. "Thank you, I-"

Bia suddenly shoved a key crest towards her face. "You can't move your arm right now, can you? This should fix it quickly. By the way, what's your name?"

"It's R-Refill," Raine replied, quickly deciding that it would be better to use an alias.

"My name is Bia. The other man is Ryan." Bia said, "Once we get out of here, will help you get better, 'k?"

"Thank you."

"Hey!" Ryan shouted, "Let's not lie around here, Bia! Kratos and Mithos are in danger!"

"Don't listen to him," Bia shrugged. "Tell us if you begin to feel worse."

--

"This place looks like it's been abandoned," Kratos commented, seeing the empty cells that they'd passed by already.

"I hope Mithos is alright…" Colette said quietly.

"Hey, how many pacts does Mithos have now?" Lloyd asked, peering into another prison cell.

"I don't remember," Kratos said quickly.

Lloyd said nothing, about to move on to the next cell, peered over the railings on the other side of the hallway, where the floor could not be seen below, even with the old lights above them or their flashlight.

"Colette was right, this is like another ranch… I hoped we didn't have to deal with anymore of them…" Lloyd said, groaning as he went ahead. "And the railing ends over here, so be careful you guys."

Kratos started to walk faster in order to catch up with his son, Colette quickly following suit. Until she tripped, crashing in to Kratos. Lloyd spun around, only to see Kratos fall of the edge. He ran over, about to jump off and save him, when Kratos suddenly grew blue wings.

"Kratos-!" Colette gasped. Kratos flew up, landing beside them and dispersing his wings.

Lloyd sighed in relief, "You're alright…"

"Uh-hunh…" Kratos mumbled, wobbling slightly.

"Kratos..? Are you alright?" Colette asked.

"Yeah… but I don't feel so well… Just let me sleep a bit." Kratos collapsed, startling his two companions.

--

Martel immediately ran up to untie her brother the moment she caught sight of him- laying on the floor, his hands and feet bound and a gag over his mouth.

Victoria looked around, watching for any movement that might be the kidnapper, while Yuan just watched Mithos as he sat up, rubbing his wrists.

"I-I didn't see who grabbed-" Mithos said.

"We already know who took you- Styra." Victoria put in.

"What would she gain by kidnapping my brother?!" Martel shouted.

"… I've got a few hunches." Victoria suddenly spun around, just as footsteps were heard from a hallway behind them. "Lloyd?"

Lloyd walked in, carrying Kratos on his back, who was still unconscious. Colette walked behind him, looking over at Mithos with a worried glance.

"What the hell did you do to my brother?!" Victoria exclaimed, running over.

"I didn't do anything! He just passed out… after growing wings so-"

"Side-effects from the exphere, I'm guessing." A woman stepped forward, smiling sadistically.

Victoria snarled, glaring at her. "…Styra."

Finaly, Styra reveals herself. I'm sort of glad that she has a bigger role than what I'd originally planned :P
... Kratos has been passing out too much lately. I think that will stop after this...
Sorry for such a long wait. I had the chapter almost finished, and then we went camping... Reviews are appreciated!