Yay, next chapter. ^^

Um ... Yeah, I can't say much about this chapter. xD

Just enjoy it. ;)

Chapter 19: Mysteries

In the afternoon the four Chorior were already searching for the Tainted Child. The leader of the Chorior had advised them to visit a village near Hima first because there were old documents that perhaps revealed the location of the Tainted Child. And because Retisa still didn't have a clue where the Tainted Child was and she didn't feel anything either they set off to this village.

Edoph held a map in front of his face and murmured: "The shortest way would be this one … We go north, then over a bridge to the other continent, farther north and then east …"

"Geez, do we really have to walk?" Cozid sighed.

"Rheairds or other flying machines would be too conspicuous; didn't you hear the lord?" Nariko asked, annoyed.

"I did, but I just can't understand it … It's not like somebody could recognize us on the Rheairds."

"Believe me, it's far more safe to walk," Nariko replied. "But let's get going, it's terribly cold!"

Cozid grinned again because he wasn't affected by the cold at all. "Well, I think it's rather warm. I'm really pondering over taking off my cloak …"

He got slapped by Nariko immediately. "Stop it!"

"In a few hours it will get dark," Retisa remarked objectively, and thus pointing out that they should move on.

Still lost in the map, Edoph said: "Over there is Izoold. We can stay the night there." He put away the map. "How about we'll have a karaoke night later?"

"NO!" Nariko and Cozid yelled at the same time while Retisa just shook her head quietly.

"You're such killjoys!" Edoph remarked sulkily while walking ahead. "Alright, if you don't want to sing then I will …"

Cozid grabbed his bag and threw it at Edoph so that he fell to the ground that was slowly being covered by snowflakes. "Under no circumstances I want to hear you singing today!"

"Pah!" Edoph stood up and wiped the mud from his cloak. "Back then you liked to hear my lovely singing voice!"

"Back then it also had been endurable to some extend! Besides, Nubigena had …" Cozid stopped. His facial expression was a mixture of deep grief, anger and unbelief.

Edoph's face didn't look any better.

"Let's go on," Cozid said dryly.

The rest of the way to Izoold they were silent.

:::

Kratos and Raine were silent this afternoon as well. Genis wondered what had happened between them, but he was pretty sure that they had argued once more. And he wouldn't be surprised to learn that it had been because of Lunpor again. He really wanted to know why Kratos seemed to hate wolves that much, but he knew that the swordsman probably wouldn't answer his questions anyway. Why the hell did he have to make his whole life a big mystery?

Genis was startled out of his thoughts when Lunpor perked up his ears, and he started to quietly whine.

Kratos stood up abruptly; his hand on the sword. "Something's coming. Prepare for battle."

Raine and Genis grabbed their weapons and waited for the enemies that would appear any moment. A second later they were surrounded by several big beetles and grasshoppers.

Lunpor and Kratos immediately started to attack the monsters. Even if they didn't get along with each other that well they were a good team in battle without having to communicate.

Genis started to throw the ball of his kendama up and down and prepared his spell. Raine concentrated as well and murmured her spell quietly.

"Ice Tornado!" The rune on Genis' forehead suddenly glowed brighter and a mighty cold whirlwind rushed towards the enemies with the result that no monster survived.

Surprised, Raine canceled her spell, and even Lunpor looked a little bit confusedly at Genis who was puzzled as well. The only one who didn't seem to be surprised was Kratos.

"The spell wasn't that strong before …" the boy murmured.

"That's because of the rune. It strengthens your power enormously," Kratos explained while putting his sword away.

"So, when it disappears again I lose this additional power?" Genis wanted to know.

"No. It's an ability of the Servants of the Prophecy and isn't dependent on the rune."

"But then …" Raine objected.

"Then you should be much stronger, too! And Raine as well!" Genis said.

Kratos sighed. "Theoretically, yes. But regarding me … I've suppressed this power already a long time ago. It's dangerous if you lose control over it. I assume Raine has suppressed it as well, although probably unconsciously. But maybe it's also because she fainted the moment she became a servant …"

Raine thought about Kratos' words. Why should she have suppressed her power? It could only be useful.

Genis had already another question. "Hey, can I defeat the Envoys of Death with this power?"

"Probably not. The Envoys of Death are no living beings. They can't be defeated with a normal weapon or magic," Kratos replied. "At least that's what Zolkit told us."

"Then what shall we do if they appear again?" Genis wanted to know although he already knew the answer.

"Run away."

:::

In the meantime, the leader of the Chorior walked pensively through the headquarter. He was remembering his life before he had founded the Chorior. As a child he had lived only with his mother. She had been a kind woman and had had a big heart. They had lived in an isolated house near Luin, and despite of being poor they had been happy. At least until the day his mother had been killed. The habitants of Luin had found out what he really was: a half-elf. When they had wanted to kill him, his mother had sacrificed herself and told him to run away.

From this day on he had always been on the run. As a half-elf he was nowhere safe. But then came the day that changed his life forever. In a small village he didn't only find the love of his life but also documents of the Prophecy of Balance, the Tainted Child, and the Envoys of Death. That was the day he decided to create the world anew with the help of the Tainted Child and thus banish discrimination from the world.

But once again he was haunted by bad luck. He lost his wife and both his children, and only the will to put his plans into action were left behind. And now he had almost reached his goal.

The lord finally walked back into the throne room where he was already awaited by two persons.

"You've called for us, milord?" a teenager asked. He had orange-red hair that reached his chin and was sticking out. Additionally he wore a gold-brown headband. He seemed to be pretty serious. Standing next to him was a little girl. She had red hair, only the ends were blonde, and she had tied it back. Only a few strands of hair were surrounding the face of the girl. She was looking around curiously and tapping her foot impatiently.

"Yes. Sukeyo, Rikino, I have a mission for you."

The two came closer, and the leader told them what they had to do.

Edoph again. xDD The day he doesn't want to sing anymore is the beginning of the end of the world. xDD

Yes, the mysterious power of the servants ... But it won't be mentioned that much, only a few times.

Yeah, the leader had a tragic past ... like almost every other character as well. xD

I love Sukeyo and Rikino x3 And maybe you will, too. ^^

So, Happy Easter! I hope you'll get lots of chocolate. =)

To be continued ...