Chapter 20
Raine dragged her tired body down the spacious resort hallway, low-heeled black shoes dangling from her fingertips. The cool firm carpet felt good on the soles of her feet. Turning the corner to her private suit, Raine stopped short.
She quickly hid away any expression of shock leaving her face blank. Of course he had to be there waiting in front of her door. With the upheaval of events tonight Raine couldn't find it within herself to be truly surprised at his appearance.
Kratos leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. The white dress jacket her wore was unclasped at the neck, and more of his unruly hair had escaped its chemical confines. That was good; he was a little more palatable when not looking as if he jumped out of some cheesy romance novel.
After over an hour of placating Regal that a quietly resting Presea's health was not in danger, all Raine wanted to do was plop down and rest. And if her tired body permitted, perhaps start the book she found on magical botanical gardens. Regal had advised her to find something that half-elves could market exclusively, as a way to fund any future projects on the long road to acceptance.
But it looked like a quiet evening was out of the question. Honestly she should have known this was bound to happen. Kratos never could keep his grievances to himself for very long.
Heartburn, headache, the beginnings of nausea.
Yes, all the feelings associated with anxiety were present. Any more of this Raine was certain her health would take a turn for the worst.
This had to end.
Raine didn't think she could take it anymore. Not after such a humiliating nervous breakdown when her fledgling movement had hardly begun to take flight. In truth his disapproval of her methods had struck a tender chord within Raine.
It was bad enough she felt out of her element as it was. This was a lot different than a schoolroom filled with human children. At least school children went home at the end of the day. Sometimes she felt like and unfit mother of thirty-seven, especially since Noah and Sarah returned home. Raine had enough insecurities without Kratos around.
And if he were so truly worried, perhaps he should consider that the confusion and doubts would kill her before any would-be assassin ever could!
Raine approached as nonchalantly as her angered body would allow; only acknowledging Kratos with an inquisitive look.
He returned her look with an infinite patience that came off as somewhat condescending to Raine; fueling her convictions even more. 'It has to end…'
'Tonight.'
The door swung noiselessly inward as Raine granted to swordsman entry into her pearl themed luxury suit. The large bay window that led to the patio was open allowing in enough moonlight to encompass the pale furniture in a soft glow.
Raine dropped her shoes by the door, stepping carefully as he bare feet became accustomed to the chilly marble tiles.
"Is there something you needed," Riane finally turned her full attention on Kratos.
He made to step a little closer then stopped himself.
"Yes, it is about the discussion over dinner," Kratos hesitated. "As you know…we are about to enter a very dangerous leg of this journey. And I think we should consider Bryant's offer of a hired escort more seriously."
Raine visibly bristled in the manner of an offended feline. When had this ever become 'we'?
"Thank you for your input… I'll be sure to consider it the future," Raine said tightly. She glanced down at her bare feet seaching for what to say next.
"…Kratos…" Raine took a deep breath and turned serious blue eyes to the swordsman. "In light of past events, I can not help but wonder if you would be happier partaking in another endeavor elsewhere."
His placid façade went rigid; dress jacket growing taught over his tense shoulders.
"No," Kratos replied darkly, causing Raine to start slightly.
"There is no need for anger." Raine continued with forced diplomacy. "I'm merely suggesting that perhaps Lloyd's excursion would be more to your liking, as you seem less than pleased traveling in my party."
Brows furrowed, it was Kratos' turn to shift his gaze. Then his said in a biting tone, "Don't play the ignorant, Raine, it doesn't become you. You know as well as I that, that has nothing to do with the current situation."
Raine glared viciously, eyes glittering with sheer frustration. Not even the chilly breeze from the open patio could cool her enflamed face.
Kratos however continued before she could shoot off a rebuttal. "Fine if you won't talk about it I will," he said in a measured voice. "Like it or not, I feel deeply for you, and I love you too much to leave you now or ever for that matter."
Raine took a shallow breath and through pure will forced her teeth apart in order to speak. "As completely extraneous as this subject matter is…please forgive me if I highly doubt the reliability and validity of your claim," she finished crossly.
"Look," Raine took a deep breath. "If this has anything to do with the attack in the Treit Dessert, please don't feel obligated to stick around. I think…" She continued in a restrained voice. "I think you have a strong sense of duty, however missed place it may be."
"You're wrong-"
"No, you listen!" Raine bit back. "It is clear somewhere along the way during our time together you have mistake this sense of duty for…love."
"There is no mistake," Kratos insisted slowly closing the distance between them. "It's because I love you that I want to protect you."
Raine pinched the bridge of her nose and in a tired voice said, "I do not want or need a care taker.
"That is not-"
"And," Raine cut in aggressively. "I'm leaning toward the inclination that this wayward sense to protect, manifested from your troubled past."
Kratos' rigid body trembled. If she hadn't made him mad before he was livid now, but that didn't stop Raine.
"I am truly sorry about your family, but do not put me in the same category of some self-proclaimed failed responsibility."
Kratos loomed menacingly.
"That was low, even for you," Kratos said, surrounded by dancing shadows as the ocean breeze tossed around the patio's white curtains. "It seems beneath you to lash out so just because you lack the courage to face these unresolved feelings between us."
"What's unresolved!?" Raine practically yelled. "Frankly I never wished to know in the first place!"
The nerve of him questioning her courage!
"Then think about this," Kratos said strongly. "If you doubt my sincerity how will you accept that of the Meltokio matriarchy, or the scattered provinces of Sylverant?"
Raine was momentarily struck dumb.
With hooded eyes Kratos said, "I do love you. And please do not question or make light of my conviction."
"Stop it,' Raine hissed.
"Stop what?" Kratos stepped closer; his own voice raising in volume. "Stop being truthful about being in love with you?"
"I said enough," Raine raked her fingers through her short silver hair. "Where does this devotion come from?" she nearly pleaded. "I-I don't want this, I can't take this!"
"What's this?" Kratos demanded. "Do kindness and affection frighten you so? Or is it the fact that I love you."
"Are you mad," Raine yelled, "stop repeating yourself!" This was insane, why couldn't he just accept thing they way they were?
"Raine-"
She was confused; he could see it in her fractured blue eyes. He could not fathom why this was so difficult, and why was she shying away from him?
Kratos' patience snapped, and he grabbed Raine by the shoulders trying to stop her retreat.
Raine's reaction was instant.
A ball of white burning light hit Kratos square in the chest. There was a brilliant flash and Kratos staggered back, relinquishing his hold.
Raine's outstretched hand trembled violently, in both fear and shock at just what happened.
Kratos getting over his own shock slowly straightened and inspected the damage. He looked on at Raine with both insight and sympathy.
"I hope you realize that if I were a normal human you could have nearly killed me." Smoke rose from the burnt hole in the jacket, his singed flesh began to instantly mend itself. The decorative buttons had been smelted together.
"I-I-" Raine said gasping.
"Perhaps in time you will explain to me the circumstances that warranted your reaction just now." Kratos slowly advanced again.
Raine panted raggedly, watching the seraph shake off the attack as if it were nothing. What was he trying to do? Break her completely?!
Raine was completely spent, so this time when Kratos slowly and carefully gathered her in his arms she put up no resistance.
"I love you, Raine. And I'll keep saying it till you believe me," Kratos bent down and kissed her on the side of the lips.
"You're absolutely nuts," Raine said wearily slumping against his body.
Kraots chuckled deeply and kissed her again on the crown.
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Kratos didn't know how many times he'd flown around the island that night, but the midnight blue sky had already begun to lighten when he found a suitable perch. He finally settled on a chest-high granite wall atop a tall building. It provided an excellent view of the resort still clad in early morning shadows, but more importantly he had an excellent view of Raine's hotel room.
He had found a new sense of determination that night. She seemed to finally take him seriously; although in a resigning sort of way. He had never thought that courting the professor would have be such a battle; literally.
But Kratos was determined to forge something between them even if it killed him, which might very well become a fact due to the stress on his ancient body. The last 17 years had been hard enough. As cliché goes this might very well be the straw that broke the dragon's back.
"You seem distracted." A voice observed.
For all his worth, Kratos didn't fall off the wall. Instead twisted his neck to regard the man standing behind him.
Dressed in neatly pressed grey trousers with dress shirt and vest, Regal's business persona was offset by a pair of tulips clench in the executive's left hand.
Regal's look was inquisitive as he wondered how a man whose warrior experience easily eclipsed his ten times over had failed to notice the martial artist's presence.
"Perhaps." Kratos replied distantly turning back to look out over the churning waters far below.
Regal took that as a cue and left the brooding man to stand in front of a large tomb stone at the center of a manicured garden. Regal gently placed the flowers in the front of the carefully kept stone. Then as per ritual took a few meditative breaths and allowed his mind drift away with the tangy ocean breeze.
He contemplated his unanticipated guest standing on his roof. Regal wondered what had driven the other man to such a lonely perch. Perhaps lingering feelings of guilt? Up until ten months ago Regal had spent all of his limited free time up here doing the same. This was a great out of the way spot to wallow in self-pity.
Regal rubbed at his bare wrists.
But those days were over now, impart due to one surprisingly violent action from Presea. With Nearly fifteen years of limited emotional development, Presea was the last person he expected to shed light onto his own dysfunctional outlook on life.
That fateful day proved to a memory that Regal would treasure and even laugh about till his last breath.
It had been evening when Regal and Presea had just rid the resort beaches of a nasty sea monsters infestation. They were nearly home when Presea suddenly whirled on him axe raised in the air. It happened so fast Regal scarcely had the time to blink, though he soon became aware of the fact that his shackles lay in a pile by his feet.
"They are unnecessary," Presea had told a considerably shaken Regal, and walked on ahead on her then short legs.
A fluctuation of pure mana raced along Regal's nerves, brining him back to the present. The executive looked to see that Kratos had unfurled his blue sparkling wings, ready to take flight.
"A moment if you please," Regal hastened his step the stop the other man.
Kratos settled back on his heels and turned around. Only moments ago he had realized that this was the Lezareno Company headquarters and he was currently intruding in the president's private garden.
"I don't suppose we can talk over breakfast?" Regal began. " Raine and I have a meeting at seven. If you are willing I would like a word with you before she arrives."
"I doubt she'll make it," Kratos interrupted, facing out towards the white sandy beaches once again.
"Excuse me?"
"If she isn't awake now then I assume she's sleeping in." Kratos commented offhandedly, eliciting a curious expression from the muscular businessman.
Regal wasn't about to question how the swordsman was privy to such information. But the far off look in Kratos' eyes started him speculating on issues had no business speculating about.
Regal didn't know Kratos all that well, but he had come to know Raine. And something between these two had drawn out some rather out of character responses from the scholarly half-elf at last night's dinner.
"Please this way," Regal motioned for the former Cruxis agent to follow him to a private elevator. Kratos was then led into a spacious office, dominated by a large desk and tall leather chair. The long window behind the chair revealed a now tangerine sky streaked with crimson, which encompassed the office in a welcoming glow.
"I hope you like sausage, eggs and potatoes, I always did enjoy a hearty breakfast."
"Yes, thank you," Kratos replied. Though his body didn't need as much nourishment as a normal human, eating was a simple pleasure he could never pass up.
Kratos took an offered seat as Regal called in orders to an old-fashioned tube system. A far cry from the sophisticated technology used in Welgaia.
"Alright it should be ready in 25 minutes, in the mean time please tell about these attacks," Regal pulled out a note pad.
Regal had to hand to Kratos, the seraph was methodical to a fault. His account of events was given in such pain staking detail, Regal could envision the attacks as if he were there himself.
However, during his account of the last incident at the Other Worldly Gate, the disciplined warrior's countenance became agitated.
"I see, a demoralization attic," Regal bristled, the pen he held threatening to shatter in his hands. Kratos was right, to call that mere coincidence was foolish.
"I'll send word to Sheena, and initiate a proper investigation into these attempts." Regal said brusquely.
Kratos was delighted. Finally someone was taking the action Raine had resisted.
"It will be good to get to the root of the problem, before we reach Syback."
"Unfortunately that may not be possible. It may take some time before my liaison can contact one of the Mizho agents." Regal apologized clasping his big hand together. "The Mizhoans are busy building a worldwide information network, even I have had trouble contracting their services."
"Oh," Kratos replied dismayed. "I at least wanted to know how they were able to track Raine's movements thus far."
"I believe I can shed some light onto that," Regal sighed. "During her recruitment, in order to appease some of the more hesitant scholars, Raine outlined her route in conscientious detail."
"Believe me," Regal said ardently, recalling the four and a half hour meeting. "Her objectives and procedures were far from secret."
"Perhaps that explains the lull in excitement when we detoured to Asgard after the last incident." Kratos commented offhandedly."
"That was a wise move," Regal agreed filing his notes in a desk drawer.
There was a polite knock as a smartly uniformed hotel employee wheeled in a tray carrying two silver platters.
"Thank you Jameson," Regal said as the lean man set out the plates and put a pitcher of orange juice on ice. "That will be all."
Both men shared a quiet breakfast in silence; content to watch the sun rise higher into the brightening sky.
After the peaceful meal Regal pushed his plate aside and dug into his desk drawer. "Here," he pulled out a handful of papers clipped together. "This is of list of hotels I own. They are to serve as a safe haven as Raine travels through Tethe'Alla's more metropolitan areas. If any trouble were to arise I would be notified immediately. This was a copy I had on hand, as I am to give Raine the original when we meet later this morning."
"Thank you, brilliant idea," Kratos scanned the list.
"Actually I can not take credit for it. It was originally Raine's idea to help Lloyd and Genis on their ex-sphere eradication journey," Regal pointed out proudly. "I just took an extra step to assist her. "Heavens know that her tenacity wouldn't get her through the metaphorical lion's den unscathed."
Kratos couldn't agree more. It also explained Raine's lack of concern over her little brother and Lloyd's endeavor, which was possibly just as controversial than her own quest.
"So what do you think?"
"About what?" Kratos asked.
"Her mission," Regal urged enthusiastically, "Half-elf acceptance."
"She parades about the countryside as if half-elves are already accepted," Kratos began tight-lipped, and clenching his fists. "She has utterly no concern whatsoever to the fact that she's going against a very ingrained social norm. Or the fact that she has made herself a very visible walking target for those who hate her race…which accounts for 98 percent of the world's population."
Regal blinked once then twice more. That was a far cry from the response the businessman was expecting.
Finally he muscular executive found his voice "Parading you say? Well that is the visual element of her journey. It is hard to convince the populace that half-elves aren't nefarious monsters hiding under their beds when said half-elves are not in plain everyday view", Regal reasoned.
"I understand that," Kratos said evenly. "But this mission has made her lose all sense of self-preservation."
Kratos' voice had risen and Regal was certain the other man wasn't aware of it.
Regal looked down at the polished wood on his desk, mentally debating his next words, "I see you have strong opinions about her methods." Regal uncomfortably cleared his throat and asked, "You love her don't you?"
"More than I believe I can take," Kratos looked away in frustration.
"I …." Regal was saved from completing that statement when a salt-and-peppered- haired woman in her late fifties, stormed the office wearing an expensive summer dress. She angrily shook off the panicked secretary and marched towards Regal's desk.
"Mr. Bryant!!" Watery grey eyes fell on Kratos, and she hastily smoothed down her dress.
"Lady Esther." Regal greeted. He always made a note of his noble clientele with deep pockets. He'd be out of business if he hadn't.
"Yes", she squeaked, pulling her flustered attention away from the handsome gentleman seated to her right. Then the anger returned her eyes as if she suddenly remembered why she burst into Regal Bryant's office. "I can't believe it. I thought this was a family establishment! How can my children and grandchildren be exposed to such a vulgar environment?!
"Excuse me but if you could be clearer to as what you are referring to, I'll be more than happy to fix the problem," Regal soothed.
The noble woman's eyes grew wide in indignation, how could Bryant not know what she was talking about?
"Half-elves! That's what I'm taking about. To think they occupy the same beach as our family!" she looked as if she wanted to be sick. "There are half-elves everywhere the shops the beach… ! How do you run an establishment of such filth!! Why if this isn't taken care of right now, I'm taking my family and leaving."
There was a tense silence and both men exchanged a brief look.
Regal spread his large hands as if going to apologize, but instead he pressed a button on his desk and two identically dressed employees soon entered through the door. "Anderson and Lenix please see that the Esther family luggage is packed and ready in the hotel lobby."
"Right away sir," the two identically dressed men bowed and left.
Lady Esther's mouth open and shut repeatedly
The noblewoman had gone pale, then red, and she huffed dramatically, "The regent shall hear of this!!" Lady Esther screamed.
Regal regarded the woman with bored patience. "I am regent of these lands. And if you have a complaint please go to the front desk and submit it in writing." he said this with such a polite tone, Kratos had trouble telling if Regal was being facetious or not.
Completely flabbergasted, the noble woman all but ran out the room slamming the door in her wake.
Regal sunk in his chair and looked to Kratos who had regained his aloof and silent air in all the commotion. "That probably wasn't the smartest move on my part," he said looking at a stack of bills.
In truth with the world in the state it was in Regal couldn't afford to loose any more money.
Sadly, sometimes being ethical was a financial pain.
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As far away from the shoreline as physically possible without leaving the beach proper, Raine turned another page in her book. A red-orange cocktail sweated on a low table by her side. Raine had been using the pretty drink as an excuse to keep an eye on the man who had made himself comfortable in the chair opposite the small table. With each sip she'd be met with a pair of intense auburn eyes that had her retreating to her book each time, with a little skip in her heartbeat to boot.
'Does he have to be so obvious?' Raine groused hoping that the flush she felt creeping up her next wasn't visible. Something had changed over the last sixteen hours and Raine wasn't sure she could even give it a name. Whatever it was, she glanced at Kratos again who was currently surveying the beach, did not seem to bother the seraph in the least.
The collar of his white linen shirt ruffled in a lazy gust of wind. Kratos couldn't think of the last time he had been through so many wardrobe changes, but he wasn't complaining. For Raine was no exception, and today's new outfit consisted of a black and white two-piece with a small split skirt that went to mid-thigh.
She wore the ensemble exceptionally well, in his humble opinion.
There was a 'fwoosh' as a small portion of scholars, clad in swim wear, set a piece of driftwood aflame with a low-level fire spell. A task Raine had recently become adamant about, which was to learn some type of offensive or curative magic.
The cheering turned into cries of shock as icy water splashed not only the gathering and ignited driftwood, but anyone within a thirty meter radius.
Raine "tsked" and gently wiped the crystalline droplets from the book with the corner of her skirt. She sent a warning glare to the perpetrator who was too busy congratulating himself over the magical feat.
Harley, the only one not soaked in icy water laughed and pumped his fist in the air. Aisha and her brother Linar shivered at his side, as did fifteen or so researchers, none joining in the redhead's enthusiasm.
Kratos swallowed a chuckle and turned his gaze out over the distant water, where a figure cut through the waves as gracefully as a shark. Bright pink hair provided a stark contrast against the deep teal waters. 'Presea must be feeling better today,' he mused.
He was strangely relaxed today, which was rare, but the seraph was going to try and make the best of it. Kratos leaned back enjoying the soothing sounds of gulls and crashing waves. In fact it was a bit too peaceful.
Odd, it was a lot more boisterous mere seconds ago.
Kratos looked over at Raine. "Yes, I know," she set down her book and took off barefoot across the wet sand. A crowd of her compatriots gathered near one of the changing stations.
Raine stopped short as the crowd parted. Mark, adorned in swim trunks and flower patterned shirt stood by a woman dressed as a Atlamira grounds employee.
"Kate."
TBC