Genis gritted his teeth. Miguel was only a few feet away from him, and yet he couldn't do anything, unless he wanted to injure innocent people in the process.

"If you want to fight, that's fine. Just let these people go." Lloyd called out gesturing to the cowering guests in their pews.

"Au contraire. I have no intention of hurting these people. I just want them to watch while I hurt her." Miguel said and pointed at Colette. "She's the one I want."

A chill ran down his spine. There was something unsettling about Miguel, and Genis had no intention of finding out what that was. "You better get out of here before I blow your head off." Genis challenged.

Miguel laughed and said, "Such a young, spritely boy. Too bad you're a half elf. Otherwise I would let you live."

Genis shuddered. Miguel rose from his seat and walked towards the pedestal, ignoring the people who began to flee from the cathedral. At least they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Genis crouched low, ready for an attack as he watched Miguel. The man stopped just in front of the three friends and bowed his head, as if in prayer. Then, he flung his arms out, palms faced outward at Lloyd and Genis, and hit them with such energetic force that they flew back, each hitting the church wall and crumpling to the floor. Pain emanated all over his body and he struggled to sit up.

As Genis did, he watched Miguel come closer to Colette. "No!" Lloyd shouted from across the room. He stood and charged the blonde man. Miguel, without look, put his hand out and shot a ball of energy at him. Lloyd flew back, the impact knocking him to the ground. Genis jumped up with his kodama and shouted, "Fire ball!" A large, orange fire ball flew toward's Miguel's head, catching him by surprise. Genis hollered in celebration as Miguel stumbled backward, clutching his face. But as Genis opened his mouth to cast another spell, Miguel screamed and rushed at him. He was faster than the blink of an eye. Genis felt cold hands around this throat and they started to squeeze. He gasped, his lungs screaming for air. He couldn't breathe. He kicked Miguel in the shin, but the man only laughed as he closed his grip around the half elven boy's throat.

"Stop it!" Colette screamed. "It's me you want. Let them go."

Miguel sniggered and released his grip. Genis fell to the floor, coughing. Oxygen flowed readily back into his mouth, down his throat, and replenished his lungs. Turning his head up, he watched Miguel approach Colette, like a cat stalking its prey. "Now. Where were we?" Miguel asked, slicking back his hair. "Oh yes. You wanted my attention. Well my dear, now you have it. Shall we begin?"

Miguel lunged at her, but not before she could yet, "Guardian!" The man fell back, cuts on his hands from the diamond like shield she had summoned around herself.

"Oh, so that's how you want to play?" he asked as he circled her. "That's fine. It'll just make things more interesting." He flew at her again, and this time she dodged him, flying straight into the air. He reached out his hands to shoot energy at her, but she set her shield up once more. Furious, Miguel flung a large ball of dark energy at her, which she expertly dodged. He may be super powered, but Miguel doesn't have wings. Genis observed, his eyes fixated on the two combatants. Colette flung her charms at him, but Miguel evaded the attack. Colette tried another angle, and left herself open just a second too much. Miguel lifted his palms up to her position and she froze midair. Gently, he lowered her to the pedestal, so that she was back to back with the cathedral wall. No, Genis though.

"That was quite a display, my dear. You are very worthy of the title of Chosen of Sylvarant. I commend you on your performance, but you cannot outwit me. It's just not…physically possible." He sneered. Miguel took out his pocket knife and twirled it between his fingers. "You have such a pretty face. You know that? It's a trusting face, an innocent face. People just can't help but believe you when they look at you." He placed the flat end of the blade against her face. "It's too bad you're on the other side. I would've liked to have you as my pet." He ran the tip of the knife around the outline of her lips. "Well, I can at least have some fun before I kill you." The knife pierced her skin, starting at the earlobe, and traveling inward, sweeping its cute just centimeters from her lip. Colette screamed in agony, echoing off the walls of the cathedral and filling the air with anguish.

"You bastard!"Lloyd yelled and stood, swaying to maintain his balance.

"Oh, calm down. It's just a scratch. It'll heal and just leave a scar." Miguel stood back to admire his handiwork. "It won't matter though since she'll be dead."

"Get your hands off her!" Lloyd yelled and charged at Miguel, his swords ready at the will.

Now was Genis' chance. He began to make spell gestures with his kodama. "Tidal wave!" Miguel, distracted by Lloyd, was uprooted by a huge wave that tossed him and crashed him into the ground with full force. Miguel struggled onto his elbows. Lloyd rushed to Colette, show as holding the cut on her face, blood running over her hands in small streams. Genis yelled, "Prism Sword!" The thunderous sword of light slammed down onto Miguel. Blood running down his face, Miguel looked up at Genis from his injured position and began to reach out his hands towards the half elf when the air turned icy and black.

"JUDGEMENT!" Beams of light pierced the ceiling of the cathedral, raining down onto Miguel. Kratos appeared out of the haze, hand on hilt.

Miguel struggled to stand, holding his right arm with his left, ignoring the blood streaming down his forehead and cheeks. "I'll get you next time. Just you wait." He snarled and ran from the church.

"Asshole," Genis murmured.

"Colette, are you okay?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay." She said, her eyes bright and watery, though it looked to Genis like she hadn't yet cried.

"Let me heal you." Kratos said as he knelt next to her and placed his hands on her cheek. "First Aid." A small green light emanated from his hands onto her cheek. When he removed his hand, the cut was gone, and in it's place a white scar, just as Miguel had said.

"We've gotta go after him!" Lloyd said, bolting upright.

"No, let him go. We have more important concerns."

"What are you talking about? He's injured!"

"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner," Kratos said to Colette, ignoring his son.

She shook her head, "Where is the professor?"

"She and the rest of the Convention are begin held hostage. We need to rescue them before they sign the government over to Shiro."

Genis felt a cold wave of dread spread out in his heart. "You mean…she and Shiro are both in there? You left her in there with that bastard?!"

"It was the only way Genis." Kratos looked at him solemnly and then back to Colette. "Would you like to stay?"

"No. No, I want to fight."

"Colette, are you sure?" Lloyd asked, concerned.

"I'm fine." Genis was surprised by the irritated tone in Colette's voice. Then again, she'd just been attacked by a psycho killer.

"Then let's go. There is little time to waste." Kratos said, leading them out of the cathedral.