Megaman Battle Network - New Generation
Book 3 - Lost Child
By Zelloss
Author's Note: Here's the first chapter containing somebody else, really. An old face is about to return, although he's still rather young at this time. At one point, this story will also be told from another point of view.
WARNING: Not too violent, but it's still bad. If you're expecting any chapters not like this, well, you were wrong.
Chapter 4 - The Protector
"Well...?" Andy asked me again. "We're both awaiting your response."
I took a moment or two to think. "Y-y... Nmn... Yes..." I spat out the response suddenly. I knew I didn't have anything better to do.
Morpheus stood up and walked over to me, before slapping me on the shoulder and making me nearly fall over.
"Welcome to Neo Gospel, then!" Morpheus smiled. "You'll be ready for anything soon enough!"
* * * * *
My strength had returned, eventually. It took a couple days, I'll admit. However, I got it together. That's when the training started.
Or, rather, simply began. Morpheus kept telling me we had barely begun.
Training was versatile, but I could understand why. Everything from remote hacking, programming, and security disruptions to netbattling and the proper use of physical weaponry.
I kept the Staff-blade on my back the whole time, refusing to give it back to Morpheus. After he saw my skill with it, though, he didn't seem to bother me anymore.
I found most of the physical training easier then the cyber and mental training. I began to realize how much I needed Enker's help. Without him, I would be totally deaf.
I sighed as I completed the last bit of training for the day. I had just found my way through a mock-firewall of the ONBA. Things were beginning to look up.
"Take a brake, Zann" the young guard I had met named Tay came up to me. "You deserve it."
"Thank you, Tay" I nodded and removed myself from the chair I was in, taking Enker with me.
I had grown accustomed to the Neo Gospel headquarters. I found out exactly how to get here and back.
From the outside, a person would have to go to a town called Kotobuki. From there, there's a slide-away panel in the Metroline station that takes people to another platform, where there's a Metroline running directly to the upper warehouse. Here there are a couple pieces of random high-tech equipment that actually do nothing. People would think this place was long-ago-abandoned, or so it was supposed to be.
If they managed to find the elevator switch that brought them down here, well, they'd have to go into the main server room right away, in plain view. Armed NG guards are everywhere here, and even the passing member is armed. It's the way things work here.
From the main hall, or server room, whichever your prefer, there were five joining rooms. The first one was straight across, Morpheus's office. The other four rooms included a research room, a pair of dormitories (Or something like them), and a relaxation room. It wasn't the BEST place in the world to be, but it was something.
I sensed Morpheus stepping up behind me. "Whaddya want?" I asked him without turning.
"It's about time I explained something to you..." I heard Enker's voice transmitting Morpheus' words to me. I nodded and followed him into his office.
"Remember how I mentioned Gingnet when I brought you here first?" Morpheus asked me. I nodded.
"Well, we actually picked an incredible location this time..." Morpheus grinned. "After years of searching, we managed to find this place. Gingnet's servers."
"What's so special about this... this 'Gingnet'?" I inquired.
"You'd be amazed" Morpheus continued to grin. "After all, Gingnet is like World Surveillance. Anything that has ever happened online, from generic navis defeating viri, to world-shaping events, like the netbattle of Rockman versus the original Gospel's head navi, Freezeman, is recorded on these servers. Any possible bit of data on a person, navi, virus, location, it's all here!"
My eyes opened wide. "You mean this place is basically the world's biggest library?"
Morpheus laughed. "Yeah, that's about it, kiddo. That's why we chose this place. It took forever to track the servers down. Obviously, we knew where it's located on the net. To access it from anywhere other then here, though, can take up to an hour of crossing between foreign nets until it brings you here."
I nodded my head in understanding. "Is that all?" I asked.
"Yes, that's all" Morpheus began to say, before he stopped. Enker gave me a late transmission.
"Morpheus!"
I turned to see Andy, standing in the doorway. "May we talk in private, Morpheus? There's something important..."
Morpheus looked to me, and I winked at him, before leaving the office.
I was tempted to listen in, but Morpheus really didn't like it, I could tell. I wasn't sure if he trusted me fully or not.
I stood by the door, however. I paused to think, before Tay stepped over to me, then hastily grabbed me and pulled me into the recreation room.
"What's this all about?" I asked, but Tay signaled for silence.
I looked curiously at him, as Tay shut the door. He put his ear to the door and listened.
"What are you doing?" I demanded. Tay turned quickly and put a finger to his lips.
"Andy asked me to take you out of here, seeing as you're not fully prepared for some of the weaponry..." Tay's words were suddenly drowned out in sounds of utter chaos.
Gunfire, shouts of agony, everything imaginable. "Intruders..." Tay nodded towards the door.
Before I knew it, Tay pulled me through the rec-room to the back corner, to a pool table. He moved me up onto it, and then took the rack of balls. He started dropping them in a certain order, though it seemed to be random. Before I knew it, the table's floor moved up, with me on it.
"See ya, kiddo!" Tay called up, and then ran off to join the fight. I was worried, severely. What had happened to Morpheus and Andy?
I went down on my chest to try and look, as Tay opened the door.
He flew backwards instantly, caught by something unkown. I saw blood stem from his heart.
"Tay!" I shouted down, almost scrambling to get away, but it was too late. I dissapeared into the ceiling.
I was forced to wait as the elevator continued to move, probably taking me to the surface. Before I knew it, I emerged inside a small mountain cave.
I stepped out and looked down, and was totally startled.
My father and two children were in front of me, walking away, through a large forest.
"Where is this place?" I wondered silently, then turned back to look at the small opening. It had disappeared completely.
I slowly climbed down to try and catch up with them. Before long, I found myself out of the woods, at a small metroline station. I found my way onto a seperate car, without even bothering them.
I decided I should watch them.
Carefully, I slipped between cars until I came to being just behind Zel's compartment. Him and the two children were talking hastily.
"Well, that was easy enough, huh, Hayato?" he asked jovially.
"Yeah, dad, it was. Thanks, Kiro." Hayato's voice spoke to the third boy, who didn't seem in the mood to respond.
I blinked a couple times. My own brother was here! I wanted to see him, hold him close to me and never let him go, as I never had the chance to do before.
I felt the sudden rush from Blackfang, and I felt myself faint. I didn't want Hayato, or anybody, to be hurt.
By the time we arrived at the hidden Metroline station at the ACDC School, I had hardly realized that we were there. Already, Zel, Hayato, and Kiro had left.
I stood up and got myself off the train. It had only been the four of us. These particular stations were always left unattended.
It was about then that I came to slowly realize something. My brother, there was no way he was that old. He was four when I had visited my mother and father. Now he must have been eight. I realized I must be about sixteen. Four years had somehow passed, longer then I had thought at all.
* * * * *
(Hayato's Point of view)
As I got off the train, I felt like somebody had been watching me. It made my mind freak out. There was something dark, left behind there.
"Dad...?" I mentally called out to him. He turned and looked at me.
"Yeah?" he mouthed. Kiro kept walking.
"There's still something on the train..." I whispered to him.
My father seemed deep in thought. He shook his head. "No, you're sensing things. Let's go."
I reluctantly followed my father back. Before I left, though, I cast one glance backwards. I swore I saw a flash of black in the window.
I shrugged and moved quickly up the stairs, out of the place.
It must have been haunted, I tried to reassure myself.
Yeah. That's it. Haunted.
Then why could I sense somebody human?
* * * * *
(Zann's Point of View)
Time went by slowly from then, or it should have. I had taken to following my brother and father everywhere. Which was tricky sometimes.
So, to put it one way, I saw everything that happened.
One day really stands out for me.
* * * * *
(Hayato)
All the time, I felt it, but I refused to speak up.
There WAS somebody following me. I knew it, but I could never spot him.
I wanted to ask dad, but I didn't want to worry him. Mabye he knew, but I didn't want to trouble him any more then he already was troubled.
I swear one time I almost caught my pursuer, but I don't know.
* * * * *
(Zann)
I knew Hayato was onto me, but that didn't stop me. Everybody seemed riled up about something, so I traveled not far from them. They had gone to some wierd ruins up high in the mountains.
I recognized the place quickly. This was near where I had been and first caught sight of my father, Hayato, and the strange kid again. I had learned he was named Kiro, as well as the names of several others. The names meant nothing to me though.
When everybody got inside, it was rather dark. I sensed somebody enter the passage behind me, so I pushed myself up against a wall.
"I wasn't going to leave you behind, mom!" Enker passed the message on to me. A young woman had joined the group. She seemed to like Hayato.
"Who is she?" I asked Enker, silently.
"That's Sasama. Remember?" Enker replied mentally.
The group began to walk forward again. I resumed my silent following, and noticed Zel as he turned his head around to face me.
I paused, perfectly still. Zel didn't even pause, but he slowed down slightly, so he was in the back. He didn't take his eyes off me.
I then swear I saw him wave good-bye. Or hello. One of the two.
"Dad..." I mouthed.
Zel winked.
Hayato seemed to hesitate in his step. I wondered if Hayato could actually sense me. Zel turned away and walked on.
I continued to follow, then went up against another wall as three people hurried past me.
I quickly took chase, as quick as was possible without making a sound.
Then I emerged within a large lit part of the cavern. It didn't matter to me, I had become so used to simply sensing where people were somehow, that I didn't need light to see, really.
I stayed hidden in the shadows at the entrance, but something caught my eye and drew my vision upward. A young man, who I recognized as Shinju, hung from the cieling by his wrists.
I looked back down, and saw a strange man, cackling evily. I then saw Zel run back towards me, without anybody really noticing.
The man drew a gun and raised it to point at Shinju's heart. Zel winked at me, and I could see a tear in his eye.
I stayed put, just out of view. Zel mouthed 'good-bye', and then I heard him in my head. "Goodbye, Gairyio Grausherra..."
I gasped, emitting just the slightest sound, then caught myself.
Zel kicked off the wall next to me, using it to gain incredible leverage. As he reached Shinju, the evil man fired.
I could hear Zel's shout.
I heard Zel.
I heard his pain in my head, resonating between my ears, down my spine, and down to his feet.
I didn't need Enker to pass on the words to my head. I knew what my father was saying, I could hear his final words.
There was one in there. "Gairyio..." he whispered it, without moving his mouth, to try and tell me it, silently.
I knew what had happened.
I became furious. My father...
Zelloss Grausherra...
I wanted to scream out the name of his murderer. It wasn't the cackling evil man. Nor was it me or Zelloss.
Hayato.
Hayato was supposed to protect him. So was I.
I am 'the protector' in Eyodian. That's what Gairyio means. I was supposed to protect my Father. Instead, I failed him.
I realized that the least I could do would be to exact revenge. On those that let him die.
Hayato has to die.
* * * * *
As everybody left the cavern, I stayed behind, over the spot on the stone where my father's blood stained the stone.
"Da... Dad..." I whispered, the first tear of years coming to my eye. "You... You weren't supposed to die... I was supposed to protect you, I know it..."
I felt a strong surge. "Revenge will be taken, father. Revenge on those who let you die. And there's only one left I can blame for your death..."
"Hayato..." I whispered, and rose, then turned and left.
* * * * *
(Hayato)
I sensed the presence, again. The day dad died. He was there, whoever he was. He stayed behind in the cavern, though.
Before I knew it, it was time for Zel's funeral, and I didn't have the time to waste thinking about the mysterious presence.
I stood up and walked out of my dressing room, memories of my father flashing in my head.
I walked down the hall a ways, then paused, a tear coming to my eye. "Dad..."
I swallowed hard, and walked down to the end of the hall and turned.
Somebody was waiting for me.
He looked like my father, with a large spear straped across his back, and a black vest and black shorts. "Who... who are you?" I asked.
The man grinned. I realized it wasn't much of a man, more a teenager.
Then I saw his eyes.
Deep Purple. Just like me and Zel.
"A... Grausherra?" I asked.
The teenager nodded.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"Your older brother, Hayato..." the man whispered. "Did you think I wouldn't come to see the funeral of my own father?"
"I don't have a brother" I proclaimed.
The teenager laughed. I knew that this relative of mine (If he indeed was, as he claimed) was my stalker.
"What is your name?" I demanded.
"Gairyio. Gairyio Grausherra" he said. He then did something that surprised me.
* * * * *
(Zann)
"Gairyio. Gairyio Grausherra" I told him, then did something that surprised both me and, I suspect, Hayato.
I pulled the Grausherra Symbol out of my pocket and showed it to him.
Hayato gasped, covering his mouth with his hands, then pulled them back. "The Grausherra Symbol... you have to be my brother!"
I nodded. "Yes, Hayato."
I could see Hayato gulp. "Why show up now? Why have you been following me all this time?"
"I had to observe..." I grinned. "That's the way I am."
"Observe? Mabye you could have saved Zel, if you had've appeared when he died!"
I pulled back and landed a powerfull punch that sent Hayato stumbling backwards. He rubbed his chin. "What...?"
"Don't. Say. That" I said slowly, cracking my knuckles.
I felt the urge to strike again, but kept it pulled in.
"Gairyio..." he whispered.
"Yes, Hayato?" I asked.
Hayato paused, then shook his head. "Nothing. I have to ask you to leave. Do not attend this funeral."
"Why?" I demanded.
"It'd be too much of a shock to see you there..." Hayato tried to say.
"They all have seen me before. They just didn't know who I was."
"Err..." Hayato was suddenly stumped.
I turned and walked out of the doors, towards the graveyard.
There was a sharp tug on my collar, as I was pulled into a small tombstone area.
"Shh..." Enker passed a message on to me.
"Who?" I asked quietly.
"Remember me?" Enker passed on the message again. I didn't know, but I felt the floor moving down.
"Morpheus?" I hazarded a guess.
"Dead on, kiddo" Morpheus answered.
"But... Dad's funeral..." I protested quickly.
"Sorry, kiddo... This is too important... It WAS written in your father's last message to me, anyway..." Morpheus whispered.
"What?" I demanded.
Morpheus sighed. "He didn't tell you? You've been following him so long, I'm surprised he didn't try to talk to you..."
I gulped. "What did he want?"
"For you to not see him dead, and that instead... You help us out..." Morpheus said.
I looked at Morpheus strangely. "O... Okay..."
Author's Note: Here's the first chapter containing somebody else, really. An old face is about to return, although he's still rather young at this time. At one point, this story will also be told from another point of view.
WARNING: Not too violent, but it's still bad. If you're expecting any chapters not like this, well, you were wrong.
Chapter 4 - The Protector
"Well...?" Andy asked me again. "We're both awaiting your response."
I took a moment or two to think. "Y-y... Nmn... Yes..." I spat out the response suddenly. I knew I didn't have anything better to do.
Morpheus stood up and walked over to me, before slapping me on the shoulder and making me nearly fall over.
"Welcome to Neo Gospel, then!" Morpheus smiled. "You'll be ready for anything soon enough!"
* * * * *
My strength had returned, eventually. It took a couple days, I'll admit. However, I got it together. That's when the training started.
Or, rather, simply began. Morpheus kept telling me we had barely begun.
Training was versatile, but I could understand why. Everything from remote hacking, programming, and security disruptions to netbattling and the proper use of physical weaponry.
I kept the Staff-blade on my back the whole time, refusing to give it back to Morpheus. After he saw my skill with it, though, he didn't seem to bother me anymore.
I found most of the physical training easier then the cyber and mental training. I began to realize how much I needed Enker's help. Without him, I would be totally deaf.
I sighed as I completed the last bit of training for the day. I had just found my way through a mock-firewall of the ONBA. Things were beginning to look up.
"Take a brake, Zann" the young guard I had met named Tay came up to me. "You deserve it."
"Thank you, Tay" I nodded and removed myself from the chair I was in, taking Enker with me.
I had grown accustomed to the Neo Gospel headquarters. I found out exactly how to get here and back.
From the outside, a person would have to go to a town called Kotobuki. From there, there's a slide-away panel in the Metroline station that takes people to another platform, where there's a Metroline running directly to the upper warehouse. Here there are a couple pieces of random high-tech equipment that actually do nothing. People would think this place was long-ago-abandoned, or so it was supposed to be.
If they managed to find the elevator switch that brought them down here, well, they'd have to go into the main server room right away, in plain view. Armed NG guards are everywhere here, and even the passing member is armed. It's the way things work here.
From the main hall, or server room, whichever your prefer, there were five joining rooms. The first one was straight across, Morpheus's office. The other four rooms included a research room, a pair of dormitories (Or something like them), and a relaxation room. It wasn't the BEST place in the world to be, but it was something.
I sensed Morpheus stepping up behind me. "Whaddya want?" I asked him without turning.
"It's about time I explained something to you..." I heard Enker's voice transmitting Morpheus' words to me. I nodded and followed him into his office.
"Remember how I mentioned Gingnet when I brought you here first?" Morpheus asked me. I nodded.
"Well, we actually picked an incredible location this time..." Morpheus grinned. "After years of searching, we managed to find this place. Gingnet's servers."
"What's so special about this... this 'Gingnet'?" I inquired.
"You'd be amazed" Morpheus continued to grin. "After all, Gingnet is like World Surveillance. Anything that has ever happened online, from generic navis defeating viri, to world-shaping events, like the netbattle of Rockman versus the original Gospel's head navi, Freezeman, is recorded on these servers. Any possible bit of data on a person, navi, virus, location, it's all here!"
My eyes opened wide. "You mean this place is basically the world's biggest library?"
Morpheus laughed. "Yeah, that's about it, kiddo. That's why we chose this place. It took forever to track the servers down. Obviously, we knew where it's located on the net. To access it from anywhere other then here, though, can take up to an hour of crossing between foreign nets until it brings you here."
I nodded my head in understanding. "Is that all?" I asked.
"Yes, that's all" Morpheus began to say, before he stopped. Enker gave me a late transmission.
"Morpheus!"
I turned to see Andy, standing in the doorway. "May we talk in private, Morpheus? There's something important..."
Morpheus looked to me, and I winked at him, before leaving the office.
I was tempted to listen in, but Morpheus really didn't like it, I could tell. I wasn't sure if he trusted me fully or not.
I stood by the door, however. I paused to think, before Tay stepped over to me, then hastily grabbed me and pulled me into the recreation room.
"What's this all about?" I asked, but Tay signaled for silence.
I looked curiously at him, as Tay shut the door. He put his ear to the door and listened.
"What are you doing?" I demanded. Tay turned quickly and put a finger to his lips.
"Andy asked me to take you out of here, seeing as you're not fully prepared for some of the weaponry..." Tay's words were suddenly drowned out in sounds of utter chaos.
Gunfire, shouts of agony, everything imaginable. "Intruders..." Tay nodded towards the door.
Before I knew it, Tay pulled me through the rec-room to the back corner, to a pool table. He moved me up onto it, and then took the rack of balls. He started dropping them in a certain order, though it seemed to be random. Before I knew it, the table's floor moved up, with me on it.
"See ya, kiddo!" Tay called up, and then ran off to join the fight. I was worried, severely. What had happened to Morpheus and Andy?
I went down on my chest to try and look, as Tay opened the door.
He flew backwards instantly, caught by something unkown. I saw blood stem from his heart.
"Tay!" I shouted down, almost scrambling to get away, but it was too late. I dissapeared into the ceiling.
I was forced to wait as the elevator continued to move, probably taking me to the surface. Before I knew it, I emerged inside a small mountain cave.
I stepped out and looked down, and was totally startled.
My father and two children were in front of me, walking away, through a large forest.
"Where is this place?" I wondered silently, then turned back to look at the small opening. It had disappeared completely.
I slowly climbed down to try and catch up with them. Before long, I found myself out of the woods, at a small metroline station. I found my way onto a seperate car, without even bothering them.
I decided I should watch them.
Carefully, I slipped between cars until I came to being just behind Zel's compartment. Him and the two children were talking hastily.
"Well, that was easy enough, huh, Hayato?" he asked jovially.
"Yeah, dad, it was. Thanks, Kiro." Hayato's voice spoke to the third boy, who didn't seem in the mood to respond.
I blinked a couple times. My own brother was here! I wanted to see him, hold him close to me and never let him go, as I never had the chance to do before.
I felt the sudden rush from Blackfang, and I felt myself faint. I didn't want Hayato, or anybody, to be hurt.
By the time we arrived at the hidden Metroline station at the ACDC School, I had hardly realized that we were there. Already, Zel, Hayato, and Kiro had left.
I stood up and got myself off the train. It had only been the four of us. These particular stations were always left unattended.
It was about then that I came to slowly realize something. My brother, there was no way he was that old. He was four when I had visited my mother and father. Now he must have been eight. I realized I must be about sixteen. Four years had somehow passed, longer then I had thought at all.
* * * * *
(Hayato's Point of view)
As I got off the train, I felt like somebody had been watching me. It made my mind freak out. There was something dark, left behind there.
"Dad...?" I mentally called out to him. He turned and looked at me.
"Yeah?" he mouthed. Kiro kept walking.
"There's still something on the train..." I whispered to him.
My father seemed deep in thought. He shook his head. "No, you're sensing things. Let's go."
I reluctantly followed my father back. Before I left, though, I cast one glance backwards. I swore I saw a flash of black in the window.
I shrugged and moved quickly up the stairs, out of the place.
It must have been haunted, I tried to reassure myself.
Yeah. That's it. Haunted.
Then why could I sense somebody human?
* * * * *
(Zann's Point of View)
Time went by slowly from then, or it should have. I had taken to following my brother and father everywhere. Which was tricky sometimes.
So, to put it one way, I saw everything that happened.
One day really stands out for me.
* * * * *
(Hayato)
All the time, I felt it, but I refused to speak up.
There WAS somebody following me. I knew it, but I could never spot him.
I wanted to ask dad, but I didn't want to worry him. Mabye he knew, but I didn't want to trouble him any more then he already was troubled.
I swear one time I almost caught my pursuer, but I don't know.
* * * * *
(Zann)
I knew Hayato was onto me, but that didn't stop me. Everybody seemed riled up about something, so I traveled not far from them. They had gone to some wierd ruins up high in the mountains.
I recognized the place quickly. This was near where I had been and first caught sight of my father, Hayato, and the strange kid again. I had learned he was named Kiro, as well as the names of several others. The names meant nothing to me though.
When everybody got inside, it was rather dark. I sensed somebody enter the passage behind me, so I pushed myself up against a wall.
"I wasn't going to leave you behind, mom!" Enker passed the message on to me. A young woman had joined the group. She seemed to like Hayato.
"Who is she?" I asked Enker, silently.
"That's Sasama. Remember?" Enker replied mentally.
The group began to walk forward again. I resumed my silent following, and noticed Zel as he turned his head around to face me.
I paused, perfectly still. Zel didn't even pause, but he slowed down slightly, so he was in the back. He didn't take his eyes off me.
I then swear I saw him wave good-bye. Or hello. One of the two.
"Dad..." I mouthed.
Zel winked.
Hayato seemed to hesitate in his step. I wondered if Hayato could actually sense me. Zel turned away and walked on.
I continued to follow, then went up against another wall as three people hurried past me.
I quickly took chase, as quick as was possible without making a sound.
Then I emerged within a large lit part of the cavern. It didn't matter to me, I had become so used to simply sensing where people were somehow, that I didn't need light to see, really.
I stayed hidden in the shadows at the entrance, but something caught my eye and drew my vision upward. A young man, who I recognized as Shinju, hung from the cieling by his wrists.
I looked back down, and saw a strange man, cackling evily. I then saw Zel run back towards me, without anybody really noticing.
The man drew a gun and raised it to point at Shinju's heart. Zel winked at me, and I could see a tear in his eye.
I stayed put, just out of view. Zel mouthed 'good-bye', and then I heard him in my head. "Goodbye, Gairyio Grausherra..."
I gasped, emitting just the slightest sound, then caught myself.
Zel kicked off the wall next to me, using it to gain incredible leverage. As he reached Shinju, the evil man fired.
I could hear Zel's shout.
I heard Zel.
I heard his pain in my head, resonating between my ears, down my spine, and down to his feet.
I didn't need Enker to pass on the words to my head. I knew what my father was saying, I could hear his final words.
There was one in there. "Gairyio..." he whispered it, without moving his mouth, to try and tell me it, silently.
I knew what had happened.
I became furious. My father...
Zelloss Grausherra...
I wanted to scream out the name of his murderer. It wasn't the cackling evil man. Nor was it me or Zelloss.
Hayato.
Hayato was supposed to protect him. So was I.
I am 'the protector' in Eyodian. That's what Gairyio means. I was supposed to protect my Father. Instead, I failed him.
I realized that the least I could do would be to exact revenge. On those that let him die.
Hayato has to die.
* * * * *
As everybody left the cavern, I stayed behind, over the spot on the stone where my father's blood stained the stone.
"Da... Dad..." I whispered, the first tear of years coming to my eye. "You... You weren't supposed to die... I was supposed to protect you, I know it..."
I felt a strong surge. "Revenge will be taken, father. Revenge on those who let you die. And there's only one left I can blame for your death..."
"Hayato..." I whispered, and rose, then turned and left.
* * * * *
(Hayato)
I sensed the presence, again. The day dad died. He was there, whoever he was. He stayed behind in the cavern, though.
Before I knew it, it was time for Zel's funeral, and I didn't have the time to waste thinking about the mysterious presence.
I stood up and walked out of my dressing room, memories of my father flashing in my head.
I walked down the hall a ways, then paused, a tear coming to my eye. "Dad..."
I swallowed hard, and walked down to the end of the hall and turned.
Somebody was waiting for me.
He looked like my father, with a large spear straped across his back, and a black vest and black shorts. "Who... who are you?" I asked.
The man grinned. I realized it wasn't much of a man, more a teenager.
Then I saw his eyes.
Deep Purple. Just like me and Zel.
"A... Grausherra?" I asked.
The teenager nodded.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"Your older brother, Hayato..." the man whispered. "Did you think I wouldn't come to see the funeral of my own father?"
"I don't have a brother" I proclaimed.
The teenager laughed. I knew that this relative of mine (If he indeed was, as he claimed) was my stalker.
"What is your name?" I demanded.
"Gairyio. Gairyio Grausherra" he said. He then did something that surprised me.
* * * * *
(Zann)
"Gairyio. Gairyio Grausherra" I told him, then did something that surprised both me and, I suspect, Hayato.
I pulled the Grausherra Symbol out of my pocket and showed it to him.
Hayato gasped, covering his mouth with his hands, then pulled them back. "The Grausherra Symbol... you have to be my brother!"
I nodded. "Yes, Hayato."
I could see Hayato gulp. "Why show up now? Why have you been following me all this time?"
"I had to observe..." I grinned. "That's the way I am."
"Observe? Mabye you could have saved Zel, if you had've appeared when he died!"
I pulled back and landed a powerfull punch that sent Hayato stumbling backwards. He rubbed his chin. "What...?"
"Don't. Say. That" I said slowly, cracking my knuckles.
I felt the urge to strike again, but kept it pulled in.
"Gairyio..." he whispered.
"Yes, Hayato?" I asked.
Hayato paused, then shook his head. "Nothing. I have to ask you to leave. Do not attend this funeral."
"Why?" I demanded.
"It'd be too much of a shock to see you there..." Hayato tried to say.
"They all have seen me before. They just didn't know who I was."
"Err..." Hayato was suddenly stumped.
I turned and walked out of the doors, towards the graveyard.
There was a sharp tug on my collar, as I was pulled into a small tombstone area.
"Shh..." Enker passed a message on to me.
"Who?" I asked quietly.
"Remember me?" Enker passed on the message again. I didn't know, but I felt the floor moving down.
"Morpheus?" I hazarded a guess.
"Dead on, kiddo" Morpheus answered.
"But... Dad's funeral..." I protested quickly.
"Sorry, kiddo... This is too important... It WAS written in your father's last message to me, anyway..." Morpheus whispered.
"What?" I demanded.
Morpheus sighed. "He didn't tell you? You've been following him so long, I'm surprised he didn't try to talk to you..."
I gulped. "What did he want?"
"For you to not see him dead, and that instead... You help us out..." Morpheus said.
I looked at Morpheus strangely. "O... Okay..."