Hey everyone, sorry for the long wait. Many thanks to my reviewers; I've decided to add a little more detail and slow things down a bit. The following chapter may slightly differ from the game itself. It is told through my view, after all. Enjoy.

Chapter 7

The party drew near their destination, the sky shining bright in the midmorning sun. The older elf urged the group on, keeping their minds free of distractions, focused only on completing their trek. Soon, the city walls came into view. Over the hardened stone structures shot buildings of titanic proportions, steeples and towers filling the sky. The town seemed to forbid their entry, and it hardly seemed inviting. With the presence of Zelos, the Chosen, the gatekeepers had no hesitation to open their doors.

Immediately the atmosphere overtook them; that of stuffy and pompous citizens, overwhelming and utterly stifling. From every direction, glares of suspicion and curiosity came onto them. The Sybak University of Chemical and Physical Sciences was the goal; the university sat in the middle of the city. The group's romp through the city streets brought spectators and curious onlookers to gawk at the strange outsiders. Those who recognized the Tethe'alla's Chosen pondered him traveling with this group.

"I do not like this place," Presea commented.

Genis Sage glanced back to her, studying her reactions carefully and intently. This small half-elf, unlike his sister, focused more on personal emotions of his companions rather than straightforward, labeling physiology. He contemplated asking her about her experiences in the University Town, but chose to go tongue-in-cheek and wait.

They came upon the school, at length, and considered its rustic beauty. Intricate designs were carved into its wooden doors, complementing the pearly-white knockers. Raine took a breath of astonishment and reveled at its perfection; for so long had she longed to visit a place where those devoted to knowledge had free reign. She took off into the building and, if by some unknown force, immediately found the library, and delved into the vast quantities of knowledge stored therein.

The remaining travelers, however, took upon themselves more urgent matters. The prehistoric skeleton displayed in the foyer stood as a precursor for what they – Lloyd especially – thought was to come. Through a door to their immediate left they followed to a walkway, then into a study. A hidden doorway was shown to them, through which they entered. All except Presea, who froze in place.

Something was churning inside of her mind. Secluded memories rushed to her; something was telling her not to go forward, and a foreboding sense of danger spread over her. Her mind pulled her back. Genis stopped for a moment and turned back to her, appearing worried.

"Are you alright, Presea?" he queried shakily.

She convulsed, taking a step backward.

Genis stared at her, holding his breath, "Presea...?"

The axewoman dropped to her knees, holding her arms around her, eyes tightly shut. Her breathing became labored and her being began to sweat profusely. A squeal of pain escaped her lips and she fell to the ground, panting heavily.

Genis ran to the rest of the group, "Everyone! Something is the matter with Presea!"

At this, they ran back and Lloyd took her in his arms and cradled her. "We have to keep going," he said determinedly. "For her sake."

The rest agreed and hurriedly ran through the passage to the exit, which they came to soon realize ended at a basement room with a putrid stench wafting about the chamber. There were two occupants of the dungeonlike room already – both of whom wore laboratory coats – and they were vexed at this sudden entry. The female of the two spoke viciously at them.

"You! You can't just barge in here unannounced! Who do you think you are?"

"No time to explain," Lloyd replied. "We have to let this girl get some rest. Do you have a bed?"

She took notice of the small pink-haired girl held in his arms, and feeling a slight sting of guilt, pointed to a small cot in the far corner of the chamber. Lloyd took Presea to it, laid her down, and placed his hand on her forehead. Her convulsions had stopped, much to his relief. The girl was still soaked in her sweat, though, and needed to recuperate for the time being.

"Now explain yourselves," said the woman. "What business could you possibly have here?"

Zelos spoke, "I am the Chosen of Mana!" he announced. "And we need information. Who are you?"

She was taken aback, "M-me?" she stammered, still shocked. "I'm a scientist here at the University. A doctor. My name is Kate."

Six years later

Focus, she thought. Focus and master it.

Presea Combatir had been training incessantly in the Meltokio Coliseum for three years now. The axewoman had become the weapons master in the preparation rooms, along with competing in the tournaments herself every so often. She had recently begun to attempt to push herself beyond her physical and mental limitations to create new techniques for her pupils to learn. But first she herself had to master them.

The girl tried to boost her confidence. You can do this, Presea, just concentrate, she told herself. This will all come to you in time.

But she could not bring herself to complete this new attack. Her emotions were tugging at her, and she couldn't focus her mind.

"Damn it," she exclaimed, tiring. "I cannot believe I still have that man on my mind. That fool means nothing to me!"

However, try as she might, her thoughts continued to slip back to that tragic day, two years prior.