Behind the Curtains
Chapter 2: Kratos: The Beginning of the Beginning
Kratos is walking outside of Iselia, waiting for the signal from Remiel inside the temple to come and make sure that the Chosen makes it through the challenges.
Bright light erupts from the top of the temple.
Kratos whispered to himself. "D---, Remiel messed up again. He's not supposed to shine the signal that bright! Everyone is going to go to the temple, and I won't be able to help the Chosen!"
The light suddenly stopped.
Kratos wiped some sweat from his brow. "I guess he heard me. Well, that solves the problem for now, but that slip could still have caused some commotion."
Kratos though to himself. "I hear footsteps. That can't be good. I should hide behind this incredibly small tree stump."
A large, powerful-looking man dashed by and is followed by three smaller men dressed in red with helmets on. The lead man stopped and looked back.
The man spoke. "I thought I just saw Kratos, but it's just a crazy mentally ill guy trying to hide behind an incredibly small tree stump and thinking that it would hide him. It looks like Kratos, but he would never do something that stupid."
"So, it's Botta and his little gang of Renegades. When the time comes, I'll have to deal with them and get them out of my way. And I'll get Botta for saying that!" Thought Kratos.
"Oh no! I hear more footsteps. Sounds like three people are coming this way." Kratos told himself.
Lloyd, Colette, and Genis ran by.
Colette screamed. "Look! Is that someone trying to spy on us?"
Lloyd replied, "No, it's just a crazy mentally ill guy trying to hide behind an incredibly small tree stump and thinking that it would hide him."
Genis agreed. "Probably one of those tree-hugger guys. We get them all the time outside of Iselia."
Lloyd turned around. "Yeah, let's get back to following where that light came from."
The group ran off into the distance and Kratos sighed.
He thought that he remembered Lloyd. "Wait, who was that boy in red? Could it be... no, it's just not possible."
Kratos calmly walked towards the temple, following the Chosen.
When he reached the temple, he saw the Chosen and her companions about to be killed by a minion of the Renegades.
Kratos slashed his sword and killed the opponent. "Botta, I should have expected. What will murdering the Chosen earn you? You should know by now not to meddle with plans involving Cruxis, traitor!"
"Well, I guess I'll be meeting you again soon. Goodbye." Said Botta.
Botta flashed and disappeared.
Kratos was obviously disappointed. "Darn, he got away again."
Lloyd felt bad too. "Why do the Desians have to ruin everything!"
Kratos laughed. "Desians? Ha."
"What, do you think that the Desians are something to laugh at?" Lloyd quickly replied.
Kratos settled down. "Anyways, what is your name?"
Lloyd wouldn't say. "Why do you need to know?"
Colette told Kratos. "His name is Lloyd. I'm Colette, and this is Genis."
Lloyd was angry. "Don't say that!"
Kratos remembered that name. "Lloyd... that's an interesting name..."
Kratos entered the temple, motioning the others to follow him.
"This isn't a field trip, you know." Said Kratos.
Lloyd sarcastically added, "Aw, and I was so hoping..."