Chapter II

Author's note: Well, here's chapter two…hope you like it, please R&R.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ragnarok: Into the Abyss, it belongs to Lee Myung Jin!

The smoke and dust that came from the explosion and gunshots had been blown away as light gusts of wind arrived to clear the memory of the battle that had been fought just earlier. "Well, that was fun!" Lydia said, her smile beaming wide, turning to Loki she saw the same pleasure radiating in his eyes, though his face remained unchanged and expressionless, she knew there was as much adrenaline pumping through his veins as there were in her.

The wind blew stronger, scattering the smoke and dust, a silhouette moved in their direction. Loki tightened his grip on the swords at his hands while Lydia aimed for the strange figure, ready to shoot the moment she would identify the person as an enemy.

Chaos emerged from the smoke, both Lydia and Loki let down their guard, they both noted the smile of intense enjoyment on his face,

"I see you couldn't delay practicing on a few enemies this early, do we cancel the ambush tomorrow? " Loki asked,

"Nah, I'm too fired up…I'm in an even better mood to disappoint Freya in her attempts tomorrow night" Chaos answered, his face though covered with soot was still evident of euphoria.

"Need an extra hand?" Lydia suggested, "I'd love to help out at this so-called ambush, this is one thing I missed about this place…I forgot how much fun stopping attacks are"

A sudden screech of rubber on the concrete pavement alarmed the three victors…a bright red sports car sped past…shooting storms of zipping bullets, they couldn't evade and decided to drop down.

The car stopped at a distance away from the trio, Lydia stood up and aimed her rifles at the sports car, waiting to use the last few shells of her weapons to kill whoever attacked them. Clouds of dust blocked her view and hazed her focus, but the smoke parted to reveal the attacker…all three froze, Lydia turned to see the shock and surprise etched on Chaos's face, the sword in his hand dropped, he weakened and fell to his knees. Loki's eyes generated the same jolt of astonishment…and she could feel her own…

"Fenris" she whispered.

The attacker smirked, nothing more of emotion was revealed on her face. Fenris aimed the gun in her hand at Chaos.

Lydia tried to hold up her arms to make a shot at her., there was not enough will in her heart to shoot the bullet. Loki sped past to grab the rifle from Lydia, he aimed at Fenris and shot a bullet, but all was too late…she had pulled the trigger and a bullet zipped past.

Alarm etched on both Loki and Lydia's faces, their blood ran cold in fear of seeing Chaos dead…slowly, they turned in his direction, Chaos was still alive…the bullet had passed him.

Fenris's expression couldn't be read, the black shades of her sunglasses covering her eyes served as a mask hiding every emotion if she had any. But a smile curved on her lips, mocking the Boss of the Dragon Knights as he stared transfixed at her. She entered the flashy red sports car and left, leaving a trail of smoke that highlighted the fiery descent of the sun in the horizon.

"Chaos!" Lydia ran to him, tears glistening in her eyes… "I'm so glad you're alive!"

The shock on his face had not disappeared. Loki turned his attention from his friend to the wall behind him. "Chaos, " he said, "the wall…"

Chaos shook himself from his senses, picked up his sword and turned in the direction of Loki's gaze. "The Mark of Death" he whispered hoarsely,

Bullets had punctured holes on the brick wall of the Dragon Knight Base…forming a picture of a tombstone with an inverted cross. The bullet he thought was intended for him, had been the bullet that completed the picture.

Loki's hand clasped Chaos by the shoulder, rendering him from the daze that had engulfed him the moment he saw the picture. "Chaos, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Chaos assured him, finally regaining his composure. Chaos dusted his black robe of the soot and dust, and wiped the blood that had trickled from his cheek where shards of glass cut him. His golden eyes were blank, and his lips were set in a straight line. "Matthew!" he shouted, and the head of bodyguards appeared, "What's the status report? How many casualties?"

The bodyguard was stiff yet his face was etched in worry, beads of sweat had formed on his brow, and his lips quivered as he spoke…"Only one…it's Miss Iris"

Fenris Fenrir walked straight and proud through the lobby of the Casa Reuber, ignorant of the admiring glances of the male guests of the hotel. Her midnight black hair was tied in a high ponytail with dark tendrils framing her face, her blue eyes bright and blazing now that her dark glasses had been removed. "Room 1421" she said, a smile on her face as she asked the concierge for her room key.

The young man behind the desk, complied…giving her the key and smiling. "Welcome back, Miss Fenrir" he said, his eyes bright and expectant. "One of these days, I'm going to ask her out…" he wondered, "she's a regular to this place, she wont mind if I invite her to a free dinner on the hotel's budget…"

"I'm never coming back to this place" Fenris decided, flashing the concierge one more smile before she left in the direction of the elevator.

The elderly elevator man welcomed her as she entered the lift, "The same floor Miss Fenrir?" he asked, pleased to see the beautiful young woman again, seeing her brought a life to him…for her smiles were warm and kind, and she radiated life where she went.

"Yes, seventh floor as always," she answered, smiling at the old man that had become endeared to her on her regular visits to the Casa Reuber. The numbers on the lift changed as she headed upward on the lift, she arranged the words she would say to the man…making sure that she wouldn't sound suspicious, "I do enjoy riding the lift, Robert" she remarked, beginning her supposedly innocent remark, hiding a desire for information behind its guise, "You must think it's weird that a girl my age would enjoy something as trivial as this…"

"Not at all Miss Fenrir…" he answered, unaware of her underlying motive to get information. "Lot's of people enjoy riding the lift…there's this new couple on the second floor, probably newly married…they certainly do enjoy riding the lift! Why, when they fasten themselves on each other they always prefer to stay longer on the elevator than to go out to the floor where there room is…"

Fenris laughed at the man's witty comment of the young lovebirds. Encouraged by her smile, the elderly man continued with his comments of the guests…revealing more and more detail about the temporary residents of the Casa Reuber,

The lift stopped as it reached the seventh floor, Fenris smiled sweetly at the elderly man and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Robert, you're such a dear…riding the lift isn't as much fun if it weren't you who managed it"

The elderly man blushed at her comment and smiled at her as she exited the lift, waving at him before the elevator doors closed.

Once out on the empty hallway, her face turned pensive, serious…far from the warmth that she had shown the hotel personnel. She had all the information she wanted from the elderly man who operated the lift. "When Robert get's started, he never stops…" she mused, she had not asked for information…he had given it, and she had learned more than she had expected to know.

She reviewed the people Robert mentioned in her head…a young couple—2nd floor, a serious-looking bald man—8th floor, two men on the fourth floor, and more. The man's memory was sharp despite his age, and he had described the new guests with detail…so much so, that Fenris would have been able to identify them if she came across them in between hallways.

She knew if there were any guests at the hotel from Robert, and she knew the schedule of every employee and their rounds. "I have to be careful and make an escape plan just in case," she wondered to herself, "now that I've attacked Chaos, their gang will start looking for me"

Her pace was brisk as she walked to her hotel room, the moment she opened the door and closed it, she finally let the full sting of the pain wrack her. After sliding the coat off her shoulders, she staggered towards the bed...clutching her left arm and ripped the sleeve of her white shirt now stained a dark red with blood, and winced as she washed it with antiseptic and bound it with bandages.

"Loki's still a bad shooter…" she grinned, "The bullet only grazed my arm…"

She ripped the rest of her white shirt, trashed it and went to search for another. She loosened the bow that bound her black hair and let it fall across her back…as she walked in the direction of her wardrobe and dressed in a dark shirt, just in case the bandages would not hold the blood, it would not be an obvious stain.

"Ho-ho, looks like Miss Fenrir has gotten an injury…how surprising"

Fenris drew her gun and pointed it in the direction of the voice, "It's you…" she muttered, and she returned the gun back to her buckle.

"Of course it's me," Sara Irine answered, walking casually to the bed and sitting on its corner. "Don't be too surprised to see me here…it just proves your plans aren't fool proof, and I thought I'd be detected when I sneaked in here. This hotel has so little security, it's a wonder it hasn't been robbed yet"

"It's inconspicuous," Fenris answered as an excuse for choosing the Casa Reuber as her hiding place during the planning and implementation of the attack at the Dragon Knight's headquarters, "But I'd guessed you'd be here…" she said, turning to the tanned, blond-haired woman, "You must have taken the stairs, Robert mentioned nothing about you…"

"Of course I took the stairs…what did you expect me to do? Fly to the seventh floor on a broom stick?" she joked.

A small smile edged Fenris' face, "What information have you got?" she asked her informer.

"On which side?" Sara inquired…"Being a Spy is no easy matter…you know how much I charge you, and be thankful for the huge discount I give exclusively for you, the price is 50,000 zeny for Freya's organization, and 75,000 for information from Odin's"

"You're clever, Sara…charging a larger sum for the information you know I'm more interested in" Fenris remarked, sitting herself on the bed, and polishing her guns.

"I'm only making a living…" Sara answered, watching Fenris, "Will it be cash? Or will you deposit it to my bank account in Zurich?"

"Cash" Fenris answered, pointing to the bedside table drawer.

Sara opened it and counted the wads of money within, "I took 70,000, it's already minus the discount I gave you…"

"Thanks, now talk…" Fenris said, waiting for the information that was promised while polishing her gun and attaching it with a silencer.

Sara sighed, and began, "The Dragon Knight's Rule is going to be handed down to Chaos, there's a dinner engagement to celebrate his inauguration as the big boss…there have been stories that he'd be marrying Miss Iris Irine, my half-sister," she drawled.

"Do I detect a little jealousy, Sara?" Fenris quipped, "Or is it sibling rivalry?"

"Watch your words Fenris, or I'll be forced to manipulate the information I'm giving you…" Sara threatened jokingly, despite the so-called business relation they had, their continued illicit exchange of cash for information had somehow made them more familiar with each other…it couldn't be helped, both were longing for female companionship, a weakness they would not admit even to themselves.

"I'll shut up…just continue before I find more faults in your report and stop you midway" Fenris remarked.

Sara continued, "The party will be conducted at Asgard, home of Odin, Chaos's Mother, Frigg, Queen of Dragons would be there on a rare visit from Nilfheim, according to recently acquired information…Iris was supposed to have been Chaos's date for the evening, but he favoured Lydia to accompany him during the inauguration…"

"Lydia?" Fenris asked,

"Yes, your former best friend, if I remember correctly" Sara contemplated. "But anyway, the venue at Asgard is being de-armed, checked and re-checked by the hour to make sure everything is attack-proof…the security plans are kept under lock and key, it was hard to gather even the slightest clue to their plan, but I do know one thing…they have metal detectors, and cameras are everywhere to detect the slightest sign of malevolent attempts of attack…it can hardly be penetrated! Now that you know this, do you still have any plans of making an attack? It's has a one in a million chance of a success rate…"

"You said the same about my assault on the Dragon Knight Base" Fenris reminded, "But I've managed to make my threat clear," she smiled, "I caused quite a riot…the gangs are after me now"

"So I've heard…" Sara said, "I'd love to sell you to the other side, but you give me much more pleasure in business, I do enjoy watching you try to fulfill your revenge, I can relate to that"

Sara stood up and began to exit through the door. "Be careful as you go out…the cameras go from left to right, alternately after every three seconds," Fenris warned, "Don't let it catch you leave my room…it'll jeopardize both of us"

"You don't need to tell me that…" Sara assured her, walking out on stalking feet…leaving no sign of her previous presence in the room.

Fenris polished the last of her guns, wondering, reminiscing the long gone past…a memory that drove her to fulfil her plans at all costs.

Flashback

The beach was blowing a cool breeze that touched the skin of her face, and she felt a warm embrace encircle her. "How does it feel to be engaged?" Balder whispered,

"It's weird, Balder" Fenris answered, "I always thought I'd marry someone out of the triad, and here I am…engaged to the next triad boss" she giggled

"You've just turned eighteen, right? We could be married next month if you'd ask your Dad to hasten the arrangements" her fiancé had suggested.

"Lydia agreed to be Maid of Honor, how about Loki? Has he agreed to become your best man?"

"you know Loki, he's sceptical about everything…even to agreeing to being best man"

With those words, Balder embraced her tighter…making her warm despite the cool sea breeze.

End of Flashback

Fenris's face did not change it's seriousness, there was not one touch of tenderness that lodged her heart despite the memory of her first love…for with reverie of happiness…there was an equal painful memory, something even memories of bliss could not ease.

second flashback

"Fenris, my daughter, listen to me…when you marry into Odin's family, remember that you're still Lady Fenris Fenrir…heir to the rule of the Clan of Wolves, do not assume the title as Lady of the Dragon Knights" Lord Fenrir urged his daughter, "We are a unique clan, and we shall never be under the rule of Odin…despite the union, we are still a separate organization…we only rule our own"

"But Father, I have no intention of becoming involved in the organization! Balder will be left to that…" Fenris answered.

Suddenly, attackers stormed the room. "Lord Fenrir, we have found you to be guilty of attempts on the life of Lord Odin! You shall be punished with death…"

Fenris watched in horror as her father was stabbed by Skurai…his hoarse voice saying her name again and again, "Fenris, Lady of the Clan of Wolves!"

She screamed, "Father!" she turned her face in the direction of Skurai, "My father has no intent on Lord Odin's life! He's innocent! The Clan of Wolves are loyal to him, he only wished to remain a separate organization!"

Skurai's eyes remained wild, his sword dripping with her father's blood. "Lies!" he accused,

A figure with bright vermillion hair stood at the doorway of the room, "What's going on here?!" Balder demanded, as he saw the stream of blood flowing from Lord Fenrir's chest.

"Balder! They've been plotting an assassination…they aim to take over the organization by killing both you and your father!" Skurai announced, his face masked in pretension.

"Balder, that's not true!" Fenris told him, her white dress now stained with the color of blood…

Balder looked at her suspiciously, and her father grasped her by the arm…"Lady Fenris! Lady of the Clan of Wolves! Destiny calls you to rule…" Balder heard the words, and his faced was marked by the pain of betrayal… but he had not heard the last words to complete the sentence, her father was too weak…it had to be whispered so only she could hear…"it is your destiny to rule, Fenris, the Clan of wolves belong to you alone! Be loyal to Odin, but love our Clan!"

"Skurai, take them out…my father will handle the consequences of their betrayal" Balder ordered, turning his face away from Fenris.

"Balder! It's not true!" Fenris insisted, but she wasn't heard, she ran to him, blocking his way…"I'm not a traitor, and so is my father! We only want to be a separate Organization…Our Clan will remain under the rule of Fenrir and not of Odin, but we never attempted to kill him!"

"Leave me alone, Fenris!" Balder said sharply, coldness edged his voice, "I cant trust you…" Fenris was stung by his words, "My father will handle you…"

Fenris was shocked, rooted to the spot, Lord Fenrir aimed his gun at Balder…"Fenris, escape! They'll kill you if you don't!"

End of Second Flashback

Fenris stopped the flood of memories…not wanting to remember any more…but the past bound her. "Fenris, Lady of the Clan of Wolves…it is your destiny to rule!" Her father's words, they drove her to exact her revenge...for her father, Lord Fenrir!

A photo of herself in a white dress beside Balder at the beach stood in a picture frame at the corner of the room. The silencer was attached to her gun, and she aimed…the bullet knocked the photo from it's stand.

She set her gun at the bedside table, the emptiness of sound, lulling her to sleep, while ghosts of the past floated across her dreams. "Chaos, I'll take your life…" she said, the bullet she had shot earlier was lodged perfectly at the picture of Chaos…