Yay! I'm back! I'm finished Stray Arrow! Celebrate! (Though I did give myself a two week break… Hehe…)
Genis: Yes! I'm out of that stuffy closet!
Zelos: Fresh air! How I love thee!
FireEdge: Geez… Anyway, I'm here to update this story now! Without other fics (other than one-shots maybe) to interfere! Rejoice! But I warn you, my chapters may be lacking a bit, I haven't played Tales of Symphonia for a LONG time. And I'm getting rusty on its history etc. But everything's good for now! 'Cause I'm updating! ;) And once again, thank you all for being so patient with me!
Reviews:
Hamano Ayumi: Well here's the next chapter for you! Thanks for reviewing my other fic, by the way!
Tenshi no Namida: Thanks for the review!
Kazaana the Furyou Houshi: No, I certainly don't! Here's your update!
Rose-Wisteria: It's going to be so hard to adjust to your name, I almost typed your old one! Yeah, I tend to do that a lot, sometimes! Thanks for cheering me up with your compliments!
Toboe-Angel: Thank you for the compliments!
Trevor X1: Yeah, I know! It's so stressing, I'm glad that you understand! Yes, it is a good thing that Raine survived, what would I do if she didn't?
Ragnarok-legend: Haha, yeah, I'm so sure you meant 'good' there. ;)
angel white: Yeah, it would've hurt to hit your head… I've done that so many times before…
Amazon Bunny: Awww, I know that your writing is just as good as mine! I'll have to read your fics after my schedule clears up… Thanks for reviewing!
Kitten Kisses: I get that sometimes too… But I'm glad that you reviewed in the end! Thanks for reading my other fic, even if you didn't review it!
Katrina-chan: Thanks for the review!
rice8369 (x3): Yes, these two are my favourite characters, also my favourite couple! I'm glad that you love my story, and I really appreciate you waiting this long for my update! Thanks!
LateNiteSlacker: Wow, what a compliment! Thanks! Oh wow, you do have that seen to do! Good luck on it!
Kratos Aurion: Yeah, there probably were a few errors in the past chapter… And I don't mind that you haven't reviewed for a long time! There was OOCness? I didn't notice, I'll have to be a little more careful, I guess.
Fire's guardian: Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
Midnight Visit
Chapter 7
The sky was a swirling orb of black. Dark grey clouds covered the pale full moon. Nothing could be seen in the night. The only light that pierced this shadowing darkness was the glow of faint stars in the sky, twinkling here and there. Forming picture if you looked closely.
In fact, this atmosphere felt exactly like what Raine felt in her heart. Darkness, lit by a faint hope of light. The prior mentioned was sitting on the cold wooden bench that was in the elven park.
She and Genis had not been allowed in any of the facilities, except for emergencies. And sleeping apparently wasn't one of them. Her little brother was sprawled across her lap, snoring lightly, a small smile spread across his face as he was visited by happy dreams.
Raine knew that if she herself fell asleep, she would be plagued by nightmares. Ones that would cause her to wake up in sweat, panting and gasping for breath. So she decided that sleeping was going to become obsolete for tonight… Or perhaps the next few nights.
Of course, the half-elf knew exactly what those nightmares would be full of. They would be filled to the brim of her memories of her childhood. Of how she had been treated by others. How she had been shunned, and rejected.
Also mixed in those illusions, she knew would be Kratos… Her ruby lips twitched into a frown. What would tomorrow bring? Pain, that was obvious. But what was irking at her most was how everything would turn out.
Obviously, Lloyd winning would be the best course of action. And the one she wanted. But then again, she didn't want Kratos getting hurt, or even killed. Or Lloyd. Was she being a hypocrite? That didn't appease to her at all.
Raine shook her head, silver locks fluttering about her. Why was she even thinking about how she felt about all of this? It was Lloyd that she should be worrying about! He was the one that was about to fight his own father!
She supposed that there was nothing that she could really say or do to comfort him. The woman had lived on her own almost her whole life… But she had had a father before, hadn't she? Of course she did, one that she never saw.
Kloitz had been almost banned from the village. He was allowed inside for official business. But then he had fallen in love with her mother, and they had conceived a child. Her.
The village elder, nor anyone else knew about this though. They knew the consequences for this. Some actually did know, but they kept their mouths shut. They didn't want to get involved with other people's business. That all changed however when Genis was born.
Soon everyone in the village was wondering whom the father of those two children were. At first, those who didn't know had thought that Virginia had perhaps been raped, and chose not to talk about it. Who would?
But after Genis, everyone became more skeptical. She didn't blame her brother for their misfortune. Raine stroked Genis' hair gently, he snuggled into her lap with a contented sigh.
Luck was just not on their side. It never seemed to be. Raine sighed, looking up. Maybe sleep would be good. At least her thoughts would be distracted, right? But falling asleep was going to be harder than she thought. Her mind would not clear.
Deciding to count the stars, where had she heard that before? It seemed so familiar. She slowly numbered, sometimes naming constellations that she had learned during her lifetime, she began to feel drowsy.
The specks of light began to look blurry and she covered her mouth from a yawn. Soon her head tilted forward on her chest, her hand laying on Genis' arm, the other propping herself up.
And as her breathing began to slow and inhale and exhale in an even beat. Dreams began to sneak into her head. Twisting and turning, meandering into her mind in slips and fragments. Just like those clouds overhead, taking turns to shadow the glowing moon.
Raine opened her eyes, taking a few moments to adjust her vision. Looking through clear blue orbs, she saw that she was lying in tall green grass. Sitting up, she found herself in a field.
A light and gentle breeze swept through the air. Bending the shafts of green, caressing the leaves in the nearby trees, and tickling the budding flower heads. Where am I?
Standing up, she brushed stray strands of grass from her clothing and looked around. After a few moments, she realized that she was outside of Iselia.
Frowning, Raine strode towards the nearby village. In mere moments, she was standing outside the gates. But the sight that met her was far from pleasant.
From her point of view, she saw several destroyed buildings. Many burnt down to its foundations. Many were still charred black, others missing doors, pieces of thatch, or having broken windows.
What had happened here? Taking a tentative step forward through the gate, she was automatically met with a jump of the town's militia. They had been hiding in the bushes. But now had their spears and pitchforks pointed at her taunt throat.
"Wh-What's going on!" She gasped, barely even being able to say that, the points were so close to her neck.
"Your brother and his traitor friend, Lloyd, are exiled from this village. Don't you know that?" One of the guards muttered hatefully. Raine gulped. She wanted to say: 'No! What are you talking about!' But of course, she already knew the answer.
"Y-Yes…"
"Then you know why we cannot allow you back in the village." The guard stated firmly.
"But I wasn't even here! I was not exiled!" Exclaimed Raine. Not again. Not again!
"It does not matter. You are his kin, its all the same…"
"But" She started desperately. She did not want to be banned from another home. She couldn't stand being rejected from another place she lived. But the guard pointed the tip of his spear at her throat closer.
"Leave. You are unwanted here." Raine could only stare as she was shoved back and she landed on her behind. The makeshift gates slammed shut in her face and she could only gape. Once again she was thrown from her home… Would it ever stop?
Suddenly her vision blurred and she was no longer in Iselia. This time she realized that she was a child again. No more than nine or ten years of age. Her short windblown hair falling into her big blue eyes.
All around her in a big semicircle were the Heimdall elder and several other elves. They seemed to be looming over her, their faces shadowed and twisted in the darkness over them.
She felt so small and felt as if she had done something wrong. But what had she done wrong? She always followed to rules, she was a good girl.
"You filthy being… Be gone from here. Leave, never come back!" One of the elves snarled. Raine scrambled backwards as the elves took a step closer to her.
"W-Why?" She found herself stammer, her voice a bare squeak.
"You are tainted with human blood. You are only half of our kind…"
"B-But w-what's s-so w-wrong with th-that?" Raine asked, her eyes starting to brim with tears. What was wrong with being different?
"You don't deserve to live among us, you halfling!" Said another wicked voice. Raine gasped as a leg came out a kicked her. The half-elf's delicate frame was thrown back several paces and she skidded to a halt.
Sobbing, she pushed herself up, trying to stand. But her legs were wobbling and she collapsed to the ground.
"Weak, too… You are completely worthless, you piece of trash."
"Useless."
"Can't even get up…" Raine tried to suppress the tears as she took verbal whipping after another. She felt another kick to her ribs as she was forced further away. But she didn't bother to look up.
She didn't want to see those faces. Those faces full of loathing. Full of hatred and contempt. Eyes filled with what emotion one would regard for garbage.
Raine blinked and saw tears splatter onto the cold hard ground beneath her hands, could feel that choking lump in her throat as she heard laughter. Booming all around her, never stopping. How she sometimes wished that she wasn't different. Why did she have to suffer? She never did anything wrong!
Just as that thought came to her, her mind tumbled around. She was no longer near Heimdall, no longer the helpless child she used to be. But an adult that was fully capable of taking care of herself.
"I can take care of myself. I'm not helpless." She muttered to herself, smoothing hands over her orange coat. Relieved to be back in her normal body. Then lifting her head, she realized where she was.
In the middle of a battlefield. Eyes widening she gripped her staff in clenched fists and brought herself to reality. She had to stay alert or she would be killed! So much for not being helpless.
Quickly glancing around she took in what was going on in the fight. They were battling… Adulochia? Everything suddenly clicked in her mind. She had gone through this battle before, exactly so. But this was just a dream…
"Raine! Watch out!" She heard Genis' voice cry.
"Huh!" She gasped as suddenly her voice was cut off. She choked as water filled her mouth and seemingly her lungs, too. The liquid stung at her eyes and she was lifted off the ground slightly, by the geyser like attack.
The attack receded and she fell to her hands and knees onto the tiled floor. Coughing up the water that filled her lungs. She tried to blink away the stinging of the water in her eyes. Or were they tears?
"Professor Raine! Are you okay?" Colette asked from nearby. Though they were all too busy with the battle to worry about her.
"I-I'm fine." She managed to croak out. Coughing immediately. Scrubbing at her eyes she let out a strangled yell as one of the mermaid like beings charged at her. There was no way she could get up and run in time, and she had dropped her staff when she had been caught in that torrential vortex of water.
'Clang'. Came the sound of metal against the monster's harp. The monster screeched and retreated back. As the monster turned away, her saviour muttered one thing.
"Be careful." Raine could only stare at Kratos' back as he chased after the creature, striking it with a Sonic Thrust.
Once again, she was saved. Could she never fend for herself? And why was it always him who saved her?
There she faded out of that sequence also. Falling into another shred of her reveries.
This time she felt herself lying on a solid surface, but it was cushiony. She could feel something tickling the back of her neck and her bare hands. Shifting, she could smell a light perfumed scent.
Opening her eyes she found herself on her back. Lying on a grassy hill, small blue and pink flowers dancing on the hill. Swaying gently in the wind.
"Am I outside Iselia, again?" She asked herself. But taking a look around her, she saw nothing but the endless rolling grass. Where was she exactly?
Standing up, she saw two birds chase each other overhead her, chirping merrily as they dove after each other. Raine marvelled at the beauty around her, taking in the peacefulness.
She was so absorbed in the serenity of where she stood, that she didn't notice the light footsteps behind her. Not until she felt strong arms wrap around her waist. Eyes widening, she let out a yell and reflexively kicked at the person who held her.
The man who had a hold on her grunted, and she broke out of his grasp. Taking a few quick steps away she turned around to see who her assailant was.
"K-Kratos?" Raine's face immediately flushed crimson and her jaw fell open. "What are you doing here?" She dared not ask him why he had put his arms around her.
Kratos tilted his head to one side. A lock of hair obscuring his right eye. He regarded her with a confused look.
"Are you okay, Raine?" One of his eyebrows quirked in question. Raine blinked, not really sure what to say to answer his question.
"You look really confused, like you don't know what's going on." Added Kratos, taking a step towards her. The silver-haired woman backed up unconsiously.
"Of course I'm confused! Of course I don't know what's going on when you come up and grab me!" Raine exclaimed. What in the world was going on here? If only she'd wake up already.
"I didn't grab you. I was trying to give you a hug, but you started to kick me. Are you sure you're okay? Do you need to see a doctor?" Kratos replied, his brows furrowed.
"W-Why were you trying to do that!" Raine cried, now really confused. What kind of dream was this?
"Why wouldn't I embrace my wife?" Suddenly Raine felt as if she had just had a giant boulder dropped over her. What did he just say? The line echoed over and over again in her mind. Repeating again and again. Yet she couldn't accept what he had just said. Dream or not.
She must have heard something wrong. The real Kratos wouldn't say that. He was devoted to Anna! He didn't even consider her. Not past a team mate perhaps. But… wife? Did he really say that!
"Raine?" Her vision began to blur and she started to feel hazy. The half-elf could feel herself become lighter and it felt as if she was fading away.
"Raine? What's happening? Raine!"
"Raine! Wake up!" Genis said, shaking his sister's shoulders. It was well past morning. Perhaps near noon even.
His sister groaned and her eyes started to flutter open. Seeing her eyes open, Genis jumped off the bench and planted himself in front of her.
"Come on, Raine! We have to go meet Lloyd and the others! We're already late!" Yawning, Raine rubbed sleep from eyes and she stared at her brother.
"If we're so late, why didn't you wake me up earlier?" She retorted, standing up. Her little brother blushed and he coughed, starting to walk away. Rolling her eyes she followed him, running slender fingers through her hair.
Those dreams… How disturbing. And remembering her last one, she flushed deeply. She desperately tried to quell the redness in her cheeks before Genis could notice.
I hope that those dreams don't mean anything… Maybe I should stop thinking so deeply before going to sleep… She thought to herself as they made their way to the entrance to Torrent Forest.
But remembering that, she also remembered Kratos. And remembering him brought back the blush that she had just subdued. Would she turn beet red when she saw him again? She certainly hoped not.
Most of all, though, what was going to happen between him and Lloyd. They needed Lloyd to win. But to do that, Kratos might die… That thought extinguished the colour in her cheeks, her face blanching instead.
"Raine, are you okay? You look pale…" Remarked Genis, turning to face his sister.
"Uh… Yes… I'm all right. I was just thinking about what is going to happen. About Lloyd's… decision…" She replied as they crossed a bridge. They were getting closer.
"Oh yeah… Lloyd's going to have to fight Kratos…" The normally sarcastic young half-elf seemed serious for once. "I wonder what he'll do. Knowing him, he'll probably put on a show and fight him. But on the inside, I bet he's really scared and he doesn't want to duel his father."
"Mmm…" Raine nodded. What Genis said made sense. She wouldn't be surprised if that was what Lloyd did. "I just hope that this doesn't end bad…"
"I guess so." Shrugged Genis. "Hey, there are they others!" He cried, pointing ahead of them. The young boy started running towards their friends as Raine ensued slowly. Dreading what was going to come.
Okay. This has got to be one of my more unoriginal chapters…
Genis: I agree.
FireEdge: But I couldn't think of anything! AHHH! Brain isn't working!
Zelos: At least it's a "decent" length.
FireEdge: Yeah… I think… Anyway… This chapter isn't as good since I just got back to working on it, and I'm extremely lacking in the mind department today. But I hope you like it anyway. Oh yeah, the part with Kratos in Raine's dream was from a book. I didn't think that up, in case anyone was wondering at the weirdness of it all…
Genis: Right… Please review, and maybe her next update will be fast and better…
:FireEdge:
