Courage From Within

"Dwarven Vow #8: Blood is inherited; Virtue is acquired."

Just outside Iselia

Sheena awoke the next morning with unusual warmth and at first she brushed it off as Carbuncle snuggling closer, so she let it be. When the warmth squeezed her closer and she discovered that it wasn't Carbuncle at all…she gasped and pulled away from the embrace. Sleeping no more than a few inches from her face, looking incredibly cute and solemn, was Zelos. Sometime during the night the two had sought each other for warmth and now slept in each other's arms.

Sheena's face heated up even more as she blushed a deep red. The night before Zelos had comforted Sheena when she got depressed about loosing her summon spirits. She once thought she was weak, but then felt stronger and more courageous when she began forming the pacts with the summon spirits because she was finally of some use to the group she'd joined. Without them, she was at a loss. Zelos then told her that she had grown strong the entire time he'd known her and he often admired her persistence. She never gave up even if she was afraid, like at Volt's Tower. She didn't have all the summon spirits before then and just because the lost them now didn't mean she was in any way weaker. Sheena had to admit, it was hard to fight logic like that.

The Mizuho ninja was still staring at Zelos' sleeping face when he moaned and began opening his eyes. Sheena acted quickly and sat up to look the other way. Surprisingly there was Carbuncle snuggled on her other side. Smiling to play off her nervousness, she scratched the guardian behind the ear to wake her up. "There you are." The guardian purred as it slowly woke up.

Zelos stretched and sat up, not noticing their initial closeness, and yawned. "Why you up so early?" He whined, scratching the back of his head.

Sheena bent her knees to the side to get more comfortable and raised an eyebrow at the warrior groggily rubbing his eye next to her. "We still have to get to Iselia…on foot, then we have to head back to Meltokio castle to warn the king about that thing that attacked you." Remembering that he was still healing, Sheena frowned. "Let's have a look at your wounds so I can see how they're doing."

"No, no, that's okay." Zelos said rather quickly. "I mean, come on, it's me. I'm a quick healer and always bounce back. No worries."

Sheena shrugged and played it off as innate egotism. "Fine, then why don't you find us some breakfast and we'll be on our way."

"What? Why me?" He complained.

"Because you're the man and it's your job!" She shouted back.

Standing up, Zelos jumped away in fear. "Just like it was your job as a woman to crash the rheaird?" Seeing her jump up ready to pound him, he took off into the nearby woods. "Oh no! It's the wild banshee! Run for your lives!"

Clenching her fists, Sheena crossed her arms and pouted with a growl. "I'll show him banshee…"

Carbuncle tilted her head. "If you like him so much, why do you get mad at him all the time?" She asked bluntly.

Sheena blushed again. "I-I don't like him! Who would?" She lied, looking off to the side.

"Okay." Carbuncle snickered, but decided to leave it at that. "So why do we have to go to Meltokio Castle?"

"Well, the letter we're delivering to Iselia is to tell the mayor that the king is starting a World Council so everyone can make decisions. Whatever attacked Zelos might attack others, so when everyone convenes, it'll be our job to warn them about the new threat." Sheena explained in a nutshell. "I also sent a special messenger to Altamira to get in contact with Regal and Presea. If the angels Zelos saw stole his exspheres, the Toize Valley Mine might be next."

"You're so considerate, Sheena." The guardian spirit complimented.

Sheena smiled. "Thanks Carbuncle."

Zelos had returned with a smile, but no food was evident in his hands. Sheena stood up and immediately got mad. "You were gone for an entire hour and you come back with nothing?" That was probably her stomach speaking…

The mighty warrior didn't faze this time when his companion got mad and the smile remained on his face. "Didn't have to. Iselia is just a few miles West of here. We can make it there and eat at the inn. My treat?" He offered with a wink.

Carbuncle and Sheena exchanged looks, but the ninja could find nothing wrong with the idea and shrugged, her anger instantly gone. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."

Carbuncle dashed over to Zelos and ran up his back to prop happily on his shoulders. "Yay! Food!" She exclaimed.

Zelos had veins in his forehead as he glared at the guardian. "Do guardians even need to eat?" He wondered.

"No, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it anyways. Besides, since your paying, it's free food! That's even better!" She giggled happily.

Zelos sighed once again in defeat. "How do I constantly lose arguments to a mouse?"

Sheena laughed and came up to Zelos' side, boldly taking his arm to lead him to the village. "Cause she's smarter than you, that's why." This time both girls laughed, leaving poor Zelos to mope.

Over the skies near Tower of Mana

Kratos flew slower than he usually did, keeping a steady eye on both Colette and Lloyd. He didn't worry much for the former Chosen of Sylvarant, the angel-girl having more experience with her wings and flying than his son. Kratos was unusually nervous when Lloyd performed a twirl or corkscrew in mid air. They were feelings he hadn't felt since Lloyd started walking and getting into everything he could: food, medicine gels, mud pies created by the toddler himself. They were called the 'terrible-twos' as Kratos remembered Anna stating.

Lloyd flew with his back towards the ground and came up underneath Kratos. "What's the matter, Dad? Old age getting to ya?" He teased with a smile.

Kratos, though, wasn't moved at all. "If you intend to fall from the sky then by all means, keep wasting your energy." He warned.

Lloyd blew off the warning. "Origin already told me my body would get used to long flights and not to worry."

The answer surprised the angel. "You spoke with Origin?"

Shrugging, Lloyd righted himself and flew by his father's side. "Sort of. Ever since I made the pact, it's like he can hear my thoughts and I can hear him. He was the one to tell me not to worry when the Derris-Emblem split everyone apart back at Welgaia."

"I see." Kratos had to admit the youth had adjusted faster than he expected.

Colette, who up until now had stayed rather quiet, frowned and pointed down at the tower they approached. The Tower of Mana, having been near demolished with the revival of the out-of-control Mana Tree, was overrun with vines and shrubbery. But at its base, the angel-girl thought she saw something. "It looks like something really is down there."

Lloyd looked down and was surprised when he could see the two bodies as clear as if they were right next to him. "Genis! Professor Sage!" He shouted in fear and grief, diving down before either of his companions could react.

Kratos was the next to recover, descending as rapidly as his son, if not faster, to join his side. The grass around their two fallen comrades was scorched with fire and resonating mana from the previous battle filled the entire area. "I think we may have our lead as to Zaichar's whereabouts." He commented.

"Who cares about that? My friends are what's important now!" Lloyd shouted angrily.

Kratos let it slide as he knew the boy's tendency to get emotional when something involved his friends or family. He slowed down, seeing Colette finally join him, and landed a few feet from where Lloyd was already checking on the half-elves' condition.

"T-they're breathing…" He said slowly, but the tears had already started to fall.

Colette was just as emotional, but kept it to herself. "W-who could've done such a thing?" She whimpered.

"The who and why are going to have to wait." Kratos said knowingly as he came up to Raine's side. Bending down on one knee, he pulled back part of her shirt to reveal blackened wounds on the skin beneath. "First we need to treat them and quickly. They won't last much longer if this is allowed to spread any more." He picked up the scholar and looked seriously at his son.

Lloyd held Genis against him and could feel the blood flowing over his fingertips from the wound on his back before he even saw it. Part of the blood was healthy and red, while the edges of the actual gashes grew darker into a deep black. Whatever did this is going to pay… He swore in anger. Slowly he stood up and choked down a sob when he felt Genis' body so limp and light in his arms. "W-where to...then?" He asked his father slowly.

Kratos lifted off the air a little and motioned his head to the Southeast. "Lake Umacy is nearby. We will be able to rest them there." He slowly took off in that direction, followed by Lloyd and Colette who flew by his side.

Colette hadn't ceased crying, and as she looked down at Genis' silver hair speckled with his own blood, she only cried harder. "Hang in there, Genis." She said between sobs. "Don't you dare give up!"

Lloyd had to close his eyes and looked away as he followed his father. I thought everything was over. I thought we'd finally achieved peace. Hang on, buddy. I'm gonna see you through this. But you have to stay with me. He thought to his friend. Stay strong…

Altamira

The elevator doors opened to Regal's office, and both he and Presea walked in quietly. Neither had said much on the way back from the mine, both being in too much shock to say anything. Presea's mind was already calculating possible reasons for the Renegade leader's defection. Defection was a pretty strong word to use just because Yuan was never on their side to begin with. Only when their goals were the same or when it benefited him most, did the former Angel of Cruxis aide the group in any way.

Regal sat on his desk and sighed. "There are many paths we can take from here." He commented blandly.

Presea took a seat on the other side of the desk. "Going to the Renegade base directly would be one of them." Part of her was still angry at the attempt Yuan had made to take Regal's life.

"Yes, but as many of our…visits there proved, their security is tight and if they don't want us to interfere, they will stop us by any means necessary." Regal reminded.

Before Presea could respond, the elevator door opened once more and Regal's assistant, George, stepped through with a bow. "Please forgive my intrusion, Master Regal." He apologized.

"Not at all. Please come in." Regal sat up in a more professional manner. "What is it?"

George handed him a letter. "This is from the King." He reported. "There is also a messenger from Mizuho here to see you. Shall I send him in?"

Regal opened the letter and began reading it. "Yes, just give me a few moments before you do." When George nodded and left down the elevator, Regal handed the letter to Presea. "It seems the King has forfeited his title and wishes to begin a World Council with the leaders of the villages and it seems I have been deemed the representative of Altamira, at least for the first meeting until the people decide for certain whom they wish to be their delegate." He summed up.

"With Sylvarant in lack of a monarchy, this was to be expected." Presea commented flatly. "There are many issues that will have to be addressed."

Regal sighed, knowing the political circles that would form within the walls of Meltokio as well as the complicated conversations that would follow. Politics, though one of Regal's strong points, was never something he indulged in.

The elevator door opened and the messenger from Mizuho stepped in with a bow. It was Orochi. "Regal Bryant, I bring word from Sheena of Mizuho."

Orochi proceeded to tell Regal about the attack on Zelos and their suspicions about the theft of the exspheres. "She says that if you desire to speak more about it, to meet her at Meltokio Castle after the World Council convenes."

Regal looked at Presea. "We seem to have become involved in a much bigger coup than we initially thought."

Presea nodded gravely. "Perhaps it would be wise to place some sort of security to the entrance of the mine to ensure no more exspheres are mined." It was a low risk that someone would go through the trouble of digging through the collapsed mine in order to get to the exspheres, but whoever or whatever attacked the Chosen of Tethe'alla and injured him as badly as Sheena said, needed to be dealt with carefully.

Regal nodded. "I agree. We can take no chances."

Orochi held a fist over his heart. "We of Mizuho would gladly offer our services. I am certain Chief Igaguri would agree." He offered.

"That would be most appreciated. I will compensate your men for their time." Regal stood up.

The Mizuhoen shook his head. "I would not dream of it. You and the Chosen group have done so much for our village already. It would be an honor to repay the favor."

Regal smiled. "Thank you." When Presea stood up, he looked at her. "Since the E.C. I ordered for transportation will not be needed to get to Triet, shall we take it instead to Meltokio Castle?"

Though Presea agreed, she felt the same as Regal did. "I do not look forward to dancing around the issues at hand with politicians." She commented.

Regal laughed. "Nor do I. But if anyone can show them how to be bold in light of danger, you are the one to show them."

Presea tilted her head at the comment, but took it as a simple matter of strength and shrugged. "I doubt my axe will come in handy in such confrontations…"

Regal came up and placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling warming down at her. "Don't be too sure. These meetings can prove to be…entertaining as well as a good work out." Regal looked in the direction of where the messenger from Mizuho had been, but he had already vanished. They truly are masters of illusion.

Iselia

The person at the inn remembered the two from their previous visit and was more than happy to accommodate them. Zelos ended up saving a couple of gald, which only further convinced Sheena of how cheap the swordfighter was. Carbuncle ate happily in a seat of her own, while Zelos stuffed his face full of food. Not exactly the date Sheena was looking forward to. And of course, Zelos was oblivious to it all.

Afterwards they ventured over to Colette's house in order to speak with Frank. When they got there, Frank happily let them in and offered them breakfast. Zelos instantly accepted - always having room for more food, but Sheena interrupted saying, "Actually, we're here on official business." She brought out the letter. "The King wants to start a World Council and as Mayor of Iselia, you've been invited to Meltokio Castle, just South of here, to meet with the rest of the leaders of the new world." She relayed.

As Frank read the letter, Phaidra came out from one of the back rooms. "Frank? Do we have company?" The older woman recognized Zelos and Sheena and smiled. "Oh children, it's so good to see you again." She greeted.

Sheena laughed nervously over being called a child, but in comparison to the priestess…they were. "Yep. Um…how have you guys been here?"

Just then Dirk came around the corner holding a large book in both hands. "Phaidra, I think I've found something." The dwarf noticed Sheena and Zelos and tried to wave, but the size of the book compared to his body made it difficult. "Hello. It's good to see you two safe and sound."

Zelos frowned. "Why wouldn't we be?"

Phaidra began walking back into the back room. "Perhaps you two should join us." Once everyone was settled in and Altessa got in greetings of his own, the priestess continued.

She told both newcomers about the cave the dwarves had come across and the strange symbols they'd researched into. "Whoever was in that cave summoned a force called Omega and though we were unable to find much, there were passages that hinted a rivalry between the summon spirit Omega and the Goddess Martel that dates back far beyond the beginning of the Great Kharlan War." She reported.

Carbuncle shivered. "Omega…" She whimpered in fear.

Sheena picked up the creature and placed her in her lap. "Carbuncle, you okay?"

Carbuncle hid her head in Sheena's arm as if trying to hide from the invisible force. "He was a bad man…" The guardian said muffled in Sheena's clothes.

Phaidra gently petted the animal across its back to soothe it. "Do you know something about this, little one?"

"Is this the bad human you talk about?" Her mistress asked.

Carbuncle nodded and half exposed her face. "The bad man tried to make me do evil things and when I didn't want to, he said he'd summon Omega instead. Omega is an evil summon spirit that was locked away a long time ago."

"Locked away? Why?" Zelos asked with a frown.

"And who would be able to break such a seal on a summon spirit?" Sheena wondered as well.

Phaidra placed a hand on her chin in thought. "We seem to have a much bigger problem on our hands…Would you happen to know the name of this human?"

"He wasn't human." Carbuncle said, now a little more calmed down. "He was Elven and he called himself…Zaichar."

Lake Umacy

The three angels landed before the edge of the forest near the lake and Lloyd looked to his father. "You want to rest them here?" He asked in disbelief.

Colette walked forward a few steps and held up a hand as if she were feeling something. "Lloyd, look closer. There's a barrier here."

"Huh?" Lloyd squinted, as if that'd make him see better, but slowly began seeing the edges of the glowing yellow-green barrier. "Woah! What is this place?"

Kratos looked up at the barrier and waved a hand in front of it, making it fade away to reveal a small cottage. "This…is home."

The wooden dwelling was simple, but the forest background made it amazingly peaceful. The roof was lined with intricate carved overhangs and the edges of the windows were lined with the same design. The main room split into the family room and then the dining area and kitchen. There was a blue and black woven rug on the floor, two chairs and a longer couch, both a milky cream color. There were two bedrooms, one bigger than the other, and of course a bathroom. There was an innate feeling of happiness that seemed to soak into the very wood of the house. Just being inside made one remember being home once more.

Lloyd immediately laid Genis down in a separate room than his sister, only one bed being available in each, and paced back and forth in the living room while Kratos did all he could to stop the infection. Colette remained with her friend, placed there specifically by Kratos to keep Lloyd from interfering. When they found time, Kratos was going to need to sit Lloyd down and have a chat about overreacting at inappropriate times.

The two half-elves had been unconscious for a while, but Kratos had dealt with this kind of wound before and could save his friends…but just barely.

During his own battle with Martel's murderer, Kratos had received similar injuries and therefore knew what had to be done. But even knowing that, the kind of infection was difficult and hard to alleviate. In truth he believed the scholar herself would've been able to do far better with her power of the unicorn's horn, but right now she was as incapacitated as her younger brother.

Genis had been dealt a far worse wound and Kratos broke a sweat isolating the foreign mana and stopping the blood flow. Usually half-elves were great healers, hardly ever getting sick and recovering quickly from any injury. But the black remnants of the attacker prevented such healing and therefore both siblings were close to bleeding to death.

When he was satisfied both were past the worst of it, he came out into where his son and Colette were waiting patiently…well Colette anyway. Lloyd immediately jumped to his feet and approached his father.

The youth instantly noticed his father's fatigue and got worried. "Dad?" He asked carefully.

"Colette, would you stay with them and make sure the bleeding doesn't soak through the bandages?" Kratos said as he walked to the front door.

"Of course." Colette gave one last look to Lloyd before rushing into the rooms.

Lloyd was split between seeing his friends and seeing how his father was holding up. I can see my friends when they come to. I need to talk with my father now. He decided and turned around to follow his dad outside.

As soon as the angel exited the house, his exhaustion overcame him and he collapsed.

"Dad!" Lloyd rushed forward and supported the angel before he could hit the ground. "Are you alright?" He helped Kratos to a wooden bench outside and sat him down, taking a seat nearby.

Kratos took a few deep breaths and wiped the sweat from his brow. "I…used up a lot of my mana, but they'll live." He commented, knowing that was what the boy needed to hear.

Lloyd was relieved, but still worried about his father. "Thank you…"

Kratos gave a small smile. "This reminds me of when I released Origin's seal. I'll be annoyingly weak for a few days, but my mana will restore itself in time." He assured.

Satisfied he wasn't going to fall over, Lloyd released his grip on Kratos' arm and sat back. "How did you know about this place anyway?"

Kratos looked up at the sun filtering through the trees and smiled in memory. "I've told you that after I met Anna, we were pursued by Cruxis, right?" Lloyd nodded. "Well after some time I came to believe they'd given up, or at least stopped to find another host for the Angelus Project. With you now a part of the family, we decided it was too risky to travel for extended amounts of time, so we came here and I built a home for us. This home."

Lloyd looked at the beautiful detail of the windowsills and doorframes. "You built this? It's amazing!"

Kratos laughed shortly. "Coming from one who was raised by a dwarf, I'll take that as a big compliment." Kratos looked over the water just a few meters ahead and imagined Anna sitting on that same rock, baby Lloyd in her lap, playing with their feet in the water.

"Is this where Kvar found you?" Lloyd asked suddenly.

Kratos sighed and nodded. "Yes. He came with desian soldiers and took Anna back to the Iselia Ranch. I managed to hide you away and later left to hide deep within Ymir Forest. I placed a barrier here in case I ever returned. It's been fifteen years…"

"It looks great." Lloyd complimented again. "Maybe we could live here once everything settles down." Getting sad, Lloyd knew the suggestion probably didn't cross Kratos as a good idea. "I mean…you could probably live here…if you wanted to."

Kratos raised an eyebrow and placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder…which was as close to a hug as he could manage at this point in their relationship. "You will always be welcomed here." He said softly.

As Lloyd felt his father's reassuring squeeze, he truly felt like he belonged by the angel's side. No more was he just a companion or even a nuisance. He was his father's son. He had a family. Lloyd believed Kratos would never fully come to understand the significance that one sentence held for the boy. True, he would always have his adopted father, but he was happier knowing he still had existing family that loved him and would be there for him. "Thanks Dad."

Later when the two had returned inside after hours of speaking about Anna and the angel's life there, Lloyd found Colette hunched over asleep next to Genis' bed. Lloyd knew his friend had probably cried over relief and tired herself out before she knew it.

So he gently picked her up and laid her down on the couch in the living room. Kratos sat there as well, still needing time to replenish his mana. So the swordfighter took it upon himself to go and check up on his best friend and former teacher.

Raine's body had returned to normal, having appeared slightly gray when they found her, and she showed no signs of suffering or fever. Genis, on the other hand, tossed and turned with nightmares, and the movement only made his cuts hurt more. On his back, four large gashes had been dealt and now lay bandaged to prevent further bleeding.

Kratos had done all he could…the rest was up to the little mage himself.

Lloyd brought in a chair and sat next to his friend in case anything happened. Racking his brain he tried to figure out how his friend had gotten mixed up with Zaichar. And what would the person who sought out Lloyd for the summon spirits want with Genis? Was it to hurt Lloyd? To make him relinquish the elemental guardians? If that is his plan, then I have to think about what I'm going to do about it now, instead of later. Lloyd thought.

The dark signature around the Tower of Mana is not from Aska or Luna, and it's old so if Zaichar inhabited it at one time, it's unlikely that he is still there. Origin said.

"Oh yeah, you were already with Mithos when Zaichar confronted him, huh?" Lloyd asked in a whisper.

Yes, but even if he had succeeded in killing Mithos, I - nor any of the others - would ever think of forming a pact with him. Origin promised darkly.

"Hmm, speaking of which, maybe Aska or Luna would know something about it." The new summoner suggested.

"No…don't…" Genis began mumbling in his sleep and cried out. "Leave her alone!"

Lloyd hopped up and held onto his best friend's shoulders. "Genis, calm down! It's okay, you're safe now!"

Genis continued his fit and tried struggling out of Lloyd's grip. "No sis! Raine!" Eyes flashing open, Genis looked back and forth, his body now covered in sweat. "I have to save her!" He exclaimed, bolting up out of bed.

"Genis, look at me! It's Lloyd!" The half-elf's friend pleaded. "The battle's over! Professor Sage is fine!"

Genis took unsteady deep breaths and seemed to finally recognize Lloyd. "The elf…it attacked so suddenly…"

Though he'd loosened his hold on the spellcaster, Lloyd could feel him trembling underneath. "Kratos, Colette, and myself found you passed out over at the base of the Tower of Mana and brought you here." He said slowly and clearly in case the young half-elf was still unnerved and not understanding everything he said. "Kratos used his healing magic to stop whatever had infected you." That was as detailed as Lloyd could get concerning that because Kratos still hadn't gone into explaining exactly what the black substance was that affected them so.

Genis slowly relaxed and leaned against the back post of the bed. Lloyd took this moment to sit back and let his friend come to his senses. Genis looked at his hands sadly and flexed his fingers in unison, as if judging their potential. "He…came at us so quickly." The little mage said in a low voice. "He…didn't…recognize us at all."

"Who?" Lloyd asked, intrigued. "Who was it that attacked you?" The half-angel had to know: was it Zaichar that attacked his friends?

Genis looked Lloyd right in the eye and shook his head with an expression of fear. "Not 'who'. What." He shivered at the memory, as it was still fresh in his mind. "It was…an elf. But in a darker, twisted form. We didn't stand a chance." He sighed and returned to staring at his hands remorsefully. "I failed them…I failed them all."

"Who?" He asked again. Lloyd was getting more information, getting a better idea of what happened. But he also knew he had to be patient. He didn't want to push his friend too soon.

Sniffling, Genis wiped away his tears before they could fall. "I wish I was more like you Lloyd. More stubborn and courageous when it came to defending the people I care about. You're not afraid of anything."

"What are you talking about? I'm afraid of a lot of things." Genis looked up in confusion. "I'm afraid Mithos will find a way back and split the world in two again. I'm afraid that another war will break out and the Great Viscus Tree will whither and die. I'm afraid my friends and family will end up suffering on my behalf. I'm afraid of all that, but I know I can't let that stop me when it comes down to fighting for what I believe in."

"But…"

"Genis, you fought against Marble - someone you cared about - in order to save her. You stood up to your fears when you came back to Iselia, even though there was a chance they'd throw you and me back out again. You, who thinks they have no courage whatsoever, took Mithos head on. An angel who came into power centuries ago and was strong enough to split the world in two - something neither of us even thought possible!"

"Yeah, but you were there with me Lloyd." Genis reminded him. "You gave me that courage."

Lloyd shook his head. "Me being there had nothing to do with it. Having fear has nothing to do with it. It's acknowledging it - knowing it's there - yet facing it and conquering it in order to protect the ones you love. Only when you let your fear consume you are you weak. When you fought to save your sister, against an enemy you were afraid of, you were courageous in every sense of the word. It's actions like that…that make the heroes of today. Heroes like Genis the Great!"

The little half-elf giggled at the title bestowed upon him. "I'm not a hero Lloyd!"

Lloyd smirked, glad to have his friend almost back to normal. "Hey, according to everyone who knew about Mithos and what we did to stop it, we're all that and more! We saved the entire world, Genis! You have to feel good about that."

"But when people find out I'm a half-elf, they'll think I'm with Mithos!" Genis said worriedly.

Lloyd waved away the suggestion. "No they won't. Our actions and the choices we make prove who we are - not our blood or ancestry." He shrugged. "At least, that's what I believe."

Although he felt better, Genis sighed sadly. "Lloyd, there's something I have to tell you…the elves of Heimdall…"

"It's not their fault." Kratos interrupted. Turning around the two boys saw the angel in the doorway, still leaning slightly against the doorframe. "Come to the other room. We have much to discuss."

Raine sat up on her bed, looking fatigued but otherwise okay. Colette and Kratos were waiting for the two boys as Lloyd helped his friend sit on the base of the bed. This room was the bigger of the two and Lloyd could see a hand made wooden crib covered halfway by a blue blanket in the corner. Just looking at it made him smile, as images formed in his mind of his mother rocking the crib to help him sleep or Kratos holding the baby in his arms as he sat silently in the filtered light of the room's curtains.

"I suppose since everyone's here, I'll begin explaining what I believe happened." Kratos started. "Zaichar, being an elf himself and knowing the potential of the elves -should they decide to fight against him - I believe he targeted them first."

"Would he truly have the power to accomplish such a feat?" Raine asked.

"I'm not sure. During my battle with him, I noticed his exsphere was not the healthy color most normal ones were. It was an ebony black."

Raine nodded. "I saw the elf that attacked us had a black exsphere as well."

"But we defeated that one; I saw it with my own eyes." Genis stated with worry. Had he been wrong in what he saw?

"And I don't doubt that. It's unlikely that was Zaichar himself. But if he were to attach a similar exsphere to one from Heimdall, the results would be devastating." Kratos theorized. "You see my battle with him was…disturbing…"

Skies Over Linkite Tree Valley, 400 years ago…

Kratos stood at the base of the valley, wondering how he could revive the linkite tree in order to summon Aska. Just recently the flaming Bird of Light had left the Tower of Mana for reasons unknown and the Angel of Cruxis was sent to discover why. A shadow passed overhead and Kratos looked up to see a person he'd not seen in 600 years. "Zaichar…so you still live." He said calmly, not allowing the man to know of his initial shock. "How is this possible?"

Zaichar, floating in midair facing the angel, scoffed and crossed his arms. He had frayed silver hair, like Kratos, but it was long and ended halfway down his back. He had a red bandana across his brow and black shining armor. His eyes were a cold, ice blue that made the angel shiver. "Yes, compared to you humans, we elves live well over 1,000 years."

"So, you were never human to begin with." Kratos and the others accused Zaichar of being human at the time of Martel's death, but it was apparent he was far from that at all. Only humans were so irrational as to attack a half-elf without just cause. For an elf to do it was…unsettling.

"I never said that I was. And now that I am stronger than I was back then, I will make you all pay for preventing my Day of Ascension!" Zaichar glowed with a deep black aura and dove down at the angel in anger.

Kratos easily avoided the initial charge and withdrew his Flamberge, calling out his wings to take to the sky. "Do you still seek the power of the summon spirits?" He wondered.

Zaichar bounced off the ground and came at Kratos again, his butterfly sword proving to be a handful to defend against. As the angel blocked the fury of swipes, he caught a glimpse of Zaichar's exsphere on his right hand. Two more such stones adorned his weapon on either side of the center grip. "That idiot Mithos doesn't know the power he holds! But I knew that from the beginning, he is merely a lowly half-elf!"

Kratos blocked another attack and kicked his opponent a good distance away. Holding his sword horizontally out in front of him, Kratos placed his hand against the flat of the blade and focused his mana. "Sacred powers, cast your purifying light upon this corrupt soul. Rest in peace, Zaichar! Judgment!" Finally, he could avenge Martel…

Zaichar laughed and a large black shield surrounded him. In the edges of the barrier, Kratos could've sword he saw Origin's face, but with black hair and dark purple eyes glaring back at him. Kratos' Judgment attack was absorbed into the barrier and disappeared without a trace. "Is this all the mighty cruxis crystal has to offer? Then the angels of Derris-Kharlan are nothing but pigs with wings!" He laughed. "Allow me to show you true power." Zaichar held his sword in front of him and chanted, "Come darkness...root of all destruction and gather before me!"

Immediately Kratos prepared to block any sort of retaliation and watched as mana from all around was absorbed into Zaichar, turning from a pretty blue, to a darker navy blue, and finally to black as it disappeared within him.

When it appeared he was ready, he looked at Kratos and smirked. "Disappear into nothingness..." He raised his sword and fired a dark beam so powerful Kratos' shield didn't stand a chance and shattered into nothing within mere seconds.

The angel was thrown back and slammed into the valley below, a crater bursting out underneath him. The beam continued to assault him and filled Kratos' entire body with pain. His wings spasmed as he weakly tried to block off the rest of the attack. When Zaichar was finished, blackened smoke rose from Kratos' unmoving form.

Zaichar laughed and landed at the edge of the crater. "How did you like that, hm? I've always believed the power of death and darkness would overcome that of light. Now it is undeniable. I am the true force meant to lead this world. Cruxis is but an eyesore and I will see it destroyed first." He gloated.

Kratos gritted his teeth and tried to push off the ground to stand up. His body felt heavy and refused to listen. But he forced his legs to stand and turned to glare at Zaichar. His sword still lay sizzling on the ground from the attack. "I won't... let you get away! Healing Wind!" Green energy filled Kratos, keeping the foreign mana that had invaded his veins from interfering, and he instantly felt reenergized.

Zaichar was still in shock when Kratos retrieved his weapon and bolted into the air right towards Zaichar. "For Martel!" He shouted, slashing twice, three times. This time Zaichar could not erect his barrier in time and black blood splattered all over the place. "Double Lightning Blade!" Slamming the blade down, Kratos summoned one of the most powerful elements on the planet. A giant column of lightning shot down and enveloped Zaichar.

The elven spellcaster shrieked out in pain and jumped back from Kratos, his clothes singed as evidence of the assault. "This is not over, Kratos! This is only the beginning!" He swore, then disappeared into the sky once more.

"That's…that." Kratos would've followed then, but acting as irrationally as he had, the lightning attack had struck him too and he collapsed from the sky, landing on his knees in exhaustion. Already the rot and decay from his infected wounds grew and caused him even more pain. "Yuan…I'm sorry…"

Laky Umacy - Present Day

"It was the power of the exsphere that made him such a dangerous opponent, but I believe the entity I saw in the shield is the reason for it. I have yet to discover how or why though…" Kratos explained. "This same power might be what has taken control of those from Heimdall and turned them into…what you encountered at the Tower of Mana. It would explain why the village is now deserted."

"Well then we have to go back there!" Lloyd insisted. "We might still be able to save them!"

"Though this Zaichar is probably already gone, it's not too bad of an idea to investigate the tower for clues and information." Raine agreed.

"But not now." Kratos emphasized. "Should more creatures like that remain there, we would be helpless to stand up against it. We need to rest." He eyed Lloyd, but surprisingly the youth said nothing.

"How about I make us something to eat?" Colette offered, standing up.

"I'll help too." Genis made a move to follow.

Lloyd gently pushed him back down. "No way. You need to go back to bed and rest up. I'll bring the food to you, okay?"

Genis relented with a smile and nodded. "Yeah, all right."

Kratos also returned to the living room for some much needed meditation and rest. Hopefully when they returned to the Tower of Mana, he would obtain the answers he sought and the clues he needed to finally destroying Zaichar once and for all.