A Not So Bright Future

"Dwarven Vow #10: Rain does not fall on one roof alone."

Meltokio Castle

Regal and Presea were admitted into the castle by the front guards, who upon seeing them instantly got nervous, and were escorted to their room. They were informed the new World Council would meet late that afternoon and to make themselves at home until then. As soon as the guards were gone, Presea turned to Regal. "I will attempt to find out more about our opponents in order to formulate a proper strategy."

Regal watched her go and couldn't help but smile. Even though she grew up in the small village of Ozette, she appears to be no newbie to the political world. He thought to himself. Regal made sure all his belongings were put away before making his way out to gather his own intel. The new World Council was a step in the right direction, but it could also bring about the Downfall. The Downfall was a term spoken of by the followers of Martel as a time when the Goddess would see fit to purge the world and start over. Those she deemed worthy would survive to rejuvenate the world. Should the World Council end up at odds with each other another war could break out and, if the legend holds true, the Goddess Martel might purge the world in order to prevent the Great Viscus Tree from perishing away.

When the president of Lezareno Company entered the Common Room, a few other representatives were there as well. Regal recognized Neil from Palmacosta and another familiar, yet surprising acquaintance. It was Lyla from Izoold. When she saw Regal, she stood up with a smile and greeted him. "Well, if it isn't 'el presidente' himself! Don't tell me you're the rep for Altamira!"

The two gave each other friendly hugs and Regal shrugged. "Just until they can find a more permanent representative." He assured.

Neil noticed the two talking and decided to join them. "Better you than someone like me." He looked nervous and his fingers kept playing with his shirt. "I was barely Governor-General for a couple months and already they're throwing me into the big house."

Regal laughed in understanding. "I can't say this'll be enjoyable…"

"Awww, why not?" Lyla whined. "I think it'll be fun!"

Again Regal laughed, but this time, it was because he knew Lyla's known spunky yet stubborn attitude would no doubt shake up those from the big leagues - like the king and Sybak, even Flanoir might pose a problem.

It was good to know there were friends behind enemy lines, but Regal wondered how Presea was fairing with the real opposition…

That little lumberjack was edging her way to another area a few of the politicians had decided to meet in. She moved closer to the corner, attempting to catch some of their conversations.

"So, what do you think they'll bring up during the meeting?" She heard one woman ask.

"Well, I'd like to know where all these new cities came from." The other sounded like a man. "This Iselia isn't anywhere on any of our maps."

"You wanna know what I heard? They…"

Presea couldn't catch the last of it as the two began to whisper. My goal is unobtainable from current position. Solution: approach to get closer. Fallbacks: presence will be known and covert status will dissolve. Shaking her head, Presea berated herself. I have to stop thinking like that! I am not a machine! Since she looked ten, perhaps it was time she started "acting her age".

The idea made her smile, so she skipped around the corner and took a seat opposite of her two…objectives. They immediately silenced and went on edge with the new comer. To play it off, Presea took out a couple of her sharpening stones that she kept handy for her axe and began juggling with them like only a child would.

Not perceiving her as someone who would care what they were talking about, the two continued their conversation, but Presea immediately noticed it switched to her, seeing as her presences stirred up new…concerns.

"Isn't she the one who helped the Pope retrieve the sacred wood for the ceremony back when the king was ill?" The woman asked.

"Yeah, I've seen her here before." The man confirmed. "But I heard the Pope's gone missing. Seems he was the one behind the king being sick in the first place."

"Wouldn't surprise me. Right now the Church of Martel isn't exactly on friendly terms with anyone." The woman scoffed. "Seems they stopped receiving advice from the oracles and what not, but deny any such related questions by the minor priests and those on the pilgrimages."

Presea's act faltered upon hearing this and she dropped one of the stones. Giggling to cover it up, she retrieved her stone and skipped away. As soon as she was out of sight once more, she let the smile fade. So, the Church of Martel has been cut off from its source of angels and information, because we dealt with Cruxis, and now don't know what to believe. If people loose faith in Martel, we will loose whatever support we had, even being the heroes we've been made out to be.

Waiting a few more minutes to see if either talked about anything interesting, Presea made her way back to her room. Regal needed to be informed.

As the delegates were slowly escorted into the newly designed chamber, Regal managed to smuggle Presea in as his "assistant". Neil and Lyla were seated, as well as the two Presea has seen. It seems the woman was the representative for Sybak and the man was with her as a rep for the Research Institute there. It was no wonder they were so obnoxious. Brains and politics were never a good combination.

Arriving a little later than everyone else were Zelos and Sheena and with them were Frank and Chief Igaguri from Mizuho. Presea had heard Igaguri had been one of the first to arrive and knew the intelligence leader probably knew more than anyone there at the moment.

Looking around at the seating, Regal noticed they were arranged in classifications. Both Sybak and Asgard were placed next to each other, being the intellectuals of the group. Luin and Ozette were placed near one another, being the leaders of trade and supplies, along with Neil - seeing as Palmacosta would prove to be the leader in trade delivery and shipping, along with Izoold. Lastly, Flanoir and Regal himself were seated off to the side - surviving mostly on tourism. Other cities such as Mizuho and Iselia had individual purposes and therefore needed no such pairings. The rest of the delegates were matched up with their appropriate economy group.

This was a wise decision on the king's part because similar economies meant similar interests. Regal only hoped those interests coincided. Hoped, but not counted on. If self-interests coincided…it just wouldn't be politics. Conversations continued, but Regal hadn't the chance to talk to either Zelos or Sheena before the king arrived and everyone silenced, taking their seats.

A moment passed before he addressed the council - no longer "the king" but as an equal. "Welcomed esteemed ambassadors. Your presence here today will mark the new beginning to the Age of Prosperity. The decisions made within these walls will affect our children and our children's children for centuries to come."

A small applause rang throughout the chamber. "We have been granted another chance to build for a better tomorrow; to support our neighbors in their time of need and nurture the Great Viscus Tree with everything it needs. For in return, we will be granted ever-lasting mana!"

Another round of applause ensued, this one much louder. "The first issue I would like to address is the reconstruction efforts of Luin, Ozette, and Palmacosta. As a representative of Meltokio, we open our arms to those without homes and offer any services needed to see them rebuilt to their former glory." The man said with a smile.

Regal raised his hand and was recognized with a nod. "The Lezareno Company also lends its resources to help in the reconstruction efforts." The generous offer sent some people into whispers. Presea merely gave him a nod of approval.

Neil stood up nervously as he cleared his throat. "Even though Palmacosta still has a ways to go, enough of our ships are sea-worthy that we can begin trading with the new cities as soon as possible."

The king, now known as the Arbitrator, nodded as Neil sat back down. "Are there any other comments from the floor?"

Zelos took this moment to lean in to Sheena. "This is going rather smoothly."

She shook her head. "We're not out of this yet."

The woman from Sybak stood up and adjusted her glasses. She was human, with short blond hair and brown eyes. She wore a navy blue coat and white blouse with matching navy blue pants. Overall, she looked like she was a teacher at a military school. "Where have all these new cities come from? I've never even heard of Iselia and Luin." The matter in which she spoke of the small villages revealed quite a lot about her point of view and what she felt about them. Frank merely looked nervous, but the elderly mayor from Luin looked pissed. He clenched his fists, yet said nothing…this time. Regal knew his kind to be firecrackers in heated debates.

The Arbitrator eyed the woman warningly, but said, "Chief Igaguri, would you be so kind as to explain the recent changes?"

"Of course." The Chief stood up from Sheena's left. "During the end of the Ancient War, a man known as Lord Yggdrasill separated the two warring countries into two separate worlds - Tethe'alla and Sylvarant." The Chief had to wait for murmuring and surprised gasps to quiet down before continuing. "Just recently a group of idealists lead by Lloyd Irving defeated Lord Yggdrasill and were able to reunite the worlds once again. The cities from both worlds exist on a single plane for all for see now."

The man from the Research Academy scoffed. "Two worlds? Who would have the power to split a world?"

Presea narrowed her eyes, knowing the work the academy did on cruxis crystals alongside the Elemental Research Institute. "One who had the power of a cruxis crystal, of course."

The monotone response from a child unnerved the man, who was no doubt the head scientist back at Sybak, and he instantly quieted.

The former king took a breath of relief and noticed another hand. "Yes, the floor recognizes the city of Flanoir."

Quietly the man stood up. "Um…I was just wondering about the rumors concerning the Angels of Cruxis and Martel." Regal, Presea, Zelos and Sheena all tensed at the question.

The Arbitrator knowingly turned to Frank - the mayor from the "Village of Oracles". "Iselia? Would you be able to shed some light on this subject?"

Frank shrugged. "I'm afraid perhaps those involved would be the best ones to explain it."

Sheena let out a sigh and prepared to stand up when Zelos stopped her and winked with a smile. "Don't worry babe, I got this one." Standing up he approached the front podium where the Arbitrator knowingly stepped aside. Though the warrior knew his next words needed to be chosen carefully, he decided to take the easy route and just wing it.

"The Great Kharlan War ended when Mithos the Hero brought the kings from both countries to the Holy Ground of Kharlan to sign a peace treaty." Knowing everyone already heard the legend, he continued, "During our travels, my companions and I discovered that Mithos also had the ability to summon…"

"We know that already!" The woman from Sybak interrupted. "History books have also hinted that Mithos had healing arts as well."

"But have you ever wondered why he could summon? The only ones with the ability to use the natural mana around them are elves and half-elves…"

"What you speak of is heresy!" Sybak countered.

Lyla got steamed and stood up, pounding her desk. "Why? Just because you got your nose so high in the air you think you're better than them?"

"You will all remain quiet until he is finished!" The Arbitrator said aloud.

"That's because Mithos was a half elf!" Zelos shouted. "And here's something Sybak doesn't know: using the power of the cruxis crystal, Mithos evolved into an angel and with the Summon Spirit Origin, he split the world into two!" The final statement sent the entire room into an uproar, but Zelos pushed forth with the truth. "The Mithos the Hero we all know is in fact Mithos Yggdrasill, Angel-Lord of Cruxis and it was Mithos who created the desians in order to save his sister - Martel - from certain death!"

The Arbitrator had his hands full quieting everyone while Zelos took his seat. Sheena shook her head and glared at him. "You could've let them down a little easier."

Zelos crossed his arms. "She was asking for it."

"Alright! Alright!" The Arbitrator tried again.

"So what of the Goddess Martel?"

"Did the priests know the entire time?"

"From my understand the presence of the Great Viscus Tree is proof of the Goddess Martel's existence and no the priests were left unaware, as were we all. For now, let's open the floor to other concerns." Taking a deep breath, he saw Regal raised his hand and smiled appreciatively. "Yes, Altamira?"

Standing up, Regal locked his hands in the small of his back. "The exspheres we cling to are used at the costs of people's lives and I recommend we dedicate our time and efforts to discovering a new source of power."

"And how do you suggest we do that?" The man from the academy spoke up again. He was dressed similarly like his friend, but had long black hair pulled back in a ponytail and disturbing black eyes. It seemed Sybak was Regal's main problem. Everyone else - especially those from Sylvarant - had no problem with the suggestion seeing as their path of decline was stopped either way. Using exspheres as power sources was never developed in Sylvarant, so they wouldn't miss out on much. "Already water traffic has had to be diverted because the Grand Tethe'alla Bridge no longer works - having had its exspheres removed! What's next?"

"I have already ordered my own researchers to begin developing a new system. I suggest you do the same. It will take time, but the alternate is nothing less than inhumane."

"Inhumane?" The man countered. "You speak as if they're still living. The exspheres are no more living than this desk I'm sitting at."

Upon hearing this, Presea stood up. "Trees are as much a part of the Circle of Mana as lower life forms such as yourself are. Cutting down a tree, though it destroys the homes of animals living within, gives us homes of our own."

The man laughed. "This coming from a mere lumberjack?"

Narrowing her eyes, Presea said in a low voice. "My point is that exspheres aren't a natural part of this system. They are made by extracting a person's very soul within them. Can you imagine? Living without movement, without a voice, merely watching as the world continues on without you?"

Unwilling to back down from a child, the scientist continued to push his luck, "Well, the slaves used in such experiments were probably the bottom of the Food Chain and Circle of Mana anyway - some half-elves or something - and deserved such a fate."

That was what did it for Presea – the girl instantly thinking of Alicia – and she took two menacing steps forward, ready to ring his neck with her bare hands. Thankfully Regal was there and held her back with one arm, shaking his head against her current action. It was painful for him too, but now was not the time.

The representative from Asgard cleared her throat and stood up. "I agree with Altamira. To continue using exspheres in such a way would only hinder any progress we attempt to make in creating a better world." She said.

The Arbitrator nodded. "Until further notice all exsphere usage will cease, leaving Altamira and by my order, Meltokio's Elemental Institute to find a better method. All in favor?" Everyone raised his or her hands except Sybak and surprisingly Flanoir. "And those against." Both representatives from Sybak glared at Regal and Presea. "Well then, motion passed and I adjourn this first meeting. Thank you all for coming."

Tower of Mana

The group approached the tower even more cautiously than the first time and Kratos and Lloyd took point in case anything appeared to attack again. Genis and Raine could sense that there was still an eerie feeling to the mana emanating from the base of the tower and tried to discern why.

"Oh hey, I forgot." Lloyd spoke up suddenly. When everyone turned to him, he scratched the back of his head nervously. "Origin and I came up with the idea to summon Aska and Luna to see if either could tell us about what's been going on inside the tower."

Kratos eased a little, but kept his sword out. "Very well. Make it quick."

Nodding, Lloyd made ready to summon, when he froze in realization. "Um…what do I do again?"

"Oh come on Lloyd!" Genis berated. "You only saw Sheena do it a hundred times!"

"I-I know that!" The swordsman countered. "It's just that I don't have the stones like she did. I don't know what to do!"

"Calm down and concentrate." His father instructed. "You should be able to summon just fine even without the summoning gems."

Lloyd closed his eyes and took a calming breath. "I call upon the light of the heavens. I summon thee, Luna! Aska! Come forth!" Two yellow balls of energy left his body and spun around the half-angel summoner until they stopped in front of him and materialized into the forms of Luna and Aska.

"What do you asketh of us, summoner?" Luna asked politely, sitting regaling on her moon throne.

Both of Aska's heads nodded in agreement.

"I need you guys to tell me what's been going on here at the seal while you were here. My friends were attacked by something and we believe a man by the name of Zaichar stayed here for a while." He turned to the bird of light. "Aska, you left the Tower of Mana back before Colette began her journey of regeneration. Why? Weren't you sealed here like Luna was?"

The bird replied with a shake of its heads. Though the bird did not talk, everyone present could understand him. No, a dark power did take residence here and though only Luna remains here for creating pacts, the negative energy weakened both of us. We were at half strength and therefore both needed when the time came for forming the pact with the one called Sheena. I initially left the tower to travel to Shadow and see if he was the cause of it. But unfortunately he too was being drained.

"The force that weakened us was not Shadow and in fact as much energy as was being consumed here, our counterpart's own power waned and he was therefore force to split into five equal parts and go into hiding within his castle." Luna explained.

"That's why Shadow was like that when we got there!" Genis exclaimed. "I could tell each piece of him was only one fifth of his full power."

Lloyd frowned. "I still can't imagine Luna and Aska were only at half power when we fought them. They were tough!" Colette nodded in agreement, remembering the battle herself.

"Aska, did you find out what that dark force was?" Kratos asked.

Aska nodded. It was the one you called Zaichar. While remaining at the base of the tower, Zaichar somehow converted the usually neutral mana emanating from the planet into dead mana. We know not how he was able to accomplish this. He replied.

"Thanks you two." Lloyd recalled them and shrugged. "Well, at least we learned some more about Zaichar."

Kratos nodded and opened the two front doors as both he and his son entered with their swords drawn. The doors opened with a creaking sound that echoed throughout the entire bottom floor of the tower. Just as before mostly books filled the room, lining up on the shelves on either side of the lobby. In its center was the oracle stone Colette had initially used to get deeper inside the Seal of Light.

The angel noticed it was darker than the last time they were there and that only made him more suspicious. The group stuck close to each other as they looked around for any signs of movement. Kratos himself noticed the two doors leading into the other sections of the tower were closed. "It appears the tower has reset itself." It was amazing the tower stayed opened as long as it had when Lloyd and his group returned to break the last mana link.

Genis observed what he could with the given light, but shuttered none-the-less from the feeling of mana that was the same as the elven creature that attacked them earlier.

Lloyd nodded. "Okay, Kratos and I will investigate the other rooms while the Professor, Genis, and Colette stay behind to keep the door open. We'll do what we did before and open the second door when we get to the top and regroup at the top next to the warp point."

"Are you sure we should separate like that?" Raine asked carefully. She would ultimately go along with whatever the youth decided, recognizing long ago his innate ability to lead their group down the best path, but she would still question him along the way. It was the only way she could help him grow as his teacher.

Colette clasped his hands in front of her and shook her head. "What if another of those monsters is up there?" She rushed forward to Lloyd but tripped on something.

"Colette!" Lloyd exclaimed in worry.

Looking behind her, Colette saw a foot switch sticking out of the ground just behind the oracle stone. "Hey, was this here before?" She wondered as everyone gathered around.

Laughing Genis relaxed. "There goes Colette's luck again. Glad to have you along, Colette!" The girl giggled as she stood up and dusted off her clothes.

Raine smiled and observed the square switch with the light of her rod. "Maybe this will reveal where Zaichar hid himself all those years." Pressing it, the entire circle holding the oracle stone, and step switches for the other door, dropped down below the level of the lobby, revealing an identical staircase as up top, but this one lowered down into the depths of an unknown dungeon-like area.

"Wow Professor. You're not usually one for irrational action. I would've expected you to 'examine' it for a few hours more at least." Lloyd teased.

His punishment was quick and painful as Raine stood up and kicked him down to the ground. "I was not being irrational." She stated, though not giving a reason for that hypothesis.

Kratos called out his wings and flew out into the open area between the staircases. "I will go down and see what I can find out. The rest of you walk down the stairs and take it slow until I return."

Lloyd watched him leave and didn't protest at all. He knew his father could carry his own when it came to sword fighting. "Okay gang, let's go."

The group made it about halfway when they heard a loud crack and the sound of Kratos grunting in pain, which echoed all the way up to where they were. "Dad!" Lloyd exclaimed, calling forth his own wings and diving down into the abyss.

"Lloyd wait!" Colette flew after him, while Raine and Genis were forced to run down the remaining flights of stairs.

Lloyd landed at the base of the stairs where a door greeted him. There was light coming out of it, but not much, and he unsheathed his sword on approach just as Colette landed by his side. "Wait here."

"What? Why?" She wondered, having taken out her chakrams on the descent.

"Because until we find out what's going on here, running in blindly would just be plain stupid." He said then walked forward alone.

No sooner had he stepped one foot through the door when something metal flew around the corner, smacking him in the face. Crying out he fell to the ground grabbing his nose. "What the heck was that?" He exclaimed.

Genis and Raine joined them just as Colette knelt by Lloyd's side. "Was that the monster?" The angel-girl wondered.

Raine frowned. "It doesn't feel right." She commented.

Genis shook his head, but kept his kendama out all the same. "No, this is something different. Something…I've felt before." He said to his own surprise.

Lloyd recovered and stood up understandingly mad. "I'm going to beat the crap out of whatever just hit me!" He promised and entered the room again. This time he spun to face the direction in which the attack had come and Colette faced the other.

"I…don't see anything." She said.

Raine and Genis followed and saw a shadow dash across the area in front of them. "There it is!" Raine pointed as it disappeared again.

Lloyd looked over and saw his father's leg sticking out from under a pile of boxes. "Dad!" Rushing over, he lifted the boxes off him and the angel slowly grunted as he sat up. "What happened?"

Kratos rubbed the back of his sore head where he too had been dealt a similar blow. "I was ambushed." He slowly stood up and shook his head. "It would be easier to identify the perpetrator had we more light."

Raine complied and fed more of her mana into her mother of pearl stone to give the room more light. As the darkness slowly faded away, the group could see a laboratory of some sort. To the side was a large cage that could hold a dozen or so captives easily. The figure from before dashed across another row of tables and went into hiding again. "There it is again!"

This time Kratos was ready and cut the person off, raising his sword to scare them. When the person skidded to a halt in front of him, he was shocked to see it was an elven woman with long black hair and red irises staring back at him in surprise.

Frightened, the woman swung with her frying pan again, but the angel was quick to the draw and merely defected the blow. Using the woman's momentum against her, he spun her around and got her in an arm lock. "L-let me go!" She struggled out of the hold.

"Tell us who you are first." He kept his blade down to the side, not needing it to restrain one woman…or so he thought.

Gritting her teeth, the woman shouted out. "Fire! Banish the evil that threatens me!" Her entire body erupted in flame and the angel was forced to release her. Pushing away from him, she dashed out the door that was now left unguarded and made her way up the stairs.

"Stop her!" Kratos called out, patting out the flames on his arms and chest. Thankfully his leather like coat was fire resistant and he suffered no burns on his skin. He took off after the group and looked up as Lloyd flew to intercept the woman.

Landing in front of her, he held his sword out to stop her.

She skidded to a halt and raised a hand. "Wind! Protect me and form an impregnable barrier!" Gusts of wind swirled around from her feet and surrounded her in a sphere. Strangely her ankle length hair stayed calm by her side, while Lloyd could barely kept steady on the stone steps and was forced to take to the air a little ways away.

"We're not going to hurt you!" He shouted. "Just tell us who you are and where Zaichar went off to!"

Eyes going wide upon hearing the name Zaichar, the woman spun around and chanted, "Water! Sea serpent come forth!" A funnel of water in the shape of a snake flew out when she faced Lloyd once more and he was thrown against the far end of the underground tower.

Kratos saw this and took to the air, digging into his pockets for a small tied off bag. When the woman saw him approach, she turned and made ready to repeat the attack, but the angel acted quickly and threw the powder from the bag over her. The sleeping potion worked quickly, not being deflected by the wind, and she collapsed downwards where he caught her.

Lloyd flew over to where Colette and the halflings had already joined Kratos' side. "What's an elven doing all the way down here? Is she a part of Heimdall?"

"It's possible." Raine said after a moment. "Perhaps we should take her back to the house and ask her when she awakens."

"What so she can hit me with the frying pan again?" Lloyd crossed his arms. "It's too dangerous. I say we wait up top in the lobby, or maybe by the doors, or maybe…"

"The home will be fine." Kratos cut him off as he flew back up the stairs once more, the woman asleep in his arms.

Lloyd was shocked and his mouth dropped open in disbelief. "But…"

Genis came up to him and patted him on the back. "Come on Lloyd, admit it. You deserved it."

Colette shrugged her shoulders in mild agreement. "You could've been nicer to her when asking for her name."

The group walked up the stairs to follow Kratos, leaving Lloyd behind to mope. "They weren't the ones who were hit up side their skull like I was." He continued to cross his arms in a pout as he followed drudgingly behind.

Meltokio Castle

"I hate to admit it, but we were lucky. The tension was so high it could've ended up a lot worse." Sheena paced lightly. The group had met in Regal's room after the representatives left and began to share information. Carbuncle was slightly upset about being left behind during the meeting, but now that she was reunited with her mistress, she was bouncing happily once more. "Those idiots from Sybak just don't understand they're not thinking just for themselves anymore. What happens to one of us, happens to all of us. If one of us falls, we all fall. Of course the absence of Heimdall didn't help either."

"I did notice that earlier. Didn't the elder say they would send a representative?" Regal asked.

"Unfortunately the people of Heimdall have all gone missing." Sheena explained. "The village is still there, but the people either evacuated or were kidnapped. We haven't figured out which it is yet. And last I heard Genis and Raine were headed over in that direction. I hope they're all right."

Zelos stood up. "Unfortunately we have more problems than just Heimdall." He turned to Regal and Presea. "I heard some rumors around the castle of a small group of Martel worshippers on their pilgrimage - maybe four or five - that have been telling some disturbing information to people in the villages they pass through."

Chief Igaguri nodded, having heard the same thing. "Some say they were told the disappearance of the elves is because a group of humans kidnapped them in order to use them against the increasing number of half-elves. While others say they heard it was the half-elves who have them in order to force the elves to teach them more powerful magic in order to fight the humans."

Presea was quite disturbed by this. "Rumors like this are what started the Ancient War." She looked to Regal. "And it is doubtful that followers of Martel would actually say things like that."

"Why would anyone want to start a war?" Carbuncle wondered.

Regal sighed as the problems continued to mount. "Unfortunately those on the journey of enlightenment in the name of Martel are highly looked upon and most of those they speak to will take their words as truth."

"I propose Sheena and I head to the different villages to try and track this particular group down." Zelos said to Regal. "Since you and Presea still have a working Rheaird, you can search other villages more quickly and we can hopefully bring this down to a low simmer before an all out war destroys the peace."

"Actually…I'm afraid Regal and Presea would be on their own for a while." Sheena interrupted. "Zelos and I have other business to attend to." When she saw her chief start to question, she pleaded with him as she met his gaze, and he nodded understandingly.

"That's right. I will order my informants to track down these Martel followers in your place, Sheena." He offered with a nod.

Zelos frowned, but decided to leave it for later. He found his breathing was getting increasingly difficult, but he didn't want to make a scene, so he kept quiet and coughed to cover it up. Underneath his clothes he could feel his wounds burning - having yet to heal - and his body responded by breaking out in a small sweat. This wasn't the first of these attacks, in fact he'd experienced a similar one while returning from Iselia to report to Sheena. Needing to take a breather had been the reason why he warrior returned so late back to camp. But thankfully, these episodes were short lived and fleeting, so he could endure. Carbuncle tilted her head at Zelos suspiciously, but he turned away nervously.

Regal turned to Presea and held out his hands. "Well Presea? I myself feel if this is left unchecked, the next World Council meeting could turn out to be even worse."

The girl nodded solemnly. "Agreed. We will have to return to Altamira for the rheaird, but it will be a short distance to Luin, Asgard, and even Hima from there."

"Also keep your ears open for anything concerning an Omega or a man named Zaichar." Sheena thought to mention.

Regal frowned. "Do they have something to do with the elves?"

"Maybe, I'm not sure. We don't know enough yet, but keep it in mind all the same."

Regal nodded. "All right."

"Then it's settled." Chief Igaguri said. Looking over at Sheena, he gave her an encouraging smile. "Good luck, Sheena."

She bowed as he turned to leave. "Thank you, Grandfather."

Lake Umacy

Kratos watched over the elven female very carefully as Colette and Lloyd handled Genis and Raine's wounds to see how they were healing. When the angel was walking around in the basement room, he hadn't sensed anything out of the ordinary and it surprised him someone could get the jump on him like that. What was more extraordinary was when the woman saw he was an angel and proceeded to fight him anyways, smacking him behind the head with her…weapon of choice.

The fashion she wore, a long dark purple dress layered with lavender lace, was unique for the elves of today and he suspected her to be at least five hundred years old at least. Even in elven years she looked magnificently young.

Moaning, the woman slowly opened her eyes and woke up from the sleeping spell. Upon seeing Kratos, she tensed up and jerked away.

"You have nothing to fear." He said in a gentle voice. "We won't hurt you." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides, the passion flower dust you inhaled will leave you groggy for another hour at least."

Knowing he was right, the woman laid back down against the couch and watched Kratos suspiciously. "Why have you taken me prisoner?"

"We should be asking you why you attacked us first!" Lloyd entered the room upon hearing the two talking.

"I…" She paused. "I thought you were someone else. It was merely in self defense."

"The techniques you use…" Kratos theorized. "It is of the Elemental Clan, is it not?"

Frowning, the woman was surprised he knew her race. "You…know about my clan?" Sighing, she remembered when there used to be others like herself. Now it was like a lost art. "I don't know about many of us are left, but you're very knowledgeable, angel."

"Hey, he's got a name ya know." Lloyd sat in one of the chairs. He was obviously still upset about her hitting him unknowingly.

Kratos eyed Lloyd warningly, but turned to the woman once more. "My name is Kratos."

"Second in command of Cruxis?" She tensed up again. "But your blood is human."

"It's a long story, but Cruxis has fallen. Lord Yggdrasill is dead." Kratos updated her.

"That's a relief."

"He told you his name, so why not introduce yourself?" Lloyd half demanded.

Glaring at him, the woman replied, "Children so young should learn to speak when spoken to."

Lloyd stood up mad, but Kratos stood up and held out a hand. "If you cannot restrain yourself, you can wait outside."

"What? What if he tries to roast you again?" Lloyd warned.

"She won't. She knows we are not a threat to her and she to us." His father replied calmly. "The choice is yours. Outside or inside. It matters not to me."

Lloyd pouted and sat down, upset at how easily Kratos had filled the father role of his life so quickly and easily.

When Kratos sat down and turned to the elf once more, she swallowed hard. "My name is Luccia (Loo-see-a). I was an assistant to Zaichar for the past nineteen years." She finally relented to saying.

"Nineteen years? You were down beneath the Tower of Mana for that long?" Lloyd gasped in surprise. Just then Colette came in and took a seat in the other chair.

Getting sad, Luccia pulled up her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees. "It wasn't by choice exactly."

"A slave then?" Kratos asked.

"No, I chose to be there…but only until Zaichar kept his promise to…" She quieted again, closing her eyes in grief.

"It's okay. If we can, we'll find a way to help you." Colette offered.

Opening her eyes, the elven wiped away her tears as they cascaded down her soft smooth cheeks. "Many years ago, so long I've almost forgotten, I fell in love with a man…a human man. As you can probably guess our relationship was…frowned upon. When I had my daughter, the elder warned me if I did not get rid of the child, I would be exiled."

"That's horrible!" Colette gasped in disbelief. The man she knew certainly had changed a lot over the centuries, if it was indeed the same elder leader.

"One day my love and daughter went to Altamira to gather supplies. The elder came to my home…and threw me out of my village…my home." Choking down a sob in memory, Luccia struggled to continue. "When I was traveling through Gauracchia Forest on my way to meet them, I was attacked by a monster. Back then I wasn't as strong in my abilities and was severally wounded. Zaichar found me and brought me to the Tower of Mana. When I was well enough, Zaichar promised to help me find my family if I helped him conduct his experiments with exspheres."

"And I'm guessing he has yet to keep his word." Kratos finished for her.

Luccia shook her head. "He made me help him commit unholy acts against my own people, and still I have yet to find my love…or hold my daughter in my arms again."

Kratos handed her a handkerchief from her coat and she graciously took it to wipe away her newly formed tears. "You speak of the villagers of Heimdall then?"

Luccia nodded. "Using his dark powers, he changed regular exspheres into black ones and placed them on the elves' hands." Shivering at the memory, she forced herself to continue, a form of punishment to herself. "They twisted and warped, becoming hellish creatures with no mercy and no intelligence at all."

"Did he succeed in changing them all?" Lloyd asked.

Luccia shook her head. "No, he didn't need to. He recently had the remaining Angels of Cruxis, I'm assuming, pledge their loyalty to him and he used - what he calls Darkspheres - on them. I did not see the result of that particular experiment." She once again hung her head in sadness.

Kratos thought about the new information for a bit. "As I suspected, the dark power was connected to the creature the others ran into at the tower, but I did not know about the angels. If he has all of the angels from Welgaia, he has a large army now with which to wage his own war."

"Do you know where Zaichar went to after he left the Tower of Mana?" Lloyd asked.

Luccia shook her head. "No. I know he has a separate base somewhere else, but I never left the basement of the tower, so I can't imagine where it would be."

Colette clasped her hands in front of her as she stood up. "Maybe if we take you to Kamai he would know about your daughter!" She offered, getting a shocked expression from Luccia. "He takes care of half-elves in the Gauracchia Forest. I'm sure he'd be able to help you find her."

Luccia sat up in disbelief. "D-did you just say, Kamai? As in Kamaitachi from Mizuho?"

Frowning, Colette replied, "I'm not really sure. But we can take you there, right Lloyd? Kratos?"

"It isn't too far away from here, but it will take us time to get there." Kratos said.

"I say let's do it. We can't leave her here for Zaichar to find and we can't take her with us. Where better to let her start her new life?" Lloyd reasoned.

Everyone agreeing, they gathered Genis and Raine after some extra rest and filed outside. Kratos raised the barrier to protect his home until his return. Luccia, upon realizing that Genis and Raine had been injured because of the dark elf, bowed low. "I apologize for your injuries. It is partially my fault things like that exist."

Raine shook her head. "We heard about your family and can understand well your pain. We too were exiled from Heimdall for being what we are."

Luccia nodded, but still felt bad. "If I can ever repay the kindness you have shown me, please tell me." When they nodded, she looked to Kratos. "Are you ready, Lord Kratos?"

"Please, no need for such formality. I am no longer an Angel of Cruxis."

Nodding, she held up a hand over her head. "I call upon the element wind to carry us to Gauracchia Forest! Wind, I summon thee!" A giant ball of wind began to form around the group, starling them, but it was soon apparent they were in no real danger. Slowly everyone was lifted into the air and carried over the mountains just outside Luin.

Lloyd, though used to flying, was swallowing hard in order to keep from loosing his lunch. "This is…interesting."

"Frightened?" Kratos asked amused. He – unlike the youth – was perfectly calm, sitting cross-legged in the air bubble.

"O-of course not." Lloyd replied in a huff. Folding his arms, he sat down and mirrored Kratos' form. "There's nothing I can't handle."

Luccia saw this out of the corner of her eye and smirked. So like her Kamai: stubborn to the end. She only prayed to the Goddess Martel it was her Kamai that waited within the dark forest of Gauracchia. Perhaps her sweet daughter was still with him, and she could be whole once more.