Dreams of the Dead Part 1

"Dwarven Vow #22: Do good, reap good; do evil, reap evil."

Mizuho

Genis sat on the small hill beneath a cherry tree, its branches now bare from the colds of winter, thinking to himself. When he looked upon Lloyd, unconscious and helpless, he wasn't scared or worried or anything. The only thought that ran through his mind was: He deserved it. And that scared the little half-elf. What was happening to him to start thinking such things? Lloyd was his best friend, he should be like Colette - worried out of his mind and waiting for his friend to get better. But even now…he didn't care.

So what if Lloyd never gets up again? We could do just fine by ourselves.

Genis shook his head and grit his teeth. No! That's not me! I would never think like that about my friend!

Sensing the feeling of satisfaction was gone, Genis sighed and shivered slightly from the cold of night, but did little else. He wanted to tell his sister, Colette, anyone to try and get help, but he was afraid. What if he did something he regretted and ended up hurting them? I would never forgive myself if that happened…

Colette tiptoed into the hut where Lloyd was staying and saw Kratos right where she'd left him. The healer had done all she could and left to research what exactly was wrong with Lloyd. "Kratos?" Startled by her voice, the angel jolted from his thoughts and looked over weakly at the girl standing in the doorway. "I…um, brought you a cabbage roll. You should eat something."

Kratos looked to Lloyd, to see if anything had changed, but nothing had, so he sighed and stood up. "No, I…I'll be fine." His response was shallow, his voice coming out deeper than usual.

Colette placed the food down and walked up to Kratos. "I know what you're thinking. You think it's your fault that Zaichar's after him because he wants revenge against you. But you can't think that way. Once Lloyd made the pact with Origin, the summon spirits automatically came to him. He was already in danger. If not Zaichar, then someone else would be after him for their power."

"But even the pact with Origin…I…" Kratos clenched his fist. "I've dragged you it this until the very end…" "That's okay." His son had accepted the fate passed down by his father without regret and without complaint. I was such a fool to bestow upon him that which I had been unable to accomplish myself. "There must be something I can do. If we find Zaichar now, we can end this before anyone else has to get hurt." Zaichar has much to answer for…Yuan…Martel…and now Lloyd…

"I understand how you feel. I want to help too, but there isn't anything we can do right now. When Lloyd's better, maybe we can think up a better plan." Colette countered with a shake of her head. Before, she would have never stood up to someone like Kratos. But she had changed and because of that she could say what she really felt.

Just then Carbuncle came bursting in and startled both Colette and Kratos. "I need help! I need someone to come with me now!"

"Wait, what's wrong?" Colette asked nicely. Behind Carbuncle, Raine and Genis came upon hearing the disturbance.

"Sheena's at the Isle of Decision! Zelos is there but he…he just collapsed all of a sudden! He needs help quick! Omega's power has…" Carbuncle was bouncing up and down, clearly upset and her voice cracked mid sentence.

Everyone exchanged looks.

"I'll go." Raine offered, being the best healer of the group.

Colette nodded. "Me too. I can carry him back here if need be."

Kratos made his decision and walked past everyone to the door. Pausing he turned to look at the little mage. "Genis, you're going to have to stay here and look after Lloyd."

Genis frowned. "Wait, where are you going?"

Hand raising to the hilt of his sword, Kratos narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to find Zaichar. If I don't…we may lose both Lloyd and Zelos."

Colette gasped as the angel called out his wings and took off into the night. How does he know what's wrong with Zelos? And who's Omega?

"Come on! Come on! We have to hurry!" Carbuncle spun around and led the group back upstream to the Isle of Decision.

When they got there, Sheena was crying as she cradled Zelos' still unmoving form. "Sheena!" Colette called out.

The ninja gasped and looked up. Her eyes were puffy from crying and her cheeks were flushed. "He…he won't answer me."

"It's okay. We'll do all we can before getting him back to the village." Raine looked at Zelos' exposed wounds and her eyes widened. This is the same sort of attack Genis and I were inflicted with…I doubt I'll be able to heal this but…I have to try…Hovering her staff over the wounds, Raine activated the power of the unicorn horn and focused her mana. "Root of all creation, grant us the breath of life! Revitalize!"

The mother of pearl stone began to glow and slowly the wounds healed themselves. The oozing color faded away and there was little left behind but some scaring. Yet still the warrior refused to wake up. The area where the tissue scarred was gray and unhealthy looking.

"W-why won't he wake up?" Sheena hiccupped as Colette comforted her by wrapping her arms around the older woman's shoulders.

Raine frowned. "I don't know. Let's go back to Mizuho. Lloyd is there as well and suffers from something similar."

Sheena blinked in surprise. "L-Lloyd's been hurt too?"

"Yeah, it's a long story. We can play catch up after we get Zelos to that healer." Colette left Sheena's side to gently lift Zelos' body off the ground, and she gasped when she felt how cold his body felt. It's almost like he's dead, but…I can still hear a heartbeat… She held back from saying this to the others, seeing as Sheena was already upset.

Carbuncle climbed up into Sheena's arms and the girl used the guardian to hide her continuous tears.

"Come on." Raine pushed gently, deciding to lead the group back to the village.

Kratos flew normally now, his wings being completely repaired. He looked down at the ground, surveying the land in hopes of finding something to lead him towards Zaichar. The angel they'd fought went off in this direction, so he assumed the Dark Lord decided to hide himself here somewhere.

The power of Omega… Kratos knew well the story behind Omega. Why hadn't I thought of it before? That was the face I saw in Zaichar's force field! It's what made him so powerful; it's what transforms the exspheres…everything! If Lloyd and Zelos have befallen Omega's power, I must defeat Zaichar and relieve him of the summon spirit in order to save them. It's the only way!

With renewed determination, Kratos willed his wings to fly faster. In his eyes burned the anger and thirst for revenge unknown to the angel himself. His sword still hung on his hip, but his fingers itched to have it wielded in his hand…to ram it through Zaichar's black heart and see him consumed by the power of death he so clung to. Fighting the angel was one thing, but once you bring in his family and those who had accepted him as one of them…Kratos would no longer be the calm warrior who picked his battles warily. He would be the warrior of retribution, the arc angel who would bring punishment to the one who sought to destroy everything dear to him. Zaichar…when I find you…you're mine…

Gauracchia Forest

Luccia sat on the edge of the bed on which Yuan rested, and dipped a cloth into a bowl of cool water to rinse it before replacing it back on his head. His body was finally breaking out in a sweat, which meant his fever would soon be over, but other than his forehead, the rest of his body was freezing cold. Her husband Kamai was tending to the children as they were sent to bed. Yuan, his mind filled with horrors one could not imagine, tossed and turned from time to time. Luccia used her powers to light some candles in the room and heat it up a bit in order to keep him warm.

She even managed to manipulate the wind in order to create a soothingly natural melody in hopes of calming his fitful sleep. She was used to long hours, so tending to him was of little trouble. As she reached a hand up to check his temperature again, Yuan jolted awake suddenly and grabbed onto her hand in shock. She jumped slightly, but calmed down and moved the blue hair that stuck to his face away from his eyes. "It's all right. You're with friends."

Blinking his eyes to focus his vision, the angel looked around the room before turning his attention back to the elf. "W-where am I?" He said through a constricted throat.

"This is an orphanage located deep within Gauracchia Forest. My name is Luccia." She explained. "Zaichar corrupted your cruxis crystal in order to control you. I recognized it the moment I saw you."

"Zaichar?" Yuan tried to recollect his last memories. "Kratos, where is Kratos?"

"I will explain everything in due time. Right now, you need to get something to eat. Even being an angel, it will help strengthen your mana and help you to heal."

Finally his body appeared less tense and he nodded as Luccia stood up. "I…thank you for your kindness."

Giving him a small smile, Luccia stopped by the door, "We must all do what we can…in order to make up for our indiscretions."

Yuan's eyes widened and he began to wonder who exactly was this woman to know so much about Zaichar and how Yuan came to be there. Unfortunately he was too weak to think about it too much and relented to listening to the wind and watching the light of the candles dance on the walls. When he was well enough, he only prayed Kratos forgave him and allowed him to help in Zaichar's downfall. He owed his long time friend at least that much. And not just for Kratos…but for Martel as well.

Mizuho

Chief Igaguri and the healer managed to fit another bed for Zelos next to Lloyd's, the angel-boy not having awoken just yet. While she tending to her new patient, the group reconvened in order to discuss their current situation and exchange information. As they began, Regal and Presea came to report to Sheena with information of their own. With all the different stories, some people had trouble keeping up.

"How about we sum up what we know?" Sheena offered.

Raine nodded. "First, we have a new enemy. His name is Zaichar and he was involved with Mithos and Martel near the end of the Ancient War. He fought Mithos in order to get control of the summon spirits, for reasons still unknown, and is now after Lloyd for those same reasons."

Presea summed up more of the problem. "He may or may not have the power of this summon spirit Omega, but he does - for a fact - have the ability to change exspheres into darkspheres, and the villagers of Heimdall have no doubt befallen such experiments." Genis shrank back with the last sentence, but said nothing. "Those infected can infect others and it is this power of death which now threatens Lloyd and Zelos?"

"The dark elf we saw at Hima, Megami, seems to be one of Zaichar's subordinates and they appear to want to take advantage of starting a war." Regal added.

"The guy we ran into was really powerful too." Colette spoke up. "I think I heard Kratos call him Saitou."

"But how do we fight something we can't see?" Sheena asked in frustration. "Zelos acted like he was just fine this entire time and only just now fell victim to the infection!"

Raine raised a finger. "I believe it was his power of the cruxis crystal which kept him from being infected as quickly as Genis and I were. If what Colette says is true about Yuan, though, should Zelos not pull out of this it may result in Zaichar assuming control."

"I won't let that happen!" Sheena countered with determination.

"But what can we do? With power of death behind him? No one can run from death." Genis reminded everyone sadly.

Raine frowned at the pessimistic response from her brother. Usually he would refer to a situation from an analytical standpoint. Now he seemed upset just from the idea of facing Zaichar and this Omega. What had changed him?

The healer came in and was visibly exhausted from taking care of both patients. Sheena and Colette stood up in worry, while the rest remained seated, yet apprehensive. "I am sorry." She stated slowly. "Both suffer not poison of the body, but poison of the soul. I do not have the needed materials with which to treat them."

Sheena opened her mouth in shock and disbelief. "So, that's it then? There's nothing more you can do?"

The healer shook her head. "All I can suggest is that you seek the Storyteller from Heimdall. Though he lives alone now, he was once known to be a great healer. Perhaps he will know how to cleanse your companions."

Clenching her fists. Sheena spun around to face everyone. "I'm going."

Raine stood up worried. "Alone? Do you think that's wise?"

"I agree with Raine, we should all go." Colette said sadly.

"If we all go together, there will be no one here to watch over them." She forced a smile, despite how scared she was of loosing them inside. "Besides, I owe them my life."

Carbuncle jumped up and mounted herself on Sheena's shoulder. "I'm going with you!"

The ninja laughed. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Reluctantly the rest of the group slowly agreed and decided to wait at Mizuho until both Kratos and Sheena returned. At dark times like this it was not wise to separate.

Gauracchia Forest

Yuan remained silent as Luccia returned with a tray of soup and bread. She set it on the table next to the bed and poured water from a pitcher into a glass before handing it to the recovering angel. "Here, this should help."

Taking it without a word, Yuan quenched his thirst until not a single drop was left. He smirked in bashfulness when the elven woman took the glass and proceeded to refill it. "Thank you."

Smiling in response, she handed him the now full glass. "You already said that earlier. Now focus on healing so I can get you out of here. We have other children that need to use this room too." She teased, then placed the tray of food on his lap.

Yuan regarded her face and tilted his head in curiosity. "How are you capable of all this?" He wondered, referring to the wind induced music.

"Because…I'm a woman and it comes naturally to us." Laughing, she told him the truth. "I'm of the Elemental Clan. Well, not exactly a clan since I'm just about the last that I know of."

Knowing it hurt to talk about such things, Yuan looked down shamefully at his bowl. "I'm sorry."

"Nonsense," She waved away his concern. "It doesn't matter what we are, only what we do."

Sighing sadly, Yuan picked up a spoonful of vegetables and stared at them. "After what I've done…I'm nothing but a monster." He berated himself.

Taking the bowl and spoon, Luccia held the food to Yuan's mouth. "Now now, don't talk like that. One always has time to make up for their mistakes. As long as you put forth the effort, you're proving yourself to be an honest and good person. Now have you ever known an honest monster? Eat."

Yuan smiled with a roll of his eyes, but complied and opened his mouth. "Keep treating me like this and I'll never want to leave."

Dipping the spoon into the bowl once more, Luccia shook her head. "Enough of that, Lord Yuan. I'm married." He laughed as he took the offered food. "And according to that ring, so are you."

Raising his hand, Yuan's smile faded. "No, we never…got the chance."

Luccia placed the bowl down momentarily. "Who was she?"

"She was a half elf, like me. Her name…was Martel." The angel replied.

"The Goddess Martel?" Luccia gasped.

"No, merely one of her reincarnations. Of course, I didn't know that at the time." Yuan admitted.

"May I ask what happened to her?"

"…Zaichar."

Sitting back, Luccia nodded in understanding. "I see…" For a moment, both were silent. Only the faint whirlwind symphony greeted their ears as it made its way around the room in a never-ending cycle. In truth, they had both fallen victim to Zaichar's treachery - though Yuan had been left mostly unaware. "Do you…remember anything?"

"Not really. I mostly blacked out." Yuan admitted.

"I suppose that's for the best. When I saw you, your eyes were so cold and your voice was…like a void." When Yuan looked at her curiously, she proceeded to explain her history with Zaichar and what she'd learned during her servitude. "I wish I knew where he was, but I don't have the foggiest idea."

Yuan nodded absentmindedly, already focusing his attention on formulating a plan. "He would need a large area in which to hide his army. Many of the continents are too populated for him to activate secretly." He deduced.

Frowning, Luccia sat up straight. "Do you have an idea where he is?"

Yuan's eyes flashed back and forth as options and possibilities came to mind. "Perhaps."

"Well good!" She exclaimed, breaking his train of thought. Retrieving the bowl and spoon, Luccia made ready to feed him again. "First thing's first…"

Yuan stopped her hand gently and took the food back. "I think I can take it from here." When he gave her a smile, she laughed and left him to his meal.

Mizuho

Raine began to worry for her brother when after that conversation, he was nowhere to be found. She began asking the villagers that were still up and one said they'd seen the small half elf leave the village gate and head towards Gauracchia Forest. Frowning she bundled up and headed towards the forested landscape just around the corner from the hidden ninja village.

Her brother's changing behavior was getting more bazaar by the minute. When Sheena left with Carbuncle, he'd abruptly stood up and excused himself. Raine wanted to ask what was wrong so, after a while, she set out to find him. She had always looked after him and would be the first to sense such shifts in his personality. Inside she was afraid surviving their encounters with Mithos and enduring those hardships would be psychologically damaging to someone so young. So it bothered her even more when they all came so suddenly.

Rubbing her arms as she approached the edge of the forest, Raine fought down her fear as the darkness of the foliage swayed upon her approach. Between gusts of wind, she heard the sound of chopping wood. Frowning, she followed the sound quietly as she tiptoed closer.

Soon, she began to hear Genis' voice. He was talking to himself. She picked up the whirlwind sound of his kendama, then the sound of splintering wood again. Ducking behind a tree, she could barely make out his form now and hear his voice as he spun his kendama angrily against the tree directly in front of him. His back was to her so she concealed her mana and peeked around the corner.

"It's always been 'Lloyd this!' and 'Lloyd that!'" He grumbled. "Then the second Zelos falls ill everyone's jumping to save his life!" Raine's eyes went wide as Genis complained louder and louder as his anger and rage increased. "But do any of them care about the elves? NO! They're too worried about the humans of our group. I bet if me and my sister were to go missing, nobody would come looking for us either!"

Genis spun around, making Raine take cover, then released his weapon with even more force against the already splintering bark. "Damn them! Damn all of them! Why stay in a group that doesn't even care if we half-elves live or die?" One of the night ravens cawed in the canopy of the forest, and little Genis growled at the interruption, raising his kendama as he shouted, "Shut up!" Releasing three fireballs, the mage brutally attacked the bird. Not standing a chance against the magic, the bird fell to the ground in a burnt heap.

Raine had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out and watched in horror as Genis returned to the body, still sizzling on the floor, and kicked it back into the darkness. "Serves you right." He smirked in satisfaction.

Not being able to watch anymore, and fearing for her own safety, Raine turned around and ran back towards Mizuho. Not once did she ever look back. Genis…what's happened to you?

Inside Mizuho

Chosen…

Chosen One…come forth…

Zelos Wilder opened his eyes and looked around in surprise, finding himself at the base of a huge waterfall. There was forest all around, so the warrior assumed it was an oasis of some sort.

Chosen One…

Frowning, Zelos thought for a moment he was loosing it. "Um…okay. Where am I and who are you?"

Find me and I shall answer all your questions.

Craning his neck up to look at the waterfall, his mouth opened up. "Up there? You got to be kidding me!" When the disembodied voice neglected to respond, he sighed and approached the rocky cliff face leading up to what looked like a cave. "Just my luck to have a dream like this. Why can't I dream about beautiful woman like most guys?" He wondered.

Grabbing the first notch, Zelos grunted as he began pulling himself slowly up the precarious and tricky footing. "This had better be worth it or I'm gonna be majorly upset." He grumbled.

The first cave wasn't too high up and Zelos rubbed his sore hands with a hurt puppy-faced look. "Hey, you here dude?" He asked. Walking deeper into the cave, Zelos kept one hand on the stone wall and worked his way around. The sides were moist from the waterfall and after about twenty minutes of searching, Zelos saw the light at the end of the tunnel. "Finally!" He exclaimed, coming back outside.

As he approached the edge, his eyes went wide when he looked down at the now three-story drop. "Holy crap!" In the distance was nothing but desert as far as the eye could see and what was once a waterfall, was now a large sand…fall? Thin golden sand fell as abundantly as the water once had, and landed in the desert floor below in a kind of quick sand pit. "Okay, now I know I haven't had that much to drink…ever! So what in the name of Martel is going on here?" He shouted.

Higher up…Chosen…and you will receive the answers you seek…

Crossing his arms in defiance, Zelos scoffed. "Yeah, that ain't gonna happen. I don't exactly have a death wish, okay?" When the voice once again refused to respond, Zelos sighed in defeat and eyed the narrow ledge leading to the next cave behind the sand fall. "Man, I'm gonna kill whoever let me pass out drunk. I'm telling you, this just ain't fair!" Looking down, Zelos swallowed hard and started across the cliff…

Lloyd slowly awoke and sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. He looked around and noticed the only ones present were Regal, Presea, and Colette who slept soundly in the chair by his side. Smiling softly, he uncovered his blanket and slowly draped it across her lap. He noticed Zelos was sleeping soundly next to him, as were his other friends, so he kept quiet. Wincing, he looked down under his shirt and saw his wound had been cleaned, but it was still sensitive to the touch.

He rubbed his temples as his head pounded painfully so he decided he just needed some fresh air. Being extra quiet as he slipped past his friends, he went out into the cool and quiet night. He shivered slightly, but it was relaxing and refreshing, so he took a deep breath.

A child's giggling caught his attention and he turned with a frown. "Wha?" He caught sight of a boy with spiky brown hair running from behind a tree, further into the village. "H-hey wait!" He called out, chasing after him.

The boy laughed and ducked behind one of the houses. "Tag! You're it!" He touched someone's shoulder and ran off again. Behind him a second child, this one a little girl giggled and began following him to the edge of the village to the east.

The little girl had long green hair and Lloyd gasped when she appeared to look a lot like Martel. "No way!" He continued to chase after the two when a third jumped out from behind a bush to tag the boy. This one was a little girl as well, all appearing no older than seven years old, but she had even longer black hair. "Now you're it!" For an instant, Lloyd caught sight of her eyes and saw they were red! "Sheena? No, Luccia!" By her ears, she was definately elven.

The boy turned around at the sound of Lloyd's voice while the girls continued to run into the knee length grass field. With sad, remorseful brown eyes, the swordsman finally recognized the child. "K-Kratos? Dad!"

The boy followed his friends and disappeared into the darkness. Lloyd held his head as it began to ache once more and he struggled to follow. "W-who are you, really? Wait!" Leaving Mizuho behind, Lloyd chased the children into the night…

Latheon Gorge

Sheena approached with Carbuncle at her side and saw the elf standing guard, like before, dutifully in front of the entrance to the gorge. It didn't take long to travel down the coast, since the ninja still had the Elemental Cargo stored in her wing pack. She was momentarily doubtful of herself when a flash of Zelos came to her.

"I…I was so afraid of loosing you, Sheena. If you had fallen to Kuchinawa…I-I don't know what I would've done. You mean so much to me."

Tightening her hands into fists, she looked at Carbuncle and nodded. "Let's do it." The guardian nodded and followed her mistress up to the elf. "I'm here to see the Storyteller."

"None may pass." The man said stubbornly. "I recognize you from before, but have received no word from the Elder saying to let you pass. I'm sorry."

Sheena shook her head. "They're all gone."

The guard paled. "W-what?"

"Heimdall." Sheena sympathetically explained about the elves' disappearance and the group's quest to stop Zaichar. "Please you must understand. The Storyteller may be the only one who knows how to save my friend!"

Slumping his shoulders, the elf was split between his duty to his post and his worry for his family. "Very well." He relented. "I will return to Heimdall to…confirm your story."

Sheena bowed gratefully. "Thank you." Running past him, the ninja looked back to see the guardian bounding by her side. Getting to the first cliff, Sheena paused a moment to let her guardian get on her shoulder, before jumping up the ten feet.

"This is gonna be tough, Sheena!" Carbuncle exclaimed, looking up high at the other ledges. True, the trip would be easier if the ninja had the Sorcerer's Ring, but she'd have to make due.

"I can't give up, Carbuncle. I won't because…he never gave up on me." Sheena replied, thinking about Zelos. "Actually, neither have. I'm lucky to have such friends." Looking up at the next ledge, the ninja took an extra moment to estimate the distance in the dark, before making her next jump. She landed with a couple inches to spare and took a relaxing breath.

"If you continue down the path you have chosen, your quest will end in failure."

Gasping, Sheena instantly had her cards out and spun around looking for the person. "Who's there?"

Carbuncle jumped off Sheena's shoulders and looked up. "There he is!"

High on another ledge, a dark cloaked figure stood solemn in the moon's pale light. Only his mouth was visible beneath the brim of his brown hood. "Heed my warning or both will be lost." He spoke again.

Narrowing her eyes, Sheena jumped up to a higher ledge opposite of the hidden man. "How do you know why I'm here?"

Carbuncle took three smaller leaps to get up to her mistress. "I don't trust him Sheena! Let's hurry to the Storyteller so we can save Zelos and Lloyd!"

"The Storyteller…is already dead." The cloaked figure replied. "By the time you prove my words correct, both warriors will already be beyond saving."

Sheena was shocked, but stayed poised and ready for battle. Usually she wouldn't waste her time, but if what he said was true, she just might lose them. "What do I have to do?"

"Sheena!" Carbuncle exclaimed in surprise.

The man nodded. "Head East, past the Toize Valley Mine. Follow the mountain range and you will come to a cave with a diamond over the entrance only summoners can see. Inside will be the mystic orb that can save your friends." He paused. "But make haste, for the one who killed the Storyteller also knows of the orb."

When the man took a step back, ready to leave, Sheena gasped. "Wait! Where are you going?"

"There are others who need my help. Others who need to be saved…from themselves."

Narrowing her eyes, Sheena asked, "How can I believe you?" The lives of her friends depended on her choice to believe this shadowed man or not. "What do you have to gain form all this?"

From beneath his hood, she could see a feint smile cross his lips as he turned his back towards her. "The future lies in your hands." Pausing, he added. "Why tremble and trend…when the sun gives you warmth?"

She gasped and was about to ask him about it when he let himself drop over the edge of the cliff. "W-wait!" Leaping over to where he had stood just a moment before, Sheena looked down and saw no sign of the man anywhere.

"He's gone…" Carbuncle tilted her head, joining Sheena's side. "What do you think he meant by that?"

"I-It's a message…from my village…" She replied in shock. "It's a message of peace. It means not to be afraid, because I will always have someone to guard my back. He's either from my village…" She paused and looked in the direction he'd disappeared. "Or someone very close to him trusted him with our secret."

"So what are we gonna do now?"

Nodding, Sheena made up her mind. "We're gonna retrieve that orb.

Fooji Mountains

Kratos landed at the top of the majestic mountain range and narrowed his eyes as he looked across the land below. His wings spasmed behind him, clearly revealing his exhaustion - having pushed himself so soon after healing - but he ignored his body's protests and thought of other areas the monster would hide. The angel's heart beat quickly and he could hear it in the depths of his ears. He took deep breaths in order to revitalize himself, but he would not stop.

Part of him didn't care if what he was doing was irrational. He would do anything for his son. He would not stop his search until Zaichar was pinned painfully on the end of his sword. His aura flashed from light blue on the edges of his form, to a navy blue. He himself did not notice this, and he stretched his wings to take off into the night once more.

Behind him, the cloaked figure dropped down out of the sky and landed ten paces behind the angel. "Revenge…anger…these are emotions that do not suit you, Kratos."

The angel's sword was instantly in his hand as he spun around to face the one bold enough to sneak up on him. Narrowing his eyes, he tried to sense anything about the man, but his mana remained hidden from him. Retaining his stance, Kratos replied, "Emotions are merely another aspect of being human."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. It seems you got over the notion you were something other than what your heart was trying to tell you." The cloaked man replied.

"Who are you? Do you work for Zaichar?" Kratos half accused. "How do you know so much about me?" In the wrong hands, information was a dangerous thing.

"Do you intend to continue blindly searching for your enemy, Kratos? Have you lost faith in your companions to solve this as a whole?" The figure asked instead.

"It is…a complicated situation." He said slowly. He did know the group only got stronger when faced with adversity, but when it came to his son, he felt the need to try harder, in order to make up for all the years he wasn't in Lloyd's life.

"Only you make it complicated. By leaving your son's side when he needs you the most."

Eyes flashing with anger, Kratos flew in swiftly and slashed down vertically at the figure. Not bothering to counter attack, the man proved to have unbelievable reflexes, avoiding the slash by dipping to the side and flipping over Kratos' form to land safely in the spot the angel had just been. "What do you know about my son?" When the figure remained silent, he gripped his sword tighter. "Answer me!"

The figure stood silent a moment more, Kratos' anger only rising, before he said, "The darkness within Lloyd will consume him and he will turn away from his friends and even you, if you do not return to him. Zaichar knows he's infected and will use this opportunity to turn him, warp him into a creature of the night. You are the only one who can save him."

Kratos shook his head. "How do you know so much about Zaichar? Does he truly have Omega?"

The man nodded. "I'm afraid he does. He received it shortly before his fight with you at Linkite Tree Valley."

The angel gasped and took a step forward. "How do you…?"

"Go, you must rescue Lloyd."

"But…"

"Go now!" The figure's form glowed red, then faded from view.

Kratos straightened his back and replaced his sword in its sheath. Gritting his teeth, he hated the idea of being lured into a trap, but he could at least check up on Lloyd. Spreading out his wings, Kratos waited for a nice downdraft before jumping off the peak back towards Mizuho. If the cloaked man told the truth, then perhaps Kratos would find Zaichar as well.