Chapter 2

As the party of friends left the school, they looked around the usually busy street. There was no-one around. There was the scent of blood in the air, and the ominous silence reigned. The spell was such that the group could not but think of who may have died, whether they would also die before the day was out. In that noisy silence a shout rang out, one that echoed through the street. As Collette's name bounced and repeated, Frank, who was her adoptive father, came running up behind them, breathless and gasping. As he stopped, getting his air back, the group crowded around him, eager to find out if the Desians had really attacked the village. Was it really the end of their non-aggression treaty, and was the village, the village that they had lived in most of their lives, doomed?

Frank was quick to get to the point. What they knew was true. Yes, the village had been attacked and yes, it did appear to be the Desians. Also, they were headed to the Temple, which was where Phaidra, Collette's adopted grandmother, was. Fear for Phaidra drove them, fear for the elder that had always seemed to watch over the village with the eye of a hawk. Without that quiet leadership what would they do?

Collette was scared. This was what she had been waiting for, ever since she had known who she was, ever since she was born. Destiny seemed to bear her away on its golden wings, and she had no choice but to go along for the ride, even though it might end up as her death. Fear shook her as the dreadful responsibility of what she had to do, carrying the fates of all the humans in the world that they lived in. But she was not alone. Her friends were beside her and would help her. What else could she ask for in this quest? Collette looked towards the gates of the village, the route to the Temple. There was no way she would fail! With all those people depending on her, she would fight to the very end and do what prophesy demanded of her.

Heading out, there were monsters prowling. The noise of their growls, shrieks and yelps provided a daunting background for the party. They were inexperienced having never really fought for anything apart from training. Lloyd was enthusiastic at first, but the battles were draining and he ended up tired and bored. As wolves attacked from the bushes and zombies came from the shadows under trees, the party forged their way to the Temple. Lloyd felt that the temple could not come fast enough. Luckily as they passed the next bend, the Chapel came into sight.

It was a cold place, normally abnormally still but this was shattered by the sounds of voices up ahead. As they ran up the stairs, the sounds of swords being drawn pulled them on faster and faster. As they topped the stairs, Phaidra shouted to them.

"Run!"

As the Desians became aware of those behind them, Lloyd drew his twin swords and held them out in front of him, keeping the Chosen out of danger. The half-elves, for that is what the Desians were, turned their attention from the old woman to the children that had just approached them.

"Who are you?"

The one who spoke was the leader of the group. He held a double handed battleaxe as though it was as light as a feather. Veins stood out on his muscles and he scowled angrily at them.

Lloyd trained his eye on him, looking the man that was twice the size of him up and down. A wiry grin came to his face.

"Tell me your name and Ill tell you mine!"

The man ignored the boy before him and searched the other group. He stopped, his eye on Collette behind Lloyd. Looking at her he phrased the question.

"Is the Chosen among you?"

Before Lloyd or any of the others could stop her, Collette piped up.

"Oh that's me!"

He stared at the children, for children was what they were. They were not worth his effort. The taller boy was impetuous and inexperienced from his stance and attitude, the girl chosen seemed clumsy, and the younger boy was so small he would have no chance. With a curt nod he sent his guards to take care of the small problem. The guards ran forward and attacked the children. After a few blows the fight was over… but not in the way that he had expected. The guards lay unconscious, strewn around the paved area before the chapel.

He sighed and urged his fighter forward. Vidarr, with his double edged axe sharpened carefully, would be more than a match for these 'kids'.

Vidarr strode forward. He was confident that he could beat these people who stood so arrogantly in front of him. The only thing he felt for the other guards was contempt for their weakness that had made him have to fight. This would be over quickly… but not too quickly. As he laid about with his deadly axe, they were no match, for all they tried to do was to dodge out the way, and they were already panting heavily. The taller boy's legs collapsed and he knelt next to his friends.

"This guy is too strong!"

The axe made its way towards the unprotected group. Just as it was about to fall, a flash of purple and silver knocked it away from them. There was a stunned silence and the blur stopped. It was a man of remarkable strength and speed, whose sword was crossed with the deadly axe of Vidarr. He wore purple suit with tails flying of his shoulders, and his hair was a rich brown-red, that blew in the wind. His face was determined, set in a frown, as if this was not worthy of his attention. This could have been true as a few blows later the fight was done. Vidarr lay on the ground, his axe flung out of his grasp and thudded into the ground beside him.

His warrior had fallen. With the new arrival there was no possibility of confrontation, or at least no chance of winning. The chosen would have to wait until he had gone, or until he could get her alone, and who knew when that would be! However instead of directly going for the Chosen, maybe they could use that boy… but later. He gestured curtly with his head and the group ran past the children and out of the reach of that annoying man…

He surveyed the children. One of them, the girl, had to be the chosen. No doubt that the other two were hangers on, wanting to be part of an adventure. This was no child's game! Who in their right mind would actually let these impetuous youngsters out on this type of journey? But there was something in the way that the brown-haired boy stood, his attitude and … something… that reminded him of himself a long time ago.

"Wow! He's amazing!"

Lloyd looked at the man who had appeared and saved their life, though he didn't like to admit it even to himself. He looked strong, fast, experienced…everything he was not but everything he wanted to be. Who was he to come in and save them! They would have been fine even without his interference! The man asked their names.

"Who are you to ask for our names?"

Genis winced at hearing that annoying line come out of his friend's mouth. It was the singular most annoying phrase that anyone had ever come up with! However it was out now, and although the man stared steadily at Lloyd for a moment, he did answer with his name - Kratos Aurion. As the man started to berate Lloyd for allowing the Chosen to get in danger, Genis could see the anger levels rising. He was not honestly surprised, given that he was probably the best swordsman in Iselia, but this man was easily a lot better than him, not only that but had saved their lives! As the air got more and more heated around them, Genis decided enough was enough.

"Lloyd, calm down!"

He was stunned. There was no way… "You are Lloyd?" As the boy, Lloyd nodded an affirmative, he could not believe it. After all this time, all the pain spent searching for this boy…and looking at the exsphere mounted and clearly visible on his hand, he was indeed…

This was the first time that Lloyd had seen the man - Kratos he corrected himself - off balance… and from his name? There was nothing special about him, except that he was a swordsman but this Kratos was as well. There should be no reason to react to his name like that, and also for the glance, almost like horror, that followed it. However the cool façade reasserted itself and Kratos offered his services to Phaidra for the protection of the Chosen, in return for monetary reward. Phaidra, with no real choice, agreed. Then they came on to the matter of Lloyd. Kratos was very against the idea…

"You will only get in the way! You are not coming with us!"

"Fine…then I'll just follow you!"

sigh "I had a feeling you would say that…"

After that was settled and Genis was also invited to come, by Lloyd of course, the party set off into the heart of the temple to the excitement of Lloyd… and the dismay of Kratos.

"It's not a field trip you know!"