Lil' Ed: Writers block bites man.

Zelos: Tell me about it.

Lil' Ed: You don't write… and you don't draw either or anything else.

Zelos pouts

Me no own TOS or anything man.

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Angelic Demise

Chapter 2: Letter to the Triet Ruins

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Days passed and everything was normal except for the fact that the assassin struck again. When the assassin aims for someone, he never leaves the trail until they're dead. The leaves blew in the nightly calm gust, rustling and billowing. Kratos paced uncomfortably through the small house as the two Sage siblings slept quietly. When the grass rustled rather quickly, he whipped around to see a flicker of red. His ears caught a wriggling slither and a hiss. It was inside the house and getting closer to Raine's bed.

It slithered up the bed post but failed its mission because she was a light sleeper and that snake's skin was awfully cold. "Aah!" she exclaimed and hopped out of bed. He leapt forward and snatched in his teeth a cobra. It twisted and lashed out its fangs, trying to get him. With more pressure the snake fell limp. "Thank you Kratos," she said. Kratos in turn, couldn't look at her because it was… well… nighttime and… nightgown…. And cough yeah….

Well anyway, that was the last for a while because after that, Raine, Genis and Kratos stayed on high alert even at school. "Hey Genis! Is this the dog you were talking about?" a tall 16 year old boy asked, over enthusiastic like always. "Lloyd, he's a wolf not a dog," Genis whined for the thousandth time. "Well, sorry. Noishe looks like a dog but he might not be one," Lloyd said. "What does that have to do with anything?" Genis asked. "Good question," Kratos muttered.

The conversation was cut short as they walked up to the Sage's house and saw Raine reading a letter. Her eyes shimmered with excitement and not one of those spur excitements but one that couldn't be ruined even if your most hated enemy walked up couldn't even distract you. "I'm going to come by later ok Genis?" Lloyd asked. "Sure, see you later," Genis said and waved as his friend ran off. "… Is there something wrong with your sister?" Kratos asked. Genis sighed and stole the letter from Raine who didn't even seem fazed.

Dear Miss Raine Sage

We need one more person to explore the Triet Ruins southeast of your current area. The rest of the team will meet you in the desert town Triet to tell you what you are looking for.

From,

Triet Researcher

"Genis, pack up, were going," Raine said. "But this could be a trap," Kratos stated and looked at her. Raine didn't appear to hear. "If it is a trap, it's her fault," Genis whispered. "But if it's a trap, it could be the last you see of her," Kratos whispered back. "Hey! Don't say that kind of stuff!" Genis hissed quietly. "Hmph." As they continued talking amongst themselves, Raine was busy inside the house, packing extra items (Apple, Orange, Melange, etc.), clothes, brushes (Toothbrushes include) and other such necessary items. She quickly wrote a note and attached it to the door.

Genis and Kratos flinched at the slam of the door but then felt a tug. "Raine we can walk!" Kratos was ready to snap. Being pulled on the tail wasn't fun. "…Let go please," he said and wagged his tail furiously. She let go. "Let's go then," she whined. Genis sighed. "Ok, ok. Were moving," he said and to prove it, he walked out the gate and Kratos did the same. Raine stepped out through the gate and led the way.

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Back at the Sage house a while later..

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"We have left for Triet –Raine.' That's cold," Lloyd said and headed home again but decided to visit Colette for a second.

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Back with the travelers in Triet….

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"So… hot," Genis whined and collapsed on the sand only to get burned a bit. "Yeow!" "Genis, its worse for Kratos," Raine said. That was true, his black fur and the heat wasn't helping. He was dehydrated and ready to pass out. "Let's get a room in the inn then," she said. Kratos followed, glad to have the building block out the bright sun. "Hello madam. One room for you two and you're…. um… dog?" The attendant said and scratched her head. Raine purchased the room.

They dropped the packs and got the pitcher of water left by the attendant. Kratos got the first few drops out of his dish, which was kind of degrading to him but he was a wolf. Drinking out of a glass without hands equals spilling. Raine and Genis lazed on there beds, taking in the cool air in the room from the shadows and the cool winds that blew through the windows before having their water. "This is the last time we travel through a desert Raine," Genis said. "I agree with you," Raine sighed and rolled over.

"Miss Raine? You have a man wishing to speak with you," another lady called through the door. "Ok," Raine replied. The footsteps echoed away from the door before Raine got up. "…You should be on guard," Kratos muttered. Raine paused at the door. She went to the pack and grabbed her staff before strolling out the door.

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Genis rolled over…. and over….. and over….. and "Stop rolling over Genis," Kratos snapped but then he too lulled to his side. "Ha! You're bored too," Genis exclaimed but then rolled off the bed. Kratos sighed "That's exactly what I was trying to tell you." Genis grumbled and climbed on his bed again.

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It was well into the night when Raine returned. When she noticed that Genis was sleeping, she closed the door quietly. "… What'd he tell you?" Raine jumped and turned to see leering rusty eyes looking at her. "Kratos! Why are you still up?" she silently exclaimed. Kratos didn't say anything. Raine sighed, setting her staff down and walking over to her bed. She was tired and the bed looked bigger than that afternoon.

"Kratos?" "…hmm?" "Do… you want to sleep on the bed?" Again, no answer. He turned his head as she quickly dressed in her nightgown and got in bed. Kratos rose to his paws and trotted to her bed. He jumped lightly onto the end and curled up. "Night." "..night."

Kratos never actually went to bed that night but stayed up, watching for the assassin to see if he dared to come.

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Raine woke up and felt a weight at the end of her bed. Looking down, she saw a mound of black fluff rising and falling and repeating. It moved and revealed a long auburn stripe. She sighed in relief remembering that it was just Kratos. A choked back laugh made her turn towards Genis' Bed. His back was to her but it was shaking. She got out and stood over him. "And what is so funny?" Genis promptly fell off his bed again making Kratos snap awake at the sudden jolt.

"I suggest Genis that we get dress and head to the ruins right after breakfast so stop laughing," Raine stated. Genis got to his feet and was silent. He wanted to laugh. "Best do what your sister said." Genis jumped and saw Kratos standing next to him. "Ok just don't do that!" he exclaimed.

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After getting dressed and eating, Raine, Genis and Kratos wandered off towards the Ruins. "What are we looking for Raine?" Genis asked. "Well, the ruins' door is still open so we have to explore the inside and the seal," she replied. Genis backed up to Kratos who trailed behind and whispered "She's going to go into Ruin Mode soon." "Ruin Mode?" "She likes ruins so much and flips around ruins." "MARVELOUS!" The yelled caught them both off guard. Raine was looking at the oracle stone and reading it real fast before disappearing into the ruins.

"Wait a second Raine!" Genis yelled and ran after. Kratos sighed. It was going to be a long day. He trotted slowly into the ruins. It was awfully cold for a ruin in the desert. Monsters flocked the paths that twisted through the ruins. The monsters were little obstacles so they got through and explored, Raine flipping out over the littlest of objects such as rocks. When they entered the room containing the seal, she lost it. Kratos walked to the seal and looked at it, seeing everything was in order but something caught his eye. An envelope was in the center. "Genis, come here." Genis walked over. "What is it?" he asked. Kratos turned his head to the seal platform.

"A letter?" Genis picked it up. "Raine? Raine!" Genis yelled. "What Genis? And no yelling inside a ruin," she snapped and turned around. Genis held out the letter and handed it over. Raine opened it and started reading. Silence…… "So, what does it say?" Genis asked. Kratos turned his ears to listen. "It says go to Asgard signed Rico," she said. "It sounds like a trap," Kratos muttered. Raine and Genis couldn't agree more. Whoever wrote this sucks.

"Oh well, we might as well go to Asgard, just to make sure," she said. "You just want to go because of the Ruins," Genis muttered receiving a smack on his head. "Ow." He rubbed the lump on his head and whimpered. Kratos simply followed Raine out on the warp path with Genis grumbling after.

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A shadowy figure hopped down from the ceiling. It grinned. "She'll soon be dead and so will the traitor, Lord Yggdrasill." It laughed and polished a blood stained sword. "I'll bring back a blade covered in both their blood and maybe the little half-elf boy too." He disappeared in a flurry of rubble and dirt.

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Lil' Ed: THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE LONGER! I PROMISE! Kneels and whams head into ground several times X-x

Zelos: Uh? Hello? Whatever….. SHEENA! I'M COMING FOR YOU!

Preview for…… (Not next chapter)

"Raine! Where are you going?" Lloyd yelled. "The village… we need to perform
the ceremony. Sae, where are you?" she cried her eyes in a trance. The party
stood at the top of the rocky ledge that loomed over the village that was lost
forever in time. Colette started to shake. "No… no… we must escape," she said.

Crimson Sacrifice

Raine is possessed by Sae. Colette is Yae. The party,
especially Lloyd and Kratos (Zelos is there), must
defeat the ghosts and solved the riddles and puzzles
before the sacrifice. Can they make it? If they fail, they'll
be short one healer and gain a crimson reminder instead.
(Kraine, Colloyd, Sheelos, Gesea)

Raine: What? I might die?

Lil' Ed sniffs I'm gonna miss you man! WAHH! Or am I?