Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Online. This story, however, is completely mine and may not be redistributed or used without my approval.

Chapter 12

I ran to the gate, thoughts of what they could've done to Crono ran through my head. He was the very first friend I've ever had...and being a loner all my life, it was hard to let a friend go. Anger...the images playing in my mind provoked me more and more as I came closer to the gates. Pushing through the crowd, hand on the handle of my sword...I was afraid to see what was on the other side of those gates...what happened to Crono?

"CRONO! HANG ON!" I shouted as I reached the gates. The panicking workers stopped to look at me, wondering what I would do. I couldn't ask them to open the gates, it was too risky. The Chivalry now has a reason to hunt down Crusaders, and knowing Payon's Last Hope, one of the greatest armies of Rune Midgard was lead by a Crusader...opening the gates would be the end of peaceful Payon. I observed the wall as the sound of banging was heard from the other side of the gate. "Crono..."

Suddenly, I felt a slight nudge. I turn around to see Raijin. The grand Peco gave a loud "squawk" sound and lowered itself for me to mount. I climbed onto the large bird and before I knew it, Raijin jumped onto the walls of Payon. Arrows from below shot at us, but we were both well armored, me in a Legion Plate that a fellow Blacksmith, who we nicknamed Skipp, had made for me. He also refined Raijin's Peco armor.

With another "squawk" Raijin jumped downwards and killed three Hunters on impact. The others scrambled to back off as I cast Grand Cross. The holy aura knocked four of them out and sent the Knights backwards. I pointed my flamberge at the army.

"Where is Crono?" I demanded. The people looked afraid...I didn't know why until I felt my armor becoming smaller and smaller. I was going to berserk. "WHERE IS HE!"

"Demanding such a thing from the Chivalry!" A Lord Knight stepped out of the army front. "Especially when you're a lowly Crusader? KNEEL!" I wave my sword to point it at the Lord Knight.

"Don't get me angry, Lord Knight," Everything started to fade red and rage built inside me.

"Hikaru, stand down." He demanded. His expression showed fury...and that's when I realized who he was. "What would your mother think now?"