AN:
This chapter has some strong language and some angst, and some fluff. Be forewarned (watches the angry villagers from Resident Evil 4 surround me) Um.. should I run now?

Reverie
Chapter Seven: A Single Threat

"Good to see you, old friend."

It was as if he toyed with my mind and thoughts. Twisting all my hopes and dreams into regrets and nightmares. Nothing seemed right when he spoke, and oddly I felt the urge to die when I was in his presence. But he always found a way to keep me on his side, always a way. Opening my eyes weakly, I realized where I was within seconds. It was the heart of the Kharalan Castle, and he stood at the foot of the throne. Body weak from energy deprivation, I hung my hung head up high, even though it hurt more than imaginable.

"What do you want." I answered brutally, clenching my fists. A surprised flicker passed his mischevious eyes. Placing a hand on his hip, he used his free hand to shrug aimlessly, as if he was making a point. Keeping my eyes on him, to make sure he wouldn't attempt to kill me once more, I breathed heavily.

"Is that anyway to address your superior?" He snickered, and I crumbled to the ground, heaving in pain. He had some mind control over me, because I felt my body being pushed down by what felt like gravity. Clenching my bruised side in pain, a signal tear of struggle feel from my face as I gasped for air, trying to remain concious.

"You bastard." I rasped, slowly raising my head to look up at him. A moment passed before he began his stride to the base of where I sat, in misery. That look he had in his eyes... it made me want to reach up and rip his heart out, let it bleed over this world. It seemed so simple, but yet it was nearly impossible. He had the eternal sword.. and with that he could do anything.

"Dear Kratos, has that impudent inferior being gotten to you?" He lifted his hand and my body was lifted into the air, floating straight up, so I was starring in the eye. Turning my glance off him, I began to think about Yuan. I couldn't just die here, he begged me to never leave. And I promised him I'd never leave either...

"You do know that eventually you will die in my hands." Yggdrasill grinned, crossing his arms as my body floated helplessly in front of him. It was as if I was some sort of puppet, a device for his amusement.

"You've got it wrong... You're the only one who's going to die." I replied, heaving for air after every sentence. Raising an eyebrow, he could only escape a maniacal laughter. It was as if he saw my struggle and resistance amusing, and beyond on the sinister kind of amusing.

"Pledge allegiance to me Kratos. Together we can create a world free of discrimination." Yggdrasill more so commanded than asked.

"Never." I spoke, glaring defiantly in his eyes. Bearing his teeth in rage, he swished his arm down, sending my body crashing to the floor. But I wasn't under his spell now, so I swung my free arm against my side, trying to withstand the current pain. Each breath I took felt like a needle being shoved into my soul, trying to destroy me.

"Pledge allegiance to Cruxis!" Yggdrasill hollered, fanning out his wings. Blood dripping mildly from my side, as I bit my bottom lip in reaction.

"Or what? You don't scare me." I hissed, holding my side with all my might, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Oh, I know that." He smirked, and my heart dropped. "And I know I can't kill you without losing the seal of Origin." He continued, still bearing that grin. Stomach falling as low as it could go, I felt a tidal wave of dread. "But I do know one thing. If you don't pledge allegiance to me, Kratos, Yuan dies."

"!..." I gasped, gapping mouth open. If it wasn't for my hardcore push onward, I would have collapsed in a pile of dead emotions. Pain, misery, dread, and yet the smallest bit of love flickered in my heart. Yuan's face kept me going, just knowing that when I returned I could openly run my hand through the blue strands.

"Yes, Kratos. I will kill him." Yggdrasill chanted.

"But Martel-" I began, about to declare Martel's wish. She had requested for Mithos not to kill Yuan, and he agreed. Then why would he go against his code of honor now?

"She'll understand! Yuan didn't deserve my sister, he is a piece of filth that needs to be destroyed so I can fulfill Martel's wish!" He declared, sending rays of judgment around us, so even if I wanted to run, I'd be instantly KO'ed in the most painful way possible.

"What do you intend to do to me by killing Yuan?" Did he know?...

"As if I have to answer that." A chuckle escaped his parted lips as he made an annoyed hand gesture, and then ran a hand through his blonde hair.

"I won't let you do this!" I spoke, slowly arising to my feet. However, Yggdrasill took a sudden step forward, grabbing me by my neck.

"Pledge allegiance, or he dies." A deathning stare was sent into my heart. I couldn't bear to lose Yuan, not after I had found that special something in him. "Say it now, Kratos!"

"..."

"Let me hear you say it!"

"...I..."

"Louder!"

"... I agree to rejoin Cruxis and aid you in your quest." I could only mutter, looking away. I promised Yuan I'd help him against Yggdrasill... and now I was betraying that trust he had entrusted me in him. But this was Yuan's life on the line! How could I possibly weigh the world over Yuan?

"Good, very good. You may leave. I expect to see you back here tomorrow, to attend to your first job." Yggdrasill turned around, then glanced over his shoulder. "And if you tell Yuan any of our little 'death deal', I will end his life for good. And do tell him to report here later on." And with that he sent me spiarling backwards, back to my home.

I crash landed onto my floor, in intense pain.

"Damn you." I hollered, holding my head in my hands. I never had broken down like this before, I was one to bottle up his emotions and stay cool and collective. But today I just wanted to cry and let it all out. I was so confused on what to do, and the frustration and pressure and pain was getting the best of me.

"You fucking bastard." I whispered, looking downward as I sat holding my side with intense pressure. Attempting to cast first aid on myself, it resulted in a small ease of pain, but the mental pain was still as strong as ever.

"Kratos, what happened!"

Managing to look up, I watched as Yuan came scurrying into the room. The minute I saw him, all the pain subsided and I kept my ruby eyes upon his figure. His hair was out of the hair tie, and he passed over to me and took a seat on the floor next to me. Watching intently, I observed him extend a hand and run it across my face, shaking at the sight of my new wounds.

"What happened to you!" Yuan fretted, grabbing me by my shoulders and demanding answers.

"N-nothing." Remembering Yggdrasill's death promise, I glanced away from Yuan. It hurt me like hell to lie to him. However, against my greatest notions, I'd never know that in the future I'd be doing much more of this.

"Tell me!" Yuan whispered, withdrawing his hands and starred at me with the utmost care.

"I was out training and got ambushed by some wild boards back in Ymir Forest." I was good at the craft of lying, unlike Yuan was. A sigh escaped Yuan's lips before he reached out and tightly wrapped me around him in a gentle hug.

"Don't ever do that again, you hear me? If you do, I might have to seriously hurt you." Even though he cared for me, he still had that edge. A single smile spread across my face and I placed my chin on his shoulder as he held me close.

"Hey Yuan..." I whispered into his ear. His body tensed.

"Yes?" He asked after a few moments had passed. He withdrew from the hug and looked at me.

"Can you get something for these wounds. Maybe some bandages?" I asked innocently, remembering the pain. Yuan had that dulling effect on me, and made all the pain go away. Without him, I'd wouldn't be here, this strong.

"Oh! Of course." He seemed embarassed as he scurried out of the room to gather my request. The moment he left I glanced over my shoulder out the window. One day I would be able to tell Yuan everything, tell him I was putting my soul on the line for him, and I was willing to bleed for him No matter what, even if it meant death... I'd die for him, which was something I'd never thought I'd say about anyone.

The changes that I made were scaring me. Sure, I had my imperfections, but Yuan seemed to be admist to them. He always found a way to keep me cheerful and smiling, in the dimmest of situations. Even if he chose to walk away, I'd wait for him forever. I'd be right here waiting for his return. I had found what I needed in him.

"Here." Yuan secretley blushed, re-entering the room and handing me a bandage with a glass of water.

"Thank you." I whispered, beginning to clean the wound. Yuan sat back down and just looked at me, as if he thought I was going to die if he didn't keep a close eye on me. And I liked that. Liked it alot to be exact. I finished my last wound and wrapped the bandage around it tightly, and cut it with my teeth. Uneasily, I glanced over at Yuan who was intently scanning my eyes.

"Yuan?.." I began but he cut me off with a chaste kiss. As if the bandages weren't enough to heal my wounds, this kind of treatment healed the wounds deep down in my soul. It felt so right after those months of unsettled feelings and denyance. So good it felt like I was going to faint from the high bliss. To think a single kiss could send me off the edge.

"I want you to rest. You may be a stubborn ass at times, but I don't want to see you getting hurt again. " He snickered, and stood up.

"Yuan..."

"What?" Yuan glanced over his shoulder at me as I lay on my bed.

"Yggdrasill requested your presence later on.."

"All right." Yuan glanced down, as he clenched his stomach painfully. "I really do hate reporting to that scum.." Rolling his eyes he continued to watch me. "Especially when we're purposely disobeying him and trying to overthrow him." Disgust filled him before he smiled at me. "But I will, it's all part of our plan. Now.. get some sleep! Don't make me pick you and up and make sure you stay in that bed." In fact, I wouldn't mind that at all..

-------------

"Coffee or tea?"

It was the next morning and I was sitting at my stool, starring at Yuan who had two cups in his hands. Trying not to laugh at the sight of this, I watched him curiously and leaned my chin against my clapsed hands that were situated upright against the counter.

"Coffee is fine, I suppose." I wasn't really in the drinking mood, so I picked the first one with ease.

"Here." He pushed the cup in front of me and took the seat across from me, taking the tea. It was a few moments before either of us had dared to speak. For some reason the air between us was much different this morning. I couldn't really tell if it was a good thing, but I just sat there, aimlessly swinging my leg underneath me in circles.

"You haven't worn your cape for awhile." I suddenly remembered, trying to conceal my smile.

"Oh." He turned a deep red and tilted his head in wonderment. "Why, do you like when I wear it?" He stifled a laugh.

"Is that a trick question." I replied, with a slight grin. He seemed stun and then exploded in short snorts of stifled laughter that was escaping his lips. "Humph." I smiled and continued to watch him. This painful deal I was making was well-worth it for moments like this. It was all going to be all right if Yuan was here by my side.

"Do you find amusement from starring at me?" Yuan wondered, tilting his head to the left once more as he shoved his hands into his pockets. A 'yes' almost escaped my lips and I shrugged my elbows innocently.

"Depends." Was all I replied.

"Uh-huh... Anyway, I'm glad you're feeling better." His eyes never left their intense stare on me. Flickering in those emerald eyes of his was a brief conflict. I guessed it was whether to reach out and hold me, or pretend to be stronger than he really was. Show some self-control.

"I am also." I was going to thank him, but it'd be too out of place. I wasn't one to thank people, but the occasional 'thank you', never hurt anyone, but lately I was abusing that right.

"I'm not sure where this journey against Cruxis will lead us, especially after that guy back in the forest." Yuan murmured as he ran a finger across the slash on his left cheek. Heart-sinking once more, I averted his gaze and coughed.

"Forcystus." I replied briskly.

"Yes, him." Yuan replied, probably knowing I wasn't looking him straight in the eye. "He has.. incredible powers. That thing on his hand, what was it?" Yuan asked, remembering a certain sphere on Forcystus' hand.

"I'm not sure Yuan, but I assume that's how he obtained such godly strength." I sighed, wondering what Yggdrasill was scheming.

"I believe it is a good notion to start out with finding out what he was using." Yuan rambled on, leaning a hand on the counter table for support.

"I concur." I replied, feeling as guilty as ever about my double-agent life.

"Oh, Kratos." Yuan called out. Eyes flicked back up to the half-elf.

"Hmm?" I asked, gently nibbling my bottom lip.

"A man came by a few days ago, his name was Botta." Yuan told me.

"Oh yes, the man who is supposed to aid us." I was trying my best to help Yuan, and give him all the strength I can afford. If something did happen to me, I'd new he'd have great help, and be able to continue fighting.

"He was wondering if he could meet with us again, when we are both here." Yuan explained, as a drop of sweat fell from his forehead. Furrowing my eyebrow at why Yuan was sweating, I shrugged it off. "If you don't mind it Kratos, I've decided upon a name for our alliance"

"Oh?" I spoke, crossing my arms.

"The Renegades.." Yuan whispered.

"Humph...meaning a rebellion... it's fitting." I smiled.

"You don't like it," Yuan sighed, looking downward. Blinking rapidly, I stood up and walked over to him.

"It's brilliant, to be quite honest. Especially seeing it came from you." Something flickered in my eyes for a few moments before I took my seat once more.

"Oh, yes of course." He shook off his nerves with a quick jolt of his aqua head." Can I ask you something?" Yuan questioned.

"Of course." I replied coolly.

"If it came down to your life being put on the line, would you continue to fight for our sake? Fight knowing you could die because you'd be fighting for.." He looked downward, turning a slight red. My mouth gaped open and misery gripped at my heart.

"..." I didn't answer, I was afraid to. Especially seeing I was betraying him.

"Sorry, stupid question. Feel free to ignore that." Yuan turned away.

"It's ok." I watched his back sway uneasily.

"Well, tomorrow we're going to meet with Botta. I'm going off for the day to the woods. See you later." He starred at me directly in the eye before leaving through the front door.

I stood there, looking downward. It was true... I loved him, but I'd never say those words. They were to strong for a time like this, and showing how strong I cared would scare him away. And besides, did I really care enough to utter the word love? And besides.. I couldn't say it then betray by siding with Yggdrasill. I'd fight Yggdrasill to the death to fight for my beliefs, but when he puts Yuan's life on the line, it turned the table. And... I swear... I wish everything would just turn out for the best.

A single tear fell from my eye as I sat there.

AN:

Poor kratos! Anyways, the next chapter will be more of a Kratos chapter by himself aiding Yggdrasill. So no fluff, but some acton. Dun dun dun! And yes, as expected, this story is going to be long. So be prepared, especially seeing we have to take the Journey Of Regernation and the whole Anna thing, and then ES. My my, exciting :)