Reverie
Chapter Eight: Two Lives

"Are you Kratos Aurion?"

The gentle harmonic sounds of rustling leaves filled my ears. The smell of spring tingled on my nose as I stood near a new building, near Luin. Even this far away, I could still make out the sound of the river nearby. Blinking a few times, I remembered that I was here on a mission, to aid the leader of this ranch, Kvar, in an experiment.

I was clothed in the custom Cruxis outfit Yggdrasill had assigned me. It was white, with royal blue belts and dark colors. I wasn't quite sure where the color white came into significant, but it was rather fitting on me. Then again, I was starting to miss my lilac clothes I wore when I was home. Biting down on my bottom lip, I glanced over at a man dressed in red addressed me. He stood before a gate that guarded the building.

"Yes..." I replied simply. These men wearing red, they were the ones to hurt Yuan..

"Show me your wings, sir." The man replied, starring at me through his bandana on his face. Flinching, I painlessly released my azul wings and gently flapped them, as the wind brushed against my skin once more. "Go right in, Lord Kratos." The man stepped aside and bowed. Furrowing my eyebrows, I walked past him in the now opened gates.

What stood before me was rather shocking. There were countless humans from the city in tattered clothing, pushing around blocks as buildings were being constructed. If I hadn't pledged allegiance I would have done something about this inhumane act, but I remained silent.

"Ah, Lord Kratos."

I turned my head over to a man who was clothed in royal blue clothing. A head of light grey hair mixed with a few strands of blonde was his most evident feature. On his belt was a sheathed sword, and he kept his eyes squinted, so I couldn't really tell his eye color.

But what really was starting to confuse me was why two people had already called me Lord Kratos. I was no lord, and not someone who should be honored. I was a backstabbing human who had been turned into an angel against his will. That's what I was.

"Yes. May I ask for your name?" I crossed my arms and starred at him. The sun was bright, and the 'slaves' continued working, as the men in red hurried behind them, holding whips.

"I am Kvar, Lord Yggdrasill has instructed me to show you the ropes of Cruxis and our little plans." A snicker fell upon his life as he extended a hand and pointed to a small building near the entrance. "Please come this way and I'll fill you in on the details." I watched as he walked towards it. Against my will, I followed.

We entered the building, and to my great astonishment, it was rather cool. Outside it was so hot, with only a few gentle breezes. But inside? It felt marvelous.

"Take a seat." Kvar instructed, pointing to the chair at the table. He sat himself across from me, and I took the seat.

"Please, do explain all of this." I spoke, leaning my elbows in the glass table. The man across the table snickered once more as stroked his chin proud fully.

"This is a Human Ranch. One of Four Ranches that are being constructed." The man began.

"You call it human ranch because you enslave humans to do the work, correct?" I asked, trying to take this all in.

"Not exactly, you see, we are raising these humans for our work, but to destroy." A grin rolled across his lips as he furrowed his eyebrows. A little taken back, I leaned against the back of my chair and took a few breaths, trying to understand what I was getting myself into.

"Destroy?" I asked curiously.

"Destroy and turn them into exspheres." He rose his left hand, and on it bore the same thing that man in the forest had. It glowed in the dim light as I noticed a crest around it. "Exspheres are strong things, Kratos. They are the source of ultimate power. With one, you are unstoppable. Yggdrasill has promised you one once you prove your loyalty." Kvar explained.

"...I see. So they're created from human lives?" My heart was sinking with every word, but I kept a stern face.

"Correct." Kvar grinned. He had this odd tendency to grin while squinting his eyes. "Now you see, there are five Grand Cardinals. Each is a leader of a Human Ranch."

"But you said there was only four ranches." I inquired curiously.

"The fifth grand cardinal, Proynma, is Yggdrasill's right hand and is the overseer of our work. What I wouldn't do for her job." Kvar sighed and glanced back up at me. "Your job is simple."

"How simple?" Blinking a few times, I crossed my arms and prepared myself for the task.

"You are to aid the Chosen in her journey of regeneration."

"The chosen?" I tilted my head.

"Her name is Spiritua, a young girl who is going to be used as Martel's Vessel. Our ranches job is to create fear and danger within her heart so the vessel becomes stronger. You must be the one to keep her on her task of releasing the Slyvarant seals and fufilling her duty." Kvar nodded.

"Where is she?" I asked, in a bit of dismay. At least I wasn't dealing with dead bodies.

"She is originally from Luin, and is at the Tower of Mana with a few humans ready to accept the oracle proving that she really is the Chosen." Kvar nodded.

"And you want me to play the role of protector." I guessed.

"Isn't that what I just said earlier?" Kvar injected.

"All right, I'll do it." I pushed off the table and stood up.

"You have no other choice." Kvar attempted to cackle but silenced himself as I starred defiantly at him. "And Kratos, if you fail, expect your life to be cut short. Don't screw up." Kvar threatened as I left the room and then the ranch.

"Spiritua Valens, as proof of your task, I place this Cruxis Crystal upon your body. Release the seals and then face your fate of regeneration at the Tower of Salvation."

I watched from behind the three as what seemed like an angel instructed Spiritua. He wore the oddest of clothes, and his blonde glimmered in a mystical powder. Shrugging, I passed to the left once the angel disappeared. The room had begun to fill with chatter between the three until I appeared in front of them.

"Who's he?" The girl I guessed was Spiritua inquired starring at me with confusion. How was I going to do this without leading on about my true identity.

"I overhead the edict." I spoke, clearing my throat and starring at the bunch. There was Spiritua, a girl my age with long brown hair, and a teenage boy with green hair. Each seemed to be filled with excitement. If only they knew what they were going to face at the seals ahead.

"Who are you?" Spiritua asked, tilting her head.

"My name is Kratos, I am mercenary who is currently seeking pay through jobs. I am a skilled swordsman, and I'd like to aid you in protecting the Chosen. You'll see my help fitting, if you can pay me." I was making this us as I went, as I remembered my previous job before the Kharlan War.

"What makes you think we need your help?" The boy with green hair asked, taking a step forward. Dark purple eyes flashed with defiance as he puckered out his bottom lip and held his left hand on the sword.

"Faroh, shush." The girl with brown hair spoke silencing him.

"I'm not sure we have enough money though." Spiritua spoke with worry spreading across her face.

"Don't worry. I'll pay once I've completed the job." I advised.

"Are you really going to help us?" Faroh asked, running a hand through his short green hair.

"I myself want to see the world flourish, and this is the easiest way to see that happen and make money." I attempted a smile and starred at the trio.

"It does sound fun." The girl with brown hair wondered, scratching her chin. "What do you say, Spiritua? You are the Chosen after all." She smiled brightly at Spiritua.

Spiritua pushed the stray strands of blonde hair out of her eyes as she looked at me with bright blue eyes. After a few moments, she extended her hands and smiled lightly.

"Welcome to the team. Thank you for helping us."

"Then it's settled. May I ask for your names?" I asked, glancing at the three.

"As you know, I'm Spiritua. This is Faroh." Spiritua pointed to the boy with green hair as he glared at me sheepishly. "He's my brother." Spiritua added in. "And this is Anna." Anna smiled at me and gave a mild wave. "She's my best friend and a skilled opponent battle."

"I see." I memorized the names rapidly and glanced around the Tower of Mana. It had been around a year since the last time I was here. Turning my head, I watched the sun slowly set. The three looked wearily out the window also.

"We should head back to Luin then make our way to Triet and the Fire Temple, like Remiel suggested." Faroh added in, placing his hands behind his head in a non-worrisome expression.

"Good idea." Anna replied, watching the two siblings.

"Will you be joining us for the night?" Spiritua turned to me.

"I have a few things I need to settle out tonight. I'll meet you in the morning outside the Inn." I replied, mind instantly flashing back to Yuan. I hope he wasn't worrying too much.

"Ok, until then." Anna nodded and the three made there way out of the room. To think I had earned their trust in such a brief greeting. But I had to keep my true self hidden, hidden from all of them. If I let slip Cruxis' true plans upon them, I would surely pay. Sighing, I rose my hand and teleported back to my home.

I arrived back home, in my usual lilac clothing. Eyes hanging open droomily, I laid down on my bed and watched the sun set from my window. The next few weeks would be rather difficult and I wondered how I could pull this off without Yuan knowing. Sighing, I closed my eyes and thought. Would Yuan begin to think about my week absences? Possibly I could just cover them up with excuses about searching for information on Cruxis?

Rolling over in my bed, I starred at my wall. If Yggdrasill hadn't have interfered I could have been spending all my time with that half-elf. Learning how much I cared for him, and finding out whether or not he'd stay loyal no matter what. We were in the early stages of love, and this was starting to bother me immensely.

"Kratos?"

I was half-asleep when my ears perked up. The familiar sound of my friend filled my senses and I almost jumped up. I hadn't seen him for a whole day, and I was starting to crave to see him.

"In here." I attempted not to sing with happiness.

Yuan pushed open the door and his firm stare melted when he saw me lay sleepily upon my bed. He passed across the room over to my bed and sat down on the edge of it. Glancing up at him, a single smile passed my lips as I starred at him.

"Hard day?" Yuan asked meekly.

"Yea.." I sighed, averting his gaze for a few moments.

"You look like something's on your mind." Yuan wondered, tilting his blue head in wonder. Opening my mouth to reply, I found myself coming up empty. How was I to come up with a decent lie when Yuan stared so caringly into my eyes!

"Do you mind if I take care of some unsettled business regarding the Renegades for the next few weeks? I can't promise I'll be home every night, but I just felt like asking permission first." I turned my face down, realizing how embarrassing that sounded. Face turning a dark red, I shook my head so my auburn bangs could hide my soft expression.

"Of course, like I said when you first came, you're free to come and go when you please to." Yuan replied brisk fully. Stunned by how easy this was, I glanced up at him then noticed something looming in his eyes. Was that.. tears?

"Yuan?" I asked, sitting up straight and reaching out to touch his face. He looked at me, trying to stay strong. Something was bothering him, and I couldn't figure it out.

"Y-yes?" He choked on his own words and turned away in dismay.

"Something's bothering you. Please tell me." I asked kindly, gently lifting his chin up so his gaze met mine.

"I.." Yuan began but closed his eyes tightly.

"You what?" I asked.

"Martel..." Tears fell from his eyes as he kept them tightly shut. Heart breaking for him, I reached out and held him closely in my arms. I felt his chin prod into my shoulder as his hands clenched my back with extreme force not wanting to let me go.

"It's okay. She's still with you in your heart." I whispered in his ear.

"I miss her..." A single tear fell onto my shoulder as I held him in my grasp.

"It's okay, I'm here for you now. Don't worry. We'll stop Mithos together." I spoke. I gently broke Yuan off me and lifted his chin up once more so his face was in front of mine. He opened his eyes and starred at me for a few moments. "I promise you."

"Thank you." Yuan whimpered, closing his eyes and sat there.

And we sat there for the next few minutes. Now more than ever did it hurt me to betray Yuan. He was giving me his full heart and soul, and was expecting me to help him, and aid him. Yet Yggdrasill held a firm grasp on my future, and if I didn't fufill my role as guardian of the chosen, I'd lose Yuan forever. This was the single most hardest choice of my life, and I was going to have to face it alone. It had to be that way... Because I was living two lives..

AN:

Dun dun dun! Yes it was short, and damn right am I putting my own twist on this story. And as suspected, this will follow the journey of Spiritua and company, and yes Anna, hehe before she is captured and made a prisoner (you'll see how it turns out later), and Kratos' dieing relationship with Yuan. How can they stay strong if destiny is forcing them apart! Find out next chapter! man am I evil!