Black Hearts

When I have nothing left to feel, When I have nothing left to say, I'll just let this slip away.

Chapter Three

"SHOW YOURSELF DAMN IT!" He cried out again his throat burning and parched, his eyes darted about the stunned hall, and he took in all the expressions of fear, worry, anger, disgust, and hate. Yes they all saw it, his ears with their pointy tips he smiled inwardly. I hate…I hate you all disgusting, filthy…

"Let Chocolat go!" Lloyd cried out Kratos snapped out of and he grabbed his son by the shoulder.

"Lloyd! Be quiet." His son looked at him hurt and confused, Kratos snarled as the black haired half elf's laughter rang out through the room.

"What lovely parties the rich do hold, I always heard stories about them but I would have never of guessed it'd be so flamboyant and rich. How many people's homes did you have to refuse to repair in order to pay for all this, I wonder?" the half elf asked his voice ringing through the crowd, people narrowed their eyes in contempt. The half elf smiled malice gleaming in his stare he raised a black-sleeved arm into the air, and the people below him hushed.

"Well, now that I've got your attention, and I've found what I was looking for, you can all die now. You are meaningless to me." Zelos's eyebrow rose.

"Not a great public speaker is he..."

"Get them out of here…now." Kratos said emotionlessly, he turned and broke through the crowd as he headed for the balcony. Raine turned to the mass of people around them.

"Everyone listen to me, you're all in grave danger please leave…right away." The group was jostled as angry nobles and rich folk walked casually from the scene. The half elf narrowed his eyes and clenched his teeth in annoyance.

"This is taking too long." The black orb from before materialized into his hand it's two crystals gleaming in the light. He chucked it to the floor and the crowd cried out in terror as a black tornado erupted from its position on the dance floor. A loud roar sent glasses and the painted widows shattering, the remaining people ran out through the double doors of the ballroom. Lloyd and the others turned to the tornado that was now spinning before them.

"Atskal! Attack them! Leave none alive, especially the boy in red." And with that two gleaming crystals emerged first from the tornado, Lloyd and the others covered their eyes from the light being reflected off of them.

"Crap, this doesn't look good we don't have any weapons." Lloyd said backing up as he caught what seemed to be a large clawed foot, the talons on it the size of the golden throne the king and queen had occupied.

"Lloyd." Colette said trepidation in her voice. A roar erupted from a huge beast as it swatted the rest of the miasma away from it; it shook its head back and forth its spikes standing straight up. Everyone looked up with shock and horror.

"Ah ha, wow this reminds me of something." Zelos said stepping backwards as a huge clawed foot sank into the marble floor effortlessly and sent fissures running through the entire floor.

"What the hell are we supposed to do without weapons!" Lloyd cried out angrily, he looked around for any means of a tool he could use, but noting seemed fitting enough. The beast narrowed its blood red eyes as it peered down at its victims. It opened its large toothy mouth as saliva dripped from the large precipices, which were its teeth.

"You hear that." Lloyd exclaimed turning to one of the windows.

"It sounds like a…" a loud crashing noise followed by the roar of the beast had everyone looking upward to find Regal and Presea onboard a Rheaird, which now lay at the huge black beasts feet, Regal and the girl dashed over to Lloyd and the others weapons bundled into their arms.

"Our weapons! But…how did you guys…?"

"We just had a lovely encounter with this thing a few hours ago." Regal stated handing Zelos his dagger. The chosen flipped it through his hands expertly and ended by pointing its silver tip at the beast.

"Lets nail this sucker." He said and everyone nodded, Lloyd dashed off to the right and Zelos to his left. Raine raised her staff into the air, "Permaguard!" rainbow colored disks surrounded Lloyd and the others as they rushed forward. The beasts arms lashed out at Lloyd and Zelos, Zelos managed to dodge it by jumping onto the beasts right hand he ran up a length of it's arm slicing as he went. The beasts tail shot out from behind the red head, as it turned its body Zelos was sent flying into the marble wall it cracked at the impact.

"Damn." He got up shaking.

"Recover!" Raine's voice resounded as everyone thanked her for healing.

"Aqua Laser!" Genis cried out pointing his kendama at the beast, a beam of water shot forth with surprising force.

The half raised his eyebrow.

"A magic user…a healer…two swordsmen, an angel, an ax girl, and a greaves user. How interesting." The half elf spun around as the glinting sword tip of someone behind him flashed in his eyes, Chocolat fell to the floor and the half elf hands where on the hilt of Kratos's spare sword. He pushed Kratos backwards, smiling.

"Well if it isn't Kratos."

"Why are you doing this!" was Kratos's reply, his eyes narrowing.

"Now, is that a nice why to greet me after such a long time?"

"Quit the games why the hell are you here!" Kratos shouted jumping back breaking the half elf's grip and he then slashed at him but the half elf dodged the attack knocking the sword to the side with his hand, which on impact with the sword was encompassed by a black orb. Kratos fell back as the half elf reached behind his back and produced a long gleaming silver sword. Kratos's eyes widened as he saw now his Excalibur in his enemies grip.

"You were there…you were at the Great Tree." The half elf hissed at Kratos's words.

"Of course I was, you traitor! How could you!"

"He was insane."

"He wanted revenge and I'll give it to him, me and him both, we'll get our revenge I swear we will." The half elf raised his left hand beams of black light rushed forth from the surrounding area his hair flew out from behind him.

Lloyd's head darted up to the balcony when a blast of air from a top of there shot forth it created a thunderous boom. He noticed Kratos standing up there as well.

"Dad!" he cried running forward.

"Lloyd look out!" he turned to see a massive clawed arm flying towards him; he ducked and slid on the marble floor underneath the beasts arm. It growled as it bent its head between both arms Lloyd stared back at it, noticing he was directly underneath it. The beam of water crashed directly into the beast face sending rainbow droplets of water cascading to the floor and sprinkling Lloyd as well. He wiped them away as he ran out from underneath the beast, which was now standing on its hind legs. Its scales on its back grazed the ceiling of the ball room, causing bits and pieces to fall crashing to the floor, Presea dodged a piece barely as it collided with the floor in front of her. Another piece came raining down she swung her axe full force and shattered it to pieces, wiping dust from her eyes.

"Angel Feathers!" two chakrams flew forward slicing into the beasts legs it didn't seem to notice, Colette caught them panting.

"It doesn't seem to be affected by light attacks." Raine turned to Sheena, the ninja nodded.

"I summon thee, god of heavenly thunder! Come Volt!" She raised her hand into the air as purple light and orbs erupted around her.

"DIE! Sagittarian Strike!" a mass of huge black arrows with a blue tips formed above the elf's raised left hand. Kratos growled jumping back as multiple arrows flew towards him. The half smiled, and then his eyes darted to the light of the summon spirit. He spun around dropping both hands to the balcony post.

"A summoner! Then these spirits are hers…interesting."

"Ahh!" the half elf spun back around Kratos's Excalibur clashing with his other spare sword, the half growled his eyes burning.

"Didn't I teach you never to let your guard down?" Kratos hissed pushing the half elf back up against the balconies edge.

"You taught me nothing, traitor…"

"Humph, you think I betrayed him, I saved him…he was dead inside anyway." Kratos replied the half elf was now bent over the balconies edge, his black auburn streaked hair falling over the railing. He growled.

"He was right! He had all the right to want to kill Mithos! WHY DIDN'T YOU LET HIM!" The half's right shoulder glowed a light blue as he took Kratos's stolen sword handle into both arms and swung it forward sending Kratos crashing into the wall. Kratos grunted as he pushed himself off the wall.

"He was crazy, do you think that killing Mithos would've done anything for him!"

"It would've given him peace! Now he's locked up again inside that goddamn tree! And you allowed it! You let your own…!"

"Shut up, you don't know anything, don't you think I tried to help him?" Kratos growled his eyes narrowing dangerously. The half elf scooped Chocolat into his arms, he smiled a faint half hearted smile and with his free hand snapped his fingers, and a cloud of black smoke engulfed him leaving Kratos staring angrily at an empty balcony. He gripped his sword tighter, turning his exposed knuckles white.

"I'm not done with you yet…" he spun around and dashed out off the balcony, his cape flying in the soft breeze, a soft light snow began to fall. He landed on the ground with a silent thud, and he stood straight looking back at the dance hall his hair covering on eye he let out a steady breath and it came out in a puff of smoke. He turned his head and saw, scraping around the corner of a house a black cape; he narrowed his eyes and dashed forward, chasing the half elf, and his human captive.

"Lloyd!"

"Guardian!" Lloyd held up both swords to his face as two huge claws slashed him across his entire body, his shield deflected the hit but the impact sent him skidding backwards, the shoe's he wore had absolutely no traction at all. He sighed looking as he saw a blur of red rush past him, Zelos ran between the beasts caught claws, which were now firmly embedded in the wall. The beast used its left hand and lashed out Zelos ducked and rolled to one side, his dagger ringing as it collided with the beast's talon.

"Damn, this really isn't a good night is it?" a ray of electricity flew forward sparking as it ruptured the beasts wrist, it howled in pain as it pulled away its hand, eyes glowing red, Volt floated next to Sheena, her dress bottom tattered. Zelos got up off of on knee and winked at her, she smirked commanding Volt to fire another ray of lighting.

"Aqua edge!" Genis cried flinging his kendama towards the huge beast the disks of water splashed harmlessly into its chest, it turned it's huge head towards the mage and the others paying no attention to Lloyd or Zelos both of whom took positions atop of two opposite balconies.

"Wasn't dad here…before? Where did he go, I hope…everything is alright." Lloyd muttered to himself as he balanced, as best he could, on the railing of the balcony that shortly before the half elf and Kratos occupied. Zelos brushed his bangs out of his eyes, he turned his head down towards Sheena and Genis, and both nodded in acknowledgement.

"You ready for this bud!"

"Stop calling me that!"

"NOW!" Raine cried.

"Angel feathers!"

"Spread!"

"Volt use thunder rain!" all at once each attack flew forward crashing into the beast, sending it falling backwards it swatted the chakrams with its hands but the water and lighting were getting in its way, it let out a roar of agitation. Meanwhile Regal and Presea attacked its whip like tail, keeping it down so as not to hit anyone. Zelos looked at Lloyd across the way, his red hair sparkling with water.

"Lets do this!" they both jumped simultaneously landing on the beasts rectangular head, it whipped it back and forth trying to rid itself of the two swordsmen, they each grabbed hold of a giant towering spike protruding from Atskal's neck. It roared eyes blazing, its tail knocked into Presea sending her flying, Regal broke her fall by diving in to catch her.

"Shit! He's really pissed, better hurry up." Zelos cried over the beasts roar, Lloyd nodded he raised one sword above his head and then drove it down into Atskal's skull, Zelos did the same with his dagger, they both jumped off before a huge hand came swiping over the beasts head. They landed a few feet away; Atskal fell backwards crushing nearly the entire back portion of the dance hall, including the royal thrones. It let out a tumultuous roar as its tail failed about knocking what was left of the tables carrying food, plates, platters, and glasses it all fell to the floor in a rain shower of porcelain and crystal.

"Run! Now!" Zelos cried grabbing Lloyd by the wrist and dragging the stunned boy towards one of the many doors leading out into the surrounding gardens. Sheena raised her arm.

"Spread!" she heard the mage to her left cry out.

"Volt! Thunder Spear! Now!" The silent spirit casted the spell simultaneously with Genis, as if he read and knew the plan that was in action. As the water tower dissipated a thunderous boom erupted through the entire place shaking everyone to the core, the bolt of purplish blue lighting struck dead center, it ran down Lloyd and Zelos's swords like a hungry snake spotting a meal and it voraciously spread out across the top of Atskal's skull. It shook its head fervently slamming it into the nearby pillar causing the roof to shudder and spilt, sending chips of marble and glass falling to the floor. It instantly changed into a giant black cloudless form; it rushed out the window the darkness it brought with it following in its wake. Everyone realized, that it wasn't coming back a clatter came from where it was. Colette slumped to the floor panting, Genis resting his back against hers. Sheena recalled Volt and looked to Zelos and Lloyd who stepped out of the patio and back into the disheveled hall.

"Well, that was fun! Let's do it again sometime, shall we?" Zelos stated Sheena gave him a teasing death glare and then kissed him, he held her close, and Lloyd walked over to his sword, which lay, on the floor glinting. He looked into its blade, and a vision of his father flashed before his eyes, he quickly grabbed the hilt and spun to the group who looked up at him.

"Kratos! We have to go find him…NOW!" Lloyd didn't know why he was so worried but something told him, that that half elf was trouble, serious trouble.

He fell to one knee, panting. His left eye was shut due to a cut on the top left part of his head the blood from it had trickled down and over his eye he kept it shut to ward off the risk of becoming permanently blind, his auburn haired was sprinkled with his own blood and snow, the cold wet particles dripped down his fevered neck as he stared up at the half elf who held the handle of a whip, which was now around Kratos's neck, in one hand and another piece of the whips rope in his right. He tugged on it and Kratos instantly felt his throat closing up he gagged and gasped for a mouthful of air.

"Do you really want to die, is that it? Why the hell are you following me?" the half elf asked his voice as icy as the climate around them, he turned to a terrified girl whose brown eyes were wide with fright, her arms and legs were bound with rope and she was gagged with a white cloth. The half elf turned back to Kratos who struggled to stand, his left hand resting on the whip and his right clutching the gravel beneath him. He'd chased the half elf all the way through the less ritzy part of Meltokio but he was just setting himself up for a trap, he figured that out too soon.

"That wound in your side it burns doesn't it?" Kratos looked up his haggard breath coming out in tiny wisps of pearl white smoke. He hadn't felt this much pain in years but it did burn and he was becoming light headed. The half elf smiled as he paced before the wounded angel before him.

"There was poison on the blade," Kratos eye widened as he looked at the large red stain in his tuxedo, the snowy ground underneath him dampened with his blood. "Silly me, I guess I should've mentioned it before." The half elf was up in his face now, his eyes burning with anger, his pupils looked oddly slit like a cats eye would, Kratos shook his head and they were normal once more. Kratos felt oddly calm about knowing there was a life threatening poison coursing through him; he looked up at the half panting.

"You'll…" he winced as his arm jolted with pain, he looked aghast at his arm to find the dagger embedded into it, he looked at the half elf disbelievingly. The half elf pulled it out Kratos felt warm blood rush down his arm; it warmed his cold tipped fingers as it flowed through the crevices between them. His right hand no longer was gripping the gravel, but lying there lifeless. Kratos swallowed his throat parched and throbbing, he wanted to cry out in pain but he wouldn't give his attacker the satisfaction.

"Aw what's the matter, you're not going to cry now are you?" the half elf jeered standing straight.

"KRATOS!" A cry came from somewhere nearby, the rope around his neck disappeared in a puff of black smoke and the half elf sighed running a hand through his hair, a black orb fell to the ground making a soft impression in the snow, the elf bent down and picked it up sighing, it had two crystals sticking out of it. He looked at Kratos.

"You're lucky this time, next time I won't hesitate to kill you, or you're annoying little friends, the next time we meet. That is of course if you survive the night." He put emphasis on annoying and friends, he turned to Chocolat who was thoroughly shaken, she shook her head back and forth, muffled cries coming from her mouth. The half elf smirked.

"Don't worry, you're very important to me…so just relax." He scooped her into his arms and turned back to the auburn haired man who was gripping his shoulder, doubled over in pain.

"See you soon…br" a pop and Kratos looked up nothing was there but him and an empty alleyway. His body was shaking as the bitter cold bit into him like a savage beast hungry for a kill.

"D-Damn it." He sighed as he tried to get up but his legs wouldn't seem to work let alone support him. He bit his tongue as another wave of pain shot through him, he looked at his bloody snow mingled right hand, and it was shaking, badly.

"Oh my god! Kratos!" he turned one eye shut to Raine, she was standing in the walkway the front of her completely black, only her silhouette giving indication as to who she was.

"Dad!" Lloyd cried as he ran to Kratos's side he looked at his right shoulder.

"Ah! You're…hey dad! Hold on! Please!"

"Lloyd. We have to go fast he's been poisoned." Kratos let out a sigh as his vision went blank, first white hot then nothing but black. What do I do…how can I…save you? I'm sorry, so terribly sorry.

:Grounds of the Great Tree:Night:

His back was resting on a slab of purple rock, a rock that came from the fallen Derris Kharlan. It apparently landed conveniently around the grounds of the Great Tree. He sighed both hands resting behind his head, he had his left leg up on the slab as well, and his right dangled brushing the tips of the grass below.

You're back early. Were they really that easy for you? He sat up smiling.

"Of course not, I just…Atskal was defeated…I want to make him suffer brother! Just like you did!" he exclaimed slamming a fist on the rock. A chuckle filled the area.

You're too kind brother, but you know the boy in red is his…

"I know. I'll deal with him later."

He's the embodiment of Mithos. The half raised an eyebrow; he jumped to his feet and began pacing.

What of the girl?

"Oh, she's back at that town of hers…of course I locked her up somewhere so no one would find her."

What do you planning on doing with her? He noticed how tired Phanos's voice sounded, how muffled and restricted barely above a whisper, his eyes stung.

"I'll get you out of there…I promise."

…Brother. There was a minute of silence before the half elf looked up to the sky; a shooting star briskly skittered its way across the vast ocean of blackness. He spun on a heel flipping his cape out to the back of him, he walked and with another pop disappeared into the cool night air, a small breeze rustled the green vibrant leaves of the Great Tree.

All he heard was a thrumming in his ears; it racked his brain to a point where he wanted to fall unconscious again. He cracked an eye open but shut it quickly as the light of the room was blinding to him. There were people in another room; he could hear them with his angel senses.

"He took a heavy dose of poison, it'll be a few days before he's fully recuperated." He knew it to be Raine's voice.

"But…he'll make it right!" was Lloyds frantic, worried inquiry. Raine brushed her hair out of her pristine blue eyes. She looked at the boy before her he was sitting on the arm of a red cushioned chair. They had no choice but to stay in Meltokio, Kratos was losing blood too fast for them to drag him all the way back to the hall and get on Rehairds and fly North to Flanoir. So, they busted in on the disheveled king and queen who were almost angry to see them, even though they had saved the party, or somewhat. Zelos let out a tired sigh.

"Man, why the hell does he always do things without us?" Lloyd gave the red head a nasty stare. Colette rested a hand on his arm, they were all changed into their nightwear, seeing as how Kratos was unfit to be moved so soon. Raine stared thoughtfully into the blazing fire in the middle of room's hearth. Genis sat quietly beside Presea, and Regal stood by a door which was positioned at the far top left of the room, next to a now powdered window.

"That poison I never seen anything like it. Even after all those antibiotics I gave him, and healing spells his wound is still open." The room went silent except a break or two by the crackling and popping or the wood in the fire.

"Professor…what do you mean, by that?" Lloyd asked, she stared glumly at the boy, his eyes had a fatigue around them and his shoulders drooped a little.

"Well all the creatures we've encountered who are poisonous their poison was easily…purged but this I don't know what's causing it but it doesn't seem to get better or worse it's just there."

"You think maybe whoever did this to him, knows how to cure it?" Regal asked breaking his pensive gaze from the window to the group.

"It's hard to say I'm afraid. We'll just have to hope for the best…" Raine said solemnly, Lloyd got up his pajamas rustling as he walked to the door by Regal. He turned to everyone.

"I'm going to bed…g'night." He opened the door rather quickly and shut it with a little bang after him. Colette got up, he face anxious. Raine put an arm on her shoulder.

"Go. You too Genis. It's late."

"But Raine!"

"Now." Genis grumbled under his breath as he walked away indignant of his sisters sudden decision to send him off to bed. A certain pressure was released from the room as the children filed out, Raine let out a deep breath as she sat in a chair by the fire her hands in her lap.

"So. Who do you think it was?" Zelos asked.

"I have no idea. I never saw that half elf in any of the camps we've been too." Raine said rubbing both eyes with one hand, she pinched the bridge of her nose to stop a dull aching, which seemed to come more frequently now a days.

"I guess we should check them out then." Sheena replied.

"Ozette is nearly finished." Presea said her movements making the floorboards scream as she stepped upon them. Raine looked at Regal.

"You two should leave tomorrow morning."

"But what about here?" she waved her hand dismissingly at Regal.

"It'll be alright, just try to help those people as much as possible." Regal nodded and he, along with Presea, opened up the door and closed it gently behind him. Zelos gave Sheena a goodnight kiss and sauntered off to bed. Sheena looked at the silver hair of the half elf resting in the chair.

"You're coming too right?"

"In a few." Sheena nodded silently and took her leave. Raine turned to the empty room her eyes fixing onto the corner next to the main door.

"What're you doing here…Yuan?" Yuan's figure stepped out from the cloud of smoke as he materialized into view. His arms were crossed over his chest, his face was still as pale as before and he was wearing his normal outfit.

"You just can't keep still can you?" he smirked.

"It must be woman's intuition, Martel always caught me too…no matter what, I could never spy on her when she and Kratos were talking." He said in a whispery tone so as to not wake anyone.

"You're not such a great spy yourself though." Raine replied looking at Yuan's incredulous expression.

"What's that suppose to mean!" he said in a silently louder tone, he covered his mouth glaring at her.

"Do you know who it is…?" Yuan looked at her.

"I have a vague clue as to who it might be." Yuan replied sounding extremely mysterious that Raine had to raise an eyebrow at his tone of voice.

"Well who is it?"

"Hmm I'll get back to you on it, once I've done some more investigating. Oh by the way I have something for you." Raine got up slightly, but Yuan was before her before she could get out of her chair, he pulled from the inside of his cape a small device resembling a walkie-talkie. It had a small screen at the top of it and a place to talk through at the bottom.

"What is it?" Yuan smiled.

"It's a way of communicating with one another, I hope the mana signatures will reach this far though." He said looking towards the window.

"I made five so you'll always be in touch." He stated placing four other identical looking systems on the coffee table, one was red, another blue, pink, black, and of course the white one he was holding.

"You had a lot of time to do this, haven't you?" Yuan looked at her.

"Well of course I have! You kept me in that god forsaken room for a couple of months, I'd hope I could do at least something." He stated sarcastically.

"Sorry if I was trying to help you from dying." Was Raine's retort he glared at her and she glared back. Yuan coughed and Raine got up as he gripped the table. His fit passed and he gasped for breath his back was turned to Raine who wore a worried expression.

"Yuan…you."

"I'll be going then. The cold doesn't sit well with me it would seem. Nothing does anymore." He looked back at her and then disappeared with a puff of rainbow colored smoke.

"Yuan…" she whispered as she looked at the table, she walked silently to the door leading to the other rooms, not taking notice of the blood stains on the hard wooden floor.

"Come to me when you're in fright."

"I have no one left to go to."

"I'll be your light in the darkness."

"That light, that light is gone but to where?"

No one knows

"I'll protect you a shield from the cruelty of the world."

"A shattered barrier the harshness beats down upon me."

"We're here for you…although it might not seem so obvious."

"I'm oblivious to the facts so clearly laid before me."

What do you seek?

"Revenge."

Care?

"Justice."

Love?

"Acceptance."

Hope?

I shall give you that which you seek but you must open your heart to the blackness, darkness within.

"What a pitiful sight, a noble asking for help."

"I'm sorry I failed you, father…I've become…"

"Weak."

Give me your heart and I shall give you…power.

Well, chapter tres upeth :D Oh snap it's getting gooood. You know never try to proof read your stories when it's one o clock in the morning, hehe it doesn't work...at all. So, midterms are done I'm free and happy to say the least, I liked this chapter...oh yeah for the above thing...Italics are Kratos, Bold is Phanos except at the end with what a pitiful sight and weak that's Phanos's daddy...and Bold italics is well...you'll find out soon enough! Regular type is Meridian obviously. : ) Enjoy! Quote at the top is from VNV Nation Forsaken. I like that band they have good songs.