Chapter 20: Down the Aisle
Three weeks later, all preparations had been made; everything was in perfect working order. Nothing could go wrong…or so it seemed. Kratos could not help but feel that there was something wrong, that there was, to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, 'a disturbance in the Force'.
This 'disturbance' came in the form of a certain blue-haired Seraphim. Yuan approached Kratos as the auburn-haired Seraph oversaw final preparations.
"What is going on here, Kratos?"
"None of your business, Yuan. Go home." Kratos answered, not even looking at Yuan.
"Looks like it'll be one helluva party…"
"Presumably." Kratos motioned for a table to be moved. During the arrangements, Kratos had secretly returned to Derris Kharlan to retrieve some angels that were still loyal to him and that refused to listen to Yuan. They were now helping him set up.
"Can I stay for the party?"
"Maybe. But more than likely not."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that it is more likely that I will kick you out right now than let you stay." He turned to face his blue-haired friend. "Any particular reason you want to stay?"
"I have decided to follow you. Yggdrasill has become unbearable. I finally see why you left Derris Kharlan in the first place." Yuan answered truthfully. Kratos just raised an eyebrow.
"Do what you will."
The sun was setting on Hima's peak. Everything was set up along the winding path up to the clearing at the top. Kratos stood there, waiting. Yuan stood nearby, silently watching. As the last rays sank below the horizon, everything froze as Anna appeared around a bend. She smiled at Kratos, and continued forward. She came to stand at his side as twilight fell. The pinks and oranges of the fading sun were still reflected off of the clouds. One of Kratos' most trusted angels floated down from the sky to rest on the ground between them. Yuan still stood there, watching, waiting. The angel looked between them, and, at a nod from Kratos, began.
"Angels of Cruxis and citizens of Hima, welcome to the twilight ceremony that will eternally bind our squad leader and Kharlan Hero, Kratos Aurion, and his Sylvarantian lover, Anna Irving." Yuan's jaw virtually dropped at the words 'eternally bind'. Not noticing the Seraph's reaction, the angel continued. "We shall begin with the vows. Lord Kratos, do you take this woman as your wife…promising to love, honor, cherish, obey her…to be with her always; better or worse, rich or poor, sickness or health?" The angel couldn't add the 'till death do you part' clause because of Kratos' angelic status. Yuan stood stock still, mouthing unintelligible phrases to himself.
"I do." Kratos answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Fair Anna, do you take this Seraph as your husband…promising to love, honor, cherish, obey him…to be with him always; better or worse, rich or poor, sickness or health?"
"I do." Anna smiled at the angel, then at Kratos.
"Is there anyone who has any objections as to why these two should not be wed then let them speak now or forever hold their peace." At this point in the ceremony, Kratos glared at Yuan with an 'I'll kill you myself if you mention this to Lord Yggdrasill' look on his face, so Yuan held his tongue. After glancing briefly around, the angel continued.
"Lord Kratos, you have the rings, I presume?" The angel inclined his head at the Cruxis lord. Kratos nodded and presented two Holy Rings to the angel, who gave one to each of them.
"Lord Kratos, place this ring upon her finger…"
"With this ring, I thee wed." Kratos did as he was asked.
"Fair Anna, place this ring upon his finger…"
She did so, and repeated Kratos' vow. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"Then by the power invested in me by the Church of Martel, I now pronounce you husband and wife…Lord Kratos, you may now kiss your bride." At a nod from the angel, Kratos eagerly kissed Anna. When the kiss was broken, the angel finished, "Angels of Cruxis, citizens of Hima, I present to you Kratos and Anna Aurion!" Yuan just stood there gaping as the angel flew off and the reception commenced.
Please review, or you won't get any more!