Chapter 21: Adjusting
Even in all the happiness of marriage, Kratos and Anna still had to worry about Kvar. There was every chance that he would find them. In fact, after spending their honeymoon at Izoold, that's exactly what happened.
"Are we ready to go?" Kratos asked on the morning that they were to leave for Palmacosta.
"Yes, dear." Anna kissed him and put her bags on the ground next to Noishe.
"Shall we head out then?"
"NOT SO FAST!" a voice called.
"I know that voice…that voice means trouble…" Anna whispered.
"Stay with Noishe. I'll handle it." Kratos whispered back. Anna didn't need to be told twice. Kratos turned around to face Kvar, sword drawn and ready.
"Still thinking you can intimidate me with that?" the Ranch leader asked.
"You are out of your jurisdiction! Leave now!" Kratos said, hoping that he wouldn't have to use his sword.
"Since when have I answered to you?" Kvar mocked.
"Do you even know who I am?" Kratos threatened as he stepped forward.
"You are the man who kidnapped the Angelus Project. You are going to die if you don't return her. You can't scare me!"
"I am one of the leaders of Cruxis! You will answer to me!" the Seraph warned, pointing his sword at Kvar.
"Cruxis? Hah! Like that worries me!"
"Fine. You are justly killed by your own treachery. (1)" Kratos unfolded his wings and rose up, holding his sword high. "Thunder Blade!" he called as he hawk-dived toward Kvar. The lightning hit the Desian leader and sent him flying. Sheathing his blade, Kratos ran to where Anna and Noishe were. "We have to go! Now!" He flung himself onto the dog-creature's back and helped Anna up, grabbing their bags as they moved. Folding his wings away again, they headed for the docks and hopped a boat to Palmacosta.
Over the next few weeks, they moved constantly. They were never safe from Kvar. Eventually though, they were once again able to live quietly and in one place. Luin was a quiet enough place, a small enough town, and far enough out of the way that even if the Desian leader ever made it up that far, he still wouldn't find them.
Every once in a while, Yuan would find them, but refused to say whether or not he was truly on their side. It seemed that he was, but even Kratos couldn't be too careful.
All in all, it was extremely difficult for Kratos and Anna to adjust to their new life together.
Not even six months into this new interesting adventure, another door opened onto an opportunity for a not-as interesting new mission for the Cruxis angel.
One beautiful day, Kratos was outside by the fountain with Noishe, watching all the little kids run around playing tag and various ball games. Occasionally, some would come over to see Noishe. Just as another group of kids ran over to take a look at the green-gray protozoan, Anna also walked up, a smile playing over her lips as she watched her husband explain to the kids that Noishe was just a dog.
"Are you sure, mister? He looks kinda funny." One little boy said.
"Oh! Don't say things like that! You'll hurt its feelings!" A girl with blonde ponytails hugged Noishe and stuck her tongue out at the boy.
"Now, now. Don't start arguing." Kratos said calmly, petting Noishe's head. "He's just a normal dog." The kids got bored with Noishe and ran off to play some more games. Anna sat down on the fountain edge next to Kratos and put her head on his shoulder.
"I saw how you acted around those kids…"
"What? What's wrong with that? I was nice to them!" Kratos said, a little confused.
"That's what I meant. You seem really good with kids."
"I suppose…" Kratos kissed the top of his wife's head. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Oh…nothing. It was just an observation." She stood up and grabbed both of his hands. "Come on. There's something I want to tell you…" she led him back to the small house that they had rented.
"Why couldn't we just stay at the fountain?" Kratos asked. Noishe whined in agreement. Anna just shook her head and pushed him gently into a chair. He immediately stood back up.
"You're gonna want to sit for this…"
"Why? There is nothing you can tell me that I can't take standing up." Kratos crossed his arms over his chest.
"Don't say I didn't warn you…" Anna said under her breath as she backed up a couple steps and braced for impact. "Kratos…I'm pregnant."
Kratos fainted.
(1) One of Laeretes' last lines in 'Hamlet: Prince of Denmark'.