A/N: For Warning and Disclaimer, redirect back to the PROLOGUE

Chapter 2: Old Friends

Today was the day that they were to rescue Sera. She was their creator, she was their friend; she was everything to the Embryon. Argilla knew that she missed Sera as much as the other members of the Embryon did. But she also feared seeing her. Would Serph change his mind once he saw her? Would he forget about her and run to Sera's arms? Would Sera run into Serph's arms? So many doubtful questions ran to her mind that she failed to notice that she was already lagging behind the others. She was brought back to reality, however, by Serph who was holding her hand, his eyes gazing at hers asking her what was wrong.

Argilla shook her head and smiled at him before resuming their walk. Serph could feel the anxiety pouring over her but decided not to inquire any more about it. He guessed that it had to do with Sera but he knew that his mind and heart were made up. Both loved and wanted Argilla and not Sera.

'I'm so silly thinking about things like this! Serph loves me…he told me himself…wait a minute! I shouldn't be thinking about this kind of stuff right now! We have a mission for God's sake!'

xxxxx

The Embryon group braved the numerous floors of the Karma Society building in hopes of learning of Sera's whereabouts. And their efforts were not in vain. She was being kept on the top floor in the medical room. The group hastened their pace only to be hindered by various guards and hideous monsters. Through their will and teamwork, they made it through.

As the group recuperated at a life terminal, Argilla once again found herself thinking about Sera, Serph and herself. She was so lost in her thoughts that she failed to notice Roland's presence behind her.

"A penny for your thoughts?" he asked wistfully. Slightly startled and annoyed, she gave him a lopsided smile, "Coming from you? That's hardly believable…"

Roland feigned a hurtful expression and clutched his heart, "Ouch…you really know how to stick it to the man!"

"Only reserved for you Roland…only for you." she drawled. Roland scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, yeah! Hey, I was just trying to be a good guy and ask how you were doing." Argilla's ears perked up at what he said, 'Was I that obvious that even this moron could tell?' she asked herself. "Well, you've been spacing out since the beginning of the mission. Is there something you're not telling us?"

She smirked at this, "Hmph. It's nothing that concerns you. I got it under control." Roland pouted and was about to say something when Serph came in between them. Argilla suppressed a blush that threatened to grace her cheeks as she looked at Serph. Roland turned to Serph as well, aware of Argilla's apprehension of his presence 'Huh. So that's what's going on. Argilla has a thing for our leader…hmm…maybe I could help her change her mind.'

"Hey Serph! All set? I was just talking to Argilla here, asking her if she was alright." Serph looked blankly at Roland and nodded instead. He then turned to Argilla and gave her his smile. Roland could feel the tension in the air and decided to excuse himself of the anxiety and sauntered off. Argilla turned to Serph and took his hand, leading him to a more private corner in the room that they occupied. The cubicles provided little privacy but it would have to do.

Serph furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at her. She knew that he wanted to know what she was thinking. She sighed a heavy sigh, "I'm just scared Serph…" she trailed off hoping that he would stop his inquiries when she told him that she feared for their lives. But Serph wasn't naïve. She was scared all right, but not of the battles ahead. No, it was something else. Serph knew that she was scared of something else, but because it didn't involve their mission, it aggravated his anxiety as well. His eyes burrowed into hers and in that instant, Argilla knew that he knew'Might as well tell him…'

"I'm scared that you might change your mind when you see Sera!" she blurted out suddenly. Serph blinked back in surprise. 'So this was what she was worried about.' he thought knowingly.' Serph grabbed her hand with his left hand and the base of her neck with the other hand. He drew their faces close together until they were only an inch apart. "I want…only you…" he muttered when he crushed his lips to hers. His kiss was different from the previous nights as this was urgent, more passionate, more demanding. She whimpered in his lips but parted her mouth nonetheless to welcome him. Both his hands now cupped either side of her face to hold her head in place. Argilla felt her back hit the wall as Serph plundered her mouth seeking its warmth and secrets. Moments later, Serph pulled back, out of breath. Argilla panted but she knew that his kiss not only satisfied her current state of longing for him, but also her doubts on their newfound relationship.

"'Ey! You guys alright? We heard a thud!" Cielo grinned as he spotted the two near the wall. Argilla thanked her lucky stars that they managed to compose themselves properly a second before Cielo could accuse them of anything. Cielo wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at them and Serph only looked away, a blush creeping on his cheeks. "Okay! Come on people! We gotta move on, ja?"

xxxxx

As they entered the medical facility, they knew that they were too late. Sera was not there. Serph felt his blood boil at the disappointment. The group was startled as they saw Madame Cuvier on the monitor.

"Come home to us…" she beckoned. Serph's eyes glowed defiantly, "We'd never join you!"

Madame Cuvier pouted in disappointment, "Oh? What I pity…I didn't want to do this but you leave me no choice. Come forth and delete these data before they corrupt the entire system!"

The Embryon group's eyes flew from the monitor to the opening door behind them. Truly, it was a sight that none of them expected.

"Heat? Is that you?" Argilla asked doubtfully. What was he doing here? With the Karma Society and with Madame Cuvier? These were the questions that flowed through the Embryon tribe's heads.

"Heat has decided to cooperate with us, as long as Sera was kept safe…" Madame Cuvier grinned.

Argilla gasped in disbelief, "Heat! This is just another act right? Right?!"

Heat ignored Argilla's questions and sneered at Serph. "I won't let you do anything that might endanger Sera!" As he said those words, Serph experienced his flashbacks with Heat. This was the man that used to belong with them; a man that shared their joys and sorrows. Heat was someone that belonged with them, with the Embryon tribe. Serph's eyes blazed with emotions that were a mix of anger and confusion. How could Heat betray them all like this? Didn't their friendship and camaraderie mean anything to him? Did he not believe that they had the power to save Sera?

Serph shook these thoughts out of his head, deciding that Heat has already chosen his path. The battle that ensued ended in the favor of the Embryon. Heat's attacks were solely aimed at Serph. Argilla ran to him, concern evident on her face, "Serph! Are you alright?" she asked frantically. He nodded in response as he walked away from her and headed towards Heat's form on the ground. Heat scowled at him before making his escape. "We'll finish this someday Serph!"

The Embryon group was at a loss as to what to do next. They had no chance of escape by going back the way they came. It was completely cut off. But as luck would have it, or was it destiny, the Embryon tribe would not be contained and defeated there. As a Karma soldier told them of the assistance being given to them by the Head Director, the Embryon group had no choice but to accept. They followed the guards toward the Director's office where they met face to face with the genius scientist who created the Demon Virus. Jenna Angel.

Gale's eyes flashed in recognition. He knew this woman from his past. Why couldn't he remember? He remembered only her frightened and tear-stricken face.

Flashback

"Don't leave me!"

"I want you to promise me…that you won't hate them…."

"I promise! Please don't leave me! Don't leave me David!"

End Flashback

'Who's David?' Gale thought to himself.