Okay, I didn't give up on this! I just kept...editing this chapter. And editing. And editing. Crazy how that happens.

As always, thanks for reading!

Zelos was pissed.

He was waiting a few miles from the House of Salvation, leaning against a cliff and glaring up at the dark sky. A few minutes later, a flash of light, and Yggdrasill was standing in front of him. Zelos pushed himself up and stormed towards the man, anger making him reckless.

"You told me you wouldn't hurt anyone," he snarled. Yggdrasill barely raised his eyebrow. "You told me you just wanted to talk to Kratos!"

"And I did." The leader of Cruxis remained unflappable. "My, are you starting to care about that little group?"

Zelos grit his teeth. "Now I have to deal with the whole group knowing the truth about me and Cruxis," he said, ignoring the question. "They've done nothing but interrogate me all night! Any trust I had with them is gone."

"Trust means nothing," Yggdrasill dismissed. "You are still within their group, travelling with them, correct?"

"Yeah, but only because of—"

He almost said "because of Lloyd", but he swallowed the words. "—because they think I'm spying on Cruxis for them. And I had to do some quick thinking for that one, believe me."

"Hmm. Very well." Yggdrasill shrugged. "The time is nearly at hand, anyway. Once Yuan collects the materials for the Chosen's illness, we will come for her. Then there will be no need for you."

It would honestly be easier to just kill you.

Kratos statement from earlier that night came back to Zelos, making his blood run cold. His spine stiffened, though he folded his arms to look as nonchalant as possible. "Look, I don't think it's going to be that easy. You're not just going to be able to swoop in and kidnap her without a fight. Especially with Kratos on their side."

"Hmph." Yggdrasill's lips curled into a smile. "That's why I have you. When the time comes, I will let you know what is required of you. Until then…sit tight, Zelos, and enjoy your time with those naïve fools."

With that, Yggdrasill left, a sparkle of mana in his wake. Zelos stared at the spot, uneasy, before he turned to head back.

Yggdrasill was going to capture Colette soon, which meant that Zelos wouldn't be needed to spy. And that, of course, begged the question.

What exactly would happen once Yggdrasill decided he didn't need Zelos anymore?

The group left the House of Guidance the next morning, after Raine declared that Kratos was well enough to travel.

"You have one restriction," she told him sternly. "You are not to use magic. Every ounce of your mana needs to be restored naturally before you can cast a single spell. Otherwise, you'll collapse again. Am I understood?"

He had agreed, though it was a half-hearted promise, much like a sulking teenager. Satisfied that, at the very least, he knew the dangers, she allowed the group to head for the sea.

The EC was a strange vehicle. Lloyd, Colette, and Genis were fascinated by the Wing Pack Sheena showed them, but Kratos was more interested in the EC itself. He took a look at the inside and frowned.

"There's no steering, it appears. How are these normally operated?"

"Well, usually," Sheena explained, "there's only one person to unload. The EC itself is run by the machine in it, on a set course. It's only used to move cargo, so…" She shrugged. "It's never needed someone to steer it. But, uh, we have Undine to steer!"

"It's run by a machine?" Raine blinked in wonder. "Interesting…it must be magitechnology." Her eyes lit up. "It's surely based on the old schematics from the Kharlan Era. Oh, I must get a look at the schematics of it!"

"Let's hurry up," Kratos said impatiently. "We've already wasted a day's time. Let's not waste any more."

They clambered inside, all of them squished together. Lloyd was up against the side of the vehicle, with Kratos pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Colette was next, grinning as she and Genis squeezed close to allow Presea next to them. Finally, Sheena and Zelos, squabbling as they were forced to tuck their elbows in and sit practically on top of each other.

Last was Raine, who hesitated.

"Get in, Raine!" Genis called. "I know it's a tight squeeze, but there's room! Just shove Zelos over."

"Umm…" She started to get in, but the vehicle rocked and she jumped back. "Ah!"

It took a good bit of coaxing, and the promise that she would be allowed to tear the EC apart afterward, but they finally got Raine to climb in. She clenched her fists tightly and Lloyd handed her a canteen.

"Here, Professor," he said. "Put your head between your knees if you feel sick. Dad always said that helps with seasickness."

Raine smiled. "Thank you, Lloyd."

"Alright, Undine!" Sheena gathered her mana and called for the Spirit. "Let's go!"

Riding on the EC was a long and slightly uncomfortable journey. Lloyd and Colette both fell asleep on Kratos' shoulders, much to the amusement of Sheena. Genis also ended up being rocked to sleep by the waves, although he had the good graces to tilt his head back.

Raine eventually did put her head between her knees, muttering to herself and looking a bit sick. Sheena and Zelos spent the entire ride bickering amongst themselves, at least until Kratos muttered, "Knock it off, you're irritating."

Quite frankly, by the time the group hit land around noon, the novelty of the situation had worn off.

"Urgh…" Raine lurched as she stepped out of the EC, almost pitching over. "That ride was…"

"That was boring," Lloyd complained. "I didn't even stay awake for it."

Zelos settled Raine back onto her feet. "Bud, I gotta ask, have you ever stayed awake for anything?"

Lloyd wrinkled his nose. "Hey, shut up!"

Sheena put the EC back into the wing pack and tucked it into her pocket. Kratos folded his arms.

"Sybak, then," he said. "But I'm concerned about any soldiers that are around. Perhaps we should take caution to avoid the entrance of the Research Academy."

"I agree." Raine was still a little green, but her voice was as steady as ever. "We should go the back way that Kate showed us. In the meantime, keep your heads down and avoid any guards."

Lloyd nodded. "Got it. Let's hurry up and get going!"

Sitting in his office in Flanior, Yuan crumbled up the report Botta had meticulously written. He clenched the paper in his fist and slammed it on the desk.

"Well," Botta said conversationally, "next time, I'll have it dictated."

Yuan glared at him. "This isn't the time for jokes."

"My apologies. I just know how much you hate paperwork."

Yuan ignored the jab. "Are you absolutely certain that Yggdrasill used Time Stop?"

"One hundred percent." Botta folded his arms. "Kimir saw it herself. She was far enough away that the spell didn't affect her, but there's no mistaking it. Time Stop, used to isolate Lloyd."

"And what happened next?" Yuan asked.

"Well, you could read the report…"

Yuan snapped his fingers and a jolt of lightning struck the paper ball that was Botta's report. It caught fire on his desk. "Oops. Not anymore."

Botta sighed like an exasperated parent. "Kratos appeared to be...breaking the spell, she thought. Then he collapsed and they ended up in the House of Guidance nearby."

Yuan sat up straight. "Wait. Is Kratos…?"

"Alive?" Botta finished. "Yes, against all odds. Kimir said when they passed her post, she felt his mana. It was...very touch and go."

Yuan exhaled. "What a damned fool. Kratos is his fail-safe for Origin's seal. If Kratos had been killed…"

"That would solve our problems," Botta rubbed his chin. "Or, at least, one of our problems."

Yuan reached out and began to fiddle with the now-smoldering report. "...Botta. Can I confide something in you?"

Botta raised an eyebrow. "Of course, sir."

"I really don't want Kratos to die." He turned the paper around in his fingers. "Kratos and I have...we've been through quite a lot over the years. I'd rather he survive and live a full life in a world with no Cruxis to weigh him down."

"But releasing Origin's seal is the only way to end Cruxis' reign," Botta replied. "Kratos has to die in order to bring peace to the world."

"I know," Yuan said, annoyed at his own feelings. "I refuse to be Mithos, risking the world to save one person. But I don't wish for his death."

"..." Botta sighed. "Sir. It is not a sin to wish for life instead of death."

"But it is foolish."

"...Perhaps it isn't," Botta said suddenly. Yuan raised an eyebrow at him. "Mana is a funny thing. Perhaps, with a bit of research…"

Yuan looked taken aback. "You think there might be a way to save Kratos when he releases the seal."

Botta shrugged. "Who knows? I'll take a look at some of those old Elven books you keep around. Surely, someone, somewhere, has survived this."

He started for the door. Yuan watched him go and picked up the charred and crumpled report. He tossed it into the wastebasket and went back to his paperwork.

He hated paperwork.

In the darkness of the basement, Kate stared down at Genis with an almost astounded face, her eyes wide over her glasses.

"...You weren't lying," she said. Lloyd gave her an annoyed look.

"I told you." He glanced over at Presea. "Now tell us what's going on with Presea!"

"Fine." Kate sighed and swiped her bangs out of her face. "A deal's a deal. I'll tell you about...what we did to Presea."

Raine glanced down at the girl. "Who exactly is 'we'? The Pope ordered you to carry the experiments out, but surely he didn't come up with them on his own. Who else is involved?"

Kate gave her a small smile. "You're a half-elf. Do you think they would share that sort of information with me?"

Raine's lips tightened, thinning into a tense line. "Hmm. A secret, hidden mastermind behind the facade of a threat." She glanced over at Kratos. "Where have we heard that before?"

"Cruxis could be involved," he admitted. "It wouldn't be outrageous, but...they tend to avoid experiments in the flourishing world."

"Hmm. Interesting." Raine furrowed her brow at Presea.

"Can you reverse it?" Lloyd asked Kate.

Kate reached out for Presea. The girl recoiled, her body tensing, before she took off to hide behind the group. Kate pushed her glasses up her nose.

"The others have told me how it works," Raine pressed. "You're trying to grow a Cruxis Crystal in her body?"

Kate nodded. "It's called the Angelus Project."

Kratos and Lloyd both made a noise in their throats. It was Lloyd, however, who spoke out, fists clenched.

"That's the project my mom was involved in!" He leaned forward, his anger spilling to the surface, but Kratos quickly put a hand on his shoulder.

"Not now," he said quickly, though his own emotional turmoil bubbled inside. He squeezed his son's shoulder. "Let's worry about Presea first," he continued. "Priorities."

Lloyd's eyes still flashed with anger and injustice, but he took a step back. Kate looked a bit surprised at his tone, but she continued anyway.

"Her Exsphere itself is nothing special," Kate explained. "It just has a special Key Crest attached. It delays the Exsphere's parasitic effects, allowing the gems to mutate into Cruxis Crystals."

"Is this why Presea's emotional state is so...subdued?" Raine questioned. "It's not as bad as Colette was, but it's certainly similar. "

Kate nodded. In the back, Presea was paying no attention to their conversation. Or, perhaps more accurately, she wasn't able to pay attention.

"Yes. An unintended side effect, but…" Kate's glasses slipped down her nose again. "It seems that to delay the parasite's process, you have to delay the host's process, as well."

Just as his own, Kratos thought. Stop the host's metabolism and internal processes. He had a vivid thought that, perhaps, Presea was older than she seemed, just as he was.

"So, what happens if we leave Presea like this?" Colette asked. She was clasping her hands together, anxious.

"..." Kate was avoiding her gaze. Kratos took the reigns.

"I'd assume the host would die at the end of the process," he answered for her.

The rest of the group seemed shaken by his casual observation. Kate nodded, still not looking at them.

"Yes."

"Kratos…" Lloyd glared at him, but he shrugged the boy's look off.

"It's the only outcome that makes sense," he said. "Think of the human ranches, Lloyd. The victims of the Exspheres lost their lives to grow them. Presea's situation is the same."

Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah...I know…"

"We can't just leave her like this!" Genis looked back at the girl, still quiet. "What did she ever do to you?!"

Kate blinked at him. Perhaps she had expected more sympathy from another half-elf; perhaps she simply didn't have an answer immediately ready. Either way, she hesitated, then finally said, "Nothing. She just matched genetic testing we performed."

Genetic testing. Kratos remembered, almost a lifetime ago, when Anna had shown him an old photograph. A gaggle of siblings, five in total. All sacrificed to the Angelus Project. The only successful one right in the middle, smiling broadly, not knowing all the pain and horror that would follow those happy years.

"Kratos? You okay?" Colette flashed him a concerned smile. "You seem upset."

"...It's nothing, Chosen. Just thinking." He refocused on Kate. "You promised to release her from your experiment. Do you still intend to do so?"

Kate nodded. "Yes. A promise is a promise."

The scientist beside her, a man who looked rather nervous, spoke up. "But Kate! If you do that-!"

"There's a dwarf named Altessa," she interrupted. "He lives deep in the Gaoracchia Forest. He and I worked together on this project by order of the Pope." She touched her face and glanced over at Presea sadly. "Altessa has always felt...guilty, I think, about what we did. If you can talk to him, I'm sure he'll be able to help."

"A dwarf?" Lloyd blinked. "I didn't even know there were dwarves on this side, too…"

"Altessa will be able to repair her Key Crest," Kate said. "That will, hopefully, end the process and return her to normal."

"Lloyd, can't you fix it?" Colette asked.

Lloyd shook his head. "I can't even tell the difference between this and a normal Key Crest."

"Shall we head for the Gaoracchia Forest, then?" Sheena suggested. She pulled a map out of her pack. "I know that area pretty well. It probably wouldn't take more than a day."

"We'll need to shop for supplies first," Raine said. "But I'd like to find this Altessa as soon as possible." She glanced over at Presea. "Now that we know more about this...I'm incredibly concerned about her. I wonder…"

They began to head for the exit, but Kratos abruptly turned to Kate.

"I have a question for you." He hesitated, then continued, "The Angelus Project that we heard about involved a special Exsphere, but had the same end goal." Lloyd blinked in surprise, but Kratos resolutely ignored him. "A man named Kvar wanted to create Cruxis Crystals using a special Exsphere. Why did your experiment involve a special Key Crest?"

"I'm…not sure, exactly." Kate tapped her chin and frowned. "This is the only part of the research I've been asked to work on. The Pope asked me to begin the research, but I was only looking at the Key Crest. However…Altessa was more involved. Maybe he knows."

"So you never heard of Kvar?" Lloyd asked. "Or anything about people called the Desians?"

Kate shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. But then, I doubt anyone would ever tell me about the specifics."

"No," Raine mused as they headed for the hidden exit. "I suppose not."

The group was fairly quiet until they went out into the city again. They started to head for the shops, quiet until Colette spoke up.

"Why were you asking about the Angelus Project, Kratos?" she asked.

Kratos stopped walking. "I suppose…I was just curious."

"You should know about the Angelus Project very well," Raine said suddenly. "Kvar said that Lloyd's special Exsphere was supposed to go to Yggdrasill. Why are you asking questions about something you already know?"

"Hmph." Kratos closed his eyes. "As perceptive as ever. Truth be told…I don't think this experiment is being orchestrated by Cruxis. Or, at least, not all of Cruxis."

"Interesting. Internal strife in Cruxis…how pathetic." Raine sighed. "So who do you think sanctioned this experiment?"

"…I have my suspicions, but I'll keep them to myself for now." Kratos shrugged. "If it's who I think it is, we'll probably meet him soon."

"A heads up would be nice," Zelos mumbled, while Raine gave an exasperated sigh.

"Fine," he snapped. "Rodyle. He's the last Grand Cardinal, the only one we haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet."

"Another Desian?" Sheena frowned. "How come we never saw his human ranch?"

"He's not really known in Sylvarant," Kratos explained. "His ranch is on an island off of Palmacosta. He gets the majority of his victims from ships that he captures."

"Of course," Raine said. "People would automatically assume that a missing ship was wrecked by storms or monsters. A human ranch in the sea would never cross their minds."

Kratos nodded. "Exactly. Rodyle's ranch is impossible to escape from, difficult to find, and naturally protected."

"What's he doing in Tethe'alla?" Genis asked. "Shouldn't he be running his human ranch?"

"..." Kratos sighed. "Kvar and Rodyle were the original masterminds of the Angelus Project. Kvar's research yielded results, but Rodyle's did not. It makes sense that he would turn to other avenues to find results."

"Hmm. And you think he convinced the Pope to perform human experimentation?" Raine tilted her head thoughtfully. "That seems needlessly complicated."

"Cruxis does not allow the Desians to operate in the flourishing world," Kratos explained. "It would cause panic. My guess is that Rodyle is using the Church to cultivate more...subjects for his experiments, without attracting Yggdrasill's attention."

"That's horrible!" Colette cried. "People go to the Church for hope and peace! Why would the Pope want people to suffer?"

Zelos raised an eyebrow. "That's an awful optimistic view. I mean, the Pope isn't any great religious figure. He's just...a guy. A guy who happened to have some power given to him."

"But…" Colette looked absolutely bewildered. "That's not…"

"Chosen," Kratos said, almost kindly. "You must understand. In Tethe'alla, the church leaders are like...politicians. Very much like the Mayor of Iselia or Dorr. Piety and faith don't always factor into it."

"..." Colette blinked, then sighed. "Yes, I understand that."

"Either way," Sheena said, quickly changing the subject, "it seems like Rodyle is the root of this thing with Presea."

Lloyd clenched his fists. "We have to find him. We have to stop him."

"Lloyd's right!" Colette glanced down at Presea. "We can't let Rodyle keep doing this!"

"We need to keep our focus," Raine chastised. "If we take down Cruxis, Rodyle will be taken down with them."

Kratos folded his arms. "The first thing we need to do is free Presea from this experiment. Then we can worry about Rodyle and Cruxis."

"..." All eyes turned to Presea, who blinked slowly at them. "I just...want to go home."

"Yes, dear," Raine said quietly, while Colette smiled comfortingly at her. "We're almost there."