Hello there, dear readers! Welcome to chapter 11!

Ivan: SO, is it spelled Rouge or Rogue?

Raguna and Matt: Rogue

Yeah, I think I misspelled it.

Matt: You think? I'm pretty sure it's Rogue NOT Rouge.

Ivan: Hey Matt?

Matt: …Yes? Ivan…

Ivan: You better not hurt Raguna! If you do I will tear you limb from limb, then proceed to skin you, and turn your bones into dust!

*Everyone slowly backs away*

Matt: I-I-I wouldn't ever hurt Raguna, I can assure you that much.

Raguna: It's alright Ivan, I trust him but, thanks for caring so much about it. *hugs Ivan* *Ivan hugs back*

*Squeals* I need a pic! *Takes picture*

Ivan and Raguna: Hey!

*chuckles*

Matt: *Smirks* Anyway:

"Speaking"

/thoughts/

((telepathy)) ((telepathy))

Everyone: Let's get the chapter started!

Matt: Also CWB owns nothing except the plot, myself, and the mysterious kid. Oh plus the riddle, she made that herself.


Chapter 11: Chatting for details


Last chapter: ((Shut it, Matt.)) I got lost in thoughts, getting this letter really confirmed my suspicions of who this 'unknown' is.

++++(Another Scene: Ivan's POV)

Once I got off the phone with Raguna I went to see what my cousin wanted. I'm currently sitting in front of him while having dinner.

"So Ivan, did I do something to upset you?" His question startled me.

"What? No, why would you even think that?" I asked him with wide eyes.

"Well, I wouldn't have minded if you stayed here a bit longer. I was worried I'd done something to drive you away without noticing." Gil said. I kind of feel bad for leaving so suddenly, but Raguna was there, I couldn't risk him not being there if I came back here to tell my cousin. Speaking of which, should I tell him the reason I left in the first place?

"No, you didn't do anything of that sort. To be honest, it was a spur of the moment decision, triggered by some factors." /Wow, what a way to be detailed./ I thought sarcastically. My cousin tilted his head at me, I know that he wants me to expand on the subject, the question is; should I do that or not? He must've seen my hesitation because he started talking.

"I may be curious but, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Gil said.

"It's not that, I just, you've taken me in and all, the least I could do is" I didn't get the chance to finish that sentence.

"Listen here Ivan, you are my cousin, my family. I wanted to help you, so I took custody of you. Your father should be the one in my spot right now, but sadly, he isn't here right now." I decided to cut in right here.

"He probably won't ever be in that spot again." I was surprised at the venom in my voice. "He shouldn't have done that…even after everything that happened; he still did something like that."

"Yes, he did, and we still don't know the effects of that injection, we don't know what it would do to you. Have you felt any different since that time? Has anything different happen?" Gil asked me, concern showing in his eyes. Different, huh, do you mean even the events with Raguna? Though, the guy I saw, could it be because of the injection? No, Raguna was seeing him as well; I don't think that's the effect of the injection.

"Not exactly, at least I don't think it is." I said.

"What do you mean? What happened?" Gil asked. I could hear that he was curious, but it ties in with Raguna…forget it, Gil deserves to know.

"I found him." It seemed like an abrupt change of topic but understanding covered Gil's expression.

"What?" He sounded like he didn't dare let himself hope for it to be true.

"I finally found him, I found Raguna!" I almost cried at that, it seemed like that fact hadn't settled in until now.

"That's great! Why didn't you bring him along though?" Gil asked me.

"I would've loved to do that but, he doesn't remember his life. He remembers certain years, but not us. Raguna being in Kardia is what influenced my spontaneous decision to stay there."

"Oh…but at the very least, he's been found! That's as good a start as any. All we have to do is wait for his memories to come back."

"That's my plan as well; anyway, for the 'different' part of your original question, it happened around Raguna." I stayed silent for a moment, figuring out how to word it.

"Ivan? What happened?" He asked, concerned.

"I saw…someone, the first time it was only for a few seconds; once I blinked he was gone. The second time, I felt him nearby, I'm still not sure if I've been able to see him completely yet, I know I haven't been able to see his face."

"That's weird; it could be the effect of the injection though. Why do you think it isn't?" Gil asked. I looked at him, contemplating how to say it.

"Raguna could see him as well, that's why. Raguna doesn't know I've seen the other one. I believe I heard Raguna call him Matt…I'm not sure about that, since I was pretty far away. It also seemed like Raguna could touch him." I said, trying to figure out what exactly was going on. I looked at Gil and he seemed surprised.

"That's weird, just who's the other one? I've heard of some old legends about people coming here from other dimensions by using a method of transport, usually something that can be worn and not draw attention, like jewelry that a person has. This guy might be one of them." Gil said. That's right, how did I forget about that legend? It has been said for centuries! It hasn't happened in a long time though, at least not in mass numbers. Could the one with Raguna really be from another dimension?

"That makes since, but why would I be able to see him? Shouldn't only other people with said 'jewelry' be the only ones able to interact with them?"

"Hmm, that's what I'm wondering as well. We don't know what the injection, which your father put into you, had. We need a way of finding out what it had in it. We could use the extraction rune, but that'd be painful for you, there must be another way!" Gil said, determined to help out as much as he could.

"I'd really like to know what it had as well but, that rune has some side effects that I don't want, leaving a person paralyzed for some time being one of them. I just hope that the effect is a good one and that I can use it to protect Raguna." I said. If it helps protects Raguna, then I won't complain.

"Speaking of Raguna…how is he?" Gil asked, tilting his head.

"Oh, he's doing fine, well, I think…" I trailed off, thinking about what he's told me of the organization, his past, and the flinching, that I am certain I didn't imagine.

"That…doesn't sound good. Anything I can help with?" Gil asked. He's always been like that. If we ever needed any help he was always quick to extend a helping hand.

"Not really, unless you can find information about an organization." I said.

"Organization? Which one?"

"Well…" (AN: Imagine Ivan explaining it, I'm queuing in a flashback)

++++(Another Scene: Flashback)

"I will tell you about the eagle and snakes first. The eagle is a predator and so is the snake. In this case the snakes are going to be the eagles' next meal, since they are prey for the eagle. The wooly being surrounded by snakes; means that it has been caught and has no escape, it just has to wait for its death. The lab coat on the eagle means that he predator is a scientist or something of that sort. The wooly having cat ears is a mixture between animals, which means experiments. They experiment on the prey and then throw it away like it left over food. The play with their prey, a.k.a eating it, and then throw it away when they can't play with their prey anymore." Raguna finished his explanation. I sit there in silence, trying to wrap my head around it, and trying to figure out what this has to do with Raguna. He mentioned experiments, but Raguna seems completely normal to me.

++++(Another Scene: End Flashback)

"Raguna explained that to you? Why did he mention experiments though?" I have to hold back a laugh at that, I'm still confused about everything that's happening and I've seen it from the driver's seat! I can't imagine what he must be feeling right now.

"I still don't have an answer to that, he doesn't look like he was experimented on, but then again; I don't look like I've been experimented on either." I lower my voice a bit; thinking about how I'd been in denial after my father did that.

"Ivan." I heard my cousin call out softly. He knows that I would relate my own experience with Raguna's. The feeling of knowing that something's different but not knowing what was different; Raguna must've felt like that if he was experimented on. Then the feeling of possible rejection from others…

"Ivan, no matter what happens; you'll always be part of my family and will always be treated as such." I could hear the sincerity in his voice.

"Thanks." I said with a small smile. He's always been accepting of the fact that I was experimented on; he wouldn't reject Raguna either if he was experimented on.

"Also, I was on the phone with Raguna when you called for me." I said.

"You were? What were you two talking about?" Gil asked.

"Well, I told him of the riddle, he already knew something was wrong here, without me even telling him. Anyhow, he helped decipher it. He has got the same opinion we have, 'that there was something more to it than being a threat'."

"So he also thought that, but what do you mean 'deciphered it'? We've been trying for hours to decipher the riddle." Gil said, wide-eyed.

"I mean that he figured it out," I said sarcastically "and it makes since as well." I then started to explain everything Raguna said. I gave him my notes and he read them over.

"It makes sense! I had forgotten about the political battles. I wonder how Raguna came across that legend." Gil said.

"I'm not certain about that, but what worries me is this 'unknown' thing. Who or what, are they? At one point it seemed like Raguna was defending them, the riddle said something that Raguna spoke against. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I got the feeling that he didn't want us to think badly about them." I explained.

"Hmm, he may know what this 'unknown' is then. If it sounded like that, then it stands to reason that he knows what , or who, the 'unknown' is. I say that we trust what he says, if he went through experiments and who knows what else at the hands of that organization, then he should be careful of who he lets in, right? If he wants to give the 'unknown' a chance, then they probably deserve it." Gil mussed to himself.

"You're right…We should give them a chance. According to the riddle, they haven't chosen a side yet. I think they would most likely not want to participate in this from the start." I said.

"Yeah, we should go searching for the other people that got this riddle." Gil said. After we talked some more I went to sleep since I needed to catch the carriage after breakfast.

"Ivan, as much as I would love for you to miss the carriage and stay here, you're going to be late." I looked to the clock and noticed that he was correct. I really was going to be late! I got up and put on my robe, or what is supposed to be a robe, it doesn't truly look like one to me. It is a different style though, and I've only ever seen the traditional ones.

"Take care of Raguna, Ivan." Gil said as he gave me a goodbye hug.

"I will, cousin." I said as I returned the hug, I had every intention of following through with that.

We parted ways and I got on the carriage and started my journey back to Kardia. I had already texted Raguna last night, telling him that I was going to come back today. I stopped by my house to drop off the robe and then headed over to Raguna's house.

Once I got to Raguna's house I stopped and looked at what was in front of Raguna's house. It was a brown haired cat with dark blue eyes. The cat (or was it a kit?) was licking a front paw. It seemed like it heard me approach since it looked up at me. I looked at the cat's eyes and the cat looked back, so intensely that I started to wonder if that was a normal. The cat then blinked twice and meowed, then it dashed into town.

/Rule number 1: always be ready for these types of things around Raguna. Rule number 2: Do not question things that happen around Raguna, or Kardia in general, if you want to keep a stable mind. It seems that the people got accustomed to not questioning things that happen around the town./ I thought, a bit amused. I then approached the door to knock on it.


*Maniacal laugh* How do you like that ending!?

Raguna: People are going to get fed up with those cliffies.

Matt: not much happened in this chapter, why even add it?

Ivan: Because, Matt, this chapter seems to be more of an introduction to my character, and Gil was in there a bit. It also seems to add mentions of the father, which ties in with the phone call I had a couple of chapters back.

Sophie: What do the readers think about this chapter?

How is the relationship between the characters going along?

What do you think of the insight to Ivan's character? I had been so focused on Raguna that I said, "Well, Ivan, you're up! Character and plot development are cooking!"

What about that last paragraph about the cat? What do you think of it?

Any other questions for the story in general? I won't bite even if you're a guest…Why is it that guest usually don't leave reviews? *Pouts* (Some do, but the majority of them just read and go)

Also Sidus Alatus, I will read the story! I just haven't been able to get around to it. By the way, if anyone wants another Rune Factory story to read, Sidus Alatus is writing one with the characters of Rune Factory 2! You guys should go read it, it's good!

No Sidus, I ain't promoting you. :p

I just think your story deserves to be read. Also I have a question, are we the only Rune Factory writers left for the games that aren't Rune Factory 4? I swear I've seen a bunch of Rune Factory 4, but I've never seen the ones for Rune Factory 1, 2, and 3. I've seen some but it's like looking for water in a desert.

The ones I've found usually don't have Raguna and Ivan in it! A good one I read some time ago and the only one I can remember the title of is, Everybody loves Raguna I don't remember the author though. I truly do think that were the only authors/writers left that are currently writing and posting their story for the older games.

(Please don't mind any typos I had in this chapter. No matter how much I read the chapters, I never seem to get all of them.)