Well here's another chapter...if anyone's even bothering to read this anymore that is. Regardless...chapter 12 will follow shortly. Enjoy!
Yuan stepped into Welgaia, rubbing his head wearily. Felicity was proving to be much more trouble than she was worth. If she didn't pull through soon, she'd have to be disposed of. Yuan knew it was a mistake to trust her to capture Kratos. Worse, one of his Renegades had infiltrated and exposed the fact that they were after Kratos, not Anna. He's be having a chat with the rest of his Renegades soon enough. If Kratos wasn't waiting in the shadows to pounce on him, he'd eat his cape. And that just so happened to be where Kratos was waiting. As Yuan entered his chambers, he was slammed into the wall, a sword pressed into his back and an arm pressed like an iron bar to his throat.
"Cursed Felicity," Yuan said resigned. "You've returned to Mithos then?"
"Hardly," Kratos said in his calm voice. "I've returned to have a chat with you, if you're willing to betray your overlord."
"Our overlord," Yuan sneered. "Depends on what you want to know."
"I know the Desians with Felicity Jamison were after me, not Anna," Kratos said, an uncharacteristic bite of anger in his usually calm voice. "I know they are trying to find Asilaj. I know that they've been trying to capture Anna for years and were hoping to use me as bait." Kratos increased the pressure on Yuan's throat. "You're going to tell me why and tell me what happens next."
"All this for a foolish girl?" Yuan asked.
"To destroy Mithos's completely twisted plot," Kratos replied. "And don't forget, I always could best you in fighting Yuan."
Yuan scowled slightly mostly because he was right. Kratos always could take him down in a second, as much as it pained him to admit it.
"Why her?" Kratos asked in a tone that actually caused Yuan to stiffen in alertness as though he was being attacked.
"The Angelus project," Yuan said. "Mithos and Kvar want her to test the new project."
Kratos's blood ran cold. "They want to grow a Cruxis Crystal inside of her?"
"Yes," Yuan replied. "She's the closest mana signature we've found. Most likely the closest we'll ever find."
Kratos wanted in the moment to kill his former ally in the most inhumane way possible. He wanted to sprint through Welgaia and thrust his sword through Yggdrasil corrupted, blackened heart. He had never felt such anger, such hate, and such rage before in his entire 4,000 years of existence. He couldn't believe that Yggdrasil would sink so low. It was clear now to Kratos that he had been right to leave Cruxis.
They want to turn Anna, my beautiful, stubborn, strong, courageous Anna…into a monster!
"When are they going after her?" Kratos said through gritted teeth. "Tell me, no lies or I swear by everything in existence I will kill you.
He's in love with her! Yuan suddenly realized, his eyes widening. Martel…you can come back to me through this girl…the girl Kratos loves…
"They're waiting for Felicity to find Asilaj," Yuan said. "And trust me when I say…it won't be long now. If they can't find it in three days…Felicity will be killed and the Desians are going to lay another trap for Anna. They can wait to destroy Asilaj. They can't wait to capture Anna. They need the Cruxis Crystal."
Kratos fought to control his rage and desperation as he released Yuan from the death grip.
"Death will find you all if she is hurt. I promise you that!" he snarled. Yuan spun around to spit back a reply…but Kratos was gone.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Anna paced around the practice archery yard in Asilaj, wringing her hands. She unsheathed a sword and thrust angrily in a fence post with a roar of frustration.
DAMN YOU KRATOS!! She though furiously. Damn you to Hell! What kind of monster kisses someone then takes off? You self righteous ingrate! We let in our clan and this is the thanks we get. You run back to your overlord! NOT TO MENTION LEAVING ME TO LIE AND SAY YOU'VE GONE MISSING! I CAN'T EVEN TELL THE JALISA THE TRUTH YOU STUPID TRAITOR!
Another voice in her head broke through her inner turmoil. You can tell them the truth.
Yeah and live with them knowing I failed them again.
You don't want them to think ill of him.
Same difference!
No. You don't want them to think ill of him because you want him to be able to come back to you!
That monster! Are you crazy?
No…but you are. About him!
Anna snatched a dagger from her belt with another curse and hurled it at a target, striking a bull's eye.
An arrow pelted through the air and struck the target, knocking the dagger away and embedding itself in the same hole. Anna spun around quickly, throwing her swords as she went, nearly decapitating Ahmond, who barely ducked.
"Great Martel, Anna!" he yelled stomping over to her. "You could have killed me! What's with you?"
"If I had meant to kill you," Anna said, walking over to the tree and yanking out her embedded swords, "I would have."
"STILL!" he shouted. Then his look turned to one of scrutiny. "Still no word from Kratos?"
"You know the answer to that as well as I," she replied with a snarl. "If he just…UUUGGGHHH!!"
"If he just didn't run away?" Ahmond supplied bitterly. "I told you he was a worthless traitor! Now the whole village may be in danger and you are worried that your forbidden lover may be in trouble! Why don't you start acting-"
SMACK!
"Don't act like you know him!" Anna shrieked. "You don't know the first thing about him! You hate him because he bested you." Anna smacked him again. "Get over your petty jealousy Ahmond Senshi! Start acting like you're a member of this clan! You're not my Martel-forsaken father!" She pushed him as hard as she could and sent him sprawling onto his back before dissolving into tears of frustration.
Ahmond wanted to smack Anna for being so foolish…but he couldn't. Anna was his best friend, his comrade. And, although he was reluctant to admit it, she obviously needed to know what had become of Kratos.
"Anna," he said softly, putting his arm around her. "Don't cry. I haven't seen you cry since the night your parents died." Anna fixed him with a watery glare. "I'll send Sei, his wife and three others to find Kratos ok?"
Anna got up, disgusted with herself as she hurriedly wiped her tears away. It's not that…I want him to come back, not just because my feelings for him…but something's coming…I can feel it. But sending out two of our best people right now would be foolish. I'll just have to deal with whatever comes. Mom…Dad…I won't let you down this time!
"Don't, Ahmond," Anna said. "Listen…Something…big…is coming. I'm not sure when and I'm not sure what. Just something in my gut is telling me that trouble is ahead…we need everyone here for the next few days." Anna looked around at the people working or milling around the distant village square. "These are my people. I owe them my protection. Kratos IS one of us…but…he's not here. I have to protect those who are. Until I can figure out just what is around the bend…Kratos is on his own." She sighed heavily. "I'm turning in. Make sure the watch expands there scout areas by a mile. Something is out there. I'm sure of it." Anna walked away, leaving her friend to stare up, puzzled, at twilit sky.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
STUPID STUPID STUPID!!! Kratos though furiously as he used his wings to float from tree to tree, following Anna's progress through Asilaj. You can't just kiss people and walk away!!!! NOT TO MENTION AFTER YOU ADMITTED YOU'RE DAMNATION!!! STUPID!!!
Kratos shook his head wearily. He had never experienced powerful emotions such as these before. Not until he met Anna, who could drive a person absolutely insane with her stubborn cockiness. He had to wonder if he was going mad or if this was normal when falling in love.
Kratos watched as Anna made her rounds through the village. She stopped often, once to converse with an assassin, one who had the next watch if memory served. She was speaking directly and emphatically and the man saluted and walked off. It never ceased to amaze Kratos that she could get the strongest of men to bow to her lead. It was probably that piercing glare that she gave the minute a foolish objection was raised. It sent shivers down even Kratos's spine.
He watched her as she helped a women bring in baskets of food from her garden. No sooner than the women thanked her then the village children ran up to her for a game. She smiled and snatched up a stick, chasing them around the square until she trapped them by a wall. They ran to her and began to jump on her, tackling her to the ground, her laughter mixing with theirs in the late evening air.
She's happy here… Kratos thought. They need her here. I can't let them take her away.
Finally Anna made it to headquarters and went inside. Kratos stayed hidden in the dense balcony above the branches. A short time later, she came out to observe the village below her. As the sun set, the last of the orange rays lit her brown hair until it shone. He watched her until long after the sun had set and darkness had fallen. Finally she went inside as the moon began to rise.
Time to uphold my oath.
He cautiously floated down to the balcony and slipped cat-quiet through the door.
The room he entered was dark, but his enhanced angelic eyes allowed him to see the silhouettes of furniture weaponry. This had to be her personally armory. He crept across the room, towards the door and opened it just enough to be able to slip through. Down the small hall, a sliver of light shone under a door. Sneaking over to the door, he could hear Anna's voice. She was singing again.
"To all the fights I've conquered and beyond
The times have changed and I will now move over slowly
But through it all I still feel lost without you
Hard to find a new soul
The silence takes it toll…"
Noishe gave a small 'woof' and Kratos was fairly certain he was curled up next to wherever Anna was. It was time to announce his presence before someone else found him. He raised a hand and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Anna called in a suspicious voice. Kratos kicked himself mentally. She'd probably ordered everyone to leave her alone. He'd didn't answer her but knocked again. Silence. Suddenly the door swung open and he dove to the side as two swords came down right where he had just stood and became embedded in the wood floor. Anna growled and tried to yank her swords free and as soon as they were, Kratos stepped into her line of sight.
"Your swordsmanship is still unrefined," Kratos said, folding his arms across his chest. "You need to concentrate on eliminating your weaknesses." Anna stared at him in a combination of relief and rage. Kratos looked her right in those shadowed brown eyes until she opened her mouth to speak. He silenced her with a kiss.
"You came back," she whispered as she let him enter and closed the door. "Why? I thought you had returned to Cruxis"
Kratos shook his head. "I went for information. I also thought they attacked you because they were after me. I left to protect the Jalisa."
Anna raised an eyebrow at his bluff. "The Jalisa?"
Kratos tilted his head as he fought off Noishe, who was licking his face furiously. "Well…you too…I suppose."
"You're a terrible liar, Kratos Aurion," Anna said sitting on her bed. She was dressed in her assassin uniform, but without the armor plates and weapons. Kratos stared as the leather clung to every one of her quite prominent curves. She smiled at him as his eyes traveled over her and was astonished when his face went slightly red. "You're also quite charming when you blush. Just think: the fearless Kratos, intimidated by the gentle species know as woman."
Kratos rolled his eyes and went to sit next to her. "Anna, I am here for more than one reason," he said. "There is much I have to tell you, particularly about your sister."
Anna's face hardened as she stood up to pace the room. "Well then you must tell me, now."
Kratos sighed. "Do you remember the Desians with Felicity that day by the cliff?" Anna nodded. "They weren't after you…in a manner of speaking. They were after me. They want me back at Welgaia to help them with a new project."
"Which is?"
"The angelus project," Kratos replied. "They plan to grow a Cruxis crystal inside a human body. Then they have a prepared crystal and a prepared vessel for Martel."
"I though you said the Chosen was born to be the vessel for Martel," Anna said. "Why would they change things now?"
"The Chosen is too risky for them," Kratos replied. "If the Chosen ever discovered the truth behind the quest, or the Church of Martel, they might try to stop Yggdrasil. Not to mention, if that happened, the four Seraphim would have to intervene. If that were discovered, our credibility would be lost. Yggdrasil may want to revive his sister, but don't forget his other goal. He still wants his 'age of lifeless beings.' Lifeless beings who hate humans, I should say."
Anna paced quicker, rubbing her head and thinking. "So…they need someone with a mana signature close to Martel's…essentially a Chosen."
Kratos nodded.
"Felicity had Desians with her…so she's helping them," Anna said. Something was fighting to take shape.
Kratos nodded again. He knew within moments shed figure out what it all meant and why he was telling her this.
Sure enough, something in Anna's brain clicked and she spun around to face Kratos, her eyes lit with horror and rage and indignation.
"They want me!" she said fiercely. "They're using Felicity to get to me so that I may test they're little project! When they're done they'll kill her."
Kratos nodded grimly. "She's reporting directly to Yuan as well, who will surely kill her. But Anna, it does get worse."
Anna's eyes widened. "How could it possibly get worse?"
"Felicity hasn't been able to find Asilaj. If she doesn't by sunset tomorrow, they're going to kill her and lay another trap for you. And if the find Asilaj…well…you know what will happen."
Anna's face went dead white. She leapt across the room and began fastening on her armor and weapons. "I knew it! I knew something terrible was in the air. I could feel it! Kratos, Felicity knows EXACTLY where Asilaj is! That's why we've been after her, she's dangerous!"
Kratos felt a bone deep dread seep into him. "Felicity lied to Yuan then. She could be here at any moment."
Anna strapped her swords to her waist. "We have to rally the assassins and prepare. Now!"
So...did Yuan lie to Kratos to save Martel? Will Anna be captured? Why is Ahmond such an idiot? You'll just have to wait and see! Please, please, please, please, please read and review. I know this story has been in progress a long time, but it will be finished! I promise! Anyways...ENJOY!!