THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICADED TO MY GRANDFATHER.
Willem de la Court 19/07/06

Tales of the Wizard

Ch.13 Revealing things.

"WHAT!"
"Sheena and I were originally sent to kill the Chosen of Mana. I quit the moment I heard the situation."
"Which situation is that?"
"Two worlds and one source of Mana," Raiden said, "Hence the decline of this world and current 'wealth' of mine."
Kratos looked at the ninja, "If this is true, why help us? If we break the seals here, your world would decline."
"I do not consider it fair to have one world in decline. Our technology might be advanced, the general attitude is...well you get the idea."
"How can two worlds exist with out visual contact?" Raine asked out loud
"Dimensional barriers, only Rheairds and certain techniques can go through it."
"Excuse me," a priest walked towards them, "Do you know Hakonesia Peak? You know about it, right? I'm sure you do, I can tell. Is there any chance I could talk you into escorting me to Hakonesia Peak?"
"I see no problem with it." Raiden said, "I'll leave it up to you."
Lloyd replied, "Sure."
"Thanks! I appreciate it!"

The group walked to the mountain pass.
"Raine? Can I speak with you?" Raiden said.
"Sure."
"I want to train you."
"Me? Why?"
"By means of strength, you are the weakest member of the group. Genis is actually the weakest, but his offensive magic is devastating. You only have a few offensive spells, the rest is all healing. You really can do so much more with that staff of yours, you just need to try."
"What do you mean?"
"If I can borrow your staff or an old one, I'll show you."
Raiden smiled when the female half-elf took out a wooden staff.
She held it out to him, he took it.
"Thanks," the boy-who-lived said.
They reached their destination
"Thank you! I'm in your debt! I'll be happy to return the favour any time!" The priest said.
Raiden turned as a soldier shouted something at them.
"Chosen One! Everyone!"
"What is it?" Colette asked
"I have a message from Dorr. He would like you to temporarily postpone the journey of regeneration."
Both Raiden and Kratos spoke
"Why?"
"What is this about?"
"A Church of Martel pilgrimage tour guide has been kidnapped by the Desians. In light of this, Dorr has decided that this is the time to gather Palmacosta's forces and launch an attack on the human ranch controlled by Magnius."
"How is that related?" Genis asked.
"We would like you to rescue the kidnapped tour guide in concert with our attack."
"Who is this kidnapped tour guide?" Colette asked
"Her name is Chocolat," the soldier said.
"Chocolat!" Lloyd said surprised.
Raine also became pale, "Oh no."
"How about that for a twist," Raiden spoke
"Chosen One, please help us."
"Lloyd, let's help them." Collete said
"Yeah, okay." Lloyd said.
"Somehow, I thought you were going to say that," Raine sighed
"You're predictable, Lloyd," Raiden said, "I am coming with you."
"Of course! We can't just leave her," Lloyd said, missing Raiden's comment.
"Thank you! Neil will inform you of the details once you reach the ranch. Thank you so much for your help."
The soldier left.

Kratos entered the house near the peak, but quickly left again.
"The impostors haven't been around."
Raine looked downcast, "Who knows where they sold the Book of Regeneration."
"You mean this?" Raiden held up the orb.
"Where did you get it?" Raine said surprised.
"I.. persuaded the Chosen to give it to me, after I knocked out her guardians."
Kratos interrupted, "Neil is waiting for us, we better get going."
Raiden glared at the mercenary, "Yeah, yeah, sheesh, Don't get your knickers in a twist."

The group went to the Human Ranch.
Raiden looked at the earth, "Desian trails, and an unidentified pair. There are many guards, we'd better be careful."
Lloyd looked at Raiden, "You are good."
"Training for ten years can do that to a person," Raiden said, "The unidentified footprints take the centerpath."
"Chosen One, please wait."
A man appeared.
"Neil! We heard Chocolat's been kidnapped!"
"Yes. I wish to speak with you regarding that. Please, come this way."
"It doesn't sound like you have very good news for us."

The group followed Neil.
"I would like you all to just go ahead and leave the Palmacosta region."
"But if we do that, what will happen to Chocolat?" Colette asked
"Yeah! We're supposed to work in conjunction with the Palmacosta army to save Chocolat, right?" Genis said.
"No, that's.." Neil began.
"It is a trap," Raiden said, "It all makes sense."
"Of the several possibilities, it looks like the worst one came true," Raine said.
"Raiden? Professor? What are you talking about?"
"It was a mystery that the Desians would simply leave a city with an army alone," Kratos said.
"Yes, exactly. Choosing not to crush the seeds of rebellion must mean they are not a threat. They are left alone simply because they have no real power, or perhaps, because they are in fact beneficial." Raine explained.
"It is as you say. Dorr is working with the Desians to lead the Chosen into a trap," Neil confessed.
"Why would he do such a thing?" Genis asked.
"He didn't used to be like this… He always thought of the well-being of the people of the city. Even five years ago, when he lost his wife, Clara, he swore to fight against the Desians."
"Something must have happened, blackmail probably," Raiden said.
"I don't know. At any rate, entering the ranch now will put the Chosen in danger. Leave Chocolat to me and please, go on your way. Please regenerate the world as soon as possible."
"Indeed. It would be best to abandon the situation here for world regeneration," Kratos said
"No! I can't just ignore this!" Colette said.
"Colette's right. If we leave things as they are now, Palmacosta may be destroyed just like Iselia. You think so, too, don't you, Lloyd!" Genis agreed
Raine put in her thoughts, "Yes, what you say is true. But I still wish to side with Kratos. If you don't want to see cities destroyed, you should avoid contact with the Desians."
"We are all ready involved, we attacked Magnius. Chances are that we are pretty high on his hitlist," Raiden said.
"It's not right to leave now. Regenerating the world and saving the people in front of us are not exclusive of each other. That's what I think." Colette said.
"If that is how you feel, Colette, then we do not have any right to stop you. The only one who has the right to make decisions on this journey is you, the Chosen One. Is that all right with you, Lloyd?" Raine said.
"That was my intention from the beginning. Remember what I said? I'm going to destroy them all," The twin-blader said.
"Still" Neil said.
"It's all right. Colette is saying this is what she wants," Genis said to him.
"Don't try to bring them on other thoughts, It would not work," Raiden said.
"Now, then, we have two courses we can take. The first one is to go on ahead and infiltrate the ranch and rescue Chocolat and the other captives. Now that things have come to this, if we leave the ranch alone, it will surely result in a second Iselia. Our second option is to confirm Door's true motives. If he has planned a trap, then he knows the layout of the ranch well. Let's let him talk for a bit." Raine said.
"What are you going to do to Dorr?"
"You'd better not ask that. Raine's punishment is painful," Genis said
Raine turned around and slapped Genis.
Raiden smiled, "I see what you mean."
"That's not funny!"
"Thinking logically, dealing with Dorr first is the correct choice," Kratos said.
"I agree," Raiden said, "Let's go to Dorr first. He has reasons why he does what he does."
"What do you think, Lloyd?" Colette asked to her best friend."
"Let's return to Palmacosta. We'll hear what Dorr has to say first."
"Yeah."
"But let's save Chocolat as soon as we can. I'm sure she's scared and lonely by herself," Colette said.
"My, even Lloyd makes rational decisions sometimes." Raine was surprised
"So it seems. Well then…let's go," Kratos agreed.
"Lloyd has potential, but apparently not the knowledge outside battle. Perhaps I could help him."
"You can try, but don't expect too much. I as his teacher should know."

"What should I," Neil began
"Stay here. We're going to put the squeeze on your commander. It's better if you don't see it," Lloyd said
"Please watch over the status of the ranch from here," Colette said.
"All right. Please help Dorr."
Raiden looked at him, "We'll try, but we can't make promises."
"I understand."
Raiden followed the group to Palmacosta.