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Chapter 13: A Mysterious Visitor

Lloyd's consciousness screamed for control, but too late. The beast had already followed through, claws piercing the fine neck of his victim. The beast showed its teeth in a hideous grimace. A silent strike. The beast lapped up the blood from the wound. The taste ran over its tongue, and the beast grinned wickedly. Now… The feast would begin.

Kratos folded in his wings, landing lightly on the grass. He viewed the ancient home. Such faded splendor… Like the forest, the house had deteriorated, becoming a hideous representation of what once was. The side of Kratos' face twisted in a smirk. "Heh," he said slowly. "Cain, my friend… I've found you." He walked the fifty paces to the front door. He raised his fist to knock. The door opened first, however. Kratos walked in, seeing the man behind it retreat into the adjoining room. Kratos loosened the holster on his sword, walking slowly into the room. In it, he discovered Cain, sitting in the remnants of an armchair. Kratos made no move to sit, but he smiled, looking the other man in the eyes.

"Kratos," came the hoarse acknowledgement.

"Cain… I can't say I'm all that happy to see you," Kratos said grimly.

"Seeing you gives me no pleasure either, Kratos," Cain said, smiling a twisted smile.

Kratos took his sword out of the sheath, his eyes reflecting in the cold steel. He smiled, seeing Cain shudder. "Yes. Pure silver. Poison to your wolf blood…" Kratos took a few steps closer. Raising the sword to the wolf-man's neck, he smiled again. "I'm surprised you didn't try to resist," he said in grim amusement.

"I'm an old man, Kratos." Cain replied in a calm manner. "I have not the strength that I once had… unlike you."

Kratos' smile faded. "Indeed. Now, I require information. Do it and I will spare your life."

"What life? I'm not long for this world anyway…"

"Regardless. You really shouldn't have messed with what worked, Cain… Your stupid half-elf implantation project…" Kratos frowned.

"What is wrong with attempting to advance the human race?" Cain seemed at ease, despite the blade pointed at his neck.

"Everything… When your "subject" broke out and killed that couple… You're demented, Cain. Sending your own brother… Killing your own son…" Kratos moved ever closer.

"That boy was no son of mine," Cain hissed. "I offered him the chance of a lifetime… But he fell for that girl, refused me… NO-ONE REFUSES ME!" Cain stood up, but stopped as the blade pressed into his neck.

"Sit down," Kratos coolly replied. "I dislike killing… but I won't hesitate to do so in your case." Cain obliged, sinking back into the armchair.

"What information do you desire, Kratos?"

"Where's the boy?" Kratos countered, staring the old man in the eye.

"Gone… I sent him…" Cain smiled a twisted smile.

"What… No…" Kratos seemed dazed.

"Yes… With your son… He's one too, now… But now Kratos… I must leave you!" He ended the sentence by leaping at Kratos's throat, fur already sprouting. He caught a dazed Kratos by surprise, who barely managed to parry the blow. The wolf snarled at him, letting a low, inhuman growl escape its jaws.

Catch me if you can…

The beast leaped out the window. Kratos cursed, and then followed, already losing sight of his target. Wings leaped from Kratos's back, but he knew they would be next to useless in the thick foliage. The beast could easily outrun him through the forest. If only he knew where Lloyd was… He took off, heading for Cruxis' headquarters. He could find Lloyd from there… "Hang on, my son," he mumbled out as he rocketed into the skies.

Genis stirred, something disturbing his nap. He yawned widely, rubbing his eyes. What had disturbed his rest? He sat up, his blurry eyes coming into focus. For a second in time, his heart stopped. He saw the beast lower its head to the neck of its victim… Zelos…

"No you don't!" Genis forced his vocal cords into action. The beast turned, extending to its full height. Genis gulped. He pulled out his kendama, knowing it would be nearly useless. The beast stepped closer. Genis wanted to start a spell, but his common sense prevailed. He wouldn't have the time. All he could do was yell… "HELP!" he cried out, agitating the beast slightly. It stepped closer…

Food… The wolf needed it, but the urge to feast was interrupted by this diminutive creature. No matter… The feast would simply be larger. It moved in… A buzzing set off in its cranium, making it falter. Nonononononononono… The message came over, beating a tattoo into the wolf's skull. It let out a howl…

Genis paled, hearing the wolf's fearsome cry. He curled down into a ball, whimpering. Was this all? Did it end here? He looked up at the rich auburn fur of his assailant. He raised his kendama in a desperate attempt to ward off the final blow…

Ignoring the wailing inside its head, the beast raised its claw, slashing downward in a huge slice. But something in its brain moved the claw slightly, avoiding the kill. Instead it hit the wooden instrument the wretched thing was holding, snapping it in two, inflicting only a small wound across its palm. Some conscience inside the beast couldn't handle this… And neither could the beast itself. It took off again, howling mightily.

Raine was first on the scene, followed quickly by Colette, Regal, and Presea. "Is this all of us?" Raine snapped out, receiving dull nods. "Very well. Presea, help me bring back Zelos and Genis. Presea nodded fearfully. "Colette, Regal, find Chris and Lloyd!" They nodded and ran out of the courtyard.

Scanning the town, they found Chris, standing by the window of his room, looking dazed. Colette ran over, hugging him tightly. "Thank the goddess we found you…" Chris's dazed look remained on his face, but he found the words, choking them around his bruises.

"Nice to see you too, Colette. Can I get a hand here, Regal?" Colette released the hug, and the two rescuers supported Chris back to the infirmary, where Raine was working feverishly.

"Good," she said slowly. "I can take it from here. Presea, go help them find Lloyd!"

She hesitated at the sight of Chris and Genis's injuries, but followed the instruction, walking out the door. The trio of searchers turned the whole town upside down looking, but saw no sign of Lloyd anywhere. What they did find, however, was a lot more disconcerting. Near the edge of the forest, one of the three "unbreakable" strings was snapped, leaving only a thread to blow in the wind…

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