Summary: After the journey of world regeneration, Kratos decides to make a visit to his son. But after Raine is attacked, his plans for 'vacation' are ruined.
Rating: PG-13 (T)
Disclaimer: The Tales of Symphonia characters and previous plot belong to Namco & Kosuke Fujishima. I own only the plot of this story.
Salvation Vacation
Chapter One: The Second Assassin
"Don't move," stated the person standing over Raine. "Otherwise…"
Raine realized that if she fought back, Genis would be in danger. She complied, waiting in stillness.
"Follow me," he or she instructed.
She followed in obedience, checking for her staff as she got out of bed. It wasn't there. That person must have it, she thought. The two proceeded to walk out of the room, Raine checking that Genis was still asleep. That's really weird. Genis always used to wake up, even if I was just snoring. I'm supposed to be the sound sleeper. Confused, she exited Santa Cassius with whoever and followed them through the city. They passed the stairs and the item shop, ending up in the courtyard behind the area. Raine was surprised when her kidnapper pulled over the covering to the sewers.
"You know –?" she started to question.
"Shut up!" her kidnapper whispered harshly.
She sighed and climbed down the ladder before whoever it was followed and closed the lid. Afterwards, she felt herself being pushed into the water (not sewage; treated water!) and screaming. Her lungs filled with water and she remembered no more.
-Kratos-Kratos Aurion stepped out of the warp point, exiting Derris-Kharlan. He trudged through the remnants of the Tower of Salvation, surprised that the place hadn't been demolished. In fact, it almost looks like somebody's been restoring it. But that's not possible.. like Raine said, it was a symbol of hope. Some people just can't let go of traditions. He continued down the steps and went outside. Taking out his wings, he flew into the air, trying to think of what to do next. Now, if I want to get to Sylvarant, then.. they must have made a path between the two worlds, right? Not just Yuan's transporter, but.. Unsure of what to do (and what had happened to the other Seraphim), he decided to go to the Otherworldly Gate.
Flying over the water, he soon found the Gate. But it wasn't just a pile of rocks anymore. Apparently, someone had found a way to harness its mana, converting it to a port capable of being used anytime. Taking a step forward to the Gate, he instantly felt fatigued. I need to take a rest. Deciding to visit Lloyd tomorrow, Kratos set off for Flanoir.
-Genis-Genis' eyes shot open. Raine! He jumped out of bed and burst out the door, dashing down the stairs and outside. "What to do, what to do!" he exclaimed. About ten feet away, he saw the guards approaching him.
"Who dares disturb the peace of Meltokio?" one shouted to him as the two indoor knights began to surround him.
Not bothering to answer, Genis thought of an idea. If the guards are coming for me, then.. they aren't at the entrance! "Excuse me!" he yelled, trying to burst through the makeshift barrier.
"What the Hell!" the other guard shouted, not understanding why a midget kid would try to pass them. "Look, kid," he began, sticking out his spear when-
"Force Field!" Genis burst through the two (covered by his guard) and dashed down the street, ending up by the gate. With much effort, he pulled one door open and passed the knights on the other side, running through the grass to a bushy area. Entering a field, he boarded the Rheiard he and Raine were using to travel. "C'mon, c'mon," he muttered, seeing the four knights approach the clearing. "There we go!" he shouted as the machine roared to life. It was just in time; as he stepped on the ignition, the guards crashed through the bushes just as he lifted off the ground. Raine's not going to like this…but I have to find where she is first! Thinking fast, he resolved not to fly to Sylvarant but to look for Regal and Presea in Altamira. To avoid being spotted, he flew over the ocean. I have to find her!
-Kratos-
Kratos continued his way towards Flanoir. He could just barely see the tips of the mountains surrounding the icy land when his angel-trained hearing picked up a sound. He stopped flying forward and merely hovered. What is that? It almost sounds like a Rheiard. He turned to his left, as that was where the sound was coming from. Suddenly, the craft sped by him. What- who in the name of Martel was that? Deciding that no sane person would be flying a craft through Tethe'alla at full speed in the middle of the night, he pursued whoever it was. Turning southeast to follow its path, it only took several minutes of flying to figure out where the Rheiard was headed: Altamira. About fifteen minutes later, an exhausted Kratos landed after the craft at the entrance to the city. He saw a small figure pop off and dash up to the fence which kept people from going in or out at night. Walking up so that he was a few feet behind the (short) figure, he listened in on his or her conversation with the guard.
"What do you mean, I can't go in?"
"Sorry, kid. It's gamblers' night, which means there's alcohol everywhere. It's not a safe environment for kids. Come back tomorrow morning, then you can go swimming," the guard stated, walking away.
"Ugh!" the small figure shouted, turning around to go sit on his or her Rheiard.
That voice sounds familiar.. Kratos walked up to the child's side. "What are you doing?"
The figure jumped. "Whatever the flip I want to be doing, gosh," he or she answered.
Kratos was stunned. Where did this attitude come from? But he knew who the figure was. "Genis Sage, do not use that tone with me. I'll have to tell your sister," he taunted.
Genis jumped. "Kratos!" he exclaimed, before leaping off the Rheiard and tackling him. "Why are you here? How did you get here? What-"
Kratos interrupted him by putting a hand over his mouth. "Genis, might I ask you what you're doing here? And where's Raine?"
The half-elf paled. "Raine's been kidnapped. And I don't know where she is!"
The angel's eyes widened. "I think you mean abducted. But how-"
"I know how," someone said. "And I know where and why, too."
Kratos turned to the side, drawing his sword. "Who are you?"
"Temper, temper, Kratos. You usually aren't one to put your companions in danger. After all, you helped Sheena. Sheena…that bitch."
Who would mind Sheena? Who even knows Sheena besides the people we met on the journey? Nobody, except – the people from Mizuho. Suddenly, it clicked. "Kuchinawa, show yourself."
The aforementioned stepped into the area. "You haven't changed much, have you? Always one to risk everything for someone else. I don't see why you care, really. It's not a job anymore. You don't have to do this."
"What do you want?"
"Your death." Kuchinawa drew two daggers and started running towards Kratos and Genis.
"Move!" Kratos shouted, picking up Genis and throwing him into the ocean water. "Guardian!"
Kuchinawa, having run past him, spun on his heel and started quick movements to strike. The angel was deflecting most of them, although having a hard time of it. Suddenly, it seemed like Kuchinawa had an idea. He disappeared in a puff of smoke and reappeared next to Genis, who was still recovering in the water.
"Stop! Or the kid gets it," Kuchinawa threatened mercilessly. "It's nothing less than the two of you deserve for helping Sheena." The Seraphim froze. Kuchinawa was advancing, pulling Genis (who had his arm twisted behind his back) with him. "You and Sheena.. you both don't deserve to live. I mean, think about it! You killed your wife. Sheena got half our village killed. You both try to make things better, but that's not what people remember, is it? They only remember what you've done wrong. The others an – I'm going to give you something to remember. Now, if you'll jus-"
"Thunder Blade!" Kratos yelled. Kuchinawa grinned, as if he had been expecting this; yet he didn't move. Genis fell to the ground next to the ninja's still body, as if pretending to be injured.
"He's paralyzed," the angel muttered, "Let's go."
Genis scrambled to his feet, a little worse for the wear, but not as bad off as Kuchinawa. "Okay," he breathed quietly, as if afraid that the Mizuho native was going to come after them.
Kratos jumped on the Rheiard. Genis followed suit, clambering up behind him. After the craft started and they were safely in the air, it was a few minutes before the conversation continued.
"So," Kratos asked, "what happened to Raine?"
Author's Note: Genis' quote, "Whatever the flip I feel like doing. Gosh!" is like Napoleon Dynamite's movie by the same name. It is not my quote. Otherwise, I love writing this story. More should be up later, most likely when finals are over. And they should be longer too. I'm wondering if I should make this rated K, because somehow I feel incited to put gore, "curse words," etc. in it. Thanks to MoonCannon for being my first reviewer.Please review!