A/N: To get things rolling, we decided to post a few more chapters on this story to introduce the characters. Then we're thinking of updating every Friday, since that's when we originally published the story.

I hope that you'll like the chapter! If so, please review! They always mean so much, even if they're short things like, 'awesome!' or 'looks interesting'.

Enjoy,

Emil Lime and Orangepotato

Chapter written by Orangepotato

Holtz Capella: Now's hardly the time for an adventure…

The room was dark, drapes obscuring the wide window that was at the opposite end of the room. Rich oak wood served as the floor, a thin red rug fluffing around the wooden bed frame where Holtz Capella laid.

Sleep tugged at his mind, though something in his brain was telling him that it was morning.

Something important is supposed to happen today…

The thought weaseled around inside his head as he tossed in his bed, slipping a hand under the plush pillow he rested on.

His other hand tugged at the blanket that was wrapped around his contorted body. It was stuck, the entirety of the blanket wrapped around various limbs and finally coming up short near his shoulders. With a grunt, he tugged on the fabric again, groaning as it didn't budge.

"Damn blanket…"

He could almost hear the Priests admonishing his language in his head as he tossed and turned, flailing to free himself.

It's very important.

The thought struck him, but he remained in his blissful, yet disturbed, slumber, as he wriggled around.

Important!

He twisted around one final time, slipping off his bed and hitting the floor with a solid bam! He let out a soft curse, feeling his shoulder throb from the impact.

Sitting up, he glanced around the room, blanket still tied around him.

Holtz rubbed his head, shoving his fingers through his mess of deep red locks and regarded the room.

From below the curtains, he could see white beams of light. Each radiated off the wooden floor, illuminating the room as if a candle was lit. He glared at the light before wrestling himself out of the blankets and strolling towards the window.

With a flick of his wrist, he tugged the curtain open to see the courtyard.

The cobble stone streets greeted his ash colored eyes and from beyond the courtyard wall, people were milling around busy with their own lives. Several shops were opened nearby, delicious looking foods stocked on the shelves that he could see.

Drawing his eyes back to the courtyard, he spotted the white polished fountain spewing bluish water down into the basin below. Around it, the Head Priest, an aging man by the name of Reverend and the Prime Minister, an oblong man that reminded Holtz of a jelly donut, spoke quietly outside.

With a smirk, the mischievous red head opened the windows so their words graced his ears.

"It's almost time. It's a shame what has to happened, but I just feel like it's the right thing to do," Reverend spoke. His words came out slowly, like he considered each one before speaking it.

The Prime Minister nodded, words coming out of the folds of his face, "Ignorance is bliss, as they say. By the way, I informed the mercenary about thatin my letter to him."

A slow, sad nod came from Reverend, "Good. It's best kept a secret. The Journey of Regeneration –"

Damn it! That was what he'd forgotten! Ilene's Journey started today and he'd slept in-

In the courtyard walked a stoic man, auburn hair spiked on his head and outfit pristine. His rust colored eyes rested on the two holy men in the center of the yard, though he didn't speak. As he approached, the two greeted him.

"Sir Kratos," the Prime Minister's high voice gushed as he regarded the man.

"We're glad you're here," Reverend bowed deeply, "The Chosen is prepared, Sir Kratos."

"Shit," Holtz whispered, dashing from the window and running through his door. Of course today was the day the Oracle was supposed to descend from the sky. Of course he'd sleep in on the most important day of Ilene's life…

He shoved her room door open without knocking, shouting into the room, "Sister, I'm so sorry!"

The room, however, was empty. The bed was made up, everything of value gone. It wasn't his sister's room anymore. The pictures and drawings that had hung from the walls, the books she'd stacked precariously on her desk… they were gone.

It was empty.

Sorrow filled him, thoughts flying back to the night before. They'd fought over whether he'd be able to join her on the journey and now, the words weighed him down as he moved over to the window and glanced out at the courtyard.

There, by the fountain, was Ilene. However, the person next to her was what caught Holtz' attention. The tall man, thin though muscular, stood nearby. The priests had said something about a mercenary? Auburn hair covered the man's face, but his intense wine colored eyes peered up at Holtz, the two glaring at each other for just one second in time and then, the man turned away.

Holtz was left, heart hammering in his chest painfully, as fear coursed through his veins.

There's really something… Holtz thought, that I don't like about those eyes.