A/N: Thanks to all of the readers for continuing to follow this story. We're going to attempt to update twice a week, Wednesday and Friday, and see if we can keep that pace going.

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Enjoy,

Orangepotato and Emil Lime

Chapter by Emil Lime

Kratos Aurion: Chosen Project (Tethe'alla), Status-Incomplete

Kratos, grabbing the man by the collar, dragged him back to the dug-in, waiting just a second to for the siblings to catch up. They'd barely managed to keep Kratos' pace, Holtz' angry rants a distant sound in the auburn's ear.

"Slow down, pops. You're going to break your hip at that speed."

Ignoring them both, Kratos threw the desian into the cave, the man smacking the wall and crumbling to the dirt floor. "I'm sorry," he stammered as Kratos approached.

"Sorry isn't good enough for threatening the Chosen." Not bothering to turn his head when Ilene and Holtz tentatively walked in, Kratos knelt down and pulled the man close to his face. Keeping it barely above a whisper, he spoke, "Do you know who I am?"

There was a small shake of the desian's head, the man's entire body shaking under Kratos' grasp.

"I am an angel of Cruxis, one of the four Serphim."

The desian started shaking even more, some kind of terror washing over him when the words Kratos had spoken finally sank in. He began babbling uncontrollably, words coming out of his mouth in ways that made him incomprehensible.

Pushing him back against the wall, Kratos hissed, "Why are the desians attacking the Chosen?"

There was no answer, only shaking, and the mercenary slammed him against the wall again. There was a pathetic squeak from the desian and then the sound of footfall behind him. Kratos felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn his eyes back. Ilene was standing there, a mix of fear and anger in her eyes.

"Don't hurt him."

"Sis?" Hotlz walked towards her, a frown set on his face. "What the hell are you talking about? This guy tried to kill you."

"I know that," she removed her hand from Kratos' shoulder and turned to her brother. "But that doesn't mean we can be as bad as they are. We're only sinking to their level if we hurt him." Although Kratos couldn't see her eyes, he could hear the fiery determination in her voice. Just like them? He doubted that. She was childish for thinking in such a way.

"But sis, he's a desian. If we don't take care of him, he'll crawl back to his little ranch and rejoin his brothers."

Ilene shook her head, red curls swishing from side to side, "I know that but, will killing one more stop their assault? More will come regardless."

Kratos sighed, his grip on the desian slackening, "Chosen, I understand your sentiment but your brother is right. He will come back and try to kill you. As your bodyguard, I am obligated to protect you and sometimes that means stooping to their level."

She held her breath as she regarded the mercenary, face indicating she was giving something very deep consideration. As Kratos studied her with his sideways gaze, he could feel the desian in his grasp begin to wiggle a little.

He honestly thinks he can escape me?

Ilene let out a sigh, "I'm sorry, I just can't let you kill him." At that moment, the man twisted out of Kratos' grasp, his body sliding along the back wall before pushing its way towards freedom. Just as his foot hit the dirt floor, a sword penetrated his side, blood seeping out of the wound. Kratos stood, blade still in hand.

"Do not attempt escape."

Ilene and Holtz backed away, readying their weapons. They're senses were slower than his, he knew, but it felt like it took an eternity for them to pick up on the man's escape attempt. That didn't bother Kratos, though, as he'd managed to catch the man with the sharpened end of his weapon.

Closing the distance between himself and the desian, Kratos glared at him long and hard before removing the blade, the man falling to the floor. Whimpers escaped his mouth as Kratos flicked the blood off of his steal sword and replaced it in his sheath.

"I believe we have no other choice," Kratos turned towards Ilene, whose eyes were locked with his. Even after everything she'd seen, she still clung to her conviction. There was no way she'd let him continue to accompany her if he killed him without her consent. Of course, the auburn highly doubted he'd be able to obtain such a thing.

Holtz' voice pierced the darkened cavern, "Ilene, just let gramps kill the dude. He won't live for much longer with that injury anyway."

Kratos nodded, "It would be far more merciful to spare him the suffering of bleeding to death." Although Kratos wasn't fond of Holtz, he'd managed to say something that was extremely compelling. Ilene would be forced to choose between bringing about death quickly or letting the half-elf linger in limbo for a while before finally passing on.

There was a frown on her face as her ocean blue eyes flicked between Kratos and the dying man. The resolve in her features was waning. Putting her sword away, she turned her back towards him, "It would be more merciful. Please end his life quickly. I'll be outside." Without another word, not even a glance at her brother, she stepped into the moonlight of the open pathway and disappeared around the corner.

Nodding towards the doorway, Holtz scowled before following his sister.

Once the two had disappeared, Kratos knelt down again, placing a hand on his hilt. "You're time is limited and your answers to these next couple of questions will determine how you will leave this world." His voice was nearly mute against the harsh sounds of the outside world, but the half-elf gave a small nod to tell the auburn he was listening.

"Why are the desians after the Chosen? You have strict orders from Lord Yggdrasill to avoid attacking her."

He spat out blood before giving a small glance upwards, eyes locking with Kratos', "It's because they're going to take over. They're tired of taking orders from…your Lord." Coughing up some blood, the man clung to his injuries.

Kratos pressed on, "Taking over? You mean the desians? Is it just your Cardinal?" No, he already knew that wasn't right. At the temple, they'd been wearing green uniforms. Now, however, their attackers were clothed in grey. Could two of the Grand Cardinals be turning away from Cruxis?

"Not just mine..." The half-elf sputtered and Kratos could tell the man was going to die soon.

Regardless, he pressed forward, "Who's betraying Cruxis?"

He shook his head, the half-elf face splitting open with a grin, "Like I'm going to tell you that." He coughed some more, Kratos realizing that if he made much more noise, the siblings would become curious as to why he wasn't dead yet. Cursing under his breath, Kratos pulled out his sword and slammed it upon the man's neck, decapitating him immediately.

There was no more sounds, save the breeze between the mountain sides. Letting out a growl, Kratos stood up, sheathing his weapon in frustration. So the Cardinals were rebelling, huh? He'd never seen it happen before, that they'd all wish to overthrow Yggdrasill. What could they gain anyway? It wasn't like killing the Chosen would do anything except bring about the wrath of Cruxis' leader.

So why…

Heading out, he glanced at the two, both sitting with their backs against the wall. Holtz glared up at him, Ilene sitting with her head resting on her knees, arms wrapped around her legs for protection.

"Shall we be off?" He motioned forward as he listened for any lingering desian. It seemed that even the archers had fled. The trail would be safe for the moment and Kratos didn't feel like they should waste their time.

Standing, Ilene nodded but said nothing more. Holtz stood after her and followed her forward. Kratos, bringing up the rear, was content with the silence. After all, he had much to think about.