A/N: Holyknightsteve here! My turn now! As you may already know, I will be playing the part of Kratos. It's been a while since I've written anything, so I hope this doesn't suck TOO horrendously. Anyway, enjoy!

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Chapter 2

What have I done?

What was I thinking when I agreed to let her come along? I understand her intentions, but is it worth being separated from those she cares for? Her family? Her friends? Lloyd?

Of course, I can't say that I have any room to talk. I suppose I must first look into my own motives before analyzing those of others. So why am I here? The answer is simple. After what I've done to Lloyd, his friends, and everyone else on Aselia, I don't deserve to stay with them. Not yet in any case. Despite what I had done to him, Lloyd insisted on my staying with him so we could start our lives over again as father and son.

I can't Lloyd. I have much to learn and many sins to atone for before I can return.

But Colette… why? You had your whole life ahead of you on Aselia, not to mention an entire world of people that needed your strength. Do you really think that the people of Aselia would be appalled by your presence after all you have done for them? Why would she think-… of course. Martel.

It's all too similar, isn't it? Martel, despite her role in saving the world, was persecuted and murdered simply because she was a half-elf. Her contributions meant little to those with such petty views of the world. She may not be a half-elf, but perhaps Colette being one of the few remaining angels in a world of humans, elves, half-elves, and dwarves is cause enough for concern. Is she concerned for herself? Most likely not. If she is anything like Martel, she is likely more concerned with the thoughts and feelings of the people than for her own safety.

Such an unselfish person. She's just like Martel. It's almost as if…

"Kratos?"

My eyes opened and I turned to the source of the voice. "Yuan."

He was leaning against the left edge of the doorway, shaking his head with his eyes closed. "How long were you planning on just standing there?"

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "A few minutes I suppose."

"I see."

"Kratos?"

"Yes?"

He opened his eyes. "You're thinking about Colette aren't you?"

I nodded. "Of course."

"Having second thoughts?"

I nodded again. "Wouldn't you?"

He paused and thought for a moment. "It's hard to say. Tell me Kratos, why DID you decide on bringing her with us?"

Thinking only briefly, I said, "It's what she wanted."

Yuan scoffed, obviously unimpressed with my answer. "Children want many things Kratos. They don't always get what they want nor should they."

A child? Colette was no mere child and I was intent on letting Yuan know as much. "You call her a child Yuan, yet how many children have accomplished what she has?"

His eyes narrowed on me. "What are you getting at Kratos?"

"I'm saying that you shouldn't compare Colette to other children. Already in the eyes of many, she is being compared to Martel." Immediately after saying this, I knew I shouldn't have. I held my breath as I awaited his response.

He scoffed at my remark. "You've got to be kidding me. There is no way that klutzy girl can ever be compared with Martel."

"You don't think so?" I asked with genuine curiosity.

"Tch," he grunted as he shifted from leaning against the doorway to standing straight up. Walking toward me, he said, "You never did answer my question Kratos. There must be some other reason you decided to bring her along."

I paused. "Why does it matter? She can't go home now. Not for at least-"

"Because I'm curious," he said, interrupting me.

Yuan… you never could leave things be, could you? "Very well. But as I tell you this, know that I had originally planned on coming here alone."

He nodded to me, satisfied that he was going to get what he wanted. "Understood Kratos. Now… tell me."

I sighed deeply and turned away from him. Was it really necessary for him to pry like this? I understand that, as a long–time comrade of mine, he deserves to know what's going on. However, I couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable with explaining my intentions. Perhaps it was because I myself was unsure of what I was doing. These decisions were all made on a whim after all. Was I having doubts? Of course I was. However, there was nothing I could do now. Even if Colette wanted to return to her home, Derris-Kharlan was simply too far from Aselia now for the teleportal to work. At this point, it would take several years for the two planets to come close enough again for a successful teleportation…

This is pointless. There's no turning back now. What's done is done. If Colette is to understand what she feels is her new path in life, I will need Yuan's help. After all, I-

"Kratos."

Startled, I answered with a simple "Hmm?".

Yuan shook his head. "Quit dodging the question Kratos and answer me."

"…right." I took a deep breath and began to tell what I knew. "Colette is afraid for the people of Aselia."

"Afraid? Why?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

"She's afraid of what her presence means to the people." I paused. "She's an angel. The people of Aselia have seen what destruction and strife the angels of Cruxis brought to the world."

A pause between us followed as Yuan began to walk around the room slowly. "So… she feels that her presence will... scare the people of Aselia? She's worried that they might mistake her for one of the angels she fought against?" He stopped in his tracks and turned to me. "She's afraid of being killed by the very people she saved? Hmph. Some Chosen."

For the first time in what seemed like ages, I was genuinely angry with my oldest friend. Even during our most recent trials and tribulations, I hadn't been truly angry with Yuan. "That has got to be one of the most petty statements I've ever heard you say."

He grunted. "Hmph. I take it you disagree?" He shook his head in disgust. "You think she's something fantastic, eh? Little angel girl leaves to save the world and finds out that it's not as nice a place as she was told. Finds out it's a mean, nasty place with people who hate others simply because they're a little different. You're trying to tell me that a sixteen-year-old is running away from home, not for her sake, but for the sake of everyone else?"

I nodded, still irritated. "You think it's impossible? How do you explain Martel then?"

Yuan pounded his fist once upon the wall closest to him. "Are you trying to compare Colette with Martel? Colette is nothing compared to Martel!"

"You don't think so? The self-sacrificing nature? The kindness she exhibits toward everyone. Her wanting to save the world?"

"A farce! Nothing more!" he yelled back at me. "She's no angel! Remiel placed that Cruxis crystal upon her when she was born! She did what she did because it was "foretold". How many boos and jeers would she receive world-wide if she had gone against what the church had ordained? You think a teenage girl could handle that?"

Unable to resist the urge any longer, I too raised my voice. "She did it all because she genuinely cares!"

"She's not Martel!" he snapped back.

After his last statement, we both said nothing for quite a while. Martel was always a touchy subject between both of us. In Yuan's eyes, no one could ever hope to measure up to Martel's greatness and anything mentioned that felt like it might setting some sort of comparison between her and another person in question, in this case Colette, greatly upset Yuan. I never could understand it. Martel was a wonderful friend and was like a sister to me. To Yuan, she was a lover. For that, he is willing to go to any length to defend her name. Still… should such fanatical devotion last four-thousand years?

Perhaps I am the one who is missing something. Mithos was ready to "purify" the world of everyone but the half-elves and angels simply for the belief that it would some-how please his sister. Indeed, I did follow him for quite some time but… even then, I knew when it all had to stop. Martel wouldn't have wanted this. None of this. Even from Yuan, who does what he does simply because he still loves her after all this time. Sometimes I wonder if he can ever move on, at least so much that he can begin to respect other people who might seem even just a little bit like his beloved Martel.

"Colette is waiting for me in the library. I should get going." Without so much as waiting for a reply or any other sort of reaction, I walked to the doorway, stopped, and turned half-way toward Yuan once more. "Yuan. It's been four-thousand years since we lost Martel."

"Kratos, this is-"

"Colette is not Martel. There will never again be anyone like Martel. But…" I paused as the words came to me. "Others will come along that will be similar to her. Some will aspire to be like her. Others will become as such without even realizing it or perhaps without even wanting it." I turned away from him. "It's going to happen eventually Yuan. There's nothing you can do about it. Is it truly such a bad thing if Colette is similar to Martel?"

"Similar?" he half-asked, half-stated. "You really believe in this girl, don't you? This… false Chosen?"

I nodded without looking back. "I do."

"And Martel… do you think she can be as great as Martel was?"

"Greater," I answered as I left.

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"Greater?" I repeated to myself as I walked to empty corridors to the library. Was it possible? I suppose anything is, but I still find it hard to believe that I said Colette could become even greater than Martel. Colette feels has no desire to do as such, seemingly fueling the fire of those who would speak ill of her being compared to Martel. Then again, Martel never held any desire to be great. She just wanted to help the world she had come to love. Is that not that same as what Colette is doing?

The library. She's already in there, perusing the numerous titles lining the walls. She wants to learn. She wants to better herself. Eager to make Aselia, her home, a better place. And yet, she looks scared, afraid of what's to come. Far from home and her loved ones, she knows not what to make of everything. She's already questioning what she's doing. Maybe she will question what she has done for the next few weeks, months, maybe even years. I can only hope that she can adjust to life on Welgaia.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the side of the doorway to let my presence be known. "Colette."

Startled, she dropped the book she was holding and turned to me. "Kratos!"

"I apologize for startling you." I walked to one of the many shelves filled with ancient texts, glancing down at the dropped book. Colette was usually clumsy, this I knew, but didn't she seem a bit jumpier than usual? "Is something bothering you?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "N-no sir, I'm okay. Just… getting adjusted to everything."

I nodded in return. "It will take time, but I will do what I can to make your stay more comfortable. Another thing, you don't have to call me sir."

She blinked. "What should I call you then? Professor? Master? Sen… what was it that Sheena called it… Sensei?"

I shook my head this time. "Kratos will do. You may be my student, but on all other levels, we are equals. Understood?"

She nodded again. "Yes, Kratos."

"Then please have a seat, Colette." She did as she was told as I reached for the book she dropped, "The History of Aselia" the title read. Satisfied with this as a proper starting point for her education, I flipped through a few pages, set the book down on the table and looked up at Colette. "Colette, this will be the first step of a long, spiritual journey for you. Are you ready?"

"Yes Kratos," she answered with sincerity.

I nodded. "Then let us begin."

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Took me long enough, didn't it? I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Anyway, please leave a review. Spiritua's (Colette's) chapter is up next! Be sure to tune in!