Back again with a chapter that's a little longer than normal

...Not much else to say, really.

Chapter V: The Monster

Beware the monster

That walks like a human.

-The Scriptures of Martel

The ugly monster leaned over Lloyd, tall as the sky. It screeched, the unbearable noise like a spear. Lloyd cried out for Mommy and Daddy and Noishe, but no one was there to hear. The boy couldn't move, paralyzed by fear.

The ugly monster reached out a clawed arm, and the monster had Mommy's face –

The three-year-old Lloyd screamed again, writhing in his little makeshift bed. He jolted into total wakefulness when he felt a hand grab his shoulder and a frightened voice call his name. The little boy looked up to see Kratos leaning over him, worry etched on his face.

Before Kratos could say anything, Lloyd reached out and snuggled against his father's chest, sobbing and shaking with fear. After a slightly hesitant pause, he felt his father wrap his arms around him protectively. He knew he was safe as long as he was with Daddy. They sat there for a long time, not moving, not speaking.

After a few minutes - or maybe a few hours - Lloyd turned his terrified, tear-stained face up to Kratos.

"Daddy, where's Mommy?"

The question burned, burrowing into him, finding all the little cracks in his armor, and biting into him. Kratos said nothing, trying to bury his shame and guilt. How could he possibly explain what happened? He held his son tighter, ignoring the squeak of protest.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to his small son. "I'm so sorry..."

- ∞ -

Lloyd followed Yuan, not without a certain amount of anxiety. He didn't know where Yuan was taking him. Lloyd wasn't sure what to expect. He remembered his father explaining that his mother had been separated from them when Lloyd was small, but like so many things, Kratos would never explain what this really meant. Was she dead? Had she run off with someone else? Had Kratos left her? Was she taken away? Lloyd had spent many sleepless nights wondering what had become of his mother. All he knew of her were the stories Kratos would share with him. Kratos would describe to his son a woman who could remain cheerful, regardless of the trials she had to face, someone who stayed strong no matter what. Whenever Kratos talked about her, there was always a distant look in his eyes, as if he was seeing her again as he described her. Lloyd never needed to ask if Kratos missed Anna.

Lloyd followed Yuan through a guarded doorway, but stopped when he realized where Yuan had taken him.

"A prison...?" Lloyd looked at Yuan in confusion. "Why would Mom be in a jail?"

Yuan's expression was almost pained when he answered, "The reason will become obvious soon enough. And when you see her," he added, as if remembering something. "It is important that you make no sudden movements, or shout. Understood?"

"Um... sure," said Lloyd, not sure why he was agreeing.

Yuan stopped at one specific cell, and motioned to Lloyd to come closer. A little reluctantly, Lloyd did so, looking through the bars of the cell door at the lone occupant. He felt his whole body go numb. He saw the monster inside the cell, with its red skin and purple veins covering its body. Its too long, clawed arms were curled around its thin torso, to which rags that might have once been clothes clung.

"Anna."

Yuan had walked up to the cell door, placing a hand on the bars. When he called her name, his voice was surprisingly gentle, as if he were talking to a frightened animal. At the sound of the name the monster lifted its head, the red spot in the middle of where its face should have been seemed to stare blindly at Yuan.

"Lloyd is here," said Yuan patiently. "Your son. Do you remember Lloyd? He's seventeen now. I brought him here to see you."

The monster 'looked' at Lloyd. It cocked its head to one side, unable to make out this new person.

"Ll... oy... d?"

Its voice was warped, a mockery of a human voice.

Lloyd's mouth was dry. He hadn't known what to think when Yuan offered to let Lloyd see his mother. He couldn't even remember what he might have been expecting, now that he was confronted with this. The monster shifted positions, sitting up. It shambled over to the bars, and Lloyd tried hard not to take a step back as it drew nearer. The monster wrapped its claws around the bars, and 'stared' through at Lloyd, who couldn't take his eyes off the monster that had once been his mother.

Yuan observed Lloyd carefully, curious as to what his reaction would be.

Lloyd looked back at Yuan. His eyes were wide with fear and confusion. "What... what's wrong with her? Why is she like this?"

"Anna was a part of something called the 'Angelus Project'," Yuan explained. "She used to be a prisoner at a human ranch, similar to the one Iselia has a treaty with. While she was there, the Desians placed on her an experimental Exsphere, the one you have equipped now.

"She managed to escape, and shortly after met Kratos. They ran away together, from the Desians, and from Cruxis. Eventually you were born as well. They discovered that Anna's Exsphere needed to be removed, otherwise it would slowly kill her."

Lloyd looked down at his left hand. He knew what Exspheres attached directly to the skin could make the host sick, but he had no idea an Exsphere could kill its host. He felt a little ill looking at the violet gem now.

"They heard about a dwarf who lived aboveground, who had no ties to Cruxis," Yuan continued. "Dirk, whom I believe helped to raise you. But before they could reach him, Kvar, the master of the ranch who had held Anna, caught up with your parents. Kvar removed Anna's Exsphere, and she turned into a monster."

Yuan recalled, with some degree of clarity, what had happened that night. He never found out exactly what happened on the cliff, the little he knew was surmised, but he remembered what came after...

- ∞ -

Yuan was surprised that it had been so easy to find Kratos. The man was usually extremely good at hiding, at being unable to find when he didn't want to be found. Clearly this skill had not served him well tonight, against Kvar, or against Yuan. Perhaps it was that he had to hide more than just himself, or perhaps he was simply getting sloppy.

The half-elf watched from the shadows of the trees, as Kratos hauled his injured body out of the trapdoor that lead to the home of the dwarf. Yuan knew about Dirk, though he had seen fit to keep Cruxis unaware of the dwarf's presence near Iselia. As soon as Yuan discovered that Kratos had fled with Kvar's beloved Angelus Project, he knew they would eventually come to this place. Only a dwarf could create a Key Crest to nullify the negative effects of an Exsphere planted onto the skin.

Yuan rested his hand on the hilt of an ordinary long sword, and watched as Kratos stood up, and looked around the clearing, possibly for Desians or wandering monsters. Yuan noticed the bandages on Kratos' chest and arms; he had been wounded, and badly, it seemed. Whatever had happened on that cliff could not have been good.

Yuan unsheathed his sword, slowly, as to make no noise. His footsteps were silent, and before Kratos could move, Yuan had raised his sword and rested the point on the back of Kratos' neck.

Kratos slowly raised his arms without making a sound. Yuan saw him tense.

"Hello Kratos."

Without looking back, Kratos muttered, "What do you want Yuan?"

"I only came to talk," said Yuan.

"I find that unlikely," Kratos replied icily. "Did Mithos send you?"

"I came on my own."

Kratos slowly turned around to face Yuan, and they looked at each other with unveiled mistrust. The point of Yuan's sword remained pointed at Kratos' neck, right above the white collar. Yuan made sure he himself was out of arm's reach.

"Why should I believe a word you say?" Kratos kept a wary eye on Yuan's sword.

"I didn't expect you to," Yuan said. "Hence the sword pointed at your throat."

"What did you come here for?"

"As I said, I came here to talk," Yuan repeated.

"And you brought a sword with you for a 'talk'?" Kratos commented dryly.

"I merely wanted to be sure you wouldn't immediately try to kill me." Yuan lowered his sword, but did not sheathe it. He waited, but Kratos said nothing more and didn't move. Deciding this was a sign that Kratos would at least wait to see what Yuan had planned, he sheathed his weapon. He reached inside his cape, into a hidden pocket. A moment later, Yuan withdrew his hand and held it out to Kratos. Yuan opened his hand to reveal a small, spherical, purple stone.

"I believe this belongs to you."

Kratos' eyes widened, a mix of emotions Yuan could not read on his face. Kratos reached out, his hand shakily slightly, and slowly took the sphere from Yuan, and held it in his cupped hands, cradling it.

"We found the host of the Angelus Project," Yuan continued. "She was wandering the forest. We captured her – alive – and we're bringing her to a place where she will be safe."

"Where?" Kratos asked, his eyes still wide. He seemed dazed, as if he weren't sure this wasn't a dream. "Where is Anna now?"

"So that's her name, Anna?" Yuan smiled. "A very ordinary name."

Kratos glared at Yuan. "Don't you dare talk about her like you can know her just by examining her name."

Yuan was silent, not because he was intimidated, but because he didn't know what to say. Yuan had never seen Kratos like this. He was so... so alive, but Yuan wasn't sure if this was a good change. After all, there was no way Kratos and Anna could possibly have a happy ending...

"It was merely a comment," Yuan said, trying to be diplomatic. Then he added, "She must have been special to mean this much to you."

Kratos looked away, his long hair hiding his eyes, his shame, and his guilt.

"...I can take you to her now," Yuan offered.

Kratos glanced uncertainly back down at the trapdoor leading to Dirk's home.

"...I can't go," Kratos said, sounding torn. "Not yet. I want to be sure Lloyd will be okay."

Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Lloyd? Who's Lloyd?"

Kratos looked away again. "Lloyd... is my son."

Yuan could only stare at Kratos with a mixture of amazement, disbelief, and something else he couldn't name. "How... is that possible?"

"I don't know, and it doesn't matter," Kratos said coldly.

Yuan paused, and then asked, "Are you sure he's your son?"

"Don't you dare talk like that," Kratos' words came out as a half-growl, along with a silent threat that if Yuan ever implied that Anna was unfaithful ever again, Kratos would skin him alive.

"I meant no offense," Yuan amended calmly. "I was only curious." Kratos grunted, and said nothing.

Yuan paused, considering his options. He hadn't come to inquire about Kratos' little new family.

There was something else he had to take care of. "You haven't asked who 'we' are yet."

Kratos, with a new hesitancy and suspicion, said, "All right, who are 'we'?"

"We," Yuan started, his usual smirk back on his face. "Are the Renegades."

"The Ren...?" Kratos stared, not believing his ears. "You are the Renegade leader?"

"Correct," Yuan confirmed, still smirking.

"How did you hide this from Mithos?" Kratos asked, still sounding stunned. "He's been looking for the Renegades for so long."

"But he never suspected his dear seraphim, did he?" Yuan pointed out smugly. "He searched in all the wrong places. However, we still have to be careful, or risk exposure. The same applies to you now. If you are not cautious, then Cruxis will find you again. If that happens, they will take you back, and nothing will have changed."

Kratos stayed silent. He knew all this already.

"I have a little proposition for you," Yuan began. "While we have many resources, the Renegades are always in need of new members. If we have another powerful member of Cruxis on our side, it would be a tremendous boots to the morale of my men, and to our power. Join us, and we can stop Mithos and save the world from his madness."

"Why are you offering me this?" Kratos' tone had changed. Again, it became guarded, and wary. "In order for you to achieve your goal, you would need me dead. You need Origin's seal broken, correct?"

"Correct," said Yuan, after a reluctant pause. "However, as you now have... priorities," Yuan motioned to the trapdoor with a wave of a hand. "It seems to me we could both benefit from a collaboration. You have your talents, and I have the Renegades. We will shelter Anna and hide you from Cruxis, and you will come and assist us."

"You wish for me to work for you?" Kratos asked resentfully.

"With me," Yuan corrected. "This is a partnership I'm offering."

Kratos was still unconvinced. "I am too easily compromised to be an effective ally of the Renegades. If Mithos – "

"Mithos isn't here," Yuan said calmly. "He isn't here to tell you what to do."

"Yggdrasill should know I have not actually died," Kratos said, still mentally listing the reasons an alliance with the Renegades was a bad idea. "He will continue searching for me."

"He has been searching for the Renegades for a very long time," said Yuan, his voice tinged with pride. "And he has yet to find us."

Kratos fell into one of his thoughtful silences. Kratos was good at silence. He returned his attention to Yuan. "If you need me to die, then why haven't you actually tried to kill me yet?"

"As I said before," Yuan started. "The situation is more complex than that, and then there is the practical issue of..." Yuan paused, then continued, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Your... little 'condition'."

Kratos scowled, unamused. He disliked Yuan's wording; it sounded as if he were describing a disease. 'Little condition', indeed.

"Besides," Yuan added, still smirking. "I don't think the people of Iselia would be very happy if you – "

"I doubt you are particularly concerned with the villagers," interrupted Kratos, still frowning. Then he seemed to consider something. "Do you know who lives in Iselia?"

"The Chosen," answered Yuan, his mocking tone vanishing. He was serious now. "She's only... two or three years old now."

"If you want to stop Martel's revival," Kratos started. "Then why not kill the Chosen now?"

Yuan's face twisted into a scowl of anger Kratos rarely ever saw. "Do you think I like killing children?" Yuan demanded bitterly. "I do only what is necessary. If she receives the oracle, then I will kill her. Not before."

Kratos closed his eyes. Yuan's answer seemed to satisfy some hidden condition.

"Very well," Kratos said at last, after a long, pensive pause. "I will help you and your Renegades."

Kratos could tell Yuan was pleased with his answer. Yuan's usual smirk had returned to the half-elf's face.

Yuan nodded to Kratos. Nothing more had to be said. "Good," he said, almost smugly. "Go back to your son."

Kratos nodded in farewell, wondering if he had done the right thing in agreeing to help Yuan. Kratos opened the trapdoor with a grunt, and slowly lowered himself back inside. When he was gone, Yuan scanned the clearing once, as if searching for an eavesdropper, before turning to leave.

Yuan left, wondering if perhaps he should have asked what had happened on the cliff. He had found the Angelus Project there, along with...

Kvar had not been among the dead, Yuan had noticed. That meant there had been at least one, very important, witness. Kvar was greatly respected amongst the Desians. If he talked, they would listen.

It didn't matter, as long as Kvar had nothing important to say.

- ∞ -

"Afterwards, Anna was brought here for her protection," Yuan continued to explain to Lloyd. "If she were left to roam on her own in this form, she would inevitably have been slain by wandering adventurers. She was to be kept here until a cure could be found. I think that is why Kratos gave you Boltzman's book."

Lloyd looked up at Yuan in surprise. "That was the big book, right?"

Yuan nodded. "He told me he had found a lead, but would not discuss the details with me. I think he gave the book to you because he suspected Cruxis would capture him soon, and he wanted to keep it out of their hands. If they got it, then there would have been no hope of curing Anna."

"Is there a way to cure Mom with the book?" Lloyd asked hopefully.

Yuan shrugged. "I've never read the book myself, and I doubt you can. Perhaps it is best if you left it with Raine. When this is all over, you can ask her to help you cure Anna."

"Why can't we cure her now?" Lloyd demanded.

"That would take too much time," Yuan stated. "First the book has to be translated, then the spells studied. Talk to Raine, I'm sure she will help you find a cure. Be patient. We have the book, and a skilled healer. Anna will be fine."

Lloyd looked back inside the cell, at the monster-Anna, whose attention was still fixed solely on Lloyd. "Why does she have to be kept in a jail like this?"

Yuan explained, but struggled to find tactful words to describe the situation. "In this... state she is... unstable, she isn't always in control, but as long as she stays calm, and away from loud noises, she is okay. Anna is in control now, but it's a weak control."

"Why does she still have to be in a cage then?" Lloyd asked, angry and sick at the thought of his mother, even in this form, trapped in a cage. "If she's kinda okay now, why not let her go?"

"There's no guarantee she can maintain control if I let her out," said Yuan sensibly. "Though it is unpleasant, it is safest for her, and everyone around her, if she remains here for the time being."

Yuan sighed, sounding very tired. "I'm sorry Lloyd, but that's just the way things have to be. Right now, she's mostly harmless, but her control is fragile. That is why she has to be kept like this, to keep her, and everyone around her safe."

Lloyd, feeling helpless, looked back inside the cage, and up at the monster that had once been his mother. He felt weak, and slightly sick. The monster seemed to 'stare' back down at him too, though there was no way for Lloyd to know what it was thinking.

"...I think it is time I returned you to your friends," Yuan said, breaking the silence. "Otherwise I imagine I will be accused of kidnapping you."

Yuan turned and walked out of the prison without looking back to see if Lloyd was following. Lloyd stood for a moment longer in front of Anna's cell, trying to think of something to say, because he felt that something had to be said.

"I'll find a way to help you... I promise."

Lloyd quickly ran after Yuan, having no desire to get lost inside the base. After he was gone, the cells fell silent again, and Anna was left alone. She watched him go from her cage, her warped body pressed up against the bars of her cell. When he was out of sight, she curled up again in the corner of her little cell, wrapping her elongated arms around her body. She rested her head against the cold metal of her prison, and listened to the silence.

- ∞ -

Lloyd was quiet as he followed Yuan through the base. He kept his head bowed, looking down at his feet as he walked, thinking. Mostly about how to ask Professor Sage to help him cure Anna. He wasn't sure he could just walk up to her and ask, but what else could he say?

"Yuan!"

Yuan stopped walking, so abruptly that Lloyd almost walked into him, as the source of the voice stomped up to Yuan, looking angry. It was a young woman, wearing some strange purple garment, and a pink ribbon around her waist.

"Yuan, I heard the Chosen was here!" the woman demanded angrily. "What's going on?"

Yuan glanced at Lloyd, before returning his attention to the woman. "Yes, the Chosen is here," he started.

"What is she doing here?" the woman demanded, interrupting Yuan. "I thought you said you wanted her dead!"

"Do you?"

"N-no!" said the woman quickly, horrified at the suggestion, "I don't want anyone to die, but... I thought - "

Yuan sighed, "There was a change of plan – "

"I thought you knew what you were doing!" she shouted, "If the Chosen finishes her journey, then Tethe – " The woman stopped when she finally spotted Lloyd. "Who's he?"

Lloyd opened his mouth to spout his usual "Give me your name and I shall give you mine!" but Yuan cut in:

"He's unimportant. I know you're angry, but this way, we can reach a resolution faster."

She was absolutely furious now. "You said – "

"Sheena, be sensible," Yuan said, his voice calm. "You aren't ready yet, the original plan isn't going to work. This way, we can solve the basic problem quickly."

Sheena seemed hurt, but stayed quiet. With one last, nearly apologetic glance, Yuan walked past her, Lloyd following nervously behind, making a mental note to ask Yuan who she was later, looking back over his shoulder at the weird woman, who hadn't moved. Only when they had moved past her, did she turn around.

Sheena watched Yuan leave, the nameless boy trailing after him, looking back at her over his shoulder. Inside, Sheena was fuming with rage.

She hadn't believed Yuan. He had turned his back on her! She didn't want anybody to die, not even the Chosen of Sylvarant, even though she posed a great danger. Sheena didn't want anybody to die, but if the Chosen finished her journey, then Sheena's country would fall.

She couldn't let that happen.

- ∞ -

There were whole shelves of Exspheres, arranged in long rows, all labeled and classified. They sat in boxes in neat lines, ready to be taken and used. The Renegades' stores of Exspheres were built after years spent stealing only a few Exspheres at a time from the human ranches, slowly siphoning off the Desians' supplies. Not enough to leave any impact on the Desians, they weren't trying to draw attention to their thievery, but just enough to give the Renegades the little edge they needed.

Colette rested her small fingers on her new Key Crest, as Genis and Raine were fitted with new Exspheres. She had felt its effects almost immediately after equipping it. She felt... normal again. She even felt hungry. Her wings stayed, she could still feel them, but the terrible feeling that there was something wrong with her was gone. She felt... great.

But that was wrong, wasn't it? She was supposed to be a sacrifice. Her life for the salvation of the world. She had come to accept that. It was her destiny, her duty. Wasn't that the way things were supposed to be...?

Genis stared down at the new Exsphere on his left hand, a mix of emotions on his round face. Raine seemed equally uncomfortable with her own Exsphere, though she seemed ready to tolerate it.

All three looked up when Yuan arrived, Lloyd following close behind.

Yuan started talking to the Sages, instructing them on the use of their new Exspheres. Lloyd wasn't listening. He didn't like this place, it felt... weird here. And he thought he could hear something.

There were faint murmurs, as if from far away. The little sounds were like the rustling of pages, the quiet whispers issuing softly from... everywhere. He couldn't pinpoint a single place where the sounds were coming from. It almost sounded like the whole room was slowly filling with sand, as if it was leaking from the roof, but he couldn't see any sand. He felt nervous, and a little scared. Lloyd didn't like this place.

Lloyd didn't want to say anything about it in case it sounded weird or crazy. After all, hearing voices wasn't normal, was it?

"Lloyd?"

He became aware that people had been talking to him.

"What?" he said, a little bewildered.

"I said," started Genis, sounding a little annoyed. "Where were you?"

"Um..." Lloyd didn't know what to say. He didn't want to talk about Anna, not right now, anyway. It still felt just a little too much like a nightmare to seem completely real yet. Unable to think of another answer, he just mumbled, "I don't want to talk about it right now."

Genis heard the uncomfortable note in his friend's voice, and didn't ask again. He quickly changed the subject, and tried to put as much enthusiasm into his voice as possible. "These Exspheres really are useful, aren't they?"

"Yeah," agreed Lloyd, not cheering up at all. And that weird whispering hadn't gone away yet.

"If we wish to make any progress through the desert today," Yuan started, cutting off any further conversation. "Then we need to leave the base soon." He motioned to one of his men standing nearby, "This man will take you to the entrance of the base. There is a little more business I must tend to before joining you."

This earned a suspicious glance from Raine, before she herded her students away, following Yuan's underling out of the Exsphere repository.

Yuan watched Lloyd and the others leave, his face expressionless. He had noticed Lloyd's discomfort, how his pace had been just a little faster than his apparent calm called for.

Lloyd had heard the Exspheres.

So he really was Kratos' son after all. Yuan wondered if there was anything else the boy had inherited...?

"Sir?"

It was a respectful voice, though a little hesitant; as if the speaker were unsure Yuan would hear.

Yuan turned to his second-in-command. "Yes Botta?"

Botta stood rigidly to attention, before asking, "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

Yuan nodded. "Granted. What's troubling you?"

"That boy... was Kratos' son?"

"Yes, he is," Yuan said. "And he is one of the Chosen's companions. He will come with us to the Tower of Salvation."

"...Is this wise?" Botta asked, now sounding uncertain. "Going straight to Yggdrasill like this? Won't he suspect something?"

"If we are careful, then no," Yuan said, with total confidence. Then he noticed Botta's anxious expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"The men are restless, sir," Botta replied. "The Desians are edgy, and no one is sure how they will react. We have been successful in spreading discontent against Cruxis, but perhaps discontent may spread among our own ranks - "

"Which it won't," Yuan interrupted. "It will all be over once we reach the Tower. With Yggdrasill dead, Cruxis will fall and the Desians will crumble."

Botta wasn't reassured by Yuan's response. Things were starting to go bad, and Botta wasn't sure how it would end. Supposing Yuan did kill Yggdrasill? What then? Neither the Desians nor Cruxis would likely fold immediately. Yggdrasill's death would create a power vacuum, and someone would try to fill it. Perhaps one of the Grand Cardinals would try to usurp the others and take over Yggdrasill's old position.

"We need to leave as possible," said Yuan, trying to indicate that if Botta had anything else to say, he had to say it now. "I trust you can take care of things here for the time being?"

Botta stood smartly to attention again, "Yes, sir."

"Good."

Without a second word, Yuan headed out of the Exsphere repository, leaving Botta standing alone among the shelves.

Botta didn't stop worrying. So many things had to be just right for this plan to work, and if even one little thing wasn't where it was supposed to be, everything could come tumbling down, like a castle of playing cards.

- ∞ -

Yuan's remaining business at the base involved a door.

It wasn't particularly interesting as doors went. It wasn't behind a bookcase that swung forward when one removed the correct book. It wasn't disguised in any particularly special way. It was the kind of door no one noticed. It was metal, rectangular, without any special markings on it. It just stood in the room adjacent to Yuan's office.

The only thing about this door that was at all remarkable was the slot for a key, a keypad, and a small microphone. The only way to get past the door without high explosives or a large drill required a key, an eight-digit number, and a spoken password in Yuan's voice. All of these Yuan had, and each one was followed by a little green light. As soon as all three lights were illuminated, Yuan gently pushed the door open, just enough to allow himself inside, before closing it behind him.

Several minutes later, he came out again, shutting the door carefully behind him, the locks clicking faintly as it closed. He stood there a moment, green eyes glazed, staring at nothing. Then he suddenly became alert again, and left the room without saying a word.

- ∞ -

After leaving the base, it became immediately clear that Yuan had not earned the trust of his 'companions'. They had gained the exact opposite; they all kept their distance, as if afraid he would turn on them at any moment. Which probably was what they believed. He was getting what he deserved, Yuan thought. He hadn't exactly made himself likeable. That was fine; he wasn't looking to get all chummy with Lloyd and his friends. This was a mission, not a vacation.

It took several days to cross the desert. As they traveled, the desert sand was slowly replaced with anemic grass, and then, very slowly, the grass grew thicker, and soon there were bushes and trees. Soon they came to a dirt path at the base of a rocky hill covered in short grass and littered with trees and shrubs.

This was Ossa Trail, Yuan explained when they arrived. It was a path that lead through the mountainous region on the eastern end of the Triet desert to the coastline, where they could hire a boat. However, night was beginning to fall, and they were tired. Crossing the mountains could wait for tomorrow.

Camp was set without any particular enthusiasm. They ate dinner in silence, Yuan isolated from the others. Eventually, Lloyd and the others drifted off to sleep, one by one. Overall it was not an eventful night, except for one little moment, when everyone was asleep.

Noishe was curled up, and with Lloyd asleep and leaning against his side. Noishe's ears twitched, and he woke up, lifted his head, his big ears cocked, listening. He sniffed the air, his blue eyes searching. His ears twitched again, as he heard a small sound no human, or normal dog, would have ever heard.

He turned his head, and saw a darker shadow sitting on the rocks above their camp. Noishe didn't growl or bark, or do anything to alert the others. An animal's intuition told Noishe the shadowy figure meant then no harm... at least for the moment.

The figure on the rocks seemed to realize it had been spotted. As Noishe watched, it vanished, melting away into the darkness as if it had never been.

Noishe lost interest, rested his head back on his paws, and promptly returned to sleep.

The only other individual who had seen the figure was much less relaxed than Noishe. Yuan had volunteered to be the first shift on the night watch, and had been the only other one awake to spot the shadow. Yuan gazed at the place where the shadow had been, even after it had gone, his face stony and emotionless. Unlike Noishe, he understood what was happening.

They were being watched.

...But on whose orders?