Lookie, it's chapter two! Chapter three might take a bit more time as I'm currently preparing for prom (senior in high school, woot) and finals. So, um, yeah. I write in my spare time and try to add as much of a chapter as possible without rushing through it. Yosh, I know, it is short D: Gomen. Anyway, enjoy.
I do not own Tales of Symphonia. If I did, the Tower of Salvation would be the Tower of Candy. Yummy ♥
Chapter Two:
Fate of a Prodigy
Raine was unconscious by the time the Cardinal Knights reached the Academy. Hunger and fatigue took its toll on her small body. She dangled over the knight's shoulder, motionless. The sound of her gentle snoring caught the attention of the front desk receptionist.
"Ma-may I help you, sir?" she asked nervously. It was unusual for the King's knights to enter the Academy, just as it was rare for the half elves to leave.
"This is that half elf, Raine Sage."
"Oh, yes! Please, bring her downstairs." The receptionist lead the way to the stairway and Raine's prison.
The half elves halted their experimented when they heard the sounds of the visitors.
"What do you think you're doing? Get back to work!" the knight demanded with the girl still on his shoulder.
Most obeyed, fearing punishment. Any of them could be easily executed for a crime; even for something as simple as breathing without permission. For the half elves, there was no justice: only penalty.
The smell of chemicals woke up the drowsy half elf. Feeling she was in an unusual sleeping position, Raine gasped and looked around her surroundings. There were definitely no test tubes, cages, laboratory tables, scholars, and chemicals in her room at home. She started to fight, but her stomach grumbled, causing her to temporarily abandon the thought of escape. Raine groaned and let her body dangle freely on the knight's shoulder once again.
"This is the prodigy, Raine Sage! Testing will commence as soon as I examine her." The receptionist clapped her hands excitedly. "She was found in the Ymir Forrest last night. Finally, after all this time!"
"I must report back to the King." Raine was dropped on the floor rather rudely. She moaned as she waited for the pain of being dropped on the marble floor to go away. The knights left the Academy and headed towards the castle.
"Put her in one of the magitechnology cages," the receptionist instructed after pointing to a group of over-sided animal cages. "I need to return to my post." She disappeared up the stairs.
Once again, the room was quiet and Raine settled herself. Shelves filled with a rainbow of liquids circled the room; some sizzled and boiled over. A table mostly covered with scattered papers was in the center of the room.
Another half elf in a laboratory coat approached the girl. "Come on. Let's get you inside," he said as he attempted to grab her thin arm.
Raine began to cry and scooted away until her back hit the wall. "NO! I want my mommy!" she yelled.
The man sighed and bent down to view the girl at eye level. "Look, please don't make this hard on yourself. I'm sure you're hungry."
She rubbed her stomach and looked to the side innocently. "I didn't eat breakfast or dinner last night," Raine confessed. She was too busy running away from the Academy to eat, but there was no need for the man to know that.
He smiled. "Then, I'll try to get you some food. But first, you have to get into the cage. It's not that bad inside. Okay?"
Raine realize escaping on an empty stomach would only put her in danger. 'At least wait to learn the area,' she told herself. "Okay," she told the man aloud.
"Good girl." He pulled off a ring of keys from his waist and sorted through a few before picking out one. Unlocking a cage, Raine was instructed to walk inside, which she did, in hopes of receiving some food. The cage was locked behind her. "I'll see what we have to eat."
"Genis." Raine sat in the prison, staring at the people through the metal bars. She curled into a ball and rocked nervously. "I hope you're okay." Warm tears streamed down her dirty face.
- - - - - - - -
The sight of the Renegade base gave him relief. As Yuan approached Flanoir, the snow fall became heavier. The winds blew ferociously and the snow distorted his vision. He used his cape to shield the infant, fearing for his health. He considered stopping in Flanoir to take the child to the doctor, but voted against it. The angel was supposed to be under cover; plus, he needed to be able to answer if Lord Yggdrasil summoned him. There was no time for him to raise suspicions.
He quickly opened the door to his base and stepped inside. He was greeted by the Renegade.
"Welcome back, Lord Yuan."
"Thank you."
"Is that. . . .a child?" The watchman asked and pointed to the object in his arms.
"Yes, he is."
Extremely confused, the watchman decided not to continue any further questioning.
"Summon Botta to my office immediately," Yuan commanded as he walked to his quarters deep within the base. Genis mumbled some random sounds.
"Yes, Sir!"
Yuan sparked interest in the Renegades, walking down the hallways of his base with a child in his hand. Snickering echoed in the corridors as he passed tech rooms and open doors. Conversations started in places that where there had been none. Some even congratulated Yuan on 'his child.' He only growled and demanded they return to their work. At one point, he hid the child in his cape, but was forced to take him out once Genis began to fuss.
Within minutes of being summoned by Yuan, Botta arrived at his lord's office and knocked on the door twice.
Yuan stopped playing with the infant and cleared his throat before saying, "Come in."
The door opened and Botta entered. "You called, my Lord?"
"Yes. Have a seat." Yuan pointed to a chair with his free hand. Genis was playing with the other.
Botta noticed something moving in his Lord's arms. He raised an eyebrow as he sat down in one of the two plush chairs stationed in front of Yuan's desk. "Is something wrong, Sir?" His voice purposely hinted at the child.
"I'm sure you've already noticed."
"Yes, I have." Botta looked around with shifty eyes before gaining the courage to ask, "Is it your child, Sir?"
"No," he replied. A soft pink color took over his cheeks but was quickly neutralized. "I found him in the Ymir Forrest."
"Near Heimdall?! Why would anyone leave a child?"
"I don't know, and do not have the time to find out. But be on alert for any reports of a missing child." Yuan shifted Genis' body to his left arm; his right one was numb.
"But, Lord Yuan, if he is a half elven child, no one will be concerned for him," Botta stated.
"Still, be on alert. I have to be on call if Yggdrasill summons me. He must not learn about the child," the leader said.
His subordinate nodded. "Understood."
Yuan glanced at a paper on his desk. "I must return to Cruxis. Yggdrasill wishes to speak with me about the Oracle."
"Is Martel's vessel already complete?" Botta asked with concern.
"No, not yet. We still have a few more years, but this one may be it. He'll become suspicious if I miss this meeting. It's also an opportunity to learn more about the Chosen." The Seraph stood to his feet and walked over to Botta. "Look after him until I get back. Also have someone go to Flanoir for supplies."
"Understood." Botta took the child and held him securely. "What type of supplies, Sir?"
Yuan faked a cough. "You know, like, um, baby stuff." He straightened his cape. "Well, I'm off."
"Wait, Sir. Does this child have a name?"
A name? "Um." Yuan reclaimed the infant and removed the blanket. "Surely, there has to be something on here. . ." What he was looking for wasn't actually clear. "Ah!" he exclaimed after finding a bracelet on the minor's arm. "It's written in Ancient Elven letters. . ." The angel was fluent in the Elven language, but had not used it in a long time. His pronunciation was slightly off but he translated the symbols. "Genis S-. The rest of it is too damaged."
"Genis. Alright, Sir. I will do my best with this child."
"I know I can count on you, Botta."
I just find the idea of Yuan raising a child so comical. He's so. . . uptight and jumpy. Oh well. Read and rate. I've also got another idea for a story (it'll be a oneshot though). Stay tuned for chapter three which will most likely be titled "Father Seraph."