Mr.Who2123: Man…I can't remember the last time I wrote a chapter. I'm thinking of quitting about now, but I want to finish this story first…

Kratos: Well, I say don't quit, because if you do…I am gone forever.

Mr.Who2123: NOOO! Well, on the other hand, I get the free samples all to myself…

Kratos: What?

Mr.Who2123: Remember when we went to Costco and you took all the free samples!!

Kratos: …Mr.Who2123 owns nothing, not even Costco…excuse me, I have to beat some sense into this insane…thing.

Mr.Who2123: They're MY free samples! ALL MINE!!!

The deep black of the Goarrachia Forest can make anyone feel the world is empty. Anna was no exception. The sky was completely black, with no stars at all thanks to the thick branches of the black trees that blended with the black of night. The black quiet of the night also entranced her. There was no sound to purge her of the complete darkness that surrounded her. She felt that the whole world was black and silent and nothing could change it...until a crunch of a broken tree limb broke her trance and twirled with reputed fear. The silence enhanced the sound behind her and sound as though a whole tree was felled instead of a simple crushed branch. Behind her was Yuan, concern glimmering in his eyes.

"What are you doing out so late?" he asked, walking right next to her. Anna sighed in relief, brushing off the fear she had moments ago.

"Just...looking," she replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as she could. Turth was, she never got used to Yuan, and after he knew of Kratos' and her love, she felt even more uncomfortable around him. Before Yuan could ask what, she began again. "The sky, you can't see the stars, or even the moon. It feels like the whole world is just black." Yuan, having nothing to say, just nodded and watched the sky as well.

"It does kind of feel that way, doesn't it?" he asked, partly to her, and partly to himself. Abruptly, he turned to her. "Let's go back."

"Alright," she replied, and began to follow Yuan who had already started walking back to camp.

"What's Kratos doing?" Anna asked, yearnig for some more noise.

"He's resting so his wound can have some time to heal. Already, it's forming a layer of skin to replace the charred," he replied, and Anna smiled.

"I'm glad he's getting better," she swhispered to herself.

Anna spotted the camp by indicating her love's distinct hair. She giggled to herself and walked a bit faster. As she approached Kratos, who lay sleeping under his cloak, she laughed even harder when she heard him muttter ever so slightly the words "evil tomatoes." It brought back the wonderful memories of her making him eat the spaghetti back at Luin. It almost made her yearn for that time again, when life was still a little bit more simple.

"I'll never forget this," she said through giggles. She heard Yuaan approach behind her, but ignored it until she felt cold hands grasp her neck.

"You won't," Yuan answered darkly. "because this will be the last time you'll see him." Yuan began tightening his grip on her neck as knives of intense pain stabbed constantly at her throat with no relent at all. Her lungs groped for air, yet she had none to give, and the painful pressure grew with each moment. Anna desperately groped for the hands that threatened to kill her, but her strength didn't even compare to Yuan's. Her last vision was her killer, a spy who simply carried out his orders: Yuan.

The pain of his back rudely woke him up from his dreamless sleep, where he could leave the pain, even if for a small time. Frustrated, Kratos sat up slowly and snapped on his cloak, though he noticed Anna and Yuan were gone.

"Probably gone for a walk, if I know Anna. And Yuan...," he muttered softly as he pulled himself up. "Yuan probably left to practice with his blade." Relieved that the pain in his back slowly ebbed down to a small tingle, Kratos started cleaning the camp of blankets or the first aid kits that might have been left out, wincing in pain when he knelt down or slowly raised himself back up.

As he finally packed the last of the goods, and stood to look for his companions, Kratos noticed a carving in a nearby oak tree, the words seemed they have been charred by magic. It read: "We have Anna. surrender to Ygdrasil or death will fall upon her. Yuan" Kratos couldn't believe the words. He read it, then read it over two more times, seething more and more.

"He turned on me? I thought he hated Yggdrail too!" he roared. Kratos pounded the tree with all his anger and the bark crushed beneath his fist. A large hole appeared where the words were, making it illegible. "Yuan was against me from the beginning. He was one of the few I could trust...he soiled that trust, too!" he yelled, madly glaring at the crushed tree. What do I do? Anna is caught up in all this because of me...me I should've just left her at Luin, or killed her to spare her the pain of the cruxis crystal. Should I let her die, to save Symphonia? She would be a sacrifie, though, and I can't accept that. With his mind made up, Kratos summoned his wings and lifted from the ground, heading higher and higher to Derris Kharlan. I'll save Anna and find a way to save Symphonia, even if I'm in Derris Kharlan until the end of time.

Yggdrasil smirked at the sight of his spy with the captive, coming into the main hall. Yuan laid Anna down in a small cage protected by Yggdrasil's own magic.

"Yggdrasil, I've taken the girl. Kratos should be here soon, but he will not fight. The wound pains him too much," Yuan said, bowing his head slightly to the authority.

"Good job, Yuan. I shall have my friends again to aid me in my life's mission: to save Martel," Yggdrasil replied madly. "And of course you'll have your part of the bargain that we explained when you tried to fight me. Martel will be your wife, and your part was to bring back Kratos. You're job has been beautiffuly done, so my end of the deal will be done as soon as a sacrifice comes." Yuan nodded, though he couldn't help but regret his decision.

Mr.Who2123: Sorry it's so short, but this should keep you thinking for at least a little while.

Kratos: I think I set her straight (sigh) Though it wasn't easy...

(flashback of him slapping Mr.Who over and over on the cheek until she started summoning Bahamut to kill him.)

Mr.Who2123: Well, I'll update when I can. Review please!