The only thing Anna could hear was the pounding of her heart as she ran and ran. THe sole sound of it throbbed in her head though she was vaguely aware of the chaotic screaming all around her. The voices echoed in her head; Run, it said, run, and she did. Her feet kept carrying her despite how long she'd been running and how exhausted she felt. She worried now about Kratos. Kvar was sly and clever. Despite Kratos's skill and position, Kvar would find a way and he would never stop hunting her down either. That was what he said. She soon reached her hiding place and as she slowed to catch her breath, she recalled the earlier events.

0o0

Before Kratos and Anna could register the shock, a Desian grabbed Anna from behind, bound her hands and roughly shoved her to Kvar.

"Anna" Kratos shouted, worried and frustrated at his lack of preparedness.

Kvar's bitter-sounding laugh echoed in the empty inn filled with the deaths of many tenants. "It's too late! I finally recaptured A012, Kratos, you inferior being! Lord Yggdrasiil was a fool to have trusted a human" he scoffed, then turned to the other Desians. "Take care of him, while I tend to the Angelus Project" He snapped. He then retreated into one of the rooms and pushed Anna down, putting a finger under her chin and smiling while he examined her exsphere.

Then he laughed. "It seems Kratos has done a better job of developing the exsphere than i have! It's ready for harvest." He smiled at her then slapped her hard. It stung on her cheek. "Finally I'll be rid of you" He snarled at her. She kicked him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him and made a run for the door, but in vain. Kvar was already up and he hit her again, square across the face. She fell back hard and flinched but knew she couldn't just stop fighting and got back up.

This time Kvar beat her again and again until he practically sat on top of Anna. She struggled weakly against him and he laughed. Anna's eyes widened as Kvar's hand gripped the now glowing stone, knowing Kratos couldn't defeat all of them in time to help her. She squeezed her eyes tightly in anticipation but suddenly heard Kvar shout. Suddenly, Kvar'd been thrown off her and the rope on her hands was cut. Kvar lay groaning only half conscious on the ground. She looked up shocked at who'd helped her. "You, you- you're dead!" She stuttered. It was the Desian who often helped her at the ranch.

He nodded at her and it was then that she noticed the pale gleam against his small childish figure. Then he spoke with a sad look in his eyes, "Run Anna, run!" He said it with such desperation that Anna found herself on her feet and on the way to the door despite her weakness. She felt a strong determined wind take hold in her.

As she found herself almost leaving, she turned back to him and shouted, "Wait! i don't even know your name." She realized that with shame, but dare not cast her eyes down. He deserved for her to at least look him in the eye.

"Lloyd." he said wispily before disappearing. He smiled faintly, looking as if he were at peace.

"Lloyd." She whispered to herself. "Thank you." She noticed Kvar regaining some consciousness. He was standing now and lunged at Anna. She felt her adrenaline take hold as she dodged his attack, kicked his chest and flung her dagger out swiftly, cutting him across his face. She left abruptly to the main part of the inn. There she saw Kratos still fighting, mercilessly cutting down any who approached him and it somehow disturbed her as she thought of Lloyd.

Mid-fight Kratos caught her gaze and locked eyes with her for a split second. His intense brown eyes bore into her as he shouted, "Run, Anna. I'll meet you back there." They nodded at one another reaching an understanding, and she ran.

As she looked back over her shoulder, she saw Kratos still fighting and Kvar in the back, one hand on his cheek, the other pointing at her.

0o0

She gasped suddenly as her eyes jolted open at the memory. She was still there, still safe. But it was too quiet. Kratos still hadn't come, she thought to herself, worried. Stupid as it sounded, she thought, what if he were hurt? She popped her head out from behind, her eyes darting frantically back and forth searching for him and she bit her lip. She ducked back down quickly as she saw two Desian figures approaching the place.

"This is the last place." One voice spoke, "It's the only one left, and she definitely didn't get past our defenses." He laughed triumphantly.

"Are you sure?" the other spoke, unsure. "It doesn't seem like a sort of place she would hide." The first sighed and muttered to himself.

"That's the point, you idiot." He yelled at the other and slapped him. "Stop wasting time. Let's go. Bring the others too. She's gotta be here." Anna froze, praying with all her will that they wouldn't find her. She sat crouched, absolutely still listening to the foot prints, then silence.

"Aha!" A Desian yanked up her hair hard enough to almost pull it out from its roots, and she winced in pain but thrashed to get away. She stabbed the one holding her up, and a pool of blood spilled behind her as she dashed away. As she was jolted by the shock that she'd killed someone, she scrambled to the door only to be recaptured by the many Desians that surrounded her.

"You'll pay for that," One snarled at her. "once Kvar gets a hold of you. But first..." He lifted his blade up, and Anna realized that he wasn't going to kill her. No, he was going to torture her slowly and painfully. She clenched her teeth in anticipation but nothing happened. Kratos came as fast as lightening from the shadows and took hold of Anna, holding his hand against her waist as she held onto his shoulders.

"You're late." She mumbled almost passing out from exhaustion and pain but managing a smile. She was glad that he was here for once. Kratos looked at her almost startled but smiled back.

"Hold on tight." He whisper to her, regaining the cold, intense look in his eyes, "We're going for a ride."

"Huh?" She slurred confused, then suddenly they were thrust upward into the air and flying. Her eyes widened as beautiful, luminescent blue wings sprouted from Kratos's back. "What's going on?!" She screamed and clung onto Kratos for dear life.

He looked at her confused, "I explained everything to you in Luin, remember?" He said gently as she clawed out the skin around his neck. "I told you that I was an angel." He snorted then rolled his eyes at her.

"Yeah, i remember. i thought you were talking figuratively or something. I DON'T KNOW, BUT WHEN SOMEONE JUST SPROUTS WINGS AT YOU!" She shouted but was strangely calm even despite her morbid fear of heights. Kratos only snorted at her and said no more. She hated when he did that; it was condescending and frankly insulting. But the last thing she remembered was passing out. Finally her body could take it no more and she fell into blissful sleep.

"This isn't good," Kratos mumbled as he flew looking at Anna worried. The exsphere now was glowing bright red as it sucked the life and energy from Anna, but luckily it dimmed down. kratos relaxed slightly but still felt frantic. "We don't have much time." He whispered sadly to himself.

0o0

Kvar still had his hand upon his cut cheek and growled menacingly, "You won't be celebrating for long, A012. Enjoy it while it lasts. I'll get you if its the last thing I do." He turned to his subordinates and barked, "Figure out where they're going. We'll chase them all over Sylverant if we have to."