A/N: This is a shorter chapter this time, but it felt like an appropriate place to end it. Quite a bit of Kratos in this one. Lots of him and Yuan in the next one! It'll be finished and uploaded before you know it. :) But for now, enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Still don't own ToS, but if I did... Ohhhh boy. ;D
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Gratitude is a form of wisdom. It is patient, loving, hopeful, and rigorously honest. It denies nothing, and it overlooks nothing. It looks reality full in the face and says: This is true, this is me, this is my situation, and I have the opportunity to build from here. This is my starting point, and I will succeed!
-Phil Humbert
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"Kratos, I think it's about time that Yuan is able to have his bedroom back; show Skye to her own room," Yggdrasill orders. "I don't care where you decide is best, but I think it would be most convenient to keep her close to either your room, or Yuan's."
Kratos nods in agreement. "Let us go, then," he says to Skye.
"Right," she says with a smile. He starts to walk back to the large double doors and out of the room with her walking next to him. After they exit the room and have made it down the stairs, Skye stops and turns to Kratos.
"So, your name is Kratos? I haven't had a chance to introduce myself properly," she says. She holds out her hand. "My name is Skye Vidall. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Kratos reaches out and they shake hands. "Likewise."
A man of few words, huh? Skye thinks. They begin walking again and are soon at the teleporter that takes them back to the city-like place. Skye is rather unnerved by the place. It's not just the strange sky, but the fact that the sprawling city practically seems deserted. It's very cold- and impersonal-feeling. Everything is white and gleaming. There are strange machines, and the whole place is something she thinks she's going to have a hard time getting used to. She misses the trees and plants and just nature of Ozette.
"Kratos, can I ask you something?" she says, hesitantly.
"What do you wish to know?"
"What exactly is Derris-Kharlan? And this place we're in right now, what is it called? It's different from the castle-like area we were just in."
"Derris-Kharlan is a large comet made up of mana. It was the original homeland of the elves before they decided to move themselves down to Aselia – your world. It is currently held here by Origin's power, and the Eternal Sword, as is the wish of Yggdrasill. This city is called the Holy City of Welgaia. The castle we just came from is Vinheim," he explains.
Skye makes a thoughtful noise. "But how do the people on Aselia not see it? It's a giant purple comet!"
"That, too, is the power of the Eternal Sword."
Skye sounds a low whistle. "Wow, the Eternal Sword is really amazing. It's hard to believe that something can have that much power."
Kratos makes a 'hmm' sound that might be an agreement, but also might not. Skye doesn't really know him well enough to be sure, yet. They continue walking until they come to a building that she thinks is the same one she left when she was with Yuan, and Kratos holds the door open for her to enter. They walk down a few hallways, making some turns here and there, until they eventually stop at a door.
"This will be your room," Kratos says as he opens the door and they walk into the room. "My room is two doors down the hall. If you should need anything, I will probably be there. No one else lives in this hallway, so don't worry about not being able to find the room."
Skye looks around the room. It's about as bare as Yuan's was, though a bit larger because she doesn't have any other rooms attached, like Yuan's office, other than the open door on the west wall that leads to a bathroom. There's a double bed, a closet a few feet from the bathroom door, and a desk. There's a small living area, separated by a wall that extends half-way into the room, which has a small couch and an empty bookshelf. Skye decides she'll definitely have to do some decorating when she has some extra gald.
Kratos makes for the door to leave, but is stopped when Skye begins to speak. "I have a few more questions, if it's no trouble?" Skye asks.
She's a very inquisitive girl, Kratos thinks. "Alright, ask away."
"I don't quite understand why this city is so large, when only the three of you seem to live here. Are there more people here? Why haven't I seen anyone else?" she asks.
"The other inhabitants of the city are what we call 'lesser angels,' while I and the others are referred to as 'seraphim,'" he explains. "The lesser angels are… well, you could say that they're rather 'lifeless.' Their Cruxis Crystals are different from ours, and therefore work differently. While we still have all of our senses, the lesser angels cannot taste, feel, sleep, or feel emotion. They have no need of food or warm clothing. They exist, but I'm not sure you could really call it 'living.' The Chosens of Regeneration also lose their senses when they release the seals, but they also become more like one of us than like a lesser angel. We, however, can still function as normal human beings. We don't need to eat in order to survive, but we can still enjoy the taste of our favorite foods. We can still feel the heat of the sun at the beach in Altamira, and the chilly snowfall of Flanoir. We don't have to sleep, but we still have the ability to. We can still feel grief when people close to us die, and anxiety before an important mission," he finishes. "As for why you haven't seen them, the lesser angels may not be able to sleep, but they still stick to what you might call their natural schedule. At night, they retreat to their homes."
"I see. Thank you for the explanation, I think I understand now." Skye says. She feels grateful that they allowed her to become one of the seraphim. She feels a bit sad for the lives the lesser angels live. They must be… lonesome.
"You're welcome. Now settle in and get some rest. Your training starts tomorrow, or have you forgotten?" Kratos says. "It will be quite extensive, so you'll need your energy."
Skye shakes her head with a small smile. "I haven't forgotten. Can you tell me a little bit of what my training will be like?"
Kratos thinks for a moment. He's trying to decide what would be the best way to begin her training. "Well, I suppose it would be best to start you off with basic fighting skills, and Yuan will begin instructing you on how to use magic. Eventually we'll teach you how to use your angelic abilities as well, but those are a bit harder to learn."
"Alright," she says. Kratos starts off towards the door again. "Have a nice night, Kratos." He turns back for a moment to tell her the same and leaves the room.
Skye isn't really sure what to do with the rest of her alone time, so she decides to take Kratos' advice. She goes to bed, but she can't fall asleep right away. Now that she's alone, the day's events come back to her in full-force… She misses her brother… but most of all, she feels guilt for both having failed to save him, and for forgetting about him. She vows to herself that to try and make up for her failings, she's going to serve Yggdrasill the best she can. Tomorrow, she's going to train hard, and she's going to become stronger. She's going to become faster, better, and more resilient. She's going to become someone useful, someone with a purpose. It will be a long road, she knows that, but she's not going to be the weak Skye from before anymore. She's going to succeed.
But that's tomorrow. Tonight, she cries herself to sleep.
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A/N: Thanks for reading! *gets on hands and knees* drop me a review? :) Next chapter will probably be out around Saturday, central USA time.