The next chapter is here and a little early to boot. Thank you guys again for the favorite, follow, and reviews. So good to see that people still follow this story despite all the breaks.

Now, to the chapter.

Chapter 35: Seal of Wind

The next week heading towards the Balacruf Mausoleum passed by slowly. Most of the trip consisted of constant walking over rough terrain and cool weather that caused most of the group to wear jackets.

Lloyd had it the hardest since Kratos' training schedule was just as merciless as ever. He could feel his legs burn as he tried to keep up with the older man during the day after spending a morning getting his butt handed to him. He couldn't ride Noishe since he was saved for Genis, who still had the lowest endurance of the group. Plus, he didn't want to come off as a wimp towards Kratos. For some reason, keeping the man's respect was a big deal to him.

Genis did his own training in his attempt to cast more mid-level spells. He was currently trying to master a spell called Stalagmite.

"How much further to this Mausoleum?" Lloyd whined.

"I have to agree," Genis said as he rode Noishe. It didn't help that the country was generally boring. One side was nothing but ocean and the other was just rocky plains.

"We should be there by tomorrow morning," Kratos stated.

Raine's eyes lit up. "Hard to believe that we get to see the inside of the Balacruf Mausoleum. No one has been able to enter that place in centuries."

"I'm not looking forward to going in there," Genis said with a slight shiver.

"Why?" Colette asked.

"Don't you know what a mausoleum is?" Genis asked in annoyance.

Lloyd had a confused look on his face. "What exactly is a mausoleum? I thought it was just another name for a temple."

"A mausoleum is a tomb," Kratos stated bluntly.

"A tomb?" Lloyd repeated.

Raine nodded. "The Balacruf Mausoleum is a tomb that houses the royal family of the Balacruf Dynasty."

"Cool! Does that mean we get to see mummies and stuff?" Lloyd asked excitedly.

"You would find mummies cool," Genis said in a deadpan voice.

"Genis, are you afraid of the undead?" Lloyd asked in a teasing voice.

Genis' eyes widened. "N...no..." He normally wasn't, but being trapped in closed quarters with them wasn't his cup of tea.

"It's okay, Genis. Goddess Martel will look after us," Colette said confidently.

"Why is everyone always so optimistic around here?" Genis muttered to himself.

By the same time the next day, they mausoleum was finally within sight of the weary travelers. It came just in time too since the temper dropped drastically over the night and the wind wasn't helping.

The Balacruf Mausoleum was a big and imposing sight. It was several stories high and would have towered over even the tallest building in Palmacosta.

"Wow! This temple is huge!" Lloyd exclaimed.

"It is even bigger than I've ever imagine," Raine spoke as tears ran down her eyes. "Look how intact it is."

When they reached the entrance to the mausoleum's grounds they were greeted by several broken pillars and other fallen debris. To some of their surprise, several people were there too. From the looked of it, they seemed to be part of a tour group.

"Hard to believe so many people would come way out here given this weather," Genis said as he huddled into his jacket.

"This is one of the main sites of the Church of Martel," Raine said. "Although this is obviously still an off season."

"It is for the best," Kratos said. "We do not need people wondering inside once we opened the mausoleum."

Rained nodded her head as she walked towards Colette. She reached into her bag and took out the Map of Balacruf. "Climb the central stairway and offer the map at the altar." She held up the map to Colette.

Colette graciously took the map. "Yes, Professor."

She went up the small flight of stairs and walked towards a stone altar that was in the middle of the platform. When she got closed enough, the altar suddenly opened up to reveal some kind of slider.

"It seems to be responding to the Map of Balacruf," Raine said excitedly as she walked up to the altar with the others behind her.

Colette placed the stone tablet into the opening. Within seconds, another altar appeared, revealing an oracle stone.

"Just like we thought. This is a seal," Lloyd said in awe.

"Okay then, I'm going to put my hand on it..." Colette said as she put her hand on the oracle stone.

Within moments, the door to the mausoleum slid opened. The rush of stale, musty air hit them like a hammer, causing some in the group to back away.

"Man, it sure smell like tomb," Genis muttered as he held his nose.

"You will get used to it," Kratos said. He had grown so accustomed to the smell of death and decay that it hardly bothered him anymore.

"Let's begin the excavation!" Raine exclaimed in excitement with stars in her eyes.

Kratos sighed. "This is not an archaeological trip."

"It's pointless to tell Raine that," Genis sighed.

"Let's hurry up and get this over with," Lloyd said as he began to walk towards the door.

Everyone followed shortly behind him and they entered a darkened room that they could barely see through. It took most of them several minutes for their eyes to adjust to the low light. The walls were covered in old text and pictures of the Summon Spirit of Wind surrounding by angel like creatures.

"Oh, this is pretty cool!" Lloyd said in excitement as he looked around the tomb. "I feel like an explorer!"

"...You always start out enthusiastic," Kratos murmured.

They began to walk slowly and carefully down the hallways until they came upon a strange device near the tomb's entrance.

"Hey, it's another one of those machines," Genis said as he looked over the device.

Kratos was surprised to see that one existed within the mausoleum since this place was not of Mithos' trial.

Then again, they didn't come here to meet the summon spirit. Apparently, the mana was strong enough within this tomb that they didn't need to use the old Centurions' shine to act as an altar to the summon spirit.

That still didn't explain how this device got here. Could it be responding to the Sorcerer's Ring? Didn't Origin say once that these machines somehow followed the one who has the Sorcerer's Ring? If so, did that mean that Lloyd was being tested?

While Kratos was musing to himself, Lloyd stuck his head into the machine. He soon felt a strong breeze run across his body, causing his hair to stand on end. He looked at the Sorcerer's Ring, which looked the same as before. Just like last time, however, he knew something was different.

"Hmm, the Sorcerer's Ring is acting weird," Lloyd said as he pointed his ring hand. With a burst of magic, a shot a wind came out of the ring.

"As expected, it can produced wind now," Genis said.

"I wonder what you use it for?" Colette asked mostly to herself.

"We will know more once we reached further into the temple," Raine said, quickly taking notes.

They continued their journey forward and were greeted with even more writing on the walls.

"This is all so fascinating," Raine said as she read the text and took back out her notebook. "All these scriptures date back hundreds if not thousands of years."

"I guess it's to be expected given this is a tomb," Genis said.

Raine rubbed her chin in thought. "But what's interesting is that these texts are actually newer than anything we have seen on the other trials."

"Really?" Genis asked in surprise.

"Most of the writings at Triet Ruins and Thoda Island were at least four-thousand years old," Raine stated. "So far, the oldest text here is only a little over a thousand."

"Maybe it's because the Balacruf Dynasty is not as old as Triet or Thoda Island," Colette suggested.

"Maybe..." Raine mumbled as she read the text again. "The world is a giant. Its ruby left hand is the throne of gods. Its emerald right hand is the power of gods. Its pearl white left leg is the calm earth. Its topaz right leg is the rich earth. And its lapis lazuli body is the blue wind princess."

Lloyd rubbed his head. "What does that even mean?"

"It is riddle," Kratos said. "Most likely these clues will open the path to the shine."

"I think that is the case as well," Raine said as she glanced over her notes again. "We should move on and search for other clues."

They were once again on the move and the tomb seemed to become darker as they got further in. Soon, only a few torches on the wall lit their path.

"Man, it's so dark here that I can't barely see," Lloyd complained.

"Be on guard," Kratos warned, casting his senses. "Many things could be lurking in these halls."

"Like..." Before Lloyd could ask, a wall of spikes nearly hit him. It was only thanked to his quick reflexes given to him by his exsphere that he didn't get impaled through the wall. "The hell!?" As soon as he yelled that, he nearly fell into a bottomless pit, which he barely avoided.

"Lloyd, are you alright!?" Colette gasped.

It took Lloyd several seconds to catch his breath. "I...I thought I was going to die..."

"I told you to be careful," Kratos said coldly.

"Well, I didn't expect the walls to move and the floors to open up!" Lloyd yelled as he attempted to slow his heart.

"This entire place is booby trap," Raine said. "We have to be careful where we step.

"Now you tell me," Lloyd grumbled.

"Here is some more text," Raine suddenly said as she went to the nearest wall. "The holy seal that extols the king flows from the throne of the gods to the rich earth, travels from the power of gods to the calm earth, and when the blue wind princess is born in the center of the world, the holy seal shall also be complete."

"Another clue," Genis muttered.

"It appears so," Raine said as she stepped away from the wall. As she backed up, her foot hit something on the floor.

"Professor Raine, look out!" Lloyd yelled as he pushed his teacher out of the way. It was just in time as a ceiling of spikes nearly crushed her.

Raine stared at the death trap in surprise. "Booby trapping the floor near ancient writing!? How low!"

"It seems that Lloyd is not the only one who needs to watch themselves," Kratos noted.

"There're triggers all over the walls in floor," Lloyd said as he looked around. "It's so dim, though, that we can't see them."

"We just have to walk more carefully," Kratos said neutrally.

He truthfully could see all the death traps because of his enhanced angel's senses. The Chosen could most likely see them too if she concentrated hard enough.

To that effect, he led the group through the temple without too much trouble. Things, however, took a turned when they reached a hallway full of ghosts and zombies.

"I thought I sensed monsters," Kratos said as he took out his sword. "Genis, get your spells ready and take out those ghost!"

Genis nodded as he ready his kendama.

"Professor, you better use your offensive magic in this battle," Kratos recommended.

He noticed that the Professor hasn't used her offensive spell since their battle with the Sword Dancer. It was most likely because she was saving her mana for her healing and defense arts. Given some of their tough battles, he couldn't blame her. He, after all, was not built for heavy healing.

Raine just nodded as she held up her staff and began to chant.

Lloyd charged in and attacked the nearest zombie. The monster's attacks were slow and sluggish, making it predictable and easy to dodge. He viciously stabbed the zombie in the midsection and effectively gutted it from the inside out, causing dust to fly everywhere.

Kratos did much of the same to his zombie and beheaded another one that tried to attack him from the back.

Colette supported the two front fighters by using her Angel Feathers to caused massive damage to the zombies and even the ghosts.

"Spread!" Genis yelled as a wave of water engulfed several of the ghosts.

One of the ghosts attempted to counter the young mage by casting Wind Blades on him, but Raine had that covered.

"Photon!" Raine screamed as an orb of light burst on the ghost, killing it instantly.

Kratos smirked in approval. It was much stronger than before.

Within minutes, all the zombies and ghosts were destroyed.

"Well, that was easy," Lloyd said, surprised by how much their skills had grown. It was nothing like the fire or even water seals.

Raine nodded. "Our battle skills have definitely improved."

One of the zombies suddenly reconfigured itself, although it was missing its head and left arm.

"Dammit, that thing's still alive?" Lloyd asked in disbelief.

"Well, it wasn't technically alive to being with," Genis stated.

The zombie reached for the wall and pressed something.

"It activated a death trap," Raine warned.

Soon enough, the entire ceiling began to descend on them.

"Run!" Genis screamed as they all made a mad dashed to safety.

They made it to a safe area just in time before they were all crushed. The zombie wasn't as lucky.

"Sore loser," Genis muttered.

"That was close," Colette sighed in relief.

"Man, this entire temple is trying to kill us," Lloyd said.

Raine, meanwhile, was looking at another wall. "Hmm...That which is offered to the throne of gods from the power of gods, makes the rich earth as the calm earth, and arrives at the blue wind princess, will be as if traveling the giant's body in the manner of a clock's hand."

"How can you read text so calmly after we were almost killed!?" Genis yelled in disbelief.

"We will need these clues in order to complete the trial," Raine said calmly, taking more notes.

Lloyd started to take a better look around the area. "This place really looks like a ruin more so than the others."

Raine looked at her student in surprise. "Yes, Lloyd! That's an excellent observation!"

Lloyd's eyes widen in horror. "Oh, no, Professor, are you in ruin-mode!?"

Raine gave Lloyd an annoyed glare. "Don't give it a weird name!"

Lloyd immediately backed away. "Y...yes, ma'am."

"This is a mausoleum which houses the graves of members of the royal family from the past. Therefore, it contains traps to stop grave robbers," Raine said.

"Oh, so it isn't just for the Chosen's trial," Genis said.

"They just kind of pop right out," Colette said with a smile on her face as she pointed to a nearby wall of spike popping out of the walls.

Lloyd chuckled. "Yeah, there are kind of funny-looking." These things were kinda funny now that he wasn't getting killed by them.

"Are you implying it's fun to be impaled on spikes?" Raine asked in both annoyance and anger.

Lloyd and Colette cringed in fear. "No, of course not, ma'am," they both answered in unison.

"The three of them sound like they're having a good time, but I really want to get out of here," Genis muttered to Kratos. The booby traps and the undead trying to murder them were little too much for him.

Kratos nodded. "Indeed."

This was by far the most dangerous of all the trials so far. One wrong move could kill the entire party and he could do little to stop it.

After several more minutes of rest, they started their journey again.

They did not run into any more zombies or ghosts, but they did run into more than a few death traps. They were nearly hit with poison arrows, more descending ceilings, moving walls, and statues that threw flames at them.

"This place is crazy!" Genis yelled. "Did protecting bodies really call for so much security?"

Raine took several seconds to catch her breath. "The royal family was often buried with jewels, gold, and other valuable gems and metals. So, tomb raiders were quite common."

"Nonetheless, this is overkill," Genis complained.

"Look, there's a door way here," Colette said as she pointed towards several large double doors.

"Maybe it's the way to the seal," Raine observed.

"Oh thank the Goddess," Genis whispered in relief.

Kratos pushed the heavy doors opened and revealed a large room with several fans that sat on pillars. The biggest fan stood in the middle and was blue. Four smaller fans that ranged from red, green, white, and yellow surrounded it.

"This seems to be the entrance to the altar," Raine noted as she looked towards a sealed door on the other side of the room. "Although the pathway appears to be blocked."

Lloyd rubbed his head. "So, how do we open it?"

"Most likely, these fans hold the key," Raine said as she tapped the paper fans. "Given the new function of the Sorcerer's Ring, I surmise we need to spin these fans in the proper order to proceed."

"Great, but what's the correct order?" Genis asked.

"The clues could be in the hidden in the texts that the Professor have been translating throughout the temple," Kratos said.

"That would be my conclusion as well," Raine said as she looked through her notes. "Just give me a couple of minutes."

The group settled down in the room while Raine attempted to solve the puzzle. It was nice to have a breather after everything that had happened. Even Kratos was rubbing some gel on his open wounds.

"Alright, I think I have it," Raine said as she closed her notebook. "Lloyd, please come here."

Lloyd slowly stood up and walked towards his teacher.

"Please use the Sorcerer's Ring in this order," Raine said. "Red, yellow, green, white, and blue."

Lloyd nodded. "Gotcha."

He went to the red fan, and used the Sorcerer's Ring to create a gust of wind that made the fan spin. He did the same with the other fans in the order that Raine stated. When he was done, a loud click filled the room and the main door slowly slid opened.

"You're amazing Professor Raine!" Colette cheered, clapping her hands.

Raine closed her notebook. "It was hardly that difficult once you understand the text."

"Let's go and complete the trial," Kratos said as he led the group through the door and up the long stairway.

Instead of going into another room, the stairway led to the roof of the tomb. The fresh air was a welcomed change from the smell of death and moldy walls. The sky, however, couldn't be seen because of the dense fog. It was nearly impossible to see in front of them.

"We're finally at the altar," Lloyd sighed happily. "I'm sick of dungeons."

Kratos shook his head. "You have no patience."

"I think we're all sick of this place," Genis said as he rubbed his forehead.

As soon as Colette got closed to the altar it began to glow a bright green.

"I sense...incredible mana," Genis murmured.

Kratos immediately unsheathed his sword and Lloyd followed shortly behind him.

Within seconds a large humanoid bird-like creature flew out of the shine, dissipating the thick fog. The creature looked to be eight feet tall with claw feet like an eagle and big blue, green, and yellow wings instead of arms and hands. Its entire body was covered in feathers and it had the face and beak of a bird.

"An Iapyx!" Raine exclaimed in awe, another creature of legend and myth.

The Iapyx screeched at them as it moved in for the attack.

Kratos was already there to counter it and blocked its claws with his shield. It left several claw marks in the tough metal.

Lloyd quickly attempted to help Kratos by throwing a Double Demon Fang at the creature. The Iapyx saw it coming and quickly evaded it. The monster began to rapidly spin around and created a large cyclone around itself.

"Shit!" Lloyd exclaimed as he dodged the wind attack.

"Angel Feathers!" Colette yelled as she threw her chakrams.

"Flame Lance!" Genis yelled as he finished his spell.

Both attacks hit the Iapyx head on, causing it to screeched it pain.

"Photon!" Raine screamed as she added her own attack.

The Iapyx recovered quickly, however, and created a hail of Air Blades and Air Thrusts at them.

"Dammit, this thing can do both spells at the same time!" Genis exclaimed.

It followed up the attack by actually throwing its feathers at them. Genis put up his Force Field just in time, but it still nearly broke from the impact.

"This creatures is much stronger than the last two," Raine observed as she cast Sharpen on Kratos, Lloyd, and Colette.

Colette readied another attack. "Ring Whirlwind!" As she flew up towards the monster and rapidly spun around, cutting it several times with her chakrams.

Kratos moved in while it was distracted. "Grave Blade!" he yelled as a Demon Fang type of mana burst out of his swords, but it was followed by several bit of rocks and gravel that embedded themselves into the Iapyx's skin.

Lloyd blinked in surprise of the move. When did Kratos learn that?

"Stalagmite!" Genis yelled as he casted his own earth spell, impaling the Iapyx even further.

It still showed only minor injures as it suddenly charged Genis and nearly gutted the young mage.

"Genis!" Raine yelled in horror.

The Iapyx then moved to kill the healer.

"Omega Tempest!" Lloyd screamed as he jumped into the air and spun several times, slashing the monster several times. He quickly followed up the attack with a Sword Rain Alpha, stabbing the creature multiple times.

Raine used this time to heal her brother. "Are you alright?" she asked quickly.

Genis slowly stood up. "Yeah..."

The Iapyx gave another loud screech and embedded its claws into Lloyd's left shoulder. The swordsman screamed in pain as he was carried off like a sack of flour.

"Lloyd!" Kratos yelled as he prepared a spell. "Eruption!"

The waves of mana overwhelmed the Iapyx and it dropped Lloyd immediately. Kratos knew that the fire would not hurt Lloyd too badly because of his clothing.

"Huh, since when could Kratos case Eruption?" Genis asked in surprise.

"Concentrate on the battle!" Raine yelled as she healed Lloyd.

"Triple Ray Thrust!" Colette screamed as her chakrams seemed to have multiple and they each hit the Iapyx dead on.

"Flame Lance!" Genis yelled as the spear of fire struck at the monster's chest, opening a giant hole in it.

"There the monster's weak spot!" Kratos yelled.

Raine understood what the older man was saying as she finished another spell. "Photon!"

The spell hit right in its sweet spot, causing it to screech louder. Raine by this time looked like she was about to collapse from exhaustion.

"Raine, are you okay?" Genis yelled.

Raine nodded as she reached into her pack to eat an orange gel. "Too many Photons."

The Iapyx saw its chance to take out the healer and once again filled entire area with Wind Blades and even a Cyclone for good measure. Genis quickly defended his sister with his own Force Field. After a few moments, the barrier broke, rendering Genis helpless.

Before the Iapyx could move it for the kill, it was intercepted by Kratos who held it in place by locking his sword with his talons.

Lloyd attempted to finish the monster by thrusting his sword in the monster's chest. The Iapyx, however, blocked the fatal attack with its wings. Lloyd's efforts were rewarded with a kick in the gut that sent him crashing into the stone floor.

Lloyd growled as he grabbed his arm. It felt like that monster had dislocated.

Kratos continued to keep the Iapyx busy as they blocked, parried, and attempted to get the upper hand on each other. He hit the Iapyx with several waves of water and the creature returned the attack with several Wind Blades that cut deep into Kratos' upper arms, but it hardly slowed the swordsman down.

While this was going on, Colette saw her chance to act. She had to end the trial before Kratos was killed defending them.

"Professor!" Colette yelled at her teacher as she stood back up.

"Ready!" Raine yelled as she cast Photon again.

Colette began to spin around again as the Photon surrounded her. "Photon Blast!"

She ram into the Iapyx right in the chest, tearing it apart.

It screamed and screeched, but to everyone surprise it was still alive. It was bleeding everywhere and it chest was wide opened for all to see, but it still wouldn't fell.

"Man, what is this thing made of?" Lloyd asked.

Genis shook his head. "That's one stubborn bird."

Kratos decided to finish the creature before it could recover. He jumped up and trusted his sword into its heart. "Demon Spear!"

The wave of mana was so powerful that it literally ripped the Iapyx in two, much to everyone's shock.

Lloyd's mouth practically dropped opened. Despite all his training, Kratos was still heads and shoulders above him. He didn't think it was possible, but Kratos was also growing stronger too.

Kratos landed gracefully on the floor and put away his sword. The battle was troublesome, but the group was able to pulled through without too many injuries. He had to admit, their growth was quite impressive.

"Wow Kratos, where did all those badass moves come from?" Genis asked. "Have you been holding back on us?"

Kratos gave the elf an impassive look. "One never uses their full strength to swat a fly."

"What does that mean?" Genis asked in confusion.

The altar lit up again, this time with a green sphere of energy appeared before them.

"Chosen of Regeneration, you have done well in reaching this far," the voice of Remiel boomed across the shrine. "Now, offer your prayers at the altar."

Colette nodded in determination as she walked towards the altar. She put her hands together in prayer. "Oh Goddess Martel, valde patronus quod nurturer of orbis terrarum , tribuo meus thy vires!"

Her wings flared to life as she flew up and floated near the shrine. At that moment, Remiel made his grand appearance. He was doing an even poorer job than before of hiding his excitement.

"This is the third seal. You have done well reaching this far, Chosen One...Colette!" Remiel said in an attempt to sound gentle.

Kratos had to keep from rolling his eyes. Did Remiel just remember the Chosen's given name?

"...Thank you," Colette answered humbly.

Remiel held his arms out. "Receive this blessing, the gift of angelic power from Cruxis."

A rainbow of light entered Colette's body and she was again seized by a tidal wave of pain that traveled through her chest. She grit and bore it, not wanting her friends to hear her pain. Soon, the feeling past.

Remiel looked all too please at his work. "The next seal lies far northwest, in a place that gazes upon the center of the world. Offer your prayers at the altar in that distant land."

Colette bowed her head again. "I shall do as you say...Lord Remiel."

Remiel gave another smile. It seemed he was trying to be supportive, but Kratos could see the dark glint in his eyes. "I will be waiting for you at the next seal, Colette...my daughter." He disappeared in a pillar of light again. "The end of your journey is close. Hurry and become a true angel. Do not disappoint me..."

Kratos barely kept himself from sighing. He needed to stop adding that last part. He also did not understand why Remiel kept the facade of being the Chosen's supposed father. He could only conclude that it gave the man some kind of sadistic pleasure.

Colette descended back to the floor and put her wings up. "A true angel..." she whispered to herself.

Kratos' heart went out to the poor girl. He knew what she was going to lose next.

Lloyd noticed his friend's worry. "What is it?"

Colette quickly turned around and smiled. "Ah...nothing. I was just...thinking when I become a true angel, it'll be amazing!"

Lloyd knew that was complete forced and he didn't believe a word Colette said. Ever since they'd started this journey, Colette had been hiding secrets from them. He wished Colette would start being honest with them.

"I wonder how many more seals there are?" Genis asked, unknowing breaking the tense mood.

Raine sighed. "That, we don't know."

"At any rate, all we can do is keep going," Kratos said. He knew that they had only a short time before the Chosen was incapacitated again.

They all began to file out and Lloyd decided that he would confront Colette later about her lies.

And the third seal has been broken. Only one more to go before the Tower of Salvation. Of course, a lot will happened before then, which we all know. Many things will be changing for our small group soon as secrets are revealed.

Until next chapter, please take care.