Yes, a new chapter that didn't take a month to post. Thank you for the favorite and follow. Feedback is important too since it helps me write a stronger story.

Now, onward to the chapter.

Chapter 34: The Unicorn and the City of Hope

After spending another night within Asgard, the group was finally ready to leave the ancient city.

"So, how long is it going to take us to reach the Mausoleum thing?" Lloyd asked.

"It's the Balacruf Mausoleum," Genis corrected in annoyance.

"From where we are now, it will take us over a week if we push it," Kratos answered.

"Over a week!?" Lloyd repeated in disbelief.

"We have to cross several bridges and landmarks to reach the Balacruf Mausoleum," Raine explained. "It would take most people over two weeks to reach it from Asgard."

Lloyd sighed. "Looks like we're going to be camping out again."

He used to like camping, but he's been doing so much lately that it lost it novelty. He missed his own bed.

"Not necessarily," Raine said as she took out her map. "According to this, we should come by a House of Salvation by the end of the day. Two days after that, we should be at the city of Luin."

Kratos' entire body stiffened. "Luin?"

"Mr. Kratos, you've been there before?" Colette asked, noticing his change in demeanor.

Kratos quickly recomposed himself. "Yes, once a long time ago."

Raine frowned as she looked at the rest of the map. "Unfortunately, Luin is the last settlement before Balacruf Mausoleum. Even then, that at least another four days of walking."

"It cannot be help," Kratos replied. "We better move if we wish to reach the House of Salvation by the end of the day."

They began their journey not long into the morning. There were a few monster attacks here and there, but the day was mostly peaceful. Although Kratos was still more alert than usual.

"Kratos, I can't help but notice that you have been on edge since we came to the Asgard region," Raine said as she walked beside the older swordsman. She made sure that the others were out of earshot.

"It is my duty to protect the Chosen," Kratos answered. "I must always keep my sense opens."

"Is that really it? You were never this apprehensive even when we invaded the Ranch," Raine noted. "If there is something that is troubling you, you should inform us. How can we properly protect the Chosen if you keep secrets from us?"

Kratos knew that Raine was right on this. He could afford to tell her part of the truth. "Tell me, how much do you know about the Desians in this region?"

Raine paused in thought. "Not much, I am afraid to say. I've only really studied the Desians' infrastructure in the Iselia and Palmacosta regions."

"Then you do not know that the Desian that controls this region is extremely dangerous," Kratos said, barely hiding his anger and hatred.

"Even more than Magnius?" Raine questioned.

"Much more," Kratos almost hiss. "Magnius was powerful, but he was hinder by his lack of intelligence and discipline. The Desian that rules this region has no such weaknesses. He is both extremely clever and cruel, even by Desians' standards."

"It sounds like you speak from personal experience," Raine noted with interest.

"I had prior dealings with that Desian," Kratos answered shortly.

"I see, so that is why you have been harder on Lloyd lately," Raine said, glancing at her student.

"Lloyd has to be ready if we run into the Desian's forces in this region, especially since he's currently wanted," Kratos stated. He did not want to mention how Kvar would give anything to get his hands on Lloyd and his exsphere again.

Raine nodded. "Hopefully, we can avoid the Desians completely this time. The Journey of Regeneration is tough enough without us picking a fight with every Desian we meet."

"Indeed," Kratos said.

It was nearly night by the time they finally reached the House of Salvation. They came just in time for dinner service, must to Lloyd's delight.

"Aw, it feels good to have beef stew again," Lloyd said as he patted his stomach.

"It was actually kind of bland," Genis said. "It needed more salt and maybe a hint of pepper."

"Hey, I'm not that picky," Lloyd said. "It's been weeks since I've had beef."

"It was a decent enough meal for paying nothing," Kratos stated as he finished drinking his water.

"You actually believe that old legend?" someone asked next to Lloyd. The man was talking to another person across from him.

"Why not? There're stranger things that exist in this world," the other man answered back.

"What are you guys talking about?" Lloyd asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

The first man smiled. "This guy actually believes in the legend of the unicorn."

Lloyd blinked. "Unicorn?"

The man nodded. "It's a horse like creature that is supposedly has pure white fur and a golden mane. You can tell something is a unicorn by the horn on its head. But it's nothing more than a myth."

"I've heard about unicorns, but what old legend are you referring to?" Raine asked, getting into the conversation.

"Legend has it that a unicorn lives in this area," the other man explained. "Some of the locals were talking about how sometimes the visage of the unicorn appears on the surface of Lake Umacy."

The first man rolled his eyes. "I was telling this fool that the visage was most likely an illusion created by the lake. Lake Umacy has some strange stories as well. Besides, no one has supposedly seen a unicorn in centuries."

"That's because you need to be a pure maiden to get near one," the other man countered.

"This all sounds interesting," Raine said as she took notes.

"Raine, you believe in unicorns?" Genis asked.

"Not particularly, but I have heard that Lake Umacy is a source for all sorts of strange sightings. Unicorns being one of them. I will have to look into this," Raine said, still writing.

"But aren't we supposed to be heading to Luin?" Genis asked.

"Lake Umacy is in the same direction as Luin. It's hardly a detour," Raine remarked offhandedly.

Colette gave a big smile and clapped her hands together. "Wow, we might actually get to see a unicorn!"

Lloyd also smiled in excitement. "Yeah, I can't wait!"

Kratos sighed. Looked like they were taking the scenic route again.

They were off early the next morning and took the detour through the mountains. According to the map, they should reach Lake Umacy by late afternoon.

"We might as well camp there once we reached it," Raine said as she put the map back in her bag. "It is too dangerous to go down the mountain in fading light."

"Agreed," Kratos stated, keeping his senses opened for any danger.

"I wonder what the unicorn looks like?" Colette asked.

"According to that man, a unicorn has pure white fur and a golden mane," Lloyd answered in excitement.

"From what I've read, a unicorn can have different color manes," Genis said. "I also read that the horn on a unicorn is made of pure gold and has magical properties."

"I'm not sure about the pure gold part, but I do believe that if a unicorn does exist its horn does have magical properties," Raine replied.

"What do you mean by magical properties anyway?" Lloyd asked.

"According to elven's lore, a unicorn's horn can greatly increase the power of ones magic," Raine said, happy that Lloyd had taken an interest in something that wasn't about Mithos. "Especially the healing arts."

Lloyd's eyes widened in fascination. "Professor, I bet your magic would become unbelievably strong if you had a unicorn's horn."

"That is if a unicorn exists," Raine stated steadily.

"It is odd to see an elf being such a nonbeliever in areas such as this," Kratos noted.

"Mr. Kratos, you believe in unicorns?" Colette asked. She sounded both pleasantly surprise and happy.

"Yes," Kratos answered bluntly.

"I am surprised that a person as grounded as you believe in such a things," Raine observed with a note of amusement.

"Being grounded does not mean discounting something just because one has never seen it," Kratos countered. "The lore of elves, humans, and even dwarves speaks of unicorns as being real creatures. If so many races believe that a unicorn exist, who am I to say otherwise."

"Just because many races and stories says it does not make it more real," Raine rebuked.

Kratos stared at Raine for a moment. "Tell me, for a person who prides themselves on being grounded in fact, how did you become a believer in the Church of Martel?"

Lloyd, Genis, Colette, and even Noishe all paused when they heard the question.

"There are many facts that point to Martel's existence," Raine stated calmly.

"I did not ask how you know about Martel's existence, but how do you believe what most of the Church tells you?" Kratos questioned. "The believers of Martel believe in salvation, heaven and hell, and the damnation of nonbelievers. Do you not find some of the doctrines of the Church more questionable than one believing in unicorns?"

Raine paused as she realized that she didn't really have an answer to that. Yes, she did not believed everything the Church told her, but she never questioned certain things. She just assumed it was true or beyond mortal's ability to understand.

"There are some things that shouldn't be questioned," Colette replied firmly. "There are just some things that only the Goddess Martel and the angels know."

"Is that just another way of saying not to think and just accept what you are being told?" Kratos challenged.

Lloyd knew that Kratos was walking in hot water. Even at his boldest, he never went that far.

Noishe whined softly.

"You don't understand because you're not a member of the Church," Colette said in a gentle tone. "If you..."

"Member or not, I am aware of the Church's teachings," Kratos said, cutting off Colette. "I chose not to follow Martel not because of my ignorance, but because of my knowledge of how the Church works. I do not agree with the Church of Martel's doctrines or mindset. I do not care for any organization that claims to preach the truth when they do not know much of anything themselves, and dare to tell their followers to obey and never think for themselves. Such herd mindset breeds nothing but sheep who can be easily deceived and led to their deaths."

Colette bit her tongue, stunned by Kratos' words. She had never heard anyone referred to the Church in such a way.

Even Genis was left in stun silence by the conversation. What Kratos was saying was blasphemy.

Lloyd was left in awe. Kratos' speech felt like a mature version of how he felt about the Church. He just never had the words nor the guts to expressed his feelings out loud like that.

"We should drop this subject," Raine finally said.

While she didn't care for Kratos' tone or how curt he was to Colette, she couldn't say she entirely disagree. The Church of Martel meant well and she believed in the majority of their teachings, but it was still an organization ran by humans who could and have manipulate Martel's teaches for their own benefit. Which was why she tried to hammer into Genis and her students' heads the important of faith while still being a free-thinker, much to the mayor's annoyance.

Everyone silently agreed and the rest of the hike was filled with an uncomfortable silence.

The mood slowly began to lighting up again the closer they got to Lake Umacy. Some time during their mountain hike they came into a dense forest. The trees seemed to have a sparkle to them and the air was generally fresher.

To Raine, it reminded her very much of her birth home of Heimdall. She froze as she remembered her old home.

"Professor Raine, are you alright?" Colette asked in concern.

"Yes," Raine answered quickly as she shook her head, "the mana here just overwhelmed me."

"The mana levels has increased greatly," Genis observed. "It reminds me of the seals."

"Maybe there really is a unicorn here," Lloyd replied in anticipation.

"We will not know until we reach the lake," Kratos said as he continued to lead the group forward.

After another hour of walking, they finally reached the lake. The sun was beginning to go down and the last rays of sunshine hit the lake. The water was crystal clear and nearly blinded the group when they laid eyes on it.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Colette exclaimed.

"This is like nothing I have ever seen before," Raine said as she quickly took notes. "Water should never be this pure."

"Look at that!" Lloyd suddenly yelled as he pointed towards the lake.

Everyone moved to get a closer look and was left speechless for several seconds.

"IT'S A UNICORN!" Genis shouted when the realization sunk in. "Raine, it's a real unicorn! They really do exist!"

"This is indeed a rare sight," Kratos spoke, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Honestly, this was the first time he has ever seen one. It was one of the last wonders in his very long life.

Raine tilted her head in thought. The unicorn seemed to be real, but for some reason it was laying under the lake, seeming to be dead. She doubted that was the case, however, given the peaceful expression on the creature's face.

Kratos noticed Raine's unspoken question. "It's like a prison of water."

Raine's eyes widened. "I see. So the creature is surrounding in some kind of air bubble. But that still doesn't explain why it is at the bottom of a lake to begin with."

Colette frowned as she looked at the unicorn. "Can't we meet him?"

Kratos shook his head. "Not while it is at the bottom of the lake. Even I cannot hold my breath long enough to reach it."

"Can't you do something with your magic, Genis?" Lloyd asked his friend.

"Do what?" Genis asked in mild annoyance, although he was frustrated too that he couldn't meet the unicorn. "We could probably do something if we somehow borrowed the power of a summon spirit, but I'm not a summoner."

"The art of summoning was lost long ago," Raine stated sadly, closing her notebook. "There's no way we'll be able to do that."

Kratos nodded in agreement.

It was tragic that Sylvarant has lost its ability to produced summoners. It could not be helped, however, since Sylvarant just did not have enough mana. It was a small miracle that the world of Sylvarant was still around given how the last bits of its mana were fading.

"We should settle down for the night," Kratos advised. "We still have a long walk tomorrow to make it to Luin."

Saying that name still felt odd to him. He has only been to Luin once, yet that city was forever engrained into his heart. It was, after all, the birth city of his beloved wife. The City of Hope she had called it. A title it carried because despite all the times the Desians destroyed it, it kept rising from the ashes.

He already knew nothing remained of Anna in Luin. Her family line has long since died out because of the Desians. But he still wanted to see her hometown one last time. If for nothing else so Lloyd could feel closer to his mom, even if he was not aware of it.

"Kratos, are you okay?" Lloyd asked, breaking Kratos out of his thoughts. "You have that far off look in your eyes."

He shook his head. "Forgive me. I was just remembering something."

"Like what?" Lloyd asked as the rest of the group went to gathered firewood and prepared dinner.

Kratos looked at Lloyd from a moment as he contemplated how much to tell him. "My wife was born and rise in Luin."

Lloyd's eyes widened in surprise. "I see." He became sad for the older man. "It must be tough going there considering what happened."

"It has been hard, but I should not have allowed my mind to wonder," Kratos said. He was becoming too sentimental, but he always did when thinking about Anna.

Lloyd lowered his eyes for a moment. "Maybe...maybe you can meet up with your wife's family or something. Make some kind of lost connection."

Kratos shook his head. "There is nothing left of my wife in that city. Her family was killed by the Desians years ago. She was the last of her line."

Lloyd growled at the mention at the Desians. "Damn them! They destroy everything they touch!"

"There is no point being upset about it. It is all in the past now," Kratos spoke in a far off voice.

"But still..." Lloyd started.

"Let's drop it," Kratos said as he walked off.

Lloyd gave a deep frown. He's never seen Kratos like this before. For a moment, he could have sworn that the man was near tears.

This was all the Desians' fault. What he wouldn't give to avenge his mom and Kratos' family. None of them deserved what happen to them.

"Hey, Lloyd are you coming!?" Genis yelled. "Dinner's ready!"

Lloyd calmed his mind as he went to join his friends. For the first time in awhile, however, he wasn't very hungry.

Despite all the tension of the previous day, things were kept light throughout the next. It was mostly because of Colette's efforts that the subject matter was kept light and happy. It also helped that Raine and Kratos has been avoiding each other. Despite Raine's calm demeanor, Kratos' words from yesterday still bothered her.

"Hey Raine, what's Luin like?" Genis asked.

Lloyd unconsciously looked at Kratos. His face was as impassive as ever.

"Well, Luin is not that old of a city so it does not have that much history attach to it," Raine answered in thought. "However, it has a booming fishing and trade industry that rivals even Palmacosta."

"Wow, Luin much be pretty big," Colette said.

"Actually, Luin is a fairly small city," Kratos said. "It is only a little bit bigger than Iselia."

"Really?" Colette asked in awe.

"You have to remember that after the fall of the capital Palmacosta became the last major city in Sylvarant," Raine said. "Almost all the other cities and towns are more or less settlements that has grown out of necessity."

Genis lowered his head. "It's ashamed since both Asgard and Triet were such great cites back in their day."

"Civilizations come and go, that is the natural order of things," Kratos spoke in a knowing voice. For a brief moment, he betrayed his age. "It is our job as people to assure that the civilizations that take their place are stronger than the old."

"Such a thing is nearly impossible as long as the Desians are around," Raine pointed out.

"Which is why I need to regenerate the world as soon as possible," Colette said with determination.

"Yeah, with the Desians gone and the mana flow returning to normal, we can all start to rebuild Sylvarant so it will be stronger than ever." Genis spoke happily.

Kratos closed his eyes, not wanting to think of how naive their ideas were.

It was early afternoon when they finished climbing down the mountains and reached semi-flat land again. It was a relief since Genis' endurance had given out midway through the trip and had to ride Noishe the rest of the way.

Kratos was still impressed since the boy could have never walked this far and long just a couple of weeks ago.

Colette's endurance had skyrocketed to the point that she could easily keep pace with him without even breaking a sweat, something that not even Lloyd was able to do without having severe cramps the next day.

Kratos knew it was the Chosen getting used to her new body and its limits. For everything the Cruxis Crystal took, it did have some benefices. Next to him, Colette was physically the strongest person in the group, although she didn't really know it yet.

"Is that's Luin?" Lloyd asked as he pointed to a settlement in the distance.

Kratos nodded. "Looks like we may arrive in town earlier than expected."

True to Kratos' words, they arrived in the city by mid-afternoon with no problems. The weather was cooler in Luin than in Asgard, but was not too bad given the time of year.

"This place reminds me of Iselia," Colette said as she looked around and took in a deep breath. The air was salty like Palmacosta, yet more fresh.

"It definitely has a homier feel to it compare to all the other cites we've been to," Genis noted. It honestly started to make him homesick.

"The people of Luin are a close knit community. That's why Luin has been able to survive this long despite all the raids over the years," Kratos replied.

Lloyd looked at Kratos. "Are the raids here worst than anywhere else?"

Kratos remained quiet for several seconds. "I will have to say that everything the Desians do in this area is more brutal."

Genis looked surprise. "Is such a thing possible?"

Before Kratos could answer, a familiar voice caught their ears.

"Okay, okay, fine. Then, I'll be it this time."

Colette stopped mid-step, almost tripping, when she saw who the speaker was. "Is that?"

Raine folded her arms. "That's the assassin from before."

The young lady, named Sheena if Kratos recalled correctly, was standing by Luin's prized water fountain surrounded by several children.

Kratos grabbed the hilt of his sword, but made no move to attack. Even if he were justified, it would not look good to kill a young woman in broad daylight. Especially when she was surrounded by children.

"How she get way out here?" Genis asked. As far as he was concern, the last time he saw the woman was at one of the Salvation Houses back in Palmacosta.

"She has to be quite the traveler to make it here by herself," Raine observed.

The kids' laughter got their attention back. "Yay! Everybody hide!"

The kids all ran off and started to hide around the area.

Lloyd chose this moment to walk towards the young lady, much to Raine and Kratos' annoyance.

Sheena jumped in surprise when she saw Lloyd. "Wh…what are you looking at!?"

Lloyd gave a small smile. "You're actually a nice person after all."

Sheena' face turned a bright red at his words. It was hard to say if it was out of embarrassment or anger. "Wh…what are you saying?!" She quickly regained her composure. "Don't think saying stuff like this is going to change anything! You're still my enemy!"

"But why would someone who wants to kill the Chosen be playing hide and seek with a bunch of kids?" Genis asked as he approached Lloyd.

Sheena's blushed again. "Even I need an off day and it was something to do."

Lloyd chuckled. "You're strange."

"Shut up!" Sheena yelled.

"Even if you have no plans to take the Chosen's life at this moment, I cannot allow you stay within this city," Kratos spoke as he loosened his sword a little from its sheath. "In honor of the Chosen's feelings, I will give you the chance to leave peacefully."

Colette gave Kratos a grateful look.

Sheena knew she was at a severe disadvantage. "Fine, I'll leave." With that she threw something on the ground and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Well, she knows how to make an exit," Lloyd mused.

"If the assassin is in this area, we need to be extra careful," Raine warned.

Colette sighed. "I was hoping we could all be friends."

"It is strange that she seems so nice for a person who wants to end the salvations of the world," Genis said in thought.

"We should get a room for the night," Kratos said. The less they thought about that woman, the better. "We have another long day tomorrow."

"Is there any day that hasn't been long lately?" Lloyd asked offhandedly.

Kratos chose not to say anything as he led the group to the middle of town. Near the building that was once Anna's home.

When they reached the inn, Kratos was surprised to see that the old weapon's shop next door had not changed much, despite it being in flames the last time he seen it.

"Oh crap!" Lloyd suddenly exclaimed.

"What is it?" Genis asked.

Kratos reached for his sword and checked his senses. He did not sense any hostile force.

"I just remembered I was supposed to deliver this letter," Lloyd said as he reached into his bag and pulled out the letter for Aifread.

"Oh, that's from that girl back in Izoold," Colette said.

Lloyd nodded his head. "Yeah, I'm supposed to deliver this letter in exchange for her helping us get that ride to Palmacosta."

"Man, that was so long ago that I've completely forgot," Genis replied. He was more shocked that Lloyd remember.

"We can asked the innkeeper if this Aifread has come into town," Kratos said, wanting to make sure he didn't meet Aifread.

They went inside and were greeted by a young woman who smiled kindly at them. "Welcome, how can I help you today?"

"We would like two rooms, please," Raine said as she walked to the counter.

"Oh, big or small rooms?" the girl asked furthered.

Raine quickly checked her money sack. "One small and one large."

Lloyd went up to the desk. "Excuse me, but can you tell us if anyone named Aifread has come into town?"

"Aifread? Didn't he leave for Izoold?" the innkeeper asked.

"Well, that was a couple weeks ago," Lloyd replied. "We were told he left to come home."

"Well, knowing Aifread, he could had taken more than a couple of detours," the innkeeper answered after some thought. "As far as I know, Aifread hasn't been back in town for nearly two months."

Lloyd gave a long sigh. "Well, thank you." He turned towards the group. "Looks like he isn't back yet."

"There is nothing we can do," Kratos said. "Once we break the seal, we will have to return here and maybe he will finally be in town." Although he doubt it given how fickle Aifread was.

"I hope so. I don't want to carry this letter until the end of our journey," Lloyd said in frustration as he stuffed the letter back into his bag.

"I have our rooms," Raine informed as she held up the room keys. "The boys will get the bigger room."

Genis smiled when he heard this. "Yes, finally."

"You all, however, will be taken bathes tonight," Raine said firmly.

Lloyd gave a loud grumbled. He hated bathes.

"By the way, the people who own the weapon shop, are they related to the Ivy family?" Kratos suddenly asked. He doubted they were related to Anna's family, but he needed to know for sure. For nothing else, he could give Anna's remaining family his regards.

The innkeeper's eyes became downcast. "No. The people who care for the weapons shop have no relations to the Ivy."

"Ivy family?" Genis asked.

"They were the ones who used to run the weapon shop next door. That store was a family business until nearly twenty-years ago," the innkeeper said.

"What happened to the family?" Colette asked, although a part of her had an idea. These kinds of stories was all too common.

"They were all killed off by the Desians," the innkeeper answered darkly.

Colette gasped. "How terrible."

Lloyd also had to keep himself from growling.

"The weapon store is now run and control by the government of Luin," the innkeeper went on. "It just didn't seem right to let that place die with the Ivy. Even if the weapons are subpar compare to what they used to make."

"The people of this city must be close to do such a thing," Genis said.

"Everyone is like family here," the innkeeper replied. "We will never let the Desians destroy our spirits, even if they murdered hundreds of us. It's the least we can do to honor the dead."

Colette was moved to tears by the pledge. She knew that these were the people that she was fighting for. These were the people she had to save from the Desians. No matter the pain or personal sacrifices, she would become an angel.

"We better go to our rooms," Raine said, they all needed a break from the morbid subject matter.

They all nodded as they went up the flight of stairs. They all now knew why Luin was called the City of Hope.

Made some good progress. The group finally left Asgard and are on their way without delay to the next seal. We also get to see our favorite ninja assassin again. Been awhile since we've seen Sheena. It won't be too much longer before she finally joins and changes the dynamic of the team.

Until then, take care.