Here it is, the next chapter to the Kvar raid. Thank you all for supporting this story and hope you all continue to read.
Now, onward to the chapter.
Chapter 42: ECHOES
It didn't take long before Colette's team ran into trouble. As soon as they left the control room, they were ambushed by a group of Desians. Thankfully, Sheena was able to dispatch one of the mages before they could cast their spell.
"Pow Pow Hammer!" Colette yelled as a bunch of red hammer fall on her attackers.
Raine powered the group up with her spells and within minutes, all the Desians were defeated.
Colette wiped her forehead. "These battles are tougher without Mr. Kratos here to help us."
"Maybe so, but Lloyd made the right decision taking Kratos," Raine said. "As strong as Lloyd and even Genis has become on this journey, they cannot challenge a Grand Cardinal." She lowered her eyes. "None of us, except him, can."
"Regardless, we have to do our part to help them," Sheena said. "Let's keep going."
Colette followed Sheena's led as they were attacked several more times by wave after wave of Desians. Sheena had to keep using her life seals to recoup some of her damage since she didn't want to overspend Raine. It didn't help that Colette couldn't completely back her since she always had her own group of attackers to deal with.
"Man, there's no end to them," Sheena complained as she took out another Desian.
"They know we're heading for the guard system," Raine said as she cast another healing spell on Colette and Sheena. "If they stop us, then Lloyd's team won't be able to reach Kvar."
"Still, they need to give us a break," Sheena said as she high kicked another Desian guard.
They kept walking until Colette suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Sheena asked.
"I...I hear the sounds of people crying," Colette said slowly. It was just like the Palmacosta Ranch.
Sheena looked around in confusion. "I don't hear anything."
"We are near the cell block," Raine informed as she looked around. She remembered seeing this area on the map.
"Then….those cries must be from the human prisoners," Sheena said in horror.
"We have to help them," Colette insisted, leaving no room for argument.
Raine nodded. "Very well. It's this way."
Raine led the group through several hallways until they reached the holding area. Just like the other Ranch, the cells were filled with people crying in anguish or laying on the floor as exhaustion overtook them. One of the Desians was hosing down one of the prison cells, obviously 'cleaning' the people.
The water pressure from the hoes had to be high since the people within the cell were screaming.
"Stop that, you're hurting them!" Colette yelled, startling the guard.
"Human, what are you doing here!?" the Desians exclaimed in surprise.
Sheena took his shock to her advantage and slit the man's throat before he could call for help. He gurgled for a moment before he fell dead on the floor.
Colette ran to the cell that the Desians was washing before. "Are you okay?"
The people looked at Colette with sunken and lifeless eyes. "Who are you?"
"We're here to save you," Colette answered.
The people inside didn't look convince.
"We are guardians of the Chosen," Raine spoke as she put a hand on Colette's shoulder.
One of the people's eyes widened in shock as Raine's word sunk in. "The Chosen!? The Chosen has come to save us!"
The person's cries got everyone in the prison area attention.
"It's really is the Chosen!" one person shouted.
"We're saved!" someone else yelled.
"I knew the Chosen would come to save us," another person whimpered.
Sheena wasted no time finding the controls and unlocked all the cells. Those who could walk assisted the weaker people and they all began to leave their cells.
"Thank you, Chosen," a woman said gratefully, nearly falling in her knees both in relief and exhausting.
Colette tapped her finger together. "By the way, is there anyone here from Palmacosta?"
The people looked at one another.
"I am," an older man said as he slowly pushed his way to the front of the group.
"Have you by any chance seen Chocolat?" Colette asked hopefully.
The man's eyes widened for a moment. "Yes, she underwent host body testing here. That test decides which Ranch she will be taken to. I believe they said she was being taken to Iselia."
"Iselia…." Colette repeated. Just like her grandmother.
Sheena quickly approached the group. "Things will become dangerous soon, so you better get away while you can."
Colette turned towards Sheena. "We can't just leave these people to escape on their own. Most can barely walk."
"We have no choice," Sheena said. "We're already stretched to our limit and we can't afford to split up again."
Raine nodded. "Sheena is right. We have to trust that these prisoner can escape on their own."
"Don't worry about us, Chosen," one of the younger people said. They were by far one of the healthiest looking people in the room. "Some of us have only been here for about a week. We're still strong enough to protect ourselves and the weaker prisoners."
Someone else nodded in agreement. "We can take care this. Just make sure you send that bastard Kvar to hell."
Sheena smirked. "You didn't have to tell us."
"Good luck to all of you," Raine said.
The man nodded as he turned towards the other prisoners. "Let's move! Carry anyone who can't walk and make sure the children stay in the back. Anyone who is able will fight!"
A loud cheered went up in the room. They were all willing to die as free people than to be taking prisoner again.
Colette knew that they did everything they could for the prisoners and they had to return to their main mission, otherwise Lloyd's group was dead in the water. She allowed Raine to lead them out and they once again made their way to the room that held the guard system.
After another twenty minutes of fighting, they finally reached the control room where the guard system laid. To their surprise, the room was completely empty of any guards.
"Strange," Raine whispered as she looked around. "I would expect this room to be the most guarded."
"Maybe we took out all the security coming here," Sheena suggested, although she didn't appear to believe her own words.
"Perhaps..." Raine mumbled, lost in thought. Given what they knew of Kvar, she doubted it.
Colette walked towards the guard system and pressed both of the switches. The moment she did that, the door they came through locked behind them.
"Dammit, it's a trap," Sheena growled as she took her cards out and scanned the room.
"Just now figure that out, stupid human," a voice hissed.
Within seconds, Colette, Sheena, and Raine were surrounded by a group of Desians that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"The hell!?" Sheena exclaimed.
"They teleported," Raine said in surprise. "I thought such technology was lost."
One of the Desians laughed at her. "It was until Lord Kvar rediscovered it again. Although it does take a lot of mana to use."
Sheena looked at each of the Desians. "These are no ordinary soldiers. There's something different about these Desians."
"That's because we're part of Lord Kvar's ECHOES unit," one of the Desians bragged. "Our abilities and skills are nothing like the fools you slaughter to get here."
"ECHOES?" Raine repeated.
"Elite Control of Human Oversight and Eradication Squad," Jun spelled out for Raine. "We were giving special enhancements with the help of Lord Kvar's research into exspheres. We are his fifth generation of super soldiers."
"So, you're like Kilia," Colette muttered as she remember the monster girl from Palmacosta.
Another realization hit Raine. "You could had stopped us from turning off the guard system. The fact that you didn't tells me that you wanted our other group to reach Kvar."
Jun chuckled. "As expected from a fellow kinsmen. Lord Kvar have special plans for that boy."
"What do you want with Lloyd?" Colette asked in horror.
"That doesn't concern you," Jun said before he addressed his men. "For now, leave the Chosen the alive. But kill the ninja and the blood traitor."
"Yes, sir!" the other Desians shouted as they moved in for the kill.
Sheena cussed under her breath. This didn't look good.
On the other side of the Ranch, Lloyd's group met with little to no resistance from the other Desians. It helped that Kratos mowed down any Desian that crossed their path, not even giving Lloyd the chance to get a hit in.
"Geez Kratos, you're really on a roll today," Genis said.
"We need to reach Kvar as soon as possible before he can get on guard," Kratos replied as he gutted another Desian.
Lloyd made no complaint as they made their way to the warp that led to Kvar's room.
Kratos, despite his outward demeanor, was worried. The resistance they have encountered was lighter than he expected. From the looks of things, Kvar wanted them to reached him. Knowing Kvar, it wouldn't surprise him since he adores his traps.
Kratos glanced at Lloyd for a moment.
Kvar wanted Lloyd. No matter what, he had to protect his son. He failed to save Anna, but he would cut his sword's arm off before he allowed that man to take the last of his family. Even if it meant bringing down the full force of Cruxis.
"That must be it!" Genis exclaimed when they reached the warp.
Lloyd's eyes hardened. "Prepare yourself, Kvar." He stepped on the warp, but nothing happened. "It won't move!"
"Obviously the Chosen and the others haven't reached the guard system yet," Kratos said.
Genis frowned in worry. "I hope they're okay."
A ping of worry also hit Lloyd. "We just have to trust in their strength."
Kratos was also concern. He was supposed to be protecting the Chosen, yet he left her protection to a healer with almost no offensive spells and a woman who tried to murder her a number of times. If she was harmed or killed, Mithos would have his head. Still, he couldn't bring himself care about that at the moment. If giving the choice, his son's safety far outweighed the Chosen's.
They waited for what felt like hours before the warp suddenly burst to life with a hue of blue light.
"They did it!" Genis cheered.
Lloyd didn't waste another moment as he rushed through the warp with Kratos and Genis following shorting behind him. Within seconds, they stood in a large room surrounded by lights and computers, much like the Palmacosta Ranch.
Lloyd looked around and saw Kvar standing by what looked to be another one of those holograms. This time, however, a tall woman with green hair and a skimpy outfit was in the hologram. This, however, wasn't important to Lloyd.
"I've found you, Kvar!" Lloyd growled.
Kvar didn't bothered to turn around, but Lloyd's presence caught the attention of the woman. She looked over Lloyd and had an amused expression on her face.
"My, I can really see the resemblance," the woman mused. "He isn't the brat I remember from so long ago."
Lloyd blinked in confusion at the woman. What was she talking about? Did he meet her before?
Kvar finally bothered to turned his head and spared Lloyd a quick glance. "So, you've come."
Kratos was unnerved by how casual Pronyma was acting when she saw Lloyd. He now knew beyond a doubt that Mithos knew of Lloyd's existence. This wasn't good.
Kvar returned his focus to Pronyma. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't change the subject, Pronyma!" he growled at his superior, completely ignoring Lloyd and the others. "It's clear you've been stealing research data from my Angelus Project."
Pronyma rolled her eyes at the man. "I grow tired of you accusations, Kvar. As I have told you, I know nothing of it."
Kvar became even more annoyed. "Stubborn woman. I suppose I should expect no less from one who usurped the leadership of the Five Grand Cardinals." He smirked at her. "Take heed, Pronyma. Once I retrieve the exsphere from this inferior being, I will become the leader of the Five Grand Cardinals. When that happens, you'll be begging for my forgiveness."
Pronyma smirked in amusement. "You speak nonsense, Kvar. I've also heard that Rodyle has talked you into joining him in one of his schemes."
This got Kratos' attention. Kvar and Rodyle joining together? What a scary thought.
Pronyma glanced at Lloyd for a moment before she turned her eyes towards Kratos. "But it would be best not to believe that you can deceive Lord Yggdrasill for long." The hologram then turned off.
"So the Mana Cannon is no longer a secret," Kvar stated casually. "Well, it doesn't matter."
Kratos' eyes narrowed.
They were building Thor's Hammer behind Mithos' back this entire time. What were they thinking? There wasn't enough mana in either world to power that weapon. How did they even find the plans?
Still, since Kvar has revealed himself as a possible traitor he could execute him without any consequences, not that it really mattered. He was certain that was why Pronyma looked at him. Like he needed her permission.
"With that boy here, I don't need Rodyle or his Mana Cannon anymore," Kvar went on.
"What are you talking about?" Genis asked. He had no idea what was happening.
"I mean I have everything I need to finally take Yggdrasill's place," Kvar proclaimed with a wide smirk.
"You're really more foolish than I thought," Kratos said.
Kvar's smirk only got larger.
Lloyd stepped forward with his swords raised. "I had enough of all of this. It's time for you to pay for everything you've done!"
"Just try it, boy," Kvar challenged.
Lloyd ran in for the attack.
"Lloyd, stop!" Kratos warned too late.
The moment Lloyd got within striking distance of the Grand Cardinal, he suddenly fall through the floor. Genis was shock to see that a trap door had opened up from the floor and swallowing Lloyd whole.
"Lloyd!" Genis screamed.
"Too easy," Kvar laughed as the trap door closed. "Stupid inferior being."
"What did you do to him?" Kratos demanded.
"Nothing you need to know about," Kvar replied with a snicker. "For obvious reasons, I can't have either of you leave here alive. So, please be kind enough to die while I'm gone." Another hole opened beneath him and Kvar descended through the floor.
Kratos attempted to stop him, but Kvar was gone by the time he reached him. Just as Kvar left, a hissing sound reached his ears.
"What's that?" Genis exclaimed as a yellow gas filled the room.
"Poison…" Kratos murmured. "Genis, hold your breath and don't breathe in the fumes!"
Genis did what he was told as the gas filled the entire room.
Kratos knew that they were in trouble. If they didn't escape soon, they were both die here.
Sheena was knocked against the wall as a Desian hit her with an Air Blade. She hissed in pain as blood dripped from her hands.
"Sheena!" Colette yelled as she parried a sword thrust. She was standing by Raine, attempting to protect her teacher.
"I'm fine," Sheena said as she put her hands together for a summons.
"That stance…." one of the Desians grasped.
"I thought none existed in Sylvarant," another one said in horror.
"I summon thee, let's go, Corrine," Sheena yelled as Corrine appeared.
"I'm here, Sheena," Corrine proclaimed, ready for action.
The Desians stared at Corrine in shock. "What kind of summon spirit is that?"
This got Raine's attention. "Summon spirit?"
Corrine wasted no time jumping on the Desian and biting deep into its face. He screamed in pain as Sheena viciously kicked him in the stomach.
"Power Seal Pinion!" Sheena yelled as she hit the other Desian, pushing him back.
"Hammer Rain!" Colette yelled as she attempted to hit her attackers.
"Stupid Chosen, like we can be hurt by a bunch of plastic hammers!" the Desians growled as he viciously punched Colette in the face, sending her back.
"Photon!" Raine yelled, hitting the man. "Are you alright, Colette?"
Colette stood up and wiped the blood from her mouth. "Yeah."
"Ice Tornado!" one of the Desians yelled as a whirlwind of ice and wind rushed towards Colette and Raine.
"Field Barrier!" Raine yelled as she covered both Colette and herself in a force field. They were forcibly pushed back, but the shield held for the most part held.
Colette flew into the battlefield and began to spin around rapidly. "Ring Cyclone!" She hit several Desians that were within her range, cutting them up badly.
While Colette was doing this Raine cast Photon again, this time on Colette, creating a Photon Blast.
Sheena went in and managed to kill several of the Desians before they could regain their bearings.
"Hmm, they're better than I thought," Jun noted. "I guess I should expect no less from the Chosen's group."
Raine was breathing deeply as she quickly consumed an orange gel.
"It would seem that your healing is reaching her limits," one of the Desians observed. He began to chuckle. "It's only a matter of time now."
"Don't be so cocky," Sheena said as she sent several pieces of paper flying at the Desian, who easily dodged them. He then ran in and managed to cut Sheena deeply on her arm, causing her to hissed in pain.
Corrine charged forward and bit the Desian's leg, distracting him long enough for Sheena to kick his legs off from under him. Before she could give the finishing blow, however, another Desian intercepted and kicked her.
"Dammit," Sheena cussed.
The remaining ECHOES unit quickly regrouped near their captain. There were still ten of them left to fight. They all began to cast spells together and Raine could feel the build up of mana.
"Colette, Sheena, get behind me!" Raine ordered as she lifted up her staff and prepared her own spell.
"Rock Mountain!" the captain screamed as a giant rock appeared above his head. He then threw it at the trio.
Without another thought, Raine quickly cast her Field Barrier.
Kratos was running out of time.
He needed to rewire the warp quickly before he breathed in any more poison gas. Genis was already succumbing to its affects, given that he could not hold his breath for so long. If he didn't hurry, the boy would be beyond saving. Still, it was hard to think when his lungs begged for oxygen. Nonetheless, he willed himself to continue despite the burning pain.
After what felt like an eternity, the warp finally came back to life. He quickly grabbed Genis and he jumped through the warp. He rolled several times as he found himself back on the first floor.
He quickly released his breath and savored the feeling of the Ranch's stale air. He then quickly turned his attention towards the young elf. He was still breathing, but his breaths were slow and shallow.
Kratos put his hands on the boy's chest and began to perform the strongest healing spell he knew. He wished he knew Purify or Restore, but he was not a healer. The best he could do was healed the damage the poison has done to his lungs, even if he couldn't neutralize the poison itself. That should buy some times so he could get to his sister.
Genis began to cough violently as Kratos stopped his spell.
"Are you alright?" Kratos asked gently.
Genis opened his eyes and he was unnerved by how unfocused they were. "I...I can't...breath that...well..."
"You breathed in a lot of neural toxin," Kratos said. "It can be healed, but I do not know the spell to do it."
Genis blinked several times. "Raine..."
"Yes, we need to find Professor Sages," Kratos said as he gently picked up Genis.
Lloyd needed him. Who knew what Kvar was doing to him. As much as he wanted to look for his son, however, Genis needed him more at the moment, and he couldn't just leave the boy to die. Lloyd would never forgive him.
Without another thought, he ran to meet up with the other group.
Raine collapsed in exhausting as the last of her Field Barrier faded.
"Professor!" Colette yelled in horror.
"What a tough woman," the Desian said with a hint of admiration. "She managed to completely block our spell."
Jun nodded. "But she paid the price for it. Now the Chosen has no healer."
"Damnit…" Sheena muttered.
"Now our chance to finish them," Jun said coldly.
"Get ready, Colette," Sheena said as she took out several of her paper.
Colette nodded. "Ready."
Sheena ran in and kicked the Desian that attempted to charge her.
"Triple Ray Satellite!" Colette yelled as she threw her chakrams at the Desians that approached her. Every time one got too close, she managed to use her wings to fly a way from them while covering herself with her chakrams.
Corrine also helped by biting, scratching, and tripping anyone he could.
Jun looked annoyed as he watched his team struggle to defeat two women and their pet.
"What's wrong with you all?" Jun asked in utter frustration. "I thought you were the best soldiers that Lord Kvar created. How are you allowing two injured women to show you off?"
"Don't underestimate us," Sheena growled as she disabled another Desian. She was taken off-guard, however, when one them managed to get behind her and stab her in the shoulder.
Colette nailed her attacker with a well place Angel Feathers, but he was still battle able when he threw a knife at Colette that barely missed her heart.
"At this rate," Sheena mumbled to herself.
They were quickly being overwhelmed and because Raine was down they could no longer recover from any damage they received. There was also the fact that they were still outnumbered.
"Mirage Seal Pinion!" Sheena yelled as several cards flew, hitting several Desians.
"Sheena, don't overexert yourself," Corrine warned. She noticed that Sheena was breathing harder and harder.
"Damn," Sheena cussed again as several Desians approached her.
"Prepare to go to hell, you inferior being," one them chuckled.
"Demon Spear!" a voice yelled. Before the Desian could blink, he was torn in two by a wave of mana.
"Kratos!" Jun shouted in horror.
Kratos had his sword in one hand while the other hand held an unconscious Genis.
"Genis!" Colette screamed.
"He's alive," Kratos assured.
"How did you escape Lord Kvar's death trap?" Jun asked in disbelief.
"No point in answering questions to the dead," Kratos stated coldly.
Jun gave a deep growl. "I will handle Kratos. Finish off the girl and disable the Chosen."
"Yes, sir," the remaining Desians replied.
Sheena stood up, catching her second wind. "Well, the odds are looking much better."
Colette continued to defend her teacher as two more Desians attempted to attack her. She managed to gut one of them and badly cut another one before taking a hit on her side. That hardly slowed her down, however, as she took out her remaining attacker with an Angel Feather.
Kratos put Genis down and engaged the captain of the ECHOES unit. Jun was fast and agile, so Kratos had a hard time keeping up with him at first. Soon, however, he began to understand Jun's fighting style and was quickly begun to overwhelm the half-elf.
"Atlas!" Jun yelled as he cast a spell that created a mini-typhoon. Kratos was hit, but he tanked the damaged and continued to move in for the kill.
"Hell Pyre!" Kratos yelled as he slashed upwards at Jun as he jumped into the air. He shot a fireball down at Jun while his back was turned.
Jun screamed in pain the flamed over took him. "Damn you, Kratos!"
Kratos wasted no time running Jun through. "Blame your faith!"
Jun coughed up blood as the last of his life began to slip away. "You...you're too late. The... Angelus...is in Lord Kvar's hands. And soon...he will become...the new ruler...of Cruxis." With his last words, Jun dropped dead on the floor.
Kratos ruthlessly removed his sword. "Not if I can help it."
Well, that diverge a bit from the game. I have a good reason for it, I swear. That and I always thought Kvar went down too fast for someone who had such a major influence on the game's events and such a personal history with Kratos.
Anyway, until next chapter.