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Kratos knew they had escaped, the angel who had handed over the mana fragment had reported his meeting with the chosen. kratos had dismissed him and sent him back to his station.

Yet he did nothing about it.

Sitting comfortably, resting his back against a white wall, he watched the angels float by, oblivious, their only purpose is to serve. From his high perch, he had watched the group hurry through the warp portal, watched them leave. It wasn't them that he cared about. It was a certain brunette, who reminded Kratos so much of Anna. So innocent, his perceptions of the world untainted.

How long will he learn the cost of his actions? That sacrifices had to be made for the sake of results? He was alive because of Anna's Sacrifice, and because Kratos lived past his time. Kratos had survived by sacrificing his mortality.

But surviving wasn't enough. Surviving. Living. They were two completely separate things. For four thousand years, simple survival had been enough. Anna taught him otherwise.

Long after the Chosen's group had gone, Kratos stood up, examining his blade for a moment. Summoning his wings, kratos floated down from his perch and dismissed them again. He walked a short distance to the warp.

"Where are you going Lord Kratos?" Asked one of the many angels in their emotionless voice.

"The surface. I shall be back shortly." Kratos responded, knowing that the angel was probably going to go off and report to Mithos. Yggdrasill didn't trust him anymore these days.

As the odd feeling of being warped finally passed, Kratos did not expect the scene before him.

"Don't move." Yuan growled menacingly, his giant blade pointing at the Seraph. Several dozen Renegades surrounded him, but Kratos merely crossed his arms, unconcerned.

"What do you want?" Though he appeared relaxed, his hand was ready to shoot out to faithful Flamberge at the smallest hint of trouble. Yuan was one of the few who could match him in battle.

"Come with us, or your son dies."

---

"Quiet!" Yuan growled at Suzi. They had to do this without waking the rest of the house up. The renegades are more then ready for a battle, but he wanted to avoid it if he could. Yuan turned to Kratos.

"If you value your son's life at all...Anna's blood...do as we say."

Kratos didn't respond, but the Renegades near him could see his hands curl into fists.

"Release Origin's seal. Otherwise, these two-" Yuan made a quick gesture towards Lloyd and Suzi, and the few renegades keeping them backed against the door flashed their weapons suggestively.

"And why might I care?" Kratos responded, in a deadly quiet voice. Yuan turned his back to the Seraph, and examined Suzi and Lloyd.

"Ha, stop pretending. You see her in these two don't you? Her blood flows through them."

It was true, Kratos could see Anna's fierce determination, unwavering hope, and her unbreakable spirit within the two. His son held so dearly onto the same principles that guided Anna. Kratos also knew that Anna was there at that very moment, pleading him to protect Lloyd. She was in that exsphere, somewhere, watching over him all this time.

Damn all of this. He can't release the Origin seal now, not without the ring of the pact. Yuan wants to wield the eternal sword, but Kratos had planned to trust his son with it.

"So, what's your answer?" Yuan asked Kratos.

"Humph." The Seraph looked away. Helplessness, it's been such a long time since he's felt such a painful thing.

"Seeing your attitude, I guess that you won't release the seal...fine then, these two are dead." As two of the renegades made a motion to kill with their respective weapons, Kratos took a step forward.

"No!"

The two renegades, stopped and turned around, smug looks on their faces. They have him now!

"You've changed once you got a family. Just like that time fourteen years ago, when Anna turned into a monster. You lost the will to fight back. Such an unfortunate women. If she hadn't been with you, she would have never turned out like that."

---

That fool! He'll get himself killed! Lloyd's reflexes could not compare with Yuan's, who's had four thousand years of honing his skills. The blood of the graceful elves flowed in his veins, he couldn't have hoped to face against such an opponent!

As the telltale sparks of an oncoming attack crackled around Yuan's hand, Kratos pushed away the nearest renegade towards Yuan, but he was unarmed and the spell had been cast.

It hit him square-on, and the first impact of the spell shot a numbing sensation, spreading from the area of impact. As he struggled to stay up, Kratos studied Lloyd for a quick moment, making sure he was ok.

"Are you alright?" He asked with genuine concern. It didn't seem that the spell had struck the boy. "Good." He murmured, and his knees finally gave away. the man collapsed onto the ground, where he remained in a semi-conscious state. Yuan's specialty had always been stunning and paralyzing, and Kratos remained aware of the going-ons around him, though his body wasn't responding.

At Lloyd's frantic question, Kratos wished dearly for time. Time to explain, time to make it up for him. Time to replace what was lost. But for the duration of this encounter, he remained a silent listener.

---


Lloyd never slept, lying back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as if it would give some sort of answer.

None came.

As the room lightened and the sun's rays started creeping across the floor, he couldn't help but think about his dad. Both of them. Was Dirk ok? Though the dwarf was not his father by blood, he was his father by heart, the man who had raised him to be the man he was today.

Lloyd turned on his side, staring blankly at the empty bed of Nephla.

Kratos.

There had always been a sense of familiarity with him, the few times they had been in contacted Lloyd couldn't help feel as if he knew the Seraph. Always the same memory flashed: He and a man lying on the grass, the man pointing out the stars and constellations for him, and a women's voice telling both of them to get some rest.

That memory was the only one he held from his childhood, and it had been the sole reason why he worked hard in astronomy. Surprisingly, he was better then all but Genis at the subject in his class. It proved Raine's constantly badgering, saying how he could be a wonderful student if he only put his heart to it.

Anna.

Lloyd had always wondered what happened to his mother, why she had left this world and a young boy. It had only been when he reached his teens that Dirk told him about his exsphere, though the Dwarf never cared to explain much about it. Lloyd never pushed him.

Lloyd finally sighed and sat up, unable to sleep. perhaps some fresh air would help him think. He passed both Suzi and Zelos without a question and exited the Inn, taking a moment to look at Lumeria's house. Then, he strolled down the street, not knowing where he was going but not really caring.

His whole life, he had always harbored fantasies that his unknown father had been someone important though he knew that it was unlikely. But Kratos...

Lloyd sighed as he sat down on the edge of the fountain, staring into the blue gem on his right hand.

"Mom..." He murmured. So many questions, so many lies. What had really befallen his mother? How did Anna turn into a monster, as Yuan had said. Was Kratos really her killer?

Kratos strode through the silent streets, flexing his right hand as if to test that he had indeed regained full control of it. Yuan's spell had did quite some damage as the Seraph had never had time to prepare some sort of defense. He recovered well enough though, and was determined to explain some things to his only hope left in this world.

He knew that the boy was out, he knew that he would be confused and would demand answers. Kratos was more then willing to oblige. He owed the boy that much at least, and he was about to burden him with a great task, one that Kratos was confident that Lloyd would be able to handle. He's grown so strong since that day in front of the Iselia ranch.

Lloyd saw the man coming but didn't do anything to acknowledge it. Somehow, he had expected him to come. There was an odd silence between the two before Kratos murmured softly,

"She was born here."

Lloyd shifted uncomfortably and turned to look at Kratos.

"You mean mom?" He asked, now looking back at the other side of the street, where through the window a women was seen busy cooking breakfast. If things had been normal, would he perhaps have grown up in this quiet city?

Kratos merely nodded.

"So tell me about her...what was she like? What had happened?" Lloyd didn't need to explain, Kratos understood well enough. Kratos looked down to the pommel of Flamberge, his trusted sword. How long ago was it that he had first cut down the Desians and saved the girl from their clutches with this very blade?

"Back then, the Desians still existed in Sylvarant, though secretly, as they have found a family who's mana signature was perfect for the Angelus project. The Irving bloodline. Anna was a subject of the research."

"About twenty years ago, Mithos first came up with the idea of creating an Age of Lifeless beings. Both me and Yuan were opposed to it. I descended upon Sylvarant to try to think things over. I suspect that Yuan formed the renegades around then."

"I met Anna near this very city, fleeing from the Desians. Against my better judgment, I saved her. She encouraged me to oppose Mithos, to find a better future for the world, and so I began searching for something to reunite the two worlds once again."

"Through the whole time, A desian leader named Kvar was sent after me and Anna. Your mother held a precious exsphere, and I, being the Origin seal itself, could not be left alone by Yggdrasil. We were constantly pursued and traveled from place to place, and with you as well when you were born. Just as I uncovered the secrets of the ring of the pact, Kvar trapped us against the cliff in Iselia forest."

"Anna's exshere was removed, and lacking a key crest, the mana in her body got out of control. She turned into a monster and tried to attack you. Noishe saved you though, injuring both himself and Anna in the process." His talking got faster and faster, and he found the words just flowing out. It was like a confession, and for fourteen years he lacked someone to share the story with, to divide the pain with.

"She momentarily regained her own self and begged me to kill her, I-"

"That's enough." Lloyd said firmly, knowing where the story was going. He didn't want to hear the rest of it. But Kratos continued on as if there was no interruptions.

"I hesitated, and she lost control again. She went after you, and with Noishe injured, there was nothing he could do. I couldn't lose you, and though it pained me I knew I had to do. So I...I..."

"I said that's enough!" Lloyd growled, jumping to his feet angrily.

"I...killed her." Lloyd went limp and stared at kratos helplessly.

"She, Noishe, you and the exsphere fell down the cliff. I fought my way through Kvbar's men and descended the cliff, but I found nothing more then Desian corpses, half-eaten by monsters." Kratos now looked up, into Lloyd's chestnut brown eyes that held the same warmth as Anna's.

"I never thought that you could still be alive." He finished with a whisper, brooding over all that had happened.

Lloyd was similarly quiet.

"So what are you going to do now?" Kratos asked, and Lloyd was startled by the question. Really, what was his next objective?

"We have to stop Mithos." He finally answered. "We'll confront him on Derris-Kharlan and put an end to this. We can't allow him to continue with his plans."

Kratos nodded his approval.

"And after that? The world's state will be no less better then before. Lloyd...you have to make the pact with Origin."

Lloyd stared at his father.

"B-but then- you'll- what if- Kratos, you mean I have to..." Lloyd's voice trailed off. He remembered Nephla's words clearly. Kratos won't survive the releasing of origin's seal. Kratos didn't answer, but stood up, walking past Lloyd.

"You'll learn one day son, that sometimes sacrifices are necessary." And as he left, he pressed something into the teen's hands before leaving. Lloyd stood there, staring at his disappearing back for a long time before tearing his gaze down to his hand.

A pendent.

---

Nephla grew up revering the Nephus flower. It had saved many of her friend's life before, and when she became the village healer, she herself often ventured into the more dangerous parts of the forest in order to obtain the small white flower.

The Nephus flower has an unique preservation system. Most animals know to avoid the deadly whitish-blue petals that marked the amazing flower. Inside the Nephus, certain chemicals and an extend of sentient control is used to warp the mana within it. When ingested, no living thing can survive the unbalance of their life force, although death may take as long as a whole day, depending on the magical resistance of its victim. To avoid killing itself, the Nephus flower had developed properties that balances the mana inside the plant, allowing it to prosper without fear of being wiped out by herbivores.

It is that property that gives the Nephus flower its healing ability. When treated right, the deadly effects of the Nephus flower will drain away, leaving behind everything that is needed to keep one's body under perfect balance. When the mana is in such a state of ying-and yang, the body heals much quicker and is able to deal with infections and intrusions more effectively.

When the opposite is done, the extract of the Nephus flower is the most fatal substance mortals know of. There is no known cure, and only the elves and a few select scholars knows about this rare flower. Elves are slightly more immune then Humans and dwarves to its effect, but it only allows them a bit more time. Surprisingly, the healing properties of a Nephus flower doesn't work on its own toxin. There had never been a single case of a survivor of Nephus poisoning.

Nephls had been named after this beautiful flower, had lived with it for her whole life. She never knew her life was going to be ended by it.

By the time he arrived, she was already unconscious.

Kratos had spent one more trip to collect the last item he needed for the Ring of the Pact, but when he arrived back at Luin, the impatient adventurers were already gone. He had traveled to the Tower of Salvation as soon as he could but he knew he was too late.

Nephus Poison. Trust Mithos to use something as wicked as that. Kratos watched Nephla sitting against the wall, her eyes closed and sweat pouring down her face. One hand was tightly clutching the side of her robe, the other her bag. A bloodied dagger and the pool of dark liquid staining Nephla's clothing was all the explanation that Kratos needed.

He considered Flamberge for a moment, then shook his head. This was something the elf had to endure herself, her own choice. It wasn't in Kratos's place to end it.

Knowing that his son and his other friends probably needed help, Kratos passed the elf and stepped onto the warp portal. He considered closing the elf's wound but he had already appeared in the next room.

Besides, using magic on one who's mana was unstable is not a good idea.

---

The group soon arrived in a clearing, a stone monument clearly visible. Standing in front of it was a certain auburn-haired man...

"So, you've come." Kratos said softly, Flamberge resting easily in his sheath. He had to to this. Lloyd was less comfortably, both hands clutched together. This wasn't fair, he shouldn't be forced to do this. He had grown up wondering who his father was, if he was alive or not, why he had left Lloyd...now he had finally found him again, why did fate have to do this to him?

"Is...is there no other way?" He kept his voice calm and uncharacteristically firm. He had to know.

Kratos stared at Lloyd, both examining each other for a moment.

"Are you still thinking like that? You will die if you fight me with doubt left in your heart." Kratos put one hand on Flamberge's hilt. "If you want the pact with origin, then you must defeat me."

"So...that's your way." Lloyd made up his mind at that moment, turning around to face his friends. "Everyone, this is my fight. Leave this to me."

This surprised Kratos. Lloyd was making this hard...but his determination...so like Anna.

"You're going to fight me alone?"

Lloyd nodded.

"If it is your wish to settle things with your past, then it's my duty as your son to see it through." Two familiar steel swords came into Lloyd's hands, swords that Dirk had crafted for him for his seventeenth birthday. He had protected Iselia from monsters, sparred with local kids, his skill improving dramatically over the last few months. He was ready for this, physically if not mentally.

Likewise, Flamberge was in Kratos's hand. The battle had begun, yet no one made the first move.

Lloyd finally closed the gap between them with three long strides, both swords held outwards, leaving a large opening but a hard block. Such straightforward tactics won't work on the seraph though, and Kratos locked one blade against the side of Flamberge, pushing it away to pin the other blade in between Flamberge and Lloyd.

Lloyd couldn't match Kratos's strength, but two swords allowed him some flexibility. Slipping one blade free, he forced Kratos to step back with an almost reckless but effective swipe.

Before Lloyd could fully recover, Kratos was back on his again, executing several maneuvers that forced Lloyd to go solely on the defensive.

But you have to realize, this isn't just normal swordplay. We don't have normal swordmans here.

Lloyd finally saw an opportunity, and batted Flamberge to the side, a maneuver that surprised even himself. Power from his exsphere flowed through him, warm power that guided his blade.

"Rising Falcon!" Lloyd jumped into the air, braced both swords against himself, and let gravity take him towards the seraph, the blue glow of mana surrounding him. Kratos was fast though, rolling out of the way, recovering just as Lloyd landed, fumbling a moment to stop his momentum.

"Double demon fang." Kratos's attack came reflexively, instincts he had honed for so many years knew when to take advantage of such an opening. Lloyd stumbled as he felt the attack hit, wincing as a small line of blood became visible on his leg, where a piece of the fabric had been torn off.

You can do this...you have to. Don't hold back, because I won't.

Kratos stood up, gathering the mana in the air around him. Origin's was the strongest, yet his power could not take the form of Magic. Instead he called upon what Yuan had taught him, back when they were close friends. A magic circle spun underneath him, the incantation almost over. This didn't go unnoticed by our twin-swordsman, and Lloyd scrambled to his feet, trying to reach Kratos before the spell was cast.

Kratos was right, he had been holding back, he hadn't come to terms with killing Kratos, the father he searched for all these years. But the first blood drawn had sparked a fire. He had to do this, they both knew it. He can't let his personal feelings get in the way of something so important.

"Lightning!"

"Guardian!"

Before either of the spells truly wore off, Lloyd pushed through his own barrier, ignoring the electricity that found a route through him. He had seen it from Genis, Raine and Luneka too often to ignore it. Mages are vulnerable that split-second after casting.

A barrier made goes both ways. The Guardian Spell is one such thing, and it repels almost any attacks. For Lloyd to have broken even his own before it expired was an amazing feat. Thus, it surprised everyone, the seraph included, when Lloyd ran up to Kratos, slamming his sword hilt-first into the older man's gut.

One of Kratos's lessons that both Mithos and Rowan would never be able to forget is that you never, ever, let go of your weapons. Ever. Kratos made that one fatal mistake.

Lloyd's other sword sliced past Flamberge, then pressed against the orange blade's side. The brunette's wrist flicking expertly, jerking the sword from Kratos's loosened grip. Unarmed and on his knees, Kratos knew the fight was over.

"You've...grown strong." He hasn't had a fight like that in ages. It has been quite some time since he's been bested in the art of fighting like that. Though he didn't show it, he swelled with pride. Lloyd may just be able to do the task he had left him.

"Thanks to you.." Lloyd sheathed his swords, and handed Flamberge back to Kratos.

"Aren't...you going...to finish me?"

Lloyd shook his head.

"I defeated Kratos the angel, who betrayed us...and I forgive Kratos, hero of the ancient war, the one who helped us. That's all."

Kratos shook his head.

"And I thought I finally earned the right to die...but you're as softhearted as ever." Kratos slowly stood up. Exhaustion was unknown to him, and weariness was not what he showed in his movements. He stepped towards the seal.

"H-hold on! You can't be...are you breaking the seal?"

Kratos paused for a moment.

"You must make the pact. To reunite the worlds...that is what you desire is it not?"

Kratos summoned his blue wings, the wings that marked him as a lifeless being. It was a symbol of the suffering of thousands of people, seen as a sign of salvation, truly the damnation of the world.

He has had his chance and he has failed, many times over. But his son Lloyd, was more then capable of fixing his mistakes.

Kratos's mana flowed out, bathing the area with his life's energy. It continued for several long, unbearable seconds.

Then the blue wings dissipated. Kratos fell limp.

Strong arms caught the seraph, and a blue-haired half elf somehow appeared on the scene, supporting Kratos. the others hadn't even notice Yuan, who had arrived just in time.

"Kratos!" Lloyd called out in alarm. Was he gone, was his father really gone?

"Don't worry, he'll live." Yuan reassured the brunette, and his point was empathized as Kratos stirred, his eyes slowly opening. Yuan had supported Kratos with his own mana, though the effort left him weak -not that he would show it in front of the chosen's group.

"Da-...Kratos, are you ok?" Lloyd asked, approaching the two.

Kratos didn't seem to hear him.

"Looks like I've failed...to die once more..."

Lloyd scowled.

"You stupid jerk! You can die any time! But when you die, that’s the end. What will you accomplish by dying? Nothing! There's no meaning to dying!"'

Kratos closed his eyes again. Lloyd...he was so strong, his perceptions so innocent, so untainted.

"You're right...to think I had to have my own son...to teach me such an obvious lesson..." His voice trailed off as he found it harder to stay awake. As he fell into unconsciousness, his last thoughts were how proud Anna would have been of Lloyd.

"Kratos!" Lloyd called out as the Seraph suddenly went limp again.

"He'll be fine, now form the pact!"

---

Mithos underestimated the group.

Judgment was a random attack at best. The group has went through so many battles, so many struggles and sacrifices. They weren't going to be beaten so easily.

The group scattered, each putting up their own defenses or simply dodging with great skill.

As the light finally faded, Everyone was on their feet, and ready. each and everyone one of them realized the enormity of this battle: if they die here, if they fail, the world itself shall be destroyed. They had to do this, everything they had worked for...it all ends here.

Their spellcasters ran to the back, each of them with a magic circle beneath them. Those who were better at close-range battle readied their weapons. Lloyd and Kratos were the first to hit Mithos, the two of their swords intertwining in a synchronized dange, both complimenting each other perfectly.

Mithos was skilled too, and after a hard few strikes, Mithos backed away with a minor cut, while Lloyd Staggered back with a bloody side.

"Revitalize!"

"Healing Wind!"

Both Kratos and Raine healed Lloyd significantly, but the damage was done.

"Our turn! Suzi!" Before Mithos could take this chance of a comrade down, the young girl and the Assasin closed in on him. Sword and Knife didn't work together as well as the Fatherson dual, but it held Mithos back anyways.

"Get out of the way!"

Both Rowan and Suz jumped out of the way, as fire erupted where mithos was floating...only second ago.

Rowan skidded to a halt, taking deep breaths. Somehow, Mithos had blocked every single attack, while Rowan had given it her best. How were they suppose to beat this guy? And where did he go?

"Nii-san! Look out! Fireball!" Raine turned around just in time, blocking Mithos's blade with her Staff. Yggdrasil teleported away just as the Fireball reached the two, but a quick Barrier spell kept Raine from becoming the target.

"Watch where you're aiming your spells at!" Raine yelled at Genis and turned around back into the fight.

It was a long battle, and everyone's stamina and will was wearing thin. Everyone was exhausted. All but Yggdrasill and Kratos.

"Air-...blade-" Luneka stumbled forward, the circle beneath her fading away. She tried to catch herself, but her knees buckled and she collapsed. There was so little mana left within her. She can't manage another spell, not a single little spell.

Mithos took this chance.

"Holy lance!"

"Barrier-" But she couldn't summon the mana for the barrier. She couldn't manage it. She can't get away in time...

"LUNEKA!"

Everyone heard the sound of the spell striking flesh and Luneka's scream.

The small girl opened her eyes. She was alive, and though her whole body was quivering, she was alive whole. The attack didn't hit her.

"Lune...ka..."

The small girl felt her clothing soaked with blood, of warm hands wrapped around her in a tight hug. The spell, the Holy lance, slowly faded, but the damage it had done did not disappear with it.

"Ro..?" Luneka knew what happened.

"No- RO! ROWAN!"

She couldn't breath. Why was that? It had to have something to do with that awful pain...what...happened? Was that...was that Luneka's voice?

"RO! How could you do this to me? Please, RO! say something!" Luneka forgot where she was and what was happening. She had already rolled her older sister off of her, letting the girl onto her back. Rowan was limp though, nonrespondent. The blood...all that blood.

"...Ro?" Was this all because of her again? Rowan always suffered for her...always.

Mithos couldn't move. he was paralyzed, his mind not in the present, back back four thousand years ago.

"Martel! How could you do this? Martel! SIS! Please, DON'T LEAVE ME! SISTER!"

The same thing had happened to him.

That idiot of a girl.

Still shaking, Mithos lifted one hand, the traces of a magic circle below him. He had to end those two. These two humans had no right to give him such memories!

Everyone in the group were also frozen. How did they know this was the third comrade they've lost? For all of them, this was the first time they realized the price of them coming here.

Luneka excepted, of all the group, Kratos was perhaps the most distraught.

Another pupil he has failed. Another life he has failed to save. Another memory he has to bear on for eternity.

"Mithos..." Kratos's wings came out, and the Seraph floated upwards, high above the others.

"Master of mana..."

"What's he doing?"

"Master of the source of life."

A slight wind picked up, blowing every-which way. Mithos's spell stopped, his eyes wide.

"You idiot! What are you thinking?!"

"Accept this offering."

An odd glow surrounded Kratos, forcing everyone to throw up their arms to protect their eyes.

"Accept this soul's redemption."

"Sacrifice."

---

The first letter given to Raine:

Hey there guys, hope you're all doing well.

This is from Nephla, in case you don't find it directly on me. If you're reading this, ah...I guessed I got too careless eh?

Please don't be sad, I knew the risks when I first joined the Chosen back in Meltokio. Our objectives might have changed, but my resolve has not. Please, I lived a happy 76 years, a full lifespan of a human I think.

I really wished you never had to read this...but I guess its too late right now.

Immortal isn't one who lives forever, but one who is remembered forever. Y'all better not forget me, or I'll come back to haunt you!

Alright, alright, I'm kidding, I'll leave you all in peace, but really, please don't forget me.

P.S. Don't you dare look at the other letter if you're not Kratos, you hear me?

Second Letter (Received by Kratos three years later from Raine)

Ha ha, this is embarrassing, but I never said anything because I didn't want to distract anyone. Especially since you betrayed us and all. But I'm sure you'll do the right thing one day. I don't know if this is proper, since if you receive this, I'm probably not alive anymore, but oh well.

A small necklace with a Clear Crystal charm came with this.