The sun rose gently from the east as Raiden lay back against the mountain's hard surface, Soul's head resting on his chest, the morning wind brushing softly against them both.
But even as he savored his rest, something kept tapping against his forehead, gentle touches that somehow felt agonizing.
Instinctively, he reached for his head and opened his eyes, stirring Soul awake. His eyes locked onto a familiar face: those piercing, menacing dark eyes beneath a hooded cloak, the black mask, and all that excessive jewelry.
Squinting, he studied the face, starting from the jaw. "I know you… you're with Chrono, aren't you? A lieutenant, perhaps?" His voice carried the deep rasp of morning.
"That doesn't matter." He stood upright in one fluid motion. "Captain Chrono wants to see you."
Raiden sighed and pushed himself up to sit. "Right, I'll be there soon."
