Disclaimer: I don't own squat. End of story. Namco however owns everything entailed here.

SPLUCHT

Falling upon his knees, Lloyd let out a howl as Kratos forced electricity throughout his body. The man who had bonded with Lloyd, taught him how to fight, how to defend, the very man who had claimed Lloyd as his own stood emotionless, his cold gaze hard as steel. Within his eyes was a red fire, the fire of intent, the intent to kill filled its center. Why didn't he frown! Why didn't he cry?!!!

Of course, Colette knew….. she had known this would happen, had begged for it not to. Yet all that was for nothing, nothing at all.

Perhaps I am a failure, I couldn't save Lloyd, I couldn't protect him the one time he needs it!

Smoke drew from Lloyd as the lightning ceased. Hearing each breathe with painful ears, Colette merely stayed in place. Hovering above a puddle of blood, she did nothing, said nothing, and cried nothing.

I want to help! I want to fight!

"…Why!?...KRATOS!" a howl erupted leapt from Lloyd's mouth as Kratos withdrew his blade from Lloyd's shoulder before flicking it to his neck.

"Silence, I am Lord Kratos, one of the four Seraphim. You who stand against Crucix stand before me."

The face Lloyd made at that moment was enough to tear Colette to pieces. She couldn't comfort him, she couldn't help him, she sacrificed herself for Lloyd and yet, Lloyd would die.

"Why fight the inevitable, why fight the salvation of this world, the salvation that Colette fought for?"

Spectral wings flapping, drops of blood flying from them, the blood of her family, the blood of the innocent, all dropped from those wings, bit by bit. The blood of a thousand chosens, all floating eerily below her. The hues of blue broadened the red, allowed it to seep forth even further. Colette could only stare, enraptured in the glow of that blood.

"Why??? WHY SHOULDN'T WE!? This isn't what Colette wanted! This is a mere mockery!"

Blood dripping from head to toe, Lloyd looked up with defiance at the aptly named Angel of Death. His eyes flickered downward as Kratos drew an inch of blood from his neck.

"Humph…. Very well, it will be as you so desire, death and damnation, justice is wrought."

Kratos raised his sword up into the sky, the sickly red gleaming in the light, reflecting shattered hopes, shattered lives. Nothing but pure intent burned within his eyes, and the glint of defiance within Lloyds.

Then… time froze, the sound of a thrust, the piercing of a heart…

Nothing more, nothing less, and my dear family….Dead….

The blood of my friends… my family…

Tears were taken from me, feeling taken from me, voice taken from me, even my soul taken from me.

I watched in silence as they fought, I wanted to scream, I wanted to help, but I couldn't. Because of me…. They're all dead…

I can't even turn away; those images will be burned in my soul for as long as it lives.

My name was Colette Brunell, but then I died.

DUN DUN DUNNNNNN!!! Anyway, I've been working on this for some time now, like 5 minutes a day . Point is, this has taken a long while, and the next chapters will ALSO take a long time, but it WILL be worth it. Also, lemme give ya a small hint. Lloyd doesn't know the meaning of the word mockery!

I'm off! TO WORK! R&R! I'm not sure I like this style of writing but it seems to flow the smoothest. Opinions appreciated. NOT A ONE SHOT!

Next Chapter: Triet, City of Thieves and Children.