Dirk's House
"Ouch!" Colette tripped over something and was sent sprawling. "Lloyd! What are you doing in the middle of your yard?" Lloyd groaned and rubbed his throbbing knee. "Ummm… Well, actually, I was looking up at the stars. They're really bright tonight. If you want to, you can stay and watch them with me." "Sure! It sounds like fun," Colette replied, settling herself on the soft grass. The silent spell of the warm night descended around them, and neither spoke.
"He's up there, somewhere, you know," said Lloyd suddenly. "My dad, I mean. He decided to stay on Derris-Kharlan." Kratos' last words still echoed in his memory: "Lloyd, don't die before I do… my son." Then, Lloyd used the Eternal Sword to transport Kratos to Derris-Kharlan as it pulled away from the planet's gravitational field. Lloyd had known that would be the last time he would see his father ever again.
It had only been a year since the revival of the Great Mana Tree and Kratos' departure, but still… To have only known him for such a short period of time, just to be taken away again seemed too cruel. Lloyd turned away from Colette so she would not the glistening tear that slowly slid down his face. I promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore, he said to himself.
"Oh Lloyd! Look! A shooting star! You get to make a wish," Colette said, excitedly pointing at the starry sky. He looked up just in time to see a speck of light race through the sky directly overhead them through his misty eyes. He wished with all his heart that Kratos would come back.
A sudden and violent earthquake quickly brought him back to reality. "What the- Colette! We should get inside!" Lloyd grabbed Colette's hand and rushed her into his house. The shaking stopped moments after. "What was that?" exclaimed Lloyd. "I don't know, but I think it would be best for Colette to stay indoors until we figure it out," replied Dirk. "You're right… Dad," he said slowly. "What's wrong, Lloyd?" asked the dwarf. "Ah, nothing…" "All right, if you're sure." Lloyd put on his best effort of a smile for his foster father, and followed Colette up into his room.
Colette sat on his bed and motioned for him to join her. He sat, and she asked him, "Really, Lloyd, what's wrong?" Lloyd sighed. "I… really miss my dad. I know I have Dirk, but…" "…He's not your real father," continued Colette. Lloyd nodded. "Please don't say anything about this to him. Ever since he found me, he's treated me just like his son, and I love him like a father. But…" "He's not your real father." "Yeah… And I know that Kratos won't come back, but part of me just can't accept that. I don't know what I believe anymore…" "Maybe you should sleep on it. It's late anyway," said Colette. She yawned. "Oh no! I have to find Noishe and make sure he's okay from the earthquake!" "I'll go with you!" "No, you should stay here and rest. I'll be back in a little bit." Colette smiled. "Well then… be careful." "I will. Don't worry!"
Iselia Forest
"Noishe! Noishe, where are you? C'mon, Noishe!" Lloyd called, desperate to find his furry companion. I'll have to put out my wings to find him, decided Lloyd. He unfurled his shimmering wings and took to the sky.
If only… if only I could fly to where you are, Dad…
"Awoooo!" Lloyd could hear Noishe from below the thick canopy of the forest. "Hold on Noishe, I'm coming!" called Lloyd. He found a small clearing amidst the branches and set down, running over to Noishe. He tried petting his friend to calm him, but Noishe continued whining and howling. "What's a matter, boy?" he asked.
"Lloyd…" Lloyd turned around when he heard his name. Kratos smiled at his son, and collapsed.
"Dad? Dad! Hold on!" Lloyd set his unconscious father on Noishe's back. "Noishe, take him back to Dirk's house. I'll follow you by air. Please hurry, Noishe!" Noishe nodded and took off running. Lloyd jumped into the air, following him through the forest.
Dirk's House
"His wounds are extremely serious. I'm afraid only intensive healing arts will be able to save him." Dirk spoke to Colette and Lloyd, who were gathered around the sleeping Kratos. "Do you think… the Professor could heal him?" inquired Colette. "Yes, her Resurrection spell would probably be sufficient. However, Genis and Raine Sage left to end the discrimination against half-elves. I have no idea of their whereabouts now," replied Dirk. "Okay, then all we have to do is find Genis and the Professor, right? They will be a lot easier to find now that there is only one world to search in, huh Lloyd?" Colette asked cheerfully. "…What? Oh, yeah… it will be easier." Colette could tell Lloyd had a lot on his mind, so she decided to leave him alone to sort things out. She left the room, and Dirk followed her out.
"Dad… My wish was granted. You… you came back… But look at you; you're hurt so badly. It's all my fault," Lloyd said sadly. He fought back tears as he continued, "I'm such a pathetic son." "Lloyd," Kratos spoke softly, "this is not your fault. You are not pathetic." Kratos opened his eyes and tried to sit up. "You shouldn't move yet, or your wounds will reopen." Kratos laid back and closed his eyes once again. Just sitting up had seemed to exhaust whatever energy he had managed to regain. "Are my injuries really that serious?" inquired Kratos slowly. Lloyd remained silent. "To think that she would still be… so… powerful…"
"Dad? Dad!" Colette rushed in, fearing the worst. She hesitantly checked his breathing and pulse. "Well, it seems like he just went back to sleep. We should let him rest. Speaking of, I'm really tired and it's late. You should go to sleep soon, too. We'll probably leave pretty early so we can go find the Professor and Genis." She smiled gently. "Try to get some sleep. I know you're worried about Kratos, but I think he would be concerned if you didn't get any rest." Colette climbed up the stairs in into Lloyd's room. "She's right, ya know," commented Dirk. "Well, I'm goin' to bed too. Good night, Lloyd." "Good night, Dad." Lloyd walked up into his room, only to find Colette already asleep on his bed. She looked so peaceful with the moonlight shining upon her face. He thought she was definitely an angel, not only in heart, but in beauty as well. Lloyd sighed. "It looks like I'm sleeping on the floor tonight," he said sadly.
Lloyd awoke the next morning to find the room empty. He wandered downstairs, yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Remind me to never stay up that late again," he said to Colette as he snatched a piece of toast off a plate. "Did you get any sleep at all?" asked Colette anxiously. Lloyd bit off an enormous chunk of toast, chewed, and swallowed. "Actually, I got a significant amount of sleep, considering the floor was so comfortable." Colette blushed and looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry, Lloyd! I was going to move, but I just closed my eyes for a minute, and-" Lloyd's face softened. "It's okay, I was just kidding. Don't worry about it." "I'm sorry." "Stop apologizing, you dork." "Oh, I'm sorry." Lloyd sighed in defeat. "Anyway, I think I know where we should look for Genis and the Professor first. Do you remember the flying city of half-elves, Exire? They probably went there to tell everyone about their new journey. And now that we both have wings, we won't have to bother with the Rheairds." "I bet you're right, Lloyd, I can feel it! Kratos will be better in no time!" Lloyd's expression fell, and he looked away from Colette's excited face. "So… How is he?" "Well, he hasn't woken up since he spoke with you, but he hasn't gotten any worse, either…" "Oh… Well, I guess that's good…" "Yeah." "Well, I suppose we should get ready to go." "Okay."
Lloyd found his foster father standing by his mother's grave. Dirk didn't look up as he asked, "So, you're leaving again, are ya?" "Yeah. Can you watch over Kratos while we're gone?" "Of course I will." Lloyd walked over and put his arm over Dirk's shoulder. Together, they watched over both his mother's grave and his father's sword. "I don't want to lose him like I lost Mom," Lloyd said in a small voice. Dirk said nothing. Just then, Colette came out of the house. "Are you ready, Lloyd?" she called. Lloyd hugged Dirk tightly. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry; all we have to do is find Genis and the Professor. We'll be fine." Then he turned and walked over to Colette. "I'm ready. Let's go." Lloyd had never liked long good-byes.
Sorry the first chapter is so boring... the next chapter is much better, and hopefully longer... I have it already written, I just need to type it.