Howdy everyone! This is a sequel to my fic A Tragic Love. Unless You've read it, you'll be completely lost for a good chunk of this story...so go read A Tragic Love!
Anyway, here we go with the contin uation of the tragic story of Kratos and Lloyd, and Anna, a family destroyed by the monster Mithos Yggdrasill.
Disclaomer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia
Lloyd stared miserably through the rain at the tombstone of his foster-father, Dirk. He had been laid to rest not far from where Lloyd's mother, Anna was buried. Next to Anna's grave was a sword that glowed like fire in the bleak gray day.
Only one left to burry…but I will never know if he is dead or not… Lloyd looked up through the clouds, concentrating as hard as he could, as if he could somehow see Derris-Kharlan if he stared hard enough. He gripped the locket that held the picture of him and his parents. He didn't have to go…Damn you Kratos!
"Lloyd," a soft voice said from behind him. He turned to see his wife, Colette, standing behind him. Her usually cheerful smile was gone and her eyes were filled with tears as she put her arms around Lloyd and held him close. "I'm so sorry, Lloyd." Lloyd lifted her chin with his fingers and kissed her.
"Stop apologizing, you dork," he said, attempting a smile. "I just…miss him. And mom…" He trailed off and stared at the grave, wishing it was all just a dream.
"You miss Kratos too," Colette said softly. Lloyd glared and nodded.
"I just get so mad!" he shouted. "First, mom dies and I lose my real father. Then Dirk finds me and I have a great dad. Then I find my real father, who saves me and then leaves again, and now Dirk is gone too!" He clenched his fist. "I wish I hadn't let Kratos leave! I wish mom was alive! I wish Dirk was here!"
"I know," Colette said. "I wish it too. But…look at it this way," she smiled and leaned her head on Lloyd's shoulder. "Now, you've got three angels watching over instead of one."
Lloyd smiled. "Thanks, Colette."
Colette smiled and took his hand. "Come on. Everyone is at the house. "
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"Lloyd, bro!" Zelos cried as Lloyd walked in his house. Zelos pounced on Lloyd and gave him a noogie, grinning insanely. "Sorry about your dad Lloyd. Um…well…both of them I guess. Ow," he added as his fiancée, Sheena smacked him on his head.
"You're such an ignoramus," she hissed, yanking Zelos off of Lloyd, who actually smiled at the familiar sight.
"Yeah but you like it," Zelos retorted, sitting down next to Colette, who hid a giggle with her hand.
"Hey guys," Lloyd said, looking around the room and smiling. Around the room sat his best friend and his comrades: Genis Sage, Presea Combatir, Regal Bryant, Zelos Wilder, Sheena, Raine Sage, and Regal Bryant. Lloyd couldn't help but feel is spirits lift as he sprawled onto the floor next to Colette and up at everyone. "Regal!" he suddenly exclaimed. "You've taken the shackles off! When did that happen?" Everyone looked at Lloyd and rolled their eyes.
"Lloyd," Genis said, "Regal took them off four years ago, remember?"
"And you asked that question then," Regal reminded him, smiling slightly.
"Then again, at your wedding," Raine added. "I can't believe you still have such a short attention span."
Lloyd looked very put out. "Geeze, Professor. I thought you were smart enough to know I never pay attention." Lloyd realized his mistake immediately as Raine glared and jumped to her feet, chasing Lloyd around the room.
"Your chances of escaping are very slim, Lloyd," Presea called as Raine caught him and smacked him hard on the head. "See?"
"Thanks Presea," Lloyd said, flopping back down next to Colette.
"I could have told him that," Sheena muttered.
The group of friends stayed up late into the night, talking, catching up and swapping stories. At a lull, Colette glanced sideways at Lloyd, who had his locket open, and took a deep breath. "You know who would love this? Who be sitting here, mostly silent, but listening all the time." Lloyd looked at Colette…he knew who she meant. "Kratos."
"You know, Lloyd," Genis said. "I remember you telling me that Kratos told you the story of how he and your mom met. Why don't you tell us? I think it'll help you feel better."
"No," Lloyd said firmly. "I…I just don't want to right now…"
"Lloyd," Sheena said. "You always got angry that Colette didn't speak up when she was suffering. Do you really think we will let you do the same?"
"Come on Lloyd," Zelos said. "Spill it!"
Lloyd sighed. "All right…but it won't be pretty…."
"My mother…she was part of an assassin clan called the Jalisa. Originally the Jalisa existed to hunt bandits and help those in need during the troubled time that had befallen Sylvarant. But when the Desians started to reappear, they changed objectives and sought to defeat them. They were founded by the Jamison family and fought for one hundred years…until meeting their end twenty years ago…the night their leader, my mother, died."
Colette put her arm around Lloyd, hoping to give him strength. She knew that feelings about his father and mother had been boiling up inside him since Kratos had left him with the terrible truth five years ago. With Dirk gone, Lloyd was truly realizing just how alone he was. It was time for him to confront the memories and his demons. Lloyd gripped the locket as he recounted what Kratos had told him: His grandparents' deaths, Kratos saving Anna and Denise, Felicity's betrayal, Anna's capture, Ahmond's revenge, every detail.
"One of the few things I can actually remember is seeing someone flying overhead as Dirk carried me away. I tried to reach out to the flying person, but we enter the trees and I start crying for my Dad." He looked up at the group, his eyes blazing with emotion. "Kratos…tried to find me…but mom knew…she knew that as long as Cruxis existed, Kratos would never be free. She didn't want Kratos to spend the rest of his days running. She didn't want me to be raised in constant fear of being discovered. In the end…maybe it did work out for the best."
Silence fell. Nobody moved or spoke, spellbound by Lloyd's tale. Genis was staring into the fire, his small childlike brow furrowed. Presea stared at the floor but every so often, her eyes met Regal's, who rubbed his wrists. Even Zelos was grave, holding Sheena as tight as breathing allowed.
Finally Raine spoke. "Lloyd…" she said softly. "Your parents…all of them…they really loved you. I know that you miss them…but at least you know they did everything they could for you."
"Thanks, Professor," Lloyd said.
"What happened to the Jalisa?" Sheena asked. "What happened to Ahmond, Denise, and Hikaru?"
"Kratos said that Yuan transported them to Tethe'alla as they fled from Asilaj," Lloyd replied. "Kratos looked everywhere for the Jalisa after having lost mom and me, but he never found them. He did say that some of the assassins may have joined Mizuho."
"Mizuho?" Sheena said, her eyes widened with curiosity. "Lloyd…have you ever considered…looking for Ahmond and Denise yourself? Of looking for the Jalisa?"
Lloyd looked at Colette. Colette nodded. "Actually, Sheena…since Dad died…I've been thinking about it more and more. Colette and I decided it was worth a shot. That's why I was glad you all came. I wanted to see everyone before we leave the day after tomorrow."
"So soon?" Raine asked.
Lloyd nodded. "Tomorrow we head for the village that was destroyed. Then we head to Asilaj, then to Mizuho. Hopefully Noishe can help, since he was there through it all." Lloyd gripped one of the twin blade swords strapped to his waist. I just wish Kratos was here to go with me and Colette.
Zelos sighed. "Damn! What the hell was with Kratos, saddling you with all this misery and taking off on you? What a jerk!" Sheena hit him on the head. "No offense Lloyd, but really!" He looked at Sheena, who bit her lip and nodded. "Lloyd, I, the great, powerful, and extremely sexy Zelos, will go with you and protect you! With my powers we are sure to-"
"End up in the soup, I fear," Sheena interrupted. "Still, I gotta agree with the almighty idiot. Zelos is right, Lloyd. You and Colette need protection since you two saved the world. And I can help with Mizuho, being the new Vice Chief and all."
"Wait a sec, you guys all helped!" Lloyd said. "And you can't just drop everything and decide-"
"We can and we will," Genis said. "I promised to stick by you always, remember. Besides, you need intelligence on a quest like this! I'm going too!"
"No!" Lloyd said loudly. "It isn't necessary. I can't ask you too-"
"Lloyd," Presea said. "You're chances of survival on your own are about 50. The more of us who go, the higher your chances."
"Presea, we really aren't in that much danger-"
"Furthermore," Raine said. "You need people with excavating skills to uncover clues of an ancient village." Her eyes lit up in her archaeological fervor. "Think of the technology this secret society could have kept hidden all those years. MARVELOUS!"
"Professor! Genis!" Lloyd got to his feet. "What about your mission to stop half-elf discrimination?"
"Logically," Regal said and Lloyd groaned, "They could use this evidence to prove how it was Desians who were the root cause of said prejudice. Finding Asilaj could be most beneficial as an example of the results of prejudice." Regal looked at Lloyd for a long moment and even imperceptible Lloyd knew what Regal really wanted. His past with Alicia mirrored so closely to Anna and Kratos's past that Regal wanted to help unravel the burdens in anyway he could."
"Regal, I understand really, but-"
Give it a rest Lloyd!" Genis said, rolling his eyes. "We're going with you!"
"But why?!" Lloyd yelled.
"Because we love you. Silly Lloyd, think of it!" Colette said smiling and hopping up and down in anticipation. "It will be just like old times!
"Fortunately, there will be no deadly foe tailing us this time," Genis said sadly and the others nodded. They fell silent, remembering the sound of Mithos's voice as his exsphere shattered and the glint of silver as the tiny fragments rained down upon them. Genis had wanted to save a shard, but Raine had talked him out of it. It was too risky. If Lloyd's exsphere could evolve who knew what Mithos's Cruxis Crystal could do. He did create the Cruxis Crystals after all.
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"You seem surprised," Colette said that night as they climbed into bed.
"I am," Lloyd said. "I know they are my friends, but to drop everything to help me search for a village that may be long since dead?"
Colette laughed. "Lloyd, you saved us. All of us. You helped Genis and Raine conquer their fears of discrimination and showed them equal treatment. You helped Sheena confront her past and realize her full potential as a summoner. You helped Regal and Presea avenge Alicia, and made Presea's key crest. You accepted Zelos after he 'betrayed' us and released him from his fate as a chosen. You even helped your own father confront the demons of his past." She snuggled up to his side. "And we all know what you did for me."
"I know but-"
"Lloyd, you saved the entire universe from Mithos Yggdrasil, who had killed your mother…then named the tree that keeps the land alive after him and his sister. What more of a reason do you need to see that we all love and respect you and owe you so much?"
Lloyd was silent, pondering this for a long while. At last he burst out, "If you all love me so much, why does everyone insist I'm still an impulsive, short attention spanned child?"
"Because you are," Colette giggled. "I love you."
"I love you too," Lloyd replied, kissing her cheek.
"You know though…" Colette said as she faded into slumber "I kind of wonder if…Mithos…really was…evil…"
Lloyd lay awake, pondering Colette's last words. Mithos…the man responsible for countless tragedy. He was evil unquestionably. I'm do wish…there had been another way. But I destroyed him. It's over and done. Lloyd pulled Colette close and drifted off into a dream.
Lloyd stood in a dark room. The walls around him had no windows but had a strange reddish tint to them. He turned, looking for some way out and bit back a hiss of frustration when none appeared.
"You can't leave," a voice whispered, causing Lloyd to reach for his swords. He pulled…but they weren't there. He was very nervous now, feeling naked without his weapons.
"Who are you?" he called into the void. "Show yourself."
There was a laugh, a high boyish laugh that Lloyd thought he recognized. A shadow moved in front of him, but did not come into focus.
"Give me your name and I shall give you mine," the voice said with mockery heavy in his tone. Lloyd scowled at the use of his trademark phrase, but part of his brain, the tiny part that retained important information, noted that only an enemy of his would know to say that.
"Angry that I used your idiotic phrase?" the boy asked. "You really are pathetic, Lloyd."
The shadow moved closer. "You still haven't figured it out have you?" The boy laughed. "Look."
The shadows moved before Lloyd and a picture began to materialize in front of him. As it got clearer and clearer, Lloyd saw his sixteen year old self in battle with Genis against an exebula.
"Marble!" Lloyd gasped. It seemed so long ago that he had been tricked by Forcystus into killing the innocent old woman and Genis's friend. "How do you-"
Suddenly he was watching as he fought Sheena and injured her, how he fought Regal and Zelos and Yuan and Botta, all of whom saved him and the two worlds. Only one person would do this to him and he knew exactly what was coming next and had to stop it.
"Mithos!" Lloyd yelled. "I know you are dead! This dream can't bother me!"
Mithos Yggdrasill laughed and stepped out of the shadows, his innocently boyish face twisted in a malicious grin. "Am I dead Lloyd? Is this a dream? Do you even know where this is supposed to be?"
"Damn you," Lloyd growled. "I'm waking up now!" But he couldn't. Lloyd tried to will himself awake, but it wasn't working. Mithos laughed again.
"Oh you will wake up." Mithos glared at him. "You can. But I can't Not yet. But think of when I do. Think what will happen when all those precious friends of yours will be right next to you when I break free. Imagine waking up to find their blood spilled by your own hand. Especially the failed vessel." He snapped his fingers and Lloyd was too slow to close his eyes. Kratos stood before him his eyes sad as he said, "You must defeat me." Lloyd watched as he struck his father down.
"And don't worry," Mithos said as the picture faded. "I haven't forgotten the traitor Kratos." Mithos gathered mana in his palm and smiled at Lloyd, who realized there was no where to run. "But first…wake up, Lloyd!" he launched the mana at Lloyd who braced himself, throwing up his guardian shield. There was a blinding flash of bright blue light that burned against his closed lids.
"Lloyd!" Colette screamed jerking Lloyd into wakefulness. He opened his eyes to her face which was illuminated by the same blue light Mithos had thrown at him in the dream. "Your exsphere!" Lloyd looked to see the glow was coming from his exsphere as it burned in the dark room. As he looked the glow subsided and faded away.
"Lloyd?" Colette asked in concern as he sat up quickly, horror on his face. "What is it?"
Lloyd let his hand drop and looked at Colette. "It's nothing." He didn't want to tell her about the dream, it would only frighten her and the others. "I just had a nightmare and I guess my exsphere reacted."
"Lloyd, I don't think that supposed to happen." Colette knew he wasn't telling the whole truth.
"It happened when I was frightened that the Great Seed had died, remember?" She nodded, it was true that he had somehow caused a reaction due to fright that time. "Maybe it has to do with the exsphere evolving."
"Maybe," Colette said, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yeah," Lloyd said laying back down. "Let's go back to sleep."
It was only a dream, only a dream. He closed his eyes. Mithos is dead, his Cruxis Crystal shattered. It's impossible.
But why did it feel so real?
