Sibling Rivalry
I've finally re-done it! It's much better now... I hope.
Warning-many spoilers-beat the game!
Disclaimer- I do not own ToS or its characters.
Chapter One: Happy Birthday!
Kratos was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking. While on Derris-Kharlan, he had been doing relatively nothing. While the angels were regaining their emotions and humanity, he had been counting the specks on the plaster of the ceiling, though he had assisted many angels with their emotions.
Kratos sighed. 1783, just like last time, and the time before. The seraphim decided to tour the halls again. He had nothing better to do. He sat up on his bed, stood up, and exited trough the automatic sliding door.
Every time he passed an angel, they would smile and say, 'Hello Lord Kratos," or, "Thank you Lord Kratos.' He had to constantly tell them he was no longer their lord. Still, it made Kratos feel better about being on Derris-Kharlan; his efforts were helping the angels.
Kratos stopped abruptly. He did not know why, but he moaned. This routine was monotonous and he was probably wearing a rut into the floor. His mind wandered to a moment with him and Anna years past.
Kratos laughed. He was playing with Lloyd, Anna at his side. The sun was shining overhead, and it was a magnificent day! Anyone out would be glad to just be alive.
Anna flopped down on the blanket they had laid outside of their temporary home. She propped herself up on her elbows, glancing over at Kratos. "You've changed," she whispered, knowing Kratos would hear. True to her thoughts, Kratos looked at Anna.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" He set down Lloyd, who rolled on his bottom, giggling.
"Well, when I met you, you would almost never smile, much less laugh. Plus, you scared the hell out of me then. Without me 'n' Lloyd, I'd bet that you'd probably still be your old grumpy self." Anna crossed her arms and made a face, masquerading a grump, which made Lloyd squeal with delight.
"Gwumpy!" he crossed his arms, too, going cross-eyed. All three laughed.
"You're right, I would be, and that's why I love you and Lloyd so much." Kratos kissed his wife on the cheek, and began to tease Lloyd with a toy.
"I cannot live here anymore… I have grown too used to my… friends," Kratos looked to the ceiling, as if seeking consultation from higher beings, though he knew up on Derris-Kharlan, they were the highest there were.
"I know I must leave… I have to," the man sighed, and he began to walk where he expected Yuan would be. Yuan had joined him on Derris-Kharlan soon after Kratos had, leaving his Renegades to help the people on their own.
He stalked through the halls, ignoring the angels greeting him. He ran into Yuan sooner than he had expected. Yuan was surprised; Kratos seemed rushed at that time.
"I'm going to leave Derris-Kharlan, Yuan," spoke the auburn-haired man. "I cannot stand it anymore. You should come, too. I think the angels now can take care of themselves for a while.
"Wha-?" babbled Yuan.
"I'm going back. I can't live like this anymore, and I want to see Lloyd," Kratos had a half-desperate look on his face.
The half-elf's face softened. He smiled gently, Kratos needed to see his son. "I will go too. I should visit my Renegades; see their progress. The portal should still work. We aren't that far from Symphonia. We haven't been moving much in the past year and a half. It seems as if we've almost completely stopped… Who should take care of Derris-Kharlan, then? The regular angels might screw up. Bah, I'll find someone. I bet my Renegades miss me," claimed Yuan, chuckling.
I'm glad Yuan has agreed...we both need the fresh air, Thought Kratos, and he hastily walked down the hall to his room to prepare.
Kratos packed, and waited for the moment he would return to see his son.
"Are you ready, Lord Kratos?" called an angel, who was working the warp pad. It needed extra power and work now because the Eternal Sword was on Symphonia with Lloyd.
"Yes, but where is Yuan?" Kratos called back. He had dressed back into his purple mercenary outfit. It brought back so many memories.
"He said he would go back on his own and he wished you luck and a happy time with your son."
Kratos' lips twitched into a small smile, "Please tell him thank you for me." He nodded to the angel. "Send me back now," Kratos muttered. In a second, Kratos was gone.
Kratos found himself at the Tower of Salvation ruins. He sighed, breathing in a lung-full of air. He was gladder to be back then he thought he would be. He let out a very rare laugh, walking down the steps and onto a field of grass. He fell onto the soft, green, natural bed, laying there for a minute or two. He savored the wonderful smelling air and the clear blue sky. Anyone who knew Kratos, and saw him just lying in the grass, smiling, would think they were going crazy.
Kratos stood up, brushing off his legs. "I should leave now…" he murmured to himself. He pulled out his sparkling azure wings, slowly flying up. He finally took off in top speed for Iselia.
While flying, Kratos noticed how towns and villages were expanding, and a new one was just getting started.
So much in such a little time… Kratos mused as he flew along, the wind gently pushing his hair out of his face.
The purple-clad man finally landed in Iselia about a half hour later. He looked around. The streets were full of life. The small village of Iselia was fixed up growing. Kratos turned around to leave. He decided to walk to Dirk's. It would be more of a surprise. He wanted it to be.
When Kratos got close to the dwarf's house, he heard chattering and laughing. His angel hearing helped him distinguish the voices. Present was the whole regeneration group! Everyone who helped in the Chosen was there. He wondered why there they were all at Dirk's house at once. Then, it hit him. Today was Lloyd's nineteenth birthday already! Kratos smacked his head. He was so stupid; forgetting his own son's birthday was today!
He pulled out something from his pocket. "Well, I was going to give it to him sooner or later...why not now?" Kratos clutched the small item in his hands and started walking again.
"Lloyd! Guess what time it is!" Kratos heard someone say. Genis
"Yes! Cake!" And that's Lloyd, the seraphim shook his head. He was the same as ever.
He saw through the trees someone, or more specifically Regal, bringing out a huge cake from the house. It had nineteen colorful candles planted on its top, each one shining different shades of red, orange, or yellow.
He was waiting for the opportune moment to come out, and he found it when the all of Lloyd's friends started to sing.
Lloyd was sitting in front of all of his friends. There was a great cake, baked by Regal, of course. It was extravagant; layers high, and skillfully iced blue-green.
He had received multiple gifts, including a puppy from Colette. She said now Noishe would have some company, later admitting that it took all her willpower not to keep the puppy. This made everyone laugh.
Lloyd sighed sadly, hoping the others wouldn't notice, There's still one thing missing… I know… that's what I'll wish for!
Everyone started to sing, all in one voice, it seemed, "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Llo-oyd!-"
Everyone stopped their singing from hearing a baritone voice- new to the group- finish the song, "Happy birthday to you." All eyes turned to the newcomer, Kratos.
"Dad?" Lloyd jumped up, completely stunned. The few who never really knew Kratos looked a bit uncomfortable, but all held the same shock in their eyes.
"Kratos?" Raine choke out in surprise.
"DAD!" Lloyd repeated, this time, though, he ran over to his father.
He jumped and tackled Kratos to the ground, "You're back! How and why?" Lloyd was grinning from ear to ear. He had missed Kratos more than he expected, and was completely comfortable with 'dad'. Of course, over the 17 or so months Kratos had been gone, Lloyd began to miss the criticism on his swordsmanship.
"I just couldn't stand it up there anymore. I wanted to see you. I'm happiest around my family," said Kratos, letting a smile tug at his lips. "Now could you get off of me, I can't breathe."
"Oops, sorry." Lloyd blushed, jumping off of his father.
Kratos bent down and whispered into Lloyd's ear, "Lloyd, shouldn't you get back to your cake before all the candles blow out themselves?" Lloyd looked at his father.
"You're right, come on everyone! We have a new member in this party!" Lloyd grabbed his father's arm and tugged him along to that table. Kratos had to smile. That was happening a lot lately. He chuckled. Lloyd was just as childish as before.
The two sat down, and though it was a bit awkward with Kratos just coming in, all became comfortable, allowing Lloyd to blow out the candles. But before he could-
"Make a wish Lloyd!" Colette said.
I need to think of a new wish, since that's already come true... I know! I wish for something exciting to happen! Lloyd sucked in, and blew out with great force.
The colorful candles were blown out; none even left flickering. Everyone clapped for the new nineteen-year-old.
"What'd you wish for?" Genis asked Lloyd.
"I can't tell you! It won't come true if I do!" Lloyd retorted jokingly.
Kratos walked a bit off from the group, beckoning to his son, "Lloyd, come here, please. I want to give you something."
"Really? What is it?" Kratos pulled something from his pocket, and put it in Lloyd's hand. It was a locket; inside was a small picture of Kratos and Anna both holding a young Lloyd. On the opposite side, Aurion was carved in a fancy scrawl.
"My present to you…"
"W-Wow. This is yours, you told me once it was your only picture left of mom! You should keep it, it belongs to you!" Lloyd insisted, pushing it back.
"Now it belongs to you. Like your mother used to say, 'The best memories are the ones up here'." Kratos tapped on Lloyd's forehead.
"Thank you, Dad!" Lloyd threw his arms around Kratos' neck in a loving embrace. Kratos hugged back.
Lloyd let go, remarking, "We should go get some cake."
"Sure."
By nightfall, the Tethe'allans had left; only the ones from Sylvarant remained. They were chatting pleasantly about the past; Lloyd, Genis, and Colette playing with Noishe's and Lloyd's new puppy. Kratos was out getting firewood, for the supply was running low.
There was a knock on the door. The sound reverberated through the small house.
"It's unlocked, ye' can come in!" Dirk called, in his gruff, dwarfish voice.
Two people emerged from the door, a man and a woman. They appeared to be twins, and though they were different genders, they looked exactly the same. The man had messy brown hair, and was garbed in leathery brown pants and long-sleeve green shirt with a tan vest over it. The vest was unbuttoned and hanging loosely. He had striking red-brown eyes, and his chin was lightly covered with stubble.
The woman had medium length, messily cut brown hair. The woman dressed similarly, but she, on the other hand, wore a tan long-sleeve shirt, similar pants, and a green vest. It was buttoned up tight, unlike the man's. She, too, had eyes of that color.
Both were carrying long, wooden pikes with shining steel blades. On each of their right hands were exspheres. They looked pitiful and ragged.
"Please, we need food," the man pleaded.
"We haven't eaten in forever!" the woman whimpered.
Colette clasped her hands together, "We have enough leftover food from the party! We need to help them."
The rest agreed, if not a bit nervously. The strangers seemed familiar. It was slightly suspicious; them coming to Dirk's house and completely missing Iselia.
The man helped the woman to sit down. Dirk serve them the leftovers them food, and they started gobbling it down like vultures near a dead carcass.
After eating, the woman stood up. It seemed as if all her strength had returned. She bowed, "Thank you so much for the food. And sorry for our manners, we're just..."
The man tapped the woman's shoulder, "Hey, isn't that Noishe?"
"Yeah, it is! Come here boy! You remember us? How'd you get a hold of this Protozoan?" Noishe ran up to them and started to lick their faces. The man chuckled deeply while the woman pet behind Noishe's large ears.
"Looks like our search is over, Alex," the woman stated proudly, placing her hands on her hips.
Everyone looked at them confusedly, Raine in particular, "I thought you needed food."
"Oh, we did," the twins said in unison. The man, Alex, nodded.
"We have been traveling forever, and we were very hungry, but-" the woman started.
The man continued, "-we are actually on another mission. We are her because of certain rumors we heard. Our hunger was just from lack of common sense during our search. Heh," he laughed nervously.
The woman put in, "My name is Joan, and this is Alexander." She pointed to the man.
The Twins put their hands together, "We are the Twins A-"
Right then, Kratos came through the door, carrying a pile of newly cut firewood, "Sorry I took so long, you didn't have enough, so I had to chop some more. I-" he caught a glimpse of Alexander and Joan, "Joan, Alex...you're a-alive!" At that moment he dropped all the wood on his feet, but did not care at all.
"Kratos!" the Twins yelled out. They ran to the Seraphim, hugging the life out of him.
"Ggghhh! Ow!"
"Heh, sorry Kratos," both said together.
"Who are you two?" Lloyd cast them a suspicious glance.
Once again, in unison, the Twins put their hands together, "Ahem, like we were saying-We are the Twins Aurion!"
Did you enjoy this redo? It used to be three or four pages, but now it's five and a half! I'm so proud! This is the longest chapter I've ever written! Oh, review if you are new, and if not, maybe tell me how you like the new chapter. As always, constructive criticism, please, and no flames.