"Mom...Dad left. That was okay, wasn't it? For me to let him go..it was okay, right?" He didn't know what was right anymore. All these decisions he was forced to make, not knowing which was the "right" choice, made him feel troubled. He knew he would always be asking himself what if he decided to go with his real father.
"Lloyd..", Lloyd felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You wanted to go with him, didn't you?"
He looked up to see the face of Dirk, his adoptive father, concerned about his boy's sadness.
"No," Lloyd answered, "I have my own path to follow and Dad has his. Besides, I have a Dad here already!"
"I see. Then I won't say anymore," Dirk replied. He was enourmously proud of his son even though he did not show it. Lloyd could see the pride and happiness swelling in his eyes.
Lloyd placed the sword he was holding at his side in front of his mother's grave. "Mom, I'll leave Dad's sword here beside you."
In a way, he felt lighter and at peace. He knew his mother was as well.
Putting his hand on the headstone, he got to his feet and announced, "Well, I'm off"
He hugged his father and gave one last look back towards his mother's resting place before he turned and stepped forward. Walked towards a new step in his life and a new journey of adventure that he was eager to explore.
He felt unsure of his future now that everything had ended. The world was saved. Yet he knew he would miss the way things were. The friendship and all the times shared together would only be but memories, yet he held on to them dearly. All his friends would go on living their lives and so would he, although he already longed for their companionship. His exsphere expedition partner, Sheena, fiddled with the bow around her waist, standing on the small, wooden bridge at the end of the yard. She smiled and waved to Lloyd. Lloyd's mood brightened and he knew everything would be all right.
Lloyd and Sheena arrived in Mizuho later that day with weather so hot the village could have been mistaken for a desert.
Sheena had insisted they visit her home village before they start their trip because she had some things to do, which was all she had cared to explain to Lloyd.
Sheena walked ahead of Lloyd who was panting behind, dripping with sweat.
"Where can I get a cool drink in this place?", wondered Lloyd. The only answer he got was Sheena's finger pointing in the direction of a run-down merchant stand in the heart of the village.
"I'll be back soon," Sheena said before she trailed off, leaving Lloyd to find his own refreshments.
"Take your time," he muttered.
He trudged over to the stand that sold a wide variety of stuff, from food and drinks to weapons and clothes. The man standing behind the counter was attired in the traditional Mizuho ninja outfit which prevented Lloyd from seeing his or her face. "A cold glass of lemonade, please," Lloyd asked.
"No lemonade," came the male-sounding reply, "only this."
He poured a redish liquid into a cup and handed it to Lloyd. He gulped it down and was surprised at how refreshing it was. It was loads better than any lemonade or other drink he knew of.
Before Lloyd knew what was going on, a sharp object poked him in the small of his back and his left arm was twisted behind him. He let out a surprised yell and dropped the cup he was drinking from. The cup landed on the ground with a thud and the contents spilled on the ground.
An angry voice whispered in his ear, "stay away from Sheena, or this will be the last time you ever come here."