Hi everyone! This is an idea I've been toying with for a while now and finally decided to do it! From what I have so far, I can already tell it's going to be massive!
So, the basic idea of this story: What if Lloyd and Sheena were the Chosen Ones?
I'm sure you're wondering how the hell this could work. Well, I've worked out the big details, and it does! For the most part, this is the same universe as the Tales of Symphonia game, though I suppose it'll be rather AU by the time I'm done with it. There is a reason for everything and all questions will be answered by the end, but you'll have to be patient enough to get there. This will follow most of the game plot points, though of course Lloyd and Sheena are the Chosen Ones and Colette and Zelos are just normal people. This will be told from two main view points: Lloyd and Sheena. It was a hard decision to make, especially since it's tempting to show what every character is doing and thinking and feeling, but I decided to stick with just the POVs of Lloyd and Sheena - after all, it's their story as Chosens!
As for pairings, it's going to be mostly canon: KratosxAnna, YuanxMartel, RegalxAlicia. Right now I'm leaning towards LloydxSheena and ZelosxColette, but that could change as the story progresses and the characters develop.
Rated mostly for language and violence, though it might change.
Well, strap yourselves in and get ready for one crazy ride! This starts at about the same point as the game. Enjoy!
Note: italics = thoughts
((Lloyd's POV))
"Shit!" I exclaimed, looking around the town and not seeing any other kids. If I'm late again, the Professor is going to KILL me…
I sprint through Iselia, the small town where I spent most of my childhood, heading for the schoolhouse, my coat ribbons flapping in the wind behind me.
"Late again, Chosen One?" A woman asks as I run past her.
I don't stop moving, but turn my body so I'm looking at her. I grin and shout back to her, "I can't help it, Mara! Old Venny doesn't know when to shut up!" I quicken my pace and faintly hear her chuckle as I approach the schoolhouse.
It's a small wooden building, like many in town, with a mud room and large classroom. I don't waste any time in admiring the building, though, as I burst through the door and stumble into the classroom, not even bothering to wipe off my shoes.
"Lloyd Irving! You're late! Again!" the teacher at the front of the room says sternly.
I put my hand behind my head and smile as innocently as I can.
"Sorry, Professor!" I say, as I quickly take my seat next to my best friend, Genis, who just rolls his eyes at me before turning back to the teacher.
Professor Raine sighs. "See me after class, Lloyd. This can't keep happening, even if you ARE the Chosen One. Maybe I should speak with Father Steven…"
I manage to keep a straight face and nod meekly. The Professor stops contemplating me and resumes her lecture.
My best friend, the silver-haired boy sitting on my left, leans over and whispers, "You know, Lloyd, one of these days Raine is going to kill you."
I whisper back, "Nah. She loves me too much. Besides, she'd never kill her little brother's best friend, right?"
Genis just smirked at me, and turned to face Raine, paying attention to her lecture.
The blond-haired girl on my right giggled softly, and whispered: "I'm glad you're okay! I'm sure the Professor isn't too mad."
I smiled at her and whispered back: "Thanks, Colette."
Colette smiled at me, and just as I was turning to face the Professor, she looked at me evilly for a second before saying, "Lloyd, how about you?"
"Um… me?" I asked.
"Were you not paying attention?" the Professor asked, tapping her foot in agitation, causing her orange and black frock to sway slightly.
"Well…" I trail off, not wanting to admit that I wasn't.
The Professor sighed. "Lloyd, what am I going to do with you? This is important information that everyone needs to know, especially you!"
"Heh. Sorry, Professor. I'll pay more attention." I say.
The Professor sighed again but nodded. "Genis, care to help out the Chosen?" she asked.
"Yes, Raine." Genis said, standing up. "The Ancient War was ended by the hero Mithos at the Holy Ground of Kharlan."
"Correct. The hero Mithos then established a pact with the Goddess Martel, sealing away those that started the war, the Desians." The Professor said.
"But the Desians are back and everyone is suffering!" I exclaimed.
The Professor just sighed again, shaking her head, before turning to the dense Chosen. "Lloyd, we covered that in the last class. When the pact weakens, the Desians reappear."
"I-I knew that… I just forgot…" I said, my face heating up a bit.
The Professor raised her eyebrow but made no move to correct me. Undoubtedly, she didn't want to embarrass the Chosen in front of everyone.
Picking up her lecture once more, the Professor paced in front of the class of about twenty or so kids, with Genis, Lloyd, and Colette sitting in the front row.
"Today is the Day of Prophecy. Let's see… Colette. Please explain the significance of this day."
"Yes, Professor." Colette said, standing up. "The Day of Prophecy is the day where an Oracle is sent to the Chosen of Mana by the Goddess Martel."
"Correct." The Professor said, and Colette blushed and sat down. "I suppose we should have expected the Chosen's close friend to know the answer. On the Day of Prophecy, a heavenly message, or oracle, is sent to the Martel Temple, where the Chosen must undergo a trial in order to receive it before starting the regeneration journey. Lloyd, explain to the class the journey of world regeneration. Surely you know the answer to this one."
I scowled at the Professor, but stood up and said, "The world regeneration journey is the trip the Chosen of Mana takes to save the world. By passing the trials of the Goddess Martel, the Summon Spirits wake up and the Desians are sealed and mana restored."
The Professor smiled and nodded in approval. "Good, Chosen One. Now…" Just as I was about to sit back down and the Professor was going to resume her lecture, a sudden bright white light appeared from somewhere outside and blinded the schoolhouse for a moment.
"What was that?" one of the younger students cried.
I turned to face the Professor. "That's…" I said, trailing off as she spoke up.
"It seems the oracle has arrived. I will go check on the Temple. Everyone stay here and study independently." The Professor said, heading toward the door.
"Wait, Professor! I'll go with you!" I said, starting after her. She turned to face me and shook her head.
"No, Lloyd. Stay here with everyone else. If it was the oracle, Father Steven will come and get you." I sighed, but nodded reluctantly. The Professor smiled softly and left, heading for the Martel Temple.
I walked back over to my desk, where Colette and Genis stood waiting for me.
"So that was the oracle, huh?" Genis asked.
"Yeah…" I said.
"Lloyd? Are you okay?" Colette asked, concerned.
I forced a smile. "Yeah! I'm fine." I said, looking around the room.
All the other kids were clustered in small groups like we were, talking quietly. Outside, no one passed by the windows and the town seemed quiet. I looked back at my two best friends and examined them closely.
Genis Sage was a small, slender boy, even for his age. At twelve, he stood about a foot shorter than me. His silver hair was spiked and disarrayed, much like my own, although his was longer and of the same shade as his sister. His blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, and he was probably the smartest person I knew, besides the Professor. He was an elf, and had moved here with his sister when he was little, like me. We were both outcasts – he, because he and his sister were elves, and me because I was the Chosen – so we became friends rather quickly. He used to be teased for always wearing light blue short sleeved shirts and shorts, no matter the weather, but after I beat up the bullies once, the teasing stopped.
Colette Brunel, on the other hand, was much closer to me in both age and height. At 5'2", she was just six inches shorter than me, and was only one year younger, making her sixteen. Her long blonde hair reached her lower back, and her eyes were a softer blue than Genis'. Colette was the type of person who could not say a single bad thing about anybody ever. Her white and blue dress went to about her knees; not quite covering up her many cuts and bruises. Colette is very clumsy, and trips all the time, even when there's nothing to trip on. Her mother died when she was little, right about the time she would have entered school. Her father got her a tutor, since the grief was too much for him to bear to spend the day without his daughter by his side, but it didn't work out well and she started coming to the schoolhouse almost one year after Genis and I had been here. We instantly took her in, and our group expanded to three, with all of us close friends ever since.
Then I looked down at my left hand, at the blue stone that was embedded there and poked through my glove. Just a small stone, smooth to the touch. It was because of this small stone, my Cruxis Crystal, that I was treated differently, something I resented. Except, of course, by Genis and Colette. They were my best friends because they saw me as Lloyd first and the Chosen One second, something no one besides my Dad, Dirk, and maybe the Professor, had ever done. I stood there, gazing at my Cruxis Crystal, the thing that gave me extra strength and mana so that I could defend myself. I imagined how other people saw me: an average guy with short brown spiked hair and chocolate brown eyes. I wore simple clothing: red pants with black boots, a white shirt with a black undershirt under it, overalls, and a red long sleeved jacket adorned with buttons and two flowing ribbons attached at the back. My Dad made all my clothing, since we didn't have a lot of gald, and I once made the mistake of telling him my favorite color was red, so now almost all the clothes he made me were red. Oh, well. I like the color red. A double scabbard was belted loosely on my waist, and my wooden swords swung gently in them, occasionally banging into my legs. I hated the fact that the priests, especially Father Steven aka Venny wouldn't let me have real swords, insisting that I would always be protected and the wooden ones would do in a pinch to protect myself. I scowled at my Crystal and fisted my hands, ignoring my surroundings as I was lost in thought.
"Lloyd? You're spacing out!" Genis said, lightly punching my arm.
"Huh? Sorry, I was just thinking." I said.
Genis pretended to be shocked. "You? Think? Impossible!" he said with a grin.
"Hey!" I said, but I grinned back, knowing he was just teasing.
I looked around and shook off my mood. I turned back to my friends with a grin.
"Ut-o. I know that look. That looks means you have an idea. An idea that usually gets us in trouble." Genis said.
My grin widened. "What are we still doing here? Let's go to the Temple!"
"I knew it! Lloyd, Raine said to stay here!" Genis said.
"Yeah. I don't want to make the Professor angry or worried…" Colette said.
"C'mon, you guys, it's research! I'm the Chosen One, after all! Don't you think I should be at the Temple to get the oracle?" I said.
"Well…" Genis said, biting his lip.
"If you say so, Lloyd…" Colette said.
I grinned. "Great, let's go!"
I led my two best friends to the door of the classroom. Ignoring the yells of the other kids not to leave, we left the schoolhouse and stood on the path outside it.
"Wow, the town's deserted…" I said, glancing around and not seeing a single person.
"That's strange…" Genis said, frowning.
"Oh! There's Father!" Colette said as a taller blond-haired man lumbered over to us.
"Colette, why aren't you in school? You, too, Genis. And Chosen One Lloyd, shouldn't you be awaiting the priests?" Frank Brunel said.
Colette and Genis stared at their feet, but I looked up at Frank defiantly.
"So that WAS the oracle? We're going to the Temple." I said.
Frank shook his head. "No, that's too dangerous. Desians invaded the village a short while ago, right before the oracle appeared. They headed to the Temple."
"But that's where Raine went!" Genis cried out, worried for his sister.
"I'm sure she and the priests are fine. But you kids need to stay here where it is safe. Especially, you, Chosen One." Frank said.
I fisted my hands. "If the Desians are at the Temple, then that's where I should be, too. Isn't it the Chosen's job to defeat the Desians? I have to receive the oracle so that I can save Sylvarant, and I'm not gonna let some filthy Desians get in my way!" I said angrily.
Frank sighed. "Very well. I see that there is no way I can stop you. Please, take these gels and make it to the Temple safely. We are all counting on you, Chosen One. You two, go back into the schoolhouse and wait for Raine."
"No, I'm going with Lloyd! I'm worried about my sister, and he'll need help if there's trouble!" Genis said.
"Father, Lloyd needs us. We need to protect and support him. Please! Let us go, too!" Colette said, begging her father.
Frank sighed heavily. "You are so much like your mother... So kind-hearted. Very well. But please, be careful Colette."
"I will. Thank you, Father." Colette said.
"Yeah. Thanks, Frank." Genis said.
I merely nodded at Frank before stashing the gels and turning to my friends. "Thanks, you two. Let's go!"
Genis pulled out his kendama, and Colette took out her chakrams. I unsheathed my twin wooden blades and we headed to the north exit of town, which would lead us to the Martel Temple.
Almost as soon as we exited the village, we were confronted by a gruesome sight – an undead monster, a zombie in fact, was making its slow way towards us.
"What the hell?" I said, raising my swords.
"I thought the area around the Martel Temple was a sanctuary!" Colette cried, also raising her weapons.
Genis grimaced. "It must be part of the trials. Lloyd, let's hurry up and kill it! I need time to cast, so you and Colette have to distract it!"
"All right." I said. Without further adieu, I charged the zombie, shouting "Demon Fang!" as I ran. White-hot mana welled out of me and, strengthened and guided by my Cruxis Crystal, shot out across the closing distance between myself and the zombie and struck it in the legs. It stumbled and grunted on impact. Colette and I darted up to it while it was momentarily stunned. I slashed my swords at it, knocking it backwards just as Colette raised her chakrams above her head and shouted, "Pow Hammer!" A small red rubber hammer appeared as Colette released some of her mana, but because the zombie had stumbled back when I hit it, the hammer bounced harmlessly off the ground before disappearing.
"Oops…" Colette giggled, turning to me. I rolled my eyes at her and made to start forward to attack again when Genis suddenly shouted, "Aqua Edge!" A jet of water shot between me and Colette and knocked the zombie, damaging it quite a bit and washing away bits of its flesh. Colette wrinkled her nose and I grimaced, but swiftly rushed forward and finished it off with a few hard jabs to the chest, until I punctured its dead heart and it stopped twitching and started rapidly decaying, crumbling into a pile of dust.
I took a few steps away and swiftly wiped my swords in the grass to remove the pieces of flesh that clung to them, then turned to face my friends.
"Nice job, you guys." I said, smiling.
"Heh. It wasn't so tough!" Genis said, grinning and thrusting his kendama high into the air in triumph.
"Justice and love will always win!" Colette chirped happily.
I groaned. "Colette! You know how much I hate that Dwarven Vow!"
"I'm sorry!" Colette said, while Genis said, "Aw, Lloyd. That's just 'cause you know it's true."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Let's hurry to the Temple.
We walked forward through the grassy meadow, and were about halfway to the Temple when we were suddenly confronted with another zombie, but this time he had a friend – a ghost.
"Shit! All right, I'll take the ghost, Colette, you and Genis take the zombie!" I yelled, tensing and preparing for battle.
"Wait! Lloyd!" Genis yelled, stalling my battle charge.
"Wh-what?" I asked, exasperated. Thank Goddess the monsters weren't that close to us yet.
"Magic is more effective on enemies without bodies!" Genis said.
"Really?" I asked.
"The Professor taught us that last week!" Colette said, nodding.
"All right. Then I'll leave the ghost to you, Genis. Colette, distract it until Genis can cast. I'll handle the zombie!" I said.
"Okay!" My friends yelled, and all three of us moved into action at once.
"Demon Fang!" I yelled, stunning the zombie. He was not as affected as his friend had been before though, and as I approached he tried to take a swing at me. Fortunately, his movements were slow and I easily dodged his attack, ramming my left blade into his chest and my right into his knees, knocking him to the ground. Without hesitating, I slammed my blades through his chest. My Cruxis Crystal briefly flashed, and power surged through me, causing my arms to push downward with much more force than normal, impaling the zombie straight through to the ground with only my wooden blades.
Grunting, I pulled them out and turned to help out Colette and Genis, but before I could move, I watched them finish off the ghost with the combined attacks of Pow Hammer and Fireball.
I wiped my blades once more and grinned at my friends.
"All right! We're good!" I said.
Genis rolled his eyes, and Colette smiled.
"I'm glad you're having fun, Lloyd. But did you forget that the Desians went to the Temple, where you're supposed to receive the oracle and my sister went?" Genis said.
My smile vanished. "Right. Let's hurry!" I said. We resumed out trek once more and the Temple quickly came into view. As we neared the stairs ascending to the actual Temple, noises of a fight could be heard.
"Dammit! Let's go!" I said, sprinting up the stairs, Colette and Genis close behind me.
We reached the top of the stairs and stood there, staring at the scene in front of us in shock. A group of Desians, four in total, were standing with their weapons drawn in front of a frightened-looking Father Steven and a pissed looking Professor. Father Steven was a short man with fading white hair and dull gray eyes. His green priest cloak was shaking as his body trembled. The Professor was kneeling on the ground next to the bodies of two priests, trying her best to stop the bleeding from their various wounds, but it looked like a lost cause. Her orange frock was slightly askew on her white tunic, and her black pants had come un-tucked from her white boots. Her short silver hair reflected the sunlight and her ice blue eyes flashed when they saw us.
"Bastards!" I yelled, taking a step forward and raising my swords menacingly.
"Lord Botta! There he is!" one of the Desians said, and the leader turned to face us.
"Lloyd Irving, your life is ours!" this Botta person said.
"Chosen One! Run!" Father Steven yelled.
"Shut the hell up, Venny! I won't let these Desians get away with this!" I yelled back.
"Chosen One! I beg your understanding, but I have asked you several times not to call me that!" Father Steven said.
The Professor glanced at him, giving him a look as if to say: "We are about to be attacked by Desians and the Chosen One killed, and you're worried about what he calls you?"
I just sneered at him before turning my attention back to Botta, who was chuckling softly. "I see what Yuan meant…" He murmured. He lifted his hand, and as if following some sort of signal, two of the Desians started forward, clearly meaning to attack us.
"You guys ready?" I called to my friends, not taking my eyes off of the approaching enemies.
"You know it!" Genis said.
"Of course!" Colette replied.
"Genis! Be careful!" The Professor yelled, concern for her brother evident in her voice. Obviously, she had witnessed what had happened to the other priests and didn't want the same fate to befall her brother.
"Of course, sis!" Genis yelled, before he began charging up a spell.
"Right! Same strategy as before!" I yelled, before rushing one of the two oncoming Desians.
They were both wearing the blue uniforms of their kind, with silver helmets and studded boots. These two, it seemed, were whip-masters, and brandished long whips with spiked ends. Ducking under the swing of one, I sent a Demon Fang his way while I turned my attention to the other. The first was momentarily stunned, giving Colette her opening to attack. The other, I stabbed in the chest and gut with my wooden blades. He kicked out at me, and his booted foot connected with my leg, causing me to stumble.
"Shit!" I muttered, hurriedly righting myself just in time to duck the whip attack.
I smashed the Desian on the head, then rapidly started delivering blows, deep bruises spreading on his arms and, I'm sure, the rest of his body. My left sword slammed into his kneecap and there was sickening squelching sound. I had broken his knee, not realizing I had the strength to do that with just my wooden sword. He collapsed to the ground and hugged his leg close to his body, moaning in pain. Forcing myself not to care, since this was a Desian, an enemy, I banged my sword on his helmeted head a few times until he was knocked unconscious. Given the pain he was in, it was probably a mercy. I turned to the other Desian, having been aware vaguely in the back of my mind of the other fight going on. Colette had several cuts on her arms and one across her cheek and was panting slightly, but the Desian she was fighting looked equally worse for the wear, sporting just as many cuts and a tattered shirt.
I yelled, "Demon Fang!" just as Genis release his cry of "Fireball!" and the combination of my attack and the spell was too much for the Desian, and he fell to the ground, unmoving. He probably wasn't dead, just knocked out.
"Lloyd, look out!" the Professor yelled.
I spun around to see the other Desian, who thus far had been watching the battle with Botta, had snuck up behind me and raised his giant hammer. If the Professor hadn't warned me, I would've been toast. As it was, I couldn't avoid the blow completely and it glanced off my shoulder, causing me to gasp and a deep pain to spread in body, my right arm throbbing.
I quickly turned to face him and hurriedly threw a Demon Fang at him, while Colette attacked him with a Pow Hammer. Genis wearily started charging up another spell, and I remembered how much his attacks drained him. I had little time to dwell on this, however, for it was that moment that Colette let out an anguished cry of pain, and the Professor yelled her name. The Desian had managed to kick her viciously in the stomach, and she lay on the ground clutching her waist, doubled in pain. The Desian raised his hammer and prepared to strike. Genis' muttering increased in speed, but I knew he'd never finish casting in time. I also knew I wouldn't be able to attack this guy strong enough to get him away from Colette – he was just too strong. So, I did the only thing I could – I ran in front of her and brought my hands up in my defensive stance, intending on taking the blow myself. My Cruxis Crystal glew and I braced myself for the impact.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of purple and heard a loud clang. I gaped openly at the stranger who had hit the Desian's hammer with his sword, stopping its downward movement toward me. The man grunted, then gracefully twisted out from under the weight of the hammer and cut the side of the Desian. The Desian winced but swung his hammer sideways. Still stunned by the sudden arrival of this mysterious fighter, I didn't jump out of the way of the swing. The stranger grunted again, before shoving me out of range and ducking under the attack himself. By this point, Genis' spell was ready, and his cry of "Aqua Edge!" was barely audible over the roar of the water rushing to the Desian. The stranger gracefully stepped out of the way of the jet of water, and the Desian took the brunt of the attack. Snapping out of it, I sent a Demon Fang at the Desian as the stranger rushed in and stabbed him through the heart, killing him.
"Damn. I'll have to retreat for now." Botta muttered, before quickly sprinting to the stairs and disappearing. The Professor, who had watched the battle wide-eyed, quickly rushed over to Colette and began to heal her. Genis and I ran over to her as well.
"Colette! Are you okay?" I asked, kneeling down besides her.
"I'm sorry to worry you…" Colette said.
"You dork! It's not your fault. Professor, will she be okay?" I asked.
"She should be, with a few days bed rest – " Raine was cut off by the stranger, who had approached the group and quickly ascertained the situation.
"First Aid." The man said, and a blue light engulfed Colette briefly before fading.
"Wow! Thank you, sir…" Colette said.
"Hm. No one else seems to be hurt." He said.
I straightened, but before I could say anything, Father Steven hurried over.
"Ah! Thank you so much for saving the Chosen!" Father Steven gushed.
"I see… So, you are the Chosen?" the man asked, looking at me.
"Give me your name and I'll give you mine." I said arrogantly.
"Chosen One! Begging your pardon, that is no way to speak to the man who saved your life!" Father Steven said.
I rolled my eyes. "Give it a rest, Venny. I had it under control."
"Chosen One!" Father Steven exclaimed.
"Under control?" the stranger asked. "From where I stood, it looked like you were being defeated."
"Yes, Chosen One! You should show your appreciation to this man for saving your life!" Father Steven said.
The combination of the stranger's snide remark and the battles and days' events piled up until I couldn't take it anymore and I snapped.
"Venny! Shut the hell up! My name is Lloyd! L-L-O-Y-D! Lloyd! I am a freaking person, not just the Chosen One! Stop treating me like an object! Stop telling me what to do and how to do it! I'm me and do things my way; deal with it! And I had it under control! At least I was doing something! You were just cowering in the corner, hiding behind the Professor! What kind of man are you, to cower and hide while your friends are hurt right in front of your eyes? I thought you were supposed to protect me, not the other way around! You're pathetic - " I stopped when I felt the Professor's hand on my shoulder.
"Lloyd…" She murmured into my ear.
My anger deflated and I noticed that Father Steven was trembling before me, on the verge of tears.
I glanced down at my feet and muttered, "Sorry…"
The purple-clad stranger merely raised an eyebrow at this display.
Father Steven made a sniffling noise before whispering, "You're right. I have failed you, Chosen One."
My eye twitched. "Venny…" I growled.
"Perhaps it best you retreat to town? I'm sure they are awaiting news. Perhaps you could send someone to remove the bodies, as well." The stranger said, saving him from my rage.
Father Steven nodded and hurried to the stairs, disappearing in an instant.
"Lloyd, are you okay?" Genis asked.
I moved my stiff shoulder uncomfortably – it still hurt from the blow I had received, but I knew that wasn't what Genis meant. I sighed. "Yeah. Thanks, you guys."
Colette grinned. "No problem." She chirped.
"I supposed we should thank you for your help. But who exactly are you and why are you here?" The Professor asked, examining the stranger closely. I took the chance the look him over myself. He was a few inches taller than me, though his hair was the same color but styled differently: his kind of flopped forward into his face, covering his right eye. His eyes were a deep brown, and he looked to be somewhere in his late twenties. He wore a purple shirt and cape, with black pants and boots. His sword was sheathed in the scabbard hanging off his left hip. On his left hand was a small blue sphere, poking out from his glove. It was smaller than mine but…
"Is that an Exsphere?" I asked.
He nodded. "My name is Kratos. I am a mercenary, and am traveling for work. I was passing through the village below when I heard of a commotion here. As long as you can pay me, I will accept the job of guarding the Chosen."
"Hey, I don't need anybody - " I started, but was cut off by the Professor.
"Given the circumstances, it would be unwise not to accept your offer. Please protect Lloyd. We will discuss your payment after he receives the oracle, and before you start out on the journey." The Professor said.
"Very well." Kratos nodded.
"Professor! I don't need him to protect me!" I said, angry.
"Lloyd, listen to me. Sylvarant is in desperate need of mana. It can't wait for another Chosen to be born and trained should you fail. You need to stay alive at all costs. Therefore, it is only prudent to accept protection, especially from a mercenary so skilled." The Professor said.
"But…" I started.
"Lloyd, I understand how you feel, and I'm sure you will see you fair share of fights, but we need to proceed with caution." She said.
I sighed, and looked away.
"It's settled then. Chosen One, I will heal your shoulder, and then we will enter the Temple to receive the oracle." Kratos said.
I looked up at him surprised. "My shoulder is fine." I said.
He raised an eyebrow. "Not taking care of your injuries during rest periods in a sure way to become further weakened and die in the next battle." Kratos said.
I glared, but allowed him to cast First Aid. Soothing relief immediately flooded through me, and I felt my Cruxis Crystal pulse for a moment.
"Thank you." I muttered.
"Well, then. Genis, Colette, you two head back to the schoolhouse. Lloyd and I will be there as soon as he receives the oracle." The Professor said.
"No way! Sis, I wanna see it too! Besides, Lloyd needs us!" Genis said.
"Yes, Professor. Please, can't we accompany him?" Colette asked.
Kratos rolled his eyes while the Professor frowned. "This isn't a field trip, you know." He muttered.
"Shut up!" I said. "They're my friends, and I say they come with us!"
"Lloyd… All right." The Professor said, giving in.
"Yay!" Colette said happily, while Genis grinned at his sister.
"If that is all, can we please proceed?" Kratos asked, getting impatient.
I grinned cheekily up at him. "Sure!" I said.
"After you, Chosen One." Kratos said, bowing slightly.
I glared at him. "It's Lloyd."
"…As you wish. Let's go, Lloyd." Kratos said.
Surprised he had given in so quickly, I nodded and stepped into the Temple.
Well, what'd you think? Sorry for any errors - this is not beta'd.
Review?