Hello again! My deepest apologies for not updating sooner. The idea gremlin bit and i started another story and ignored my other one. Putting it back in it's cage I'm free to do another update and that is what I've done! I thank those who reviewed and put this story on their watch list. It means alot knowing people want to know that you will continue your work. Without further adieu let's get this started!
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To say I awoke in a bad mood would be to say that Zelos is a pious man. What should have been a simple discussion and relieving a group of men of their exspheres by either paying for them or just outright convincing them to hand them over for a good cause, ended up as an ambush that landed the both of us sprawled out in a cell. Apparently my 'contact' had been among these men for sometime. Waiting long enough to earn my trust just so he could send me false intelligence and steal my Cruxis Crystal. Mithos must be rolling over in his grave for being defeated by such a clumsy kid.
We were supposed to make a trade of money and supplies to a small group of smugglers for the exspheres but it turned out to be a trap. After a brief skirmish they quickly cornered us and forced us to surrender. I could have taken them but I didn't want to risk Sheena's safety. She later told me that when she saw that it was a trap it would have worked better for us to look from the inside. The cell they put us in had a simple dirt floor and a metallic door in a cave wall. The air was stale and the torches on the wall gave very little visibility. Thankfully some of Sheena's cards weren't discovered when we had our gear taken and were able to provide us some more light after a brief summoning of Aska. I opted for using Efreet and blowing a hole in the wall and making a grand escape but Sheena just told me to stop reading so many comic books and to use this moment to gather information. It still eludes me on where Sheena stored those cards...and I dare not ask for fear of Zelos grade punishment.
'We have no idea what these men plan to do, how they knew where we would be and most of all why they are posing as just a bunch of simple smugglers when they could just establish a larger base of operations. So Lloyd, what is your plan? How do you think we will get out?'
'It's a work in progress...' To be honest I'm completely stumped. This situation is just getting worse and wor-
'I know what you're thinking and I want you to stop it right now. Don't give me that look! I know you were just blaming yourself for this and how it's getting worse and worse!' How she is able to read me so easily is scary and also amazing.
'Well this cell at least has shown us that these guys have been expecting our coming for quite some time and that it seems to be their main base of operations from all the hardware I saw as they escorted us here.'
'Amazing Lloyd, if you keep up that kind of work you may just become the kind of man my grandfather thinks you to be.' What the heck did she mean by that? Why should I care what her grandfather thinks of me? Sure he is a good man and all but what is so important about his and my relation? I roll my eyes at her and smirk when she gives me a hard punch in the arm. Say what you want about her appearance but after beating up Zelos for all those years she has a cruel right hook.
'If I just had my swords and my crystal, I could break open these bars and get down to business.' I heard Sheena let out a sigh and say something about that's why we haven't escaped already. Sitting down to think we hear a series of gears turning and the door opens. A man in robes walks in and suddenly the air turns a bit more sour, leaving my throat in a permanent gag. Sheena managed to quickly un-summon Aska before it was discovered, best not let the enemy know we have a means to escape like she said. The robes looked a pale green with gold trim. He looked to be fair health but nothing much else as his face was concealed by his hood.
'Welcome honored guests to my halls. I do apologize for these circumstances but precautions had to be taken. You my dear Lloyd, are quite the violent one. Lashing out at others, shouting facades of justice and how all life has meaning. These are quite hurtful messages to my people and I do would appreciate if you kept your simple minded mouth shut.' Just who the hell does he think he is? Acting as if he knows me! Sheena just sits silently drinking in every word this bastard spews. Talking about how he would like to release us but fears that there would be a retribution. Hell yes there would! I'm about to lose my temper when Sheena puts a hand on my shoulder to calm me down.
'Ok you said your part, now it is our turn. What exactly do you plan to do with us? You have our weapons and equipment. Lloyd's cruxis crystal and swords. What reason is there for us to live? Unless you need us for more.'
'Ah, very perceptive my dear, I was correct in thinking you were more than just a pretty face. Very well then. As you can tell we are keeping you alive for another reason. We are more than just a group of smugglers and thieves. We are in fact I.
'Say that again and lessen up on the crazy this time. Ok?' Sheena stifles a giggle and tells me to just listen to what he has to say. I cross my arms and let out a slow sigh.
'To put it loosely, everything here is an extension of me. I control everything you see.' He takes off his hood to reveal a pale face. His eyes a crimson red and pulling back his sleeves I see several ex-spheres jutting from his arms, each with that blue glow to show they were powered. 'The trinkets you had on you in your bag. They will make much better use with me.' That bastard! Using someone's sacrifice for his personal gain! Sheena called out to me but I couldn't hear her I was already to my feet and charging him. I was within arm reach when I suddenly hit the ground. I felt a strong grip on my ankles and looking down I saw a hand outstretched from the earth. 'Tsk tsk, now let's not get too hasty. My associates wouldn't like it if I was hurt. They can be quite protective.' Several skeletal figures rose from the dirt as well as the one holding my leg in place. Their bones slightly fleshed out with muscle tendons and glowing fire in their eyes but their frame easily misleads their strength. They were on a whole different level from the undead we've fought before. Taking me up in one arm I was thrown back toward Sheena, skidding along the ground only to have an iron-weight push my head down further. 'Oh my well this has been fun and all but I must be off. Do try to behave and my dear, if you are going to use your summoning arts do be aware of how many eyes will be watching.' He opened the door and turned around one more time and gave us a wiry smile. 'My name is Nagash, do remember it for future convenience. I hate repeating myself.' As quickly as they appeared the ghouls were gone. Dust and bones scattered where they once stood in place. Sheena just sat there mouth agape in shock. I spat the dirt from my mouth and attempted to shake her out of her stupor. She began to tremble slightly and looked at me pale-faced.
'Sheena, HEY! Snap out of it! It's ok, he's gone. Wake up!' She finally comes to and grabs onto me sending my worry meters to go into overdrive because she normally didn't get like this since she overcame her fear of Volt.
'Lloyd...we are in big trouble.' Great, another adventure and another crazy villain. Sometimes I think I bring this upon myself...
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Chapter two down! Many others to go! Hope you enjoyed it and I'll update again when I finish the next one! Ciao!