Thank you to those who reviewed chapter one.
Disclaimer: I do not own TOS.
Lloyd thinking
"everyone speaking"
"Origin speaking"
Iselia's Temple of Martel
A Renegade soldier stepped up from behind Botta, "And just who might this be?" The half-elf was armed with metal plates and a shiny helmet on his head. He raised his broad sword in an offensive stance, and arrogantly approached the young swordsman. Botta, unwisely thinking Lloyd was no threat, turned back to Phaidra to threaten her, but was interrupted when Lloyd growled maliciously.
"Oh no. You people just don't know what the hell you're asking for."
Lloyd shifted into his trademark stance, one arm above his head, sword pointed toward the ground, the other arm across his waist, sword pointing backwards. His knees were bent, and his navy blue boots dug into the ground.
The Renegade charged at the swordsman, letting out a yell. Lloyd held his ground until the soldier was a few feet away, then flipped over the man with practiced ease. He landed behind the Renegade gracefully, and before his opponent could recover, slammed one of his blunt wooden blades into the back of his unshielded neck as the soldier jerked to a stop. The man slumped to the ground wordlessly. Lloyd took a deep breath, and, from the corner of his eye, he saw a second soldier running at him, enraged by the fall of his comrade.
As the soldier swung a sharp blade at Lloyd's neck, the swordsman ducked. Lloyd did not parry the blow, knowing its iron edge would cut his weapon in half. Instead, he tripped the Renegade with the quick sweep of a leg, then swiftly followed up with a Demon Fang. The Fang slammed into the man with enough force to knock him several feet away, where he lay, unmoving.
Botta stared, his mouth slightly opened. It was unfathomable that a young kid had defeated two Renegade –and fully trained- soldiers. The half-elf did not think it possible, had he not seen it with his own two eyes.
He snapped his jaw shut with a resounding 'click' and snapped, "Vidarr. Come out here and get rid of him!" By now, Botta had all but completely forgotten about Phaidra. The elderly woman edged away from the half-elf, toward the Temple steps.
Loud thumps were heard as the burly man stomped out of the old building. He was heavily armored, most of his swarthy build covered by pieces of shiny metal. He swung his giant weapon over his head in a slow, but steady rhythm.
A deep voice rumbled from behind the mask, "Do not get in our way."
Lloyd dusted himself off, trying to think of a way to incapacitate the giant without getting too many cuts and bruises. Just as Vidarr was about to launch his attack, Lloyd heard his friends coming up the steps behind him, shouting his name. He cursed, and his blood ran cold as he felt the colossal man's leer behind his fortified helmet.
He's going to aim for Colette and Genis!
Without delay, he rushed at Vidarr, swords trailing behind him. He was about to impale the man with a Sonic Thrust when Vidarr sidestepped his attack with surprising speed. Lloyd panicked as he swerved around, and saw that the man had launched his weapons at his friends. The ball of spikes sailed through the air, and Lloyd desperately dashed forward.
Even as he covered the few yards, as he heard Colette's scream and Genis's whimper, he knew he would not make it…
No, damn it…NO!
Lloyd almost cried with relief as he saw a purple-clad warrior appear in front of Colette and Genis seemingly out of thin air. With a careless flick, the heavy weight was sent tumbling to the ground.
Kratos Aurion had arrived.
Seeing his father gave him mixed feelings. For one, he was glad that the angel saved his friends, but at this point, Lloyd was sure that Kratos's loyalties still lie with Cruxis. He dared not provoke the man until he could convince his father otherwise.
Lloyd hastily hid his recognition, but Kratos did not live through four thousands years of his live by being oblivious. Lloyd was sure that his father had seen his countenance, and belatedly blurted out,
"Who're you?"
Kratos's crimson eyes were still focused on Vidarr, but he quietly replied, "Get out of the way."
I forgot how frustratingly weak Kratos saw us at the beginning of the journey...I guess this time around I'll prove him wrong!
Fighting the urge to grin, Lloyd transferred his attention back to the Renegade. The said man roared as he twirled his weapon again, readying himself for another attack. He stood no chance against the seraph, and a blink-of-an-eye later, Vidarr was knocked onto his back, Kratos's blade gliding toward his throat.
"Stop!" Lloyd shouted. He spurred into motion as he watched his father give an approaching death without hesitation. The flat of his wooden blades caught the flat of Kratos's steel at the last second, knocking the metal out of the way. The seraph gave him a cold glare.
"Don't kill if you don't have to." Lloyd returned the glare with equal fire.
Kratos looked stunned for a moment before turning away.
"You would let a man who'd tried to kill you live?" Kratos scoffed.
"He didn't kill me yet, so he'd committed no sin!" Lloyd snapped back, his gloved fists clenching his swords tightly. Kratos glowered, then said,
"Do you still wish to fight?"
"Wha-?" Lloyd's eyes widened. He wants to fight me now?!
Lloyd stuttered, then realized the question was not directed at him, and promptly let out an internal breath.
In the sidelines, Botta frowned as he realized that his leader's plan to capture the Chosen had failed. He cursed.
"I never thought you'd show up…Damn. Retreat for now!"
At his word, the Renegades grunted and followed their chief away from the Temple. A few soldiers lifted the hefty Vidarr to his feet while others tried to wake the two men whom Lloyd had injured.
Colette and Genis bounced forward, their momentary danger all but forgotten.
"Amazing!" "This guy's incredibly strong!"
"Of course he is. He's my dad!-" or so Lloyd wanted to say. Instead, he just nodded. "Yea-" He smirked, "I suppose."
Kratos's eyebrows twitched –warningdadsannoyedwarning!-and asked nonchalantly, "No one is hurt?"
Lloyd's grin widened, "Obviously not," Kratos threw him another glare, "but thanks for saving those two."
His father grunted, "Hmph. I could hardly stand by and allow two children be killed in front of my eyes." To which Genis complained, "We're not children!"
"By the way, er-"
"Kratos. Kratos Aurion." His father replied curtly.
"Yes. Well. Kratos. Is that an exsphere?" Lloyd asked, putting on an innocent façade.
"Obviously." A twitch of his lips told Lloyd that he was amused, and though Lloyd wanted to retort, Phaidra interrupted him.
"How can I ever thank you for saving the Chosen?"
Kratos cocked his head, his red tresses falling into his eyes. "So this girl is the next Chosen…"
"I am a mercenary. As long as you can pay me, I will guard the Chosen well."
Phaidra looked weary. "Under the circumstances I have no choice. Please be of service." Kratos nodded curtly. "Then I shall accompany the Chosen in her trial."
Colette beamed while Lloyd feigned irritation. I can't let you take all the glory, can I, Dad?
"Oi! What about me?" He protested. Phaidra studied him a bit, then said, "Lloyd, you and Genis should go back to the village. I'm sure Professor Raine will be worried."
"No way! I'm going too!"
Genis looked uncertain. "Uh. Lloyd…maybe we should just go. I'm sure Kratos will protect Colette…"
The said man stiffened. In a tight voice, he asked, "Your name is Lloyd?"
"Huh? Yeah. Lloyd Irving, best swordsman in Iselia, at your service!" Lloyd dipped into a bow with an exaggerated flourish.
"You'll only get in the way. Listen to your elders and be a good boy."
And he tries to pull parental authority on me before I even lift my head. Real smooth, Dad.
Lloyd rolled his eyes. "Gotcha."
Surprised by his best friend's complacency, Genis raised his eyebrows. Colette looked a tad bit disappointed, but nevertheless followed the angel into the Temple without complaint. The grand marble inside of the Temple loomed up before them, and a few steps in, Kratos stopped.
"What are you doing, Lloyd?"
"Following you on my own."
"…"
"…"
"You're a stubborn kid. Fine, do as you wish." Yes! Another point for Lloyd! But thanks to Genis the Genius, I'm at zero. Ugh. Still! I made Dad smile!
Lloyd's grin widened. "I'll do just that. C'mon, Genis." With a sigh, Genis followed them inside.
"I figured you would say that."
The swordsman thumped him on the back. "Of course!"
"This isn't a field trip you know." Lloyd stuck a tongue out at Kratos's back.
"You are the epitome of maturity, Lloyd." Genis muttered sarcastically.
"Shut it, Genis."
The temple was just as Lloyd remembered. Three paths separated in the entrance hall. As they soon found out, the left one was still blocked by a pile of rubble. They took the left-most corridor, whereupon they fought off a few monsters. Lloyd was careful not to use advanced techniques. After he defeated the last zombie, Lloyd wrinkled his nose. I didn't remember them smelling this bad before!
"Are your sword techniques self-taught, Lloyd?" Kratos inquired as the group descended the stairs. Off the suspended platform, the group could see the Sorcerer's Ring shining on top of a pedestal.
Lloyd replied, "Yeah?"
Kratos started walking again. "They are decent…" Yes! He complimented me!
"…for an amateur." Lloyd fell flat on his face. I really, really hate this side of him.
Irked, and unable to back down from the challenge, Lloyd threw caution to the wind. "Oh? I suppose you don't care for a match when we get back to Iselia, do you?"
His father looked at him coldly, "I am hired to protect the Chosen, not to satisfy your sense of bravado. That said, do you honestly think you can defeat me?"
With a dashing toss of his spiky brown hair, Lloyd exclaimed, "Dwarven Vow number sixteen. You can do anything if you try!"
Before he could deign Lloyd with a reply, Kratos rushed forward to an attacking Golem. A few quick strokes and a Wind Blade from Genis later, the monster reverted its form to a wooden block. Then, as Lloyd predicted, the clumsy Chosen tripped and accidentally pushed the block down to the level below.
As wonderful as Lloyd found his friend, he could not help but wonder how one could trip over nothing at all.
"Oh no!" Colette lamented. Genis raised his white eyebrows. "Ah. I see."
"It appears that the Golem are to be the bridges to fill the gaps below. Let's take care of this one quickly!" Kratos ordered.
They headed down a level as the last gap was filled in, and Lloyd gingerly picked up the relic. "I guess this should open up the seal in the middle path upstairs."
Genis gave him an odd look. "You're weirdly unexcited about this, Lloyd. Shouldn't you be going 'ooh, let me try it?' or 'this is so cool!' by now?"
"This is so cool!" Lloyd appeased the mage, putting on a ridiculous expression.
"That's not funny." Genis pouted.
Colette and Kratos were already ascending the stairs. "Let's go, guys." Colette called. Lloyd and Genis ran to catch up. When they reached the pulsing seal, Lloyd fired a stream of magic. The seal opened with a low rumble, and the group headed in.
I must resist. Don't kill Remiel. Don't kill Remiel. Don't kill Remiel.
He robotically walked next to Colette as he kept chanting in his head. When they reached the chapel, a blinking light lowered itself from the sky, and a flash later it turned into Remiel. Seeing the 'holy' façade on Remiel's face made Lloyd want to stick a pointy object in the angel's stomach. He nearly lunged, but kept himself in check as he repeated his chant. He all but ignored what transpired between Remiel and Colette, but when Colette asked the half-elf if he is her real father, he visibly bristled, earning him a fleeting look from both of the Cruxis members.
"…We shall meet again at the next seal, my daughter." With that, he disappeared.
"You've received the Oracle. Let us leave now, Chosen."
Colette looked dazed for a moment, then answered dreamily, "Oh…yes."
She and his father entered the transporter while Lloyd and Genis lingered behind. With a hard jab to his side, the swordsman was wrenched from his stiff posture.
"Come on, Lloyd. What are you doing?" Genis nagged, pulling at his sleeve.
Lloyd snapped out of his vindictive reverie. He placed a foot on the transported, then withdrew it.
"…I don't want to go back yet. Wait 'til the storm's blown over." Lloyd shivered.
"What do you mean, 'stor-'"
"MARVELOUS!"
"Oh. Oh." The petit mage's already pale face turned even whiter. "It's ruin mania, isn't it?" Lloyd nodded grimly.
Genis wailed, "I don't wanna get spanked!"
"Calm down! Here's what we're gonna do." Lloyd began whispering secretively in his best friend's ear.
An hour later, Lloyd and Genis were back in the classroom, seated dutifully behind their respective desks. A few minutes later, Raine poked her head in the doorway. Lloyd and Genis flipped frantically through their textbooks, then exhaled with relief as the professor slipped out again with a "Class is finished for today!"
Curious about Raine's hasty dismissal, the two followed her to Colette's house. After the professor closed the door behind her, they eavesdropped at the door. When the mayor announced that Raine and Kratos were to accompany Colette in her World Regeneration Journey, the pair burst in.
Raine stood up from the table. "Lloyd! Genis! What are you two doing here?"
"Were you guys talking about Colette's journey? 'Cuz if you are, I wanna go too!" "If Raine's going, I'm going too!" Lloyd and Genis exclaimed simultaneously.
In the corner, Kratos replied in a quiet voice, "You'll only get in the way."
Lloyd feigned an indignant "What?"
"The battles at the chapel were nothing compared to the journey that awaits us. Children need to stay home."
"Kratos is absolutely right. Now then, we still have things to discuss. You two should go on home." Nobody asked you, darned mayor…
Genis started for the door dejectedly, but Lloyd remained undeterred.
"We're not children." He said calmly.
Impassively, his father replied, "For someone who has no experience in this field, you certainly are."
"Then if I am such a child, duel me." Lloyd challenged. "If you defeat me, Genis and I will stay in Iselia like good children. But if I defeat you, we get to come along."
"Lloyd…" Genis began hesitantly.
Raine frowned. It was all very well that Lloyd was so determined, but there was no place for them on this journey. She opened her mouth to chastise her student, then gave a gasp at Kratos's reply.
"As you wish."
Both the professor and the mayor gaped at the Seraph incredulously.
"If it is your desire to be taught a lesson, I will give you one that you'll remember…physically."
Lloyd smirked, "Bring it on, old man. Tomorrow then, before you leave?"
"…As you wish." Kratos replied again with a restrained chuckle.
"Well then, good day to you all!" Lloyd said cheerily, then dragged his best friend bodily from the house.
"Please wait!" Colette hurried after them. "I'm sorry," she blurted.
Lloyd let out an exasperated sigh. "It's not your fault."
Genis lit up as he remembered something. "Oh! Happy birthday, Colette! I baked you some cookies. Maybe I can drop them off tomorrow?"
Colette beamed. "Thank you very much!"
Crap. I forgot again!
"Um. I have your necklace too, Colette. Can I give it to you tomorrow too?"
"Sure!"
"Happy birthday, Colette!" Lloyd smiled. They bade her goodbye, and Colette reentered her house.
"Liar."
The swordsman scratched his face sheepishly. "Hey if I get started now, I'll finish on time! No worries!"
The mage rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Say. Can I come part of the way with you home? I wanna go visit a friend."
"Hmm…yea…sure...wait. What?" Startled, Lloyd stared at his friend.
Crap. Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap. The ranch.
"Yes Lloyd. I have friends besides you in this village, no offense to you, of course. You're still my best friend. Can we swing by my house to get some stuff?"
"Oh er. Yes. Of course."
Lloyd's thoughts raced at a million miles per hour. We'll be seen. I can't let the village be destroyed this time 'round.
After Genis grabbed the essential ingredients, they headed south, where Noishe stood with a pair of wary guards. The guards ushered them out of the village, and they headed into the forest. At the place where the path split, the pair stopped.
"You're going to the ranch?" Lloyd asked carefully.
Genis heatedly retorted, "The Desians already violated the treaty!"
Lloyd said nothing.
The mage ran a hand through his snowy hair, "Look, I don't expect you to come with me. Just-"
"Do you trust me?" Lloyd inquired softly.
"What?" Bewildered, Genis said in an obvious tone, "Of course I trust you."
"Come with me to my house first."
"Why?"
"I'll explain everything when we're there. Just trust me for now."
Genis was doubtful, but followed Lloyd anyway. They fought through the remaining monsters on the path, then exited the forest to Dirk's house. Once inside, Lloyd called, "Dad! I'm home!"
Dirk turned to him. "Lloyd. Genis. What a surprise."
"Dad. I need to tell you and Genis something." Lloyd began in a serious tone. Alarmed, the dwarf stopped his preparation of dinner. "What's the matter, Lloyd?"
The swordsman hesitated, then commenced a very brief summary of his tale. "I'm not really the Lloyd you know." Genis's eyes widened.
"I'm…heh...you could sorta say I'm from the future, although that's not quite right. But for now, it'll work for my purposes. I'm still the same person, just older.
"In my timeline, we were just about finished with our quest, but then an anomaly appeared and I was transported back to the beginning of the journey. So yes. I know everything that's going to happen."
Nobody dared break the silence after his soliloquy. Lloyd sank tiredly into a chair and waited.
"Is this a joke?" Genis demanded.
Lloyd spared him a glance, then closed his eyes. "I wouldn't joke about something like this, Genis. If you want proof, I know that you and the professor are half-elves-" Genis stiffened. "-Not that it matters though. You're still you."
"I know. I just can't believe it. I believe you though. The evidence was there, since there was no way you could have known the word 'innate' this morning, or the word 'anomaly' just now." He muttered.
Lloyd grumbled. "Traveling around the professor tends to do that to you. Make you learn more words, I mean." He looked to his adopted father and felt dejected at his frown. "Dad?"
The dwarf crossed his arms. "I did not raise my son to be a liar. I believe he wouldn't lie about something like this." The swarthy man's countenance softened.
Exaggerated tears appeared in Lloyd's eyes. "Dad…"
Genis snorted, then said. "Uh Lloyd. This is great and all, but what're we gonna do about Marble?"
Grimly, Lloyd realized he could not save everyone in the ranch.
But I can save Marble.
"We'll get grams out of the ranch."