I still down own Namco...
The last short paragraph would be skits, God bless those funny beings
---
"You're sure are a funny old man, you know that?"
"…" Kratos managed to remain a slight grunt.
"Now, I remember our last journey. You used to be Lloyd's mentor and all of the sudden you betrayed him, then it ends up you're actually his old man…and then, you leave him for some comet."
Kratos as usual just gave silence. He wished it was someone other then Zelos he met here. It would have been better for him to meet any of the others. While it might be a little awkward, they wouldn't hate him.
But Zelos… Zelos was Lloyd's close friend who disliked him for what Kratos did, especially the twisted fact that he was Lloyd's father. Kratos heard some rumor back before his last duel with Lloyd, Zelos was the one who provoked Lloyd to hate him. He had some personal reason why, either it was something to do with his parents who never wanted him, or he was just being concerned about Lloyd.
"But…now you're back and…you're worried about him, aren't you?" Zelos' tone suddenly gone soft.
Kratos looked at the former Chosen, a slight surprise to the sudden change of tone.
"I had the right to believe he did not do these actions." He finally spoke
"Heck yeah of course! We thought we were crazy when we first heard that. That was so unlike him! I thought at the beginning, that he might turn out to be a scary old bastard like his old man."
Kratos twitched, oh how he wish to grind Zelos' mouth. But he did have one thing right about that, from what most people said Lloyd was quieter.
"What brings you here to Palmacosta?"
"Ah, yeah. See here, the widow of the Governor General requested my assistance. She's talking to me about looking for two kids who had gone to Kamisra Mountains, a boy and a girl. Actually I met her! A cute little kitten with flowers on her hair."
"..."
"Eh? What's wrong?"
"There was a girl and a boy right?"
"Yeah?"
"Is the boy blond hair with a dark blue armor?"
"Hmm? I guess? I don't remember the boy that much."
"Then I'll go with you…"
---
Emil Castagnier may have been a shy boy with no chance of survival. But when in battle, he turned into a red eyed blood thirsty murderer. His arrogant attitude reminded him of some troublesome spirit he knew thousand years ago…Ratatosk.
Something was definitely wrong.
Kratos watched carefully the boy from afar, after following him to the south of Palmacosta accompanied by Zelos. He had his duties while Kratos was following the boy. Few chit chats with the Chosen Tethe'alla had result him some minor information:
1. Only Martel knows why the Lloyd joined the Church and punishing people of Tethe'alla for not joining the Church of Martel.
2. But that wasn't the Lloyd he knew. He hated the word of justice. His son was framed (or so Zelos and Kratos believed)
3. Two years ago there were Desians and Renegades. Now there was the Vanguard and the church of Martel's soldiers…with Lloyd
"So why are you interested in that boy?"
"He was accompanied by a centurion creature."
"Eh…? What the hell is that? Is it those small monsters that's following him?"
"Not all of it. The small creatures are only his minions. The black dog beside him, that's the Centurion."
"What the heck is Centurion?"
Kratos apparently was too lazy to answer, "Perhaps you were too blinded by that girl appearance."
"I can't help it… She's cute!"
"You spoke the same words to every girl you met…" he mumbled. He sighed. Nothing seemed to change after 2 years. He wondered if his son would have remained the same.
Kratos aided Emil in defeating the a girl with a strange childish accent along with her monsters. Monsters battling other monsters was new to him, but even so the battle was easy for him.
"S-sir!" Emil stunned, recognizes him.
"You know him Emil?" the girl with flowers on her head said, so she was the one he's been looking for.
"We…just met in Palmacosta, he seemed to recognize Tenebrae"
"I didn't mean to be rude but we do not require your assistance!!" The centurion yelled in annoyance, obviously unpleased of his appearance.
He didn't care, not even when Zelos saved the enemy from eaten by the monster.
"Aren't you…? Tethe'alla's Chosen?" The monster manipulator girl asked, as she rose.
As he expected, Emil and his female companion were startled.
"That's right!" Zelos spoke as he combed his red hair, "And the Chosen is saying he'll let you off this time. So take your cute face and scoot on back to the Vanguard, Alice."
The enemy girl, named Alice, giggled, "Well, since you put it that way guess I'll leave this to you. Ta-ta Mr. Big Handsome Chosen, I owe you one!"
The girl walked by, spinning when she was near Zelos. Kratos gave way to her, not interested to do anything with her. When she left, as Kratos predicted, Zelos already gave the unnecessary introduction to the flower girl, Emil's companion.
"Soooooo…!! You must be Marta. The beautiful widow Dorr sent me to save you my dear. She also said you had a fisherman and some kid tagging along."
"I'm…Emil sir."
The poor boy tried to introduce him but quickly ignored by Zelos. The seraph sighed with a slight sympathy to the kid.
"Yeah right! Whatever kid. So Marta darling, you're not hurt are you?"
Marta…Emil's companion girl only stated rather than answering, "You're Tethe'alla's Chosen, and one of Lloyd's friends."
For once Zelos was silent.
"Where's Lloyd?! Please tell us if you know!"
Kratos then walked beside Zelos to observe the boy more carefully. It was strange that this boy's voice raised.
"Hmm? Why are you two looking for him?"
"Because he--- that bastard killed my parents!!"
Zelos blinked, so did Kratos. The two former members of the world regeneration heroes exchanged looks. Kratos then sighed, it was just as he suspected, another people looking for him for revenge. Zelos turn his look again to Emil, giving him a stern look.
Finally, seeing Zelos annoyed, Kratos decided to put into scene.
"So it's about revenge, huh?"
"Lloyd is nothing more than a thief! He stole a very important jewel from us!"
What jewel? Even though Lloyd had an exceptional craftsmanship, he never bothered to use any expensive jewel. He never interest in those fancy accessories so why be bothered stealing them? But then, as Kratos observed, the 'so-called' valuable jewel must've been something that's out of ordinary. The boy who was looking for him might be reasonable, even though Kratos doubted it was the truth, but the girl's excuse…was the jewel was that important that she dragged the boy who was paired with the Centurions to help her retrieve it?
Of course with that pathetic excuse of that jewel, Zelos was quickly annoyed. He was frustrated easily that he didn't think it further, "Well I don't have time for a couple of ignorant kids like you." He snapped his fingers. Behind him two soldiers picked the injured fisherman, "Sorry but I have nothing to say to people who swear revenge on my bastard friends."
"I'm afraid he trusts Lloyd too, just like Colette."
"But you're different from Colette, I saw it, I saw it in your eyes. You don't believe us at all. If Lloyd were to slaughter someone right in front of your face you'd still worship the ground he walks on!" Emil still spoke with anger.
"Why you…" Zelos was about to lash the boy but Kratos had calmed him, with just a single hand halt to his chest.
While the boy was calmed by his centurion, "Emil, I understand how you must feel, but please try to calm yourself."
Kratos finally stood between them. He was currently the tallest of the humans there. So when he talked to Emil, it was sort of towering the boy.
"Now…Emil was your name is it?"
"Y-yes sir."
"Hey, you're scaring him!" the girl protested, "be nice!" she mumbled.
"I apologize" he turned back, "If I may ask. What is your business with Lloyd Irving?
Suddenly as the kid closed his eyes, the once lucid green turned back into blood red again. "What do you need to know?" He asked with a threatening voice, sword drawn, "Are you his friend?"
"Old man… I have a bad feeling about this…" Zelos tone suddenly whimpered.
Kratos stiffened ignoring the former male Chosen. He was slight amused by the sudden change in behavior. He narrowed his eyes to him, red to red, as he too ready to pull his sword, "Perhaps you may put it that way."
"Heh… I'm sorry for your lack of judgment for having a murderer as your friend." He laughed into a cruel horror voice, unlike the timid kid Kratos saw earlier, "Well if you must know. I must find Lloyd the bastard… To kill him."
Kratos grip on his sword tightened, he may be able to take thousands of curses rained to him. But a single insult to his son managed to make him twitch. Kratos considered killing Emil. The golden rule that was underlined in his head had turned into various rules, such as:
Rule no. 2
Kill anyone who threatens Lloyd Irving's life.
Now Kratos had pulled his sword. The kid had circled in ready to battle him. He did the same, eyes still caution to him.
"Uh…kid… I know you're mad. But seriously you don't want to piss off my old friend." Zelos warned, it was the first time he was actually worried about the boy
"You're too swift to judge. He…might not be the one who murdered the people of Palmacosta…"
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW??" The red-eyed Emil barked, "How the hell could people still believe him after that he murdered those people!! I will avenge him, into painful death that he will regret that he was born."
That did it…
With a single blow he defeated the child. Another blow defeated the monsters that traveled with him. Emil was on his knees. He cursed himself for letting his guard down. The kid looked back to Kratos, wondering what would happen to him. His green eyes showed another vulnerable side again. He winced and waited for a death.
Whatever happened to the red eyed one? He seemed more treacherous… This child before him would even apologize to flies for smacking them.
"KRATOS!!" Zelos yelled
"Emil!!" he heard the centurion's and the former Chosen yelled, but it didn't mattered to him
Kill them…
Emil muttered a slight apology, his parents mentioned.
But Kratos paid no attention. His red wine eyes glared dangerously. He raised his sword for another blow.
"Farewell…young knight of Ratatosk."
A white blur suddenly appeared
KILL!!
"STOP IT!" A girl's voice rang to his head.
As Kratos regain his conscious, Emil's female travelling companion was blocking his attack on the boy. Her arms wide open protecting him. Her blue eyes blazed slightly to the angel. By that position, she was ready risking her life and the most painful death for the boy.
Kratos' sword was an inch of her hair. He had not moved from that position.
"M-marta!! What are you doing!? Run! Get away he might kill you!"
The girl, Marta, didn't move, "I won't. Don't you dare touch Emil!!"
Kratos narrowed his eyes, another silent treatment to reply to the girl, "…"
"You… you don't know how Emil feels!! You may Lloyd's friend but he killed his parents! That's why he wanted to kill him. How do you feel if someone killed your parents?"
"I…"
"Don't kill Marta!!" The kid quickly stepped forward. Again, Kratos has a slight amusement to the boy's bravery, even though he lost his energy a while ago. He back positioned himself defended her. His sword was drawn again, even though he had lost the power to raise it. "I'm the one you want! I'm the one who wanted kill him!! Kill me!"
Yet, Kratos didn't remember any whereabouts of his parents. It was happened very long time ago 4000 years old. But a small memory triggered him. A slight guilt crossed the angel's eyes. For Kratos finally lowered his swords slowly. There was…a slight distance… how this scene was familiar to him.
"I wanted to avenge Desians… They killed my mom!"
"Lloyd…" he whispered…a pain ate his heart. Closing his eyes hoping that pain would go away.
. He had promised to Lloyd to start another meaningless war. As he opened his eyes again, he withdrew his swords. The teenagers before him still had the wary eyes, but confused at his behavior at the same time.
"Kratos…" Zelos held his shoulder in comfort.
"Lord Zelos, this man needed doctor immediately!" The soldier yelled behind them.
"In a minute!!" He then turned back to the old Seraph, "Kratos…old man… Please, I know the kids jerked you off, but they're still kids. They don't know what they're talking. Please…don't do anything rash, let them live."
"Of course…" He spoke with finality, added with sigh, "You have my word, forgive my behavior."
"I'm going back to Palmacosta. Are you coming?"
"No, I think it was the best to keep track the boy."
"What?" The young teens yelled in unison.
"I don't want to kill. I… I was wrong to attack you. It's just… I cannot allow you to kill Lloyd. He himself had made me promise not to unnecessarily kill."
"Lloyd…?"
Kratos sighed, "The Lloyd Irving you've describe… Was far more different than the Lloyd Irving I know. I wish deep in my heart that I could explain whatever happened to Palmacosta… But if you do not wish to believe me, it was your choice to take as I will take it for granted."
"But still you don't understand…-"
"…I didn't… But Lloyd did. He…spoke that to me once, about avenging his mother… I…" Kratos sighed again as he buried his face to his palm. Guilt had consumed him again. If only…
"Llyod…? That Lloyd Irving?"
"It may sound out of the subject but. Who are you?" Tenebrae suddenly appeared again giving Emil and Marta time to stand up.
He didn't think clearly that he accidentally mumbled his real name, "Kratos…Aurion…"
"Kratos…You...? You don't mean that Aurion? You're Mithos'… Oh dear…"
"What is it Tenebrae."
"If you excuse me Emil… I have to have a serious conversation with this man. Now Mister Aurion, if you please come with me."
While Tenebrae led Kratos into a private conversation, Zelos then spoke closely to Emil before he left.
"You lucky the old man's let you live, kid. On our last journey if someone messes with him, especially if it evolves Lloyd, he would dare to split the heavens just to keep him safe. Nobody…I MEAN NOBODY, can survive from his rath…well except Lloyd, but he had different reasons."
"But Lloyd was-!"
Zelos quickly halt with his hand, "Like the old man's said, there's something fishy about the Lloyd you know. I wish you could see from us"
The former chosen then left.
---
Kratos suddenly smirked…he didn't know why but he just did it. A slight bit proud to be recognize by the Centurion maybe. The smile soon faded when he remembered what he was recognized as… Mithos' teacher.
"I should have known that your face is familiar."
"It's been a while, centurion Tenebrae."
"Sorry for the late recognition Lord Aurion. Thousands of years have wilted my memory."
"None taken, I too apologize for raising my sword against that young knight of Ratatosk."
"So you know…"
"The dress? Yes how can I forget Ratatosk's style?"
"But curiosity had not let me cease to wonder. What brings you, the warrior who accompanied Martel and Mithos ended here?"
"In search of Lloyd Irving."
"You seemed…very concern about this young lad."
"…"
"There's more to it. Isn't it? There's been rumor around the monsters in the forest years ago about an angel accompanied a young woman. Both of them were travelling places to places. Perhaps…this might be a coincidence?"
"Centurion Tenebrae… I do believe every living soul has their own secrets, don't you agree? You might have to explain why Ratatosk, chose that …young boy… as his warrior? I remember when Ratatosk, your master, was hard to be pleased. We had constant 'conflict'. I can tell he was never that fond of humans. So why this boy?"
"I can only tell few things that necessary…since you're an acquaintance with Martel." The dark centurion sighed, "Lord Ratatosk the spirit of the great tree had been asleep."
"Ah… that explained the strange weather." He silently apologized to Yuan for not listening to him.
"He was in Lady Marta's forehead."
"What?? That girl?"
"It seemed in order to make sure his core did not fall into the wrong hands."
"And the boy?"
"Lady Marta remembered Emil rescued her in the Palmacosta. Although that boy didn't seem to remember her, she chose him. Ratatosk…being a centurion core on her head whishes nothing but to agree with any of her decisions."
"But the boy didn't seem to be doing the job well." He grunted, "Although when he fought, he was different fellow."
"On outside Emil Castagnier seemed to be a weak. But he had very long determination to protect Lady Marta. The fighting stance that you're talking about, it was I would refer as 'Ratatosk mode'. It was a sign his ritual pack with Lord Ratatosk that he lend his power to the boy whenever he fight."
"Ah…that explains his vicious attitude."
"How rude..."
"I doubt he will be that much help." He sighed, "But it seemed, I will offer my assistance. I will accompany them until I reach Iselia. It was the only thing I could offer as my apology for attempt to harm Emil."
The centurion was surprised; he then spoke, "It would not be that simple. You had purposely attack Emil. If Lady Marta knew about this she will definitely not be pleased."
"I do not concern whether they're pleased or not. I only need a path to find Lloyd Irving."
"And if they found this lad?"
Kratos took a breath, "I might prevent Emil from attacking Lloyd…"
"Why!?"
A voice was heard, the boy was in front of them.
"I…I… I'm sorry for disturbing you Kratos…sir… But why do you care that much of Lloyd? He…-"
"…killed yes. I believe I've heard that much of him. But Emil, hear my vow, even though I will not allow you kill him, that doesn't mean I couldn't allow you to fight him. You may hate him, but please at least, by my humble request, allow me to talk to him."
"But, I thought you're his friend?"
"It's more complicated than that…I am…" his father, he wished to say, but he couldn't say it. He even doubted Lloyd called him that way, only once he heard him speak that, "His mentor…"
"…oh…that explains."
"Then I'll make you another deal."
"What deal?"
"If you wish that badly to kill Lloyd…" he step forward to face Emile close enough, as he observe the timid boy from above due to his highness, "Then kill me instead…"
"What??"
"If Lloyd's soul satisfied your vengeance, then I would gladly take his place. I will not hesitate to admit that perhaps it was my fault that Lloyd became of who he is. So…Knight of Ratatosk, what would it be?"
Emil stared at the man's wine red eyes for a long time, until he finally decided…
---
"Why do you allow this maniac to follow us?"
"I… I got the feeling he's not a bad person, Marta…"
"But he almost got you KILLED!!"
"Marta, hush! He'll hear you."
"It does not mattered what she says to me. Even raining curses will not affect me."
"H-how did you hear us??"
Tenebrae laughed, "He's not an ordinary person Emil."
"Well, you may say I have a gift. So even if you refuse to have me accompany you until Iselia. I still have my senses to follow you."
"Emil… he might be a stalker…"
---
For now Kratos had added another rule for himself.
Rule no. 3:
If killing is not necessary, keep an eye on anyone who threatens Lloyd's life