Author's Note: Wow... either I'm not original or my readers are psychic. Either way, we'll see who finds our little Lloyd! To the next chapter!
Disclaimers: I do not own TAles of Symphonia.
Enjoy!
Chapter Two
Reencounter
A little while before dawn, Lloyd woke from his slumber. He rubbed his tired eyes and looked around, not recognizing the room. Tears started to fill his eyes as he quickly tossed the sheets aside and jumped down from the bed. He went towards the door and peered out.
He spotted several adults gathered around a table, none of them talking. Silence reigned over the area as Lloyd watched them, remembering them from the forest. However, none of them seem to notice the small boy's presence at the doorway and it suited Lloyd just fine. He did not want them to notice him, to surround him once again.
He returned to the room as quietly as possible and looked around once again. I want to see Daddy and Mommy, he thought sadly. I have to leave here, to find them. He spotted a small wooden box near a wall and then a large window. He scurried over to the box and started pushing it, trying not to make any noise to alert the adults in the other room. Once the box was close enough, he climbed on top of it and, on his toes, he reached for the latch of the window.
It took him a while to be able to grab it, his tiny fingers brushing the metal from time to time. However, he tried to jump and he was able to grip it and pull it down. The window swung open and the cold night air entered the room, blowing at the curtains.
Lloyd looked around before climbing onto the windowsill. He stared at the drop from the ledge to the ground and gulped. Daddy… I have to be strong and brave like him. He sat on the ledge, his small feet dangling in the air. He counted to three and pushed himself off.
He reached the ground and then fell to his knees. They were slightly scratched but Lloyd did not care anymore – he wanted to find his parents first. He took one last look towards the house before running off into the forest, determined to find them.
The sun was slowly rising in the horizon and Lloyd was deep inside the forest. He had been running at first, calling out for his parents but he quickly got tired. His feet started dragging and his stomach growled loudly, constantly reminding him that he was very hungry.
"Daddy! Mommy!" he called out once again, tears streaming down his face.
For Lloyd, it had been a very long time since he started searching and desperation was setting in. He wanted to find his parents but he could not do so, he could find them.
"Daddy… Mommy…," he whispered, his voice weak. "I miss you… Why won't you come? Where are you?"
Suddenly, the bushes near the small boy rustled, scaring him. He backed away, his voice gone. He was too frightened to even cry out. The bushes moved once again and two large bears came out. Lloyd's eyes widened and his mouth opened though no sound came out. The animals approached him, circling. The boy's heart raced in fear and tears continued to fall. Mommy… Daddy… Help… Please… Please…
The bears continued to circle him, their mouths hanging open, saliva spilling from it. Their eyes were locked on Lloyd, filled with hunger. The boy shook in fear, his breath coming short and fast. Suddenly, one of the bears lunged at the boy. Lloyd cried out and closed his eyes.
However, Lloyd never felt an attack on him but heard the bear howl in pain. He opened his eyes to see it blasted away, electricity coursing through its body. The other bear seized the opportunity to try and reach Lloyd first. The boy cried out once again but a figure jumped in front of him, light bouncing off his large weapon.
Lloyd stared in shock as the person swiped at the bear, the weapon cutting deeply into the animal's side. With another swift movement, the person brought the blade down, killing the animal. Even as blood sprayed across the area near the bear, the person did not seem preoccupied by it.
He raised his right hand to the side. Lloyd followed the direction and spotted the other bear charging towards them. He yelled out, scared. It reminded him of the times where his parents and himself had run into hoards of monsters and it always scared him.
"Daddy!" he yelled out of instinct since it was usually him who saved the boy and his mother.
The person looked back momentarily, slightly surprised by the outburst. However, an electric sphere formed in his hand and, when the bear was about to lunge at them, the ball shot towards it. The wind around them was moved, blowing at Lloyd's spiky hair and the person's long hair and cape. The courant passed through the animal's body and it fell to the floor.
Lloyd stared at the bear, his eyes wide while tears slowly started to stop. He looked back at the person who saved him. The weapon disappeared from his hand but his back was still turned to Lloyd. Daddy…? thought the boy, an image of his father playing across his mind. However, when the person turned, Lloyd's hopes were shot down – it was not his father.
"And we're did you come from?" he asked, kneeling in front of the boy.
Lloyd stared into the man's dark green eyes, still slightly shaken from the attack. The boy then studied the person who had saved him. He had long, smooth, blue hair tied in a ponytail. His cape covered most of his body but Lloyd could make out gold, black and red armor underneath with a white shirt and loose pants.
"Have I seen you before?" he asked, studying the boy in front of him. "You look familiar."
"I don't think so…," whispered Lloyd, his breathing slowly returning to normal.
"Wait… Ll…?" the man stared at the child, noticing the resemblance. However, he decided to wait and see if it was true or not. "And what we're you doing in the forest all by yourself?"
"I was looking for Mommy and Daddy," he replied softly, looking around. "Do you know we're they are?"
"I think I have an idea but…,"
"Where? Where are they?" asked the boy, his eyes filling with tears. "Pleas tell me! I want to see them again! Please!"
"Wait, don't start crying, I…," he started but it was too late – Lloyd was already shedding crocodile tears once again. "Oh no… Um… It will be all right… Stop crying… Really stop… Pl… Please?"
Lloyd looked up at the man and noticed how difficult it was for him. The boy's tears slowly stopped but it was because he was staring at the man in front of him. It was weird for Lloyd to see someone act like that and it made him curious. In a way, it reminded him of his father at some points when he did not know what to do either.
"Oh good, you stopped…," he whispered, relieved thought wondering what to do now. "Um… were there not others with you before?"
Lloyd nodded, looking away. The man sat in front of the child, wondering what else he could do. It's probably best I bring him to his friends. I don't want them to think I kidnapped him, he thought, making up his mind.
"Well, why don't I bring you back to them and we can all go search for your parents together?" he asked, looking at Lloyd.
"Really?"
"Really. Come now, let's go. My name is Yuan by the way."
"Lloyd."
Yuan nodded and got up, waiting for the child to do the same. However, once he did, Lloyd swayed, his legs not strong enough to support him. He leaned towards Yuan who, by instinct, reached out to stop him from falling. Oh no… Does this mean I have to carry him? Thought the adult, feeling a little awkward. He looked down at the tired boy and exhaled. Why me?
Yuan bent down and picked Lloyd up gently. With ease, the half-elf lifted him and started to walk in direction he had seen the boy come from. Lloyd was initially shocked and then relaxed, the gesture reminding him of his father. He leaned into Yuan's shoulder and closed his eyes.
The half-elf stared at the boy in surprise, not knowing what to do. However, Lloyd slowly drifted off to sleep, holding on tightly to Yuan's cape. What happened to him? How did he change into a three year old? Thought the half-elf as he walked in silence through the forest, searching for any signs of Lloyd's friends.
Author's Note: Well? Like it? If you do, why not review and get a Yuan plushie at the same time?
