Hello again! Here is the next awaited chapter. It's a little shorter than the last one, but I think just as good. :) Hope you all like it. Thanks again for the reviews, I really enjoy seeing what others think of my writing. :)
"Blah" - Talking
'Blah' - Thinking
Disclaimer: Same as before, don't own Symphonia or its characters, just my plots, story and original characters.
Krystina looks around the village, and then up at the sky, mentally trying to gauge what time it is. She's on her way to meet up with Kratos and the others a bit later on by the Inn, when a very out of breath Genis suddenly comes running up to them, Noishe on his heels.
"Genis? What are you doing here? What's wrong?" Raine asks, clearly worried that Genis would be here instead of in Iselia where she had left him. They'd all seen the reward posters for Lloyd while wandering around town, and have been hoping he's alright. Genis bends over, hands set on his knees as he tries to catch his breath after running, Noishe is whining beside him.
"L-Lloyd, captured... by Desians! We have to help him!" Raine hands her brother a fresh apple gel while he catches his breath, and Krys notices the way Kratos is frowning, she isn't very happy either.
'Yuan you idiot, I warned you not to go after him.' She sighs a bit, making a mental note to kick Yuan's ass later, and then she turns to look at Genis, saying softly but sternly,
"Do you know where they took him?" and the young mage nods. Kratos says,
"Lead us there." Genis nods, and Krys asks Kratos softly.
"You sure you're well enough now?" and he nods, giving her a look that tells her nothing will stop him from getting Lloyd back. She nods too, and gives him the weapons and armor she'd picked up, and they head out of the town gates. After a few moments, Kratos asks Noishe to let Genis ride on his back since he's so tired from the running to get back here. It takes a few hours to reach the base, directed by Genis, but Tina has to act like she has never been here before, so she makes sure she's very careful not to let anything slip. Kratos finds them a way in, at the rear of the building, and they slip inside. They're careful to avoid as many renegades as they can, or Desians as the others believe them to be. The end up making their way right down to Yuan's big head office, where they hear Lloyd confronting someone. Krys smirks to herself when she hears a rather unamused
"And just who the hell are you?" coming from Yuan, silently thankful Kratos is distracted by keeping anyone from ambushing them from behind. She knows that Lloyd is just like Kratos is and won't tolerate being spoken to like that. When they get in, Yuan has left, and Botta remains with his sword. Krys avoids his eyes, not wanting to give anything away. Raine stays back to cast her healing artes, Colette stays with her, while Kratos, Tina, Lloyd and Genis take on Botta and of course the two foot soldiers.
Botta ends up yielding up to them, running from the room and leaving his broken sword on the ground when he flees. The professor picks up the broken sword and they leave the base, returning to the inn back in Triet after Raine checks Lloyd over for injuries, Kratos watching both of them. Krys had already reserved all of their rooms at the inn beforehand to avoid conflict. She rooms with the chosen, while Genis and Raine share, and Kratos and Lloyd share the last room.
Lloyd comes in later on, chatting a little with Colette and Tina, before going back out to give the professor her key crest he had finished so that she can equip the exsphere from Botta's sword. She also hears Kratos leave his room, and then the sound of someone else too, probably Lloyd, following him. She slips over to the window, discreetly tuning in to their quiet conversation down by the pen where Noishe is. When they go back inside, she returns to her bed, laying down and attempting to get a little sleep.
They decide to spend the next couple of days just resting, and exploring the little resort town. Raine goes out shopping to make sure they have enough of their necessary supplies, and takes Collete with her, Kratos wanders off somewhere alone too, while Krys brings Lloyd over to the customizer to upgrade his weapons and armor as she had done for herself and Kratos. The rest of the last day is spent inside the cool rooms of the inn as they catch up on some extra sleep to be well prepared for heading to the seal.
On the last night in Triet, while everyone is asleep Krys slips out of the inn, making quiet progress out of the town and across the desert to Yuan's base, where he's waiting for her hidden in the shadows. He pulls her tightly against him, claiming her lips in a searing, passionate kiss as she wraps her arms around his shoulders, returning it just as fiercely. When it breaks, he nuzzles into her neck.
"I missed you so badly it was driving me crazy, even Botta noticed it." He whispers, and she smirks a bit, lowering her arms now to encircle his waist, hugging him close. His hand moves to the back of her neck as he claims her lips again, never wanting to let her go, and she can also feel his relief that Mithos' attempt to poison her had failed, she knows he wouldn't be able to get through losing a second love, as losing Martel had nearly killed him. They retreat inside the base, retiring to their room quietly so the rest of the base is unaware of the soft voices in the room.
"I don't think he remembers me.." Krys says sadly, having just told Yuan about Kratos as he's on the journey with her. Yuan frowns, hugging her close as she pulls up the blankets around them and nuzzles into his chest,
"Give it time." He says softly, and she nods, laying her head on his chest as they both lay on the bed, a blanket wrapped around them, closing her jade green eyes, as Yuan gently runs his fingers through her long hair. She relaxes, his touch soothing her, but she can't seem to stop her thoughts of the auburn haired Seraph, no matter how much she tries. She wants so much for the mercenary to remember her, to be her best friend again. She misses it so badly. Yuan too wishes for the old days sometimes, back when they were carefree and happy. He watches Krys lying on his chest, noticing a tear roll down her cheek, and realizing she must be unable to stop her many jumbled thoughts. He can see her conflict, he too wanted to tell Kratos that he had found her on that day, but so much was in the way of it. Kratos was happy and Yuan hadn't wanted to end up causing trouble. Despite their current differences, Yuan still sees Kratos as one of his closest and most trusted friends. Krys sighs quietly, finally calming enough, that she manages to drift off into a light sleep. Yuan wraps his arm around her, letting his eyes close as well.
The next morning she slips back into her room at the inn before he even notices she was gone, he being Kratos. Krys packs all her stuff back up, and quickly places her sword holster back onto her belt. She also picks up her bow and quiver, and heads downstairs for a quick bite to eat before they leave. After eating, she finds Kratos is outside, sitting against the wall of the inn, and scratching Noishe behind the ears, talking to him very softly. She can tell he's thankful for Noishe staying with Lloyd for all these years, and she also knows how much he's missed the wily, spunky protozoan as well.
"Kratos?" she says softly, and he looks up, eyes sad. She frowns; she knows how glad he is to have his son back, so why would he be sad? He sighs a bit, and she goes over to him, laying a hand on his shoulder worriedly.
"What's wrong?" she asks softly, but he just shakes his head, so she doesn't push at him. In a reassuring gesture, she wraps an arm around his shoulders, as they sit beside Noishe's pen. She sighs, she wants to just hug him close like she used to, hating to see him look so sad, but at the same time, she doesn't want to upset him further. So, she settles for just being there for him as well as she can. Kratos sighs at himself, resting his head on her shoulder, not sure why it feels so natural to be close to the quiet female mercenary this way.
"Are the others eating?" he asks, and she nods. He sighs again, staring out at the sky, as they wait for the others. When Lloyd and the others come out of the inn they head out for Triet's ruins a ways out in the desert. Krys and Kratos walk behind the group as they cross the desert in a close group. Both mercenaries have their eyes on the sands, keeping aware for anything out of the ordinary. Colette and the Professor are talking quietly about something to do with the Oracle, and Lloyd and Genis are discussing exspheres. When they break for lunch a few hours later, they sit down and Genis makes some sandwiches and rice balls. Lloyd eats quite a few, and then lazily stretches out on the ground, a cloak over his face to block the sun. Genis smirks to himself, hand on his kendama, as he sneaks up behind his best friend, casting a quiet 'Aqua Edge' and dousing Lloyd. The red clad teen shouts and he jumps up, starting to chase the smaller mage around the area, everyone else laughing. Except the mercenaries, who just smirk at their antics.
"Alright everyone, let's get moving. We still have a good ways to go." The Professor says a bit later, as she gets up from where she'd been sitting with a book open on her lap. She tucks the book into her bag as everyone else gets up off the ground. Weapons and packs are put back on, and the group continues toward the dark ruins in the distance.
"Man it's so hot!" Lloyd whines for the fourth time later that afternoon. Kratos sighs, and Krys shoots him a slight smirk. Lloyd yawns and stretches, gazing around the desert tiredly as the group keeps walking, considerably slower now due to the intense heat. Krys unhooks her canteen from her belt, handing it to Lloyd, who gives her a grateful look and brings it to his mouth, taking a long drink. Krys nods a bit, watching him from the corner of her eye as they walk, noting how a fine sheen of sweat coats his brow, same as her and Kratos, but he isn't sweating as much as the others are, which makes her think again about the possibility of him inheriting his father's angelic blood. She shrugs it off as they're soon ambushed once again by sidewinders and more than four poison needles, she manages to spot the fifth one behind Kratos, nailing it swiftly with an arrow's deadly point, the shaft quivering slightly as it embeds the creature against the ground.
Kratos glances at her over his shoulder, nodding a bit, and she nods as well, returning all focus to the battle. When the last creature has been dispatched, they continue onwards, passing around a canteen as they continue their desert trek. Unfortunately, both Colette and Genis begin to look a bit dizzy a short while later, so Krys says, seeing that it's now getting dark,
"We'll camp here tonight. The chosen and young Genis look heat exhausted." Kratos lets a sigh escape his lips, but nods, heading off to patrol their campsite as Krys and Lloyd set up the tents, and Raine checks on her brother and Colette. Krys uses her bow to take down a boar she sees a bit a ways from the camp, skinning it, then bringing it back and making a stew with it and some vegetables from Genis' pack, since Raine has him and Colette resting. Kratos returns from patrol a bit later, and Krys serves out the stew, all of them chatting a bit as they eat around their campfire.
After the meal, Krys picks up her weapons, and with a nod at Kratos heads off to do her part of the patrolling for the night, smiling a little when she finds Noishe walking beside her. The protozoan nudges her arm happily, and she reaches down, scratching behind his ears. He whines and nuzzled her hand, making her smile as they walk, Krys keeping her senses up for any sign of danger to the Chosen or any of their group.
Later that night when she returns, she finds Kratos laying on his back with his arms over his head, hands under it, and staring up at the sky, looking lost in thought, though he does look over when she approaches, nodding slightly. She nods as well and sits down, poking at the fire a bit, resting her chin on her arm which is resting on her knees, laying her weapons down onto the ground beside her. She sighs some, gazing into the flames and letting her mind wander, back to past memories of times spent with old friends.
*Flashback*
Krys and Martel laugh from where they're sitting on a blanket, watching Kratos and Yuan playing hide and seek with Mithos out of boredom. They've been friends and traveling together a few years now, and since Mithos is still fairly young, eleven right now, sometimes he's bored rather easily, so they came up with this as a way to distract him on one of their rest stops. Krys laughs, turning around the fish they have cooking at the fire so the other side can cook too, watching as Mithos happily runs away from Kratos and to the 'safe tree'. Yuan laughs too, soon appearing out of his hiding spot and letting Mithos chase him to the tree as well.
"They get along so well." Martel says, and Krys smiles and nods, then says,
"You seem to have taken quite well to Yuan." And she raises a playful eyebrow as Martel blushes and hides in her hands.
"Well, what have we here?" she says, and Martel giggles,
"Kryyyys!" she whines playfully, and both girls laugh. Krys then says softly,
"You should tell him, he likes you too. I've often seen him watching you when he thinks you aren't looking." And Martel looks up at her, green eyes wide.
"Really?" she asks, and Krys smiles at the hope in her friend's voice. She nods and smiles at her.
"Definitely." And Martel nods too, turning back to watch their three friends. Well three for Krys, two and her brother for her. She also smiles when she sees Krys watching Kratos, and she's also aware of how the auburn haired man tends to watch Krys as well when he thinks no one can catch him doing it.
When the fish is ready they call the three back, talking and laughing as they settle down to eat, discussing their journey and the current war going on as well, and their journey around so Mithos can make Pacts with the Summon Spirits, due to his gift as a Summoner. They're on their way to the Triet desert right now to make a pact with Efreet, and are on the edge of the desert's sandy border. They head to bed a while later, Kratos keeping watch, and the next morning, they head into the desert, beginning their way to Triet. Krys smiles to herself when she sees Yuan and Martel walking together and talking, seemingly deep into their conversation, then when Yuan lets himself reach out a bit and clasp her hand, Martel glances back at Krys with a smile, and nodding at her, Krys gives her a discreet thumbs up.
"Kratos, can we train more tonight?" Mithos asks, and the auburn haired mercenary nods at the young blond with a bit of a smile, and Krys chuckles, knowing how eager the boy is lately to learn. Kratos is teaching him in the way of the sword, and Yuan has been teaching him Magic artes, Krys sometimes does as well.
Krys shields her eyes against the sun as they walk later that afternoon, the heat is more unbearable than before, and they're beginning to get weary. Suddenly shrieks of surprise sound out, and Mithos cackles happily, darting out of a soggy Yuan and Martel's reach, having just used his Spread spell to totally douse them both. Kratos and Krys both laugh, casually stepping out of the way, both smirking as Mithos tries to hide behind them, and he squeaks, darting off again as Yuan gives playful chase, Martel though just laughs, wringing out her long green hair. When the two get tired and soon return, Yuan wrings out his cobalt blue hair, grouching playfully at Mithos as they set up camp under a tree for the night, Mithos bouncing around happily, excited and all eager to make the pact with Efreet and become an official Summoner. Once camp is set up, Krys heads off to patrol first, glancing at Kratos as she heads by, but misses him watching her walk by as well, a light smile on his lips.
After a few more days of traveling, they finally reach the town of Triet, heading into the plaza and looking around, getting a feel for the desert town. They also hear word of an Oasis too a distance away, that also has a smaller settlement around it as well. Yuan, Martel and Mithos go to the Inn to get rooms, and Kratos and Yuan go to check out the Market, wanting to either have their weapons replaced for better ones, or have upgrades customized instead, Martel and Yuan's weapons, (her staff and his Swallow) are with them too, Martel asked her staff to be customized, and Yuan requested his Swallow just cleaned up and sharpened, since he's happy with it the way it is. They stock up on other supplies too, gels, bottles they may need and food as well, and they head to the Inn when they're done, meeting up with the others.
They end up spending a few days in Triet before heading to the temple, learning about the area, the temple, and old tales the townspeople know about Efreet. Mithos also takes more training in as well, learning a couple new sword artes and a spell as well. They want to be sure Mithos is ready before they head to the temple, since making the pact is a big thing for him, he wants to make sure he gets everything right. They've heard him practicing his vow sometimes in his room at night, wanting it to be perfect.
"Nervous?" Martel asks the night before they leave, they've just found Mithos laying out on the porch of the Inn, gazing up at the sky. He sits up, nodding a bit,
"Will I really do okay?" he asks, and Martel nods, sitting beside him.
"Of course you will, Mithos. We all know it." And he nods, laying his head down on her shoulder. Yuan settles on her other side, and Krys finds herself leaning against Kratos' side, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her as they all watch the stars, talking softly about the pact and reassuring Mithos.
*End Flashback*
"Old memories?" Kratos says softly, startling Krys, and she looks over, nodding.
"Yeah, just remembering some old journeys with old friends. It's kind of nice traveling in a group again." And Kratos gazes out at the stars again, but says softly,
"Yeah, I suppose it is. I have old memories of travels as well." Krys nods, and soon they go silent again, deciding to bed down for the night, glancing around the campsite once more, to make sure everything is still okay and in order.
The next morning while Genis makes breakfast, the others pack up the sleeping rolls and gear, making sure everything is set, and then they sit down to eat when he calls them. Afterward they continue walking, now able to see the ruins more clearly as they've gotten much closer, the tall, dark structures silhouetted against the sky.
After several more hours, they reach the dark ruins, and Noishe promptly runs off, as per usual. Lloyd sighs, saying he's tired, but then a couple of Fire Elements spring an attack, right as Kratos informs the entire group there are monsters nearby, and they are all able to deal with the spherical fire casters fairly well, even though they're hot and tired from traveling.
"This is going to be a nuisance." Kratos mutters and Krys hides a smirk. He then teaches the Chosen and her friends protective spells, Genis and Rain learn 'Force Field', Colette learns to do 'Damage Guard', and Lloyd learns 'Guardian' which both mercenaries already use. Lloyd soon gets a fire going as Raine and Colette lay out bedrolls, making camp near a pillared piece of ruin wall, toward the side of the whole area for the night. Krys and Kratos set down their packs, Krys settling down on her bedroll, while Kratos heads off to patrol for a while. Krys gets up after a bit, deciding to wander around, feeling restless, and also because old memories are surfacing around again. When she looks at different parts of the ruins, she remembers different things, where they had visited the Inn, where they'd browsed the Market and talked to townspeople when this was a bustling town. She also finds herself feeling sad for all of the innocent people who lost their lives here when Efreet went berserk upon discovering Mithos had broken his vow, upsetting the Spirit greatly. She finds Kratos leaning against a column, and she notices his expression, and she finds herself wondering if he's remembering the same things she is.
"Hey, you alright?" she asks when she hears him sigh sadly, and he startles a bit, turning to look at her.
"Just… thinking." He says, and she nods, settling down beside him. He adjusts himself a bit, getting comfortable again, which also causes their sides to touch, though neither of them get up, or make any attempt to move.
"Does Lloyd hate me?" Kratos asks suddenly, his voice soft and sad, and Krys looks up at him, frowning a bit.
"Why would you think that?" she asks, and Kratos sighs, saying,
"He always seems so angry with me. He doesn't even know what I am, and yet it feels as if he hates me." He sighs sadly again, dropping his head down, resting it against his hands. Krys frowns worriedly, wrapping an arm around him and rubbing his side a bit, trying to reassure him a bit.
"Give him some time, I'm sure he'll come around, alright?" and Kratos nods a bit, resting his head now on her shoulder, feeling strangely comforted by her, once again, same as the night she talked to him at Anna's grave. When they head back later, they find Lloyd and Colette are off to the side, talking, while Raine is reading and Genis is messing with his kendama. Kratos settles down on his bedroll, closing his eyes, and Krys pulls out a book, starting to read some as well. As they relax, they can hear Lloyd reassuring Colette about the seal tomorrow. Once everyone drops off to sleep later on, Krys and Kratos move beside the fire, talking softly as they keep watch.
The next morning, Lloyd reassures Colette again over breakfast, while both mercenaries are talking with Raine about possible creatures they might encounter within the temple. They get the packing finished, and head over to the entrance of the temple, where they see a raised stone column about three feet high, beside a large black door in the ground, covered in strange, rather old markings, some of which are worn or rubbed off. They move closer to the altar, and then the Professor suddenly goes 'ruin crazy' and is all over the door sealing the entrance that leads to the seal temple. Kratos and Krys both find themselves stepping back slightly, while Colette's oblivious to it, and Lloyd looks confused. Genis sighs and face palms, though doesn't seem to notice Kratos and Krys both look slightly disturbed at his sister's 'excitement'. Lloyd and Kratos ask Genis,
"Is she always like this?" and the young mage sighs resignedly,
"I tried so hard to hide it too.." he mumbles sadly. Kratos and Krys shake their heads, as Raine then directs Colette to place her hand on the oracle stone she spotted, after finally calming down some, and the heavy door slowly slides open with a loud, grating sound. The group makes sure the area is still clear, and then they head inside the chamber.
"It's SOOO hot in here!" Lloyd declares after walking down hallways in the temple after a few minutes, and Colette, Raine and Genis agree with him. As they walk they notice the artworks depicted on the stone walls, pictures of angels and the goddess Martel, and a blond angel, with a pair of large, pale wings pictured near her, which they assume to be the Hero, Mithos. Rain grabs a notebook, rushing right over to one of the large murals and starting to take notes, while talking rapidly to herself.
"Here we go again." Genis groans to himself, going over and halfheartedly tugging on his sister's arm to get her to start moving, which she does reluctantly, though she remains riveted to the drawings more than anything else.
"How about we call that her 'Ruin Mode', you think?" Lloyd suggests, watching his crazed teacher scribble frantically on her notebook, well perhaps temporarily crazed. When Raine comes out of her daze, they continue down the hallways until the end, where they see it forks into paths ahead, one heading each direction, with a door right in front of them. They take a moment to get their bearings and also to deal with a strange, floating fish type enemy that ambushes them, and then go through the door. Inside they find themselves in a huge room, and they see another pair of doors, one at each end, which must be where the forked hallways lead to.
"This place is huge, Sis." Genis says, and Raine nods.
"Yeah, it was a temple built to honor Efreet." She says, and Genis nods, looking around curiously, while Lloyd goes poking around himself, examining things. They soon leave the room's sweltering heat and head down the hall to the farthest door, entering another, larger part of this same room. Lloyd again goes poking around, and then starts shooting the sorcerer's ring at some wall sconces, and when he lights one of the candles, a platform suddenly starts to move, startling everyone except Kratos and Krys. Lloyd jumps, and then grins,
"Now we're getting somewhere!" he says, and Krys hides a smirk as Kratos groans softly and face palms, shaking his head. Raine shakes her head a bit in amusement, and they find more of the sconces, checking out where they are in relation to platforms, and then using all the doors into the room to get to each part, manage to lift the platforms in the proper order after a little of trial and error. They take a break to drink some water and catch their breaths from the continual running around, and then they head for the main door and up the stairs, opening a few chests on their way to the central warp panel. Lloyd takes a moment to reassure Colette once more, giving her a hug, then they vanish through the warp, Raine, Genis and the Mercenaries following.
"There's… So much Mana here!" Genis gasps when they arrive in the central altar section and approach the main altar. Fiery hot mana swirls around and then explodes, out from the altar, making everyone jump back, drawing their weapons as three creatures are revealed. One is huge while the other two are much smaller, but still large enough. Raine checks a book quickly, looking at the creature, and then she says,
"That's a Ktugach, and they're Ktugachlings!" Everyone nods, Kratos and Krys study all the creature's movements, watching how it watches them, moves, and how the two younglings it has move as well. Lloyd and Kratos take the frontlines, while Krys stands back with her bow, and sword if needed to guard the healer and spell caster, Colette has her chakrams ready as well. His eyes on one of the smaller creatures, Genis casts a water spell, which has no effect, and yelling a bit over his shoulder, Kratos says,
"Ice spells!" and Genis nods, starting to cast 'Icicle', a large pale blue spell circle glows on the ground beneath his feet. Krys guards the young mage, protecting him as he casts, Raine's eyes are on the fighters as well, watching for any healing that needs to be done. Krys lets several arrows loose as one of the Ktugachlings turns and heads for Genis, effectively stopping it as four of the arrows land right in front of its nose. It lifts its head and snarls, shivering angrily a bit, and then it roars in rage, advancing. Krys narrows her eyes, doing a quick mental check of all ice and water artes she knows, and she readies another arrow.
"You're mine! Blizzard Fury!" she yells and as she fires the arrow, a cold mist envelops it and the surrounding area, and they can hear as numerous tiny shards of ice rain down, nailing the creature directly from each side, the cold mist and the ice shards creating an effect of several diamond shards with a rainbow glow, due to the close proximity of the creatures' fiery mana near the icy cold of her own.
'Impossible! That was one of her spells!' Kratos realizes as he glances over his shoulder, garnet eyes widening a bit when he sees the arte. Only his old friend Krystina had ever used that exact arte, he was positive, so where did this woman learn it? Shaking his head, he returns his focus to the larger of the three creatures, and calls to Lloyd.
"We're going to use a unison arte, go with your Sonic Thrust!" Lloyd nods to show that he heard, and the two men charge the creature, activating their Sonic Thrusts, and the others all gasp as the Unison ability takes effect, and the two men proceed to activate Cross Thrust as they charge the creature, landing a direct, deadly blow. The two smaller creatures howl in fury, but as they're blinded with rage at losing their 'parent', it makes their fighting less productive, and Lloyd and Kratos finish them off as well. Krys puts away her bow, panting slightly with her exertion, as both Lloyd and Kratos are as well. They gather near the altar, where Colette steps up to pray and release the seal, while Krys helps Raine quickly heal herself, Lloyd and Kratos of any wounds, and Raine checks Genis over as well.
"Oh Goddess Martel, great protector and nurturer of this earth, grant me thy strength!" Colette prays, and as they watch, Remiel appears, praising Colette for releasing the seal, and her body raises into the air a bit, brilliant pale pink wings bursting from her back as Remiel grants the strength of the Angels to her in part. Krys also notices another 'discreet' glare sent her way as he ascends back up to the light he appeared from and vanishes. They discuss a few things before heading from the overly hot temple, making their way back outside, where unfortunately Colette collapses.
"Colette!" Lloyd says worriedly, and they decide to let her rest and make camp, picking up Colette gently, Lloyd lays her on her sleeping roll once Krys spreads it out, and then Raine lets her mana gently wash over the chosen, checking her for any injuries, but finds none, and says,
"She's likely just weak from releasing the seal." And everyone nods. Genis makes some sandwiches for everyone, and Kratos and Krys sit off to the side, talking softly as they guard their campsite. Lloyd eventually talks to Colette off to the side once she feels better, showing just how much he cares about her. Krys smiles slightly, saying to Kratos softly,
"Your son seems to be quite smitten." And Kratos nods a bit, smiling slightly as well.
"He certainly does, doesn't he?" and Krys nods, putting a hand on top of his when they lean back, her noticing his slightly saddened gaze as he watches the two teens, knowing that he's wishing he could have watched his son grow up. She gives his hand a squeeze, and he gives hers one in return, silently thanking her for the reassurance, and then soon gets up to begin their patrol, which they've set into a routine of doing in turns.
They end up camping there for a couple of days, wanting to make sure Colette is fully recovered before heading out again, discussing which seal they should head for next. Raine holds out a small book, where everyone sees she had written down the clues to locations that Remiel had given them at the last seal before he had left, and they're currently debating those clues, the group of them talking together as Krys makes some omelets for breakfast. Right now they're still deciding on whether they should take the water route and head to Palmacosta first, or take their alternate, a land shelf route Krys told them about that would lead them to Luin first. Kratos, Krys and Raine are the main debaters, Raine vouching for the land route while Kratos says the water's shorter route would be better. Krys sighs to herself, listening to them as she cooks, she knows of both routes, and so finds herself rather indifferent, willing to go by either.
"How about we head to Izoold for now and decide from there? It's on the way to both of the possible routes to take." Krys suggests, and Kratos and Raine finally nod, deciding to let it go for now, and the group settles down to eat when Krys calls them over, handing out the meal. After they finish, they pack up the campsite, Noishe again is with them and he happily trots along beside them as they walk, currently beside Krys, who's scratching behind one of his large ears as she listens to Kratos and Lloyd talking, it sounds like they plan to start training together as they travel, Lloyd wanting to hone his skills better. She smiles some, glad Kratos is finding ways he can spend with the boy, knowing he would like to establish a bond with his son, but he does not yet want Lloyd to know of their relation, from what she can see he's afraid Lloyd would just push him away and hate him if he knew, and she knows how painful that would be for the mercenary.
They spend the next several days traveling in the direction of the mountain trail that will lead to the small port town, their minds on which seal they might be doing next. Lloyd has started training with Kratos, and some of the time Krys joins them as well, and other times Lloyd watches as she and Kratos spar, loving to watch their intense matches. They hadn't realized he was trying to learn from them until a day when he pulled one of Krys' defense moves on Kratos, shocking him with it, which made Krys lift a hand to her mouth to stifle giggles at her fellow mercenary's expression at the time. She, Lloyd and Noishe also made a small habit of teasing him about it, which he amusedly groans about and face palms as they laugh, and Noishe whines happily. Everything is going smoothly as they travel toward Izoold, even Kratos lightening up some as the group tries to stay as carefree and happy as the situation allows them to.
Well there it is folks, please review and tell me what you think of it, they motivate me. :)
Sani.
