Hi guys! Well, here's another chapter! I know it's kinda short (compared to my other chapters) but it was a good stopping point - otherwise, it would be massive, trust me.
Special thanks to everyone reviewing / favoriting / alerting / reading - thanks so much for the support! :)
Recap: Lloyd and company finally made it to Triet. After buying Lloyd real weapons, the gang checks into the Inn to rest.
I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
((Lloyd POV))
((DREAM))
I was running. I could see Iselia burning in the distance, and heard the people screaming.
"No!" I yelled, pouring on the speed. My double scabbards banged into my legs with each step, but I didn't care. Barely noticed.
I got a little closer, but was panting, muscles exhausted. Suddenly, I saw Genis and Colette running out of the village and toward me, screaming.
I forced myself to sprint faster, yelling: "Genis! Colette!"
There was movement behind them, then Colette screamed, her voice filled with pain. No matter how hard I ran, I couldn't get closer. I watched in horror, as the Desian's sword pushed completely through Colette's chest.
"No!" I screamed.
The Desian pulled the sword out with a sickening squelch and Colette collapsed to the ground with a gasp of pain, clutching her chest.
"Colette!" Genis and I screamed. Genis knelt beside her and the rapidly spreading pool of blood. His small frame shook with sobs and I saw him look up at the Desian with fear and hatred. The Desian laughed and raised his sword.
"No! No!" I yelled, tears running down my face. I ran as hard as I could, but still couldn't get any closer.
As the sword pierced Genis' chest, my legs gave out. I kept screaming 'No!' over and over. I watched my friends take their last breaths. It was all my fault. I should've been there to protect them.
"No!" I sobbed. I collapsed on the ground, all strength leaving me. Sobs racked my body, and I couldn't see past my tears. I closed my eyes, and was faced with Colette's and Genis' lifeless faces, asking me why I hadn't saved them.
No, no, no, No, NO. "No!" I screamed.
((END DREAM))
I fell out of the bed with a thunk.
"No…" I whispered, glancing around disoriented. My breathing calmed once I realized I was in Kratos' and my room at the Triet Inn. I took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my face.
It was just a dream… I thought.
I shook my head as I stood up. No, I thought, a nightmare.
I looked around, realizing I was alone. I glanced out the small window across from my bed. It was still dark. Where was Kratos?
I quickly threw on my jacket, pants, and boots, hastily strapping on my scabbards. The new twin blades I had gotten thunked lightly against my legs and I froze, remembering my nightmare. I shook my head again, dispelling the images.
I quickly crossed to the door and eased it open slowly, not wanting to wake anyone else up. I stepped out into the hallway just in time to see Kratos leave the Inn through its main entrance.
Wonder where he's going? I thought. I shrugged and decided to follow him. Besides, there's no way I'd be able to get back to sleep now. I crept to the entrance and left just as stealthily (I hope) as Kratos.
I watched Kratos head around to the very back of the Inn, where there were a few stables for animals. I went after him, not creeping but not being nosy, either. As I rounded the corner, I stared in shock for a moment. Kratos was petting Noishe, who was standing in one of the stables.
How did he get here? I wondered. I walked forward and when I was pretty much right behind Kratos, I started to speak.
"Kra-woah!" I said. At the sound of my voice, Kratos had whipped around and currently had the tip of his blade at my throat. I threw up my hands in a surrender position and Kratos slowly lowered his blade and sheathed it.
"Lloyd. You shouldn't sneak up on me. I'm sorry I startled you." Kratos said, turning back to Noishe, who whined at us.
"Startled…? Startled isn't the word for it!" I said, walking to his side and looking at Noishe.
Kratos smiled but otherwise didn't reply. I sighed.
"What're you doing here, Noishe?" I asked, petting my dog.
He whined and I rolled my eyes.
"I wish you could talk… I'd love to know how you got here so fast, never mind how you knew we were here in the first place. What if you got attacked?" I said to him.
"Noishe is fairly large for a dog. I'm sure he can take care of himself on the road. As for how he knew where to go, he probably followed our trail and your scent." Kratos said. Noishe cocked his head and whined at him, causing Kratos to smile again.
"Still…" I muttered. After petting Noishe in silence for a few moments, I turned to Kratos.
"What're you doing out here anyway?" I asked.
Kratos shrugged. "I was feeling restless and decided to take a walk when I saw Noishe sitting outside the Inn. I guided him here, and then you arrived. What are you doing out? It's late."
"…Needed some air." I said.
"I see…" Kratos said.
I shrugged, not wanting to lie to him but also not wanting to tell him about my nightmare.
"Lloyd." Kratos said.
"Wh-what?" I asked, a little unnerved by how intently Kratos was staring at me. Finally he broke the contact and stepped a few paces away, turning to face me.
"Your fighting is still unrefined. You must train harder to become stronger and protect your friends. Starting tomorrow, your true training begins." With that, Kratos strode away and back into the Inn.
"Well!" I said, huffing out a breath. Noishe whined, and I turned to pet him goodnight. "He thinks he's so much better than me. Even though he is really good. Really, really good. Dammit." I said.
Noishe whined again and I chuckled. "I guess I should try to get some more sleep, especially since my 'training' starts tomorrow. Night, Noishe!" I said, turning and heading back into the Inn. I quietly entered the building and then our room. Kratos was sitting on his bed, obviously having waited for me. I went to my bed and undressed again quickly, getting under the covers and closing my eyes. I heard Kratos lie down as well and I whispered good night before trying to go back to sleep.
When Kratos shook my shoulder, I groaned. After coming back in and lying down again, I had tried to sleep but kept seeing images from my nightmare – I spent most of the night in that half-awake, half-dreaming state. I blinked a few times and sat up. I vaguely saw Kratos nod and walk back over to his bed to collect his things. I got up and got dressed, trying to become fully awake. I was so tired.
"Let's go, Lloyd." Kratos said, standing by the door.
I nodded and slung my pack on, tying my jacket around my waist and double checking my double scabbard, before walking over to the door.
Kratos and I walked into the lobby and saw the Professor, Genis, and Colette waiting for us.
"Lloyd, you're actually up!" Genis said, grinning.
"Shut it, Genis!" I grumbled.
The Professor tried to suppress her smirk and cleared her throat. "I want to get some things before we leave today. Let's split up the shopping so we can be done quickly."
Everyone nodded and I yawned.
"Genis, you and Colette go to the northern part of the town and buy food and cooking supplies – we can only spare 200 gald for this, so make sure to buy lasting ingredients." The Professor said.
"Yes, Raine." Genis said, looking thoughtful.
"Yes, Professor." Colette said, pocketing the gald.
"Kratos, since you are the most experienced fighter here, please go to the weaponry and armory and buy what you see fit for our group. I can give you 500 gald." The Professor said.
Kratos nodded and said, "I have my own gald. Save yours for an emergency."
"But – " the Professor started.
"If you have good armor and powerful weapons, it makes my job of protecting you easier. I do not mind paying." Kratos said.
"All right. Thank you." The Professor said.
Kratos nodded.
"I will buy some gels as well as a few bottles of panacea to cure poison in case there is not enough time for me to cast Recover." The Professor said.
"What about me?" I asked.
"Lloyd, you stay here. You look terrible and shouldn't wander around the city anyway." The Professor said.
I scowled, but it was ruined by another yawn. I reluctantly nodded.
"All right. Let's meet back here in an hour. We'll eat and then head out into the desert. See if you can find information about some ruins nearby. That should be the Seal." The Professor said.
Everyone nodded and left the inn, going their separate ways in order to buy the supplies. I sighed and went back to my room. I lay on the bed, not bothering to take off my boots or scabbards, and put my hands behind my head. After about ten minutes of staring at the ceiling, I was wide awake and utterly bored. For the life of me, I couldn't fall asleep, though I could feel a headache building. Sighing, I got out of bed and decided to wander around the Inn and visit Noishe. I wasn't going to go too far, so I'd be fine – the Professor would never know.
I left my room and quickly crossed the lobby. Just as I opened the door, I saw a group of Desians walking toward the bulletin board outside the Inn. I quickly ducked back in the door and peered out at them through a crack. They hung something up and laughed, then split up and went through the city. Once I was sure they were gone from this area, I crept out and over to the board to see what they had put up.
It was a poster:
Wanted: Criminal number 0074 – Lloyd Irving. Hair/Eye Color: Brown, Brown. Height/Weight: 5'7", 120lbs. Approximate Age: 16. Additional Information: Has blue stone on left hand, wears head to toe red.
Hey! I'm 17, dammit! I thought, frowning. I re-read the description – aside from the age, they pretty much got it right - and looked at the sketch of me. Was I really that ugly? And is my outfit that noticeable?
I shook my head and sighed. This was not good. I needed to tell the Professor and Kratos as soon as they were back. No one would turn the Chosen One over to the Desians, but if they didn't realize I was the Chosen…
I turned and headed around the Inn. I wanted to check on Noishe, then go back to my room and wait for the others to return.
I peered around the corner of the building, double-checking that the Desians weren't over here. Heaving a sigh of relief, I walked over to Noishe, who whined softly as I approached him.
"Heh. Hey, Noishe? Sleep okay?" I asked, rubbing his head and ears.
Noishe whined again in contentment. I smiled at him, then frowned slightly as I thought about the others wandering in the city as the Desians searched for me. I hoped they'd be all right.
"Well, they're only after me, right, Noishe? Everyone else should be fine." I said.
Noishe suddenly stiffened and whined really loudly. I knew what that meant. It was the noise he made when monsters were near. I ducked and whirled, crouching in a defensive position while simultaneously drawing my twin blades.
The area was deadly silent as I scanned it, searching for whatever enemy Noishe had detected. I didn't relax my position as the minutes trickled by, and I thought vaguely to myself that Kratos would be proud as I continued to scan the small alleyway that I was in.
"Damn." Someone muttered.
I shifted to face where the muttered curse had come from, and was rewarded when a Desian stepped out from behind some crates.
"Can't fool you, huh?" He said, sighing.
I narrowed my eyes at him. This could be one of the Desians that attacked Iselia, that killed my friends.
"Hey, now, why don't you just come nice and quietly – whoa!" The Desian yelled, jumping backwards in order to avoid the slash of my blade. While he had been trying to convince me to go quietly, I had attacked, surprising him.
The Desian just shook his head. "The hard way, huh?" He said, more to himself than me, as he drew a blade.
I stood and said "Demon Fang", sending a shockwave at him while also charging him. I could vaguely hear Noishe whining in the background, but ignored it and concentrated on the Desian in front of me. If it wasn't for Desians like him, Iselia would still be okay and all those people wouldn't be dead.
"Tiger Blade!" I yelled, viciously slashing vertically at him. He hastily blocked with his sword, but since I used two blades, some of my strikes got past his defenses, slicing his arms and upper chest.
The Desian hissed in pain and narrowed his eyes at me. He nodded his head, and just as I was slashing down with my last strike of my Tiger Blade attack, he twisted so he caught both my blades with his and pushed, causing me to stumble backwards a bit in order to not drop my weapons.
"Now!" He yelled. I heard a weird buzzing and glanced behind me to see a large ball of what looked like electricity flying at me. My eyes widened and I tried to sidestep the strange attack, but the Desian in front of me pushed me again, placing me right in front of the lightning blast. I had a split second to think Shit! before it hit me square in the back. I gasped as pain shot through my body. Oh, goddess, I had never felt so much pain. My entire body convulsed, my hands clenching sporadically on my blades, before my legs gave out and I crumbled to the ground, a writhing mass of pain. My mouth was open in a silent scream, but no sound came out – I was in so much pain that I couldn't make a noise, I couldn't move without agony, even breathing hurt! The Desian that I had been fighting with kicked me in the stomach and my body screamed. A whine managed to make its way out of my throat, and my eyes rolled back into my head. Before I lost complete consciousness, I head the Desian say, "Good. Let's get him out of here quickly. Lord Botta will be pleased. And shut that animal up!"
Then all I remember is hands touching my body as the pain completely took over me and my world turned black.
Everything was dark. I couldn't feel my body, but strangely that didn't upset me. I knew my body was in intense pain, and I didn't want to feel it. I just wanted to float in the darkness, pain-free. I don't know how long I was like that, but I suddenly started to regain my awareness.
No. I thought. Please, no pain. Then I was slammed into my body once more, and the pain zapped every nerve ending. I realized I heard voices and knew I should probably try to concentrate on what they were saying to figure out where I was and what I was going to do but the pain clouded my brain. Goddess, it hurt! It hurt to breathe; it hurt to even think about moving. I tried to open my eyes and groaned as a blinding light assaulted me, my eyelids fluttering painfully before falling shut once more. The voices stopped, and I heard footsteps approach me. I willed myself to stay still – which wasn't hard to do since it felt like I was on fire if I tried to move – and could feel the weight of someone's gaze on me for a few minutes before I heard their retreating footsteps and the voices resumed.
Okay, get a grip Lloyd, I ordered myself. You have to get up and figure out where you are. If the Professor finds out you got kidnapped by Desians… I shuddered at the thought, then immediately regretted it as I had to clench my jaw tight painfully to stop another groan as my body exploded in pain. I forced my eyes open once more, blinking rapidly until I had grown used to the light, and lifted my head a little to look around. It appeared I was lying on a pallet in a cell of some kind. The pallet was on the floor in the corner, and in the corner across from me was a small chamber pot. If I craned my head, I could see the bars of the cell door – other than that, the walls seemed to be solid concrete.
I gritted my teeth and conjured images of the Professor and Kratos berating me for letting the enemy capture me in order to gain the courage to sit up. I did so swiftly, in order to get it over with quickly, and my vision swam and my back lit up in white hot pain. I blinked rapidly, my breathing increasing but otherwise making no noise, as the pain slowly faded from suicide-inducing to merely excruciating. Sitting up on the pallet, I grimaced at the pain and the cell I was in, focusing on the voices I heard.
"…I swear, you're going crazy! Kid's still knocked out!" A voice said. A Desian, I'd assume.
"Fine." A second voice grumbled.
"Anyway. What'dya think'll happen to him?" The first voice asked.
"Well, Lord Botta wanted him because he's the Chosen, right? They'll either use him for leverage or kill him." The second voice said. I realized it was a woman's voice. I made a face at her statement, just now coming face to face with my real problem – I had to get out of here before they tried anything!
"Yeah, but – " The first voice, definitely a man's, was cut off by a strange beeping noise. I frowned, straining my hearing to try to discover what was happening. It was too soft to be an alarm…
There was some rustling, then the beeping stopped.
The man gasped. "Lord – !"
"You have Lloyd Irving secured?" A new voice demanded coldly and with authority.
"Y-Yes, sir! He is in a cell, currently unconscious." The first man answered. I could hear respect and a little fear in his voice, so I knew whoever he was talking to must be very important. But from what they were saying, it sounded like this Botta guy – his name was strangely familiar – was in charge. So who…?
"Report." The second man demanded.
"Yes, sir! We approached the Chosen as was our plan. His group split up in the late morning, and appeared to be gathering supplies. The Chosen was left alone at the Inn. We were about to go in and extract him when he exited and entered a small alley, petting a large dog, which we assumed was his pet. We moved into position, and the animal sensed us, alerting the Chosen of our presence. He maintained a defensive stance for over five minutes, so I revealed myself to provide a distraction. We fought, but I was careful not to permanently damage him, as per your orders. Dee was able to blast him with a lightning blast rod, and the attack hit him square in the back. He collapsed and went unconscious in seconds. The animal jumped out of its pen at that point and tried attacking us for him, but after we nicked it a few times, it ran off into the city. We swiftly brought him back to base and secured him in a cell. Sir." The man said.
Noishe… I thought. I hoped he was okay.
"You let the dog get away?" The second man asked, outraged.
"Sir? It was just an animal…" the first man said hesitantly.
"Imbecile! Don't you know -? Never mind. Inform me the moment he regains consciousness. Guard him until then. Dee, you return to your normal post." The second man said.
There was an echo of 'Yes Sirs!' and then another beep.
"Jeez! Can you believe him, punishing me because we let that animal go?" the first man said.
"Yeah, well. You know how anal he can be. I better go. See ya later, Rix!" The woman, Dee, said.
The man, Rix, grumbled, and I heard fading footsteps. Okay, the odds just got slightly better – only one guard. I looked around the cell again, but there was nothing that I could use as a weapon or to escape, as they had taken my blades and scabbards. I wondered if my pack was still at the Inn, then assumed it was from Rix's report. Well, at least the others will have it.
Frustrated, I fisted my hands and slammed then onto my legs, biting my lip to keep from yelping at the jolt of pain. I grimaced and carefully stood up, forcing my tingling muscles to work. I stretched and doubled over, shoving my fist in my mouth to stop any noise. Oh, goddess, it felt like my body was going to split into two! My back – probably where the attack had hit – was on fire! It felt like the lightning was still in my body, stinging me anytime I tried to move.
I grimaced, then straightened slowly, pleased that I could stand without making any noise. There was no way, however, that I'd be able to fight like this, and I was never very good at being stealthy… Oh, well. It'd be my only option, if I ever got out of this cell and past the guard.
Rix was ordered by that guy to report in as soon as I woke, so I had to knock him out somehow before he had the chance to let anyone else know I'm up. I fisted my hands in frustration, bringing them up to press to my eyes, trying not to cry out in pain or desperation. How the hell was I gonna get out of this?
I heard movement, and realized Rix must be coming to check on me. I hastily lowered my hands, and the light glinted off my ring. My ring…! I lay down on the pallet quickly and ignored the pain shooting down my spine at the movement, it having slowly reduced from excruciating to merely painful due to my stretching. I'd have to time this just right… I smoothed over my face and closed my eyes almost all the way, peering out through my lashes.
Rix approached my cell and looked at me. My heart stopped for a minute under his stare, and I had to force myself to breath evenly. Rix sighed.
"Damn, kid. Still out?" Rix murmured, shaking his head before turning around to walk back down the hall.
I got up as fast as I could while remaining silent and swiftly walked to the bars of the cell door, pressing against them and aiming the Sorcerer's Ring at Rix.
My clothes rustled slightly, and Rix turned around. His jaw dropped when he saw me, but before he could make a sound, I sent a small amount of mana to the Ring on my finger, and my Cruxis Crystal concentrated it, the Ring sending it out and hitting Rix square in the chest. His eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed onto the ground. I stood tense for a moment, waiting to see if some alarm would sound, but after several minutes of silence, I allowed myself a small smile.
That's what you get for messing with me and hurting Noishe! I thought.
Now that I had knocked out the guard, I had another problem – how the hell was I going to get out of this cell. I experimentally rattled the bars, ignoring my back, but they were solid and weren't budging an inch.
Goddammit! I thought. I have to get out! I strained my neck and plastered my face to the bars, looking around for any way to open the door. To the left of the cell door, there was a small console with a red light on it. What if that controlled the door…?
But how to hit it from here? I stuck my arm out as far as I could, but I couldn't touch the console. I could try to blast it with the Sorcerer's Ring, but what if the mana messed up the controls and made it so the door won't open at all? I turned around and surveyed the cell once more, hoping I had missed something. I kicked the wall when nothing useful materialized, then started at my boots. Hmm… what if I could throw my boot at the console? I leaned against the wall in order to take off my boots, and I saw white for a moment. A gasp escaped my mouth before I managed to push off of the wall and relieve some of the agony. After panting hard for a few moments, I carefully leaned my side on the wall and took off both boots. I experimented pushing one through the bars, and grinned when it easily fit.
I lined up an ideal angle, but hesitated from throwing it. What if I missed? I stared at the boots, then had an idea and started unlacing them. I tied both laces together and one end around one boot as tightly as I could. I threw the boot dangling from the laces against the wall a few times to test the laces, satisfied when the boot didn't slip out. I turned back to the door and pushed the boot through the bars, then lined up my angle as best as I could and threw it.
THUNK.
The boot slammed to the floor right in front of the console. I grimace and pulled it back, setting back up and trying again.
CLACK-THUNK.
The boot hit the corner of the console and slammed to the floor. I pulled it back again, suddenly worrying about the noise. I knew I had to hurry before anyone came to investigate, and Rix could wake up at any minute. Grimly, I pushed the boot through the bars and threw it as hard as I could, extending my arm as far as I could, pressing my body painfully against the bars.
CLICK.
The light turned green and I quickly pulled my arm back through the bars as the door swung open. I smiled as I quickly stepped through the door and put my boots back on, sloppily lacing them back up.
Yes! Okay, now I just have to sneak out of this building and get back to Triet! I thought.
Lloyd's been kidnapped! Gasp!
But don't worry - when would Lloyd ever let something as minuscule as being kidnapped and running around a Desian base injured and weaponless ever stop him? ;)
Stand tuned for awesomeness! Until then, review! Please! :)