Ch. 13: Of Temples and Ranches

Young: Another fairly long one. This contains quite a bit of stuff, so I'm sorry if it seems rushed. If it does, let me know and I'll try and slow it down next chapter. Also as usual if you see any mistakes feel free to point them out. I appreciate all the feedback I can get.
Lloyd: As do I. Because it makes her make me a better character.
Me: Anyways, disclaim me, Lloyd?
Lloyd: Young doesn't own ToS or Namco
Me: Onward! Also, please review. They help me out a lot, especially with motivation.

Lloyd was glad when they stepped back inside the temple, the breeze ruffling his fur. The outside part had been high in the clouds, and he didn't like being so far away from the earth. Oddly enough, the actual wind "boss" had been easier to get beat than the fake. He chuckled, an odd sound coming from a wolf's throat, at the irony. Genis gave him a funny glance, but didn't comment.

As they neared the exit to the Balacruf Museum, Lloyd smelled something in the air that seemed off, but familiar. Golden eyes narrowed, and he whirled around just as a card flew past his ear. Kratos turned at the same moment he did, and had dashed to Lloyd's side. The wolf had dodged the attack, though, and growled. How dare she -

"Chosen One! I have come to take your life at last!" A familiar voice shouted.

Lloyd immediately placed a face with a name and growled again. Sheena...he'd mistakenly thought she wasn't a threat. A mistake he wouldn't make again. With a howl he launched himself at her, clawing at her with his hind legs as he tried to bite into her shoulder. She shoved him off, but he threw himself at her once more. He wouldn't let anyone harm his pack, even if he had once considered them a friend.

"Arkus!" Genis shouted, running up to his companion as he was thrown away once more, "Are you alright, boy?" The half-elf questioned, looking over the wolf worriedly.

Said animal barked before charging into battle once more.

Kratos withdrew his sword from its sheath and frowned. He'd underestimated her threat level. Not to mention she was probably from...shaking his head he focused his mind back on the battle and swung his blade towards the female. She skillfully dodged and shoved one of her cards towards him, creating a force of mana that he managed to avoid by sidestepping.

Lloyd came up behind her, snarling loudly and managing to claw the back of her shirt, creating a small gash. He pushed himself backwards as she turned and threw a card towards him. Ignoring it, he tensed his hind legs and launched himself at her again. She moved to the side, slashing out with a card as he went by. Not feeling anything, Lloyd deemed himself unharmed and continued to fight.

It wasn't until Colette had yelled, "Why don't you want us to regenerate the world? Everyone will be saved!" that Lloyd smelt blood. But he ignored it in favor of watching the exchange between friend and foe with cautious eyes. If the woman even so much as flinched he'd be there, tearing away at her throat.

"At least your world will be!" And with that the ninja fled, disappearing around a corner.

Colette sighed, dropping to her knees with tears in her eyes.

Lloyd frowned and stepped forward, nudging her with his muzzle and attempting a small smile.

The blonde looked up and gasped, "Arkus! You're hurt!"

Lloyd tilted his head in confusion. He didn't feel anything that hurt. He turned his head to his side and realized that the smell of blood was coming from him. Eyes widening, he sniffed at the wound, a decent sized one, and noticed he didn't feel anything because he couldn't feeling anything. Scraping one limb against the ground proved his deduction to be true. He couldn't even feel the stone beneath his paws.

"Professor can you heal him?" Colette said, turning her gaze to the woman.

The half-elf nodded and knelt by the wolf, "Honestly, Arkus, how come you didn't let any of us know?" When the wolf didn't respond, she turned her blue gaze to his face and noted that his eyes were wide and confused. Perhaps he hadn't even known he was injured. Frowning, she healed the wound and stood, "Well he'll be alright, just don't put too much stress on your body. If we get into a battle, hang back, alright?"

Lloyd nodded his head, but he wasn't really listening. Why couldn't he feel anything? What was wrong with him? First he loses his ability to eat, then sleep, and now feel? Was he sick? Was he dying? He could feel an overwhelming panic rising in his mind, causing his breathing to hasten. Then, a hand was on his head, and he felt himself calming down.

'Calm down, Lloyd. It will pass.'

The wolf nodded, slowly feeling his thoughts slow down and his breathing even out. It still scared the hell out of him that he couldn't feel a thing anymore, but somehow the fact that Kratos was there was calming. Relaxing, almost. As if he were Lloyd's original alpha. But that would be impossible...because Lloyd wasn't raised by Kratos. Then again the man smelt so familiar...

Shaking his head, he followed Kratos out of the temple(1).

xXxXx

It became apparent that something was wrong when they neared their next destination. Lloyd could vaguely smell fire, and smoke could be seen traveling upwards from the outline of the city. Could it be that...Luin was on fire?! He broke into a sprint, the others following suit. As they got even closer, it became obvious that the fire was old, and smoldering. But what surprised them the most was the body laying unconscious in the streets.

It was Sheena.

Lloyd's eyes widened and he ran to her. Even though she'd attacked them...he still considered her a friend of sorts.

"Raine, look!" Genis shouted, joining Lloyd. Colette followed the two and knelt by the woman.

"Professor, can you heal her? Please?" The Chosen pleaded.

Raine sighed, but placed her staff over the ninja, "I swear, your kindness will get you killed one day."

Not but a few minutes later, the dark haired assassin's eyes shot open. She flew to her feet, reaching for cards that weren't there. It took her a moment to realize who she was surrounded by, and another for the vertigo to settle in. Stumbling, she dropped to her knees and frowned, trying to look tough despite the fact that she was obviously still hurt.

"Well, if you're gonna finish me off, do it."

Lloyd whined, sitting himself down in front of her.

"We're not going to hurt you. But could you tell us what happened here?" Colette questioned.

"What do you think happened?" Sheena eyed them all warily, scooting away from them unconsciously, "The Desians invaded. Took every last villager. Killed quite a few of 'em. I tried to stop it, but look what happened." For a moment she almost looked sad, before her determined gaze was slapped back on once more.

In the distance someone shouted.

Lloyd turned his gaze towards the sound and was shocked to see a priest being chased by what looked like Clara. His eyes widened and he dashed forward, hoping to block the monster from hurting the man, but someone beat him to it. Sheena stood strong in front of the priest, staring the monster down as if it were the devil itself.

But another voice spoke.

"Stop! Please!" Colette flew in front of Sheena, blue eyes sad.

The monster seemed to consider this for a moment before turning and lumbering away.

Sheena frowned, before turning back to the group, "Anyway, they're at the Asgard Ranch. And I'm going to save them."

"Look at yourself. You're hardly in any condition to fight." Raine commented.

"That doesn't matter, alright? Its my fault they got captured, so it's my responsibility to save them." With that, the ninja turned and ran away.

Needless to say, there was much argument about following her.

xXxXx

Lloyd growled, backing himself further into the corner the group had trapped themselves in. They'd made it into the ranch, and Sheena was nowhere to be found. Instead they came across the freaking Grand Cardinal who ran the ranch, who was also a complete and total creep. The narrowed red eyes of Kvar watched Lloyd with a disturbing look. As if he knew something that Lloyd didn't.

The wolf growled again, more threatening this time. He didn't want this man anywhere near him.

"Aww, are you scared, pup?" The man grinned wickedly, "Well you should be."

Just before the men that stood behind Kvar could move, a purple figure landed in front of the group. Said people were surprised to see Sheena standing in front of them. The female glared at Kvar before murmuring something to herself and pulling a charm from her pocket. And just like that, they were whisked away in a puff of smoke, almost like magic.

When Lloyd regained his bearings, he realized they were well away from where they had been. It was some place, surrounded by mountains and hills. And lots of dirt. He sniffed at the air warily, and realized that it was clearer than he'd ever smelt before. It was like it was almost pure nature.

Raine frowned, crossing her arms, "Where have you taken us?"

"We appear to be somewhere near Hima." Kratos commented, re-sheathing his sword.

Sheena shoved the used charm back into her pocket before turning her gaze to the group, "Listen...there's an easier way to get into the ranch. There this guy...but I couldn't tell you before because I didn't trust you, but now I realize I can't do this on my own. So...if you could...help me? It'll be just this once, I swear."

Colette turned her gaze to Raine, blue eyes pleading.

"If the Chosen wishes it..." The half-elf murmured, eyes closed and an exasperated look on her face.

"Alright, well the guy I'm talking about is in Hima. As far as I know he's the only one who's ever escaped from the Asgard Ranch. Supposedly he's the only guy who knows the way in and out of that place, one where you won't be seen." Sheena stated as she took the lead, heading towards Hima, "His name is Pietro. And I warn you, he's a bit sick, but he should be able to help us."

When they arrived at the inn that Pietro was being kept in, Lloyd could smell the sickness wafting from the upstairs room. He wrinkled his nose as much as a wolf could and tried to ignore the stench of death that filled the air. The others climbed the stairs, and as he followed behind, he tried to ignore the stares he got from the innkeeper. She seemed to be questioning why in the world people would have a wolf with them. He strongly resisted the urge to stick his tongue out at her as they entered the guest room.

"Ah, Sheena, you're back!" A female stood up from the bedside chair as they entered.

"I told you I'd be back, Sophia." The ninja replied, "How is he?" She murmured, gesturing towards the unconscious man on the bed.

Sophia looked towards the ground, "Not any better. In fact, he's worse."

Sheena shared the sad look for a moment before speaking once more, "Listen, I'm sorry to bring this up, but could we have a look at his things? I think I remember him saying something about an orb in his mutterings." The ninja cast a glance towards the man on the bed, silently praying to whatever gods that were out there that he would get better soon.

"I...suppose. But Sheena, I think we've found a way to cure him." The other female looked hopeful, "Its called the Boltzman Technique."

Raine's eyes widened, "The ancient technique supposed to be lost?"

Sophia nodded, "If..if you could find a way to use that technique, than I will let you have Pietro's things."

"But it supposedly was lost ages ago." The eldest half-elf responded.

"We can try, though Raine, can't we? I mean, we need to save those people in the ranch. If we don't then...then why are we on this journey? Why save the world if we can't save the people right in front of us?" Colette clasped her hands in front of her, staring at Raine with the most determination she'd ever shown since beginning the journey.

"I...suppose. It's worth a try." The Professor, turned her gaze to Sophia, "Very well. I promise to find the lost technique in order to save Pietro. Now please, can we have his things?" The half-elf's eyes narrowed, determined. If she couldn't do this, then she wouldn't be able to call herself a healer anymore.

And so Lloyd found himself in the oddest position he'd ever been in. He had his paws pressed against a rock, standing on his hind legs, attempting to push it out of the way. Evidently this was a bad idea, for he fell over on his side and laid there, growling in annoyance. It was at that point that Genis pulled out the orb they'd found in Pietro's remaining items and held it to the stone, which rolled obediently out of the way.

With that, they crept into the ranch.

A while later, after what seemed like hours of work, walking, and even splitting the group in half, Lloyd, Kratos and Genis stood in front of the entrance to Kvar's office. The wolf felt the hairs on his pelt raise in anticipation. He couldn't wait to tear this man apart. It would be the most gleeful thing he'd ever done. He paused briefly to question why he thought tearing someone apart was a good idea, before shrugging it off and deciding that this man deserved it.

After all, he'd told them the first time they came here how exspheres were originally made. They required one essential thing: human life. The thought sickened the others, though it didn't bother Lloyd as much as it should have. He figured that they shouldn't waste the lives that had been given for the exspheres they had now. Instead, they should use them for good, and live for them as well. Kratos had agreed wholeheartedly with that idea, and had even spoken it aloud to everyone else.

Bringing his mind back to the present, Lloyd realized that the others had already entered the madman's chambers. Glaring, he stalked into the room. Kvar stood in the middle, casually picking at some invisible lint on his clothes. He looked up as Lloyd entered the room, a wide grin appearing on his face.

"Ah...the main guest has made his arrival. Tell me, wolf, how did you come across my Angelus Project?" The half-elf's smile turned evil, and his eyes narrowed dangerously with anger, "Tell me. How did a filthy, inferior creature like you get a hold of something so precious? Something I put years of work into? Did you find it in the forest? Just lying there on the ground? Tell me, mutt."

All while he spoke, Kvar crept closer and closer to Lloyd.

The wolf growled in response, flashing his fangs in warning.

Kratos recognized this as a sign of fear in the wolf, and narrowed his eyes. As the Cardinal was distracted by Lloyd, he unsheathed his sword quietly. Genis' wide eyes remained fixed on the scene, not even noticing Kratos as he silently stepped behind the white haired crazy man.

"Do you know how many inferior beings went into that? Do you?!" Kvar was shouting now, spit landing on the wolf's face.

Lloyd was surprised he hadn't pissed himself yet.

And then, all of the sudden, there was a sword poking through Kvar's chest.

"Feel the pain -" the sword was removed, and thrust back in, "of those inferior beings -" the sword was removed a final time, and Kratos stepped back, eyes narrowed as the half-elf fell to the ground, "as you burn in Hell." With a casual flick of his wrist, Kratos cleaned the blood from his sword, a small, barely noticeable smile on his face.

Lloyd couldn't help but just stare at the man. The man who had just so casually killed another being, without even blinking. The man who he felt such a strong bond to, as if they were family. As if Kratos was...and suddenly it all made sense; why Kratos smelt so familiar, why his face looked just like that of the man in the locket he'd held onto for all those years, then finally lost just before Dirk had found him.

Kratos was -

"Arkus! Are you coming, boy?" Genis called as he and Kratos headed for the exit.

Frowning, Lloyd barked in response and followed after the two, deciding against saying anything about his revelation.

TBC

1. Lloyd didn't get sick this time around because Kratos was there to absorb most of the mana that would have caused the nausea and such.