---
SO…SORRY IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME TO UPDATE!!
I had very harsh week these days. But I couldn't assume it was that bad… I mean I became trainee as Director's assistant…and sometimes I worked till midnight…which is why I barely had time to update.
WARNING: This chapters is ridiculously strange…very strange. Not only that this chapter had to be the hardest to write. But I manage to write…somehow. You notice there's slight change on characters position than just "standing there". But I think it's for the better. Hopefully you will enjoy it!
---
Dear, Mr. Kratos
We have trouble when going on the Temple of Earth. I met the "other" Emil again.
I haven't seen the 'other Emil' ever since the Temple of Darkness, he was secluding himself from us ever since. And then he asked me…almost shyly, if I mind his presence.
I said no immediately, I mean, he's Emil too right? So I still love him regardless.
Anyway…I'm looking forward on meeting you again! Hope you'll find Lloyd before trouble finds him.
Best wishes from Marta.
---
To Mr. Kratos
Have you find Lloyd? Is he in trouble? I hope he wasn't hurt because there's a lot of people want to hunt him.
I know most of people would say I'm crazy because I'm actually worried of my enemy.
But none of it matters anymore, doesn't it? I mean, he's not the one who killed my parents.
But anyway ever since the Temple of Darkness, strange things happen to me.
This…'other side' of me keeps coming frequently. I usually don't mind since he's helping me a lot.
But these days, I rarely remember anything when he takes over.
Hopefully things will get better.
I'm looking forward to see you! from Emil
---
Dear Mr. Kratos
I know I heard you know things from Emil…
But I never thought the truth could be this bad.
After Emil fainted from reviving Glacies Cores, Regal and Sheena finally told me the truth about him based on Raine's theory.
They said…they said…Emil isn't Emil. They said that Emil might be another person who had amnesia!
In Sybak there was a boy named Aster…a close friend of Richter even!
They say he looked like Emil. Could it be? The once killed Aster is Emil who had amnesia?
But Emil had Uncle and Aunt! That couldn't be possible, could it?
Good luck from Marta.
---
Mr. Kratos…
This isn't my day...
We aren't able to reach the Temple of Earth, so we decided to go to the other Temple.
By the time we wake Glacies Core, I faint…again. How embarrassing…I ended up in Sybak Inn. And yet the "other me" talked to Marta before, and I didn't remember it!
But that's not the real problem. When I awoke from the strange memory, I tried to find the whole member.
I did found them, on the Plaza. Regal and Sheena seemed to talk serious things with Marta…
…and they told me I might not Emil…
…Is this what you've been trying to say Kratos?
That I might not myself? But why I had memories of my parents? Then why do I have Aunt and Uncle as "Emil"?
Perhaps that's true…but....but…
Then again the reason Regal and Sheena didn't say anything is because they're afraid I as Emil might disappear because of the Revelation…
…But whoever I am, it might not matter.
Because Marta and all of my friends say that they care about me regardless who I am.
That's why I'm trying to help Marta right now. Wish me luck!
From Emil.
---
Dear Mr. Kratos...
…It's been a while since I send you letter, but things getting out of hand these days.
I had a fight with the "other Emil" ever since we gain Centurion of Thunder, Tonitrus.
But I'm surprised I found Lloyd but only short of time. Or perhaps he was busy so he couldn't catch up with us?
I slightly disappointed… I thought we were almost going to meet you.
But anyway…back to how the "other Emil" pissed me off. When he tried to protect me from Decus he sent him to the other dimension, with an innocent girl (a friend of Aster) to other dimension!! When I asked what will happen to the girl, he said that he didn't care!
How rude is that!!??
I refused to talk to him. That is…until he cheered me up before we go to the Temple of Earth.
But I guess, even though he was a jerk… This other Emil tried to cheer me up, that's why I'm grateful.
Things getting worse when we reached Altamira, I'll be back soon the Vanguards invading us!
Please be safe, from Marta.
---
Hi, Mr. Kratos, this is Emil again.
I'm sorry that we haven't able to send you any letter… Actually it was caused by the Vanguards and their mayhem in Altamira.
You see, they invaded the people of Altamira to accuse them for kidnapping Marta, because she's Brute's daughter.
And Marta had given herself!!
But when I tried to stop her, my "other self" had invade me again…I think?
Or at least that's what Tenebrae said when I woke up.
Anyway, don't worry. We manage to escape…but we left Regal.
Surprisingly when we got out a girl helped us escape from Alice…her name is Presea.
Maybe you remember her, Kratos? I mean she was one of Lloyd's friends from the Regeneration, right?
I told her that you came back to this world, she was surprised…or at least that's what she said.
We had gone to Ozette, but…oh no! Vanguard invaded that place too!
But Presea had other ideas…I think it will work.
Wish us luck…Emil
---
Dear, Mr. Kratos
We reached Ozette…though we can't go in because Vanguard invaded that place.
But Presea managed to get through to it with…strange idea.
Anyway…We decided to hide into Altessa's house. He's actually a dwarf in Thete'alla, while Sylvarant have Dirk.
Presea mentioned that this was the place where Lloyd finally knew that you are his father.
I'm not sure what actually happened two years ago, but by her looks that incident wasn't that…pleasant.
Then again Magnar is aftering us…again!
But wait!! This whole time Magnar was a member of Vanguard…so…so he made up the part where he was the soldier from the Church of Martel?
Ugh! Is there's no end to this? So with the help of Presea we managed to fight Magnar.
Since we endangered Altessa by staying here, we decided to run to the village of Mizuho.
Until now I'll keep on posting…
Hope things will turn out okay…Marta.
---
Hey, Mr. Kratos it's Emil again.
We arrived on Mizuho with Raine and Genis again! It's been a while.
But after we talked most of things with the elder (he was Sheena's grandfather right?) they decided to capture the Commander.
But that's horrible! I mean, if they aren't careful the Commander, Brute, could've been killed!
Raine said they didn't plan on killing him, but if he was captured, he could've been executed in process.
And…Marta… I feel bad about Marta. Though she said it doesn't matter.
I refused to stay still and let it happen. But Raine ordered me to stay and protect Marta.
So I found her and talked about it. She said she'd rather let her father punished than meeting him.
I tried to convince her. At least she should've talk to her father.
She was afraid…
And all I can do is offering my courage to her.
With luck…from Emil.
---
Mr. Kratos…it's Marta again…
Since we have lots of time in Mizuho, I decided to send you letter again.
Remember when I sympathize with you on Triet? Where you tried to talk to Lloyd but things didn't turn out good?
And then you said…you said I talk as if I had the same experience?
You see Kratos… You now know that I had a father in Vanguard…the commander even. The truth is I've been running away from him since he changed.
He changed…ever since Mother died. He blamed the Symphonian heroes for failing the Regeneration journey.
That's why my father created Vanguard.
At first, the Vanguard didn't became this fanatic, but things changed so was daddy!
He was obsessed since he possessed the Ratatosk's Core, until I snatched it out from him.
So I decided to runaway. I thought maybe if I wake Ratatosk, the Vanguard will stop this nonsense.
Speaking of Vanguard…they reached Mizuho too! I'll send other letters next time.
Miss you, from Marta.
---
Dear Mr. Kratos
I would say this is the last letter I give to you since…Marta finally chose a big decision.
After we ran out and help Raine, Genis and Presea to fight the Vanguard. My "other self" take over again…I think?
Anyway, we defeated them, and most of the troops runaway and the village is safe, thankfully!
My other self speak something to her, and made Marta finally decided to talk to her father once again.
I'm not sure what he said to her…but Marta confessed it was the same thing I discussed with her before in Mizuho village.
Raine, Genis and Presea finally agreed on this…but Raine saying something she would rather leave me behind?
I'm not sure that's what she said…but I guess that wasn't important.
We will finally reach Altamira in no time.
Tenebrae said this Vanguard's sudden captive of Regal would attract Lloyd that he wouldn't miss it!
That means we can meet you again!
I always believe…that Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality!
See you soon, from Emil.
---
Lloyd flipped some of his father's letter. It was amazing that out of this rushing situation, he and Kratos had time to read small greetings from Emil and Marta. They send some small letters, each minimize into small notes since they're busy wakening the Centurions. However, by reading most of these small letters he knew their progress…and soon enough Emil will know his real identity.
When he finished reading it he lent it back to Kratos.
"How did those guys send the letters?"
"They had their ways… When they were accompanied by Regal, he had help from the Lezerano company. The letters are postponed until they reach Mizuho, where Sheena's scouts can lend it to us. Zelos' maids and butler helped it too. They also send letters for Zelos and Colette."
Lloyd then read Emil's letter, concerning he mentioned his identity problem.
"If Emil is…" Lloyd stopped the middle of his sentence, unable speak further, "Then why is he look like Aster? Who is he anyway?"
Kratos was silent for a while, and suddenly Lloyd was getting used to that. If someone asked Kratos a very complicated question, he would gave a silent as a first reply…then conclusion. At that time people usually forgot their question…
"He's a friend of Richter… I am not sure what kind of role he had with Ratatosk. But he was... Perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" Lloyd asked slightly annoyed, loosing his patient. They're in the middle of running…and his father's late reply wouldn't help this situation at all.
Suddenly Lloyd cried, cutting his father's train of thoughts while pointing the end of the room, "Regal!!"
"What happened?"
"I spotted him, the Vanguard girl, Alice had him!"
There is was…far away, the president of Lezarano was in mercy of Alice. But before Lloyd could reach them, the floor below them were suddenly lifted. It seemed Alice who didn't notice Lloyds sudden appearance, had dragged him to a secret elevator.
"No!" Lloyd frustratingly slammed his fist to the wall nearby.
"Calm down, Lloyd!" His father hushed him.
"But, Regal-"
"He was taken to the main office." He spoke then walked to the small circulated room which the secret elevator where been, "Wait a while…I think Brute was there…"
When Kratos looked the ceiling, Lloyd followed him closer to his side. Both of them realized the upper level was the main office…
Commander Brute's voice echoed to that room, "Enough of these foolish games! The time has come. Hand over all of the Centurion's Cores you have, or your friend here dies!!"
There was a tensed silence until…
"Stop it!!" Marta cried.
Emil was there as well, "You coward!"
Lloyd growled, "Damnit! We can't stay here, Dad. We had to go there!!'
"Of course" Kratos spoke as he offered his finger point as a base to jump, "Jump in…"
Brute's loud voice echoed again, "It's obvious that you don't understand. Means and Methods are insignificant in the eyes of justice!!"
Kratos could see his son gritted his teeth as he prepared his jump. It is obvious that he hated that word. He finally yelled on top of his lungs that his voice echoed to the next room.
"Don't even start spewing the word JUSTICE!!"
Both Lloyd and Kratos had broken the elevator, saving Regal and knocked Alice away in process. Lloyd helped Regal support Regal while Kratos went to Emil's side.
Lloyd eyes meet Emil's. He…finally…for the first time, trusted Emil. Because his friends and his father lend their power to help Emil and Marta, so he must trust them.
So now, he yelled, "Now, Emil!!"
---
The Brute fight was a challenge considering he possessed Solum's Core. But Kratos noticed how Emil and Marta became strong. However things didn't turn out that way. After Brute has fall, Marta cried his father and ran to his side. Lloyd had moved Regal to Raine as she healed him.
And then suddenly Decuse barged in…
"I found it!!" He screamed. His eyes was drowned into insanity caused by his previous possession of Solum's Core.
Emil tried to stop him, but he was rolled over easily.
"Decus!! How did you…?" Marta didn't finish her sentence because he was shoved by Decus. Kratos immediately caught her before she fell to the floor.
"Give it to me…!!" He spoke it with uncontrolled hunger, "Give me the Core!!'
"Decus…" Brute called weakly, finally regained his conscious, "You…?"
He didn't finish his sentence as the insane man had forcedly take the Solum's Core out of Brute's chest. He caught it, the yellow core in sleeping state as Brute lost his conscious again and fell to the floor.
"DADDY!!" Marta cried, she tried to reach his father but Kratos held her warily on what Decus could do.
Thankfully Emil attacked him. The Solum Core fell to the desk. He finally let Marta go.
"Daddy…daddy!!" Marta reached to her fainted father followed by Raine and Colette on her side while the rest remain guarding the door. Lloyd came to Emil's side to help him held Decus since he still wanted the Core.
Tenebrae floated to the Solum's Core and pled, "Lady Marta, hatch the Core!"
"But Daddy…Daddy's going to die!" She frantically said as she was about to cast healing spell.
"If you don't hatch the Core, Decus would not regain his conscious. Please… we will heal him." Kratos assured her while he gathered Colette and Raine, readied them the heal Brute.
"B-but I…"
"Please Marta, leave it to us, just hatch the Core." Colette spoke.
"The Core!! Give me The Core!!!" Decuse crawling to the desk, but he was pulled once again by Emil and Lloyd.
"Quickly now!" Raine voice rose, urging her to do it.
Marta hesitantly but finaly agreed, "Uh…yes!"
The healing process was slow, even though they had Kratos, Colette and Raine combined their powers for Brute. But Raine had given his healing to Regal, while Brute's injury was caused by the mystic powers from Solum's Core.
When Marta managed to hatch the Core, Decus regained his conscious. Realizing this, Emil and Lloyd let him go to the ground, while watching Brute uttering words to Marta. But it was not long until Alice silently called Decus to run. Though he tip-toed leaving the room, Lloyd noticed it and then pursuing them. This also had earned Kratos attention. He usually let Lloyd go since he was capable on taking care of himself.
…But he had strange hence that Lloyd was in trouble.
He then left the healing to Raine and Colette.
---
Why should he worry? Lloyd will be all right, won't he?
Besides Zelos, Genis and Sheena had followed him. (AN: How did they get down in the first place? O_o)
But this fear crawled Kratos to his bone. When he reached downstairs (where he assumed where Lloyd would be), he was almost rained with bodies.
First Genis was thrown away, then Zelos, and then Sheena was last.
He found Lloyd who stood there bewilderment facing the cause of his fallen friends…
Richter…
Lloyd was exhausted, Kratos can tell immediately. He had no strength to defend himself. But Richter CAN defeat all of Lloyd's friend. What's left right now is exhausted Lloyd whom he battled for only few minutes. Both he and Lloyd didn't realize Kratos' presence.
Richter charged again taking advantage since the Eternal Swordsman is fatigued.
At the same time Kratos barged in and blocked his sword from his son.
No one will hurt Lloyd… Not Kvar, not Mitos, not Ratatosk…not even this damned servant from demons.
His mind hissed as his mouth growled threatening Richter, "Don't you dare…"
Richter didn't back off, there was strange power merging from his body that the pressure increased.
"Dad!!" Lloyd yelled, he ran immediately to his side and helped him.
"I'm fine…" He grunted, stood up immediately.
The elevator made bell sound, when it opened Emil, Marta and Presea. It seemed they were dumbfounded to see all the fallen heroes while only Kratos and Lloyd remained.
"Why… Why are you so powerful!?" Lloyd then asked to Richter.
But Kratos answered him first, "He made a pact with the demon…"
"Wha…what…?" Lloyd stammered.
Richter then proceed on his next attack, "I guess the heroes of the world are no match against the power of demonic realm…"
Emil then rushed to Lloyd's front raising his arms to stop his former ally, "Richter…why?"
"Emil…I've finally made up my mind…" He answered slowly without changing his posture.
"Your form no longer matters to me. I will kill you!!"
"You're so stubborn…" Emil's voice lowered suddenly. Marta was no longer surprised "the other" Emil had finally returned. But he didn't bother to talk further. Emil raised his sword and form his deadly Artes again.
"Emil wai-" Kratos warned but it was trailed off.
"Darkness devours…AIN SOPH AUR!!"
Richter blocked it again until he finally said, "This artes…this timing…so indeed… You are Ratatosk!!!"
The red eyed Emil didn't have time to defend himself. But when his deadly attack was about to hit himself, he was numb.
All he can hear was Marta's scream.
---
He didn't know what to do…knowing the truth was hurt…and he had no energy left to do anything.
"I…remember… And then- "
"-And then all of the sudden, he…HE-!!"
"I will avenge Aster's death!!"
"So you think means and methods don't matter as long as you get what you get what you want?
First you kill Daddy to kill all of those innocent people, and now you want to kill Emil, who always believe in you?!"
Marta…he had to protect Marta…
"Aster was also innocent!!"
He heard sword clashes…someone defend Marta…
"I can't let you kill Ratatosk!!"
"Lloyd Irving! Why do you insist on getting in my way? Why does it matter to you?"
"At this moment, I'm going to stop you as Emil's friend!"
---
"Ah…friend…" Emil lost his conscious he manage to smirk for a while, "That stubborn fool…"
Marta screamed as she support him, "EMIL!!"
The boy slowly stood up wobbly, helped by Marta.
"They got away...Richter, Alice and Decus. Are you all right Emil?"
"I'm fine… I was just…" Emil's voice sounded strange. It wasn't the feeble voice that he used to, it was more like… "I am Ratatosk…"
His voice suddenly stern, as the boy…no…the Summon Spirit of the Giant Kharlan Tree awoke, red eyes blazed slightly. He raised suddenly ignoring Marta's protest.
"Emil…?" Lloyd stammered, he was confused.
"I am Ratatosk," he denied Lloyd's calling, but then he suddenly pointed to his father, "And…I'm damn well remembering you…Kratos Aurion…the traitor!!"
SLAM!!
Without warning Emil had slammed the handling of his sword to Kratos' gut. Making the Seraph immobile, kneeling to the floor in instant.
"KRATOS!" Marta gasped. She was about to stand between them to help but Presea pulled her to safety.
"I don't know how the hell you still alive and rotten in this world, Kratos… Just looking at your face makes me sick."
He then positioned himself to perform his most deadly attack, pointing to the Seraph. It was a nightmare. Kratos had never thought that the aggressive Summon Spirit finally had recognized him.
But there's something more horrifying to the Seraph than his death. Lloyd was suddenly stepping in front of him.
"STOP, DON'T HURT HIM!!" he yelled.
'Goddamnit Lloyd, move!!' Kratos' mind cried, 'This role supposed to be reversed!'
But…he didn't know why. Ratatosk…in form of Emil, seemed hesitate when he saw Lloyd blocking him.
"Who are you to tell me? You had no idea what this damned man did to me."
Kratos tensed, Ratatosk did not only recognize him, but he also remembered his painful betrayal. But he worried his life far much less than Lloyd's. He still stubbornly stand between them, one wrong impatient move from the awakened Summon Spirit and he could be hurt…or worse! His son didn't even bother to raise his sword. He only spread his arms, making him an easy target. Kratos then rose; he immediately clutched Lloyd shoulder to stand back.
"Enough Ratatosk, it's just you and me. This boy did not know anything."
Ratatosk snorted. Apparently this is the first time they actually agreed on something, ever since he regained his memory.
"You heard the old man? Now, move…"
"NO!!" Lloyd stubbornly forced his father to move back, his garnet eyes flared to the Summon Spirit, "You can't hurt him!"
Ratatosk, suddenly calmed down. He slowly stood straight forgetting his fighting stance. His blood red eyes, which once blazed with hatred, are now dimmed into curiosity.
"...Aren't you…" He narrowed his eyes, "The jewel thief? Aren't you the one who stole my minions?"
He slowly walked closer to him and then his eyes widened, "Wait you're…you're…Krato's child."
Kratos eyes widened slightly in incredible disbelief. How did the Summon Spirit know Lloyd's identity? Surely his powers haven't returned yet? He then turned back to the Centurion of Darkness, seeking a sign of betrayal. But Tenebrae was as clueless as he was. He floated immediately to Ratatosk.
"Lord Ratatosk… It is a pleasant to see you had awaken. But I think you're mistaken…"
"Silence Tenebrae, I know Kratos' child once I saw one!"
"But…"
"Back off!" He shoved his servant away as Tenebrae looked at Kratos regretfully, "So you're still alive?"
But after a slight silence, the Summon Spirit suddenly walked closely, slowly, approaching to them. Ratatosk then stooped about a meter from Lloyd and Kratos, whom neither of them moved. His crimson eyes were observing, sometimes to the Seraph, then to the hero in red. He was comparing them…and yes little by little the Summon Spirit can tell the faint similarities between those two warriors.
Lloyd did not move. He wasn't sure what to do in this situation. He could feel his father's finger pressure increased on his shoulder. Kratos Aurion had rarely feared anything, but if you looked closely enough, his figure was tense. Only certain people can see that. Certain people…such as Ratatosk realized his fear.
Ratatosk still approached them and finally his ruby eyes locked to Lloyd's.
"I never thought…" he whispered… and faintly raised one of his hand and was about to touch Lloyd's shoulder. He was trying to convince himself that the man before him was not a phantom.
But when his hand hovered above the red warrior's shoulder, in one split second Kratos raised his sword threaten the Summon Spirit's neck, while with his other hand pulled Lloyd from his shoulder to his back protectively.
CLANG!!
"…If you dare lay a finger on him…" Kratos growled.
Ratatosk remained calm, even though he aware the sword on his neck. The tip of Flamberge was a centimeter away from his skin, but the Summon Spirit was unfazed, he paid no mind to it. His shot a warning glare to Kratos and then his eyes once again fell too Lloyd. But his hand hung limp on the side of his body, "The jewel thief, my nemesis was the next Tree's name giver…and he was Krato's child?"
"Lord Ratatosk this is not what it appears to be. If you just calm down and rest-" Tenebrae interfered once more.
"I'm not asking you, Tenebrae." Ratatosk harshly cut his minion's objection, "Now, Kratos answer me. Is he your son or not?"
Another chilling silence, none of them answered. But Kratos knew Ratatosk very well. The summon spirit was very impatient. If they keep mute, this would not end very nicely. He had to think of something…
Yet after while a small voice answered both of them, "Yes…"
Kratos looked back disbelievingly to the source. Lloyd was the one who answered that. He didn't know what how much it cost his son…to expose the truth when a long time ago during the Regeneration Journey, he rejected him.
"Llo-" He was about to protests when Ratatosk cut his sentence rudely.
"-Don't." Ratatosk hissed, "Let him speak."
"I am his son."
"Dear Odin…" The Summon Spirit muttered a curse. He then subconsciously rubbed his temple, "This revelation makes things more complicated. But if you've been plotting a plan to against me, then why did you save me from Richter?"
"But…I…wasn't exactly against you."
He chuckled darkly, "That's the same thing what Kratos say to me. Do you honestly think by saying that I would easily belief your insignificant words?"
"Emil!!"
He turned back to the girl who was now standing between Kratos and him, "How you could say that to him? Kratos was our friend!"
"He's trying to kill me! He didn't care anything about me. He followed us because of his son. He'd spare me because he was listening to his child!"
"What's the different on what I'm doing? I'm part of Vanguard! I've been running away from Daddy, and I put all the responsibility to all my friends and you!!"
Ratatosk then sighed. He closed his eyes slowly, and then controlled his breathing.
"Your father is still sick?"
"I…yes…" Marta spoke feebly. She was confused on why he changed the subject suddenly.
"And you still haven't found a doctor for him…?"
"N-no."
Unexpectedly Ratatosk leave, leaving all of them confused. Marta then hurriedly followed the Summon Spirit with Lloyd and Kratos following them. When he reached the main room, where…not long ago they have massive battle with Brute, his appearance startled all of them.
Colette and Regal looking at Ratatosk who paid no attention while keep walking to Raine who was healing Brute.
Realizing there's intruder, Raine gasped, "E-Emil…? What…"
"Move aside…"
Raine demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"
The Summon Spirit then growled to Sheena, "Please… Step aside."
"Emil…" Marta's voice heard from the back.
Ratatosk was impatient but he tried so hard to suppress his temper. He then eyed Marta from his back and spoke, "Do you trust me?"
Marta didn't answer for a while, until she spoke, "I…I trust you."
The half-elf lady didn't like the decision. Emil suddenly barged in and suddenly asked her to away from Brute. Marta's father was still in critical state, and she had no time on arguing to him.
"If I moved, what is your intention?"
"Please…" Ratatosk spoke again with hoarse voice this time, "Leave him to me."
"Lord Ratatosk you mustn't-!!" Tenebrae then yelled, realizing his intention.
"By the power of the Mana lineage, I ask thee Vegtam, the spirit of the tree, to bestow me power to return this man to his original state…! RESTORE!! "
A bust of light emerge from Emil's hand it dimmed when it reach Brute. Whatever that thing was it made Brute's injury healed and his breathing had steadied. Emil…or Ratatosk in shocked all of the people in this room, because he healed Brute!
Satisfied, Ratatosk grinned but it faded as he fell backwards loosing energy.
…Kratos and Lloyd caught him in time before he fell to the ground.
"Emil!!" Marta cried so was Tenebrae.
"Lord Ratatosk!"
Ratatosk paid no heed to their worry. He can only chuckle sardonically at Kratos. "You may have hard exterior, Kratos. But you always have soft inside of you…"
Kratos didn't say anything, but spoke a sudden truth, "You did not attempt to dispose me, back then."
"Hmph…you noticed." He snorted, earning surprise expression from Lloyd and the others, "I didn't try to kill you, because you're the one who had better chance to win…especially in my current state. However…It would nice just to slap you few times."
"-which is why you suddenly attack him…?" Lloyd asked.
"Of course…Heh… I made you worried. You thought I was going to kill your old man."
Kratos narrowed his garnet eyes, but it was slightly with concern, "You use restoration… That isn't healing artes, you're just use time to return the man to his original state before he had your Centurion Core. This is your way on manipulating Time and Space since you are close to Origin… But your action could drain your Mana."
"E-emil…" Marta's mouth open when she realized the truth.
"Don't…" Ratatosk raised his hand, "My minion's Core had hurt your father. I should be responsible on what happen to him. Don't worry…I will regain my Mana in no time…"
Kratos sighed and then proceed on helping him to his with Lloyd's support. Seeing this Ratatosk chuckled more on their action.
"You know me so well, don't you Kratos?"
"You have done the same thing to me a long time ago." Kratos spoke as helped him to a chair nearby, "That spell was risky."
"It's your fault for getting into so much trouble." Ratatosk spat weakly, "You're more troublesome than your half-elf friends combined!"
"Either way you still choose to do that."
Ratatosk chuckled, "Selfishless I guess…? Tsk, I sound softer, bleh…"
Marta then finally approach him carefully, "Are you…are you all right?"
"I told you already I'm fine. Go care your father…and clean the Vanguard's mess!" Ratatosk complained, but he cared Marta so much that he refused to have sympathy from her.
The flower girl then carefully picked his hand earning silence from Ratatosk.
"Thank you…"
"Don't bother." He managed to speak…but he turned his head from her shyly. Ratatosk ordered the Centurion of Darkness, "Tenebrae go with her!"
"Lord Ratatosk, I must disagree with you. You hadn't fully recover from your-"
Ratatosk gave a deadly glare at his Centurion.
"M-my apologies. I will go with her."
"Now…" he turned to the swordsmen before him, "As for you two…"
---
This was strange.
Few minutes ago his life was almost dangled by that Summon Spirit.
A while after Kratos and Lloyd were actually sitting on a desk, feasting with Ratatosk. Metaphorically, you are eating with a carnivorous lion that can eat you anytime. The Lezarano's restaurants were all closed due to the abduction of the president. But Regal managed to provide them with a room complete with a kitchen. Only Kratos and his son who can accept his strange invitation, the others due to the injury were tended by Marta and Presea. Preparation of the meal was quiet fancy, as if those swordsmen were invited by a King…on this case…the Prince of Monster.
And all meal was actually prepared by the Summon Spirit himself… He regained his strength shortly after he asked both of them to feast with him.
The Summon Spirit himself didn't eat much. But surprisingly, he just found a bag of gingerbread man cookies. As Ratatosk looked at them closely, he ate the cookie…
…but he was only chewing the head of the gingerbread man vigorously...
Now Kratos was really disturbed…
Poor Lloyd was actually dragged to this. Now he was looking the plate before him. His eyes gazed to his food, and a slight disturbing feeling crept inside his mind. Ratatosk was strangely calm on this, his ruby eyes still locked to either to his guests.
"This is Ratatosk's way on gaining trust with others…" Kratos eyed his son warily, forcing him to be polite, "I suggest any of you do not refuse his invitation."
The Summon Spirit gave a sadistic laugh, "You know me very well, Kratos."
But Lloyd could only blinked few times rapidly to his father then to the Summon Spirit. He was…really lost in puzzlement.
Ratatosk sighed. He somehow pitied him and explained, "You see… I am the king of Monster. Monsters don't do complicated things to gain trust. We are simply animals…we kill to eat, we only harass if you mess with us first, as simple as that. The only thing mattered to us, is to survive. Being exists for a time being, and one of them is eating."
"I…I'm not sure. I understand."
"Somehow judging by your lack of attention I began to doubt that you're really Kratos' child."
"H-hey!" Lloyd was slightly annoyed.
…and then Ratatosk snickered, "But when you're annoyed your face looks sooo… much like him…" He chuckled sinisterly, "This could be much fun."
"H-huh?" Lloyd mumbled, being confused again.
His laugh deceased when Kratos garnet eyes dangerously warned him, "Do not insult him… You're the one who couldn't explain it enough."
"To make it simple… We declare feasting together, as a sign of trust. Unlike half-elves or…humans…" He hissed treacherously to Kratos, "We monsters and monsters had always been faithful to promise. Even though you're my enemy, but I'm worried Richter far more than you. I too must thank you for covering me from that Richter bastard. Now eat…"
The red warrior bit his lips in dilemma. This "so-called" food is…wasn't tantalizing at all.
"Are…you sure this is…food?" he whispered to his father. Carefully not to let Ratatosk misheard this as an insult. He somewhat envied his father disability for taste. He just ate the meal little without any trouble...
"Most of his meals are actually pleasant…though at that time he was consciously as Emil. But nevertheless it had the same taste. Emil had slightly advantage score because his meals had…less disturbing appearance."
Ratatosk snorted, half cared of his reaction, "Don't worry. It's not poison...much."
Lloyd sighed, and then took a bite, surprised, "It is...good?" He then relieved the result was not horrified.
The Summon Spirit then gave satisfying smirk, "So, Tos-tos…" (1)
"Tos-tos?" Lloyd almost chocked his meal, as he looked at Kratos with disbelief expression.
Kratos sighed, "Yes, vermin rodent?"
"Rodent…?" Lloyd's gaze turned back to Ratatosk.
But despite the insult, the Summon Spirit snickered, "Just like the old times, eh? Tos-tos? We used to be good friends a long time ago."
Lloyd wasn't sure how to react on this situation. He knew his father had befriended with Ratatosk a long time ago, but he wouldn't think the Summon Spirit still admit it. Even after he consciously attacked his father, he then considered that act was normal to their degree.
"You didn't seem to surprise." Ratatosk commented taking the obvious expression from Lloyd.
Lloyd spoke…slightly feebly, "I know about your friendship with Kratos…more or less."
The boy ignored his father's raised eyebrow. Though so, Lloyd could hear him say, "Where did you find out?"
"F-from… Yuan…"
Ratatosk eyes flickered again, "The coffee garden?? He's alive too?"
"Co..ffee garden? Yuan's alternate name?"
"Well, at least that nickname I give is still civilized...rather than calling him Yui…"
Lloyd almost chocked his food again. He then forced his food, trying so hard not to bury his laughter. Looking at this behavior, Kratos pitied Lloyd's situation, and shook his head as well.
"Yeah, we used to be…good friends, before that betrayal..." When he spoke that Lloyd could've sworn he saw Ratatosk's eyes misted, "I even give a protozoan to him, as a token of our friendship." He continued.
"Noishe??" Lloyd's blabbered, "Noishe was actually given by you???"
"Noishe is a protozoan, first creature that was born from mana, when the Giant Kharlan Tree was born. Therefore he was once used to live near the Kharlan Tree with me, until I entrusted him to Kratos… I guess it was a mistake. The last time I heard he became easily afraid. What have you done to him, Tos-tos??!!"
Kratos sighed and buried his face to his palm, "I would appreciate if you start calling me simply by my name."
He snorted, "Why not Tos-tos? What's the different on calling me a Rodent?"
"That's because you are a rodent." He spoke nonchalantly.
Lloyd could see the Summon Spirit's mouth twitching in annoyance, but it's safe to say he was just feeling insulted. He cooled down eventually.
Then again…Lloyd has been curious on what Ratatosk's real form was. Being a boy named Emil Castagnier was surely not his real being.
Kratos answered, as if he read Lloyd's inner question, "He's a squirrel."
Lloyd could only blink few times to him, then twice…his mouth opened agape unable to speak. Since Ratatosk was considered as the 'King of Beast' he would imagined this Summon Spirit would took a form of a vicious animal, maybe he's a fierce dragon! He's a wise eagle or…or…he's a lion at least.
…but no…he's a squirrel…
His father added again, "He's a Squirrel with a large helical tusk. And he would wonder of the Kharlan Tree and speak nasty things to you." (2)
Now the boy was seriously disorientated.
Ratatosk scoffed, "It's better than being a human! I'd swear, I thought I will be burn in hell because of my wrong doings. But noooo…! Being human is worse than being burn into hell!!"
"-And speaking of human…" Kratos looked at his betrayed friend solemnly, "How did you end this way?"
The humanoid Summon Spirit closed his eyes for a while, as if he would gain concentration by doing so. Few minutes passed he finally spoke, "Well, since this conversation had gone nowhere… Let's make a deal while we exchanging some information. I'd tell you what happened to me. As long as you tell me what happened in this world. Few years almost in sleeping state had made me ignorant to this changed world."
Kratos nodded calmly, "Very well then… Who would start first?"
"You" He simply replied, "Start with what happened to Mithos… I left my Centurions with stupid fantasy, that he was still the so-called Mithos the Hero. But I'm the only one who knew the truth. That's why Tenebrae still believe in you. He knew I was betrayed by four of you. It's just he didn't realized it was the ungrateful half-elf boy who used to lived with us became Yggdrasil and manipulating all the nature in this world for 4000 years." (3)
The ex-Seraph sighed and paused for a while. He then spoke weakly, "He died."
"Oh…?" that was Ratatosk reply with no emotion whatsoever, "Really? How did he die?" The blond boy titled his head and raised an eyebrow, he seemed amused.
"I…well." Lloyd took a glance at the table, lost in thought, "He was killed…by me."
"Ah... Let me guess your father bossing you around to kill him instead doing it by himself."
"Uh…I…"
"I know Kratos' bad habits. He is a masochist after all, letting his student's twisted ideals consuming him. He can't fight back, he can't kill him…so was Yuan."
"I'm not a masochist." Kratos slightly annoyed.
"Well, I couldn't blame him… It is Martel's dead wish to stay by his side. But he takes it too far… He did it, but for four thousand years…"
"Martel's…dying wish?" Lloyd turned his gaze to his father, "Why didn't you tell me this?"
"Hmm…?" Ratatosk smirked, "I guess he just want you to keep thinking him as a bastard forever. See? He's a masochist…"
"And you…a sadist? You seemed thrill to hear Mithos' dead."
Ratatosk was silent for a while, until he spoke, "True…I waited for a moment like for a long time but…strangely…I wasn't as thrilled as I expected to be." The Summon Spirit rested his back to the chair, half laid there.
"Maybe…" Kratos suddenly suggest half whispered, "Because Mithos and Martel spend most of their lives with you. That you considered them as a family."
"I accept that Martel is a family but NOT Mithos." Suddenly Ratatosk hissed again, but then he sighed deeply, "But he was such a bright boy back then… He was filled with dreams and peace. Then after Martel killed…" He gave a long sigh, pausing for a while, "Oh, why does the good one must die first?"
"Fate does not follow what we wish." Kratos muttered subconsciously when he spoke that.
"Of course…" Ratatosk spoke, "I heard your family died, your son lived… But your wife cannot be help. It was such unfortunate…she was a kind one…"
Lloyd blinked once again, "You know my Mother?"
"I met her once. Actually I did meet all of you. You and your parents."
"Wh-what? How?"
Kratos explained the unknown tale, "It was accidental…and we forced to hide there his realm-"
"-since they were persuaded by Desians." Ratatosk continued, "And it wasn't a pleasant memory, either. We intent to forget our encounter back then.
"Why…?"
"We fought…" Kratos garnet eyes narrowed to the red-eyed Emil who glared back to him.
"-But we cool down eventually. Of course you don't remember meeting a giant squirrel with tusk on his head… You're so little back then, you couldn't stay still. You are very contrast compared to your stoic father. Your mother however…was a VERY peculiar woman."
"Why's so?" Lloyd had no idea what his mother like. Kratos rarely mention her basically because he always hurt to memorize her each time he done that. But he had another story was about to be told unexpectedly from his nemesis. Needless to say, despite this situation, he was interest on hearing more.
"But she didn't seem afraid to any of the monsters. Maybe because your father said she was captive in the ranch ever since she was a child resulting small knowledge of the world around her. She never seen a Summon Spirit before. Imagine that, she thought we can make truce and then shake my large paw and she…she…called me…" Ratatosk chocked unable to continue.
"-Mr. Squirrel..." Kratos finished it, trying so hard to suppress his emotion.
Ratatosk immediately slammed his face to the table in humiliation, "…and I began to worry Kratos' sanity on marrying her…"
Lloyd gapped like an idiot for a while. It was until he narrowed his eyes to him, he thought Ratatosk disgraced his mother.
"Oh no…your mistaken. Your mother didn't mean to humiliate me. She was a woman who believed in peace during those damn times. But since she thought her 'nickname' was harmless which make things worse… I was unable to fight her." He groaned.
"You hate fighting woman." The Seraph stated.
Ratatosk snorted, "Women are creatures who bare mana for their future children. They're much different than man who only can do destruction."
"Even so then why do you want to destroy the entire human?
Ratatosk slowly raised his head, "Ah…we forgot to discuss that matter…" When he sat up straight he then spoke, "Now…about my being."
"What happened to you…Ratatosk…?" Lloyd then asked
"No…" He shook his head, "I often mistaken as Ratatosk, since I bare his memory. We were divided…"
"Please explain yourself." Kratos urged.
The red eyed Emil was in deep thought until he prepared himself to speak, "Before the Palmacosta blood purge… Two men had awakened one of my Centurion Aqua. They find my chamber…in depths of Ginunggagap near the door to Niflheim. A half-elf and a human who was named Richter and Aster..."
"Richter…? Aster?"
"They request my help to balance the unstable Mana since the world Regeneration. I was in the post-sleeping state in thought that this new tree can restore the balance of this world… But eventually this new tree was so small. It hasn't mature yet…so was the name-giver…"
There was a slight silence until Ratatosk spoke again, "Yes, I acknowledge it was you Lloyd Irving. Though you bare the 'Irving' name, I had no idea that you actually the son of Kratos." He rubbed his temple in distress.
"But I…"
"No…" Ratatosk cut Kratos plead, "It is not mattered whether you're Kratos son or not. You had my Core… That is something I cannot tolerate."
"What Lloyd done is my responsibility-"
"This is something you can't cover, Kratos… You should be grateful at least. If it someone else who stole my Core such as Richter I would dispose of them immediately, if only he didn't have his power from demonic realm. But your son here…he's the mana tree name-giver. I cannot kill him, not now at least…"
This had brought confusion to both father and son. Though so deep inside Kratos mind, he was relieved.
"How…how did you know that I'm the name-giver?"
"Rumors…" Ratatosk answered it simply, "But your recent activity had brought question to all of the Summon Spirits…"
"I told you I'm not against yo-"
"-And yet you refuse to tell me what do you planning to do."
"…I…"
"You're still young…" Ratatosk sighed, "To be a Mana tree name-giver at your age is impossible..."
"Lloyd can…" Kratos spoke suddenly, earning surprise from Lloyd.
"Yet your son here is not mature enough to bare all of that responsibility because he hasn't been worthy to be my Master."
"Ma…master…?"
"We…the spirit of the mana tree referred the name-giver as the master. Although you're not my tree's name giver, you're technically had the authority over me. But…"
"…You're still upset about the Core."
"The Core was the least of my problem. And since the last Core was in your possession I would rather let it be, rather in Richter's…" He confessed unexpectedly, "I cannot lend you my trust, that's the problem. Not because you're the son of Kratos. The problem was far a long time ago back when I was betrayed by Mithos…"
"So…how do I earn your trust?"
"Not sure if it will happened…we might have to fight in the end."
"I'll find another way…"
Ratatosk sighed, "Tsk…you can't."
"I will! And I will find another way to have your trust, without fighting you!"
Ratatosk spoke finally, "And you don't want to know why Richter wanted to kill me…?"
Lloyd was silent for a while.
His father conclude, "Because you killed Aster."
"I thought you want to hear how I turned out to be this way…"
"Please carry on."
"As you can see I was divided into two conscious… The one as Ratatosk's conscious who named himself Emil and the one who had Ratatosk's memory."
---
BAH!!! IT'S WEEEEEEEIRD!!!!
But I tried T_T this chapter taken 10000 words and I can no longer have power left. I'm so sorry!! I'll swear on making the better chapter on the next one… Please don't kill me. This is pretty much confusing, but I hope I can explain it to all of you after this.
As for the poor writing thing...I'll fix it later -_-;
(1) The Tos-tos joke owned by Ark Navy… Epic!
(2) People can be pretty forgetful on this fact. Ratatosk isn't 'just' a Squirrel; he's a Squirrel with a tusk! Hence his name Ratatosk= "the traveler with tusk" or "a rat…uh…rodent…squirrel thingy with tusk". The mythology's story confused me, did he had Tusk on his teeth like saber tooth or actually his shaped like Unicorn like Narwhal whale? Either way I choose the picture from the ancient Norse…(which it didn't helpful much because it was like undone sketch… But it seemed Ratatosk tusk shaped into something like…Narwhal whale structure. So I'll go with the unicorn shape. I don't know how it actually possible but meh… Myths are meant to be weird.
(3) I made a mistake on how Mithos was mentioned on Izoold chapter instead of Yggdrasil. But either way, I hope this theory was sensible for all of you.