I got a really nice review for this fic a couple weeks ago, it was anonymous though, so I couldn't reply. Just want to tell them thanks, it was very nice.

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He touched down, quickly dismounting and putting away the rheaird.

"Lloyd!"

A smile of relief appeared on his face as he saw her, unharmed but trapped in some strange circle.

"It's okay, Colette, I'm going to get you out of here," he said, rushing toward her.

"N- no! Lloyd stay back! It's a trap!"

A trap-?

There was a flash of light and a blast of mana that sent his head reeling, then realized he was unable to move his feet.

"Ugh-!" his eyes widened, alarmed.

The mana- it was Colette's mana, the circle was spreading it out to snag him! Damn it! He should've sensed something was wrong-

"Lloyd, please, just go!"

"I'm not leaving without you!" he snapped back, struggling to keep his thoughts together.

The mana was too intense for him, he wasn't used to sensing it like this. He had barely begun being able to detect it, and it was always the subtle, ambient mana, not concentrated and targeted like this-

He shook his head, wincing as the throbbing in his head grew worse. No, he could worry about that later, he needed to move- but his body wouldn't cooperate. His teeth clenched in frustration; dammit! Why was it he couldn't do anything?! His body had no damn problem metamorphosing into a spirit at any damn time but not when he actually wanted it to. Great, just great! Lloyd struggled, managing to lift a foot and take a single step.

"Lloyd-!" Colette shouted.

Lloyd whipped his head to the side, a giant set of jaws- two sets, actually- rushing toward him with a deafening roar. His blood ran cold at the sheer size of the dragon and he managed to unsheathe a sword-

A blade of water as big as he was pierced from the sky, slamming into the dragon's head and making it withdraw, shrieking.

"Are you well, dear friend?"

The Maiden of the Mist hovered above him, smiling gently.

"Undine-?"

A whirl of pink and steel sliced into the neck of the dragon, splintering the scales but not managing to pierce.

"Lloyd! Are you okay?!" Sheena shouted from her place on a rheaird.

"Guys-!'

What sounded like shattering glass echoed over the platform despite the strong winds, the crystalline cage around Colette broken apart and the mana retreating back into her body, freeing Lloyd. Kratos grabbed the blonde's arm and pulled her out, the Chosen giving a yelp of surprise to find the Seraph assisting her friends. Lloyd didn't have much time to be grateful, seeing as a few baby sky dragons had appeared to assist their giant mother.

He ran into the fray, fighting off the dragons with his companions. They managed to defeat them and then make their getaway on the rheairds when the nest began to fall from the sky. The whole battle seemed a bit of a blur, though he could remember enough to know he had remained human the entire time, and not used any particularly Cenon-esque abilities. It gave him a mixture of relief and confusion; why was it nothing happened? It was a very dangerous situation, beforehand even ifhe didn't want to some kind of power would leak from him. That was what he pondered to himself as they landed.

Up until his father walked up to him and smacked him across the face.

Lloyd froze, stunned, staring off into space. His cheek stung, one hand slowly coming up and gingerly touching the angry red mark.

"I…" he stammered, staring.

"You were careless. Had we not arrived when we did you would have died."

"I-"

"Spirit or not, you still have a human life!" Kratos snapped, grabbing his wrist roughly. "This body, this human existence, it's just as fragile as any other. That's why the spirits tried to kill you, you do understand that, don't you? You do understand that you can die? You'd become Cenon, permanently, you would never have a real human life again. You'd lose this life, your life as Lloyd, do you understand that or don't you?"

"I- I just-"

"You were arrogant," the Seraph spat, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "That is what happened. Your arrogance endangered you and everyone else."

"Can he even die?" Zelos spoke up, eying them.

"Yeah, I mean…he did die, before, we saw it," Sheena said, biting her lip. "He died and just came back, so maybe-"

"No," Lloyd whispered, his eyes downcast, blank. "No, he's right. I can die, I'm human. That- what happened then was…it won't happen again. I don't have any more chances than that. If I die I won't be human anymore…"

"You're not even human now," Zelos snorted.

"I am, mostly," Lloyd frowned as he rubbed his cheek. "Right now I am, most of the time I am, just with some…other stuff. If I die, though, I…I'll still exist as Cenon, but I'll never get to be Lloyd again. Everyone gets one life, I already broke that rule, I can't…I can't break it again. It's not right."

"Don't you make the rules about that-?" the Chosen asked.

"Yes, that's exactly why I have to follow them." Lloyd said flatly, his eyes briefly flashing white before returning to brown. "…It's…my…responsibility."

Kratos didn't seem any less irritated but remained silent, the half-elven professor took up the cause for him.

"Lloyd that was a mana-trap, that thing they snared you in, do you know what that does?" she said, arms crossed. "It attracts mana-dense forms, living things, to it and then saps the mana away from them."

"I…no I didn't know that-"

"Obviously, if you did you would realize just how dangerous it was. Even moreso, for you. It turns their own mana against them, Lloyd. You're a spirit as well as a human, if we had come a minute later that device would've taken your power as Cenon and used it to damage you."

Lloyd stared at her, trying to process what she was saying.

"She means, Lloyd," Genis spoke up. "That it was dangerous enough for us, but it could have killed you a lot faster."

"And Colette," Raine said. "Seeing as I doubt that the device could've properly contained Cenon's mana, it likely would've overloaded and destroyed everyone there."

"In short, you almost got yourself and the Chosen killed," Kratos interjected sharply…

Lloyd stared at him, stunned into silence.

"I- I…I'm sorry-"

Suddenly, Genis laughed. Lloyd flinched, turning to look at the boy as the others eyed him.

"I-" Genis laughed nervously, rubbing his face. "I'm sorry- no it's not about that- no, just-…He's an idiot! He's a total idiot!"

Lloyd's face flushed, clenching his jaw.

"Hey-!"

"Don't you get it?! He's an idiot!" the boy grinned, throwing his hands up. "He didn't have a clue and recklessly ran off to do something stupid to save someone! He's…"

"In other words, he's Lloyd," Sheena finished, letting out a sigh of relief and a small smile.

"Exactly! No one could do something that dumb but Lloyd! He really is still him!"

"Y- You don't have to keep rubbing that in-" Lloyd huffed, his ears burning red.

Genis ran up and hugged the dual swordsman, shocking him and everyone else.

"Genis-?" Lloyd stammered.

"You're still you, you really are still you," Genis mumbled into his shirt, sniffing. "I thought- oh thank goodness…"

"Genis.."

"Uh…please don't call Lloyd dumb, he was very brave and I'm grateful he tried to save me- oh, I'm grateful you all saved me, of course."

Lloyd twitched, looking over at the blonde chosen who smiled at them all gently. The rest of the group fell silent, having momentarily forgotten they had reclaimed her. A sense of awkward tension settled amongst them, realizing their friend had no idea what was going on…

"Colette-" Raine began.

Lloyd removed himself from Genis' grip and rushed to Colette, throwing his arms around her in a firm hug.

"Oh Colette- are you okay? You're not hurt are you? I'm so so sorry I almost- I didn't realize I could've gotten you heart, I'm sorry-"

"Lloyd, it's okay, I'm okay, see?" Colette smiled at him. "Thank you for coming to save me, thank you all. Just…don't be so hard on yourself, okay? And uh…"

She looked around as Lloyd pulled back from her, her face furrowed into a slight frown.

"I…uhm, could you tell me what's going on?"

"Where are you going?"

"Away."

The blue eyes regarded the man coldly, the half-elven professor glaring at him with her arms crossed over her chest. She had noticed the Seraph slipping away from the group as they filled Colette in over what had transpired in her absence and set up camp for the night.

"What exactly are you trying to accomplish, Kratos? What do you have to gain from assisting Lloyd, and for helping us rescue Colette? Are you with Cruxis or aren't you?"

"I am with Cruxis, and I must return-"

"What's your relation to Lloyd? Or is it that you have a relation to Cenon? Which one are you concerned about?"

"I am concerned about him, he is not one or the other," Kratos replied flatly, eying her. "As for why, that is at his discretion to tell, now. I will not do it for him."

"So Lloyd knows why you're acting like this?" Raine asked skeptically.

"He does." Kratos nodded.

"…Are you-?"

"Going to leave without saying goodbye again?"

Raine flinched, surprised at the dual swordsman's sudden appearance. She hadn't heard him approach, she hadn't even sensed him. Lloyd wasn't looking at her though, but at the Seraph as he approached.

"You were preoccupied." Kratos replied.

"You said you were going to give me a communicator so I could talk to you," Lloyd said, frowning.

"Ah…yes, I did," Kratos frowned and shuffled around in his pack. "One moment…there."

The Cruxian passed a small device to Lloyd, who scanned it, curious looking.

"How does it work?"

"Raine can explain it to you. I need to be going, Lloyd, I've already been away too long."

Lloyd bit his lip but nodded, pocketing the device.

"Are you sure you'll be okay? Won't they be suspicious?"

"I've been away longer than this before, I'll be all right." Kratos said with a nod. "Don't worry, I'll be in touch as soon as I can."

"Just be careful okay?"

Lloyd hesitated a moment, glancing at Raine then back at the man.

"You as well." Kratos responded.

The teen looked as if he wanted to say something but merely watched as the Seraph took his leave. Raine eyed him, frowning.

"Lloyd? What was that about?"

"He's my father."

Before she could respond he smiled at her, a hesitant smile but a smile all the same.

"I know it's a bit odd but I know you were thinking it anyway. You're always catching on to things so fast."

"Why are you so calm about it?"

Lloyd frowned, glancing away and shrugging.

"Well I think I knew for a while too, and just…well…back at the base he-…he was there for me so I'm just more used to the idea."

Raine twitched a bit, obviously guilty about how she had treated him judging by the expression she gave.

"I'm sorry for how we treated you, Lloyd," Raine frowned, looking away. "Thought if I may be frank I still have my doubts."

"I know, I understand." Lloyd forced a smile. "It's okay though, whether or not you guys trust me I'm still going to down my best to protect you all. Just like Dad was trying to protect me when I hated him."

That was all he said before walking back to the group, Raine looking after him. She frowned, wondering if that statement was from the spirit's wisdom or if Lloyd himself really was maturing…

The next morning they made their way to the Earth Temple. After filling Colette in on what had transpired they discussed their next move, which had been to continue with the pacts. After all that had happened at Volt's temple they nearly forgot the business about the pacts and the mana links, it was the only plan they had at present so the pursued it. Colette hadn't said much about what had occurred regarding Cenon, Yuan and Kratos, but she seemed happy to be back with them. They left it at that. So it was they arrived at Gnome's dwelling.

"I wonder what the ring does here?" Lloyd mused as Genis change it in the pedestal.

"I don't know, let's see…woah-!"

The half-elf nearly fell over and much of the group almost did the same. Lloyd's eyes widened, staring at the ground shaking beneath his feet.

"Earthquake!" Colette yelped.

Lloyd's eyes widened, staring at the stone, feeling the vibrations up his legs. No, more than that, like he could feel the vibrations in the stone, down through the crust- yes, he felt it. He felt the plates of the earth's surface grinding against one another, churning everything upward. The teen gasped, breathing hard, realizing he had stopped for a moment or two.

"Lloyd? Are you okay?" Sheena frowned.

"That- that was," he panted, clutching at his heart. "That…wow. Just…wow…"

He shook his head, an almost giddy grin coming onto his face.

"Woah! That was a rush!" he laughed, shaking his head. "I felt it- I mean we all felt it but- I just- do it again!"

They stared at him.

"What-?"

"Er- well I guess not," he sheepishly scratched his nose. "Nevermind."

It did nothing to alleviate their concerned expressions.

In fact, as they went they only became more concerned.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Lloyd had the silliest grin on his face, which wasn't uncommon for him, really, but it seemed to happen everytime they used the ring.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm great, why?"

"What do you think's wrong with him?" Sheena whispered to Raine.

"Hm…well…I don't see how life has a tie in to crust moving-"

"Hey uh, guys?" Lloyd came over, frowning a bit. "What's the matter? Am I freaking you out again?'

"Well, yeah, actually," Zelos said, blatantly.

"Zelos!"

"Oh, uhm." Lloyd frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "What am I doing? Is it- oh…the earthquake thing?"

"Yes, Lloyd." Raine bit her lip. "We just don't quite understand why you're acting so…enthusiastic, over the quakes."

"That?" Lloyd blinked.

"Yes, would you mind telling us?"

"Well…" Lloyd scratched his nose, looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "It just…makes me feel good, I guess. It's like- how do I put this…"

The swordsman thought a moment, then slowly spoke, his gaze cast off into the distance.

"It's like I can feel it, way deep in the ground. I can feel the plates of the crust move against each other, then I can feel the vibrations. It's like- it's like music. You know when you play a drum or something, and it's loud, and you can feel it vibrate in you? And it feels weird, but kinda good? It's like that, except a million times stronger."

"So you're saying you feel the planet itself?" Raine asked, eying him.

"Yeah-…wait, that doesn't make sense, does it?" Lloyd bit his lip, deep in thought again. "I mean even with the whole Cenon thing, that's life and stuff. Nothing lives down there, right? So that doesn't make sense. I'm not like, the earth spirit or anything. It makes sense if I feel water, there's tons of life in water…"

"This is probably the hardest I've ever seen you think about anything, ever." Genis stared at him.

"H- Hey!" Lloyd huffed, his face turning red. "I can think fine! I just actually care about this! It's not like math or something."

Raine frowned, going over what Yuan had told them and what Lloyd just had. From the sounds of it, Lloyd didn't seem to know why he felt the planet. From what Yuan told them, Lloyd was Cenon, therefore he was the planet, so it made sense he could feel it. Though Lloyd didn't seem to be aware of that fact. She watched the dual swordsman argue with her younger brother, getting flustered and annoyed as he always did with the boy's smart remarks. It was hard to believe that hot-tempered, embarrassed young man was the very planet itself…

Wait. Her eyes widened slightly. The planet, the two worlds were originally one world, one planet, forced asunder. The world was parted into two halves, Tethe'Alla and Sylvarant, Cenon and Lloyd, could it be…?

"Hey guys uhm what's this thing?"

"Who you callin' a thing? Huh? Do you wanna fight, losers?"

The group stared down at the tiny little humanoid creature, which was glaring up at them and balling its already rounded hands into fists.

"Oh, uhm, hi," Colette said with a smile. "Sorry to intrude, we're looking for Gnome."

"Hah! A gnomlette!"

In the blink of an eye Lloyd swept to the front of the group, crouching down to get a better look at the creature.

"Wha-?"

"I remember you guys!" Lloyd exclaimed, his eyes alight as he poked the creature's head.

"Whaddya mean remember us?" the gnomlette huffed.

"I-…oh," Lloyd frowned, suddenly looking quite lost. "Uhm…oh crap."

He sighed, rubbing his face.

"I remembered what you're called anyway…" he muttered to himself.

The name had just popped into his head, and for some reason he had been super excited to see one of them just a moment ago. He had had a reason, but the information seemed to have fled his mind. He was so sure he had known what the little guy was…

"You're a friggin' weirdo y'know that?"

Now he was kind of glad he didn't know much about them. Lloyd huffed, getting back to his feet and looking down at the imp.

"So yeah do you know where Gnome is or not?"

"I might, I might not, what's in it for me?"

"Uhm, pretty please?" Colette asked.

"Yeah we really need to find him," Sheena said.

The gnomlette's tune changed almost instantly.

"Ooooh! Well sure pretty lady if ya wan' help I'll be more than happy to give a hand!"

"Well that took a turn pretty quickly," Genis muttered.

"He kind of reminds me of someone…" Lloyd said, sending a side-glance at Zelos.

"Hey- what?! I'm not like that!"

"Sure you aren't."

The group shared a collective laugh at the redhead's expense before following the gnomlette further in. Well, in reality they didn't get too much farther before they ran into yet another little imp that demanded they prepare 'spicy' food for him. Luckily they had ingredients for curry, and figured it was about time for a meal at any rate. So they settled down as Genis stirred the pot, taking a well-earned rest. Well…mostly.

"So hey, spiky, weird-guy, who are you?"

Lloyd blinked, glancing over at the gnomelette that was tugging on his sleeve as he sat on the cavern floor.

"Me? Why?" Lloyd asked.

"You're weird, why?" it asked, pouting.

"That's not the best way to try and get someone to tell you stuff y'know," Lloyd huffed a bit, irritated by the creature's attitude.

"Okay well fine weirdo- I mean, spiky, just…who are you? Huh? What are you?"

Lloyd frowned, wondering if maybe they could 'tell' the same way Corrine had. What were these things exactly? Earlier he felt like he'd known…they had some kind of connection to Gnome, if he was right. So did things that were connected to the spirits just…have the ability to tell?

"I'm Lloyd, why?"

"No I mean what are you? Stop avoiding the question!"

….What was he…

"He's our friend, Mr. Gnomelette," Colette said, smiling as she sat down next to Lloyd.

"Yeah and he's also apparently Cenon, if you know what that is-" Zelos said offhandedly.

"CENON?! DIDJA SAY CENON!?"

Lloyd winced, covering his ear at the sudden screeching voice. Everyone stared at the imp, who gawked at Lloyd with huge eyes and a wide open mouth.

"Er, yes?" the dual swordsman rubbed his ear.

The gnomlette then, abruptly, ran off screaming at the top of his lungs. There was silence as the group stared after it in silence, stunned.

"…So does he not want curry?" Colette asked.

The reason for the gnomelette's reaction will be revealed next chapter:P

Review please?