((A/N: Whoops! Sorry it took so long. I've been soooo busy these days. UGH.
Thanks to the five reviewers!))
Chapter twenty-four, Kratos' P.O.V.
Legacy.
"They're huge!"
Zelos, as well as Sheena, was staring at Lloyd's wings with wide eyes. It had taken almost two months of extensive training and guidance, but the boy's exsphere had fully evolved at last. I was afraid we might be too late, since the chosen of Sylvarant was going to turn sixteen years old the very next day. Still, considering the circumstances, Yggdrasill might let the oracle slip for once.
Lloyd's wings were truly extremely large. At least three times the size of normal seraph wings, coloured a light sky blue. So this was the might of an Angelus Cruxis crystal…
"Congratulations, Lloyd. You are currently the owner of the most powerful Cruxis crystal in both worlds." I spoke, crossing my arms.
"This feels weird…" the boy replied, glancing over his shoulder with a dumbstruck expression.
"Can he even fly with those things?" Zelos asked sceptically.
"There is no time to teach Lloyd how to properly use them." I shook my head softly. "We need to get to the tower of Salvation as soon as possible."
"I agree." Sheena said, snapping out of her state of shock.
So far, there had been no signs that Mizuho was in danger, or that Yggdrasill had even noticed the village was involved. Still, Sheena seemed to have become more anxious since she visited her home.
"Why do we have to go to the tower of Salvation?" Lloyd questioned curiously, causing me to sigh softly at his ignorance.
"Because that's where the Eternal sword is being kept. You don't expect it to just appear in your hand, do you?" Zelos chuckled, playfully pouncing the boy's arm.
"How was I supposed to know?" Lloyd winced, backing away from the former chosen.
"By paying attention to our explanations." Zelos shrugged helplessly.
Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder why Lloyd seemed so slow. Did it have anything to do with how he was raised, or was I just as thick when I was a child? It was so long ago, I couldn't remember.
Once more, we were standing outside that dreaded tower, wondering what was to come. Only this time, our group had increased by one person. Though I doubted he would be much help during a fight. Even though Lloyd now carried a Cruxis crystal, his sword skills still lacked something. I'd probably end up defending him more than attacking the assailant. We had no choice but to bring him, however, as he was the only one who could move the Eternal Sword.
"Well… Here we go again." Zelos sighed, opening the tower's doors again by simply placing his hand on the oracle stone.
Almost sensing a cloud of anxiousness swirling around our group, we entered the long hall. I ignored the usual dumbstruck gasp, originating from Lloyd this time. Instead of pausing, we kept moving, destined to meet either salvation or damnation. We stepped forward, all the way to the end of the passage and into the teleporter's light. For a moment, I thought I saw Lloyd edging a bit closer to Zelos. Then I figured it was just imagining things. Nobody in their right mind would stick to Zelos for protection.
"You dared to come back…" said a low voice, even as the teleporter's glow was still subsiding. Yggdrasill was already waiting, sitting on the altar before us, his feet rocking back and forth in a childish way. "I figured as much."
"We still need to avenge our fallen comrades from Triet." Sheena spoke, trying to appear courageous. However, I knew that just below that scowl, she was shaking on her own two feet.
"You didn't like the way I remodelled the place? I'd say it looks much better now." A smirk appeared on Yggdrasill's face.
"Stop playing around, bastard. We've come to take that sword." Zelos said loudly, stepping forward.
Blank green eyes travelled across the group for a moment, before they came to rest on Lloyd. Or, more specifically, his hand.
"Ah… An Eternal Ring…" Yggdrasill flapped his wings once, immediately lifting himself up from the ledge he was sitting on and floating a few feet above the ground. "I should have expected as much from my former teacher."
My eyes narrowed immediately. For a very long time now, I was ashamed to think of that monster as my student. It made me feel that maybe, if I'd taught him better, he wouldn't have turned out like this.
"Then again…" Yggdrasill paused, putting a hand to his chin. "Yuan was always the smart one of our group, wasn't he? What's his condition now? Still broken down like a worthless puppet, I assume…"
My sword was unsheathed before I'd even noticed I had moved my hand. Experiencing a feeling of cold anger that was rushing through my body, I was already casting a spell to obliterate the man before me. Though I wasn't even sure if it was a spell. Half of it might have been ancient curse words. It was probably a good thing that I was stopped by a shout that originated from somewhere next to me, or the place might have exploded, if not imploded.
"Kratos!" Sheena gave me a dismissive look, shaking her head.
We'd agreed beforehand that we shouldn't let Yggdrasill's taunting get to us and keep a cool head. Therefore, I had no choice but to break off whatever incantation I was creating with a growl, lowering my blade slightly.
"My, I haven't heard so much foul language since you stepped on Yuan's toe." Yggdrasill smiled, highly amused by the scene. "Very unfitting for a seraph, don't you think?"
"Once again, I'm telling you to stop playing around, you bastard!" Zelos called, even more loudly than before.
"Very well." Sighing deeply, Yggdrasill disappeared in a burst of light, reappearing again right in front of us. As usual, the expression on his face was a blank fury. "Let the divine judgement commence."
((Battle time!))