Okie doke, I know it's been a while but let's try to get this thing on its butt again shall we?
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Apparently not even muses anymore, where the heck did my muses go? O.o
"Well that wasn't so bad, two down, right?"
Lloyd surveyed his friends, noticing how they all seemed to be a great deal more tired than he felt. He tried to ignore how he hadn't even broken a sweat while his friends were straining to catch their breath, but he knew perfectly well the reasoning was behind his newly acquired change in species.
"Is everyone okay?" Colette asked, worried for her companions.
At least Colette didn't seem bothered, it made him feel a little better knowing he wasn't the odd one out- well, the only odd one out, given that Colette was an angel too. Even still, though, she had to be tired…she was still sick, and he wondered how hard it was for her to force that smile. He frowned, walking over to the mana leaf herb and plucking it gently.
"Careful with that!" Raine snapped. "Let me see it!"
She snatched it from him before he even had the chance to consider handing it over, chuckling nervously as she began to enter one of her little 'modes'.
"Stupid flower- skeleton- thing," Zelos huffed, wincing as he pulled a few thorns from his arm. "I mean seriously, who would ever think up a dead dinosaur plant?"
"Well the important thing is we killed it and we got the plant, right?" Lloyd asked.
"Yeah." Genis nodded. "It took a while but we got it…that means the only thing left is the mana fragment, right?"
"Yeah-…" Lloyd frowned, biting his lip.
That meant going back. He knew they would have to, after all, that's why Kratos had left him there and gone back alone. Going back to Welgaia, back to that…that…place, and then of course he was going to have to 'betray' them all…
"M'kay then, no problem," Zelos said with a shrug. "We go there, Lloyd puts on his little theater act, we get the fragment and bam! Little Colette is healthy again!"
He tried not to flinch, but noticed all the eyes on him.
"We should get back to the storyteller and see if he can confirm this is the right plant," Regal stated.
"I'm sure it is!" Raine snapped, glaring at Regal as if he had accused her of something. "But- ..but yes, you're right…all right let's go back."
They were quiet for the most part on the way back- well, everyone but Raine. The group slowly put distance between her and themselves, Genis looking quite ready to jump into the waterfall when someone she began connecting the plant to some spiritual movement in the past thousand years…
"So, Lloyd, uh..sorry if this makes you uncomfortable or whatever, but what's the plan?"
"What?" Lloyd blinked, looking at his friend.
"For…well Kratos said he was going to be at the tower and you were going to…"
Lloyd sighed deeply, rubbing his face as he thought it over.
"I- ..I don't know, exactly, we really didn't plan it out word for word or anything," he admitted, glancing down at his exsphere. "I wish he'd stayed a little before running off like that…or that he would pop up again."
He had expected that his father would reappear at some point, at least to show him he was okay, but they hadn't seen hide nor hair of the stoic Seraph. Of course this made Lloyd worry if something had happened, but then if Yggdrasill HAD 'punished' Kratos, then he certainly would've had flocks of angels after him a moment afterward. That, and of course there was Zelos…
Lloyd glanced toward the red-head, who was currently attempting to sweet-talk Sheena, as usual. He was in league with Cruxis, just like he was in league with the Renegades, but… If Yggdrasill had done something to Kratos, then Zelos probably would have slit his throat in his sleep already, right? Or handed him over or something…on the other hand, if he was working in the Renegades favor, again he probably would have told him if something had happened to his father, because Yuan wanted them both alive, again…
"Well we still have to get Zelos' Cruxis Crystal before we get there anyway," Sheena said, trying to get the conversation moving. "So we can talk about it after we get it."
"Yeah…" Zelos frowned slightly.
Lloyd hesitated, eying the man, but said nothing. He just couldn't figure that guy out…
They re-entered the storyteller's house, and the elf confirmed the plant for them. Genis then, out of curiosity, asked what kind of stories were told there. One such 'tale' was of Mithos the Hero…
"…" Lloyd frowned, biting his lip.
The elf seemed to notice the silent tension, scanning the group.
"You already know the truth then, of that tale? That Mithos is the one that leads Cruxis as Yggdrasill."
"W- woah- how did you-?" Genis' eyes widened.
"It is obvious from the way you reacted," the elf replied, scanning them all, Lloyd in particular. "You there. You're Kratos' boy, aren't you?"
Lloyd flinched, his eyes widening just a bit.
"H- How did you know? I-"
"You exude angelic mana, as does that ill Chosen," he explained. "It's very akin to Kratos' mana, though I have only encountered him once. That and you dare share quite a resemblance."
"Oh- oh…"
"So you know do you not? How Mithos tricked Origin…"
"Wait, Origin?" Lloyd frowned. "Who is Origin?"
"Origin is the King of Spirits," Sheena explained, frowning.
"That is correct, Mithos and his companions- using the power of the Eternal Sword, granted to him by Origin- changed the nature of the two worlds, that is why his name it taboo in Heimdall."
"Wait…a sword? Yggdrasill did all this with a sword?" Lloyd furrowed his brow, thinking. "So..if he could split the world with that…"
"Then we could use it to put it back, right?" Genis asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Origin's power is vast, yes, it is possible."
"This is great!" Genis grinned. "We could use that and fix everything!"
"Yeah but…" Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, Welgaia is really huge and swarming with Yggdrasill's lackeys…I mean it's not just going to be easy to get, right? I doubt Dad could even get a hold of it…"
"We can ask Kratos about it when we see him," Raine stated. "Right now we have to focus on getting to the tower and curing Colette."
"Yeah…thank you for telling us about this." Lloyd bowed his head a bit to the elf, who nodded back.
"May the Kharlan Tree protect you."
By the time they reached the bottom and flew to the Abbey where Zelos said his sister lived, Lloyd found himself growing anxious again. He had thought that Kratos would have contact them by now, and that talk about him with the elf hadn't helped in distracting him from his father's continued absence. As worked up as he was, he almost didn't notice when they met Zelos' kid-sister, Seles, who didn't seem all that happy to see him. The two siblings exchanged a quick few sentences before Zelos left, and oddly serious frown on his face.
"…Stay safe," Seles murmured.
"He couldn't hear that, you know," Lloyd said, eyeing her.
"W- Well I didn't say anything, so it doesn't matter if my big brother couldn't hear-"
"Hah! You called him 'big brother'!" Genis smirked, crossing his arms.
"N- No I didn't! There's no way I'd have a stupid man like that for a brother! Now get out!"
Genis protested but Lloyd frowned, eying the way Zelos had left. He left the room and descended the stairs, spotting Zelos quickly by the window.
"…What do you want, angel?" Zelos cracked a weak smirk, looking back at him. "Did you get a kick out of meeting my darling little sister? I'm very loved, aren't I?"
"…She said to stay safe," Lloyd replied.
Zelos eyed him a moment, frowning, then back out the window.
"Really...I see."
"Zelos…why are you doing all this?" Lloyd frowned.
"Doing all what?" The man smirked, closing his eyes.
"…You really care about her."
"Your point?" Zelos snapped a little more harshly than one would expect.
"What you're doing is for her?"
Silence smothered them, and Lloyd was sure neither of them breathed for a good couple of minutes. Zelos' blue eyes swept to his face, narrowing.
"You- …heh…you're sharper than I gave you credit for," he said with a slight smirk.
"Hey." Lloyd snorted, but didn't look away. "…Look, Zelos-"
"Guys, why did you run off like that?"
Zelos immediately dropped his tension, or appeared to, stuffing his hands into his pockets in his usual lax way.
"No reason, so we're off to the tower, huh? What's the plan? Are you just winging it?"
"Huh-? I…" Lloyd frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah…I guess so, I'll just have to play along with whatever Dad comes up with."
"Yup yup, sounds good, let's get a move on already!" Zelos flashed his usual grin, already halfway out the door.
Lloyd and the other watched him a moment, each one of them knew that- at least this time- he was faking that smile, just like Colette would do so very often.
The awkward silence seemed to continue to follow them as they headed for the tower, and the closer Lloyd got the more he felt the tension knot up inside his throat. He had a bad feeling about this…maybe- maybe they should wait. Wait until Kratos got a hold of them and…
"Lloyd? Are you ready? It's open."
"What-? Oh, yeah…" He nodded. "I'm..yeah, let's do this."
"I'm curious to see what the Tethe'allan Tower of Salvation is like…" Raine mused ot herself.
"It's the same," Lloyd said with a shrug, not really paying attention.
"Oh? Well that's a shame…"
"No I mean like…it's the same place," Lloyd elaborated, looking at her. "Dad told me this is where the worlds are connected so …it's like seriously the same place."
He was met with assorted stares. Colette stopped suddenly, beginning to shake just a bit.
"The..the same…place…?" She hugged herself, going pale.
"Well- Colette? Hey- Colette, are you all right?" Lloyd rushed over to her.
"I- I- …yes," she whispered meekly, nodding her head. "I'm sorry I just…I'll be okay."
"Are- are you sure? …Colette, maybe you should just wait somewhere else, I mean, it's dangerous for you to be here anyway-"
"N- No. I want to come with you, I want to help-"
"Lloyd, they're gonna be after her no matter where she is," Zelos pointed out. "Might as well take her along, better she get attacked with us than by herself, right?"
"For once we have the same opinion," Sheena remarked, crossing her arms. "Sorry Lloyd but I agree with Zelos."
"Yes…besides we have help on the inside, it'll be dangerous yes but not nearly as dangerous as it could be," Regal said.
"I'll be fine, Lloyd." Colette smiled gently at him.
"I-…okay, if you're sure, and- …just..just to get this out of the way beforehand." He frowned. "Guys if I end up having to hurt you a little bit I'm sorry in advance."
"Hey, don't worry..we'll just pay you back later, right?" Genis smirked weakly, looking up at his friend.
"…Yeah." Lloyd returned it, though even more weakly. "Okay…let's go."
They entered the main room and Lloyd did his best to maintain his composure, walking out into the room with the rest of the group. Where was Kratos? He should be meeting them there-
Just then, a small army of angels appeared, locking them in.
"Ah-!" Colette cried.
"Well now, finally came home, hm, young Lord Aurion?" Pronyma sneered from the transporter, her nose in the air as she regarded them. "Lord Yggdrasill isn't exactly pleased with you."
Okay- was- was this part of the plan? But Pronyma wasn't supposed to- no, go along with it. Just in case.
"Well, I guess he would be, but I'm sure he'll be pleased with the little presents I picked up," he said, trying to walk past the angels.
The angels knocked him back, nearly shoving him into Raine.
"See, what did I tell you, Lady Pronyma? He's still going to play like he's on our side."
Lloyd flinched, his eyes widening as Zelos walked right past the throng of angels and took his place beside Pronyma.
"Good work, Chosen One, we knew that this little urchin couldn't be trusted, just like his father."
Lloyd's eyes widened.
"Zelos?"
"W- what the hell do you think you're doing?" Sheena shouted, her eyes wide.
"Oh come ON," Zelos rolled his eyes. "Lloyd and his Old Man get to play traitor and they get welcomed back with open arms, and then I do this and you're all shocked? What a bunch of pricks!"
"N- No..." Lloyd gritted his teeth, glaring. "Zelos! Damn it you were doing this from the beginning! I thought you were- I thought you were trying to help your sister!"
Zelos' eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Like you would know what the hell my reasons are, you're such a hypocrite, you know that?" He snorted. "You kept secrets and played Cruxis for what you wanted, just like I played all of you. Don't you dare try to talk like you're better than I am, Lloyd, we're the same and you know it."
"I- I…"
"Secure them," Pronyma snapped to the angels, who grabbed the group.
"Hey-! Dammit!" Lloyd gritted his teeth, knowing they were outnumbered. "You- where's my dad? What did you do to him?"
"Lord Kratos is currently in...confinement." The woman smirked. "Lord Yggdrasill wasn't too pleased with this little scheme you had going at all. He's not going to be very merciful when he sees you, I assure you, dear young 'Lord Aurion'."
"D- Dammit! You- you bitch!"
A blade appeared within an inch of his throat.
"Now now, my hunnies," Zelos said with a smirk. "You all be good little boys and girls and this'll be over much quicker."
There wasn't much they could have done, despite knowing just in how much deep water they were in. The sting of the latest betrayal lingered upon them and Lloyd cursed himself for having not called Zelos out for what he was earlier. Stupid, so stupid he had been! If he had just been going to throw them to Cruxis like this then it didn't matter if he had exposed him earlier…
The instant they were alone in the cells Lloyd began desperately trying to open the cells, his teeth gritted in frustration and hurt.
"Dammit- stupid- Argh!"
Lloyd kicked the bars, which shuddered a bit but did not break, the teen giving another shout of frustration and grabbing the door with his hands, trying to break them open.
"Can Colette or Presea break it?" Regal called over him to the girl's cell.
"No…" Colette said quietly.
"Damn..of course," he slumped against them after a moment. "Duh…they're built to keep angels in, of course I can't break it…"
He gritted his teeth, slamming his hand against the wall.
"I was so stupid! I shouldn't have let Dad go back alone! And- Zelos- damn it!"
"There has to be a way out of here," Raine's voice called. "Lloyd, are you sure you don't know anything about this cell's structure?"
"No," Lloyd said with a deep sigh. "I've never been in this area before, I don't know anything about them…"
"Well…" Regal thought a moment. "I could try-"
Lloyd jerked.
"Someone's coming, everyone shush."
"Did I deliver or did I deliver? One traitor brat and one ready-to-go vessel right at your feet!"
"Yes, Chosen, I see that."
The group tensed as Yggdrasill approached the cells, Zelos and Pronyma tagging along behind him. Zelos merely smirked at the group, ignoring the dirty glares and hurt looks while the Cruxian Leader scanned his 'catch'.
"Welcome home, Lloyd," Yggdrasill hissed, his eyes narrowed. "Enjoy your little vacation?"
"Where's Dad?" Lloyd snapped, trying to ignore the twisting feeling in his gut. "If you did anything to him I'll-"
"Kratos is fine, but he's not going anywhere for a while. In your shoes I'd be much more worried about yourself, Lloyd."
"Go to hell!"
"And you were doing so well…" Yggdrasill tsked, shaking his head. "That's all right, a little..attitude, adjustment and you'll be serving your part again."
"Like hell I will!" Lloyd spat, gripping the bars tightly.
"Pronyma, have Lloyd taken to his room," Yggdrasill said. "I'll be there shortly to have a little..talk, with him."
"Yes sir."
Lloyd's face paled and he glanced around desperately, trying to find something that could help him. He heard Colette struggle with the bars of her cell and for a moment felt completely helpless, the angels accompanying Pronyma approaching the cell. Okay- okay maybe he should..just go. That'd get him out of the cell, he could find a chance to break away from them and come back and get the others…
He felt a surge of mana behind him, Genis, trying to cast a spell.
"No!" He whipped his head around. "No…Genis, it's okay…"
"Wh- what? But-" the young half-elf hesitated.
"I'll be okay Genis…trust me, all right?" Lloyd muttered, glancing between the approaching Cruxians and his childhood friend.
The young half-elf hesitated a moment before he frowned, dissipating the mana he had congregated. Lloyd gave him a small smile of gratitude then frowned, turning to face the escort. He had to get them out of here, and he had to find his father too..
So the group was left alone, watching their friend get taken from them yet again by another should-be ally. Genis gritted his teeth, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Why didn't they take Colette?" Sheena asked, wary.
"They probably don't have any use for her until they prepare the treatment for her," Raine explained. "They'll probably come back for her and then…"
"We have to get out of here!" Genis said, trying to keep the panic out of his voice. "There's gotta be some way-"
"Move," Regal stated, moving up to the bars.
Lloyd choked, Yggdrasill's hand closed around his throat as he pinned him against the wall, his green eyed narrowed in disdain as the twin swordsman struggled to break free, gasping. Pronyma smirked, enjoying the spectacle as Zelos leaned against the opposite wall, watching in silence.
"So…are you going to kill him?" Zelos asked, keeping his voice devoid of any concern.
"And waste a perfectly good angel? No, besides, Kratos would probably cause..problems, for me if I simply killed the boy." Yggdrasill huffed, though he did not turn to look at the man.
"M'kay…well whatever you do, have fun." Zelos said as he moved away from the wall. "But uh…I fulfilled my end of the deal so…?"
"Yes yes, of course." Yggdrasill snorted. "Pronyma, take the Chosen- take Zelos to the storeroom and give him his reward."
"As you wish, my Lord." She bowed, then headed for the door, Zelos following after her.
"Ze- Zel-" Lloyd coughed, struggling against the fingers suffocating him.
"Sorry, Lloyd, nothing personal," Zelos said as he walked by, glancing at the younger male. "Just business."
Then suddenly Lloyd found himself alone. He struggled a bit more and then found his head slammed against the wall, stars exploding in his eyes. The teen cried out and felt himself throw onto the ground, a foot pressed down on his neck.
"I had been too kind with you, Lloyd," Yggdrasill hissed, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "No matter, you shall pay the price for abusing my generosity."
Then a grip on his wrist, the hand with his exsphere pulled up. Lloyd choked, desperately trying to pull back his hand, remembering- no- no wait! No! He wasn't going to-?
"There now, Lloyd…you'll be a loyal angel again in just a moment."
Lloyd tried to scream when he felt the half-elf fiddle with his exsphere, his brown eyes widening in shock before glazing over into a dull, ruddy pit.
Yeaaaahhh…okay that probably wasn't a nice place to leave it huh? Yeah well you asked for it so there :P
Review if you'd like