Ch. 25: Tower of Salvation part 1

Young: Hey guys! I've been waiting for this chapter for, like, ever! I can't believe I'm actually here. I have so many ideas for this part so I'm makin' this short. Lloyd, do it!
Lloyd: Young doesn't own ToS or Namco!
Me: Onward! Also, I figured I'd cut this into to parts. It might get kind of long with what I plan to do. xD Sorry about that. Oh and one warning, there is quite a bit of language in this chapter. The f-word IS used.

Lloyd had awoken that morning with a terrible feeling in his gut. It wasn't a feeling of being sick, like he was going to throw up, but more of a feeling of dread. Something was going to happen today, and it wouldn't be good. That much he could tell. He stood and stretched, feeling a slight pull on his neck where the crystal lay.

"Lloyd, hurry up, we've got to go!" Genis called, running over to his friend and helping with his bags. The small half-elf grinned wide, "Todays the day, Lloyd! We're gonna get to see the world be regenerated!" The excitment in his eyes was evident as the two caught up with the group and headed into Hima. They had stayed in the forest that night to save cash.

Lloyd found himself walking side by side with Kratos, who, for some odd reason, refused to even look his way, "Morning Kratos." He wrote on the mercenaries hand, hoping to redeem whatever friendship he and the auburn haired man had had.

The swordsman reply was to grunt, nod and then walk further ahead of the group.

In response to this, Lloyd waited for Genis and then wrote on his small hand, "Kratos is acting strange."

"Maybe he's just nervous." Genis said, tilting his head in thought.

"Hm..." Lloyd walked ahead a little, thinking to himself. What was wrong with Kratos? Things were sure going weird today. Even Raine was basically ignoring him, and Colette wouldn't look him in the eye. The only one who had talked to him at all today was Genis. Something was up, and Lloyd wanted to know what the hell it was, because it was making him mad.

It was then that he noticed Colette's body language. Her head was down, and her eyes were closed, like she was trying to prepare herself for something. Was the regeneration of the world really that scary of a thought?

"Lloyd!"

He looked up, seeing Genis looking at him worridly. The brunette tilted his head, wondering why the mage was looking at him like that.

"Who do you want to ride on the dragons with?"

Lloyd thought and then pointed at Sheena, who gave him a questioning look before nodding. He chuckled, realizing that the ninja thought he wanted to talk about something important. He did, of course, but it was still funny to think that someone he hadn't even known for a while could read him so easily.

As they sat, Sheena brought up the subject, "Have you noticed? Everyone's been acting strange today." The twin swordsman nodded in response, noting that if he had to talk, it would be hard considering he was sitting in front of her, "I saw Kratos brush you off. He's acting very suspiciouly. Even when he wanted to ride ahead with Colette. What is hiding from us?"

Lloyd stuck a hand back, making a furious attempt to try and write in Sheena's palm, "I don't know, but whatever it is, it can't be good." He turned and faced her for a quick second, showing her how serious his expression was before turning back to the front and navigating the dragon so they could land.

"Come on you guys, were gonna miss it!" Genis waved an arm at them as they ran up the stairs. Lloyd didn't miss the sad look on Raine's face as she saw how happy and excited her younger brother was.

'What the fuck is going on?' Lloyd growled in his head. He wanted to get to the bottom of this so bad.

He and the others headed into the tower, cautiously moving in case there were any monsters. What they found, was no monster, but a monstrosity.

"Are those bodies?" Raine gasped, disgusted.

"The bodies of the chosen that failed previously..." Sheena muttered, eyes wide and a hand covering her mouth. Genis stood next to her, face pale. Lloyd knew that they all must be thinking the same thing and ran to the warp pad, quickly warping away.

When his vision centered again, he was standing at a giant altar surrounded by pillars with little floating balls of light in the center of each. In the middle of the altar was Colette, on her knees and praying with all her might. Lloyd gasped and ran towards her, only to be grabbed by Genis, who was staring at the angel that had come down from the sky.

"Now, Chosen, finish your duty as the vessel for Martel!" Remiel shouted, raising his arms up and grinning wickedly, "With this, I'll finally be raised to the level of Seraphim."

"Colette, no!" Sheena shouted, eyes wide.

Lloyd pushed away from Genis, rushing up the stairs and to Colette. He grabbed her arms, trying to keep her from doing anything else, but her wings were out and she had already began to float upwards.

'No, Colette! Please, don't go!'

'It's okay, Lloyd. I'm glad I can finally talk to you again before I go. Please, don't be sad.' With that said, she floated until she was level with Remiel and then closed her eyes. When they opened again, they were red and lifeless.

"I have no further use for you, die!"

And the battle began.

Lloyd immediately charged at the angel in a fit of rage. He felt the same kind of power reign over him again as Remiel let out a burst of energy. When Lloyd's wings emerged from his back, they were a deep, maroon red that matched the color of Colette's eyes. The twin swordsman swung his sword, cutting a deep gash in Remiel's shoulder before jumping back to avoid an arrow made completely of light.

"Lloyd, unison!" Sheena shouted, letting him know that they were about to combine their attacks for an all out effort. He nodded, and ran back next to the ninja. While Sheena threw a Serpant Seal towards their opponent, Lloyd stabbed his swords through his chest while mouthing the words, 'Sonic Thrust!'.

Somehow, the angel was still barely alive when another presence made itself noticed in the tower. The other angel was standing on the altar, next to the lifeless body of Colette. His arms were crossed and his eyes were narrowed into a glare, "That's enough." Said Kratos as he turned to face the group.

'K-Kratos?'

Me: There's part one! :D Hope you enjoyed.
Lloyd: Review?