The wait is over; the Tower scene is finally here! I can't believe we have finally made it. But I guess the story isn't over yet.
Well, let's get it going.
Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.
Chapter 25:
The sky was covered by a thick blanket of clouds, dark and gray. Thin wisps of white twisted and glided through the murky color. The bulbous shapes expanded and stretched, striking against each other, circling and breaking apart. The edges were darker, almost black, sliding along the clouds like seams of a quilt, dividing one from the other.
Lightning flickered in the distance, flashing orange and red as the hidden sun rose behind the impenetrable curtain, no rays could slip through the thick substance and the world was shrouded in a heavy silence. It was suffocating and hard to breathe in as if the earth was holding its breath, stealing all the air, waiting for something.
The wind was absent. No breeze fingered the sparse branches of the shrubs and trees. The grass hung limply, frozen in place. There was a muffled coolness surrounding Hima. The houses darkened; the cliffs silent.
Everything was waiting, watching.
Waiting.
--
Welgaia was loud. The air was filled with the thrum of wing beats, the hush of the air brushing against the clothes and the feathers. In the distance, computers hummed lively, electricity crackling through the wires, wriggling and twisting like snakes. Everything echoed off the cold metal walls of the buildings, resounding like a metallic song.
Lights shone relentlessly from the machines, the computers and the buildings. Even from them, a gentle, constant vibration streamed out, filtering into the air to add to the symphony of sounds.
Low melancholy voices drifted like wind. Rising and falling at different levels, but all shared the same tone, mixing as one. Sometimes they fell quiet, but then, all the other noise filled the silence and gradually it would start again.
Everything was alive in the City of Angels. Everything had energy, a motion and a sound. All but one.
He stood alone in a sparse room, staring at a faded photograph.
--
"Are you ready, Chosen?" Kratos asked quietly, his voice still loud in the thick air. Above, the clouds gathered, billowing and stretching like living things. Faint sounds of thunder rumbled among them, the tremors descended into the ground and were felt though the group's feet.
Colette looked up at him. The dragons shuffled and moaned, lowering their heads, tails twitching impatiently behind them, aware of the oncoming storm. One stamped its foot and the dragon tamer soothed it quietly.
Raine and Sheena stood to one side, tension evident on their pale features. Their eyes watched Colette anxiously, each lost with their own thoughts. Sheena crossed her arms, hugging herself tightly with indecision on her face. Raine stood more at ease, pity and sadness in her eyes.
Genis stood a couple feet from his sister. His young child-like face had vanished, ravaged and scarred with his struggles. Excitement was bright in his eyes and anticipation jumping on his nerves. He didn't know what waited at the Tower of Salvation, only that it was the end of their journey. But below it, a hint of fear held onto him. The fear of not knowing.
A slow nod answered Kratos' question. He nodded in return and held out his hand as she moved to climb the dragon. The creature grumbled; the sound intensified with the overhead thunder. For a moment, Colette held on to his hand, catching his gaze, then her eyes lowered to the second chain draped around his neck.
She nodded again and smiled.
--
"They are coming," Lloyd said his voice low.
Yuan looked up wearily, his hair falling back away from his haggard face. Lloyd studied the half-elf and suddenly wondered what he was doing there, in the prisons, talking to this man.
There was no reply and Lloyd glanced around helplessly. For once he felt alone. Yggdrasil was preoccupied with Remiel, the angel who was to receive the Chosen. Lloyd wanted to talk and for once there was no one to talk to. Save an imprisoned half-elf.
He looked back at Yuan who stared indifferently at the opposite wall. Blood caked his face on the right side, beneath his hair. His clothes were burnt from mana spells. Bruises appeared on his pale face, accompanied with cuts and blood. "Why don't you just tell him what he wants to know?" Lloyd asked, wanting to break the silence.
The question seemed to catch Yuan's attention and the green eyes fell upon him. A lopsided smirk made its way to his lips, cracking the damaged skin. "Why?"
Lloyd frowned, trying to understand. "Because you are not gaining anything by not telling him. You are just getting punished."
"There is nothing to tell, Lloyd," Yuan answered quietly, his eyes unmoving.
Lloyd sighed, crossing his arms. The chain clinked dully as Yuan rose slowly to his feet. Lloyd felt a little guilty, but he immediately pushed it away. Yuan was a traitor; he had been using Lloyd, going behind Yggdrasil. He deserved what he got.
"Why are you even here, Lloyd?"
Lloyd scowled at the question, instantly turning defensive. Yuan didn't need to know the real reason. "Just to check on you. Try to persuade you to give in." he shrugged, attempting to appear indifferent.
Yuan smiled, shaking his head, but he didn't speak. He leaned against the wall, folding his arms, eyes closed.
Lloyd stared at him for a moment, before he turned abruptly and strode away from the prison cell, frustrated.
Yuan chuckled dryly.
--
The dragons moaned, swinging their heads as their riders stepped away from them. Above, the clouds churned more violently. Another jagged strip of lightning flashed against the gray blanket. Genis jolted at the sudden light, glancing anxiously at the sky. They were lucky the dragon tamer even allowed them to come today with the oncoming storm. The stillness hung around them as Colette led them towards the Tower of Salvation.
When they reached the steps, a low, constant rumble caused them to look up. Then, behind them, it sounded as if it was raining, but only the deadened leaves from the trees fell, dropping together. There was no wind, but the rumble began to increase and Kratos saw another flash of lightning. "Come on; let us go in before the storm hits."
Colette lowered her head, eyes fastening on the staircase, then the closed door. She nodded again.
The sound of feet tapping against the stone was almost muffled now against the continuous droning above them. Suddenly the wind came at them. The trees swayed and Colette's hair lifted, slipping from her shoulders. The wind died, then rushed at them again.
She lifted her hand, placing it upon the oracle stone. Vibrations shook the platform, dust and mortar drifted down from the door before the wind snatched it and blew it into the group's faces.
Kratos turned his head to the side, avoiding the stinging dirt. He heard a cough beside him, Genis brushing a hand across his eyes. Above them, lightning shot across the sky in a brilliant flare of light followed by a sharp crack of thunder that shook them all.
Colette lifted her hand from the stone and a drop of water landed where her hand had been.
It started to rain.
--
Lloyd stood before the warp. His fingers rubbed against the hilts of his swords and he wished he could feel it. It had always given him some comfort to feel his swords at his side, to feel protected.
The angel guard stood behind him, his feathery wings flapping gently as he hovered over the ground. His breathing was a slow, even rhythm, matching the wing beat.
Lloyd turned his eyes skyward, taking in strange sky shrouded with the purple clouds; his thoughts repeating what he was suppose to do.
When he and Yggdrasil went down with Remiel, they would stay in the shadows and make sure everything went according to plan. The idea of watching thrilled him. Or at least that is what he wanted to believe. He wanted to be there when his friends came. He wanted to see their shocked faces, to make them hurt and suffer like he did. To make them believe that it wasn't the truth. To make them believe that it didn't really happen. They betrayed him, he would betray them. It was simple. The only difference was that he would gain something and they would lose something. Or someone.
His hands wrapped around the hilts, his muscles rigid and tense. His eyes locked on to the mana shimmering above the warp, the faint glow casting shadows on his face. It seemed so long ago. He couldn't believe how far he had come. Yggdrasil was the reason he had moved on and accepted what was real. He owed him for that and he would repay him.
The mana in the air shifted and Lloyd heard the angel guard behind him speak. "Lord Yggdrasil. Lord Remiel."
Lloyd turned, his hands falling to his sides. He bowed towards Lord Yggdrasil, who smiled, then looked curiously at the angel named Remiel. Yggdrasil cleared his voice and instantly Remiel lowered his gaze and bowed. "Master Aurion." Lloyd had noticed the awareness in the man's eyes, how they studied Lloyd in return. His white wings flapped slowly, his long green robes moving slightly from the breeze. Remiel's features had been hard, but his eyes excited. Lloyd glanced at Yggdrasil questioningly, but he shook his head. "Later, Lloyd. Remiel, you may precede."
The angel bowed again and summoned mana, vanishing. Lloyd scowled, wishing he had time to learn that properly when Yggdrasil placed a hand on his shoulder. "I want you to watch him, Lloyd. I see you noticed he isn't like the other angels and that is why he is unpredictable. That is your job. Do what you think is necessary."
"You want me to kill him." Lloyd answered flatly, though his chest tightened.
"If needed. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
--
Kratos already knew that things weren't as they were supposed to be. He wasn't meant to be with them. He wasn't meant to bring them in all at once. But he had.
Their boots struck the glass pathway with a sharp clap with every step. Raine remained somber, though she gazed around in wonderment. Genis and Sheena stayed quiet, trailing the adults as Colette walked steadily forward.
Kratos halted as they came before the altar. Raine brought her attention to him, looking at him anxiously, then to Colette who had stopped as well. Genis came to stop at Kratos' left and Sheena lingered next to Raine, a weak smile on her face.
The Eternal Sword pulsated at the foot of the altar and Kratos felt the waves of mana emitting from the powerful sword. Around them, pillars rose along the edge of the platform. Two staircases led up either side of the altar, an engraved symbol etched into the floor.
"Colette." Genis whispered and the girl turned around as the young half-elf flung himself at her, wrapping her in a hug. "Please come back. I don't know what happens when you become an angel. I don't know if you will go to heaven, but please don't disappear. I couldn't lose another friend."
Colette's eyes widened and then she closed her eyes, hugging the young boy tightly. She let him go and smiled down at him, though Kratos saw her eyes were filled with pain.
Sheena hugged Colette next, whispering something similar and that she was sorry. She tried to hide the tears on her cheeks. Raine gave Colette a reassuring nod, touching the girl's shoulder briefly, but she didn't speak. She knew what would happen. There was nothing she could say. Colette knew that.
Kratos watched the scene as if he wasn't there. He saw the pain in their eyes, the worry and he was the cause of it. He didn't belong with them and he nearly considered slipping away when Colette turned to him. Her eyes locked with his and she smiled brightly, touching her neck. Kratos froze as she took his hand and wrote slowly.
Thank you.
She walked up the steps then, not looking back. Not slowing down. She reached the symbol upon the floor and knelt in the center. Her hands clasped together, her head bent.
Raine's faced tightened. Genis moved closer to Kratos, watching her anxiously, afraid she might disappear. Sheena had her arms crossed, hugging herself, wondering if she was doing the right thing.
Kratos watched as a small golden sphere of mana descended above Colette. The mana was stronger this time. Thicker…
"Chosen of Regeneration, you have reached the final seal."
Colette lifted her head slowly, her hands still folded before her. Beneath her the runes began to shimmer.
"Now, Chosen One. You must sacrifice the rest of your human existence. Your heart and your soul."
Kratos closed his eyes and lowered his head as Genis stiffened beside him.
It has begun.
--
Lloyd didn't move. He didn't breathe. He couldn't.
He could see them. All of them. His eyes were fastened upon them.
Yggdrasil's hand remained on his shoulder, holding him firmly, but it was pointless. He couldn't move even if he wanted to.
It had been a year. A year of waiting. A year of longing to see them, either for loneliness or anger. Companionship or revenge. They were here. Finally here.
Yggdrasil and Lloyd had descended with Remiel, their mana blending with the guardian angel. They stood concealed behind one of the pillars, hidden in the shadows and from there, they watched.
At first, Lloyd saw Colette. Her small form knelt upon the altar, the runes glowing around her as she stared up at Remiel. He barely heard Remiel speak, his eyes riveted on her face. She was paler than he remembered, more vulnerable, or perhaps he felt just felt stronger, more confident. It didn't matter.
"Your heart and your soul." Remiel's words rang down upon the silent group. Lloyd's eyes snapped to the Chosen's companions. He noticed Raine immediately, her face a stony gray, her eyes closing at Remiel's words. She knew? Lloyd wondered to himself. There was no surprise, no shocked exclamation. No. That came from the other two.
A young boy stepped forward, and Lloyd knew he was half-elven. He almost didn't recognize him until he heard his voice.
Genis.
"What are you talking about?" he asked confused. "Colette? What does he mean?" Genis called up worriedly, glancing from Remiel to Colette.
The other was a human woman Lloyd didn't know. A stranger. Her mouth had fallen open and tears stained her cheeks. "Her heart and soul?" she called out, though not nearly as loud. "But—"
Remiel glanced at them, contempt evident on his face, but he quickly hid it. "By sacrificing her memory and soul, the final seal will be released and the doorway to Derris Kharlan shall be opened."
"Her memory?! You mean Colette will forget about us?" Genis exclaimed.
Lloyd smirked bitterly. Now they know what it is like. He watched as Raine tried to calm him.
"Genis, he is taking her to heaven. Becoming an angel means dying." She held Genis as he shook his head slowly back and forth. Colette was still kneeling, the runes glowing brighter.
"That is not quite correct. She will give up her mind and soul and then she will be reborn as Martel. This is the true meaning of the Journey of Regeneration." Remiel flared out his wings, his voice rising with each word. His eyes were bright.
Lloyd tensed, but Yggdrasil gripped his arm firmly. "Not yet," he whispered.
"No! No! Colette! Colette, you can't. You can't leave me too!" Genis struggled to extract himself from his sister's arms, yelling at Colette. Lloyd watched, feeling empty. Genis was fighting so hard to try and stop Colette. Why hadn't he fought for me? His fist clenched angrily. Why hadn't he looked for me?
Then Genis shoved Raine away and ran towards the altar. "Colette!" he cried.
Then, she slowly stood. The light swirled around her and she turned around. Genis stopped, staring up at her with wide eyes.
"Genis." She smiled at him. "I have to do this. I need to save the world. It may save him too."
"Colette, you can talk!" Genis exclaimed. "You can't do this! It isn't right!" His small body trembled and he spun around. "Kratos?! Please tell her she doesn't have to do this! Please!"
Lloyd froze, then snapped his head to the side and for the first time noticed the man standing back from the others. His face was hidden beneath his auburn hair, his one hand resting loosely on the sword on his side. He stood unmoving, all eyes riveted on him.
"Dad…" Lloyd breathed, straightening up.
Kratos stiffened and turned to where Yggdrasil and Lloyd stood when Genis darted up the stairs and rushed towards Colette. The runes grew brighter. "I'm sorry, Genis."
"Colette!" Genis sobbed as he latched onto her as she slowly rose off the floor.
Then Remiel brought his hands up and struck Genis with a concentration of mana, sending him flying off the altar. "Do not touch her." Remiel glared at him. Yggdrasil hissed and the next instant Lloyd's swords were in his hands. He leapt off the ground and thrust himself forward.
Silence followed the sickening sound of the blades sliding into Remiel's body. The angel choked, mouth opening before Lloyd pulled the swords loose, the body collapsing upon the ground.
"Lloyd."
He looked up at Colette. Her wings slowly slid from her back, fanning out. A tear slid down her cheek as she closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Her eyes opened. Empty and red.
The tear dripped from her chin, splashing on the stone floor.
--
His back was to them, but they all heard the name uttered from Colette's lips.
"Lloyd."
Kratos felt his heart stop. He froze, staring at the white uniform on the young man. The swords in his hands were covered in blood that slid down the silver blades, dripping to the floor.
Kratos barely heard Colette's last words as Lloyd lowered his head and turned around. Russet eyes passed over the remaining companions. Genis lay on the floor, gaping up at him. Raine knelt beside her brother, her eyes wide and her mouth a thin line. Sheena tensed, tears rolling down her cheeks as she stared at Colette.
Lloyd's skin was pale, his eyes dark and flashing. His expression was blank as he studied them, his mouth set, his face relaxed. His longer hair hung down, shadowing part of his face. Then the eyes fell upon Kratos.
Lloyd's mouth opened, a smile filling his face.
"Lloyd? Lloyd!" Genis shouted up at him, his small face shocked and confused.
The eyes fell away from Kratos, dropping onto Genis, the smile vanishing instantly. Genis scrambled to his feet. Raine grabbed at him, but he pushed her away and limped up the stairs. "Lloyd! It really is you."
"Yes," he answered curtly.
Kratos shook his head slowly, staring at the uniform the boy wore.
Genis hurried toward him. "Genis…" Raine called to him, but he wasn't listening.
"Lloyd, what are you doing here? How did you—?" he stopped short as Lloyd lifted his sword at him, leveling it at his chest.
"Where else would I be?"
"Lloyd!" Raine instantly rebuked him, angry. "Enough. What is going on?"
Kratos' hand instantly fell to his hilt, but froze there. He didn't know what to do. What was he suppose to do? Genis stood wide-eyed, staring at the sword, then at Lloyd. Raine was standing, fear and anger evident on her face. Kratos stepped forward, but stopped.
Lloyd stood motionless, contempt on his face as he looked at Genis. This was not the Lloyd he had heard about. He didn't see the carefree boy who smiled and joked with Genis. This one held sword at the half-elf's chest, glaring at him. He didn't see the boy who grinning as Colette kissed him on the cheek. This Lloyd kept his back to the soulless girl behind him, not even flinching as she had said his name. No, this wasn't the same Lloyd. It couldn't be.
But even as the thoughts came to his mind, Kratos knew. Colette had known. This was Lloyd Irving. This was his son.
--
Lloyd stood silently as Genis tried to talk to him. "Lloyd, what are you doing here? How did you—?"
Lloyd lifted the sword, cutting off the questions. What was he doing here? They wouldn't know of course, but he figured it didn't matter. They were shocked of course. They figured he was gone, that they probably wouldn't see him again.
"Where else would I be?" he asked bitterly. He saw the confusion on Genis' face, the disbelief.
"Lloyd! Enough. What is going on?" He glanced over at Raine, his former teacher. He noticed the suspicion on her face, the way she didn't show concern for him. She understood. She knew something was different about him.
He lowered his sword. "I suppose you guys wouldn't know." He looked down at his swords, most of the blood stained and hardened. He sheathed them. He would have to clean them later.
"Lloyd, what happened? Where have you been?" Genis asked him quietly, his voice trembling.
"Why do you care?" he asked darkly, glaring at him.
The question seemed to make Genis angry. "Because you are my friend, Lloyd! How do you—?"
"Friend? Friend!" Lloyd snapped at him. His face twisted in anger and pain. "You are not my friend! I went missing and you didn't even try to find me! You and the others just went on with your life. You followed the Chosen around and forgot about me! You are not my friend!" Lloyd finished harshly.
"Her name is Colette!" Genis retorted angrily. "And we didn't forget about you! I never did. I was worried about you."
"Really? Then why didn't you look for me?"
He watched as guilt washed over Genis' face. His blue eyes watered with tears and squeezed shut. His little hands clenched tight at his sides and his head lowered. Lloyd scoffed, "After that night I disappeared, I used to think that you guys would come and find me. I knew you wouldn't be able to, but I always believed you would try. You didn't even do that."
"Lloyd, we believed you were in a Ranch." Raine said firmly, anger in her voice as she defended her little brother. Lloyd looked at her curiously. "When we found your swords on the path, we thought the Desians had taken you."
"A Ranch?" Lloyd smirked. "So, even though you thought I was in there, you still left with the Chosen? What if I really had been in there? You would have abandoned me either way."
"Colette!" Genis yelled at him, stamping his foot. "Say her name, Lloyd. Say it! What is the matter with you?"
Lloyd scowled. Genis cared more about the Chosen's name than him. At first he almost believed that they actually did care…
"Lloyd." Genis' strangled sob called out and the boy fell to his knees. "Please just say her name. Please…"
Lloyd watched him for a moment, frustrated. Why was it so important to him? Why did it matter if he said her name? It didn't make a difference. "Look at her, Genis." He hissed his name, pointing behind him. "Look at her and tell me it makes a difference."
Genis looked up following Lloyd's finger and for the first time noticed Colette's eyes. "Colette?" he whispered. She didn't move, just continued to hover, her wings flapping slowly. "Colette?"
"She can't hear you, Genis." Lloyd said quietly, his eyes drifting up to her. He stared at her, her cheek still stained from her tear. Her words echoed in his ears. Her apology. "I'm sorry." What did she have to be sorry for? Lloyd felt his chest tightened, panic drifting up. Did she feel guilty about leaving him? Had she wanted to look for him…?
"Lloyd, bring her back." Genis whispered and Lloyd snapped out of his thoughts. Genis met his gaze, "Please."
Lloyd didn't answer.
"Genis, he can't." Kratos spoke softly and Lloyd was shocked to see the man suddenly next to the young half-elf. His appearance had been so sudden that Lloyd couldn't find his voice.
"Kratos," Genis choked, his face twisted in frustration. "I don't understand." Kratos knelt beside him, but his eyes were on Lloyd.
"Kratos Aurion?" Lloyd asked.
Kratos didn't reply, but Genis looked up quickly, hope suddenly on his face. "Kratos, you can talk to him." The older man didn't reply. Genis grabbed his arm. "Tell him! Tell him who you are!"
End Part one of the Tower Scene.
Sorry, that was kind of mean. It was getting pretty long so I decided to split it. But I will give a sneak peak at the second half. Hope you have enjoyed it so far.
Please Review.
Sneak Peak…
-- Lloyd couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What do you mean?" He looked at him desperately, trying to understand. "You are lying! You are all lying!"--