((A/N: Oh wow... Three reviews. That's a nice halvation of the normal review count. XD))

Chapter thirty-four, Kratos' P.O.V.
Moving On.

I sighed, wiping the blood off Flamberge's blade with the aid of Remiel's clothes before sheathing my trusty weapon. Then I straightened up, turning to face the others.

Everyone was staring at Lloyd, who was basically slowly walking forward to meet me. The expression on his face was completely blank. I peered back at him, just as blankly. A family trait, perhaps?

He stopped in front of me, staring into my eyes. His face swiftly contorted in anger as he drew back his fist to punch me in the stomach.

"You bastard!" his scream basically rang through the tower.

I staggered backwards, before falling over. Not because his punch had packed almost all the power in his Cruxis crystal, but because of his words.

"You killed mom! Kvar told me that you killed her!" he continued, rounding on me again.

I couldn't do anything but watch as he kicked me. No words to deny what he had just said left my mouth. It was true, after all.

"And all this time, you knew, didn't you?"

He kicked again.

"You knew you were my dad, and you never said anything!"

And again…

"You lying jerk!"

Tears were starting to run down his face.

"You lying… backstabbing… murderer!"

Just as Lloyd tried to kick again, Yuan moved to stand between us, pushing the boy back. He was protecting me.

"Lloyd, stop this." He spoke calmly.

"You! You knew too, didn't you? I bet you were having a real laugh!" Lloyd snapped angrily. "I bet you would've even helped to kill mom if you had the chance!"

He moved his fist back to strike Yuan as well, but was stopped when Zelos grabbed him from behind. The red-head held his arm tightly, preventing any more attacks.

"Don't." Zelos said shortly, shaking his head.

"But he… He killed her! Why are you defending them?" Lloyd demanded in a shaking voice, still crying.

Yuan crossed his arms, glaring down at him. "I suggest you save your judgment until you hear the full story. But right now, we have more important matters to attend to."

Lloyd dropped his offensive posture, closing his eyes to lean into Zelos' chest. The ex-chosen wrapped his arms around the boy protectively.

I sat up, rubbing my sore stomach. Every word Lloyd had said was like a knife to my heart. Twisting and jabbing to re-open old wounds. I was a murderer… A lying murderer… I couldn't even save my own family. All of it was true.

When I looked up I saw that Yuan was extending a hand to me. I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

"You two. What did Yggdrasill tell you?" he asked loudly, turning to the half-elven siblings.

"Mithos… He…" The younger one looked away, staring sadly at the ground.

"We met him outside the Martel temple. He was wounded." The woman began. "After we healed him, he told us that he lived on the outskirts of Iselia and was attacked by Desians. He also claimed that those Desians had murdered his parents. We… took pity on him and let him join us on our journey." She looked ashamed for believing such a story.

"Why were you two on the journey to begin with? Didn't the chosen have a group of priests to guide her?" Yuan questioned.

"A few of them were killed at Martel temple by monsters. I asked the mayor of Iselia if I could protect Colette in their stead. Also, I couldn't leave Genis behind." The girl cast a quick glance at her younger brother.

"I see." Yuan turned, thinking deeply.

"What's happened to Colette?" the woman demanded.

"She's been turned into a vessel. By giving up her heart and soul, her body is fit to host Martel's soul." Yuan replied shortly.

"The goddess Martel?"

"She's no more of a goddess than you and I." The half-elf cast her a quick glance before looking away again.

"It doesn't matter! Right now, we need to stop Yggdrasill, right?" Sheena interrupted, looking anxious. "Where would he have taken the chosen?"

"To the Great Seed's chamber, most likely. He'll want to start the download right away." Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly in irritation.

"Then, we need to go there and pry the chosen from his hands! Most preferably, his dead hands." Zelos smiled lightly, still holding Lloyd close.

"You… You want to kill Mithos?" Genis finally spoke up again.

"Yes. Duh. He's the bad guy, you know." Zelos rolled his eyes.

The half-elf boy turned his gaze to the ground again, trembling slightly to hold back tears.

"What's the fastest way to get to the chamber?" Sheena asked.

"We take that teleporter over there to the first basement level. Then we need to walk the rest, all the way down to the last level." Yuan glanced up at the altar, using his Cruxis authorization to summon the teleporter there. "If we're lucky, Yggdrasill won't have had time to set up any traps."

"We're coming with you." The healer spoke up, and her little brother gave a short nod.

"You'll only get in the way." Yuan snapped.

"Really? Because I'd say we were a big help during your last battle." The girl smiled slyly. "Besides, we want to get our revenge on Mithos too."

"Tch. Do as you wish." Yuan admitted defeat with a grunt, before walking off. The others followed.

Another face off with Yggdrasill. Hopefully, this would be the last one.

((Yaaay!))