Listening to Hearts of the Innocents by Kutless . Song I think really reflects Lloyd's personality. Especially for this chapter. Anyway, the semester is practically over, was hard week with everything literally due on one day. I wrote this chapter in one sitting pretty much, so I hope it's alright. Things are picking up. Thanks for reading and reviewing everyone. Always glad to hear from you. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.

Chapter 38:

The cold metal was clasped about her wrists, restrained loosely behind her back. It was uncomfortable, but she knew she could easily slip her unclenched hands through the holes in a moment. Her eyes observed her surroundings with slight apprehension, the dim corridors surrounded by water leaving a lingering chill of panic in the depths of her stomach. There would be little chance of a quick escape, she had been aware of this detail prior, but the realization was slowly sinking in as she was guided further into the ranch.

Lloyd's grip was firm on her upper arm, leading her at a steady pace. She understood now, the way Colette had described the rare coldness Lloyd presented at such times. The chilling indifference directed in her way made her doubt herself for a moment. It wasn't a logical, just an involuntarily feeling that clutched at her heart. Lloyd made the perfect impression of a member of Cruxis.

She glanced up at him with careful eyes, regarding the way he held himself with confidence and command. It was clear now, why he was able to convince Yggdrasill that Cruxis still held his loyalty. Just observing Lloyd was enough to assume that.

His eyes flickered down to her briefly, giving her a warning of caution before, once again, returning straight ahead. She looked away from him, understanding the silent gesture. She was his captive and should behave as so.

The tunnel's end was a large sealed door. Lloyd had explained the defence of the ranch. Flooding the building was an extreme, but efficient way of eliminating unwanted intruders, though impractical unless in extreme circumstances.

As they came up to the door, Presea hesitated, her eyes locked on the sealed metal. She thought back to Genis, left back with his sister and Colette. She felt guilt, leaving nothing but a letter to explain her absence. She truly cared about him, especially after everything he had done for her over the past years. He helped her find herself again.

However, this wasn't something she wanted him involved in. She did not want him to become hurt because of her past conflicts and revenge. Rodyle had stolen her life; she didn't want him to steal Genis away from her as well.

"Are you ready?"

His voice was soft and barely audible. She nodded slightly, despite the restrictions and uncertainty she still felt. Logical reasoning had foothold in her decisions right now. It was reckless, careless and there was a chance she would die, but she wasn't about to back down. Even as Lloyd led her through the doorway, the soft light and figures waiting within only strengthened her anger and resolve. Genis had always told her to trust her feelings, to believe in the strange sensations rushing through her and let them guide her in times of uncertainty.

She trusted Genis.

He could feel her tensing in his grip as Rodyle turned; his thin face all shadows and angles, cast by the bluish lighting of the room. Lloyd didn't falter in his steps, guiding Presea further into the room as the door sealed behind them.

"Now isn't this a pleasant surprise."

It was unclear whom the words were directed too. Rodyle's eyes were alight as he walked around his desk to approach them. "You bring me a little apology gift? I'm sure, Lord Yuan suggested it. Of course, you owe it to me after that little incident." The chuckle was strained and he stopped, keeping a safe distance from Lloyd. Still he peered over his spectacles, admiring Presea as if she were a possession to be assessed.

The half-elf was excited. Lloyd could tell by the sharp whistle through beaked-nose and the way his hands fussed with his gloves. He turned nodding at a pair of Desians standing in the room. "Take our little gift from Lord Aurion."

"She's not a gift." Lloyd glanced daringly at the soldiers, making them hesitate. They gripped their sword hilts warily. Satisfied, Lloyd turned back to an irritated Rodyle. "She's an exchange."

"Oh? For what exactly?" Though he asked, it was clear Rodyle knew exactly what Lloyd desired. His eyes never left Presea; his interest in the girl was sickening. She wasn't a human to him. She was nothing more than an object to be tested and experimented with.

"Information on the Mana Cannon." Lloyd replied tersely, forcing Rodyle's attention to him.

The half-elf laughed, a throaty cackle that sent shivers through Presea. Lloyd gripped her arm reassuringly. "And what has changed since you were last here with Lord Yuan, hmm? As I have told you, the Mana Cannon does not—"

"This woman is Presea. She was one of your previous experiments from years before." Lloyd smoothly cut him off, noting the slight tremble coursing through Presea's body. She was restraining herself, but Lloyd didn't want to test how long she could.

"Previous experiment?" Rodyle frowned, regarding Presea carefully. He peered down his long nose through his little red glasses. His thin lips pressed together tightly as he searched his memory. If anything, his lack of remembrance grated Lloyd's nerves. No recognition for even the people he uses for his experiments.

"I believe Vharley provided you with her and you had her observed in a functioning lifestyle. Her exsphere has a key crest, but she has the strength equal to an angel. I doubt it'd take long to evolve the exsphere completely." He kept his voice level, but his left hand rested comfortably on his sword.

Rodyle finally approached closer, ignoring Lloyd completely. He tilted his head thoughtfully as he scanned her, before his eyes lit up. "Ah! Yes, Presea. My you have grown out of that little body you used to have, haven't you?"

She remained silent, but Rodyle just laughed, turning his attention to Lloyd. "Now this is definitely amusing. I do believe you were companions at one time. It must be crushing that little spirit of hers to have you handing her over to me. I suppose I underestimated you, Lord Aurion. This experiment was definitely a special one for me. She was the second one in her family to go through the process. Of course, the first failed terribly—"

"Rodyle—" Lloyd tried to cut him off, but it was too late.

Presea's head lifted, her eyes wide in her pale face. "Second in my family—"

"My, she does speak so—Ah yes, the key crest. That will have to be rectified—" Rodyle frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Who was the first?" Her voice cracked a bit, the truth already in her eyes.

He didn't answer immediately, but his smile showed his amusement. "Even after all this time, you still do not know? Well allow me to enlighten you, my little Presea."

"Rodyle this isn't—"

"You're younger sister was trial and error. I suppose most of the experiments are. Every little host is unique after all. Usually we avoid putting exspheres on children. Not enough strength. Of course, you proved that wrong, didn't you? Unlike that sister of yours. Couldn't control the exsphere. Quite useless in the end—"

"No."

The sound made Lloyd close his eyes. The single word seemed to take the last bit of restrain from the young woman. Her hands went slack the metal cuffs dropping to the ground with a clatter. Her eyes were burning icily in the blue light. Lloyd instantly released her arm, stepping clear as she retrieved her axe from the wing pack.

The Desians were already rushing at her. Rodyle's wide startled expression, twisted in anger and slightest sign of fear. "Restrain her!" he snapped, backing away from the enraged axe woman.

Lloyd frowned, his eyes turning to Rodyle as the man called for more soldiers, rushing back towards the other end of the room. Lloyd unsheathed his sword, stepping over with a clean swipe across the back of a soldier's neck, just between the helmet and leather collar. The body jerked, head bowing forward as the body dropped.

The wide sweeps of Presea's axe embedded through the leather armour of the soldiers. The force and impact knocked them into the walls and computers, shorting the computers out. Tears stained her cheeks, shining in long streaks. Her cries rang out as she slammed her axe into a shoulder, the crack of bone and scream of the Desian.

Lloyd drew his second sword, thrusting it smoothly into the stomach of mage preparing a spell. "Presea, calm down—"

She didn't hear him, steadily making a path towards the back of the room and door Rodyle had slipped through. Lloyd cursed, struggling to keep the Desians off her back and keeping clear of her swinging axe.

The Desians gradually backed off as she rushed the door, rushing out of the way, as her axe reverberated in a deafening clang on the metal. It shuddered and opened.

Lloyd's eyes widen in shock, grabbing her shoulder just as the large clawed hand smashed into the ground cracking the tiled floor. She fell back against him, both stumbling against the computers, knocking appliances to the ground with a crash.

"What is—?" Presea's damp eyes widened in horror as the creature forced its way through the doorframe.

"Move!" Lloyd pushed up, shoving her to the side as the clawed hand swept the shelf clear of the computers. Glass and sparks exploded across the ground and Lloyd cursed pushing to his feet. His eyes lifted to disfigured form of the creature above him, its head writhing in pain, the muscles stretched and bulging. It stood, torn rags hanging from its body.

Memories of Marble flashed through Lloyd's mind and he nearly dropped the swords, his eyes fastened on the glowing red orb on its face. It was watching him. This creature—no this person. It was a person. It was—

He grunted as the arm slammed into his side, throwing him over the shelf and against the next row. The edge drove into his back made him gasp in shock, dropping to the ground. He gripped his swords, hearing Presea cry out and jerked his head up, watching the sweep of the axe drive into the arm of the exebula.

"No—!" but his cry was drowned out by the cry of the creature. It swung its arm, the axe pulled from Presea's hands as it stumbled back, its arms hiding its face.

Presea stepped back just as Rodyle appeared in the doorway, two Desians between him and the exebula. "See what you have forced me to do, you inferior beings? Take the girl! I'll need her to replace this one."

The Desians rushed towards her, keeping a wary eye on the creature as it wailed in pain. Lloyd cursed and pushed off the ground, leaping onto the shelves and slashing his sword. One soldier shouted and ducked, but the sword made a clean swipe of the other from the shoulder across the chest. Presea moved back quickly, darting around, rushing back towards the exebula towards her axe at its feet.

Lloyd twisted and rushed after her, his swords crossing above him as he knelt over the young woman, the exebula's hand crashing down above them. He clenched his teeth, blood dripping on his face as his blades slipped easily into the skin of the creature.

"Move!" Lloyd snapped and Presea didn't hesitate, grabbing her axe and rushing back towards Rodyle.

He shoved upwards, pulling his swords apart, slashing the thick skin of the creature. It gave a low moaning, pulling back again, blood dripping down its arms in thick rivulets. He stepped back panting, glancing back at Presea as she battled with the Desians. He hesitated, turning to go help her when the voice echoed around him.

"It hurts! Make it stop! Father it hurts! Where are you? It hurts!" the wail struck him like a wall and he staggered forward just as the claw swung low and knocked his legs out from beneath him. He landed hard on the floor, grunting, before jerking and rolling to the side, the claw slamming into the ground.

He pushed to his feet, grabbing his swords tightly, his eyes wide as he stared at the creature. He knew that voice. He knew that—

"Kate—" He called out, half desperation and horror.

The monster froze, lowering its quivering arms as it stared down at him, its head rolling in agony. "Kill me. Please, it hurts, kill me!"

"No..." Lloyd stared, stepping back, clenching his swords with white-knuckled hands.

It wailed in pain, making him flinch, his blades quivering slightly. Behind him, Rodyle cursed and mana gathered, spells being released.

"Kill me! It hurts! Kill me! Make it stop! Father—"

"I won't kill you!" Lloyd shouted back and it fell quiet. He shook, his hands clenched.

For a moment, time stood still. The exebula—no, Kate, twisted, staring at him with only the quivering restrain of her body showing the effort and pain she was experience.

"You're not Father. You're that boy. Half-elf friends. Father didn't come. Father said he'd come—"

Lloyd could only stare as he listened to her weeping, the heavy wails of a creature with the anguish of an abandoned daughter. He nearly dropped his swords, seeing not an exebula, but a young girl longing for the respect of her father. A man, who never cared for her. A man—

"Kill me. Please. Just kill me."

"No." Lloyd gripped his swords once more, his voice hardening. "You don't have to die."

"I have no reason to live! Kill me!"

The exebula roared in anger and frustration, swiping at Lloyd with her claw. He stepped to the side and twisted his sword driving it through her hand into the cracked tiles. Ignoring the wailing moan, Lloyd used his remaining sword, flipping it in his hand and ramming the hilt into the back of the exebula's knee.

The creature buckled and dropped to one knee, tugging at her pin hand and wailing. Lloyd gritted his teeth and darted back around and rammed the hilt of his sword into the side of her head. She grunted, the wailing cutting off as she staggered, slumping a bit. Lloyd rammed the hilt once more, trying to control the strength of the hit.

The blow made her slump and fall forward with a moaning cry.

"What have you left to fight for, girl?" Rodyle spoke up, darting behind another set of his guards, keeping them between him and Presea. "You have no father, no sister, and no family. Why not just submit and—"

"You killed my sister!" She cried out, her wail equalling that of the exebula's as Lloyd battled with the creature. "You took my life away from me! You took away my time! I can't get that back!"

"Then why fight? Why prolong your pathetic existence, human. There is nothing left for you. Submit and you won't have to think about it—"

The axe cleaved a Desian in half right in front of the Cardinal, forcing him to stumble back against the wall. Presea panted, hefting the axe up into her hands and gripping the shaft tightly. "You took my life. You took my sister's—"

Rodyle laughed, nervous and pitched, his eyes narrowed, but stench of fear and sweat gave way to his growing panic. "You don't know anything, Girl! I never laid a hand on your sister! Go seek your vengeance on the one's truly responsible!"

She faltered staring at him with the thought she could possibly be mistaken. It was true, she only vaguely remembered this man. His strange visits and comments, that had been so confusing and vague before, were so clear now. Vharley had done this to her. Taken her, taken her sister because—

Because this man told him to.

She was shouting, what she didn't know and the axe was falling down, swinging down, singing with deathly beauty before it slammed into his chest, the sharp blade severing skin, tissue and muscles. Rib bones cracked and blood immediately blossomed around the grey metal of the axe.

Presea shook, staring at the half-elf gurgling blood as he slid down the wall, his small eyes vacant and glazing over as he slumped, the heavy axe dragging him to the ground. She let go, the wooden shaft clanking against the floor as she stumbled back. Her face and arms were sticky and wet, smeared with blood and sweat. Strands of hair clung to her face and chin, loosened from her ponytail.

He continued to stare at her, his hands twitching feebly, thin lips parting as blood gushed from his throat instead of words. And then, he slipped down, thumping against the ground soundlessly.

Presea could only stare in numb shock, stepping back until her heels collided with debris and she stumbled back, falling to the ground. Glass cutting her legs, but she barely noticed as hot tears flooded her eyes.

She had nothing left. He was right. There was nothing left. Her father and sister dead. Dead for so long and she didn't even—she had never been there. She had lost her past, her family. She was alone. All alone and no one left to—

Lloyd was there, approaching her, his quiet words not reaching her ears over the sobbing from—from her. She was crying and she couldn't stop. Her body wouldn't listen. She couldn't—

"Presea!"

Arms encircled her, pulling her close and her eyes snapped open, wide and stunned. The scent was familiar, spices and—

"Genis." Her voice cracked as she was pulled closer against the lanky frame.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have come! Presea, please tell me you are okay? Please—"

"Genis..." She lifted her head, pulling back slightly from his embrace to find his pale face looking over her frantically. "You're... here..."

"Of course, I'm here! Do you know how freaked out I was when I read your letter? Why would you go without me? I would have helped you!" It wasn't hurt in his voice. It was utter concern and fear.

"I'm sorry, Genis. I didn't want you hurt—"

"And I don't want you hurt, Presea! That's why I'm here! To protect you! I want to protect you! I'm here for you. Do you hear me?"

His hands gripped her shoulders, the desperation on his face and roundness of his eyes made her smile weakly, tears slipping from her eyes. "I hear you, Genis."

Pale cheeks flushed slightly at her smile, but he didn't look away or move back. "Presea...I don't know what I would do if I... If you..."

"Lost me?" she finished his sentence softly. She was always finishing his sentences, cleaning up after him, helping him find misplaced things...

"Yeah..." he agreed weakly.

"I...Genis..." For once, she couldn't find words to say. So she didn't speak.

Blue eyes widened as Presea leaned forward and pressed her lips against Genis'. Their noses pressed together, neither moving nor knowing how to proceed. Suddenly, both pulled back, flushed, looking at each other and away.

"Oh... uh... wow..." Genis stammered, clearing his throat, rubbing the back of his neck before looking at her, face red. "So..."

Presea felt her cheeks heat too, but she shakily pushed up. "I need my axe and—"

"I'll get it! Just... Just wait." Genis sprang up, stumbling over the broken computers with long awkward legs. Presea blinked and looked after him, before smiling weakly.

No. She wasn't alone. She had Genis.

Lloyd blinked as he watched the younger teenagers awkwardly kiss, deciding it would be best to leave them alone. He glanced over at the doorway where Yuan and Raine stood, scanning the room, neither of them looking impress in the least.

Lloyd wasn't sure which he'd prefer to talk to first.

However, he wasn't going to wait. He looked down at the fallen and trembling exebula, partially unconscious from the blows to her head. He wasn't going to allow her to die. However, he wouldn't leave her like this either.

"Raine, could you assist me over here."

There was silence for a moment, but then he heard her footsteps cracking over the broken glass and the sharp inhale as she finally spotted Kate.

"Lloyd—"

"You can heal her, correct?" He lifted his gaze to meet hers.

She seemed to want to speak, but she must have seen something on his face that made her hesitate and sigh. "I'll try."

He nodded, removing his hand from the exebula's head. "Just hold on, Kate."

Raine glanced at him, but he didn't want to answer her questions. With another sigh, Raine took his place, holding her staff over the exebula's body, gathering her mana.

"I should have suspected this turn of events."

Lloyd didn't look at Yuan as he came up beside him, both regarding Kate's disfigured form. He wasn't ridiculing him and Lloyd couldn't be sure exactly what 'turn of events' Yuan was referring too. It didn't really matter. It was done with.

"Why are you with the Sages?" He turned the conversation, not wanting to argue with the half-elf in front of his friends. He was aware of Genis and Presea approaching the group.

"When Genis, here, discovered Presea missing, they came to me looking for the location. If you are attempting to perform a secret attack, don't go leaving notes telling of your location." He scoffed.

Lloyd glanced at Presea, but didn't comment. He wasn't insulted that they came. In fact, he was glad they had. With Raine here, Kate would be healed.

"So how are you going to explain this to Yggdrasill? I hope you don't expect me to try and cover for you." Yuan scoffed.

He lowered his eyes, wiping the blood from his blade and sheathing it before doing the same with the other. He turned, heading towards the broken door that led to the hall with the experiments. He didn't have to answer to Yuan and Yuan was probably not expecting an answer.

"Don't go disappearing. I want to talk to you later," Yuan called out, his tone clearly saying it wasn't a suggestion.

Lloyd didn't look back, but he would see Yuan on his own time.

"H-Hey, wait! Lloyd, where are you going?" Genis called out, frowning. "Don't you want to make sure Kate is alright—?"

"I'm the last person she'll want to see," he answered flatly, pausing. "I'm freeing the other experiments."

It took awhile, but it wasn't long before Genis was rushing through the doorway after him. "Lloyd, just a second..."

Lloyd paused before one of the doors, glancing at him. "It was Presea's choice to—"

"I'm not talking—well it is about that, but that's not what I wanted to say." He frowned, glancing back at her. "Thanks, for...protecting her. You know? I guess she was safer with you, than with me, but—"

"Presea came here to settle something with her past. I think we all understand the need to attempt it alone. But it wasn't in the fighting she needed help, it was after. And that's when you were there to comfort her, Genis. That's where your presence becomes the most important because only you can comfort her in the way she needs it." Lloyd frowned, settling his hand on the door, before looking at him. "I think you should go to her."

Genis hesitated, torn between staying and going, but Lloyd didn't wait, opening the door of the room and slipping inside. Genis didn't need to be a part of this. The green glow filled the room as Lloyd walked towards the panel, looking up at the victim hovering in the tank.

His fingers found the keys, emptying the tanks of the fluid.

He was going to set things right.

Please Review