Before the story continues, I'd like to thank every one for reading and all the kind reviews. It means a lot to me, and it is even more of a compliment because English isn't my first language. Really, thank you so much!
Chapter 19
Tetha'alla
From the dark, a voice was faintly calling. Genis muttered, wanted to turn away. He was just sleeping so soundly.
"Genis, can you hear me? Wake up."
He was being shaken now, so there was no other choice but to open his eyes. "Ugh, sis?" Touching his head, he sat up.
Oddly enough, he found himself in a bed. His sister was sitting on the edge, looking him over, to make sure he had no wounds. They were in a big room, with a lot of beds and a lounge area. Next to a couch, Colette stood, still as a statue. Sheena stood next to her, but looked over to Genis.
"Are you doing alright?"
"I guess so. What happened, where are we? How is Colette?"
"So much went down at once, I'm not even sure myself. Colette doesn't respond to anything we say." Sheena's eyes looked down sad.
Standing up, Genis gave his sister an assuring nod that he was alright. Going closer, he looked at Colette. Her frozen stance, the red eyes, the void stare. It all seemed so...
"Where's Lloyd?"
"I don't know. I think they took him apart from us."
"Who are they? Those Desians?"
"These guys aren't Desians. They're Renegades. They are the ones that helped me get to this side. I guess this is their base."
"Do they look like Desians to blend in? To be under cover?" Raine wondered.
"But why? What went on back at the tower? I can't make sense of it."
"Let's think of what we know. What we have heard and seen. Colette is now being controlled by the crystal, in wait for the Goddess Martel."
It was a lot to wrap one's head around, but Sheena and Genis both nodded.
"The two men the showed up, those Angels. They were part of Cruxis. The blond man claimed himself to be the leader, of both Cruxis and the Desians."
"And Lloyd was part of them as well, Remiel said so. He betrayed us." Sheena said loathing.
"But... how can that be? Cruxis and the Desians?" The young, elven boy couldn't make sense of it.
"If you really think about it, it does seem to make sense. While Cruxis controls the church of Martel in the open, they order the Desians in secret. All in the name of getting the next Chosen."
Genis scratched his head, considering his sister's explanation. He looked back over at Colette. It was really strange, to see her like that. To see her like Lloyd once was.
"This doesn't make sense... Have they switched roles somehow?" He more mumbled to himself. "What are we going to do now? Are we prisoners?" Even though it really didn't look like it.
"We are in the Renegades hands now. I don't really know what they want. They were the ones that came up with the whole assassinating the Chosen idea."
"Do you know any of them, Sheena?" Raine asked.
"Not really. We mostly dealt with low ranked soldiers, just delivering messages."
Just then, the door of the room opened and Botta walked in, looking them all over. "Good, you're awake. Come along, our leader wishes to speak with you all."
The three exchanged looks, but they had no real choice. They followed the man, Colette being gently guided along. All were curious and fearful of what was coming next.
Lloyd
After carrying Colette along into teleportation, as that light faded, he was hit hard on the head before he could react. He had no clue how long he was out for, when he came back around. Scouting his surroundings, he rubbed the harsh bump on the back of his head.
No. No, no, no. Not again! He panicked as he spotted bars, enclosing him in a small cell. Standing up, he rushed over to the bars, grabbing them and rattling them. They were sturdy and thick, and like with everything, made out of steel.
It reminded him so much of that darned place it made him sick. But still, he could tell, he wasn't back there. The main reason was that there were no Angels flying about and the air didn't feel heavy.
A man came to stand on the other side. His arms were crossed, his long, blue hair in a pony tail, swiped over his right shoulder. Cool blue eyes stared straight at Lloyd. Hazel brown eyes stared back.
"You again."
"You remember me. How interesting. I have never seen anyone resist the Exsphere like this. That pitiful Crest can't be the thing that broke you out. So, what did it, I wonder?"
"I'm not your experiment, or your prisoner. Let me out!" Lloyd rattled the bars again, he seemed to be trying to pull them apart. Of course, that didn't work.
Yuan looked at the project on the teen's hand. It had a soft blue glow instead of the red it had before. "You aren't going anywhere. First of all, I need to know how this happened. And second, you'll be a good method for convincing Kratos to do what needs to be done."
Right then, the rest of the party arrived, led by Botta. "Lord Yuan," he saluted.
They observed this leader first, noting his blue hair and his harsh stance, together with his indifferent look. Then, they looked over at Lloyd, who was still trying everything to get out. His eyes met theirs pleadingly.
"Please, let me out. I don't want to be imprisoned anymore."
It was offsetting to see him like this. It was like a totally different person was standing there, just with the same kind of looks. Only the eyes had really changed. Were they red and void before, they now were brown with just a hint of red mixed in, and there was so much light, life in them. And the pain and sadness they were showing right now, really hit hard.
"Ignore that. This is not why I've brought you all here." Yuan just looked at the party, his eyes mostly set on Colette.
"I assume you are the leader of these so-called Renegades?" Raine went on with the conversation. There was no real chance to get to Lloyd now, they had to be patient. And maybe get some answers in the meantime.
Yuan nodded. "Correct. We're an underground resistance dedicated to fighting the Desians, or rather, the Cruxis."
"So Cruxis and the Desians really are the same organization!" Genis still couldn't really believe it.
"Correct." Botta joined in the conversation. "Cruxis controls the Church of Martel in the open, and operates the Desians from behind the scenes. The Desians are a subordinate organization within Cruxis."
"The Church of Martel is nothing more than an instrument created by Cruxis to rule the world. Those who call themselves angels are half-elves, who've evolved by using a special type of Exsphere called Cruxis Crystals. They aren't gods or anything of the sort. Of course, the Church of Martel and the Chosen know nothing about that."
They all were wide-eyed at that revelation. "Half-elves?" Sheena muttered to herself.
"The question is why? Do they wish to revive the Goddess Martel? They send oracles to those of the mana lineage and control their marriages to create Chosens who become the vessel. It seems meaninglessly drawn out and complicated." Raine remarked.
Both men were impressed by her summation. The blue haired man nodded. "You can say that. There is another world beyond Sylvarant that competes for mana."
"Tethe'alla." Sheena said right away. Not surprising, since she came from that land.
"Yes. And the one who created this twisted world was Cruxis' leader, Yggdrasill."
Genis scuffed. "Create a world? That's ridiculous. No one can do that!"
"It is nothing but the truth." Yuan was unmoved as always. "You saw only a hint of his power back at the Tower. And I am sure you've felt it."
This they could not deny. The elven siblings exchanged a look.
"Wait." Lloyd still tried to join the conversation, despite his predicament. "If Yggdrasill was the one that created the two worlds himself, what can you possibly hope to do against someone like that? And that's not all. You have tried to kill Colette. You're certainly not on our side. Yet for some reason, you saved us. Why?"
Narrowing his eyes, Yuan looked at the teen. "Our goal is to stop Martel's revival. Therefore, the Chosen, who would become her vessel, was an obstacle." His eyes then fixed on mentioned Chosen. "Unfortunately, the Chosen completed the angel transformation. The Chosen is now a lethal weapon whose only goal is self-preservation. We wouldn't dare lay a hand on her."
"Then please, let me out. I've been imprisoned all my life, have some compassion!"
The absolute desperation in Lloyd's voice, hit Sheena hard. Her heart ached for him. "Why do you keep him in there? There is no need for that."
"Have you not heard? He is part of Cruxis. He was sent to get the Chosen to the Tower, that was his whole purpose. Why would you care what happens to him now?"
"I had no choice in the matter!" Lloyd defended himself.
"Are you certain? How come you now are able to fight back but not then?" Yuan fired back.
Sheena heard enough of this. Pulling her summon card for Undine, she called upon a water vortex, trapping in Yuan and Botta. Quickly moving passed them, she pushed the unlock button outside of the prison cell.
With a deep sigh of relief, Lloyd stepped out. "Thank you..."
"No time for that now. Let's hurry up and go. This won't keep them for long."
Having no other choice, Genis and Raine followed, Colette being taken in tow. They fled along long corridors; it was like a big maze with lots of doors going gods know where. Along the way, they found back their weapons in a chest. The alarm started sounding just then.
Finding a temporary room to catch their breath and hide, they mostly looked at Lloyd. "Is it true, what they have said about you?" Raine wanted to know straight away.
"Well... Yes and no. I really was their prisoner. They've put this on me and made use of the situation." The teen laid his hand on the Exsphere on his hand. He then looked at Colette. "She is now trapped inside, just like I was. We have to save her."
"That's what happened?" Sheena asked curious.
"We don't really have to time now to get into that. Sheena, where you come from, is it normal for people to equip an Exsphere?"
"Huh? Now that's a random question. But no, not at all. I got this before I came here. They attached it to me at the Imperial Research Academy. The technology was originally brought over by the Renegades. Nowadays Exspheres are mainly attached to machines."
"Wait a second. So Tethe'alla and the Renegades are on the same side?" Genis asked with a frown.
The former assassin shook her head. "I'm not sure if you could say that. But the Renegades were the ones that brought us information about the nature of the two worlds. And the plan to assassinate the Chosen was their idea. They talked the King and the Pope into it. 'If you desire for Tethe'alla to prosper, kill the Chosen of Sylvarant.' That's what they said."
"But that is horrible!"
"Indeed. I suggest we go to Tethe'alla. Recall what Yuan said: Angels are half-elves that evolved using special Exspheres called Cruxis Crystals. Colette's current condition is caused by the Cruxis Crystal. And since Tethe'alla is studying the Exspheres, they may know something about this as well."
Sheena nodded to the professor's plan. "That's a good idea. I'm pretty sure that they're studying the Cruxis Crystal that belongs to Tethe'alla's Chosen at the Imperial Research Academy."
"There's a Chosen in your world too?" Genis looked at her in surprise.
"Of course. The world regeneration ritual is carried out in Tethe'alla as well. The Church of Martel exists, too."
"But if they've been carrying out the regeneration that many times, why hasn't Martel's vessel been completed already?"
"I'm curious about that myself, Genis. Perhaps those corpses lined up in the Tower of Salvation were… No, never mind."
"There are too many things that we don't know: Cruxis' objective, the Renegades, the method to save Colette… So let's just start with what we can do now." Lloyd spoke up.
They all looked at the teen. "Can we truly trust you? How can we be sure you won't go back to Cruxis?" Raine asked.
"Never! They were the ones who did this to me, kept me prisoner." Still... one thing wasn't clear to Lloyd. Why did his father do the things he did? He had trained him, never tried to get him out. Yet, he looked after him, trying to safe him, even taking the attack from Yggdrassill. Just whose side was that man on?
Shaking his head, the teen placed a hand over his heart. "I swear, I will help save Colette. I know how it is after all. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone."
"I suppose in a way, you have always kept your word." Raine said.
"Hold on. That's great and all, but how are we going to get to Tethe'alla?" Genis asked. They all looked at Sheena for this.
"My understanding is that you can travel to Tethe'alla by passing through a distortion in space. As far as I know, crafts called Rheairds are the only things that can do that."
"I see. Where can these crafts be found?" the professor informed.
"The Renegades should have them. They should be somewhere on this base. I can send Corrine ahead to scout."
"Very well. Let us hurry and get to your world. There, we can have a real talk." Raine's cool eyes were fixed on the teen at that.
Ignoring this for now, Sheena called out Corrine, to do the scouting. They moved on, hearing footsteps and voices coming their way. Lloyd had taken Colette by the hand to guide her along, just as she had done for him.
They had to fight a sum of Renegades along the way. It seemed Colette was still willing to help out, but she did so silently and stilted, like she was a puppet being led by strings. Her situation seemed just a bit different then Lloyd's used to be.
"Sheena, there is a hangar, over this way." Corrine had run back to them and went ahead to lead them to said room.
There seemed to be flight platforms, but no crafts to be seen. There were screens, however. Raine approached them and pushed a couple of buttons. At this, the platforms opened to bring up four Rheairds. They seemed to be flying contraptions, unfolding their wings almost like birds would.
"How come you know how to work those?" Sheena was still curious to know.
"This isn't really the time. Let's get on them and go."
They nodded to the professor's words. Lloyd had Colette with him on his. At their touch, the crafts started up on their own. The big door of the hangar opened up and they shot off with high speed. Genis held on tight, fearing that he'd otherwise fall off.
Once high in the air, everything around them seemed to be warping. The sky contorted and went black as they passed through. After that, all returned back to normal. Except for the views; they clearly were different.
Are we really in Tethe'alla now? Genis wondered, looking down. But he was given no time to really ponder. The Rheairds all started to stutter, slowing down and losing altitude.
"Wha-what's going on?!" he called out in panic.
"Look, the fuel gage is empty." Raine raised her voice over the noises.
"So that's it. Since you've broken the seals in Sylvarant, there's not enough mana in this world."
"Are we going to crash?!"
"Hold on tight!" Sheena called out as they were careening fast towards the surface.
Lloyd looked back at Colette. Her wings were out all the time, so he was sure she would be fine. He jumped off, going over to Genis first and picking him up. He went on to do the same for Raine. Sheena was able to safe herself, because she had her keen ninja skills, landing on the ground on her feet after a flip. Lloyd landed close to her, carrying the elven siblings.
The Rheairds crashed, but they turned out to be rather sturdy: the damage seemed to be mild. Sheena looked at the teen, who set the siblings back on their feet.
"Good save, Lloyd."
"Yeah, thanks." Genis said, still shaking a little.
"Sure thing." The teen said with a nod. As he thought, Colette fluttered to the ground, landing there neatly and unharmed. He looked at her, hating to having to see her like that, knowing she was suffering.
"That surely was quite an experience." Raine dusted herself off. She looked at all the others, to be sure they were alright, before looking at the crafts. "Are they lost?"
"No, I don't think so. But we need to get them fixed and fuelled up if we want to use them again." Sheena said.
"What's the fuel, coal?" Genis asked.
"Coal? Geez, I keep forgetting how behind the times you guys are."
"Magic then. Perhaps the lightning Volt produces?"
"Uh... Yeah." Sheena was clearly not comfortable at the mention of the summon spirit.
Genis took the time to look around. He spotted a great, walled in city not too far away. "Where are we?"
"Seems we're on the outskirts of Meltokio, our imperial city."
"Huh, wait, isn't that the Tower of Salvation? Why is that here?" The boy looked at the very familiar shape in the distance, piercing the clouds.
"Of course. The Tower of Salvation appears in the flourishing world. The Tower also appeared on your side after Colette received the oracle, right?"
Raine pondered on this. "Two worlds. Two towers. What about the Holy Ground? The Church of Martel is here too, correct? Is the Holy Ground called Kharlan?
Nodding, Sheena explained. "The place where the Tower of Salvation lies is the Holy Ground of Kharlan. The same as your world."
"But the Holy Ground of Kharlan is where the peace treaty was signed to end the Ancient War. There can't be two of them!"
"Are you sure yours isn't a fake? We have records in our museums that depict how the Hero Mithos called the two ancient kings to the Holy Ground of Kharlan, in order to forge a peace treaty."
"Such records exist on our side as well. Instruments used to sign the treaty can be found in the Palmacosta Academy."
There was a silence. Lloyd tilted his head, frowning. "So, either one side is fake, or maybe they're actually both real.
They all looked at him for this remark. "You do realize that is not possible?" Raine remarked.
"Oh, right. Never mind." The teen looked away, as if ashamed.
"While we are here, I think it is time you explain yourself." The professor continued, crossing her arms.
"Can't we do that over some food? I'm starving, sis! Let's get to Meltokio."
"Not so fast, travelers from Sylvarant!" A man in vibrant green, church like attire approached, followed by about a dozen men in heavy armor, armed with long spears. They surrounded the party and all pointed their weapons at them.
They all raised their hands disarmingly, except for Colette, who started to emit a glow.
"What's the meaning of this?" Sheena looked straight at the Pope; she had an encounter with him before, be it briefly.
"Be quiet, traitor. How dare you bring these savages here? Do you wish to bring your own country down?!" The mustached man glared at her.
"Savages?" Genis echoed. How rude!
"This is none of your business. I will explain myself before the king."
"The king has better things to do. We will just end you right here and be done with all of you!"
The spears came in closer, and in response, Colette's glow grew more intense.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, old man." Another man entered the stage.
The man had long, wavy red hair. His dress style was bright; a combination of pink and white, with hints of gold and black. Between his collarbones, an Exsphere was set, its golden Crest shimmering in the midday sun. A short sword hung at his left side.
"Chosen! How are you here?" The Pope stared up at him.
"Chosen? This is Tetha'alla's Chosen?" Genis asked, looking from the guy to Sheena.
"Sure am. I am the great Zelos Wilder! How've you been, Jubblies? I've missed you." He winked at the former assassin.
"Idiot Chosen!" Sheena made a fist.
Lloyd kept his eyes on Colette, noting the glow getting brighter and brighter. Zelos went on to point this out as well.
"She's dangerous like that, you know? Better back off if you don't want to die."
"You are just saying that." The Pope said with a growl. At that, the knight stepped closer.
The glow turned into a great beam of light, going up from Colette. The intensity, the power could be felt by everyone.
"Ah! Withdraw your weapons, now!" Sheena called out to the knights.
"You can't command them." The Pope deflected, backing up himself. "Kill them!"
"You darn coward. If you value your lives, don't!" Zelos stared at the knights with all seriousness.
The knights stepped back at that, lowering their weapons. But the beam of light was still going on. It seemed like Colette's defense system still felt threatened. Lloyd stepped closer, trying to take her hand. It got deflected by the beam, however.
"Colette, you don't want to hurt people. You've always wanted to save them. Don't do this."
Stepping closer, the light magic was powerful, but Lloyd had to power through. It was painful, it was hard to move. But he had to do this, for Colette! Pulling her into an embrace, he told her: "It's okay. It will all be fine. I promise you. I'll save you, just like you saved me."
The light died down and the beam disappeared. She dulled down, still as a statue, staring void ahead. To think he was much like this not too long ago. I'll get you out of this. I swear it.
"There, that's better now. Shall we go and see the king? That's why you're here, right?" Zelos looked back at Sheena with a wide smile.
"Chosen, surely you don't intend on bringing these savages before him."
"I do. And they have been more civilized than you have been, drawing your weapons and threatening them without even asking their intentions." Zelos glared at the Pope, crossing his arms. "Are you really going against the word of the great Chosen?"
Huffing, the Pope had no other choice but calling back the guards. "Very well. But we will be escorting you to the castle."
"Take the lead, old man."
He did not like the disrespectful tone, but was in no good position to argue. He took the lead, as the guards made sure to surround the party, not using their weapons this time.
Zelos joined Sheena's side as they started walking, folding his hands behind his head. "Seems I was your saving grace."
"Don't flatter yourself, Zelos." She huffed at him.
"Uh, excuse me?" Genis piped up.
Turning around, Zelos only eyed the boy for a second. He looked at Raine instead, showing a perfect white smile. "Hey there, cool beauty. What is your name?"
She gave him a cold look. Eesh, moving on. He turned to Colette. "What about you, my little Angel?"
"Her name is Colette and she isn't your anything." Lloyd glared at him.
"Easy, easy. No harm meant. I'm just showing interest, that's all."
Genis scowled: he didn't like this guy already. He seemed so full of himself. "Yeah right. Are you really this world's Chosen?"
"Jup, jup. The one and only!" Zelos smiled wide. "Hasn't lovely Sheena told you at all about the great Zelos Wilder?"
"In your dreams!"
"You know I always dream of you." he just winked at her.
"Argh!"
Looking in between the two, Genis didn't want to ask further, fearing to trigger a whole other ordeal. There were other things to worry about, like their current position.
His sister looked back at the Rheairds, being left behind as they neared the walls of the great city. Sheena noticed this. "Don't worry, no one can use them like they are now. They won't be taken. I can ask our people to watch over them."
"Who are your people, actually?" The professor was curious to know.
"The people of Mizuho. We actually were banished, a long time ago. Our village was set up in a secret place, one where only Mizohen people are allowed and know how to find it. We mostly work in the shadows and we have a network to be feared."
Nodding to this, it was interesting to note. Raine looked at the gate as they passed through, and entered the city within. Everything was made of stone and it was a tiered city, both things they have never seen before.
There was a shopping district and several living places, from slums to just giant mansions. There even seemed to be a dedicated arena.
"I'll show you around once we are done with the king. Meltokio is the city to be!"
"Zelos, this is serious. I doubt he'll let us go. Colette's Sylvarant's Chosen. The one they want dead?" Sheena glared at him.
"I'll talk him out of it." Clearly confident, Zelos shrugged. "When the Chosen speaks, the king listens."
The last tier, had a grand church of Martel on the left. Right in the middle, was the very big castle. To the right, there seemed to be more mansions. The guards guided them inside the throne room, led by the pope still.
There were two big seats, one was occupied by a young woman with long, blond hair. Her face was fair and pale and she was using a fan. A small, golden crown was on her head. Next to her, sat an older man. His hair was black and he had a thin beard with mustache. He was very royally dressed and had a big crown.
The king's deep dark eyes looked over the unfamiliar people, before looking at the Chosen and pope. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Your highness, my apologies for us barging in like this. We saw crafts crashing down close to the city and I took some guards to see what was going on. We found these people." The pope gestured to the party. Colette stood out the most, because of her wings and her eyes. "They are from Sylvarant, my liege."
"People from Sylvarant?" The blond girl next to the king gasped.
"Don't worry, princess. I'll keep you safe." Zelos winked at her.
"Chosen, why are you with them?" The king informed.
"I was strolling around and happened to see the pope bringing your knights in danger. You see, young miss over there is their Chosen and she can be quite dangerous now. If I hadn't stepped in, who knows what would have happened?"
Narrowing his eyes, Lloyd looked at Zelos for a moment. "Don't exaggerate. She is in a state she cannot help. Your highness, we have no ill intent. We came here in hopes to save Colette."
The king looked at the teen for a moment, before he went on to look at Sheena. "Did we not send you on a mission to assassinate the Chosen of Sylvarant?"
"Yes, your highness." She said it softly, lowering her head. "But... Colette is such a kind person. She has a great heart, totally different from a certain other Chosen." Zelos exchanged a look with her, but he just smirked. "That world and its people are suffering greatly. You have no idea. I just couldn't..."
"Excuses!" The pope interrupted. "I vote we get rid of these intruders, my liege. They are a danger to our land."
"Only if you really intend to make us your enemy like you are." Raine shot back coolly. "We came here because Sheena said researchers are studying Exsphere's closely. We just want to save Colette."
Scuffing, the pope shook his head. "As if. If you do that, you are abandoning your country. You expect us to believe that?"
"We are here for Colette. I do not care for Sylvarant."
"Raine!" Genis gasped at her remark. Was she bluffing? He wasn't even sure.
Scratching his beard, the king seemed in thought for a moment. "You have said the Rheairds were badly damaged. They have no way to leave. I do not believe they are a danger. At least, if one of our people is prepared to keep an eye on them."
Zelos lifted his hand. "I volunteer."
Everyone looked at him for this, surprise on their faces. The king spoke again. "Are you certain, Chosen?"
"Yeah, of course. Chosen should look out for each other."
"If that is what you want, Chosen. Please make sure these people would long for nothing, but also do not bring our country or people in danger."
"Gotcha." Zelos saluted, not a real proper way to address the king!
No one commented on it, however. Instead, the pope piped up. "But, my liege..."
"Enough of this. Please go." The king gestured them off.
They all bowed for him and left at his order, Zelos taking the lead. The guards no longer followed and the pope stayed behind, probably still trying to convince the king otherwise.
"Let's go to my mansion. You all must be tired, huh?"
"Well, a little. But we are mostly hungry." Sheena remarked.
"No problem! I'll ask Sebastian to cook for you all."
"Sebastian?" Genis informed.
"His butler." The former assassin told him.
Frowning at this, he looked up at her. "Do you have some kind of relation with him?" He looked over to Zelos.
"My lost love!"
"Never, you idiot!"
Raine shook her head at the two bickering. Ever since they came to this place, something felt off. But she couldn't put her finger on what it was. Maybe it was just what had happened. Maybe because of they crossed a dimensional border. Above all that, she was brimming with questions, specifically for one person. Her eyes had fixed on Lloyd.
The teen didn't seem to notice, his focus being on guiding Colette around. It was still so strange, to see their roles almost reversed like this.
"Here we are, welcome to my home." Zelos smiled as he gestured to a really big mansion.
Genis looked up, mouth wide open. The house was made of brick, had a lot of windows, pillars and even small towers. The grand double door was opened to reveal an older man in a black tuxedo. He looked over the people and bowed to Zelos.
"Welcome back, master Wilder. I see you have brought visitors."
"Joh! These are my friends. They'd love the have some food. Can you whip some up?"
"Certainly, sir. Please come in and take a seat. I will start right away."
The butler gestured them in. The first room was big and open, with grand stairs leading up to the first floor. It was a living and dining room in one, as further to the back there seemed to be a sun-room.
Comfy, luxury couches were set around a fire place to the left and a big portrait of a woman in a red dress hung on the adjacent wall. There was a long, dark wooden dining table, but it was filled with presents and flowers.
Zelos flipped his hair and let out a dramatic sigh. "All presents from my lovelies. It's hard being so popular."
"All this?" Genis looked at it wide eyed.
"Jup-jup." He chuckled and started to clean off the table. Since they were there anyway, the party helped with this.
They could take a seat on the dark wood with bright red cushioned chairs afterwards. Zelos leaned back with his chair right away. "So, you must have a lot of questions, huh?"
"You can say that. But first things first." Raine looked at Lloyd once again.
The teen had helped Colette to sit down and took a seat next to her. He looked back for a moment, looking further around at the others.
"Yeah, I owe you all an explanation, huh?"
Zelos raised a brow. "Would you rather I step out for this?"
"No, it's fine. I don't mind."
"Very well. My first question is: were you working for Cruxis this whole time?"
"Not voluntarily. But I suppose, technically the answer is yes." The teen nodded.
"Why? Did you come to our village just so you could gain trust?" Genis stared at him in disbelieve.
Looking down, Lloyd nodded again. "That was I was told to do. I had no choice. No free will. I was much like Colette is now."
"Can you elaborate?" Raine asked.
The teen took a deep breath; he owed them all this much. All though it didn't feel like a good excuse, he did not like to play the victim, even though he was left to his fate. Honestly, he didn't understand what his father was doing. He promised him he'd save him. Yet he was at Yggdrasill's side when they appeared at the Tower. Still, he protected him from that attack.
It was confusing for Lloyd himself. He recalled his time in that cold place, locked up and alone. The Angels who didn't care, his father coming only to train him, Yggdrasil using him as a tool. It was all bad, dark and bleak.
He tried to keep optimistic for as long as possible. The Exsphere eventually sapped that out too, however. The Crest did not seem to do its work properly. His time as a... puppet, was harder for him to recall. He was just doing what he was told, had no real own mind, nor any other 'unnecessary things.'
But inside, he was stuck in a barrier of darkness and red. He was sleeping at first. Until a voice seemed to reach him. A light, a warmth, a smile. Colette. For some reason, he felt like she mostly contributed to him being able to break out. He credited the rest of them too.
There was a silence, after Lloyd had explained everything from his perspective. Raine, Genis and Sheena shared a look and Zelos was still mostly frowning. This was all news to him of course, so it took a bit longer for him to process this information.
"I am sorry, for all the trouble. I didn't mean to deceive you. But I swear, I do not support Cruxis. After everything... I loathe them."
"So, for most of your life, you have been locked away? You poor soul." Sheena said it softly, looking at him with pity.
"I... I guess you couldn't help it. I'm sorry." Genis didn't know what else to say.
"Those men, that appeared at the Tower. The blonde one was the leader, and the red-haired man, that was your father?" Raine went on with her questions.
The teen just nodded, as he couldn't really add much more to that. He did not want to give any excuses.
"But why would he, your own father, allow for all of that?" She wondered.
Lloyd looked down, he really had no clue, no answer to give. He'd love to hear an explanation from the man himself.
"You intend to save Colette, correct?"
Cool, silver-grey eyes stared into the hazel browns. "Yes, of course."
"Now, is it true that your Cruxis Cristal is being researched as we speak?" The professor went on to look at Zelos.
"Huh?" That seemed to come out of nowhere. "Yeah. Those guys were really curious and I have no real use for it yet so I didn't mind." He shrugged.
"I'd like to know their findings. We cannot bet on half measures like a no-good Crest. That will take too long."
"Raine, that is kinda harsh." Sheena remarked.
"But is the truth." She looked at her and then went on to look at Lloyd. "Do you not agree?"
"Yeah, for sure. We have to find a faster way. Colette doesn't deserve to be in this kind of state. However, I am also rather sure Yggdrasill will be after us, too."
"If I would've known..."
"That goes for us all, Genis. We had no clue. We were all mislead and used."
"That's life, ain't it?" Zelos folded his hands behind his head. "And you can either sit around and feel bad or do something about it. I know where my vote goes."
"Indeed, this is very true." Raine nodded to him. She looked at Sheena and Genis. "Do you both agree, in that we continue as a group?"
"You mean, do we forgive Lloyd? Of course, he couldn't help it!" Sheena said right away.
"Yeah, after hearing all that... I'm sorry, Lloyd." Genis looked at him.
The teen shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm just thankful you all understand. Really, thank you." He bowed his head to them.
Not to long after this, food was served up by the butler and a couple of other servants. It was bountiful, it was luxurious. It was the best food the Sylvarant people had ever had.
It was a dreary place. The lone tree set in between the mountains, ground all dried up and it was, in all, a mostly forgotten location. Only the most ancient beings would still know about this, and that was precisely the point.
Yuan was not surprised at the choice for their talk. More so, the invitation itself. Kratos did not do this kind of thing often, after all. The two men stood across each other, several steps between them.
"What is this about?" The blue haired man informed.
"That offer of yours. Does that still stand?"
Lifting an eyebrow, Yuan looked the red-haired man over. "What brought upon this change of heart?" Honestly, he never expected Kratos to agree. He was a very stubborn man after all.
"Has Botta not told you what had happened, up in the Tower?"
"The Renegades I had sent came in at the last moment. They had not seen much of what happened before that."
Kratos looked off into the distance. "If I hadn't jumped in, he would have hit Lloyd..."
"I see. So that was the last straw for you finally?"
He didn't react for a few moments, seemingly off in his own head.
How can you deny your pupil anything? After everything they did together, what they have been through, fought for. Can you say no to them? Mulling it over and over, Kratos stood in the Tower for a long while.
The hit from Mithos was still hurting. It would have certainly done some real damage to Lloyd. He did this knowingly. Kratos had forgiven Mithos' actions before. But this was against his own son.
And still... He had difficulty choosing what was right. That was, until he heard the voice of his love. Anna spoke to him, be it ever short and fleeting, he heard her.
'Protect the ones you hold dear.'
Above everything, Lloyd was his blood, his one and only son. Had he imagined her saying this, to make him come to a decision? Did that really matter?
Kratos shook his head, looking Yuan straight in the eyes. "This has to end, before this becomes something we all tried to avoid; a real war."
Avoiding the question. But of course, that was to be expected. "And how do you suggest we do that?"
"I do not think that is up to us, rather the new generation. The young people have to set the course. We are too old; we have an outdated look on it all."
"Young like your boy?"
"I will not push for that, but yes." Kratos nodded.
"We do not know their intentions. And you also know what you need to do. Are you really prepared to do that?"
"Then it's about time we sit down and talk with all of them. Be open for once. And yes, I am prepared to release Origin."
Yuan crossed his arms. "That means you will die. You don't get to see your son grow up."
"I'd be happy just to know everything we did wrong will be set right. I do not deserve any more than that."
"We all carry our sins. It is up to the people to forgive us. Do not go meet Anna too soon, lingering on regrets."
There was a silence between the men, as they looked at each other. Eventually, Yuan nodded, knowing that Kratos wouldn't say anything. "Very well, let's prepare for that talk."
"Just to be clear, this does not mean I am the side of your Renegades."
Yuan rolled his eyes. So very typical of Kratos to say this. He just gave him another nod and they agreed to go to the base to arrange for things.
