Hikaru: Lessee . . .Kratos, Lloyd, and Zelos did the disclaimer . . .so . . .who shall do it this time?
Lloyd: How about . . .Sora?
Hikaru: Well, he was my first love and that crap.
Sora: Just watch. When my game comes out next spring, Hikaru will be head over heels for me!
Lloyd: I dunno if she'll stop playing my game long enough to even pay attention to you . . .She's beat it over seven times, but she can't stop . . .
Hikaru: Just do the damn disclaimer.
Sora: Yes, master! Hikaru doesn't own Tales of Symphonia, NAMCO does. There.
Hikaru: You know, Sora, you look a lot like Lloyd . . .
Lloyd/Kratos/Sora: DON'T GET ANY IDEAS!
Hikaru: Aw . . .you're no fun . . .
"I want to see you suffer . . ."
Before Lloyd could respond, Raphael threw his body overtop of him, pinning him to the ground. Lloyd was overwhelmed, but he didn't have any time to react before the older boy on top of him took his already bloodstained dagger, stabbing Lloyd over and over, attacking him hard and fast. Lloyd yelled every time the knife made sharp contact with his flesh, spilling blood along with intense, horrible pain. Behind the two, Kratos, although he was severely injured, not to mention in no condition to try anything, rose from the floor, inching towards the bastard that was assaulting his son. When Kratos got close enough, he drew his sword, swinging it down upon Raphael's back. Kratos didn't know how, but Raphael seemed to know it was coming. He rolled off of Lloyd, and Kratos barely stopped himself in time to keep from slicing his son into two. Raphael laughed softly, watching Kratos scoop up Lloyd in his arms, the father calling to his child, terrified at the severity of the wounds their enemy dealt him. Lloyd shook in his father's arms, his breathing becoming ragged, and he could taste blood in his mouth. Kratos cringed, from both the pain in his back from the knives, along with the sight of Lloyd so brutally wounded. Blood was splattered all over the place, including the father and son. The smell of so much blood in the air made them want to hurl, however, they kept it back. Kratos threw Raphael a dirty look, slowly backing away from him. The offender merely smirked, holding up a hand in the air, as if he were to cast a spell.
"Indignant Judgment!"
Innumerable lightning bolts struck the ground rapidly, making way toward Kratos and Lloyd. Kratos couldn't move for fear. He turned, his back to Raphael, bracing for the shock. It never came. Instead, there was a flash of purple light, and Volt the Summon Spirit was floating behind him, absorbing the lightning-based spell. Kratos spun around in time to see Sheena running onto the scene, spell cards in hand, and ready to fight. Raphael cursed loudly, glaring daggers at the summoner that had interfered. Sheena huffed, assuming a battle stance in front of Kratos and Lloyd.
"I dunno how you even got here, but I'm not gonna let you lay a hand on them!"
She took out another card, muttered something else, and she vanished, taking Lloyd and Kratos with her. Raphael stared at the spot where Sheena stood just moments before, cursing under his breath. He ran a hand through his unkempt crimson hair, smirking in spite of himself.
"Yes, flee to your own world, summoner. It won't be long before those angels die of hemorrhage, anyway. Unless your healer interferes, of course . . ."
Raphael tossed the knife he was holding into the pool of ruby red blood that Kratos and Lloyd left in their wake, chortling softly.
"Then I'll just have to make sure that she doesn't . . ."
Raine sat back in her chair, exhausted beyond all reason. It took most of her energy to successfully heal all the cuts and gashes that covered Colette's bloody form. The healer had cleaned off all the blood that leaked out, and bandaged her wounds. The blonde-haired angel was sleeping in the bedrooms as of now, whilst everyone else was recovering from Raphael's sudden offense. Genis was busily scrubbing the message Raphael painted on the wall, muttering angrily under his breath. Raine could only guess what vile, foul curses her younger brother was uttering. Zelos was pacing the room, mentally debating on whether to go back to Derris-Kharlan to check on Kratos and Lloyd, or to just stay here and worry about his fellow Chosen of Mana. Regal, Presea, and Altessa were placed in varying places of the home, trying to act as though nothing had changed. Raine sighed, leaning her head back against the chair, and jumped when a white cloud of mist materialized in front of her. Sheena stood before her, Kratos carrying a bloodied Lloyd, seemingly ignorant of the many knives stabbed into his body. Raine gasped at their impulsive appearance, leaping out of her chair, rushing over to the father and son.
"Kratos! Lloyd! What in the nine hells happened?"
Kratos dropped to his knees, still holding Lloyd in his arms, panting lightly. Raine bent down on one knee, gently scooping Lloyd in her arms, moving the injured youth to one of the beds in the sleeping room. Not even five minutes later, she returned, taking Kratos by the arm, dragging him off the same bedroom as she placed Lloyd and Colette in. The silver-haired teacher forced Kratos onto a bed face down, quickly removing the knives that had stuck in the swordsman's flesh. Kratos grunted when each dagger was mercilessly, yet carefully pulled out of his body, which only added to the bleeding. Finished with the removing of the weapons, Raine took the liberty to take off the angel's shirt, ignoring his protests. On another bed, Zelos was doing the same thing—tugging off Lloyd's shirt in order to heal the innumerable stabs that Raphael dealt him. Removing the garment was tougher than one expected—the unnecessarily large wings made it difficult. Somehow Zelos managed, cringing at how much Lloyd was bleeding. The youth in question screwed his eyes shut tightly; afraid of what he might see if he dared to open them.
"How bad is it, Zelos?" He mumbled meekly.
"Uh . . .just . . .don't open your eyes, okay? Let's just leave it at that." The Chosen replied.
Of course, out of sheer curiosity, Lloyd had to open his eyes. He shut them again immediately. The entire upper half of his body was soaked with burgundy blood. He heard Zelos sigh heavily, feeling a damp cloth slide over his body, which he presumed that Zelos was using to clean up the blood.
"I tell you not to look, but does anyone listen to me? Noooo . . ."
"Somebody just knock me out, please." Lloyd muttered, feeling dizzy from the loss of blood. The scent of the liquid wasn't helping him feel any better, either.
"Ugh . . .Professor Raine, Lloyd's lost a lot of blood . . .and the cuts are really deep, too . . ."
The Professor responded with an agitated yell of frustration as she cleaned up the blood splashed over Kratos' back.
"I'm busy right now, Zelos! Have you forgotten that magic isn't the only method of healing? Use some gels to assist in your healing, idiot!"
Zelos gritted his teeth angrily, reaching into his bag lying next to the bed for some Lemon Gels, as well as bandages and such other medical supplies. The redhead worked in silence; astounded that Raine lost her temper like she did. Normally, she was calm and rational about these kinds of things . . .Well, Zelos had to admit, this wasn't a circumstance that affected them normally, not even when the Renegades were constantly trying to kidnap Lloyd before. Not to mention that she used up nearly all of her mana healing Colette, and the fact that Kratos and Lloyd came back needing to be healed with much more serious wounds than that of Colette most likely drove her over the edge. Being overworked was no grand party, and Zelos knew what it felt like to be overworked magic-wise. The fact that this Raphael person kept on attacking them constantly didn't really help, either. It was almost as if he were trying to overwork the healers to the point of becoming ill from so much mana loss. Also, there was the fact that he attacked Lloyd more than three times already, in hopes of delivering a fatal blow to him, but before he could, someone interfered-Sheena, Zelos, and Kratos. Zelos tossed the bloodied cloth he used to clean the blood off Lloyd's body, now reaching for the Lemon Gels. Raphael . . .he said that the angels were despicable murderers . . .that must mean that he was after all the remaining angels, whether they came from Cruxis or not. If that held true, then Yuan would be in danger as well. Yuan could handle himself, but the way Raphael ambushed his targets . . .it wasn't reassuring that Yuan, as powerful as he was, was currently staying in one of the Renegade bases, alone. The Tethe'alla base was well concealed, being trapped in an ice fjord and all, but the one in Sylvarant didn't exactly remain hidden. The way that Raphael somehow found them in Altessa's house and found Kratos and Lloyd on Derris-Kharlan were so surprising. Even the Desian method of tracking Colette via her mana signature trail wasn't that accurate as the technique Raphael used to pinpoint their locations so astutely. It made Zelos worry. The ex-Chosen now took the cloth bandages, forcing his patient to sit upright so he could proceed in wrapping them around him to cover the wounds.
"There! Done!" Zelos announced, clapping his hands together.
Lloyd gave him an annoyed look, looking over his now bandaged torso. He had to admit that the Chosen did a pretty decent job on tending to his injuries. The brunette tried to get up to check on his father, but Zelos placed a hand on his chest, forcing him back into the bed.
"Now, now, Lloyd. We can't have you running around right after a serious attack like that. You need to rest." The redhead scolded, wagging a finger in Lloyd's general direction.
"You sound like the Professor." Lloyd retorted, sitting upright.
"I merely speak the truth. If you go running around like that, those numerous wounds will re-open, and the bleeding will start up again. You can't afford to lose any more blood. You. Need. To. Rest." Zelos shot back with a hint of finality in his voice.
Lloyd sighed, sinking back into the bed covers. Zelos was right. If he ran around like this, it'll put him in even more danger, the last thing he needed right now. He may as well resign himself to his current fate. When he got better, then he would worry about this Raphael, and his motives. Lloyd folded his arms behind his head, realizing that he was very tired. His upper body ached a little, but it wasn't excruciating. Finally, he gave in to the command his body was demanding—sleep. The brunette drifted off into a deep sleep, somewhat relaxed now that Raphael was gone—for now.
Everything he knew and loved lies in ruin before his very eyes. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, disbelieving of the tragedy that occurred right in front of him. How could this be possible? He only wanted what was best . . .and yet cruel fate awards him with this catastrophe? No . . .it couldn't be true . . .all he did was retrieve that accursed child from the torture her captives were treating her with. He had only saved a fellow human . . .a life for a life. Yet . . .his home . . .his family . . .he knew one more member of his family was alive. Alive, but joined with that accursed organization that supposedly guided the worlds of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. In fact, he contributed to this raze that plagued him. Why? He was his own son, and yet he helped them kill and destroy . . .angels are murderers . . .they cared for nothing save themselves . . .
Hikaru: What do you all think? Please read and review!