Ch 7
Morning brought the happy reunion of Lloyd and his friends, Raine, Genis and Sheena. Kratos rubbed at one eye as he stepped down the stairs to meet with the joyful chatter. Seles had tea and cakes served right away, as well as sending breakfast up to her brother. The conversation included the Exsphere journey, the quest to have half-elves accepted among the people, Genis's upcoming graduation from New Palmacosta, and the general well-being of the party.
"So where is that idiot Chosen anyway?" Sheena asked, looking around, "You'd think he'd be the first down and all over us 'hunnies'. Did he oversleep?" The sounds of doors slamming drew their attention to the second story, where Zelos was walking as quickly as he could with an irritated expression, followed by one of the servants holding a covered tray.
"I don't want it! Take it back! No, I'm not eating it! I'm not hungry, I'll eat it later! Get it out of my sight! Stop following me!" he kept ordering, not bothering to look back at the man hounding after him. He jogged down the steps, didn't bother registering the shocked expressions on the newcomers' faces and stood before Seles. "Can you get this dude off my back? I'm not in the mood for breakfast."
"What the hell happened to you?!" Sheena exclaimed as Raine rubbed her eyes for a better look and Genis scratched his head in appraisal.
"I think it looks better than the pink outfit." he decided and sat down. "Don't know about the hair though."
"What's the matter? I had them make you your favorite breakfast." Seles asked in concern, "Unless you've changed tastes recently."
"Okay, fine." Zelos grumbled and turned to lift the cover from the tray. He speared a chunk of omelet and chewed on it, looking anything but happy with it. Swallowing, he slammed the silver cover down and glared at the servant. "I ate! Now get out of here!" The man bowed and raced off, leaving the redhead to flop into a sofa and sigh. "I hate doing that. Well, good morning, if you can call it that."
"Yeah, okay, now answer the question." Raine muttered. He looked up at them, grinned and shrugged.
"I set myself on fire. Ta-da!" he answered with a smile.
"God, you really are an idiot. How did you live through that?" Sheena growled. Zelos jerked his thumb back at Kratos, who looked as if he didn't want to be pulled into the conversation.
"Daddy-O saved me." he answered and received another smack. "Yeah, I forgot, that word is on the ban list. You sure I can't call you Paps either?" Another smack. "Guess not." Raine sat down and gazed at them sternly.
"We have time for a story. Tell us all about how you got that ridiculous outfit and started calling Kratos... that." she announced as Sheena shot daggers at him before sitting herself.
"You can start without me. I have to deal with my groupies. See ya!" Zelos cried in a rush and raced out of the house. The group watched him escape and looked confused. What was going on with him? Sheena settled back and sighed.
"Nothing seems to go right when dealing with him." she murmured.
Of all the times she could show up, she had to do it when he looked like this! Zelos kicked at a pebble as he walked down the streets to each of his former groupies' houses. Each one would squeal in delight at the sight of him, though the confusion in their eyes betrayed their doubt at his new style. Each one burst into tears and begged for him to stay with them as he calmly told each one to stop coming by. Each one threatened to call guards to drag him back, but a stern look from him killed the words as they called them forth.
The effort of burning all those bridges should have exhausted him, but he didn't feel the least bit tired. Zelos leaned back against a tall marble statue of some nobleman and sighed, thinking about the angry looks Sheena had shot him. Apparently she was still ticked off at him. Oh well. He twisted the ring he wore on his right hand and studied the gem. The Topaz Ring was blessed by Luna, the Summon Spirit of Light, and was a gift from Sheena before his betrayal. It remained one of his greatest treasures.
"The only time I'll ever get a ring from her." Zelos murmured and sighed dejectedly as he began walking back to the mansion, "I screwed myself up royally with the whole venture." A shadow passed over him and he stopped, looking up in confusion at the woman that walked right for him. Dressed in a silky black gown with a dark violet scarf pulled up across her face and holding a black parasol, the woman stopped before him and nodded her head slightly in greeting.
"Good to see you here, Chosen." she remarked softly, "I am Nadilene Whild. I've come quite a ways to bring you a gift." Zelos shifted stances to his usual flirtatious one, mentally cringing at the title and the thought of having to resume his mask.
"Oh, is that so? What gift could such a beautiful black rose as yourself have for little old me? I'm sure it's equally as gorgeous as the gift-giver." he purred. Nadilene lifted her hand and revealed a shining orb of light hovering above her palm.
"The gift of angelic power, one for now and another for the next step." she answered and the light flew towards Zelos, covering him in light as he raised his hands defensively. "The gift of monster sight. You shall see monsters where others cannot." she added, sending another ball of light at him.
"Hey! Whoa! I don't want angelic powers!" Zelos yelled and glared between his arms at her, "You look familiar; where have I seen you before?! Tell me who you are!" Nadilene smiled and held out her arms towards him, the scarf flying in a wind that surrounded her alone.
"If you wish to know me, then seek answers here!" she declared and a new vision bloomed into Zelos's view, far different from the one he had seen in Nealar, the same dream that had haunted him until he lost the ability to sleep.
There was a palace of white and gold, a figure that sat in a strange device that obviously kept the creature alive. The figure itself looked hideous, with glassy green eyes looking balefully out of its withered head, the crippled and disfigured body trapping what was apparently an infuriated and maddened mind. Nadilene standing by it in a white wedding gown, black and red hair flowing around her shoulders and down her back. Then suddenly, there was a cannon, aimed for the united world, the world that the rulers of the kingdoms had dubbed Symphonia. A green crystal shining, surrounded by darkness, consuming the planet. Zelos's reflection of his former self standing on a balcony of a tall tower that overlooked the land, wings spread, laughing, emerald eyes shining madly. Then he was falling, the true Zelos, dressed still in the clothes made for him by a loving family, falling into the darkness. Falling forever.....
"Nooo!" Zelos screamed and leaped back, shaking his head furiously, "I won't let you take me there! I won't let you use me for that!" He reached for his sword and slashed out with it, prepared for battle. "Whatever it is you're planning to do with me, I won't allow it! I'd rather die before I let you put my family in danger!"
"We shall see, Chosen One." Nadilene murmured as she vanished in a burst of violet light, deep violet feathers dancing around her before winking out of existance. Zelos scanned the area for her, then ran for the mansion down the street, panting.
"Can't believe I'm being used again! Gotta tell the others, quick!" he puffed as he ran on.
Kratos jerked his head up as the story went on, glaring at the direction he thought he heard a voice. Lloyd noticed and stopped as he was describing the battle at Nealar to give him a concerned look. The group looked between them in confusion.
"Dad?" Lloyd asked, the rest of the question unneeded. Kratos stood quickly and made for the door.
"I heard Zelos cry out. We have to see what's happening!" he declared and raced out of the mansion. Seles leaped up, clutching her purse.
"I'll come, too! Big Brother needs me!" she declared and followed the group as they dashed out to see the commotion.
They met Zelos as he was racing up towards them, then stopped in confusion as the redhead skid to a halt, stared wide-eyed at them, then whisked out the Last Fencer, immediately moving into his dancing stance.
"Get away from me, you monsters! I won't let you take me anywhere!" he declared. Lloyd stepped forward, hands out as non-threatening as possible.
"Zelos, calm down. It's me, Lloyd. What's going on?" he asked in a steady voice. Zelos slashed towards him and he leaped back. "Whoa! Dad! What's wrong with him?" Kratos merely stood and watched him, an expression of concern on his face. The redhead glared at them, then halted his dancing, eyes growing dark and closing half way as he held out a hand and began making cross-like motions, lips moving silently to the swirl of mana rising around him.
"He's going to cast something on us?!" Genis exclaimed in shock, stepping back in fright, "Wh-why?!"
"Burn, baby! Eruption!" Zelos finally yelled out, and the group scattered to avoid the flames that rushed up from where they stood. "Damn it! Don't force me to use what I learned in Nealar!" Kratos dashed in and drew his own sword, swinging it to knock away the Last Fencer. The redhead caught on and spun, throwing Excalibur skyward and swinging his leg out to kick Kratos back. "What are monsters doing in Meltokio anyway?! Lloyd! Dad! Get out here and help me already!"
"Zelos, snap out of it! Don't you recognize us? We're already here! Stop attacking us!" Lloyd exclaimed as Raine set to casting a spell of her own, Genis following suit. Sheena held her cards ready, waiting for the chance to dart in and attack. Kratos pressed on, grinding his teeth as he tried his best to disarm the redhead. He hated to admit it, but after only a few minutes of intense battle, he was already wearing out and Zelos seemed only to continue pressing in, still as energetic as before.
"He's using the spins and gravity to lessen his energy output. Clever boy. He can withstand intense combat longer than I can. I'll have to remember that in the future." Kratos thought to himself, blocking a blow that would have cut into his shoulder, "Wait a second. Intense combat? The transformation requires the Chosen to be in danger, fighting aids the process... No!"
"Zelos! Stop fighting!" Kratos finally shouted and swung the sword a final time, sending Last Fencer skittering away. Seles screamed and opened her purse, whisking out a large wand that held a huge golden star at the end.
"Don't hurt him! I'll hit you with this if you hurt my brother!" she threatened as the group jumped back from her. Raine cast out her Field Barrier for defense as the seraphim finally managed to grab Zelos's arms and struggle with him.
"Let me go! Lloyd! Where are you?! I can hear you, but I can't see you anywhere!" he yelled, fighting to get free of Kratos.
"Zelos, calm down. The monster won't hurt you. Not unless you attack first." the seraphim said slowly. Zelos hesitated as the older man went on. "I am here, but I can't see the monster. Will you describe it to me?" He nodded. "Good. Now, the one holding you, tell me what you see."
"It's about my size, maybe taller. It's heavily built, looks like it could snap me in two." Zelos answered shakily, "It has mottled green skin, with red-brown spikes all over its head and its wearing dark fur on its body. It was holding a big sword earlier, but that's gone now."
"I see. A strange monster, isn't it?" Kratos murmured. Zelos nodded. The seraphim bent closer to him, staring into his eyes as the redhead cringed and tried to turn his face away, beginning to struggle again. "Zelos, listen carefully. I need you to look the monster in the eye. Tell me what you see in its eyes." he told the Chosen. Lloyd blinked and stepped forward again, only to be halted by Raine. The professor shook her head and signaled for him to wait.
"O-okay. I trust you." Zelos muttered and turned back to hold his gaze level, brow furrowed with confusion. "They're kind of brown, almost like yours. Very much like yours."
"Anything else?"
"Uh...." Zelos murmured and closed his eyes half-way, "I can see emotions; concern, worry, a hidden pain... and something else. Something I've only ever seen in Seles's eyes. Something I see in Lloyd's eyes when he looks at us all." He shook his head and stared up at him. "DAD?!" he finally exclaimed as the false sight wore off. Kratos smirked and released him, stepping back. "You were the monster this whole time?!"
"It was an illusion. See the others for yourself. It's the only way to truly see your friends again." he answered, "Though I'd like to know what caused this." Zelos headed straight for the monster that represented Lloyd and peered into his eyes, a serious expression on his face.
"Concern, worry, that strange emotion, and hope. This is Lloyd, no one I know has those color eyes with that kind of emotional mix. Hey, little bro, sorry for the scare." he finally said with a smile as the illusion shattered and Lloyd threw his arms around him in relief.
"Good to have you normal again, Zelos." the swordsman breathed back, "You scared the hell out of all of us!" The redhead grinned wider, then resumed his solemn expression as he went to Raine, the professor represented by a demonic sorceress with white snakes for hair. She blushed as he stared into her gaze.
"Knowledge and wisdom, hope for the future, calm and serene, worry and concern, some shyness within. This is Raine, the Professor." Zelos murmured and smiled at her. "Hello there, my cool beauty!"
"Still as intolerably flirtatious as ever, I see." Raine remarked with a grin as he nodded and knelt to eye the small monster of similar appearance.
"I see hope as well, pain of loss, confusion, and an eagerness for life and all its wonders. Genis, you brat, when will you be ready to attend the Imperial Research Academy? You'll knock their socks off!" Zelos laughed and ruffled his hair when the illusion broke. He turned to look at the monster that represented Seles and smiled as he looked into her eyes. "I can never mistake those eyes. That emotion so strong there, the worry, the hope, all of it trying to hide under a determined look. Only a Wilder can have eyes like that!" he joked as Seles laughed and hugged his waist.
"Big Brother! You're okay!" she exclaimed happily. Zelos nodded and straightened for the last member of the group. He hesitated when standing before Sheena, the ninja glaring at him, daring him to look her in the eye.
"Guess this is it, huh?" he murmured softly.
"You think I enjoy this? Get it over with." she growled. Zelos took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then turned to look at her.
"Hot and cold at once, anger, annoyance, there was something else, but it's gone now...." he whispered shakily, wishing the 'monster sight' spell didn't force him to face her like this, "Pain, deep pain, and... hatred. It grows the more I look. It consumes... like darkness. Sheena!" Stepping back, Zelos gasped and doubled over, breaking into a sweat as pain rushed through him. "Ow...! Gah, it hurts! Stop! Please!" Kratos immediately knelt beside him, holding him steady as the pain of the transformation began.
"What's happening to him?!" Genis exclaimed as Lloyd cried in shock and bent to help out. Raine took on her serious expression and knelt to lift Zelos's face up. Ignoring the pained look on his face, she studied him carefully.
"His lips are turning blue. Whatever caused this is having adverse effects on him. We need to get him to a doctor." she declared bluntly.
"Big Brother! What's wrong with my brother?! What's hurting him?! Who could have done this?!" Seles cried, still gripping her wand. Zelos jerked out of the healer's grip and bowed his head.
"No! I'm not going to any doctor! I'm all right." he managed to say through clenched teeth, "The battle just wore on me, that's all. Get back." The group closed in out of concern as Sheena blinked in surprise and stepped away from them, confused. "I said, get back! Get away from me!" He threw out an arm, startling the group into backing away. Standing shakily, Zelos moved back away from them, bangs covering most of his face as he looked out at them with one narrowed, glazed emerald eye. "You never saw this." he hissed and turned to flee the group, ignoring their cries of surprise and shock at his sudden change in demeanor.
"Lloyd, go back to the house with your friends. I will attend to Zelos." Kratos ordered firmly and ran after the redhead.
"Dad! Wait! What is going on? What's happening to Zelos?" Lloyd called and looked somewhat hurt, "Why won't they tell me what's happening?" Subdued by the thought, he turned and led the group of heroes back to the mansion.
Kratos kept running, following the faint trail of mana dust that was left in the wake of Zelos's escape. Through the twists and turns, he found himself now in the Meltokio slums, the peasants watching him with distrust and anxiety.
"Have you seen the Chosen? He is wearing clothes similar to what I am wearing and his hair is much shorter now." he asked one politely. The woman stared at him and slowly pointed down at the murky river that ran through the slums. "Thank you." Kratos murmured and walked down towards it, fearing the worst deep within himself.
He found Zelos bent at the water's edge, wings trembling as he gasped for air. His body shook with each wave of pain that coursed through him and the seraphim could only stand and wait for it to pass.
"Why...?" Zelos managed to whisper, "Why did you follow me?"
"Is it wrong for a father to worry over the well-being of one of his sons?" Kratos answered simply, stepping up and sitting beside him, gazing at the dingy water that flowed by them. Zelos carefully unfurled himself and looked up at him, tears staining his cheeks. The seraphim glanced at him almost sadly. "Those were your final tears, Zelos. You no longer have the ability to feel. You will not cry, or feel hot or cold, the wind or water's touch on your skin, or physical pain." he added softly.
"Father, I know who is doing this to me." Zelos murmured and closed his eyes, touching his fingertips to the crystal below his neck, "Her name is Nadilene Whild. She triggered this in me."
"The name sounds familiar. Go on."
"She sent me a vision. I saw an old man, disfigured horribly, sitting in a chair of some kind. She was standing beside him. There was a cannon, pointed at this world. My Cruxis Crystal was shining, and everything was swallowed in darkness. I saw myself, not myself, standing as if I ruled everything, in my old clothes, my old hairstyle. And the real me, disappearing into the darkness." Zelos recalled as much as he could and sighed. "Sucks to be me right now."
"I recall such a couple. Yes, the man in the mobile device was a prisoner of Mithos's from the early days of the 4,000 year rule." Kratos muttered darkly, "He was once human, like me, and was one of the group that betrayed us. In retaliation, Mithos mutilated him and then turned him into an angel without the power to alter his appearance to strike blows against his pride and vanity. His wife, Nadilene, took it upon herself to become an angel as well, to stand by him and care for him."
"So he wants me as his new body?" Zelos asked, eyes wide, "What about the cannon and my crystal?"
"That I don't know. Derris-Kharlan is a huge comet, and Welgaia takes up only a small portion of it. I thought the two of them had died eventually, but apparently not. They may be hiding there, somewhere." Kratos went on thoughtfully, tapping his finger to the end of his nose. "I'm tempted to go back to Derris-Kharlan and take a look around. Perhaps I can find notes concerning them in the information database."
"No, I need you here to cover for me." Zelos told him, standing shakily and stretching, wings flapping to relieve the tension. "The pain has passed, or maybe I've gotten to the point where I can't feel it. Eh, on the bright side, I won't feel it when someone slaps me over the head, right, Pops?" He grinned as Kratos raised his hand to smack him, then dropped it with a sigh.
"Why bother? You're not going to feel it anyway." the seraphim grumbled, folding his arms over his chest. Zelos smiled wider and danced off. "Hmph, well, since you're back to normal, let's return to the mansion and plan our next move. If we are going to Altamira, we can ask Regal for inhibitor ore to repair your crest."
"Yeah! Let's gooo!" Zelos sang out, wings still flapping out in view.
"And put your wings away!"
"Whoo-hoo! To Altamira and my cute little rosebud, Presea!"
Smiling and laughing,
While inside I cry;
Singing and dancing,
While longing to die.
My time's end is coming;
Should I tremble in fear?
Or should I embrace it
As all becomes clear?