Lloyd sighed in his bed at Hiemdel Inn. The group had gotten their in good time and was resting before heading off. Lloyd looked out of his room to see the sky, tainted by darkness and changing into a peaceful serenity.
A knock at his door alerted him. Lloyd silently walked over to the door and opened it. There stood Anna.
"Lloyd, I know you have a lot of questions, and its time I tell you what happened. Your father only told you half of the story." Anna said and sat down on a chair. Lloyd nodded and began.
"Mom, how are you alive?" Lloyd asked the first question that came to mind. Anna sighed.
"Well, when Dirk found me, I was still pretty much alive. However, I told him to tell everyone I died because it would get the Desians off my trail. I removed the Angelus Project and got a new Exsphere. The Angelus Project's power still lingered in my body. It eventually formed into a strong bond with nature. That's how my rose whip came to be and my powers as well." Anna began.
"A few years later, I found a young talented child that was about the same age as you would have been. That would be Tobias. We got into Tethe'alla when we were near Palmacosta and Tobias conjured his aura sword and sliced when he had been frustrated. Tobias showed his demon powers there and then. It's based on the strength of the power inside his body. That's how he is able to summon power blasts and blades of energy that can cut through dimensions. That led to us entering Tethe'alla. This is where Arwen comes in."
"We met Arwen, the granddaughter of the Elder, and a few years later and we had plenty of journeys. Tobias with his demon powers caused a lot of trouble too because there were people constantly hunting him. Those two became family to me. In a sense, those two are your siblings. We eventually got wind of Collette and her group and the rest is history." Anna finished. Lloyd stared at her.
"But, couldn't you have come back?" Lloyd asked. Anna shook her head.
"Tobias tried many times but there was something blocking him. He could never get the transfer correct." Anna said. "Besides, the Desians would recognise me and you would be killed. I never stopped worrying but I couldn't do anything." Her eyes shone with sadness. Lloyd stared at his mother, watching her closely. Anna sighed.
"I knew your father returned to Cruxis and would eventually turn back to how he used to be. Mithos probably told him that you were dead. I doubt he would have left if he had known. You can't blame your father for not knowing of your existence. And I believe this is probably why he wishes to fight you. Because he believes that if he fights his son, maybe he can redeem himself in death by his son. That is his believe as a warrior." Anna hugged Lloyd tightly. Lloyd felt everything that he was stressed leave him as hefell intohis mother's embrace for the first time in many years.
Another knock on his door caused Lloyd to start. His mother left so he could get his rest. Lloyd walked slowly to the door. It was Mithos, Martel, Genis, Presea, Arwen, Collette and Raine.
Lloyd considered this curious group closely. Why did they have so many of them?
"Lloyd, do you mind if Mithos and Martel talk to you?" Genis asked. Lloyd nodded his head.
"I don't mind." The five of them came in. Mithos stood in front of Lloyd. There was a long silence as the stared at each other. The silence was broken by laughter from Martel and Raine.
"What is it?" Mithos and Lloyd said in sync. Martel and Raine laughed harder.
"Oh, its just that you two are nearly exactly the same." Raine said. Martel nodded. Genis moved closer to Lloyd and Mithos. Presea had a slight smile on her face and Collette and Arwen were giggling.
"How so?" Mithos asked.
"Look at what both of you have done. You two both tried to save the world. You both use the exact same style of fighting. You both risked your lives for the people you cared about and went to the extremes to save them and you both fall asleep in class." Lloyd and Mithos stared at them.
"I haven't fallen asleep in class for 5000 years." Mithos said indignantly. Martel sighed.
"Before you became Yggdrasil." Mithos sighed. Martel walked slowly around the room.
"Lloyd, you are like my brother before the change in every way. Your beliefs were exactly the same. You both wanted worlds without sacrifices and discrimination. You two were set on the right path; just Mithos lost it in the end." Martel looked at her brother, saddened. Lloyd looked at them both.
"It happens, Lloyd, that if you and Mithos had met in a different situation, you two could have a relationship as strong as you and Genis. The reason for that is that even when you found out Genis was a half-elf, you didn't care and still was friends with him. I hope that maybe we both can start over, with a new chance of success." Martel said softly. Lloyd stared at her.
"What about your powers? Are they still intact?" Mithos spoke instead.
"Yggdrasil stole most of my powers during the split and Martel's powers are not as powerful as they use to be since most of her energy was used in the upload and split. Our level matches your in strength." Mithos went silent. Martel then smiled.
"But I still bet Mithos can fall asleep in class faster then you can."
"HEY!"
Zelos, Tobias and Regal walked slowly to Lloyd's room, not wishing to wake him up if he was sleeping. Lloyd opened the door.
"I could hear you guys from down the hall. Stealth is not your thing." Lloyd said, smirking. Zelos walked forward.
"Do you mind if we talk for a few minutes." Lloyd hesitated for a moment and nodded.
"Okay." The two entered the room calmly and Zelos shut the door behind him.
"Lloyd, I wanted to talk to you about what happened at the Tower of Salvation." Zelos said, softly.
"Why did you betray us?" Lloyd asked. "And then, why did you come back?" Zelos sighed.
"It was because of my sister. I'm going to be honest that I really cared. I knew the only chance of getting her out of the Abbey was for her to become Chosen. Even though we have different mothers, I still cared about her. She actually didn't have to be in that Abbey before both of our mothers died." Lloyd started and listened intently.
"When the first time it was snowing, my mother took me out to play. My pimping days were just beginning." Zelos smiled and the other three sweatdropped. "I was building a snowman happily. Then, before I knew it, red snow began to fall."
"Red snow?" Lloyd asked.
"Your mother was murdered." Tobias said coldly. Everyone turned to him. Zelos nodded.
"As she fell, she grabbed my shoulder and said 'You should never have been born.'" Lloyd gasped.
"That's horrible." Zelos sighed.
"My mother probably loved someone else. But because of the oracle from Cruxis, she
had to marry the Chosen at the time-my father." Lloyd was at a lost for words.
"The woman who killed my mother was Seles's mother. She was executed and Seles was put under house-arrest." Zelos said.
"But that isn't your fault!" Lloyd said.
"The attack was meant for him." Regal said calmly. "I heard about it. Zelos was targeted because he was the next Chosen. His mother was caught in the crossfire." Regal said quietly.
"I felt responsible and remembered the promise I had made to Seles. I promised to always protect my family at all costs. When Mithos offered to get Seles out of that Abbey, I instantly agreed. It seemed the only way." Zelos said and turned to Lloyd. Lloyd looked in amazement as he saw the sadness deeply stained in his eyes.
"During the fight we had, I realised my biggest mistake I made. Seles would not have wanted it that way. I had betrayed the only family I truly known. Lloyd, I considered you the twin brother I never had. Regal, I considered my older brother. Genis represent my little brother and so on. I did things that were wrong and I regretted betraying the only family I ever had. Lloyd, give me another chance to join the family again." Zelos pleaded, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. Lloyd didn't answer for a while, and they he finally spoke.
"I can't forgive Zelos Wilder the Chosen." Lloyd said coldly. Zelos let his head fall.
"However, I can forgive my twin brother, Zelos." Zelos smiled and hugged Lloyd.
Sheena quietly moved down the hallway, hoping to speak to Lloyd. Using her ninja skills, she stealthily moved to the door. Judging by the slow breathing that she heard through her sharp ears, she thought Lloyd was asleep.
"Hey, Sheena." Lloyd said, opening the door. She nearly shrieked in surprise.
"How did you-" Lloyd put a finger to her mouth. She blushed slightly, happy that it was dark.
"I just sensed it. What do you need?" Lloyd asked.
"What are you doing up?" Sheena asked. Lloyd sighed. He didn't want to mention that the entire group had already visited him several times.
"Couldn't sleep." Lloyd said. Sheena frowned slightly, but didn't say anything.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Sheena asked. Lloyd nodded.
"Sure." Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched.
"Place your bets now. Is Lloyd going to score or not?" Zelos said, grinning as the group watched from the window.
"If you try that, then prepare to die." Arwen said as her hand glowed. "I can do magic, you know. How about we make your hair really flaming." A fireball formed in her hand. Zelos gulped.
Outside, the two were blissfully unaware of the fighting going on. They were more focused on each other.
"So Lloyd, what are you planning to do after this?" Sheena asked nervously.
"After the two worlds are together? I made a vow to collect all the Exspheres and destroy them." Sheena's mind was racing. It was now or never.
"I…want to come with you." She said hesitantly. Lloyd stared at her.
"Really?...What about Mizuho?" Lloyd said, now also feeling hopeful. Maybe it was his chance.
"Mizuho knows how important it is for the Exspheres destroyed. Besides, I want to be with you." Sheena was blushing even more. Lloyd was flushed as well.
"I would like to be with you too." Lloyd said, looking excited.
"Then it's settled. We're going on a journey to collect all the Exspheres. And if you break your promise, I'm going to invoke the Mizuho traditions of making liars swallow a thousand needles." Sheena said, smirking. Lloyd faked fear.
"Okay, okay." Lloyd's and Sheena's hands moved to each other, clasping tightly. The two moved closer together.
"Lloyd." Sheena said softly. Lloyd looked at her, his expression soft.
"What is it?"
"I love you." Lloyd felt his life become complete.
"I love you too." Lloyd's and Sheena's lips touched and they grew closer together. Passion flared between the two as they started to fed off their lover's passion.
"I think that's enough." Anna's voice said amused. The two turned to see the entire party watching them, smirking. Zelos's hair was slightly charcoaled.
"How long have you been watching?" Lloyd asked, his face and Sheena's matching his usual outfit in colour.
"Ever since you and Sheena went outside. I'm surprised, brother, didn't know you had it in you." Zelos teased. Sheena glared at him. Anna sighed.
"Lloyd and Sheena, I'll speak to you both tomorrow morning about you two. In the meantime, you two go to bed. Separated." Sheena and Lloyd went completely red at Anna's last word. The group laughed and everyone went back in. Sheena quickly walked over to Lloyd when no one was watching.
"Take this, Lloyd." Sheena gave Lloyd one of the cards that she uses in battle. Lloyd looked at her.
"It's my favourite card. I hope it gives you good luck." Sheena kissed him and hurried off. Lloyd blushed as Zelos and Genis came over and started to tease him.
Kratos watched from the trees, amused at Lloyd's and Sheena's predicament. Anna glanced at him and gave him a quick smile before turning away to usher everyone inside.
"So Lloyd, you figured out your feelings. You've grown to be mature. Now it is time tomorrow to see if you have grown physically."
Comments in general:
I'm keeping the previous one, since because I managed to get sick and I damaged both arms somehow sweatdrop. I tried for a little humour and no action in this chapter. One reviewer mentioned that something had to be wrong with Mithos and Martel, and so I made it that way. I will be honest and tell you I completely can't write direct romance very well. If anyone wishes to write the romance for me, I would be grateful. I also will need feed back on side quests. The Devel's Arms will most likely be in here. Coliseum as well. I did mention to a reviewer that Seles will have her hand in this story somewhere. Any more ideas for side quests will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reviews. Speaking of which…
Reply to Reviews:
Goldfish demon: Original screenname. Actually, Kratos does training with Lloyd in the game. You can figure out how to activate it.
Warprince2000: Thanks
Sirhcnotilih: Thanks a lot. Oh another thing. Len's real name is Ren (stupid dubbers).
Lloyd (Irving) Aurion: I'm glad there are people like you who actually give me real advice.
Green Magi: I followed your advice. I agree with you completely on that.
Night Wind-chan: /tries not to look guilty/ Maybe. /Laughs/ Yeah.
Lifedeath: Please, read this chapter. Thanks, I need your reviews.
DemonDragon000: Thanks.
Questions:
Should there be a sidequest for every character?
Should Tobias's and Arwen's past be revealed soon?
Are there any other characters I should add?
What do you think of more crossover ideas?
Sane?
Silver: Damn, I hate this weather.
Yuan: It's your own fault that you nearly ran into the telephone pole. You should have been paying attention or you wouldn't have slid off your bike.
Silver: sighs It doesn't matter. What are you doing here?
Yuan: Well, since I'm not in the story yet, I can hang around here.
Silver: That's fine with me. At least you aren't too insane.
Yuan: glare What's not sane about me?
Silver: pulls out a list Let's see here; you worked with Mithos.
Yuan: I get the point. But what about yourself? You worked with two female authors at one time.
Silver: Good point. Why did you join Mithos anyway?
Yuan: Oh, uh…reasons.
Silver: Martel, wasn't it?
Yuan: Shut up.
Silver: I'm just joking with you. How long are you going to be here?
Yuan: Depends. Got food?
Silver: Yeah, why?
Yuan: I'll be staying here for awhile.
Silver: Freeloader.