A/N: Thanks for the additional reviews!
Here goes the fifth chapter, I hope you like it.
Before you ask or complain about it: Yes, I know you can go south from the monastery to reach Flanoir, and yes, I know there is no forest around the monastery. The story needs it the way I pictured it, so just ignore it doesn't completely match with the game's contents. However, it's not a big deal, is it?
So, please read and review! Enjoy!
Reunion?
Lost in thought, Lloyd roamed through the woods. Quite some time had passed since he left Geoffry's hut, though he didn't have advanced far within his mind.
So, he thought, does it change anything? If you are really looking for love - does knowing it change anything? It still feels the same inside me, still sucks out my motivation.
He reached out his hand to stripe some leaves while he passed by some shrubs. And what does it change of the fact I'll become useless once this quest is over?
Being inattentive, Lloyd stumbled over a big root, tumbled cursing, landed with his face down on the mossy ground. "If that was a joke, well, then it wasn't funny", the fallen warrior said to no one in particular. He steadied himself on his hands, wanting to stand up, when he suddenly noticed something twinkle not far from his left shoulder.
Lloyd frowned, then got onto his knees. Half buried in the soil, there lay a crystal about the size of a thumbnail. He picked it up, cleaned it from dirt and mud, allowing the stone to reveal its whole beauty. "Wow..." Lloyd gasped. The crystal had a deep green colour and was glowing slightly in the sallow sunlight. Now, this is a precious jewel. I could forge it into a marvellous necklace.
After kneeling there for several seconds staring at the crystal, Lloyd finally managed to stick it into one of his pockets and got to his feet. He brushed off his cloths and raised his eyebrows with a somewhat dreamy sigh before he continued his path.
Somehow Lloyd felt relieved. Looking at the crystal had cleared his mind, opened his eyes to the beauty of the living world surrounding him. Wandering around freely, he spottet a tree which was a lot larger than the others. Surveying the mighty plant in astonishment, Lloyd spontaneously decided to climb it. With great skill, he made his way up to the top.
The outlook was absolutely breathtaking, allowing Lloyd to see hundreds of trees waving in the wind, giving the impression of looking at an ocean. He was sitting on a large branch, leaning against the trunk, just watching and listening the countless leaves dancing. Only one thing prevented this moment from being perfect: The fact that Lloyd had no one to share it with.
Some time later, Lloyd noticed a sparkling shine in the distance, its colour changing from green to blue and reverse. Huh? That looks like a rheaird, he thought. Coming from the west - who might that be? Anyway, you never know, so I'll better watch out.
Soon, Lloyd saw the rheaird drift to the left, so he was sure it wasn't flying towards him. So he relaxed again and enjoyed the panorama. But a few minutes later, Lloyd again detected the well known shine, this time much closer and heading right into his direction. Whoever it is, I'll make sure I won't be discovered, he thought, hiding behind some densely leaved branches. The rheaird passed so close by him that he could clearly hear its specific sound, yet he was not able to see who had mounted the aircraft. Man, that was so close... Looks like it's heading north. Hm, could be Renegades returning to the base then.
Lloyd waited a bit before he left his hideout. Although he felt a little nervous, he decided to stay on the tree for an unknown amount of time, taking the opportunity as long as he had it. Unfortunately, he was not able to relax as before, instead he remembered the events that had happened so far during the quest he and his friends were on.
It seems like nothing is for sure, Lloyd thought, sighed. Betrayed by Remiel and Kratos, banished from Iselia, Colette kept secret all that angel-stuff, Cruxis, the Renegades... Yeah, Sheena also fits somehow into that pattern. The mysterious assassin trying to kill the Chosen finally turned out to be kind hearted and joins us... Well, I'm glad in that case, heh. He caught himself smiling while thinking of Sheena, but also felt regret. I shouldn't have done that to her, it's also some kind of betrayal...
What the... Another rheaird? What's going on here? Lloyd thought as he spotted another spark. Coming from the west again - is there a race on or what? Well, then it should pass by heading north soon, I'll better keep an eye on the south.
Lloyd hid behind the branches once more, watching the sky. About fifteen minutes later, still no rheaird was visible, so Lloyd decided to descend the tree because he began to feel uncomfortable up there. He reached the ground, stretched and went off in a more or less random direction. But only moments later, he heard the sound of a rheaird again. Being surprised, Lloyd ducked behind a shrub and listened.
Hm, this one is obviously slower than the first one. Like being on patrol... or looking for someone - probably for me... I have to know what's going on! Mounting my rheaird is to risky now anyway. So, Lloyd tried to keep up with the rheaird above the treetops while staying hidden just to be safe.
"Oh, more visitors?" a young priestess said in surprise.
"So, Regal and Zelos have been here already", Presea noted.
"Oh, you know the Chosen?" the priestess asked in excitement.
"Yes, we do, we are his companions", Sheena answered. "Have he and his... supervisor left yet?" She grinned evil.
"Oh, yes, they left shortly after their arrival."
"What was their business here?"
"They just asked if we had seen a young man in red, that's all."
"Do you know where they went?"
"To Flanoir", the Priestess replied simply.
"Well then", Sheena said. "Are there any locations around where someone could hide? Villages, caves, whatever?"
"Oh, so you're looking for the one in red, too, yes?"
Sheena nodded.
"Oh, well, I don't know any villages around here, but maybe Geoffry knows", the priestess suggested.
"All right. Where do we find this Geoffry?"
"Oh, he lives in the woods to the north. Just follow the little path, it's about one hour on foot."
"Err, is there anyway we can find him without following the path? We're here by aircraft, remember?"
"Oh, sure. Let me think... Ah, yes, there is a small lake near, should be clearly visible from above. From there, another path leads east, right to Geoffry's hut."
"Great, thank you", Sheena said. "If you see Lloyd, that is the one in red, please tell him to go to Mizuho, okay?"
"Okay", the priestess nodded.
"All right then", Sheena turned to Colette and Presea. "Let's find this Geoffry then."
Although the rheaird was way below its maximum velocity, Lloyd had difficulties to hang on - at least, he could prevent himself from stumbling again. Soon, however, a body of water appeared in front of him. Lloyd had just started complaining about losing the rheaird because he had to get around the lake at his feet, but then he noticed the rheaird getting down right there, so he rushed behind a tree trunk.
Well then, show me who you are... Lloyd thought, feeling how the tension increased. He watched the rheaird descend slowly, shielding his eyes from the bright light coming from above. His heart skipped a beat as he recognised who was sitting on the aircraft. What? he thought, being shocked and surprised. This can't be... I told them to continue the quest, what are they doing here? ... They can't know I'm here, can they? Damn... I should follow them.
Finally, the rheaird landed and three females dismounted.
"You think this is the path the priestess spoke off?" Colette asked.
"Most probably yes, it's leading to the east as she told us", Presea replied.
Sheena stowed away the rheaird. "Let's go, I'm curious about what Geoffry knows."
Huh? How do they know about Geoffry? Lloyd thought. And what do they want from him? Staying in a moderate distance, he followed the others.
The group had been walking along the path for a few minutes, when Colette spotted something. "Look! There's a hut!" she called out in excitement.
"All right, let's check it out", Sheena said.
Followed by the two girls, she approached the hut and knocked on the door. She felt how her heartbeat quickened, not knowing what to expect.
The door opened and Geoffry appeared, smiling as soon as he saw his visitors. "Oh, what a lovely incident", he said. "Usually I don't get that many guests in weeks."
"Uhm, excuse us", Sheena said, being a bit surprised by the kindness the old man was emitting. "Are you Geoffry?"
"Yes, I am. And who might you be?"
"Well, this is Presea and Colette, I am Sheena", she said, pointing on the others while mentioning their names. "A priestess at the monastery told us you probably know about hideouts like villages or caves around here?"
"Oh, did she say that?" Geoffry asked, twirling his beard. "I'm afraid I have to tell you that the only thing around here is the forest you're in. And my little hut of course. I'm wondering why you are looking for hideouts?"
"Er, we're just looking for someone", Sheena answered.
How could they... Lloyd thought, hiding behind a big tree near the hut.
Geoffry stood there, beginning to smile, then laughed warmly.
"Uhm, did I say anything funny?" Sheena asked, being a bit embarrassed.
"Oh, no, no", Geoffry replied, still chuckling slightly. "I just got an idea, that's all. You are looking for Lloyd, right?"
Sheena's chin dropped, her eyes widened as far as possible, Colette pressed her hands upon her mouth, yet a shrill scream was able to escape her throat.
No, don't tell them anything! Lloyd thought.
"You know Lloyd?!" Sheena asked in disbelieve.
"He was my guest this morning", Geoffry said calmly, still smiling.
Sheena gasped. "Where did he go? Did he say anything? Is he all right?" Her voice left no doubt that she was worried about Lloyd.
"Please, we have to find him!" Colette added.
"Oh, well, I think he is all right. Unfortunately, I don't know where he went. He left me taking this path, however." Geoffry said, pointing to the east.
"Damn", Sheena whispered, clenched her fists. "C'mon, let's get after him!" she commanded the girls and dashed along the path. Colette followed immediately.
"Thank you for your help, Geoffry. Goodbye", Presea said before she also left.
"Good luck!" Geoffry said aloud before he went back into his hut, starting to laugh again with a wide smile.
Lloyd didn't know what to do but to pursue the others, which was not easy while still staying hidden.
"We should try to trace his path instead of just running after him!" Presea shouted.
Sheena ignored her words and rushed down the path - and stopped at a crossing, being perplexed. She turned around, then chose the path leading south and increased her speed again. "We have to split up!" she shouted at Presea and Colette without looking back.
Presea, however, stopped at the crossing and shouted back: "Just dashing along the path is pointless!"
Seconds later, Colette also arrived at the crossing, breathing heavily. "I - agree", she wheezed.
"But splitting up is not pointless", Presea said and took the path leading to the north.
Lloyd decided to keep track of Sheena as she was still running, not wanting her to get lost. He tried his best not to make too much noise, although Sheena was already out of sight. After a while, he arrived at another crossing. Great, he thought. So what to do now?
Suddenly, a fierce blow stroke Lloyd's back. "Argh!" he yelled at the impact, "Ungh!" as he hit the ground.
"Lloyd Irving, you better don't move or I'll beat the hell out of you!"
Hearing the well known voice, he felt both relief and fear. "Hey... Sheena", he groaned, feeling her knee on his backbone.
"Don't ever try to fool me again!" Sheena grumbled furiously. "I expected better from you than running away and palter with me while I'm trying to find you!"
The relief was gone quickly, leaving only fear, regret. "I didn't palter with you!"
"Oh, and why did you try to sneak up on me then? Don't mess with my skills, I tell ya!"
"I didn't..." Lloyd began, but then sighed. "Would you please let me get up?"
"Promise you don't run away again!"
"Yeah, I promise", he said.
"You better keep it, or else you'll wish you had never been born!"
"Don't you think you're exaggerating?"
"Promise!" Sheena yelled at him.
"All right, I promise! Now would you please let me get up", Lloyd begged for mercy.
She let go of him, so Lloyd got slowly to his feet. He turned around to glance at Sheena, but she refused to look at him. "Now, get back to the first crossing", she commanded.
He sighed again as he went off. Sheena followed behind to keep an eye on him, then took out the mana-marble Raine had given to her - and broke it with her bare hands, causing it simply to disappear.
Lloyd didn't dare to say anything until they met Colette and Presea on their way.
"Lloyd!" Colette shouted, almost crying. She ran towards Lloyd and embraced him tightly. "Are you okay? I'm so happy to see you", she sobbed.
Lloyd answered the embrace. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm happy to see you, too."
Sheena just stood there, crossing her arms, looking demonstratively to the side.
After some time, the embrace ended, and Colette wiped some tears off her face, trying so smile.
"I presume you will stay with us again?" Presea asked.
"Yeah, that's right. I promised to."
"Welcome back then, Lloyd."
"Thanks, Presea." He smiled slightly.
Sheena took out the wing-bag she carried, setting free the rheaird. "Lloyd, you will come with me so I can make sure you don't do anything stupid. Hand over your rheaird to Presea, she and Colette will head to Flanoir." Then she addressed Presea. "The others will await you there, tell them we got Lloyd. He and I will stop by at Mizuho to inform the vice-chief of our success, then we will join you at Flanoir."
Presea nodded. "Understood."
"Now, Lloyd, get onto that thing", Sheena commanded.
"Huh? We can't start here", he replied.
"Of course we can! Or are you scared by the evil branches up there?" she asked mockingly.
"As you wish", Lloyd sighed and mounted the rheaird, then Sheena did the same and placed her hands on his waist.
"See you later!" Colette shouted, waving her arms as the rheaird ascended into the air, passing the upper branches noisily.
Lloyd set course for Mizuho and made the aircraft accelerate when Sheena clasped her arms around his abdomen tightly and pressed her head against his back. "I'm glad I found you", she whispered softly.
A warm feeling spread out in Lloyds body, causing the relief to return again. He put his right hand onto Sheena's arms, closed his eyes. "Thanks."
"What for?"
"For worrying about me - and for not killing me."
"Lloyd..." Sheena said.
"Hm?"
"Shut up."