Tales of Symphonia: The Releasing Orb
Chapter 11 'The Mask Removed'
Fear sparked inside the heroes. The king had called to them for help, and though they rushed to meet with him the Rheairds could only go so fast. They rushed through the city expecting to see it in flames, and enemies attacking the citizens. However, it was as peaceful as ever. The middle class and nobles stood in their different areas chatting about the weather, and gossiping about other neighbors. They reached the castle and were directed to the king immediately. Lloyd burst through the doors out of breath.
"What's this? You can't go around throwing doors open like that! You gave me such a fright!" The king was on his feet with his hand on his chest. Lloyd was doubled over gasping for breath.
"What... is the..." Lloyd could barely talk, "emer...gen...cy?"
"What Emergency?" The king looked confused. "I was only concerned, there was no emergency." Lloyd stood up straight and glared at him. He turned to Yuan and felt like ripping his head off.
"Your Majesty, in the message sent to me you sounded as if you had urgent business with us." Yuan noticed Lloyd's annoyance and was trying to save himself from gettting lectures from Lloyd.
"Yes, yes. I wished to speak with you all."
"OUT WITH IT!" Lloyd regretted yelling at a king like that, but he was tired and feeling short-tempered.
"..." The king was not sure how to react to Lloyd. He turned to Yuan and began speaking of his concerns, "Kastus's spies at the Iselia have disappeared, I believe. I have not heard from them in awhile."
"Sir, we received word from them the other day. That is how we met Kane." Yuan directed his attention to Kane who was standing at the back of the group.
"Kane? What has happened?" The king was watching Kane suspiciously.
Yuan took the job of explaining what they had discussed about the enemies new power of controlling individuals. The king eyed Kane more suspiciously when he learned that he had been a Desian.
"After the fall of Cruxis I had not the intention of rising up against anyone in Symphonia. And I believe I speak for the rest of the Desians. Unfortunately they seem to be controled by another as of now, and this makes us the enemy once more." Kane had caught on to the king's suspicions by the awkward glances he was giving him.
"If that is true then why did some hide their identities and the rest gather into the old human ranches?" The king continued to eye him wariness.
"Yes, I'm sure we would have been publically accepted." Kane rolled his eyes in annoyance. His sarcastic tone grinded on the king's nerves, but he understood Kane's point. It was most likely the Desians would be persecuted and live a life full of various abuses.
"Even if you were contacted recently, I have not been. They normally send word to me at least twice a day." Lloyd felt the king was being overly paranoid, but he thought that being informed constantly was the only way he could feel in control. Lloyd watched and listened bitterly. It wasn't fair that the king was doing so little himself and only leaning on others. "I want you to check out the situation at Iselia. Not only that, Kastus's men were only able to watch the outside. If it is possible, I want you to get inside and find out what is going on. We are in a deadlock as of now. Please, do this for me."
"Now that sounds like a plan!" Lloyd was excited. His bitterness was gone in only a few moments. He finally was allowed to do the task he had wanted to do from the beginning. He looked at his friends with enthusiasm covering his face, "Let's go kick some Iselia human ranch butt!"
"YEAH!" Colette started cheerfully bouncing around in agreement. She was completely predictable, as she always agreed with Lloyd. Kane turned to Yuan looking perplexed.
"Are they always like this on suicide missions?"
"I'm sure it won't last long. Let them have their fun."
Before leaving Meltokio Yuan insisted that they restock on their supplies. Colette and Lloyd rushed the other two.
Lloyd and Colette waited outside the shop Yuan and Kane had went into. Lloyd turned to Colette with a gleam still fluttering in his eyes, and Colette loved it when he was like this. "Finally, maybe we will get to kick that one guys butt! You remember that one night... with that one guy..."His descriptions were terrible, but she always seemed to follow him. She nodded and did a half smile. In truth, she was scared to death, but she would follow Lloyd anywhere. "You and me together Colette! We will deal out some major revenge!"
"We should be careful too, Lloyd." She hinted at her concern.
"Colette, I will protect you." He uttered it quitely not sure how he wanted to say it to her. Colette could not help smiling as she watched Lloyd stare at the ground.
Yuan and Kane walked around the store gathering their needed items. Once they were done they headed to the counter and waited for their turn to pay. "Yuan, do you suppose we will come across anyone... that is the way i used to be?"
"I can only guess. The chances are high. I wonder though..."
"What is it?" Kane saw that Yuan was doing his usual pondering. He waited patiently for Yuan to organize his thoughts.
"Well, don't you think it would be better that way?"
"What way are you speaking of?"
Yuan lowered his voice so he would not attract the attention of others around them, "To rid the leader of all his subordinates. That way the enemy would be greatly weakened."
"Yes, of course," Kane answered. "Do you think we could get the other Desians to fight on our side once we free them?"
"Undoubtedly. They are not the real enemy, and what would be a better way of clearing the Desian's past than to aid in the termination of the true enemy." Kane had a surprising sense of hope. There was nothing more he wanted than to be accepted once again. He nodded at Yuan, and he waited as Yuan paid for their items.
The group met together outside and headed to the Rheairds.
The king sat alone in his quarters wondering if he had made the best decision. He was concerned with situation at Iselia, so he felt that sending in the greatest fighters was the only way to get things settled. But if Symphonia's only hope failed, it would be his fault. He was feeling his age. He rubbed his worn eyes.
"Sir," Kastus had entered the room, "are you feeling alright?"
"Oh, welcome Kastus. Yes, I am fine. I'm just in deep thought."
"Would you like to share it?"
"Oh, don't trouble yourself in listening to an old man's worries."
"My friend... never mind, I will not push you. Upon entering I thought I saw Lloyd and his companions. Did they bring you troubling news?"
"I sent for them to come. I asked them to check up on your men in Iselia. I have had no word from them, and I grew worried. Of course, that's all I can really do anymore. Oh yes, I also asked them, if it was possible, that they sneak into the ranch to gain a better idea on what was happening."
Kastus's expression had changed. The gentle smile had turned into a twisted frown. He glared down at the king he wished to rip apart. Any icy voice escaped his lips, "You did what?"
The king was shocked to hear such a voice come from his friend. He looked up at Kastus and was shaken by the look on his face. "W-what is wrong, my friend?" The king looked small as he shrunk back in his chair.
"Your usefulness has apparently depleted in your current state." He moved towards the king and grabbed him with great strength. He held him still with one hand and inserted an Exsphere on the back of his neck with the other. The king was too frightened to resist. Once the Exsphere was on him and Kastus had spoken a few words his eyes clouded, and he became relaxed. Kastus spoke to him, "Announce Lloyd and his companions as traitors of Symphonia. Yuan has been working with the Renegades and Lloyd, and is now your enemy. Show this to the people to persuade them to believe." He pulled out a strange object and handed it to the king who took it without a word. "Persecute anyone who resists your words. However, this... altered video should be enough." Once again he glared down at the king, "Now, because of you I must go deal with the rats." Kastus regained his composure and walked out the door. Royal soldiers saluted him as he walked out of the castle. They had no idea that such a man was capable of such treachery.
"Is everything alright sir?" A guard had entered the royal chamber. The king did not look at him.
"Prepare an assembly. I have many things to address to the people about a new threat. I will also need messangers to send word to the other cities." When he spoke he was monotone, and kept his eyes on a specific place on the wall. The guard nodded and left the dazed king by himself.