The morning came to Tethe'alla, when Genis woke to find a note in Cloud's bed without Cloud he paniked. He brought the note before the others. "Genis, you nerd. It says that Cloud went outside town to train for a little while..." Lloyd laughed. "Will he be alright?" Aeris asked. "I wouldn't worry too much about him, he can take care of himself..." Raine said. "Don't we have something to do here in this town, dear brother?" Vyse sounded sarcastically.
The crew left the hotel but had no idea where to go. "Um, Ms. Aeris, would you have any idea what to do? I'm completely lost..." Lloyd said with a desperate look on his face. "Well, I know a little about our present condition... First, we'll have to talk to the king so we can acquire permission to have her looked at. Next, we have to go to Sybak and talk to the researchers..." Aeris spoke clean and softly, "It might be difficult to get an audience with the king though. He's been ill lately..." "Wait we have the Boltzman's Healing Book, the Unicorn Horn, and two skilled healers..." Vyse replied thoughtfully. "My healing arts are of no use if the person doesn't have an exsphere..." Aeris and Raine replied in unisen. Lloyd couldn't stand being so close to a solution, yet so far away...
He just started walking, no one could tell where he was going. No one except Aeris. The group followed, even without knowledge of what the unofficial young leader was planning. Eventually he wondered up to the Castle, he approached the gates. A guard grabbed his arm, he glared into the guards eyes. "I'm sorry, no one can enter unless they have authorization..." the Guard replied helplessly. "Lloyd, please. Just listen to him... I know how you feel, but starting a ruckus won't help our position!" Aeris pleaded. Lloyd said nothing, he passed the group turning around and walking away. He stopped at the far end of the courtyard, there he dropped to his knees and wept silently. Vyse approached his brother, laying a caring hand on his shoulder.
"I couldn't help her then, I can't help her now! Vyse, do me a favor... End my miserable life..." Lloyd said weeping. Hearing this made Genis mad. "No, you don't! You're not dying now! Lloyd, you've always told me to never give up no matter how hard it gets! You pushed me this far, if I to I'll push you the rest of the way!" Genis yelled. Raine and Aeris looked surprised that Genis could shout so loud. "Genis is right, bro. We don't know what we can do until we try..." Vyse said softly kneeling down next to Lloyd, "Now com'n give up this silly suicide notion. We'll all try out best to save Colette..." "Thanks, Genis. Thanks, Vyse..." Lloyd said calmer. "I missed a lot of time with you growing up with you and your friends, my brother..." Vyse replied out of brotherly love, "I have to make that up somehow..."
A young girl who was standing outside the Temple walked up to the group. "Is there something wrong?" she asked out of concern. "No, my brother's just having a few doubts..." Vyse replied turning to face the girl. When he turned to fully see a slinder, blonde-haired, emerald-eyed, young beauty his age his face flushed. "My name's Fina and you all are?" "I'm Lloyd Irving..." Lloyd introduced with a tone of pain in his voice. "Uhhhhhh..." Vyse seemed unable to say anything other than that. "My name is Raine Sage this is my little brother Genis..." "I'm Aeris, it's good to meet you Fina..." Cloud rushed up...
"Sorry I'm late, did something happen?" he asked calming himself. "Who are these two, they look so much alike..." Fina asked. "My pardons, I am Cloud Strife. This is my daughter, Colette. She isn't well, I'm afraid..." Cloud's heart sank as he spoke. Colette's eyes were still a glowing red, the same still empty expression. She made no response when Fina waved her hand infront of Colette's eyes. "Excuse me, dear. We're very busy..." Aeris told Fina caringly. "I overheard, sorry. I know what you can do..." she replied, "Please follow me!"
Fina led the group into the Temple. Once inside they saw a pink-haired girl with her back to them standing in front of a few priests. "Good, she is here..." Fina replied. Genis's eyes were caught on the pink-haired girl, who appeared to be his age. Vyse nudged him and gave him a look that suggested he got talk to the girl. Genis shook his head wildly. "I have gathered the Sacred wood for the ceremony, Pope, I will now take it to the castle..." she spoke cleanly, but emotionlessly. "Com'n!" Fina said grabbing the collar of the nearest member of the group, which happened to be Vyse. She dragged them back outside. "You have to ask to accompany her..." Fina said to Lloyd.
Lloyd, Genis, and Vyse walked up. "Allow us to help you with this," Genis suggested. "On three!" Lloyd exclaimed. "One..." Vyse began. "Two..." Genis continued. "Three!" Lloyd finished. The boys tried hard to lift the log to no avail. "I've lost all pride as a man..." Vyse said depressingly. "Amatuers, look mind over matter!" Cloud stated. The log began to glow a feint blue color and slowly it began to rise from the ground. "Do you need some help, Cloud?" Aeris asked. "I've got a good grip..."
Once again the guards stopped the group. "We're helping Presea with this load," Fina said. "Ms. Fina you and Presea are part of the ceremony, you are most welcome to come in." the guard replied opening the gates. "This way with it, Cloud... Be careful, don't srape up the gate..." Fina said.
