A Tainted Mind leads to a Betraying Heart
Author's Notes: Once again thank you all for reviewing and sorry for the long wait but I finally had time to write and well here is the new chapter. Oh for those of you who were not too pleased with the way Chapter 2 came out I took the time to rewrite it and by the time you read this the new version should be up.
Anyway that's enough from me since you're here to read the fic. So just a quick disclaimer and its on to the fic:
Disclaimer: (As read by Corrine) "Shadow does not own Tales of Symphonia and does not plan on making any money from this fic, so please don't sue him all you fancy lawyer people."
Chapter 3 – A New Quest set and a late night chat between Father and Son
"I was…a fool Dad. I…shouldn't have let you go alone." Said Lloyd sobbing quietly as he held on to his father.
"No Lloyd…you are anything but a fool, it was my decision…so I paid for it." Stated Kratos as he held his son in his arms.
"I know that…but damn it! I nearly lost you Dad! If Yuan had not been there you…you would've been dead already without me ever knowing." Said Lloyd as he lifted his head a bit to met his father in the eyes.
Kratos instantly saw the tears and the hurt in his son's eyes and his heart began to pain because of it.
'Once again I've caused him pain. Even unintentionally my actions still hurt him emotionally and mentally.
…Lloyd…yet even now he grasps on to me the way a child holds on to a parent and begs me for my forgiveness, even if I'm the one to blame.' Thought Kratos deeply as he ran a hand through Lloyd's brownish locks all the while he still held on to his young son in his left arm.
'My son would rather take the blame for my actions then ever see me in shame. I now see that despite what has happened in the past, he has placed it all behind him and now has opened his heart to me add to that he has come to accept me as his father.
So that leaves me to wonder was this attack a sign? Was I wrong to leave my one and only son behind? Hmm…Anna…I still remember the final promise I made to you.
I will no longer run from it or from my past. Lloyd, I will finally prove to you and your mother that I am worthy of being called a "Father".' Thought Kratos before he released Lloyd from their gentle embrace.
"Dad…" said Lloyd.
"Lloyd before anything else I must tell you this. I have come to the decision that I will no longer run from my duties of being a parent as well as that of a vow keeper.
So with that being said I believe that it would be best for us to find my attackers together…my son." Said Kratos as he smiled ever so slightly at the young man before him hoping that he would accept.
"Of course…Dad! I swear on our family name that we'll find the guys that did this to you. I'll make them pay for trying to kill my Dad, Kratos Aurion." Said Lloyd with a joyful smile directed at his father. He then gave Kratos a second hug.
Sheena, who was silent the entire time, had heard everything and simply smiled kindly at the two swordsmen.
'Lloyd, I'm so glad that you and your father are together again…even if it wasn't the way we expected. I'm just happy to see Kratos once more and to see you smile, that's will always be enough for me.'
" I see you are up Kratos." Said Chief Igaguri as he walked into the room along side Tiga and Orochi.
"Grandpa, Tiga you're okay." Sheena said smiling at the two elder men.
"Yes my guess is that either Lloyd or Kratos must have healed us." stated Tiga.
"It was my Dad actually." Stated Lloyd with an ear to ear grin as he pointed at his father.
Kratos ran a hand through his reddish locks as he heard his son's words. 'Three years have pasted and the boy is still the same. My dear Anna, your joyfulness still strong within him.' Thought Kratos happily.
"Yes what Lloyd says is true, I healed the two of you in return for healing my own injuries. That and I feel it was the right thing to do as well."
"You have our thanks then Kratos. As do you as well Sheena, Lloyd." Said the Chief with a smile.
"No thanks are needed I merely ask if you may direct me come morning to the village blacksmith." Said Kratos as he ran his right hand through his armor and took note of exactly how damaged it really was.
"As yes of course, I will gladly show you the place, perhaps we can get you a new sword as well." Stated Orochi.
"That's a good idea. Dad you're going to need a sword…since I did as you told me and left yours back with Mom." Said Lloyd.
"I see, thank you Lloyd for honoring my request." Kratos nodded at his son before continuing.
"Yes, until we make our way back to Dirk's a replacement will have to do." Said Kratos as he crossed his arms around his chest.
"So…we're going back home?" asked Lloyd with a blink of confusion.
Sheena as well stared at Kratos with a slight head tilt as she waited for the swordsman to answer.
"Yes Lloyd we will return to Dirk's, I need my sword…and I wish to speak with your mother again…" Kratos sighed after he finished speaking and closed his eyes. He then reopened them a second later.
'He cares so much for her, even if it's been seventeen years now…he still cares so deeply for his fallen wife Anna, as does Lloyd. I bet she's proud and happy knowing about that.' Thought Sheena as she glanced at both Aurions.
As the evening dragged on with the help of the Aurions, Orochi and Tiga were able to repair the broken door to the Chief's home.
The damaged window was boarded up for now and would be repaired come tomorrow for after the surprising events of the evening everyone simply wanted to get some sleep and put everything, at least for one night, behind them.
Several hours later as everyone in the village slept only two souls seemed restless. The two were none other than Lloyd and Kratos Aurion. For due to the recent events both swordsmen seemed conflicted and confused to the point where acquiring a good night's sleep was quickly becoming a hassle.
'Who could have attacked Dad…and how did they know that he was up on Derris-Kharlan. Wait, with The Eternal Sword's power I was able to sent the comet back into space, so then how did Dad's attackers get to Derris-Kharlan in the first place?
Could they have been rogue angels? Maybe pissed off that we killed their leader Mithos Yggdrasill, no that can't be true. All the angels we fought leading up to Mithos were just guards and well kind of lifeless.
So there's no way that some would attack Dad, that and even though he was going without his sword Dad's still pretty resourceful and wouldn't have a problem with any of the angels…so who could this new enemy be?
Wait what about Kuchinawa? He said that his new employer hired him to finish that job on Dad, yet Sheena dueled with him long before any of us even found out that Kratos was my real father, so how did he find out…? Did this new employer tell him…if so then how the hell did they find out?
I also can't forget about his wings? Just how did that psycho ninja acquire them anyway…? Argh, this is all too confusing!' thought Lloyd as he lifted himself off his bed. He then took a moment to stretch his back and arms a bit.
"Hmm, maybe Dad can help me clear up all of this mess? That and I haven't talked with him for three long years now…I wonder if he missed me the same way I missed him…" said Lloyd to himself as he walked over to his room's door before opening it slightly and entering the hallway.
Meanwhile as all this took place Kratos as well continued to ponder on the identities of his attackers.
'Hmm, if only I had caught a glimpse of their faces, weapons, or attire. The attacks were just too quick even for even me. Whoever they were their intentions were deadly clear, they wanted to end my life that day no matter what the cost.
But how exactly did they arrive on Derris-Kharlan? No one outside of our "unique" group and Yuan knew that I was up there, much less have the physical means to reach the drifting comet…so then how was it possible?
Could they have been hiding on the planet from the very beginning…could they have been angels that severed under Mithos…no that can't be outside of the members to Cruxis no angel is that powerful.
This is most unsettling, there are too many questions that I can not seem to find the answers to…' Suddenly Kratos thoughts ended when he heard a light knock at his door.
The swordsman then lifted himself from his simple bed and cautiously made his way over to the door.
'Who could it be at this hour?'
Kratos then slowly opened his door and was mildly surprised to see his son standing in front of him wearing what he assumed was his night attire (a pair of black shorts and a plain white T-shirt).
"Lloyd…?" asked Kratos with a raised eyebrow.
"Um, hi Dad…Heh, sorry if I woke you." Apologized Lloyd with a small bow.
"No, I was just thinking to myself." Stated Kratos.
"Is there something a matter or do you require something?"
"Well…I was hoping to speak with you Dad, I…haven't seen or spoken with you for three years." Lloyd sighed a bit after speaking but wore a warm smile on his face.
"Hmm…" Kratos closed his eyes for a second before he reopened them, "I concur, it has been a long time since we have last spoken with one another, come on in then." Kratos then opened the door fully before he stepped aside to allow Lloyd some room.
"Thanks Dad." Said Lloyd with a nod as he stepped in and closed the door behind him.
'He has referred to me as "Dad" on more than one occasion now. He has done so more these past few hours than the entire time I was with him three years ago.
Before it was merely "Kratos". But now my call name has become "Dad" and I for one do not complain, for it warms my heart each time he does so.
For after all that happened in the past I never thought he would accept me as his father but even after living for thousands of years and experiencing many things in my life, my son still finds ways to surprise me.' Thought Kratos as he walked to a chair placed near his bed.
He than sat down on the chair and told Lloyd to take a seat on the bed. Lloyd accepted kindly and sat down on his father's bed.
"So what is on your mind, Lloyd?" asked Kratos as he crossed his arms around his mid section.
But before Lloyd responded he noticed that Kratos was not wearing his purplish armor top instead he saw his father wearing a loose blue tank top and some gray sweatpants. The armor laded on the floor near the bed and his, now torn, purple tights were folded neatly on top of a dresser.
'Wouldn't be too comfortable to sleep with anyway especially in their current shape.' Thought Lloyd before he spoke up.
"Dad, first off I just want to say welcome back…even if it isn't the reunion I or even you could have wanted." Lloyd sighed slightly after he finished speaking.
"Yes while I…thought I would never see this land again…or you. I wish our reunion could have taken place in a different way." Kratos shifted his vision for a moment to his damaged armor top before staring back at Lloyd.
"Yeah…" Lloyd as well glanced at the armor before he vision returned to his father before him.
"So um…before we get to that…" Lloyd pointed to the armor top with his brownish eyes before he continued, "How was it up on Derris-Kharlan? Did you begin on what you said you're going to do?"
'Oh yeah nice question Lloyd…you haven't spoken to your father in years and the first question you ask him is how was it on that deserted comet…' thought Lloyd as he mentally sighed.
"It went without problems that is for sure…up until now. The comet as you most likely realized was deathly quiet. As for the opposition there was none. The angels that at one time followed Mithos so closely almost willingly handed over their Cruxis Crystals and the remaining demons at the entrance hallways were quickly killed off by the remaining Spearmen.
So for a year and a half I wandered the passageways alone and stumbled into the Welgaia…"
"The Angel City? I'm guessing it was quiet as well huh."
"Yes, only less than handful of guards were still making their rounds about the city. Of course I removed them from their shifts and of their crystals. I then made my way into the Mana storage building to insure its safety. But to my surprise I found that somehow several pieces of Mana were missing from their compartments." Stated Kratos.
"What? Are you sure, Dad?" questioned Lloyd with a shock.
"Yes the compartments were already open by the time I had arrived. The thing that puzzles me is that the guards did not notice any strange activity in the building. I questioned one and all he stated was that no one had entered or left the building."
"Is there any other entrance?"
"No the front door is the only way in or out for that matter." Stated Kratos.
"How weird…wait what about teleportation?"
"Only the Seraphim of Cruxis knew that technique, the only other it was thought in a basic sense was Remiel…but he is diseased now." Stated Kratos with a serious expression.
"Oh I see…hmm then who?" wondered Lloyd with a slight tilt to his head as he scratched the side of his chin.
"That is the real question, and unfortunately I have no clue as to whom may done such a thing." Kratos then placed his right hand under his chin and began to ponder away.
'Damn it looks now we have even more unanswered questions, crap just what the hell is going on…" thought Lloyd with a mental sigh.
Lloyd thought to himself for awhile before speaking up, "Now um Dad I want to talk about your attackers and please be serious with me for a minute…just how strong are these new enemies of ours?"
Kratos closed his eyes for a second before he reopened them and wore a focused and serious expression.
"Deadly" was all the elder man said.
"Damn I was afraid of that…but I know together the two of us with Sheena's help and The Summons Spirits by our side we can defeat them." Lloyd flashed a mild grin after speaking in hopes of that his father would agree.
"Perhaps in a sense but we can not underestimate them. Kuchinawa is the only foe that we presently know of and he seems much stronger than before. My attackers are at best "Unknowns" for now. We do not know their motives or their true strength. They are not to be taken lightly."
"Yeah I guess you're right but still I want payback for what they tried to do to you, Dad. I won't let that slide." Said Lloyd with a serious look to which Kratos simply nodded.
"Oh by the way, now that you mention Kuchinawa. How is it possible for that ninja to have wings?"
"It could be possible if he has a Cruxis Crystal on him much like mine." Stated Kratos before he showed off his own crystal embedded into his right palm.
"I get it, but where could he get a hold of one? When he fought Sheena he had an Exsphere not a Crystal, could it have involved?"
"Hmm…perhaps but highly unlikely. It would need more than three years time to evolve. My guess is his "Employer" gave it to him. Though where they acquired one is beyond me."
"Yeah…"
"No matter we will find our answers the next time we encounter him. For I too wish to know about his "Employer" as well." Stated Kratos.
"Yeah well I also plan on making him pay for hurting Sheena." Said Lloyd who wore a determined expression after he finished speaking.
'Hmm, he seems to care deeply for the summoner. Anna our child is growing up." Thought Kratos as he flashed a kind smile at Lloyd for a spilt second. The young swordsman unfortunately did not catch it.
"So you plan to avenge her then?" asked Kratos with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Huh? Well…yeah." Lloyd slightly blushed before he continued, "I mean I'm not going to let him hurt her again. He injured her Dad; he could have killed her! …I can't, no I won't let that happen again." Said Lloyd with a strong and serious tone.
"Hmm, you seem to care quite deeply for her, Lloyd."
"Huh? Well yeah she's been a great friend and I won't ever let her get that badly injured again." Stated Lloyd with a timid blush and smile.
"As you should, it is the noble thing to do." Said Kratos with a nod.
"I…I made a promise Dad, a promise to her…that I would protect her no matter what while we were on this quest. I just can't go back on my word." Lloyd said with a soft sigh.
"I understand that, Lloyd. But you have not failed her, she is still alive and you fought off Kuchinawa for her sake, so by all means you have yet to fail her in any shape or form." Kratos finished his words with a small smile directed toward his son.
"Heh, you think so Dad…thanks I needed to hear that." Said Lloyd smiling at his father. Kratos then picked himself up from his chair and walked toward Lloyd.
"Protect her Lloyd, your mother would have loved to have met her." Said Kratos as he placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder.
"Huh? What do you mean, Dad? I'm sure Mom has already met her through her own way." Stated Lloyd with a slight look of confusion.
"That's not exactly what I meant Lloyd…but you'll come to understand my words soon enough." Kratos then smiled at his son before he released his hand.
"Um…okay sure if you say so Dad. Well I better get going its getting late anyway and I'm sure you just like me need some sleep after what happen today."
Lloyd then picked himself off the bed and was about to walk toward the door but instead stop for moment in front of Kratos.
"Dad it really is good to have you back." Said Lloyd softly and kindly before he gave his father a gentle but caring hug.
"I know son, I know." Responded Kratos with a hug of his own.
Lloyd left soon afterwards leaving both he and his father to get some well-needed sleep and rest.
A.N. Well thus ends another chapter sorry if this one wasn't as action packed as some might have hoped. I made this to simply show some father-son time between Lloyd and Kratos but it also provides some small plot info at the same time. Either way tell me what you think about it, any and all comments are welcomed.