03. The road ahead -
The next day started exactly the way it always did. Kratos leaned against a tree as he watched his fellow companions, still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.
He noticed the silver-haired boy walking up to him.
"Kratos…why do we have to get up so early?" the boy asked with a big yawn.
Kratos frowned
"Stop whining Genis" he started.
"you should be grateful that you actually managed to get some sleep. If it hadn't been for me I would've dragged you along all night" he smirked
"Right…whatever" Genis said as he walked up to his sister with a dull look on his face…
Raine was already settled in her Ruin-mode, scrolling down the pages of an old dusty book she had dragged with her the entire road.
"Fascinating!" She yelled at she closed the book with a slam.
"This book contains some very interesting chapters about the journey for salvation and the regeneration of the world!" Raine waved the book at the others. She looked happy.
"That's good Professor!" Colette said with a sickening smile
"If only her cooking was as good as her knowledge then we wouldn't have to fear for our lives…" Genis had hardly finished his sentence or Raine had already slammed him in the head.
"What did I do!" Genis shrieked, rubbing the back of his head.
Kratos smiled as he stood up and walked over to his companions…
"If we're all set then I suggest we'd leave for the next town" He said in his serious tone.
"What!" Lloyd yelled
"We didn't even have breakfast yet! C'mon Kratos! Can't we get something to eat before we leave?"
Kratos frowned again
"And where do you plan on getting food in this neglected area? We've run low on our supplies, so it's best to move on as quickly as possible to stock up in the next town" Kratos had enough of Lloyd's moaning.
"but I'm hungry now! It's at least half-a day walking to the nearest town!" Lloyd whined
"No" was Kratos' harsh reply
"I suggest you'd stop crying and start walking before I give you a reason to cry for…
I promise that you can eat as much as you please once we arrive in the nearest town, at my costs that is…"
Genis looked a little dumb folded,
"Where do you plan on getting that much money?" he asked sarcastically
"I've saved some from my last job" he added with a smirk.
"Now, let's be on our way"
And with that he walked off…
Lloyd and Genis shrugged, Raine had already buried her nose into a book, and Colette sweetly skipped after Kratos, tripping up her own feet again.
After a good hour of walking, Kratos looked back to watch his companions. None of them had spoken a word since they left. There hadn't been any complaining at all. It was probably because he was in charge…
He looked up as he noticed Lloyd walking beside him.
"What do mercenaries do?" he asked all of a sudden
"We're hired soldiers" Kratos replied with a question on his face.
"Does it get paid well?" Lloyd continued
"That usually depends on the job…for this job, I received a pretty penny from Phaidra….wait…you're not planning on becoming a mercenary are you?" Kratos asked, raising an eyebrow
"Nah….I plan on building a ship someday…a ship on which I can sail the see…and be free…"Kratos smiled
"Good…that is a good dream" he added
Lloyd looked a little sad
"But…if the world is regenerated…mercenaries like you will probably lose their job's…what are you planning to do then?" Lloyd waited for his answer
Kratos didn't have a direct answer
"Humph…that's not a question to be worrying about now…" Lloyd looked up at him
"Once I finish my ship…you could go with me!" he said in a friendly way
Kratos smiled. This was the first time Lloyd had seen him smile like that. Not one of his normal smirks, but a warm smile.
"Thank you, I'll think about it" was Kratos' reply
Lloyd laughed and they talked about all of their adventures as time passed by.
Kratos enjoyed talking to Lloyd. Was it because he was so open? Was it because he was so positive about everything? Or was it because…
He shook his head. This Lloyd couldn't be his son now could he?
But that name…and the grave in the backyard of Lloyd's house…Anna's grave…and, Noishe the protozoan…
Perhaps…just perhaps…
Celest's comment: PLEASE READ! The next chapter (and perhaps chapter 5 too) will be written as a complete flashback. That means it doesn't affect the current storyline as it has ended in this chapter. It's just a flashback that will probably be explained later in the story…
Thanks to all who read and/or review!