1Hey ya'll ready for the next chapter! Just to let everyone know I'm up for suggestions as to where to take this story. I know where I want to eventually go but as far as getting there goes I can always use suggestions! Also, tell me if you want me to move the story through faster or if we're going the right speed. Well, here goes Chapter 6!

Chapter 6: Revenge

The next day Lloyd came to the group after reaching a conclusion.

"I've decided to keep fighting for me and my mom," he said.

"Great, now we only have one problem: how to get into the ranch," Raine replied.

"I have an idea, if anyone cares to hear it," Storm started.

"What's that?" questioned Genis.

"Well, I know that there's always a back way into the ranches. I had to break into a couple before while doing my mercenary work, I've helped some people escape before. Anyways, there's usually an underground tunnel the Desians use as a quick escape route. We could probably find one around the perimeter of the ranch," Storm explained.

That's a risky move. She's brave to bring up a fact that Mithos taught her. She could raise up some serious questions that could blow her cover. I'm sure she knows that but why would she want to get in so quick? Kratos thought.

"Well, I guess that means we get to go back to the ranch and defeat Kvar," Sheena said.

"Yeah, I'm gonna avenge my mother," Lloyd said confidently.

Outside the ranch...

"Does anyone see anything that looks like the entrance to a secret tunnel," asked Collette to the rest of the group.

Over at the other side of the ranch Kratos and Storm were searching by themselves for the entrance. "Storm, why did you mention the tunnel? You know you could blow your cover and expose yourself and Cruxis!" Kratos asked obviously irritated.

"Well, so far this mission is getting nowhere and we're getting nothing done. We haven't even reached a seal yet since we've been here let alone started traveling towards one. I believe, Kratos, that we need to start speeding things along ourselves. Ah ha! Hey everyone I found the tunnel," Storm cried as she pulled away some brush to reveal the entrance to the underground tunnel.

"Great job, now we can sneak in again!" Genis exclaimed.

"Just be careful where you come up you don't want to be immediately caught by guards," Raine warned the group as they jumped into the dark passageway.

Once they came up they realized that the coast was clear and they had actually managed to make it all the way to where they had escaped on the last trip.

"Hey this is great! No one even realizes we're here. This is almost too easy. Great idea Storm," said Lloyd excitedly.

"No problem now let's go get Kvar!" Storm replied as they ran to the top of the stairs and prepared for the fight that lay ahead of them.

"Well, well, well look's like the prey came to me!" Kvar said with one of his signature cocky smiles.

"We're ready for you Kvar. You're in for a beating of a lifetime," Storm said.

"Well, what do we have here?" Kvar questioned as he walked closer to Storm. "You look so familiar to me. Oh, I remember where I've seen you and now that I do I believe I'll kill you first," Kvar added as he shot a glance at an enraged Kratos.

You bastard! I swear to Martel if you dare harm Storm you will pay. You will not kill her without killing me first! Kratos thought.

"Can't say I know who you are but believe me you'll be sure to remember me after this fight is over. Now let's start!" Storm replied as she ran towards Kvar.

Lloyd was quick to follow as he rushed at the half-elf. Storm proved to be a strong fighter as she immediately maneuvered her way past all of Kvar's defenses as her sword made contact with his side, blood began to pour.

"You little..." Kvar's only reply was as he sent a burst of mana at her plowing her into a nearby wall. Lloyd began to distract him as Storm recovered and began to attack again. Meanwhile, Sheena began to throw out her pyre seals knocking Kvar backwards but he managed to keep on his feet.

"Ray!" Raine shouted as a beam of light shot down towards Kvar but he quickly dodged it and sliced Lloyd's arm mid-air.

Storm and Lloyd were doing everything in their power to attack and defend at the same time against Kvar while Kratos stood back administering first aid to the party. The next thing Storm and Lloyd knew they were being shocked by one of Kvar's electrical shots. They both fell to the ground, temporarily paralyzed by the attack. Kvar put his sword above his head ready to attack the motionless Storm. "Tell your mother I said hi," Kvar sneered.

He threw down his sword for the final, devastating blow when Kratos rushed in and defended her with his Guardian. He glared at Kvar with his eyes full of rage. Once Kvar backed off on his attack Lloyd sprung up and stabbed Kvar in the side while he was temporarily distracted. Kvar fell to his knees and dropped his sword exhausted from the pain in both of his sides.

"I did it, I've finally avenged my mom," Lloyd said..

Suddenly, from behind Lloyd Kvar managed to struggle to his feet and attempted to stab Lloyd. He failed to kill Lloyd when Collette jumped in front of him and took the blow.

NO! The chosen! Storm thought as she rushed to the Collette's side.

"Stupid inferior being you got in my way!" Kvar screamed at Collette.

"You bastard!" Lloyd yelled as he and Storm both stabbed the wounded half-elf.

"Feel the pain..." Kratos said as he slashed Kvar once, "...of those inferior beings..." another stab, "as you burn in hell," he finished with one last attack as Kvar fell, finally dead.

"Raine, hurry and heal Collette! We have to save her!" Storm panicked believing she had failed Lord Yggdrassil.

"It's okay it doesn't hurt, really, I'm fine," Collete calmly said.

"You are not okay you're bleeding," Sheena replied.

"Collette, I can't hide it anymore. Everyone, Collette can't feel her injury, she can't feel hot or cold, she can't taste, and she can't sleep. The angel transformation is taking away everything that makes her human," Lloyd said to the group.

She's that far along with the transformation. Good I thought she was going to die on me! Thought Storm.

"Lloyd, it's alright, really," Collette said.

A few days later...

"So Lloyd how's it feel to have finally avenged your mother?" Storm asked as the group sat down for a well deserved lunch after a long day of traveling.

"I'm glad that I could do it. I never thanked you for convincing me to keep fighting. I never would have gone back without your help," Lloyd replied.

"No problem. Always willing to help someone who lost a mother," Storm said.

"Hey how about we practice our sword fighting. You were pretty good out there. Maybe you can show me some tricks. It might be fun. What do you say Storm?" asked Lloyd.

"I suppose..." Storm replied a little uncertain.

Soon, they were up and had their swords drawn ready to fight.

This could be interesting. The only time Storm has ever fought was either for her life or as a lesson where, with Pronyma and Mithos she was at least at risk for brutal punishment if she failed to live up to their standards.

"Ready?" Lloyd asked.

"Let's go," Storm replied.

The fight begin as Storm ran up to Lloyd who was ready to defend against her very forward attack when she suddenly managed to get around him very swiftly and knocked him over with her foot. Lloyd; however, was quick to recover and met swords with her just in time. She was merciless and showed no sign of slowing up. She then was able to quickly finish him off with a beast attack which slammed him to the ground. She ended the match with a sword up to his neck. "Nice job, but you need to work on your defense," Storm said as she offered her hand to Lloyd. The next thing Storm knew she was on the ground after Lloyd knocked her off her feet as he tripped her. "And you need to watch your opponents, no one said the match was over," Lloyd replied as he got up laughing.

Then, Storm did something unexpected, she smiled. But even more amazing was when she began to laugh. She began to laugh like she used to back when she was young and had nothing to fear for it.

Across the field a look of shock appeared across Kratos as he watched his supposedly emotionless daughter laugh while Lloyd helped her up.

She's laughing and smiling. I haven't seen that smiling face for years. Lloyd you work more miracles than you could ever believe. There may be hope for her yet. My daughter may return to me. Please, I hope she does...

As he watched Storm walk back over to the rest of the group with Lloyd, Kratos couldn't help but let a single tear of joy fall from his eye as he looked at his smiling daughter.

Well, tell me what you think and like I said any suggestions would be helpful. I do think we will be skipping a little more in the story to more important parts in order to get to the part I'm sure everyone is waiting for... the Tower of Salvation! Please review, for me okay?