(A/N: OK well I'm going to get back to Lloyd and the Lich now… but don't worry you'll find out what happens to Sheena, Zelos, Raine and Regal)
Eight
Kratos' Last Stand
Hethzera breathed deeply. Icy mist fell from his mouth. He had reached the Great Tree two days ago, but could not plant the Dark Seed until the next full moon, which would be tomorrow night. He cackled. Tomorrow at dusk the Seed would be planted within the roots of the Tree, and humanity would bow to him… The Great Lich.
It was nearing dusk. Kratos said that by tomorrow evening they would have reached the great tree. Tomorrow would also be the full moon. Presea wondered if that meant anything.
They had landed the Rheairds near Hakonesia Peak when they had found the Umacy-Hakonesia House of Salvation burnt to the ground. Once they had set up camp and eaten, Presea had left the boys and Colette and was now sitting by herself. Her long pink hair blew gently in the wind as she gazed up at the starry night. I wonder how many more starry nights we will have, Presea thought and sighed. As they had continued their journey, slowly everyone had lost much of their hope. Presea's last hope was that Regal and the others would arrive with some secret weapon to use against the Lich.
She heard footsteps behind her and turned her head. Genis was approaching. He had grown a lot in the past five years, and he was no longer the short skinny boy she had once known. "Hello, Genis," she said, and looked back up to the stars.
"Hi Presea," he paused. "What're you doing here all by yourself?" he asked.
"Just thinking," she answered.
"About if we're going to live?" he continued, taking a seat next to her.
"Yes. Anyone who can make Kratos Aurion look like a novice must be a juggernaut," she said. "And I've heard tales of Hethzera… back when he ruled Symphonia. They say that he would pit the strongest warriors against him and kill them, just to show the people not to defy him. Many say he can battle the goddess and hold his own."
"But he hasn't met Lloyd," Genis grinned.
"Lloyd no longer wields the Eternal Blade. Most likely only that holds the power to fend of the Lich," Presea answered.
"Raine and the others will get back in time," Genis said confidently.
Presea looked at him. "Genis, why did you come to talk to me?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Genis blushed slightly. "Oh uh well… see…" he trailed off. "Hethzera ruled Symphonia?"
"So the legends say," Presea said. "You did not come here to talk to me about the Lich," she dug her eyes into his to see if he had the guts to say it.
"Presea… do you not like me?" he asked finally.
"I've fought along side of you, Genis. You are my friend," she said.
"Oh," Genis looked like he was going to go. "Because…" he started. "I always liked you as more than a friend," he got up and turned around to leave.
A grin flashed across Presea's face. She grabbed his hand with her iron grip. "I am not an idiot," she said.
"Yeah, I know… but you always seemed to brush me off," Genis answered.
"You try too hard Genis Sage," Presea got up and turned him around so he was facing her. She pulled him in and kissed him. He put his arm around her and brought her closer. Finally they broke.
"Wow…" Genis managed. "So you always liked me?"
"No… at first, to be honest, you annoyed me," Presea smiled. "But you grew on me. And Genis Sage, I love you."
Genis took her hand and she put her head on his shoulder. "I love you, too Presea. And if we die tomorrow, at least we'll die together."
Lloyd lay wide-awake in his tent. Genis had left earlier to talk to Presea. What a time to make his move: the day before he might die. Lloyd almost smiled. He looked over to the Kusanagi Blades. He hoped that they would serve him well once more to destroy the menacing evil. Just then, a shadow passed on the other side of his tent.
Colette walked in. "Oh… it's you Colette," Lloyd said. Colette nodded and took a seat next to him. Lloyd sat up and put his arm around her. "You're worried, aren't you?"
"I'm the Chosen," Colette breathed deeply. "And I thought that after Regeneration everything would be good on Symphonia, but it isn't."
"Don't worry," Lloyd said and kissed her hair. "Everything's going to be fine. We just have to hold him off until Raine, Regal, Sheena and Zelos get back. Hopefully they found something to beat him."
"But what if they didn't? What if they're dead?" tears ran down Colette's face.
"They're not," Lloyd let her cry on his shoulder. "They're gonna come back. Don't think like that."
"I—I have to be s—strong like you and Kratos," Colette cried. "I wish I didn't cry like you guys."
"I'm not as strong as you think," Lloyd admitted. "I'm worried for them, too. And dad… he feels, he just doesn't show it. By the end of tomorrow, you'll see everything's going to be OK."
"I hope, so Lloyd," Colette looked up to him. Their eyes locked. Blue and Brown. Lloyd brought her close and kissed her, feeling her hair and bringing her closer to him. For a long time they sat there, intertwined in a passionate lock. Lloyd regretted it when Colette let go. "We should get some sleep."
"Yeah, we should," Lloyd said as Colette walked out of the tent. He lay his head down on his pillow and looked once more at the Kusanagi Blades. They were the last thing he saw before sleep overtook him.
The next morning Kratos woke them all at dawn. He insisted that they walk the rest of the way because the Rheairds would draw too much attention. They walked in silence, eating breakfast as they did. Kratos held Soul Eater and the Crystal Dagger tightly in his hand. "Take your weapons he out," he warned them when they were about an hour away. Already the tree was visible in the distance. It had grown quite a bit in the past five years, and Kratos hoped that it would continue to grow.
He knew that the others' feet were aching and that they were tired, but they had to continue. Something nudged him to keep going… saying they couldn't take long rests and they had to reach before nightfall.
"Dad… can we please stop," Lloyd complained in the back.
"No," he said monotonously. "We must keep going."
Haunting memories of his last encounter with the Lich ran through him. "Why should I tell you?" the Lich taunted. "Why should I tell you when you're going to die right now!" Kratos knew that the Lich was angry that he had escaped… and he knew that the Lich would fulfill his promise.
Lloyd's feet ached horribly. Dammit dad why can't we stop? he thought.
Finally they arrived. The Great Tree stood before them, three times as large as Lloyd… but still dwarfed by what it once was and what it would be. No one was to be seen.
"Uh dad, where is he?" he asked.
Kratos' eyes were darting around, looking for any sign of movement. "I… I don't know," he said. A movement behind the tree caught Lloyd's attention.
"Look… look dad it's Raine!" Lloyd cried. Raine had indeed come out from behind the tree, sighing in relief.
"Lloyd, Kratos, Genis, Presea, Colette!" she cried. "I'm so glad to see you. The Lich is dead! We found out what to do and look!" she pointed to behind the tree.
A horrible bony figure lay there… and Lloyd knew it was dead.
"But where are the others?" Presea demanded. Lloyd noticed that the grip on her ax was tightening.
"They didn't survive," Raine looked down at her feet. "The Lich devoured them."
Tears came to Lloyd's eyes. Dead. All three of them were gone. "Oh…" Colette sobbed.
Kratos was the only who wasn't crying. He drew his sword. "Dad?" Just then Raine leaped up, two staffs in hand.
"And now he shall devour you too!" she cackled. Black lightning crackled into her staff and shot out towards all of them.
Kratos screamed. "NOOOOOO!" he roared and leapt up into the air, holding his sword out. All the bolts of lightning bolted towards him and struck him, piercing a hole right through his chest.
"Dad!" Lloyd cried, tears flooding from his eyes. Raine roared in evil laughter as blood bathed the ground.
Kratos Aurion, Angel and Protector of Derris Kharlan, fell to the ground. Dead.
(A/N: OK I know evil cliffie and some of you probably hate me now but come on… it is a tragedy. Hehe. Sorry I mean… oh poor Kratos. Review please. Thanks!)