Requiem

Night of the Requiem

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Tales of Symphonia...

Warnings: Um... Um... Um... just read... okay?

The drawbridge closed behind the Sylvarant army after the last couple of men crossed over. Beside Lloyd and Zelos were a few teenagers. Only one of them was holding his sword properly, or more so in an acceptable position. This was most definately suicide. Many of these boys, if not all of them, would die in this battle. Reputation or not, their so called King would have some major damage control to attend to. Zelos snorted at the sickness of the site, and tapped the side of his sword scabbard out of frustration.

"You think that we even stand a chance?" Lloyd asked Zelos even though he already knew what the answer would be.

"Well..." Zelos stopped to think then continued. "If a snowball stands a chance in hell, then yeah. I'd say we stand a terrific chance." He answered sarcastically and with a hint of disgust. He looked around and cursed under his breath when he spotted a child no older than eleven wearing armor that was way too big for him. "Look at this! It's disgusting! When I become King all of this is going to change. I'll have highly trained soldiers so no more beautiful women will have to suffer."

Lloyd sighed and shook his head at Zelos although he couldn't help but manage a small smile. "Only you could think of women at a time like this. At least you lighten up the mood a little bit."

"Hey! Don't talk about me as if I've been with tons of women!" Zelos yelled at Lloyd.

"Well, haven't you?" Lloyd asked after recovering from Zelos' sudden out burst. You've got that reputation of being a womanizer and a gigolo." Lloyd stated.

"Er..." Zelos blushed slightly and looked away from Lloyd.

"What?" Lloyd asked, his curiousity getting the best of him.

"I..." Zelos sighed and took a deep breath. "I'm a virgin." Zelos replied flatly and quietly.

"Really!" Lloyd laughed and slapped Zelos on the back. "And here I thought I was alone in this world!"

Zelos managed a weak smile. The war wasn't the thing that was bothering him, at least, not the thing bothering him the most. This was not meant to be. Lloyd should be the one marrying Colette, not him. This was the first time that Zelos had not felt selfish in his decision. The only thing he wanted more than Colette, was for Colette to be happy and she could never receive that if she married him. Maybe if Lloyd became a knight then he would have a chance with her. However, a knight competing against a prince was still a hard title to beat.

"What's wrong Zelos?" Lloyd asked looking up at him after he noticed the seriousness in Zelos' face.

Zelos quickly smiled like he had always done and laughed as if they had just heard a good joke. "Oh, nothing. I'm just being as clueless as ever." Lloyd eyed Zelos suspiciously, but just as Zelos had hoped, Lloyd shrugged and dropped the subject.

The ground vibrated underneath them as the army of Derris-Kharlan steadily approached. Their army was completely visable now. In front and leading the army were the hooded riders. Around a dozen horses walked in a straight line with the riders on their backs. Behind them was the rest of the army which was made up of foot soldiers. They wore silver helmets that were shaped like skulls. On their breast plates was a figure of a bleeding skeleton surrounded by demons. The presence of the whole army was the absolute worst thing that anyone could ever experience or see on the face of the planet. No one survived their wrath, and yet the King of Sylvarant thought that they would survive. They might have a chance if the Tethe'allan army were to show up soon, but the chances of that were slim.

Suddenly, the ground became still and everything became dead quiet. All that could be heard was the clinking of armor that was making noise due to the nervousness of the humane men. All of the comforting sounds of nature wer gone. Lloyd had seen this all, and it had been only two days before this. He had hoped that he would never have to experience it again. Yet, here he was, smack dab in the middle. The feeling would probably haunt him forever if he lived.

The two armies stood still, staring at each other. Some of the men were glowering at the unseen eyes of the Derrans. Lloyd say it as a pointless effort. How the hell did battles start anyway? Which side moves first? Wait... this isn't chess! Lloyd had no idea how any of this worked. While standing there trying to figure it out, Lloyd's questions were answered. A cloaked soldier from Derris-Kharlan marched his horse forward and met Sylvarant's Cardinal in the middle of the battlefield. Lloyd guessed that the man on the horse was the leader of the Derran army for the time being. Once it seemed that the two were done talking, the Cardinal steered his horse around and rejoined the Sylvarant army. However, the Derran leader stood still, staring in Lloyd's direction. It was the exact same feeling that Lloyd had experienced before. The hair on the back of Lloyd's neck rose as he felt the man's eyes bearing down on him. It was the same one that had attacked him before, Lloyd was sure of it. As if he could read Lloyd's mind, the man nodded, the turned his horse around and galloped back to the Derran army.

"What do you think that was about?" Zelos asked curiously.

"He wants me to fight him." Lloyd answered. Zelos stared down at Lloyd with a blank expression. "He attacked me the other day. It was on the day I met you. He knew that there was going to be a war before it was officially anounced."

"So that's why you looked like crap that day! Oh, did that slip out?" Zelos joked.

Lloyd stood still staring at Zelos. How long before it sinks into the knuckle head's small brain? Five... Zelos started laughing at Lloyd as if he had made a major diss on him. Four... Three... Two... One... Zelos stopped laughing and his eyes widened with horror. Zero...

"You got attacked by a Derran and lived!" Zelos yelled causing a few nearby people to turn and look in their direction. "Holy cow! I'm staying next to you!" Zelos moved closer to Lloyd. "Of course I want you to know that this is only so I can... um... protect you! It has nothing to do with me wanting to be protected. Because I, the Great Zelos, do not need protection." Zelos stated trying to lighten the mood.

However, this time Lloyd was not able to smile.

The Cardinal rode up and down the ranks of the Sylvarant army on his horse. He had not been able to negotiate a deal with the Derran leader. The Derran army was focused on killing each and every one of them under the orders of their King. Although they would not have a good chance of winning, due to the absence of the Tethe'allan army, the Cardinal ordered them to fight as if their very souls were at stake. Maybe then they would stand a chance.

Finally, the moment came that everyone was dreading. On the Cardinal's orders, the Sylvarant army rushed toward the Derran army with their weapons raised and with the voices of the enraged and frightened men ringing throughout the battlefield. The Derran army did the same thing. The hooded riders trampled over the first line of Sylvarant soldiers in front of them. The Derran leader forced his horse to jump over the line of men, slashing a few as he flew over their heads. Not wanting to face the leader who had an advantage, Zelos picked up an abandoned spear. Seconds before the Derran leader reached them, Zelos thrust the spear into the horse's chest causing it to flip over and throw the Derran leader to the ground a few feet away. The Derran leader quickly picked himself up from the ground, drew his sword, and stabbed a nearby soldier out of rage.

The Derran leader ripped the black cloak from around his neck and chunked it to the side. His auburn hair hung low and dangled in front of his deadly looking scarlet eyes. He was dressed in a black tunic, tight black pants, brown boot, and black gauntlets with silver embedded on the top of his hand.

Lloyd turned his back on the Derran leader as enemy soldiers ran up to him and slashed at him with their blunt swords. He sucessfully dodged the attacks, and slashed the soldiers in their chest with his twin blades.

All around him Lloyd could hear the painful death cries from fallen men. Men of all ages were in heaps around him, and they were all from both armies. There was no difference between any of them. Why did the world have to be this way? Why couldn't everyone just get along? Lloyd pushed his personal thoughts to the back of his mind and ignored them. Although he knew that it would haunt him for the rest of his life if he survived, Lloyd continued to slay the Derran soldiers around him.

Suddenly, a loud cry rang out from behind Lloyd. He recognized the voice almost instantly.

"Someone help me!" Zelos screamed in agony. Zelos was kneeling on the ground gripping his head and his body was shaking uncontrollably. The leader of the Derran army slowly approached him with his sword at his side and his eyes still fixed on Zelos.

"Hmph. A worthless one." The Derran leader said with disgust. He stopped in front of Zelos and glared down at him. He stuck his sword under Zelos' chin and forced him to raise his head up. "So you are the Prince of Tethe'alla. Then you shall receive the noble death that you deserve." The Derran leader stated coldly in his deep voice.

"NO!" Lloyd screamed.

Lloyd tried to make his way past the miniature fights that were taking place in front of him that divided him from Zelos. Lloyd shoved men out of his way as he made his way past them. Just inches away from Zelos' rescue, another Sylvarant soldier tumbled backwards and landed ontop of Lloyd, pining him to the ground.

Lloyd watched in horror as the Derran leader drew back his sword and at that very second, his heart stopped. The Derran leader thrust his sword through Zelos' throat. Zelos automatically gripped the part of the sword in front of him. Blood slowly started to pour from his mouth and down his face. His hands began to bleed from gripping the sword tightly. Without any hesitation or any sign of sympathy, the Derran leader yanked his sword from Zelos' neck, then kicked his body to the ground.

"ZELOS!" Lloyd screamed.

Author's Note: DON'T KILL ME! It had to be done... I didn't enjoy doing that... But... It just had to be done... There's a reason why too! Just please keep reading on and you'll see why. Plus, who ever said that this was the end of Zelos? Hehehe... Do I have you wondering yet? I think he might make another appearance or two. MWAHAHA!