AN:
ok onward to chapter two. I spent awhile writing this chapter, and attempting to modify the characters slightly so they would adjust to the plot that lay before them. And like I said before, who knows what could happen when you shove Zelos into a story instead of Colette. Lots of stuff. Either way, thanks for the reviews so far! It's awesome to hear from you guys. And by the way, I'm not sure if this is going to have an actual pairings. Not quite sure.. yet.
Devious
The Oracle
Thirteen Hundred Hours: On the Outskirts Of Martel's Temple- Slyvarant
"How much longer will we have to wait?"
It was the next day. The wind had picked up on the outskirts of Iselia, and the temperature seemed to had dropped ten degrees. It wasn't bothering Kratos as much as it seemed to bother Yuan. In fact, the blue haired half elf had begun to shake immensely as he paced back and forth at the base of the lower stairs. His cloak scrapped against the dirt of the ground, and made a gentle 'whish' sound every few seconds. Yet besides the windy visage, it was a rather bright day, to say the least. Birds chirped softly from trees away, and hot beams from the sun shot directly on the two seraphim's.
"The Chosen should be here shortly after the Light Of Cruxis is sent down that signals for him to come." Kratos reminded Yuan.
Unlike Yuan, Kratos had sat down on the stairs to the temple and placed his chin into the palm of his hands in a bored like manor. The pacing half elf paused and glanced down at the auburn mercenary. Kratos glanced up at him and noticed he had stopped. Tilting his head, Kratos gave the 'What?' expression as he watched his friend begin to pace again. Shaking his head, now being slightly enraged from Yuan's anxiety, Kratos closed his eyes and simply imagined he was some place far away from here.
"Let's go over the plan again." Yuan suggested, stroking his chin considerably much.
Kratos sighed heavily and glared down at the ground beneath him, eyes now open. It was a few moments before Kratos had groaned once more and arose to his feet. Yuan, who now stopped for the second time in the past ten minutes, watched his friend curiously. Kratos reached out and placed a hand on the shorter seraphim's shoulder, and sighed heavily.
"We've been over it countless times already." Kratos sighed, again, and then noticed had that pouty look to his face. Now rolling his eyes, the seraphim continued. "As I said before, here is the plan. You and I wait outside the temple once we see the Light Of Cruxis. Once there we shall warn the Chosen about the Desians, and say that we were attacked by him. Then we can safely ask to join him in attempts to avenge our fallen comrade, and kill the desians. If he declines, we use the famous 'I want to see the world' quote and offer our help for free." Kratos murmured, trailing off towards the end.
"What if he still declines!" Yuan asked, eyes widening from fear.
"What are the chances of that? Two in a million?" By now Kratos wasn't really paying attention, but instead watching the leaves fall beyond Yuan. Since he was starring in the general direction, it could easily be mistaken for Kratos watching Yuan. Which Kratos wanted Yuan to think, to think that he was paying attention when he really wasn't.
"I just don't want to screw this up and give our position away." Yuan glared, grabbing Kratos by the collar and sending an angry glare directly into the other's eyes. This time Kratos couldn't look beyond Yuan, because that was all that filled his sight. Blinking a few times, Kratos pushed Yuan away and shook his head once more, puckering out his bottom lip an annoyed fashion."If you keep your cool and arcane posture, he won't figure us out. This mission isn't that hard to pull off," Kratos reminded Yuan, now crossing his arms.
"Says you!"
Kratos scowled at Yuan, who was by far taking this job a bit too serious. Rolling his eyes once more, I watched Yuan's eyes widened. Tilting his head from confusion, he extended his hand and gently waved them in front of him, to see if the other was zoning out or not. Calling Yuan's name a few times, Kratos came up empty and shrugged until he realized that Yuan was starring at the Light of Cruxis that was being beamed into the Temple as they stood there.
"It's time!"
A little bit before that, at Twelve Hundred Hours, Iselia
"Yo bud, wake up!"
Cracking open a hazel eye, Lloyd Irving basically tumbled out of his bed and onto the floor with a clumsy thunk. The man who had just awoken the boy starred vaguely at the swordsman on the floor. Tilting his crimson head with confusion, Zelos ran a hand through his own hair and tried to make sense of Lloyd. Hadn't he told Lloyd to be at Iselia at exactly at noon? And now it was ten minutes past noon and Lloyd still lay lazily in his bed, not daring to move. Well, now he was on his floor but it was the same thing in the end.
"Z-zelos!"
Lloyd jumped to his feet and clunked his head on his bed post without realizing it into the collision. Holding back a round of laughter, the red-headed chosen scratched his head and placed his arms on his hips. Not to seem angry, but to demonstrate some sort of Zelos Kind Of Authority. Or whatever the chosen had chosen to call it.
"Didn't I tell you I wasn't going to come here and wake you up? And now I found myself, somehow, almost magically, in your house waking you up. Where's the justice in this world?" Zelos asked himself, shaking his head in the utmost dismay. Raising an eyebrow, Lloyd sighed and rubbed his head miserably from the pain.
"I.. was going to wake up. I just-" Lloyd stammered but then blushed a dark red from forgetting one of the most important events in his best friend's life. Sighing, Zelos shook his head, still in dis-belief, then extended a hand and pat the brunette on the shoulder encouragingly.
"Nah, don't worry. I'm not mad. The Great Zelos Wilder can not stay mad forever!"
With that, Zelos beamed at his younger friend. Lloyd uneasily passed through his room to get his vest that went over his normal clothes. He had been so excited the night before that he had changed before he had fallen asleep so he could spring up first thing in the morning and meet Zelos. However, his desire for sleep had ruined that plan, didn't it?
"Aren't you supposed to be looking for that bright light in the sky that is supposed to be beam down at the temple and signal you to arrive?" Lloyd asked curiously, grabbing his swords from their placement on his night stand.
"Ah, very observant my young friend. However, the Great Zelos has already solved that issue. You see, the oracle is supposed to come at One in the afternoon." Zelos spoke proudly, patting his chest with utmost pride. "Who's the smart chosen? Oh yea, that's me!" He spoke, boasting about his title.. as always.
"How can you be so sure that it will come at one?" Lloyd continued, watching Zelos do his happy dance, or what he chose to call that.
"When have I ever been wrong?" Zelos asked, glancing over at Lloyd with his gentle eyes. Lloyd opened his mouth to reply eagerly but Zelos slapped his hand over the boy's mouth before he could reply. With a sigh, Zelos shook his own head in disgust. "Forget I said that." He confessed, removing his hand.
"Well, seeing you're usually always wrong, I think we should head off to Martel's Temple." Lloyd advised.
"You mean we have to go through that forest, again?" Zelos pouted, shaking his head and burying it into his hands. "Someone as beautiful as I shouldn't be forced to go through this kind of treatment."
"Stop with the dramatics, Zelos. We've been through the forest countless times." Lloyd reminded him, as he began to stash gels and items into his inventory bag. Being prepared was the best way to win any unsuspecting battles. Especially when it was just two against the world.
"But we have to go all the way back, and then through Iselia, and then down the dirt path to the temple." Zelos complained, watching Lloyd.
"It wasn't me who decided to come out this far." Lloyd reminded Zelos, shoving a life bottle in the animal fur bag his father had made. Zelos paused for a moment before glaring back at Lloyd and taking a step closer. Lloyd paused and starred up at the chosen, gripping the bag with all his might. "...What?"
"But you were the one to oversleep!" Zelos hollered, causing Lloyd to shrink back instantly.
Moments passed before both swordsman had gathered all the materials and left down the stairs. Usually Lloyd would be stopped by his father, the one and only Dirk, but today was different. Dirk seemed to have some business to attend to in Iselia, and left the house to Lloyd. At least it provided the two with extra time to get to the temple before the light came down and signaled it was time.
It didn't take that much effort for the two to navigate their way through the twisting forest. Encountering a few battles here and there, they basically came out without a scratch. Between Lloyd's slashing moves and Zelos' power with the magic blade, they were unstoppable to wooden foes. Once outside the forest, the two entered Iselia. By now the breeze had picked up and the temperature seemed to be around freezing with the wind chill factoring in, of course.
"Zelos!"
The two paused and watched the familiar figure of their professor come charging at them. It was Lloyd who looked down in a sullen way and shook his head. He had to deal with her enough but for her to appear now of all times? It wasn't so appeasing. Daring a glance back up, he watched as Raine panted and handed Zelos a book. Furrowing his eyebrows, Zelos took it and flipped it open and stuffed his nose into the book. Seriously, he buried his nose into the book and begun to read.
"What is it?" Lloyd asked. Raine glanced over and a smile flashed across her face. Lloyd found this rather unsettling in the back of his mind, but he kept this information to himself. When the professor got mad, she tended to take out her anger on her students and bash them across the heads. Or kick them. Lloyd seemed to be kicked a lot.
"It's the only known recordings of Spiritua's journey." Raine smiled with much pride.
"Uh-huh.. and that means what?" Lloyd asked. Unfortunately for him, a single fist went whirling through the air and bashed him across the skull. Whimpering, Lloyd grabbed his head with both hands and a light pout escaped his lips. "That was not fair, Professor! I wasn't ready to be smacked today! It's Saturday! And besides, how am I supposed to know what that book means?" Another smack was dealt to his head.
"How can you not know, Lloyd?" Zelos called out, closing it and glancing over at his friend.
"Please.. enlighten me before I am forced to file a restraining order." Lloyd whimpered and a light smile passed his lips. However, Raine smacked him once more and caused Lloyd to throw his head back and forth in pain. "I was joking.."
"Any ways.. Spiritua was the First Chosen. She was legendary, and this book tells of her adventures and sights. And quite possibly what I have to do to fulfill my duty as the next chosen. Can you see it now? Zelos Wilder, Chosen Extradoniare!" Zelos smiled, holding the closed book in one hand and making a waving hand gesture with the other.
"All I see now is a stupid, hot-headed Chosen." Raine sighed from Lloyd's side.
"Sounds like something I would say." Lloyd replied as Zelos starred at the two, clutching his chest painfully. Furrowing his eyebrows once more, Lloyd arose to his feet and watched Zelos intently. "What's with all the acting lately? You're not impressing anyone." Lloyd pointed out, bearing a smug expression.
"You both really know how to make a man feel loved," Zelos sighed.
"It's our job," Raine added in.
"You too!" Zelos pouted, holding the book tightly. "Any ways, ignoring the rude comments, I want you to come with us to Martel's Temple. It's a great chance for scientific research, seeing not many people are allowed in there." With that said, Zelos flashed a grin at Raine.
Lloyd sighed heavily, and glanced over at Raine who had stars in her eyes. Seriously, her eyes were beaming like blue stars in the galaxy. She clasped her hands together tightly, lacing each finger with another. Swaying on her feet, Raine slowly nodded at Zelos, attempting to contain her excitement. She was a force to be reckoned with when she got in this ruin mode, so the best thing to do was to make her keep her calm.
"Do you understand what great lunge forward in half elf appreciation this is! To think, a half elf allowed in Martel's Temple to see a true Cruxis Angel! It's a breakthrough in all discoveries!" Raine chanted, glancing from Zelos then to Lloyd.
"Whatever you say.." Lloyd murmured, trying to sound interested. Tried at least.
"Look! It's the Chosen's oracle!"
A random townsman had rose his finger and pointed towards the sky. As expected, a single bright beam had shot down from the sky, directly north of their current destination. Zelos reached out and gave a victorious hand gesture as he turned to the others. He bore that smug 'You-better-watch-out-'cause-Zelos-is-going-to-kick-major-ass'. How he could say ll that from one look was anyone's guess. But Lloyd and Raine had come to know that look.
"Guess it's time, huh?" Zelos spoke, glancing upwards also and placing his hands on his hips.
"It would seem. Let's get moving!" Raine spoke cheerfully, holding her notebook proudly and began to stride to the northerly entrance of the city. However, Zelos had turned to his young friend and began to laugh. To many, this would be called a humorous laugh, but Lloyd knew better. This was Zelos' fake laugh, to show his nerves.
"You're telling me that you, Zelos Wilder Chosen of Slyvarant, will save our world? You've got to be kidding.." Lloyd sighed, watching his friend. With that said, he placed his hand on his sword and made his way to the entrance where Raine had gone, leaving Zelos standing there.
"You just watch, Lloyd! Just watch me work my magic today at the oracle! I'll prove to you that Zelos Wilder have high class." Zelos spoke smugly, before he realized Lloyd was far ahead and wasn't listening at all. "Oh.. that is so mature." Zelos stammered, charging ahead to catch up with the others.
At Martel's Temple, Thirteen Hundred Hours- Slyvarant
"How much more walking do we have to do!" Zelos complained, taking large steps.
Raine glanced over her shoulder to watch the Chosen lazily scuff his feet, even though he was taking extremely large steps. Sweat rolled down her white hair as she shook her head in dis-belief and neared the entrance to the temple. Lloyd had been in equal strides with Zelos, and when the chosen stopped, so did he. Zelos glanced ahead to the temple and flashed a grin to his young comrade merrily.
"Look at that! To think they built that place for me." Zelos spoke, crossing his arms as he began talking normal steps.
"Zelos.. they didn't make it for you. Hence the name, they made it for Martel and all the other Chosen's." Lloyd added in, raising an eyebrow.
"But I can bet you one thing. They weren't as sexy as me." Zelos spoke proud fully, rubbing his chest with that overachiever kind of flare. By now, Lloyd had given up all hope on the chosen and quickened his pace so he was beside Raine, at the base of the stairs. "What is with you and leaving poor old me by myself?" Zelos sighed. "Sometimes they just don't understand." Zelos spoke shaking his head. "But they will.. today is going to be a long day." He whispered to himself.
"C-chosen!"
Zelos' heart dropped when he heard the distress filled cry. Eyes widening, the red head charged up to the others and noticed two men. One was clothed in basic swordsman outfit. The other seemed to be clothed as a mercenary. The usual armor, but in an unusual lilac. Wondering for a moment where these two individuals came from, Zelos walked upwards and noticed the man with the blue hair was on his knees, bleeding from his side.
"What happened her?" Raine asked, bending over to meet the bluenete gaze.
"Desians." He hissed in reply, casting a stern glance at the half elf. It took only seconds before Lloyd growled and turned harshly to Zelos, clenching his fists tightly.
"You see what these guys do! As Chosen, you need to destroy them!" Lloyd hollered.
"What's with you, bud? Why are you so uptight?" Zelos asked, sweat rolling down his face. It was rare to see Lloyd like this. The only time he got serious and angry was about food and sleep. Any other time, Lloyd liked to be sarcastic and idealist. Not angry and uptight as Zelos had described him moments before.
"The desians struck unmercifully. They instantly slain our fellow comrade. We are lucky to be alive." The other man spoke. His raspy voice sent sparks of alert through the Chosen. However, Lloyd met the auburn man's gaze and shook his head angrily.
"Damn them..." Lloyd whispered.
"Lloyd, watch your tongue. If you cause a disruption between humans and desians, they may destroy the Peace treaty they hold on Iselia!" Raine warned, wagging a threatening finger at the young boy.
"Don't you think I know that?" Lloyd growled back.
"Uh.. not to break up the fight or anything, but I need to get to my oracle." Zelos pointed out, addressing the heavenly light that was still falling from the sky. A blush overcame Raine as she straightened up and clutched her notebook sternly. She turned to the two men nervously.
"If you want to come with in our little detour, we'll be able to heal you after this." Raine offered.
"...Thank you." The auburn man spoke, as the bluenete held a bitter look upon his lips.
"Just another kind thing the Chosen has done." Zelos laughed. Lloyd sighed and glanced up the stairs at the oracle. Was his friend really serious enough to take the role of Chosen? Or would he just mess with the world's fate and destroy man-kind? As he watched, the other four had begun to walk up the stairs next to him after Raine had cast a simple healing spell upon the blue haired swordsman. Lloyd hurried along and listened into the conversation.
"My name is Yuan." His voice wasn't as raspy as his comrade, but he bore that determined and serious posture to him. He looked like the kind of person to keep to himself, and not bother with others. However, the auburn man glanced over at Yuan and spared a stare.
"And I'm Kratos. We came here in attempts to gather information on the monsters in this region. We had never aspired that Desians would attack. I apologize for any inconvenience we may have given you." Kratos offered, as the five stepped up the stairs in equal paces.
"It's all right. My job is to help people, isn't it?" Zelos spoke as he continued to bear that feeble-minded grin. It wasn't a time to grin, yet the Chosen continued to.
"It was a stroke of luck the Chosen had came." Kratos continued, watching the other red-head curiously. "You are Zelos Wilder, then?"
"Yup! Word travels fast about me! Especially with the ladies. Odd, even the guys know of me...hell! I can even turn guys gay because they love me so much!" Zelos cheered, theatrically letting his hair blow in the wind. Lloyd sighed, Raine turned away, Kratos seemed stunned, but Yuan had growled instantly.
"For a Chosen you really are hair brained." Yuan snapped.
"Whoah. What's your problem?" Zelos asked, tilting his head and letting his hair fall.
"Zelos, don't push it." Lloyd advised as they reached the top of the temple. As they neared the entrance, the group paused and turned to face each other. Zelos seemed off on other faults, that probably involved his Iselia hunnies and quite possibly Raine. Lloyd glanced at Yuan and Kratos alongside Raine.
"We haven't introduced ourselves properly. I am Raine Sage, professor of Iselia." Raine spoke. She then pointed to Lloyd. "And this is-"
"Lloyd Irving." Lloyd spoke, cutting off Raine. Raine give a distant minded nod and watched Yuan sigh as if he didn't really want to me here. Kratos starred at the boy for a few moments, just taking in the sight. However, Lloyd began to sweat uneasily from his intense gaze.
"You're name is Lloyd?" Kratos asked curiously.
"Yea, what if it is?" Lloyd spoke, raising an eyebrow.
"And you were yelling at me for ticking them off!" Zelos butted in but Lloyd turned sharply and smacked him across the face, sending him to quiver in sadness near the entrance.
"Shouldn't we be going in now?" Yuan glared, casting a spare glance at the beam of light.
"Yes, let's go in, now." Raine spoke, leading Zelos and Lloyd in. Another moment passed before the other two seraphim followed in slow paces behind. Yuan glanced over at Kratos. It was as if the auburn man was in some distant day dream. Puckering out his bottom lip, the blue haired seraphim crossed his arms and a snicker escaped his lips.
"Pretty good acting on my part, wasn't it?" Yuan snickered, in a casual way.
"I have no clue what you're talking about." Kratos sighed, sparing a glance over at his comrade. The blue haired seraphim shook his head before walking alongside his comrade into the dim light of the hallway that lead inside the temple.
As the five walked inside, gentle whispers played against their faces. A fork in the rod was apparent ahead, along with crumbling stones and crushed pillars. It seemed as if the temple was rarely used, and the aging was intense. The exact age must have been around a thousand years! Of course, no one knew for sure, seeing that no one in Iselia was of that age. As their shoes made a gentle 'clank'. The chosen alongside his younger friend and professor led.
They walked forward to the center of the temple, where a large door lay. Wrapped around it was vines and a glowing center. A small stone was next to it right, a dim gray slab stone. Raine ran up to it, and started taking notes. Kratos and Yuan paused behind the other swordsman.
"Zelos, do something to open it." Lloyd advised.
"Ok!... I, The Great and Wonderful Zelos Wilder , comman this door to open!" Zelos hollered, making a victory stance. Moments passed without success. Scowling at the door, Zelos straightened up and puckered out his bottom lip. "I said open!" Another moment passed. "Open up!" Zelos spoke, beginning to kick the door angrily.
"I think something is needed to open it," Kratos spoke from behind. Zelos whirled around and walked straight up to him.
"You think?" Zelos murmured sarcastically and turned to Lloyd and Raine. "Let's go around and try to find some other way to open this. Zelos Wilder will not be silenced," Zelos smiled and ran behind Kratos and Yuan and to the right path.
"And they call him the savior of the world?..." Yuan sighed heavily before Raine turned to him.
"If you wish to leave, you can. There is no reason for you to stay if you continue to defile the Chosen." Raine almost hissed. She held her arms crossed and anger flashed in her eyes. Sweat rolled off Lloyd's face as he ran after Zelos. More than likely afraid to face an angry Raine. However, Yuan strode right up to the half elf.
"Want to test the theory?" Yuan hissed before Kratos reached out and blocked Yuan from progressing farther. "..pffft.." Was all Yuan said before turning around and leaving to where Lloyd and Zelos had. Raine stood silently, starring at Kratos.
"I'm sorry if I angered your friend. I just don't want something stupid happening because of a persons ignorance." Raine explained, watching the door with much interest.
"No offense taken. Let's go." Kratos spoke and left with Raine down the right path also.
The group continued down the right path, until they came to a spiraling stairs downward. Zelos led the 'group' down them, and Lloyd had regretfully fallen down them. Zelos yelped with surprise as his friend had tumbled into his body and sent him head-first into the hard ground of the floating platform. Kratos and Raine rushed up to the two boys side but Yuan just stood at the edge of the stair, glaring.
"My beautiful face!" Zelos spoke, attempting to bawl his eyes out. Raine sent an angry glare from Zelos then to Lloyd. She reached out and thrashed him across the face in anger. Lloyd scampered to his, rubbing his head in pain. "Watch your footing, Lloyd! We've only been in here for ten minutes and you've managed to harm me." Zelos pouted, also getting to his feet.
"Sorry. I just couldn't see where I was going when your head was in the way." A sly grin passed the brunette as he walked next to Kratos, as if he knew that Zelos wouldn't smack him if he was next to him.
"What the hell is that!"
Raine turned her head to see Yuan pointing beyond them. Kratos also glanced over to see a golem form before their eyes. Millions of stones had formed together and begun to build rapidly. Yuan charged down next to Lloyd and Kratos, in stun and determination. Raine unsheathed her staff and guarded as if she feared she'd be stricken down in any second. It's head slowly turned to face Lloyd. Reaching it, it swung it's stone elbow and thrashed Lloyd.
"Begone!" Kratos hollered, charging forward and slashing down the golem in five hits. Raine and Zelos stood there, dumb-founded by his strength.
"Wholly crap!" Lloyd stammered, arising to his feet. Kratos paused a moment then stared at the monster remains.
"I've never seen one like this before." Kratos glanced over to Yuan who was seemingly spacing out. "Make note of it."
"Huh? Oh right," Yuan yawned.
"Look at that!" Zelos rang out. His finger pointed to a large pedestal across the room. However, it seemed the only way to reach that was to go downwards than up. Raine glanced over at the pedestal also and crossed her arms, with a little smile spreading across her face.
"Maybe that's they key to opening the door." Lloyd observed.
"Lloyd!" Raine suddenly called out.
"What!" Lloyd glanced around aimlessly, unsheathing his sword if he was going to be attacked.
"You figured it out before I could even say it. I'm so proud of you!" Raine smiled widely. Zelos held back a wave of laughter while Kratos and Yuan exchanged worried looks. Lloyd pouted and hung his head lowly, catching on to the sarcasm and how pathetic he had just sounded.
"Don't be sad, Lloyd! You've got the Great Zelos here to cheer you up!" Zelos chimed merrily, draping his arm around his younger friend. Lloyd shrugged him off and shook his head.
"Why me?.."
As they continued, they made their way down the stairs and across the path. Oddly, each stone had been placed in the gaps in the path, as if someone had been here recently. A shiver fell down Yuan's back as he neared the rear of the pack. A lot seemed to be on his mind as he starred at the ground beneath him, then to his former comrade.
"Something bothering you?" Kratos asked, glancing over his shoulder to see Yuan holding his head almost in dread?
"Nothing of your concern." Yuan replied bitterly, sparing an emerald glance up ahead at his auburn haired friend. Kratos paused to converse with Yuan a few minutes longer.
"We're both in this together. If you see an error in our plans, I'd like you to address me of it, instead of keeping it to yourself. If we don't' succeed in this, we'll be deceased." Kratos reminded Yuan, with an almost frightening stare.
"Just because Yggdrasill ordered us to work together doesn't mean I have to be kind to you." Yuan scoffed, pushing past Kratos and rejoining the others at the top of the pedestal. Kratos just stood there for a few minutes, taking in what he had just said.
'If he keeps up that attitude, we aren't going to last past the Fire Seal' Kratos thought to himself before also catching up.
"What is that?" Lloyd asked, looking at the glowing fire ring. Zelos, being his usual zelos self, reached out and took the ring. Placing it upon his finger, he did his victory stance for a second time. "What are you doing?.." Lloyd asked again, watching Zelos observe his new accessory. Raine sighed and grabbed Zelos' hand to observe it also.
"Is this.. really the Sorcerers Ring they spoke of in the legends!" Raine almost gasped in excitement. Kratos walked up to them and glanced at it.
"It appears to be." He added in.
"So.. what does it do?" Zelos asked, withdrawing his hand and then jerking it slightly, sending a fireball that went straight towards Yuan. Jumping out of the way in frustration, Yuan regained his balance and charged right up to the Chosen's face. "Uhh... oops?"
"You stupid Chosen!" Yuan hissed, clenching his fists.
"Who are you calling stupid!" Zelos asked, crossing his arms and sending another fireball straight towards Lloyd. Lloyd also dodged it, but was inferiors with the red-head.
"What the hell was that for!" Lloyd demanded.
"BOYS!" Raine hollered, thrashing out and smacking all three on top of their heads. Zelos bent over, clutching his head in pain. Lloyd whimpered but then turned his back and began to watch the door they had come to, if it had suddenly become interesting. Yuan bit his bottom lip before glancing at Kratos for a moment.
"Let's just get to the oracle.. before I end up hurting someone." Yuan growled.
"I'd love to see you try." Lloyd noted.
"..." Raine sent a dithering glare over at Lloyd before the group backtracked down the path and into the main room.
There they stood, in front of the main entrance to the oracle room Raine glanced over at the oracle stone and stroked her chin. Yuan sighed, letting out all the annoyance he had at the moment. Zelos stepped up to the door, holding the ring directly at the door. Nothing happened. Zelos scrunched his eyebrows and then wound his fist back and then pointed directly at the door. Still no fire. Another moment passed before Zelos pouted and turned to the others.
"I think the ring's busted." Zelos murmured.
"I wouldn't be surprised with all the shooting you did down there." Yuan coughed. Zelos shot an angry stare at the blue haired man and then turned to the door once more.
"Open!" He hollered a gentle ball of fire was shot at the door. Vines unraveled, and the door snapped open. Lloyd's eyes widened as Zelos pranced in, ignoring what everyone else had to say about this. Beyond the door was small portal. Each member stepped upon it and was transported to the main oracle room.
"Whoah! Is this what I think it is!" Lloyd spoke, stepping off the platform and glancing out the window and then to the large red seal on the ground. "Is that the Cruxis Crystal?"
"Very good." Yuan snapped to himself.
"It appears that you should stand right before that, Zelos. Go ahead, release the oracle." Kratos offered, pointing to a small spot in front of the rather enormous seal. Zelos nodded and stepped forward. Closing his eyes, he placed clasped his hands together in gentle prayer. Just as he began, a bright light came from the ceiling, radiating pure white light from it. There came a single angel, silky white wings and light blonde hair. He bore priest clothing, and a gentle smile.
"Wh...what is that?" Lloyd stammered, starring upwards.
"An angel, I would assume." Kratos spoke from behind him. Both Yuan and Raine remained silent, watching Zelos continue to pray.
"My name is Remiel, I am an angel of judgment. I have come here to guide Zelos on the journey to be the seventh chosen." The angel explained, casting a glance at the red-head. Zelos opened his eyes, and took a small gasp from stun. More than likely he wasn't expecting a real angel to come down and give him his oracle. As he watched, the cruxis crystal floated in front of the hovering angel. "The time has come to awaken the Goddess Martel, who sleeps at the center of the world."
"The Goddess Martel..." Yuan whispered from behind. As he finished the cruxis crystal floated to Zelos' chest. Clasping it in his hands, it attached to his necklace and glowed brightly.
"From this moment, Zelos Wilder if officially the Chosen Of Regeneration. We of Cruxis bless him, and bestow the Tower of Salvation upon Slyvarant." Remiel continued. As he spoke, Yuan and Raine glanced out the window. At the center of the world had appeared a magnificent white tower, spiraling the the heavens.
"So that's the Tower Of Salvation." Lloyd glanced out the window also, starring at the bright tower in the distance.
"It would see that way." Raine spoke, smiling a bit.
"Zelos, The Chosen of Regeneration." Remiel continue onwards. Zelos kept his eyes upon the angel and hands clasped in gentle prayer. "Unlock the seals that guard the Tower of Salvation. And climb the tower in the heavens."
"No problem." Zelos smiled, then sweated. "Uh.. I mean. I accept this task, oh heavenly father." He whispered, bowing his head.
"Very good. We of Cruxis shall grant you the powers of the angels with every seal you unlock." Remiel explained, flapping his angelic wings. By now Yuan had spaced out, starring out the window at the tower that lay miles away. Hundreds of miles it seemed from this distance. "Once you have become an angel, this eroded world will be saved."
"Thank you." Zelos spoke, nodding his head in understanding. "I'll release the seals and save our world."
"First head south, to the Seal Of Fire, there you must offer your prayers at the distant land." Remiel smiled lightly. Zelos nodded and unclasped his hands.
"Understood." Zelos replied. With that, the angel flew up into the heavens and disappeared. All went silent throughout the group. Zelos paused before turning around to his group with a light smile. "You heard the man, we got to head south. Lloyd, Raine, I want you two to come with me there to release the seal." He turned to Kratos and Yuan. "Thank you for assisting me here.. I think? I hope you'll find revenge for your fallen ally soon."
"...Let's head back to Iselia." Yuan sighed and glanced at Kratos.
"Yes, but Chosen, I must ask of you for your assistance for a bit longer. We are headed to Triet, the desert city, so we'd like to accompany you until then." Kratos asked.
"Sure... just don't get in my way. The Great Zelos needs to work his magic." Zelos smiled and then looked out the window. "Watch out, Zelos is coming.."
AN:
Long chapter and I only got the oracle. Next up is the desian thing and the ranch. And the destruction of Iselia. You're probably wondering how this will play because Lloyd isn't friends with Genis. Well, you'll see in time!