SANGOCHAN here with chapter four! At last! The long awaited meeting of our heroes: Yoku and Lloyd! Please enjoy!
Chapter Four: Meeting of Fate
Lloyd, Genis, Noishe entered a clearing facing a cliff. Noishe gave off a cowardly howl and ran off.
"Oh…it's that monster anxiety thing again…" Lloyd said, "Noishe doesn't like these parts…"
"But, Lloyd, Why do you bring him with you?" Genis asked.
"Well-." Lloyd was cut short.
"You wouldn't happen to be 'Lloyd Irving' would you?" a girl's voice said. She sounded like her voice was surrounding them.
"Who's there?" Lloyd demanded.
"I'm up here in the tree above you." The girl said again.
Lloyd and Genis looked up, there sitting on a tree branch was a female Elf. Long mahogany hair cascaded past her waist and two long side burns hung in from of her chest, there was also a layered shoulder length part to her tresses. She wore a midnight blue traveling garb with capped sleeves, long fingerless gloves starting just below the shoulder, the Capri pants ending at the knees, a skirt, and red sandals, which wrapped their way up her calves. The image was complete with her silver-grey eyes, a quiver of arrows, and a long-bow slung at her back. Complete with several pockets around her waist.
"It's rude to stare." She said leaping down and landing cat-like in front of Lloyd and Genis, "So, is your name 'Lloyd Irving' or not?"
"Give me your name and I'll give you mine." Lloyd said casually, feeling another odd feeling of familiarity around her.
"The name's Yoku Jade. I'm an assassin from Palmacoasta-don't worry, it's not you! I was hired to assassinate the Five Grand Cardinals of the Desians." Why is there something VERY familiar about this guy?
"I'm Lloyd Irving and this is Genis Sage, a friend of mine." Lloyd said shaking her hand, "Hey, is that an Exsphere? I've never seen one shaped like a crescent moon before." He had just noticed the silver-blue Exsphere.
"It was my mom's, I'm not sure how it wound up shaped like that though…" Yoku said, and then her eyes fell on Lloyd's bandaged hand, "You'd better let me take a look at that. The bandage might need changing."
Lloyd jerked his hand away, "Not here, there's a Human Ranch up there…"
Genis flushed slightly, "Um….shouldn't we get going?" Both Lloyd and Yoku turned their heads towards Genis.
"Yeah, anyway, I have business at the Human Ranch." Yoku said.
"But won't Palmacoasta get in trouble?" Lloyd asked suddenly, he was starting to have an odd feeling every time he started talking to her.
"No, Palmacoasta has no "Non-aggression Treaty" so the folks from my city are constantly raiding the Palmacoasta Human Ranch. The most popular when I was a kid was setting off stink-bombs in there. That's what I and my big brother used to do when we were little." Yoku said walking next to Lloyd. Lloyd felt his spine tingle and his face grow a little warm.
Man…Yoku is the prettiest girl I've ever met…she's so cute… Lloyd thought, his heart pounding wildly.
"Ok, I'll stop here." Genis said, "Marble's probably waiting for me."
"The Human Ranch?" Lloyd asked, "But, Genis, you'll get in trouble, we're not supposed to go there. And who is Marble anyway? A friend?"
"Yeah, I bring her some of my lunch."
"Wow, I didn't know you were keeping a secret pet dog." Lloyd said; Genis looked extremely stung.
"Marble's a Human!" Genis shouted.
"Oh...I-I'm sorry…" Lloyd stammered looking slightly flustered.
"I know Marble; she used to run a shop back in Palmacoasta. Until…she was captured and brought here. From what I heard she knocked out about ten Desians trying to break in. You should have seen her! Waving a big hammer and everything…" Yoku said. Also…Magnius had killed my little brother and sister…Mila…Yuri…
"I'll go with you Genis." Lloyd said.
"Me too," Yoku said, "Just to let you know, the guy who hired also told me to protect you Lloyd from the Desians."
This left an awkward silence then, "Why? I can fight these guys any day." Lloyd said.
"No clue. Some person comes into the inn, asks the bartender if there's anyone for hire; hires me, pays me 800,000 Gald (no clue how he got the money) , I ask how he knows you, and just tells me everything's settled, and walks off. Never happened before."
Silence again. The trio made their way carefully around to the side of the Human Ranch. An elderly woman was waiting for them.
"Genis, it's so good to see you. Ah…and Yoku…it's been too long." Marble said.
"Marble, this is Lloyd Irving." Genis said gesturing to Lloyd.
"How very nice to meet you Lloyd," Marble beamed.
"Did you see the Tower of Salvation Marble?" Yoku asked.
"Yes, let us pray to Martel for a safe journey for The Chosen of Mana." Marble said.
"Yeah…" Lloyd said, "I heard the last one got killed by Desians."
"Same here…" Yoku said.
"Oh yeah, Marble I brought you some sandwiches." Genis said passing the lumpy parcel through the barbed gate.
"Thank you Genis." Marble said, "Oh, Yoku, I never really saw you in these parts."
"Well…I was hired about a week ago to assassinate the Five Grand Cardinals of the Desians. I just killed Hsuru, what a wimp! Hardly a fight. At least I avenged Grandpa." Yoku said.
"He killed your Grandpa?" Lloyd asked, he had a sudden feeling that Yoku was going to say that her older brother had been murdered too.
"Yeah, the big ugly gorilla and his twin brother Magnius…he got my little brother and sister," Yoku said gritting her teeth. Genis had turned a sickly shade of green. Lloyd looked like he was going to be sick.
"Wait, that's an Exsphere." Lloyd said, he had just noticed to blue gem on Marble's hand.
"Oh, is that what it is? They put it on me shortly after I was brought here." Marble said.
"But, it has no Key-crest. An Exsphere without a Key-crest is dangerous." Lloyd said.
"What's a Key-crest? And why is an Exsphere dangerous without one?" Genis asked.
"Supposedly, an Exsphere without a Key-crest makes you sick, but taking it off would make you sicker. That's why it's dangerous to have one, directly attached to your skin," Lloyd said, "But, ironically, an Exsphere won't have much effect if it's not attached to the skin. So, you take some Inhibitor Ore, carve a spell into it, and you use it as a mount to contain the Exsphere; that's the Key-crest."
"Yep," Yoku said nodding, "But mine's a more advanced version. Never found out why I got a Rune Crest…Mom's Exsphere must have been VERY powerful."
"Can you make one Lloyd?" Genis asked hopefully.
"Key-crests are Dwarven technology. I do know the spell, but…"
"Lloyd! For crying out loud your step-dad is a Dwarf! You can ask him."
"Fine…" Lloyd said, "It'll take a lot of explaining though…"
"Thanks Lloyd you're the best!"
Lloyd looked at his feet in embarrassment.
"HEY! OLD HAG WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE?" a very unpleasant voice boomed.
"Hurry, hide." Marble said, "I'll give them a cover-up story."
"Come-on, there's nothing we can do. Marble's tough." Yoku hissed, nearly dragging Lloyd behind a bush and pulling her red long-bow out, knocking an arrow, "If any of them find us, they'll get a taste of my Mana Arrow-It's an Elf magic arrow thing."
"Hey, what the heck are you doing there?"
"Nothing." Marble said coldly.
"Ohohoho…looks like someone has an attitude problem. Boys, let's give her a little lesson in manners."
"Come on!"
"Dang! Those jerks took her to the back! We'll have to go up those ledges." Lloyd said.
"Right…" Genis said.
"No one's looking, you guys go first." Yoku said pushing Lloyd, hard, "Sorry…don't know my own strength."
The trio hurried up the cliff, Yoku easily leapt up to the ledges. When Lloyd and Genis caught up with her, the sight they found was rather ugly.
"Marble…" Genis gasped.
Three Desians were lashing at her back with whips; one at a time.
"Oh no you don't," Yoku growled; fitting an arrow into her bow, "One more time...and you'll meet my Mana Arrow." She was about to release it when Lloyd grabbed her wrist, he felt that tingling all over him again.
"No, not now. Let me explain." Lloyd said, "Genis will attack them with magic, I'll draw them away from Iselia while you and Genis get back to Iselia, but stay out of sight."
"Lloyd, I'm supposed to protect you from theses guys. So that means: I'm going with you. I threw a Desian five feet away from me once, with my bare hands!" Yoku retorted, "Plus, you don't want to know how I get when someone pushes my temper."
"Fine, Genis, just be careful." Lloyd grumbled in a defeated tone.
"Wait, you should heal yourself." Genis said.
"I got that covered…First Aid!" Yoku said.
"Thanks. Ok, Genis…NOW!"
"FIREBALL!" Genis shouted, waving his kendama as a glyph formed under him. Three fireballs flew towards the Desians and burned them. With a yell they turned around. Lloyd and Yoku both made a leap, landing on the gates, keeping their faces hidden. They safely landed in front of the ranch gates.
"IT WAS HIM! AND THAT ANNOYING ELF GIRL! GET THEM!" A Desian barked angrily.
They know who she is? This could get bad… Yoku probably raided this Human Ranch too… Lloyd thought.
Genis carefully made his way down the cliff, creeping along silently behind the bushes; he broke into a run, and tripped.
"Ow…." He groaned, completely audible. Three of the Desians stopped.
Ugh…they'll catch Genis! I've gotta help! Lloyd thought, skidding to a stop, Lloyd turned around-simultaneously drawing his wooden swords. Yoku noticed and turned around to help.
If I get the chance…I'll get in and kill Forcytess…He'll pay for killing Riku! Yoku thought pulling an arrow back, "MANA ARROW!" Her arrow was engulfed in a multi-colored aura, she released her arrow, and it struck her mark. The Desian keeled over dead.
Genis began casting Fireball as fast as he could; which HAD to be unpleasant for the Desians. Due to the fact their pants were set on fire and he combined Fireball with Yoku's Mana Arrow.
"DEMON FANG!" Lloyd screamed slashing at a Desian in the chest.
"PYRE ARROW!" Yoku and Genis shouted, using a combo attack again.
A Desian slashed at Lloyd's torso, blood oozed from the wound.
"FIRST AID!" Yoku shouted.
Thank Martel she can use healing spells… Lloyd thought gratefully, "Yoku, combine your Mana Arrow with my Demon Fang!"
"OK!"
"MIASMA FANG!" Lloyd and Yoku shouted.
Finally, all the Desians that saw Lloyd and Yoku were dead.
"We gotta go," Yoku said, "I can come back here later."
Lloyd nodded, and they both ran and jumped off the cliff, just as a blue haired Desian with an eye-patch, and large yellow cylinder on his right arm came bursting out of the front gates.
"Play back what the security cameras recorded." He said, "I know the Elf was Yoku Jade…but who was the boy…and how did a Human survive a jump like that?"
Genis was tearing towards Iselia, praying to Martel that Lloyd and Yoku would be ok. He turned around in spite of himself to see Lloyd and Yoku leaping down safely to the ground below and run north.
"They're ok…" Genis gasped, "Thank the goddess Martel.
He turned on his heel and continued running to Iselia.
"Hah…hah…hah…hah…" Lloyd gasped clutching a stitch in his side, "looks like they're not following us."
"They may check the cameras." Yoku said, "It's no big deal for me because they recognize me, but, did you keep your back to the gates?"
"Uhhh…a little." Lloyd said.
"Then pray that the Desians won't have enough details to use face recognition to identify you." Yoku said. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to two little stones on the side of the path.
"What's wrong?" Lloyd asked.
"This…is where my parents were killed." Yoku said. They were buried at the village where my siblings and I were born, but I don't remember it very well. These are Memory Markers. They're placed where the person died."
"Yoku…" Lloyd thought, his heart tightening slightly. He had a sudden feeling of empathy for her, only he thought his mom died in an accident.
"Who did it?"
"The Desians' big boss, I don't know his name, but I'll worm it out of Forcytess before it's off to the happy hunting grounds for him." Yoku spat, "I really don't remember my parents…My twin brother Jonouchi and I were three. My parents' names were: Sayoka and Kurogane, both were assassins and they worked for a kind of organization that was against the Desians."
Lloyd's jaw dropped. So that's what those little stones were for! Yoku's mom and dad were murdered here…by the leader of the Desians.
"It's getting late." Lloyd said, "You can spend the night at my house."
"Thanks." Yoku said.
During their walk to Lloyd's house-which was interrupted by a few monster ambushes-Yoku was telling Lloyd about her family.
"…Riku is the oldest over-all. He was one of a set of quadruplets-five babies born at the same time-besides Riku, there was: Sora, Yuki, Sayo, and Riza. Then Jonouchi and me, I'm older by five minutes. Then last, Mila and Yuri, Yuri is the youngest over-all."
Lloyd totaled that up, "That makes a total of thirteen with you parents and grandparents."
"Only two now, with just me and Grams," Yoku said, "Oh, yeah…about Exspheres, you should know-."
"We're here." Lloyd said interrupting Yoku, he then turned to a grave, "Mom, I'm home." He saw Noishe in his stall.
"That's your mom's grave?" Yoku asked.
"Yeah. Her name was Anna."
"My Grandma said my parents knew her! And your dad, whoever he was…" Yoku said.
"Come on, you can meet my dad." Lloyd said. He opened the door for her and the two went inside.
The house was a little steamy but, rather cozy. A balding Dwarf worked at the oven melting ore. He looked up, and saw Lloyd and Yoku.
"Ah, Lloyd, how was school? Who's your friend there?" he said.
"Tiring," Lloyd said, "This is Yoku Jade-she's an Elf. Genis and I just met her."
"Pleased to meet you Yoku." Lloyd's dad said shaking her hand, "I'm Dirk, Lloyd's father."
"Pleased to meet you too Mr. Dirk." Yoku said. Dirk chuckled.
"Oh, there's no need to be so polite,"
"Oh, ummmm…Dad," Lloyd said awkwardly, "there's a favor I need to ask."
"Ask away son." Dirk said.
"Well…I met someone who has an Exsphere, but no Key-crest…"
"Hmmm…good thing Yoku came."
"It's not me, I have a Rune Crest." Yoku said.
Lloyd thought fast, his mind darted to Kratos, "A mercenary I met." He bluffed.
"'Drawven Vow #2: Lying is the first step to thievery.' A mercenary would've had enough sense to get a Key-crest, and it would've had one if your mercenary friend had stolen it."
Lloyd sighed heavily.
"Actually, Lloyd, Genis, and I met her at the Human Ranch." Yoku said, "She's a friend of mine, the Desians stuck an Exsphere on her bare hand without the Key-crest. Her name is Marble."
Dirk's eye's flashed, "Lloyd, you and Genis…went to the Human Ranch? Did they see your Exsphere?"
"No…" Lloyd said nervously, "But, why do I have to hide it from them?"
"You have an Exsphere too Lloyd? That's what the bandage was for!" Yoku said, shocked.
"It was your mother's, she gave her life to protect you and that Exsphere from the Desians! They wanted it so badly that they killed her to try to get it."
"WHAT?" Lloyd shouted, "Wh-why didn't you tell me?"
"Because, "Dirk started, "You would've wanted revenge against them. And , when I found her, you and Noishe nearby the Human Ranch, she told me to tell you any cover-up story."
"Um…Dirk? I don't mean to butt in, but I also started to extract vengeance on the Desians. I am an assassin that was hired to protect Lloyd." Yoku said.
"It was lucky who ever employed her employed her." Dirk said darkly.
"Not you too! I don't need protection!" Lloyd said.
"HAVEN"T YOU BEEN LISTENING?" Dirk bellowed, enraged. He dashed over and slapped Lloyd, hard. Yoku gasped.
"Y-you don't have to hit me!" Lloyd retorted.
"Lloyd, there's something about that Exsphere which made the Desians want it so badly. And, around the same time Anna was killed, someone found TWO MORE victims in the forest. Two Elves, but someone had already taken their Exspheres and took their bodies back to their homeland."
Yoku choked, "My parents…"
Lloyd turned on his heel and left out the door, Yoku followed him.
"Oh," Lloyd said, surprised to see Colette, Genis, Professor Raine, and Kratos on the door mat, "I guess you heard that…"
"What happened?" Genis asked, then noticed Yoku, "Oh, hi Yoku."
Colette giggled, "You must be Yoku. Genis told me about meeting you. I'm Colette."
"Good luck with that Regeneration trip."
"Thanks."
"Is it true you're from the Jade Clan?" Professor Raine asked excitedly, "I heard they have quite the history in Sylverant!"
"Ummm…yes I am from the Jade Clan…" Yoku said sheepishly, "I'm Yoku. You're Genis' big sis right?"
"Yes, I'm Raine Sage."
"I'm Kratos Aruion.,"
Colette spoke up, "Oh, Lloyd can I talk to you?"
"Sure, in a minute," Lloyd said.
"Ok, I'll wait on the bench." Colette said. She turned towards the bench…and tripped halfway there, "I'm all right!"
Lloyd figured it would be polite to introduce Yoku properly to everyone else. Colette was patient; she could wait a few minutes. Raine seemed to be forcefully fighting not to plow on a lecture about The Jade Clan-which would've taken so long, they would still be there when five Christmas's passed and went. Genis and Yoku got along just fine, Yoku really liked Noishe. It took a while to get Kratos' attention; while he was staring at Anna's gravestone-like he was in another world. It appeared… (As in chapter one) it was Kratos who bumped into Yoku outside Iselia.
There's something…really familiar about Kratos…Yoku thought.
Ok, now it's time to talk to Colette. Lloyd thought.
"We're leaving at noon tomorrow Lloyd, so if you, Genis, and Yoku want to come…" Colette said.
"Ok, thanks Colette." Lloyd said.
"I'm sorry…"
"For what?" Yoku asked.
"This'll be so dangerous…and I'm the Chosen…"
"You don't have to apologize…I'm gonna see you become an Angel." Lloyd said, "Anyway…Yoku will be coming."
Colette cocked he head slightly to the left, "How come?"
"Ummm…I have absolutely no clue why, but some person hired me about a week ago to protect Lloyd and kill the Five Grand Cardinals." Yoku said sheepishly. Colette looked slightly concerned, "I'll be fine! I've been to Survival School!"
"But…it'll be so dangerous…" Colette said.
"I haven't failed yet." Yoku said.
"Ok," Colette said, "We can meet at the south exit of Iselia. I'm so happy I could finally live to this day…"
"What?" Lloyd asked but Yoku had already spoken.
"See you in the morning then." Yoku said.
"Bye,"
"'Night…"
The others left. Lloyd and Yoku re-entered the house.
"It's dinner time." Dirk said, "I made some hot pot."
"Yum, I love hot pot!" Yoku said.
After dinner Lloyd and Yoku set up a camper bed for her to use in his bedroom.
"I'll wait for you to finish changing." Lloyd said closing the door, blushing slightly. Soon he heard Yoku say she was done. Lloyd opened the door; she was wearing an earthy colored robe with a dark green sash for her belt. Lloyd's stomach turned over. She looked even prettier with her hair loose.
"If you keep making that face it'll stick." Yoku chuckled.
"Huh?" Lloyd said, coming back to Sylverant, and then he remembered about tomorrow, "Well…uh…we should get enough sleep for the big day…" He said, awkwardly.
"I'll wait while you change." Yoku said, leaving the bedroom.
Lloyd heard the door click shut. She wasn't aware that Lloyd was developing a major crush on her! Lloyd pulled off his red combat suit and pulled on an oversized tee and a pair of shorts. Still blushing-due to the fact he was thinking about Yoku.
"Ok, you can come in."
"Ok."
Yoku reentered the room; she must have braided her hair while waiting.
"It's late," she said, "We should get some sleep."
"Y-yeah…'night."
"'Night."
Both got into their beds, rolled over, and went to sleep.
Lloyd thought he must have had too much to eat, because he was having a very strange dream. Images blinked in and out of focus. Colette was framed with pink wings, Yoku was framed with scarlet flame like wings, and an Elf boy who looked a little like her had stormy blue wings resting on his shoulders.
"Lloyd…Lloyd…LLOYD!"
Lloyd blinked.
"Breakfast's ready." It was Yoku, she was already dressed and she was at the door, looking rather impatient. She turned on her heel and went downstairs. Lloyd got dressed, figuring it unwise to push her patience. He went downstairs.
"Morning Dad, Yoku…"
"Morning. Dirk made pancakes." Yoku said.
"Morning Lloyd."
During breakfast Yoku told Lloyd and Dirk about Palmacoasta, the school, her grandma, her house, and anything a tourist would want to know about Palmacoasta.
(That makes her sound like a travel agent…)
"I'm going to work on Colette's birthday present." Lloyd said.
"What are you making?" Yoku asked.
"A necklace, she likes jewelry." Lloyd said. He went back up the stairs into his bedroom and hunted through the trunk for beads. The clatter of dishes being washed could be heard from downstairs.
"Hey, Lloyd, did you need any help with the necklace?" Yoku was at the door. His stomach cart-wheeled this time.
"Ahhhhh….sure…." Lloyd said, blushing again.
"Are you blushing?"
"N-no,"
"You're face is all pink."
My face is pink? Is my blushing color-coded? Lloyd thought awkwardly.
"Well, anyway…I'm pretty good with my hands." Yoku said, "I'm sure it's the same with you too."
"Ok, let's get working on this."
Making the necklace took up to three hours; both wanted it to be extra special.
"This is a belated-birthday gift right?" Yoku asked, rummaging through the bead sac.
"Yeah, a red bead would go good here now." Lloyd said.
"Ok, red bead coming up. Should we make a card?"
"I don't have any art supplies."
"Oh…crud…Guess we'll say 'Happy Birthday' and say it's from both of us."
Several minutes later…
"It's done!" Lloyd said, holding the handmade necklace up.
"Let's get a bite to eat and go to Iselia."
"What do you think Colette meant by: 'I'm so happy I could finally live to this day'?" Lloyd asked pocketing the necklace.
"Not sure…all I know is that my great-grandpa went with the fifth Chosen and he found out something VERY bad. Never found out what it was though…" Yoku said.
Lloyd and Yoku made some sandwiches for lunch. Both chatted animatedly over it and went outside after finishing. Dirk was at Anna's grave.
"Lloyd, Yoku, here," he said gruffly. He handed Lloyd a bracelet style Key-crest, "But, remember I did try to stop you for your own good."
"Dad," Lloyd said, "I'm going on a journey with Colette. I'm going to avenge my mom and help Yoku avenge her family. All this time, I thought Mom died in an accident…but now that I know; I can't stand living in a village that arranged a 'non-aggression treaty' with them."
"Take care of your self Lloyd. You're still my son, regardless of blood. You two will need this." Dirk said handing Lloyd his bag.
At that moment Genis came bursting out of the trees, wheezing.
"Genis what are you doing here?" Lloyd asked.
"What are you doing here?" Genis gasped.
"Are we a little late-OMIGOSH!" Yoku shouted slapping herself on the forehead, "I JUST REMEMBERED!"
"Just remembered what?" Lloyd asked.
"THE CHOSEN"S JOURNEY STARTS AT DAWN! COLETTE LIED TO US!"
"WHAT?" Lloyd half shouted, half-choked; his jaw dropping.
"We gotta hurry if we're gonna catch up!" Genis said franticly.
"Right," Lloyd said, "We can take Noishe. NOISHE!"
Noishe came bounding towards the trio.
"Come on we've got to hurry." Yoku said. I have a bad feeling about this…
Yoku, Lloyd, Genis, and Noishe bringing up the rear all ran as fast as they could through the forest, past the Human Ranch, and through the south gates of Iselia. They didn't stop running until they reached Colette's house and collapsed through the door. There was a letter in Colette's hand writing on the table and Frank and Phaedra were both looking rather grim.
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Whew! 19 pages! Well, that chapter four done! Check for: Chapter Five: Departure
SANGOCHAN here! Sounds like Lloyd's beginning to fall for Yoku.
Anyway…I'm having a little chat with Lloyd…
SANGOCHAN: So Lloyd, how do you like the Fan-fiction so far?
Lloyd: Really makes you wonder what'll happen next. And I really like it so far.
SANGOCHAN: Anything you have to say for the readers?
Lloyd: Ummm…this is a really good read…I highly recommend it. That's it. I can't wait for chapter five.
SANGOCHAN: Gee…I can't wait until Tales of Phantasia comes out on GBA…
Lloyd: Yeah…Hope it'll have those exciting dynamic twists like TOS and AOV…
SANGOCHAN: I hope you have enjoyed this and please review! Until Next time!