It's been a while...again...

Can it. It's called a vacation. I need one.

Well...let's see how long this chapter is...

It's really long...I've made sure of that.

Well...alright then, let's start with the disclaimer. The narrator owns nothing...absolutely nothing.

CHAPTER EIGHT: BANISHMENT

It's times like these you wish you knew what was going on. For Mithos, this was one of these times. Not knowing what's going on could lead to something that could go horribly wrong. Causing a village to be attacked by Desians, facing off against a mutated human and being banished from a village count as things that can go horribly wrong but at least it wasn't so bad. At least Lloyd was banished with him. Walking down the dirt road, Mithos thought about what had transpired in the last two days.

Fighting a temple full of monsters always gave Mithos an appetite. To his delight, he found some cookies stowed away in his pocket. He promptly stuffed them down his throat, amply catching the eye of one suspicious Lloyd Irving.

"What'cha got there, Genis?" asked Lloyd.

"Nnnthing," replied Mithos, his faced stuffed in cookies.

"You're lying. You got cookies, don't you. Gimme some!"
Mithos finished the last of the cookies. "Too late. All gone."

"No!"

"I don't think those cookies were meant for you," said the Salesman.

"And why not?" asked Mithos.

"Well, for starters, you could look on the handkerchief they were kept in."

"Huh? They came in a handkerchief?"

"I'm not interested in a handkerchief, I want cookies!" exclaimed Lloyd.

"Mr. Irving, I suggest you keep your sights to the village," replied the Salesman. "We should be heading there soon."

Lloyd gave an expatriated sigh and heading a little ways in front of them. Mithos looked at the handkerchief. Written on it was a little note. It said:

Reminder #1: Give these cookies to Colette. It's for her birthday.

Reminder #2: Keep them away from Lloyd. He'll try to eat them.

"You mean to tell me these were meant for Colette?" asked Mithos.

"I am afraid so," replied the Salesman.

"...there's something I need to ask you."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"Although I possess this body, sometimes, it's like it takes over for me. I just wanted to know why is that?"

"Just think of it as automated. When you do not know how to react, the body will react for you."

"React for me, huh?" He thought about the idea, thinking if he didn't possess this body, he would think all of this was crazy. But he was possessing this body so he had to think otherwise. They finally reached the village. After buying some cookies from the nearest market, they headed over to Colette's house. Inside, a meeting was taking place with Phaidra, Colette's father, Frank, the village mayor, Colette and Kratos. The three stood by the door, listening on the conversation.

"So it's agreed," said the Mayor, "Kratos, the Salesman and Professor Raine will accomapny Colette on her journey of regeneration."

Colette noticed Lloyd and the group. "Oh, it's you! Thank you for helping me back there."

"Not a problem," replied Lloyd, "It was my pleasure." Mithos and the Salesman sweatdropped, both thinking the same thing: "Yeah, go ahead. Take all the credit."
"Allow me to add my thanks as well," replied Phaidra.

"So, are you guys talking about the world regeneration?"

"Yes. Planning something such as this requires the attention of almost anyone. We must make sure that the Chosen succeeds. Otherwise, this world is doomed."
"Then I'm coming too!"
Kratos, being Kratos, said, "The monsters in the temple were nothing. You'll only get in the way. The world regeneration is not to be partaken by...kids."

"Kids!" exclaimed Mithos. "I don't know about Lloyd but I'm not a child."

"Genis," Lloyd mumbled.

"Huh?"

Lloyd delivered a slap to Mithos head. Due to all this excitement, the mayor had to escort them out (with the exception of the Salesman). When they were about to leave, Colette came out of her house and exclaimed, "Please, wait!" When she tried to approached them, she tripped and fell. "I'm sorry..."

"It's not your fault," said Lloyd.

Knowing that it was her birthday, Mithos said, "Happy birthday, Colette! I bought you...I mean, baked you some cookies!"

Colette, tasting one of the cookies said, "These taste just like my favorite cookies I buy from the store! Genis, you're a really good cook!"

"Ehhh...yeah!" Mithos thought to himself, "Yes! She bought it!"

"Liar..." Lloyd mumbled, "You had some more cookies, you little twerp!"

"Hey! No small jokes! By the way, Lloyd, where's your gift?"

Mithos knew that Lloyd was forgetful. But to his surprise, Lloyd said, "It's at home. It's almost done. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

"Alright, then," Colette replied. "I'll come by later at your house to tell you what time we're leaving." As Colette opened the door she whispered, "Thank you Lloyd...for everything..." She entered the house and closed it behind her.

"Okay, that was weird," Mithos said to himself, on account that he heard what Colette had said. He turned to Lloyd saying, "Who's the liar now? We all know that you didn't even start on her gift."

"...if I hurry home, I'll have a head-start on it."

"Well, whatever, I-" Mithos was cut of from the voices in his head. He found himself saying, "Lloyd, is it alright for us to stop by my house to get something?"
"Huh? Sure."

After getting supplies from Mithos' (or rather, Genis') house, the two headed for the exit of the village where they found Lloyd's pet, Noishe, standing outside the gate.

"Hey, get out of here!" yelled the guard. He caught sight of Lloyd. "Hey, Lloyd, get this thing away from here."

"He's not a thing, he's a dog," said Lloyd. "Come on, Noishe, let's go."

"Funny, that dog looks like a protozoan," mumbled Mithos.

"Proto-what?" asked Lloyd.

"Uh...nothing."

"By the way, are you two going near the human ranch in the forest?" asked the guard. "Human ranch?" asked Mithos.

"Yeah, you best keep away if you know what's good for you. Iselia has a non-aggression treaty with the ranch. The mayor would have a fit if anyone from the village even goes to that ranch."

"Alright, we'll be careful," replied Lloyd. "Let's just go already."

After entering the forest, Noishe turned tail and left.

"What's with him?" asked Mithos.

"He's afraid of the monsters in the woods," replied Lloyd. "Genis, I thought you knew that."

"Well...uh...I was testing you again."

"Not that game again..."

A little ways up the path and Mithos stopped himself. The voices in the head made him say, 'This is my stop.'

Lloyd turned around and saw that he was heading towards...

"Genis, that path heads over to the human ranch."

"It does?"

"If that sign is correct, then yeah."

"Okay, I'll keep away...well, the Desians attacked the temple..."

"Yeah, but..."

"Besides, there is someone here I want to check on."

Lloyd wasn't sure about this. None the less, he couldn't let Genis continue on his own. "Alright, Genis, I'll come along too."
"Thanks Lloyd."

As the two headed over for the ranch, Mithos' thoughts were racing. "Why did I say all that? Oh, right, this thing has a mind of its own. I hope it doesn't lead to any trouble..."

The ranch was really scary-looking. Guards were whipping slaves, cameras were always rolling and there were moaning coming from the interior of the ranch. Mithos and Lloyd headed over to a fence where an old woman was waiting for him. Of course, the old woman was inside the ranch.

"Marble!" Mithos found himself exclaiming.

"Genis, it's so good to see you," said the old woman. "And who is this you brought along?"

"A friend. His name is Lloyd."

"Lloyd, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you too, ma'am." Lloyd caught a glimpse of an exsphere attached to Marble back-hand. "Is that an exsphere?"

"Yes, they implanted these things to everyone when they are brought here."

"But without a key crest, it's extremely dangerous!"

"Lloyd, you can make her one, can't you?" asked Mithos.

"Well...yeah, sure, but..."

"Please Lloyd...for Marble's sake?"

"Oh, okay, fine, I'll do it."

"Thanks Lloyd!"

"Hey you!" yelled a voice. It was a guard.

"Oh no, the guards," Mable exclaimed. "You two must hide from them at once!"

Lloyd didn't want to leave her behind. "But..."

"You must, or else you will suffer. Please, you must go!"

"Okay, I'll be back tomorrow with the key crest."

As Mithos and Lloyd bolted, they saw Mable being taken away by the guards.

"We got to see what they are doing to her!" exclaimed Mithos.

"Alright, we'll scale a cliff and look into the ranch," replied Lloyd.

Climbling the nearest cliff, they looked inside the ranch to see Marble being whipped by the guards.

"This is...horrible!" exclaimed Mithos. "Lloyd, we got to stop them!"

"Alright, Genis, you pummel them with fireballs," replied Lloyd. "Then, I'll lead them away from the ranch. You can make your escape when they're far enough."

"Okay then. Here, have some cookies."

"I knew you had some left," replied Lloyd. Stuffing down the cookies, Mithos unleashed the fireballs and his most of the guards. Then, Lloyd, jumped on the gate and ran across from it. This got the guards' attention. Opening the gate, the guards rushed after Lloyd. Mithos, climbing down the cliff, walked behind some bushes, thinking, "Man, that was too easy...I can't believe those guys fell for such a ploy..." Not watching where he was going, he tripped and fell. "Ow..."

This caught the attention of the guards, who turned back to Genis' direction. Lloyd easily took them out. This gave Mithos the time he needed to escape. Lloyd jumped down the cliff, evading the remaining guards. Mithos met him at the bottom.
"Lloyd, I'm sorry, they saw you!"

"Don't worry, I took out the guards who saw me."

"Lloyd...thank you..."

"Just do my homework for me, okay?"

"Okay!"

"Now get back to the village. I'm sure the professor is back by now..."

Mithos headed back for the village. When he got home, he was greeted by an angry professor.

"And where were you, mister?" asked Raine.

"Uh...playing kooshball?"

"Don't feed me that excuse, Genis! I was worried about you!" Raine thought for a minute. "And what in Martel is kooshball?"

"It's all the rage in...what's the capital of the world again?"

"Palmacosta."

"Palmacosta."

"We're heading over to Lloyd's house later. I trust you know where it is."

"Yeah, sure I do...I think."

"And don't think you're getting out of your punishment. You'll be scrubing the floor..."

"That's not so bad..."

"With a toothbrush."

Mithos moaned.

It was not only Raine and Genis heading over to Lloyd's. Colette wanted to see Lloyd also. As always, Kratos was there to protect her. While Raine and Colette were talking about was of schooling during the world regeneration, the Salesman was talking to both Kratos and Mithos.

"Well, isn't this exciting?" asked the Salesman. "On the journey of regeneration!"

"At least you get to go," mumbled Mithos. "Old man Kratos isn't letting me have any fun..."

"Well it is dangerous for children (and he made sure to put emphasis on the word, children) to go on this dangerous journey," chuckled Kratos.

"That's right, Kratos, laugh it up. I can't believe you said I can't go."

"Don't be so sure, Mithos," said the Salesman. "Fate has a funny way of joining people together."

"What is it with you and fate?"

Upon reaching Lloyd's house, Colette went upstairs to see Lloyd while Raine talked to Lloyd's father, Dirk. Mithos, Kratos and the Salesman looked at a tombstone outside.

"Who died?" asked Mithos.

"Take a look at the tombstone," replied the Salesman.

Kratos began to read: "Brave soul, loving mother, here lies Lloyd's dear mother..."

"Kratos, what does the rest of it say?" asked Mithos.

"...I can't read the rest of it. The name has worn off."

"Maybe it is best that you don't know," said the Salesman. "You would be saddened by the truth."
"And you would know who the dead person is?"
"Oh, I didn't say I knew. I just saying that death is a sad matter that none of us would like to experience."

"...I know I don't want to experience losing someone," whispered Mithos.

"In time, we shall see what this world has in store for us."

"In time..."

"...it's getting late. Tell Colette to rap it up," said Kratos.

"Alright then," and with that, Mithos hurried inside the house.

"Raine, where's Colette?" asked Mithos.

"Why?" asked Raine.

"Because Kratos says its getting late. He thinks you guys should prepare for tomorrow."

"Hmm...okay, she's upstairs, talking to Lloyd."
"Okay, thanks!" Mithos rushed upstairs.

The door leading to the terrance was closed but he could hear voices on the other side. They were indeed Lloyd and Colette's. He was tempted to listen in on their conversation. "It isn't right, I shouldn't do it...no, I'm not going to...that's does it, I'm outta here!" And he left the room for about five seconds. Then he placed his ear on the door, hearing Colette say, "We'll leave at about noon. You can give it to me then." She turned to open the door. When she did this, Mithos fell on the ground.

"Genis, what are you doing on the ground?" asked Colette.

"I came to get you," he replied, rubbing his head, "But I fell...and tripped."

"You trip? Me too! But I bet you don't trip as much as I do...heh heh..."

"...Colette, we should go back to the others."

After everyone assembled themselves in front of the house, they departed for the woods. Walking back, Mithos wanted to know what time they were leaving so he could get up early...just to be sure. Knowing that Kratos would keep teasing him (calling him a child and such), thought that Colette was to tired to talk and the Salesman as creepy, he decided to ask Raine.

"We're leaving at first light," she replied.

"First light?" asked Mithos. "But I thought you guys were leaving at noon."

"Who told you that?"

"Uh...no one..."

"Come on, Genis, you're lying to me, aren't you?"
"How can you tell?"

"I'm your sister. I can always tell. So, who said that we're leaving at noon?"
Mithos pulled Raine aside and whispered, "Look, I know I shouldn't have done it but I sort of...kind of...easedropped on Colette's conversation with Lloyd."

"Genis, that's not right," Raine whispered back, "but if she told Lloyd that we were leaving at noon, then I know why Colette lied to him."

"Huh? Then tell me, why did she lie?"

"Isn't it obvious? She doesn't want him to come with us."

"But he's not going..."

"You know how Lloyd is. He's very persistent and, if he's there, will persade everyone else to come on this journey. And Colette just can't have that."

"But it's not like Lloyd is getting in any danger. If he went, he would have all of you to back him up, plus he has some decent swordsmanship skills."

"Neither the less, she doesn't want him to come."

"...but still, you didn't answer me. Why doesn't she want Lloyd to come?"

"Oh, Genis, and to think I thought you were a child prodigy. I guess I have to rethink my opinion of you."

They finally reached the village where they rested up. In the morning, Mithos awoke from his slumber by Raine's clattering. He rubbed his eyes, and remembered that today was the day Colette was leaving on her journey.

"I got to go," said Mithos.

"Go where?" asked Raine, presently occupied with packing her suitcase.

"Lloyd's house..."

Raine stopped trying to pack her suitcase. "And why would you go to Lloyd's house?"

"Uh...to...spend some quality time...with him?"
"Genis, listen to me. I want you to do the exact opposite and not go to Lloyd house. Good idea, right?" She gave an eerie smile. Genis narrowed his eyes. Raine sighed.

"Look, it's just because Colette doesn't want him to come with us."
"But why?"
"Oh, Genis, I'll tell you when you're older," she said, ruffling his hair. "I got to get back to my packing."

Mithos thought about what Raine said. He didn't know the reasons why Colette didn't want Lloyd on the journey of regeneration but he knew it was unfair to just lie about the departure time and leave without saying goodbye. He decided to ignore Raine and go to Lloyd and tell him what was going on. Slipping out of the house, he hurried to the forest. Little did he know that Colette and the others were leaving at that very same moment. After telling Lloyd that Colette was leaving at an ealier time (no, he didn't want to tell him that he was lied to), they rushed back to the village to Colette's house. They were met by Phaidra and Frank.

"Phaidra!" Lloyd exclaimed. "Is it true that Colette already left?"

"Indeed," she replied.

"Did she tell me the wrong time?"

"...she left this letter for you," replied Frank. Lloyd picked up the letter and started to read it:

Dear Lloyd,

By the time you read this, I will have already left on my journey. I'm sorry

for lying to you. The world regeneration journey is full of peril—many Chosens

have failed. I care about you too deeply to let you get involved. I'm going to

do my best to stop the monsters and the Desians, so I want you to live a happy

and peaceful life in the regenerated world. Thank you so much for your

friendship and kindness all these years. I'm really lucky to have met you.

"…What is this? This almost sounds like a will."

"You can call it that," replied Frank.

"What do you mean?" asked Mithos.

"Lloyd, Genis. There is something we hid from you and everyone in the village. Colette…no, the Chosen…is already—"

There was a sudden explosion in the surrounding area. It was so strong, it broke windows and blew doors right open.

"What's going on?" asked Mithos.

Two guards came through the broken door.

"Knock, knock," yelled one guard.

"Everyone, get to the back of the room, NOW!" yelled the other guards.

"Desian!" Lloyd exclaimed.

"What are they doing here?" asked Frank.

"No more of this bull!" yelled the guard. "Back of the room, now! Don't make me pull my whip out!"

"Mister, you've just picked the wrong house to hold-up," said Lloyd, unsheathing his swords. "Genis, are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be..."

"Then let's go. You're not gonna get away from me!"

After disposing of the two guards, they heard a commotion coming from the main square. A man in a complex get-up with green hair and an eye patch walked into the village. A Desian captain yelled, "Lloyd Irving! Come forth!"

Lloyd and Genis arrived at the scene.

"You've come to attack the village again!" yelled Lloyd. "I've had enough of this!"

"What are you talking about?"

The man that just walked into the village said, "He speaks nosense, ignore him." He continued to speak. "Listen up, inferior beings! I am Forcystus, one of the Five Desian Grand Cardinals. I am a superior half-elf who rules over the farm where we cultivate you pathetic humans."

"Half elf..." Mithos wondered. "Why are these half-elves attacking humans in this time?"

Forcystus pointed at Lloyd and said, "Lloyd! You, a human, have been found guilty for the crime of violating the non-aggression treaty. Therefore, I bring judgment upon you and this village!"

"You violated the treaty too!" exclaimed Mithos. "You tried to murder the Chosen!"

Forcystus looked at the Desian captain and he looked back. They both confused. Finally, the Desian captain cackled, "Us, kill the Chosen? Hahaha! I see now. They must be after the Chosen."

"They?" asked Lloyd. "Are you saying you aren't the ones that attacked Colette?"

"I have no need to explain myself to the likes of you," replied Forcystus. "The only thing that matters is that you, Lloyd Irving, have been in contact with host body F192 and attacked our guards."

The mayor approached Lloyd in a huff, yelling, "What have you done! How many times have we told you to stay away from the ranch!"

Repenting, Lloyd said, "Sorry ya'll. It was an accident. Sorry."

"We've prepared an appropriate opponent for your crime!" yelled Forcystus. An monster was brought in, to do away with both Lloyd and Genis.

"…What is that thing!"

"Now receive your punishment."

"Damn!"

"I'll help too!" exclaimed Genis.

The fight was long and tough but in the end, Lloyd and Genis proved victorious. The monster fell to the ground.

The Desian captain spoke, "Lord Forcystus! Just as you thought, that boy has an Exsphere!"

"…It must be the one from the Angelus Project that we've been searching for!" yelled Forcystus. He turned to Lloyd, "Give it to me!"

"No!" yelled Lloyd. "This is a memento of my mom's, who you Desians murdered!"

"What are you talking about? Your mother was…"

The monster rose from the dead and restrained Forcystus. A voice came from the monster. It was Marble's: "Run…away…Genis, Lloyd..."

"Wh…what was that voice?" asked Mithos. "It…sounded like…Marble?…"

"It can't be!" whispered Lloyd.

"Uh…ugh…guh… Get away…hurry!…" The monster said, "Genis…you were like a grandson to me. Thank you. Goodbye…"

The monster then self-destructs, rolling an exsphere to Genis' feet. He picked it up. Forcystus dropped to the ground. His guards took care of him. As he was being assisted out, Forcystus mumbled, "…Lloyd. We will always come after you as long as you possess that Expshere. Always!"

Mithos looked at his exsphereand couldn't believe it. Marble was gone, and it was all his fault. To make matter worse, the mayor declared Lloyd and Genis conspirators to the village's near destruction. They were voted out as outcasts. Hurt and thrown out of their village, Lloyd and Genis were escorted out by Phaidra and Frank.

"Please catch up to the Chosen and protect her," said Phaidra. "If in doing so, the world is saved, surely everyone will change their minds about you."

"For I'm sure Colette would want that as well," added Frank.

" …Yes. I will atone for what I've done," said Lloyd. "I swear to protect Colette for the sake of those who have died because of me."

"…I'll follow you, Lloyd," said Mithos. "It's my fault that you were banished. So I promise to stick by you, always."

"Say, Genis. Why don't you use that Exsphere? That's Marble's memento."

"Okay..."

"I'll explain to you on how to use the Key Crest later. After all, it looks like it's going to be a long journey."

"Yeah..."

They were met by Noishe who gave a loud whine.

"Don't throw your lives away," said Phaidra.

"May the Goddess Martel protect you always..." added Frank. And with that, Mithos and Lloyd left the village of Iselia.

"Genis?" asked Lloyd. "Genis, are you alright?"

"Huh? What?" asked Mithos. It was a really long time since he said anything. "What did you say, Lloyd?"

"I said we're here."

"Here where?"

"Triet. If we should start to look for Colette, we should start here."

"Triet..." Mithos wondered to himself, "In the middle of the desert? Really nice place to start looking for a bad cook, egotic swordsman, creepy mask salesman and dumb blonde..."

That...was long...really, it was...

Well, I didn't write for a long time so...yeah.

Well...next time you have something this long to read, remind me not to.

Please R&R and no flames.