Tales of a Journey
By: Rogue White Dragon
Disclaimer: I don't own TOS
Chapter 25 – Mixed Emotions
(Sheena's POV)
Horrified, I stared at the blonde in front of me. Where they still after the mana cannon? Why? Arkus already had Tethe'alla, which was still much more developed than Sylvarant. If he wanted to take over the Symphonia, all he'd have to do was start a war.
"W-why?"
I stuttered, utterly confused. Collette gave a small shake of her head, which I could barely see in the dimly lit cell, and said
"I'm not too sure, but it can't be good."
I looked at her son, who was still sleeping, and said slowly
"So that was why they went after you? So that we'd come here?"
She gave a small nod, exhaling slowly. It made sense, in a way. It was smarter than just going after us, and letting us know they were after me. I leaned my back against the cold stone wall, sitting directly beside Collette, and said softly
"I'm sorry, Collette."
She was silent for a moment, then said quietly
"Sheena, I-"
She clamped her jaw shut, and stared at the ground intently. After a moment, she started again
"I'm a horrible person, Sheena."
Taken aback by this, I could just stare at her. How could she think that? She cared about people too much, cared for them more than herself, and she was telling me she was a horrible person? What did that make me?
"No Collette, your not."
I stated bluntly, shaking my head at the blonde
"Sheena, you don't understand. I know you still love Lloyd."
My back stiffened, and I had to force myself to meet her gaze when I replied
"I don't. Not anymore. I love Zelos."
She sighed a little, and said
"If you say that enough times, maybe you'll believe it."
"I don't."
My voice was colder than I intended, and Collette answered as if speaking to a child
"I can tell when I see you and Zelos together. You may care for him in some way, but you don't love him. Not like Lloyd."
How could she be telling me this, when she was married to the guy?
"It's hard not love him, isn't it?"
Her voice sounded distant, and I chose not reply. What ever she was getting at, she'd have to explain better.
"You know, I was happy when I found out you left Lloyd. That's why I'm a horrible person. I'm selfish. I didn't encourage him enough to go after you. I'm sure I could have, but, I loved him too, Sheena."
She looked away, unable to meet my gaze. I looked away too, uncomfortable with the subject.
"Can we drop it now, Collette? You're with him now, not me. He's got you and Mattrim, and there's no room in that for me and Lan."
Well, not for me, anyway. I guess that's why I was afraid to let Lan know Lloyd was his father. I'd be the odd one out.
(Lloyd's POV)
We completely wasted the next guards we saw. I was practically seeing red, and the anger I felt was nearly driving me insane. First my wife and son, now Sheena? What the hell was their deal? When I found Arkus, I'd make him regret ever targeting them.
"Hey Lloyd, I think I can sense where Sheena is. It's very faint, but…"
Siena was standing near the back of our group with Lan, and she was staring at something down the hall. Turning towards her, I demanded
"Where?"
Arkus would pay. I'd make sure of it.
(Lan's POV)
I couldn't help but be slightly alarmed at how Lloyd was reacting. Was he even near this mad when they took Collette? Or was it that he just kept loosing people he cared about? Which, I thought with a frown, would imply he still cared about my mother. I glared at the back of his head while he walked – well, more like a half jogged - beside Siena, the two now leading the group. He couldn't still care about my mom, I mean, he got married to Collette. Didn't that mean he was over her?
"…so since she has some elven blood in her, I mean, she can summon, right? Obviously she has even a small trace of elven blood in her, so I can sense that bit of mana from her, cause we're still in the proximity of where she must be."
Siena was explaining to Zelos as we walked. I was now behind the three, Zelos having moved beside Siena. He must've asked her how she could sense my mom.
"Summoners have elven blood?"
I grinned a little, wondering why mom never explained to Zelos about that. I guess since it's hardly traceable, she just never thought it was important. We're pretty much completely human.
"Sure they do. How did you think they could summon?"
Siena glanced back at me, winking. I froze, mid-step. She couldn't possibly- there was no way that she'd – I kept mentally cutting myself off, not sure if I should be horrified or shocked if she knew what I thought she knew. How could she? It was impossible. Right, impossible. Shiiiit…
(Sheena's POV)
"Hey Sheena?"
I looked over at her, not sure if I wanted her to start speaking again. Couldn't she just let it go? I mean I did. Or, at least, I think I did.
"Yeah?"
I answered carefully, uncertain about the worried look on her face.
"When they caught Mattrim and I, I kept thinking 'I have to protect my son' over and over again."
She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. I frowned, of course she would think that. Before I could speak, she continued
"I mean, if I died, who'd look after him?"
I rolled my eyes at her, saying
"Collette, your practically an angel, you won't die, Lloyd won't let you."
She ignored me, saying
"I mean, I know Lloyd would try, but,"
here she paused for a giggle, saying with a grin
"well, Lloyd can't cook very well. I know he'd do his best, but I'd like Matrim to live longer than his ten years, you know?"
I smiled a little as well. She was exaggerating, of course. Lloyd wasn't that bad.
"So Sheena, I want you to promise me something."
She turned completely serious. I don't think I like a serious Collette.
"If anything happens to me, I want your word you'll look after them."
I sat for a moment, staring at her. She couldn't be serious.
"Collette-"
"Your word, Sheena. I want you to treat my son like your own."
I really don't like Collette when she's serious. After a moment, I replied
"Fine. But then you have to look after Lan if anything ever happens to me. Like he's your own."
She smiled, saying like the Collette I knew and was comfortable with:
"Of course!"
We were silent again, and I could make out the sounds of a few men tinkering with the door. It was too much to hope that it was Lloyd and the others, since I was certain it was too soon for that, but I still held my breath till the door swung open. In stepped Arkus himself, with Arthur right beside him. My eyes widened as I stared at the two. Remember, Sheena, Arthur is supposed to be a spy. Of course Arkus would take him to one of these fortresses. But it didn't feel right. Something felt…different. Saying to one of the guards that accompanied the two, Arkus said
"Take the summoner and the kid, and follow me."
He left without another word, and Collette's eyes flew to me, fearfully. I gripped her arm, and said in an attempt to calm her
"I'll look after him, Collette, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to him."
She looked a little relieved, but still tense as a guard grabbed the boy, waking him up and nearly dragged him from the cell. Collette was visibly fighting the urge to get up and follow. I stood up when another guard entered, and spared one last glance at Collette before the door was bolted shut. I passed the guard to where Mattrim was, the boy looked somewhere between nervous, and angry. I smiled though, since it was obviously a mix of Lloyd and Collette. I took his arm from the guard, who gave a small grunt. The one behind me took my arm to make sure I followed. Mattrim looked up at me for a moment, then took my hand firmly. It was weird, in a way. Collette and Lloyd's son, and he trusted me. Me the woman who left his father. But I guess if I hadn't, he wouldn't have been born. I grimaced, and went where we were directed.
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Let me guess, surprised I updated this soon? Well, I hope you enjoyed it. It's a little shorter than the other chapters, but oh well… I might update again this weeks, since I've gotten into it again. I really want to get to the ending, since I think I've finally decided how it will go. But just so I get your, the reader's, opinion, I'll ask this (even though I've got a feeling what the result will be…)
Should I:
A: Collette and Lloyd ending
B: Sheena and Lloyd ending
Anywho, just leave a review, with your preference, and I'll try to update again quick.
Thanks to those who reviewed:
Lady Valandario: hope this solved that cliffie…I tend to do that sometimes…. thanks for reviewing!
Sieg15: are you talking about when Sheena left him? He just kind of figured she didn't want him. Stupid Lloyd…Well, you might get your wish with a Sheloyd. Thanks for reviewing!
Eternum123: Despite what it must look like with my fic, I'm a Sheloyd supporter. But my fic wouldn't really have much of a story unless I gave it a little twist, 'ne? Thanks for reviewing!
If I ever miss anyone, don't be afraid to tell me, and I'll apologize greatly with the next update .