Hello again! Thanks to all those who read my first chapter. Here's hoping you enjoy this one, too!

The teleporter took the group to a building. A very familiar building. Kratos blinked as he looked around, not surprised to see the very same base that the group had rescued Lloyd from.

"Set them down and get the medics to heal them." Botta ordered with authority. He turned to Kratos and hesitated. "…Wait here. You can stay with Ll—with the others." He mentally kicked himself for letting anything slip, but Kratos didn't seem to notice. His eyes were sweeping on his companions, lingering on Lloyd. Botta left, his head spinning.

He had not expected this change in plans. He had not expected Kratos to suddenly turn on Yggdrasill, nor had he expected the man to be so compliant afterwards. Evidently, Kratos valued his son's life over all else, even his own.

Yuan was waiting for Botta when he came into the office.

"Well?" he asked anxiously, his cape swishing as he turned. "Did you get them?"

"We certainly did. The Chosen has already gone through the transformation." Botta folded his arms. "Unfortunately, we had no choice but to take her alive."

Yuan didn't look surprised. "That can be dealt with. And Lloyd?"

"We got them all," Botta confirmed. Yuan nodded and gave a grim smile.

"Excellent. I'll have to find a way to contact Kratos. With Lloyd as our—"

"That won't be necessary," Botta interrupted. "Kratos is here. I'm sure you'll be hearing about it from Yggdrasill shortly."

"Kratos…?" Yuan's eye widened in sudden understanding. "He flipped on Yggdrasill?"

Botta nodded. "Like a coin. He's in the other room. The only one conscious, except for the Chosen."

"Hmm…" Yuan started to pace, his mind racing. "Do you think he will co-operate with us?"

"I don't know. He's…being very cagey. And quiet."

"…When isn't Kratos being quiet and cagey?" Yuan muttered. "Well, this works out better for us, anyway. Let me know when the rest of them are awake. I want to talk to them."

"But, sir, if Kratos sees you…"

"Kratos is no fool. He was bound to find out sooner or later." Yuan turned to go to his desk. "And he's no longer at risk of telling Yggdrasill about me. I'd say we're past the point where it matters."

"…Very well. Then I'll go see to it that they come here when they wake." With that, Botta marched out the door and went to check on their captives. Yuan sat down at his desk and leaned back, rubbing his temples.

Things just kept getting more and more complicated, didn't they?

Back in the bedroom, the Renegade medics finished healing the Regeneration group and left them to rest. None of them said anything to Kratos, not that he expected them to, but he heard the door click as they locked him in. He pulled a chair over to the side of Lloyd's bed and sat down.

All of the group had been in bad shape, but Lloyd had gotten the brunt of it. Or perhaps that was just Kratos' overprotective mind playing tricks on him. Regardless, Kratos had to give credit to the Renegades: the medics had healed all of them so well that it looked like nothing more than a typical monster battle. They wouldn't need to rest for very long.

He glanced around to make sure the rest of his companions were still unconscious (or soulless…) before reaching out and gently brushing a lock of Lloyd's hair out of his face. The boy didn't stir, and Kratos pulled the blankets up over his shoulder and tucked them around him.

He suddenly felt tired, almost defeated. He had been so careless that he had almost let Yggdrasill kill Lloyd. He had almost simply stood aside and watched as he lost his dearest son again.

He clenched his fists. He was such a coward.

The moments ticked by, with Kratos lost in his thoughts. Lloyd was resting fitfully, his face slack and peaceful. If he looked closely, Kratos could almost see the child he had left so many years ago, still present in that face.

Sheena was the first to wake up, groaning as she rubbed her eyes. Kratos shifted, scooting his chair back away from Lloyd to look as casual as possible. She blinked blearily at him, her mind catching up, and suddenly she let out a strangled yelp.

"Kratos! What are you—?"

"There's no need to worry," he said, turning away from her. "I have no intention of harming you."

"Ha! Like I believe that!" Sheena jumped out of the bed. "You beat the crap out of us! Why are you here?" She squinted and looked around. "Wait…Kratos, are you…a Renegade?"

"…" Kratos didn't answer her. It didn't matter, anyway; several seconds later, Genis woke up with a loud snort, tangled in his blankets. Sheena immediately went to him and helped him out.

"Ack! Thanks, Sheena, I really appreciate it…hey, where are we?" Genis glanced around. "This looks like the place Lloyd was held before…" His eyes landed on Kratos and narrowed. "What is he doing here?"

"I don't know, but just ignore him. He's not causing any problems." Sheena turned to the corner hesitantly. "…Colette?"

"She's the same," Kratos said. Genis went up to the girl and gently tapped her shoulder. She ignored him. "It's no use. She's lost her soul."

"Colette, can you hear us?" Sheena got closer, as if Colette just couldn't hear her. "Damn!"

"I told you," Kratos repeated. "The Chosen's soul and memory are gone. Right now, nothing you say will get through to her."

"This is your fault." Sheena spun around to face him, fury in her eyes. "You and Cruxis and that Yggdrasill guy! Colette is like this because of you!"

"Is this not what the Chosen wanted?" Kratos bit back. "She knew what came at the end of this journey. She chose this fate herself."

"I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you on that." They all turned to look at where the voice came from, where Raine was just sitting up. "Colette was told of her fate when she was very young. She had no choice in the matter. She was…groomed to serve Sylvarant. It's horrible, and if I'm correct and Cruxis is behind it, that makes it even worse." She was looking intently at Kratos with a cold stare. "I always hated this part of the Church of Martel. The blind devotion and loyalty to the Chosen, placing all of the expectations on a young child. But I always assumed it was a societal problem, rather than an institutional one."

"It's both," Kratos replied. "Cruxis set up the Church, but the people embraced it." He looked away. "I'm not saying it is right. But it is what it is."

Raine opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the door opening with a swish. Botta entered the room and glanced around. "Hmm…not everyone is awake. We will wait, then."

"Botta! It's good to see you." Sheena greeted the man like an old friend. "Is—?"

"We will have time to catch up later," he interrupted. There was a moan from the last bed, and Lloyd sat up.

"Lloyd!" Genis said. "You're finally awake!"

"Ugh…where are we?" Lloyd blinked a few times, then frowned. "Where's Colette?"

He was out of the bed before anyone could answer him. He hesitated as he approached her, then said cautiously, "Colette?"

"She doesn't respond to anything we say," Sheena said quietly.

"Dammit!"

"Lloyd, tell me," Raine asked evenly, "do you remember this place? We're in the Triet Desert. The Desian Base."

"Huh?" Lloyd looked around. "You're right!"

"These guys aren't Desians," Sheena said. "They're the Renegades. They're the ones who helped me go between the two worlds."

"That's correct." Botta stepped forward now. "If you come with me, we—"

"And you!" Lloyd suddenly turned around, eyes narrowed at Kratos. "Why are you here? You're a traitor, you lied to us!" Lloyd's hand went automatically to his swords, but Raine stopped him.

"Lloyd, we need to assess the situation before we make any rash moves," she said, grabbing his arm and squeezing. "Calm down."

"Kratos defended you at the Tower of Salvation," Botta said calmly. "Without his interference with Yggdrasill, it would've been much harder for us to get away."

"Really?" Lloyd asked. Kratos didn't answer, instead staring at the wall ahead of him. "Yeah…that's right. You attacked him and we got away. I remember now."

"But…you betrayed us." Sheena folded her arms, clearly conflicted. "Why would you—?"

"We don't have time to discuss this," Kratos interrupted. He stood up and faced Botta. "Everyone is awake. You can tell us what you want with us now."

Botta nodded. "Come with me. There is…much to discuss."

Botta marched them out the doors: first Raine and Colette, then Sheena and Genis, and finally Lloyd and Kratos. Lloyd kept sneaking curious glances at Kratos, but didn't say anything.

The room they entered was an office, decorated in the same way as the rest of the rooms. Lloyd recognized it as the room where they had fought Botta the first time they'd been here. And there, standing at the desk, was the blue-haired man Lloyd had first met. He turned around and glanced over all of them. "You're awake. Good."

"Of course," Kratos exhaled quietly. "Yuan. I should've known."

"Kratos. I'd say it's nice to see you, but I'd be lying."

"Wait." Lloyd looked between them. "You two know each other?"

"Hmph. You could say that." Kratos' eyes flickered to Lloyd. "Don't you recognize him?"

"…Huh? Well, I saw him last time I was here. But that's the only…wait." Lloyd squinted at Yuan, who raised an eyebrow. "…You! You were in Hima! You tried to kill Kratos!"

Yuan rolled his eyes. "Well, aren't you a true genius with a capital J. Your parents must be so proud."

"What did you say to me?" Lloyd snapped, his face flushing in anger.

"Enough." Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "There is no time for petty arguments." He gestured around at Botta and the guards. "We are the Renegades, a group of resistance fights dedicated to bringing down the Desians…or rather, the Cruxis."

"So they are the same organization," Raine said. "Their goal must be to resurrect Martel. That's why they control the marriages of the Mana Lineage, so that they can create a perfect vessel for her."

"Correct. This particular Chosen has the closest match to Martel's mana signature; therefore, I'm certain that the resurrection would be successful." Yuan folded his arms. "You've met Sheena. Tell me, do you know of the other world?"

"Tethe'alla," Lloyd said quickly.

"Yes. The two worlds fight for the supply of mana. Waxing and waning, the cycle continues as long as the Regeneration does."

"So you want to stop the Regeneration." Raine rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "However…what does Cruxis have to do with the systems of the world?"

"The one who created this twisted world system was the leader of Cruxis, Yggdrasill."

"What?" Genis gaped at him. "Create a world? How can someone do that?"

"With a lot of power," Yuan replied flatly. "You fought him, but you saw only a taste of it. That sort of power doesn't just come from training or mana or might. That's the sort of power that one would borrow from the gods."

"What can you possibly hope to do against someone that powerful?" Lloyd questioned. "And that's not all. You tried to kill Colette, but now you've saved us. Why?"

Yuan snorted. "You're not as stupid as you seem."

"Excuse me?" Lloyd glared at him, but Botta interrupted them both.

"Thus far, we have only been able to delay Cruxis, obstructing their plans. Killing the Chosen would only continue that pattern." He gestured to Colette, who was staring off, unaware of the conversation. "Now the Chosen has become a lethal weapon who will kill anyone who tries to harm her. We wouldn't dare lay a hand on her."

"Colette..." Lloyd clenched his fists. "There has to be a way to stop Cruxis," he insisted. "To change this whole system. I want…I want to save Colette and Sylvarant, and Tethe'alla! There has to be a way."

Yuan raised an eyebrow at him. "Funny you should mention that. Our goals, it seems, align."

"We wish to stop the resurrection of Martel," Botta explained, "which would end Cruxis' reign once and for all."

"So…we're all on the same side?" Lloyd sounded almost hopeful. "Is that what you're saying?

Yuan narrowed his eyes at the boy. "Sides don't matter right now." He walked closer to the group. "You have no idea how lucky we are. Everything we need just fell into our laps. We need Kratos…" A few soldiers shifted closer to the aforementioned man, who didn't seem bothered. "And we need you, Lloyd Irving!"

"Me?" Lloyd looked shocked, as did the rest of the group. "What's so special about me?"

"That's none of your concern. Get them!"

Apparently, Kratos had been waiting for this to happen. He pulled his blade out and attacked one of the guards near him. "Lloyd! Look out!"

Lloyd didn't heed his warning in time, as Yuan strode forward with a ball of lightning gleaming in his palm. "You're coming with me!"

"Let me go!" Lloyd kicked out, aiming for Yuan's midriff. Yuan had the wind knocked out of him and gasped, grabbing his side.

"Gah! Kratos, you—"

"It's his wound from Hima!" Botta and the other guards surrounded him, focused on Yuan, who was struggling to stay standing. The rest of the group took their opportunity, dashing out of the room before the guards could stop them. Lloyd turned to follow, but Yuan wasn't through yet.

"Tell me, Lloyd," Yuan said through gritted teeth, "did you know that Kvar was telling you the truth?"

Lloyd froze. "Kvar…? What do you mean?"

"Lloyd! What are you doing?" Sheena shouted for him and he took a few more steps. "Come on!"

"But…" Lloyd glanced behind him, as if he wanted to stay. Kratos grabbed his arm. "Wait!"

"He's toying with you," Kratos argued. He pulled his son towards the door, after his friends. "Don't let him deceive you."

"Right." Lloyd still looked conflicted, but Kratos and Sheena both ushered him towards the door. The three of them went outside, where Genis, Raine, and Colette were waiting. They ran through the corridors, dodging and fighting guards as they went. Eventually, they managed to duck into an empty hallway and stop to regroup.

"Dammit!" Lloyd pounded his fist into the wall. "What is Yuan playing at?! What's he know about me and my mom?"

"Lloyd, you need to stay focused," Kratos said firmly. "Yuan is a master manipulator. He's only saying things he knows will get to you."

"Yeah…yeah, I know that." Lloyd exhaled slowly. "Okay, what do we do now?"

"Well," Raine contemplated, "if we want to save Colette…I suggest we go to Tethe'alla. No doubt the flourishing world is more advanced; perhaps they can help Colette."

"Hmph." Kratos folded his arms. "You're going awfully far just to save the Chosen." He nodded to Lloyd. "And don't forget, if you save her…you doom Sylvarant."

"…One thing at a time," Lloyd finally said. "We'll save Colette, then we'll worry about everything else." He looked up at Kratos, determination in his eyes. "I was serious back there. I want to save everyone: Colette, Sylvarant, and Tethe'alla. It has to be possible. There has to be a way."

"And if there isn't?" Kratos asked him.

"Then we'll make one!" Lloyd clenched his fist. "Dwarven Vow 16: You can do anything if you try!"

"That's great," Genis said, "but how are we going to get to Tethe'alla?"

"I came over here on a device called a Reheaird." Sheena pointed down the hallway. "If we head for the hangars, we can steal some from the Renegades."

"Then let's go," Lloyd said firmly. He turned to look down the hallway. "To Tethe'alla."