I could not decide if this chapter should be fluffy father-son goodness or exposition dump. So I guess I made it both. Either way, here we go! Enjoy.

When Kratos was a boy—too young to understand the meaning of war and death— if he fell ill, his mother would sing to him. She would prop him up in her arm, swaddle him in a blanket, and gently sing in a language long lost to time. The song, he realized as he got older, was about the gravestone of a young soldier, lost during the war. It was sad and slow and haunting.

But little Kratos didn't know what it meant, besides comfort when he was sick.

Years later, Kratos would hum the song to another child, this one older than he had been. While Mithos sobbed helplessly at his side, Kratos couldn't bear to sing the lyrics; they hit a bit too close to home. Instead, he just hummed through Mithos' grief, unable to do much else.

And then, so many more years passed, and Kratos would sing it to his own son. On nights when Lloyd was sick with fever, he would press the boy against his chest and sing the old Angelic song that his mother used to sing. He would rock his son sleep to an old lullaby about war. He could still feel the heavy weight of Lloyd's body against his chest, the soft whimpering as Kratos sang. He would settle his chin on top of Lloyd's head, tucking the boy safely against him.

As he slowly came out of the floaty fog that came from mana exhaustion, Kratos wondered why those memories were coming to him now. Why was he dreaming of such old scenes of his life?

Then he heard it.

Humming.

Kratos opened his eyes, waiting for the world to come into focus. He could still hear the humming, deep and solemn, from beside his bed. He turned his head.

"Ll—Lloyd?"

Lloyd jerked at his voice. "Kratos! You're okay!"

"…Are you alright?" His voice was hoarse and he was in a bit of a daze, but he remembered quite clearly what had happened. He sat up, a little too abruptly for his tired body. "Ugh...You're not hurt, are you?"

"Geez, Kratos, I'm fine!" Lloyd had already stood up and was calling down the stairs for Raine. Kratos leaned back against the pillows and sighed.

"Good. I was worried."

"You were worried?" Lloyd grinned as he came back in. "I wasn't the one who collapsed."

Raine came upstairs, her staff in hand. "You're awake, good. How are you feeling?"

"…Fine." Kratos held still as Raine checked his pulse, then turned his neck this way and that. "Tired, mostly."

"You almost died." Raine had never been one to mince words, and she wasn't about to start now. "I don't know why in the world you thought you'd be able to break a powerful spell and come out unscathed, but you're incredibly lucky."

"I'm aware." Kratos sighed. "I never thought Yggdrasill would try something like this. He usually doesn't fight his own battles."

Raine's eyebrows went up. "Interesting. I suppose we do deal mostly with his subordinates…Remiel, the Desian Grand Cardinals, Pronyma…"

"Myself," he admitted. Raine gave a humorless chuckle at his comment. "It's true."

Raine clicked her tongue. "Well, you seem to have recovered fairly nicely. We can probably head for Sybak tomorrow. Sheena brought the Elemental Cargo, so we should be okay to travel soon." She started for the door, then hesitated. "We're also going to have to have a group…discussion tonight. Since Yggdrasill appears to becoming more directly involved…I think we need to rethink our plans."

"Of course." Kratos watched her go, then glanced at Lloyd. "You don't have to stay up here, you know. I'll heal fine without you."

"Yeah, I know," Lloyd said sheepishly. "I just…I needed some time to think."

Kratos nodded, but didn't say anything else. He watched Lloyd for a moment, as the boy fidgeted with his hands, before he finally said, "I don't mind the company, I suppose."

Lloyd's face relaxed. "Thanks, Kratos."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Kratos suddenly asked, "Where did you learn that song you were singing earlier?"

"Huh? I just remember hearing it a lot when I was little." Lloyd shrugged. "It's one of those things that stuck in my mind. I don't remember when I learned it."

"That's a very old song," Kratos remarked. "It's from the Kharlan War era."

Lloyd blinked. "R—really?"

"Really."

The pair lapsed into silence again. Lloyd seemed to be preoccupied, his mind elsewhere as he stared at his hands. Kratos cleared his throat.

"Lloyd…are you alright?" Something was going on, though Kratos couldn't quite put his finger on it. "What's bothering you?"

Lloyd glanced over at him, then sighed. "Kratos…if I tell you something, can you keep it a secret?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know." Lloyd's eyes went down to his feet. "Just…keep it between the two of us, okay?"

"Alright," Kratos agreed. "I won't tell anyone."

Lloyd shifted and straightened his back. "Okay, here goes…I lied to the Professor."

Kratos folded his arms. "What about?"

Lloyd twisted his fingers together. "She asked me if I had thought about joining Cruxis. I told her no." He sighed. "But…I lied. When Yggdrasill was talking to me…for just a second, it…sounded like a good idea."

"…You…?" Kratos felt his heart freeze. No, no, no, not Lloyd. Not Lloyd. "You didn't tell Yggdrasill yes, did you?"

"No, no!" Lloyd quickly shook his head. "I just…what he was saying made me think."

"Right." Kratos sighed with relief. "Good." He can't take Lloyd. Anything else…just not Lloyd.

"I just mean…it sounded nice, what he was talking about. I kind of get why you joined them." The boy put his hands on his knees and looked up at Kratos. "A world where no one is persecuted. That's what the Regeneration Journey was about, too. So that all the humans and half-elves and everyone else could live in peace."

Kratos watched him carefully, but said nothing. Yes, the dream was a nice one; if only Yggdrasill had truly wanted to see it through to the end.

"But then I thought of…my mom," Lloyd continued. "And Marble and Chocolat. And everyone else who is trapped in the human ranches. They wanted salvation, too." He clenched his fist. "As long as Cruxis is around…people will still be sacrificed to the Exspheres. So Yggdrasill and Cruxis have to be stopped!"

"That's right," Kratos said encouragingly. "So long as Cruxis continues, there will still be lives lost. The victims of the human ranches, Desians, the Chosens themselves…"

"Yeah." Lloyd sighed. "Gah! I'm such an idiot for even thinking about joining Cruxis! After everything they did to us!"

"Yggdrasill did not build an army and amass supporters by sheer luck," Kratos said calmly. "He was…still is, I suppose a charismatic man. You aren't a fool for faltering for a single moment."

"I guess." Lloyd didn't sound convinced. "Thanks, Kratos. I appreciate the support. And…thanks for keeping this between us."

"Of course, Lloyd." Kratos smiled comfortingly at his son and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Don't be so hard on yourself. That's my job."

That got a smile out of him. He ducked his head, embarrassed. "Whatever," he said as Kratos pulled his hand away. "Come on, let's go get something to eat. Genis made stew!"

Kratos swung his legs out of bed and stood, stretching his muscles with a groan. "Ah...I forgot how much this hurts. Mana deprivation...it's nastier than I remember."

Lloyd shifted on his feet. "Um…thank you for helping me back there with Yggdrasill."

Kratos smiled and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I'm just glad you're safe, Lloyd. That's all that matters."

In the kitchenette in the basement, the rest of the group was sitting on the floor, a pot of stew in the middle. Genis and Colette both smiled when Kratos and Lloyd came down.

"Kratos! You're awake!" Colette clasped her hands together. "I'm so happy you're feeling better!"

"Thank you, Chosen." Kratos and Lloyd both sat down and Genis handed them bowls of food. "So, Raine, you said we needed to discuss our plans."

"Yes, I think it's time," Raine said testily, "that we put all our cards on the table."

Zelos was grinning, his smile fake and plastic. "Heh. I know where this is going." He gestured to Kratos. "So. Which one of us traitors will you interrogate first, hmm?"

"Zelos!" Sheena stared at him in shock. "You knew about Kratos the whole time?"

"Of course he did," Raine said with a sigh. "It was inconceivable that Yggdrasill would send him to observe us, but not tell him about Kratos being in our group."

"Hehe." Zelos closed his eyes and shrugged. "What can I say? Cruxis offered me a pretty sweet deal for my cooperation."

"Let's start there," Raine said. "What exactly is Cruxis giving you that convinced you to work for them?"

Zelos exhaled slowly. "…You really want to know? Alright." He closed his eyes. "Yggdrasill promised to remove my birth status. He said he'll make…someone else the Chosen."

"He can do that?" Genis asked, shocked.

"He can do anything he wants," Zelos said in a low voice. "You guys still don't get it. Yggdrasill didn't just stumble into Cruxis and become its leader. He built Cruxis. The entire Church system, the Desians, everything. That was his doing."

"He's right," Kratos said. "Yggdrasill has taken great pains to ensure that Cruxis controls every aspect of the world. Although," he added, "I don't believe he ever was going to keep his end of the deal with you. Transferring the title of Chosen would require a lot of work; it would honestly be easier just to kill you."

His proclamation was met with stunned silence, except for Zelos, who simply said, "Well, that would get me out of being the Chosen."
Raine interrupted. "Let's move on. Kratos, you said you were surprised that Yggdrasill came down to speak with Lloyd in person. Why is that?"

Kratos nodded. "Yggdrasill…much prefers to be a mysterious figure behind Cruxis. If the world knew that Cruxis was run by a single man, the entire organization would lose credibility and control. If I'm being honest, there are only a few times I can remember him to coming down from Derris-Kharlan to interfere."

"Really?" Raine raised an eyebrow. "Tell us."

Kratos stopped. He had to tread carefully. "…I left Cruxis once before, many years ago. None of his subordinates or followers could capture me. Eventually, it came down to Yggdrasill and Yuan chasing me throughout both worlds."

Raine nodded in understanding. "So, Yggdrasill is getting desperate, is what you're saying."

"Correct."

"And desperation makes him dangerous."

"Also correct." Kratos sighed. "That's why he's using magic such as Time Stop, despite the inherent risks. He's willing to do anything to get me back under Cruxis' control."

Lloyd frowned. "Wait, why is that weird spell he used risky for him? He almost killed you with it!"

"Lloyd, high level spells like Time Stop aren't like the magic Genis and I cast." Raine sighed wearily. "Honestly, did you pay any attention to my lesson on mana consumption and reabsorption?"

"Uh…I had a headache that day!" Lloyd grinned at her.

"I suppose if you've never studied it," Genis explained, "it doesn't seem that different than a regular spell. But Time Stop is one of the most advanced magic spells that's ever been created. There have been tons of stories about magic-users dying because they exhausted all their mana trying to cast it."

"It's also considered taboo among spell casters," Raine added. "Any sort of magic that manipulates time can have disastrous consequences. The fact that Yggdrasill is able to stop and start time at his will is…concerning."

"It wouldn't say that," Kratos said with a wry smile. "Yggdrasill is a gifted spell caster—I've never met anyone who has such power over mana as he does. But even he cannot use those types of spells for a long period of time. They weaken within seconds, and completely break within several minutes."

"Of course," Raine said quietly. "That's why you were breaking through the spell. You weren't trying to fight him at all, were you?"

"No," Kratos replied. "I will admit, if I had to fight Yggdrasill one on one…I'm not sure I would be able to defeat him. So I simply took up all his time and energy, hoping he would become exhausted."

"Interesting tactic," Raine mused.

"You shouldn't do that sort of stuff!" Sheena burst out. Kratos raised an eyebrow at her. "Look, I learned all about this during my training to become a summoner. If you use all your mana, you die. You can't be healed, it's too late. It's really, really dangerous."

"Be that as it may." Kratos folded his arms. "This is no time to hold back. You're going to have to get used to danger if you want to defeat Yggdrasill."

They fell silent, digesting this. Finally, Raine said, "Then I suppose we only need one other question answered." She turned to Zelos, eyes narrowed. "Zelos. Are you a member of Cruxis or a member of our group? Because you can't be both."

"Hmm…" Zelos squinted. "I mean…let's be honest. Whose side would you be on?" He held up his hands. "One side has the weight of the entire world religion, a crazy powerful madman, and a goddess. The side has…" He glanced around. "…well, you have a great personality."

"Zelos!" Sheena reached over and socked his arm. "Stop playing around! You're on our side, right?"

Zelos' smile faded. "Look, I don't think you understand. I'm all for stopping Cruxis, but…I have to look out for myself."

"Then go!" Sheena snarled in disgust. "If you aren't going to help us, then just go join Cruxis! You…you ass!" She huffed and jerked head away from him.

"It seems we agree on something," Raine said coldly. "Zelos, you can't stay in our party if you're going to work against us. You need to leave."

"Right," Genis said. "We're enemies now…"

Zelos shrugged, though it wasn't his usual laid back shrug. "Well…I guess I should've expected it…"

"No."

All eyes turned, once again, to Lloyd, the only dissenting voice. Raine sighed.

"Lloyd. You always see the good in people, but this is just absurd. He just confessed that he's going to work against us!"

Lloyd shrugged. "So? We've known that he's working for Cruxis since we met him. What's different now?"

"Lloyd." Kratos turned to his son. "You think Zelos can be convinced to join us, don't you?"

"Well…yeah." Lloyd stood up and nodded towards Zelos, who was staring at him. "Look, you said you didn't want to be the Chosen anymore, right? Well, if we win and take down Cruxis, there won't be any Chosens anymore."

"Besides, Professor," Colette added. "Zelos can spy on Yggdrasill for us! It's perfect!"

"I knew you all were going to do this," Raine said, exasperated. "You are all too soft."

"Please, Professor," Lloyd said. "Just like Colette said, we can use Zelos to get info on Cruxis!"

"Well, it would benefit us to have you act as a double agent." Raine sighed. "And I suppose that we don't have anything to lose."

"Wait." Kratos glared sternly at Zelos. "We're giving you quite the gift here. So in return…there's something I want."

"Heh. What is it?" Zelos held up both his hands. "Don't know what I can do for you, but ask away."

"…In Derris-Kharlan, there is a material that Yggdrasill keeps a close eye on. It's called aionis."

Raine stiffened. "Aionis?"

Kratos ignored her, intent on Zelos. "I'm almost certain that Yggdrasill has it kept under wraps. But you're clever. Surely you can get a hold of some."

Zelos scoffed. "Sure. I'll just go up there, waltz in, and steal something from him. Yeah. That'll go well."

"Try." Kratos folded his arms. "I need that material."

"Why on earth would you need—?" Raine blinked, then made a noise in her throat. "Never mind. I know you won't tell me."

"Because it's not important right now." Kratos nodded at Zelos. "Well? Do I have your word?"

Zelos stared at him, then nodded. "Fine. You got it, old man. If I get the chance, I'll grab some aionis for you. I guess I do owe you one."

"Good." Kratos turned around towards the stairs. "Now, if that's all we have to talk about…I'm going to go rest. I assume we'll be heading for Sybak tomorrow?"

"Yes, that's the plan," Raine mused. "You seem to have recovered quickly, so I doubt you'll have any trouble."

"Then goodnight." Kratos started to head upstairs, but Lloyd shouted at him.

"Wait, Kratos! Why won't you tell us what's going on?" He was right behind the older man, fist clenched. "Why are you still being all secretive?"

"Because I have to be." The blunt tone of Kratos' voice was enough to stop any more questions Lloyd had. "Trust me."

Lloyd frowned. "Alright...I guess I do trust you." He glanced up at Kratos and gave him a playful grin. "But you know I'll figure it out eventually, right? I'm pretty good at wearing people down. Just ask the Professor!"

Kratos gave him his small smile before he continued upstairs. "Goodnight, Lloyd."

Around midnight, after everyone had fallen asleep, Kratos was restless; he ended up wondering the halls of the House of Salvation.

The darkness of the church was peaceful and serene. Kratos found himself sitting on a pew in front of the shrine to Martel. Despite the unsettling location, he was enjoying the simple pleasure of being able to be alone in the quiet, still night.

"Um…Kratos?"

Of course not.

"Yes, Chosen?" He eyed the young girl wearily. She was dressed in a nightgown, her normally perfectly smooth blonde hair tussled from sleep, her feet bare on the stone floor. "You shouldn't be up so late."

"Oh, I just had a bad dream." She smiled brightly, clearly not perturbed by the dream in the least. "I'll go back in a few minutes. But, if you're up, can I ask you something?"

"…" Kratos nodded his assent. Of course she would have questions: about Cruxis, about his betrayal, about the religion she spent her entire life enmeshed in. He was surprised she hadn't started questioning him sooner.

"Did you lose your soul? When you became an angel?"

This was not the question he had expected. He looked slightly taken aback. "No. I went through the transformation, which was painful, but I eventually had a Key Crest put on and regained my senses before it got to that point. Why do you ask?"

"It's horrible," she told him. He moved over on the pew to make room for her as she sat down. "Because you're not gone, you're just stuck. It's like your body is going without you. You can't move and you can't speak and you can't…scream." She closed her eyes tightly, as if she could shut out the bad memories. "It's like you're stuck in the Crystal. Trapped. And there's nothing you can do about it."

"Chosen…"

She opened her eyes again. "I was just curious. Because…well, I can remember things from when I lost my soul. Things that I did and I heard."

"Were you dreaming about that?"

"…Yes," she admitted. "I was dreaming that...that we were fighting you. That happened, right?"

Kratos sighed. "It did."

"But you came back to us."

"I did."

Silence descended on them, as there was no more to say. Kratos considered comforting her, though he was not the most comforting of people. Besides, that's what she had her friends for. Let Lloyd be the one to comfort her.

"You should go to back to sl—" he began, but she cut him off.

"Thank you."

Kratos blinked. "What?"

"For looking out for us." Colette smiled warmly at him. "I know you gave up a lot to come with us. So I wanted to thank you."

"…" Kratos didn't know what to say. Colette seemed to take his silence as acknowledgement and stood up.

"Thanks for talking to me, too, Kratos. I think I'll go back to sleep now. Goodnight."

She went back up the stairs, her footsteps fading away. He glanced up at Martel's statue, the lifeless eyes staring down at him. He started to stand up, but stopped as he caught sight of more movement.

There was someone else. Some who was sneaking out in the middle of the night, his cloak over their head as they ducked out of the doorway.

Kratos followed.

Zelos kept his hood up as he walked through the wet, shining grass. He had almost gotten caught on the way down the stairs; Colette had been going up to her room. But he'd avoided her by ducking into a broom closet. No one had seen him.

"Chosen."

Of course not.

"What now, old man?" he called. Kratos soft footsteps came closer from behind him. "What are you sneaking around for?"

"Following you, obviously." Kratos stood beside him, arms folded. "So, who are you going to go see now?"

"You always think the worst of me," Zelos replied. "Maybe I'm just going to visit a girl I like for some late-night fun." He shot Kratos a wink, to which the older man rolled his eyes. "You'd know all about that, eh?"

Kratos sighed. "I shouldn't even have bothered. This is a waste of my time."

Zelos narrowed his eyes. "Then get out of here."

He started to walk away, cloak swishing in the breeze. However, he stopped when Kratos continued.

"You know, Lloyd really does trust you." Zelos whipped his head around to see Kratos staring at him. "I don't know why. You flat out told us that you'd rather work with Cruxis. And yet…he still thinks you'll come around."

"Ha. He sure didn't get that from you," Zelos said. "Your old lady the trusting type?"

"…She married me."

"Too trusting, then." Zelos turned around again, heading for the exit of the city. "I'll see ya later, old man. Don't wait up."

He continued walking away. Kratos' footsteps faded away as he headed back to the House of Salvation. Zelos grit his teeth and kept walking.

Damn Kratos. Damn Yggdrasill. Getting him caught up in this whole mess, where he had to weigh all his conflicts in his head. It shouldn't be this hard to do the right thing.

Damn it all.