An update, you may rejoice. Lol just kidding.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing.

"I can't see a thing!"

"Well it is the Temple of Darkness; did you expect it not to be dark?" Kratos asked, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.

"Yeah yeah, Dick, go ahead and laugh not like you realized it'd be this bad either."

"Obviously we're going to have to find some way to illuminate the area before we proceed," Kratos said, ignoring the redhead Chosen.

"Hmm…oh, why don't we ask my friends at the research institute?" Sheena suggested. "They've done research her before, so they should know a way in right?'

"So we'll head for Meltokio then," Raine said. "All right everyone let's go."

"Yeah- oof!"

A thud was heard and the group flinched, though more at the sound of their leader's pratfall than for the sake of Zelos' yelp about his foot.

"Lloyd, are you all right?" Kratos asked, not masking the concern in his voice.

"Y- yeah, just tripped, sorry…I'm okay."

"What no one cares about my foot?"

"No," Kratos said flatly. "If anything you are probably the one that tripped him up. Now then let's hurry on and head for Mel-….it is Meltokio, correct?"

He caught himself well, as Raine didn't seem to notice any kind of slip when she confirmed the city name for him.

"Yes, let's be on our way."

Of course, given the situation of wanted status the group was required to once again traverse the sewers. Kratos didn't complain , he had endured far worse conditions over his lifetime, and told the group such when he appeared undaunted by their endeavor.

"Wow, really? Something worse than this?" Genis raised an eyebrow.

"You see a lot of things when you travel for a living." Kratos tilted his head a bit. "For instance on one boat-ride some friends and I came across an island completely inhabited by Katz."

"…Wow you really have been around huh?" Sheena stared.

"I suppose that's one thing you could say…"

"You could also say he's old," Zelos said.

"Yes, we have established I'm elderly." Kratos snapped flatly, trying not to show his irritation.

"Come on Zelos, give him a break," Genis said, frowning a bit. "Why do you hate him so much?"

"I never said I hated him, I just don't like him, what's wrong with that?"

Kratos frowned a bit. While he honestly didn't care what his or most of the group's opinion was on him, it did seem a bit odd the Chosen would be so blatantly …disagreeable toward him. Did he…did he know something, perhaps? No, that was ridiculous, how could he? But he did act toward him much how he had acted to 'Kratos' when they crossed paths in Cruxis' little games…

However, nothing eventful really seemed to happen. They made their way out of the sewers and into the city well enough, they even managed to get to the laboratory fine. Things were almost going smoothly…that was until they heard about what had happened to Kate.

"Kate?" Kratos frowned.

For once he didn't have to pretend, he truly had no idea who this woman was.

"She helped us escape when we were arrested in Sybak," Lloyd told him. "Then she told us what to do to help Presea with her exsphere- dammit! She got arrested because of us, didn't she?"

"Just calm down, Lloyd," Kratos said, looking at his son. "If you don't have a clear head you won't be able to help her and are more likely to get yourself and others in danger as well."

Lloyd was still a moment, then slowly glanced up at his father. Kratos tried not to stiffen at the look Lloyd gave him, a questioning, almost horrified look, like there was something he was realizing but was fervently trying to deny to himself.

"Lloyd?" he said. "Is something…wrong?"

"N- No," Lloyd replied stubbornly. "Y – You're right. Just- yeah, you're right. We have to find out some way to help her though."

"Please save Kate!" one researched exclaimed. "If you do, we'll give you the candle and anything else you need, just-"

"Don't worry, we'll save her," Colette smiled. "Uh- where is she being held?"

"The prison block is connected to the coliseum," Regal spoke up. "We could likely get to her through the Coliseum if we were to enter a tournament…"

"Really? Okay then, we've got a plan." Lloyd nodded with a smile. "Let's go."

There really wasn't much more to it than that. They went to the coliseum and were soon debating on who should enter, there was nothing much to it-

That was until Lloyd volunteered.

And that dormant parental instinct launched onto Kratos' psyche like a rabid wolf.

"Alone? Are you sure you can handle that?"

Lloyd twitched, scowling a bit as his ears began to tinge red.

"W- what? Of course I can handle it Dad, come on, it's just a match."

"Awwwww Daddy is protective," Zelos grinned, patting Lloyd on the head.

"Shut up, Zelos!" Lloyd scowled, smacking his hand away.

Kratos frowned and in the back of his mind somehow he recalled something Anna once said to him.

'When he gets older you better not embarrass him in front of his friends'.

Wait…embarrass him? Had he done that? Well- he had, he knew, but that was when he was posing as a mercenary and then a Cruxian angel, humiliating him in hopes to spurn him to strive in his training. That wasn't like this though, he had shown genuine concern for his son-…'protective'? …Was he being- over-protective? Hah, the very idea was ridiculous. After all, not only had he left his son to the blades of others but he had risen his own against him…

"Look I'll go, and I'll be fine," Lloyd said with some emphasis on the last word, glancing pointedly at the elder swordsman. "Okay?"

"…" Kratos nodded. "All right then, just-…be careful."

Lloyd looked at him a moment before nodding, walking up to the receptionist desk. For a moment Kratos thought he might have to step in when the girl working there recognized him, but Raine managed to handle that situation deftly.

"The rest of you can watch from the observation area," the girl told them. "Please enjoy yourselves."

"All right, well here I go," Lloyd said to the group.

"Don't do anything reckless." Raine and Kratos said in unison.

Lloyd's eye twitched slightly but he nodded, then headed for the competitors wing.

"…I suppose that is your role from now on after all," Raine said after a moment, glancing at Kratos.

"Hmph, not at all, you are his teacher, there is nothing wrong with that." Kratos closed his eyes. "Now then let's …prepare, shall we?"

They had to manage to sneak Kate out once Lloyd got her, after all. Lloyd would have no problems getting her out of the jail they knew, but sneaking her out of the coliseum and the city was another matter. They had managed on their way there to get a traveling cloak that would conceal her that was common in color enough that wouldn't draw attention. It were just the transition into and out of the Coliseum atrium…

Despite that, they all did manage to get out of the city quickly and in one piece. Kratos let out a sigh of relief as Raine quickly began to examine Kate for wounds.

"She says she wants to go to Ozette," Lloyd explained to the group.

"Ozette? But Ozette is in shambles right now." Sheena frowned.

"She says it's where she was born," Lloyd said.

"Please, I-…I'd like to go back there, please."

The group exchanged glances before settling their gaze on Lloyd, who nodded.

And that was that.

Ozette was as they had said, in shambles. Kratos frowned as they walked into the destroyed town, trying not to let his guilt be seen. This had been Cruxis' bidding, he knew, though he hadn't been there when the attack had been issued thus couldn't have stopped it, it was the organization that he was part of that had done this-

…No. No it wasn't. Not anymore.

He closed his eyes, confirming it to himself. Not anymore. He wasn't a Seraph anymore, wasn't a Cruxian anymore, wasn't-…wasn't…technically 'Kratos' anymore. He was just Lloyd's father, and that was all he wanted to be.

Kratos remained silent as Kate thanked them and was content to merely listen quietly as she talked with the group. Apparently she was the daughter of an elf and the pope…the very man who had sentenced her to death. He frowned a bit at that but had no need to voice his thoughts seeing as Genis did for all of them.

"Y- your father? How – how could your own father do something like that?" Genis shook his head, his teeth gritted tightly.

Of course Genis would be upset, he was a half-elf himself after all, but-

"Please don't do anything bad to my father," Kate whispered.

"What? Why! He's done bad things to you!" Genis scowled.

"Well- yes but…he's still my father," Kate said, her eyes downcast. "Even- when he only wanted me around to experiment with exspheres, even when I knew it was wrong, I- I was happy. I was happy my father finally needed me. I- I just-"

"A father should never 'need' their child," Kratos said softly, frowning as he too looked at the ground. "A child should need their father, if a father 'needs' their child for any reason, they are not doing their job. They are supposed to be there to support and protect their children, not to use them."

Silence fell and he felt the eyes on him. He frowned a bit more but looked up, meeting Kate's eyes.

"There are no horrible children, Miss Kate," he said. "Yes some may be more…difficult than others, but it is never the child's job to protect or care for their parent. It is the parent's duty to do that for their children, and if they do not do such…they are not worthy of the title."

He knew that very well, didn't he? He was a horrible father, he knew it, he had lost his son, endangered him, betrayed him, lied to him-…he was…still, lying to him. He was still…not worthy to be called-

"Dad?" Lloyd said.

"…You shouldn't ever allow yourself to feel poorly of yourself because of what someone that claims to be a 'father' has or hasn't done," he said, unsure for a moment who he was addressing. "So do not. A real parent would wish only for your happiness and welfare, if they do not wish for that for you, then take it for yourself."

"I…" Kate looked at him a moment, then glanced at Lloyd, then back. "…Who…are you, sir?"

"…"

"This is Richard," Raine said, eyeing the swordsman herself. "…I believe he knows what he's talking about."

"I- See…" Kate said, looking away. "I- Thank you for helping me, and thank you for…that, I just- I need some time to think. Please…"

"O- Of course," Lloyd nodded. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"Yes…thank you."

With that she left.

She was barely out of sight when Lloyd quickly grabbed Kratos' arm, causing the taller man to look at him.

"…Dad-" Lloyd started, then hesitated. "Dad-…Is- is that how you feel?"

Kratos frowned.

"Of course it is, I meant that, a parent should-"

"No I know you mean that," Lloyd shook his head. "I mean- I mean is that how you feel about- about the kind of dad you are?"

Kratos nearly choked, staring down at his son. What? Had he really been so easy to read, so transparent? How- how had Lloyd managed to see that- ?

"I-"

"You already said how you feel guilty and Da-…Dirk, said that you didn't think you 'deserved'-…you're not like that okay? You're nothing like the pope. I- I know I don't know you very well yet, really, but I know enough to know you're a good person." Lloyd smiled weakly.

Kratos tried to think of a response, but nothing came to him. What was he supposed to say? What could he say without ruining his guise or betraying his emotions?

And as if that wasn't enough:

"I trust you, Dad."

The man stared at his son a moment but the boy didn't notice, smiling as he turned to his friends, then turned serious.

"…We should head for the temple of darkness-…Genis, are you okay?"

Lloyd frowned, noting the half-elf's sulking demeanor.

"Huh-? I- …I…I just-"

Lloyd walked over and put his hand on Genis' shoulder.

"People can do bad things, Genis, a lot of people can- most people hurt each other," he said, frowning a bit. "That's how the world is, but that's why we have to change it, right? That's why we have to be different and try to help people, so we can change it, right?'

Genis looked up at him a moment, then hung his head, nodding with a little sniff.

"I just- how- how could he have done that to her just because-"

"Everyone is different, but we all have the same heart." Lloyd smiled weakly. "We all hurt when we're rejected and we all want to have friends and people that care about us. That's the same, it'll always be the same, so someday everyone will see that, okay? I know it."

Kratos stared at his son, trying to control the churning mix of emotions in his chest. Anna would be proud, he thought, as he watched his son reassure his friend. Anna would …have been so proud of their son.

Not of him, though.

She would have been so ashamed…even now, she would be ashamed, wouldn't she? She would tell him to tell Lloyd the truth, to come clean but-but…

He couldn't…

"Okay everyone," Lloyd said. "Let's head back for the temple and make that pact with Shadow."

"It'll be getting late by the time we get there." Regal observed. "Perhaps we should set up camp nearby the temple when we arrive and enter it in the morning."

"Yes, I agree." Raine nodded. "It's been a long day and we all need our rest."

The group chimed their agreement and they were off again. No one talked again much as they mounted the rheairds and headed back for the mountain range. While the group did chat a bit as they flew about this and that, Kratos remained silent, frowning as he went through what had just happened with Kate. What he had said, what Lloyd said, what Anna would have said….

What was the right thing to do? What should he do?

By the time they landed to make camp he still wasn't any closer to resolving those questions as he had been when he thought them up. Wordlessly he went about helping making camp but stopped shortly into it, finding that his muscles were aching in protest. With a groan the man sat himself down, letting out a sigh of relief when his body rested.

Being old was such an inconvenience…

"Tired, Dad?" Lloyd asked as he approached the camp, a bundle of firewood in his arms.

"A little," he said with a frown. "But I'm fine."

Lloyd nodded as he set the wood by the campfire, then turned and walked back down to sit beside him.

"…Uh- Dad, about…earlier."

"Hm?" Kratos looked at him.

"At- the coliseum." Lloyd frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Ah," Kratos said and then when Lloyd didn't continue, he did. "I embarrassed you, didn't I?"

"W- Wh-? N- No that's not what-…." Lloyd sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just…you know, I- I didn't really mind at first- I really don't mind, I guess, that you worry about be and all just- …After a couple times it just seems like you think I just can't take care of myself-"

"So I embarrassed you."

"I-"

Kratos looked at him, his head tilted slightly.

Lloyd looked at him a moment before releasing a sigh of defeat.

"Okay- …maybe a little bit. I just-…" Lloyd frowned. "I…I don't know how to really…do this, you know? Like I told you earlier. I want to …get along with you and all. So then I think that if I do the wrong thing that maybe it'll just mess things up and we won't get along and-"

A soft laugh escaped Kratos and Lloyd stared at him, the elder swordsman closing his eyes, a weak little half-smile on his face.

"You've been thinking about this a lot, haven't you?" he asked.

"I-…well-…"

"Don't worry, Lloyd." Kratos looked at him. "No matter what you do, I will always- …I will always love you."

Lloyd blinked, his cheeks flushing light pink as he looked aside, scratching the tip of his nose.

"Uh-"

"No one heard me," Kratos half sighed half chuckled, the small smile working back into his lips. "I'll try to be more conscious of your feelings when I do things that could potentially embarrass you. Does that make you feel better?"

"I-"

"Unless of course you're about to do something reckless," Kratos said abruptly, glancing at him. "In which case I'll scold you openly, your pride will heal but not all wounds will do the same."

Lloyd twitched.

"I-…Dad?" Lloyd frowned, looking uneasy suddenly.

"…What is it?"

"I- just- …"

Lloyd scanned him a moment and Kratos felt himself tense under the scrutinizing gaze. What? Had he- he slipped up. Of course, what he had just said was too much like what 'Kratos' would have said-

"Dad," Lloyd said again. "I-…"

Then quite suddenly the teen hugged him. Kratos flinched, staring down at the brown hair, stunned, wondering what his son was doing.

"L- Lloyd? What is it-?"

"You-you're you," Lloyd mumbled, though Kratos could tell it was more to himself. "You're my dad…you're Dad."

"…Lloyd-" Kratos frowned, concerned.

"Nothing. I'm okay." Lloyd pulled away suddenly, though he didn't look at him. "I just-…had to remind myself for a moment."

The teen stood before Kratos could say anything.

"I'm going to go see what the others are doing, okay?" the teen smiled weakly. "You just try to rest, I know you're tired."

Lloyd walked off and Kratos stared after him, puzzled and concerned. What had come over him so quickly? What did he mean 'remind' himself-…. He had scared him. He scared him right then, he realized. For his…'father' to sound too much like…the traitor.

For him to sound too much like himself, he'd terrified Lloyd. It had terrified Lloyd to hear his father talk like 'Kratos'.

For the first time in eons Kratos felt as if he was going to be sick.

Wow I'm really mean to them aren't I.

…Well if you think I'm mean now just wait until the cat gets out of the bag x3 MWAHAHAHHA

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