Hey everyone! Sorry for the sporadic updates; this semester is already crazy but I'm writing as often as I can, promise! Thanks to everyone sticking with the story - I'm glad you guys like it! :)
Recap: Lloyd has been kidnapped. He's just managed to get free from his cell, but now he has to somehow escape the Desian base he is being held in.
I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
((LLOYD POV))
I looked around. The hallway was actually a dead-end filled with cells, which were all thankfully empty. I bent and checked on Rix, but he was still out cold. I searched him and found some kind of circular thing. I flipped it open, and a small screen filled with text data that didn't make any sense to me. In the corner was a list of people's names, along will a small picture of a person talking. So, this was how he had talked to that other man! I didn't know how it worked, but I knew I couldn't just leave it here for Rix when he woke up. If it beeped when I was sneaking out, though, it could give me away, so I placed it on the floor before stomping on it. It cracked, and little pieces flew everywhere. I could almost hear the Professor yelling at me that I had just ruined her 'specimen', and I grinned before frowning – the memory of the Professor reminded me I had to hurry or I'd face bigger trouble than the Desians.
I shivered. It was kinda cold in this hallway. I slipped my jacket back on, wincing. I crept down the hall, not seeing anyone, and only wincing occasionally. I found that if I relaxed my muscles and made no sudden, jerky movements, I felt little real pain. I came across a door and debated with myself for a few seconds before pressing my ear to it to try to hear anything. Nothing. Hoping it was the exit, even though I knew it wouldn't be that easy, I eased it open and peered inside. It was empty of people, so I went in and swiftly cracked the door behind me, afraid to close it completely in case it locked automatically. I looked around, and appeared to be in a storage room.
I wandered down the rows of boxes and shields and various others things, when a double scabbard caught my eye. It was mine! Yes! I quickly picked it up and I could have cried with joy when I felt the familiar weight of the twin blades inside them. I strapped it on quickly, feeling more confident with my weapons back. Now, if I had to I could fight, although it would be better if I could sneak out.
I peeked out the door and was relieved to see the hallway still empty, so I left the room. I crept down, and came to a fork: left or right. I headed right, and came to a large set of double doors. I tried to ease one open, but it wouldn't budge. I tried to other, but no good – they were locked. Left it is, then. I retreated and went down the left fork, sneaking as quietly as I could down the hall. I came to another door and opened it a crack, peeking in before rapidly shutting it again, stopping just in time from slamming it. Inside was a small closet, and there was a blue haired man bound and gagged inside! And he was naked! What the hell were these Desians up to? I had to get out of here!
After calming down somewhat, I continued down the hallway. I came to a door at the end and pressed my ear to it. Silence. I eased it open and slipped through.
"Who the hell are you?" A man yelled.
I turned around from shutting the door and came face to face with two Desians standing no more than five feet away from me. Damn. They must have been patrolling this hallway.
"Hey… doesn't he look like the kid they brought in unconscious?" the other Desian asked, squinting at me.
"Uh…" I said.
"Holy shit! Prison break!" The first Desian said, drawing his sword and charging me.
"Dammit!" I said, drawing my blades, pain shooting down my spine as my muscles tensed.
"Double Demon Fang!" I yelled, tripping up both Desians now charging me. I ran to one and started slashing at him. Unbalanced, he fell over with a shout and I mercilessly stabbed him through the stomach. One down.
"You little bastard!" The other Desian yelled, turning to me and charging, outraged I had just gutted his friend.
I ducked and was forced to leave my sword in the dead Desian's stomach in order to avoid the blade of the Desian currently attacking me.
Awkwardly, I shifted my remaining blade into my left hand and slashed it. Thankfully, the Desian was either inexperienced or too emotional over his friend and I got a few hits in. He stumbled back and I said: "Sonic Thrust!". Mana shot down to my blade and my Cruxis Crystal lit up. I stabbed him powerfully, but stumbled a bit since I wasn't used to using only one sword with that attack.
The Desian groaned and slumped to the ground. I double checked that they were dead and stomped on their talking-box-thingies. I closed my eyes for a moment and just took deep breaths, trying to force the pain back that had been growing since the adrenaline started fading. Once I had it under control, I headed to the body that my other blade was stuck in, which was right by the door I had come through, when it suddenly opened and a group of at least six Desians stood staring at me.
I took one look at them and my brain screamed Shit! while my body whimpered in pain. I knew I couldn't fight them, not like this. So I turned and sprinted down the hallway.
"Hey! Dammit, get him!" I heard one of them yell, and footsteps pounded after me. I made it to the end of the hall and went through the next door. I slammed it shut behind me and smashed the blinking light next to it, causing it to turn an angry red. I hoped that meant I locked it or broke it. Either one would buy me some time. I turned and sent a silent prayer of thanks that the wide room I was in was empty.
I heard pounding on the door and muted curses, and sent another thank you to the Goddess or whatever angel was watching out for me. I then surveyed the room more critically. It wasn't a hallway like I was used to being in; instead, it was a wide open area with various consoles and machines. In the very center, there was a large machine with lots of wires and chips indented into the floor. I walked closer to it and saw that there was actually another mini level under the machine. Wonder what it did…?
Suddenly, red lights flashed in the room and a loud wail sounded. Shit, I guess that's the alarm. I have to be extra careful now. Goddammit! I thought. I heard footsteps and voices approaching, and realized the group of Desians must have went around to the other entrance to this room. I quickly jumped down into the lower level and wedged my body between the machine and the wall, ignoring the pain shooting up and down my back and evening out my breath.
"Damn! He must have got away!" I heard someone say.
"Whoa! That kid in red just disappeared!" Another voice said.
"Shut up! How could he get away when this is the only other passage?" A third asked.
"Who the hell knows! Search the entire compound. Lord Botta's gonna be pissed." The first said.
There were some grumbles, and I heard the door open and close once more, then all was silent. I counted to twenty in my head before I carefully got out of my hiding spot. I frowned, looking down at my outfit – did it really stand out that much? Shrugging and deciding I had bigger things to worry about, I started moving. As I approached the edge of the lower area in order to haul myself up onto the main floor, the Sorcerer's Ring tingled on my hand. I stared at it, and noticed it was glowing slightly. I waved my hand back and forth, and it seemed whenever I placed the Ring near the machine, it tingled more and glew bright. I placed it right up against the machine and there was a small ding as the two clicked together. A jolt went from my finger down my arm and I jerked, causing my back more pain. I frowned but shook my head, knowing I didn't have time for this. I pulled myself up to the main level and cautiously walked to the only working door.
As I approached it, I wearily took inventory. My body was spasming in pain, my legs felt like one of the Professor's cooking attempts, the center of my back felt as if there was a large ball of lightning still lodged in it, I only had one sword and the Sorcerer's Ring left to defend myself with, the entire base knew I had escaped my cell and was on the alert, and I had to somehow sneak out of here and make it back to Triet before the Professor and Kratos realized that I was stupid enough to leave the Inn and get myself kidnapped.
Sometimes, I think fate really hates me.
I reached the door and stood staring at it for a moment. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Okay, you can do this. I thought. Just sneak out without being seen, avoid any fights, and ignore the pain. You've been hurt worse than this before, and you'll probably be in even more pain from something else later on. You'll be okay. Dwarven Vow #22 – Keep your mind focused and you can endure any pain to reach your goal. I gritted my teeth and eased the door open a crack, peering out into the hallway. A Desian was slowly walking away from the door. He must be in charge of patrolling this area until they find me. I thought.
I frowned. How the hell am I gonna get past him? Hmm… maybe I could shoot him with the Sorcerer's Ring before he can sound another alarm, like I did with Rix?
Hardening my resolve, I quietly eased the door open enough that I could slip through, then I lined up the Ring with the Desian and sent a small burst of mana outwards. Instead of the blast of mana that I was used to, however, the Ring fired a concentrated ball of lightning at the Desian! The guy never knew what hit him and he went down with a small thud. I stared at the Ring, wondering how the hell its shooting had changed, when I suddenly remembered its weird reaction to the machine in the other room. It must have changed what the Sorcerer's Ring fires! Cool! I grinned and crept down the hallway, confident in my new way to defend myself. While the lightning it shot was no where near the size or power of the blast I'd been hit with, it did its job. I stepped on the Desians' talking box, grinning at the satisfying crunch, before continuing down the hallway.
I tried the next two doors I came to, but both were locked. My grin faded as I began to worry about my escape once more. How the hell was I supposed to get out of this place if every door was locked? I sighed and shook my head, continuing down the winding hallway. There was a soft gliding sound of a door being opened and one of the doors that I had just passed opened and at least four Desians walked out into the hallway. I had just turned around to see what the noise was when the lead yelled, "It's the kid in red! Get him!"
"Goddammit!" I yelled, turning and sprinting further down the corridor, the Desians following in pursuit. There was no way I could fight them this injured and with only one sword, and there was too many of them to try to knock them all out with the Sorcerer's Ring. I saw another door approaching on my left and praying it wasn't locked, I lunged for it.
Thankfully, it opened for me and I hurriedly entered and slammed it behind me, flipping the metal lock just as the Desians who had been following me tried to open it. Once I was sure they weren't going to get in, I turned and saw I was in an office of some kind, which was thankfully unoccupied. There was a large desk in the center of the room, and the back wall was lined with shelves full of files and books. I slumped against the door and closed my eyes for a moment, jerking them open and away from the door in surprise when a man entered from another door I hadn't noticed and exclaimed, "What the hell is all that noise? And just who the hell are you?"
I raised my only blade slightly in front of me and eyed him. He was obviously a half-elf, and a higher up Desian, as his pointed ears and fancy uniform told me. Instead of wearing the typical blue uniform of the foot soldier Desians, he had on a red and black top with white pants, blue boots, and a long cape the same blue as his clothing on the outside, but lined with red material. His ice blue hair was pulled into a pony that fell past his shoulders and down his back. His voice sounded vaguely familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place it. His blue eyes sparked with anger and were regarding me intently.
I cocked my head and smirked at him. "Give me your name and I'll give you mine." I said.
His eyes narrowed, and he took a step toward me; I immediately raised my sword a little higher in warning and he said: "Who do you think…?" He stopped and tilted his head, and something like recognition flashed in his eyes so quickly I might have imagined it.
He nodded to himself. "I see. Even now, I see the resemblance." He murmured.
I raised an eyebrow at him but otherwise maintained my position.
"You're Lloyd, correct?" The man asked.
My grin faded and I regarded him more closely. He wasn't as stupid as he looked, it seemed. "And if I am?" I questioned.
The man's gaze drifted to my Cruxis Crystal, then returned to meet my eyes. He smirked at me. "It's a pleasure, Chosen One." He said, giving me a mock bow.
I scowled at him. "Well since you know who I am, how about you tell me who exactly you are?"
He chuckled. "I see no need to introduce myself to a puppet. Now, will you go quietly back to your cell, or will you make this difficult?"
I narrowed my eyes at him and prepared for a fight. There was no way I was going to willingly be imprisoned. I just had to knock him out long enough to double back through the hallway I'd come from – the Desians after me wouldn't think I'd be stupid enough to go back that way, and I could avoid capture a little longer. Besides, this guy didn't seem so tough. Even in pain and with only one sword, I was confident I could take him. I couldn't risk the time and effort it would take to blast him with the Sorcerer's Ring, instead saving my mana to help me attack.
He narrowed his eyes as well once he realized that I was planning on fighting him. He started toward me and raised his right hand. I darted to the right and focused my mana into my sword, my Cruxis Crystal glowing. "Demon Fang!" I shouted, and though it was a bit awkward and weaker than normal, a shockwave traveled across the ground and hit the mystery Desian. He stumbled and cursed, giving me enough time to maneuver the large desk between the two of us.
"You're just making this harder on yourself, Chosen One. I guarantee you will feel more pain this way." The man said, regaining his balance and taking a stance, once again raising his right hand and aiming his palm at me.
"As if! Bring it on, old man!" I taunted, confident.
He raised an eyebrow and my jaw dropped as I watched lightning gather in the palm of his outstretched hand.
Goddammit! I thought. Just the sight of the gathering lightning had my back twitching in pain.
He released the pent up energy and I dodged to my left, managing to not get hit but it was close. The attack traveled faster than I had expected, and the ball of lightning grazed my right arm, burning a small hole in my jacket sleeve and singeing my skin. I hissed and he smirked, gathering another ball of lightning once more. I had no warning this time, and I frantically brought my sword up in an awkward defensive pose just as the energy hit it. My blade dispersed it, for the most part, although my arm tingled from the attack and I was forced to take a few steps backward from the force of it.
He openly grinned now and quickly advanced, firing another ball of lightning at me. I dodged to my right, and found myself being neatly backed into the corner of the room. The man pinned me there with blasts, and it was all I could do to defend myself and not take a full hit. All too soon, he was around the desk and my back hit the wall, causing me to wince.
"Now, now, Chosen One…" He started, charging up another attack. Grimly I raised my sword once more in defense and prepared myself for more pain, when the door was suddenly broken down and a Desian rushed in.
"Sir!" He said, rushing over to the blue-haired man's side.
My eyes narrowed and I studied this Desian. He was a few inches shorter than the blue-haired man, with dark brown spiked hair and a matching beard. He had on a black and white top with only one sleeve, white pants, and black boots. He was carrying a large curved blood red blade that was easily double the size of my own in his right hand. He looked familiar, and he had called the other Desian 'sir'… My gaze snapped back to the blue-haired man, who was calmly regarding the other Desian while still aiming a lightning ball at me, when I realized that his voice was the voice that I had heard earlier giving Rix his orders. This guy was the leader of this base! And the other…
"You bastard!" I yelled. Both pairs of eyes, one set blue and the other brown, snapped to me and I growled, glaring at the brown-haired arrival.
"You're the Desian who attacked us at the Temple! Botta!" I said angrily.
"So this is where you went, Chosen One. My, this is amusing." Botta mused, his eyes twinkling for a second before he turned his attention back to the other man, the lead Desian.
"Sir. It appears the Chosen's group had infiltrated the facility. You were right; they have found him." Botta said.
Seconds earlier I had resigned myself to more pain, but Botta's statement caused hope to bloom in me. My friends had come to rescue me!
The leader's eyes narrowed, and he lowered his right hand, the gathered lightning disappearing.
"Then I'll be leaving for now. Our plans will be ruined if I stay." The blue-haired man said. He sent me one last glare and added: "But don't forget, Lloyd – next time we meet, you are mine." He then swiftly left the room through the door he had entered it, his cape swirling behind him. Botta stepped into the place he had vacated and raised his blade in my direction.
"Rock Breaker." He said calmly, slashing his blade at me. I managed to knock his blade away with my own, but I wasn't prepared for pieces of the tiled floor to suddenly fly up and attack me. I knocked some away, but most pelted me, hitting my arms and legs. One large one managed to hit my stomach, and I slammed my sword into the ground, doubled over it and heaving as the breath was forcibly knocked out of me and my back spasmed in pain. I bit my lip but couldn't hold back my gasping or whimper of pain.
Suddenly, footsteps were running toward the room and Botta turned to face the doorway just as my companions burst through it.
"Lloyd!" Genis yelled.
"Lloyd! Are you hurt?" Colette cried.
I lifted me head and saw Genis, Colette, Kratos, and the Professor standing on the other side of the desk, all of them holding their weapons at the ready. I managed to smile slightly at them, and forced myself to stand up, although I couldn't hide my wince or the slight shaking of my limbs. The effort of escaping and pain was creeping up on me, and I didn't know how much longer I'd be able to stay upright. Good thing I hadn't wasted mana trying to shoot the leader earlier.
Colette and Genis frowned at me, while the Professor and Kratos narrowed their eyes at Botta.
"You guys all came for me?" I asked, breathing heavy.
"Of course, Lloyd." The Professor responded calmly.
"Ah, what timing. I shall take care of you all at once!" Botta declared.
Kratos sent him a glare that would have killed weaker men, then glanced at me.
"Lloyd, can you fight?" He asked quietly.
I grimaced, and shook my head 'no'. Kratos just nodded.
"Enough!" Botta said, and he charged around the desk. Kratos ran to meet him, getting up close, rendering Botta's long blade pretty much useless. Clangs of metal rang throughout the room.
"Everyone, please defend Lloyd. Professor Raine, Genis – support me with magic. Colette, protect them all and use long-range attacks. I will deal with this." Kratos said calmly, his voice not betraying the fact that he was currently fighting a man twice as muscled as himself with a weapon twice as big.
My friends nodded and hurried to obey Kratos, rushing around the other side of the desk. Genis and the Professor sent me worried glances before beginning to cast, while Colette stared into my eyes and whispered my name, her eyes welling a little.
"Colette, I'll be fine. I can send some long-range attacks out, too. Let's hurry up and get out of here." I said.
Colette blinked rapidly and nodded, whispering "I'm sorry" before turning to face Botta and Kratos, beginning to throw her chakrams and Pow Hammers at Botta when she could.
"Lloyd, save your mana. We will handle this." The Professor murmured, before shouting "Barrier!". I wearily nodded and leaned most of my weight against the wall, ignoring the painful pressure it put on my back, as a prism of mana briefly surrounded Kratos, increasing his defense.
The Professor immediately started charging up another spell, and Kratos suddenly yelled "Super Sonic Thrust!", his blade slipping under Botta's and stabbing clear through the man's stomach. Botta gasped and clutched his wound, and Kratos pulled his sword free, looking at him grimly.
"Fire Ball!" Genis yelled, and though injured, Botta managed to turn sidewise and slash his sword at the three balls of fire, scattering them completely. He winced at the action, and as Kratos was raising his blade to attack once more, Colette suddenly yelled "Pow Hammer!", and a bright red hammer smacked Botta in the head. That combined with all the previous hits he had taken were apparently all he could take. He dropped he long blade with a wince and backed to the door the blue-haired lead Desian had left through moments earlier.
"It seems I underestimated you." Botta panted, clutching his stomach.
"Hmph." Kratos said, sheathing his blade and crossing his arms over his chest.
Botta glanced at me before turning and running through the back door, quickly closing and locking it behind him. An alarm suddenly sounded, and we all glanced at the door for a moment. Genis and the Professor both dismissed the mana they had been gathering, and all of my companions turned to face me. I forced myself to stand up without the support of the wall, managing to only slightly wince, and smiled softly.
"Thanks, guys." I said quietly.
The Professor nodded and Kratos studied me carefully while Genis and Colette rushed closer to me.
"Lloyd! Are you okay?" Genis asked.
"I'll be fine." I said.
"Lloyd, I'm so sorry we didn't get here sooner!" Colette said, hugging me tightly.
I sharply inhaled and tried to fight the black spots appearing before my eyes.
"Colette…" I whimpered.
"Eep! Ohmigosh, Lloyd! I'm so so so sorry!" Colette said, releasing me and wringing her hands.
I took a deep breath and blinked a few times. "It's okay."
"But Lloyd…" Colette said.
"Perhaps we should save the chitchat for later?" Kratos said, his eyebrow raised.
"Yes, we should leave while we can. I opened the main exit earlier." The Professor said.
Kratos nodded. "Lloyd, can you walk on your own?"
I forced myself to stand up straighter. "Of course!" I said confidently.
He gave me a skeptical look but nodded.
"C'mon, let's go!" Genis said, grabbing my right hand.
"I'll help! I'll carry your sword, Lloyd!" Colette chirped, taking my blade from my left hand then holding it with one of her own.
"Hmmm…" The Professor said, bending down to examine Botta's discarded weapon.
"Professor, let's go." I said.
"Yes, coming." The Professor replied, pulling something off the handle of the blade and stuffing it in her pocket.
"Lloyd." Kratos said.
"What?" I wearily asked.
"I would prefer to heal you after we have safely left this base and I have the chance to properly examine your wounds. If, however, you are in too much pain to keep up with us, I will perform a quick First Aid now." Kratos said.
I thought about it for a second, but shook my head. "Nah, I can wait."
Kratos nodded. "Very well."
The five of us walked to the exit Botta had broken down and Kratos motioned for us to be silent as he cautiously slipped out into the hallway. He reappeared moments later and motioned for us to follow him. We walked down the hall as quietly as possible, heading the opposite way from how I had come, with Kratos in the lead, Genis, Colette and I following, and the Professor bringing up the rear. I squeezed my friends hands as we moved, trying to reassure them that I was all right. Genis smiled up at me, and Colette's entire face lit up in happiness and relief.
At the end of the hall, Kratos once again scouted the area ahead before we followed. We continued on like that for several minutes, miraculously not running into any Desians. Wonder what that alarm that went off as Botta left meant…? Fire? Run away and hide? Abandon ship? After taking many twists and turns that I quickly gave up trying to follow, we came to a set of large double doors. Kratos glanced back at the Professor, who nodded slightly, and he nodded in return, pushing open one side of the doors smoothly.
We stepped out into the desert sun and even though I was in pain, I felt my face break out into a giant grin.
"Whine!"
Suddenly I was pushed back a few steps and a large wet tongue dragged itself across my face. I dropped my friends' hands and pulled my dog closer to me, rubbing and petting him behind his ears.
"Noishe! You came, too?" I asked, laughing.
"Whine!" Noishe responded, looking up at me with a huge doggy grin.
"Noishe led us here!" Colette said.
"Yeah, it's because of him we found where you had been taken!" Genis added.
"Really? Thanks, Noishe!" I said.
"Whine!" Noishe licked my face again.
Kratos cleared his throat and I turned to see him regarding us softly and the Professor smiling.
"We should head back to Triet. It's about two hours from here, so once we arrive, I suggest we eat dinner and recuperate at the Inn. Lloyd, I will heal you once we are safely inside the city. We will leave for the Seal of Fire tomorrow, provided everyone is ready." Kratos said, pointedly looking at me for the last part.
I grinned at him and we all nodded.
"Then let's go. Be careful – we will have to protect Lloyd if we are attacked." The Professor said.
Everyone nodded again, but I shared a grimace with Noishe. I wasn't completely useless! I still had the Sorcerer's Ring, dammit.
Yay, Lloyd's saved! :)
There's at least one more chapter of Lloyd to kind of wrap this part of his story up before we check in on our favorite Tethe'allan Chosen. Wonder what Sheena's up to?
Suggestions? Comments? Questions? Leave it all in a review! Please~
:)