Here it is, the next chapter right on schedule! :D

Thanks to Cami for beta'ing.

This picks up with Lloyd at the first seal - so I'll stop blabbering so you can read it!

I don't own TOS.

((LLOYD POV))

We nodded and headed back into the hallway.

"What do you think the seal is like?" Colette asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Were you not instructed on these matters at the Temple?" Kratos asked.

I scowled. "Venny was a rotten source of information – he didn't tell me anything about the seals except that I have to pray at each one for the Goddess to wake up."

"I see…" Kratos said, deep in thought.

I shrugged again. "Whatever. I'll figure it out when I get there."

Kratos gave me a skeptical look but remained silent.

Just as we were reaching the midway point where the Fake had attacked us, my stomach growled. Loudly.

I whined, "Is it lunch time yet?"

Kratos squinted towards the entrance. "Judging by the amount of light filtering in and allowing time for the fights we encounter, I'd say it is well past midday. At this rate, we may not exit the seal until dinnertime."

I groaned. "No way! I'm starving!"

Kratos looked at me wryly. "Isn't it good that I packed sandwiches, then, Chosen One?"

I grumbled, "Don't call me that." Kratos smirked and set down his pack, pulling out a stack of sandwiches.

"Let's eat quickly." He said, passing them out.

The Professor nodded. "Yes – regained energy is important but I also think we should try to leave as quickly as possible; we don't want to be crossing the desert at night."

"Why not?" I asked around a mouthful of bread and lettuce and meat.

"More monsters come out at night in deserts, and the temperatures will drop dangerously." The Professor explained.

I frowned, nodding. No one else talked as we all hungrily devoured our sandwiches.

"Does this meet with your cooking approval?" Kratos asked me wryly.

"Yeah, yeah. You're done cooking, for now." I muttered.

Kratos nodded, readjusting his pack. "Let's continue."

We continued down this hallway, which looked identical to the previous one. As we neared the doorway at the end, Kratos tensed slightly and drew his blade.

"Be prepared for an attack." He said. We all nodded and readied our weapons.

Cautiously creeping through the entrance, we were greeted with two large red golems wielding fire swords and another magic stone thing.

I groaned. "Right. Kratos and me'll take the fighters. You guys handle the floating stone thingy."

Kratos glanced at me but nodded, and everyone else readily agreed. With a shout, I charged the golem on the left, slashing at it. It blocked most of my hits with its own blade, the fire crackling slightly.

"Hurricane Thrust!" I yelled, attacking with the wind slices the arte called up. Spinning in a circle, I brought my left sword right in front of its chest as my right blocked its blade, shouting "Sonic Thrust!"

At that moment, I was really glad Kratos had me training my arms separately, because just days ago I wouldn't have had enough strength to do that attack on something as strong as this fire-wielding warrior.

My sword pierced its chest, and it dropped its fire sword, the flames going out immediately. I grinned. "Tempest!" Spinning around it, I chopped it to pieces, landing and turning to see how the others had fared.

Kratos had taken out his fighter and was guarding the Professor and Genis along with Colette as the Sages' blasted the stone with magic, it crumbling under the dual attacks.

"All right!" I yelled, thrusting one sword in the air.

"Well done. Let's move on." Kratos said.

Genis and Colette grinned, and the Professor nodded, swiping a strand of hair out of her face.

We made it over to the unlit torch and I aimed the Sorcerer's Ring, sending out a small flame at it, lighting it. The ground shook and we turned to see another bridge rise from the small section the first connected to, connecting it to the large section in the center.

"Yeah! I was right!" I said.

"For once." Genis muttered.

I scowled at him.

"Oh no!" Colette said.

"What is it, Colette?" I asked.

"We can't get there from this side." She said.

I looked back out at the bridges, realizing she was right. I groaned.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

The Professor sighed. "This is a bit redundant."

"There's no use complaining about it. Let's go." Kratos said, heading for the doorway.

We followed. "There's no way you're not even a little bit annoyed." I said.

Kratos shrugged slightly. "There's no point in getting upset over something we have no control over."

The Professor sighed. "Kratos is right. We should just do our best to get to the seal."

I ran a hand through my hair, still irritated.

Walking through the same hallway again was boring. Really, really boring. Why did there have to be tests at all? Why couldn't the altar be right here as soon as you walk in so I could pray and then leave and head to the next one? Why was this so hard?

I sighed in frustration.

"Cheer up, Lloyd! We're halfway there!" Colette said was we passed the offshoot to the exit again.

"I know, I know. I'm just wondering why the hell this is so complicated in the first place? Do they want Chosens to fail or something?" I asked.

"Tests, traps, monsters, and Desians are all to determine the worthiness of the Chosen and test his or her resolve." The Professor said.

I scowled. "I'm here, aren't I? I think that proves I'm going to do this."

"Many Chosens have failed after the first seal. I have a feeling the tests will only get harder." The Professor said.

"Indeed." Kratos said, agreeing with her.

I groaned but let the topic drop. Regardless how annoying the journey turned out to be, I had to do this. I had to save Sylvarant.

We finally entered the left doorway which put us on the right side to reach the bridges. Carefully, we walked over them. I half expected another attack, but strangely none came. We crossed the first bridge and then the second, finally reaching the center of the cavern, only to find… a warp.

"Another warp, huh?" I asked, stepping towards it.

Kratos put his hand out, stopping me. "And as before, I shall go first in case there is a trap awaiting us."

"Well, fine." I muttered as he disappeared in the warp.

"He's only doing his job." The Professor said sternly.

"I know. I'm sorry, Professor." I said, putting my hand behind my head.

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me but to Kratos." She stated before warping up.

"Oooh, Lloyd got in trouble!" Genis said in a sing-song voice.

"Shut it, Genis!" I snapped.

He just laughed, taking the warp next.

Colette gave me a hug. "Cheer up Lloyd!" She smiled.

"Thanks, Colette." I smiled back.

"No problem!" She giggled, before warping away.

Taking a deep breath and preparing myself for whatever was waiting on the other side, I stepped into the warp and felt the unsettling sensation of my body stretching and fading away.

Blinking, I stepped out of the warp on the other side. The room was big and the stone much more polished than the other area was and also better lit.
"Fascinating! This was also made using magitechnology!" The Professor said, running her hand over one wall.

Noticing the altar in the center of the opposite wall, I nodded towards it and took a deep breath. "Well, here I go."

I started towards it, my friends behind me. As I neared its edge, the ground suddenly shook and light poured out of it. I stumbled backwards as Genis exclaimed, "What?"

The light faded and my jaw dropped as three large beasts stood there, staring at me as if I was lunch. Or dinner. Whatever.

"Uh…" I took a small step back and three pairs of eyes tracked my moment.

Kratos stepped up next to me. "The trial of the seal."

"Tr-trial?" I asked. "You call that a trial?" Okay, so having three over-grown lizards twice as big as Noishe, (two of which were freaking floating in the air and the largest of them was on fire), staring at me like I was their next meal was a little unsettling.

The large one, obviously the leader, suddenly tensed and pounced at me.

"Shit!" I yelled, slashing my swords and dodging frantically out of the way. Everyone else snapped out of it and started fighting, though the beasts were only after me, batting aside my friends.

"Focus on the smaller ones!" Kratos snapped.

"Double Demon Fang!" I yelled, shocking the two slightly smaller beasts.

The leader roared and shot the spikes on its back at me.

"Guardian!" I shouted, blocking them just in time.

"Ring Whirlwind!" Colette suddenly ran at one of the smaller ones, her chakrams flying and slashing. "Photon!" The same beast was blasted with light. "Stone Blast!" Genis grinned as chips of rock flew up at it. The combined attacks were too much and it fell to the ground, dead.

I dodged the snapping jaws of the leader. "Tempest!" I yelled, flying over it and getting behind it temporarily. "Hurricane Thrust!" Stabbing and slashing its tail, it roared again.

Kratos left the other smaller one to the rest of the group, rushing the leader head on. "Light Spear!" He yelled, impaling one of its eyes. It screamed in pain and flailed, the tail knocking me into the wall. Stars appeared before my eyes and I slid to the floor, winded.

"First Aid!" I heard, and warm mana surged into me. I turned to thank Kratos but saw he was still fiercely fighting the beast who was hell-bent on killing me.

"Get up, Lloyd." The Professor said.

I stood up and grinned. "You learned First Aid?"

She nodded. "Let's hurry up and defeat it!"

I laughed and charged the remaining smaller beast, yelling "Tiger Blade!" just as Colette yelled "Pow Hammer!"

My Cruxis Crystal and her Exsphere both flashed and the attacks combined, the red hammer of her attack gaining a sword point and stabbing the monster twice, killing it.

"Whoah!" I breathed.

"Wow!" Colette yelled, looking awed.

"Lloyd! Behind you!" Genis shouted, interrupting his own spell.

I whirled around to see Kratos go flying across the room and the lone beast charging at me and Colette. I skidded in front of her, shouting "Guardian!" The beast ran into my mana bubble, forcing me to take a few steps backwards, but I somehow managed to hold the protection up. The beast shook its head, looking stunned.

"Now!" Kratos yelled, running at it.

I dropped the protective mana, screaming and charging the monster. I put all my fear and anger and hate into my attacks, slashing harder and faster than I'd ever done before. Chakrams flew past me and Kratos's blade joined mine own as two spells smacked the beast.

It roared and collapsed, its fire extinguishing. Together, Kratos and I swung our blades down at its exposed neck, killing it.

My arms shook slightly as I lowered them. "Wow."

"First Aid." Kratos murmured, and the shaking stopped.

"Thanks." I muttered, turning to everyone else. The Professor was casting First Aid on Genis and Colette, and I heard Kratos cast it on her.

"What about you?" I asked him.

"Hmph. I'm fine." He stated, sheathing his blade and crossing his arms, turning to face the altar.

"Fine." I glared at him. "Everyone okay?"

"Yeah. What were those things?" Genis asked.

"The guardians of the seal, I'd imagine. They were the final test to prove the Chosen's worthiness at this seal." The Professor explained.

"Wow! You sure know a lot, Professor!" Colette said.

The Professor nodded. "I've read various texts at the Temple about the Regeneration Journey."

Kratos nodded. "Chosen One, if you will…?"

I stalked past him, ignoring his use of my title and not name and not snapping at him since I was at the seal to pray as the Chosen One, after all.

Going towards it once more, it started to light up, though the ground didn't shake this time and no more monsters appeared.

"Chosen of Regeneration. Offer your prayers at the altar." Remiel's voice said, although the angel hadn't actually appeared.

I took a deep breath. "Yes." I said, stepping closer to the altar and bowing my head. "Goddess Martel – protector and caretaker of this world – lend me your strength!"

My Cruxis Crystal flashed as the altar pulsed with light. When the light faded, Remiel was floating above it.

"Chosen One, you have done well. The seal's guardian has fallen and this first seal has been released. In the name of Cruxis, I grant you the power of the angels." Remiel said.

"Thank you." I answered.

Remiel raised his hands and two balls of light descended from the ceiling, twirling around each other before circling me and disappearing into my back. It felt like something was tickling me, and then wings appeared where the lights had gone. I had wings! Wings!

"Whoah!" I said, the wings fluttering, lifting me slightly off the ground. The feathers were sparkling softly, and were a glittering yellow with faded blue tips. They were sharper than Remiel's, more pointed like an eagle's, and were a bit longer as well.

"This angel transformation will not occur without pain. It will be for only one night, so be strong and endure it." Remiel said.

I swallowed, nodding. "I accept this task."

"The next seal is to the east, across the water. Pray at that altar." Remiel instructed.

"I will." I said, bowing my head.

Remiel nodded and with a blast of light, he was gone.

Everyone, even Kratos, was staring at me and my new wings.

"Lloyd! You have wings!" Genis shouted.

I turned around, wobbling in the air. "I know!"

"They're so pretty!" Colette said.

"Fascinating! Lloyd, can you control them?" The Professor asked.

I nodded, concentrating. "Yeah…" I managed to lower myself so that my feet were once more on the ground and then thought for a moment before my wings disappeared.

"Whoah!" Genis yelled. "Where'd they go?"

"I don't know. They're, like, in my back. I think. It's hard to describe…" I said, feeling the weight of the wings against my back and yet knowing they weren't really there.

"Can you bring them back?" Colette asked.

"Sure!" I grinned, concentrating and popping them out. They unfolded from that weird place in my back until I felt their weight settle in and fluttered them experimentally.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Genis said.

"Across the water… Hm… We'll need to find a boat…" Kratos said, turning from us and talking to the Professor.

The Professor paled. "Sailing? We're going sailing?"

Kratos frowned. "The next seal lies across the water, according to Remiel."

The Professor weakly nodded.

Kratos turned back to me, Colette, and Genis. I was bringing my wings in and out to their amazement.

"That's enough. We should leave." He said.

I sighed, pulling in my wings and leaving them in. "Sorry."

"Sorry!" Genis and Colette both said. We shared a grin, trying not to laugh.

Kratos rolled his eyes, walking toward the warp.

"Come on, you three. We'll eat dinner before walking back to Triet, I think." The Professor said, following Kratos.

We followed after her. "Lloyd, are you hungry?" Colette asked.

I frowned and shook my head. "Nah."

"You're not hungry?" Genis exclaimed, looking at me as if I had just said I had three heads.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped.

Genis shook his head. "You're, like, always hungry."

I glowered. "Am not. Obviously, since I'm not hungry now."

Colette interrupted us. "Kratos and the Professor have already warped down. Let's hurry!"

We quickly used the warp and rejoined the two waiting for us.

"Be cautious. We may yet encounter monsters." Kratos warned.

We all nodded and followed him over the two bridges and through the left part of the cavern, heading back into the main hallway.

We had just turned down the path to the exit when three of those firebirds swooped down out of nowhere.

Quickly drawing our weapons, we fought, Genis and the Professor casting. "Tiger Blade!" I yelled, but the bird flew higher and out of reach of my sword.

I cursed, glancing at Kratos, who was having a similar problem, his face tight with tension. Colette's chakram's managed to make a few hits, but this would not go well if Kratos and I couldn't land any hits.

"Wind Blade!" Genis cried, and wind racked one of the birds, disorienting it and bringing it down close to Kratos, who quickly brought his sword down on it in vicious attacks, killing it.

I swung at one of the remaining two as I dived at me, but it quickly headed out of reach. Colette threw her chakrams just as the Professor shouted "Photon" and the other bird fell, dead from the dual assault.

"This one won't come freaking down!" I shouted in frustration.

Kratos looked me in the eye. "Then fly up to it."

"What?" I asked, startled.

"Fly up to it and kill it." Kratos said.

I hesitated but nodded, pulling out my wings.

"Lloyd, be careful!" Colette said. I nodded and flashed her a grin before flapping my wings enough to lift me in the air. It took a while for me to figure out how exactly to control them and how to angle myself, but finally I was able to fly at the bird, slashing my swords at it. I got in a few good hits before it streaked out of rang, me on its heels. Suddenly my Cruxis Crystal flashed and I felt mana welling up in me. I closed my eyes, hovering in the air and concentrating.

"Razor Edge!" I yelled, opening my eyes as hundreds of razor-sharp feathers flew at the bird, slicing it to pieces until it was dead.

"Yeah!" I grinned, lowering myself to the ground.

"Wow! That was so cool!" Genis said, running over to me.

"I didn't know you could attack like that!" Colette said.

I grinned. "Neither did I."

"Fascinating… Not only were you given wings, but attack artes that utilize them…" The Professor said.

"Uh… yeah." I said, only half understanding her.

Kratos nodded as me. "We should keep moving."

We all nodded and followed after him. As we neared the entrance, my heart started beating faster and faster, and I pulled at my shirt collar. I was getting hotter and hotter with each step, my breaths coming in pants. Everyone started climbing the stairs up, and I had to concentrate on each step, one at a time. My vision started wavering, and I blinked rapidly, seeing spots. Stepping out into the desert once more, I swayed, feeling really dizzy and lightheaded. I tried taking another step forward and collapsed, barely catching myself on my hands and knees, my frame shaking slightly.

"Lloyd!" I heard someone shout and felt my friends next to me, but I had to concentrate on not passing out, my fists clenching the sand.

Warm blue light surrounded me and the dizziness was replaced by a steadily growing throbbing in my skull.

"Lloyd. Are you all right?" The Professor asked, her hand on my shoulder.

I looked up, noticing Genis and Colette standing worriedly to my one side, the Professor kneeling next to me, Kratos standing in front of me.

Slowly I pushed back so I was resting on my knees. I squeezed my eyes shut, the throbbing in my head increasing with every second. "I'm fine." I mumbled.

"You don't look fine!" Genis yelled.

"It's our fault! We made him take his wings in and out! Lloyd, I'm sorry!" Colette said.

"Not your fault…" I muttered.

"He's so pale… His lips are turning purple. We need to get to a doctor, now!" The Professor said, tugging on my arm, trying to get me up.

I groaned softly as the jostling was making my head hurt more.

"No." Kratos said. "We shouldn't move him. We'll camp here."

"Are you crazy? He needs a doctor!" Genis exclaimed.

"My brother is right – we need to get to Triet." The Professor said tightly.

Kratos shook his head. "Do you not remember Remiel's words? This is a test."

I forced my eyes open, focusing on the Professor as best as I could. "Professor, it's fine. Kratos is right. I'll be fine by morning."

The Professor hesitated, but nodded. "Genis, Colette. Start setting up camp. Kratos, can you get Lloyd's blanket out of his pack? I want to lie him down."

Everyone nodded and soon hands were pushing me onto my back. I collapsed, curling into a ball, eyes screwed shut.

I heard movement all around me, but I could only focus on my breathing. Goddess, it hurt. My head felt like it was going to explode at any minute.

I felt myself shivering, the sweat on my skin coupled with the setting sun making me chilly. Another blanket covered me and I managed to mumble a thank you without opening my eyes.

"Lloyd." Genis whispered. "Does it hurt?"

I cracked an eye open and stared at him. "Remember me getting kidnapped and shot in the back with lightning? Ten times worse."

Genis paled, then forced a smile. "You're just saying that to get out of cooking duty since it's your turn."

I forced a small smile at him but hugged myself tighter. Just the mention of food made me want to throw up.

"Genis, go help Colette. Lloyd, how're you doing?" The Professor said.

I grunted. "I'll be fine."
I felt the Professor shift around and then she was gone, helping the others. I heard her ask Genis to take over cooking tonight, and soon the smells of tofu and rice filled the air.

I bolted upright, just managing to throw the blanket off of me and turn my head away from camp before losing my lunch and my breakfast and possible last night's dinner.

Hands were soothing my back and I was shaking by the time I was done. Someone helped me clean up and then I was back in a ball under the blanket, shivering.

The sounds and smells all blurred together with the pounding, pounding, pounding of my head and I fell asleep.

Some hours later, I woke up and stretched. The throbbing in my head was gone and I carefully opened my eyes. It was nighttime and a small fire was glowing in our camp. I sat up carefully, noticing that the Professor and Kratos were still awake but Colette and Genis were asleep. Noishe was curled up near Kratos, snoring lightly.

"Lloyd. How are you feeling?" The Professor asked, coming over to feel my forehead and stare at me.

"Better. I think it's over." I said.

She nodded, looking relieved. "Good. I wonder if your biological structure is changing as you transform into an angel, and that is the cause of the pain…?"

I scrunched my face in confusion. "What?"

"Like there are differences among elves and humans, there must be differences among humans and angels. I'm just trying to imagine what those differences are." The Professor explained.

"Oh." I said, looking up at the stars.

"Whoah…" I breathed. I could see thousands of stars all twinkling in the sky really, really brightly. Looking around, I realized that I could see as well as if it was daytime, and I could hear the fire cracking and my friends breathing as easily as the Professor's voice.

"What is it, Lloyd?" The Professor asked.

"I can see, like, really really well. And I can hear everything!" I said.

"Hmm… another angelic symptom?" the Professor asked.

I shrugged.

Kratos cleared his throat. "Professor Raine, Lloyd. You should both rest. I'll take first watch."

The Professor frowned but nodded, heading over to her own blanket. "Wake me for the second shift."

"I'm not tired yet. I think I'm gonna go for a walk." I said, standing up.

"Don't stray too far." Kratos said.

I nodded and walked away from camp until the glow of the fire was no longer the light I saw by, instead using the bright glow of the stars to look at the sandy landscape. I sighed, absently rubbing my Cruxis Crystal.

"I did it, Mom. I released the first seal. I'm going to become an angel and save all of Sylvarant. I'll make you proud. I'll avenge your death." I said, staring up at the stars.

Sighing again, I turned and headed back to camp to get a few more hours of rest. The sun would be rising soon, I could tell from the fading of the stars, and we would head for the coast, to find a ship and sail to the next seal.

It's done! They did it! Lloyd released the first seal!

HE HAS WINGS!

I was so so happy to make it to this point in the plot - more awesome things to come, promise! Next chapter, next Saturday!

Review?