Hi everyone!
Wow it's been a bit, huh? Sorry about that. Like I said, this semester was hectic. But I'm back now, with (hopefully) a more regular posting schedule!
Thanks to everyone sticking with this story and for all the reviews - it really keeps me motivated to write it!
This chapter is back to Lloyd, and here's a quick recap:
Recap: Lloyd's group has just entered the Water Seal. Sheena tried and failed to go in after them, so she's planning her next attack.
I don't own TOS.
((LLOYD POV))
"Hmm… It looks like she wasn't able to get in." Kratos said.
"What? Who?" I asked. We had just entered the second seal, found purely on accident by the Professor, and she had had me touch something else, making the light bridge disappear so no one could follow us.
"The assassin. She's following us, did you not notice?" Kratos asked, eyebrow raised.
"Uhh…" I stared at the ground.
Kratos sighed. "You can't only watch what's in front of you – you must be aware of all of your surroundings, if you want to live to see this journey to its end."
"Right, because you're so perfect and you've never made any mistakes ever." I snapped, angry that he thinks he's so much better than me.
Kratos stiffened. "I didn't say that. Even I make mistakes."
My scowl faded. "Kratos?"
"Never mind." Kratos walked ahead to where the Professor was inspecting the cave wall with Genis and Colette.
"You make no sense." I muttered, following him.
"Fascinating. There's a ventilation system so that the air in here would be breathable. How many years has this cave sat, sealed off? Oh, and look at the lighting in the walls! It's just like the first seal. Isn't magitechnology wondrous?" The Professor said.
I glanced at the blue stones in the walls that were lighting this passage. "Uh, yeah Professor."
"Proceed with caution. We don't know what's waiting for us." Kratos warned.
I drew my blades and moved to take the lead. Kratos, of course, moved to my side immediately. I mean, I know it's his job to protect me, but sheesh, have a little trust! I'm not gonna get killed by-
"Clams?" I exclaimed. We had just turned a corner and the floor was sloping downwards. Coming up towards us was a dozen or so clams – no bigger than my boot and a weird purple-gray color.
I slashed at one getting close to my feet and sparks flew where my blade hit its shell, leaving it unmarked and unharmed.
"How the hell do you fight these things?" I yelled, slashing at the swarm. They just bounced back a few feet before charging again.
One opened its mouth to bite Kratos but he shoved his sword in instead. It shrieked and fell over, stopping its movement. Dead.
"Aim for their mouths!" Kratos ordered.
Nodding, I waited until they were close enough to bite before stabbing the revealed pink muscle. Colette threw her chakrams and Genis and the Professor used their weapons to keep them from swarming us while we slowly killed them off.
Colette killed the last one and we looked around the pile of clam shells.
"Whew." I wiped my forehead. Even if it was ventilated in here, the air was heavy and sticky.
"Hmm…" The Professor said.
"What is it, Sis?" Genis asked.
"This is purely conjecture, but… the first seal was in the heart of Ereet's influence. A fire seal. I wonder, is this Undine's territory? It's above a geyser, a natural water phenomenon. A water seal. It could very well be that the seals are corresponding with the Summon Spirits. Of course, we won't know for sure until we can look at the Book of Regeneration, but…" The Professor trailed off.
Kratos nodded. "It's a viable hypothesis."
The Professor nodded, still thinking.
"Well, I guess we'll find out once we get the Book." I said.
"Yeah. This is exciting!" Colette smiled.
Genis rolled his eyes but smiled too.
"Let's keep moving." Kratos said.
We nodded and continued on, the path continuing to slope downwards and twist and turn.
Finally, it opened up into a large cavern with water dripping from the ceiling, making small puddles on the floor. There were two doorways from here.
"Which way?" I asked.
"If it's like the first seal, it won't matter – we'll have to go through both." Genis said.
"Left first, then." I said and started for the left doorway.
Halfway across the room, there was a shuddering sound and a giant squid-like-thing dropped down in front of the doorway, opening its mouth to reveal rows of sharp teeth.
"Right doorway?" I asked.
"Good idea!" Genis squeaked.
We ran, slipping on the wet floor but successfully avoiding that thing and going through the right doorway instead.
"You realize we will have to fight it eventually." Kratos pointed out.
"Sure. Eventually. When we're prepared and not running at it head-on." I said.
"Hmph." Kratos snorted.
I looked around, ignoring the sounds of the squid we'd left behind. We were back in a narrow hallway that turned right.
"Let's see where this leads." The Professor said, starting forward.
We followed, turning the corner. The hallway continued on a while and I could see that it was a dead end, but there was something there.
I squinted. "There's something at the end."
"A monster?" The Professor asked.
I shook my head. "No, I don't think so… It almost looks like a machine."
Halfway down the hallway, my hand started tingling.
"Yeah, it's definitely a machine. The Sorcerer's Ring is reacting." I said.
"Fascinating. I wonder what the function will change to?" The Professor asked.
"Look out!" I yelled, pushing the Professor out of the way as something fell from the ceiling right where she had been standing.
"Are you okay?" Colette asked us worriedly.
Genis snorted. "You scared of a starfish, Lloyd?"
"Huh?" I asked, pulling the Professor up and looking at the thing – Genis was right, it was a pink starfish.
Kratos pointed his blade at it. "Don't let your guard down."
I frowned, clutching my blades tighter. What was that sound?
"Lloyd?" Colette asked as Kratos neatly sliced the starfish in two with a wet squelching sound.
"Do you hear that?" I demanded.
She shook her head. "I don't hear anything."
I looked around, but didn't see anything. Then I looked up.
"Guys…" I said, pointing up. Everyone looked at the ceiling, which was covered in pink starfish.
"Lloyd, change the Ring's function before they awaken and decide to attack." Kratos said.
I nodded, cautiously walking to the machine, the Sorcerer's Ring making my hand tingle. There was a small flash and I grinned.
"It's done." I walked back to the group just as a loud popping sound blasted the silent hallway.
Dozens of starfish rained down from the ceiling, blinking weary eyes before revealing sharp points along their edges as they wheeled towards us.
Kratos and I immediately started slashing, while Colette protected Genis and the Professor as they began to cast.
For several minutes, all you heard was our overlapping attacks.
"Pow Hammer!" Colette yelled.
"Stone Blast!" Genis grinned.
"Photon!" The Professor calmly stated.
"Hurricane Thrust! Demon Fang!" I shouted, slashing.
"Light Spear! Sonic Thrust!" Kratos took out the last of them and we breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let's go back before more appear." The Professor said.
"You mean, let's go fight the squid-thing." Genis said.
She nodded. "We have no choice if we want to reach the seal."
"We can do it!" Colette said encouragingly.
"Yeah! No overgrown fish can stop us!" I grinned.
Genis rolled his eyes.
We made our way to the end of the hallway. I peered out the doorway at the end.
"It's still there." I said.
"We will attack immediately. Surprise is our only strategy. Professor Raine, Genis – please support us with magic. Colette, Lloyd – try not to get hurt." Kratos said.
I scowled but nodded and everyone agreed to Kratos' plan.
We ran out the doorway. "Tempest!" I went flying through the air, cutting several of the things arms before I landed. It shrieked at us and swung its uninjured arms to try to crush us.
We darted out of the way. "Light Spear!" Kratos stabbed it.
"Ring Whirlwind!" Chakrams flew at the thing's eyes.
"Double Demon Fang! Tiger Blade!" I shot out mana, slashing.
"Photon! Air Blade!" Magic attacked the monster and it screamed.
Black, gooey blood ran in rivulets along its body as we fought, making the floor even more slippery and was just really disgusting.
At the same time, Kratos and I both yelled "Sonic Thrust!", our attacks combining into a more powerful strike that killed the squid and it fell onto its side, a pool of black surrounding it.
"Ick." I said, looking at my stained blade.
Colette grimaced. "Gross."
"What's the Ring's new function, Lloyd?" The Professor asked.
"Huh? Oh, I don't know. Let me try it." I aimed away from my friends and sent a small burst of mana to the Ring. Water shot out.
"Whoa, water!" I said with a grin.
"You are so easily amused." Genis snorted.
"Shut up, I am not!" I retorted.
"I think it's pretty cool!" Colette said.
"Fascinating… It corresponds to the seal…" The Professor said.
"Hey, Genis! Hold my blades for a minute?" I asked.
"Why?" He narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"So I can squirt them with water! Just hold them out, okay?" I said, shoving my blades at him.
"Fine, but if you get me wet, you're dead." He muttered, holding them as far out as he could.
"Thanks." I shot water out of the Ring, and managed to clean my blades while only getting Genis's arms wet, but he doesn't wear long sleeves so he wasn't that mad.
"It kinda feels good since it's hot in here." He shrugged.
"Want me to wash your blade, too, Kratos?" I asked.
"Hmph. We are not done yet." He said, heading for the doorway.
"Well fine." I grumbled as we all followed him.
We came out on a small platform with a fountain and a warp.
"This is it." I stepped on the warp, but nothing happened.
"It appears to be broken." The Professor said, studying it closely.
"How do we get to the seal?" I asked, running my hand through my hair.
"Lloyd, look at this fountain! Aren't the vases pretty?" Colette asked.
I walked over and looked at them. "Um, yeah."
Genis studied them. "Try filling them with water."
"Huh?" I looked at them again, not getting it.
"Ah, I see. Good idea, Genis." The Professor said.
I shrugged, firing the Ring and filling up both vases. There was a soft click and Kratos announced, "The warp is fixed."
The Professor nodded. "Good job, Genis."
"Heh, it was nothing." He said with a grin.
I rolled my eyes. "Let's get this over with."
"Aren't you happy to be releasing this seal? It means we're closer to saving everyone!" Colette said.
"Yeah, I guess. It's just a pain to have to go through so much trouble to get there." I said.
Genis snorted. "You have no attention span."
"What?" I asked, knowing he was insulting me.
"I'll go ahead." Kratos said, stepping on the warp and disappearing.
"This is no time to bicker! Lloyd, are you ready to release the seal?" The Professor asked.
I let out a breath. "Yeah."
She nodded. "Good. Let's go."
She warped up, followed by Colette, Genis, and lastly I stepped on, feeling that by now familiar twisting in my stomach as I reappeared at the seal.
This room wasn't that big, with the altar the main fixture. Pillars lined the walls and it wasn't as stuffy in here.
"All right." I started towards the altar, everyone close behind.
"Mana's welling up!" Genis yelled.
"What?" I snapped right before there was a flash of light and three monsters appeared.
"It's just like before!" The Professor shouted, starting to cast.
"Great, mermaids again?" I yelled angrily.
"Lloyd, focus! Target the smaller ones. I'll distract the big one." Kratos said before charging it.
The two smaller ones were just like the ones that had attacked Max's ship before, but the big one was scary looking. Covered in scales and balancing perfectly on its large tail, it was a solid purple color with bright pink hair and tips on its tail.
The small mermaids moved in front of the large one, blocking Kratos and protecting it. It spread its arms wide before shrieking in an ear-splitting voice, "Spread!".
Water shot up from the floor right under me and Colette. We screamed, flying into the air. The water was freezing! We slammed to the floor, groaning.
"First Aid!" The Professor yelled, and I felt okay, standing up.
"Genis! Counter the main one's spells!" Kratos snapped.
"Got it! Lightning!" Three lighting bolts hit the big mermaid and it was knocked out of its concentration, dropping the spell it was casting.
Meanwhile, the Professor had healed Colette and she and Kratos were fighting the smaller mermaids.
"Double Demon Fang!" I sent mana out ahead of me as I charged the mermaid Colette was slashing at with her chakrams. She dropped back to do long ranged attacks once I got close.
"Tiger Blade!" My upper slash deeply cut the mermaid, and she hissed at me. Her arm glowed and air knocked me over. Winded, I stood up. Wait, it wasn't just an air attack, it was…
"Bubbles?" I said confusedly. Shrugging, I yelled "Sonic Thrust!" and the mermaid collapsed, dead.
"Lighting!" Genis yelled again, just as the big mermaid yelled, "Spread!"
"Guardian!" I frantically yelled, getting the protection up just in time as water shot out from under me. I wasn't slammed down thanks to my mana bubble, though, and I grinned when Kratos easily slew the other small mermaid.
Together, we turned to the big one.
"Barrier!" The Professor shouted and I felt her mana surround me.
"Oh, yeah! Tempest!" I flew threw the air, pulling out my wings as I went. I slashed the entire front of the mermaid, before using my wings to halt myself behind her midair, closing my eyes for a second to gather my mana before opening them and shouting "Razor Edge!"
Yellow feathers assaulted the monster's back as Kratos attacked her front and Colette's chakrams flew.
Dropping to the ground and pulling in my wings, I slashed at the mermaid's tail. She wailed and smacked me with it, sending me flying.
"First Aid!" As soon as I landed, my aches went away with the Professor's spell.
"Light Spear!" Kratos shouted.
"Ray Thrust!" Colette's chakrams went flying again.
"Tempest!" I flipped back to the front of the mermaid while damaging her.
Kratos was blocking her hits with his sword and I saw Genis out of the corner of my eye almost ready to cast.
"Tiger Blade!" I yelled, just as he shouted, "Lightning!". Instead of hitting the monster, the lightning zipped down my blade, charging it as I stabbed at the monster, doubling the power of the attack.
She shrieked and collapsed, dead.
"Whoa! Genis, that was awesome!" I shouted, lifting my swords in victory.
"Is everyone all right?" The Professor asked.
"Lloyd! That was so cool!" Genis cheered.
"You two are awesome!" Colette smiled.
Kratos sheathed his blade. "Release the seal."
"Right." I sheathed my blades and pulled out my wings, moving to stand before the altar.
"Chosen of Regeneration." Remiel's voice said. "Offer your prayers at the altar."
Bowing my head and closing my eyes, I said: "Goddess Martel – protector and caretaker of this world – lend me your strength!"
There was a flash of light and Remiel was floating in the air before us, wings fluttering.
"You have done well. The second seal is released. Accept this blessing from Cruxis, granting you additional angelic powers." Remiel said.
"Thank you." I murmured, light surrounding me for a moment before fading. My wings flapped restlessly, hovering me in the air.
"The next seal is north, at the place that gazes upon the end. Offer your prayers at that altar." Remiel said.
"I will." I replied.
"Hurry and become a true angel." Remiel said before disappearing in a burst of light.
Genis snorted. "He talks like he's so high and mighty."
I laughed, landing and pulling my wings in, turning to face my friends. "Yeah, he's annoying."
"You shouldn't talk like that about Remiel!" The Professor protested.
"Okay, okay. Let's get out of here." I said, moving towards the warp.
"How are you feeling, Lloyd?" The Professor asked.
I shrugged. "Fine."
"Hmm…" She said, looking unconvinced as we all used the warp and made our way out of the small room with the fountain, through the cavern, up the sloping hallway, and back to the entrance.
"Lloyd, please reveal the bridge." The Professor said.
Nodding, I touched the panel on the wall and the light bridge reappeared. We headed down it, and I was only a little surprised to find it already twilight outside. As we headed down the bridge, my legs started shaking and I started getting dizzy. I shook my head, trying to get rid of the feeling.
We reached the viewing platform of the geyser once more and Noishe rushed over to us. Everyone was talking about whether we should camp here or get rooms across the water at the Thoda Dock when the world titled and the pounding in my head got to be too much. I collapsed, the light bridge disappearing, Noishe breaking my fall.
"Not again." I groaned. Everything was spinning, spinning.
"Oh, no! Lloyd!" Colette said.
I squeezed my eyes closed tight, barely aware someone had cast First Aid on me.
"We need to let him rest. If this is going to happen every time Lloyd releases a seal, this is going to be a difficult journey. For now, I'm calling this Angel Toxicosis." The Professor said.
"There's a campground over there." Genis said.
I whimpered. They were so loud. Why so loud? Noishe nuzzled my face as I was pulled to my knees, the joints protesting and shaking violently.
"He's too weak to walk." The Professor said worriedly, her hand on my forehead.
"I shall carry him." Kratos said, scooping me up.
I groaned, the sudden movement not at all helping the pounding in my head.
I lost track of time after that. Everything blended together into sounds and colors when I dared to open my eyes. Everything hurt, my body was aching, my head was pounding and spinning.
At some point, I was laid down and a fire was started. I think they cooked food, because I could smell it. Noishe lay close to me and I curled into him, taking the protection he tried to give me.
I had my eyes closed but I wasn't sleeping. Some time later, when the food smell was gone, I realized my head didn't hurt anymore and I opened my eyes, slowly sitting up. Noishe, Genis, and Colette were all asleep.
"Lloyd." The Professor came over, studying me closely. "How do you feel?"
"I'm okay. It's over again." I said.
She sighed. "That's good. But I wonder…"
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. It was just something that I was thinking about. You should get your rest." She said.
I sighed. "I'm not tired."
She frowned. "You might be feeling better now, but you really need to rest."
"…Yes, Professor." I mumbled.
"Good. Go to sleep. Kratos and I will handle the night watch for tonight." She said firmly.
"But-" I started.
She cut me off. "Do not argue with me Lloyd."
I dropped it.
"Good night." The Professor went over to her own sleeping place, nodding at Kratos who I guessed was taking first watch, before laying down.
I lay back, my hands under my head as I stared up at the stars.
After finding all the constellations I knew and making up some of my own, I was getting really, really bored. I tried closing my eyes, but I just couldn't go to sleep.
Sighing, I rolled onto my side, staring at the dying embers of the fire.
"Kratos?" I whispered.
"Go to sleep, Lloyd." Kratos said.
"I can't sleep." I said.
It was silent, then: "Count the stars."
"Huh?" I said.
"Count the stars." He repeated. "It might lull you into sleep and if it doesn't, at least it will help fight off boredom."
"Okay. Thanks." I rolled back onto my back and started counting.
Kratos switched guard with the Professor a few hours later and it took her a few minutes to fully awaken and another few to realize I was awake.
"Lloyd, why are you awake? Go to sleep." She said.
"I can't sleep." I sighed.
She frowned. "Have you slept at all?"
"No." I answered.
"And you don't feel tired?" She asked.
I shook my head. "Nope."
"It's as I thought…" The Professor murmured.
"Professor?" I asked, sitting up.
"Angel Toxicosis. I think this means more than a period of weakness after the release of a seal. With each seal released, I think a fundamental part of what makes you human changes to make you an angel." The Professor explained.
"Uh… okay…" I said, confused.
"Basically, Lloyd, I think something will change for you after each seal. After the first seal, you no long need to eat. After this seal, you no longer need to sleep." She said.
"So, I won't sleep anymore?" I asked. I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Lately all I'd been having is nightmares, so to be able to avoid them was awesome. And I'd have more time now to do whatever I wanted. And I'd never get tired.
"That's my hypothesis, yes." The Professor said.
I smiled. "That's awesome!"
"You won't be saying that when you get bored. Oh! You can do your schoolwork and study in the extra time you gain!" She said with a gleam in her eye.
"Uh… Professor, c'mon!" I protested.
"What did you say?" She asked, glaring at me.
"Nighttime will be my time to relax while you guys sleep! I'll be night watch all the time, too." I pleaded.
"I guess I can agree to that. But you will do more reading. Didn't Kratos give you a book?" She asked.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." I said.
"You will read that, then." She decided.
It was better than actual schoolwork. "Yes, Professor."
"Good." She said, scanning the area.
I lay back and resumed counting the stars until the rising sun caused them to fade away and the Professor started waking everyone up.
Sitting up, I packed up my stuff and nudged Noishe awake. He whined and licked my face and I smiled, petting him.
"How do you feel, Lloyd?" Colette asked.
I grinned. "I'm good."
"That's great!" She smiled.
"Did you sleep okay?" Genis asked.
"Actually, I… I can't sleep anymore." I said.
"What? What do you mean?" Genis asked.
"Just like Lloyd changed after the first seal – no longer requiring food – he changed after this seal. He no longer needs to sleep." The Professor explained.
Genis frowned. "But, if you lose something after each seal, what'll you lose next time? And the time after that?"
"I don't know, Genis." I said.
"We can only wait and see." The Professor said.
"It doesn't seem fair." Colette said sadly.
"Hey, cheer up. We've gotta save Sylvarant, right? If this is what it takes, then I'll do it. Plus now I have tons of time to do whatever I want! And I'll never have nightmares or get tired and can help be night watch." I said.
Colette smiled. "You're right, I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, you dork." I rolled my eyes, grinning.
"Are we not heading for Hakonesia Peak? We should get moving." Kratos said.
We nodded and headed to the docks.
"Oh Goddess, I hate this!" The Professor whispered, watching as Colette and Genis got into a washtub and shoved off for the other side.
Kratos got in and paced himself after them, Noishe jumping into the water and swimming alongside him.
"C'mon, Professor. You did it once. You can do it again. I'll paddle. You can close your eyes like last time." I said, coaxing her into a washtub, climbing in with her and shoving off.
She squeaked and grabbed my coat, closing her eyes. I tried to make the journey as short as possible and managed to not get as much water in as last time before we were at the docks on the other side, Kratos pulling the Professor out and then giving me a hand, too.
Noishe shook himself before joining us with a doggy grin. I think he liked the water.
Adjusting my pack, I followed everyone else as they headed for the path that would take us back to the House of Salvation.
"We should get to the House of Salvation by nightfall. Tomorrow, we'll head for the Peak. All right?" The Professor said.
"Yeah." I nodded.
"Hey, Lloyd?" Genis said.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Did you get anything else with this seal?" He asked.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you got wings, a new arte, and better hearing and vision at the first seal. I was just wondering if you got something else after this one." He explained.
I frowned. "I don't think so. I don't feel any different."
"Yeah, but you didn't know you'd gotten that arte until you used it, right? Maybe you won't notice until it happens." Genis pointed out.
"Huh. Maybe." I said.
Colette smiled. "Maybe you can fly super fast now!"
"I wish I could take you flying." I said.
"It's too dangerous in this area, as you found out earlier." Kratos said.
"I know. That's why I said 'I wish', not 'I will'." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Lloyd! Don't be rude!" The Professor snapped.
"Sorry." I mumbled.
"He's definitely feeling better." Kratos commented.
The Professor smiled. "Oh yes."
Around noon we stopped walking, but I could have kept going. I wasn't tired at all. I had a feeling I could run all the way to the Peak without stopping at all and I wouldn't be tired. It was awesome.
Everyone else ate and I found a stick and played with Noishe, throwing it for him and chasing after him.
Once they were done, we headed out again on the path. The Professor gave a lecture about the area and the prosperity of the city of Palmacosta, but I wasn't really paying attention.
Twilight and we were almost there. I could clearly see the building and noticed that Genis and Colette seemed to be slowing down a little. I wondered if I had been like that, too, getting slower as the day dragged on.
The first stars appeared in the sky as we entered the courtyard.
Another seal done!
Please review and let me know what you thought! I'll be posting again soon, probably in a week or two if I stick to my schedule.
Thanks for reading! :D