Well, I've made this chapter quite a bit longer than usual. I personally like where it's going, but if you've got something to say I'm wide open to constructive criticism. I'm sorry if something doesn't make sense - . But yeah…..
Disclaimer- Tales of Symphonia, mine it is not.
CHAPTER 6
ETERNAL WINGS
Lloyd couldn't tell if his father was mad, upset, or just plain curious, but he could he could see one thing- it had the possibility of getting really messy.
Without a word Kratos had touched down into a clearing in the forest, Sheena and Lloyd following right after. He sat there for a while, staring out into space, blank-faced. Finally, he silently got up and walked over to Lloyd. In a flat monotone Kratos asked if Lloyd could bring the wings out. His face was ghostly and pale.
Lloyd was more than slightly confused, but he did as he was told. He removed his right-hand glove to reveal the Eternal Ring placed on his middle finger. Closing his eyes, he held out his hands and twin orbs of blue and red light appeared before him. The after-images of two magnificent swords flashed in place of the orbs. Kratos recognized them to be his own sword, Flamberge, and the one crafted by Dirk, the Vorpral Sword.
The two lights merged in a bright burst of illumination, and in their place floated the legendary Eternal Sword. Lloyd reached out and grabbed it. When he touched it spectral wings as blue as the evening sky, tipped with the color of the emerald green of the treetops, unfurled behind him. They spread out and the long feathers sparkled in the sun.
Now Kratos was circling his son, his sharp gaze analyzing him. He gently ran a hand along a feather, which felt warm and almost intangible, yet firm. Like a concentration of heat and energy- the familiar feel of mana in physical form, as his own wings were.
Kratos picked out a small feather and swiftly plucked it. Lloyd made a startled sound but just turned his head curiously.
"You felt that?" Kratos asked.
"Yeah…it didn't hurt…it just felt like a little pinch…" Lloyd fingered through his feathers and picked another small one to look at it carefully.
Kratos strode over to his Rheaird and sat there, eyes downcast pensively.
"Sooo….uh…" Lloyd was unsure of what to say and of what was going on. He looked at Sheena, who shrugged and jerked her head toward Kratos.
Lloyd held up the Eternal Sword, and in a swirl of light it returned to the ring. His wings folded close to his back, but remained out. Lloyd sat on his own Rheaird and faced his father.
"Dad-"
"How and when did you find out?" Kratos had regained color, and he spoke in a kind and gentle tone this time.
"…. It was the day after you left," Lloyd was relieved his father had snapped out of his trance-like daze and was eager to talk to him about what had bothered him for years, "You see…"
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"Huh? Lloyd, you still have the ring?" Genis sat next to Lloyd on the bench next to Dirk's house.
Lloyd was polishing the Eternal Ring instead of listening to the lecture Raine was giving at the time. The whole party (with the obvious exception of Kratos) had met at Dirk's house to decide what should be done about the governing system of their new world.
Normally Raine would have smacked Lloyd to the moon for spacing out during her speech (or ramblings, depending on the person's point of view), but this was a chance she could not pass up.
"The Eternal Ring?!" Raine immediately reverted into 'Ruin Mania' mode and snatched it from him, "Ah, you don't need it anymore, right?! After all, the Eternal sword is gone." Raine held it up in absolute bliss to the sun and admired how it glittered, "This would make for an excellent research subject!"
"H-hey, wait!" Lloyd jumped up and frantically reached for the ring, "I-I still want that!"
"Aw, come on Raine, give it back. It's special," Sheena crossed her arms and chuckled slightly at the sight.
"Exactly why it needs to be analyzed!" Raine laughed maniacally and held it out of Lloyd's reach. She then backed away into a bump in the path and stumbled.
"Aaah!" Lloyd jumped up to grab the ring that was now flying through the air and towards the river.
As his hand enclosed around it, he realized that anywhere he landed would be slippery and jagged rocks. Then again, in his current position he wouldn't have been able to make a very graceful landing anyway. He braced himself for crashing into the rocks and sliding onto his head other vital part that would undoubtedly cause pain.
"Lloyd!!"
He heard voices calling out to him, but he was focusing on the opaque, crystalline wings sprouting from his back and the gleaming, elegant sword clutched in his hand. Looking down he found himself hovering just above the rocks that could have resulted in a major injury.
Without really knowing what he was doing, he floated back down to the river-bank. He stood there dumbly, looking from the Eternal sword to his wings.
His friends ran up to him and Raine instantly swept behind Lloyd and closely examined the wings. Sheena, Genis and Collette joined Raine in admiring the beautiful wings, while Regal, Presea, and Zelos stood with Lloyd in gaping at the recovered Eternal Sword.
"Hmmm…" Raine crossed her arms and sat down to think.
After everyone had their fill of Lloyd's new appendages and the sword they once again gathered around to discuss.
"Do you know what this means Professor?" Collette asked worriedly, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel a little excited that some one else had angel wings.
"…Maybe it is a possibility that since Kratos was an angel, Lloyd inherited angel genes of sorts as well as human genes from his mother," Raine creased her brow as she continued to mull it over in her head.
"So, what, a half-angel? Like a half-elf?" Genis asked, he himself also in deep thought.
"Congratulations buddy!" Zelos swung an arm over Lloyd's shoulders and poked at the folded wings, "A new species! Better watch out when you enter a dark room, the Glamorous Beauty might be waiting to dissect you."
"Zelos, you should watch what you say," Presea reprimanded him.
"I agree," Raine violently smacked him over the head with her staff without batting an eye, "And no more with the 'Beauty' nonsense."
"How about-"
"Stuff it, Zelos," Sheena sighed.
"Aw, don't be so mean, my voluptuous-"
"ZEELOOS," Sheena threatened menacingly, sparks already forming behind her as she prepared to sick Volt on him. Zelos twitched and hid behind Lloyd.
"But why did they appear now? And along with the Eternal Sword as well," Regal rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"This is all conjecture, but perhaps they both came to his aid when he was in danger, or feeling great distress," Raine suggested.
"But I thought the sword disappeared when it granted Lloyd's wish," Collette reminded them.
Lloyd stared hard at the sword, then said aloud and in his mind, "Origin! Please answer me!"
"Yes, I am here, Master of the Pact," a distant voice echoed throughout the air, causing everyone to jump.
"Origin? Why did the sword suddenly appear again?" Lloyd asked with a commanding aura.
"The sword and I were always with you. You merely did not call upon us," he answered frankly.
"But how?" Sheena retorted, "Wasn't Lloyd's wish supposed to use up the power of the sword?"
Origin seemed to laugh, and then his voice boomed, "It seemed that he possessed far more strength than I gave him credit for. The power of his request drew from his own inner strength. Because of his vast pools of it, the sword did not need to fall apart on itself and could remain intact. The fact that he had that special exesphere and angel blood flowing through him could only help."
"So he is part angel!" Raine cried triumphantly.
"Not quite," Origin corrected her.
"Pardon?"
"……"
"Origin?" Lloyd called.
"That is not for me to disclose."
"Then whose job is it?" Presea inquired.
"Only the boy's father has the right to give him this information."
"What?! But he's gone!" Sheena cried indignantly.
"Yeah, probably quite a fair distance away by now," Zelos added, pointing up to the sky.
"He will return."
"Oh? And when will that be?" Raine snorted disbelievingly.
"When the time comes," he said simply.
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"Origin told us how the sword was stored in the ring," Lloyd explained to his father, "But to keep a stable physical manifestation it needed to use the Vorpral Sword and Flamberge as foundations. So now I can call forth either the individual swords form the ring, or fuse them to make the Eternal Sword."
"And your wings appear when you come in contact with the sword?" Kratos asked calmly.
Lloyd nodded, "Origin did tell me this- at times of high stress or danger, my wings will come out, like a natural defense mechanism. But since I'm not built like an angel, I have to use the sword as a medium. Otherwise, they'll appear in a more 'painful way'."
Sheena cringed slightly as she imagined those huge wings tearing right through Lloyd's back. Not a pleasant thought.
"There were occasions when that nearly happened," Lloyd smiled grimly, "I was in a few tough spots on my quest to find the exespheres. Luckily, Origin was quick on the draw each time and called forth the sword for me in time."
"And now? Since the sword is already formed, you can still keep your wings out, even though it is stored in the ring?" Kratos was trying to piece everything together and prepare for the inevitable explanation.
"Yup. I can choose for the wings not to come out when I touch the sword too. But-" Lloyd pointed behind him to his wings, "Once they come out, I can't put 'em back in unless I dismiss the sword."
"I assume that keeping the Eternal Sword in its whole form draws on your mana, even when in the ring."
Lloyd nodded again, "Yeah, that's why I can't keep it in that form for too long…" Lloyd looked down to the ground guiltily and muttered, "I'm sorry, dad. I was going to tell you soon…I was just waiting for the right moment…"
Lloyd felt arms wrap around him in a warm embrace and looked up. Kratos had soundlessly walked over and given him a fatherly hug. He pulled away to face Lloyd. He was smiling at his son and his eyes were brimming with kindness and knowing. Deep down inside himself Lloyd could feel the child that knew only this man as his father, crying out for the warm embrace that he had gone so long without.
"D-da…" Lloyd wanted to say something, anything, but he was afraid that if he did, he might burst into tears, like the little child he once was. The one who undoubtedly had been in this position so many times before.
"No, Lloyd, I'm sorry," Kratos held his son close again, "I said I wanted to become a better father, but I've already made so many mistakes. I should have expected this. Instead I just up and left you to deal with this by yourself for two years. The least I owe is an explanation with no secrets."
Sheena smiled and turned around to leave the two alone, when Kratos said, "That won't be necessary. I want to go on a walk with Lloyd. Could you stay here with the Rheairds?"
Sheena winked and said, "You got it."
The two walked along the forests paths, neither saying a word. By this time, Lloyd had already dismissed the Eternal Sword, and his wings had disappeared.
Lloyd's thoughts drifted to the many questions floating around in his head. Was he really a 'half-angel'? Could there be more to this than met the eye? What about the Tear? What about after everything was settled? Would his dad … no Lloyd didn't want to think about his dad returning to Derris-Kharlan. He was with him now, and-
"Lloyd."
His father's voice pierced through Lloyd's thoughts and called him back to reality.
Kratos paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, "Origin was correct- you are not a half-angel. At least not in the same way that Raine and Genis are half-elves."
Lloyd wasn't sure how that was possible, but he held his tongue and waited for Kratos to explain.
"I was born a human, not an angel. Angels are basically evolved forms of half-elves; they are not a completely different race exactly. Therefore, I am a human who has been enhanced to angel level."
Kratos glanced side-ways to his son to make sure he was following every thing before continuing, "That means you, someone from an 'angel' like me and a human, inherited those enhanced genes. You are a human who was born with 'angel' mana already infused with your normal DNA. So, in other words, it was as if you had ingested Aionis, except the mana hasn't merged with you, but more like it exists symbiotically with your human mana within your body."
"Like a kind of hidden ability?" Lloyd was attempting to make sense of it all.
"In a way. If a catalyst of high mana concentration, like the Eternal Sword, hadn't come in contact with you, then those wings or any other angelic trait would probably never show up. You've probably felt an increase in the acuteness of your senses."
Lloyd nodded slowly, "That's right. Ever since, my hearing and stuff have been a bit better. When I bring out my wings, they're even stronger." He turned to Kratos and frowned slightly, "But what I don't get is that my taste also gets better, instead of nothing at all. I can also still feels things, wings or no wings. In fact, I guess that sense has gotten better too. I can feel things like the wind changing to a storm, or the vibrations of someone walking around."
"Yes, you have the advantages of an angel, but are allowed to keep the things that make you human because of your mother. Your humanity has saved you from the curse of the so called 'superior beings'."
Lloyd was slightly alarmed at the way his father called it a 'curse', but decided that was a topic he shouldn't touch just yet.
"So, basically, this power sleeps inside me, and it is activated when I use the Eternal Sword or if I experience a surge of mana, whether it comes from an internal or external source. It turns on and off."
"Yes, and who knows? There maybe even more catches to it. This is the first time something like this has ever happened, at least to my knowledge. But be careful. Because you are not full angel you can probably use your powers with almost no restrictions. Think of it as a fighting technique. However, because of that they can exert a lot of stress on your body. And at the same time they a part of you, like an arm or leg. You feeling me pick that feather proves it. Don't overdo it."
Lloyd stopped and scratched his head, exhaling a deep breath. He grinned at his father and said, "Well, I'm glad that's all settled. I think I get it. Now I don't have to worry about the Professor labeling me for study as a new species."
Kratos had not expected him to take it so well. Lloyd may not have been a new species, but he was still a 'one of a kind'. His life would probably be difficult because of the implications that were bound to ensue.
He suddenly chuckled to himself, Of course, I should have known. This is Lloyd- he wouldn't let this get him down after all he's been through. Not for something like this.
"Well, I suppose that explanation should be sufficient for a two year wait," Lloyd smirked.
Kratos, startled, asked, "You…really waited for two years? You really believed I would come back?"
"Of course!" Lloyd chirped happily, "I never really thought that you would go away forever. Origin confirmed it for me. Every day I waited, every morning waking up, expecting to see you. Some of the others weren't as sure….Which reminds me! I won the bet!" Lloyd threw his arms up in joy, "Now the Professor owes me one 'lecture pass'."
Kratos really didn't know what to say, so instead he just commented, "Lecture pass…that would certainly come in handy. Not that you listen to them anyway."
"Yeah, but now it will be official."
"A-huh."
"Hmm? Hey, it's the crater from the Odin's Tear," Lloyd pointed off between some trees.
Kratos followed Lloyd's gaze and saw the scar left behind the plummeting crystal.
"How about that? Wondered right to the scene of the crime," Lloyd laughed.
Kratos relaxed his pose and smiled as well.
The calm peace had not lasted long, for the pair felt a force that chilled the very air. The pair jerked their heads to the crater and simultaneously shot towards it.
As they reached the edge of the hole they peered down into it. At the center stood a young man, probably in his low twenties, clothed in a white and green tunic. Belts and leather straps lined his pants and shirt, similar to Cruxis-style fashion. Ruffled, jet-black hair reached down to the nape of his neck and covered his face from sight.
He didn't seem to be doing anything suspicious in particular, but the two could feel the belligerent aura emanating from him. The man casually looked in their direction, but they saw that he recognized that they were no normal passerby.
His golden eyes locked with theirs, and he flashed them a charming, harmless smile. His face was sweet, but his eyes were as hard as stone.
"Lloyd, keep your guard up," Kratos warned. He pulled out his wings glided swiftly to the stranger, all in one deft movement.
Lloyd closed his eyes and held up his right hand. In a flash, his wings were out and he swiftly followed his father.
The two landed a few meters away from the man.
Lloyd whispered to Kratos, "Are you sure it's okay to bring out our wings?"
"I have a feeling he already knows," Kratos found no reason to whisper, and leered coldly at the young man, "What business do you have here?"
The man only grinned wider and his eyes grew amused, "Kratos is it?" His voice was cocky, yet smooth as honey. He turned to Lloyd and laughed, "Hahaha. And his kid too! Damn! The old hag was right! Thor's gonna love this."
In a blur of movement Kratos had the tip of his sword only a hairsbreadth away from the man's throat. Lloyd stared in amazement, Wow. The man, however, was unimpressed.
Kratos never broke his icy glare, and the man never dropped his calm front or his smile, even for a second. Even as a sword was held to his throat he only smiled. It was as if he was playing a fun game.
"Why. Are. You. Here," it was no longer a question, but a harsh command.
Placing his hands on his hips, the man shook his head slightly, "Now, now, that's not very nice. After all, we are pretty much on the same side. Sorta."
Kratos' grip grew tighter on his sword and he was about to speak when he stopped himself cold. The man's eyes grew savage, and in the blink of the eye, he had escaped Kratos' reach, and vanished from sight. With a feeling of dread, Kratos pivoted on his heel to his son.
Lloyd's gaze was darting everywhere, calmly searching for the man.
"LLOYD!!!" Kratos ran to him.
Lloyd was startled at his father's outburst and stared at him, not noticing the man reappear behind him.
"Hmph. So these are angel wings, eh?" The man was nonchalantly poking at Lloyd's wings with one hand, the other placed on the back of Lloyd's head. Lloyd seemed paralyzed by his touch, even unable to breathe.
"JUDGEMENT!!!!!!" Kratos screamed, infuriated at the man for putting his son in danger.
Pillars of light came crashing down with tremendous force, creating little craters of their own. The stranger jumped backwards to dodge the attacks and Lloyd was released, falling to one knee.
The man made it to the edge of the crater, slightly out of breath. Kratos saw with grim satisfaction that the man's left arm was nearly burned to a crisp.
"Hahaha!" instead of pained, the man looked thrilled, "Well, I'd love to play with you some more, but I think I've overstayed my welcome. Everyone at home won't be too pleased about this." The mysterious man held up a hand and cried out, "Fenrir!!!"
Out of the trees shot a silver-blue streak. It landed beside the man and he climbed atop what seemed to be a humungous wolf. It had ethereal gold eyes, similar to the man's. Wooden and crystal beads and leather straps were interwoven into its moonbeam fur. It looked like a divine creature straight out of a myth.
The man gave a mock salute with his uninjured arm and called, "Catch ya later!"
With that he vanished, the wolf bounding away at high speeds.
He escaped thought coldly, That will have to do. He walked over to his son, now sitting on the ground. For now.
"Are you injured?" Kratos kneeled beside his son, all iciness gone.
"Nah…I'm okay. Just a little shaken up…" Lloyd let out a shaky breath.
"I'm sorry for the Judgement. But rest assured, I-"
Lloyd just brushed it off, "No, it wasn't that. I knew you wouldn't hit me. It was whatever that guy did. I couldn't move, or even breathe, at all. It was weird."
The two smiled and got up, Lloyd dismissing his wings.
"That's a relief. I was worried that releasing your wings would take too long, like before," Kratos stated at the sight.
Lloyd grinned, "Oh, that? Yeah, I can do it pretty fast; I just did it the long way to show you how it worked. I've had plenty of practice with it."
"What does that mean exactly?"
Kratos went parent on Lloyd, who just laughed nervously and tried to change the subject, "Well, uh- hey! We should get back to Sheena, she probably saw that Judgement. It was kinda hard to miss. She'll be worried."
Kratos had not finished with Lloyd, but at that moment Sheena came running out of the trees. She looked around, and when she saw them, she darted to them.
"Hey! Are you guys okay?! Was there a battle or something?"
"More like dad getting pissed off and nearly frying this guy to cinders," Lloyd smirked.
Sheena glanced at the damage, "Jeez, remind me never to get on his nerves."
Lloyd then explained what had transpired as the group trotted back to the Rheairds. By the time they reached them, his story was done.
"I see…sounds like he doesn't work solo either. He's probably part of some syndicate, But-" Sheena leaned against a tree, "I don't think Mizuho has any info on them. I've never heard of any one like that."
"If someone that powerful could escape Mizuho's detection, then they must be taken lightly," Kratos sighed.
Nobody spoke for a while. Then Lloyd broke the silence, "Well! We won't get anywhere mulling it over in this clearing. Let's get to the Professor. She might even know something!"
Lloyd's cheer and light smile infected Kratos and Sheena who couldn't feel glum now that he was so chipper.
They double-checked their supplies in case an animal got into it, and prepared to take off. Lloyd rose up into the air, and started to fly around for fun, while Sheena and Kratos were still getting ready.
"Sheena," Kratos said quietly.
"Yes?" she stopped to look at him curiously.
"Thank you, for everything. You are very kind."
"N-nah," Sheena flushed, "This is the least I can do for friends."
Kratos smiled, "But maybe you feel differently towards Lloyd?"
Sheena turned an even brighter shade of red.
"Hehe. You might be good for him," Kratos smirked devilishly and kicked off into the air.
So he shows his true colors, eh? Sheena shook it off and joined them in the sky.
"Oh, yes. And Lloyd?" Kratos called to his son as he flew up next to him.
"Hmm?"
"I'm going to have to give you flying lessons with your wings. You have all the skill of a fledgling bird."
"H-hey!" Lloyd flushed and scowled angrily.
Kratos merely smirked and zoomed ahead.
"Come back here!" Lloyd raced after him, and Sheena followed, laughing all the way.
In case it wasn't clear (sorry!) the event between the dashed line was a flashback.
And there ya have it. All will be revealed….eventually. And just so ya know, people will be returning later in the story (Obaa-chan for example).
And for those wondering who the "mysterious young man" was, I left a few clues (both in this chapter and others) as to his identity.
Oh, and thanks to Keeper of the Balance for the spelling correction ;p.
Well, I hope this can tide you guys over for a while, cuz I might not update for a little while (not MONTHS or anything, just for a bit).
REVIEW!! REVIEW!! REVIEW!! REVIEW!! REVIEW!!REVIEW!! REVIEW!! PWEEEAZE
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!