Tales of Crimson Tears Chapter Five: A Plan of Attack
Okay well, hehe, quick update! Now that you know Fake Lloyd is indeed of a devious sort, let's go back to Lloyd! Enjoy~
Lloyd sighed and looked over towards the village. From his current viewpoint he could see the village and-his fists clenched in anger-that faker along with Genis and Colette. The two appeared to be completely clueless to the fact that it wasn't really him. He watched them for a moment or two, saw Colette spin around, apparently care-free...He sighed and earnestly hoped they would remain safe until he could figure something out. "Don't let that faker hurt you guys..." He mumbled under his breath.
Maybe it should be you who is worried little spirit boy. A voice as dry and cheerful death rasped out from behind him. Startled, Lloyd whirled around and then gasped in shock, taking a step back at the same time. There was what appeared to be some sort of horrible specter. Nervously, Lloyd assessed it. The specter had once been a human like him, maybe a year or so younger. But whoever it had been they were obviously dead and had been for awhile. The specter was literally as pale as death. One eye socket was empty, a dry gunk formed under it, and it's clothes had huge gashes in them. It seemed to be covered in blood.
"W-who are you?" Lloyd's voice trembled. He had never really been all that supersitious but he was faced with something he had never encountered before and it wasn't a nice picture. A stink of death clung in the air around the specter. For comfort, Lloyd gripped the handle of his sword.
I am what you see. I am someone who died long ago and is trapped in this place. The specter bared rotting and fanged teeth at Lloyd. It advanced a few feet closer to him, the stink intensifying. His eyes watering, Lloyd held a hand to his nose. How could it smell so awful!? The specter laughed chillingly, seeming to take delight in Lloyd's discomfort and fear. What, do I smell bad? Oh so sorry, us ghosties don't get many chances for baths. It grinned at Lloyd and something oozed from between it's teeth and fell to the ground, silently sinking into the ground.
"Y-Yeah I guess so" He stammered, taking another step back. There was something really menacing in the way that...thing was staring at him. Like it's gonna-
Attack you? The specter smirked. Nahhh...I'd rather kill you!!! It lunged at Lloyd with a shriek, hands hooked into talons. Lloyd was just barely able to leap out of the way as it landed beside him. Hissing, the specter turned to face him and stabbed at him with bare hands. Instinctively, Lloyd drew his swords in a blocking position and was amazed when the specter's attack bounced off them.
"W-What?" He stared at his still transparent swords with amazement. Why did that work when it hadn't been able to cut the trees? However, once he thought about it, it made more sense. He, Lloyd, was no longer amoung the living and neither was the specter. However, the tree had been alive. So that meant he could harm dead things but couldn't touch living thing-
Better keep your mind from wandering if you don't wanna die! Giggling crazily the specter leaped at him. Not that it'll make a difference in the end! Quickly, Lloyd dodged to the side and then stabbed at the specter. It moved, but not enough to avoid completely and wailed in pain as Lloyd's swords cut into it's side. Black gunk gushed out of the wound. Growling, the specter whirled around and glared at Lloyd. You'll suffer before you die, I'll make sure of it!
"Demon Fang!" He swung at the specter, hoping to make a direct hit. Unfortunately the specter leaped out of the way and then dived down at Lloyd. "Gah!" He cried, stumbling and off balance as he struggled to dodge the attack. Laughing, the specter slashed at Lloyd triumphantly. The attack grazed Lloyd's chest and ripped his shirt just a bit. "Why are you trying to kill me?!" Lloyd regained his balance and jumped back a little before it could attack him again.
Because! Because I hate you! You little wretch...Why should you get another chance at life while I must remain here for all of eternity, suffering endlessly!? There was something suspiciously close to a sob as the specter lunged at him again. It's NOT FAIR! In a crazed frenzy the specter attacked him, intent to kill gleaming in it's remaining eye. Dodging and countering, Lloyd struggled to draw their battle to a close. He was beginning to tire but the specter continued on with the same mad energy. Shrieking, the specter lunged at Lloyd, slimy, dead hands wrapping themselves around Lloyd's windpipe.
"Let go!" His voice came out slightly strained. For a moment, he was glad he was dead and didn't need air anymore or else this would be really uncomfortable. However, slowly getting your throat crushed wasn't exactly Lloyd's idea of a fun time either. The specter hissed, it's rank breath washing over Lloyd. Quickly, Lloyd brought his sword and and rammed it into the specter's stomach, forcing it away although his throat was gouged slightly. A dark red liquid, resembling blood but not quite the same, trickled out of the wound. Stumbling away Lloyd held a hand to his throat and warily stared at the specter, readying himself for it's next attack.
Why are you so persistent!? Growling, the specter circled around him, looking for a chance to attack and end it. Lloyd slowly turned to face it as it circled. Suddenly, the specter lunged at him.
"Demon Fang!" This time the attack hit the specter dead on. With a startled shriek the specter fell to it's knees and then to the ground. Startled, Lloyd lowered his swords. The specter just laid there. Lloyd's eyes widened in shock as he heard the first shakey sob and saw what seemed to be tears fall from it's eye as the other one dribbled more gunk.
Please...please just end it...The specter whispered. I can't stand this anymore...Everyone but me has moved on...I'm so alone. It looked up at Lloyd pleadingly. Cautiously, Lloyd crouched beside it, still half expecting it to attack him. I don't want to remain here anymore but I can't move on. I became so angry and sorrowful that I couldn't stand it anymore. That's why I attacked you...You who is free. You who still have a chance to live. To return to those you care about...It's one good eye closed. Please.
After a few minutes Lloyd nodded. "Yeah...I'll do it. Are you certain?" The specter nodded. Lloyd stood up and positioned his sword so that it was aimed for the direct middle of the specter's chest. He paused for a second and then quickly stabbed his sword down. The specter jerked and cried out as the sword hit dead center. It's eye reopened.
T-thank...y...ou...The specter began to dissolve. Pulling his sword out and stepping back Lloyd watched it. As it slowly disapeared, something changed about the specter. It's fearsome appearance changed until a young boy emerged. He smiled at Lloyd and then vanished. Lloyd's eyes widened. That boy had...His appearance was like that of a young boy who had died fifty years earlier. The mayor had often talked about as a warning to the village kids. It would seem the boy had wandered into the woods and become lost. Despite the efforts of the boy's desperate family and villagers, they had been too late finding him and the boy had perished, drowned in a stream. A few years later the rest of the family had died in a fire.
"That little boy...He was trapped here for all these years?" Lloyd whispered as he sheathed his sword. "...I hope you find peace." Slowly, Lloyd headed towards the village again. He sighed and thought about his current issues again. He didn't think there was anyone in the village who would enjoy having their body stolen from them. Of course, you'd have to be out of your mind to enjoy such an incident but still...Okay, he didn't think there was anyone in the village who would be able to just understand and accept it. The thought of not having a body for even a day was rather scary. There might be a few kids in the village who might have a bit of fun with it but a kid's body wouldn't exactly be a great choice for fighting agianst, well, himself. Lloyd didn't know if the body thief had inherited his skills or not but either way he didn't think a kid would have much of a chance against him.
Brooding over his problem, Lloyd floated on towards the village. Suddenly, he stopped as he neared the desian ranch. There were a few Desians up ahead of him. They looked like they were enjoying a break or something and were standing around the entrance to the ranch, chattting with each other cheerily.
"So yeah, I was like all, move faster ya old hag! Then I got this perfect crack of the whip." He demonstrated with a flick of the wrist. "Heh, that old lady sure moved quick for her age!" The three Desians laughed. Hearing their conversation Lloyd felt a bolt of anger rush through him. People like them made Lloyd feel sick. He floated nearby them and wished he could do something. Unfortunately, these Desians were still very much alive.
After a couple minutes the Desians turned and headed back towards the ranch, their break apparently over. Still chatting, they waited for the gate to open and then quickly stepped inside. Lloyd went up to the gate and looked skyward. It was a tall gate for sure, one meant to ensure that no prisoners escaped and no villagers got in. You'd have to be able to fly to get in...or have the ability to walk through walls. Grinning, Lloyd entered, feeling a slight rush as he passed through. However, the grin quickly dropped from his face as he saw what was beyond the gate. He knew the Desians were cruel to the prisoners but this was just too much The line of the prisoners pushing those heavy blocks as the Desians ruthlessly yelled and whipped them made Lloyd feel angrier then he ever had before.
"Hurry it up ya lazy dirt bags!" A Desian snarled and kicked at one of the prisoners. "We ain't got all day! If you're gonna be slow then ya can work into the night too!" Grumbling under their breaths, the prisoners struggled to pick up the pace. "And no back talk either!" Lloyd clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, watching the scene before him.
A few seconds later, a Desian with aqua coloured hair stepped into the yard and viewed the prisoners with a look of distaste. Lloyd looked over at him, mostly staring at the giant gold cannon on his arm.
"Lord Forcystus!" Quickly, the Desians in the yard gave a small bow of respect towards the half elf.
"How is our progress?" He barked out, scanning the yard. A nearby Desian spoke up.
"Great sir! We're on schedule as ordered."
"Good." Forcystus turned and headed back inside. Lloyd stared after him intently, beginning to form a plan. So yeah, there was nobody in the village who's body he could take without regrets but what about someone from the Desians? He sure wouldn't regret it and maybe he could do some damage while he was at it. He grinned knowing exactly who's body he planned to steal. Following after Forcystus, Lloyd took note of the bases layout in case something happened. Forcystus certainly looked strong and he had the respect of the Desians. Of course, it might be a little hard to get close to his thief while the faker was hanging around with Genis and Colette but surely there would be a time when he went off by his own and that would be when Lloyd struck.
"Just you wait faker. I'm gonna get my body back whether you like it or not." Grinning, Lloyd hurried after Forcystus.
I was actually wondering who's body Lloyd was gonna take...At first I was kinda thinking Kratos but then I realized that would mess things up to the extreme...I don't know if I got Forcystus personality down but I'll give it my best! Please comment and give me feedback or advice!