Tales of Crimson Tears Chapter Nine: The Wind Begins To Blow

Chapter Nine! (Does a quick happy dance XD) Haha...sorry about the long update wait. Writer's block . and this chapter ended up being short...Enjoy~

Through the mysterious hallway that was not a hallway at all a graceful and wise man walked. A man who was not a man but merely took the form for convience. Yet nor was he a god. He seemed to be of the same sort that the man who had earlier spoken to Lloyd was. As he walked the hallway shifted. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to say it was not a mere hallway at all but rather a passageway to dreams and destinies. The man entered a large domed room, filled with treasures, mysteries and colours that would appear grey to those whose lifetime was limited by countless restrictions and so could not see such things until freed from mortal forms.

"X-it!" As the man strode towards the center of the room, another man ran towards him. "X-it!" He repeated and slowed as he neared, bowing his head slightly. "My Lord, you have returned from your ramblings in the mortal realm?" The man called X-it laughed.

"Jian, Jian! Honestly," He lightly punched at the smaller man's shoulder. "We have been friends since time began. There is no need of such titles and no reason to act as those I am your better." The one called Jian glared up at his friend and lord, X-it.

"You've lived longer then I and you're still as immature as a child. Why don't you act like your position demands of you?"

"Like it demands? Can one who is limitless and eternal be demanded by anything? Of course, when it is everything you are talking about, you are resricted by everything and free of all rules." He chuckled and shook his head. Jian frowned.

"You talk in riddles and speak of nonsense. You are a child in a man's body."

"Ah, but children are far more resourceful then one knows. They are special and gifts to the world from across the void of which everything was born." X-it sat down in a small chair and looked upwards thoughtfully. "A void that seeks to destroy and to create. Someone from the void has shifted the balance though they don't exist. How has such a thing come to pass?" He mused thoughtfully. "Sit Jian. You always act like you have a stick up yo-" Jian hmphed and sat down, glaring at his lord.

"What are you going to do about that mess?" He gestured towards a small orb filled with chaotic colours and hints of madness. "You certainly can't allow it to fester." X-it gazed at the orb for a long time before nodding.

"Thats why I sent Kaimaru down to investigate. I must admit he made a wise choice, contacting the one who is deeply involved in all this and will one day become great." X-it stretched and looked over at Jian. "What about your young apprentice, Koina? Are you content to allow her to wander here or will you let her go out and become entangled in the events that are transpiring?" Jian was quiet as he considered his lord's words.

"Though you make it sound like a bad thing, I will send Koina to investigate as you did with Kaimaru. However, she is to go to the other world and see what there is to see. She's not yet ready for what's happening and I want her to be a little prepared and have knowledge of how the world works." X-it nodded in approval at Jian's decision.

"I concur that she isn't ready yet but I am certain when the time comes she will be." He smiled at Jian.

"My lords!" Both Jian and X-it turned as the one known as Kaimaru entered the room. He bowed to the both of them. "I've returned from the world." X-it and Jian nodded, signalling for him to continue. "The mysterious being that started all this is moving. It seems it is seeking to be born and has assumed control of a spirit from the world. Through it's influences, the spirit has stolen the body of the young man Lloyd Irving and is searching for the means for it to be born."

"How troublesome." X-it said simply. Jian rolled his eyes.

"Things like this wouldn't happen if you took your duty more seriously."

"Ah but what is the fun in that?" X-it grinned at the shocked Jian.

"I can't believe you...!" Jian glared at X-it. "Your so-"

"My lords I am going to continue despite your arguement so please shut up." By now Kaimaru was plenty used to their arguing and bickering, having spent centuries listening to it. "Irving is currently seeking to regain what has been stolen from him. However he is up against a formidable foe and will encounter forces that no mortal should have knowledge of. What do you suggest be done?" X-it looked thoughtful.

"Well...I think it is already too late to stop what is happening and we should allow events to run their course, with a few nudges from us in the right direction."

"Nudges?" Jian laughed. "Your 'nudges' are more like shoves off of steep cliffs!" X-it did his best to look insulted.

"I would never be so rude as to shove somebody." At this both Jian and Kaimaru rolled their eyes. "For now, let us sit back and observe, acting only when necessary."

"Of course my lord." Jian and Kaimaru nodded towards X-it. The three of them relaxing, they gazed into the orb and watched as events unfolded...

~With Lloyd and Forcystus~

Stop! Be discreet! If it is indeed Desians who attacked the village against my orders, then I want to know why and who. Reluctantly, Lloyd slowed his steps and stepped off the path onto the hillside and stealthily and quietly crawled up until he could see the battle. His eyes widened as he took in the bodies of the dead and dying priests, horror and sorrow leaving a thudding ache in his chest. Those priests he had known, had spoken to when he went with Colette to see them...their lives erased by Desians! His fists clenched in rage.

"Desians!" He hissed angrily.

...Those aren't Desians. Forcystus spoke up and Lloyd's eyes widened.

"What are you talking about?"

...Forcystus felt reluctance to tell him the truth but he would no doubt be pestered until he told him, having let that slip. The human might even resort to tatics that would force Forcystus to tell him and his pride refused to allow that to happen.

They're called Renegades and they impersonate Desians. Forcystyus sighed. It might have been a better thing if it had been my men and not the renegades...He muttered to himself. Lloyd however ignored Forcystus for the moment, focusing on Colette, Genis and that damned body thief. It looked like the three of them had managed to fend off the Des...renegades as Forcystus had called them. But now a larger D-renegade approached the trio and glared at them, swinging his weapon, a ball and chain. Genis, Colette, and the Faker quickly took up defensive-offensive positions. Lloyd yearned to help them but Forcystus kept him in check with his damned logic. Lloyd squirmed, anxious and ripped some grass out of the ground.

"Who are you!?" Genis shouted, though obviously scared. The Faker simply looked on with indifference.

"Do not get in my way runt." The D-...Renegade demanded, glaring at Genis. Genis shook his head.

"I won't let you hurt Colette you Desian! Fireball!" Genis' attack landed and the Renegade growled at Genis, narrowing his eyes. The Renegade swung the ball and chain at the Faker Lloyd who quickly raised a sword to deflect it, jumping back at the same time. The attack just barely missed. Faker Lloyd smirked.

"Demon Fang!" He shouted. The battle raged on, with the trio's attack doing little against the Renegade. Finally, the trio was exhausted and open to attack, too tired to fight or defend any longer. Lloyd felt his heart leap into his throat. The Renegade aimed for Colette and Lloyd was about to spring into action to save her when someone deflected the attack!

...I'll try to make the next chapter longer...This chapter was kinda painful to write, it was like UGH I don't wanna do this . Well Kratos is in the next chapter so updates will be faster!~ Till next time! ^.^