Chapter 4
The group dismounted from the Rheiards, proceeding up the familiar steps. Yuan stayed slightly behind the group.
"Aren't you coming?" asked Lloyd as he looked back.
Yuan gave a reluctant nod and followed the group up the stairs.
"So what is it that's so urgent?" asked Lloyd.
Yuan remained silent as they proceeded up the stairs into the tower. Regal looked over to Yuan, giving him an untrusting glare. Something seemed suspicious about this whole scenario.
They entered the main chamber of the tower. The settings remained the same as last time. The Eternal sword, the broken pillar, everything was just as it had been last time.
Zelos dashed ahead of the group taking notice of a magical insignia on the floor. It was an intricate circle with some markings inside of it.
"Hey Collette, why don't you come take a look at this? I believe that it's in an angelic script."
Yuan raised a hand to protest as Collette entered the circle with Zelos. The circle began to glow as the insignia whirled around on the floor.
"What's happening," Lloyd asked frantically.
The circle disappeared, along with the two chosen.
"Well done, chosen." resounded a voice through the room.
A woman clad in black appeared before the group. The circle reappeared at her side.
"Why thank you lady Pronyma."
"Zelos! What are you doing?" Lloyd asked.
"I told you Lloyd I side with the strong."
"I don't believe you."
"You were always a pervert, but I never doubted that you were a good person when
it came down to it." Sheena cried.
"Why, thank you, my sweet voluptuous hunt. But in the end, I choose this side. Lord Yggdrasil promised to release me from my fate as a Chosen of Mana if I brought him Collette."
"You hate being the Chosen so much that you would betray your friends?" Regal asked in a judgingly inquisitive manner.
"Oh yeah, It's because of that title that my life has been a total joke. I can't stand it. I can't wait for Seles to become the Chosen instead."
"I cannot let you have the girl," stated Yuan unsheathing his sword.
In a movement of pure grace glorious wings sprouted from his back as he flew forward to attack Pronyma.
"Lord Yuan, you have betrayed Lord Yggdrasil!" she declared as she parried the attack.
"Chosen, take the girl to Lord Yggdrasil."
"But Lady Pronyma…"
"Do it now!"
Zelos gave a small bow before he and Collette vanished from sight.
"Collette!" Lloyd called out desperately as he watched his friend and his former companion vanish from sight.
With their disappearance a swarm of armed angels descended from the heights of the tower.
"Lloyd, get out of here. I'll hold them off. Take the hidden passage on the side of the tower," shouted Yuan as he broke of his attack on Pronyma and flew toward the entourage of angels.
"But…"
"Just go!"
Lloyd turned and rushed out of the room. He glanced back over his shoulder as Yuan drew ready to fight off the angels.
The sound of battle rang in the distance as the group ran from the tower. They pressed on ignoring the distant cries and shouts. Lloyd just hoped he had made the right decision in leaving Yuan to fend for himself. He still couldn't believe that Zelos had betrayed them. Yet, something told him to still trust Zelos. Maybe it was some unseen hope, or his unbridled naiveté.
As they exited the tower the group quickly ran along the side of the tower. A dirt road lead downward into a small alcove hidden in the rocks.
"This way," shouted Sheena signaling for the rest of the group to come.
On the ground there lay a metallic device shaped like a circle. This looked to be the same teleporter technology that they had encountered in Welgaia.
"This looks to be our only hope," commented Regal as the group gathered around the teleporter.
"Let's give it a shot," said Lloyd confidently as he stepped forward onto the teleporter.
The rest of the group joined him on the platform. Lloyd just hoped that Yuan really knew where this would go. As the scenery suddenly shifted to that of a large cavernous structure a strong earthen smell overwhelmed Lloyd. Obviously these tunnels hadn't been used in a long time.
The group cautiously proceeded down the tunnels. Their weapons drawn prepared for anything that might be lurking down here.
There was a shriek. Lloyd turned to where it came from. A plant-like creature rushed down the corridor toward the group. The creature leapt into the air toward Sheena.
Presea dashed forward, and with a might swing of her axe she cleaved the creature in two. The creature hit the ground, seemingly withering as its life drained away.
"Thanks Presea," said Sheena.
Presea gave a small nod of acknowledgement.
"It seems that we shall have to proceed a little more cautiously," commented Regal.
The group continued down the corridor. The sounds of dripping water, and their footsteps rang out through the quiet caverns. On each side of them the walls were lined with large vines, some of which almost resembled roots. Bits and pieces of old stone walls remained, as if this were some ancient structure.
Sheena stopped suddenly motioning for the rest of the group to do the same.
"What is it?" asked Lloyd .
"Look ahead," she silently whispered.
A short distance ahead of them was a dark red haired figure clad in a pure white set of clothes that seemed to emanate their own light in this dark setting. A large sword hung from the figure's belt.
"Kratos!" Lloyd stated coldly unsheathing his swords.
The rest of the group likewise prepared their weapons.
Kratos stood as still as a statue, his back to the group.
"You may sheathe your weapons, I have no intention of fighting," said Kratos, his back still to the group.
"What do you want?" Lloyd asked his contempt dripping off of his tongue.
Sheena noticed that Kratos had something in his arms. It looked to be a pale skinned figure with white hair.
"Genis?" stated Sheena silently to herself.
Kratos slowly turned to face the group. Lloyd grit his teeth in anger and anticipation. Lloyd raised his sword to a defensive stance preparing for an attack.
"Lloyd, wait," said Sheena.
Lloyd, picking up on her observations, now noticed that Kratos was holding something. It looked to be a person. A person with white hair, wearing blue.
"Genis!" Lloyd shouted in exasperation.
It was unmistakable. The small form of the half-elf boy rest in Kratos' arms. His blue clothes stained a deep dark red, tainting the pure white clothing that Kratos wore.
"What have you done to him?" Lloyd asked in a fiery, accusing manner.
Kratos took a step toward the wrathful warrior. The group tensed preparing their weapons in anticipation.
"Lloyd, you must continue on with your mission."
Lloyd grew even angrier at Kratos' words.
"What have you done!" yelled Lloyd once more.
"I have come to return your comrade to you. You should give him a proper burial."
Lloyd grit his teeth, charging at Kratos.
"How could you?"
A strong hand placed a firm grasp upon Lloyd's shoulder holding him in place.
"Lloyd, calm down," said Regal.
"Kratos, what is your purpose in coming here."
"It is only proper that I return your friend to you. The dead deserve proper respect."
"He was your friend too!" shouted Lloyd.
Kratos stood there looking into the intense fire in Lloyd's eyes as he made the statement. His stone face showed no emotion, as he silently stood there.
Kratos handed Genis over to Regal. He turned and began walking away. Once again he felt that his heart had grown dull. It pained him to see the look on Lloyds face. The hatred and contempt that Lloyd held against him had little effect on Kratos compared to the deep sense of grief that Lloyd would have. Kratos was content with Lloyd channeling his anger upon him, but he just couldn't bear the thought of the grief that Lloyd and his companions would have to endure. Today they had lost a dear friend.
Kratos was reminded of a time long ago when he had lost several friends. One had died, and the other although still alive in the flesh was truly dead on the inside.
For so long he had wished to be able to express his emotions. To share his pain, his suffering. To be aided with the heavy burden that he alone bore. Yet he knew that these were problems he must face himself. He thought that he had suppressed these moments of weakness long ago. Yet ever since he had met up with Lloyd he was reminded of many things he had tried so hard to forget. Old feelings, that had long remained dormant, were once again brought to the surface.
"Mithos," Kratos sighed as he prepared himself to do what he knew he must.
"Regal is he…?" asked Sheena not being able to clearly formulate her question.
Presea stared at the unmoving boy with a vacant look in her eyes. Lloyd couldn't even bear to look. The anger welled up inside of him.
"Lloyd." Sheena said as she raised her hand to his shoulder.
"Leave me alone," Lloyd yelled as he whipped her hand away.
"Lloyd I know…"
"I said leave me alone," said Lloyd as he took off down the hall with his swords drawn. His fury burned intensely as he ran down the hall. He wanted to hurt Kratos for this. He wanted to make him cry out in agony, just as Genis had likely done.
Lloyd slammed one of his blades into the stone wall, a dull ring resounding through the tempered metal. Lloyd gave another blow, and another. Nothing could quell this fire that burned within him. The flames that licked at his heart and soul threatening to tear him apart.
The only respite that he was offered from this all consuming rage was a slight cool touch of water as it ran down his cheek. The water had a bit of a salty taste as it reached his mouth.
"Why? Why wasn't I there to save Genis?" Lloyd asked himself.
He grew angry with himself, a nauseating feeling growing inside of him as he felt disgust toward himself. He had failed his best friend. He had let him down, just like he had let Collette down once again.
Lloyd tried to compose himself as he heard footsteps approaching. He saw Regal emerge from the shadows.
"Lloyd. I know how you feel. But you must not take it out on the others. They are having a hard time too."
"It's all my fault."
"I know that it feels that way Lloyd, but you must not let yourself..."
"Who are you to talk?"
Regal stood silently. He knew all too well the pain and despair that Lloyd was going through. The guilt for not being able to protect someone was indeed a heavy burden. One he had borne for so long. While his beloved Alicia had forgiven him, there was still a part of him that would never forget; that could never forget.
Authors Note: The dialogue between Zelos and the group is modified from the game. Some lines have been changed to fit the story.