Hi - sorry for the super late update... It's been months since I last wrote for this and I don't know how things will continue from here honestly. It's hard for me to continue writing this one since it starts early in the story, similar to my Regeneration of the World fic. For people who read it before I did some minor changes at the end of chapter 2. Though I don't think they'd really effect the whole plot and stuff... that's about it now.
I'd like to know how many people want me to continue this one otherwise I might have it up for adoption or be discontinued.
Chapter Three: A Change for the Better
I sighed. So I just happened to miss the group I needed to travel with. Well, surely it wouldn't be that bad would it? I heard they were heading towards the fire seal a couple days ago but who knows how old that information is?
As I entered Triet, I noticed the increased activity of the area. The chosen must've arrived already then. I sighed again, feeling the heat of the sand through my shoes. Though I've been brought to various locations around Sylvarant, I was never allowed to go into towns, which is very strange. I glint off to the side caught my attention. I probably should be looking for the boy in red, but...
As I approached the shiny object, it turned out to be a mirror. Picking it up, I looked at my myself. Mid length silver hair, azure eyes. Clad in black and blue. I frowned at my appearance. It definitely wasn't something a sylvaranti would have. Or was it? Based on all the people I've seen, they had more ordinary clothes. But I was an exception because I wasn't a typical person now was I? I am a desian, or rather, was a desian? I should really figure out what stance I'm going to take since I'll soon be facing some familiar people.
I considered myself a desian for how many years but I have been doing tasks for Yuan. Tasks that definitely didn't match the goals the desians had in general. Not that I would say what exactly they were since, well, they would probably end up with him being imprisoned and me most likely dead. Although I've been living a 'desian' life, I actually don't know a lot about it, besides the basic ideologies they have. I spent most of my time learning magic and self defense from Yuan and Botta. Probably years by now. Maybe that explains my lack of knowledge on the desians. I can't say that I'm against them when I don't fully know what they're striving to do. All I know is that it's suppose to be related to helping the world but as far as I know that is a lie. I sighed. It doesn't help that some of the desian cardinals can recognize who I am... which brings me to my conversation with Yuan a few days ago.
I know he wanted me to join the chosen's group but, how in the world would I be able to join it if Kratos is with them? If I can recognize him, what is the odds that he wouldn't be able to recognize me? Though I haven't interacted much with him, I know he's someone related to the desians, maybe one of the cheif desians? My memory is hazy but I am sure he's someone of importance to Cruxis...
I groaned quite loudly, gaining a few glances from passerbyers. Maybe I should do something about my appearance and my 'weapon', not that I actually used it when I fight. It's just something I usually have since I tend to get bored hanging out at the human ranches. I actually fight with daggers and throwing knives. Not that anyone really cared though or even have to know. Yuan told me that since I was most likely to be the first in the group to be targeted for appearing weak and useless, I might as well have a few surprises up my sleve, such as strong magic spell and some assassination techniques. Definitely goes against that stereotype that all mages are slow and are useless when they have to defend themselves.
I heard a cry a distance behind me, which caused me to flinch and drop the mirror I was looking at. Turning, I saw a group of three; Kratos, a silver haired woman and a blond, who was standing up from the huge hole that she most likely made. Must be the chosen's group but... WHERE IS LLOYD? How in the world am I suppose to join them if I have no connections with them whatsoever? I can't be like 'hey Kratos, I know who you are so let me join you okay?' or 'I'm a mage and I know where every single seal is so let me join you'! By having that connection with Lloyd, hopefully he'd remember me and let me join them but first... I need to do something about my appearance...
...
This is ridiculous. Triet has nothing when it comes to hair dye, contact lenses and other stuff I would need. Great. I growled with frustration as I checked the stalls again. Well, I guess I can't say they have nothing when I haven't checked the shops deeper in the place. The chosen's group was hanging out there for quite some time and had only decided to go to the inn moments earlier. Now that the coast was clear, I peered into one of the tents that was adorn with stones.
"Welcome kiddo. What d'you need?" A middle aged man with a long brown beard inquired, giving me a hearty smile.
"Well, I need hair dye and contact lenses. Do you know where I can buy travelling clothes?"
"Sure kiddo! I got all ya need. Any specific colors y' want?"
"Anything that would make me blend better with the people around the continent."
"Huh. How about a reddish brown for your hair and a matching color for yur eyes?" I felt my eye twitch. I do NOT want Kratos related colors. Or Lloyd for a matter of fact. Not. At. All. I shook my head, declining the colors.
"Hmm, what about a platinum blond hue for yur hair and a piercin' emerald for yur eyes?"
"I guess the emerald contacts would be okay but for the hair, can it be black? I don't see many people with platinum hair."
"Hahaha, guess so kiddo! Now for yur clothes... Isn't the clothes yur wearing good 'nough for traveller's clothes? Maybe get rid o' that coat thing and keep the tank with the shorts? Put some o' the belts I've got 'ere." I nodded slowly.
"How much is it going to cost?"
"Hmm... about, let's see... 1...2...3... about 4,000 gald overall." I checked my wallet. Good thing I saved all my earnings.
"Here." With that, the man brought me to the back where he'd dye my hair black and contacts. The contacts came with a few supplies to ensure I could reuse them. It surprised me that I didn't have to take out the contacts when I sleep or when I swim. Apparently they were a new creation. For my dyed hair, he said it'd stay like that. Only way to get my previous hair color is just by letting my hair grow out naturally. For my clothes, I took off the upper layer shirt, leaving a well fitting tank top. That black tank top was tucked into my baggy shorts. I got various belts to hold my supplies and my stash of knives. Two sheathes were attached to each of my sides on the belts so I would have easy access to the daggers. The man also gave me fingerless gloves, saying that it'd match my attire, no cost to me. With that, I said farewell to the man.
Outside, I noticed I got fewer looks from the humans here. Looks like the outfit is actually working. In my bag, I pulled out my kendama and started bouncing it up and down as I searched the vicinity for a certain brown haired boy. The sun was sinking a bit now. Feeling my stomach growl a bit, I searched for a stall that was selling food. Further in Triet, I bought enough ingredients to make a sandwich. As the cashier thanked me for my purchases, I heard a loud group make its way towards me. Desians. I was about to hide but then I realized that they wouldn't be able to recognize me, so there was no point. Listening to their conversation, they said something about a wanted criminal. Shrugging, I streched before turning around and bumping into someone that wore tons of red.
"Ack!" Yup. That has to be him. I picked myself up from the already cooling sand, brushing off the bits that clinged onto my clothes.
"You're... Lloyd right?" I asked, feeling awkward. He probably doesn't remember me at all.
"...Huh? Yeah, that's me. And you are... Whoa! You're that guy from Iselia Forest! What's up with your appearance?" Lloyd's face scrunches up with confusion. Guess I could tell that was going to happen.
"Genis. Genis err... Ka-Fai. If I knew we were going to meet again, I probably would've told you my name earlier." Sorry Yuan. Hopefully Lloyd doesn't introduce me to the chosen's group using my full name.
"Hahah, nice to meet you Genis, well... meet you again!" The chestnut haired boy grinned. I managed to give him a smile, though most of it was faked.
"Now, do you mind telling me what's up with your appearance? I only recognized you by your voice."
"Well, I stood out too much and I'd prefer if people didn't stare at me." That much was true since I wasn't stared at all at the desian bases.
"I see. If that's the case, then I guess I get your point. Oh! Just wondering but, did you see a blond girl that travelled with a silver haired woman and a mercenary that wears purple? I'm searching for that group and I'm pretty sure they're here."
Bingo. Nodding, I explained to Lloyd that I saw them earlier in the day. They were resting at the inn most likely and we could probably catch up to them. While I was at it, I asked if I could join Lloyd and his companions. He agreed but said he'd have to check with them if they were okay with it, hinting that they were most likely to be okay with it.
As we were heading towards the inn, we heard a loud 'halt'. Turning, we came face to face with the group of desians that were patrolling the town.
"You-! You're wanted criminal 0074, Lloyd Irving!" He's the wanted criminal that they were looking for? Geeze, that certainly is wonderful!
We step away, drawing our weapons. The nearby people screamed as they ran away, knowing things could get ugly. The desian with crossbow aims his weapon at me while the other two with blades rush towards Lloyd. I rolled out of the way, pulling a throwing knife out and embedding it into the desian's hand, causing him to grunt. Lloyd meanwhile was deflecting the attacks the other two were making on him, occasionally sending a demon fang here and there to create space.
I barely noticed the sound of a door opening and the footsteps of people approaching.
"L-Lloyd!" It was the voice of a girl. With a quick glance, it was the same blond girl from earlier today. The silver hair woman quickly took a stance, probably casting healing magic. Kratos rushed into battle, breaking the fight into one on one battles.
As they took care of the swordsmen, I quickly chanted the incantation for flame lance. Feeling an arrow sink into my shoulder, I continued the incantation, my concentration not broken.
"Flame Lance!" As the desian screamed as he got burned, our battle quickly ended.
I pulled the arrow out, flinching at the pain, while Lloyd regrouped with his friends. As I tossed it to the sand, I joined him, causing the others to look at me.
"-and guys, this is Genis! We met awhile ago at Iselia. You guys wouldn't mind him joining us in the journey right?" The blond haired girl happily chirped her approval while Kratos and the silver haired healer thought about it.
"If it's what the chosen desires, so be it." 3 okays, one undecided. I turned to the healer, noting that she was a half elf just like me.
"It should be fine since he will be able to aid us during the fights though... I am wondering how long he will be traveling with us and for what reason."
"Aww, come on professor! Can't we do that later? Shouldn't we head off to release the seals?" Lloyd whined a bit. In response, the healer shook her head.
"It's a bit late to be traveling right now. We were about to discuss our travel plans until we heard the commotion outside." With that, the elder of the chosen's group returned inside the in, us following her.
Inside, they split the room arrangement so the healer, who was called Raine, would room with the chosen, Colette. Kratos would have his own room while I shared a room with Lloyd. It was a bit late now, so they decided that Raine and Kratos will make a plan while the rest of us could relax. Colette joined us in our room, hoping to get to know me better.
"So Genis, can you tell us about yourself? You seem to be younger than us by a few years." The red clad swordsman asked, breaking the silence.
"Well, that's a very vague question and I'm not too sure what exactly you'd want to know. As for my age, I'm twelve." Ignoring the surprise evident on their faces, I continued. "Just to let you guys know... I'm a half elf. Since we'll be traveling together, you might as well know this." Once again, they showed some surprise.
"Oh! That would explain why you can use magic." Colette chirped. Her eyes suddenly lit up as she asked me a question. "You wouldn't mind being friends with us would you?"
"U-um, no. Not at all." They wanted to be friends with me? A half elf? That's a bit hard to believe.
"Moving on, can you tell me what kind of hobbies you have and uhh, I guess the skill you have as well?" Lloyd asked, trying to figure out a way to ask questions without sounding stupid.
"Well, I enjoy reading for one -" I ignored the look of horror that was on Lloyd's face. He probably doesn't like to study. "- and I also enjoy cooking. I can use magic, as you saw earlier, and my weapon of choice are daggers and knives."
"Eh? I thought you fought with a kendama!" Lloyd exclaims.
"Um. No. If I did, I'd probably be dead already. I used the kendama as a source of entertainment when I'm waiting for people or if I need a distraction."
"Oh. That makes sense." I prevented myself from rolling my eyes at Lloyd.
Our conversation continued for a long time. I learned a lot about Lloyd, Colette, as well as their stories about Raine and the little they knew about Kratos. With us feeling exhausted, we all retired to our rooms (only Colette actually) and prepared to rest.
While Lloyd snored softly, I pondered about the journey I was joining in. Somehow, I felt a bit guilty about the task I was suppose to carry out. Yuan told me specifically prior to our meeting about his plan. Now it was my job to carry out that plan. I grimaced. I finally found humans that accepted me and now... I would be the one who would betray them.
I closed my eyes, thinking about the task I needed to fulfill. I could feel my resolve slipping. Even though I only knew them for a short while, the awkwardness I originally felt was no longer there. There was that irritating feeling of hope that I could be friends with them. So many different hopes that were ignited by those hours of talking and sharing thoughts. I clenched my fists.
I mustn't forget my original goal, no matter how much I realize it may hurt me and the people around me. Even if it meant I had to forfeit my new friendship with these people.
All in order to save the world by assassinating Colette.
- Chapter Three END -