Chapter 10: Tears and Rage
On the path returning to Iselia
"So…" Lloyd said "Colette said to meet her at her house…"
"Lloyd, you we're told that 15 minutes ago. Stop repeating it, we all know" Genis said shaking his head.
Before Lloyd could say anything back a large four legged creature nearly pounced on him.
"Oh wow, Noishe…" Shane said to himself as Noishe rapidly whined to Lloyd who was desperately trying to cam him down. Apparently Noishe was in some sort of panic since the attack in town by the Desians and the appearance of monsters didn't help it either.
Perfect timing Shane thought, I better get to Colette's place fast before Kratos screws us out. With Lloyd and Genis preoccupied, Shane quietly snuck away and quickened his own pace back to the village.
Iselia Village; Brunel Residence
Shane ran past entrance to town and straight for Colette's, fortunately he remember exactly where it was since Iselia was rather small. As he made his way to the house he could already hear voices of Colette's parents thanking the mercenary.
Kratos… Shane said to himself you'd had better not hogged all the glory…, He pushed the door open.
"Oh hello Shane." Colette was the first to notice "Where is Lloyd?"
"Noishe had a panic attack outside of town. Genis is with him trying to calm him down."
At the table Kratos and the Mayor were discussing the terms of how the Chosen would be protected. Phaidra stood up from her chair and slowly walked towards Shane
"Thank you for your assistance. Please take this." She hands out a green hardcover book.
"Thank you." Shane said taking the large Collector's Book from her.
"Then, we shall entrust the protection of the Chosen to Kratos and Professor Raine." The Mayor said finally
"I have no objections…" Kratos replied
"Sorry…" Shane said raising his voice "But I do…"
Everyone looked at Shane for a moment. Kratos gave him a rather emotionless stare.
"A mercenary and a professor, I hardly think that's enough for World Regeneration."
"If you are asking to go then the answer is no." Kratos said quietly "The Chapel was nothing compared to the journey that lies ahead."
"Then why only send two people with the Chosen? There is strength in numbers and I doubt that even a strong mercenary like you would be able to handle this perilous journey." Shane said back with a hint of sarcasm
Kratos was a bit agitated now "You'll only get in the way…"
"Considering that I saved your back from a Desian at the Chapel entrance you'll probably want me in your way…" Shane retorted, remembering back to the giant Desian who nearly embedded his cleaver into Krato's backside.
Before the now agitated Kratos could speak the door was knocked open by Lloyd followed closely by Genis.
"We're you guys just talking about the Journey for World Generation?" Lloyd said quickly
"Yes." Phaidra said with Shane face palming himself No shit Lloyd…
I want to go, too! I want to see Colette regenerate the world!"
"And if Raine is going, I want to go too!" Genis added along
"You are all going to get in the way...!" Kratos said firmly "You children need to stay home."
"What!?!?" Lloyd said taken aback by the man's words
The Mayor then slowly stands up "Kratos is absolutely right, you kids should just go home and leave the journey to Kratos and Raine. We have important matters to discuss."
"Why I oughta…" Lloyd said angrily
"Lloyd…!"
People expected Kratos to say something but once again all heads turned to Shane who had stopped Lloyd's brash moment of hatred on Kratos
"Forget it just head back… I'll meet up with you later…"
"I thought they told all of us to go home? What about you?"
"You forget something, here… I have no home…"
Lloyd and Genis looked at each other for a moment but another stare from Shane was already enough coupled with the demand to go away. They left without another word…
"You should go with them lad." The Mayor added
"Put a sock in it!" Shane said loudly turning his attention to Kratos
After staring for nearly two straight minutes Shane firmly with a cold voice: "I bet Anna would be really proud of you now…"
For the moment Kratos's skin paled for nearly a millisecond as Shane gazed unblinkingly at him. Shane quietly left the place right after shutting the door behind him.
"Anna? Who is Anna?" Colette asked
"I… have no idea…" Kratos said in a very low, disheartened voice… "Let's get back to work…"
How did he…? Does…!?!? Lloyd know!?!?