Hi guys! n.n It's getting dark earlier now...
Colette: Summer's half over...
Me: SILENCE! T.T Say the disclaimer...
Colette: Um...Freakyanimegal owns nothing?
Iselia
"Why did you take me along?"
The group stopped and turned to look at the Cruxis Seraph.
"...Keep your friends close, your enemies closer," Lloyd said, "it's easier to keep an eye on you this way."
"Heh," Kratos smirked. "I see..."
"So um...how do we get in?" Genis asked.
"Hm..." Lloyd trailed.
"Then..." the half-elf glared, "you could probably just jump down from the cliff like last time...
"W-"
Lloyd barely caught himself at the look Raine gave him.
"W...what are you talking about?" Lloyd asked.
"...Nevermind," Genis huffed, still not looking away from Lloyd.
"I can simply fly over it...like this," Kratos said.
He spread his sapphire wings and zoomed over the gate, landing on the other side and opening the gate.
"...That works," Colette said.
"Right, let's go," Lloyd said.
The group made their way into the complex, reaching a moment where they could have Raine hack into the system to locate
the mana reactor. However, there was also the issue of the captives...
"We can split up," Lloyd said.
"I'll take care of the mana reactor," Kratos stated, "I doubt any of you will know how the properly deactivate it."
Raine glared.
"Wait, I'm coming with you then," Lloyd said.
"Then I'm going," Raine stated, "...Presea, would you come as well?"
"What-?" Lloyd started.
"I don't trust you two," Raine said, "so naturally I want to keep an eye on you."
"But Raine-!" Genis said.
"I will go," Presea stated.
"But-!" Genis stammered.
"I will take care of your sister, Genis," Presea stated.
"So it's decided," Raine said, "Regal, the rest of you can evacuate the captives, right?"
He nodded.
"Grr...Fine," Lloyd said, "let's go."
"Since when did you become leader anyway, chick-bait?" Zelos asked.
"I-"
"We don't have any time, let's find the captives and then split up," Raine said.
Well, finding the captives was relatively easily... Needless to say, the grunts fell rather quickly. Though then they had to
split up the team...
"Wait!"
Lloyd stared. It was Chocolat.
"W-where's Lloyd?" she asked, looking at them.
"...Lloyd's...um..." Genis muttered.
"He's...not here," Colette said.
"Oh...then...could you tell him that I'm...sorry?" she said.
Lloyd fidgeted.
"...Yeah," Colette forced a smile.
"...We should get moving," Raine said.
Lloyd nodded, "Yeah..."
So they went their separate ways, and it wasn't very long before the group of Lloyd, Kratos, Raine and Presea found
themselves on the bridge like path leading to the mana reactor. That's when Forcystus showed up.
"That's as far as you go," he said.
"Forcystus!" Lloyd said.
"Well what do you know, the rumors were true," Forcystus smirked.
"...Rumors? What rumors?" Lloyd paled.
"That doesn't matter, the point is that you're not getting out of here alive!"
"Wait! If you don't stop the reactor this world will-!"
"What do we care? We have Derris-Kharlan!"
"Tch, let me guess...you think that even if this world is destroyed, you can go to Derris-Kharlan?" Kratos huffed. "Yggdrasill
would never waste his time saving pawns... The fool actually would go this far just to protect her? By putting the worlds
and his followers in peril?"
"...You speak as if you know him...who are you?" the half-elf hissed.
"It is of little consequence," he stated, drawing his sword.
"Heh, fine then!"
Forcystus ran at them, Lloyd barely getting a sword out in time to block the cannon on the Grand Cardinal's arm. He barely
had time to back up before the half-elf hurled a large gust of wind at them, only a quickly cast 'guardian' preventing the
dual swordsman from toppling over. Forcystus took advantage of this opportunity to attempt to disable Raine, the healer,
but was deflected with several well placed blocks on Kratos' part. Presea slammed her axe down from above towards the
Desian's head, but he side-stepped and then bashed the girl hard upside the head, knocking her down. Lloyd and Kratos
both rushed for him before he agilely jumped from their way, Lloyd skidding to a stop while Kratos already was assaulting
the half-elf once more. Raine cast Resurrection, Presea pulling herself to her feet... Then almost got knocked down again
when a droid of some sort came from nowhere-
"RISING FALCON!"
The machine was in pieces, Lloyd reclaiming his footing to scan the area for any others-
"BEAST!" Presea knocked back two.
"Oh crap-!" Lloyd cried.
Several dozen of the magitechs had appeared.
"Lartan! Take those out! Presea! Protect Raine!" Kratos snapped.
As he said that Forcystus attempted to roundhouse kick the Seraph, who, in a liquid-like motion, ducked under his leg and
then attempted to slice at his head, being blocked once more. He grunted, normally he wouldn't have such problems with
Forcystus, but the droids Lloyd had yet to take out where hovering about, making it difficult to focus on the Grand Cardinal.
Presea, at least, was doing a superb job of protecting the healer, who just dished another curing spell to Lloyd.
Though...Lloyd was in fact doing a great job... Then he refocused his attention to see the fist coming for him. He dodged by
a hair's width...
"TAKE THIS-!!"
Forcystus almost shot Kratos-
"HYAH!"
And then Lloyd sent him flying.
"..." Kratos paled.
"You okay?" Lloyd asked.
"I'm fine, focus on the fight," Kratos said, racing for Forcystus again.
"Well gee, you're welcome!" Lloyd spat, chasing after him.
Kratos looked at him and nodded.
"CROSS THRUST!"
Forcystus choked, staggering backwards before falling into the reactor...
"NURSE!"
Healing magic encircled them, some of their fatigue leaving.
"...Whew..." Lloyd sighed in relief.
"..." Kratos walked over and pushed a few buttons.
The reactor stopped.
"You really are handy with everything, aren't you?" Lloyd asked, seeing as Raine was still tending to Presea. "Swords,
magic, magitechnology...geez..."
"I've lived a little longer than most humans," he said.
"Really...?" Lloyd frowned. "Wait-"
"It's not important, we need to give the signal,"
"R...right," Lloyd nodded.
Kratos took a few steps, then stopped.
"...Thank you,"
"...Heh," Lloyd grinned.
"..." then he kept walking.
Several minutes later they had regrouped with the rest of them outside, the escapees standing around as Regal's group
secured the perimeter for them. Lloyd and the others came out to find everything in check...
"Did you succeed?" Regal asked.
Raine nodded, "Yes, someone needs to give the signal-"
"L-Lartan-!" Colette cried.
"H-? GAH!"
Lloyd hit the floor, a barely breathing Forcystus standing in the doorway.
"I am one of the Five Desian Grand Cardinals!" he spat. "I won't die so easily!"
"So this is how the great Desian Hero meets his end..." Kratos hissed, "I'm disappointed."
"You...I wondered how a mere human could exude such mana..." he glared, "you're Kratos..."
"What of it?" the Seraph huffed.
"Lord Yggdrasill trusted you, but in the end you betray us!" he snarled, then aimed his weapon at Presea. "This is why
humans can never be trusted!"
The blast of mana blew through the air...and Colette took the hit.
"Colette-!"
"No...!" Lloyd choked, getting to his feet. "You...YOU BASTARD!"
Then Lloyd stabbed his sword clear through Forcystus' heart.
"H...heh..." he smirked weakly, "Yggdrasill's age will come...no matter what you attempt...Lloyd..."
The swordsman's eyes widened, as did several others.
"Wh-what did you call-!?" Genis gaped.
Forcystus fell backwards, dead, as Lloyd shook.
"How did...?" he whispered.
Wait...Colette!
"Hey-! Colette, are you-?" he turned.
"I-"
Colette yelped, covering her arm.
"D-don't look! Don't look at me-!!"
But it was too late, they had all seen the crystal like formation on her arm...
"Colette...!" Lloyd cried.
"I SAID DON'T LOOK!!"
She went to move and then passed out.
"C-!?"
"Lloyd!" Raine said. "She's just fainted! We need to send the signal!"
"What-!? Raine, you knew-!?" Zelos stared.
"Colette's...!" Lloyd started.
"The Chosen won't die yet, but if you don't give the signal this world will!" Kratos snapped. "Now do it."
"...Right..." Lloyd whispered.
They gave the signal and then waited, waited for their last hope at the giant tree on the horizon...and then a few seconds
later at the blast of mana which came from nowhere and struck it, a shout ringing out.
"...W...what was that cry...?" Genis whispered.
"Martel, I would assume..." Kratos stated.
"...I wonder...WAIT!" the half-elf jolted. "LLOYD?!"
All attention was back on the red-clad warrior.
"...Uh...um..." he fidgeted, panicking.
"..." Raine sighed, "...well?"
"P-professor you can't just-!" Lloyd stammered.
"Bud!? Is it really you!?" Zelos stared.
Lloyd paled, looking back at forth between Raine and Kratos as if they could give him some sort of answer...
"...I..."
"..." Kratos nodded, Raine doing the same.
Lloyd took a deep breath and slowly attempted to move his hair back up to its normal position, the usually gravity defying
locks did not take back to their original position, but he managed to get it so the blaring resemblance to his younger self
was easily seen before the brunette looked at his friends again.
"...Hi," he said simply.
"...LLOYD!? Wh- wha-?" Genis stammered.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU!?" Zelos shouted.
"I...I...look, we should be worrying about Colette right now!"
"Yes, he's right..." Raine trailed, "we'll take her to Iselia."
"I-selia? But-!" Genis started.
"Colette's home is in Iselia," Raine stated, "that, and we can't just let the people of from the ranch stay here."
"...Right," Lloyd agreed, his eyes on Colette.
It was then that Yuan's machine appeared.
"The great seed is once again bound in the Holy Ground of Kharlan, for that, you have my gratitude."
Kratos knelt down.
"If the seed is safe, I presume Martel, who's fused with it, is as well?"
"Tch, I'm sure that's good news for you, I wish I could say the same for me."
"Hmph," Kratos snorted.
"I'll tell Sheena to meet up with you at Iselia, thanks again and good luck."
The machine disconnected.
"Let's go," Lloyd said, picking up Colette bridal style.
"Lloyd..." Genis said.
"...I'm...sorry I didn't tell you, Genis," he whispered, face downcast.
"...If you weren't my best friend you'd be charcoal right now, just to let you know."
"Gee, thanks," Lloyd smirked.
"Hey wait a minute! If you're really Lloyd...why did Kratos spew that about you being his brother and crap?!" Zelos accused.
Lloyd and Kratos both flinched, though Kratos more slightly.
"My reasons for choosing to aid Lloyd are none of your concern," he stated stiffly.
"Wait-! Then why does Lloyd look so much like you, now?!" Genis pointed.
They flinched again.
"The captives need to be brought to the village," Kratos stated, "we can discuss this later."
"...I agree," Raine said reluctantly, "let's go."
"But Raine-!"
"Genis! If I hear another word..."
"Okay okay! I'll stop!"
"...Eeeeewwwwwww...!!" Zelos said suddenly.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Lloyd asked.
"My voluptuous hunny, the rosebud, AND the gorgeous beauty had crushes on YOU!?"
"WHAT?!" Raine roared.
"Oh g- wait...this is great! HAH! Sheena's going to be all mine again!"
"W-w-w-w-w-w-..." Lloyd stammered, his eye twitching.
"Presea had a...?" Genis stared at her.
"...No," she stated.
Though mentally, the ax-girl was attempting to fight off a severe case of the willies.
"Are we heading off or not?" Lloyd snapped, still concerned with Colette.
"Right," Regal stepped up, "everyone, please follow us."
So they began the trek back to Iselia...
"Hey...um..."
Lloyd looked at Chocolat, who was walking beside him.
"...You're really-?"
"Yeah,"
"...I'm sorry,"
"...It's okay," he smiled.
"...By mana this is weird,"
"Tell me about it."
Lloyd stood furthest to the wall, as if trying to merge with to avoid the looks everyone was giving him. It was bad enough
with just his friends, but now Phaidra and Frank were added to the list of people who knew who he was. Raine had
explained his situation shortly after the rest of them told Phaidra and Frank the truth about Cruxis and what had happened.
Lloyd growled to himself a bit... "Why are we sitting around talking? Colette's-"
"Right now the best thing for the Chosen is to rest," Kratos stated simply.
"...Hmph," Lloyd huffed.
"So Lloyd...you said you killed the thing that did this to you, right?" Genis asked.
Lloyd nodded.
"...Then why aren't you...?"
Lloyd looked away.
"...We're...not quite sure there IS a way to reverse it," Raine admitted.
"What?!"
"That's why he didn't want to tell you all..." she frowned, "he didn't want you to know of that until he could find a way to
get back to his normal self..."
"...Kratos?" Genis turned to the Seraph.
"Yes?"
"...You knew it was him, didn't you?"
He nodded.
"...Then why'd you help him lie to us?"
"..."
"I'm more interested with his appearance," Raine stated, "that and the wings..."
"Well isn't that obvious?" Kratos asked.
"Huh?"
"He had a dormant Cruxis Crystal to begin with," he pointed at Lloyd's exsphere, "even before he encountered the creature
it was only a matter of months before it evolved enough incite the angel transformation."
"What-?!" Lloyd stared. "It was a-?!"
"Pray tell, why did you think it was called the 'angelus project'?" Kratos raised an eyebrow.
There was a silence.
"...Well I feel stupid now," Genis said.
"Yeah...feels like we should've seen that coming..." Zelos mused.
"All right then, then explain the previous observation," Raine glared at Kratos, "his resemblance to you."
It was suddenly very quiet. Kratos did not move from his position, nobody seemed to, though Lloyd nervously directed his
gaze at the spiky-haired Seraph who had pasted an expression even more stern than usual onto his stoic features.
"..."
"...You know, I think I'll go look around town, m'kay?" Zelos said, getting to his feet.
"...Yes, let's do that, Genis, come on," Raine said.
"W-what? But-!"
Raine smacked him and the grabbed his wrist, dragging him out the door as he stammered protests. Regal and Presea shot
Lloyd and Kratos another glance before following, and before Lloyd could try to stop them Phaidra and Frank quickly
excused themselves to go upstairs with the descendant. This, of course, left both Kratos and Lloyd alone in the room.
"...Um..." Lloyd trailed, looking around nervously.
Kratos said nothing, though mentally he was panicked.
"Why...DID you help me?" Lloyd asked.
"..."
"And..."
Kratos was almost visibly twitching now.
"...Why DO we look so much alike?"
"...You don't need to know that,"
Lloyd glared.
"Oh?" he spat. "I don't need to know, huh? How about I decide whether or not I need to know that?"
"..." Kratos fidgeted.
"Maybe," Lloyd took a step forward, "let's just say it's been driving me crazy why I happen to have YOUR face. Let's just say
I've been waking up in cold sweat from dreams I've been having that keeps reminding me that you've been helping us even
though you're supposed to be my enemy. Let's just say that I've had it up to HERE, with all the crap you've put me
through lately you son of a-!!"
Lloyd drew a sword.
"Lloyd-" Kratos stated.
"Why?! Why have you been helping me?! Throughout this whole journey and at the Temple! Why did you lie for me after
you lied TO me?! How did you know it was me when you found me in Meltokio?!" Lloyd huffed. "What did Yuan mean when
he said he 'figured as much'?! Why did you help me learn how to do stuff that could help bring Cruxis down?! Why do I
HAVE YOUR FACE?!"
"...I can't tell you," Kratos said.
"Don't give me that, Kratos!!" Lloyd snapped.
The red-clad swordsman sheathed his sword and then grabbed Kratos by the collar, the Seraph didn't react.
"Tell me! Tell me you bastard!!" he roared.
Kratos' eyes were glazed, but otherwise he showed no sign of hearing him.
"KRATOS!"
"..."
"...You...you...!!"
WHAM!
Kratos' head jerked to the side, Lloyd having punched him in the face. The angel didn't react outside the lines of slowly
turning to face him again. Lloyd was red in the face with anger, panting.
"...You wouldn't want to know," he whispered.
"YES I do! What do you think I've been saying-!?"
"You won't like what you hear," the Seraph whispered, "you won't like it at all."
Slowly Lloyd released Kratos, who stood there with a vacant expression on his face.
"...Who are you?" Lloyd asked.
"You've asked that before, are you not satisfied with the answer I gave?"
"...No, no I'm not," Lloyd shook his head, "you're still not telling me something."
They stood there in silence for what felt like eons, Lloyd watching Kratos intently as the Seraph looked away in silence, not
making a motion to either speak or move. Lloyd was begging him to say something, anything, there was something Kratos
knew he had to know, wanted to know, needed to know...
"Um..."
They looked to the stairs.
"Colette-!" Lloyd cried.
The blond looked back and forth between them, then forced a smile.
"H-hi..."
More silence.
"Is it really you, Lloyd!?" she blurted.
"...Uh..y-yeah..." he trailed, "...look, it's a long story but-"
He was cut off when the blond hugged him tightly.
"Wha-?!"
"LLOYD!" she cried. "Lloyd I was-! I was so worried- ! I-! You-! I was so scared that-! I was so scared-!"
"Colette..." Lloyd slowly hugged her back, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry I didn't..."
"I was so scared you were hurt!!" she wailed.
"..." Kratos looked away.
Several minutes (and an explanation later) they found themselves heading for the front gate. A message was sent to direct
Sheena to Dirk's, where Phaidra had requested they take Colette... Lloyd couldn't stop fidgeting, trying his best to avoid
looking at anyone in the village... That's when he heard the commotion...
"People we thought were elves are actually half-elves?! I bet it was you that lead the Desians to this town!!"
Lloyd raced toward the voice.
"Ll-!" Colette started.
"Wait, let him go, he'll meet up with us," Kratos said.
"...But..."
"I realize you're concerned, but-"
"You're his Dad, aren't you?"
Kratos paled.
"...Excuse me-?"
"You're Lloyd's father, aren't you?" Colette asked.
"...How did-?"
"I'm sorry, but...how you always acted...and then once I figured out 'Lartan' was Lloyd...I just..."
"...I'll ask you not to say anything," he stated, "...I-"
"You don't want him to know because you don't want him to feel bad? ...That won't work, Kratos..." she said, "...Lloyd did
the same thing, but I still worried...and I was so worried I felt sick..."
"..."
"...But I won't tell him...that's your job,"
"...Let's go wait at the gate,"
"...All right..."
However, back with Lloyd he had ran into a delimna of his own. He had shown up just in time to defend Raine and Genis
from the Mayor's racism, however, it had also delivered unto the fat racist another target to point fingers at. After all, word
travels fast in a small village... Lloyd, who was banished, raised by a dwarf, and all of a sudden an adult? Needless to say,
the narrow-minded bigot ripped it to shreds...
"Listen you! That's enough!"
The group stared at Chocolat.
"So Genis and Raine are half-elves, so something fucked up happened to Lloyd and he was raised by a dwarf, so WHAT?!"
"B-but-!"
"I personally don't know or care what happened to Lloyd!" she said. "All I know is he's the guy that saved us, and tried to
save my Grandma just like Genis did! They're all great people!"
"B-but- they're half-elves, and Lloyd is...unnatural! Surely everyone agrees with me!?"
The villagers were silent.
"...Right?!"
"...Lloyd's the strongest in the village," a boy said, "he saved me from monsters once."
"..." Lloyd smiled softly.
"I don't know why he's big now...but that's Lloyd," the boy pointed up at him, "and he was always nice."
"The Professor is scary sometimes...but she can be very nice too," a girl student said.
"And Genis is the smartest one in the village!" another on chimed. "He knows things even you don't!"
"You blame people for their birth and upbringings, things they can not control," Presea said, "for accusing others of it, you
are the one who is not human."
"B-but-! This is all the Chosen's fault anyway! She failed the Regeneration-!"
"She tried her best, and she's not done yet!" Lloyd snapped. "Don't you dare accuse her of all of this when she did so much
and you didn't do a damn thing!"
"But...we are powerless-"
"Even so," a woman said, "we have enough power to welcome the Chosen and her friends home when they are tired and
weak...and we won't let you say a thing about it!"
"Yeah!" the villagers chimed.
Raine ran off.
"Raine-!" Genis called.
"Th-this! This is!" the Mayor blubbered.
"Hey, I said shut it," Chocolat said.
Then the fatty blubbered like a baby and headed for his house.
"Heh," Chocolat smirked, "you guys don't worry about him, go see if Raine's okay."
"Thanks," Lloyd smiled.
"Hey, I owed you one," she smirked.
They found Raine by the remnants of the Sage house. She was okay, apparently, she just was either moved...or well, they
couldn't quite figure it out past that. It didn't matter however...
"So...Lloyd came out of hiding, huh?" she smiled.
"Uh..." Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck.
"That's fine," she smiled, "where's Colette?"
"She's going to meet us at the gate," he said, "um...Phaidra wanted us to take her to...Dad's..."
Silence fell.
"...Oh this is going to be fun," Zelos smirked.
"Shut up, Zelos," Lloyd glared.
"Okay okay! Sorry! Geez..."
"...You really should tell him, Lloyd...he was really worried," Genis said.
"...Yeah," Lloyd nodded sadly.
"You worried all of us," Regal said.
"I...I'm sorry guys..."
"...M'kay! Let's go meet up with the little angel chick!" Zelos smiled.
So it was the group made their way back to Dirk's... Lloyd stopped at the start of the pathway, unwilling to go any further.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't in his favor as his adoptive father was outside.
"Hm? Hello thar-...an' oo's that?" he pointed at Lloyd.
"...Uh-" Lloyd started.
The group parted to allow Dirk a full view, the swordsman yelped and attempted to move but Zelos pushed him forward.
Genis smirked and looked to Dirk.
"Uh...this is kinda hard to explain, but you see...Lloyd kinda picked a fight with some weird monster..."
"Long story short, it turned Lloyd into that," Zelos pointed at Lloyd.
"Uh...um..."
"Lloyd?" Dirk looked up at him, his eyes wide with recognition.
"...Uh..." Lloyd nervously looked around for an escape route, "...Hi Dad?"
"WHY YA DARN STUPID VARMINT-!"
"D-dad-! I can explain-!"
Dirk, though being much shorter because of being a dwarf, still was a dwarf, thus had the standard strength to send
something weighing three times Lloyd's weight flying about twenty feet...which is why Lloyd was suddenly several feet
away on the ground, seeing as Dirk had reached up and nailed him in the gut.
"Oo!" Zelos grimaced.
"Dad-! I'm sorry-! I-! I didn't want-!!" Lloyd stammered.
"D'ya know 'ow worried ah was?!" the dwarf lifted his head up, having gabbed him by the collar. "D'YA KNOW, BOY!?"
"Dad-! I swear I-! I didn't want-! I didn't tell them either-!!"
"YAR A FREAKING IDIOT!!"
"Dad-!!"
Dirk hugged him.
"...D..."
"Ya stupid kid..." he muttered through his beard.
"...I'm sorry, Dad..."
"Heh..." he released him, scratching his nose, "yeah, well...so um...whut happened?"
"Uh..." Lloyd looked down at himself, "...creepy age-changing monster from another world?"
"...Eh?"
"We'll explain," Kratos stated, "first, however, Colette's family has requested your help."
"Mah help?" Dirk looked at Colette. "...I see, come inside."
Lloyd got to his feet, groaning about his gut.
"First aid,"
Lloyd blinked and looked to Raine, expecting she was the one who cast it. She shook her head and gestured to Kratos.
Lloyd frowned...darn it, what was Kratos hiding from him...?
Hm...I'm rather speedy with this story, nay?
Colette: Yep! n.n See? You can be fast with your stories!
Me:...I have a story I haven't updated for almost a year.
Colette: Um...well...
Me: Grr...that's it! I am updating 'Fallen Hero' in twenty four hours or so help me-!!
Colette: Oh dear...review?