Hey there! Rydia here with chapter three! One again I'd like to thank those of you who reviewed. So anyway, I've been wondering what pairings you guys would like to see in this story, I'm cool with any combination of Lloyd/Zelos/Sheena that you'd like to see. As for other pairings…I really don't care. Lol

Chapter Three:

It's Time We Weren't Here

Genis watched as his two friends sprinted into the village, with Lloyd asking questions while Colette did her best to point things out and answer them. Walking in at a much more sedate pace he found himself wondering about Lloyd's words:

'Do you mean the Seraphim or something?'

It seemed odd for Lloyd to say something like that, and it was not just what he said, but the way he said it. He seemed almost…defensive, on edge, yet about what? And just what did he mean by Seraphim anyway? Who were they how were they connected to the Goddess?

"Hey Genis! Come on!"

Glancing up the white-haired half-elf saw Colette and Lloyd standing waiting for him, the latter of the two having just yelled to him. Plastering a grin on his face Denis waved to them and began to run, what did it matter anyway?

"Hey! Sorry about that, I guess I was a little out of breath," he lied, still smiling. "So what do you think of Iselia, Lloyd?"

"Huh? Oh, I think it's really nice, a lot smaller than where I grew up." '…yet slightly more lively,' he added to himself with a small smile. "But rather pleasant, I like it here."

"Really? Where did you grow up Lloyd?"

Lloyd was taken slightly aback by Genis' question, but then again, he should have been expecting as much for bringing up the subject. Mentally cursing himself for doing so he plastered on a goofy, innocent look. "Oh…well, you know…somewhere you've probably never heard of…it's pretty far away."

"Really?! Like…on another continent or something?" Colette chirped, eager to learn more about her newest friend.

"Um…yeah, you might say that."

"So where were you born then?"

Born. That Lloyd could handle, after all, he was not born in the same place he grew up.

"Asgard," he replied without hesitation. Hopefully they would avoid that town upon their journey. Key word: hopefully.

"Asgard? Wow, that's really far from here, isn't it? And you travelled all that way? That's awesome Lloyd!" Colette cheered brightly as the three youths continued their trip around Iselia.

Suddenly Genis turned to the others, a large smile plastered on his face.

"Hey, what do you say we go visit Dirk? You know…introduce Lloyd to him and stuff."

Colette nodded cheerfully, she had wanted to introduce Lloyd to her family—or were they her adopted family? No matter, it could wait until after they visited Dirk if that was what Genis wanted.

"Sure! I'm sure Dirk would love to meet Lloyd!"

Lloyd shrugged, "well, I suppose it's not my place to suggest what we do, now is it?" He asked jokingly, after all, he had no idea what there was to see around town.

"Great! But can we stop by my house first? I have to get something."

Colette smiled, "sure Genis, what do you need?"

"Huh? Oh…just something for a friend of mine."

"Okay then, so first we pick something up for Genis' friend and then it's off to this Dirk's house, right?"

"Guess so," Genis replied cheerfully, altering their route to take them to his house.

Climbing the wooden walkway to the Sage residence Lloyd grinned at the quant little house—that really was not all that small for Iselia.

"Nice place you got here Genis, it's real—whoa!" Lloyd yelped in shock after passing through the door, "that's a heck of a lot of books! Are they all Raine's?"

Genis laughed lightly, "nope, most of them are mine, although they did belong to her before."

"Wow, seriously? What are you? Some kinda super-book-lover-guy-thing?"

Both Colette and Genis shared a laugh over Lloyd's reaction.

"No Lloyd, I just like to read…don't you?"

"Not like that!"

Shaking his head Genis made his way over to the cabinet where his friend's parcel was neatly wrapped up. Picking it up he turned to his friends. "Okay, we're good to go."

With that three friends shot out of the door and, with Colette in the lead, until she tripped, took off for Iselia forest.

Entering the leafy shade of the massive forest Lloyd gazed around in awe.

"Wow, this forest is really nice…it feels so…old." Sure, the Ymir forest surrounding Heimdall was older, but might as well act the part.

"You think so? I've always liked it…I guess it feels like home," Colette chirped happily.

Gazing around Lloyd allowed a slightly displeased look to cross his features.

"Except it's swarming with monsters."

"Yeah, but so are most places these days," replied Genis offhandedly.

"Which is why we need you, Colette!"

Blushing slightly Colette turned to Lloyd. "R-really? That's so nice Lloyd!"

"Heh."

As they travelled deeper and deeper into the forest Lloyd felt himself grow more and more on-edge.

"Say Genis."

"Yeah?"

"Isn't there a Human Ranch somewhere in here?"

"Uh…yeah…why do you ask?"

"Just wondering."

Lloyd contemplated this as the three walked, who's Ranch was it again? Kvar's? No…his was by Asgard. Brushing it from his mind he realized he would have to be careful. It was highly unlikely that whoever ran the Ranch would recognize him…and it was far too early to be blowing his cover.

Upon reaching a crossroads Genis ducked off to the left, calling out to his companions as he did so. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

"W-wait! Genis!" Colette called out after him, worry clouding her face. "Isn't that the way to the Human Ranch?"

The Human Ranch? Lloyd knew that this could get bad if Genis was friends with one of the humans kept there.

"Genis, shouldn't you stay away from there?" Lloyd called out after the half-elf's fleeing form. Receiving no response Lloyd turned to Colette.

"Wait here, he can't go alone!"

That being said Lloyd took off running after his friend, only to turn around once again when his senses told him the blonde-haired girl was hard on his heels.

"What are you doing Colette? It's dangerous!"

"I know that! But he's my friend too!"

Sighing Lloyd gave in, "fine, but stay close, we can't have you getting hurt."

That being agreed upon the two teenagers snuck up alongside the Ranch to where Genis stood talking to an aging woman.

"Genis! What where you thinking?!" Lloyd lectured harshly, "you're going to get us into trouble!"

Turning to the brunette Genis glazed sheepishly at him.

"I know…but I can't stand to watch Marble suffer like this, it's not fair!"

Lloyd felt a slight wave of pity wash over him as he watched the old human scoffing away at the food like she had not eaten in a year.

"…yeah, that's true…but you shouldn't be so reckless."

"I feel bad for her too…and all of the humans enslaved in these horrible places! That's why I have to succeed! For everyone!"

Lloyd could not hold back a smile at the Chosen's determination; at least she wanted to do this, as it would make things easier in the future.

"Hey you! What are you doing over there? Get back ta work!"

Hearing the loud shout, followed by a crack of a whip Lloyd flinched and shook his head. "This is bad."

"What should we do?" Colette asked worriedly, turning to Genis.

"Run, I'd say."

Genis shook his head fiercely at Lloyd's suggestion. "No! We can't just abandon Marble!"

"I'll be fine; you kids just get yourselves away from here safely."

Grabbing Genis' arm Lloyd attempted to drag the twelve year old away. "You heard her, come on!"

"No!" Genis hissed out, refusing to budge, "we have to help her!"

By this point the Desians had already begun pouring out of the gate, effectively blocking off the youngsters' escape route.

Grumbling, irritated, to himself Lloyd whipped out his twin blades and dashed forward, eyes glowing. Targeting the blue-haired leader—who he remembered to be Forcystus—Lloyd pointed out with one of the twin blades.

"Hey you! Why are you keeping these people in here?!"

Lloyd knew he could easily get of simply by telling them who he was, after all, no one wanted to anger his father, but that was only a last resort. Right now his first priority was getting the Chosen away safely, and he could only hope the Genis had the sense to run with Colette while he stalled for time.

"Oh? And just what does a mere human think he's doing, challenging me?"

Glancing back out of the corner of his eye Lloyd noted with relief that Colette and Genis were gone, and Marble was no longer at the fence. Turning his full attention back to the half-elf commander Lloyd grinned cheekily.

"Y'know what…I was just thinking the same thing myself…see ya!"

That being said Lloyd swung around on his heel and leapt off of the cliff, back towards the village.

Turning to his troops Forcystus raised an eyebrow. "Well well, now that was interesting, wasn't it? Get ready, we're going to pay Iselia a little 'visit.'" That being said the half-elf turned and made his way back into the Ranch, although he could not stop thinking about the by who had challenged him. '…those eyes…'

Genis jumped with fright when Lloyd suddenly appeared alongside him after jumping down the cliff face.

"Wha-? Where'd you come from?!"

"Up there," Lloyd muttered, indicating the cliff top, "anyway, I'd say it's time we weren't here."