Wow, it's been way too long, hasn't it? I know I'm slow, but school sucks and I had to get out more of my Original too. Still, I do apologize for making you all wait so long.

I'm sure you will all notice that this chapter is better written than the others. Well, I'd like to thank my amazing new beta, Baby Kat Snophlake, for all of her hard work in kicking me into shape.

And that's all I have to say for now, so go on and read, enjoy and review!

Chapter Seven:

Of Fire and...Angels?

Lloyd dragged his feet slowly through the sand that seemed to drag him down. Flying was so much more practical, why had humans not developed wings? Then he would have no reason to hide his. That would put an effective stop to this drudgery.

Glancing up he felt a wave of relief wash over him as he spotted the ruins looming up out of the sand. Even if he could not fly a solid area to walk would be welcome.

As the small quartette arrived at the entrance to the stony heap Raine stepped up to the doorway, inspecting it for the means of making it open.

"Hm…there must be some way to make it open," she said aloud, running her hands over the fine masonry of the doorway.

Stepping back to gain a better view she stumbled over the large rock slab that she had somehow missed upon entering the vicinity. Turning to look at it she smiled at Colette, who then joined her by the slab.

"Colette, try placing your hand here," she ordered, motioning to the top of the slab.

Complying with the request Colette placed her hand on top of the slab, smiling broadly when the door began to open.

"I guess I really am the Chosen!" She chirped out happily.

Lloyd nearly fell over. Just how stupid and dense were these people? Obviously Colette was the Chosen! Yet, even after all of the Angel stuff, she still required a stone slab to prove it? Why had he been stuck with these people?

His mental complaints were soon silenced, however, for the group was eagerly making its way into the cool confines of the Triet Ruins.

Raine gazed about, lavender eyes gleaming in the heat from the flames that surrounded them. Oh how she had waited for this moment! As the group made its way down the hallway the tall half-elf gazed around in awe of the fine workmanship. Clearly this place was the work of master architects. The fine workmanship! The loving detail! What a beauty!

Genis winced visibly as he watched his sister's antics, sure, she had not yet run off and started hugging the walls, yet she looked like she would any second. That, now that was a scary thought.

Colette gazed happily around at her new surroundings as the small group made its way down the right branch of the hallway. She really was happy to be able to help Sylvarant this way. Sure, her efforts were still far from being rewarded, yet each small step was another step.

Skipping forward the blonde Chosen spotted a doorway. Pointing to it she gave her companions a wide grin.

"Look! There's a door here!" She chirped happily, already scampering through the opening.

Lloyd yelped slightly and bounded after her, did she really not realize how dangerous it was to do things like that? Catching her arm he let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding.

"Um…Chosen? You really shouldn't run ahead like that…you might get hurt. We don't know what kinds of traps this place may have," Lloyd instructed, freeing her arm as he spoke.

Colette could not prevent a minute blush from creeping to her cheeks as she forcefully looked away from her brunet companion.

"Y-you're right. Sorry Lloyd," she stammered in response, realizing just how reckless her actions had been. Perking right back up again she smiled, "I'll be more careful."

Lloyd was left flabbergasted as he watched the Chosen skip off to join the others. Clearly she was mad. There was no other explanation. Well, besides that maybe she just wanted to appear strong for her companions. Whatever it was, the girl was strong. He had to give her that.

By this point the others had caught up and were impatiently waiting for Lloyd and Colette to join them. Entering the new area Lloyd felt his eyes grow wide as he gazed about. The room was huge and filled with lava that bubbled up from the ground, causing a hazy steam to settle as it altered the density of the air, making it rather thick and hard to breathe. There were also huge stone stairways that were raised upwards, most of them leading to dead ends from what Lloyd could see. Scattered about were small nooks in the stairwells, these contained candles.

Scratching his head Lloyd blinked, what did it all mean?

Genis watched as Lloyd looked around the room in confusion. Clearly that day in the tower had been just a fluke. A big one. Then again, as time went on it almost seemed like Lloyd got steadily stupider, if that were at all possible. Lloyd really looked confused though, like maybe his brain would melt, or something.

It was true. Lloyd was confused beyond belief as to how to go about solving this puzzle. But maybe not for quite the reasons Genis thought. After all, how would one do this without wings? Was it meant for only angels? Maybe for after the Chosen got her wings? But that could not work. The puzzles had to be done before she got the wings, not after. Right? So many questions.

Raine glanced about the room excitedly before making her way over to Colette. She was pretty certain she understood what was to be done. She was also pleased that they had chosen to keep the Sorcerer's Ring rather than return it.

"Colette. Point the Sorcerer's Ring over toward one of those candles over there," instructed Raine, moving in behind the blonde to point her in the right direction.

"Like this?" Colette asked, doing as she was told.

Raine nodded her encouragement, forgetting that the other girl could not see her. "Yes, that's it. Now fire it and light the candle."

Suddenly clueing in to what Raine intended, Colette did as she was told. This then caused a shift in the many layers of flooring.

Both Lloyd and Genis were shocked out of their thoughts as the shelf-like layers of floor ground noisily off of one another. Figuring out what had happened immediately, Genis ran over to congratulate his sister and his best friend.

Meanwhile Lloyd stood pondering what had just occurred. 'So there were candles…and then they lit the candles and opened a way? Of course! Fire! This is the Seal of Fire!' He concluded happily in his head as he, too, made his way over to Colette and Raine.

And that settled the matter. It was several hours later that a hot and sweaty group of four stood, at long last, at their destination, much to their common relief.

Stepping forward Genis glanced around. "Now what?" He asked the air, only to be forced to dodge hurriedly to one side as he was lunged at by three monsters. Two were small while the last was large.

Rushing forward, Lloyd managed to prevent the two smaller beasts from getting to Genis, while Colette distracted the third with her chakram.

Lloyd frowned, this would not do. He knew they now knew about his sword abilities, but just how much did they know? That was hugely important to just how much he could 'show-off,' in terms of techniques, after all.

While Lloyd actively pondered his 'dilemma' Genis was hastily casting Icicle in the hope of killing off one of the smaller beasts. Known as a Ktugachling. It would be a major help to them if they had one less opponent to focus on.

Colette, too, had her hands full trying to distract all three opponents from the two spell-casters. Glancing back to where Lloyd stood, practically immobile, she called out to him.

"L-Lloyd? Help us here please?"

Snapping out of his trance Lloyd readied his blades. Thankfully he had just reached a conclusion too, and jumped into the fray with an energetic Tempest. Heck, Tempest was a low-levelled spell, yet still super fun!

Panting with feigned fatigue after the battle, Lloyd smiled broadly at his companions.

"Well, that was fun."

Ignoring the brunet's comment Raine indicated the alter. "Go ahead, Chosen."

Needing no second bidding Colette made her way to the alter and knelt down to pray. She truly hoped with all of her heart that her efforts would not prove fruitless and that she would be able to Regenerate the world. For everyone.

Lloyd could scarcely suppress a harsh chortle as, once again, Remiel descended upon their small group. His thick, feathery wings flapped slowly as he remained nearly immobile in midair. This time, however, Lloyd noted the almost scornful look that Remiel gave him. It seemed that this position had given him some nerve.

Lloyd ignored the rest of the conversation. Only tuning back in to see Remiel bestow Colette's wings unto her and give her some warning or another. Nothing Lloyd himself was particularly unfamiliar with.

The brunet half-angel then watched in amusement as Genis bounded up and down as Colette flapped her new wings—figures they would be pink—for him. Smiling over broadly at Raine Lloyd did his best to act excited, despite knowing first hand the pain she would likely begin to go through now.

"Wow Professor! Colette…she really has wings now!"

Raine smiled at the children's evident excitement. She imagined she would have been the same at their age.

"Yes, she does, but now let us get out of here."

No one wanted to argue with that. Quickly collecting the things they had thrown aside in the fight the group made its way hastily outside were the cool blanket of night had descended over the desert.

Lloyd was the only one of the group who was unsurprised when Colette collapsed just outside of the Triet Ruins, her face pale.

"Colette, are you okay?!" Genis yelped out, rushing to kneel at her side."

"I-I'm fine, just a little tired I guess," Colette stammered out in response.

Shooting the blonde a skeptical look Raine carefully helped Colette move a little further before setting the girl down.

"Well, it would be best not to push yourself. Your body's going through quite a change. How about we rest here for tonight?"

At this idea all three quickly agreed before settling down for the night.

Once Lloyd was certain Raine and Genis were both asleep he crept up silently to Colette.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

Colette started slightly at the voice that had suddenly sounded beside her. She then relaxed when she realized who it belonged to.

"A lot better. I think the Professor's right. That my body's just in shock over the change."

Lloyd smiled with relief, even though she could not see it.

"That's good, I'm glad to hear it. Now I suppose I should get some sleep," he added the last part with a weak laugh. Huh, sleep.

"R-right…good night then Lloyd…and thanks."

"No problem. Good night to you too."

That said and done Lloyd lay flat on his back, while his companions slept on around him. He gazed at the sky while his mind took him back to his own transformation, so many years ago.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Squeaked a four-year-old Lloyd, rushing up to his father, who bent down and scooped the brunet child up into his arms.

"What is it, Lloyd?"

"Looky!" The child ordered, indicating his back with his thumb.

"Oh? What am I looking at?" Asked Kratos, genuinely confused.

Glancing back over his own shoulder Lloyd plastered a pout onto his face. "They're goned daddy! But they were there! They weres!"

Kratos frowned slightly as he realized what Lloyd meant; his wings.

"Are they losted daddy?"

Kratos smiled a little at Lloyd's four-year-old speech.

"No Lloyd, don't worry. They'll be back. It's just going to take you some time to learn to control them like Uncle Yuan, Uncle Mithos and I can."

Lloyd wrinkled his nose at his father's comment. "Mr. Mithos can't bes my uncle! I don't like him."

Kratos nearly burst out laughing while, at the same time, he clamped a hand quickly over Lloyd's mouth—if Mithos ever heard that…

"Sh Lloyd! Don't say things like that! It's not nice."

"Neither is he!" Lloyd insisted once his mouth had been freed, the subject of his wings all but forgotten.

Shaking his head Kratos set his son down.

"That may be, but don't ever let anyone hear you say that, okay?"

Seeing Lloyd's unwilling nod of consent Kratos smiled before continuing to speak, "good, now run along and play. Come tell either me or Uncle Yuan if you see your wings again, okay?"

Nodding happily Lloyd skipped off as his father watched him sadly, was he doing the right thing in letting Lloyd become like him?

Lloyd shuddered lightly at the memory…that say it had all been fun and games…but afterwards. What had happened afterwards did not bear thinking about. And now, Colette would have to go through all of what he had gone through, but at least he had had his dad to help him along. Colette had no one to help her. Not openly anyway…