Needless to say, the next morning, Lloyd wasn't happy.
"What do you mean you told them?! You said you wouldn't!" he cried when he woke up to find Noishe carrying him towards the others.
"I never said I wouldn't tell them. I merely agreed with your point," Kratos replied.
"That's the same thing! I can't believe you..." he muttered
"Well, it's a little too late to argue now. Just don't be difficult."
Lloyd grunted, laying his head back down again. Kratos glanced at him, then faced forward again.
"...If it is any consolation, I do not particularly want to see you die, Lloyd. You are my son; therefore, doesn't it make sense for me to want to help you?"
Lloyd sighed. "I know, I know. ...Sorry."
"You have done nothing to apologise for," Kratos replied, and Lloyd glanced at him before giving a small smile and closing his eyes.
They soon met up with the group, who explained Raine and Genis had gone on ahead to secure a horse at Luin. It meant their journey would be cut down by a lot, and that they wouldn't have to awkwardly carry Lloyd the entire way there.
They headed off quickly, reaching land within a few hours and starting towards Luin. They paused for a while at the shore so that Zelos, Sheena and Presea could let their tails disappear, though when Kratos stepped onto the sand his tail faded almost immediately, replaced with legs. Noishe seemed sad to have to split from them, though knew he couldn't come along, and watched sadly as they walked away. Kratos carried Lloyd, who had passed out again, and seemed almost protective of him.
When it grew dark, they made camp. Although they offered to take watch, Kratos was the only one who did, and so far as they knew he hadn't slept at all during the night. They again started out early the next morning, meeting Raine and Genis part way and pausing a while to get Lloyd set up comfortably on the horse's back before continuing.
Half way through the second day, Lloyd woke up again, giving a confused blink before sitting bolt upright in fright. He looked around quickly, then relaxed as he spotted the others.
"You're finally awake, Lloyd?" Colette asked as they walked along.
Lloyd nodded mutely, leaning against the horse. "When did this happen?" he asked, motioning to the horse.
"Early this morning. I'm surprised you slept through it," Colette replied with a giggle.
"So am I," Lloyd muttered, before sighing. His gaze slid to his tail, noting dully how much it had risen since the last time he was awake. It was nearly at his waist now, with only a few scales still their normal aquamarine but losing their colour fast.
"...Half a day," he murmured, touching his tail lightly.
Colette looked at him in confusion, but he shook his head, closing his eyes again. He forced himself to stay awake, but the gentle rocking motion of the horse was lulling. Eventually he dropped off again, trying to ignore the pain.
"We're not far now. A few more hours and we'll be there," Raine said as they set up camp that evening.
"If we increased our pace, we could make it sooner," Presea pointed out.
"Yes, but I don't want to injure Lloyd and you aren't used to having legs, so it would put too much strain on you," Raine explained.
They were soon gathered around the fire except for Lloyd, who was sleeping in his tent. Zelos gave a sigh.
"How much can one guy sleep?" he muttered.
"The body knows that sleeping is good for healing. Probably it's trying to heal itself but unable to," Sheena replied quietly.
"It won't be much longer at least," Genis said, shrugging.
Kratos and Colette suddenly looked up, turning towards Lloyd's tent, before he screamed. Everyone rushed over, crowding round.
"Is he alright?" demanded Sheena as Colette went in to check on him.
"His scales are all black, and he's really cold! Mr Kratos, what are we supposed to do?!" she cried, looking out.
Kratos scowled. "We don't have time to wait. We'll get him on the horse, and you behind him. I'll run. The rest of you, wait here," he said. Everyone backed away as he worked quickly, looking at Lloyd in fear as he was limply carried out and sagged against the horse. Zelos helped Colette up behind him, and she grabbed the reins, looking at Lloyd hesitantly.
"Go," Kratos ordered, and Colette nodded, urging the horse on. Kratos quickly followed, easily keeping pace.
"What happened?" asked Colette as they rushed across the ground.
"I can only make a guess, but Mithos must have done something to the pendants. If you saw what I did, then he likely broke it."
Colette looked upset. "Why does he want Lloyd to die so badly?" she asked plaintively.
"He has become twisted, and sees Lloyd as a threat due to him being half-human, half-mermaid. Lloyd is very much like a woman who fought against Mithos several years ago; she managed to rally many of the mermaids behind her to overthrow Mithos. However, due to her being human, he was able to use what he tried to use on Lloyd and make her human while she was underwater, which drowned her. Lloyd is re-enacting what she did, rallying the mermaids against him, though he is acting faster than she did," Kratos explained.
"That's so cruel..." Colette murmured.
"Yes, it is. However, for now we have to focus on Lloyd. He only has a limited time left."
The two of them quickly reached Lake Ulmacy, and Colette jumped down from the horse's back, Kratos grabbing Lloyd and lifting him down. They went over to the lake, gazing down into the water.
"Hello? Mr Unicorn?" Colette called, looking around for it. However, they couldn't see anything, and she felt her hope fade.
"Who are you?" snapped someone suddenly, and they turned, seeing several people gathered. They noticed Lloyd and stared before drawing their weapons.
"A mermaid! Kill it!" snarled one of the others.
"No! He's not like them, please!" Colette cried, standing up and stepping between them and Lloyd.
"All mermaids are the same. Pass it over," ordered the one at the front.
Colette hesitated, then her gaze hardened. "No."
"Then you'll die with it."
Colette lifted her chakrams, getting into a defensive position. Kratos gazed at her, then glanced at the water before turning and lowering Lloyd into it. He quickly sank beneath the surface, and Kratos stopped himself from leaping after him. Instead he touched the water, quickly forming it into a sword and turning to face the group as well. Colette looked up at him in surprise.
"Mr Kratos?"
"I won't make you fight alone, child," he murmured.
Colette blinked then smiled. "Right," she said, before facing forward again. The group scowled before rushing forward, and the two of them leapt towards them, quickly starting to attack.
A/N: Another cliffhanger...I'm sorry D: But hopefully it'll be worth the wait!
Review?