Greetings from Mars. Uh, I mean, forget that.. *shifty look*

The chapter's not too long, I'm sorry But thanks to freakyanimegal who stopped Kratos (kinda) being emo! And fixed some... Shall we say language issues. Let's not go further.

I've not been in the best of states lately... A girl was killed on my bus route recently. But I wrote for you guys... Even if it's only a little bit.

sliver: thanks ^^

Likeaglintoflight: All of those questions will be answered before they leave Sylvarant. I hope. *sweatdrop*

Symphoniafan: Thanks ^^ Ah, I forgot about the bandits. Must play ToS some when I have time and do some thorough research.

etharg: ...I know about the lip-biting thing. It's a bad habit I'm trying to change, like overuse of the word 'murmur' in its various forms. (At least it's not said... lol)
He's not that damaged. Not really. He had a troubled past, sure, but so did a lot of halfelves. (physically? He got slashed... Once. I think. Oh, and Yuan, but at least he's not dead, hey? ^^)
But thanks for reading! I'll bear those points in mind - although it's too late to change the party's reactions, it'll help with future fics (in which my characterisation of Genis will doubtless continue to suck. Hard. XD)

Chapter three: Salvation

The group exited the Ranch post-haste, dragging a confused Niel out of the way before he was impaled by a piece of flying rubble. The whole group, even Kratos, had lain down and tried to avoid the sharper pieces of ex-Ranch, although most of it had imploded rather than been flung into the surrounding area.

"Whew… I thought I was going to die!" Lloyd remarked truthfully, noting the rather sharp-looking stone that had landed right by him and Neil. The group stood up slowly, Kratos looking totally unflustered.

"I'm glad everyone's alright," Colette remarked with a smile. Neil frowned.

"…What about Chocolat?" He asked, glancing around, having expected her to have exited with the main group. Lloyd looked guilty, running a hand through his hair.

"We believe she has been taken to another location," Raine replied. "If nothing has happened to her, she can still be rescued," she added, and Lloyd sighed as Kratos nodded in agreement. Neil looked a little more relieved.

"I'm glad," he replied. "Even Dorr wanted to save her…"

"I swear I'll rescue her," Lloyd promised. "Even if they put the Exsphere in her, I'll save her. And if they take her to Iselia I know the Ranch." And it's my fault she wasn't rescued this time… I owe her.

"The Exspheres Lloyd mentioned will put the captives in grave danger unless something is done" Kratos added to Neil. Lloyd nodded.

"Write to my dad," he advised. "A dwarf that lives in Iselia, called Dirk. He should help you get them removed, especially if you tell him I'm free from the Ranch."

"Free… From the Ranch?" Neil asked, but Kratos shook his head and put a warning hand on Lloyd's shoulder. Neil shrugged. "Not my place, I see," He murmured. "Dirk, in Iselia. I'll do it as soon as possible," he added eventually. "I'll head back to the city now and get it sorted. Palmacosta will be in a mess with Dorr dead…"

"Forcystus," Lloyd murmured to Kratos, who nodded.

"We will accompany you," he told Neil. "The sun has nearly set now. We should spend the night in Palmacosta." Lloyd grinned happily. "And I believe there is a half-elf whom Lloyd would like to see freed." Neil nodded slowly.

"I'll see what I can do," he replied; distaste showing clearly on his face as he turned to leave. Lloyd frowned.

"No, the militia promised…" He started, but Kratos' grip tightened. "Ow! I get it, already!" He protested, and Kratos nodded curtly, leading him off with the rest of the group.

Neil turned out to be quite grateful for the escort, as they were ambushed by a pack of wolves on their way back. Kratos and Lloyd dealt with it, and Kratos grudgingly conceded that it was more useful having Lloyd around. That perked Lloyd's spirits up considerably, and he spent the rest of the journey telling Kratos all about the Ranches. Kratos noted that he hesitated to say anything about Cruxis, working his way around it with words. He clearly didn't want to say anything to cause worry.

"Forcystus said he was born in Exire," Lloyd told him. "Um, you probably won't know it." Kratos smiled slightly.

If only you knew, he thought sadly. "No, I cannot say I have come across it in my travels," he agreed, purely to satisfy Lloyd, who seemed unwilling to talk of Tethe'alla. Clearly he thought Kratos would think him crazy.

"Well, it's a village full of half-elves. Forcystus said he was kicked out of it," Lloyd continued. "He didn't say why, though. And he's an orphan… Like me." Kratos frowned slightly.

"I knew your mother was dead, but your father?" He murmured. "Although, considering the manner of your mother's death…"

"Filthy Desians," Lloyd growled, cutting him off. "…I was told… That my father killed my mom…" Kratos made a slight uncomfortable noise, and Lloyd sighed. "But, it was because Kvar unleashed her Exsphere, turned her into an Exbelua, like Clara, like… Marble." He sighed. "I don't blame my dad. I don't know if he's alive or not, but I guess he's dead. I always thought that if he were alive, surely he'd have come and looked for me?" Kratos looked away.

Three days and nights I searched for you, Lloyd… I searched the bottom of that cliff until I thought if I saw another dead Desian I would scream… And I gave up on you… He forced himself not to cry. Lloyd was so naïve, so innocent. He had no idea. I am an angel. I do not cry, not any more, he told himself sternly. He hadn't cried in fourteen years… And tears were a luxury that would soon be denied Colette, too.

"I live in hope, though," Lloyd added quietly, looking up at Kratos. "I want to meet my real dad. More than anything else in the world. It's like… You know how Dorr was like, with Kilia? A parent's love for a child is so special… And I've never truly had it…"

"Yes…" Kratos murmured. "A parent's love can be a truly wonderful thing." He turned to look at Lloyd. "No matter where your parents are, whether your father is alive or dead… They are watching over you, Lloyd. And they love you, more than anything else in the world." Lloyd smiled slightly.

"Yeah…" He murmured, clearly at ease. "I can't really remember that much of them, but… I know my father had a deep voice, and a kind laugh. And my mom really loved him." He sighed. "And blue light… That's why I found Forcystus' feather kind of… Comforting, I guess. If it was blue… Blue, warm light…" He was so wrapped up in his memory that he barely noticed Kratos freeze for a second.

"That is… Certainly unusual," he murmured once he has recovered. Lloyd sighed.

"I guess so," he replied. "But it's only an early memory, so I guess it might just be me remembering wrong."

"Yes… Perhaps," Kratos agreed. Lloyd bit his lip.

"I'd still like to meet my dad, though," he murmured. "I'd like to tell him that mom doesn't blame him… That I still love him." Kratos' breath caught in his throat.

"I'm… Sure he'd like to hear that," he replied. Lloyd smiled slightly.

"Sorry… I guess I just bored you with family history, hey?" He remarked. Kratos chuckled and shook his head.

"Not at all, Lloyd," he replied. "If you wish to speak to me I am happy to listen." He paused, thinking. "If you wish, I will give you training. No, don't tell me you trained with Forcystus, I know that. But it helps to see different people's sword styles. Perhaps you can learn something from me that Forcystus couldn't teach you. Besides, you will be fighting beside me. You need to learn how I fight, to… Let you be better able to help me." So you know how I fight, in case you are stubborn enough to try and save the Chosen when you find out the truth. Lloyd grinned.

"Sure!" He replied enthusiastically. "I mean, you never stop learning, do you?" Kratos smiled slightly.

"Indeed not," he agreed. "Ah, there is Palmacosta. It is getting dark… We timed this well." Lloyd looked at the floor.

"I'm… Sorry I dragged you into it," he murmured. "I just got so angry because they… Forcystus…" Kratos nodded.

"I understand," he replied. "He is… Your friend. You had every right to be angry." Lloyd sighed, looking up at Kratos.

"You don't think it's bad for me to be friends with a half-elf, do you? With a Desian?" He asked. Kratos smiled slightly, thinking of Yuan… And Martel and Mithos.

"You are a special sort of person, Lloyd," he told him. "You judge by character, not race. That is a rare talent. I have no quarrel with a half-elf simply because of race, but those like Magnius ask for the hatred they receive. Certainly, I am unsure befriending a Desian is a wise idea, but if you believe in him, I will give him a chance." Lloyd grinned.

"Thanks, Kratos!" He replied. "I guess you're kind of cool. I thought you were just some snappy mercenary, but… I guess I misjudged you." Kratos smiled.

"Indeed, perhaps," he replied. "But be careful who you trust. Those who appear to be friendly may betray you in the end. Bear that in mind." Lloyd frowned.

"…You're all my friends. I trust you," he replied, and that hurt Kratos. "You wouldn't betray us, would you?"

"My skills were hired, not my loyalty," Kratos replied. "I will see the Chosen to the end of her journey, that is all. Of course, I will stop those who intend to impede the Chosen's wishes." Such as you, my child, if you wanted to save her… I would have to raise my blade to you. I only hope you are strong enough to survive, then, if that occurs… Lloyd nodded.

"I guess so," he replied. "It's for Sylvarant, after all." Kratos nodded, glancing at the townsfolk as they walked into Palmacosta.

"Yes… For Sylvarant," he murmured. Lloyd gave him a strange look, then ran into the square to go and see if Forcystus was still alright.

"Lloyd!" The half-elf greeted as he ran up. "You are unhurt? I'm glad." Lloyd grinned.

"We did it, Forcystus!" He exclaimed. "The Ranch is rubble now!" Forcystus smiled sadly.

"Well done," he murmured, glancing at the rest of them as they walked up. "Chosen. I am glad to see you are unhurt."

"Oh, um… Thank you… Mr. Desian…" She mumbled uncertainly. Kratos walked up and slashed Forcystus' bonds, making the half-elf fall to the floor. Lloyd moved forwards to help him, but Forcystus waved him away.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," he replied. "The city militia will be glad to hear their main threat has been removed, I'm sure. Oh, Neil. Glad to see you're not trying to kill me this time." Neil made an unhappy noise.

"…Sure," he murmured. Lloyd flinched at the coldness in his voice.

"Wh… What's wrong?" he asked uncertainly. Kratos put a hand on his shoulder, cautioning him not to pry. "Ah… Ow, Kratos…" He protested. "Forcystus, Magnius is dead… I…"

"You're sorry?" Forcystus finished for him, getting to his feet. "Don't be. Magnius was a fool. He would only have caused you problems had you not killed him. In truth, if he allowed himself to be so easily deceived he did not deserve to be a Cardinal." He laughed softly. "Besides, although I knew him, he was no friend of mine." Lloyd sighed in frustration.

"Do none of you get along?" He asked. Forcystus shook his head.

"Rodyle and Kvar are co-operating, but to say they got along would be stupidity," he replied. "We're all different, Lloyd. We're chosen for strength, not how much we like each other." Lloyd nodded.

"…I guess you're right," he murmured. Kratos made a slight noise.

"Let us head for the Inn," he suggested, giving Forcystus a look. The half-elf just shrugged. "It is late." Lloyd nodded, and the party walked in the direction of the Inn, leaving Neil to go to the Governmental building to start clearing up Dorr's mess.

"That will be fine… But I'm afraid your… Friend will have to go elsewhere," the Innkeeper told Lloyd when he asked for rooms.

"What?" He asked. "You mean Forcystus?" The half-elf sighed, as though he knew what was coming.

"This is a respectable establishment. We'll not have half-elves here," she replied curtly. Lloyd made an angry noise.

"There's nothing wrong with Forcystus!" He protested angrily. Raine and Genis gave each other a worried look, but Forcystus walked up and shushed Lloyd.

"It's all right," he told him, turning to the Innkeeper. "Forgive me for causing any trouble, ma'am. I shall leave presently." Lloyd started to protest again, but Forcystus shook his head. "It's not like I'm not used to it," he told him softly, walking out of the Inn after giving Raine and Genis a small glance.

"But…" Lloyd murmured weakly. Kratos sighed.

"I expected this," he murmured. "If Forcystus is happy with it, Lloyd, you have no reason to start trouble over it."

"But…" Lloyd murmured again, but Kratos just shook his head, and his arguments subsided.

"Forcystus is a hero… And people treat him like this?" Lloyd murmured to himself, sitting on the edge of his bed. Kratos, who was sharing a room with him, walked over.

"A half-elven hero," he corrected. "There are many stories about him. You know what he did?" Lloyd nodded.

"He killed every member of a group of murderers who tried to massacre a village full of innocent half-elves," he replied. Kratos nodded.

"Indeed. Now put that in the terms of a human who has not experienced what you have," he advised. "A half-elf. In other words, someone who may as well be a Desian. He killed every member of a group of humans. And who were they trying to kill? Half-elves." Lloyd sighed.

"That's just stupid prejudice," he muttered. Kratos nodded.

"From what I've heard, he is said to be full of knightly virtue…" He sighed softly, shaking his head. "He is said to be kind and gentle to his companions, and a fierce god of death to his enemies."

"Yet they make him sleep in the street," Lloyd murmured. "It's just stupidity!" Kratos nodded.

"Perhaps. But you have to remember, many of the citizens of Palmacosta have lost loved ones to the Desians. That is what war does. It makes victims of your opponents and gives birth to hatred. Non-exclusive hatred." Lloyd sighed.

"Maybe that's why…" He trailed off and shook his head. "But I don't see why people can't accept Forcystus for who he is. I mean, I have, and he was my captor… He's so kind, though. He treated me as though I was… Human." He sighed softly. "He didn't really like what he did, I don't think. He tried to make things better for the humans in the Ranch. And he took good enough care of me to risk himself when Kvar came…"

"You do not like Kvar?" Kratos asked, sitting next to Lloyd on the bed, his red eyes looking at the boy carefully. Lloyd shook his head.

"He's a scummy murderer. And he…" He bit his lip. "He… Wanted to take me to his Ranch…" Kratos frowned.

"Why?" He asked. Lloyd looked up at him.

"…Promise you won't tell the others…" He mumbled. Kratos nodded once. "He… Well, Forcystus told him I was, sort of, um…"

"…A pet," Kratos deduced with a soft voice. Lloyd nodded.

"He said he despised the very idea, but he had no other choice. And Kvar…"

"That fiend," Kratos murmured under his breath. Lloyd almost recoiled at the pure hatred in his voice. "Lloyd. There are… Some people who deserve to die," he murmured. Lloyd nodded vehemently.

"I promised myself I'd kill Kvar as soon as I could. For mom," he replied. "Please… Kratos. Will you… Help me? Help me avenge her?" Kratos smiled slightly.

"Yes, Lloyd, if you wish it," he replied. "Kvar has no respect for human life. His death is something I wish for, too. I would gladly lend you my aid." Lloyd smiled.

"Thanks, Kratos," he murmured. "Although… We'll have to storm another Ranch… And that'll put Colette in danger, unless they're tracking her signal. I can't see Kvar being deceived like Magnius, myself, so he won't try to kill her when he knows what she is, but…"

"Yes, you must take care," Kratos agreed. "If you would prefer, we could go alone." Lloyd nodded slowly.

"…They probably won't forgive us for it, but… If that's what circumstances present us with, then… Yeah. That'd be best." Kratos nodded.

"Good. Lloyd, you must get some sleep," he told him. "We are visiting the Geyser tomorrow."

"Mmm… You need sleep, too," Lloyd murmured sleepily. "It's… A seal, you know… Kratos." Kratos nodded.

"Perhaps," he replied. I will watch over you, Lloyd… For it has been such a long time since I last slept… Four thousand years of watching… And it's been so long since I have been able to take care of you… My son. Lloyd slowly drifted off to sleep, Forcystus' feather clutched in one hand. Kratos smiled sadly. That something so innocent can come from something so corrupt… He thought in wonderment, before quietly leaving the room to go and see where Forcystus had got to.

"Milord Aurion," Forcystus greeted quietly as Kratos walked up. He was sat on the wooden boarding by the Inn, looking out at the water.

"You mustn't call me that," Kratos murmured, going over to sit by him. "Lloyd will guess my identity, and I can't… I can't risk it." Forcystus nodded quietly.

"I appear to have caused a lot of trouble for Lloyd. I apologise." He hadn't looked at Kratos yet, he was still staring out over the water.

"He creates his own trouble," Kratos replied with a slight smile. "He has a strong sense of justice." Forcystus nodded.

"But, I would always have expected your own son to be the same as his father," he remarked. Kratos shook his head.

"No… He's innocent," he replied. "I just… Make mistakes, over and over. And I… I will have to betray him in the end. He will never let the Chosen meet her fate if he learns of it." Forcystus nodded.

"I understand," he murmured. Kratos sighed, touching the area just below his neck that was covered by the cloth of his top, and blue wings appeared at his back. Still, Forcystus did not react, or even look at him. Kratos bent his left wing forward and reached back, pulling a feather from it with a wince. His wings disappeared almost instantly.

"When I go… Give this to Lloyd," he replied, passing Forcystus the feather. The half-elf took it without a sound.

"Will I be able to?" He murmured softly. "I have been called a lying dog twice within four weeks. That never bodes well." Kratos laughed softly.

"Lloyd likely won't let you out of his sight. Lord Yggdrasill will not interfere with the Chosen's journey if he wishes it to finish. And it is about time one did." Forcystus nodded absently. "You have managed to hide quite well, so far. I am surprised," Kratos continued, making Forcystus laugh bitterly.

"I have only been doing so badly because of Lloyd," he replied. "Giving up the Inhibitor… It kept him safe, but I? Hah…" He absently threw a stone out over the water, and it skimmed a few times before finally sinking. "Lloyd's safety is far more important than my own. I did not have to know him long to work that out. I knew in my heart he would not be at my Ranch for long. I am surprised he lasted as long as he did." Kratos smiled.

"He has Anna's determination," he replied. "Will you be alright out here?" Forcystus nodded.

"Used to it," he murmured. "Often had to sleep rough when the IRA took me out to explore for them." Kratos sighed.

"Of course," he murmured. "Lloyd is treating your feather like a precious possession, by the way." Forcystus smiled slightly.

"I know," he replied. "I can feel it. He saved me with it, from pain… That I did not expect. Although I presume he had an ulterior motive." Kratos nodded and stood up.

"That is what you want to believe," he replied. "If you are not here tomorrow morning, what should I tell Lloyd?"

"He'll use that Lens I gave him to look for me," Forcystus replied. "But if I'm not here in the morning I'll have been moved, is all. They won't kill me now, I don't think." Kratos nodded.

"I will return in the morning. Sleep well," he replied, and Forcystus laughed, finally looking at him.

"I would say the same for you, but it seems pointless, Lord Aurion, Cruxis Seraph," he replied. "Lloyd knows a Lord Aurion requested he be kept safe. If you do not wish for me to have to come up with a bad explanation, I would keep your surname secret from him." Kratos nodded.

"I intended to," he replied, walking back into the Inn. Forcystus looked at Kratos' feather.

"Blue light and warmth indeed, Lloyd," he murmured with a sigh, looking back across the water. "I can't be that special to you. I'm just a Desian…"

A/N - When Forcy talks about 'the Inhibitor', he means his bangle. I'd tell you what it does, but it might get explained later on in the story anyway, so I will refrain for now.

Unless people want me to?

Anyway, tell me what you think! All critique is taken on board, I promise. I like critique (as long as it's not an open flame, I just ignore those and move on ^^ Not that you guys ever would ^^) and I appreciate it when people try to help me improve. Nobody's perfect... Me least of all ^^