For those that pointed out about the transformation thing with Tenebrae (a.k.a.: Dr. Bob), I just supposed that since he could transform himself, he could also do that to others. And I don't think Solum's powers limits to only transform others.
If you all remember, the game mentions his power is the ability to deceive his enemies and that cover a wide variety of things, not only transformations. Considering the differences between this reality and the canon, you will discover there are some differences between their powers. That will be mentioned when Solum appear.
Now, about my little "contest"; unfortunately, none of you got it right, although Maurice A. Nigma got close. So, no cookie points this time. Sorry.
Anyway, prepare for the debut of the one that carries the name of the God of War himself. Yes, that's right... HERE COMES KRATOS *frikin'* AURION!
Chapter 20
The Power of Union
Cape Fortress, once a Tethe'allan outpost that guarded the coast of the Fooji Continent against naval attacks, now an advanced post of the Tethe'allan Renegades. The fortress had resisted during the Kharlan War and assured the security of the Royal Family in the capital Meltokio, however, it soon proved to be useless against the demons, who could simply open portals to anywhere in the world.
Now, the fortress was once again challenged. The attacks of the demon army on the region had been going for one mouth, however, in the last weeks, with the coming of a demon general to coordinate the troops of Niflheim, things have escalated to a point where the Renegades could lose their footing on the Fooji continent. To reverse that situation, special help had been called.
Kratos Aurion, the General of Unity of the two organizations opposing the demons of Niflheim, surveyed the defense plans for Cape Fortress by what seemed to be the third time while the other commanders discussed the situation, which was worrying to say the least. The demon general leading those troops, Narom'Kriaar if Kratos had caught the name right, was nothing like what these soldiers had dealt with before.
Sure, Kratos had experienced combat against competent generals, both demonic and Desian, and he had said that it could be quite challenging for someone used to fight with just a bunch of lower hierarchy demons. Unlike their brethren of General rank, the only battle tactic they knew how to execute was overwhelming their enemies with their sheer strength and numbers. Demon generals actually knew strategy and logistic, putting the abilities of their other brethren to good use.
It's no wonder why they stand out from the other demons. Kratos thought each time he faced such an opponent.
The general leading the army that was cornering the Renegades in the Meltokio region was exceptionally cunning. He had at his disposal demon spell casters, frontline fighters, artillery and one species of demons that had one of their arms' scales shaped like a shield, which was able to cover all of his body. Tyrants were their name, if Kratos recalled correctly.
Lately, the auburn haired swordsman was only able to apply hit-and-run tactics, since the troops at his disposal were with a low moral and scared to say the least. He managed to eliminate the Tyrants on Narom's army, reducing its defenses. However, they still have the spell casters to worry about and the sheer number of infantry the demon general had at his disposal outnumber them seven to one. Even if they hadn't had as many losses as they had in the last days, they would still be outnumbered three to one.
To surmise the situation, Kratos was worried. When they had been battling out in the fields, Narom would hit them hard, employing each of his brethren's abilities and talents to reduce their attack forces to half of its number, while they tried to eliminate the demonic foot soldiers. Kratos managed to hold well until now, shortening their losses, but it still wasn't enough if they were to drive the demons out of the Meltokio region.
Narom alone was a force to reckon with; an intimidating, five meters tall, blue, living armor, carrying a bluish broadsword the size of two adult men. Not only could the spiritual demon slice five to seven of their soldiers with one swipe, it could also cast spells without even having to charge them. Worse even, none of their weapons seemed to have an effect on the armor, so even if they somehow managed to destroy the entire demonic troops, they would still have to deal with the powerful general.
His thoughts were interrupted when the door to the planning room opened. A scout entered, his armor had visible bloodstains in it and he had bandages around his arm and legs. In all honesty, the man was lucky to have come back alive, since most of the scouts have been already killed by the ruthless demons. The soldier saluted, beating his chest with his bandaged arm as he spoke:
"General Aurion, we've come back from recognizance. The enemy is ten kilometers away to the west, camping in the plains. They mounted camps around the perimeter of the fortress, effectively cutting us off, except by sea," the soldier reported in a neutral tone.
"However, we don't have any boats..." Kratos mused. "Well, I can't say I didn't expected a strategy such as this. The demons are known for not letting their opponents alive."
"How about the number of demons in each camp?" the Vanguard commander that had arrived two weeks before Kratos with reinforcements asked.
"Approximately fifty on each," the soldier answered.
"We could attack one of the camps and make a break for it," a general of the Renegades said.
"And how do you propose we transport the injured during the attack?" Kratos inquired.
"Well... unfortunately, they would have to..."
"That's not an option, General," Kratos said in a tone full of authority and resolution. "Each man counts in this war. There are no expandable ones and I won't accept any solution that involves the sacrifice of a comrade, is that clear?"
The entire room murmured a "yes, sir", though the scout there was the only one that said it with admiration in his tone. None of them would dare to question Kratos on that. Not only the man outranked everybody present in that fortress, but he was their only hope of getting out of that alive.
Ever since his debut in his first, field mission, Kratos showed that he was more than capable of handling the demons, even under dire circumstances. Not only was he the most powerful swordsman in all of the two resistance groups (maybe save by the High Commander of the Renegades, Yuan), he was also a good strategist. During the battle on the coast of Flanoir to rescue a group of survivors from the raid in the now devastated city on the icy continent, Kratos had lead the entire fleet and managed to counter the aquatic demons in the waters by commanding the Renegade spell casters to cast high-level lightning spells on the water, which stunned the Kristhers around the coast and other naval forces.
However, that wouldn't have been possible if some of them weren't wearing Expheres. For some reason, Kratos disliked the power-amplifying stones, but he knew they were necessary for that mission. Some people said he wore one, for he was once able to fight hand-to-hand with a demon, when it disarmed him, but whenever that was said Kratos would flinch and get in a somewhat foul mood, asking why they were chit-chatting when there was work to do.
Here, on Cape Fortress, there weren't any Expheres to help the troops and Kratos was forced to admit the power-amplifying stones would be a great help on defending the fortress. He sighed as he thought on a solution for their problem. If they tried to leave they would have to leave the injured behind, plus, they didn't know in which camp the demon general Narom was staying, so an attempt to break through could be disastrous. There was only one solution he could think of, even if the chances of success were minimal:
"We'll have to send a request for reinforcements," Kratos finally said. The generals in the room looked at him. "We have a cell in Triaar, they could send us some help."
"But how are we going to do it? None of our riders would be able to pass the demons and arrive in the city in time," one of the men there said.
"I wasn't thinking on sending a rider, specifically..."
- / - / - / - / -
Kratos passed by the troops on his way to the stables. He greeted some of them with his typical nods, trying not to let his apprehension show. After telling the other generals what his plan was, some of them pointed out it could still be too late when the help arrived.
However, it is the only plan we have for now. Kratos thought.
As he entered the stables, one of the boys that kept it came running to him and started speaking:
"General Aurion your... um... pet has been very uneasy lately. I'm afraid of getting close to him. He keeps growling all the time."
"He probably sensed the demons nearby. Don't worry, he would never attack you, unless you give him a motive to do so," Kratos said as he approached the mentioned animal.
It looked like a cross between a dog and a wolf. Actually, to be honest, not even Kratos knew his mascot's species. He just knew that the green and white creature in front of him was his father's and was passed down to him when he was born. Kratos also wondered how come it was still looking the same way it was when he received it as a child.
"Hello, Noishe," Kratos greeted his old companion, who whined back to him and approached, licking his face. "Yes I missed you too," Kratos said, wiping off the saliva after his loyal companion was done greeting him. Noishe growled a little. "I know. You can sense them closing in, don't you?"
Kratos had a basic understanding about what Noishe said sometimes. The green and white creature didn't like demons or monsters in the least and tended to run away whenever one was close by. Kratos knew of an incident that could have triggered this fear on Noishe.
The auburn haired general once thought about leaving Noishe with Lloyd, after all, the overgrown dog/wolf would be his son's mascot one day. However, Lloyd needed to learn to defend and live by himself and Noishe was extremely smart and could even bring food if his owner was alone in the wilderness, so, in a way, Noishe would be a commodity and Lloyd needed to learn to not depend on others.
It pained Kratos to separate those two, after all, Noishe had always been watching over Lloyd since he was a little boy, much like how he did with Kratos when he was that age, often playing the babysitter whenever Kratos and Anna wanted to have some time to themselves (Noishe would latter growl at them for the entire day). Now, his old mascot was playing messenger whenever Kratos wanted to send a message to the nearest Renegade/Vanguard cell.
"Listen…" Kratos said to his good companion, as Noishe perked his head up. "I need for you to send this request for reinforcements to the Renegade cell at Triaar…" Kratos took out a message he wrote and signed. "Think you can do it?"
Noishe whined in confirmation. Kratos smiled and took a nearby collar that he tied to Noishe's neck whenever he wanted to send a message through his animal friend. Sealing the message in a cylinder attached to the collar, Kratos went to the doors of the stable that opened to the courtyard of the fortress. He stopped when he felt something pulling at his purple, swallow cape and saw it was Noishe, who had a worried expression on his canine face. Kratos could see why his friend seemed so worried.
"Don't worry. I will be fine," Kratos tried to reassure his mascot. Noishe only whined again, this time with some sorrow. "You know I won't abandon my duties for with my subordinates, even if it leads me to death. We are here to correct our mistakes of the past and I have to give the example, so I refuse to abandon those that need me," Noishe howled. "Have a safe journey, my friend."
With that, the green and white companion of the General of Unity dashed through the courtyard in incredible speed, soon turning into a green blur, which some people barely registered. Kratos gave a half-smile at seeing Noishe dashing at the distance. He was serious and his animal friend knew that. Kratos would stay and fight until his last breath, so Noishe decided that, instead of wasting precious time, he would go to the city and call for help.
Kratos then looked around the base and suddenly found himself reflecting how he had arrived at this position. He had walked a long way from being a standard recruit to somebody his peers admired. He even had met the leader of the Renegades, Yuan, who seemed surprised at his abilities and his beliefs. He even had gotten to talk to the famous Goddess of Victory of the Renegades, a woman who they said could inspire and lift the spirits of an entire troop just with her gentle, kind words. Kratos admired her. She was what this world needed; someone who fought because it was needed, not because she thought it was a solution.
Well… time to get things ready for the defense. I hope those demons at least haven't called for reinforcements, or we will be in severe trouble… Kratos thought, his half-smile turning into a frown as he thought of the possibility.
- / - / - / - / -
In one of the small camps established by the demonic troops, Narom'Kriaar, the spiritual demon of General ranking, was reviewing his attack strategy. The loss of the Tyrants had left him without defenders, but he could manage it, after all, it was only a bunch of human trash without any special abilities against several demons with experience in other invasions.
The only problem will be if they have more of those subversive half-elves with them. But with the Savage Slashers, it should be no problem bypass their defenses and eliminate them. Narom thought.
The only obstacle to his victory was that auburn haired human. He had once heard the name of Kratos and, according to the reports, he was a high-ranking commander of the human resistance that had been causing some headaches to the other generals. Narom smiled at the thought of what the others would say once they heard he had eliminated the human that they hadn't been able to kill.
Incompetents, that's what they are. This Kratos human is just one man trying to stand against a raging storm, nothing more. Well, that will just make my image better in the eyes of the Great One.
Before Narom could think further, he felt something; a presence approaching their camp very fast. He didn't recall having seen anything that moved at that speed. The great demon armor then exited the space he had set for himself to plan in time to see a green blur passing by a group of his troops, who were flaying around uselessly trying to catch the blur. Narom was able to identify the aura. He was surprised to see one of those creatures still existed, even after mana was burnt out of existence from this world.
A Micarnios… now that's certainly a surprise. Narom thought.
One of his lieutenants, a scaled demon of the high species, approached, bowing before him as he spoke in demonic:
"My lord. I'm sorry, for we weren't able to intercept that strange…"
"Spare me of your useless excuses, lieutenant," Narom cut him. "You wouldn't be able to catch it anyway. It seems it was Micarnios in its beast form."
"A Micarnions, sir?" the demon asked.
"Anyway, I know how to deal with it…" Narom then snapped his fingers and soon two Ravagers growled and appeared before him. "Chase down that remnant of the world's first creatures and show it the fate of those that defies us!" he ordered the demon beasts, which growled in understanding and dashed in a speed that seemed to match the one of the Protozoan that had just passed. "Now…" he said, turning to his second-in-command. "Send the word for the troops to advance. If those humans are already trying to send for help, that means they are in a desperate situation."
Narom could have smiled once more if he had lips. He still didn't have the faintest idea of how that human Kratos managed to hold against him for so long, but now that little filth's luck seemed to have finally ended. He would feel great pleasure in breaking the bones in that little man's body for his defiance, one by one…
- / - / - / - / -
The port city of Triaar was once a naval base during the Kharlan War, but now was known as the stop point of any travelers that wished to pass by, enter or leave the Fooji continent. Having lost its military utility in the end of the war, Triaar was soon converted into a port for cruise and merchant boats to stop for re-supplying.
Lloyd and the others didn't spend much time in the city, just enough to re-supply and rest from the boat travel. They planned to contact the Renegades at Cape Fortress and arrange for Amelia to be hidden by the resistance groups. From there, they would continue their travel to the Temple of Earth to awaken the next Centurion and Colette's powers as a Summon Spirit.
However, when they were in the fields outside of the city, Sheena, Emil and Raine felt a demonic presence approaching. The three alerted their companions as they drew their weapons, ready for battle. When they looked to the direction the presence was coming from, the group saw what looked like several blurs approaching in a fast pace. Narrowing their eyes, they could identify the creatures behind as being Ravagers, pursuing something that looked like a giant, green and white dog. Lloyd recognized the leading creature immediately:
"Noishe?" the red clad young man let out and took only one moment to jump into battle to defend his family's mascot.
"Lloyd, wait!" Emil said, going after him with Sheena on tow.
Noishe noticed his younger owner running to the rescue and unconsciously reduced his running speed. That gave the chance the Ravagers needed to jump in the air, ready to pounce and tear the ancient life-form to shreds. However, the demons never got close to do it, for in that moment a cry of "Flaring Tempest!" followed by flames enveloping Lloyd's body, changing his attire and weapons as he jumped into the air and curled in a ball.
The spinning, flaming, red blur hit the Ravagers, pushing the demons back in the air, slicing those directly in front of him and burning the others nearby. Before the tiger-like demons could get up, Sheena and Emil were already upon them, ending the creatures with attacks charged with elemental energy, burning the demon's aura out of existence.
As the creature's bodies dissolved into chaos energy, Lloyd sighed in relief. He was then pushed to the ground by a big, green mass that started to promptly lick his face with whines of happiness. Sheena and the others were quite surprised.
"ACK! Noishe, cut it out!" Lloyd protested, trying to get up as his mascot was still leaving trails of saliva over his hair and face.
"Wow! You never said you had a dog, Lloyd," Colette said, smiling one of her radiant smiles at seeing the pet. "He's so big."
"I'm not sure if that is a dog…" Raine thought aloud.
Lloyd finally managed to free himself from Noishe and got up, trying to get his hair back to its usual spiky position. He then went on to explain:
"Well guys, this is Noishe. He's an old friend of mine and something like a family mascot," Lloyd said with a smile. Then realization came upon him. "Wait. If you're here then that means… is dad around here too?"
Noishe barked and turned to the side. Lloyd then noticed there was a collar with some kind of cylinder to hold messages around his neck. Emil and the others approached. Colette looked like she wanted to pet Noishe and Amelia looked equally captivated by the exotic creature. Before any of them could say anything, Lloyd went to the cylinder in the collar and opened it. Inside was a message.
Tenebrae and the other Centurions appeared. Noishe tilted his head with curiosity at the beings as Ventus and Tenebrae approached him. The two Centurions then started to "speak" (that was the only word the group could find to describe the exchange between the servants of Ratatosk and the mascot) with him. Noishe barked in return and expressions of realization and surprise came to the Centurions.
"Impressive. I thought all of your kind would have vanished with the burnt of the mana," Ventus said. Noishe whined in response. "Hmmm… I see."
"You understand what he is saying?" Colette asked.
"Yes, we do," Tenebrae said, before talking with Noishe once again. The mascot of the Aurion family then replied something that made Tenebrae start to laugh.
"What?" Marta asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. Hahaha!" Tenebrae said, although he wasn't able to hold his laugh.
"C'mon, what is it? Aqua?" Marta asked turning to the female Centurion.
"It's nothing too important. Hehehe, though it is kinda funny," the Centurion of water said.
"C'mon. Tell us," Emil urged.
Before the group could press the Centurions further, Lloyd looked up from the message and said, with a serious and hard gaze on his eyes:
"We have to get to Cape Fortress. Now!"
"Why? What does the message say?" Sheena asked.
"Dad is there. And he is being attacked by an army of demons that are about to wipe them out!"
The entire group's eyes widened at that. They then nodded to Lloyd and together sprinted to the direction of Cape Fortress.
- / - / - / - / -
The watcher on the fortress' tower finally yelled that the demons were in sight. The skies were clouded that day, an atmosphere that fitted the mood of those in the fortress. The Renegades and the few members of the Vanguard stationed in Cape Fortress shook in apprehension. Soon they would be facing a fierce attack, one that could mean the end of their lives.
Kratos, who was standing above the entrance to the interior of the fortress, could see the nervousness in his troops as he caught some comments in the air:
"Can we really survive this?"
"This is crazy. We should have left when we had the chance. Damn those demons!"
"There's just too many of them. We won't stand a chance."
Kratos frowned. Their morale was low and they were starting to lose their faith. If he didn't do something soon, this battle would be lost before it even began. One of the other commanders approached and whispered to him:
"General Aurion. We and the others talked and we thought that, at least you, sir, should leave here alive. You are too important for the Renegades and the Vanguard to die here and…"
"Don't complete that sentence," Kratos said in a warning tone. He then turned and looked to his troops. "Listen up!" all attention turned to the General of Unity as he began to speak. "I know you all are worried about the situation we are facing right now and that our chances of survival are minimal. I won't force any of you to fight if you feel you can't. There is no space for doubts or hesitation on the battlefield. However, consider this for one moment: how do you fight against the demons?"
There were murmurs between the soldiers assembled as they thought on Kratos' words. As nobody seemed to find an answer, the auburn haired swordsman continued:
"I'm not talking about taking in arms or revolting, but about truly defeating them. If you ask this question to a person on the street, he will say it is impossible. If you ask it to a follower of Cruxis, he will say that only the angels can fight against the demons, for we are powerless to do so. In another words; the majority of people think that what we are doing, what we are proposing, is impossible to achieve."
The murmurs intensified and, for one moment, the others generals questioned where Kratos was trying to get with that speech and if he was realizing that it could just lower the spirits of the troops even more.
"But if it is impossible, how come we are still here, alive and defying the demons?" all talks stopped at that. Kratos continued. "How can somebody do what is impossible and still standing? Very simple… it is because fighting the demons isn't something only angels can do. Fighting the agents of Niflheim is much more than a simple matter of strength or courage. It is a matter of faith and will. Faith in what you are doing. Faith in yourself, that you can the difference. And will to protect those that are close to you. Will to right the wrongs of the past and, above all, will to prove that there is no such thing as 'the impossible' when you have an ideal to fight for.
"Look at us. We did the impossible. We challenged the demons, the ones that are trying to destroy our world, and we are still here. Think about what made you arrive at this point, think on why you are doing this, why you aren't simply sitting back and letting the angels do all the work," Kratos gave a pause to recover his breath before continue, letting his words sink in. "You all came here with the desire to fight to free Aselia, to rebuilt this world, to protect your loved ones. The demons will try everything in their power to force you to stop fighting, to make you give up.
"They claim they can even devour the souls of those that stand against them, but let me say this: death isn't the end. Your souls are yours and nobody can control them unless you allow them to do so. That's why the demons try to install fear on us, that's why they try to make us give up, because they fear the strength that pushes us forward, knowing that it is something they can never take away or destroy."
People started to nod and cheer at Kratos' words. The other generals were impressed that the frightened soldiers were now showing more conviction and confidence. Kratos continued:
"If we die today, we die as men that fought to protect their world. We die fulfilling our duty towards this world, with our hearts light and our souls free of regret. But, only if they can really kill us," more cheers came as the men started to pump their fists in the air. "We will show these demons that we, humans, are not to be taken lightly. We will show that we can fight back and we can be victorious!"
The crowd shouted Kratos' name in euphoria as he raised his fist in the air too. The auburn haired swordsman smiled. Now they were ready to battle. Maybe there was still a chance, if they could keep that spirit up and hold back the demons long enough for the reinforcements to arrive…
It was then a voice echoed in the air:
"Listen up, pathetic humans!"
The voice seemed to come from all sides, but Kratos quickly recognized it as being magically amplified. He looked to his troops and ordered:
"At your posts! Archers and spell casters on the walls with me!"
The soldiers and generals quickly took their predetermined posts, ready to execute their defense strategy. The General of Unity looked to the fields around the fortress from atop the fortress' walls. The demons had the building surrounded.
- / - / - / - / -
Narom was looking at the puny fortress with his two hands crossed on the top of his swords' handle, which was plunged in the earth. Besides him, his lieutenant spoke, his voice amplified by a spell:
"We are the children of the Great Ones, the bringers of the end for this chaotic universe of yours. Your futile resistance has already gone for long enough. Surrender now and we promise a quick, painless death. Defy us and we will make you beg for the death of even your spirits!" he then turned to his general with his voice now normal. "A truly brilliant speech, my lord. Those humans must be cowering right now."
"I wouldn't be so sure. They can be incredibly stubborn even when their defeat is clear," Narom said with his neutral, deep voice.
Before his second-in-command could say something more, several dots seemed to come from the fortress and fly in the air. Narom looked curiously at it and saw it was burning arrows. He chuckled at the pathetic excuse for an attack as his troops avoided the projectiles easily, just to look back with curiosity at the arrows. It was then that it happened.
Energy seemed to gather around the arrows and suddenly all of them released powerful explosions of flames, which incinerated those closer and burned others in the vicinity. The demons tried to put the flames in their bodies out, but they only seemed to spread. It was clear those flames were of magical nature.
"Arrows charged with spells timed to trigger…" Narom mused as his lieutenant was trying to put order on their troops. "Very cunning of you," the giant, blue armor said, looking at the fortress, with evident sneer on his voice. "But I wonder for how long you will be able to keep up with these tricks."
- / - / - / - / -
Kratos complimented the archers and spell casters. He then asked to a nearby watcher what was the damage they managed to inflict. The man said:
"I counted at least thirty demons caught in the center of the explosions, sir."
"That's not much, but at least it will give us some time until they have to reorganize," Kratos mused. He then turned to the nearest spell caster. He learned soon that the majority of the members of the Tethe'allan Renegades was composed of half-elves. Not that it mattered to him anyway. "Are the walls ready?"
"Yes. We prepared them as per your instructions, General Aurion," the half-elf answered.
"Good. They have climbers in that army and will use them certainly. But meanwhile... bring the cauldrons!"
The Renegade spell casters nodded and hurried to prepare the next phase of their defense plan. Meanwhile, Narom had reorganized his troops and ordered the attack to begin. The demons ran to the fortress as another rain of enhanced arrows rained down upon them, triggering spells that decimated some of them, but their numbers were just too great to be affect by something like that.
The demons finally reached the gate of the fortress as the archers on the walls tried to take them down. Some arrows enhanced with the power of the wind even pierced through the demonic attackers, but they just kept going. It was then three demons with overgrown fists, which seemed to be made of rock, steeped near the gate and started beating it, intent on reducing it to pieces. The demon's bodies were somewhat soft compared to the rest of their bodies, but resistant enough to stand the rain of magical arrows.
It was then cauldrons were put in position and Kratos ordered the troops to drop their contents. A blistering, red-hot liquid was turned over at the nearest demons. Those beating the gate were covered in it and not only were their bodies burnt by the liquid but their arms seemed to have turned heavier, making them unable to move them. The other demons with less resistance were burnt alive by the wave of hot liquid.
"What was that?" Narom's second-in-command inquired in demonic. Said general seemed to chuckle.
"Liquid iron. He probably had his spell casters heat it up," it was then the temperature seemed to drop several degrees as a giant Ice Tornado spell was cast. The liquid iron soon started to solidify and freeze. "Oh, and now he's going to virtually immobilize any of our soldiers that weren't killed by the liquid. Very smart."
"Are you commending him, sir?"
"Not really. But I have to admit the rumors about him were true. All the more motivation for me to end his life," he then turned to a row of Bone Archers that had stayed behind, waiting for his orders. "Archers! Fire and take them down!"
The demons with bone masks complied and prepared their bows. Soon, arrows were also sent flying from the demon's rows. Some managed to pierce the Renegades and members of the Vanguard in the walls, who were not prepared for that attack.
Kratos ordered the archers to fall back as he saw one of his man fall from the wall and into the crowd of awaiting demons down there. The body was torn to shreds in mere seconds. Narom saw them falling back and quickly ordered with a gesture of his hand, maintaining his sword plunged in the ground the entire time:
"Savage Slashers! Go up the walls and tear apart any on your path!"
The spider-like demons replied with growls and started to climb up the walls. One soldier that was watching the battle from a narrow window in the wall was almost attacked by one of the bloodthirsty creatures when it located the opening and it tried to reach him with his claw. The others that were too close to the windows at the time didn't have the same luck and were grabbed, just to be stabbed several times by the fast claws of the demons or simply cut into two.
"G-General Aurion they are climbing the walls!" one of the soldiers said, trying to keep his wits at seeing his companion being stabbed to death by the demon's sharp claws.
"Spell casters, NOW!" came Kratos' command.
A chorus of "YES, SIR!" was heard as the half-elves charged and casted several Thunder Blade spells. The blades made of pure electricity hit the now abandoned top of the walls, tearing some Savage Slashers apart. However, most of those in the walls were not affected.
Narom looked at that and chuckled, thinking Kratos must be quite desperate to try such an inefficient counter-attack. It was just when the swords released their energy in a circle around them that the demon general realized what had happened. The energy the swords conducted to the ground spanned across the entire wall, turning it into a giant, electric wire, electrocuting any demons too close to it or the now solidified iron on the gate. All of the Savage Slashers on the walls fell like flies after the spell passed, their bodies smoking and burnt from the strong discharges.
How did he... ? Narom thought. He then looked more attentively at the wall and caught something. In the gaps between the bricks, where them cement that held them together was visible, were several silver lines. The spiritual demon understood what had happened. It seems they were really prepared for our coming. "Impressive..." Narom said in demonic. "he filled the gaps between the bricks with steel. Probably did it to the entire wall, virtually turning it into a electric wire."
While Kratos smiled at seeing his plan had worked, the second-in-command of Narom's army was sweating. How come those humans could come up with such strategies? Narom seemed to sigh as he finally gripped the handle of his giant, bluish broadsword and pulled it from the ground. The high demon besides him looked at him with a look of "sir?"
"I wasn't expecting to be forced to take part into this battle directly, but it seems he actually managed to force my hand," Narom then held his sword with his two hands, the point still turned to the earth. "Shatter at my command. Thera Menser!"
The living armor then plunged his sword on the ground, this time making half of the blade sunk. Two fissures came from where the sword had been plunged and propagated to the two towers on the ends of the front wall. The Renegades didn't like the look of that, but were too slow to do anything as the fissure reached the foot of the wall and suddenly started to go up the tower, resulting in several cracks. The entire wall then started to collapse under itself as the cracks spread over it. The earth under it seemed to open as it sunk and broke apart.
Kratos' eyes widened. He had never seen that kind of spell before and could only think of one demon in that army that would have enough power to bring the entire wall down. Narom'Kriaar have finally decided to move his hand. When it ended, there was no wall any more, just a large opening from which the demons could see all of them united in the courtyard of the fortress. Kratos could swear that giant, blue armor was snickering at his face.
"TAKE NO PRISIONERS!" Narom ordered, pointing his sword at their direction. From there on, all hell broke loose.
"FOR ASELIA!" Kratos shouted, drawing his sword as his soldiers let out a war cry, advancing against the incoming waves of demons.
Vanguard and Renegade soldiers both fought against the demons, who tore apart anything in their path. Both sides clashed with equal ferocity, arrows and spells flew in the air, hitting enemy and allies alike regardless of which side casted. Kratos cut down all Niflheim's agents around him, using his shield to defend from the strong blows. Luckily, most of the demons there didn't have any armor-like scales, which made both sides evenly matched to some degree.
Narom smiled at how things were going, the sheer number of his troops was enough to bring down more than half of the resistance fighters, though the remaining ones were taking as much demons as they had casualties.
It won't matter soon enough. Time will teach these rebels the price for their defiance and... Narom stopped when he felt something coming. It was an aura unlike anything he had felt before.
The living armor turned in time to see a giant column of fire pass near him and hit his troops, incinerating any on its path. He was so surprised by the sudden attack that he barely registered someone shouting:
"Flaring Tempest!"
Narom just had a second to take out his shield with a dragon's face on it and bring it up to defend himself from the red wheel of fire that was intent on colliding with his side. The giant armor shoved the flaming blur back in time to see pillars of light rushing to his troops, burning the chaos energy of everything it touched. Things that looked like wind blades flew around and took down more of his soldiers.
The demon general then saw who was causing all that trouble: a group of kids and women. He recognized the aura of the blond boy with them. It was one that no demon would ever forget.
"So, you are Ratatosk's group. Seems today is an interesting day indeed," Narom said, more to himself than to the reincarnated spirits in front of him.
"Emil, Marta, go help the Renegades. Colette and Amelia go and help those in fortress," Lloyd instructed.
The four just nodded to him and the Centurions appeared, immediately invoking their own little army of monsters to the battle. Narom's lieutenant tried to stop them, however Sheena moved at lightning speed and stood in front of the demon, already in her spirit form, grabbing his face and bombarding him with light and burning his aura out of existence as he let out a howl of pain.
Sheena let the corpse of the demon fall as Narom didn't even spare it a look. The demon general was then left alone with three of the reincarnated spirits. A chuckling sound came from the armor's empty helmet as he said:
"Well then... I was planning on requesting permission to take on the mission of hunting you down, but since you were so kind as to come to me..."
"I'm going to make you pay for what you are doing," Lloyd said, anger written all over his face. Nobody threatened his family.
"What do you care so much about these humans? Did you already forget they are the reason why you are in this pathetic situation, instead of having your full powers?"
"You seem to be thinking you are talking with Efreet, Luna and Undine, right?" Raine inquired, her tone regal as always. "Let me correct you on that point; we are not them. We are new beings, who have inherited their souls."
"Is that so?" Narom questioned in a sneer. "You think of yourselves as being the same as them?" he made a motion with his hand to the fortress and those fighting on it. "Let me say that you are not. You are different, even if you deny it. I think the human term for what you are would be freaks. Now, if you truly wish to become something greater than mere guardians for these ingrate filth, you could join us and together we would make this entire universe know of your name and power."
"As tempting as it sounds, we have to refuse it," Sheena said. "Besides, I really can't stand staying around beings with such a stained and oppressive aura as yours."
"A pity..." Narom said, seeming to sigh as he raised his sword. "You really are like your past selves. In that case, I will do what our Great Lords always dreamed of doing: crush your pathetic spirits!"
With that, Narom ran to them, making the ground shake on his awake. Raine backed away as Lloyd and Sheena had to avoid an ample swing of the spiritual demon's bluish sword. The couple was about to counter-attack, however, they were surprised when Narom quickly turned his blade and swung again in a speed that didn't match his size, managing to hit the two of them, though the wounds weren't so serious thanks to their Summon Spirit defense.
Damn, he's fast! the two thought at the same time as they avoided a series of slashes.
When Narom noticed they were out of range for melee attacks, he brought his sword up. There was a rush of magical energy for one moment and in the next Lloyd found himself being attacked by several thick wind blades that beat him in the air like a punching bag.
Sheena was about to go and help him, but Narom raised his sword again and a sphere of electricity formed at her feet, electrocuting and pulling her closer to the ground as a dome of spiked stone closed around her. Sheena used her power to break free from the prison, only to find Narom already over her, his sword poised to cleave her in two.
Thankfully, Raine had finished charging her Brilliant Shackles spell at that moment, temporarily binding the giant armor and attacking it with light. That gave Sheena the chance she needed to form light cards and attack Narom with a sequence of quick combos. The attacks of the reincarnated Luna, however, didn't seem to make much damage, as Narom soon recovered and tried to bash Sheena away with his shield. She crossed her arms in front of her, manipulating the cards so they would form a shield in front of her, however, the mere strength of the blow was enough to push her back in the air.
Narom prepared to run his sword through Sheena when something collided with his back. He turned and noticed Lloyd had tried to cut his shoulder using his swords, which seemed to be made of flames now. The attack didn't have the intended effect, though. Lloyd tried again, enveloping his blades on fire and swung them in the air in front of him, forming a flaming X as he cut Narom's back, except that he didn't make even a scratch on the living armor.
The demon general counter-attacked, quickly turning to Lloyd and swinging his giant sword, which Lloyd tried to block with his own, but the strength of the blow made him lose his equilibrium in the air, which gave Narom the chance he needed to bash at Lloyd with his shield, sending the dual swordsman to the ground. Narom raised his sword once more, instantly casting a spell. A pointed stalagmite came from the ground, hitting Lloyd with great strength and sending him to the air just to, when he fell, others come and almost impaled him.
Sheena came back and charged light energy on her feet and hands, unleashing a sequence of combos on the living armor. Narom was stunned due to the strength of the blows, which allowed Raine to cast Ray on him, bombarding the giant demon with several beams of light.
Lloyd got up again and unleashed a Blazing Fang on Narom. Sheena flew away as the fire hit the demon general and flames consumed his body. The three smiled at their work. That was, until they heard a chant in the demonic language:
" Gargan kerass, aisht lis rerssip roweir ent koulun meor en gehar... Lincri Caish!" before any of them could react, clouds of darkness formed around them as blades of the same element cut the reincarnated spirits from all sides.
The clouds then enclosed around them and seemed to turn into solid spheres. Sounds of something heavy impacting on bodies were heard coming from the spheres as their surface suffered distortions, as if someone was trying to break them with a spear from the inside. The spheres then shrunk and imploded into several, purple, light dots. Sheena and Lloyd fell to the ground, panting. Raine went unconscious with several bruises on her body and blood coming from her forehead and mouth.
The other two transformed spirits looked at where Lloyd's attack had hit Narom and saw the spiritual demon standing there, completely unscathed. Narom laughed at them as he said:
"You honestly thought that was enough to destroy me? I am a demon general, I cannot be killed that easily. You would do well to remember that," he then pointed his sword to Raine. "And now... to reduce the number of combatants..." he rose his sword again, preparing to cast another spell.
Lloyd and Sheena's eyes widened as the two flew in high speed to Raine's body. There was a release of magical energy coming from Narom and three spheres of electricity formed a triangle around Raine, all connected by lightning. Sheena and Lloyd used their own bodies as shields when several lightning bolts rained down in the center of the triangle. The two went down and their bodies started to glow, their clothes flickering between those of their human and spirit form, like they were fighting to stay in their current forms.
Lloyd looked with hatred at Narom. He wanted nothing more than to rip that overgrowth piece of equipment to shreds, but it seemed Narom was immune to fire so his swords on his spirit form did little to no damage to him. The red clad swordsman knew that his normal swords would be just as useless against that demon. Raine once said that normal weapons couldn't do any kind of damage on high-ranking demons.
"And to think you are the reincarnation of those that were our biggest adversaries on this world," Narom chuckled. "You are probably hating those humans right now, don't you? After all, it's because of them that we are able to hurt those that are the closest thing you could have to a family..." he seemed to briefly glance at Sheena and Raine, though Lloyd couldn't tell since the demon didn't have eyes. "and lovers," Narom chuckled again.
"Don't you dare..." Lloyd said, slowly getting up and almost falling in the process. "Talk about my friends."
"Ah yes, you are angry, are you not? You probably want to rip me to shreds right now, don't you? Very well... embrace this feeling. Let it be your drive and you will be closer to us than never before. Close enough to even defeat me."
Lloyd felt his whole body treble with rage. Narom was mocking him and he could do nothing, but feel just what that demon was telling him to feel. It angered him all the more to see that he could do nothing to defend even his father against these demons, who played with the lives of people as they saw fit.
"Honestly, that was the most clichéd thing I ever heard," Marta's voice echoed.
Lloyd looked up and Narom was about to look behind when two boots connected with his helmet with such strength that it made him reel back. Marta (on her spirit form) landed near Lloyd and offered her hand for him to stand up. Lloyd smiled at the brunette as he accepted her offer. The reincarnated Sylph then casted a Cure spell on Sheena and Lloyd, the former waking up and looking at the situation around her.
"Don't let that guy trick you like this Lloyd. He just wants for you to lose it, so he can kill you easily," Marta said.
"Yeah. I noticed it," Lloyd said.
"Then I think it's time we teach him a lesson," Sheena said, as she made two fans of light cards appear in her hands. "Nobody plays around with my man and gets away with it," Lloyd blushed at that while Marta merely giggled, going to help Raine as the two flew to Narom once more.
The demon general swung his sword in an attempt to cut them in half, both avoided the blow and Lloyd went for the head, unleashing a sequence of sword blows at Narom using just his strength. He smiled at seeing the blows connect and stun Narom enough for Sheena to attack his legs with a Demon Seal Arte that forced him to kneel.
The couple then leveled with the demon's head and attacked at the same time, Sheena kicking and punching in a deadly, aerial dance that would have knocked out any other opponent. She applied a string of Artes on him, ending with a Power Seal Absolute. The Radiant Maiden then threw a quick look to Lloyd, which he understood and nodded. The red clad swordsman ignited his swords and flew to Narom's chest.
"Ravaging Stream!" Lloyd applied several fast slashes on Narom's chest, leaving trails of fire behind.
Thanks to Sheena's Arte, the defenses of the demon had been lowered enough for his fire to affect him. Lloyd ended his attack with one downward, strong slash and an upward one, rising in the air to the level of Narom's head. The Wielder of Victory's Flame spun in the air and applied another downward slash on the demon's helmet, a blow that would have sent any other adversary rocketing to the ground. The blow was strong enough to force the giant, spiritual demon to lower his head.
The demon general suddenly attacked again with his sword. This time, Sheena and Lloyd were caught with their guard lowered and were hit by the bluish broadsword, which threw them to side. Their spirit forms flickered yet again after having absorbed the damage of the attack that would have cleaved them in two.
Narom'Kriaar slowly stood, seeming a little shaken as he brought his hand to his head. He felt a groove on his helmet, meaning Lloyd's attack had actually damaged his shell. He turned to the two reincarnated Summon Spirits and said, in a tone of controlled anger:
"Well, well, you actually managed to injure me. Not bad. However..." he brought his sword to the level of his head. "It is time for me to show you the true power of a demon general!" he pointed his sword to the clouded skies, raising it above his head.
There was a sudden rush of chaos energy in the environment and lightning fell from the skies, but instead of it being a natural phenomenon, it was brimming with chaos energy. When the lightning hit Narom's sword, Sheena and Lloyd could feel his aura vibrating with pure chaos energy as his sword started to glow and crackle with it. Narom positioned himself, putting a foot in front of his body and the other behind.
"One!" Narom yelled as he scarred the ground with his broadsword, sending a great wave of energy the half his size. It was so fast Lloyd and Sheena barely had the time to avoid it. "Two!" the second one came right after the first. This time, Sheena couldn't avoid and tried to create a barrier to block the oncoming energy, however, she was already exhausted, so the barrier shattered once the wave of energy impacted, forcing Sheena behind. "Three!" this one was meant for Lloyd, who looked at Sheena and that instant of distraction was enough for the wave to hit him dead on, launching him up. "Four!" Sheena was sent in the air. "Five!" this wave was wider than the others and caught the couple, sending them both to the ground and dispelling their spirit form.
Narom returned to his initial stance, stretching his arm behind as he gathered chaos energy on his sword again, a white glow completely covering the bluish blade.
"Dragon Slash!" Narom scarred the ground again with his sword, this time, the pillar of energy released was much more powerful, taking the form of a frightening, dragon's face. Lloyd and Sheena looked up and closed their eyes as the terrifying attack came closer to them.
In that moment, two cries of "Barrier" echoed in the air as two prism-like shields appeared in front of Lloyd and Sheena just as the draconic energy was about to hit them. The shields withstood great part of the attack before shattering and the energy hit the two lovers, reducing part of their clothing to shreds as their bodies were launched in the air. The energy soon passed and Lloyd and Sheena hit the ground with a thud, both greatly injured and incapable of moving a finger, but still alive thanks to Marta and Raine's efforts.
The silver haired woman and the brunette girl ran to their friends and stood between them and Narom in a protective stance. However, both were sweating as they saw the demon general looking down on them. They knew they had as much chance of defeating him as Sheena and Lloyd had. Narom was about to take a step forward, but he heard another cry coming from behind him:
"Ain Soph Aur!" this time he turned completely in time as he felt the blast of multicolored flames being released. The giant, blue armor raised its shield to block the attack, which pressed against his defense in an attempt to break through. Narom grunted as he fought back until the energy blast dispersed, his shield was still smoldering.
The demon general looked up and saw Ratatosk standing there, his monsters around him and ready to attack Narom. The demon general would have laughed at the pathetic attempt to eliminate him if a detail hadn't caught his attention: behind Ratatosk, all of his troops had already been decimated by the combined efforts of the reincarnated Summon Spirits and the resistance groups. The Vanguard and Renegade soldiers were coming from behind Ratatosk, shouts of victory echoing in the scenery.
Narom weighted his options in that moment. He could try and slaughter all of them alone, but that last fight with the reincarnated Efreet and Luna had already worn him down. Even if he slaughtered all of the humans, he would still have to deal with Ratatosk and his little army of annoyances and by that time he would be completely out of strength. Plus, his shell had been damaged and he couldn't afford for them to discover that.
Damn! I was so close, yet... whatever. It is best that I live to repay them for this humiliation later.
Narom thrust his sword on the ground and put his hands on the point of the handle, uttering an enchantment. A runic circle appeared below him as he said:
"Don't think I will forget this. You all will perish in my hands soon enough!" with that, the demon general turned into a sphere of blue light and disappeared in a flash.
Raine and Marta let out a sigh of relief as Ratatosk dismissed his monsters. The Renegade and Vanguard forces, or what was left of them, arrived near the party. The commanders then asked to Emil and the others if they were the ones responsible for those monsters that helped them. It was then Kratos looked at the two fallen members of the little group that had helped his men and his eyes widened at recognizing the spiky hair and red attire one of them was wearing.
The General of Unity approached the couple and eyed the young man more attentively. There was no doubt about it. That was, Lloyd, his son and, somehow, he had fought back a very powerful demon general. Marta and Emil (back to the control of his body) approached him and the girl asked:
"Are you Lloyd's father, General Aurion?"
"Yes... and you are?" Kratos replied.
"Marta Lualdi and this is Emil Aster Castagnier," Marta said.
"Lualdi... I see. So you're Commander Brute's daughter."
"Brute? The leader of the Sylvaranti Vanguard?" Raine inquired, going to check on Lloyd and Sheena when she caught their talk. She threw a look at Marta, who scratched the back of her head.
"Well, yeah... you see..."
"Um... excuse me," Colette said as she and Amelia arrived in the scene. "But how are Lloyd and Sheena?"
The group then turned their attention said couple. Deciding to postpone the explanations to later, Kratos called for two members of the Vanguard to pick them up and bring them to the medical wing at the fortress...
- / - / - / - / -
That night, the soldiers of the two resistance groups were commemorating their victory, making cheers for their saviors who, they later got to know, were the famed Emil "Ratatosk" Castagnier and the daughter of Commander Brute.
In the medical wing, Raine, Colette and Amelia were doing all they could to help the injured. With her knowledge in healing arts, Raine was able to heal most of those in critical state. In a corner of the room were two beds where Lloyd and Sheena were resting in. They had most of their injuries cured by Marta and were sleeping to recover their strength.
Noishe and Kratos arrived after taking a quick pass by the commemorations in the central hall. The medics scrunched their noses at seeing General Aurion's mascot entering the medical wing and tried to convince him to get it out, but Kratos was categorical in saying Noishe would stay. Besides, his animal companion was as apprehensive about Lloyd's state as he was.
Marta and Emil were sitting in two chairs near the beds of the couple while Kratos was standing beside his son's bed. Several thoughts were running through the head of the General of Unity, who tried to organize them:
What is he doing here? Did something happened at Luin, or did he decided to search for me? And what is he doing with Brute's daughter and Emil?
Like many others in the Vanguard, when he started, Kratos had heard the rumors about a boy that supposedly was a reincarnated Summon Spirit. According to them, this boy was currently traveling with the daughter of Commander Brute in search of some kind of objects that would restore his Summon Spirit powers. Kratos was skeptical at first about it, but after he heard that even from High Commander Yuan, who had seen the boy once, he was a little more inclined to believing it was true.
Now, after seeing monsters come to their rescue in the battlefield, led by a blond boy and a girl with wings, he started to think maybe he hadn't given the story enough credit. However, what worried him the most was his son's wellbeing.
Lloyd started to grumble and slowly open his eyes, making Emil and Marta look up at him. The young man then looked at them and slowly turned his head, asking where they were. Emil answered him, saying they had managed to stop the demon troops and beat back Narom. Lloyd let a tired smile grace his face has he let his head sunk on his pillow.
"Lloyd..." Kratos called and Lloyd immediately snapped his eyes open, sat up and looked to the side as his father approached, an unreadable expression on his face. The young man didn't even mind the pain from the sudden act.
"Um... h-hi... dad," Lloyd stuttered. He couldn't tell if his father was happy to see him or angry for him at throwing himself in the middle of that battle.
Lloyd was about to open his mouth, but before he could Kratos hugged him, stunning the dual swordsman for some seconds. Lloyd didn't know what to do, except hug his dear father back. Kratos then whispered in his hear:
"I'm glad you're ok, my son," Lloyd smiled as his father detached from him and crossed his arms. "Now, what are you doing here? And what were you thinking, fighting head on a powerful opponent like that. I thought I taught you better than this," Lloyd's smile vanished at that.
"Oh, c'mon dad... I just saved you and your men, didn't I?" Lloyd replied.
"True..." Kratos sighed.
"Um... mister Aurion," Emil timidly called. "Actually... we were the ones that... dragged Lloyd into this without thinking," Emil lied, trying to take the blame for Lloyd so his father wouldn't be angry at him. Lloyd and Marta looked back at him in surprise. Generally, Emil avoided trouble instead of putting himself on it.
Kratos looked at the nervous teenager. He then chuckled while shaking his head, making Emil even more nervous. It was then the General of Unity said:
"I guess the rumors about you were true. I admit I appreciate you trying to take the blame for Lloyd, but do you think I don't know my own son?" Emil's face fell as he looked down. "But, don't worry. I'm not really going to scold Lloyd for this."
Kratos looked at Lloyd, who then recovered his usual boyish smile as he thanked Emil. The blonde was about to say it had been nothing when he was suddenly caught in a tight embrace by Marta. The brunette girl said:
"Oh Emil, you're such a marvelous person. Trying to take the blame for a friend... I'm falling in love with you all over again," she cooed.
Lloyd and Kratos observed the scene, both with sweatdrops running behind their heads.
That... I didn't hear in the rumors. Well, guess it's a common trend on women. Anna was almost the exact same around me. Kratos thought.
"Lloyd, you're okay!" Colette's happy yell came as she and Amelia approached the boy's bed. "Thank goodness. I was starting to worry," she then saw Kratos. "Oh. Is this your dad?"
"I'm Kratos Aurion. Nice to meet you," Kratos said in a gentlemanly way.
"I'm Colette and this is my mom, Amelia," Colette said, as her mother politely bowed to Kratos, who returned the gesture.
While the exchange occurred, Lloyd was receiving attention from Noishe, meaning, the Protozoan was licking his face and putting his front paws on the reincarnated Efreet's bed, who tried to get his family's mascot down. When he finally did, Lloyd saw his father approach his bed from the other side and whisper to him:
"Is this young girl a friend of yours?" Kratos' tone was a knowing one, as if he had just figured something amusing. Lloyd didn't get that and simply said:
"Well, kinda. I don't really know her much. Sheena was the one that knew her better."
"Sheena?" Kratos repeated.
"Somebody called me?" said woman asked from her bed as she was sitting up. The whole group looked to her with relieved looks on their faces. "Hi there. Something happened while I was out?"
"Not too much," Colette said with her radiant smile on full potency. "We repelled the demons and got help from the Renegades and the Vanguard. Oh and that demon general armor ran away."
"Really? Damn, that thing sure was strong..." Sheena grumbled with a wince.
The reincarnated Luna then noticed Kratos looking at her. She traced the direction of his eyes and noticed he was looking directly at her face. She also noticed something familiar about his eyes and appearance. When she looked at Lloyd, she realized what it was.
"You must be Lloyd's father, Kratos, right?"
"Yes, I am," Kratos replied.
"Man, you two look a lot alike, do you know that?" Sheena commented to both. Father and son exchanged a glance. "Anyway, it's good to finally meet you, father-in-law."
That sentence made the entire group jump, except for Raine, who simply raised an eyebrow. Lloyd's eyes widened as his father looked dumbstruck, something really rare for him, as he repeated:
"Father... in-law?"
"Sheena! What are you saying?" Lloyd spoke.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry," Sheena said. "I didn't mean like your son and I are married or anything like that, though we could consider it latter. We're more like dating."
"SHEENA!"
"Oh c'mon. It's not a secret that you have the hots for me."
It was then Kratos started to notice some things about this young woman who allegedly proclaimed to be his son's girlfriend. One: she definitely wasn't somebody from Luin. Two: her figure was, to be frank, the picture of a wet dream of any teenage boy. Three: she was older than his son, though he couldn't point out by how many years. And finally, four: she talked with such freedom about their feelings and Lloyd wasn't even countering that, which meant it had to be true.
Kratos had to admit one part of him was proud. While the other, which was supported by his fatherly conscience...
"Lloyd..." Kratos said, his tone a neutral one. Said dual swordsman gulped. He knew that tone.
"Y-yes, d-dad?" he asked with a nervous smile on his face.
"I think it is time for me to have a talk with you."
The group decided that was their cue to ignore the two and engage in a conversation of their own, though their ears were still on the two swordsmen's talk.
"Is it about the 'birds and bees'? Because we already had that," Lloyd hurriedly said.
"You could say it is related. I want to talk man-to-man with you," the auburn haired general said.
Terror was written all over Lloyd's face. The last time he had a man-to-man talk with his father, he almost died from how embarrassing it had been. Kratos wasn't the kind of man to beat around the bush. He was direct when he needed to be and used the words he judged necessary to make himself clear. That didn't mean he was tactless, but he could be awfully blunt on some matters. For instance, the one they were about to discuss.
"Umm... I don't think I'm feeling well at the moment, dad. I'm sure the doctor must have said that I need rest and..."
"If you're good enough to invent excuses, that means you're more than well to listen," Kratos answered and urged his son up.
Lloyd thought about making a dash for it, but Kratos predicted that and grabbed his collar, pulling him to the room he was given in the fortress. Lloyd tried to fight back, but Kratos was skilled and strong enough to keep him on his grip even if he entered in spirit form.
"Wait, dad! Please! Somebody help MEEEEEE!" Lloyd screamed as he disappeared at the corridor that connected to the medical wing. Sheena and the others just looked at the two leaving. The nurses and medics tried not to pay attention to the scene. It was their General of Unity after all.
"You said that on purpose, didn't you?" Raine inquired Sheena.
"Well, I thought they would need some time to catch up and what better way to do that than a father-son talk?" Sheena answered.
The group couldn't help, but let sweatdrops run down their foreheads at Sheena's logic...
And to complete this chapter (which by the way was pretty hard to write), here comes a special skit with Lloyd and Kratos:
Father and Son 1
Lloyd: Dad, please! Before you start let me just say that Sheena didn;t mean that the way you're thinking.
Kratos: Oh, so you mean that young woman was lying when she said that you are attracted to her?
Lloyd: ... ok. Let's just get over with it.
Kratos: Is it that embarrassing to talk about these things with your father?
Lloyd: Not really. It's just that I already am nineteen. Don't you think I'm a little old for a lecture?
Kratos: So, you are saying you already know the basics about safe sex and all that entails this kind of act.
Lloyd: Well... hum... sure.
Kratos: Heh... it's obvious that you are lying, my son. Or do you not desire that woman's affection? I admit she seems a little older than you and...
Lloyd: T-THAT'S NOT IT! I-I really like her. I mean...
Kratos: Well, she does have the assets that most teenagers would desire on a woman...
Lloyd: That's not just it! Sheesh, you make it sound like I'm some kind of horny, perverted guy.
Kratos: I was just stating what I saw, nothing more.
Lloyd: Anyway... I missed you, dad.
Kratos: Likewise, my son. Likewise.
Lloyd: Hehe. You seem like you're doing well. Not that I didn't expect anything less from you. You always did excel at anything when you applied yourself to it. Even in those strange projects of mom's.
Kratos: ... I can't really say it wasn't amusing, at the least. But, as you can see, this is a dangerous job.
Lloyd: I would like to help you, but...
Kratos: You are already aiding Emil, Marta and the others I assume.
Lloyd: Yeah.
Kratos: I understand. You will grow stronger, Lloyd.
Lloyd: Uh, what does that exactly mean?
Kratos: Nothing really...
Lloyd: Ok then! Thanks for the talk, dad.
Kratos: Oh no. We're not through yet.
Lloyd: Dad... c'mon. I bet Sheena already know about this.
Kratos: That isn't an excuse. It is your duty as a man to know about such things. Now, we are going to discuss about STD's and move on to the use of condoms...
Kratos obtained the title "Zealous Father"
Lloyd obtained the title "Son"
I really love these father-son moments between these two. Hope this was good. Later!