This was one... was an stress to write! I mean, man! Talking about writer's block!
Anyway, Let's get on with this one. Sorry, but there shall be no skit this time, since I'm totally spent.
Chapter 21
Penitence
"I see... that's certainly an interesting development..." a voice said through a square device, which resembled the walkie-talkies used during the Kharlan War.
"'Interesting' isn't the word I would use," Kratos replied.
The General of Unity was alone in the planning room. After the end of the battle for Cape Fortress, most of the demons left the Meltokio region, which allowed the Renegades and Vanguard soldiers to transfer their wounded to Triaar. The other commanders and generals received others and were sent to other cells.
An order came from the High Command of both resistance organizations to pack up things and cease all operations in Cape Fortress. Kratos received it through the communicator he always carried with himself. It was an ancient device, originally designed to be used in the battlefield, but Yuan had modified it so it could transmit messages at great distances. However, it was one-sided, so just the Renegade leader could call Kratos, which he only did when he wanted a report or to give Kratos his next assignment. From what Kratos heard, Brute had a copy of the device, which the two leaders used to discuss minor subjects.
"Are you upset because your son had to save your back?" Yuan asked in a well-humored tone, which they used only when they were alone.
"Not really. I admit I was surprised at first, but I'm glad he came at the time he did."
Few knew Kratos and Yuan were friends. Kratos had ideals much like the founder of the Tethe'allan Renegades and that served to approach the two of them and, eventually, lead both warriors to establish a friendship. The fact that Yuan, or good part of the Renegades for that matter, was a half-elf didn't matter to the auburn haired swordsman. As he had once taught his son "your heart and actions will tell me whether you are good or not". When he said that to Yuan, the half-elf got confused at first, but as time passed he came to see that Kratos meant that.
If Kratos were to describe the friendship he had with Yuan, he would say it was quite "unique". Granted, he didn't know others half-elves or people that had befriended half-elves, for that matter. Brute sometimes would say the two looked like they had known each other since forever. Yuan also knew more details about Kratos' past, including about his son. The Renegade leader once asked why Kratos left Lloyd to fend for himself and the human swordsman said that if he wanted for Lloyd to survive and grow strong in that world, his son would need to know how to handle himself without anyone's help.
"And the 'girlfriend' factor?" Yuan asked.
"... that, you could say I wasn't prepared for," Kratos sighed.
"I can see, but really, of all the women in the world, the one I last expected your son to catch was Asuka's daughter. You should be proud," Yuan was acquaintances with Asuka, her being a supporter of the Renegades and the Sylvaranti Vanguard and knew how her daughter was highly wary of anything that wore pants.
"Believe me, I am. But also very worried. I mean, it is Asuka's daughter, after all."
"Isn't generally the mother the one that should be protective about this kind of thing?"
Kratos sighed again and heard a chuckle from the other side of the line. He then decided to speak:
"You didn't call me just to inquire about my only son's amorous life, did you?"
"No. In fact, what you just reported... it changes everything," Yuan said, playful demeanor gone, assuming the tone of the leader of the Tethe'allan Renegades. "It seems Ratatosk resurfacing was a sign after all. But, really... your son, a Summon Spirit," Yuan's tone was one of surprise and disbelief.
"Believe me, if there was anything at all that could indicate he was, it was hidden very well, so that the demons would never notice, or even those close to him."
"I highly doubt that wasn't their intention. We're not talking about mere people with special powers here, Kratos. They are the immortal guardians of this world. If they decided on such a drastic move right at the end of the Kharlan War, it meant they knew something like this would happen."
"You think so?"
"That's my theory."
Kratos then asked about Ratatosk, but Yuan couldn't tell if the Lord of the Monster's reincarnation was part of the other guardians' plan. Yuan didn't know much about the Summon Spirits, just the ones he had met before, but one thing he was certain of:
"I doubt he would have agreed to something like this. Not with the way he spoke in our last encounter."
"Are you going to tell him about your actual position?" Kratos questioned.
"I doubt he would care or feel pleased, even if me and Martel admitted he was right. Believe in me, he isn't very reasonable. It's a wonder Emil didn't get any more affected by Ratatosk's spirit being within him."
"I think he's more affected by it than any of us can imagine."
"What makes you say that?"
"Call it 'intuition'."
Silence fell between them as both contemplated on that. Kratos decided to move on to the next question:
"Are you going to talk with them?"
"No. I don't think any of us have the right to demand anything from them. They are probably following the path that was set for them and hopefully... no. It certainly will lead to the restoration of this world.The true restoration."
"You talk as if what we are doing is pointless," Kratos pointed out. Should anybody else have spoken that, Yuan would have reprimanded him harshly, but this was Kratos, he knew he could confide his friend with his innermost thoughts.
"Let's face it; even if we were to defeat Nebilim tomorrow and, somehow, close the demon's portal to this world, we would still be unable to restore the world's Equilibrium and would eventually be facing extinction. No mortal can ever hope to comprehend the inner works of the cycle of life," Yuan said, but quickly amended. "But, we owe them that much. The least we can do is to give them our support and help them in any way we can..."
"It's as much our duty as it is our penitence," Kratos finished for Yuan, who merely spoke a "yes"...
- / - / - / - / - / -
Emil and the others saw several Vanguard and Renegade soldiers packing weapons and other equipment as they walked through the interior of the fortress. Some rooms were being literally cleaned. Raine asked a Renegade soldier what it was and he said they had received an order to cease all operations in the fortress and evacuate.
The group was then approached by Kratos. Lloyd greeted his father with a smile, which Kratos returned. The auburn haired general said he wished to speak with them after they had breakfast in the common hall. Once the reincarnated Summon Spirits were done with their meals Kratos led them to outside of the fortress, to the woods near the base.
"I think this place will allow us to talk without any interruptions or eavesdroppers," Kratos started. "Now, how about we start with some proper introductions first? As you all know, I am Kratos Aurion. General of Unity of the Vanguard and the Renegades and Lloyd's father."
Sheena decided to be the first one to introduce herself as soon as Kratos did his formal greeting:
"I'm Sheena Fujibayashi from Mizuho. I was the last heir of the Fujibayashi house."
Marta then decided she should be next and presented herself:
"I'm Marta Lualdi, daughter of Brute Lualdi, the leader of the Sylvaranti Vanguard."
"WHAT?" Lloyd let out. "You're the daughter of dad's boss?"
Marta gave a half-smile to the red-clad swordsman while scratching the back of her head. Ventus gave a brief glance to her and Sheena and Raine looked to Emil, the former woman asking:
"You already knew it, didn't you?"
"Y-yeah... I did," Emil said, looking to the ground in embarrassment.
"Don't blame Emil. I told him not to tell any of you about that," Marta said. "It's just that..."
"You were afraid of how we would treat you in case we knew who you truly were," Raine suggested, to which Marta nodded. "That's understandable. After all, you didn't know our opinions in regards of the organization your father leads."
Lloyd and Sheena had to agree with that, but they couldn't help, but feel slightly offended that Marta hadn't told them that even after they showed they supported what the Renegades and the Vanguard was doing. Marta saw the looks on their faces and avoided her gaze, feeling bad for having to hide that from them for so long.
"Well, let's move on then," Kratos said, having just observed the entire exchange without as much as uttering a word. He then looked at Raine.
"I'm Professor Raine Sage. I graduated on Archeology at Sybak's Imperial Research Institute."
"A half-elf graduating in Sybak?" Kratos asked with disbelief evident in his voice.
"It was after the Renegades started to offer protection to the city and fund some of the researches. Though I obviously still faced some who didn't quite agreed with my attendance on classes. I suppose they didn't notice the vast majority of the Renegades were composed of half-elves."
"Sage... that name sounds familiar..." Kratos thought aloud. Not being able to remember where he had heard it, the auburn haired swordsman decided to go back to the subject at hand. "Anyway, it is true most of the student body didn't know the race of their protectors. If I remember correctly, just some of the staff members of the universities knew who the Renegades really were."
Emil then presented himself (Ratatosk choosing to not make part of that). With that, Kratos turned to the last human members of their group that were unknown to him. Colette flashed him a radiant smile and said:
"I'm Colette and this is my mother Amelia. We've lived in Mizuho and then in Iselia. It's quite complicated to explain it."
Kratos then looked to her mother, who only bowed her head to him with the same, identical smile as her daughter on her lips. The stoic general had to admit her smile was kind of captivating. He could remember just one other person with a smile like that.
"Is there any particular reason why she doesn't want to talk?" Kratos asked. From what he saw until now, Amelia hadn't uttered a single word.
"Um... mother was injured in the massacre at Mizuho. She was cursed with a mark on her throat," Colette explained, her happy and cheerful tone dropping a bit. Amelia pulled down the collar of her shirt and exposed her throat to Kratos. The General of Unity almost gasped at seeing the ugly scar on her neck.
"I see... I'm sorry."
Amelia simply smiled and wrote on her notebook:
Don't worry. You didn't know.
"And these... beings with you are?" Kratos asked, referring to the Centurions.
"We are the Centurions of Ratatosk. His servants," Ventus said.
"I didn't know Summon Spirits had servants."
"Lord Ratatosk is a special case, due to his role in maintaining the Equilibrium and as the guardian of the pathway to Niflheim," Tenebrae said.
"And what is that that Lloyd told me about you all being reincarnated Summon Spirits?"
"You told him?" Ratatosk questioned, taking the control and casting a look at Lloyd.
"Why not? Dad's not going to tell anybody and..." the dual swordsman defended himself.
"How do you know? And anyway, who gave you the permission to..."
"Ratatosk, calm down. I'm sure Lloyd wouldn't have said that if his father was somebody that couldn't keep a secret," Marta said. "And, anyway, people are going to discover it sooner or later."
"But..."
"Come on. Trust him. For me."
The group looked between themselves. Ratatosk sighed in defeat and Emil took the control back. He then decided to explain to the General of Unity about their journey and about Origin's plan. At the end, Kratos had his eyes wide as he processed all the information.
"So, you say that mark you had was a Summon Spirit's crest?" the auburn haired warrior asked to his son.
"Yeah. Crazy, isn't it?" Lloyd said with a mild laugh.
"Yeah... it is..." Kratos said, however, his voice sounded unlike his normal tone, like something was deeply troubling him. Before Lloyd could ask, his father spoke, the previous voice tone giving place to his normal one. "Anyway, this is truly a very incredible story. I doubt anybody would believe in it."
"But it is true," Ignis said.
"I'm not saying it isn't, just that it is quite peculiar."
"Pe... cu... liar?" the Centurion of fire mumbled in confusion.
"It means it is impressive," Tenebrae explained.
"Oh, yeah. People do say Lord Ratatosk's is impressive," Ignis said with a smile. The group (save Colette and Amelia) had sweatdrops running down their heads at seeing Ignis, yet again, let the subject fly out of the window.
"Well, I guess he is. After all, he's a really special Summon Spirit, right?" Colette said with a smile, electing more sweat drops from the group, save her mother.
"Well, are you going to help Collie's mother then?" Sheena asked.
"Yes, I will. I think it's in our best interest to keep your families safe," Kratos said.
"There is one more thing you need to know," Raine spoke up. "The curse that was placed on Amelia gives her a demonic form and power, however, it seems that whenever she uses it, it gets more difficult for her to return to human form. From my observations, if we don't find a cure, she might turn into a demon permanently."
The younger members of the group gasped at that. Emil asked if Raine was sure about that, to which the silver haired half-elf nodded. Kratos thought about it and said:
"We have some doctors and spell casters that know about demonic magic and curses. I'll see if they can help. However..."
"You cannot give us any guarantees, since some curses cannot be undone, due to the risk they represent to the victim's soul, right?" Raine completed for Kratos, to which he nodded.
Colette and the others lowered their heads at that, but Amelia wrote on her notebook, showing a comforting smile to try and don't get them to worry:
Don't worry. It's alright. As long as Colette stays safe, it is fine by me.
"Uh, you really are far too selfless for your own good, Amelia," Sheena commented with a sigh and a sad smile.
- / - / - / - / - / -
The sun shone brightly as the group of reincarnated Summon Spirits made their way to the Earth Temple. After a heartfelt goodbye between Colette and her mother and Lloyd giving his farewells to his father and Noishe, the latter promising he would look if they have any reincarnated Summon Spirits enlisted in the two resistance organizations, Emil and the others were back at the road. Colette was chatting amiably with the blond boy, who smiled as he answered. Marta cast furtive glances to the two every now and then.
Sheena raised her eyebrow when she caught the brunette eying her crush and their newest friend for the fifth time. The voluptuous woman took Marta's arm and dragged her to the front of the group, where only Lloyd and the Centurions were.
"Ok, what's up with you?" Sheena whispered the question to Marta, after she casted a quick glance at Lloyd, one that told "don't even think about eavesdropping". The red clad swordsman gulped and fell behind the group, near Raine. "I know you're possessive about Emil and everything..." Marta was about to protest with her typical denial, but Sheena didn't give her the chance. "But I never figured you would stalk him when he's just talking with another girl."
Marta widened her eyes and assumed a meek pose, poking her indicator fingers on each other. All she could do was stutter:
"That... that's..."
Sheena sighed and looked at Emil and Colette again. It took only one second for her to catch on why that scene bothered Marta. The blondes looked almost like a couple with that friendly atmosphere around them. She then turned to Marta and said:
"If you're so worried, why don't you come up to Colette and say that you like Emil? Believe me, she's going to understand."
"That's not just it..." Marta answered with a sigh.
"Then what is it?"
"It's... complicated..."
Sheena sighed again. What was up with Marta? She wasn't normally that difficult. Sheena wondered if that had something to do with the fact the brunette girl just revealed to them that she was the daughter of the Vanguards Commander.
Before she could inquire further, Raine called the attention of the group by saying:
"We should stop at Meltokio for resupplying. And it's already getting late."
Sheena paled at the mention of the city. Marta noticed that and asked if Sheena was alright. The young woman didn't answer it immediately, darting her eyes to the sides. Sheena turned to the half-elf woman and asked, trying to disguise the nervousness in her voice:
"D-Don't you think it would be best we just go ahead to the Earth Temple?"
"It's one day of travel between Meltokio and the Earth Temple at foot. And we don't know if all of the demons really left the region. Colette will certainly have to pass by some kind of trial when recovering the other half of her soul, so don't you think she should be rested for when that happened?" Raine inquired in that wise and knowing tone that Sheena was starting to hate by now.
"Um, what do you mean by trial?" Colette asked.
"You're probably going to have to fight against some guardian or something," Lloyd answered. "Me and Marta had to fight two powerful monsters alone and Sheena faced Aska."
"Fight? But, I can't fight! The last time I did it, I... I..." Colette's voice died as the memory resurfaced. She felt a taste of rust on her mouth as she remembered the person she killed and started to shake.
"It seems we will have to take a break after all..." Raine sighed. "Colette seems to have some kind of trauma from a previous experience. It will take some time to treat it."
Sheena could only look at her surrogate little sister with pity as she saw Lumen and Ignis trying to comfort her in silence. She didn't have any idea of what the Desians made Colette suffer when they attacked, but from the look and the way the blond girl was trembling, Sheena could tell the damage had been great.
I swear, someday, I'm going to kill them all. the female ninja thought. The Desians and the demons already destroyed her home and now they hurt yet again a pure and innocent girl that would never harm anybody.
"Then, Meltokio it is," Lloyd said.
Sheena sighed, seeing she didn't have an opinion on the matter. She just hoped that what she feared the most wouldn't happen, but knowing her luck, that was just wishful thinking...
- / - / - / - / - / -
The once called Imperial City of Meltokio, home of the Tethe'allan Royal Family, was now a mere shadow of its former glory. The castle that once stood proud atop the city was now just a pile of rubble, having been destroyed along with the Royal Family long ago, when the city was raided by the demons at the end of the war. Most of the noble quarters was also destroyed, few of the once beautiful mansions was still standing and in conditions to be inhabited.
The representative body of the Cruxis Church was now the one that ruled the city and the Obelisk of Mana at the middle quarters was there to prove it. The Coliseum had closed its activities long ago, partially because it was damaged during the Second Invasion and because the church condemned the activities that once took place inside of the building, though executions of half-elves and heretic offenders were still being held there from time to time.
Like the other bigger communities, Meltokio had a Cruxis Representative. However, according to rumors, he was quite young when he took the role and his work relationship with the other members of the church was a bit turbulent to say the least.
The group arrived near the gate of the city. Predictably, they were stopped by the guards, who demanded to know who they were and what their business were. Thankfully, these Martel Knights also spoke the universal language of bribery. After Raine paid for their entrance, the group looked at her with wide eyes, as the silver haired woman asked an "what?", like she was genuinely confused.
"You know, it's kinda disturbing when you do things like that without even flinching. Makes me wonder how many cities you entered doing this," Sheena commented.
"Believe me, I had time to learn when I can pass an inspection with a simple 'donation' or not. When the matter in survival, you will use any means necessary to secure your life," Raine replied in a serious voice.
"Yeah, but still..." Marta commented.
"We don't have the luxury to afford being honest or follow hectic," Raine replied in a curt tone, one that said that was the end of the subject.
Lloyd and the others ascended the staircase to the middle quarters. There were still parts of the city that were in ruins and some building had been converted into houses, shops or Inns along the years.
When the group was almost at the top, they stopped at seeing a familiar figure coming. Emil and Marta's eyes widened as they quickly went to the person, calling his name:
"Richter!"
"Emil? Marta?" the red headed half-elf said, surprised at seeing his two friends there. "What are you doing here?"
"We could ask you the same," Raine said, approaching, her analytic and devious expression already on. "We thought that all of the demons have left the region after their defeat at Cape Fortress."
"Raine!" Emil and Marta said in unison with a tone of protest.
"So you were the ones responsible for that. I should have guessed," Richter said, though his tone said that he was actually glad they had defeated Narom. It was then he noticed a new face in the group. He looked at Colette with his usual stoic and analytical expression, before turning to Emil. "It seems each time we meet your group gets more members. Who is this one?"
"I-I'm Colette," the blond girl said in a nervous tone, feeling a little intimidated by Richter's glare, but bowed to him in greeting.
"Might I ask who you were?" Richter said.
"Um... I said my name is Colette," the blond repeated, not catching Richter's tone or question.
"That wasn't what I asked..." the older half-elf sighed. She's as clueless as she looks. "Well, that doesn't matter. Emil, leave this city immediately. Get as far away from here as you can."
"Wha... why?" Emil asked.
The tone Richter used gave chills on the couple of travelers. They knew that tone, it meant Richter had just found out something potentially dangerous.
"I can't say anymore than that, or I risk having to explain it to Nebilim when he asks. The Desian Grand Cardinals have been on my case lately and I'm sure some of them have spies tailing on me. I managed to lose them when I entered in the city."
"So, they're trying to get rid of you? That's awful, Master Richter!" Aqua said from her hidden position, though the members of the group with spiritual perception could still sense her. "Why can't you... ?"
"You know why I can't Aqua. Anyway, that's my warning. I have to go now."
With that, Richter threw his left, red bang to the side and started to go down the stairs. Emil wanted to call him back, but didn't know what he could say. He was just glad Richter hadn't appeared in the battlefield at Cape Fortress. Having to fight with his friend would literally tear at him.
"You know that'll happen someday, right?" Ratatosk inquired to Emil.
I know... but I just hope it isn't soon enough.
"You better prepare yourself for when that happens. If you chicken out, then I'll have to take the lead, though I don't have any problems with teaching him a lesson."
Can we... talk about this later? Emil asked in an almost begging tone.
"Huh... you're just too soft for your own good, wimp," the Lord of the Monsters then weakened the link between their consciousnesses.
After that, the group continued their way and stopped near the steel fence that surrounded the Obelisk of Mana when they saw Raine was looking intently at it, almost as if she was trying to figure something out. Emil asked what it was and the silver haired woman said:
"There's something... different about this Obelisk. But I just can't figure it out."
"Yeah, I know," a new voice sounded. "I always said to them: why can't we at least let the people paint it, it surely would lighten up their mood. But nooo. 'That would be heresy'," a hand shot out of behind the obelisk, clad in a long, black glove with pink protection, making motions in the air as its owner spoke. The group could just stare. "But I'm sure that bores you, so..."
A person suddenly appeared, turning with his back still connected to the Obelisk so the group had a lateral vision of him. The man had bright, red hair and wore navy-blue pants, white shoes with details in gold and a pink, sleeveless, buttoned jacket with a high collar and without anything underneath. His forearms were clad in long, black gloves with details in gold and leather, pink protection. He had his eyes closed, but when he opened them the group could see they were a navy-blue. His smile was a charming one that made Marta immediately blush and Raine raise an eyebrow.
"Well, hello there, my lovely ladies and welcome to Meltokio," the man said, walking to them and passing over the fence. "I am Zelos Wilder..." with a flicker of his finger he produced three glass roses on his hand and handed them to each of the girls. Sheena was hiding behind the group, out of sight of the stranger. "Cruxis' Representative of Meltokio."
"You're a Cruxis' Representative?" Lloyd asked in a disbelieving tone. All the Representatives he saw until now were serious, strict and seemed to always take in everything the church said, but this guy seemed to be the polar opposite of them.
"Um, sorry, but was I talking to you?" Zelos said as he turned to Lloyd, his charming smile gone and replaced with a placid expression as he talked with the red clad swordsman. Without waiting for an answer, he said. "No. Now, no offense, but I don't talk to guys, so..." he turned to Raine and the girls, resuming his previous expression like he had never been interrupted. "If my lovely hunnies would allow me, I would like to be your escort and show the town to you. Maybe you would like to have some food, or book a room in the Inn. Whatever it is you desire, speak to me."
Zelos never once dropped his charming smile while speaking to them. Lloyd was starting to find the guy quite annoying and Emil had his mouth agape and his eyes wide in a comical expression at seeing Marta blushing profusely as Zelos talked to them.
"I really hope they decline, because if I have to hear this guy talking for the rest of the afternoon, I'm going to kill him. Cruxis be damned!" Ratatosk said, his irritation clear as he seemed to make a sound that resembled a growl.
Zelos then looked to Colette, who kept a confused and curious expression the entire time, not seeming fazed by Zelos' smile or suave speech the entire time. She simply found it funny. Zelos seemed to have noticed it for he approached the girl as he said:
"My, my, aren't you a vision of beauty. You know what, I bet you're as cute as button when you smi..." he never managed to complete his phrase, for in that moment something passed flying near his forehead, severing some strands of his hair and embedding itself on the pavement, some meters away. Zelos dropped his charming expression for a nervous smile as he looked to the objected that almost cut his face. It was a kunai.
"Get away from her if you know it's better for your perverted ass," a low, threatening voice said.
The group looked and saw it was Sheena, finally coming out of her hiding place behind the other girls. She had more kunais in hand and emanated a murderous aura. However, Zelos seemed to not pay attention to these details as he looked at her in surprise, with wide eyes, and asked:
"Sheena? Is that you?"
The entire group looked from Sheena to Zelos, Lloyd more surprised than any of them. She knew that perverted Cruxis' Representative? The voluptuous woman approached him, keeping her face completely devoid of any emotion.
"Wow! You've..." Zelos said, seeming to be choosing his words as he looked at her bottom-up, his eyes lingering on her bosom a little longer. "Grown up, heh?" he said in a mild suggestive tone.
Then, without any warning and before Lloyd could say anything, Sheena delivered a right hook on Zelos' jaw, effectively sending him on the ground. The group stood surprised when she proceeded to kick him in the chest, electing an "ow!" from the Cruxis' Representative.
"What did I said I would do if I ever saw your face again?" Sheena proclaimed, a vein pulsing in her forehead. She seemed absolutely pissed off.
"I think it was something among the lines of..." Zelos tried to say, just for her to kick him again, with more strength.
"SHUT UP!"
"Hey!" the group saw an armored Martel Knight coming. "What do you think you're doing to Cruxis' Representative?" the man said.
Lloyd and the others got worried. Attacking a Representative was considered a grave offense and could earn one a one-way ticket to a prison cell. Sheena didn't seem to care too much about that as she only glared at the knight, who seemed to flinch for a moment before going back to his previous pose and preparing to take his weapon when Zelos stood up and said:
"It's alright. I just tripped, that's all," the red head said while dusting himself, giving a carefree smile.
"Are you sure, Representative?" the soldier asked, clearly not believing in such a transparent lie.
"I already said it was my fault. You're not needed here," Zelos said, his smile suddenly turning into a warning.
The Martel Knight seemed a little indecisive, but knew better than to go against the Cruxis' Representative's word. Making a salute, he left the group. Emil, Lloyd and others turned to Zelos, surprised written in their eyes. Raine then asked:
"Why did you lie for us?"
"Well, I just think it would be a waste for such pretty faces to end up their days in a stinky, jail cell." he then looked at Sheena. "And, I kinda owed it to somebody."
"Don't think that changes anything," Sheena said in an acid tone. "Show your face around me again, or pick on Collie and I'm going to kill you, is that clear?"
Zelos looked from Sheena with a worried glance and then at the other females in the group. When he turned his gaze to her, he saw a kunai being pointed at his face. The red head gulped as he said:
"Crystal, ma'am."
Sheena collected the weapon and made motion for the group to accompany her. Lloyd and the others followed, giving a last, confused look to Zelos, who just stood there. When the group was out of sight the red head mumbled, while massaging his jaw:
"Man, she sure got stronger. Seems like it came back to haunt me after all..."
- / - / - / - / - / -
"Any special reason as to why you attacked a Cruxis' Representative in broad daylight?" Tenebrae inquired as soon as the group got into the rooms of the Inn, deciding it would be better to retreat for the day before Sheena decided to beat somebody else up.
"It's kind of a long story," Sheena said, appearing to be calmer now. She still didn't look like she would apologize for almost getting her friends arrested.
"Oh, ok then," Lumen said, giving his back to them and going to another corner of the room. Tenebrae sighed and grabbed the cheetah-like Centurion with his hand-like tail and dragged him back to his place.
"Go on, Lady Sheena," Ventus urged her.
Sheena sighed, collecting her thoughts, knowing her friends would simply not let the subject lay down. She then started:
"You all know I was raised by Asuka on Asgard ever since she found me, right? Well, during this time, a Cruxis Representative came to the city on a pilgrimage. At least that's what he said to everybody, I think it was just an excuse."
"And this Representative was Zelos?" Emil asked. Sheena nodded.
"At the time, I was a little naive and I couldn't quite see what happened around me, mainly in what pertained men and relationships. Mother tried to teach me about it, but I never really paid much attention up to that point. When Zelos came, all women in city were immediately charmed by his suave words and his handsome smile."
"And that included you, I assume," Tenebrae said.
"As much as I hate to admit, yeah... at the time, I didn't really know what he did with them. I thought he was just flirting, but he actually brought them all to his room in the Inn and..." she stopped and looked at Colette. The blond girl was confused then, but she slowly started to get what Sheena meant.
"He... did things with them, didn't he?" Colette asked, blushing at the mere thought.
"Yep. Though, I was the one that resisted him the most. I never let him convince me to get into a bed with him. I think that kinda made him pissed off, but he never showed it, always wearing that stupid smile on his face and spouting soft words to make me melt. Regrettably, it worked every time.
"Mother saw through all of it and tried to warn me several times that Zelos was just playing around with me, but I was so in love with that image of glamorous prince he sported that I didn't listen to her. Then, one day he promised that he would take me with him to Meltokio so I could live with him like a princess. I was so stupid…" Sheena gave a grim smile as she brought her hand to her forehead. "I told mother and she prohibited me, saying I would be throwing my life away.
"That was the only time we really got into a serious fight. She said I was being stupid and naive and wasn't realizing what was behind the mask of false prince Zelos was wearing. I yelled at her and... well, let's just say things got quite ugly.
"Long story short, I sneaked out of our house after it and went to Zelos to leave with him to Meltokio the next morning. However, when I got to the Inn, I heard moans coming from his room. The door was unlocked and... you can imagine what I encountered there.
"When I got the other woman out, I asked Zelos why he was doing that when he had already promised that he would take me to Meltokio. He laughed at my face, saying that I had was just too stupid for believing in that fake promise. I tried to argue back with him in a... well, you know those novel scenes were the girl speaks her feelings trying to win the insensitive guy and all that crap? Let's just say it was quite like one."
Lloyd closed his fists at hearing that. He always thought that the guy that had charmed Sheena and made her wary of relationships had to be a jerk, but he never thought it had actually been like that. What Sheena was telling him made he want to go and stab Zelos to death.
"He just laughed at me, saying I didn't have anything special aside from my body and that I was being too difficult for his tastes. When he saw I wouldn't loosen up, he decided that I shouldn't be that good. It was really... painful hearing all of that. Next thing I know, I was on him, mauling his face with my bare knuckles while crying. I just stopped when I heard somebody coming and I jumped out of the window and ran home."
Sheena went silent after the end of her story, crossing her arms over her chest and looking out of the building by the window. Lloyd had his eyes closed and teeth grinded, swearing the next time he saw Zelos he was going to give the heartless pervert a piece of his mind. Marta was the first one to talk:
"How awful, I can't believe him! That's so disgusting! Toying with somebody's heart like that!"
"I can't say I'm really surprised. I've seen worse during the war," Raine said in a nonchalant tone.
"What do you mean, Professor?" Colette asked.
"Think about it, humans are sinful creatures by nature. They were even given the chance to destroy this world and they took it. Sheena's story is just one of the many untold tragedies that humans inflict upon themselves."
"You talk as if that's the most normal thing in the world," Marta said, narrowing her eyes at Raine's attitude.
"When you see as much of life as I've seen, you will learn that people are as bad as, if not worse, than demons."
"That's kinda negative, Lady Raine," Ignis said. "I rather think there is good on everybody," the ditzy Centurion said.
"That's probably your perspective. After all, things like this are meaningless when compared to the state of the world."
"Oh, sorry then if my story is so meaningless in face of your vastly superior knowledge," Sheena sarcastically spoke, rolling her eyes.
"That's not what I meant," Raine said.
The two older women started another argument. Lloyd tried to calm himself down to not dash out of the door and get to Zelos right now, wherever he was. His father always said he was far too impulsive sometimes, but Lloyd found it rather difficult not to throw caution away for the sake of defending Sheena's pride.
Thankfully, his thoughts were interrupted when Ignis suddenly leaned her body on his shoulder, giving him an ample view of her bosom. She spoke with a smile:
"You would never do such a thing with Lady Sheena, right Sir Lloyd? After all, you love her too much to fall into temptation like that."
"Um... well..." Lloyd said, scratching behind his head as he blushed, achieving to avoid looking at Ignis's chest, just for his to wander back and he had to avoid them all over again.
"You shouldn't tempt him then, Ignis," Ventus commented with a sigh.
- / - / - / - / - / -
The sun rose in the horizon as the city of Meltokio woke for another day. The citizens went to the cathedral of Cruxis, built near the ruins of the ancient Tethe'alla castle. Sheena, Raine and the others decided to spend the evening in the Coliseum to train and see if they could convince Colette to do the same. Since the old structure was used just when there were executions, few people would be around there.
"You all go on. I have something to do," Lloyd said, surprising his amorous interest and the others.
"And that would be?" Raine asked with a raised eyebrow and her typical analytical look, as if she was trying to read Lloyd.
"Nothing of too serious. Trust me," Lloyd tried to smile, but it came out forced.
"Suit yourself," Raine said, seeming to dismiss that and went for the door.
"Be careful, ok? Meltokio isn't that much of a friendly city and I doubt you'll have enough money to bribe yourself out of every trouble that comes your way," Sheena recommended. "I really would hate to have to bust you out of jail, but it's better than you becoming the man-wife of the inmates."
Lloyd was about to ask what a "man-wife" was, but decided to let it be.
After the girls, Emil and the Centurions left, Lloyd took his twin swords and strapped them behind his back. Leaving the Inn, he tried to think on where to go. He didn't know any of Meltokio, but thought that he should probably start by the cathedral. Since a sermon was taking place, it was probable he would be there.
Lloyd went up the stairs to the middle quarters and he saw Zelos walking in the direction of the living section of the upper quarters with his hands behind his head and a priest following him. Zelos didn't even notice the young man, for he seemed too busy ignoring the priest who was arguing with him:
"You should really try and stay during the sermon, Representative Wilder, not leave in the middle."
"I stayed in it yesterday, didn't I?" Zelos replied in a nonchalant tone, looking to the side.
"That was yesterday. The masses feel reassured when the voice between the church and the people attends to the sermons. Your commitment to work has been lax lately."
"Really? Don't I keep people happy and content, so they don't think about 'straying away from the path of enlightenment'?" Zelos asked as he looked at the priest.
"Yes... but... your 'methods' are… quite unorthodox," the priest said, seeming to try and choose his words very carefully. "And those women I've seen around you haven't even been behaving as it is proper for a follower of the Faith."
"Just because they don't come to the sermons everyday or don't donate themselves, doesn't mean they don't follow it," Zelos countered.
"I'm just giving you a friendly warning, Representative Wilder. There are several that are dissatisfied with your lack of devotion for with our noble mission," the two stopped as Zelos casted a glance at the priest. "You should show more dedication with your duties, or we might have to call this to Cruxis' attention. You haven't even been inspecting those that enter in our community as it is required for you. And those strange rumors..."
"Oh, c'mon. Now you're blaming me for some stupid rumors other people are spreading? I thought you guys were smarter than this. I wonder if Cruxis will even bother to pay attention to something like some unfounded suspicion about me having strange powers."
Zelos waved his hand and said goodbye to the priest, not even bothering to wait for a reply. The priest sighed in exasperation and turned around. Lloyd followed the red haired Cruxis' Representative to the noble quarters' mansions, or what was left of them. Zelos entered one of the old mansions and Lloyd waited sometime to not seem suspicious.
Inside the mansion, Zelos was greeted by one of the last servants of his family:
"Greetings, Master Zelos. How was the sermon today?"
"Same old, Sebastian. 'Repent and follow the Faith'and all that stuff," Zelos said to his butler as he sat down on the couch and Sebastian brought some coffee for him to drink.
"Did the priests complain?"
"Like always. Those guys just love me that way."
There was a knock on the door and Sebastian went to answer it. When the butler opened the door he saw Lloyd there and asked:
"May I help you?"
"I'm looking for Cruxis' Representative, Zelos. Does he live here?" Lloyd asked, trying to sound like he wanted nothing special.
"Just one moment..."
Sebastian turned to his master, who thought for a moment and decided to let the young man in. It was not like he had anything better to do for the rest of the morning. Might as well do one of his duties for a change and hear the pleas of the community.
Lloyd entered the mansion and looked at Zelos with a stony expression. The red head got up, giving a smile to the dual swordsman as he said:
"So, what can good, ol' Cruxis' Representative Zelos do to you?"
"I want to ask you something," Lloyd said in a serious tone.
"If it is for an autograph, than I'm afraid that I..." before Zelos could complete his phrase, Lloyd took three large steps forward and drew one of his swords, pointing it to Zelos' face. The Cruxis' Representative seemed surprised, but soon resumed his expression to an amused one. "Oh... now that's new."
Lloyd looked at Sebastian, the butler seemed worried but didn't do anything to help his lord. It was like he wasn't really worried for Zelos' sake. Maybe that had something to do with Zelos' amused expression. The red head then spoke to this butler, his tone a calm one:
"Sebastian, let me take care of this. Go on and prepare lunch," the older man simply bowed and left the two.
"You seem awfully calm for somebody who is being threatened," Lloyd pointed out.
"Well, I've to admit you have guts. Coming into a Cruxis' Representative house with weapons strapped on your back. You could get arrested for less than that, you know?" Zelos said with an enigmatic smile on his face.
"Yet, you didn't call the Martel Knights. Why?"
"Dunno," Zelos shrugged. "Maybe I just don't feel like throwing somebody into the dungeons today."
Lloyd couldn't tell if Zelos simply didn't care, or if he was an idiot. He was starting to understand why Sheena had punched and kicked him regardless of the consequences.
"So, are you going to ask me what you want from me, or should I start begging for my life?" Zelos inquired putting his hand on his chest for dramatic emphasis. Lloyd felt a vein pulsing on his forehead. "By the way, you shouldn't point a sword to somebody, unless you really intent to harm the person," Zelos said, his smile turning into another enigmatic one.
The red clad swordsman sighed as Zelos sat down and offered him some coffee. Lloyd declined, wondering what was wrong with that guy. He acted like he had control over the situation or like this was routine for him. Deciding to get over with that, Lloyd asked:
"I wanna know why you did what you did to Sheena."
"You know Sheena?" Zelos asked, seeming surprised as he raised an eyebrow.
"I was with her and the others when you showed up," Lloyd reminded him. Zelos got quiet for some time.
"Really? Well, no offense, but I don't pay much attention to guys. By the way, what are you to her? Angry boyfriend?"
"N-no!" Lloyd said, blushing against his will. "I'm just a friend!"
"Oh... I see..." Zelos said with a smirk.
Now Lloyd really wanted to impale the moron. What was up with that idiotic, knowing smile of his? Zelos simply sipped some more of his coffee and said:
"If you're going to hear me, maybe you should sit. It's a long story," Lloyd didn't move, showing he wasn't going to drop his guard. "Alright, suit yourself.
"For starters, have you heard about how I came to this position?" Lloyd shook his head. He was never much interested in anything regarding the church or Cruxis. Even thought Raine tried to explain it to him a few times, he thought it was just too boring. "Well, I don't know how the guys in the other cities do, but here, in Meltokio, the position of Cruxis' Representative is practically bought by whoever has more money to 'donate' to the church. Actually, I think it was pretty much how things always worked here, even during the war."
Lloyd was about to ask Zelos what all of that had to do with Sheena, but the red head didn't give him the chance and continued with his story:
"My grandfather bought the title and it was passed down in my family. When I inherited it, I was still a child. Predictably, I was forced to go to the church's meetings and commemorations where I would meet the last members of the few families of Tethe'alla's aristocracy that survived. All of them wanted the same thing; use me to gain favors from the church. Even the church tried to manipulate my decisions. My father passed through the same thing; he was forced to marry my mother and the two couldn't stand each other.
"Well, I wasn't content with simply letting things roll that way, so I decided that if they wanted to use me then, I would use them before they had the chance to do so. With my position, I could get away with many things and since my family was the wealthiest in Meltokio, they couldn't stand the idea of losing its support. Problem is, when you're living between opportunists and people that even try to marry their children off to you in hopes of unifying the families' fortunes, you kinda start losing track of who is using you and who just wants to be your friend."
"Oh. So you're saying you're the victim, is that it?" Lloyd asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe. I won't deny I did mess up... several times..."
Lloyd looked more attentively at Zelos when he said that. He noticed a tone of regret in his voice, but it was so fast he barely caught it once Zelos put his expression back in place and started to tell what Lloyd had come to hear:
"When I met Sheena, I was what you could call a heartbreaker. I could virtually have any girl I wanted, crush her heart, throw it away and get away with it. I didn't do that in Meltokio because it would cause complications, since I live here. That's why I went in pilgrimages."
"So, you are basically a sick, sadistic, perverted bastard. Figures," Lloyd muttered the last word under his breath.
"Anyway, when I met her, she resisted my attempts to get her to bed. I admit that kinda irritated me. I mean, c'mon. Who would be able to resist this smile and face?" Zelos said, putting up a seductive and attractive expression on his face, the same that made Marta blush back there.
"Oh, sorry. I misjudged you back there. I should have said you are a sick, sadistic, perverted, narcissistic bastard. "
Zelos was about to shoot a glare at Lloyd, but decided he deserved it. The young man continued to glare at him for that reaction, but when he saw Zelos looking away, he said for the red head to continue.
"I'm sure she told you about all that I said to her and what I promised. Then she caught me in bed with another woman of Asgard. Actually, I think that was the twenty fifth. Don't know. I kinda lose track, sometimes," Zelos had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Can we get back to subject?" Lloyd inquired in an angry tone. He really didn't need to know how many women Zelos screwed and later threw away like they were some kind of toy. The way that perverted jackass talked about it made Lloyd's blood boil once more.
"Oh, right. Sorry bud."
"Don't call me bud!" Lloyd protested, though he wasn't sure what that expression meant. Zelos seemed to ignore it.
"When she started to demand explanations from me, I said I just got tired of waiting for her to decide and that she probably wasn't that much of a catch, even if she had a hot body. She started to cry at that moment, a common reaction I was used to cause. Then I saw she getting angry. Not uncommon too. But when she started beating me, I saw something other than those two feelings in her eyes."
Zelos' tone turned somber as he talked about that and his face assumed a serious expression. Lloyd asked him what he had seen.
"I saw pain, hurt and disappointment."
Lloyd narrowed his eyes and could swear a voice at the back of his mind (one that reminded him much of Ratatosk) said something that resembled "well, Duh!". The dual swordsman couldn't contain himself and retorted:
"And what were you expecting? You hurt her feelings! Don't tell me you..."
"What impressed me wasn't the feelings themselves, but the intensity. She had really trusted me. No other women I met had done that. Well, this and beating me to a bloody pulp. They generally got too shocked to even react," Lloyd raised his eyebrow again and had to resist the incredible urge to stab Zelos. That guy really had this annoying habit of breaking the mood with stupid remarks. "The fact is, I was always used to people admiring me because I was Cruxis' representative, because I was the voice of the vice of the church and the heavenly saviors and all of that crap. They wanted to get close to me, because of what I represented and because they thought I could help them with how the church viewed them.
"Sheena apparently admired me because of who I was. I saw that in her eyes and tears. She wanted to get close to me because of who I was. Although, the me that caught her attention was a facade, a lie I made up so I could get everybody under my thumb. You could say she literally beat some sense into me. And... well, it really hurt later. And I'm not talking about my wounds. When I realized what those feeling exactly were, I realized I had pushed away the only person that ever saw me as Zelos and not as Cruxis' Representative."
Lloyd lowered his sword at that. He could see and hear the regret in Zelos' voice and eyes. Lloyd was pretty attentive when it came to read the feelings in people's eyes. His father said it was a common trait in their family. He also recalled Kratos saying something about the eyes being the window to a person's soul.
"So, you're saying you realize that you were a jerk back then?" Lloyd asked.
"I wouldn't say jerk. More like something close to a demon, or even worse," Zelos said with a bitter smile as he got up. "Anyway, I'm not going to ask you or Sheena for forgiveness or any of that. For one, she would kill me before I could get one word out and two, I don't really deserve that."
"I think it has something to do with you trying to flirt with everybody back there," Lloyd said.
"That? Oh, that was nothing. I did worse back then," Zelos said in an honest tone. "Anyway, who was the blonde angel-face with her? She sounded kinda protective about her."
"That's Colette. Her surrogate sister."
"Oh. Ouch! Seems I'm doomed to always mess up when it comes to her," Zelos said in a dramatic pose, with his hand over his heart, like he had been injured there.
Lloyd sighed and turned, sheathing his sword. Zelos asked where he was going and the red clad swordsman said he was going back to his friends, adding:
"Don't think I trust you. I'm not going to forgive you either for what you did to Sheena, regardless of you realizing your mistake or not. You hurt her pretty bad."
"Well, I would say you were an idiot if you did. But sounds like you're not that dumb."
"If you hurt her or any of my friends, I swear you're going to regret it dearly," Lloyd said in an acid tone, dismissing Zelos' previous comments.
Lloyd then left. In that moment, Sebastian came back from the kitchen as the door shut behind Lloyd. Zelos let out a long sigh and his butler asked if he was alright. The Cruxis' Representative gave a small smile as he said:
"Seems Sheena found somebody that actually can protect her as she deserves."
"What do you mean, Master Zelos?" Sebastian asked.
"That look on his eyes. He intends to carry out that threat, consequences be damned. And that, Sebastian, means he truly care about them..."
- / - / - / - / - / -
Lloyd stopped near the cathedral as the people were still leaving after the end of the sermon. The young man sighed. Talking with Zelos hadn't been exactly what he had expected. The Cruxis' Representative looked like he genuinely was sorry for all the pain he caused, but Lloyd wasn't that naive. He knew there was a possibility Zelos was faking, given how the guy had charmed many women before in his travels.
"Sounds like you're in a dilemma," Ventus' voice sounded, startling Lloyd.
"Ventus?" Lloyd asked, looking around. He tried to use his spiritual perception, but was unable to pinpoint exactly where the Centurion of wind was. He still had to practice.
In burst of fire and wind, Ventus and Ignis appeared. Lloyd asked if they had been following him and the draconic-woman said:
"We were worried about you, Sir Lloyd. You've seemed bothered ever since Lady Sheena told her story."
"Oh... well..." Lloyd mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
"Don't worry, we're not going to divulge your activities to Lady Sheena," Ventus said.
Lloyd sighed in relief and thanked them. An idea then crossed his mind. The dual swordsman asked Ventus:
"You said once that you followed orders from the other Summon Spirits too, right?"
"If they didn't conflict with those passed by Lord Ratatosk, yes. It was so we could better interact with them and learn how to effectively manage the mana."
"Oh, do you have a request, Sir Lloyd?" Ignis asked, seeming eager.
"Yeah. Could you guys keep tabs on Zelos for the day. I wanna know if he was being sincere."
"You mean, if he truly realized his past mistakes in how to deal with the opposite gender?" Ventus inquired.
"You heard that?"
"I didn't particularly want to, but it was either that or let Ignis go by herself and reveal our presence. She would probably get sidetracked too."
"Tracks? Where? I didn't know monsters lived here," Ignis said, electing a sweatdrop from Lloyd.
"Anyway, can you guys do it?" the Wielder of Victory's Flame asked.
"Of course! Anything to help a member of Lord Ratatosk's family," Ignis said in a bubbly tone. After some seconds she asked. "So, what do you need of us?"
Lloyd shook his head and Ventus sighed.