Next chapter here on time and we get to see the aftermath of Kvar's demised. Thank you all for your support for this story and hope you continue reading.
Now, onward to the chapter.
Chapter 44: Price of Salivation
Kratos stared at Kvar's body a moment longer before he turned his eyes away from the corpse.
Kvar's death changed nothing. Anna was still dead and the life they built together was forever out of his reach.
Still, he did feel some sense of peace. It was the peace of knowing that Kvar could never harm anyone again. No more people would be experimented on and mutated into his pet projects. Even if Kvar was just a small player in the system, it did feel like he did something right today.
"Colette, that wound..." Raine whispered as she began to use her healing arts. It unnerved how deep the injury was. Any deeper and it would have killed her instantly. Thank the goddess for her robes.
"Colette," Genis whispered as he watched the wound slowly closed. Despite Raine's best effects, that was most likely going to leave a scar.
Colette gave a wide, reassuring smile to her friends. "Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm really okay."
Raine frowned, not believing the younger girl.
"You certainly are not okay!" Sheena exclaimed as saw the amount of blood that now stained her once pure white robe. "That wound could have easily killed you."
"But, I'm fine," Colette insisted.
"Colette, I can't keep it a secret any longer!" Lloyd exclaimed, causing Colette to turn to face him. Her eyes were wide with horror.
"Huh, keep what a secret?" Genis asked.
Raine said nothing, having an idea of what Lloyd was going to say.
Kratos stared impassively at the entire scene. There was nothing he could do to stop Lloyd from telling. And at this point, there was no point keeping it a secret.
"Everyone, listen to what I have to say! Colette can no longer feel anything," Lloyd stated bluntly.
Genis eyes widened in surprise. "What...what do you mean?"
Lloyd gave a heavy sigh and lowered his head. "Colette is growing closer to becoming an angel. Now, she can't sleep or feel hot or cold or pain or anything. She can't even cry!" He felt hot tears form in his eyes as he continued to talk. "Becoming an angel means losing her humanity!"
"What!?" Genis exclaimed in horror and denial.
Sheena looked equally as horrified and was actually shaking.
Raine became pale, but kept her composer. She knew it would be bad, but she didn't think it would reach a point where Colette couldn't even feel anymore.
Colette stood up and gently grasped Lloyd's hand in an effort to comfort him. "Lloyd, it's okay. I'm okay." She squeezed his hands when she saw he was on the verge of breaking down. "Right now, we need to do something about this Ranch. Right, Lloyd?"
Lloyd looked at his childhood friend and slowly nodded. Although he could do nothing for Colette, he could at least end one nightmare. "Professor, can you destroy it like last time?" He wanted nothing to remain of Kvar.
Raine slowly nodded. "I will try."
"That's kind of extreme, but I supposed it is the best idea," Sheena said softly. She too didn't want this Ranch to continue to exist even if its master was dead.
Raine quickly got to work on the computer and checked to see if any prisoners remained. Remarkably, they were able to escape mostly unharmed. She supposed that Kvar was so interested in Lloyd that he ignored his prisoners escaping. Well, that was one less thing to worry about.
"I will set the timer for twenty minutes, just like last time," Raine informed.
Lloyd nodded. "Then, let's go."
The group began to make their way to the warp, but before Lloyd left, he turned one final time to look at Kvar.
It was hard to believe that someone so evil could be dead. It was also still hard to believe that this man was the monster who had haunted his nightmares for as long as he could remember.
He should feel peaceful, but instead he felt rather empty. Maybe it was because his words still haunted him.
"Lloyd," Kratos' voice broke Lloyd out of his musing. "Let's go."
With that, Lloyd walked through the warp and left the past behind him.
The walked out was uneventful, saved for the blaring alarms of the self-destruct sequence. Within ten minutes, they were outside the Ranch and the cool breeze welcomed them. They all quickly got a way from the Ranch and just like last time, the entire Ranch exploded in a fury of fire and debris.
They all watched impassively as the flames consumed the remainder of the Ranch. Unlike with Palmacosta, there was no air of happiness or celebration. Instead, there was only a feeling of exhausting, both mentally and physically.
"So….where do we go from here?" Genis asked for everyone.
"Chosen!" someone shouted, shattering the somber mood.
Colette turned around to see several people running towards them.
"Chosen, thank you so much for freeing us!" one of the people yelled as they fall to their knees. "I thought for certain I would perish in the Ranch."
Colette gave a nervous laughed. "It was nothing,"
"Both Magnius and Kvar are dead," a person said happily. "Surely this is a sign from Martel that the Desians' days are over. Death to the Desians and all half-elves!"
Genis visibly flinch at the man's words and Raine gently put a hand on her brother's shoulder.
"Please, let us take you back to Luin to rest," a man insisted. "It's the least we can do for our savior."
Kratos glanced over at the weary group and knew that they all needed rest. "Yes, I think that would be for the best."
"It may take awhile since many still can't walk," someone said meekly.
"It's alright. We are in no particular hurry," Raine said. After all that had happened, they all needed time to reflect.
They began the slow trek back Luin. Because of all the weakened and injured people from the Ranch, Kratos estimated they most likely would not reach Luin for another three days. It would be faster if they had some kind of wagon, but he knew that they were all destroyed along with Luin.
"Mom...I've avenged you..." Lloyd whispered to himself as he stared at the sky. The full impact of today's events was slowly dawning on him.
"Lloyd, the one who killed your mother was your father," Kratos stated steadily. "Are you really able to say you've avenged her?"
"The one who created the situation that forced dad to kill mom was Kvar," Lloyd said before his eyes became downcast. "Besides, I know what it's like to injure someone who has been transformed. If I hated my dad for killing mom, I would have to hate myself for the part I played in Marble's death."
"Indeed, it was a silly question. I'm sorry," Kratos said softly.
Lloyd said nothing for several minutes. "I hope Chocolat is okay."
"You cannot continue to feel guilt over someone else's choice," Kratos replied. "Chocolat acted rash and acted when she only had half-truths."
Lloyd sighed. "Maybe so, but she's at the Ranch because of me. I hope we can save her before it's too late."
"When the Chosen succeeds in her journey, everyone will be saved," Kratos answered.
Lloyd's eyes narrowed. "Everyone may be saved, but what about Colette? What about all the suffering she has to endure in order to revive this world? Doesn't her feelings mean anything?"
"There is no point questioning such a things," Kratos said firmly. "As I have said before, the Chosen is doing what she believes is right. You nor I can stop her."
Lloyd sighed and said nothing more.
Mithos sat in his throne room as he went through several reports. He wasn't really reading them, however. His mind was on the Chosen.
Three of the four seals have been broken. There was only the Seal of Light left and then the Chosen would come to the Tower of Salvation. Martel's vessel was nearly complete. It was almost hard to believe that within a mouth or so, he would have his sister back. Once Martel has returned, he could truly create his Age of Lifeless Beings.
"Lord Yggdrasill, I have some interesting news to report," the voice of Pronyma said as she appeared in the room.
"Go on," Mithos ordered.
"The Chosen has raided the Asgard Ranch," Pronyma stated.
This got Mithos' attention. "Really?"
Pronyma nodded. "Much like with the Palmacosta Ranch, the self-destruction sequence was activated. Barely anything remains."
"And Kvar?" Mithos asked.
"Dead," Pronyma informed casually. "We found the charred remains of his body. Looks like he was stab multiple times, but the thing that killed him was a sword thrust to the heart."
Mithos chuckled. "So Kratos finally killed him. I suppose it was a long time coming." He looked towards Pronyma. "At least that one annoyance out of the way."
"Not a moment too soon either," Pronyma informed. "From the remains of the lab, it appeared that Kvar was trying to create some type of energy wave. From our analyzation, he may have been trying to awaken the Angelus' power by force."
Mithos folded his arms. "I knew he would try as much. That fool believed that he could take the Angelus from me and turn it into a weapon for his own means. The Angelus' power cannot be force out. It has to be allow to mature naturally, otherwise, I would have forced it out myself years ago."
Pronyma shook her head. "In his rush to surpass you, he ended up overreaching."
"Was Kvar's research retrieve?" Mithos asked, bored with the current subject.
"That is the thing that concerns me, my lord," Pronyma said. "All of Kvar's research notes into the Angelus Project are missing."
Mithos' narrowed his eyes. "All of it?"
"Nothing remains and the backup data was also erased," Pronyma said as she put her hand on her chin. "Kvar was complaining to me about someone stealing his research, but I just thought he was whining at the time so he could pin his incompetent on me."
Mithos tapped his fingers on his armchair. "If your earlier reports are true, then it must have been Rodyle."
Pronyma nodded. "I have reached a similar conclusion as well."
"What about the data on the Angelus?" Mithos asked in worry. "Kvar still had the primary data on his hard drive."
"That data was not touched from what I have seen," Pronyma said. "It would appear that Rodyle has no interest in the Angelus."
Mithos snorted. "Which shows how shortsighted he is."
"Still, I wonder how much the Angelus has grown?" Pronyma asked mostly to herself. "Although the Chosen's group has defeated two Grand Cardinals, it is impossible to say if it was by their efforts or Kratos'."
"We will not know until they reach the Tower of Salvation," Mithos said. "When they do come, I will personally test him."
Pronyma nodded. "Understood, my lord."
"Is that the end of your report?" Mithos asked.
"There is actually one more thing," Pronyma said as she took out a data disc. "The information from the security cameras somehow survived the explosion. What they show is...interesting."
Mithos said nothing as Pronyma went to one of the holograms in the room and inserted the disc. Within moments, the hologram came to life and revealed Colette, Sheena, and Raine fighting against Kvar's ECHOES unit.
Mithos watched disinterested for a moment until he saw Sheena summon Corrine. "Computer, paused!" he ordered so he could get a better look. "It can't be."
"Indeed, my lord," Pronyma said. "That woman is undoubtedly a summoner. Although I'm not sure how since Sylvarant has lost its ability to produce summoners centuries ago."
"That is because she is not from Sylvarant," Mithos replied. "Look at her clothes. That woman is from Mizuho."
Pronyma's eyes widen in surprise. "The hidden village? How did anyone from Tethe'alla end up in Sylvarant without our knowledge?"
"Isn't it obvious," Mithos said as he kept staring at Sheena. "She is being aided by the Renegades. Mizuho is known for their assassins."
Pronyma was confused for a moment. "If she was sent to kill the Chosen, why is she helping her?"
"That's the bigger question," Mithos said as he rubbed his chin. "Even with Kratos there, we must not underestimate that woman. Especially since she carries summoner's blood."
"Should we send our agents to annihilate her?" Pronyma questioned.
Mithos shook his head. "No, just keep an eye on her. I trust Kratos for now to take care of her if she causes any trouble."
Pronyma bowed humbly before Mithos. "Yes, my lord."
After nearly a week of traveling, Luin was finally within their sights. More than a few cheers went up from the former prisoners when saw their home. The commotion caught the attention of the survivors and nearly everyone was at the rear gate to greet them.
"The prisoners from the Ranch have returned!" someone yelled.
"The Chosen did it!" another cry went out.
Within minutes of entering Luin, the ex-prisoners were united with their families.
Sheena couldn't stop herself from smiling as she watched the reunions take place. This was the reason she fought. Even the normally cold Kratos had a shadow of a smile on his face.
"Mom, dad!" Bobby yelled as he ran towards his parents. His dad was very skinny from working on the Ranch and he was still frail, but that hardly stopped his from embracing his son.
"Bobby, thank Martel you're okay," Bobby's dad said with tears in his eyes.
"I knew you would come back," Bobby sniffed.
"It was only by the grace of the Chosen that we escaped," Bobby's mom said. "She truly is Martel's vessel."
Sheena kept smiling as she watched the family reunited. Despite her betrayal of her world and clan, she had no regrets. If giving the chance, she would do it all again.
"Sheena, you helped the Chosen, right?" Bobby asked as he turned to face Sheena. "Thank you."
Sheena shook her head. "It was nothing. I'm just glad you got your parents back."
Despite the uplifting mood of the city, Lloyd couldn't find it in his heart to be joyful. Instead, he felt a sense of emptiness as he watched Colette, who was being surrounded by the grateful townspeople.
He should be happy. His mother was avenged, Kvar was dead, and they managed to save everyone.
And yet, the black cloud of Colette's fate still hung over him. With ever seal she'd unlocked, Colette lost a piece of her humanity. When they reached the next seal, what else could she lose? That simple question haunted Lloyd.
At the same time, he was helpless. Just as Kratos said, he couldn't stop Colette. If he did, what would happen to the world? Was it selfish to put Colette's well bring above the victims of the Desians?
Dammit, there should be another way. Why couldn't they beat the Desians without sacrificing Colette?
"You're okay, Lloyd?" Genis asked his friend.
Lloyd shook his head. "Yeah…."
Genis' eyes became downcast. "You're worried about Colette."
Lloyd chose to say nothing.
"I never even noticed," Genis said somberly. "I mean, I knew Colette was more distance than usual, but I thought it was because she was worried about regenerating the world. I...I didn't know..."
"I've only found out recently myself," Lloyd said, cutting Genis off. "If anyone should had known, it was me. I was her friend since we were children and I didn't notice her suffering. What kind of friend am I?"
"Chosen, please stay at our house tonight," someone said to Colette. "It isn't much, but it is one of the few houses spared by the Desians."
Colette glanced at Raine who nodded her head. "It would be my honor. Thank you so much."
With the arrangement made, the group made their way to a small house in the corner of Luin. It was so far a way from the heart of the city that it made sense that the Desians missed it during their raid. The house in question only had two beds and it was decided that Raine and Colette would take them, even though Colette no longer had any need to sleep. It was more of a way of establishing normalcy again after recent events.
Colette chose to lie down for a moment while the rest of the group discussed recent events. It was her way of trying to make everyone feel better, but the gesture hardly relieved their fears.
Lloyd retold the events that led him to discover that Colette could no longer feel. He also told them how Colette lost the ability to eat at the first seal and how it was followed by her losing her ability to sleep after breaking the Water Seal.
Sheena shook her head as she took in all this information. "So each time Colette releases a seal and takes a step closer to becoming an angel, she loses a part of what makes her human?" What a horrible fate. Were all Chosen subjective to this?
"Losing her humanity," Genis whispered. "What's going to happen to her in the end?"
"What is going to happen to her in the end?" Lloyd repeated numbly.
"Not only that, but after she regenerates the world, she'll be all alone as the only angel in the world, right? That's too cruel," Genis said.
He knew that Martel was merciful and had a plan, but he couldn't understand how Martel and the angels could do this to Colette.
Raine put her head down. She knew this could happen, but she had prayed that Lloyd and Genis would not learn the truth. Even now, they didn't know everything. She briefly wondered is she should tell them.
"Professor, it's okay," Colette spoke, seemingly reading her thoughts.
Everyone turned to look at Colette as she sat up in bed. "I'm sorry to worry everyone. Right now, things are a little difficult, but once I become a complete angel, it may be a lot easier. So don't worry. It's okay."
Raine frowned at Colette, knowing her words were a lie.
Kratos didn't speak as he folded his arms.
Sheena stood up from the table and glare at Colette. Chosen or not, how could she be so calm about this? "But it is too hard on you! If you're tired, you want to sleep, don't you? Don't you miss the taste of the foods you like? And you can't even feel the warmth of someone when you hold their hand." She began to shake in anger and frustration. "You should just stop this crazy world regeneration!"
Colette gave Sheena a sad smile, but her eyes were filled with an unbreakable determination. There was no turning back for her. "Thank you, Sheena, but if I quit now, all the people suffering throughout the world won't be saved. I was born for the sake of the world regeneration, so I'm going to make sure I do my job. Okay?"
Sheena was taken back by her words. She truly was ready to give up everything for the sake of the world. She was nothing like the Chosen of her world.
"Yes, that is the fate of the Chosen," Kratos spoke up for the first time. His voice was hard and void of emotions.
Lloyd slammed his hand into his fight palm. "Dammit, isn't there anything we can do? Find some way where Colette doesn't have to become an angel?"
"The world will be regenerated when the Chosen becomes an angel," Colette said, repeating the words that she had been told her entire life. "It's always been like that and it probably always will be."
"I won't accept that!" Lloyd yelled, startling Sheena and Genis.
"Lloyd, this is Martel's will," Raine said calmly. "It may seem unfair to us, but that is simply how the world is."
"Martel's wrong," Lloyd growled. He could feel his exsphere burning again. "This isn't fair to us. It isn't fair to Colette."
"Life is hardly fair," Kratos said coldly.
Lloyd turned towards Colette. "Are you really okay with things the way they are now?"
Colette looked Lloyd squarely in his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I'm going to become an angel. That's what Father wants too."
"Which one?" Lloyd challenged.
Colette flinched for a moment before answering. "I'm sure…both of them do."
Raine nodded as she remember what Colette told her in the desert that night. "Colette, the path you've chosen is not going to be easy."
"I know, Professor," Colette said.
"I…I can't accept this! There has to be another way!" Lloyd shouted as he ran out the door.
"Lloyd!" Colette yelled as she got up to chase after him.
"Let him go, Chosen," Kratos said as he blocked Colette's path. "This is something he needs to deal with alone."
"But..." Colette started.
"Kratos is right," Raine said. "Lloyd is having a hard time accepting this because he does not believe in Martel. He cannot understand the Goddess' will and why you must become Martel's vessel."
"I...I believe in Martel, but even I can't understand this," Genis admitted. "Why do angels lose their ability to feel, to eat? It doesn't make sense."
"Angels are different beings than us," Raine said. "It could be they simply have no need for things we mortals take for granted."
Genis sighed. "Still..."
"It is pointless to think about that," Kratos interrupted. "The Chosen knows her fate. We can only honor the Goddess and her will."
Colette lowered her eyes.
"What we should be discussing is our next step," Kratos said.
"I thought it was decided that we will be heading towards the Tower of Mana," Genis said. "Not only is the next seal there, but so is the book that will cure Pietro."
"Remember, the temple is sealed to the public," Kratos said. "I have already talked to the priests here and they no longer have the key to the tower."
"What do you mean they no longer have the key!?" Genis exclaimed.
"According to the head priest a monster took it," Kratos said.
Raine's eyes widened for a moment. "You mean Clara?"
Kratos nodded.
"Who's Clara?" Sheena asked.
"Clara was that monster who attacked the priest a week ago," Genis explained.
"What, that monster has a name?" Sheena asked in disbelief.
Now that she thought about it, she did remember them calling that monster by name. She was so weak from blood lost and pain that her memory was a little hazy.
"That monster was a human once," Genis replied somberly. "She was changed by the Desians."
Sheena eyes widened in disbelief. "So, she's just like Lloyd's mom."
"This is problematic," Raine said, staying on topic. "Without the key, we cannot get into the Tower of Mana."
"Can't we just break in?" Genis asked.
"Genis, you mustn't talk about breaking into a place blessed by the Goddess," Colette scolded firmly.
"But if we don't go we won't be able to complete the journey or save Pietro," Genis argued.
"If we must, we may have no choice but to break in," Kratos said. "I am certain that the Church would understand."
"But..." Colette started.
"Maybe we can just get the key back from that monster," Sheena spoke up. "Given the way that monster moves, it couldn't have gotten too far from here."
"Even so, it won't be easy to find Clara," Raine said.
Sheena smirked. "I got that covered. We can use Corrine to track that monster."
"Wow, he could do that!?" Genis asked in excitement.
"There's nothing Corrine that can't track," Sheena said confidently. "He'll find that monster in no time."
"Then, we will search for two days," Kratos said. "If we cannot find Clara by then, we will head towards the Tower of Mana."
"Thank you, Mr. Kratos," Colette said gratefully.
"We all should get some rest," Kratos said. "It has been a long week."
"What about Lloyd?" Genis asked worriedly.
"Lloyd is capable of taking care of himself," Kratos said. "Besides, Lloyd needs to cool his head."
Colette's eyes became downcast. Lloyd was hurting so much because of her.
"Kratos is right," Raine said. "We must be ready for tomorrow. We have delay the Journey of Regeneration long enough."
No one else had any objections as they all settled in for the night.
We're finally moving onto the Seal of Light and we got to see our favorite evil angel give his commentary on recent events. It won't be too much longer before the Journey of Regeneration is complete, but we still have a ways to go.
Until next chapter, take care.
