Sorry again for the long break. I wanted to make sure to have this chapter out before the end of year so I pushed myself in editing it. If I don't update again this year, hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas season.

Now, onward to the chapter.


Chapter 58: Awakening

They reached the mountains early the next day. To their surprised, there was a significance increased in monsters. Just getting to the entrance had them encountering several attacks.

"So monsters really started to appear…" Sheena noted worriedly after taking out another group of beasts. "But the regeneration ritual wasn't complete, so what's going on?"

Raine rubbed her chin. "If it's not caused by a decline in mana, then it may be the work of Cruxis."

Lloyd turned towards his teacher. "To try and hurt Colette?"

"Can they do something like that?" Genis asked in worry.

"It's just a conjecture. We can't say for certain," Raine replied. As far as she knew, Cruxis couldn't control monsters. If anything, that sounded like the role of a summon spirit.

They continued to walk up the mountain and Genis could already feel his legs burn. He thought going down the mountain sucked, but going up it sucked more. Stupid gravity. Still, he didn't want to show weakness. Not in front of Presea, and especially not in front of Zelos.

Lloyd was hit by deja vu. It felt like yesterday that they went down this mountain when in truth, about four days had already past.

The mood wasn't must better either. Colette was still...soulless and Presea was only mildly better. They were also wanted criminals in this unknown world and Genis and Raine were facing the death penalty for being half-elves.

Actually, their situation managed to worsened since coming here. The only real bright spot was that his relationship with Genis and Raine had increased. It truly felt like there were no more secrets between them.

He supposed he could put meeting Zelos as a bright spot, but he still wasn't sure what to make of the man. He seemed to be an ally, but he was so fickle. But…Zelos was in the same boat as them. He was wanted by the Pope and unlike them, he couldn't exactly get up and leave. If anything, he was worse off then any of them….all because he allowed them to return to Sylvarant to save Colette.

He honestly felt guilty putting Zelos into this situation. If only he was more aware of his surroundings like Kratos, he would have sensed the Papal Knights, especially since they've been trailing them for days.

Dammit….why couldn't he stopped thinking about that traitor. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that man out of his head and it was causing unneeded stress on top of everything that was happening.

The sad truth was….he kept thinking of Kratos because despite his manipulation, he kept everyone safe. Under his guidance, he made sure nothing terrible happened to the group. When things did go out of control, Kratos was quick and steady enough to get everyone back on track. Which was how they survived destroying two Ranches and saving Pietro.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to measure up to Kratos and that knowledge ate at him. If they wanted to survived and stop whatever Cruxis was planning, he had to be as strong….no….stronger than Kratos. He had to surpass the man that betrayed them.

After several hours, they finally reached the area of the fallen Rheairds. They were right were they left them and they had thankfully stopped smoking.

"Hey, Zelos. How are we going to carry these?" Lloyd asked.

Zelos looked around and saw a device sticking out of the earth. No one else appeared to have noticed it. It must be Yuan's little trap. It was bit too obvious. "Oh, I'll show ya. Come over here for a sec."

He walked them over towards the trap, making sure all of them got caught before he 'accidentally' sprung it. When he set it off, a yelled force field surrounded them.

"What the...!?" Sheena exclaimed.

"You've walked right into my trap, fools!" Yuan said as he walked into the opened with several Renegades dressed as Desians.

Zelos glanced over to see that he had missed Colette. Either she sensed the trap and didn't follow them, or he set it off too soon. No matter. It wasn't like she was going to save them.

"He just called you a fool," Lloyd suddenly said, side-eyeing Zelos.

"Zelos...is clumsy," Presea also berated.

Zelos frowned at them, not liking he'd to be made an idiot to set off such a stupid trap. "Gah...I am so sad now..."

Yuan glanced at his soldiers. "Retrieve the Rheairds."

"Yes sir!" the Renegades yelled as they went to do their task.

Yuan smiled smugly at Lloyd. "This time, you're mine, Lloyd."

"Damn," Lloyd growled.

Genis ran in front of Lloyd, ready to defend his friend if Yuan dared to take him. Sheena did much the same, readying her cards.

At that moment, Pronyma made her appearance.

"Oh? Lord Yuan. What brings you to this place?" Pronyma asked, surprised to see him.

Yuan was equally shocked and gazed at Zelos. "Dammit. That fool gave Pronyma their location too."

"I think I've seen that lady somewhere before," Genis said. One didn't forget such an odd looking woman.

"I should ask you the same, Pronyma!" Yuan spoke in a hardened voice, attempting to hide his panic. "The role of you Desians is to wreak havoc upon the declining world!"

"I have come here on Lord Yggdrasill's order to retrieve Colette," Pronyma stated. "Please turn her over to me."

Yuan mentally growled. Damn that Zelos. He had no choice. "Fine, but in exchange for handing over the Chosen, I am taking custody of Lloyd. I trust you have no objections?"

Pronyma glanced at Lloyd before turning back towards Yuan. "I have received no orders in regards to him, so, please do as you wish, my lord."

Yuan nearly sighed in relief. Good, she didn't suspect anything. The Chosen maybe lost, but at least he still had his ace. If Mithos asked anything, he could just say he was running experiments on the boy and send some data to buy him some time.

Although, it was strange. Why didn't Lloyd have a capture order? Mithos was more than ready to take him back at the Tower of Salvation. What was that man-child up to now?

As he pondered those questions, Pronyma floated over to Colette.

"Colette, don't go!" Lloyd shouted as he pressed his hands against the force field.

Pronyma laughed at him. "A futile effort. Your words cannot reach a Chosen who has lost her soul." She suddenly noticed the necklace. "What is this? Why is there such a crude key crest upon the Cruxis Crystal?"

Yuan looked to see the key crest Lloyd attempted to make. It was indeed crude. Amateur's level at best to a well skilled dwarf. No wondered it failed to do anything. The boy had some skills being able to make a key crest at all, but he was no dwarf.

Pronyma laughed again. "How pathetic. I shall remove this ugly thing at once." She reached over to rip the key crest right off her neck.

"N...NO!" Colette suddenly screamed just when Pronyma's fingers touched the necklace. "This is a birthday present that Lloyd gave me!"

There was a long, deafening silence. No one could believe what happened. For the Sylvarant group, outside of Lloyd, this was the first time in over a month that they've heard Colette's voice.

"Colette...spoke!" Genis exclaimed once the shock wore off.

Lloyd's eyes widen in disbelief as hoped nearly burst through his heart. Was this real? After so long was this nightmare finally coming to an end? "Colette, are you back to normal!?"

Colette turned towards him and Lloyd could see her eyes. They were no longer red and lifeless. They were back to her normal color and filled with life. It was like the transformation never happened outside of her wings. "What? Why is everyone...inside that thing?"

"Impossible!" Yuan shouted, not believing what he was seeing. "There's no way that pitiful key crest could restrain the Cruxis Crystal!" He was witnessing a miracle.

Zelos couldn't stop himself from smiling. Against all odds, the kid actually pulled it off. "Wow…not bad, Lloyd."

"How could this happen?" Pronyma asked once she found her voice. She quickly recomposed herself. "Still, in the end, it is but a worthless bauble. It shall not last long!" She floated closer to Colette. "Now, come with me!"

Colette took her chakrams out and swiped at Pronyma, forcing her away. "Let me go!" She stepped back and tripped over something. She fell hard on her butt, causing some of her friends to cringe.

Without warning, the force field suddenly disappeared. They looked down to see that Colette had tripped on the shield generator of all things.

"Whoops. Oh…oh, no! I broke it!" Colette stuttered in a panic.

Zelos laughed. It was like good fortune was raining on this group. "Alright! Good job, my little Colette! I think I'm falling in love!"

Genis also laughed, his first real laugh in weeks. "Now that's our Colette!"

Raine put her hand to her forehead. Despite herself, she was also chuckling, both in happiness and relief. "Some things never change…"

Sheena had a painful smirk on her face. "That brought back some painful memories…"

Lloyd had a huge grin on his face. Colette was back! Colette was finally back! And she brought her divine clumsiness with her. "Colette!"

Colette stood up and turned towards him. Like all other times, there was no lasting damaged from her fall. "Lloyd! Lloyd, thank you for the present! I was so happy… I was really happy, but there wasn't anything I could do at the time."

"It's okay, don't worry about it," Lloyd said. He loved hearing her voice again.

"Behind you!" Raine warned as Pronyma attempted to grab Colette.

Colette hit her with her chakram.

Pronyma sneered at them. "You impudent! Prepare to die!"

Yuan glared at Pronyma. "Do not go killing the Chosen or Lloyd, you fool."

"Do not worry, my lord. No harm shall past on the Chosen and I will only do minimum damage to the boy," Pronyma said before smirking. "Everyone else, however, is fair game."

She casted a spell and an explosion of black light hit the group, scattering them.

"She knows dark magic!" Genis exclaimed.

Presea ran in for an attack. "Destruction!" She slammed her axe into the ground, which launched several stones at Pronyma.

Pronyma quickly countered with an Aqua Laser, knocking the stones aside. "Tidal Wave!"

Swirled of water engulfed the team, threatening to drown the group.

"Raging Beast!" Lloyd shouted, managing to hit Pronyma several times.

"Well, you've certainly gotten stronger," Pronyma mused. "However, you are not ready for this type of battle." She hit Lloyd with a red spear.

"I won't let you hurt Lloyd!" Colette shouted. "Triple Ray Thrust!"

She threw her chakram, forcing Pronyma back.

"Victory Light Spear!" Zelos yelled, spiraling into the air and slashing her downward.

Pronyma chose to ignore Zelos, instead aiming her sights on Presea who attempted to chopped her in half. "Bloody Lance!"

The red spear of light nearly impaled Presea, who managed to dodge at the last second.

"Presea!" Genis screamed before glaring at Pronyma. "I won't let you get away with this! Ice Tornado!"

A storm of ice headed right for Pronyma. She chuckled. "Fool, you dared use an ice attack on me!? Let me show you a real ice spell!" She chanted. "Absolute!"

Jagged blocks of ice formed around the group.

"Barrier!" Raine quickly screamed as the ice exploded, minimizing the damage.

Genis was shocked. "No way! She can used advance water and ice spells."

Pronyma laughed. "I am not like the other fools you fought. I practiced my art to perfection. You're one-hundred years too young to even think about challenging me."

Before she could brag more, she was hit with a Photon, causing her to scream in pain.

"As I though," Raine said. "She's weak to light magic."

Genis got an idea. "Raine, let's used that unison attack!"

Raine nodded as started her spell. "Ray!"

"Eruption!" Genis shouted.

Their combined power made a rain of stars to fall on Pronyma, causing her reeled back.

Colette hit her with her chakrams and Sheena threw several of her cards, cutting her across her body.

"Why you..." Pronyma started before being cut off by Lloyd, who viciously cut her with a Heavy Tiger Blade.

"Don't get carry away, Tidal Wave!" Pronyma screamed as more water engulfed them.

"Hey, I hate being wet, Thunder Blade!" Zelos yelled, using the water left on the field to his advantage.

Pronyma was able to avoid the worst of it, but she was still hit.

"Keep hitting her with light spells!" Raine yelled as she healed the group.

"That's nice and all, but outside you, no one knows a light spell," Zelos replied, blocking a Bloody Lance with Guardian. "And you need to keep us healed."

"I got her! Angel Feathers!" Colette yelled, throwing her chakrams empowered by her angel's ability.

Pronyma easily dodged. "Is this the best Martel's vessel can do? How pathetic. Be thankful that I can't bring harm to you." She pushed her aside using her mana.

"Dual Punishment!" Presea yelled, spinning right for Pronyma who barely had time to evade.

"Such a spirited girl," Pronyma mused, getting ready to kill her with a Bloody Lance.

"Spiral Flare!" Genis shouted, nearly burning Pronyma alive in a twisted of flames.

Pyre Seal!" Sheena shouted, throwing several cards that exploded in Pronyma's face.

"Sheena!" Lloyd yelled, he gave that look that told her to use a union attack.

Sheena nodded, throwing another piece of paper. "Power Seal Absolution!"

Lloyd thrust his sword forward. "Hurricane Thrust!" He stabbed his sword through the paper seal and stabbed Pronyma, causing her to cry in pain.

"Not bad, but still not enough, Spread!" Pronyma screamed, engulfing Lloyd and Sheena in waves.

Zelos looked at Colette. "Hey, my sweet little angel, don't you know anymore light attacks? Surely, those angel's feather couldn't be it."

Colette thought about. "I think I may know another one. I learned it when I lost my soul."

"Well, this may be a good time to try it out," Zelos advised.

Colette nodded. "I'll try. It may take me a moment." She started to chant.

"Rising Falcon!" Lloyd shouted hitting Pronyma on the side of her body. She countered by hitting him with what appeared to be Beast, knocking him to the ground.

"Now, it's time to end this," Pronyma said as she charged a powerful spell. "Absolu..."

"O' holy one, cast thy purifying light upon this corrupt soul... light of judgment! Judgment!" Colette shouted.

Rain of lights fell upon Pronyma, causing her to scream in agony.

Lloyd gasped. That was the technique Kratos used to finish them.

"Genis, now!" Raine shouted as she finished her spell. "Ray!"

"Explosion!" Genis yelled.

Before Pronyma could recover, she was pelted with stars, sending her to her knees.

"This is...impossible..." Pronyma whispered as she stood back up.

Yuan stepped forward. "Stand down, Pronyma. They know how to exploit your weakness too well."

"My lord," Pronyma said, lowering her head.

"It would seem that the Chosen is realizing the full power of the Cruxis Crystal. I expect nothing less from Martel's vessel," Yuan said.

Lloyd got up and glared at Yuan. "This is the perfect opportunity! Yuan! I'm going to settle our score right now!"

Yuan smirked. "You think you can, boy?"

Lloyd narrowed his eyes as he charged Yuan. Before he could even get within striking distance, someone intercepted his blades.

"Kratos!" Lloyd exclaimed. With a simple blocked, he had completely frozen his movements.

Yuan became very annoyed. "What are you doing here?"

Kratos' eyes never left his son. "Leave, Yuan. Lord Yggdrasill has summoned you."

Yuan growled in annoyed. Of all times, that man-child wanted to see him now? But it couldn't be helped. He couldn't disobey Mithos yet. He folded his arms." Are you taking the Chosen?"

Kratos glanced at Yuan. "No…we shall leave her for now. It's the toxicosis."

Yuan's eyes widened for a moment.

Really? Just like Martel all those years ago? The Chosen was created to be a close matched to Martel, but it never occurred to him that she would get Chronic Angelis Crystallus Inofficium. It was so rare. She truly was Martel's vessel.

But, this worked out well. It bought him much needed time.

"I see," he turned his attention to Lloyd. "Lloyd, our battle will have to wait." He opened his wings and flew to the Tower of Salvation.

This startled everyone from Lloyd's group.

"He's an angel too!" Sheena gasped.

Raine narrowed her eyes. So, that was how the Renegade knew so much about Cruxis. Their boss was one of Cruxis' leaders.

"Dammit, Yuan! Wait!" Lloyd shouted as the man flew out of sight.

"What are you doing?" Kratos asked, getting Lloyd's attention.

Lloyd turned and glared at the man he once called his friend. "What?"

"Why have you come all the way here to Tethe'alla?" Kratos questioned.

"I'm here to save Colette," Lloyd answered without hesitation.

"What good will saving the Chosen do?" Kratos asked, pushing Lloyd further. "The relation of the two worlds vying for each other's mana will not change. Their positions have merely been reversed by the regeneration ritual."

"Has Tethe'alla begun to decline?" Sheena asked worriedly.

Kratos looked in the direction of the Tower of Salvation. "The Tower of Salvation can still be seen from this world as well. As long as that exists here, it means that this world is still flourishing." He then looked at Colette. "Although, in the event that the Chosen becomes Martel's vessel, Tethe'alla will surely bid farewell to its era of prosperity."

Lloyd growled in frustration. "Dammit, isn't there anything that can be done?! Yggdrasill's the one that built this twisted world!"

Kratos folded his arm and gave Lloyd a hard look. "Lord Yggdrasill does not consider it twisted. If you want to do something about it, use your own head. I thought you weren't going to make any more mistakes?"

Lloyd glared at the older man. Was he mocking him or daring him to do something?

Zelos stared at Kratos.

This was Lloyd's father? He was acting like a total dick to his son. Did Yuan really think Kratos would turn on Cruxis to protect him? Also, what did he expect Lloyd to do? It wasn't like he knew anything that would help him.

Colette looked between father and son. She hated how tense and heated their relationship had become. When she was locked within her own body, she was forced to watched Kratos and Lloyd fight. Why was this happening? Kratos loved Lloyd. Why was he going out of his way to hurt him?

"Yeah, I'll do it!" Lloyd said, taking up Kratos' dare. "This stupid system of two worlds stealing mana from each other… I swear I'll change it!"

Kratos stared at Lloyd a little longer before turning his back on him. "Heh…well, do your best."

With that, he flew away. Pronyma followed shortly behind him.

Lloyd watched them leave as he clutched his hand. He wouldn't lose to Kratos. He would find a way to saved both worlds and then...he would settled the score with Kratos.

"I remember! That Pronyma was the one on the projector at the Asgard Ranch!" Genis suddenly exclaimed.

"That means she's a Desian," Sheena concluded.

"Well, Yuan more or less said that," Zelos pointed out.

Genis lowered his head. "So the Desians and Cruxis really are the same organization…" Somehow, he still hoped it wasn't true.

Lloyd kicked a rock in frustration. "This is all so confusing! In other words, they're all our enemies, right?"

"Yes. That means we must be careful of everyone, including the Renegades," Raine stated.

Even though the Renegades were fighting Cruxis and even saved them, Yuan made it very clear that he wasn't their friend.

More importantly, why did they want Lloyd so badly? What value did he specifically have to them? If it was just his exsphere, they didn't need to personally take him. There was a huge piece of the puzzle she was missing.

She glanced at Lloyd. As she stared, she noticed a subtle change in his mana. It was stronger, but there was something else... Something deeper. Now that she thought about it, it's been that way since the Tower of Salvation.

She took a look at his exsphere and saw that it now had a steady glow. Interesting. It glowed before but it was always dull like most exspheres she seen. Now, it was more vivid, alive. What did it all mean? She needed more information.

"Colette, is everything else back to normal?" Genis asked his childhood friend. "Besides your voice, can you feel things and such?"

Colette smiled. "Yup, I think I'm okay. Thanks, everyone." She looked at group and gave a grateful bow. "And I'm sorry I made all of you worry so much. Hey, you know what? I think I'm hungry for the first time in a long while."

Lloyd smile became even wider. She was back whole as well. "That's great!"

Colette pulled out her wings and fluttered them. "It looks like I still have wings, though. And, I kept all my powers."

This surprised Lloyd. Not only did Colette lose all the negative side-effects of being an angel, she kept all the benefices. Was this what a 'true' angle was like? That would explain a lot given that Kratos and Yuan were angels, yet acted nothing like Colette. Perhaps Cruxis Crystals truly were like exsphere: extremely dangerous without the proper protection, but powerful objects that could bring out a person's latent ability.

Zelos walked up to Colette and grabbed her hands. "Hmmm. Just like I thought. Colette is definitely cuter when she smiles!"

Colette squeezed his hand and smiled. "Let's see, you're…Zelos?"

"Ohh! You remembered my name!" Zelos said in delight. "We Chosen have to stick together, you know what I mean!?"

"Okay," Colette said in her usual cheerful manner.

Raine stepped towards Lloyd. "Now what shall we do? Since Colette has regained her soul, there's no need for us to head immediately back to Sylvarant, but…"

Lloyd balled his fist. "We know what we have to do! We're going to search for a way to save both worlds in order to prevent any more Chosen like Colette!"

"I agree with Lloyd. I promised Sheena too," Colette spoke up.

Sheena was shocked that she remembered given all the crap that's happened to her these last few days. "Colette..."

"What about Presea?" Genis asked in concern. "It's not fair to keep dragging her around like this!"

Presea agreed. "I...want to go home."

"Oh yeah, that's right, we need to bring Presea to that Kate chick," Zelos said, remembering their deal.

"Who's Kate?" Genis asked.

"Oh, we forgot to tell you," Lloyd said. He has honestly forgotten himself since he was so worried about Colette.

"We can explained it all on the way," Sheena said.

"Unfortunately, I doubt we can use the Grand Tethe'alla Bridge anymore since we are wanted," Raine pointed out.

Sheena rubbed her chin. "Hmm…I have contacts in Meltokio. Let's ask them for help."

Genis frowned. "But we're wanted criminals and Zelos is consider a traitor. Can we even get into Meltokio?"

Zelos gave one of his charming smiles. "Leave that to me. I know Meltokio like the back of my head."

Lloyd nodded. "Alright. We're counting on you, Zelos."

Zelos glanced at Lloyd. If only he knew what he did. He showed none of that on his expression, keeping his cheerful mask. "You got it! You can always count on me! Now, my hunnies, we're off to Meltokio!"

Lloyd turned towards Colette. He had a particular look on his face. "Colette..."

"What's wrong, Lloyd?" Colette asked in concern.

Lloyd broke into a huge grin. "Welcome back!"

Colette smiled and laughed. "I'm glad to be back."

With that, the group began their journey down the mountain.

Zelos had to admit, he was impressed. The key crest Lloyd made not only worked but they were able to drive back Pronyma. Maybe he underestimated them. He still didn't think they had any real chance, but he would keep a closer watched on them. They may surprise him even more.


Yuan was not happy being dragged before Mithos like some child. He was so closed to getting the Angelus that he could taste it. This was all that fool Zelos fault. Why did he go and tell Pronyma where they were? Some times he thinks that man does stuff solely for his own amusement.

At least Mithos didn't get what he wanted either. The Chosen was safe. Safe because she'd gotten sick. It was like some entity finally decided to cut him a break.

"Kratos, are you certain?" Mithos asked.

"Yes. I ran the necessary tests and I saw the Chosen with my own eyes. She undoubtedly has Chronic Angelis Crystallus Inofficium. The same sickness that inflicted Martel so long ago," Kratos stated.

Mithos leaned into his throne and sighed. "Well, isn't this an inconvenience." After a few seconds, he chuckled. "But, this proves beyond a doubt that this Chosen is the one for her to be infected by the same rare illness as my sister."

"We can begin to gather the materials needed for a Rune Crest," Kratos said. "It shouldn't take too long. A couple weeks, perhaps. We already have one of them here."

"You are forgetting something, Kratos," Yuan cut in. "Making the Rune Crest itself is simple enough, but we also need a powerful healer who has been empowered with a unicorn's horn to fully reverse the damage of Chronic Angelis Crystallus Inofficium."

"I...didn't now that," Kratos admitted in surprise.

"Of course you didn't. It is because when Martel became sick we already had such a healer, so there was no need to look for one," Yuan replied before folded his arms. He became somber. "Even if we do find a unicorn's horn, none of us are Malachite."

Mithos also became saddened hearing her name, but quickly hid those emotions, choosing to focus on the task at hand. "Unicorn's horn?" He looked at Kratos. "Pronyma mentioned that the Chosen's group wanted to contact a unicorn for its horn."

Kratos stared at Mithos. So he was spying on him. "That is correct. It was to save a young man and woman from illnesses that were inflicted on them by the Desians."

"So, one within the Chosen's group has the power of the unicorn," Yuan noted more to himself.

Mithos rubbed his chin and smiled. "Yes, that will work out fine."

Kratos and Yuan stared at him.

"We will have them gathered the material needed for the Rune Crest," Mithos said.

"Them?" Yuan repeated.

"They will have to eventually come here to obtain the mana fragment. When they do, they should have the remaining materials along with the healer," Mithos explained with a smile. "Why dirty our own hands when we can have others do it."

"And you want to push Lloyd's abilities further," Kratos surmised.

Mithos chuckled. "Oh, you saw right through that. Not only will the Angelus become even more powerful, he will come right to us."

"So, much like at the Tower of Salvation, you will take them all in one swoop," Yuan summarized.

"It is efficient that way," Mithos said.

"But the difference being is that you no longer have Kratos to keep an eye on them," Yuan said before glancing at Kratos. "And I doubt they would welcome him back after the giant knife he embedded in their backs."

"The Chosen of Tethe'alla is with them," Kratos said.

"And the Chosen of Tethe'alla also can't be trusted," Yuan countered. He knew that from personal experience.

Mithos tapped his fingers. "I do agree. We may need an extra pair of eyes on them. For now, however, we will leave the Chosen's group be."

Kratos bowed. "As you wish." He disappeared.

Yuan also disappeared.

Mithos was left in silence before he sent a mental contact to Pronyma.

She immediately appeared in the room and bowed. "Yes, Lord Yggdrasill."

"I need you to take care of Rodyle," Mithos stated bluntly.

"So, you want me to finally execute him?" Pronyma asked almost eagerly.

Mithos shook his head. "No. Keep him active as long as possible. We know he needs a Cruxis Crystal for his plan. Used that to your advantage."

Pronyma smiled. "I have something in mind. Do not worry, my lord. Rodyle will soon be a thing of the past." She disappeared.

Mithos leaned back and stared at the ceiling. It would seem he would have to return to the lower realms.


Kratos appeared in his room and slumped next to his bed. He was in conflict.

His son had decided to directly act against Cruxis. He knew that this would happen the moment they escaped the Tower of Salvation. Lloyd wouldn't sacrifice the Chosen to save his world. Especially when another world hung in the balance and the Desians who destroyed his life would spread their suffering to more innocent people. He was very like his mother in that way.

Anna...how she would despise what he'd became. Yuan was right about him. His heart died with her that day. Even seeing his son again couldn't bring him back to life. He actually took a sword to his child intending to kill him to keep him out of Mithos' hands. He had betrayed everything Anna and he fought for, making her death meaningless. Just another number in the endless death toll.

The question now was, what he was going to do about it? Was he going to continued to betray his son and his late wife? Or, was he going to fight one more time?

He gave Lloyd a challenged. He dared him to saved both worlds without sacrificing the Chosen. If Lloyd was willing to at least attempt the impossible, he should be willing to do the same. He told Lloyd not to make any more mistakes while he kept piling on to his poor choices. After so long being dead, he wanted to fight again.

He knew how to do it. The Eternal Ring. Now that he was in Mithos' good graces again, for the most part, he could move more freely. He could find the items needed to make the Eternal Ring and with it, the Eternal Sword would be opened to those without half-elf blood.

But even that meant nothing as long as the seal on Origin remained. Thanked to him believing in Mithos, no one could have access to the summoning spirit. As long as he lived, the path to Origin would remain closed.

...Then he chose to die. He lived long enough anyway and had done nothing with his life except caused misery and pain. Even his own child despised him, much like how he despised his father until he killed him.

And that's when it hit him.

Lloyd would be the one to end him. As his own family tradition dictated, for a son to succeed their father, the son must be the one to strike the finishing blow. By doing so, they take their father's place as the head of the family. That was one of the reasons his father did everything he could to make sure he hated him at the end. Without meaning to, he had done the same thing to Lloyd.

Lloyd was strong, but he wasn't near his level yet as proven by their fight at the Tower of Salvation. He had to become much stronger if he hoped to have a chance against him. If he couldn't defeat him, he stood no chance against Mithos. Which was what Mithos wanted anyway. Through all the trials and pain Mithos was putting Lloyd through, he wanted his powers as an Angelus to bloom.

He would use that to his advantage. He would push Lloyd. Demeaned him. Do everything he could so at that right moment, Lloyd could fight and kill him. Upon his death, Origin would be free and Lloyd could do what needed to be done to save both worlds.

Kratos straightened as he made his plans. He needed to get started now with Mithos' focused being elsewhere. The time has come for him to start taking his own advice.


And done! Colette finally got his voice back and it didn't take several years, only over a year. We also got Cruxis, Mithos, and Yuan making their move that will influence the flow of Act II. Overall, an eventful chapter, which is why I wanted to post it this year.

Until next chapter that hopefully won't be another several months.