Kratos Aurion: The Strong, Cold Mercenary

The three continue to make their way in the outer fields outside of the village towards the temple. They had to be careful with the amount of monsters hiding everywhere. They made their way past the bright green bushes of leaves and flowers surrounding the fading dirt pathway. Eventually, they made it to the Martel Temple. There were large bright beautiful rays of light streaming outside of the temple's rooftop leading up to the clouds. The temple was a tan bricked round looking chapel, a staired dirt path leading up to it.

"Whoa. That light really is coming from the temple!" Lloyd says looking up.

"Then an oracle is going to be conveyed. Colette's going to be the Chosen of Regeneration." Genis jumps up and down.

"It's really, really bright!" Colette blissfully says, her hands to her forehead shading her eyes from the bright lights. Lloyd and Genis hang their heads disappointedly to her starry eyes.

"Say, Colette. When the oracle is conveyed, you'll become the Chosen who will save the world. Right? You're going to be like the hero, Mithos! So maybe you should act a little more.. You know. Chosen-like." The swordsman explains unconfidently.

"Yeah! No problem. No problem."

Suddenly, the sound of swords and fighting coming from the temple interrupted the conversation.

"Hey, there's a lot of commotion at the temple." Genis points up toward the stairs.

"You're right!" Lloyd agrees.

Lloyd looks closer at the temple to see one of the priests struggling to walk down the stairs, badly injured.

"Chosen One!" The white bearded man yells to Colette trying to stop the blood from pouring out of his chest before he collapses and tumbles down the stairs.

"Pastor!?" Colette yells worried.

"Hey, are you alright!?" Lloyd shouts.

"T-the Desians broke the non-aggression treaty and attacked the temple." The priest struggles to talk. "Chosen One, quickly, the oracle." The pastor coughs loudly making it hard to understand him.

"I know." Colette reassures.

"Please, be careful.. I regret that I will not be able to protect…the…Cho..sen." The priest chokes as tears roll down his cheeks before he begins to cremate.

"Pastor, hang on!" Colette yells sadly as she desperately tries to heal him.

"It's no good. He's gone." Lloyd hangs his head sorrowfully as he speaks.

"No!" Genis pulls his hands up to his face as he cries mournfully.

The three move the priest to the side of the stairs and stand up.

"I'm going." Colette says with a look of determination on her face as she begins to walk up the stairs.

"Colette! There are Desians in there!" Genis yells stopping her.

"Yes, but I have to go. I'm the Chosen. My job is to accept the oracle on the Day of Prophecy. The two of you wait here, okay?" Colette says reassuringly.

"Lloyd, are you going to let Colette go by herself!?"

"I'm going, too. I can't let you go by yourself." Lloyd nods his head.

"Are you sure? It's dangerous." Colette asks worriedly.

"Dwarven Vow #1: Let's all work together for a peaceful world." Lloyd says walking up the stairs following Colette. "Let's go."

"Wait, I'm going too. I'm worried about Raine." Genis runs up the stairs.

"Thanks, both of you." Colette says with a slight expression of relief.

The three continue to walk up the stairs to the temple. As they reach the top, they are greeted to the sight of Phaidra, Colette's grandmother, being threatened by a strange tall man, guards surrounding him.

"Where is the chosen?" The man angrily asks the old woman.

"Run, Colette!" Phaidra yells to the chosen in warning.

"Lord Botta! There she is!" One of the guards yelled loudly to the tall man.

"Chosen One, your life is mine!" The tall man with the name of Botta yells.

"I won't let you Desians get away with anything!" Lloyd shouts as he pulls the swords out of his guard.

"Desians? Hahaha!" The guard laughs.

"What's so funny?!" Genis shouts puzzled.

"Well then, die at the hands of the Desians you so hate. Get them!"

The two guards pull out their large knives and swing them threateningly. Colette throws her circular weapon at one of the guards' heads. The metal of the guards' helmet makes a loud clanking noise as the boomerang slams against his head. Lloyd charges in slashing through the guards leather armor, stabbing him. As blood- -splatters against the dirt, Genis swings- -the ball of his kendama at the other guard, bonking him hard on the head to almost no effect. He jumps backwards and casts his spell.

"Fireball!" He yells.

Balls of bright red flame fly through the guard as he groans loudly in pain. The three finish off the guards as the other two quickly run away.

A large man with heavy armor and a large chain ball slowly starts to stomp outside of the temple.

"Do not get in our way!" The man yells as he violently swings his chain ball and hammer in the air.

Lloyd charges at him only to be sent flying across the ground as the man slams his chain ball to his face.

"Ach!" Lloyd grunts loudly struggling to stand up from the ground.

Colette throws her double boomerangs at the man's head, but he avoids it. Genis begins to cast his spell before the man strikes him with his large hammer and he falls to the ground. Lloyd manages to get one hit on the man before he is sent flying once more against the dirt ground. Phaidra looks in horror as she attempts to hide herself from the situation.

"Dammit!" Lloyd yells frustrated.

"..This guy's strong!" Genis weakly talks.

As the three struggle to stand up from the ground, just as the man is about to make his final hit, a dark red haired man suddenly jumps in separating them and knocks the large warrior to the ground.

"Who are you?" Lloyd asks out of breath.

"Get out of the way." The man says in a deep calm voice.

The large warrior stands back up and continues to swing his weapon towards Lloyd's head but Lloyd manages to quickly jump out of the way as Kratos casts a spell, healing Colette.

"First aid." He speaks loudly as light carries Colette up from the ground.

Genis follows and casts another spell, landing into the warrior's chest.

Lloyd performs his "special attack" he calls it, and it slashes through the warrior's leg.

"Demon Fang!" Lloyd yells determinedly.

Colette continues to swing her double weapons at the warrior's head as he falls to the ground groaning in pain as blood starts to gush out of his neck.

"I never thought you'd show up. Damn. Retreat for now!" Botta yells as he and the guards surrounding him quickly run away.

"Amazing!" Colette says with her hands to her chest in surprise.

"This guy's incredibly strong!" Genis shouts excitedly looking at the red haired man.

"Y-yeah, I-I suppose so." Lloyd stutters nervously.

"Is everyone all right? Hm. No one seems to be hurt." The red haired swordsman answers his own question in a low demanding voice.

The red haired man's jewel engraved into his purple gloved hand shines brightly as the three students stare in shock.

"Is that an Exsphere?" Lloyd asks, surprised.

"How can I ever thank you for saving the Chosen?" Phaidra asks gratefully as she walks closer to the man.

"I see. So this girl is the next Chosen." The man says impressed.

"That's right! I have to go accept the oracle!" The ditzy girl remembers. "Grandmother, I'm going to undergo the trial now."

"What trial?" Lloyd scratches his head confused.

"The monsters, I assume. An evil presence radiates from inside this chapel." The man interrupts.

"Yes, that is correct. The Chosen is to receive judgment from heaven." Phaidra explains calmly. "But the priests that were to accompany her fell at the hands of the Desians."

"Then I'll take on the job of protecting Colette." Lloyd says confidently.

"Lloyd? I would be uneasy with just you."

"..Your name is Lloyd?" Asks the red haired man in a deeper voice.

"Yeah. But who are you to ask for my name?"

"I am Kratos Aurion. A mercenary. As long as you can pay me, I'll accept the job of guarding the Chosen." The red haired mercenary introduces himself.

"Under the circumstances, I have little choice. Please be of service." Phaidra explains.

"It's a deal then." Kratos agrees.

"W-wait! I'm going, too!" Lloyd pleads.

"Lloyd. You'll only get in the way. Be a good boy and wait here."

"What did you say?!" Lloyd yells angrily.

"Did I not make myself clear? You're a burden. Go home." Kratos says in a demanding voice.

"Um. Mr. Kratos, would it be okay to take Lloyd along too?" Colette interrupts.

"But- -"

"Please? I get nervous when Lloyd's not around." Colette begs.

"Do as you wish." The mercenary and ditzy student walk into the temple.

"Let's go, Genis!" Lloyd excitedly shouts.

"What?! I'm going too?!"

"Of course!"

"This isn't a field trip, you know." The mercenary says coldly.

"Thanks, Colette." Lloyd begins to run in.

"It's the truth!" Colette says as they all enter the temple doors.