Yes, another new chapter on time. Think of this as an early birthday gift to myself. Thanks to everyone who has supported this story and hope you continue to read.
Onward to the chapter.
Chapter 78: Tethe'alla Tour
True to the mage's word, she kept the guards busy by dazzling them with some of magic and even showing one how to defend against an ice spell. She glanced up to see Presea leading Kate out the door and smiled.
Presea returned the smile as she made her way out of the holding area. They didn't stop moving until they were outside, where Lloyd and the others waited.
"Thank you," Kate spoke once she found her bearings.
"Now that we've rescued her, what is she going to do?" Regal asked.
"Do you have any family?" Lloyd asked.
Kate looked away from him. "My mother passed away. My father is…no."
This got Zelos' attention. He once again wondered if the rumors were true. Although, he didn't see any of him in Kate.
"No? What do you mean?" Genis asked. Did her dad abandoned her for being a half-elf?
"I have a favor to ask you. Please take me to Ozette," Kate suddenly said.
This caught Lloyd off-guard. "Ozette? It's in ruins now. Are you sure?"
Kate nodded. "Yes, please. That's where I was born."
Zelos shook his head. "You were born in Ozette, huh? I guess you had it rough your entire life."
Kate refused to answer.
"Alright," Lloyd replied in resignation.
They snuck out of the city again and Lloyd cringed as they were forced back into the sewer. How he hated being wanted.
"To think the arena and the prison were connected. Good job, Regal!" Zelos praised during their sewer walk.
Regal bowed his head, not happy with his knowledge. "It is a shameful thing that I knew that."
"Well, but thanks to that, we were able to rescue Kate without anyone getting hurt, so don't worry about it," Sheena assured. "As sad as an affairs it is, you saved someone's life." She glanced at Kate who was walking behind the group.
"Even if you searched all of Tethe'alla, you wouldn't find another noble who's got connections to high society, big business, and the jail cell," Zelos teased with a huge smile on his face.
Sheena found none of this funny. "Knock it off!" She slapped Zelos upside the head, causing him to cry in pain.
Regal sighed. "A truly shameful thing."
Once out of the sewer, it was almost a two hour flight to Ozette. The ruined city wasn't much better than when they left it weeks ago except the fire had been put out and the debris was moved. Almost nothing reminded of the village and it was hard to see if anything was ever there outside of the opened space. It was like Ozette was erased off the map.
They parked the Rheairds near Presea's house. Although, not too close since they didn't want to disturb Presea dad's resting place.
When Kate was on firm ground she gave the group a grateful expression, although her face was still worn with unfathomable sadness and regret. "Thank you for saving me even though I was the one that experimented on Presea."
"We're here because you helped us escape and you were about to be executed because of that, so we had to save you," Lloyd replied.
"Even if you know who I really am?" Kate asked in a doubtful voice.
"Who you really are?" Colette repeated.
Kate paused as she looked at each of them. "My mother was an elf. My father is human, and…is currently the Pope of the Church of Martel."
This floored almost everyone.
"Your father is the Pope!?" Sheena exclaimed when she found her voice. "The Pope was going to execute his own daughter!?" She felt even more disgust for the man who was supposed to be a servant of the Goddess.
Zelos hummed. "So, the rumors about the Pope having a half-elf child were true. You're lucky you took after your mother."
This annoyed Genis. "Is that all you can say!? He tried to have his own daughter executed!"
Zelos put a hand on his hip, ignoring Genis. "But it was the Pope who ruled that all half-elves who commit crimes are to be punished by death."
Now Genis was really mad. "What!? Why did he do something like that when his own daughter is a half-elf?!"
"Hey, hey, don't get angry with me. I wasn't the one who made the law," Zelos defended. "But…it is coldhearted that he didn't even take pity on his own daughter and even locked her in a lab, forcing her to do research for him." He knew the Pope was a dirt bag, but he didn't think he could be ruthless to his own blood, even if they were a half-elf.
Genis growled in righteous fury. "I swear he'll pay for this."
"W…wait… Don't do anything bad to my father." Kate stuttered in a near panic.
Genis turned towards Kate in disbelief. How could she defend this man, even if he was blood? "Why!? He's done bad things to you!"
Kate shook her head. "But…he's still my father. When my father ordered me to perform experiments to turn exspheres into Cruxis Crystals... I was very happy. My father finally needed me."
Lloyd felt sick hearing that. How could anyone be happy being treated as a tool? Was Kate's self-worth really so low that she saw being treated as a mere item as a form of love? It was unfathomable.
Genis shook his head in denial. "I don't understand! I can't understand that!"
"Genis, calm down," Raine said in a sympathy voice. She felt the same way, but they had to respect Kate's feelings. It was unfortunately common for children in an abusive relationship with their parents to cling to any form of attention. No matter how utterly deprived it was. And…it wouldn't be the first nor last time humans used half-elves to further their goals while also abusing them.
"But…" Genis started.
"I think I understand a little," Colette spoke up. "When I thought that Remiel might be my father, I was happy that my father had finally come to see me, even though I knew that the journey would end in death."
Lloyd growled under his breathe. He hated this. He hated all of this. No one should feel only worthy of living because they're 'useful'. To be condition to believe that they only existed to serve another.
"I'm going to think by myself for a while about my father and half-elves. Thank you so much for saving me," Kate said before she turned to Presea "And Presea…I'm sorry."
Presea said nothing as she watched Kate walked into the forest and disappeared from sight. She wasn't sure how she should feel.
Colette put her hands together. "This is sad. Why do things wind up like this?"
"Two forces will always oppose each other. Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, elves and humans, heaven and earth," Regal spoke in a far off voice.
"And those in the middle are sacrificed. Half-elves, the Great Seed, and the Chosen as well," Raine finished for Regal.
Lloyd clinched his fists. "It's wrong to say that someone can be sacrificed."
"But anytime there are two people one will be sacrificed by the establishment of superiority. It's the same way with countries and worlds. Equality is an illusion," Zelos said with a note of bitterness. He hated it all too, but that was just the world. That would never changed.
"Birth, status, appearance, race, you're engulfed by these things," Sheena said as the same cynical engulfed her.
Lloyd had enough of this talk. It felt like everyone just gave up. "But everyone has the same heart. Everyone hurts when they're rejected. But people forget that."
"The same heart…" Genis repeated.
Colette nodded in agreement. "Yes. If only everyone could live thinking about each other like that." Lloyd was truly wise. More than he gave himself credit for.
"Little by little people can change," Presea said. While she felt the same cynicism as the others, she was tired of feeling hopeless. Like nothing she did mattered. She wanted, as naive as it was, to share in Lloyd and Colette's idealism. That the world could change for the better.
"The only thing we can do is to believe in that and start doing what we can," Lloyd said, in full agreement with Presea.
Raine looked at Lloyd and Presea in awe. "Yes. What we can do right now is to release the summon spirits' mana links."
Although Kratos' warnings still rung in her mind, she couldn't worry about him. Kratos has already proven himself untrustworthy and as of this moment, breaking the summon spirits links was all they had. They've come too far to stop now.
"Yeah. Let's get the blue candle from the Elemental Research Laboratory so we can form a pact with Shadow," Lloyd said as he led the group back to the Rheairds. After hearing Kate's story, crawling back through the sewer didn't seem so bad.
"Will she really be all right left alone in that village?" Presea asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"I'm sure she wants to be alone. She has much to think about," Raine reasoned.
She couldn't imagine all the emotions Kate was going through. She wanted to be love by her father and did everything to please him, including doing several amoral acts. In return, her father used, abused, and eventually tried to execute her when she did the right thing. And yet….Kate still couldn't find it in her heart to hate the man and still wanted his love and approval. She didn't know if she was foolish, naive, or a saint.
Kate was like a dog who kept returning to their master, even after said master kept kicking them in the face.
Lloyd lowered his eyes. "She too is suffering because she's a half-elf."
"Yes, but she didn't choose the way she lived because she was a half-elf," Raine rebuked.
This got Lloyd's attention. "Really?"
"She participated in the experiment on Presea because she wanted to earn the love of her father, the Pope. It's not fair to place the blame for that on her blood," Raine countered. "Trying to earn love and acceptance from someone who will never return it isn't exclusive to half-elves. That is what it means to be a mortal."
"I guess that's true, but I still feel sorry for her," Lloyd said. How could he not feel pity for her? Even given what Kate did to Presea, she didn't do it out of sick joy or power. She did it out of desperate love. Something she was probably denied her entire life.
Raine shook her head. "You're too softhearted." She began to smile. "No, perhaps that soft heart is part of what makes you you."
"Maybe….I guess I see a little of Dorr in her," Lloyd spoke after a moment of thought.
Raine was confused by the comparison.
"Dorr...he did many terrible things and even sold out the people he was supposed to protect and save. But….he did those things out of love and despair. He wanted to save Clara so much that he was willing to sacrifice the world for her," Lloyd explained. "Kate is the same. She was probably alone her entire life and when she felt like she could be useful to someone….that she could finally be loved…."
Presea stared into the trees. "When you put it like that, it's hard to hate Kate."
"Given what you said to Dorr, it's remarkable to see that you now take such pity on him," Raine note.
"Don't get me wrong, he was still selfish in that he didn't want to give up his power as governor to save his wife," Lloyd spoke quickly. "But he also did none of those things out of malice and Kate is the same. Except in Kate's case….I don't think she could have been anything else."
"Is it better to be used by someone or to be alone?" Presea asked more to herself. "To have a sense of purpose, even if that purpose is bad. I think those are the questions Kate struggle with."
"In any case, it is her choice to decide how she lives. She's the one who have to live with her choices," Raine concluded as they reach the Rheairds.
Lloyd nearly went blind as he stepped out of the Temple of Darkness. They've been in there so long that the sun now burned his eyes. But…it was done. The pact with Shadow was completed.
Although, why did Shadow have to be such a pain and split his power into five pieces and forced them to hunt for them? And why were the seals in Tethe'alla so much harder than Sylvarant's anyway?
"Hey, let's decide what our plans are before we make a pact with the last spirit," Zelos suddenly spoke up, gettin the group's attention.
Raine paused in thought. "True. Through this isn't the sort of issue we're likely to settle immediately."
"Assuming that the worlds do split, we have no idea whether travel between them will be possible," Regal observed.
"It is impossible to extrapolate the exact probability given the lack of data," Raine remarked as she rubbed her chin. For a moment, Kratos' warnings rang through her mind. She quickly pushed them aside. "Not high is all I can say."
Sheena's eyes became downcast since the people of Mizuho wanted to move to Sylvarant since as things stood, they were a village of traitors. If they stayed in this world….
"Why don't we take a brief tour of Tethe'alla," Presea suggested. "The final summon spirit resides in Sylvarant. It is possible Sheena will be unable to return after forming the pact."
Lloyd felt his heart skip a beat. He never considered that. Did that mean everyone from Tethe'alla would be stuck in Sylvarant?
"Right. I would like to say my good..by… To speak with everyone in Mizuho," Sheena quickly corrected.
"That's our plan," Lloyd said. There was a lot to think about. "We'll do a loop of Tethe'alla and then head out. Use this time to make up you minds."
Colette understood what Lloyd meant. "Who's coming with us to Sylvarant and who wants to stay in Tethe'alla you mean."
"Yeah," Lloyd replied slowly.
Since it was the closest to the Temple of Darkness, the group decided to rest in Meltokio. Sewer crawling aside, everyone warmed to the idea once Zelos offered to let them used his house again and host a fest in honor of them defeating all the Tethe'alla's summon spirits. It was over once Zelos said he would order steak.
"I'm heading for a walk," Zelos announced as they made their way to his house. Before anyone could say anything, Zelos left the group.
"How can he go for a walk in a city that we're wanted in?" Sheena asked in frustration. "Not to mention, the city is on high alert after we saved Kate."
Genis shook his head. "I swear, that guy."
"I'll go keep an eye on him?" Lloyd offered. "The rest of you can keep going."
"Are you sure that's okay?" Raine asked. "You're wanted too and you also stand out."
Lloyd glanced at his clothing. Yeah, he knew that his outfit stood out, but it seemed the people in Tethe'alla were too into themselves to care what someone was wearing as long as they didn't talk to them.
"I'm be fine. If I'm recognized, I can easily escape. The Tethe'alla's guards can't be much better than the Desians who guard the Ranch," Lloyd assured as he quickly went after Zelos before he went too far.
Despite Zelos never being a fast walker, it took Lloyd nearly half an hour to find him. Although, most of that was because he was in the one part of the city that Lloyd never thought Zelos went.
Namely, he was in the lowest section of the city, what the people called 'the slums'. He didn't know what slums were, but they didn't sound good, so Zelos naturally wouldn't go there. Yet, here he was after he searched so long.
Lloyd took in his surroundings and saw exactly what the slums were.
It seemed slums were slang for 'poor area'. They got a glimpsed of it when they first came to the capital when they were looking for a place to eat. Originally, they took the area as just a dirtier version of Sylvarant's cities.
Now he saw it was much worse than they thought. The area wasn't just dirtier, it reeked. Unlike Izoold that smelt of fresh fish and salt, this place smelt of old laundry, wet dog, and mold. Even the worst cities in Sylvarant weren't this bad. While no place in Sylvarant was as clean as Tethe'alla outside of Palmacosta, this place was like Triet and Asgard without their charm.
Triet was a dusty and worn city that was always ablaze by the sun and outright dangerous at night, but those qualities oddly enough added to it. It felt like a monument to a time long past. The same hold true with Asgard with its ruins and ancient buildings.
This place was just old and worn like the hopes and dreams of the people who lived here have been sucked out. Even the people were dirty and wore torn clothing, nothing like the proud elites within the main city who wore clothing that the best in Sylvarant would kill for. It was like he was in a different city all together.
Zelos took noticed of him and gave a grim smirk at how baffled Lloyd was. He also didn't seem surprised that Lloyd had followed him. "Well, what do you think? Any impression of Tethe'alla."
Lloyd shook his head, trying to clear his mind. "It's amazing," he admitted. "Everything is so advance. Going back to Sylvarant, it was like going back to the stone age or something."
Zelos chuckled, but there was no humor or warmth behind it. "Yes, including the divide between the rich and the poor."
Lloyd took in Zelos' words.
They all saw it the first day they came here. How the people in the upper sector of Meltokio treated them as pests and refused to even give them directions because they were perceived as poor and therefore beneath their time to even talk to. While Sylvarant too had its social class; like the mayor in Iselia who lived in the best house and got the best food outside of Colette or the rich in Palmacosta who lived in their big fancy mansions like Dorr and dressed like royalty, there was still a sense of 'equality'.
Namely, everyone fundamentally understood that regardless of your status or riches, you were just as likely as anyone else to be taking to the Ranch or killed in a Desian raid. The Desians didn't care about social status. Rich or poor, young or old, sick or healthy, you were just cattle to them. Social status nor age protected Dorr and Kilia.
"Yeah…" Lloyd finally answered Zelos.
Zelos turned to look at the disrepair buildings and the kids in their raggedy clothings playing a game of soccer with an old can. "I'm not alone in having my entire life planned out for me from birth. Here, pretty much everyone's life prospect hinge on their social status." He gave a long drawn out sigh. "Let me tell you, it's suffocating."
Lloyd was at a lost for words.
He knew that Colette's life…and death were all planned since she was born. Possibly even before then. But Colette was 'special' since she was the Chosen One destined to save the world. The idea that being born into the 'right' family or social circles would be the factor that decided what kind of life you got to lived was just….unfathomable.
Even in Sylvarant; a dirt poor boy could grow up to become a pastor of the Grand Church, a dwarf could leave his home and become a successful blacksmith, and a person with a single fishing boat could own a fleet if giving enough time and luck. Even he, someone who was raised by a dwarf and a nonbeliever, had opportunities.
The only people who seem to be limited in their life choices were the half-elves. Which was why Raine and Genis felt that they had to hide their blood from everyone, including him. A person that they saw as their close friend. They didn't even tell Colette, the vessel of the Goddess that they believed in.
"Do you hate it?" Lloyd found himself asking.
"Tethe'alla? No, I don't think I do at any rate. I love it, warts and all," Zelos admitted, but there was still an edge of bitterness as he spoke. Like….he shouldn't expect better.
"Hey, it's Zelos!" one the kids who were playing shouted.
The other children quickly surrounded them and stared at Zelos with wide eyes.
"What do you want, ankle-biter?" Zelos asked in his usual snide tone, but it lacked any real power.
"If we catch you, we get a reward!" one kid exclaimed.
Lloyd became worried. They couldn't afford to be arrested now, but he couldn't beat up a bunch of poor kids either.
Zelos, per usual, kept an air indifference as he looked over all the children. "And you think you can bring me in?"
It didn't sound like a dare or a challenge to Lloyd. It sounded like an honest question.
The children stared at them before one of them smiled. "Nuh-uh! I'm not going to catch you. I'm letting you go. So, give us something!"
Lloyd was baffled by these turn of events.
Zelos put his hands on his hips, feigning annoyance. "Greedy little mooches never grow up to be anything, children." He gave a wicked grin. "Assuming they even make it to adulthood."
Despite the harshness of the words, the children laughed like it was part of a game.
"Well, don't get caught Zelos! Bye, bye!" They all ran off, still laughing.
Lloyd was lost. Was this….a common occurrence? "Fans of yours?"
Zelos casually waved his hand, but there was a smile on his face. Not Zelos' usual cocky smile, but a real smile of happiness. "Well, I'm going home. There is no way I'm missing my steak dinner. Better hurry up Lloyd before I eat your share." He walked off.
Lloyd could only stare as he left.
"You looked confused," a voice observed.
Lloyd turned to see an old woman sitting on her porch not too far away from him. She obviously saw the entire exchange.
The woman chuckled, showing her toothless mouth. "The Chosen is quite popular around here. Every week, his house donates a bunch of money to this area of the city. It's part of the reason we even have food and keep the rain out of our homes."
Lloyd was both surprised and not surprised to hear this. While Zelos could play the part of a self-absorbed, elitist, jackass, he knew that Zelos hated the how unequal the divide between rich and poor were. That entire speech he just gave wasn't for appearance.
He also hated how Sylvarant was torn apart and left in a dying state while Tethe'alla flourish and lived in carefree luxury while abusing their half-elf population. That became especially clear after Zelos donated all that money to repair Luin and how he spoke lowly of the Pope for his treatment of half-elves.
"The Chosen maybe the elite of the elites, but he cares about all people in Tethe'alla. Unlike the Pope who wants us to rot and still give the Church money," the old woman went on. She scolded at the mention of the Pope. "I guess that's what it takes to be Martel's vessel. May the Goddess bless his soul."
Lloyd smiled sadly. "Yeah. But doesn't the king help too?"
The woman winkled his nose. "The king does his best, but he doesn't understand us. He thinks we're the way we are because we're too lazy to pick ourselves up." She shook her head. "And since he's been sick, the Pope had taking over all duties in the kingdom."
"I can see how that's a problem," Lloyd replied.
"While the king is no saint, things will only get worse once he dies. We can only hope he hangs on to life long enough for the princess to come of age," the woman said. "But…things aren't looking good from what I've heard."
Lloyd hoped the king didn't die. Not only because it would give the Pope more power, but it was also empower that scum Vharley. "Thank you for the talk."
"Please, look over the Chosen for us," the woman requested humbly. "He is the best hope we have."
"I will," Lloyd vowed as he left.
After a night of steak and drinking one too many on Lloyd's part, it was time to leave.
This time, it was Raine who made the request for the next city to visit. She wanted to go to Sybak, to the surprise of no one. If Tethe'alla was forever sealed to them after the last pact, she wanted to gained as much knowledge as possible from this world. Besides, the advancements made in Tethe'alla would only help Sylvarant as they rebuild the world.
It took only an hour to reach Sybak since they no longer needed to make the long trek across the Grand Tethe'alla Bridge.
Once in the city of knowledge, the group spread out. Genis, naturally, wanted to be with Raine since he was also curious about all the knowledge Tethe'alla held while Lloyd explored the market place. There wasn't anything that really interested him since most of the stuff being sold were research equipment and overpriced junk.
After over two hours, he went to the research building to see how much longer Raine was going to be. They really couldn't stay here for days.
"This country's research facilities are phenomenal," Raine cooed as she speed read through a book she was holding.
"Yeah, seems like it," Lloyd replied on instinct.
Raine looked up from her book. "You sound so fascinated."
Lloyd blushed since he could hear the sarcasm in her tone. "I….sorry. It's just not my thing is all."
Raine went back to her book. "I may not be mine soon either. Severing Tethe'alla from Sylvarant will mean an end to any research into its history. I'll cut off my own past too."
Lloyd froze when he heard. He had already forgotten that Raine and Genis were originally from Tethe'alla. "Professor…."
Raine put her book down. "I apologize. I'm sure the others who actually grew up here are going through a great deal more than I am. We can leave now."
"Professor, you don't have to apologize for anything," Lloyd said as she walked pass him. "While your pain isn't the same as the others who grew up in in this world, it must still hurt to lose a piece of the past you're been looking for all this time."
Raine said nothing for a moment. "Thank you for understanding. I'll go find Genis. I'm sure he's snooping somewhere in the library."
After thirty-minutes of searching, they found Genis and managed to pry him out of one of the many books he was reading. It was another hour before they left since the group was scattered all over the city.
Once they were ready to leave, it was Regal's turn to make a request. He wanted to visit Alicia. So they flew to Altamira where by some bizarre stroke of luck, Lloyd became the one-millionth guest that year and got a Free Pass which gave him unlimited access to all the theme park's attractions and a free night's stay in the best room on the island.
Once that was done, they made their way to the Sky Terrance. Well, most of them. Zelos chose to stand behind out of respect and Sheena chose to stay with Zelos to keep him from messing with the young ladies.
At Alicia's resting place, Regal and Presea stood in silence as Colette gave a prayer to Alicia's soul.
"I have a responsibility to over see the well being of the Lezareno company," Regal spoke not long after Colette finished her prayer. "But severing the worlds is necessary to avoid creating more tragedies like Alicia's. I can't simply chose one over the other."
Lloyd hesitated to speak. It just didn't seem right.
Colette walked up to him and gently patted his shoulder, silently telling him that it was okay.
"It doesn't have to be about which is more important," Lloyd spoke slowly before gaining some confidence. "I think coming with us and staying here to guide Tethe'alla are both equally important. There's no wrong choice."
Presea turned towards him. "I wonder which path Alicia and daddy would have wanted me to choose."
Lloyd had no answer to that.
But Colette did. "I'm sure they would've wanted you to follow your heart. No, I'm sure that is what they do want for you."
"My heart?" Presea repeated, unsure what that meant.
"Same goes for you, Regal. Forget about which one's worthier or whatever. What's your gut telling you?" Lloyd advised.
Regal stared at the grave of his beloved. "A fair question. I will consider it."
After a few more minutes of reflection, they left the Sky Terrance and managed to pry Zelos away from the beach.
It was then off to Mizuho so Sheena could get her affairs in order.
"I should report to Tiga," Sheena all but whispered as she entered village. "I have to tell him about…. Kuchinawa."
Lloyd growled under his breath when he heard his name.
Sheena starting walking away before she suddenly stopped. "Lloyd….can you come with me?"
"Me?" he repeated in surprise.
"I…I just feel more confidence when you're around," Sheena admitted with a small blush.
Lloyd didn't seem to notice. "Sure."
They walked to the vice-chief's house and were immediately greeted by Tiga.
"Ahh Lloyd, the news reached my ears. I am told you're preparing to separate the worlds immediately," Tiga said, getting straight to the point.
Lloyd's mouth dropped. How the heck did he know that? Mizuho's spy network was indeed scary. "The people of Mizuho are planning to move to Sylvarant, right?"
Tiga gave a long sigh. "I fear now that we've provoked the ire of the king, no place for us remains in this world. I see no cause to cling to this land out of sentiment." There was a slight pause. "However…"
"You got some problem with the plan?" Lloyd asked.
"We lack the time. I fear the deadline has come upon us too soon. We have no choice but to remain," Tiga stated.
"What!?" Lloyd exclaimed.
Sheena understood what was going on. "Everyone's still on their missions. We got people inside the Renegades, people in Meltokio, and even some in Sylvarant thanks to the Renegades."
Lloyd was surprised to hear that Mizuho, other than Sheena, was also spying in Sylvarant. It was a little unnerving.
"I have resolved that those left in Sylvarant are to follow Sheena," Tiga informed. "I have faith that she will do her best."
"Wait, so does that mean Sheena is coming to Sylvarant?" Lloyd asked. This was all too much too soon.
Sheena rolled her eyes. "Obviously. Were you planning to make the pact without me? Staying here just isn't an option."
Lloyd frowned. He never even considered that. "Are you alright with this?"
"I don't have much of a choice. I can't leave the world to suffer and I can't abandon you guys," Sheena replied.
"We will leave this place, eventually. We will travel to some new corner of Tethe'alla. Somewhere beyond the king's eye," Tiga assured.
"But if it's time you need, we can wait to make the final pact," Lloyd insisted. "Get all your people together and…"
Tiga shook his head. "Gathering everyone back here will take months and months more to get the move ready. Time you don't have with the enemy at your backs. It is best to severe the two worlds as soon as possible. We will be fine. We have survived this long being outcasts."
Lloyd lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I made a promise to you all, and now…."
"Our agreement stands," Tiga interrupted. "Some of us will live in Sylvarant."
Sheena gave him a gentle smile. "Don't worry about it, Lloyd. As long as I'm there teaching the chief's Igaguri style ninjutsu, it'll be home. We'll still be the people of Mizuho. You will have kept your promise."
"Now go," Tiga all but ordered. "We shall be fine. Go and cleave the world apart as quickly as you're able."
"Vice-chief, there is one more piece of business I need to address," Sheena spoke up, getting Tiga's attention. "It….it's about Kuchinawa."
Tiga looked baffled. "Kuchinawa?"
Lloyd frowned. So, he didn't know.
Sheena began to tell the vice-chief of Kuchinawa's betrayal and how he was now working for the Pope to get revenge on her for the Volt incidence.
Tiga shook his head in disgust when Sheena finished. "That foolish boy. I knew I still felt anger within him. But….I never believe that he would turn on us."
"I don't believe he turned completely," Lloyd spoke up. "If he had, Papal Knights would have invaded the villager by now."
"While that is true, he still tried to murder the successor to the chief and conspired with our enemies," Tiga replied in a grave tone. "These are crimes we can't overlook." He turned to look at Sheena. "Don't worry about Kuchinawa. He shall be dealt with. Unlike you, he can't travel between the two worlds so once the worlds are severed, Kuchinawa can't harm you."
"Vice-Chief….I ask that you have mercy on Kuchinawa," Sheena said as she bowed her head. "I…I can understand why he hates me."
"While your concern is noted, it will be I who will decide Kuchinawa's fate," Tiga said firmly, ending the conversation. "Now go and finish your mission."
Sheena bowed, knowing that there was nothing she could do. "Yes, sir."
Tiga looked at Lloyd. "Continue to take care of her."
Lloyd balled one of his fists. "I will. You have my word."
With their business done, Lloyd and Sheena left the house. To their surprise, Presea was outside waiting for them. She looked nervous.
"What's wrong?" Lloyd asked as he knelt to be at Presea's eye level.
She said nothing for a few seconds. "I…I would like to visit my daddy's grave."
Lloyd gave her a soft smile. "Of course. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Since Ozette and Mizuho were so close, the flight only took five minutes. They could have walked, but no one wanted to go through Gaoracchia Forest.
Only Lloyd and Genis accompanied Presea to the grave site. The rest chose to give the young girl her space. Presea stood by the grave for nearly half-an-hour. She didn't move nor talk and neither Lloyd or Genis disturbed her.
"Nothing remains for me here," Presea spoke softly, shattering the long silence. "But if I leave this land no one will be left to look after him."
Lloyd felt the weight of overwhelming sadness hit him. Poor Presea lost everything. Her daddy, her sister, and even her village. It was all taking from her for no good reason and punishing those who did it wouldn't bring anything back.
He wished he had met Presea sooner. Then maybe….maybe they could have prevented some of this tragedy. It was completely illogical, but he couldn't help but think that.
"It is curious," Presea went on. "I am free of any physical bonds, but my heart feels tied down to this place."
"I know the feeling," Lloyd whispered into the soft blowing wind. "It's not easy for anyone to leave their world behind. To have the world you once knew ripped away."
Presea stared at him.
"I don't remember it too much now….but when I was young my entire world disappeared. My mom died, my dad went missing, and all I had left was Noishe," Lloyd said as he felt tears build in his eyes. That first year with Dirk was the hardest even if his memories of it had all but faded. "I had no one. At least…that's what I thought. Until I realized I had a new world with Dirk."
"Lloyd…" Genis whispered. This was the first time he has ever heard Lloyd talk about his time before he met Colette. Everything he knew was secondhand information.
"I clung to my old life for a long time. I searched everyday for my dad, thinking every stranger that came to the villager must be him. It took years for me to realized that dad….wasn't coming back," Lloyd continued. His voice was thick with emotions. "I was anger. Then…I became okay with it because I realized Dirk was my dad. The figure I was looking for was just a shadow."
Presea was left shock as Lloyd opened his heart to her.
"Presea, if you decide you want to stay here, you can," Genis said once he realized Lloyd had nothing more to say. "It just means we'll have to say our goodbyes before making the last pact." He turned his head. "I hope you won't, but….but if that's what you want then it's what you should do."
Presea said nothing for several seconds. "I will consider it, thank you." She turned to Lloyd. "I'm finish here."
Lloyd wiped his eyes, realizing that he was crying. "Okay…"
They walked until they joined the group.
"So, where to now?" Zelos asked.
"I think we went everywhere," Lloyd replied, trying to wipe his eyes so no one knew he had cried.
"Lloyd, I want to see Mithos," Genis said. "I mean, since we're in the area. I want to tell him what is happening."
"Yeah, good idea," Lloyd said.
Zelos frowned, wanting to keep Mithos in the dark as long as possible in case he was a Cruxis' spy, but he couldn't come up with a justifiable excuse to avoid him.
He had to give up as they made their way to Altessa's house.
Mithos was outside with Tabatha, staring at the sky and pointing animately at something with a huge smile on his face.
Lloyd realized that this was one of the first times he had seen Mithos so….happy. For such a young boy, Mithos always had an aura of melancholy. Like he was always on the verge of crying. Even when he smiled and laughed, it felt almost force. It almost like Mithos was an old, worn-out man pretending to be a child. Perhaps, it all came from his experience of being a half-elf. But…Mithos could be older than he looked. He was a half-elf who lived much longer than a human.
"Genis! Welcome back!" Mithos exclaimed when he saw his friend. He rushed over to Genis' side. "And Raine too! Hi, everyone!"
Genis giggled at Mithos' excitement. "What are you doing?"
"MITHOS WAS TEACHING ME ABOUT DIFFERENT CLOUDS," Tabatha answered.
"Yeah! You can tell what the weather's going to be like, or if a storm is coming just from the shape of the clouds," Mithos explained.
"That's amazing!" Genis exclaimed with his eyes wide.
Mithos blushed at the compliment. "I bet you already knew that anyway."
"Yeah, but I went to school. You figured it out on your own. That's seriously incredible," Genis glanced over at Lloyd and smirk. "Lloyd goes to school and never figured it out."
Lloyd glared at his friend. "Hey!"
"What brings you by anyway?" Mithos asked. "Taking a break?"
Genis became somber, remembering why he was there.
Lloyd stepped forward and explained everything that has happened with the summon spirits and how they only have Luna and Aska left. Meaning, the final pact was in Sylvarant and once the two worlds were severed, all contact between the two worlds could be lost.
Mithos was silent through the entire explanation, taking in their every word. "So, I won't be able to play with you guys anymore? I won't see Genis ever again?"
"We don't know for sure yet," Lloyd admitted. "But there is a chance, so now we're all deciding who wants to stay here."
Mithos narrowed his eyes. "No way! You can't just leave me! We're friends!" His eyes became downcast. "Can't you just leave everything like it is?"
Genis shook his head. "No Mithos. Sylvarant and Tethe'alla would keep hurting one another. They would both be destroyed."
Mithos quickly calmed himself down as he took in the wisdom of Genis' words. "Yeah…you're right. I'm sorry for making such a fuss." Without another word, Mithos all but ran into the house.
"Hey, wait!" Genis shouted as he ran after Mithos.
Altessa chose that moment to walk out, confused by all the noise. "What happened?"
Lloyd rubbed his hand through his hair. "I think the news that he might not ever get to see Genis again hit him hard." He couldn't blame him. Mithos already lost his home only weeks ago. Now…he was losing his new best friend too.
"LLOYD AND HIS FRIENDS INTEND TO SEPARATE SYLVARANT AND TETHE'ALLA," Tabatha explained.
"I see. And so you suspect travel between the two worlds will become difficult," Altessa surmised.
"Do you disagree?" Lloyd asked.
"No, I suspect that is probably right," Altessa admitted. "The two worlds will be cleft apart with no contract between them ever again."
Colette put her hands together. "Just like in the legends. We'll never be able to visit the people of Tethe'alla way up on the moon."
This confused Zelos. "Wait, it was Sylvarant that moved to the moon."
"Tethe'alla is the moon from their preceptive," Sheena explained. "Just like Sylvarant is ours."
Genis came out of the house. His head was down. "Mithos really seems sad. Maybe I should…."
Lloyd knew what Genis was about to say. "Don't tell me you're thinking of staying here?"
While he was prepared to say goodbye to his Tethe'alla friends, as sad as that made him, he wasn't prepared for Genis leaving. They've been together so long that the thought of Genis….not being there scared him. But….it wasn't like he could make him stay.
"I don't know," Genis answered honestly. "I'm sorry. I thought I'd made my peace."
"It's okay, you still got time," Lloyd assured, trying to hide his feelings. He didn't want Genis to leave, but he wouldn't get in his way. Perhaps, Mithos needed him more.
"Why don't we go back to my house," Zelos suggested to the pensive group. "No point making any big decisions today. Besides, let's enjoy the time we have left." He grinned. "I'll throw a feast so grand that you'll never forget it."
Lloyd gave a small smile at the suggesting. "Yeah." He took out his Rheaird. One thing he did love, the Rheairds made a trip that would have taking months last only a day. He was going to miss this kind of technology once the worlds were apart.
Mithos stood by the door and he listened to them leave.
He was almost certain that making pacts with the summon spirits wouldn't separate the two worlds. At the same time, he honestly had no clue what would happened once they broke all the mana links outside of it decreasing his power.
He almost wanted to return to Derris-Kharlan and asked Kratos since he knew his old teacher would be running the proper tests. But he couldn't blow his cover yet. Not when he finally got the group to trust him. So much so that they told him of their plans and came to say goodbye. Well, everyone except the Tethe'alla Chosen. He kept giving him odd looks. He supposed he should have suspected a double agent to be untrusting of any newcomer.
For now, he would have to trust in Kratos to stop them from doing anything reckless.
"YOU SHOULDN'T BE SAD, MITHOS," Tabatha said, startling Mithos. "GENIS WANTS TO SAVE BOTH WORLDS FROM THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY CRUSIX. THE SAME ORIGINATION THAT DESTROYED YOUR HOME."
Mithos was confused until he remember that he said that backwater town was his home. "Yes…I know. But still….Genis is my first real friend." As he spoke those words, he realized how true they were.
Kratos was both his teacher and friend and Yuan….was his brother. And they both betrayed him despite those bonds. Yuan especially since he created an entire organization to oppose him.
The doll that looked disturbing like his sister stared at him, as if reading him like Martel used to do. He hated this thing and he despised Altessa for not destroying it when it proved to be a failure as Martel's vessel. Did he keep it around to mock him?
"I'M SURE GENIS FEELS MUCH THE SAME. WHICH IS WHY HE'S CONSIDERING STAYING IN TETHE'ALLA TO BE WITH YOU," Tabatha said.
"I've heard," Mithos replied. He was truly touched that Genis cared for him so much that he was willing to consider abandoning his friends and possibly even his sister to stay with him.
But he already knew what Genis' decision would be. He would never abandoned the Angelus and he would never leave his sister if she chose to stay in Sylvarant. Their bond wasn't that strong.
That and it wasn't just Genis. He has actually grown fond of most of the group.
Raine was so much like Martel, yet so different at the same time. Martel was always filled with hope and saw the best in everyone….which eventually got her killed. Raine was cold, calculating, and cynical much like him. Yet, she somehow had the same caring warmth that Martel had. That beneath all her cynicism was the hope for a brighter future.
The Angelus…..no Lloyd, reminded him of himself. Or more specifically, the him that existed during the Kharlan War. The young, naive boy who thought he could changed the world and the hearts of humans. The boy that died when Martel took her last breaths. He now understood why the Dark King called him his shadow.
He also grew to like Colette as a person and not as just another vessel. Her hope and love for the world and its people were like his sister to the point that it almost felt like Colette was a reincarnation of Martel. It was to the point that he deeply regretted that she had to die. Was this the same pang of guilt Yuan felt towards Spiritua?
There was also Presea who like him had her world torn apart and wanted to avenge the wrongs done to her. He had seen it in her eyes. Despite her trying to hide it, she hated the man Regal who he was certain was the one who killed her sister after she turned into a monster by having a crestless exsphere. While he could see in Regal's eyes that he deeply regretted what he did, regret didn't lessen the need for revenge. The need for justice.
"WHY DON'T I MAKE YOUR FAVORITE FOR DINNER," Tabatha offered, cutting through Mithos' throughs again. "I'M SURE THAT WILL CHEER YOU UP."
Mithos looked at Tabatha and for the briefest of moments, he saw Martel smiling at him. The visage left him stunned until it quickly faded. "Th…thank you. I would like that."
Not a very eventful chapter despite every summon spirit being done outside of Luna. But I thought using the tour from the game was importance both for character interaction and to give a slight break before we reach the climax of Act II. If I keep updating semi-regularly, no promises, we should be at the end of this act before next year.
Until then, take care.