Another chapter ready and we've reached the penultimate chapter of Act II. It honestly doesn't feel that long ago when I posted the Tower of Salvation chapter that was the climax of Act I. Now, I'm close to seeing the end of this story and it feels so surreal. Anyway, thanks to everyone who has been supporting this story.
Now, onward to the chapter.
Chapter 81: Iselia Ranch
This wasn't the way he thought he would return to Iselia. When he left here over six months ago, he sworn never to return until he atone for what he had done. For all the lives that were meaninglessly lost because of his recklessness.
So far….he hasn't come close to atoning for the suffering his caused. If anything, he only made things worst. Thanks to him, a rampaging tree threatened to destroy Sylvarant and take Tethe'alla with it.
All because he was rash, yet again.
He could blame Yuan all he wanted, but in the end they were making summoning pacts before their teamed up with the Renegades. In their zeal to free the two worlds, they may have damned both of them.
And…even if the rampaging tree was stopped, who knew how much damaged it would do to Sylvarant. This world has already suffered enough and he just added to it. He felt sick. Was everything they've done for nothing?
"Lloyd…." Colette's voice whispered.
Lloyd looked up to his childhood friend and saw her worries and sadness.
He then felt even lower. His pain was nothing compared to Colette's. It was her duty to save the world and selflessly give her life to become an angel. Yet, she given up on World Regeneration and her decision has led to their current plight.
It disgusted Lloyd to think that even for a second, he considered that it would have been better for Colette to be sacrificed if it meant that this didn't happened. One life for two worlds….even if it didn't fix anything longterm.
"It's not your fault," Colette spoke firmly like she was reading his thoughts.
"But…" Lloyd started.
Colette firmly shook her head. "You did what you thought was best to save the two worlds. You couldn't have foreseen this happening."
Lloyd lowered his head. "I know. But…it doesn't make things easier. And worse….this could have been prevent if we've listened to Kratos. I….I let my anger get the best of me."
"One can hardly blame you for not trusting Kratos," Raine chimed in. "For what he's done to us….to you Lloyd, he didn't deserve the benefit of a doubt."
Lloyd took note that Raine didn't bothered to lower her voice despite Kratos standing only a little ahead of them and he would've been able to hear them regardless if she whispered because of his angel's senses. She wanted Kratos to know that he played a big part in this screwup.
"Besides, it's all in the past. What we need to focus on now, which is stopping the tree before it does any longterm damage," Raine stated.
He knew that the Professor was right. He could moped after they saved Sylvarant.
"Why did you bring me along? You don't need me in order to stop the mana reactor," Kratos suddenly asked. The group made it abundantly clear that they neither liked or trusted him, not that he blamed them. So why torment themselves with his company?
Lloyd looked up to the older swordsman. "Because I don't trust Cruxis. It just happens that this time, our goals, your goals, and those of the Renegades coincide, but we don't know what's going to happen next. It's easier to keep an eye on you if you're close by."
Kratos almost wanted to chuckle. So Lloyd wanted to keep his enemies close. He has certainly matured in his absence. "I see. A wise decision."
"How are we going to get in?" Genis asked as he stared at the towering gates of the Ranch. Unlike Magnius and Kvar's Ranches, no one was guarding the gate. This unnerved the young mage since there were always guards here.
"I'll jump down inside from the cliff and open the door," Lloyd replied. Since there was no point in sneaking in, it was better to do a direct approached. Besides, at his current level, no Desian guard could stop him.
Kratos stepped forward. "No, let me go. I can simply fly over the gate."
Before Lloyd could say anything, Kratos opened his wings and flew over the steel gate.
That worked too, Lloyd mused. Since Kratos didn't need to hide himself anymore, he could make full used of his angel's powers. This made things even easier since Kratos while holding back was able to tear through Ranches like a one-man army.
Within seconds, the main gate was opened.
To Lloyd's surprised, there was no one in the yard. From the looks of things, everyone was cleared out recently. He guessed there was little point in working people to death while the world was ending. He supposed that was a small mercy to the poor people here.
"Hard to believe I'm fighting together with you again like this," Lloyd noted as he walked by Kratos' side. For a moment, it almost felt like old times.
"Does it displease you?" Kratos asked, showing no emotion.
Lloyd turned his eyes away from the man. He honestly didn't know how he felt.
Despite everything…..he was happy to have Kratos as an ally again. That despite all his denials, he missed Kratos. Not for his power, at least not anymore, but for his wisdom and guidance. He missed being able to talk to his former mentor. To talk about swordsmanship, the stars, human nature, and stories about Mithos.
He dearly missed those things….even if it were all lies and manipulations. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to let Kratos go.
"Oh, please," he grumbled. "Of course I'm not happy about it. And I don't trust you, either." Personal feelings aside, there was no way he was going to tell Kratos the truth. He was too good at emotional manipulation for him to leave himself opened. The moment he lowered his guard, he was certain that Kratos would put a sword in his heart again.
Kratos closed his eyes. "Good. That's how you should be. Because you and I are enemies."
Lloyd noticed that Kratos hesitated slightly when he called himself his 'enemy'. Or…perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on him. One thing for sure, he had to be at his sharpest around the older swordsman. He wouldn't let the man deceived him again.
Mithos mourned in pain as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Try not to move, lad," Altessa advised. "It's a miracle that you weren't killed by that landslide."
Mithos attempted to take in Altessa's words. "…Landslide…"
"Ay. Earthquakes suddenly started all across Tethe'alla and…they've been steadily getting worse." He gave a long sigh. "I hate to think about it, but I fear that the others are in grave danger."
It took Mithos several seconds to register Altessa's words before a pang of panic hit him. "Is Martel alright?"
This caught Altessa off-guard. "Martel?"
Mithos suddenly realized what he said. "I'm sorry… I must be still light in the head."
"IS MITHOS OKAY?" Tabatha asked in worry.
"Besides the concession, he should be fine," Altessa assured before turning back to Mithos. "Although, you really shouldn't have risked yourself for Tabatha like that. While I have grown quite fond of her over these years, she's still a doll. She isn't worth losing your life over. Especially when I can repair her."
Mithos was confused for a moment.
"THANK YOU, MITHOS. YOU SAVED ME," Tabatha said graciously as she bowed before him.
Now he remembered.
That doll was nearly buried in a landslide after that huge earthquake happened. An earthquake that was an aftereffect of Lloyd and the others making the final pact. In his weakened, delirious state, he instinctually pushed Tabatha out of the way. That….thing looked so much like his sister that at that moment….he thought she was Martel.
"It was nothing," he spoke in a soft tone.
There was another earthquake that rocked the cave, which confused Mithos. Why were they still earthquakes after the mana link was severed? Now that he thought about it, didn't Altessa just say that more earthquakes were happening and they were getting worse? What was happening?
"Do you mind if I be left alone for awhile?" Mithos requested. "I'm feeling kinda tired."
"Of course, lad. You need to rest," Altessa said as he stood up from his chair. "Come Tabatha. You can make Mithos a meal so he can get his strength back."
Tabatha nodded. "UNDERSTOOD."
They both walked out of the room, leaving the young half-elf to rest. When he was certain that they were out of earshot, he got out of bed and made his way to the nearby window, fighting his bouts of dizziness.
He hated to do this since he broke all contact with Cruxis, but he needed to know what was happening. This wasn't the time to worry about his cover, especially since Lloyd and the others weren't around at the moment.
He unsteadily climbed out the window and landing with a dull thug on his butt. After recollecting himself, he walked until he was nearly in the forest. He had to make certain no one saw him, especially Altessa. He still needed that old fool around before he executed him.
"Pronyma," Mithos mentally called.
Within a few minutes, Pronyma appeared before him.
"Lord Yggdrasill…." she started before she paused. This was the first time he has seen Mithos in his 'boy' form.
"I am certain you have many questions, but this isn't the time," Mithos said, getting to the point. Despite him not being in his adult form, his voice and demeanor still carried the full weight of being the leader of Cruxis.
Pronyma quickly recomposed herself. "Yes…yes, my lord."
"What is happening?" Mithos asked.
"The Chosen group severed all the mana links. When that happened, the Great Seed was suddenly blasted by a large amount of mana from Rodyle and Forcystus' Ranches, which has made the Great Seed unstable," Pronyma explained. "It's currently germinating into a twisted form and is going out of control. At this rate, both worlds will be destroyed." She paused for a moment. Fear was visible from her eyes as she spoke her next words. "Martel has also been engulfed by the tree."
Mithos felt his heart stopped. "Martel…."
"At the moment, Martel isn't in danger," Pronyma quickly added. "As long as that twisted tree remains intact, she should be fine."
Mithos folded his arms. "So….we can't get that tree under control without harming Martel?"
"We are doing tests now, but it maybe too late by the time they're finished," Pronyma said. "I have contacted Lord Kratos and Lord Yuan about this. While I haven't heard back from Kratos yet, Yuan says that he's working on a solution."
"I bet he is," Mithos thought darkly. Knowing Yuan, his plan would most likely kill Martel. That couldn't be allowed. A thought suddenly came to him. "You said that a large blast of mana came from Forcystus' Ranch?"
"Yes, my lord," Pronyma confirmed. "From Forcystus' reports, several Renegades' spies were captured and executed. They were the ones who activated the mana reactor to give the Great Seed mana."
It made sense. That also would explained why Yuan had Lloyd raid Rodyle's Ranch. So, it wasn't for control of the Mana Cannon.
"I see, so that was what he was up to," Mithos said to himself.
It would appeared that Yuan's plan was to have the Chosen group severe the mana links via the summon spirits and then germinate the Great Seed by drowning it in mana from the reactors from the still active Ranches.
However, in Yuan's shortsightedness, he didn't run the proper tests to make sure that the Great Seed was stable enough to survive such a massive transfer of mana since it has spent millennia being pulled by both sides, keeping Sylvarant and Tethe'alla from drifting a part. He was lucky that the Great Seed germinated into a mutated monster instead of exploding.
This lapse of judgement was so unlike Yuan that Mithos was left disturbed. He could have killed Martel and destroyed both worlds. Luckily for everyone, only the worlds would be destroyed. Martel was safe, for the moment, and Derris-Kharlan shouldn't be affected. As long as those remained intact, the situation was salvageable.
"Tell Forcystus that at all cost not to shut down the mana reactor," Mithos ordered. "Keep it running even if Kratos or Yuan orders otherwise."
Pronyma was taken aback by the order. "My lord, if the Great Seed continues to get mana it will only get bigger and more unstable. At its current rate of growth, Sylvarant will be destroyed within twenty-four hours and Tethe'alla will follow within a week."
"I don't care about that!" Mithos sneered. "What I care about is making sure Martel is safe. If we cut off the mana flow now, Martel could be absorb into the Great Seed. We can't allow that to happen."
"I…understand, my lord." She hesitated. "What of the Angelus and Chosen? They would no doubt invade Forcystus' Ranch if they were part of the Renegades' plan."
Mithos said nothing for a moment. "Kill them. Right now Martel's survival is more important than the Angelus….or the Chosen."
Pronyma was left speechless.
He was actually willing to sacrifice the worlds, the Angelus, and even the Chosen to keep that twisted tree alive? What was even the point of keeping Martel in this existence if she had no body to inhabit? Surly, not even Yggdrasill would condemned Martel to exist within the Great Seed forever? Has Yggdrasill's madness really reached the point where he would damn his own sister to an eternity in isolation?
And what of the Desians? There was no way that they could evacuate everyone before Sylvarant was destroyed. Was Yggdrasill also going to sacrifice them?
"You have an issue with my orders, Pronyma?" Mithos asked as he narrowed his eyes, disliking how Pronyma went silent on him. For the first time since he had known Pronyma, he saw doubt in her expression.
Pronyma hastily bowed. "As… as you wish, my lord." She quickly disappeared.
Mithos stood in silence.
Despite his orders, he knew that the chances of the reactor remaining active was next to zero. With Lloyd's awakened power and the Chosen being a full angel even if she was sick, Forcystus would be utterly outmatched. After all, a far weaker Chosen group gave Pronyma a hard time and Forcystus wasn't much stronger than her.
Kratos would also get involved since he would never let the worlds be destroyed. At the very least, Kratos would take actions that would preserved Martel….unlike Yuan.
He wanted to go handled things himself, but he was honestly out of his depth. He couldn't think of a solution that could save the worlds and Martel, and he didn't want to blow his cover just yet to intervene. Rather he liked it or not, he was going to have to depend on Kratos to handle the situation and keep an eye on Lloyd and Yuan.
"Damn…" Mithos cussed under his breath as he headed back to the house. He couldn't linger too long, otherwise Altessa would noticed that he was missing.
Getting in was too easy and security was the lightest he's seen at any of the Ranches even compared to Rodyle's, outside of strange lights that patrolled the ceiling. Kratos said those were alarms and to avoid them at all costs.
"Forcystus would know that someone will come to shut down the mana reactor," Kratos informed. "So most of the security will most likely be around that area."
"Can't we just destroy the Ranch?" Genis asked. "That would be quicker and easier than trying to reach the reactor."
"If we're going to do that, we have to rescue the prisoners," Lloyd said.
Raine shook her head. "We don't have time this time around. Let's destroy or stop the mana reactor while rescuing Chocolat and the others."
Regal looked towards Kratos. "Where are the prisoners held? I assume you know this Ranch's layout."
Kratos folded his arms. "It's been some time since I visited this Ranch, but I have an idea where the prisoners are being held. If I recall correctly, they're held within the western wing. Which is within the same area as the mana reactor."
"Then, we may be able to rescue them at the same time," Lloyd spoke in a hopeful tone.
"There is insufficient time," Presea stated in her cold logic. "It would be a seventy percent loss."
Lloyd turned towards the young girl. "But…."
"She's right," Kratos interrupted. "Time isn't something we have a lot of. The longer we take, the more damage that tree will do. We also have to keep in mind that Forcystus will not let us just turn off the reactor."
Lloyd glared at his former teacher. "Then, what do you suggest?"
"It's the same as in Kvar's Ranch. We will have to divide into teams," Kratos stated in his usual calm manner.
"What should we do, Lloyd?" Colette asked.
Lloyd ran a hand through his hair. "I'll go to the mana reactor. Chocolat hates me, anyway."
"Wise decision," Kratos said. Chocolat, after all, chose to be recaptured by the Desians and sent to enslavement the last time Lloyd tried to save her.
"But, who's coming with you?" Genis asked.
Lloyd looked over the group. He wanted to take Kratos since he wanted to keep close watch on the man. But….logically he should go with the prisoner team. He knew this Ranch and could get everyone to safety quickly. No matter what, he didn't want what happened with Rodyle to be repeated. If Forcystus did try to execute the prisoners, Kratos could stop it.
With that decided, it was now a question on how he should divide the others.
He needed someone strong to keep watched over Kratos. The only person he could think of for such a duty was Raine. If anyone could keep Kratos in line, it was her.
But he needed a healer for his group. Which left either Zelos or Regal. While Regal could heal, his abilities were far more limited than Zelos', so he would be the natural choice.
Now he needed someone to fight on the front line with him if Zelos was going to be the team healer. And there was no one better than Presea.
That only left the question if he should take Colette or Regal. While he didn't want Colette near Forcystus, he also didn't want her near Kratos. The man could easily betray them again and take Colette while they were busy with the Grand Cardinal. While a part of him told him that Kratos would never do something that underhanded, he chose to listen to the voice that told him Kratos was his enemy.
"Okay, I've decided," Lloyd said after reconfirming his choice. "Zelos, Presea, and Colette will come with me." He turned towards his former teacher. "Kratos, you will lead the rescue team with Raine, Regal, and Genis."
Genis frowned. "Awe, I wanted to come with you, Lloyd." Besides, he owed Forcystus for what he did to Marble and Iselia.
Lloyd gave a sad smile. "I wanted to take you too, but it's best to split into an even number."
Kratos eyed Lloyd carefully. "I'm surprise you didn't put me on your team."
"Believe me, I wanted to," Lloyd said before he paused for several seconds. "But….my feelings for you aside, I know that you can safely lead the prisoners out. You maybe Cruxis, but I know you hate the Human Ranch as much as anyone."
Kratos was taken aback by his son's foresight. There was also a hint of sadness in his tone that wasn't directed at him, and he had a good idea why.
When the Renegades took over Rodyle's Ranch, there was no reports of anyone leaving besides several Rheairds. Not a single ship left the island and he knew that the Renegades would never keep humans prisoners. Which told him that Rodyle mostly likely had all his prisoners executed before his death. If that was the case, Lloyd would feel responsible for not saving everyone. Especially if he watched as they died, which was well within Rodyle's character.
"Let's stay together until we reach Chocolat's location. That will be faster," Raine advised.
"Gotcha," Lloyd said with a nod.
The group began to move again, but before Lloyd could get ahead of everyone, Raine lightly tapped him on the shoulder. "I know why you put me on the rescue team," she said.
Lloyd looked away from his teacher.
"Don't worry. I will keep close watch over him. Just focus on shutting down the mana reactor."
Lloyd gave a small smile. "Thanks, Professor."
"Lloyd," Kratos suddenly interrupted.
Lloyd glared at him. "What is it?"
"Since I won't be with you, I thought it would be important that you knew about Forcystus," Kratos stated.
This gave Lloyd paused. He'd forgetting about that. What a rookie mistake on his part.
"Forcystus is on a different level than the other Grand Cardinals you've fought. His combat ability surpasses those of Pronyma and in terms of magic he is above average," Kratos said.
Lloyd took in this information. "He sounds like a real piece of work."
"Forcystus was in line to be the leader of the Five Grand Cardinals before Pronyma usurped the position," Kratos went on. "So he would be naturally very powerful."
"Yeah….I think I remember Kvar saying something like that," Lloyd remarked. That felt like years ago. "So…he's even tougher than that Pronyma woman?"
Kratos paused at the question. "I would put them at about even. Forcystus is stronger, but Pronyma is the most powerful magician with Kvar being dead. What he does have over Pronyma is combat experience, so stay on guard."
"Yeah, I will," Lloyd said, taking in Kratos advised. Enemy or not, he wasn't going to let this information go to waste.
They moved quickly and unlike all the other times they invaded a Desian Ranch they forgo stealth. While they still made sure to avoid the security sensors, they didn't bothered hiding their presence to any Desian guard that unfortunately ran into them.
Between Kratos no longer bothering to hold back, the urgency of shutting down the mana reactor as soon as possible, and the overall increased strength of the entire group, it was just more efficient and faster to go in like a wrecking ball.
Lloyd couldn't help feeling a sense of joy as he took down rows of Desians. This Ranch in particularly has haunted him for years. For almost as long as he could remember, he was forced to stand by and do nothing as he watched people being slowly worked to death as they wallowed in their own filth.
For his own safety, as well as the safety of those in Iselia, there was nothing he could do to save those people. When he did try to act and save one life, it only led to more misery with Marble's death hanging over him like an unyielding storm cloud. Which in turned lead to Chocolat current situation.
Now….he truly had the power to make a different. No longer did he have to lower his head and pretend that he didn't hear people screaming and crying. No more did he have to run and hide when a Desian guard saw him. He finally had the strength to save people. There would be no more victims.
His eyes narrowed. And…he will finally avenge Marble.
"The detention area is here!" Kratos exclaimed as he pushed the door opened.
To everyone's surprised, there were several prisoners out of their cells fighting their captives. While they were losing, there were several dead Desians on the floor with others being critically wounded.
"What the…"Genis started.
"Looks like we came in the middle of a prison break," Zelos mused.
"Chosen One!"
Colette looked up to see Chocolat.
She was surrounded by several guards and bleeding from several places. However, she looked remarkably well. Granted, she was skinny to the point that bones could be seen, her hair was matted and dirty, and her eyes sunken with dark circles, but they expected much worst from someone who has been at a Ranch for several months. Most died within a few months.
Several Desians turned towards them. "So you're the intruders!"
A Desian sneered at them. "The host bodies began to revolt when they heard you were here! You'll pay for this!"
Lloyd brought his swords up and glared. "So you like kicking people around, huh? Well now, it's payback time!"
Everyone charged forward and no mercy was shown. Despite the Desians' best effects, they were quickly overwhelmed. Too long have they handled half-dead humans that they lost their ability to fight people who could fight back. It only took ten minutes before the room was cleared of all the Desians. Those who were smart retreated while their comrades were killed.
Zelos snorted. "Too easy. Dirt farmers could put up a better fight."
Regal shook his head. "These cowards lost all their fighting instincts."
As they talked, one of the prisoners fell on their knees. "Thank you so much."
Chocolat didn't look at the group. She was too busy staring at the floor. "…..Thank you…."
Lloyd glanced around the room, quickly noting how many prisoners were there. "Are there any others here?"
"I think the people in the other rooms managed to get away already," one prisoner replied. "Although many were killed, prisoners began to revolt when that giant tree appeared. Things really got out of hand when we got word that the Chosen was here."
Colette put her hands together. She abandoned this world yet….people still believed in her.
Raine stepped forward. "Well then, we'll take the captives just as planned."
Lloyd nodded as he turned towards Kratos. He gave the man a hard look. "Kratos….I'm counting on you."
Kratos heard his son's unspoken plea. A plea not to allow anyone else to die. "Leave it to me. Just don't fail on your own mission."
"I know," Lloyd replied.
Raine, Regal, and Genis quickly gathered all the remaining prisoners.
"Come everyone, this way," Raine ordered as she lifted her staff in the air.
Regal walked over to Kratos. "We can handle the front and give cover to the Professor and Genis."
"Sounds like a plan," Kratos said.
Chocolat stood near the back, still unable to meet anyone's eyes. "I…."
Lloyd looked at her and gave Chocolat a small, but forced smile. "If you don't want to be saved by me, just consider yourself rescued by the Chosen."
Chocolat gave no response.
"Now hurry and go!" Lloyd ordered.
Chocolat obediently obeyed the order and followed the rescue team out of the holding area.
"Hey, I know you have a rough history with that girl, but we need to get moving," Zelos said. "The more the security focuses on us, the less likely that they will chase after the prisoners. Their main priority, after all, is protecting the mana reactor."
"Zelos is correct," Presea said before she paused. "I can understand Chocolat's feelings, but it wasn't your fault. About what happened with Marble."
This gave Lloyd pause.
"It was Marble's choice to sacrifice herself to save you and Genis. Don't go regretting her sacrifice," Presea said.
She knew that she was being a hypocrite. What Lloyd did was honestly no different than what Regal did to her sister outside of Lloyd not landing the killing blow. But….not only did she not blamed Lloyd for his actions, she supported them. Given the situation, there was nothing that could have been done to save that poor old woman and keeping her alive would have caused more needless causalities.
And yet….she couldn't bring herself to fully accept that point-of-view with Alicia. That Regal killing her saved so many lives and that her sister was beyond saving.
Perhaps it was because she didn't know Marble. The woman was long dead by the time she met Lloyd and she now only existed as an exsphere on Genis' hand. She knew her sister and felt robbed that she lost the time she could have shared with her. If she was aware, she could have prevent Alicia's death. She truly believed that.
But…what done was done. As she said herself….there was no way to turn back time.
"Thank you, Presea," Lloyd whispered.
Colette walked over and hugged Lloyd's arm.
"Okay, let's go," Lloyd finally said.
The group moved swiftly and Lloyd quickly learned that the Ranch was far more complex than it first seemed. It was much like Rodyle's Ranch in that it had multiple floors with elevators locked by contrive means.
He started to wish that he brought either Raine or Kratos since they were good with this kind of stuff. The only person they had that was remotely good with machinery was Zelos.
They were also constantly attacked every time they entered a room and it was slowly wearing on their endurance since they were trying to save themselves for Forcystus, who was no doubt waiting for them at the mana reactor.
In some ways, this was a good thing since if Forcystus was focusing on stopping them, then he wasn't trying to stop the prisoners from escaping. Which was one less worry, he supposed.
After a short eternity, they reached a hallway filled with security lasers.
"Bet this leads to the man reactor," Zelos noted. "Why else would they buff up security like this."
"Hitting those lasers will be ninety-eight precent fatal," Presea remarked.
"Well…we just can't hit those lasers," Lloyd replied.
"Easier said than done. Not all of us are nimble like you," Zelos said.
Lloyd shook his head. "We don't have a choice. We have to shut down that reactor before Sylvarant is destroyed."
With that, they carefully made their way through the hallway. It was tedious and heart-pounding work avoiding the lasers that could instantly kill them. Especially for Colette who was never gracefully and nearly got hit several times.
By some miracle, they managed to reach the door in one piece.
"Thank goodness, we survived," Lloyd whispered.
Zelos was panting as he looked over his singed clothing. "Let's…never do that again. Thought I saw my life flash before my eyes."
"But we all made it," Colette spoke in her usual cheerful manner.
Zelos shook his head. "Nothing gets you down, huh?"
Presea started at the warp. "I sense something powerful on the other side."
This got Lloyd's attention. "It must be Forcystus."
Colette put her hands together. "He feels different from the other Grand Cardinals. He feels calm, yet very powerful."
That matched up with what Kratos told him. They were about to face someone who could have been the leader of all the Desians. He wouldn't go down easy like Rodyle, and they were missing half their team.
He began to wish again that he brought Kratos, but he quickly banished the thought. He couldn't depend on the man. If he was going to fight Cruxis and….eventually surpass Kratos, he needed to be about to take down a Grand Cardinal.
"Let's go," Lloyd said as he walked towards the warp with the others behind him.
Soon, they were in a large room that had a narrow hallway that led to a large computer console. That had to be the reactor.
"That's as far as you go," a stern voice spoke.
From the corner of his eye, the Grand Cardinal made his presence known. "Forcystus"
Forcystus chuckled. "Well, well, so you remember me. While I was under orders, it looks like it was a mistake to let you live. I guess I'll have to take care of you personally."
Lloyd was shocked by Forcystus's words.
He was under orders not to kill him back in Iselia? Then what was turning Marble into a monster all about? And why was he ordered to spare him to begin with? They didn't need him alive for his exsphere.
"Please, let us through," Colette pleaded with any speck of Forcystus's conscience. "The Great Seed is out of control. The whole world will perish unless we stop the seed!"
Forcystus stared at her.
"Please, you're not like the other Grand Cardinals. I don't sense the same aura of cruelty in your heart," Colette kept begging. "Surely, you can't want the world to be destroyed."
"What do I care?" Forcystus said coldly. "Even if the world is destroyed, it's of no concern to us half-elves."
This took Colette aback. "Why?! The world is vital to everyone!"
Zelos took in Forcystus' words and snorted. "I see, so that's how it is."
Forcystus glared at Zelos. "Chosen of Tethe'alla. You've sealed your fate by coming here."
Zelos rolled his eyes. "My fate isn't gonna mean squat if the world is destroyed. And besides, you half-elves aren't exactly gonna be able to live without the world either, now are you?"
"We have Derris-Kharlan!" Forcystus declared. "It is a world of mana, the very source of life! The destruction of this tainted world is of no concern to us."
This made Zelos laughed. Unlike his cocky, carefree laugh, this laugh was full coldness and malice. It actually made Lloyd stepped back in shock.
"How naive," Zelos mocked once he found his voice.
"What did you say?" Forcystus sneered.
Zelos crossed his arms and glared at the half-elf with an expression that gave Forcystus pause. "Desians are nothing more than collateral to Cruxis. You exist as mindless drones to do Cruxis' dirty work and be thrown away when no longer needed like the 'inferior beings' you so despise." He glanced at Colette. "They can't even be bothered to save the Chosen that they spent millennia breeding and sacrificing the Desians for."
"Silence! How dare you speak ill of Lord Yggdrasill!" Forcystus shouted in rage.
"Open your eyes!" Zelos shouted back. "Cruxis left you and the other Grand Cardinals as fodder for the Chosen and her 'guardian angel'. They thought nothing of letting Magnius get killed and hundreds of other Desians being slaughter by their agent just because they had the misfortune of doing their duty at the wrong time."
There was a long pause. "Magnius' death was….unfortunate, but he brought it on himself for letting himself be deceived, and Kvar and Rodyle were traitors," Forcystus attempted to reason, although his demeanor wasn't as strong as before. "As for the other Desians….they were sacrificed to bring about the Age of Half-Elves."
"And what makes you think that you're not one of those sacrifices?" Zelos asked viciously.
Forcystus had no answer.
"If this continues, not only the world, but the Great Seed will be lost as well. Is that what you want?" Presea questioned, trying to speak logically. It was very apparent that Forcystus wouldn't be moved by an emotional argument. "Isn't the Great Seed important to Yggdrasill?"
Forcystus chuckled at her. "You naive girl. It is Lord Yggdrasill's order that the Great Seed be left alone."
This made everyone fall silence for several seconds.
"It's because Martel is fused with the Great Seed, isn't it?" Zelos asked, although he already knew the answer. "He's really willing to sacrifice the world to protect her?"
What the hell was Martel for Yggdrasill to let everything be destroyed? The Desians, the worlds, and even the Chosens….they were all meaningless to him? Was this why Yuan and Kratos didn't bother to order Forcystus to turn off the reactor?
Lloyd shook his head. "This is crazy! Don't you know what you're saying!? You say all half-elves will be safe, but even if what you say is true, Cruxis will only spare the half-elves who are part of the Desians. What about the half-elves like Genis and the Professor? Are you really going to let them all just die!?"
"Half-elves who take up arms against us are traitors," Forcystus said with a hint of regret. "And I'm sure Lord Yggdrasill will try to save as many half-elves as possible before the worlds are destroyed."
Lloyd sneered under his breath. "How can you say that when Yggdrasill allow the half-elves in Tethe'alla to suffer, under humans no less who are using the name of the Goddess Martel and Cruxis? Half-elves that have done nothing wrong and are trying to live their lives to the best of their ability. How can you possibly stand there and say that Yggdrasill will save them when he has done nothing to help them right now!?"
Forcystus once again had no answer and seemed a little shaken showing that Lloyd's words had an effect, but he refused to waver. No matter what they said, his heart and mind fully belonged to Cruxis.
Zelos rolled his eyes. "You really bought into all of this. A true believer to the bitter end even when the truth is smacking you in the face like a cold fish."
"At this rate, this operation will be compromised," Presea warned as she raised her axe. It was obvious that Forcystus couldn't be reason with. "It appears peaceful negotiation isn't possible. Brute force is our only option."
Colette lowered her head. She prayed that this could have been resolved without anymore bloodshed.
Zelos ran a hand through his hair. He suppose in the end, a Desian was still a Desian. "Let's just ignore this zealot. We don't have the time to be dealing with the Desian's victim complex."
Lloyd growled as he removed his swords, both angry and frustrated that Forcystus couldn't see reason. "I know."
"You will not get past me!" Forcystus declared as two weird machines came by his side.
And the fight against Forcystus and the finale of Act II starts next chapter. Forcystus is interesting that he supposedly have more depth than the other Grand Cardinals, but in game he's just as much as a bastard as the rest of them and his screen time is so short he comes off as shallow. I did considered expanding his role, but he honestly played no part in the greater story even as a footnote. Then again, maybe I'm just not creative enough.
Anyway, until next chapter.