Insaneiac: Well kiddies, leave it to me to double my Fanfiction workload. Oh well, I can handle it. I'm tough and stuff. Enough of this boasting though. This story is a response to a challenge laid down by LINKed Up, and is an answer to "The Grudge" challenge. The big thing to point out is that this is Sheena/Lloyd focal. Other things are that this will have spoilers, big ones, and begins just after Lloyd and Genis are banished from Iselia. You've been warned. Honestly though, I hope you all just enjoy the story. One last thing, thoughts are done in 'Italics with single quotation marks at the beginning and end' just like that.
Disclaimer: NAMCO owns Tales of Symphonia. I own nothing.
"We're leaving tomorrow at noon. So would you come to the village around then?" Colette chimed, smiling happily at her brown eyed friend. She and Lloyd had always been close, always willing to help out one another. That was why she was doing this. To help Lloyd in the only way she knew how.
"…Okay! You got it. Now I'll be able to see you become an angel with my own eyes." Lloyd replied excitedly, staring off at the stars. Had he been watching Colette, he would have noticed her eyes quickly grow guilty before retaining their shallow happiness. It was the one rare time Lloyd didn't catch on to her, something that made it all the more painful and all the harder for her to do. Struggling, she switched the subject, desperate to focus on something a little less horrible.
"…Hehe, yeah. So Lord Remiel really is my father. I'm the child of an angel."
"Does it matter? Regardless of who your real father is, you're still you. Nothing's changed. You just have two fathers. Just think of yourself as being lucky for having more than most people do." Lloyd replied, his cheerful disposition blatantly evident.
Colette tilted her head slightly and closed her eyes, smiling in agreement. "I suppose you're right. I guess I am pretty lucky after all."
"Considering how clumsy you are, lucky seems like the right word." Lloyd joked, earning himself a playful shove from Colette. The two broke into a gentle laughter, before an eerie silence overtook them. "World regeneration, huh. It's kind of exciting."
"Yeah…releasing the seals, becoming an angel, then finally…" Colette mumbled, slapping herself mentally for not stopping herself.
"Huh? Finally?" Lloyd replied, turning his gaze to Colette.
"Um, nothing. Anyway, if we go to the Seal of Fire, I'll get to see my father again. I'm going to do my best." Colette answered back, a slight tinge of panic within her voice as she began, but it was quickly drowned away by her gentle confidence.
"Yeah, me too." He replied, pumping his fist in the air as a sign of determination. "For this world and for you Colette." He finished, smiling at his innocent little friend. For a brief moment, Lloyd and Colette's eyes met in the middle, and before either of them could say a thing, the terrace door swung open. Both turned their heads towards the door to notice Raine and Genis standing there.
"Colette, are you ready to go?" Raine interrupted, semi-impatiently.
"Ah, yes. I'm coming. See you later, Lloyd." Colette said, once again wearing her warm smile on her face. Yet for some reason, Lloyd didn't feel anything from it. This, of course, was something he had failed to take as something important.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah…goodbye…" Colette finished, before following Raine and leaving the house, leaving a pleasantly oblivious Lloyd all to his lonesome. With another fist pump, Lloyd turned to the door.
"Time to make her that gift I promised!"
------Present Day------
Lloyd stopped in his tracks for a minute, sighing as he looked back towards where they had come, to what had once been his old home. He could still see fresh plumes of smoke drifting through the air, another reminder of just how weak he was. Had he been stronger, he could have saved the village. At least that was what he thought and, currently, tortured himself with. 'That's why Colette lied to me…she thinks I'm too weak to help her…' With a very heavy sigh, Lloyd turned away from the village and continued walking, bumping into Genis.
"Lloyd, are you paying any attention to me at all?" Genis yelled, throwing his hands up into the air. Doing his best to regain himself, Lloyd smiled at his friend. At the very least, Lloyd could blame his lapse of attention on the scorching heat in the desert.
"Yah. Of course I am." He lied. Inside his head, he could hear his father clearly ringing in his head "Lying is the first step on the path to thievery." 'Stupid Dwarven Vows.' "It's just really…really hot." Lloyd complained, wiping off some sweat off his brow. He knew it had failed miserably when he caught the "You-know-better-than-to-lie-to-me" glare from Genis.
"You liar…you were thinking about that Kratos weren't you?"
"No! I was…Ah it's not important. Let's just get to Triet already." Lloyd huffed, pushing ahead of Genis.
"I get it now. You're mad at me aren't you? I'm sorry Lloyd, I didn't mean to…" Genis began, apologizing for what seemed like the 300th time in the last hour. He was silenced by Lloyd when he spun around on his heels, and stared Genis dead in the eyes. "Lloyd…what's with that look? It's kind of creeping me out.
"Not that either." Lloyd replied in a cocky tone, annoying Genis even further. "Also, I think you've broken Colette's record for saying sorry Genis." Lloyd quipped, his voice hardening around her name. 'Why would you lie to me Colette? You should have at least told me part of the truth!'
"Then what is it already Lloyd? I'm your best friend, you can trust me!" Genis proclaimed, earning himself a longwinded sigh from the older boy. A grin crawled its way onto the little half-elf's face as he watched Lloyd wordlessly admit defeat, something he was always proud of doing in these kinds of situations. Little was the boy expecting what would come next, and just how quickly his confident grin would be wiped from his face.
"I'm angry Genis." Lloyd replied, turning around and walking again. Confused, Genis rushed towards Lloyd to get an answer, just about to break the silence to attain his desired closure when Lloyd beat him to it. "I'm angry at Colette for lying to me and abandoning me." He finished, a gruffness to his voice that had not been there mere seconds ago. He hadn't realized until he had walked a few more feet that Genis had not only stopped moving, but his mouth was hanging open in awe. "It almost feels like I…" Lloyd struggled, attempting to find the right word. "…hate her."
Tales of Symphonia: Beneath the Surface
Chapter 1: My Own Path
"That is…" Genis began, still stunned at what Lloyd had just uttered. The sheer fact that he was actually mad at Colette for caring about his safety was almost insulting. "…the dumbest thing that you've ever said Lloyd."
"Maybe to you Genis." Lloyd replied, attempting to end the conversation there. He had been trying to move past his anger towards Colette, to try and prepare himself to help her in the journey as best as he could. Unfortunately this was a nearly impossible task for the young swordsman, who only found that he was getting angrier at either Colette for blatantly lying to him, himself for not catching her lying like he usually did, or the idea that Colette considered him too weak to be of any help. "But it's still true."
"Lloyd, she was only worrying about your safety. She doesn't want her friend to get hurt trying to help her. She probably doesn't even want Raine with them for the very same reasons." Genis replied, using logic to further his point. He really wasn't all that surprise when it found itself lost on Lloyd. "She's trying to protect you Lloyd."
"Is it because I'm too weak?" Lloyd asked, albeit rhetorically. However it was said, the retort verbally smacked Genis upside the head. "Ahh don't worry about it Genis. Triet is just a little further, and this desert is killing me." The older boy replied, rubbing the back of his head as he continued forward.
"Lloyd…I don't think you're weak." Genis replied sheepishly, catching up with Lloyd. Although he couldn't see it, he knew the words had an enlightening effect of Lloyd's attitude. "I think you're one of the strongest people I've ever met actually." Genis finished with a stronger voice riddled with sincerity.
"Thanks Genis. I needed that." 'Now, if only you were Colette.'
For the first time since Genis knew Lloyd, they spent the rest of their trip in relative silence, only speaking while fighting against a handful of bandits. Genis had felt particularly sorry for the thieves, as Lloyd decided to vent on them like he's never vented before. Needless to say, the bandits were more than likely considering a change of profession after that battle. When they finally reached Triet, which had seemed to take forever and a day to get to, not even the wisps of smoke from Iselia were present.
"Lloyd! Hide!" Genis whispered hastily, pointing at a group of Desians. Despite his reluctance to let a group of Desians go, Lloyd complied with his little friend, slipping behind the stable and watching the Desians from a distance.
"What are they doing here?" Lloyd growled, wanting nothing more than to attack them. It had only been a few days ago since he found out that the Desians were the ones that murdered his mother. They killed her all for his stupid little exsphere. That's when Lloyd's eye caught the poster, albeit the horridly done poster, and felt the air sucked right out of his lungs. 'They're hunting me down!' Lloyd watched in a foreign mix of anxiety and earnest as the Desians began to march out of the city. "Bastards." Lloyd muttered quietly under his breath. Genis still heard him, and could only watch as they walked out.
"Lloyd…are you okay?" Genis asked shakily, snapping Lloyd out of his stint of anger.
"Course I am Genis." Lloyd answered, smiling. Standing up from his current position, he walked over to the board, glaring at the poster. "THAT'S suppose to be me?" Lloyd exclaimed, staring slack-jawed at the poster. The poster that looked like it was made by a newborn baby. "That's just hurtful."
"I don't know Lloyd…the resemblance is uncanny." Genis shot back, grinning.
"…What's that suppose to mean?" Lloyd replied confused, tilting his head at Genis. Genis could only sigh and hunch over in defeat, waving his hand in the "never mind" motion. Lloyd shrugged uncaringly, and turned towards the weapons store. "Hey Genis, it's getting darker. Why don't you buy us a room at the Inn? I'm going to get some actual swords." Lloyd replied with a grin, lifting the slightly heavy bag of gald they had attained from the bandits. To say they were loaded would be a bit of an understatement.
"Sure Lloyd, just be careful. There still might be a Desian or two around." Genis cautioned, before walking to the inn. Lloyd began towards the weapons shop, stopping only briefly at a general store to pick up a pad of paper and a pen.
------ Much Later ------
By the time Lloyd had returned, Genis was fast asleep in a chair, his head resting on the table, his arms separating the hard wood from his head. Beside him, a candle had long since burn itself out, encasing the room in steady darkness. Obviously, he had been waiting for Lloyd to get back. He probably knew that Lloyd had spent a little longer intentionally, just to make sure that when he got back the boy was asleep. Smiling, he picked Genis up carefully, and placed him into one of the beds, covering him up. Walking back to the table as quietly as he could, he placed the bag of gald onto it, and laid down a folded up piece of paper beside the bag. 'You've come this far Lloyd…It's for the better.' With one long, sorrow ridden sigh, Lloyd turned to his fast sleeping friend, and allowed his head to hang. "Be well Genis." Lloyd uttered, before walking out of the room, being sure to close the door gently. Resting his hand on his exsphere, and breathing deeply, Lloyd left the Inn, stopping very briefly at the stable to say a farewell to Noishe. "Take care of Genis for me, okay?" A sullen whine was his only response, which seemed to satisfy Lloyd.
And with that, Lloyd Irving departed from Triet and the company of Genis Sage, and began making his way east towards the Ossa Trail, disappearing into the night.
------ Next Morning: Triet ------
Genis awoke with a start, shooting up like a small animal would to spot a predator. "Lloyd?" He uttered instinctively, glancing around the room. There was no one in there but him. It was at about that time that he realized he was sleeping in a bed, and not on the table he had waited at. But once more, his thoughts returned to the empty status of the room. "That idiot's probably gone to get some brea…" Genis started before spotting the bag and paper on the table. Almost instantly, he felt as if someone had slammed a staff against his back. He stared at the items for what seemed like an eternity, a tear forming in his left eye. Inwardly, as Genis does, he began to expect the absolute worst. 'Please… Please don't tell me he…' Genis picked himself up out of the bed, and almost ran to the table. The first thing he did was grab the bag and hoisted it into the air semi-haphazardly. He knew instantly from the weight and noise that it was gald. He let if fall from his hands, slamming onto the floor with a dull thud. His attention turned now to the folded document. He reached with a trembling hand to it, running his fingers along a ring shaped bulge within the folds of the page. He pulled open the piece of paper and watched as the Sorcerers Ring fell out onto the table. All it took was the sight of that ring to bring the first, solitary tear down along his face. Reaching back, he gripped at a chair, and pulled it to him, sitting down.
Hey Genis…
Wow…how do I start this? What about, how'd you sleep? Oh, well that sounded stupid.
"Yes it did Lloyd." Genis felt himself utter, talking back to the letter.
Anyways, listen. By Martel this is hard to do…how should I say it?
Genis felt himself let a combination of a choked laugh and a hampered sob out at the same time as he saw several lines of crossed out statements. Lloyd was having just as much trouble writing this as he probably would saying it. Finally, after about four scribbles, Genis found were the letter began again.
Genis, I've decided to leave on my own. It's not your fault or anything. What could I blame you for that's rele…reve…damn. What's that word Professor taught us again…Revalent?
"It's 'relevant' you moron." Genis replied to the letter.
Whatever that word is, or was, this has nothing to do with what happened in Iselia. Well, what happened in Iselia between us at least. I'm leaving because I just don't…
Several more scribbled out lines followed the last statement, and Genis slowly sank into a realization. This wasn't a letter by any means. When a person reads a letter, they just read it. The odd quip here or there, but for the most part it was a one sided ordeal. Lloyd had written this as if he was having another conversation with him. Genis felt a hand shoot to his eyes, wiping away another tear the threatened to roll down his face. 'Lloyd is saying this to me in the best way he can…that idiot.'
I'm leaving because I don't want to see Colette. Ever since she lied to me like that, I've found that the more I've thought about her, the more I begin to hate her for it. I know it sounds silly, but it really is a big deal for me. I was so excited that she had been able to have me come along…only to find out it was a bold face lie…
"Lloyd you moron…It probably hurt her much more than it hurt you…"
I guess she thinks I'm too weak to be any good, so I've decided to go and train. Don't bother looking for me, I promise that you won't find me. But there's another reason I've left Genis. The Desians are after me. They'll probably hunt me down until the day I die now. I don't want to risk you getting hurt… or worse, just so they could get me. It's not right. And if I'm too weak to help protect the Chosen along with two other companions, what chance do I have of protecting my best friend alone.
"You idiot Lloyd, you damnable idiot!" Genis growled, as tears began to dot the letter. He wanted to say more, to swear and curse and slam his fists on the table until it snapped in half, but he couldn't. All he could do was call Lloyd an idiot over and over again, believing that maybe it might bring him back, or fix the situation. Deep down though, Genis knew it wouldn't.
When you find Colette and the others…tell them I died or was kidnapped or something. You can think of something, I'm sure. Just tell them not to worry about me. Give Colette the Sorcerer's Ring, and Genis, try to live a happy life. If I never see you again, I hope the world regeneration goes well. If I do see you again, maybe I'll be something more of a fighter and a man. Either way Genis, thank you for being my best friend while it lasted. I hope you don't hate me for this, but I'll understand if you do.
-Lloyd
Slowly, Genis folded the letter back up, and threw it into the air. Seconds later, the letter burst into flames as Genis lowered his kendama. "How can I hate you Lloyd? You're an idiot, a fool, and making the dumbest decision you've ever made…but I still don't hate you for it. That's what makes this so taxing."
------ Ossa Trail ------
"UGH" Lloyd grunted, kicking backwards as the hands of a bear slammed into the ground. Borrowing this moment as an opening, Lloyd launches himself back at the bear, impaling him through the chest with both swords, slaying the monster. Drawing his sword out slowly, he whipped them both backwards, removing most of the blood from the blades. Sheathing them, Lloyd looked back at where he had come from. To his immediate right was a boarded up entry into what he assumed was a mine. In front of him was Izlood, his destination for the day, and behind him were both Triet and his past. Daylight had broken none too long ago, and Lloyd was sure that by now, Genis had read the letter.
"He's got to hate me for this." Lloyd muttered sombrely, before giving his head a good shake. "But it's for the better!" And with that, Lloyd began to walk off towards Izlood, tired and weary from fighting what seemed like an army of monsters in between Triet and Izlood. While he had picked up some tricks the hard way, Lloyd had also began use improvisation with his swords. He found himself using attacks thought up on the spot, some of which resulted in clean kills, others resulted in a failing attempts and another brutal hit. Regardless, Lloyd was tired and bruised, both physically and mentally. He didn't get far, however, when an arrow whipped out of nowhere and imbedded itself into his right shoulder. Lloyd grunted in pain as he collapsed to the ground, his hand shooting up to the arrow.
"Well that one got him." He heard a random voice brag. Lloyd's head shot up to see a pair of men standing in front of him. One had a bow held out in front of him, an arrow primed and ready to go for the killing blow. The other one was a man in what looked to be rags, a short sword held out in front of him. "Was that one of your poisoned arrows Trip?"
"You bet. Just give it a bit, and the brat will be out." The archer replied, grinning. He turned his head to nod at the thief, who nodded back. When they turned back to Lloyd, he was no more than a few inches from them both, sword drawn in his left hand. "WHAT THE?" The two yelled in unison, staring in horror as Lloyd grinned confidently.
"Do yourselves a favour and make sure I'm actually down next time!" Lloyd taunted, before slashing into the archer with his good arm. The blow was semi blocked by his bow, which Lloyd cleaved clean in half. He stumbled backwards just as Lloyd stabbed his sword towards his left side. The blade sliced neatly into the archer, who collapsed screaming in pain. Before the thief could even begin swearing, Lloyd whipped into a full 360, delivering deep slashes to both of the thief's legs. He fell to the ground in a pile, letting out a roar of pain. Sheathing his sword, Lloyd smirked down at the bandit pair. He was about to say something when he began to feel ill. Not ill as in sick, but ill as in sick and in horrible pain.
His hand raced back to the arrow, still imbedded in his shoulder. Gritting his teeth tightly, Lloyd counted to three before yanking it out as fast as he could. The pain was nearly unbearable, and Lloyd collapsed to a knee, his breathing laboured and full of pain.
"Heh…it's too late to think that did any good. The poison's taking effect kid…you'll be unconscious in a matter of minutes, and dead in a matter of hours." Trip, the archer, cooed through closed teeth. Before they could say anything else, Lloyd broke into a run, forcing himself to get to Izlood as fast as he could. If he was poisoned, he would need help fast. Very fast. "YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT!" Lloyd heard him yell; at least he thought he did. For all he knew, the poison might be driving him insane.
'This can't be happening…it can't end here. Not like this.' Lloyd panicked, before careening head first into someone. Lloyd hit the ground hard with a thud, missing whatever reply the person might have had for him. Rolling onto his back, Lloyd's hand reached into the air for something, anything to pull him up, but finding nothing the hand fell to his side with a dull thud. Lloyd once again thought he had heard someone say something, and choked out the best response he could. "Help…me…" Almost instantly after he choked the last word, a person came into his field of vision. Just as he was succumbing to the coming darkness, Lloyd saw a head of black hair, and a pair of brown eyes.
And then there was nothing but black.
A/N: And with that, the first chapter ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. Now first thing first, I am interested in finding a beta-reader for this story, just to make sure any errors that may slip past me are caught. If you're interested, private message me. Anyways enjoy the chapter. And please, people, if you see something wrong with it, tell me. Whether it's grammar based, or an error with my facts, let me know. I'm human too, and I do make mistakes.