The Journey After - Chapter 3

Lloyd stood dumbfounded at Zelos's sister.

"S-Seles...? Why are you in Sylvarant?"

Seles rolled her eyes. "That doesn't matter, does it?"

Sheena remembered Seles's arrogant attitude. Her voice annoyed Sheena. It made her think of someone's nails scraping something rough. "A lot of stuff matters right now, and this happens to matter most!" Sheena said angrily.

"Fine, fine...I'll tell you. Yuan brought me over here. He said that if I came to Sylvarant, I wouldn't be anywhere near as frail," Seles said, toying with her short hair. "Of course, I believed him and hopped on that little plane. We got here, and he dropped me off at Iselia."

Lloyd was still staring stupidly. "That's it? But what about that ball thing?"

Seles took off her large hat and threw it to the side. "Oh, that thing. Yes, Lord Yggdrasill left it here a long time ago. It's not really my creation. I lied...It was supposedly going to end the world of Sylvarant. But anyway, since it was left here, and I found it, I guess it is mine. So I lied to you about lieing."

"Huh?" Lloyd tilted his head, puzzled.

"So wait, let me sum this up. Yuan brought you to Sylvarant, for some unknown reason you're at this ranch, and you've found this giant orb that almost killed Lloyd, and it's supposed to end the world?"

"Yeah, that's it. By the way, have you seen my-"

"Why are you in this ranch?"

"Lloyd! Don't interrupt a lady; it's very rude! Ah, well, I might as well tell you...I stumbled in here the other night. I wandered around looking for some food, and found this place had lots. So I just stayed here."

"Well, that's stupid," Sheena sighed.

"Quiet! My brother was right about you," Seles sneered. "He said the only great part about you was your chest. Hehehe!"

Sheena blushed and looked down at the floor, embarrassed.

"Shut up!" Lloyd yelled angrily. "Zelos doesn't know anything! Sheena's a really great person inside!"

"Sure, whatever. Anyway,-"

"You've talked enough, Seles," Lloyd said. He clenched his teeth. "Tell me what the hell that thing was!"

"I already have! This was supposed to end the world!"

"Well, no shit! But why did it make me see...that...tree?"

Seles's arrogant face flashed with a hint of confusion. "What the hell are you talking about? I told you; somehow, that thing is going to end the world. And I'm going to find out how!"

Sheena looked up. "Why? Why do you want to destroy Sylvarant?"

"That's what Lord Yggdrasill wished."

"Since when did you obey Yggdrasill? And those were not his wishes!"

"Since, uh, forever!"

Lloyd drew his hand across his face. "You were tipping that bastard off?"

"He said he would make me the Chosen. I could become Martel's vessel and help him create his perfect world. That's when he abandoned this thing that's supposed to annihilate Sylvarant. But you, you and my stupid brother, came and killed Lord Yggdrasill! That ended all of my hopes. Yuan heard of Yggdrasill's promise and felt bad for me."

"That's how he knew we were releasing Origin! That's how Mithos was there! Zelos must have visited you the night before!"

Seles cackled. "Well, Lloyd, you sure are smart if you want to be."

"Enough of this! Once you tell me where the Exspheres are, I'll destroy this ranch, along with you and that monstrosity!"

"Exspheres? What Exspheres? There aren't any here; I ran a scan across the entire place, not a single one was detected."

"Then that makes our job easier!" Sheena shouted, drawing her spell cards. Lloyd unsheathed his Material Blade.

"See if you can best me," Seles replied. She pushed a button then stepped out of her chair. "You have 5 minutes before your little orb friend blows through the door."

All of the doors locked. Sheena and Lloyd readied themselves, and Seles dashed.

Outside, the rain pounded mercilessly on the Iselia Human Ranch. A lone traveler approached the muddy tracks where Lloyd had fallen. A small snicker escaped his mouth.

He came close to the double doors, and was knocked back by a brilliant flash of light. "Seles...You ignorant fool."

He jumped to his feet, his garnet red hair slapping his face. It stung. He took no notice, however, and ran into the double doors.

"Judgement!" Kratos yelled. The halls lit up, and he ran. The beams of light behind him sent bits and pieces of the ranch flying everywhere.

Kratos casted Judgement several times throughout the maze of the ranch. It was tearing up the path.

He trudged onward, not tiring.

Seles slashed wildly at Lloyd. He dodged and parried. Sheena used her spell cards like mad, but they didn't seem to do anything.

The sword finally found its target on Lloyd's shoulder. It inserted, and he felt a sharp pain run through his right arm. He dropped the fiery blade that Kratos had given him.

"You're no good."

The split second that Seles said that had Sheena making her move. She jumped and tacked Seles to the ground. She pinned a card to her neck as they hit the ground.

Kratos reached the room where the giant orb had once been. He saw the path of destruction it left as it headed toward the control room.

"That makes it easier," he sneered.

Following the path, he found he didn't need to cast Judgement any longer, for the halls were alight with an eerie blue color.

"Shadow, I presume."

Twisted metal jutted out from all sides. Kratos scraped himself constantly, but he kept going. He didn't tire.

Finally, he saw the giant orb slowly rolling through the hall in front of him. "That...thing...I remember now..."

Kratos looked at the ball. He had to get around it. Suddenly, he spotted a thin space between the ceiling and the orb.

His angelic wings sprouted from his back.

Kratos jumped. He flew toward the ceiling, then, turning on his back, jetted forward. He soared right above the giant thing, singing his wings. After he landed, he kept running, and he finally saw his target.

The large, thick door separated him from Lloyd. "I knew this was stupid when Forcystus built it..."

"...Judgement!"

The ball of light formed in his hand, and separated into smaller balls that went to the tips of his fingertips. The beams of light shot from each fingertip, slicing into the metal gate. They twisted and turned, and finally he saw an artificial yellow light illuminate the hallway.

The lower half of the gate melted. Kratos flew in.

"Lloyd."

Lloyd turned, clutching his shoulder. "Dad!"

"Sheena, finish her! You must!"

"Yes Sheena, finish me. Or do you not have the courage?"

Sheena's card pressed against Seles's neck. "I...I can't..."

"Lloyd, we need to get out of here."

Kratos flew forward quickly, grabbing Sheena with one hand around her waist. She screeched. Lloyd flew up after them.

Kratos, with his free hand, casted Judgement again. The roof of the ranch split apart, and as they flew away, the colossal orb emerged slowly into the room they were previously in.

"Lloyd."

"Kratos! How did you know-"

"That wound...We need to go see Raine. She's in Iselia, no doubt?"

"Yeah, but, I mean-"

"Let's go."

Lloyd sighed, allowing his wings to carry him. He clutched his shoulder in one hand, mumbling about Kratos.