Trust

A/N: Thanks again to Rane! You keep me motivated. Also to AschTheHated again, the game script is still invaluable. And I am taking a few liberties with it, call it artistic license.

Rane: woo!! Beta inserts!! Everyone! Watch out!! Zombies are afoot! –shifftyeyes-

Trust
Chapter 5: To Save A King

The group listened in horror as Vharley and the soldier discussed the Pope’s plot to assassinate the King.

Lloyd pushed his thoughts of Zelos to the back of his mind – he had to focus on this now. No matter what happened with the redhead, Colette was his priority.

“What’re we gonna do, Lloyd?” asked Genis.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he answered. “If we save the King…”

“He’ll be in our debt,” said Raine, completing his sentence.

He quickly moved forward, with Regal close behind. The soldier was first to notice them.

“Damn, it’s Zelos!”

The duo tried to fight, but they were no match for Regal and Presea. All Lloyd had to do was watch as the pair took down Alicia’s killer.

“So he was the link between the Pope and Rodyle of the Five Grand Cardinals,” Lloyd said.

“The Pope probably asked them to assassinate the King in exchange for his cooperation,” Zelos pointed out.

If they could get the Pope to give them an antidote for the poison, the King would have to grant them access to the archive.

“All right. Let’s get the Pope!”

~~~

Lloyd ran ahead into the Church of Martel, the rest of the group following close behind. He knew Zelos was watching him, but…

I have to find a cure for Colette. I can’t think about Zelos right now. I just… I can’t.

The Pope had his back to them when they entered the room. “You’re late,” he said.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry!” Zelos said sarcastically.

The Pope was a coward. They quickly got him to admit to poisoning the King, and found the antidote. Before they could continue to cure the King, Genis approached the Pope.

“… I have something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” the boy said. “Why did you try to have Kate executed? She’s your daughter!”

Lloyd looked at his friend in surprise.

I wondered that, too, but… Genis seems really upset. Oh, yeah. He’s a half-elf, too. I keep forgetting.

Genis continued to argue with the Pope. Colette joined in, adding, “The church exists to offer salvation to all, does it not?”

Even before, when I thought he was an elf, it didn’t make a difference to me. Genis has always been one of my closest friends.

The young mage had been changing steadily since they first came to Tethe’alla. Listening to the Pope’s vitriol, Lloyd still couldn’t understand why everyone was so hung up on race.

It makes more sense to judge people by how they act and how they treat others. And should we really blame the children for who their parents are? That’s insane!

The Pope turned on Zelos. “Why is a worthless and irresponsible man like you the Chosen?! If it weren’t for you, no one would have interfered with my half-elf banishment project!”

Banishment? Just because they’re a half-elves?

“Why do humans… treat us this way?” asked Genis.

The Pope sneered. “Those who are different must be eliminated.”

No. That’s wrong. That’s—

“Shut up!” Lloyd burst out angrily. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a half-elf, a human, or whatever. No matter who or what you are, when you’re born into the world you have a right to live!”

And to love… whoever you want to love… even if they don’t feel the same.

The door behind them swung open, and two Oracle Knights leapt into the room. The Pope used the momentary distraction to escape through a secret path behind his bookshelves. Presea easily dispatched the knights, and the party ran though the path after the Pope. It lead into the castle. The Pope was nowhere to be seen.

Two knights stood before them, blocking their way. “Ch… Chosen!” one exclaimed. “I’m sorry! I can’t let you pass.”

Lloyd could see the area brighten. Colette’s wings had appeared at the surprise, and she now hovered high over their heads. Zelos took advantage of the sudden angelic presence, declaring Colette to be Spiritua returned.

He’s smart. That was quick thinking, but Colette won’t know how to act.

“Colette,” he whispered up to her. “Say you’re going to kill them.”

“B… but…” The blonde angel looked worried.

She’s too nice sometimes.

“It’s okay. Just say it like you’re in command.”

“Um… um… Die!”

Good job, Colette. Very commanding.

Of course, if she was good at threatening people, she wouldn’t be Colette. Her compassion had always been a defining part of her personality.

Makes sense. How else would Cruxis get her to give up her life for the world?

Luckily, the knights were too frightened to notice her hesitation. They begged for forgiveness. Zelos ordered them to capture the Pope and his followers. In moments, the party was running into the King’s chamber. Raine administered the antidote.

They waited anxiously.

I hope this works, Lloyd thought. The king’s help would be invaluable.

The ruler slowly revived.

“… Ahh? What…” The recovering monarch looked around the room in confusion.

“Looks like he’s regained consciousness,” Zelos said. “Your Majesty, do you recognize me?”

“The traitor… Zelos. Have you come to kill me?”

“No!” Lloyd exclaimed. “Zelos saved you!”

How could he think Zelos would try to kill him?

“Traitor… yes,” Zelos murmured, so quietly Lloyd wasn’t quite sure he’d heard.

“Anyway,” the redhead continued, “we were set up by the Pope. We have no intention of harming Tethe’alla.”

They explained to the King why they had returned to the castle. He directed them to the archives, and commanded they leave him alone.

Ungrateful old man. He’d still be dying if it weren’t for us.

Lloyd tried to look through the books, he really did. But there were so many, and he didn’t even know what to look for. Soon, books were piled all around. None were left on the shelves.

“Are there any other books?” Sheena asked.

“… I’m not going to give up,” Lloyd said. “There has to be a way.”

If I’d protected her like I said I would, Colette wouldn’t have the Chronic… angel disease thingy… It’s my fault.

I have to find a way to save her!

Lloyd turned back to the pile behind him. He steeled himself to look through the books again.

There has to be something here. I must have missed something—

Colette tripped behind him, falling into the stack of books. Volumes rained to the floor. One book floated slowly down. Lloyd recognized it; it was one of the first he’d looked at. Raine caught the sparkling text before it hit the floor.

“… This is… angelic language? No…” The healer flipped through the book, her eyes lighting as if she were at the entrance to a new ruin. “This may be it!”

Oops. Knew I should have shown her that one…

Raine skimmed through the book, quickly finding the relevant passage. She translated it, muttering to herself.

“… Mana fragment… zircon… Boltzman’s technique, I learned that… Makes a Rune Crest… Mana Leaf Herb… hmm…”

Everyone was waiting for her to finish. Finally, Genis interrupted her.

“So in other words,” he said, “we need a mana fragment, zircon, and a unicorn horn, right?”

“And a Mana Leaf Herb,” Raine said, nodding. “Then, we make the Rune Crest, and that will suppress the crystal’s activity. If we don’t act quickly, the crystallization will consume Colette’s organs, and then…” She trailed off.

“I’ll die,” Colette said quietly.

Lloyd caught her in a comforting hug. “I won’t let that happen, I promise.” He ignored the glare Zelos shot at him.

Like he has any right to be upset with me.

“Where are the materials?” Presea asked.

“My company once handled zircon,” Regal offered. “We should be able to find some information at headquarters.”

“Mana Leaf Herb… is probably in Heimdall,” said Raine.

“We’ll need permission from the King to enter,” Zelos said. “The elves don’t welcome visitors. I’ll ask Princess Hilda if she can help us with that.”

“What about the mana fragment?” Sheena asked. “What is it, anyway?”

“The scriptures of the Church of Martel say, ‘The colossal mana of the great motherland, Derris-Kharlan, rained down upon the earth in fragments, giving birth to all living things.’ So maybe it’s in Derris-Kharlan,” Colette said.

“Damn. That’s the enemy’s turf. Let’s do that last,” Lloyd said. The rest nodded in agreement.

“Alright,” he continued. “Zelos, you go ask the Princess about getting a pass. We’ll wait for you at the inn.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, bud. My mansion has plenty of space, and it’s way more comfortable. Why don’t we stay there tonight?” Zelos scribbled a note on a scrap of paper. “Just give this to Sebastian, he’ll set everything up.”

“The inn—” Lloyd began, but Raine cut him off.

“Yes, that makes sense. We’ll save money not having to sleep at the inn. Thank you, Zelos.”

“It’s settled, then.” The redhead smiled at him. “Go wait at my place. I’ll be along soon, and we’ll head out tomorrow.”

Lloyd scowled back at the Chosen. “Fine,” he said petulantly.

The rest of the group left the room, talking about the various preparations to be made. As Lloyd followed, Zelos grabbed his arm.

“I’ll see you tonight, bud,” the redhead whispered in his ear. “Count on it.”