Lesson Learned

Was this such a good idea? Kratos began to wonder as he pulled some extra things out of his bag, leaving only enough supplies and clothes for one day at camp inside. They had just left the desert after releasing the first seal and had finally made it back into grassy areas when he had announced to the group that he would like to take Lloyd out for a day and night alone, to train privately and make sure his fighting skills were up to par.

At least that’s what he had said. Naturally, Raine had been suspicious. She was a smart one. Finally, she consented. But the truth was, Kratos was just thrilled to finally have his son back in his life. Traveling with such a large group, he hadn’t got a chance to spend some time with him and really get to know him. Of course, this had been hard, pretending to be a mercenary and not even telling the boy who he was. But he was on a mission. However, Mithos be damned if he didn’t get to spend some personal time with his own flesh and blood.

So here he was, inviting Lloyd out on a “training session.” Naturally, the young man had been indignant, protesting that he was already a capable swordsman. It took a swift kick in the stomach, a fist in his chest, and a sword crossing his throat to convince him otherwise. “You caught me off-guard!” He had exclaimed, fuming. Kratos simply laughed.

Exiting the tent, he moved towards the middle of camp, waiting for Lloyd. He never was quite ready when everyone else. Almost ten minutes later, he came bustling out of his and Genis’ tent, bag slung over his shoulder, yelling that he was ready to leave. Kratos smirked, eyeing the boy. Like father, like son.

Bidding goodbye to the rest of the group, they had taken off walking into the fields of grass. Kratos had a particular destination in mind, a tiny forest that lay right near a river, that he figured would take them about an hour worth of walking to reach. Barely twenty minutes into the short trek, Lloyd was already complaining.

“How much further do we have to go? This pack is heavy.” Kratos almost sighed, feeling no sympathy for him. He couldn’t have been so naïve as to bring his entire pack, could he? Then again, this was Lloyd he was thinking about.

The rest of the time stretched out endlessly, Kratos thought, as he listened to groan after groan from Lloyd as they neared the destination. The angel suddenly began to wonder if this was even worth it, or worse, if this boy was really his. But every time he saw Lloyd handle a sword or even speak a word he was reminded of the truth.

Finally, after what seem like an eternity, the trees began to envelope them. The forest was tiny, and it only took a few minutes until they began to thin out and the sound of rushing water began to hit their ears. Kratos moved ahead until the crystal water was finally in sight, glistening in the sun as it snaked across the land.
“Wow.” Lloyd said suddenly, appearing beside Lloyd as he tossed his bag to the ground, relieved to be free of its weight. “This is actually a really cool place. How’d you know it was here, Kratos?”

“I travel a lot,” he had replied simply. And it was the truth.

Turning around, Kratos set his pack on the ground and then slung the folded tent off his shoulder. “We should probably set up, first thing,” he suggested. Lloyd, breathing out a sigh, reluctantly agreed. They set up the tent and unpacked some of the blankets and food.

Once finished, Lloyd quickly stood up, his hands resting on his twin blades. “I’m ready to train!” He exclaimed, suddenly eager. Kratos climbed out of the tent, frowning. This was the hard part. Trying to convince Lloyd of a good reason why they had come out here.

“Lloyd… I didn’t suggest this trip so I could help you in battle. I consider you the head of this group, and I just wanted to make sure that you were comfortable with me, the only stranger. I figured this could be like some sort of bonding experience. Is that okay with you?” And he hadn’t told a single lie. He was the ‘odd one out’ of their little band, and Kratos barely knew his son. He was definitely eager to spend time with him and earn his trust… even if the plan was to leave them eventually. However, that is then, and this is now.

Lloyd looked thoughtful for a moment, before suddenly nodding. “Yeah, Kratos, that sounds great. Having some guy I didn’t know travel with Colette sorta scared me, but you’re a pretty cool guy.” Kratos couldn’t help but smile at the comment. In a way, his son approved of him. At least it was a start.

Untying his swords from his waist and tossing them on the ground near the tent, Lloyd put a hand to his stomach as it began to rumble. They had left about midday, and by the time they had arrived it was late afternoon, taking his sluggishness into account. He was definitely ready for some food.

“I guess we can have dinner now.” Kratos smiled, hearing the loud growl from Lloyd’s belly. He vanished into the tent, reappearing with bread, cheeses and fruit. Raine and Colette had also packed some tiny cakes in. “Thanks.” Lloyd replied sheepishly, sitting down as he grabbed some of the food and began to munch. Kratos nodded slightly as he settled down as well.

Eating primarily in silence, Kratos began to wonder once more if inviting Lloyd out here had been his brightest idea. They had talked hardly at all since leaving Iselia, and wasn’t exactly sure what they could do together. Eating was one thing, but he was sure that Lloyd wasn’t too keen on sitting there and talking. He would want to do some sort of activity.

“Hey, you know, going for a swim would be a great idea.” Lloyd suddenly piped up in between bites. Kratos breathed out a relieved sigh. Not only a swell idea, but something that he actually was interested in. A few minutes later, as the bulk of the food had been consumed, Lloyd climbed to his feet, already in the act of undressing. He kicked off his boots and socks, pulled off his gloves, and had begun to undo his suspenders and the belts that criss-crossed his waist.

Kratos, polishing off a piece of fruit, suddenly watched, entranced. He couldn’t imagine, why, though. A man’s body was a man’s body. Perhaps he was eager to see how Lloyd was measuring up to the old man.

Undoing the buttons on his shirt, Lloyd quickly tossed it aside, revealing his bare upper half. Then, in a flash, slid off his pants and stood in his underwear. With his pile of red clothing already beside him, he tore off to the water, shouting for Kratos to “Hurry up!”

Nodding slightly as he stood up, Kratos began to unclip his belts, then proceeded to tear off everything else and leave it in a heap. He left his boxers on as well, stretching his arms out as he felt the warm sun hit his bare skin. He couldn’t believe he was actually doing this.

Lloyd had already hit the water, diving in without abandon and splashing around. Kratos knelt near the edge of the river, feeling the temperature before walking calmly in until the cool water was about mid-chest. It didn’t take long for Lloyd to direct a big splash his way, dousing his head and face in liquid. He had been hoping to leave that part of him dry.

Smirking slightly as he edged towards Lloyd, Kratos sure did wish he could have spent more time like this with his son. But, Lloyd was practically a man now, and while he might not act like it, his childhood days were over.

“If you’re going to splash other people, you’d better be prepared to suffer the consequences!” Kratos exclaimed as he dove on Lloyd, wrestling him under the water and grinning as he forced his full-weight on top of him. It was quite a surprise when the weight suddenly came out from under him and Lloyd had wrapped his arms around Kratos’ chest, pushing him into the water and pinning him to the river floor. He was quite a bit stronger then he looked.

Kratos smiled, a competitive feeling suddenly flaring up inside him. He broke Lloyd’s grasp, then swam to the surface, his head popping up. Lloyd had swum up as well, barreling into him, but Kratos quickly twisted away, throwing his hands on Lloyd’s head and ducking him in the water once more.

It continued like this for several minutes, each grabbing each other and gaining the advantage, only to suddenly be tackled or knocked over as the other maneuvered around and pinned them. Finally, the two were both spent, and floated in the water, catching their breath as they enjoyed the water.

As Lloyd began to float on his back, shutting his eyes and enjoying the sun, Kratos took a real look at him and began to appreciate the boy he and Anna had made. Lloyd was definitely immature at times, but he was quickly growing up, evident in the way his body had begun to mature. Muscles were beginning to form and harden along his arms and legs, and his chest was rock solid. Wispy hairs had begun to develop along his chest and around his navel, a tiny plume of hair had grown under his arms, and Kratos couldn’t pretend he hadn’t tried to ‘accidentally’ brush a few times along Lloyd’s body, getting a glimpse as to see how he was measuring up. He was definitely on his way to being like his dad.

“That was fun, Kratos.” Lloyd suddenly said, glancing at him. Kratos nodded and smiled, quickly agreeing.

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Next and final chapter coming soon.