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Next Morning

Everyone woke up and saw that Lloyd and Colette were still asleep. Raine went to wake them up when Kratos thought “Better stop her before Lloyd’s angel defenses kick in” and grabbed her.

“Why did you do that” asked Raine

“Lloyd doesn’t like it when people wake him up. Let’s just say we didn’t have a job after the last client that tried it” said Kratos

So Raine left them alone while Genis went to make breakfast waiting for them to get up. Just as breakfast was finished Lloyd and Colette woke up. “Did you have a good night sleep Colette” asked Lloyd

“Yeah, thanks Lloyd” said Colette

“No problem” said Lloyd

“That’s probably the last good night of sleep you will have for a while” thought Lloyd

They joined the others for breakfast and with another interesting trip back to the sightseeing dock with the washtubs started their way to the House of Salvation. Along the way Kratos was talking to Lloyd about last night. “Lloyd do you know what happened last night” asked Kratos

“Well Colette came over and said she couldn’t sleep and wanted to sit next to me. A little while later we fell asleep, why” asked Lloyd

“Lloyd, what is suppose to happen to the Chosen after they release the second seal” asked Kratos sighing

“They lose the ability to sleep. But I thought that was suppose to start tonight” said Lloyd

“Your right, never mind” said Kratos sighing

“How am I suppose to tell him the only reason she fell asleep last night is because she loves you” thought Kratos

They reached the House of Salvation and went inside. Inside Lloyd asked the pastor “Are you missing your Spiritua statue”

“No, why are you asking” asked the pastor

“It’s just this one looks more like the real thing that that one” said Lloyd taking out the Spiritua statue

When Lloyd took out the statue the pastor’s assistant tried to sneak away. The pastor noticed this and asked “Did you have anything to do with this”

The assistant stopped and dropped his head in shame and said “Yes, I took it with us on our last pilgrimage. While we were at Thoda geyser, I kinda dropped it in the geyser. So I went to a dwarf who lives near Iselia and asked him to make a replacement”

“Wow, Dirk made that” said Genis

“It looks just like the real thing” said Colette

“Here you go” said Lloyd handing over the statue to the pastor

“Thank you young man” said the pastor accepting it and putting it where it belongs

“No problem” said Lloyd

As they were leaving the House of Salvation, a soldier came up to them and said “Chosen One”

“Yes” said Colette

“I have a message from Dorr. He would like you to temporarily postpone the journey of regeneration” said the soldier

“Why” asked Kratos

“A Church of Martel pilgrimage tour guide has been kidnapped by the Desians. In light of this, Dorr has decided that this is the time to gather Palmacosta’s forces and launch an attack on the human ranch controlled by Magnius” said the soldier

“What does this have to do with us” asked Lloyd

“We would like you to rescue the kidnapped tour guide in concert with our attack” said the soldier

“Ok” said Lloyd

“What are you saying Lloyd” exclaimed Raine

“We can not ignore a plea for help” said Lloyd

“And I get a chance to kill Magnius without getting into trouble” thought Lloyd

“I agree with Lloyd, how am I suppose to be the Chosen if I can’t help the people in front of me” said Colette

“Thank you! Neil will inform you of the details once you reach the ranch. Thank you so much for your help” said the soldier as he was leaving

They leave the House of Salvation and start on their way to the Palmacosta ranch. Along the way Kratos asks “Why were you so eager to agree to this”

“Well this way I can kill Magnius and not get into trouble” said Lloyd smirking

“I knew it was a bad idea to let him hang out with Yuan when he was younger” thought Kratos

As they approach the Palmacosta ranch, Neil appeared before them and said “Chosen One please wait”

“Neil, we were told you would fill us in on the details” said Lloyd

“…Yes. I wish to speak with you regarding that. Please, come this way…” said Neil walking away

“This doesn’t sound good” said Raine

They follow Neil to a secluded part of the forest. When they all got there he spoke up and said “I would like you all of you to just go ahead and leave the Palmacosta region”

“Why, I thought we were here to help free the tour guide that was captured” asked Colette

“Yeah! We’re supposed to work in conjunction with the Palmacosta army to help free the tour guide” said Genis

“No, that’s…” started Neil

“So it is a trap after all” Kratos interrupted

“…Of the several possibilities, it looks like the worst one came true” said Raine

“What are you two talking about” asked Genis

“It was a mystery that the Desians would simply leave a city with an army alone” said Kratos

“Yes, exactly. Choosing not to crush the seeds of rebellion must mean they are not a threat…They are left alone simply because they have no real power, or perhaps, because they are in fact beneficial…” said Raine

“…It is as you say. Dorr is working with the Desians to lead the Chosen into a trap” said Neil

“Why would he do that” asked Genis

“He didn’t used to be like this…He always thought of the well-being of the people of the city. Even five years ago, when he lost his wife, Clara, he swore to fight against the Desians” said Neil

“Then why…” Colette started

“I don’t know. At any rate, entering the ranch now will put the Chosen in danger. Leave the tour guide to me and please, go on your way. Please regenerate the world as soon as possible” Neil interrupted

“…Indeed. It would be best to abandon the situation here for world regeneration” said Kratos

“That means I won’t get a chance to kill Magnius” thought Lloyd sadly

“No! I can’t just ignore this!” exclaimed Colette

“Yeah, how are we suppose to be on the Journey of Regeneration if we can’t save the people around us” said Genis

“What do you think about this Lloyd” asked Raine

“I agree with Colette. Let’s go kick some desian butt” exclaimed Lloyd

“Yep, Yuan was a bad influence on him” thought Kratos

“Well, then, we have two courses we can take. The first one is to go on ahead and infiltrate the ranch and rescue the tour guide and the other captives. Our second option is to confirm Door’s true motives. If he has planned a trap, then he knows the layout of the ranch well. …Let’s let him talk for a bit” said Raine

“What are you going to do to Dorr” asked Neil

“Trust me, you don’t want to know” said Genis

Raine hit in on the head as Kratos said “Thinking logically, dealing with Dorr first is the correct choice”

“What do you think Lloyd” asked Colette

“Let’s see, if we attack now, we will have to fight our way though a lot of desians. Everyone else will probably be too tired by the time we reach Magnius. If we deal with Dorr first, we might find a way to sneak in and get to Magnius faster and everyone won’t be as tired” thought Lloyd

“Let’s talk to Dorr first. He might know a way we can sneak in so we won’t have to fight too many desians” said Lloyd

“Good choice Lloyd” said Kratos

“What should I do” asked Neil

“Why don’t you stay here. That way you won’t see we are going to do to Dorr” said Lloyd

“Please watch over the status of the ranch from here” said Colette

“All right” said Neil

The group left the Palmacosta ranch and made their way back to Palmacosta. When they get there, they head straight for the Governor-General’s office. When they get inside they see no one is there. “There’s no one here” said Lloyd

“I hear someone downstairs” said Colette

“I don’t hear anything” said Genis

“Maybe we should check it out then” said Kratos

They proceed downstairs until they see Dorr talking with a desian. They get closer to hear what they are saying. “When will my wife…when will Clara return to her original form” asked Dorr

“Not yet. You still haven’t paid us enough Gald. You’ve been paying us less and less” said the desian

“This is the best I can do! The tolls, the municipal taxes, the offerings to the Church of Martel…there’s nowhere left to squeeze more money from!” exclaimed Dorr

“Well, I suppose this will do…for today. I’m sure Lord Magnius will remove the demon seed depending on your next contribution” said the desian as he left

“Father” asked Kilia

“Just a little while longer. Just a little more and Clara will be back to normal. I’ll raise the fees on the pilgrimages and…” Dorr started

“What the hell are you doing” screamed Lloyd

Dorr turned around and looked shocked at the group. “What’s the matter, scared that your little plan didn’t work” said Lloyd

“What are you doing here?! Neil! Where’s Neil” asked Dorr

“He’s not here right now” said Lloyd

“So he betrayed me” said Dorr

“No you are the one who betrayed this entire city” said Lloyd

“What happened to your wife? Is she being held hostage” asked Colette

“Hostage? Don’t make me laugh. If you want to see my wife” Dorr said pulling off a sheet “She is right here” he continued

Behind the sheet was a large green monster. Lloyd’s hand went to his Angelus Crystal and whispered “Mom”

“What is that monster” screamed Genis

“She’s crying…she’s crying out in pain…You mustn’t call her a monster” said Colette

“You don’t mean” asked Genis

“That’s right. This is what’s become of my wife, Clara” said Dorr

“That’s way you told everyone she died” said Raine

“My father, the previous Governor-General, was a fool. Because of his defiant stance against the Desians, they killed him, and then planted the demon seed in my wife as a warning. If I cooperate with them, they will give me the medicine to save her” said Dorr

“That’s means you really are betraying this city” said Genis

“Who cares, we will never escape the desians” said Dorr

“You must never give up hope for salvation” said Colette

“The Chosen’s journey of world regeneration is not absolute. Don’t forget that the last one ended in failure! Besides, the people of this city are satisfied with my way. They just don’t know I’m working for the Desians” said Dorr

“But what about all those people who were sent to the ranch believing you would save them” said Genis

“Better them than me” said Dorr

“What if I went and found the medicine for you? Then you wouldn’t have to work for the desians anymore” asked Colette

“You…forgive me for what I’ve done” asked Dorr

“It’s not our place to forgive you. That’s up to the people of this city. But I know Martel will forgive you. The Goddess Martel is always within you, awaiting your own, personal regeneration” said Colette

“That will never happen” said Kilia as she stabbed Dorr in the back

“The Goddess Martel would never lend her aid to an inferior human being” said Kilia

“How could you do that to your own father” asked Genis

“I am a servant of Pronyma, leader of the Five Grand Cardinals who rule over the Desians. I was merely assigned to observe the new human cultivation technique, developed by Magnius. There’s no way that a superior half-elf such as I, could have a fool of a father like this” said Kilia as she transformed into a monster with purple skin and horns

When Lloyd heard this, he snapped out of his daze and was barely keeping his wings from coming out as he screamed “You b*****d”

Moving faster than anyone could see got behind Kilia and drew Flamberge and plunge it into her heart. “All you desians deserve to die” said Lloyd in ice cold tone as he drew Vorpal and chopped off her head

Everyone except for Kratos was surprise at how brutally Lloyd killed her. Lloyd shook the dead body off of Flamberge and sheaths both swords. “Is Kilia safe” Dorr asked

“We don’t know but we will go find your real daughter and a cure for your wife” said Lloyd

“Thank you” said Dorr then he died

Lloyd starts going though Dorr’s clothes when Genis asks “What are you doing Lloyd”

Lloyd finds what he is looking for and says “Looking for this” holding up a card key

“What is it” asked Colette

“It’s the way we can get into the ranch undetected” said Lloyd

“How did you know that” asked Genis

“It’s the reason why we can here isn’t it” said Lloyd

“Oh yeah” said Genis

“I suggest we rest for tonight and head to the ranch tomorrow” said Kratos

“Good idea” said Raine