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((Song of the moment: Seeking Answers ))

Lloyd had no choice but to listen. Ellale's voice was the only definite sound for miles in any direction. He stood in stunned silence, could this be real? The Tae before him...was a GF? How could that be? Ellale then focused on him, much like a predator. Ellale laid out the truth for Lloyd, as clear as day. She took no measures to hide a thing as if to see what he would do. The moment she revealed she was a sorceress, Lloyd's eyes widened unable to accept it. Ellale...a sorceress? This couldn't be! It was apparent...she was in control. Her power must be beyond measure to even create something like this. But she continued to explain what it was she wanted.

A...utopia free of tragedies? Sacrifice the known world to bring about a brand new one. Everyone would perish, but for a cause that far outweighed the negative. This idea...was something Lloyd always talked about as a SeeD cadet with Ellale. A place where there were no wars or bloodshed, only peace and happiness forever. She wanted Lloyd to come with her. He could see it, that peaceful smile he longed to see. She held out her hand so that he may join Tae and she in that utopia he longed for. His eyes were glazed over in false happiness, perhaps he had finally broken under the shock.

He began to approach her from where he stood slowly. "A utopia..." he muttered seemingly in a kind of hollow bliss. Abruptly, there was a sharp pain in his mind as if something were trying to gain his attention. At first Lloyd ignored it, but then on the edge of his vision he could see Riyel and Nona with disapproving gazes watching him. Beyond them, were all of his comrades in the final fight with Ultimecia. Sophia was even there and she reached out to him with such fearful eyes.

Lloyd tried to shake his mind of those visions and continue on but another materialized on his other side. The images of Lein, Kyrrdis, and all of his people from Fisherman's Horizon. They looked disappointed in him...expect much more than just this. Kyrrdis and Lein shared the same look of "You can go further than this, can't you?". Yet still, Lloyd pressed on but his steps had slowed considerably. Abruptly, he froze in his tracks finally awakening from his stupor.

Cherished Memories

Standing before him hands behind her back and a big smile on her face was...Ellale. Behind her was the entire Winhill Garden, as if it had never been destroyed in the first place. On each of her sides stood Sou-ho and the Headmaster regally. Beyond the trio stood those who lost their lives in the garden joined by the groups he had saw previously. The past Ellale looked up at Lloyd with a knowing smile and he could see the happiness in her eyes. Then it all came back to him at once, memories he thought he had left behind.

~~~~~Pre-Aurel~~~~~


"Lloyd!" She pronounced joyfully as she took his hands and literally did a little dance in a circle with him before releasing him. She was crazy, it was official. "You're not late, Silly! The rides just go-" Ellale stopped as the announcement rang out overhead, drawing her attention before she suddenly jumped forward and embraced him as she heard her and his names announced in the same transport. What fun! "We get to ride together!"

This girl didn't stop for a second. As quickly as she had embraced him for the second time, Ellale released him and smiled widely. "Sorry if I'm a bit overly emotional today, but it's time for our Exam! Imagine, we're basically the first two armory workers to ever take their exam! Isn't it exciting! We can't let everyone down!"

"I know pretty kitty! I can't wait either!! This is SO happening right here right now!" he added flexing his right bicep and putting his left hand over it "COMEONCOMEON!!! I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE!!! LETS DO THIS!!" he shouted rather loudly. Finally his excitement burst and he began to unleash a barrage of a few punches and swift kicks, although he was sure not to hit anyone Lloyd had to channel this feeling or he felt he was going to explode.

~~~~~Train to Deling City~~~~~


"Hey Ellale, Tae...um...you both mean a whole lot to me so, I guess what I wanna say is that I really care about ya! Um... is 'I love you' right? Well anyway! I know we're all gonna come back from this so lets just do our best ok? We'll show 'em what we can really do!" he said cheerfully rubbing the back of his head with a bit of a blush tinted on his cheeks. His approached was awkward but it was what one would expect from Lloyd.

Of course, Lloyd seemed to have something important to say, so she listened with intent eyes even as he embarrassed himself. Even so, a faint blush tinged her cheeks as she laughed, smiling widely as she gave a firm thumbs up. "They won't know what hit 'em!" She responded, looking from Tae to Lloyd and back happily.
~~~~~~~~~~

The memories were...so pleasant. There were so many rushing back to Lloyd and they made him remember that even in the world they lived in, true joy and tranquility always existed. The past Ellale smiled sweetly to him and Sou-ho with his grandfather nodded, conveying the message to do what he must. The image of the garden faded away leaving behind the Sorceress Ellale before him. Lloyd looked down as his hand dropped back to his side.

The blonde shook his head and looked up at Ellale with a sadden smile, ashamed that he tried to lock those memories away. There was no fear, not even how she looked at him but rather...hope. "Ellale...it's too soon to give up" he replied. "I know...a lot happened in our world, to the both of us, but we can't give up now. The world on the precipice of change and I know for a fact that it will finally change for the better." Lloyd spoke from his heart now.

"Our families are waiting for us. Kalay, your mother, and your niece Nyale too." Lloyd reach out his hand this time invitingly. "So come on Ms. Pretty Kitty, lets go home and help make that world into the utopia free of tragedy" he concluded with that grin he was known for.

((Song of the moment: Vogel im Käfig ))

Lloyd continued to hold out his hand praying Ellale would reconsider and choose to come home. He felt that his words did touch her heart...but the truth was far more painful. She declared that the Ellale he knew was gone forever. His smile began to fade as his arm dropped. She had given up on the world they were born in. Given in to despair and resolved to do things her way. Then she gave him a different look, one almost like an apology but that edge never left her stare. Though Lloyd said nothing, the rift between them grew wider with her every word until only tension remained. The further she went down this road the more Lloyd began to realize the inevitable choice he was being forced to make.

The clock was ticking, and if he did nothing the world he knew and loved...would perish. Sophia, Riyel, Nona, and everyone he cared about would be wiped away from existence. All of this destruction to satisfy her own ends. Lloyd was reminded of his anger and hatred toward Edea once upon a time. His options were either go with Ellale or fall to her. That was it. No other plan, no reasoning, and no way out. What would he choose?

Ellale had been twisted by fate's cruel hand and what remained of his best friend...was long gone. Lloyd dropped his gaze as his memories of the former Ellale played through his mind. He could feel the internal pull of Leviathan winding and preparing itself for a final confrontation. There was a pulse from his body, a signal that Ark was prepared. The final memory Lloyd lingered on was Ellale embracing him with a smile on her face.

"I get it..."

Lloyd unclasped the odd pole on his back and held it behind him in his left hand. Ice crystals began to gather and formed into the straightened blade of Vinginshy. "I won't abandon you...but" from a metallic symbol on Lloyd's right arm pulsed once and suddenly metal patterned out from the symbol across his skin forming maximum hound.

Lloyd lifted his gaze and his pupils were straightened signaling his current junction with Leviathan. However...tears streamed down his face behind his fierce expression as he understood what he had to do. "As someone who cherished our bond...I cannot let you wipe everyone away for a world that would be a lie!" Lloyd shifted into a low stance just as he had done against countless enemies...expect this time he had to do the unthinkable. Kill Ellale.

The clock was ticking and there was no other way around this. Lloyd could not abandon his world, not even for Ellale. There was too much sacrificed and at stake to stop now. "I won't let you rob the lives of millions just to create a new world! Stop this Ellale!" Lloyd protested but knew there was no changing the path now. Power emanated from Ellale and the air around Ellale visibly twisted. In an instant she appeared behind Tae.

Lloyd's eyes widened at the sound of daggers cutting through the air. They were coming from everywhere?! Gritting his teeth and utilizing his junction, Lloyd spun quickly deflecting as many daggers as he could but a few sliced through his clothing and nicked him. Lloyd couldn't slip up here, Ellale really meant to put an end to him.

Sharpening his gaze, the blonde bolted forward low to the ground as water erupted in his palm in abundance. "Waterga!" He shouted casting forward his hand. A small globe of water darted for Tae and Ellale before alarmingly expanding and exploding with great pressure. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Lloyd lept through the momentary mist and the icy edge of Vinginshy slashed horizontally aimed for the two.

{{Ooc:// Note. Ellale's spell damage is determined as follows: Normal spells are 350, -ara is 700, -aga is 1050. Corpse Voyage}}

Bird in a Cage