shiningbinds | 1st sin - [accidental audio]

Lloyd used the power of the Eternal Sword to reunite the two worlds and germinate the Great Seed. A new World Tree was born, as was a new guardian spirit to accompany it.

So everything... was a success.

In a way. Apparently, Ratatosk will be giving us a bit of trouble two years from then, but I've been told that all works itself out as well.

[Yuan is, of course, leaving out the fact that Kratos isn't there to witness the Ratatosk ordeal himself, because he departed with Derris-Kharlan. He knows that if Kratos were to hear about that, he'll just distance himself, which is the last thing Yuan needs right now. It's not so much lying as holding back information, really.]

I see.

Is there... anything else?

Three years worth of troublesome incidents in this place. You were here before, though it seems you've lost your memories of that time.

[Kratos was bound to find out about this eventually, so he might as well hear it from someone close to him, rather than a complete stranger who remembers the man from before.]

[For a Seraph, three years may seem like nothing. Yet, in a place like Luceti, Yuan's come to learn the hard way that three years is an extremely long time. It's likely for the best Kratos forgot most of the things he did.]

... It's a common occurance. There are few people who've been here that long without losing memories at some point. [Though ironically, three of the people who managed it are Raine, Sheena and Yuan himself.]

I see.

Are there... specific things one may forget?

Anything. Everything. This place is tricky like that.

...

[Too bad you can't choose what to forget, if at all. If it were that easy, Yuan would have quite a few memories removed that are dead weight to him.]

Memories are the least of your worries. Mithos is here as well.

What...?

Death... has no meaning here. Mithos arrived here over half a year ago and he remembers being killed. Needless to say, he's been nothing but a pest ever since.

[And no, Kratos hadn't been around to help with any of that. Yuan sure could've used some assistance from a fellow Seraph.]

...what has he done since his arrival?

[Yuan fully intends to. He knows he can trust Kratos to shoulder some of the load, so it won't be left to people like Raine and Sheena. People who aren't supposed to deal with Cruxis's mistakes.]

He's attacked quite a few people. [Including Yuan. Several times.] We've had to lock him into a cell in the underground tunnel system to keep other villagers safe. ... If it weren't for the fact that he doesn't have his Cruxis Crystal, I'm sure the damage would be more severe.

And how long do you intend to keep him there?

If it were up to me, he'd be stuck in there until he vanishes from this place again. Sadly, other people seem to think he might actually learn his lesson.

[Yuan finds that preposterous and his face shows it. You just can't save someone who's been corrupted by four thousand years of madness.]

...hm.

[Yuan leans back in his chair for a moment, closing his eyes. Time for another topic that can't be avoided forever, though this one is the most painful so far.]

... Martel is also here. [Hence why it's not up to Yuan to decide how long Mithos stays down there.]

...

Is she well?

... She hasn't changed one bit. [He'll leave it at that. She may be healthy, but Martel has a tendency to sympathize with the wrong sort of people, so it'd be hard to say she's "well". Plus, she's constantly worrying about Mithos.]

Is that to say that you are concerned for her?

[How nice to see that Kratos is amused at Yuan's expense. Just like the old days, indeed. Yuan can't bring himself to snap at the man- not now. So instead he runs a hand through his hair, producing something along the lines of a frustrated grunt in response. It should be a valid answer to such an obvious question.

How could he not be concerned for her?]

I am... glad for you, Yuan. Glad that Martel is here.

[Oh Kratos. He just doesn't get it, does he?]

Don't be. ...She's been sent home three times already, only to return here a while later. She never remembers, either.

[Having Martel here means he's living in constant fear that she'll be sent away again. Having her here means he's constantly worrying something terrible will happen to her. Then, when she does go home, he's left wondering how long it'll be before she returns to Luceti once more. It just can't work like this. As much as he loves her, Yuan can't really look her in the eyes anymore because he's just so goddamn afraid.]

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