A Second Chance at Life Part 1

Pain.

Pure, excruciating pain filled my body. Every single limb of my body, every little part of me from my toes to my abdomen, was sending little messages of pain to my head. The large amounts of it in some places dulled the pain in the others, but that did not matter. I knew I was awake, as such pain would be impossible to sleep through. But sleep evaded me for what felt like an eternity, for my world was as dark and cold as an abyss

My skin, my muscles, and my tissue all felt like they were being burned by the Dragon of Fire itself. An inferno raged inside me so strong that I wanted to scream at it to stop, to yell out in frustration as pain crept throughout me.

Silence.

For some reason I could not yell. For some reason I could not find my voice, as if my voice had been taken from me. I tried to yell out again, but nothing was let out from my lips. I tried to open my eyes to see the cause of the constant pain, but they did not respond. Furthermore, I could not hear anything from the world around me either.

At that moment, I was incapable of thinking of anything other than the constant, immeasurable pain I felt. I tried to move. There has to be a reason as to why my body is under such tremendous pain.

Immobilization.

My limbs do not react to my command, and if I could not feel their pain I would be almost certain that they were not even there. Instead, I am left here in my pain as time flows by without a given measure.

I cannot tell how long my suffering continued, as I had no senses to tell me anything. I could not listen to a creek or river flowing by to give me an estimate of time, could not see anything that was occurring nearby. My pain continued endlessly, tormenting me beyond belief.

That was until it all went away.

As if out of nowhere, my pain left me. My body still ached, but the searing pain had subsided for the moment and that was all that mattered.

For the first time since I became conscious, I fell asleep.

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Blurry figures and objects meet my eyes as they open for what feels like the first time. The brightness I felt beating down on my face was no doubted from the early morning sun.

My body still contained the ache in every last part of it, the constant pain however only concentrated on my chest. I was to sore to move, but in the end I didn't care. My endless oblivion was now over, even if this lesser pain still resided within me.

My body was on some sort of soft surface, one that did not cause my body to ache. This marked the first time I was grateful for anything since the pain began.

The room begins to lose focus, and I try keeping my eyes open but they slowly close from what tiredness I still had left over. The second they closed I drifted off once more, my world fading into an all familiar darkness.

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I was dead asleep, but for some reason my mind was drifting. I was not 'dreaming' in the normal sense, but rather I was left in a dark place beneath my eyelids as my body rested.

For the first time since I could remember, free thought graced my brain. I was not so absorbed in my own pain, nor was my body trying to writhe as it burned inside. In this weird sleep-like state I was free to think.

My first thought, what happened to me? I tried to think about some sort of event or reason as to why I was enduring this horrid pain. I could truly not recall anything. No large battle, no sinister betrayal, and no tragic event could be recalled. In fact, I tried to recall anything. I couldn't.

My next thoughts were about a very different topic.

Who was I?

Not even that simple question could be granted to me. Amnesia had fallen upon me, whoever I was.

Where was I?

Somewhere with people. Do I know these people? All I could remember was some random blurry figures. One was kind of silverish…another was red…I think there was a greenish one too…and was that purple? Hmmm…there was a gigantic one too, this one more brown…and another silver figure?

Did I know them? For some reason that grouping of colors sounded familiar…maybe I ran into them at some point in my life? Were they friends? Nothing came to mind. Maybe they were enemies? For some reason that sounded more correct, but didn't feel quite right.

Now, Lloyd, focus…wait…Lloyd! That's my name! How did I forget that? Now, what was my last name…no clue. Well, now I need to try and remember who those people were. If they were my enemies I'm sure I wouldn't be so comfortable…for sure they wouldn't put me on something soft…well then these people are friends? That really didn't feel right.

So, a red figure I know…

For some reason the words, "To slow" come to mind…oh, and "Over here!"

Those words bring me comfort for some reason…like a good memory when you're feeling down…

I still couldn't name the man though…maybe one of the others? Green? Now who did I know that wore green? For some reason he felt more familiar than the others…the only group of people I can think of that wear a lot of green are the royalty and top knights of Bale…Bale…Bale, now who would I know from there who was in that category…

Royalty. That means king. King…no kings ring a bell in my mind. A queen? No recollection either. Maybe a prince…ah yes, Prince Albert. Nephew of Emperor Doel…wait, Doel? Why did I know him? Oh yes, he was the man I manipulated…oh. Why did I do that? Ah never mind, back to Albert. I knew him because, because, oh yes! I was his advisor…no way to pull strings in a war than by being the head advisor to both sides…

Wow. That's bad. Why did I do that? Something about world peace…but why would I want that? That is an impossible goal with man's violent nature…wait, where did that come from? If I hate humans so much, then what am I?

Wait. My back. I feel two things attached to it…no. Not things. Those are my wings…those are apart of my Wingly heritage. Yes, I remember now. I am a Wingly. And I wanted world peace so that my people could once more be apart of the world, rather than hide in forests, secluded and separated from the world.

Wait…what happened to my goal? I remember that I was so close to it…but what happened. On that I still drew a blank. Well then…what now? I know that Albert, or at least a stand in for the prince, was in the room I am in. And he's not happy with me…was it because I betrayed him…no…that wasn't it…then why did I know he harbored ill feelings for me? Again, no idea.

Well, if he was here, or his stand-in, I'm pretty sure those other annoyances were not far behind…yes, Dart was the red armored figure. If this is the company I am with, I am pretty sure I am in good hands. For some reason, I felt at peace knowing Dart was there. Like, as though we had an understanding that transcended sides of a war. He may have been my enemy, but I knew that he no longer was.

But the fact I was safe did not mean that I was going to like the welcoming party…I'm pretty sure the others wouldn't like me very much…

Wait, the large brown figure, that would be Kongol! The last Giganto that worked for Doel while I was manipulation the Emperor. Unlike others, namely humans, I did not look down upon the Gigantos. They were able fighters and had a close culture…until they were destroyed by humans…

Kongol. Honorable, loyal, and a gentle giant. At least he could act as a sort of assurance if things went wrong.

But who else could be-owww! What in Soa's name is that pain! My chest feels like its on fire! This hurts even more than the original pain!

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"Sorry Lloyd. This treatment is going to hurt quite a lot," a soothing, feminine voice said to me calmly.

I screamed in pain, and grabbed the surface I was laying on, "Just hold on for a little bit longer! I'm almost done!"

The pain spread throughout my body and I cried out in more pain. The pain continued for a few more seconds that seemed to drag on, but it soon ended. The pain I had felt was now replaced by a good feeling. On my chest I could feel two hands touching me, through which I felt the calming magic coming from.

The hands began to pull away and the voice from before spoke, "There! All done. Just rest Lloyd. It'll help the healing process-"

My eyes opened and I grabbed one of the arms retracting from my chest in my hand. The person squealed and jumped back, trying to get free.

I took in my surroundings and found that I was in a building of Wingly construction, in which I was sitting on what seemed to be a makeshift bed. It may have been awhile, but I never will forget my ancestry.

Next to me was a far more interesting subject. So this was the person who has been taking care of me?

"Uh Lloyd, could you let me go please? You're hurting me."

Snapping to attention, I looked down at where I held her arm and let go.

"Where am I?"

She rose her eyebrows, but answered, "You're in a Wingly refuge, Lloyd, a place where Winglies that are not apart of a village or forest take refuge."

I nodded and looked at my arms and body, still full of questions, "What happened to me? Why am I like this?"

She frowned as she spoke, "Lloyd…this is how I found you…you were in pain, your body writhing in agony. I decided to bring you here and treat you."

I looked up at her and noticed her frown, "I apologize for all the questions, but what is it that you aren't telling me?"

"Lloyd…I don't think this is the time for that. More importantly, how are you feeling?"

I looked back at myself, "Currently I feel fine. That second spell you used on me greatly helped with my pain."

Meru nodded and smiled, "Well, your welcome. It will weaken you for a little while and you won't be able to get up, but it will soothe the healing effects of my other spell."

"Thank you for the hospitality, but may I ask as to why you're giving it to me?"

Meru leaned back and looked away, "You don't seem to remember…at the moment it might be best if we kept it that way. Lloyd, go back to sleep for now. At this rate you should be up and about by the time you wake up."

I nodded, knowing that my fellow Wingly was not going to speak up, and closed my eyes, "I'll concede to that. But I do wish to know what I'm missing out on when I wake up again."

Meru giggled and I heard her start walking away, "Go to sleep. Doctor's orders."

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Awakening this time wasn't as kind to me. This time around I had actually fallen into a deep sleep and wasn't left to think in the dark, but that blissful sleep ended when I heard arguing nearby.

"He's a criminal, a thief and a murderer! He has no place here!" A voice I did not know yelled, rousing me from sleep.

In response I heard Meru's voice, "He sacrificed his life to try and save the world, he-"

The original voice retorted, "He only fought Frahma so that he could control the world himself! He has brought disgrace to us as an entire species!"

Another person spoke up, one that sounded like it came from a noble, "Past transgressions aside, he truly was trying to create a better world. He is not beyond redemption, especially among his fellow kinsmen, most of whom who have no issue with him-"

The original voice grew louder, "I would think that you of all people would understand what a monster like him is capable of! He manipulated an entire continent of people into fighting each other, all for his own needs and desires!"

Now I heard another familiar voice, "Lloyd no hurt anyone. Lloyd is noble warrior. He die helping us fight other Wingly. Other Wingly bad person, Lloyd not."

Having the strength to do so, I got up and decided to go towards the noise. I needed to see what was going on, especially since it revolved around me.

"We've been through this! He is staying, at least until he is 100% fully recovered."

"Well then, if he is to stay here, then I will depart."

I walked into the room adjacent to mine and found Meru along with Prince Albert, Kongol and a Wingly I did not know. The unknown Wingly in question was the one who had been yelling before, and upon seeing me in the doorway, sneered at me.

"Speak of the devil. I will be leaving now."

With that he turned and left, causing the other three to shake their heads.

Turning to me, Meru shook her head, "Don't worry about him, I don't know why he's being so difficult. For now, how are you doing? I see you're up and about."

I nodded and met her gaze, "I feel much better than before…I feel weak, but it does not seem as though it is because of your healing."

Meru's grew a smile, "Well, that's probably because you haven't used your muscles in awhile. Four years of inactivity can do that to you."

Before I could respond, Albert spoke up, "If I may Meru, can I speak with Lloyd in private?"

Meru shot him a glare, "You better not rough my patient up or I'll cat's cradle you!"

Albert laughed and looked at me, "Don't worry about that Meru. I have no ill intentions for Lloyd. I just need to talk to him."

Meru frowned, but nodded. I just stood there confused as Meru and Kongol left the room.

Albert was the one who struck up conversation, "Lloyd, I have heard you are missing some memories. Do you by chance remember me?"

I nodded to him, "You are Prince Albert of Bale. I was your advisor, and I stole the moon gem from you."

Albert nodded back at me, trying to keep his voice neutral, "That is not all. You killed my closest and longest friend, Lavitz back in Hellena prison."

Pictures flashed through my mind, all showing a green Dragoon impaled upon my sword. I nodded slowly at him, unsure if this conversation was going to become ugly.

Albert held his hands up, "Don't worry about me trying to harm you. I have no interest in revenge. In fact, I would like to thank you."

My eyebrows rose, "I will admit I'm confused."

Albert took something out of his pocket and handed it to me, "This, Lloyd, is a legal document detailing your full pardon. The people of Bale and all of Serdio have heard of how you stood against the evil deity Melbu Frahma," pictures of my death flashed before me, and suddenly many things made sense, "and very few know that you ever plunged their lives into war. You gave us the tools that let us save the world, and you died to help bring peace to the world. As king of Serdio, it is my duty to recognize what you have done and as such I am making sure that in my kingdom you will not receive any trouble for your previous crimes."

I was shocked to say the least. Seeing my expression, Albert continued, "As Dart once said, taking your life will not bring back the ones of those you have killed. However, you have been given another lease on life, in which you have the capability to repent for your sins," Albert handed the paper to me, shook my hand, and began walking towards the door, "I hope that you will use this chance to do good things Lloyd. I know you can from what you've shown us."

Before he left, I decided to speak up, going down on one knee as I did so, "Thank you, my Lord. I will not let you down."

Albert turned and smiled, "I'm sure you won't. If you ever need a place to stay, you may come to my kingdom. You will be welcome there," turning back to the door, he laughed, "And it's Albert. No need to be overly formal."

I nodded, "Thank you, Albert. I will find a way to repay this debt."

As he left, Meru and Kongol came back in, Kongol bending over and moving sideways to fit through the door. Meru looked at Albert and then back at me before shrugging, "Well, it looks like you two hit it off. He's a good guy and I'm glad that you two aren't going to have a feud."

I nodded and stood up, "Thank you, both of you. You two stood up for me, even after everything I've done."

Meru grinned, "You were in need of help and I was able to give it to you. Especially after the help you gave us against Frahma, I felt obligated to help."

Kongol nodded, "Lloyd die like warrior to save world. Lloyd not bad person."

Meru laughed and put her hands on her hips, "Well, so how did your conversation with Albert go? And," closing the distance between the two of us instantly, she grabbed the paper in my hand, "what is this?"

I frowned and tried to grab it back, but she dodged my lunge, "Give it back."

Meru opened the scroll up and began to read it, all the while dodging my attempts to get my pardon back, "Ooh, look at who got a full pardon! Nice job Lloyd! And here I thought he was going to impale you on his lance! And this part is especially interesting! Have you looked at this yet Lloyd?" Looking at the official seal that she had ripped upon opening the scroll, she giggled, "I guess not."

I could not believe at how slow I was moving, but being dead for four years could do that to you, "Please give it back."

Meru stopped moving and pushed the scroll into my hands, "Oh fine. Don't want you to exert yourself to much."

I looked down at the scroll as I straightened it out, scanning it quickly.

"Wait, what?"

Meru pointed at the last paragraph, "It looks like you have a formal invitation to your old post as advisor to the throne. How nice of him."

"May I go lay down?"

Meru rose an eyebrow, but nodded, "Sure. This must all be a lot for you to take in. I'll be in here if you need me, so go lay down."

I thanked her and walked back into the room where my bed was set up. After placing my pardon and invitation down on a stand by my bed, I laid down on it and decided to mull over my situation.

I am a slightly amnesiac murderer who killed a friend of the people who are now taking care of me. I am hated vehemently for what I have done in the past by some, but others seem neutral if not outright friendly. I died fighting a villain who tried to claim the title of god, and yet I am now somehow alive once more. I was asked to serve a country that I had betrayed.

I'm not sure my life could be or get more complicated.

Who was I kidding?