[The support from that corner is nearly a surprise. Certain things. Yes, like the truth of the Journey. Looking back, it seems so obvious that vital constructs about the Journey, the worlds' view of Cruxis, were given to Kratos to distract him. The creation of the bloodlines. The development of the angelic language. The establishment of the seals as holy places, guarded. The seals were based on Kratos's own, after all.

[How much of that was truly necessary, and how much because Mithos was even then planning things to which he knew Kratos would object?]

I -- I guess.

[And now Lloyd sounds so uncertain, a moment later bolstered by fierce determination.]

But the ranches are definitely evil! Why didn't you stop him then? I mean, if Yuan could start the Renegades -- why didn't you help him?

[The blow lands, for all that it doesn't show outwardly. Inwardly it hurts, so very badly; anyone else, and it wouldn't have hurt nearly so badly. From Lloyd, it did. Enough that when Kratos speaks, his voice is low and rough.]

Because I promised Martel I would take care of Mithos ... and when I looked at him, I still saw the fifteen-year-old boy with stars in his eyes and the world at his feet. If it was my fault he'd fallen, then I needed to save him -- somehow.

[And he'd failed even at that.]