The pinging noise is definitely there, Lloyd swears, so he keeps looking, squinting through the rain for any causes. But it's so close, and Sheena says she can't hear it, so is he making it up? Sometimes that happens - especially in the aftermath of becoming an angel - he'll hear noises, usually higher pitched droning ones, and nobody else can hear them like he can.

But this noise is different. Lloyd doesn't think he's hearing nothing.

Standing still, enhancing his hearing just the slightest amount, he closes his eyes and concentrates. Slowing his breath, calming the heartbeat in his ears, and picking apart what's coming from the storm, he focuses in on the ringing that's driving him crazy, constant and impatient as it is. It's so close. So close, and it's not coming from Sheena.

It's coming from him. Or, more specifically, the core crystal in his pocket.

"No, nobody found us," Lloyd finally answers, opening his eyes wide, "but something is wrong with Mithos' core crystal, I think. That's where the noise is coming from."

Dread spikes itself into Lloyd's heart. He doesn't understand why Mithos' crystal is making noises like it is, doesn't know if he did something wrong and broke it - honestly, he hadn't done anything that could do that, he thinks! Aw man, what did he do, Kratos is gonna kill him! Hesitantly, Lloyd reaches back into his pocket and pulls out Mithos' crystal, checking for any possible cracks or -