Something was wrong. Kratos's whole demeanor was off, his actions unpredictable and erratic. His hand had snaked out and grabbed Lloyd's wrist before the teen could even try to jerk back. He winced and had to bite back a hiss of pain at the contact, and he almost started to struggle, but it was too late. Kratos had seen the Exsphere, seen what had happened to him. There wouldn't be any avoiding the topic now, even if he'd known it would come up sooner or later.

Only Kratos still wasn't behaving the way he should have. The bitter laughter disturbed him almost as much as his sudden deflation did. The man sounded tired, almost... defeated. Not calm and collected, not keeping a cool head, but like he'd already lost. It wasn't the way he was supposed to sound at all.

Unsettled, Lloyd pulled his hand back and uncertainly tried to do as he'd been told, to humor Kratos and answer the question. Maybe if he did, then things would make sense. "I... He said they couldn't get inhibitor ore, so they had to make a substitute. Zircon... That's what we used in Colette's Rune Crest to make her Key Crest stronger." But Kratos knew that, so why was he asking? "It's not strong enough by itself. It just... helps." A bitter anger crept into his voice. "I don't think he cared if it was good enough, though. I don't think he cares about anyone here at all!"