A Simple Change

Author's Note: This is just what I would think would happen if Kratos didn't find Artemis. If you don't know who that is, just read my other story, Spread Your Wings, or maybe Memories.

"…"-talking

'…'-thinking

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

"What's wrong Lilith?"

"The scent of an ominous rain is in the air, I'm not sure what's going to happen, but it's definitely something bad…"

At the bottom of a cliff

"Grr…that idiot…," grumbled Lilith as she watched Advent heal an unconscious Artemis. The two spirits were at the bottom of a cliff surrounded by a blood soaked ground. A few minutes ago the area was littered with desian corpses, but Lilith quickly took care of that.

"Lilith, don't call him that." Advent scolded.

"But he should've heard her crying!"

"Maybe he wasn't focusing on sound," Advent theorized, "Kratos was probably focusing on finding their bodies."

"I still say he's an idiot." Lilith folded her arms across her chest.

Advent sighed, "Lilith, just drop it. Right now we have to find a way to take care of Artemis."

"Okay." Lilith nodded, "…Do you think we should give her a different last name?"

"I suppose that's a good idea. If Kratos ever came here, it's likely he'll be watched by someone from Cruxis. And if someone has the same last name as him, it'll cause unwanted trouble."

"Yeah, Aurion isn't a common name…but what should we give her?" Lilith asked, "We don't have last names."

"Maybe we could use our first names?"

"Hmmm, Artemis Advent, Artemis Lilith, nah too weird. What about Cressen?"

"Isn't that Lloyd's middle name?"

"Well then Mr. High and Mighty, why don't you think of something?"

"I was thinking Era. Artemis Era. It has a nice sound to it."

"Hm…yeah! From this day forward, Artemis shall be known as Artemis Aeterna Era."

"At least until Kratos finds her right?"

"I was going to say that. Don't interrupt me!" Lilith's tone was slightly scolding.

"Whatever you say Lilith."

"Ngh…"

"Ah, she's waking up." said Advent.

"Hm? W-where's Daddy?" Artemis asked, her eyes were tearing up, and if one looked closer, they would see that one of her eyes was clouded.

"Artemis-" Advent gently placed his hands on Artemis's shoulder to try and calm her and to examine her eye.

Artemis flinched and faced Advent, "Who are you?"

"My name is Advent, I'm a good friend of your parents."

"D-do you know where Daddy is?" Tears were falling in heavy streams down Artemis blood streaked cheeks.

"I'm sorry but I don't." Advent wiped her cheeks.

"B-But Daddy will be sad! He doesn't have anyone else!"

"Hm? Artemis, did you see what happened to your mother?"

"Daddy had to kill Mommy because she asked him to. Daddy really loved Mommy! Since Big brother and Mommy fell, Daddy needs someone to be there to help him!" Artemis's tears had begun anew.

"Shh, it's okay Artemis. He'll be fine." said Advent as he hugged the young toddler, 'I hope.'

"Yeah," Lilith piped up, "Your old man's strong, he'll be fine."

Artemis sniffled, "Okay…"

"Artemis?" Advent asked

"?"

"Would you like to stay with us? I know you want to be with your parents, but we don't know where your father is right now."

"Stay with you?"

"If you don't mind, of course."

"…I'll stay."

"Aw sweet!" Lilith pumped up her fist, "Finally, another girl to hang out with!"

"I'm not letting you corrupt her innocent mind Lilith."

"Innocent?! Hello! She saw desians get butchered, spewing blood, and her dad killing her mom. Her mind's not exactly innocent anymore."

"Lilith you're scaring her."

Lilith looked at Artemis's shivering form in Advent's arms, her eyes once again tearing up.

"Ah! Uh, um, I'm sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to scare you. I-I just wanted to make a point to Advent. Hey! I didn't introduce myself have I? I'm the Amazing ex-demon, Lilith."

"You're still a demon; you only left the Underworld." Advent corrected.

"…shu-uh, be quiet you old geezer…" said Lilith, trying to hold back on her cursing/swearing while Artemis was there.

"Artemis," started Advent.

Said girl looked up

"I know this is sudden but you'll have to change your last name."

"Why?"

"Well, if those bad people that hurt your family came here, they'll know you're Kratos's daughter and try to hurt you."

"Then what will my new name be?"

"You can keep your first and middle name kid," Lilith stated, "Your new surname is Era."

"Era?"

"Yep. Artemis Aeterna Era. Sounds good right?"

"Mmhm." Artemis nodded then she yawned.

"Tired huh?" Lilith asked, "Sleep on Advent's shoulder. Much more comfortable than mine."

And Artemis did just that.

"We don't have a place for her to stay in." said Advent.

"Hey, with our awesome powers, we'll be able to build a house in no time!"

"Then you work on it. I'm not going to be the only one who does things around here."

Lilith huffed, "Fine. But we're both going to tuck her in."

"Alright."

"Okay, here we g-,"

"Wait Lilith."

"What?! I was going to use my l33t skills!"

"…Okay 1) don't talk like that. 2) Maybe we should build a house closer to a village or town. That way, it'll be easy for us to get supplies."

"Well, I heard that there's a dwarf living in the forest somewhere, it's not a town but at least it's something right?"

"I guess."

"Okay! Time to go chop down some trees and make a nice homey house."

"You're so eccentric Lilith."

"Thanks!"

"…Sure, we can pretend that was a compliment…"

End Chapter 1

Author's Note: There it is! Now If I continue this, the title will make more sense. But I'm not sure if I should.