The Sage of Spirits: Welcome to the collaboration of The Sage of Spirits and Li-chan0767's story! For now it's just me, but Li's going to be posting the next chapter (once we write it of course) next time. n.n This is our first collab. Cruxis Lloyd story that has a touch of Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken (Blazing Sword, whichever you prefer).
Lloyd: Of course it does - it's not surprising with you two anymore.
Jaffar: Indeed.
Sage: Whatever guys. Disclaimer.
Lloyd: The Sage of Spirits and Li-chan0767 does not own Tales of Symphonia or Fire Emblem.
Of Fallen Angels
Prologue: Plans for Descent
"What is the matter, Jaffar? Not feeling well?" A teen called out mockingly to the one named Jaffar, a wicked sneer spreading across his face.
Jaffar looked back over his shoulder at his younger cousin, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Lloyd? You're last assignment is over already?" The brunette nodded and grinned to himself, spying the smile on Jaffar's face.
"It was a simple one." He responded, his azure wings glowing faintly behind him. Not surprisingly, his cousin's black wings were out as well, and he seemed to be holding his partner-less dagger in one hand. "And since we both have spare time, I figured that we could at least attempt to get back on schedule." As he spoke, his hands drifted down to where his twin blades rested against his sides. Jaffar smiled, returning the sole dagger into his pack.
"Ready whenever you are, Cousin." He replied, his hands going down to his thighs, where he wore his short yet lethal blades strapped tightly to his pant legs. Lloyd grinned, and his hands tightened around his swords. Drawing them both in a single fluid motion, the brunette charged towards his auburn cousin, who drew his blades with incredible speed, using both to block the sword nearest him. Waiting until Lloyd's second sword swung around, he ducked and slashed upward with his right handed dagger, aiming to kill.
Lloyd jerked his head back just enough to dodge it, and brought his knee up as if to ram it into a spot that would hurt horribly if it connected. Just as he had expected, Jaffar practically cart wheeled away, flipping so that he landed upright. Waiting for Lloyd to plan his next maneuver, he muttered something under his breath. "Dark Feathers!!" A burst of black light issued forth, and several solid, translucent black feathers shot towards Lloyd.
Grinning, the younger Aurion began to knock the feathers away with his swords, all the while waiting for any hint of motion. While they both could move without a breath of sound, Jaffar was obviously the quicker of the two. Listening, Lloyd heard the noise of metal whistling through the air near his head and swung around to parry the descending daggers with his own swords.
"Hunting Beast!!" Shoving the older and taller away, Lloyd then knocked him skywards and leapt up higher, aided by his wings, and knocked Jaffar back down, who simply smirked in response and warped behind Lloyd.
"Dropped your guard!" he replied, going to level his left-handed dagger at Lloyd's neck. The brunette swore quietly and did a quick side tumble, evening out and standing once more. Both leapt away for a moment, before charging again and colliding with a ringing noise of colliding steel. Separating again, they charged one another several times over, relishing the loosening of such tight joints and the freedom of movement. Both were so caught up in the spar that neither noticed the older angel alighting to the ground not far from where they were.
Kratos stood there, watching as his son and nephew sparred, wondering if it was wise to interrupt such a friendly competition; those two had been rather busy with their assignments…
Deciding that what he was to tell them was more important, he began to smirk as he prepared his spell without the two younger angels' notice. As the two continued to fight, he charged his spell to its highest potential – as a joke, being the prankster that he is – and prepared to release.
"Sacred powers, cast thy purifying light upon the lands and render the earth apart… Judgment!" he said, the clanging of the weapons masking his voice; he began to chuckle as his fun was about to begin...
Lloyd and Jaffar charged toward each other, their weapons clashing together as sparks flew off of their blades. Suddenly, two beams of light fell behind their backs, startling them. They glanced up at the sky and saw as the beams continued to fall from the colorless sky; they broke off from each other and guarded themselves with defensive maneuvers.
After the spell subsided, Lloyd heard a familiar chuckle coming from the air; he glared angrily at the man that floated downward towards them.
"Dad..." he growled, "Do not do that during our weekly spar – we haven't had the time to practice as often because of what we do for Cruxis." Lloyd told the man, who had finally stopped chuckling.
"Oh, I am well aware of that; however, would you have stopped if I had not done that? Lord Yggdrasil would not be too pleased, as he has requested you both to appear before him." Kratos stated to the two teens. His statement did little to placate them, and two pairs of wine colored eyes glared sullenly at him.
"Uncle… If you weren't a family member I would run my knives through you." Jaffar told the man as the two young angels were walked to the castle.
"Jaffar, save that energy for later – you will need it then. And both of you, come over here." he commanded as the two walked over towards the man; Kratos kicked the two of them to the ground, sending them his authoritative glare. "If you two talk to me that way again I make you wish you had not. Understood?" he said in a cold tone.
"Y-yes sir…" They both said in unison, getting back on their feet; with a nod, Kratos flew off.
"Dad can be scary sometimes…" Lloyd chuckled weakly as he revealed his cerulean wings from within his back; Jaffar did the same, releasing his pitch black wings. They flew after the man, who was waiting for the two at the castle gate. Kratos led the two to the throne, whereupon the Leader of the Angels overlooked the City of Angels.
As they flew closer to the seatedLord Yggdrasil, Leader of Cruxis, they saw the slightly delighted smirk on his face; just before they arrived before the throne, they landed softly, falling onto one knee.
"Lord Yggdrasil." The three said in unison as the bowed their heads in respect.
"Ah, it is so good to see the three of you here before me. I have an assignment for the two of you, Lloyd and Jaffar." He said in his formal manner, fidgeting his fingers with excitement along the arm of the throne. "Pronyma has just brought it to my attention that the Chosen of Mana for Sylvarant may be the closest match to Martel's signature. Normally I would let fate take its toll on the Chosens; however, with this one so close with the signature I cannot take a chance with fate – I want the two of you to guard the Chosen until it is time to take her here from the Tower of Salvation."
"When are we to go and 'protect' her?" Lloyd asked, his face having a slight excitement at the chance of betrayal.
"Tomorrow, for that is the Day of Prophecy; I want you to join her at the best possible moment – when she is in a dangerous situation that of which calls for someone to save her. In that fashion, she will be indebted to you."
"Understood. Do we eliminate the companions?" Jaffar stated hopefully, a smirk appearing on both young angels' faces.
"Of course; we cannot have anyone survive after the Chosen has been brought up to Welgaia. If you both have anything you wish to say, you may take leave so that you may prepare for the journey." he said.
"Lord Yggdrasil, what of my father? Is he to accompany us?" Lloyd asked, turning his head towards Kratos, who was kneeling behind them. Yggdrasil shook his head.
"No, Kratos is not going to join you – he is to remain here for now. Is that all?" Yggdrasil asked; the two teens looked at each other and nodded their heads.
"Yes." They said at once.
"Then go now and ready yourselves; this matter will become crucial once it gets closer to your return here." he told the two, and with Kratos, they returned to their rooms as they readied themselves for their descent onto the world of Sylvarant.
Li: Wow--Jaffy's a bit more emotional than usual.
Sage: Indeed; well I think that went well. Please review!