Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia. It belongs to the fine folks at Namco.

A/N: This came partially out of frustration because there are no Forcystus fanfics, partially because of a quote from ToS and because I love the "what if"'s. Be warned lots of spoilers. I mean it's about Cruxis and Desians afterall.

The Good Aurion
Chapter I: The Prince of Tethe'alla

Lloyd leaned up against a pillar outside of the gate to Derris Kharlan. His father was speaking with Lord Yggdrasil at the moment and he was not to wander off. He assumed he was being assigned a mission, most likely a retrieval from one of the Desian bases. What he hoped was that Kratos would allow him to come as well. His father had a nasty habit of wanting to do everything by himself and having no confidence in his son.

It was then that Kratos appeared on the transporter panel and approached his son.

"Are we going to a human ranch?"

Kratos was surprised by the suggestion. "No." He said and began to walk down the path which lead out of Welgaia. Lloyd followed with his hands behind his head. "This will be a good lesson for you."

"A good lesson?"

"Yes, we're going to the flourishing world."

Lloyd was a little taken aback by the suggestion. "Tethe'alla? But... why would we need to go to Tethe'alla."

"It's routine. We have to go to see if the Chosen is straying from his designed path." Kratos seemed to sense that his son didn't understand. "He's a little ... too spirited."

Lloyd had no idea what Kratos could be talking about. True, he had only had experience with the Chosens of Sylvarant but they were always diligent. He had never heard of a Chosen straying. "Spirited? Isn't that a good thing?"

"In this case, it's not."

It was easy enough traveling between the worlds with the Tower of Salvation. The Holy Ground of Kharlan linked the two worlds and it was simply a matter of telling the angels which side you wanted to walk out into. The matter of blending in was a different entirely. Lloyd had to be changed out of this Cruxis wear and into something suited to the nobility of Tethe'alla. He knew the basics of the Tethe'allian system. There was an apparent gap between the upperclass and lower with Half Elves at the bottom of what was a loose caste system. He sincerely hoped he didn't act out of line due to the latter. The trip to Tethe'alla was an obvious test of his merits and his actions would be considered when it came to his future role in Cruxis. He would be in close contact with the humans of the flourishing world. This involved tact, style and charisma. Nevermind that it was a perfect way to show Lord Yggdrasil that he was a competent member of Cruxis and not just Kratos's son.

Upon leaving the tower, Kratos's wings faded and he began walking down a small path away from the Holy Ground. Lloyd felt a wave of envy. He was seventeen and still hadn't gone through the Angelic process and received his wings yet. It would certainly make transportation both in Welgaia and on Earth easier. "Is there going to be transportation to Sybak?"

Kratos was surprised that Lloyd was so close to their actual location. "Why do you say Sybak?"

It was a test. "Sybak is the home of the Tethe'allian Research Academy. The Chosen would naturally be taught there and would most likely be there because it is the middle of the week."

Kratos turned back to watch where he was going. "Except it's during the Spiritua festival in Tethe'alla, it's a day of anxiety. The Chosen will be in the capital."

Lloyd hit himself in the face with his palm. How could he have forgotten? Spiritua was the angel of death in Tethe'alla and a savior of Sylvarant. "Meltokio then." He said sheepishly.

"Yes, they have some kind of flying vehicle which will take us. It'll take us some doing and more magic than I usually use but it's doable."

Lloyd didn't understand. "What type..."

Kratos was already creating a rather large magic circle. "Come here."

Lloyd walked over obediently. He usually tried to stay clear of Kratos or any member of Cruxis's magic circles. All of the sudden Lloyd felt a strange tingling, sudden blackness and then the inside of the flying machine. "Act as though, we belong here. As far as they know we boarded like all of the other lords."

Lloyd looked around amazed. Was there anything magic couldn't do? Lloyd noted the other passengers, they were obviously all humans of Tethe'alla. Half Elves often carried themselves differently. It was the magical presence or perhaps their mana signature, he wasn't sure. The passengers carried themselves like Kratos and ... himself.

"Have you ever heard of the Aurions?" Lloyd heard a noble ask his wife as Lloyd stood on the far end near Kratos. "Must have something to do with exsphere mining."

"Why do you say that?"

"The senior is wearing one."

Lloyd tried to ignore the nobles afterward. It wasn't any of his business what the passengers thought he and his father were. Their ideas would never come close anyway. "Will Meltokio be anything like home?"

Kratos shrugged. He knew cities were almost devoid of magic. However, his greater knowledge was purely academic. "Not really. Expect it to be more advanced than Sylvarant but nowhere near Welgaia."

The plane landed within an hour. Kratos and Lloyd left the vehicle as quickly as they could without drawing a crowd. Lloyd could tell his father was worried. The world outside of Welgaia was that of humans and it wasn't hard for Lloyd to take offense. The last thing he needed was a fight in the flourishing world and to be on desk duty for the rest of his life. Lloyd was amazed. It certainly was no Welgaia but it had it's own charm. The buildings sprawled in all directions built of stone with humans scurrying about. He had never seen so many all in one place before. "We have to go to the temple of Martel. We are to act as dedicated followers and to persuade the Chosen to act accordingly. Though it may be more difficult than that."

Lloyd didn't understand what his father could mean. Chosens were not known for their rebellion. They were bred as a vessel, a symbol to each world and were to act accordingly. Just as he was born the son of one of the Four Seraphim and acted accordingly. Things had their place and so did people. It was the nature of things and going against it was pointless.

They arrived at the temple and sat in the front pew. A priest looked up and walked over to them suspiciously. "Are you waiting for someone?"

Lloyd spoke before Kratos had the chance to say anything. "We just arrived. We're hoping to see the Chosen, the symbol of Martel's good graces on Tethe'alla. My father and I are devoted followers and wish only to hear the wisdom of the Chosen."

Kratos was taken aback. It seemed making a good impression included rehearsing to say. "My son is very enthusiastic."

"You are lucky you came today. The Chosen is in Meltokio for the protection from Spiritua. He should be here..."

"So temple hunny, did you miss me?"

Lloyd and Kratos turned quickly to see that a rather flamboyant ginger haired man had just entered the temple dressed in pink with a dagger at his side. He walked past Kratos and Lloyd without a word and hopped up to sit on the altar. It was the most indecent display from a Chosen he had even seen. "Chosen, these men are devoted followers to the Church and are waiting to speak with you."

The Chosen took one look at them and turned back to the priestess. "Followers, huh? Well tell them to join the club. I've got plenty lined up before these two."

The priestess was in shock. "Chosen ZELOS!"

Lloyd was also appalled. His chest was tight and he felt his face grow hot. He stood up and looked Zelo's straight in the eyes. "How dare you insult the institute of Martlel! You're the Chosen of Mana, the symbol of the church and a beacon to the people of Tethe'alla, and all that we have seen of you is a disrespectful slob who is too self-centered to even realize what he means to his own people. Now get down from there!"

Zelos's eyes narrowed as he slid down from the altar. "You..."

Kratos stood and walked so he was closer to the Chosen. "My son may not have the courtesy that a Chosen deserves to be addressed with but his message is the same and I agree."

Zelos glared at the older man.

"We came because we heard you were neglecting your role as the Chosen."

"Neglecting." Zelos smirked and chuckled to himself. "I haven't neglected a thing. The world is flourishing, the Tower is standing right there if you haven't noticed. I come to the church, I say what I'm supposed to and I leave. Maybe that isn't how you want a Chosen to act but then again who are you people?" Zelos said and stormed out of the church in a flustered rage.

Lloyd felt a lump grow in his throat. He had failed. Kratos had trusted him and he had failed. "Come on ,Lloyd."

Lloyd followed obediently. "Are you angry with me?"

"No."

"But I failed. The Chosen'll never..."

"I have to admit. Your technique was unorthodox but..."

"But?"

"You successfully jolted the Chosen's attention onto his duties. Eventhough it doesn't look that way, he is more aware of this responsibilities and will carry him out now. To be honest, your way may be more effective than mine would have been. You attacked his pride."

Lloyd blushed. It was not often that his father complimented him. "I-I don't really like the Chosen much."

"He certainly isn't what I had hoped either."

"He's different than the other Chosen."

"Indeed. He... doesn't seem to want to be the Chosen at all."

"Why do you say that?"

"He sat all on the altar. It was an insult to the Church. He did it to intentionally offend us."

"He really is a jerk. He seems like fun though." Lloyd said with a grin.

"...Fun?"

"Yeah. If things were different, we may have gotten along."

Kratos looked at his son puzzled but didn't say anything else until they returned home.