NAMCO Tales Studio, Ltd. holds the exclusive rights to all characters appearing in the video game Tales of Symphonia. The following story has been created for entertainment purposes only, and no profit has been made by the author.

Dear Diary, Love Sheena

8 January, 3596 (Mizuho reckoning)

Dear Diary,

I suppose we should start with introductions. You are a little book with an ornately-woven cover I fell absolutely in love with the moment I saw you in the marketplace. I am Sheena Fujibayashi, ninja, emissary, and summoner-in-training. If you know anything about my home village of Mizuho, then you know that Sheena isn't my real name, and, no, I can't tell anyone what it is, not even you. I am fourteen years old and I just arrived in the city of Meltokio.

Tiga, he's the vice-chief of my village and the man who's been taking care of me since Grandpa...I don't want to talk about that now. Anyway, Tiga told me that a ninja's greatest weapon is the element of surprise. So, really, I'm not supposed to keep a diary. Whenever you commit something to paper, you run the risk of it being discovered. But it's not like I'm going to describe any of our secret arts or draw a map to our hidden village. I'll just tell you my feelings, my hopes, and my dreams. So, I think it's okay to bend that one rule.

Besides, I need someone to talk to, even if it's only a little black book. I don't have any friends here yet. It's okay. I'm used to being without friends after what I did five years ago. Look at that. I'm getting tears on your paper. I'm sorry. I guess that's not really true, though, the part about having no friends. There were three boys who would sometimes play with me: the Hebi brothers, Orochi and Kuchinawa—we call them that because their names are ancient Mizuhoan words for types of snakes—and Suzumebachi. His name means "wasp." He's a few years younger than me, and is always following me around like he's got a crush on me. It's kind of cute. Before I left he told me he loved me. I know he's just a kid, but it felt good to hear those words. It's been such a long time.

Meltokio is, by the way, the capital of Tethe'alla. The king lives here, and so does the pope. He's the head of the Church of Martel. My village doesn't worship Martel, but the vice-chief said I might have to attend services at the big cathedral that's right next to the castle. He told me to be strong and say what I had to say, and God would forgive me as long as I stayed faithful in my heart. I hope he's right.

There's one other important thing in Meltokio, in fact, it's the only reason I'm here. The Elemental Research Lab is world famous for its investigation into summon spirits. Summon spirits are very powerful beings that can generate massive amounts of mana. The Lab is searching for a way to harness their power to make the world a better place. And I'm the best chance they have.

I've been taught all the summoning techniques, though I haven't been very successful in the past. I might as well come out and say it. It's not like the whole world doesn't already know. When I was nine, I failed to make a pact with the summon spirit of lightning, Volt. Half of Mizuho lost their lives. I did what I was taught, but Volt spoke in a language I couldn't understand. He just started killing everyone, and Grandpa, Chief Igaguri, went into a coma.

As I write this, I'm living in a tiny apartment to the side of the Lab. The Lab is open twenty-four hours, and it's loud even at night. I'm having trouble sleeping, but I'll get used to it. I'm doing this for Mizuho after all. I'll endure anything for them. I have to if I'm to have any chance for atonement.

I'm too depressed to write any more. Talk to you later.

Love,

Sheena