An alternate universe inspired by the costume titles in Tales of Symphonia. Characters will have different roles and be under different circumstances, but their personalities will stay as canon as I can manage. Please keep an open mind, and enjoy.
Once upon a time, there were three lands.
Tethe'alla to the east: the vast, bustling kingdom of aristocracy and knowledge;
Welgaia to the west: the country of the Winged Clan blessed with powers of the goddess;
and Sylvarant in the center: the land of history and long-forgotten culture.
Deep within Sylvarant dwelt a hidden relic,
untouched by man, elf, or angel for centuries
and those who would possess it would rule over all who would oppose them.
And that marked the beginning of the war for the world.
Sheena Fujibayashi always awoke before the sun rose.
It was the mindset of the people, she knew. Be ready. Be cautious. Be aware and informed. And always be one step ahead of everyone and everything else - including the sun. Thus, the Chief's successor was a full believer in leading by example.
The people of Mizuho, the secret, hidden village, deep within the dark and ferocious Gaoracchia Forest, were taught since infancy the art of stealth and swiftness. As soon as Sheena felt the first signs of wakefulness, she was on her feet, rolling quickly off of her futon and soundlessly fixing the pillow and sheet upon the thin mat. Her steps were quiet in the darkness against the wooden, leveled flooring below her. True to form, she prepared herself in the dark, tying her hair back with a pink ribbon and washing herself clean. Mere minutes later, she slid the paper-thin door to the side, and slipped outside and into the misty morning air surrounding the hidden village, dagger strapped over her shoulder, bandana covering her nose and mouth, her dull brown garments a mere blur.
Her moves were quick.
Within moments, she lowered to her knees before the stone monuments and idols overlooking the fields, bowing her head in prayer and burning incense among the bamboo trees and foliage.
"Summon Spirits, Ancestors...lend us your strength, for a bountiful season, and peace."
Silently, she wished for the safe return of Kuchinawa and Orochi. It was not wildly accepted within the boundaries of Mizuho for an individual to have personal wishes. They were a unified people, bound to one another in action and thought and decision. So her worries were not to be spoken aloud.
Admittedly, it was difficult sometimes. For Sheena Fujibayashi, despite her standing as Successor, was emotional, kind, and altruistic to a fault. She lifted a charm between two fingers, whispering a soft incantation into the otherwise silent, cool air.
...That was when she felt it. A presence behind her, just as quiet, and anyone who was not a native of Mizuho would not have noticed the lingering figure behind her at all.
She fought the urge to jump up to embrace the figure, and merely allowed herself to smile, turning her head ever-so-slightly.
"...Any news, Kuchinawa? Where is Orochi?"
Her smile immediately fell when she felt the air around her grow cold. "...We must wake the village and speak with the Chief."
Her fists clenched against her knees as she pulled the cloth away from her mouth. "What is it?" Why did Orochi sound so grave? Her blood ran cold through her veins, and she held her breath.
"...The rumors are true. Orochi is finding out more as we speak."
She cursed under her breath and lowered her head, her dark bangs covered her eyes. So...the winged clan was finally making its move.
"Wake the Chief then, and gather the others. We need to alert Meltokio."
"-Rise and shine, my buddy~!"
Lloyd Irving moaned into his pillow, throwing the covers back over his head. This was hardly appropriate at all. He wasn't changed, it was far too early in the morning, and he really thought he'd told his butler not to let Zelos into his home anymore. "Go 'way," he grumbled, reaching out from under the blanket to swat blindly in Zelos's direction.
But it was not to be, as Zelos, shameless as the aristocrat was, decided to roll on into bed next to Lloyd, lounging lazily beside him, effectively wrinkling his green waistcoat and mussing his neatly braided red hair. "Today's the day! You can't waste your morning sleeping when there's a ~party~ to prepare for!"
Princess Hilda's birthday. That was right. Beneath the quilt, Lloyd rolled his eyes. It felt as though all they did in Meltokio was have dinner parties and grand events. Of course Zelos couldn't get enough of them - he had more than enough entertainment from just the women who showed up - but Lloyd was...tired. He didn't know what was worse. Actually going to school, or parties.
Even if he wasn't a scholar by any means (and in fact, he struggled greatly in classes aside from physical education and art), his money and status still called for his attendance at the Sybak Academy. At least he had company in his best friend, Genis. That elven boy was young, but far more intelligent than anyone who would be at that stupid party scheduled that night.
He didn't believe he was ever meant for this sort of life. And he almost resented his father for disappearing without a word and leaving everything to him. The very thought of him made Lloyd grit his teeth in aggravation.
His voice was almost inaudible under the heavy cloth as he tried to roll and nudge Zelos off of his bed. "Get off. And you go get ready since it takes you forever. I'm gonna sleep." The redheaded rich boy refused to leave, however, and latched onto Lloyd's body. "GAH - Get off!"
"Llooooyyyyyyd! C'mon, the hunnies await!"
"I don't want - !"
"Masters Irving and Wilder, a steward from the castle has arrived with orders from the king for both of you. It seems urgent."
Both aristocrats ceased their struggles and glanced up in question at the butler. Yes, the sun was all ready up, but there was never anything this urgent at this time of the morning. Lloyd unceremoniously shoved Zelos off the bed and onto the ornate carpeting, ignoring the other man's whines. "...Uhh...Okay. Gimme a sec."
With a bow, his butler excused himself and closed the door. Zelos scoffed from the floor. "You're so uncivilized sometimes! How mean!"
"Hey! I'm not the one who tries to lift skirts all night." Lloyd kicked off from the bed and stretched, moving to the ornate table with the basin and washcloth. As he stared into the mirror and washed his face, he glanced over to his acquaintence still sitting on the floor.
...There were moments in time when Lloyd noticed a change in Zelos's demeanor. Rare times when his expression was almost stern and he seemed far away. "What's with you all of a sudden?"
And just like that, the moment was over, and the grin was back. "Nothing~! Well, I'll leave you alone to get yourself all dolled up!" He rolled almost acrobatically to his feet and danced out the door. "Don't keep Princess Hilda waiting! I'm sure she misses you!"
Lloyd shrugged as the door shut behind Zelos, blinding him to the change in the redhead's demeanor once more. The tall aristocrat straightened out his waistcoat and stared down at the king's steward at the door, a frown on his face.
"...Huh. This must be serious."
And it had been urgent. As soon as Lloyd emerged fully dressed but still adjusting the blue cuffs of his white coat, the steward had ushered the two aristocrats out the door and to the castle. It wasn't far - they lived at the highest level of Meltokio where all of the nobles resided in the residential section to the east. Zelos was abnormally quiet on the way, and so Lloyd couldn't bring himself to say anything either.
There was something unnerving about all of this.
They approached the grand entrance to the large structure, the knights patrolling the door stepping aside immediately. They were familiar faces. The doors were pushed open for them, the red carpet rolling out before them down the hall and leading to the two thrones at the end. The king stood, just as Princess Hilda, in all her layers of gown, fabric, and curls, rushed down on clicking heels toward the two men.
Despite himself, Lloyd did know that she was beautiful. Such a sight, and such a lady. He blushed as she smiled daintily, stopping before them and curtsying, fan half-covering her smile of appreciation.
Zelos stepped forward and bowed deeply, taking her hand and delicately kissing the back of it. "Happy birthday, Your Lovely Highness."
Lloyd followed suit, albeit more awkwardly and stiffly. Even now, he was still unaccustomed to this sort of thing. "Happy birthday, Your Highness."
She giggled again and nodded to the two of them, before the king approached as well, expression almost painfully sober. It was that expression that confirmed to the rather dense Irving heir that this was something not to be taken lightly. After all, in high society of Tethe'alla, there was rarely anything serious enough to involve the contented nobles.
Before anyone could speak, someone emerged from the side door, however soundless it was. There was a mere few seconds before Zelos burst into action, prancing closer to the purple-garbed ninja, reaching for the large, pink bow he so dearly enjoyed to see. Sometimes, he thought she wore that outfit just for him!
Lloyd smiled. He had met the Successor to the Mizuho clan many times before, and they got along quite well. They were similar in many ways - she was far more kind and more level-headed than those in leadership positions in Meltokio. He wished, sometimes, that he knew more about the world if leaders like Sheena existed in other places as well. But Meltokio's walls were high, and there was rarely an opportunity to leave except for ventures to Altamira.
He just...never had a reason to leave, really.
"Sheena, my voluptuous hunny~!"
The messenger from Mizuho scowled, fists clenching at her sides and standing defiantly before the redhead, sidestepping out of his reach. Outside of the boundaries of her village, her fiery emotions and personality was unhindered, even in the presence of Tethe'allan monarchy. "Don't call me that, you idiotic - !"
"I think," interrupted the aggravated king with a sneer, "that it is time that we discuss the reason for your visit, Sheena."
Everyone stopped, and stared at the scowling ninja. Her eyes briefly met Lloyd's, softening. If only they could've met again on a lighter note.
"The Angels are planning something. Welgaia is going to make its move."
On the lowest level of Meltokio, a girl huddled up behind a building in the slums, alone, dirty, and shaking, wearing nothing but a white shirt, brown wrap-around, and broken sandals. She was bruised and weary, afraid to even move, remaining there in the mud and breathing in the soiled air around her. No one noticed. No one cared.
...Where was she to go now?