Tales of Symphonia:

The New Enemy

Chapter one: A Duel with an Angel

I

Lloyd.

I shined my blades until both of them gave a nice glow. The sun shined usually bright in the normally dark forest I trained in. The air smelled of pinecones and grass –well, those aren't my favorite scents, but I had no room to complain. I spent a lot of time in this forest and for some reason; it felt like a second home.

I sheathed both of my blades, leapt to a tree branch, and sat. Genis, my best friend, was off on a trip with his sister Raine. Collette was off doing "chosen one" things and so I was alone.

"Why does today of all days have to be so boring?" I sighed. Maybe I should make a surprise trip to Tethe'alla. But then again, my friends there might be busy as well. I glanced at the sky. Suddenly, I felt something hit my head. I turned around and there was Sheena, smiling at me. Saved from bored, I thought.

"Hey Lloyd," she said from below.

"Hey," I said. Sheena leapt beside me, her jump appearing far more graceful than mine. Not that I was surprised, since she was from the Mizuho –the place where a lot of skilled ninja live.

"You look a little depressed," Sheena said. "Don't tell me Dirk's training is wearing you out."

"It's not that," I said softly. "It's just –"

Sheena placed a finger on my lip. "Not another word," she said. "Since no one is around, how about you and I do something fun."

"Okay," I said.

The trip to Tethe'alla was short due to the excellent flying skills of our air cycle machines called Rheairds. We decided to visit the city of Altamira, a place practically owned by a company known as Lezareno. Regal, a friend that owned the company was probably very busy, so Sheena and I didn't bother him. We spent the day at the amusement park. I was still impressed by the technology of Tethe'alla, but …that wasn't what occupied my attention. For some reason, I just couldn't take my eyes off of Sheena. There was something about her that just reeled me in… In our previous adventures, somehow, I felt closer to Sheena than anyone else.

"Lloyd, let's try the Ferris wheel," she suggested, pulling my hand in that direction. Just then, an earthquake rocked the entire area. Sheena and I glanced around; trying to see what was the possible cause because Altamira normally didn't have earthquakes.

"Crap, this isn't good," I said. "What the hell's happening!"

"I'm not sure," Sheena answered.

"Are you sure you can't figure it out," a voice said. A large pillar of light burst in front of us. In the center, a shadow appeared. "What a lovely couple. It's a shame you both have to die."

II

The feminine laugh of the being within that pillar of light annoyed me. I wanted to spend quality time with Sheena, but what do I get? An earthquake and a battle. Great.

"Show yourself," I said as I unsheathed my swords. Sheena and I both took a fighting stance.

"If that's what you want," said the shadow within the light. The pillar vanished and floating before us was a woman with long purple hair. I couldn't help but noticed how beautiful she looked –but that didn't excuse her from ruining my day with Sheena. There was also something very crucial that I noticed. She had angel wings… Cruxis, I thought. But weren't they defeated? Why did another angel appear? Who was she?

"Lloyd…I've been waiting for you," she said softly. A black aura surrounded the angel. "Let us have the last dance." A red blade emerged from the aura into the grasps of her hands. Within seconds, the angel lurched at me and our swords collided.

"Stay back," I told Sheena. "It's me she's after."

"But –"

"Thanks," I interrupted and pulled back my blades. The angel smirked.

"Pitiful… Is this the best you got?"

"I'm sorry," I said, "but the fight has just started." I concentrated the energy within my body, stuck the ground, unleashing a blast of white energy. It dashed like a shark toward the angel. She shielded against it using her wings.

"Not bad," whispered the angel. "What exactly was that?"

"Demon fang," I replied as I darted, swing my blades. The only thing that motivated me to win this fight was Sheena. Losing would not only make me look bad, but well… the entire world by suffer from this. The return of Cruxis was something that couldn't be dealt with lightly.

Once again, the blade of the angel and my twin blades collided. This time, I switch up my tactic and attacked low. She became annoyed and leapt into the air, maintaining a steady hover afterwards.

"You're strong, but not strong enough."

"Really?" I said as I charged my mana.

"I'll give you something to be cocky about!" snarled the angel. She pointed her sword at me and yelled, "Dancing flare."

Without hesitation, I unleashed my demon fang. Both of the energy blasts collided and exploded, creating a vast smokescreen.

"Lloyd, are you okay?" Sheena ran to my side. I almost melted… But there wasn't any time for this. The enemy still lurked behind the dark smokescreen.

"I'm fine," I said. "Thanks."

"I'm not done with you yet!" A large sphere of orange light appeared from the smokescreen and Sheena was in the line of fire!

III

The feeling was horrible… When Sheena was hit, I think I lost control. She was still alive, unconscious. My exsphere shimmered like crazy and then… I felt wings of my own emerge. A golden aura surrounded me as I leapt into the air. The smokescreen vanished from the wind.

"What's the matter," laughed the angel. "Are you mad?"

I lurched at her and there we crossed swords once again. Strike, dodge, block, strike, strike –this pattern didn't end until I managed to cut at her shoulder. She groaned in pain and descended just a bit.

"Why you –dancing flare!"

I quickly countered the orange light with my demon fang. To prevent another smoke screen, I thrust my wings repeatedly, creating a vicious wind. My plan succeeded.

"Let's end this now," I snarled and soared toward my enemy.

"I don't think so," she said grimly and then unleashed another dancing flare, nailing me right on the spot. I felt myself falling and then eventually hitting the ground.

The angel landed in front of me –I could see her feet right in front of my face. The fall and the hit from her attack took its tolls on me, so I couldn't move immediately.

"What a pity," she cited, "you know this is your fault right? Did you know I was born from the neglected aura of the chosen one?"

I gasped.

"That's right. You don't spend any time with her –and so… she felt alone. Dark sand came in contact with her Cruxis crystal and tada! I was born along with my sole purpose." She kneeled over and kissed my ear. "Let's not waste any time. Die!"

To be continued in chapter two: Sheena vs. Collette –A Triangle of Lust.