Hey all, it's been a while hasn't it? I've got a short fic planned with this, so stay tuned to find out what happens later!

Updates will be in due time, so please be patient, thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia, they are copyright of Namco.

Prologue: Petals of Insanity

Day 1:

Dear Alicia,

I've just returned from dinner. The soup was excellent, it tasted just like the one mommy used to make. However, at the table, Regal was silent...He only passed glances at me before returning to his meal. I suppose he's just as nervous as I am about living here. He's been alone in this house since his parents died, so the awkwardness is justified. It's also possible that he may have been tormented by his guilt. Regal has suffered the same tragedies as I have, but while I suffered from loneliness and isolation, he suffered from immense guilt. I suppose I can go as far as to say we complement each other, he is a sympathetic friend to me who gives me companionship, while I soften his guilt and comfort him of his loss.

He showed me around his mansion after dinner. I must admit, I was surprised to see how big his house was. Having lived in a simple house for all my life, I'm amazed by how extravagant his house is. He has rooms for almost everything. A study, a meeting room, a recreation room, and of course, bedrooms. I also noticed that he had ones for entertainment, but I wasn't too interested. Perhaps I'll use these facilities after I have settled.

I suppose you're wondering why I'm calling you 'Alicia'. Well, it's just a name, and a way to remember my younger sister. I still keep her close to my heart despite the long years that have passed. It's my way of remembrance, and it makes it more comfortable for me to write, as if I'm communicating with her beyond the grave.

I'll close this entry by saying that I don't know what to look forward to. I'm sure Regal will take care of me and respect me for my true age, but I don't know what it will be like when I begin work. He has asked me to be the Klonoa mascot after the weekend is over. I'm not sure how this will turn out, but because I owe him for accommodating me, I'll be glad to help.

Goodnight Alicia.

Day 3:

Dear Alicia,

I am sorry for writing this late at night, but I had a peculiar dream. I dreamed that I saw you again, standing idly by the windows of this room. You were wearing your uniform, the same one I saw you in when you were trapped within that cursed Crystal. I remember being happy to see you, and tried to run toward you to embrace you. However, as I grew closer and closer, your clothes had changed. You were no longer wearing the maid's uniform, but a night gown, the one I used to wear when I was your age. Thinking back, I didn't understand this change. You were a maid of the Bryant household, but in your new attire, you looked like you were a standard guest, ready to rest for the night.

I'm sorry, but that's a detail I remembered. Let me continue with the dream. I ran up to you with my arms outstretched, ready to hug you like a loving sister. But just before I reached you, you changed. You became me...I saw myself in front of my own eyes. My body had taken form in the nightgown you wore, like a reflection in a mirror. The eyes of my reflection, it looked like they were begging, pleading to me for something. She looked sad, almost desperate.

In a flash, I suddenly saw Regal, embracing her as if she was a young child. I thought it would bring a sense of security to my reflection, but instead, she looked more distressed. Her eyes had begun to tear, and Regal...He...He was smiling. A Cruel Smile.

I had awakened by that point. Alicia, that smile...It's reminescent of Vharley's smile. That expression brings back nothing but hatred and anger for me, all from the man who took away my time. Why...Why did I see it on Regal's face? Regal is someone who helps me feel secure and comforts me...how is it that I dreamt of Vharley's cruel smile as part of his features?

I must still be apprehensive. I'm sorry if I worried you Alicia. Sleep well.

Day 4:

Dear Alicia

I just returned from my shift at Altamira. Since I had been helpful as the new mascot of Altamira, the Dream Traveler, Regal asked me to serve as an aid for the entertainers at the amusement park. I agreed to this proposal, and now, I work not only as the Klonoa mascot, but also as an aid to young children at the amusement park.

The costume is difficult to maneuver in however. The clothes are tight and due to the average temperature of Altamira being 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat is very hindering. I'm tired now, and unfortunately will have to end this entry early. I must rest up before Regal returns so that I can help him prepare dinner.

Forgive me Alicia.

Day 6:

Dear Alicia

I'm sorry for not having written yesterday, but I fell ill while I was at Altamira. The day was very hot in temperature, reaching nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and I perspired more than usual. Halfway through my shift I grew dizzy and fatigued, and I was forced to sit down in the shade. However, despite having a liberal amount of liquids and resting in the employee room, I still felt ill. My head pounded and my body felt very tired, as if I had not received a decent sleep the night before.

Regal was informed of this, and, though I had declined, he asked me to return home. I have accomplished nothing else since that time, I have only been resting in my bed for the past 18 hours. Regal diagnosed my condition to be from heat exhaustion and he intends to remake the costume so that it is more wearable over the Altamiran heat.

Alicia, while this may sound natural...I must tell you, the way he toned it...It made me feel uncomfortable. The dream...I don't know why, but I connected it with what he had mentioned to me. He planned to remake my costume, so that it was more bearable during the heat...

Could he be planning to...make it look indecent?

No, that is improbable. Regal is not one to be indecent...he's courteous and honorable especially toward me.

Yet, I can't help but feel an annoyance upon the thought of remodeling my costume...I always envision a very...indecent garment in place of my current one.

Forgive me for these thoughts Alicia, I do not mean to undermine your lover.

Day 8:

Dear Alicia,

I feel much better than the day before. It appears that my illness was only temporary, and I am glad that I am well again. I still am suffering from some light headaches, but they are only light side effects compared to the illness that has now passed.

I am wearing the remodeled costume now, and I must say it is very comfortable. Regal asked his tailors to use a different fabric, one that was lighter so that it wouldn't be as strong of an insulator as it was previously. No cosmetic differences had been detected, but even so, the outfit feels much lighter and comfortable to wear.

I will write to you later now Alicia. It is time for me to leave for Altamira. Farewell.

(Entry #2 of Day 8)
Dear Alicia,

I have returned from work early. My headache worsened upon reaching Altamira, and while I had finished the majority of my shift, the pain had grown to become unbearable. I was starting to hallucinate, seeing demonic things and demons walking amongst the children of the amusement park. I felt lightheaded, and though the costume was much better in tending to the heat, I was perspiring more profusely than before. My headache became a migraine and I could no longer think comprehensively. I saw demons pass me by, I heard hissing whispers in my ears, and I felt the heat build around my body, causing me to dehydrate quickly.

I can't recall afterward, but I think I fainted...for the only thing I remember afterward was waking up in the clinic. Again, I suffered from heatstroke in Altamira. The headache had diminished but I was still hearing whispers. The nurse recommended me to return to the mansion and rest, since I was still operating only on 80 output. Seeing that this was the best decision, I agreed.

Now, I am here Alicia. The pain has completely diminished and I feel much better. I am still hearing a light hissing noise, but I'm sure it will pass, like the ringing one gets in their ears when they hear a loud noise.

Day 10:

Dear Alicia,

I had another sickening dream. It was almost the same as the one I mentioned before, but this one was worse.

The setting was the same. I was in the room as were you, wearing the same uniform that turned into the white nightgown. However, this is where it changed. Unlike the last dream, I stood still, watching you. You were looking out the window, watching the pale silver moon hang in the sky. Then, I saw Regal come in from the side, as if he was hiding in the curtains. He was holding a candle in his hand, and he wrapped his arm around your shoulder.

I felt warm when I saw this. I don't know how to describe this feeling Alicia, but I felt two kinds of warmth when I saw this...It was heartwarming to see you and Regal together in a happier time, but at the same time, I felt a light rubbing on my own shoulder, as if I was standing next to him.

Then, I saw the disturbing image. Alicia, I saw you and Regal again, but this time, both of you were on a bed. I felt a stinging pain on my cheek and a blunt strike to my stomach. I wanted to fall onto my knees, keel from the pain that coursed through my body...but I couldn't. I was too shocked by what I saw. Both of you, naked on a bed...yet, your face, it was twisted and contorted with pain. I saw the tears flow down your eyes as Regal slapped you again. I couldn't understand what was happening and I felt my mind overloading. My shock, my anger, even my hatred was building as I watched this, but when I tried to scream 'STOP!' I awakened...

Now, I'm covered with sweat and I feel cold. The image is still burned in my mind and I can replay it vividly in my mind...Alica, was he...did he...

Day 13:

Alicia,

I'm hearing voices again. I hear all of my friends, everyone talking to me, but what they're saying, they're very hurtful. I can hear them now...

Whispering about my emotionless state...
Giggling at my lack of understanding...
Jealous about my strengths...

I know I'm hallucinating, but they sound so real...As if they are right here besides me. Why am i hearing these things? My friends would never say this about me...Would they?

Day 15:

The Devil's Arm. It must be the Devil's Arm, that's the only explanation! I understand now what he is doing...He's trying to convince me again, coax me into joining him. I won't let this happen. I will destroy them with my bare hands!

Only the Diablos and Apocalypse are within my grasp right now. I will retrieve them both from the vault at Altamira and banish them to the sea. These voices are impeding my thoughts, but I know what I have to do. To prevent anyone from falling to their sway, I must destroy them. Only I alone can do this, I'll banish the first two to the depths of the sea and warn the others afterward.

Day 16:

I hold the Diablos as I write this. I can feel its dark energy pulsing through my hands, sending the familiar shivers the last I've had them so close to me. Its gapping maw of an axe blade seems to be smiling at me, as if it knew I would attempt this. It won't be smiling any longer, I will send it to the sea and its brethren in due time.

I had to abandon the Apocalypse for the time being. The security guards were coming close to the vault, so I could only make off with the Diablos. Regal must be alerted by now, but I'll keep it hidden. I don't want to worry him, this isn't his problem, its mine.

Day 17:

I...I can't believe it...I...I failed. I stood out by the dock with the Diablos in hand, ready to drop it. All I had to do was release it, merely open my fingers and the cursed weapon would sink into the black depths. Why then, why couldn't I bring myself to open my hand?!

The Diablos is speaking to me now...He's...thanking me. I suppose any demon would be thankful seeing how close it was to death. I can hear him say things, talk about my friends, calling them betrayers, and how he has his sympathy toward me. Ha! What kind of demon knows sympathy? I may not have destroyed him today, but I can destroy him any time I wish!

That weapon...It had better watch its mouth...or I will rip it from the seams!

Wait...Why...Why am I writing like this? This doesn't sound like me. Why am I writing as if I am unleashing my wrath? Why do I write like I'm some sort of psychotic madman?! Why does that cursed weapon keep whispering this to me?!

SHUT UP! SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

Day 18:

I can't handle it any longer...Its voice, its coaxing, calm voice is breaking into my mind. He's planting me with thoughts, telling me things I know are not true. Yet, why am I accepting them? Why do I accept the things he's telling me?

They aren't true! THEY'RE NOT TRUE! LEAVE ME ALONE! LEAVE ME BE!

Day 19:

Another nightmare, but the pain I felt was very real. I can't believe it. As much as I cannot accept it, I know it is the truth.

In my dream, I saw myself, this time in the place of Alicia. I was naked under the covers with Regal on top of me. He hit me, beat me, and caused me severe pain. He was yelling at me, calling me names and commanding me harshly. The hot tears and the sharp pains are all I felt. I didn't feel any compassion, and if I were truly Alicia, I did not feel any love.

The truth is harsh to grasp...but even if it is cold and cruel, it is the truth nonetheless. I can't accept it now, but all I feel now is a great hatred in my heart.

Regal...How dare you harm my sister. How dare you plot to hurt me...

Day 20:

The Diablos...He is very soothing in a time of need. Despite his origins, I'm growing to trust his voice. He is experienced and he is old, therefore he has wisdom. He has given me an ability, an ability to touch into other people's souls.

Perhaps it is time I see what Regal has planned for me...I will wait for nightfall.

(Entry #2 of Day 20)

I knew it. Regal, you manipulative, shameless bastard. You are trying to take advantage of me. You never loved my sister, you played her for a fool. You took advantage of her age, knowing that she was younger than me, and took away her innocence. I know the pain this caused me, but I assure you, this will not happen to me. You will never lay a hand on me, I will send you to Hell before that happens.

I hate you.

Day 21:

My friends. Diablos has shown me the cold truth about you as well. You saw ME as nothing more than an aid. I was nothing but an assistant, someone who will take care of what is asked. You showed me false sympathy, all in an effort to keep me in your party. What was I to you? An expendible tool? You indecent beings...I cannot believe you!

What were to happen if I never had this ability, my super human strength to aid you? Would you have cast me aside like garbage?!

I hate you. I HATE ALL OF YOU!

Day 22:

Tell me, why is it that I must suffer the wraths of hatred and the cold pain of isolation? Why is it that I must suffer under these pains while everyone else is able to do as they wish? I have been on the end of their guilt, their wrath, their anger, and their pain...

Why can't I reverse the role? Why can't I be the one to inflict this...and spread it to those who've gave it to me?

What? Oh...I believe I know a solution...

Day 25:

Regal, worried about me? That's what he would say to show me concern. He just wants me to stay in his home, that's why he's sent me early all those times!

Day 27:

I'm waiting now...Diablos has given me the tools to perform a ritual...one that would help me spread my pain, my hatred, my anger, and my guilt across the world. His power...Oh, it is overwhelming. My hand tingles as I write this, I can even feel the ink splashing within the pen...I could break this simply by closing my fist.

In fact, why not...

(Large ink splash present)

Day 29: Finally, the day is almost at hand...Regal is going away on business, but again, he's showing his 'concern' for me. He still takes me for the young girl, one who does not understand the world. It just makes it easy to play the part, he has played me for a fool, I'll play for him for one.

He leaves in two days. Ample time for the preparations. He thinks that I'm still reserved, quiet, unwilling to open...Oh, I will show him. I will show him who I truly am.

I will show them all...My friends, Regal, prepare yourselves...

In two days, I will plunge this world into darkness, and spread my pain, my suffering, my hatred, and my wrath across Aselia.

Where's this going? Well, you've got to wait to find out.

Although, you probably have figured out already, Regal will have to save the day…and Presea too of course.