This fic was just gathering cobwebs in a corner of my HD. Now, it'll gather cobwebs in the internet! Yays?

Will contain some OCs. Bit hard not to, considering this takes place four millenia before ToS. Worry not, however, as they aren't the focus of the fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia; Namco does. Any characters you don't recognize are probably mine.

Cover art by me. Full version at DA:

MadnessFlower deviantart com (slash) Tales-of-Symphonia-Sister-317227064

Sister

Chapter One: Martel

-o-

That year, the first snowflake in Heimdall fell on the tip of my nose. "It's a sign of good luck", father said. I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying, though—rather, my eyes were fixed on the black cloud above our little cottage. I ran to our home and slammed the door open. "Mom!"

The smoke inside was asphyxiating. Eyes watering, I fumbled my way to the windows and opened them as quick as possible.

"AAAH!" I froze mid-motion. That was Martel's voice!

A green blur ran past me, followed by a horrible stench. Without missing a beat, I pursued it.

At the edge of the forest, a disheveled Martel was fussing over something that vaguely resembled a cake pan. Its contents were aptly described as 'fetid coal thing' by my younger self. "Sis, are you crying?'

Martel lowered her head for a moment and smiled, "Don't worry! I'm fine. Although I'm not sure if the plants I dumped my cake on will survive." She seemed depressed—and whether it was due to her horrendous cooking skills or the withered plants, I was never quite sure.

When I talked about that incident with Yuan, he declared she was sad because of her cooking. He then jokingly compared her latest creation with poison.

I can't forget the punch that followed his comment. The jerk's face was purple for an entire week, and Martel (what a mean left hook!) didn't heal it until he had apologized properly. And by properly, I mean grovel by her feet and let her use him as a chair... for hours.

(One week later however, Yuan was vindicated; it took one Lemon Gel, three Panacea bottles, an overpowered Recover and a Dispel—of all things—to heal Kratos after he taste-tested that… stew. After that, he never ate tomatoes again.)

"Cake?'

"Ah! That was a surprise birthday- eep!" She covered her mouth with both hands and ran away.

"Heh. Thanks, sis." I followed her to our home.

-o-

You've been alive for one more cycle
Cherish all your memories, but live for today.

You've been alive for one more cycle
May the seasons shed wisdom unto you.

You've been alive for one more cycle
Let not mistakes past lead you astray.

You've been alive for one more cycle
May the seasons shed wisdom unto you.

-o-

Mother's voice made the bonfire come alive and it danced along us. Father lifted me on his broad shoulders so I'd be a bit closer to where the snow comes from. I stretched my arms towards Heaven, as if thanking some deity.

Back then, I was truly happy.

-o-

Chapter end_

AN: Kratos really should know better than to accept food from half-elf older sisters with bratty brothers by now. Also, he was so traumatized that his aversion to tomatoes was engraved in his DNA. n.n