Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Tales of Symphonia
What If?
Chapter 2: A Happy Wedding and the First Step
Everything was set. Yuan had reserved a tiny chapel near Ozette for his wedding, Kratos had agreed to be his best man, and Mithos had finally accepted Yuan as an older brother-in-law. Martel and Yuan had both wanted a small, private wedding since they were both half-elves and would probably be shunned if they had it anywhere else. Kratos had told Mithos that he was going to undergo the angel transformation after Yuan and Martel had left to go to Altamira for their honeymoon, for he didn't wish them to see him in pain, or vulnerable. He hadn't liked seeing them so afraid for him, nor did he like being treated like an invalid.
Anyway, now, Kratos, Mithos and Yuan were standing in a tailor's shop, getting measured for tuxedos to rent for this occasion. Yuan finally spoke, "So…Kratos, you've been awfully quiet. Is something bothering you?"
Kratos replied swiftly, "It's nothing, Yuan. I'm just excited for you and Martel, that's all." He wasn't going to tell his friend that he was apprehensive about undergoing the angel transformation, since he hadn't even mentioned that he was going to undergo the trial in the first place. Mithos added, "Yeah, it is a pretty big day after all. It's not everyday that one's friend or sister gets married."
Yuan smiled and nodded, "…It is quite an exciting day, isn't it?" He asked, standing still so that the tailor could measure his shoulder width. Kratos nodded back, not saying another word.
The tailor finished measuring Mithos last, and then nodded, "Right then. I'll give you guys the tuxedos you'll be renting in about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, you can wait for your lady friend outside. My helpers should be done measuring her and outfitting her soon." He walked toward the back of the store, going to get the tuxedos.
A few minutes later, Martel came out, jumping with excitement, "I can't believe it, Yuan! It's finally almost time!" She hugged him tightly then kissed him passionately on the lips.
Yuan blushed slightly, but returned the kiss. Once the couple came up to breathe, he managed, "This is the happiest day of my life, Martel. I…I'm glad that we were both able to live to see it."
Martel smiled, "Me too." She leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Kratos smiled, happy for his two good friends. He grabbed Mithos by the back of the shirt and went to stand at the entrance to Meltokio, to give the couple some alone time before their wedding.
In order for them to be able to get into the shop, Martel, Yuan, and Mithos had wisely chosen to hide their status as half-elves. Yuan had kept his hood up to hide the tiny points on his ears, Martel had wisely brushed her long pale green hair over hers so that they were invisible beneath the thick green silken soft tendrils, and Mithos had also brushed his shoulder-length blonde hair so that his ears were hidden as well.
About 20 minutes later, the tailor came back out, "Sir, you and your friends' tuxedos are ready to be rented."
Yuan blinked, "Oh…all right, thank you. We'll be there in a minute." He kissed Martel on the cheek then softly touched the right side of her face with his hand.
Martel looked like she might say something, but Yuan put a finger to her mouth to silence her. He added, "Hold that thought, Martel. I have to get Kratos, Mithos, and my tuxedo. Be right back, okay?" He kissed her on the lips quickly.
Martel sighed, "Okay…hurry back though." She kissed him back then sighed once it was broken off.
Yuan found Kratos and told him, "They're ready for us, Kratos."
Mithos complained, "It's about time. I was about ready to cast Fire Ball at them…"
Kratos rolled his eyes, "Mithos, you need to learn patience. Things don't always come right away and there's no need to be uptight if they don't, okay?"
Mithos nodded, "All right, I'll try to remember that."
The three friends walked back to the store, where Martel stood waiting for them. She looked a little bit flustered, but that was probably because of the wedding.
Yuan walked up to her, "We're back, Martel. I won't keep you waiting much longer, okay, love?" He kissed her on the cheek, and told her, "Just have to get our tuxedos and we'll be ready. Do you have your dress picked out?"
Martel smiled, "Mmhmm." She kissed him on the lips.
Yuan blushed, "…Good." He said simply, lost for words because of the action.
Kratos gave a light chuckle and commented, "Save some of it for the wedding, okay?"
Martel giggled and smiled, "Okay, Kratos." She released Yuan, "Go on. I'll be waiting right here."
Yuan nodded and headed inside.
After getting their tuxedos and paying to rent them just for that day, Kratos, Mithos, and Yuan came out of the store.
Martel smiled, "So…are we all ready?"
Yuan added, "Just about…apparently you're supposed to buy your dress. Bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding after all."
Kratos asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Yuan responded, "A superstition. Apparently if the bride is seen by the groom before the wedding, the first 7 years of your marriage will be terrible, or something like that."
Mithos shrugged, "I think it's just a silly superstition, but whatever…I heard Martel mention it."
Martel nodded, "You guys go on to the chapel and get ready then. I'll buy my dress and join you shortly." She walked over to Yuan and hugged him tightly, muttering, "See you later."
Yuan returned her embrace then kissed her deeply, but quickly, on the lips, "Okay then. Bye."
They parted ways, Yuan heading to the chapel with Kratos and Mithos, and Martel heading into the shop to buy her dress.
About 30 minutes later, Martel went into the back room of the chapel and put on her dress. She then came out, walking up the aisle.
Mithos smiled as he saw her. She looked absolutely breathtaking. Two locks of her long green hair had been braided to accent her face, and she wore a pure white, sleeveless dress with gold outlying the edges. She also had on silver gloves, white heeled shoes, and she had a light coating of blush on her cheeks. A veil, accented with flowers, covered her face. He walked back there and took her arm in his, "You look great, sis. I mean it."
Martel smiled back, "Thank you, Mithos." She replied as the two siblings walked up to the front.
Once there, Mithos gave Martel away and told Yuan, "Hurt her at all and I'll burn you to a crisp."
Yuan replied, smirking, "If I do, I'll save you the trouble."
Kratos spoke up, "As will I."
The priest cleared his throat and spoke up, "Who gives this woman to be wed?"
Mithos replied, "I do, sir. I'm her brother."
The priest nodded, "Well then, we shall begin." He looked at Yuan and Martel and said, "We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the holy bonds of matrimony. If anyone knows any reason these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
No one said anything and the priest continued, "Very well then, let us proceed. Do you, Yuan, take Martel Yggdrassil to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Yuan smiled and glanced at Martel, then back at the priest. He replied, "I do."
The priest looked at Martel now and asked her, "Do you, Martel Yggdrassil, take Yuan to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Martel smiled and nodded, casting a brief glance in Yuan's direction. She answered, "I do."
The priest nodded, "Let us proceed with the ring ceremony then."
Mithos grabbed the rings out of the pocket of his tux and handed them over to Yuan and Martel.
Yuan ruffled the blonde half-elf's hair affectionately after taking the ring, which had a gold band and emeralds accenting the diamond at the center. He smiled over at Martel and mouthed, 'I love you.'
Martel mouthed back, 'And I love you too.' She took the ring Mithos handed over, which was a gold ring with emerald insets. She had bought it so it would bring out his eyes.
The priest then said, "We will now begin the exchanging of rings." He looked to Yuan first, "Yuan, take the ring, place it on Martel's finger and repeat after me."
Yuan put the ring on and looked at the priest, then at Martel.
The priest told him to say, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Yuan said it, and smiled at Martel.
The priest then turned to Martel, "Martel Yggdrassil, take this ring, place it on Yuan's finger and repeat after me."
Martel did as asked, glanced at the priest, then back at Yuan.
The priest told her to say the same thing Yuan had.
Martel said it and smiled back at Yuan.
The priest told them, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Yuan lifted the veil from Martel's face and kissed her deeply on the lips.
Kratos smiled; glad to see his two best friends happily married. He went over to Mithos and whispered, "I'm going to get some Aionis stone from Heimdall. I have permission from the king, as I did help end the war. I will see you later."
Mithos nodded, "Okay. See you around." He smiled and walked up to Yuan and Martel, "Sis, I'm really happy for you."
Martel smiled back, "Thank you, Mithos."
Yuan hadn't seen Kratos slip away and blinked, asking Mithos, "Where did Kratos go?"
Mithos answered, only half-lying, "He went to Heimdall to see the Elf Elder. The King gave him permission since he helped end the war."
Martel nodded, "Oh, okay. Well, Mithos, why don't we go back home now? If Yuan and I are going to eat anything before we leave for the honeymoon, it will have to be soon."
Mithos replied, "Okay, sis. Let me do the cooking though….your cooking is dangerous!"
Yuan shrugged, "I didn't think it was half-bad."
Mithos told him, "That's because you helped her. If you hadn't, we could've all gotten sick."
Martel sighed, "…Anyway, let's go."
The trio headed back to Ozette, thankfully meeting no resistance on their way. It seemed Origin himself was smiling on them today.
Anyway, after a hearty meal, Yuan and Martel left for Altamira, taking an EC in order to avoid trouble because of their race.
A few hours later, Kratos returned to Ozette, a golf-ball sized pebble of Aionis in his hand. He looked to Mithos, "…Have you obtained the Cruxis Crystals?"
Mithos nodded, "I managed to get the angels of Dherris-Kharlan to part with four crystals….after a little 'persuasion' of course."
Kratos didn't like the way Mithos had used the word persuasion, but nodded, "Okay then…I have to ingest this ore in order to gain use of magic…and put on the Crystal in order to get my wings. I just hope I don't regret this…." He muttered, grounding up the Aionis into a fine powder and stirring it into a cup of water. He drank the water and shuddered at the taste. Anyway, after it had all gone down, he began to feel sick. His face paled, his lips turned white, and he was shaking badly.
Getting scared, Mithos helped him into the bed, "...Please, hold on, Kratos. Just a bit longer..."
Kratos went to sleep after a while, biting back the urge to throw up.
Unknown to the two, this was only the first step in what would be an agonizingly long process of angelic transformation.
A/n: Well, that does it for Chapter 2. Sorry I took so long to update. I've been very busy with college stuff. Anyway, review!