Mieu: Welcome to Chapter 2. Short update, yup. It's Lunar's turn today.
Lunar: Yeah, its my turn. If you guys notice a style change this chapter, its because I wrote this one. And you'll probably see it again when Mieu goes again. Now, then. Mieu has an announcement.
Mieu: Anyways, we have 2 reviews that we have to address, so PAY ATTENTION TO THE AUTHORS NOTE BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE WON'T READ IT!!! Ahem. The two reviews that we have to address belong to fishy, and anon2. They have brought up very important points. We are NOT going to stick to the Tales of Symphonia storyline and just remake it with Tales of Vesperia characters. No. In the beginning it might seem the same, but the seals are being completely redone. We are going to fu- I mean fudge up the storyline so badly past the Tower of Salvation, that it's going to be very hard to recognize as Tales of Symphonia, and it's going to take a heck of a long time to finish. Even when the 'game' is over, the story will not be. We will not be going into the Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World storyline though. All the Symphonia characters will have cameo appearances, and there will be even more-Uh…nevermind. That's too far ahead. That was a long rant. I usually can't do those. Anyways, now what?
Lunar: Well, you get to disclaim the story. I'm going to go find some food. I'm hungry. (Departs)
Mieu: I get the disclaimer today!
Lunardragon2607 and Eragonfanatic92 do not own Tales of Symphonia or Tales of Vesperia. If we did, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World would have had a cameo battle.
Just as the mace was about to make contact with Lloyd's head, a sword intercepted the weapon and smacked it away. The person holding the sword then slashed at Vidarr, knocking him down.
Lloyd opened his eyes to see a red-haired man clad in purple, wearing a swallow-tail cape, and holding a double-edge sword and shield staring down Vidarr. He had a steely gaze that spelled death for those caught in its path.
"Who… Who are you?" Lloyd asked.
"Get out of the way," the man replied.
As Vidarr got back up, the swordsman was on his guard, ready for the next attack. At the same time, Lloyd, Karol, and Estelle braced themselves for what was next. Just as Vidarr got back up, a blast of blue energy shot Vidarr in the back, knocking him down again.
"I wasn't done having fun with you yet."
The four saw a man standing in the doorway of the temple. He was clad in black, had long black hair, wore a black hat that covered his eyes, and held a sword in his left hand.
"Yuri!?" Lloyd, Karol, and Estelle exclaimed.
"Estlelle!? Karol!? Lloyd!? What are you… Never mind. Just stay back!" Yuri ordered.
To the purple-clad swordsman's surprise, all three of them obeyed Yuri's ordered and took a few steps back, but still had their weapons ready, just in case.
"Okay, tin man. Time to finish what we started," Yuri sneered.
"I'll take both of you on!" Vidarr proclaimed, pointing with his mace to both Yuri and the red-headed swordsman.
Never one to refuse a challenge, both swordsmen charged Vidarr at the same time. Vidarr blocked both swords with his weapons, then swung his arms around, hitting both swordsman. They quickly recovered and swung their swords in the air.
"Demon Fang!"
"Azure Blast!"
Two blast of mana, one on the ground; the other in the air, were shot at Vidarr at the same time. Both attacks connected, causing Vidarr to stumble. Both swordsmen looked at each other and nodded, as if they had the same idea. Yuri charged Vidarr first and stopped right in front of him. He kicked Vidarr hard, sending him into the air, then jumped up above the flying Vidarr, calling out 'Severing Fang!', and slashed at Vidarr hard. Due to the force of the blow, Vidarr came soaring back to the ground, where the mysterious swordsman was waiting. Just before Vidarr landed, the swordsman stabbed forward with all his might, crying out 'Sonic Thrust!'. His sword managed to go through a split in Vidarr's armor, stabbing him. The swordsman then removed his sword from its flesh sheath and summoned mana in his free hand.
"Fire Ball!" he chanted.
Balls of fire came from his hand and incinerated the already injured Vidarr, knocking him unconscious. Yuri went over to his body and kicked him down the chapel stairs, ignoring the clangs that resulted. Leblanc growled in disappointment, angry that the tides had turned.
"I say, I never expected you to show up. Damn. We retreat for now," Leblanc ordered.
Adecor, Boccos, and the remaining Blood Alliance members quickly followed Leblanc's lead and got out of there.
Yuri walked up to Lloyd's group, eying everyone.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked.
His response was to be tackled down into a bear hug (otherwise known as a glomp) by the three kids, all of them extremely happy to see him.
"Whoa! I know you're happy to see me and all, but this is a bit much, don't ya think?" Yuri asked.
All three of them quickly got off Yuri, blushing.
"Yuri! You're back!" Lloyd exclaimed.
"Of course I'm back. Why wouldn't I be back?" he asked.
"But you said that your last job would take a long time to finish," Karol said.
"And it did. But I had some unexpected help and got done early. I then decided to come back and help out here, seeing as the Day of Prophecy has come," Yuri explained, eying Estelle.
"Yes. I need to receive the Oracle," said Estelle.
"Hm… So this girl… She is the next Chosen?" the mysterious swordsman asked, ignored until now.
"Yes, this girl is the Chosen and she is to receive the Oracle. However, the members of the Blood Alliance killed the priests that were to accompany her. And with there still being plenty of monsters in the temple, I am worried to send the Chosen in alone," Phaidra, who had just come out of hiding, explained.
"Then I'll take on the job of guarding Estelle!" Lloyd proclaimed.
"You, Lloyd? I'd still be worried with just you," Phaidra said.
The red-haired swordsman carefully eyed Lloyd with an intense stare.
"Your name is Lloyd?" he asked.
"Yeah, but who are you to ask for my name?" Lloyd snapped back.
The swordsman smirked for a moment before answering.
"I am Kratos, a mercenary. As long as I'm paid, I will take on the job of protecting the Chosen," he introduced himself.
"I'll help too. I did come back early to assist Estelle with this," Yuri added.
"I should go too. Estelle is my friend, and I'm worried about Rita as well," Karol said.
Phaidra looked at the four males and sighed.
"Very well. I'll leave the job of guarding the Chosen to you four," she said as she stepped aside.
Kratos then turned to Lloyd.
"Lloyd. You'll only get in the way. You and your friend go home. This is not a job for children," Kratos said.
A flash of anger appeared on Lloyd's face for a second then quickly disappeared.
"Fine. I get it. We'll just follow you in on our own," Lloyd replied.
Kratos shook his head in amusement, Yuri chuckled, Estelle seemed happy, and Karol was shaking.
"You're a stubborn kid. Fine, do what you want," said Kratos.
"Come on guys! Let's go!" Lloyd said as he raced into the temple.
"Wait up, Lloyd!" Karol shouted as he followed Lloyd in.
"This isn't a field trip, you know…" Kratos muttered.
"Lighten up, would you? I was like that at one time and I'm certain that you were too," said Yuri.
"Heh. Me be anything like him? Now that's farfetched," Kratos replied as he followed the boys inside.
Yuri was about to follow him inside when Estelle grabbed him and hugged him.
"Yuri. I'm glad to have you back. We all missed you. You were gone for so long," said Estelle.
"I know. Sorry about that. But I had to hunt down that thief who stole your mother's momento, along with all those other items. I have your momento right here," Yuri replied.
Yuri handed Estelle a hairclip with a pink flower and white beads on it.
Estelle let out a few tears and hugged Yuri again.
"Thank you, Yuri. This means so much to me," she said.
"If you must thank anyone, you should thank the person who helped me find it. Without her help, I'd of never of found it as soon as I did and make it back here to defend this place," Yuri replied.
"Oh? Who would this girl be, Yuri?" Estelle asked.
Yuri slightly blushed for a moment, which miraculously, Estelle noticed.
"Oh? Is this a SPECIAL girl?" she asked.
Yuri blushed a little more and looked at the ground. He frantically tried to hide his blush behind a poker face.
Before he could reply, a voice called out.
"Yuri! Estelle! Hurry up! Lloyd is getting impatient!" Karol's voice echoed.
"I'll save that story for another time, Estelle," said Yuri.
"Okay! Let's go. I have an Oracle to accept!" Estelle replied as she grabbed Yuri's hand and they ran into the temple.
Once inside the temple, the party of five quickly encountered a sealed door.
"It's sealed," Kratos stated.
"Well, that's good to know, Captain Obvious," Yuri replied.
"The Sorcerer's Ring should be able to unseal it," Estelle stated.
"What's that?" Lloyd asked.
"The Sorcerer's Ring is a holy artifact of the Church of Katherine. It is said that the Goddess gave the hero Alexei that ring as a symbol of their pact and that she blessed it with her power. The ring is kept safe in the lower levels of the Katherine Temple, to only be used by the Chosen of Regeneration," Estelle informed.
"It seems this Chosen has a vast amount of knowledge." Kratos noted.
"Thank you for pointing out what we already know again, Captain Obvious," Yuri sneered.
"Would you focus on releasing this seal?" Kratos sneered back.
"Wanna make me?" Yuri growled.
"Guys! Stop this! What's important is that we get the Ring so Estelle can receive the Oracle," Karol shouted.
"Fine," Yuri sighed.
"Whatever," Kratos grunted.
"Estelle, where's the ring again?" Lloyd asked.
"In the lower levels," she answered.
"Then we gotta go! We don't wanna keep that Oracle waiting!" Lloyd said
The group had made it to the lower levels of the temple. On a platform some distance away, the Sorcerer's Ring floated, awaiting a new owner.
"So, that's the Sorcerer's Ring? I can't wait to try it out!" Lloyd proclaimed.
As Lloyd was trying to figure out a way to get to the ring, Karol let out a scream.
"M-M-Monster!" he screamed out.
A golem made of rock was stomping towards the quivering Karol, ready to strike.
"Look out!" Kratos shouted as he ran to stop the golem.
Luckily for Karol, Yuri managed to stop the golem in its tracks with a well-timed Azure Edge. Kratos then followed it up with Sonic Thrust, causing it to stumble, and then was finished off with a Demon Fang from Lloyd. It curled up into a ball and turned into a stone block.
"Whoa. I didn't see that coming," Lloyd said.
Estelle went over to the block and examined it.
"What do you think this is for?" she asked.
She then randomly began poking at it, looking for answers. Estelle poked a little too hard and the block slid across the floor and fell down one of the floor's hole to a chasm below.
Everyone just blankly stared at the hole for a few seconds, contemplating what happened.
"I get it…" Kratos muttered.
"So, that's how we get across…" Yuri whispered.
"What are you talking about?" Lloyd asked.
"You'll see in a second," Yuri replied.
"Another monster!" Karol yelled out.
Sure enough, another golem had appeared. Kratos ran over and quickly defeated it. The process then repeated itself. Yuri, Kratos, and Lloyd took on the golems while Estelle and Karol sent the blocks to the floor below.
"Yeah!" Lloyd shouted out. "I beat one! Whoo!"
"Uh, Lloyd. In the time it took you to defeat one, Yuri and Kratos took out five. Each," Karol rained on his parade.
"Dammit!" he shouted.
Soon enough, they managed to defeat enough golems and get enough blocks to form a bridge. They crossed the bridge and made their way to the Ring.
"Lloyd, you take the ring," Estelle said.
"Yes! I want to see how it- Wait, you should take it. After all, its for the Chosen," he sniffed.
"I trust you," Estelle replied.
"Better do as the lady says. You know how stubborn she can be," Yuri warned.
"Okay then. It means I get to try it out!" Lloyd grinned, trying to hide his enthusiasm.
The five made their way back to the sealed door.
"So, how does this work?" Lloyd asked.
"Just point the Ring at your target and press the gem at the top," Estelle replied.
Lloyd pointed the ring at the door and fired. A small flameball fired from the ring and hit the blue circle on the door, causing the door to disappear and the path to open.
Lloyd, Karol, and Yuri sweatdropped.
"Is that all? Shouldn't it be more… flashy?" Karol asked.
"I was expecting more," Lloyd added.
"That was anti-climatic," Yuri finished.
They went through the door and into the transporter, taking them to the top floor.
"This appears to be the top floor," Kratos observed as they reappeared in another room within the Katherine Temple.
In front of them was this huge altar. Floating gently above the altar was a pink gem. It shone brightly, giving off powerful magic that most would envy to have.
"Then that shining gem is the Cruxis Crystal, right?" Lloyd asked.
"Correct. I was told I was born with that gem in my hand," Estelle replied.
Estelle then approached the altar to give her prayers. As she did, a bright light shone from the ceiling and an angel descended.
"I am Remiel. I am an angel of judgment. I am here to guide Estellise, daughter of the mana lineage, on her journey to heaven as the seventh Chosen of Mana," the angel spoke.
"Wow… an angel…" Lloyd gasped.
"They're just as Rita told us…" Karol whispered.
"I'm not worthy to be in such a holy presence," Yuri muttered.
"The time has come to awake the Goddess Katherine, who sleeps at the center of the world," Remiel announced.
"Just as the legend says…" Karol said.
The pink Cruxis Crystal on the altar slowly floated towards Estelle and firmly attached itself to her chest.
"From this moment on, Estellise becomes the Chosen of Regenration. We of Cruxis bless this event, and hear by bestow the Tower of Salvation upon Sylvarant," Remiel continued.
Another bright light flashed outside. Lloyd, Karol, and Yuri all ran to the window to see what that light was. As the light faded, a new structure could be seen on the horizon. A large ivory tower appeared, seeming to ascend forever.
"That's the Tower of Salvation!? It's so tall!" Yuri gasped.
"Now the world will be saved!" Lloyd and Karol cheered.
"Estellise, the Chosen of Regeneration. Unlock the four seals scattered throughout the lands of Sylvarant that guard the Tower of Salvation so that you may climb its stairs to heaven," the angel ordered her.
"I humbly accept this task and promise on the name of the Goddess Katherine to complete it," Estelle promised.
"Very good. We of Cruxis shall grant you the power of the angels with each seal you unlock. Once you are reborn as an angel, this eroded, wounded world will be regenerated," Remiel said.
"Thank you. I swear on my life that this world will be regenerated," Estelle promised.
"First, head south, to the Seal of Fire. Offer your prayers in that distant land," Remiel informed her.
"Yes, Lord Remiel."
"Good luck, Chosen oOne. You shall need it in the trials ahead," Remiel warned her.
As Remiel said those words, a bright light surrounded him. It then suddenly exploded into a plume of feathers, taking Remiel back to heaven.
Lloyd stood there in awe. He had just seen the Oracle in person. Not many could claim that at all. Karol walked up to Lloyd, just as awe-struck as he was.
"So that was the Oracle. I wish Rita had seen him. She'd have loved it," Karol commented.
"I'm sure she would have. And then captured Remiel and interrogated him," Lloyd replied.
The two boys chuckled, knowing it was true.
Lloyd decided to check on Estelle. As he went over to her, he ran into Kratos.
"Kratos…" he started.
"Lloyd…" Kratos said.
"Can you believe it?" Lloyd asked.
"I will admit, this is a rare moment that few can claim to be a part of," Kratos admitted. "Now Estellise, the Chosen, must go on a long journey in search of the seals."
"Yes…" Lloyd muttered.
Lloyd then left Kratos and shuffled past to Estelle.
"So you now got the Oracle. Now you can save the world, Estelle!" Lloyd proclaimed.
"Yes…" Estelle muttered.
"What is it, Estelle? You don't sound too happy," Lloyd asked.
"Its just that the journey ahead will be difficult. I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle it," she confessed.
"Don't worry. You're more than able to do it. Besides, you got me, Karol, Yuri, Professor Rita, and your family and friends to back you up," Lloyd told her.
"You're right. I can do this. No… I WILL do this," Estelle swore.
"At a girl," Lloyd replied.
"Chosen, you've received the Oracle. We should leave now. We don't know if the Blood Alliance might return with reinforcements," Kratos informed Estelle.
"Oh! Yes," Estelle answered.
"The Chosen and I will be going on ahead," Kratos informed the others.
He then went into the teleporter and disappeared.
"Karol, Lloyd, Yuri… Thank you. Please stop by my place later on, okay?" Estelle requested.
Estelle then followed Kratos into the teleporter.
"Wow… so now it begins," Karol uttered.
"Yes, it does," Lloyd replied.
"And now, something can finally be done about the Blood Alliance," Yuri replied.
Karol and Lloyd turned to Yuri, and their mood changed again as they remembered that Yuri was there.
"Yuri! We're glad to have you back!" Karol cheered.
"Did you ever get back all those stolen items?" Lloyd asked.
"I did. I already returned Estelle's momento. I also got back Rita's prized book," Yuri answered.
"And what about…" Karol started.
"Don't worry Captain. I got your book back as well," Yuri interrupted as he handed Karol a book.
"Thank you, Yuri. I've been working hard on this Monster Book," Karol sighed.
"And what about…" Lloyd started.
"Don't worry. I have that too, Lloyd." Yuri answered.
He tossed Lloyd a locket. Lloyd opened the locket to see a picture inside. The picture had a young woman with short, brown hair in it. She had a goofy smile on her face, as if there was perfect peace when the photo was taken. Next to her was a man. The photo had been torn, so his face could not be seen. What could be seen was a baby boy in his arms. He was smiling widely, with a hand out towards where would be his father's face.
"Thank you, Yuri. This was my mother's and it's the only clue I have to my dad's identity. It means so much to me," Lloyd thanked.
"Hey. I do what I can," Yuri replied. "But if it wasn't for that one girl, I'd of never had that shot needed to get them back."
"Oh? What girl would that be?" Karol asked.
"I promised Estelle that I'd tell her that story, so when I do, you two can listen in," Yuri promised.
"Works for me!" Lloyd replied.
The three boys then went to the transporter in order to take their leave of the temple.
Lunar: (Returns munching on cookies) Well, that ends everything for now. Okay, so its just me now. We have an update on pairings. And that would be:
Considering for a pairing:
LloydxRita
New pairing (for sure):
KratosxAnna
Lunar: By the way, Mieu refuses to move on that, so no one vote for Kratosx some other person. Mieu is as adamant about that as I am about having no Yaoi. Okay. I think that's all for now. Now review and the boys get Rita and Estelle cookies and the girls get Kratos and Yuri cookies!