Baelfael: Okay, so a chicken walks into a bar, and asks the bartender for a drink, but the bartender denies the chicken. When the chicken asked him why, the bartender answered, "Because we haven't put the disclaimer up."

...Okay, so the joke stinked, but it made me realize that perhaps now would be a great time to finally put the disclaimer up.

Leon: Baelfael does not own Tales of Symphonia, or any material in this fiction, save for his original plot, me, and the other upcoming original characters 20 or so chapters into the story.

Baelfael: Thank you, Leon. Now, to go on with reader review:

Searing Storm - Thanks! Glad you like it!

Sunfrost - Glad to know I've made your day.

Zoray Zorial - I'll go out on a limb here and assume by those last two sentences, that you think I made Leon rhyme when I had said that they were unintentional before the story even began. Let me assure you that it was not under my jurisdiction. Leon says pretty much whatever Leon wants to say.

Leon: And I would openly, with very discrete language, describe how dumber than a bag of nails Lloyd is, but then this fic would be rated higher than a 'T'. And on a completely unrelated note, whoever came up with the name Ktugach and it's predecessor, Ktugachling needs to be shot.

Baelfael: Rantings aside, we will now continue on with the fiction. Enjoy!

Chapter 03 : The Seal of Fire
After everything had been taken care of, the group finally turned it and went to sleep. ...Well, most of them. In fact, two of the six were sleeping, being Genis and Colette. Kratos had volunteered to be a night watch, despite the security the Inn provided. Lloyd had gone to work on the Key Crest for the Professor, who was also up, and was going through the information on the monsters in the Triet Desert.

Leon meanwhile, was simply thinking things through while staring up at the roof. I came here to Triet Desert to visit an old town, and I somehow get wound up in the middle of the Journey of Regeneration and Desians. Well, it's not as if I didn't have anything against the Desians already, but going around the world to unlock seals isn't my idea of a vacation. Leon scoffed at himself. Who am I kidding? I'm a thief; thieves don't have, or get vacations. After all, thievery is both our way of life, and our jobs. Stealing is the only-

Leon jolted up, startled. Lloyd was too busy working on the Key Crest to notice, but Kratos turned towards Leon. "Is there something wrong?"

Leon shook his head. "Not really. I just need to go pick something up. 'Shouldn't take a minute."

Kratos nodded silently. Taking that as an approval, Leon got off the bed, stretched, and walked out. At least the big guy seems to trust me.

Leon walked out of the Inn and walked silently over to the smashed buildings near the entrance. Climbing up the rubble, he was relieved to see his pack still there where it was left, untouched. (Baelfael: Remember he left the bag there in Chapter 1 before fighting Lloyd and Genis?) He picked it up and slung it over his shoulder, jumping down from the ruined building.

Leon walked inside of the Inn again and was heading for his room when he saw some movement on the upper floor. Slowly reaching for his dagger, he looked closely and faintly saw two white ribbons on the figures back. Leon grinned. Red. But why's he going towards Colette's room? I thought he was giving the Key Crest to the Professor? Intrigued, Leon silently followed him and crept up against the wall when he walked in.

Leon pushed his ear against the door and heard his muffled voices.

Then he heard a clear voice. "...Lloyd." Leon heard some shuffling movement from behind the door as Colette continued. "...I'm sorry that Father, Grandmother and I couldn't prevent your exile."

Exile? Lloyd was exiled? Leon thought for a moment. Of course. No wonder he didn't want to talk about his involvement with the Desians earlier.

"You dork." Lloyd said gently, something Leon noted. "It's not your fault, so you don't need to worry about it." Lloyds voice became a little darker as he continued. "And besides, I'm the reason why the village was devastated."

The way I see it, Lloyd was banished from a village because of his involvement with the Desians, which led to its devastation. Leon grimaced. The kid almost has as much bad experiences as I do. Almost.

Colette's voice spoke up again. "For Marble's sake, and for the sake of the villagers that were killed, I'm going to do my best to regenerate the world."

For some odd reason, Leon's heart fell. She sounds really determined to save the world, but... Why do I feel this way? Isn't that a good thing?

"Yeah..." Lloyd spoke again. "I'm sorry I woke you."

Colette's voice sounded cheery as always. "No, it's okay. Good night."

Oh, damn! Leon quickly leaped to the right wall of the room, which was shaded from the already dark main lobby. Lloyds voice came up one last time. "Thanks." and he stepped out of the room and walked down towards the Sage's room, not noticing Leon crouched in the corner.

Leon decided to go back to his room, but before he did, he heard a small murmur from Colette's room.

"...I'm going to do my best for you, too, Lloyd." and afterwards, Leon heard some movement, and finally calm breathing.

Leon grinned lightly. It looks like Colette likes Lloyd more than she lets on. He walked down the stairs and into his room. I hope they can survive this journey and do something about it.

"I thought it would only take a minute?" a voice nearly startled Leon. He looked over to see Kratos, reading a book and sitting upwards in bed.

Leon shrugged. "As it turns out, I had something else to do." He walked towards his bed, set his bag next to it, and layed down on the bed.

Kratos didn't probe further, and stood up from the bed. Leon looked over at him. "I'm going out for a walk." Kratos said simply, walking out of the room.

Leon yawned and rested his head on his pillow as sleepiness overtook him.

There was a field of flowers somewhere in Sylvarant. It could've been anywhere on the two continents.

Somewhere near the desert.

Somewhere near the ocean.

Somewhere near an old relic.

Somewhere that a tower is visible.

No one except these two, innocent souls knew where to find these flowers.

"Come on!" one of them shouted with his head turned back, looking at the other person who was walking through the field carefully.

"W-wait for me!" she wailed, trying to keep up. She continued to struggle, and struggle, until she couldn't take anymore and fell to the ground, crying. "Waaahhh!"

The boy turned around, seeing the girl crying, and rushed over to her, circling her in his arms, repeating the same words:

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

The Chosen's group, save for Lloyd, were standing in the middle of Triet, waiting for Lloyd to wake up so they could head off to the first seal. Colette and Genis were taking care of the supplies for the journey, and the rest of them were waiting on the stone circle in the middle of the entrance path. Leon was talking to Raine.

"So, the first seal is located in the Triet Ruins near here?" Leon asked, and Raine nodded.

"Yes. That's the ruins of an ancient city that worshipped the Summon Spirit, Efreet. It was, however, burned down from immense flames, and is rarely visited by anyone. It's most likely a seal."

"How do you figure?" Leon asked her, raising a question.

"Kratos said that the angel that appeared at the Oracle, Remiel, said that the 'Seal of Fire' was somewhere to the south. The Triet Ruins are the only place that match his criteria." Raine explained, tapping her foot in annoyance. "Lloyd had best wake up, soon. We don't have a lot of time to waste."

"Yeah. The kid sleeps like a log, alright." Leon muttered, looking impatiantly at the Inn and waiting for Lloyd to walk out.

A few minutes later, Lloyd rushed out of the Inn and stopped in front of the rest of the group. Most of them looked at him sternly, and he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

Kratos spoke up. "We can finally head out to release the seal."

Colette nodded, determined. "Yes. I'll do my best."

"The seal Remiel spoke of is in the Triet Ruins southwest of here." Raine explained, getting something out of her bag.

Lloyd balled his fist. "Cool! Let's go check out that seal!"

Genis raised his hands in exasperation. " We'll see if that enthusiasm lasts..."

Lloyd didn't falter. "I'll be fine! Just you watch!"

Raine walked over to Lloyd and handed him a fairly large book. "Let me give you this. Gathering data on your enemies is useful for protecting the Chosen."

Lloyd was suprized at her fowardness. "I... I'm going to do it?"

Raine turned around and picked up her bag again. "I'll help, too. Just think of it as homework."

Lloyd blanched. "Ewww..."

Kratos started to walk off, impatiant. "We should get going."

Leon shrugged and started to exit the town as well. The rest of the group followed.

(Z-skit : The Eyepatch) (I decided that a Tales of Symphonia fic wasn't a Tales of Symphonia fic without the Z-skits, as they make up almost half of the story line in the game. The ones in the fic will either be entirely new ones like this one, or old ones that are changed around to incorperate the new characters.)

Somewhere between Triet and the Triet Ruins, somewhere between the uncounted battles between the Chosens group and several monsters, Colette walked up to Leon and started to talk with him.

"Hey, Leon? Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did. And yes, you can." Leon pointed out.

Colette remained silent for a moment before speaking. "...How did you get that eye-patch?"

"..." Leon remained silent for a moment, looking up at the sky. He touched his eyepatch with his right hand lightly. "...That's a hard question to answer."

"Oh..." Colette bowed. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me. It's probably something you don't want to talk about..."

"Oh no, it's not that." Leon reasoned, raising his palms to calm her. "It's just that I honestly can't remember how I got it."

Colette widened her eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah." Leon said simply, still staring up at the sky. "I told you I had amnesia ever since I was six, right? I've had the eyepatch even before then, so I wouldn't remember how I got it." Leon raised his hands to behind his head. "I don't even know if I'm really blind underneath it. All I know is that it was there, and it was there for a reason."

"Aren't you curious about it? About what might happen if you take it off?" Colette reasoned, tilting her head.

"Sure I am. But you know what they say..." Leon grinned. "Curiousity killed the cat."

After going through hordes of monsters and thieves (with the exception of our favourite blonde one), the Chosen's group, plus Noishe, finally made it to the Triet Ruins. Crossing the desert, however, had left some of them tired, some of them tired, and some of them complaining about the heat.

"Ah, so hot..." Lloyd nearly collapsed onto the stone path they were now on. "Man, I'm beat."

Genis reprimended him. "See? You're already worn out."

Leon decided to join in, just for the heck of it. "You shouldn't gotten all excited." Unlike the rest of the group, Leon was used to traveling through the Triet desert, and he was hardly as tired as anyone else, except for Kratos. But then again, you can't really tell with him. Colette almost collapsed in the middle, and was riding Noishe from then on, as decided by the rest of the group. As Colette started to get off of Noishe, Leon continued. "The desert is not an interesting place, trust me."

Lloyd agreed with Leon and sighed. "I'm sick of this desert." Noishe, who had been standing next to Lloyd, started to whine. Lloyd raised his head. "What's wrong, Noishe?" he asked. Then, without warning, Noishe started to run away. "Noishe?"

Kratos drew his sword. "Be on your guard, there are enemies about!"

Lloyd looked in front of him and realized there were two red, floating stones that were moving towards them. He drew his swords as well and charged for one of them. Leon also unsheathed his dagger and rushed for another one, eyeing it carefully.

Genis and Raine, meanwhile, had stayed back and were preparing spells. Genis waved his Kendama over his head and shouted "Fireball!" as he created three fireballs that flew toward the stone Lloyd was attacking. However, the attack only bounced off of the monster. "It's not working!"

Leon shouted back. "Try a water spell!" he suggested, and Genis nodded and tried preparing another spell. Leon meanwhile was watching the one he, Kratos, and Raine were assaulting. He ran up to it and shouted "Swallow Dance!" and kicked the monster higher into the air, kicked it in midair, and slashed it into the ground. It, however, started to rise again.

This time, however, the stones surrounding the monster split apart, and Leon could see a glowing red sphere inside them. Before he realized it, he was scorched by several fireballs.

Lloyd was busy slashing away at the other monster while Genis unleashed his spell. "Aqua Edge!" he shouted, and the blades of water came forward and slashed at the enemy, doing good damage to it. Colette was throwing her Chakrams at it continuously, also shouting out "Ray Thrust!" once in a while as one of the Chakrams came forward with more speed, slicing the enemy.

"Hey!" Leon shouted over to them. "Attack it's core! That's it's weakness!"

Lloyd and Colette nodded as they tried to run towards the enemy before it could unleash another spell. The rocks surrounding it came apart and a red glow was emitting, signaling the preparation of a spell.

Lloyd dashed forward and brought his sword down on the red sphere inside it, as Colette threw her Chakram throught it at the same time. They both slashed it into two and the rocks surrounding the sphere fell to the ground. The sphere itself vanished into thin air.

Kratos and Leon were also ready to strike the sphere when it showed itself. Kratos stood carefully on one side of it, and Leon on the other. The monsters stones came apart and floated around the glowing sphere while it prepared a spell.

Leon growled. "Not this time!" He brought his dagger to his side and dashed towards the monster. He quickly made a slash at the monster's core and shouted "Hawkeye!"

Kratos also ran up to the monster and attacked it. He stabbed the monster's core and shouted "Sonic Thrust!" The two attacks seemed to do the trick, as the sphere disapeared and the rocks fell onto the sand.

Leon relaxed and sat down on the sand, rubbing the burn marks he received on his right shoulder. "I've never seen enemies like those before." he remarked. Raine walked over to him and kneeled next to him.

"Are you alright? You have a few scorch marks on your shoulder. Hold still..." she said, and lowered her staff to his wounds. A soft light emitted from her staff, and automatically went around Leon's wounds. After a few moments, the light disapeared, as well as the wound. "That should do. You should be fine now."

Leon smiled. "Thanks, Professor."

Everyone else rested for a few moments after the short battle. Kratos seemed a little agitated. "This is going to be a nuisance..."

Lloyd turned to the mercenary. "What is?"

"Ah, nothing." Kratos shook his head. "Anyway, it would be a good idea for you to learn techniques to protect yourself." he turned towards Leon, who simply huffed and looked away.

Colette turned her head. "Are you talking about self-defense training?"

Kratos nodded. "Something like that. Techniques to raise your defense during battles." He walked over to a clear area. "I'll show you how it's done. Once you grasp the theory, the rest should be easy."

The rest of the group nodded and walked over to the area as well. They stopped in front of Kratos, and he began to explain how to form shields around their body.

After a brief lesson, everyone learned how to defend themselves with special techniques. They all seemed to name their's differently. Lloyd and Kratos went with 'Guardian', Colette decided on 'Damage Guard', the Sage siblings named theirs 'Force Field', and finally, Leon decided on 'Parry'.

Lloyd grinned as he finally accomplished it. "Okay! I don't really get it, but I already feel stronger! I can't wait to try it out!"

Genis turned towards Lloyd and smiled playfully. "I think you're just imagining things..."

Raine spoke up. "...Hmm, what happened to Noishe?"

Everyone looked around the ruins for a few seconds. Lloyd sighed. "You're right. He's gone. Ah, man, he's run off again."

Kratos unexpectedly spoke up. "He's probably nervous about the monsters. I think it would be best not to count on Noishe in places with monsters around."

Leon sagged his shoulders. "... So, anywhere except a House of Salvation, or a city?"

Everyone went silent and Kratos ruffled his hair. "... I suppose so."

The group finally climbed the stairs onto the stone platform. It had a large, flat stone in the middle, which was the entrance into the ruins. A crafted stone was situated next to it. On it was a symbol that Leon had seen before.

Colette also looked at the symbol carefully. "Say, is this the seal? It has my family's crest on it..."

Before Leon could even interpret that, a voice to his right exclaimed "Fantastic!"

Everyone turned towards Raine, who was bent over the flat stone. "Look at this slab covering the entrance! It's clearly a different composition than the surrounding stone!"

Leon raised an eyebrow at the Professor's actions. Lloyd stepped back a little, and Genis looked a little nervous. Kratos simply observed the scene passively and Colette tilted her head. Meanwhile, Raine's eyes lit up.

"Hahahaha! It's just as I thought!" She crouched down and felt the rock with her hands. "This is Polycarbonate, developed during the Ancient War to defend against Magic! Oh, feel the smooth surface! It's wonderous!"

Kratos looked at the group, as he assumed they would know about this. "... Is she always like this?"

Lloyd and Colette looked at each other, than at Leon, who shrugged, and finally all of them turned towards Genis. Lloyd asked him, "... Is she?"

Genis raised his hands in mild-frustration and sighed. "... I've been trying so hard to hide it, too."

Raine adruptly stood up and walked over to the pedastal, knocking Leon aside, but not before receiving a "G'Hey!"

She looked at it carefully. "Hmm? This depression... it reads, "oracle stone."" Raine turned towards Colette. "Colette, place your hand here. That should reveal the entrance."

Colette's eyes lit up. Lloyd asked Raine, "Really?"

She turned towards her student. "This stone is enchanted with magic designed to identify the Chosen. There's no question about it."

Colette walked in front of the pedastal, and placed her hand on it. The ground started shaking lightly, and the stone covering the entrance slid open, revealing a flight of stairs. Colette grinned and clapped her hands. "It opened! Wow! I guess I'm really the Chosen after all!"

Genis grinned. "Yes, I think we all know that already."

Lloyd grinned and pumped his hand in excitement. "Okay! Now it's getting interesting! Let's hurry up and go inside!"

Leon turned towards Lloyd. "Don't get to excited, Red. We still have to get to the seal."

"Stop calling me Red!"

"I'll stop calling you Red when you stop glaring at me!"

"Both of you, shut it!"

"...Yes, Professor..."

(Z-skit : I've been here before)

Leon looked around the hallway. "Hmm... This place seems different..."

Raine looked at the theif. "What? You've been here before?"

Leon shrugged. "Well, yeah. Back before this place became a seal, the entrance wasn't blocked, so I walked in."

Lloyd came into the conversation. "If that's true, then you could show us the way to the seal!" he exclaimed happily.

Leon shook his head. "Nope. I told you this place is different. It must've been altered because of the Journey of Regeneration."

Raine looked excited. "So you're saying that the dungeon's interior has changed shape from before? Fascinating!"

Leon sighed. "Hey, hey... Don't get too excited..."

After various monster encounters and battles (of which I will not emulate, because that will take far too long), the Chosen's group finally entered the room of the Fire seal. All six of them teleported through, and ended up in a large, closed room. The walls were stone, with various carvings on them, mostly in the shape of flames. Ahead of the group, a large circular altar with a plate at the front was situated against the wall.

Raine looked around that room excitedly. "This place is also built with magitechnology! Absolutely fantastic!"

Colette walked towards the altar at the end of the room, while everyone followed her.

However, Genis and Raine stopped momentarily. Genis looked up at the seal. "Ah! What the...?"

Everyone looked up at the seal. Embers started to rise from the altar, and fairly quickly became a wall of flames.

ROAR! A large booming growl was heard, and suddenly a figure leapt out of the altar, and landed behind them.

It looked like a giant panther, complete with long sharp claws and barring fangs. However, there were other noticable features. There were hundreds upon hundreds of spikes protruding from the creature's back and head, and it's fur was unnaturally red and orange. The top of the monster was on fire, although wether it was natural or because of the embers wasn't known yet.

Leon found his voice first. "What is that thing?"

Colette winced as she stopped in front of everyone. "It's the guardian, I'm sure of it. It's the guardian of the seal!"

Everyone drew their weapons. "Here it comes!" Lloyd warned, noticing the monster turning it's attention to them. It roared loudly, and two pillars of flames shot up next to it, with smaller versions of the monster appearing from them.

As before, Leon and Lloyd rushed toward the enemies, with Colette and Kratos tagging behind them, and Raine and Genis ready to cast their spells. Lloyd went straight towards Ktugach (the giant) while Leon went around the side and rushed for the Ktugachling. Kratos also went after another Ktugachling, and Colette decided to switch between helping Lloyd and Leon.

Raine was still preparing a spell when Genis was finished one of his. He cast Aqua Edge on Ktugach while Lloyd was slashing away. All three blades made contact with it and it seemed more affected by the water.

Raine yelled out "Barrier!" and waved her staff around in Lloyd's direction. Lloyd felt his clothing becoming harder, giving him more defense. With vigor, he started to thrash at the monster once again.

Leon was dashing past the Ktugachling left and right, all the while slicing it with his dagger. The large critter had harder and denser skin than most animals, and it took great effort to even make a wound.

However, the Ktugachling soon found an opening, and whipped it's tail at Leon, striking him in the chest. Leon gasped in pain and kneeled down for a moment. He looked up and saw the Ktugachling jumping up, ready to pounce on the theif.

At that moment, a chakram zoomed by and smashed into the Ktugachling's head. The monster yelped and fell to the ground, unconcious.

Leon looked over to his side, and saw Colette catching the chakram. Leon mouthed a 'thank you' in her direction and she smiled. Leon got up and ran to help Lloyd, as did Colette.

"Guardian!" Kratos shouted, producing a barrier as several fireballs flew into him. The Ktugachling had gotten some feet away from the mercenary and was trying to avoid being slashed at again. So it scampered away and started casting spells on the swordsman.

However, Kratos could cast spells as well. With a few hand motions and murmured words, he waved his hand and shouted "Take this! Wind Blade!" No sooner then that, the air around the Ktugachling started to warp and sharpen. Immediatly, the air turned into violent wind and tore at the Ktugachling. It squealed in pain and dropped to the floor, unmoving.

As for Lloyd, he finished attacking Ktugach and was resting for a second. Leon and Colette came up next to him, with Kratos not far behind.

But right when they were about to attack it, Ktugach leapt backwards and looked ready to fight back. It sat on it's back for a few moments while it's eyes were closed. The four of them charged toward Ktugach, readying their weapons.

Genis realized what the monster was doing. "Wait! He's casting a spell!" he warned them, but he was too late.

Ktugach raised it's head and roared. Suddenly the ground beneath Lloyd, Colette, Leon and Kratos started to heat up. Then shockwaves of fire came bursting out from underneath them, scorching most of them badly.

Leon was able to use Parry and lowered Colette before any fatality was given, but the flames still injured them immensely. Lloyd and Kratos were no luckier.

Both of the Sage's were too shocked to move, and became Ktugach's next target. The monster raised it's head momentarily before spitting out a large fireball at the two. Both of them got to their senses and cast Force Field, but the attack was too much, and puched them back, forcefully into the wall. Raine's feet collapsed under the pain, and Genis was too hurt to move.

Leon finally tried to lift himself from the ground, and immediatly saw Colette, on the ground unconcious.

Anger.

Leon screw his eyes shut.

Hatred.

He glared up at Ktugach.

Kill.

Leon grasped the handle of his dagger and took a step forward.

"RRAAAGHH!"

The battle cry wasn't his.

Leon's eyes went over to Lloyd, who was running towards Ktugach despite his injuries. The monster's head rose up again, and spewed a fireball again, only in Lloyd's direction this time.

What Leon saw next left him in awe.

Lloyd effortlessly leaped over the fireball as it came towards him, doing a backflip in the process.

Leon noticed that Lloyd's Exsphere was glowing.

Then, Lloyd ran right up to Ktugach and lowered his swords. He shouted "Tiger Blade!" as he jumped up and slashed Ktugach's head from underneath with his swords. But he wasn't finished, as Lloyd brought his swords down on it's head again as he descended.

Everything was quiet for the next few moments. Leon wasn't even sure if what he saw really happened.

But he became sure of it when Ktugach fell sideways into the ground, motionless. Leon was nearly gaping. How did Lloyd do that? How did Lloyd flip over a fireball, run forwards at speeds like that, and kill a giant monster with only two swings?

Leon became painfully aware of his condition as he shifted his position. Ow. Okay, think later. I could really use some Apple Gel right about now... He grinned at Lloyd. "Hey, not bad, Red."

Lloyd was wobbling as well. "I told you... Don't call me Red!" he managed, before collapsing and sitting on his bum. He looked over at the theif. "Hey... How's Colette?"

Leon looked down at the girl and cautiously placed his hand on her back. Finding a pulse, he sighed, relieved. "She's okay. A little shaken, but she'll pull through."

Lloyd smiled, also relieved. He dug into his pocket and pulled out three Apple Gels, tossing two of them to Leon. "Give one to Colette."

Leon caught them. "Thanks." He quickly took one of them and swallowed it whole. He gasped. "I wonder who's the idiot who named these things."

Lloyd grinned and chuckled. "I know. They taste horrible, don't they?"

Leon grinned back. "They may heal us instantly, but the taste almost makes it not worth it."

After eating the Apple Gels, the two of them started on getting the rest of the members consious. Kratos already seemed to be fine, as he performed First Aid on himself. Then, both he and Lloyd went over to help Raine and Genis.

That left Leon and Colette, the former trying to wake the Chosen up. "C'mon, Colette! We need you awake!"

Finally, Colette stired and opened her eyes slowly. She noticed Leon and sat up, smiling. "Sorry, Leon."

Leon sighed, but smiled. "You apoligize too much. Here..." he lifted the Apple Gel to her hands.

"Thanks." she took it and ate the Gel, squirming because of the taste, earning a laugh from Leon.

After some healing, the Chosen's group finally walked up to the altar once again. The altar unexpectantly started to hiss as gas emitted from the corners. Then, as the gas seemed to disappear, the altar rose up, containing a glowing red light inside it. Soon, the altar lowered, leaving the red light suspended above the seal.

Suddenly, a voice spoke up out of nowhere. "You, the Chosen of Regeneration. Offer your prayers at the altar."

Colette nodded. "...Yes, my lord." She walked up to the altar and placed her hands together, praying. "Oh Goddess Martel, great protector and nurturer of the earth, grant me thy strength!"

The shining light started to light up, and dissipated eventually. An orb of light started to descend from above, and flashed blindingly. Leon winced as he tried to glance through the light. He heard a voice say, "Colette, my dear daughter, you have done well."

Colette bowed. "Thank you... Fa...ther." she said hesitatingly.

Leon blinked his eyes and finally got a good look at the person speaking. The man was suspended above the altar, wearing green robes and a green priest's hat. The man had clear blonde hair and blue eyes.

But there was two things Leon immediatly noticed.

First, the man had white wings sprouted from his back, flapping enough to keep him airborne.

And second, he had a scar across his left cheek.

Leon turned towards Lloyd. "Who is that?"

Lloyd explained. "That's Remiel, Colette's father, apparently."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "'Apparently'? You're not sure?"

Lloyd shrugged and Leon didn't press further. Remiel continued to speak. "The guardian of the seal has fallen, and the first seal has been released. Efreet will surely awaken soon. In the name of Cruxis, I shall grant you the power of the angels."

Colette bowed once again. "Thank you, my lord."

Remiel spread his hands ceremoniously, and several small spheres, each a different color, came down and was absorbed into Colette. Then, she started to raise into the air, with purple orbs falling from her back. And suddenly, two purple wings spread from her back and flapped back and forth.

Everyone gasped and stared on in awe, especially Leon. "Whoa..."

Remiel nodded towards her. "The angel transformation will not be without pain. Yet, it is but for one night. Be strong and endure."

"I humbly accept this trial."

"The next seal lies far to the east, across the sea. Offer your prayers at the altar." Remiel semi-ordered, finally looking over the rest of the members. Strangely, his eyes landed on Leon and didn't move. And Leon thought he saw a flicker of anger show up on the angel's face, but it was gone as quickly as it was there.

"Yes, Lord Remiel."

Remiel rised higher from the altar, and soon, started to become a glowing light. Then, immediatly shot up through the roof, leaving several feathers as he did. Finally, he spoke his last words. "I shall await you at the next seal, the Chosen of Regeneration, my beloved daughter, Colette."

Everyone was silent as they watched the scene unfold. It wasn't until Colette finally landed on the ground that Lloyd finally spoke up. "Colette... has wings!"

Colette looked back at him and grinned. "Uh huh, and look, I can put them away, too." As she said that, she leaned over a little, and her wings disapeared effortlessly.

Genis was astounded. "Oh, wow! That's so cool!"

Colette grinned some more. "Here, look, look!" She then brought out her wings again and started to flap them continiously. The rest of the group turned their attention away from the two for a moment.

Lloyd seemed more amused by something else. "He said the next place is across the sea! That means we get to sail on a ship! Haha, I can't wait!"

It must've been Leon's imagination, but he saw a flicker of unease on Raine's face. "A ship... hmm. I wonder if there are any ships sailing with the way things are right now."

Kratos suggested an idea. "We should head to the coast to see what we can find." And with that, the mercenary started walking towards the warp.

Leon looked back at the Colette and Genis, both of them still acting like little kids. "C'mon, guys. Enough fooling around. Time to go!" he said, turning his heel.

Colette stopped flapping her wings and Genis stopped jumping around. They both grinned and said, "Okay!" at the same time.

(I contemplated ending the chapter here, but then I wouldn't know how the angel transformation would affect the focus on the next chapter, so I didn't)

After a few battles with monsters and walking through the passages once more, they finally made it out of the Triet Ruins. As always, Lloyd was walking in front, with Leon and Colette behind him, and the rest of the group trailing behind. All of them were exhausted from the battles, especially the fight against Ktugach, but Colette seemed the most tired of all of them.

As they were walking out, Colette collapsed, having Leon catch her.

Lloyd looked back at her, alarmed. "Colette! Are you okay?"

Colette meekly whispered back. "I'm... fine..."

Leon could easily tell she was lying. Hell, she's shaking like she's frozen, for Martel's sake!

Genis shook his head. "You don't look fine at all! Your face is completely white!" He immediatly started to worry. "It's all my fault. I got carried away and kept making her pull her wings in and out."

Lloyd shook his head. "I don't think that has anything to do with it."

Raine came between them impatiantly and Leon let her examine Colette. "Now's not the time for that!" she shouted, startling the two boys. "Her lips are turning purple. We must get her to a doctor in the city immediatly.

Leon was about to nod, but Kratos interupted. "Wait. It's best not to move her."

Lloyd looked back at the mercenary. "Why?"

"Remember the angel's words. The angel transformation process requires her to overcome a trial. Rather than taking her to a doctor, it would be best to let her rest here." he spoke calmly.

Both Lloyd and Leon didn't seem to like the idea, but Colette agreed. "I'm... okay. I'll be fine after a little rest. I'm sorry to cause you so much trouble..."

Leon sighed in irritation. Again with the apoligizing... "Alright, that's enough 'sorry's for one day."

Lloyd nodded. "Yeah! It's not as if you can help it. You were suddenly turned into an angel."

Colette sighed defeated, and grinned weakly. "You're right... I'm sorry."

Leon almost sagged his shoulders. Jeez, it's like a natural reflex for her...

Lloyd sighed as well, equally tired. "Well, anyway... Let's set up camp before it gets dark."

And so, everyone (with the exception of Colette) put togther their small camp.

Everyone was quiet around the campfire, still thinking through the events that happened today. Lloyd walked up next to Leon.

Leon looked up from his sitting position and grinned. "Hey, Red! Can't sleep?"

Lloyd growled. "Stop calling me Red!"

Leon raised his hands in defense. "Sorry, sorry! I can't help it."

Lloyd sighed as he sat down as well. "Why do you insist on calling me that, anyway?"

Leon shrugged, still grinning. "Maybe if you didn't wear red all of the time, I wouldn't call you Red." He weakened his grin as he continued. "Seriously, though. Something bothering you?"

Lloyd seemed hesitant to answer. "Well..." Leon noticed him shift his eyes to Colette quickly, and he smiled.

"I wouldn't worry about her too much." he told Lloyd.

"What? How do you know I'm worried about Colette?" he asked, embarrassed.

Leon only grinned some more. "I didn't say Colette, did I?" Lloyd noticed his blunder and started to protest, but Leon held up his hand. "Deny it all you like, Red." He looked over at the Chosen. "But seriously, she'll be fine. She has a strong will, and that can be more powerful than physical strength."

Lloyd kept silent, but eventually sighed and admitted defeat. "I guess you're right." He turned back to Leon. "By the way, you don't seem that evil for a thief."

Leon looked up at the sky. "That's because thieve's aren't evil. They're simply selfish and do unlawful things, like stealing."

Lloyd looked up into the sky. "But, why do they do that?"

Leon shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe it's their only way of survival? They're forced into it? They do it simply because they can?" He looked up into the sky. "It's human nature, Red. Sometimes people do things differently because that's the way they were raised. Heck, maybe they act that way ever since birth."

Lloyd tried to absorb the knowledge. "I... guess."

Leon sighed. "Think of it this way. Do you hate Half-elves?"

Lloyd shook his head strongly. "No!"

"Were you raised to think that way?" Leon continued. "If so, what if you were raised differently?"

Lloyd went silent at that. Then, after a while, he finally spoke up. "...No. I don't think it matters how you were brought up. Like you said, some people are born with these things in mind. I don't think I could hate Half-elves, no matter who I grow up with."

Leon seemed mildly shocked at Lloyd's defiance. Then, he grinned. "Well, Lloyd, you've got a good mindset. Don't lose it, okay? There's so few people like you in this world."

Lloyd nodded, and started to walk towards Colette, when he noticed something. "...Hey, that's the first time you've called me by my first name."

Leon shrugged. "Maybe. But don't get used to it. I happen to like nicknames."

Lloyd sagged his shoulders, but grinned lopsidedly. He dug inside his pocket as he walked towards Colette. "Oh yeah. I know it's kind of late now, but here's your birthday present..."

Both he and Colette looked at the necklace in his hand, which the band for was snapped in half.

"...Oh no, it's broken." she spoke as she became sad.

"I wonder when it broke?..." he wondered, looking it over. He shot her an apoligetic look. "I'm sorry, I'll make you a new one."

Colette smiled. "Thanks... and... I'm sorry that I keep causing trouble for you."

Lloyd grinned. "Don't worry about it." His face started to become concerned. "By the way, you haven't been eating at all. Are you still feeling sick?"

Colette shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I just... don't seem to have much of an appetite."

Lloyd became a little more concerned. "You won't be able to keep your strength up if you don't eat."

She smiled again. "...I know, you're right." However, after she said that, she coughed for a moment.

Both of the Sage's came into the conversation. "Lloyd, don't push her." Raine advised him.

Genis nodded. "Colette is delicate, unlike you."

Leon chuckled and Lloyd glared back at Genis. "Shut it!" He turned back to Colette. "I'm sorry Colette."

Colette raised her palms and shook her head. "No, no, I'm okay... I'm really sorry for worrying you."

Leon watched over the scene, amused.

Chapter end.

Baelfael: I'm very sorry for updating this late. I promise that updating the story will not always take this long, moreso now with summer vacation around the corner.

Also, if any of you are confused because of Remiel's scar, don't be. That will be explained later in the story.

As always, please review after you've read. Thank you!