Tales of Symphonia and the characters doesn't belong to this person right here. All rights go to everyone at Namco Tales Studio and Character Designers; Kousuke Fujishima and Daigo Okumura.

TALES OF A UNFORGIVABLE SINNER

CHAPTER: FOUR

PART: ONE

Chapter: 4

Location: Luin/Irving's household.

Time: 6:00 AM.

"I promise..." That was what her grandfather had said to her.

She hadn't had the slightest idea that her grandfather could be capable of dealing with the Desians. She'd known little about them, Only hearing tales of them in her school lesson and that the Chosen is the only one who can stop them. Other than that she hears not much but the standard they're bad and they hurt people for the own gain. And to think that her own grandfather is providing weapons and among other things to them. He did explain his reason for doing so was for the people of this town and his family to keep them for attacking again like they did years ago.

Anna hadn't known that so it came as a shock to her. He didn't go too detailed but he swears that this will never happen again as long he just give them whatever they wanted. And with that, she could understand in her seven-year-old mind able to understand.

She made a promise of her own to not tell her brother or mother what she had witnessed last night. She just doesn't want them to worry about this. And it is a good thing they're leaving in a short while. Anna was going over her thoughts to hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Anna?... What are you doing up so early?" Ryan said coming down with a heavy backpack on his back. "I couldn't sleep. So I decided to come down and make my breakfast so mom has one less thing to do before leaving." Anna replied.

"Okay, that's thoughtful of you. I'm sure mom would be happy that you are able to take care of yourself while we're gone." He said to give her head a couple of pats before heading to the cupboards and grabbed a bowl from the covers. He took a spoon from the silverware drawer and went over to join his little sister at the table.

He asked her to pass the box of cereal which Anna handed him without a second thought. And begin pouring its contents into his bowl with some milk. Ryan was almost halfway done with his food when Anna spoke. "Ryan... Can I ask you something."

"Hmm?... I guess, what is it?" He replied.

"Can you tell what you know about the Desians."

"Why do you what to know about that? Better yet, Where is this coming from. You were fine yesterday morning and now here you are asking about the Desians?" He said with a mouthful of cereal. "Did something happened yesterday when you were with grandpa?"

"No, nothing happened. I had a good day with grandpa." She said telling a slight lie. And it was a good day up until the Desians came to the shop and started treating their grandfather. She was scared that they were going to find her. If it wasn't for her grandpa quick thinking she'd would've been found and who knows what they might have done to her.

"Earth to Anna." He said out loud waving his hand in front of her.

"Huh? I'm sorry."

"too busy daydreaming again." He commented. "Anyway, what do you want to know?" He asked taking another spoon full of his cereal. "Did they attacking Luin once before?"

"That's what I'd read about. Luin has a history of being destroyed. Either from a natural disaster; but normally from the Desians. I heard mom was a little girl when they last attack leaving everything in ruins to the point everyone had to uprooted to Hima and some far away to Palmacosta." He said lifted his bowl to drink the milk.

"Are they mean?" She asked softly.

Ryan places the bowl down and gives a confused look at his little sister. "What do you mean "Are they mean?" Of course, they are. What makes you think that they're not!?" He said. "Hey stop yelling at me like I say something wrong! And I was only asking a question." Anna said while blowing out her cheeks.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled at you." Ryan apologize.

"Still. These guys are no joke and had been terrorizing humans for years and years. The bottom line is; The Desians are rude, heartless, and don't care if you are a man, woman or child they will treat you like your nothing but like cattle." He stated.

He stood up from the table to put away his dishes in the sink. "I'm telling you, Anna, the Desians, and humans have a bad history with one another. They take people like us, who haven't done anything wrong and locked them up in cells. I'm not telling you to hate them because that isn't the type of person you are. All I am asking is to be careful when you come across them. That's all." Ryan said turning to get his backpack to full up with treats for the road.

"Are you talking about all Half-elves or just the Desians?" Anna said after a moment.

Ryan put random snacks inside his bag. "Well, it is mostly for the Desians, but you should be careful around all of them. From what I heard they can use magic and that most of them hate humans from what happened to them long ago."

"Do you feel the same with Half-elves, or do you hate them like they hate humans?" Anna asked.

"No. I don't hate them. I'd just can't trust them." He replied turning back to his task of stuffing the bag with more treats. "Anyway, You haven't told me the reason why you got up so early in the morning. You had to have been up since 5:00 o'clock at least. Are you sure nothing happened yesterday?" He asked

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'd just couldn't really sleep last night." Anna replied.

"Alright, I let it go for now." He zipped his backpack up and lift it to put away near the door. Anna watches him as he picks a large bottle and fills it with water from the tap. "You are going to need more water than that if you are going to travel for a month," Anna stated. Ryan chuckles and twisted the cap on the bottle, setting it down on the counter space. "Yeah, that's why I got four of these large-jugs and Mom has another set upstairs, plus we are traveling as a group of 10 people so there will be more water."

"Must be fun being able to do the same thing that Daddy used to do," Anna said softly.

"Yes, it is. Maybe I'll do just as good as he did." He said sadly.

"I know you will, Ryan. Make sure you write to me when you got the time. I want to know everything about it." She said cheerfully with a smile on her face. "You know I will, Anna. And make sure you do the same and take care of grandpa. He does everything himself and it up to you to make sure he doesn't overwork himself while we are gone." Anna nodded her head and promised that she will. "Where's Mom?" She asked.

"Packing. She should be coming down at any minute. I need to gather more things for the trip before Mom comes down. If she comes down before I do, tell her that I am upstairs getting the last of my things." He told her and quickly went up the stairs in a hurry.

A moment later their mother came down holding bags on her shoulder and back. She slowly came down the steps and set all of the bags on the ground. "Morning sweetie." She greeted. "Good morning, Mommy," Anna replied. "Where's your brother?" She asked taking out a Thermos from the cupboards and then pouring some coffee into her large cup. "He's getting the last few of his from upstairs." Come Anna's replies. Hannah hummed in a response. She pours some into a smaller cup and takes a sip of her hot beverage.

"Mommy. Don't you want something other than that coffee?" She asked.

"No baby, I'm fine. I've packed enough food for everyone for the road so I will eat some then." Hannah replied taking another sip of her coffee. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us to the House of salvation? I'm sure your brother wouldn't mind you going." Hannah asks as she went over to sit at the table with her and place her cup down. "Yeah, I'm sure. Ryan made enough credits to go anyway and besides he needs this more than I do. And I don't even know what to do on pilgrimages. But please say hello to father Lucas for me."

Hannah smiles at her daughter and places her hand on top of her still small ones. She was astonished by her 7-year-old on how selfless she truly is at such a young age. "I will let him know that. Make sure you take great care of you grandpa for me. And just because we're leaving you alone with him doesn't mean you can do & get whatever you want. Make sure you clean before going out with any friends and tell your grandpa before doing so. When your grandfather is out working late go to the neighbor house to stay until he gets back."

"There should be something in the refrigerator for dinner and as for tomorrow's dinner, You can go to the market to buy some food. The money is in the lower cabinet." Hannah said. "Okay, Mommy. And don't worry I will make sure to do everything you have said." Anna replied.

There was a knock at the door that made Hannah stop their conversation to check and see who it was. "Oh, hello Pietro. How are you doing this morning." Hannah greeted. "I'm doing fine Ms. Irving. I'm here to tell you that my father and Uncle is ready and waiting outside." Hannah peaks her head through the doorway and sure enough, their traveling group is waiting outside. "Hey guys, good to see you. We'll be right outside just get us some more time!" Hannah shouted as she waves hello to them.

"Pietro honey. You can come inside and wait. I know Ryan would like to say goodbye before we leave."

"Thank you, Ms, Irving." Pietro replied." He said stepping inside as she moves aside and closes the door. "I'll go tell Ryan to hurry up and bring the luggage outside." She tells him and went up the stairs. "What are you up to Anna. Are you excited about the trip?" Pietro asked turning towards her.

"I'm not going." She responds.

"I haven't made enough school credits to come on the pilgrimage and you were there also to know that, and besides only three were allowed to go. Out of everyone, I thought not just my brother will be picked to go but I thought you were also going to be one of them." Anna said.

Pietro took a seat next to her and sat down. "No, no. You are giving me too much credit. I couldn't have made enough to go anyways. Your brother is more deserving than me on going on this trip. It's not every day that someone in our town gets to travel to the world like he is." He replied. Anna nodded her head eventually agreeing with his words.

"Alright, Mom! I'm about to do it now." Ryan said coming down steps. "Hey, Ryan," Pietro said coming towards him and raising his fist to bump with his. "Hey, Pietro. Can you give me the hand of these bags? I don't want to be the only one doing this by myself."

"Sure I don't know mind helping you out. As long as you buy me some souvenirs while you are gone." He said showing his white teeth and taking a couple of the bags next to the stairs. "Me too, me too," Anna said jumping up and down. "Well help me and I see what I can do." He replied. Walking outside with his share of the luggage.

Anna cheered and pick on the littlest one and take it outside follow behind her brother.

After they were done putting all of the luggage outside and into the cart and head back inside the house. "Are you finished stocking the cart up?" Hannah asked taking out a picnic basket out from the refrigerator and sat it on the table with her thermos. "Yes, Only thing left is my backpack and the food and then we are done." He said.

'Well, guess this is goodbye sweetheart. I'll send a letter once we are settling down." She said reaching to give her daughter one last hug. For some reason, she didn't want to let her go; thinking that this might be the last time that she was going to hold on to her little girl. Hannah tightened her hold on the small child, not wanting to let go of her just yet. "Mommy... Too tight." Hearing the sounds of her daughter's voice having trouble breathing because she was obstructing her airways.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. It's just going to be a while until I see this face again." She said while pinching her cheeks a little.

"Oww. Mom, stop it hurt," Anna whined.

Anna immediately rubbed her cheeks to sooth the pain from the pinching. "I'm going to be fine. You don't have to worry about me and grandpa. Maybe you can visit auntie while you are going to house to house before coming back home." Anna suggested. Hannah gives it some thought before nodding her head. "Yes, maybe we will. What better time than any." She replied. She gives her one more last hug before letting go and picking up her basket and thermos and head out the door but not before telling her son to say goodbye to his little sister.

Ryan stepped forward and give her a hug of his own. It wasn't as long as their mother's, but still long enough for an affectionate hug that their mother would approve from her two kids. "Bye Anna. Stay out of my things while I am gone and remember to make sure that he doesn't overwork of himself." He repeated in regards of their grandfather who was still out at the weapon shop.

"Yes, and you remember to write to me and don't worry about us, Ryan. Pietro will help take care of everything and help out the shop whenever grandpa needs the help. Aren't you Pietro?" She said looking over his shoulder on her tippy-toes to include him. Ryan looks over towards Pietro for confirmation as he nodded to agree with what Anna's was saying.

"Ok. I'll see you later." He said picking up his backpack.

He walked over to his friend and bumped fists before heading out the door.

Anna felt sad that she wasn't going to see them for a while. Thinking how lonely things will be without seeing them on a daily is going to be hard but she will manage until they return back home safely.

Location: Luin/Irving's household.

Time: 8:50 PM evening time.

As promised, Anna made dinner for her grandpa, herself and Pietro since he stayed around for a while after they had left for their pilgrimage. Clean up afterward and now was getting ready for bed just like what her mother wanted her to do before she left. Anna brushed her teeth, did her hair and now was pulling back her blankets so she can inside the covers; just right before the clock hit 9:00 pm.

Besides for an owl hooting outside and a dogs bark in the distance.

Anna closes her eyes but opens them back up soon after. For some reason, she couldn't go to sleep. Maybe because of the fact she was here alone in this modest house to herself. Her grandfather went to the shop some after dinner, saying something about checking in on the swords he was making to see if they came out okay enough. Pietro had also left before her grandfather did so now she here all alone but for her thoughts. She closes here her eyes again and turning on to her side hoping that she will fall asleep faster.

Seeing that wasn't helping in the slightest, Anna turn back on to her back looking right back at the ceiling.

Finding it hard to sleep right away, Anna pulled her blankets from off her and side her legs to dangle off the bed. She touched the cool hardwood floor with her barefoot; forgetting about her slippers as she was standing up and head for the window.

Anna pull up the window letting a little night time breeze flow through the now open window slightly blowing her hair and curtains. Usually, when she was having a hard time sleeping her mother or grandfather would often take her out for a walk until she'd got tired to sleep through the night but that was back when she was 4-year-old. Now 7-years-old and still sometimes go into a state of sleeplessness during the nighttime hour and that happens her grandfather would take her if she asks but since he was at the shop she can't leave the house without an adult to accompany her.

As she watches the night time activities going on below her window everything seems so in peace, people closing down their shops, couples sitting at the fountain getting some time alone before going back indoors. A few lights turned off indicating the some of the townspeople are calling it a night. Anna look skyward to see if any stairs were visible; they were but not much is showing due to the cloud coverage. But despite the calm outlook still, have this uneasy feeling like something is about to happen for some reason.

"Keep calm Anna." She tells herself.

Maybe she was worried that her brother and mother who should at least stopped to make camp by now. Or maybe it is because her grandpa hasn't returned yet. He did say something about coming home in a few hours but since the clock has about 20 minutes left until it turns 10:00 PM; he won't be returning until the 12:00 AM the latest. So she has to keep herself entertained for a while till he comes back, or she could try to get some rest even if she closes her eyes can lead her to dreamland eventually.

For a while, Anna thought about what she could do to settle herself until she remembers what her mother told her on a night where she couldn't sleep. Her mother had said when she was having trouble sleeping was to think of any song and just sing until she grows tired. Usually, her mother will sing or they would do it together but with her being gone Anna have to be the one to sing by herself.

Anna started off with a few hums into she had gotten comfortable with getting the lyrics current. "Always, somewhere in my heart. I'm waiting for a certain someone the one who will tell me that I'm needed. Because if I were ever to meet that person, Beneath the expanse of this wide sky. I think that I'd start to believe an in myself a little more. The wind blows the rustle of the trees even these things bring my heart unrest, call my name out in a sweet voice, and that would be all I'd need."

"Always, somewhere in my heart. I've been looking for the person who will tell me I'm fine the way I am."

"The evening breaks and today starts This world with your smiling face. I make a wish-I want to do what I can, whatever it takes, to protect you. You knew what was dear to me, you knew that I trusted you. You knew that I loved you..."

"The wind blows the rustle of the trees- even these things bring my heart unrest to call my name out in a sweet voice, and that would be all I'd need. The evening breaks and today starts this world with your smiling face. I make a wish- I want to do want I can, whatever it takes, protect you."

"Even if it takes everything. My deepest, most sincere wish...Is to protect you."

Smiling up at the stars feeling 10x better after singing that song. Her mother can get the higher notes better than she can but otherwise, she didn't let her mother down with her vocal skills either and with that made felt good. Anna let out a loud yawn indicating that the song has done its job on making her sleepy.

She closes the window a little so the cool air can still come in. Anna went back to her bed and move the blankets aside, and climb onto the soft mattress taking the covers back up to her chin. Feeling relax and calmer; she closes her eyes listening to the sound of the waves from the lake. And slowly fall asleep into a peaceful dream.

But what she hadn't known is that this peaceful night was going to become a nightmare within the next hours.

Song; Negai

Artist; Hikita Kaori. I wanted to put this song in here because I love it so much and thought it will fit Anna and how she was feeling at that moment. Hope you have enjoyed this chapter and I will see you at the next one. So I'll see you at my next update.

Thanks for reading.