Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Tales of Symphonia

Lloyd, Angelic Warrior of Cruxis

Chapter 4, JOWR (Journey Of World Regeneration) Part I: The Oracle

Colette Brunel, the blonde-headed Chosen, was seated in her classroom in the small village of Iselia. She wore a white-and-blue dress like outfit and black leggings and white boots with it. She was paying a lot of attention to her teacher, Raine, who was telling them the story of the Kharlan War. Her closest friend, Genis, sat in a seat in the same row as her, but at the very front. He was a half-elven boy with silver hair and bright blue eyes and the child prodigy of his class. His eyes were also glued on his teacher, but he was also her younger brother. With any other family, this would've created a problem, but with them, it wasn't. Raine had to raise Genis on her own as their mother had abandoned him and her as children and their father had been killed. Therefore, she had a strong sense of discipline.

Raine continued, "Now then, Genis. Answer this question for me: Who was it that brought about the end of the Ancient War?"

Genis replied, standing up, "It was Mithos, the hero, whom brought about the end of the Ancient War on the soil of the ancient and holy ground of Kharlan."

Raine nodded her head, "That is correct. After that, he formed a pact with the goddess Martel to seal away the Desians that started the war."

A girl in the class named Reggie (short for Regina…), who had short blonde hair, grayish-green eyes, and was about a year older than Genis, stood up. She told them, "But now the Desians are back! They're making everyone suffer too!"

Raine sighed and told her, "We covered that last time. When the Seal weakens the Desians reappear."

Reggie smiled, "Oh yeah, that's right." She sat back down and continued to pay attention to Raine.

Raine continued, "Today is the Day of Prophecy, the day in which the Chosen of Mana receives an oracle from the Goddess Martel. Now, Colette…"

Colette stood up, "Yes, what it is, professor?"

Raine answered, "Tell us about the Journey of World Regeneration."

Colette nodded and replied, "It is a journey to defeat and seal away the Desians. Upon passing the trials of the Goddess Martel, the Summon Spirits that protect the world awaken, and mana is restored."

Raine responded, "Correct. I suppose we should expect the Chosen herself to know the answer. Mana depletion is the cause of the current food shortages and droughts. It is said that this happens because Desians consume vast amounts of mana in keeping their human ranches running. The Chosen's journey has two purposes—to restore the world's mana as well as defeat the Desians. Now, for the next question—"

Suddenly a bright flash of light shone through the single window in the small school room.

Reggie spoke again, "Wh…what was that, professor?"

Colette gasped, "That's…"

Raine told them, "Settle down, you two. It would seem that it is time for the oracle. I'll go and check on the temple. Everyone stay here and study on your own. Got it?"

Reggie nodded in understanding, as did Genis.

Colette stood up, "Wait, Professor! I'll go with you!"

Raine shook her head, "No, Colette. If it is the oracle, the priests will come for you. Wait right here, all right?" She then walked out of the building, going to the temple.

Colette responded, "Yes, ma'am." She sat back down at her seat.

Genis sighed, "…I like studying as much as the next boy genius…but I'm more curious as to what really happens to Colette when she receives the oracle." He stood up, "Hey, Colette. I'm gonna follow Raine. Want to come with me?"
Reggie told him, "But the Professor said to stay here! What if you get caught?"

Genis smirked, "We won't. Colette? Come on, please say yes! You're directly involved in all of this. Aren't you the least bit curious?"

Colette smiled, "He's right, I doubt we'll get caught. Well…are you curious?"

Genis nodded, "Oh yeah!"

Colette replied, "Then I will be too."

Genis responded, "All right then, let's go to the temple."

The two friends walked out of the school building to head out to the temple.

Colette blinked, noticing that the village seemed pretty empty, "Hmm…I wonder where everybody went?"

Colette's father, Frank, walked up to the two friends right then, "Colette!"

Colette responded, "Father!"

Genis added, "Frank!"

Frank sighed, "Thank goodness you're both safe."

Genis then asked, "Frank…where is everybody?"

Frank replied, "They're all hiding. The Desians invaded just now. Thankfully, they didn't hurt anyone. They passed through here and headed to the temple."

Genis asked, "Why would they do that? Iselia has a non-aggression treaty with the Desians!"

Reggie walked out of the building just then, "That's the agreement where they don't attack the village as long as we leave the human ranch be, right?"

Colette nodded, "Yep, and Grandma said that the treaty was made to protect me. Oh, speaking of…where is she?"

Frank replied, "She's in the temple, getting ready for the ritual."

Genis gasped, "But…that's where the Desians were headed!"

Frank told him, "It's all right, Genis. She'll be fine. She has the priests there with her. Now, Colette…"

Colette smiled, "I know, Father. I promise to do my duty as the Chosen and accept the oracle."

Frank nodded, "Good luck, Colette. Genis, Reggie, you two should probably head home now. It's not safe for you two to stay."

Genis shook his head, "I'm worried about letting Colette go to the temple by herself. I'm gonna tag along."

Reggie sighed, "Well, I'm gonna listen to Frank and go home. Genis, Colette…good luck with the oracle!" She smirked and walked off.

Frank blinked, "But…well, all right, Genis. Thank you. Come back right away if something should happen." He walked off, going back to his house.

Colette smiled, "Let's go, Genis." She headed toward the exit of the village, Genis right on her heels.

Just then, monsters blocked the path leading out of the village.

After Genis and Colette defeated the first set of monsters…

Colette told Genis, "Wow Genis. You're fast with your magic!"

Genis blinked, "…Thanks, Colette. You weren't bad yourself."

Colette blushed a bit, "…You're welcome, and thank you." She saw another set of monsters headed their way, "It looks like we're not done yet though. Let's do this, Genis." She told him.

Genis nodded and began to charge up his Fireball spell. He commented, "Raine said that magic is more effective against non-physical monsters."

Colette replied, "Okay then, I'll take care of the zombie, and you go for the ghost." She threw her chakrams at the zombie, its arm getting hacked off by the round bladed weapons.

Genis hit the Ghost with a Fireball and began charging up another one. He then hit it again. After about 20 fireballs, the Ghost was defeated.

Colette defeated the Zombie and smiled, "That was easy."

Genis nodded, and then added, "It's important to choose the target wisely when there are a lot of monsters."

They then made it to the temple without further incident.

Genis looked up at the temple, "Wow…so that light really is coming from the temple." He looked to Colette, hoping she had something really important to add.

Colette commented, "It's really bright!"

Genis sweatdropped, then told her, "Umm…Colette, you're about to receive the Oracle, just like the hero Mithos. So…maybe you should act, I don't know…a little more Chosen-like?"

Colette smiled and nodded, "Of course, of course….no problem. Hmm…there's a lot of commotion coming from the temple though."

The sounds of clashing swords and spells rang through the halls and echoed out of the temple.

Genis gasped, "Maybe the priests need our help! Come on, Colette!" He dashed up the stairs, Colette following him. (A/N: The pastor was killed inside of the temple. That's why I don't have him appearing in the classroom or here.)

Not too far from the Martel Temple, Lloyd and Kratos were hiding behind a bush, waiting for the right time to make their appearance.

Lloyd asked, "Should we help, Dad?"

Kratos shook his head, "No…we must be sure that this is the right girl before we make any move, Lloyd. And call me by name…we can't let them know that we're related. As it stands now, I appear to be too young to be your biological father."
Lloyd nodded, "That's true…but what should I call you?"

Kratos replied, "Just by my name is fine." He smirked, "Though, 'bro' would be acceptable, I suppose."

Lloyd laughed a bit at Kratos's joke, then straightened up, "Okay, Da-Kratos." He said, making a point to correct him and get used to calling his father by name.

Kratos nodded then stayed quiet as he watched Genis, Colette, and everything else that was going on.

He then noticed Botta and a few of the Renegades standing outside of the temple.

Botta asked Phaidra, "Where is the Chosen?"

Phaidra didn't answer, taking a step back towards the entrance to the temple.

Colette got to the top of the stairs just then, and told him, "Leave my grandmother alone, Desian!"

Phaidra gasped and told her, "Run, Colette!"

Botta turned to face Genis and Colette, "Get out of our way!" He started towards Colette.

Genis took out his kendama, "I won't let you Desians get away with anything!"

Lloyd muttered, "…Those aren't Desians. They're Renegades! Don't they know the difference?" He rubbed his head after Kratos had smacked it, "Oww…what?"

Kratos replied, "They mustn't know about the Renegades. I'll explain why later. Be quiet now, we don't want to be discovered."

Lloyd nodded and fell silent.

Genis cast Fireball on the Spellcaster, while Colette focused on the Whipmasters. After successfully cutting one down with her chakrams (no pun intended), she turned to the other one, letting him make the first move, but keeping her chakrams up defensively.

The Desian smirked, "Heh…bring it on, Chosen. I'm not afraid of you." He charged at her, slapping his whip in her direction. Colette dodged and threw her chakram at him. It hit him on the arm, causing him to drop the whip. The Desian picked up his whip again and smirked, "Not so easy, is it?" He asked then lashed his whip at Colette's chest. She brought both arms up defensively, wincing as the harsh leather strap tore her sleeve a bit and snapped on her flesh. She then asked, "Is it not?" She caught her first chakram then launched her other one at the Desian that had just assaulted her. Within a few hits, the remaining Spellcaster and Whipmaster fled.

Just then, a huge Desian warrior carrying a large hammer, a spiky ball and chain, and a sword on his back, wearing green and black armor walked up, replacing the other Desians, "Do not get in our way, pathetic brats." He told Colette and Genis.

Lloyd's eyes widened, "Dad…that guy's huge! We should jump in and help them now."

Kratos shook his head, "Wait for it, Lloyd…wait for it…"

Vidarr, the huge warrior, swung his spiky ball and chain at Genis, knocking the mini magician off his feet and making cuts on his upper arm.

Genis panted, "This guy's really strong…" He looked to Colette, "Help!"

Colette nodded and threw her chakrams at Vidarr.

Vidarr deflected them back at her with his large hammer, glaring in her direction, "You'll get it now, little girl!"

She ducked, nimbly dodging them.

Vidarr headed straight for her now, getting ready to hit Colette with the hammer. He raised it to strike her, and she shut her eyes as she expected to get hit hard and possibly have fractured ribs for her attack.

However, the blow never connected. There was a metallic clang as Lloyd caught the hammer on both his swords, "Careful! This guy's strong!"

Kratos ran at Vidarr from behind, using the two-pronged attack strategy on the large Desian. He drove his sword deep into the warrior's back, while Lloyd continued to attack from the front.

Eventually, Vidarr fell over, defeated.

Botta cursed his luck and added, "Damn! I never thought that you two would show up. Retreat for now!" He and the remaining two Desians fled the scene.

Colette smiled, "Wow…amazing!"

Genis nodded, "Yeah, these guys are great! They're really strong!"

Lloyd rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Ahh, it was nothing."

Kratos looked over Genis and Colette to make sure they were okay, "Is everyone all right? Hmm…besides the young boy's arm injury, no one seems to be seriously hurt." His Exsphere gave a light glow, reacting to Colette's mana.

Colette blinked, "…Wow, that's pretty. Is it an Exsphere?"

Phaidra then walked up to the group of four, "How can I ever thank you for saving the Chosen?"

Kratos replied, "I see…so this girl is the next Chosen."

Colette smiled and nodded, "Yep, that's me. Oh yeah! I have to get the oracle! Grandmother, I'm going to face the trial now." She began to walk toward the entrance to the temple.

Genis asked, "Eh? What kind of trial?"

Lloyd replied, "The monsters of course. There's an evil presence coming from inside of the temple."

Phaidra nodded, "That's correct. The Chosen is to receive judgment from heaven. The priests that were supposed to accompany her, however, fell at the hands of those Desians."

Reggie walked up again, finally having worked up the courage to come, "Then I'll help in protecting Colette!" She had her miniature scythe on a belt around her waist, and now wore a yellow short skirt, a simple white short sleeve shirt, and red boots.

Genis punched his fist into the air, "Yeah, me too!"

Phaidra told her, "Regina, Genis? I would be uncomfortable with just you…"

Kratos remained silent for now.

Lloyd spoke up, "I'm Lloyd, and that's Kratos, my master. We're mercenaries. As long as you can pay us, we'll accept the job of guarding Colette."

Phaidra nodded, "Under the circumstances…I have little choice. Please be of service to us and protect the Chosen."

Kratos spoke again, "It's a deal then." He and Lloyd went and stood near Colette.

Genis finally said, "W…wait! I'm coming too!"

Regina told them, "Hey, me too!"

Kratos sighed, "Your names are Genis and Regina, correct? You'll only end up getting in our way. Be good children and wait here."

Regina glared and yelled at him, "What did you say?!"

Lloyd gave the famous 'Aurion Glare' back, "Did he not make himself perfectly clear? You're a burden to us. Go home!"

Genis smirked, "Heh…gotcha, Kratos. Then I'll just follow you guys on my own."

Regina crossed her arms defiantly then grumbled under her breath about baka apprentices as she headed home.

Lloyd rolled his eyes at Genis, then glared, "Don't talk to my master that way."

Colette looked at Kratos, "Umm…Mr. Kratos, and Lloyd…is it okay if Genis comes along at least? I get…a little uncomfortable when he's not here. Please?"

Lloyd sighed, calming down, "Fine, fine…whatever."

Kratos had enough of the matter and told her, "Do as you wish."

Colette looked to Genis and smiled, "All right, come on, Genis."

Genis blinked at Colette then asked, "So…I am coming along?"

Colette replied, "Of course."

Kratos told the two, "This isn't a field trip, you know." He headed into the temple, leading the way.

Lloyd followed him without a word.

Genis and Colette walked into the temple.

Genis told her, "Thanks for standing up for me back there, Colette."

Colette shrugged, "It's the truth."

Once inside the temple, Lloyd and Genis looked the area over.

Genis commented, "So…this is what the inside of the temple looks like. It's so big…"

Lloyd looked at Colette, "Chosen, you've been in here a lot, I trust?"

Colette nodded to confirm what he said, "Yes…but it seems different today for some reason."

Kratos spoke, "I sense some monsters. Everyone be on your guard."

Lloyd nodded to his father, "We could probably handle a few measly monsters, but all right…Kratos."

The small group moved on to the next area. In this area, they saw a glowing stone on a pedestal far away.

Genis told them, "Look! There's something glowing over there. Let's go see it!"

Colette turned around, "There's something here." There was a golem standing there, ready to attack her.

Kratos shouted, "Look out!"

After they defeated the golem, it turned into a block.

Colette told them, "Wow! It turned into a rock!"

Lloyd slapped his forehead a bit and replied, "Ummm…it was a rock to begin with, Colette."

Colette fell over, saying, "Oops!" She fell into the block, which fell into a hole. It created one of the paths to the glowing object.

Kratos smirked a bit, "I see."
Genis nodded and said this at the same time, "I get it."

Lloyd added, also at the same time, "Just what I thought."

Colette looked confused, "What are you guys talking about?"

Genis told her, "In just a minute, it's probably going to…there it is."

Another Golem appeared.

Colette gasped, "Whoa! Another one?"

Lloyd nodded and replied, "Yeah, now let's defeat it and drop it down below." (A/N: Making Lloyd a little smarter in this, since Kratos raised him rather than Dirk.)

They solved the puzzle by creating a path to the glowing object by defeating the golems and dropping the blocks that formed from them into the floor below. They then proceeded to the area with the glowing thing.

Genis asked, "Is this the Sorcerer's Ring? I think I've heard about it. It's a holy artifact of the Church of Martel, I think."

Kratos nodded and told him, "Then, using this, we should be able to be able to deal with most traps and obstacles."

Lloyd looked at Kratos, "…Let me try it!"

Colette smiled at Lloyd, "Okay, Lloyd. Go ahead."

Kratos smirked, but nodded.

It was Genis's turn to roll his eyes at Lloyd and told him, "You're so easily entertained, Lloyd."

The group received the Sorcerer's Ring. After that, they headed back to the lobby of the temple and approached the sealed door.

Kratos spoke, "It's sealed rather tightly."

Colette told him, "The Sorcerer's Ring can take care of that."

Lloyd used the Sorcerer's Ring on the sealed door and it opened.

He blinked, "Oh…that's all it does?" He seemed very mildly disappointed.

Genis gave a bit of a laugh, "You get bored easily too, I guess. Eh, Lloyd?"

Lloyd crossed his arms in mock offense, "Hmph. No."

The group took the teleporter to the chamber of the Chosen. Once inside, Kratos was the first to comment, "This appears to be the top floor."

Colette nodded to confirm Kratos's statement, "Yes, and that's the altar."

Genis put in his two cents, "Then the shiny thing there must be a Cruxis Crystal."

Colette looked at Genis, "Yep. They say that I was born with that in my hand."

Kratos whispered into Lloyd's ear as they continued to converse, "Lloyd, I didn't tell you this, but your mother's Exsphere was special. It was going to evolve into a Cruxis Crystal as well. It will probably change into one at some point in this journey."

Lloyd gasped, and in a hushed voice, asked him, "Wow…so, what's gonna happen to me, then?"

Kratos told him, "You will start to turn into an angel, just like Colette. Except that you won't lose your heart and memory, like she will…remember that she is to become Martel's vessel."

Lloyd sighed, "Yeah…I know."

Genis poked Lloyd in the shoulder and told the two, "Look at that light!"

What appeared to be a winged priest appeared above them.

Genis gasped, "What…what is that?"

Kratos told him, "An angel, I would assume."

Lloyd asked Kratos, quietly, "Why did Lord Yggdrassil choose Remiel of all people to do this?"

Kratos shrugged, but offered no answer.

Genis then asked, "So…is that Colette's real father?"

Lloyd bit his bottom lip as he tried not to laugh at Genis's question.

Remiel spoke, "I am Remiel, an angel of judgment. I am here to guide Colette on her journey to heaven as the seventh Chosen." He descended a bit and told them, "The time has come to awaken the Goddess Martel, who sleeps at the center of the world."

Kratos folded his arms over his chest, remaining quiet.

Genis told everyone, "Awaken the Goddess Martel…it's just like the legend Raine has been teaching us about!"

Remiel gave the glowing Cruxis Crystal to Colette, "From this moment, Colette becomes the Chosen of Regeneration. We of Cruxis bless this event, and hereby bestow the Tower of Salvation upon Sylvarant."

The Tower of Salvation appeared outside the window, though it was quite a distance away.

Genis gasped, "Wow…so that's the Tower of Salvation! Now the world will be saved!"

Lloyd sighed, getting a bit bored and whispered to Kratos, "Dad…how much longer?"

Kratos shrugged, "Depends on how long Remiel wants to hear himself talk." (A/N: XD had to put that in there.)

Remiel spoke again, "Colette, the Chosen of Regeneration. Unlock the seals that guard the Tower of Salvation and climb its stairs to heaven in distant lands."

Colette nodded and told him, "I humbly accept this task."

Remiel nodded, "Very good. We of Cruxis shall grant you a small portion of the power of the angels with each seal you unlock. Once you are reborn as an angel, this eroded world shall be regenerated."

Colette replied, "Thank you. I swear that no matter what I have to face, I will regenerate the world."

Remiel told her, "First head south, to the Seal of Fire. Offer your prayers in that faraway land." He then began to ascend, leaving the temple.

Colette gasped, "Wait, Lord Remiel! Please wait…I have a question I wish to ask of you. Are you really my fa-"

Remiel cut her off, "First head to the Seal of Fire. Understood? My beloved daughter, Colette."

Lloyd grumbled under his breath, "He's taken this a bit too far…he's not her father and he knows it. He's just manipulating the poor girl's emotions…"

Kratos sighed and told Lloyd quietly, "He likes to do that. It will make her cooperate though."

Colette blinked, "F…father! So you really are my true father."

Remiel told her, "We shall meet again at the next seal, my daughter." He then disappeared in a flash of light and feathers.

Lloyd mumbled, "I wish he'd quit the 'daughter' crap."

Genis told them, "So that was the oracle. I wish my sister could've seen this."

Colette shook her head, "No, you don't…she probably would've wanted to take this place apart and dissect Remiel, knowing her." (A/N: Raine is ruin-crazy…and who knows how old Remiel is? XD)

Kratos told Colette, "You've received the Oracle, Chosen. Let's leave this place now. Lloyd, are you ready?"

Lloyd nodded, "Yeah, I'm coming."

Kratos nodded back and he and Colette took the teleporter back to the main lobby.

Lloyd followed shortly thereafter.

Genis also left the room via the teleporter.

Kratos, Lloyd, and Colette were already on their way back to the village to get supplies and such.

Raine was in the temple, studying its architecture closely, "MARVELOUS!"

Genis gasped once he came across her, "…Sis?"

Raine crossed her arms, "Genis? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be studying."

Genis kicked the ground, looking at his feet, "Umm…well, I wanted to help Colette…I…I'm sorry, Raine!"

Raine approached her younger brother angrily. One couldn't tell if it was because she was truly cross with him for skipping his studies or if it was because she had been interrupted while studying an old building. She grabbed her younger brother and began spanking him. Once finished, she sighed and told him, "I am very disappointed in you, Genis. If you've learned your lesson, go on home. There won't be any more class today."

Genis asked, "And what are you going to do?"

Raine told him, "I've received permission from Phaidra to study the temple a little bit longer. It's not often that ordinary citizens get to enter this place." She then walked off, going deeper into the temple.

An unknown voice made a vicious sounding laugh, "MUHAHAHAHAHA!"

Genis quickly left the temple, unnerved by this sound.

A/N: Well, that's the oracle. I will put the small part in Iselia before the Seal of Fire in the same chapter as the seal itself. Anyway, sorry it took me so long to update. I've been busy with college stuff. Please review!