Alright! I am still alive after TWO deaths...so lets just say that I hope I am alive after THREE! Yes, here is to another, and probably the last before you find out who the bad guy is. I thought through this, and I hope it works! Let's just say that if you are confused and dying to know who it is, I have done my job! P.S: it's not too much longer until you know who...so I hope you keep reading!

Disclaimer: Why do I bother...I don't own Tales of Symphonia, okay?

Bonds of Trust
One Step Closer

After Lloyd's talk with Yuan, Lloyd walked up to talk to Genis about what happened. He didn't want to, but he had been there for him when Kratos died, so he should be there for him. Yuan however, remained in the room and pondered what Lloyd had told him.

If that was the leader that he saw in his dream, why is he sending his message to Lloyd? Why does he want us to know what he is going to do? Is it because we are that helpless and can't stop it even if we tried? Raine and Kratos are dead, just like Lloyd had seen, and pretty much the same way as he saw it. Why them? Was Raine a mistake also, and who killed her, who planted the bomb? The way Lloyd made it sound, the leader is a child. But…a child? Someone like Mithos, same voice and attitude, same height and look. Is it Mithos? If so, how did he come back, and who will he attack next?

"…I want to tell you something I saw."

Yuan snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at the person in the doorway. "Anna…what are you doing?"

She walked in the room and looked down at the ground. "I think I saw who did it."

She had his attention now. "How do you know that?"

"While I was out, I saw someone walking toward the ruins about an hour before the bomb went off. I didn't see anything just because it was dark. However, I saw him run back to the inn. He has to be in here somewhere."

Yuan shot up out of his seat and put his hands on her shoulder. "What did he look like? Tell me what you saw."

Anna sighed, then continued. "He was short, perhaps someone like Genis' size. He wore black and I was too far away to catch anything else of him."

"You think he was a child?"

"I think he was getting paid or is super smart to have been able to hide that bomb and not get caught."

Yuan thought about what she had just said. He tried to visualize this person from what Anna and Lloyd had told him.

He's short, more than likely a child, perhaps someone with a height defect. This person has to be intelligent if they didn't get caught. Someone who looks like Mithos from what Lloyd could see…it just might be him. Now that I think about it, everything makes sense if it was him. But why has he been hiding from us for so long, and why did he want Kvar back if he didn't want him to kill Kratos? He could have done it himself, so why bring him back into all of this? He never liked him. Maybe it's not Mithos after all.

"What happened after that? Do you know?"

Anna shook her head. "I didn't think that he would have planted a bomb inside. I thought he went to check on someone. If I would have known it was a bomb, I would have done something to stop it."

"Alright well, I think we al could use some sleep now. We'll leave tomorrow before this leader catches us off guard."

Anna nodded and left the room. He sat back down, writing all his thoughts on paper. He was interrupted when Botta ran in and nearly scared him to death.

"Sir, we have a message from someone, and we believe it is the leader."

Yuan walked over to him and took the paper he held in his hand. The look on Botta's face when he took it scared him, but he wanted to see what Mr. Leader had for them. He took a deep breath and began to read.

I see you have yet to figure me out. Damn, that's a real shame! You are all so stupid, and I thought I had a challenge. Two people have died at your expense, so why haven't you found me yet? I have my eyes on a third, someone who I think is catching on to me. But, be ready for anything. After all, I am the all powerful nemesis! I'll kill all of those who hate me, even if they never shown it before! I know it's in their minds! Mithos…didn't know him, but boy what I heard sounded good! He was my idol for setting this up! Man, I'm giving help to you…so work!

Yuan almost dropped the paper he was so confused. Dammit! It's not Mithos! Who knew Mithos…through someone else? Who knew Mithos and told people about him…in a good way? Heck, the bastard might be lying too. Mithos was good at that.

Yuan thought on that last question and a name popped in his head. So far, it fits the description we have been given, but I highly doubt he would do anything. He shook his head and went back to thinking. He reread the note for anything that seemed to stick out, but nothing did.

You win Mr. Leader. One day however, I am going to find you, and kill you.

-----

Lloyd and Mighty walked out of Genis' room together and left him alone. So far, they talked to him for a few hours, but nothing worked. He kept screaming at anyone and anything for what happened to his sister. He felt like he had nothing to live for anymore. They at least snapped him out of the thought of suicide and Lloyd took a deep breath. If they wouldn't have snapped him out when they did, things could have taken a turn for the worse.

"I can't believe someone would blow up that place! I mean, if they were after Raine, why did they go after the entire group?" Lloyd yelled.

Mighty sat down on the couch in the lobby. "I don't know Lloyd. All I know is that some people are like that. That Kvar guy was a jerk too. I can't believe that he killed your father when it wasn't even part of the plan!"

Lloyd smiled. "Yeah, that really makes me mad too." He yawned and Lloyd decided that he would head up to bed. "Well, I appreciate what you have done with Genis while he goes through all of this. I'm glad he has more friends, other than me."

Mighty laughed and watched him go up to his room. "I'll see you later Lloyd."

Lloyd nodded, but shut the door as a 'good-night' response. He sat on his bed and smiled, for an unknown reason. He seemed happy after his talk with Mighty. Before all of this tragedy started, he never would have pictured them being close friends. Now, it felt like he was another Genis. He liked him, and with that thought he fell asleep.

-----

"I am so tired! Why can't I fall asleep? Something is bothering me! Hmm…" I sat up in my bed, trying to think everything through. What was bothering me and why was it bothering me? It seemed to be a conversation between me and someone, but I couldn't remember who. Was it that long ago, or is my memory really that bad? Maybe I still can't get over my father's death. Just thinking about that night will give me nightmares in the days to come, even when I am awake! But…I guess what makes me really mad is the fact that it wasn't part of the plan! Even Yuan agreed with me! I don't know why we are hiding that kind of information, but Yuan told me to do so, so I would. If it would help him find the guy, then so be it.

All of the sudden, I thought of something that I never would have expected. Everything came together! I felt everything go cold in my body and I stood up in a cold sweat. I knew who he was…I think. I remembered that conversation! I knew who it was with!

Lloyd shot out of bed, breathing hard and trying to get his thoughts together. He was shaking beyond control and he remembered everything from his dream. He had to tell Yuan before something happened, but unfortunately, he didn't get that far.

"I see you have finally figured me out."

Lloyd froze in horror as a gun was lifted by someone he knew. "Wha…what are you doing?"

"You were catching on to me. I play to win Lloyd, not to lose, and I do what it takes to make sure it stays that way."

"You're the leader! You were the one who blew up the inn in Palmacosta!"

"No, I had Kvar take care of that for me."

"Why did you let him kill my father? Why did you blow up the ruins and kill Raine and countless other people?"

"I told Kvar not to, but he didn't listen to me. However, I had a feeling that it wouldn't take long until he figured me out, so it all worked out okay. Raine was the same way. I know from experience that you guys will never figure me out, and now I can do what I have been dying to since I knew you…get rid of you for good!"

Lloyd ran at him to knock the gun away, but he was too late. The gun had been fired and he fell to the ground.

"Join your father in hell Lloyd. Perhaps I'll get the whole family up there soon…maybe, even, in a few minutes."