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Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.

Chapter 10:

"Well done, Lloyd." Yggdrasil praised as he lowered his sword. Lloyd smirked and lowered his own slightly.

It had been four weeks since his kidnapping. A month. He watched warily as Yggdrasil sheathed his sword before sheathing his own. The angel Lord had a tendency to catch Lloyd off guard now, so he was forced to be attentive. "Thank you, Yggdrasil." The name came easily to him now.

The angel nodded then transformed back into his original form. Lloyd stared envyingly at the large spectral wings, but averted his gaze respectively and dusted off his white uniform. He wore it all the time now, his old dwarven clothes hanging in the closet with his father's clothes. For some reason he felt more comfortable with the heavier material and its intricate array of belts.

"Have you finished the book?" Yggdrasil asked as they made their way back to the transporter. The familiar tug and light surrounded him and he found himself back in the city.

Blinking to focus his vision he nodded, "Yeah, I got it done last night." He walked pass the angel guard who bowed. His stomach lurched every time they did it. He had tried to get them to stop, but his attempts were futile so he had learned to ignore it. "Man, I never would have thought I would actually finish a book."

"Really?" Yggdrasil asked.

"Yeah, anytime Professor gave us a reading, I would only get finished a couple pages and then ask Genis what it was about." He smiled at the memory. How he missed them. "It didn't really work though on the tests."

Yggdrasil nodded silently. They walked, not seemingly anywhere. They did it a lot now when they talked. Sometimes Lloyd would speak about his childhood when the memories became too much and Yggdrasil would simply listen. Other times he asked questions about Tethealla and information he had learned in the book; however, mostly they walked in silence.

Lloyd could explain the sudden respect and trust that he held for Yggdrasil. The half-elf always made time for him for any reason. He would patiently instruct him while they sparred, never getting annoyed. The few outbursts that Yggdrasil did have when they first met seemed irrelevant.

Yggdrasil showed him around the entire city and the hundreds of rooms in his castle, Vinheim. He allowed Lloyd to study the key crests that were used to initiate the angel transformation and even went as far as to allow Lloyd to practice his own replicas.

Lloyd smiled as he recalled Yggdrasil surprise in his dwarven skills.

Dirk…

The smiled faded as he remembered his foster father. The dwarf must think he was dead by now, especially if they had found his wooden swords. He bit his lip. Would he really give up on him that quickly? Probably not, but for some reason even the thought made Lloyd angry. He would never give up on his friends if they went missing.

His friends. He wondered anxiously how Colette, Genis and Raine were faring on the journey.

"Where is the capital of Tethealla?" the question jolted Lloyd from his thoughts. Pausing he stared at the angel for a moment then answered, "Umm… northwest of the Fooji Mountains I think. Why?"

Yggdrasil ignored his question, instead replying with another. "Which two temples reside on the same continent?"

"Is this some kind of test, or something?" Lloyd asked skeptically. Yggdrasil merely smiled, causing Lloyd to growl, "The Temple of Darkness and the Temple of…" he frowned, thinking. "Earth!" he answered quickly. "Darkness and Earth."

Yggdrasil nodded, "What is the name of the King's daughter?"

Damn… Lloyd cursed. He had only skimmed over the political status. Yggdrasil remained silent and Lloyd frantically tried to remember the girl's name. It started with an 'H' didn't it? Helen… Helga… Hil…

"Hilda!" he practically shouted stunning Yggdrasil. The angel's expression caused Lloyd to rub the back of his head. "Sorry."

Yggdrasil chuckled, "Never mind, and yes you are right." He gave him a glance, "Though you appear to have ignored the politics."

Lloyd shrugged, "It was boring."

"Well, I suppose for now, it is not necessary." Lloyd at him curiously, "I can also instruct you as I show you Tethealla." Yggdrasil finished with a smile.

"You mean—" Lloyd gaped as Yggdrasil nodded. "When?!"

"Whenever you are prepared."

--

The waves rolled and splashed as the ship's bow rushed through them, splitting the water like knife. In the distance, the dark shape of the shoreline stretched across the water. Kratos stared calmly at the tall shape of the government building taking form. It had been a long two weeks since they had left Izoold and Kratos longed to be away from the confining ship.

Above him the stars shone brightly. He sighed. He had yet confronted Mica, and in a way he didn't look forward to it. They had evidently avoided each other respectfully, the serving girl preferring to spend her time with Genis and Colette. Raine had taken to remaining within her cabin for the majority of the trip as well, so Kratos had spent the days reminiscing.

Painful, yet comforting memories wiggled their way through his mind, bringing with them their trailing emotions. Many of them were of Lloyd, pictures painted by the stories Colette and Genis told.

Where was his son? The questioned constantly plagued him, nipping and biting like an irritating insect that would not be ignored. Was he dead or did he simply leave on his own? Had his son been alive all these years too simply be stolen from him again?

The thought made Kratos close his eyes in agony. He knew not if he would have wept, but he found it unlikely. The emotions were foreign and he had trouble deciding which of them had taken a hold of him. He would have laughed at the irony of the situation if he could have. But little brought a smile to his face these days. The price of immortality was obscurity and isolation. He bowed his head and leaned on the mast behind him.

"Kratos."

He turned and saw Mica's shadowy form materialize from the darkness; the moon's light falling upon her as she approached him. Perhaps, isolation wasn't too bad…

She appeared much younger as he watched her; so vulnerable that for a moment wondered if all his accusation were false. Careful, he chided himself; this is how she discovers what she wants.

"Mica." He greeted her. Since their confrontation on the Ossa Trail, Kratos had instantly refrained from any conversations with the girl, regardless of how many questions she plagued him with. Raine had assisted by distracting the girl with menial chores and questions of her own, though Kratos knew it had been in no favor to him.

Now after three weeks since that stabbing remark on his son, Kratos knew that he had to confront her this time. Tomorrow they will have reached Palmacosta and then she would be gone.

Neither spoke, instead staring out across the black waters rippling like a satin cloth. "What is it like?" her voice barely rose above a whisper, but Kratos heard her perfectly but he didn't show it. "To fly, I mean."

She looked up at him with her large, black eyes and Kratos knew at that moment she was a teenager and not an informant. He didn't reply and she looked away, crestfallen. "I always wanted to fly. Ever since I saw… your kind, to be able to leave the ground and disappear into the sky…"

"How did you find out?" Kratos finally looked at her. Her thick black hair was loose and flowing down her back, a few strands curling around her chin.

Mica seemed oblivious to his question. "At first I couldn't believe it, when he found me. I—I was upset. I fled into the desert and he found me…"

"Who?" Kratos asked a little more forcefully.

She turned at the sound of his voice and smiled. The smile was childish, not like her usual defiance and her eyes sparkled as if she was reliving the moment. "An angel…" she whispered, "…with fuchsia wings and blue hair."

Kratos kept his anger in check. Yuan. He turned his face away so the shadows hid his tense face. What were his plans?

"He was worried about you." She spoke quietly, "That is why he asked me to question you."

"Interrogate, is more like it." he said harshly and she laughed, the sound light and musical.

"Perhaps, but he said that when you are pressured, you tend to crack easier." She smiled and tilted head. "Cold and frozen, like ice, he said. Strike the right spot hard enough and he will break."

"I see." He muttered, crossing his arms. "And I suppose you took no pleasure in your escapade?"

She laughed again, "At first, yes. I was curious to see how long it would take to break you." She shook her head, "But you soon taught me how painful the past can be." He saw a tear, crystal in the moonlight, slip down her cheek before she brushed it away with a flick of her hand.

Kratos didn't feel guilty, though he realized now that this girl was simply a pawn for Yuan's own plots. It did make him feel pity.

"So did you really need to go to Palmacosta, or was that a lie to get you within our group?"

Mica shook her head, "No, I have been meaning to return to Palmacosta." She appeared thoughtful, "There was nothing left for me in Triet."

They fell silent after that. After a moment, Mica vanished as quickly as she had appeared, but it didn't matter. What was Yuan gaining from delving into his past? Was it for him or Yggdrasil? Kratos would definitely need to question Yuan when they met again.

--

He brushed the reports on the Iselia Ranch to the side. Nothing. No mention of a human being brought in from Iselia within the past month. Yuan sighed and glared at the small radio on his desk, its silence irritating him.

There had been no word for nearly three weeks from the girl and Yuan had been hoping for more information on Kratos. He had gone to see the Dwarf that the boy apparently lived with and after much persuasion discovered his mysterious disappearance. Of course the dwarf believed Lloyd had been captured and taken to the ranch.

"But he wasn't!" Yuan growled and shoved back his chair and stood frustrated. He glowered at the radio, but it remained silent and he placed his hands on the desk. "Where could he have disappeared to and so suddenly if it wasn't the Ranch?"

His eyes traveled over the papers spread on his large desk. Half-written reports both for Cruxis and the Renegades. Blast! His problems couldn't possibly get any worse than if Yggdrasil summoned hi—

Yuan froze in mid thought. "Damn!" he hissed and grabbed his cloaked and rushed out the door. Why hadn't he considered it before?! "Botta?" he shouted as he reached his subordinate's office. The half-elf looked up suddenly.

"Lord Yuan?" he started to rise.

"You are in charge; I need to leave to Derris Kharlan for the moment." He turned to leaver again, then stopped, "If Mica contacts, tell her to maintain contact with Kratos for as long as possible, until I say otherwise."

"Yes Si—" the doors slid shut as Yuan left.

If Yggdrasil did steal Kratos' son, it may work in his favor if Kratos ever found out. Warping quickly, he arrived in Welgaia and paused, waiting for the sensation to pass before striding quickly through the city. It was obvious that Yggdrasil wouldn't keep the boy within his castle.

Where would he place the kid? He wondered. He ignored the angels that bowed around him. Doubt he would be kept in a prison, Yggdrasil wouldn't want to suffer Kratos' wrath.

Kratos…

He immediately spun on his heel and darted towards Kratos' quarters. His cloaked billowed as his legs carried him quickly down the hallway. The doors slid open and Yuan entered stopping short, slowly shaking his head.

--

Lloyd stared in wonder around him. His hand gripped the shoulder bag filled with gels and food that he had found within his room. He had left the place a mess, but figured he could always clean it up later. It wasn't like anyone would see it other than the angels. Yggdrasil had also allowed him to bring along his swords, which Lloyd was relieved with.

Yggdrasil had warped them a few miles outside of Meltokio as not to alert suspicion. He had converted to his child form. "This will also direct less attention to us." Lloyd merely nodded. He hadn't changed out of his Cruxis uniform as he now called it, but now he almost wished he had.

"Why are they staring at us?" he whispered as they passed a group of people. Yggdrasil smiled, large and child-like, "Not us, you."

Lloyd frowned, "Me? Why?" but, Yggdrasil didn't reply. Lloyd turned his attention to buildings around him. "They are so much larger than anything I have seen." Most of the houses and buildings in Iselia were simple wooden one story structures. The bricks and finely trimmed frames caused Lloyd to pause and admire them.

"Here," Yggdrasil tugged his arm, "Let me show you the castle." The childish tone and appearance startled Lloyd, temporarily forgetting that it was Yggdrasil.

"Y-yeah." He shook his head as Yggdrasil led him up the steps.

"The lower and middle plaza's are for travelers who pass through the city. It is also where the middle class people live."

"Middle class?" Lloyd asked absently as he stared at the large archway. "What is that?"

Yggdrasil sighed, bowing his head slightly, "Did you skip that section too? Never mind." He waved a hand, "The society is split into three groups, or classes. You have the first class which includes the nobles and royalty. These people tend to control for the most part the city." They past beneath the arch's shadow, and Lloyd noticed several more buildings, though the appeared to be shops and merchant stalls. Yggdrasil motioned towards them, "Next is the middle class, or as some call it, the working class. Merchants, shop and inn keepers, more bluntly, the people who control businesses and stores are consider within this group."

"Lastly are the peasants, mainly half-elves and those who have little to no money." Yggdrasil finished.

Lloyd frowned, "How can they classify themselves like that?" he gripped his swords angrily.

Yggdrasil grabbed his arm. "And just who do you plan to attack?" he tightened his grip and Lloyd loosened his hold. "If you can't control yourself, I can take you back to Welgaia."

Lloyd nodded and was about to speak when suddenly a soldier grabbed Mithos and yanked him back. "What do you think you are doing, half-elf?"

"Hey! Let him go!" Lloyd pushed the soldier away while Yggdrasil glared. "Why did you do that?"

The soldier surprised by Lloyd's reaction, stumbled over his words, "M-m-my apologies, sir. I thought that half-elf was harassing you." Lloyd glanced at Yggdrasil and noticed his pointed ears showing through his hair.

"No, he wasn't, and you should be apologizing to him, not me." Lloyd snapped angrily.

The soldier's face turned red with embarrassment. "Sorry." He mumbled then back off. Lloyd shook his head and turned around to find Yggdrasil watching him curiously.

"What?"

"Why did you do that?" Yggdrasil asked, seriously. "Why did you tell him to apologize to me?"

Lloyd shrugged, "Because he was rude to you, not me. He had no right to treat you like that." He grinned, "Besides, you are my friend." The words left his mouth so quickly he hardly realized he had said them.

"Friend…strange definition for someone who kidnapped you, don't you think?" Yggdrasil asked, turning and started walking.

Lloyd hesitated for a moment. How many times had he deliberated that question over the month? Too many… but every time he arrived at a similar answer. "You may have 'kidnapped' me, but I know you had your reasons, one concerning my father, and I trust you. I didn't before, but I do now. You have never really treated me as a real prisoner, though it may have felt like it at times."

Yggdrasil smiled, head bent and Lloyd suddenly wondered if he had been mistaken when Yggdrasil looked up at him. "Thank you, Lloyd."

His misgivings vanished instantly and he smiled back, "Hey, no problem." He laughed, and then looked up. "Whoa!"

The castle appeared just as it had in the book Yggdrasil had given him, down to the flowers beds planted at the foot of the steps leading up to the keep gate. The book couldn't have been that old, but that made sense considering his father couldn't have painted those pictures centuries ago.

"Surprised?" Yggdrasil asked as he stood beside him. "Even the government building in Palmacosta couldn't compare to this." He pointed to their left, "That is the Church of Martel and also the Pope's quarters.

"It's so… different." Lloyd stared at it in amazement. The Church's alabaster, white bricks were brilliant against the golden supports. "Is it real gold?"

"No, only plated." He paused as a woman and man stepped out of the Church arm in arm. Lloyd would have gaped at their fancy clothing had Yggdrasil not nudged him in the side. "Don't stare, you will attract attention."

The woman's dress swished as it brushed against the cobbled street. "It is a pity that the Chosen was preoccupied today and couldn't meet with us." Her voice was heavily accented, more polished than Sylvaranti speech.

He escort didn't appear to share her disappointed, though he agreed with her, "Yes. A pity."

They glanced at Lloyd, the woman tilting her head slightly, smiling.

"It is so nice to see young men dressing appropriately." Lloyd wasn't sure whether she was acknowledging him, but she had already moved on.

He looked at Yggdrasil, "Uh…"

"It seems your clothing is considered appropriate." He clarified a slight scowl on his face. "It would have been better, had you worn your old clothing."

Lloyd glanced down at his white clothes, "Do they really stand out that much?" he mumbled.

More people began filing out of the church, "Come on. Let's leave Meltokio for now, until we can find you some more ordinary attire and it will give us a chance to see the landscape and other cities.

Lloyd nodded, though he wished he could spend more time in here. He had barely caught a glimpse of the city. He didn't understand why Yggdrasil was so keen on being avoided. He would do anything to talk to people other than the angels and Yggdrasil. But at the same time he wasn't sure if he would be able to leave again if he did.

Silently, he followed the half-elf child back down the steps. The guards eyed him warily; however, they remained at their post on either side of the archway.

"Well, you see, my beautiful hunnies, it is necessary that I visit the lower class in order to keep them happy." Lloyd stopped as they reached the last step and was surprised to see a large group of women standing next to the inn. "You know I would much rather spend my time with you."

"But, Master Zelos, it is so dirty down there. What if one of those filthy peasants touches you?" Lloyd watched as a young blond girl placed a hand on who he assumed was Master Zelos. He frowned; the person was obviously a man considering the attention he was receiving from the ladies, however the long red hair would have given him second thoughts.

"Who is that?" he pointed. Yggdrasil never had the chance to answer since all the women had turned around.

"Who are you pointing at?" The blond one demanded, gripping the man's arm tighter. She eyed like she would a store item, analyzing him. He shifted uncomfortably under the attention. The five other women whispered fervently behind their fans.

"I-uh-" Lloyd stuttered and Yggdrasil grabbed his hand.

"Come on, let's go." The angel sounded so much like a child that Lloyd looked at him.

"He is kind of cute." Lloyd looked up abruptly, but couldn't tell who had spoken since they were all laughing. He blushed, only causing them to giggle more. "Look, we embarrassed him."

"Uh-I-I'm going to—"

"Oh don't leave yet, please. Where are you from?" A short, dark hair girl approached him. Lloyd couldn't help but noticed the angered expression on the man.

"Look, I need to get going." Lloyd brought his hands up, backing up. Yggdrasil was somewhere behind him.

"Yes, my hunnies, I believe we need to be going as well. Perhaps another time…"

But Yggdrasil was already dragging Lloyd away towards the outer gate before releasing him. "I think it would be wise, from now on, if you heed me advice and leave when I say."

Lloyd nodded, "Sorry." Trying to regain his lost composure and trying not to think of the girls, he asked "So where are we going now?"

Yggdrasil pointed towards the north, "Sybak is in that direction. Although it is more of a research city, they do supply travelers and you should be able to find another outfit.

Lloyd glanced in the direction Yggdrasil pointed, "Sybak…" he muttered, "We are walking right?" Yggdrasil nodded. He breathed in the crisp air, the fresh smell of grass rising on the light breeze. He had missed all of it. Lloyd grinned, "Alright, let's go!"

--

The sun was directly in their eyes as the sun was gently guided towards the docks. The air was salty and it stung Kratos' eyes as the wind whips the moisture into their faces. Behind him the others waited patiently as the crew darted around the ship to prepare for the landing.

"We finally made it!" Genis gazed excitedly at the large city, Raine at his side. Kratos closed his eyes against the glare of the sun. Indeed, they had finally made it. How many times had he taken this same route? Too many…

Raine sighed in relief, "I am glad we had no trouble with monsters." Kratos noticed her pale face. She had not taken well to the steady motion of the boat and had barely appeared outside her cabin the entire trip.

"Yes, we were also fortunate we did not encounter harsh weather." He noticed her reach out and steady herself on the rail.

"Mr. Kratos." Colette's voice came behind him and he turned to regard her. "May we visit the church before looking for the seal?"

"Of course, Chosen." He saw her smile then noticed a dark shadow gliding near the door leading below decks. A small tingle was heard amid the clamor around them. "Chosen—" he started, reaching for his sword.

Then suddenly the ship rubbed against the dock and the sailors shouted. The contact caused the small ship to shudder and everyone stumbled. Kratos saw the glint of the dagger. "No!"

Colette tripped and landed on the deck just as the shadow lunged forward, weapon glinting in the dawn's light. It rose and fell even as Kratos drew his sword and darted forward.

A cry of pain rose up and then the shadow hissed and was gone, darting across the deck and on to the docks. Kratos saw the long pink sash and purple clothing before it vanished among the stalls.

He looked down slowly, wondering if yet again Cruxis' plans had been halted, when his eyes widened.

The dagger's blade was driven deep into Mica's chest, her limp form sprawled across Colette who was crying. Raine was already kneeling and moving Colette out of the way and Genis stared down horror-struck.

"Mica…" Kratos bent down to the young girl. Her eyes flickered and opened slowly, she smiled.

"Is…is she alright?" her breathing was labored and blood stained the corner of her mouth.

He nodded then reached for the dagger, "We need to remove it in order to hea—" Her hand shot up and caught his wrist with surprising quickness. "Mica."

She smiled at him, her skin paling quickly. She coughed, wrenching her hand from Kratos' wrist to cover her mouth. Her thin body convulsed, blood spreading out from the wound from the pressure.

Raine held her hand over the wound as if sensing the damaged. "It's through the lung. We need to remove it immediately if we are to heal her."

"…" Kratos stared at the dagger. Mica stopped coughing and he met her gaze, tears streaming from her dark eyes and he suddenly realized she knew it was too late. Too late…

"No!" Colette cried out dropping to the deck on her knees, "Mica, don't give up. Professor, Kratos! She saved me, please don't let her die!"

Genis didn't say anything, though he reached over and placed a hand on Colette's shoulder. So young, Kratos thought, yet why had it taken him until now to realize it?

"Please…don't." Mica gasped, reaching up slowly and grasping Colette's hand. "They can't…" Colette cried, gripping Mica's hand tightly.

Raine bowed her head. Kratos closed his eyes. Perhaps it wasn't too late. If he removed the blade before too much blood entered her lung then…

"Kratos…?" He opened his eyes finding Mica's; already they appeared to be dimming. The fiery flash they always held when she knew something he didn't was gone. Once again he beheld the young teenager she was supposed to be. "Find your son… please." She smiled, "You need someone to… to help you lighten up." She laughed. He opened his mouth when she coughed again, this time her head rolling to the side. It was deathly quiet around them and Kratos realized everyone on the ship finally was watching them.

Her attack stilled, but she didn't turn her head back. "Mica…?" he touched her arm gently, trying to get a response.

Raine shook her head, standing guiding Genis away. Colette cried silently now, still holding the girl's hand, now limp. "Chosen… she is gone."

Colette looked up at him then back at Mica. "She saved me… "

Kratos didn't know what to say. Instead he took Mica's hand and gently pulled it free from Colette's. Raine came back suddenly and helped her to her feet, guiding her off the boat like she did her brother.

He watched them until the disappeared. The sailors had drifted away now, though he could still hear them whispering. "Find you son…please." He stared down at her shaking his head. "I will."

Swiftly, he scooped her frail body into his arms and walked off the boat wondering why he was feeling this guilt.

From now on the story will be moving quicker between now and the Tower of Salvation.

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