Things you need to know before reading this chapter:
- Character thinking; Character reading; Character remembering a past event/conversation
- Loreleiday is equivalent to Saturday and Remday is equivalent to Monday.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss
Chapter 10: Things He Could Do
"Have you heard of the new guy?" A female voice asked.
"Which one are you talking about? We had many new recruits these past few months." A male voice said.
"Who else do you think I am talking about? Of course I am talking about him."
"Wait, wha-"
"For Lorelei's sake! How could you not know about him?"
"Stop being stupid, there are many he's even in the girl's gossip. Although I know who you are talking about, you shouldn't expect a guy to get which he you are referring to without giving any other information." Another female voice said.
"Right, I am talking about the one that is always burying his nose in books." The first female voice said.
"Ah, you are talking about him, of course I have. I bet everyone working here has heard of him. What of it?"
"Do you know him?"
"Well, I know of him, but I don't think anyone knows him."
"Why?"
"As you have said just now, he is always burying his nose in books, well, not that always, but other times he would either be scribbling furiously in his notebooks or locking himself up in his room. Do you think it is possible for others to get to know him?"
"But there's gotta be someone who knows him and talks to him! How else would he be able to get promoted in such a short amount of time?"
"I heard that he's working in the research department, so I think you would have a better chance asking the personnel working there. The only time I have seen him interacting with others was when Van went into his room. "
"You mean Van Grants? The one who has been rising up in position since that Largo guy came?"
"Who else but him? How many Van do you think we have here?"
"Point taken."
"So why are the two of you asking about him? If you are just curious about his fast promotions through the rank, why don't you ask about Largo? Although he became an Oracle Knight about half an year before him, he was also promoted soon after he joined the Order."
"That's why you never had a girlfriend, you don't understand girls at all." A new male voice said, joining the conversation.
"Shut it, what do you know anyway?" The first voice said, irritated at the mention of him not having a lover.
"More than you apparently. Anyone worthy of being included into the girl's gossip are the ones they think interesting and potential target."
"Wait, wha- you mean you are interested in him!" The owner of the second voice turned towards the female participants in this conversation and exclaimed.
"What's the problem with it?" The first voice asked, irritation apparent in her tone.
"Yes, what's the problem with it? He looks cuter than most other guys and although both he and Largo had been rising through ranks, unlike Largo, he has an air of mystery." The third voice supplied.
"I don't think we should waste anymore time talking with this moron here, let's go." The first voice said and began dragging the other girl away.
"Wha- I don't get them! I mean, I understand the part about the mysterious aura, but how could they think he's cute?" The second voice said while pointing frustratingly at the direction the girls walked away to after they left hearing range.
"It can't be helped, most girls think that being feminine is cute." The owner of the fourth voice shrugged at the other man's shocked expression. "And that's why I said you don't understand girls at all. Anyway, let's go, the reason I am here is to fetch you to Maestro Tritheim's office." He then dragged the other man towards the Maestro's office.
So Van was rising through the ranks. I presume whatever plan he cooked up requires a position with much power to carry out. Kratos mused from his position perched on a branch of a very tall tree overlooking the now empty courtyard.
It was nearly two weeks since the discussion in Yulia City. True to his word, the first thing Kratos did after he left Mt. Zaleho was to find a secluded location in the forest and read the book Teodoro gave him.
As Kratos read through the notes, he found that there were many terms and past events described in it that were unbeknown to him.
Evenos had only covered the basic stuff when he explained things to him, and that was only the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, he decided to do some more research and expand his knowledge on this planet's history.
He took the elderly Fon Master's advice and sneaked into the archive of the Order of Lorelei, which, with the secret passageway from Mt. Zaleho, was much easier than his first time infiltrating the Daathic Cathedral, to read through their records.
However, even the archive there didn't cover enough background materials for Kratos to fully grasp the concepts explained in Yulia's note. He found that none of the records there had information on Qliphoth and Yulia City, and certainly not the Floating Project.
Though he couldn't find anything useful for this planet's true history, as predicted by Evenos, he did find something interesting when he looked at the profile of Van Grants, whose real name was Vandesdelca Musto Fende, or The One Who Would Seize Glory in Ancient Ispanian language.
** Flashback **
So this is Van. Kratos thought as he stared at the photo of Van in his profile.
The same one I met in the desert when I rescued the two Kimlascan aristocrats. He thought as he recalled the teen that claimed to be after the bandits that kidnapped Luke and Natalia.
I would be lying if I say I believe that that was a mere coincidence. As if it is normal for an Oracle Knight to chase behind bandits in Kimlascan territory. And what are the chances of those bandits being the same one that kidnapped Luke, the one that nearly all people on this planet know to have inherited Lorelei's power? Highly unlikely I would say.
He then took a worn notebook out of one of his wing packs and from it, a piece of paper with words that were written in blood on it.
Loreleiday, Sylph-Decan 40, ND2005
The man who kills for wealth will be approached by The One Who Would Seize Glory in the Capital of Light. There he will receive a mission that will change his fate.
I think it won't be too far-fetched for me to assume that Luke is involved in his plan. He concluded after he reread the Score of the bandit and connected the two together.
I understand his reasoning of targeting Luke of all people if he knew about the Closed Score where Luke is supposed to destroy himself and the mining town, which I presume to be Akzeriuth. He thought as he remembered the Closed Score he read in the volcano.
But what does he want of him? Judging from the circumstances of our encounter, I would wager that he was going to retrieve the two kids, or maybe just Luke, from the bandits if not for my interference. Does that mean...
"Asch translates to Remnant of the Sacred Flame in Ancient Ispanian language. Judging from the name, we are guessing that he may be a replica of Luke, Light of the Sacred Flame."
Does that mean Van is going to replicate Luke? Kratos narrowed his eyes at the thought of Van being the one to create Asch, the one that they assumed to be the replica of Luke.
The technology of replication is one of the top military secret in Malkuth. Had he already got the means to carry out Fomicry? Wait...
"By the way, my name is Saphir Wyon Neis."
"I'm going to the church."
Maybe... He turned the back to the index of the profile and started looking at the column for people with surname that started with the letter N as he remembered the frail scientist, one of the lead researchers of Fomicry, that he saved and escorted to Daath when he first came to Auldrant.
Neiron... Neirs... Neish... Neith... Weird, there is no one with the surname Neis. Did I think wrong? Kratos frowned slightly at not being able to find the surname Neis as he leafed through the profiles of the employees of the Order of Lorelei.
No, although he didn't commit any real crime, he is a wanted person just for deserting Malkuth as one that holds the information of a top secret military project. Even if he fled to Daath, a city that is not within the territory of Malkuth, he needs to hide from public. Kratos thought as he remembered the conversation between the Necromancer, Jade Curtiss, and the Crown Prince of Malkuth, Peony Upala Malkuth, that he overheard in Grand Chokmah.
It was true that although criminals can fled to another country to gain protection, it is only a matter of their own country getting wind of their whereabouts and sending a request for the other country to 'kindly' hand over them.
The most logical place for a criminal to hide would be an opposing country that would likely do anything to irk the other country, such as Kimlasca in this case.
From Saphir's status, he would be sought after by both countries. If he went to Kimlasca, the authorities there would likely give him a high position within the research bureau, eager to have a genius fon technician and engineer working for them.
So why did he fled to Daath instead? Although there is also the risk of Kimlasca resorting to torture instead to get information out of him, I think it is highly unlikely considering he is the one that deserts Malkuth. The most he would get would be someone supervising his activities twenty-four-seven. However, Daath is a neutral city and would have gladly handed him over to Mulkuth the moment they asked, unless of course the Score has something else planned for him... Kratos inwardly sighed at the possible doing of the Score yet again.
I doubt a scientist would rely on the Score much. The only option left is if someone offered him something he wants, maybe a chance to continue the Fomicry experiments? If that's the case, then it matches with my previous assumption that Van is going to replicate Luke. But then he would have to be working in secret for Van.
He then returned the file with the profiles to its original position and left the room.
** End Flashback **
After that, Kratos went to Yulia City in hopes of getting some real information about Auldrant's past and helping him understand the notes written by Yulia.
In the archive of Yulia City, with the permission of Teodoro, he found many records on the Dawn Age. After gaining enough background material and some more reading, he went to see Teodoro and told him of his own suspicion on Van.
** Flashback **
"So it is true that Van hated the Score enough to capture the son of Duke Fabre and to replicate him. It seems the lost of his home has a far greater impact on him than I first thought..." The Mayor of Yulia City trailed off with a faraway look.
The sound of the door creaking open snapped Teodoro out and he became alarmed.
"Who is it?" He called out.
The door opened to reveal a four year old girl with shoulder length brown hair.
"I'm sorry grandfather, I didn't know you have a meeting now..." The girl said as she noticed the other occupant in the room.
Teodoro sighed."It is fine Tear, it is not a scheduled meeting and you are not interrupting anything important." He said.
"Is there anything you need of me?" He smiled at his granddaughter and asked.
"Big brother hasn't come home for nearly a month already and I am wondering if you know when he's coming back. He only told me he would be back soon... and..." Tear trailed off and looked down at her feet.
"Out with it, girl."
"Could you... could you come to my room later? I want you to tell me if my Fonic Hymn is ok or not... I couldn't cast the spell yet, but I want to surprise him when he comes home by singing to him the first session of the hymn." Tear asked shyly.
"That's fine, I would come to see you later today. I would also see what I could do to get Van to come home soon." Teodoro replied with a gentle smile as he looked at his adopted grandchild.
The girl looked up at her grandfather at his answer. A huge smile plastered on her face.
"Thank you! It's a promise then! I will see you later!" With that, the girl happily skipped out of the conference room.
"Van's sister?" Kratos asked after remaining silent throughout the whole exchange between the Mayor and his granddaughter.
"Yes, she is Mystearica Aura Fende, or Tear Grants."
"I take it she was only a newborn when Hod was destroyed?" Kratos asked.
"Yes. She is the only living blood relative Van has left. He has been supervising her studies."
"Then Van has been taking his job seriously. I can see that she looks up to him greatly." Kratos commented.
"I just hope that Tear wouldn't take after Van in hating the Score. Although we have been looking forward to rid the world of the Score, I don't want Van to be doing it out of hatred." Teodoro said tiredly.
Neither spoke a word after that, each thinking about a boy being consumed in hatred. Though in Kratos' case, he had been thinking about his half-elf student, Mithos' hatred towards human after his sister, Martel's death at the hands of humans.
"I am sorry for bringing up such depressing thought. Thank you for letting me know of your suspicion on Van." Teodoro said, signalling the end of their conversation.
Without saying another word, Kratos got up from his seat and headed towards the exit of the conference room.
He stopped as he reached the door and he turned his head slightly towards Teodoro's direction.
"Love and hate are two sides of a coin. The reason of Yulia wanting to overturn the Score was out of love for the world and the people in it." Kratos said as he remembered Martel's sacrifice to end the war that would one day destroy their home world if not stopped.
"Van may have hated the Score with a passion, I don't think the only reason he wanted to erase it is hatred." Then he remembered about Mithos and his twisted ideal, all because of a misinterpretation of his beloved sister's final wish.
"He loved his sister, even I could tell that much from how she looked up to him."
Although Mithos hated all races except half-elf with a passion and had made many wrong decisions and committed many sins throughout his life, the reason he did all the things he did...
"I believe Van is also doing it for his sister, so she could live a life free from the Score, the same thing that bound him and caused him great grief."
… was out of love for his sister.
"I believe the main reason he is doing it is out of love for his sister, and maybe to some extent the world itself."
Then, without waiting for Teodoro to respond to his words nor turning back to look at his expression, Kratos left the room.
** End Flashback **
He went to Daath after he left Yulia City. However, he didn't join the Order of Lorelei and become an Oracle Knight as Evenos suggested. There were several reasons for that:
1. He was an ageless being. It would be too risky for him to work in a normal organisation for fear of being noticed how he wouldn't age a day even after a long period of time of, say, five years or , he could quit being an Oracle Knight anytime he wanted, but he had no idea how long he would need to stay in this world and that would defeat the purpose of keeping an eye on Van while working in it.
2. His movement would be limited. Being involved in a plan that no one really knew how it worked, it would be unwise to tie himself down with any other duties. He didn't know what was in stall for him yet, and he could be put in a difficult situation or in a position that would easily blow his cover if whatever he needed to do contradicted with what he was required to do as a member of the Order. There was also the possibility of not being able to get to a place or get something done at a specific date and time because of his duty as an Oracle Knight.
3. He would be tied down further not because of duty, but because of fame or rumours. If he were to join the Order for an unknown amount of time, the most logical thing one would do would be to try their best to get promoted so they could be in a position to easier monitor the movement of the Order and the people in it. However, if he became too famous, rumours about him would be flying around all over the place. It wasn't as if he cared about rumours and people talking behind his back, but it would be even more difficult to do what he was supposed to do if too much people knew about him and what he could do.
On the contrary, if he were to hide behind the pretense of a useless soldier that could never get a promotion, others were bound to become suspicious after several years of his remaining useless. He would also need to work under watchful eyes if he were to do something like that... and it was almost against his nature and too difficult for him to pretend to be a moron...
4. He had met Van before and chances of Van forgetting his face were next to nil. He was fairly certain that his rescue of the two kids had set himself up as something like a thorn in Van's side.
Even if it were only a coincidence - not really... seeing as how it was the doing of the Score again - that he unknowingly stumbled upon and disrupted his plan, Van would be wary of him, especially if he were to suddenly become his colleague. Van would also know that his cover as someone chasing after the bandits in the desert area in Kimlascan territory was blown the moment they saw each other in the Order and became even more wary of him.
So no, he wouldn't enrol himself as a member of the Order of Lorelei.
After making up his mind, Kratos decided to do what he did best at information gathering: listening to rumours and gossips.
Since nearly all members of the Order had their own chambers in Daathic Cathedral, there were only so much he could pick up from the drunkards in the local bars. That's why he was hiding in a tree in the courtyard of the Cathedral listening to various conversations that took place.
It seems he had also found some people who shared his belief and are working with him to acquire a higher position in the Order. He thought as he recalled the name Largo from the conversation he just overheard.
And this mysterious 'he'... really, is there any need to refer to a person with such secrecy? It is not as if said person is a monster or something similar that would do terrifying things to them just by uttering his name out... He thought and resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the ridiculous need of secrecy over something so trivial.
Lunchtime was over and most people had gone back to work. Deciding that he wouldn't be able to hear anything much until dinner time, Kratos decided to pay a visit to the Fon Master and let him know of his decision to not join the Order of Lorelei and of his recent findings.
As he prepared to jump down onto the now empty courtyard, he heard footsteps approaching the courtyard and stilled himself.
Wait, isn't he-? His thought trailed back to his first day in Auldrant as he looked at the pale lavender haired man passing through the courtyard, his nose buried in a thick tome.
Saphir Wyon Neis... so he is the mysterious 'he'. What is he doing here? Is he an active employee of the Order? If Van did pull some strings, it would be only a matter of creating a false background for him to get him into the Order.
He noticed another set of footsteps approaching as he finished his thought.
"Dist."
Saphir reluctantly tore his gaze from the book he had been reading and turned to the person that just called out.
"What now Largo, can't you see I am reading?" Saphir, now known as Dist, said, his tone laced with irritation.
"Van requires your presence." Largo answered.
"Tell him I will see him after I finished the part I'm reading."
"He wants to see you now." Largo said with a tone of finality.
Dist narrowed his eyes at Largo as if silently challenging him.
"I could bodily drag you to his office if you refuse." Largo said flatly.
"Fine." Dist rolled his eyes and said.
He closed the thick tome with a loud snap and started towards a different direction from the one he was going originally, probably the direction where Van was in. Largo followed behind Dist and they both left the courtyard.
So my guess is correct, he is working for Van. He has also changed his name to Dist.
After Kratos made sure that no one else was coming to the courtyard, he jumped down from the tree branch and decided to make a side trip to the archive before going to Evenos' room.
Evenos closed his eyes and sighed tiredly.
"My worst fear has come true then. Van really has an ulterior motive joining the Order of Lorelei... Have you told Teodoro about it yet?" He asked.
"Yes. It is only fair to let Teodoro know of the path his own grandson chose to walk."
Evenos sighed. "I suppose you are right, I hope he won't be taking this news too hard."
Kratos nodded, imagining what he would think and do if Lloyd was consumed by his revenge for his mother.
Noticing the gloomy atmosphere in the room, Evenos decided to change the topic.
"Your arguments of not joining the Orders are sound, but we still need to think of something else so you could keep an eye on Van, and maybe also some of the higher authorities in the church."
Kratos had told Evenos his reasons, except for the one about his internal age clock, of not becoming an Oracle Knight.
"Do you have any idea?" Evenos questioned.
"What do you think of Largo and Dist?"
"Ah, the ones you thought are working with Van. I can't tell you much about them and where they came from as I don't know that myself. Have you read through their profiles yet?"
"I had, just before I came here. There is no past recorded in either of their profiles and neither have a surname. However, I am not asking for information on them, I am asking what you thinkof them."
"Hmmm... although I had only seen Largo once, I heard he is a very strict person and is quick to follow orders. He doesn't talk much but he would help out the others whenever he could. He is also a very skilled fighter. Due to his decisiveness and will to help out the others, he had a good reputation among both his peers and the higher ups and that's why he was promoted soon after he joined us."
Then as if remembering something, he added, "It was Van that took him back to the Order. Van was both respected and hated by some of the other members and higher ups of the Order because of his young age and talents. However, ever since Largo joined us about eight months ago, most negative thoughts about him vanished. I think it is the result of being respected by a well liked soldier such as Largo."
Kratos took a while to digest the information given to him before asking Evenos about the other one. "What about Dist?"
"Dist is one of the newest recruits that joined us about two months ago. From what I gather, he is a very private person that likes to keep to himself. He is always holed up in his own room during his free time but at the same time very efficient when it comes to getting things done. Van recommended him to the research department and he excelled the rest of the team in areas such as fixing damaged equipments, inventing new gadgets and coming up with new ideas to improve the living standard and weaponry. They are now referring to him as a genius that is on par with one of the twin geniuses of Keterburg." Evenos paused and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I also heard that the only time the others heard him willingly talk to others is when he is ordering people around in the research department. He is also very strict and protective when it comes to his experiments. Although the higher ups have high expectation of him, he is not well liked by his peers because of his always barking out orders at the others. Despite his personality, I bet he would become the head researcher in another few months' time."
Kratos became silent after Evenos finished his description of the two men working for Van.
He tried associating the friendly and informative, though it could also be viewed as annoying if you looked at it from another side, scientist he escorted to Daath all those weeks ago with the grumpy scientist he just spied on and described by Evenos.
"And don't forget that we are talking about Saphir here, the one who always come back to us, to you, no matter how you treated him."
"As you have said just now, he is always burying his nose in books, well, not that always, but other times he would either be scribbling furiously in his notebooks or locking himself up in his room. Do you think it is possible for others to get to know him?"
"Thanks again for everything."
If I play my cards right, maybe I could-
"A penny for your thoughts?" Evenos asked, cutting off Kratos' train of thoughts.
"I have a hunch about what I could possibly do. However, since it is just a hunch, I am not sure whether it will work or not."
"That is fine. Is there anything you require me to do then?" Evenos asked.
"Do you know when Van is going to be away from Daath?"
"I received a note from Teodoro earlier today inquiring Van's whereabouts. It seems his little sister is on the verge of throwing a tantrum at her brother's long absence." Evenos paused as he noticed Kratos' small smile at the mention of the little sister of Van.
"I take it you have met Tear in Yulia City?"
"Yes, I was informing Teodoro of Van's motive when she came in and asked her grandfather to do something about her missing brother."
"I see." Evenos said and smiled his trademark grandfatherly smile. "She truly is a wonder, isn't she? I am going to relay the message to Van so he could return to his hometown and spend some time with little Tear."
"When do you suppose he will be leaving and for how long?"
"He would have to take care of some of the things before he could take his leave. I would say..." Evenos trailed off and looked at the calendar on the wall, "on Loreleiday, Gnome-Decan 6 the latest. I am planning on making it an official mission so that he could spend more time with his sister. So about three to four weeks... till Remday, Gnome-Decan 31."
"Good. This is what I want you to do..."
ND 2018
The young scion of Lorelei's power shall bring his people to the miner's city. There, the youth will turn power to calamity and be as a weapon to Kimlasca, destroying himself and the city.
Thereafter, the land of Rugnica will be enveloped in war, and Malkuth shall lose territory. Kimlasca-Lanvaldear shall thrive, leading to unprecedented prosperity. Which will ultimately lead to the downfall of Auldrant.
ND 2019
The forces of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear shall march northward, through the Rugnica Plains. After inflicting atrocities upon the villagers in their wake, the army shall surround the fortress capital. Within a fortnight, the city shall fall.
The Kimlascan army will stain the Malkuth throne with the blood of its last emperor. Their howls of victory shall resound throughout the land.
ND 2020
A mountain of corpses shall bury the fortress capital. Death and disease shall envelope the city. The plague born thence shall become a new poison unto humanity, killing all within its reach. Its spread shall mark the true end of Malkuth.
Kimlasca shall enjoy decades of prosperity as the plague in Malkuth grows. Ultimately, the plague shall be brought into the Kimlascan kingdom by a single man.
Thus shall Auldrant be destroyed by the miasma and turned to dust.
This is the end of Auldrant.
- The Planet Score from the end of the sixth fonstone to the end of the seventh fonstone
Author's Note:
Did anyone think that the 'new guy' was Kratos when they read the first session until the part about 'always burying his nose in books'?
I know that Dist is a loner and that has absolutely nothing to do with his not chatting with others. However, in this chapter, he is still dealing with his grief at being 'betrayed' by his best friend and idol by working furiously to retain all the Fomicry data he 'lost' in Malkuth. So yeah, he's described to be a very much antisocial person here.
Well... although no one would willingly approach him even after his 'brooding period' has passed, I won't use the word antisocial to describe him... maybe the terms 'very twisted' and 'downright annoying', but at least in this chapter he isn't that annoying in the others' view... yet...
And did anyone notice the reference to Harry Potter about you-know-who? I just couldn't resist including it in this chapter.
Thanks splitheart1120 for your review! To tell the truth, I forgot most of my original plot and have to come up with new ideas about the things that is going to happen from now on ^^"... So yes, I also wonder how much Van's plan would be changed now that Kratos is here.
Uploaded on 11 July 2012. Edited on 4 April 2013.