Author's Notes: Ah, chapter 11. Did any one else realize it took me three chapters to get through one seal? I guess that should show just how long this story will be.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia. Do I have to keep writing this in every chapter?

Chapter 11: Angel Wings

Kratos stepped forward slowly, mounting the steps with an unsteady gait. His throat tightened and fear gripped his heart. He felt like he was suffocating. He reached the top, and practically fell to his knees: not in reverence, they merely couldn't support his weight anymore.

He slipped on the prayer, despite that he had to memorize it in his youth. The words simply didn't want to come out, so he had to force it out, making it sound far too fake. A single tear slipped from his eye as he finished, and Kratos was glad that his back was to them so that they couldn't see it as it trailed down his cheek and splashed to the cold floor.

In a flash of light the angel from before appeared in the dimly brightly lit room. White, feathery wings spread out behind the being, and his forest green eyes opened to rest upon Kratos's face. The Chosen of Mana rose to his feet and met the angel's eyes.

"Chosen," the voice of Remiel echoed throughout the empty room. "You have done well to make it this far. Now the blessings of Cruxis shall be bestowed upon you as you take your first step to becoming a true angel." Remiel's arms lifted skyward and a light came down and enveloped Kratos in a burning red glow.

The man stiffened into a horrified rigidity as he felt the mana swell within him, before being absorbed by his Cruxis Crystal. Ethereal blue, segmented wings burst from his back and Kratos relaxed slightly as the pressure eased. He didn't dare think about the appendages now protruding from his back.

"Be warned, the angel transformation does not come without pain. But it is only for one night that you must endure this trial," the angel cautioned. "The next seal lies across the sea; release the seal in that distant land," Remiel said as he floated back toward the ceiling, and disappeared once more in a flash of light.

Kratos stood there, blinking for a moment, a rather dazed expression on his normally strict face. "-Tos! Kratos?" Lloyd gave the man a strange look as he woke from his stupor.

"Yes?" Kratos asked the boy.

"You have wings!" Colette exclaimed excitedly, a bright smile covering her face with its dazzling brilliance.

Kratos gave a shaky smile. "So it would seem. I believe it is said that I should be able to draw them back into my body as well," the man smirked as they vanished quite suddenly, drawing gasps of surprise and awe from the younger members of the party.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Genis jumped up and down in excitement, acting more like the child he was.

This time Kratos grinned and pulled them out again and flapped them once or twice experimentally. They seemed to act rather like any other appendage. Kratos chuckled lightly at their expressions, elated at their joy.

Lloyd grinned too, and watched them even as he stood between Yuan and Raine. "Didja hear what the angel said? He said we'd have to go across the sea! That means we have to go on a boat! I can't wait!" Lloyd exclaimed in excitement. He shook his head as he continued gazing at Kratos, Genis and Colette, who were solely focused on the fact that Kratos now had wings. "Okay, you guys can stop now. I think we all get it already," Lloyd spoke in amusement.

Kratos laughed outright at this. "Indeed?" he questioned light-heartedly a small smile gracing his lips.

"O-kay!" Genis and Colette chimed in unison, giggling lightly in jest.

Colette and Genis ran to catch up with Yuan, Raine and Lloyd, who stood near the teleport. Kratos then put his wings away, and made to join them. No one noticed the way the smile suddenly fell from his lips the moment they turned away.

Kratos stepped out of the Triet ruins, relieved to finally get out of there. He would have kissed the ground if he felt that he could still retain his dignity. He had pride enough not to give entirely into instinct.

For a moment he was perfectly fine, as he stepped beyond the realm of Efreet. But then, the instant his feet touched the threshold of that black pit, a terrible pain racked its way through his chest. With a short cry Kratos fell to his knees, startling his companions.

"Mr. Kratos are you oka…?" Colette gasped, a hand flying to her chest. For a moment her face contorted into an expression of pain, but the girl mastered it a second later. "Are you alright?" she asked again, her eyes lit brightly with concern.

Genis ran up to the man, worry evident on the young boy's face. "It's my fault!" the boy bemoaned. "I kept making him pull his wings in and out."

"I don't think that's what caused this Genis. Don't worry about it," Lloyd spoke to his friend, before turning to Kratos. "Kratos, your face his all white…"

"We should get him to a doctor immediately," Raine stated firmly, moving toward him to get Kratos back on his feet. "His lips are turning purple…" she observed with concern.

"I'm fine!" Kratos gasped out, even as another wave of agony washed through his system.

"Miss Sage," Yuan grabbed her arm before she could reach the man. "I think its best not to move him far. Remember the angel's words? He said that Kratos would have to overcome some trial."

"Yes, but…" Raine attempted to counter, but Yuan cut her off again.

"Just trust me," those three words sealed his fate. "Please."

"Noishe!" Lloyd exclaimed joyously as he creature appeared the minute they had finished setting up camp. "How did you get here?"

Yuan looked up at Lloyd in confusion. "You haven't noticed?" the boy stared at him strangely. "He's been following us for quite some time now," Yuan explained.

Lloyd tilted his head to the side slightly. "He has? Oh, I guess I didn't notice that," Lloyd said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

Noishe instantly migrated over to Kratos who was resting near the fire. The creature licked his face in concern, and whined lightly, glancing back at Lloyd. Before the boy could protest, Noishe circled around the man and lay down next to him, his head resting on Kratos's side.

Lloyd crossed the distance between them quickly and made to shoo Noishe away from him. "Noishe leave him alone! You're bothering him," the boy stated with a frown.

Slowly, Kratos's eyes opened, and he stared up at Lloyd. "It is alright Lloyd, he's fine," the man spoke hoarsely.

"O-oh, sorry," Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck. "Genis, what's for dinner?" Lloyd asked in order to change the subject.

Kratos sighed and Yuan settled down near were he lay. "Can't sleep?" the man asked knowingly. Kratos gave him a strange look.

Endnotes: ...Don't have much to say.