Hi all! Another update relatively soon, as promised. I have no idea when I'll be able to update next, however, since I've got personal stuff going on (my dad is in the hospital).

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Cami, mostly 'cause she's awesome, but also because she helped edit this chapter and inspired its writing. Thanks, Cami - you're amazing! (And thanks for letting me test-write your characters!)

Anyways... Recap: Everyone is recuperating at the Triet Inn. Raine, Genis, and Colette are in their rooms, Lloyd is in his fixing Key Crests, and Kratos left to buy Lloyd new swords. (Again.)

I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

((LLOYD POV))

I sighed and sat on the bed, getting comfortable and taking my jacket off. Someone had removed my double scabbards already, probably when Kratos was healing me, and they were draped across the foot of the bed. I picked up one of the Exspheres and examined its Key Crest closer. Gently, I pried the Exsphere from the center of the Crest and carefully set it down on the bed. Now that I could better see the Key Crest, I saw that the spell was only worn in some places and would only take a few minutes to touch up. Grinning, I bent and rummaged through my pack, which was under my bed, and pulled out my small carving knife.

Gripping the worn wooden handle, an image of Dad came to mind and I grinned at the idea of actually using some of what he had taught me. Carefully using the point of the blade, I traced over the spell, working right to left so that I was actually writing it backwards since I'm left handed and if I did it the normal way, my hand would smudge the writing.

I kept my hand steady as I carefully wrote the spell, pushing a tiny bit of mana into the tip of blade to strengthen it. When I reached the beginning, the writing flashed and when the light faded, the spell was deeply carved into the Crest. I grinned at my work and flexed my hand, tense from gripping the blade and making such precise movements for so long. I popped the Exsphere back into the Crest and it was all set.

I placed it to the side and picked up the other, quickly popping out the Exsphere and setting it to the side, too. Unfortunately, the spell on this Key Crest was in much worse shape, completely missing in chunks. I frowned. I could still fix it, but it'd take longer and be a little bit harder. I rolled my shoulders and flexed my hand once more before taking a deep breath and picking up the knife, exhaling as I placed its tip at the end of the spell. Focusing a small amount of mana, I began carving. I concentrated intensely on my task – if my thoughts wandered too much the spell could end up weak and that wouldn't be good for whichever one of my friends equipped it.

I was so focused on my work, I was only vaguely aware of Kratos opening the door and entering the room, silently closing it behind him. I halted the movement of the blade but didn't lift the tip from the Crest – I was only about halfway.

"I'm halfway done – don't mess me up. Don't talk, and don't touch me." I murmured, never taking my eyes off the glowing tip of the blade.

"Understood." Kratos said quietly. As soon as he said that, I moved the blade, continuing the carving as if there had been no interruption. It wasn't easy, and if Dad hadn't made me practice so much, I don't think I could've done it. Finally, about fifteen minutes later I was at the end. I carved the last line of the spell carefully, ignoring the sweat that was sliding down my back and the strain of my muscles – my left arm badly wanted to shake but I refused to let it, finishing the spell and lifting the blade away from the Crest only to drop both onto the bed as the spell flashed and my muscles spasmed.

I winced and rubbed my left hand and arm.

"Are you all right?" Kratos asked, concern in his voice.

I popped the Exsphere back into the Key Crest and admired my work for a moment before turning to him.

"Yeah. It's done." I said, wiping my forehead and standing up, stretching.

"Good. I will inform the others." Kratos said, before swiftly leaving the room, only to return moments later with the Professor, Genis, and Colette in tow.

The Professor frowned at me. "Lloyd, I didn't mean for you to exhaust yourself fixing the Crests – we could have waited a bit for them to be ready."

I grinned at her and put my hand behind my head. "It's okay, Professor. It wasn't hard to do; it just takes a lot of concentration."

Genis smirked. "In that case, I'm surprised you could do it at all."

"Shut it, Genis!" I growled. Genis grinned wider, and Colette tried not to giggle.

Kratos cleared his throat. "Have you three decided where you will place your Exspheres?"

Genis and Colette turned to face him, confusion on their faces.

"Hmm… I hadn't considered… what would you suggest?" the Professor asked.

Kratos shrugged. "Well, somewhere out of the way is ideal. Its placement does not matter in regards to its performance, so it really is up to you."

"But you and Lloyd have yours on your hands!" Colette pointed out.

Kratos blinked and looked at his left hand, as if noticing the stone there for the first time. "Yes, well… I took mine off of a Desian enemy I fought some years ago, and did not have the time to contemplate its placement. I do not know why Lloyd has his Cruxis Crystal on his hand."

"Oh, this is where the priests said past Chosen's have put their Crystals so that they are easy to see as proof of being the Chosen One." I said, shrugging.

"I see…" Kratos said.

"Once they are attached, are they removable?" the Professor asked.

"Yeah." I answered. "But only if you have a Key Crest, or else it's really dangerous and you could turn into a monster."

Genis grimaced and looked away, while the Professor nodded thoughtfully.

"I've heard that it is a painfully process to relocate them, however, so I would place them where you want them the first time." Kratos said.

"Did Dirk say anything about that?" Genis asked me curiously.

"He might've, but I'm not sure. I know Dad told me never to remove an Exsphere myself even if it had a Key Crest just in case, so I think Kratos is right." I said.

Kratos glanced at me before swiftly looking away and directing his attention to the Professor.

"So, have you decided, then?" He asked.

"Yes, I think I will put in on my chest, so that it will always be covered and protected." The Professor said.

Kratos nodded. "Wise choice."

"Then I'll do that, too!" Colette chirped.

"It'll be visible on you, though, since your shirt starts lower than mine." The Professor said, frowning at Colette.

"Yeah, but that shouldn't matter, right? Mercenaries like Kratos wear their Exspheres out in open and no one stops them." I said.

"I suppose…" The Professor said, nodding.

"Genis, how about you?" I asked, turning to my best friend.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out Marble's Exsphere. Seeing it reminded me I still had his Key Crest that Dad had given me what seemed like forever ago in my pack. I dug through and got it out while he replied: "I don't know. I guess I'll just put it on my chest like Sis."

I nodded and double checked his Key Crest, making sure it hadn't faded in my pack, before placing it on my bed with the others.

"Right, so I remember Dad telling me it was best to attach the Key Crest first, so everybody take one." I said, passing out the three Key Crests.

"Lloyd, what'll happen when we put this on?" Genis asked, staring at the Key Crest curiously.

"Hmm… I have no idea." I said with a shrug.

"What? But your Dad's a dwarf!" Genis exclaimed.

"So?" I snorted. "In case you forgot, I don't have a Key Crest."

Genis flushed. "Oh, yeah…"

"Yes, Lloyd only has his Cruxis Crystal. Perhaps you could walk us through this process better, Kratos, since you do have both a Key Crest and an Exsphere?" The Professor suggested.

Kratos cleared his throat. "Very well then." He said hoarsely. I looked at him strange and he cleared his throat again before nodding.

"Well, please realize that I was hurriedly attaching mine and was still experiencing the adrenaline effects of battle, so my descriptions might not be completely accurate." He said.

The Professor nodded thoughtfully, while Colette just smiled and Genis grimaced slightly. I sat on my bed, watching in mild curiosity.

"In order to attach the Key Crest, you simply press it to the area where you would like it to be, and it will attach to your skin smoothly. It's painless, but removing it to move it to a different area, as we've said, may have risks and surely stings a bit, so be sure you have it in the correct place the first time." Kratos explained.

My three friends nodded and the Professor and Genis pulled their shirts down slightly in order to attach their Key Crests where they wanted them while Colette hovered hers above her collarbone, a slight frown of concentration on her face. They each pressed the Crests to their skin and there were three small flashes of light as the spell lit up for a second before it faded.

"Well?" I asked.

"There appears to be no ill effects…" The Professor murmured.

Genis shrugged. "It's kinda weird for it to just be stuck there, but nothing else."

Colette giggled. "It's really pretty!"

I grinned and rolled my eyes at her.

"Now that you all have Key Crests, all you have to do is insert the Exsphere into its center. There's a slight stinging power rush involved, however, as the Exsphere through the Key Crests reads your current abilities and enhances them as well as speeds up the process for learning new abilities." Kratos explained.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's kinda what it felt like when they put my Cruxis Crystal on me." I said, looking down at the small stone on my hand.

"All right." The Professor said, nodding and taking a deep breath. She turned to face her two students. "Shall we?" She asked, holding the Exsphere she would use in her hand. Colette and Genis nodded, taking up their own Exspheres, and I saw Genis smile sadly at his before pressing it to the center of his Key Crest.

All three Key Crests flashed and my friends gasped, their bodies stiffening slightly.

"Wha-" I started, but Kratos put a hand on my shoulder.

"They're all right. Their bodies are just adjusting to the enhancements to their mana." He murmured, smiling softly at me.

"O-Okay." I said, studying my friends carefully.

Suddenly the light faded and all three opened their eyes.

"Fascinating…" The Professor muttered, her eyes gleaming.

"Wow!" Colette exclaimed, fingering her new Exsphere.

Genis was silent, his head bowed.

"Genis?" I asked, worried.

"Lloyd." He said, looking up at me with eyes full of unshed tears. "I heard her voice."

"Whose?" I asked, confused.

"Marble. When I… when I attached the Exsphere, I could've sworn I heard her…" Genis muttered.

"Genis…" I said, sighing.

The Professor put a comforting hand around her brother. "I'm sure Marble would be happy that you are alive and with your friends, Genis." She said gently.

"Y-yeah." Genis said, shaking his head and managing a smile.

"So, you guys feel any different?" I asked.

"Hmm… well, it appears my mana has increased, and I believe I may have the knowledge of a few more spells." The Professor said, awe clear in her voice.

"Yeah, I feel like I could cast twice as much without breaking a sweat!" Genis said.

"Yeah! I feel really strong, too!" Colette chirped happily.

"Good, this will make our battles that much easier." Kratos said.

The Professor smiled wryly. "Yes, you're right."

Kratos nodded. "Well, now that that is taken care of… Lloyd, I believe it is time for us to train."

I groaned. "Aw, man. I was hoping you'd forget."

Kratos raised an eyebrow. "Hardly. Let's go." He said, picking up the new blades he hand bought for me and motioning toward the door.

I sighed but got up and walked to the door.

"Good luck, Lloyd!" Colette said.

"Heh, yeah. Try not to get too beat up." Genis said.

I scowled at him, but before I could say anything, the Professor told me they'd be waiting in their own rooms when I was done, making me promise to pop in to say good night before turning in myself. I grumbled a response and sulkily followed Kratos outside and around the Inn to the alley where only that morning I had fought Rix and Dee.

Kratos wordlessly offered my blades and I took them, slashing then experimentally. These felt even better than the old ones, and felt like parts of my arms instead of separate blades.

Kratos nodded and drew his blade, getting into his stance. I mirrored him, and Noishe whined from his pen.

"We will begin with simple sparring to warm up, then you will fight me with only one blade." Kratos said.

I nodded and suddenly was knocked onto my back. I blinked, looking up at the stars, confused. A purple-gloved hand appeared in front of me and I blinked again, then shook my head swiftly and gripped the hand, allowing it to pull me up onto my feet.

I dusted myself off and re-gripped my swords.

Kratos shook his head at me. "You must be more prepared, Lloyd."

"Yeah, yeah. I know." I said, shaking me head before getting back into my stance. Kratos looked me over, then resumed his earlier position in front of me.

Like before, I had no warning, but unlike before I was ready for him to charge me. Almost as soon as he took up his stance, I twirled to the left. I felt the displaced air at my side and smirked, ducking and slashing my blades around me, forcing Kratos to jump back or be sliced.

He nodded. "Good." He said, before saying, "Demon Fang." My eyes widened and I hastily jumped, managing to avoid the shockwave. I tumbled into a forward roll and pretended like that was what I had intended, getting up slashing.

"Tiger Blade!" I yelled, my left sword slashing fiercely down. Kratos easily blocked the blow and quickly delivered one of his own. "Sonic Thrust." He said. I twisted, and the sword barely missed my stomach, but as long as I didn't get stabbed, I didn't care by how much I missed it as long as it missed.

It went on like that for twenty minutes. Sweat was dripping into my eyes and had plastered my hair to my head and about my face. My breathing wasn't completely labored but it sure wasn't as calm as Kratos'. "Double Demon Fang!" I yelled, sending out double shockwaves. While my arms were still in their forward motion of the attack, Kratos dodged and circled to my side, slicing my right hand. I dropped the sword in that hand and hissed, whirling to keep him in front of me while raising the blade in my left hand.

"Excellent. You have improved. Now, let's see how you fare with one blade." Kratos said, before charging me once more.

Kratos slashed at me and I blocked the blow with my blade, but my arm shook with the effort. I was already tiring from our spar, and wasn't used to fending off attacks with only one blade – it required much more arm strength than I was used to.

My arm shook and I snarled, refusing to let Kratos beat me. I twisted and my Cruxis Crystal flashed. Suddenly, I received a burst of power and speed and managed to get my sword out from under Kratos'. He looked shocked for a split second then was attacking, more ferociously than before. I stumbled backwards, forced onto the defensive.

Kratos shook his head. "Do not let the enemy attain the upper hand. Don't stay on the defensive. Fight!"

"I'm trying!" I growled. I slashed awkwardly at him like I had done to the Desians in the base, which had allowed me to win that fight. I forgot, however, that I had been fighting an untrained Desian then and was now facing Kratos, a highly trained mercenary.

Kratos flicked his blade and mine went flying out of my hand. The tip of his blade was pointed at my neck and I lowered my head.

"Goddammit." I muttered.

"For never having fought with a single blade until this afternoon, you did better than expected. However, you have much to learn. First Aid." Kratos said. Warm light flooded me, and my hand and bruises healed as my Cruxis Crystal flashed in response to Kratos' healing magic. I grumbled, gathering my discarded weapons.

"If you are ever in the position of fighting with one blade, you must not allow the enemy to keep you on the defensive. For this reason, you will train each sword arm separately as well as together from now on. Also, once you lose your weapons completely, your chances greatly decrease of victory, but do not vanish completely. Get in close to the enemy, in order to render their weapon useless. As a last resort, fighting with your fists is not dishonorable." Kratos said.

I was glaring at him, but nodded, sighing. I knew he was right but damn, he just pretty much told me I sucked and had no idea what I was doing. I stared down at my boots, dejected.

"Lloyd." Kratos said, his voice a little warmer.

I looked up and saw something unidentifiable flash in his eyes.

"You did well today, Lloyd. I'm… proud of you." Kratos said. I blinked. Did he really just say that? Wait! Is he… smiling? No way, I got Kratos to smile! Awesome!

"Heh! Thanks, Kratos!" I said grinning from ear to ear. He was proud of me! Which means I can't be all that bad!

Still grinning, I sheathed my swords.

Kratos cleared his throat. "You should head in and get your rest. Tomorrow is a big day for you. We will be heading to the first Seal, after all."

"You guys figured out where it was?" I asked.

"Oh, yes. Professor Raine inquired in town and discovered the location of ruins nearby – we suspect that to be the location of the Fire Seal as it is within Efreet's realm while remaining inconspicuous." Kratos explained.

I scrunched up my face. "What's inconspin… inconspic…?"

"Hidden. It means hidden." Kratos said, hurriedly cutting me off.

I nodded, trying to remember the word to use later and impress the Professor.

Kratos tried but failed to hide a small smile. "Get some rest, Lloyd."

"Yeah! Good night, Kratos! Thanks again!" I said, before turning and running off into the Inn, although I did see Kratos turn to pet Noishe a bit.

I went to the Professor's and Genis' room, and found them in there along with Colette.

"Finished already?" The Professor asked.

"Yeah. It was good." I said, still with a smile.

"Wow, Lloyd. I thought you'd come in complaining for sure!" Genis said, looking shocked.

I shrugged. "Kratos isn't that bad once you get to know him. And he is helping me out by training me."

"I'm impressed, Lloyd. It seems you've grown up some." The Professor said.

"Heh. I guess!" I said, putting my hand behind my head.

"I'm glad you had fun! Sleep well, Lloyd!" Colette chirped.

"Thanks, Colette. You, too." I said.

I said good night to Genis and the Professor as well, and Colette and I left their room. I headed down the stairs and into the room I shared with Kratos. I sat down on my bed and pulled out my blades, sharpening them just as Kratos had taught me.

"It's late. What are you still doing up?" Kratos asked as he entered the room.

"I'm just taking care of my swords like you showed me." I said, grinning at him.

"Hmph. Hurry, then, and get to bed soon." Kratos said, turning his back to me as he drew his blade to give it the same treatment that mine were currently receiving.

I frowned. He seemed so much colder now. Ah, he must be embarrassed about before! Well, I'll get him out of that shell once and for all, I swear! I snorted and hurriedly finished my task, undressing and climbing into bed.

"Thanks again for today Kratos. Good night." I said, closing my eyes.

"Hmph. If you wish to see the end of this journey, you must be able to defend yourself. Training you makes my job easier." Kratos said.

I frowned again. Why was he being so cold now? "But outside, you said I did good."

"For the time, you fight adequately enough to not get yourself killed. However, you must become even stronger if you hope to survive this journey and protect your friends." Kratos answered.

Jeez, what a jerk! "Well, fine! I'll show you! I'll knock you on your butt one day, you'll see!"

Kratos snorted. "Go to sleep, Lloyd."

I was pissed. How dare he be so, so… two-faced! Fine, I'd really show him! I'd get even stronger!

"Yeah, night." I mumbled.

The last thing I heard before falling asleep was Kratos' quiet chuckle.

So, there you have it. Next time we see Lloyd, he'll be on his way to and at the very first seal - the Seal of Fire. I can't wait!

But in the meantime, what has Sheena been up to? I have a feeling she's plotting something... ;)

Next chapter is Sheena for sure! Again, who knows when I'll get the chance to write and post it, it all depends on how well my dad is doing and how far behind I fall in school work.

Thanks for reading! If you liked it, please please please review! If you didn't like it, review anyway and tell me what went wrong!

So, pretty please... Review?