Disclaimer- I don't, in any way, own Tales Of Symphonia. I beg, just don't sue me because I don't have any money and I'm not profiting from this in any way.

Chapter Nineteen: The Picture

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it. I mean, I do, but I still can hardly believe it.

Kratos told me what is probably the best story of all time and it was about my Mom, Anna Lexington. Well, I guess it would actually be Anna Aurion, but anyways, it's the greatest story ever. It's all true too, all of it, and I know there is a whole bunch more that Kratos left out, because when he talked about her, my Mom, he would get this far off look in his eyes and he looked so happy.

He also looked really sad, too.

I know it was really hard on him. I wouldn't have blamed him if he didn't tell me, but I really appreciated it.

I didn't know my Mom was like that. I mean, I already felt that she was a great person. No, I knew she was a great person because I tried to be the best I could be so I could always make her proud, especially when I found out that I wore her Exsphere, her last remnant that was always with me. I wanted to show my Mom that I grew up to be a strong man, even if I'm not the smartest. I know I'm pretty far from it in fact. But anyways, I always thought Mom would have been this gentle, quiet person, kind of like Kratos, without the stupid arrogance though. I thought that she would be really sweet and small, you know? Like, something that someone just had to protect.

Well, I was right about the wanting to protect part, but I didn't know that she was so much like…me. Kratos explained what she looked like and what her personality was like and I can see now that I am indeed their son, an almost perfect mix of the two greatest fighters that ever lived, besides me, of course.

She was so vibrant.

She wasn't stupid, but she wasn't really smart like Kratos.

She wanted to help everyone and always did her best.

The way Kratos makes her out to be, she was probably the strongest and most beautiful woman of all time. The way he talks about her, I really wish she was still alive. She sounds like she was just so much fun, like we'd get along as if we were the oldest and best friends in the whole wide world. The way he talks about her, it makes me really miss her, even though I never got to meet her. Well, I mean I know I met her and she raised me for a few years but I wish I had met her to where I remembered it and…yeah. You know what I mean.

Kratos gave me a picture. It was a regular-sized one of the four of us: Kratos, Mom, me, and Noishe. I was one or something like that at the time. I think that's what he told me. Kratos looks happier, younger actually. There isn't any tiredness in his eyes and it's as if there is a light within him. He has a look full of pride in it, pride of his wife and new son he told me. He stands tall, not arrogantly, but tall because of his happiness that he's experiencing. It's a side of Kratos I've never seen and I wouldn't mind to see it again, 'cause in the picture, he doesn't hide behind his hair. He looks at the world with no sadness or shame at all. Noishe looks the same as always, maybe with a little more courage than he's got nowadays, anyways. There is me, of course. I look like a dork. My eyes are big as saucers and my ears are way too big for my head. And what's with that weird hairdo they gave me? I mean, come on!

Mom is so pretty.

No, she's gorgeous. She's incredible.

What man didn't fall in love with her?

She's taller than I would have thought.

Her skin is tan from traveling. Her long brown hair is all curly, kind of wild, and it falls down her shoulders and gathers at her waist. She's dressed in a pretty green sundress that Kratos mentioned shows off every curve of her body perfectly. I didn't really pay attention to that part, but if I was weird or like Zelos, I guess I would have noticed that. No, the one thing I definitely notice, that stands out above all else, is her eyes. They're such a striking shade of green and they're full of laughter.

Full of love.

Full of joy.

They're full of joy at the family she's made, made with Kratos.

My Dad.

Seeing that picture makes me happy, but it makes me really sad too.

It makes me miss my Mom.

I know I said that already. I know I have. I'm repeating myself, but I can't help it. I miss my Mom. I want to see her again. I want to have her hold me and tell me that she loves me.

I want to make Kratos, my Dad happy.

He deserves it. After all the pain and fighting he's gone through, the gods should grant him happiness at least one more time.

Kratos told the greatest story of all time.

I would never have thought that my Mom threw temper tantrums, or broke someone's arm, or even talked to Noishe and yell at Kratos for calling him a "Thing." I didn't know that I inherited her fighting style, or that while she loved traveling, she always loved to be around people and help them and make them smile.

I didn't know my mom was so fantastic.

Now I do.

It's all thanks to Kratos Aurion.

I'm thankful to hear the tale.

He told the greatest story of all time, and it was the perfect song, the perfect requiem, to celebrate her life…

Mom…

End Chapter

Author's Notes- Um, wow. I started typing and, well, wow. I thought I'd add this and give what Lloyd thought about it. It's such a great story, after all, right? It also gives it a chance to put it back on top for new people to read, and for old fans too, as well. I hope you all didn't disappear because I'd love to know what everyone thought. Years later and I still love this series, seeing as I am excitedly awaiting the sequel coming to the Wii! Squeals So cool! Well, anywho, I'd really appreciate some C&C, considering I wrote this in the middle of the night out of the blue. To all previous reviewers…wow. Thank you so much for helping me hit 100 reviews and I tell you what, I've tried to reply to as many of you as possible because you're all so important to me. Thank you so much for helping me by giving me great feedback when I needed it most. Love you all!

Till next time.

Ciao.