Listening to Rubik's Cube by Athlete. Amazing song. So it's been a while. I was thinking long and hard about how this chapter needed to go, but I managed to work it out. It's been pretty hectic lately. University is coming to a close and soon it will be summer. Time seems to be going by so fast. Hard to believe it. Anyway, thanks to everyone still reading and those who review. Always look forward to seeing them. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.

Chapter 53:

"I grow tired of this game. Where have they gone?"

He ran a hand over his hair, smoothing, leaning back against the plush catch, arms stretching back against the headrest. He regarded the intruder lazily, but with careful scrutiny.

"It's not my problem the woman failed. No one knows where they went. They just up and left, middle of the night type thing, you know? You got the information last time, it's not my fault it was spoiled."

"How did you get to this world, hmm? I don't recall ever allowing you access."

He flashed a steely smile, laying his head back and closing his eyes. "Being a backstabber has perks, you know? Decided to get away from the city life, give the country life a try, explore new lands and perhaps their women."

"Disgusting man."

He chuckled, lifting his head to watch the shadowed figure. Something about the response seemed so child-like. It didn't have the same ring to it like when Sheena would berate him. No, this was a child response to an adult point of view. How interesting...

"And where is the woman? The Summoner. I believe Pronyma warned you about what would happen if she continued making the pacts."

"We split ways. Was pretty chaotic back there in Luin, you know? Everyone screaming and running around and getting killed. Everyone seemed to head off in different directions. Not that it matters to me, I do enjoy my privacy after all."

"Then how do you explain all the women clothing laying around."

He threw his head back laughing, once more smoothing the thick hair back with his hand. "Come now, Yggdrasill. Do you really think I'd spend my nights alone while I'm here? No title, no responsibility, and cities full of women ripe for the taking. Why wouldn't there be women's clothing laying around?"

It did the trick. The half-elf narrowed his eyes and tensed uncomfortably, jaded eyes roaming the room. The darkness hid the angel Lord well, but a nerve had been struck.

"You are not free from responsibility. I want you to find them. Any of them and when you do, send me a signal immediately. You are here under luxury and opportunity, Chosen. If anything were otherwise, I would have you returned to Tethe'alla immediately. Are we clear?"

"Crystal."

Then he was gone.

Zelos closed his eyes, slipping his arms off the headrest, folding them back in to cradle his face as he hunched forward. He released a heavy breath, feeling his heartbeat in his ears and the drumming of blood painful, a dull throb in his head.

It had been an unexpected and unwelcomed visit and one he had dreaded for nights. They should have moved on. But vain hope had slowed them, deterred them to the point where they thought perhaps one night more, one night extra to rest and relax.

Her light footsteps caught his attention, but he didn't raise his head, not trusting himself to look at her. The light from the bedroom filtered into the hallway, pushing her shadow ahead of her as she slipped into the den.

"Zelos? I heard voices. Was someone here?" she called out sleepily.

He smiled wistfully and lowered his hands between his knees, turning his head slightly to the right. She stepped around the corner, dressed in an oversized shirt-one of his most likely. Her hair was loose, puffed about her head in messy disarray. She blinked at him, clearing her eyes.

He achingly pushed off the couch, thankful for his restless night that had led him to it in the first place. Slowly making his way over to her, she looked up at him, a frown creasing her pretty face.

"Zelos?"

He turned her, slipping his arms about her waist, nesting his face against her shoulder and neck, closing his eyes. She didn't resist him. One of her hands, rose touching his cheek as she twisted her face to look at him. "What's gotten into you?

"Couldn't sleep. Wasn't talking to myself. Did I wake you?"

"Apparently so. It didn't sound like a one-sided conversation." Her skepticism evident in her tone.

"Hum..." he muttered, kissing her neck gently. "You look good. You should wear this more often."

She leaned her head, scoffing at his comment, but shivering at his tiny kisses. "It was the first thing I grabbed. It's so damn hot in this desert. Why do the Renegades have to build their base in the desert?"

"You didn't have to dress for me. I don't mind seeing you in less-"

"I told you I thought someone else was here." She cut him off quickly, the heat rising in her cheeks. Her tone lowered though. "You aren't seeing other women are you? Be honest with me, Zelos."

"I'm not," he said easily, kissing her neck again, embracing her tighter.

She didn't respond, her arms wrapping about his, leaning back against him. He nearly doze off, standing there with her in his arms when her voice brought him back. "You think anyone noticed it?"

"Noticed what, Babe?" he murmured, not bothering to open his eyes.

"The earthquake. It was larger than the first one."

"Probably."

"Was it really a good idea? To continue making the pacts? Lloyd told us to stop..."

"He also took off without a word to anyone."

She hesitated, fidgeting in his grip. "You knew what happened. Can you really blame him, Zelos? I mean, they almost got her-"

"So he ditches the rest of us to take the heat from Cruxis? You, the Sages, even the old dwarf. He just ups and leaves without a word or warning. At least not to anyone but his old man and even he doesn't know where he went off to. Sorry if I'm not exactly sympathetic."

"Of course I'm upset about it, but he was just trying to protect them." She sighed, shifting in his grip once more. "Let go, it's too hot in this inn to hug like this."

He nuzzled her neck again, but didn't let go. "Do you want to stop making the pacts?"

"I don't know. I'm just worried that'll it draw Cruxis' attention. But I feel useless, sitting here. During this past year we only made the pact with Celsius and Efreet. That still leaves us with three summon spirits. And you remember, what they said the last time? The links are being severed. We still don't know what that means, or what will happen afterward. I'd feel more comfortable about it if Lloyd was here..."

"What makes you think he'd know anymore than we do? I'd say ask Yuan about it. He's the one pressuring you to get it done after all."

"I don't trust him still. Even if Raine does, I don't. He's too shady and I know you agree with me."

He chuckled, lifting his head. "So attentive."

"Don't mock me." She wriggled, freeing herself from his grip. Crossing her arms, she sighed, leaning against the wall, staring into the dim candlelight coming from the bedroom. "Maybe Lloyd has the right idea. Running and hiding, just living a simple life away from all this mess."

"Babe, we don't even know if they are hiding. Maybe Cruxis already scooped them up. No one's heard from them since they left. I wouldn't get my hopes up."

"You're such a pessimist," she scowled.

"I prefer realist. Listen, Sheena. If you really want to abandon it all, by all means, I'm for it. But if we are going to do it, we have to do it right. Leave everything in the past and cut all ties."

Her hazel eyes locked onto him, a crease in her brow. "What about your sister?"

He stepped back to the opposite wall, leaning on it and then forward slightly, hands in his pockets. "What about her?"

"Zelos, I know you don't-"

"Listen, she's safe in the Abbey. Not as if I can change anything about her life right now as it is. Heck, if I suddenly vanished for a long period of time, maybe she'd gain my title and be free."

"You don't mean that."

He regarded her carefully, suddenly wary of the hazel eyes on him. He pushed of the wall, making his way back to the bedroom. "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. I'm not a fortune teller."

"Zelos, don't walk away-"

"We should get some sleep. Move out tomorrow. Don't like sitting in one place too long, you know? Besides, this place isn't exactly my idea of first class. My hair is so full of sand it feels gritty. What you say we make for Palmacosta? Heard it's the Meltokio of this slum world."

She didn't respond. He lay on the bed, facing the wall and he felt her get in beside him. The puff of her breath blew out the candle and the room fell into darkness. She wriggled in close to him, slipping her arm loosely around his waist and sighed.

He caught her hand gently, rubbing a thumb against the smooth skin.

"I won't make you run away, Zelos. I'm sorry."

He closed his eyes at the cruel irony of her words.


They had been on their way back from the docks, arms laden with fresh fish and supplies. Genis' face was flushed with the chilled damp sea air, making his angular cheeks glow pink. His long hair was fastened back, but loose strands were tugging free.

He was chatting about his studies, waving one arm around as he explained one theory or another, but her attention was elsewhere. She slowed in her walk, clutching the packages anxiously as she watched the small figure draw back behind one of the buildings. She caught Genis' arm, her eyes not leaving the shadowed figure.

"We're being watched."

Genis stiffened a bit, his eyes tracking her own gaze until he spotted the figure. He hesitated, glancing about before leaning towards her. "I think it's just one."

She tilted her head a bit. "I think it's a child."

Whether Genis was surprised by her deduction, Presea didn't know. Regardless she stepped forward, ignoring his hissing warning, clutching her packages, but shifting the weight to one arm, leaving a hand free to reach her small dagger if needed.

The small figure seemed to draw back, hunched , but the alley was nothing but a niche between buildings with nowhere to withdraw to.

Large blue eyes met her own and she relaxed slightly, offering a small smile. "Hello."

The figure was a young boy, only in his early teens. Thin and dirty from the dusty alley, he didn't respond, but only regarded her warily, casting a glance behind her as Genis' tall form entered view.

"Who is it?"

"A boy. He's frightened."

Presea drew back a bit as Genis peered past her, then noticed his mouth splitting into a large grin. "Hey now. No need to be frightened. Kinsmen."

She frowned at that single word and the way it excluded her from Genis, but the boy's reaction excused the uncomfortable feeling it brought. The boy's entire body seemed to relax, relief flooding the wide eyes.

"Kinsmen..." he nodded softly.

She watched the boy carefully from across the room. They had brought him with them to the small dorm they shared at the university. She wondered briefly how long they would be able to shelter the boy here before the superiors noticed an extra person, even with Genis' standing at the school. Still, it was good to see Genis smile again and laugh. He used to do that a lot more.

"No, no. Like this. One, two, one two...You see?"

The old kendama had been dug out of the bottom of a pack and found its way into the young half-elf's hand. The ball bobbed back and forth in the awkward hand, attentive blue eyes watching the ball as it bounced off the flat edges.

"There you go! I think you got it! Lloyd never could, no matter how hard he tried." Genis grinned, leaning back into his chair.

The boy only smiled. Tentative and shy. Though she supposed that he was still young. But there was something very old about him that Presea couldn't quite grasp. She knew, that half-elves struggled much in both worlds. Perhaps it had something to do with his experiences. After all, she was very much the same.

"So, Mithos. Where are you from originally?" Genis reached behind him to the table, grabbing the basket of muffins, offering one to the young boy.

He took one slowly, looking at it silently, turning it with his slender fingers. "No where really."

Presea recognized the pity that crossed Genis' face. She shifted carefully on the chair, the book she had been reading abandoned on her lap as she studied the two half-elves.

"Moved around a lot, huh? My sister and I did that a lot too, when I was younger. I don't remember very much of it, but we ended up making a home in Iselia for a few years. Posed as elves you know? We got lucky."

"You have a sister?" The eyes lifted, the voice soft, but filled with curiosity.

"Yeah. Raine. She was the schoolteacher there. But we left, when the Regeneration Journey started. That was a long time ago."

"You went on the Journey of Regeneration? Wow! What was it like?!"

A shadow seemed to cross across Genis' features. Presea considered speaking up, but she did not wish to interfere. Something she had learned over time was how similar Genis and Lloyd were when it came to the past. As time went on, the past seemed pushed further and further away and to recall it, brought many unwanted memories.

"We...got to travel a lot. Saw a lot of places. It was pretty dangerous though and exciting at times..."

"She failed it. The Chosen. She ran away." The words flowed out smoothly, contrasting heavily with the innocent casual tone the young blond spoke with. Presea almost considered it mocking, but had to remind herself that this boy was removed from the situation. Genis and herself were among the few that new the truth of the worlds. It was unfair to frown upon other's reactions as cold as they may seem.

"It was complicated." Genis answered after awhile and then settled into silence. He seemed lost in thought and Presea wished he would smile again.

"Do you have any family, Mithos?" She spoke suddenly, making the young boy flinch at her soft, yet firm tone. Both young half-elves glanced in her direction where she observed from her seat. He seemed to frown, but it was but a shadow of emotion before he nodded.

"I have a sister. But she's not here." His eyes lowered to the kendama still in his hands, turning it slowly. "I miss her."

Genis' smile returned, but it was soft. A smile of understanding and connection. "Yeah, my sister is somewhere else too. It's hard to be away from your family."

"Why would you let her leave?"

The question caught him off guard and Genis rubbed his neck, smiling weakly. "Well, I mean , I'm old enough to be on my own now. And I have Presea with me. She keeps me company and, well, looks after me when I'm absentminded." He glanced up at her, smiling, then looked back at the boy. "I still miss my sister, but we have different things to do now. I'm trying to get through school here and she's...well...off doing her thing."

"What sort of things?" Mithos pressed, tilting his head.

"Oh probably looking at some old ruin or something. She's crazy about that sort of stuff."

"But do you know where she is? What if she gets hurt-"

"She knows how to handle herself. And she has friends, if she needs to call on someone. And she writes from time to time, to let me know how things are going."

Mithos smiled gently. "That must be nice. Do you have a lot of friends too?"

Genis smiled weakly. "Yeah, something like that. We haven't seen each other for a while. Gets harder...when you grow up, you know? You sort of lose touch with one another."

The young boy's face turned down, a shadow of frown crossing the pale features. "Yes...I suppose you are right. You drift apart and don't really know one another anymore."

"Yeah..." Genis nodded. "So...where is your sister? Are you trying to get back to her?"

This time he smiled. Youthful determination erasing the shadow of resentment that seemed to have crossed the boy's face. Presea found it amazing how quickly the boy's emotions seemed to flow from one to the other. She almost felt envy for how easily Mithos made it out to be.

"Yeah. I'm going to bring her back, to stay with me. We'll get to be a family again, just me and her."

"Well you are welcomed to stay here, for as long as you need. Maybe there is a way we can help you locate her, make things easier for you. But right now, I think we need to go get something to eat." Genis grinned, rising to his feet. "What do you say Mithos, should we go see what's down in the cafeteria?"

Mithos flashed a smile in return, pushing up. "Sure!"

Genis nodded, then looked to over as Mithos started for the door. "What about you, Presea? You going to come?"

"Perhaps in a minute." She smiled softly. "I'll meet you boys down there."

Genis nodded, then slipped from the room, Mithos voice already floating through the hallways, asking questions of a sort.

Presea watched the door shut with a click before closing the book gently, setting it on the coffee table. There was something odd about the boy that made her feel uncomfortable. She couldn't explain the feeling exactly, but it made her uneasy, sitting in the same room as her.

She knew it wasn't about his race. After all, Genis was a half-elf, as was Raine. So she wondered what exactly the source of her discomfort was.

His eyes...

She stood slowly, moving about the room and fixing the mess the boys had left. She lifted the small kendama and gently set it upon the table, looking back towards the closed door.

The boy's eyes were too old, and while she tried to reason that experience aged one beyond their years, nothing about the boy's demeanour shared that. He seemed untouched, preserved in this perfect form of youth. She had not seen scars on his face or arms. The moments came, instead, from the flash of anger, pain, and resentment seen only in the shadows of the face.

Genis was never as perceptive to notice, or perhaps he did and he was keeping it to himself just as she was. Those flicker of emotions were the same ones she saw upon Lloyd's face in the earlier days when he trusted no one. The way he looked at her that night in the rain and she threatened him...and the nights when the past was drifting towards the surface and he forced it back into the depths. She had to wonder then, what his boy had seen, had experienced, to give him such an old look.

She shook her head with a sigh and slipped out of the room, joining the boys in the cafeteria.


It had all past in the blink of an eye. The tottering steps of their son seemed to carrying the three of them forward through time fast. Too fast...

His first word nothing more than a babbling sound that Colette interrupted as a word. Now streams of sounds seemed to flow from the tooth-peeking mouth, urged on by her laughter and smiles. The giggles of laughter and little hands hiding eyes in a game of peek-a-boo, but only to look through the splayed fingers to make sure Da was watching. Long nights of looking over the edge of the crib, a finger rubbing swollen, teething gums. Nights of silence and Colette cuddled at his side, no need to talk, but enjoying the feeling of contact between their bodies, her face nestled against his neck. How he wished those days would last...

But they had felt it. The shaking of ground, the cracks in the mortar and streets, the waves washing up from the ocean, digging foamy fingers into the beach and raking everything back in. And then it was gone, like a drifting thought simply passing through the mind. He had wanted to believe that's what it was. He wanted to return to the world of bubble baths and yellow ducks, of clingy hands in hair and sloppy kisses before bed. He wanted to shut the door and return to that life.

"Are you sure you want to leave? It's by no means a burden."

Lloyd raised his gaze from the carpeted floor, his hands limp between his knees. He drew back against the plush chair, straightening his gaze on the elder man.

"It's a burden of another kind that's forcing my hand."

"Yes, of course." Regal folded his hands, resting his elbows on the desk. "You'll be taking your family with you?"

"Yes."

Another nod. Regal pressed his forehead to his hands before sighing and leaning back rubbing his wrists habitually. "I must admit, I am concerned about that earthquake. I'll assume that is the cause of your departure?"

It was, but it wasn't. He wasn't sure if the earthquake was even related. Yet, regardless, it had forced his little world to crack. It had been a year. A year of escaping the past and the future, a year of living in the present and enjoying every minute. He didn't want to leave, but he simply couldn't stay.

"I think it's related to the summon spirit pacts." He gazed beyond the President, out the large window that displayed the endless ocean and sky.

"Ah, yes. I looked into your request, from earlier and managed to come upon some old records about research of a light that can penetrate the Temple of Darkness. You'd have to get in contact with the Research Laboratory in Meltokio, but I'll give you a letter with my seal to aid in your request should you have trouble acquiring the item."

He nodded absently, trying to focus on the horizon line that divided sky and water, but the light stung his eyes and he finally brought them back within the room. He blinked, trying to clear the darkness that blinded him.

"How soon are you planning to leave Altamira? I'll have supplies provided for your return to Sylvarant."

"Within a few days. And we are grateful, for everything you have done for us." Lloyd met the man's eyes. It seemed he had aged even more since the last time they crossed paths. The gray streaked his temples and the lines along his eyes seemed deeper. When Lloyd had first sought the Duke out, cashing in his favor, he had hardly recognized the ex-convict. Hair smoothed and fastened back and a nobleman's suit hiding the solidly built man beneath. Though, if he had to guess, the businessman had become slighter. He was a man settling back into the years before retirement, though Lloyd knew Regal was nowhere near doing so. But the fight was gone from the President's eyes and instead, struggling to ease the his haunting past.

"I will keep the home available to you. You can keep a key, should you need the place again. I will miss your company." A tired smile offered gratitude. "It has been an aid, to have someone to talk to that understands the situation."

"It is the least I could offer in exchange for everything you have done."

"Yes well. Alicia, as well as I, both offer our blessing in your return to Sylvarant and whatever struggles you will come to face."

"Thank you." Lloyd nodded and rose from the chair. He gave the Duke the time of his departure and left the building. He made his way through the crowded streets, feeling the heat of the sun on his neck. He rubbed it as he made his way down the sandy steps to the beach. They were off to one side, sitting in the shallows of the water. Colette was leaning over their son, cooing into his ear as he tapped and splashed at the water, giggling whenever the baby splashed himself.

"He seems better today. Did he fuss?"

Colette looked up, smiling radiantly. "Only a little at first. I think he found it cold."

Lloyd smiled gently and seated himself in the dry sand, watching them. Leon had caught hold of one of his mother's braids, gripping it as he stared wide-eyed into the shifting moving water. Her gurgled at it, talking in his own baby way.

He hated to ruin this image. They were both happy, smiling and he was about to take it away from them. He had considered leaving them here. Where it was safe, but he knew Colette wouldn't allow for it. They had whispered about it, arguing into the late hours of the morning ever since ground shook.

"Wherever you are, I'm going with you." Were her final words.

He hadn't the heart to argue with her about it after that.

Leon's eyes rose from the water, as if finally sensing his presence. A toothy grin and bouncing arms greeted Lloyd. Arms out stretched, Leon called to him, "Da!"

Lloyd smiled and moved onto the wet sand, the waves lapping at his boots as he held out his hand for Leon to grab.

"I'm here, son."

"Da," giggled happily, his little hand firmly gripping his father's finger.

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