Listening to Let it Burn by Red. So hello everyone. I am still alive, apparently. Sorry for the extremely long delay in updating anything. I've been completely consumed by my work, at a job that causes me so much stress I'm ready to quit. Which is the main reason I haven't been able to update anything. Again I'm so sorry, but I haven't given up on my stories. I still have plans for them and I will continue them, even if it takes me time. Thank you all for your reviews, your favoriting and following. It means so much and it motivates me to write a little bit more each time I see one. Thank you for your patience and sticking with the story! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.

Chapter 56:

"So there are only two left."

"Indeed."

"You don't seem very pleased about that aspect. Once the last two pacts are made, Yggdrasill will have lost control over the great seed. The Mana Cannon that Kvar and Rodyle had been building is complete. Fortunately, the damn fools didn't actually put it to use. Once the seed has been exposed, we'll germinate it and the tree will be planted and Martel gone."

"Are you sure that is what you want?"

"You know it is."

Kratos nodded, but said nothing. Yuan scanned his friend's face carefully, looking for any emotion that may betray his real thoughts about that matter. Was he thinking of Anna? Was Kratos thinking that he was a fool not to try again? Maybe he was, but it had been too long now. He was tired and he knew Martel would be too. To exist all these years as a inanimate being, lingering somewhere between life and death with her insane brother terrorizing in her name...

"It has to end."

Kratos nodded again in silence and Yuan collected himself quickly, looking over the information he had gathered from Derris Kharlan's database at Kratos' behest.

"Something is wrong."

"What do you mean?" Yuan frowned, trying to move closer, to push Kratos aside, but the older man didn't budge, hands placed upon either side of the paper as he looked down upon it.

"I don't think it will work. It's hard to know for certain, but-"

"There it is. Your speculation. Go back to your little cottage, Grandpa. That kid has addled your brains and made you soft."

Kratos looked up sharply and glared and Yuan used the opportunity to swipe the paper walking back to his desk as he did so. Slipping on his glasses, he took a seat, scanning the page. "I don't see why it won't work. It's doing exactly what we planned it to."

Kratos looked at him frowning and then aside, thinking. "No, there is some information about the stability of the seed that is wrong. I need to access the database myself and-"

"And how exactly do you plan to do that? Waltz right into Derris Kharlan and take a look?"

Kratos frowned, glaring at him once more. "Then you need to double check it. The stability increases in variance with each-"

"I'll double check it. Alright? Calm down. They still need to release the seals first. We have time." Yuan sighed, removing his glasses and rubbing his face. "The problem isn't the seed anyway. It's Yggdrasill."

"What about him?"

"Don't you find it a little odd? Both you and Lloyd betrayed him and aside from that little Desian attack on Luin by Pronyma, he hasn't done anything."

"He is waiting."

Yuan frowned, leaning forward a bit. "For what? For us to get more power? A trap?"

"For me."

Yuan frowned, leaning back. "It has to be done you know. We went over this."

Kratos frowned.

Yuan sighed. "Look, again, we have time. Go back to your grandson, Kratos. Spend time with him. Do what you need to do to distract yourself. Leave the worrying to me. If need be, I'll do it myself and make it quick."

"You won't." He spoke flatly and moved out of the room without a backwards look.

Yuan narrowed his eyes and set his glasses upon the desk. He looked back down at the paper and then once more at the closing door before rubbing his face, sighing heavily. "Damn him."


"Colette? Are you alright? You look a little stiff."

Colette turned carefully towards her father, offering a weak smile. "Just slept wrong, Father, that's all. Want sugar in your tea?"

"No dear." He smiled as she set the mug down, taking a small sip, but watching her carefully. She tried to ignore the look.

"Are you sure you are alright. Did you hurt your neck? Maybe you should ask Miss Sage to look at it."

"I'm fine, Father. Really. Just a little stiff but it'll be better by this afternoon. And Raine is still travelling I think. That's what Sheena said."

"Oh yes that's right. With her Genis, wasn't it? He's living in Palmacosta now. That's probably where she is. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to head to that city. You and Lloyd. Have you and little Leon have a check up with a proper doctor-"

"Father." Colette smiled, placing a hand over his. "We're fine."

He sighed, rubbing her hand, offering smile. "I'm sorry, Colette. I just...okay, I'll leave it alone."

Colette smiled and sat back, lifting her cup carefully, ignoring the twinge in her shoulder. "You said Lloyd left this morning? Did he say where he was going?"

Frank nodded, buttering a piece of bread. "He said he wanted to see Dirk and let him know he is back. He is a good man, despite what happened over those years he was gone. He's still protecting you and his friends and family like he protected you that day the oracle appeared. I will be honest, in the beginning, when he killed those angels, or I heard he had, I was worried. But I see how happy you are, and I see how he is with his son...He's a good man."

"Yes...he is." Colette smiled nodding.

Suddenly, a soft voice called out from the back room.

'Mommy'.

Colette started to turn but gasped as a sharp pain shot through her neck and down her spin and she touched it gently, grimacing.

Frank was already on his feet, missing the reaction and heading to the door, calling back to her. "Never you mind, sit and drink your tea and have something to eat. I can get him. I don't mind at all."

"Thank you." Colette responded and frowned, slowly turning back towards the table. She stared down at her tea.

"I just didn't want anyone to worry."

She watched the liquid ripple off the side of the glass, widening with each ripple."What's happening to you?"

"I don't know..." The mug warming her hands as she wrapped them tightly about it. The water trembling with her body.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize what was going on at all. I'm sorry." She started to raise it to drink, then stopped, lowering it again slowly.

"... we're all on this trip together and I want it to be fun. So I don't want you to worry about it either, okay?" She shuddered eyes closed, fighting the tears that stung her eyes.

She blinked them away quickly as Frank came back, Leon wriggling. "Mommy!"

"You're so stupid..."

"Hi Leon!" She force a smile, taking him into her lap, wrapping her arms around him as he tilted his head up to smile back at her.

"Food!"

Colette smiled. "My big boy. Are you hungry?"

"Ya!"

"Okay, we'll have some breakfast and then we'll go out and play in the garden, okay?"

"Okay! I wuv you, Mommy!"

"I love you too, Leon."

"I'm sorry..."


"What were ya thinking, boy?! Running off to nowhere without so much as a word."

"It was necessary-"

"Just as a punch to ya face right now will be necessary if ya keep up that kind of thinking." Dirk scowled up at his son, Lloyd towering over the stout dwarf, but hardly intimidating him with his size. If anything Lloyd couldn't bring himself to look his foster-father in the eye.

"Ya have friends and family all around ya. We can help protect ya. Much safer than running off on ya own with a new baby."

"They almost died!" Lloyd snapped, finally looking at the dwarf. Dirk fell silent regarding his son carefully, his bushy eyebrows moving together in a frown, his mouth tight behind his beard. Lloyd turned his face away again, taking a deep breath.

"I made a choice. And I don't regret it. I kept them safe. Leon is older now and Colette... Colette needed to have a break. She needed to rest and just...

"Forget?"

Lloyd glanced at him.

"That's what ya'll did, wasn't it?" Dirk met his gaze. "Ya went away and forgot about everything."

"Is that wrong?" Lloyd demanded. "Is it wrong to just... want to get away. To escape from Cruxis and keep my family safe?!" He clenched his hands, staring off into the forest.

"She was happy, Dad. Colette. She was smiling and laughing again. Not just her fake ones. And Leon...I got to watch him grow up. To watch him sleep and play and talk to us. Is it wrong that I wanted that, that I wanted to forget..."

He sighed heavily, brushing hair back. "You don't have to answer that...I'm sorry. I just... I know he needs to be stopped. I know Yggdrasill won't stop...but when they almost died. When I almost lost them I just...nothing else mattered. I suppose that is a bit selfish on my part. But they were my priority. I wasn't going to make that mistake..."

Dirk remained silent and Lloyd could feel his eyes on him. He continued to stare off, not seeing his surroundings before giving one more heavy sigh.

"But I came back."

"Aye. You did and I'm glad for it. But ya can't run and hide from it, Lloyd. Any of this, as much as we all may want to. It'll come back in some shape or form and it'll catch ya unprepared."

Dirk didn't have to say it for Lloyd to know he was talking about Kratos. It was the same thought that had crossed his mine nearly every night, when Leon would be sleeping in his crib and Colette laying beside him in the bed. A false sense of security veiling them from the reality beyond their little home.

"I understand. We won't leave again. Not like that." He took another breath, kneeling down to bring himself closer to the dwarf's level. "I'm sorry, Dad, for worrying you."

"Aye. It was probably the right decision, but as long as ya acknowledge it's not the only one." His face crinkled up as he grinned, slapping a hefty hand upon Lloyd's back, making him cough a bit from the swing. "Now where are ya hiding my little grandson. The lad won't recognize me anymore!"

Lloyd smiled weakly. "He's with Colette right now, staying with Frank-"

"Frank! What ya have them staying there for? Why ya didn't bring them here to stay?" Dirk huffed.

"Well you live in a hole under the ground-"

"And so did ya for the first year ya stayed with me. And ya did just fine. Leon needs to crawl around some dirt, eat a bit of it. It'll make him strong and healthy! Just like his father!" Dirk paused, looking thoughtful. "The boy can eat now, right? Got some teeth in that mouth of his. Maybe I should make up so stew, Dwarven Potluck Surprise of course. Get some meat on that boy. Hardy him up."

Lloyd's eyes widen. "Dwarven Potluck-Dad wait-"

"It was always your favorite! Can't wait until that boy finds his first screw. Ya should have seen your face when you spat it back out on your spoon. Ya eyes were as round as saucers they were." Dirk guffawed and quickly opened his door, slipping down surprisingly quick for his size. "Ya hold on up there. I'll just get my supplies and we can head on too Iselia together."

Lloyd sighed, rubbing his face.


"He makes me uncomfortable."

"In what way. Perhaps you are just overly paranoid, not that there is anything wrong with that now a days." Yuan frowned.

"I'm not paranoid. It's the questions he asks. About us. About Lloyd and his family in particular. He doesn't act like a child should-"

"What questions?" Yuan frowned. "What did you say this kid's name was again?"

"Mithos. And just...questions. Asking if Genis knows where they are and where he may be. But for the most part, it seems innocent enough. Genis has grown quite attached to the boy. But even Presea doesn't trust him. I don't trust him."

"Yet you left them alone with this boy." Yuan frowned pacing before turning to look at her. "If I saw him, I would know. From the description you gave me however...But why would he do that. Why would he risk exposing himself? Why not just an outright attack on you."

"You sound almost disappointed." Raine huffed folding her arms. "If anything, this puts us at the advantage."

"Yet you said your brother trusts him." Yuan countered bluntly.

Raine tightened her mouth, frowning deeply. It was true that Genis was deeply attached to the young boy. Ever since his friendship with Lloyd had been shaken up...well, he didn't need another betrayal.

"Play along. But don't tell your brother."

"Excuse me," She looked up angrily. "I'm not going to lie to Genis-"

"You will. Because it is necessary." His tone softened with a sigh. "Raine think about it. You can't fake a friendship. Kratos and I both tried with him and look where we are. Your brother is ignorant. His reactions and emotions will keep Yggdrasill confident until we can decide how to deal with it."

"And let me brother be betrayed again. No."

"Raine-"

"Is that really all we are to you? Just pawns in a little game amongst the angels. Everyone of you, even Lloyd at times, treat us that way. Use us when it is convenient." Raine turned her back to him, grabbing her staff propped against the chair. "Well I'm done with it-"

She felt him grab her arm suddenly, pulling her hand away from the staff and letting it roll and clatter to the ground. He pulled her back towards him.

"Really. That is the reaction and argument you will throw at me?" He smirked at the annoyed look she gave him.

"Then prove it. You've used me this entire time. I've been your little spy, eavesdropper, gathered your information while you sat on your ass and did nothing. You didn't even tell me about my student-!"

To her irritation he continued to smirk, gripping her arm firmly as he studied her. "And it has been fully appreciated-"

"Like hell it has. I'm through, Yuan. Go find someone else to do your dirty work. Or maybe for once get your own hands dirty and-"

"Raine."

She stopped, her face flushed in angry frustration and betrayal. Her pride made her turn her face from him. Part of her wishing he'd let her go so she could just walk right out the door. A part of her didn't. A part of her thought back to those late nights she'd come by the base and stayed. She had stayed too many times. Been a fool.

He remained silent, his smirk faded, but instead replaced with a sad wistful look.

"You are thinking about her again. Aren't you?"

"No."

She frowned, trying to determine if he was lying.

"Then what?"

"Are you really going to leave. Are you really finished with me, Raine." He suddenly released her and straightened, walking away from her to the door on the back of his office. The room she was more than familiar with. Her cheeks burned with annoyance and anger. But he stopped at the door, looking back at her, holding the door open for her.

"Do you think I'll just leap into your arms. Think that you have the power to charm me into forgetting this?"

"No. I'm saying you can quit your job, but that doesn't mean you have to quit 'us'."

She stared at him for a long moment, her anger dissipating a bit. "If I stay, do you promise to talk about this more later?"

"Yes." But the glint in his eyes showed his claim of victory. She felt he anger surge slightly, her face heat but walked towards him strongly.

It was what made him attractive. His mind, his word games and the ability to twist the situation around to suit him. He challenged her, and she him. And she would. She wouldn't let him win this. She would regain her control and put him in his place.

As she passed him to enter the room, he slowly followed, placing a hand on the low of her back and closed the door behind him.


"Ya have had him more than long enough. It's mah turn to watch the little tot."

"He's fine where he is Dirk. If we move him, he'll just get riled up again. Besides, he's playing shy with you."

"Nonsense. He just hasn't remembered me yet." Dirk stepped forward, holding out his hands.

Leon stared up at him from Frank's lap, his brown eyes widening with every step closer the dwarf came. His bottom lip trembling slightly before shutting his eyes and blurting,

"Bear! Mommy! Bear!"

Dirk guffawed loudly and quickly scooped Leon from Frank's startled arms and hoisted the boy into the air. Leon's eyes popped open and his mouth widening. The feeling of rising up startling the lad, but not with complete fear. the couple of tears on his cheeks glistened as he stared down at his dwarven grandfather, the big bushy beard flashing a bright smile.

"Just like his daddy! I ain't no bear, Leon! Just a big fuzzy dwarf. I'm grandpa Dirk. Ya will remember me in time!"

Leon sniffled as he was lowered down, cradled in the engulfing arms of the dwarf, his eyes wide and frightened, looking towards his mother and Grandpa Frank."

Frank frowned slightly, but then quickly smiled to his grandson, hoping to ease the boy's worries. Colette smiled brightly and Leon hesitantly sniffled, rubbing his nose on the back of his hand, tilting his head back to look at the big bear holding him.

"To be fair. You do look like a bear, Dad." Lloyd smirked, opening the door and letting Noishe slip in quickly. The big protozoan looked about and then padded over to Frank, laying his head upon the old man's lap.

Frank smiled at the creature and gently stroked it's ears, but keeping his gaze upon his grandson.

Leon sniffled a bit more before looking over at Lloyd as he walked in, his arms reaching out towards him. "Da- Daddy."

Lloyd started towards Dirk immediately, prepared to take his son. But the Dwarf had other plans. "Now Lloyd, ya can't just scoop ya kid up at the first whimper and tear. He's fine with ol' grandpa Dirk. Ya go sit down and tend to ya wife. I'll care for the little tot."

"I think you mean 'we'" Frank politely corrected him.

"Ya have the dog."

Lloyd sighed hesitant, seeing the pleading large eyes of his son. But then he felt Colette tug his hand and he looked at her.

"Lloyd. I...Dirk and Dad can't take care of him for a bit. There is something I need to talk to you about."

Something in her tone made Lloyd immediately frown, glancing at his son and smiling quickly at him. "Just a minute Leon, I'm just going to talk to your Mom okay. I'll be right back."

"Nooo. Daddy! Daddy up-"

"Up ya say?" Dirk immediately swung the boy up, and Leon's little surprised call made the old dwarf chuckle.

Lloyd nervously let Colette lead him to the back room, but satisfied that his son would be alright.

Leon didn't see his parents leave the room, distracted by the motion and sensation of being swung up and down. It even brought a small giggle from him.

Frank felt more at ease to hear the boy giggle, convinced finally that he wasn't in distress anymore. Dirk continued to swing the boy around, lifting and lowering him, finally getting a smile to stay on the boy's face when the three were suddenly distracted by footsteps and the opening of the door.

Immediately Leon's eyes lit up and he reached towards the figure coming in from outside.

"Daddy!"

There was a pause and then a chuckle and a shake of his head as the figure stepped forward. "Close enough." Kratos smirked and then looked at Dirk. "I believe it is my turn."

Frank sighed and quietly continued to pet Noishe who rumbled happily.


"Do you think you could handle it. Nothing too dramatic, but enough to make a statement. A few deaths here and there. But no half-elves living in the city. Understand? I require them alive."

"Yggie-poo, what do you take me for. Of course I can handle it. That is why you put me in charge isn't it?"

"Do not call me that." Yggdrasill frowned. "One more thing. If you see a young woman, pink hair, wields an axe. Take her alive if possible. But do not kill her either. She will be the bait."

"Bait? For what? Oh I do much prefer to see them suffer than treat them humanely. They don't deserve it after all."

"Do I have to make myself more clear, Alice?"

The young woman pursed her lips, but then smiled, shaking her head. "Of course not, Yggie-poo. I'll get the girl. Don't you worry. And I'll make sure she is alive."

"Good." He paused, thoughtful then vanished from the room.

Alice's smile slowly faded, her eyes narrowing. "You hear that Decus? Yggie-poo wants us to ravage a city."

"Dear Alice, only you are able to carry out his wishes so perfectly. That is why you are Mistress of this Ranch."

"Yes, and now that that ugly Pronyma is gone and the other Ranches failing, Yggie-poo has no choice but to finally notice me. Perhaps he'll even promote me for my hard work."

"You more than deserve it my Darling Alice."

"Yes, I do, don't I?" She giggled.

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