…We used to watch the sun coming up together
But he was hungry then, and he got restless…

The sparkle of the swords in the sunset was the last I saw of him. I wanted to follow, but I had the feeling he had purposely left me behind. I had left Iselia to see him at home, to talk about our second journey. By the time I got there, I just barely saw him drifting away as the sun took over the sight of my eyes. I was so tempted to go after him, for he had done the same prior to the world regeneration. My violet wings spread behind my body and I took off.

What would he say when I showed up? I hadn't thought of that before I left the ground pursuing him. He was not exactly like me, always bubbly and cheerful. At times, he would act like an enthusiastic child; at other times, he would be full of anger or regret, sometimes even a mix of both. Sometimes, he could even crack a smile in the worst of times, and the uncertainconfidence in his brown eyes would be enough to keep me going, even when I knew he was not always all right.

The eruption of the Thoda Geyser brought me out of my thoughts. Ahead of me, I could barely see the red outfit he was so famous for during the world generation journey. A lot of things happened to him on the journey: avenging his mother, finding, then losing his father, living in his ideals and coming home only to begin another journey. The journey this time is to find Exspheres, and destroy them, like they destroyed his family. Had the Exsphere that he wears on his left hand never existed, his family would not have been separated, his mother might have still been alive, and his father would be here, not in Derris-Kharlan.

I still remember the reaction on his face when he found out the truth of his father. That is a moment I will never forget. He knelt there in disbelief, with an expression that had a slight bit of hope.

I looked ahead and stared at him. Maybe, just maybe, it is better that I stay behind. He has a reason, a need to make this journey. My reason is to stay with him; my childhood friend with a fearless demeanour, with... my heart. I flew towards the ground near the destroyed Palmacosta ranch and watched him fly away. This is a journey he must face by himself. He will come back to Iselia someday, and I will have to wait until the day he returns.

Hmmm... Until we meet again, Lloyd

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia, Namco does. The lyrics at the beginning are from a song by Amanda Marshall. (Never Said Goodbye)

This is my first fanfic. Read and review, as I hope you enjoyed it. If not, give me ways to improve.