Tales of Symphonia; The Releasing Orb
Chapter 1 'A Continued Intolerance'
Setting: Three months after the regeneration of Symphonia
The little village of Iselia had regained much of its beauty. Peace had truly blanketed this town from the remaining troubles that continued beyond its borders. The previous mayor had resigned his position due to continuous complaints on his offensive behavior towards non-pure blooded people. Colette's father had taken the position, and none seemed to object to the idea that Frank should be the one to direct the village into safer times. He was welcomed with open arms, and under his guidance Iselia had been rebuilt stronger and more loving than before.
"Colette, I wish you well. I know you will be safe with Lloyd." Frank gave is daughter one last hug before she left on her second journey. "I wish I could keep you here away from the dangers outside, but your spirit can't be shut away from adventures." He looked to see Lloyd making his way down the road, and waved for his attention.
"Colette! Hey are you ready! Hey Mr. Brunel!" Lloyd stepped towards Colette with the same silly smile resting across his face. Even after the many trials his intelligence still remained at a low, but he made up for it in his exuberant personality.
"Hello Lloyd, I am all ready to go! I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I was just saying goodbye to everyone."
"Alright you two, you best be off, if you delay any longer there won't be any daylight left! Oh, Colette say goodbye to your grandmother before you leave. She is at the old temple." Frank pulled Lloyd to the side, his fatherly instincts were still alert, "Lloyd, I know I shouldn't worry, but take care of her. It's only you two this time around, so you will have to make up for the other six and be alert at all times."
"Yeah, I know. Don't you worry one bit Mr. Brunel!"
"Goodbye father! We will be back once we have recovered the remaining Exspheres!" And with one last wave and smile, Lloyd and Colette left the village of Iselia.
The two companions made there way to the old Temple of Martel. It was rarely called that anymore as the old traditions were dead. Many of the old architectures that represented the old ways had been torn down in riots. After the regeneration of Symphonia the people slowly began to see the errors of their past traditions, so riots were held to 'rid the world of Mithos Yggdrasill's stench'. The buildings left were being transformed into shelters or towns to help promote and maintain peace. The old Temple of Martel had been reconstructed into a safe house for those who lost loved ones to the Desians. Support groups, jobs, orphanages, and even financial aid industries could be found around the new safe house. A new age was beginning, a prosperous one for the most part.
However, Symphonia's recreation did not mean all evil had been destroyed. Monsters still lurked about the world, and there were now high paying jobs for those willing to rid the world of fiends. Rumors said that the remaining Desians gathered together and made an underground fort to stay in, but rumors were common to stir up commotion in order to start more riots against past traditions. But overall to keep the Egalitarian Tree healthy, the people accepted one another no matter their ancestry, and tried to maintain peace.
As Lloyd and Colette moved closer to the village they noticed an odd commotion going on at the front of the old temple.
"Colette, do you know of anything about what's going on?" They had stopped at the beginning of the stairs that led to the flourishing village. Colette shook her head and the proceeded up the stairs in a hurry to see what the disturbance was.
"A new age was begun! How can you still believe that half elves are not equal!"
"Follower of Yggdrasill! Traitor!"
"Half elves started the human ranches! They turned my family into monsters just for a damn stone!"
"Stop this! What's going on?" Lloyd and Colette had made their way to the square. The riot had every villager out of their house. A boy with a tear stained face stepped up to Lloyd to explain the situation. He looked to be no older than thirteen.
"My mom and dad died in the human ranches a year ago...A man named Forcystus took them from me and my little sister." The boy pointed to another crying child, this one looked to be seven. He sniffled and wiped his nose before continuing, "That man said he was a superior half elf, and that my parents deserved to be sacrificed for the powers of the Desians! I hate half elves, they took everything from me!"
The boy began to cry again, and another argument began through the village. Colette tried to object, but the crowd's yelling over powered her voice.
"Wait! Look!" A villager pointed above the crowd. Colette, who still had some of her angel powers, used her wings to hover over the crowd's heads to gain their attention. "The Chosen wishes to speak, quiet!"
"Everyone," Colette's voice echoed across the crowd. Although she had a sweet delicate tone in her voice, there was a hint of power behind it, "Those days are in the past. We must all work together to maintain peace. I promised the guardian of the Egalitarian Tree I would prevent its withering. Why must we still argue over the blood of others?" Colette had made her way back down to the ground, but her wings were still glowing on her back, "By judging others by their blood and not their hearts means the tree of peace will surely die! What is your name?" She had turned to the little crying boy who had started the riot. He answered in a small voice that his name was Peter. "Peter, with every good, there is a bad. To blame all half elves for the mistakes of few is unfair, just as it is unfair to punish all the children of your school class, for only one child's mistake. If you live your life with hate, only pain can come from that. I'm sure your parent would not want you to continue to hate those with non-pure blood. They would want you to love everyone as they loved you. Do you understand Peter?" The boy nodded and blushed in shame. His school teacher from the orphanage moved to the center of the crowd, and took the two children's hands and led them back to their shelter.
The crowd began to cheer. Once again their beloved Chosen had brought sense back to them.
"That was great Colette!" Lloyd looked so pleased it was as if he had solved the problem himself.
"Thanks Lloyd! Lets head to the old temple, grandma should be there!" She too was pleased with the outcome of her slightly corny speech, but nevertheless it was true that the tree would whither away and die. If that were to happen then Symphonia would die with it.