Tales of Symphonia: The Releasing Orb
Chapter 7 'The Breaking of the Mines'
It was somewhat of a surprise to the group when they arrived at the Toize Valley Mine and found it open. The machines were operating as if the mine had never been closed off.
"What the...! Do you think Regal knows about this?" Lloyd started to poke at different machine's controls.
"Do you think we should tell him what we are doing before coming in here?" Colette walked to the edge of the mine's cliff and peered down to see more machines working by themselves. "Just to make it is okay."
"Maybe they reopened it for a different use besides excavating Exspheres... Lloyd stop that!" Yuan seized Lloyd's hand, but it was too late. One of the machines close by began to whistle and smoke. Men started yelling down further in the mine, and their voices were getting closer. Lloyd and Colette were dragged behind large boulders that lined the cave's wall, and Yuan shushed them. Colette and Lloyd peered around the rocks. Three Desian soldiers had arrived. Two stood arguing, while the third stopped the machine from exploding.
"There it's fixed. Would you to shut up! These machines are old, so it's expected that they might screw up every once and awhile."
"Let's just go back to the others and get the rest loaded up for the Commander."
"Do you think he has enough with these and the ones stolen from the bridge?"
"!!!" Lloyd came close to standing up and revealing their hiding place. Yuan grabbed his arm before he had the chance.
"I don't know. Let's hurry with the packaging though. I don't want to get caught, because we would have hell to pay with the Commander." The Desians walked back to the deep parts of the mine, and the others came out of their hiden position.
"I can't believe this! Stealing from the bridge and mine! What are they doing!?"
"Lloyd lower your voice. I think we should go back a report to the king."
"Yuan, you can do what you want, but I'm going to go and beat the living-"
"Think rationally Lloyd! You don't know how many guards are down there."
"That doesn't matter!" Lloyd's blood was up and he could not stop shaking. "You're with me right Colette?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Listen to me you two. Be quiet, or you're going to attract some attention!"
"I believe you already have." They turned around to see someone standing there watching them. The man had a light complexion, and his black hair and navy blue suit made him look even more pasty white. But what shocked them the most was he wore three Exspheres. There were two on either hand and one on his lower neck. "It really is a pity. The saviors of the world must die. Actually, I was hoping to get my revenge on you inferior beings." Lloyd and the others were looking at him in confusion. They had never crossed each others paths before, so revenge was out of the question.
"That really can't be healthy!" Lloyd was staring at his multiple Exspheres.
"Oh, you think so? You have no idea what these things have done for me. Let me show you how beneficial they can be!" He moved into a fighting stance, and the others got ready for a battle. Before the fighting had begun three guards ran up. One whispered a message in his ear, and he nodded, "Looks like I won't have the pleasure to kill you. Maybe if you survive I will have the enjoyment of it later." He turned to the guards, "Take care of the rats."
"You underestimate us!" Lloyd called to him before the man left. He signaled a wave for the guards to begin attacking.
They were surprisingly more difficult to defeat then what Lloyd remembered. However, the heroes were not to be taken down so easily. Colette stayed away from the head on attacking. She used her magic to prevent the enemies from casting spells on Yuan and Lloyd. The two fighters turned out to be a powerful team. Yuan's doubled edged weapon dealed powerful blows, and Lloyd was quick and good at evasion. Yuan struck down the last soldier with a swift cut from his swallow. When the battle was over they went to search for the pale man in the suit. Before they were out of earshot a dying soldier called out to them.
"Lord... Kvar will... kill you."
"?" Lloyd turned back to the soldiers. "What are you talking about? I killed Kvar at his human ranch..."
"You... know so little... ugh." Lloyd ran to the soldier but he was already dead.
"WHAT IS GOING ON!? I'm fed up with this crap! What does he mean I know so little? Both Kratos and I killed him together!"
"Come on Lloyd, there is no point in staying. They seem to have already gone. They took all the Exspheres with them. We should report to the king." Yuan walked off, but Lloyd stayed kneeling by the dead soldiers.
"Lloyd..." Colette knelt beside him.
"Colette, you were there too. He is dead. I watched him die..."
"I know Lloyd, it might me just a coincidence..."
"How many enemies of ours could be named Kvar?"
"Yes, you're right. I'm sorry."
"I hate not understanding..."
"We should go now." Yuan was walking back towards them. He had taken a look around to see if there were any men left to question.
"Yuan, you want to go see the king right?"
"Don't you think that would be the wisest thing right now Lloyd?"
"Yes, but afterwards let's head to Altamira to tell Regal what has happened to his mine. And maybe even to Sybak to talk to Kastus." Yuan nodded to Lloyd in agreement. Colette and Yuan walked to the Rheairds leaving Lloyd to do his tasks. Each of the soldiers had an Exsphere on their body. He chanted at the his orb and watched as the Exspheres floated from the men's bodies and went into the marble orb. Three new orange circles appeared on the shiny surface.
Lloyd ran to catch up with his comprades, and they departed on the Rheairds to Meltokio.
When they arrived at the palace they were escorted to the king. He was in his office with Kastus. The king stood and addressed them formally.
"I have news. Kastus's men have confirmed what you told me. Not only that, Kastus has informed me the Exspheres from the bridge were stolen."
"Yes, many of my men were killed. The survivors claim they can remember nothing."
"We just saw them!" Lloyd regretted not following the thieves when they had the chance. "We traveled to the Toize Valley Mine, and the Desians were there..."
"And a man wearing three Exspheres!" Colette and Lloyd continued going back and forth explaining what they had seen. They were out of breath after the 'play by play' of their fight with Desian guards. Yuan finally got his chance to speak.
"The strangest occurrence was when a dying soldier claimed Kvar was still alive. However, Lloyd and former companions killed him during there infiltration of his human ranch."
"That is indeed strange." The king sat down in thought. It was noticeable that he had been worrying from there first visit. His graying hair and wrinkles were clearer. He looked worn and aged.
"Your Highness, with your permission, I will send my men to investigate the mine."
"No, that's not necessary Kastus..." The king finally resolved on a next move, "Lloyd, Colette, and Yuan. I want you to visit Altamira and inform Master Bryant on what has happened. Kastus, I want you to devise a plan to get one of your men inside the Iselia ranch, so we may spy on our enemy." Both parties nodded in agreement.
"Sir? I want to be apart of it. I want to find out about Kvar. I am in this now, no matter what anyone says. I think I speak for Colette and Yuan also."
"I thought the fact that I needed you had become apparent. I first want you to go to Altamira. Have Regal investigate the situation, and ask him to keep an eye on the mine. Stay the night here before you leave. You need to rest before you go."
"We'll do." Lloyd looked at his companions and who nodded in approval. They were led to their own rooms to stay the night in. Kastus and the king were left to talk.
"You are staying also, are you not?"
"No sir, when I left Sybak I left others in charge. I must return to them. I need to tell them of our situation and the next move." Kastus then walked out, and left the king to sit in the pool of his uncertainties.
Thanks about the swallow Van. I wasn't sure if that was what it was called. I was wanting to call it a swallow because of Chrono Cross, but I was afraid that was the wrong name. Thanks for confirming it.