Author Note: I am so sorry about the last chapters problems. School started and I did not even care to check over the chapter before posting it (I was so tired after school)! I was not lazy this time, and I checked over this chapter.

Tales of Symphonia: The Releasing Orb

Chapter 8 'The Tourist City'

After a nights rest in Meltokio the companions left to carry out the king's request. Altamira was a short distance on Rheairds,so they arrived in the tourist city within a half of an hour. There was not a more exciting island than Altamira. People flocked the streets for a chance at a nice swim and vacation. It could not be a more distracting place.

"Oh! Look at the amusement park and the beach! Lloyd let's go!" There was a spark of excitement in Colette's pleading eyes.

"YEAH! Of course! What should we go do first!?" Lloyd was grinning ear to ear. He grabbed Colette's hand, and they began to walk around looking at the different sights. This had not been their first time in Altamira, but it never failed to fascinate them, "We havn't been on all the rides at the amusement park! Let's start there!"

"Ahem... sorry to spoil the fun... we came here for a reason." Yuan turned and began walking to the president's office building. Lloyd and Colette ran to catch up with him.

"Yuan, can we please come back after we talk to Regal!" Lloyd put on the puppy pleading eyes, and Colette followed his lead.

"Please Yuan!" She fluttered her eye lids.

It was hard to say no to the two of them looking so pathetic side by side, "Alright, we can stay at the hotel tonight. After the meeting with Regal you can have the rest of the day to go around the city. In the morning we will leave." It was amazing how such a small decision could please them so much. They rushed Yuan to the meeting with Regal.

"Welcome." Regal was sitting at his desk looking up at his visitors. Overall he looked the same, but there was something strange about his eyes. "It's been awhile. How are all of you?"

"Hi Regal," Colette didn't seem to notice the change in him.

Yuan exchanged glances with Lloyd. They both noticed his clouded look. "Master Bryant, we have come to bring troubling news. Yesterday the three of us traveled to your mine, and discovered that we were not the first there. Desian troops, led by some man claiming to be Kvar broke through your mine and stole the Exspheres left there."

"What were you three doing there?" Regal's remark caught them off guard. Their news seemed to have no affect on him.

"Uh... Regal?" Lloyd looked at him as if he didn't know him.

"Lloyd, Yuan, and I went there to retrieve the Exspheres. Do you remember at the end of our last journey when Lloyd and I promised to go around Symphonia and destroy the remaining Exspheres? Well, we went to your mine to collect the ones that were not destroyed. But the Desians took them first." Regal paused for a moment before answering to Colette's story.

"I see. I was not aware that my mine had been broken into. This is terrible news indeed." Their first story seemed to be registering in his mind.

"Master Bryant, the king has asked that you keep a close eye on the mine to prevent anyone else entering it. He also wishes that you investigate the mine thoroughly for any clues on the enemy."

"Yes Lord Yuan, inform the king I will do this immediately. Are you staying in Altamira for long?"

"We planned on staying the night. Lloyd and Colette are very interested in the city."

"Yes, well, give this to the receptionist at the front desk of the hotel. You are my guests as long as you are here."

"Yeah!" Colette was ready to go and explore the city. However, the fun had been ruined for Lloyd who had begun to feel uncomfortable about Regal.

Yuan went ahead to the hotel. He said he had some things he wished to think about in peace. That left Lloyd and Colette to have all the fun. They went on ride after ride, and none of them seemed to get old to them. It was getting late, so they decided to go on one last ride, the Ferris wheel.

"I wonder if Yuan did not go with us because he was afraid of heights." Colette sat down beside Lloyd, and the Ride began to move.

"That would be kind of weird don't you think? He is an angel that is afraid of heights!"

"I wonder, why he would want to miss out on this? It's so pretty. You can see the ocean and the mountains!" Colette was leaning out of there seats and was making it tilt.

"Colette..."

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

"It's okay. Well, he seemed to be really distracted after that meeting with Regal. I wonder if he knows something.

"He knows something about what?"

"Colette, didn't you notice anything about Regal today? Something was wrong. He was... monotone, and he acted like we were only acquaintances, not friends. And his eyes... didn't you notice his eyes?

"Well, I did notice he was not as happy to see us as I thought he would be. But then I thought he is just busy! Being president must be really hard!"

"..." Nothing more was said on the matter. The two left the park for the hotel and parted at their separate rooms. Yuan woke them early in the morning. They had received a message from Regal, which was sent by Kastus.

"It reads, 'As you know my men have been spying on the old Iselia human ranch. I recently have received word from them. They have told me that the Desians are meeting in another mine. This one is located somewhere on the Ossa Trail. Both the King and I wish that you check out this area unless you are otherwise engaged'." Yuan looked at the two to see what their response would be.

"This is great! Maybe we can find more about Kvar! What do you think Colette?"

"I'll go where you go Lloyd!"

"Alright, let's head back to the Rheairds and find this mine." Yuan led the way out of Altamira, and once they found their aircrafts they prepared for a fight.