Author Note: Thank you for pointing that out Van. I did not remember that, and thanks to you I corrected it.
Tales of Symphonia: The Releasing Orb
Chapter 9 'Possessive Characteristics'
The Ossa Mine was not as spacious as the Toize Valley mine. Lloyd and the others would not be able to hide their entrance even if they wanted to. Desian guards blocked the entrance to the mine. This was to be expected. Before their ambush they discussed a strategy to keep them out of harms way as long as possible. They hid on a cliff just above the entrance, and Colette sent the first wave of magical attacks on the watchers. It was just as they had suspected. As soon as the holy beams of judgement stopped pouring down from the heavens more guards came rushing out of the mine to find the attackers. Together Yuan and Colette pounded the group with all the magic they knew. However, their hiding place on the cliff was eventually discovered. The Desians ran inside the mine for cover and sent return waves of magic to the top of the cliff. To avoid the spells the three heroes jumped from the cliff and landed in front of the mine entrance. Desians rushed out to meet them. Colette stood back and used more magic, and the other two attacked head-on. Yuan would stand back and heal the party when needed.
Once they had fought their way into the center of the mine the Desian guards stopped attacking. They surrounded the three and remained still. Lloyd circled around waiting for the next move. He stopped when he saw a section of the circle part and a man walk towards them. It seemed the leader finally decided to make his appearance. He smiled deviously as he walked around them to get a better look. His long brown hair was pulled back, and he wore three Exspheres and a suit just like the man in the previous mine. His eyes were stone gray, and as he starred his gaze drilled through them.
"You disgust me you stupid vermin." His smile still remained, "Kvar told me he had seen you. I was so pleased to hear you survived the Toize Valley Mine, and was hoping I could deal out my revenge on you pathetic inferior beings."
The way he spoke, and his movements seemed so familiar to Lloyd. His presence was that of someone they use to know, "You are...Magnius!"
"Ah, so your little vermin brain has grown some. I did not expect you to figure out that much. Well, now that you know I will have more fun killing you." He looked at his men for a moment, "Gather the dead and prepare to leave while I deal with them." He turned back and stared at Lloyd. His eyes were on fire, "Die at the hand of Lord Magnius!"
Lloyd couldn't understand it, but Yuan lifted his hand and with one of his energy ball he put an electric shield at the back of the mine. None of the Desians dared to approach it. This seemed to enrage 'Magnuis' even more. "No matter. Just gather the dead." After his order he ran straight at them.
Their fight was long and hard. 'Magnius' fought with his anger, but every once and awhile this proved to be positive. He became careless, and he left himself open. Those were the perfect times to strike. An explosion of fire from 'Magnius' caught them off guard. He laughed in triumph as Colette was thrown against a wall. She lay there rubbing her burns, and she could not get up from the pain. Yuan ran towards her, and readied a healing spell. Before the incantation left his mouth he felt magic hit him from behind. Lloyd stared at the stone figure near him. Yuan had been petrified. Lloyd turned to 'Magnius' determined to save his friends once he slaughtered their enemy. It was just the two of them now face to face.
They swung their weapons at each other. Lloyd evaded most attacks, but 'Magnius' was too strong with his extra Exspheres. Lloyd crouched and gasped for more air. There was only one way to make the odds more even. 'Magnius' stepped in front of him, and Lloyd rolled away from his sword swipe. He ran up beside the enemy and cut the Exsphere from his throat. 'Magnius' fell to the ground with a grunt. The rest of the Desians had retreated leaving him by himself. He sat on the ground breathing heavily. He looked near him and saw a shadow of someone. He saw the shadow raise its sword, and he looked up at Lloyd. Lloyd saw his face pleaded for mercy. When their eyes met Lloyd saw they were no longer a cold gray but a deep green. Lloyd no longer had any desire to kill him.
"Please, do not kill me! I do not know what I have done to you! Please show me mercy!"
"It's just as I thought..." Yuan muttered to himself as he reached for the Exsphere lying on the ground. Lloyd looked at him in surprise. Apparently the petrify spell had warn off. "What is your name?" He asked.
"...Kane," the man still looked frightened. Lloyd had not put down his swords because he was so shocked.
"Lloyd, put those down." Yuan raised his hand and the electric barrier disappeared from the back of the mine. Then turned to Colette and healed her wounds. "You two go retrieve the Exspheres left back there. I will take care of this." He looked down on Kane.
Lloyd and Colette were too taken aback to question or argue. Yuan seemed to know how to control any situation so they went deeper into the mine to find many Exspheres lying around. One by one Lloyd absorbed the Exspheres into the Releasing Orb, and watched as new orange circles appeared. Once he was finished a little less than one fourth of the orb was covered. They returned to find Yuan and Kane talking. Yuan had healed Kane, and they seemed to be getting along quite well. Yuan looked up at the returning group and smiled.
"Lloyd, I think we should head to Sybak."
"Alright, alright!" Lloyd was getting annoyed. "I let you have your quiet time at Altamira, but this has gone on far enough!" Colette looked at Lloyd. It appeared he had more of an idea of what was going on then she did. "You are way ahead of Colette and I! It's time you tell us what you know!"
"Indeed. I planned on doing so..."
"WHEN!?" Lloyd's confusion was making him unpleasant as it always did.
"How about I tell you now? Although, I do not think this is the best place to discuss it. My base is near here, and Kane is very tired. Let's head there, and I will explain everything."
Yuan's gentleness was also slightly annoying to Lloyd's bad mood. But he started to feel a little better about getting filled in on what was going on. "...okay."
Colette rode on Lloyd's Rheaird on the way to the Renegade base, which let Kane have his own. The base was right over the mountain, so they arrived there in less than five minutes. They entered the base and got settle in a room that Yuan called 'the conference area'. The walls were decorated and there was a large table with many chairs at the center. The four of them sat to one side. Lloyd looked at Kane as he smiled at him. There was a drastic change in him. Besides the difference in his eye color they had gained more liveliness. His face was also different, he looked much more handsome and gentle. Lloyd nodded at him to return his gesture of kindness, and Kane glanced at Colette who smiled cheerfully back at him. There was a hint of jealously that struck Lloyd.
"To begin with, my ideas are only theories that can not be proven until we reach Sybak."
"Why Sybak Yuan?" Colette asked.
"Their research academy has done research on Exspheres. I'm quite certain that this Exsphere that was on Kane was the Exsphere Magnius use to wear. I seems rather obvious, however, only the researches in Sybak can prove it. I believe the Magnius's soul controlled Kane's thoughts and actions. That would explain why he claimed to be Magnius."
"How would that even be possible though?" Lloyd was able to follow the conversation thus far.
"If we think that Kvar's and Magnius's Exspheres were never destroyed than it is possible to say their souls lived on in them. The man behind it all must have found a way to use the Exspheres to take control of other people. In this case he used Kane to bring back Magnius."
Lloyd followed the rest well enough, but this information brought some troubling questions to mind, "Does this mean the rest of the Desian leaders are 'alive' somewhere else?"
"It could be."
"Yeah... this isn't good news..." Lloyd was looking down and concentrating on his hands. He was trying so hard to control his emotions.
"It's better than you think." Lloyd looked up at Yuan. "We know quite a bit now. Not only that," Yuan turned to look at Kane, "Kane has provided some interesting information."
"I thought you could not remember anything?" Colette questioned Kane.
"Well, I remember what happened before I lost my mind. After Cruxis fell the rest of the Desians were not sure where to go. We knew would not be accepted. Some of us went to begin a new life in cities. We would create a new identity and past to cover up the old. The rest hid in the abandoned ranches. I moved to Luin, because that city seemed to be starting a new life too. One day I randomly woke up to find myself at a human ranch surrounded by many other Desians. I think it was the Asgard human ranch. A man approached me and said 'You are fit to be the re-embodiment of Magnius'. He put an Exsphere on me and that is all I can remember."
"So you see, that man is using all the Desians to achieve... well we don't know that part yet. But it is something we can build off of." Yuan said.
"What did the man look like?" Lloyd was getting his hopes up.
"He kept his face covered with a cloak the whole time." Kane could see Lloyd's disappointment, "I'm sorry."
"Lloyd, this cloaked man could be the same one you and Colette saw at the Iselia ranch. He covered his face in order to keep his identity secret, most likely he was preparing just in case Kane was ever set free. He also might have been afraid to show his identity the night you saw him. He might have known you were still around."
"Yeah, you're probably right. He is too big of a coward to show his face... Yuan, what about the way Regal acted towards us?"
"Yes. If the enemy can control all the Desians with Exspheres then he can probably control anyone. If he somehow gained control of Regal he would be able to have easy access to the Toize Valley Mine."
"No! Regal! We have to help him!" Colette had both of her hands clenched in fists in front of her chest, and her eyes were pleading. This was a common defense movement for her.
"We will. However, since Regal is in no immediate danger I wish to travel to Sybak first." Lloyd nodded in approval. Colette was a little more reluctant, but she agreed.
"I have a favor to ask of you." They all looked at Kane. "I wish to continue with you. I have no where to go, and I wish to atone for all the crimes I have committed against you and the world. Please, I promise I can be very helpful."
"It's okay with me." Yuan looked at Lloyd.
"Sure thing Kane! But we are going to have to take those off eventually." Lloyd looked down at the Exspheres on Kane's hands.
"Yes, of course. How do you feel about me joining?" Kane was looking at Colette.
"I don't mind. Welcome to our group Kane!"