Once Human, Maiden of the Mist

Chapter III: Fire Seal

Disclaimer: ahem I do not own Tales of Symphonia, very unfortunately.

A/N: teeheeheehee……. They will invent Apple, Pineapple and stuff Gel soon, as well as starting to test on Suuuuummmoooon Spiiiirrriiiiits. laughing like a disturbed child. The names of the places in the World of Thethe'alla and Sylvarant are changed, everything evolves in life! Don't worry, you'll recognize them.

PS: Thank you to aaaalll reviewers, to make Lenne happy, review! There are so many people who read without reviewing, makes Lenne saaad :(


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"Yah, so……how long have we been walking for?" Gnome let out a frustrated sigh, while kicking around a rock upon the dusty ground. He already felt like wet dust after the climate that had changed drastically, from a lush green forest, with endless passage of shade, to a dry and scorching desert. Sand surrounded their vision and were often mirages that could fool any's eyes. Many of the demons that had attacked them were weak serpents, nevertheless, gave a hard time to the group of Spirits with the blazing sun.

"Shut up Gnome," Volt had snapped at him, feeling his anger rise. This wasn't just once the Earth God had asked that same question.

"Why don't you shut up TOO. You're not the one with dark hair and clothes," Shadow had shot him a purely dark glare. The Thunder God didn't retort back, instead glared back.

Undine already felt like she was evaporating herself, and too weak to try and split them apart. Instead, she gazed out to the dunes of sand trying to find any sign of civilization.

"Break it up you two," muttered Origin, himself too tired as well. Celsius was trying to keep her hair covered with a cloth, seeing her raven hair would attract too much heat. She was one to lose a significant amount of energy from the high temperature, and was on the verge of collapsing and not to mention "melt."

Efreet, who seemed not only unharmed, but glowing from the rays of sunlight and seemed almost angelic. He was carrying the three children who were called Sylph when united as they peacefully sleept his his strong arms, casting jealousy over all of the other Summon Spirits. Luna kept the small golden bird on her shoulder who seemed to have taken refugee under her long golden hair, away from light. This climat made travelling almost impossible to go through.

"U-Undine…… My sexy water goddess…… Can't you…… like, shoot water out of your hand or something?" Gnome took out a random pink ribbon from his pocket, usually used for girl protection garments, and cliped it on his head, casting little shadow upon his hair, "So Celsius……… my cool beauty……… could freeze it for me and make some sorta ice bed………"

Shanice looked up from that comment, and narrowed her eyes, "I wouldn't freeze HER water even is she would be our last hope of life," she snapped icily, some energy returning into her veins.

The Water Spirit had ignored that comment and sighed, "I don't know how to use water yet…… What is it that we need to feel? Anger? Remorse? Right now, all I know to use it a simple old sword I took from the Water Shrine before I left," having to use a lot of effort, admitting this due to the lack of water, her throat became even more dry. Besides that, no one in the whole group knew how to even emit a wisp of their element.

"Less talking, more walking," coarsely muttering through gritted teeth, Celsius pushed Undine aside while walking forth past the group.

Luna raised an eyebrow at such behavior and whispered to Naida, "Tell me the story after we find Triet?"

She nodded. How on earth was she ever to get along with the Spirit of Ice?


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"OH MY GOD!" Unfortunately for the keepers of the sacred Oasis, used for Spiritual beliefs, Gnome had dived, head first into the clear blue water. Splashing happily and tasting it's great pristine cool-ness, he laughed……. A bit disturbingly.

"Young Earth master! Please do not do this to our sacred oasis!" Efreet's father had gasped in plee, trying to get Gnome out as swiftly as possible. Feeling jealousy over the God of Obnoxious-ness for having such a cool-off from their journey in which they didn't get a chance of trying, they all sighed in defeat.

"Aedus!" A pure squeal of joy echoed through the dusty grounds of Triet.

"Mother!" Efreet hugged his mother happily. After such a long time, he was finally able to see his family again.

"Please, please! Come in! Our temple with ease your travels. One room is to be shared with a person, seeing that we have other guests from Meltokiok and Sybakatar," rushing her new visitors into the ratherly, very large temple, Undine immediately spotted Celsius asking Efreet to be his roomate (for all you dirty thinkers out there, think of this: NO). After blushing several shades, he nodded and couldn't help but grin.

'Well looks like she already found who she's going to be hitting on next,' Naida looked away, and started walking to the nearest room. She was used to this, no one ever liked her……. Excluding Gnome…… and this was going to haunt her through her whole life. They were eleven anyways, so why bother?

Just before she could open the wooden door to her room, a soft hand carressed her own and whirled her around. Staring wide-eyed at the blonde individual who seemed shy to talk, she wouldn't help but take a glance at his features.

Medium built body, wheat-blond hair elegantly brushed up with cute spike-like strands, not to mention the tight shirt showing off pretty much all of his build up due to sweat, and the humidity. (A/N: too bad he had to be an electrical ball.)

Flushed by her unvoluntary eye shift, Undine blushed crimson but tried to remain calm. Volt looked surprised to see someone quiet act that way but ignored it nonetheless.

"There's me, you, little children, obnoxious fat man, and emotionless person left. Do you mind if I pick you?" the Thunder God motion towards the remaining people as Luna and Origin had already chosen to be roomates.

Quickly doubting she heard him saying something, anything, else that being roomates with HER, she shook her head and said, "Of course, I don't mind."

"HEY HEY WAIT A MINUTE!" Gnome belowed, reaching out to grab Undine by the arm, "WHAT ABOUT ME!"

She raised an eyebrow and smile apologically and entered the room, basically running away from him. Sylph, or rather the three little girls giggled madly, clinging onto Shadow, who seemed quiet and collected.

He was stuck……. A-l-o-n-e……… a random echoe ran through the empty, deserted, and dusty hall……


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"Welcome! Welcome all," Maxwell has welcomed the fellow Spirits to the dining table where tons of colorful meals and fruits rested upon the table. The room was decorated with various tapestry and jewels which gave the chamber a delightful radiance.

Efreet smiled proudly at the amazement from his new fellow friends. He felt so confident for her new upcoming challenge the day after tomorrow. It felt like being on top of the highest mountain where no winds can blow you off.

"Please! There may be much confusion tonight but everything shall be explained carefully. First! We dine!" and with those words the Spirit of Molecules raised his cup as so everyone mimicked his action.

Dinner passed well and conversations carried on amongst each other, yet there were still tense silences between certain rivals. Once in awhile, Naida could sometimes see glares casted from Shanice when she spoke to Efreet as for Volt and Shadow weren't making any contact at all.

It was an evening to learn much about, everyone had their own history of life in ever aspect one could wonder and even Gnome had painful memories of the past.

Yet there were mysterious questions still lingering in the air. How had everyone been united when it was only the Water Summon Spirit year? Shanice had also mentioned about moving to Flanoir, but all Undine recalled was spending one night at Maxell's then zoomed off to meet the others. How Celsius have possibly travelled like that in so little time?

A ringing chime soon interrupted her thoughts as well as conversations. Origin had stood up from his seat and clearly announced, "Everyone…… Please," the voices died down and all eyes were upon the standing man, "This whole journey is honourable from the gods and goddesses that have picked us as their Guardians. We shall not deceive them and turn back on our fates…… But I must warn all that these trials hold consequences. Efreet, Spirit of Fire," Aedus nodded, "The day after tomorrow shall you face your trial, but it isn't I who decides what you shall face. We will only discover this once we enter the temple."

Efreet nodded once again. What could happen?

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, now that, THAT's over with, you must all be quite confused about appearences. Sudden growth of height many inches and all, but let me tell you, this is the future! Right after the final year which is the celebration of Shadow! Origin was the first, and then it was Volt. So Origin started at the age of eight while Volt began at nine years old. Get it? Everyone followed then and you are now eighteen! It's the travellign in time my friends!"

Everyone gaped. Undine couldn't believe it, she thought about her new appearance but she imagined it was part of the transformation.

"But do not worry!" his voice boomed, "Do not think many years of life have been wasted because you are now living eternally with everlasting youth! Heh, yes, yes, my wrinkles I chose them," Maxwell waved his hand dismissively, "Makes you look wiser ya know? Ah yes, well don't forget, eternal until you get killed that is. So don't die on me! AH! Biggest news! They finally invented transportable medicinal gel! Look!" The God of Molecules took a whole plate full of jelly-like subtances formed in a small sphere. He poked one and it wobbled. Soon, there were colourful jellies thrown into the air, caught by each individual in the room.

Gnome was the first to shout in glee. His pudgy face lighting up with delight over the somewhat great news, stuffing his gel in his mouth, "I habe someting no humans, elbes nor half-elbes doooo! Ahahahahahahahhaa!" his muffled cry rejected many pieces of the medicine onto the floor disgusting the group of Spirits.

Everything went silent again. No one could believe their ears, or more like, no one could believe the message that was sent to their brains. Eternal life and youth……

Was this actually what some wanted?


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Luna raised a questioning eyebrow, "So she kinda bullied you when you were young…… okay well, when you were still, uhm…… were you the third right after Volt?"

Undine nodded slowly, leaning against the dimly lit walls of the room. The moon crept slowly up, stars accompagning it's illumination of the lands.

"Right so you two knew each other and she bothered you until the age of ten huh?" The Spirit of Light sighed, "Well, she shouldn't be the one holding the grudge now. But I'm sure Celsius is going to realize it sooner or later. Besides, we're all stuck together until the end of time," her words seemed so peaceful and simple, yet the Spirit of Water did feel a bit more confident, "So? Actually believe that we'll never die?" she went on.

Undine started up lazily at the sandy-cream-coloured ceiling lost in her own thoughts, "Hmm, I don't feel any more powerful, but I do feel…… tall……"

The blonde laughed while carressing the feathers of her faithful bird companion resting upon her shoulder, "Well, I bet everyone does. Anyways, I wonder what we've been doing all this time, those years… lost."

The blue-skinned girl closed her eyes and shrugged. Maybe floating in the middle of nothing seemed like an idea not too far-fetched after all.

A sudden knock interrupted the friendly atmosphere as a voice behind the door spoke slyly, "I humbly ask for the Light and Water Spirit, hereby sent by the leader of Meltokiok and Sybakatar clusters to meet us in the salon room if you please."

The two girls looked at each other as the footsteps died away.

"Wonder what it's for," Undine muttered. Observing the medicinal gel she had received from the feast. It shone radiantly red, somehow making her fingers hidden by it's jelly substance a darker shade when viewd by the opposite side.

"Who knows, I've heard they have really smart students at Sybakatar and that Meltiokok was looking for a new reasearch project," the small bird had flown off Luna's shoulder and zoomed out of the window as soon as they got up.

In the distance, they could hear the same sly voice, booming from the outside of their neighbor's room.


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"Ah, please sit down!" A tall, skinny man motioned towards a chair after Origin had appeared through the doorway. The candlelights illuminated the dusty walls but the moon enlightened the sinister ambiance. His long gown with embroided golden patterns shone brightly, demonstrating his high class, "I am Hycrotash Reetner, pleased to meet you," his grin bared golden teeth, "as I've heard, you and all your friends are chosens destined to fulfill a destiny within a path of power am I not correct? Right now our mana is being controlled by one tree, but that one tree is looking a bit withered nowadays. So the Gods and Goddesses have each chosen guardians to maintain our mana."

"Accurate yes," muttered Origin, eyes gleaming of spite towards the very man in front of them, "Although I presume we would be not working for you in any matters."

"Of course not! All I'm asking, in which you already have, is increase your duty to the whole wide world!"

The moon crept slowly higher into the sky, having it's rays of dim light penetrate less through the brick windows.

"And how can we achieve that?" The God of all Summon Spirits narrowed his eyes to slits.

A knock at the door followed by Gnome's complaints showed the presence of the rest as the leader of Meltokiok bowed and left without another word.

"That, my friend, will be attained by experiments," another man had appeared behind the one of the pillars, obviously picking up the previous conversation. His ominous grey eyes observed the male before him as Hycrotash went to go explain a bit to the rest of the Summon Spirits.

"Experiments? We will not submit ourselves to uselss experiments. If it is merely to duplicate our existence, all you will achieve is chaos!"

"What we are trying to do is discover more about summon spirits, so we could ourselves, produce unlimited mana. Our world shall be flourished and joy will spread amonst us," the man's long black hair flowed to the breeze as he ignored Origin's protest, "We will achieve eternal happiness, this is what you were created for was it not?"

"Don't make me laugh," Origin muttered, "All you want to gain is the mana for yourself Nebilim! You do not desire to share this with the whole world," the darker individual chuckled lightly.

"Now, now dear Hyphisteus, we have only known each other at the age of six. Why would you judge me now?" His smile grew wider.

"Because I just don't trust you," he spat. Within a few moments, Origin turned around and left without another word. Outside, just as he predicted, his fellow friends were already rejecting the idea in a tense conversation with Hycrotash.

"I am NOT going to become a lab rat!" Gnome interjected raising his fist.

"I don't want to become a hamster! Hamsters are cute but not meant to be tested!" Yutis squeaked, scowling at the tall man.

"How dare you think there should be more of us when we're already doiong our best to help this world?" Celsius shot him her icey glare.

Maxwell had unfortunately left Triet to attend his daily ritual, tending to the Great Kharlan tree, so his opinion wasn't to be included until his return.

"Now, please, it is for the peace of the world," he tried to settle them down, but to no avail.

"We are already working on that. I assume we'll let you know if we need help sustaining our world," Undine spoke up, as everyone nodded in agreement. Hycrotash sighed in defeat and left without another word though everyone felt that it wouldn't be last time they see his malicious eyes.


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"I'm…… going……. To……. DIE!" Gnome collaspsed on the floor, his clawed gloves dropping dead with a loud clank. His hands twitched, as the right grasped for the nearest towel to hide it's swollen red injury.

"Origin is making us train too hard!" all three little girls, Sylph exclaimed heaving their own weapons on the table.

Since the first ray of sunlight appeared in the sky, Origin had woken everyone up in attempt to awaken some sort of elemental power. Only Luna, Undine, Efreet and Celsius got that far, excluding Origin of course. Though all those five could do were little wisps of energy. Celsius probably got the farthest after freezing Gnome's right hand for touching her posterior.

"So emotions kinda control our powers," Luna quietly stated.

By the time the sun had already started to set, everyone settled in their rooms once again. The next day would be grand for Efreet, yet no one knew of the possible outcomes of that trial.

Dinner had passed slowly and peacefully as expected but no one had noticed Hycrotash's eyes, tracing along each Spirit. Nebilim had start few conversations with the Spirits surrounding him and was fairly loved by them all. Nice, attractive, and a moralistic person.

Origin observed him from a distance and sighed, 'Bewitching……'

Undine noticed his trouble features and raised a questioning eyebrow, "Is something wrong?"

The older man shook his head and resumed to his soup.

The rest of the night went by without any delays as the moon walked over the sky silently. It's reassuring dim warmth occasinally carressing those who it touched.

Soon, the sun arose from it's slumber and glowered over the land it was shining upon.

"Rise an' shine beautiful!" Gnome's obnoxious voice rang through the corridor of dorms where everyone slumbered. Yet no answers or retorts rang back. He was….. Aloooone once again, "Gah! Everyone left without me! Oh my gosh! I hate you Efreet!"

It just happened to be that Efreet was in charge of morning alarm duty and left Gnome out…… Or maybe he just forgot.


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"You know, I just have a feeling we forgot something behind……" one of Sylph piped up noticing an empty space in the group.

"Oh…… right…… anyone see Gnome?" Efreet paused, looking back and forth as well, "Oops……"

Somehow in the far distance, they could hear someone complain…….

"There's no turning back now, we're almost there," Origin walked forth.

As mentioned, a hefty temple came into view as a small village surrounded it. Tall, brick fence stood proudly, casting a long shade amongst the endless dunes of sand. The temple itself seemed almost indestructible except for the few wooden structures.

"Guess I'll have to thank the villagers for this," Efreet mumbled, "They've done so much effort in building me my temple. Guess it's not so surprising, knowing how proud to know their child's the Summon Spirit huh?"

"Guess not. I'd be pretty much proud of my child too if that ever happened," Celsius' words seemed soothing, and sincere, a first to Undine's memory. Whenever they ever made eye contact, she'd narrow her eyes and look away almost instantly.

"Yeah……. Well you guys…… It's time!" The red-head smiled knowingly of his destiny. He'd be the first to achieve it and demonstrate how it would be done to the others.

The tallest male blonde walked in as a loud voice boomed over their heads, "Welcome! Please proceed to the center seal."

The solid and smooth textures of the walls, unlike the outside of the fortress bared markings of exploits done by the God of Fire in tales. Pillars similar to Undine's temple supported the heavy brick ceiling as they too bared imprints of various ancient tales.

The group halted at the seal's hard texture. The mythril used to build it was darkened by fire, burnt until it turned murky.

"Efreet, Spirit of Fire and son of our Hell Fire's Lord……" A gentle male voice blew from their surroundings, never appearing, "Pass thy test…… to become a part of…… me……"

The red-headed teen nodded, walking up to the glowing light, "You must face…… your opposite force…… if thou may lose…… your human appearance stays……. But if thou wins by beating Celsius," the Spirit of Ice froze as she looked at Efreet in disbelief, "You will be forced to keep your beast spirit I am afraid."

Many gasps erupted from the group. Celsius in particular shook her head vigorously taking a few paces back, "What! I only barely managed to freeze Gnome's hand! Nothing more! What makes you think-"

"You are more than ready. But I warn you, none of your group members may help, that is, only when you fail," the voice seemed to be losing it's tone slightly, "Now fight!"

Crumbling bricks grinded themselves together as everything seemed to arrage into a neat chamber, full of room. The room apparently absorbed mana as the carvings glowed bright red, sending a powerful jet of magitechnology mana towards Efreet. His eyes grew wide at the amazement of power flowing through his body, 'I…… don't…… want…….. to fight……. Celsius…… no!' his thoughts soom shattered as an unstable rage consumed his spirit.

Efreet's roar shattered many fragile objects upon stadiums as he fiercly swung his claws at walls, destroying the bricks as if they were but mere icicles. The beast-like appearance settled down as fire and heat swivelled around aimlessly.

He was no longer the handsome, fiery-headed leader-like male who once stood there, but an enormous monster with protruding horns, and a hard-rock tail connecting the end of his body. For some reason, he seemed to float despite his overly-large muscular arms, torso and claws.

"Wh-what do I- ah!" Shanice was throttled forward into the fire arena as for the rest of the Spirits were blocked out with a huge fire wall. She could already feel herself melt by the extreme heat emitting from her crush, "Efreet! Stop! It's me! Celsius!"

It was no use, the beast seemed to have understood no words at all, instead it clawed the floor, crushing the scriptures in the process while trying to get a hold of the Ice Spirit.

She could feel herself weaken in the heat of the battle when all she merely did was run or dodge……. Maybe it was already over for her.

Efreet came swooping down, stretching his humoungous wings in the small arena. His blazing eyes held no mercy and no love that had once filled them.

"Efreet, fight it back, you can't.. No, stop! STOP!" The blazing beast before the icy Princess closed on her but as he was about to swing his powerful fist, a dark barrier surrounded Celsius.

Origin whipped around to find Nebilim concentrating on a spot through the firewall, "Nebilim! Stay out of this! It's for her to-"

"Celsius can you hear me! This is Nebilim, your friend, just think about your powers, they have been unlocked already! Just concentrate!" The dark-haired man's brows furrowed together as he muttered other-wordly incantations.

Shadow felt like a huge wave of energy had just drained out of him, but nonethless the shock he remained calm and quiet…….

"Nebilim this is part of their trial! What are you doing!" The bewildered King of Spirits took him firmly by the shoulders and stared right into his eyes.

"Well if you're their leader, you should be guiding them…… So my guess is that you want them killed?" his dark grey eyes spoke truth, but Origin knew he was to make his team better by letting them find out by themselves, "Training won't help much……"

"Origin, he's right, Celsius is in grave danger…… She doesn't have the odds of winning if-"

"Look Volt, don't you think we would've had atleast ten Ice chosens with us then?"

The Ice Spirit's traumatized stare was soon replaced by deep breathing and fixed gaze at the clawing monster in which was determined to rid the barrier. A cold chill slipped throughout her body as she overflowed of power, the feeling was…… almost joyous. Nebilim, she'd have to thank them right after this.

As soon as the barrier dispersed, Efreet lunged out for the small figure entrapped in the corner but howled in pain as he drew back his claws. Celsius smirked as she admired her new glowing self in which her clothes were replaced by what the goddesses wore in the heavens.

"Beast!" she yelled as her own tackle brought the monster several paces back. It howlered once again then charged forward with an arrow of flames encircling himself.

Almost immediately the firewall had dropped, yet the same black barrier seperated the rest of the group from the real battle, though making it easier to peer through giving a tint of black shade.

"Ice Tornado!" A cool breeze swept past the arena as shards of everly-sharp ice circled the chamber, Efreet staggered back but didn't seem to be much effected as Celsius who had fallen after each strike.

The battle had lasted several hours until Celsius could no more stand. Undine winced within each hit her old-past enemy received. She knew that she hated her too……. But no such being desired or even deserved pain like that.

The barrier instantly tore apart after the Ice spirit, torn and gravely injured fell to the cement floor unconscius and oblivious to the threat opposing her. She had lost…… Yet the God of Hell Fire still seemed to be as berserked than ever.

"Why isn't he back to normal!" Undine dived down to the fallen Goddess and swiftly picked her up, dodging Efreet's blow then softly layed her ex-foe out of danger.

Origin unsheathed his sword then replied in an indifferent tone, "It's our turn. And……… Like Nebilim said, everyone's powers are now unlocked as well. Maybe Efreet will still have a chance of having a bit of humanity left if we defeat him……. Now attack!"


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A/N: Yay! So long….. I'm sorry if the beginning was very boring but meh. Please read on and REVIEW! Yes? Ohh important fact, do not forget the forbidden book of drakness said to have powers to revive people called: Necronomicon