Crystal Feathers: A Fanfic by Gyppy
Timeline: Based 2 years after 'To Kill An Angel'
Summary: After Niflheim was sealed, Lloyd thought the evils of the world to be dead. The group split up, expecting peace and quiet to reign around the world.
However, they were all in for a big surprise. Two years after Niflheim was sealed, the rising shadow that once concealed the world began to rise again... and now, Lloyd and the others must go on a journey to uncover the cause of the Rising Shadow and seal it away forever.
Pairings: LloydxColette and ZelosxSheena primarily, with some MithosxOC, YggdrasillxPronyma and GenisxPresea. There will also be hints at SelesxOC, YuanxMartel and KratosxRaine.
Author's Note: For the sake of keeping true to the storyline of Rising Shadow, there will be (as probably expected) very few hints at KxR. This is primarily to avoid offending all those random purists out there. I know that most of the purists will end up hating this story because of a few other pairings, but KxR seems to be the most hated of them.
As you all probably know, I'm a big fan of KxR. It's an official pairing in this storyline, though it will be rather rare. This fanfic will mostly focus on the action, though there will be some fluff inserted here and there.
This fanfic is based two years after 'To Kill An Angel', four years after 'Rising Shadow'. Therefore, Lloyd is 21, Colette is 20, Zelos is 26, Sheena is 23, Genis is 16, Presea is 16, Raine is 27, Abyssion is 27, Leviathan is 20, Seles is 18, Allurya is 8, Mithos is 16 and Karina is 15.
I might introduce more Tales of Destiny 2 characters later on.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Destiny/Tales of Destiny 2, Namco, Final Fantasy or Squaresoft/Square-Enix.
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Chapter 4: Betrayal of Water and Revelations
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
It had happened all too many times before. The monsters around Iselia had seemingly become much stronger, and it was difficult now for Lloyd to defeat even a wolf alone. And as he was attempting to increase his strength via training, he had encountered a particularly strong band of opponents.
And so now, the Eternal Swordsman leaned on the Flamberge for support, trying to avoid collapsing under the intense weight he seemed to feel.
But something was amiss. The swords in his hands were telling him that there was something unusual swirling in the air, and the Aionis ring he bore seemed to be picking up a strange mana signature. It seemed to be dark, but not necessarily evil...
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Those fins had seen much use in the past, and those arms had struck many foes. But this time, it was after a different opponent. Saving the Eternal Swordsman from the wrath of a shadow wolf was its primary goal.
It was unlike most Adulocia. Though it was evidently aged, perhaps four hundred or so years old, it still seemed young, perhaps even as young as thirty. There were twelve feathers of water protruding from its back, six on each side, wavering and drifting in the soft and gentle wind. Its skin, which would normally have dried out from overexposure to the warm, dry air of Iselia, was just as moist and slick as ever, almost as if it had never encountered the air.
It was like a mermaid, only it was moving through the air instead of the water. And those wings upon its back assisted its travel.
And from what would be the chest region of a less primitive animal, there exuded a faint glow from a shadowy crystal, colored red but glowing black.
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Judas, who had followed Lloyd out, was also exhausted, incapable of continuing the battle. He was tempted to try performing the Majin-Rengoku-Satsu as a last resort, but knew it was too great a risk, based off of his past experience with the technique.
He could barely even raise his longsword anyhow. Blades of mana were useless if they couldn't move.
Both warriors were aroused when they heard an inhuman shriek from the distant plain, and an unexpected Spread attack catapulted the wolf they had been fighting into the air. It was quickly followed by Aqua Laser, which cut through and knocked back the wolf, knocking it down and out.
Lloyd lifted his head and looked in the direction the Aqua Laser had come from, and much to his surprise, he could see a bizarre, fishlike creature floating its way across the plain.
He could recognize it as an Adulocia, but had no clue as to why such a creature would help him. Perhaps it was like Draconis... it was a traitor against the cause of Nebilim, and it wanted to be free of the hell it had to endure under the shadow's reign.
The Adulocia calmly and swiftly approached, its wings of water flapping softly and propelling it forward. Its two 'arms', half fish and half limb, hung limply at either side, obviously at rest. Its tail also remained still, with the exception of an occasional twitch.
Though it was a grotesque contraption of flesh, it was also magnificent in its own way.
Lloyd, recognizing the aura, lifted an arm weakly and waved it at the creature, obviously hinting that he wanted to speak to it. It floated over, undisturbed by Lloyd's appearance.
abc
"Hi there," the Eternal Swordsman whispered, panting. "Um... thanks for your help..."
No problem, the Adulocia returned in its own mental voice. I'm here to help any friend of Mithos.
"So you're...?" Lloyd seemed intrigued, and despite his exhaustion and injury, he found the strength to lift himself to his feet and walk over to the creature that stood before him.
Yep, the Adulocia replied calmly. In case you're wondering, they call me Hydralix. It's tough being a servant of the rising shadow... so tough, in fact, that it's easier to just oppose it... heheh.
Lloyd seemed surprised by the creature's carefree attitude. "You're a bit eccentric..."
You just now noticed it, the Adulocia muttered. Your name is...?
"Lloyd," the Eternal Swordsman replied simply. "And my friend here is Judas."
Judas... hmm. The Adulocia now seemed intrigued, mentally raising an eyebrow at the name. I think I've heard that somewhere before... well, anyway, I'll be glad to help you as long as you need it. Don't hesitate to ask of my assistance.
Lloyd glanced at Judas briefly, then nodded. "All right. You gonna come with us?"
Sure thing. The Adulocia's bizarre joy was evident in its voice. I'll stick by your side till the day I die.
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Lloyd had found Hydralix's words rather peculiar, as he had only known Judas to have somehow contacted the Desians. He desired to 'interrogate' the masked swordsman on the subject before they left for Derris-Kharlan.
Since the group had to stop off at Iselia to rest and introduce Hydralix to the others, especially Draconis, he decided to interrogate Judas there.. He felt Draconis and Hydralix were somehow connected...
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
"How'd the training go today?" Zelos asked as he watched Lloyd enter the house.
"Not the best," Lloyd replied. "I encountered a new... ah... friend along the way, and I have to question Judas on a few subjects."
"So, you're starting to become suspicious of Mr. Masked Swordsman here." Zelos grinned and seated himself. "Not atypical for a guy like you... heheh. Well, I guess it's better off if we all know what's buggin' ya."
"I'm not too keen on being interrogated by a number of people," Judas stated flatly. "If it is at all possible, keep it to one or two, okay?"
"Wouldn't it technically be a-" Genis was cut off when he saw Lloyd nod at Judas, and the two left the room. "Well, guess those two are determined to carry out their little conversation..."
Zelos glanced at the doorway. "Yep, sure seems like it. Damn, I wish that guy was a bit more social..."
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
"Judas." Lloyd addressed the younger swordsman with a cold air, one that was very unlike him. "I want you to tell me everything you know about your past experiences with the Desians. Everything."
Judas smirked and closed his eyes. "Lately I've been thinking of pulling off some kami-kaze move like Majin-Rengoku-Satsu again. It'd put an end to the traitorous life I live..."
"You're a traitor?" Lloyd seemed intrigued by this statement, and raised an eyebrow.
"I figured you would've figured it out by now," Judas said. "Based off of the fact that my name is that of an infamous traitor in years long past us... heh. Guess I didn't make it clear enough." The smirk faded from his face as he continued. "My entire life... has been a lie. At age sixteen, a Cruxis Crystal was installed into me, and my aging was stopped by the same process that Kratos' was. However, the crystal turned out to be a faulty one, and I never gained the wings and heightened senses of an angel. The crystal remains on my skin, as it contains the soul of one I loved in my past life."
"So you protect the crystal even though you have no real purpose for it but memory?" Lloyd said, even more intrigued. "You were so devoted to that person that you couldn't sacrifice the Cruxis Crystal they bore..."
"Her name was Marian," Judas said. "After... after that day seventeen years ago, I... I just couldn't bring myself to kill her... but I had to, to save her." His tone darkened. "Her Cruxis Crystal was removed from her body, and its lack of a Key Crest caused the mana in her body to go out of control... but instead of transforming into the Exbelua of the weaker Exspheres, she transformed into a grotesque and abominable monster that was difficult to set eyes upon..."
"So you killed her," Lloyd said. "You killed her to save her? What was that day that you desire to remember for the rest of your natural life?"
"It was what would be considered a marvelous day," Judas replied. "A marvelous day only to those who truly love one another. It was almost exactly seventeen years ago this day... a mere month before she died. I was the one that took her virginity... I will freely admit it, as you asked me to tell you everything, and speaking of the Desians just simply can't be done without some mention of Marian."
Lloyd seemed particularly shocked by this statement. "You... you slept with her? But... but that's..."
"I wanted to carry on," Judas said. "Perhaps I shouldn't have tried at such a young age, but I didn't want to lose the opportunity..." his voice seemed to fade into a snarl. "...but all thanks to those damned Desians... my life has been torn apart... completely ruined! And to think... I actually wanted to listen to Nebilim at one point in the past!"
"So you did work for the Desians," Lloyd said. "I suspected it from the very beginning... but now it seems I've proven it. And all thanks to the mention of that girl..."
"Don't insult Marian." Judas' voice was still stormy, and his eyes were even more so. "She was the light in a life that seemed pointless... I would've killed myself long ago if it weren't for her. My only sibling is still a normal human... she can age freely as she wishes, and procreate, and... and..." though he attempted to retain control, tears still came to his eyes. "...and she can... actually live as a human... but to keep the life of Marian... I must sacrifice... everything I have..."
"Calm down," Lloyd said. "If it depresses you that much to talk about the past, I won't force you to. But... must you still punish yourself for Marian's sake? I mean, the crystal doesn't even work, so... why keep it?"
"It's Marian," Judas stated. "Need I more reason to keep it?"
"Perhaps it isn't fully evolved," Lloyd said. "I recall hearing something about that from my father... Kratos... a year or two ago. A partially evolved Exsphere can hinder one's aging, but it doesn't provide the enhancements that a fully evolved one does."
"What must I do?" Judas asked hopefully, his eyes brightening for the first time in ages.
"You must wait for the Exsphere to fully evolve," Lloyd replied. "It could take a while to do that, unfortunately... but once it has fully evolved, you must remove it. Once a day has passed, it is safe to return the Cruxis Crystal to your body. At least, that's what Kratos said." Remembering a story from his past, he added, "And don't worry, you can still pass on your own bloodline even with the unevolved one. It's just... far more difficult. Don't worry about it... worry about it when you're actually old enough to procreate." He winked.
Judas sighed. "I suppose you're right... this time I'll listen." In his mind, he added, Marian, I hope you're listening right now. I'm going to return myself to normal for your sake.
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Author's Note: Okay... yeah, I'm weird. Don't ask why I went into such gruesome detail there... heheh. I'm trying to decide if this can stay T-rated or not.
Thank Tales of Destiny 2 and Motoi Sakuraba for the continuation of this fanfic.