Sorry for being so late about adding this chapter, but I've been away. I will add some more chapters soon. I am currently writing the eight chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia.

Chapter 3 – A broken promise / meeting at Dirk's house

Colette's eyes widened.

"Are we going to leave so early?"

Raine nodded.

"That's right."

Colette fell silent and scraped the rest of her dinner off from her plate. Kratos was there too, and so were Frank and Phaidra. Colette's grandmother had invited Kratos and Raine to dinner, so they could discuss things about the journey.

"The sooner we start on the journey, the better." Kratos explained.

Raine noticed that Colette seemed a bit concerned, so she asked her.

"Colette, is something troubling you?"'

"No, not at all. I'm fine, professor." Colette smiled and tried to look as cheery as usual, but Raine saw through her disguise.

"Come on, you can tell me."

"O-okay… I'm worried that Lloyd won't be awake so early… and then I'll not be able to say goodbye to him…"

"We could visit him after dinner. What do you think about that?" Raine asked.

"Yes. You're so smart professor!"

"Oh…"

Xxx

Then, after dinner, Colette, Raine and Kratos prepared to pay Lloyd a visit. Colette, because she wanted to say goodbye, Raine had much the same reason and Kratos was just tagging along.

"Look, a rabbit!" Colette beamed at the two adults.

She sat down and fished some grass out of her pocket. Kratos looked strangely at her.

"Chosen, why do you carry grass in your pockets?"

"It's for the rabbits of course!"

The rabbit slowly approached Colette and began nibbling at the grass she was holding.

Kratos groaned.

"But I don't only carry grass for the rabbits," Colette continued. "I also have doggy treats, cat treats, different seeds for the birds to eat, breadcrumbs for the fishes, sunflower seeds for hamsters, even more grass for sheep and horses and cows, nuts for the squirrels…"

"I understand." Kratos cut her off. Who knew how long she'd have went on if he hadn't stopped her…

Colette sat on the ground a bit and waited for the rabbit to finish eating. Kratos let out a sigh of relief when the rabbit finally was done. But then Colette decided to feed the rabbit another handful of grass.

"Chosen… it might not be wise to linger here too long. There might be monsters about."

"But it still looks hungry!"

Colette looked at him with a pleading look in her blue eyes.

"Please, Mr. Kratos?"

"Colette, I think we should listen to Kratos. He has a lot more experience than the two of us." Raine tried to convince the girl. "Beside, I don't think you want that rabbit to get a stomach-ache either."

Colette nodded.

"You're right Professor."

Colette put the grass back into her pocket, and they continued through the forest. At times it could actually be quite peaceful. A broad path went trough the forest, and the path it was easy to walk on. The trees and bushes were green and healthy just like the grass. Beautiful flowers grew near the path, and at one point there was a river you had to cross by a cute little bridge. The only thing that disturbed the peaceful atmosphere of the Iselia forest was the human ranch on the hill ahead.

The group slowly walked closer. In order to reach Lloyd's house they had to follow the path that went past the human ranch. Raine lifted her head and looked toward the ranch. How many poor souls might have died there? How many were still suffering? Colette seemed worried as she looked at the ranch.

The young chosen slipped her hand into her pocket and stroke over the golden feather. She had sworn by her life, and she would manage it. She would fulfill the regeneration ritual for the sake of all the victims of the desians… even if she knew what it would mean to her. She had to be strong.

"Chosen? Raine? We should move on now."

Raine turned away from the ranch.

"Of course." She replied. "Come, Colette."

"Yes, professor!"

Xxx

"Okay, Lloyd and Genis, are you ready?"

"You bet!" Lloyd answered, a broad grin on his face.

Genis nodded.

They were standing inside Dirk's house. Dirk was a dwarf and also Lloyd's adoptive father. The wooden house was well-built and bigger than the average Iselian house. It was a lot messier too. Various ores, wood blocks, metal objects and a lot of other things (it would take too long to mention all of them) lay strewn on the floor.

Dirk closed the curtains and each of them turned to a corner. "Okay, when I tell you to-"

"Now!" Lloyd cried out. "Triple dwarven pot-luck surprise!"

Lloyd, Genis and Dirk began taking random things from the pitch-black room and threw them into a big, black pot.

"Hey, Lloyd it's me, Genis!"

Lloyd let go of Genis and they continued throwing things into the pot for about five minutes before Dirk turned on the light again. Then he put in water and boiled everything in the pot.

"It'll be done in half an hour." He informed Lloyd and Genis.

Lloyd and Genis went outside to look for Colette, but just as he was going to open the door, it was opened by Colette instead.

"Hi, Lloyd!"

"Colette! I was going to look for you just now." Said in surprise.

"Hi Colette!" Genis smiled.

"Mr. Kratos and the Professor are here too."

Dirk turned toward the door and noticed the visitors. "Come on in."

Colette went first and tripped over the wooden doorframe.

"Whoops! Oh, I'm sorry…"

"You don't need to apologize, you dork." Lloyd said as he helped Colette to her feet again.

Kratos and Raine stepped inside as well. Raine sighed. The whole house looked even messier than last time… Dirk was a dwarf and it was clear that he also had raised Lloyd like a dwarf.

"Oh, welcome Ms. Sage." He chuckled. "I hope it's not school that brings you here this time as well?"

"Actually, It's not. Although I must say that I am a bit worried about Lloyd's results…"

Dirk chuckled again. "Well, he's a good boy at heart. And it's not like grades are the most important things either."

Raine was ready to tell how much she disagreed with the dwarf as she suddenly noticed Kratos standing right beside her.

"My apologies if I startled you…" he mumbled when he saw her expression.

"It's okay…" she mumbled and reddened.

"Everybody sit down, the triple dwarven pot-luck is done!" Dirk announced.

Raine and Kratos looked surprised, but Lloyd, Genis and Colette grinned.

Xxx

"A metal ore…" Raine sighed. "What kind of food is this…"

"Hmph." Kratos replied. "You can count yourself lucky."

"Lucky?" Raine asked.

"I got a boot…"

"Oh, I see…"

After everyone has finished eating (or like Raine had secretly disposed of it in some sneaky sort of way), they went outside.

"So, did you find out when you're gonna leave tomorrow? 'Cause I wanna say goodbye." Lloyd asked, a broad grin on his face.

"I'll tell you later… Why don't you talk to the others first? I need some time alone right now…" Colette explained.

Lloyd gave her a nod. Then he pointed to a bench nearby the river running past Dirk's house.

"You can sit there if you want. I often sit there when I'm doing woodwork." Lloyd told her proudly. "I actually made the bench myself. Dad helped me just a tiny bit, but not much."

"Sure." Colette smiled.

"Tell me when you want to talk, ok?"

"I will."

Then she walked over to the bench and sat down. She was using this evening to get a last glimpse of Iselia and the surroundings before she left, Lloyd understood. He'd have done the same thing if he would be going on such a long journey.

Raine smiled as Lloyd walked over to her to say goodbye.

"I'm gonna miss you a lot, professor."

"Oh?"

"I think I'm even gonna miss your kicks after a while…" Lloyd admitted like a smile.

"Thank you Lloyd." Raine smiled at the boy. "I'll miss you too."

Lloyd and Raine looked at each other for a while without saying anything. Despite her violent outbursts, her obsession for dusty old ruins and her painful methods of punishment, Raine was the closest thing to a mother Lloyd had ever known.

When Lloyd and Genis were smaller, Raine would occasionally take them on trips into the Iselia forest, where they'd play games and have lots of fun. And if Lloyd or Genis got hurt (which happened a lot due to their wild games) Raine would always be there to heal and comfort them. The trips just got even better when Raine started letting Genis make the sandwiches for the trips instead of herself. Lloyd smiled as he recalled those memories, and Raine did smile too.

"Lloyd?"

It was Genis' voice.

"Could I talk to you for a moment?" Genis asked.

"Of course." Lloyd replied. "About what?"

"Have you finished with the necklace for Colette?" the silver-haired boy whispered to Lloyd.

"Eh… almost." Lloyd lied.

"You forgot it didn't you?"

"I told you-"

"Didn't you?" Genis asked again.

"Okay, okay, I forgot about it. But I'll be done tomorrow!"

"Lloyd, Colette will be gone tomorrow!"

"But she'll be back after the journey."

Genis rolled his eyes.

"That journey could take a year to complete!" Genis burst out.

But Lloyd had already gone to talk to Colette, who had called out to him.

Xxx

Colette and Lloyd had went up to the balcony and Genis was petting Noishe. Raine wandered a bit around outside, running through the list of things to bring on the journey. She could not take much with her, only the most essential things.

"Raine?"

Raine turned around to see who had spoken to her from behind.

"Oh, Kratos. What is it?"

She then noticed that Kratos was looking at the grave where Lloyd's mother, Anna, lay.

"Whose grave is that?" Kratos asked.

"It belongs to Lloyd's mother, Anna." Raine answered. "But I don't know any details about her death…"

"Hmm… I was just wondering." He replied. "And his father?"

"Dirk is his adoptive father."

"I meant, about the real one."

"Oh…" Raine blushed slightly. "I'm not sure."

"Hmm…"

Kratos turned back to the grave. He seemed like he was thinking about something.

Xxx

Colette and Lloyd were both up at the terrace.

"You wanted to talk?" Colette asked.

"It's about your birthday present…"

"Oh?" Colette smiled at him.

"…I didn't get the time to finish it."

Colette quickly hid her disappointment and smiled at Lloyd again.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it Lloyd."

Lloyd didn't meet Colette's eyes but looked down instead.

"I wanted to make you something special before you left…" he mumbled.

"It's okay. Just wish me a happy birthday!"

Lloyd raised his head again.

"Okay…"

Colette gave him a warm smile and a little of Lloyd's guilty feeling disappeared. Then he suddenly got an idea that put a big grin on his face.

"I just remembered that I've got something for you after all!" Lloyd grinned.

Before Colette had the time to ask, Lloyd gave her a big hug.

"Happy birthday Colette!"

She looked at him, happy and surprised at the same time.

"Thank you Lloyd!"

"And I've got something for you when you come back too!"

Lloyd thought Colette looked sad for a blink of an eye, but he was surely just imagining things. There was no trace of sadness on Colette's face.

"And I won't be able to go with you tomorrow?"

"Lloyd… it's dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt. The desians will be after us."

Lloyd paused for a moment before he opened his mouth again.

"Colette… there is one thing I have to tell you… You know… my mom…"

"Yes?"

"I thought she died in an accident… but today… I found out that she was murdered by desians!"

"I see…" Colette replied. "We'll leave around noon. You can come then."

"You're the best, Colette!" Lloyd smiled.

Xxx

A bit later, Colette, Genis, Raine and Kratos had headed back to Iselia. Colette had already gone home. Much to his discomfort, Kratos discovered that there was no inn in Iselia. Raine had then offered him to stay at her and Genis' place. Kratos agreed but Genis didn't seem to be too happy with the solution.

"Raine, you're nuts!" Genis whispered to Raine as they entered the house and she offered Kratos to sit down.

"You know that we've only got two beds here!"

"I'll sleep on the floor." Raine replied calmly.

"And why you and not Kratos?" he asked. "Isn't he your boyfriend?"

Genis only got a smack in return.

"Fine, if you're gonna be that way…" the elven boy muttered angrily and went into the bedroom to sleep.

"Boyfriend, huh?" Kratos asked.

Raine blushed. "Genis can be a bit… annoying sometimes."

Kratos smiled. "Children are children."

"Well…"

The two adults talked for a while before Kratos helped Raine pack her things.

"And I'll take this one with me too." Raine grabbed an ancient stone vase, another artefact that she had found in an old, dusty ruin somewhere in Sylvarant.

"And you are sure you will be able to carry all of it?" Kratos asked and eyed her with a look of curiosity.

"Of course." Raine grabbed her bag and tried to lift it up, but she put it down again soon. "Phew… it was heavier than I thought…"

"How about only bringing the lighter artefacts with you?" Kratos suggested.

"Hmm… I could try that…" Raine took out the heaviest artefacts and replaced them with lighter ones, and soon she was able to carry her bag without too much trouble. "You're smarter than I'd thought!" Raine smiled at him.

Kratos blushed at the compliment. "Uh…"

"I always thought mercenaries had to be quite lowly educated, but you don't seem that way."

"Well, let's say… I've studied… a bit." He replied.

Raine smiled. "Good to hear."

Kratos smiled back. "But you' better get to bed now. It's late."

"I though I could lay on the floor and you…" Raine tried to explain.

"I'll sleep here, but thank you for the offer." Kratos replied and lent back into his chair.

At Raine's concerned look Kratos told her that he was more used to sleepless nights than her. Raine finally agreed and went to bed too.

The next morning, Raine woke up early. She dressed quietly and exited the bedroom. Kratos was already awake. He was still sitting in the chair.

"Did you sleep well?" Raine asked.

"So-so." The auburn haired mercenary replied. "But I'm fine!" he quickly added as he saw Raine's expression.

"I'll make breakfast now." Raine declared. "Then I'll wake up Genis."

Kratos looked strangely at her. "Well… but why don't you wake him up before you start? Then he will surely be completely awake when breakfast is finished."

"I have my reasons." Raine explained and went into the kitchen.

Kratos didn't know that he would discover Raine's reasons very soon…

Xxx

"Breakfast is ready!" Raine said proudly and held up a plate with three… somethings… on it.

"It surely looks… unique…" Kratos remarked.

He then saw something small and silver-haired rush out of the bedroom. It was Genis. Then Genis noticed Raine and her breakfast.

"Raine! I said I was going to make breakfast!" he cried out. "And besides… why didn't you wake me up?"

"Thought you were sleepy." She lied.

"Yeah, of course…" Genis said ironically, but luckily for him, Raine was too occupied in watching how Kratos tried to eat one of her sandwiches.

"So, what do you think?" Raine blushed a bit.

"They're very… original…" Kratos replied as he took the second bite of what was a sandwich, according to Raine.

"I think I had them in the oven a little too long…" she admitted.

Genis freaked out.

"Raine! You're not supposed to put sandwiches in the oven!"

"Am I supposed to boil them?"

"No…" Genis sighed.

"Um… is frying okay?"

"No…"

"So that's why they turned out like this…" Raine mumbled before she took a bite herself.

"Raine, did you boil, fry and bake them?" Genis asked, quite shocked.

"I did." Raine replied.

"You're nuts!"

SMACK!

"Oww…"

Xxx

After breakfast, Kratos and Raine went to Colette's house to pick up Colette and drop off Genis, who was going to stay with Frank and Phaidra.

They left soon after, Colette being well aware of the promise she had just broken.

Xxx