I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

I completely rewrote this, as it was completely unworthy of my writing! (In my defense, I'd been awake for twenty-four hours with a minimal amount of caffeine!)

It's set immediately after the final battle with Mithos, and is a prequel to Regeneration.

Up in Derris-Kharlan, there had been a great battle. Even someone who didn't know the situation could've pointed out the scorch marks on the floor and the rubble strewn about from destructive spells.

Now, the twin-swordsman stood – his companions behind him – in front of the faint translucent figure who had made the worlds suffer for so long – Mithos Yggdrasil.

"Farewell, my shadow." He said. "You who stand at the end of the path I choose not to follow. I wanted my own world, so I don't regret my decision. I would make the same choice all over again. I will continue to choose this path."

No one noticed the thin, sly smile that had crept across Mithos' face.

Lloyd raised his sword. He hesitated, knowing that the swipe of his sword would eradicate Mithos Yggdrasil's soul from the worlds forever. The final swing came, shattering Mithos' Cruxis Crystal.

No one seemed to question what the white sparkles were that flew into Lloyd's Exsphere. Whether this was because they simply didn't know if anything was wrong, or whether it was the events afterwards – the reuniting of the worlds and the planting of the giant tree – that drove the question from their minds.

Some time after this event, Lloyd had nothing to do. He'd journeyed – with Colette – to gather all the Exspheres in Symphonia. Now, though, everyone seemed to have something else to do.

Colette had gone to spend some time with her family. After that, she had a plan to open a pet rescue center near the rebuilt Luin.

Sheena was leading Mizuho brilliantly and the last important news that Lloyd had had was that Sheena, Zelos and the King of Tethe'alla were holding delicate political negotiations.

Raine and Genis were still journeying to make half-elves accepted, and Genis had already said that afterwards, he'd join the Palamacosta academy. Of course, Palamacosta needed to be rebuilt first…

Regal and Presea were 'up to their eyes in paperwork' according to their last letter from Altimira.

Of course, there was one person who he missed most of all right now.

"Kratos…" Lloyd sighed, as he gazed up at the starry sky from his veranda. "Where are you?"

He needed his father – now it seemed, more than ever. Of course, he wouldn't mention this to anyone – he didn't want anyone to worry. Besides, who would he tell, besides Dirk, and he wouldn't tell Dirk, for obvious reasons.

Still, he was alone, with not a soul to turn to.

'Now do you see why people cannot be trusted?' Said a familiar voice in the back of Lloyd's mind.

"Argh! Shut up!" Lloyd snapped.

He'd been used to this. Whenever he felt the closest to despair, this voice – this voice that spoke with Mithos' own voice – called out to him.

'People will unite with you against a common enemy, but as soon as you need them, they're gone. But I remain.'

"Go away!" Lloyd shouted. "Leave me alone!"

'I shall never leave you. You will come to understand my way. And you will discover what true pain really is.'

Lloyd sunk to his knees, clutching his head. Slowly, fearfully, he sank into a troubled sleep, filled with nightmares.

The next morning, Lloyd crept downstairs – last night's ordeal all but forgotten. Dirk handed him a letter.

Lloyd tore open the envelope. He checked who it was from – Colette!

Dear Lloyd,

I wondered if you'd come and help us rebuild Palamacosta. By us, I mean me and Genis – he's already agreed. If you want to help, come and meet us in Palamacosta.

See you soon, Lloyd!

Colette

All thoughts of Mithos had – by now – completely vanished. Lloyd quickly gathered a few items for the journey and set out…to Palamacosta!

Continued in Regeneration