Dirk's House
Lloyd and Genis talked excitedly as they crossed over the small bridge spanning the stream that ran in front of Dirk's house. "I'm so glad we finally found you guys!" said Lloyd happily. "Yup! Now, Raine can heal Kratos!" replied his half-elven friend. They found Dirk standing outside the door to his house. "Lloyd! Come here, quickly!" exclaimed the dwarf. He led them up into Lloyd's room, where a girl about the same age as Lloyd sat on his bed. She didn't look up when they entered, and tremors shook her body every few minutes. Lloyd could tell something was terribly wrong.
"She just showed up a few days ago, on the verge of passing out. She hasn't said a word, and won't eat or sleep." Raine stepped forward and examined the girl, who continued staring at the wall and shivering. "There's nothing physically wrong with her. It must have been a tremendous psychological trauma that put her in this state. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do," she sadly.
"Maybe if we talk to her, she'll wake up," suggested Colette. "It wouldn't hurt to try," said Lloyd. "You go first," Colette said shyly. Lloyd nodded. He sat on his bed opposite the girl and asked, "Can you hear me?" The girl gave no response. He stared into her crimson eyes, searching for signs of life. "Hey, wake up. I know you can come back to us."
Suddenly her eyes focused, and she blinked. "You… must be Lloyd…" she said, and toppled forward. Lloyd caught her, and she whispered, " You look… just like him…" before passing out.
When Gwin reawakened, she told them what had happened. They sat in stunned silence as she described how Kratos had fallen.
"So Dad is… dead?" asked Lloyd quietly.
"Not exactly… She removed his soul from his body. If done by force, it's excruciatingly painful. His soul is now somewhere in death, probably trapped by Rhine."
"Fascinating… I had no idea such a thing could be done," said Raine.
"Professor, stop it! My dad could be… I have to save him!" exclaimed Lloyd.
"If we can find his physical body and his soul, I can probably reunite the two," said Gwin timidly. "How do you know so much about necromancy?" Raine asked. Gwin didn't reply immediately.
"Because… I myself am a necromancer," she finally whispered. "I can understand if you feel uncomfortable around me, so I'll just leave now…"
"Wait. I can tell that isn't the whole story," Lloyd said gently. Gwin nodded. "Ever since I can remember, I can willingly walk in and out of death. I can even speak with the dead, if I wish. But I don't know how or why I can do such things… why I have this curse…"
"I can travel into death as well, using these." Lloyd unsheathed his swords. "I've never heard of anything like this. May I see them?" Gwin carefully took the swords from Lloyd. She studied the gleaming blades for a moment, and then plunged one of them deep into his chest. Speechless with shock, he expected feel blood flowing from his wound. He looked down in surprise as Gwin passed the sword through his unharmed body a few more times, and then handed them back.
"Just as I thought. These swords can only cut the ethereal and undead; living flesh is completely unharmed."
"You could have said something before you did that! And what do you mean, 'Just as I thought'? What if you had thought wrong!" exclaimed Lloyd, shaken. Gwin laughed, for the first time in years.
"You're so much prettier when you smile!" said Colette. "We haven't been properly introduced," said Gwin, holding out her hand. "You can call me Gwin."
"I'm Colette," she replied, and shook her hand.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Raine." Gwin shook her hand as well.
"Raine's my older sister. Everyone else calls her the Professor, though. And don't let her touch your food!" said Genis, quickly dodging a slap from Raine. "I'm Genis."
The dwarf coughed to get her attention. "I'm Lloyd's adoptive father, Dirk." She had to lean down a little to reach his hand.
"And I'm Lloyd." He shook her hand, but she didn't let go immediately. "Lloyd, I'm so sorry… I couldn't do anything against Rhine… or save Kratos…" "Don't worry about it. We'll defeat Rhine and get Dad back, together." Gwin smiled. "Thank you, Lloyd, and everyone else, too… for accepting me."
"My sister and I are half-elves, so we know how you feel. Don't mention it," said Genis.
Suddenly, there was a low, rumbling growl. "Are there monsters around here?" Colette asked anxiously. Lloyd blushed. "Ah, no, actually. That was my stomach. I'm starving." Genis laughed at him. "You really know how to kill the seriousness of a scene, Lloyd. Always thinking with your stomach!" Everyone joined in laughing, even Lloyd.
It had been so long since Gwin had felt this comfortable around others. All she could ever remember was being alone, hated, and feared. These people showed such kindness and life… Like a parched animal to water, she was drawn to them. She wanted to travel with them, to be with them, but would she just be turned away once more…?
"Are you alright?" Gwin snapped back to reality at the sound of the half-elf's voice. "I'm fine, just lost in some memories… Raine, was it?" She nodded. "Yes. These powers of yours, I wonder where they come from," Raine mused. "I'm sorry, I can't help you there. I'm as mystified as you are," Gwin replied, sadness tingeing her voice.
"Are you guys coming? Lloyd's going to eat it all if you don't hurry!" Genis called up the stairs. "Lloyd Irving, you had better not!" Raine called down in mock fury.
No, really… Thank all of you so much, thought Gwin.
Like I said before... I don't own Tales of Symphonia. Only the aforementioned characters in this story. To everyone who has been reading this fanfiction, thank you so much! It makes me very happy that other people are actually taking time to read this story. I try not to disappoint. However, chapters may not come as quickly as they used to, as I am steadily reaching the point where I have stopped in my fanfiction notebook. The solution: shut up and start writing. I'll get the next chapter typed as soon as I possibly can...