AN: Before I let you start reading this chapter, I have one quick announcement. After much deliberation, I have decided to cancel my original chapter 13 title, and most of the story that would have been in that chapter. I just didn't have any use for it; it would have gotten in the way of the story.

Other than that, all I have to say right now is thank you to my reviewers; I always like receiving your comments. Now you people know how this routine goes so I won't say it again. That's right, this is the last time I say it but it still counts for all future chapters. Read it, enjoy it, and then eat a cookie and review it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia. I don't know anyone who does. And to top it all off, I never will. I'd consider that sad, but most people probably don't also.

Ch. 13 The Good Old Days

Capricorn sat on a wooden stool, in one of the best bars she had ever been in. The atmosphere was friendly and happy, the music played by the band in the corner was excellent, and the barkeeper knew how to make some very good drinks. This was her kind of place. Despite the noise and laughter, she always seemed to think more clearly with a drink in her hand. And right now her thoughts were focused on a man she cared for more than herself, and the man who could obtain the means to end him.

"If he managed to sway the king, he could very well have his army before the end of this year," she reminded herself. "That, put in with the awakening of his exsphere, could very well be the doom of the empire, and more importantly for Lord Forcystus…I can't be thinking about that now, I need to figure out a way to stop him. I could try just killing him right out, it'd certainly be the most direct approach. No, Sheena would hunt me to the very edge of Syphonia if I did that. That and if authorities trace me to his death quickly enough, it could be difficult to even make it back up north. With any luck, I'm worrying over nothing. I don't even know how things turned out with the king. I knew I should have stayed with them a little longer… But then I may not have found this place."

As she was thinking about her dilemma, she didn't notice Zelos enter the bar and take a seat next to her. "Hey, Barkeep, gimme a Red Headed Slut!" he shouted over to the barkeeper.

"Right, just give me a minute," came the cheerful voice of the man behind the bar.

"They send you to keep an eye on me?" she inquired to Zelos.

"Nah, I come here all the time," he replied. "I did mention to them that I'd set you up with a place to stay. There're plenty of empty guest rooms at my place if you care to take one."

"As long as I don't have to pay," she laughed. "So how did your audience with the king turn out?"

"Not as well as it could have," he admitted. "He only gave us about five thousand. Lloyd's workin' on getting more though. With any luck, we'll be ready to go by spring."

"You're going along when he leaves again?" she asked.

"Yup, Regal's goin' so I've been ordered to. It's the same with Raine, Genis, and Colette."

"And Sheena would back Lloyd in just about anything. What's his next move anyways?"

"He's fighting in the arena. If he can earn the title of "Arena Champion," he can basically order every fighter there to war. It'd give him a few extra men on the field if it works."

"How many is a few?"

"About ninety to a hundred thousand. Why are you so interested?"

"You know about my mission. But more importantly, I can't let him threaten Lord Forcystus. I'll kill him first."

"You're serious aren't you?"

"Yes. Are you going to try and stop me?"

"Nope, I ain't gonna do nuthin' about it. I don't care much about politics, or conspiracies. I just wanna have a good time."

"But you know that I'm gonna try and use this information against Lloyd. So why answer my questions?"

"I don't really care what you do. What Lloyd's doin' seems right to me, but right and wrong are different everywhere. So the way I see it, the only way to be right is to stay in between."

After a few more hours (and a lot more drinks) the bar closed down for the night, they went to Zelos' mansion. It was a fairly large structure, to Capricorn it looked to be about the size of three barracks back at The Human Ranch. A few minutes later she found herself in a soft bed, under warm blankets, and with a feathery pillow holding her head.

"I guess that decides it for me," she thought, as sleep began to take her. "I'll let the arena beat him out for me. His exsphere is still going to take time to fully awaken, and he can barely even hold those swords much less use them. He won't get too far up the ranks. That'll buy me some time at least."

Just then, before she fell into slumber, she thought of one final thing. She thought of her master. She thought of Forcystus…

…Change View: Forcystus…

It was cold that night, winter would be coming soon. Forcystus stood on the battlements of the Human Ranch. He liked it up there at night, the watchmen didn't disturb him and it gave him time to think of things. He hadn't had a lot of time for that in a very long while.

Much had happened in the past few months, it had been hectic for everyone. First there had been the prisoner escape, which had resulted in the loss of both Angelus Projects, followed by the disappearance of the swords he had paid so much gald for. And now, to add more problems, many of the slaves were growing rebellious. They were questioning orders, picking fights with the guards, there had even been a few unsuccessful escape attempts. The only good news he had received in a long time was the destruction of Mizuho. It seemed as though for every thorn he pulled from his side, another ten found their way into his foot.

He looked now at his left arm. The metal casing that held the recovering limb reminded him of the glorious days when he was a great warrior, a man to be feared even by his allies. It reminded him of a time when he could make an entire city fall without even having to draw his blades.

Those were the days known to many Desians as "The Great Expansion." Those were the days when the Desian Empire was beginning to realize its manifest destiny. It was common knowledge to all citizens of the empire that their banner would one day be waved above every castle of every nation. These were the days when the Desian Empire began to conquer the world.

Back then, Forcystus had only been a commander. He had his forces, which he commanded with great skill and precision. He had his servants, all conquered and forced away from their families. But his true prizes were his swords. A simple pair of steel blades, but in his hands they were known for the deaths they had caused.

He remembered those days well. He remembered how he set fire to the village of Luin, turning it to the pile of rubble that it was today. He could hear the screaming villagers of Ozzette clear as bells. He remembered everything right down to the finest detail.

Those were the days of expansion, the days when the Desians were beginning to take the world that was theirs by right. Those were the days of Agnos, the last great ruler of the Desian Empire.

Agnos had been a great warrior in his own time. He had slain many humans in his days and had begun the great expansion. He had ruled well, showing kindness towards his people, and bringing death to all his enemies… with the exception of Forcystus.

Forcystus had always wanted to rule, but he knew he couldn't take the throne while Agnos was alive. He challenged Agnos to a duel and killed him at the cost of his blades and his left arm. Now his arm was kept in a recovery device, healing, waiting for the coming day when he would be able to release it from its golden prison.

He remembered how the doctors had told him that he would have to take it easy for a few decades. After all, it took time to remake a limb, even with the Mana Regenerator. He had done as they had said for fifty-seven years, and even after all that time, his arm was still healing. He had grown impatient by this point; he was ready to recommence the Great Expansion. He decided to cross the border to Tethe'alla.

A week after crossing the borders, he had come to a small village. There were no soldiers, no town militia, this was going to be just like before. But after the slaughter at the village, which he later learned had been called Iselia, Forcystus felt tired. For some unexpected reason, the simple raid had drained a great deal of his strength. He learned later on that the Mana Regenerator had drained mana directly form his body, as a way to continue its work at the same pace it had been going at for all of that time. It hadn't helped that he had to put that human with the swords in a place befitting an inferior being.

As the memories flooded through his mind, he looked again at his left arm, incased in the Mana Regenerator. It wouldn't be long now, he could feel his new fingers, could nearly will them to move. Another few months, and he would be ready. But he wasn't aware of what else would be coming, or that it would bring much that he sought and more that he feared.

AN: Alright then, I deem this chapter complete… or at least this is a good point to end it. Now two more things. One, it is my nephew's birthday today, and for this reason, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Jake, my two year-old nephew… I still need to find a good present for him. Any ideas folk?

And the other thing… oh yeah, I remember now. Review please. You know I like it when you review. Now do it… or I'll send Chuck Noriss after you. (Please note that I don't own Chuck Noriss, and can't really have him come after you… I just wanted to say it.) Now review… before I think of some other ridiculous, empty threat. Seeya next time at Ch. 14: The Big Match. Laters!