Me? Don't own Tales of Symphonia. Never will. Good?

After splitting from father and son, I walked towards Noise's pen. In Triet it's very visible, but in Flanior it's round the back of the inn. It's more like a stable than an area built for dogs. Then again since Noishe isn't a dog…

Once inside the stable-like structure, I saw Stephen talking to Noishe. He noticed me instantly.

"Where've you been?" He asked.

"Talking to Lloyd."

"Wait, he came to you and asked to talk?"

"Yes. It's not that hard to believe, is it?"

"Nia, you're supposed to be smart! Think, what does this decide?"

I thought for a moment, then a lightbulb switched on. "Zelos."

"You know, you might have saved his life just now."

"But, Lloyd's talking to Kratos right now."

"That makes things…difficult."

"I'd rather not think about it. After all, we can't change anything now."

"I guess not." Stephen turned, and focused on Noishe.

After a few seconds he sniggered. "Cheeky thing." He said quietly.

"You can understand Noishe?" I asked.

"Runs on land, he's a mammal."

"But he's a protozoan." I protested.

"You tell him that that."

"This isn't fair! I miss being able to talk to birds. I feel so isolated. All the birds here are tainted with madness, probably the result of mana deficiency."

"I wish she wouldn't use big words like that." Stephen muttered.

Noishe walked up to me, sat down and prodded my hand with his nose.

"I know." I said softly. "You don't want me to be sad, right?"

Noishe cocked his head to one side in curiosity.

"I've lived all my life around dogs, so I have a fair idea of what you're trying to say. Besides, Stephen's been teaching me some simple body language."

My one-sided conversation was interrupted by a certain mercenary. He walked in and only just saw me.

"Oh. I want a word with Noishe…" Kratos started.

"Don't worry. How did it go with Lloyd?" I asked.

Kratos looked away. "We talked about some…family matters."

I felt really sad for the poor guy. "I understand. Look, it's not healthy for you to keep your emotions bottled up inside. You will make some really stupid decisions if you live like that."

Kratos gave a sound between a snort and 'humph', the way only Kratos can.

A thought dawned on me. Stephen had been unusually quiet through all this. True enough, Stephen was gone.

"Well, I'll just leave you two alone." I said and turned to walk out the door.

Noishe gently grabbed the arm of my coat in his teeth.

"Okay, I don't need to be able to talk to you to understand that one. Kratos, you're stuck with me! If you must, blame Noishe."

Kratos smiled slightly and Noishe gave a dog's grin.

"Noishe, I want you to give this to Lloyd. You know how important it is." Kratos said and handed the locket to Noishe.

"Why didn't you give it to Lloyd yourself?" I asked.

"I wanted to avoid awkward questions. The past is…over. No one can do anything about it. If I continue on as I have been doing, how long is it before I turn into Mithos, consumed by my grief?"

"You could never become like that. Don't say that! You know and accept the past is over. You would never do anything like that, Kratos!"

There was a thoughtful silence.

"I only ask about the locket and look where we end up. Kratos, I think there is someone who knows you better than you know yourself. Why don't you ask them?"

"Where is Yuan?"

"Just south of here, on one of the islands. It's harder to get there by sea than by air, trust me." I remembered playing the game, trying to get to the Renegade base and spending half an hour navigating the little islands!

"…Thanks." Kratos mumbled before pulling out his turquoise wings and flying away.

My jaw was hanging. Kratos had said 'thanks'! Dear diary, today Kratos has actually told someone he appreciated their help!

I stayed in my hotel room until dawn broke. I wished I could bring my DS with me when I went into worlds. Although it would probably cause too much fuss. Passing four hours without doing anything was so boring.

Eventually, a weak sun rose on the frozen continent of Flanior. I was actually pleased; for once it wasn't snowing. I got outside the fastest way possible. (barring jumping out the window!)

I think I wore away the stone pavement tapping my foot waiting for the group to assemble. Hey, I was bored!

Finally, everyone had finished yawning and planning. Lloyd, Zelos, Colette and Genis took the Rheairds. I turned into a Canadian Goose, which can fly pretty far in cold weathers.

We picked up the rest off the group who were at Altessa's house. I stayed outside and saw the whole conversation between Kratos and Zelos. This really wasn't looking good for the whole 'don't kill anyone' thing. Wait, when did I start a 'don't kill anyone' thing?

Anyway, somehow my mind stayed on one track all the way to the Tower of Salvation.

He's going to die. Oh. My. God, he's going to die.

Zelos would never make it on my list of favourite videogame characters of all time (that's reserved for Kratos, Xelha, Link, Rydia, Talim, Jade…) but I can't let him die!

The white tower stood as a symbol of everything I hated right now. I took great pleasure in the knowledge that in two days it'd be gone. I reluctantly stepped inside.

"Now what? Don't we need to teleport up to the higher levels?" Stephen asked.

"Don't worry, I prepared a little something the last time we were here." Zelos assured the group. "Colette, come here a minute."

I had to clam down really hard with my self-control to stop myself from screaming, 'Colette, don't!'

Stephen sent me a warning glance, to which I nodded slightly.

Colette walked towards the seal and was completely surrounded by angels and the one leading them, Pronyma. It went without saying that everyone was stunned.

"Zelos!" I shouted, trying to keep at least the air around me under control. It whipped through my hair at an alarming speed and whirled round me, a sure sign that the wind shared my anger.

The angels teleported off with Colette, leaving Zelos.

"Dammit, Zelos, you piece of shimazaki. No matter how much you want to, you are not going to die, you suicidal son of a gast."

Sheena and Zelos had their mouths gaping wide open for using words that they thought only they knew, the rest of the group had their mouths open because of my shouting fit and the information revealed in my shouting fit.

I was tempted to drop a pin, to hear it's echo, that's how silent things were. Then…

Lloyd said shakily, "You knew?"

I turned away, finding a random piece of floor suddenly interesting. "Stephen did too."

"Thanks, Nia." Stephen said sarcastically.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Lloyd asked.

"Hello! You have just had the information that Zelos wants to die and you're questioning me?"

"Zelos, why?" Lloyd asked.

"There are easier, and less painful ways of committing suicide, you idiot!" Sheena shouted.

"I guess I didn't think." Zelos said coolly.

"Zelos, tell them the truth." Stephen said.

"You know…everything?" Zelos asked, shaken.

"I've lost my patience. Now you tell them, or I do." I threatened.

"Alright. I was getting some Aionis. That's why I joined Cruix."

"Aionis? The mineral found in legends and fairy tales?" Raine asked.

"Why?" Lloyd asked.

"To make the ring of the pact for a human to wield the Eternal Sword."

"Well, what now?" Genis asked.

"We go and save Colette, then we'll face Mithos!" Lloyd said with the usual enthusiasm.

So we stepped on the warp and teleported up.

This chapter was going to be longer, but I know I haven't given you guys recent updates. My motto shall be: blame exams!

A matter of not enough reviews has come to my attention…I have approximately 0 for the last four chapters. Review or…Kratos dies! (…wait, I couldn't do that…) Okay, review or…Zelos dies! Yes, I know I just saved him this chapter, but a lot of things can go wrong…