Okay, Chapter 2. Sorry this took a few days, but I had some trouble deciding on how to continue. Anyway, thank you all for reading! I'd also like to thank my reveiwers especially! As for if I will be pairing myself with one of the female characters... uh I dunno. I don't have any plans to. In fact at the moment I'm more concerned with getting things really going than any pairings. Anywho, I'm afraid this chapter is kinda slow at the beginning, but I managed something I think is kinda cool at the end.
Disclaimer:penguinmaster18 does not own Tales of Symphonia or anyhting he may referance later. He only owns himself and Medea.
I awoke the next morning with a groan, of not only exhaustion but also dismay. Apparently, my hope that yesterday's events had been a dream had been in vain.
I did not help that I had not sleep well last night at all. It was bad enough having to sleep in a strange place all alone, but it was worse when it seemed strangely empty. I had not slept in a room without one of my brothers in about seventeen years; it was disconcerting not having them around.
I began to think of home, I might never see any of my family again if I don't get through this. Not Mom, not Dad, not Adam, Katie, or any of the little ones.
I swallowed the lump that had grown in my throat. It wouldn't do me any good to let my emotions get the best of me.
I stood up from the bed and picked up my bag, glancing momentarily at my left hand. The newly attached exsphere shined coldly in the morning light coming through the window. I had attached it the night before, following the instructions Medea had left in a note. It felt fine now, but last night it had started to throb painfully, before the sensation faded into a dull tingle. Though, according to Medea's note, that was what was supposed to happen. It was odd, though; I didn't feel particularly different, maybe just slightly more energized.
"I guess I had better get moving." I had decided last night, after going over my options, to get as far away from Iselia as I could before the Desians attacked. There was no way I would be able to defend myself against a small army of fanatic half-elves and possibly Exbelua. I'd rather take my chances with the wolves, thank you very much. Fixing my dagger to my belt, I left the inn.
In no time, I was out in the fresh morning air. Judging from the sun it was still early, about seven or so. My stomach began to growl, reminding me that I had to buy supplies for my journey to Triet, namely food.
In order to get to the grocer's I had to go past the town gate. As I passed, I noticed Kratos and Colette were standing by the entrance looking as if they were waiting for something. That was when I saw Raine rushing towards them, weighed down by an excessively large looking back pack. I raised an eyebrow, what the heck did she have in there? Knowing her, probably enough artifacts to fill a museum.
I went on my way, not wanting to give Raine any cause for worry. I am still not sure why she seemed suspicious of me. I'm still human, I checked. My ears are still round.
At the store, I bought as much food as I could fit into my bag, which holds more than it looks like it would. Weird. After paying with some coins from the small pouch I had found in the bag, I went to the town entrance.
Colette, Kratos, and Raine were long gone. I took a deep breath, and glanced back at the village. This would probably be the last time I saw it in its full glory. I felt a pang of guilt, was there really nothing I could do to save it? No, even if I tried to warn them they probably wouldn't listen. If they did, they would probably ask how I knew. Suddenly an idea struck me.
I dug through my bag and found Medea's note. Then I ran back to the store and bought a stub of pencil. Carefully, I used the pencil to scribble out Medea's letter and wrote a short warning on the back. I hoped they would listen; this was the best I could do without having to go into a long and dangerous conversation. A few minutes later, I had dashed to the mayor's house, hoping I remembered where it was.
"Please listen." I murmured, as I slid the note under the door. Quickly, I ran in a mad dash to get away before the note was found.
I made it back to the town entrance, panting heavily. After a few minutes of resting and getting my breath back, I stood straight and took a deep breath.
"Time to go." I began to stride out of the village, but glanced back when I heard yell.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Apparently, my note had been found. I quickened my pace; I needed to avoid being questioned.
* * *
After about fifteen minutes of speed walking, I slowed down a bit and sprinkled the contents of a holy bottle over myself, following the instructions on the container. I needed to save my energy and avoid monsters. I looked at my surroundings; to either side of the dirt path were emerald plains. I had never seen a landscape like it; I had grown up in a small college city and didn't get to travel much. In the distance to one side was a forest. I guess that's the forest where Lloyd and Dirk live. A small dome was forcing its way out of the trees as well, the Iselia Ranch.
I looked at it with disgust as I walked on, pondering what horrendous acts occurred there. How could the Desians be so heartless?
"Not a pleasant place, is it?" I gave a start and looked to the opposite side. There was Medea again, walking beside me. She really needs to stop sneaking up on me like that; if this keeps up, I'm going to have a heart attack. "Nice to see you again, Specs."
"What are you doing here?" I asked in an annoyed huff.
"I'm here to keep you company of course! Aren't I generous?"
"Uh, thanks…I guess…" I answered. "Now, do you mind telling how you brought me here?" Really, how did she drag me from my world?
"Meh, it's not really important. The important thing is that you're here, and you that you help save the worlds."
"Why the heck do they need my help?! They did everything just fine in the game!"
"They don'tneed your help. I need you to help them."
"So, I'm just here because you wanted me here?"
"Oh no, you're important. To me that is." she said with a cheerful smile. "Without you my wish can't come true."
"What wish is that?" Now I was beginning to get curious.
"That's none of your business. You know, need to know kind of stuff." I gave an exasperated sigh; she was really getting on my nerves.
"Do mind at least explaining how you keep sneaking up on me?" That was really bothering me. She kept appearing out of know where and yesterday, she had disappeared in front of my very eyes.
"Well, it would probably be better if I showed you." with that, she threw her arm out. I expected her to hit me in the face, but instead all I felt was a chill. It was as if a cold winter wind was blowing against my face. The feeling quickly moved to the back of my head and suddenly faded. Her hand had gone through my head. "See, I don't exactly have a physical body." she clarified sheepishly.
"Wh-what?! A-are you a ghost or something?!" I yelped as I jumped away from her.
"Oh, no nothing like that. I'm just… corporeally challenged." she said as if this were an everyday thing.
I just shook my head in stunned silence. Why should I be surprised? I'm in a video game world full of elves, half-elves and monsters, why should a phantom woman be a surprise?!
"You know, you're taking this really well considering." Medea noted.
"Really? 'Cause frankly, I'm freaking out inside." I was, it was taking all of my willpower not to run away screaming like a madman.
"Well, you're not acting like it." I probably wasn't, I tended to try to hide my emotions from most people.
We continued in silence after that. I passed the time by eating some of the food I had bought, seeing, as I had not eaten since yesterday.
The silence was oppressive; finally, I decided to ask another question.
"Do you have any idea how far it is to Triet?"
"About three days on foot. But, you should reach the House of Salvation by tomorrow night." I groaned. I was going to have to camp out.
I have only been camping once in my life, and I stayed in the car most of the night because I was afraid of my brother's goat-man stories. I was not going to enjoy this one bit.
"So, why are you going to Triet?"
"It beats staying in Iselia and getting myself killed. Besides, I need to think of a good excuse to get them to let me travel with them." I really had no clue how to join their group; this wasn't going to be easy.
It was tiring traveling all day. I had never walked so much in my life, except for when my family had gone to Disney. By sunset my feet hurt, my legs ached and I was drenched in sweat. I was miserable.
I finally could not go any further, so I decided to stop for the night and set up camp a ways off the road. I unrolled the thin bedroll Medea had provided for me and had a small dinner of dried meat and bread. It wasn't pleasant, but I can't really cook very well and I didn't know how to make a fire.
"You know that holy bottle has worn off by now." Medea informed me. "If you want I could keep the night watch for you."
"Would you? Don't you need to sleep though?"
"No physical body, remember? I don't sleep." she said matter-of-factly.
"Well, thanks then. Wake me if anything comes up, I guess." I curled up under the covers, using my bag as makeshift pillow. I tossed and turned, trying to get into a comfortable sleeping position on the ground before finally falling into an exhausted sleep.
* * *
It seemed that no sooner had I fallen asleep that Medea's voice invaded my dreams.
"Tyler! Wake up! You idiot wake up!"
She was frantic. I snapped up and looked around wildly. It was still dark, the stars watching in the sky like millions of curious eyes. Then I heard it, a howl followed by a growl. My blood ran cold; my heart began to beat wildly. I jumped to my feet and drew my dagger.
I gulped, my mouth had gone dry. The sounds of something moving towards me reached my ears. Then I saw it, in the pale moonlight was a large wolf, its teeth bared in a fearsome snarl. It padded toward me slowly, deliberately. I stood there trembling, fear keeping me captive.
The wolf pounced, a hungry gleam in its eyes. I finally managed force my legs to move, and jumped back, the beast missing me by mere inches. However, I stumbled over my bag and fell over with a yell.
"Get up moron! Move it!" Medea screamed.
The wolf paused momentarily and seemed to glance over to where Medea was standing. It gave me just the chance I needed; I grabbed my bag and turned to dash away. However, the wolf leapt at me again, clawing and biting down on my leg.
I yelled at the top of my lungs. I'd never experienced so much pain before. I turned and managed to slash the wolf's muzzle with my dagger, forcing it to release me.
Blood began to seep out the wounds the wolf had given me. I managed to stand back up, putting all my weight on my good leg. If I did not do something soon I would be killed by the beast.
The wolf began to advance again, ready to finish me. I held out my dagger, preparing to defend myself. It pounced, landing on top of me and knocking me to the ground. It snapped its teeth at my head, trying get my skull between it jaws. I winced as I lashed out with the dagger and pierced its throat.
The wolf began to go limp, finally collapsing on top of me. I pushed it off, breathing heavily. I was covered in dirt and blood, my leg was killing me. I winced as searched through my bag, eventually pulling out what looked a red gummi candy. I swallowed, gasping at the sensation of wounds healing.
I looked at the corpse of the wolf and shuddered. I had nearly died. I began to tremble again, fearful of what could have been. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I sat down on my bedroll, scarcely aware of Medea congratulating on my first victory.
I just sat there staring at the sky, knowing I would not be able to go back to sleep, for fear of another attack. I sat there until dawn, tears of fear streaking my face.
Well, what do you think? That's the first real action scene I've ever written. Please read and review! But no flames please.