Me: And here's Chapter/Part Seventeen! Yeesh, I've updated three times in a row...I've never done that before...

Feral: Yes, here it is…and yes...you do update alarmingly fast on weekends...

To Understand: Part Seventeen

Confusing Research

By Harmony283

Good Reviews: 4

Liu Barrowin-Woo…you reviewed for the past three chapters…wow…uh, anyway…answering your review for Part 14: Yes Genis does love to torture our little red-haired Chosen, though the fact that they haven't noticed that he knows anything…boy they sure are dense. Now for your review for Part 15: Yes he'll live…as you will see—or should I say have seen—in Part 16. And finally, your review for Part 16: Yes there has been a lack of Mithos…for a reason. He's going to appear in this Chapter and hopefully that'll make up for it…I hope….; and in a way, yes Raine has a suspicion about Pronyma, in regards to her brother and his wounds, as well as who she was when she was 'normal'—as in, when she was living in Tethe'alla (I'm assuming she's from Tethe'alla). Well, here's the next Chapter! I hope you like it!

Hiranieas-Did you know your name is incredibly hard to remember to spell if you don't look at it? (not that that's a bad thing or anything…it's unique) uh, anyway…yeah it's Feral. But then that brings up a whole bunch of other questions like why was he having that dream to begin with, who was that man in the dream, and who is the other Feral? Hmm…and yes you're right, it is getting close to Halloween! You're going to dress up as Genis? Cool (our costume selection here is just…not good, most of it is like pirates an' stuff…not that I can blame 'em cuz the 'Buccaneers' are my schools mascots an' all…)!

DraNKa-You…you're…YOU'RE BACK! I thought you disappeared into the land of no return (well, no, not really but…you were gone a long time)! Oh don't worry about the whole Raine/April thing, Raine'll still have the same role. You noticed it was Kloitz…? Wow, no one's mentioned that…and also I'm soooo sorry you had to stay up till 2 AM reading all the chapters you missed…uh, heh, I guess the reviewers just liked my whole, daily update thing. And yes this is getting a bit…long but meh, I'm trying my best to go by the story line in the game…so yeah. Well, here's the next Chapter--I hope you like it!

Mizuki hikari-Yes, in a way, Feral was friends with Genis' father…or something like that. Well, here's the next chapter! I hope you like it!

Me: Yay! Finally! Mithos shows up again!

Feral: You really did take your time getting here.

Me: Yeah, well, some stuff just started building up and besides, I added in that lil' 'skit' with the elven kids in the last two chapters so that took up some space…

Feral: Whatever. I'll do the disclaimer now: Harmony283 does not, and will never, own Tales of Symphonia or it's characters. She just uses them, as well as me—who she does own, by the way—as a form of entertainment.

April: You know, you're making that sound like a bad thing.

Me: huh? April? When—and how—did you get here?

April: I teleported in here through that warp pad when you were answering the reviewers!

Authors Note: Ah, I see. Well, I guess I could make use of you…somehow…uh, anyway, in this Chapter, like I said above, should be the one where Mithos shows up again! And it's gonna be kinda, sorta…angsty…and you're probably gonna hate me for leaving it off where I do but…I hope you enjoy it none-the-less…and the researching parts are really, really boring…sorry in advance!

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Genis' POV

"Feral…? What's…wrong?"

This was odd. Normally Feral would have said something by now. But she was dead silent.

And it was starting to creep me out.

"Feral?"

'And…if it was…me?'

"Yes it was you. The man, whoever he is, said that. 'I'm sorry Feral.' I wouldn't lie about something like that. Besides, who else has a name like that?"

'Well, someone else could!'

I flinched, okay, now she was angry and…why?

"Feral! I'm just stating a fact! Are you that angry at that guy for sealing you in a piece of mirror and then throwing you in a lake?"

'Well you would be too if you were stuck in here for twelve years!'

I flinched again, faintly wondering if her voice really was in my head. She was yelling so loud that…I couldn't believe no one else heard her!

"You don't have to yell! I've…I've never seen you this upset before!"

'Well of course I'm upset! Wouldn't you be if you were…'

"I know Feral. And yeah, I'd be pretty upset too. But…I dunno, it might just be me but, it seems like this hate runs deeper than that."

'Well in a way it does.'

Good, she was calm again.

"And what else are you angry about…?"

'You…in the dream…you learned about my other self, correct.'

I nodded my head.

'Well she's…getting…out of hand. That's why you've been having those sudden fits of anger that you don't remember. She's loosing control because…well…'

"I'm not strong enough."

'No, it's not that. She's much too powerful for anyone besides the master, or those of his blood lineage, to control.'

"Okay then, so we have to find out who the guy was and who his relatives are then we can find out who can control…the other you."

'Yes. But as for right now, as long as you don't get angry you should be fine.'

Then I remembered something.

"Wait, is this what you wanted to tell me back in Flanoir, when I broke that mirror?"

'Yes. But I…didn't want to…I didn't know if you had had any dreams like that yet. You see, when you dream, I can't get into them as easily. The dream you had was reality, at one point. Those dreams are virtually impossible to break through.'

"I see. Though it is kinda creepy…someone taking complete control over me…Mithos was right."

'Yes, in a way, he was. But you're forgetting, even though it's been twelve years…I still am not completely separated from my other self.'

My eyes widened, "So you'll basically…"

'Die out, or disappear, if he tries to get rid of me. I'm sure he's worried but, for the sake of my humanity, please don't…let him…'

I smiled, "Don't worry, I won't."

Then I heard the front door of the inn open.

"So he said that…?"

"Yes, he did."

"Hmm, well I still want to speak with him about it."

"You really are too suspicious…hello Genis!" April said, a smile on her face.

Behind her was the village Elder.

'I told you he wouldn't hand over those documents so easily.'

Well Feral certainly did go back to normal fast…

"Uh, hello…"

"Hmm, I see…you're doing better." The Elder said, his tone soft, with a hint of amusement in it.

"Yeah, well, I'm not completely better, but I'm better than I was yesterday." I said, watching as he sat down on a nearby chair.

"Hmm yes…April?" "Ah—yes?"

"I would like to speak with…Genis…alone, please."

"Oh, um, right! Of course! I'll be out doing laundry and such, come and get me when you're finished talking."

with that said, April hurried, a little too quickly, in my opinion, out of the room.

Leaving the village elder and me alone to talk.

But what could he possibly want to talk about?

I mean, last time we came to Heimdall he would've thrown out Lloyd and the others just cuz they knew Raine and me—and we were—and still are—half-elves.

I'd be guessing that he'd never want to see my face much less be in a room alone with me.

"Your wound…you said you received it from another Half-elf…one of your tainted blood."

Well he certainly wasn't being nice.

'Did you honestly expect him to be?'

Well, no. I guess not.

"Yeah I did. So?"

"Her name was Pronyma?"

"Yeah it was…so?"

"Why do you want the documents?"

I blinked, wait, what did that have to do with…hey! He changed the subject!

"…I said I wanted to learn more about this place—Heimdall—since I was born here."

He just stares at me.

And stares at me…

"What?"

"If you really want to see the documents, I'll go get them."

"…"

'…he's very…giving…'

"Um…"

"Yes?"

"You…ah—never mind." Raine'd kill me if I said anything wrong to the village Elder while she was gone.

So it was best to just keep my mouth shut.

'That's true. You do have the tendency to say stuff you regret.'

"Fine then, I'll take my leave."

And just like that he walked out the door.

"That was…odd…"

------------------------

Mithos' POV

I lie here, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about many things.

I hadn't seen Genis since he passed out in the Tower of Salvation and to say I wasn't worried would make me a liar.

He…looked so…helpless when he had been standing there. It made me want to hug him, unfortunately with the surrounding company I knew that wouldn't have been allowed, and many questions would have been asked.

Questions that neither of us could answer without suspicion ruling over our heads. No one would believe we were together now--much less if we were still just friends!

Then I had to wonder…where was Kratos?

Or wait, did he leave with them as well? I was gone before he was.

So did that mean he was…going to release Origin?

That was the only thing he was useful for anyway.

"So he really will give up his life just to make sure Lloyd--his son--succeeds. How…heroic." I muttered under my breath before I push myself up off the bed and to the floor.

I was about to walk out of the room when I realized I left my Cruxis Crystal on the bed-side table. I sighed and walked back over to it, picking it up and rolling it around in the palm of my hand.

'There's…another way…?'

'Yeah, I'm sure there is…'

Those words…Genis…he really thought there was another way.

So why…why am I so hesitant to…want that?

I want Martel alive.

But the price of it--with the way things are now--is the Great Seeds destruction.

But if there's a way where her…life can be restored but the Great Seed can be saved…

Wait, why do I care about the Great Seed? This world has millions of people who hate us.

Who hate Half-elves…

So why?

Maybe…maybe it's because…

Genis loves this world. Just like Martel did.

I blinked, shocked at my own revelation.

They were so alike; Mithos and my sister were.

I smiled, closing my hand around my Cruxis Crystal before walking out of the room.

I was going to go find Kratos.

He would surely know where Genis was.

And then I would…

Tell him that I wanted to change. That I wanted to know the way…to revive Martel.

That I had accepted his idea.

I would help him in any way I could.

I reached the teleporter in no time at all and walked into it…which led me to the seal room in the Tower of Salvation.

I walked hurriedly down the green glowing stairs before extending my wings and flying the short distance over the ocean to Torrent Forest.

To where Kratos was.

----------------------------

Genis' POV

"Here. These are some of the documents you should find…interesting."

I nodded my head, taking the rather old looking stack of papers.

"And here," The Elder handed me a book.

Wait…a book?

"Huh?"

"This is also of our pasts history. If you are as smart as April says you are, then you should find this highly enlightening."

I sweatdropped. Yeah, I was doing this for research, not for enjoyment. That's more in Raines category.

She'd go crazy if she were to get her hands on something this old and important.

"Uh…yeah, thanks!" I said when I had found my voice.

"Hmm…well then, I'm leaving now." He simply nodded to April and headed out.

The room stayed quiet for quite a few minutes, so I decided that either April didn't want to talk or that she was just at a loss for what to say.

Well, I guess I'd better get started on this daunting research.

Who knows when something bad'll happen? Like, say, the Tower of Salvation could collapse at any second!

'Quit being sarcastic. You said you were going to find out more about how to save Martel so I would suggest looking over those documents on when they did elven/half-elven Exsphere research.'

Well, yeah, that'd be the best place to start.

"I'm…sorry…"

I jumped, "Wha--?"

April was standing at the doorway, apparently ready to leave.

"I…have to…um…do the laundry and cook or else no one here will…" she murmured.

"Wait so you actually live here?"

April nodded her head, tucking a strand of her soft green hair behind her elven ears, "Yes, I do. My Aunt owns this place. She's away…doing business for a rich Nobleman and she requested that I…keep this place running."

"So you don't have any parents…? Or are they already, um, did they already pass away…?"

April blinked, slightly taken back, then she smiled, "Unfortunately yes. They…were part of an Exsphere research done over 300 years ago. You should be able to read about it there."

"So were you alive then…?"

She laughed, "No of course not! I wasn't born then! I'm only twenty three! I'm the same age as your sister!"

"I…oh…it's hard to tell with Elves…how old they are…"

"Well yes, that's true. Now I…must be going, if you need anything just call."

I nodded my head and watched as she left the room.

'Well that was somewhat ironic.' Feral mentioned, though she sounded more curious than anything else.

"Yeah. You just mentioned that type of research going on and then…to have her say that her parents died right after that…"

Then it dawned on me.

Didn't Half-elves…weren't they like the head of the research labs?

'Well yes, most research is done by Half-elves…'

"Then why is she acting so friendly to us? Shouldn't she hate half-elves for killing her parents?"

'You're puttin unnecessary blame on your own kind. Remember what Tabatha said--Exspheres are lonely, and because of their loneliness they engulf others as well.'

"I…yeah…so it's the Exspheres fault but…they're made from humans who were forced to--"

'You're delving to deep into the subject. Now get the research done. Because, who knows what will happen…?'

Now she was just all out taunting me.

"Fine, whatever." I growled before continuing my task of sorting out the papers.

And even that took longer than I thought.

I was nearly half-asleep by the time I was through.

'Genis…you're falling asleep…'

I blinked and sat up, shaking my head from side to side, "No I'm not! Now where was I…hmm, it looks like most of the sorting's done…and it didn't look like that many papers to sort anyway…ah well, I'll start over here since these are from about three hundred years ago--according to the date.

So now I was going to have to read this…great. I sat there and stared at the old parchment paper thinking one thing:

How could someone write that small? Yeah, I could read old elven writing pretty well…but…this was nuts.

'I can help you with it.'

I blinked, "Eh? Really?"

'Yes, you're forgetting that I'm in a mirror. I can adjust the size of the image so I can read it better than you can.'

"Ah…I see…"

'Hmm, let's see…"Elven Research has begun on the eve of the Winter Solstice, many of our people have been taken--even those with family." This sounds more like a journal entry…'

"Yeah, well, maybe it was taken from the journal of the Village Elder at the time…"

'Hmm, well, anyway, 'I've seen first hand what they did to my daughter--Fiona.' Oh I see, this is like a personal experience thing…'

"Just keep reading."

'Fine, fine, 'The process from what she explained is painfully drawn out. First they embed Exspheres onto them, attaching them on by using a special Key Crest--a Rune Crest, much like the Chosen has one for their Cruxis Crystal. Though the Half-elves and Humans claim they do no harm, they…do. Fiona, had to go through that grueling pain--and what's worse is the fact that they told us these Cruxis Crystals…when the Elf dies…keeps their souls for countless numbers of centuries until they are destroyed.'

"…Well, that's kinda like Exspheres, right? So Cruxis Crystals do the same…hmm, but does it say anything about bringing back the recipiant?"

'Hmm, no…not on this sheet it doesn't. I think…we might have a better chance if we read the book, since these are just old journal pages.'

"It makes me wonder, though, why the Elder gave these to us in the first place? I mean, they aren't that useful."

'No they aren't, but did you really think he would give you the real documents?'

"Well, no…"

'Exactly. Now let's start reading that…old thing.'

"Yeah…hopefully it'll have more useful information in it…"

-------------------------------------

Mithos' POV

Finally…I see Kratos down below, leaning against a nearby tree trunk.

Obviously Lloyd and the others haven't gotten there yet.

Perfect.

I make my landing not too far off and make my way towards him.

He seems to notice my presence, but by then, I'm already stepping into the clearing.

"Mithos…what are you doing here?" He asks, his tone cold, yet curious at the same time.

"What do you mean 'what am are I you doing here'? I came to ask you something."

"If it's about Origin and his seal, I won't answer nor will I come back to Vinheim with you."

I shook my head, "No it's not about that."

"Then what do you want?"

I smirked, "You really don't pay much attention do you?"

He gave me a confused look, but said nothing.

I sighed.

"It's about…well, what happened in the Great Seed Chamber."

"What about it?"

"Well…you remember how Genis said that he'd…"

"Find another way? Yes. Though with his wounds I doubt he can do much."

I nodded my head, silently cursing myself for about the hundredth time for not coming to his rescue sooner…maybe then Genis…maybe then he wouldn't have been hurt so badly and maybe Pronyma wouldn't be alive.

"I…know that…but…with his wounds I'm sure he's not with Lloyd and the others…?"

"No, he's not. Or at least, he won't fight. My best guess is that they somehow convinced the elves to let him stay in Heimdall."

My eyes widened, "Really? Well then I can just…no…I can't, can I?"

Kratos nodded his head, "Even if you were to lie, most already know what you look like thanks to the descriptive writings of their pasts."

Well, that was true.

"I see…well, I guess I'll just have to call Genis out to me."

Kratos raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? Don't you know how dangerous this forest is?"

"Of course I know how dangerous it is! That's why…I'll call him into the Ymir Forest and talk with him there."

Kratos just shrugged in response, "It's none of my business." He then turned to look once more over at the path, "But they should be here soon."

"Which is why I take my leave now."

I extended my wings once more, and floated up into the air.

"And you aren't going to say anything about…?"

"It's your decision--and your life Kratos. Do with it what you want."

Then I took off in the direction of Ymir Forest, making sure not to pass over Heimdall, not that anyone would be looking up at the sky--and even if they were they probably would just pass it by as seeing a unique bird or flying monster.

I sighed to myself, landing on the outskirts of the Ymir forest, noting how…unchanged it was. A warm, almost nostalgic feeling swept over me.

All those times I had come here with Martel when I was younger. We would come here to pick fruit, catch fish, or just dangle our feet in the refreshingly cold water.

But this same forest--so soon after all those warm memories--had become somewhat of a nightmare for me.

When we were exiled…when our parents died…they ran us out to this very forest. And by then there were monsters lurking about.

I shivered involuntarily, quickening my pace as I walked across the wooden planks that made up the walkways.

I noted the pink, blue, and white flowers that seemed to be blooming in the most random of places and sighed, remembering again, how Martel would personally take care of those flowers…

But I was glad they were still there.

And I wanted them to stay there…along with this forest.

Because Martel loved this world.

And because…because…Genis wanted this world to be saved, but also wanted Martel to be saved.

And of course, his friends wanted this world to be saved.

But that wasn't as important to me.

I just hoped that Genis had found something--anything--in regards to…to…Martel and how to revive her.

----------------------

Genis' POV

"So…basically, we've found out that the Cruxis Crystals expand ones life, much like it has for Mithos, Yuan, and Kratos. Also, it's easier for someone to split from their body if they have a Cruxis Crystal equipped. So basically their lives are preserved. So we don't have to worry about Martel suddenly aging on us."

'Yes. Then there's the fact about that…special key crest.'

"Yeah…so if we can somehow manage to at least revive Martels body--which I have no idea how we're going to do that--and then attach her Cruxis Crystal to what they call a Mana Crest, then we should be able to stabelize her long enough for her to at least be breathing…so that she'll only need a doctor but…"

'How are we going to get her body back? I…that confuses me as well, but, right now we need to at least…find out what materials this Mana Crest is made out of…'

"Yeah…" I murmured, stifling yet another yawn.

'You're getting tired again?'

I nodded my head, "Yeah. I guess I lost more blood than I thought I did…"

'Well that's understandable. You should get some rest, like your sister told you to. Then we can read more on this…Mana Crest. Though I am surprised they had something like that in a book like this.'

"Y-Yeah…well…even you had a hard time reading it…so it must be really, really old. I don't think the village elder…knew it was even in there…"

'Yes, that's possible…'

I put the old aging book on the bedside table and gently leaned back against my pillow, sighing contently.

At least I had found out something.

And for right now, that was good enough for me.

I was…somewhere…I couldn't see my surroundings. It was pitch black.

But I heard the faint hum of…power?

Where was I?

'Genis…'

I blinked, wait, was that…?

'Genis…'

It was.


It was Mithos' voice!

But what…where…was he?

"Mithos? I can hear you but I can't see you…"

'I'm in the Ymir forest.'

"Wha--why? I thought you went back to Vinheim!"

'I…did…but…I came back here. I wanted to…ask you something.'

This confused me. What did he want to ask?

Or, wait, was it about my promise to revive Martel?

"I…okay but…"

'But?'

"It's not gonna be easy for me to get out of here--the inn. April…was told to keep a close eye on me…"

'April?'

Oh yeah, he didn't know who she was.

"She's the lady that's supposed to be watching over me. She's a friend to my sister.'

"Ah…well…this is really important, can't you tell her you're going out for some fresh air or a walk?'

He sounded urgent.

I sighed, "Well, maybe…it might work but…sure. I guess I could."

'Good.'

"But where in the Ymir Forest should I meet you?"

There was silence, as Mithos obviously mulled over the question.

'I'll be waiting near that huge tree near the entrance of the forest.'

"Ah…okay…"

'I hope you can get here soon. I don't want…your friends to come back to find that you're gone.'

I laughed at this, though my voice held no humor, "Yeah, I think they--especially Raine--would go balistic. They're already suspicious of my…relationship with you."

'…You mean they…?'

I shook my head, "No they haven't figured out that we're…that close to each other but Raine still thinks we're friends."

'I see…'

Suddenly the blackness around me started to ease up.

'Great…my spell's wearing off. You'll wake up soon.'

"So that's why I was so tired!"

'Well yes, besides the obvious reasons, that's why. Now remember, meet me in the Ymir forest.'

I nodded my head, though knowing he probably didn't see it, and found myself…

Falling…

I blinked, sitting up in my bed.

'Are you okay, Genis? I…did you have another weird dream again?' Feral seemed almost scared as she said this.

I shook my head, "No, I didn't. It was, um, Mithos…"

'Mithos?'

"Yeah…he…was calling me. That's why I fell asleep so fast. It was his doing."

'So you're okay?'

I nodded my head.

'Good. So…what did he say?'

"He wants me to meet him in Ymir forest…"

'I…see…he obviously wants to know if--'

"I found anything out yet, yeah."

"Genis!"

I blinked and turned to the door, it was April.

"Huh? Oh, hey April."

"Oh my, did I just wake you up…? I'm sorry!" She said, smiling and bowing her head in apology.

"Oh, no it's okay. I was, um, actually…I was going to ask you something…though you'll probably say no…"

"Oh really? What is it?"

"I was wondering if I could go take a walk, reading all of this stuff is giving me a headache and my legs are starting to fall asleep."

"Well…Raine told me not to…"

"I'll be back before they get here though!" I begged, putting on the face I knew would get me what I wanted.

"Oh…all…right. Fine. Just be careful. I don't know what I'd tell Raine if you got hurt again." April said, shaking her head and moving out of the doorway so I could move past her.

"Yeah! I'll make sure to be careful!"

After all, I'm just meeting Mithos. And he's strong enough to protect me if there are any monsters about.

I thanked April quickly before heading out the door and out into the afternoon sunlight--wow, I had been asleep longer than I thought…

'Just hurry up and get where you're going…'

"Huh? Why are you so grouchy all of a sudden?" I murmured, be careful not to speak too loudly, lest I get unwanted attention from the townspeople.

'I don't know…I…my head's actually starting to hurt a little…'

"Maybe it's cuz of all the reading you had to do. Raine gets cranky if she reads too much too. Maybe you should try, um, y'know, sleeping?"

'Hmm, yes…that sounds like a good idea…though I don't know how to…'

I blinked in surprise. She…didn't know how to sleep? Even Mithos knew how to sleep and he didn't even need to sleep!

I didn't get to ask her any more about it before I made my way into the shady forest of Ymir.

So all I had to do was make my way to Mithos…

That shouldn't be too hard right?

Right.

But I still wished I brought my Kendama along--just for extra reassurance.

I made my way up the tree root path up to the upper walkway and hurried across it. Maybe Mithos had taken the time of killing off all the monsters for me?

I was half way across the walkway, and could actually see the tree root leading down to the lower pathway not too far off, when suddenly, almost out of nowhere, a…

Baby boar appeared.

Oh great.

It was charging.

"Ah! Mithos!" I cried out, hoping that he would hear me--and most certainly he would--though I couldn't move.

"Judgement!" Mithos' voice cried out from nearby, though, for some reason, it didn't hit the bull.

How strange.

But now I could move.

I jumped out of the way as I heard Mithos' voice crying out another attack. This time it hit.

I smiled, glad that Mithos had protected me.

But then, when I got up, I…

Fell…

Into the cold water below.

--------------------------------

Me: Uh…okay…that didn't go as planned (again).

Feral: No it didn't. You really are mean to Genis…making all these bad things happen to him.

April: -sniff-Poor Genis! I should have never let him go! Now Raine's going to be so mad at me!

Feral + Me: Yes she probably is.

April: -sweatdrops-…Don't gang up on me like that!

Feral: But it's fun.

Me: Eh, well, I have to agree it kinda is…now then, R&R Please! I LUV reviews!

Feral +April: No really, she does! -shrugs- -smiles-