Me: And here's the next Chapter of TU--and yet again I'm extremely sorry for the delays (which can mostly be blamed on a messed up computer and ToA)
Feral: Well yes your computer did decide to be evil to you over the holidays…but you really shouldn't procrastinate so much.
Me: Meh, I know, I know…
To Understand: Chapter Forty-four
Unanswered Questions
By Harmony283
Reviews:
Hiranieas-Yes it's finally Winter break and yes I did update the last chapter a little late last time (and this one's late too, but for reasons I really couldn't control). But yeah, Mithos and Genis finally made it to Exire. Though nothing too terribly interesting happens between, them in this chapter (I'm saving it for the next chapters when they get new outfits--or at least Mithos does). Now here's the next chapter--enjoy!
LittleLinor-Heh, yes Mithos is going to have a hard time answering all Maria's questions (she seems so shy, and yet she becomes so talkative). But of course, he'll answer her questions to the best of his ability…while wondering about if Genis is okay. As for Zelos' trip to the gorge, well, let's just say he's being very OOC and not complaining (for once). -cough- but yeah, here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Takokinoko-Yes Mithos and Genis finally made it to Exire, and yes the elf woman Mithos and the Mayor are talking about is, in fact, Genis' mother. I was actually not going to mention her at all, but I decided I should b/c they're in Exire an' all (I also mention Kloitz grave, which you'll figure out more about later). And yes, Yuans mysterious cape-sword-when the sword appears, the cape disappears and vise-versa! How strange…-cough-uh yeah, here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Viaroura Fox-Yeah Mithos gets to answer questions while Genis just sleeps away on the bed, waiting to get healed. And yeah, kids just don't get that asking so many questions gets annoying. - -; Anyway, here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Alaia Skyhawk-Red tattoos…I really have no idea where I got that idea but yeah, they aren't good. But will you even figure out what they are? Hmm, well, I'm not too sure if I can rightfully say right now (I'll probably just come up with something) but yeah, here's the next chapter--enjoy!
Feral: So the group's splitting up again?
Me: Yeah, it's the only way I could see to do it that'd make the most sense. But they will meet up in Exire soon, so it's all good.
Feral: Yes…it's all good. Hmm, well then, uh Harmony283 doesn't own Tales of Symphonia or it's characters. They rightfully belong to Namco. But she does own Feral, me, along with any OC's and the plot.
Authors Note: okay then, well, this chapter took a while and -bows head- I apologize to those who I told it would be out Thursday. As you can see, it's not Thursday (in fact it's not even that week so I apologize once more). -cough- anyway, in this chapter Mithos answers one more of Maria's questions, but it seems to hit a sore note with her. Also Belle asks questions about Genis' wounds, and of course Mithos doesn't want to answer. On another note, Zelos is being very out of character as they make their way to the storyteller's home. But will they even find out what the red tattoos mean?
Feral: I'm assuming they don't, since that's just not your forte--telling people what something is when it's first introduced.
Me: Eh, well, you're right…and you'll just have to wait and see…
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Mithos' POV
"Ah! But then…then where did you live? And how did you get money…?"
I blinked, "What?"
"You said yourself that you lived somewhere isolated--so how did you get food? I mean didn't you get hungry?"
I blinked again, "How do I get food?" It took a second for that to sink in, but once it did, well, now I was glad I put down the tea cup…I probably would've broken it.
"Yes, how do you eat…um…" Maria just stared at me, looking confused and why wouldn't she be? I just made it sound like I didn't eat.
Which was true, but she didn't need to know that. After all, I am a normal, non-Cruxis Crystal wearing half-elf, not some angel that doesn't need to sleep or eat.
But then again I'm both right now. Heh, how ironic.
"What's so funny? Oh, or is it funny to ask about eating?"
That snapped me back to reality and I quickly shook my head, "No, no, that just made me remember something…a fond memory…" I glanced over at the still form of Genis, which now only looked like lumps under the bedcovers.
"A fond memory…?" the brunette followed my gaze, her eyes immediately filling with sadness when they fell on the young mage.
"Yes, but as for your question, I don't really need money so much as I need food…and I know how to grow my own food. I also live with two others, though they aren't around that often. They usually bring food back from when they visit markets."
Maria's face showed even more sadness, "But do they let your friends in…?"
I smiled, "Oh don't worry, one of my friends, as well as many of Genis' friends, are human. And since we travel with them, we're allowed in inns and shops. It's…it's not like regular townspeople know how to sense mana. It's only our kind, elves, and Mage's who can."
"I-I see. So if I were to go to the surface now, I could live somewhere without humans knowing I was a half-elf?" she looked hopefully, which made it even worse for me to tell her the sad truth.
"It'd be okay…but you'd have to lie, and you'd also have to move around constantly because, unlike humans, we don't age…you know that, right?"
Maria's hands tightened, and now I was wondering if that was the smartest thing to say.
"I-I see, but, um, I--"
"Maria, why don't you tell everyone we have visitors?" the mayor suddenly said, making her jump up a little too quickly.
Hmm, now I really know I shouldn't have reminded her about the 'we don't age' part.
"Ah--yes, o-of course! They're probably wondering who…you are…" she glanced at me, before turning her gaze back to the door and rushing out of the room.
"Um…"
"It's fine, don't worry yourself over that."
I blinked, "But why? Or, wait, don't tell me, they think we age…just like humans do?"
The mayor shook his head, sighing, "No she knows we're long-lived, like Elves, but you see…some people here were abandoned."
"I kind of figured that…"
He just nodded his head at this, his eyes growing sad, "yes, you probably did. You know more about this world than most children your age do."
"I know that as well. But I--I didn't really face the prejudice that…that Genis…" I looked over at the still form of Genis, watching as the covers gently lift and fell with each slightly heavy breath he took.
"Really now? That boys name is…Genis? And yours is…?"
"Mithos."
His eyes widened, "M-Mithos…?"
"I was…named after…him." I muttered, looking away from him. Here I was again, fooling another person into believing that lie…I mean, I am the Hero Mithos…
Though I'm not so much of a 'Hero' anymore. Just like the elves say: I'm a fallen hero.
Someone who--
"That's wonderful--that you were named after him, I mean."
I jumped and turned around, only to see the brown haired healer from earlier. She smiled at me, almost apologetically, and walked over to Genis. She kneeled down on the ground next to the bed, pulling off the covers as she did so.
As she did this she let out a long gasp, her motions freezing as she finished pulling the covers down his back--revealing the bloodied scars that were there…
The scars that didn't seem to heal.
"H-how…?" she murmured, obviously wondering what could've caused those wounds. But I--couldn't tell her, well, I couldn't tell her the truth anyway.
She wouldn't believe me, and, even if she did, she'd ask how I knew about this…and if I was there. The questions would just stem off from there and get more in depth as they went along.
And, yet again, I didn't want to answer for anything until Genis' friends got here. As for how long it'd be till then, I didn't know.
Though I was hoping that it was soon, I mean, even I'm starting to feel bad about leaving them to face Pronyma and Mitosu…
"How did he get this…wound?" now both she, and the mayor, were looking at me with horrified looks.
I just sighed.
"Well?"
"I…I'd rather not say…until our friends get here."
"But why no--"
"Because it's--ah--hard to explain."
"I'll listen to whatever it is you have to say because I need to know what caused this before I can heal him!"
"Would you rather have me lie?" I snapped, making her flinch.
"But…why would you lie, Mithos? Is it really that outrageous?" she asked, now giving me a confused look.
"Belle, it's okay. If he believes that he is inclined to lie about it…then we should wait to ask questions after his friends arrive. As for healing, I believe you should immediately. I'm no healer but even I can tell that those wounds are deep."
Belle sighed and turned back to face Genis, "Yes, and if you were a healer you'd also be able to see that these wounds have been healed before, by one with greater healing powers than I."
"That's because they were healed, at one point. And it was by an elven woman."
Belle snapped her head towards me, "What? And when was this?"
Well, it wouldn't hurt to tell them that, now would it?
"I think it was around a week ago…but I'm not too sure." I looked up at the lavender sky and sighed, "It's so hard to tell now…with the sky like this." Even though I was used to seeing this sky, compared to the normal sky--the sky that was just a hologram--this was much different…and much less preferred.
"I…see, then maybe she must have healed the wounds too soon, when they were too deep and new. I'll try myself, though I doubt it'll be as strong or as effective."
"Well it certainly won't be if you keep saying that."
She gave me a sharp look before raising her staff above Genis' sleeping body, murmuring something before calling out, much like Raine did, "Revitalize!"
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Zelos' POV
"Are we there yet?" I whined, trudging up some ways behind the rest of our split group. Of course, the only one who seemed to pay any attention to me was Lloyd, but that was to be expected.
He stopped, of course, and turned to face me with a look of worry on his face, "Are you okay…?"
I groaned, "Just tired." How ironic, I wanted to gain their attention and yet…and yet now I didn't want Lloyd to worry. Yes I knew something was wrong, I could feel it. And it had to do something with those weird insignia's carved on my hands. Thankfully I had an extra pair of gloves to wear that covered them, or else I probably wouldn't have been able to touch anything.
"Are you sure? You've…this is the first time you've complained in over an hour…I mean, usually…"
"Lloyd, leave him be," Kratos said, now noticing that his 'precious son' was lagging behind. He gave me a confused look, then he glanced down at my hands with an even more confused look. Heh, his expression almost matched Lloyd's.
My train of thought was cut off as he continued, "Besides it would be a much faster journey if we didn't fight."
"I know, I know, yeesh," then, in a quieter voice I added, "You don't have to tell me that, old man."
Of course Lloyd hadn't heard this, but Kratos had, which was the reason behind his cold stare…
"Um…?"
"Would I request that we continue on? We are almost at the summit."
"And as Kratos said, it would be wisest not to stop and rest. After all there are still many monsters about, some of which I would rather not run into if I had the choice." Regal finished.
"Okay."
"Hmph."
"Fine, fine, but let's just hurry up…" I glanced warily at my hands, though I couldn't see those horrible red tattoo like marks, It felt like I could…
"First you say you're tired and now you're telling us to hurry?" Kratos inquired, still sounding a bit peeved at me calling him an old man.
But it was the truth…though I was probably the only one, besides Lloyd, who could get away with that unscathed, or rather with just a glare as a warning. I mean, I can't call Yuan old for fear of getting my head chopped off.
I shivered involuntarily, walking past the red-haired mercenary quickly, "Well I changed my mind, y'know." I felt the others gaze on my back as I started my ascent up the relatively steep hill. They were right that we were almost there and when we got there I could ask that old story-teller guy about these…marks…
Though I had the sinking feeling he probably wouldn't know anything about them. After all, Mitosu was most likely not from Sylvarant/Tethe'alla so the techniques were probably not from here. Either that or they were some kind of forbidden spell that only power hungry fools try to learn.
But he didn't come across as that type.
Then again, Mithos hadn't either…but, no, Mithos only wanted his sister back. Well, okay yeah he was a fool then for thinking he could bring back the dead. Even if he had managed to bring back his sister in Colette, it didn't mean that she would be the same.
But Genis said he found another way…
"Zelos! Watch out!"
My eyes widened and the clang of metal against some type of monster could be heard. I blinked and looked up, watching as Kratos amputated a large Tortoise like monsters head.
"Wha--?"
"You need to be more aware of your surroundings." Kratos turned to face me, sheathing his sword, "But that's not it is it?" He gave me a look that made it all too clear that he knew what was up.
I looked away, unable to keep my gaze locked onto his. Who could stand to look that man in the face without a single feeling of fear?
"Let me see your hands. They are the cause of your…worries aren't they?" he walked over to me, gripping one of my wrists gently, and removing one of my gloves.
"Your hands are bothering you again?" Lloyd asked, walking over to my other side and watching with interest as the pink and black glove fell to the ground, exposing the sickening marks to the world.
Kratos barely touched them with his fingers, muttering a few words under his breath before whispering, "First Aid."
It didn't do anything to make the markings go away, but the pain went away. Then again, I hadn't even noticed that my hand hurt until he pointed it out.
Kratos did the same to my other hand before backing away, "There, now then, we're almost there and I would…like to prevent us from stopping again."
"I--yeah fine." I muttered, slipping back on my gloves before following the ex-Angel of Cruxis, Lloyd walking next to me. Presea and Regal walked behind us, bringing up the rear of our group.
I was surrounded on all sides now, most likely because of that encounter. They were trying their best to protect me.
It hit me then, how much I hated to be protected like this. Yeah I hated to get hurt but…but the fact was I couldn't do much about that. My sword was, well, destroyed, and my hands couldn't touch anything without feeling the sensation of burning.
I was useless.
And I hated it.
"Zelos?" I turned to face Lloyd, who smiled when my gaze met his, "Don't worry, we're almost there. I'm sure the story-teller will know at least something that might help us out with your…wounds."
I smiled, even knowing that that chance was unlikely, it helped that Lloyd was so optimistic about it. That always seemed to make me feel better. Just like…just like he always said my being cheerful--or the laughing stock of the group--always made him feel better.
"Yeah, hopefully."
We continued walking for a bit, floating through the air in those weird bubbles whenever needed, which always brought up the fact that Genis had once tried to blow me away with one once.
That little brat.
Soon we made it to that steep passageway that cut into the mountain, leading up to the top of the gorge, where the storyteller lived. I sighed in relief as our ascent on the rocky path was finally completed, and we were standing in front of the wooden door that was the front door to the small cottage, like house.
Almost too soon, though, we found ourselves in the small room, the story-teller looking quite surprised at our sudden intrusion. But when he laid eyes on me, his face darkened.
"What might I do for you…?"
"We have a problem." Kratos stated, beckoning me to come forward, "There is something we would like you to look at, and tell us anything about--that is if you do in fact know anything about it."
I opened my mouth, about to ask how anyone could derive any sense from those hurried words, but shut it immediately when the story teller looked back at me, "Well? You obviously have whatever it is that I'm supposed to see, so show me."
I felt incredibly awkward removing my gloves, but I did, and waited as the elven man inspected them.
A few seconds later, he spoke, "Before I make any assumptions, may I ask the origin of how these…markings…came about?" he sounded hesitant, almost afraid of what our answer would be.
But Lloyd, and the others, apparently didn't hear this, and, well, told him.
"I was, um, surrounded by a barrier and he broke it with his sword,"
"I told him not to because of the strange aura emitting from it, but when he did…"
"Some type of black light went through his sword."
"And he collapsed on the ground."
"I see. And who set up this barrier around you?"
"Mitosu."
"Mitosu? Who is this Mitosu? His name…leaves a bitter after taste in my mouth. This must not be good."
"Well if you do not know of this Mitosu then you obviously can't help us in that respect."
The storyteller merely nodded his head, "Well I suppose that's true." He paused, glancing back at my hands, "Though I've never seen anything with this direct pattern to it…I would say it's a spell of some sort. A charm if you will."
"A…charm?"
"Yes. I had one similar case to this, though it was long ago, a little over sixteen years ago, back before I left the village of the elves. A man, a human man, came to speak with the elder under orders from the king. He kept the insignia, which was burned into his upper arm, hidden, but he came to me one day having heard of my vast knowledge. His markings had come to him in a similar way as yours had, except for they were purple instead of red…and the words inscribed in the charm were that of wishes to die."
"You…mean…?"
The storyteller nodded his head, "Yes. Whoever it was that had cast that charm upon him wanted him to die. Though I suppose he didn't die immediately, I'm sure he died a few years afterwards. From what I heard from various townspeople he had a wife, an elf, and a young daughter."
He looked past me and out the window, "Which means that they must have been chased from the village shortly after." An uneasy silence filtered through the room, the words hung like weights over us.
The one thing that kept running through my mind was the fact that Raine had said she, along with Genis, was born in Heimdall. But I…there must have been more than one half-elf born in Heimdall at that time though, right?
Yeah, I'm probably just jumping to conclusions. Besides, Raine never talked about her father; she only said things about her mother abandoning them. Not her 'parents'.
Another thing that bothered me was the fact of what my, what these, markings said.
"What do…you said that written in his markings was the wishing for the man to die…?"
"That is correct."
"Then what do my--"
"Yours are in some kind of ancient language. I'm sure only the bearer of the attack could read them."
"You mean you cannot?"
"No, I'm afraid I can't. It's…written in some strange language unlike any that I have seen before. Though some of the characters seem familiar…I'm afraid I cannot read it."
"I…see…"
That in and of itself just made me even more worried. But I couldn't let the others know that. That wasn't my style, after all.
"Heh, well, if you don't know what it says then I guess there's no point in staying here, is there?"
"I suppose not…"
"Then lets go to Exire to meet back up with everyone."
"But…Zelos…are you sure?" Lloyd asked, watching me intently as I slipped back on my gloves for the second time.
"Yes I'm sure. Besides, that Mitosu guy made it obvious that he was after Genis, so he'll probably show up there anyway--as much as I hate saying that."
Lloyd fell silent at this, as did Presea and Regal.
"I see even you use your head sometimes." Kratos muttered from beside the door before stepping through it.
Well it certainly looked like he was worried about something.
I sighed and followed everyone out the door and into the bright afternoon sunlight. I watched as they headed down the pathway, knowing full well that we'd have to backtrack through the whole gorge to get back to the rhieards.
Which made me wonder: Why hadn't we just flown them to the summit?
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Me: And there's the end of TU 44
Feral: Yes, and you seemed to have ended it on a lighthearted note as well.
Me: -nods head- uh-huh, yeah I guess I did. But still…I seriously have to apologize for this being so late. -bows head- if I had known I'd have such serious Internet/computer problems I would've started on this much sooner than I did.
Feral: Well there's no point in worrying about that now since you successfully uploaded this chapter, just promise yourself to stop being a procrastinator and work on the next chapter.
Me: Yeah that's a good idea. Now then, R&R please! I almost have 200 reviews! -does happy dance- so yeah, please review! That really seriously does make me want to write the next chapter and upload it faster!