Yay chapter 5! From now until December 17th, my updating may get a little sporadic (or nonexistent) since I have major projects due and finals until then. But once the semester ends I'll have more time to write, which means more updates! Yay!

Thanks so much to everyone who's reading and reviewing and favoriting!

So this picks up right where the last chapter ended: Lloyd asked Dirk for a Key Crest for Marble and learned the truth of his mother's death. He insisted on getting the Key Crest, Dirk got mad and hit him, Lloyd stormed out of his house and came face to face with the Professor, Colette, Genis, and Kratos.

I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

((Lloyd POV))

Color rose to my cheeks and I put my hand behind my head subconsciously.

"Lemme guess… You guys heard all that?" I asked.

"Lloyd, I'm sorry!" Genis said.

I shook my head, resisting the urge to rub my stinging cheek as I dropped my hands down to my sides. "It's okay."

"But, because of me, you…" Genis said.

"Genis, it's not your fault. Don't worry about it." I said.

Genis shook his head, persistent. I rolled my eyes and punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"You dork. I'm fine." I said.

Genis sighed, but smiled at me.

The Professor cleared her throat. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, pretty much." I said shrugging.

The Professor nodded. "Just make sure you pack everything you need. This will be a long journey."

I nodded. "I know. Thanks, Professor."

The Professor smiled at me, then said: "I'm going to go talk to Dirk about the journey; Genis, you should come with me and apologize to Lloyd's father for causing him trouble."

Kratos looked away, and Genis winced. "Yes, Raine."

I smirked as the Professor led a slumping Genis into my house.

Suddenly, Noishe whined and ran up to us. He made a beeline straight for Kratos and bumped him with his nose.

Kratos actually smiled and started petting Noishe, looking up at me and asking, "Is this your dog?"

Noishe whined again as I said, "Yeah, that's Noishe. That's weird, he usually doesn't like strangers."

Kratos shrugged. "I once had a pet, a long time ago."

"Really?" I asked, having trouble imagining Kratos playing with a pet.

Kratos just nodded and continued petting Noishe, who stared up at him and whined periodically.

"You can walk him around if you want." I said. "Since he doesn't like monsters, it's hard for him to get enough exercise."

Kratos raised an eyebrow, but nodded, wandering around the clearing with a whining Noishe following him.

I chuckled at the sight, and Colette giggled.

"Lloyd, are you excited?" She asked perkily.

"Yeah! This journey is gonna be fun!" I said.

"Yeah! Hey, let's go up to the terrace. The sun is setting, and the stars will be out soon!" Colette said.

I glanced up at the sky, shocked it was so late. Suddenly, my stomach growled and I was reminded that I had yet to eat dinner.

"Ah, I'll meet you up there. I wanna grab something to eat first." I said.

"Okay!" Colette said, grinning before she headed inside to go to the terrace.

I glanced around to let Kratos know we were all going to be inside when I noticed him kneeling in front of my mom's grave and Noishe laying at his feet.

I walked over to him and stared at the gravestone for a moment, unconsciously rubbing the blue stone set into my left hand, before saying, "Thank you for paying your respects."

Kratos remained still for a moment, then stood up and turned to face me. "Whose grave is this?" He asked.

I didn't take my eyes off the gravestone. "You heard me and Dad earlier, right? It's my mom's…"

"I see… Why is there no last name?" Kratos asked.

"We don't know it. When Dad found me, he only got Mom's first name, Anna, before she died. I was too little to understand that I had a last name, so he gave me his when he took me in." I said, finally turning and facing Kratos.

"Where is your father?" Kratos asked.

"Dirk is my Dad." I said, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Of… course. That was careless. I apologize." Kratos said stiffly, looking away.

I sighed. "No, it's okay. I just hate it when people act like Dirk can't be my Dad because he's not my biological father. Blood has nothing to do with it. He raised me, so he's my Dad."

"I understand." Kratos said, still looking away.

I frowned. "As for my real dad… I don't know. The only things I know about my real parents are what Mom told Dad – Dirk – before she died."

"Can I ask what happened? If the circumstances are too painful…" Kratos said, once more looking at my mom's grave.

"It's okay. Dad was walking through the Forest on his way home from Iselia when he heard me crying. He followed the noise and saw me huddled between my mom's body and Noishe. Mom was hurt really badly and had a lot of wounds. Some of her blood was on me as I kept trying to get her to get up. Noishe was whining and watching over us, keeping the monsters away. I was three and didn't understand what was going on – I was bruised and had some cuts, but otherwise was okay. Dad approached and I buried my face in Noishe's fur, probably scared of him. He left me be and checked on Mom, but knew it was too late. Mom regained consciousness enough to tell him that she and I had been attacked by Desians on the cliff, and had fallen over. She asked him to protect her son, Lloyd… She died, and Dad took me home with him." I said, adding the details I had just learned to my explanation, frowning at them.

"I see… A true tragedy. You don't remember anything?" Kratos asked, facing me and studying my face closely.

I looked down at my mom's grave. "Not really. I don't remember the day Dad found me at all; apparently, I wouldn't let go of Noishe and cried anytime he approached me. Noishe seemed to understand that Dad would take care of me, though, so he went with him, bringing me along. Dad says for the first few days I was always trying to run away, and cried for my real Dad and Mom a lot. I didn't understand. After a few weeks, I settled down, and Dad found me playing with a small blue stone. He asked me where I found it, and I told him I had taken it from Mommy, then started crying 'cause I missed my mom. He managed to get a good enough look at the stone to realize what it was, and took me to Iselia the next day. The Professor and Genis had just arrived, and she confirmed that it was a Cruxis Crystal. I was brought to the Temple and it was decided that I could live with Dad as long as I studied with the Professor in the schoolhouse and Venny at the Temple everyday."

I shrugged and faced Kratos, smiling softly. "But, I've always loved to watch the stars at night. I used to stay out so much that Dad built the terrace for me, so I could be safe when I watched them. It's really fuzzy, but I think I used to look at the stars with my real Dad. Looking at them now always calms me down, and if I close my eyes and concentrate, I can almost feel him holding me close…"

"That's a good memory to have, then. What do you think happened to him?" Kratos said, looking down at my smiling face with a strange look on his.

I shrugged and my smile faded. "He was probably killed by the Desians that attacked me and Mom."

"I see… I'm truly sorry for your pain. You must hate the Desians fiercely." Kratos observed, his stoic mask back in place.

My hands fisted. "I hate the Desians that hurt my parents, and killed Mom. And I hate the Desians that hurt Marble and other humans just because they can."

"I understand. But, Lloyd. You must not seek revenge unless you are strong enough to take it. Both physically and emotionally." Kratos said.

"I-I know. Heh, you're a really good listener. Thanks, Kratos." I said, smiling at him.

"Hmm. Your welcome, Lloyd." He said. He raised his hand, and I thought he was going to ruffle my hair but instead he dropped it and murmured "First Aid".

Warm, soothing blue light enveloped me and my Cruxis Crystal pulsed. I looked down at it, wondering why it reacted like that to Kratos. I shook my head, thinking it must just be a reaction to the magic, when the light faded and my face no longer hurt. I rubbed my cheek, which had been sore and bruised a few minutes ago.

"Heh. Thanks." I said, grinning.

Kratos nodded. "It's late. You should head inside. You need to rest soon for the journey tomorrow. We will meet you here tomorrow morning, so be ready to head out."

I studied him for a moment, then shook my head. Just when I thought he wasn't so stoic after all, he retreated back into his shell. Oh, well. I'd have plenty of time to fix that on the journey. I grinned at the thought.

"Sure!" I said. "You coming?" I asked as I turned to head inside my home.

"No, I will stand watch out here. Please let Professor Raine know I am waiting." Kratos said, resuming his stare into space and absently petting Noishe, who was purring in contentment.

I rolled my eyes but nodded and headed inside.

"Lloyd! Help!" Genis yelled between giggle fits. He and Colette were rolling around on the floor, and Colette was laughing her head off as she tickled him mercilessly. I grinned, and noticed the Professor and Dirk sitting at the table watching them with bemused expressions.

"Oh, Professor. Kratos says he's standing watch outside, and is ready to leave when you are." I said, crossing over to the table.

The Professor nodded, still smiling as her brother begged for mercy.

"Lloyd." Dad said.

I turned to him wearily. "Yeah?"

"I'm sorry." He said gruffly.

"It's okay." I said. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"All right, Colette, enough! You have to let him breath!" I said, walking over to the two.

"Gah… Thank you, Lloyd." Genis panted out as Colette stopped tickling him and stood up, still giggling herself.

Genis stood up as well and edged away from Colette.

"Hey, Colette. I thought you were going up to the terrace?" I asked.

"Hehe. Yeah, but I was having too much fun playing with Genis!" She said happily.

Genis grumbled about her idea of "fun", but we both ignored him.

"Well, let's go up now." I said.

"Can I come, too?" Genis asked.

I smiled at him. "Of course."

We climbed to stairs and I led my friends down the hall and through my room, hurriedly forcing them out onto the terrace so they couldn't make fun of the mess.

We all leaned against the wooden railing and looked up at the night sky. I glanced down and saw Kratos walking Noishe back to his little home, murmuring to him.

I grinned and looked at my two best friends.

"Hey, Lloyd?" Genis asked, suddenly looking at me solemnly.

"Wh-what?" I asked.

"…Desians killed your mom, right? Does that mean half-elves are responsible for your mom's death?" He asked, looking down at his feet.

I let out a breath. "Well, not all half-elves are Desians, right? So yeah, the Desians are the reason my mom is dead, but it's not every half-elf's fault. I'm sure there are good half-elves just like there are bad humans."

Genis looked up at me sharply, then mumbled, "I-I see…"

"Oh, oh! Look!" Colette said, pointing frantically up at the sky.

Genis and I look up to see a shooting star streak across the sky.

"You saw it first, Colette. Make a wish!" I said.

Colette grinned and closed her eyes.

"Well, what'd you wish for, Colette?" Genis asked.

"You dork. She can't tell us, or it won't come true!" I said.

"That's right!" Colette chirped.

Genis scowled at us, then looked back up at the sky. "So tomorrow, we start the world regeneration journey." He said.

"Yeah! I'm so happy I get to go with you!" Colette said.

"Heh. Yeah. It'll be fun traveling with you guys! Just think, we'll get to see the world as we release the seals, and I'll become an angel!" I said, getting excited thinking about it.

"Ut-o, Lloyd. Better not get too excited now, or you won't be able to maintain that enthusiasm." Genis said.

"Hey!" I said, halfheartedly punching his arm.

We all laughed, then quieted as we heard the Professor yell up: "Genis! Colette! We should be going now!"

We sighed, and tromped back through my room and down the hallway, quickly descending the stairs. Dad and I followed the Professor, Genis, and Colette outside, where they were joined by Kratos.

"You're sure you have everything packed, Lloyd?" The Professor asked.

"Yes, Professor." I said.

"What about extra clothes?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes."

"And your books?"

"Yes."

"And your swords?"

"Professor, of course!"

"Well, what about gels? Do you have enough? Maybe we should buy another medicine kit…" She said, trailing off.

Kratos was looking at her strangely, and I laughed.

"The Professor thinks she's my older sister or something." I said.

The Professor huffed. "Well, I just want you to be prepared, Lloyd."

"I know. Thanks." I said, grinning at her.

She nodded. "Dirk, we will be here tomorrow to pick Lloyd up, so please don't let him try to run off to Iselia to meet us."

Dad nodded, then turned to Kratos. "So yer the mercenary who's to be protectin' my son?"

Kratos stiffened and nodded.

"Jist take care of him, will ya?" Dad said.

"Dad…" I said, but both he and Kratos ignored me.

"I will protect him with my dying breath." Kratos said solemnly.

Dad studied his face a moment, then nodded.

"Right, then. Off with ya!" Dad said, waving the group away.

After a few more goodbyes and a couple of waves, they left and headed through the Forest to Iselia.

I sighed and walked over to Noishe to pet him goodnight before entering the house after Dad.

"Ya should get some sleep. Yer startin' a long journey tomorrow." Dad said.

"Yeah. Good night, Dad." I said, heading toward the stairs.

"Lloyd." Dad said.

I stopped and turned around.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Leave yer jacket here. I'll patch up that tear ya got in the sleeve fer yer trip." Dad said.

I grinned at him, slinging the jacket to him. "Thanks, Dad! Night."

Dad nodded and carried the jacket over to the table to get to work on it. I ascended the stairs and walked to my room. I sighed at the jumbled mess of clothes and possessions that were strewn everywhere, then took out my pack and started gathering everything the Professor had said to bring. Once packed, I stashed the bag near the door and slipped off my boots, un-strapping my double scabbard from around my waist and laying it next to my bed on the floor, within easy reach just in case. I quickly stripped down to just my undershirt and shorts, and climbed into bed. My head swirled with images of my upcoming journey, and I wondered what it would be like to be an angel. Closing my eyes, I dreamed of friendship and feathers, sleeping soundly through the night.

Something hit my shoulder, and I buried my head further under my pillow, swatting my hand over my shoulder haphazardly. My hand connected with something and I heard a small yelp. Ignoring it, I sighed and sank deeper into sleep, my body completely relaxed under my covers on my bed as I lay contentedly on my stomach.

I frowned when the weight on my shoulder returned, and I was shook slightly. I heard murmuring and clamped the pillow tighter over my head, shaking my body to dislodge whatever animal had crawled into my room for the night and was now perched on my shoulder. The weight left again, and the creature moved across my room to my door. My sleep-muddled brain didn't pause to wonder how it opened the door, and instead sank back into lovely sleep as I was once more alone.

My entire body jumped into the air when the door to my room opened with a bang. Instinct had my rolling off the bed and onto the floor, clutching my wooden blades tightly. I crouched and rapidly blinked my eyes, trying to focus on the intruder. Where was Dad…?

"Lloyd Irving, get up this instant!" the Professor yelled as she stalked into my room.

I sighed as I recognized who it was, and lowered my weapons. Big mistake.

SMACK.

I crashed backwards and landed onto the floor harshly, my head reeling from the hit I'd just received.

"We've been waiting for over two hours for you to get up! We were supposed to leave at first light!" the Professor said angrily.

Wincing and rubbing my cheek, I mumbled, "Sorry, Professor."

The Professor sighed. "Lloyd…" She said.

I stood up slowly, stumbling a bit, as I fully woke up. The Professor stood before me dressed in her usual attire. I could faintly hear voices from downstairs, and realized everyone of our traveling group must be down there with Dad waiting for me.

"Today is an important day. Today is the day Sylvarant's Chosen begins the journey of world regeneration. Get dressed and come downstairs so we can finally be off." The Professor said.

I nodded and meekly said, "Yes, Professor."

"Oh, Lloyd. What am I going to do with you?" The Professor asked, ruffling my hair with her hand and smiling affectionately at me. I grinned back at, glad she wasn't mad anymore.

The Professor left, closing the door quietly behind her. I quickly got dressed in my usual outfit – red jacket, which Dad must have slipped into my room sometime during the night after he mended it, pants, black boots, twin scabbard, red gloves. I ran my fingers through my hair a few times, and deemed myself ready. I picked up the pack I had filled the night before with everything I would need on the journey, and took one last look around my room. Who knew when I'd be back again?

I slowly walked to the door and glanced at my bed longingly before sighing and heading down the hall and to the stairs.

Voices greeted me as I descended and walked into the living room where everyone was gathered. I quickly glanced around, then asked, "Where's Kratos?"

"He insisted on standing watch outside." The Professor said.

I rolled my eyes. I should have known. Does that man ever relax?

"Lloyd! Are you ready?" Genis asked me, clearly excited.

I grinned at him. "Hell yeah! This is gonna be awesome!"

"Yeah!" Colette chirped.

"Lloyd." Dad said gruffly.

"Dad?" I said.

"Here." He handed me a bracelet made out of black ore that glittered softly in the light. I examined it closer, realizing that it was inhibitor ore and had been carved with a spell…

"You made the Key Crest? Dad! Thanks!" I said, stuffing the bracelet into my pocket.

"Never abandon someone in need. Jist remember: I tried to stop ya." Dad said.

I nodded. "Thanks, Dad."

Dad nodded once and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small pouch and passed it to me.

"What's this…?" I asked, as I looked inside.

"It's jist a lil' somethin' to help ya on yer journey." Dad said.

Inside the pouch was a map of Sylvarant, a medicine kit, and several hundred gald.

"Dad! I can't take our gald! What about you?" I asked.

Dad shook his head. "Don't ya worry 'bout yer dear ol' Dad. It's jist as much yer gald as mine. 'Sides, I'll be fine."

"Dad…" I said, pocketing the pouch as well. I quickly gave my Dad a hug, the realization finally hitting me that I didn't know when I'd see him again.

Dad hugged me back tightly for a moment, before pushing me and letting go.

"Ya should get goin'. Yer losin' the light." Dad said gruffly.

"Dad… I'll be back. I promise you." I said.

"I know, Lloyd. Do me proud." Dad said.

He walked us to the door and outside the house. Kratos joined us from where he had been standing at Noishe's outcropping. I walked over to my dog.

"Noishe! Be good while I'm gone, okay? And take care of Dad for me!" I said, petting him and giving him a quick hug.

Noishe whined.

I rejoined the group, and Dad turned to Kratos.

"Protect me son." He said.

Kratos nodded solemnly. "I will."

"Right, then. Off with ya!" Dad said. Colette, Genis, and the Professor said their goodbyes to Dad and crossed the bridge over the small brook, giving us some privacy.

"Ya be good, ya hear? Listen to the Professor. An' let Kratos train ya. Ya need to grow strong if yer to protect the whole world." Dad said.

"I will." I said.

"I won't say goodbye, 'cause I know ya'll be back. So instead, have a safe journey, Lloyd." Dad said.

I smiled at my Dad. "I will. Thank you for everything, Dad. I'll be back before you know it! See you later." I said.

"Do me proud, Lloyd. Never ferget yer home here. Yer me son after all." Dad said.

I grinned at him. "I will! I know! See you soon, Dad!"

With that, I turned away from the home I'd lived in for the past fourteen years of my life and the only father I remembered, and crossed the small bridge to join my group of companions whom I'd be traveling with as I released the Seals and regenerated the world by becoming an angel.

"You all right, Lloyd?" Genis asked.

I smiled at him. "Yeah, I know I'll be back. Let's go, you guys!"

Everyone nodded and I took the lead, with Genis and Colette walking right behind me, and Raine and Kratos bringing up the rear.

By the time we entered the Forest it was about noon, and I felt bad for delaying the journey. But hey, a growing Chosen needs his sleep, right?

I heard a low growl and stopped suddenly, drawing my twin blades. Somehow, Kratos was at my side, angling his body slightly in front of me, as three wolves slunk onto the path, growling at us.

"Professor Raine, Genis. Please start casting." Kratos said calmly, drawing his steel blade.

I scowled as Genis and the Professor obeyed and began charging up spells, then tensed as one the wolves – the lead, it looked like, suddenly sprang at me.

I slashed at it, knocking it away.

"Colette! Please protect the Sages!" Kratos yelled, jumping in the fight after me.

Kratos and I acted as the mainline of our defense, with him viciously cutting the wolves and yelling "Hurricane Thrust!" and "Light Spear!" as I dodged the jaws of the wolves and shouted "Tiger Blade!" and "Sonic Thrust!". "Fireball!" Genis yelled, completing his spell. Three balls of fire attacks one of the wolves, and it howled in pain and died, leaving only two left. Kratos grunted and turned his attention to the next wolf, as he took one and I took the other by a silent agreement. "Barrier!" the Professor yelled, and for once the spell wasn't directed at me but at Colette, who was scratched up some from dodging branches as she filled in the gap between Kratos and me, protection Genis and the Professor.

"Super Sonic Thrust!" Kratos yelled, impaling the wolf he was fighting. The animal howled pitifully before slumping onto his sword, dead. He swiftly pulled his weapon out and turned to help me with the remaining wolf. Not to be outdone, I concentrated and sent some mana to my swords, my Cruxis Crystal flashing with light, as I yelled "Hurricane Thrust!". The wolf was lifted into the air and I swiftly battered it with my wooden swords. It couldn't hold up to the attack, and weak from my previous hits, fell to the ground, dead.

Kratos raised an eyebrow at me. "I'm impressed. You picked up that technique fairly quickly." He said, looking me over.

"Heh. I used it yesterday when I was in a pinch, so I knew it would work now." I said, kneeling down and quickly wiping off my blades.

"Hm." Kratos said, also cleaning his weapon.

"You have proved yourself a better fighter than the boy I met at the Martel Temple yesterday. I believe it is time to get you real blades." Kratos said.

"Really?" I asked, jumping up in excitement.

"Kratos, are you sure Lloyd can handle real swords?" The Professor asked.

Kratos nodded. "In less than a day, he has managed to successful pick up one of my attacks. Also, if he had had real blades in this fight, it would have been over much sooner since he would have been able to inflict much more damage with each blow."

The Professor looked at Kratos, thinking it over, before nodding slowly. "All right. We'll stop at Halo before we leave Iselia for the journey."

"All right!" I said, pumping my fist into the air.

"Way to go, Lloyd!" Colette said, grinning.

Genis rolled his eyes, but smiled at me. "Yeah, at least you're good at something!"

"Hey!" I said, punching his shoulder lightly.

We both laughed, and Kratos cleared his throat.

"Can we get going now, children?" He asked.

The Professor smirked as Genis and I scowled at Kratos. Colette just smiled her Colette smile.

"Fine. I wanna stop at the Ranch, though, and give this Key Crest to Marble." I said, resuming my walking, the others falling in step.

Kratos frowned. "Is that wise?"

"She has an Exsphere without a Key Crest, which is really dangerous. She needs this before she gets sick." I explained.

Kratos' frown deepened. "I see…"

"I really don't like stopping at the Desian Human Ranch, it seems like we are just asking for trouble, so soon in our journey… But if it really is important for this woman to receive that Key Crest, I suppose we have no choice." The Professor said.

"Thanks Professor." I said, grinning at her.

"But let's be quick. We have a lot of ground to cover before we get to the desert, where we will most likely find the Seal of Fire." She said.

I nodded. "All right."

We continued along the path, with Kratos now in the lead, and the rest of us following him. Just as we were nearing the branch off path that led to the Ranch, Kratos stiffened and I stopped, hands on the hilts of my blades. I strained to see or hear anything, but didn't notice anything for a few seconds. Suddenly I heard the underbrush rustling as though someone was running through it, and I saw Kratos relax and remove his hand from the hilt of his sword just as Venny burst onto the path.

*Gasp!* What's Venny doing there? Stay tuned to find out! Like my beginning note said, these next two weeks are crunch time for me as the semester ends, so my updating may not be as regular but don't worry - I'm still working on this story and won't forget about it, promise!

:) So, what'd you think? I love the bonding moments in this chapter, aww.

Review?