Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or any of it characters.

Path of Ascension

Chapter 7

The Seraphim approached the main gate to Heimdall and was determined to get answers even if he had to betray his friends in this village in order to get them. "Treachery seems to be the only thing I have to offer those around me."

Once inside the village he walked quickly straight to the Elder's home. "Village Elder? Are you here?", the angel asked at the door.

The door opened to reveal the aging elf, "I knew you would come here Kratos, alas you are too late. Origin has departed from our village and I shall tell you no more."

He was pissed at the elf's blatant disrespect, but he knew that attacking him wouldn't get the answers he sought. "The stubborn fool would die long before I got anything out of him." The mercenary tried to persuade the Elder to tell him anything that might be helpful, but was met with a stone wall every time.

"I suggest you leave now Kratos. The rest of the villagers will not talk either, per my instructions of course.", the old man informed Kratos before shutting the door in his face.

"Now that was a complete waste of time. If I can't find anyone here I'll have to track Origin on my own.", he thought as he began to question the villagers. The instant he mentioned Origin the elves would become silent and uncooperative.

Kratos tried different interrogation techniques on thepeople of Heimdall and not one of them told him anything useful. Finally the merc gave up and set out to pickup on the now cold trail of the escaped summon spirit.

As the Seraphim exited Heimdall his communicator sprang to life again. He quickly turned it on and spoke to the other person, "Unless you know where Origin is heading now I have no time for this Yggdrasill."

The other angel smirked wickedly and said, "He's heading for Sybak. He'll be there in just a few hours." Cruxis leader watched as his subordinate nodded and ended the transmission.

"I guess it's off to Sybak for me then.", the man thought as he brought forth his wings. He was sure this would allow him to catchup to his prey in no time at all.

Two hours later Lloyd found himself entering the city on the map given to him. "I think it's called Sybak. Yeah this is it.", he said pleased he'd reached his destination. He then became self conscious of his extra arms again being surrounded by all these normal people. He readjusted his arms hidden underneath his shirt while being careful that no one saw him doing it.

Once he felt a little more secure he started searching the city, "Now where is the Imperial Research Academy?" It took him about fifteen minutes to find the building, but he was able to find it.

As he approached he found two guards standing in front of the main entrance. He made it within twenty feet of the door before the guards stopped him. "Where do you think your going?", the short fat one asked.

Lloyd didn't like the guy's tone in the least and felt the need to 'exchange words', but held back because he needed the cooperation of these people in order to help Colette. "I'm just here to ask one of the researchers a few questions.", he noticed the guards didn't seem to care so he added, "I need to know about Cruxis Crystals in order to help save a friend of mine."

The other guard who was much taller than the swordsman gripped his weapon and said, "I don't care what your reasons for coming are. Unless I receive word from the Royal Family to let you in you don't enter." He then leaned in closer so the boy could see his eyes and said, "Unless of course you want to pick a fight with the guards of the Royal Family."

The young man knew the guard was trying to intimidate him and unfortunately for the idiot in front of Lloyd it wasn't working at all. To add to the anger he felt at anyone trying to frighten him the jerks were refusing to let him talk...just talk to people that could help save Colette's life, "Well sometimes one must do what one must do."

Before either guard could muster a defense the summon spirit tore into both of them. He didn't use his 'mana weapons' for fear that it would attract way too much attention, but that didn't mean he wouldn't use what Ayena had given him. "I'll do whatever it's takes to save Colette.", he shouted as he KO'd the shorter guard by striking him in the stomach with the butt of his sword.

The taller man shouted, "We need help at the main gate immediately! We are under atta..." He too was struck down before finish speaking, but the damage was already done. The doors opened and twenty men poured in the main yard.

"Who do you think you are trying to take on the Royal Guards?", one of them asked as they surrounded the teen.

The brown haired youth knew he couldn't win against all these people at once, but he wasn't about to just give up on Colette's life either, "I'm the guy that's going to save Colette's life."

The armed soldiers were angered by the rude little punks remarks and closed in on him when one of them behind Lloyd was kicked forward. The others turned to see who had cowardly attacked one of their own and found a redhead carrying a single sword, "You said your going to save Colette's life?"

Cautiously the teen responded, "Well...Yeah."

The new guy started laughing and said, "How do you intend to help her? By getting yourself thrown in prison and/or killed?"

"Who does this guy think he is making fun of me?", the swordsman thought as he turned his body around to the intruder. "I just needed to talk to a researcher and then I was out of here.", he snapped at the redhead.

The other swordsman moved towards the teen and motioned for the guards to lower their weapons, "Well it's lucky for you that I came here today." The taller teen watched as Lloyd was confused and then informed, "I'm here today with Colette to do the very same thing...And I brought her friends along."

With those words Lloyd felt his blood freeze and it became difficult to breathe. Sure enough catching up to the redhead were his two traveling companions, the fallen Chosen, and a pink haired girl.

Raine and Genis froze when they entered the yard and found their 'dead' friend standing with weapons drawn. Both half-elves stared at the young swordsman for what seemed like an eternity when in reality it was only about five minutes.

When one of them finally managed to speak it was the healer, "Oh my God! Ll...Lloyd...is...is that you?"

The young man looked her in the eyes and then at his best friend. Genis' eyes seemed to be begging him to say that it was real. "Yeah Professor. It's me...and...and I'm ok."

The scholar moved past the guards to a few feet from the teen and lifted her hand towards his face. Before she could touch him she pulled her hand back feeling as though if she were to touch him the boy would vanish and she would wake up to find out that it was just a dream. She attempted to muster up her courage and place her hand on her student several times before she gave up trying to do so.

Lloyd had picked up on the sadness his friends held for 'his death'. "Poor Raine and Genis. I never took the time to think how devastated they would be if I were to die." He made up his mind that he would never allow his friends to suffer because of him again and when Raine lowered her hand from his face the last time the swordsman grabbed her wrist. He then pulled her hand to him and set it on his face, "Raine...I'm alive. Please stop beating yourself up over my mistake."

The half-elf broke down in tears on her pupil's shoulder. "Oh thank Martel your still alive. I thought for sure we'd lost you. But how did you survive? ...And why do your shoulders seem bigger?", she thought as she was held by her student.

The redhead decided it was time he introduce himself, "Nice to meet you Lloyd. I'm Tethe'alla's chosen, Zelos." The Chosen extended his hand and Lloyd freed one of his two visible hands to shake Zelos'.

By now Lloyd was getting worried at the lack of reaction Genis was having to his appearance. "Um...Genis are you alright?", he asked as Raine recomposed herself.

Raine walked back over to her little brother and waved her hand in front of his face getting no response. She then tried shaking him and called his name several times before he reacted.

Lloyd had moved closer to his best friend before his sister got his attention and was caught off guard when Genis finally moved again. The short half-elf shot forward towards Lloyd and his fist connected with the older boy's face.

"Genis! What was that for?", the teen grumbled as he nursed his sore cheek and wounded pride. "That actually hurt. Looks like he's getting stronger after all."

The younger boy didn't respond at first in favor of glaring and growling at his best friend. "How dare you do that to us?", he barked.

"Do what?", Lloyd asked.

"How dare you go off an die on us? ...And in front of my sister like that!", he said as tears began forming in his eyes. "Why did you have to leave us like that Lloyd?"

The swordsman knew the attack was out of concern rather than hate, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you guys like this. I can't promise that something like that won't happen again, but I will try my hardest to prevent it." He then walked over to Colette and saw those dreadful wings sticking out of her back.

Zelos walked over to the summon spirit and said, "Don't worry Bud. We're here to help her. She'll be as good as new in no time."

Lloyd didn't seem to be as optimistic as Zelos, but he made sure that it didn't show. "Well? Shall we?", he asked before walking through the guards to the main entrance.

Zelos dismissed the guards and the rest of the party followed Lloyd into the building where they would hopefully find some way to help the fallen Chosen.

With the Renegades Yuan and his men were closing in on Sybak when something on the sensors caught his attention. "What have we here?", he asked himself as they passed over the site indicated. The blue haired half-elf smiled wickedly at what he saw, "A perfect place to setup an ambush..."

"Lord Yuan?", one the Renegades asked. The soldier looked on as his leader gave instructions for Botta to proceed on ahead while he and a few subordinates arranged a little 'Welcoming Party'.

"As you wish Lord Yuan.", Botta confirmed before he ordered his men to pick up the pace.

Yuan watched as his followers left for Sybak and thought to himself, "Soon I'll have Origin on my side and those little brats will no longer be an obstacle. Today is turning out to be a very...generous day indeed."