Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia
As Kratos rushed through the forest, guiding his mother, he kept his attention focused on nothing other than his footing. First of all, the paths were all formed of thin wooden bridges over a large lake, and secondly the less he thought of what had just happened, the better. His friend had died for his sake, and now he would do all that he could to make that sacrifice worth it.
Because his attention was so narrowly focused, the young boy did not see the figure standing in his path. He ran headfirst into an armored elf, falling backward rubbing his banged head.
"Who are you and what do you want, human?" The elf demanded.
"I am Kratos Aurion and this is my mother, Maria Aurion. We seek shelter from the war and cure from a rare illness."
"You are humans. We have no reason to help you. Be gone! We have ourselves to worry about."
Before Kratos could give a reply, an arrow whizzed past his face, imbedding itself into a tree close to him. The elf snapped around, firing off three arrows simultaneously. He was met with success as three obsidian-covered figures fell limply out of the trees.
"If you wish to keep your life, you would head to the village. Perhaps the elder will listen to your plea. Do not disturb the elves guarding here, for we are busy defending our people and do not need an extra distraction."
The boy and his mother rushed away past the elf, heading in the direction he had indicated to them. Behind them, five mages were slain as an "Indignation" spell was fired off.
Silence reigned over the legendary elven village of Heimdall. Most of the occupants were outside, hidden among the trees of the surrounding Ymir Forest, waiting for and killing their assailants. Kratos ran along the path leading through the center of the small city. He ignored the stares of the elven women and children who peaked out at him from their doors and windows, whether in horror or awe, that he could not discern. Soon he came to a house that the path ended at. It was very similar to all the others, only slightly bigger. Hoping that it was the correct one, he stepped up onto the patio and prepared to knock on the door.
Before Kratos could bring his hand to the wood, the door swung open inwards. He found himself staring into the face of a tall elven warrior. "Little human, why have you come here and who let you through?"
Maria Aurion stepped up from behind her son. "We have come here seeking shelter and aid. We met an elf who was busy battling in the forest. He told us to meet with the elder and ask him for help."
"Then you may go and ask him, but be quick for we are all very busy. Never before have the humans dared to attack the elves. They shall pay for this folly of theirs." So speaking, he stepped past them and left. Following him, ten more elven warriors exited, some carrying staffs, other bows, but none held swords.
Slowly, Kratos and his mother entered into the house. It was darker inside, lit only by the scarce sunlight of the setting sun that peaked through the windows after getting past the trees outside. In the center of the large room stood an old elf, his beard and drooping eyes signifying his great age.
"I heard your talk with the warrior who was leaving. Shelter I understand, but what is this 'aid' that you speak of? And also tell me your name."
"I am Maria Aurion, and this is my son, Kratos. I have an illness that the humans know not how to cure. My son, Kratos, has brought me here seeking a cure. I wish not to disturb you in this time of battle."
"I beseech you to help my mother," Kratos interjected. "I shall help you in your fight if I must. I am willing to die fighting here. All I ask is that you aid my mother."
The elven leader stepped up to Maria Aurion and stared into her eyes, searching for the disease he had been asked to heal. The humans could cure many diseases of the body with their accursed magitechnology, but any affliction of the soul would leave them helpless. Having determined what was hurting Maria, the elven elder turned to Kratos. "The disease is strong and will take a while to cure. I can promise you to help your mother if you fight for us. We are few in number and are unused to war. Your help will be appreciated, no matter how little the other elves speak of it."
Agreeing to fight with him, Kratos exited the house beside the elven leader. Soon, he found himself standing on a precariously thin wooden plank suspended over the Ymir Lake, swinging a sword desperately in order to keep himself from being killed. He jumped from platform to platform as arrows and magical spells whizzed all around him.
Large swordsmen covered in obsidian armor infested the eastern half of the forest, swinging large broadswords and sending bolts flying out of their crossbows. The elves replied to them by sending arrows flying from their longbows straight into the minute gaps between different parts of their magic-resisting armor.
The western side of the forest was swarming with lightly robed mages. Runes and symbols formed of colorful lights dazzlingly filled the air as spells were rapidly formed. Both, the elves and their attackers fought in the same manner. While the humans could only use the second level spells, most commonly "Flame Lance," "Eruption," "Spread," "Ice Tornado," "Thunder Blade," and "Air Blade," the elves could also use the third stages, namely "Indignation," "Tidal Wave," and "Cyclone" among others. On both sides, the battle seemed one-sided as the elves far out powered the humans. However, the humans had far greater numbers, and with time passing, the elves began to tire.
Kratos wove in and out of the elves and humans, stabbing through the openings in the armor that covered the enemies of the elves before they could draw near. He fought close to the elven elder, making sure that he did not get hurt. He deflected as many bolts as he could with the flat of his blade whenever they rained on the elf. He slashed at approaching mages, shredding them before they could launch their spells.
The elven warriors grew tired. Their bowstrings no longer sang as sharply, their spells lost their energy, fading down to the second or even first levels. Combination spells were nowhere to be seen. The only consolation that they had was that the Tetheallans and Sylvarant were fighting each other as well. Slowly, the elves pulled back. Although this reduced the protection for their village, it reduced the gap between their two enemies, causing them to fight each other more and the elves less.
While pulling back, Kratos and the elder were given a short respite. The boy took the chance to ask the elven leader his concerns.
"Elder, why are the humans attacking now when they have never done so before?"
"There was a time once before when they struck at us. We fell back then and they stole a great treasure from us. The kingdom of Sylvarant took from us the great sword, 'Flameberg.' Now they have come for the 'Vorpal Sword.' The only reason they did not attack before was that we could defeat Sylvarant on its own, and with the Flameberg against them, Tethealla could not even approach this area. When the warrior 'Odin' fell, Sylvarant lost its dominance and now they have come to determine who will play as the victor in their petty war from now on."
Soon, the elves aligned up and readied themselves to confront the humans once more. The rest had revitalized them to some degree, and they were able to hold their own once again.
Kratos blazed forth, angry at the greed shown by his race. He struck repeatedly, felling many of his adversaries. The elven leader beside him let lose torrents of spells, striking from below with "Tidal Wave" and from above with "Indignation." The two formed a deadly combination, allowing the electrical force of the thunder to permeate through the swirling currents of the water.
Just as the enemy seemed to thin out, a lucky arrow passed the protective barrier that the elves had formed around their elder. It passed through the edge of a "Thunder Blade" spell, gathering sparks of electricity on its metal tip. The aim was true; it would strike the elderly elf at his heart, and it would surely prove fatal because he wore no armor. Seeing the old elf, Kratos rushed forward. He had not known him for long, but he felt close to him because he had accepted him where the other elves had not. The young boy also felt a need for repaying him for all the times that the elder's spells had saved him during the battle.
With a sudden leap, Kratos flung himself in front of the head of the elven village. The arrow struck him in his arm, sending tendrils of purple energy searing through him. As the elven warriors stared in shock at the human who had saved their leader, the elder began chanting a spell.
One of the warriors from Sylvarant rushed forward. He seized the chance and leapt at the old elf standing in front of him, swinging his sword. Kratos, though dazed by the blow he had taken, managed to notice the danger. Not having the energy to parry, he put himself in the path of the attack. The sword was stopped from reaching the chanting elf. Instead, it sent a shock of searing pain through a young humans body.
A ball of fire fell from the sky. It landed upon the human warriors head, growing into a huge "Explosion" spell. As the ashes of the incinerated being flew away, a young boy fell into the water beside the burnt path. The elven leader jumped after Kratos as blood flowed freely from the open gash across his stomach.
Looks like no one reviewed the previous chapter. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed this one (Kratos didn't)