The Sage of Spirits: Chapter 2! Didn't expect this to be updated, did ya? n.n
Lloyd: I thought you were working on another story.
Me: I was. -shifty-eyes- But I had no idea on how to start that one, so I went with this one. n.n"
Tana: Which one was it? It wasn't a Cruxis Lloyd one was it?
Me: Of course it was. But I had trouble with it for some reason. n.n'" Disclaim please.
Lloyd: Sage owns nothing.
Me: I hope this chapter makes up for the shortness of the other chapter. n.n' Please read!

The One Better Off

Chapter 2: Lost Daughter and Sister

Kratos and Lloyd ran towards the man quickly, just before the man managed to lift his mace into the air. Kratos took the hilt of his sword and poked him hard in the gut, causing him to wheeze slightly. Distracted, he did not notice the two grinning teens jumping into the air; they slashed down his arms, causing him to drop his weapons onto the ground.

"That… won't stop… me!" he roared, weakly punching the two with his fists. They flew through the air, landing on their backs.

"Tana! Lloyd!" Colette shouted, running over to the two. "Now I'm angry!" she yelled, preparing to throw her chakrams at the man in an unusual fit of rage. She angled her hands so the right distance could be made and she tossed them one after another. They crossed and slashed his torso, one scratch above the other. After catching them again, she ran over to Lloyd. "Lloyd, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…" he said, sitting up slowly. "Go check Tana…" he said; he noticed the look on his father's face, but shook his head. Now was not the time to explain.

Tana rolled over onto her stomach as she began to crawl out of the way. Genis saw the girl and tried to quickly finish his spell. "Fire Ball!" he shouted, aiming for the newly formed wounds – courtesy of Colette – and watched as the man finally collapsed. He then ran over to the girl, throwing her arm over his shoulder – as low as he was – and helped her over to Lloyd.

"Blast! I never thought of you showing up! We're leaving!" the man said, Vidarr slowly getting onto his feet. He followed the man as quickly as was possible – for a man in his condition.

"Are you alright, Lloyd?" she asked, shaking Genis to let go. She collapsed onto Lloyd's chest and started to blush. "Sorry…" she giggled weakly.

"That's okay," he said plainly, "but could you please move? Sensei would like to inspect us in case we need to be healed."

Tana blushed some more. "Oh… Okay…" she said, rolling off of him as he stood up, stretching himself for any injuries. "Wow, you seem to be fine, Lloyd." She said to the teen.

"I guess I was not hit as hard as I thought I was." he replied, extending a hand to the brown-haired girl. "Here, let me help you up so you can get healed by Sensei."

Tana stared at his face and froze. He's so… handsome… she thought, shaking her head to get her out of her dreams. "Thanks…" she smiled, grabbing the hand. He threw her arm over his shoulder and led her to their father. Her blush deepened as she felt his strong chest.

"Sensei, I brought Tana to you. See if she needs to be healed." he said, watching as the old lady walked toward the trio. Kratos noted that she had a few scratches on her face – otherwise she was fine.

"You appear to be fine, but I better heal you anyway." he responded, entering his casting stance. "First Aid!" he said, his index finger touching the girl's shoulder. She could feel her injuries slowly heal as a green aura surrounded her face. "There."

"Uh… thank you…" she said as she touched her face to test the healing powers. She then turned to the elderly lady staring at her with concern. "Grandmother, I'm so glad you're safe!" she shouted, running over toward her as she opened her arms. Colette ran over to the two as well, and they embraced each other happily.

"So am I, dears." she replied as she turned her head slowly to the two angels. "Thank you for saving these two girls. I'm glad they were not hurt."

"It was no trouble. I had to find my pupil, when I heard that he went here – that was when I noticed the attack." Kratos said, turning his eye onto Lloyd. "I hope he did not cause you any problems."

Lloyd stared back at the man, angered, when Colette spoke. "O-Oh no! He was very helpful!" she shouted in his defense, shaking her head. "He protected us before you came!" she smiled brightly at the teen, hoping that she was helping him win over the man.

Kratos looked at Lloyd with curiosity (as what would have been expected of him). "Is that so?" he merely said, watching as the teen emotionlessly nodded his head. "Then you will merely get them minimum punishment for running off from me then." he turned his head to the boy, who sighed lightly. Although one thing lingered in his mind…

I seriously hope Dad was kidding about that 'minimum punishment' thing… he chuckled weakly in his head…

"At any rate, Grandmother," Colette said as she let go of the elderly woman, trying to deter away the awkward silence, "I'm going to perform the trial." Tana released Phaidra as well, turning her head toward her sister.

"Oh, you mean the Goddess Martel's trial within the temple. I'll come along and protect you!" she smiled happily, pulling out her knives. Genis instantly grabbed his kendema and grinned.

"Me too." Phaidra looked at the two children with concern, a frown revealing on her face.

"Just you two? I would be worried if only were to go. And the Desians killed the priests that were to accompany her during the trial and later the journey…" she said, lowering her head towards the ground. Kratos perked up at the opening, and took it.

"I am Kratos, a mercenary. If you fear that these children are not capable of protecting her, my pupil and I can take on the job of watching over the girl I presume is the Chosen." he said coldly, looking at the four with hardened eyes. His gaze stayed on Tana's entire being as if he was examining her carefully.

Phaidra secretly smiled – although feeling saddened at the fact that she thought the two young ones were not strong enough (within good reason and worry, she told herself) – and nodded. "Under the circumstances, I have little choice. Please look after them." She said, turning for the path to the village. Tana, Colette and Genis hurried into the temple before Kratos could say a word.

Lloyd turned to the man, eyes distant. "Is she…my sister?" he asked simply, staring longingly at the temple doors. Kratos remained silent, trying to figure out what to say.

"I cannot be too certain. Just because she has the same name does not mean that she is our Tana. But if she is…" he paused, eyes turning strict. "…you are not to tell her that you are her twin brother." he said, watching as the teen's eyes widened in pain.

"W-What? Why can't I tell her?" he said, whining. "Doesn't she have the right to know…?"

"If she is in fact our Tana, she would not have remembered us – you were only three when you were separated. And I doubt that she had anything to remember us by." Kratos responded sadly, watching as Lloyd cast his eyes to the ground. "So you cannot tell her. But enjoy the time you do have, okay?" he told the boy, wrapping his arm around his back as he led them into the temple.

When they arrived inside, they saw the three kids waiting for them, the half-elf tapping his foot impatiently. "Hey, what took you both so long? We were wondering if you were ever going to get in here!" he shouted with weak exasperation, throwing his heads up over his shoulders.

"I'm sorry about that. I merely had Lloyd provide me with a report of what had happened from when we were split apart up until now. After hearing his statement, I've decided to let him go without the minimum punishment this time." he said, turning his head to the teen; he revealed a hidden smirk that only Lloyd could see, and his saddened face cheered up a bit.

"Thank you, Sensei." he said, bowing his head. "Shall we be going?"

"Well… We are supposed to go straight because that is where the altar is," Colette began, turning her head towards the blocked passage, "but that way is now closed off. I think that's because of the trial though, so don't worry!" she smiled happily anyway as she turned and pointed to the right. "We need to go this way!" she giggled out.

"Okay! Let's go!" Tana shouted now as well, as both girls linked arms and began to skip happily along. The males simply sighed heavily.

If she is my sister, I need to get her away from the Chosen – her blondness is affecting her… Lloyd thought, lowering his shaking head towards the ground.

Hmm… Why should I be surprised at this display? She did grow up with the Chosen, if she is my Tana… Kratos mused, bringing his hand rather close to his face.

Oh brother, here they go again… I hope they don't fall this time… Genis inwardly sighed once again, covering up his thoughts with a plastered grin.

But suddenly, the three heard a high-pitched scream.

"Tana!" Lloyd shouted suddenly, unsheathing his swords; he dashed down the hallway to where the two girls were. Colette was standing, her chakrams in her hands. Tana however, sat on the ground, her hands close to her face and her feet scrunched up to her chest; she was shaking feverishly. "What's wrong?" he asked, seeing the only monster around.

A mere spider…

"T-That! Somebody g-get rid of it, p-please!" she pleaded hysterically; Lloyd stared at the girl with both widened eyes and a raised eyebrow – she was afraid of this stupid spider?

"Humph." he grunted, slashing the creature horizontally, cutting it in half. He then went a little further as he angled his sword so the point faced the floor. "Demon Fang!" he shouted, creating an energy blast that finished the spider off. After sheathing his swords, he felt something cling to his back.

"Thank you, Lloyd… I…do not like spiders… They are… so creepy looking…" she shuddered at the thought, releasing the teen. She watched Lloyd as he turned toward the two.

"Are either of you hurt?" he asked with narrowed eyes, despite not being angry. "If not, we should continue on." he caught sight of her light blush and inwardly grinned. I can use that to my advantage, if she IS our Tana – Dad will have to let me tell her so she can get over her crush of me. "Don't worry – I've got both of you covered." he said with a smile to the two girls, who tried once again to hide their blushing. Lloyd led the group down the rest of the hallway, the other three children behind him.

Kratos stood in the back – both to serve as a guard for their back and to enjoy the scene between the children. Lloyd's protectiveness of her is going to get him in trouble… I have to get him to stop being that way with her… he sighed as they stopped to look at the ring floating several feet away.

"There's the Sorcerer's Ring!" Colette shouted merrily.

Tana looked at it with intrigue. "So that's the Sorcerer's Ring?"

"What, you mean this is your first time into the temple?" Lloyd asked casually, his hands by the hilts of his swords. "I thought as sister to the Chosen, you would be granted access inside this temple."

The girl shook her head. "Just because I'm the sister of Colette that does not provide me excuse to enter the temple. And since I'm not a priestess, nor a Chosen," she said, her head turning away, "I have no reason to enter whenever I please. Father cannot enter without permission as well." She finished, receiving a solemn nod from the teen.

Kratos turned his head and noticed the blond Chosen looking at a stone golem, and gritted his teeth as he sighed. "Look out!" he yelled and charged towards it, causing the others to react. Tana quickly attached one of her daggers to her glaive pole and ran after her twin as he brandished his swords.

"Demon Fang!" she shouted as she twirled her glaive across the floor, creating the shockwave. It temporarily stunned the golem long enough for Genis to finish his spell.

"Lightning!" he chanted, raising his kendema into the air as the lightning bolt hit the rock.

Kratos slashed thrice at the walking stone, causing it to stagger just before it managed to slam it's gigantic fists onto the ground; he spun on impulse and slashed with an upwards stroke, swiftly bringing the point of his blade into the solid rock. "Sonic Thrust!" As he pulled his sword from the creature, it turned into a block… of rock.

"Oh no! It became a rock block!" Colette said with concern, earning a chuckle from the two twins.

"Colette, it was always a rock," Tana giggled, dragging Colette away from the boulder, "but what do we do with it?"

"I'd be more concerned on how it got here," Lloyd sighed lightly as he looked at the two girls walking towards him, turning his head away as a light blush had come across his face (which he had no idea why), "but I guess that's no longer a concern." he watched as Kratos started looking down through the platform, rubbing his chin in thought. "Sensei, do you have an idea?"

"I might, but then that would lead to another thought…" he began as he pushed the block to the left, causing it to fall into the hole. Moments later, another golem magically appeared. "Just as I thought."

Quite a few golems later, they marched back up the stairwell with the Sorcerer's Ring in hand. Genis, hearing an eerie, familiar laughter, hurried the group to the blocked doorway, opened it, and rushed them to the warp pad.

"Genis, why did we need to rush?" Colette asked innocently, looking at the half-elf. Receiving nary a response, she simply guessed it was something that he could not say. Walking towards the altar where her Cruxis Crystal floated mid-air, she bowed her head and began to pray.

Then they all watched as a holy light began to shine and a ball descended from that light. A form took shape, revealing a white-winged angel. They gasped in shock; the Oracle was commencing!

"I am Remiel, an angel of Cruxis, sent to guide you on your journey through the world of Sylvarant." he paused as he pushed the Cruxis Crystal gently to her, attaching itself onto her neck. "Now you shall be known as the Chosen of Regeneration. The Tower of Salvation shall be placed upon the world of Sylvarant, as a sign to all of the beginning of your journey." he said, spreading his arms out. Instantly, they turned around and looked out of the window.

"Whoa! The Tower of Salvation! Now the world will be saved!" Genis shouted, jumping up and down.

"Yes, it will. I have faith in Colette." Tana smiled back at the girl, whose fake smile hid her true feelings…

"Now Chosen," Remiel ordered, "head to the temples and break the seals therein, releasing the Summon Spirits from their sleep so the world's mana will increase. Then step forth into the tower to awaken the Goddess." he instructed, watching as she bowed her head in acceptance.

"Of course, Lord Remiel," she said when she sharply raised her head. "Please wait for a moment! Are you my fa-?" she paused, deciding that the thought was a foolish one.

"Remember – release the seals at the gates of the Summon Spirits, Colette… my daughter." Remiel replied with half a snide, which was not caught by most. Colette grew flustered at the scene and quickly bowed her head.

"Of course, Father!" she shouted as he ascended back into the heavens. Tana ran up to the girl and dragged her over to where the rest stood.

"Colette, congratulations!" she shouted, hugging the girl. "Now that the Oracle was conveyed, we should head back to the village." Tana watched as Kratos grabbed Colette's hand gently as he led her to the warp pad.

"I will take her back immediately, if you do not mind. Lloyd, watch after the remaining two." he commanded as they left, noticing the teen nod his head.

"Of course, Sensei." he replied, turning his attention to Genis and Tana. Great, he thought, leave me to the kid and the girl who is most likely my sister… he inwardly sighed. I have to endure not being able to tell her of me. I have to find a way to tell her without Dad knowing! "We should get going as well."

"Yeah." the girl smiled as she stepped onto the warp pad and disappeared. Lloyd was about to follow suit when he felt something grab onto his collar streams. Turning his head with slight annoyance, he stared at the half-elf.

"What?" he asked, his piercing stare returning onto his face. Genis looked away from his face, obviously startled.

"N-never mind. Let's go." he replied and walked off to the portal. Shaking his head, Lloyd simply followed him. As the trio went further to the exit, they were startled at seeing a strange figure in the center, their back facing them. She then whipped around, scaring both herself and the three behind her.

"Genis?! What are you doing here?!" Raine yelled in surprise, the boy inching slowly behind Lloyd. "And Tana, I'm shocked that I would see you here. And just who are you? You don't look like one of my students, but you shouldn't be here anyway. So I would suggest explaining to me in the next five seconds on why you are here before I take matters into my own hands." she said, tapping her foot as she crossed her arms.

Lloyd glared at her angrily. "I have been aiding the Chosen in the temple with my Sensei, who just took her back to the village after she completed her trial. I was told to watch over Tana and Genis by my Sensei." he watched as she rotated her head towards the door in thought.

"You speak of the auburn-haired man that I saw leave with Colette?" she said, watching him reply with a mere nod. "I see. That is good… I thought he might have taken her… I was about to chase after them when you came. I wish they had told me these things. Still, we better go after them." she said, reaching for the staff that was strapped onto her back. I can just come back and study the temple later before I leave… she thought as she scurried out the door. Not wanting her to get hurt, Tana and Genis ran after her, Lloyd sighing as he followed them.

(--Back at Iselia…--)

"Is this the one, Chosen?" Kratos asked the blond-haired girl, who nodded happily. They had just arrived into the village, and Colette led the man to her house. The first thing that caught his eye upon his arrival was a cage and pen in the back – which happened to be just barely visible to his trained eyes – and spotted the green and white "dog" inside of it.

Perhaps it was not just his son's wishful thinking after all…

Walking up the few steps that led to the front door, the two entered through the front door, catching sight of its two inhabitants sitting at the large table. He spotted the elderly woman from before and took a seat across from her. "I'm going to go upstairs for a bit of rest, okay?" Colette told them; after receiving a nod from Phaidra, she scurried up the stairs.

"I assume you are the one who is taking on the job of protecting my daughter, Colette?" Frank asked Kratos, who merely nodded his head. "You must be the mercenary Lloyd spoke of earlier – he gave a description while he was looking for you."

Kratos leaned back on the chair in thought, wondering how to word what he was about to say. "I was surprised that Colette was the Chosen and not Tana – she appears to be the older one." he threw out, hoping to snare the last bit of proof he needed. If this was his Tana, they should be mentioning…

Phaidra meanwhile had put a slight frown on her face. "Tana… she is not a Brunel at birth. I found her in the forest about fourteen years ago." she told the man, who had now inwardly flinched; it kept him every ounce of his strength just to keep himself from shaking.

She is our Tana… I… I have to keep her from joining us on the journey… for her sake… he thought as he closed his eyes. "Oh, I see… I did not know. How exactly did you find her, might I ask?" he said as innocently as possible – he did not want to lead these people into thinking something they could use against him.

Phaidra forced a smile on her wrinkled face, turning her head to Frank. "Dear, would you mind taking leave for a few moments?" she asked; getting up from his chair, Frank walked upstairs quietly, so he did not disturb the now sleeping Colette. "Now then… Where to begin…" she mused to herself, leaning forward onto her cane. "Ah, I know just the place…"

(--Iselia Forest, Fourteen Years Ago…--)

I was walking through the Iselia Forest to retrieve some herbs for medicine I needed for that morning. However, I could not find the herbs that I wanted, so I went further into through the trees than I normally did. I spotted some tea leaves and went to pick them up when I heard a dog howling loudly. Shocked, I thought to run, but it sounded like it was in pain.

So I followed the sound of the call and could not believe what I came across.

A young girl crying on a woman's blood-stained back, and a canine-like creature watching over her. "Oh my goodness…" I gasped, dropping my basket onto the ground; tears began welling in my eyes. I walked silently towards her – as I did not want to scare the poor dear – and the dog walked over to me, making a slight growling noise.

Startled, she lifted her soggy head from her wet arms and looked at me with tear-stained eyes. There were blood stains on her forehead even though she looked fine, so I assumed that it was the woman's blood. "No Noishy!" she screamed at the creature, who now backed away from me.

"You poor thing…" I sighed; I extended my hand, hoping that she would come and take hold of it. She merely stared at it. "What is wrong, little one?"

I watched with sorrow as more tears ran down her cheeks. "Daddy not here… no bwother too… And Mommy's not waking up…" she said, turning to the deceased woman. "I twy to wake Mommy, but she don't wake up…" she said as she wiped her nose on her sleeve. I could barely stand as my legs were shaking vigorously; I soon collapsed onto my knees, crying my heart out for her. "What wong?" she asked, sniffling.

"You poor, poor darling… Your mother… she will have a long rest… A long, peaceful rest…" I said, wiping my eyes dry. I once again reached out to her, hoping that she would take my hand. "Please, take my hand, young one." I said, smiling softly as I tried to ignore the pain… the trembling pain in my chest…

"But Daddy say to stay still – he come to me!" she said with a sniff, "Bwother say so too!"

"I'm sorry… I don't see anyone here… Please, come with me – we need to get you to a safer place… Then we can go see if anyone has seen your daddy or brother, alright?" I told her again; luckily, she listened to me this time. "Do you know what your name is?"

She nodded her head. "Tawna…" she replied.

"Tana?" I repeated, just to be sure. When she nodded her head, I know I was right. "Well then, Tana, let me carry you to the village to get cleaned up. Then we can get the men to search for your family." My last thought turned to the poor woman on the ground. "We should take your mother with us – we don't want the animals to attack her while she is sleeping…" I said; I could not live with the fact of telling this poor child that her mother was dead… just yet…

"'kay…" she replied, allowing me to pick her up; the dog did not feel the same way.

"Do not worry – I will not hurt her. Could I ask you to carry the mother?" I said to the dog; it (as I did not know the gender at the time) nodded its head and knelt to the ground. Carefully placing her on its back – while trying to ignore Tana's cries of "Don't wake Mommy!," it slowly stood up and walked with us back to the village.

When we arrived, I told the guardsmen to search the area for a man and a young boy, and told them to get other men to help. Then we hurried to my house, where my son Frank and his daughter Colette waited for me to return. When he saw a child in my arms, he rushed over.

"Mother, who is this girl?" Frank asked me. I placed her down onto the sofa and walked over to his ear, whispering the truths the girl should not hear. "Oh my…" he said, shaking his head. Luckily, Tana had ignored him.

"Now come along, dear. Let's get you cleaned up." I said, leading her upstairs. After washing her, I placed her onto a bed, where she instantly fell asleep. The poor dear must have been exhausted…

I went back down the stairs, waiting for the guardsmen to arrive. A few hours later, they came and told me that they found no trace of either the man or the other child…

(--Back to the Present…--)

"Since she had nowhere to go, she stayed with us." Phaidra finished, closing her eyes as a sigh escaped her aged mouth. "I merely hope that her family was not captured or killed. But since they were not found, I assume that they were captured by the Desians."

Kratos sat there quietly, his thoughts racing quickly. The facts were too obvious; there was little doubt now.

This was his Tana – his lost daughter… He had found her at last – but alas, it was far too late…

Me: Heheh. n.n
Lloyd: What now?
Me: Tana thinks you're handsome. :D
Tana: W-well... You are, Lloyd! -blushes-
Lloyd: Oh brother...
Tana: Hee hee hee!
Me: It's alright to think your relative is hot. But personally, the funniest thing about this story is the humorously implied twincest THAT WON'T really develop (as it WILL be one-sided n.n"). That doesn't mean I support incest. -shudders- It was just too much to pass up. Plus someone I know wanted me to make it that way, instead of making her go on 'gut feelings' not to fall in love with him. But of course, this will be Colloyd. Sorry Shelloyd readers, I just don't see it - I'll read it, but I don't see it. n.n"
Lloyd: What? Well, when does she know? In the story, I mean.
Me: Not for QUITE some time, Lloydie. Review please!