Disclaimer: I, Evelyn Dark, do not own Tales of Symphonia.

'OoO'

Written in Stone╫

Written by: Evelyn Dark

«Chapter 5»

OMG

Oh My Gnome--

'OoO'

"OMG, that HURT!" I said, backing away from the crazy elf. She's a treacherous little shorty, and she's kicking my ass. So what's the best thing to do when someone is trying to kill you with her bare hands; you run like hell. So that's what I'm doing, or trying anyway: short, dangerous, agile, and quick is what she is I might add. So she was able to scratch my already scratched up face. I don't know how it got scratched up, but it did even though it didn't hurt.

"What the hell do you think you're doing to my body, and how dare you injure it. Fate I will not concede, not with a human." She said, her silver eyes flashing dangerously. Oh my Gnome, she needs to take a chill pill. It's not that I asked for this either, I just got stuck in her body without being consulted with either.

"Now now Yomi, do not hurt Angela. I purposely put her soul into your body for a reason." Fate the goddess of time said, like that was going to help. She took another lung at me despite what Fate said. Flinging myself to the right I was able to dodge her right punch, only to find her foot to my face.

"If you have a reason for putting the likes of her in my body, you better give that reason now before I kill her soul!" she said, slowly making her way towards me. I just kept my hand to my nose, afraid that it was broken even though it wasn't broken.

"STOP!"

Just then an invisible wall appeared between us, how did I know that? Well let's just say that Yomi walked into something pretty hard, so I had my suspicions.

"I have my reasons, now sit down, shut up and listen while I explain for my reasoning. And after that you will apologies for your childish behavior." She said with great command. Boy if she called that childish behavior, I was afraid what she would consider Yomi's true anger. Oh and that was the definition for Fanfare that one of my subs used, sit down, shut up, and listen. The loveliest definition that anyone could come up for Fanfare.

"I will not," she said crossing her arms, and sticking her nose into the air.

Yomi has just earned the title

Bitch from hell

She's not the kind of person you want mess with when she's feeling 'childish'.

'OoO'

"Okay let me get this right, I'm pretty much stuck in Yomi's," I pointed at the crazy elf that attacked me before, and after close examination found that she looked a lot like the body I was in. "body until you can get my body over here, and my body at the moment is under crisis moment. Cause apparently, in order to 'sever' my soul's links to my body you had to almost kill, not kill me but have me at the brink of death."

Ohh I was steaming mad, I was literally glaring at Fate. She's obviously trying to have me killed, so when she was able to explain things, she even mentioned something about how our soul image shows the condition of our bodies. So for example if someone died and they had this huge gash on their shoulder, as a spirit they would have a huge gash on their shoulder, yet they can't feel it. So when I asked for a mirror, I nearly screamed. My face was a mess, I had this huge cut on my right eye and two slash marks on my left cheek; and those cuts did not look good what so ever. I was missing a big huge chunk of my right thigh, it made me look like Gregory House, and my arms were covered in cuts and bruises. Despite that they didn't hurt one bit, nope and I can see out of my right even though as Fate had mentioned, my right eye on my body was blind. Just my luck, at first I just wondered if I would slowly go blind because I had -7 perscipted contacts.

"Hey how about we make truce and kick Fate's ass?" I asked Yomi with a side glance, she only glared at me in response. "Or just glare at me."

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I have caused you two, but you must understand if I didn't Lloyd would have died at the Triet base or the Fire Temple. If it wasn't for your fast thinking Angela, this world would be doomed for the Age of the lifeless beings." Fate said solemnly, I almost wanted to say it was okay, and the other half of me just wanted to tear her to ribbons.

"But I don't understand what I have to do with this?" Yomi said from her little perch on the tree branch. Yeah apparently this is the realm of dreams, so if you think of something it will happen. Like Yomi thought of a tree, and it just appeared; it was fucking awesome but I wasn't going to admit it.

~flash back~

"THAT IS SO FUCKING AWESOME!!"Angela yelled.

~end of flash back~

Okay so maybe I did express my opinion on the matter, but that doesn't matter at the moment. I'm still PMSing at Fate, so I need to think of angry thoughts or I'll just give up and do as she says. I have had to just deal with a lot of crap, I'm that kind of person but I'm not going to stand for this shit.

"FINE!" I said with an exasperated sigh. Yeah I gave in pretty quick, it's just I wanted to so many things here at the moment. I mean I have always dreamt of crazy things that I would do I was here in Symphonia.

"You'll concede?" she asked surprised at my quick response. I just nodded, while Yomi frowned.

"Really what does this have to do with me?" Yomi asked once more, a bit more agitated.

"Your mana signature is the same as Angela's, and at the moment I was kind of panicking on how to get her here on time so that's why I visited you in your dreams and had you come here to Sylvarant. So that could house her soul until I could get her body here. But with her body damaged so much, I believe that when the regeneration group has escaped the Tower of Salvation will I be able to get Angela her body here." She said nervously, my gnome, I would think that she would be calm and collected like a goddess should be but she's being the total opposite.

"So Yomi's from Tethe' Alla?" I asked with jovial curiosity. Yomi just looked at me with a dead pan look and nodded her head. I pouted, and smiled wickedly as I got an idea. So using my imagination I thought of the tree being hacked by Presea's axe with one swing. So it shall happen, so there I was looking at Yomi as the tree all of a suddenly was cut clean in half and falling down with Yomi coming down with it. The look on her face was priceless; I wish I had a camera at the moment, so there I am laughing my ass off tears streaming down my face. Then there I go running like away from the deranged elf that was trying to kill me once more.

"CHILDREN," Fate yelled at us again, totally losing her nervousness from earlier. Yomi stopped and growled at me with a glare as she turned and walked back to Fate. I just stood there wiping the tears of laughter from my face, a few giggles still in my system. Mad did I love this place.

"So will you two work together or not," she said with an agitated look on her face. When she means work together she means me trying to keep Lloyd from being killed and Yomi just harboring my soul until we get to the Tower of Salvation.

"Sure whatever," I said cheerfully. I looked over towards Yomi and cocked my head to the side waiting for her answer. She had her arms crossed over each other and her face was hidden by her platinum blonde hair.

"..If I must… but Fate you better keep your promise," she said threateningly towards Fate, wow I think we're forgetting we're dealing with a goddess. Ah the hell with it, she's not much of a goddess anyway.

"So uh… do you know how to fight?" I asked hesitantly at Yomi, I mean if I'm going to do something about this and mostly be in control I at least want to know that one of use can fight properly.

'OoO'

I groaned as I woke up, stretching my stiff arms.

You mean MY stiff arms.

She speaks!

Shut up, just remember that this is my body got it!

Yeah yeah yeah, whatever, I'm hungry.

I held Yomi's stomach as it grumbled in need to food, looking up at the sky I found that it was almost turning dark. I must have been knocked out for some time, probable only a day. Getting up shakily to my feet, I started to walk towards the smell of food.

"It seems you're awake, good. We can continue towards the Ossa Trails at morning then." The mysterious voice said, squinting to look over to the side to see Kratos just sitting over near a rock. Looking around I found that our camp was in the ruins of the top of the Fire Temple.

I nodded my head, feeling like crap; I'm sure that's what I looked like or Yomi for the matter, cause Kratos just looked at me with a raised eye brow. He seriously needs a scrunchy or something, I'm surprised he can even fight with all that hair in his face. I think I'll buy a scrunchy at the nearest shop as a joke for Kratos, yeah that sounds fun.

Slowly dragging my feet I made my way to the other people, to stop dead in my tracks and fine the Archeologist.

"Oh good you're alright," He said getting up and walking somewhat towards me then stopping. I think he's learned his lesson about getting near me.

"What. The. Hell. Is the noob doing here," I said drearily, half glaring and half still trying to wake up at the guy.

"That's right, you're malevolent," He simply stated before turning around back to his spot on the ground.

I should cut out his intestines and wrap them around his neck a slowly suffocate him.

My you sure are a cheery one.

I grumbled and sat down next to Genis, and looked to the side at him with half open eyes.

"You look like the dead," He said.

He has no idea.

Your face.

Your face is one of the best comebacks you can come up with if you can't think of anything else. I slouched in my sitting position, pulling me legs up to my chest and resting my chin on it.

"Please tell me there is food," I said, sighing with morbid boredom.

"It's almost done, you'll have to wait a while longer.. uh…?"

Yomi…. Hejinaka, Yomi." Yomi stated. I was too lazy to answer so Yomi did it for me. The Archeologist smiled, while I glared, he turned his face away back to his soup that he was cooking. I wasn't in the mood to ask why he was here, so I just got up and walked away from the camp hoping to have some alone time to pace.

'OoO'

Walking around for some time I was so much in thought over what Fate had said that I didn't notice Noishe come.

"Hello!"

Looking around to find the source of the 'Hello' I nearly stepped on Noishe's tail. Backing away quickly I put my hands to my mouth and gaped.

"I'm soooo sorry, Noishe. I didn't know you were there," I said apologetically.

"You should be! I've already have that klutz of a chosen step and fall on me all the time!"

I just stood there in awe, because Noishe was talking to me. Getting even more confused I slapped myself for good measures to make sure I wasn't dreaming this.

"OW!"

What the hell do you think you're doing to my body?!

Well at least I know that actually happened.

Blinking a few times, since when she yells it really hurts my… I mean her head… oh whatever I'm just going to refer to this body as mine for the time I inhabit it. Kneeling down to Noishe's level I frowned.

"Well I'm sorry Noishe; I'll tell Colette that she shouldn't be a klutz around you. How abused are you?" I asked politely, remembering that this protozoan is like thousands of years old from the beginning of this world. Noishe just scratched his paw on the ground; with his head down in a really cute manner.

"A lot, I mean couldn't they at least consider that I'm an individual like them. That I grow tired like them and grow hungry from long runs. I mean even Kratos; my old friend doesn't even seem to acknowledge me these days…… WAIT! You can understand me…. Woops." I just grinned in triumph.

"So is it a big deal that I can understand you?" I asked settling down onto the ground Indian styled. Noishe as well settling down, curling his green tail around his paws; it kind of made him look like an emperor or something like that.

"Why yes, unless I make a mental connection with you two legers. I hardly know anyone who knows how to understand the animal language. Unless you're a wild mage, you'd have to be one to understand me at the moment." He said, cocking his head to the side to show his confusion; since animals really don't have those facial features to do that.

"I suppose I am,"

You never mentioned that you are a wild mage?

Oh is that the word for my ability to talk to animals, the name escapes me usually. Especially when you find out you have a human spirit in your body, making all the commands, and making you feel helpless.

Sheesh I'm not that bad…

You haven't had to share a body with someone like you who randomly thinks of stupid random things at the wrong times!

So my mind wanders sometimes, I can't help it. I think a lot!

Not enough on some occasions.

Shaking my head from out little conversation, I got back to my train of thought after I remembered.

"Anyway Noishe, you mentioned that Kratos and you were old friends. That must mean that you have met each other before, but from Kratos says that his visit to Isalia was his first. So how were you able to meet him?" I asked, with full confidence. I just knew I had him, and that there was no way that he could lie his way out this because I know. Noishe looked to the side nervously as he thumped his tail onto the ground.

"There you are guys are, I was wondering where you two went," Lloyd said quite happily to have found us both apparently. I just glared at him, and looked at Noishe suspiciously then smiled. He may have been saved by Lloyd, but that doesn't mean I won't come back at him with the questions.

"So Yomi, how do you feel?" He asked with sincere concern, I didn't like it at all. It's nice that he cares and all but he shouldn't trust me, it wouldn't end so well with him.

"Just fine, thank you," I said as I jumped up from the ground dusting the dirt off my butt.

Why the heck do you wear white, when we both know it's just gonna get dirty.

I have my reasons, and they don't concern you.

Okay sorry, just wondering.

"Well anyway, the food is ready. The Archeomologist is actually a really good cook, but not as good a Genis. You should try his food sometime." He said as we both and Noishe made our way back to camp.

"Perhaps I will," I said with a small smile. I was silently laughing at his attempt at pronouncing and remembering the word for Archeologist. Dragging my feet still, weak of energy, I plopped on the floor next to someone. Looking to the side I found out that I plopped right next to Kratos, great.

Acknowledging that he was there I gave an absent wave, stifling a yawn and stretching only to grimace in pain. Putting a hand to my right shoulder and rolling it, I frowned as my muscles stretched in pain.

"Man I don't remember doing something to my right shoulder, it hurts." I complained; looking at the group I could see Lloyd go red while Colette and Genis tried to stop their giggling. I blinked in confusion, what happened while I was out and conversing with Fate and Yomi?

"Lloyd dropped you, where a rock punctured into your shoulder." Noishe said, as if it was a usual occurrence.

"He did WHAT!?" I asked a bit too loud to Noishe, while at the same time so did Yomi. She was not very pleased with that bit of information, its bad enough that she has me to care take her body while I'm in control. Everyone looked at me, as well as Kratos who just raised an eye brow with a questioning look. I just looked down and coughed into my hand nervously.

"Well where's the food, I'm starving!" I said smiling, clapping my hands together with a really nervous laugh. That was when I was happy that the guy that I back kicked came in; giving out the bowls of soup. Looking at the bowl that he gave me I sniffed it, looking at it confused at what was in it.

Looking around the camp, I waited for someone to eat it first and see how they liked it. Taking the spoon I put it in the bowl and started to stir slowly. Getting a spoonful of soup up to my mouth; looking out the corner of my eyes I gave sweep of my eyes to see if anyone was eating it. Seeing that no one was eating it but looking at me, I took a big gulp of the soup and let it swirl in my mouth to get a good taste of it before gulping it down.

"Could use some more salt, but not bad," I commented. Even though I felt weak, I was in no mood for eating so I let Noishe have the rest after a few more spoonfuls of it and headed back to my little sleeping bag.

'OoO'

After closing my eyes and just laying there on the sand with my nice gray blanket that was really warm I couldn't go to sleep. Nothing was on my mind, and Yomi was quite quiet; so she probable was sleeping unlike me. Getting up with my blanket around me, while I brushed off the sand from my already turning brown clothing I started to walk around the camp completely bored out of my mind.

Passing by the camp, since my area of sleeping was near some rocks away from the camp, I saw Kratos just sitting there fully awake. Guess the angelic curses could have their advantages, slowly looking at him I could tell that his eyes were on the red lump sleeping on Noishe's tummy like a pillow. Chewing on my lip just standing there looking at him, he turned his attention to me, stiffing a bit I looked away continuing on my little walk.

Feeling a bit of strength coming back to these limbs I slowly made my way to the out skirts of the camp to find the little dark form of someone I would think is Colette. Not even worried of disturbing her with my shoes scrunching in the sand, I stood still looking out into the darkness not even showing that I knew that she was there.

"You know, they say that no matter how long you live not one's life is long enough to count the stars." I said absently mindedly, I don't know how that just came up but when I looked at the stars it kind of felt nice. But soon as always my eyes strayed to the moon.

"Though despite that, the moon would be the most beautiful of all in the sky." I said, looking over at Colette with a small smile.

"Really, Lloyd likes the stars because they remind him of his dad, his real dad," she said.

"Is that so, we all like things because of memories that they remind us of, and how they greatly give comfort and joy to us," I replied, looking once more at the moon. The moon at the moment was a Waning Crescent.

"So why do you like the moon, Yomi," She asked, pausing for a moment I thought over my answer.

"Well I guess that it calms me, and shows the beauty of time. If you looked closer at the moon, you could see the many creators that had been made from the many stray meteors that hit it. Though despite that, she always shows that dignified look like a lady. I've always thought that the many phases of the moon were her turning her head to look around the world, sometimes turning her face from us as the full moon." I replied to her question, will full honesty. I really did think of that, like I had mentioned before I have a tendency to give names to unanimated objects and that I called the moon Lady Lunar.

"Wow! I never really thought of the moon like that, when you say it like that I kind of agree." She said looking up at the moon as well. Turning to her I put a serious look on my face, trying to be a grown up despite her being older than me.

"Yes, I guess so but shouldn't you be in bed. I know you probable can't sleep, but it's important that you get some sleep. The regeneration ritual will not be without tiresome roads, and brutal combats. We don't need the chosen to die from falling asleep during a battle, and when you put yourself in danger you put others in danger as well. There are many people here are willing to throw their life away to keep you safe, don't put their intention in vain." I said with a very serious calm tone. I know I'm kind of laying that thick, but she needs to know that if she doesn't think of other people's life intertwined with her; she could make a big mistake that could take a life. It's not that I care really, it's just that I know that Lloyd will do anything to keep his friend alive, meaning putting himself in danger as well as me because I have to save his ass.

Turning away from my thoughts, I heard some sniffles. Biting my lip I kneeled down to Colette putting my hand on her shoulder. I hated crying, because I never really knew how to deal with it.

"Don't cry Colette, I'm sorry what I said wasn't right to say," I said apologetically. She sniffled once more before whipping the tears from her eyes, with a shake of her head.

"No your right, I think I understand. Thank you for telling me that, I'm sorry if I worried you. Don't worry I'll go to sleep once I've got a better look at the moon. You really have inspired me about the moon, thank you," She said with a giggle, and a smile. Getting up and nodding back, I knew she was lying, she had that kind of fake giggle when she lied. I know she isn't going to get any sleep, because of her gaining some angel powers, it also cost her ability to sleep and dream like the rest of us. You know I should have just let her cry, because who know maybe the next seal will take her ability to cry away from her. To gain power is to give something about you away. To be truthful about it, being an angel I think doesn't have its great points.

'OoO'

When I woke up once more, after just laying on the ground with my blanket around me until I finally succumbed to my deep sleep last night, I just laid there listening to the sounds around me. The others were awake I knew that but I was just too darn lazy to really get up. After a few moments of just laying there with my eyes closed I say a shadow pass over my face. With quick reflexes that seem to be usual thing for Yomi's body, I caught the Archeologist's arm.

"How many times must I tell you, don't sneak up on me or come near me if you don't want to be injured." I said menacing with my eyes closed, opening them up I saw the startled look of the guy. How did I know that it was the Archeologist, quite easily really. After a while I was able to understand the many different mana signatures that Yomi had helped me to understand during my restless night. So when someone get's near me I can tell who it is, without hearing or seeing them; pretty cool huh?

"I'm sorry, I was just trying to wake you up; but I can tell that you were already." He said in a very squeaky voice. Letting go of his hand with a shove I rolled onto my side before bouncing to my feet with a yawn and stretching of my arms. Scooping up my blanket and returning it to my bag and putting all my stuff together into my bag. Putting the strap of my bag over my right shoulder I got out a water bottle and took a big gulp before returning it back to the bag. Checking to make sure I had my wing pack and all my other crap together, I strapped my rapier to my belt even though pretty soon I won't be needing it since Yomi's suppose to be teaching me how to use her body more properly. Sounded pretty sick I know, but apparently she knows Judo.

I do know Judo.

Yeah I know, but when are you going to teach me?

Tonight while my body rests to regain its strength.

Sighing I just shrugged as I made my way to the others, adjusting the strap of my bag I waited for them to finally realize that I was there while they had their little argument.

"But Professor, if it wasn't for Yomi Lloyd would be dead. She even weakened the Fire Guardian enough for Genis to finish it off!" Colette exclaimed. I was touched that she was defending my right to joint their little group, and actually wanting me to come with them.

"Maybe so Chosen, but its choice if she wishes to come," Kratos interjected. Finally thinking of butting in I stepped in with a sigh.

"I don't mind coming along, it just so happens that I wanted to visit the Mana Tower. I was wondering if the something I was looking for might be there, but I'm in no rush." I said smoothly. There really was something that did pop into my mind during my lying. I was wondering if there were any books on Fate. There just happen to be at some point here on this world that Fate was worshiped, so if that was the case there had to be some books of records on her. And where else to look for old records of books, why the Mana Tower.

Perhaps so, it interests me as well.

Alright at least we're on the same page, but you're still a bitch.

And you're still and will always be an annoyance.

"Hmmmm, we wouldn't want to be trouble for you," Raine said thoughtfully, I bet she's trying to get rid of me. Not a chance, I'm sticking with you freaks whether you like it or not.

"Not at all, it seems someone has to keep an eye on Lloyd. He's seems, from what I can tell, to get into trouble a lot." I said with a chuckle. The guy sure does know how to attract danger; the guy's going to be the death of me.

"Then it's settled, welcome to the group Yomi!" Lloyd exclaimed; seeming to miss my comment before, or otherwise he would have turn the color of his jacket.

"Yeah yeah, just keep out of trouble for all of our sake," I said absently waving my hand.

"Well since its decided let us move on to Triet before moving on through the Ossa Trail," Kratos said monotony as he walked ahead taking the lead. Taking the back so everyone else was in the front I kept a wary eye on the Archeologist, I guess he felt my eyes on his back so he turned around for me to only glare. He immediately turned his head away from me as quickly as he could, I just grinned to myself at my accomplishment.

Humph you're a cruel human.

I have to have my entertainment sometimes, or otherwise I would grow bored. And I think you don't want to know what I do when I'm bored.

Ugh why can't this end any sooner, it's only been a few hours and I'm already tired of you.

You think you have it bad right now, well you might never know it could take a few months to a year or two for me to leave. Who knows, let's hope your lucky stars that it'll be soon.

'OoO'

Evelyn Dark: I'm so happy this is my longest chapter I have ever done, like over 5, 000 words. Woot! Well anyway for those who have gotten this far, thank you so much for reading this. ^^ it warms my to know that maybe one of my readers likes this, that's the only reason I actually write this crap; mostly to entertain you.

'OoO'

Pain in My Butt

"I don't have that big of boobs," The purple ninja whispered mostly to herself, but I luckily could catch it with Yomi's super awesome hearing ears.

Super awesome hearing ears?

They are freaking huge man, they could pick up sound from a mile away!

I could hear and see her mentally growling and glaring at me, I only mentally smiled back at her.

'OoO'

--Ren'ai, Pi-su, ken Koudou--

--Love, Peace, and Justice--

__

Chapter music suggestion

Inside the Fire

By: Disturbed