Title: Disintegration
Author: Tenohikari
Fandom: Tales of Symphonia
Pairing: Mithos(Yggdrassil)/Lloyd, and more pairings to come.
Warnings: male/male pairings. Ratings will go up in some chapters. AU but with a lot of Symphonia Game/Manga/Anime spoilers. Oh yeah, the story is 100% unbetad – so it's probably littered with tons of grammar/spelling errors.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia. I do own a copy of the game, the manga series, and some doujinshi... obsessed? Probably.
Summary: During the end of the Kharlan War, Lloyd had died before his lover and brother-in-arms, Mithos. Four thousand years later, Lloyd Irving finds himself not only on the journey of World Regeneration, but into the past he no longer remembers.
Dear Lloyd,
I gave those two a good kick just like you asked and they're both very eager to return the favor the next time we meet up. Master told me to tell you that overconfidence breeds carelessness; and that no matter how good you are, someone else is always better – that would be me.
Mithos
Chapter 4
- It's time to move on -
Lloyd was trying really hard not to be bored. The adrenaline rush from all the fighting earlier had yet to settle; and the lone sound of their footsteps was starting to grate on the teen's nerves. Really, what was the point of being so quiet? It wasn't as if there were any monsters in the temple of Martel.
'But tha'Without this exesphere, I would have been died't doesn't mean it won't be dangerous,' he found himself thinking and stopped himself from calling out to hear his voice echo off the walls. 'Desians could still be here. They could have let monsters in to kill Collette.'
Unconsciously, his gloved hands stroked the hilts of the former Desian weapons that remained sheathed at Lloyd's sides. He really hated the fact that he was carrying around the swords that had caused so much bloodshed today; but they were better than his previous ones. Lloyd gulped as he tried not to think about his dad and was thankful the bandage that covered remained in tact, as did his promise not to reveal it.
'Without this exesphere, I would have died.'
The realization made him feel cold all over. The darkness of the temple as they descended down into the temple's lower level just reminded him of that weird dream he had after blacking out. In the past Lloyd has had some pretty weird dreams but nothing as disturbing as a talking disembodied hand. At least it didn't have a mouth.
He jumped when a hand fell upon his shoulder and turned quickly, heard an unmistakable 'eek' and caught Collette from toppling down the stone steps. It only took him a second to realize that his friend had noticed him brooding and tried to offer comfort at the wrong time. Lloyd smiled apologetically to the startled girl and inwardly cursed himself for getting distracted.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah I'm fine now that I haven't sent you falling to your death."
"You've been really quiet since we got here. You didn't even respond when Kratos started talking to you."
"Really? I didn't hear him."
"Guess you had your heads in the clouds again, just as Professor Raine always says!"
"Hmm, yeah. So what did he ask?"
"Oh about your fighting skills," Collette answered, "but then when you didn't respond, I guess he thought you were ignoring him."
He winced and stared at the back of the mercenary who was walking a few feet ahead of them. Adults often got annoyed or angry when children ignored their questions. Their lips would form a frown and eyes narrow; and Lloyd would just need to see that look on their face and either start apologizing or running. However, Kratos was a man of few facial expressions, and ever fewer words. Lloyd just wasn't able to tell if the mercenary was pissed off not.
Then it occurred to him that Kratos was also an exesphere bearer. What if the older man had sensed he had one too? What if that was what he wanted to ask Lloyd about? The brunet frowned and was glad he tuned the mercenary out when he did.
* * *
"This is a Sorcerer's Ring?" Lloyd repeated as he picked up the small piece of jewelry from it's alter. "This is the key, Collette?"
The Chosen nodded anxiously. "Yes, that ring will let us into the sealed chamber to receive the Oracle. Isn't it pretty?"
He heard Genis' poorly disguised chuckle when looking back at the ring and tried not to frown. For it being a magic ring, it certainly didn't look like much. The jewel was a dull dark ruby that didn't sparkle like the jewelry pieces women in the village often wear. The ring wasn't made from gold or silver; but brass which was tarnished probably over the years of use and neglect.
"Yeah," Lloyd lied quickly before handing it over to Collete, "here you go."
The girl shook her head and smiled. "No thanks, I don't think it likes me."
"Collette, it's a ring!" Genis gasped incredulously, "not a cat that will hiss at you when you put it on!"
"Also, you're The Chosen," Lloyd reminded, "and you're supposed to wear it, right?"
She shook her head and continued to smile but now sheepishly. "No, I don't have to. Anyone can wear it… but you see the last time I had it on, I tripped… and set grandma on fire."
Her two friends stared in wide-eyed disbelief before nodding to one another. They had thought they knew the limit of Collette's clumsiness when she made a person-shaped hole in the school; but this was entirely different. Neither one of them wanted to be set on fire.
"Genis?" Lloyd offered but the half elf shook his head and held up his kendama.
"Got magic already, remember?"
"Oh yeah."
"You can keep it, Lloyd," Collette told him stepping forward to fold his fingers around the ring, "think of it as an early birthday present!"
The young swordsman blinked as he stared at his closed hand containing the Iselian Temple's treasured Sorcerer's Ring, and then at his friend who was beaming at him.
"A-Alright. Thanks Collette."
From behind them, Kratos turned to head back to the upper level. "I don't believe we need to stay inside the temple all day. Since we're finished here, let's head back up."
* * *
"This is the best birthday present, ever!" Lloyd exclaimed as he used his ring to light the torches on their way back up. The darkness melted away from both the room and within his mind. The dream was just a dream, one he would forget after a good night's rest. He turned back and gave the blonde a huge smile.
"Thanks, Collette!"
Genis rolled his eyes as Collette blushed in embarrassment and quickly summoned up water when some sparks hit the ground.
"Oh Goddess, he's turned into a pyromaniac."
* * *
The mirth was not long-lasting as Lloyd stood with the others in the temple's main alter room. Neither he nor Genis could help but gape at the being that floated from above. Snow colored wings flapped as a blonde man, an angel dressed in immaculate white an emerald robes, descended down until he hovered over the alter platform.
"I am Remiel," he spoke firmly, "an angel of judgment."
His jade eyes opened and stared directly at Collette. When Lloyd had a chance to tear his eyes away from the angel, he saw her shiver anxiously. Her large blue eyes were filled with hope and longing. Of course, according to the Church of Martel, the Chosen was descended from the angels of Cruxis and from what Genis had said earlier, the Oracle may very well be Collette's father.
Father…?
Lloyd thought about Frank Brunell, Phaidra's only son, who had raised Collette since she was a baby. His friend had never known her birth family, nor did she inquire about them at least in front of her friends. There were no hugs, kisses, or even smiles; so it was strange to Lloyd, seeing the reunion now between parent and child.
"I am here," the angel continued, "to guide the daughter of the mana lineage, Collette, on her journey as the seventh Chosen of Regeneration. Now is the time to awaken the Goddess Martel, who sleeps at the center of the world."
From the corner of his eye, he saw Genis perk up, "the awakening the Goddess Martel, it's the legend Raine told us about!"
Remiel paid no attention to the outburst as he extended an arm towards Collette, his fingers uncurled and small glowing sphere hovered above his palm. Without any hesitation or clumsiness on her part; Collette took a step forward. Such a small bold step couldn't help but make Lloyd both proud and scared for his childhood friend. She was ready to meet the Destiny she was eager to do… and at the same time, she would be leaving him and everyone else behind.
Stop, now wasn't the time to zone out and feel sorry for himself! He needed to be strong, for Collette. He also seriously doubted the angel would repeat himself for Lloyd's sake.
"From this moment, Collette is now the Chosen of Regeneration. We of Cruxis bless this event, and hereby bestow the Tower of Salvation upon Sylvarant."
Lloyd felt another pulse from his hidden exesphere, accompanied by a shudder in the ground under his feet. Automatically his toes curled within his boots and he managed to steady both Genis and himself from staggering into one another. Was it an earthquake?!
He shot a hasty glance towards Collette's new father and saw that he was not at all alarmed. Instead the angel's viridian gaze was directed towards the large windows facing the west. When the shaking stopped, the three children followed his gaze and gasped in amazement at what they saw. For Lloyd, it was the second time that day. The Tower of Salvation was as tall and majestic as the one from his dream; except now it was real for the whole world of Sylvarant to see.
It has begun the seventh Chosen's quest to regenerate the world. Collette must now leave this normal life behind and embark on a quest for the angels of Cruxis. You must go with her, Lloyd; she will need you to stand strong by her side. And you will need her, and all the support of your friends, when the time has come to face your own trials.
"Lord Remiel, please wait!"
Lloyd broke away from his reverie as he saw he saw his friend rush over towards the platform before the angel disappeared. She looked up, pleadingly; her trembling hand was splayed protectively over her new Cruxis crystal. The angel paused when he glance down at her, his own expression remained unreadable and almost emotionless if possible.
"I have a question I need to ask you," Collette managed to force out, "A-Are you really my fath..."
Before she could finish, Remiel turned to face her and his face softened somewhat that it automatically put Collette at ease. "Remember to head first to the Seal of Fire. I will be waiting for you there, Collette, my beloved daughter."
Both Genis and Lloyd approached their friend as Collette dropped to her knees after Remiel ascended and disappeared from the alter room. Her thin shoulders shook and her frame trembled as if she were sobbing in grief; but it was just the opposite. Collette lifted her head, and wiped away a few tears before giving both of them a huge smile filled with absolute joy.
"My father, my true father," she spoke breathlessly, "I still can't believe it!"
Genis kneeled besides her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder and offered her a handkerchief. "Collete, are you all right?"
She nodded while drying her eyes. "Y-Yes, I'm fine. I'm just surprised and really, really happy."
Lloyd smiled down at her before extending his hand to help her up. "And we're happy for you, Collette. Now you have two fathers, Frank and Remiel."
"I can't believe your father was the Oracle this whole time!" Genis spoke excitedly, "I wish Raine could have seen him."
Lloyd suddenly had a mental image of Collette introducing her stony-faced new father to the class, and then Raine – with a maniac gleam in her eyes - poking and prodding at his wings. There was a time when she even wanted to use Noishe as a research specimen but luckily he could out run her. Lloyd was pretty sure his dog was more scared of a school teacher than monstrous, red-eyed, werebear.
He blinked when Kratos called out to them, already standing by the exit.
"Now that you have received the oracle, Chosen," he spoke directly to Collette, "then let us leave now."
Collette glanced back at the alter platform; knowing her long lost parent wasn't going to appear anytime soon. "Oh, all right."
Without a word, Kratos left them. Their mercenary companion looked just as stony-faced then Remiel. Lloyd was used to seeing that look on Mayor of Iselia quite often; and wondered if wearing that default expression was part of growing up.
* * *
"Well?"
"My lord," the angel of judgment bowed deeply as he spoke, "it is done. The Chosen, Collette, has accepted the task, and will be heading to the Seal of Fire."
Even though Remiel was an elite angel of Cruxis, those unblinking ice green eyes continued to stare through him as if he were part of the décor. The possessor of those eyes was clearly uninterested in his full report but it pleased him to know that at least he had his lord's attention unlike the other angels who blended in with the scenery. It was short lived; before he even had a chance to finish, Remiel's soul audience stood from his throne and floated right passed him.
Remiel stopped abruptly, turning to see his lord vanish from sight.
* * *
It only took minutes for him to appear outside Iselia, also known as the Village of Oracles, and the home of the new Chosen. The leader of Cruxis for once acted on a whim to see the girl that would be invaluable to him. As if he willed it, she appeared – walking along a dirt road from the Temple of Martel.
She wasn't alone of course, noticing three males who flanked around her. How strange she wasn't surrounded by an army of bodyguards; but he supposed the oldest of the group would be more than enough. A smirk tugged at his lips as he watched, unnoticed.
He was about to head back to listen to the rest of Remiel's prattle; when something strange caught his eye. The Chosen of Regeneration did not wear the Sorcerer's Ring that she would need to complete her tasks in the various seal locations across Sylvarant. Was that girl stupid?! How could she not bring it with her?
His anger at the Chosen's ignorance quickly turned to surprise as a set of golden brown eyes focused on him. No, that was absurd. No one would see him unless he allowed for it.
Yet the brunet clothed in mostly red had stopped and stared; squinting as if he were looking at something far off in the distance. The lord of angels cast a glance passed his shoulder to determine what the boy was looking at. His enhanced vision saw nothing but foliage, and he frowned as he turned back to the Chosen's group once more.
Seeing nothing of interest, the teenager shrugged his shoulders before participating in an animated discussion with the other children. However, another set of brown, almost red, eyes met his gaze and flinched. He smiled warily at the mercenary, but did not respond as he turned to leave.
* * *
"Lloyd? What is it?"
"I thought I saw someone…"
The young swordsman squinted as he continued to stare off into the forest, eyes seeking out the faint glimmer of white that was now replaced with earthy green. Gone. Whatever had been there was nowhere in sight.
"Huh? I don't see anything," Genius spoke frowning before looking concerned. "Seriously, we need to find Raine and have her check your head if you start seeing people who aren't actually there."
Scratching his head, Lloyd shrugged, avoiding the worried gazes of both his friends and even their mercenary companion. He had felt fine since the pain had numbed down to a dying headache. His exesphere had shocked his hand in warning, when a glimmer of a human form appeared from the corner of his eye.
What was that being shrouded in light? Was it another angel? Why was he the only one who could see it? Maybe really needed Raine to examine him and hoped needles wouldn't be involved.
End Chapter 4