"I do not own Tales of Symphonia!" – I.K.A. Valian

"Wake up, young one." The voice was deep and strong, yet not too much so. Gaar opened his eyes and then blinked a few times. "You cannot see anything, because you are surrounded by darkness."

"How do-"

"I know this because I reside within you and you within me." Gaar looked around again and then down, but he was completely surrounded by darkness. He could feel his fingers rubbing on his face when he did so, but he couldn't see them. The air was warm and moist, comforting in a way. He kicked his feet around but could not find any ground to perch onto.

"I'm confused. Who are you? And where am I?" Gaar's voice echoed into the distance. He frowned and said, "When did my voice get deeper?"

"Heh heh," the deep and strong voice chuckled. "I was right to choose you as my vessel. We are so much alike it that we could be mistaken for birth mates. Always questioning, always seeking answer."

"Huh?"

"I am the one called the Steward, but you may call me Michael. I entered you as a means to escape the demons chasing after me. I was permanently bound to your soul when you were transported from the Earth, as you call it, to Sylvarant." The voice of Michael stopped.

"So…" Gaar said at length, and then after a moment's hesitation, he asked, "what were the demons chasing you for? Why did you choose me? What do you mean by perm-"

"Hahahaha!" Michael laughed jovially, "slowly young one, slowly. Hahahaha!" Even in the darkness, Gaar could feel his cheeks burn at the merry rebuke. "I was running from the demons because I was unable to resist their master, a being whom gained the powers of a human relic, powers that supersede my own in all ways. Powerless in the face of such wonders, I fled, hoping to find a way to out maneuver the beast. That is when I found you, you were my last hope, and I chose you because you were a perfect soul-match to me, as if you were part of my self that had been broken off."

"Hmmm…" Gaar scratched his chin in the darkness. "I don't suppose you could have just found another human relic of equal power to fight this being with."

"Ha!" Gaar covered his ears to stop the loud out burst, before he realized the outburst came from inside his own head. "I apologize for my outburst young one, but our similarities truly are astounding. That was indeed my plan, I was going to ask you to help me find such an object and fight this malevolent force along side me, but alas, you were taken from the planet before I could even contact you."

"What? Why did you need me? Couldn't you have just found it on your own?"

"There is a trick to using human relics," Michael said in a bittersweet tone, "they can only be used by being with a corporeal form, one which I lacked at the time. That is why, when I found you, a perfect vessel, I thought all my troubles were answered. But then you were changed, and I along with you."

"I changed… how?"

"When you arrived on Sylvarant, you were subjected to a number of changes and mutations until you were no longer… as you were originally. In the process, my own spirit and yours were fused, and we became as one. That is why you have abilities that defy Earth logic, among other things, such as memory loss."

"I guess… I guess there is just one thing left to ask." Gaar stretched out in the darkness.

"Oh? Just one more thing?"

Gaar waited letting the silence build until he said, "Where are we, err… I… well maybe two questions…"

"Hahahaha!" Michael laughed joyously. "We will work for now young one, and as for where we are, we are in the depths of the darkness that you brought within your soul."

"M-me? How did I do this?"

"Yes, you did this. You were attempting to heal your friends, the Sylvarantians who were under the Death Curse I believe." When Gaar didn't respond Michael continued, "You cast a spell, a healing spell of great magnitude, which did not only heal your friends of their affliction, but absorbed the power that had inflicted it. Surprisingly, you also sucked all of the power from the demon as well, and where you reside now is the epicenter of that dark power, a globe of darkness that you have created in the depths of your soul. Already it has begun to affect your self perception."

"I don't feel any different…"

"Did you not say that your voice was deeper, you may not feel it but you are also taller, but not much so, and you smell of lilacs, a by product of mixing of dark energies of the demon and my own lighter energies. You have put us into quite a predicament."

"I… I'm confused, how could dark energy change me so much? And I don't even remember casting the spell, so why would I suck up all this energy?"

"I'm not the one to ask, those questions you will have to answer on your own. I must also tell you that because of this darkness, our powers will be substantially weaker. Until you can mediate an answer to the problems the darkness presents… you will be unable to use any of your former abilities… and the dark powers I originally ran from will doubtless continue to hunt for you. You must be on your guard at all times. Be careful who you trust."

"So, then I take it that is the end of our conversation?" Gaar waited for a response, but Michael didn't respond. "Michael. Michael, are you still there?" Suddenly Gaar's ear twitched. Off in the distance, it sounded as if some one were shouting his name. The voice was getting closer and closer.

"Gaar! Gaar wake up!" Genis repeated for the tenth time. When Gaar's eyes slowly began to open, he jumped up from the bed side and promptly shouted into the rest of the small room, "Hey, he's waking up."

"Yes Genis," replied Raine in a comparatively softer voice. She and Sheena were rubbing their ears. "We heard you."

"Geez, that shout could've woken the dead, oww…" Sheena finished rubbing her head and looked to see Lloyd starting to come to. "I think it did …"

"Hehe…" Genis chuckled. "Sorry about that."

Lloyd yawned and stretched his arms and legs. Then he shot out of the bed, rolled across the floor, and had his swords still been in their scabbards, they'd be in his hands, attacking an imagined enemy. "Huh…" he said to the bewildered looks of the others, "where are we? Where's Colette?" Then Lloyd saw her and walked to stand in front of her. He searched her face for any sign of recognition or self awareness, her form for any sign of movement, but was sadly disappointed.

Sheena sighed sadly. "She doesn't respond to anything we say." Turning Sheena walked away from Colette slowly.

"Dammit!" Lloyd shouted as he turned away from Colette. He stomped his foot on the floor, creating a hollow metal thud. His fists, clenched tightly, shook slightly.

Raine shook her head sadly, and then changed the subject. "Lloyd, do you remember this place?" Lloyd looked at Raine curiously. "We're in the Triet Desert." Clearly not understanding she spelled it out for him. "Remember? This is the base where you were captured before."

"Wait, we're in Triet again?" Raine turned to Gaar and nodded.

"What do you mean 'again'?" asked Genis. Gaar slowly rolled to the side of the bed and sad up. He held his head as he swayed slightly and then stood up. He crossed his arms behind his head and stretched them along with his legs.

"Aaahh." Gaar said as he exhaled the breath he had been holding in. "I wound up here after our return trip from Earth. I used their teleportion chamber to get to the Tower of Salvation."

"What were you doing in a Desian base?" asked Lloyd. He scratched his head and then crossed his arms and looked at Gaar questioningly.

"Huh… Desians… what?"

Sheena decided to clear up the confusion. "These guys aren't Desians."

"Oh yeah, now I remember." Gaar smacked his head in embarrassed recollection. "These guys call themselves Renegades."

Lloyd scratched his head again and then tilted it to the side, clearly confused. "Wha-what do you mean? They look like Desians, they sure fight like Desians, shouldn't they be Desians."

Genis rubbed his face, tiredly humming into his hands. "So many things have happened so fast, I'm confused too."

Raine started pacing back and forth. "Then why don't we go over everything we know about the situation as it stands now." Lloyd nodded and then sat down on the rather lush carpeting. He looked down at the carpet, just noticing it, and rubbed it a few times before he looked back up at Raine. Genis and Gaar sat down on the bed he had been sleeping on. Colette remained standing. Sheena walked over to lean against the wall.

"First," began Raine, "our current situation. After the fight with the possessed Esileif-

"Esileif! I completely forgot! Where is she?"

"I'll get to that in a moment, Gaar, be patient." Gaar nodded and Raine continued. "After the fight with the demon, we were all incapacitated by the angel known as Yggdrasill. Apparently we were all about to be killed when the organization on this base that resembles the Desians rescued us. They call themselves, as Gaar mentioned earlier, the Renegades."

"Uh…" Lloyd scratched his head again. "So what you're saying is that the people here are called Renegades and not Desians?" Raine nodded. "Okay, I really don't get it, but go on."

Raine sighed disappointed, but continued anyway. "It seems that the Renegades oppose the Desians. They probably have a reason for intentionally trying to look like Desians."

Realization finally lit Lloyd's face. "All right, I think I get it now." Elements of joy flit across Raine's face. "We were saved by an organization called the Renegades that looks a lot like the Desians." Lloyd thought in silence for a moment then asked, "So then who was that angel guy… Yggdrasill or whatever? And… what about… Kratos?"

Sound seemed to be sucked out of the room at the mention of Kratos' name. Raine spoke up first. "Do you remember Yggdrasill's words? This is just pure conjecture, but Cruxis, holy beings worshipped by the Church of Martel, and the Desians may in fact be the same organization."

Genis' eyes widened and he jumped off of the bed, knocking Gaar backwards, and shouted, "Whoa, wait… that actually makes a lot of sense."

"Genis!" shouted Lloyd and Raine.

Genis sheepishly chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I'm not used to this older body yet. It's so much… stronger."

"Yeah," said Gaar, rubbing his ears and his bruised cheek. "It's painfully obvious."

Genis looked at Gaar, annoyed, and flatly replied, "Oh har har, Gaar."

"But Professor, Genis, how can that be possible?" Everyone turned toward Lloyd. He was now standing with his arms outstretched, beckoning for an answer. "The Desians have always opposed Cruxis," he went on. "How could they actually be part of Cruxis?"

"Lloyd, don't you remember what Kvar said? He said that he wanted your mom's Exsphere so that he could present it to someone name Lord Yggdrasill." Lloyd looked down at the jewel on the back of his right hand. It glinted in the light.

"Yeah," Lloyd responded, "I remember, but how does that-"

"Lloyd, when that angel descended in the Tower of Salvation, he introduced himself as Lord Yggdrasill," Raine explained. Lloyd nodded and she continued, "And he said that he was the leader of Cruxis and the Desians."

Lloyd thought in silence for a little bit and then said, "If the Desians and Cruxis are the same organization, well then what about Kratos? He obeyed Yggdrasill's orders. That must mean…"

"That's right," Sheena burst out, "he's our enemy! He deceived us!" Everyone looked shocked at the outburst at first, but then the truth of her statements sunk in and their shoulders sagged. "He admitted it himself. He's one of Cruxis' Four Seraphim!"

Raine sighed and crossed her arms. She stated pacing back and forth again. "Kratos is likely a subordinate of Yggdrasill. He probably joined us to make sure Colette didn't stray from the journey to regenerate the world." Raine stopped pacing, sighed sharply, and said bitterly "He did a marvelous job…" Everyone looked at Colette standing serenely in the middle of the room, a bland look of indifference on her tranquil, pale, dead face. Raine sighed sadly again.

"Dammit," Lloyd shouted as he stomped on the floor again, producing another hollow metal thud. "We were deceived by everyone. Remiel, the Cruxis, even Kratos!"

"Well…" Gaar trailed off, and frowned. Shaking his head he said, "There isn't anything we can do about it right now. I think we should-"

"Ah, you're awake." Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice. There in the door stood a Renegade Foot Soldier. "Please, come with me to the next room. Our leader awaits you."

Everyone moved to follow the Renegade from the room, but stopped and looked behind them at Colette. She stood in the same position, bland look of indifference in place.

"What are we gonna do about Colette?" Genis asked. "We can't just leave her here."

Raine shook her head sadly. "I know Genis, but she doesn't hear any of us, I doubt there is any-"

"Hey Colette!" Colette turned her bland face to look at Gaar. The room was stunned into silence. "Come with us, ok?" Colette nodded her head slowly, and then moved into position directly behind Gaar.

"G-gaar how did you do that?" Gaar turned around and faced the multitude of quizzical looks sent his way.

"Do… what?" he responded slowly. He raised his right eyebrow curiously.

"But… it… what about… I didn't… but… no…" Genis and Lloyd stammered.

Sheena and Raine stared at each other and then shrugged. They turned and followed the renegade out of the room with Gaar and Colette close behind, leaving Genis and Lloyd attempting to speak.

"Lloyd, Genis, hurry up!" Raine shouted. The two jumped at the shout and then hurried through the door.

As they were walking, Gaar smacked his forehead. "Hey, you never told me what happened to Esileif."

"She was taken to the prison sector. At least, that is where the Renegades said they were taking her." Raine quickened her pace to catch up to their guide. "They said that the demon inside of her might not be completely dead and wanted to take precautions."

"I see…" Gaar fell silent for a few moments in thought. The group moved down one hall way and then turned right and started down another hallway. "I want to make sure she is alright. Is it okay with you guys if we go there first?" Everyone nodded in Gaar's direction. Taking that as a green light, he raised his voice and said, "Hey, Renegade… er… Soldier."

The Foot Soldier stopped and turned around. "Yeah," he said rather smugly. "What is it?"

"I want you to take me to…" Gaar stopped and squinted his eyes at the Foot Soldier. The Renegade had a large bruise on the side of his face. "Um… did I do that… to your face…"

"Hmmm… hey, wait, you're that kid that knocked me across the room. You know you're just lucky Lord Botta wants you alive, else I'd make you regret what you did." All eyes turned to Gaar, who shrugged sheepishly, and then a large and mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Well… if you don't take me to the prison sector to see the girl, then I might do it again." Gaar grinned the entire time, clearly enjoying himself. The Renegade was about to comeback with a snide remark when he saw the dark looks on everyone else's face and swallowed audibly.

"If it makes you feel better, we'll just tell your leader that Gaar was acting up and had to be taken to the prison sector." Raine crossed her arms and gave the Foot Soldier one of her stares, which caused Genis and Lloyd to swallow loudly.

"Fine… fine, you win, I'll take you." The Foot Soldier turned and continued on his way. "After I drop off the rest of you, I'll take the kid to the prison sector. And I'm only taking the kid, the rest of you are going to meet with our leader." Before anyone had a chance to complain the Foot Soldier said, "And no complaints or no one's going, got it?"

Genis and Lloyd looked like they were about to protest anyway, but Gaar put a hand on their shoulders and said, "It's ok, if he doesn't do as agreed, history will just have to repeat itself."

"Gaar…" Lloyd slowed his pace until he was walking next to the black haired boy. "What's happened to you? You were never this devious before. It's almost as if the demon jumped into you…"

Gaar's face blanched for a second before he coughed and shook his head. "It's nothing, I'll tell you guys later."

"Alright…" Lloyd thought for a moment and then said, "Gaar, we might have to fight our way out of here, so we'll need to meet up someplace if this doesn't go well."

Gaar patted Lloyd on the back. "Whatever happens, I'll find a way to get back to you guys." Lloyd nodded.

Moments later the Renegade stopped in front of a door and motioned for the group to enter. "You five go in here. I'm taking the kid to the prison sector where he'll stay until otherwise ordered. Don't worry, it has been ordered no one is allowed to harm any of you, so he'll be fine." The Foot Soldier ignored the wary looks he received and turned and started walking away from the door. "Come on kid, let's not take all day." Gaar nodded and followed after the Renegade.

The first room he entered into was the same room Gaar had last seen his Renegade guide. It was the same room with the large purple cube in the center of the room. Only now the cube had been opened in nearly a hundred different places. Dozens of technicians were hovering over the device. The image reminded Gaar of Raine when she found the computer console in the Asgard Ranch.

"That is just some of the damage you caused kid. The Dimensional Transfer System has been completely crippled. This just makes all the more harder to defeat Cruxis." Gaar continued to silently gaze at the technicians as they continued mundane jobs. Then Gaar's gaze turned to face directly behind him and noticed Colette following an even three feet back, staring ahead blandly. Before he had any time to react though, the Foot Soldier yelled at Gaar from inside a door way. He ran to catch up and saw the Renegade already heading down a stair well.

The stairs ended inside of another hallway. On their way toward the end of the hallway, they passed a t-junction. Gaar looked down the perpendicular hall and saw it deserted. At the end of the hall and down another set of stairs, Gaar could just make out a door with a picture of a strange machine plastered onto it. Shrugging, Gaar ignored it and followed the Renegade down the rest of the hallway into a large open room with a spinning circular device in the center of the room. Floating robots patrolled here and there about the room.

The Renegade moved past the robots, ignoring them as if they weren't even there. He led Gaar and Colette into a doorway guarded by two of the floating robots. Once inside, he walked down a short ramp and then turned to look into the main processing room of the prison sector. Beyond the room, along the left wall, there was another hall entrance. Gaar could easily see the cell blocks in the hall.

"Hey, Darius, I brought a guest for the prisoner." The shout brought another Foot Soldier from the hallway.

Upon seeing the 'guest', Darius said, "Barnaby, I thought you were bringing them to see the Lords… and why did you bring the angel?" The Renegade Foot Soldier now known to be Barnaby turned and saw Colette standing perfectly still exactly three feet behind Gaar, who was trying not to laugh.

"Ugh… I thought I told you to go in to meet the Lords!" shouted Barnaby. Colette didn't respond in any way, shape, or form. Barnaby was about to go on, but Darius put a hand on his shoulder.

"Do you remember what Lord Botta said angels in this state could do? Remember the part where he described how efficiently they could kill, and how quickly, with only a paper clip if needed?" Barnaby swallowed and then nodded at Darius.

"Whatever, this kid's been on my bad side since he knocked me for a loop. Just… just stick 'em in the cell with the witch. Wait for someone to come and get them before you release them." Barnaby turned and walked away from the little group, muttering under his breath, "I'm not a babysitter for crying out loud."

Darius snorted and said under his breath, "Me either." Then he turned and walked back toward the hallway. "Hey kid, get you and that angel over here. You're going in the cell with that girl you came in with." The shout caught Gaar's attention, as he'd been looking at the stuff in the main processing room. When Gaar entered the hallway, he immediately saw the first cell door open, and Darius waiting impatiently by the switch. "Well," he said, tapping his foot. "Come on kid, I don't have all day!"

Gaar snorted and walked calmly and slowly into the cell, Colette directly behind him. When both of them were in the cell block, Darius pressed the activation button for the door and it slid shut with a pressurized hiss.

I guess this is not much of an actiony chapter... but it does answer some of the questions readers might have. But still... Well, you can definitly look forward to action in the next chapter. The group gets to go to Tethe' alla for the first time, and meet Zelos. And seeing as how Gaar can communicate with Colette, which is still unexplained, we'll just see how that whole first meeting goes differently. I realize that I havn't updated in over a month. Sorry for that, Lots of stuff that I had to do, work and school and such, and I had no time for myself whatsoever. Well, now I made up for it, so no worries.

Oh and I'd like to ask the reviewers to answer a few questions if they could.

What do they think of my portrayal of the characters so far, OC's and Cannon Characters?

Regarding my plot so far, what do you think of that? I realize it is mysterious, but is the narrative carrying you through the chapters or is it actually in the way? Should I be speeding up, or slowing down? I know I could always work more detail in somehow if that could help.

As for Gaar, I would like to know if he seems like a well rounded out character. Is the way I write about him make you the reader beleive he is actually there, or is it unbelievable?

That is all... Thank you for Reading. Please Review.