A/N: So, I'm thinking a couple more chapters and we're done.

Disclaimer: ('cause I remembered) I don't own Tales of Symphonia...not even a copy of the game, which makes me sad :(

A few days later, the group were hiding behind a building in the city, watching as the group of Desians passed them. When they had passed, Lloyd motioned for them to go, slipping over to the next building and hiding briefly before moving onto the next.

There was a close encounter when Genis nearly didn't hide in time, Noishe only just managing to dart back and pull him over. The group waited with baited breath as one of the Desians floated near them for a moment before rejoining his group and continuing on. Genis whispered an apology before they carried on, making sure not to leave Genis to fend for himself.

They entered through the side tower the Desians stayed in, finding an empty room and pausing in there a moment to regain energy. Kratos remained on guard at the door, keeping an eye out for any Desians coming their way.

"Alright, we need to find a way to get to Sheena and Presea. Obviously, we know it's pretty much next door, but the question is getting there unnoticed," Raine murmured.

Colette tilted her head. "If it's the place I was at before, then there shouldn't really be water in the cells, and there're also bars that Yggdrasil made disappear."

"The cell bars use a special key crest which Mithos has," Kratos reinterated.

"So we need to get the key crest off Yggdrasil? That's not happening any time soon," Zelos muttered.

"Still, there must be a way," Regal pointed out, frowning.

The group went quiet as they tried to think of something. Kratos gazed at them a moment, then lifted his hand. The water curled inwards, suddenly becoming solid.

"This is the key crest he uses," he said, passing it to Lloyd.

He looked at him in surprise. "How come you have it? I didn't think he'd give someone he thought might betray him the key crest," he said.

"There are four existing in the world. One each for Mithos and Martel, and one each for their two retainers," Kratos said, closing his eyes.

Slowly this sunk in, before Lloyd faced him fully, expression disbelieving. "Dad, you travelled with them!?"

Kratos nodded. "Along with Yuan Ka-Fai, we made up the four who travelled to try and help the humans settle, yes."

"Then...you were once friends with Yggdrasil, right? Why is he like this?"

"The tale itself is too long to fully explain, so I shall simply skip a few bits. Mithos went mad when a few humans discovered we were mermaids, and attempted to kill us. Martel protected us and died in the attempt, and so Mithos went crazy, determined to kill the humans for hurting her even though she had helped them."

"But...you didn't get angry?"

"I was very angry, for a while. We had grown especially close, and Martel was our dearest companion. Your mother was the one who calmed me, and showed me the good to the humans."

Lloyd was quiet for a moment, frowning. Colette glanced between them, wanting to go to Lloyd but not sure if she should.

He glanced at the others a moment, then shook his head. "I don't think she'd want you guys to hate the humans. Not if she went to such trouble to help them in the first place."

Kratos gazed at him, then gave a small smile. "I think you doubt yourself too much, Lloyd," he murmured. Lloyd looked confused, but he shook his head. "Go rescue the other two. I will hold him off until you can get to us."

'I'll go with him too! At least if I'm there, I can stop him from acting silly,' Noishe added, clicking.

Lloyd hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But you better not die," he ordered, before motioning for the others to follow him.

Sheena sighed, hugging her tail to her. It was starting to dry out; being out of the water for so long was never good for a mermaid. Already it wasn't nearly as sticky, and the scales were starting to fall off.

Presea, across from her, wasn't looking too much better. She was younger as well, and for the last couple of days had mostly just leant against the wall, only giving occasional reassurances that she was alright. Sheena slowly lowered her head, closing her eyes. What was she thinking? The others wouldn't be able to beat Yggdrasil. She and Presea...they weren't going to be-

"Sheena! Presea! You guys are okay!"

Sheena looked up in surprise, staring at the others floating outside her cell. Lloyd lifted an object, and suddenly the bars faded. Zelos quickly reached out and grabbed her hands, pulling her through and supporting her as she went limp.

Lloyd turned to Presea's, the bars also disappearing, and both Colette and Genis pulled her into the water, Genis going red as she leant against him. Colette giggled, glancing at Lloyd, and he grinned. Regal turned to Raine.

"Should we bring them with us?" he asked, silently pointing out how weak they seemed.

Raine frowned. "We can't leave them somewhere the Desians will easily find them, especially defenseless, but we can't exactly have them in the middle of the fray..."

"It's alright, leave it to me. Come on, we have to get going," Lloyd said, starting forward. The others quickly followed, Colette coming up beside him and slipping her hand into his. He glanced back at her, and she smiled reassuringly before focusing forward again.

It didn't take them long to get to the top. The tower was built so that the coral spiralled upwards, slowing progress a little. As they drew close, they heard the sounds of fighting, as well as the occasional ripple of power. Lloyd sped up slightly, reaching the room just as Kratos was thrown back.

The others quickly came in beside him, and Yggdrasil paused, gazing at them emotionlessly.

"So you've finally returned? I thought maybe you had realised how hopeless it was the first two times we fought," he said, eyes cold.

"I told you before. I'm not giving up until you're no longer a threat."

Yggdrasil shook his head. "A pointless act, really. You plan to stop me with a force such as that? Two half-elves, a human and four mermaids, two of which are injured? I've defeated armies bigger than that, boy."

"Don't underestimate us!" Genis shouted angrily.

"I'm not underestimating you, child. I just know something you don't." They looked surprised, and Yggdrasil smirked. "Zelos, do it, or I will kill her."

Zelos stiffened, before gritting his teeth. With a quick flick of his wrist, a dagger appeared, and he rushed at Lloyd as the other boy turned back in surprise.

A/N: Mwahahahaaa! Another cliffhanger :3 What will happen? Will Zelos kill Lloyd? Next chapter shall be the epic battle!

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