A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long. These past three or four weeks have been nothing but writers block hanging out with friendsand getting the computer stolen from me .

But this chapper could have be updated later, because I wanted to get the Martel templ out of the way in one go, but I figured that it was already too long so I might as well update the first half now. So the end might not really sound like a proper end of whatever but I try .

In other news, it's my birthday today actually. That's right, I stayed up late on my birthday to update this chapter becuase I'm just that awesome =D

Enjoy!

Chapter Six: Martal Temple Part: 1000

"I think the sounds been eaten."

It was probably the stupidest thing that I have ever said in my life, but it described exactly what it was like outside. I don't think I've ever heard silence this immense before. It made me miss my music. Ah, if there was but one thing that I could bring to Symphonia land with me…

If the silence wasn't this intense I think every one would probably have beaten me up for saying something so stupid. But as it was now everyone was really tense. Hell, we even made a small circle with our backs to each other just in case. I heard Genis gulp from beside me.

"Where did everyone go?"

Indeed, looking around now the usually bustling village of Iselia was completely deserted. The only thing that could make it seem any more deserted is if a random tumbleweed flew by.

"Colette!"

I swear that if I didn't know what Frank's voice sounded like I would have beaten him to a bloody pulp while crying and screaming. Yeah, did I mention it was tense?

"Father!"

"Colette I'm so glad you're safe!"

"Frank! What happened to everyone in the village?"

Frank looked away from the young mage, looking like he would really rather not answer. So I gave him a push in the right direction.

"Was it the Desians?"

Everyone looked at me with shock on they're faces.

"The Desians?!" Lloyd repeated. Wow Lloyd way to steal my spotlight.

"But we have a peace treaty!" You too Genis. Jeez. "Why would they…"

"It's true. The Desians passed though here on they're way to the temple."

The Iselian trio then did a triple gasp in complete unison. It was so corny and amazing that I had to cover my mouth with my hand to hide my smile.

"Oh no! Is everyone ok?"

Frank shook his head with a small smile of relief on his face "No one was hurt. We're all in hiding at the moment."

Colette signed in relief. "That's good… wait. Where's grandmother?"

"Phaidra is in the temple preparing for the ritual."

Jeez you think that the things they would say would be different since I'm here now. I guess even my sudden appearance isn't enough to change the storyline. Cue Lloyd's concern…

"Phaidra's in the temple? But that's where the Desians…"

Cue Frank's reassurance…

"The priests are there with her. There's no need to worry. Now, Colette…"

Cue Colette being the awesome chosen she is…

"I know. I promise to fulfill my duty as the Chosen."

"Good luck, Colette. Lloyd, Genis, Ally. You three should go on home."

Oh snap it's my time to say something. I was about to when Lloyd intervened with his line.

"I'm worried about letting Colette go by herself. I'll go with her to the temple."

"Me, too."

"Me three."

HA! I shined! Take that predictable dialog!

Frank looked really unsure. But I guess the looks of determination on Lloyd and Genis faces gave him no choice. (I think I was looking at a butterfly that flew by or something.)

"But…all right. Thank you. I'll wait at the house. Come back immediately if anything happens."

"Roger that!" I yelled after him as he turned back to his house. I spun around to face the others only to see them all looking at each other in some kind of unspoken encouragement. I really had no idea what was going on and I simply nodded when they turned to me and we continued on our merry way. Really though what was that? I don't remember that in the game. Oh course, I haven't played the game in about a year but still, I think I would remember something as corny as tha-

Suddenly Lloyd ran past me and drew his swords. I blinked before I turned to see him fighting a zombie. Yeah you read that right a freakin' zombie. Really, I was hoping that the first time I would see a zombie I would have a chainsaw or a shot gun.

But anyways there's fighting to be had.

I gripped onto my hammer tighter and jumped into the fray. Though all I really did was hit in once before Colette sliced off its torso. It wouldn't have been as bad if there wasn't a really bad rotting smell that escaped from the thing when it 'died.' I was glad to see that I wasn't the only one who gagged.

"That was easy!" Lloyd exclaimed. I think he might have been the only one who didn't gag at the smell of that monster. Jeez I'm starting to think this guy has some kind of weird fighting high or something. A place where nothing but the fighting matters! Hoo-ha!

…I don't like him anymore, I suck at fighting.

"Lloyd, you're amazing!" Colette chirped in happily to my left.

For a second Lloyd looked happy, in a really weird uncomfortable way. "Yeah well, I own it to this thing." Lloyd then unwrapped the bandage around his left hand to reveal his exsphere in all of its blue shiny goodness.

Genis stood up straighter to get a good look. "Oh that's right, your exsphere."

Lloyd continued to stare down at the exsphere a strange look on his face. "Yeah. It's designed for combat and brings out my maximum strength. Without this thing, I'd be nothing…"

Fuck you Lloyd. I have one too you know, and I am nothing. Argh my eggggoooo… Argh I need to drown myself in chocolate and ice cream. Stupid being stuck inside a video game thing. It kinda limits some things.

"But you're still strong Lloyd!" Colette edged closer to Lloyd as she said this and I suddenly realized how creepy Colette is. Really, if you actually pay attention to the way she acts around Lloyd, she's basically one step away from sneaking into his house at night and sniffing his pantie- underwear.

"Yeah at least his swords skills are good."

Lloyd turned to Genis and pouted. "…What do you mean 'at least'!?"

"Oh don't worry Lloyd, you have lots of other great qualities."

Lloyd turned to me with false hope.

"…they just need to be found first."

I didn't know it was possible but Lloyd's pout deepened while the rest of us laughed at his pain like the good friends we are. Then a stupid ghost and another zombie appeared and decided to ruin our fun. What kill joys. Colette decided that this was the perfect thin got peak up with her random lecture of knowledge. "Wait, Lloyd! The Professor said magic is more effective than physical attacks against non-physical and spiritual monsters!"

Lloyd took a moment to try and remember when Raine had said that. It must have been when he was sleeping. "Really?"

"Yeah!"

Lloyd nodded. "Ok then! I'll leave the ghost to Genis. I'll go for the zombie!"

"Right!" Colette exclaimed before she readied her chalkrams.

And so we once again leaped into battle. Lloyd hacked away at the monster and Colette helped. I decided to make myself useful by making sure the ghost didn't get too close to Genis. It was really weird. Every time I swung at the ghost I expected my hammer to just pass though it, though it still landed. And the stupid thing even scratched me! Really! How the hell do ghosts have claws?! This world makes no freakin sense.

So our second fight as a team went without too much trouble. True, I was hurt more than everyone else but the scratches really didn't hurt that much and I really didn't want to take an apple gel for something as trivial as a few scratches that weren't even bleeding.

We all continued to the temple with Colette leading the way. Though I didn't really see the need for her too, the thing was just a really long strip of land that went straight to the temple. Oh, and the big pillar of blinding light helps too. But ah, the sea breeze was causing the scratches on my arm to sting. Ow.

But I didn't complain I just followed the others, who were talking excitingly to Colette about angels and Raine and other random things that had to do with the Journey of Regeneration. I frowned and fell a little father back from the group.

'Hey um…Crystal?'

'Yes?'

Ha. I'm awesome. Now to ask that question again.

'Why can't you send me back home?'

'I can't tell you.'

Of flipping course.

'Sorry, but there are some things that I can't tell you or I'll lose my job.'

She really didn't sound apologetic at all. I stopped talking to her and quickened my pace to match the other three.

"Ah man. Raine's gonna kill me…" Genis actually looked kinda downcast. Poor Genis. He knows the rage of female bitch fury. I wish I had that.

"Don't worry. We wouldn't be there for too long she won't catch us."
Yes Lloyd we will be in and out like ninja's…like spies…like Solid Snake. Yes. Or in my case try to be sneaky but fall down three flights of stairs and kill myself. Or get stabbed by Kratos. Yeah, that seems more likely.

I think I was the first one to notice the ladybug and two wolves sneaking up from behind us. I actually yelped and did a weird side step scared dance move to the side. I really don't know, I was kinda embarrassed that it happened, shut up. But my little move was enough for the others to see the approaching danger and they all got into a two second battle pose before quite literally leaping into battle. I'm not kidding; they actually jumped into the battle. Well more like 'hopped' but it was still fairly amusing.

Right fighting, I should get on that.

I fumbled with my hammer to get a proper grip before running to the closest wolf that was currently getting a face full of Colette's chalkrams. "Pound!" I yelled before performing my only known arte…technique… whatever it is in this game, I don't remember.

'It's technique. Sorry about the confusion with saying it was an 'arte' earlier. It was a simple typo.'

'Oh how lovely. I'm in the middle of battle here. No talky!'

Unfortunately the conversation with Crystal distracted me enough to allow the wolf to get a hard kick to my stomach in. Not saying it couldn't have happened when I wasn't distracted seeing as I'm challenged when it comes to fighting but I could have at least made an awkward attempt to block it. I doubled over and gasped. Hell that really hurt! Luckily I managed to quickly crush his head in with my hammer before it could get another attack in. I blame that on my exsphere. If it was just me alone I would have just curled into a ball and let it kill me. Dammit I'm useless!

But enough angst. Jeez I haven't even met Kratos yet.

So I pretended I didn't hear the sickening crack of the things skull
being smashed into the ground and went to go help Lloyd who was having a hard time keeping the bouncing Ladybug away from Genis who was trying to cast…fireball I think. The spell circle beneath him was red so it would make sense I guess.

The battle didn't last very long. Lloyd got in the last hit with his new move 'sonic thrust' (dirty images did not come to mind when I heard
him yell that. Really) and we journeyed onwards! And it was epic! We slayed some more monsters, found the lost treasure of Spirtua, or whatever her name was and we even had enough time to help an old lady across the street, HOOHA!

…no not really. After the battle we walked for a minute and were pretty much there. My first apple gel was also forced upon me by Colette. I always thought that it was some kind of snack or something but it was actually a drink, in a bottle. It tasted like apples but slid down your throat in a less then pleasant way. I guess that was the gel part of it. It made me cough. I could tell it was gonna take a while to get used to these things.

"That was really anti-climactic…" I mumbled to myself as I rubbed my neck. It still felt like that gel was slowly sliding down my throat argh…

'What? You want me to put a dragon in there for you to fight though?
Didn't think you can handle one until about level thirty but…'

'NO! Plain and boring in just fine thank you!'

I didn't care if Crystal was just joking or not. Fighting a dragon is much scarier then fighting a zombie. And there are even zombie dragons. That would kill me inside.

"Whoa, that light really is coming form the temple!" I turned to Lloyd and raised an eyebrow. Oh wow Lloyd and I thought I was slow. I swear he landed on his head when he fell off that cliff.

"Then an oracle is going to be conveyed… Colette's going to be the Chosen of Regeneration…" Genis said mostly to himself. We all turned to Colette who was staring at the light with her hands covering her eyes.

"It's really, really bright!"

I actually face palmed and groaned. Even though I knew this was coming, it was still pretty ridiculous.

"Say, Colette… when the oracle is conveyed, you'll become the Chosen who will save the world, right?"-Colette turned to face Lloyd at this- "You're going to be like the hero, Mithos! So maybe you should act a little more…you know, Chosen-like…"

Mithos is a stupid face. Just putting that out there.

Colette flashed Lloyd her trademark smile. "Yeah! No problem. No problem."

"Hey, there's a lot of commotion at the temple." It took a while to notice since the rest of us didn't have half elf hearing like Genis does but there was shouting and sword clashing that could be heard from the direction of the temple.

"…You're right!" Wow Lloyd you're a genius. "Let's hurry!"

Everyone then quickened they're pace. There was no sense in running since we were pretty much there. We reached the steps leading up to the temple a couple minutes later.

"Pastor!?"

My head snapped to the dieing priest at the foot of the stairs. His clothes were caked with blood and there was a long trail the liquid that ran down from the stairs. His left arm was cut off and was adding a steady supply to the red pool around him. Everyone else ran up to him and asked him what happened but I froze. In the game there wasn't any blood and the dieing priest was just a guy breathing heavily. It was nothing like…this. I turned away before I saw the guy gave his last breath and took a deep one of my own. In this situation there were three things that my body wanted to do. Run, throw up or cry.

A felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Lloyd. "I'm worried about Colette so me and Genis are going to the temple. If you want you can wait out here…"

I shook my head before pushing past him and walking towards the steps. I was then grateful for my hammer being long enough to use as a walking stick. My knees felt like jelly and the strong scent of blood didn't help either. I ignored my bodies' urges and continued up the stairs soon falling right behind Colette and Genis.

It didn't take long for us to reach the top of the stairs. More corpuses of priests were littered around the platform. I had to lean onto my hammer more for support. The scent of blood was stronger up here and I couldn't even feel my knees anymore.

"Run Colette!"

Botta and two other Desi- Renegades turned away from the retreating Phaidra and checked out our group. It was in a non sexual way but it was still slightly creepy. It made me feel all self conscience again. I brushes off the dirt on my pants.

"Lord Botta there she is!" The renegade to his right reported like the good lackey he is. A small smirk crossed Botta's face as she locked eyes with Colette. "Chosen one, your life is mine!"

I jumped when I heard the drawing of swords from behind me. Lloyd ran into my view a second later. "I won't let you Desians get any with anything!"

The De-Renegade on the left started shirking to himself. "Desians?" The Desi-RENEGADE on the right asked before chuckling. "What's so funny?!" Oh noes don't make an angoy Lloyd! Angoy Lloyd is Angoy.

The Renegade on the left drew his own sword. "Well then, die at the hands of the Desians you so hate. Get them!"

I just barley had enough reaction time to block the Desians…Renegades sword. This was bad. The smell of blood was a huge distraction, and I was against a freakin' soldier! He was trained I wasn't. Woo hoo.

"Ray thrust!"

A chalkram hit the guy's side and bounced off his armor. But it was enough to make him stumble and turn away from me. I hit his chest with my hammer to get him father away. Then Colette and I continued to beat up this Renegade while Lloyd and Genis worked on the only one. And soon enough the two ran away…before an even larger opponent appeared.

"Do not get in our way!"

Ayep. It was the large iron spike ball and chain wielding Desian that we all know and love. Vidarr! Oh how I've been loathing this moment.

Genis started us off by casting his new move stone blast. The sudden rocks appearing under Vidarr distracted him so we all ran up to him and got as many attacks in as we could. It ended when he basically back handed us all with his giant hand and sent us all flying. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt. And his hands were so rough that they actually cut though my clothes. Luckily I had on the chain mail underneath so it didn't cut me but still! I pretty sure they have lotion in this place.

Anyways, we all landed on our asses dangerously close to the stairs. Vidarr started walking towards us while spinning his weapon high above his head in a very intimidating matter. I'm not gonna lie. I was pretty frinkin' scared.

"This guy's strong!" Genis yelled from beside me trying his hardest to hit the Desian with a spell before he raped us all with his pointy ball. Lloyd started getting up but winced. His right sleeve was cut and his arm was bleeding. It did not look pleasant. "Man, this guy is really tough!"

…but I see his injures weren't enough to stop him from stating what we already know. Good old Lloyd.

Vidarr smirked at this before he spun his weapon at us. I cowered behind my hammer and slammed my eyes shut. It's not like it would do anything seeing as our prince charming will soon be making his grand entrance.

…

Chang. Chunk. Thump.

I opened my eyes and got a face full of Kratos butt. And so my first impression of meeting Kratos in person was that he had a pretty nice ass.

…and hoped that he wouldn't fart on me. If angels could fart. I would have to ask him that later.

I tried to distance myself from Kratos' rear but almost fell down the stairs in my attempt. Well there goes how I thought our first meeting would be like.

"Who are you?" Lloyd asked looking up Kratos with his mouth agape. Kratos looked over his shoulder and scanned our small group. I think his gaze lingered on me for just a second more then the others but that was probably just my imagination.

"Get out of the way."

…even though we're all behind you and already OUT of your way, but whatever makes you happy.

Kratos then looked away from us and moved his ass out of my way. Which was good timing, cause any later and I would have considered touching it.

'You ramble when you're scared.' Crystal bluntly stated, bringing me out of my thoughts. 'You need to focus. 'There is fighting to be had' remember?'

Right there's fighting to be had.

I was the last of the four of us to get my act together and join the fray once more. But when I did I'm proud to say I crashed Vidarr's foot and made him yell in pain.

…but after it took everything I had to not drop to my knees and ask for forgiveness. Battles are really freaking scary.

Anyways, Kratos being the pimp he is basically slashed the guy to ribbons until he was unconscious. Botta frowned at this.

"I never thought you'd show up. Damn…retreat for now!"

And with that Botta and some other Desians who just sat back and watch one of they're own get beaten to a bloody pulp pushed past us and ran away. Jeez what pansies.

"Amazing!" Colette said in awe.

Genis jumped up in excitement from beside me and almost landed on my foot. "Wow! This guy's incredibly strong!"

Lloyd opened up his bottle of apple gel quite forcefully. "Y-yeah… I-I suppose so…"

Kratos stopped his dramatic posing and turned to fully face us. Only to go back into a dramatic pose again.

"…Is everyone all right?" His gaze lingered on Lloyd who I guess with his arm looked the worse out of us all. But he had an apple gel so it was all good. "hmm…no one seems to be too badly hurt."

Lloyd studied Kratos with a somewhat annoyed look on his face. His eyes rested on Kratos' left hand. "Hey, Is that an Ex-"

"How can I ever thank you for saving the Chosen?"

Everyone turned to Phaidra who was smiling warmly at Kratos. Kratos looked at her for a moment before turning to Colette.

"I see…so this girl is the next Chosen."

Oh like you didn't know that Kratos. You are NOT the type to just leap in to a random battle and be all prince charming like. And even if you were we're basically in the middle of no where. Like anyone would just be walking towards a temple that was crawling with Desians. What a load of crap.

"Oh that's right! I have to go accept the oracle! Grandmother, I'm going to undergo the trial now."

Colette practically skipped towards the entrance of the temple. Wow what a happy child.

"What trail?" Lloyd asked.

Kratos then moved into another pose. Oh wait he's not posing that's just the way he stands, never mind. "The monsters, I assume. An evil presence radiates from inside this chapel."

Phaidra nodded at this. "Yes, that is correct. The Chosen is to receive judgment from heaven. But the priests that were to accompany her fell at the hands of the Desians."

I kinda envied Phaidra at this point. She could look at the bodies of the priests and not even flinch. It seemed a little cruel but it just showed how strong and focused she is. I on the other hand almost threw up when I noticed how close I was standing to one of the corpuses.

Lloyd took a step forward. "Then I'll take the job of protecting Colette."

Phaidra turned to Lloyd, looking a little skeptical. "Lloyd…I would feel uneasy with just you."

Ouch. Lloyd looked a little hurt at the rejection and Kratos looked at Lloyd. For just a spilt second I thought I saw some sort of emotion flash in his eyes. But it was gone too quickly for me to tell what it was. Or for me to think it even happened.

"Your name is Lloyd?"

Oho! Do I smell some loving son father relationship about to bloom? Are they going to go play catch and pick up girls and do other things that a single father and his son do together? No, probably not.

Lloyd glanced at Kratos. "Yeah, but who are you to ask for my name?"

Oh! Oh! I think I saw a smirk on Kratos' face! I'm pretty sure it was there! He sort of smiled!

"…I am Kratos, a mercenary. As long as you can pay me, I'll accept the job of guarding the Chosen."

"Ally what are you doing?" Genis whispered from beside me giving me a weird look. It took me a while to realize that I was mouthing everyone's lines as they said them. I stopped and tried to rack my brain for an excuse. "I…I was just trying to remember the lyrics to a really good song." I whispered back. Genis didn't seem convinced and I think my heart stopped for a second in panic. But he turned away from me and looked back to the others. I let out a small breath of relief.

"Lloyd, you'll only get in the way. Be a good boy and wait here."

"Gotcha…Then I'll just follow you on my own."

Ok, I should say something so I can mix things up and don't start mouthing the things they say again.

"I-I'm coming too!" I said taking a step forward. "I'm worried about Colette, and I don't trust you."

…I swear I did NOT mean to say that last part, it just slipped out and I really kinda regret it did.

Kratos looked over at me and narrowed his eyes as if to say if-you-make-the-chosen-have-any-suspicions-of-me-in-any-way-I-will-stab-you. I moved a little to the side to try and hide behind Lloyd.

"…Do as you wish." Kratos said a little harshly before he walked into the entrance of the temple.

Ah my soul. I think his glare froze over my organs. Silly mercenary's gonna kill me one day. I know he is.