Chapter Three: Meeting Up

Isalia

The morning class felt like it was going on for longer than usual for Colette. Even though she tried to keep herself calm and composed on the outside on the inside she felt like a nervous wreck. That morning her natural clumsiness had caused her to fall down the stairs and now she had a large bruise forming on her arms. Thankfully the long sleeves of her dress covered her arms, but it hurt to move them when writing. Fortunately the only class she needed to do a lot of writing, or drawing, in was that morning's art class. She kept quiet about her accident during then because it was nothing for anyone to worry over; she was naturally clumsy, she did make a body sized hole in the wall while sweeping the classroom a few weeks ago.

"Mithos the Hero, brought about the end of the Ancient War, in the Holy Ground of Kharlan." She heard Genis answer one of Raine's questions, but wasn't really paying attention to the following explanation that their teacher was giving on the history of Sylvarant. Her eyes wandered around the classroom to the students who were paying attention and then finally to the window. The trees outside blocked out the Martel Temple where her Cruxis Crystal and the priests were waiting for her. How much longer until the time came for her to recieve it?

"Now Chosen One, Colette." Raine calling her brought her back to the classroom. She stood up smiling and acting like she had been listening.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Tell us about the journey of World Regeneration."

That was an easy question, the priest had taught her about it repeatedly since she could walk. "It is a Journey to seal the Desians." She said, "Upon passing the trials of the Goddess Martel, the Summon Spirits that protect the world awaken, and Mana is restored." She received praises from the teacher and sat back down. 'I suppose we should expect the chosen to know that one' is what Raine said before explaining the effects of mana shortage and repeating the blonde girls answer in a shorter version to the rest of the class. Even though she loved Professor Sage very much, the praise and unconscious expectations made her feel like the black sheep of the classroom. She stood out in the village even though she wanted to fit in.

Before Raine could ask her next question a bright flash of light came from the Martel Temple. Colette knew what it was and sat in her seat patiently as the rest of the students gathered by the window staring in awe at the bright light reaching up to the heavens. "Everyone calm down, it's time for the Oracle." She told them, "Colette come with me, the rest of you stay here and study on your own."

The blonde girl nodded and got out of her seat following Raine out of the classroom, but she stopped for a second looking back at Genis in the classroom. "Uh, Professor, could Genis come too? I'd feel more confident if I had a freind with me."

"All right go get him, I'll be waiting outside." Truth be told she was reluctant to let her little brother join them, but it helped Colette, then she'd let him come. Who knows, maybe the pressure from the trials could help hiim with his magic.

Ourskits of Isalia

The large pillar of light rising into the clouds was not unnoticed by those who were close to Isalia. Lloyd looked up at the sky dressed in his 'mercenary outfit' watching as the pillar slowly faded. The Chosen would now receive her Cruxis Crystal from one of Lord Yggdrasil's angels, and he needed to get to the village before she left on her journey. He walked along the road, monsters ignoring him, and recalled in his head the rest of the conversation he had had with his father on Welgaia:

"I want you to go to the Isalia where the Chosen lives; if possible I want you to assist her in receiving her Cruxis Crystal." Kratos told him.

"Isalia…" He looked up at the map of Sylvarant on his wall; the place was labeled next to the location of Forcystus' Human Ranch. The village was the only one to have a non-aggression treaty with the Desians. If he remembered right it was to protect the Chosen. "Right, if I help her with the Temple's Trial than it'll be easier to gain the trust of her and the rest of her guards."

"Very good Lloyd. And I'm sure you can make up some kind of excuse for your presence, right?"

"Of course I can, you know how good of a liar I can be." Unfortunately Kratos did know how good Lloyd was at lying since the boy fooled even him on occasion. "Hey if I'm going to meet the Chosen in her home town, when are you going to join us?"

"Most likely Thoda Geyser or the Balacruf Mausoleum."

"Thoda Geyser or the Balacruf Mausoleum? Why not just pick one or the other now?" The teenager repeated, a little taken back that his father wouldn't give him a definite answer. Sure they were both seals, but why not give a guaranteed location?

"I have some things to take care of beforehand, but I can assure you I will be in one of those two locations." Lloyd was about to speak up again but Kratos cut him off, "Please don't ask what I'm doing, they're private matters. I'll tell you about it at another time, I promise Lloyd." Kratos was thankful when his son stayed quiet and simply nodded not asking any other questions.

Lloyd had left Derris-Kharlan and descended onto the declining world early that morning. He doubted the Oracle would appear so early, but knew that when he got close to Isalia he'd have to say good-bye to his wings, magic and angel abilities for an undetermined period of time. With Sylvarant's simple landscape he was hoping it wouldn't be more than a few months, but wanted to savor the remaining moments of being able to fly and shoot fireballs and lightning. He thought he heard some humans screaming when he carelessly cast a lightning spell over a large brown mountain close to where the Tower of Salvation would appear.

After a short while he landed about a mile or so from Isalia and started walking from there to the village. It was during that time the light appeared signalling it was time for the Chosen to retrieve her Crystal. It only took a few more minutes for him to get to the village; to his surprise he saw two soldiers on the ground. "Huh?" He ran over and kneeled down by one of them, "Hey, what happened here?"

"Desian's…broke the treaty." The man managed to lift himself up a little, "They're on their way to the Temple."

Lloyd quickly broke into a run straight to the church. He knew Forcystus wouldn't break the treaty signed with the village; unlike the other Grand Cardinals he actually had some pride. He reached the rock stairs leading to the temple hearing various noises, from weapons clashing to spells being cast coming from the top. He ran up to see two kids and an older woman collapsed on the ground exhausted in front of a large warrior wielding a spiked ball and chain. From his size and mana signature Lloyd could tell the man was human, which meant these weren't the Desians.

"Renegades…" He mumbled under his breath; of all the times to run into them it had to be here. He saw the man swing his powerful weapon and reacted; jumping in front of the blonde girl he was about to hit and using one of his swords to parry the attack. The tall man stumbled back in surprise and Lloyd drew his second sword. He sneered; this guy would be too easy even if he had to hold back. He rushed forward so fast the man didn't have a chance to react and brought his sword down on the man's arm. The man gave a loud cry as he dropped down in pain; Lloyd then crossed his swords in front of the guy's neck. It was too easy, just like he thought.

"Wait." Lloyd looked away from his victim to another man with brown hair and in robes specifically designed for battle - the second in command of the Renagades, Botta. "We'll leave, just let him live."

Lloyd kept the glare on his face as he watched Botta out of the corner of his eye before shifting gaze to the soldier in front of him. He looked terrified for his life with Lloyd's twin swords only centimeters from his vulnerable neck, pathetic really. Though tempted to finish the job, the angel swordsman slowly moved his swords away and took some steps back. "You heard him, leave. Now!" He watched as two other renegade soldiers helped the man away before turning to Botta, "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

"Indeed…" As the half-elf retreated Lloyd had hunch Botta hadn't expected him to come here so early, normally Kratos turned up after the Chosen began their Journey. He turned around and looked at the three in front of him.

"Everyone okay?"

"Yes, thank you." The older woman with silver hair said.

"That was amazing." The younger silver haired boy said, now that Lloyd got a good look at the two he could tell they were related. He could also tell form their mana that they were both half-elves and they could probably tell that that he wasn't a normal human. Not good. "You're so strong, you broke that guys arm with one sword swing."

"Uh, it was nothing really." He said trying to sound as humble as possible. "I heard Desians had gone to the temple and when I got here saw you guys in trouble. It's no big deal."

"Yes it is." Lloyd looked behind him and was surprised to find an old woman in clothes of a priestess walk over to him, "Not only have you saved these two elves," so they masqueraded as elves, "but you saved the Chosen."

"What really?" He said turning his attention to the three again. The blonde girl had a happy look on her face, smiling with her eyes closed.

"Yup, that's me." She said giving a quick bow, her hair falling into her face as she rose back up, "Thank you so much for saving my friends." Lloyd looked her over a little surprised; he had thought the Chosen's of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla would be near the same age, but this girl couldn't be older than sixteen. "Is something wrong?" She seemed to have noticed the look on his face, "Oh I know we never properly introduced ourselves. My name's Colette and this is my best friend Genis and my teacher Raine Sage. They're brother and sister."

"I'm Lloyd, a mercenary." He said simply than gave a chuckle as he started weaving his lie, "I came here because I saw the Oracle and wanted to meet the Chosen, but I never thought I'd actually be saving her." Colette giggled for a reason that Lloyd couldn't understand; she somehow found that funny.

"Well Lloyd, you certainly came at the right time." The old woman spoke up again, "The priests who were supposed to help Colette in her trial were killed by the Desians. It would be an honor to have you guide her through the temple."

Lloyd did not speak at first pretending to consider the situation then finally answered, "I assume I'll get some kind of payment for this."

"Of course."

"Then I'll do it." He said turning to Colette, "Come on chosen let's go."

"Okay." The girl said just as happy as she was the last time she spoke. The blonde seemed to be a giant waterfall of happiness, it made him feel queasy.

"We'll be guiding her through as well." Raine told him, "Colette wants Genis with her for support and I have assisted the Pheidra and the rest of the church many times. I trust you have no problem with that?"

Lloyd looked at Raine and saw she had a look in her eye that gave him the idea that she did not completely trust him. 'Guess I'd better be careful of this one' "I have no problems with it as long as you two don't slow us down."

With Pheidra's blessing the four entered the Martel Temple; so far everything was going as he expected.

Just as planned.

End Chapter Three

Maybe it's just because I'm in a Sonic mood, but whenever I hear 'Chosen One' I think of the song from the Shadow the Hedgehog game. Pretty good song actually. Maybe I should do an Tales AMV with it after I do my Sonic videos. Why am I talking about Sonic in a Tales fanfic? No idea :S