A/N: I got nothing to really say here, so one with the next Chapter!
Tales of Symphonia and Tales of the Abyss are copyrighted by Namco-Bandai
The four of us made it back to Iselia without any real problems. As soon as we walked in, Colette spoke up to us: "Luke, we should go back to my house to tell the others about the successful Oracle."
I nodded. Looking at Lloyd and Genis, I told them: "So guys, can you two make it back to your houses by yourselves?"
Lloyd then got an annoyed look on his face. "Hey! Can't we come too?"
Genis sighed, "Lloyd, we'd probably get shooed out anyways. Why should we even bother?" Lloyd just ignored him and continued to pester me. Sighing, I decided to give Lloyd a compromise.
"*Sigh* Alright, fine, you two can come." Lloyd's face brightened up instantly upon hearing that while Genis just sighed pitifully. "On one condition." I added. Seeing Lloyd's face harden a bit, I then said: "Lloyd, give us the Sorcerer's Ring before we forget. It IS supposed to be used by Colette, after all."
Upon hearing that, Lloyd just smiled and gave Colette the Sorcerer's Ring without a question. After Colette put the ring on her finger, I turned towards the direction of Colette's house and said, "Alright, let's go (1)." And with that, the four of us walked to Colette's place.
When we walked through the door into Colette's house, we immediately saw Kratos, Phaidra, Frank, and the Mayor seated at the kitchen table. Phaidra, was the first to see us. "Ah, you're all back! Please, come and sit down!" After walking around for awhile, the seats looked like heaven, so we soon took our seats.
"Did any of you have trouble getting back to the village?" Kratos questioned us.
"Nothing we couldn't handle." I answered as I put my hands behind my head.
Lloyd then perked up, "Hey, were you guys talking about the Journey of Regeneration just now?" Thinking about it, I didn't hear what they were saying when we walked in.
"Yes." Phaidra smiled.
Lloyd grinned widely, "Awesome! I wanna go too! I wanna see Colette regenerate the world!"
"If Raine is going, then I'm going too." Genis chimed in.
At that, everyone except Lloyd and Genis's faces were pulled into a look of disapproval.
"No. Like I said back at the chapel, you two will just be a burden." Kratos said coldly.
Lloyd immediately got angry and defensive. "W-WHAT!?"
I decided to put in my thoughts as well, "I'm gonna put this as nice as I can, Lloyd. As much as we'd love you and Genis to come, you two are too inexperienced to come with us. Sorry, but that's the way things are." I said this as calmly as I could without trying to seem harsh like Kratos.
"The battles at the chapel are child's play compared to what the rest of the world has in store. Unless you would like to brutally die by the claws and fangs of a wild monster, stay at home." Kratos commanded.
"Sir Kratos(2) and Luke are completely right. Now then, we need to discuss business here. Why don't you two go home?" The Mayor outright ordered Lloyd and Genis.
The two didn't say anything else after that. Lloyd just pouted and Genis nodded, and then the two walked out of Colette's house. Colette then got a worried look on her face, then got up from her seat. "Please excuse me for a bit." She then hurried out the door, I guess to talk to Lloyd and Genis. I sighed, and put my hands in my lap. Colette wasn't outside for long, and soon returned to her seat. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to…"
"We understand, Colette." Frank said.
"Now, onto business." The Mayor announced, "Do you know when you'll be leaving, Chosen?" He asked Colette.
For some reason, I felt a bit angry after he said that. It was as if Colette was an object, not a human being. Under my breath, I muttered: "Colette." If anyone heard me, they didn't show it.
Colette looked down and closed her eyes, presumably to think about what she wanted to do. She soon gave us an answer, "…I want to leave early tomorrow."
"Wait, what!?" I blurted out. Seriously, I wasn't expecting that!
"I don't want Lloyd and Genis to worry about me when we leave. I want to leave when they aren't in the village." Colette explained. "Is that alright, Luke?" She asked me.
"W-well, I understand your reasoning…" I lied. Why wouldn't she want her only (as far as I know) two friends to see her off to save the world? "… I just wasn't expecting you to want to leave as early as tomorrow. Sorry for bursting out."
"Tomorrow isn't far away. Do you have the supplies needed for the journey prepared? And does Professor Sage know about this?"
"We do have all the necessary items ready, Sir Kratos." Frank responded, "And as for Raine, she has always been able to adapt to sudden changes such as this. She should be able to pack up easily."
"…If what you say is true, then I have no objections about leaving tomorrow." Kratos said.
"Good. I think that'll do for now; we've seemed to have made all necessary arrangements. We'll see you off tomorrow morning, Chosen." The Mayor said.
"Colette." I muttered again.
"Okay! See you tomorrow!" Colette said cheerfully as the Mayor and Kratos left.
"I'll be in the inn if anyone needs me." Kratos said before he left.
I got up out of my seat and left Colette's house after telling Frank and Phaidra about Raine. Before I left Colette's house, I heard Frank's voice: "Luke? Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Yeah, sure. What's up?" I asked.
"Since Colette is leaving early tomorrow, can you sleep at the inn tonight? It would be easier to leave earlier without waking Lloyd and Genis."
What he said made sense, so I agreed, "Yeah, I can do that. Just let me get my stuff and eat dinner at Dirk's first, okay?"
"Alright. See you first thing tomorrow, Luke."
"You too." I said as I left Colette's house finally. I then began to make my way to Dirk's house.
Getting to Dirk's house was a straight enough pathway that could be easily memorized, and I still had Lorelei to guide me if I still got lost somehow. Anyways, as I was walking, I saw a familiar kid in red clothes.
"Hey! Lloyd!" I called out. Lloyd jumped at the voice and turned around after drawing his swords, but then put them away after seeing it was me. I ran up to him and said: "Wow, you're slow! I thought you'd be at Dirk's by now."
Lloyd grinned sheepishly, "Yeah, well, Genis and I got uh… caught up in some things! Yeah…" He looked incredibly guilty about something. It was really obvious.
"…Alright, what did you two do?" I asked, folding my arms.
"W-well, we, ah, Genis and I, um…" Lloyd stuttered.
"In English(3), please?"
Lloyd sighed, "Okay, we went to visit a friend of Genis's."
"See? Was that so hard now?" I said in satisfaction about getting Lloyd to admit to something. Even though getting Lloyd to admit something wasn't really saying much.
"No. Can we go back now?" Lloyd asked.
"Sure."
We soon got back to Dirk's house after dealing with a few minor monsters occasionally (who still dropped gald upon death) and Noishe was there to greet us. After playing with him for awhile, Lloyd and I went inside.
"Dad! We're home!" Lloyd called out.
Dirk was in the kitchen, preparing some dinner, stew probably. "Ah, Luke, Lloyd! How're yah two doin'?"
Lloyd walked forward, "Hey Dad. I met someone who needs a key crest today."
"Key Crest?" I asked.
Lloyd ignored me, and continued on, "You said that an Exsphere without a Key Crest is bad for you, right? Or is it too late for her now?"
"Don't talk like I'm not here! What're you talking about Lloyd?" I asked again, this time with a bit of anger in my voice.
Lloyd then seemed to notice me, and apologized: "Oh, sorry Luke. You don't know about Exspheres?"
"What did I just say two seconds ago?" I deadpanned.
Dirk then spoke up: "Allow me tah explain Luke, if yah don't mind?" I nodded, and he continued, "Exspheres are a sorta power amplifier that can enhance the usa's fighting capabilities to their maximum potential. Dey are also very dangerous. An exsphere is also a parasite that can drain tha life of a user without propa protection. A Key Crest is one of these protections, and tha most common, as its design makes it so that the parasitic features of the exsphere cannot reach the user."
"So, couldn't someone just remove the exsphere without a Key Crest before the parasite takes control?" I asked.
"Yah can't. Even removing an exsphere is dangerous." Dirk said, and left it at that.
My eyes widened at this revelation. An exsphere did sound useful, but it sounded too much like a double-edged sword, and personally, I think I'm strong enough to not need one of those.
"A wise choice, Luke." Lorelei chimed in.
I then thought of something: "Hey Lloyd, how did your friend get an exsphere anyways?"
Lloyd then looked like a giant stampede of angry rappigs was charging at him, 'cause he got really nervous at that question. "W-well, you see…" Dirk then scowled, and a chill got sent down my spine.
"Damn, Dirk looks scary when angry!"
"You went to the human ranch, didn't you?" Dirk said in a threatening tone.
My eyes widened, "Wait, what?!" Surely Lloyd wasn't THAT much of an idiot…
"Yeah, Genis and I went to see a prisoner there who he became friends with." Lloyd admitted.
"WHAT!" I shouted.
Dirk didn't say anything; he resorted to punching Lloyd in the gut!(4) "LLOYD! How many times 'ave I told yah to stay away from the Ranch?!" I looked away from the scene, and winced as Lloyd hit the floor clutching his stomach.
"I-I know, Dad, but… this person needs an exsphere!" Lloyd groaned.
"Did yah let tha Desians see yer Key Crest?" Dirk asked Lloyd while folding his arms.
After regaining his wind, Lloyd stood up, "No, I made sure about that. But why is it so important to hide that thing?"
"Wait, you have an exsphere, Lloyd?" I questioned.
Lloyd looked to Dirk, "I trust Luke, Lloyd. You can show it to 'im." Dirk confirmed. Lloyd then turned to me hand held out his left hand, in which the palm area was wrapped in a white bandage. Lloyd then ripped off the bandage, revealing a blue gem in a golden crest.
"Lorelei, is, is that an exsphere?"
"Yes. I believe Kratos also had one on him as well."
"Huh? He did? I didn't notice it."
"Woah…" Was all I could say at the sight of Lloyd's exsphere.
"Yeah, that's my exsphere." Lloyd said, "I've had it for as long as I could remember. So why's it so important, Dad?" He asked Dirk.
Dirk sighed, "Well, yah see, Lloyd yer exsphere is… special."
"Special? It's different than the ones the Desians use?" Lloyd asked.
"… That exsphere is your mother's keepsake." Dirk responded sadly. And with that, I shut off any functions related to talking, because I didn't want to interrupt this personal moment.
"The Desians killed yer mother fer that exsphere Lloyd." Dirk stopped to let the information sink in, and continued, "Remember how I found yah at the cliff near the ranch?"
"Y-yeah…"
"Yer mother was still conscious when I got there, and she explained it all. There's no doubt about it."
Lloyd just stared at Dirk in disbelief, before shouting at him: "Why didn't you tell me all this sooner?!"
"If I had, you'd would 'ave just gone out an' tried to take revenge on those Desians." Dirk then sighed, "A-and, I didn't want to lose yah, Lloyd. Even though we ain't related by blood, you're still my son, and I'. yer parent." Dirk looked down for a few moments before looking back up again, "Anywho, The Tower of Salvation has jus' appeared today. Leave the rest up to Colette. It'll take care of the Desians, as well."
"But still…" Lloyd began.
Dirk walked towards him and said: "Don't get involved with the Desians. Yer mother died tryin' to protect you and yer exsphere from 'em. Don't jus' go an' throw yer life and the exsphere away. After what she did."
"…So you'll make the Key Crest?" Lloyd asked after a long silence.
"Really Lloyd?"
"Didn't yah listen to anythin' I jus' said, Lloyd?!" Dirk snapped.
"Yeah, I heard you! But you can't just expect me to sit down and twiddle my thumbs now that I know!" Lloyd argued. I had to agree with him there. I could never look the other way when I saw someone in need of help.
Dirk responded to Lloyd's outburst by socking him in the stomach again. Lloyd fell to the floor, again, clutching his stomach, again. Lloyd couldn't say anything back to Dirk after a punch like that. It was then we heard a knock on the door. Dirk went to open it while I helped Lloyd get to his feet.
"Ah, no worries! Come in, make yerselves at home!" We heard Dirk's voice from the doorway. Me and Lloyd went to go see who was here, and to our surprise, it was Kratos, Colette, Raine and Genis. They walked, and all sat at the picnic table Dirk uses as a dinner table. Lloyd and I joined Colette on one end while Raine, Kratos, and Genis sat on the other end.
"So, uh, did you guys here, all that when you were in the yard?" Lloyd asked awkwardly.
"Yes, most of it." Raine answered plainly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her staring at me. Weird.
Genis looked down with an apologetic look on his face, "Lloyd, I'm sorry. It's my fault…"
"It's okay. I don't blame you." Lloyd interrupted Genis.
After a small awkward silence, Raine spoke up, "Lloyd, you should speak with Colette. Privately. We'll wait for you when you're done. "
"Lloyd, I'll talk to you on the terrace, okay?" Colette asked nervously.
"Yeah, sure. Can you wait a minute, though?" Lloyd responded.
"Of course. I'll wait at the bench" Colette said, and then went up to the terrace.
"While they're up there an' talkin', feel free to wander around a bit." Dirk told us. Kratos, Genis, and Raine got up and thanked Dirk, and went outside. Lloyd and went and followed them, I went up Lloyd's room to pack my stuff.
I got up to Lloyd's room and began to pack my item, supplies, and stuff like that. Since I didn't have that many things to pack, and since a lot of the supplies were back in Iselia, I was all well set to go. I then went outside onto the balcony where Colette was waiting. She didn't notice me until I went up to her and said: "Hey, Colette." Colette whirled around at the speed of light in surprise, but calmed down when she saw me.
"Oh, hello, Luke." She said, and went to looking up at the stars. I joined her in doing so.
"S-so, big day tomorrow, huh?" I said, attempting to start a conversation.
"Yes. All of my training will finally be put to use. I can save Sylvarant!" Colette said happily. I smiled at this; for some reason, I saw Colette like a younger sister to me. Maybe that's why I was looking forward to traveling with her (5).
I looked down from the balcony, and saw Raine and Genis discussing something, probably about the Journey of Regeneration. To their left were Kratos and Lloyd, looking over a gravestone. I glanced away from that quickly. I can't stand corpses, or killing, for that matter.
I looked back up at the stars. They were bright and twinkle-y tonight. I had heard back on Aulderant that you can see other planets if the sky was clear enough at night. In all honesty, I was kinda hoping I would see Aulderant in the sky tonight. I knew it was a slim-to-none chance, but I can dream. As I was stargazing, I was brought back to reality by Colette.
"Excuse me, Luke?" Colette asked me.
"Yeah?"
"If it's not too much of a bother, may I ask you a question?" She asked politely.
"Sure, go ahead. Shoot."
"Shoot? But I don't have a bow…"
"Never mind." I interrupted, "What did you want to ask?"
"I haven't really had the time to ask, but how do you know about Martel?" She asked innocently. I had to stifle my yelp, because I wasn't expecting that question. I decided to answer as truthfully as possible. 'As possible' being the key words.
"Well, not much, in all honesty. I know the basics, but I never really had time to go to church, both now and when I was a kid. I don't know much about the Journey of Regeneration, but I'm sure it'll be a nice learning experience, if anything else. Don't worry Colette; I'll help you through to the end!" I promised energetically.
Colette looked at me with an indescribable for a second, but then smiled. "Thank you, Luke!" When she wasn't looking, I frowned. What she just said sounded really forced and fake. It set me off the wrong way.
Just then, I heard someone coming up the stairs. Colette and I turned around to see Lloyd, who grinned when he saw us.
"I'll leave the two of you be." I said as I left. Lloyd thanked me as I went down the stairs with my traveling bag.
When I got downstairs, I told Dirk about tomorrow, and how Colette requested that Lloyd didn't show up, as harsh as it sounded. We talked about this in whisper so that Genis (who was in the room at the time) wouldn't find out.
"Ah, I see. Don't worry, Luke. I'll let yah out once Lloyd's asleep."
"Thanks." I then went outside to see Raine and Kratos at the grave. I walked over to them and they turned around to talk to me.
"Are you prepared for tomorrow, Luke?" Raine asked. Kratos said nothing, as usual.
"Yeah. I didn't have a lot on me when I came to Iselia, so I didn't have much to pack."
"Good. We'll leave at 9:00 tomorrow morning from the southern gate. From then on, we'll travel southwest towards the Triet Desert, in into Triet, the town closest to the Seal of Fire. Did you get all that?" Raine lectured. I nodded.
"Yeah, I got that." I then looked at the grave. It read: HERE LIES ANNA. MY SHE REST IN PEACE."Who's this for?" I asked.
Raine looked away, while Kratos seemed to grimace. "It's the grave for Lloyd's mother. I assume Dirk told you everything?" Kratos said.
My eyes widened, "Oh. …Yes, he told me." I then bent down to my knee, put my fist to my chest, and paid my respects. Raine and Kratos simply looked on. I then stood up. "I need to stay here until Lloyd goes to bed, then I'll go to Iselia. I'll see you at the gate tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow." Raine said. She then looked up at the balcony, where Lloyd and Colette were still talking. "Colette! Genis! It's getting late! We need to get back to the village!" She called out.
"Okay! I'm coming!" I saw Colette disappear from the balcony and reappear in the yard at few seconds later with Genis. I walked them to the exit of the yard. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." I said. Then I went back inside the house.
When I got to the bedroom, I saw Lloyd getting ready for bed. I pretended to get ready as well, and got into bed
"Night, Lloyd!" I said as I pulled the covers over my head.
"Night, Luke!" It took a few minutes before Lloyd's soft snoring filled the room. Silently getting out of bed and getting my stuff, I snuck downstairs and saw Dirk waiting for me. He walked me outside to the yard's exit. When we got there, he put his hand out. I took his hand and shook it.
"Thank you for your hospitality." I thanked him, is it was the last time I was probably gonna see him.
"Don't mention it. Providin' care fer those who need it is a dwarven vow, yah know (5)."
"Yeah. Again, thank you. I don't know if I'll see you again, but I'll stop by if I'm in the area."
"Yer a great kid, Luke. I hope you fare well in yer travels. Keep Colette safe, will yah?"
"Of course. See you, Dirk." And with that, I made my way to Iselia, checked into the inn there, settled in, and began to write in my diary. After all that was finished, I went to sleep. I was excited when I went to bed. Tomorrow was the day it finally began. The Journey of Regeneration, and my ticket to home.
Luke's Diary
March 28
Day 8
The Oracle's Trial and Some Revelations
Man, today was crazy. I went with Colette to her school just in case the Oracle appeared today, and guess what? It did! Colette and I were supposed to stay at her class while Raine went and checked the Oracle, but due to Lloyd convincing her to sneak out of class with him and Genis, I had to go to the temple prematurely. We then ended up rushing to the temple, as Desians were heading there, and Raine was there also!
Turns out we went to the temple just in time, as Phaidra may have died if we didn't intervene. We then fought some Desians, and met a mercenary who was just passing by. His name was Kratos, the embodiment of the whole "Strong, silent type". Phaidra ended up hiring him when I asked him to join us. We then went inside to find Raine, who also ended up joining us.
After completing some trials, we made our way to the top of the temple and Colette then received the Oracle from an angel named seems to be suspicious about Cruxis, but still let me go on this trip anyways. Tomorrow, we have to make our way across a desert towards the Seal of Fire. I wonder what the rest of Sylvarant is like.
-Luke
(A/N): Yeah, sorry for the long updates in between chapters, I'm REALLY lazy, guys. Still though, I appreciate you all waiting patiently for a new chapter. You guys are awesome, and I love reading your reviews. They keep me going.
On a side note, what do you guys think of me combining some of my earlier chapters? Like chapters 1 and 2 becoming just one chapter. I've been thinking about it for a while, and I want to know what you all think.
Sorry about no skits, but this really wasn't a chapter to include them. There will definitely be some next chapter, though!
Anyways, keep an eye out for the next review! …Whenever it come out…
(1): Ever notice how much they say, "Let's go." in Tales of the Abyss? I remember the characters saying it a lot.
(2): I added "Sir" onto Kratos's name just for kicks. It does seem to fit, considering he's a Magic Knight, and all.
(3): Is there an English language on Aulderant?
(4): I got this scene from the ToS anime. Dirk was such a badass in that.
(5): There will be a bit of a brother-sister relationship between Luke and Colette. I just thought it would be kind of cute.