A/N: Just a quick clarification, since guest reviewer Silver brought it up: The Heroes of Regeneration graphic novels that Florian likes so much are not meant to be a crossover. They're mostly an Easter egg – and a convenient plot device. I figure that if Tales games can have Easter eggs referring to other Tales games, so can a Tales fanfic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss...or Tales of Symphonia, for that matter.

Chapter 20

Remday, Gnome-Decan 45, ND2019 – 8:15am local time (Padamiya)

"Could we circle over Daath before we go to Mount Zaleho?" Tear asked Noelle. And see how bad the damage is? she added silently. She didn't want to say that part aloud, for fear of upsetting Florian, but she knew the pilot and the rest of the group would understand what she had left unspoken.

"Sure, I can do that," Noelle replied. She tilted the steering controls, and the Albiore banked slightly to the right.

"Okay, but make it fast," Florian said, fidgeting in his seat. "I don't want to keep Efreet waiting."

The capital city of the Order of Lorelei appeared on the horizon as the Albiore sped northward. Tear held her breath. If the lava flow had reached the city, not much would be left except for the cathedral, and the people of Daath would be unable to return home. Yulia City would have to support them, which would be difficult with so little space and so few resources...

"Looks like the cathedral is still standing," Guy observed, shading his eyes against the brightness of the atmospheric haze.

"Thank goodness!" said Natalia.

"What about the rest of the city?" Anise asked, also shielding her eyes from the glare.

"Some of the buildings appear to be undamaged," said Jade, whose eyesight was better than anyone else's. "Others have collapsed. All of the monuments I can see are still upright. The extent of the destruction is less than what I would have expected from tremors here."

Florian was the only one looking toward the mountain as the Albiore circled clockwise. "The lava flow didn't make it as far as Daath," he said. "It was stopped by the river."

Tear let her breath out. "Then the people of Daath will be able to return and rebuild," she said with relief. "They won't have to stay in Yulia City."

"As long as the volcano can be prevented from erupting again, yes," Jade agreed. "We should hurry. Noelle!"

"Yes, sir!" said Noelle. The Albiore leveled out and began to accelerate.

"Land at the edge of the volcano's crater," Jade directed. "Be prepared to take off suddenly if it begins to erupt."

"Understood, sir," Noelle acknowledged.

Not long after the group entered the mountain, a deep voice greeted them. Innocent One, you have returned. Have you come to free me?

"Yes!" Florian called back. "Efreet, I'm coming. Just hang on a little longer, okay?"

Understood. Hurry to the passage ring. I will await you there.

Florian turned to Anise. "Which way is it to the passage ring?"

"Uh..." said Anise. "I'm not sure. Colonel?"

Jade sighed. "Anise, do you remember the incident with the ice seed?"

"Yes, Colonel?"

"In that case, do you remember how the lava hardened in some areas, allowing us to reach a section that had previously been inaccessible?"

"Um..." said Anise.

"I remember," said Tear. "It turned out to be a shortcut to the Sephiroth. We found a cluster of Fifth Fonons there and strengthened the Sorcerer's Ring." And the Colonel teased Luke, she also recalled. Yes, I remember. Luke... come back to us.

"Oh yeah," said Anise. "Now I remember!"

"So which way is it?" Florian repeated anxiously as they reached a fork in the narrow, gray-brown stone pathway high above the bubbling lava.

"That way." Anise pointed to the left. "Come on!"

"I'm surprised that sentiences really can bond to Summoners," Guy commented as they walked. "It's funny how all these legends from the Dawn Age are turning out to be true. First tornadoes, now Summoning – and they say that this volcano has been dormant since the Dawn Age as well."

"Indeed," Jade mused, trailing behind the rest of the group with an abstracted expression. "Legends and fairy tales..."

"Father told me once, when I was a small child, that all fictional stories have some basis in fact," Natalia said thoughtfully. "Even fairy tales are inspired by something real."

"Yeah," said Guy. "All those stories about beautiful princesses, after all." He smiled at Natalia, who blushed. "And evil sorcerers," he added, glancing slyly over his shoulder at Jade.

"Oh?" Jade inquired sweetly, taking a casting stance. "Are you referring to evil sorcerers who can strike brave swordsmen dead with a single arte?"

"Uh, no, not at all," Guy replied hastily, stepping sideways so that Tear was between him and Jade. Natalia and Anise both giggled, and Florian snickered.

Tear shook her head in exasperation. "Let's keep moving."

The trek from the crater into the depths of the mountain was difficult. The heat was more oppressive than ever, and the whole place was crawling with monsters. It was one fight after another.

"Crescent Strike!"

"Storm Edge!"

"Come forth O illumination of life... Healing Circle!"

"O violent torrent... Splash!"

"Feel the hammer of light... Limited!"

In every battle, Florian stayed at the back, watching the action. Tear could tell that he was getting very frustrated at not being allowed to join in. Several times, a monster broke through the front line and targeted Florian. Forced to defend himself, Florian slashed at them, still using only Anise's dagger. It was not a very good weapon for him, but he was able to stave off the monsters with it long enough for someone else to come to his rescue.

"Whew!" Florian panted, after one especially close call. "How far do we still have to go?"

"Too far," Guy grumbled. "Damn, but it's hot here. Jade, how the hell are you able to stay cool in a place like this?"

"You're using fonic artes, aren't you, Colonel. No fair!" Anise complained.

"Oh, nonsense," Jade said in a tone of mock scorn. "As I said last time, there's no way anyone could use fonic artes so precisely."

"Anyone but you," Guy retorted as they reached a wide area in the path.

A faint sound of crumbling rock nearby caught Tear's attention. What was that?

"I still think it's his uniform," Natalia said accusingly.

"Quiet!" Tear snapped. "I hear something!"

Everyone stood still, listening.

From above them came a resounding roar, followed by the flapping of giant wings.

Oh, no, Tear thought. Not another dragon!