Hey, well this it my first Tales of Symphonia fic and I hope that you all like it and I don't mess up or anything. :). Anyhow it's a Cruxis Lloyd story, and it was inspired by another type of story like this that was done by The Sage of Spirits. I don't remember the story though, sorry. Anyhow I hope everyone likes it.
Chapter One: Orders
Welgaia
The city of the Angels was dull, boring, and lifeless. Despite the fact that it was populated by Angels it felt a lot more desolate than a desert. The lifeless beings always floated around hapless, either talking about the latest news of the two worlds – which wasn't really news as it was information that one of the Seraphim had already mentioned – or just mindlessly floating around. Having lived in this world for almost all of his life, one would think he'd be used to it.
However Lloyd Irving Aurion had grown up in the environment all his life, and he found the isolation insanity inducing. The brown haired seventeen year old stared up at the Angels with his red eyes; they were so boring and lifeless sometimes he wondered why they didn't die of boredom. Then he'd remember that they had Cruxis Crystals and then wonder how come he had not died of boredom in this place. The answer to that brought him back to his father, Kratos. When Kratos was not away on business for Lord Yggdrasil he taught Lloyd how to use a sword and magic. Most of the lessons now concentrated on magic because once Lloyd decided to fight with two swords instead of one, he found he had very little to teach him past the basics. Lloyd had chosen to fight with two swords because when he was younger he believed that two swords had twice the power of one. His father had told him it was logic only his mother would understand.
Kratos had often told Lloyd that his train of thought reminded him of Anna, his wife and Lloyd mom. The teenager believed him, the stories were all he had of his mother. Kratos had told him that his mother died when her Exsphere was forcibly removed from her body and she turned into a monster. He never told Lloyd about what happened after she was transformed into a monster, but he had a pretty good idea that what happened was Kratos' motivation to raise Lloyd in Welgaia.
Even though Lloyd couldn't remember what his mom was like he knew what she looked like. Kratos had a locket that had their picture in it. Her hair and eyes were brown, like his, or his eyes used to be brown, but when he completed the Angel Transformation they had turned red. Enhanced sight, hearing, and the ability to use magic in exchange for losing the need to eat, sleep, or sense touch. It was worth it in the end, because it also meant he had wings, long blue wings that became white at the ends and were like an eagles. They were always out unless he was one of the two worlds or 'resting'.
"Lloyd." The boy looked up hearing his name being spoken and saw his father waiting for him on the other side of the room. Like Lloyd his wings were out, they were the same color but where more like wings from a moth or – dare he say it – butterfly. He was dressed in silver and blue armor, Lloyd wore the same design but it was much looser on him, the seventeen year old hadn't finished growing yet. Seeing his father perked the boy up and he got up running over to give his father a hug. The two were very close, and without any other children to play with he grew up mostly with just his father and uncle around.
"Come with me Lloyd, Lord Yggdrasil has summoned us."
The teenagers red eyes widened hearing the word 'us' and not 'me'. "L-Lord Yggdrasil wants to see me?" He hadn't seen Yggdrasil the Angel Lord had given him his Cruxis Crystal when he was seven. "Why?"
"Coming soon is the day of Prophecy, the Chosen of Sylvarant will receive the Oracle and begin their journey."
"Sylvarant Chosen…Zelos right?" The brunette stopped to correct himself, "No wait, Sylvarant's Chosen is Colette, Zelos is from Tethe'alla. Wait, what does the Oracle have to do with Yggdrasil seeing me?"
"I assume he's considering you accompanying the Chosen for the Journey."
"Seriously?" He couldn't believe it, "Why? I thought he didn't want me in Sylvarant." He remembered Kratos telling him that a long time ago, he never knew why because he never got an answer. He smiled and nodded and forgot about it. Despite not being able to go to Sylvarant he had gone to Tethe'alla a few times with his father starting from when he was thirteen onward. His favorite place there was the snowy Flanoir, he had loved the cold weather – until he had stopped feeling – and the people there were a lot nicer than anyone else. He had also, at least once met the Chosen of Tethe'alla. He had…tried to teach Lloyd things that resulted in his father having to explain a lot of stuff to the young boy that made him feel very uncomfortable.
"Hey dad, why did you have to go to Tethe'alla anyway? Was Zelos shirking his duties again?" He asked as the rode along the moving walkway.
"You could say that…" Anything that leads to a talk about Zelos always made Kratos uncomfortable. Unfortunately for him, Lloyd and Zelos got along very well with the Tethe'alla chosen seeming to take the younger under his wing like an older brother. Even Kratos had to admit though that Zelos was a decent role model, minus his perverted attitude. He could live without that rubbing off on Lloyd.
"Why does Lord Yggdrasil need Zelos to do his job anyway? It's not like the church of Martel will fall apart if he doesn't. And when the Sylvarant Chosen succeeds, Tethe'alla's oracle won't appear for another four hundred years anyway."
"True, but Yggdrasil needs the Mana lineage to stay clean. And Zelos likes playing around."
"Playing around?"
"…" Kratos kepping quiet told Lloyd that he was asking too many questions. When he was younger Lloyd would need to be told to stop asking questions and then complain, but now he had learned when he was stepping over his boundaries. "Anyhow sometimes Zelos needs to be reminded of where his loyalties are."
"Ah." By the time they finished the conversation they had already made it to the transporter. Kratos showed the Angel guarding it the proper identification and allowed them access to the castle. Lloyd did not have any kind of ID on him because he was never required to visit the Castle. As a result it was no surprise when they got there that his reaction was staring with his eyes wide at everything surrounding him with his hung open. Kratos gave a small smile seeing Lloyd act like that, disrespectful as it was in their lords chambers; it reminded him that Lloyd was still a curious teenager. A curious teenager that was an Angel, but a teenager nonetheless.
The two walked forward as another person walked out, another angel by the name of Yuan, wearing his long black cape over white pants and some light armor. One thing Lloyd found odd was that unlike many
of the other angels that had red eyes, Yuan's eyes were a dark green color. Kratos had informed him that not all angels, or at least half-elf angels, lose their natural eye color when they go through the transformation. Lloyd naturally believed him because he saw several Angels that had either turquoise or gold eyes. Yuan was the first to speak to them as they got closer, "Kratos, Lloyd."
"Yuan."
"Hey Uncle."
"Don't call me that." Lloyd had to resist the urge to snicker; ever since he was young he referred to Yuan as his Uncle. The man didn't pay it much mind back then, but now he seemed to be annoyed by it. Naturally for Lloyd this encouraged him to call him it more and the half-elf turned angel hadn't made the connection yet. "So Yggdrasil wants to see you, Lloyd?"
"Yeah, not sure why but if it means leaving Welgaia than I'll do anything."
"With the Oracle coming I assume he wants to make sure this Chosen succeeds in her mission."
"The last Chosen in Sylvarant failed their journey right?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes, the Renegades got to him after the second seal." Yuan clarified. "I'm assuming he's going to send Kratos to make sure that no harm comes to this one, even though he failed last time."
"We can't all have perfect records Yuan." Kratos spoke up, "What did Lord Yggdrasil want from you?"
"He wants me to keep tabs on the Renegades to prevent them reaching the Chosen." He told him, "With the death of the Sylvarants previous Chosen he's very concerned with Tethe'alla's over prosperity. Well good luck." Yuan walked past them not having anything else to say which prompted Kratos to continue to Yggdrasils chambers. Lloyd followed after him as his father instructed him to be respectful and obedient and look composed. The brunette nodded but felt nervous as he thought about it.
They reached Yggdrasil's chamber, the tall angel with his large pinkish-purple wings was waiting for them. If it weren't for the fact Lloyd learned quickly how powerful and intimidating Yggdrasil was, he'd be laughing at the fact his outfit, wing color and hairstyle made him look like a girl. Kratos knelt down bowing respectfully and Lloyd followed suit in a somewhat clumsy manner. The Angel nodded and motioned for them to stand back up. He turned his attention to Lloyd.
"Lloyd how has your training been progressing?" The boy was a little startled that the question was addressed to him, but tried to keep his composure.
"It is going very well, Lord Yggdrasil." He said, "My father has been instructing me in mid-level magic spells and the Angelic abilities. My swordsmanship has also progressed." He spoke slowly and carefully hoping that he picked the right words when addressing his leader.
Yggdrasil seemed satisfied enough with Lloyd's explanation, "Very well then. Kratos, I imagine you already know why I have called you here. It is time for Sylvarant's chosen to accept the Oracle. As always I want you to accompany the Chosen on their regeneration journey. However, I want you to take Lloyd along with you."
Somehow Kratos knew that this event would come and he saw that Lloyd was holding in his excitement. That wouldn't last once they got on the journey. "Introduce yourself as mercenaries, obviously you can still act as father and son, lying would only confuse people. Everything else you can decide on your own."
"Understood, Lord Yggdrasil."
"Then you're dismissed." Kratos and Lloyd left Yggdrasil's chamber and once out of sight Lloyd began to proclaim his excitement. Kratos however began thinking about the best method to make everything seem natural. He also needed to remind Lloyd that he couldn't use magic or his wings, or his most powerful attacks while protecting the Chosen.
He could already hear the teenage boys complaining and rubbed his temples, if imagining it gave him a headache he feared how Lloyd would sound once he actually told him.
End Chapter One
Well that ends the first chapter. I'd like to ask everyone that if they notice any grammar errors to please let me know and I'll try and correct them. Normally my friend proofreads my stuff first, but I needed to get this up so it would stop screaming in my head. Thanks.