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This is how it all got started, I was playing tales at some odd hour of the morning... and I couldn't help but imagine this...

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Kratos: "Don't Die, Lloyd!"

Lloyd: "Y...yeaah. What's up with that all of a sudden?"

Kratos: "Grave!"

*giant rocks fly out of the ground and mortally wound the twin swordsman*

Me: ....

"They were never heard from again."

*shakes fist*

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wtf Kratos, seriously?? why were you so hard on my first playthrough?

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Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia... If I did, Kratos would have explained himself before he left!

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Chapter 1 – Loss

The smell of dirt was in his nostrils as he took a running leap toward his father, swords at the ready, intending to make a final stand against his father and against Cruxis. He knew he was doing the right thing, but he wished that things hadn't turned out this way- he dodged a swipe from Kratos and stepped back to regain his footing. Lloyd looked at the formidable opponent in front of him and tried to forget that this was his real Dad, tried to stop thinking of him as family and focus only on what was most important… he heard the man chanting an incantation, and took the opportunity; with the two worlds at stake there was no time for doubt, and he rushed headlong with his swords in front of him, knowing only that in this battle he would do whatever it took to win.

There was a sickening crunch as Kratos dodged his son's blades, and whirled to jab him in the back with his hilt. He shuddered, wondering why Lloyd hadn't seen it coming… why was his son so rash? The boy was never thinking before he moved, and though he had improved tremendously so far, Kratos could still anticipate Lloyd's moves with uncanny clarity. He should have practiced more before coming here… Kratos knew that his son had much more potential than this, but at the same time he wondered if he was expecting too much. He was fighting a seventeen year old boy, after all, and had the advantage of four thousand years' practice...

Lloyd was doubled over, but Kratos was not fooled. The match was far from over. He saw his opponent rise up in a sudden arc across the sky, and blocked a rather strong blow from the left. Perhaps he had underestimated the boy… he spun with a practiced flair, and their swords met for an instant before the older swordsman shoved him back, and prepared to approach from the side. His son was ready for him, and blocked elegantly before jumping over his head and landing a few yards away. It was spectacular, the uncanny strength and determination he saw in Lloyd made his chest swell with pride. Kratos felt the stress on his back muscles, and knew that this battle would soon come to a close, though it seemed like a very close match now since Lloyd was gaining power as they went on fighting. Lloyd stood slowly, his eyes burning brightly- Kratos did not wait for his son to attack, but sped forward and used lightning blade. After he had knocked him to the ground, Kratos took some steps back and began casting his strongest move… he did not look up until he had already yelled the final word, "Grave!" He had not expected to deal Lloyd a direct hit, but now that he was in the thrill of battle he naturally moved in for the kill…

Lloyd felt a pounding in his head after the flash from Kratos' lightning attack, and he wished Raine was here to give him a first aid. He tried to quickly apply a lemon gel, but Kratos had already begun casting another, stronger spell. There were no other options for Lloyd, he had to win above all else, even if it meant killing his own father. He would do everything he could to prevent that, though. And he had Raine standing by in case he went to far… he hadn't expected his old man to be so swift at fighting like this, but he knew he could handle him. After making it this far, he knew that he was invincible, he was the strongest swordsman in the world… he smiled widely, and tensed his legs preparing to spring…

Rocks suddenly jutted up from the ground, and Lloyd felt himself being hurled high into the air. He tried to right himself in the air, but something about the way he was falling felt slightly off. It all happened so suddenly, there was nothing he could do- he fell quickly, landing heavily with his head first. The only thing he knew was that it hurt, it was painful, so terribly strong… he hadn't landed on dirt or grass, but there had been a rock somewhere, and he felt like it had just shoved its way into his brain, though he knew that probably wasn't even possible. He lifted his feet into the air and swung his body, so that he could push off the ground and land on his feet.

He felt dizzy, saw the trees swaying up and down in front of him… he couldn't move without feeling lost. Dazed, he saw his father rushing at him once again and tried to block, but his arms were weak and he was off balance. The force of Kratos' sword knocked him down, and he watched as the sky, the trees, the world…. All of it went slowly black.

"Kratos, stop!"

The small half-elf darted forward, unable to stand by while Lloyd was beaten. He was caught by his collar though, before he had taken even five steps.

"Genis, you can't interfere. It was Lloyd's wish to fight alone. I don't understand this either, but we have to respect his -"

"No! I just can't do this!" the boy waved his hand, slicing the air as if to say that was his final decision. "Hey wait, Raine, what was that spell? Grave? I've never even heard of that…" His eyes widened in amazement at the sheer power of the magic, but his tone quickly changed to one of fear, knowing it was being used against his best friend.

"What if Lloyd gets hurt?" He tried to have faith, but it was so hard to stay still and watch…

"We'll all be right here, so if something happens I can probably heal either of them. It's not our place to interfere… we must wait here until one of them wins."

Genis couldn't take his eyes off the scene, and he was frightened but he wished Lloyd had at least taken him along. How could he possibly do this all by himself? Kratos had been fighting for several lifetimes… he watched closely, not wanting to miss anything, and wondering what Lloyd's next attack would be… seconds passed, and his friend was still nowhere to be seen.

"Oh no, Raine look! He can't get up!"

His older sister became tense, and scanned the battle field. Dust was still rising in a cloud near the center, but she didn't see Lloyd. Then, it dawned on her that he must still be knocked down, because Kratos was standing with his sword raised, preparing to strike…

"Noooooo!" Genis screamed and broke free from his sister's startled grasp. He ran as fast as he could, but he wasn't fast enough. Kratos had his sword raised high, he was going to kill Lloyd if he didn't get up quickly… he looked up however as the small half-elf ran towards him.

Collette and Raine followed closely behind, with the rest of the party right behind them. Something felt terribly wrong, and Lloyd was still nowhere to be seen… the dust finally settled and they saw him curled on the ground, a pool of blood by his head. Finally Kratos realized what had happened, and he lowered his sword slowly- he dropped it at his side and knelt weakly at Lloyd's feet. Raine saw that he was shaking, but she was more concerned with Lloyd- she decided their battle was over and knelt next to her student to take his pulse. Holding his hand in hers, she placed her fingers on his wrist, and it became clear he was still alive. She had guessed it from his level of mana, but she was still worried enough to want a second opinion she could trust. Raine explained this to the group and wasted no time in grasping her staff, chanting the words for her strongest healing spell…

At first, nothing happened. Everyone was deathly silent, except Genis who had been on the verge of tears for a few moments already, and started crying softly.

"Genis, I'm sure everything will be okay." Collette put a hand on her friend's shoulder, though she was just as worried as he was. He knew it, too, and didn't feel much comforted by her words, though he knew she meant well. What was wrong with Lloyd? He wanted to know that his best friend was going to be okay…

Several more moments passed before slowly, Lloyd opened his eyes and let out a huge rattling breath. Kratos looked up suddenly, his face impassive as ever but his eyes wide with hope. Raine tried to assess what state Lloyd's father was in right now, but she couldn't be sure without examining him closer… and considering he was an enemy, she figured it would be better to just leave him alone.

Everyone leaned over Lloyd, and the group sighed with relief. Their hero was awake, and surely he would hop to his feet now, ready to finish the battle he started- nobody was expecting him to cry out, and it took several people by surprise. Sheena yelled out too, obviously startled. Lloyd was looking around himself frantically, his hands and feet drawing inward as he tried to make sense of all the legs… he felt exposed, endangered.

"W-who… are you people?"