Hello character limit, my name is Mandie.

[fatherlineface]

Character: Kratos Aurion
Fandom: Tales of Symphonia
Player name: Mandie

[That was it. It was all over, he'd given every last bit of his mana to release the seal on Origin. Now he can finally rest.

That's what Kratos had been thinking before opening his eyes and finding himself in Vatheon, at least. He tries to suppress his anger at the fact that there's an afterlife, instead wondering if he can hope to find Anna here. It doesn't look like hell, at least, so maybe, just maybe sacrificing himself had been atonement enough...]

Comments

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd doesn't actually see Kratos yet. He just came to the plaza to shop. Purchase in hand, he happily steps away from the vender, walking backwards so he can give a cheerful wave.]

Thanks! I'll definitely be back, you can count on it!

[He's walking backwards. He can't see where he's going.

...Kratos, you might want to move.]

Time-travel shenanigans GO!

[fistfullofmagic]

[Well, it was just one surprise here after another. First Lloyd Irving, and now his childhood hero. Dhaos dares not hope it's really the man he'd been so sure he would never see again. Nevertheless, it is that last small spark of hope that convinces him over to the drenched man.]

...Uncle Kratos...?

[fatherlineface]

[Kratos feels his chest constrict tightly, unable to breathe. He knows that voice. He'd just been fighting him, after all. But Lloyd shouldn't be here. This isn't the forest, this isn't even their world - the mana is completely different. He's dead. If Lloyd is here, then...]

Lloyd?

[fatherlineface]

[Kratos looks up, not displaying any real emotion at being referred to as uncle. There's definitely recognition for his name, at least. He finally asks Dhaos a question quietly.]

Is this the afterlife?

[radiantwingedone]

[ ....Have a towel, Kratos. Duke's going to more or less drop it in your lap and continue toward the other stalls of the plaza.

Although not without a curious look. Kratos feels a bit weird, to the mana Duke swirls about to help him move around things. ]

[fatherlineface]

[There's not even a hint of curiosity in Kratos. He looks down at the towel in his lap blankly. He hadn't even noticed that he was wet. That seems strange, but there isn't much to be done about it. He'll dry off eventually. It's not as if he can fall ill anymore.]

1/2

[redcladidealist]

Huh?

[That voice is familiar, but at first it doesn't click. He's distracted and it's been a while and he just isn't expecting him here. Lloyd turns around, a question on his lips-]

2/2

[redcladidealist]

[-and his good mood dies the instant he sees who it is. Something cold washes through his body - then something very hot.]

You!

[One hand immediately goes to the hilt of his sword, the other clutching his bag.]

Kratos! What are you doing here!

[fistfullofmagic]

[Yep. That's Kratos alright. Dhaos isn't quite sure if his honorary uncle recognizes him, but the fact that he's here at all is somewhat of a relief, even if Dhaos doesn't show it.]

Not sure actually. Possibly an anomaly in time instead. It's apparently called Vatheon.

I'm horrible

[radiantwingedone]

[ It takes Duke until after getting more seed to decide he should wander back over to the man.

'You have very odd Mana' isn't exactly the best way to start a conversation - or even a "why do you feel so strange" short discussion. ]

... a reason, why you still remain aware yet so little mana? [ On second thought that was no better.

No one ever said Duke was good at starting conversations. ]

[fatherlineface]

You shouldn't be here, Lloyd!

[The calm expression that Lloyd is used to seeing on Kratos's face, the one that held even as he betrayed them all... is gone entirely, replaced by a look of utter horror and something else undefineable. His hands are shaking as he reaches out to try and put a hand on Lloyd, just as his voice shook when he spoke. Lloyd can't be dead.]

[fatherlineface]

[An anomaly in time? That... is entirely possible, considering Origin. Kratos actually looks Dhaos over, somewhat startled at what he finds.]

You are an angel of Cruxis.

[fatherlineface]

I do not know. I am dead, I think.

[He looks at his hands. Everything feels so solid, and it hurts. Can a person even hurt when they're dead? It's not making much sense, and he just wants to fall asleep and never wake up.]

[redcladidealist]

Yeah, well, it's not like I had a choice!

[Every fiber of Lloyd's being stiffens with belligerence, and he jerks back to avoid Kratos's hands. He's not about to let the man lay hands on him.

It only barely registers that something is wrong. Why is Kratos looking at him like that?]

Besides, neither should you!

[radiantwingedone]

Strange. Feel alive enough. [ Although he's checking - only not physically, just more or less poking at Kratos with mana. ]

[fatherlineface]

[Of course Lloyd wouldn't want Kratos to touch him. He draws his hand back, working to wet his lips so that he can speak. The fact that he shouldn't have to do that if he's dead doesn't even occur to him.]

Was it Mithos? I did not intend - I thought that the power of Origin would allow you to...

[He tilts his head back and closes his eyes, trying not to look at Lloyd.]

I didn't want this for you...

[fatherlineface]

Are you not dead as well?

[He looks the strange, androgynous man over. It's possible that this is what a true angel of heaven would look like, so perhaps Duke at least is not dead.]

[fistfullofmagic]

[Ah. Prior to his time then. That's...disappointing, but not the worst thing in the world.]

Descended from them. Cruxis was disbanded more than three and a half millennia before I was born.

[redcladidealist]

Mithos?

[The question seems to come from so far left field that Lloyd actually draws up short. His brow furrows in utter confusion.]

What does Mithos have to do with anything? How do you even know who he is?

[Wait, he's supposed to be scowling at the man.]

Since when did you want anything for me? I know it was all just a trick.

[Bitterness creeps into his voice. That betrayal still really stings.]

[fatherlineface]

Disbanded...

[He lets out a sigh of relief. If that's the case, then Lloyd must have succeeded. He won't question how this man knows that just yet. Kratos pulls himself to his feet.]

What of Martel?

[radiantwingedone]

....... Expected result, did not come to pass.


[ What no. ]

[fatherlineface]

You do not know of Mithos? Lord Yggdrasill?

[Kratos sounds just as confused as Lloyd. How can this be? Lloyd knew exactly who Mithos was! He was going to fight him, wasn't he? Or is this truly Lloyd, even? It might be hell here after all. This might be an image sent to torment him.]

[fatherlineface]

Is this not the afterlife?

[Kratos is horribly confused at this point. He tries to stand, putting a hand on the coral to brace himself... and feels better, suddenly. It occurs to him then that he shouldn't be able to feel his body if he's dead.]

[radiantwingedone]

Vatheon. Have not heard that theory, but unlikely. [ Oh, hey. You have mana again.

And it's still very weird. ]

...Strange.

[fistfullofmagic]

[His expression darkens at this.]

The last I saw her, I needed to assist in preventing her tree from dying. I know not if continued magitech use has injured her once more...