Title: Tainted Disposition

Spoilers: Major Kratos spoilers! If you don't know who Kratos really is, or you hate Kratos's guts, you might not want to read this.

Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own any of these characters, or anything related to Tales of Symphonia.

Edit: 1/2012 Additional Disclaimers: This fic is now 8 years old. There are many parts I am not proud of anymore, and in time I may get around to editing it into shape. In the meantime, read at your own risk!

Often I have wondered if I am doing the right thing.

As I walk alongside this ever cheerful group, my heart feels burdened with the weight I must carry. They have no idea that I am part of the sacred order, and that I will someday betray them.

Through sleepless eyes I peer into the cave up ahead. It's far too dangerous for the likes of them to traverse alone. But this is why I have been sent to watch them.

"Come on Kratos! What are you waiting for?" Lloyd laughed, knowing that he was getting on my nerves.

"You shouldn't be rushing into situations you can't handle." I brushed past him, easily defeating a monster about to attack him with one single swipe of my blade. Pathetic.

The girl, the chosen, was frightened, I could sense it in her even though she smiled. "Wow Kratos, you are a great ally!"

"You must also do your duty when the time comes." I reply to her coldly. I can't afford to grow attached to these pawns, if I did…

My thoughts wander as we proceed through the dungeon. After defeating Ktugach, my minion appeared, ready to place upon Colette the first of many burdens she must learn to live with.

They're calling him her dad! Oh, that Lloyd is such a moron. I nod silently to Colette's "father," he understands that he had better play along.

Already I can feel Colette's spirit weaken as her body becomes more like the vessel it was destined to become.

As we exit the temple ruins, my mind is once again clouded by this concept of "right" and "wrong." Who's side is the right side? Is what I am doing… wrong?

Shaking my head to clear these thoughts away, I continue on the journey. As we let Colette rest, I volunteer for the night-watch. It's not like I'm going to be sleeping anyway, and these weaklings need a full night's rest.

They're all sleeping now. I glance at each of the sleeping people with sad dejection. Lloyd aggravates me, it's true. Even so, he may be the only one who can defeat him.

"What am I thinking?" I reprimand myself harshly, peeling my gaze away from the boy and throwing it back to the nighttime stars. "I must betray him later, as is my duty. I can't change fate… can I?"