New Journey

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World but if I did then if you chose Zelos as you mate, Lloyd and Zelos would have ended up together. The characters I own are Kousaka and Silver.

Summary: After dealing with the knights, it's obvious that unless things settle down, Emil, Marta and Ratatosk will be on the run for a while. The two mercenaries that saved them named Kousaka and Silver offer them a way out in helping them on their journey to collect magical beings called Guardians that have been around for a while but are only now resurfacing.

Genre: Action/Adventure, Angst, Drama with some Suspense

Pairing: Emil/Marta, Regal/Raine, Lloyd/Zelos with minor Sheena/Colette, Genis/Presea and Emil/Ratatosk

Warning: Shonen ai, swearing, and violence

Another long awaited chapter as always. I keep jumping in and out of the fandom…so yeah…this probably should have been out given how it just starts a new arc and all so enjoy.

There was a reason people preferred mercenaries to knights. Mercenaries did whatever they wanted while knights have to obey orders or lose their pride at what they did best. So even though they were probably the more noble of the two, the fact that they continued to do their job in searching for people who attempted to interfere with the assassination was just outright annoying. They even went all the way to the hot springs, the last place one would expect the runaways to hide.

So when two mercenaries come in to beat up on the knights, it made Emil feel better because at the moment these two seem to be on his side.

"Kid, you might want to stand up and fight." The brunette with the big sword warned him. "Otherwise things will take longer."

"R-Right!"

The knights really weren't that hard once Emil had some backup. They were strong in numbers but when you had an elf that can sweep an entire room with his boomerang and the other cutting the knights down to size then nothing was impossible. Not a single knight was able to flee the area because the brunette made sure they were all dead. You didn't want any of them reporting to the capital on this "act of betrayal."

"Man…if this is what I have to put up with the entire way then I want out."

"But Kousaka, I told you that we needed all the help we can get so…"

Emil didn't put his sword away right away in case they decided to turn their weapons against him. They seemed friendly enough that the green eyed Summon Spirit wouldn't have to worry about such a thing.

"Who are you?"

"We're mercenaries." The brunette repeated. "And we were just passing by."

That explanation wasn't convincing. Unless you were going to take a dunk into the hot springs, they must have known someone was amiss.

"Actually we saw knights heading in this direction in a large group. We did not know why they were going in such a desolate location so I urged my friend here to follow them. Well it turns out that they were attacking some children so."

"I'm not a kid." Emil said rather quickly as he put his sword away. He needed to find Marta and Ratatosk. "Tenebrae?"

You would think that appearing in front of humans would have freaked the mercenaries out, but even though the dark panther emerged from black smoke, the two mercenaries were just surprised (and the elf was actually in awe seeing Tenebrae).

"Lord Emil, you do not have to worry. Lord Ratatosk has successfully protected Lady Marta."

"Oh…that's good."

"This place is no longer safe though. We should leave as soon as possible."

"Yeah…"

So much for a vacation…

"A-Anyway, thank you both for helping me."

"Don't mention it." The white haired elf responded with a smile. "Although, there is a reason for helping you out."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, we need your help but I want to get a good look at your friends." The brunette added as he was kneeling down on the ground apparently taking the spoils that the knights had on them. He was a mercenary so…

"I have a boat near the docks. We can get away on that." The brunette told the blonde. He wouldn't know that Emil, Marta and Ratatosk already had a way to get out of this place without being detected but it was probably best to just go with them…as long as they weren't evil but since they helped Emil that could not be the case.

Tenebrae glanced at the two and frowned. Something about them was off to say the least but his priority was getting Marta and Ratatosk from where they were. Emil agreed to go on the boat with them so Tenebrae disappeared to warn the two to meet near the dock.

Ratatosk overexerted himself protecting the healer. Marta wasn't focused during the ambush so he had to make sure to get every last knight so they wouldn't lay a finger on her. Tenebrae came just in time to assist them both and that allowed them to handle the knights. Unlike Emil who wasn't doing his job as a caretaker, Ratatosk went straight to Marta to make sure she wasn't injured. Even if she wasn't scarred, she was still emotionally battered from the previous event concerning her father. The knights were not helping.

"Dammit…what the hell are Lloyd and those idiots doing?" Ratatosk grumbled as he extended hand for the healer. "Marta, we're getting out of here. It's too dangerous."

"…"

"Marta!"

"Yeah…I know…but…"

If Marta kept thinking, she would fall into a greater depression. Not wanting her to remember the incident, Ratatosk ended up grabbing her hand and edging her to get a move on. He wasn't good at handling her nicely despite his good attentions and even if Marta was use to this now, it wasn't a good idea to force her.

"I can walk Ratatosk."

"Then walk. We can't think about anything now until we're safe."

The two wouldn't get far when Tenebrae popped up right in front of them.

"Lord Emil wants you two to go to the harbor."

"We're not escaping from the air?" Ratatosk asked the Centurion.

"No, Lord Emil has some assistance and he thinks its best to escape where no one can see you leave."

Well at least Marta won't get airsick if they traveled via water. The two hurried out of the hot spring with their things and rushed toward the dock where they saw a boat. Emil was already waiting with the two people that assisted him. Questions would be answered when they were in a safer location. The two mercenaries wouldn't even let Marta and Ratatosk question if everything was okay because not all the soldiers were killed and a few of them were getting up to finish the job.

The elf grumbled as he took his boomerang and threw it at the knights hitting them all in the head. The boomerang came back to hit one more that managed to avoid the first blow before the weapon came back to its owner. At this point no one witnessed a boat leaving with some spoilers.

"So you're the famous Ratatosk!"

The silver haired elf did not waste any time invading the red eyed Summon Spirit's space. What went from shaking his hand ended up him grabbing his scarf and then attempting to examine his ahoge. Ratatosk reacted badly and yelled at the elf to get off of him.

"The books said that the Summon Spirit took the form of a squirrel but to see you in a human form is amazing! A new discovery!"

Ratatosk glared daggers at the elf threatening to push him off the boat (that the brunette was steering at this point so he couldn't stop his friend even if he wanted to). Tenebrae only chuckled at the comment of his real form. Luckily Emil and Marta's attention wasn't to that small detail about their friend.

"How do you know his name?" Emil asked first. "We didn't tell you…and you told me that you were just following the soldiers. But if that was the case, then why…"

"I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Silver Arilith and my partner over there is Kousaka Ikeda. We're both mercenaries." He hummed. "We did know about you only because of eye witnesses."

"Eye witnesses?" The healer asked.

"You see Kousaka and I travel the world and go to many ruins. When we get near them, we always ask the locals and two people were always brought up…Emil and Marta. Many of the people talk about how you helped them out in a time of need and are grateful for your contributions."

Normally any words of praise would go to the Chosen's group for their deed of reuniting the two worlds. In contrast Emil and Marta just happened to be in a location with said members to help these people out so the gratitude shouldn't go to them.

"Since it's just me and Kousaka, I was hoping we could ask a few more people to help us out on our little journey."

"He doesn't think I can protect us both." Kousaka said with a snark causing the elf to grumble.

"No, it's not that. Our mission requires more than two people to participate. I mean, you heard that Guardian. He said he wouldn't even talk to us unless we have a group of five people."

"Why five?"

"Probably a wild goose chase because that stupid shit thinks that no one will say yes to our proposal." Kousaka grumbled in the background. "But if you kids are on board with us then we can teach that thing a lesson."

"Hey we have names!" Ratatosk growled.

Ratatosk didn't need to say anything else, as Emil and Marta were quick to introduce themselves. The red eyed Summon Spirit was annoyed that he wouldn't be able to do the same thing. This elf already knew his name and what he was and he wanted to get that information out of him, but Emil and Marta were more interested in what this Guardian Silver spoke about.

"Oh the Guardians? They're just like Summon Spirits." Silver said with a hum. "They have been around for a long time even before Aselia came together. No one knows the exact date, but they've been lurking around in the same locations as the Summon Spirits and compared to the Summon Spirits, they can hide their presence so well that no one will be able to disturb them."

Ratatosk and Tenebrae found this description fishy. That's basically saying three powerful deities resided within the temples: the Summon Spirits, the Centurions and now the Guardians. This is also under the assumption that there are eight Guardians based on those elements as well…

"Compared to Summon Spirits, no one knows anything about the Guardians and there hasn't been absolute proof that Guardians existed. However, I think the proof doesn't exist because the Guardians take a human form and constantly leave the area of their element."

"How do we know that you're not making this up?" Ratatosk ended up interrupting him. "This story sounds like a load of bull."

"Hey, I've been around for a while and I have done my research. I don't want to give my information to Sybak without absolute proof. The humans there have a tendency to steal the credit from elves and half-elves alike so unless I can have physical evidence with my research then I can't proof I did it."

"Silver just wants to prove he's the very best like no one ever was." The brunette joked. "Of course, the Guardians do exist. We met two of them in Asgard. Those brats told us they wouldn't even consider coming along with us unless we found their babysitter of earth. And then he tells us that he's not coming out unless we are in a group of five. Honestly, these Guardians are proving to be such a hassle and it's a wonder why no one has found them yet. I swear I'm going to make a pact with all eight of them just to get them to shut up."

Silver growled at the first part about being prideful but continued. "The Guardians make a pact with the user who meets their requirements in the same vain as Summon Spirits. They attach themselves to one person though and allow the Summoner to gain enormous power. When all eight Guardians are bound to one person, something good is supposed to happen."

"And that is?" Marta was interested in the story now since it sounded like a fairy tale more than an actual truth.

"That I don't know. From my research, no one has been able to gather all the Guardians up in one place. Kousaka said he would be my guinea pig and take them all in. I trust that his soul won't shatter or he won't be burned alive because in comparison to the Summon Spirits, the Guardians seem like deities that want nothing to do with others. This is why they hide themselves in isolated areas, and from the Guardians we have spoken of, they have allowed me to confirm they are not hostile."

"You probably met the least hostile of them all…" The red eyed Summon Spirit grumbled.

"I told him that we met pranksters and a coward. I don't know what the other six are but if they'll be like that, this journey won't take too long."

"That's why when we were traveling on the journey, we were looking for others who would help us, but at the same time, we don't want anyone backstabbing us and taking the information for themselves." The white haired elf stated. "We heard good things about a trio that have been going around helping people and how they took many missions from the Katz Guild."

Emil and Marta wanted to forget some of those missions. Yes helping people was nice and all but it made depressed at the end of most of said missions when Marta would nag him. Ratatosk wasn't pleased either since "trio" meant him…despite never participating in said events except when to fight originally.

Those Katz really wanted to drag my reputation through the mud. Ratatosk thought to himself. That was it! They weren't going to help them again!

"And with the recent events and the knights going to a desolate location with no explanation, we just happen to find you three."

As if Marta wanted to be reminded of her father's death…

"I'll say it for Silver. Help us out on getting the eight Guardians! We'll probably give you a huge sum of money for helping us and give you some credit for the discovery."

Kousaka was blunt about the issue and the way he said it made it seem like the trio would end up working for free. Ratatosk wanted to refuse because he didn't trust them. Emil felt like there were more important things to do then run back to all the temples to look for these Guardians, but Marta…

"Of course we'll help!"

"Huh?!"

"No way."

Marta glared as she told Silver to give the three a moment as she dragged the two to the opposite end of the boat.

"Marta what gives?" Emil questioned. "We're kind of on the run here…"

"And I don't trust them!" Ratatosk added as he glared at the elf. He didn't get a good vibe from either of them…

"I know, but if the Guardians are real then that means we can make history!"

Marta didn't seem like the type of person to care for history.

"Plus maybe these are the ruins that Raine was talking about originally. If we discover them first before her, then think of how she'll react!"

Yeah…this didn't sound like Marta at all even if seeing Raine annoyed that she didn't find undiscovered areas gathered a humorous mental image. Ratatosk did not seem to catch the desperation in Marta's tone despite the fact he was the one nagging Emil about how he needed to care for the healer's feelings. In contrast, Emil saw the pleading look in her eyes for the both of them to say yes.

Emil sighed in defeat as he gave in. "Okay…"

"W-What? Emil, come on! This is something we do not need and you just said-"

"Yay! I love you Emil!" Marta cooed as she embraced her boyfriend before sticking her tongue out at the look alike. "You're so nice unlike Ratatosk."

"Hey! This is for our safety! We can't trust anyone now!"

Marta let go of Emil as she rushed over to Silver to confirm their answer. The green eyed Summon Spirit sulked especially when Tenebrae appeared behind the two to mock them.

"I guess even when you guys are on wanted posted, you'll still have time to go on an adventure."

"Tenebrae…this is for Marta's sake." Emil finally said. "If it can get her mind off of what happened to Brute then…"

Immediately Ratatosk's expression softened. He never thought about it that way, but…

"I still don't trust them."

"You don't have to. If they try to stab us in the back, I give you permission to slice them in the front."

The green eyed Summon Spirit was trying to allow his twin to feel better but it was an obviously failed attempt. Rolling his eye, Ratatosk stomped off toward Marta where he would be met with Silver attempting to examine him again and Marta cawing about how cute it was. If she became fast friends with this weird elf then things were not going to end well.

"Lord Emil…"

"…It's just not Marta I'm worried about Tenebrae. This journey is for Ratatosk too. Even if we're on the run, I think it's important for them to not think of the consequences and live in fear. If it means going to prove a myth then so be it. Marta shouldn't have to think about her father's death…nor does Ratatosk need to think of his kidnapping and…"

Emil refused to finish that sentence because just thinking about it made his blood boil. Tenebrae understood his lord's decision to agree with Marta and sat down in midair.

"If that is what you wish, I will respect your decision Lord Emil. However I am with Lord Ratatosk. These two cannot be trusted. I cannot explain it but there is this randomized mana that is flowing through both of them."

"Is it like Ratatosk?"

"Perhaps. I will continue to observe them from the shadows. Call me if you need assistances."

"I will."

Tenebrae disappeared in a puff of smoke. Emil looked ahead and only sighed again. A new journey was beginning now just to bide some time until Lloyd's group could settle things in the capital.

What Emil and the group did not realize was that this wasn't going to be an easygoing journey especially when darkness was looming around the corner that Emil failed to detect at the hot springs…

Me: Done with 4270 words.

Li: And that took forever.

Me: I'm sorry. The story is not dead! I will say this over and over because it's true! I just haven't gotten Tales of Symphonia HD collection to get back into the series. I'm trying to finish the three main stories listed (Smash Brothers Fallen Angel, Pokémon Trick and Treat and Disgaea Higanbana in the Red Moon). And then you got the visual novel game that Zelina56 and I are working on. I put it on top of my profile page and I do urge everyone to take a look at what we got so far. We'll come out with a demo within a couple of months. Back to the story!

Originally the plan was for the entire group to travel together on this quest but I changed it to where the main group doesn't join right away. It's easier to write fewer people then a group of thirteen…probably the main reason why I got stuck writing in the first place. I think like in Dawn of the New World, the group comes and goes depending on the situation but only a few characters will remain constant like in Dawn of the New World where the party leaves Emil and Marta constantly. Notes…

1. Kousaka Ikeda and Silver Arilith (which is elven for "Silver child") are OCs only for the Tales universe. Kousaka was originally a traveling swordsman until he as hired by Regal and the Lezerano Company. Because of the events of Dawn of the New World, he has taken a break and is with his friend Silver to help him with his goal to find the eight Guardians. Kousaka thinks that the Guardian thing is just a load of bologna and he's going along for his friend's sake. Kousaka is blunt and sarcastic but he's a very nice guy. Silver is a scientist that left the elves village to prove his worth because he doesn't like how elves isolate themselves from the humans, but at the same time, he hates how humans are everything those elves describes them as. Kousaka is an exception so while he's a nice guy on the surface, he makes sure everyone else is at arms length. Wanting to make himself known, he wants to prove the Guardians exist and wants Kousaka to be the one to make a pact with them (because Silver thinks he's not worthy of such power in contrast to his friend. Of course the Kid Icarus/Disgaea universe proves that Guardians will make pacts with anyone that past their test (or they make pacts to anger their Goddess). Silver is more on the serious side but he gets a little childish when it comes to ruins and histories…wait until he meets Raine…

2. Guardians are not the ones you see in my old stories (we're talking 2007 old). These Guardians are what is described in the Kid Icarus/Disgaea one shots but in contrast to those two, Guardians will play a role in Tales of Symphonia universe. But that should already give you a hint about what they are and how they work. A recap is that Guardians are souls of humans/animals/deities that have met their demise and the Goddess of Love Ceres took "pity" on them to revive them. How they are revived is based on their element. The example I gave in Bewailing is the fire Guardian Scorch was burned alive and the Intelligent Guardian Shimi committing suicide. All of their deaths are ironic and its more spiteful than pity in retrospect.

In this story, there are eight Guardians brought up and known by Silver when there is obviously more than eight. It's easy to assume there are eight if the Guardians are apparent rip-offs of the Summon Spirits and Centurions. This is how Ratatosk views them already because he has not seen them in person and if this was true then why haven't he noticed them when they were searching for the cores? Of course the Guardians are on a whole different level of magical potential so they are very capable of hiding themselves amongst their own kind or can live in isolation. The only difference is in the Tales universe, they can act differently then how they act in Kid Icarus/Disgaea universe because the Guardians aren't dealing with angels, demons or Gods. The majority of the Tales cast is human therefore their attitude is different.

How many Guardians in this story though is a secret but it's not eight like Silver stated. What will they do when all eight are gathered? That's my secret.

3. Aselia is the name of the two worlds combined in Tales of Phantasia. I read that Symphonia was the name before Aselia but I wanted a more official name and I just used an established name.

Again I apologize for the late updates. This chapter was two years overdue and I have other stories to work on. This story is not dead and compared to other stories, my motivation for this comes in a huge spurt to where I can write the chapter quickly before I lose all interest again. I can't even guarantee when the next chapter will be up. I really am hoping that it will be quick but with the game listed above, the desire to finish Higanbana and the deadline I put on myself with the Smash story, it will be awhile, but hey! Reviews are appreciated because it really makes me feel like it's worth going back to older stories like this one. Again once Higanbana is done, I'll have more free time. Ja ne!