Tales of Symphonia Story, Sylvarant Chronicles (1)

QUIZ START: The next day, you and Kratos were the first two up; you moved away from one another before anyone else woke, thus assuring that nobody saw the two of you sleeping in one another's arms. After everyone else woke Genis made a quick breakfast, and you ate just as quickly, and began walking once again. You walked next to Raine, listening as she continued her lecture on healing. Lloyd walked next to Kratos, listening to Raine's lecture.

"Man. How can she understand all of that?" asked Lloyd to nobody in particular,
"If you were a magic user, like Aura, Genis, Raine, or myself, it would make sense to you as well." Kratos told him.
"You know, you act really different around Aura." the boy commented. "Do you like her or something?" Kratos merely stared at him for a long moment. He looked away muttering,
"So dense..."
"Hey! I heard that!!" the boy exclaimed,
"Humph." was the only response he got from the Mercenary.
"Gr...stupid old geezer..." Lloyd muttered, walking next to Genis.
"Come on, Lloyd. Just because Kratos, Raine, Aura, and me understand this and you don't, it doesn't mean that we're stronger." Genis told him,
"Uh-huh..." muttered the boy.
"Well...okay. Maybe Kratos is a little better at sword-fighting, but that isn't that bad." the elf insisted. Lloyd gave him an 'oh-please' look. A drop of sweat slunk down the back of the silver-haired boy's head, "I'm just trying to make you feel better..."
"Yeah, yeah. I know..." the boy said. Then both of them began discussing what they think would happen when Colette regenerated the world.

The monsters seemed to detect that your mission had a sense of urgency about it and began to attack you more and more. It was annoying and frustrating when you found that you hadn't traveled much; it was similar to when you were attempting to return to Thoda Dock to form the pact with Undine. But, gratefully, no matter how many battles you may get in tomorrow, you'd still make it to Hima before it got dark.
You'd moved off the road, somewhat towards the forest, and began to set up camp. However Kratos remained on the road, staring intently back down the way you had come.
"Hey Kratos, is something wrong?" asked Lloyd.
"...I think we should get further away from the road." He responded , still looking in the distance. You and Sheena had been making the fire, but stopped after hearing what the Mercenary said,
"Why?" asked Sheena,
"...I think something is following us." Kratos explained, walking to the soon-to-be fireside; his gaze turned back to the road quickly. You stand, and listen closely, *Hm...* you had to be silent for a while, but then you finally heard it. Faint footsteps *...*
"Really?" asked Genis, looking around. "But where? I don't see anything..." Colette turned to you, and you heard her say,
'Aura.'
"Huh? Oh.... What?" you ask, looking at her,
'I think Kratos is right. I've been hearing things all day. I'm not sure if they were human or not. But, I think getting off the road was a good idea.'
"Yeah. I really had to listen, but now I'm hearing it clearly too." you tell everyone what Colette told you, and what you heard,
"Well, if Colette thinks it's a good idea. And if your hearing something to..." Raine said. You look down the road, almost as though you were waiting for the followers to come into view. And sounds like more than one...whatever they are,
"Aura, what is it?" asked Lloyd.
"I...I'm gonna go check it out." you tell him, "I'll fly down there," you add, forcing your mana through your exsphere so that your wings sprouted from your back, "I'll be able to get down there before they get much closer."
"Are you sure?" asked Sheena worriedly,
"Yeah. Don't worry, I won't let them see me." you tell her.
"Very well, we will set up camp in the forest; I doubt they'll be able to find us there." Raine told you, "Here, so you know where we were." she made some markings in the ground with the end of her staff.
"Ok. Thanks Professor."
"Perhaps I should go with you." Kratos suggested. "We don't know who or what is following us, or how many there are."
"I don't think it would work." you respond, "I could probably hide easier. And...no offense, but I don't think you could keep up with me..."
"...I suppose you're right. Just be careful." he warned.
"Don't worry. I will." you assure.

You fly low to the ground, following the road; you see a few forms in the distance. You were quick to hide behind some stones on the path before they noticed you, pulling your wings back into your back. You waited, and waited as they drew closer. Soon you heard them passing where you hid; you peek around the rocks carefully,
Desians.
*Oh man...* you think, fear growing making your stomach twist, *I'm starting to wish Kratos came with me...* The Desians stopped,
"Man...where the hell are they?!" asked one. You were grateful for your sensitive hearing; you didn't have to get any closer in order to listen,
"Pipe down! We know the Chosen, Aura and the others were traveling around this road." *The Chosen and Aura...? Why do I matter?* you wonder,
"Yeah, but Kratos is probably still traveling with them." you perk up a little when you hear Kratos' name *Hm...that's what like Botta said at the Ranch...* "He won't let us any where near the Chosen. Or that girl..."
"Lord Yuan said her name was Aura." you perk up even more when you hear Yuan, you poke your head around the side of the rock again,
"Oh yes...I've seen her before. Quite the looker." your hands clench into tight fists as you struggle to keep your mouth shut.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Hey! Don't forget what Lord Yuan told us! Kill the Chosen, but don't harm Aura. If we hurt her, or even try to have a little fun, Lord Yuan or Lord Botta will find out and we will all be dead!" *Yuan is in charge of these guys?*

It looks like they were going to keep talking... But one of your hands slipped,
"Ah...!" you whisper. Your hand knocked a stone loose; it clattered over the larger stone on which it had been balanced as it fell. Your heart skipped and you flinch with every clatter it made while it fell. Then it hit another rock, and a loud crack echoed through the silent air, it wasn't enormously loud, but was loud enough for everyone near to hear it. The Desians jerk their heads around, facing your way. You had already, masterfully, fallen on your tailbone behind the rock, your heart thudding fast and nosily in your chest,
"What was that?" you quickly curl up into a little ball behind the rock, trying to be as small as you could.
"I think I heard something. Over there!" you hear footsteps walking in your direction *Oh no, oh no, oh no... Kratos, I really wish you came with me!* you think, pressing your back harder against the rock.
"Do you see anything?" called one.
"No...but I know I heard something!" the closer voice argued, you draw your sword, channeling mana into it and turning it into a staff. *I knock him out, and fly... I just hope they can't keep up with me...* you think.

You see a head poke around the side of the rock; he was quick to notice you,
"Hey! Who--" you knock his head with your staff, sending him flying. You sprout your wings, then you take off, flying as fast as you can.
"Hey! It's her! That's Aura!!" *O boy...* you think. You fly as fast as you could, trying to get away. You know they're chasing you, its no question. There was a small 'twang' of a bow-string, and an arrow whizzes by your head,
"Ah!!" push yourself to fly faster, searching desperately over the ground, "Come on, come on!" you mutter "Where is it!?" you were looking for the marks that Raine had put in the ground... "Where--ha!" you finally found it.

Instead of flying through the forest you fly into the very outer edge and land. After a quick frantic look behind you, you begin to run. You hear the Desians enter the forest behind you and, from the sound of it, they were a lot closer than you though. *Where is everybody!?* you think desperately, eyes scanning through the trees around you frantically; but you couldn't see any sign of any one. Seeing no better option, you jump behind a large tree, and wait for the Desians to pass. You hear them coming closer; however it sounded like they might be right on top of you. *Oh no...! They're gonna find me!*

You were still looking worriedly around the side of the tree, debating whether it would be better to stay put or run. But you were so busy trying to hear the Desians, you didn't hear someone creep up behind you, or see a two hands slowly reaching for you. Until it was to late.

Suddenly a hand clamped firmly over your mouth, and a strong arm wrapped around your waist, pinning both of your arms to your sides.
"!" Your captor pulled you close and dragged you away from your current hiding spot. They pulled you behind a different tree with more low-hanging branches. "Mmmm!" you yell, but it was securely muffled by their hand. You struggle desperately, trying to get away from them, or at least loosen their hold on you, but they were too strong. Your struggling just made their hold firmer, and because your arms were pinned to your sides, you couldn't pull their hand from your mouth to scream for help.
"Stop...!" a low voice hissed in your hear. The voice sounded familiar, but...at the same time, it sounded different. You don't struggle quite as desperately, but still continue to try and loosen their hold around your waist; which wasn't working.

When you twisted to attempt to get away something jabbed into your left side making you flinch. With a start you realize *...t-tell me that isn't...* Your heart was thudding in your chest; you lean back slightly, feeling the thing poke your side again. As soon as you felt it again, it was like your heart skipped four beats.
A sword handle.
From this angle, knowing it was a sword didn't help you much. However they could still use it to kill you. And...for all you knew ...This was a Desian.