Colette Brunel

Colette Brunel, known in Japan as Collet Brunel (コレット・ブルーネル), is the female lead in Tales of Symphonia. She is the seventh successful Chosen One, a being destined to regenerate the world by ascending the Tower of Salvation as an angel, thereby saving her world, Sylvarant.

Birth of the Chosen
Colette was born and raised in Iselia, a small community located in the north-western part of Sylvarant. When she was born, there was a Cruxis Crystal, an evolved kind of Exsphere, in her hand, signifying her as the Chosen of Regeneration. Her thought-adoptive father and grandmother, Frank Brunel and Phaidra Brunel respectively, raised her in the village as her family. At some point during the early years of her childhood, Colette was taught how to read angelic language. As she got older, she was introduced to the clergy, some of whom she would later meet during her Journey of World Regeneration. She also met the priests who were meant to accompany her on her journey. She then started her formal education at the Iselia schoolhouse, where she met Lloyd Irving. She and the young Lloyd soon became friends. Sometime later, Genis Sage joined in their circle of friendship.

Journey of Regeneration
The day Colette turns sixteen, Cruxis sends down an Oracle. Colette, accompanied by Lloyd, Genis, and the mysterious mercenary Kratos Aurion, after they defeat the Renegades-thought-Desians, enter the Martel Temple to meet the summons of the angels. At the highest level of the temple, the angel Remiel arrives to convey the blessings of Cruxis and bestow the Tower of Salvation. Because of his angelic creations, he is believed to be Colette's "real father", thought Colette does not feel like he is her father, a fact she admits later on. The end of the Day of Prophecy marks the beginning of Colette's Journey of Regeneration, during which she must release the Seals that are scattered throughout the world. There are a total of five Seals, the fifth being at the Tower of Salvation, where the Journey will end, Colette will be sacrificed, and the dying will would be regenerated.

Colette leaves the village of Iselia under the protection of Kratos and Raine Sage, her teacher. As she is leaving, she acts, in Genis's words, "overly cheerful" in an attempt to hide the fact that the Journey of Regeneration will end with her death. Trying to cause her trusted friend Lloyd the least amount of grief, she lies to him about the time of her departure, in the hope that he will then be able to live in the regenerated world. Her bluff fails, however, and Lloyd and Genis catch up with her later on. As the party moves from one Seal to the next, Colette begins to gain more angelic powers, like wings, enhanced sight and improved hearing. However, she also loses the things that make her human, like the ability to taste food, sleep, and even speak. She hides this from the party for most of the time, but when she loses the ability to feel, she is forced by Lloyd to tell him the truth, and Lloyd eventually tells the rest of the group of it. Eventually, the party reaches the Tower of Salvation, where Colette is forced to make the final sacrifice: her heart and memory.

Humanity taken
Having lost all those things that made her human, Colette is the perfect vessel for Martel, her mana signature being the closest possible to that of Martel. Remiel says, during the ritual in which Colette sacrifices her heart and her memory, that he is not Colette's father, and that the "inferior beings" only called him her father because he placed the Cruxis crystal on her. Colette reveals to Lloyd, through some non-oral form of communication, that she somehow knew this, and thanks Lloyd for the sixteen years he gave her reason to live, before sacrificing her heart and memory and becoming unresponsive to the rest of the group. After the group battles Remiel, Kratos arrives and reveals that Cruxis plans to transfer Martel's consciousness into Colette's body, denying that it will cause Colette to die. Before Cruxis is able to put Martel's consciousness into Colette's body, however, she is taken to relative safety by the Renegades. Lloyd and the party are later forced to flee to the parallel world of Tethe'alla, taking the soulless Colette with them in hope of curing her.

After the Loss
Colette regains her senses after Lloyd carves a Key Crest into her late birthday necklace, and Pronyma attempts to take it off. She apparently remembers everything that happened while she was unresponsive, as she knows Zelos Wilder's name, and has regained her need for food and the ability to feel, though has kept her angel senses. However, Colette has been hit with the rare angel disease called Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium, which causes her body to slowly and painfully crystallize. Colette finds this out between her reawakening and first visit to Ozette, but, like with the Angel Toxicosis, decides to keep it for herself so that the party will not be distracted from their goal.

As the journey to reunite the worlds continues, Colette is kidnapped by the rogue Desian Grand Cardinal Rodyle, who plans to use her Cruxis Crystal in his Mana Cannon. His plans are foiled when he realizes that she has Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium, and instead plans to use her to kill the party against her will. The party rescues her safely, but Rodyle's words that she is a "sinful and useless Chosen" is still in her mind, and later, she believes that his referring to her as "sinful" is a reference to her failure to perform the world regeneration, something she feels guilty of despite knowing that it would only bring about what Lloyd describes as "a false peace."

Colette's disease is introduced gradually, starting with mild discomfort and leading to her collapsing in pain in Ozette shortly before Rodyle abducts her. After Forcystus shoots her when she shields Chocolat, it reveals that she has begun to crystallize. The party then searches for a cure, learning about Mithos the Hero and Mithos splitting the world into two with the power of the Eternal Sword in the process. Colette is cured just in time after the party escapes Welgaia, but this is followed up with the revelation that Kratos is Lloyd's father and that a half-elf friend of theirs is in fact the leader of Cruxis, who wants to use her as a host for his older sister Martel.

Fused with Martel
When the party goes to Flanoir to find a doctor for Altessa, the player is able to choose a character to whom he will talk to at nighttime, and who will affect the plot later on. Although this is a player's choice in the game, Drama CDs have revealed that Lloyd travels with Colette after the game, which makes this choice canon. At Flanoir, she and Lloyd talk about what makes Kratos a good father, and Colette gives Lloyd a good luck charm, as she senses his worry for the future, which later saves his life. Colette is captured in the Tower of Salvation after Zelos betrays the group and is brought to the Great Seed Chamber, where Mithos and Pronyma proceed to merge Martel into Colette's body. Although Lloyd and his once thought dead friends come to help her, it is too late, and Martel has taken over Colette's body. Martel, however, uses Colette's body to urge Mithos to stop what he is doing. In a skit after the group leaves, it is revealed that Colette is able to understand Martel's feelings while she is possessed, and when either Kratos or Zelos places a Key Crest on Colette's Cruxis Crystal, causing Martel's consciousness to leave her, she urges the group to stop Mithos from moving the Great Seed to Derris Kharlan, having understood Martel's desires.

Final Battle
After defeating Yggdrasill, the party goes to Heimdall, preparing to battle Kratos in order to release Origin's seal. While everyone else is asleep, Colette and Lloyd go outside to talk, as a result of the choice made in Flanoir. They talk shortly about Lloyd's situation with Kratos, before they agree that Colette will travel together with Lloyd on his journey to collect Exspheres. After the battle against Kratos and Origin, the soul of Mithos appears through his Cruxis Crystal and tries to possess Lloyd. Colette, again hurries and takes the Cruxis Crystal onto herself, resulting in Mithos possessing her instead and taking her to Derris-Kharlan. While on Derris Kharlan, at the gate to Welgaia, Colette's strong soul overpowers Mithos's and, after Lloyd comes, they manage to push him away. Together, the teenagers go around Welgaia to help their trapped friends. At the final door, the whole group transport themselves over to Mithos's throne, where Mithos's body is, empty of his soul. Colette then loses Mithos's Cruxis Crystal, and it floats to Mithos, which causes him to reawaken. During the battle, Colette tries to persuade Mithos into giving up by mentioning Martel, but this does not stop him.

New World Tree
After Mithos is killed, the group proceeds to reunite the worlds through the Eternal Sword and the Summon Spirits. However, the Great Seed dies during the process. Determined to give everything, Lloyd somehow manages to unleash angel wings to follow the seed. Colette follows him, and together they manage to revive the Great Seed, causing the birth of a new tree and its tree spirit, Martel. After witnessing the World Tree's future form, she urges Lloyd into naming the tree. At the end of the story, Colette returns home to Iselia, where all the villagers welcome her, and explains that she is no longer the Chosen and wishes to be known as just "Colette". She meets up with Lloyd and Noishe later on to follow him on a new journey to collect Exspheres.

Drama CD: Rodeo Ride Tour
During the events of the Drama CD Rodeo Ride Tour, which tells a story one year after the regeneration of the world, Colette is still traveling with Lloyd, and is with him when they meet up with Sheena and Zelos, though is mostly in the town, teaching children in exchange for Raine, who is journeying with Genis make it easier for half-elves to live in the new world. Throughout their stay in Iselia, Sheena develops some weak jealousy toward Colette, as she still harbors feelings for Lloyd. As such, she tries to be as different from Colette as possible, though this later fades at the end of the Drama CD. When Colette comes back from teaching the children in a neighbor village, she watches a thoughtful Lloyd in worry while eating dinner.

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Colette returns in the sequel, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, as a playable character. After the worlds were reunited, the Chosen system was stopped, having been deemed unnecessary. As such, Colette was the final Chosen to perform the very last duties of the Chosen, and she is therefore called the Chosen of Regeneration. However, she is criticized by people from Sylvarant for rumors saying the reason behind the Giant Kharlan Tree's rampage two years ago was because she ran away from her duty as the Chosen One. This is the reason Marta Lualdi, the new heroine, is angry at Colette, because her mother was killed during the rampage. She is also hunted by the Vanguard because they see her as a traitor for being supportive of Tethe'alla, their enemies, though the real reason is later revealed to be because of her Cruxis Crystal. It is revealed that she runs a charity organization to help the suffering people even though she is wanted, thus showing that she still cares about the world more than herself.

Troubled Hearts
Colette is first seen in Asgard while she talks to Aisha, looking for Lloyd. When there, Emil Castagnier and Marta Lualdi and come in together with the invisible Tenebrae that Colette can see through her angel sight. Still feeling guilty of what happened during the rampage of the Giant Kharlan Tree, Colette answers positive when Marta asks about the rumors, which makes her yell and throw Colette towards a shelf on the wall of the house while telling her the story of Marta's mother. Later, she sees Marta and Emil trying to save a boy who is a fan of Colette from falling off a rim, but they are attacked by the Vanguard. Alice is about to have Marta and the boy fall down and most likely die; this sight provokes Colette to save them with her Angel Skill, Angel Feathers. After a battle against Hawk, Colette once again expresses her guilt for letting the Giant Kharlan Tree go wild before she goes back to Aisha. Off-screen, she is sent to the mayor, who asks her to help Asgard with the wind problems they have been having lately. While she is talking to the mayor, the two younger heroes come to thank her for saving them. Shortly after, Colette joins the trio when they say that they want to help her to stop the winds. Happy, Colette states that they now are friends, much to Marta's confusion and annoyance. Throughout the time they spend together, Colette and Marta get closer, as Colette saves her from a monster and guides them several times. In return, Colette is informed about the Centurions and Ratatosk, while she also explains more about the World Regeneration.

Later, when they manage to get inside the Underground Ruins, they search for Centurion Ventus's core. When they eventually find it, Colette runs over and gets it, but Marta says it is dangerous for her, explaining that if normal people try to touch a Centurion's core, they might be driven insane by its powers. The reason Colette did not get any effects may be because she is an angel, but Tenebrae says that it was not dangerous for her to touch it for the short time she did. When they are outside the ruins, Colette, worried about Lloyd, decides to separate from Marta and Emil to warn him about the danger of a Centurion's core, as walking by foot with the new heroes would take too long time. After informing the mayor that the winds are cleared and saying goodbye to Emil, Marta, and Tenebrae, Colette flies off toward the direction of Luin.

Truth Behind the Mask
At some point in Colette's search for Lloyd, she meets Richter Abend, who tries to take her Cruxis Crystal from her. As she trips and destroys a fence when attempting to run away, Richter chooses to pay for the repairs and apologize in her place. Because of, along with his promise to take her Cruxis Crystal the next time they meet, she thinks that he is a good person and a "Chosen Maniac". Colette is not seen again until the party goes to the Vanguard's headquarters, where they save Seles Wilder from Alice and Decus. Colette is the one who throws her ring at Decus and tells Lloyd to save Seles. After the party gets back to Meltokio, she and Zelos leave the party to go find Lloyd and ask him about his intentions.

Dark Premonition
Colette and Zelos show up again at the invasion of Altamira, where Colette falls and opens a secret passage that saves Emil from Decus, who is going berserk because of Solum's core. After the invasion, she joins the party fully with her ultimate weapon Angel Halo.

Eternal Bond
When the group splits up, Colette is in Iselia. When Emil talks to her, she explains how she thought it was her duty to sacrifice herself for Sylvarant, but in the end realized that she loved the world too much to not be able to live with it and protect it. It is possible that she tells about her sacrifice because she has a clue about Emil's plans, or at least has a feeling for it.

Appearance and Personality
Throughout the game, Colette is shown to be fairly clumsy, at one point even receiving a title called "Klutz", and her repetitive tripping causes the most unusual things to happen, from making a hole in the wall at school to deactivating the most complex of machines. This causes Sheena Fujibayashi to claim that her clumsiness is truly blessed. She can also appear somewhat clueless, as she misses some things that are obvious to everyone else, as telling an assassin who is after to kill the Chosen that she is the Chosen, and worrying for her afterward when she falls down a pit. As the Chosen of Sylvarant, she prays for the world's safety every night. She is quick to take responsibility, and puts everybody above herself. She is brave and quick to do what she believes is right, but she is not very self-confident, and can be slow to decide what the right action is, most of the time asking Lloyd to decide for her stead. Colette is also very self-conscious and wishes she were not different, because it is because she is different that she never was able to live like a normal girl. This is one of the clear differences between her and Zelos, the Chosen of Tethe'alla, as Colette accepts the differences, even if she does not like them, while Zelos tries to find a way to get rid of them.

As the game continues, Colette begins to show more of the negative aspects of her selflessness. Because she does not want people to worry or keep their minds from their goal, she hides all her suffering and burden, bearing them all alone. This, however, also works against her, since she tries to hide illnesses like Angel Toxicosis and Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium from the others, forcing them to discover them on their own. This factor annoys Lloyd the most, because he feels that he cannot help her, but from Colette's perspective, she feels that worrying anyone or showing something odd is just not appropriate for the journey she has begun. Colette is a very mature young woman. She was brought up with the knowledge that she would need to die to save the world, and has gained from that a truly selfless nature. However, she later recognizes that she made a mistake in her willingness to sacrifice herself, believing in Lloyd's ideas that no life is born for the sole purpose of dying. As such, her greatest wish at the end of the game is to ensure that no one else makes the same mistake she did.

Fighting Style
In battle, Colette fights with two rings, sometimes called chakrams, which she throws at the enemy. Although not powerful initially, she soon becomes a valuable asset with her Light-based magic called Angel Skills; these special spells consist of Angel Feathers, Holy Song, Sacrifice, Judgment, and Grand Cross. In close combat, Colette is more difficult to control and maintain combos, but with a high attack power statistic, she is capable of decent damage output. She excels in defeating larger enemies, as well as groups of monsters within a radius. Many of her attacks allow her to be a safe distance from the enemy while effectively pursuing combos. Ironically, Colette is the only character with item-thieving moves despite her charitable nature.

Party
Lloyd Irving - Colette has romantic feelings for Lloyd, a fact revealed very early in the game. She tends to use subliminal movements and messages stating she will remain by his side, rather than completely admitting it. This is not caused by shyness, but by her personality; she hates worrying anyone or distracting them from their goals. Lloyd often worries about her regardless, however. In Dawn of the New World, it is possible for her to return Lloyd's love declaration.

Raine Sage - As Colette's teacher, Raine is from the start the person Colette confides in the most. During the journey, Raine is usually the adult figure for Colette, acting not only as a teacher, but a confidant. She is the first person Colette willingly told about the consequences of regenerating the world. In the Tower of Salvation, Raine is shown in conflict with herself upon keeping Colette's secret to her end.

Kratos Aurion - Despise what everyone thinks of Kratos, Colette seems to be the only one who never thinks a bad thought about him. If Lloyd picks Colette at Flanoir, she will defend Kratos's decisions for hiding his relation to Lloyd, and explain why she thinks he is a good father. Together with Genis, she admires him in battles. She looks up to him, and though he is an enemy, she never treats him with hostility.

Zelos Wilder - Colette is the only one who always tolerates Zelos's flirting, and even wants to help him when he has a hard time. In some skits, they are also seen talking to each other about being a Chosen One. It is possible they feel close to each other, as both are Chosens and understand the burdens of the position better than anybody. Zelos has expressed both jealousy and admiration for Colette's optimistic attitude toward being Chosen.

Family
It is hinted that neither her father nor her grandmother think of Colette as their "real" family to avoid further heartbreak, because as far as they know, she will not survive. They might have stopped thinking of her as family after she began her Journey of Regeneration, as it was then that they started referring to her only as "Chosen". Colette does not know any of her other immediate family, as it was stated that individuals that are known to be of the Mana lineage are kept separate from each other to preserve the bloodlines; If all or many members of the Mana Lineage were all kept in the same area, it ran the risk of the entire lineage being eliminated by a single disaster or tragedy, like a huge storm or a raid.

Frank Brunel - It is clear that Frank cares and loves Colette like a real daughter, despite the old rumors that the Chosen is not born by human parents, but by angels. When she returns home after the events in Tales of Symphonia and is welcomed by Frank, Colette tells him that it is good to be back.

Phaidra Brunel - Like with Frank, Phaidra begins calling Colette Chosen after she starts the Journey of Regeneration, but is shown to genuinely care and worry for her, urging Lloyd to find and protect her, and even trusting Kratos, a mysterious mercenary, as long as she is protected. Despite this, Phaidra still says "the Chosen" in the sequel, even after being told by Colette herself that she is not the Chosen anymore.

Remiel - For a long time, it is rumored that Colette's true father is not Frank, but in fact an angel of Cruxis, whom the group assumes to be Remiel. However, even before this rumor is revealed as false, Colette always had the feeling that Remiel was lying when he said he was her father.

Enemies
As Colette is a cheerful and forgiving person, she never views anyone as her enemies, even though they are trying to kill or hunt her down. However, there are many people who are against her because of her role as the Chosen.

Desians - One of the main reasons, on the outside, for the Chosen to regenerate the world is to make the Desians cease to exist. As such, while traveling, there are many Desians who seem to be after her life. However, it is later revealed that these Desian Grand Cardinals were either tricked or not following orders. In reality, the Desians are just supposed to stress the Chosen, making the Cruxis Crystal evolve faster so that the angel transformation becomes complete.

Cruxis - As revealed later in the story, Cruxis, which has been leading the Desians behind the scenes, are after Colette so that she can be sacrificed. Upon her death, her body will be used as a host for Martel, which is Cruxis's main goal. Because of this, they often try to capture her.

Dawn of the New World characters
Emil Castagnier - Colette and Emil seem like they get along well, and Colette herself says that she really likes him in a friendly way. At the end of the game, Colette is really sad that they have to separate after just becoming friends, but promises she will help to continue protect their world alongside him.

Marta Lualdi - In the beginning, Colette feels guilty about Marta's loss of her mother, since it was her fault the Giant Kharlan Tree killed her. However, when Marta offers help, she immediately says that they are friends, and is very gentle and helpful toward her, despite Marta's rough treatment in the beginning. With the game progressing, it appears Marta has lost all hatred towards Colette, and the two are true friends. Of course due to her innocent nature, when stating that she likes Emil, Marta misinterprets this while Colette obliviously does not realize what transpired.

Richter Abend - Colette and Richter have met and talked with each other in one occasion, which caused Colette think that he is a good person, ignoring the fact that he is after her Cruxis Crystal. Through conversation during the final battle, however, they fight for each of their cases; Colette for the restored world that she loves, and Richter for his wish.

Alice - While Colette believes that Alice is able to see the kindness in others, Alice does not seem to like Colette, calling her a hypocrite. It is possible that Colette understood the meaning of Alice's words, as she does not say anything back. Except for this, not much is their relationship is shown, though Alice calls her Colettie, implying Colette is on her bad list.

Tales of Symphonia manga
In the Tales of Symphonia manga, a lot of moments with Colette are cut off. She gets cured from her soulless state during a visit in Altessa's, does not gain Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium and is not kidnapped by Rodyle. Another minor difference from the game is that when Colette sacrifices her soul, her eyes become cloudy instead of red.

Tales of Symphonia: The Animation
Colette is one of the main characters in the anime adaption of Tales of Symphonia, titled Tales of Symphonia: The Animation. There, she plays a bigger role than in the game, often being the narrator or the speaking voice. She also plays a more serious role, and the animation shows more of the less cheerful side of her throughout the Sylvarant Arc. Another minor difference from the game is that when Colette sacrifices her soul, her eyes become darker and cloudy, like in the manga, instead of red.

Dramatic DVD: Symphonia Academy
Colette appears in the pre-order bonus for Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. In this alternative world, she is an exchange student in the Symphonia Academy, and originates from the St. Martel School, which is a school for wealthy and intelligent girls. According to Genis, her "perfectness" summons Zelos from the other classroom, though Zelos claims that Colette is the only girl so far to reject his charms. In the end, Colette states that she thinks she will end up loving the school, and is also the narrator that presents the events for the next episode of Symphonia Academy.

Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3
Colette appears in Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 as a playable character along with the other Tales of Symphonia characters. When meeting the heroes, Frio and Kyaro, for the first time, she and Lloyd are being controlled by Thanatos, forcing the heroes to fight them. Afterward, Colette and Lloyd join the party together.

Tales of Fandom Vol.2
Colette appears as a cameo character with the rest of the Symphonia cast in Tales of Fandom Vol.2. When she gets separated along with fellow main heroines Mint Adenade from Tales of Phantasia and Tear Grants from Tales of the Abyss, she surprises the other girls by revealing her angel wings. They get along very well, and work well out when they go and fight Undine, the Summon Spirit of Water.

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2
Colette appears in the second installment of Radiant Mythology  as a playable character. She first comes to Van Eltia along with Raine, Lloyd, and Zelos to report to Jade Curtiss of the situation go on throughout the world. Colette goes with Kanonno Earhart and the Protagonist during the eighth story mission. In the shrine's deepest area Kanonno and Colette find the missing person the request said to find. When Colette and Kanonno try to help the man he is possessed by Goede's influence and becomes the monster "Behemoth". After being defeated Colette cheers up the man and returns to the Van Eltia. During the end of the game after Goede is finally defeated, Colette is seen with the other Symphonia cast on the Van Eltia looking at the mana spreading across the world. The weapon she uses throughout the entire game is her exclusive weapon "Angel Halo". Unlike her appearance in other games this seems to be the only game in the series that follow her original artwork and wears white gloves instead of being bare handed.

Tales of VS.
Colette makes an appearance in Tales of VS. as a playable character, and Lloyd is her partner during the storyline. Like with Rita Mordio from Tales of Vesperia, she has a skill that allows her to cast spells in the air while constantly consuming TP, which emphasizes her status as a winged fighter.

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3
In Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3, Colette first joins Ad Libitum together with Lloyd, Sheena, and Suzu Fujibayashi. Later in the game, she helps the Protagonist and Kohak Hearts to find the second Ring Spot for the Sorcerer's Ring in the second area of Kadaifu Desert. During one scene in this quest, the party comes across a stone gate which was intended to be destroyed by a bomb made by Harold Berselius, but Colette trips on a rock and causes the gate to fall.

Trivia

 * Colette is a shortened version of Nicolette, which means born by angels. In the game, a rumor states that the Chosen is actually not born by their parents, but angels. The name Nicolette derives from Nike, the Greek goddess who personifies victory, and the sister of Bia, Kratos, and Zelos, which represent force, strength, and zeal, respectively; the latter two from which the names of Kratos and Zelos reference.
 * Colette's strongest ring is the "Angel Halo", obtained from the coliseum. The name of her Devil's Arm is "Evil Eye". The gag weapon the player can buy for her in the completely rebuilt Luin is "Tambourine".