Tales of the Abyss

Chapter 1

Welcome Back

One whole year has already passed. I can't believe I've come so far. Me, Luke fon Fabre, fake-son of the Fabre household, have come home once again after my long, treacherous journey to save the world along with my five best friends. Gailar...I mean, Guy took off back to Malkuth, and now, I think he still serves under Emperor Peony. Jade went back to the military, just as he knew he would. Anise, still a little annoying, is on her way to becoming the very first female Fon Master. I'm definitely happy for her. That means Ion will be happy! Natalia's bopping around the world, doing whatever kind of community service she can to further please the people and give herself, King Ingobert, and Kimlasca a couple more points. And Tear...

Oh...That's right...Tear...

"Come home!"

"Tear..."

"You have to come home! You have to! I'll be waiting...always..."

That was so long ago. How come...I still flash back to it? That was before all of this happened. I mean, I came back with long hair and I already got it cut again. I've got my short style back, or what Guy calls a "clean cut." Still don't know exactly what that means, though.

"I will. I promise. I'll come home."

I remember that day...I remember it really well, even though it happened so long ago. What was it...a few years? I was seventeen at the time, and I came back on my coming-of-age ceremony. Let's see...21 minus 17 is...

"Luke..."

Huh? Oh, yeah! That's right! She said something after that. She said...

Uhh...Umm...Huh...I don't think I heard what she said. Well, guess there's only one way to find out, right? Time to go see Tear. I hopped off my bed and launched out the door, heading for the harbor to catch a ride on the Princess Natalia. I still don't know why they decided to name a BOAT after my cousin...

Yulia City wasn't all too far from Baticul, so it didn't take but a few hours to get there. I stepped inside the city, and that slightly ominous, breath-restraining feeling once again took its course on me. This was the first time I fought him, too...Right here, over where I'm standing now...

"Shut up! Fine, I promise! Now GO!"

What? Where'd that come from? Wait...Oh, yeah, that day at Eldrant...

"Shut up! This isn't about logic! You can't POSSIBLY understand how I feel! You stole my past AND my future! Now is all the time I have!"

All the time he had...

"Now is all I have, too!"

That's when we...

"I don't even have a past to lose! But I've still decided that I'm me!"

I'm...me...

"It doesn't matter what you think! Here I am!"

Yeah...I had all the confidence in the world back then. Back when...

"If that's the source of the strength you're talking about, then I won't lose!"

Asch...

I gotta focus here. I gotta keep my mind on Tear. Uhh...N-Not like that! I walked through the door to her house, completely neglecting to knock. Good thing she wasn't there; I didn't wanna stumble in on her. At first, I was hesitant to even move, but then, I started to hear a melody. That same melody...The one she always sang. It was the same one that...

"They've supported me through everything!"

During our final battle...

"Luke will not...No...WE will not lose!"

Tear...I knew exactly where she was. So, I walked into the room with the selenia flowers. That's where I knew she'd be. There she was, standing in place, singing that glorious melody. I didn't really notice anything else; her voice was so pretty and mesmerizing. I managed to pull it together and take a few steps towards her. As my feet hit the flower bed, I heard her stop singing. As she turned around, her gorgeous face lit with a brilliant smile. "Luke!"

I waved a hand to her with a half-ass smile. "H-Hey, Tear!" I'm so stupid. I should've said something before I-

"What're you doing here in Yulia City?"

Snap out of it! Answer her, stupid!

"Uhh...Umm..."

She lifted an eyebrow. "Well?" I could sense a little bit of enthusiasm in her voice. It was as if she were happy to see me. Well, that's good.

"I, uhh...I really...I really wanted...to come and see you."

I caught a glimpse of her cheeks reddening as I turned my head away from her, my cheeks doing the same thing. I couldn't help it. That came out completely wrong.

"O-Oh...Umm...That was..."

I thought she was trying to get my attention to turn around, so I faced her once again. It's a good thing I can understand stuttering.

"That was very thoughtful of you, Luke."

"Y-Yeah?"

"Y-Yes."

What a relief. Dodged a bullet there, didn't I?

"S-So, umm...Are you busy right now? I-I can come back later to talk."

She shook her head, her cheeks still blushed. "No, I'm free right now. Let's go up to my room and talk."

I nodded with a smile. "All right, then." We headed up to Tear's Room; if I wasn't so sure of myself, I'd say she tried to grab my hand along the way. I let her do it, of course, but I kinda regretted that; my heart was pounding too fast, and my right hand got sweaty. Good thing she was holding my left one.

Tear sat herself on the bed, and she patted the empty space next to her, smiling at me. "Have a seat, Luke."

Just stay cool, just stay cool. "O-Okay." I carefully sat down next to her; I didn't wanna just plop down on her bed. Might give the wrong impression.

"So? What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Oh, yeah. I completely forgot that when we met back up. Guess I was caught off guard by how stunning she was.

"Umm...W-Well..."

She blinked at me. I think she was trying to tell me to hurry up and say something.

"D-Do you remember...the final battle? At Eldrant?"