Author note: I don't own the Last Story. If I did, I WOULD MAKE ASTHAR SURVIVE, WHICH IS WHAT THIS FIC IS ABOUT! XD

I've been thinking about this idea for a while, so.. What if Dagran didn't get the chance to finish off Asthar and mortally wound him/kill him? What would happen afterwards?

Warning: Astharsurvives!AU, various pairings, canon-typical violence, harsh language, mentions of sex but that's it for now (it would just be talked about mostly) more warnings to be put up if necessary in the future.

I hope that you read, review and enjoy! XD Thanks! XDDD


Friction


1. Timely Intervention

Asthar managed to make it into the Turret Control Room, swiping one Gurak soldier down with the flick of his wrist, the General Sword in hand. He swivled around, knocking another aside with the hilt of his sword before stabbing a third, pulling it out of the Gurak's chest and shaking off blood droplets as the soldier crumpled onto the ground.

He was the only one in the room, against many Gurak soldiers. It was not an ideal situation, but he would have to make the best of it until reinforcements arrived. Moving swiftly, the General swiped left, right, upwards and then stabbed behind at any of the Gurak trying to approach the Lazulis canon. He had to ward them away as much as he could—if the canon got damaged, Lazulis' main defense would be destroyed, leaving the entire island vulnerable. He could not let anyone be at risk because of that!

A blur caught the corner of his eye, and he raised his sword, more than ready to guard as he quickly assumed it was an enemy soldier.

No.

It wasn't an enemy soldier that he came face to face to.

Golden eyes met his own with a glare like daggers, and Asthar knew in a heartbeat that it wasn't a Gurak he was facing in battle.

"Stay back."

Dagran's voice echoed as the Gurak soldiers seemed to immediately pull away from Asthar.

"He's mine."

With a frenzy of movement, Asthar felt his back hit the wall behind him and he groaned, struggling to hold up his sword.

"M-Master Dagran," He managed, both of them pushing their swords against the other's, "Wh-why?"

Dagran pulled back, cold laugh escaping him. "Ha...you already know why," He spoke, coldness lacing his expression, "Because you murdered my family. You destroyed my home—well, your men did. You weren't there. But you can't hide from your mistakes."

There was a murderous look in his eyes.

And Asthar was sure that he'd seen it before, back when they fought together against the Gurak in the castle the first time around. The way Zael's friend went and took them out...and now he was on their side?

For revenge, yes.

The General couldn't stop himself from remembering. That rebellion, had he stopped it in time—

this could have been prevented. Dagarn must have been one of the few survivors of those destroyed villages, and now...

And now...

His train of thought shattered as he felt his opponent's sword pierce his sword arm, and a strangled cry escaped him. The blade pushed in so deep that he was sure that part of the blade was even sticking right through his arm. A groan escaped the General as he felt the blade twist about in his arm, digging into the skin and splitting it open.

Dagran laughed, pulling the sword out of his arm before knocking Asthar's sword out of his hand, letting it clatter to the ground.

"You can't even get yourself to fight? How pathetic," He sneered, a hollow grin on his face. "I thought you would put up a better fight than this." He pointed the sword at his throat, pulling his arm back as he took a deep breath. That same hollow grin remained, poisoned with the need for vengeance.

"Any last words, General?"

Asthar shut his eyes, before opening them, facing what was now facing him.

It was inevitable. Even if he tried to move, his opponent could still stab him. He had no shield, and that sword of Dagran's was certainly sharper than he'd imagined.

He was going to—

He would—

He really was—...

...

"General!"

...What?...

Dagran screamed as Zael barged into him, knocking him aside and pointing his sword at his throat.

"Don't—" Zael's eyes widened, immediately faltering. "Dagran?"

Dagran gazed right into the Outsider wielder's eyes, in disbelief. "Y-you shouldn't have gotten here so soon..." He whispered, before glaring at him. "You ruined it. You ruined everything!" He slowly sat up, and Zael made no move to stop him, still dumbstruck by the sight.

Asthar...all Asthar could do was watch those two, silent as he tried to catch his breath as he observed them.

Zael looked so...small. Not literally, but figuratively—Asthar noticed the look in the young man's eyes and saw betrayal. Looking to Dagran, all he could see was frustration, anger.

Never before had Asthar seen these two like this. And now here they were, opposite each other, and Asthar couldn't help but think that neither of them wanted this to happen.

The guards arrived and took Dagran away as the Gurak fled, leaving Zael to shout, panic, and run after them.

"This must be some mistake! Dagran would never—"

Therius shook his head, looking to Zael.

"It's not a mistake, Zael." He spoke quietly. "I know he is your friend, but..." A sigh escaped him. "I'm sorry." He shook his head as the other guards took Dagran away, down to the dungeon. Zael looked like he was about to snap back at the white knight, but restrained himself and ran out of the room, rushing after his arrested friend.

Therius walked over to Asthar, looking to him.

"General Asthar?"

Asthar looked to his pupil quietly. "Yes, Sir Therius?"

He tried to stay composed, but it was hard to. Especially after nearly being murdered.

The white knight could not hide any worry from his face as he offered a scrap torn from his own shirt, a temporary bandage for Asthar's wound. "Are you alright?"

Asthar looked to the doorway where Zael, Dagran, and the reinforcements had left, before shaking his head and looking to Therius, taking the scrap.

"No, Therius."

He carefully wrapped the scrap about his wound, binding it tightly with his pupil's help.

"I'm not alright."