Okay... well, this is my first fanfiction here. Because at one point, I just got all of these ideas about how Asch's life could have been, and was inspired to write.

So, hopefully you'll enjoy it.

Chapter One : Prometheus Steals Fire

Van, that bastard. The thought lingered in his mind again, as he kicked out once more in the darkness, hitting nothing but air. He couldn't hear anything but the muffled whispers, couldn't see through the thick cloth, couldn't feel anything but the soft rumbling of whatever vehicle they were riding in. Damn Van, damn Van, damn Van. Could he emphasize that any more?

And yet, in all his anger, the underlying sense of fear kept creeping into his mind. What was going to happen? He wanted this to be over, for somebody to come... and while they were at it, kill that SOB Van. Or something.

Another bump. It was getting irritating, the whole bound hand and feet thing. He couldn't seem to get in any comfortably position, no matter which way he twisted or turned.

"Luke." Oh, it was his voice. What did he want? "We're here, so I'm letting you out, alright?" He could feel a hand near his face, a moment later could see Van's face in front of him. For being only twenty-one, his face seemed to hint at an older age. Perhaps it was the beard and eyebrows. He had the same face as a few hours ago, that same soft expression he always had back in Baticul. What was wrong this time? How, and why did he change so suddenly? It was hard to understand.

Next were the hands, followed soon by the feet, and Luke resisted the silent urge to attack his teacher. Not that it would do much... he was so small, and felt even smaller now. He looked around the small space, the design different from most transports he was familiar with. He finally spoke, his young voice sounding weaker than he had hoped.

"Wh-what is this place...?" He muttered, a hint of fatigue showing in his voice. Van gave him what seemed like a half-grin, standing up and heading for what seemed like the exit, beckoning Luke to follow. He jumped out of the seat, small boots pattering against the metallic floor.

His green eyes widened as they both stepped out, and he paused for a moment. He had expected to be outside somewhere, but this looked nothing like outside. But then, it didn't look like it was inside either. Strangest was the sky... a great deviation from the normal light blue, purple clouds seemed to block out what little light may have been shining through.

"Yulia City, Luke. Also known as the Watchers' City." Van said, stopped a few feet ahead. "In the Quliphoth." He added. Luke cocked his head, looking now at the strange lights and buildings around him. "The Cliff... Ath?" He asked, curiosity in his voice. "Is that why-"

"It'll all be explained to you soon enough, Luke. Come on, quickly..." Van had already begun to move forward again, and Luke trotted faster to catch up, eyes unable to divert away from the city. There seemed to be no people in this part, and he assumed it wasn't exactly the main entrance.

They entered a large building soon enough, built in the same strange, unidentifiable style as everything else. They were starting to see more people now, dressed in similar clothing as Van, giving them an air of authority. Luke was beginning to inch closer towards his captor, nervous.

"Commandant Grants." Luke looked off again towards the source of the address, similar to many of the others Van seemed to be receiving. However, his escort seemed to stop at this one, and Luke came to an abrupt halt, looking up at yet another officer.

"Major Legretta, good to see that you're well." Van said, replying in just the same formal fashion.

"This is Luke, is it...?" Her voice was stiff, near emotionless. Luke met eyes with her, seeing coldness in the deep blue, and a sense of age that seemed to contradict the youth that was still in her face.

"Yes, I'm having him stay here temporarily. Until next week or so, and then we'll be taking him back up... for that certain operation."

"Shouldn't you be getting it over with quickly, Commandant? His parents are not going to simply sit around and do nothing, you know; and you're most likely a suspect." Legretta pointed out. Van crossed his arms, nodding

"Things would be going smoother," he began, "but I contacted Dist earlier. He needs a little bit more time to prepare, apparently. I'm sure with enough cooperation down here we can keep this quiet as possible." There was a silence, nothing more to be said on the topic. Luke couldn't help wanting to scream out, to get help, to tell Van how his uncle and parents would find him no matter what, but this place... so strange, so different, it felt like a prison. He couldn't even see the sky. What was it called again? The facts were getting jumbled about in his head again, and silence was all that remained.

"Well, how is Mystearica doing, then?" Van began, looking down from Legretta. And for the first time, Luke noticed the other person present... silent, nearly blending in with the rest of the people wandering about. Her face mirrored the stern expression of Legretta, dark brown hair pulled back into the same kind of ponytail. One little bit failed to cooperate, falling over her right eye. And Luke couldn't help but see the resemblance between the young girl and Van.

"Tear is doing well in her training... just as talented as her older brother, it seems." Legretta's face seemed to struggle to grin, and overall it appeared somewhat unnatural. Tear gave a childlike smile as well as Van lowered himself to her height.

"I always knew she was an amazing girl." Van said, chuckling. Luke narrowed his eyes, wondering if Tear knew just how horrible her brother was. Or, if she knew, did she even care...?

"Humph, you're just saying that." Tear replied, pulling another small laugh out of Van as she stood akimbo, tapping her foot quickly.

"Maybe Tear could take Luke around, then? I think he might be a bit more comfortable with somebody of his own age." He added. Ya right, Luke thought to himself, looking down and scowling. If he thought he could make this better for him, he was dead wrong. Legretta responded with a shake of her head.

"Tear will be busy today... we're heading off to an important session." She replied, as Van lifted himself up to his feet again.

"I understand. I'll take him to the room we arranged for earlier, then. Good luck to you, Tear." He gave a small wave to his sister as they began walking off. Luke instinctively followed his teacher, looking back on the two one last time. An eerie feeling passed over him as he noticed how syncronized they were; the same steps, the same stature, everything. As if Tear were a smaller, younger clone of Legretta.

Exiting the large, dome shaped room (Luke assumed it was a lobby of some sort), Luke found himself in a narrow, quiet hallway, lined with doors. He became focused once again on the situation, now that that little detour was over.

"This is part of the residential area reserved for Order of Lorelei members... that room you were just in was a part of Yulia City's branch." Van explained to him as they continued walking, the place seeming to get darker. Luke spoke, finally.

"Why is everything so... strange?" He asked. "And more importantly-" He was cut off by Van.

"Here we are, this is the place." Van stopped, ignoring Luke's statement, creating an angered expression on the child's face. He opened the door, leading into a small room, scarcely furnished. "You'll be staying in here for a few days, Luke..." He trailed off, closing the door behind him.

"Master Van, answer my questions. And take me home." Luke blurted out, seating himself on the bed. He was so tired, and confused, and didn't know what was going on... it bothered him. Van looked up, then down, finally taking a seat in a chair, placing it across from Luke.

"I can't answer all your questions, Luke... but you have to trust me." Luke gritted his teeth, gripping the bedsheets tightly.

"Trust you to do what? You've taken me away, treated me like that... I don't even know what this place is. You're... scaring me, Master Van." He added the last bit in a weak voice, near close to a whine. Van sighed.

"I'm sorry about that, Luke. I had to take you here in that way... I know how strong you are. But sometimes you don't think things through. I was afraid you were going to do something irrational-"

"Like run away, run back home to my parents, and Guy, and Natalia, and Uncle, and...?" Luke interrupted, his tone changing into some combination of fear and anger.

"Luke, I want you to trust me, alright? This is for your own good... for everybody's good. You have the power to help people, and I want to help you help people. Alright...?"

"How can I...?" Luke began, and met a groan from Van.

"Look, Luke... you know what trust is, right?" He tried to calm his voice down, but it was losing its gentleness.

"It's when you don't lie to somebody, and they don't lie to you, and you know it just because." Luke said, nodding with confidence in his answer. Van nodded back.

"Exactly. So I need you to trust me on this, and you don't need to know the causes or the whys and hows. Don't you agree?" Luke cocked his head at this, unsure. Part of it sounded true... but part of it seemed strange.

"Ya, I got it. But... am I going anywhere else? What's going to happen?"

"Well... right now it's fairly late, so I think you should get to bed. You look exhausted. I'll see you tomorrow, and everything will be clear. Soon." Van replied, making his way towards the door.

"Good night, Luke." He added as he stepped through the door, closing it softly behind him. Luke couldn't help but notice the "click" a moment after; the sound of a lock. He lay down, letting out a deep breath.

"Good night, Master Van..." He muttered, near silently. Silence was all around now: Nobody to tell him what was going on, where he was, nothing. Darkness and silence.

There was one noise, though... the sound of sobbing, as Luke cried into the pillow, hoping that he could wake up later, and have it all be over.

Woo, first chapter done. As usual, reviews are very well appreciated.