My take on how Asch was doing within Luke, and I'm making him asleep during the whole Nebilim and Replicantis fiasco. Next is during the battle with Van, I think? If I ever get to continue.

When he realized it, what Asch could see was only colors.

Gold... Perhaps it's orange? There's a hint of red too. Although he swore he also saw a flash of blue earlier. Colors of flame, he realized. Asch took a deep breath and exhaled before sitting down in the strange space and let himself relax for once.

He knew where he was, and frankly he had expected to end up there. Well, the fact that he still retain his consciousness was a bit surprising though, but not that shocking. There hadn't been any literature describing after life, and even if there was he doubt his condition could be described as after-life. Granted, he had died, but... It felt wrong anyway.

His fonons had flowed into Luke, completely. Was it due to Big Bang or not, Asch wasn't sure but in the end it didn't matter. It didn't change the fact that he ended up in his fonslot.

It's cold, but warm at the same time. A contradiction, Asch knew, but he felt that way. Sadness... Regret... The idiot really didn't want him to die. Well, if Luke heard his words in the death trap, surely now he'd understand what he meant. He's alive, although not able to live.

Now, inside him, he's also 'Luke fon Fabre'.

Perhaps deep down Luke understood. That would explain the warmth. And now that he had accepted his replica's reasoning, he doubted he even felt any pain now. That's good. Not that he cared about his replica's well being or anything silly like that. It's just that it'd be easier for both of them if Luke could properly do his job. He wouldn't like it if he dare say to his companions 'Sorry, Asch is inside me now and he's giving me a headache' and use it as excuse when he loses. If that happens, Asch swore he'd make it as painful as possible for him.

Asch let out a sigh.

He wondered how much time had passed since their fight in the trap room. How much time had passed since he realized the horrible fact that might ruin his perfect dream. He lost track of time during his fight. Adrenaline always does that to him.

During the fight, Luke's eyes, identical vibrant green as his, had shown desperation he knew too well. Quickly, Luke wanted the fight to be over with as fast as possible. If he wasn't so frustrated with Asch, the original was sure that he'd beg him to stop the damn pointless fight. It's just a waste of their precious time and energy. Asch had the impression that at one point, Luke actually fought against himself, gritting his teeth in attempt not to yell 'Why can't we just use rock-paper-scissor to settle this?!'.

Now that he thought about it, it had been a wonderful idea. Silly, embarrassing and downright uncool, but appropriate judging from their time, place, and circumstances. Two dying men about to challenge their teacher in a battle of life and death for the sake of resolving their identity issue, the continuance of the world, and (minor detail that wouldn't be said but still important nevertheless) bringing smile to the girl's face, and they settle the issue of who's more worthy by fighting among themselves? That's insane. It wouldn't matter who's more worthy, the fight would only lower their already miniscule chance in winning.

Damn it...

Asch realized then that Luke was dying. And he doubted Luke didn't found out that his original was dying too.

But of course, since no one actually said anything, he didn't know what could be the cause of that. Despite popular belief, it's actually impossible (or perhaps, Asch just didn't know how to, but since his condition was unique and therefore didn't come with a manual, what qualifies as theoretically possible would always stay that way) for him to read his replica's mind. Well, most of the time he knew what the idiot was thinking though. His line of thought was easy enough to predict. Sometimes though, he'd decide on something so idiotic...

Asch scoffed.

Hard to explain his feeling when Luke decided on something far too stupid, even by the replica's standard. It's always mind-blowing. Usually when that sometimes happen, it's because someone else had put the idea in his head. Usually, that something would cause other things to go horribly wrong. Case in point was Akzeriuth, which kicked off the domino effect mirrored perfectly with Sephiroth of all things. And then there's Tower of Rem incident. It had almost caused the idiot to die pointlessly along with the precious supply of seventh fonon needed to purify the world, without taking the taint with him.

Idiot... What did he do this time to have caused this?

He had been willing to die because he knew that 'Luke' would prevail. Even if he wouldn't make it, 'Luke' would still be around in the new world. And so, no one would be saddened. Their savior was alive! The last fulfilled prophecy was that of prosperity! Well, technically it was of destruction, of Hod to be exact, or perhaps of the replicas in Tower of Rem if not Akzeriuth, but it was a minor detail that's better off forgotten.

But... if Luke dies... then who would take on the role of 'Luke'?

His dream, his ideal future, where 'Luke' lives was in danger.

No... it's no longer dream of his own now, wasn't it? Luke also wished it. Even though he didn't want to be 'Luke', he didn't want 'Luke' to disappear too. And despite with different reasons, everyone else he journeyed with also didn't want 'Luke' to disappear. But their 'Luke' was different than his and his replica's 'Luke'. They didn't just want the continuance of 'Luke''s existence, they wanted their friend. They wanted the replica Luke.

All of them... Including the person he once thought as his best friend (but not anymore, and he too had decided that Asch was nothing to him), and she who he loved so dearly.

It's not him that they wanted. It'd never be him. It had to be Luke. And surprisingly, Asch agreed. Instead of a bloodied existence like him, who knew nothing but rage and hatred, it's better if Luke truly becomes 'Luke'. His replica was akin to flame, Asch noticed. Dangerous if not watched, true, but needed nevertheless. At first, of course. Over the course of time, thanks to his companions raising his IQ no doubt, Luke's existence was becoming more and more like pure light, fitting of the name 'Luke'. Kind... warm... strong... wanted...

Everything he could never be.

That's why he had been so very angry with his replica, who insisted that he couldn't be 'Luke'. That he's his own person, and wouldn't take his place. He was tempted to try (undoubtedly with little to no chance of success) to kill him and take on the role of 'Luke' himself, but the constant reminder that his replica was the better person stopped him.

He had to find a way... hurry before the fight ends! Hurry before both of their lives died out like flame under a turnover glass.

But then, a thought came into him. He might not have to do anything.

He was scion of Lorelei, the one who had the same fonon frequency as the seventh fonon's sentience. That means, his fonons were all that of seventh fonons. The healing fonons...

Ah... he didn't need to worry after all.

With his death, Luke will be saved. And 'Luke' will continue on existing. And with him gone, surely Luke would stop spouting that nonsense about not wanting to be 'Luke'. It's not like he'd be able to abandon his parents, or Natalia. The idiot was too kind for that, despite his apparent special affection towards a certain Yulia's spawn. Besides, surely whatever problem he had could be fixed with seventh fonon. Unlike his. Only Luke's death could save him, theoretically speaking. But he couldn't kill him. Not with the unfairness of their circumstances. How insulting, so very infuriating. How dare the replica told him that he's weaker when he's draining him all this time?!

He didn't know anything!

… Granted, he also didn't know that Luke was dying. That would explain his stubbornness in wanting to leave everything to Asch. He was the same as he did. He must had been unsure that his body would hold on long enough to finish his job.

Asch then decided that perhaps he could try to forgive Luke's words. It wasn't fair to force a life to a dying man, he knew how hard it was to take. He'd been feeling it as of late, and he never liked the feeling. He almost felt sorry for his replica.

Almost. There's no way he'd feel sorry for someone who had, albeit unknowingly, stolen everything from him. Not a chance.

But Asch supposed he was affected enough that he was not at all disturbed by the thought of now he's inside his idiotic replica, and even wanting to support him. Now that he thought about it, since the theory popped into his mind back then, he wasn't the least bit disgusted. He was even... relieved? How strange.

Well, whatever. Now that's he's in Luke's fonslot, possibly for good with nothing to do, he might as well help him. It's Luke. He's prone to disaster. Even if he's now had (possibly) been cured and no longer dying, there's high chance he'd mess up soon enough. His replica was walking disaster magnet after all. Any second now.

Bingo.

Asch let out a sigh. How very troublesome. Not one one minute had passed since he passed the baton, and he's in trouble already? And asking for his help even. Luke's fonons swirled unnaturally as he tried to do something, perhaps an arte. Even so, his fonons and the nature's fonons weren't colliding properly like they should. Well, it's probably enough to cause hyper-resonance, but a weak one. Luke was right. He's weaker in the hyper-resonance department, although Asch figured it's just because he had next to no training in controlling his fonons. Unlike him, Luke had no fonic artes in his repertoire, and he figured it's because Van didn't want him to learn how to control his hyper-resonance and thus never teach him anything regarding fonons and fonic artes. After all, the only reason Asch and Luke could cause hyper-resonance was because their fonon frequency was that of Lorelei. Their fonons were all of seventh fonons. So, when they let it collide with seventh fonons from nature, same principle with any other fonic artes, hyper-resonance happened. The difference was that Luke was meant to be used just until Akzeriuth. Luke wasn't supposed to survive this long, while Asch supposed Van had wanted to use him until the end. Not that he'd agree to it. Well, Asch supposed he could have agreed, if only replicas wasn't part of the lunatic's plan.

Hm... Actually, Luke wasn't half bad. He's getting the basic idea, but it's not enough in his current state. He was still tired from his earlier fight with him, and he was panicking. It didn't help him concentrate at all, and Luke was in dire need of it if he wanted stronger and more controlled hyper-resonance for whatever problem he's facing. Asch could push forward and access Luke's body to see what's the problem, or perhaps yell out an order to calm the hell down, but he didn't want to alert Luke of his current condition. He didn't want Luke to know that he's still conscious. There's no telling what Luke would do if he found out, or what he'd suggest to his companions to 'save' him.

Asch then closed his eyes, and let his own fonons collide with the whirlwind, stabilizing the fonon flow and increasing the collision. There, it should be enough to help, right? The end result should be similar with what Van did in Akzeriuth, even though Van definitely didn't have the desire to help. Van just used his words to raise Luke's fonon absorption to power it up, resulting in a strong but impossible to control hyper-resonance. Even if the idea of Eldrant destroyed just like Akzeriuth was very tempting, it would do no good if 'Luke' and people dear to him were to die too. What Asch did shouldn't increase the amount of fonons used in hyper-resonance, and since it's using the amount of fonon Luke was comfortable with, Luke should be able to control it. Although Asch wondered if the result could be called hyper-resonance. Two hyper-resonances colliding... The effect should be different than ordinary hyper-resonance. Hm, what was the term for it again? Second order hyper-resonance?

Well, it didn't matter.

Not like knowing what it's named will do any good.

See? Luke was still in trouble. Asch felt an icy chill, much colder than before, that disappeared in an instant only to be replaced with burning heat. If he had to take a guess, the chill was from Luke steeling his resolve to kill someone (he always hated killing in general, even monsters), as for the heat... Well, it must be Luke's emotional pain caused by his resolve. Uncomfortable, so painful, he didn't like it. Not one bit.

Was it what his replica's feeling each time he swung his sword? Wasn't it as if he was being burned in hell itself? Asch hoped someone would talk to him about the concept of duty, and allowed killing when in defense. Although he wasn't sure if that would help easing Luke's (and from now on his too) pain. He could be so stubborn when he wanted to.

At least... at least after this, after Van is defeated, he might not have to kill anything again. And although Asch knew Luke would be forever haunted by the ghosts of everyone and everything he had killed, at least his pain wouldn't become more intense. Perhaps time could ease his pain.

Perhaps... just perhaps.

Another contradiction.

Asch hugged his knees and groaned. He felt weaker all of a sudden, probably due to his intervention earlier. Suddenly he was assaulted with fatigue, and if it wasn't for the pain he's feeling he'd fainted already. Perhaps that's why he started thinking silly things like Luke's suffering.

He's getting delirious... sleepy...

… So tired...

He wanted to... no, needed to sleep...

But, would he wake up again, Asch wondered glumly. He wanted to stay awake if he could, so despite the discomfort he found himself grateful for the pain. He wanted to make sure that Luke didn't do anything wrong or stupid or make a blunder, make sure that 'Luke' was doing fine. Or perhaps that's just an excuse. He wasn't sure. It could be that despite the expectations and theories and everything that he had been through, he was just afraid of dying and couldn't bring himself to admit it.

But... he was getting sleepy... and the heat he had so gladly accepted was getting less and less painful. Possible explanation was that Luke had learned that he couldn't let the pain interfere in fight and made the effort to suppress the pain, thank Lorelei for that. At least it meant that he'd fight properly, not like when he first saw him in Tartarus (even though not a year should have passed since then, to him it felt like a lifetime already). It's either that or the fight is over already. Didn't matter either way. But...

The lack of pain only made it harder for him to stay awake... And if he fell asleep, he doubted even similar pain could jolt him awake.

No... he couldn't sleep now... Not at this important time!

"Asch..."

Damn it... and he'd been realized too.

If he wasn't so tired, he'd run away despite knowing how fruitless it would be. He's in Luke's fonslot. Luke would always be able to sense him.

"... Thank you for earlier. I couldn't do it without you."

Luke's sudden words stopped his line of thought, and then Asch found himself tensing as warm fingers stroke his cheek. Cracking an eye open, he saw a familiar face, his own face, smiling sadly at him.

"Tear taught me how to control my fonons and such. First step was to access my fonslots... So..."

Luke started explaining timidly, as if he found Asch's glare to be questioning when in reality he's just displeased at the fact that his idiot replica hadn't learned his lesson that he didn't like to be appreciated, not by him of all people. Not when it'd give him false hope that maybe, just maybe, he too deserved the name 'Luke'. But well, that'd explain his basic grasp in causing hyper-resonance. And his ability in projecting himself to him. Asch supposed the current Luke could pull his consciousness to his body, like what Asch did to him back then after he satisfyingly beat him up in Yulia City. Although he wondered how the others were perceiving Luke's lack of presence. With his consciousness focused in one of his fonslots like this, his body must be running on auto-pilot, figuratively speaking. Lights on but no one's at home. He wouldn't be surprised if his idiotic replica, who was enough of an idiot to attempt to speak to him while practically walking through a war-zone, slammed into one of the pillars supporting Eldrant and made himself look even more idiotic than possible. He grimaced at the thought of his replica further tainting the name 'Luke' that way, but Luke shook his head before he could voice his concern.

"I'm holding on to Natalia, or perhaps it's the opposite? She's pretty shaken with your... death."

He didn't seem to be comfortable in saying that particular last word before adding that no one was currently in the mood of chatting, and so his silence was not out of place.

Was he really that easy to read? Luke was always like an open book, but Asch never thought that he too was expressive enough that even an idiot like his replica could answer his question before it was asked. Granted, he was in his fonslot. Just like how he could sense Luke's feeling through his fonons, Luke could probably sense Asch's through the same way. He scowled. That would mean hiding his consciousness was a lost cause since the beginning.

"I... I'll find a way. After all of this is over, I'll make sure you return. I'll make sure 'Luke' lives."

Asch let out a sigh but allowed himself to relax slightly under Luke's touch. How troublesome. Just as expected, he's deciding on something idiotic. That's why he hadn't wanted Luke to realize. Best not to argue with him at this point of time though. Disagreeing with him will only cause him unable to fully focus on his incoming fight. Although him not agreeing with his replica was normal occurrence (snow would fall on the desert when his replica says something agreeable, Asch was sure of that), Luke never took his disagreement lightly. No, he'd rather not risk Luke doing something monumentally idiotic because of it, not in this important time. At least he had enough sense to know that fighting Van is the thing he should prioritize. Besides, Asch didn't have the energy to argue with him at the moment, not when he's feeling so unbelievably tired.

Seriously, what did he think he could do? Asch could no longer feel the connection to his own body, and as far as he was concerned Luke couldn't even tell he was connected in the first place. The path had been cut-off. There should be no returning to him. It's not possible for him to be 'Luke' anymore. At least he's still alive now, but he doubted he'd stay that way if he ever let himself succumb to the fatigue.

Damn it... his eyelids were getting heavier, and Luke's warm touch didn't help at all... He was almost sure that Luke was knowingly lulling him to sleep, and his suspicion was confirmed by his next words.

"Go to sleep. It's okay. I'll wake you up when we get to Master. It's still long journey ahead. And... To tell the truth, I'm thinking on returning to the city first, we're out of gels and even though no one has said anything I'm sure they also think that going after Master with no support is a bad idea."

Asch shook his head stubbornly, jerking Luke's hand away, before burying his face in his knees. Childish of him, Asch knew but he hadn't had the energy to do anything else. He knew that it was bad idea to disagree with Luke at this point of time, but no way in hell he's going to risk going into eternal slumber. Anything but that.

"Hey, don't be ridiculous..."

Luke sounded exasperated, but Asch knew that Luke would not give in. He heard him sigh, and said something vaguely familiar.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm just using you. It's not for your sake. If you ever said it again, I'll kill you."

It took Asch a good minute to realize that Luke was reciting his words.

"... and yet, you're too weak to even argue, even though I must have insulted you when I said thanks earlier, and each and every time I call Van 'Master'."

Another sigh, and then the heat returned. Asch let out a hiss and look up, expecting Luke to disappear to focus on another fight, but instead found his replica staring intensely at him, looking uncharacteristically cold. He grab a hold of his hair and forcefully yanked it before Asch could bury his face again, forcing him to look at his replica eye to eye.

"Fine, I'll use your logic and be blunt. Asch, I need you. I want to use you. Sync thought that what you did earlier can trouble Master, and all of us agree, but the current you can't do anything. I can't have that. So, I want you to sleep for now and help me defeat Master later or so help me Lorelei I'll suppress you myself. See if I care, I can stoop to Master's level if I want."

He realized it too? Sure, his condition now was more or less similar to how Lorelei's trapped inside Van, but he didn't know that Luke had enough intelligence to figure it out himself. Although Lorelei wasn't as willing to lend Van his power, and surely if he wasn't such a strong bastard, Lorelei would have destroyed his psyche already. Compared to Lorelei, he was more or less cooperative, with little to no intention of killing his current host. But he wasn't sure he could stay that way if Luke decided to forcefully subdue him. It'd be the same as locking him away, keeping him from helping, and Asch hadn't wanted that. Not when the safety of 'Luke' and his important people were at the hand of his helpless replica. Asch opened his mouth, the fatigue was making it hard for him to find his voice, but he managed, although he didn't like how desperate and weak he sounded.

"... I can't die now."

"You won't if you would just stop being ungodly stubborn and sleep. I have my ways to wake you up later, if that's what you're worried about. I'm not as dumb as you think I am."

Asch raised an eyebrow at that, and with a scowl Luke elaborated.

"Tear remembered the Grand Fonic Hymn. It can awaken Lorelei, and since our fonon frequency is the same as Him, we're bound to react to it too. It can awaken you too. I'll have her sing it during the fight."

He waited, aware of a word that Luke deliberately left out in his explanation despite how logical it sounded, the word that didn't help ease his fear in sleeping one bit. Luke apparently understood too, he raked a hand through his flame colored hair and added under his breath.

"... theoretically," he reluctantly admitted. "I think."

He thinks? Asch wasn't sure he could put his faith in anything that comes from his replica's logic. If it came from Jade, then perhaps. But it couldn't be since all things regarding seventh fonon (except fomicry) and Lorelei were out of his field of expertise. As if sensing his uneasiness, Luke clicked his tongue in slight annoyance.

"Look. I don't know how I know, but I do know that you're using your own precious fonons to stay alive. Awake. Whatever. I need those fonons, and you, to cause another second order hyper-resonance. But not now. Perhaps not for another day or two even, if the others agree to return to the city first. The longer you're forcing yourself, the more your fonons will burn out. So I'm begging you, can you please sleep? I need you to be strong when the time comes."

He let go of his hair, and his hands moved to cup Asch's cheeks. His cold expression had melted, and now looked pained. More like his usual self. The pain dissipated, and from his hands warmth oozed out.

"Asch, please... I need you to survive this. No, I need 'Luke' to survive this. Because I probably won't. I don't want to risk burning you out completely..."

His voice shook, like he was trying to hold back his tears. Asch looked at him through squinted eyes, his vision started to become blurry, and Luke smiled at him. He laughed sheepishly before pulling Asch to his embrace. His face landed on Luke's chest and he felt him stroking his hair gently. The gesture was familiar, something the old him used to get from a beloved someone, and despite his reluctance he couldn't bring himself to resist this time. Although he wasn't sure what made him gave in. Was it the fatigue, or Luke's words. 'Luke''s survival was what he wanted, wasn't it? Or, he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, it could be his last words, about him not wanting to risk burning him out completely.

"Relax... sleep... I won't let you die. Not again."

When he found himself relaxing and losing his consciousness, Asch realized which one was the answer. Disgusted with himself, he once again reminded why even he felt Luke was the better person.

"Luke? Are you okay?"

Guy's touch brought Luke back to reality. He blinked once, twice, before looking up to the pair of bluish green eyes that were his bestfriend's and smiled. "Yeah? What's up?"

"You were spacing out, Luke. And..."

His face contorted to a frown, and his hand motioned to a spot near his eyes. Instinctively, Luke touched that spot on his own face, a bit surprised when he found his finger found a drop of water that couldn't come from anywhere but his eye.

"... ah."

"Are you sure you're fine, Luke?" Natalia asked, her grip on his hand tightened a bit. He knew what that meant. The only thing keeping her sane at the moment was the fact that Asch was inside him, although Luke was sure no one knew (not even Jade perhaps) the extent of that truth, and she couldn't help but to worry over him. No, she couldn't lose Asch, not again. And Luke wouldn't let that happen. He owed them both at least that.

"... yeah. I just... I'm fine. Picture perfect."

It's not entirely wrong. Asch's fonons had given him extra strength, and he felt better than before. But still, it wasn't what he wanted. He had taken Asch's past, and he wasn't sure he wanted the extra guilt of using his life, his present, despite knowing that it's absolutely necessary. It's like Tear all over again, he knew what Asch's doing is hurting him but he couldn't stop him because he knew it's necessary for the greater good. Luke didn't know how he knew, but he realized that as long as Asch was in his defective body, his fonons would seeped out along with his. And his stubbornness in wanting to stay awake would burn out his fonons too. No, he needed to be stopped, and he was grateful for Tear's fonon manipulation lessons. Lulling Asch to sleep had been difficult, but it's the only way he knew to reduce, not stopped sadly, Asch's fonon usage.

Now, if he could only find the thread he knew had to exist deep inside his fonslots leading to Asch's body...

Perhaps he could ask Lorelei to do something about that. He's like a god, right? A healing god, seeing as he's sentience of healing fonons. Surely he could fix a body. And once the body is fixed, surely the path would be opened again.

Yeah, before he disintegrate into nothingness, he would make sure to ask Lorelei about that.

"Are you hurt somewhere? I can cast first-aid if you want..." Tear said reluctantly from behind him. stopping his line of thought. But he insisted that he's fine and scolded her for being a worrywart. She frowned, no doubt not missing the edge from his old persona that only resurface when he's hiding something, but nodded nevertheless.

From the corner of his eyes, Luke saw Jade looking at him with slightly narrowed eyes. How odd. He felt watched, but not out of concern like what he felt from everyone else. It felt like Jade was waiting for something, like he was in his scientist mood. It's like... he was expecting Luke to suddenly combust or grow a second head or something along the line of that. Luke turned to him, and tilted his head questioningly. After a long second, the oldest man in the group just sigh and shook his head with a smile gracing his face before turning to the girl who was currently in charge of their items.

"Say, Anise... we still have Wing Bottle in stock right?"