Ch. 1

Everything is so peaceful and beautiful. After four long, hard years they finally did it. They finally saved Auldrant and everything was back to the way it should be. Luke fon Fabre still couldn't believe that everything he and his friends had been through and everything they had sacrificed they were able to make this world so beautiful. Luke sat on a bench in the middle of the courtyard of the manor as he looked up at the miasma free sky, staring up at the Fon Belt with a soft smile on his face. It had been a year since that night in Tataroo Valley where he reunited with everybody and went back home. His friends were so happy to have him back and even Jade gave him a friendly handshake with a warm smile. They asked him how he came back and he explained the best way he could was that Lorelei brought him back by regenerating his fonons back together; it was slow going but it did the job even though it took two long year but he wasn't going to complain. He was just happy to be back home with his family again, especially Tear. Wonderful, beautiful Tear. He still remembered how her face looked when she saw him and the pure joy on it when she knew it was him. Luke smiles softly at the memory.

On their way back to Baticul in the Albiore II, he also explained to them that he was now the Guardian of the Key of Lorelei, which explained why he had it right now and was also the soul protector to the Power of Lorelei that now resides within his fonons and can use its power however he needs as well as to protect Auldrant. Luke knew that Jade was at first concerned about the issue but he also know that he trusted Luke enough to use it wisely and for that he was grateful. The others had also recapped on how much has changed since he'd been gone as well as his coming of age ceremony at the manor, which meant he was officially twenty-years-old (or ten to be exact).

Jade was now a Brigadier General in Third Division of the Malkuth Imperial Forces and is currently retaking up fomicry to study and help out the remaining replicas to make a better life for themselves; though he was still the same obnoxious, sarcastic man as always. Anise at the moment is training to become the first female Fon Master so she could realize Ion's vision as well as helping Florian's studies. Natalia goes around and travels to different places as a goodwill ambassador to help people that had suffered from the after affects from the miasma and areas that had been damaged from the lowering of the outer lands. Guy has gone up a rank and is now a Marquess of Malkuth and is currently helping Noelle and Ginji with the making of new Albiores as well as being a goodwill ambassador to help with peace between the two countries. And Tear? She was now the new Commandant of the Order of Lorelei to correct the mistakes what her brother had done since she felt responsible. Luke was amazed at how much has changed since he'd been gone and he was for them making a difference in the world in their own way. He was glad that they could move on with their lives and still keep in touch and was even happier to know that Tear still loved him. The whole way back she hadn't let go of his arm once as if she was afraid if she did he would disappear again. When he got back home, he was met with surprised and ecstatic looks. Poor Lady Suzanne was practically in tears as she squeezed the life out of him while Duke Fabre and King Ingobert gave him warm greetings as well as everyone else. Everything had happened so fast that it was almost overwhelming but not unwelcome. His uncle even gave him the title of Viscount, which meant he had to read and approve laws as well as go to meetings but he didn't mind, surprisingly. He was just glad that he was able to help out his country in any way he can.

Luke sighed as he returned to the book he was currently reading in his lap. Luke chuckled at the hypocrisy because back then he used to hate reading and now look at him, reading a book about fonic artes. His father had insisted it would be best for him to learn how to use fonic artes and even hired a tutor. Luke was amazed at how quickly he was able to grasp it and was soon becoming a master at them. He was also studying up on learning how to use different types of weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Jade was even kind enough (which surprised him) to teach him how to separate an objects fonons and now hides two spears that connect together to become a lance directly into his arms like Jade does.

With his new powers, his speed and stamina as well as his senses and reflexes were heightened to a degree no normal human being should have along with his newly found strength. One time when he was just figuring out his new powers from Lorelei, with one punch he actually crumbled a boulder to pieces and his hand barely even bruised at all. Jade, as the curious person he was, asked Luke to come to Grand Chokma once a month so he could study his abilities. The noble agreed since he knew the Necromancer was only being cautious and didn't mind. Plus, you'd be a fool to say no to Jade.

Feeling bored just sitting around and already finished with the book, the young noble closed it and stood up as he stretched, popping his back in the process. He thought it would be nice to walk around the garden for a bit since he had no meetings today and had nothing better to do on his day off. He looked down at the sleeping cheagle next to him, wondering if he should wake him up but decided not to since Meiu did look tired and just walked off towards the garden at the back of the house. Once he got to his destination, he decided to go walk around in the large maze they had to see if he could break his record on how long it would take to get out. After being stuck here for seven years, he practically had this whole maze memorized inside out; his current record now was two hours the best and he was determined to break it.

By the time he got out an hour and a half had past and he couldn't help but feel proud of that. "Only thirty minutes early, not bad." He congratulated himself, and then paused as he felt a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time and didn't think he would ever feel again. "No…it couldn't be." And he took off running with his newfound speed through the garden and with a mighty leap, he jumped over the wall that separated the manor from the small forest they had, landing on his feet perfectly.

He walked around the area trying to find the source he had been sensing and knew that it was close by as his eyes scanned the area for what it was. Could it be…? "Didn't take you long enough huh, Dreck?" at the sound of the familiar voice, Luke jumped and whirled around to see whom he thought he sensed was confirmed. Stepping out from behind a tree was none other than his original, Asch. Alive. He was alive. Though a little worse for wear judging by the state of the tattered clothes he was in instead of his usual God-General clothes and how his hair was disarray and still had his usual scowl, but none the less alive and well and standing right in front of him. Luke couldn't help but feel pure joy at seeing him again and gave him the biggest grin Asch had ever seen on the replica.

"Asch…your alive." He whispered out, not sure if what he was seeing was there. "I can't believe it! You're alive!"

"Will you shut up?! You've already made that statement clear to the both of us."

"But I don't understand, how are you here? We all thought you died, I felt you die! You know what, it doesn't matter. I'm just so happy to see you back. Mother and Father will be thrilled to know you're alive and Natalia will be ecstatic to see you!"

"Shut up, do you ever stop talking!? I didn't come all the way from Tataroo Valley just to come back and hear you ramble!" the young monarch's smile faded at this and turned into confusion.

"You're…not coming home?" he shook his head.

"No. Like I said the last time, this isn't my home anymore."

"But then…why are you here?" for a moment, he didn't think he would answer but was surprised when he did.

"I only came here to see if you were alive as well. Looks like my assumptions were correct." Asch was about to turn and leave when his replica stopped him and if possible, his scowl turned deeper. "What?" he grunted out, not hiding the annoyance in his voice.

"Don't you want to let everyone know that you're back and well?" his original scoffed and turned away.

"...It's best that they don't know that I'm alive."

"But why?"

"What does it matter?!" he shouted angrily and Luke flinched back at the glare he received. "It's not like they'll care, they won't be happy to see me. They're only happy to have you back, not me." Luke frowned at this.

"You're wrong Asch?"

"Am I?" he challenged and he stared at him in the eyes with unwavering determination; he will get through to Asch and make him come home to everyone.

"Yes." He answered without hesitation. "They'll be happy to have you back, especially our parents and Natalia." The other scoffed again. "It's true! They will." He argued with his stubborn twin, but he just narrowed his eyes at him.

"...Even if they were, it still wouldn't change my mind about staying. There's nothing left for me here."

"Again you're wrong. You still have a family and a princess who still loves you, and you can still reclaim the throne." Asch quirked an eyebrow at the last part.

"What and you're not?" he shook his head.

"I'm not right to claim the throne and I already told Uncle that as well. The rightful heir should be you with Natalia by your side." Again Asch shook his head.

"It doesn't matter if I reclaim the throne or not, this isn't my home anymore; it hasn't been for eleven years."

"Yes it is and it still can be if you just come back and you'll see otherwise!"

"No." was his only reply and Luke sighed.

"Then where are you gonna go?" he asked and for the first time ever, Asch felt unsure. He realized that he really didn't have anywhere else to go and the thought unnerved him more than his death. He could very well go back to Daath and reclaim his title as a God-General at least but what would be the point. He couldn't go back there, both because that wasn't home and had too many memories of Van; memories that he wanted to never remember. There wasn't anywhere he could call home; he had nowhere else to go.

"I…I don't know…" Luke gave him a soft smile.

"Asch, if you could just come back you will see that you still have a home here with people that still love and care about you. In fact, I'll even show you so stop pushing those people away just because you're afraid of being hurt. They won't hurt you and won't think any less of you, I'm sure of that. And you can't dwell on the past forever, all it'll do is keep on hurting you. Like I always say, you can't move forward if you keep looking back, so the only way to heal is to move past the bad and let in the good...and I will tell you that you can get that here. Just please...come home." He pleaded as he offered his hand out to his original, his smile still present and his emerald gaze showing as much warmth as possible.

Asch stared at the hand, then at Luke and back again apprehensively, unsure if he should take it or slap the hand away. He had made it clear to himself long ago that this was not his home anymore and that he had nothing left here, but seeing how sincere his replica was being and the warmth that he saw in his eyes that were so identical to his but weren't made him rethink everything. Maybe, just maybe...what he was saying was true. Maybe he could go back home and have everything that he had lost. It wouldn't be the same as before but still, change would be nice. But then again it was also terrifying because all his life all he had was the pain and the anger of his past and just forgetting about it, well, he would be lost…But he couldn't be afraid of it forever, he had to at least try and deal with it. Finally making his decision, he slowly but tentatively reached out with his hand, paused for a second and laid it in his isofon's hand. Luke positively beamed at this and without a thought he grasped the hand he was holding. "I promise, you won't regret it!" he said before he took off running, surprising his twin as he stumbled a bit from the unexpected jerk of his arm and being dragged away while Luke just ran like a kid excited about going to a toy store. He was about to snap at Luke to stop dragging him and slow down when he noticed the speed they were going and looked at him in astonishment.

"You have the power of Lorelei too?!" he exclaimed and the other just laughed as he glanced behind him with a grin.

"I guess we're both protectors then." He replied and turned just in time to announce to Asch to jump and they both leapt over the wall, landing perfectly on their feet but didn't stop until they made it inside the manor and stopped at the front to catch their breath. "Sorry for…dragging you…I was just…excited that's all." He panted out.

"What…ever." He replied equally breathless and a little annoyed but could care less at the moment as he took in his surroundings. The place still looked the same as when he was a kid, save from the servants and maids who paused at the noise and froze when they did a double take on seeing two of their masters. Seeing this got him annoyed more. "What are you all looking at?!" he shouted defensively and they took a step back in fear.

"Asch." Luke groaned out and walked over to a nearby maid. "Could you prepare a fresh change of clothes and a bath for my friend here? And tell Mother and Father that I need to speak to them; it's important." He added and she nodded timidly.

"Y-yes Master Luke." With a bow she took off to do what she was told as he quickly shooed everyone away to go back to his or her duties. He motioned for Asch to follow him and they began to walk around until the maid went and fetched them.

"So how did you come back?" he finally asked and Asch was debating on whether or not to answer before he decided it wouldn't hurt to if he did.

"It took Lorelei a little longer but he finally managed to put my fonons back together and the next thing I knew I was in Tataroo Valley four days ago."

"Four days huh, didn't take you long to get to Baticul. Did you actually run all the way here?"

"Well duh, I wasn't going to waste my time waiting on a boat with no gald on me." He exaggerated.

"Fine, fine, sorry I asked. So how does it feel being back? Do you want your old room back or a guest room?" the older rolled his eyes at the change of subject before answering.

"It feels strange but I'll get used to it. As for the room part that room doesn't belong to me so you keep it, I'll decide where later."

"Well all right then, it's your decision. Oh right!" Luke reached behind him and took the Key of Lorelei off the strap. He turned around and offered it to him. Asch just eyed at it blankly.

"What is this?" he asked skeptically and the redhead rolled his eyes.

"It's the Key of Lorelei, duh." He retorted, stating the obvious and wiggled the blunt end in front of him.

"I know what it is you idiot, I just want to know why the hell are you giving it to me!" he said irritably.

"I'm giving it to you because I think it's right for you to have it more than me." Asch shook his head.

"No, Lorelei entrusted you with the Key so you should keep it." Luke was saddened at this but brightened up when he had an idea.

"How about this, since we're both the Guardians of the Key how about we both protect it. You take the sword and I take the jewel, that way it would be much harder for those who would want to steal It." he explained proudly and the other redhead blinked a couple times in surprise.

"…That's actually a pretty good idea. Since when did you have a brain?" he taunted and the younger scowled.

"Since shut up." He retorted back as he separated the Jewel from the sword and dematerialized it into his body. "Do you know how to separate an objects fonons and absorb them into your body?" he asked. To prove that he did, Asch took the sword and in no time flat he absorbed the sword's fonons into his body. Luke rolled his eyes at him. "Show off." He said as the maid from before ran over and came to a halt in front of them and bowed in respect.

"I did as you requested, Master Luke." She informed.

"Thank you, show us the way and then you may go back to your duties." She nodded and they followed her until they made it to the guest wing that was right near the courtyard and stopped at a door to one of the rooms before she departed to her work. The young noble turned to the former God-General and smiled at him. "I'll wait for you out here before we can leave to see our parents." Asch just scoffed at him and walked inside. After he finished cleaning himself, he brushed through his long red locks to take out the tangles and examined it before taking a pair of scissors he found in the room to cut off the ends he didn't need, fixed his bangs, and shortened the length of his side burns; they were too long for their own good, he thought as he cut them to the length below his chin. Spotting a bottle of hair gel he debated on whether or not he should slick it back like before but decided against it. This was his new life now, so might as well start with a new hairstyle.

For a moment he just stared at himself in the mirror, examining his reflection and chuckled humorlessly. "Didn't think I would actually come back here, and the replica to actually convince me." He mused as he stepped out of the bathroom and examined the clothing on the bed he was given. What he noticed immediately was that the outfit looked exactly the same as his replica's clothes, the only differences were that the color combinations were switched and the stripe that goes around the white cuffs were red instead of yellow like his along with the shirt and pants were white with yellow lining as well; the red and black shoes were the only thing they had that exactly matched. He frowned at this, not liking the fact that he would be dressing like the dreck as if they were twins, but he actually liked the clothes so he shrugged and put them on; probably a joke from one of the maids but he'll deal with that later. After he got dressed he looked at himself in the full-length mirror than at his cuffs. "Well, at least they got my favorite color right and they are comfortable." He stated to himself as he stepped out of the room, still scrutinizing his black-gloved hands.

When Luke heard the door open, he turned around and gaped at the sight of Asch. He knew that he and Asch looked so much alike, but this was a whole other level; if they didn't look like twins before they did now because it was like looking into a mirror. They now not only looked the same but also dressed the same as well along with the same exact hairstyle (what a coincidence). The only way people would tell them apart was that Luke wore white and Asch wore black and another way to tell is the ever present scowl on his face (seriously, was his face stuck like that?). Then he shook out of his trance and gave him a nervous laugh when the redhead stared at him blankly with his arms crossed. "I swear this was not my idea. The maids probably thought it would be funny for us to wear the same clothes because we look alike. I-if you want I can ask them to give you another change of clothes?" he rambled but stopped when the other raised a hand.

"Replica. Shut up. I don't care what I wear, clothes are just clothes so let's just go already." He stated with finality.

"Uh, okay?" Huh, harsh as always. He thought. "Mother and Father will probably be waiting in the drawing room by now so let's not keep them waiting." He explained as they walked down the direction to the drawing room in silence. The young monarch felt a little awkward for not talking but didn't know how to make a conversation with his original, though he doubted Asch would to talk with him anyway. Just when he couldn't take it, he saw something blue fly down a hall adjacent of him and inwardly sighed in relief for the opportunity to have a distraction. "Meiu!" he called and the little cheagle backtracked and grinned when he found the person he had been looking for.

"Master!" Meiu called back and flew over to the redhead, nuzzling his furry cheek on his and Luke nuzzled back. "I was so worried when I couldn't find you when I woke up. I looked all over for you, meiu!" Luke laughed.

"Don't worry, I only went out for a walk in the garden and didn't want to wake you. And look who I bumped into." Meiu looked behind him, finally noticing the dark figure and smiled brightly.

"ASCH!" Asch winced at how high the cheagle's voice went as Meiu circled around his head once then stopped in front of him with a large smile. "I'm so happy to see that you're alive! We all thought you were gone and we were all so sad when you did. I'm so glad to see you've returned meiu!" he narrowed his eyes at "It" in annoyance.

"Dreck, will you shut It up?" he muttered out.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he said repeatedly as he bowed and the older popped a vein. He grabbed the cheagle by the head and threw him on the ground, stomping on his head repeatedly.

"Shut UP!" he exclaimed while Luke sweated-dropped at the sight, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Was this what he was like towards Meiu back then? He mused as he watched him kick the poor thing away, making him bounce off the walls like a rubber ball and skidding to a halt at Luke's feet. "God, I don't even know why you still keep that annoying thing." He commented.

"Ah come on, he's not that bad. Sure his voice is annoying but he is kind of cute, and Mother just absolutely adores him." Said Luke as he picked up the cheagle and rubbed his head that was dizzy from all the bouncing and stomping and sat him on his head as they continued on. Luke was relieved to have Meiu here since he didn't think he could take the silence from the former God-General, so he proceeded to distract himself by having a conversation with the cheagle about meaningless things. For something that was so annoying he sure had an interesting way of viewing the world. Finally, they made it to their destination as they stood in front of the double doors in trepidation and Asch suddenly felt nervous but didn't outwardly show it, but Luke felt it anyway through their bond and was surprised by this since he didn't think his original would get nervous. He always looked so confident, but that just shows that he really does have feelings like everyone else despite how closed off he was. All he could do was give him a sympathetic smile, but as usual. Asch just brushed it off and turned away from him with a huff and he rolled his eyes at his typical behavior. "Come on, they're waiting for us right now." The older boy nodded and let Luke go in first before following behind him. From behind the replica, he could see their parents sitting at the table, both looking concern and confused. When they heard the door open they stood and turned towards their son in question, not seeing their other son who was behind him from their angle. "Mother, Father, glad you could make it." He said in a conversational tone.

"Luke, mind explaining to us as to what was so urgent that you had to call us here?" asked Duke Fabre in all seriousness and they both rolled their eyes. As always, their father went straight to the point.

"Sweetheart, what's the matter?" asked Lady Suzanne, concerned.

"It's nothing you need to worry about," said Luke, "I just thought you would like to meet someone."

"And who might that be?" asked the Duke curiously, but Luke just smiled knowingly as he stepped off to the side to show them who it was and they both gasped in astonishment. Standing before them was their son, Asch, whom they both thought had died three years ago. "L…Luke?"

Asch looked up from the floor slightly and sighed before directing his focus back. "Hello Mother, Father." He mumbled out and the next thing he knew he was suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace that took him by surprise and made him stumble back.

"Oh Luke! Oh my baby boy! I can't believe you're finally back home." Lady Suzanne exclaimed as she held him for what it was worth, bursting into tears of joy. Asch couldn't help but smile softly as he slowly hugged her back.

"Yes Mother, I'm home. Please don't cry." After letting go she wiped her tears and composed herself as her husband walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it.

"Welcome home, Luke."

Asch's smile faded as he narrowed his eyes at the mention of the name. "Thank you Father, but that's not my name anymore."

"Ah, that's right. You've changed your name to Asch, my apologies." at this, he nodded. Luke and Meiu watched on with warm smiles and they took this as their cue to leave them alone for them to catch up. Luke silently closed the door behind him and left to go to the courtyard. He came to the middle and stared up at the sky. He was so glad to have his original back home. When he thought that Asch died it felt as if he had just lost his older brother. Now he had him back, he finally had his big brother back, even though he was cruel to him still, he didn't care. He was just happy to have him back safe; he just hoped that one day that his original would think of him as a brother too someday...Of course that was a lost cause and thinking of this made his face turn down crest. Asch would never think of him as family. He hated him and only thought of him as a copy that stole everything from him, Luke knew that much and he couldn't have made it clearer since they met and he didn't blame him. Since the day he was bo-…created, Luke had taken everything he had. His family, his home, his face, his friends, his name, everything. And he had every right to hate him for what he did. Hell even Luke hated himself sometimes because of the person he had been and what he did back then. Guess it was just empty hope.

"Master?" he jumped in surprise and turned to face Meiu on his shoulder looking at him worriedly; he had completely forgot about the cheagle. "Are you all right?" he smiled softly and rubbed his head to assure him.

"I'm fine Meiu, just thinking that's all." With renewed vigor he turned back up to the sky. Right then, I'll just have to keep my distance from him, that way he won't have to deal with me and be happy for once. He thought with a nod while Meiu stared in confusion. Luke didn't want to stay away from him. In fact, he wanted to spend as much time as he possibly could with his original and get to know him better, but he had to do this for his sake so Asch could actually smile more often and he can't very well do that with his replica hanging around him. He wouldn't like it but he had to remind himself that he was only doing this because he cared about his big brother and its best if they stayed away from each other. "Meiu, I'm gonna train for a bit, so why don't you sit down so you won't get hit."

"Yes Master." Said Meiu as he obediently did what he was told and sat and watched the redhead summon up his spears in both his hands and stood in a fighting stance. He swiped the air in front of him in an upward diagonal as if he were fighting an invisible opponent, then spun around and slashed behind him. His spears separated were made to use as offense and defense and when put together, they make a lance that can be used to take down his enemies in quick sweeps, that is if you master it correctly and luckily for him he was one. Plus when thrown, like Jade's, they can explode on contact if he wills it so. His spears were incredible and he was amazed that they could withstand his strength. The whole shaft was red inlaid with a gold bulb at the blunt end as well as the lining that connects the sharp, curved point of the blade to the shaft.

Luke kept on swinging and then quickly slammed the ends of the spears together, connecting them and spun the lance around him in a graceful movement as he moved with it fluidly and slashing the air at the same time. He spun once to the right and with one hand, slashed the air in front of him. He spun it above his head and with one final swing, he slashed it downwards. The young noble panted from the workout and a little dizzy from all the spinning as he relaxed and wiped the sweat off his brow. Meiu had watched in awe and clapped happily when he finished. "That was really great, Master!"

"Thanks Meiu, glad you liked it."

"Oh! Can you do that twirling thing you did last week please? I want to see it again!"

"You mean baton twirling?" he nodded eagerly. "Why?"

"Because it was really pretty meiu!" Luke chuckled and playfully rolled his eyes.

"You think anything is pretty, but sure." Meiu cheered and he laughed. He separated his lance until he had two spears again and dematerialize one so he could have one in his hand.