Author's Note: This story originally belonged to Zerokai9, I adopted it, and what you shall read is the first four chapters that have been rewritten, if you wish to read the original, please feel free. If there are any mistakes or the like, do not hesitate to point them out, otherwise, enjoy!
Disclaimer: The Tales of series and its characters belong to Bandai Namco, the original idea belonged to Zerokai9.
Symphonic Abyss
Chapter 1: A Strange New World
Scattered. That would be the word Luke used to describe how it felt to be transported to another planet, not that he knew what was really happening anyway.
It most certainly what he expected after defeating his former swordsmaster, who tried to replicate a new world by destroying the old one, or after he said his final goodbye to his friends and comrades, nor when he set Lorelei free from the planets core. Then again, the young scion should have know, his adventures couldn't just 'end'. They didn't the first time.
Then, he felt. It took the young replica a while to believe it. He could actually feel the world around him. Luke didn't dare open his eyes, for fear that it was just an illusion, Lorelei trying to comfort him in death. Curiosity getting the better of him, the redhead tentatively opened his eyes. He couldn't help but smile, the sky was blue and there! He was lying on fresh, green grass, and could hear a nearby river. Though his joy quickly subsided when it dawned on him. Luke was alone.
Before being 'scattered', Luke had tried to bring Asch back. It was stupid and pointless he knew. The scion of Loreleis power could generate his own hyperressonance but couldn't heal. At the time, that didn't matter, his original deserved to live as much as him, perhaps even more. That was the last thing he remembered before a jumble of white and static, and then, nothing.
The redhead winced slightly as he sat up. Though not on the usual level of Lorelei induced headaches, it still hurt. But hey, pain meant he was alive right? Ignoring the nagging at the back of his mind, Luke stood up, looking around, trying to hopefully spot Asch and figure out where in Yulia's name they were. Unfortunately, no red in sight. Not only that, he didn't recognise the area.
Pushing away all the panic as best as he could, he remembered Tears words, a river lead to a road. That was how the two got out of Tataroo Valley after all.
Even being near a river, the young scion did not feel any better, on the contrary, his unease continued to grow. Luke didn't recognise anything around him. Where was he? Had he gone through time? No, that couldn't be possible could it? Then again, Luke was alive, wasn't he proof of the impossible? And Guy couldn't recognise Eldrant, even though it was a replica of Hod. He pondered such things until another detail caught his attention. Him. More specifically his hair, it was long again, like it was before Ak- no, no need to think about that right now. He needed to be more like Tear or Jade. Well, maybe not Jade… Luke shook his head. He needed to focus. No more distractions.
So channelling his inner Tear/Jade he looked at himself as best as he could without a mirror. He was still wearing his clothes from the fight before Van, the short white coat, black top underneath, same baggy pants and same boots. He still had his gloves on and strangely he still had The Key Of Lorelei, Jewel and all, attached to his waist. Hell, Luke still had his item bag, though missing quite a few things and a familiar Cheagle. All that had changed was his hair. Why though?
"Looks like I'll have to not use so many items." Luke mumbled absent-mindedly, remembering when Tear used to scold him for using too many. Why use items when you have two seventh fonists? Just thinking about Tear made Luke's heart skip a beat. He wanted to see her again, and to do that he needed to figure out where he was.
"Now, where am I?" He said. Thinking out loud helped organise his thoughts, and gave him the motivation to move. What Luke didn't expect however was the answer he got.
Somewhere not even I knew about.
Of course no, Luke didn't jump. And no, he didn't make any noises. He was a noble, he had dignity! Then his brain caught up.
"Wait, Lorelei!" He shouted in suprise "Is that you?"
Yes, and please, no need to shout, all you need do is think and I shall hear.
'Oh, okay. How can, you do that? Why can't you just materialise? And where am I?' Luke, understandably, panicked.
Relax my scion. I can tell you most of what you need to know by looking into this planets memory. However, I cannot tell you everything, only about events that have already happened and have shaped the world as well as people significant to history.
'That kind of helps, I think.' Honestly the young noble was lost, but he wouldn't admit it.'So, how can you look into the planets memory, I thought you were the planets memory? Why can't you just materialise? And where am I, you said 'this planet', what does that mean?'
To put it simply, when you tried to heal your isofon, the instability of the fonons was too great and caused a hyperressonance. One of the biggest in all history I might add. It is the same phenomenon that happened with you and Yulia's descendant, only on a greater scale.
'I caused a hyperressonance. Fine, the what?'
We were sent to another planet. Apparently, this one is called Sylvarant.
'Wait, another planet! B-but how is that even possible? Can we even get back home? How is Aulderant without you? Hell, how can I survive here?'
Many other planets exist. Normally, I was meant to leave like the other sentiences, but I grew attached. Though it is strange that this planet does not use fonons.
'No fonos! How am I still alive?'
Calm my isofon. Have faith that things shall be alright. And please do not interrupt incessantly. Good, now, this world does not use fonons, though they do exist. No it has a similar substance named 'mana'. Mana and fonons are only different in the fact that there are seven types of fonons, and no types of mana. For now I would rather not use any power, I have not had a form in many years, to materialise now would demand a great effort. Conversing with you like this is much easier. Oh and to answer your earlier question, time is different for every planet, it took you quite a while to get here even with a hyperressonance.
'Thanks Lorelei, but that doesn't explain how to get home.'
Unfortunately, I do not know for now, but I suggest that if we are to stay here, you should go to a town and resupply, for there seems to be an abundance of monsters. To the south-east you shall find a town named Iselia. We should go there and decide our next course of action.
Luke sighed. Too much information in one go. "Alright, I don't have many other options anyway." With those instructions in mind, Luke set out for Iselia, wondering just what this new world had to offer.
And it was pretty amazing. Sylvarant was actually very beautiful. In fact, it was very similar to Aulderant. Lush green fields, blues skies, eye catching scenery, it was an amazing sight and left Luke feeling almost… nostalgic? To keep his mind from going down darker paths, the young replica decided to ask the sentience of the Seventh Fonon more about this mysterious new planet.
The sentience was more than happy to oblige
To start, the living beings of Sylvarant consist of humans, elves, dwarfs, half-elves, as well as various monsters.
Luke had to physically stop to process this new information 'Elves? Dwarves!? Aren't they just in fairy tales?'
According to the planets memory elves and dwarves have existed for as long as Sylvarant itself.
'Okay?' It was a strange thought that fairy tales really existed. Then again Luke himself was a replica and would be a hypocrite to think that. It was still too confusing. 'So, what else can you tell me? Any more about elves and dwarves.' Luke asked curiously, not caring that his inner seven year old showing.
Sadly, half-elves are widely discriminated against. Why this started is unknown, but the main reason the hatred is so large is due to the fact that because of the racism they suffer, a group of radical half-elves called 'Desians' capture humans and force them to work in camps called Human Ranches. There, humans are either worked to, starved, or tortured to death.
'That's horrible! Is there one near Iselia?' Now the redhead was afraid of being captured and being worked to death.
Yes. I would advise you to stay away from the ranch. Iselia has a non-aggression treaty with theranch to not attack each other and I would like for you to look like a regular person.
It angered Luke, all those people stuck inside the ranch and he couldn't do a thing! Saving them condemned the village. Damn it, it felt so bad not being able to help those in front of him!
The redhead didn't have much time to dwell on such thoughts as something rustled in the bushes behind him.
Turning, his hand racing to the Key, he saw… a dog? In fact Luke wasn't even sure it was a dog. Firstly, it was BIG, like, four times the size of a wolf. Secondly, it had white fur, a green mane and very large ears, not very normal for a dog. The scion was honest to Yulia lost about what to do. The dog wasn't aggressive, if anything it was familiar?
"Dagnabit Noishe! What will it take ye to… hm?"
A stout man came out of the bushes after the strange, dog, he had busy eyebrows and a thick goatee. He seemed quite surprised to see Luke.
"Ah, sorry about that! Noishe wasn't botherin' ye was he?"
It took most of Luke's will not to comment on his accent. Luke was the alien after all. "Um, no. I just heard your, uh, pet behind me and thought he was a monster."
"Sorry. He does that from time ta time." the man said before eyeing the redhead up and down "Now pardon me askin', but what are ye doing out here? Its not the safest place ta walk around, given all the monsters an' all."
"Well, I was on my way to Iselia. Am I going in the right direction?" Luke asked heading Loreleis words of appearing normal.
This perked the other man up "Yes, as a matter of fact! Just keep headin' south, and you'll see the town in no time." The man seemed oddly enthusiastic about helping a complete stranger.
"Okay! Thank you, uh…?" Luke stopped, realising neither had introduced themselves.
The stranger picked up on this. "The name's Dirk"
"Luke, Grants!"Luke lied. His last name, fon Fabre would be too flamboyant for a low profile. And Grants was the first name he could come up with "Thank you." he quickly added.
A grin spread across Dirks face "No problem. Dwarven vow #2 : Never abandon someone in need!"
Dwarven vow…? "You're a dwarf?" The redhead blurted, internally cringing at his own blunder.
All the cheeriness disappeared in an instant, "Yeah. Is there somethin' wrong with that?" Said dwarfs voice lowered into an almost threatening tone.
"No!" the young noble quickly replied "I've just never seen a dwarf before."
All the tension in the air vanished as Dirk seemed less threatening. "Ah sorry. No harm done. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work." With those last words, the dwarf Dirk walked away. His dog, Noishe, seemed to hesitate but quickly followed his master.
'That was... interesting. So that's what a dwarf looks like.' It made Luke excited to explore the rest of Sylvarant. How would the others react when he told them he wondered. Not everyday you got to explore a foreign planet.
A gate could be seen in the distance as Luke continued down the pathway. That had to be Iselia! Happy to have finally found the village, his pace quickened with a spring in his step.
The young noble almost laughed at the two guards, the way they looked him over. Honestly if Luke wanted to, he could take them both out no problem.
I would advise against that.
'I know, I know.'
Iselia reminded Luke of Engeve. They were both small rural towns, except Iselia seemed to be a bit bigger. Then again, it had been a while since he had been to Engeve. The replica wondered if Rose was still the mayor, and how the Cheagles were doing? Had Mieu gone back to the forest or had Tear taken him hostage? As he walked through the village, watching the people around him, he noticed the odd stares he was receiving, the kids playing with sticks stopped to stare, and the adults gave him suspicious glances. Why?
Your hair…
The redhead grumbled at Lorelei, the sentience was right, everyone seemed to have brown or blond hair, no one had red hair, nor did any of the men have hair that fell down their backs… He shook the stares off, Luke was a noble and should be used to the stares, red was the symbol of the royal family of Kimlasca after all. Then again, on his other journey, he had people with him, people who let him forget the stares…
No, don't get like this again, Luke shook his head of the bad thoughts. Ever since Akzeriuth and the Tower of Rem, they had a bad habit of sneaking up on him. Very quickly however, the young noble was lost in thought again, mostly about which provisions to buy, and failed to notice where he was walking. Of course Lorelei tried to warn him, but it didn't change a thing, Luke still walked straight into someone.
The stranger was the first to recover, and helped our young hero up.
"Sorry! Didn't see where I was going there! Are you okay?" The stranger asked, his worry genuine.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Luke replied, what was with people saying sorry to him today?
The stranger who helped him up seemed happy with that. He appeared to be a year younger than Luke, with brown hair that spiked upwards towards the right of his face. The noble knew he didn't have the most common of clothes, but the boys were even stranger in his opinion, the boy was wearing a long sleeved bright red shirt, that had a lot of buttons. The shirt was also collared, with a white scarf, and he had suspenders attached to black trousers, belts to hold his swords, red gloves and boots. His love of red rivalled even Asch.
But there was something about him, just by looking Luke could tell that somehow this boy was special.
"Hey, are you new to Iselia? I haven't seen you here before. I'm Lloyd." The newly introduced Lloyd said with a smile.
"Yes, I've never been here before, and my name is Luke." He wasn't going to repeat the Grants problem.
"Wow, cool name!" Lloyd replied cheerfully. He just seemed so happy.
"Thanks? Anyway, I'm a traveller, I was just stopping by to restock my supplies and to find a place to stay for the night. Maybe some work if I'm lucky." Work would be a great way to easily get information after all.
"You've come to the wrong place if you want work, a part from monster hunting, there isn't much to do." the brunette pondered, Iselia was a quiet farming town.
"Well it's lucky I'm good with a sword!" Luke replied. Coming to Iselia, he hadn't met any monsters, not counting the dog. He wanted to see if his swordsmanship was still as good as before.
"Really! Not many people know how to fight around here, I had to teach myself." Lloyd was like a puppy, excited by the little things. "But if you want a job, you'll have to go see the mayor, come on I'll show you."
Luke was going to say something when his newfound companion cut him off. "Dwarven vow #2: Never abandon someone in need!"
Well it looked like Luke's luck had taken a turn for the better.
It didn't last long. Lloyd was a nice kid, but the redhead did not want to get dragged all over the place. Jade had already done that enough for one lifetime.
"Here is the schoolhouse, I don't really like it here." Lloyd said oblivious to his companions mood. At his words, Luke looked up, he hadn't ever been to school, but his tutors were annoying, so he could somewhat understand.
The two walked around some more, before arriving in the west side of town close to where Luke had first walked in. They had gone everywhere but the mayors. Why? Not noticing Luke's ever so slight annoyance, the brunette continued his tour. "And here, is the Sage's house. My teacher and her brother live here."
As if answering Lloyd's announcement, a young sounding voice called out to the two boys "Hey Lloyd! What're you doing here?" The two looked over to see a kid, a little shorter than Anise walk up to them. He had silver hair like Ginji, only the kids was longer. He also wore a sky blue short-sleeved sweater over a black shirt, sky blue shorts with weird white glyphs on them, and black and blue shoes. Now, if Luke had to guess, he would say that the kids favourite colour was blue.
The young boy suddenly stopped, staring at the redhead. "Who're you?" he asked, seeming suspicious of Luke.
Of course, Lloyd butted in for his new friend "This is Luke! He's looking for work or something, so I'm showing him around."
"Right, next you'll invite him, a stranger, to your house since the inn is pretty terrible." the silverette snarked.
"Hey, that's not a bad idea, I would be following the vows."
"That's your excuse for everything."
The two boys squabbled for a bit longer, with Luke forgotten to the side. He could just go back to town and ask where the mayor's was. That would have been the easy way out. But the redhead didn't think he could try and sneak away, Lloyd seemed to detect any thoughts of fleeing.
"Oh right!" he chirped up in the middle of his concussion, "Luke, this is my best friend Genis!"
"Hello. I'm Genis Sage. I live in that house." he said, as though he was bored.
The brunette satisfied that Luke wouldn't run away just yet, or at least that was what what Luke thought, turned back to his friend "Anyway, have you seen Colette anywhere?"
"She'd said that she and Phaidra were going to the Martel Temple to do some church stuff, and won't be back until late this afternoon."
"Okay, we'll just talk to her tomorrow. By the way, did you need us for something." Lloyd asked, after all, it was Genis who called out to them, well, to Lloyd.
The young boys smile turned wicked. A little like Syncs. "Oh yeah. Raine said she wanted to talk to you about your behaviour in class today. She's in the schoolhouse right now, and doesn't want you to be late."
Whoever this Raine person was must have been terrifying as the brunettes face completely drained of any colour once he heard that. "Oh, ah, tell the professor I'll be with her in a moment." he said with a sheepish grin as he inched away.
"Do you want me to tell her you ran away?" Genis continued with a grin.
Lloyd gave up with a huff "I'm going, I'm going!" he mumbled as he walked away leaving Luke behind.
"Hey, don't take it personally what I said to Lloyd. He may be an idiot, but he's still a good person. Accept the invite. I wouldn't be friends with him if he wasn't."
"It's alright." Luke sighed "Could you just point me to the mayors place. Apparently, I need to ask him for a job?"
"Let me guess, Lloyd dragged you all over the place?" The silverette asked with a knowing smile.
"Yes."
Genis laughed "Come on, it's this way."
It seemed that Lloyd was right, the only job available was monster hunting, not that Luke minded, getting rid of monsters had become second nature. And the mayor was all too happy that someone was willing to get rid of them. So the young noble went to some fields outside of the village, and waited. Monsters always came out, even if it seemed like a trap.
The first one was a pack of wolves.
"Alright." Luke grinned as he unsheathed the Key Of Lorelei "Let's see if my skills have gotten rusty."
The wolves ran at our redhead, all suspecting an easy prey, all alone from a tiny village. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for Luke, he still remembered all his artes. A white shockwave appeared after Luke swang up, sending one of the unsuspecting wolves sprawling. The next one tried to imitate his now dead companion, only attacking from the side instead of a frontal strike, but the young noble blocked and pushed forward, before he thrust his blade at the beast. Not giving the last wolf the chance to do anything, Luke charged, bringing his blade up using the momentum to jumps higher, to the fall and stab the final monster in its skull.
Luke stared at the monsters in front, their bodies laying still on the ground. It made the reality of what he did more real when he was on his own. In the end something's didn't change. Though a necessity, Luke still didn't like killing, monsters or not.
Well, the mayor did ask for the skins…
A few gruesome minutes later, more monsters having attacked as he was 'dealing' with the wolves. Luke had had enough of natures laws for one day. To keep his mind off what he was doing as he disposed of the bodies, the replica thought back over his battle, his techniques instantly killing what would have been difficult at the start of his last journey. He was still going strong.
Yes, it appears you are, even your fonons are no longer separating. This gives us a big advantage.
'What?'
It is as I said, your fonons are no longer separating. It must be due to the large amount of Seventh Fonons used in the hyperressonance. They must have filled void, rendering your body more stable.
'You're not joking right? I'm, I'm not going to die.'
No my isofon, you are not.
All of the fatigue had slipped away at those words. Luke wasn't going to die. Part of him had a hard time believing that. No matter what he did though, his smile would not go away. When he got home and told everyone, their faces would be the funniest thing he had ever seen. He could finally hope for a future with Tear.
Wow he was really nostalgic. Luke barely finished the thought when more monsters couldn't learn from their companions mistakes.
As the last one fell, a voice called out to Luke "Excuse me, sir?"
It surprised the young noble to see people outside the village at all. Especially what seemed to be clergy men and women. The two men in the back and the older woman in the front whom he guessed was the one to call out to him were in a triangle formation around a younger blond girl, dressed in clothes similar to that of the order of Lorelei.
"Yes?" Luke replied, sheathing his weapon, they didn't look dangerous. Then again, neither did Anise, or Tear, or Nathalia, or Ion… "Who are you?"
The old woman smiled "I'm sorry sir, but may I ask you something?"
Well, this wasn't at all suspicious. "What is it?"
Before the older lady could ask, one of the acolytes spoke "Phaidra, do you really think you should ask this of him? This is an important task."
The name Phaidra seemed familiar to Luke. "Why? What are you asking?" he questioned, it must have something to do with the young girl in the centre. He got the same feeling from her as the one he got from Lloyd and Genis.
"Well, sir-" The old woman, Phaidra started, before the replica cut her off.
"Luke. Luke is just fine." he stated. No sirs or whatever, he wasn't a noble out here.
Phaidra continued unbothered by Luke's interruption "Well, Luke, my name is Phaidra, and I am a priestess at the Martel Temple near Iselia." she introduced herself "And in case you didn't know, the Journey of Regeneration is but a few days away."
Luke was understandably, a little lost. He was, for lack of a better term an alien to this world. Just what was this Journey of Regeneration. Luckily for Luke, he had access to the worlds biggest database. Lorelei.
The Journey of Regeneration is when a person known as the Chosen makes a pilgrimage around various temples in Sylvarant in order to keep the world from dying. The importance of the Chosen in Sylvarant is on the same level as Fon Master Ion.
"-will you accept?"
The words brought the replica out of his lecture "I'm sorry, I zoned out. What was the question?" Luke asked. Feeling the sudden disapproval of the clergymen. None the less, the priestess repeated herself.
"Will you accept the responsibility of protecting the Chosen during her Journey of Regeneration?"
Luke paused, she was offering the job of protecting the most important person in the world to a random stranger whom she had just learned the name of. "Why me?" Luke asked, it was all he could think of asking.
"Phaidra thought that you were a skilled swordsman after watching you kill those monsters." One of the men in the back said, "And we were having a difficult job of finding mercenaries who would work cheaply, so she decided to ask you."
Luke was taken aback. He was going to get dragged off on another quest to save the world, wasn't he? "Okay. I'm flattered that you think I'm skilled enough to guard the Chosen, but… can you give me some time to think about it? This is really overwhelming."
"That is fine." The old woman said, though her expression was as if she already knew the answer "Try to give us your answer by Wednesday please? That is when the Chosen leaves. Do you have a place to stay? We could book you a room at the inn."
The redhead was surprised by the offer, but wasn't one to refuse. Inns were always expensive when you really needed one. "Thank you. That is very kind." he thanked trying not to sound too eager.
With their mission done, the four left Luke to his monster killing business. However, the young girl who had been silent up until that point turned around with a smile and waved "Goodbye Mr. Luke!"
Luck really wasn't on Luke's side, giving him no time to sort through his thoughts, or even talk it out with Lorelei, when a familiar red wearing, dual wielding, self taught swordsman came barrelling through the surrounding bush.
"Hey Luke! I am so sorry, I ended up breaking the vow. I was supposed to help-" Lloyd ranted much to the other boys suprise.
"Lloyd, Lloyd! It's okay, Genis took me afterwards anyway." Luke tried, but it didn't seem to help.
"You don't understand! I broke a Dwarven Vow! Dad will kill me…" This continued on for a few minutes, until the younger swordsman got a bright idea. "I know! You're a traveller, so you don't have a place to stay, right?"
"Actually I-"
"The inn is terrible so you can stay with me!"
"But won't-"
"Dad won't mind. I'm following the vows! Seriously he'd kick my butt if he heard otherwise."
So somehow, Luke got dragged away by Lloyd. Again. At least he didn't have to pay for anything. And he could keep his monster gald.
Skits:
-New World:
Luke (Nervous): Sylvarant, huh? I wonder, do the inhabitants speak my language? Is there a new currency I'll have to get used to? (Confident Smile) Well then, guess I'll just have to adapt! (Sad) I just hope I'll be able to get back home.
-Discrimination:
Luke: So there's discrimination here too? Man, I guess all worlds have their problems. (Sad face) But still, even though humans treat half-elves badly, the Desians forcing them to work til' death will only make things worse.
Lorelei: My scion, it would do you well to not caught up in Sylvarant's problems. Our goal at hand is to return to Aulderant. We don't want to seem suspicious.
Luke (Eyes close, looking down): I know, but… *sigh* I just wish I could do something. It's just like the discrimination against replicas.
-Getting to know you:
Luke: So, you live here in Iselia Lloyd?
Lloyd: Nah, I live out of town. My friends live in Iselia, and I go to school here, so that's why I'm usually here. Where are you from, Luke?
Luke (surprised): Uh… I'm… from…
Lloyd: Hey if you don't want to talk about it, that's okay. What do you normally do?
Luke: I like to practice swordplay. I'd say I'm an okay swordsman.
Lloyd: Cool! Could you spar with me sometime?
Luke: Sure, why not?
-The mysteries of Gald:
Luke: Lorelei, there is something I have always wondered.
Lorelei: Yes my isofon?
Luke: Why do monsters drop gald?
Lorelei: …
Luke (worried): Lorelei? Are you still there?
Lorelei: Yes, Luke. I'm sorry. There are some questions that I just cannot answer.
Luke (annoyed): What does that even mean?
Lorelei: That some things must remain as they are, a mystery.
Luke: … Then where does gald even come from?
Lorelei: So many mysteries…
Luke : …
AN: Thank you so much for reading, the next update should be on the 9/10/2017