Floating. He was floating, a gentle wind lifting and carrying him through the warm, peaceful darkness that was everywhere. Though he was very familiar with the wind and its touch, this wind was unlike the one he'd grown so accustomed to previously; the winds he had known before were riotous and strong, a terrible force that caused far more pain than anyone would have known.
But this - this was such a soft wind, the healing side of the element he'd been buffeted by throughout his entire life. It warmed him, brought him the peace he'd been willing to go to such lengths for. This had been his goal. This was paradise.
"No...no, he is there."
The words cut through the darkness like a blade, silencing the lullaby of the wind, and jolting him into a sense of dread. He knew that voice, so like his own. No! No, not now! Not when he had finally found freedom! Chanting followed the words, the Harmonian language sounding harsh and painful after the songs of the air. He tried to find a handhold, something to hang onto to keep the words from dragging him down and out of the personal paradise he'd finally attained.
Bright light seared his vision as dazed emerald eyes fluttered open. Instinctively he raised his right arm to cover his face and shield him from the glare. His bare hand caught his sight before he squeezed his eyes shut. Two drops of moisture escaped the corners of his tightly close eyes, only to be absorbed into his sleeve.
"It's good to see you again, brother," said that annoying cheerful voice beside him. "We have a very special mission for you."
He groaned softly. Normally he would not have given his elder the pleasure of knowing that he'd struck deeply and found the mark, but in his weakened state he was unable to hold it back. Everything hurt - his head, his body, his heart and whatever soul he had left. The soul that was tied to the rune that was again embedded in his right hand. The rune that was his power and his eternal prison.
"It's time to wake up, Luc!" The blue-clad bishop said in a sing-song voice, pulling the wind mage's arm down from his face. "Don't worry. We brought you home."
Luc wanted to punch him, spit on him, or at least reply with something biting and caustic, but he was rather startled to find that he could not do anything. He opened his eyes again, still squinting against the light, and stared back at Sasarai. He could convey it though those intensely green orbs; his pure and utter loathing for the elder bishop and the entire country.
"You shouldn't give me that look, you know," Sasarai said, pouting back at Luc. "You have a very special mission. One that will maybe even get you back into Lord Hikusaak's good graces, if you to well enough."
Well, that was a surprise. Luc's eyes narrowed suspiciously, though there was a fair amount of curiosity in his expression as well. His elder twin laughed happily, clapping his hands together.
"I knew that would get your attention," he said gleefully. "This should be no problem for you, I'm sure. All you have to do is go to Toran - you're familiar with the place, correct? And then come back here."
That was too easy. There was more to it, and Luc knew it. He knew that Sasarai was holding back information, making him ask for it. Whoever said that the blue-clad bishop was pleasant and charming obviously didn't know the real one. As per the unspoken request, Luc slightly lifted one eyebrow in question.
"Oh, yes...you see, it's not as simple as merely going there and coming back. We wish for you to bring back something very important."
Once again he left off. Luc managed a heavy, annoyed sigh, and Sasarai laughed again.
"What we want you to bring back is very specific. We want you to bring us Souleater."