Note from Author: As always, these characters do not belong to me, they belong to Namco Bandai. Of course as always if Namco Bandai is willing to give Asch to me, I would be happy to take him. But until then, all I can do is play around with them in my writings. This is a creation of my own overactive imagination and serious boredom, nothing more and nothing less.

Before he went back to the chamber he shared with his wife, the princess Natalia,

he stopped by the castle's laundry area. As it was late, there were no servants about, but he was able to get what he needed: a change of clothes. After changing his clothes and disposing of the ones he was wearing he was ready to go to his wife.

He wiped at his eyes, as it seemed that a few tears found their way there. Not that it was surprising, but he had to be stronger than that. He tried to think of better things to banish the horror instead.

He thought about the happiness he had found with his wife and the fact that she was expecting their first child. His happiness on that note was only marred by one fact; she had been having a very rough time with her pregnancy. This had been a major cause of concern as of late, as her mother had died soon after giving birth to Natalia. So she was forced to stay in bed this past month and would remain so until she gave birth to a healthy child.

He concentrated on thoughts of his wife and the child she would be having soon and that brought a smile for now. Now he could face her without causing her concern. He opened the door to the chamber they shared and stepped inside.

"Luke! Where have you been! I was starting to get concerned that something happened to you," Natalia exclaimed.

"I had to take care of something that came up," he explained, and sat down beside her on the bed. "How is our little one doing today?" he asked, while gently placing his hand on her rounded belly.

"He's been quite active today, which the doctor said was a good sign, but he still wants me to remain in bed for the time being until we are sure he isn't going to try and come into the world too early," Natalia explained.

"Or she, you could give me a daughter too, which would suit me just fine if she takes after her mother," Luke told her, trying to smile.

"I still think its going to be a boy," she told him, smiling. Then she looked at him more, he looked quite upset, despite the effort he made, but then she always could read him well, as his face was like the page of a book to her. "Luke, what's wrong? You look troubled."

"N-nothing is wrong, other than my concern for you and our child," Luke answered, nervously.

"No, that is not all, there is something else, isn't there? What happened while you were out? Something kept you out late and that is what is bothering you," Natalia inquired of him. "Tell me what happened."

He sighed. She definitely wouldn't let it go. While it was better she heard it from him, at the same time he dreaded telling her. The last thing he wanted to do was to upset her while in her condition. "Fine. I know you won't let it rest until I tell you. I was walking in the harbor area as usual this evening when a strange man ran into me. He departed the city quickly and then suddenly I had a feeling something bad happened," he explained while his wife listened intently. "So I paid a visit to the manor, as I had to make sure Mother and Father were fine."

"This late? Wouldn't they have retired for the night?" she inquired.

"Yes, they would. But I knew I wouldn't be able to retire for the evening myself until I could assure myself everything was fine. I just had a bad feeling about that man," He revealed to her. "And I was right. He broke into the manor, and he…he.."

"He did what?" she inquired of him.

"…He killed my father," he told her, his voice so quiet that she almost didn't hear him. As he said the words, the horror of the evening returned to him, and there was nothing he could do to stop the tears from coming to his eyes. His father may have been distant to him, but that didn't mean that he did not love him any less.

Natalia put her arms around her husband and held him as he cried on her shoulder. Unfortunately, the baby seemed to pick that moment to get a bit overactive in kicking. He pulled away from her embrace. "Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.

"He just got a bit active. I think he doesn't like knowing his father is so sad," she told him.

He actually smiled a bit then. He bent closer to where his child rested and whispered to the child, "Don't worry, your father will be fine, you just stay in there for now."

"He will, he's calmed down already," Natalia told him. "How is Aunt Susanne then? Was she hurt?"

"I was told she will recover," He told her.

"That is indeed good news then," she said, relieved. "Did you tell Father what happened?" He nodded. "Then let him handle it. For now, you should get some rest, as it is quite late."

"You are right," He gave her a kiss goodnight and both tried to get what sleep they could before they would be awakened.

Some time later, in Oracle Headquarters in Daath

Luke's former servant, Guy Cecil, arrived from his trip to Baticul, He made his way right to Commandant Van Grants' quarters to report in on what happened. He found Commandant Grants sitting at his desk mulling over some papers. Once the blond swordsman entered, Van looked up at him. "I trust the mission was successful?" he asked.

"I was able to enter undetected. Duke Fabre is quite dead, and my sister avenged," he told the Commandant.

"But were you detected leaving the city?" the Commandant asked Guy.

Guy appeared nervous when this question was asked. He didn't know if Luke got a good look at him or not, but seeing him on his way out of the city could not have been a good thing. "Um…well…" Guy hedged.

"Well, what?"

"I left as quickly as I could, unfortunately I accidentally collided with Duke Fabre's son on my way out. I said nothing to him and just kept on going," Guy nervously told the Commandant.

"Did he see you well enough to identify you?" Van asked.

"I do not know. I doubt it. But he's not stupid, he may put the pieces together," Guy explained.

"I see. Well, then we should assume it is no longer safe for you go to into Kimlascan territory. I doubt it will make any difference to our plans if he knows or not. He will either agree to aid us, or he won't. You are dismissed."

Guy was relieved to see that he was not going to be punished for that error. But then, he knew very well, Van always had a backup plan.

Reviews are always appreciated! They let me know what I am doing right and what I am doing wrong

And I want to add a few notes to answer a few questions I have gotten or imagine I will get with this new chapter

1. Natalia and Luke weren't married in game, what the heck?

My honest opinion on this one was why arrange a marriage considering what was to happen at Akzeriuth? This was indeed known to at least Duke Fabre, and I think also King Ingobert, but yet the marriage was still arranged, so why? Also, noble marriages could take place with the couple being rather young, and I read somewhere, forget where unfortunately, that in the Abyss world, it could be as young as 16. So I imagine those two would have been married off as soon as possible to ensure there was a heir with the best possible bloodlines.

2. Guy is on Van's side?

After doing a lot of thinking, I think it was the Luke we met in game that brought Guy over to the right side. Since in this world, that never happened, he's joined Van. That is why this is marked for spoilers til Grand Chokmah, as the removal of the Curse Slot was what revealed this in game.

3. So Luke is going to die at Akzeriuth?

Now, that would be a spoiler, wouldn't it? The only hint I am going to give is that the Score's exact words are as follows: "There, the youth will turn power to calamity and be as a weapon of Kimlasca, destroying himself and the city." Take that as you will.

The next chapter will be at the start of the game, so things will start being more recognizable, but with changes here and there, of course.