OH, YES! You know what the title means! This is when the real THING begins. We get to see the characters we LOVE so much.
I'm gonna be completely honest, I had a lot of funny writing this chapter! LIKE, LOTS OF LOTS OF FUN!
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of the Abyss
Chapter 3: Tartarus
"J-Jude, knock it off!" Asch spluttered trying to keep his balance.
"I-I-I'm n-not d-doing a-anything!" I yelled pressing my head against his back. And against his crimson hair, which was tickling on my face thanks to the strong wind currents.
"Let go!" He rumbled, trying to shake me off, "And stop shaking your legs!"
"I'm NOT letting you go, w-we are about 25000 feet away from the ground!" I squeaked, my arms, which were tightly around his waist, tighten even more. "And my legs wouldn't be shaking if you could stop squirming!" it was my turn to yell into his ear.
So, how does someone like me ends up flying over a griffin? And with a bunch of them around us? Not to mention, they've got ligers on their backs. Arietta's doing of course. Oh, and guess what, I just found out I'm afraid of heights!
Our trip had been shorter than I expected, we had to leave the Oracle ship in Keterburg Bay since Grand Chokmah's port is closed since the Hod War.
So, what's Sync's master plan? To fly to the Rugnica Plains from Keterburg over a damn griffin, yeah, what you heard. All because he is the chief and strategist of the six God-Generals, why to the Rugnica Plains? Because as soon as we got to Keterburg Bay we received a report that Ion had left Grand Chokmah in a landship called Tartarus.
But I must admit, not even the unendurable cold of Keterburg or the long trip in the griffin was worst than training with Asch, we had been training the few days we spent on the Oracle ship. And I was more than glad it had finished, at least for now.
I don't know what was more annoying, getting thrown to the floor more than a hundred times or Sync laughing about how weak I was. Maybe it was Asch's arrogant smile or Dist's I-told-you-so quote getting on my nerves. Largo, in my opinion, is the right-minded one of the group; it's easy to get along with him. Legretta and Arietta are ok too, but their personalities make them difficult to talk to.
In the end, somehow, I had started to get used to them, especially Asch, since he would do nothing else than follow me around. After training, I would drag my feet and collapse face down over the bed, Asch would be there and yet, I barely know who he is.
The only things I know are that he is older than me for a few months and that he is a total jerk, but just because he wants to. So, now I'm actually curious about whom Asch really is.
Although he is moody, I think it would worth to know him a little. After all, he did teach me how to use 'Fang Blade' during our training, which means he isn't that bad. I had a few troubles since I'm left-handed and he is right-handed but I ended doing pretty well. I hugged him when I finally made it, and I could see the astonishment on everyone's faces when I did, they were certainly waiting for him to push me away or something, which he didn't. Of course, he didn't hug me and he looked really pissed, but who cares?
I finally snapped from my train of thoughts when I heard Largo's voice, "We are almost there." He was a few meters away, flying on his own griffin; I refuse to comment about it. He had ignored the fight Asch and me were having. I looked over Asch's shoulders and spotted the large landship with the Malkuth crest on it, it was a few miles away from us.
"It's time." Largo remarked seriously. This was the plan, Dist and Sync would be guiding the operation far from here while Legretta and Arietta would command troops on ground and attack the sides. Largo would take the front of the Tartarus while Asch and I would take the back.
"All right." Asch replied in the same tone. Largo's griffin started to descend over the landship, half of the griffins following us followed after him. The other half followed us to the rear of the ship.
"I should let you fall for being such a pain in the ass." Asch bitched looking over his shoulder.
"I swear I'll take you with me, if you try that." He snorted arrogantly. I looked down, Malkuth soldiers were already waiting for us in the deck, armed, protecting the large golden gate behind them.
Our griffin started to descend and the others too, the ligers over the flying creatures jumped to the Tartarus and over the soldiers. Asch unsheathed his sword and I mimicked him, "I hope you are ready." He mumbled, taking my free hand. My heart started to beat faster and I could feel the furious blush on my face.
"Ye-aaaaaaah!"
He jumped without waiting for my answer. His hand tightly wrapped around mine, so I was forced to jump with him. I kept screaming all the way down. He didn't let go until we touched ground, bending our legs to reduce the impact.
The soldiers welcomed us with their sharp blades and there was no hesitation in our movements. A soldier dashed on my direction and swung his sword aiming for my neck, I curled to dodge the attack, the blade brushed closely over my head, ruffling my hair. I looked up and twisted the rapier with a thrust, the sharp blade cutting the wind and flesh diagonally.
It was an instinct, it pushed me to twist the blade without falter, I stared in horror as I jumped over another soldier and dug my blade through his shoulder, then pulled the blade out of his body. I had no control over my own body, it reacted to danger and at the back of my head I could see the faded image of a blue haired woman, me, my old self. I was going through one bloody memory of what I used to do. My left eye, the yellow one, was burning like a hot charcoal on my face.
What was happening now was completely different from what had happen during my training with Asch. I stepped back, leaning on my right leg as I pulled my body away from the blade threatening me; I tugged the soldier from his collar, his face, a few inches away from mine when I slammed the hilt of my rapier on his cheekbone making him fall on his side. Even so, I didn't feel any regrets or guilt for this matter.
A soldier slammed his shoulder on my back, sending me forward, right were another soldier was ready to cut me in half. Luckily, the soldier waiting for me was tackled to the ground by one of our ligers and I ended up teetering, trying to slow down so I wouldn't topple over the hungry creature.
Asch killed the guy who pushed me using one of his artes, I was so wrapped up on my own fight I hadn't notice how he was doing, the reason I don't look at how other people fight it's because that can be really distracting!
A soldier sneaked from behind me and wrapped his arm around my neck, see, what did I just say? I shook frenetically trying to get free… unsuccessfully. I would have called for help but the soldier's arm was so tight around my throat that the words never came out. Did I mention I'm dying? I caught Asch's stunned expression when he looked at me; I probably looked purple by now.
Asch ran to my direction but more soldiers blocked his way, my eye lids felt heavy, my body was starting to feel numb and yet, the only thing that came to my mind was that Asch's expression was priceless.
…And I wanted to be alive to at least see that expression once more; I flipped the rapier with the back of my hand so I could hold it backwards, I'm not even sure how I did that, and pierced the soldier's boot. His high pitched scream, the blood coming out of the boot and my free neck made me feel I was in heaven. I quickly unstuck the rapier from his foot and pivoted on my toe to kick him on the chest.
I fell to my knees after that, gasping for air, my body was shaking for the near-death experience and I tried not to fall flat on my face using my rapier as support. I was a little disappointed I didn't get to use 'Fang Blade' on that bastard.
"Jude!" Asch was at my side just a few minutes later.
"I…" I gasped, still breathing heavily. "I…I'm fine." Asch grabbed my arm and pulled me up effortlessly. I looked around; the place was a total mess of blood, dead bodies and flesh. The ligers were enjoying the feast, I felt like I was going to throw up.
"How am I supposed to protect you if you wander around?" He yelled, he was squeezing my arm. At least that was keeping him from biting my head off. "Can't you stay close?"
"Wander around?" I hissed. "I was fighting for my own life!" Ever since we rode on the griffin I had been quite moody, yet the perfect word to describe my mood now was 'hysterical'.
He grid his teeth and pressed harder, "Ooooooww." I twisted in pain. He pulled me closer to him, his face inches away from mine. I could only stare at his murderous forest green eyes, they were quite hypnotizing.
"Why are you so obstinate?" He gnashed, I don't think he wanted an answer so I shut my mouth and stared at him blankly. When he was done he took a good, deep, breath. He held the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Well, if he is getting stressed because of me, then fine! I wouldn't be so 'difficult' if he weren't a total douche bag.
"Stay here," He said sheathing his sword. "You'll probably get in the way." With the dexterity of a cat, he swiftly jumped to the topside of the Tartarus, jumped to another gambrel and disappeared. I crossed my arms and pouted as I walked to the opposite direction; I leaned on the railing, my hands cupping my cheeks.
Waiting was going to be boring, so I looked up at the horizon. The view from here was magnificent, the trees looked like tiny bushes from here, and the mountains at the distance covered most of the horizon. The clouds gliding in the sky, moving with the speed of a turtle and the sun hanged motionless, too bright as always.
I sighed, Asch had left not less than a minute and I was already losing my patience. I wish I could know why he is so off-key, he definitely has issues. He doesn't have to take everything on me and I actually saved my own life back there, though I had to thank that liger too.
I shook my head, I was fuming. Asch, you egocentric son of a bitch, I hate you!
I spotted a red blob from the right corner of my eye, I sighed, so he came back so soon? "Are you done?" I asked bitterly without looking back. He didn't answer, that only made me angrier. "Stupid ginger..."
"HEY!" He complained, though it was his voice, the tone was different, more like a whine.
I raised a brow and looked over my shoulder, Asch was behind, he looked pissed but not in a scary way, it looked more like a child that had just been scolded. Arms crossed, shoulders raised.
I turned around completely and frowned, "What the hell did you do to your hair?" I walked to him and stroke one of his locks without paying attention to the weird face he did. His hair was crimson but in a lighter tone and it started fading along the tips, they were gold. Not to mention his hair was unusually messy.
"Hey! Don't touch-"
"And what's with your clothes?" I tugged his white coat; I blushed a little when my eyes scrolled down to his bare abs. "Sheesh! And what's with your sense of fashion?" I said critically.
"Who the HELL-"
"Seriously, nice abs but you don't have to go showing off!" I reproached.
Asch blushed furiously, "W-who the HELL are you?" He pointed me with an accusing finger.
"I thought she was your friend, Master." A high pitched voice said, I looked to my left.
"HOLY SHIT! This Cheagle can talk!" I shouted pointing at the baby blue creature gliding at his side; the cheagle tilted his head innocently.
"Luke! Don't run like that." A female, irritated, voice said. "I told you to stay close." I peeked behind Asch, he turned as well. There was a girl; she was wearing an Oracle Knight uniform. Beside her, was a gorgeous man. They had climbed the metallic ladder beneath the deck to get here. The girl had brown hair and blue eyes and the hottie had mid-length light brown hair, crimson eyes and wore glasses, he's so HOT!
The expressions in their faces were totally opposite; the girl had a dumbstruck expression while Mr. Sexy had a soothing smile. The man noticed the ridiculously irritated expression Asch was wearing. "Luke, something wrong?" Hold on a second… The girl also said…Luke.
"Your name is Luke?" I asked skeptically.
"You didn't answer my question!" He barked. "I asked, who the HELL are YOU? Answer me, NOW!" My eyes trailed to Mr. Sexy and noticed he was wearing a Malkuth uniform. Uh-oh, this can't be good. I could literally feel how my face went pale, chills went down my spine. The girl was still frozen and the rest were looking at me expectantly.
My eyes quickly darted to the topside of the ship, that's where Asch went, my Asch. Not this one!
A light bulb clicked on my head, "Well, you see…" I tried to sound as casual as possible before making a run for it, I ran as fast as I could to the other side of the deck.
"W-Wait!" The girl cried.
But I didn't stop, there was no way I could jump to the topside as Asch did. So I ran to the railing and jumped over it landing in the lower deck, I crooked my knees, rolling to reduce the impact and then kept running. If I was hysterical before then I had gone all the way to frenzy now. My brain couldn't process what was going on, what could be worse than Asch? Two of them, of course!
I dashed ignoring the several pools of blood, the bones, flesh, organs and ligers, which furs where tinted with blood and dust. I stopped as soon as I had run out of air and curled using my knees as support.
Had I gone all the way to the front part? I had to find Asch, but he was probably somewhere in the roof-deck. Ok, it's better to look for Largo, he is suppose to be somewhere in this place. My eyes locked on a nearby gate, I unsheathed my rapier and walked cautiously towards it. The gate's mechanic system reacted to my presence and opened itself.
I stared in shock; there was blood and a familiar large mass lying on the floor, "Largo!" I ran to the man's side. I knelt; one of his sides was covered in blood, a deep wound.
"Largo, Largo!" I shook him, he was unconscious, at least that's what I was hoping. He opened his eyes slowly and forcefully turned his head to me. He battled against his eyelids, trying to keep them open."Ju-Jude…"
"Hang in there! I'll bring hel-"
"Hey, look over there!" I turned my head swiftly, three Malkuth soldier stood before me, they unsheathed their swords. The grip on my sword tightened as I stood up, my eyes darted from one to another, trying to figure out the best strategy. The three of them rushed towards me and I didn't think much when I used 'Fang Flade' on the nearest one.
An earthward blow followed by an upper blow, the blue blaze lighted up the dark hall for a few seconds; the impact sent the soldier flying. Just when the other two soldiers were going to cut me into pieces, the sound of 'something' cutting through the air reached my ears and slammed on my eardrums. Silver 'needles' rushed from behind the soldiers and stroke them; they instantly fell to the floor.
"Jude." Legretta called sheathing her guns as she walked towards me.
"Largo is wounded badly!" I snapped taking her wrist and walking promptly towards Largo. Her façade fell to a blank stare as she tried keeping my pace.
"I'll take care of this." She answered taking an apple gel from her pocket. "Jude, I need you to go to the roof-deck, Asch must be up there, tell him what has happen. I'll be there soon."
"Ok."
"Take the next hall, there you'll find the way up." She instructed when Largo swallowed the gel she gave him. "And be careful with the necromancer."
I nodded, even though I didn't know what she was talking about. I ran, following her instructions. Just like she said, there was a ladder that could take me up. Hopefully, I would find Asch before bumping with the 'necromancer'. I was sure I had heard about some 'necromancer' but I couldn't remember what it was about.
There was another gate, I gasped when I stepped forward and the gate opened. Another battlefield scenario, though this time the bodies lying motionless were from oracle knights and a few of our ligers, I stepped back and bit my lip. At this point, I would bump with whoever had done this; could that guy, Luke and his companions be involved in this? I shook off the fear that had suddenly crept and pressed on my chest; I have to get to Asch!
I looked at the topside; the only way to get to Asch before them was to take a short cut. I stepped back again, this time I would actually try to jump to the roof. Hopefully, I wouldn't break an arm or a leg in the process, I was aware that would earn me a rebuke from Asch's part, followed by cutting my legs or some kind of torture. If he doesn't get killed by these people, that is.
Without further thinking I dashed and jumped as high as I could, I glided for a few seconds until gravity decided to pull me down again, my boots clapped on the roof. To my surprise, I was able to get there effortlessly; I guess I really was a soldier after all, hooray!
I jumped to my next target, my boot clapped when the sole hit one of the pipes of the landship. I pressed hard and leaped to get to a dome that was up ahead. As soon I as I landed I leaped to the next gambrel. I tried not to look down, from where I was now I could suffer from vertigo and that would terrible. I jumped a few more covers until a tug on my coat forced me to land on my bottom.
"What the-" I shut my mouth when I saw Asch kneeling a few inches away from me, a gloved finger on his lips, gesturing to be quiet. He didn't look surprised at all. In fact, I think he was expecting me to run after him. That didn't sound right… Am I really that predictable?
"How did you do that?" I whispered.
"Do what?" He whispered back with annoyance, his eyes scanning the area carefully.
I rolled my eyes, "To appear out of nowhere."
He glanced at me skeptically and tapped a finger on one side of his forehead, "Jude, you just happen to be really distracted."
I sulked and decided to change the topic, "Why do we have to whisper?"
He sighed irritably, "Because the enemy is near, why are you here, anyway? I told you to stay down there."
"Oh, that's right, Largo was injured, Legretta said something about a 'necromancer'." He wrinkled his nose crawling to other side of the gambrel and I followed; we were right above the highest deck, he knelt looking down at it. His eyes fell upon an oracle knight guarding the gate beneath us.
"By the way, just after you left, a guy that looks like you appeared, there was a Malkuth soldier and a girl with him." I said kneeling beside him, "I thought it was you at first…"
"What?" He snarled. I placed a finger on my lips because he was too loud, he rolled his eyes. Asch grabbed my shoulders and shook, "His name? Did he tell you his name?"
"T-they called him Luke." I said leaning away from him, a reaction to his sudden mood change.
"Damn it, this can't be happening!" Asch hissed slamming a fist on the roof. I blinked a couple of times before pointing down at the deck; the three individuals we were talking about were coming this way.
Asch's eyes narrowed, "Damn it. Cover your ears." He commanded.
"Excuse me?"
"Just do it!" He whispered angrily. I covered my ears and he did too. I saw the girl's mouth moving and the guard guarding the gate below us fell to the floor, was she singing? I couldn't take my eyes off Luke, now that I had both red heads in the same place, I could see they were similar but different at the same time. Asch looked like he wanted to jump and strangle his clone.
"…He's out like a light." Luke observed looking curiously at the sleeping guard.
"Tear, you're amazing!" The cheagle exclaimed, did he just say Tear? I stuck out my head to take a better look but Asch pressed his hand on my shoulder forcing me to say in place.
"Let's take back the Tartarus. Tear, if you'd assist me." Mr. Sexy called, the gate opened and he went inside. Oh, no, could she be..?
"Right."
"Hey, what do I do?" Luke asked expectantly.
"You stand watch here." Tear said following Mr. Sexy.
"…Humph. More like 'stay out of the way'." He complained talking to himself rather than at the cheagle, who had stay behind him.
"He is gorgeous…" I whispered while the cheagle was explaining something about seven fonons to Luke.
"That reject?" Asch asked in disbelief, trying to keep his voice low.
"What?" I looked back at Luke. "Pfff. I was talking about Mr. Se-, I mean, the Malkuth soldier. I don't need another annoying ginger, thank you very much."
"Tch." Asch raised a brow in my direction before glaring at his clone.
I shook my head in disbelief when Luke took the cheagle and wobbled him, causing fireballs to fly all over the place. He stopped abruptly when the soldier, lying a few feet from him, twitched. Luke froze for a second and sighed with relief when the guard didn't move anymore.
"Damn that scared the hell out of me. Go back to sleep!" Luke ordered, kicking the soldier.
"Ugh, this guy is worst than you." I complained. Asch grit his teeth, his hand found the hilt of his sword, he was about to jump and attack, I could sense it. But before he could do anything, the soldier jumped to his feet and swung his sword towards Luke, who took a few steps to get away from the soldier. A baleful smile formed in Asch's face and I just stared in horror. I mean, this guy could be Asch's twin brother or Tear's friend.
"Wh-whoa, he got up…" A mix of fear and surprise in Luke's face. I stood up, I was about to jump and help him but Asch grabbed my wrist without taking his eyes from Luke, he was still smiling.
"…Die!"
"Aah! S-stay back!" Luke cried, he took out his sword, his hand was trembling. The soldier swung his sword and Luke threw himself to the floor, the soldier attacked again.
"Ahhh…don't…don't come any closer!" Luke threatened; he closed his eyes and stuck out his sword in front of him. I flinched when the sword pierced the soldier's stomach, Asch's smile faded as Luke's enemy fell on his back.
The gate beneath us opened, "What happened?" Tear cried, she frowned when her eyes fell upon the dead guard. Mr. Sexy came out after her.
"This is bad…" Mr. Sexy said calmly. "The commotion has caused the fonic hymn to weaken."
"I…I stabbed him…" Luke was trembling, his eyes trailed off to his hands. "I…killed him…"
My back stiffened when Asch decided to give a piece of his mind, "If you're scared of killing, then throw away your sword, you worthless reject." I didn't even notice he had started casting a spell; icicles fell from the sky and over them.
Only Mr. Sexy was able to dodge the attack, Tear and Luke fell on their backs. Asch jumped off the roof and I jumped after him, I knelt beside Tear to see if she was ok, good she is still breathing. I glared at Asch but he didn't notice, I was facing his back.
"And you're as hard to kill, as they say Necromancer."
Wait, he is the 'necromancer'? A Malkuth soldier..? Oh, snap! "You mean THE Necromancer? Jade THE Necromancer?" I didn't get a reply, not from Asch or Jade, who jus crossed his arms behind his back, his lips pressed in a thin line.
A troop of knights came out of nowhere, had they been waiting this whole time? "Captain, what shall we do with them?"
"Kill them." Asch replied not even thinking it twice.
"N-No!" I growled, I was impressed at my own reaction. My left eye was stinging again; Jade looked at me and raised a brow.
Asch turned; steel in his eyes, caused by my sudden outburst. My blood was boiling, this was Tear, I could feel it. She had tried to stop me when I ran away, she recognized me. "I think this girl…she is..."
Asch looked at me with a questioning look. A familiar voice drew our attention, "Asch. Have you forgotten your orders?" I looked behind, it was Legretta. "Or have you decided to ignore them?"
I met her gaze; her eyes trailed off to Tear and nodded. So she is Tear after all!
"Fine. Restrain them and lock them in a cabin somewhere!" He spat sourly. I sighed with relief, and smiled fondly at Tear. I crouched to her side but Asch grabbed my arm and pulled me.
"H-hey!" I complained, but he pulled again. The gate in front of us opened and he took me inside. I was able to look back and caught Jade still looking at me, troubled, before the gate closed behind us. My eye was still stinging; Asch picked a random door, the door opened immediately and he dragging me inside.
There was a large table in the middle of the room; over the table was a map. Asch started scanning the map silently; I picked a chair and sat. His eyes flickered from one side of the map to another. I could swear he wanted to say something, whatever it was he decided not to say it.
"What are you doing?" I asked breaking the silence. He gazed at me coldly before looking at the map again.
"You know Luke, don't you?" This time he didn't even look at me. I sighed and rested my elbows on the table. "I wish I could know what you are thinking…"
His lips twitched, his eyes still focused on the map, "Why?" He asked heartlessly.
"Because…" I stopped. I wasn't prepared to answer his question, in fact I never thought he would ask; I drew circles in the table with my finger. "…You are the closest thing to a friend to me now. And…"
"And?" He looked a bit curious now, though he still held his poker face.
"Hurtful memories shouldn't be kept a secret…" His careless eyes turned to the map again.
And I continued, "I never thanked you, back at Daath, you pulled me away from that liger. Thank you."
"Isn't it too late?" He mocked.
I smiled weakly "Sorry." And rubbed my eye, the pain wasn't fading.
"You didn't have to thank me…" He replied, I was surprised his answer didn't have that distinguished arrogant tone of his. "We are even now…" He muttered, it was almost inaudible, I think I wasn't supposed to hear that. I glanced up at him, I was about to ask him what he meant but I shut my mouth when I looked at his face. He was still looking at the map, his eyes were half closed and a tiny, almost imperceptive curve had formed in his lips. Is that a smile?
Let's see how far I can get. I asked, purposely tactless, "So, Luke is your brother?"
"No." His features sharpened again. Oh, I touched a soft spot.
"So, you go calling 'worthless reject' to anybody?" I snorted and drummed my fingers on the table. "Though, I think you would actually do that."
"Tch."
The speakers of the landship echoed, interrupting our conversation, "By name as Necromancer, heed my command." We both recognized the voice immediately."Initiate emergency plan. 'Corpse Hunt'." And with that, the lights went down.
"That Necromancer!" Asch hissed, the room was too dark to tell where he was now.
Asch kicked the door but nothing happened, well, I think he kicked the door; the place was too dark to tell. "Oh, great, this is the second time I get locked up." I sighed resting my chin on the table
I heard footsteps and then the chair beside me, been dragged. "Where are you?" I swung my hand, my palm bumped with something; I think it was his face. Yes, I accidently ended slapping him, something I should have done a long time ago.
He pushed my hand away, "You are worst than that dreck!"
"Who?"
"Never mind…" He sighed; I was able to detect him at my right side. There was silence again, even if I couldn't see his face, it felt awkward.
"I hate dresses." I commented.
There was a brief silence and then he said, "Like I care." There was silence again but this time he asked, "Why did you say that?" Didn't he just say he didn't care? What a doofus.
"I really hate them." I answered instead.
"I meant, what made you say that out loud?"
"Oh." I was happy it was dark; otherwise he would have noticed I was blushing with embarrassment. "I just thought we should try knowing each other… that's all."
"Hmmm…" There was silence again. I sighed in defeat, he wouldn't say anything. I rubbed my eye again, my head had started spinning, it reminded me of the dream where I was covered in darkness.
"Luke fon Fabre, son of Duke and Duchess fon Fabre…" He gasped bitterly. The pain in my eye increased abruptly, I bit my lip and pressed my palm on my eye. I jumped to my feet but collapsed when I couldn't take it anymore, a loud thump, the pain had turned unbearable. A heart-rending scream flood my ears, it didn't took me long to know I was the one shrieking.
"Jude? Jude!" Asch called, anguish in his voice. "Crap, where the hell are you?" I couldn't answer, I kept screaming as I writhe on the floor. A liquid started dripping from my eye, it was warm and it smelled like iron.
A strong gloved hand found my shoulder; he pulled me closer wrapping a arm around it. I was close enough to feel the warmth of his body; I could hear his heart slamming on his chest.
"What's wrong?" He yelled.
"MY EYE!" I yelled back g,ritting my teeth. He was able to find my hand in the darkness; he ripped out my hand off my eye. I opened it and a yellowish light came from it, illuminating half of the room and Asch's stunned face. The warm liquid was running down my cheek, I raised my hand to sweep the liquid, but found my hand was already stained with it, blood.
A bright light covered Asch's chest, the light spread all over the room. The blaze of the light warmed my body and the pain stopped abruptly. I was so tired I couldn't move any muscle, my eyes started to close on their own and everything went black after that.
The image of a small boy lingered on my head, a redhead boy with forest green eyes.
He tilted his head and smiled, the smile never reached his lifeless eyes, he asked, "You'll come back, right?"
My mind was now drifting to the depths of subconscious. Even though I didn't know the boy, my lips moved on its own, "Yes Luke, I promise…"
That night, somewhere around the Rugnica Plains…
Tear locked her eyes in the vivid flames of the bonfire. Its warmth, the intensity; it was all timeless in her thoughts. She pressed her hand on the bandage wrapping her arm. The pain didn't matter to her, she was hurt indeed, but the pain she was feeling wasn't on her flesh. She shook her head in silent disbelief.
Jude, it really was you…
Her frigid eyes trailed off to Ion; at least they had pulled him out off the fire, she thought. Of course, they wouldn't have made it without Guy, Luke's servant and friend.
Even though they had managed to escape alive she couldn't help but feel anguish in her heart. Jude, her long-lost friend, was alive and she was grateful about that, she had even got to think she was dead. But something was wrong, terribly wrong, she could sense it. The Jude she knew would have run to her and embraced her in one of those embarrassing emotional moments she usually created whenever they were able to see each other. Instead she had looked at her with the curiosity of a stranger. Could have something happened to her?
If they hadn't been in such alarming situation she would have looked for her and demand an answer, demand why she had looked at her in such distrustful and doubtful way.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a really embarrassed redhead sat next to her.
"Are you sure you're all right?" She asked putting her worries aside; but her voice said otherwise. She was also worried about Luke, if she hadn't been so inconsiderate on trying to kill Van inside the manor none of this would have happen. Though, she knew she wouldn't have been able to see Jude if the incident hadn't happened in the first place.
"Huh…?"
"The fighting was hard on you, wasn't it?" She mused with genuine regret, "I knew you were a civilian, but it seems I didn't really understand what that meant."
"I'm sorry."
"Wh-why are you apologizing? You're the one who got hurt." Luke shook his head looking at Tear's wound. He felt guilty and weak for not been able to save his own skin.
"As long as I'm a soldier, it's my duty to protect civilians." Tear answered. "Getting injured in the process merely means I wasn't strong enough. That's all."
"You are weird. To me, it just sounds like you're just trying to sound tough." That sounded like something Jude would say, Tear didn't know how her friend became a Yurian Warrant Officer with her lack of discipline and seriousness. Jude would always complain about how Major Legretta had transformed her into an unsmiling killing machine.
"Th-that's not true!" Tear hissed in disbelief. That had been the same answer to Jude's statement.
"Uh huh…" Luke replied with skepticism before jumping to his feet to walk away. Tear sighed; of course Jude wasn't as selfish and ignorant as Luke. She could have sworn there was a glint of gold on one of her friend's eye; Major Legretta had taught her to look at every detail. But that was impossible, she thought. Jude's eyes were blue.
She shook her head, at least she knew Jude could take care of herself just fine, but if she was with the Order of Lorelei, then that meant she would have to fight her.
She had the bad feeling her friend was in danger and not exactly from Jade or the others but the six God-Generals and Van. Because of that, she had decided to keep the blue-haired girl's identity to herself. What she didn't know was that a certain perceptive 'Necromancer' was observing her from the distance; Jade pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. There was no doubt; today's events had captivated his attention, it had turned quite fascinating.
HappyStab: OMG SUSPENSE! AND OMG JUDE HAS A CRUSH! Dedicated to Jade's fans! ;D
IMPORTANT: I may or may not release two chapter next week, it depends in how creative I get. You'll later get why I'm doing this.
