Title: Promethes Mneme by apakoha
Author's Note: Shout-out to all my awesome reviewers! I kept getting all teary-eyed while reading them, so you now know that writing your thoughts is valuable to me. If you had a question, I might have posted an answer on my profile if you haven't received one personally. Advance thanks to my beta, eagle711, for his help in making this more worthy for public eyes!
There was a delay of around forty-five minutes on the Tartarus while everyone got settled and things got straightened out. In their assigned room, Luke and Tear waited patiently for Jade to finish up and come to meet with them. Being guests, Ion and Anise had no such duties aboard the landship and opted to wait with Luke and Tear. With their combined intellect, the two older teenagers managed to get the two younger talking more than they did themselves. (It wasn't anything mean, but both Luke and Tear felt defensive.) This pleasant chat left Luke feeling buoyant, as it was so reminiscent of the times in his original world – times around the evening campfire and just chatting.
But eventually Jade was finished with his duties, and arrived at the door, looking very neat and not rushed. His face was unusually serious, but not stern. It was an open one, one appreciated by his guests (read: arrestees).
"So, what can we do for you, Jade?" asked Luke, matching Jade's expression. Cool and calm, that was the way to go.
"First off, your full name would be nice," said Jade, not missing a beat. Luke hesitated for a split second before firmly stating, "Luke fon Fabre."
"Of the Kimlascan nobility, tertiary heir to the throne?" Jade questioned, more closely.
"Yes," said Luke, mouth twisting at these type of questions. All this stuff about inheriting the throne... Luke didn't like the implications of needing to take the throne in case something dire happened.
"How did you and Tear find yourselves into Malkuth territory?" Jade continued.
"Hyperresonance," stated Tear, "It was completely accidental and it was not an act of aggression."
"Unexpected?" asked Jade, "How so?" He took a seat opposite Luke, eyes focused closely on Tear.
"I am a Melodist, which uses the Seventh Fonon. As I was in Fabre Manor, I encountered the son of House Fabre. At the time, I had no idea that Luke was also a Seventh Fonist and we accidentally caused a hyperresonance - "
"Not a full one," interjected Luke, "I know what a hyperresonance does. What we did was, like, half of a hyperresonance." Tear was starting to get used to Luke's random, but useful, bits of knowledge.
" - But nevertheless, a hyperresonance," continued Tear, smiling slightly, "This hyperresonance sent us to Tataroo Valley."
"We may have been attracted by the fon slot there," mused Luke, thinking aloud. It was a Sephiroth after all – but then, it wasn't the closest to Baticul. The theory required more work.
"Yes, perhaps," said Tear, nodding, "From there, Luke and I traveled the Rotelro Bridge."
"Why?" said Jade suspiciously, "Baticul, and thus the Fabre Manor, are on the side of Tataroo Valley."
Luke shifted uncomfortably. He opened his mouth to tell Jade he had extended the journey purposefully and for no real reason, and take the ensuing abuse, but Tear covered for him.
"We were mistaken," she said smoothly, but there was a hint of a blush in her cheeks, "We didn't know whether Tataroo Valley was in Malkuth or Kimlasca. Unfortunately, we guessed wrong and a caravan started taking us to Grand Chokmah."
It was a story filled with holes, like why hadn't the caravaner told them they were in Malkuth in the first place, but Jade accepted the story after a minute. Luke immediately shot Tear a grateful look, which didn't go unnoticed by her or Jade.
Jade let his eyes travel along the ceiling slowly, considering ways they could be enemies of Malkuth. Luke had a suspicion that Jade had already gotten all of the information he needed, and was about to pursue an unnecessary line of questioning.
"Tear, you mentioned you met Luke in his manor." Jade's eyes glittered oddly. Luke recognized that look from whenever he was dealing with a losing Dist. "Why were you there? A low-ranking member of the Order must have an extraordinary reason for visiting a Duke."
Tear opened and closed her mouth, before choosing to not say anything. There was definitely a blush on her face now. Luke studied her embarrassed features before glaring at Jade.
"That's none of your business," Luke said shortly, "It's not necessary in your investigation. We weren't plotting against your Emperor, okay?" His voice had risen to almost a yell. He wasn't angry, exactly, but this was right up Jade's alley of sadism. Or alley of embarrassment – they seemed to be the same thing in Jade's mind.
"Why so defensive?" asked Jade coolly. Luke glared at the older man.
"Like I said, none of your business."
"Colonel," said Ion uncertainly from the corner bed, glancing between Jade and Luke, "I think you had better leave it be."
Luke hadn't even heard Ion, he was too absorbed in frowning at Jade. Jade's demeanor flickered at Ion's words, and then he settled back into his chair. Beside Luke, Tear seemed to be thinking hard about something. She mouthed a few things silently as if testing how they would sound out loud.
"But, Colonel Jade," she said slowly, almost to herself, "Why have we been arrested in the first place? Not to say illegally crossing the border isn't wrong, but have relations between Kimlasca and Malkuth deteriorated that much?"
"Yes," said Jade. "All that the coming war needs is a catalyst to set it off." He sounded reluctant, and as close to unsettled as Jade ever got.
"You sound..." Luke tried to find a word to describe Jade's closed feelings, but gave up. "You sound like you don't want a war; I suppose not many do. So why is Ion, and his official guard, traveling with you when he was declared missing?"
"You've landed right on the issue," said Jade, hiding his relief that the boy in front of him wasn't a dunce. The soldier gestured to Ion. Luke blinked when he saw Ion and Anise both sitting sedately on the bed in the corner. With their seemingly abnormal quiet, he had completely forgotten they were there. They didn't look like they minded, though. To the contrary, both youths looked very interested in the conversation that was taking place. Ion took his cue perfectly.
"I was missing, actually," said Ion, "Mohs had taken me, and Colonel Jade rescued me. I'm accompanying him to Baticul as a neutral ambassador so that I may present King Ingobert the Sixth with a letter of peace from Emperor Peony the Ninth."
"An emissary of peace," murmured Tear, "You're trying to prevent this war."
"I hope you're not too late," said Luke feelingly. At these words, Ion's eyes immediately sought Luke's. They locked gazes for a moment.
"Ion?" said Anise curiously, "What is it?" She glanced at Luke herself, no doubt wondering why her charge was staring so intently at him.
"Luke," said Ion thoughtfully, "You said you are the tertiary heir to the throne?"
"Yes," answered Luke.
"The nephew of King Ingobert?"
"Yes," said Luke, knowing where Ion was going with this. Jade figured it out, as well.
"Fon Master?" said Jade, pleasantly enough, "You wish to ask for Luke's help?"
"I think it would be both prudent and useful," said Ion, smiling. Anise noticed the smile and really looked at Luke carefully.
"Heir to the throne, huh?" she muttered to herself, grinning wickedly. Luke saw this and narrowed his eyes pointedly. No, he mouthed. Anise pouted playfully and winked at him. Luke grinned back.
"So, Luke? How about it?" requested Jade, "Would you lend us your name and title for this?"
"Of course," said Luke, very firmly, "It's my duty to my uncle." His own words halted him in his mental steps. Talking about duty? He had changed more than he thought! Maybe that was a bit of Asch left over. He remembered this interrogation the first time and wished he could throw a book or something equally heavy at his former self's head. (Although once he got past his own arrogance, Jade's fake bowing to him and remark on his own pride were sort of funny.)
Jade nodded at Luke's agreement, as though he hadn't expected anything differently.
"Very well," he said, "Any other concerns?"
"I have one," said Tear. She turned to Ion. "Fon Master, if you are both of the Order right now, why did Grand Maestro Mohs kidnap you?"
Ion bowed his head sadly. "Ah, well, things are divided in the Order right now, though not quite as badly as Malkuth and Kimlasca are now."
Anise jumped into the explanation angrily. "People are questioning whether to follow the Fon Master or Mohs. It's always been the Fon Master, always! But Mohs is trying to take over Ion's authority! It makes me mad!" She huffed furiously and sat back down beside Ion.
"In a nutshell, yes," said Ion softly, nodding, "I sometimes question my own authority within the Order."
"You should be more assertive," suggested Luke helpfully.
Ion chuckled quietly. "I fear it's too late for that. In any case, the two factions are clear and I can't tell you any more than that. It's confidential to the Order."
When it was clear that Ion was finished, everyone looked to Jade. This simple gesture explicitly foreshadowed the authority Jade would command in the future. Even as he was now, Luke still couldn't understand what made people want to follow him. There was something, obviously, because if one looked at a written summary of his personality, very few would think of following him without fear. (The fear often resulted anyway.) In the original world, Luke and Guy had actually thought it might be a special fonic arte that Jade applied, but that theory died quickly. But there was a natural charisma about the man, something close to fatherly, that made people look at him like he could honestly do anything.
Jade sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Now that you two have joined our little group of emissaries, there's not a lot we can keep hidden from you now. The only places I can appropriately protect are the bridge and rooms with Malkuthian military secrets. Well, I could appropriately keep you here, but that wouldn't be fair, would it?" Jade's bland smile was a little on the 'I'm-about-to-torment-you' side.
"No, it wouldn't," laughed Ion, obviously amused with the Colonel, "because you let me go just about everywhere on this ship and Luke and I are almost equal in status."
Luke balked at Ion's statement. "No way, Ion! You rule a small country and I'm just the son of the duke -"
"Just the son of a duke," muttered Tear, exasperated. Luke continued, pretending he hadn't heard her.
" - I don't do much. I just... hang out all day. You have a bunch of responsibilities and everything."
"So you don't want to freely walk the Tartarus?" said Jade curiously, "If that's what you wish - "
"Forget it," mumbled Luke, beaten, "Whatever."
"I'm going for some fresh air. Do what you will." With that, Jade turned and coolly left the room.
"He's cold, isn't he?" commented Tear.
"Yeah," agreed Anise, "but that's the Colonel. Do you want me to show you two around? I mean, if that's alright with you, Ion." She hastily tacked that bit on.
"Of course," said Ion, "I think I might join the Colonel on the deck." He and Anise exchanged smiles as a good-bye and then Ion, too, left the room.
"Well, then, off we go!" said Anise cheerfully. Luke watched the space where Jade had been. Even though he was colder than Luke remembered, Luke drew comfort from the unshakable presence of Jade. The memory of Jade calling Luke his friend still made Luke both proud and small. Proud to have a naturally cold person like Jade accept him as someone so close, and small for having such a powerful man seem to bend to accept Luke. A willing bend, but sometimes Luke would feel feelings of inferiority rise up within him. He wished someone knew that's how he was feeling, so they could help chase the feeling away, like Tear with her harsh methods often did. Luke suddenly knew what he wanted to do.
"Actually, Tear, Anise, you two go on ahead. I'm going to go talk to Jade." He stepped out of the door, pushing the door open so the girls could get out easily.
"Luke, wait!" called Anise, "Do you even know where they went?"
Luke popped his head back in. "They went left. I'll figure it out," he said confidently. He walked down the hall and up the stairs, hearing the muffled chatter of Tear and Anise behind him. It was a sure thing that Anise was grilling Tear for details in what was going on between them.
Luke opened the door to the deck, where he knew Jade and Ion were. They both turned around at the sound of the door, but neither looked quite surprised to see him. Jade turned around. At Ion's inviting smile, Luke trotted over to the boy first.
"What brings you out here?" Ion asked, clearly interested in Luke's answer. Luke shrugged.
"I guess I just wanted to talk a bit more," said Luke offhandedly, thinking of the politics behind Ion's appearance here in this time and place.
"Well, then, do you have any questions from before?" Ion inquired.
Luke thought a moment. "Well, maybe relating to the discussion, but nothing I'm going to repeat. I don't think I actually do have specific questions. How about you just tell me about the Order, then." He shrugged.
Ion was a bit puzzled. "Like what?"
"I dunno, like ranks or something."
Ion blinked, and then smiled confidently, probably because this was something he knew by heart.
"First, there is me, the Fon Master. Well, supposing there weren't leadership issues, you understand. Then there is the Grand Maestro, which is held by Mohs. After, there is the Commandant, whom you might know by the title of Dorian General Grants. Then there are the God-Generals."
"The six, right? Asch the Bloody, Legretta the Quick, Sync the Tempest, et cetera, right?" asked Luke to confirm. Ion hesitated.
"Well, technically, no, there are seven. The seventh is a woman named Cantabile."
Luke was dumbstruck. That had come completely out of nowhere! Was this a result of his meddling? It must be, because Luke had never heard anything of a seventh God-General, ever.
"Uh, did she just become one recently, like in the last few months?" Luke asked. He was expecting Ion to be surprised at his knowledge and say yes, but that wasn't the case. Ion shook his head.
"No, she's quite established. Even though there are only six official posts for God-General, Cantabile was so talented that a seventh post was created specifically for her. She also happens to command the largest number of Oracle Knights."
Luke was currently having trouble keeping his heart rate within a healthy range because he was so totally floored by this. Another God-General could throw everything into jeopardy, as an unknown wildcard. Luke desperately wished he could go back into his original world to check if this seventh God-General existed there.
"D-does she hang around Daath a lot?" Luke asked, hoping he sounded just curious.
"No, very rarely," said Ion, "I haven't seen much of her myself, but I'm told any job that requires her to check in Daath regularly would be a waste of her talents. Why so interested?" Ion's head tilted to the side as if it would somehow allow Luke to be more transparent. Luke's breaths were almost sobs, he was so unsettled. It was a real struggle to try and sound normal.
"I've never heard of her before, ever."
Ion was either ignoring Luke's distress or wasn't noticing it. "That's not surprising. She mostly keeps out of the Order's politics. I hear Commandant Grants has trouble controlling her, sometimes."
Luke perked up slightly. That meant one of two things. Either she had a problem with authority or she didn't like Van. Luke hoped it was the latter, as it would be that much easier to get her on their side.
"Alright. I think I've got the God-Generals, then." Luke exhaled deeply, still feeling physically squeezed from the shock he'd just received.
"Very well," said Ion, "After the God-Generals, it much more resembles a regular military, with generals, lieutenants, you know. The only things different is that we have fewer of these ranks and we give them different names like maestro, or cantor. There's not much else." Ion looked at Luke expectantly, who shook his head. Luke kept taking regular breaths, telling himself with every exhalation that it was going to be okay. After a moment, the dimension-jumper let go of Cantabile. It was going to be okay, because Luke would make it so. She didn't show up the first time, so what were the chances of her showing up the second?
"No more questions," said Luke. He walked over to the edge, but still within speaking range of Ion. He leaned over the edge and studied the ground below them, his back to the entire platform. The Tartarus was pushing an amazingly fast speed, so Luke could never make out any details of the places below. The roar and sight of the Tartarus moving gave Luke's sense something to concentrate on while his thoughts meandered. He found letting his mind go on its own helped after a lot of stress.
"It's so strange," Luke said to Ion slowly, his eyes absently following the forest of the side of the Tartarus. "I never thought something like this would ever happen to me." He made sure his comment could be taken for his place in the political struggle but his situation was different. Time-traveling – no, crossing dimensions certainly fit into the category of 'this would never happen to me.' Though what Lorelei had said certainly implied that it couldn't be anyone other than Luke, though why Asch wasn't eligible was beyond Luke's ability to puzzle out.
"I'm sorry to have dragged you and Tear into this," said Ion apologetically, "And I'm also quite sorry to have to use you in this way."
Luke was still deep in his dimension-hopping thoughts, so his response was understandably disconnected from the conversation. "Hmm, right. Sure. Whatever."
"Luke?" If Ion wasn't confused before, he certainly was now. Luke tuned into the conversation.
"Huh? Oh, uh, Ion, that's all right. It gets me home faster, anyway."
"If you say so," said Ion, looking relieved. Luke smiled.
"Anyways, I'm gonna go talk to Jade. It was good talking to you." Luke nodded and walked over to Jade. The platform was large enough that if Luke and Ion had been speaking in moderate tones, Jade probably wouldn't have been able to hear them.
As it was when Luke approached, Jade was standing tall and seemed to be studying something in the distance very closely. Luke recognized as sign Jade was thinking about something – and likely didn't want to be interrupted. Luke did anyway. The younger man stood to the side of the solder, in Jade's line of sight.
"Jade?" said Luke tentatively. If Jade's body could make noises independently of any orifice, Luke imagined Jade's body to be creaking loudly in protest at having to turn to this unproven boy. Even with the symbolically loud motion, Jade was still only half-facing Luke.
"Yes?" said Jade, a weary sigh implied in his tone.
"I – I kinda just came to talk," mumbled Luke, very unsure of how to handle a face-to-face with this man. It had taken so long to be able to engage him in idle chatter, but Luke felt the desire for rapport with him right now. He was about to find out how successful he would be.
Jade peered at Luke over the top of his glasses. It was a foreign gesture to Luke, because usually the blue-clad man would give those intense looks through his glasses as if to emphasize that Bad Things would happen if those glasses ever came off.
"To talk?" said Jade flatly. That stare over the glasses rims made Luke feel insignificant, at least in terms of Jade. He was confident in himself, mostly, and was fairly sure that Tear thought well of him, and Guy had never given up on him, and oh man, he was rambling...
"Well, I mean," Luke faltered, "...Yeah."
Jade broke his gaze after a few moments. "You'll have to forgive me. I'm terrible at small talk." Luke racked his mind for a topic he knew Jade could and would actually discuss.
"Well, it doesn't have to be small talk," said Luke stubbornly, "It could be like... philosophy."
"Oh?" Jade hemmed for a moment, and turned to Luke, almost cautiously. "What did you have in mind?"
"..." Luke considered Jade's face to make sure he was serious. "...Death."
Jade's eyebrows shot up for an instant before he smoothed his features.
"Death," he said disbelievingly, "Well, it can certainly be said that you shoot you for the big ones first. Very well, how to begin..."
"How do you view killing?" said Luke quickly. Jade covered a smile at Luke's impatience.
"It's hardly a matter for me," said Jade indifferently, "I'm a soldier. I kill for self-defense, I kill for my country, I kill to win. In this world, it's kill or be killed. I've chosen which one I want."
At Jade's calloused words, Luke's face grew steadily more thoughtful. "That's... not a very good philosophy. I mean, I used to have that idea, kill or be killed. You're going to call me idealistic, but I refuse to kill unless there is no other way."
"I agree with you in theory, but I am going to have to call you naïve if you honestly believe that it can be carried out in practice. How did you ever get to that idea from 'kill or be killed'?"
"...I killed too much," muttered Luke darkly. His thoughts could be summed in the names of two places: Akzeriuth and the Tower of Rem. If Jade said anything else after that, Luke would've been prevented from brooding on this, but Jade simply looked at Luke circumspectly for a few minutes. Luke's brooding wasn't very elegant. It went in the same circles it did at the time he committed the acts, and it was always smothered in guilt. How many people did I kill in all? Fifteen thousand? Twenty thousand?
"Ignoring the assumption that a teenage noble locked in their house usually doesn't kill, much less achieve that much remorse - which should remind you to guard your experiences more carefully." Jade was almost monotone, which meant that he was only hiding his true feelings, thought Luke. He cursed inwardly. How many times was he going to screw up before Jade figured out everything? Come to think of it, what was the major reason for hiding his travel anyway?
"Hey, Jade?" Luke asked reluctantly, "If a person knew things that nobody could know, what would be the worst thing that could happen to them?"
Jade didn't hesitate at all. "They'd be handed over to the Order of Lorelei, and be tortured until everything was known and the source destroyed, and then that person would be killed, with no one questioning the Order's actions."
"Ah," said Luke, feeling sick. That was a plenty good enough reason to keep it hidden. If the Order of Lorelei said so, no one would object to them kidnapping him and killing him. They would automatically assume that it was part of the Closed Score, and life would continue, with the Order continuing its regime and never, ever being 'wrong'. It was realizations such as this that made Luke realize that more needed to be done; more than undermining the Score, the entire society needed to be rewritten to get this corruption out of the way. Everyday, this job was getting bigger than Luke thought he could handle. He squeezed the bridge of his nose in vexation.
"Is there something wrong?" said Jade, clearly not very concerned. Luke hissed quietly, questioning his own decision to come and talk to Jade. It had only made him feel worse.
"No," he said, gritting his teeth slightly, "I'm, uh, done talking. I'm going to go find the girls."
"Well, then, I'll come with you," said Jade, "Fon Master, would you like to accompany us?" Luke turned around to see Ion rather close to them. He must have been listening.
"Yes," said Ion, "I've had enough fresh air for now."
"Then, Luke, if you would lead us?" It was impossible to tell what Jade was thinking, or implying, or anything. It almost made it worse, thought Luke sourly. Sometimes it was just nice to know what page someone was on.
Luke nodded at Jade's request and he led a casual pace into the corridors of the Tartarus. After a few steps, Tear and Anise turned a corner and entered the same hall.
"Tear!" said Luke, and he ran up to her.
"Hey, Luke," greeted Anise.
"Hey, Anise," responded Luke. He gave her a smile for as long as was polite and then turned back to Tear.
"You get to know the ship?" he asked her. Tear smiled – actually smiled at him! - and nodded. Luke relaxed himself beside her. He felt so gratified to get a genuine smile from her, because she barely smiled at all before Akzeriuth. He smiled back at her, and Tear tilted her head to the side in amusement.
"I hate to break up this moment, but there is merchant traveling with us," said Jade, "Would you like to see what he has to offer?"
"What's up, Colonel?" asked Anise. Luke wondered where Jade was going with this. It wasn't like him to be concerned about the safety of others; he just let them fend for themselves.
The man gave one of his wry smiles. "Oh, nothing, I just thought Luke might do better than a stick."
Luke automatically checked his sheath, and blushed when he realized that he still had his wooden training sword. The monsters in the Cheagle Woods were so weak that until the Liger Queen, Luke hadn't had any problems, and so had forgotten the issue.
"Yes, it would be better if we encounter an enemy as strong as the Liger Queen again," said Tear thoughtfully.
Luke laughed inwardly at that. 'As strong as the Liger Queen.' As they were right now, only Jade and himself had a dream of defeating Van – who was many, many times stronger. Well, Luke knew he could beat Van, but he needed a good sword and to train this body back to kilter. He only wished he could do it right now instead of having to let everything happen to take suspicion off of himself.
"Alright," chuckled Luke, "Let's go see if he has another sword."
"I'll stay here, thank you," said Jade.
"It doesn't interest you, Colonel?" asked Ion.
"No," said Jade, pushing his glasses up his nose, "I've already seen his wares."
That was unsurprising enough, seeing as Jade liked to be prepared. "Okay," said Luke, "Everyone who wants to see what he's got, come with me."
"I'll show you his room," offered Anise, and she took Luke's hand and started dragging him towards one of the rooms in the hall. Tear and Ion followed them, leaving Jade to stand alone in the corridor. Luke was surprised by Anise's strength as she pulled him to the second door. She jerked the handle open and pulled him in. Tear and Ion entered a moment after them.
Luke gently extracted his arm from Anise's. He didn't want to offend her, although he really didn't want to lead her on, either. Then he walked over to the man sitting at the table giving them all an interested look.
"You're the merchant, then?" asked Luke politely.
"Yup," said the man, "You looking for something specific?"
"A sword," said Luke, "Have you got any decent ones?"
The man nodded, pleased at having a customer. "I've got a few for swordsmen of beginner levels, that being my market. There's a cutlass here if you want it."
"Better than a stick," said Luke, thinking of Jade, "How much?"
"Four hundred."
Luke winced. He was terrible at haggling, but four hundred was just too much for their wallet, even after the gald they'd gotten from the Liger Queen. He wished he could just go home to get money from Mother.
"Uh, Tear?" Luke said to the woman in the back, "You can haggle, right?"
The merchant didn't protest at this, only carefully watched the by-play. Luke turned back to him apologetically.
"Sorry, but we're kinda short on money," said Luke. The merchant shrugged. Tear walked up.
"Haggle? I suppose I'm decent at it," conceded Tear, "How about two fifty?" she posed to the merchant. Luke turned away, feeling very out of his league. Buying and selling was all well and good, but bartering was something Luke had just never gotten the hang of.
Luke was about to go and join Anise and Ion near the door, but he saw they were deep in conversation, and likely didn't want a third wheel. He sighed and forced himself to listen to the price of his sword be decided.
After a few moments of numbers being carefully meted out, the price of three hundred and ten gald was decided on and Luke replaced his wooden sword with the cutlass. (The merchant bought the stick for pocket change, which Tear kept.)
"You finished?" asked Anise, "Then let's go."
"Don't you need anything?" said Luke quizzically.
The girl shook her head. "Nah, I've got everything I need."
"Well, if you're sure," said Tear, "Let's go find Jade."
Luke walked over and opened the door, and went through, assuming he'd see Jade patiently waiting for them or else not there at all. He was wrong on both assumptions.
Jade and Largo were exchanging blows with such noise that Luke concluded that the rooms were sound-proof, because there was little hint of the battle elsewhere. Jade's face was typically emotionless, but Largo was obviously frustrated with the skill of the other man.
The unfortunate thing about where the battle was taking place was that Luke ran out right into the middle of it. Luke never thought of Largo being a very opportunistic man, but when Largo didn't miss a beat and swung his scythe into the wall and effectively pinned Luke, he was forced to admit that Largo didn't miss chances. A large shock bit right into his shoulder, and Luke realized Largo's scythe had actually stabbed right into him. He was trapped and the pain in his shoulder was agonizing. He squeezed his eyes shut and moaned. It felt so bad, but it was probably just a flesh wound. Luke felt pathetic.
From the doorway, Luke heard Anise and Ion gasp loudly. Tear wasn't making a sound. When Luke was able to conquer the pain, he opened his eyes to get a look at what was happening. It was a standoff. Once Luke had been captured, Jade had frozen in his steps. Tear was stock-still in the threshold, staring wide-eyed at the tableau.
"Now," said Largo roughly, "Hand the Fon Master over."
"Don't do it!" Luke bellowed as loudly as he could with his little breath, "Stay with Jade, Ion!" The boy ruler carefully moved farther away from Largo, but when he took his first step, Largo drew his blade deeper into Luke's shoulder, making him gasp with pain. Ion withdrew his foot, petrified of moving. Luke shook his head frantically, hot blood flowing down his arm faster than he predicted. It started to drip off his fingers.
"Don't!" Luke gasped, but it was hard to make any sound with his limited breath.
"Mieu! Fifth fonon at the ceiling!"
There was intense heat and light streaming from Mieu, but Luke had no idea where the cheagle was. He was the same as Largo; feeling the heat of the flames, and half-blinded by the light. Jade seemed to leap from the pillar of fire. His spear appeared from his arm in a brief flash, and it flew towards Largo's stomach. Largo withdrew his blade from Luke and stepped backwards to avoid the spear stabbing him. While Luke collapsed on the ground, clutching his shoulder, Largo and Jade continued their one-on-one fight.
Largo forced Jade back far enough that Tear woke from her stupor and she herself flew at the Black Lion. Jade backed off momentarily and began a fon verse. Through his half-aware state, Luke thought the fon verse sounded weird. Wasn't that word different last time?
In desperation at this new fonic arte, Largo drew a small cube from a pocket and threw it at Jade. Tear lifted her staff to try and intercept it, but it hit Jade with a soft 'thump'. A large glyph rose up from the cube and surrounded Jade. He fell to one knee with a loud grunt.
Tear hissed and whipped around. She sent energy bolts at his face. Largo batted some away, but couldn't avoid a few. One landed on his cheek, making the man flinch. Jade didn't waste any time. Despite his pain and surprise, he dove at Largo. His spear only appeared in his hand at the last second, and it plunged through Largo's abdomen. Blood spattered everywhere.
Luke gazed at the big man undaunted. The first time he had seen this, he had been sick to his stomach. But he knew Largo wasn't going to die. Jade roughly jerked his spear out of the man, and Largo fell to the ground with a squelch. Time stood still for a moment. Just a moment.
"Who was that?" said Tear, her voice trembling. Her back was to everyone but Jade. Jade pulled his spear back into his arm and turned around to face Tear. His front was splattered with Largo's blood.
"Largo, the Black Lion and one of the six God-Generals." Jade was very quiet, and very serious.
"A God-General!" gasped Anise.
But there are seven. Jade's wrong, thought Luke inanely, And Tear sounds scared. That's weird. Luke was somewhat aware of the randomness of his thoughts, but he figured that was just from losing all this blood. It was still coming, coming, coming... All this from an arm wound?
Tear turned around to Luke, Anise and Ion. Luke looked up to her face and realized that Tear's voice wasn't trembling with fear – it was shaking with rage. Her eyes quickly checked the Fon Master for injuries, and then she strode to Luke. Luke was still half laying down and half crouching on the floor, trying to staunch the blood flow. His whole arm was slick with blood and his clothes were quite ruined.
Despite her visible fury, Tear was gentle as she slipped her right hand under Luke's head to support it and checked Luke's wound with her left. As Tear's finger poked the gash, Luke felt fire hit his arm and brain simultaneously, and tried to jerk away from her hand.
"I need to get the cloth away from the cut," said Tear calmly, "I don't want any cloth fused into you when I close the wound." Luke tried as best as he could to remain still while Tear fiddled with the cloth, eventually cutting the entire sleeve off.
"Energia que cura," murmured Tear, "First Aid!" Luke felt a blissful chill spill over his shoulder, and he resisted the urge to touch the wound. Tear held onto the arte longer than entirely necessary, to make sure that his flesh would start knitting back together properly. The stream of blue light continued in a cycle, from Tear's hand to Luke's arm and back again. It illuminated Tear's face in an ethereal glow. Attracted, Luke reached out to touch her face, but the arte finished and he drew back his hand, feeling disappointed.
Tear continued to hold his head while carefully prodding the red skin around the laceration. Luke felt twinges of pain, and he winced when she got too close. It was no where near fully healed, but it had set it on the way towards recovery. Luke probably wouldn't be able to use his sword very well for a while. When Tear was satisfied that Luke was healed and not going to be crippled, she got back up and helped Luke stand. His shoulder still ached. When Luke was up with some effort, Tear stared at him intently and her anger intensified.
"What were you – How could you be so - " Tear bit her tirade off and spun to glare lividly at Largo's still form.
"Luke couldn't have known," said Ion quietly. He hadn't moved from his spot, but had turned to see the oldest three easier. Something in his stance made Luke think he was still afraid to move for fear of hurting someone.
Tear held her head in a hand, grimacing. "I know that. I know that."
Luke touched Tear's shoulder gently.
"I'm sorry, Tear," he said sincerely, "Thank you for healing me."
"Well, of course I'm going to heal you!" said Tear, clearly exasperated, "You're – ugh, never mind."
"I'm what?" said Luke. He couldn't interpret Tear's words or actions, and so had no idea what she was trying to get across.
"Never mind," repeated Tear.
Jade, Anise and Ion joined Luke and Tear, who happened to be in the middle.
"It's clear they're after Fon Master Ion," said Jade calmly, "Anise, could you take Ion and the letter to St. Binah and meet us there? The two of you alone will be able to handle the trip and travel in a quieter fashion than all of us together."
"I think we could manage," said Anise. She sounded both afraid and determined. From what Luke knew of her, it was a healthy mindset; it encouraged caution. "But what about you, Colonel? What were you hit with?"
"A fon slot seal," said Jade grimly, "From now on, my fonic artes will be severely limited."
"Oh, no," said Tear in distress.
Jade waved off her concern. "I'll be fine. I'm confident I can perform at your level even with the seal." At this, they all half-heartedly glared at Jade, but he ignored it very well.
"What are you going to do?" asked Ion. Luke and Tear turned to Jade. Luke wondered what Jade had in mind for them. Surely he wasn't going to go back to Engeve or anything.
"We're going to retake the Tartarus," said Jade matter-of-factly. Luke stared at Jade. Just the three of them, him with a hurt arm? He didn't plan on this the first time, did he? Luke struggled to remember, and smiled ruefully that the plan was almost the same. He couldn't believe he'd willingly gone along with it.
"Well, come on, Ion," said Anise slightly more confidently. She gently tugged Ion's arm and they ran off down one of the corridors. Jade, Tear and Luke watched them go.
"Hey, where are they going?" asked Luke, feeling concerned for their safety. He didn't remember any exit down by that end.
"They know the ship well," Jade assured him, "They'll play tag with the Oracle Knights for a bit and find a way off."
"So where do we go?" asked Tear, now back to her soldier mindset.
"To take the bridge, of course," said Jade, "They wouldn't have bothered with us if they hadn't taken control of where the ship is going."
"Then, let's go," said Tear.
They all side-stepped Largo and continued on. Looking at him carefully, Luke thought he could see Largo's shallowly rising and falling. They walked up the metal stairs and onto the platform where Luke, Jade and Ion had talked.
Tear glanced up the ladder, and started climbing.
"Let me," said Jade, "I'm more able to deal with immediate threats." Tear dropped and let Jade go ahead of her. As Jade climbed up, Luke glanced to the horizon. Was Asch going to be here? He hoped what he had already done hadn't messed with things so far just yet. He needed to see Asch. The last time he had seen Asch, he was dead. With the happy idea of seeing Asch again, adrenaline started rushing through his body, reducing the pain in his shoulder.
The adrenaline was a big help in climbing the ladder. At the last few rungs, Luke didn't know if his arm would've been able to handle it without the natural pain-killer. When he got to the top, Jade and Tear were both patiently waiting for him. Luke shot a look behind them, half-expecting to see Asch tapping his sword against the ground impatiently. But he wasn't.
Tear glanced around quizzically, but there was no one there. There was not a soul on the surface of the Tartarus besides them.
Jade walked on towards the bridge, and the two teenagers fell in behind him. It was a slow walk to the bridge, but it made it easier for Luke. His thoughts were contrary, both liking the easy pace and wanting to go faster. Was it such a crime to want to see Asch again?
Later then Luke would have liked, they got to the bridge.
"There's bound to be sentries around here somewhere," commented Tear worriedly, "Why aren't we seeing any?"
"They're likely trying to lure us into a false sense of security and then trap us. Come on, Tear," said Jade, "Luke, you stay here."
Luke frowned. What if Asch was in there? "Why do I have to stay?"
"If we get ambushed, you'll likely just get more hurt," said Jade, "I'm sorry, but your wound makes you a liability."
Luke's heart sank. "O-oh. I get it."
"Sorry," said Tear, gesturing apologetically.
"No, it's okay," said Luke, waving her off. "I'll be fine out here. You two go and do what you need to."
Tear and Jade went around the corner, leaving Luke feeling irrationally abandoned. It was a several minute wait before they returned, and when they did, they both looked worried.
"What's wrong?" asked Luke, running up to them.
"It was too easy," said Tear, "There were Oracle Knights there, but not enough to man the ship. We think we're being set up."
Luke's stomach dropped out as he thought of Anise and Ion. Were they let to escape? They were probably in captivity right now! But he couldn't continue thinking about it from what happened at that moment.
From above, several giant icicles shot down towards them. Luke dodged all of them, and ran to Tear, who hadn't managed to escape. But he never got there. A blinding pain from the back of his head brought him to his knees. A hand roughly shoved him down, and Luke went down. Half-conscious, Luke rolled over to see Asch standing over him, contempt written all over his face.
"Asch!" wheezed Luke, "Asch, are you - "
"Shut up!" snarled Asch, and he kicked Luke in the side. Gasping, Luke counted his blessings that it was the opposite side of his wounded shoulder.
"But wait!" said Luke, gulping for air, "I know you!"
This enraged Asch, and he lifted his (sheathed) sword to strike Luke.
"Asch!" shouted a female voice from above. Asch froze in position, his mind discernibly balking at what his body was being forced to do. Legretta jumped down, teasing the edges of Luke's peripheral sight. This is my chance! thought Luke. Concentrating, he tried to open Asch's mind to his. There wasn't even a whisper of Asch's consciousness. Luke mentally searched but the pathway to Asch's mind was not there. Why isn't this working?! Luke shouted in his mind. This was so frustrating. There must be something different about this world. The rules were different or something! What were the rules?
"I wasn't going to kill him," growled Asch with gritted teeth. His arm didn't move, still wanting to hit Luke for his words.
"Still, it wouldn't do to harm hostages more than necessary," said Legretta, trying to calm Asch down, "Put your sword away."
Asch grimaced and hung his sword by his belt again. Legretta walked over with one of her guns always trained at the far side on Jade, and met eyes with Luke. Luke stared up at her, wondering what he looked like to her. The woman's eyes trailed over Luke's torso, always checking Jade every few seconds.
"His shirt is half torn off and he's covered in blood; he's been injured." Legretta's comments were disinterested.
"It looks like Largo's work," said Asch mildly, most of his anger gone. Luke followed their gaze, and actually looked at his shoulder. He hadn't wanted to before, but he knew now why Tear had been so upset. It was no mean line; there was a thick red groove from the front of his clavicle around his arm and disappeared around the curve down. With his stomach twisting, Luke was only glad that he hadn't looked at it when it was still open and bleeding.
"Largo's dead," said Jade harshly. Luke craned his head to see him, but Asch kicked him again when his shoulders lifted off of the ground. He kept himself on the ground, but he twisted to see Jade. The man was crouching in a ready position. Luke's eyes widened when he realized that Jade intended to take them on.
When he spoke, Legretta realized the same thing. "We'll see," she said coldly, "Now listen." She drew her other gun, cocked it and pointed it straight down at Luke's head. "He won't survive this."
Seeing this as permission, Asch drew his sword and pointed it at Luke's chest. Jade couldn't deny the threat. Luke wasn't exactly unaware of it himself. He wasn't worried about Asch, but Legretta's gun really was pointed perfectly between his eyes. He swallowed convulsively.
"...We surrender," said Jade with distaste.
"Asch, take them to the hold," commanded Legretta.
"Right," said Asch. He sheathed his sword and leaned down over Luke's head and torso. He held a hand over Luke's nose and mouth. Panicking, Luke struggled against the hand, but Asch picked up Luke's whole head between his hands.
"It's either this, or getting a blow to the head," said Asch sharply, "If I hit you, it'll likely give you brain damage. Not that it'll make much difference." Luke tried to calm down, but there was something intensely terrifying about not being able to breath. Luke weakly gripped the hand blocking his air ways, but tried not to pull the hand away. His hands shook with the effort of letting Asch knock him out. Black spots started appearing in his vision, and he felt disconnected from the world around him. It was really hard to think. After a few more seconds, his vision turned all black, and Luke disconnected from consciousness.
Anise was scowling. Things had been going fine; great, even. Getting out of the Tartarus had been ridiculously easy. They had barely been any resistance, and they didn't even run into any Oracle Knights. Anise was capable of putting aside her anger if the mission was important, and if this mission wasn't that important, she would have been fuming at the fact that the God-Generals themselves were trying to capture Ion! It was all Mohs, of course, but still... Mohs wanted Ion for his silly war-starting and everything.
But that wasn't the issue here. The main thing here was that after they had left the Tartarus, stupid Arietta had been waiting for them with her monster friends. Both caught unawares, Ion and Anise were quickly captured and held. The only good thing was that Arietta was leaving her alone. The bad thing was she was earnestly talking with Ion and both were smiling! Anise scowled deeper. Inwardly, she knew she was jealous of their longer history, but she always tried to deny that any of those kind of feelings.
Aside from her issues with the other girl, Anise's mind kept running over the words Colonel Jade had said. They needed to get to St. Binah! What if the others got to St. Binah right away? They might even move on to Kaitzur without them!
Anise glowered at Arietta only a few feet away. She was holding Tokunaga! The key to getting out of here! Anise didn't like to think she was totally dependent on the fon tech doll, but she was forced to admit it here. When she tried to move towards Arietta, the liger behind her snapped its jaws at her feet. Anise jumped and cussed at the animal, quietly so Arietta wouldn't hear.
She gentle tip-toed over to the girl, and reached out for her doll over Arietta's shoulder. The liger followed her carefully, making sure Anise didn't try to run. Without a sound, Anise grabbed Tokunaga's paw and pulled hard. Arietta yelped angrily and whirled around. Anise grew Tokunaga to battle size and she instantly turned around to pound the surprised liger in its face. Best to have her friend out of commission first.
Arietta began casting, and quickly threw a Shadow arte at Anise. Anise managed to half-dodge it, and swiped at Arietta as best as she could. Surprised, Arietta got hit and flew back a few feet. She got back up and cast an instant Rem arte at Anise again.
Anise managed to avoid this one completely, as it was a concentrated beam. With a loud cry, Tokunaga gave Arietta a might uppercut and the pink-haired girl was flung into the forest.
Anise whipped around, bringing Tokunaga down to her shoulder in seconds.
"Ion!" she called, "We gotta go!"
"Right!" agreed the boy, and together they ran in the direction of St. Binah.
Lorelei rumbled loudly. You haven't been watchful, Luke, he reprimanded the boyYou haven't been paying attention to what you know should be happening.
Luke frowned in confusion. "What?"
You knew Largo was coming. You knew Asch was going to use that arte. Use your foreknowledge! Lorelei sounded as close to angry as he got. Luke wilted a little.
"I - I'm sorry," he mumbled, staring towards the ground.
Luke! ... Heed ... my ... voice!
Luke's eyes shot up again. "Huh?"
It's the other Lorelei, Luke. You know what I'm go -
Luke...!
- ing to say already.
Luke got a sudden flash of long crimson hair.
"What's wrong?" That was Legretta.
"Er, nothing." Luke felt himself speak those words. What was going on?
Luke was pulled back into the core dream-scape.
Lorelei's voice was slightly disconcerted when he spoke again. Luke. I sent you to the other -
Use my power! Show me -
- world with an advantage. You need to use it to change -
- the power!
- anything. What were the objectives I gave you?
If that last question was interrupted, Luke didn't think he would've known what was going on at all. He had trouble remembering just as it was.
"Er, don't kill any innocents."
That's a broader way to state it, but it will be fine. The second Lorelei seemed to have faded. What is the second?
"Uh..." Luke's voice trailed off as he tried to remember but failed. Lorelei accepted the implications of Luke's silence.
The second objective is to not let Mystearica become sick with the miasma. Repeat them.
"Don't kill any innocent people, and don't let Tear get sick."
Don't forget.
Luke's eyes shot open and he jerked awake.
Some of you may be questioning why Asch knocked Luke out when it would be easier to get them to the hold with two people conscious. Asch was being cautious. If Jade was carrying Tear, and Luke was at swordpoint, there would still be an opportunity for them to overpower Asch and escape. But if there were two unconscious people, and Jade not being the type to abandon companions, there would be no way Jade could make an escape with two almost fully-grown people under his arms and still be able to fight his way out. Harder in the short run, but safer.
If you're going to drop a line with a review (which I highly encourage!), I'd like to know what you guys think of the Anise scene.