Prepare for the torture chapter…

Chapter IV

Luke started his first day back in the manor by wrapping up the wound on his arm. He was excited to actually be back so he explored his room. Everything was organized, his clothes, his training swords, and, of course, his journal. He saw his journal on his desk, so he sat down and wrote down everything he remembers so far. As he wrote on his journal, something was confusing him again. He remembered what Ion told him when he transferred Asch's soul into his body.

--Flashback--+

"Luke… Hand me that sword," Ion ordered as he pointed at the sword beside Asch. Luke immediately handed him the sword, and Luke curiously asked "What are you going to do with that?"

Ion walked towards Asch and stood by him. He raised the sword above her head and lowered it to align Asch's body. Ion whispered something under his breath. The sword slowly lit up, and so did Asch's body. The wind blew stronger, with Luke slowly feeling something very soothing in his body. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he saw Ion on his knees "Ion!"

He rushed towards Ion and supported him as he stood up. "There! Luke, did you feel it?"

"Feel what?" Luke asked as he looked down at Asch's cold body. "Asch… I moved his soul to your body Luke."

Luke was obviously shocked at this thought. The very thought of Asch being in Luke's body is crazy! How could that happen? At least, that's what Luke was thinking. "Ion, I'm confused. Please explain stuff to me…"

"Asch's… soul was revived, but I don't have enough strength to even save his body. Luke, keep this in mind, Asch's soul is in you. Your soul and his soul are together, you are considered one, Luke. Asch's memories are now with you. Take care of them…"

Ion slowly faded from Luke's view. The next thing Luke saw was the moon above him. He was in Tataroo Valley. Luke soon realized that the revival of Asch's soul took three years, or maybe it was just Luke's imagination. But, no, it happened. It really did.

--END--+

(I EDITED this part, people!!)

The only thought that ran through his mind was the fact that he remembers nothing that happened to the real Luke for the first seven years of his life. He tries his best to remember, but nothing comes out.

Luke ended his journal entry stood up and grabbed his black cloak. He wore the cloak and put the hood over his head, and his journal in the pocket of the cloak. He put on a glove on his right hand and headed for his bedroom door. The minute he stepped out of the room, he dashed off so no one would notice him. Once he got far enough from his room, he started to slow down.

As he walked slowly, he passed many guards standing on their posts and maids running around. At the far end of the corridor, he saw a yellow-haired guard leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. He walked towards him and heard loud whispers "You didn't tell the Duke yet, right?"

"We didn't tell anyone, don't worry… But why can't we, anyway?" the yellow-haired guard asked the long-haired girl "Well, I'm not sure, but it seems that he doesn't want anyone to know yet. He entered Baticul secretly and he didn't want anyone to know of his arrival."

Luke couldn't help himself, so he answered Guy's question "Simple, I wanted to surprise everyone…"

The six turned around to see the hooded figure standing in front of them. Mieu and Anise jumped up in joy, while Tear, Guy, Natalia and Jade smiled. "Master…"

Mieu ran up to Luke who put him on his shoulder. Guy patted him on his back, while Natalia and Anise stood beside him. Natalia obviously wanted to hug him, but was reluctant about it. Anise greeted him in an excited tone "Luke!"

Luke noticed a change in Anise's height which he thought he might use to annoy her later. Natalia can't help herself so she hugged Luke excitedly. Tear gasped but didn't show it. Jade, on the other hand, noticed Tear's anxiousness so he, being his usual self, spoke up "I hate to break our little reunion, but if we want to keep Luke's return temporarily a secret, we won't succeed if we stay here where people can actually see us."

Natalia separated from Luke, who was speechless after that, while Tear and Guy were already behind Jade. "Shall we be going, then?"

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They went to a 'locked' cupboard near Luke's room where Guy and Luke used to train and hide their secret stuff. The excitement wasn't about to continue there. Luke started a topic which tensed everyone.

"Before we continue with our lives, I want to explain what happened to me in the years of my absence," Luke said. He caught everyone's attention and listened very carefully. This is going to be a long and tensing conversation.

Yay! That ends that chapter, huh? Sorry if it sucked, guys! Anyway, thanks for reading. And, again, the usual "Any type of feedback is welcome!!!" Please review, thank you!!!