Crim: *huggles Kazink* reviews~! I luff you~ 83 You are my lifesaver~!!

Asch: *pulls a chibi Crim and puts said chibi in front of computer* Don't let it get to your head.

Crim: Yes sir! *salutes and puts on this face :3*

Asch: *sigh*

Crim: I do not own tales of the Abyss but I do own 'Adelaide' and the plot~! Nyufu~!

Asch: Just get on with the story.


Trepidation

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…I only know how to run away…

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"Adelaide" 's POV

"If you aren't going to hurry, I will leave you." I let one amethyst eye glare at the mahogany door that separated me from my flame-haired companion. Who died and made him king!? I let a sigh escape my lips as my hand busied themselves by picking up various articles of clothing that the old couple had given me.

The early morning shone so brightly outside the windows, their golden light casted into the room that I was currently in. The soft melody of the birds was the only music that drifted unto the room. Asch had decided that we would leave the house, for what reason? I don't even know myself but I had to admit, deep down I was slowly beginning to despise staying in this house. I shook my head to clear the annoying thoughts away, they were useless to me. They won't bring me profit nor satisfaction. A sigh could be the only show of my emotions as I continued packing.

I paused at the black top that Theodore had given me. It wasn't for me but rather for Asch. Apparently the god general had been quite reluctant to stay in with the old couple. I looked at the folded top before putting it into the bag that the aged couple had given to me.

As soon as I had assured myself that all the things I need are inside the bag, I proceeded to open the door. I had expected to meet the annoyed face of my would-be companion but was met with an empty hall.

I turned to look at the sides but no existence of Asch the bloody was proven. A sigh escaped my lips and I fixed the bag, "What a jerk." I brushed the white fabric of my clothes before making my way out of the hall.

The clothes that the couple had given me were different from the ones I had worn during the battler Asch and me. They were probably torn from the numerous wounds that I had received especially that one fatal blow. I couldn't stop my hand from trailing to where Asch had inflicted the wound upon me.

The fabric of my pristine white top was still there as the pads of my fingers slid through the smooth material, caressing the area where the God general's sword has passed through me. The memory haunted me that I would constantly dream of it ever since I woke up. Dream of how much of the sword's actual length had passed through me and ruptured my internal organs. Or just how much blood that had trickled down from me as my body was pelted by the rain. I shivered at the gruesome memory, unabling the sliver of fear from taking over my body.

It had surprised me when I had woken up the first time.

There wasn't even a trace of neither a scar, nor stitches that had spoken of its existence. It had been unnerving as if something had healed it inside out. The idea had made a chill run down my spine. If there was such a great thing of healing the injuries inside out then there was also a mean to injure you through such a manner.

And to top it all, the fact that my right eye was now blind because of a stupid pact.

Another sigh escaped my lips and I fixed the slightly heavy bag which held on the supplies we will need for the journey. The pact, it had occupied my thoughts ever since Theodore and Margaret told me of it. I had refused to speak to them out of spite. It was because of their doing that I was alive, which I am honestly thankful of, but I was tied to the very man that I had sworn to kill, which truly made me despised of the old couple.

And it wasn't like they both saved us out of kindness; Theodore had revealed to me that he had saved us for their own satisfaction. It wasn't like they had the heart to take in two more mouths to feed, especially with our state back then.

I massaged the bridge of my nose and then found myself under the stern and watchful gaze of Asch the bloody. I glared at him and he could only look away and cross his arms over his chest. Really?! What was his problem? Coz if someone were to ask what my problem is, it'd be him!

"We really can't have you stay here?" Theodore had asked with a desperate look upon his eyes. I turned to Asch and he gave an exasperated sigh. "We really can't. We need to go back to Daath soon." The fiery haired male spoke and the aged man's face fell at the statement. He looked forlorn and pitiful as his gaze went to his wife, Margaret could only shake her head at her husband.

"Then it would be our duty to send you out." Theodore spoke as he pushed himself off of his seat. He had a hopeful look upon his face again. He looked from Asch to me and his heavy hand settled upon my gray head, "I hope that we will see you once again, little one." I smiled sadly at him and nodded my head as he patted my head. I caught Asch looking as bored as always, his emerald eyes not missing the exchange between Theodore and me.

But there was a certain emotion that he had tried to hide. Was it sorrow? Or was it longing?

I smiled up at the couple, continuing the charade of a perfect young girl they had thought I was. The god general made his way out first and I followed him with the couple following after us. I was surprised to see that the fiery male handed me the weapons that had spoken death against him. Not to be outwitted, his own sword was strapped to his waist. The blade was kept in a make-shift scabbard.

"We deemed it was good to have the both of you bring along some weapons. After all, the roads would be lingering with monsters. "Margaret spoke in that motherly tone of hers. I smiled and nodded, a show of me appreciation. The dagger and the sword had been cleaned of Asch's blood and had been kept in make-shift scabbards as well.

Theodore patted Asch on the shoulder and I looked at the god general's reaction. He was genuinely surprised at the show of affection from the older man, more like a father and son exchange. I did notice how the miniscule fidgeting that came from his body amused me. "Take care, son." The fiery haired male blinked and spoke in that flat and monotonous tone, "Yes we will. Thank you for taking care of us."

I looked away, not used to the display of familial affection and my hands rose to the bandages upon my face. It was a bother to have them tied around my head. It was also a bother that I couldn't see anything to my right. It was a deficiency that will forever be with me.

I turned to the couple and bid them goodbye. No sooner the two of us were walking along the road.

End of "Adelaide" 's POV

Margaret turned to her husband, her face filled with worry as soon as the two had vanished from their sight. "Theodore, did you tell them…?"

"Tell them what?" Her husband asked as they turned their back to the road and made their way back inside their home. "About the circumstances and effects of the pact?" Her voice held genuine worry and her soft hazel brown eyes were crestfallen.

The old man sighed and shifted his gaze from his wife to the road, "No. I didn't have the courage to tell them."

His wife seemed to have aged more, her expression was grim, "Then they will have to learn of it on their on. The young man, Asch, he seemed to be adept in making use of artes…" Her voice trailed on, it was laced with a heavy tone of sorrow.

Theodore rubbed his temples, his body seemed to be quite exhausted after he had sent off the two. He looked sorrowfully at his wife and told her, "Then the life of Adelaide will be upon Lorelei's hands."

Margaret could not help but looked at the road, a pang of sorrow and regret cutting through her thoughts.

"Then may he find out soon."

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"Just because we're held by this pact, doesn't mean that I've forgiven you, Asch the bloody." "Adelaide" started off as soon as they had an ample distance away from the cottage of Theodore and Margaret.

Annoyed emerald eyes glared at their companion and the god general countered, "And Just because we're held by it, doesn't mean that I will be trailing around Auldrant with you as a constant companion."

"As if I was wanting that."

He gritted his teeth in annoyance whilst the gray-haired girl smirked at how much she could irk her companion. Nothing had cooled between them. Not even the pact could cool down the rage that "Adelaide" had piled up through the months that had passed ever since their deaths.

The gray head's hands balled into fists at the constant reminder of Asch being her target. And yet, she should be thankful that she was alive. It was after all Kiel's wish that she had to live. And she had jumped at the correct time to say 'live' and thereafter resulted to her getting into a pact with her target.

"As soon as we arrive in Daath, I want to have nothing to do with you." The young girl threw her hands up in frustration and the fiery haired male could do nothing better than agree with her.

"That's quite fine with me. Heck, I wasn't planning to bring around someone like you." Asch scoffed and made his way ahead of her, "You could rot in a cell for all I care."

"Why you…" The young woman spoke and gritted her teeth. "If I die, you will die as well. It'd probably nice to have you die in the middle of an important gathering. I wish I could see that." A hand grasped her neck and 'Adelaide' felt herself be lifted off the ground.

Small feminine hands tried to desperately pry off the strong hand that had grasp her neck. She could not miss the fury that ran along emerald eyes. "Then it was a foolish mistake to have made the damn pact." He threw the young on the dirt road and she coughed a bit, trying to get in the precious air into her oxygen-deprived lungs. The gray-haired teen glared at her oppressor as she massaged her probably-bruised neck.

'That'll leave a mark.' She thought, and looked at her companion scornfully.

"Get up or I'll leave you to be food for the monsters." He spoke and turned his back towards the girl before making his way along the road. With no other choice, Adelaide pushed her body off the dirt. She made her way behind Asch, dusting at the dirt coated areas of her clothes while keeping her strides short so that she wouldn't be beside Asch.

As much as she despised following him, he was the only key to getting to Daath in one piece or so she told herself. Inwardly she was afraid to travel on her own because of a trauma that had been instilled in her during her childhood.

"Yeah right, if you'd left me to die, you know you will die as well." Adelaide chided and the god general turned towards her with menacing green eyes. She shrugged her shoulders but the smirk never left her face. He had tried to put up with her until they had reached Daath but his patience was greatly tested by this gray-haired wench.

He raked his bare hands through his long crimson tresses, stress was slowly falling upon his shoulders and he disliked it. "I would not lower myself to your level that would resort to taunting people with such childish ideas." He said out of spite and that angered the younger girl. Amethyst eyes narrowed in fury at the comment and the god general could not help but smirk at her reaction.

"Losing already?" He continued and the young girl could only grit her teeth in annoyance. She looked at the young man and then huffed before crossing her arms over her chest. He had to stifle himself from chuckling; having a fight with her was like putting up with a child. Then again, how can she be a child? If judging from her stature and looks, she would pass as an older adolescent.

"Now that I think of it, you never did tell me your name." The fiery-haired god general spoke, catching the girl off guard. She frowned at his question and looked elsewhere, "What's the significance in learning my real name? It won't get you rich or anything." She retorted and proceeded to walk ahead of the young man.

Asch could only take pleasure of his amusement in his thoughts. True enough, there was nothing that could benefit him if he could get her name but the unfilled spot of her real name really created a devious idea in his thoughts. If she refused to give her name, then I can call her anything I want. After all, it was her choice to leave the answer blank. Asch thought and enjoyed the prospect of the idea.

"Hey girl." She instantly halted in her steps and turned towards the god general. A death glare was plastered upon her features, his method of ticking her off surely worked. "What is it, sir?" She asked in a sarcastic tone and Asch could not help but smirk at how easy she was to tick off.

The fiery haired young man continued walking, and even made his way past her. He let the smirk linger upon his lips as Adelaide continued to seethe. "Nothing. I just thought that calling you girl would be appropriate after all 'Adelaide' is not your real name and you didn't want to tell me what your actual name is. Also, you were walking ahead; I believe I was the one to lead?"

'He is clearly enjoying this' the young girl couldn't help but think. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. 'Wha'st got him so fired up in ticking me off today? Was it because of a certain ingredient that Margaret added in those pancakes we had earlier? Or maybe he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed?'

'Adelaide' rolled her eyes, clearly not up for so much of these trivial quarrels, "Really Asch, if you've got something against just say it. You don't have to-"

"Shush." The male interjected and it brought a vein to start pulsating on the girl's forehead. Her knuckles were beginning to turn to white at the amount of strength she was holding herself from punching the daylights out of her companion.

No sooner 'Adelaide' caught a sound from the thicket of trees around them, her hand instantly went to the hilt of her sword and she quickly noticed that Asch had unsheathed his sword just in case. Growls were becoming more apparent and audible and no sooner the young woman could see silhouettes at a distance.

"Wolves." Asch stated and he brandished his sword as soon as one of the said creatures pounced on him. He easily fended the animal off. Adelaide was not about to lose to the god general herself and proved to be quite efficient with fighting off the animals.

Yet despite being well-equipped in battle, there was only one deficiency that 'Adelaide' will always have. And that was a lessened field of vision. It was not her fault that she did not see a wolf lunge at her from her right.

Luckily enough Asch had been quick enough to react and manage to push the young girl away while the wolf it upon his arm. He gritted in pain and plunged the blade of his sword unto the animal, instantly killing it. He quickly killed off the other two wolves while 'Adelaide' finished of f the other one. The remaining wolves fled away from them.

As soon as the wolves had cleared away from them, Asch quickly plunged his sword to the ground and grabbed 'Adelaide' on both of her shoulders. His emerald gaze was smoldering with rage and he grinded his teeth before he spoke, "What the hell were you doing?! That wolf almost got your head off. You could have killed the two of us right then and there."

His outburst was not left unperturbed by the gray head as her amethyst eye burned with her share of rage. She swatted Asch's hands off her shoulder and cried, "Well I'm sorry for having one eye!"

The god general's eyes widened. It had struck a chord in him. He staggered back, inwardly hurt at the statement that she had left out. 'Of course, it was not her fault.' He mused;' It was not Adelaide's fault that her eye was given in exchange for her life.'

The young man massaged his temples, trying to ease the tension of the situation. It was his fault for blowing it on her and forgetting her deficiency. He inwardly cursed to himself, if I don't put an end to all this the situation would go out of hand. And reckless fighting isn't necessary as we make our way to Daath.

He looked at the young woman; guilt was nagging at him again. Why was guilt ever made into this world? If such a thing didn't exist, he wouldn't be putting up with this annoying and patience-testing young woman.

"All right, I'm sorry. I know it's my fault. I should've been more careful." The god general spoke and despite the probable triumph in the girl's part, for having her sworn target to apologize to her. She had left out that part and her brain was focusing on the idea that she survived because of him.

Asch didn't want to feel unjustified by the situation so to even it out, "I believe your name would be a suitable way of thanking me."

The girl was reluctant but had complied to his request, "Thanks for saving me. And the name's Lucille."


A/N: Because of Kazink's reviews, it fired me up to post the next chappie as soon as I can.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please do review~ And yes I will always pair my Lucille to Asch~ Always! :3

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Crim: There's nothing like writing the dawn away. *whistles* -sleep deprived 8D-

Asch: And you were supposed to start studying today? *crosses arms over chest*

Crim: I can't help it. I enjoy watching my brother play Persona 4 and just browsing through my ANSIC book (programming book).

Asch: What's so cool about Persona 4? *grumbles* I bet Tales of the Abyss is better.

Crim: *glares* It's on the same level as TotA, stop being so biased, you! And it's quite fun how I can imagine Luke cussing so much in Persona 4.

Asch: That dreck's in that game?!

Crim: Oh you didn't know? Your English voice actor does Yosuke's voice. (More of Luke's kind of voice) And he has one colorful vocabulary.

Asch: Stupid replica.