Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss.

[In Kimlasca shall be born one who inherits the power of Lorelei. He will be a boy of royal blood with hair of red. He shall be called the Light of the Sacred Flame. And he will lead Kimlasca-Lanvaldear to new prosperity.] Red spoke as Luke gazed at the fon belt in the sky.

[That's Yulia's Score right?]

[A part of it, yes. It starts today, are you prepared?]

[As prepared as I could be.]

[Right, where's your friendship sword?]

Ever since Luke almost escaviated Van with the sword Guy bought for him, Red has taken to calling it 'the friendship sword'.

Luke was about to argue with Red that the sword was not a friendship sword when Guy came bursting through the open window that Luke was looking out of. Luke fell backwards onto the floor and Guy landed on top of him.

"Guy!" Luke yelled from underneath.

"Whoops!" Guy scrambled off Luke as the latter got from the ground before apologising to Luke and helping him up from the ground. Red was no help of course, he was too busy laughing loudly in Luke's head.

"What are you doing going through my window again? Can't you use doors like normal people?" Luke quipped as he was helped up off the floor by Guy.

[He was running from the maids again.]

"You're running from the maids again?" Luke asked before Guy could give a response.

"Yeah," Guy laughed and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "But I have some news to tell you. I saw Van by the docks and he's on his way here. It's starting today isn't it?"

"Yeah, Red told me. Have you told Natalia?"

"I was planning to after letting you know. Got everything prepared? Money? Apple gels? Your sword?"

"Yes! Geez, you two are worse than my mother."

Guy laughed at that comment before bidding him farewell as he leaped out of the open window.

Luke set about finding his sword in the mess that was his room. After finding the sword under his bed an hour into the search, he heard a knock on his door before the door opened. A servant walked in and bowed before the redhead before passing a verbal message to him, a summon from his father.

Luke waved the servant away before placing his sword on his bed where he could easily find it later. He left the room, slowly making his way down the hallway towards the main hall. When he entered the drawing room, he noticed Van sitting in front of the large table, across his father. Luke scowled at the two men before schooling his features into something neutral at Red's prompting.

"Father. Master Van," Luke greeted the two men before taking a seat beside his father. Duke Fabre nodded his head slightly to acknowledge his son before turning to Van to ask him to continue the conversation.

"Luke, I have come to inform you that I will not be able to personally oversee your training due to unforeseen circumstances at the Order. I will however, assign a subordinate of mine to take my place to oversee your training."

[Remember Luke, show respect even if both of them do not deserve it.]

Luke clicked his tongue but acknowledged Red's words. "I understand Master Van. However, you need not send down your man. Guy would be willing to assist me in my training. Would it be alright if I inquire about the actual reasons for your departure?"

Van contemplated the question in his mind for a moment before nodding his head and speaking. "I ask that you do not speak of this to anyone outside of this room. We do not want to cause more panic, especially for the followers of the Order of Lorelei. Fon Master Ion is missing."

Duke Fabre's eyes widened at the news. However, Luke showed no reaction, as if the missing Fon Master of the largest religion in Aldrunt was everyday news.

[Luke, you might want to act surprised at least. Try to pretend you didn't know about it beforehand please.]

[Oh yeah! Too late now.]

Red just sighed in resignation in the mindspace.

Fortunately, both the Duke and Van did not notice Luke's lack of reaction. Van continued to explain how the Order had discovered the Fon Master missing and thus, entrusted Van with the mission the find the missing Fon Master and escort him back to the Order.

"However, before I depart for my mission, I still have some time for a quick lesson."

Luke looked at Van and pretended to think over Van's words. He was about to open his mouth to give an answer but Red stopped him.

[Accept it Luke. Don't sass him like you did three weeks ago.]

[You're no fun.]

[You can have fun when your father is not in front of you.]

Luke smiled mischievously at Red's words. He accepted Van's idea for a quick lesson at the courtyard before excusing himself to return to his room to fetch his weapon.

His sword was where he had left it, on the bed unmoved and untouched. However, before Luke grabbed the sword, he knelt down and grabbed the bag stashed beneath the bed. He opened the bag and peered inside: a coin pouch containing his life's savings and a few apple gels rest within the bag confines. Luke closed his bag after confirming the contents and wore it on his back, the bag's single strap was tied around his chest from his shoulder to waist.

[All set? Go meet Van before he files a missing person report again.]

[That was-! It was one time! One time!]

Red laughed at the retort while Luke pouted. Luke left his room and made his way towards the courtyard, smiling and acknowledging the servants along the way.

"Young master," someone called out to the side, drawing Luke's attention.

"Ramdas?"

"Young master, you should not be fraternizing with people beneath your status."

Luke became annoyed at that remark and was about to make a retort when he felt Red taking control.

[Trust me.] Red said as Luke allowed Red to take over.

"Ramdas, someday I will inherit the throne. Would you rather I be the king who would talk with the common folk and listen to their worries or would you rather I be the king who sits upon the throne where no voice could reach?"

Ramdas sputtered as Luke regained control of his body. A smirk slowly form on Luke's face as he walked away from the head butler. However, Luke frowned when he felt Red's sadness.

[Red? What's wrong?]

[It's nothing. It's not your concern.]

[Red?]

[Focus on what you need to do Luke.]

[Red? Hey Red! Don't leave me!]

Red no longer answered as Luke felt Red's presence disappear further into his mind. Luke sighed, Red was shutting him out for a reason and he did not know why. He wanted to pull Red out and question him but Van was waiting for him. The event have to happen today in order for him to meet his potential allies. Red had emphasised on it. Whatever happened to Red, he will ask him later, Luke decided as he stepped into the courtyard.

He noticed Guy arguing with Van but was too far away to make out the words of their argument. Luke approached the two, nodding to the Pere, the head gardener, along the way in acknowledgement. Pere verbally greeted Luke loudly, snapping the two men out of their argument.

"Think about it please Vandesdelca," Guy pleaded before walking away.

Van sighed in displeasure before turning his attention to Luke. "Luke, are you going somewhere?" Van asked, noticing Luke's travel bag.

"Yes Master Van. I was thinking of going into the city later to get a gift for Natalia. Don't tell her that, it's supposed to be a surprise!" Luke answered with a lie, his innocent smile never leaving his face.

"Put it aside before we begin training," Van said as he went to set up the training dummies.

"No! What if one of the servants take it?"

"Why would-? Fine, hold on to it. The extra weight will be useful in training your stamina," Van relented, not willing to argue with Luke over something minor.

"Thanks Master Van!" Luke said cheerfully before frowning. Not once had Red shown up with a laugh or a quip. Luke was beginning to worry about Red but there was nothing he could do right now without being too obvious. Still, he threw a mental nudge at Red, hoping that he would acknowledge it but there was nothing.

'Red, what's wrong with you?' Luke thought to himself.

However, before he could do anything else, he felt the seventh fonons moving in the air, gathering towards a location.

[Luke, it's beginning.]

[Red? What happened to you?]

[I'm sorry Luke. I got trapped in my memories for a bit. It won't happen again, I promise. For now, you need to focus, it's beginning.]

"Luke, why are you standing there?" Van asked from the side.

"Sorry Master Van, I was spacing out," Luke apologised as he drew his sword out. He knew what to expect after Red had recapped from his memories. And when he heard a voice singing, he knew that she was here. Van's sister, Tear, was here.

Luke's only regret about the whole thing was that he could not help Tear defeat Van right then and there.