Chapter 10: Pascal's Mistake; Sophie's fear

While the scenery on Fodra was definitely improving, Pascal couldn't say she was disappointed to be back on Ephinea. Sure there were lots of times that the Amarcian dreamt of making her home among the mounds of undiscovered data that Fodra's ancient structures protected, she really couldn't imagine spending all her time there. It was just way too stuffy and way too boring. Besides, she would totally miss her friends, and she'd miss Fourier, even if living there meant she wouldn't have to take a bath.

The reason she'd even thought of what it might be like to live on Fodra was 'cause being in Lhant right now was sorta like someone had taken Telos Astue's atmosphere and unloaded it on Asbel's hometown. Everyone was all sombre and quiet and stuff. It was weird; the place was always so bursting with life! Now with everything all ready to curl up for winter, the whole depressing atmosphere just seemed to weigh that much heavier on everyone.

All things considered, it was pretty impressive. Pascal couldn't imagine Zavhert getting all quiet like this over the chancellor getting sick. Half the city might just burst out in celebration with all the mixed opinions that went around. In fact, she had a hard time imagining anywhere falling to pieces like Lhant seemed to have since Asbel got sick.

It was pretty obvious to her that's what had everyone moping about, and she totally couldn't blame them. Asbel had done all kinds of things for the people here and even if he hadn't, Pascal figured it wouldn't make much difference. There was just something about him, something that Pascal could never quite put her finger on that drew people to him. He made people around him feel all good about themselves, he made them want to always want to try their best and it didn't surprise her to see how willingly people followed his lead. Heck, he'd gotten her to follow him across the world, and as much as she still loved Sophie, she couldn't honestly say that was the only reason she'd stuck by everyone through the thick of it all.

Coming up to the manor, if Pascal hadn't been sure she was right before, she totally would have been now. Sophie's flowerbeds had been almost completely filled with flowers that the people of Lhant had left. Little notes and well wishes were stashed with the gifts and attached to the pillars in front of the manor. It was way cool to see that Asbel had so much support.

"The people of Lhant are really something!" Pascal exclaimed.

"Indeed," Richard agreed. "It's heart-warming to see such the support for their Lord."

"I… had no idea," Cheria stated, taken aback by the sight before her. "I knew that the people supported him… but to see something like this."

"It's a testament to the hard work Asbel has done for Lhant," Richard pointed out. "People respond to such kindness, and this is just one of the ways in which they recognize all that he's done for them."

"Once this is over we'll have to be sure to thank everyone properly," Cheria said with a firm nod.

"Then let's get this over with!" Pascal cheered. "I could totally go for a party!"

"And just what kind of party could you possibly want to have under these circumstances?" A stern voice came from the doorway and Richard looked up to see a familiar Strahtan uniform occupy the manor's entrance.

"Oh, Hubert!" Cheria looked up, startled by his interjection.

Though he had been officially adopted into the Oswell family at a young age, Asbel's younger brother was as, if not debatably more, accomplished than his sibling. Already a Lieutenant in Strahta's military, Hubert personally oversaw a variety of task forces that dealt with everything from civilian assistance to Nova monster eradication. He was as regimented as his position suggested, but he was truly an interesting individual beneath it all. They may have had their rough spots, but the two siblings were as close as any Richard had ever met.

"What is this world coming to when I have to hear from Poisson of all people that my own brother is ill?"

"Poisson must have sent a message with the communicator," Richard deduced. He had wondered how Hubert had found out so quickly. He knew first hand that rumours spread rapidly but he certainly didn't give them that much credit.

"Indeed she did, and it leaves me to wonder why my own family wasn't the first to inform me."

"Cheria!" Sophie burst from the doorway, tussling Hubert who had been blocking her way. "What's wrong with Asbel, why won't he wake up? Why… why didn't you tell me?"

"Easy Sophie," Richard stepped in, stemming his friend's tide of questions. "It wasn't that we wanted to keep it from you. Asbel just got sick so fast that we had to act quickly."

The third member of his and Asbel's friendship pact, Sophie was among Richard's most treasured companions. Originally from Fodra, Sophie was a humanoid, an automated person who had been built with the sole purpose of destroying Lambda. For hundreds of years the two had fought and it wasn't until she'd met Asbel that Sophie had learned to live and to feel like any other. Now if not for the fact that she didn't grow or change, one would never know she wasn't human.

The history between them hadn't been all pleasantries, however. He had been the one to harbour Lambda, while she was the one designated to destroy him. Four years ago they had fought multiple times and it was with great regret that Richard admitted he'd come very close to killing her. But in the end Asbel had put a stop to it all, the fighting, the hatred and all the dark feelings that spawned from the entire tragedy. Now he and Sophie were as close as they'd ever been. Perhaps that was why it pained him to see her so distressed, even though he reluctantly admitted that she had every reason to be.

Richard placed a hand comfortingly on her shoulder but the moment they connected, he felt an instinctive repulsion, a chill that ran up his arm in a manner he had not felt in years. He instantly retracted the gesture but it wasn't quickly enough to evade Sophie's notice.

"Richard, what-" Richard watched Sophie's eyes go wide when she looked up to face him, a mix of both shock and horror filtering through her features. It was far too easy to guess what memories were brought back to her as she took note of precisely who was accompanying him.

"It's alright Sophie," he spoke up before her already churning thoughts got the better of her. "Lambda is just spending some time with me because Asbel is so weak right now. He doesn't want to tax on Asbel's already low strength. Everyone will be back where they belong before long."

Sophie was quiet; one of her hands was balled tightly into a fist as it sat on her chest. Why did it feel so tight? Why… why didn't she know what to say? She could trust Richard… right? He wasn't the same as before. He wasn't going to hurt her or Asbel or anyone else ever again, so why? Why did she feel this way? Why was it she was suddenly thinking about her mission?

"What about you, Richard?" Sophie asked hesitantly. "Are you… alright?"

"More or less," he replied with a smile. "At least, in the manner you're asking."

"Are you sure?"

"I am."

Sophie watched him carefully looking for anything that might calm the pit that had begun to form in the depth of her stomach. She wanted to believe him… and she didn't think that Richard would lie to her, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that came over her when he'd touched her. It had sent every particle within her on full alert. What did it mean? Why did Richard feel that way again?

What would happen to Lambda now that he was away from Asbel? Sophie still didn't understand exactly how or why Lambda had changed since merging with Asbel; she didn't know why she no longer felt the need to destroy him. Was it because Lambda had given up on destroying everything? Was it because they had become friends now? Sophie hadn't given it much thought before; she didn't think Lambda would ever be away from Asbel, at least not for a long time. Did being away from Asbel mean she would feel like she had to destroy him again? Did it mean she would have to fight Richard again?

What would she do if Richard and Lambda started hurting people again?

Sophie didn't want that. They were finally all friends again, everyone was finally happy! She didn't want any of this to be happening. Ever since Hubert had gotten that message from Poisson her heart had felt tight and her stomach wouldn't stop turning. Now, coming back and seeing Richard with Lambda, and all the possibilities that came with it… no. She didn't want to think about any of it. It had only been a few years… why? Why couldn't they all just live happily together?

"Don't forget about me," a third deep voice came from behind Hubert, who still stood in the manor's entry. "I can't say I particularly like being left out of the loop either, you know."

"Captain Malik!" Cheria said, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. It had been ages since she'd seen Asbel's old instructor. From what she'd heard he was still acting as Fendel's ambassador, a job that kept him busy enough that they seldom had occasion to visit. "What brings you here?"

"I was in Strahta when Hubert got news of Asbel," Malik provided. "Of course I came right away."

"Wow it's been awhile since the whole gang got together!" Pascal commented.

"Indeed," Malik agreed.

"Thank you, all of you," Cheria provided.

"How is Asbel faring?" The Captain inquired.

"We've just returned ourselves," Richard confessed. "But he wasn't doing well upon our departure, and I doubt he's improved in that time."

"I take it you were off searching for the cause of his illness?"

"Yes, but… how did you know that?" Cheria asked.

"Frederick was kind enough to inform us regarding the current circumstances," Malik explained. "He said that Asbel has the doctors baffled."

"Yeah," Pascal confirmed. "He doesn't exactly have your run of the mill bug, but not to worry! We found all the stuff we needed to know about it up on Fodra, and we've totally got a plan to cure him!"

"All the way to Fodra?" Malik commented. "You've been around in the past few days."

"And not once in all of that did you think we might want to know? That perhaps I would care to be informed that my brother is comatose?" Hubert demanded, his eyes directing his words directly at Pascal. "I should have expected you wouldn't be responsible enough to at least consider that."

"Well excuuuuse me for not reporting my every move," Pascal fired back. "Geez, why are you so mad?"

"I am not angry," Hubert insisted harshly.

"Well you sound angry to me," Pascal fired back in a tone none of her friends had heard her take before. "It's not like I was the only one, you know. Richard and Cheria were with me too."

"And of them, who has access to a communicator?" Hubert demanded.

"Stop being such a bully," Pascal answered. "I was worried about Asbel okay, I didn't have time to be writing you a report."

"All right you two," Malik intervened. "Is now really the time for this?"

"Don't look at me," Hubert insisted. "I'm merely looking for some accountability but I should have assumed it would be a lost cause."

"Hubert," Malik said, his tone warning the young Lieutenant.

"Forget it. I'm going to check on Asbel. I've more important things to be doing than waste my time babysitting," Hubert brushed off, storming back into the manor with a huff.

"It's not like I asked for a babysitter or anything," Pascal muttered, her face curled up in a pout.

"Okay… What was that all about?" Cheria asked.

"Come on guys," Pascal insisted, ignoring Cheria's inquiry. "Healing Asbel comes first, we can worry about getting all caught up later."

"Pascal's right, of course," Richard agreed, allowing the issue to drop. Clearly neither intended to divulge any further detail at this particular point in time.

"Let's continue this discussion inside," Malik said with a nod. "I'd like to hear more about what's been going on with Asbel." Gesturing with his arm, Pascal and Cheria both entered the manor before he followed them in.

"Are you coming, Sophie?" Richard asked when his companion didn't motion to follow suit.

For a brief moment their eyes locked and he could see the debate behind them. She desperately wanted to say something but she wrestled with how to form the words.

"Sophie, what's wrong?" He smiled gently, trying his utmost to appear welcoming. Sophie was one of his most treasured friends; he wanted her to be comfortable confronting him about anything.

As to what the problem was, there was little room to doubt and Richard could tell she was worried about the implications of him and Lambda merging once more. He wanted to tell her everything would be fine, but the words wouldn't come. How could he possibly reassure her when he couldn't even reassure himself? As much as he didn't want to admit it, the unease he'd felt since leaving Fodra had only grown. It felt like Lambda was not looking forward to the coming events and Richard couldn't for the life of him figure out why.

He tried asking Lambda about it, but the being simply reiterated with increasing irritation that Richard was imagining things, and that it was ultimately nothing of concern. To Richard, if that were truly the case, then it was all the more concerning. Where was this feeling coming from then? Did it mean that he and Lambda were still slipping? Still slowly spiralling back down to the point they had reached four years ago? What would happen- what would happen then if they couldn't save Asbel? Did Richard have the strength to face that? Could he look that level of darkness in the eye and not succumb to it? Richard doubted it. He might have believed he could once, but the events up on Fodra had made that one point painfully clear.

He simply wasn't strong enough.

If he lost Asbel… he would lose what little hope held him here.

Richard feared that more than anything. Not only for the implications it would have for the world, but for the burden it would impose on his friends. It would be Sophie who would have to stop them, she who would be left behind, alone in the world she'd fought to protect. Perhaps it was for that reason that Richard watched her standing before him and could find no words for her.

Sophie watched him long and hard, and without coming to any sort of conclusion, she turned her eyes back towards the manor's door, and stepped in its direction.

"It's nothing."

Bless Frederick's soul, the man never ceased to impress Richard with the level of consideration he held for all the members of the Lhant household. In their brief absence, not only had he arranged for Asbel's care, but he had seen fit to bring several of the bouquets left by Lhant's citizens up into the room where their colours considerably lightened the already heavy atmosphere.

At first glance, Asbel didn't appear to have changed during their brief journey to Fodra, but the closer Richard looked, the more he could see the telltale signs that Asbel was slowly losing his battle. His face appeared slightly sunken, and despite the fact that he had not woken in days, dark rings sat below his eyes against the skin that was several shades paler. Richard felt Asbel's temple, not slightly cool but the dangerous chill of one bordering on death. His chest still moved rhythmically as he drew shallow breaths but with far less strength than before.

"He doesn't appear well," Richard commented aloud.

"He definitely looks worse than when we left," Pascal agreed.

"And you're sure that the cause is this poisoned eleth?" Hubert asked.

"Not eleth," Pascal reiterated. "It's a poison that acts exactly like eleth. Trust me, I searched through the entire database and this was the only thing that sounded remotely close to what Asbel's going through. All the other facts add up too, this has to be it!"

"So you just need Lambda to remove the poisoned particles, correct?" Richard confirmed.

"That's right! Once they're all gone Asbel should be right as rain in no time!"

Richard sat down on Asbel's bedside, in the same manner he had merely days earlier when this had all begun. This time, however, he was acutely aware of the five sets of eyes whose gaze was fixed upon him.

'Are you ready, Lambda?' Richard asked.

Let us put an end to this.

Richard exhaled slowly and as he did he felt Lambda's grasp on his consciousness. It wasn't the same as when Lambda had completely dominated him, and perhaps it was his guilt for his actions before, but he took no more control than he had to. He guided Richard's hand to Asbel's, and Richard felt his lids close as Lambda focused, searching through what little eleth Asbel had left for the guilty particles.

That's right.

The sharp singsong voice sent every nerve in Richard's body screaming. It was only Lambda's hold over him that stopped his hand from jerking back. Lambda continued his search, his concentration making him oblivious to Fodra's voice laughing in pure delight.

Yes, see if you can't find my precious little poison. Even I didn't think you would go quite so far… interesting. Fodra laughed again. Oh how the mighty have fallen. This is turning out far better than even I could have imagined.

Suddenly the unease that had been festering within Richard all day exploded into a wave of desperation. His heart raced fervently, each pass fighting to keep up with thoughts that darted so quickly through his mind he could not even grasp their content. He was flooded by panic, by dread; complete and utter fear of exactly what chain of events they had just set in motion.

'Wait! No don't- Lambda-!'

There was no way that Fodra wanted everything to resolve peacefully, and that could only mean one thing.

They had fallen right into her trap.

'Lambda you have to stop!'