At another round of doing jobs for Ludger's debt, the group went to a fractured dimension with Alvin where he was a successful businessman alongside Yurgen, which strives him to redeem himself for his past by doing honest work, helped Rowen deal with Elympion extremists and helped Driselle with a time capsule, intending to dig it back up in 10 years, and helped Milla get a bear claw for her recipe. They also got Genis and Raine's sides of the discrimination they faced, comparing it to the Elympion stance on peace with Rieze Maxia, Lloyd being quizzed by his companion about the Dwarven Vows, and even Scott and Ramona on their battle with Ramona's Seven Evil Exes, which Ramona says that she had a complicated love life before meeting Scott. Ludger went to see Sectonia and David in Hamil.

Sectonia Chapter 2- A Fallen Queen's Anxiety

"Ludger, be honest with me." Sectonia said, getting Ludger's attention. "How do I look to you?"

"As fresh as a spring flower." Ludger comments which causes Sectonia to blush.

"You... you really think so? I thought it was just the time I spent gazing at the Dimension Mirror."

David smiles at that. "No, I think he was just being honest. You may not want to admit it, but you really are as beautiful as you claimed to be."

"Well, it was because of the Dimension Mirror's influence that I couldn't look into a regular mirror without shaking."

"Oof... Man, that's definitely a problem. So that's why you've been asking people's opinion."

"Yes. I've helped people in this world thanks to Ludger, but part of me thinks that won't be enough."

"Seriously, I know it's a big part of you but you need to learn to let that stuff go. There was something that Gaius told us once. You remember that, right, Ludger?"

Ludger nods and reassures Sectonia. "Trust us. You don't have to be alone anymore."

David nods. "Ludger's right. Don't forget that we're here to help, if anything. This journey across worlds may just be the first step to proving that you're still the fair and just ruler you once were. You just need to believe in yourself."

Sectonia nods at David's words. "You know. Your optimism is starting to get contagious. You really are a do-gooder, aren't you?"

"What, am I Jude now?" The three of them laugh at that remark. "But honestly, if you just believe in yourself, you have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks. I really appreciate this talk."

Character Episode End

After paying off another portion of Ludger's debt, he gets another call from Vera.

"Vera here. We believe we have located Former Director Julius, and presumably, the Waymarker he escaped with. Your assistance has been requested, Mr. Kresnik. Please meet with Director Rideaux's pursuit team in Aladhi Seahaven at your earliest convenience." Vera hangs up at that.

"I still can't believe we have to work with bastard Rideaux after what he tried to do." David mutters. "But nonetheless, we have to get that Waymarker."

After the group reached Aladhi Seahaven they meet Rideaux and Ivar.

"Well... That took long enough." Rideaux said.

"Hmph... Nice to see you, too." David said with venom in his tone.

"Lady Mi-" Ivar started before remembering that it's a fractured Milla. "Quit messing with my head, faker!"

"What did you say?" Milla asked, which caused Ivar to stiffen up. "First you drag me into this, then you call me a faker? How dare you!"

"I... Forgive me..." Ivar then looks away. "She's stern in her own way, but it's just not the same..."

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean." Jude said to Ivar.

"So, the real one...still isn't back yet?"

"No..." David said. "Muzet's looking for her, but..."

"I see..."

"By the way, what's with Rideaux's glasses?"

Ivar went to David to whisper with him. "He's hiding some fancy footwork. Ol' Julius stomped his face pretty good before he made his escape." David couldn't help but laugh. "Guess he took a page from your book. It was pretty funny. Just between you and me, he kind of deserved it."

"I'm sure he did."

"Let's get this show on the road." Rideaux said irritably.

Ivar turned his attention to Rideaux. "Y-yes, sir!"

"Dear Julius was last spotted here in the seahaven. Split up and root him out."

Jude responded. "Alright. My group will take the western side of the trail."

Elize added. "Meanwhile, Ludger, Milla, David, Sectonia, Lloyd, Raine, and I will search Hamil."

Teepo was happy. "Just like old times!"

Ivar spoke up. "And we'll check the sea routes."

"Do you have room for one more?" Gaius asked, the suggestion scaring Ivar.

"Wha- Why?!"

"I'm interested in the work you agents do."

Rideaux comments on this. "Curiousity killed the cat...and king."

"I'll risk it."

Needless to say, Ivar was scared out of his wits. "Just my luck getting stuck with these guys..."

Rideaux turns to the group. "I want Julius taken alive, understood? I need to return his 'hospitality'."

David sweatdropped at this. "Somehow, I don't like the way he said that..."

When the group got to Hamil, they were met with a scream and Muzet floating by.

"It's Muzet!" Teepo said in shock.

"Don't tell me you're hurting those villagers!" Elize said.

"I would never do such a thing." Muzet said innocently.

"Really?" David asked, skeptical.

"Muzet!" Milla said in surprise.

"Milla?!" Muzet said in equal shock, but then looked closer at her. "...or not. But who might you be?"

"This is Milla. Just not the Milla of this world." David expained.

"Beg your pardon?" Muzet asked. That's when David explained the fractured dimensions and everything that's happened. "Alternate dimensions... The Land of Canaan..."

"Does that ring any bells?" Milla asked.

"Perhaps?"

Then a woman appeared behind Muzet. "Well, if it isn't that floating porange thief!"

"Wait... You're talking about Muzet, right?" Lloyd asked, causing the woman to nod.

Muzet was laying down the air kicking her feet up. "What can I say? I was getting pretty hungry."

"Can spirits even get hungry?"

"Honestly, no. But Milla taught me the pleasure of a good meal."

"Is that so?" David asked. Ludger's phone rang at that moment and it's revealed that Vera called again.

"An unauthorized agent entered a fractured dimension. We think it's Julius Kresnik. The probability of this dimension containing a Waymarker strikes us as very high." Ludger hung up at that.

"Well, guess we gotta go."

"Not so fast." Muzet said. "I'm pretty sure that Julius fellow is expecting you."

"That's all the more reason to go. Besides, he's our friend."

"In that case, Ludger...would it be an imposition to take me along?"

Ludger replied. "I don't mind, but why?"

Muzet floats over to Milla. "I want to keep an eye on this one. If she's like my Milla, she's reckless." This comment causes Milla to blush.

"One more weirdo's joining the crew, Rollo." Elle said to the cat.

The woman behind the group was getting impatient. "Hey! If she's one of your friends, then one of you needs to pay up!"

David groans at this. "This is so going to force us back on our debt... Fine, I'll do it."

"It's not that hefty. It's just 100 gald." David pays the woman the gald. "Thank you. You really are a nice guy, you know that?"

David smiles. "I get that a lot."

When the group entered the fractured dimension, they end up in the Kijara Seafalls, which had Raine nervous because of all of the water around. When they reach the shoreline, Elle sees a seashell in the sand and runs over to it, despite the party's warnings not to run off.

"It's a shame that we can't work properly without her." David said, looking at Elle. "But it's for the best. After all, we made a promise that we'd all go to Canaan together."

Muzet thinks about this, speaking with Milla and Sectonia. "I wonder... Perhaps humans are at their best when they have someone to protect."

"Is that how it was with you, Muzet?" Sectonia asked.

"Who knows? I'm not human."

"Ah... That's right."

"But I do know, I don't want to be alone anymore."

Sectonia smiles at that. "Neither do I. Thankfully, I've already got people willing to help me."

At that moment, Luder heard a sort of humming and went to see what it was.

"Ludger? Where are you going?" David asked, but Ludger was not slowing down. "H-hey! Wait up!" David said, going after him along with Milla, Sectonia and Lloyd.

When the four caught up with Ludger, they saw Julius humming on the rock.

"Well, aren't you the happy little fugitive, just humming the day away." Milla comments.

"It's an old family tune. A blast from the past." Julius said, looking to the group. "It's called the 'Hymn of Proof'. It's supposed to be about longing to see someone. And here's my brother. I guess it works."

Ludger smiles at that. "You've always liked that song, Julius."

"No... You always did. Even when you were in diapers, I could just hum a few bars, and you'd shut right up." This caused Ludger to blush a little. "Do you remember that camping trip, back when we were kids? You know, the one where we got lost in the mountains? The poison oak, that grizzly bear, and then that huge thunderstorm." Ludger slowly nodded at that. "But as soon as I hummed this song, you stopped scratching at yourself and started walking. I offered to carry you, but you stomped your feet and yelled, 'No! I can do it!' We hoofed it all night until we finally reached that village, but my throat hurt worse than my feet after all that humming."

"That's a nice story and all, but brotherly love is not why you led us here, is it?" David asked.

"No, of course not. However, since you're all insistant on helping Ludger find the Waymarkers, I don't have any room to argue." Julius says as he passes his Waymarker back. "If you're wondering why I took it anyway, it was because I didn't want Rideaux to have it."

"That makes two of us." David said in mutual agreement.

"Thanks for standing up to Rideaux for us back there, by the way."

"Anything for a friend, right? I know you would've done the same for us. Or... at least for Ludger."

Ludger blushed at this.

(Bonus Scene: Sectonia and Lloyd)

"You know, for a supposed tyrant, you sure are very friendly deep down." Julius tells Sectonia. "I can understand why Ludger trusts you a lot."

Sectonia blushed at that comment. "Oh, stop! You flatter me."

"I'm serious. I really believe that everyone will like this side of you."

Lloyd nods at this. "Dwarven Vow #14: Even a small star shines in the darkness. Even if they don't accept you right away, you'll be bound to be remembered for your good deeds someday."

Sectonia nods at this. "I suppose you're right."

(Bonus Scene End)

"I only ask one thing." Julius says as he jumps down. "I ask that you continue to protect Ludger throughout his endeavors. Origin's Trail, Canaan, nothing is as it seems."

It was then that they heard a scream from the shoreline.

"Oh no! Elle!" The group hurry back to the shoreline, where they say Elize and Raine healing Elle and a sort of monster giving off a dark aura. "It's the catalyst!"

"That monster over there used some weird spirit on Elle." Elize explained.

"Yeah, and healing artes aren't doing squat!" Teepo exclaimed.

"It can't be...that's a stigma arte!" Muzet tells the group. "Watch out!" The monster fires a blast on the group, which they all miraculously dodged. The monster then vanishs through cloaking.

"It's gone!" Sectonia exclaimed.

"Stigma arte?" David asked Muzet.

Muzet explains. "It's a spirit arte that slowly corrupts one's life force. The only way to counter it is to eliminate the channeler."

"You mean...the monster we saw?"

"Yes... The Seafall Phantom."

"Hold on. That's one of the Waymarkers!"

"They're fortunately extinct in our dimension. They attack their prey unseen with stigma artes. When the prey stops moving...the beast drinks it dry."

(Bonus Scene: Elize and Raine)

"Hang in there, Elle! Be strong!" Elize tells Elle as she and Raine continue healing her. "You can't give up or Bunnykins won't come for a visit! But if you can hold on for a bit longer, I promise I'll bring him to see you."

Milla is concerned about the two's own conditions. "Elize, Raine, if you keep straining your mana lobes, you'll die along with her!"

Raine was determined to save Elle. "There was a time where my healing magic couldn't save someone's life because I was too late. I won't let that happen again, least of all to Elle!"

Elize adds to Raine's defense. "Besides, I... I made Elle a promise!"

As does Teepo. "Yeah, she promised her! And promises are important!"

"Keep it up and you're all goners..." Milla said sadly.

(Bonus Scene End)

"Well, it all works out in the end, since we have to fight that thing, anyway." David said, getting his weapon.

This gave Ludger an idea. "David, strike me with that sword!"

"Wh-what?! Are you crazy?! Don't forget that we won't be able to go back to the prime dimension without you!"

"Yes, but if this Seafall Phantom is like other predators, it'll be lured by the scent of blood." Raine tells David.

David groans at Raine's point. He knows she's right. "Ludger, can you take it?" Ludger nods. "Alright... Here goes." David slashes Ludger, causing blood to spill on the sand.

"Ugh... Even if we knew it was going to happen, it's still a painful thing to see..." Lloyd muttered with Sectonia agreeing.

"I think I'm gonna barf!" Teepo said sickly.

The Phantom noticed the scent of blood and moved towards the group. "Well, we got its attention. Let's hope it was worth it."

"Ludger! David! Sectonia!" Julius said, deflecting one of the Phantom's attacks. "Protect that girl to the end! No matter the cost!" Julius got in front of them, but the Phantom knock Julius away, as the three nod to each other.

"We don't have time to waste! Let's do this, everybody!"

The group went to fight the Phantom, and Sectonia was given the chance to use her Mystic Arte. "Time to settle this!" Sectonia imbues her blade with electricity then slashes the enemy three times and follows with a thrust to launch the enemy into the air. "Face the power of a true royal." Sectonia then flies and spins, slashing the air to produce a cyclone of wind and electricity that propels the enemy further into the air. "Swords imbued with the people's hopes!" Finally, Sectonia performs a diving slash through the enemy. "Spiral Ascension!"

Elle was groaning in pain, and Elize and Raine went to heal her. However, the beast went Elle, forcing Ludger to use his chromatus. What the group didn't expect was the chromatus to take his entire upper body.

"What the...his chromatus went even further?" David asked in amazement.

Ludger threw his spear through the enemy, activating a mystic arte of his own. Projectiles appear behind Ludger, who stands across from the enemy. Ludger fires all of the projectiles at the enemy, one at a time. Afterward, Ludger hurls their lance at the opponent, lunges toward them, catches the lance, and runs the enemy through. Ludger then delivers the final blow by lunging forward and piercing the opponent with his lance. "Form Destroyer!"

"Wha- Amazing!"

Ludger stabs the Phantom, destroying the catalyst and getting the Waymarker in his hand before the dimension shatters.

"Are you alright, Elle?" Raine asks, and Elle nods. "That's a relief." Raine says in relief.

"How'd you get two?" Elle asked, seeing two Waymarkers in Ludger's hand.

Sectonia answers. "Ludger got one from the Phantom, and Julius gave his back to us."

(Bonus Scene: Elize)

Elle looks to Elize. "Why were you yelling so much?"

"Sorry about that. I was just trying to encourage you." Elize tells her.

"I guess that makes sense... Well, anyway. Thank you." Elle said, blushing.

"Guess she's not a brat after all!" Teepo said happily.

Elle looks away at that. "Of course not! Zip it, Teepo! Bunnykins doesn't have time for brats, everybody knows that."

"Thanks. You were a real trooper, Elize." Ludger commented.

Elize smiles at Ludger. "Well, traveling with you toughens a girl up."

(Bonus Scene transition to Elize and Raine)

"Besides. I couldn't take all the credit. Raine pulled through for us, too." Elize commented.

"Yes, well. I suppose it's true. Going on this journet is really starting to toughen me up more than usual." Raine said happily.

"Even the string beans over here are starting to look a little brawnier, wouldn't you say?" Teepo asked, addressing Ludger and David.

(Bonus Scene transition to David and Sectonia)

Vespiquen flies over to Sectonia. "You've shown great promise throughout this journey. Perhaps being your Perfect Link wouldn't be such a bad idea, after all."

"I think so, too." David said. "Right, Ludger?"

"Yeah. You two are perfect for each other." Ludger comments.

"Thank you, Ludger. I'm so happy you think that way." Sectonia said.

(Bonus Scene End)

Elize, Teepo, and Elle went on further ahead with Ludger looking out to the other side of the lake.

"Worried about your brother?" Sectonia asked.

"Julius is fine. I'm sure of it." Ludger tells her.

"You must believe in him." Muzet tells him. "I'm envious."

"Well, guess it's back to business as usual." David tells the group as they leave the falls.

A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor