Chapter 11: Going Home

A white tiled ceiling stared down at her. She had a vague understanding that she was in a hospital, but she had no idea how she had gotten there. Soon, an even bigger question came to mind—had they won?

"Leona, you're awake," came the relieved voice of Lucas.

She turned her head towards where she'd heard the voice. A bright eyed Lucas stood beside her bed. Despite having his arm in a sling, he appeared quite well. When Leona tried to sit up, her body protested and she ceased her efforts.

"I was like that the first time I went through an entire tournament. It can be trying. In training, when you get tired, you can rest, but in a tournament there's no such thing. You don't notice because of the adrenaline, but when it's over, you feel all of it."

"It takes some getting used to," Leona agreed. "Has anyone ever told you how great a swordsman you are? I was really impressed by you out there. First one to strike, first one to finish off your opponent. I'm glad you're on my side."

His cheeks turned slightly rose colored, "I've…gotten that a lot, but hearing it from you is a far greater reward. But I could not have won anything were it not for everyone else. You held your own out there. Your skills with martial arts is perhaps even better than your casting."

"How can you say that when I allowed Meredy to still heal and attack?"

"She had to work hard for those moments. She's a very experienced caster and that's all she has to fall back on unlike you. Meredy could make or break a fight. Your contribution was the reason we were able to win."

"So we did win," Leona said, realization clearly in her tone.

"You were hit with a nasty ice attack from Meredy—her last that day. After that, Eros and Zeph finished off their opponents. We ultimately won. We split the reward four ways and from the items we won, one is best suited for you and the other for me."

"The reward? Well, I suppose I'm fine with whatever item it was, but you can keep the money, I don't need it. Besides, you probably—"

"Don't insult me," he said turning away from her. "This is something that you've earned from your hard work. No one but you should have it. I know it's just a drop in the bucket for someone like you, but," for this he turned to look at her again, "this should mean more to you than something that was simply given to you. Have some pride in your own abilities. True independence is being able to take care of yourself."

"I see," she said looking down. "But then how can one be independent when they have friends?"

"Ah, well, that's different."

"Different how?" Leona inquired.

Lucas scratched the back of his head and then sighed, "Leona, this is not the time to get into yet another philosophical discussion with you. I'm tired, you're tired and we should all just be happy we came out on top," he said wearily.

"I suppose," Leona said relenting from her line of questioning, though she was still curious about it. "Did you break your arm?" she asked noting the sling.

"Oh this? My arm is fine, it's just that they don't want me to further injure my shoulder with unnecessary movement. I think it'd be a good idea for all of us to fully recover here before setting out again."

"The other two, are they okay?" Leona asked.

"Surface wounds. We were all actually just waiting for you to wake. They've been patched up and staying at the hotel."

All was as it should be, Leona thought to herself when she heard the news. She no longer had cause to worry and her eyelids were becoming heavy again. She still felt exhausted and her body fell into a sweet, aching pain—the kind she was familiar with after a good, punishing workout. Her world went dark again, but not in the same jarring way as before. She thought she heard a voice as she slept. A woman's voice, dark and foreboding:

The seed that saved the world will destroy it.

Leona received 25,000 Gald in total from her winnings and a Star Cloak. She had to admit that the hits she'd received from her opponents while wearing her other cloak had been subdued so she readily put these on as she travelled back with the group. They took a well-deserved carriage ride to the Meltokion port and then relaxed on the ship ride back to Sybak.

The entire trip was a blur in Leona's opinion. It was full of conversation and laughter. They were in high spirits and all the things that had annoyed them before about each other was set on the backburner. Leona felt a closer bond with them. They'd really fought together and not only that but they had been effective as well—they made a good team.

When they arrived in Mizuho once again and trekked back to the twins' house, they found Sheena there. The first thing that Zeph did upon seeing her was hug her outright. He was a head taller than her so he was able to embrace her in the same way he'd done Leona, but this felt far more intimate and Sheena was brought to tears as a result—glad that they were home safe and sound, even more that they had actually won.

Leona secretly wondered where Zelos was, but she rightly assumed that such a question would serve only to ruin the mood. Sheena insisted that they stay awhile instead of heading out so quickly; Lucas and Leona were hard pressed to deny her.

The achiness in her muscles were just beginning to subside on the night she decided to do as she usually did at night time at her own house: eavesdrop. It was a little harder to sneak down wooden stairs, but she managed. Immediately when she stepped onto the first floor she heard voices coming from the living room. She had to move painfully close to their position to even hear their soft voices.

"Is this what I should expect from now on? You vanishing without a trace, without even telling me? The kids are back, you know. Luckily no one asked for you because then I'd have to lie about it or else look like the fool for not knowing where my own husband is."

"Listen, I'm sorry—

"You're going to have to try harder than that."

"I needed to clear my head—

"For two days? Let me know if I'm boring you to death."

"No, it's not that," he said wearily.

"Well then, is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"After that time before, I thought you needed some space so I gave it to you."

"Is that really what you think? I need space. Without you here, I'm just living in an empty house. I didn't decide to marry you because I thought I needed space. You silly man, you have no idea what I need."

"I think I have some inkling…"

"Good. Don't abandon me like that again."

Zelos paused before speaking again. "So the kids are really back. That's why you're in a good mood."

"I'd be in an even better mood if…"

Her words became muffled then as she heard movement on the couch indicative of something more intimate occurring. Leona felt far more embarrassed here than she had sneaking up on her own parents so at this point she tiptoed back upstairs to the room she'd been sharing with Lucas.

"Had your fill?" Lucas asked startling her when she thought she'd successfully made it back on the bed without making too much noise.

"What do you mean?"

"Looks like even you have a bit of a dark side—if one can call it that."

"It's harmless and I was just curious. Were you awake this whole time?"

"Yes, actually."

"And you said nothing?"

"Maybe I was just curious," he replied nonchalantly, copying her reasoning. "I guess it's been difficult for me to fall asleep lately."

"I've noticed. You're always so eager to keep watch, but then you've been like that."

"So, did you learn anything interesting down there?"

"Not…really. Sheena and Zelos just have…an odd relationship."

"Define normal."

"Well, odd to me," Leona clarified. "I can't tell if they really like each other or not. I suppose I don't have enough information."

"No one can tell anything about those two. I remember Dad told me how surprised he was to learn that they were getting married in the first place."

"I don't know if I'd want a relationship like that. I'd want something more stable and constant and…"

"Boring," Lucas finished. This received a frown from Leona.

"Peaceful," she said finding the word.

"Well, does love fit anywhere into your equation?"

"I mean that's a given."

"Yeah, but it's not a word you used to describe a relationship. There has to be love first and foremost. What's the use of stability and consistency if there's no love?"

"That's a valid point."

"It's just…I see my parents and they're the most lovey-dovey people you'll ever meet—it's annoying to have to see all the time, but it's kind of cute. They don't hide anything, they're very…open about everything. I've seen them kiss more times than I can count. It's abundantly obvious to me why they have so many kids—

"Lucas!"

"It's true." Leona could almost see him shrugging through the dark.

"And that's the kind of relationship that you want?" Leona asked.

"I'm not sure. No one is ever sure until they're actually in one. You can guess and suppose all you like but you may find yourself in a completely different situation and you might wound up liking it."

"Somehow that sounds highly improbably. Where did you hear that?"

"Something Dad told me."

"The guy you keep calling an idiot?"

"He has his moments."

Leona finally laid back on her bed. "Well, I'm going to sleep."

"Have fun with that."

"A simple good night, would do."

Lucas waited a moment before replying: "Good night."

Leona thought she would go to sleep, but, of course, she didn't because this was a new bed and it was not outside camping. Her eyes remained staring at the darkened ceiling.

"You asleep?" Lucas asked.

"Not really," Leona replied with a sigh. "I don't think I'm going to get any sleep tonight."

"The bed uncomfortable?" he asked.

"No, it's very comfortable. It's just…new. I'm not very good with new environments."

"I see…"

"Do you? Or are you just saying things?"

"I do. I understand. You're not used to traveling and even if you are in a safe place, you still feel on alert. Everything is foreign. I bet if you had your own bedding, you'd fall right to sleep, wouldn't you?"

"It's likely."

"Well, we have a lot of traveling to do tomorrow. A good night's rest is paramount."

"I know."

They were silent for a while longer. Leona had decided to close her eyes to simulate sleeping, but it felt as if she was staring at the back of her eyelids.

"Perhaps if I—

"No, there's nothing you could do to help. I'll be fine. I'm sure after a time, I'll fall asleep on my own," Leona interrupted him.

"Sorry, if I'm prying too much."

"No, I should be apologizing—I was being brusque."

She sighed as she heard the other shift positions in his bed and then sit up completely. She glanced over at his darkened form—was he looking at her?

"Let me sing you a lullaby."

"A lullaby?" Leona asked caught off guard.

"Geez, you make it sound like it's a horrible idea."

"I mean, but that only works on babies."

"It works on all ages, trust me. Now just…close your eyes."

"Alright…"

Leona wasn't sure what to expect from the other, but certainly not what she heard next. As soon as he began, she was struck by how pitch perfect his gentle voice sounded. It was quite pleasing to the ears. It wasn't a voice that needed blaring guitars or backup singers…it was beautiful all on its own and it was incomparable to anything she'd heard before.

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby

Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay

And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow

Bless you with love for the road that you go

She didn't want to open her eyes as she began to relax, but she did peek just to make sure that it was in fact Lucas across from her. All she could see was his silhouette. She couldn't see his eyes nor his expression.

May you sail far to the far fields of fortune

With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet

And may you need never to banish misfortune

May you find kindness in all that you meet

May there always be angels to watch over you

To guide you each step of the way

To guard you and keep you safe from all harm

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay…

There was more, but his voice became distant and echoic. She could no longer make out the words, but it was comforting all the same. She wasn't sure when the night passed, but when she awoke it was late morning and when she looked to where Lucas had laid he was no longer there.

She sat up in slight confusion. The strangeness from the last night made her wonder if she'd awoken the next day or days later. Whatever the case, she felt well rested. She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept so deeply or woken at such a late hour of the morning. Had his angelic voice held magic within it? She shook her head at the ridiculous thought.

There was a knock at her open door and when she looked up she saw Lucas standing there in the doorway.

"Well, well, is my princess finally ready for travel?"

"I…suppose I am," Leona replied, "But I'm not your princess."

"Whatever do you mean?" he asked with feigned confusion.

"You know what I'm talking about," she said with a frown.

"Clearly, you must have misheard. Join me downstairs when you're ready."

Before she could say anything more, he disappeared from the door and Leona decided not to pursue the subject. Perhaps it had simply been a slip of the tongue. Eventually, she climbed out of bed, cleaned herself in the bathroom, gathered her things, and joined the other downstairs. A slightly cold breakfast was waiting for her and Lucas patiently waited for her to finish.

The house felt empty and quiet as if it was still early morning, but Lucas explained that none of the residents of the house were early birds. Was it okay to simply leave them without saying "goodbye"? It wasn't a big deal to Lucas. They knew they would be leaving today. The rest was merely formalities.

They left promptly and after they exited the lonely trail that led to the main part of the village, Leona was once again in a world full of life. The denizens of the village were wide awake and already making headway into their daily activities. Children going off to class. Folks shopping and tending their garden. It was quite lively. It left her with a positive feeling after they passed through and went onto open road.

They would have to go through the forest again, but Leona felt that she was ready. When they reached it in the afternoons, they decided to simply run through nonstop. Lucas didn't lift her up this time and Leona was able to keep good pace with the other. They rested for a while outside of the dark forest to catch their breaths and then they were off again.

When night fell, they camped very near Altamira, but not close enough to travel for another hour through the pitch darkness. Leona fell asleep easily that night without any assistance as she had been tired out enough from all the walking. Lucas, as usual, kept watch. She might have complained had Lucas showed more signs of sleep deprivation like rings under the eyes, paler skin, or just an overall look of tiredness, but he seemed fine and energetic. Besides, part of the condition of winning the tournament was that he would freely allow her mother to look him over. Tomorrow, all her questions about his wellbeing would be answered.

At the crack of dawn, she was woken by Lucas much to her annoyance. They were so close to Altamira that she no longer felt as if she was in a rush. Since she was awake, however, she grudgingly readied herself for the rest of the journey. Perhaps he was just eager to reach the city.

"All last night, I felt that something was watching us," Lucas explained to the slightly groggy Leona.

That statement alone perked her up. "Something? Do you know what it is?"

"No idea."

"Well did you see anything?"

"No—

"Then how do you know we were being watched?"

"It's just a feeling, alright?"

Then Leona sighed unwilling to further explain how absurd and illogical it all sounded. "Fine. We'll be back home soon enough. I'm sure whatever's watching us out here won't come into a populated city."

"I…hope you're right."

Leona felt no sense of foreboding as they started off again, but she did begin to sense Lucas' uneasiness. Though she had quickly wrote him off, she did respect the fact that there were some things that he was far more knowledgeable about than her. One of those things was the outside world and when to be cautious. He'd not been wrong about the dark forest and the precise moment when a monster would pounce on her.

He was looking upward now and out of curiosity her eyes travelled there too. Her eyes grew big as a dark flying creature that appeared to come out nowhere descended upon them.

"Move back!" Lucas shouted and Leona did just this.

When Leona was able to make out the creature she realized that it came from the same ilk as the other pitch black insect-like creatures. This one appeared more like an oversized house fly.

"We can take it," Leona reassured the other.

She never imagined that she'd be the one reassuring the other in battle. He always seemed at home when it came to fighting, but now he seemed…frightened. Was this monster different from the others? Was she missing something?

"It can fly. I can't attack flying targets so well," he began.

"I have magic, but more than that, I have just the move to bring it down to size. Ready your blade."

Leona was already running forth, one move firmly set in her mind.

"Eagle Dive!" she shouted as her strong legs propelled her far enough into the sky to knock down the hovering insect.

"Take him now!" Leona shouted to the oddly hesitating Lucas.

He seemed to snap out of his reverie as she yelled at him and he sprang forth with all the fervor in the world. There was that vicious blade she was used to, striking unremorsefully through flesh and guts. The battle came to a close soon.

Just like before, the monster burst into countless swirling dark speckles and then they all dived into Lucas as if drawn. It happened in a second. He cried out in pain, dropped to his knees, but there was no struggle afterwards. He did not gasp for breath or tremble from the excruciating pain, he simply lost consciousness altogether. Leona might have ran towards him had a throbbing headache not wracked her head at the same moment enough to stop her in her tracks.

Her vision was blurring as her feet still struggled to move closer to his unmoving form. A dark shadow began to form near him and it took shape slowly. A woman with a long flowing dress yet it had no distinguishable features.

"No! Get away from him!" she shouted.

She forced her legs to move faster though she felt her movements were still sluggish despite her determination. Where in the world had this headache come from? The dark shadow bent down preparing to lift him into her arms.

"Don't touch him!"

The shadow seemed to acknowledge her as it stopped its actions. "Peace child, let the seed bear fruit."

The wind began to pick up whipping her hair back, whipping her entire body back. Her frustration at her inability to understand or even stop what was happening boiled into anger.

"Let him go!"

It was perhaps the quickest casting time she'd ever been able to pull off. She felt the mana leave her body and without even shouting what move she was doing, a light struck down from the heavens and crashed into the shadow. All within a second, the wind ceased, the shadow disappeared. Everything was as it was.

Her headache had subsided and finally her sluggish legs were able to move properly. She didn't have time to assess his condition as she hoisted him into her strong arms. He wasn't too heavy for her. She'd be able to make a break for Altamira and reach her house within the hour.

Now she was running at break speed, passing through the front gate, ignoring the gawking passersby, past hotels and shopping center, finally into the residential sector where her house lied. When she reached her doorsteps completely out of breath, she banged on the door. Then she stopped when her fatigued mind shouted at her that she had a key. She shifted Lucas in her arms so that she could free one hand, but even as she did so, the door opened to reveal her mother and she was very concerned.

"Lucas, he's been hurt! We fought something and it caused him to black out and there was this shadow woman who wanted to take him and—

"Calm down, honey. Bring him to the guest room and we'll start from the beginning. We'll solve this together."

Leona took a deep breath and then nodded. "Alright."

It took another thirty minutes to tell her mother the events in full. All the while, her mother was looking him over trying to find any anomalies within him. Even before she finished her story, however, Leona knew with a sinking feeling that her mother had not been able to find anything wrong.

"I believe you, honey, I believe every word you've just told me. Martel knows I've seen stranger things, but whatever has happened to him is beyond my skills of healing. I'm sorry. Perhaps he's exhausted and needs rest. You said he's been having trouble resting, right? We'll wait until tomorrow morning to see if anything's changed before we raise any alarm with his parents."

Leona could only nod. She wished she had the ability to heal. She wished she could see what her mother could see and be as confident as her that there truly was nothing more they could do. When her mother left the room, she stayed there and watched him waiting for that moment when he would open his eyes and tell her how he was "fine" despite everything.

He seemed peaceful enough, his head was turned from her and he breathed easily. He did not have a fever and he did not seem to be having some horrid dream. She would hate to think that he was somehow trapped in his own mind and forced to live through nightmare after nightmare.

She waited and waited and finally drifted off on her own. She only woke up at night and when she did, she realized she was in her bed. Someone must have brought her there, probably her father. Without hesitation, she climbed downstairs and into the guest room, but Lucas' condition hadn't changed in the least. He still breathed, but he was unresponsive. With a sigh, she left the room and went out to her garden.

There were certain flowers that only bloomed at night. She supposed tonight was as good a night as ever to see them. Gently, she slid open the back door and then went out into her very own garden. It always felt like another world when she stepped into it. The sweet smells of the flowers filled her nose and she felt herself relaxing. She hadn't been able to do that for a while now, she realized. Worrying about Lucas had begun to take its toll. There was a solution to every problem, she believed, so there would be one for this one as well, she simply had to find it.

The bright blue colors of the Four O'clocks and the pearly whites of the Casablanca Lilies caught her eye and she touched their delicate petals carefully, they were finely furred yet alive and rubbery. She only realized that there was another presence in her garden when she happened to turn around to investigate her other flowers. She gasped when she saw who it was.

"Lucas! You're alright!"

"I've never felt better," he replied offhandedly.

His tone gave her pause and the way he looked at her…it began to send shivers down her back. She was alone here in this garden at night time no less. Those pale blue eyes, why did they feel so icy all of a sudden?

"These," he said strangely. His eyes were looking at a particular row of purple tulips. "are quite beautiful, don't you agree?"

Leona didn't know what to say. She was overcome with muteness. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was this still a dream? Could this really be Lucas? She watched as he bent down to smell them. His fingers lightly touched the lip of the petals and slowly a dark liquid began to ooze from its core falling onto the floor, then it drooped, grayed, and vanished into a fine gray mist.

"What have you—"

Leona could hardly finish her sentence before her eyes began to witness the same effect with the rest of the flowers there. All within a short moment, they had vanished. The air was filled with the fine mist. She was too shocked to say a word to the mysterious boy who looked at her with unfathomable eyes.

"The poor flower girl has no flowers—how will she bloom now?"

"Lucas…"

"Do me a favor. Where I go, do not follow."

He turned from her and began to walk away.

"Where are you going?"

The same wind from before started up again and she followed him out of the garden and into the backyard. There she was, the shadow lady from before holding out a hand. She instinctively knew it was for him.

"Lucas, stop!"

To her amazement he did stop and looked at her once again.

"What are you doing? That's the same lady who wanted to take you before. I saved you and now…"

"I understand my role now. You asked me before what I would do if I was charged with protecting the world."

"Yes, you said you wouldn't accept—it'd be a fool's errand."

"I was wrong."

With this, he turned and took the woman's hand and in a flash of white light, they were gone.

"Lucas!" she started to yell unable to comprehend what had just happened.

She was screaming hysterically now until she felt large arms wrap around her, but she didn't want to be held, she thrashed in whoever's grasp she was in and then ran inside the house. She ran to the guest's room and found the bed to be utterly empty.

Something about the bed's emptiness was able to calm her as she gazed at it. Finally, she sat down despondently on the edge of it. Her hands felt the fleeting warmth of the boy who had laid there. She was vaguely aware of her father in the doorway. She knew he wouldn't say a word unless she did so first.

"He's gone," she said hoarsely, "I'm not sure what happened. A woman took him and went with her willingly. I just don't…"

"We'll find him again. Whether it be by natural or supernatural means, he must at least be here in this world. Though I've never once encountered anything quite like you described. It must be some form of magic we've not seen before."

"Is that even possible? I thought you've seen everything."

"Not by a longshot. In fact, there are probably more things I haven't seen than I have. Even your mother as much as she reads, as vast as her knowledge is, does not know everything or has seen everything."

"I see…"

"While the trail is still yet fresh, we should begin our search here in this city."

"Right now?" Leona asked.

"We have no idea if he's far from here or close by. Let's at least make sure it's not the latter."

Leona followed her father outside and to the Rheaird. She realized as they flew out that they'd never flown so close to the ground, but her father seemed unconcerned with that. They went down all the main streets and then meticulously down all the side streets even streets that she had no idea existed. Then again, she supposed she should not have been too surprised that her father knew the city well like the back of his hand. He required no maps even in the dead of night. It was probably quite impossible for him to become lost—she certainly was.

They travelled the city in roughly three hours and then rounded back to their house. All the while she began to feel how hopeless their task really was. Lucas could be anywhere. The shadow lady could have taken him anywhere and for Martel knows what reason. When she was standing outside after climbing off the Rheaird, she certainly felt utter defeat in the air. Her father returned after putting up the vehicle and he stood somewhere near her.

"I have a feeling he's nowhere in this city. I know we didn't check inside of buildings, but there aren't many places they could hide without raising some alarm especially in this city."

"I don't see how we could ever find him." She turned to her father then. "There's one minor detail I forgot to add. He left with that woman willingly, without any remorse."

"That doesn't sound like him at all."

"You don't believe me?"

"Of course I do. He's given quite a lot of freedom because of how much Lloyd trusts him and anyone could see why. He has a good head on his shoulder and he's very responsible. Leaving without saying a word to anyone is not in his character. I would think that he was influenced somehow by some outside force."

"Well…he was acting strangely. Something was different about him. I couldn't quite put my hand on it, but I know I was a bit…scared of him."

"Did he hurt you?" her father asked immediately, approaching her all the while.

"No, no, nothing like that. I just felt uneasy. I'm fine, really."

"There isn't much to go off of, but he does appear to be in trouble. I think it's time we informed Lloyd about the situation," her father said with a sigh.

"You only sigh like that when you think something is absolutely unnecessary—shouldn't we tell his father?"

"Yes, but, no father wants to learn that their child is lost without a trace. It would have been nice to avoid all the heartache, but it would also be cruel to simply withhold such information. Better to get this over with as quickly as possible. We'll leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Leona asked.

"Is there a problem?"

"Well, it's just…what about your work?"

"What about my work?" he returned in a mysterious manner.

Leona knew that tone well. It was his version of teasing, but she didn't think it was an appropriate time for that sort of thing. Then again if she wound up asking too many questions her father would always become frustratingly evasive. It wasn't as if his work was top secret. She'd gone in with him to the office several times before and he'd explained to her in detail the sort of things he did there. Her conclusion? He simply did not feel like explaining. Yet she continued in her line of thinking.

"You can't just leave arbitrarily. There's this whole process you have to go through—

"When it comes to my friends, such matters become trivial. It's not something you need to worry about."

"Then why don't we wake up mother and go now?"

"Because there isn't enough friendship in the world that could convince me to wake that woman when she really wants to sleep. Trust me, it's better to avoid a pissed Raine these days. And, no, before you ask should we go without her—that would be worse." Her father gestured for her to follow him as he moved towards the entrance to the house. "Don't worry, Leona. One way or another, we will resolve this."

AN: I know, I know, I was late, but my schedule at work has changed and I now have another job that requires I work early in the morning. So my off days are now Sunday and Monday. That will be the days you should now be looking forward to me uploading. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as well. The plot is slowly beginning to thicken…

Also, the song used in this chapter is Sleepsong by Secret Garden. You can look this one up on Youtube as well if you're interested in how it goes. I think it was very fitting here in this story.

7Moons: Your glowing review just makes me want to write even more. I can't wait until you see what I have in store for this one!