Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of the Abyss


Luke shrugs on his coat with a huff as he leaves the examination room. This was the twelfth physical he'd had in the last week. Thorough was one thing; this bordered on harassment. As usual, he finds Tear waiting for him outside. She looks nonplussed despite having been through nearly as many examinations as he had.

"So. How was it?" she asks.

He rolls his eyes. "Same as usual. I think Jade's just overreacting."

"Nonsense. We were both exposed to a previously unknown fonon. It's only natural they'd want to run tests."

"Well so far, they've been coming up empty according to what the doctor told me."

"Same here. From what I was told, everything looks fine."

Tear sees the suspicious look on his face before he can look away.

"Luke…"

He frowns. "Sorry. I know it's not like last time. I know you wouldn't hide anything, but...you're really okay, right?"

The memory of her past illness is far from fresh. For her, it's so long buried that bringing it up now is like picking at healed over scar. Still she can understand his concern. After all, she's not the only one guilty of withholding important information about her health.

Still, she bites back the worry that is working its way up her spine and takes hold of his hand instead. "I'll tell you, if you tell me."

He wishes he could say something glib in response-anything to break the tension that he had inadvertently raised. "Sure. Where do you want to start?"

They spend nearly an hour going over everything they can remember from their many examinations. Tear remembers most of her sessions in detail-they mainly focused on her ability to call fonons, but Luke had barely been paying attention. Tear frowns each time he merely glosses over a session by saying "it was the same thing as last time".

"If it was the same tests as they previously ran, you should be able to tell me more about them," she counters, trying to stifle her irritation. Seriously, would it kill him to be a little more observant? This was his safety they were talking about. She knew she was alright from her results, but even after talking to Luke for so long on the matter, she still had no idea where he stood.

He fiddles with the sleeve of his coat. "I don't understand all this medical mumbo-jumbo. The doctor said I was fine. Shouldn't that be good enough?"

"If you were going in to get a tooth removed, I'd agree. But this is something completely different."

"Then how can you be so sure you're okay?"

She hesitates.

"Don't change the subject."

He frowns. "I'm being serious. You may know something about fonology, but at the end of the day, neither of us really knows what to look for in the results. There's probably only one person who really would."

She hates that he, with his astounding lack of common sense could be right about something like this. "We'll need to contact the Colonel."

"I'll book the passage if you write the letter."

"Okay."


It takes them nearly a week to get from Belkend to Grand Chokmah.

The encounter below Choral Castle still haunts them both, and instead of risking any unlucky battles against monsters and possibly aggravating their condition (if they even had a condition in the first place), the pair wisely decide to travel by ship instead. They arrive in the Malkuth capital tired and travel weary, but head straight for Jade's office only to find that he has not yet returned from Kaitzur where the negotiations with Kimlasca are being held.

"Guess he didn't get our letter," Luke grumbles.

"It can't be helped," Tear says sensibly. "We should at least try to find out when he will return."

"In that case, there's really only one person to ask."

Following some not-so-discreet questioning (courtesy of Luke), Emperor Peony admits that while Jade was supposed to have returned to the capital a few days ago, he has in fact taken a detour to the remains of Choral Castle before returning.

"Your Majesty," Tear says, "please say that he did not travel alone. Luke and I tried to make it clear in our report that, given what we had found underground, the ruins should still be considered highly dangerous."

"He tried to," Peony answers with a laugh, "but what I say goes in matters like this. I asked our friends from Kimlasca to lend him a hand. They were kind enough to send that charming general of theirs."

Luke and Tear glance at each other. Sending Cecille was a move that neither of them had expected. Even though the treaty between Malkuth and Kimlasca was now firmly in place, it was still highly unusual for the Kimlascan army to willingly part with one of their most capable leaders during a time when the military was one of the few state organisations not left in shambles following the war.

Peony watches them with a raised eyebrow. "I take it you haven't heard what's been happening in Baticul."

Luke shakes his head and glances at Tear. Her response is similar. Peony sighs and slouches in his throne. "I was hoping you," he says with gesture at Luke, "might be a bit useful."

For a moment, Luke looks as though he would complain, but Tear sharply jabs him in his side before he can. "We've heard nothing, your Majesty. Grandfather-I mean Mayor Teodoro had asked us to help support the new Order during this time of upheaval."

"A sensible decision," Peony admits somewhat grudgingly. "But there are more pressing matters at hand." He looks directly at Luke now. "There are rumours of a possible civil war brewing in Kimlasca, and your two friends are right at the centre of the problem."

The colour drains from Luke's face, and he seems at a loss for words. Seeing this, Tear thinks quickly. "Your Majesty, may we speak somewhere more private?"

Peony nods, his expression grim. "Of course."

Unlike his personal rooms, Peony's study was pristine with not even a sheet of paper out of place. The Emperor lingers a moment in the hallway before taking a seat behind his desk and promptly propping his feet on the surface of the desk. He says nothing, but they know that in here, he is not Peony IX the Emperor of Malkuth, he is simply Peony, their ally and friend.

He gestures for them to have a seat, so Tear nudges a silent Luke onto the sofa and takes a seat next to him. For a long moment, Peony simply observes them as though waiting for one of them to say something. Luke doesn't seem to have turned into a statue, so once again Tear takes matters into her own hands.

"Your Majesty, earlier you mentioned the possibility of a civil war in Kimlasca. Could you please tell us more about it?"

"It's just rumours at this stage, of course. Nothing substantial, but apparently there are those among the nobility who are less than pleased with the recent nuptials. As I've heard it, they don't like the idea of their precious princess being married to lowborn Malkuth scum."

Peony's even tone is deceptive. He is clearly bristling. Next to her, Luke is clenching his fists so tightly that it is a wonder that he hasn't broken all the bones in his hands yet. Finally, he seems to find his voice. "What did Natalia have to say about this?"

Peony frowns. "She's already got her hands full dealing with the reconstruction effort. When she can, she puts the nobles in their place. But she can't be in two places at once and, well, you know how it is."

Tear sighs. "When the cat's away…."

"Exactly. But that's not the worst of the problems. As you two probably know, Kimlasca's military is one of the few state organisations still functioning, and this little disagreement has split it right down the middle."

"I can see that," Luke says with a scowl. "I'm sure the majority of the people in the lower ranks would be on Natalia's side, but the people in the higher ranks are all hardcore nationalists."

Luke looks up to find both Tear and Peony watching him, the former with undisguised surprise, the latter with amusement. A rush of embarrassment momentarily drowns his anger. "What? I do pay attention." Tear gives him a look and he hurriedly adds, "sometimes. At any rate, this explains why Goldberg was so willing to part with Cecille. She's always been loyal to the royal family."

"And isn't she related to Guy?" Tear asks.

Luke nods. "I think she's a cousin or something. Even more reason why the others would want to get rid of her."

"Yes," Peony muses. "That general of yours practically jumped at the chance to send her far away from the capital. I have to admit, though, that woman's pretty cagey for someone so young."

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Tear asks.

The blonde plants his feet on the floor and leans forward with his head resting in the steeple of his own arms. The gesture is so relaxed that neither Tear nor Luke can believe the next words out of his mouth. "Because she realised pretty early on what was going on and managed to foil several attempts against the life of our gallant Gailardia."

Luke is on his feet immediately. "We're going back to Baticul."

For a moment, Tear is at a loss but quickly regains her composure. "Now hold on a moment, Luke."

"Like hell! Not only is Kimlasca possibly on the brink of civil war, but there people trying to kill Guy. I mean, I understand if you don't give a damn about Kimlasca, but Guy is our friend. We owe it to him to try to help!"

Tear squashes the anger that flares. She knows she comes across as cold, but Luke of all people should know that she cares about her friends. Instead, she clamps her hand on Luke's shoulders, holding him in place. "Luke. Calm. Down. There's nothing to be gained by losing your composure. Guy will be fine, even without Cecille around. He's not weak, and he's certainly not stupid."

"I know that, Tear. But…."

"Tear is right," Peony says. "Besides, I believe it is best if you stay away from Baticul for the moment, Luke."

"What! I can't…."

Peony silences him with a sharp wave of his hand. "You're not the only one concerned for your friend's safety, you know. For once, the Kimlascan royal family and I are on the same page. Both the princess and I agreed that it would be best for him to stay elsewhere at this time, and we managed to have him safely transferred to Sheridan. On paper, it simply looks as though Malkuth is upholding our side of the treaty, so it shouldn't look too suspicious."

Luke snorts. "He'll be so happy with the fontech that he won't notice the assassin creeping right up behind him."

"If you're so worried, you could go see him, you know," Peony says off-handedly.

"Would that be all right, Your Majesty?" Tear asks hopefully.

"It is if I say it is, I suppose. Ordinarily, I'd send you two by ship, but I think this situation calls for something a little quicker. It should be here soon."

As if he had planned it, a knock sounds at the door and, with Peony's acknowledgement a servant enters the room. Following behind him is a familiar face.

"Noelle!" Luke bursts out.

Noelle smiles. "It's good to see you two. I hear you need a lift."

"Yes," Tear says before turning back to Peony. "I heard the Albiore had been decommissioned because of the absence of fonons to run the machinery."

Peony grins. "Just a bit of masterful misguidance on Jade's part. The fontech engineers have come up with quite an ingenious solution to that. I'm not terribly familiar with the technological details, but I'm certain Jade would be able to explain it."

Luke shrugs. "We'll just ask Guy when we see him. I'm sure the Colonel would make him explain anyway."


Luke, Tear and Noelle arrive in Sheridan later that day. The pilot skillfully sets the Albiore down just a ways out of town, and when they finally reach the fontech lab the sun has just begun to set. When the trio enters the building, they are met by a wall of stone-faced guards in unmarked uniforms.

"A Malkuth military detachment," Noelle explains briefly before handing an envelope to one of the guards. After a moment, the soldiers step aside and allow the trio to continue deeper into the lab. It is only after they pass the third set of guards that Noelle pauses before a door and knocks. When the door opens, she gives an overly-dramatic bow. "May I present, his royal highness," she says with a laugh.

As it turns out, Guy must have been expecting them because he doesn't seem in the least surprised. "Luke. Tear. I figured you two would show up eventually. Oh, Noelle. You're here too."

Noelle fakes a pout. "Fine then, your highness. See if I ever let you near the Albiore again."

He smiles, but the expression is weary. "I was just kidding."

"I know," she says with a light laugh. "I'll wait for you guys at the inn. Just come find me when you're ready."

"Are you expected back in Grand Chokmah soon, Noelle?" Tear asks politely.

The pilot shakes her head. "Stay as long as you guys like. If anything comes up, I'll let you know."

Luke and Tear give her a quick nod as she leaves before they step inside the room. Guy shuts the door behind them.

"So I take it you've heard," he says with a sigh.

Luke turns on his heel. "The question is why did we hear this from Peony and not from you."

He frowns. "It's not the sort of thing Kimlasca wants made public, you know."

"Do you really think that we'd spread rumours around, Guy?" Tear asks sternly. "At least if we had known, we might have been able to help you."

"Sorry. That's not what I mean. This situation is just...I don't know."

"I can't even imagine," she says sympathetically. "How are you holding up?"

He slumps into a chair. "Alright, I suppose. I just hate leaving things in such a state. Kimlasca's falling apart at the seams. The last thing it needs right now is this nonsense."

"It's precisely because Kimlasca's in such a state that the nationalists think they can get away with causing trouble," Tear says. "Ordinarily, they might be able to sway the citizens in such a situation. Luckily, Natalia seems to have their support, or so I heard."

The blonde's expression tightens. "She's an idiot if she thinks that will save her."

"Have the assassins gone after her as well?" Luke asks.

"No. But it's only a matter of time. At least, that's what Cecille thinks. I mean, I understand why we both couldn't leave Baticul, but still. It was fine when Cecille was still around, because I knew we could count on her. But now...I can't help feeling that something terrible's about to happen."

Luke sighs and folds his arms across his chest. "You worry too much, you know."

The blonde fixes him with a glare. "And you're not?"

"Of course I am. Baticul's my next stop once I leave here. That stubborn girl is going to leave the capital even if she does so kicking and screaming."

To Luke's surprise, his friend shakes his head. "Under no circumstances can you set foot in Baticul, Luke."

Tear speaks up. "The Emperor said the same thing. Why not?"

Guy looks away. "Even though it was the cornerstone of the peace treaty, the nationalists don't approve of our marriage."

Luke frowns. "To say the least."

"Yeah. Thing is, I'm not the only one some of the nationalists object to. Many nationalists such as Goldberg and a handful of other high-ranking officials still support Natalia as the heir to the throne, but there is a small but increasingly vocal faction who actually want you to inherit the throne instead, Luke."

Luke's mouth drops open. "Me? Why? I'm…." He trails off.

"You may be a replica, but to them you still carry the blood of the royal family, and that's the fact that they're all hung up on. This faction doesn't like the idea of the throne passing entirely out of the bloodline. Cecille and I are worried that if the nationalists get hold of you then Natalia will be…."

He doesn't need to finish his sentence for them to understand what he means.

"So what are we supposed to do, then?" Luke demands, his voice rising in equal measure with his frustration. "Are we just supposed to sit back and watch helplessly? Natalia won't leave Baticul and none of us can go there then what can we do?"

"Well, there is something we can do," Guy says slowly. "Or rather, there is someone we all trust who can go to Baticul." Luke follows his friend's gaze to find that his eyes have rested on Tear.

Having anticipated this, Tear nods. "I'll go."

For a moment, it seems as though Luke will protest. First the business with the unknown fonon and now this? It was too much. "I know that neither the Colonel or Cecille can go to Baticul now, but what about Anise and Florian? I mean, I know that the Order has its own issues right now, but I don't see any reason why Tear has to go by herself."

Guy starts to explain, but Tear cuts him off with a sharp glare before turning her attention back to the fretting redhead. "Luke. Who do you think I am?"

Luke stops short. "What?"

"Answer the question."

Luke fidgets awkwardly like a child caught by a schoolteacher for a scolding. "I...you're Tear. I mean how else can I answer that?"

She moves closer to him, drawing up to her full height and looking him right in the eyes. "That's not what I asked. Who do you think I am? Am I weak? Am I a fool? Am I incapable of protecting myself and those dear to me? Tell me. Is that the kind of person you think I am?"

"No. Of course not!"

"Then stop acting like it is. I will go to Baticul. I will protect Natalia. And most importantly," she takes Luke's hands in hers, "I will return. I promise."

"Tear…."

Guy coughs awkwardly. "Enough showing off, you two. Think of the other people in the room."

Luke shoots him a glare. "How do you think we felt at your wedding?"

"Oh please. That was all political."

"Not from what we saw," Luke teases in a sing-song manner, his earlier anxiety having momentarily ebbed away. "You two couldn't keep your eyes off each other."

Tear smacks him in the back of the head before he can say anything else. "You two looked very happy," she says placatingly.

Guy smiles wistfully. "Yeah, I guess so." He hesitated. "Oh, that reminds me. I've been meaning to ask you something, Tear."

"Me? What is it?"

"Did you by any chance teach Natalia to throw knives?"

"Yes. About a year ago. Why?"

Guy laughs. "I thought so. There was one particularly stupid assassin who thought it would be a good idea to attack me at dinner. Apparently, he had snuck up behind me, and next thing I know, the man drops his weapon straight in my soup. Turns out, she'd caught him in the arm with a throwing knife."

Tear frowns. "I taught her to aim for the hand."

"Anyway...I'm glad she has another means to defend herself. It's not like she can carry her bow around the castle."

"I'm glad I could help. When would you need me to go to Baticul?"

The good humour passes. "The sooner the better. Maybe in a day or two."

"That's fine. I'll be ready for the day after tomorrow."

"Good." He turns to Luke. "There is something we will need to take care of as well, so we'll be leaving around the same time."

"Where are we going?" Luke asks, surprised.

Guy grins. "I think it's time I had a talk with our dear friend the Emperor."


Author's Note:

Okay, so there will be one more chapter than originally planned. Sorry this one was mostly boring political stuff. It's all set up for the next story which I will be working on as my Nano story this year. Also, there are some things in this chapter that might not make sense. That's because there is actually a second version of And the Clock Struck Twelve called the Perfect Version which I wasn't originally going to post as it might, honestly, never be finished. Overall, not much differs between the original version and the Perfect version in terms of plot, all it does is flesh out the reasons for things and adds in some background plot info that makes this story and the sequel make more sense.

Honestly, I've been regretting how that story turned out for years. There were so many things I wish I'd done differently with it and even more that I didn't know I should do differently. As my writing has evolved over the years, I have so many times wanted to rewrite it into the form that I now see it in. And so, I started. I've only got two chapters now, and as I want my focus to be The Thirteenth Hour, I may not be able to finish it, but I at least want to try. I will post it, but updates if any will likely be sparse. Still, it's not imperative that you read Perfect Version as the result of the story will still be the same as the original. For these two reasons, I will be leaving the original story posted as, technically, they do run a bit differently and because at least the ending of the story will still be available even if I never finish Perfect Version. Think of Perfect Version as a re-release meant to enhance the original and not necessarily replace it.

The first chapter of Perfect Version should be up around the same time as this chapter. As for The Second Hand of Fate, as I said above, there will be one more chapter than I had said in the previous chapter. Next chapter will finish up the Yulia/Daath story, and the chapter after that should bring the Luke/Tear arc to an end and have Jade and Cecille usher in the new story.

Also, one more thing about this chapter. I don't know much about throwing knives, so if the thing about aiming for the hand is inaccurate, sorry.

Okay then. Until next time.