Spoiler for my other fic, Orange (posted) and When First Love Ends (which I'll post eventually).
Cantabile's mood was not improving even after hours.
It showed.
"Dude, she's a woman, not a disabled. Exactly what's the problem?"
Ion was happy however. It made his job that much easier.
"If you dare say that she's disabled because she's a woman, I might have to stab you, so be careful with your words."
Ion just sat there on the table across of sighing Rose, who was also fighting back a smile just like him, and bit the inside of his mouth to held back a 'you said it, sister!'.
Which was very unlike him, Ion knew.
But then again, it's what he thought. And more or less, Cantabile had been like his sister. Her care had been real, she saw him as a person when she's not on duty, and sometimes even when she's on duty.
She could be annoying too.
But she's agreeable. At most part.
Really. She was everything a sister should be to Ion.
And if how worried she seemed earlier, and how pissed off she was now, were indications enough, then the feeling was mutual. She even already included Asch and Arietta inside the imaginary family.
Wonderful.
Maybe their future wouldn't be so bleak after all, with Cantabile being there and protecting them even after Ion kicked the bucket.
At least, Ion believed so.
It all ended with Ion saying 'there's nothing against women ruling. It's usual in Kimlasca', and then everyone bowed down and accepted the decision.
Rose laughed heartily.
"Well, I can't say I've always wanted the position, but I'll do my best."
Good answer. Ion liked her already.
Engeve was in good hand.
And with that done with, Ion excused himself to return to the inn to check on Arietta, whom he had put to sleep earlier to avoid problems. She couldn't exactly be brought to the meetings, at least not yet. Ion felt bad, but it was necessary.
He made a mental note to give her sweets and roast meat later as apology.
Well, that's one reason.
The other was that he was tired himself, and anxious to get back to bed.
He was certain that Asch was sleepwalking at the moment too.
When Ion woke up, he found Asch sitting by his feet, tense as usual with Cantabile on his back massaging him. Arietta was still asleep on the bed next to him.
"Don't lie to me. It must hurt. Your sword is bigger than usual child practice wooden sword, and you fought more than you're used to."
"... I'm fine."
"It's not life threatening yes, but it hurts! I know! Pain does not equal the word fine, so shut up and let me help."
Ion tried to make a sound as he watched them with a smile and healed Asch quietly.
Not surprisingly, a fonstone crystallized on his hands. Even so, Ion couldn't see anything. Maybe it's because he was closing his eyes himself in the real life.
Weird.
Usually there'd be pictures, unclear and stuffs.
Ion wondered why as he listened to the voices that could be heard from the stone, usual to those of clear visions.
"Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"... yes."
"Dude, you're going to work under him."
"I've been working under him for five years now."
"But only technically. Now is the real deal."
"..."
"And it's the whole truth with Ion gone."
"... I know. I'll be fine. I'm fine. And... someone has to take care of Arietta."
"Stop. You're just saying that. You don't care about her. At least, not that much."
"..."
"Hey... Do you trust Ion?"
"No."
"You should. He never lied. ... I'll help as much as I can, you know I will, right?"
"... yes."
"Good. I expect messages. Lots of them. Get Arietta's hawks to send me one everyday if necessary. Do you understand, Luke?"
Ion opened his eyes wide and gasped in surprise.
"The Light of Sacred Flame shall fall under the control of the One who Seized Glory."
"Without protection of Voice of the World, he shall flickered and be reduced to mere Ashes."
Cantabile's smiling face was the last thing he saw, contorted into pained expression as if she knew the futility of her words.
As if she knew that he was beyond saving.
"... Luke?"
Ion murmured without a thought, still dazed from what he just heard.
Not Asch... but Luke?
Well, Ion had told him that Asch was just a cover name, that he was planning to send him back home as part of their game (or so he said), but still... it's quite unexpected to see (or hear) that it's the very truth according to the planet.
Wow.
Voice of the World, indeed.
Ion couldn't help but to feel a bit proud.
"Hey, Asch? What did I do? Or was it Ion?"
Cantabile glared at the still lying Fon Master, who chuckled as he felt her gaze stabbing his nerves, making his hair stood at its ends.
"Still sleeping here."
"Then shut up and stay asleep."
Ion laughed again and shifted. He rose to a sitting position, and pat the spot next to him.
"I'm cold. Luke, come here and warm me."
No one moved.
Ion heaved a mock sigh.
"Do not make me say it twice. It's an order. Ion Says. Come here and warm me."
Stiffly, he did so. He crawled to the spot patted by Ion and laid on his side. His eyes were filled with emotions, but none managed to reach his body to be conveyed.
Happily, Ion plopped back and inched closer to him, ignoring gaping Cantabile by his feet. After that, he invoked a sleeping arte and made Asch fell asleep much like a baby.
His eyes fluttered shut, and his breathing became more relaxed, more even. His muscles relaxing, the creases on his face disappearing, and when his hand fell down to the mattress, Ion was sure that he'd gone to the dream world.
"Talk."
Ion said after that, as he sat up once more to face Cantabile, careful not to touch the boy he just called with his true name so that he didn't have to be distracted by more visions.
"What was that?!"
She was all but screamed those words. Her face was rather amusing that it took all Ion had to not laugh. He was in a middle of important talk, and he knew he had the decency to seem serious at such occasion.
"That was me reminding him of his place."
"What?! Why? He hadn't done anything wrong!"
"Precisely, Cantabile. That's a gift. A reward, if you will."
Cantabile made a great impression of a fish, with her opening and closing her mouth repeatedly before she finally breathed out and shook her head in disbelief.
"You sick bastard."
She was all but glared at him.
"He needs to remember, Cantabile. He can't forget."
"It'd just hurt him! You... he must move on now! He can't continue to be fixated on the past!"
"On the contrary, he has to. Or else, he'd be boring."
"Ion..."
"I assure you it's in accordance to his best interest."
"And what's that? Are you sure it's not yours?"
She spat back as she crossed her arms. Ion hummed in thought before answering.
"... No. Not entirely. I do wish for interesting development, but that beside the point. No... I want him to remember, because he will return to Baticul one day, and it's best that he knows his place for that time."
Cantabile eyebrows scrunched together as she thought.
"I thought you said you can't be sure who survived the fight between him and his replica."
"Yes. And yet I promised him a game, and I'm no oath-breaker. At least, to him, I'm not planning to be one."
"... Don't tell me-"
"That is correct, Cantabile. I'm planning to bring him back before he could fight his replica. And you're going to help me."
The girl's jaw went slack, and she then hissed out, "Are you mad?!"
Ion wanted to laugh again. She was similar to Asch that way.
If only her reaction was as expected, that was.
"You know that I probably am."
Cantabile hissed again at the response.
"Explain. In less than twenty words. Why shouldn't I stop you?"
She breathed out with difficulty. Apparently Ion's suggestion angered her so much.
"Because you know what is best for him is to be in his real home, which is in Baticul."
Nineteen.
Exactly less than twenty.
Ion couldn't help but to feel proud of himself.
Cantabile looked guilt-stricken as she glanced at the red-head and bit her lip.
"... That's true... no, that's the absolute truth, but... relatively speaking, it's a bad idea. Terribly bad."
"Oh?"
"... Well, I'd say it's a miracle he survived this long... Even if being with his family is what's best for him, I wouldn't send him back home. Even if the Oracles are bad influence on him, with people like you guys fighting to use him around, at least none of you have the intention to kill him. At least not at the moment."
"Oh, about his servant? He knows about him since the beginning. He adores him too. I don't know why."
Cantabile stared at him disbelievingly. Ion shrugged.
"It's the truth. I found out in Keterburg. By the way, look that servant up when we get back. And whoever related to Asch, really. I promised him informations on everyone. So, any more reason against bringing him home?"
"Oh so you're now back to Asch?"
"Reward is a one time thing."
She scowled at him.
"Look, Ion. I like that kid. I really do. But still I don't think he'd want to come home, not if it'd cause chaos in Auldrant. Unlike some other people I unfortunately have the misfortune of having as superiors."
"I'm touched. You know me that well. And Asch too. I'm sure he'd say the same. World wide crisis due to newly found mistrust to the Order didn't seem to appeal to him, although it is secondary. But I'm sure the thought has crossed his simple mind."
"... Oh in the name of the Sentiences, what exactly are you planning, Ion?"
"I assure you I'm doing my best to hold back my desire to cause such chaos."
"Well, I don't believe you."
Ion laughed at those blunt words.
"Fair enough."