It felt like the entire world was spinning around Guy as he tried to ground himself after viewing the report. There was a good chance Luke was alive.
Alive.
After all this time. His best friend was alive.
The voices of Jade and Peony were slowly coming back into focus as Guy's heart rate began to even out. Guy blinked his dazed blue eyes several times before looking up at the colonel and emperor.
"Could I request an indefinite leave, Your Majesty?"
Peony's curious but knowing gaze landed on Guy and tilted his head. "Gailardia, you do know what you are asking right?"
Jade silently observed the two men with a indescribable look of observation. Peony continued before Guy could answer him, "In this report it states that a red headed, sword welding, male was seen loitering around Tataroo Valley. When engaged the man then fled without conflict. He could very well not be in Tataroo Valley any longer. For all we know he could be in Chesedonia by now."
Guy fitted the emperor with a determined look in his bright blue eyes. "I'm aware sir. But if there is even a chance that it could be him... I have to take that chance."
Peony stared at Guy for a long moment before nodding. He very well knew what it was like to value your best friend in life. He and Jade were certainly as close.
Jade chose this moment to speak up, "While it could very well be Luke, Guy, there is also the possibility that it could be Asch."
This gave Guy pause as he thought about what would happen if the man was Asch. While he didn't hate the man that didn't mean that he wanted to see him instead of his best friend. Luke was the boy that he practically raised. The young man that he traveled Aldrant with. The man he was proud to call his best friend. If the mysterious individual turned out to be Asch instead Guy was certain it would crush his soul. Knowing that his best friend was truly lost to him for all eternity.
"There is also the possibility that it is neither of them though," Jade's voice broke through Guy's wandering thoughts.
Now that caught Guy's full attention. Just what the hell did Jade mean that it could neither be Luke or Asch. Then who the hell was the wandering man that seemingly caused an increase of Seventh Fonons?
Peony also seemed confused by his friend's statement, "What do you mean Jade?"
Jade took a moment to glance between Guy and Peony before pushing up his glasses that rested on his nose. Ah, that's right. He really does loathe explaining things.
"Well, just as when Van disappeared into the Core and absorbed Lorelei he came back much more powerful and more of a force to be reckoned with. Van came back yes and so did Sync, but their resurrections can confirm to us they came back differently. Now imagine Luke, Asch, and Lorelei in the Planet Storm. Their fonons dissipating and all becoming one. And then suddenly these fonons join together and make a sentient being. Bringing him to the very location they all disappeared from. Can you really believe that after all this time, with these fonons joining and disjointing, that if any one were to appear that they could be a single being?"
The realization smacked Guy right upside the head and sent him reeling.
It was true. It all made sense. Luke could very well not be Luke. Asch could very well not be Asch. They could all be one person. One unfamiliar person.
Jade was right. The chances of this person being a combination of Luke, Asch, and Lorelei was much more probable than any one of them coming back as a whole. But then what did that really mean? This person still held a portion of Luke within him.
If there was even a chance that Guy could experience a second with is best friend he would risk everything.
And that's when everything became clear to him. Why the Necromancer had told him not to tell anyone else about what they discussed.
Jade didn't want the other's to have the hope that Luke or Asch had come back when in all actuality it was a completely different person all together. It would only hurt them just as it had hurt Guy. But then why even tell Guy?
"You don't want everyone else to know about this. Because they'll think it's Luke or Asch... but its not."
Jade gave a solemn nod of his head confirming Guy's suspicions. But that still didn't explain why he told Guy. Jade was always one to withhold information until he was proven correct or otherwise, but he never let it get out of hand. This was completely out of character for the all powerful fonist.
"Then why tell me?" Guy questioned his friend with a pinched expression.
At that Jade's lips tilted up into a smirk that always foretold that he had planned ahead. "Excellent question, Guy," Jade's red eyes drifted over to Peony and stayed there.
The emperor looked back at Jade for a questioning moment before a bark of laughter was released from the blond man. "Oh, Jade you think I'm going to just let you two wander off for Yulia knows how long on a wild goose chase?"
Jade's eyes flashed with mischief, "Why of course, Your Majesty. After all we would be serving your orders every step of the way."
Even after two years Guy would never truly understand how Peony and Jade managed to maintain their friendship over the years with the way they banter. And people thought Luke and him had an odd friendship. Clearly they never spend a couple of moments in the presence of Jade and Peony.
Peony chuckled heartily. Jade always knew how to throw words his way. Luckily he had been dealing with it his whole life and easily brushed them off as nothing more than good natured friendliness.
Guy was lost as he watched the two life long friends stare each other down. Just what did Jade have planned? Did he intend to go with Guy to search out this mysterious person?
Peony nodded, "Yes well, seeing as Malkuth soldiers were the only ones to notice the man it seems Malkuth will be the only country to know about this as you two set off. Make sure whoever this is doesn't stir up any trouble." The emperor gave the order and Guy's face lit up immediately. He had the chance to find his friend.
Peony came over to the blond swordsman and clapped him on the shoulder. "Gailardia, if you find Luke bring him home."
Home.
Just where was home for Luke? It certainly wasn't Baticul. He had made that clear on their journey. When he found out he was a replica. When he realized that he had inadvertently stolen everything from Asch. He didn't feel like he belonged anywhere.
Except with his friends. Saving the world.
It only took Guy a fraction of a second to decode what Peony had meant. His Majesty wanted Guy to bring Luke with him. Welcome him into his home and make him feel accepted. Show him a new life.
That was... if the man was indeed Luke.
Guy mentally tore his mind from that thought and gave his ruler a firm nod. "Of course, Your Majesty. I'll do everything in my power to see it Luke finds a new path."
Peony gifted Guy with a smile and then turned to face Jade. "You make sure that regardless of who this person is that they will be brought to me. I would very much like to know the man that escaped my men."
Jade nodded lightly and allowed the emperor to leave his office without another word. Once Peony had closed the door Jade fixed Guy with a strict, red gaze, "Remember the chances of this being Luke are extremely low. Please, refrain from letting your hopes get the better of you. We need to remain focused and find out who this is. Whether it is Luke, Asch, or someone else entirely, we must bring them back before His Majesty."
While Jade was indeed Luke's friend he was not going to gift himself hope where there was none. He was just that kind of man. Always holding himself back emotionally. Guy, who didn't agree with Jade's detachment, respected his request nonetheless. He could understand why he withheld himself so much. Ultimately to avoid disappointment in the end.
Guy had to allow himself hope in order to push himself forward though. He had to hold on to a sliver of hope that Luke was alive. Or at least a part of him for Guy to cling to.
Guy nodded his head, "Right. At least from the report we know he isn't exactly hostile. So really we just need to track him down."
"That's correct. We can assume that he had fled Tataroo Valley and has made way for a nearby city for food and supplies. Which is most likely Chesedonia."
It made sense. The mysterious person had been spotted by soldiers and he fled. It made prefect sense that the person would make their way to a city to resupply themselves. Guy hoped they didn't have to worry about the man confronting monsters. The report stated that the male carried a sword. One could only hope that he knew how to use it.
Or at least hold off long enough until Guy and Jade found him.