Tales of The Symphonic Abyss: Dawn of The Second Descendent

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Chapter 12: Arriving At Akzeriuth! Aldurant's Fate Is Changed?

Legretta and Velvet slowly woke up and saw that Michael wasn't sleeping with them. They then looked around and found Michael meditating on his own. They walked over and sat down beside him. Velvet went to shake Michael awake, but Luke stopped her.

Luke – "I wouldn't if I were you."

Legretta – "Why not?"

Luke – "I did the same thing a few years ago. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made."

Legretta and Velvet looked at each other, not believing what Luke was saying.

Velvet – "What happened?"

Luke – "I shook Michael awake because I completely thought that he was sleeping. Turns out he was actually in deep meditation. Once he opened his eyes, his aura and ki were just pouring off of his body."

Legretta – "You were that scared out of your mind?"

Luke – "Pretty much. Thankfully Michael realized that it was just me and calmed down."

Michael – "I still feel guilty about scaring you like that."

After a few minutes, the rest of the party woke up. Once their makeshift campsite was cleaned up, they continued on their way to Akzeriuth.

Jade – "Michael. You never explained to us the move that you used to defeat Rensho yesterday."

Michael – "My bad. I was actually going to until that headache showed up out of nowhere. Anyway, the name of the attack is Jakenall Kamehameha."

Anise – "Jakenall…"

Arietta – "…Kamehameha?"

Michael – "Yep. It's a combination of my three strongest attacks: Kamehameha, Jajanken, and One For All. While I'm charging up the Kamehameha in between my hands, I'm also charging up Jajanken and One For All on each of my hands as well."

Natalia – "It must've taken a lot of work and practice to even use it."

Michael – "It truly did. For each move separately, it took me a day to learn them and another week to master. As for combining them, that took me an entire month to do. Once that was taken care of, I finally got to test it out. Let's just say that the results…weren't that fruitful."

Dist – "What do you mean?"

Michael – "Due to using Jakenall Kamehameha for the very first time, it took such much of my energy, I fell unconscious and had to wait a whole week before I could try it again. And the kicker, that first initial try was at full power."

Even though Michael sheepishly laughed at what happened to him, the others were completely floored at what they just heard.

Luke/Niko – "Seriously!"

Legretta/Velvet – "He was THAT strong when he was younger!?"

Michael – "The one good thing that I can say is that after three years of constant hard work, practice, and learning to have complete control over the power output, I've finally mastered the move and can call it my own."

Tear – "Thank goodness for that."

Largo – "Here's another question then. Before Rensho tried to attack us yesterday, he said something about taking the power of these so called 'Fonic Dragons' for himself. Just what are Fonic Dragons?"

Michael happiness suddenly disappeared as he let out a heavy sigh. He knew this question was gonna be asked sooner or later.

Michael – "Good grief. I was really hoping to explain about them to you guys somewhere down the line."

Soul – "Unfortunately, Rensho forced that ship to sail."

Sync – "So what are Fonic Dragons then?"

Michael – "Most of you know that Yulia Jue has a family of descendants."

Tear – "That's right. Van and I are the current generation of that family."

Michael – "That's correct. Your last name is Grants, or in the case of the Ispanian language, Fende. However, there is in fact a second family that is descended from Yulia herself."

Guy – "Whose family is that?"

Michael – "Mine."

Everyone just stared at Michael.

Natalia – "Are you telling the truth?"

Michael – "I am. Due to being her descendants, Yulia gave each of our families something to honor her by. Tear's family was given her Fonic Hymns, while mine was granted her sword."

Largo – "Yulia used a sword?"

Michael – "She did. However, it was a special one."

Sync – "Special how?"

Michael – "Normally spell users have to use a fon verse to charge up their spell artes. With the Sword of Yulia however, that need is completely bypassed."

Arietta – "Wait! So you're saying that the Sword of Yulia lets you cast a spell arte WITHOUT the need of a fon verse?"

Michael – "That's right. However, only Tear and I can use that power due to being Yulia's descendants."

Luke – "That seems fair."

Michael – "However, it seems that the sword wasn't the only thing she left us."

Guy – "The Fonic Dragons?"

Michael – "Exactly. And this is the whole reason behind them."

Michael then pulled out the necklace that Chrome gave him back at the Oasis.

Michael – "For those of you that were with me at the Oasis when Chrome gave me this necklace. It's the main point behind them."

Jade – "How so?"

Michael – "There are nine Fonic Dragons in total. Our world of Aldurant, Velvet's world of Desolation, and my girlfriend Sheena's world of Tethe'alla and Sylvarant share the elements belonging to six of them. Those elements are: Light, Dark, Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind. Aldurant has one of the other three in Soul, while Tethe'alla and Sylvarant are home to the remaining two in Ice and Lighting. A random person in my family is chosen to wear this necklace and they become known as the Fonic Guardian."

Anise – "What does having this title mean?"

Michael – "This title means that I must make a pact with each of the Fonic Dragons, thus making sure that their powers don't fall into the wrong hands. Along with keeping harmony and balance with nature in check."

Luke – "We all saw how strong Rensho is on his own. Lorelei knows how catastrophic it would be for us all if he abuses the power of a Fonic Dragon."

Michael – "The powers of the Fonic Dragons are no joke. You act the wrong way around them, and they'll cause a natural disaster to happen before you even have a chance to try and stop it."

Everyone went pale at hearing that.

Velvet – "Can you use their powers as the Fonic Guardian?"

Michael – "I can. But not in my current state."

Natalia – "Why not?"

Michael – "Know how I said that their powers are so dangerous. Not only could my current physical body not even stand up to that much level of power, it could even do so much internal damage that my heart and brain could stop working right on the spot. That's just how dangerous they are when you don't take as many necessary precautions as possible. If I had my tail as least, then it'd be a completely different story."

Largo – "How does having your tail make that much of a difference?"

Michael – "With my tail I actually have control over the Fonic Dragon's powers, albeit only partially. I can also master whatever power I'm able to learn from the Fonic Dragons that I make a pact with. However, if I try to use a Fonic Dragon's full power while in just my Soul Quirk's semi-state, I can only use it for so long. Any longer than that allowed time frame, and the power starts putting a very severe strain on my body. Enough that it could put my health in serious jeopardy."

Now everyone turned a deathly sheet of white.

Sync – "Here's hoping that we never come across a Fonic Dragon then. Right Largo?"

Largo – "Right…"

Michael – "You don't have to worry about a thing. Once I get Lady Yulia's acceptance, I'll get my tail. After that, all I need is Lady Aldurant's acceptance and I'll get my wings. This will let me have full control over each of the Fonic Dragon's powers WITHOUT any problems to my overall health."

Legretta – "That's a relief."

Tear – "The way Rensho made it sound, it's almost like he has a Fonic Dragon under his control already."

Michael – "I hate to admit it, but I think he truly does. However, we have a Fonic Dragon on our side too."

Luke – "We do?"

Michael – "Yep. Niko. You remember that winter cabin our families own that also doubles as a halfway house for travelers between Keterburg and Mt. Roneal?"

Niko – "Yeah. Wait! You're not saying that the woman you saved back then is-"

Michael – "That's right! Miss Glacia herself is in fact the Fonic Dragon of Ice that goes by the same name. In fact, I believe a small squad of soldiers led by Largo here almost had her if I didn't act when I did."

Largo – "Good thing you did then. I don't think I would've been able to live with myself if I became the reason for a creature of nature being forcefully used as a tool."

Arietta – "Did you make a pact with her then?"

Michael – "No. I couldn't at the time because I wasn't considered worthy of being called the Fonic Guardian yet. So I made a deal with Glacia. In return for letting her live in the cabin for as long as she wants, she would act as its caretaker, and that's even after I DO make the pact with her."

Dist – "Which Fonic Dragon do you think Rensho has?"

Michael – "I don't know for certain. But I can say for certain that it isn't Lady Aldurant, who's the Fonic Dragon of Soul."

Luke – "I see why. Without her, you can't obtain the full state of your Soul Quirk."

Michael – "Exactly. Besides those two, it could be any of the other seven."

Jade – "Anything else that you want to share with us about Fonic Dragons?"

Michael – "Two actually. One is that once I make my first ever pact with a Fonic Dragon, my sword will gain a new form."

Luke – "What's it gonna be?"

Michael – "Don't know for certain, but according to Soul, my sword is supposed to turn into a claw."

Velvet – "From what I can tell, compared to swords, having a claw should make it easier for Michael to control how much of the Fonic Dragon's power that he can use."

Guy – "I agree with Velvet. Swords act similar to staffs when using spell artes since they act like a medium for the caster. You know where you want the spell to hit, but not how much power goes behind it. Claws give you the best of both worlds."

Jade – "And what's the other thing that you want to share Michael?"

Michael – "The other thing is that once I obtain all nine Fonic Dragons, I'll achieve a form called Divine Fonic Soul."

Natalia – "Divine Fonic Soul?"

Michael – "According to what I've read, once a Fonic Guardian makes a pact with all nine Fonic Dragons, they achieve the form called 'Divine Fonic Soul'. This form lets them gain an additional four wings and two tail alongside their original two wings and one tail."

Sync – "How does having additional wings and tails help?"

Michael – "Simple really. Each limb holds the spirit of a Fonic Dragon. The three tails hold Dark, Soul, and Light. Dark in the left tail, Soul in the middle tail, and Light in the right tail. Then you have Water, Earth, and Ice go in the left wings, and Fire, Wind, and Lighting in the right wings. Not only does this make it easier to control the Fonic Dragon's powers, but it also puts even less of a strain on them than just the full-state form of the Soul Quirk does alone."

After Michael finished his explanation, the party arrived at the foot of the path that would take them into Akzeriuth.

Michael – "We'll split off from here. Me, Velvet, and the God-Generals are gonna return to Chesedonia, while Niko stays with you guys to help out. Once everything here in Akzeriuth is done, we'll meet back up with you all in Chesedonia. Sound like a plan?"

Everyone agreed to it.

Michael – "Guess we'll see you guys later then. See ya around."

Luke – "Same here."

While Michael, Velvet, and the God-Generals walked back towards Deo Pass, Luke and his party, with Niko alongside them, walked towards Akzeriuth. However, what they found wasn't what they were expecting.

Luke – "What the-"

The entire town was abandoned by the looks of it. As far as Luke and the others knew, there wasn't a soul to be found.

Jade – "Let's look around. Maybe someone is still here."

Natalia – "Good idea."

The party split up and each checked a small group of houses. Luke with Tear and Niko, Jade with Guy, and Natalia with Anise.

Luke – "Find anything Tear?"

Tear – "No. How about you Niko?"

Niko – "I'm the same as you two."

Mieu – "Even I can't find anything small enough to resemble that a family lived here."

They then rejoined with the others.

Luke – "You guys find anything?"

Guy – "Nope."

Natalia – "Same here."

Jade – "This is very strange. For someone to transport an entire town in the span of a night. It's just unheard of."

Tear – "Agreed."

? – "Seems like I'm not the only one trying to figure out what happened."

Van appeared and walked over.

Luke – "What do you think happened then master Van?"

The rest of the party, minus Niko, were a bit surprised at Luke asking Van a question so casually. Van also didn't notice how casual Luke was acting towards him either.

Van – "Someone DID show up in the middle of the night. However, what they did to the townspeople I have completely no idea about. Anyway, let's find a way to get rid of the miasma."

Luke gritted his teeth at how Van was acting so heartless to Akzeriuth's citizens. Thankfully, Natalia saved him from losing his cool.

Natalia – "You all go on ahead. Anise and I will keep checking out here."

Luke – "Right. Just be careful."

Natalia and Anise broke off from the party for the time being as everyone else followed Van into the mine shafts. Jade then broke off on one floor, followed by Guy on the next floor down. In the bottom-most cavern of the mine shaft, Tear looked on one side, while Ion, Luke, and Niko followed Van down an out-of-the-way tunnel. Suddenly, Ion fell to his hands and knees. Luke quickly checked on him.

Luke – "You okay Ion?"

Ion – "I am. Just need a few moments to recover."

Luke – "You don't mind master Van?"

Van – "Take your time Fon Master."

Ion – "Thank you."

Luke pulled Niko off to the side while Ion was recovering.

Niko – "What is it Luke?"

Luke – "Head back to Tear and tell her what's going on. I'll try to stall for as long as possible."

Niko – "Right."

Luke returned to Van and Ion, but Niko wasn't with him.

Ion – "Where's Niko?"

Luke – "I told her to go back and help Tear."

Van – "Then she'll have to catch up to us."

The trio made their way further inside the tunnel. They then came across a Daathic seal.

Ion – "…A Daathic seal. So this is another Sephiroth. I don't think opening this will serve any purpose."

Van – "It will. It's necessary for revival of Akzeriuth."

Ion – "…All right."

Ion undid the Daathic seal, opening the way to the Sephiroth. The trio then walked in.

Ion – "It's the same as the Zao Ruins and Shurrey Hill…"

Van – "Luke. This way…"

Luke took his time walking after Van. He wanted to give Niko and the others as much time as they needed to catch up.

Van – "Now, Luke, go down to that fon machine – the passage ring – and neutralize the miasma."

Ion – "What are you talking about? Is that even possible?"

Luke – "According to Van, it is. Who knew?"

-Near Deo Pass-

Michael and his half of the party were walking towards Deo Pass so they could get back to Chesedonia. Suddenly, Michael stopped in his tracks.

Arietta – "Something wrong Michael?"

The others then looked at Michael. Legretta and Velvet saw his expression, and they both knew it wasn't good. Michael then turned back towards Akzeriuth.

Michael – "Something bad is about to happen. And it's soon."

Suddenly, a bright light flashed next to Michael's left.

Michael – "What the-"

-Back At Akzeriuth's Passage Ring-

Van – "Good, concentrate just like that."

Luke falsely grunted in concentration, thankful that Michael's teachings helped him with being able to trick Van.

Van – "Now… 'Foolish replica Luke' unleash your power!"

Van was waiting for something to happen, but nothing happened at all.

Van – "Nothing happened…"

Suddenly, Luke started to laugh.

Van – "And just what is so funny?"

Luke – "Why you are, my dear Van. Don't tell me that you didn't think that my true master didn't already see what you had in store for me."

Van – "What are you talking about?"

Luke – "It's quite simple really. That little trigger phase that you used to 'unleash my power'. My true master already figured that you would use it on me, so they used their power to negate it. Besides, I already had my fon slots opened long ago. Along with the fact that I can fully control my hyperresonance whenever I want."

Van was completely floored. To think that Luke's 'true master' had already seen through his plans.

Asch – "Good! There's still time to stop Van!"

Van – "Asch! Why are you here?! I told you not to come!"

Asch – "…Too bad."

Tear – "Van! I knew it! You've betrayed me! You said you were going to preserve these Outer Lands! What about the Oracle soldiers in the Tartarus? They'll all be killed!"

Van – "…Mystearica, someday you'll come to understand the folly and ugliness of this world. I want you to live… At least long enough for me to see you come to your senses. You have the Fonic hymns. Use them…"

Van unsheathed his sword and swung it at the passage ring, but was blocked by Luke. Van then tried to strike down Ion and Mieu. Thankfully, Luke got them out of the way.

Luke – "You okay Ion?"

Ion – "I'm fine. Thanks Luke."

Mieu – "I'm fine too master."

Luke – "I know you are Mieu. It's gonna take more than just a single sword swing from Van to take you down."

Luke drew his sword, ready to face Van.

Van – "Not a smart choice."

Luke – "Won't know unless I try."

They crossed swords, but Van knocked Luke's blade away. It didn't fall out of his grip, but Luke nearly didn't have enough time to shield himself from Van's next attack. Thankfully, he was saved at the last second as a cloaked figure landed between him and Van, catching Van's sword with two fingers.

Van – "What?!"

? – "Good grief. I leave you alone for a bit, and you nearly try to get yourself killed. Can't say I blame you though. At least you gave me enough time to get back over here."

Luke stood up and put his sword away, knowing that this was no longer his fight with Van. The cloaked figure then pushed Van's sword away, causing Van to slide back a good distance.

Luke – "Sorry. But I had to try anyway. Besides, you're the only one that can truly beat Van right now."

The cloaked figure pulled down his hood. Van's eyes went wide at the face that was underneath it.

Luke – "Isn't that right, Michael?"