Tales of The Symphonic Abyss: Dawn of The Second Descendent
All content belongs to its original creators.
Chapter 14: Spar Between Former Teacher & Students! Michael Becomes A Servant?
The rest of the party couldn't believe what they were hearing. The one person that they've known for the last 18 years (or shorter due to age), was actually a replica.
Legretta/Velvet/Niko/Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "Yeah. So what."
Michael was very surprised at that answer.
Michael – "You guys aren't mad?"
Sync – "Not at all. Besides, being a replica means that you now have something in common with me, Ion, and Luke."
Luke – "Not only that, but you practically were the best teacher that Niko, Izuku, Katsuki, and I ever had."
Legretta – "And besides…"
Legretta and Velvet each kissed Michael on the cheek, which made him gain a huge blush. He was then hugged by Soul.
Velvet – "…the three of us chose you, didn't we?"
Michael could only smile, thankful that everyone was so understanding of his situation.
Michael – "You're right. All of you. Thank you. And I'm truly sorry for hiding the truth."
Largo – "Just do us all a favor and don't make it a habit."
Michael – "Right."
Arietta – "So what now?"
Izuku – "How about a spar Michael?"
Michael – "Spar?"
Katsuki – "Yeah. Izuku, me, and Luke Vs. you."
Guy – "Are you guys actually serious about this?"
Luke – "We are Guy. Besides, the three of us truly want to see how well we can do against Michael together."
Michael – "If that's what you three want to do, then come at me with everything you've got!"
Izuku/Katsuki/Luke – "Yes Sir!"
Despite the hype for the spar, it wasn't even a contest. Izuku, Katsuki, and Luke knew what they were getting themselves into, but they didn't think that the power gap between them and Michael was THAT large. Then for some strange reason, Michael couldn't wake Luke up.
Michael – "Guy! Something's wrong with Luke here!"
Guy quickly rushed over.
Guy – "What happened?"
Michael – "I don't know! But he isn't responding!"
Tear – "Let's take him to my room then. He can recover there."
Michael and Guy carried an unresponsive Luke to Tear's room and laid him on the bed. After a quick check of Luke's vitals, which showed that nothing was out of the ordinary, they returned to the others.
Natalia – "How is he?"
Tear – "There's nothing wrong with him. It seems like he just passed out."
Michael – "Maybe I somehow used too much force against him during the spar?"
Guy – "I highly doubt that. A few times in the past you hit Luke with way more force during a spar, and yet he still got up from it."
Natalia – "Guy's right. It could be another factor at play here. And Luke may be the only one with all the answers."
Michael – "I know. But still…"
Tear – "Why don't you, Asch, and Lane find a way to talk to Luke? Perhaps you four could find out the answer together."
Velvet – "I'm with Tear. It's the only chance you have right now."
Lane – "Alright then. The three of us will try to find a solution with what happened to Luke, while the rest of you figure out what to do next."
Arietta/Anise – "Right!"
Michael and Lane both got into a meditative position, with Asch quickly joining them so he didn't feel like the odd one out. Meanwhile, the others went to find Teodoro, Tear's grandfather and Yulia City's mayor, to figure out a further plan of action. The trio then went into Luke's subconscious to find him.
Lane – "So what do you think happened to Luke Michael?"
Michael – "A few days before I started training him, I decided to 'open' Luke's Fon slots, however the way I did it was completely different from the normal procedure."
Asch – "How so?"
Michael – "I gave Luke a bit of my energy, but I told him that he had to work on opening his Fon slots on his own."
Lane – "I get it! You wanted Luke to open up his Fon slots, along with the energy you gave him assisting the rest of the way."
Michael – "Hit the nail on the head brother."
Asch – "But how does that connect to our current situation?"
Lane – "Maybe something overloaded Luke mentally?"
Michael – "That's the only thing I can think of as well."
After a good bit of searching, the trio finally found Luke.
Asch – "There he is!"
Lane – "But what is that surrounding him?"
Lane made a good point. What was surrounding Luke seemed like some kind of barrier. Asch went to touch it, but was imminently pushed back.
Lane – "You okay?"
Asch – "I'm fine. Just what kind of barrier is this?"
Michael stared at the barrier, trying to think of a way to free Luke. Suddenly, he heard voices in his head.
?/? – "Use our power…"
Michael clutched his head in pain.
Michael – "Who are you!?"
Suddenly, two blond women appeared in a flash of light. Lane was gonna go over and support his replica/older brother, but Michael held up a hand, telling him to stay by Asch.
Michael – "Like I asked, who are you?"
? – "Apologizes Michael. I'm Artoria. And this is my sister Hilda."
Michael could already tell that these two meant him, Lane, and Asch no harm. That was why he didn't draw his swords.
Michael – "Are you here to help us?"
Hilda – "Yes. Mostly you though."
Michael – "Why me?"
Artoria – "You are the only one that can use this power."
Michael – "Well then. If it means freeing Luke…"
Michael removed the limiter bracelets, anklets, and collar around his neck. Artoria, Hilda, Asch, and Lane were completely stunned as each device made a crater in the ground.
Hilda – "How much do those weight?"
Michael – "5 Tons… each!"
Artoria/Hilda/Asch/Lane – "He can carry that much weight?!"
Michael – "Now then…"
Michael focused his energy on his sword, thus causing it to change shape.
Hilda – "Now he has my sword."
Michael – "Behold my talent, and hear the thunderous applause!"
Michael mysterious pulled out a rose and took a sniff of it while speaking. He then threw the rose into the air, where it exploded in a shower of red sparks.
Michael – "Here is the honor of the Imperium!"
Michael then thrusts his sword into the ground in front of him. This causes the scenery around everyone to change into a giant theater made of gold.
Michael – "Open your doors as a flower opens its petals! Behold the Golden Theater!"
Michael spreads his arms out, causing more rose petals to fall. He then brings his sword above his head.
Michael – "Take this! Flowering Imperium of the Maiden, Laus Saint Claudius!"
The Mana Barrier had started with a combined ten HP bars, and Michael's one-handed swing of Hilda's Noble Phantasm took out three of them in a flash.
Artoria/Hilda – "Just How Strong Is He?!"
Michael's blade changed forms again, this time to Artoria's sword. Michael then held his sword high as it gathered all the energy for a single strike.
Michael – "Ex…calibuuurr!"
The energy from the one-handed sword strike traveled quickly across the ground, hitting the Mana Barrier and taking off another 3 HP bars, leaving it with four left. Michael's sword then returned to its original form.
Hilda – "How can one guy have this much power?! And the fact that he's been wearing those limiters for practically his whole life!"
Michael sheathed his sword and summoned forth a spear.
Artoria – "That's my spear!"
Michael – "Holy Lance, removing restraints!"
The light surrounding Rhongomyniad started getting brighter.
Michael – "Releasing light from the end of the world… That which pierces the sky and connects with the earth! Anchor of the storm! Rhongomyniad!"
Michael thrust the glowing spear at the Mana Barrier, taking a third set of three HP bars and leaving the barrier with just one HP bar remaining.
Artoria – "This boy's unreal! It took most of us servants decades, maybe even centuries, to master our Noble Phantasms, and yet he did three of them at full, unrestrained power on his first try!"
Michael put away the spear and brought back out his sword.
Michael – "Let's go! Soul Queen of Dragons! Embrace the holy light that shall never fade and glowing colors of infinite changing form."
Light purple and silver wings appeared behind Michael, along with nine swords at his sides, as he rose into the air.
Michael – "Show the proof of your everlasting power as you carve your legends into this blade!"
Energy gathered into Michael's sword as he held it above his head. Michael then had all ten swords point in the direction of the Mana Barrier.
Michael – "Dragon Joyeuse Ordre!"
All ten swords fired an energy beam, taking out the final HP bar and completely destroying the Mana Barrier.
Michael – "Luke!"
The male trio and female duo rushed over to Luke.
Lane – "You alright?"
Luke – "I'm fine. Just completely drained."
Michael – "Rest for now. Your body and mind will wake up when they want to in the physical world."
Luke – "Right."
Artoria/Hilda – "Michael…"
Michael slowly walked over to the blonde female duo.
Michael – "Thank you, both of you. I wouldn't have been able to save Luke without your help."
Hilda – "Not a problem. We're both happy to see that he's fine as well."
Michael – "So what are you two gonna do now?"
Artoria – "Most likely be sent back to our mistress."
Michael – "Take care. And please be careful."
Hilda – "We will!"
Artoria – "And Michael…"
Michael – "Yeah?"
Artoria and Hilda each gave Michael a kiss on the cheek before whispering a short phrase in his ear. However, it was one that Michael never thought he'd hear.
Artoria/Hilda – "See you later…little brother."
Michael was straight up floored at what Artoria and Hilda said as they disappeared from view. Asch, Lane, and Luke were wondering what they said to Michael before disappearing.
Asch – "You okay Michael?"
Michael – "Just fine you three."
Lane – "What did they say to you?"
Michael – "Just a quick goodbye. And to pass that on to you three."
Luke – "Guess I'll rest and wait then."
Michael – "Right. See ya till then Luke."
Michael, Lane, and Asch finally opened their eyes, seeing that they were back in Yulia City. Tear and Legretta then led the rest of the party out of the main building.
Lane – "So what's the plan?"
Jade – "A few of us will stay down here and wait for Luke to wake up. While the rest of us will return to the outer Lands and try to find out what Van and Rensho are planning."
Niko's phone suddenly went off.
Niko – "Excuse me a sec."
Niko walked off to take the call.
Michael – "Alright then. I'll stay down here and wait for Luke."
Legretta – "Velvet and I will join you."
Tear – "I'll stay as well."
Izuku – "You can count on me and Kacchan staying as well."
Niko returned from her phone call.
Niko – "I'll stay too. Just have to head back to the manor for something."
Michael – "Was that Chrome then who called?"
Niko – "Yep. Apparently someone was asking for me, along with the fact that they have a surprise for you and me as well."
Michael was surprised at this bit of news. But he figured that it was harmless at best.
Michael – "Alright then. Just be careful."
Niko – "Can do!"
Niko teleported back to the manor.
Michael – "I'm guessing you and Asch are going with them Lane?"
Lane – "For the time being. After that is entirely up to the two of us."
Michael – "Just please be careful."
Asch – "Right."
Michael then walked over to his remaining God-Generals.
Michael – "Largo. You're in charge while Legretta and I are down here. Arietta's your second-in command."
Largo/Arietta – "Right."
Michael, Legretta, Velvet, and Tear watched as the others climbed aboard the Tartarus as the remaining life force in Akzeriuth's Sephiroth Tree raised it back to the Outer Lands.
Velvet – "So what now?"
Michael – "The only thing we can do. Wait."
-In The Outer Lands-
After having the Tartarus pushed back up to the Outer Lands by the remaining energy of Akzeriuth's Sephiroth Tree, the party made their way to Port Belkend. From there the party travels to Belkend itself. It is here where they discover Van's true motive. A world of nothing but Replicas. From there they make their way to Ortion Cavern. However, Guy states his intentions to return to Yulia City for Luke, with Sync offering to join him. Inside Ortion Cavern they find that Van was having Dist collect Replica data for a good long while.
Jade – "By the way Lane. I know that Asch was ten when Luke was "born", but what about you and Michael?"
Lane – "I was only a month old."
Everyone else deadpanned at Lane.
Lane – "What? Mom didn't want to go through labor pains again so soon, so using fomicry was her best bet. Besides, compared to Asch and Luke's relationship, Michael and I see ourselves as a true pair of brothers."
Dist – "Were you both told the truth later on?"
Lane – "Yep. And we still see ourselves as brothers despite the truth."
Asch – "At least it's better than how you and I treat each other."
Luke – "We don't truly have to act that way."
Asch – "What do you mean?"
Luke – "Easy. We just follow their example. Perhaps you and I could be on better speaking terms if we got to know each other a little more."
Asch – "True. Better than trying to bite each other's heads off."
Luke – "I'm with you there."
As the party was leaving the cavern, they suddenly felt the ground underneath them shake.
Anise – "An earthquake?!"
Natalia nearly fell down, but was caught by Asch and Largo.
Natalia – "Thanks."
Lane – "What do you think Asch? Southern Rugnica?"
Asch – "Southern Rugnica."
Largo – "What are you two talking about?"
Lane – "That earthquake may have been Southern Rugnica falling.
Arietta – "What?! Why?!"
Asch – "Because Rensho destroyed the Sephiroth Tree supporting Southern Rugnica. It was barely hanging on by the Sephiroth from other areas. It's about time it fell."
Jade – "What effect will that have on other regions?"
Lane – "You guys know why Van keeps ordering Ion to open the Daathic Seals to the Sephiroth?"
Dist – "Not really."
Ion – "Even with the doors opened, the passage rings are protected with Yulian seals. No one can use them."
Asch – "Van can!"
Jade – "In other words, Van can control the Sephiroth. Then…is his objective the further destruction of the Outer Lands?"
Lane – "That's what it looks like. From what Asch and I heard, the next to fall will be the area around St. Binah. Goodbye for now Luke.'
Asch and Lane had currently closed their channel's connection with Michael and Luke. This also caused Luke to wake up.
Luke – "…I guess the channel's closed."
Mieu – "Master!"
Luke – "Mieu…"
Luke walked over to the window and looked out it, seeing that Tear was in the flower garden.
Luke – "Oh yeah! St. Binah's in danger!"
Once Luke was through the door to the garden, Mieu quickly went to inform Michael and Legretta about the current situation.
Tear – "Luke… You're awake."
Luke – "Are these selenias?"
Tear – "That's right. The only known flower to grow here in the Qliphoth. Along with the fact that they bloom at night due to little sunlight. However, it seems like you're worried about something else…"
Luke – "Oh! Right! I want to go back to the Outer Lands!"
Tear – "Whatever for?"
Luke – "Asch and Lane said that St. Binah's gonna fall!"
Tear – "But…you've been asleep this whole time…"
Luke – "I could hear! He and I, along with Michael and Lane, are connected!"
Tear – "Even if that's true, how do you plan to stop St. Binah from falling?"
Luke – "I don't know for sure, but I want to at least save the citizens from becoming victims in all of this."
Tear – "No doubt that Michael, Izuku, and Katsuki would be proud of you for saying that."
Luke – "But still…"
Tear – "What's wrong?"
Luke – "It won't be enough for me."
Tear – "Why do you say that?"
Luke – "I couldn't do enough to help Michael save Akzeriuth. I'm sure he knows that I can handle myself, but I just don't know if I have that exact same confidence in myself at all."
Tear – "Then find it!"
Luke – 'Huh?"
Tear – "I know how much respect you have for Michael! Then take that respect and use it to find a way to get stronger!"
Luke – "Right!"
Luke then had an idea.
Luke – "…Tear, you carry knives on you, right?"
Tear – "Yes, why?"
Luke – "Let me borrow one for a minute."
Luke took the knife that Tear held out. He then held up his hair.
Tear – "Luke…!"
Luke cut his hair, showing that he was serious about getting stronger.
Luke – "With this, I swear that I WILL get stronger."
Legretta, Velvet, and Michael shared a glance before smiling, happy at the scene between Luke and Tear. They then walked over.
Michael – "Nice to see that you finally found the motivation to get stronger."
Luke – "I'll say. Where are Izuku and Katsuki by the way?"
Legretta – "They said that they'll wait out front for Niko to return."
Tear's expression then turned from kind to serious.
Tear – "Michael. What Luke said about St. Binah…?"
Michael – "It's the truth Tear. I heard Asch and Lane as well."
Velvet – "So what should we do then?"
Tear – "Let's go ask the mayor, my grandfather. He should be in the meeting room."
Luke – "Right."
Michael deadpanned at hearing about asking Teodoro for help.
Legretta – "Something wrong Michael?"
Michael – "It's just that…Teodoro and I might have a bit of bad history with each other."
Luke – "Just how bad could it be?"
Michael – "Try constantly telling him to stop following the Score…a combined ten times…over just the last year alone."
Velvet – "That bad?"
Michael – "You Have No Idea! I'm sorry Tear. I know he's your grandfather, but I seriously want to slug him if I try again with no results."
Tear – "Don't worry. You can sit this one out if you want to."
Michael – "Thank you…"
They reentered Tear's room, to find Niko sitting on the bed as she was petting Mieu.
Luke – "You're back quick Niko."
Niko – "I know. I also brought the surprise with me as well."
Legretta – "What is it then?"
Niko – "Not what. Who."
Velvet – "And by that you mean…"
? – "She means us."
There sitting at the table in the middle of the room were a guy and two women. Legretta and Velvet didn't know who the guy was, along with Michael being the only one to know who the two women were.
Michael – "Well, well. Seems like things have finally come full circle then."
