Tseng was a bit surprised when someone rang his doorbell house on Saturday morning, and it turned out to be Lucka that showed up on his intercom screen. He let her in and led her straight to the kitchen. There was a warm and delicious smell roaming inside his house. He was in the middle of cooking breakfast and thought it wasn't a bad idea to have a meal companion while she was here. So he asked her, "Have you had breakfast?"

Lucka shook her head. She casually leaned on the edge of the counter. "No, I haven't. I come straight here after getting ready. And I don't have time to do the grocery."

Tseng frowned. He eyed her features. "I'll make matcha. Your stomach must be awful." Tseng pointed his head to one of the stools. "Please wait there," he said.

Lucka didn't move in second. She stared at him with doubt. "How do you know?"

Tseng glanced sideways at her while pouring the matcha powder with warm water. Indeed, she hadn't awakened yet when he got there. "General Sephiroth wanted to check on you. I went to my room, then he informed me you're drunk."

Lucka's face softened as a realization came to her. "Ah… I see. It's thoughtless of me to cause the inconvenience, Tseng."

"It's alright. It's my responsibility to take care of my subordinate," Tseng said, placing a cup of steaming hot matcha on the counter. Then he prepared two bowls of miso soup, grilled fish, and rice on the dining table. "Let's Eat. You'll get better."

Lucka nodded and brought her matcha to the table. She gave him a small smile while taking a seat across from him. "Thank you." Lucka sipped the tea and watched him for a moment.

"Happy to help." Tseng brought a spoonful of miso soup to his mouth, and when he didn't see Lucka start eating, he asked, "Is the food not to your liking?"

Lucka shook her head. Her eyes somehow became warmer. "No, it's not. You just reminded me of my cousin. He'd give me matcha whenever I got drunk and wakame miso soup for breakfast. Even seeing you in casual clothes like this just makes me realize how you resemble him so much,"—she pointed to his black pajamas— "he also has long black hair and dark brown eyes," she said, "I just missed him."

Tseng nodded. He remembered the first time they met. Was it because he resembled her cousin so much that she'd bowed at him? She had mentioned her deceased parents. It seemed they must be very close to each other. Though Tseng couldn't relate to the feelings because he didn't live with relatives. "Do you want to visit him anytime soon?"

Luka's eyes delighted. "Yes, this weekend perhaps, because I can't go back during weekdays, right? There's not enough time."

Tseng raised his eyebrows. He asked, "What do you mean by not enough time?"

"Well, the time is warped, Tseng. It's shorter there and longer here. The last time I spent two days here, I've only gone for forty-eight minutes in my timeline."

Tseng stared at her with a knowing look. "I see. Then you can only meet him briefly."

Lucka nodded. The sparks in her eyes earlier were gradually fading. "Yes," she said, "Itadakimasu." She added before eating her food, "I want to make a report about last night's lesson on my magic reserve."

"Sure. The General already informed me," he said, "you nearly burned down his rooftop, but he hasn't given me the details yet. How did you do that?"

Lucka stared at him uncomfortably. She drew a deep breath. "Genesis lent me his mastered fire Materia. I don't know how it could happen, but somehow it triggered something within me. The General said I wield magic."

Tseng went silent with a pensive look. Did she mean that she was a natural wielder? "But, you said magic no longer exists in your world."

"True, that's why it's really troubling me. When I go back to Earth, I'll ask someone about this. I hope she has the answer," she said with a lower voice, her shoulder limp.

He nodded, then thought about her words and said, "Did you get drunk because of it?"

Lucka looked caught off guard. Perhaps she didn't expect he'd be that sharp seeing into things that happened to her. "Partly, yes."

"Why did the General want to check on you? Did something bad happen?" Tseng asked in a nearly interrogating tone, although he didn't intend to press on her. But since the General called him last night, he couldn't shake off the thought from his mind.

Lucka tilted her head as though she tried to rummage into her memory. "Yes, but I can't clearly remember the conversation. He said I was gone."

"You were gone?" Tseng raised one of his eyebrows, becoming more confused by her answer.

Lucka nodded, and her face became thoughtful. "Maybe it was the alcohol. Because we share some connection between us. It seems something happened with the bound."

Tseng studied her a second longer. If it was the reason, then no wonder it'd bothered the General so much. He said calmly, "You should be more cautious next time."

Lucka nodded. "Yes, sir."

After eating together, She helped him with the dishes and dismissed herself from his house.

Lucka was unconsciously pacing in her bedroom while waiting for the opposite line to connect. She was excited and nervous at the same time. She was excited because soon she'd go to Earth (with the presumption the General would allow her). But, she was nervous because the idea of talking with the General on the phone was somehow intimidating. She'd only listen to his flat tone without knowing what was in his mind. Although when they'd spoken in person, he was hard to read. Nonetheless, at least she had the anticipation of how to respond. But since she couldn't see his face now, she'd guessed that she'd be at a total loss.

"Good morning, General Sephiroth." She greeted him when the line connected.

["Good morning, are you sober yet?"]

She listened to his husky voice that sounded deeper through the phone. It was kinda sexy. Lucka frowned at her distracted mind. No. it wasn't the right time to think about something trivial like this. "Yeah, I hope you can forgive me for my nuisance, General," she said timidly.

["That's fine,"] he said.

She went on. "I was wondering if I can ask you to unsummon me. I need to meet someone that may know about my magic. You can summon me again on Sunday night if you wouldn't mind."

["All right. What time do you want me to unsummon you?"] he asked.

"In five minutes from now, I guess," she replied, glancing up to the wall clock.

["Sure thing."]

A long ticking sound from the clockwise accompanied her as she counted her breath until five. Lucka grabbed the hem of her t-shirt, her thumb tucked down the fabric cotton slowly. Something was still bothering her from a few hours ago. So she started. "General?"

He hummed in reply. Lucka tentatively said, "About last night."

["What about last night?"] he asked.

"Did I… did I do something inappropriate?" she asked while her restless toes were twisting in turns.

There was a second long pause before he replied. By that, Lucka's heart throbbed faster.

["Hm, Kinda."]

Shit. Lucka's heart fell to her stomach, and a flush spread on her pale cheeks. She didn't know what he was thinking, but she was glad he couldn't see her embarrassment. "I'm taking full responsibility for my actions. I promise it will never happen again." Her hand on the hem curled and uncurled into a loose fit.

["You should have tried harder last night if you want to ask for an apology."] he said with a lower voice. That was something intense that made her goosebump prick.

Lucka's mouth gaped slightly. She was heard right. There was also no mistake by the hint of amusement in his tone. Did he just tease her? "I—I… uh, still, I—I was in the wrong." She stumbled at her words.

["Apology accepted."] he said if only his tone grew more amused.

"Thank you, goodbye." She hurriedly hung up the phone and released a heavy breath.

Okay, one done. Now I should get ready to go back.

Ryuu was lounging against one of the crumbling pillars outside the altar. A whorl of smoke came out from his mouth as the sweet minty scent mixed with the chilly-night cold air around him. He'd waited for her for one hour and half-past ten minutes there. He skimmed around the hundred times, and to his delight, he finally found something white fluttering on the dark pathway. He must have thought it was a ghost from the white hair flying everywhere between the blackness encircling it, but he knew better it wasn't.

Ryuu put out his cigarette, jumped to his feet, and ran to get her. "Lucka! You're back!" There was relief and joy in his tone.

"Ryuu!" She crushed his toned body, circling her hands around him eagerly. "Zeus! I've been going through something even crazier!" She peered up at him. Her eyes were flooded with emotion.

"What happened? You aren't hurt, are you?" He stepped back to give her an allover look. She seemed physically healthy, but somehow he knew something didn't sit right, but he didn't know what it was.

"Later. I need to meet Euriale." She released him and marched towards the temple.

Ryuu joined her. "I've talked to her. She said the Hesperides have the answer."

Lucka slowed her pace as her head snapped to him. "What answer? I also got the answer from Aerith. She told me the planet wants me to save the son," she said, "and I thought it must be Sephiroth."

Ryuu rooted his feet to the ground, grabbing her arms and making her halt. "Aerith? You met Aerith?" he asked, "Sephiroth?! What does the planet want to do to save him? And why must it be you?!"

Lucka frowned and shook her head. She released his hand and walked away. "We don't know. It was the only thing I could get," she said as they climbed up the stairs, "do you think… Does Hesperides know it?"

Ryuu raised his eyebrows in realization. "It ought to be because Euriale has said it."

She tugged a handful of her locks backward, then kicked out a piece of stone from the crumbling pillar nearby. She said, "But, we never know where they are. And Euriale never tells us."

He studied her action and nodded. "True, she's so fussy about giving her knowledge."

"That tight-ass bitch." The vehemence in her tone was so distinct, as she seethed in a thick, lower voice, her face crumpled into disdain.

Ryuu glared at her, his dark bushy eyebrow furrowed in disapproval. He said, "Watch your mouth. We're not here for her wrath."

Lucka waved her hand rashly. She browsed around when they finally reached the altar. "Euriale! Hey, come out!" she called out.

Ryuu facepalmed as he winced at her attitude. Their relationship agitated him so much.

Lucka called her out again. They waited for a moment longer, but there was only the ghost-quite reply to them. She called again, almost screaming. Then, finally, the dreadful cold air welcomed him for the second time that night.

"My, my. Why are you always this noisy, sweetie?" said a voice, followed by a really-flying-deity towards them. Ryuu's eyes almost bug out. He didn't like her way of showing up.

"You! You actually know something, right? Where I was gone, and why. Tell me now everything you know!" Lucka recklessly pointed her index finger at her face as she keenly said her accusations.

Euriale's face didn't betray anything. She only smiled and said calmly, "What have you brought for me?"

Lucka glared in disbelief. Her voice only raised higher than before. "You stingy evil cun—!"

Ryuu shut her mouth before she uttered any provoking words to infuriate Euriale. "What do you want? We can bring you a lamb or goat later."

Euriale tilted her head. "No. I want a special breed of cute baby Chocobo, the golden Chicobo," she said with both corners of her lips curled up into amusement.

Ryuu exchanged a glance with Lucka, then he released her.

"See, you know something," said Lucka with a softer tone, shifting between her right and left toe as if she tried restraining herself.

Euriale shut her eyes and opened them slowly. She was still smiling. That was an answer, then she said, "One sacrifice for one answer. If you agree, what do you want to know?"

Lucka's body went stiff. She took a long breath and went silent to think of her question, perhaps choosing one from a thousand mysteries in her head. "Magic," she said, "I can do magic. Why?"

Ryuu swiveled his head to her. The action was too fast until his sight blurred out. Then, he stared briefly at Euriale. He swallowed. It was not a question he'd have expected. "You can't, Lasya," he said. There was ice in his eyes as he said in a firm tone between his tightened jaw.

Lucka frowned at his tone and his way of addressing her nickname. She looked torn, whether biting back at him or dropping the matter. And in the end, she decided to stare back at Euriale and said, "Yes, I can."

Euriale lips twitched, the merest sign of excitement flashing in her eyes.

Ryuu didn't like her expression, his heart beating insanely loud. A cold sweat ran down his temple.

"Show me," she said softly.

Lucka nodded and raised her hands. She concentrated on pulling out something from her fingertip. Ryuu could feel it. A wave of an animated stream emerged from her body. Then there was a small flame raised from her hands. Ryuu turned pale. His breath nearly stopped. He was so stunned. No… the seal is broken. How? Did she converge with something? "How… Can you do that?..." Ryuu asked as his voice gradually disappeared.

"I used Genesis's fire Materia, and something was… awakened inside me. I don't know how, but that's it," said Lucka with glimmering eyes. She didn't even notice his poor facial expression because she was busy watching the fire dancing on her palm.

Ryuu turned his head to observe the deity. She seemed fascinated and almost looked proud. Ryuu didn't like how this turned out.

"The time has already come, then," Euriale said, squaring her shoulders as she declared with a confident tone.

Ryuu and Lucka shot her a confused look. He was mentally freaked out right now. It appeared the deity knew the thing he hadn't known yet. He eyed her carefully. She stared back at him when he said, "What do you mean by that?"

Euriale only smiled and raised her hands. She opened her palm, then something appeared out of nowhere with a rapid swift air forming into serpent-looked jewelry. The surface gleamed with a yellowish sheen, a pale golden bracelet neatly arranged from a snake scale-shaped. Ryuu and Lucka eyed the thing closely. He didn't understand much about embellishment, but just by looking at it, Ryuu knew it was a special thing. He was also aware of the strange power that came from the item. It was something he'd never felt.

"This is Ladon's Heirloom. He entrusted me with this to give it to his last descendant. Because he knew himself, one by one of his offspring eventually would die, like him," she said with a beautiful flowy voice, which made her almost sing. She continued, "Once her magic power has been restored, it must be the time. But if you want to know the restoration's purpose, I can't answer it. It's Hesperides' responsibility." She finished and handed the bracelet to the girl.

Lucka's eyes fixed on Euriale as she absently received the bracelet. It took her another second to recover from the shock. Ryuu was likewise.

After Lucka successfully found her grounding, she asked, "What is this… for?"

"Ladon said it will help you finish the responsibilities you have to bear," she said, unblinking.

Lucka's eyes widened. She almost lost her voice when she said, "... Saving… the son?"

"Certainly," the deity nodded and continued, "It will keep you on Gaia as long as you have to do the task. And, your existence won't depend on that silver-haired man again."

Lucka brushed her thumb along the scaled bracelet as she breathed in astonishment. "I see… This means a lot to me. You're a legend," she said and then remained silent. He bet there must be a hundred thoughts crossed her mind now.

Ryuu eyed her with concern, then looked at Euriale as he absorbed the new information at once. Something from their earlier conversation struck his mind. He asked, "The Hesperides. How to find them? You never told us."

"That's," she said, "they're a nymph. You'll find them once her magic power is completed."

"What do you mean by completed?" Suddenly Lucka flung her head in her direction with a frown. A clear, confused expression coated her face.

"That's another question, darling." Euriale blinked with an amused, cocky smile.

"Why are you always like this?! Why don't you give us the whole picture?" She snapped. "Goddammit, you're my aunt!" Her momentary placid sentiment cracked into despair. She bit down her lower lips in vexation. Her eyes glistened with anger and frustration, while her voice sounded like she was hurt and upset by how Euriale treated her.

"Every knowledge has a price," she said with a big smile, "will you be able to provide me with higher compensation?"

Lucka's eyes withered, and her face became sullen in an instant. Her shoulder fell, and she shook her head slowly.

"Until then, bring me your sacrifice when you come back," she said almost merrily. Somehow it felt so misplaced and superficial from the opposite resolution that affected both of them. Then, she vanished along with the night cold breeze, leaving them alone dumbfounded.

Ryuu exchanged another look with Lucka. He squeezed her upper arm softly. He said, "Let's go home."

Sadness Is a Blessing - Lykke li.

Lucka was leaning sluggishly in the front passenger seat. Her head was falling back on the pad while her eyes stared blankly at the night road ahead. It was another overwhelming feeling. Her vision became fuzzy. As if every air intake was her last connection to the world. Everything whirling, there was no escape from the dark tunnel inside her head. What was it again? Her senses were numb. It was a different numbness from substance intoxication. This undoubtedly came up inside her. It started dancing under the lullaby song of emptiness, making her nerve weak and weary.

Lucka's mind overloaded. Everything made her tired. Not physically but emotionally, all was draining her again. Then she sensed something wet on her cheeks. She was sad. The sadness of not feeling anything. Did she stop functioning?

The turmoil inside her was so bizarre. The torment shattered her heart. Like the ruins of the sky fell on her, seizing her to no end of claustrophobic helplessness…

"Lucka," said a voice cut through her foggy mind.

Ryuu's hand brushed her head. Lucka turned to him as he said, "All will be alright. This, too, shall pass."

This, too, shall pass. Lucka repeated the mantra.

"I'm with you, okay? You're not alone." he glimpsed at her from his seat and held her hand tightly.

He's with me. I'm not alone.

"Yes," she said, drawing a deep breath as the warmth of his hand seeped into her skin. She brushed his knuckle with her thumb, then released it to touch his smooth long hair, trailing down through his cotton shirt, to feel every texture on her fingertips.

Lucka closed her eyes to hear the sound of her breath, the soft music on the radio, and the roaring machine of the car juggling between them. She rested her head on his shoulder. She drew another breath to smell his Oud, woody perfume with notes of tobacco and sweet rum—with a hint of minty smoke on his cloth. She buried her nose to smell his hair, which calms her nerves like a bed of fresh flower garden. Then last, she dove into the taste of drying tears on her lips.

Lucka patted her cheek after grasping her ground and glanced at her cousin. She didn't have plenty of time. She should think clearly and do her job right. "I'll go back to Gaia soon. In the meantime, Ryuu, can you do me a favor? Please search for any information about my magic and Hesperides. I can't solely believe what Euriale has said, and I don't know when my magic will be completed."

Ryuu was quiet for some moment. Then he let out a sigh and said, "Sure. But you should promise me. You should be careful because I can't help you if you get into trouble. And please, don't act recklessly, okay?" Ryuu took a deep breath as he continued, "You should go back to rest if you can't stand it anymore."

Lucka nodded. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder as she whispered, "I promise."