Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Bleach and Tales of the Abyss.
Disturbing Truth
Luke and Senna were walking together on a path and they were talking happily with each other. Luke felt grateful to Senna for what she had done and he smiled. Luke thought about his life from before in Auldrant and he wondered what everyone was doing at the moment. Luke still felt sadness over what happened and he figured since the way he acted, he concluded that his former traveling companions were actually glad that he was gone.
"I really was a pain," Luke said in his head, "still though now that I think about it…"
"Luke, Luke!" Senna called.
"Huh?" Luke responded and looked at Senna.
Senna was staring at Luke with a concerned expression.
"Luke, are you okay?" Senna asked.
"Oh uh, yeah, yeah I'm fine," Luke answered rubbing the back of his head.
"Are you sure?" Senna replied, "If something is bugging you, you can always talk to me."
"I know," Luke said, "and I appreciate it. In fact, Senna…"
"Yes Luke?" Senna responded.
"I want you know how grateful I am to you," Luke said, "I was lost and felt alone when I came here and I sincerely believed that it was what I deserved," Luke smiled, "but you came and helped me out and even showed me around so thank you Senna," Luke nodded still smiling, "thank you for being my friend."
"Oh it's no big deal Luke," Senna assured with a smile, "I just did what I wanted to do, that all so really don't worry about it. Anyway Luke, let's go. I'll show you where I'm staying."
"Okay," Luke said with a nod.
Luke and Senna continued on their path and Luke looked up in sky and wondered how were going right now in Auldrant.
Auldrant
Within Ortion Caverns, Asch along with Jade, Natalia, and Anise had finish inspecting the fomicry facility within and had seen the two Cheagles that was a replica and its original. Asch decided to drop them off so that he could do the rest on his own. On their way out, they confronted a huge monster called Ancylopolyp with three Polyps. It was a tough battle but they were able to defeat their foes. The huge blue monster's fonons dissipated and it died.
"What the heck was that?" Anise asked disgusted, "It was huge! Disgusting!"
"Fomicry research involves a number of chemicals that are harmful to living creatures," Jade stated, "that may have been what caused this."
"Asch…" Natalia spoke in a soft tone, "Thank you…for protected me…"
"…Let's get moving," Asch simply suggested.
Asch did not want to get in anymore about the gratitude Natalia was giving him and the Kimlascan princess was a little disappointed by Asch response, or to say, lack of. The four kept moving to get out of the cavern. Later on, they were spotted by Ion who had to stay behind on the Tartarus and the young leader of the Order of Lorelei decided to greet them as they were at the entrance.
"So you're ba—" Ion spoke.
Ion was interrupted by an earthquake and it caught him and the others by surprise.
"An earthquake!" Anise blurted.
Natalia lost her balance and would have fallen but Asch caught her and kept her from falling. Afterwards the earthquake had ended. Natalia blushed when she was still embraced by Asch.
"Uh…um…thank you…" Natalia spoke.
Asch let her go and Natalia stood.
"…I remember the last time I caught you like that," Asch commented.
Natalia was happy to hear that, "Yes! I wanted to sneak out of the castle, so I jumped from a window…"
Asch walked away and looked outside, "That earthquake may have been Southern Rugnica falling."
"What? Why?" Anise asked in shock.
"Because Luke destroyed the Sephiroth Tree supporting Southern Rugnica," Asch explained still bitter about his dead replica, "it was barely hanging on by the Sephiroth from other areas. It's about time it fell."
"What effects will that have on other regions?" Jade asked.
"Did you forget that we'd been having the Fon Master open the doors to the Sephiroth?"
"Even with the doors opened, the passage rings are protected with Yulian seals," Ion pointed out," No one can use them."
"Van can!" Asch replied.
"In other words, Van is able to control the Sephiroth," Jade spoke not liking where it could lead, "then…is his objective is the further destruction of the Outer Lands?"
"That's what I heard," The young God-General replied, "from what I hear the next to fall will be the area around St. Binah."
"St. Binah?" Natalia asked.
"Really?" Anise spoke worried, "This is bad, this is really bad."
Asch looked out and was cursing in his head two people, one of them he had killed and was no longer among the living who stole his life in his opinion.
"If only that damn dreck wasn't so stupid!" Asch complained in his head.
Meanwhile in Yulia City, Guy was walking around in the city and he was starting to hate the atmosphere of it. He figured now was time that he went on his own way. He needed to figure out how to get out of Yulia City. He decided to ask Tear since he figured that she would be the best person to ask at the moment. As Guy head for Tear's residence, he saw and heard two people talking.
"That can't be right," A man said.
"I'm telling you from what I saw in the report," A woman said, "Southern Rugnica may actually sink and the city that will fall is St. Binah."
"That's not going to happen," The man said shaking his head, "it's not written in the Score that St. Binah will fall. Sure the battle between Kimlasca and Malkuth will take place around the area but it won't affect St. Binah, much less sink in the Qliphoth."
"…Yeah, I guess you're right," The woman said, "It's not in the Score that St. Binah will fall. Guess I got worried over nothing."
"Exactly, now let's go," The man said, "We should get something to eat."
"Yeah sure," The woman said, "I am feeling famished."
As the two left, Guy overheard their conversation and was horrified as well as disgusted. He clenched his teeth and decided to go see Tear immediately. Later on, Guy arrived and came inside Tear's room and looked around. He saw Mieu on Tear's desk looking at something that looked like a journal. Guy took a closer look and saw that was Luke's journal, the journal Luke wrote in so that he would remember but it served to remind him of what he heard about him and that his best friend was dead. Mieu looked up and saw Guy with sad eyes.
"Mieu…" Guy said sadly.
Mieu didn't say anything and looked back at the journal sadly.
"You really miss him," Guy said.
"Mieuuuu…I couldn't help Master…"
"I couldn't do anything for him either," Guy said with regret and then he had anger toward the person who killed him, "Asch is going pay Mieu, mark my words, Asch is going to pay and Van…"
Guy balled his fist in anger thinking about the man who he considered his close friend.
"Guy…" Mieu spoke.
Guy calmed down, "Mieu, do you know where Tear is?"
Mieu pointed to the next room, "She's in there."
Guy nodded, "Okay, thanks."
Guy went to the next room and there was a field of selenias. It amazed him as he looked around and there he saw Tear standing in the middle of the field. Tear turned and saw Guy.
"Oh Guy…I didn't know you were still here," Tear said, "I thought you left with the others."
Guy shook his head, "I'm not exactly willing to go with people who are willing to work with Asch."
Tear nodded at that statement, "Yes, I understand."
"I didn't know you had a flower field here," Guy said.
"They're selenias, they're the only flowers that grow in the Qliphoth," Tear said, "they bloom at night. The Outer Lands cover the sky so not much lights comes here," Tear turned to face Guy, "anyway Guy, you look like you wanted to tell me something."
"Yeah, I want to get back to the Outer Lands," Guy said with a nod.
"Okay, I can show you the way," Tear said, "You will need to use the Yulia Road to go through Aramis Springs."
Guy nodded, "Okay, also have you heard anything recently about the Outer Lands?"
Tear shook her head, "No, did you hear something?"
"I heard that there may be a risk that St. Binah may fall," Guy said.
Tear was surprised, "Are you sure?"
"That what I heard," Guy replied, "although they say that it's not written in the Score that it won't fall but the war between Kimlasca and Malkuth will occur. I'm worried though, I overheard people saying there have been reports that the land may start to sink."
Tear thought about it for a moment, "If St. Binah is really going to fall then we need to do something about it."
"Yeah, but how?" Guy asked.
"Let's talk to the mayor, my grandfather," Tear suggested, "he may have an idea."
"Well…all right…" Guy said.
Tear walked past Guy and stopped.
"Tear?" Guy spoke concerned.
"I'm sorry Guy," Tear said with sadness, "about what happened to Luke. Even if he did cause the destruction of Akzeriuth, he still shouldn't have been killed. I'm sorry that I didn't stop it in time. I know that Luke was your close friend…"
Guy choked up a bit and looked down angry.
"It wasn't right," Guy said, "It wasn't right what Asch did."
Tear nodded, "You're right, I agree. We should go…"
"…Yeah, I guess…" Guy spoke.
Tear and Guy left with Mieu and went to see Teodoro Grants. Guy, Tear, and Mieu left Tear's residence and were headed to the council room to meet with Teodoro when they were approached by Layla.
"Tear, I was looking for you," Layla said, "about the Third Fonic Hymn…"
"Layla," Tear responded, "so the Third Fonic Hymn's has been discovered?"
"The Third Fonic Hymn," Guy said.
"Is it one of the hymns you use Tear? Mieu asked.
"Well Mieu, the fonic hymns I use are Yulia's hymns. There are seven altogether," Tear explained.
"Mieuu, so it's the third of the seven. But you always use two, right?" Mieu asked looking up the young Oracle Knight.
"I don't understand the other symbolism of the others," Tear responded.
"Yulia's hymns are useless with only the melody," Layla explained, "if you don't understand the meaning and wisdom in the hymns, they're just songs," Layla remembered something, "Oh, that's right…the symbol of the Third Hymn…there was a hidden page in a book Van left behind. It might be written there. When you have a chance, stop by my place and take a look."
Tear nodded and Layla left.
"Wow, the fonic hymns sound real hard," Mieu said astonished.
"Yeah, they really are," Guy added.
"Yes, the symbols are very difficult," Tear spoke, "I know all but the Third and Fifth. But so far, I only understand the First and Second."
"So if you don't know and understand the symbols, they're just ordinary songs," Guy said.
"Actually, all seven of Yulia's hymns sung consecutively form another fonic hymn," Tear explained, "It's called the Grand Fonic Hymn and it works even if you understand its symbolism. The hymn itself is the symbol of the covenant."
"That's right, the whole covenant with Lorelei, the Grand Fonic Hymn," Guy replied, "what power does that have?"
"It's said that the Grand Fonic Hymn and the Key of Lorelei together can summon Lorelei," Tear answered.
"That sounds amazing!" Mieu responded impressed of what he just heard.
"Yeah, it really is," Guy added impressed as well.
"Yes, but the Key of Lorelei has been lost and I don't know the Seventh Hymn. So it may not mean much in the end," Tear replied in a sad tone.
"Cheer up Tear," Guy replied with warm smile, "even without knowing the Seventh Hymn and even if you can't perform the Grand Fonic Hymn, your first two hymns have been really helpful. Especially the fact that your second hymn saved us."
"Yeah," The little Cheagle said, "it always brings comfort when you sing Tear."
Tear blushed at the compliments, "Guy, Mieu, th-thank you."
Later on, Tear, Guy, and Mieu arrived and saw Teodoro sitting in his chair.
"Oh Tear," Teodoro spoke, "are you feeling all right? You seemed very upset with what happened with the Luke replica."
"The Luke replica you say?" Guy said upset.
Teodoro looked and saw Guy and was a bit surprised.
"Oh? I thought all people that came from the Outer Lands went back already," Teodoro said.
"Grandfather!" Tear spoke upset.
Teodoro looked at Tear and saw in her expression that she didn't appreciate the way he worded things.
"Oh…I'm sorry," Teodoro said, "I didn't mean any offence."
"Whatever…" Guy said.
"…Anyway, what can I do for you both?" Teodoro asked.
"First, there's something I want to say," Guy said.
"Guy?" Tear spoke.
"Yes? What is it?" Teodoro asked.
"Look, what happened to Luke wasn't right, even if he did destroy Akzeriuth," Guy pointed out, "I know what happened was terrible but that doesn't mean that it was intentional. I know that Luke may have been…hard to deal with sometimes but he really was a good person and I know he never meant for Akzeriuth to be destroyed."
"Guy…" Tear said with sympathy.
"Yes, I agree too," Mieu said, "it's not fair that Master was killed."
"Hmm, I see," Teodoro responded, "well, I suppose it can be hard losing a friend but there's no need to feel sad about Akzeriuth actually," Teodoro said.
Tear, Guy, and Mieu were surprised at Teodoro's statement.
"Grandfather, what do you mean?" Tear asked.
"The fall of Akzeriuth was written in Yulia's Score," Teodoro answered, "It occurred because it was meant to."
Hearing what the Yulia City mayor said shocked the trio.
"Grandfather, how could that be?" Tear said upset upon hearing those words, "I've never heard that. That makes it the same as Hod."
"Like Hod?" Guy asked in his head looking at Tear.
"It's part of the Closed Score," Teodoro explained, "Only those of maestro rank and higher are privy of that knowledge."
"If you knew about what was going to happen, why didn't you prevent it?" Guy asked angrily at the Yulia City mayor.
Teodoro raised an eyebrow as he was surprised to hear such words.
"Guy, I'm surprised that someone from the Outer Lands would say such a thing," Teodoro responded, "a calm and orderly life in accordance with the Score is the way of the Order of Lorelei."
"But even so…" Guy spoke.
"Why are people read the Score on their birthday each year?" Teodoro continued, "To learn of the next year and accept the possibilities it holds."
"But why didn't warn people about the destruction that was going to happen in Akzeriuth?" Tear asked with anger in her voice.
"Yeah, if you had, people wouldn't have died," Guy added.
"That's the problem, when faced with a Score of death, people are not calm and can't live well peacefully," Teodoro answered.
"Well of course," Guy responded, "I mean really, no one wants to really die."
"That's unacceptable," Teodoro rebuked Guy's statement, "Yulia's Score promised prosperity for all of Auldrant. If we stray from the path, we will lose that prosperity. We are the watchers that have guided the way for the Score. In fact, the Order of Lorelei is a tool for that purpose."
"Is that why Grand Maestro Mohs held Fon Master Ion in Daath and was looking to start a war?" Tear asked in disbelief.
"Did Van knew through the Score and guided Luke to the passage rings in Akzeriuth?" Guy asked.
"That is correct," Teodoro answered.
"You once told me that neither Kimlasca nor Malkuth listened to you when you warned them about the destruction that would happen on Hod," Tear said, "Was that a lie?"
Teodoro looked to his adopted granddaughter with sympathy.
"I'm sorry Tear," Teodoro said, "you were young, I didn't want you know the truth but Van knows the truth."
Tear was surprised again and it dawned on her about her brother's intentions.
"Then my brother is planning revenge against the world!" Tear said, "He said that a world that is shackled by the Score is better off destroyed."
"Tear, you are mistaking in thinking that Van is trying to destroy the world," Teodoro rebuked, "it is true that there was a time that Van hated the Score after what happened to Hod, but now he's doing an admirable job as a Watcher."
Guy was irate by those words, "Admirable? Letting the people in Akzeriuth die was admirable? Was letting the people in Hod die admirable as well? What the hell? I suppose you're also going to say that letting Luke be killed was admirable as well. You're insane! There is something wrong with all of you!"
"Not at all," Teodoro said shaking his head calmly and thinking there was no reason for Guy to be so upset and insulting, "at the end of the Sixth Fonstone, Yulia's Score reads thus: 'The land of Rugnica will be enveloped in war and Malkuth shall lose territory. Kimlasca-Lanvaldear shall thrive and this shall lead to unprecedented prosperity.' We have watched all this time in order to bring that unprecedented prosperity to the Outer Lands."
"But Grandfather, Van is trying to make St. Binah fall!" Tear pointed out.
"The battle will take place around it," Teodoro replied, "St. Binah will not fall. It is not written in the Score."
Just then a young man came in the room.
"Mayor Teodoro, it's time for the meeting," The young man said.
"I'll be right there," Teodoro replied as he got up and then looked back at Tear and Guy, "if you two are that worried, take the Yulia Road to the Outer Lands. See for yourselves that your concerns are groundless."
Teodoro leaves the room with the young man.
"I don't believe this, how the hell can he be so callous about it?" Guy said upset.
Tear only sighed as what she heard was upsetting, "We're not going to get anything here."
Guy calmed down, "You're right, I say we go back to the Outer Lands and deal with this ourselves."
Tear agreed, "Okay but first, let's get back to my room, I need to get something."
"Well…okay," Guy replied.
"I hope it will be all right," Mieu said worried.
"I can understand why you feel that way Mieu," Tear said.
Mieu, Guy, and Tear left but before they went back to Tear's residence, they went to Layla's place and went in Layla's place.
"I've been waiting for you," Layla said.
"What's the book Van left behind?" Tear asked.
Layla nodded, "It's just an ordinary book of fonic artes, but there was a hidden page at the end. Here's a copy."
Layla handed the copy to Tear and Tear looked it over.
"I don't know what it means, but I thought you might have an idea," Layla added.
Tear had a surprised expression," This is…!" Tear paused and started chanted, "Va, le, zwe, tue …Mother…Understanding…Spreading through the land of Rugnica…Magnificent…angel's voice…"
"Mieu? What's happening?" Mieu asked surprised.
"W-What's going on here?" Guy asked surprised.
"Quiet," Layla scolded the two in a low tone, "Tear is meditating. It looks like that really was the symbol of the hymn."
Tear had just finished meditation and the chant.
"Now I understand," Tear said, "this is the Third Hymn."
Tear was able to learn the Third Hymn, Holy Song.
"Were you able to figure it out?" Guy asked.
"Yes…" Tear answered.
"Alright!" Mieu said with excitement.
"Congratulations Tear," Layla responded with a smile.
"Thank you," Tear replied with joy, "do you mind if I keep this copy? There's information here about the symbolism in the other hymns as well, though I don't yet know enough to understand them."
Layla nodded, "Be my guest. I'm sure it'll come in useful eventually as you grow stronger."
Tear nodded, "Yes, thank you."
The three left Layla's place and went to Tear's residence. After a bit of time, they made it to Tear's Room and Tear was rummaging for something to get while Mieu stood next to her and Guy stood by a corner.
"Van hated the Score," Tear started, "he was always talking about it here in this room. He would stand where you are Guy and say that he could never forgive a world that let Hod die."
"Yeah," Guy replied.
Tear continued as she looked at Guy, "Hod was the homeland of Van and I that was destroyed sixteen years ago. Hod fell into the Qliphoth just like Akzeriuth. Van and my mother, who was pregnant with me at the time, fell into the Qliphoth. Van probably used a fonic hymn."
"I see," Guy said.
"Something happened before I went to the Outer Lands," Tear explained, "Van returned to this city, something he didn't do very often.
Flashback
Van was standing in the selenia field with Legretta standing behind him.
"Asch seems to suspect something," Legretta said.
"Asch is still a bit…dainty," Van replied, "he'll cause trouble if he learns that the people of the Outer Lands will be annihilated."
"Shall we have Sync keep tabs on him?" Legretta asked.
"Yes," Van replied.
Flashback End
"I thought my brother was planning something terrible. At least, that many people were going to die," Tear continued, "I couldn't allow that to happen, even if Hod had been left to die because of the Score. I swore I'd stop him, even if it meant killing both of us."
"Tear," Guy responded shocked that the younger sister of Van would be willing to that far just stop her brother.
"But it looks like I failed," Tear said feeling ashamed, "I couldn't prevent the destruction of Akzeriuth and now Luke is dead, killed right in front of my eyes."
"But Tear," Mieu responded, "I thought that you believed that it was all Master's fault."
Tear looked at Mieu sadly, "Mieu, did you…think that I would have taken pleasure of Luke being killed?"
Mieu had a downcast look, "Well, it seemed like others did…so…"
Tear shook her head, "As much as I resent the fact that Luke wasn't willing to accept fault for his actions, I can't place all the blame on him, I took an assignment for the Outer Lands to stop my brother. Also it doesn't justify what Asch did."
"It never justified what Asch did, Asch must have known what was going to happen," Guy said and got angry, "and yet he…"
"Guy…" Tear said sadly.
Guy was feeling angry and hurt.
"Luke was my best friend," Guy said, "he was someone that helped me see through something that I never would have thought of. I don't care that Luke was a replica, I don't care if Asch is the original Luke fon Fabre, and I don't care of the circumstances that victimized him, Asch had no right to take Luke's life and I will never forgive him for killing Luke and for making Luke feel less than a person."
"Me too, me too, I hate Asch for killing Master!" Mieu said with passion.
Tear looked at Guy and Mieu and wasn't sure what to say.
Guy had his thought, "I'm sorry Luke, I couldn't save your life…one way or the other Luke, I will avenge your death…looks like I will go through my original goal for revenge…Asch, I will make you suffer…so will Duke Fabre. The Order of Lorelei will pay as well. This cannot continue to be allowed. Van…I won't let you get away with this as well."
Tear saw the expression on Guy's face and was worried and a bit scared for him.
The Tartarus
Ion was looking out in front in the deck of the Tartarus. Ion couldn't help but think about what happened to Luke and it still upset him. He considered Luke as his friend and it broke his heart that he lost a friend. He couldn't comprehend why Asch believed he was right in killing Luke and he also couldn't comprehend why he got the sense that Jade and Natalia were okay with it and why his own guardian Anise completely condoned what Asch did. He thought about what happened to Akzeriuth. He didn't think it was right that all the blame should be placed on Luke. After all, he was the one who opened the door when Van requested to and he believe that some of the blame should go to him as well and he knows that Van orchestrated the whole thing but yet it was Luke that got all the blame. The Fon Master of the Order of Lorelei found it to be very shameful. Soon Anise and Natalia came up and stood by Ion.
"Ion…" Anise spoke.
Ion looked to see Anise and Natalia, "Oh, Anise and Natalia…"
"Ion, we need to talk," Natalia said.
"Hmm, about what?" Ion asked.
"Um well, Ion, you've been…well, not been yourself as of late," Anise said.
Ion looked back out of the sea, "What do you mean?"
"Well, Ion, you've been acting cold, especially towards Asch," Natalia said.
Ion didn't say anything.
"Ion, why are you acting this way?" Anise asked.
"You want to know why?" Ion asked.
"…You're still angry with Asch for…killing Luke, aren't you?" Natalia deduced.
"…Yes, I am," Ion answered with a frown, "What Asch did was wrong."
Natalia was saddened by this and Anise was unable to understand.
"But why Ion?" Anise asked, "Who cares about that idiot, he killed a lot of people. He deserved what he got."
"Anise…" Natalia spoke.
Anise turned to Natalia, "You agree, right Natalia? He acted like he knew everything when he really didn't have a clue and then he tried to say that it wasn't his fault, trying to say that we didn't know anything either like we were also at fault as well," Anise folded her arms, He was so stupid."
"I know Luke acted poorly but still…" Natalia said with sadness, "I can't help but to feel terrible about what happened to him."
"Natalia, why are you feeling sorry for him?" Anise asked, "He didn't even care about you and you were close to him. Besides, it wasn't like he was the Luke you remembered, Asch is."
"That doesn't mean that it was right to just kill him," Ion pointed.
Anise looked at Ion, "Ion…I don't get you at all."
"…No, of course you don't Anise," Ion said, "just like you seem to don't get that what we all did was shameful yet you say that I'm not responsible for what had happened? I didn't bother to think when I opened the doors and now that I think about it and knowing what's going on, I should have realized that they would not have bothered at all to even get me to open the doors to the Sephiroth if they didn't have some way to do something for their benefit."
"Ion…" Anise was surprised at Ion's response.
"Fon Master…" Natalia spoke.
"Could you two please leave me be? I want to be alone," Ion said.
"But Ion—" Anise tried to argue.
"Ionian Sergeant Anise Tatlin, don't make me repeat myself," Ion said strongly, "I wish for you and Princess Natalia to leave me alone."
Anise was shocked the way Ion referred to her and Natalia felt bad and put her hand on Anise's shoulder.
"Anise, I think we should let him be for a while," Natalia said.
Anise looked at Natalia and back to Ion and felt sad, "Fine…"
Natalia and Anise left Ion alone and unbeknownst to them, Asch saw the whole thing and wasn't happy with what he saw and heard and had a scowl on his face.
"I should have known," Asch said in a low tone, "he's just like those two and that annoying Cheagle.
Asch felt irritated and clenched his teeth in anger and left for the bridge. Jade was also listening in what Ion had said.
"A shameful bunch, are we?" Jade spoke, "So that's how you see it Ion."
Aramis Springs
Tear, Guy, and Mieu had just used the Yulia Road to get back to the Outer Lands and they arrived in Aramis Springs. They decided to head out and to do what they can to prevent St. Binah from falling. They traveled through the caverns of Aramis Springs fighting and defeating monsters that got in their way. Tear, Mieu, and Guy were thinking about Luke and things that would have been if he was still alive. They felt that now they needed to concentrate on the task at hand.
"I bet it was real tough to Luke to learn the truth," Guy said, "and to think, the last thing Luke hears before he dies is that he was a replica. I bet Luke had a hard time through all of it."
"Well perhaps, but still, it can't be denied that Luke did cause the deaths of thousands of people in Akzeriuth and not willing to listen to anyone other than my brother," Tear stated.
"Part of that is my fault," Guy pointed out.
"But Guy, you had nothing to with that," Mieu said, "I'm sure Master would say the same thing."
Guy shook his head, "It's partly my fault that Luke went from a blank slate to a selfish spoiled kid."
"Guy, what do you mean?" Tear asked confused.
"Well, when Luke couldn't walk or really to say, didn't know how, I was the one who looked after him," Guy explained, "I didn't put much effort to prevent him growing up to be selfish and spoiled. I really learned my lesson," Guy had a sad expression, "It's too bad I learned that lesson too late."
Tear thought about what Guy had said and that lead her to think about her own action. They kept going through the caverns and they also decided that after things were settled, they would properly take time to mourn Luke's passing. After a while, they finally managed to exit out of Aramis Springs. As they walked down the hill, they were surprised to see a someone run up to them and it was the Malkuthian colonel Jade.
"J-Jade?" Guy spoke in surprise.
"Oh good, I was afraid I might have missed you," Jade said with relief.
"Colonel, what are you doing here?" Tear asked surprised to see Jade.
"I have a favor to ask Guy," Jade answered, "since he didn't come with us on the Tartarus, I came looking for him."
"For my help? Guy asked, "What do you mean?"
Jade's face went grim as he answered, "Mohs has captured Ion and Natalia."
"What?" Guy blurted surprised.
"They've been captured?" Tear asked surprised.
"Oh no!" Mieu spoke in surprise.
"Yes and at any rate, if we don't rescue them soon, there's going to be trouble," Jade explained, "There aren't any Malkuth forces nearby, so I thought I'd ask for your help Guy."
"What do mean by trouble?" Guy asked.
"With the disappearance of Akzeriuth, Kimlasca has begun making preparations for war. They probably intend to use Natalia and Luke's death as justification."
"That's right," Tear said, "the people of the Outer Lands don't know why Akzeriuth disappeared."
Jade nodded, "Yes, Ion was wary of this and returned to the Order to issue a decree. He was captured upon his arrival."
"I see," Guy said with his fears coming true.
"Guy, can I count on your cooperation?" Jade asked.
Guy looked at Jade with a serious expression.
Jade continued, "I know that you're upset about Luke's death. I just want to be sure that I can count on your assistance. If we don't do what we can to stop this, we really will have a war on our hands."
"…I'm assuming that you're asking me this because Asch is going to help," Guy said.
"Actually Asch left us before we reached Daath," Jade said, "he said that he had other things he needed to do but did leave the Tartarus to us."
"One last thing Jade…" Guy spoke.
"Guy…" Tear spoke.
"Do you believe that…Luke deserved to die?" Guy asked.
Jade simply looked at Guy, "Whether or not I believe Luke deserved to die is not for me to judge," Jade pushed up his glasses, "I'm not sure what you want me to say or what you actually expect me to say. Of course, I did not expect things to go the way they did."
"Tch, I should have known…" Guy said annoyed.
"Jade," Mieu said upset.
"In this case, I don't think it would do to talk about someone who's dead," Jade said, "might not be really appropriate considering what has happened not to mention the situation that is now brewing. So are you willing to help or not Guy?" Jade then looked at Tear, "Tear, can I also ask for your assistance in rescuing Ion and Natalia?"
Tear nodded, "Yes Colonel, if Ion and Natalia were captured to assure the war will happen, we have to rescue them and prevent it."
Jaded nodded, "Thank you Tear," Jade looked back at Guy, "Guy…?"
Guy thought about it for a moment, "Jade, did you hear anything that St. Binah might be fall?"
Jade was taken back a bit and then he nodded.
"Yes, Asch said that because the Sephiroth of Southern Rugnica was destroyed, the land may fall so yes, St. Binah might fall," Jade said.
"Do you have any plans to prevent it?" Guy asked.
"I don't know if we can but at the very least, we should get the people out of there," Jade said.
"Fine, in that case, I will cooperate with you," Guy said.
"I appreciate it Guy," Jade said.
"However, there is something you should know," Guy pointed out.
"What is it?" Jade asked.
"I will help you rescue Ion and Natalia and I'm willing to help saving the people of St. Binah but afterwards, I'm cutting my ties with all of you," Guy declared.
"Guy, what are saying?" Tear asked shocked at Guy declared.
"I'm saying that I will be going on my own afterwards," Guy explained, "I have no intention in sticking around with any of you afterwards."
"Because of what happened to Luke," Jade deduced.
Guy didn't say anything.
"But Guy…" Tear spoke.
"That's fine," Jade said, "if that's your decision, so be it."
Tear looked at Jade surprised, "Colonel…"
"If this is what Guy chooses, then we can't say or do anything to change his mind," Jade explained, "It's his choice."
"But…" Tear wanted to say further but didn't know what to say in the matter.
"We don't have much time, we need to move," Jade said, "let's get to Daath."
Tear and Guy nodded and Mieu just looked on as they started to leave to go to Daath.
"You're planning to get back at Asch, aren't you?" Jade said in a low tone towards Guy.
Guy didn't say anything and just kept walking. Jade didn't know what say at the moment but figured if what Guy did was his own business and thought that if he pressed further, it would be a distraction in what they were trying to do at the moment and decided to drop the subject.
Tear went to Guy, "Guy, I understand that you're upset but—"
"Tear, don't," Guy interrupted.
Tear was taken back, "Guy..."
"I know what you're going to say but would you do me a favor and just drop it. I'm just not in the mood, okay?" Guy said as he walked ahead of Tear.
Tear was shocked but decided to drop the subject as there was something that need to be taken care of at the moment.
They headed for Daath to rescue Fon Master Ion and the Kimlascan Princess Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. How would things go for them? Would they succeed? Would they stop the war that seemed to be ready to occur between Malkuth and Kimlasca? Would they even figure out what Van was trying to really accomplish? They would soon find the answers of the questions they had but none would know what fates had awaited for them.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Five years later, Luke is still spends his days with Senna in Hokutan but then later on, they both get targeted and attacked by the Hollow called Mad Eater.
