Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of the Abyss.

Cheagle Woods

Luke and Tear arrived in Cheagle Woods and the moment they entered the woods, they were surprised to see three wolves surrounding a person who was on his knees panting and that person was someone they recognize as Fon Master Ion.

"Hey, it's the Fon Master," Luke said

"He's in trouble," Tear said.

Ion was still panting and then he raised his hand in the air and a light formed from his raised hand and then he slammed his hand on the ground creating a huge glyph and a pillar of light sprung upward and obliterating the three surrounding wolves. Afterwards Ion got up on his feet trying to walk but collapses. Luke and Tear rushed to Ion's side.

"Hey, are you okay?" Luke asked.

"I'm fine," Ion answered panting a little, "I think I used too much Daathic fonic artes," Ion got up on his feet and he recognized the two people when he saw them, "oh, you're the people from Engeve yesterday."

"I'm Luke," Luke introduced himself.

Ion smiled when he looked at Luke, "Luke…that means light of the sacred flame in Ancient Ispanian. That's a nice name."

Luke grinned, "Thanks for the compliment."

"I'm Locrian Sergeant Tear Grants," Tear introduced herself, "First Platoon, Oracle Knights Intelligence Division under the command of Grand Maestro Mohs."

Luke was surprised, "Wait, Grants?"

Ion looked at Tear and smiled, "Oh, you're Van's sister. I've heard of you, this is the first time we've met."

"Wait a minute," Luke spoke, "you're Master Van's sister? What the hell? You're his sister and yet you're trying to kill him?"

"Kill him?" Ion asked surprised.

"It's um…" Tear looked away.

"I do remember Master Van mentioning that he had a younger sister," Luke said, "I was always wondering what she looked like and lo and behold, I've finally meet her, only I didn't think it would be like this."

"What's going on?" Ion asked.

"Say Fon Master, maybe you can get her to answer," Luke said looking at Ion.

"Huh?" Ion looked at Luke a bit confused.

"I've been trying to get her to talk in why she's trying to kill Master Van but she refuses to say anything. Maybe she'll listen to you because you're the Fon Master."

"Hmm," Ion thought about it and then looked at Tear, "Well, will you please tell me why?"

"Well, I…it's just…" Tear spoke with a nervous tone.

A Cheagle suddenly appeared, "Mieu, mieu, mieu, mieu…mieu."

Luke, Tear, and Ion were surprised and then looked to see the Cheagle.

"Oh, a Cheagle," Luke said pointing at the creature.

"There's one," Ion said.

Luke ran to get to it and the Cheagle ran as fast as it could. Luke stopped and looked around. Ion and looked at Tear and had a curious expression.

"Would you prefer that that I don't inquire about you and Van?" Ion asked.

"I'm sorry," Tear said with a nod, "it's something that has to do with my homeland. I prefer not to involve you or Luke for this matter."

"I see…very well."

Luke went to Tear and Ion and crossed his arms.

"The little creature got away," Luke said disappointed.

"They tend to live in tree trunks and I'm certain they're deeper in the woods," Ion said.

"Oh, that's right. Okay, we should go there," Luke then looked at Ion suspiciously, "first thing though, Fon Master Ion."

"Yes?"

"I have a few questions for you but the one I want to ask right now is why are you here?"

"Well, to tell the truth, I got concerned with what the Cheagles were doing. Cheagles are considered sacred, they are peaceful and intelligent. It's not like them to steal food."

"I see, so that's your reason," Luke thought for a bit and then he nodded, "I agree with you and it seems you and I have the same idea as well."

Ion was surprised, "You came to check on the Cheagles as well?"

"I also find it unnatural for Cheagles to steal food. I want to know exactly why they're doing what they're doing and I hope we can do something about it," Luke smiled, "so in that regard, you should come with us. We both have the same goal, right?"

"Really, you don't mind?" Ion asked feeling happy.

"How can you think of taking Fon Master Ion somewhere so dangerous?" Tear asked admonishing Luke.

"Then what do you want to do Tear? Take him back to Engeve? He's just come wandering back here on his own since he seem so determined of wanting to see what's going on with the Cheagles," Luke pointed out.

"I'm sorry, I just have to know," Ion said with remorse, "Cheagles are the sacred beasts of our Order after all."

"See and besides I think I understand the Fon Master."

"You do?" Tear asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yep," Luke grinned, "he's the kind of person that doesn't ignore a problem that's happening right in front of him, right?"

"Yes, that's true," Ion said with a smile.

"I completely understand," Luke pointed at himself with grin, "I'm the same way and with you, I'm guessing that you feel that since you're the supreme leader of the Order of Lorelei, you feel that it's your responsibility regarding anything and everything related to the Order and that include the activities of the Cheagles."

"Yes, that's right," Ion said with a nod and smile.

"And besides Tear," Luke looked at Tear and then back to Ion, "we can't just leave someone whose face is so pale and could collapse. I wouldn't feel right doing so as by the way he's acting, he'll just come right back here and insist of trying to do something, just like I am."

Tear twitched an eyebrow surprised with what Luke was saying and Ion felt happy with Luke's words.

"Oh, thank you so much," Ion said feeling grateful, "you're such a nice person Luke."

Luke was taken back and he felt a bit embarrassed, "Uh, y-you don't need to thank me. I'm simply saying what I felt like," Luke cleared his throat, "anyway let's go."

"Okay," Ion replied happily.

"Oh and I request that you don't use that arte that you used earlier. You nearly passed out. We'll take care of the fighting so just get behind me and Tear."

Ion was surprised again, "You're going to protect me?" Ion felt even more happy, "Sir Luke, I'm so moved!"

Luke felt a bit embarrassed again, "T-There's no need for that. I'm just doing what I want to do, that's all and it's just Luke okay."

"Okay Luke."

"I do want to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Can I just call you Ion?"

Tear was surprised, "Luke, what are you saying?"

"Sure," Ion answered immediately with a smile, "in fact, I would be happy if you did."

"Great," Luke said happily, "let's go Ion."

"Sure thing Luke," Ion responded as walked with Luke and both boys went ahead.

Tear was in shocked with what happened, "I saw all that, right?"

"Tear, let's go," Ion called.

"Yeah, hurry up," Luke said.

"Oh uh, right," Tear replied as she went to catch up with Luke and Ion and try to take in what she saw.

Luke, Ion, and Tear continued to walk through the woods and then they saw the same Cheagle they spotted earlier.

"Mieu, mieu mieu mieu, mieu!" The Cheagle spoke surprised.

"There you are," Luke said.

"It looks like it's still a child," Ion said.

"Seems so."

Tear blushed looking at the creature and found it adorable.

"It's so cute," Tear said in her head.

Tear was slowly approaching it and the Cheagle ran away making Tear a bit sad.

"Huh, it ran away," Luke said.

"It is a wild animal after all," Ion pointed.

"If we keep going, we'll eventually get to the Cheagles' nesting ground," Tear said.

"I do hope we find the proof that they stole food from Engeve," Ion said.

"Those little guys probably left proof all over where they are," Luke said.

"Let's keep going," Ion said.

Luke nodded in agreement and they continued onward. There were monsters in their path and Luke and Tear were fighting and defeating the monster while Ion stood behind as exactly as Luke and Tear instructed. They continued to move forward with Luke keeping his broadsword in hand and Tear keeping in her hands her staff and her small knives. The three of them arrived at the nesting grounds of the Cheagles and were heading to the base of a giant tree trunk and then they noticed three things on the ground and they were apples. Luke and Tear put away their weapons while Ion picked up one of the apples and examined it.

"These apples have the mark of Engeve on them," Ion said.

"So, the Cheagles really did do it, but why?" Luke said.

There were noises inside the tree and Tear looked forward.

"I think I hear something inside that tree," Tear said.

"Cheagles live inside tree trunks," Ion said and then he walked off to go inside the giant tree trunk.

"Fon Master, that's too dangerous!" Tear said with worry as she ran after Ion.

"Huh, hey you two, wait up, I'm coming too!" Luke said as he ran after Ion and Tear.

The three of them were inside the giant tree trunk and they were Cheagles blocking their way to go in further.

"Please let me though," Ion pleaded.

The Cheagles were refusing and insisted on blocking their way.

"We have to do something," Luke said.

"The Order's founder, Yulia Jue, made a pact with the Cheagles and gained their aid…or so I've been told," Ion said.

"Mieu mieu. Mieu, mieu," A Cheagle spoke that looked very old and was holding a big ring.

The other Cheagles scattered away from Luke, Tear, and Ion.

"Are you related to Yulia Jue?" The old Cheagle asked.

Luke, Tear, and Ion were surprised.

"Whoa, that Cheagle can speak human language," Luke said.

"It is the power of the ring, the Sorcerer's Ring that we were granted as part of our pact with Yulia," The old Cheagle explained, "are you related to Yulia?"

Luke, Tear, and Ion stepped forward a bit and stopped.

"Yes, I am Ion, Fon Master of the Order of Lorelei," Ion said, "Am I correct to assume that you're the Cheagle Elder?"

"Indeed I am."

"Elder, you Cheagles have been stealing food from the people of Engeve, right?" Luke said.

"I see now, you've come to exterminate us."

Luke was taken back," Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, that's not our intention…but we do want to hear your reason for it."

"Cheagles are herbivores," Ion said, "Why the need to steal human food?"

"To preserve our Cheagle tribe," The Cheagle Elder said.

"Preserve?" Luke asked confused, "What do you mean?"

"It doesn't look like you're lacking food," Tear said, "there's plenty of vegetation in this forest."

"One of our members caused a fire in the northern region," The Cheagle Elder explained, "as a result, the Ligers that lived there moved down to this forest…in order to prey on us."

"Then the reason you stole the food was so your people wouldn't be eaten," Ion said.

"I see," Luke said, "so that's what been going on. The fire in the north that the people from Engeve say that saw, that was the Ligers' home and this whole ordeal began."

"Correct," The Cheagle Elder said, "if they aren't sent food periodically, we Cheagles are captured and eaten."

"That's horrible," Ion said upset.

"It is horrible," Luke commented, "especially as the result of the action of one and the Ligers are retaliating."

"Even so, this is hardly a normal food chain."

"Luke, we've confirmed that the thieves are the Cheagles," Tear said, "What do you want to do?"

Luke clenched his teeth, "I know one thing for sure and that is taking them to Engeve is out of the question. If we do that, the Ligers could very well wreak havoc in Engeve in search of food and if that happens, it will take a major toll on not for not only Malkuth but the entire world that depend on Engeve's goods," Luke thought for a bit, "can we…hmm…"

"Luke?" Tear asked.

Ion had a determined expression and nodded, "How about this? Let's go negotiate with the Ligers?"

"With the Ligers?" Luke asked surprised, "Ion, are you serious? That's too much of a risk considering that Ligers eat humans as well. Besides, how are we going to negotiate with them?"

"Well, we can't do it directly obviously but if we take one of the Cheagles with us, they could talk to them directly."

"Oh, I see," Luke nodded, "that can work," Luke looked at the ring that the Cheagle Elder was holding, "we'll need to burrow that ring for the Cheagle to use."

The Cheagle Elder stepped forward.

"Then I will have one our members to accompany you on this," The Cheagle Elder said, "Mieu. Mieu, mieu mieu mieuu."

Suddenly, a light blue Cheagle hopped up and appeared in front of Tear, Ion, and Luke.

"Huh?" Luke uttered.

"This is child is the one that burned the Ligers' home, I would like you to take him with you."

"Seriously?" Luke asked, "This guy here was the one that burned the Ligers' home?"

"That's correct."

The Cheagle Elder attempted to place the ring over the light blue Cheagle but both of them fumbled and they picked themselves up as the Elder signaled the light blue Cheagle to pick up the ring. The light blue Cheagle placed the ring around its waist and looked at the three humans that were staring at him.

"Okay, what's your name?" Luke asked the light blue Cheagle.

"Hi, I'm Mieu, pleased to meet you," The light blue Cheagle answered with a smile.

Tear couldn't help but blush for the way Mieu responded.

"So cute," Tear said happily in a quiet tone.

Luke sighed, "Is it really going to all right to have this one come with us for negotiations. I mean, he's the one that burned the Ligers' home, right?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Mieu said with remorse.

"Stop that, don't apologize to us, you haven't done anything to us," Luke responded, "save your apologies for the Ligers."

Everything was set and Luke, Tear, Ion, and the Cheagle accompanying them named Mieu left the giant tree trunk. As they were getting to ready to see the Ligers, Mieu stopped in front of the three.

"Everyone, watch this," Mieu said suddenly.

"Huh, what is it?" Luke asked.

Mieu turned to the side and spit out fire and it surprised the three and they were amazed.

"Wow, he spit out fire," Luke said.

"Neat, huh?" Mieu said happily.

"What was that?" Tear asked.

"I can breathe fire so I'm useful for more than just interpreting. I'm going to work extra hard to make for all the trouble I've caused for my friends."

"That's right," Ion said as he realized, "I've forgotten that they're a fire-breathing species."

"That's right, but mine is special."

"Special?" Tear asked.

"What makes yours special Mieu?" Luke asked.

"I'm still a child so normally I actually can't breathe fire," Mieu explained, "but…"

"But?" Luke and Ion asked simultaneously.

"The Sorcerer's Ring!" Mieu said with excitement, "Thanks to that, I can breathe fire and no matter how much fire I breathe out, I never get tired."

Mieu demonstrated again by breathing fire three consecutive times.

"Oh I see," Luke said, "so the Sorcerer's Ring does more than just translate…that's really interesting."

"It was originally made to amplify fonic artes. It's a type of capacity core," Ion said.

"But a flame of that size isn't going to be much useful in battle," Tear said.

"Mieuuuuu…" Mieu said feeling a bit sad.

"Are you serious Tear?" Luke asked, "You sound very cruel. Mieu is coming with us as a translator, not a weapon and he's a Cheagle that's considered sacred in the very Order that you're a part of or maybe you're the type of soldier that only looks for anything that can only be of use in battles?"

"That's not what I meant," Tear replied taken back at Luke's words.

"Whatever, I just know that you just hurt the little guy's feelings."

Tear was shocked and looked upset.

Luke then looked at Mieu, "Say Mieu."

"Yes?" Mieu responded.

"It's neat that you can breathe fire and all but how about you refrain from doing so," Luke looked at Ion and then back to Mieu, "unless I give the word."

"Mieu?" Mieu responded confused.

"In other words, when I tell you to, shoot fire, okay?"

Mieu flapped his ears with happiness, "Yes sir."

"Let's go," Luke said.

"Right," Ion said.

Luke, Tear, Ion, and Mieu walked and headed to where the Ligers were and they passed by Cheagles who were upset with Mieu for what he had caused and Luke suddenly and went by to comfort the little Cheagle. Ion smiled at the gesture that Luke was doing and Tear blushed seeing Luke being real friendly with Mieu and thought it was cute. They continued onward to the woods with Luke and Tear fighting monsters along the way. They soon arrived to a river.

"The liger's lair is up ahead, right?" Tear asked.

"Yes, we cross the river and keep going," Mieu responded.

"But how are we going to do that when there's no bridge?" Luke asked.

"We'll just have to wade through the river," Ion suggested.

"I guess but wouldn't it be tough on you Ion? Maybe I should carry you on my back."

"Oh, that's okay Luke, I don't want to trouble you Luke."

"It's no trouble for me," Luke said and then he noticed something on the other side of the river and it was a tree root that looked rotten and had an idea.

"Mieu, breathe fire on that tree root," Luke said.

"Mieu?" Mieu responded confused.

Luke picked up Mieu and pointed the tree root, "That root over there, one fire please."

"Mieu, mieu, mieuuuuu!" Mieu said happily and breathed fire on the tree root.

The root burned and the long tree bark fell forming a bridge over the river.

"All right," Luke said with a smile, "this is much easier."

"I see, the tree roots were rotten," Ion said, "excellent thinking Luke."

"Well, I just came up with it, it's Mieu that deserves the credit since he did the work," Luke looked at Mieu with a smile, "thank you Mieu."

"Mieu, you're welcome," Mieu said happily.

"Indeed, thank you Mieu," Tear said with a smile, "Fon Master, shall we be on our way?"

"Right, let's go," Ion said.

"Mmhm," Luke said with a nod.

They continued down the path in the woods.

Fabre Manor, Baticul

At the gate of the Fabre Manor, the two White Knights that were acting as the guards at the gate were talking to a female Oracle Knight who wore dark attire with a wing-like addition to her right shoulder and was pale skinned with had short dark violet hair. She also wore brown gloves and wore an eye patch over her left eye and carried her sheathed katana on her right side.

"I see, so that what happened," The female Oracle Knight said, "What are they doing in regards in looking for Luke?"

"Dorian General Grants and the servant here, Guy Cecil have split to look for Master Luke in Malkuth," One of the White Knights said, "they are certain that Master Luke is in Malkuth territory."

"And you say that a young woman caused the commotion."

"Correct, it seems that she was attempting to assassinate Dorian General Grants."

"I see," The Oracle Knight said as she crossed her arms, "well then perhaps I should see what I can do as well."

"It's unfortunate of the situation that is happening Major Cantabile," The second White Knight said, "after Master Luke was looking forward receiving lessons from you."

"It can't be helped," Cantabile said, "I do hope Luke is okay."

"Yes, we're all very worried about Master Luke."

"It's has to be especially heart aching for Duchess Fabre and Princess Natalia," The second guard said.

After the talk was done, Cantabile walked away from the gate and was worried.

"It seems that Tear made her move and accidently dragged Luke in her mess," Cantabile said, "I hope Tear tells her reason why she's trying to kill her own brother," Cantabile said, "but knowing her, I doubt she would do that and Luke's not one who tolerates someone who just starts trouble, especially with people around him," Cantabile looks at the castle, "Luke has no idea of Van's true nature and if Tear foolishly decides not to tell him what he needs to know, then it falls on me to tell Luke the truth," Cantabile nodded, "after all, I see it as my obligation to Luke as one of his teachers and Luke does have every right to know. It's not appropriate for Tear to be stubborn on something very serious, Luke needs to know and quickly and I can't let Van, the God-Generals, and even Mohs catch on of what I'm doing."

Cantabile left and decided to go somewhere and do what she could do at the moment.

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Confronting the Liger Queen and an unexpected help from Jade Curtiss and Luke becomes determined to do what they set out to do.