-James Branch Cabell
The one who was the first to wake up in the morning was surprisingly the newcomer, but it wasn't really in the morning when his mind stirred his body about. Jade was often known as an 'early riser' from the words of his sister, no matter the terrain or temperature, he was a 'monster' who had a set time in his mind to utilize most of his hours. Though if Jade had wanted to, he could have slept a little longer, but he had always found it fascinating to wake up extremely early. After all, waking so early had its advantages. The man first moved up, feeling a light creak to his bones from sleeping on the grassy plains, and cast a glance into the darkness over to the creature that had been slain the night before.
If Jade had any guess to it, it was some sort of mutant that had spawned in from the ocean's surface and had made its way to the fallen fonstone in the area. However Jade was no master at monsters, nor was he that particularly interested in the beast kind. The dark-haired man then spared a bored glance over at the trio who had comfortably made themselves his companions.
They weren't anything spectacular (though the dark-haired girl's 'weapon' semi-interested him), and they were all just very young and obviously wrapped around emotions that Jade would never really comprehend. However, it did vaguely interest him that a noble was out, far away from his own country, and traveling incredibly light. Oh of course Jade knew that it was a noble reigning from the Kimlasca side of the world, after all, who hadn't heard of the highest hierarchy on that side always being born with miraculous red hair. Jade also knew that the teenager was lying about who he was really with the hint of hesitation in his tone when they had introduced each other.
What in the world was a noble doing in a territory that would be considered hostile towards his own person? Jade had to admit inwardly that it actually interested him a little to search for the answer. The boy who called himself Asch moved a little in his sleep uneasily and stood up sleepily but looked a little alarmed for a moment.
"Jade!" The boy looked at him with mild surprise for a moment then peered around his surroundings and held his head for a moment. Amusing.
"Yes?" Jade answered, putting his usual facade as to not alarm the 'youngster'. The redhead looked at the man for a moment, however looking like he had a huge abrupt headache,
"...Nothing." He had seemed to be concentrating on dividing his attention into two separate parts. To what, Jade wasn't exactly sure he cared enough to question.
"My, did you dream about me then? How very strange and forward of someone I have just met."
"Shut-" 'Asch' started but then paused, as though rethinking of what he was saying to the adult. Luke knew that if he said the wrong thing, he would earn Jade's disrespect, and it was hard to get it in the future! The only reason he had got it in the first place was because he knew bits and pieces of the necromancer's past. Keeping it a secret from everyone else was the only reason he had earned any blessing after the whole Akzeriuth incident.
"Hmmm...?" Jade insisted cheerfully, his mind enjoying mocking the noble. Teasing nobles could actually be fun, even when Jade only had Peony to compare, but they were all mere human beings anyway.
"Nothing!" Luke replied quickly, feeling extremely nervous. He had no idea how to deal with a past Jade, a Jade who hadn't met Anise. Maybe Anise had an effect on the dark blonde, but Luke really didn't know. It was a blessing that Jade had came when he did, but just having him in the party any longer could make troubles! "So, are you really finished with your training?" Luke asked, trying to divert attention away from whatever they had been discussing. Luke didn't even know anymore his mind was in a complete jumble.
"One must wonder if one is ever finished with his training or not." Luke rose a faint eyebrow, not at all used to Jade's way of speaking. It was strange, and yet somehow still Jade.
"I guess that's true." Luke replied lightly, finally getting up and stretching lightly. Augh, what was he going to do? How was he going to get off of Malkuth territory? The bridge was at least two days from here from what Luke remembered, and then it would take even longer to get to a port that had a ship to Daath. At least, from Luke's memory...it seemed a little scrambled at the moment when it concerned territory. "I'm going to see if I can get any food materials." Luke turned to the man then back to think of the closest area to get easy food.
"I'll join you." Luke paled, ugh, he was trying to get away! So he could think! But to refuse Jade? Only a madman would be insane enough to do that sort of suicide.
"Ahaha, no, that's okay."
"I insist, you have no weapon and I'd rather not find your mangled body parts in some miscellaneous animal's stomach. Imagine what your friend would say?" Luke felt himself paling again, only Jade.
"Augh...fine..." He wanted to say another argument, that the two needed someone to watch while they were sleeping, but considering that they all hadn't been attacked at night, this area was moderately safe. Luke gave a sigh and threw his arms over his head, taking long steps on purpose, peering around for some type of meat, because eating that octopus thing did not appeal to him. After the two had traveled a certain distance (and finding a good-looking area to forage fruits that grew around) the redhead found himself freezing,
"Would you mind telling me why a noble like you is doing in such unfamiliar terrain?" Luke almost cursed and screamed on the top of his lungs in his mind but just forced himself to calm down.
"W-W-What are you talking about?" Luke tried to lie, but he knew Jade saw through it like so many times in the future. Jade just gave him that creepy smile and opened his dark eyes. Luke liked Jade as a friend, but the man was overwhelmingly creepy sometimes!
"Hmmm...?"
"Don't look at me like that!" Luke tried to move, tried to get away from the master fonist, but he was already trapped.
"Whatever do you mean, 'Asch'?"
"Euuuuugh...you know, don't you?" Luke groaned unhappily and gave the blonde his own dark stare. "How much do you think you know?"
"Enough." The redhead gave a loud sigh and brushed at his knees for a moment then gave Jade a blank stare, opening his mouth to explain,
"My name is Luke fon Fabre," this was stupid, why was he saying this? Luke knew this would have two outcomes, but to lie to Jade was to lie to the angel of death. "I'm on a personal mission of interest, I'm not here to cause any trouble." Luke paused for a moment, thinking more of what information he should indulge to the fonon master, but he couldn't think of any, and he didn't want to tell Jade of the soldiers chasing after him, being turned in was not a pleasant mindset for the future.
"Oh, is that all?" Dammit, Luke knew that tone, though it was very hard to tell the difference, but all in all, he knew that Jade's mind clock was ticking in a complicated manner to store information and bring it up later for different questions. Questions that could be dangerous towards Luke's well being in the future.
"That's all that I think you need to know," Luke answered honestly, mild anxiety creeping into his mind.
"I've never heard of a noble going on such a mission without an escort."
"Guy's my escort." The redhead then blinked and turned, narrowing his eyes momentarily, "Hey, mind energy blasting that deer over there?" Luke whispered, his mind on set for food. Jade rose an eyebrow momentarily, as a back note popped in his mind but he did as the noble requested and the deer feel to the ground from the mass of energy that abruptly blew in her body. Luke immediately ran to it, whistling about having meat to eat in the morning. It had been a long time to actually eat a real meal with meat because he had been eating stew and rice for eat quick meals.
"Luke, however did you know about my Energy Blast?" Jade asked, his oh so pleasant smile still on his face. Luke paused in happy moment and groaned loudly in his head. Son of a! If Luke ever managed to get to Asch, he knew the redhead original would slaughter him for making so many mistakes. Oh sure, be on guard with Anise and Guy, but not Jade! Nooooo, Jade was different. Even if you tried to be on guard with the red-eyed man, he somehow found ways to penetrate your defenses. Unfortunately for Luke, he didn't know that he was just too relaxed after dealing with the comforts of his friends, that even if Luke had placed some sort of defense, it would in no way be stronger then that of a five-year-old's treehouse.
"...I assumed you knew it, you look very powerful after all, that's just one of the basic spells, isn't it?" Luke winged it though, turning back to the dead deer, hoping that it would abruptly revive and run off so that they would have to chase it. No luck and he could feel Jade's narrow gaze down his back.
"Actually it was a spell that I made all on my own." ...Shit. How was Luke supposed to know? True, he had only seen the technique cast by Jade's mighty hand, but he had always assumed that fonon artists all around the world already knew it. "It's very curious on how you would know that sort of thing."
"..." Dammit! This man was so infuriating sometimes! If he wanted something, he should just say it with his mouth and not the sidetracks that usually came from his voice! Why didn't Jade just ask? Damn the man!
"So I wonder, how is it possible, Luke?" Luke very his stomach stumble a bit, that was oddly phrased. Luke had never heard those words before, and now it made him feel like he was in uncomfortable terrain. Luke knew even if he was to tell Jade about the whole coming from the future thing, would the man actually believe him? And if he did, then Luke knew he could trust Jade to shut up about it until it came up in a more suitable situation. Damn it! He was screwed either way!
"Yeah, I wonder too." He could play this game, at least...he hoped he could. Jade was overwhelmingly smarter then him, he knew, but if he played the evasive mouse long enough...Jade eyed him with a strange look (curiosity?) then opened his mouth to speak some more but a voice echoed loudly to their reaches,
"ASCH! JADE! WHERE ARE YOU TWO!?" Guy! Luke could have cried out of happiness. Oh what would he do without Guy? Luke gave Jade one glance and ran off, dragging the still completely skinned animal back to the campsite. Jade stood straight from the encounter through eye contact and simply pushed his glasses up, as he felt, for the first time in a long time, his interest rising.
------------------------------
Van gave a light groan in his mind, as he finished reading the letter that had only came just that morning. The heir was currently on his way to Grand Chokmah (though judging by the letter's date, he probably already made it), and he was disguised in a cloak to hide that outrageous hair of his. So he had wasted his days in Chesedonia and decided now that he should just travel to Daath to report to the Fon Master instead of letting the green-haired man steam about not getting an immediate answer. However as Van made his way to the port he stood still as Dist's chair landed on the ground and out popped from its comfortable surface, Dist.
"Hello Commandant!" Dist's voice sounded mildly cheerful, though Van suspected it had to do with the newly created throne for the white-haired man.
"...Hello Dist." Van almost displeasingly said, but knew that the man wouldn't be here if there wasn't any reason. Dist disliked being away from his own personal studies for too long after all. "What is it you wish to speak to me about?" Van cast a glance over to the crowds that avoided them purposely, staring at the chair with wide-eyes.
"I've just come to take you to Daath, the Fon Master wants to speak to you personally." Van didn't want to deal with this, not right now.
"I'm not riding that." Van pointed to the obvious one chair seating traveling pal and gave the other adult a harsh stern look. Dist gave one right back,
"Fon Master Ion insisted." Van gave a loud sigh in the back of his mind and stared at the new vehicle, he knew he wasn't going to end up comfortable on it. Dist saw that the man gave in and jumped back unto the chair, watching Van stare at it uneasily for a few seconds before carefully jumping up to sit on the top, where he could grip the cushions easily. Not that there was any need to do that, but Dist amused himself from holding back his laughter at the man's uncomfortable seating arraignment. And off they were, Van lurched a little from the sudden lift-off and his mind yelled at him to stop defying the laws of gravity and get off of the forsaken way to travel. Dist was still smiling cheerfully as they started to move across the ocean.
The ocean was as beautiful as always, though Van wished it wasn't his only sight. Dust then started speaking, of which Van really wished he wouldn't, but that didn't stop the man, "That girl, Arietta, has been advancing as a civilized being, though not that much." Why was he talking about Ion's favorite toy? Though talking about someone in Daath reminded Van of the letter he had received from the white-haired man,
"How is Asch?" Dist seem to pause at this but then continued,
"Asch is doing wonderful in his training, better then I've ever seen him do in the past year."
"Dist..." Van gave a growl beneath his tone, not liking how the man was dancing around his question.
"Oh I'm sure the boy is just missing you," Dist quickly replied angrily, not liking the turn the conversation was going to. Van's obsession with Asch's well being annoyed him, even if they needed the boy to be well for the future.
"Asch has never missed me enough to stop eating." Van grunted back, giving the man a glare, who ignored it, looking down at a map to recognize the terrain around them. Van wished momentarily how the mechanics of the crazy chair worked, but he dare not want to hear it from Dist's mouth.
"I'm sure that is all." Dist made the reply, turning the chair a little to continue in a straight line further into the ocean, only stopping to pick at an item bag and absorbing an orange gel. The journey continued, Van not dealing with the saddening thoughts and theories of Asch's new lack of hunger. It took three more hours before they reached their destination and Van knew that it was cut just from traveling in the strange flying chair. "You go ahead and meet your disciple, I'll report to the Fon Master for now." Dist made the comment to the sky-queasy commandant and Van gratefully accepted that deal.
Dist may have been strange, creepy, and way too much of a fontech geek for Van, but it was nice sometimes when the man would actually do the things needed of an adult. Almost cheerfully, Van started moving towards the headquarters and up high into the redhead's room, inwardly hoping that Asch would offer something that wouldn't bring more stress to the dark-haired man's life. However as Van finally made it to the redhead's room, he blinked to see Asch just sitting up in his bed, staring at the ceiling...very...blankly. Huh. That was not an Asch face.
"Asch," Van lightly said though, a smile coming upon his face and the redhead snapped out of his daydream to stare at the man who had entered his room. Van was a little alarmed to see strange thinking motions cross the boy's face, and it was even more odd that the faces all lasted only a second before Asch landed unto a face that Van had been used to.
"Master Van!" Asch jumped off his bed cheerfully but Van heard a strange tone in the boy's voice. Something that sounded like he was holding himself back...back from what though? Asch marched up to the man and forced a smile upon his face, "How was your newest quest?"
"It was good. I'm afraid I might be leaving again though."
"Oh no!" Asch made the reply, looking a little distressed as normal. "I never understand why they give you so many tasks, couldn't they give them to some oracle knights?" Van chuckled, glad that Asch was acting a little more normal now.
"I'm sorry Asch, it just comes with the title." Van chuckled lightly, feeling relaxation drift in the back of his mind. Ah, thank goodness, at least he wouldn't have to stress for at least half-an-hour. Asch gave him another strange strained smile and nodded,
"I guess I understand." He grumbled though, sounding normal. Van gave another chuckle, Asch was just like a kid despite his body.
"Oh, I have been hearing things," Asch flinched momentarily, "about you not eating." Asch wasn't surprised, if anyone was to know about his condition sooner then others, it would have to be Van.
"I haven't been that hungry Master Van."
"Have you had a doctor check you out?"
"No." Asch answered truthfully, knowing better then to lie to the strange madman. Van gave him a once look over and frowned to the boy.
"Then we'll do that while I'm here, I can't have my favorite pupil starving, now can I?" Asch felt his mind groan loudly but he forced himself to agree. Luckily though before they could continue their conversation any further there was a slight knock at his bedroom door and Dist entered in,
"Ion would like to see you commandant, now that you've had time to catch up." Van simply gave a backwards nod and Dist left, soon followed after by Van. Though the man did say the words that after he was finished with the Fon Master they were definitely going to go get him checked out. Feh, not like there was anything really wrong with Asch. It was just that his patience was wearing out, and despite what he had said about a lack of hunger, his body was starting to wear out and feel sick again. Maybe he could sneak out and get a quick dish of that strange chef's weird invention (pizza, wasn't it? Asch couldn't remember) and come back. Asch then found himself settled back to his bed, feeling his anger rise once again.
"Damn it!" He kicked the wall just to side of his bed and gave in to his body's weakness to fall asleep. Avoiding food was not wise, and sleep was the only thing that could get everything off of his mind. It infuriated him that he couldn't do more, because if he dared do anything it would just screw up his escape and just alert the cathedral to be stronger, almost impossible to get through even with Luke.
------------------------------
"'Bout time you got here!" Anise yelled at the two men just coming out of the boat. Anise thumped her shoes on the pads of the ground with a displeased grin. Anise had hit a growth spurt over the year, she was now approximately as tall as Tear, and her hair was longer judging by how long her curls came down further then her shoulders. Anise dressed comfortably in the training robes for a Fon Master and she seemed to be growing up comfortably.
"Hey Anise."
"Hey yourself!" She brashly waved, a smile coming over her lips, and Guy just smiled lightly back. Jade however was busy directing some of the soldiers that had came to place their materials and packing in a certain part of the cathedral, ignoring Anise's wave and dodging as she angrily through a mace in his direction for ignoring her.
"Oh hello Anise."
"Col...Oh wait," Anise got a creepy smile upon her face, "You're a General now, aren't you?" Anise found herself gleefully laughing evilly and Guy found himself sighing. Anise had changed, but she didn't seem too extremely different.
"Hm, that is true."
"Don't take the fun out of my teasing General."
"Very well, Ms. Fon Master." Jade just threw back and Anise just gave him a light growl. She then shook her head,
"Anyway, we're here to talk right? It's best to do that in I...Florian's room." Anise seemed to still have trouble adjusting to whom the room belonged to, strangely. The adults followed after her as she greeted some of the random followers that would talk to her, she had to stop every once in awhile, debating about the charities and where they should go to. Despite not being the complete Fon Master at the moment, she was still good at being a leader in her own way. In a way, Jade was mildly proud of the young woman and Guy thought the same. At least until she shouted, cursing on the top of her lungs at someone who was throwing eggs at one of the fallen fonstones, and set out to do extreme discipline that a Fon Master should have not set out to do.
Knowing the way to Florian's room, Jade and Guy both set off, listening momentarily for the screams that came from the 'blasphemer' as they filtered through the air. Anise had just ended up getting stronger, and though both men would never admit it short of death, it both slightly scared him at the thought of Anise being a leader of a new forming religion.
"Jade! Guy!" Florian greeted them while they entered the cathedral, Florian gave Guy a hug then Jade one happily, though looking up to the man cheerfully, "Did you get my letter, huh?"
"Yes, I did."
"Yay! Did you like it? I'm getting better at writing, aren't I?"
"Yes you are." Florian let go of the dark-haired man and cheered once again happily. Guy almost felt like chuckling and was surprised to see something that actually looked like a real smile on Jade's face. "Well we're heading off to your room now."
"To talk to Anise right? Can I join?"
"If you wish." Florian kept smiling and followed the two adults on their way to the glyphs. Anise caught up before they entered the three-way hallway and gave a loud sigh,
"Trouble in paradise, Anise?"
"More then you'll ever know." Anise gave a light glare to the teasing general then lead the way once again into the office. Once they had finally made it into the room, Anise threw off her pigtails, her hair coming down quickly in curls and Guy rose an eyebrow. "It helps cool me down," Anise lightly said, putting fingers in her hair once to feel how light it seemed for a moment, and then sat down at her desk. She motioned the three others to gather around the desk so that they could talk more comfortably. They all did so.
"So you've been having memory crisis?" Guy asked lightly, quickly wanting to find the reason why they were having these memory issues.
"Yeah, and now I even have more crap that doesn't make sense in my head! Like the other night when I went to bed, my body hurt remembering being crushed by that damn octopus thing!" Anise slammed one hand on the desk and cast a glance over to Jade, "You remember, don't you?"
"Ah yes, that was when we first met, wasn't it?" Anise nodded and Guy blinked in a surprised manner.
"Wait, wait, what?"
"Well...not exactly when we first met, actually, she seemed to be a couple of days later then when we had originally met...or so I believe. I'm not quite sure anymore." Jade admitted and Anise felt her mouth growing slack-jawed.
"Wait! Wait! You remember new things now too, co...general?"
"Faintly, I have not fainted as of yet." Guy jumped at that comment and stared at Jade with surprise.
"Really?" Jade nodded, placing one finger on the edge of his chin to think more about it, as seemingly new memories drifted into his subconscious about meeting Luke for the first time and the boy was hesitant about something. Which Jade knew little then and a lot more now. Interesting.
"Yes, but I haven't remembered much."
"Well you haven't been there that long," Anise admitted, her thoughts flying to the new memories. They had just met Jade last night, and though that moment had been in Anise's mind since she had first met the man, it was different now just because of the introduction of Guy and Luke. In fact she didn't remember getting that hurt when Jade had saved her from that battle all that time ago. Anise then blinked, "Wait, so does that mean Guy...?" Guy nodded,
"Yeah, just the other day I fainted for some reason."
"It's quite probable that the mass of new memories was too much for you to handle at the moment." Jade paused in his explanation as the two gave him 'duh' looks, and sighed. "Think of memories like fonon particles, because in a way, they are," though in a way they weren't, but it was the easiest way to explain it, "and when a body over receives a mass of a new substance, it will do one of two things. Attack or absorb. Chances were your bodies tried to attack the new 'particles' and lost, causing your body to fall into a sleep state to 'reboot' itself in a way." The two with the most new memories blinked at the explanation and they thought of it a little longer.
"I guess that makes sense."
"In some strange way." Guy commented then frowned, "So does that mean you're going to faint soon as well?"
"Oh not at all, now that I know that the new particles will be coming my way, I'll be able to take control and absorb them rather then fight." Guy and Anise both gave him a light glare as the man just smiled a cool smile.
"So wait..." Florian interrupted, blinking at the conversation, "Does that mean Luke's going through the same thing?" Ah. That's right, they wouldn't know unless Anise was given a letter by Tear. Anise hit her head,
"Oh great, now we have to worry about Luke too!"
"Actually," Guy started hesitantly, looking at Jade once (who nodded) before continuing, "Luke has seemed to have...disappeared...even before this happened." Anise stared and she screamed,
"WHAT!?" Jade grimaced, rubbing his ear as Guy held up his hands in an effort to stop the girl from stumbling from her desk to get more answers from the blonde man.
"Yeah, we haven't had time to search for him, but Tear's told us that he's disappeared." Guy replied to the anxious girl. Florian frowned at the thought of the redhead gone and stared as Anise twitched, only to fall back down to her seat, concentrating for a moment.
"Well where do you think he's disappeared too?"
"I think-"
"To the past." Jade interrupted Guy's opinion, looking around the room in slight displeasure as he wished something to sip for the moment. Three heads whipped to look at the older man with huge eyes.
"Say what?"
"The past?"
"Where the hell did you get that idea!?" Anise demanded and Jade just gave a simple sigh. They were expecting so much from an old man, how troublesome.
"It should be obvious if you think about it." But the three just continued giving him confused looks at his comment. "How would Luke in the past know about the future and of us, without being from the future?"
"Well how would he be able to get to the past? Isn't that crazy!? And if he did travel to the past, wouldn't he just end up in his own body from the future rather then his body from the past?"
"Not necessarily, there was law of there not being more then one body entity at the same time. I suppose that it would be rather hard to travel time and create a body that was not even made in the past."
"So if we traveled to the past we would end up in our own bodies?" Jade shrugged,
"I wouldn't know, I've never traveled outside physics." Guy gave him a frustrated stare then held his head,
"But...how is it possible?"
"It most likely has something to do with that huge fonon reading we had not to long ago, I trust that council members warned you of this not to long ago, correct?" Jade directed his question towards the young woman. Anise gave a nod and a wave at the hand,
"But you don't think that has something to do with Luke, do you?"
"I do."
"That's just crazy! I know he has hyperressonance and all, but traveling back in time?"
"Luke had done more impossible things before." Jade just chuckled and Anise slammed her fist on her desk once again, giving the man a nasty glare. Anise then settled herself back on her desk and Guy couldn't help but think that her temper had risen over the year they had been apart from all of each other. Anise then folded her arms, looking determined,
"So all of this is probably happening because Luke might be in the past."
"That is my belief, yes." Jade sighed, not liking the fact he had talked so much. It had been such a long time since when they had all disbanded that he had talked so much. Jade was reminded why he hated talking because of this tiresome conversation.
"Well what are we going to do about it?" Anise asked. Jade leaned in his chair and shrugged, growing bored. Anise growled but then smiled, "You haven't changed a bit."
"You have though." Guy laughed and gave the girl a smile, "But before we discuss any other actions, shouldn't we tell Tear and Natalia about this new theory?" Anise blinked and smiled back to Guy,
"Yeah, we should probably tell them before they have heart attacks worrying about that idiot!"
"Luke is the source of all trouble after all." Guy replied, laughing about it, and the two were shocked to hear Jade join in their laughter. Despite having to speak so much, it was nice to see young minds unravel and speak in a way they thought truly mattered in the whole span of the universe's order. It was nice to be around them, much nicer then filing paper and dealing with Peony's teasing with the names of the rappigs. Ah...so much nicer.
------------------------------
"Okay, we're going to be setting off now." Luke commented, after he and Guy had skinned and prepared a simply meal from the deer that Jade had snared earlier. His companions blinked in confusion and Jade narrowed his gaze.
"Uh, okay." Anise said simply, getting up but then flinched as she grabbed her sides in pain. Guy looked at the girl worriedly then back at Luke who looked just as concerned but then he kept shifting his gaze between the stranger and Anise.
"I don't think it would be wise to move her at the moment." Anise sat back down and growled, forcing herself to forget the pain. It just hurt to breath and move, that was all. No big deal.
"Yeah, Jade's right...Asch." Guy tried to persuade the redhead who kept nervously staring at the other blonde man. Luke finally gave in though, sitting next to Guy and far away from the spellcaster,
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Guy found himself smiling despite himself because of the fact he knew that the old Luke would have just said it wasn't his problem and made them move on. It was nice to know, that this Luke was kind (not to say the other Luke wasn't kind, but he just cared too much for himself). It was a little unbearable on how quiet it was, Luke kept frowning and glancing over to Jade whom just looked like he was meditating somehow.
"There they are!" Everyone looked over to the new voice and jumped as a scout of Grand Chokmah pointed at the group. "! Lieutenant Jade!" The scout saluted the man and Luke groaned, hitting his head. Dammit! Not again! One of the other reasons why Luke wanted to leave! Huh, at least he knew for sure that Jade was definitely already in the military.
"Why hello there." Jade greeted, standing up from his spot and Luke cast a glance over to Guy but then looked back in a worried manner over Anise. He knew if they fled Anise would chase after them and just end up hurting herself even more from running after them. Damn it.
"You captured the noble! That's good work Lieutenant!" Jade cast a fake glance of surprise to Luke and went as far to offend the boy by replying,
"Oh? I hadn't known."
"Oh you wouldn't sir! Luke fon Fabre had escaped his mansion and fled all the way here to Grand Chokmah sir!"
"Did he now? That is actually most impressive." 'QUIT INSULTING ME!' Luke screamed on the top of his lungs in his head, but grit his teeth nervously. How was he going to get out of this one? Luke grunted as many soldiers caught up and all grabbed Guy and himself. Jade told them to be careful of Anise as she tried to fight back but she ended up hurting herself more then the guards. They ended all being dragged back to the palace, though quicker as they didn't have to take the time to hide and avoid monsters. It was around about an hour until sundown when they made it back to the palace.
"Well that was pretty clever of you, I didn't even know that place had a hiding spot." Luke frowned and looked down as Peony laughed cheerfully.
"Not that it must have been that difficult to escape from your grasp." Jade teased and Luke couldn't help but think that Jade had only became more serious because of meeting Anise.
"Sorry your highness, it was just urgent that we finished Anise's quest." Guy bowed his head, forcing himself to sound full of duty. Luke followed after,
"Yes, we're sorry sire." Luke kept his head down, feeling tension build up from the lie. Luke then knew that Jade whispered something to the man and though Luke did not know what the man's initial response was, he felt two hands upon his shoulders hit him cheerfully. Luke looked up and stared up at the man who had patted him on the shoulders.
"Hahaha! You're quite a mystery Luke!" ...Damn it. That was it, he was going to get killed, and if he wasn't killed by Asch's hands he was going to end up committing suicide. This was starting to irritate him and it was just so hard!
"L-L-Luke, sire?" Peony laughed again and Anise gave a loud sigh,
"Give it up Luke. There's just no way we're going to be able to get out of this." Anise grumbled, then grunted in pain. What the hell? Why was it hurting more now?
"You should listen to your friend's advice, it won't hurt to quit." Luke frowned to himself and took a glance at Guy who kept his head down low still. Luke then forced himself up, the jig was definitely up.
"Fine, I give up." Luke held his hands up and frowned again, he knew he wasn't really good at the diplomacy it took to be a good leader, but Luke still knew it was important as the future relations between the two countries grew grim in the back of his mind.
"Good to know, the Kimlasca soldiers told us they'll be here first thing in the morning tomorrow, though this time I won't have to lock you in a room. I invite you and your friends to dinner tonight."
"Thank you sire."
"Now Luke, there's no need for formalities."
"If you say so Peony." Luke then turned around to lift Guy up and back to the emperor, "Could you please get Anise to a doctor?" Peony nodded and sent an escort to send off the arguing Anise. Guy looked alarmed over at Luke who looked slightly depressed and let down. Guy hadn't seen that look since the boy had came back from his kidnapping and the lack of knowing his own mother's face.
"Your Majesty, if you could excuse Luke and I for a few moments, we promise not to escape but we would like a few minutes of rest, as it has been a long and tiring journey." Peony gave a sly smile and nodded, though looking over to guards to obviously signify that he didn't trust the two completely. Guy grabbed Luke and they both wondered around the castle, though Luke ended up leading Guy as he knew the architecture better then Guy somehow. "Are you okay Luke?"
"No." Luke admitted dryly, "It's just I don't know how to get out of this one." Guy frowned at Luke's change of attitude, it was strange as Guy was getting used to the cheerful optimistic Luke. This guy had been changing so much, it was strange to watch the redhead.
"Well it can't be that bad, I'm sure if we explain-"
"Hah! My father will never let me near the sun outside again when we get back. Then I made mom worry, I know I did, and even though all of that, I didn't get close to my goal. I didn't get close to preventing things that will happen in the future." Luke frowned at the thought of a city drowning in the horrible miasma and blasted because of his damned birthright.
"Luke, don't say that, we got close. And I'm sure you're exaggerating about what you're dad will do." Maybe, now that Luke thought about it, he didn't really know if that would be what his father would actually do.
"Yeah, maybe." Luke moved and opened a door, peeking in for a moment to find the library. Ah, a suitable place to talk and relax a bit, even if he didn't really like libraries in the first place. Luke guided the blonde-haired guardian to sit down on a table with two textbooks on it describing the techniques of past fonmachinery. "I dunno, I guess the stress is getting to me."
"Is it really that bad?"
"...Yeah it is, it's like an emptiness that one would never think would exist in your soul...but I think you know about that kind of emptiness Guy." Luke mused, lying down on the table with his arms, a sigh escaping his lips. The man on the other side of the table froze at these words and stared blankly down at the redhead,
"Whaddya mean Luke?" Luke looked up momentarily then back to the table, he may as well tell him.
"I know." Was all that Luke knew he really needed to say. Guy found himself incredibly still and blank at the words, Luke...Luke knew?
"Know what?"
"That you wanted to kill me, that you wanted to get revenge on your family. I also know the moment that is missing in your memory." Guy felt his heart beat hard and his mind grow numb. Luke...Luke knew? Then how was he able to be comfortable around him? How was he able to hide the fact that he knew the most important things to Guy that had killed him every day since he had lived around the Fabre mansion. How did Luke know about that one moment in his entire lifetime that he had forgotten for whatever reason.
"W-W-What?" Guy found himself stuttering, not believing it. I mean, there was no way, right?
"Sorry I didn't tell you earlier." Luke replied, feeling a little lower as it seemed that Guy wasn't taking it well.
"H-How could you know?"
"Because we found out the hard way in the future...together, with everyone." Whoever everyone was, Guy wasn't comfortable with the fact that Luke knew. It scared him, because he had never told anyone about the dramatic moments of his life, and for Luke to just know...
"We did?" Luke nodded, a bitter smile overcoming his face.
"Yeah, we did." Guy stood up in surprise, it hitting him again.
"Y-You knew? And you didn't say anything? You didn't even tell me about that one damn moment!?" Luke frowned and stared at up at the shocked man.
"Yeah I knew, but I thought it'd be best to not think of those things. I also remembered that you would like to find that memory on your own power!" Luke argued back, not liking how this was all suddenly turning on him. Guy bit his lip nervously, would...would that be true? Did he want to remember that from his own power? Well Luke was saying so...and...and he knew inwardly it would be true. But that memory...he wanted it so bad.
"How can you get along with me then? Doesn't it make it awkward to be able to call me your friend, the person who had been planning on your death ever since the day you were born?" Luke gave a real smile, something he'd be glad to answer.
"Because you were the only one who stuck by me. You're my best friend Guy, and even if you wanted to kill me, that was in the past. I once told you that it wouldn't matter if I could remember my past, because I can't go foreword if I remained chained to something I couldn't remember." Luke beamed happily. Guy just found himself staring blankly, he actually almost felt like crying. How could Luke...It was impossible to understand...
"Luke..."
"Hey, what's wrong? You look like you're about to cry!"
"You look the same you idiot!" Guy replied back and found himself laughing, rubbing the edge of his temples for a moment. Oh God, was it possible? It was true that he had felt emptiness in his entire life since his sister and family died, but...he actually felt like someone understood it. It was...it was overwhelming.
"Shut up!" Luke laughed and smiled. Ah, he was feeling a little better now. Thank goodness.
"Ah...so it feels like that, huh?" Guy sighed, sitting back on the chair after finishing with his laughter. "I guess I understand a bit more now, on why you would want to see that guy again." Luke frowned at the reminder but nodded,
"Yeah, that's why. But thanks to you, Anise, and...as much as I hate to admit it, Jade, I feel better and less lonely."
"You knew that creepy guy?" Luke snickered at Guy's comment and the fact he was surprised at Luke's comment. Luke smiled again and nodded,
"Yeah, and he was pretty powerful in the future too. Really strong, he could cast this one spell and completely obliterate a field of monsters. Though," Luke paused at his demonstration with the wave of hands, "he had to learn that spell from finding some things."
"Find some things?" Guy asked curiously.
"Yeah, like there's these techniques all around the world, I have mine already in my head," Luke pointed at his redhead for a moment, "I think there were four things for you two...but only certain people knew them to give them to you."
"Huh?" Luke peered around then lowered his voice as well as his head,
"Because they were techniques handed down by your ancestors."
"You know about that too!?"
"I can't know one thing without knowing the other Guy." Luke laughed, slightly wondering why he didn't do this in the first place.
"Seriously?" Guy was surprised again, he hadn't thought that Luke actually knew about his life so much. It was strange to have someone know so much about him and he had never talked to them about it. It was actually kind of comforting.
"Ah, there you are." The two teens looked and blinked at the figure entering in the room. Guy had personally expected a soldier or a messenger, but Jade himself? "His Majesty waits for you both at the dining hall."
"Oh okay, lead us there." Luke stood up at the same time as Guy, the two walked nearer to the taller man.
"Hmm..." Jade cast a glance over to the two in what seemed to be a bored like manner, but shrugged and started to walk on. Luke, feeling better from talking to Guy a little more about the stress he had on his shoulders, cheerfully followed after Jade. Guy could imagine this man casting spells that could obliterate fields of warriors, but he really couldn't imagine Luke getting along with him. The man was mysterious, weird, and well...a whole load of other things that he didn't know how to describe.
"Ah, welcome," Peony said to the three as they entered the area. As pure usual for a royal, he sat at the very end with a tri-candle blocking his head. Anise was down in one of the chairs, second seat from Peony's left side, and she looked a little happier. Luke wouldn't put it past Peony to lay down flatter to the young girl and Luke wouldn't let it past Anise that the girl was cheerful about the compliments. "Come, come sit down!" Peony beckoned with a goblet of (presumably) wine. Luke ended up sitting on the first seat of the noble's right side, Jade across him and Guy right beside him. "So I hear from Jade that you were out on a mission of personal interest."
"Yes sire."
"Ah, again with the sire?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not used to calling others by their name." That was a straight out lie and even Guy knew it, but Luke had always had a problem with Emperor Peony. Guy had once told him it was because of his lack of confidence, but he didn't get why that meant he had to be uncomfortable around the blonde.
"Hm, understandable." Peony commented then smiled as servants brought the quick appetizer. "What kind of mission, if you wouldn't mind me asking?"
"A search for self." Luke answered and Guy almost choked on his soup. Well it wasn't far-fetched and in a way he was searching for himself, but did Luke have to sound so cheesy when he said it?
"Oh, how interesting." Anise felt disappointed, was that it? So she basically risked life and limb just so he could find himself? LAME. "But why did you have to run away in order to do it? And why come to Grand Chokmah?" Guy could hear that Peony was trying to pry information, and Luke was offering all the right answers. Guy blinked though as Luke stared at his spoons uneasily, not remembering which was the right spoon to sip the soup in front of him. Guy elbowed the other lightly and pointed to his own, which Luke gave a soft glance of 'thank you' and proceeded to answer the emperor back,
"Our original destination was to Daath, however when running from my family's soldiers, we caught a boat and didn't learn where it was going before it was too late. I'm sorry if it has brought any trouble to you Emperor Peony." Peony looked a little annoyed by Luke's words for a second, but left it alone.
"Why Daath?"
"Well many people have managed to find themselves in religion, sire," Guy answered for Luke, going along with the story easily, "I had told Luke this and he wanted to see for himself."
"But why would you have to run away to do that?"
"It wouldn't be a journey if you had to be guarded by guards every step you went, would it?" Guy continued, letting Luke eat a bit of the appetizer, as he seemed a little hungry looking for some odd reason.
"Hm, that makes more sense." Anise was really pissed now, even though it interested her a little that the two were originally headed to Daath. But why in the world just hide it from her? Luke was an idiot! The real meal soon came and Anise actually blinked in concern as Luke did not speak anymore. In fact the only conversation that seemed to be coming from the dinner table was from Guy and Peony (and mild quips from Jade to tell the man to shut up in his own way). Huh, what was the big deal? Yeah, sure, you were going to go back to the place where you were born, surrounded by luxurious that people envied since the day he was born. What the hell was the big deal? God, Anise felt stupid and couldn't wait to get back to Daath.
Anise would have kept angry, but she frowned, noticing Luke's quiet demeanor. The boy really didn't want to go back, did he? But why would that be? Anise fumbled with ideas but couldn't really come up with anything and took one stare back at the large table and palace. This place was beautiful...what could actually make you want to run away from it?
"Sire!" A messenger ran up and whispered something in the king's ear, on which he dismissed the man after he had received said message. Peony gave a small smile,
"Well it looks like they got here sooner then they had said. Sorry we didn't get to talk much more."
"I'm sorry as well." Luke replied, hesitating as he shook the man's hand. Luke then turned anxiously as he was lead out with Guy on his side, this was ii, wasn't it? Luke was going back...without Asch on his other side. Without actually accomplishing anything...he was going back.
End Chapter IV
"I feel sorry for Luke, I mean I made him go through all of this crap and now he's going back to the mansion...or is he? Hmmm...one must wo-" I then get kicked to the head by A, who growls at me angrily,
"M-chan...you took forever to update." I blink and then nod,
"Yeah, so?"
"Your poor readers must be thinking 'Oh my, this writer is the worst writer in history, she never keeps promises and her characterization is WAY off! How horrible, I should stop reading this!'" I stare at my angel then go into a corner and start crying.
"A...you're meaner then the twins from Ouran High School Host Club."
"Then that means she's our dear little Tamaki, huh?" A grins evilly, "Good, gives me more reason to torture her."
"..." D then shakes her head and looks to the crowd, "Sorry for the late update, and stuff. Hope you liked this chapter and M-chan hopes to hear from you."
Thanks To.
LatyfeSurLeSora ("Thanks!")
Ana Paula92 ("Yup, I was happy that Jade appeared too! He's my favorite character, hahaha! Thanks for the review!")
killerbunbun ("You're too kind, thanks so much.")
Chaotic Blades ("I love your reviews because they make me laugh while at the same time being able to imagine that it could possibly happen...though at the same time it won't." I sigh, "But oh well, I hope you liked this chapter as well!")
Sandy11-1990 ("Yeah Asch! Don't die this time please!" Asch throws me a dirty look and I cackle evilly.)
Lexaerilius ("Oh wow! Real statements, it's been awhile since I've had to deal with thinkers!" I pause thinking about what I said and laugh awkwardly, "Sorry, sorry. It has just been awhile, sorry. I mean no offense. Anyway, as you read the other chapters there is no implication of Sync or replica Ion, just the fact that the first real Ion gets random bouts of sickness. I also mention Arietta as a toy," I blush at the evil thought crossing my mind, "and I personally don't think she turned into a God General until Arietta got kicked off by Anise."
I pause again, "Wow the hyperressonance question. Well you're probably right about it, I always thought that Luke could do any sort of hyperressonance on his own because that was just his power, but that was just my assumption. But I'm very good at assuming things in the wrong way," I laugh then sigh. "But I did have a reason for how Luke was able to pull it off in the first place, it was because the future was still fresh in his mind and the ability to do that sort of thing came second nature, as though he was still bonded with Asch, but he wasn't. My personal belief is that the game deals with a lot of self-esteem and confidence issues so if Luke ever managed to ever believe that he could do something on his own, he'd be able to, even though he doesn't think he is actually doing it on his own."
I cough then think about it for another moment, "As the story goes on though, you'll see that things Luke could do will fade because he stops remembering them and his body doesn't know thing like training in using hyperressonance." Blink, "I'm glad those kind of things won't ruin the story, and thank you so much for EQUALLY AWESOME review!")
KiraLacus Forever ("Sadly there are no official couples for this story, just a load of hints towards everything." I look away and chuckle, "I will admit though, there will be huge hints in the future towards those two, but I'll try to make it brotherly as well" I cough, "though that just might make it worse." I then chuckle then start, "I'll go ahead and look when I have the time," I bow, "I'm sorry I've been busy with a few things. Thanks for the review.")
ChiByakko ("You flatter me too well. Thank you so much. I thought Luke was one of the easier people to write actually...but then again, I sometimes identify with him, hahaha. Anyway, thanks.")
FlamingWings ("Yes, ma'am or sir!")