It was lucky they had found the right doctor, right there in Keterburg. Nephry had helped, of course, by request of Jade. She had given him what seemed like a meaningful look, and only he understood exactly what it meant. As soon as the doctor arrived, both siblings pushed the other four out of the room, and for what seemed like days, they waited.
Inside the room, the doctor had checked Luke's blood fonons, his pulse, asked him a myriad of questions, which Luke had answered as if he knew what was going on. A mumble, a mutter, a frown, a grimace. These all came from Luke, and Jade was becoming even more worried by the second, so it seemed.
As soon as they were done, Jade escorted Luke outside once more and entered the room, practically slamming the door. "Well?" he asked in an oddly calm and quiet voice. The doctor hesitated, then spoke.
"The process of his fading has sped up rapidly." He stopped and raised an eyebrow as Nephry gave a small squeak, her eyes wide and hands flying up to her mouth.
"I-is there anything…?"
"That we can do? No." He pulled out a tiny bottle, which he handed to Jade. "Like with Tear, we can delay it. However, even with this medicine, he only has a maximum of a month. If we're lucky, two."
"I see," Jade murmured, closing his eyes. "Precautions. I understand we must be careful, but we cannot merely ignore the fact that we have something to accomplish." The doctor opened his mouth, closed it, and studied Jade's face.
"What is it you're trying to do?" Jade glanced at Nephry, who looked almost fearful. He explained it carefully, and the doctor's eyes widened. "I see. I understand… this is a priority. But-"
"But nothing. Luke would insist that he finish what he started. I cannot stop him if this is what he wants to do." He pocketed the medicine and didn't give either one of them another chance to speak, as he had walked out abruptly.
"Jade…?" Natalia asked, eyebrows furrowing as he exited the room. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing at all," he murmured, glancing around at all of them. "Now, shall we be going?"
"Jade." Tear had spoken, her voice and expression hard and almost cold. "You're lying."
"Am I?" He raised an eyebrow, gave her a thin-lipped smile. "Perhaps you should tell me what's really going on." She was taken aback at the smile, the tone, and clenched her fists.
"He's… he's going to…" She bit her lip, not wanting to go on, but somehow plucked up the courage and said quickly, "He's going to die soon, isn't he?" A strangled yelp of helplessness from both Anise and Natalia.
Jade found it oddly lucky, a strange bout of relief, that Guy and Luke were not present in the hall when Tear had oh-so eloquently blurted out what was wrong. He tipped his head down, then up in a small and – was it sad? – nod. There was a long and almost awkward silence, broken only by Anise's small and muffled sob.
He sighed, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and walked away.