A/N:
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tales of series, they belong to Namco.
Pairing: Main Asch x Luke, Flynn x Yuri, Richard x Asbel.
One-sided Yuri x Luke, Natalia x Asch, Tear x Luke, and Guy x Flynn.
Hints of possible Jade x Guy and Ion x Sync.
Warning: Contains Yaoi, language and blood, OC's included, Skits and diaries included (Mainly by Luke), Luke is the main here, and OCC characters possibly.
Helpful Tips:
Crossover- Titles
Crossover- Skits/Current Date/Setting/Location/Diary
Crossover- Thoughts/Flashback/Artes/Emphasis/Weapons Name
Crossover- Normal speaking/Present Time
Chapter 4: Gaps in Time
This Liger Queen was different from the last one five years ago. No, different wouldn't the right term. It was the same yet different creature from five years ago would be the proper term. The Liger Queen that carried the same appearance and aura, but the colors of it were eerily pale and black all over. The attacks were fiercer than five years ago and it appears that normal methods won't win against this monster.
Those were Jade thoughts as he calculated quickly in the middle of his casting. Guy was busy holding off the Liger Queen and Tear was quickly casting Holy Song.
They had found the Fon Master, Ion earlier in the forest when he felt partly responsible that the Liger Queen appeared again which wasn't his fault really. Due to Ion health and high status in the Order of Lorelei, Jade decided they couldn't send Ion back to wait in Engeve for several reasons and let the Fon Master tag along with them. They headed down to where the Liger den is and have Mieu talk to the Liger Queen.
Unexpected, Mieu said that the Liger Queen couldn't be interpreted; it didn't mean that Mieu couldn't understand the monster. It meant that there was something off of this Liger Queen in the start. Out of nowhere, the darker version of the Liger Queen gave a mighty roar and began to charge at them.
Guy at the front-lines bought the Colonel and Tear enough time to chant a spell. Jade casting a earth spell that brought forth the ground shooting up the sky and the Melodist casted spears made of holy light aiming that both aimed for the Liger Queen. It had little effect as they tried different spells to find their foe weakness.
"Gah!" The Gardios Noble pained cry reached both caster ears.
Guy had been pushed back by the Liger Queen claw that left deep cuts on his chest. Tear immediately began to cast a healing Arte.
"Come forth O illumination of life! Healing Circle!" A blue healing glyph appeared beneath the knocked down Guy, light radiating around him as his cuts closed quickly.
"Thanks Tear!" Guy stood up quickly, getting into stance again and began to charge at the Liger Queen.
The Gardios Noble swung his sword twice, making a X on the ground where the Liger stands and stood still, pointing his sword as light erupted from the cross.
"Final Cross!"
There was little effect on the Liger Queen that shrugged it off as a scratch. Guy jumped back, watching the movements of the monster carefully as he shouted at Jade and Tear.
"Our attacks won't seem to work on this monster!"
"What attacks haven't we tried yet?" Tear asked, feeling her energy to cast Artes running out.
The state of his comrades in battle didn't escape Jade glare. Guy was panting heavy and Tear was getting a bit pale. This wasn't good, if he didn't find a way to finish the Liger Queen quickly, then they'll be doomed. Ion isn't able to fight either given his ill-like state.
"We tried Light that didn't seem to have much effect. Added to that is Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and the only element left are…" Jade trailed off when a voice behind them spoke up.
"Let us take over here, Colonel." A familiar masculine earned shocked looks, including Jade who crimson eyes widen up slightly.
They all turned their heads to see a familiar redhead with tinted gold locks wearing a white coat over his black outfit and a black scarf-like cloak covered his chin. The redhead only smiled, tapping the dull-edged of his Ultimatus on his shoulders.
"Luke…" The green-haired Fon Master, Ion smiled, clutching Mieu tightly.
"I can't believe it…Luke, is that really you?!" Guy shouted his cobalt eyes stared right into apple green.
"As much I want to ask questions, we have to deal with this." Jade brought them back into reality, casting Luke a glance. "Now, you said you would take over? Do you know this monster weakness, Luke?"
"You already solved that mystery yourself, Colonel." The redhead spoke bluntly. "Besides, I'm unable to cast a certain level of Fonic Artes and I will leave that part to my companion."
"Companion?" Tear raised an eyebrow, noticing that there was someone behind Luke now.
It was a blond woman with crimson eyes wearing only a white knee length dress and a hard jean jacket over her. She was panting heavy, obviously she must've ran and leaned against her knee high brown boots.
"Geez, Luke…" The blond woman spoke. "You should've told me you were gonna run! I got lost several times trying to find you, you idiot!"
"I'm sorry, but I might have to ask you for your help, Aaralyn." Luke gave a meek smile at the blond name Aaralyn, who looked confused.
When the blond woman crimson eyes turned to the scene before her; a dark looking feline monster growled. Then it connected in her head.
"Oh…Right...That, looks like another Undead(1)." Aaralyn removed the cloth around her spear; it was a simple design that could mix with a staff.
"Undead?" Jade repeated, highly curious now.
"I'll explain later, Colonel." Luke tried to get the Colonel to focus back on the fight. "Guy and I should buy some time for you to cast an Arte."
"He's right." Tear nodded in agreement. "We can talk after defeating this monster."
"Yep!" Guy replied cheerfully as he stood next to Luke, already in stance as Luke imitated behind.
"It's been a while since we fought together like this…It's strange…" Luke said quietly, earning a grin from Guy.
"Nice to have you back, buddy. We got a lot of catching up to do." Guy welcomed Luke back, who only nodded.
"Yeah…."
"Focus on the enemy, you two!" Jade shouted at the battlefield, beginning to cast a high level Fonic Arte.
The loud roar of the dark Liger Queen signaled the battle to continue. Both swordsmen expertly blocking and attacking the feline monster while the casters are almost finished with their spells to support or initiate attack.
"Wow! You improved Luke!" Guy shouted midst of the battle, slicing the thick hide of the Liger Queen. "Looks like you weren't slacking off while I wasn't around!"
"I could say the same to you, Guy!" Luke shouted back, raising his sword in front of him as a white glyph appears in time to protect him from the thunderous breath.
When the foe attack is done at the same the glyph disappeared, Luke charged in again, slashing against its weak point.
"O magnificent song of angels...!" Tear began to sing, a medium sized purple glyph appeared beneath her. "Va Rei Zue Toue Neu Toue Ryuo Toue Kuroa..."
The soothing effects of the song spread throughout the party as it healed their wounds and strengthen their offense and defense.
"Suffer within this oppressive force…" The Colonel finished his incantation in time. "Gravity Well!"
A medium sized black shape dome appeared in time when Luke and Guy moved away from the Liger Queen. The gravity spells surrounding the Liger Queen and entrapping it with lightning crackling on the shell. It was evident that the spell had great effect of it being a dark element, the screeching roar of pain from the gravity increasing and pressuring the Liger Queen.
When the Gravity Well resided, the dark Liger Queen was getting tired in time for Aaralyn attack.
"O hellion whose roar chills the very soul, resound." The blond woman chanted, raising her spear up "...Bloody Howling!"
A vortex of pitch darkness appeared, lifting the dark Liger Queen toward it as howls of the otherworldly creatures echoes throughout the den and slashes at the prey in its grasp. After moments later, the black orb dissipated, letting go of the Liger Queen as it went limp on the grassy grounds. Almost everyone sighed in relief when the deed has been done.
"Glad that's over…" Guy spoke, sitting down now after a close to doom experience.
"We can't be too sure yet. "Tear said, critically eyeing the Liger Queen. "It looks exactly the same as five years ago…"
"That can't be! It either had to be a different Liger that lived here!" The Malkuth noble countered.
"I have to agree with Tear…It definitely looks like the same Liger Luke, Tear, and Jade fought five years ago." Ion soft voice broke out the tense air, watching as Luke had walked up to the dead monster that began to dissipate into fonons.
"Luke?" Guy called out his best friend.
The redhead crouched down to observe a moment; the pale pink fur and the darkening white furs and the state of it before standing up. He turned to the others, staring at Aaralyn with a nod.
"It's definitely an Undead."
"Ah…What a pain, they had to be here-"
"If you don't mind me interrupting, what is this Undead to be exact and how does it relate to this Liger Queen?" Jade asked in a stern tone.
The blond woman glanced at Luke, who only nodded again that it was alright. Aaralyn coughed lightly before speaking.
"Recently about three to four years ago, the signs of creatures already been killed or dead had begun to reanimate. Those are known as the Undead, the source had been found during that time period, but the mastermind behind it escaped. Luckily, we were able to do something about the source and the appearance of reanimated dead had lessened. I didn't expect for some to be in Auldrant too." Aaralyn explained, earning slightly shocked or shocked looks.
"So the Liger Queen in this den became an Undead?" Tear concluded, which both Luke and the blond woman nodded.
"Interesting…it explains everything then…" There was glint of omen passing through the Colonel glasses before it disappeared. "Let's head back to Engeve since our business here is finished."
No one argued with that, but the Colonel remembered something and faced Luke with a stern stare.
"Oh, and Luke, I never expected you to call me Colonel." Jade smiled. "It's quite strange, so do calls me Jade like you usually do."
"…Whatever, Jade." Luke shrugs, it was fine either way.
The redhead felt a tug on his coat sleeve and turned to look at Ion, who smiled fondly at him along with Mieu that floated around.
"Welcome back, Luke."
"Welcome back, Master!"
The Cheagle sat on Luke shoulder, nuzzling his furry cheek against Luke pale one. The redhead smiled and petted Mieu. He glanced at Tear, who smiled at him, her eyes saying the same also.
"C'mon, you all!" Guy shouted, pushing the three of the slowpokes ahead where Jade and behind him was Aaralyn were. "We can catch up once we're safe!"
Skit 9: Define Kindness
Jade: It seems like you and Luke knows each other quite well, Ms…Aaralyn was it?
Aaralyn: Yes, that's correct. I apologize if I hadn't introduced myself earlier.
Guy: It's all right; after all fighting together does makes us closer.
Jade: I wouldn't quite agree with that statement, Gailardia.
Guy seems confused and shocked.
Guy: Eh?
Aaralyn: So I'm assuming you all are Luke friends as well?
Tear: Yes, we were with Luke before he disappeared five years ago. I'm Tear Grants if I haven't introduced myself yet.
Guy: Gailardia Galan Gardios, also known as Guy to most people.
Jade: Jade Curtiss, but do please call me Jade.
Ion: I'm Ion.
Mieu: And I'm Mieu!
Aaralyn laughs softly.
Aaralyn: Everyone seems nice; I guess that's why Luke is friends with all of you.
Guy: Thanks, you seemed to be a kind person too.
Luke: Hah, define kind with her two-Umpf!
Luke had been punched by Aaralyn to almost everyone surprise. Aaralyn smiles too calmly.
Aaralyn: Excuse Luke, but what was that?
Luke: There… you see?
Everyone else sighs or sweat drops.
Skit Ends
When the group arrived back at Engeve, there were several looks of shock from the people that lived in the farmers' village upon seeing the familiar redhead. After reporting to Rose at the Mayor home, the busty woman didn't seem quite shock well she was shocked, but then smiled and patted Luke head.
"It's good to see you again, Luke and thank you once again for helping us out."
Luke could only felt his heart a little warm for being thanked once and patted on his head like a little kid.
"Y-Your welcome, Ms. Rose." Luke coughed lightly and they left the Mayor house to stay at a nearby inn.
Night had fallen and the group had gathered in the lounge. Jade was standing near Luke and Guy that had taken a seat on the couch and were catching up with Tear and Ion sitting across from the two boys. Aaralyn stood near the window and played with Mieu, particularly tugging the Cheagle ears.
"Now that everyone's here, I would like to discuss some things." The Colonel spoke suddenly, catching their attention.
"What is it, Jade?" The Fon Master asked, hinting that this conversation was going somewhere.
"I want to question where Luke had been this entire time for five years." Everyone tensed at this, particularly Luke since he was the subject here.
"Luke, I want to know something…On that day before you disappeared, did you have any ill intent to harm Natalia?" Jade went straight to the point.
The frown was visible on Luke face; he was silent for a moment before speaking.
"…Did Natalia say that I was going to kill her?"
"…Yes, she did. Were you or were you not going to kill her?" Jade repeated his question, slightly irritated that he had to repeat it.
"…No, I wasn't. " Luke answered. "I wouldn't kill a friend no matter what…"
"Tell us, Luke. What happened on that day?" The Colonel ordered.
"Wait, I'm sure that-"Aaralyn was about to say not to pry into Luke personal business.
"Its fine, Aaralyn…You can help me explain what happened after that." Luke smiled at her gently, not noticing the slight frown on Tear features.
The redhead turned back to Jade, "All right, I'll tell you what happened five years ago…Back then…"
It was raining that day; the skies were darkened gray made of sorrows that drenched down on its object of interest. In a particular forest was a redhead that wore a white, short-sleeved coat with yellow accents over his black outfit that showed his stomach, revealing his well-toned abs and his combat boots were covered in dirt as he walked down the muddy path.
His clothing and short hair drenched from the rain, following behind his cousin, Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lavender, her golden hair kept in place with a brown headband and her adventure style blue and white stripped outfit were drenched too. Luke had to wonder if Natalia was even bothered that she had to go out in a storm like this.
"Natalia?" The redhead replica called out his cousin.
They both were deep in the forest now away from the town of Belkend. When Natalia stopped suddenly, so did Luke who frowned more when his cousin turned around to stare at him with a stern expression. This confused the redhead, what on earth did he do for Natalia to look at him like that?
"Is there something wrong, Natalia?" Luke asked warily.
"Luke." Natalia said his name, through sounded strain. "…What's your relationship with Asch?"
"Asch?" The redhead raised an eyebrow, what on earth did Asch have to do with this?
"I…saw you two together last time we were at Daath. " The princess tone was uncertain, as if she was trying to find another word.
It clicked inside Luke head what Natalia words meant and paled visibly; glad for once the rain had clouded his honest face. He was panicking inside; he knew how Natalia cared deeply about Asch. If she did found out and it processed through her, he's going to go through hell for a while.
"Huh?" Luke blinked, trying to act dumb. "Asch wanted to fight me, so he dragged me through Daath."
"Would this fighting be that Asch would trap you against the wall and…I don't want to say it" Natalia shook her head. "The point is…That your relationship with Asch seems more than friendly."
"Natalia…What is it that you are trying to say here exactly?" Luke asked, still faking and he wondered of all the worst time did Natalia had to find out.
"…It's strange for a replica and an original to have a relationship like that. That's what I'm saying, Luke!" The princess raised her voice, almost shouting now.
The redhead flinch at the shout and opened his mouth to say something, but fell deaf as Natalia continued.
"Asch…Luke…he promised me…" Natalia sobbed silently and looked at the ground, her golden bangs hiding her eyes.
"Natalia…" The redhead replica only said her name; he bit his lip knowing that Natalia is referring to his original.
"Why…he promised me…" The princess head raised slowly to only glare angrily at Luke, an expression he hadn't seen before. "He promised me!"
Luke definitely seen plenty of Natalia angry glares, but this one…seemed murderous. Before he knew it, Natalia had her bow in hand and draw an arrow out. The princess pulled the string as she prepared to take aim and the redhead replica had to actually wonder if she was serious.
"Natalia! Stop it! I'm not going to fight you!" Luke shouted, trying to reason with his cousin.
"Good, because I will end this now, Replica Luke!" Natalia shouted as she shot the arrow aiming for Luke.
The redhead replica knew that arrow was aiming for him and was about to dodge till something stopped him…No, not stopped, slowed down. A gravity spell held in place, but where and that arrow had a sinister dark aura. And Natalia…
Apple green eyes widen in shock at the sight of his cousin. Natalia looked like she was possessed, her light green eyes had visible golden hues in them and an ominous black aura seeped around her. Luke wasn't able to make it out the rest in time when the clear sound of his shoulder flesh being pierced through his clothing and then there was a sickening, loud sound of his chest being slashed deeply.
"Eh…?" He coughed blood, so much blood mixed with his saliva on the ground not noticing that he had fallen to his knees and.
Luke arm supported him up while he was covering his blood-stained mouth with the other. In a few minutes the redhead replica felt his arm wobbly and slide against the muddy floor, lying down on his side and losing conscious quickly. Luke strained himself to tilt his head up to look through the black dots dancing along in his vision to see Natalia dropping her bow. He heard his cousin gasp loudly in shock like she never knew what she had done.
The redhead could faintly hear Natalia voice fall deaf to his ears and finally, he lost conscious.
"…That's what happened." Luke concluded looking away at the indifferent expression his old companions gave.
"After that, I somehow found him in the forest where my village was. I brought him in and he woke up in few days time with most of his injuries healed." Aaralyn explained the rest.
"So…" Jade pushed his glasses up. "…How did Luke end up near your village when he was supposed to be near Belkend?"
"It's probably an after-effect from the sinister aura Luke mentioned earlier." The blond Guide explained. "If I remember five years ago, the Witch said that there was a curse placed on Luke."
"A curse?" Guy frowned, casting Luke a worried glance now.
"Don't worry, Guy…It had been removed around three years ago." Luke gave a reassuring smile to his friends.
"Why did you not return to Auldrant then, Luke?" Tear asked, and then there was a slightly darkening look from Luke.
"…How was I supposed to return when I thought you all considered me dead…?" The redhead countered.
Silence hung around the air.
"What happened after he recovered, Ms. Aaralyn?" The Colonel continued, breaking the silence. "If he chose not to return to Auldrant then…you mentioned about Ephinea and Terca Lumireis he had to choose to live in?"
The blond Guide nodded, "Yes, that's correct. Since Auldrant hadn't been discovered by both Ephinea and Terca Lumireis, it might be the same for Auldrant. But I think it did exist for all three sides in myths and such. They are continents with subcontinents within them. "
"How do they live without Fonons and its technology?" Guy asked, his curiosity rising.
"Unlike Auldrant using Fonons from the memory particles that formed into seven elements, Ephinea uses Eleth that is provided by three Valkines and their respective elements and Terca Lumireis uses a technology called Blastia that uses the life source of Aer." Luke explained, going through his suit case and brought out two books and handed it to Guy. "One of the about Ephinea and the other is about Terca Lumireis."
Tear and Ion glanced at it while Mieu looked from Guy shoulder.
"It could be useful to know about different counties." Tear reasoned, taking one of the books.
"I agree. There might be a chance of foreigners coming from a different land and have no knowledge of Auldrant." Ion nodded and looked at the book Guy was reading.
"Now…the last question I want to ask Luke is why after five years are you here now?" The Colonel stared at Luke.
The others raised their heads and too they stared at Luke.
The redhead knew it would come to this eventually and he would've act on it sooner or later. He glanced at Aaralyn, who seemed nervous of the tension.
"…I'm here on orders under the Commandant of the Imperial Knights to negotiate with the Fon Master." Luke answered, earning mild surprise looks except for Jade.
"…What happened, Luke?" Ion asked nervously.
"The Oracle Soldiers have attacked one of the knights guarding the border and they were God-Generals Sync, Arietta and Asch I bumped into while heading to Auldrant with the Guide, Aaralyn. My superior wants to know what, why and who orders where the God-Generals taking from." The redhead stared at Ion.
"What?!" Tear stood up instantly. "Does my brother have something to do with this?!"
"I'm not sure since I wasn't there at that time and had only been informed recently."
The Fon Master glanced at Jade, who only nodded at the questioning look from Ion.
"Luke, it may be possible that it could be Dorian General Grants and Grad Maestro Mohs had something to do with what's happening." Ion spoke, tensing slightly at the looks received from the others.
"Do you mean that Van and the Grand Maestro have begun some sort of plan..?" The redhead questioned.
"That's why I'm here with Jade and the others to investigate the strange incidents that have been occurring. " Ion answered honestly.
"But…" Guy started, putting a finger under his chin and his expression thoughtful "…For Luke to come here under a Commandant orders, he must've been a important figure to have an important mission."
"Well, he had made it as a Captain of the Imperial Knights under the Commandant brigade. "Aaralyn added.
"….Wow, things do change." Guy simply said, his expression still the same but more stiff.
"Well, well, you sure worked hard, Luke." There was a teasing smile on Jade features.
"Master is amazing! Mieu~" The Cheagle praised, sitting on Luke shoulders now and gave a big smile.
"He…outranked me…" Tear said disbelievingly, shocked even.
"Congrats, Luke." Ion smiled and patted Luke shoulders.
"Thanks…" Luke said, somewhat bothered by few of those comments.
"Anyway, Anise will be here with the Tartarus tomorrow and we can head to Grand Chokmah then to give our report to his majesty." Jade announced, the smile still plastered on his face. "We should all get plenty of rest."
"Now that you mentioned it, I'm pretty tired now." Ion agreed, standing up and heading to his room now after bidding good-night.
"Well, it had been a pretty long day of fighting." Guy reminded as he grabbed Luke. "You must be tired too from your trip here, Luke. Night, guys!"
"Night you all…" Luke gave a meek smile and both he and Guy left the room.
"We should sleep now, Ms. Aaralyn." Tear suggested, standing up now.
"Sure and it's just Aaralyn." The blond Guide smiled and the two girls left their rooms with a trailing Mieu from behind.
"Well…Everyone asleep." Jade spoke softly, grabbing the two books and took a seat on the couch. "Ephinea and Terca Lumireis…Luke returns and the God-Generals attacking…Recent events of this Undead…Interesting."
There was hint of a true smile on Jade face.
"Welcome back, Luke."
Skit 10: Best Friends
Guy: Luke…You awake still?
Luke: Hm…?
Luke groggily speaks and yawns softly.
Luke: What's wrong, Guy? Can't sleep?
Guy: Well, something like that. It must be weird…to see after all these years it's like you never left at all.
Luke: It feels that way to you, doesn't it?
Luke looks down with a smile.
Guy: Through to hear that you became a Captain…It must've been hard.
Guy frowns at the thought of his best friend hurt and Luke only smiles cheerfully.
Luke: I do admit it was harsh with the competition going around gaining ranks. I wasn't really interested and work for how I see fit.
Guy: Really? If you weren't interested, how did you become Captain?
Luke: Some incidents happen about three years ago and I was promoted to a Captain.
Guy grins.
Guy: Must've been one heck of an event then! You should tell me about It later!
Luke expression changes to unreadable close to melancholy.
Luke: It's nothing important really.
Guy: Luke?
Luke: It's nothing, we should sleep.
Luke expression changes to his upbeat self and leaves, which left Guy alone, who became serious.
Guy: Luke…What are you hiding?
Skit Ends
A/N:
Undead(1) - As explained, signs of creatures already been killed or dead had begun to reanimate. It's still quite unclear what happened three years ago in this story, but there is a possibility of a prequel to this.