A Hero's Welcome
Chapter 3
It had been only a few years since Luke fon Fabre first saw his home city of Baticul after being imprisoned in his family's mansion; so when he saw it again for the first time since his resurrection, he felt as though it was the first he had laid eyes on it.
The city had undergone a complete change.
Whatever free space existed in Baticul before had completely disappeared, making room for apartment buildings and small homes to house the replicas; and even still there were buildings under construction.
There were more people in the streets and security seemed tighter than before, kimlascan soldiers were stationed in various strategic places in order to have a good view of the city.
Another thing Luke had realized as he got on the elevator-which was also new, most likely to facilitate circulation what with the sudden increase in citizens- was that he couldn't distinguish the replicas from the humans, he assumed they would have difficulties blending into society considering they barely knew how to walk.
He also noticed a crowd of people around Miyagi's Dojo.
"Hey Natalia, is there something going on in the dojo?"
"In a way, yes." She replied. " In order to aid replicas in leading their lives, Mr. Miyagi volunteered to convert his dojo into a replica teaching center, they are taught basic things like Auldrant's history and for the younger replicas, how to walk and talk. The teachers are all volunteers."
"That's a great idea." Luke commented, amazed at the change of attitude towards replicas.
Upon exiting the elevator, Luke found himself in front of Fabre Manor.
He stood in front of the manor and started examining it from outside, searching for anything that might have changed and was relieved to find that nothing had.
"Good to see that something hasn't changed." Luke remarked, smiling.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that." Guy responded.
"Yeah you'd think he'd be sick of the place after stuck in there for seven years." Anise agreed.
"Perhaps it would be best to actually go inside now?" Jade proposed.
The group entered the manor without as much as a question to the guards who stared after them, having noticed Luke.
Luke scanned the familiar hallways of his home, noticing that there wasn't a soul around not even Ramdas…
"Wonder why it's so empty…" He thought aloud.
"The Fabres probably want some privacy." Anise said.
"Why would you say that?"
"…They just held your funeral yesterday." She admitted.
"Oh."
I guess they only gave up hope on me yesterday, I thought they would have given up right away .Luke thought. But why yesterday? Did something happen?
"Did something happen yesterday?" He asked.
"Yesterday was your coming of age ceremony, Luke." Natalia responded.
"So that's it." He mused.
They finally reached the duke's chambers and Luke hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
There was no response so the party decided to look in the courtyard.
Standing there in front of one of the flowerbeds was the duke, clad in dark robes and wearing a solemn expression; he stood in contrast with the bright afternoon sun and the warm colored flowers of the garden, looking distant as though he were in another world.
Luke was taken aback by the state his father was in.
It was then that Luke's mother, duchess Susanne walked out of Luke's room seeming incredibly feeble.
If the Duke looked bad then the Duchess looked even worse; her face was pale and her hair was matted with sweat; her green eyes seemed lifeless, as though she could no longer see anything around her.
Upon seeing his mother Luke spoke up, unable to bear the sight of both his parents in such a terrible state.
"Mother! Father!" He called.
Susanne lifted her head, her eyes lighting up and her expression hopeful. It was the first flicker of hope she had felt in a long time.
At the same time, her husband whirled around, surprised though his face didn't show it. He believed the call was an illusion created by his own mind until he saw the duchess running up to the red-haired boy in front of him crying tears of relief and embracing him, all the while asking if he were truly Luke. She was asking if their son was actually alive and home.
"Luke, is that really you?" The duke asked, still dazed.
"Yes father. I'm home." Luke answered.
It was true, Luke fon Fabre was finally home.
After his parents had recovered from the initial shock, they had wanted to know what had happened to him, so Luke explained once again. Having already heard the explanation Natalia went to the castle to inform King Ingobert of Luke's return, while the rest of the group went to secure rooms at the inn for the night.
At the end of his explanation, Luke's parents asked the question he was dreading.
"Is there any chance Asch might return as well?"
"I'm sorry." He said, sadness darkening his features.
"That's alright." The duchess said. "We are lucky that one of our sons survived through all that has happened."
Luke then went to the castle, joined by his parents, earning the surprised looks of the castle guards and any visitors that might have been there.
When he reached the throne room, King Ingobert welcomed him back, and requested that he recount his resurrection once more.
By the time Luke was finished, night had fallen upon the city of Baticul.
He urged the Duke and Duchess to return to the mansion saying he wanted to visit one of his friends.
It was true, he wanted to see Tear but he needed to walk alone first.
And so he strolled through the city, letting the night air clear his mind.
I can't believe how different things are now .He thought. It's great that replicas are more accepted, but I can't even recognize the city anymore.
Luke was jolted out of his thoughts by a deafening sound.
He didn't have time to react before being knocked back and having his head collide with the ground.
The last thing he saw before passing out was a roaring fire and the sign for Miyagi's dojo burning in the flames.
A/N: I managed to start up a little bit of action at the end. Hope you enjoy the chapter!