Ranting Author (Revamp! Report): Chapter two now! It's either going to end here, or keep going until the third.

Just so you know, I write these Authors notes before I even begin the stories, then scribble down a narrative, then finish it with my last dramatist message. That's why, if you sometimes paid attention to my ramblings, that they seemed to clash or say something strange.

I also don't own TALES OF THE ABYSS, just so you know. Should be common sense though, right?

Chapter II
A Canceled Future

The possessed man glared at his foe and pursued her once more, using more speed this time. Natalia reached for another arrow, but he reached her too soon and she was unprepared.

Guy was already there. He swung his sword upwards diagonally, wounding her torso. She cried out in pain and stumbled backwards, falling down and gripping her throbbing stomach.

He positioned himself in another fighting stance, seeming as if he would attack once more. Whoever was controlling Guy saw fit to not let her heal. Not healing meant that she was in a snag. She quickly stood and took another arrow from the bundle, aiming it at him. The woman had no intention of killing him, but if she could stun him—if only for a moment, then maybe she could regenerate herself.

Letting go of the arrow, Natalia watched as it pierced his leg, lodging within and causing him to stagger and stop due to surprise. Shutting her eyes, the healer began to focus—drawing in fonons from the area and began chanting the words for a spell, "Oh soothing—"

Something slim and cold went through her only moments later. Faintly, she could hear Luke calling out to her from somewhere, screaming her name and cursing. She felt the blade flip over and slide further within her chest, making her involuntarily began coughing up blood. Luke watched in horror as his best friend, and father figure, skewered his childhood companion ruthlessly by his sword. Nothing made sense to him.

She had dropped her bow, and fell against him—her head hitting his shoulder, as he ripped his blade from her weakened body.

Natalia gasped for air, feeling the pain worsen as she slumped to the ground.. Her tired eyes fixed on Luke, and his horrified ones on her, then they went lifeless. The figure looked down at the princess who lay still, then stepped over her body, heading in Anise's direction. Luke panicked in seeing his friend fall. However, he noticed the other was in danger as his so-called ally approached her.

Parrying Largo's assault, Luke rushed around the attacker towards his unconscious friend who Guy approached with bloody sword drawn, but was once again thwarted by his enemy. The God-General swung his mighty scythe, causing Luke to go flying in the opposite direction.
"Anise!" He cried as he hit a bolder, feeling as if the world was against him and wincing in pain from the impact. "Wake up, please! Anise!" Luke's voice began cracking, knowing the grim future he would have if he did not pull through and stumbled forward. He worried that Natalia was dead, but also that Anise would die along with her.

"Luke! Pull yourself together," commanded the voice of the Colonel. The noble glanced around but saw nothing. Was it all in his mind? Had he imagined it?

"Jade…?"

"O roar of the earth, bring fourth the fangs of the mighty dragon," came a thunderous voice they all knew, "Ground Dasher!" The earth below Largo's feet began to glow, and then jagged rocks sprouted and pierced him from top to bottom. Considering that he was a big man, not as much damage was done to him, as someone of normal size. However, it was a brilliant distraction. The huge man dug his weapon into the ground and leaned on it slightly, overwhelmed by the force of the spell.

Jade emerged from the trees and skidded to a stop in front of Anise, just as she had done for Luke. Puzzled, Guy came to a stop a few feet from the Colonel and the girl, surprised about the change. He had merely only been traveling to retrieve his sheath that he had discarded and bended down to get it. It was then that Jade knew what was going on.

Catching something from the corner of his eye, the veteran soldier turned his attention to the figure that lay on the ground. "Natalia…" His serious expression softened. He prayed that she had not passed to the next world so soon. Carefully but quickly, he knelt and pressed two fingers against Anise's neck, feeling for a pulse before he pulled away, feeling relieved when he found one. Although their ex-party member did not attack, he knew to at least keep on guard.

The replica caught on quickly, speeding around the occupied Largo and dashing towards Guy. Their swords clashed and the real fight was set in motion.

Luke attacked his friend relentlessly, seemingly in a berserker state. He let out a cry of anguish and held nothing back.

"Luke!" the older man broke in, "You mustn't take this out on Guy. I don't doubt that he is unaware of what has happened."

The redhead seemed to not hear. He continued his onslaught, still in the trance state. "I'll never forgive you!"

The two swords clashed once more, turning to a deadlock.

Seconds passed. The earth began to shake. Jade leaned over Anise to protect her from any falling debris. "An earthquake at this time?" the Colonel questioned, just as it began to calm, inferring that it only lasted about five seconds.

The one who was controlling Guy smiled from his safe haven within the branches of a tree. No one knew he was there, except for his accomplice, Largo. Suddenly, a pair of blood red eyes turned to meet his. "Shit," he cursed, knowing that someone knew where he was.

"O darkened storm cloud, loose thy blade and run mine enemies through," Jade commanded, his focus on Sync, "Thunder Blade!" A sword of lightning appeared far above the young God-General's head and began falling rapidly at a slant towards him. Thinking quickly, he abandoned his current location, leaping out from hiding just in time and was blown away by the force of the impact, sliding across the dirt on his side. The tree was decimated. Guy stiffened, then let go of his sword, dropping to his knees and hitting the ground, losing consciousness.

Sync gripped his battered arm, glaring at the one who cast the spell on him. "Come, Largo! We are retreating for now." The young man sped off, running towards Grand Chokmah and the huge man hesitating, staring at the unmoving, feminine form that lay on the ground, bleeding profusely.

"You should never have come, Princess," he whispered fiercely, then followed his comrade, leaving the party behind.

The sword slipped from Luke's grasp, hitting the ground with a faint clicking noise. He glanced at Guy, who had passed out, wanting revenge, yet to help his companion as well. Then, his gaze shifted to the motionless one on the ground. His body felt heavy. Luke stumbled forward than broke out into a run. "Natalia," his soft voice said as he reached her, skidding to a stop by her side. He put a gentle hand on her cheek, turning her head to face him as she rest immobile on her side. To his surprise, she stirred slightly upon feeling his presence and contact.

After checking over Anise for major injuries, Jade darted for Natalia, preparing himself for the worst. As he kneeled on the other side of the dying girl, opposite to Luke, and looked at the wounds. "Natalia. Brace yourself," Jade spoke in a soft voice as he turned her over to onto her back to get a better look at the injury. He frowned. Too far to Grand Chokmah to find a first-class healer and there was not enough time to back track and somehow find another one in the forest somewhere—one that was not still in training. Guy's sword pierced a vital area in the chest—a lung perhaps, Jade contemplated, also left a rather large wound within her torso. Too great of an injury to consider moving her as of yet…but…what choice do I have? If she dies, then there will be nothing to stop Baticul from declaring war. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers, feeling irritated and troubled at the same time. Now isn't the time for this. If only I had come back sooner…

Her head turned and she looked at the older man, but she had lost her sight moments before; nearly lifeless eyes stared at him.

"Jade…" she began and snapped him from his thoughts. Jade was astonished that she was even able to speak in her state, "Is Guy…all right?" Her voice was soft and barely audible, but he had understood.

He glanced at the other, younger one who sat unmoving by her side, "Luke…" Came the voice of the one they called Colonel—harsh, yet soothing to her sensitive ears.

The young man glanced back at the one who attacked them without a word, and turned once more to his friend, taking her hand in his. He looked into her eyes, noticing that they were unfocused and barely even saw him. "Yeah. He's okay," he answered, sighing heavily and shaking his head, "Just hang on all right? We're going to get you to Grand Chokmah."

"When Guy…wakes up," she began, "Tell him…" She gasped, feeling a wave of pain and the other gripped her hand tighter.

"No! You can tell him," Luke broke in; sounding desperate, "Hold on a bit longer, all right? I'll get you some help."

She nodded weakly, and then closed her eyes.

"Grand Chokmah is not that far. Find Tear—or any other healer from the Malkuth Armada, understood?" Commanded the Colonel as multiple footsteps could be heard approaching; armor clanking in every step. His attention was on the young woman, yet he still pointed briefly in the direction of the city.

The other caught on to what was being ordered, having complaints and wanting to stay. "B-But…Jade! I can't just—"

"Go, now! You are much faster than I am, and have more stamina—since you are young." The older man stated, "I shall be along shortly with Natalia."

"Now isn't the time to be making jokes about ages," the younger man argued.

"Who is joking? I'm serious."

Realizing this, he quieted down, looking over to the others who were in an unconscious state. "What about Anise and Guy?"

"I will arrange for the guards to carry them." Jade nodded towards three oncoming-armed soldiers, "You need not worry. Now be quick!"

The noble hesitated for a moment, and then released his friend's hand, and raced in the direction the other had pointed, disappearing into the bushes.

Jade watched him go, hoping that he made it in time. Firstly, before he moved her, he had to slow the bleeding somehow. Unbuttoning and shrugging from the overcoat of his uniform, the fonist wrapped it around her wounds as best he could before he slid his arms under Natalia's legs and neck, supporting her weight as he lifted her. Getting to the city was more important than stopping to make sure his jacket was a secure tourniquet.

She winced and groaned as he moved through the forest, losing herself with every moment. All he could do was tell her repeatedly 'stay awake' and 'we are almost there', no matter how close they actually were. He would momentarily peek behind over his shoulder to make sure that the guards followed with Anise and Guy on their backs.

She began to grow lost body heat after three minutes of travel, not having enough energy to shiver. Jade hugged her body closer to his as he went, surprised that she had lasted this long. He started to believe that she actually would survive and make it to their destination, given that no monsters had come as of yet.

"Jade…" she asked quietly, breathless.

"Yes? Better yet, don't answer. Save it for later," he answered soothingly.

"…No…Asch and I…we were meant to change this world…together." Her voice began cracking as she grew emotional, becoming flustered over memories of her and the real Luke Fon Fabre. She breathed in deeply, shuddering. "All I wanted…was to save those in need…but I'll never get to do that. I don't want to…leave him alone in our future."

"Enough, Natalia," the Colonel commanded, losing his patience. Now was not the time to regret something that could not have been changed.

"I'm so sorry, Asch."

They emerged from the Theor Forest only moments later, and the sight of Luke, running in their direction with Tear and other healers, caught Jade's eye. He sighed in relief and turned his gaze to the girl in his arms, but then his relieved expression changed. "Natalia?" Almost instantly, he had understood what had happened. She was not there anymore.

Guy winced and put a hand on his forehead as a wave of pain hit him as he stared up at the ceiling. Light poured in from the windows, and that did not help his already sensitive eyes. "Where am I?" he questioned allowed, sitting up slowly in his bed—one room he did not remember entering. There were three other beds in the room; all empty, but showed traces that someone had been there before. "Is this…" He trailed off, suddenly hearing a faint muffled voice off in the distance.

The Sigmund fighter escaped from his bed, heading for the door, turning the knob and swinging it open in one swift motion. Sobbing could be heard from that same voice as he neared a door that was cracked open. He peeked inside, seeing Luke, who sat on a bed with his head hung low, and Tear who was near him, a sympathetic expression on her face.

What's going on, Guy asked himself mentally, observing the others, which voice…is the one who's crying? Anise?

It was quiet in the room, besides the sound of Anise weeping for an unknown cause. He gently pushed the door open, letting it swing slowly until it hit the wall. Now he could see everything. Anise cried loudly into Ion's chest from her bed, shoulders heaving with every breath. He rubbed her back soothingly and looked up at the one who just entered.

"We're in Grand Chokmah," came the well-known, flat tone from Tear upon first seeing her late companion. She was silent for a moment, seemingly trying to form words as she stared at him with worry in her eyes. "Guy…are you…all right?"

"Of course, Tear. What do you—" And then it hit him. He remembered everything. A memory of him and Luke traveling through Theor Forest before he lost control of his body. The image of Natalia being skewered by his own sword. The feeling of complete helplessness, anger and frustration when it all came to an end.

Guy stepped back, suddenly feeling a strange emotion, "Where's Natalia?" he asked, knowing full well what the answer would be as he glanced around the room. "Jade's gone too. Where is he?"

"Jade left and went to the port," Luke spoke suddenly, gaze still fixed on the floor.

To Guy, what Luke said had made no sense, his face showing confusion.

"Natalia is the Princess of Kimlasca. It would be a complete insult to her countrymen if Malkuth did not send her remains back to her homeland," Tear added, clearing up whatever Luke did not fill in.

"You're…serious?" Guy asked, being calm no matter how depressed he was. How could he have killed Natalia? It was not possible. It could not be true. It was a dream. "Tell me this is just some joke." He looked over at Luke with hopeful eyes and a delirious smile, "You're just messing with me, right? I-I only dreamed that it had happened." He knew exactly what he had done. That strange emotion from before, that he was feeling now, was denial. Noticing this, he grew quiet, and his gaze dropped to the floor.

"In your possessed state, Sync used your suppressed anger to control you—A curse slot seal, and in that state…you struck down Natalia," a voice echoed from the hallway, footsteps accompanying it. Moments later, Jade reached the doorway, standing a ways behind Guy, who did not turn to face him.

Ion nodded in agreement, as Anise's sobs began to quiet. She glanced over at Guy with red eyes, sniffling. The blond-haired man looked away, not able to meet her gaze. Ion simply held her, finishing what Jade had begun. "A curse slot can't be used to take full control of the target. A curse slot stirs up memories and paralyzes rational thought…" He trailed off, looking out a nearby open window. "I'm sure you're aware of that by now—from Chesedonia. You attacked Natalia because you felt anger or some other emotion towards her that drove the assault." The Fon Master paused, letting it sink in.

Suddenly, Guy noticed that everyone's gaze was on him, all supporting sad, yet scornful eyes. He felt a strong hand suddenly grip his shoulder and Jade state, "Go back to your room and get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Ranting" Author (Relation Version—story of my woe): Well, didn't you ever have a spell caster die like that? I have. This was based on a somewhat true story, yet…it's a 'what if' scenario.

For instance, I was fighting Nebilim for my very first time ever and I had gotten her down 100,000 HP (Hoosha for me when I did. I was so proud) when suddenly, Natalia feels as if she can lay the boss to rest. She runs up to her, shoots her for about 1,000 damage each (that's pretty good considering Nebilim's defense…Normal Mode, mind you). This continues until she's about 3 feet from Nebilim and see's that Luke needs healing. Well, I'm over there as Guy, resurrecting and healing when needed and then running in to attack, not paying attention. Tear, the smart one, heals Luke from a distance, but one hit from Nebilim sends him into the red again. Natalia, right then and there…begins casting a spell…. RIGHT BESIDE NEBILIM! I mean COME ON! How dense can you get? That spells out D-E-A-T-H. GET 50 MILLION FEET AWAY BEFORE CASTING A SPELL! Of course, she died in a combo from Nebilim, but I didn't lose the battle. I brought her back and got Nebilim down to like 20,000 HP before characters started dying again. 20,000 HP left and people were dying. I was down to 3 life bottles and a whole bunch of gels. Luke and Natalia were dead, so I was protecting Tear as Guy and didn't have time to use a Gel. (Speaking of Gels, is it just me when I see that my characters using crappy ones like Orange and Apple gels when I have Pineapple and Lemon Gels galore? They only use those. LEMON GELS AREN'T FOR SHOW! USE 'EM!) I just said 'forget it' and performed Brilliant Overlord. Of course, no one was dead when I finished the battle. Tear, being smart again, brought everyone back just in time and used Revitalize.

While Tear isn't my favorite character really, or really a liked character by me, she SURE AS HELL is the smartest of them all when it comes to boss battles.

Oh yeah…there's gonna be a third chapter. I'm not very pleased with the ending of this one. I noticed that I need to explain more, and that I just wanna do something a little different in the next one. I know this story doesn't get the believable vote, but hey…I tried to put a tragic theme to it. It's my first one like this, so cut me some slack, eh?