Ranting Author (There's-a-rumbly-in-my-tummy Report): Well… I said it would stop through about three chapters, but alas…you can tell that I was wrong to say that. I don't normally write during school year.

Anyways, it can't be like that One-Shot I just wrote for the Naruto section that passes SIX THOUSAND words. That's like…two to three chapters for me.

Oh no. I'm not writing that much again.

Also, I skipped ahead a lot--to the night before the final battle on Eldrant. Hope you don't mind me flying past so much story.

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Chapter III
A Leader's Declaration

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Guy stared out over the calm sea from Chesedonia's port, reminiscing on the travels that he and his comrades had shared up to now. Tomorrow was the chosen date—the day everyone would confront Van and the remaining God-Generals for the final battle on Eldrant. He had no particular interest in Legretta, but the other two, Sync and Van, had to be dealt with by his own hand.

Only weeks ago, Ion had died, leaving Anise in a state of utter depression, yet she refused to show any signs of it. He had been the same about Natalia's death, blaming himself completely and shutting everyone out for the first few days. It was because of his actions, that Guy would not step a foot into the castle for any reason. He could not bring himself to confront King Ingobert about his lost daughter—the heiress to the thrown.

Despite his feelings on it being completely his fault, everyone would tell him differently, saying 'it was not your fault' and 'don't blame yourself'. Even though everyone had told him those words, he still took all the blame. Guy had waited for them to unleash their fury on him, yet none of his comrades even seemed slightly angered at all. It was always 'you had no choice' and 'it was not your fault' over and over again, but this talk was beginning to annoy him. No one had asked him how he felt or what would he want to do for redemption. Time drowned on, and he started to despise things, but kept them quiet. Then slowly, he began to resent everything, yet never showed it. Anyone who knew him personally would be aware of the fact that he hardly showed his anger. However, even though he had not revealed his feelings, one could tell that a certain one of his friends had come to distance themselves from him.

When the duel with Arietta came, and the young God-General was defeated, Anise's depressed state grew more and more per day. It was hard for her—and he could do nothing to help, although he was still in the same state as her. Though he continued to play his part as a supporting friend, his words meant nothing to him when he told them to someone else.

"Guy."

The memorable voice caused the young man to turn to the other, an empty expression on his face. He smiled kindly, even though his frame of mind reflected something else. "Oh…hey Luke. What's up?" Without knowing it, he had turned to face the sea once more at an impulse, no longer gazing at his friend. Nowadays, did not hold the same warmth as before.

"Can we talk?" The noblemen crossed the space, stopping at a spot beside his friend. A second passed, and he turned his stare elsewhere from his companion, staring at whatever that moved.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Tomorrow…we will face Master Van and…" Luke trailed off, shooting a quick glance at the other before looking away once more. "And Asch is more or less going to be there. I can just feel it…"

There was an instant of silence between the two fighters. "You don't have to warn me about this. I know what's going to happen—and what has been happening." A slight chuckle came from the Sigmund combatant as his eyes flew to the other beside him. "Hours from now, I'll finally have to confront Asch about my actions against Natalia. I've been waiting for him to come after me since the word spread, but miraculously, he hasn't even shown himself for vengeance. I know I would have…and then…" Guy cut himself off from finishing the sentence, knowing what would follow.

"Then what? What are you going to do?" Luke scolded him, obviously not happy with the gap of silence.

"I'm gonna go to Batical and accept whatever punishment they throw at me. I started the war between Kimlasca and Malkuth, therefore I have to receive a fitting penalty for slaying the heir to the throne of Kimlasca Lanvaldear."

Luke stared incredulously at the blond beside him, eyes widened from the answer he had received. His expression softened, tone of voice sounding a little concerned. "You're serious? I mean, we resolved that whole issue a long time ago—"

"I know that—It's just…If I don't turn myself over, then my conscience won't be at ease. Destroying the future of a country is something that many have done—I managed it in one swipe of my blade." Guy sighed, lowering his gaze and closing his eyes. He crossed his arms, continuing with his announcement, "I'm not doing this for anyone else, but myself."

"What the hell is your problem? Are you hoping for an execution or some form of torture?" The Gardios nobleman opened his mouth in protest but was quickly shot down by a glare from the other. "Do you just plan to die—to let everything go because of your conscience?" Luke shook his head and began to back away from the other, a disgusted expression on his face. "And to think that I respected you, Guy."

"Wait just a second, what are you talking about?" The blond turned to face the other with a confused look. "Just what did I do now?"
The heir to the throne turned his back to the other, stopping and turning his gaze elsewhere. "A long time ago, you told me that instead of marching into death so casually, that I should be fighting with every drop of blood in me. I did that—and I'm still here, thanks to your words and support." Luke paused, a small smile on his face. "Then you reminded me of something I told you, yet still don't remember it. In a way, it's kind of ironic that I would tell you this again, and yet not remember every saying it." He smiled to himself; amused with the situation as he reminisced about the earlier years he spent living as Luke fon Fabre. It was thievery, the way he stole Asch's existence, but it was something he, as well, had to get over. "You can't go forward if you keep looking back."

"Where are you going with this?"

"I'm just saying that you need to get over that you…killed Natalia," he stated, hesitating to mention his childhood friend's name. He knew his words were unsympathetic, but they needed to be said. "Hearing you talk like this is irritating, especially if you were the one who told me to 'keep going no matter what' all this time."

Guy grit his teeth, glaring at his friend's back. "Because of me, the score remained true and the war commenced—taking more lives than just the original one. I took the lives of many who participated in the confrontation between our countries."

"I understand, Guy!" Luke turned around facing his distressed friend with a frustrated expression. "I'm probably the one who knows what you're going through the most. I destroyed Akzeriuth—me! And do you know something else? I admitted to it and accepted the fact that I would have to live day-to-day with that burden. I'm not running away. I won't avoid it."

"And you're saying that I am?" There was a hint of edginess in Guy's voice, indicating that this conversation had struck up a nerve. Nonetheless, he would either walk away or snap if it continued. He looked away in repugnance.

"Of course I am. You're evading everything—even your own friends! We're just trying to help you get through this, but it looks like you're set on never getting out of the hell that you created for yourself." In nearly a second Luke was in Guy's face, grabbing him by the collar and jerking him. He was going to make sure that the guilt-ridden man before him listened. "If you can't handle discussing to your own comrades about your actions, then don't disturb yourself by fighting with us."

It was his way of saying, 'if you can't talk about it, don't even bother coming with us tomorrow'. Luke released Guy's chemise and continued in an unkind tone, "You'll only slow us down if we run into Asch, Sync or Master Van—and I'm not jeopardizing everyone else because you suddenly lose the will to fight." His eyes narrowed. "Return to Grand Chokmah." With his reason for coming completely, by relaying the message for Guy not to assist in their battles tomorrow, Luke spun around quickly and began marching away with swiftness. As the acting leader of the group, he was the one who was responsible for passing on the message. Not only him had considered that the tormented male should not attend their most vital assignment; the others did as well, though out of wanting to save him from harm. "I'm not gonna tell you a second time. You'll only get hurt if you continue. Go home."

Ranting Author (Shaka-Zulu Version): Yes. This story is probably one of the shortest chapters I've ever written for this narrative, but you know what? It shall be avenged

I only made this one undersized because the next one begins the last installment. That's right. I'm nearing the ending to this tale.

-Salam Aleka