Tear Grants was on a mission.
A personal mission—to find her purpose in life, now that she was free from her self-assigned task of putting an end to her brother's ambitions to destroy the world.
In between delivering messages from Yulia City to Daath and traveling in general, there was not much spare time for anything in Tear's life besides introspection in her lonesome. It was perhaps that habit which led to her difficulty in moving on, for being alone left her to turn to her own thoughts for company.
Sure, she got to visit her friends at times—Anise most especially. However, those were but temporary respites from the lingering void left by Luke's disappearance and her brother's death, which continued to claw at her heart.
She promised herself back then that she would stand tall and hold her chin up. Live on for their sakes and those who have passed on, holding onto the promise her beloved Luke made to her.
And live on, she did. As the ever-gently smiling descendant of Yulia, always ready to help those in need—singing when need be, giving words of reassurance that sounded hollow to her ears. After all, when she was alone, her facade broke and left her wide awake during the night with thoughts of what may have been.
What if I noticed my brother's feelings earlier? Could I have changed his mind?
What if I insisted on staying behind with Luke? Could he be here, standing beside me?
She knew it was pointless to dwell on it, but the dull ache in her chest whenever she remembered any of them was telling of her inability to let go.
The said emptiness still lingered when the war between Kimlasca and Malkuth broke out. It was out of a sense of duty to her friends rather than an urge to save the world that she decided to see matters for herself and check if there was something she could do for them.
It was in the outskirts of the fallen fortress capital that she found Jade half-carrying, half-dragging a gravely injured Emperor Peony with him. Amidst the howls of victory resounding throughout the battlegrounds, she quickly set to work when she came upon them—not before having to dodge an Energy Blast thrown her way and revealing herself with her arms raised—and stopped the latter's bleeding with her healing artes.
As Jade nodded his thanks and she joined their search for sanctuary, it was then that she remembered.
The Closed Score.
Someone has been fulfilling the Closed Score. Her stomach churned at the thought then. Who? And to what purpose? Those who knew of the contents had no reason to do it, and those who had a reason to were dead, unless...
Unless...
It was with these thoughts that she accompanied them to Tataroo Valley, where a small amount of survivors began to gather to form a settlement. It was with that in mind that she assisted Jade in applying a fonic arte to his throat to protect his identity. It was with that in mind that she stayed on to heal the injured and tended to Emperor Peony's wound, until the discomfort of theorizing and dwelling on what-ifs got to her. It was with those unsettling thoughts that she bid her leave and set off for Baticul, where she gained insight into the event that unfolded earlier.
And it was with the promise of finding her way out of her months-long nightmare that she found herself facing a ragtag band of all-too familiar faces in the throne room of the said capital, her expression neutral as she took in the surprise and confusion—and a hint of betrayal—on their faces.
"Tear?" Natalia was the first to speak, confusion still etched on her face as she took in her appearance by the foot of King Ingobert's throne. "Is that you?"
"It is," she replied flatly, her steely blue gaze fixing itself upon Natalia's bright, surprised ones as two soldiers, if a bit hesitant, blocked off Natalia and her companions.
Hurt was visible on Natalia's expression as Tear delivered her cold response. After throwing a wary glance at the spears blocking her path, she turned her attention to the figure seated on the throne, she said, "Father, what is the meaning of this?"
"Natalia, I'm—" There was an equally pained expression on King Ingobert's face as he met Natalia's eye. "I did it all—"
Unable to finish his sentence, he choked back what seemed to be like a sob, dejectedly slouching in his seat as he hung his head. Natalia stared forlornly at King Ingobert, looking as if she was unsure of what to say next.
"G-guards, please, step aside," he said, after finding his voice back. "It's my daughter; I want to see her..."
The soldiers withdrew their spears and retreated to the foot of the throne, showing Natalia in plain view.
"Natalia…" His gaze was fixed on the figure before him, and Tear could see him study Natalia initially with wonder, then happiness, which briefly turned into that of fear as she saw him struggle with what was certainly a torrent of emotions.
"Father, are you alright?" Natalia asked, her brows knitting in worry as she eyed her father.
"I'm fine." He breathed out, weariness overtaking him. "Natalia, please, take your rightful seat beside me."
Natalia took a step forward, only to hesitate as she glanced at her companions.
"No," she said with a twinge of regret.
"Natalia, please…" King Ingobert's tone was hoarse, as if he was fighting back some sort of pain on his own. "Won't you kindly indulge the request of a father who misses you so much?"
"I can't," Natalia said, shaking her head. "Father, I wish for answers." Her eyes were bright with what seemed to be tears, though none of the expected sobs came as Tear saw her take a deep breath. "Who gave the order to kidnap me? And please don't say it's Malkuth, for I know that I have been taken captive by my fellow Kimlascans, and that it's only through Daath's goodwill that I'm able to stand before you right now."
King Ingobert's eyes turned troubled as he continued to engage Natalia's surprisingly steady gaze, unable to tell the answer he clearly knew. Thankfully, he was spared from having to answer when a figure from the back spoke up.
"I did."
A stunned silence hung over the four by the entrance as they noticed a familiar redheaded figure by the right side of the throne, his shockingly green eyes boring into them as his aged features remained impassive.
Duke Fabre.
"You're kidding, right?" Guy said in a disbelieving tone, shaking slightly as he tightened his grip on his sword.
"I'm afraid not, Gailardia," Duke Fabre said solemnly as he spared a glance for Guy. "It is as true as the fact that I was directly responsible for the deaths of your family members back in Hod."
At those words, Guy's face turned red with fury. "You monster!" He lunged at Duke Fabre, only to freeze and tense visibly as Anise clung to his waist.
"No, Guy, it's not worth it…"
Guy reluctantly let go of his sword hilt, relaxing as Anise released her grip on him.
"The Oracle Knight is right," Duke Fabre said. "All things considered, the damage has already been done."
"I've… already put Hod behind us, but this…" Guy's tone was surprisingly steady given his earlier outburst, though Tear sensed a hint of warning beneath it, causing her to reaffirm her grip on her staff just in case.
Duke Fabre sighed tiredly. "I do not seek your forgiveness, Gailardia Galan, though I am fully aware of the magnitude of the sin I have committed."
"Then, Uncle… Why did you do it?" Natalia asked, clearly still unable to process the truth. Tear could not fault her for that, for it was her exact reaction back when she confronted the same person a few months back.
No matter, they shall understand soon.
Duke Fabre closed his eyes. "Because there are some things worth more than the world."
"And what might that be?" A strangely familiar tanned blond by the back spoke up in a somewhat bored tone.
"Luke."
And yet again, there was a strange stillness that pervaded the room. Tear's gaze flickered towards Natalia, whose face was white with shock, then Guy, who looked like he was ready to punch something, then Anise, whose eyes were wide with surprise, and then the blond stranger, whose surprising calm reminded her eerily of the Colonel.
Then, blue met blue, and she knew. Though that did not explain why the Colonel didn't seem to be anywhere in sight, and if anything, raised the question of where he might be.
She was about to open her mouth to speak when she was interrupted by Duke Fabre, who took his time scanning the faces before him. "Almost everyone believes him to be dead. But I know better. He will return, and as his father, it is up to me to pave that path."
"But Uncle, you were the one who built that grave! You wanted to put your feelings to rest! So w—"
"Princess Natalia, have you tried passing by his grave everyday? His bedroom, long unoccupied? Have you tried listening to your aunt, waiting for his return ever so patiently? It's impossible. Impossible to put these feelings to rest." He pressed a finger to his temple and rubbed it vigorously. "So once a way to get him back was presented, I took it."
For a moment, a still silence hung over them.
"…The Score." Anise said softly. "Yeah, that bastard Mohs would have done that."
"Anise, what are you talking about?" Natalia asked, confused.
"It's forbidden to keep a written copy of the Closed Score anywhere. But I am guessing that Mohs decided to make his own rules and wrote it down anyway, and gave a copy to some Kimlascan noble in order to motivate them to start a war with Malkuth. Before he kicked the bucket, of course."
"How is following the Closed Score supposed to bring back Luke? It does not—" Guy paused, his face draining of color as a certain realization dawned on him. "No… But that was not—"
"How amusing," Duke Fabre said. "Miss Grants's reaction was exactly like that when she learned the truth."
Tear felt four pairs of eyes on her, and though a small twinge of guilt tugged at her, she cast it away with a soldier's practiced indifference, her expression impassive as she met their gazes head on.
"'...The light of the sacred flame shall approach a Kimlascan city of fon machines, seeking a way to purify the taint.' She said something about it being the late Fon Master's Score reading for Luke, and that it was not part of the Closed Score, long since fulfilled. However, that is but one interpretation of the said statement. And it could be very well part of the Score."
"But the Score isn't absolute!" Anise said pointedly.
"Is it, Oracle Knight?" Duke Fabre glanced dubiously at Anise. "Are you completely sure about that?"
"My name is Anise!" Anise replied, glaring at Duke Fabre. "And yes, I'm pretty sure of it. Didn't we just prove that? Didn't Luke just prove that?"
"I acknowledge that it has some slight deviations here and there, but all paths lead to the same fated end."
"What do you mean?"
"Luke destroyed Akzeriuth, and destroyed a part of himself in effect." Closing his eyes, he continued, "I'm sure you have noticed the change in his personality since then, as even I could tell when he came back to the manor after your little adventure in the Absorption Gate. Then, the Rugnican Plains was enveloped in war, and Malkuth 'lost' territory shortly thereafter when St. Binah fell into the Qliphoth." Opening his eyes, he gazed at each of his audience in turn. "The Score holds true—what other proof do you need? At this point, it's only logical that I, his father, would pave the way for his return, as I'm sure he would have wanted."
"You don't know the first thing about Luke!" In a blink of an eye, Guy closed the distance between him and Duke Fabre, swinging his sword at the latter's side.
"Guy, no!" Natalia and Anise's cries remained ignored by the subject of their concern, who pushed on with his charge.
Duke Fabre parried Guy's attack by quickly drawing his sword. "Are you sure you should be doing this, Gailardia? I don't want to hurt you, but if this is the way you are going to—"
"I owe you nothing!" Taking a few backsteps, Guy gripped his sword tightly as he charged in. "Tiger Blade!"
"Gailardia Galan Gardios!" Duke Fabre met each of Guy's swings with his blade. "Is this how you treat me after I take the steps to return your beloved friend? Such a shame if this how you treat the fathers of all your friends."
"You're no father of his!" Guy said, glaring at him as he pressed on with his blade. "How dare you call yourself that, when you haven't been around raise him like a proper father should?!"
"This is your last warning, Gailardia." Duke Fabre said, eyes narrowing. "Step down now and you shall remain unharmed."
"Hell if I care!" He leapt back, launching a Demon Fang at Duke Fabre before charging in again with a Sword Rain: Alpha arte.
Duke Fabre merely let out a tired sigh. "As you wish." Deftly blocking the flurry of strikes, he responded with a swing of his own, accompanied by a blast of air which sent Guy flying across the room, prompting Anise to enlarge Tokunaga in order to cushion his fall.
On reflex, Tear took a step forward, readying a healing spell.
"Guy!" At the same time, Natalia hurried to his side, casting a healing spell as she knelt next to him. Tear retreated, silently berating herself for her irrational actions. They were enemies now, no longer united by the sole purpose of saving the world.
"Tear!" Her actions have not gone unnoticed, for Anise threw her a questioning, albeit hurt look. "What are you doing here? I never expected—"
"If this path leads us to Luke's return, then I will see it through," she replied flatly, mentally stamping out the image of Anise's pained expression that imprinted upon her mind.
"But Luke wouldn't have wanted this!" Guy said as he struggled to his feet. "He fought so hard to keep the peace—"
"It's," she swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, "better than just standing around and doing nothing."
"He promised he would return, didn't he?" Natalia said, eyes pleading. "Couldn't you hold him on to that promise? Didn't you believe him when he said that?"
"I did!" Tear cried out, the corners of her eyes prickling. "I mean, I do!"
"Then why?" Anise asked, her eyes slowly brimming with tears.
"I…" A small pain in her chest caused her to look away from them, clutching a hand to her heart as she did so. Couldn't they see that this was difficult for her as much as it was difficult for them? It wasn't an easy decision to make, but it was either that or wallowing around in her pit of self-misery.
"Tear, you're not the only one who is waiting for his return," Natalia said softly as she stood up. "You're hurting, but it's a pain you don't have to shoulder on your own. So please," she opened her arms wide, "come back to us."
"Yeah!" Anise said, wiping the corners of her eyes. "We don't need some stupid Score to follow."
"So, you are still insisting that the Score can be overthrown?" Duke Fabre laughed. "Mother Auldrant has already walked down the path to destruction a long time ago, and there's no stopping it! If you want to blame anyone, blame yourselves for not getting rid of the Planet's Memory!"
Anise looked like she wanted to say something about it, but before she could do so, the blond from the back spoke up.
"Ingobert."
Tear stole a glance at the blond, more certain of his identity now that he spoke again.
The blond's piercing blue gaze fell on King Ingobert, devoid of the usual warmth that filled them. "I thought we agreed on this back in that summit. Our reasons for denying the New Order of Lorelei back then."
"Score or not, a ruler exists for his people. The said ruler has no right to deny them the right to fight until the bitter end, and as such, should do their best to support them, especially in times of crisis. There is also power in unity, and in the face of powers unknown, we are only as strong as we are united."
"P-Peony!" King Ingobert shot up from his seat, shaking violently as he pointed a finger at him. "You're—"
"Alive, yes," he replied coolly. "I believe I have Tear to thank for that." His gaze softened slightly when it fell on Tear, only to harden once more as it trained back on King Ingobert. "Never mind the people of Malkuth. You have betrayed your people by choosing to walk this path to destruction—a path I thought we have long decided to abandon." His eyes flashed dangerously as his glare intensified. "I cannot forgive that, and the fact that you have consciously denied your subjects a future."
Tear shuddered internally at the look Emperor Peony was giving King Ingobert, and could have sworn that she felt the room's temperature drop a few degrees. Even with her years of training as a soldier, she felt that she would crumble under such scrutiny and scorn. She could only imagine what King Ingobert was feeling that moment.
"I did it all for Natalia!" King Ingobert said despairingly, a pleading look in his eyes. "He said they'd kill her if I didn't cooperate!"
"But at what cost, Father? I would have willingly died if thousands of lives could have been saved!"
"Natalia…" King Ingobert averted his gaze in guilt, slumping in his throne.
"Touching as this reunion is, what is done is done." Duke Fabre shrugged. "More importantly, what are you going to do now?"
Guy threw Duke Fabre a disgusted look. "How could you be so nonchalant about all the lives you have taken?"
"Gailardia—Count Gardios—is right." Taking a deep breath, King Ingobert rose from his throne once more. "Duke Crimson Herzog fon Fabre, by witness of all those present in this hall, you are under arrest for masterminding Princess Natalia's kidnapping."
At those words, the soldiers by the throne moved next to Duke Fabre and motioned for him to follow them. Duke Fabre merely laughed, but made no attempt to resist as the soldiers ushered him out.
"While that's good and all," Emperor Peony said, folding his arms as he continued to narrow his eyes at King Ingobert, "isn't that a little too late, Ingobert?"
"It is." King Ingobert sighed as he watched the soldiers exit with Duke Fabre. "As such, I am stepping down as the King of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear."
Tear's brows shot up at the proclamation. Catching her reaction, she chastised herself for losing her cool and blinked back the rest of her surprise, hoping no one noticed her reaction.
"Father!" Natalia seemed as surprised as she was as she uncertainly put a hand to her mouth. "Isn't that too rash a decision?"
"No, I have given it much thought the past few months. I am unfit to be king, easily ruled by my emotions, ignorant of the world beyond what my advisers have told me." King Ingobert said, smiling sadly. "Natalia, my dearest daughter, you will make a wonderful and beautiful queen—the queen the kingdom has been clamoring for."
"This is… rather sudden," Natalia bit her lip. "I'm not sure if I could handle it just yet…"
King Ingobert approached Natalia and enveloped her in a hug. "I know it is a big responsibility. I'm deeply sorry for pushing this on you, my dear. But this country needs reform, and I am unworthy of delivering it. But know this, I will support you all the way," To everyone's surprise, King Ingobert knelt on one knee and hung his head in deference, "my beloved queen."
"Father!" Natalia bristled at the action, glancing at King Ingobert with troubled eyes. "Please stand up! There's no need to bow before me, as I am still your daughter no matter what."
Tear caught a movement from the corner of her eye, and saw Emperor Peony shifting towards the exit.
"Emperor Peony!" Anise called out, taking a few steps towards the other. "Where are you going?"
"I'm off to rebuild Malkuth, Anise." Emperor Peony gave her a lopsided smile. "That's the next logical step, now that this nightmare's over."
"Ooh!" Anise broke into a smile. "Daath will help!"
"Kimlasca as well," Natalia said, tearing her eyes off King Ingobert as the other finally stood up at her behest.
"Peony," King Ingobert said as he let go of Natalia, eyes filled with sadness and regret as he met Emperor Peony's gaze, "I am truly sorry for what happened to your country."
"What's done is done," Emperor Peony said, gaze turning cool as he eyed King Ingobert with what seemed to be distaste. "Apologizing will not change anything, and we're better off doing what we can instead of wallowing in the past." He turned his heel to leave. "Gailardia, Anise, let's go."
In a surprise burst of bravado, she left her station by the throne, not bothering to glance at Natalia or King Ingobert as she dashed past them, only to hesitate a few feet away from Emperor Peony's group. "I would like to go as well."
"Tear?" A flicker of curiosity crossed Emperor Peony's face as she spoke.
Better than hate, Tear supposed. Encouraged by his fairly neutral expression, she continued, "It's… what Luke would have—no, what I must do." She took a deep breath. "I want Luke to return to a world that's whole, and I will do what I can instead of relying on a miracle." Something she should have realized a long time ago, but it was better late than never, right?
A warm smile broke across Emperor Peony's face, much to her relief. "Your help would be much welcome, Tear." Turning to the others, he continued, "Let's go, then."
"Take care, everyone," Natalia said. "I will visit as soon as I can."
Tear smiled to herself as she exited the audience hall, walking along with her friends as they left the castle. Perhaps it will not erase the moments wherein she stood idly, but Emperor Peony was right. The future was upon them, and it was up to them to shape it however they can.
Watch me, Luke. Briefly, she raised her eyes to the heavens, blinking back tears with another smile of her own as a familiar redhead's face came to mind. I'll make you proud.