Chapter 51: Consequences
Luke shuffled in his sleep, several strands of his red hair falling into his face. But the redhead took no notice and if he had woken, he just as quickly returned to his slumber. Guy let out a sigh in disappointment; he was really hoping that Luke would wake up soon. It had been several hours now since they had escaped the core, though they'd cut it pretty close on the last leg there. But in the end Ginji had managed to get them out in the nick of time, and they were on their way back to Sheridan.
Luke hadn't woken since Lorelei or whatever it was had taken control of him, and frankly, that's what worried Guy the most. Though Asch didn't seem to be fretting, he was worried enough that he had refused to put his slumbering sibling in one of the cabins and subsequently allowed his lap to become a pillow. If he was putting up with all the shuffling around Luke kept doing, then he had to be concerned to some extent.
"Is Luke going to be okay?" Anise asked Jade, pre-empting the blond who was about to inquire the same thing.
"Asch?" Jade turned the question to the elder redhead.
"He should be okay," Asch eventually answered. "At the very least Lorelei isn't controlling him anymore. Beyond that I can't tell, we'll have to wait until he wakes up."
"Lorelei wouldn't hurt Luke..." Guy began hesitantly. "Would he?"
"I don't know..." Natalia seemed doubtful. "For being the essence of the Seventh Fonon, he certainly seemed to have a personality all his own."
"Yes," Jade agreed. "I'd say it was reminiscent of a certain someone."
"You did not just imply what I think you did," Asch said defensively, his green eyes meeting Jade's who were positively dancing.
"That depends entirely on what you think I just implied." Jade shrugged. "But to return to the issue at hand, no I do not think Lorelei had any intentions of hurting Luke or Asch. Communication was most likely his sole objective." Asch glared at Jade who'd managed to cut off any chances the redhead may have found to retort.
"Can we back up a minute?" Anise asked. "What exactly was going on down there? I mean, I know Lorelei is the sentient essence of the Seventh Fonon or whatever, but how was he possessing Luke in the first place?"
"I admit, I'm rather confused as well," Natalia conceded. "Everything happened so quickly..."
"It's like I said in the core," Jade explained. "Lorelei, Asch and Luke all share the same fonon frequency. Asch, who was born an isofon of Lorelei, and Luke who is a perfect isofon of Asch; quite unusual indeed. A pair of isofons is rare to begin with, but to have three beings who all share a fonon frequency... it's next to unheard of. Never the less, their intimate connection with Lorelei certainly explains their unique talents."
"But how does that allow Lorelei to control Luke?" Ion inquired.
"Though it hasn't been properly studied, it has been theorized that having an identical fonon frequency connects two isofons through their fonslots. In a normal case, a person's fonslots allow them to gather fonons and with practice weave them into artes; but in the case of our twins over here, they would have a few additional functions. Lorelei most likely utilized this fact to control Luke's actions."
"Come on Colonel!" Anise protested. "Out with it! Stop teasing us!"
"It means we're connected through our fonslots," Asch finally provided, giving into the fact that the information was coming out either way. He appreciated Jade trying to avoid the topic for them, the flaw being in the form of an overly inquisitive dark haired girl whose prying meant it was coming out regardless. But that didn't mean he had to be happy about it.
"But what does that mean?" Anise was practically ripping her hair out. "Stop beating around the bush already!"
"To be connected through their fonslots means they are capable of passing feelings, or with enough practice thoughts, ideas, even words through their fonslots," Jade explained. "I must admit, it would make for a rather convenient communications network."
"You guys are just and endless pit of secrets, aren't you?" Anise asked with an eyebrow raised.
"You knew about this?" Tear asked.
"Of course," Asch stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Jade shrugged when Tear's gaze fell on him, which for him was good enough to declare him guilty.
"Wait... so you know how Luke is feeling, right now?" Anise asked excitedly.
"Yeah, tired," Asch answered, his reply dripping with sarcasm. He seriously hoped this wasn't a forecast of what things were going to be like. They may be connected but he was not a Luke barometer.
"So that means the voice the two of you have been hearing all these years was Lorelei," Guy pondered. "Wait a second, if Lorelei could speak to you guys... does that mean you can speak to each other?"
"Woah! Hold up! You can talk to each other in your heads?!" Anise jumped to her feet from where she had been sitting on the floor. "No fair! I'm never going to able to figure out your switching game!"
"That certainly would explain a lot," Natalia confessed.
"It would," Tear admitted, watching the two redheads in question. No wonder they were so close, how much better could you understand someone if you knew, truly knew what they were feeling. Was it really any wonder Luke had become so important to Asch, someone who needed that recognition above anything else?
"Hey Ion?"
"What is it Anise?"
"That Score you were talking about in the core, how does it go again?"
"ND 2000. In Kimlasca shall be born one who inherits the power of Lorelei. He will be of royal blood with hair of red. He shall be called 'the light of the sacred flame' and he will lead Kimlasca-Lavaldear to great prosperity," Ion recited. "Why, what's the matter Anise?"
The former Fon Master Guardian still had a puzzled look on her face as she sat back down on the ground. "What about the one with Akzeriuth?"
"ND 2018. The young scion of Lorelei's power shall bring his people to the miner's city. There, the youth will turn power to calamity and be as a weapon of Kimlasca, destroying himself and the city."
"So who's the 'Scion of Lorelei'? Luke or Asch?"
"Luke, isn't it?" Tear replied. "The light of the sacred flame."
"But Luke was born in ND 2010, right? Still, Asch isn't called the light of the sacred flame," Anise pointed out.
"If that were the case, then Asch should have perished in Akzeriuth, but he's still alive as well," Natalia added.
"Luke doesn't show up in the Score at all," Asch admitted.
"That's impossible. For that to be true, the Score would have to be off-track," Tear replied.
"Exactly," Asch provided.
"That doesn't seem to concern you," Natalia noted with a twinge of annoyance. "If the Score is off-track then Kimlasca loses its prosperity."
"That might be true," Asch admitted. "But am I the only one who noticed the Score only promises prosperity for Kimlasca?"
Silence fell over everyone. A quick glance in Jade's direction told Asch that the Colonel had had the same thought. The Score really had become such a hardened fact of life that people just accepted it without question. He could understand Van's point of view, it was perfectly valid. What he refused to accept was that destroying the world was the only way for things to change.
"But what does that mean?" Anise finally asked.
"I don't think that there's only one possible future," Asch explained. "The Score tells us about just one of the infinite possibilities out there. Just because that path may not be possible doesn't mean there aren't other, better, futures out there waiting to be discovered." Asch brushed several strands of hair out of his sibling's face only to have them fall right back. Luke shuffled under his touch but quickly returned to sleep.
Asch smiled. "Futures you never even could have imagined."
-----------
Sheridan lay under the cover of clouds, though the grey entities held no threats of rain. Their somber presence, however, set an appropriate mood for the grieving city. Much to Natalia's relief, there were several people in the streets and while the energy that had once inhabited this place seemed to have died in the massacre, it was wonderful to see that so many had survived. Though none of them could quite find it in themselves to be cheerful, it was clear that life would indeed go on, and the healing could slowly begin.
Luke walked beside the Kimlascan Princess and together they were bringing up the rear. She had slowed her pace twice already to try and stay with him, but still he was steadily falling behind. Normally she'd be angry with him for not keeping up, but she certainly wasn't going to scold him this time. Though he'd slept a full day after his misadventure in the core, he was still dreadfully tired, and had been quite ill for the past couple days. Though at first they'd teased him about having Tear's mystery illness, that quickly stopped when it was looking more and more like a possibility. He wasn't quite as sick as Tear became, but it seemed to be lingering much longer. Neither she nor Tear could find any manner of injury so there was little anyone could do but hope he'd get over it soon.
Luke smiled apologetically and quickened his pace to try and keep up. Natalia couldn't resist a smile. He was unwell but still so eager not to be a burden. Really it was starting to seem like a common trend among their little grouping. It was one he certainly shared with his brother. None-the-less, he didn't have to push himself, there wasn't any rush at the moment. Though they hadn't completely resolved the issues concerning Van and the Outer Lands, there wasn't any particular sense of urgency. It wasn't like they had any particular direction yet. Everyone had wanted to return to Sheridan to discover just what the final outcome had been. Seeing the large number of Kimlascan soldiers standing guard was encouraging to say the least.
"You needn't rush," Natalia said to her cousin who was visibly trying to hurry along. "We've nowhere we need to be right now, so enjoy the chance to take it easy while you can."
"She's right," Tear agreed. "Don't push yourself too hard." Natalia giggled in spite of her best attempts to suppress it.
"What?" the melodist's eyes met her best friend's.
"That sounds peculiar coming from you," Natalia confessed. Luke chuckled in agreement.
"How are you feeling?" Tear asked Luke, trying to distract the conversation, though it was too late to spare the pinkish hue that painted her cheeks.
"Better," Luke admitted.
"But you're not all the way yet," Natalia intervened. Luke gave her a pointed look. "Ah, ah. Don't look at me like that, I may not have a connection like you and Asch do, but I know enough to tell when you still feel sick." Luke sighed and conceded defeat.
"So where are we heading, anyways?" Natalia inquired.
"I'm not sure," Tear confessed. "Asch and Ginji have been leading the way, but I didn't think to ask them."
"Ginji wants to see if Iemon and Tamara were given proper graves," Luke provided. "After everything, it's the least we can do."
"My, that certainly can be rather convenient," Natalia replied once she realized how Luke had uncovered that information since he hadn't spoken to Asch since they had left the Albiore. "What did Jade call it? A convenient communications network? Hmm," she pondered a moment. "That seems rather long."
"Then call it the CCN!" Anise jumped in.
"That's actually not a bad idea," Tear agreed. "Unless you've been calling it something different," she added towards Luke.
The redhead shrugged. "It just kind of... is. We didn't really bother to come up with a special name for it."
"Well then, CCN it is!" Natalia declared. Luke started laughing. "What is it?"
"Asch wants to know why he doesn't get any input," Luke explained.
"Tell him that if he wants input he can walk at a decent pace like the rest of us; being here through your CCN doesn't count," Natalia teased. The redhead started laughing even harder, but he didn't continue to share whatever conversation he and Asch had gotten into.
After that the walk got much brighter, though the clouds didn't disperse and the lighting hadn't changed at all. Luke's spirits picked up and he seemed a great deal more energetic as they proceeded through Sheridan. Though whether it was because he actually felt better, or because they had called him on it was yet to be determined; but no one would deny that the increasing number of people they came across in Sheridan helped a great deal. Even Ginji, who was still trying to deal with a terrible loss seemed somewhat relieved that he hadn't lost all his friends as well.
The dead had all been properly put to rest, likely thanks to the White Knights and the Kimlascan soldiers, and graves were properly erected just beyond the city limits. Many people were to be found here, mourning the loss of friends, of parents, and of children. No one had been unaffected by the heartless slaughter. How Van could have done such a thing, was truly beyond Natalia. She just couldn't comprehend how someone would even consider such a thing, regardless of the reason.
Iemon and Tamara's graves stood among hundreds. Many of the markers were labeled, or rather, claimed, as there was no way of discerning in which grave any given person lay. A mourning family, realizing their loved one wasn't to return, simply chose at which place they would leave their respect and their prayers. Someone had already marked the two graves Ginji and the rest of them sought, and at their feet lay two bouquets of Noelle's favourite flowers.
"You're alive!" A voice greeted them from the direction of the city.
"Aston!" Ginji's eyes lit up at the sight of his companion. "You're alright!" The silver haired pilot clutched the old man in his arms, confirming for himself that this wasn't another of his dreams.
"Easy there, you're going to break some of these old ribs of mine," Aston protested. Ginji apologetically let go, but the relief was still more than visible on his face and in his posture. "I'm glad to see that nothing happened to you. When I got back to Sheridan and realized the Tartarus was gone I could only hope it was you and not that blasted Class I that had taken it. How did your mission go?"
"It was successful," Ginji answered. "Thanks to everyone and their sacrifices."
"I still can't believe that such a thing would happen." Aston shook his head in disbelief. "Poor Noelle, she was heartbroken."
"How is Noelle doing?" Ginji inquired.
"She left just over a week ago, for Grand Chokmah. Since the transmitter on our end was destroyed, I haven't been able to check up on her, but I'm sure she's doing fine."
"I'm sure she is," Asch agreed.
"So how did you escape the Oracle Knights during the attack?" Anise asked.
"I wasn't here in Sheridan at the time," Aston explained. "It was just dumb luck that I survived. It was Noelle who explained to me what had happened. Let me tell you if I ever get my hands on Class I or anyone else involved in this atrocity..."
"I don't suppose you saw our father then did you?" Luke hesitantly inquired.
"Duke Fabre came to Sheridan's aid," Jade added when Aston looked confused. "I believe these two are wondering how he fared."
"I'm sorry, there were just the Kimlascan soldiers here when I got back, I didn't see any nobility."
"Oh," Luke's shoulders sagged a bit.
"Don't worry," Tear reassured her companion. "I'm sure he's just already returned home." Luke gave her a weak smile, but it was more than obvious he was still worried. They all knew first hand, Luke and Asch probably more so than any of them, just how powerful her brother could be, especially when he wasn't holding back.
"Aston," Asch spoke up. "Do you know-"
"Hey!" Aston shoved Asch aside and ran past him.
"What the-" Tear watched in disbelief as Aston began chasing after another elderly couple. But he must have had some reason because Ginji began after him.
"Don't let them get away!" Aston called back.
"What's going on?" Asch demanded.
"That's Class I," Ginji called over his shoulder.
"Well that's simple enough to deal with," Jade shrugged in a very non-chalent manner. The devious Colonel cast a small earth based arte and tripped up the old pair in the distance.
"Wow Colonel," Anise commented her hands above her eyes. "Nice range on that one."
"Shall we?" the Necromancer waved a hand invitingly in the direction that Ginji and Aston were pinning down the two members of Class I.
If one were to count Spinoza among its members, despite having parted ways with them long ago, Belkend's Class I was a mirror of Sheridan's Class M. Neither of its remaining members struggled against their capture. They seemed worn, and if they had ever possessed the same fire Iemon and Tamara had, it had died out long ago. They simply lay there defeated in the dust under the weight of their captors.
Jade's spear and Asch's sword rested threateningly against their necks and allowed Ginji and Aston to stand up. "Sit up," Jade ordered and both of them did so. The blades followed them through their movements, and neither made any attempt to escape or even revealed any desire to do so. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure of an introduction."
"I'm Henken," the man said.
"I'm Cathy," the woman followed.
"You have a lot of gall showing your good for nothing faces around here!" Aston yelled. "Do you have any idea how many people died because of you?!"
"We do now," Henken replied solemnly, stealing another look at the sheer number of graves in the distance.
"Then what are you doing here?" Ginji asked, his voice unusually cold.
"Come to see what else you can swipe while no one is able to defend it?!" The last member of Class M yelled in outrage.
"No, we came to return something to you," Cathy said remorsefully. "It's in Henken's pack."
"Luke, if you would." Jade slipped around when Luke's sword replaced his spear. Normally he wouldn't ask Luke to do something of this nature, but he could tell, if only from the redhead's readiness to do as asked, that Luke knew there was no intention of actually harming Class I. The Necromancer removed the pack from Henken and after quickly investigating it for traps, passed it to Aston.
"What is it?" Ion asked.
"It's everything they stole from us," Ginji provided as Aston leafed through it.
"It's all there," Aston agreed.
"We won't ask you to forgive us, it's far beyond anything we can ever make up for. But please know that we never meant for so many people to get hurt," Cathy spoke up.
"We knew what we were doing was wrong," Henken admitted. "But we didn't know that he was going to kill anyone. We may have been rivals, but we never wished for your deaths."
"Van told us about how you were working on building dawn age technology," Cathy explained. "It would have been your 100th win, and our project wasn't done yet. He suggested we sabotage your attempts. He had to do something that would create some confusion, and we could sneak in and help ourselves to whatever we wanted. We'd reached a roadblock in our work, we thought that if we stole your plans we could find new angles to approach. I swear we didn't know he was going to kill anyone much less so many..."
"I believe they're being sincere," Ion spoke up.
"Sincere or not, it does not excuse them of their actions," Jade pointed out.
"Then what would you do with them?" the Fon Master replied, a surprising level of severity in his tone. Ion was no stranger to death, but after all that had happened, even he didn't know if he could take any more of it. Especially if it was just as unnecessary as the massacre in Sheridan had been.
"The research Van has you doing, it involves fomicry, correct?" Jade directed his question at Class I.
"Yes, that's right." Henken confirmed. "He had us working on effective methods of stabilizing very large replicas, as well as more efficient means of collecting large amounts of replica data. But how did-"
"What was the maximum potential size you found in your research?"
"Well it could easily replace the lands that have disappeared," Cathy provided. "But it's never been tested to its full extent."
"That's irrelevant," Jade dismissed her. "What's the theoretical maximum?"
"Theoretically... larger than anything that would fit on this world," Henken provided.
"Then Van's already able to create the size he needs," Asch realized where Jade was going. "I'd be curious to know where he's getting the necessary materials and supply of Seventh fonons from."
"Lorelei did say something was absorbing his power," Luke pointed out.
"Which means he's well underway with whatever he has going," Guy concluded. "That's just great."
"It's all going to come down to the wire," Ion realized.
"What do you want us to do with these two?" Asch asked.
"Let them go," Ginji decided. "I'm not going to stoop to Van's level and kill people who may be a hindrance to us."
"But what if they go back and help the Commandant with his research?" Anise asked.
"From what I've heard there isn't much left to do," Jade spoke up. "The damage has been done, as it were. There likely isn't much left that Van needs them for."
"Believe me, we'll have nothing more to do with that man!" Cathy protested.
"Even if he threatens you with your life?" Jade inquired.
"After this our lives are forfeit anyways," Henken replied, unable to look anyone in the eye.
"You're wrong," Ginji stated coldly. "You can't just go and die after what happened. That's nothing more than copping out of the responsibility. You have to make up for everyone who died."
"He's right, Henken," Cathy admitted.
"Schooled by a Class M youngster..." Henken sighed. "I never thought I'd see the day." Luke and Asch both removed their swords and Class I stood up. "If you'll let us, we'd like to help with some of the repairs that need to be done," the man offered.
"I know for a fact we destroyed several of your fon machines, and I'm sure the Oracle Knights did their share of damage as well," Cathy pointed out. "Let us help you rebuild them as a start."
"I don't know..." Aston grumbled.
"Let them help," Ginji nudged the older man. "You need all the hands you can get."
"And it would likely be for the best if they remain away from Belkend for awhile," Ion pointed out.
"Thank you," Cathy and Henken both bowed their heads in gratitude. "We'll give you everything we've got left in us!"
"I'm glad they could work things out," Luke admitted.
"Yes, I am as well," Ion agreed. "The last thing this city needs is more bloodshed."
"Aston," Asch interrupted as the man was about to walk off with Class I.
"What is it?"
"Do you know whereabouts Spinoza is?"
"No, I'm afraid I don't. But it's possible he returned to Baticul with the soldiers."
"Thanks," Asch replied. Aston gave the redhead a strange look before dismissing him and returning to the city.
"Why would Spinoza go to Baticul?" Anise asked.
"He likely returned with Duke Fabre since he was also one of Van's targets," Jade pointed out.
"Yeah, and he does research for our family," Asch added. "That's probably how Father knew what was going on in Sheridan. Spinoza reports his research to us, and if Van was trying to threaten him, he could have let Father know."
"I'm glad he did," Luke conceded. "Or things could be a lot worse right now."
"So what's our plan of action?" Guy asked. "We've got the core stabilized, but what now?"
"We lower the lands properly before they drop on their own," Jade provided.
"If the lands just fell, lots and lots of people would die!" Mieu pitched in. "That would be really bad, mieuuu."
"We won't let that happen, now will we?" Luke asked, too tired to bother prodding the cheagle for bouncing on his head. But for some reason he decided to indulge the thing. He must really need some sleep.
"No we won't!" Mieu happily agreed.
"Unfortunately we have no idea where the last passage rings are located," Jade pointed out.
"I'm afraid I can't be of any assistance there," Ion replied.
"I'll see if I can get Noir to find out for us," Asch suggested. "But she's going to need some time."
"While we're on that topic..." Guy jumped on the opportunity to ask the question that had been bothering him for awhile now. "How exactly did you get the Dark Wings working for you?"
"Better yet, how long have they been working for you?" Anise inquired.
"Since Chesedonia," Luke realized. "The very first time we were there, when they tried to steal our wallets, you snuck out that night."
"That's right," Asch confirmed. He looked worn, sort of tired and indifferent which was most likely the reason he was providing such easy answers. As much as Luke had tried to keep it to himself, the weariness he felt had slipped across to his sibling. Both of them were overdue for some rest, and had hit the point where they just didn't have the energy to hide it anymore.
"Why hire bandits though?" Anise inquired.
"Because they aren't just bandits. At the very least, you should know what I mean," Asch said with a look in Guy's direction.
"I admit they look familiar," Guy conceded. "But I haven't been able to place them."
"The circus troupe, the Black Dream," Asch provided.
"Wait, you mean the one that we went to see as children?" Natalia inquired.
"That's right, you were there too, weren't you?"
"Yes, it seems so few troupes come all the way out to Baticul since there's so much local entertainment and the Colosseum. Most prefer to remain in the Chesedonia area."
"Yeah, but either way, The Dark Wings and The Black Dream are both just covers for Noir's real operation."
"And what's that?" Ion asked.
"Hod," Asch said simply. "She took in people who had lost their homes and their families when Hod fell and Feres Isle was destroyed. Both operations are a way for them to earn the money they need to survive."
"Hmmm," Jade pondered.
"Explains things?" Asch asked.
"Well it's always been a bit of a mystery as to why the Dark Wings' activity came and went, but I guess it depended on how well their troupe would be doing."
"Yeah," Asch confirmed.
"So, the Dark Wings are going to gather information for us," Tear spoke up, "but what will we do in the meantime?"
"If possible, I'd like to go back to Baticul," Asch suggested. "There we can find out how negotiations for the peace treaty went while we wait, and I can contact Noir from there."
"I've no problems with that," Jade shrugged.
"Well we could go to Grand Chokmah as well," Natalia suggested. "Jade hasn't been home in awhile either."
"You needn't worry about me," Jade said with a smirk. "Though really I am honored." Natalia scowled and rolled her eyes. She should have known concern for the Colonel would be sent astray.
"To Baticul then," Guy said with a nod.
"Yeah," Luke smiled faintly. "Let's go home."
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Baticul was as full of people as it ever was and the hustle seemed strange having come from the solemn atmosphere in Sheridan. Nothing seemed amiss in the capital as the citizens hurried about their daily business, which bode well for the state of world affairs. At times like these it was so hard to believe what a dire situation the world was in, when everything just seemed so normal.
But on the subject of normal, much to everyone's relief, Luke and Asch were both back to normal. Though Asch still seemed weary at times, Natalia suspected that would linger until Van was finally dealt with and things properly settled down. Luke was no longer ill and between her and the younger redhead they were doing their best to keep Asch's worries in check. The presence of the connection between her cousin and her fiancé was especially useful and for such a peculiar thing, its existence quickly filed itself under normal daily occurrences. Knowing it was there made their silent interactions seem so obvious, and everyone wondered why they'd never suspected anything. Yet, how could anyone suspect something so farfetched? It seemed more like the sort of thing one read about in storybooks.
The sight of the castle brought a great deal of relief to the young princess, much unlike the last time they'd arrived. She had been filled with such dread at that time, worried about her father's reaction and that he may reject her. She should have had more faith in him; she should have had more faith in herself. But there was little she could do to correct the past, all she could do was build a proper future, and that was something she had every intention of doing.
"Princess Natalia!" One of the guards greeted her at the gates, which, much to her surprise, were closed. That was strange, the gates shouldn't be closed until after dark. "I'm glad to see you've returned!"
"I'm glad to return as well, my friends and I wish to speak with Father, could you open the gates for us?"
"I'm afraid that isn't possible. His Highness is currently away and has restricted access to the castle during his absence. I can allow you to enter, as well as any members of the Fabre family, but all others will have to wait until His Highness returns."
"Those seem like strange orders for Father to issue," Natalia pondered.
"I bet he's worried about Mohs," Luke suggested. "He may have booted Mohs out, but there could still be people Mohs influenced hanging around."
"A valid point," Jade agreed. "That could very well be the case. At any rate, we know that the peace negotiations must still be ongoing, or at the very least the rulers have yet to return home."
"But it also means they began in the first place, and that's a very good thing," Ion pointed out.
"With both countries eager and willing, it certainly simplifies the process somewhat," the Colonel added.
"Van will throw himself off the roof of Daath's cathedral before anything ever simplifies politics," Asch snidely remarked.
"If only we were that lucky." Jade pushed his glasses back up his nose.
"I guess we'll have to wait it out at the manor." Luke shrugged. He had made it a point long ago to never try and grasp the concept of politics. Though he'd learned a great deal from their travels and dealing with Peony and his Uncle, he doubted he'd ever understand it enough to do the sort of things Asch had to do.
"What of you, Princess?" The guard inquired.
"I'll stay at Aunt Suzanne's as well. Please inform me when my father returns."
"I will pass word along to send you a message as soon as he arrives!"
"Thank you," Natalia nodded and the guard bowed before returning to his post.
"You'll get to see if your father's alright," Guy nudged Luke who seemed to have lost himself in thought during the process of walking towards the manor.
"Yeah, I really hope he's okay," Luke said. The blond fell silent, his intense gaze shifting to the ground. "Oh Guy, I'm sorry." Luke exclaimed as the reason for Guy's silence finally clicked.
"Don't be," Guy said after a moment. "I hope he's okay too."
No one had any qualms about staying at the manor, and Lady Suzanne's reception when she realized her boys were home was nothing short of what Guy had come to expect from her. His feelings regarding the Fabre family aside, he had a great deal of respect for the Lady of the house. How could he not? Especially after the way she'd come to his defense when he was younger. Let's face it, a childhood as a noble hardly prepared one for the tasks required of a young servant. But Suzanne had always been patient with him, as she was with everyone, and often dismissed punishments the senior staff had issued. Suzanne had such an open mind and a warm heart, no one he knew could find it in them to hate her. He certainly hadn't, just as he never could bring himself to hate Luke. That kind smile of theirs made it utterly impossible.
But as she eagerly greeted everyone, something seemed amiss. There was something different in the entryway where everyone was happily chatting and Guy couldn't put his finger on it. Instinctively Guy found himself running his fingers along the hilt of his sword, as his eyes made their way up the pillar where it once hung.
So that was what seemed odd. So many years he had stood here, staring at the blade that now rested in his sheath, vowing revenge against the people that had stolen it. But he had been defeated by them, by the two redheads who had destroyed his hatred with their trust and their kindness. Each in their own way, they'd destroyed the chains that bound to him to his past; the very same chains that he could still see strangling the people who were once his closest friends. If only Van and Cantabile could see that. In their attempts to escape those chains, they were destroying everything around them. But in the end, they would still be bound, even if there was nothing left to the world but them and the memories they couldn't let go of.
On the pillar hung a different sword.
Guy clutched his own even tighter. Though he had vowed to put his hatred behind him, he couldn't help but wonder.
Who had to die for that one?
"I think it's pretty," Luke said, scaring Guy from the thoughts he'd become lost in. The blond suddenly noticed the two of them were the only ones left in the room.
"They say a blade grows more beautiful the more blood it spills," Guy commented, his voice coming across colder than he'd intended. Damn it! Why was he being this way... with Luke of all people?
"You're probably right, a lot of people died for that sword up there."
"I think it's a poor choice of a trophy, but that might just be me."
"But it's not a trophy," Luke shook his head, and Guy found himself face to face with that same warm smile that had melted away his hatred all those years ago.
"Really? Then what is it supposed to be?"
"It's a reminder."
"A... reminder?"
"I asked Father about it last time, because it bothered me. I didn't know why he would want to show off your family sword the way he had, but it wasn't about showing it off at all. It hung there all those years as a reminder to him, of the people he'd killed, and of the fact that he still had to live for all those lives he took defending the people he cared about. That sword there, that was the sword he used in the battle of Hod."
Guy turned to look up at the pillar, the jeweled blade still hung there glistening in the afternoon sun. All these years... his sword had been a reminder to them both. One of all he'd lost, the other of all he'd destroyed. What would he have done if he'd actually gone through with all his twisted ideas? But maybe this was a testament to the fact that there are always two stories, and things change when you find yourself on the other side. Hod... Akzeriuth... so many lives had been lost, and history had a nasty habit of repeating itself regardless of the victims along the way. Both those that died, and those who did the killing, none ever escaped unharmed. But one thing Guy knew for sure: as long as he was breathing he wasn't going to let Van make the same mistake. No more lives thrown away for pointless causes, or any causes of that matter. It just wasn't worth it.
"How is your father doing?" Guy finally asked.
"Mother said he's up at the castle being seen by one of the doctors but otherwise he's fine."
"I'm glad to hear that," Guy replied, and for the first time in his life, he meant it. "I think I owe him something."
"Really? What's that?"
"An apology."
"What for?"
"For everything, and for nothing all at the same time."
Luke cocked an eyebrow. "You're weird."
Guy laughed and ruffled Luke's hair in spite of the redhead's protests. For the first time in a very long time, Guy could look at the paths he had chosen, and had absolutely no regrets.
-------------
"Are you sure about this, honey?" Noir held up the bag she'd just received from her current employ. The pale moonlight was partially hidden by drifting clouds making the empty street a safer meeting ground for the bandit and the young noble than it otherwise should have been. "This is more than we agreed on."
"Think of it as a bonus," Asch replied, several pieces of parchment he'd just received from the woman securely in his grip. "You did save my life."
"For a bonus like this, I may have to make saving your life a habit of mine." Noir winked and Asch rolled his eyes, unable to resist a chuckle at the bandit's tactics. Some things never changed.
Asch let out a sigh and his face grew serious. "I really am grateful for everything you've done. You guys really helped me out a lot."
Noir cocked her head, giving Asch a curious look. She knew finality when she saw it, and that was definitely a prime example. "Are you... firing us?"
"Things are going to get rough," Asch explained. Noir raised an eyebrow. "Rough-er," Asch corrected himself. "You can't risk your life in our skirmish, don't you have your own people to look after?"
"That may be true sweetie, but just because you have to look out for the lives of others, doesn't mean you can stop living yourself."
"It's not always that easy," Asch replied solemnly.
"Of course it isn't easy, but no one can live solely for others," Noir pointed out.
"What about you? It seems like everything you do is all to help your people."
"Oh I know how to have fun every once in awhile," the pink haired bandit ran her finger up Asch's chin. "I can show you sometime if you like."
"How did I know you'd say that?" Asch rolled his eyes again, a grin spreading across his face.
"Because we're friends, and I like you sweetie. If you ever need our help again, you know how to find us," Noir slipped into a nearby alley. She popped her head of pink hair back out to give Asch one last wink. "And I hope you do."
Asch stood alone in the deserted city street, watching the leader of the Dark Wings slip into the night.
"Living for yourself, huh?" Asch spoke into the night before turning to return to his own home.
"I'll try to remember that."
--------------
Time passed quickly at the Fabre manor, much like it always did any time they were there. It had been over a week before the King had returned and brought news of the peace treaty's success. Ginji had been overjoyed to see Noelle again and the perky young pilot seemed to be fairing as well as could be expected given recent events. But for now the two of them were relaxing back at the manor, and Tear found herself along with everyone else standing outside the castle's library.
Unlike previous visits, their meeting with King Ingobert was completely informal and they had all sat down in the library discussing the treaty and recent events. Asch and Natalia had been there the day before for the formal briefing and had met up with the rest of them in the library that morning. It had been quite a lively discussion. Tear was surprised just how much had been discussed at the meeting, not the least of which included the war on Hod 15 years ago, and what position to take concerning her brother. Both had agreed to issue formal complaints against Daath, and while everyone knew that it likely wouldn't go anywhere, the added pressure was something they felt to be necessary. If nothing else it would keep Mohs at a more weary distance.
His Highness also recounted the discussion of Hod, and it had been a touchy subject; Guy being the most bothered by it all, and to no one's surprise Jade being the least. Tear found herself wondering if the Colonel had any part in what went on. He would have been the right age, but she couldn't bring herself to ask him such a personal question. For her, the story was simply a means that confirmed what she had known for awhile now. Van had told her the same story. He had been forced to destroy Hod's passage ring, just as he had forced Luke to destroy Akzeriuth's.
Tear took a deep breath and forced herself to settle some of those feelings. She wasn't going to blindly hate fomicry, blindly hate Luke, because that was what Van wanted, and it was the exact same thing of which she was condemning her brother. He hated the Score blindly, and because of that, he refused to consider any alternatives. In the end, he was the real slave to Yulia's Score. But she would stop him, no matter what the cost. It was the last thing she could do as his sister.
The melodist tugged at the short jacket she was wearing, and found herself fidgeting with the sleeves. After spending so long in her uniform, it felt so unnatural to be wearing something else, and something that was so unlike what she had become accustomed to wearing.
Just the other day, Suzanne had kidnapped the girls and all four of them had gone shopping. Anise had been having difficulty repairing some of the holes in her uniform the night before, and since she no longer held a position in the Order, she didn't have any way of replacing the tattered ones she currently held. So Suzanne had made it her mission to find Anise something she could wear and managed to drag Tear into it as well. Tear had adamantly refused the Lady's offers but... well, she found where Luke and Asch got their stubbornness from.
"You don't need to fidget," Luke commented, noticing the melodist's discomfort. "I think it looks really good on you."
"Th-Thank you." Tear managed.
"Hey! What about me?!" Anise protested teasingly, her hands on her hips.
"I think you look quite lovely as well," Ion commented with a smile. Anise's face instantly turned bright red. "You really should leave your hair down more often."
"If I leave it down it gets tangled in Tokunaga," Anise managed. "...but...if you like it..." Anise mumbled inaudibly and everyone except Ion laughed, leaving a rather confused Fon Master out on the joke. Asch just shook his head. He'd figure it out someday. He was almost as bad as Luke and Tear were.
"So are we going to return to the manor?" Tear inquired.
"No," Asch spoke up, his gaze fixed on the melodist. "We're here at the castle; you're going to see a doctor."
"Thought we'd forgotten about your episode in Keterburg hadn't you?" Jade said slyly.
"Well no but..."
"There are no urgent matters to attend to at the moment and we've nothing else planned for the remainder of the day," Jade said. "You've no excuses."
"But... I wouldn't want to trouble the doctors here-"
"Really, Tear, it's no trouble at all," Natalia cut her off. "The doctors here have so few patients they actually tend to, they'd probably enjoy having something to do."
"They've got you trapped this time," Guy shrugged when Tear looked around for help. "Besides, I'm with them. You had us all really worried in Keterburg, and if it gets any worse you could be in some serious trouble. Just go along with things this time. Right, Luke?"
"Luke?" Guy turned around to find his best friend missing.
"Hey, where did boy wonder and his replica go?" Anise asked, but shrunk back under the assault of glares she got from the group. "What?"
"If you would kindly keep that quiet," Natalia replied. "Not everyone here at the castle is aware of Luke's circumstances."
"Oh, sorry. But where did they go?"
"Who knows," Jade shrugged. "But we're in Baticul and the castle poses little threat to either of them. Let them do as they please."
"You do so know where they went," Anise accused.
"Perhaps, but that doesn't change where we're heading," Jade replied with an expectant look in Tear's direction.
"I know, I'll come," Tear conceded defeat.
"Now, Natalia, if you'd show us to the medical wing?"
"Of course, this way."
------------
"What's taking so long in there?" Anise asked, giving the closed door the most frustrated look she could muster.
"The same thing that was taking so long when you asked 5 minutes ago," Guy provided with his own level of frustration, except his feelings were directed more towards a certain dark haired girl in their company.
"But she's been in there forever!" Anise whined.
"If the doctor had to do any tests, it may take some time to get the results back," Jade explained. "Come now Anise, patience is such a valuable virtue."
"Shut up Colonel."
"Having fun?" A voice came from down the hallway.
"Luke, Asch! Where did you two take off to?" Anise demanded.
"We had some personal stuff to do," Luke provided as Asch grumbled inaudibly. Whatever they had done, Asch hadn't been happy about it.
"I see you managed to locate Spinoza," Jade commented, directing his attention to the man standing behind the twins.
"Yes, they've told me the news, I'm glad to hear that the mission to the core was a success," Spinoza provided.
"Yes, indeed, in spite of a few, shall we say, interferences."
"I've heard," Spinoza nodded confirming something unspoken that had passed between the two of them.
But before anyone could ask them to clarify, the door to the doctor's office opened and the blue haired doctor invited them in.
"Tear, how are you doing?" Luke asked.
"I've gotten the results of the tests back," the doctor said matter-of-factly. "I felt it was important to explain this to you - her friends- and Tear has agreed to this."
"Are you sure Tear?" Natalia asked. "We're concerned for your health, but your condition is truly none of our business."
"No, it's alright, you're the one who made me come, you deserve to at least hear the results." Tear nodded at the doctor to continue. She didn't need to ponder on it, the way the doctor was looking at her already told her that whatever she had to say, wasn't good.
"Tear's blood fonons are showing some extremely unstable values," the doctor explained. "According to the tests I've done, she has accumulated an abnormally large number of Seventh Fonons in her body."
"What's wrong with that?" Natalia asked. "I would think it normal to find Seventh Fonons in the body of a Seventh Fonist."
"That's correct," the doctor continued. "But the fonons are contaminated by the miasma, which is preventing them from properly exiting her body. This is causing a build up of miasma within her which is weakening her internal organs and that is likely the cause of her symptoms."
"But where are these contaminated fonons coming from?" Ion asked. "We've all traveled together for a great deal of time, but Tear is the only one affected."
"That's not entirely true..." Spinoza began but cut himself off after a harsh glare from Asch.
"Tear has absorbed over 100 times what any normal Seventh Fonist would absorb in her lifetime," the doctor added.
"The passage rings," Jade concluded. "Contaminated Seventh Fonons from the core are passed up through the Sephiroth. Tear has been exposed because she has been operating the passage rings."
"But what will happen if these fonons keep building up in her body?" Luke asked, his voice betraying just how upset he was.
"Right now, Tear's condition is relatively stable," The doctor provided. "We can give her medication to slow the progression and relieve her symptoms, but if her level of contamination increases, she will eventually die."
Everyone fell silent.
"You're both affected as well, aren't you?" Jade deduced, with a look at the twins.
"Why would you think that?" Asch asked, the snide tone in his voice giving away his defensiveness.
"Don't think you can hide things from me," Jade shot back. "You operated the passage ring in the Meggiora Highlands. As for Luke, an extremely large number of Seventh Fonons from the core would have entered his body when he was possessed by Lorelei, and with your fon slots aligned as they are, it's not beyond reason to assume that some of those fonons would have passed into your body as well."
"And yet, given those facts, neither of them are showing nearly as much damage as would be expected," Spinoza jumped in, looking up from the papers he'd received from the other doctor that described Tear's results. Jade nodded at the man to continue. "Asch was concerned about the effects Lorelei might of had on Luke and I checked up on both of them. Though they both have some level of contamination, it's nothing that will endanger their health. I have no idea why, my only guess is that their fonon frequency is somehow protective."
"It may also be that Lorelei has managed to remain relatively uncontaminated by the miasma in the core," Jade suggested. "Either way, as long as their health isn't an immediate concern, then we have more pressing matters," Jade returned his attention to Tear.
"Maybe that's why Lorelei is trying to escape the core," Tear said. "Perhaps if he stays there, he risks becoming contaminated."
"It's certainly a possibility," Jade agreed.
"Do we know where the remaining passage rings are?" The melodist inquired.
"Stop..." Luke said, his voice practically quivering. "Stop acting like everything is normal! You can't possibly be thinking of continuing to operate the passage rings! Didn't you hear the doctor, you could die!"
"Then what would you suggest we do?" Tear shot back coldly. "Even though we've stabilized the core, the Sephiroth are already at their limit. If we don't lower the lands, there will be countless innocent people that will get hurt, or even die. After all the work King Ingobert and Emperor Peony have done and the way they've agreed to help, you're going to ask everyone to stop now? I would have thought better of you."
"I'm not saying we stop!" Luke argued, now visibly shaken by the response he'd gotten from Tear. "I can operate the passage rings. Asch has his hyperresonance, there's no need for you to get any sicker."
"That would be pointless," Tear argued.
"Luke if you did that then you'd be the one to get sick," Anise pointed out.
"There's no point in having two people getting sick if they don't have to," the melodist said. "Don't go nobly sacrificing yourself for nothing."
"Damn it, this isn't a game of logic!" Luke cried out in frustration. "We're talking about your life!"
"Luke," Jade placed his hand on the young noble's shoulder. "Your sentiments are appreciated, but I'm afraid in this case is Tear is correct. We simply don't have any alternate options at this point." The redhead looked at the Colonel, his shining emerald eyes pleading. Jade had an answer, he always had an answer; but Jade simply shook his head.
"Asch, did you find out where the last Sephiroth are?" Tear asked again.
"Yeah, there's one in Tataroo Valley, and the other is in Daath," Asch provided, keeping his voice as calm as possible. The tension in the room was unbelievably high and it would take nothing to set them all off.
"Let's save Daath for last," Guy suggested. "There's no telling what kind of trouble is waiting for us there."
"Tataroo Valley it is then," Jade agreed.
"If you could..." Tear began. "Could you leave me for awhile?"
"Of course," Guy replied with a compassionate smile. No one, including the doctors, wasted any time escaping the room's confines.
Tear sat on the bed, the afternoon's sun streaming in the window and landing on her back. She stared at the floor, unsure exactly what she was feeling. It was such a mixture of emotions, and the reality of exactly what had just gone on not quite sinking in. But there wasn't any other choice, and this was her responsibility. No one else was going to pay the price to stop her brother.
"Luke," Tear noticed the redhead still standing there, staring at her. She looked away again, she couldn't take the hurt look he was giving her. "Please go."
"No," Luke refused. "You know, it's okay to show how you're feeling. No one is going to think any less of you if you show some emotion. Having feelings isn't a weakness!"
"Luke please!" Tear's voice broke, and even Luke could tell she was trying not to cry. "I... I don't want you to see me like this."
Tear felt a wave of relief when she heard Luke's footsteps, but rather than make their way to the door, Luke came around the other side of the bed and sat down. He leaned gently against her back, providing a comforting weight and surprising amount of warmth.
"Then I won't look," Luke said softly. He set his hand gently down over Tear's and was more than surprised when rather than push him away, she clutched his hand in return.
"You're... such an idiot."