Chapter 52: Back to Where it All Began
The darkened, frigid sky was broken by the scrawling light of the Planet Storm. Unimaginable numbers of fonons gathered here, returning to the core only to be sent back into the world through this gate's twin. It wasn't Van's first visit to the Absorption Gate, but the sheer power of what Yulia created never failed to instill some degree of respect in him. Though she'd knowingly sent the world on a path to destruction, and could be held responsible for more deaths than anyone could begin to fathom, he at least had to respect the fact that she'd known how to go about doing it. But he would surpass her legend and fix her blunders, even if it cost him his life.
On the topic of blunders, he could file his efforts in Sheridan under such a heading. He had been foolish, distracted, and underestimated the man who had challenged him. Oh how he had longed to see Duke Fabre writhe under his blade ever since the slaughter he had wrought on Hod. He'd never forget what he saw happen to the family he'd sworn to protect before being hauled off by researchers. Though his personal revenge had fallen in the light of more important matters, he couldn't say he wouldn't take up the opportunity should it present itself. And it had been handed to him on a platter, but he had failed. It didn't matter though, they would all be gone when the lands fell. Those that didn't perish in the crash could experience exactly what Hod had as it sunk in the miasma, with no one bothering to come to their rescue.
Still, his loss to Duke Fabre bothered him. Not only had he been defeated in front of his men, but it had turned the entire mission in Sheridan into a failure. There was a good chance that Asch and his band of fools had succeeded in stabilizing the core. He hadn't anticipated such a bold action on their part and it was proving to be problematic. But he would cut such foolishness short. There would be no more of these childish games his student and his sister were playing.
There were only two places left where they could interfere, and regardless of where they went, they would be met and they would be stopped. If he had to chain Asch down and force his cooperation he would and at this point he no longer cared what methods that entailed. Anyone could be forced to do something they'd never dream of doing, it was simply a matter of finding the means of persuading them. He had worked too hard to reach this point and he wasn't going to let it all slip away now.
Regardless of what he had to do, he would see the birth of a world free of Yulia's curse. Those that would not aid him could die with the others.
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Seeing Tataroo Valley in the daylight made it seem like a completely different place. Then again, so much had happened since he and Tear had been swept away from the manor. It was so hard to believe; that felt like a lifetime ago. The trees in whose shadows monsters once dwelt were now brilliant shades of green and the sunlight danced off the river he and Tear had followed down to the road. Though this time he found himself making his way up the other side of the rushing water, Luke still recognized much of the scenery from his first visit.
The sound of a waterfall in the distance was appeasing and brought Luke back to that night so many months ago. Back when all he ever did was follow along, whether it be Tear's lead or Asch's, he had been so helpless on his own. But that was before Akzeriuth, before the world known as reality had come crashing down on him and Luke had very painfully learnt to understand the concept of the consequences of one's choices. It left the young noble with very mixed feelings. He had always thought he'd give anything if he could go back to the days before Akzeriuth was destroyed, but now he wasn't so sure. Was everything he'd gained since then, all the bonds he'd made, all the people he'd met really worth the sacrifice? They should be, if it meant Luke could bring back the thousands that he had killed... but now... he didn't think he'd be able to do it.
"It feels strange to be back here, doesn't it?" Tear asked, drawing Luke from his thoughts.
"It does," Luke agreed. "It seems so different, but nothing's really changed."
"A lot has happened since then," Tear chuckled. "I remember what you were like back then, it's like remembering a completely different person. I'm glad I took the time to get to know you."
"I guess you're right," Luke thought on it. He'd been so confused and unsure how to act back then, maybe it was no surprise he'd come off differently.
"You've grown a lot since then too," Tear added.
"You really think so?"
Tear smiled in reassurance but didn't offer an answer. Her expression sent a wave a joy washing over the young noble. But as quickly as that happiness had come, it was replaced by doubt that prodded him from the back of his mind. He hadn't wanted to push the issue but... he had to know.
"Tear..." Luke hesitantly began, and Tear looked worried by the serious expression that had dawned on her companion. "What you said back on Mt. Roneal, about how my being a replica doesn't matter, did you really mean that?"
The melodist contemplated the question for awhile and the two of them walked along in silence.
----
"I don't know... I just don't..." Tear explained, the sound of the Albiore's engines made her voice barely audible. "It was so much easier before. I lost my brother, my teachers, the people I once respected... but at the same time, I look at them and think of what the world gained, what I gained, from having Luke around, and I don't know anymore. I don't know what I'm supposed to believe."
"I think you do know," Guy answered softly. "You just haven't realized it yet. And when you realize it, you'll know exactly what you have to do."
----
"I did," she finally answered.
"But... you hate fomicry and replicas, and everything that goes along with it," Luke continued.
"That's right, and at a time I would have wished that it never existed at all. But looking at you, at the way that you live, and just trying to imagine what Asch's life would have been like without you... what my life would have been like without you... I just can't. All I had known was all the horrible things fomicry had done. You helped me to see the good too. So I can't just hate fomicry; and I don't hate you. I can't accept what my brother is trying to do, but none of that is your fault."
Luke smiled, but he couldn't find the words to reply; and yet, as the melodist returned the expression, no words were needed. Even though she couldn't tell what was going through his mind, she could see the burden that had been lifted from his shoulders. It made her happy, but at the same time, a small tendril of guilt settled within her stomach. She regretted the things she had said, and all the pain she must have put him through. There wasn't anything she could do about it now, but she would find a way to make it up to him in whatever time she had left.
"Master! Master!" Mieu came bouncing down the path and scrambled up onto the redhead's shoulder. "Look, look we're almost at the very top!"
Luke looked up and saw that the little cheagle was right and the steeper trails they had been climbing were coming to an end. Both he and Tear hurried ahead to catch up with the group from which they'd fallen behind while talking. Jade eyed them both once they'd caught up, a mischievous light dancing in his eyes. Tear's cheeks flushed and Luke wondered how he could imply so much without saying a word.
The younger redhead couldn't deny he was looking forward to getting to the top. While he knew it wasn't the same field of selenias in which he and Tear had awoken, he still looked forward to the view. He may have seen the ocean plenty of times, but that particular memory stood out. After all, it had been the first time he'd really seen the world.
'What has you so excited?' Asch finally inquired. There was a hint of annoyance in his tone. Luke couldn't say he could relate since Asch really never got all that excited, but he could imagine what having a bouncing seven year old in your head must be like. He tried to tone it down a bit.
'I want to see the view from the top,' Luke answered. He could feel Asch roll his eyes. That reaction was short lived; a sudden seriousness and alertness crashed over his sibling. 'What's the matter?' Luke picked up his pace as did everyone around him.
'Well, it doesn't look like you're going to get to enjoy that view,' Asch answered.
"Looks like we win," the first of two figures said, a cocky grin quickly dawning her face. "Such a pity, Sync was so looking forward to killing you, Necromancer."
"Major Cantabile! Major Legretta!" Tear exclaimed in surprise. She knew that their efforts probably wouldn't go unhindered, but she hadn't expected to meet both her teachers here.
"My, my. Cantabile and Legretta the Quick." Jade quickly materialized his spear. "I see we've gone up in rank."
"Don't flatter yourself," Legretta replied, shooting a disproving look at her companion before giving her opponents her undivided attention.
"I don't suppose there's any chance you'll let us pass quietly?" Jade asked.
"Nope, none." Cantabile shrugged.
"You've caused enough trouble for the Commandant," Legretta said. "It's time you were lain in your graves." The God-General raised her guns, and Cantabile followed suit, drawing her own sword.
"Sorry, but we can't let that happen," Guy spoke up, readying his own weapon. "We won't let you destroy this world."
"This world is already doomed Gailardia," Cantabile stated. "Just as Hod was doomed the moment people chose the Score over their lives, there isn't any hope left for these people."
"You're wrong!" Luke protested. "People can change, they can learn to do things differently. Nothing is set in stone!"
"Tell people all you'd like, they'll never change their ways," Legretta argued. "You could tell the world the Score will be their downfall, but they won't believe you. People are weak, unable to stand on their own without the support of the Score."
"And you think that this is the answer?" Natalia demanded. "Destroy the world and start anew?"
"Sure it is," Cantabile answered. "The people of the new world won't know anything about the Score. They'll be able to live normal lives, as people were supposed to!"
"Don't you get it?" Guy's sword met Cantabile's, taking the first blow. Around them, battle quickly erupted. "You're doing the exact same thing that was done to Hod. Weed out those you don't see as worthy to exist. Whether it's because they follow the Score or the Score says they'll die, it's all the same!"
"It's not! Hod was slaughtered for no reason, no purpose. This sacrifice is for our future!" The God-General threw the blond back and Tear hastened to heal his injuries before Cantabile's ensuing assault. "I'm not going to sit back and watch the world end because the Score says so!"
"What are you talking about?" Anise yelled. "The Score doesn't say the world's gonna end! Besides, the Score is already off-track!"
"The Score is stronger than a few petty disturbances," Legretta argued, several of her bullets landing in Tokunaga. "History will proceed as the Seventh Fonstone says."
"The Seventh Fonstone?" Tear spoke up. "Has Van found it?"
"No wait, I remember now," Guy interrupted, doing his best to fend off Cantabile's attack with Natalia's help. His familiarity with her style made it easier to follow her movements, leaving more of them free to keep an eye on Legretta and her guns. "When we were in the core, I saw it! The Seventh Fonstone."
"That fonstone?" Luke asked, the particular stone Guy was referring to coming to mind. "How do you know that was the Seventh Fonstone?"
"It used to be on Hod," Cantabile provided for them.
"Really?" Jade said sceptically. "That's the first I've heard of that."
"Fende was one of the seven Sages that served Yulia, and his family was charged with the protection of the Seventh Fonstone. Of course no one would have known it was there!" Cantabile argued back.
"But Van brought us down there once," Guy explained. "It makes sense that it would have sunk down into the core after Hod's fall-" Guy's thoughts were interrupted by Cantabile's renewed attack. Even with Natalia trying to distract her, he was starting to become overwhelmed.
Luke then made the mistake of trying to come to his best friend's aid, and before he knew exactly what had happened, he'd drawn the violet haired woman's fury. Her attack on the young noble was twice as fierce as the assault she'd mounted against Guy and each of her blows were meant to be fatal. Luke was already struggling to keep up with her speed and was becoming more and more shaken by the attack. He'd never faced down such an intense hatred before.
Across the clearing Asch had his hands full with the blonde God-General. None-the-less, a small part of his mind stayed focused on his struggling sibling. Jade had turned his attention towards Cantabile and was helping Luke stay afloat. Though Cantabile was proving to be exceptionally skilled at dodging artes, she was taking some residual damage. Asch stole a glance over his shoulder to see how the situation was going. The evil smile on Legretta's face when he looked back instantly made him regret his decision.
Cantabile's attacks were relentless, and she showed no signs of slowing down. She had absolutely no intention of slowing down either. Not when she had the younger Fabre brat at her mercy like this. She had him overpowered in every aspect, including endurance and it wouldn't be long before one of those blocks of his failed. The Necromancer had taken to attacking her, but dodging his artes wasn't especially difficult. Though he'd increased his repertoire since the last time they met, there wasn't anything beyond her ability to handle. Cantabile hesitated a moment, all the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Without taking a second to think about it, she jumped aside immediately re-launching her attack from her new position.
The younger redhead hadn't even seen what had happened when pain shot up his leg and toppled him over. Guy blocked Cantabile's strike just in time to save Luke's life, and the young noble wasted no time getting out of the line of fire. Fire flew up his leg with every step he took and he hadn't made it five steps before falling over again. Tear rushed to his side.
"Come on now Legretta," Cantabile called out. "You've got better aim than that!" The replying shot that flew just an inch from her face told her that Legretta caught on to what she meant.
"Easy Luke, I'm trying to work as fast as I can," Tear did her utmost to reassure the redhead as she tended to the wound. The melodist eyed his injury. Thankfully it didn't look like the bullet had gone too deep, but having to remove it on the field of battle was not going to painless. Jade had very quickly placed himself between the two and the ensuing battle while Anise and Guy held Cantabile's attention; but she still wouldn't have much time to work. Much to everyone's surprise, the task of protecting them was made much easier by the occasional shots, verbal and otherwise, that the God-Generals made at each other.
"Can you do something to make it stop hurting until we've dealt with Legretta and Cantabile?" Luke asked.
"No Luke, you're out of the running for this battle," Tear explained catching onto the implied meaning in Luke's question.
"Luke, you are not to move from that spot," Jade threw in, also fully aware of Luke's intentions.
Luke opened his mouth to protest, but Tear placed a finger over his lips. "Listen to Jade. I'll need more time to heal the deeper wounds, and-"
"That has to wait until later," Luke finished, realizing the situation he was in. "It's okay, but I'm not sitting here if you need my help."
"We'll see about that," Tear argued. Luke bit his lip to keep from crying out as the melodist removed the bullet. Seventh fonons quickly took its place and the pain subsided to a dull throb. Tear quickly bandaged the wound, and took Jade's place, allowing the Necromancer to properly position himself on the battlefield. Behind her, she could hear Luke pick up his sword.
"Luke..." Tear said warningly between artes.
"I'm not going anywhere," Luke reassured her, hints of disappointment evident in his tone. He could tell, though the pain had subsided thanks to Tear's healing, that he was going to be nothing but a burden if tried to get back in the fray. And if he was a burden, he was going to get someone killed. "But I'm not going to be an open target either."
Fair enough, Tear concluded as she focused on healing a sword wound that Guy had just incurred. All things considered it was a good idea that he was at least ready to defend himself, especially with the way Major Cantabile seemed to go after him and Asch. But Tear knew why that was, Major Cantabile had lost her family to the destruction on Hod, and so the logical person to blame was the man who had lead the slaughter. Her former teacher wanted to inflict that loss on him as well, but Tear wouldn't allow that. Luke and Asch weren't to blame, and she refused to see her dearest friends hurt.
Tear swallowed hard, she didn't want to see anyone hurt. If they could finish this, safely lower the lands and not have to make any more sacrifices, then she would be happy. If she was the only one to be lost, than she would be able to rest in peace. But she wasn't the only sacrifice. Tear knew that, but she hadn't the heart to face it... because even though he was her enemy, Van was the only family she had, and she didn't want to see him die.
"Why are you doing this?" Tear demanded, throwing the question out at both her teachers.
"Tear, you of all people should know why," Legretta answered.
"It's not too late for you to stop this foolishness," Cantabile added. "Why are you so intent on scorning Van's attempts to save the world, and you're destroying yourself to do it! None of us want to see you like that, but it affects him most of all. Do you have any idea how much it upsets him? Don't you care about him at all?"
"I could ask the same of you!" Tear shot back.
"What do you mean by that?" Legretta demanded.
"You know!" Tear declared. "You know that using the passage rings is killing him. If he keeps this up, he'll destroy himself!"
"It's a sacrifice he's willing to make if it means saving this world from Yulia's Score," Cantabile answered easily sidestepping several of Guy's attacks.
"That's a lie," the melodist argued. "You're just making excuses! Don't say it's a necessary sacrifice, because it isn't. He doesn't have to do this! There are other ways!"
"This is the only way," Legretta replied, but her voice didn't carry the conviction it usually did.
"No it isn't! And if either of you cared about him as much as you say you do, you wouldn't let him destroy himself like that. You'd try and help him find a way so he could live. You'd figure out something!"
Taking advantage of their distraction, Asch made a move for the violet-haired God-General, but she was faster and easily blocked his attack. The battle renewed with incredible intensity, apparently Tear's words had more impact than expected. Interesting that. Jade logged the information away, though he hoped they'd be able to end this today and not have to worry about either of them again.
Unfortunately, that was far easier said than done. Luke was out of the running, but Jade had to commend the boy for finding a way to help out without disobeying orders. He didn't miss the random assortment of artes that were coming from Luke's direction. It had Jade keeping a sharper eye on him and Tear though; helpful as he was trying to be, it made them a more likely target.
Yet, despite Luke's efforts, the loss of him in the fray was proving to be detrimental. Tear was restricted in terms of movement, and Jade didn't dare stray too far, knowing full well if he did Tear would have two God-Generals on her hands. Van had proven over and over he wanted Luke dead, and the two women before them were willing to do just about anything to please the Commandant. No, Luke was not in a good position at all... and if this kept up, neither were they.
And their position was about to get much worse. Jade noticed a head of green hair at the back of the battlefield, where it most certainly should not be.
Just what was Ion doing? Luke watched the Fon Master, wishing nothing more than to able to run over there and yank him out of harm's way. Ion was always really good about staying out of danger during battle and had gotten really good at predicting in which direction a fight would shift, so most of the time they didn't pay much attention to him and focused on defeating their opponents. What was he doing heading out into the middle of the battlefield?!
"Ion what are you doing?!" Anise demanded.
Both Cantabile and Legretta noticed the Fon Master and shook off their attackers, immediately making their way towards him. Killing those that opposed the Commandant was important but Ion was the bigger prize, and it was too good an opportunity to pass up. That's when Luke figured out Ion's trap. After all Ion was completely defenceless, right? At least, that's what must have gone through Cantabile and Legretta's heads, because they certainly hadn't seen what was coming. The entire ground lit up and the force of the arte sent a wave of impact that shook the leaves of the nearby trees. It was the same Daathic fonic arte he'd seen Ion use in the Cheagle Woods against the ligers, and he'd caught both God-Generals in it.
Cantabile and Legretta both dropped to their knees. Anise wasted no time hauling the weakened Fon Master away from their opponents. Both of them had taken some serious damage from Ion's attack, but they weren't out of the running just yet. But honestly, what was Ion thinking? If he'd been just a second late he'd have been captured!
Cantabile managed to pull herself to her feet, with Legretta not far behind her, but both were showing the damage they had taken. Just standing looked like it took an incredible amount of effort, and they had no small number of injuries. But in spite of that, both women had a very good reason to have to go on.
Jade, however, had absolutely no intention of letting them do so. Seeing the obvious opening, he launched an attack on Legretta whose guard was lower than her companion's.
Legretta saw the attack coming, but even as the Necromancer's spear drew threateningly close, she had no room to react or to counter. Damn it all! She refused to go down like this, at his hand of all people's. The next thing Legretta heard was the sound of clashing metal as Cantabile's sword met the Necromancer's assault. The spear was deflected, but his attack wasn't over.
Jade's arte set off at point blank range, blasting both Cantabile, and consequently Legretta, back several feet. They managed to remain standing, but only barely.
Legretta reeled from the blow, trying to recover what strength was left in her. Cantabile too fought to regain her balance and her defence. Why...why had Cantabile come to her defence? There had never been any love lost between the two of them and doing so put her at a clear tactical disadvantage. Such constantly irrational behaviour... she should have expected as much.
"Hmph," Cantabile lowered her sword, no longer completely able to disguise her laboured breathing. "I think it's time we retreated."
"No," Legretta argued. "I will not back down until I've completed the mission assigned to me."
"You can stay here and die if you want," Cantabile shrugged. "But you're no good to Van that way."
"Tch," Legretta spat conceding defeat for the time being. She hated failure, but Cantabile was right, and in their state they didn't stand a chance against all seven opponents. Victory would have to wait for another day.
"I'm afraid we simply can't let you go quietly," Jade said, readying himself for another skirmish.
Cantabile smirked. "Who said anything about going quietly?" The violet haired God-General pulled something from within her uniform and with a quick arte set it aflame.
The flare burned brighter than anything Luke had ever seen and even from a distance it was painful to look at. Everyone instinctively shielded their eyes, from the unexpected assault. By the time the flare had burnt out, both women had vanished.
Jade sighed disappointedly at he allowed his spear to dissipate into the fonons from which it was made. He surveyed the damage; thankfully, neither God-General found the need to leave a trail of destruction in their wake while everyone's defence had been down, if that was even the path they had taken in their escape. Tear immediately began to properly tend Luke's injuries while Anise scolded Ion for his actions. Quite an unusual turn of events for the normally shy Fon Master to say the least. Though it had undoubtedly been what ultimately turned the tables on their unexpected encounter.
The fact that they had needed him to turn the tables is what concerned Jade the most. The God-Generals were proving time and time again that they were not to be trifled with. Van was growing serious, which no doubt meant the time for his plans to come to fruition was drawing near.
Asch sat down next to Luke and everyone quickly settled around them in unspoken agreement to take a small break. Natalia took over for Tear and tended to the last of Luke's leg and everyone else's minor injuries. It had been quite the battle and many of them were exhausted, though they still found it in them to sustain a small conversation. Unfortunately an hour was really all they could spare to rest and sooner than anyone would have liked they found themselves getting ready to proceed.
"Ion, are you sure you're up for this?" Anise asked for the millionth time.
Ion walked up to the Daathic seal. "I'll be fine Anise," he reassured her. Before anyone else could protest, the young Fon Master placed his hands over the seal and several glyphs appeared, taking the strange barrier with them as they faded.
"Ion!" Anise caught her charge when he collapsed backwards. Well... he technically wasn't her charge, but that didn't mean she was going to stop worrying about him! She should have known he wouldn't be able to handle two Daathic fonic artes so close together.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Jade reassured the girl. "He doesn't have the strength his original did so the artes take a much greater toll on his body, but some decent rest is all he needs. I'm sure you don't mind lending him Tokunaga for a nap."
Anise grumbled, though she knew that the Colonel wasn't going to stand for anymore delays, and knowing Ion he'd probably sleep clear through until tomorrow morning. They really did have to hurry, the Colonel had made a good point about the Commandant getting more aggressive. It probably meant they were running out of time. But she still didn't like it.
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The passage ring in Tataroo Valley was just like all the passage rings they had come to know, both in design and in structure. However, for the first time over their journey, they found themselves held back by the Yulian seal. At Mount Roneal, Sync had already broken the seal so he could observe the Sephiroth, and before that Van had already unlocked them all. But here it was still intact and posed as quite the obstacle.
In the end Jade had figured out how to undo the seal, some sort of key using fonons that only he would be able to figure out. Asch cursed the man for being so ridiculously smart. He'd only figured out the first bit in the time in took Jade to unlock the entire thing. Oh well, it was done and that's what should matter. Besides, who wanted to compete with the old man? He certainly didn't.
Tear took a deep breath as she looked up at the passage ring. Now it was her turn. The lack of hesitation in her actions surprised her. She wasn't afraid or uncertain, even knowing that this was significantly shortening her life, and may even claim it. This was what she had to do to protect those she cared about and to put a stop to her brother. In her mind there were no alternatives and it was a price she was willing to pay. She had forfeit her life long ago, on that fateful day she had left Yulia City, swearing to stop her brother no matter what the cost.
The melodist continued to make her way towards the passage ring, but Luke walked over and placed himself in her way. Tear stopped a moment wondering if maybe he had something to say but he didn't say a thing, just stared her down with an amazing amount of determination and conviction in his eyes. Tear motioned to move around him, but Luke sidestepped and got in her way. She tried again; again with the same result.
"Come on Luke, you're in my way. Could you please move aside?" The melodist asked, trying to keep her annoyed tone to a minimum.
"No, I'm not letting you do this," Luke declared.
"Luke, we've gone over this already!" Anise protested. She was getting exasperated by Luke's antics. No one else liked it either, but there wasn't any other choice. Luke was just determined to make this difficult!
"Anise is right Luke, we've already talked about this," Tear agreed. "Now please let me pass."
"No," Luke repeated as intent as before. "There's no reason for you to do this, or to get any sicker."
"Luke, we don't have any other choice!"
"That's just an excuse. I can operate the passage ring. There are other options! You don't have to do this, there is something else we can do!"
"And what's that?" Tear demanded. "Have you get sick too, or Asch for that matter? Are you that eager to throw your life away? I'm already affected, there's no reason for anyone else to get sick! Why throw away more lives than we have to?"
"I don't care! I don't want to see you-"
'Luke... get out of her way.'
Luke froze mid-sentence and the hard stare Asch was giving him told everyone what was going on.
'No! I'm not going to let her-'
'Luke!' Asch silenced his sibling. 'You have a job to do too.'
'But I just...'
'I know. But this isn't the time or the place.'
Luke averted his gaze from the melodist and she brushed past him. The redhead heard the sound of the passage ring activating and swallowed hard. He had to bury his feelings for now. He had a job to do, and screwing it up was not on the list of options.
Tear watched Luke work. There was no doubt he was hurt, but he was being foolish and making this harder than it had to be. She wondered what Asch had said to him to make him stop; and wondered if it was that, or her words that had him so upset. Irregardless, she wasn't going to let him take her place. She cared for him too much to see him subject to such a fate and... and no one else should have to pay the price for her brother's actions.
"The same thing as last time?" Luke inquired, his voice monotone and empty.
"That's correct," Jade replied. "We need to connect all the Sephiroth to the Absorption Gate." Luke nodded in acknowledgment and put himself to work carving the complex commands. Jade observed his progress and was impressed. By this point he'd managed to master the general principle of how to word the commands and with a few minor corrections, that he suspected came from Asch, Luke had all the Ancient Ispanian correct as well.
The golden glow around Luke dissipated indicating he'd completed his task. A job well done considering his temperament earlier, but Natalia wouldn't fault him for his feelings. Tear was very dear to him after all, even if either of them had yet to realize it.
Before Jade had finished double checking Luke's work, the entire Sephiroth shook violently sending Anise and Natalia both tumbling over and everyone else into a fight to remain on their feet. Following its master's lead, Tokunaga also fell over sending Ion crashing into a wall.
"Ion, all you alright?" Anise picked herself up and hurried to his side.
"I'm fine..." Ion provided, still looking around trying to orient himself. He was completely confused after being rather rudely awakened from his nap.
"No you're not, you're bleeding!" The former Fon Master Guardian protested, noticing the injury on the back of his head.
"Here, let me see that," Natalia quickly examined the extent of the damage. It wasn't nearly as bad as it looked, no more than a light scratch, really. The Princess reassured the fretting Anise and with little effort healed the cut.
"What happened?" Luke asked in a panic. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Well played," Jade commented, his eyes darting back and forth across the glyph on the ceiling.
"What's going on? What happened?" Asch asked.
"Memory particles are flowing in reverse from the Absorption Gate. It's stimulating the core by using the power of all theconnected Sephiroth," Jade explained, his own voice more unsettled than usual.
"Only someone who can control the passage rings could do that," Guy commented.
"Van!" Tear realized. "But why...?! If he's at the Absorption Gate and reversed the flow of memory particles, then the Sephiroth Tree where he is will be reversed, and the entire Tuft Archipelago will fall along with the gate."
"No," Jade countered. "We made the power of the Sephiroth to flow into the Absorption Gate. He's probably using the excess power from that to reverse the Sephiroth. In fact, if anything'sgoing to fall, it'll be everything except the Absorption Gate."
"Wait a second," Anise spoke up. "The Tartarus is neutralizing the vibrations in the core, right? If this is stimulating the core..."
"Then the Tartarus will break apart!" Natalia finished, realizing what Anise was getting at.
"Oh no!" Mieu said from his perch on Natalia's head. "What are we going to do! We can't let everyone get hurt!"
"Damn it!" Asch cursed. "How much time to we have?"
"Days, a week at most," Jade concluded.
"But we haven't even visited the Sephiroth in Daath!" Guy pointed out. "There's no way we'll make it in time!"
"Can you connect the Sephiroth in Daath to the Absorption Gate from here?" Ion asked.
"It would be possible if the seal had been broken and the Sephiroth activated, but I'm afraid that isn't the case," Jade replied.
"Please, if you could, is there any way to try?" Ion inquired. Jade eyed Ion curiously, wondering what had him so determined. It was unlike him to push an issue without a reason to do so, and Jade couldn't fathom any possible reason. But it was worth a try, they were doomed to fail otherwise; or else they'd have to sacrifice Daath, not a pleasant thought at all.
Jade nodded at Luke who awaited his decision. The young noble was unusually focused and seemed to be working much faster than usual. But with Tear slowly weakening, he would have to work quickly. Much to Jade's surprise, Daath's Sephiroth was completely responsive to their commands.
"Fon Master," Jade spoke up as Luke worked. "An explanation, if you will."
"It was the original Ion that initially developed the plan that Van is currently implementing," Ion explained.
"Seriously?!" Anise asked in awe.
"I'm afraid so. At an early age, he read his own death in the Score and grew to hate it. Though I was never told the details of what those plans were, Van did attempt to get my assistance several times. I believed there was a good chance the original Ion opened the seal to the Sephiroth in Daath, so Van could have access when the time came. It may also explain why Van has been able to access the Absorption Gate."
"Saved by a lucky break," Guy muttered.
"Not if we don't make it to the Absorption Gate in time," Asch commented. Across the way, Luke exhaled and lowered his arms, trying to hide his breathing. That hadn't been the easiest of tasks, even with all the practice he'd gotten over the course of their journey.
"Okay Tear," Jade nodded to the melodist who promptly, released the passage ring. Luke made his way over towards her and placed his arm around her.
"Luke! What are... you..." Tear began to protest but hadn't even finished her sentence before fatigue crashed over her. She passed out into his arms. Silently, Luke maneuvered her onto his back and rejoined the others. It was becoming a hauntingly familiar routine.
"Absorption Gate next then?" Natalia inquired.
"We don't have a choice, unfortunately," Jade replied. "The journey to the Absorption Gate alone will be a couple days. We need to be going as soon as possible."
"Luke, will you be okay with Tear?" Asch asked. Luke nodded, she was surprisingly light, and when she got like this, she was even more so.
The journey back down Tataroo Valley was quiet as the sunset bathed the foliage in various shades of orange and gold. It seemed so much slower than the walk up and it left Luke with more time to think. Asch would occasionally share a thought on a random topic, probably to keep him from letting his mind travel into those dark depths it seemed to be so familiar with these days.
Despite his sibling's efforts, his thoughts kept returning to the melodist on his back. She still hadn't woken up and was so very light and frail. Why did she do this... why wouldn't she let him help her? It frustrated Luke, and he didn't know what to do. He cared about her! He didn't want to see this happen to her, especially when there was something he could do.
He could feel it, now that he knew what it was, he could feel the tainted Seventh fonons that were accumulating in her body. There were so many more of them now, and that just meant she was going to get sicker and sicker until she... until she eventually- Luke couldn't even finish the thought.
'Maybe you should let me carry her,' Asch suggested.
'No, please let me,' Luke argued. 'It's the only thing I can do for her.'
'Okay, but don't push yourself too hard.'
'I won't,' Luke answered. Asch sighed.
You're such a liar.
--------------
The fire crackled in the wilderness behind the blond. They had finally set down for the night, and everyone who wasn't asleep was seated around the flames. It wouldn't be too long before it was time for bed, but for now they were just enjoying each other's company. After all, this was it. Either they stopped Van and went back to their normal lives, or they would be killed.
But that wasn't what was on Guy's mind right now, and seeing as he had Asch in tow, it wasn't what was on the older redhead's mind either. Luke had left right after supper saying he was going to bed early, and Guy just wanted to talk with him. Luke had a lot on his mind with all this Tear business; it couldn't be good for him. He just wanted to make sure his best friend was alright.
Guy quietly opened the door to Luke's room, expecting to see him asleep in his bed. That didn't turn out to be the case at all. Luke was sitting up, his arms curled around his knees, and he was visibly shaking. Luke looked up at his visitors, a strangely frightened look in his eyes. It was the first time since Guy could remember that he thought Luke actually looked his age. Not the age he supposedly was, but his real age. The Luke that was sitting on the bed was a scared seven year old, who was so overwhelmed that he didn't know what to do any more.
Asch followed Guy into the room and carefully closed the door behind him as not to wake up Tear or Ion who were both fast asleep nearby. He paused for moment when his eyes met his sibling, and Guy could see the same thoughts go through his head. But Asch smiled and sighed before sitting down on the bed next to his little brother. Guy sat down on the other side of the bed. Luke's eyes followed their movements but he didn't say anything.
"You had another nightmare, didn't you?" Asch asked. Luke looked down at his knees, avoiding both his companion's eyes.
"How long has this been going on?" Guy asked.
Still no answer.
"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Asch questioned, determined to get some sort of response from his brother.
"I didn't want anyone to worry," Luke finally provided, his voice quiet and meek. "Everyone has so much to worry about, I didn't want them to be worrying about me too."
"You idiot," Guy said fondly. "What do you think we're here for?"
"Guy's right," Asch agreed. "You don't have to do this alone, neither of us do. We have friends now; it's okay to share what you're feeling. We can't make everything go away, but we'll carry your burdens with you."
"We all share in the responsibility for Akzeriuth," Guy continued. "So don't think you have to go at it by yourself. We'll all shoulder it together, that's what it means to be friends."
"Luke, look at me," Asch said, and clearly met Luke's emerald gaze with conviction. "You are not alone."
His and Luke's eyes remained locked for several minutes and Asch watched his sibling deeply considering what they'd both said. Even though some of the light had returned to his eyes, the aura had that settled over him didn't lift.
"So are you ready to tell us what's really wrong?" Asch asked.
Guy smiled when Luke's gaze turned to him and he placed a comforting hand on his best friend's shoulder. At the warmth of the gesture the last of Luke's front broke down and Guy found him sobbing in his arms. Luke had Guy's shirt tightly clasped in his grip and the blond gently stroked his hair as he had done when Luke was a child.
"I- I don't want Tear to die!" Luke finally managed between sobs.
"Luke..." Guy said, but didn't know what answer to offer him.
"It's- it's all my fault! If I hadn't screwed up in Akzeriuth none of this would be happening. Tear wouldn't have had to use the passage rings, and- and she wouldn't be sick like this!"
"This isn't your fault," Asch said gently.
"But it is! If I had noticed it sooner... or if-"
"Luke, you can't keep blaming yourself," Guy protested. "You can go 'what if' forever but it won't change what's happening, and you won't find any answers. Tear made this choice on her own, because she wanted to protect us, she wanted to protect you."
"But..." Luke's protest was lost in his sobbing.
"You're not alone in this, so stop trying to shoulder everything on your own," Guy reminded him.
"We're all right here," Asch added. "And we aren't going anywhere."
Both Asch and Guy sat in silence and let Luke cry. All those bottled feelings, all that pent up frustration at his inability to do anything had finally erupted and Luke just had to get them all out. Akzeriuth... the passage rings... Tear... Luke had carried too many silent burdens, and it had finally gotten the better of him. But maybe... maybe, they had gotten through to him a little. Maybe next time he would ask to talk about whatever was bothering him. It was a habit that both he and Asch shared, and one that they were both overdue to break. They weren't alone anymore, they didn't have to be.
Luke's sobs eventually weakened and the time between them increased. Asch smiled at the familiarity of the situation. He stood up as Guy moved the sleeping redhead off his chest.
"This brings back memories," the blond whispered.
"Yeah, no kidding," Asch agreed.
"I wonder if he's going to start trusting us a little more," Guy wondered.
"This isn't about trust," Asch replied. "It's about holding onto something too tightly, being afraid to move on, afraid to let go... and afraid to forget." Guy couldn't resist a smile. The tone in Asch's voice told him that this was something with which Asch was intimately familiar.
"You gonna let him sleep in your bed with you?" Guy asked jokingly.
Asch cocked an eyebrow before staring at the narrow bunks. "Whose bed have you been sleeping in?"
"No one's!" Guy protested. Asch harshly shushed him with a nod in Luke's direction, all the while wearing a mischievous grin. He placed his hands square on the blond's shoulders and started shoving him towards the door. "Okay, okay I get it," Guy whispered, softly opening the door before him.
The blond nearly tripped over an unexpected former Fon Master Guardian as he walked out of the room and it really was a wonder his responding cry didn't wake anyone up.
"A-Anise... what are you doing here?" Guy managed. But the dark haired girl didn't have the amused smile she always wore in face of Guy's phobia, rather, she was quite serious.
"Is Luke going to be alright?" She asked.
Both Guy and Asch fell silent.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything, but I was going to check on Ion and I heard him crying. I was worried," Anise paused for a moment. "It's about Tear isn't it?"
"Yeah, he's pretty upset about it," Guy replied.
"But don't worry," Asch said. "He'll be just fine." The redhead placed his hand on her head and playfully ruffled her hair.
"Hey!" Anise protested. "You're making a mess of my hair! I'm not your little sister you know! You can't just do that to people."
"Now Anise, is that really any way to talk to a marriage prospect?" Guy inquired.
"Oh I gave up on him ages ago," Anise replied as she went about trying to fix her hair. "Natalia has him way too whipped for me to stand a chance. But you on the other hand are gorgeous and single..."
"And rich," Asch added.
"I don't like the implications of that..." Guy backed off a few steps.
Anise approached the blond and the two of them returned outside to the fire, one fleeing for their life from the other. Asch shook his head, some things never changed. He took one last look at the door behind which Luke slept. He was certain of his answer, now more than ever.
Luke would be just fine.
----------
No matter where he looked everything was black. Luke stood, swallowed by an unending emptiness. Here there was no ground, nor was there a sky. It was hauntingly familiar, a prison of his mind from which he could not escape. He was doomed to live through this endless cycle, for no matter how hard he tried, he could never find a way to save them.
Luke stood alone amidst the nothingness, his heart racing. He had to move, he had to step forward. Master Van had to be stopped or else more people would die. More people would die and it would be his fault. The world was waiting for him to save it. But he was scared....
What if he fell?
If he fell there would be nothing to stop him, no one to save him. He would fall forever into this unending darkness knowing that he had failed. Failed to save the word, failed to save his friends, failed to save Akzeriuth... He just couldn't... he couldn't do it.
'You can't save them,' Asch's voice came from behind him and Luke spun around. This never happened; this world never changed. He had lived this endless cycle countless times and never once had it varied, he had always been alone.
You're not alone.
'I have to,' Luke replied. 'I can't leave them to die.'
'Luke, Akzeriuth is gone. You can't keep coming back here. You have to move on.'
'No... I can't.' Fear consumed the young replica and he could no longer face his sibling.
'You have to move on,' Asch repeated. 'You have to step forward.'
Luke shook his head in denial. He knew that but he couldn't! Something deep within him glued him to this spot. Guilt, fear, regret, it had many names, many forms but it was all the same. He couldn't just abandon the people of Akzeriuth, not after what he'd done. He couldn't just leave all that behind.
'Moving on doesn't mean you have to forget,' Luke's reflection said softly as if all Luke's doubts had been laid bare before him. Luke looked up and saw Asch smiling at him. 'You don't have to forget, but you can't let that memory destroy you.'
'I don't know how...'
'No one really does,' Asch replied. 'It's hard, and sometimes it feels like you're losing something important. But that only means you've been holding on too tightly. You have to let go."
'How are you so strong?' Luke asked helplessly. 'You always know what to do... I can't even do it when the answer is given to me.'
'I'm not strong, not at all,' Asch admitted. 'I'm able to keep moving because I have someone looking out for me. That's why you have friends, to help you with those things you can't do by yourself.' Asch smiled and extended his hand.
'I can't... what if I fall?'
'Then we'll fall together.'
Luke paused. He was still afraid, his feet all the more aware of the ground, or lack thereof below him. No! He couldn't do it. Luke stared below him, emptiness opening up and threatening to swallow him. The fear just wouldn't let go. Why? Why couldn't he be as strong as everyone else was?
'It's okay to be afraid, but don't let it hold you back.'
When Luke looked up again, Asch was no longer standing before him alone. Behind Asch stood every single one of his friends, their encouraging smiles beckoning him forward. He couldn't stay here, he had always known that. He'd given himself countless reasons to move forward, but not once had he found the strength to do it. He'd been too afraid, too scared of falling into the endless abyss. Asch was right, his fear had been holding him back.
But everyone was waiting for him. They all stood there patiently, and Luke wasn't going to be left behind. They all reached out, inviting him forward, and he trusted them. As long as they were with him, Luke knew that he wouldn't fall.
Luke reached out and took Asch's hand. The darkness around him shattered and for a moment Luke could have sworn he caught a glimpse of himself where Asch had stood before everything faded away.
We'll step forward... together.