Chapter 64: Blackmail
If there was one thing that frustrated Dist the Rose more than anything else it would certainly have to be boredom. After all, there was no reason that a mind so great and so elegant as his own should ever be wasting away precious moments on the mundane trivialities that filled most of this dismal world. It was rather pathetic, but then all else paled in comparison to his own splendour. One couldn't blame them entirely. It would almost be bearable if not for the prosaic task that had been dumped on him.
Understandable as it was that such pitiful minds as his so-called companions' could not be counted upon, babysitting Eldrant while others were focused on their own duties frustrated Dist. How dare they think they could abandon him like this! Was it not already clear that the fomicry machinery that was slowly constructing this marvellous place could sustain itself? That it, being his own precious creation, was utterly infallible? Obviously it hadn't. There were far more important things that he could be doing with his time; all this work, as exquisite as it had turned out, was no more than tinkering, practice for what really mattered. Dist knew it was time to set his own plans into motion, but there remained a... speed bump, and he hadn't quite determined exactly how he planned to get over it just yet.
Opportunity would come, it always did. Then everything would change.
A faint grumbling in the distance distracted Dist from his scheming and disgruntled he followed the source. He wasn't quite sure why he did so, it never ended well; but it was his job and as mundane as it was, he would do it properly. But! If it was Sync, and if he thought he could turn the researcher into a punching bag again because the boy was in one of his consistently foul moods, he had another thing coming! Dist smirked in delight thinking of all the wonderful entries in his beloved revenge journal. Which one could he execute now with minimal preparation? A few came to mind and Dist's grin widened. Oh how he waited for days like these.
A flutter of disappointment when turning the corner revealed no one of consequence: Mohs, complaining about something or another again. Boredom came first, but miserable pawns who thought they had authority were second. Perhaps he ought to begin a list on the last page of his journal. It would be productive at the very least.
"Dist! There you are!" Mohs stated, the grumble still in his undertones unmasked by his inflated ideas of an influence he didn't possess.
"And what is it that's troubling you, Fon Master?" Dist slithered, seeing the man's ego inflate even more at the sound of his title. Arrogance was easier to manipulate than the fon machinery he so loved to tinker with.
"I want to know what on earth Van is thinking!" Mohs protested. "The New Order of Lorelei isn't growing nearly as quickly as it should."
"Patience," Dist insisted. "It will take time for the world to see that you offer them the right solutions."
"Time is something we can't afford anymore!" Mohs insisted. "With that fool Ion's death, Daath is gaining pity and people want to support his ways in his memory. I won't allow for any more people to turn from us! Why is Van so hesitant to reveal the Seventh Fonstone? When is this "right time" of his? After we've lost every bit of the support that we've built?"
A light lit up in Dist's mind. Opportunity always presented itself.
"That's because he doesn't have it anymore," Dist replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
"What are you saying? That's he's lied to me all this time?"
"Of course not. It was stolen from us. Didn't anyone inform you?" Dist asked ever so innocently, an evil glimmer shinning in his eye. Of course this fool didn't know.
"By who?" Mohs normally calm disposition had all but disintegrated. Arrogance and rage... putty in Dist's ever dextrous hands.
"I'm sure you already know," he paused for a moment, allowing Mohs to draw the proper conclusion from his implication. "They've hidden it away somewhere, even our resources haven't been able to find it. But... I know of a way you can force them to give it back, and into your capable hands this time, not in anyone else's."
"How?"
"It depends, what is it worth to you?"
"What are you trying to pull?"
"A deal, nothing more, nothing less," Dist answered simply. "I'll tell you how you can get your beloved Fonstone... but in exchange, I want Professor Nebilim's replica data."
Mohs scowled and Dist could tell he was weighing his options. Even the worthless caught a glimpse of their own true essence now and then and could see for themselves what they really were. Mohs knew that Dist would have little use for him once he gave up what the researcher most desired. It would weigh out, for Mohs believed that that silly excuse of a prophesy of his would be the end he sought, his own victory. Dist knew there would be no other outcome for one so single minded as he.
"Fine then," Mohs conceded, removing a disc from his pocket and tossing it to the researcher. Dist grinned.
"Now!" Mohs demanded, his arrogance in full flare overshadowed only by his even greater ignorance. "Tell me how to get the Seventh Fonstone."
The sun had vanished from the horizon but the Albiore still sat quietly in Daath Bay. Ginji had pulled away from the port, making room for other ships to dock, but hadn't strayed far. There wasn't any particular direction to stray towards just yet, and that was fine by him. Ginji may not have known Ion as long as the others, but the loss of one of his friends weighed on him, and he could understand their lack of motivation It wasn't that much different than he'd felt when Iemon and Tamara had been killed. Though not as deep a wound as losing his family had inflicted, it still hurt more than he was quite sure how to deal with. Even with the few days that had passed, they were still ragged, emotionally worn and though they'd had ample rest each of them remained exhausted to the core.
Ginji absent-mindedly pet Mieu on the head as the young cheagle slept soundly in his lap. Luke had finally kicked the cheagle out of his room, using early sleep as an excuse, even if that excuse had probably become the truth. Ginji could relate, Mieu on a mission to make someone feel better was... well not something patience on a good day could tolerate, forget with the short fuses they all boasted.
At his side, Tear eyed the small prize in his lap enviously, a fact that made Ginji smile. Across from him Asch noted his amusement and a hint of a smile fluttered across his face, his attention more or less on Jade. Guy was also sitting and listening but looked slightly less attentive as the Malkuth Colonel discussed the possibilities for their future course of action. He was really doing nothing more than thinking aloud, laying out who was up to what. There was no doubt that in all his careful explanations, he was hinting at where he wanted them to go, but no one was catching on; not even close. They all just wanted to join their friends who were in bed already, even though they knew this had to be done first. If they wasted too much time now, the world would pay the price later.
"Jade," Asch finally spoke up. "I don't know what you have in mind... but I'd like to head back to Baticul."
"Baticul?" Guy asked curiously.
"Luke, at the very least, needs a break from all this. He'd say he's fine and can keep going, but he can't, he'll break. I know we won't find anything on the miasma there, but it is a library we haven't checked yet. I trust that if there's anything in Yulia City, Teodoro and his men will find it. They know what's there better than we could dream to. We don't have to stay too long, but enough for a break. Luke won't concede to being left behind and I don't intend to try, but he's got to stop, even if it's just for a little bit."
"I think you're right," Guy agreed, pondering Asch's assessment of the situation, but also of his best friend's condition. In many ways Asch was a bit, okay... he was very overprotective, but in this case, he had it dead on. Some time back home, where, for how ever short a time it may be, things could be normal, would do Luke a world of good.
"Alright then," Jade replied with a nod. Asch's eyes widened slightly before falling into an extremely suspicious look.
"Okay, that was a bit too easy..." the redhead said hesitantly. No way Jade fell for it just like that, especially when his argument lacked any logical reason outside Luke's wellbeing. "What's in Baticul?"
"Really now," Jade adjusted his glasses. "You're angry when I refuse to go along with you ideas, and you're suspicious when I agree to your demands. Is there any way to make you happy?" The man shrugged.
"Jade, what's going on in Baticul?" Guy repeated the question.
"While the rest of you were busy... recovering," he chose his words carefully, "I was searching Daath for clues to Commandant Grants or the God-General's activities."
"What did you find out?" Tear asked.
"Nothing more than a rumour, unfortunately; but it concerns me enough to investigate. There was talk of a Scorer in Baticul, and that those who had their Scores read either died mysteriously of fell seriously ill a few weeks later."
"That sounds an awful lot like some old wives' tale," Asch said, arching an eyebrow. Since when did Jade believe this kind of crap? He was usually the first to bug someone for taking that sort of thing seriously. After messing with their heads, of course.
"But all official Score readings have ceased," Tear pointed out, wondering if that was the part of the tale Jade found interesting.
"Yes, and the time delay between the Score reading and the death is also consistent with the extraction of replica data," Jade stated. "I'm sure I need not remind who the only one offering Score readings would be."
"Mohs," Asch clued in. "Still, I almost find it hard to believe he'd use his beloved Score as a cover for this."
"Maybe it isn't him doing it," Guy suggested.
"My brother..." Tear trailed off.
"Or one of the God-Generals," Jade suggested with a shrug. "Either way, I'd like to investigate the story further. It may be coincidence."
"I doubt it." Asch sighed. "We're never quite that lucky."
"You're getting your way, aren't you?" The Necromancer said with a sly grin.
"Shut up."
"So Baticul first thing in the morning?" Ginji asked for clarification. He moved the sleeping cheagle into Tear's lap, a wave of satisfaction passing over him when she bit back what he was sure would have been a squeal of delight.
"Yeah," Asch confirmed, suppressing a chuckle of his own. "To Baticul."
Asch stared absent-mindedly out the window of the drawing room. The courtyard was empty, wind tossing around the flowers in the planters. They didn't have the same charm that Pere had once coaxed from them and having finally had the chance to spend some proper time at home he realized he actually missed the old gardener's presence. With a soft sigh, he let his gaze travel around the entryway, from the pillar with the red jewelled sword to the decorative cannon in the corner. Now that he gave it any thought, this was the longest time he'd spent at home since before the Absorption Gate. That realization saddened him. Of all places, this one shouldn't seem so foreign... so distant in his memories.
Movement out the window caught Asch's attention and he turned with his contemplative eyes back towards the courtyard to see Luke coming out of a door across the way. For a moment, Luke's gaze met his own, but Asch knew from experience that the glare on the windows at this time of day kept the older redhead completely invisible from outside eyes. Still, whether Luke had seen him or not, there was a light in his little brother that was slowly returning. Mieu bounced off his shoulder, jumping around the flowers and a chuckle escaped Asch's lips as he watched Luke's expression turn various shades of irritated before finally reaming the hyper cheagle out.
It had been almost a week now that they'd been in Baticul, and in that time Luke had begun to recover. Not completely, but he doubted any of them would completely get over their friend's death. Asch had been afraid at first, worried at what would happen. He was scared seeing the frozen, hollow shell Luke had been that morning and worried even more about what Arietta's death would do to that. A shudder flew down Asch's spine at the memory of the numbness, the emptiness he'd felt from Luke that morning, the frantic screams during Anise's duel... but Luke was getting better now. He would smile again now at the little things that made him happy and the sight warmed all their hearts. It was a reminder to them all that life would go on.
A second burst of motion drew Asch's attention to the other end of the courtyard, and a scowl escaped his lips. Apparently a week at home was more than enough for their father to insist they get some training in. Couldn't he see they needed a break? They didn't come home so he could drive them further into the ground... and yet he expected no less, really. It was so like Father.
"Won't you be joining them?" Susanne's gentle voice joined him by the window.
"No," Asch answered simply.
"Your brother would love it if you did. He always missed you when you were up at the castle and couldn't join them."
Susanne saw her son smile faintly and a flutter of joy rose from her heart despite the pain that was still painted on his face. The last few days had been hard... for both of them and it hurt her to see her sons so upset. He needed something to do to get his mind off of things, and training had been a wonderful excuse to get at least Luke's head away from the more unpleasant topics. Her Asch hadn't wanted to hear any of it though. Life still hadn't dragged that stubbornness from him. For all that he stood there saying otherwise, she knew him well enough to know that, at least some small part of him, wanted to be outside with Luke.
"I can't," Asch said simply.
"Of course you can, you know your father has always left Luke's lessons open to you too. He'd always intended for it to be the two of you."
Asch stubbornly shook his head, trying to lose whatever logic he'd found there. "I can't!" he repeated. "It's not that simple!"
"He knows, you know," Susanne provided softly, her hand gently rubbing the small of his back. "He knows this doesn't make up for everything; it's not his intention that it does." Asch froze and with his sudden tension, Susanne removed her hand. He looked surprisingly up at his mother but she smiled. How easily children could forget; mothers knew everything, especially what was really bothering their children. "He knows how difficult it has been on the both of you with how he'd distanced himself; and that knowledge hurts him more than you realize. He can see it in you."
"What else did he expect?" Asch spat, doing his utmost to hold in the bitterness that spilled into his words.
"But he also sees hope, in Luke, and also in you; there's still a chance that he hasn't completely lost you yet."
"He's too late for that." Asch wasn't going to concede, to accept this. Father couldn't just give them a couple pointers and think it made up for everything. He couldn't just think that the past 18 years of neglect hadn't happened! It was too late to want to play the father figure now. It had happened, Asch remembered every abandoned moment, every pointlessly bitter holiday, and he wasn't going to pretend it hadn't for that man's benefit.
"Someday you'll see it," Susanne replied softly.
"See what?"
"That all this," she paused, "is simply a beginning."
"No, it isn't." Asch argued, knowing full well his mother saw right through him. He hated it, but it was there, a part of him that drew him towards the courtyard where Luke and their father stood. Turning for a moment, Luke's eyes met his again and his little brother smiled, waving his hand invitingly. Asch should have known the glare wouldn't stop his sibling from knowing he was here. He didn't... he wouldn't go, but the more he thought about it, firming his resolve, the more he realized he couldn't come up with a reason not to. He didn't have any excuses, any valid purpose for avoiding them beyond sheer spite... and that told Asch more about himself than he wanted to consider. Because even knowing that senseless hatred was his only motive... he knew he wouldn't join them.
"I'm not going out there," Asch stated stubbornly.
"I'm afraid you are," Jade's voice broke the silence and had both mother and son turning their heads to greet their newest guest.
"You going to make me?" Asch demanded. Since when did Jade give a damn about his family affairs?
"Of course," Jade answered. "You need to go fetch your brother. It seems our 'special guest' is planning to arrive a day early this week. It would be inhospitable of us not to go meet them."
Asch watched Jade adjusting his glasses, trying to come up with some kind of response. The so-called Scorer, whose identity they'd yet to confirm, was the reason they'd lingered so long in Baticul in the first place. According to the citizens, the Scorer only came to the city once a week on Sylphday. They'd just missed them when they'd arrived last week, and so they'd been forced to wait. Not an unwelcome reprieve; everyone had needed it, but they were starting to get restless. Everyone felt the need to do something, so Asch was glad to hear Jade's news, even with all the uncertainties that came with confronting a God-General.
"I'll go grab him," Asch conceded with a bit of a grumble.
"Well while you're at it, feel free to grab Tear as well," Jade commented with a hint of a smirk. Asch scowled and peered back out the window. Damn it, he was right. Asch had wondered where Mieu had gone, but he was sitting in Tear's lap as she watched Luke and their father spar.
"Sheesh, you're so demanding," Asch shot.
"Surely you wouldn't ask an old man such as myself to do it? Why, just the trip from the castle has me exhausted. I can't take these long days like you young ones can."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going. I'm going," Asch mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Don't drop dead before I get back old man," he slipped in before closing the door behind him.
"Colonel Curtiss?" Susanne inquired, unable to completely erase the smile from her face in her attempt to be serious.
"Please, just Jade is fine," he replied with a small bow of his head. "I'm not accustomed to being called by my family name."
"Jade, then," she said giving in to the grateful smile. "I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Though expertly hidden in his unwavering tone, the sentiment caught Jade off guard. His eyes swept across the woman standing beside him, but even as her gentle expression returned to the window to watch the proceedings outside, he couldn't quite decipher what she was referring to.
"I know that Asch doesn't always show it and he would certainly never say it," she continued, "but he truly does look up to you. He respects you a great deal, likely more so than he respects his own father."
"I never intended for-"
"No, it's not like that. I meant it as a compliment," Susanne eagerly cut him off, worried she'd offended him. "It's been like that between them ever since he was little. I've always worried... that the reason he had closed himself off from us, the reason he wouldn't trust anyone was because of everything that had happened to him seven years ago... so I'm happy that he's found someone he can look up to."
"Children can be surprisingly resilient," Jade commented.
"Yes," Susanne agreed. "I hope that now, perhaps, things will improve between him and his father."
"I think that would be difficult."
"Why do you say that?"
"For Asch and his father, it has nothing to do with what happened in the past, with their attitudes in the present or even the paths that may exist in the future. Their problem is really quite simple." Jade adjusted his glasses, procuring a curious look from the Lady beside him. "They are simply too alike."
Susanne smiled. "Yes, I think you're right." His perceptiveness told her how much he truly did understand. That knowledge reassured her. A small sigh escaped her lips as every trace of a smile faded from them.
"Please look after him for me. Look after them both..."
"Good morning Mother," Luke greeted her cheerfully, cutting off any chance for Jade to inquire into her peculiar request.
"So did you figure out where they're going to be?" Tear asked Jade, picking up on a conversation the three must have had outside in the courtyard.
"In previous visits, they've always arrived by ship," Jade replied.
"They don't usually come early though either," Asch pointed out.
"I think the port is probably still the best place to start," Luke pitched in.
"Are the others joining us?" Tear inquired.
"Yes, I had Guy fetch Natalia and Anise from the castle, they're to meet with us by the lift," Jade replied.
Everyone's attention turned to Luke who couldn't quite mask the tension that fell over him. They all knew full well his feelings towards the former Fon Master Guardian; but in spite of them he answered simply. "Then let's go before we miss them again."
None of the tension had vanished.
Searching for a specific person in Baticul's port mid morning was easier said than done. Though not as challenging as it would be in the middle of the afternoon, Natalia would still classify the task as being unusually tricky. There was always movement, people coming and going, voices shouting as families reunited and sailors went about their work. Crowds were commonplace here and discerning which, if any as of yet, held the mysterious Scorer was becoming more difficult of a task by the minute.
Next to her side, Anise walked along and the two of them trailed a bit behind the others. Her usual chipper nature had yet to regain its vigour, and while they'd always had some index of suspicion that such exuberance was her way of protecting herself, there was always a genuine side to it that kept them wondering. Now, it truly came across as forced, but perhaps that was because the Princess knew the truth behind her facade.
It had surprised Natalia when Anise had confided in her the first night. Though they'd been friends, the two of them hadn't been particularly close, at least not in the way she considered herself and Tear. Then again, Anise hadn't really been close to anyone other than Ion, a fact that made her situation all the more tragic. Maybe it was because Anise had also been staying at the castle that she had chosen to come speak with Natalia, but the Princess felt ill-able to give the girl the comfort she needed. Tear always seemed more apt to handle that sort of thing. At the very least she seemed so much stronger in face of such emotional trials and while the melodist may seem outwardly cold and occasionally awkward in light of certain kinds of relationships; once one got beyond all that, she had a big sister aura to her and she was more apt at comforting others than she realized. She could always be counted upon to say what needed to be said, and even if it hurt more at first, the wound healed all the better for it.
Yes, by all rights Anise should have gone to Tear; but the reason she didn't was most likely because Tear was close to Luke and it didn't take any stretch of the imagination to see the problem there. Luke was still furious with Anise for what had happened to Arietta, with how everything had played out during their duel, and Natalia's younger cousin simply refused to speak to her. Natalia knew better, and knew full well that Anise felt awful about what she'd done, but Anise wouldn't apologize to Luke. She was angry, resenting the fact that Luke had spoken to Ion before he died, that he'd gotten those last few moments with him... a chance she would never have. It was a senseless grudge, one born of the anger that came with loss, which was probably why no one moved to intervene. They all knew the two would make things right once they figured out how to properly deal with their feelings.
Lost in thought, Natalia nearly collided head on with her fiancé, not noticing that everyone had stopped. Another of the morning ferries had pulled in, it was a large one from Chesedonia and the chaos it had made of the port turned their search futile. With a careful eye on the sole set of tracks for the cable cars that led into the city, they stood and waited.
The silence would have been more painful if it weren't for the murmur of the crowds that filled Tear's ears, but she could do without all the shoving. Luke had to be getting annoyed with the number of times she'd jostled him by this point, but if that was the case, he definitely wasn't showing it. He'd just smile and tell her it was fine even though she could barely hear him. She'd return the gesture only to have the whole thing repeat itself again a few minutes later. But that was so like Luke; he would never share his burdens, never inflict his own pain on another. No matter how much he was suffering, he always did it in silence.
Tear wished he wouldn't; it made her feel so helpless when she wanted to help. How could she get to know him better when he wouldn't share what was hurting him? Part of her watched him scrupulously, hoping to find a part of him being unreasonable, pointlessly moping or taking out his emotions on others, but his mourning was flawless in that sense. It frustrated her; she'd lost even that entrance. She could still remember the days when they'd first met. Her criticisms of how he'd selfishly lashed out at times had him defending himself; it had given her a window into how he was feeling. She wanted a way to get him to talk to her, even if it was in anger, but such paths, as petty as they may be, were no longer open to her.
Tear continued to watch Luke as the crowd around them dissipated, losing herself among other thoughts that drifted across her mind. She wondered who was giving the Score readings. Was it one of the God-Generals themselves? That limited their opponent to either Sync or Major Legretta; perhaps Major Cantabile if she'd recovered from their previous encounter. Though it felt like an eternity ago, the short couple weeks that had passed weren't likely to be enough to see her former teacher well. Of course there was the chance it was one of the other God-Generals accompanying a Scorer that had once worked in Daath. Tear didn't know much about politics, but she couldn't fathom what all the people who had once earned a living reading the Score had done once it had all been put to a halt.
Digressing off the trail her thoughts had been following, Tear was exceptionally weary of the upcoming confrontation. With Arietta's death being on their watch, their fault, there was no saying with what passion their opponents would meet them. In the thinning crowd, a gathering slowly made itself evident. It readily grew, and the excited murmurs quickly drew their suspicion.
"All who desire a reading of the Score, follow me! All who come shall have a reading!"
"Sync!" Anise broke through the crowd, knocking over several women and an elderly man that Natalia managed to catch before the poor guy hurt himself. Guy would definitely give it to her, she could clear a path when she'd a mind to, and with that flash of achingly familiar green hair, she definitely had a mind to.
"What are you doing?" Anise demanded. "The Order of Lorelei has called a halt to all Score readings!"
"That's right," Tear agreed, raising her voice so the crowd could hear. "That Scorer is a fake!"
"It doesn't matter!" A young man put himself between Anise and Sync, his arms stretched out in defence of the boy who, despite what he may have believed, didn't need it. "We want to know the Score!"
"Yeah, he's right!" Another woman put herself in the way, imitating the first man's position. "We have a right to hear the Score!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah, that's right!" Shouts of agreement echoed throughout the crowd.
"Anise, I'm so hurt that you would say such things," the soft voice shot daggers through them all. Of all the low-life tricks- how could Sync even- and yet they were both replicas of the same person, and he could pull off Ion almost flawlessly. Yet despite the gentle face and innocent eyes that Sync put on, there was a sharpness to him that mocked the gesture.
"Please let me go," Sync continued using Ion's intonation. "Anise, you of all people should understand..."
"Go burn in hell Sync!" Anise snapped every bit of anger she'd felt in the past week flared and even the cocky God-General took a step backwards, but a smug grin quickly spread on his face. With his civilian shields, they didn't dare make a move.
"What do you know about hell?" Sync shot back.
"More than you do," Anise replied, her voice dripping with menace.
"You know nothing; but it doesn't matter, you'll learn soon enough. Go ahead, fight all you want, because the world that failure of a Fon Master wanted will never come to pass. It's inevitable; he was the prime example," Sync said, defiance pouring from him. It was a confrontation he would win; both sides knew it. "The Score said Fon Master Ion would get sick and die, and look at what happened to him. Your Ion died like a dog. For all he talked big about a new future, he couldn't even escape his own fate. Pathetic."
"You take that back!" Anise charged forward but was caught by Asch and Jade who held the flailing girl away from the civilians. "What are you doing you guys! Let me go! I'm going to rip his sorry little head off!"
"No one escapes the Score," Sync spat. "Now, as I was saying before, all who want Score readings, follow me!"
"I'm going to kill him! Damn it, Colonel! Let me go!" Anise screamed in defiance but remained tightly in her friends grip as Sync led his following into the city proper.
"That bastard!" Luke muttered under his breath. "How could he..."
"Are you going to be alright, Anise?" Natalia inquired.
"I'm fine!" Anise stated. The dark haired girl stopped struggling, proving she had gathered herself enough to be let go. Asch and Jade released their hold. "He's not going to be next time we meet though," she added.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"I said I'm fine!" Anise insisted.
"You needn't to push yourself."
"I'm not pushing anything..." Anise mumbled.
"There are more people than last time," Jade commented, diverting the attention from Anise. "From what I gathered, last week's group was only half the size."
"So... all those people are going to die?" Luke hesitantly asked.
"No, not all originals are killed by the data extraction process, you've one of your own to prove that," Jade said with a bit of a smirk. "Still, the survival rate isn't something worth bragging about, and those who survive are likely to fall ill. It's also possible that they'll suffer other negative effects from the data extraction; it's not uncommon to see a resounding effect in the originals."
"W-Wait, what kind of negative effects?" Luke's voice suddenly had a panicked edge.
'Relax,' Asch's voice filled Luke's mind before Jade could open his mouth to offer the same explanation. 'If anything was going to be wrong with me, it would have happened within a week at the most, it's been seven years and I'm fine. Besides, Spinoza's been keeping an eye on me too. If there was anything wrong, we'd know about it.'
'Right,' Luke answered, still vaguely suspicious. Asch didn't seem to be concerned, but he'd learned full well how easy it was to hide feelings from each other.
No more lies.
It was okay... they'd promised.
Luke's worry melted a bit, and he sent Asch a grateful look. Asch returned a quick smile but jumped right back into the problem at hand.
"Whether or not all of them will die is not the issue. Most of them will get hurt in some way; we can't let this keep going on," the older redhead declared.
"I suppose it would be best if we brought the problem to Father's attention," Natalia agreed. "Now that we know the Scorer's identity, the guard should be able to deter Sync, at least from Baticul."
"That's the most we can hope for, I'm afraid," Guy agreed. "We can't do much about the other places he's probably visiting."
"Then let's head up to the castle," Asch suggested.
"Wait-" Luke froze where he was standing, stopping all his companions who had started towards the cable cars.
"Luke, what's the matter?" Tear asked. "We really shouldn't hang around..." the melodist trailed off. He wasn't paying attention to her.
"Come on, Luke, this really isn't-"
"Shhht!" Guy was cut off by Asch. "What do you hear?" he asked.
Then they all heard the scream.
"Shut up you little slut," the murmurs from the darkened alleyway were barely audible. "We'll teach you to think you can steal stuff from us."
"Uh huh," a second deep voice agreed. "Don't matter if you're a girl or not, thieves get no mercy!"
"Hey!" Luke yelled. "What do you think you're doing?" The younger redhead was in that alley faster than anyone could blink.
The poor girl looked no older than 14, collapsed on the ground, her trembling arms were up guarding her face from the three large men that stood over her. Two of the men held wooden boards, the third, a crowbar used to open the large crates around the docks. The girl had dark brown curls that fell just below her face. Her tattered, mismatched clothing hung from her and barely covered her pale skin, stained as it was by the blood of both fresh injuries and old ones. Her eyes were tightly shut, peaking open only for a second when the blow she was expecting didn't come.
"Leave her alone!" Luke jumped between the girl and her attackers.
"Hey, who are you?" The man with the crowbar, and obviously the leader, demanded. "Don't get in our way. This girl stole from our cargo on our ship. She's a thief, and we'll handle her."
"It doesn't- that's beside the point!" Luke managed, visibly bothered. He glanced behind him at the scared young girl and the emptiness that hid just behind the fear. He didn't doubt who, or rather what she was for a second. "Stop this. It isn't her fault, she doesn't know any better!"
"No excuses for stealing!" Another of the men threw in. "She thinks she can pretend to be Melanie and take our cargo, we won't let 'er! She needs to be taught a lesson!"
"Thief or not, there are proper procedures for handling this sort of matter," Natalia declared drawing the mens' attention.
"Can't be..."
"No way-"
"P-Princess Natalia?" The leader stuttered, "What brings you down to-"
"Her business here is none of your concern," Asch stepped in. The mens' blanched faces told them they recognized Asch, and looking back, now realized who Luke was as well.
"She's a criminal-"
"What is her crime?" Asch demanded.
"She stole food from our ship! Food we need to make the trip to Chesedonia!" Hearing the man, Luke noticed a handful of apples scattered across the ground. One- two- Luke couldn't count more than five! They were ready to beat her to death over five apples? As outraged as he was, Luke knew... it had nothing to do with what she'd stolen; nothing to do with her crime and everything to do with how she'd been born, who she looked like, thousands of petty reasons, all beyond her control.
"There are proper procedures for theft," Natalia cut them off. "If it occurs again, you're to report it and turn the thief over to the guards. Dealing out punishment is not your responsibility."
"Yes, Princess," the three men muttered, clearly disgruntled.
"I think you'd best return to your work," Asch suggested harshly. The men didn't waste any time complying.
"I don't care what they say... she's just creepy," one man whispered when they thought they were out of an earshot.
"Yeah... she looks just like Melanie."
"Impossible, I 'eard Melanie died... Horis went to 'er funeral an e'rything..." the rest of their conversation faded with the men in the distance.
"A replica..." Guy concluded sadly. "I wonder how many have met the same fate as her."
"That's just horrible," Tear stated. "They're- how could they treat people that way?"
"It's because they don't see them as people," Asch answered. "Or it's like those three, who knew the original and know they died. They go further than they know they should because the resemblance scares them."
"Shhhhh, it's okay... it's okay," Luke said softly. Guy smiled, watching his best friend try to coax the terrified replica from her shell. The poor thing seemed petrified of all of them, and really, with how people had treated her, could they blame her?
She had pretty brown eyes, still alight with fear, but she'd lowered her arms at least. Luke smiled gently, and removed his jacket. The motion sent the replica's arms flying up again. "It's alright," Luke continued softly. "We won't hurt you," he placed his jacket over the torn fabric that had once been some kind of top. "What's your name?"
The replica looked at him, her fear diluted by confusion, unsure what Luke was asking of her. Luke brought a hand up to his chest. "My name is Luke," he said. "What's yours?"
"I- I- d-don't have a name." The clarity with which the girl spoke caught them all off guard. So she had been 'pre-programmed' like the others. Well at least it didn't look like her emotions had suffered much because of it. "D-Don't h-hurt"
"We're not going to hurt you," Luke said calmly. The replica clutched his jacket closer. "Hmmm, but you are going to need a name. What do others call you? Someone must have given you one."
"1-5-7-9-6," she said.
"Well..." Luke wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. "Don't worry, we'll think of something."
"Something," the girl repeated.
"No, no!" Luke shook his head. "Not something, that's not a name! We'll think of a name for you later. Seemingly understanding this, the replica hesitantly nodded.
"So what are you going to do with her?" Asch crouched down next to Luke. The replica scrambled behind the younger sibling. Luke smiled.
"It's okay, this is Asch, he's my brother; he won't hurt you either." The concept of siblings apparently hadn't been part of her programming and she clutched Luke even tighter. Asch couldn't resist a smile and a small sigh. Really, it was like Luke had picked up a stray kitten or something. Asch gave him a pointed look.
"I don't know," Luke answered, "but I want to help her. Do you think we could ask Father if she could work at the manor? I'm sure they could teach her to cook or something. It would give her a job and food and a place to live at least."
Asch stifled a chuckle as the stray kitten analogy flashed through his head again.
"Bad idea?" Luke asked, misinterpreting his sibling's amusement.
"No I think it's a great idea," Asch answered. "It won't hurt to ask him. We'll run ahead and meet you guys up at the castle," he suggested, turning to face his friends.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Guy agreed and watched them lead the frightened girl away. She seemed content enough with Luke there beside her. The blond didn't doubt she'd fit in at the manor, especially if her learning capacity was anything like Luke's was as a newborn. She'd manage just fine, enough of the maids up there would swarm all over her and Guy knew first hand that if she didn't have a heart attack from the sudden burst of strange women, she'd be well taken care of. There was someone, however, who didn't seem entirely pleased with how comfortable she seemed with Luke.
"You look awfully upset, Tear," Anise taunted.
"Wh-what are you talking about?"
"Come on, you've had that almost sour look on since Luke found her," Anise elbowed the melodist.
"I-I have not," Tear protested. "I'm just upset with how those men were treating her! It was terrible that they would do that to another person. Besides, Luke was the one who defended her, it's no surprise she feels safer with him..."
"Someone sounds jealous," Anise almost sang. "Admit it; you just wished you were in her place right now."
"I was worried about her!" Tear insisted fruitlessly.
"It's such a terrible thing," Natalia spoke up earning her both a grateful smile from tear and an angry pout from Anise. "Things are horridly unfair for the replicas. They just don't know any better, and yet they've no way to defend themselves. They've know way of knowing to defend themselves. It isn't their fault... but the things that they do only adds to the stigma around them."
"Yeah, I think what Luke said back on Feres Isle holds true," Guy commented. "Replicas aren't a bad thing and its fine if there's someone who is willing to take care of them and raise them properly. It just the way Mohs is doing things... it hurts everyone. Luke may have been able to save that one girl, but he can't save every replica that way."
"He knows that as well," Natalia stated.
"Yeah," Guy agreed solemnly. "He does. We need a more permanent solution for the replicas, for this whole situation. Something that can last beyond a few months; after all, we can stop Mohs from making more, but the ones that are here are going to need to find a place in the world."
"That could be easier said than done," Natalia pointed out.
"Well, for now, we should be heading up to the castle," Jade interrupted. "At this rate, our boys will beat us there."
"Well it's not like they've never made us wait," Guy shrugged. "But Jade's right, we probably should get going before another ship pulls in and the cable cars get crowded." The blond shuddered. "The ride here was a nightmare."
"Don't worry Guy!" Anise piped up. "I'll hold you the entire time, that way no weird women will bump into you!"
"Uh n-n-no, I think that'll just make it worse."
"Don't thank me, it's my pleasure!"
"Jade, say something!" Guy demanded.
"Why, I think it's such a lovely gesture on her part. Really, you ought to let her do her good deed for the day."
Guy sighed in defeat. "Why me...?"
Jade's foresight had yet to waver, and as predicted, both Luke and Asch were patiently waiting outside the castle gates by the time Guy and his friends had arrived. The blond could tell, if only by the look on Luke's face, that his mood had improved and that things had gone smoothly as far as the replica he'd adopted, for lack of any better way of putting it, was concerned.
"How's she doing?" Guy inquired.
"Terrified," Luke answered with a chuckle. "But Ramdas is looking after her so she should be okay."
"Anyone would be scared with the reception your maids give." Guy said with a shudder only adding to Luke's laughter. He may not have been there when Guy started but no doubt that Asch had shared stories, and it didn't take much imagination to fill in the gaps.
"I just wish there was more I could do for them," Luke confessed. "I helped her, but there are so many others out there who are being treated the same way, or even worse."
"Just one small step at a time."
"What?"
"No one can do everything at once," Guy explained. "You have to take things one step at a time. Do what is in your power to do. You helped someone today, maybe next time you can help a few more. Don't tackle too much too soon. Every little bit counts."
"Thanks Guy," Luke smiled.
"Someone has to keep things in perspective," he teased. "Besides, it's not like the replicas will be going anywhere, you've got lots of time to think of and work on a solution for them. I'm sure Asch would help you, it's something that affects the entire country."
"Yeah, you're right." Guy smiled and he could see Luke pondering the problem. The mildly frustrated pout that popped up also told him there weren't any immediate ideas that came to mind. Still, the thought of a project that he could help Asch with had him excited. Luke knew he didn't have the responsibilities Asch did, but he still wanted to be a part of it. He just wanted to be able to help.
The throne room was quiet, a reprieve perhaps, because His Highness looked unusually tired, even before they had shared their story with him. Guy could imagine just how much he had on his plate, especially with the recent conclusion of the Summit. Not only would the politics of the matter have him busy enough, but there was undoubtedly a hoard of complaints and civilian rallies to be dealt with as the miasma continued to linger.
"I have heard rumours of this Scorer," the king confirmed. "However, the ban on Score readings was a voluntary one on Daath's behalf. There are no laws in Kimlasca forbidding them. Though it may be part of a greater scheme, we've no grounds on which to arrest the Scorer or even to intervene."
"I believe there are grounds upon which to act," Natalia protested.
"What grounds are those?"
"Your Majesty, if I may," Jade stepped in. "Along with the Scorer, I'm certain you've observed the recent spike in Baticul's death count, have you not?"
"Are you suggesting the two are connected?"
"I'm certain of it," Jade confirmed. "The Score readings are nothing more than a cover for the extraction of replica data, a process that has time and again proven to be life-threatening to the individual involved."
"But Asch-" one of the King's advisors began.
"Likely had a brush with death as a result of his own experience in the matter," Jade finished. "He was lucky; not all your citizens have been as such." The advisor backed off.
"We'll see what we can do about the matter," Ingobert finally replied. "Unfortunately I can't make any promises. Our forces are strained as it is, even with the White Knights lending us some of their numbers."
"What has everyone so busy?" Asch asked, concern ringing through in his voice.
"The replicas," the monarch answered simply. "Though a good deal of them left the city some time ago, there are many that linger. We know that they don't know better and their actions aren't entirely their fault, but they are still performing crimes, and that must be addressed. With no one to teach them the rules, the situation isn't improving. The other day a replica turned up at his original's funeral. Several guards were injured in the ensuing riot and the replica, along with almost a dozen others, was killed. There's just no end to the problems that need addressing."
"And still there's the issue of the miasma," a courtier provided. "As of yet neither Malkuth, nor Kimlascan researchers have found a solution and the people are growing fearful. Many have begun to fall ill due to its effects, at this rate there's no saying what may befall the world. Our hands are full without having to keep tabs on random Scorers."
"That you try is all we ask," Natalia stated. "Now more than ever, we can't let our country waver. We must stand strong through these difficult times!"
"Jade," Asch asked, his voice barely a whisper behind Natalia who continued to rally the court. "Back on Feres Isle, where is it that the replicas said they were going?"
"They mentioned a place called the Tower of Rem," Jade supplied cautiously. What did Asch want with that-
"Your Majesty!" A guard burst into the courtroom. "A representative from the New Order of Lorelei has arrived. He demands an audience with Your Majesty immediately."
"Of all the times-" Ingobert cut himself off with a frustrated sigh, growing years older before their eyes. "Let him in."
Largo's stature hadn't diminished in the least, and the time that had passed since their last encounter with the man had, if possible, increased his already overbearing size. He walked down the center of the room, his massive scythe comfortably perched over his shoulder, passing the entire group as if they weren't even there.
"I am here as an emissary of the New Order of Lorelei," Largo declared. "I bring a message from Fon Master Mohs."
Anise tensed, but clamped her mouth shut. That pig didn't deserve to even think the title of Fon Master much less claim it! But she knew better than to think she could something about it now. Natalia placed a hand on her shoulder, but rather than take it as an insult to her self control, she was glad for its presence. The pressure of Natalia's grip told her that at least someone agreed with her.
"What is it?" Ingobert asked.
"Fon Master Mohs demands that you turn over the Seventh Fonstone in your possession to the New Order of Lorelei."
"Even if we were to possess such a thing, what authority does Mohs think he holds over us?" Ingobert's advisor demanded. "Our Kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear has agreed to abandon the Score; we've no use for such a thing. Such demands are an insult."
"Do not think you can hide secrets from our eyes," Largo answered calmly. "We can confirm it is in your possession, and if you do not agree to our terms, then we shall reveal your involvement in illegal research."
"What are you talking about?" Natalia jumped in.
"We have evidence that proves Kimlasca's monarchy has been turning a blind eye to illegal fomicry research and has even been supporting it to achieve their own personal benefit."
"You dirty bastards," Asch hissed.
"Unless you agree to turn over the Fonstone, we shall make this information public, not just in your own Kingdom, but across Auldrant." Tense silence befell the courtroom.
"Fine," Ingobert finally conceded. "We shall have a party escort you to the location at a later date."
"We'll escort Mohs on Kimlasca's behalf," Asch stepped in.
"That's fine," Largo replied. "I shall deliver your message to Fon Master Mohs. The date, however, shall be of his choosing."
Without leaving anytime to protest, Largo turned and left the courtroom, silence filling his wake long after the guard had returned and confirmed his departure.
"That good for nothing, lousy son of a bitch!" Anise yelled at no one in particular. "I'm gonna kill Mohs! I'm gonna kill him faster than I'm gonna kill Sync."
"Save a piece for me," Asch added, his own voice full of malice.
"What are you guys thinking?" Luke burst out. "We can't just hand over the Seventh Fonstone! What about the agreement with Malkuth? If Mohs gets the Fonstone, everyone is going to turn over to the New Order!"
"Still, more importantly, we can't let that information get out," Asch answered solemnly. "The people in this room are pretty much the only ones who know that we've let research on living replicas slide. If that information got to the wrong people in Malkuth it would start another war, and I'm sure Mohs' seeds in Peony's court would be the first to know. That war wouldn't be hard for them either, even if just the Kimlascan nobility found out, they'd jump at the chance. We'd have half if not most of Kimlasca against us too. It could lead to the upheaval of the entire system and an unimaginable amount of chaos. We absolutely can't let that happen, especially with world affairs being the way they are. That's probably what Mohs really wants. Getting the Seventh Fonstone is a bonus."
Luke shook his head, "B-but what about the deal with Peony, and- Mohs would have half the world under his thumb if he gets that Fonstone!"
"That's why we're to be the ones to accompany them," Jade explains. "If worse comes to worse we'll simply have to destroy the Seventh Fonstone."
"I'm sure they don't expect us to actually hand it over to them," the advisor commented. "Be on your guard."
"We will," Asch agreed.
"I wonder if it's even possible to completely destroy," Ingobert wondered. "None-the-less, I'm counting on you to handle this," he said, his eyes on both Asch and Natalia.
"Don't worry we will," Asch answered with a nod. "We need to find a way to get rid of the miasma before Mohs demands to see the Seventh Fonstone. That or..."
"Or what?" Luke asked.
"Or we find a way to deal with Mohs once and for all."
"Alright! That's what I want to hear!" Anise cheered.
"It's only mid-afternoon, but shall we dismiss court for now?" The advisor suggested. "There is much to be discussed with the council."
"Yes," Ingobert agreed wearily, turning to his daughter and her companions. "I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you," Natalia replied. "We won't disappoint you." Following her father, they all left the room. There was much they would have to discuss as well.
Asch lingered in the court long after everyone had left, the weight of the situation starting to stifle him. Mohs had played quite the hand, and getting out of it wasn't going to be nearly as simple as they hoped. Damn him! Asch's fists began to tremble, but whether it was really from the rage he felt burning inside him, or the other conclusion he'd drawn, that he couldn't be sure.
"I'm certain you think you're quite clever," Jade's voice broke the silence.
"What are you talking about, old man?"
"I don't have to be Luke to know what you're thinking."
"Really? And just what is that?"
"You want to sacrifice the replicas instead of Seventh Fonists in order to eliminate the miasma," Jade replied, satisfied by the surprise Asch tried to mask on his face. "Not only do you get rid of the miasma, but you'll solve the problem with the replicas. Two birds with one stone as it were. Very efficient; just, you're forgetting one little thing."
"No, I'm not. I know what it means."
"I can't imagine Luke is-"
"Don't tell Luke," Asch cut Jade off. "He... wouldn't understand."
"He'll find out eventually."
"I know, but until then..."
Jade sighed. "If you say so."
Luke started at the small fonstone in his hand in pure frustration. He had half a mind to throw it out his window and clear across the yard where he wouldn't have to look at it for at least a day, even if he knew full well he'd never do such a thing. This stone, this Score, was Ion's last gift to him, but Luke was very quickly starting to doubt Ion's faith that he could figure this out on his own.
He'd spent well over an hour with the thing, playing around with Seventh fonons but so far he had nothing. Luke didn't know the first thing about Score reading; after all, it wasn't like he'd ever had his Score read. All he knew was that it had to do with the Seventh Fonon, at least it should. That's why only Seventh Fonists could be Scorers, right? But without any knowledge on the subject, and without having the first clue what to look for, Luke didn't even know where to start.
Luke had toyed with the idea of asking Tear. He'd seen her read the Score before; she must know how it's done. Luke sighed; he couldn't turn to her, because then he'd have to explain why he wanted to know, and that he couldn't do. He had promised.
Why had Ion given him this Score anyways? The Score was off track, and even if it wasn't, Luke didn't show up in it. Nothing made sense... didn't it defeat the point of finding a future beyond what the Score foretold? That's what Ion had wanted to do all this time, right? To build a new future...
He was the prime example. The Score said 'Fon Master Ion will get sick and die' and look at what happened to him. Your Ion died like a dog.
Sync's words rang painfully through Luke's head. It was true though... Ion had gotten sick, and he'd died, just like his original had, just like the Score said. Was what the God-Generals said true after all? Was it really impossible to escape the future the Score held? Was that what Ion had been trying to relay with this? Even Ion had given up on abandoning the Score in the end...
Damn it! Luke threw his pillow at the wall, leaving it fall harmlessly beside his bed. Why couldn't he figure this out? Now when he needed that guidance the most... when he needed his friend's words of advice more than anything, why wouldn't it work? Luke just couldn't shake the foreboding feeling that had overtaken him and without even knowing why, he suddenly feared for the future more than he'd ever before.
What could Ion have wanted to tell him?