Chapter 73: Luke's Sacrifice
There were so many thoughts flying through Asch's mind that there may as well have been none at all. Standing atop the Tower of Rem, the rest of the world completely faded away into the miasma, every other factor besides the one standing in front of him became instantly irrelevant. Only the burning of his chest told him he'd yet to take a proper breath. His brain raced in endless circles each time coming back to the same haunting question: how? How had Luke gotten out of that room? How had he gotten here before them? How could he be doing this? How? How had it come to down to this? To losing his one and only little brother? How?
It didn't take a genius to see how well Luke had played his hand, and Jade simply watched Asch reel as his shock faded to panic and then inexorably through to anger. Anger at himself, anger at the inevitability of today's events, it mattered little, really. It was the entirety of Asch's personae to grow angry at the things he couldn't control. Much like a wounded animal, he knew nothing but how to lash out when he was in pain, when he was hurting, fighting emotions he couldn't begin to deal with. And such was the storm that had descended over him. So much so that Jade surmised he hadn't even taken a proper look at the details. Jade himself had already pieced together Luke's entire scheme. A clever one indeed, and one that had taken no small effort or foresight to orchestrate. However, now that he was here, there would be no escaping, no more turntable. Whether he completed the task of eliminating the miasma or not, Luke's short existence would end here.
The silence between them all seemed endless but even Jade dared not shatter it at this point; the tension under which the fragile balance of emotions held was unimaginably tight. Asch wasn't the only one it was trying, Tear seemed ready to shatter at the lightest impact, and the others would undoubtedly follow shortly behind her. Yet, despite all that was occurring before him, despite all Jade knew was about to occur, and despite the fact he could feel the quickening of his own pulse, Jade couldn't help but wonder. At what point, had they all become so beholden to emotion?
Asch finally gave way to his screaming lungs, fighting through the constricted chest that was crushing his now racing heart. There had to be something... something he hadn't seen, something he hadn't taken into account. The small amounts of oxygen he now inhaled helped slow his crashing mind, heralding the return of logic and order to the chaotic mess of panic. With Luke's piercing eyes never detracting from his own, Asch's sprinting heart didn't slow in the least.
Finally gathering himself together, Asch managed a single faltered word. "How?"
Luke's reply was simple, a piteous yet victorious expression dawning his face.
"You're really slipping if you thought a locked door was going to keep me from making sure you don't disappear." He said, his soft voice carrying across the platform. "Didn't I tell you? I'm not going to let you die, no matter what."
"No!" The word was out of Asch's mouth before Luke had even finished his statement. His denial so complete, it sent a wave of pain across Luke's face. "I don't know how you got here but you're going to take that same route and get the hell out of here. So help me Lorelei, if I have to haul you down each and every one of the Score-forsaken stairs myself, I will. Go back, Luke; get out of here!"
"That isn't going to happen," Luke said.
"You want to bet?"
"Asch!" Luke snapped in desperation, reeling himself in when he caught himself. "Asch... Open your eyes for a minute."
"Sorry honey," the sweet voice rang clearly atop the silent tower. "But this was a one way trip, hate to say it, but there's no going back the way we came."
Asch shook his head a moment. He knew the voice, he'd heard it crawl from the shadows so many times... how could he not? But placing her here of all places was completely impossible. Impossibility, however, didn't seem to be a factor that hindered his little brother and Noir shot him a playful wink as she dangled a lone silver key from her finger. Walking up to the older redhead with her usual gait, she dropped the key into his hands. One glance down at the object told him exactly what it was.
When his head shot back up, he was met with a finger to his lips and Noir's face dangerously close to his own. "Sorry sweetheart," she said, a solemn look passing over her normally indecipherable manner. "But the kid wins this one."
Leaving Asch completely speechless, the key he'd given to Guy sitting innocently in his hand, Noir slipped around him and made her way towards the staircase. Only one last call halted her in her steps.
"Noir," Jade called.
"Yes, what can I do for you handsome?" she asked with a playful wink.
"Please have those henchman of yours unlock the elevator for the trip back down." Noir grinned like a child caught in a good prank.
"Sure thing," she replied, vanishing completely from sight.
Jade returned his attention to the redheads in front of him and with a sigh he adjusted his glasses. "It's nice to see you here as well, Ginji."
Asch's attention was drawn from the key in his hands to the young pilot whose blue jacket was only partially visible from behind Luke. Asch felt his stomach tie into knots as the entirety of Luke's plan fell into place. Nothing other than an Albiore could have gotten Luke here so quickly, and with the elevator locked down by the Dark Wings so only Luke could use it, it wasn't surprising he'd managed to slip up here just in time. But... but how? To have involved Noir and even Ginji... Luke had to have planned this out before he'd even announced his plans to the others! The sickening feeling was replaced by a white hot coal that burned in his chest; why had everyone betrayed him like this? Even... even Guy! There was no way he accidently had the key stolen! He had gone and let Noir take it! How could he betray him... betray Luke like that? And- and- Ginji!
The renewed anger must have been painted clearly on his face for Ginji took a hesitant step back before finally stepping forward. "I-I'm sorry Asch..."
"Damn it, Ginji!" Asch's voice was desperate now, defeated and grasping at broken straws. "Why? How could you do this? I thought- I thought we were- You should have known!"
"It's because we're friends that I can't just sit back and watch you die!" Ginji shouted, his voice echoing across the paralyzed platform. "Because you're my friend! Because we've been through all this together! Because after everything we've taken on together... I can't bear to lose you!"
Luke gave Ginji a reassuring smile but it didn't seem to help. Asch saw the pilot mouth 'I'm sorry' to his sibling. Luke returned with a 'thank you' before the pilot shuffled over, moving to stand by Guy and refusing to look Asch in the eye.
"I don't care what you think you've concocted here, Luke you are not doing this! I'm not having this argument with you! If I have to beat you until you're unconscious and drag you away from here I will!"
"Asch," Luke said simply. "You've lost."
"No I haven't!" Every muscle in Asch's body tensed and his face was turning red from frustration. Beneath all that though, every inch of him was frozen to the very core. Frozen in terror, paralyzed by an unnameable fear that overturned all rationality; only his instincts reacted to the words he was hearing but that just compounded the fear. Desperation so complete, Asch had never known. He just couldn't! He couldn't lose Luke! He'd rather die! "This isn't over yet, damn it! This isn't over while I'm still breathing! If you want to do this you're going to have to kill me to do it!"
Asch reached for his blade but before his right arm had moved an inch, an incredibly powerful force ensnared his wrist and his entire arm froze. Twisting to see the identity of his captor, Asch saw the last person he expected to see standing in his way.
"Jade!" Asch barely got out another protest before crying out in pain as the Necromancer twisted his arm into submission. When Asch tried to retaliate, he found his second arm bound, both tied behind his back in an inescapable clasp. The redhead fought and fought and fought but every effort was nothing before Jade's grasp and Asch only found his energy sapped and his bond tighter.
"You've lost, Asch," Luke repeated. Asch's head flew back around. Impossible, this was all so impossible! It had to be some kind of nightmare! This couldn't be happening. This couldn't really be happening!
But as Asch was about to discover, this was one nightmare from which he would never wake.
"You've been so focused on the end that you can't see the bigger picture." Luke walked up to his big brother until they were standing face to face. Reaching over and unclasping Asch's weapon, Luke claimed the Sword of Lorelei, sheathe and all; leaning in close, he whispered in Asch's ear. "I told you, you were wrong. They have always been your friends and they will always care about you. Just like I will."
Stepping back Luke smiled sadly. 'I'm sorry,' he said silently using their connection where the words didn't threaten to shatter his fragile front. 'You know I am, and I know you can't accept it now... but can I ask you one last favour?' Luke's eyes wrenched Asch's heart from his chest. His mind wasn't capable of the words for a reply, caught up as they were in the deepening sense of dread at the inevitable conclusion of this path.
'One day, once all this is over,' Luke continued painfully. 'Do you think you could find it in you... to forgive me for this?'
A tense silence presided for but a second before Asch's flailing renewed with a vigour the Colonel had never witnessed in Asch. Words never came, just a desperate struggle full of violent emotion. Whatever Luke had said, Jade wished he hadn't, be it for the sake of keeping Asch here, or even for Asch's own sake. Given the probable outcome of today's events, whatever Luke had said was entirely too cruel. Even in fighting for his own life, Asch had never conjured this strength, but it was entirely in vain. There would be no escaping from the position he was in, and as cruel as it was, Asch would watch every moment of what was about to occur. Because while watching Luke die would destroy him, not doing so would haunt the boy forever.
"No! Luke!" Asch's desperate screams tore through every heart on the platform. No more than one or two words, all he could manage, but the raw agony they carried was enough to strike each and every person on whose ears they fell. Natalia could no longer bring herself to watch and she felt the silent tears falling. She may be able to avert her eyes, but nothing would shield her from the screams. As each pleading cry increased in desperation, her chest seized and a sob escaped the Princess despite her resolve to stand proud for her cousin. Fruitlessly wiping her eyes, Natalia forced herself to look up again; if Luke could make the ultimate sacrifice, then the least she could do... the only thing she could do for him, was muster the strength to watch him in his last moments.
Asch wasn't even coherent anymore as he succumbed completely to panic. His mind couldn't string together a thought, there was only rejection, despair, agony; a fight against the inevitable. Fighting against his restraint Asch felt his heart being ripped from his chest. The warm flame that had once comforted him was now burning him alive as he screamed frantically. He had to do something! He had to stop this! He had to get through to Luke. He had to- to-
Luke could see Asch struggling from the corner of his eye, his older brother's frantic screaming driving a dagger down his throat. He didn't want to do this! He wanted to live. He wanted to go home with Asch and go back to the lazy days at the manor; go back to the days he sat in the sun-filled courtyard and dreamed up adventures while watching Asch train. He wanted to go back to the days where he, Asch, Ion, Guy, Tear... where everyone sat laughing; where there were no tears, no loss, no sacrifice. He wanted to be there, to see them all happy. That path... those days, they were gone. All he could ask was to see them smile one last time, but he knew that was impossible now. He would never see their smiles again. Luke choked back as he felt his chest heave. He would be gone, but he would build a world where they could have all those things.
A world of sunshine, smiles and laughter... that would be his legacy.
"Are you prepared?" Mary asked.
Luke wiped his eye with palm of his hand and smiled sadly. "Yeah," he said softly. "I'm ready whenever you guys are."
Mary waved her arm and the mass of replicas began to move, forming a circle around everyone. Luke watched them and turned his eyes back to Mary. "I'm sorry. I wish I didn't have to ask this of you."
"It is alright," Mary said with a soft smile. "We will join you on your journey, for the sake of all our brethren, so they may have a place to live." Luke had never seen her smile before, and in it he could see the kind and gentle person that Guy's sister had once been. To see that emotion one last time, put his heart at ease.
This is the world we will leave behind.
As if reacting to Luke's acceptance, the replicas took a few steps inward, closing in the circle. Tear's shoulders began to shake; Asch began to fight harder... but time pressed forward; events set into motion.
"Luke! Stop! Please stop! Don't do this! Don't-" Asch screamed desperately. "Don't leave me alone!" Luke's head turned. As if that last cry had taken the last of his energy, Asch sank, only Jade's firm grip kept him from completely falling to the ground. Every ounce of strength drained from him; the older redhead had nothing left. "Don't... don't leave me..."
"Asch..."
"Don't leave me by myself..."
'I'll always be with you... you know that, right?'
At those simple words, Asch's head flew up and the brothers met eye to eye. There weren't words, for this moment, for the rush of emotions that flew through him, there would never be any sort of description for that kind of agony. Asch only knew of the warmth he saw in Luke's gaze. Shock paralyzed his mind while his body shook under the crushing weight of it all. In his last moments, Luke was lending him what little strength he had left, the last of his light in a world that suddenly seemed pitch black. No, it couldn't end this way. It couldn't all come down to this! All those years, all the experiences, the good and the bad, the bright and the lonely, this wasn't the summation of it all! This wasn't the path he wanted! This wasn't the future, this wasn't- It wasn't right! He'd spent eight years for what? Eight years so a day like this would never come! If this went through to the end, to the inevitable conclusion... then what was the point? What had his life meant? What had he been living for?
Asch's flailing renewed with incredible vigour, his shining eyes ablaze as he fought against Jade with every breadth of his being. From deep within the hoards of guilt, seeing Asch fight so hard reassured Luke. That was the light he knew, the stubborn never-give-up fire that he admired in his older brother. As long as Asch had that, Luke knew he would never falter. And that was all he needed to know.
"I think it's time," Luke said turning to Mary. The blonde replica nodded her head and there were many reassuring mumbles from the crowd. "Thank you, all of you. Regardless of your reasons, we owe you everything."
Luke pulled the sheath from the Sword of Lorelei and Asch felt the hysteria consume him. There wasn't any more time! He had to- Every thought suddenly came to a screeching halt. So faint, it was next to impossible to see through the miasma, but a glimmer of light caught Asch's eye. Impossible! His eyes flew up to Luke but his sibling was still saying something to the replicas. There was no doubt though, dim as it was, the Sword of Lorelei was glowing.
"Luke!" Asch called, but Luke didn't turn his way. He had to make Luke see! Didn't he realize? He had the Jewel! He had the Jewel the whole time! No wonder they'd never found it! Even with Luke holding the Sword it was barely glowing, it was so faint even Luke hadn't noticed it, but it was really there! "Luke! Stop! Luke- don't- Luke!"
He had to get Luke to listen! That was why Luke was doing this! Luke felt he had to atone, that he hadn't gotten the Jewel so he had to make things right! If he could only get Luke to see! If he could get Luke to see then this wouldn't be happening! If he could just make Luke understand then his only little brother wouldn't have to die! He wouldn't have to lose everything! He wouldn't be left alone!
"Luke stop! You can't! Wait! Luke!" Asch cursed and cursed and cursed but the harder he tried, the more the words wouldn't come. No! He had to make Luke understand! Luke had the Jewel! He didn't have to do this!
"Luke don't-! The Jewel! You have- Stop! We need the Jewel- You can't-!"
"You'll find the Jewel," Luke finally replied, unable to quell the overflowing with regret, unable to avoid a response. He was making it harder than it had to be, but Asch just had to see. He could do this, he would do this, and the world would be a better place for having him in it. "You'll find it and you'll free Lorelei and stop Master Van. I know you can, nothing's ever stood in your way once you've set your mind on it."
"No! That's not- That's not it! I can't- You-!"
Luke set down the Sword of Lorelei. The whole world went silent, the mumbles of the replicas, the whistling of the winds; the very air around them grew dead and reality dissolved. The world became nothing but Luke, now standing in front of him with a single hand gripping Asch's shoulder. Every word Asch struggled to procure, that fought to scream out caught in his throat as his windpipe became a mangled knot, the only barrier to his heaving stomach. Luke trapped Asch's gaze firmly in his own and that moment stood frozen in time, one that Asch, no matter how much he wanted to, would never forget.
"Thank you for everything," Luke finally said, the finality in his voice excruciating. "For these eight years, for all the times you protected me, the times you scolded me, the times you helped me. I've spent my entire life respecting you, admiring you... looking up to the person you are and dreaming I could be half that person. You're strong, stronger than I ever was, and you have an amazing heart. Nothing that happens today will change that. You have to live on, you have to. So that the rest of this world can see what I've seen, so they can see the future you will build."
"No! Luke... no!"
"Goodbye, Asch."
"Luke! Luke come back! You can't! You can't do this! Luke!"
Asch's cries fell on dead air as even the wind silenced. Retrieving the Sword of Lorelei, the Seventh Fonons in the air began to resonate. Luke closed his eyes, though it had been a long time since he needed to do that to focus. The response of the fonons was immediate and fluid, the effortlessness a stark contrast to the boy who almost a year ago couldn't even get them to come. No, Luke closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, because if he thought on anything else... if he let his fear take hold, he would falter and he would fail. He wanted to live, he wanted to stop this; with every essence of his being, he wished this wasn't the last time he would see his friends... the last time he would ever see Asch. Luke just wanted his story to have a happy ending, but he knew better than that now. The miasma had to vanish, the replicas had to die... and he would be the one to orchestrate it all. Orchestrate their demise, orchestrate his friends' misery; his last act would be a massacre.
It was only in stories that endings were so kind.
"No Luke stop!" This time it was Tear's scream that pierced the air and the melodist flew towards the redhead. In her recklessness, she hadn't stopped to think. She reacted from the bottom of her heart, the heart that was screaming in agony, that couldn't bear the thought of watching Luke vanish. There were no consequences to consider, no pain to realize save the anguish of her own soul. She couldn't stand and do nothing anymore! She wasn't going to let this world take him from her!
"Don't come closer!" Luke yelled and she hesitated for a split second. Guy jumped in front of her, grabbing her shoulder and bracing against the struggling melodist. Arms outstretched, Tear reached; but her outstretched hand didn't even come close. Luke was still beyond her.
"Luke, no don't! You can't do this, I l-"
"Tear!" Luke harshly cut her off.
"No..." Tear buried her head in Guy's shoulder, and while she did not cry, her entire body shook.
"Guy..." Luke's sorrowful voice was barely louder than a whisper. "Thank you."
"Idiot," Guy cursed.
There was nothing but darkness, darkness and warmth as Tear hid in Guy's arms, hiding from reality, from the pain, and from a loss she couldn't begin to fathom. Bracing herself against the blond's strong grasp, she felt him shaking as well.
It was a field of selenias, Tear's personal sanctuary. Luke stood in the center, his warm eyes full of sorrow, shining as he watched the heavens, softening when they met her own. A single white blossom, tucked behind her ear. An empty garden, a bitter farewell.
Sun streamed through the trees, a secret out in the open; Luke crying. A story that seemed like a dream, a boy who was really just a child. A leap of faith for the light she just couldn't extinguish; a hatred put to rest by his endless smile.
A lonely hospital room, a harsh reality delivered. She sat on a bed, suppressing feelings she shouldn't have. A worthy sacrifice, a righteous cause, a world she loved more than anything. He was the only one to remain, even with her protests. His back was warm, strong, his hand comforting around hers. He never saw her weakness, only gave her his strength.
Grand Chokmah's streets, bustling but empty to her eyes, only his red hair gleaming golden in the sunlight mattered to her. Standing on the bridge he asked her. The water rustling below them she answered.
I want to know you. I want to know you so I can decide what I believe. I want to see where you go and what you will do. I will watch you, until the day all this is over... I will watch you.
I will watch you until the end...
No matter how much it hurt, no matter how hopeless she felt, she had promised him. She had sworn and she owed it to Luke, as a friend, and as the woman who couldn't begin to tell him how complete he made her world. Raising her eyes she caught a final glimpse, one last split second when her gaze met his and he was hers alone.
"Luke!" Tear's cry came too late, and a brilliant golden sea swallowed them all.
The crash of the Sword as it pierced the stone of the Tower's roof echoed, the golden winds beginning to swirl forming a veritable vortex engulfing everyone who stood here. The nearest replicas began to shimmer and one by one they burst into fonons, the golden lights only adding to the brilliance of the maelstrom.
"No! Let go!" Asch started flailing even harder, drawing strength from reserves the redhead didn't think he possessed. "Damn it Jade! Let go! Stop this! Why? Let go! Let go, he's going to die! Yulia damn it all, Jade let go!" Asch's cries were filled with an agony even the Necromancer had never heard, but his grip remained firm and Asch stood no chance of escaping. "Why Jade? Why are you doing this? Luke's going to die!"
Jade offered Asch no reply.
"Why? Why are you letting him die?"
The Cathedral was silent in the dead of night where the Colonel stood thinking. Luke had dropped quite the bombshell with his earlier declaration that he would take Asch's place and despite all Jade's efforts, despite all his training, he still could not even propose a feasible alternative. What a fickle thing knowledge could be; useless when needed, pointless when not. He heard the voices in the distance, then the soft sound of approaching footsteps. Standing up from where he had been leaning against the railing, Jade adjusted his glasses.
"Luke."
"Jade."
"Do you have a few words for me too?" Luke asked; clearly he'd already met the others.
"Not particularly," the Necromancer replied, returning to his place on the railing. Luke silently joined him, leaning on the railing next to the Colonel watching the guards stand dutifully at the entrance, shuffling every few moments to keep from falling asleep.
"You know," Jade finally spoke up. "I would understand completely if you chose to hate me."
"Why would I hate you?"
"Even if you were to disappear, we would still have Asch. His hyperresonance is more stable than your own, and his chances of possessing the ability to free Lorelei are greater. The miasma would be gone, and the decreased number of replicas would create less problems for both countries. From a logical stand point, it's the best possible course of action."
"And what about from your standpoint?" Luke asked.
Jade couldn't resist a smirk. "As a friend, I feel somewhat compelled to stop you, as I felt compelled to try and stop Asch. But it seems neither of you are so easily swayed."
"Thank you, Jade."
"I can't imagine why you would feel the need to thank me."
"I'm glad to hear that you think of us as your friends, that means a lot."
"Yes, well, I can be rather cold; I can see how you'd misunderstand."
"No, not at all," Luke shook his hands defensively.
"Luke..." Jade said, his solemn voice piercing the heavy atmosphere. "I'm sorry."
And for the first time since Luke had met the man, he truly meant it.
"Jade, can I ask a favour of you?"
"What is it?"
"Will," Luke hesitated for a moment. "Will you help me do this?"
"Oh?" The Colonel inquired, fully catching the undertones in Luke's request. "You think Asch may try something?"
"Yeah. I don't know how, exactly, but I know he will," Luke replied, trying to take on a joking tone but still failing to sound light-hearted. "Asch likes to have things his own way."
"I see."
"Will you promise me you won't let him interfere once we get up there?" The redhead asked. "If you can do that, the rest I'll take care of on my own."
Silence consumed them as Jade deeply contemplated the request.
"Please, Jade?"
"Alright, you have my word," he said solemnly, adjusting his glasses. "I'll see you through until the end."
The storm of fonons grew in intensity, consuming replica upon replica with Luke standing alone in the center. The Sword of Lorelei was fully aglow, seeped in the aura that stemmed from Luke who stood over it, fuelling the hyperresonance. The task that had begun so simply now drew every bit of his focus as Luke struggled to keep everything together. He could feel it, a strange force pulling him away as his consciousness seemed to spread out. A vague feeling of dissociation detracted what little focus he could pull together. Was this it? Was this how it would end? This consuming feeling of indifference and peace... inviting him into a vast expanse of the unknown. The reaction weakened. No! He had to focus! He had to do this; he had to make sure the miasma went away! For everyone who was counting on him, for the replicas who had sacrificed their lives... and for the friends he had asked to suffer... he had to!
But he was so tired...
Something was wrong; Asch's senses flared. Something wasn't right... something other than the fact that this whole damn situation shouldn't even be happening. The fonons, the hyperresonance that had once ploughed forward with such force, such disregard to the lives it was consuming, was weakening. It couldn't be over yet, the miasma wasn't gone! Why was it slowing down? It couldn't! If the reaction stopped before the miasma was neutralized then everyone would have died for nothing! Luke would have sacrificed himself for nothing!
'Come on Luke! You've got to pull it together!' Asch's voice wavered. In the heat of the moment all the anger and terror had been set aside. It wasn't about Asch anymore; it wasn't about his selfishness, his inability to deal with the thought of having to stand on his own without Luke to catch him when he fell, it wasn't even about the fact that he couldn't step back long enough to see what Luke might have wanted. It was about being there for Luke; about being there for his little brother like Luke had always been there for him.
But Asch's words seemed to echo, reverberating off the empty walls of Luke's mind. 'Luke!' Asch's call was unanswered. Luke seemed all over the place, Asch caught whispers of his presence, of his desperately struggling will, but they were as quick to vanish as they were to appear. 'Luke, you've got to focus! You can do this! I believe in you! Focus!'
Luke's flickering mind seemed to steady, the struggle to maintain his existence put a strain on even Asch who was only watching on. Luke was fighting; fighting with every bit of strength he could muster but the hyperresonance wasn't responding. The reaction was fading. No! No, if it didn't pick up soon all this would be for nothing! They'd fail! Luke was fighting his hardest, he could do this! Why? Why wasn't it getting any better?
The Jewel!
Of course! The Jewel of Lorelei dispersed fonons; Luke was fighting not only to maintain a hyperresonance on the scale no one had ever seen, but he was fighting against the Jewel's ability to scatter fonons! There was no way he was going to be able to succeed. He was already getting caught up in his own reaction, struggling to hold through to the end. He didn't have the strength left to fight against the Jewel!
"Let go of me Jade!" The Colonel was almost surprised when Asch suddenly began to struggle again. He had fallen completely still in the last few moments; finally accepting what was transpiring perhaps, but whatever the reason he'd ceased his resistance.
"Jade let go! You have to let go!" Asch could feel his arm ready to pull from his socket but still he fought. He had to get over there, he had to help Luke! It was all going to be for nothing! "Jade let go! Luke's going to die! He's going to die for nothing! Let go!" Jade couldn't see it; Jade didn't know! He hadn't seen the sword glowing; he didn't know the Jewel was there! Asch had to get free! He could help Luke! He could stop this from failing! He just had to get free! Maybe it wasn't his right to ignore Luke's ability to make his own choices, but he had not spent eight years to end up sitting uselessly by the sidelines! This was not how things were going to end!
It was so sudden, Asch nearly crashed forward. The pressure against his wrists had vanished, the muscles in his arms started to spasm, protesting the restraint but Asch didn't notice any of this. Looking over his shoulder, for a split second frozen in time, his eyes met Jade's and the message was clear.
Go.
Asch sprinted forward, the world around him suddenly accelerating as his perception of time returned to normal. Everything around him was spinning and it took all of Asch' focus to stay on his own two feet. The swirling golden mass, though slowed still left his world a dizzying mess, but that didn't matter. He just had to get to Luke!
Grabbing the Sword of Lorelei's hilt, Asch carefully began to add his own power to Luke's, strengthening the focal point of the reaction. Luke barely held onto the sword anymore, his fingers only loosely wrapped themselves around the grip. Asch forced himself to concentrate. This had to be a success, he couldn't let this fail after coming so far, after Luke had gotten them so far! Ignoring just how glazed over Luke's eyes had become, how much he resembled an empty vessel... Asch concentrated entirely on the hyperresonance. The reaction picked up and the golden mass picked up speed.
"Asch?"
As if his power had awakened something in Luke, a light returned to the younger sibling's eyes. He stood confused for a few seconds until exactly what was happening sunk in. "Asch! What are you-"
"I'm helping you, you idiot," Asch said but there wasn't any trace of resentment in his voice.
"But Asch you can't!" Luke argued. "If we both disappear then there won't be anyone to free Lorelei!"
"Then I guess that doesn't leave us much choice," Asch shot back. "We'd better not disappear."
"No Asch, don't!"
"Damn it all Luke, if this is the last thing we ever do, we are going to do it together!"
"Asch..."
Asch shot Luke a reassuring grin.
All he could ask was to see them smile one last time... Luke smiled back.
"Thank you..."
Tear watched the swirling lights, the mass of Seventh Fonons as it exploded in intensity. What had been a steadily dying stream had suddenly become a roaring river. It was unlike anything she'd ever witnessed; unlike anything she'd ever witness again. Her view of Luke was completely obstructed by light, she'd no idea what was going on, what this sudden summation meant. Choking back the desire to be sick, every muscle in her body fell limp in Guy's arms. Whirring as the intensity grew, the hyperresonance shattered, flying at blinding speeds in every possible direction leaving a crisp blue sky behind it. As quickly as the reaction had cumulated, the entire thing was gone.
Was it possible for her to have forgotten, just how beautiful and endless the blue sky could be? The air still seemed to shimmer, glistening in the full light of the sun. Everything was so brilliant, so... full of colour. The world was suddenly vibrant and alive in ways that the melodist couldn't believe had escaped her memory. The scent of truly fresh air filled her lungs and her mind, actually clearing them for the first time in weeks. How easily she'd forgotten... but Luke hadn't. This was the world they'd fought for, the world they'd been prepared to die to protect... the world Luke had returned to them all.
Only a few of the replicas lingered; enveloped in a golden light as the last of their fonons slipped away they seemed content, though that may just be her own imagination trying to comfort the melodist. Had Luke been that happy? That content as he faded from the world?
Detracting her mind from her sudden inability to breathe, Tear mindlessly detached herself from Guy. What was the point? All the beauty in the world was meaningless without someone to share it with. A flash of red caught Tear's eye. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Luke!"
"Asch!" Natalia followed less than a split second later.
"Luke, no, please don't." Tear began pulling him up into her lap. She couldn't, she couldn't watch him vanish in front of her eyes, not like the other replicas had. She'd lost so many people in her short life... she couldn't lose him too! Her arms wrapped tightly around him, she buried her face in his hair.
"Really now, Tear," Jade spoke up. "He managed to survive all that, you needn't strangle him now."
Survive? Luke was alive? Tear sprung to life, suddenly noticing the presence of a strong pulse, one that had been drowned out by the roaring of her own heart. She could feel her face redden. She opened her mouth to protest but nothing came from it.
"That isn't like you to miss something so obvious," Jade added a bit too slyly. One look up told the melodist he echoed what had just run through each and every one of her friend's minds.
Tear's face was practically purple with embarrassment. Was- was it really that obvious? Did everyone see that she cared for Luke except herself? Oh Yulia, what had they said to Luke? How much did he know? Anise let out an evil snicker that told Tear this wouldn't be the last she heard on the matter, but in spite of her embarrassment she couldn't quite bring herself to dread that moment in the future... because Luke would be there. That was all her mind was capable of processing. Luke was alive.
"Please remember," Mary's voice drew the attention of the group. "Please remember your promise. The remaining replicas will all have a place to live."
"We promise," Guy replied. "On my life, I swear the remaining replicas will all be cared for. In memory of you and your brethren who died today."
"Yes, for all of you who gave us this world," Natalia agreed. "We will honour your sacrifice."
Mary smiled, and Guy felt a pang of nostalgia, of loss and regret as she too, disappeared into the sparkling sky.
"Ugh..." Asch was the first to wake. Bringing a hand to his head, he groaned in pain before trying to sit up. Natalia caught him when he lost his balance but within a minute he was supporting himself. Not quite as delicate with his sibling as the others, Asch shuffled his weight and kicked Luke in the shin.
The fact that Luke didn't jump in pain was a testament to the fact that he was in the same amount of pain that Asch was, probably more, actually, since Asch had only jumped in at the end. Luke had forced himself through the entire thing. Luke began to move, and though it was a much slower process, he was eventually sitting up. Asch wanted to applaud him; he thought he ached all over. The hints from across their connection told Asch he wasn't in near the pain Luke was.
No one said a word as Luke and Asch remained locked in a stare-down. Neither said a word, but neither dared look away either. It seemed like forever; it seemed like only a moment.
"Asch, I'm-"
Luke was cut off when Asch pulled him in close and despite both their aching limbs, Asch held Luke tightly. This was really happening... Luke was really still alive. Asch held on tight, because he was afraid if he'd let go, Luke really would vanish. He would wake up to find himself scared and alone in a reality where Luke had disappeared.
"A-Asch... that... hurts..."
"You moron!" Asch protested, holding on all the tighter.
"I'm really okay, Asch," Luke replied.
"He's not going to be if you don't stop suffocating him," Anise jibbed. "We just finished going through this with Tear!"
"Tear?" Luke looked curiously at the melodist who immediately averted her gaze. Her cheeks were still flushed from earlier and Anise was not helping.
"All joking aside," Jade said. "Both of you just placed yourself under an extreme amount of stress. I want you both to get a proper check up when you get back to Baticul."
"No way," Asch argued. "A little sore, yes, but we're fine. See," Asch swung his arm around, ignoring the large protest from his aching muscles. "We're fine. Nothing's broken that a good long nap won't fix."
"Yeah," Luke agreed, though his voice was more than enough to tell he was lying. He sounded completely drained, as if he hadn't slept for a month. "I'm a little sore and my head hurts a bit but I'll be fine after getting some sleep."
"I'm afraid I'm going to be insistent on the matter."
"And I'm afraid that you're wrong," Asch stood up, putting every ounce of concentration into not letting his balance falter and prove Jade right. His legs each shot up twice the pain his arm had just mustered, but Asch was nothing if not stubborn. Smug at his victory, Asch remained planted to the spot. "You can't force us to see a doctor, if Luke wants to go, he can, but I am not."
The displeasure in Jade's eyes was far from being hidden and the Colonel was honestly surprised to see either of them even capable of protesting. It was plain as day that they were worn beyond measure and their feeble struggle to hide it was fooling no one but themselves. Even their attempts at sounding insistent were dulled by weariness and a tone that could only be produced by a significant amount of physical pain.
"I think I'll be fine too," Luke said, braving the Colonel's displeasure. Unlike Asch, however, he readily accepted Guy's help to get back on his feet. As he stood up, everyone heard a clink, like the sound of glass hitting the stone floor without breaking.
"What on..." Luke picked up the source of the sound, staring at the object in disbelief. It was perfectly round and had a purple hue to it. The symbol of the order of Lorelei sat suspended at the very center with clouds swirling around it, reflecting light at strange angles and giving the entire thing a powerful aura.
"The Jewel of Lorelei," Asch provided. Luke looked at his brother with about as much shock as he could muster. "You got it from Lorelei just fine," he said with a smile. "You just didn't know you had it." Retrieving the Sword, Asch held it up to the Jewel and the Sword began to emit a bright golden light.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Anise interrupted. "How could Luke not know he had it this whole time?"
"It's called the contamination effect," Asch said. "Lorelei broke down both the Sword and Jewel into fonons so he could send them up through the Absorption Gate."
"I still don't quite understand," Natalia commented. "Then how is it you have had the Sword this whole time, while Luke was unaware of the Jewel's presence? What is this contamination effect?"
"It's the same thing Jade uses with his spear," Asch pointed out.
"Yes, but not quite," Jade agreed. "You've one critical fact wrong."
"What's that?"
"In the case of my spear, it is broken down and the fonons are kept along the surface of my arm. It can be easily reconstituted because the fonons are vastly different than the fonons that compose my body. However, the Sword and Jewel were most likely broken down into Seventh Fonons which would get too easily lost in the massive amount of fonons that pass through the Absorption Gate. I believe that to ensure only you two would receive the pieces of the key, Lorelei sent the fonons through your fonslots."
"Is that even possible?" Guy asked.
"It's never been documented, no," Jade answered. "But there has never quite been a case like that of those three either."
"I still don't get what this has to do with Asch getting the Sword and Luke not getting the Jewel!" Anise stated in frustration.
"It's not that difficult of a concept," Jade continued. "In this case, the difference is in that Asch is a normal person, while Luke is a replica."
"Colonel!" Natalia immediately protested. "You're being rude to Luke!"
"My apologies," Jade adjusted his glasses. "However, in this situation it is a relevant difference. Perhaps the proper way of saying it is that Asch's body composition is that of a normal person. Asch was born like anyone else; his body is composed of various combinations of all seven fonons. As a replica, Luke's body is made up of exclusively Seventh Fonons, as they're the only ones stable enough to produce a living being. In Asch's case, the Seventh fonons that made up the Sword were immediately recognized as foreign and were separated from him where they re-assembled to form the Sword. For Luke, those Seventh Fonons blended in, if you will. It wasn't until the stress of his fonons dissipating that those fonons were able to escape and return to their original form."
"I guess I should give this to you then," Luke said, holding out the Jewel. Asch shook his head.
"No, you hold onto it for now. The God-Generals are getting more and more desperate to destroy the Key of Lorelei, its better if the two pieces stay as far from each other as possible. The longer we can go without them knowing we have the Jewel the better."
"I wonder," Luke pondered. "Jade, do you think you could teach me how to hide it like you hide your spear?"
"No," Jade replied. "Fonon manipulation at that level is extremely complex and dangerous. The last thing you need is more stress on your body."
"Okay," Luke replied simply.
Guy sighed. "You better teach him, Jade. If you don't, he's just going to try and figure it out for himself."
Luke grinned, his slyness dulled by the obvious fatigue on his face. He looked ready to fall over any second now.
"So now what?" Anise asked. "The miasma is finally gone and the world is in the clear for now."
"For now," Guy repeated. "It won't be for long if Van has his say in things."
"Then what's stopping us?" Asch asked. "We have the Key now, I think it's time to put an end to Van and his plans. We've done enough reacting. It's time for us to make our move."
"For our world," Natalia agreed.
"For our future," Luke added.
"Yes," Tear said, placing her arm around Luke's. Luke shifted nervously; Tear smiled.
"For a future for all of us."