Chapter 74: Taking Responsibility
The lights that flickered all throughout the Tower of Rem suddenly seemed so much brighter and all the more annoying because of it. Anise stood in the center of the elevator, watching the tower as it flew up around her marking the long-but-not-nearly-as-long-as-those-god-damn-stairs trip back down. It was the lack of the miasma, Anise concluded, that was making everything around her seem so different; but she knew that was only half the case. Sure the miasma was gone and it looked like a rainbow had thrown up on the world, but the real reason everything was so different, was because for the first time in longer than Anise could remember, everyone was happy.
She found the bright lights of the Tower's endless fon machines annoying, but she just couldn't find it in her to be upset. Anise was beyond exhausted, like she was sure everyone must be. That had been an emotional trial and she felt like she'd been wrung through the wash a few times, but at the same time she was just so relieved that everything had turned out that she couldn't help but be exuberant. No, the real reason she was annoyed was that she couldn't think of a really great line to throw at Tear right now, who still had her arm wrapped around Luke's. In consolation though, Luke's fidgeting was more than enough amusement and he was so nervous it was a miracle he was able to maintain a halfway decent conversation with Guy like he was. Anise just couldn't wipe the smile off her face. It was about freaking time Tear realized she was head over heels for him! Honestly! Now if only Luke would clue in. Either way, she was glad to finally see them going somewhere. No one should have to end up like she and Ion had. Life is too short and fragile to let those chances pass you by. She'd learnt that the hard way.
Death seemed to have an amazing way of making you see things in a different light; Anise thought, letting her thoughts drift off with the whirring of the elevator as it continued downwards. She didn't blame Tear for being so scared up there; Anise had been too. They all had been. The tension, the terror, the way someone might as well have cut her heart out; Anise had no intension of ever going through anything like that again.
But... if there was one thing she would never forget, one single image that was going to haunt her dreams until she was some decrepit old lady in her bed, it was the sight of Asch in those moments. Weak, vulnerable... just broken; it was so different from the person she'd always known. The Asch she'd always watched had a better-than-everyone attitude and a cocky tone of voice that never stopped telling her what to do. This person she'd seen, the tiny glimpse of the human being that was Asch fon Fabre, shook her to her very core. Beneath that rough demeanour and god-awful temper, he was completely alone; as scared and abandoned as Luke had been, maybe even more so, because he didn't have an escape, an end to find comfort in.
No matter how back to normal things seemed now, with Asch trying to hide how tired he was, chatting with everyone like nothing had happened; Anise still could shake that image, that realization out of her head. Asch only had Luke in the world, didn't he? His mom was sick, unconscious and may never wake up; he didn't get along with his dad. He had spent the last few months just pushing everyone away, and something told Anise he didn't have any other friends. He had Natalia, sure, but it didn't take a genius to see the distance between them. Even as far back as their reunion after the Absorption Gate, Anise could sense an unspoken tension between them, and that had done nothing but grow and fester since. Asch had almost died alongside Luke up there, but it wasn't like they were tied at the hip like Luke and Tear were. In fact, Natalia was standing clear across from him, about as far as she could get without being obvious about it.
Anise tried to see around it... but every time she looked at Asch now, he just seemed so lonely.
It was what he deserved though, wasn't it? Anise knew she'd believed that at one point, maybe even wished for it. Listened to his crap one too many times and thought that if everyone just abandoned him, it would serve him right. He'd done it on purpose! He'd pushed them all away... but even Anise wasn't thick enough to be able to mistake his intentions. He always thought he'd bring them trouble, that he would put them in danger, so he thought it was safer to stay away. But wasn't that what friends were for? They're here to deal with all that crap together! So no one would end up hurt and scared and alone...
A wave of guilt came over Anise and she knew damn well she was part of the problem. She had always just preferred not to deal with Asch... because she didn't know how to handle him. He was impossible to talk to; he never asked or wanted anyone to help him. She'd tried to get to know him once; when they'd first met, it hadn't been like it was now at all. She'd attempted to get closer, but she found herself pounding against this impenetrable brick wall he'd put up around himself and had just given up on ever getting through. Then somewhere along the way, she had just stopped trying. So she avoided him instead. But that wasn't going to keep up! Things were going to change and Asch needed some serious re-educating. If she had to drag Luke into this to do it, then so be it!
The elevator lurched to a stop and Anise stepped out of the glass enclosure. Taking a look up, the former Fon Master Guardian's breath was taken away. Without the miasma, you could almost see the entire way to the top. The spiralling stairs became all the more dizzying, but it was the Tower's majesty that made her head spin.
"I can't believe we climbed all those," Anise muttered.
"A feat to be proud of," Jade added teasingly.
"And one I can't brag about," Luke joked, trying to make light of the situation as five pairs of displeased eyes suddenly fell on him. Well, four, Tear probably couldn't be mad at Luke if he'd drop kicked Mieu from the Tower roof right now.
Stepping out of the Tower, the first thing Ginji noticed was the heat. Not a muggy, stifling heat, but the crisp and clean warmth of the sun on his face. Looking up to the sky, bluer than the pilot had ever seen it, a feeling of peace came over him. They had their world back; that was all he could think. There were no words for how it felt to be robbed of the blue skies and endless horizons that the pilot lived for, and to finally have them back... there couldn't be any greater feeling. For the first time since talking to Luke in Baticul, since agreeing to lie to the person he considered his best friend; Ginji felt like he'd done the right thing. He didn't doubt that if Asch had been here alone, he would have died; now he had all his friends, and there wasn't a cloud to be seen. Ginji smiled; he couldn't wait until sunset.
The second Albiore came into sight first; not surprisingly, since the pilot had been extra careful to land behind the Tower where neither Noelle nor any of her passengers would see him. It was a bit further than he liked, but going unnoticed had been top priority at the time. Really it wasn't like the extra ten minutes now made any difference. He did have one piece of unattended business though, and the young pilot could not have predicted the words any better had he said them himself.
"Ginji!" Noelle's red piloting jacket stood out painfully well against the grass as she stormed right for her older brother. "What got into you? You're always acting so rash and without thinking! How dare you lie to me about everything! You said you were still in Sheridan!"
"Sorry Noelle," Ginji replied, though there was clearly no remorse in his voice.
"I think someone might be rubbing off on him," Anise said slyly, elbowing Asch in the side.
"What?" both Asch and Ginji asked in unison; everyone broke out laughing.
A startled squawk interrupted the laughter and made the female pilot jump half a foot in the air. Cringing, Noelle failed at inconspicuously putting some distance between herself and the Albiore II, under which sat a suspiciously familiar pile of crimson feathers.
"Is that who I think it is?" Anise muttered sceptically, trying to keep her displeasure to a minimum.
"I'd say, you're likely correct in your assumption," Jade agreed, adjusting his glasses.
"Ummmm," Noelle began hesitantly, noticing that everyone's eyes were darting between the monster sitting under the Albiore and her not so subtle retreat. "I don't know what the matter with it is, I tried to scare him off but he just wouldn't go and well..."
"You don't have to be scared of him," Guy said. "He's pretty much Asch's. I'd be careful trying to pet him though, he definitely has favourites."
"I-I think I'll pass," Noelle stuttered.
"Don't mind her," Ginji stated. "She doesn't handle birds well."
"Scared of them?" Anise asked.
"No!" Noelle answered way too fast for anyone to consider believing her.
Ginji laughed, "She's always scared to hit them when she's flying."
"Really? Birds?" Natalia asked questioningly.
Noelle glanced around, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment at they all chuckled under their breath, trying to hide their amusement for the sake of not insulting her.
"I am not afraid of birds!" Noelle protested running over to Guy and grabbing his hands as she stared him straight in the eye. "You believe me, don't you, Guy?"
"Ummmm, well..." Guy began. Everyone held their breath; Anise was just waiting for the inevitable realization as to exactly what was holding his hand. "I guess it makes sense to worry about hitting birds when flying, it's not like you can really dodge them that easily."
"Hey!" Anise cut in. "Guy, she's holding your hand! You're not freaking out."
"Huh?" both blonds looked down at their hands, as if just noticing they were interlocked.
"Come to think of it, you held Tear all that time without even flinching," Natalia commented. "I wonder if you haven't finally gotten over that phobia of yours."
Guy stood, his hands still in Noelle's, and he couldn't take his eyes off. He was holding Noelle's hand, a girl was holding onto him... but for the first time in his life, his entire body wasn't screaming to get out. Even thinking back to when he was holding Tear, there was no revulsion, no chill flying down his spine... nothing. "Maybe you're right," he finally answered.
"Well there's one way to find out for sure," Anise said with an evil grin on her face. Taking a running start, she leapt through the air, landing cleanly on Guy's back in the biggest bear hug she'd ever dared give him. Guy stumbled forward nearly knocking Noelle over as he absorbed the impact of the dark haired girl's tackle.
"Ouch, Anise..." Guy muttered.
"Awww boooo," Anise pouted. "You didn't so much as jump!" Guy chuckled weakly.
"Okay guys, enough," Asch chuckled shaking his head. "You're going to throw him right back at square one at this rate."
"But this isn't any fun at all!" Anise protested as she reluctantly released her prey. "Who's going to be fun to play with if he doesn't freak out anymore?"
"I'm sure an alternative form of amusement can be arranged," Jade suggested in that dangerous tone of his.
"Nuh uh, no way! I don't want anything you've had a hand in arranging!" Anise violently protested.
"Why Asch's little pet could be plenty of fun to play with," Jade continued.
"Oh sure, it would love to play with my dismembered arm!"
"Come to think of it," Natalia commented. "What is he doing here?"
"I haven't..." Noelle trailed off.
"She didn't get close enough to find out," Ginji interpreted.
"Ginji!" At Noelle's voice, the pile of feathers squawked again and lazily poked its head up. The blonde pilot darted behind Guy.
"Relax Noelle," Asch said with a chuckle, approaching the creature. Seeing him approach, the bird stood up and ruffled his feathers before indulgently allowing Asch to stroke his neck.
"Yeah, just don't try any of that crap Asch is doing right now," Anise added in a hushed voice so neither Asch or the big red feathered bag of temper would hear her. "It'll bite your hand right off. It only like people as temperamental as it is."
"We heard that," Asch said, without even turning his head. The crimson bird squawked in agreement. "What are you doing here?" Asch asked. The large red bird reached down and started picking at what looked like a black cord tied around his neck.
"What is it?" Luke asked, being the only one brave enough to approach his brother's so-called "pet". He didn't mind the bird Asch had appropriately named Fleric, but maybe its tolerance of him extended only to his similarity to Asch. Either way, Luke ruffled the bird's feathers while Asch worked on untying the string and Fleric chirped affectionately back. As tired as he was, the repetitive motion was almost entrancing. Luke shook his head and put all his focus into staying awake and at least somewhat alert.
"It's a message," Asch finally declared. A small leather pouch was attached to the black string he'd just removed from Fleric's neck. Opening it, he removed a single piece of paper with a familiar black scrawl on it.
"I guess that explains why they sent him," Guy replied, pointing a thumb at the monster contentedly accepting Luke's stroking. "He's always been able to find you before."
"Yes, but what could be so urgent that they absolutely had to contact Asch as soon as possible?" Tear asked.
"What does it say, Asch?" Natalia inquired worriedly. Her heart sank as she saw Asch's face lose what few shades of colour it had.
"Nothing specific," Asch replied. "It just says that Natalia and I are to return to Baticul as soon as we get this message and that it's incredibly urgent."
"Mother!" Luke's hands flew up to cover his mouth, earning him a displeased nudge in the side from Fleric who didn't appreciate his sudden flurry of movement.
"No," Asch immediately interjected. "If something had happened to her, they would have asked for you too. If they only summoned Natalia and I, then it must have to do with the court."
"You don't think… something happened to Father, do you?" Natalia asked, her voice unsteady. Anyone watching her could see her mind as it raced through the possibilities each more terrifying than the last.
"We have no way of knowing that," Asch answered, his strong tone comforting and undoubtedly sounding more confident than he felt. "Don't invite more trouble than there is, we won't know anything for sure until we get back and find out, okay?"
"Yes... you're right," Natalia agreed, but she didn't sound anywhere near convinced.
"We should head straight there," Guy stated. "We don't have any other plans at this point, and we should report to his Highness about the miasma anyways."
"Good idea," Tear agreed. "Whatever we do, we should get going so these two can get some rest."
"Huh?" Luke looked up.
"Exactly, Luke," Guy said, only earning him a confused look. "You are ready to pass out on your feet, you need some rest after all that."
"Yeah… I guess you're right," the younger Fabre replied, failing to suppress a yawn. He was too tired to even resist as Tear pushed him up the stairs onto the Albiore.
"To Baticul then?" Ginji asked.
"To Baticul," Asch confirmed.
"Okay, I have a couple last things to tie up, but I'll meet you there."
"Sounds good, oh and Ginji?"
The silver haired pilot stopped and turned around.
"Thanks," Asch said with a smile.
Ginji returned the gesture. "No problem," he said. "That's what friends are for. I'll see you in Baticul!"
"That's pretty convenient," Guy commented watching Ginji jog off. He could have laughed at the sudden bounce in Ginji's step had it not been in all of them.
"What is?" Asch asked.
"We're headed to Baticul, you and Luke can get looked at by the doctor while you're there."
"Did Jade put you up to that?" Asch eyed his former attendant sceptically. Fleric squawked in agreement.
"No," The blond said defensively, watching Asch turn to his pet. "In all due seriousness, I'm worried about you both. It isn't that we don't believe that you're fine, it would just give us all some peace of mind if you'd just get an okay from the doctor."
"You can find your way back home, can't you?" Asch asked his bird, completely ignoring Guy's comment. Fleric chirped and beat his wings. "Okay then, you head off and we'll join you there." The bird grabbed Asch's coat in its beak; Asch laughed. "No I can't ride home with you. I have to go with the others." Clucking in disappointment, Fleric took off into the sky.
"If this is about-"
"It is not about that!" Asch cut Guy off defensively. "You can say it until you're blue in the face but it's not going to happen. I'm not going to a doctor," the redhead declared, following his friends into the Albiore.
"You say that… but you know it will."
"Dream on, Guy. Dream on…"
Natalia quietly closed the door to her cabin, cringing when the hollow metal reverberated and echoed in the silent passage way. A quick peak back in the room told the young princess that she hadn't woken Tear, however, and she let out a sigh of relief. Her dearest friend had been up well into the night enjoying Luke's presence, as were they all. Somehow though, Natalia suspected the two had stayed up long after everyone else had turned in for the night.
How long Noelle had already been awake this morning, Natalia had no idea, but they'd already been up in the air when she'd woken earlier. Strange, as the engines normally did quite a good job of waking her promptly each morning. It was a testament to how worn everyone truly was. It would take many a good night's sleep to see them remotely resembling normal again. Then again, the prospect of being home in Baticul for even a few days offered the promise of some respite, once she was able to sort out the reason for their sudden summoning. Natalia was trying her utmost not to think on the matter; Asch had been entirely right in saying that it was best not to invite trouble. Somehow trouble had an excellent ability to find them regardless, and her worrying was going to do nothing but give her an ulcer one of these days.
Their impending return to Baticul did leave one other issue at the forefront of her thoughts however, and it was time that she did something about it. Even if just the thought was enough to make her sick; Natalia knew it had to be addressed, as things were, it wasn't fair to either of them.
Summoning all her willpower to keep her hand steady, Natalia knocked gently on the metal door. The first door to the left; Luke and Asch's room. At first she was scared she'd woken them, but the mumbles she heard from the other side re-assured her, if not surprised her, that they were both awake and already discussing something or another. Luke ought to be as exhausted as Tear, but then again he did sleep the rest of the afternoon away the previous day. He still looked tired, she thought, as her cousin opened the door, smiling warmly when he saw her.
"I do hope I'm not intruding on anything," Natalia said. Silly of her, after all that had happened they would obviously want some time to themselves. "I can come back later."
"No, not at all," Luke said with far more energy than he looked like he was capable of possessing. "I was just heading up front. I think I heard Guy get up, and I wanted to ask him something anyways."
"Certainly." Natalia stepped out of the way to let Luke pass and the sly smile on his face told her he knew exactly why she was here and that he had absolutely nothing to ask his best friend. Though she wasn't sure if she was glad for his absence or not, she made a mental note to thank him later.
Natalia stepped in the small room and closed the door behind her. It was identical to her own room save for the corner where Luke and Asch's swords sat in place of her bow and Tear's staff. The tiny spaces were built for no more than sleeping and there was hardly any room to move around. Asch was sitting on the lower bunk, following her movements with his eyes. He didn't say anything, and Natalia shuffled uncomfortably. He certainly didn't appear angry with her, but with the relief and joy he must be feeling knowing Luke was alive, she doubted he'd given her actions much thought. It was only a matter of time.
"So..." Natalia hesitantly broke the silence. "What were you and Luke discussing?"
"Nothing, really."
Natalia berated herself; of course he didn't want to be sharing such things with her. Especially when she... Natalia's eyes met Asch's and despite all her previous assessments of his mood, she was surprised to find his eyes warm and inviting. He just wanted to know what she wanted to say, there was no harshness, no judgement there.
Somehow that made her task all the more impossible.
"What's the matter, Natalia?" Asch finally asked, noticing how upset she seemed. "What's wrong?"
"E-Everything," Natalia managed to reply. "I'm what's wrong. I've been so awful to you, and such a terrible fiancée. This is the fourth time now that I've let you down when you needed my support more than anything. I sat there and watched you fall, and the worst part is that I thought you might actually deserve it..." Natalia forced her hand to remain steady as she fought the tears that burned in her eyes.
"Natalia-"
"I feel horrid, absolutely terrible about it," Natalia cut him off. "I'm disgusted with how I treated you, and how I abandoned you and I wouldn't blame you if you chose to hate me. There aren't words to begin to tell you how sorry I am; because I know those sorts of sentiments are not nearly enough. I know I could never make it up to you, for betraying you like this. I've given it a lot of thought and... and I can't help but wonder if it's time we put an end to this."
"E- End this? Natalia what are you talking about?" Asch's eyes were wide with shock; full of confusion and dread, unable to quite understand what Natalia was even suggesting.
"In the 18 years we've been together, you've never let me down, not once," Natalia stated. "Yet that's all I've ever done to you. Be it when Luke first arrived, when you were trying to save the Outer Lands, when you'd fled Baticul to protect us or just now when you tried to save us all by eliminating the miasma... you needed my support and I let you down. I worked against you, I attacked you and I tried my hardest to hurt you, just because you were trying to protect us! Trying to protect our country... trying to protect me..."
Natalia's tears flowed freely now, and all the determination in the world couldn't quell her trembling frame. "All I ever do is leave you to fall when I should be the one person in the world who would support you no matter what! I should be the one there to catch you, and yet I'm the one knocking you down. Y- You deserve someone better than me, someone who will be there for you regardless of the circumstances. That's why... I think it's time we part ways. You deserve better!"
"Natalia! How could you even think I would want something like that?" Asch was on his feet, his entire demeanour ablaze with a fire Natalia had long since missed in him; a passion that she admired, but knew she'd a hand in quelling over these past months.
"I'm not blind, Asch!" Natalia retorted, not even realizing she'd raised her voice. "I can see the distance between us... I can see how far apart we are. We never talk anymore... I never have any idea what you're thinking or how you're feeling. And I don't just blame you, I'm just as much at fault for not even being bothered enough to ask. Asch... we're barely friends anymore. If we keep this up, there isn't going to be anything left between us at all."
"No, you're wrong." Asch pulled Natalia close and she let herself collapse into the strength of his embrace. "It is my fault," he continued, his voice a whisper in her ear. Natalia could feel his pain in every muscle of his body. "I fought so hard to push you and everyone away, but I look at you now and I don't have any idea how to get you back." Asch paused and Natalia could feel him trying to gather himself. "I don't blame you for what you did," he finally said, "you were right not to support me. You were right not to let me go charging in on a blind desire to destroy myself. Because the truth is... I may have just been looking for a reason."
"Asch..." Natalia felt something inside her shatter at those words, at the painful truth in what Asch had just confessed to her and she felt that pain as real as a dagger through her heart. "I'm sorry!" She sobbed into his shoulder, holding him as tightly as her weakened arm would allow. "I'm so sorry!"
"I won't stop you if you want to leave," Asch continued. "If you don't want to be with me, then you can go. But know that I have, and always will, love you."
"Asch!" Natalia's crying renewed, but with each sob, she could feel a small piece of her heart fall back into place. "I do, I do want to stay with you. I want to stay by your side forever if you'll let me."
Asch held her tightly, and let her find comfort in his arms.
"It's alright," he whispered, rocking her gently. "It's time to fix things." Natalia looked up at him, her eyes red and still wet, but he smiled gently back.
"And this time we'll do things right."
The return trip to Baticul took an extra couple days as Jade very firmly insisted that both Luke and Asch got a decent amount of rest. When Asch put his foot down saying he refused to go to bed before they'd even touched down for the night, the Colonel countered and had them out of the air well before supper time. So while Asch was rather disgruntled at being defeated, no one could quite find it in them to really mind. Though the scenery wasn't quite as green and lush as it once had been, there was no doubt that the flora would eventually recover and that life, both animal and monster would soon regain its vitality. It was like rediscovering a world they'd forgotten.
Even Baticul, the city Luke had always considered dreary compared to the other places he'd visited, was alive with colours and festivities. The citizens were celebrating the disappearance of the miasma and even Luke couldn't recall a time when the city had been so alive and joyous. People sang and played instruments in the plaza; the clean wind tossing coloured banners about as couples twirled with varying degrees of grace beneath them. Luke spotted the circus tent, front and center in the celebrations. Noir looked up from the child to whom she'd just offered a balloon and sent Luke a playful wink. Luke returned the smile, glad that his arrangements for her made the effort she'd taken for him worthwhile. He couldn't help but laugh as he caught a glimpse of York ordering Ginji around; it appeared they'd roped their ride into helping with the set up and Luke had to make a mental note to apologize to the pilot later.
The ride up the lift to the castle only showed more festivities on every level of the city. Everyone was so lively and so joyful, and Luke couldn't help but be happy too. Even with the weight of their urgent summons, the young noble felt his spirit soaring like it hadn't in a very long time. He was alive, Asch was alive, the world was safe for now... being free of such heavy burdens was more than enough to make Luke wish he was dancing in the streets with everyone else.
But Luke knew better than anyone that now wasn't the time for that. As wonderful as things seemed on the surface, they were that much uglier when you looked with any depth. Master Van was still working, and the fact they hadn't heard word or whisper of his actions lately left Luke uneasy. There had been Cantabile, but Luke got the feeling she'd acted on her own. He'd heard of the encounter with Legretta in the Tower of Rem, but otherwise they'd done nothing to interfere, nothing to ensure that the miasma they needed to destroy the originals wasn't eliminated. There was no way Master Van was just sitting around on Eldrant doing nothing, and if he was really counting on the miasma, there was no way things would have gone as smoothly as they had. That thought alone sent a chill up Luke's spine. To think of what he might have planned in place of the miasma was enough to give Luke nightmares.
The very top level of Baticul's majestic heights was the only one to remain free of the joyous chaos that had consumed the rest of the city. Actually, it was starkly empty and unusually quiet, so much so that Luke was a bit uneasy. What was going up here?
"What do you think?" Guy asked Asch.
"We should stop by the manor and see if Father has heard anything as to why we were sent for. It might be nice to know what we're diving into before we dive into it."
"I concur," Natalia replied.
"Master Asch, Master Luke," the White Knights standing at the gate extended their spears, blocking the entrance to the manor.
"What is it?" Asch asked, annoyed at being kept out of his own house.
"His Excellence has requested that when you arrive you present immediately to the palace," one of the guards replied.
"Is Father at the castle?" Luke inquired.
"Most likely, yes." The second guard replied.
"I guess we'd best go see him there then," Natalia stated.
"Yeah..." Asch trailed off. "Something isn't right about all this." He glanced around as they made their way next door to the castle. The two guards nodded, acknowledging the return of the Princess but otherwise said nothing. Asch just couldn't shake the sinking feeling... something was off and he couldn't put his finger on it.
"It's too empty." Anise said.
"What do you mean?" Guy inquired.
"Well every time we come here there's at least a few other people hanging around. It's never been a high traffic area but there's still the odd person about. We're the only ones here!"
"You're right," Tear looked about, but there was no other presence to be seen save the two sets of guards standing by their respective gates. "I wonder if it's closed off to the citizens?"
"Maybe," Luke replied. "But they almost never do that. Only when the Castle is completely off limits. Even during the war they didn't shut down the upper levels."
Passing through the giant doors into the entryway, Luke didn't have long to ponder the reasons for the strange restrictions as a familiar figure made straight for them.
"Asch! Luke!" Duke Fabre called, his commanding voice echoing throughout the vaulted chamber. "You're both-" He couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence, or consider the outcome it had implied but he did something that no one had seen him do for almost sixteen years. He held his eldest son in his arms.
"F-Father?" Asch was so completely caught off guard by the wave of relief he could sense from the man he'd always resented that he simply stood there in shock.
"I was worried when the miasma vanished that I might never see you again."
"Father..." Asch wasn't able to formulate a reply.
Letting Asch go, Duke Fabre took a step back. "I'm glad to see you return home."
"Thank you, Father."
"You too, Luke," Duke Fabre added.
Luke smiled, "Thanks."
"Uncle," Natalia finally dared to interrupt.
"What is it, child?"
"Do you know why it was we were so urgently summoned? I imagine you must have some idea as the messenger was yours."
"Ah good, he found you then. The Stable Master suggested I have that... creature," Duke Fabre finally settled on a term, "deliver the message as it was the most likely to be able to track down your location."
"We got the message just fine," Asch provided. "But what was it about?"
"I apologize for not including more details but we've been trying to keep things contained," the man explained. "I'm sure you've noticed the restrictions on the upper levels. No one is being allowed to visit the castle; we don't want to have any unnecessary commotion. You see, a few days ago, Ingobert had a heart attack."
Natalia's gasp turned everyone's heads and she didn't look very steady on her feet. Her entire face drained of colour as they watched, turning from a healthy glow to as white as the marble pillars.
"Relax child," Duke Fabre stated, noticing her panic. "He's fine now, albeit rather irritated at being confined to his bed for the past several days. It's on the doctor's orders but he's still not pleased. Unfortunately court affairs have greatly suffered as a result."
"I-I'm sorry," Natalia interrupted, her voice as weak as she suddenly looked. "May I...?"
"Of course," he replied, not even needing to hear her question. "Go see your father; we'll see that you're filled in later."
"Thank you," Natalia managed as she hurried off.
"Poor thing," Guy commented once she'd vanished from sight. "She's been on quite the roller coaster lately."
"Yeah," Asch agreed. "It's just one thing after another. How do the doctors think he'll make out?"
"They suspect, as we all do, that he'll be fine. He won't be challenging anyone at the Coliseum but that's to be expected."
"That's good to hear," Asch answered; the hesitation in his voice belying the fact that he was starting to realize why he'd been summoned so urgently.
"Asch," Duke Fabre turned to face his oldest son. "The reason you were so urgently summoned is that the court wants you and Natalia to remain in Baticul and take over running affairs under Ingobert's supervision. Though he's expected to make a full recovery, Ingobert's health is not at its best anymore. It is less than 2 years now before you'll be expected to take the throne and we feel this is the time to start integrating the two of you more permanently."
"I..." Asch stood speechless, his fears coming to fruition standing before his father. He'd always known this day would come; it was far less than ideal to have the throne change hands in a day. It was a gradual process and he knew that coronation was more a formality. By the time it came about, the new ruler was already handling the responsibilities of the throne single-handedly. But knowing the day was coming, and to see it arrive were two completely different things.
His hesitation came as a surprise, even to him. Asch could see his father watching him, waiting for a reply, any kind of response, but the words froze in his throat. How could he explain himself? How could he begin to explain the complexity of the feelings brewing below the surface of his stunned expression? He wanted to eventually take the throne... to rule beside Natalia and to lead Kimlasca to an age of unprecedented prosperity. It had always been a dream of his... but not now. Not with things as they were, with Van still out there and so many ends left hanging! He... he wanted to see this journey through to its conclusion. He wanted to stay with his friends.
"You don't need to give an answer right away," Duke Fabre said, noting the internal conflict that was waging within his son's mind. "Talk it over with Natalia once she's seen her father and calmed down a bit. It's no small decision."
"Thank you," Asch replied almost meekly. His mind was very obviously elsewhere. "I'll give it some thought and speak to Natalia about it later."
"Yes, well why don't you give your friends a bit of a break? You did just undertake the elimination of the miasma; I don't doubt you're all exhausted. While they rest here at the castle, you ought to go see your mother. I'm sure she'd love a visit from you both."
"How is she doing?" Luke asked eagerly.
"She hasn't woken, but she's greatly improved. I'm certain that knowing you're both safe will only expedite her recovery."
"You guys go see her," Guy agreed. "We'll all chill out here for a bit and grab something to eat."
"Oh yeah!" Anise jumped in excitedly. "I hope they have some of that pasta we had last time, it was amazing!"
"You tell the cooks," Duke Fabre suggested. "I don't doubt they'll prepare anything you desire after what you've done for us all."
Anise's eyes gleamed with a mischievous light.
"You guys go while there's still food in the kitchen," Guy said with a chuckle.
"Alright," Luke agreed and Asch nodded in accordance, still completely distracted.
"Don't come back too soon!" Anise called. "I want dessert too!"
Asch couldn't help but feel a little more relaxed sitting in the room with his mother and he could see why his father had suggested he come here. It was as much for his peace of mind as it was for hers. Even his brief trip back up to the castle earlier that afternoon had brought a pile of worries crashing back down on him and he was relieved to return to this small reprieve. The large double windows were propped open, leaving a crisp evening breeze to waft in alongside the songs of the birds that flittered about the trees. All the fon machines that had once made this room seem foreign and cluttered were all but gone. The mask his mother had once been forced to wear to keep her breathing had vanished, as had the machines that watched her heart beat. She simply lay peacefully in bed, were she only sleeping. She was on the mend, and with his little brother sitting across from him, Asch couldn't be more grateful to have his family intact.
"She looks like she's going to be okay," Luke broke the calming silence.
"Yeah," Asch agreed. "I'm glad; I've had enough scares to last me a lifetime."
"You and me both," Luke added and the two brothers chuckled in unison, only adding to the serenity of the atmosphere.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Always," Luke replied. "But I may or may not answer you."
"Alright smart ass," Asch shot playfully. Luke answered by sticking his tongue out. "How did you manage to pull it off?"
"Pull what off?"
"Getting out of Belkend, beating us to the Tower... how did you do it?"
"You almost had me," Luke admitted, "Because you came up with the whole thing practically on the spot. I was hoping to catch a hint that you were planning something and figure out as much as I could to give Ginji and Noir a bit more direction. I'm lucky Noir is so creative; the elevator thing was all her."
"Noir and Ginji... who else was in on it?" Asch asked. He surprised himself with just how comfortably and casually that they were able to discuss the topic; like it had been an afternoon in the city, not an massive incident during which they'd thrown more anger and hatred at each other than in the rest of their lives combined. Yet both of them were smiling and neither felt any pressure or resentment. All that friction, all that negativity had vanished with the replicas, dissipating into the endless blue sky. When it came down to it, when it was life or death, suddenly those petty things didn't matter anymore.
"Noir and Ginji," Luke confirmed. "I had Jade and Guy in on it too. Guy slipped Noir the key and she unlocked the door. Ginji was waiting not far out of town so I didn't have to head all the way down to the port either. Still, I was worried I might be too late. I really only made it to the roof less than an hour before you did."
"I can't believe you got Guy to agree to it. He was the one person I was sure wouldn't let you go through with it."
"I made him swear it on our friendship, because I knew he was the one you would turn to or confide in. I knew he was the one you figured would choose me over you."
"But I was wrong," Asch said, more to himself then to anyone. It surprised him... just how predictable he was, and how much he'd completely misunderstood the others.
"You were wrong."
"Asch..." Luke spoke up when silence had fallen over them. "I'm sor-"
"Don't apologize," Asch cut Luke off. "If anything I'm the one who should be apologizing to you. Not just for how I acted these past couple weeks or for locking you in a lab in Belkend but for everything. Since the Absorption Gate... I've just handled things wrong. I convinced myself that I was doing these things for the good of everyone else when really, I was just being selfish. It wasn't your feelings I was considering, it was my own."
Asch paused, feeling the truth of the words he'd spoken resonate within him. Saying them aloud just re-affirmed what he'd realized in these past few days since almost losing Luke. He was selfish. When he'd been up there, not thinking, reacting entirely on his emotions he hadn't screamed that he wanted Luke to live, he yelled that didn't want to be left alone. His panic wasn't for Luke's life, but over the pain he'd feel if Luke left him. Luke had been about to die, and he just didn't want to be lonely. His selfishness sickened him.
Yet, it was the same this whole damn time. He always did what he thought was best, what he decided was right. Never did he stop to think that Luke had just as much right to make his own choices. Luke had just as much right to decide to be the one up there eliminating the miasma; but Asch had refused to see that, because that would mean Asch had to deal with losing Luke. All his choices, his excuses of 'protecting them' were lies. He was only protecting himself and he hated it.
But that was going to change, and it was a change that was long overdue.
"I'm sorry Luke," Asch said, and for the first time he felt he truly understood why he was apologizing.
"I'm not going to tell you it's okay, because it's not," Luke replied. "You're right, you were being selfish..." Asch looked to the floor. Thinking it was one thing but hearing it from Luke was another.
"You were being selfish..." Luke continued, "But so was I. So no, it's not okay, but I'll forgive you anyway."
"Thank you Luke," Asch replied sincerely before a mischievous grin took its place. "I might even consider forgiving you too someday."
"Hey!" Luke protested but both of them erupted into a fit of laughter. It was a light and liberating feeling to let all that animosity go on the cool breeze that swept through the room. Completely unable to wipe the smile off his face, Luke finally felt like he had his big brother back.
"Is that what I think it is?" Asch asked. Luke hadn't even realized he was playing with his locket, and dropped it in surprise. The black cord around which it was suspended caught the pendant and it dangled harmlessly around his neck. Luke eyed the black cord, almost missing the chain on which it had once hung. But since the chain had broken on him, he'd settled for a substitute. At least he didn't have to fumble with that stupid clasp anymore. Slipping it over his head, Luke tossed his half of their locket to Asch.
"Wow that's such a long time ago," Asch smiled fondly looking at the aging picture. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an identical golden pendant and held the two side by side.
"It really does seem like a long time ago," Luke agreed. "But it can't be more than two years now, can it?"
"Three," Asch corrected him. Either way though, Luke was right; his life before all this started, before that fateful day Tear and his little brother had vanished from the courtyard, seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened, so much had changed.
Asch missed those times though. Things had been simpler then; the boy whose picture sat in Luke's half of the locket had been so relaxed and free. Now everything was complicated and nothing came easily. Now he knew the meaning of burdens and sacrifice and he felt the weight of that knowledge each and every day.
Such a bright and genuine expression... he probably couldn't even smile like that anymore.
'Sure you can,' Luke offered softly. 'You just haven't tried in a long time.'
'I know, but it isn't as easy as it used to be.'
'That's just what you tell yourself,' Luke retorted. 'It's no easier or harder than it used to be. You just have more excuses now.'
Asch could only chuckle, deep down knowing just how right Luke was.
Luke let out a deep sigh. "So... what are you going to do about the court's request? Are you and Natalia going to stay here or are you going to come with us?"
"I honestly don't know," Asch admitted. "I was talking to Natalia a bit and she said that she will follow whatever I decide but... I just... I just don't know!"
"It's okay."
"Is it selfish of me? To want to come?"
"No, not at all. You've invested just as much, if not more, into this journey as anyone else. You have every right to want to see things through until the end."
"But the throne is partially my responsibility. It's both Natalia and my responsibility. I can't just completely abandon it, it's not that simple! None of this is that simple!"
"Sure it is." Luke replied simply. "Just decide. Decide and devote yourself to the path that you've chosen. That's really the only way to get anything worth having in this world. At least, that's what my big brother has always taught me," he added with a playful wink.
"Yeah well, your big brother is an idiot."
"Maybe, but once in awhile he gets things right."
"Few and far between," Asch shot as Luke stood up, making his way to the door.
"More often than he thinks," Luke countered with a smile before slipping quietly out of the room, leaving Asch with his thoughts.
Natalia paced pointlessly across her room. The moon hanging outside her window told her she should have been in bed hours ago but the nervous energy refused to quell and until it did she wouldn't be getting much sleep. She'd spent the entire day with her father, save for a brief conversation with Asch about what the court had been discussing on the matter. Her father seemed to be in decent spirits giving how little he enjoyed being confined to bed but Natalia knew even that wasn't enough. He was already pushing himself too much, too soon. It hadn't even been a week, he needed to rest and recover more before insisting on dealing with court matters from his chambers! Maybe Asch would have better luck talking some sense into him.
She was so glad that things were going well with Asch, and her conversation with him earlier that day had greatly helped to calm her nerves. She still worried for him though, and knew the choice ahead of him was a difficult one. Natalia felt bad for pushing the responsibility of the decision completely onto Asch, but she wanted to support him in whatever he wanted to do. She owed him that at the very least.
At least there was a choice. What would they have done if her father hadn't survived? What would they have done if he'd died? Asch was still too young, Duke Fabre would have had to take the throne in the interim but undoubtedly they would be heavily involved. Natalia's pacing doubled in speed and she stopped, forcing herself to take several long a deep breaths. There was no point in getting worked up over something that didn't happen, and she truly couldn't afford another night of fitful sleep as it was. She needed a distraction, something to clam her nerves before trying to go to bed.
Reaching into her pocket for a handkerchief, Natalia heard the clink of something hitting the floor. What was this? Natalia didn't remember having such a thing. Picking up what looked like a ball of dirt; Natalia identified it as the trinket she'd recovered from Choral Castle. Goodness! She'd completely forgotten about its existence. The incident with Mohs seemed so very long ago, she wasn't entirely surprised the pendant had lost itself in the depth of one of her pockets.
It was curious; she couldn't imagine to whom it belonged. Even covered in mud she could tell it was too big to belong to either of the boys. Besides, had either of them lost theirs, she'd have heard of it by now. Perhaps it had once been Aunt Susanne's; Choral Castle was once their vacation estate after all. That was a task she could perform to settle her racing mind. She could work on cleaning the dirt from this locket and return it to her Aunt for when she woke up.
Yes, that would be perfect. She'd get the locket cleaned up to calm herself down and then she could get a good night's sleep.
Ingobert stared out the window and knew he should consider going to sleep, but a second look at the paperwork he'd very forcefully ordered be left at his bedside, beckoned him to continue. After all, it was only at the late hours he could get away with getting any work done. If he attempted it in the day, the doctors would have it removed and he'd spend the rest of the day trying to talk those old fogies into giving it back to him. Honestly, reading and signing appropriate documents was not a danger to his health. If this kept up, the stress of his confinement was going to give him another heart attack!
In retrospect, however, Ingobert knew he should have paid more attention to his health. The chest pains he'd been all too conveniently ignoring had crept up on him over the past few months, but with the chaos brought on by the replicas and the miasma, he just couldn't afford to stop. That remained unchanged, though the miasma was gone, arranging a living situation for the remaining replicas was still in its infancy and needed much work that he simply couldn't offer from his bed. Yes, he would be glad to be back on his feet.
A knock at the door startled the King and he hastened to put away the documents he'd been reading before a head of red hair slipped in the door.
"They let you in?" Ingobert inquired jokingly.
"They almost didn't," Asch answered. "They said you were asleep, I told them you definitely weren't. I won."
"Indeed," Ingobert chuckled, wishing he could have watched the showdown of wills between his nephew and his captors.
"So how are you doing?"
"I'd be fine without all this," Ingobert replied with a wave to indicate his surroundings. "Rather I think the one asking that should be me. How are you faring?"
"I'm fine, why would you need to ask that?"
"Judging by how evasive Natalia has been lately, I'm guessing the court has gone and done something stupid like ask you and Natalia to step in permanently."
"Yeah," Asch confirmed. "That sounds about right."
"I thought that might be what's been on both your minds these past couple days. So what do you want to do?"
"Do I really have a choice?" Asch asked, and though he was attempting to smile, he just looked defeated; worn from days of fighting with an impossible choice.
"Of course you have a choice," Ingobert replied. "Don't let them pressure you into doing something that you aren't ready for yet. That throne will not disappear if you don't claim it this exact second. If you feel it's time for you to step in, then I will invite you with open arms, but if not, we will wait until you are ready."
"I don't know..."
"Then I think that is your choice. I am fine. All trivial concerns aside, I will return to full health and be able to handle the court independently as I have before. Right now, you are involved in something much bigger than the internal affairs of this castle, and much bigger than even the happenings of Kimlasca."
"But this is my responsibility! I can't just toss it aside because I want to go with my friends."
"Asch, you cannot step in right now. Your heart isn't here; it is, and will remain with them until this is all over. No one can rule when their mind is elsewhere and their thoughts are so clouded with doubt and regret. For you to try and take on the ruling of this country half-heartedly would be an insult to the people of Kimlasca."
"Uncle..."
"Go with your friends Asch," Ingobert said. "Go secure a future in which you and Natalia can someday rule happily. We will wait as long as is necessary. Being a ruler doesn't mean you have to sacrifice everything for the sake of the throne. It just means that your dreams and the dreams of this country will coincide."
"Thank you," the young monarch stood up. "Thanks for everything."
"You're more than welcome," Ingobert replied, fighting with some of his excessive blankets.
"Try not to push it too much before I come back," Asch added with a smirk before slipping out the door.
"That might be difficult," Ingobert replied into the night. "It's getting harder and harder to live up to the feats these kids have been doing these days."
"Ow ow ow! Damn it Jade let go! That hurts!" Asch's overly strident protests could be heard from just about any given corner of the medical wing. "I am not going to see a doctor, I am fine! You're going to take my ear off old man, I'm not a baby! Let go!" Several people were staring at the source of the commotion but the Colonel had absolutely no intention of doing anything about it.
Jade had tried to play nice. He had given Asch multiple chances to come quietly, and given his charge fair warning as to what would happen if he continued to dismiss the Colonel's request, but alas, here they were. With an overly firm grip on Asch's left ear, the stubborn young monarch had no choice but to stumble along beside him as they made their way down the hall. Pain made such a wonderful motivator, and perhaps Asch wasn't a child, but so long as he continued to act like one about getting a check up, he would be treated accordingly.
"Luke, you traitor!" Asch shot at his sibling who was quietly walking by Jade's right side. Being slightly more co-operative than his brother, he'd agreed to come along without any fuss.
"It's not treachery," Luke replied teasingly, "It's survival instinct."
Asch muttered something inaudible but continued to struggle fruitlessly. Luke suspected it had become more a matter of stubborn pride than the fact that Asch really that adamant about not seeing a doctor. To get a check-up now would be conceding defeat and Asch had more issues with that then with the health care figures he mildly despised.
In all honesty, Luke was kind of glad Jade was making them go. Though he hadn't really said anything to anyone, something just hadn't felt right since leaving the Tower of Rem. At first he'd just dismissed it as being tired and worn out, but they'd been back in Baticul for over a week now. He was more than well rested, but something still felt... off. The strange tugging at the edges of his mind, the invisible force pulling his consciousness into a vast emptiness had never completely gone away. Though it wasn't the all consuming force it had been in that moment, not at all. It was incredibly weak, so weak Luke spent most of the time ignoring it, but it was still there... and in those quiet moments as he drifted off to sleep, he felt its presence pulling at him. Maybe it was just his imagination, the lingering memory of that all too frightening moment where he'd almost vanished. Luke didn't know if a doctor could help, it wasn't like anything was physically wrong... but hearing that everything was fine would put his mind at ease.
"Asch, give it up," Guy said despairingly. "You're not getting out of this one and you're just bothering all the other patients."
"Shut up," Asch shot, and Anise stifled a mischievous giggle. What was with the audience anyway? Sure Luke was here since he was getting a check up too, but did everyone have to come? What was the point of Natalia, Anise, Guy and Tear being here too?
Before Asch could really contemplate how to get his companions to scatter to the winds without resorting to his usual tactic of... well, as Luke would put it, being an ass; they came to a stop before a set of identical doors. Asch knew the rooms, he couldn't count the number of times he and Luke had been dragged here by their mother in their youth. They had tried to use the adjoining rooms to play their switching trick, but the doctor always caught them. After all, only one of them was a replica and she could remember who should be in what room.
"Now," Jade said very firmly, almost throwing Asch through the left most door. The redhead stumbled a few steps before turning back with the most spiteful look they'd seen on him in a long time. "The first one of you to exit those rooms before the doctor has confirmed with me that your check up is complete will die. Is that understood?"
"Yes," Luke replied, obediently entering the room on the right. Jade's ruby eyes passed to the older sibling standing in the door frame.
"I hate you," Asch seethed, slamming the door closed.
Anise burst into a fit of giggles, one that she'd hardly been able to contain on the walk here. "Of all the things-" she managed, trying to catch her breath. "Of all the things for Asch to be afraid of... doctors wasn't the first thing on my list." Anise started laughing again. She knew it was rude but it was just too damn funny! The great and fearless Asch couldn't handle a doctor.
"It really so hard to believe?" Guy asked.
"Why do you say that?" Anise asked, finally getting her laughter under control.
"Surely it's not that difficult to imagine," Natalia provided. "After the fomicry experiments he was put through as a child, it really isn't much wonder why he dislikes doctors."
"Would fomicry experiments have really been that bad?" Anise asked incredulously.
"It's very possible," Jade agreed. "Even today the process would be incredibly painful for the original, and Asch went through it almost eight years ago before many of the modern refinements existed."
"He would never speak of it, but before he was kidnapped he didn't have any aversion to doctors, and he certainly did when he returned."
"Oh," Anise shrunk a little. Suddenly she felt awful for laughing.
"Don't worry about it," Guy said. "We've all had a good laugh or two over the years, even Luke has. They pulled more than a few stunts trying to get around appointments," the blond chuckled. "The bottom line is, everyone is afraid of something; some of us have more valid reasons for those fears than others. As his friends it's our job not to help him avoid it, but to help him through it when he has to face it."
"Well spoken, Guy," Natalia complimented the blond.
"Yeah, you're right," Anise chirped eagerly, letting her guilt slip away. "We'll be right here when he gets out!"
"We'll see how long that enthusiasm lasts," Guy muttered.
"Hey!"
"Indeed we will," Natalia concurred with a chuckle. "Indeed we will."
Luke pulled his jacket back up over his shoulder as he watched the doctor flip through several papers that held his test results. The silence in the room was almost unbearable and the pensive, almost grim look on his doctor's face was not helping the tension. Luke jumped up off the bed and stretched. He felt perfectly fine, so why did he have such a sinking feeling?
"I think it best you sit back down," his doctor stated, offering Luke one of the nearby chairs.
"Ummm, alright," Luke accepted, and she sat down across from him and looked him in the eye. Now Luke knew something was wrong. "W-What is it?" She let out a deep sigh.
"The fonons that normally hold your cells together are declining rapidly. They're separating, and when they do, your cells will disintegrate."
"And?"
"And you will die."
Luke reeled at those four words, suddenly feeling like the entire world had come crashing down onto his chest. At first it didn't feel real, it wasn't him she was talking to. He was listening to a story, a story that belonged to some other person, not to him. It just couldn't be true; it couldn't be him. He'd made it through alive, he'd gotten rid of the miasma and he'd managed to survive! It just couldn't...
"Belkend has several advanced medical facilities," the doctor offered, placing her hand comfortingly over his. "If you check in there, they could very well extend your life, but regardless the end result will be the same. Someday you will disappear."
Luke's denial fell to pieces and from the look on the doctor's face, she knew exactly what thoughts were running through his head. Again and again that same realization repeated itself. He was going to die... after everything... he was still going to die.
"Do you know when? How long-" Luke faltered. "How long do I have?"
"I wish I could tell you. It's possible the fonon separation will slow down, but it may speed up as well. Much of it will depend on you and how much stress you put yourself under. I'm sorry I can't be of more help."
"No... no it's fine," Luke said, trying to offer a weak smile. "Just... can you please not tell the others?"
"The information between a doctor and her patient is strictly confidential," she replied. "It is between you and me and no one else."
"Even Asch?"
"Even Asch."
"How is Asch? Is he the same?"
"I'm sorry," she said with a sad smile. "Confidentiality works both ways. You'll have to ask him yourself. I'll go inform your friend that the two of you may leave when you're ready. I have no other patients today so you can sit here as long as you need to, alright?"
"Okay, thanks," Luke replied vaguely, and the doctor quietly left the room.
Luke sat alone for what seemed like an eternity, reality slowly penetrating through the instant wall of denial he'd tried to put up. He really was going to die, he was going to disappear from the world, lose his friends and family... Why? Luke buried his head in his hands. Why was he so bothered? He had prepared himself, he'd been ready to die up there, to sacrifice himself for the sake of eliminating miasma. Really he'd been given more time than he should have had, so why? Why did it hurt so much?
A knock at the door had Luke hastening to wipe the tears from his eyes. Looking up, Luke noticed it was the door to the adjoining room. A second knock, and Asch peeked his head in the room.
"Hey Asch," Luke greeted his sibling, proud of himself for how steady he kept his voice.
"Hey Luke," Asch replied, coming over to sit in the chair the doctor had vacated just moments earlier. "So what did the doctor say?"
"The doctor...? The doctor said I would be just fine!" Luke lied with as much enthusiasm he could muster. "She said my blood fonons were still kinda low but that I'd be back to normal in a few weeks."
Luke met Asch's eyes and he could see the pain in them, he could see the sorrow in every aspect of Asch's posture, the grief saturating his aura. Asch just smiled softly.
"I thought we'd said no more lies."
The all too fake smile on Luke face broke and he hung his head, as much to break from Asch's gaze as to try and hide the pain he knew was painted all over his expression. Luke knew the truth; he just didn't want to accept it. Asch knew he was lying. Asch knew he was lying because Asch had heard the exact same thing. The cause, the reason, the words used to convey the message; it was all irrelevant because the end was the same. They were both going to die, and nothing either of them could do was going to stop that.
A second knock came at the door and Luke'd barely time to recover and stand up before everyone came flying through the door.
"So! So!" Anise demanded eagerly. "What did the doctor say?"
"Are you going to be alright?" Tear asked.
"Not much," Asch replied. "She said Luke here has some brain damage, but that was always there. Otherwise we're both perfectly fine."
"That's wonderful to hear!" Natalia exclaimed and gave her fiancée a hug.
"Yeah," Guy agreed. "I know you've been saying you're feeling fine, but it's really great to know nothing's wrong."
"I told you so, old man," Asch shot.
"Perhaps we should have something special for dinner to celebrate," Natalia suggested. "I know of a recipe the chef would be delighted to cook and is really quite wonderful."
"Oh! That sounds awesome!" Anise jumped excitedly. "Does it have beef in it?"
"I'm afraid not," Natalia chuckled. "But I can have them prepare a strawberry shortcake for dessert."
"Alright! You guys coming or what?"
"We'll be right there," Luke called, watching Natalia, Tear, Anise and Guy disappear down the hallway. The setting sun cast a deep shadow along the otherwise empty corridor, and the silence in their absence seemed to reverberate from the walls.
"You're both terrible liars," Jade stated, breaking the silence. "Neither of you are fine, are you?"
"What makes you say that?" Luke asked.
"There you go again," the Colonel interrupted. "Didn't I teach you better?"
"I dare you to say something," Asch shot defensively.
"Relax," Jade said with a sigh. "I imagine your fonons must be undergoing rapid separation and disintegration."
"So what's your point old man?"
"My point is that I'm perfectly willing to go along with your little story, so long as you both promise me that you won't over do it."
"Hmph." Asch crossed his arms, upset that he had so quickly assumed Jade was going to be the tattle-tale. The last thing he wanted was to deal with how the others would look at him. He didn't want their pity, because each time he'd just be reminded that he was going to die. But he knew Jade better than that, and he was finding that he constantly under-estimated the old man. "So tell me exactly when we ever over do it?" Asch finally shot with the hint of a smirk.
"My apologies, allow me to reword that. I forbid you from continuing to overdo it. The more you use your power, the quicker the reaction will be, and the sooner you'll disappear."
"Fine fine," Asch waved his hand dismissively as he walked off in the same direction as the others; but Jade didn't miss the gratitude hidden in his vocal undertones. "I'll see what I can do."
Jade didn't move, nor did Luke who still stood beside him. In his peripheral vision he could see the younger noble shuffle, his eyes trained on the floor as his mind searched from something it couldn't find. Jade sighed.
"Luke, do you have something you want to say to me?"
"Why did you break your promise?" Luke asked. His voice not nearly so well adjusted as his siblings, betraying the internal mess that was his psyche at the moment. "You gave me your word you wouldn't let Asch get involved at the Tower of Rem! But you did, and look at where we are now. Now Asch is going to die too! We're both going to disappear and Asch didn't have to! Asch shouldn't have to die too!"
So that's what this was about, Jade wondered why Luke suddenly seemed uncomfortable with him. It was a perceived sin that could be overlooked before when the boy thought all had turned out okay. All's well that ends well, as it were. But things had changed now, and the price they'd paid for their noble deeds was weighing heavily on them both.
"Luke," Jade began. "I did not promise you I would prevent Asch's interference."
"What? But you-"
"I gave you my word that I would see you through until the end," Jade cut Luke off. "Luke, that was not your end; not up there, and not now."
Silence fell over them both.
"Thanks... Jade."
The Colonel sighed as he watched Luke run off after his sibling. No it wasn't their end yet, and he had every intention of keeping his word. He would continue to see them both through to the end, wherever that end may lie.