Chapter 80: On the Eve of Destiny

It had been so long since he'd visited Chesedonia, Luke had almost forgotten just how hot the trading center could be. Between the sweltering sun and the thick crowds lining the streets, Luke was more than happy when he realized the mid-day sun was behind him. There was a lot more work involved in preparing for their assault on Eldrant than he thought there would be and it seemed like forever since he'd been so involved in the preparations. They'd done more politics than anything lately and Luke was starting to take for granted just how much effort went into making their ideas come to fruition.

Though it had been a lot of hard work, it was nothing compared to the effort and the sacrifices made to get here. So many late nights, long roads and devastating losses lined the path they'd walked; it was so hard to grasp the immensity of it all that Luke shied away from the thought. He didn't want to weigh himself down with the burden of the friends he'd lost... Ion would never forgive him for that. For them, and for everyone who still lived in the world, replicas and originals alike, they couldn't falter now.

Luke sat back against the stone wall, taking a break above the now semi-deserted street. Below him he could hear the rustle of the merchant over whose stall he was sitting as the man packed away the last of his wares. The weapons and arms dealers had an especially fruitful few weeks with the surge of troops from both countries but the entire city had flourished with the increase in business. Now it was down to the wire, the final 24 hours before they departed; when the men were given leave to do what they pleased... in case they didn't come back. It felt like such a morbid practice when Luke first heard about it from Jade, and even though Luke didn't want to entertain the thought of any of his friends not returning... he understood the importance of that time.

Important or not... Luke honestly didn't know what to do with his 24 hours. If this really was to be his last day, there was nothing he could do that would leave him with nothing to regret. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he still had so much he wanted to do. This wasn't the end, it was the beginning! He had places he wanted to go, people he wanted to visit again; he wanted to put flowers at Iemon and Tamara's graves, he wanted to walk the streets of St. Binah, he wanted to laugh with the people of Engeve. The world was finally at peace, people could finally go back to their everyday lives... and the world he'd come to love would soon be as beautiful as it had been the first time he'd seen it.

A sigh escaped Luke's lips at the thought, it was a dilemma he realized that he'd never really solved, one that had haunted him since the day he'd been swept from the manor. The mystery of his own future remained a mystery, even to him; so while he casually dismissed it as irrelevant given his circumstances, that statement contradicted everything he had decided he would live for. He would live believing that tomorrow would come, and that meant he had to make choices he wasn't sure he was ready for yet. Sacrifices he didn't want to fathom.

"There you are," Asch's voice rose above the sounds of the street below. Like the rest of the city, Asch was bathed in the sunset's light, something that made his hair burn an even fiercer red against the orange hues of the city. Luke offered his sibling a smile that he found relayed back at him. Asch eyed his perch sceptically but Luke simply shrugged. Let Asch figure it out.

Asch stood staring at his sibling for a brief moment, assessing how he'd reached his vantage point rather than why Luke decided to spend his day there. A quick survey of the area gave him the answer; several stacks of crates in the alley made it a simple leap over. Smart; it was far less stifling up there than mixed in with the crowds. Asch almost wished he'd thought of it. Scaling the crates was easy and in a minute Asch was sitting next to his brother.

"Nice spot," Asch commented. Luke shrugged it off but Asch genuinely meant it. From where they sat, they could peer though the buildings and catch the sun as it began to descend over the water. He could also see the other reason Luke sat here. Along the edges of the city, buildings sat in ruin, half crumbling like some massive earthquake had toppled them. It was only one of the many places here in the city that had never quite recovered.

"So what are you thinking about up here all by yourself?" Asch asked.

"I don't know," Luke replied. "What we're going to do, what's going to come after that. The future, I guess."

"And what did you come up with?"

"A whole lot of nothing," Luke chuckled.

"Oh come on, you must have some idea." Asch retorted. "Once Van is gone and the world is safe, what are you going to do?"

Luke rolled his eyes. "Now you're just being stupid; I'm coming home with you."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"Is that really what you want?" Asch asked in a serious tone that destroyed Luke's indignation. Luke fell silent. "You and I both know that the Kimlascan nobility is not where you belong, or where you want to be."

"You sound so sure of that." Luke stated, failing to sound as offended as he was pretending to be.

"I've been sure of it since I watched you helping me in court," Asch replied with every degree of seriousness. "You don't like the politics, the restrictions; that stuffy life isn't for you. Maybe you don't see it like the rest of us do, but you're never happier than when you're out on an adventure. The world is a big place and we haven't seen half of it. Maybe someday you'll be happy settling down somewhere, but right now you and I both know being cooped up in Baticul would only make you miserable."

"I wish I could be as certain of that as you seem to be."

"What's making you hesitate?" Asch asked, leaving his sibling at a bit of a loss for an answer.

"I don't know... I just, I can't picture it. I can't imagine myself doing anything! Least of all alone..." Luke added so silently Asch barely caught it. Asch smiled gently, catching the meaning that Luke couldn't give voice to.

"Would you consider joining the Oracle Knights? Move to Daath to be closer to Tear? I'm sure once all this chaos is settled they'll have a few openings for the positions of the God-Generals. Our recent adventures might have left them a few short."

Luke let out a weak laugh, shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" Asch inquired. He'd genuinely thought it a viable option for his sibling who, even if he didn't see it, had some good leadership skills and a lot to offer in the way of battle. Besides, Asch knew Luke had a good enough head on his shoulders not to mindlessly follow any stupid orders.

"No, it's not that," Luke said, picking up on the offended tone in Asch's voice. "It's just that back before we went to Akzeriuth, that was what Van offered me to get me to go along with things. He said that if I handled everything in Akzeriuth, then he'd give a position as a God-General. I just have a hard time considering it without remembering everything that happened back then. Just the thought leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

"I see," Asch replied, fully understanding his sibling's reasoning. "But, that's only one possibility; there are thousands upon thousands of things that you can do. No matter what happens, there will always be a place out there for you, you just have to go discover it."

"You make it sound so easy."

"It isn't easy, but you know... I always envied that about you," Asch confessed.

"What's that?"

"You've got an entire world of opportunities laid out in front of you. You can do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it. You have a freedom I could never dream of. Even if you don't know what to make of it right now, you'll see just how much of a gift it is."

"I'm lucky? You're the one that's lucky! You've always had a place you belong in, a role you fit into that no one else could do. You've always known exactly what you have to do and you work so hard to get there. I wish I had that kind of stability and motivation. You're always so much better than I am at things, and everyone respects you for it. You're always the one that can do something to help others, me... I'm helpless most of the time."

"Not at all," Asch replied. "You're far from helpless, you have your friends and you always will. You've got a way with others, you can make friends with anyone; I mean look at Jade."

"Hey!" Luke protested.

Asch chuckled. "I mean it though, you're able to trust others, and people respond to that. I've never been able to reach out to people like you do. They may respect me for my skills, but they follow you for your smile... and that means a lot more."

"It's kind of funny," Luke said.

"What is?"

"I've spent my life wishing for the things you have... and at the same time you've been doing the same thing."

"Yeah, I wonder how many fights this conversation could have spared."

"None," Luke answered with a quip. "Like I would let reason get in the way of a perfect opportunity to get you grounded."

"You're still a brat," Asch muttered.

"I had to keep you around the manor somehow," Luke said with a sly grin. Asch shot him a dirty look but couldn't resist a chuckle.

"Keep up that attitude and you're going to get yourself into some real trouble somewhere."

Luke sighed, and his lack of reply told Asch he was thinking about his future again. "I know you're right..." Luke finally spoke up. "I just don't know if I can do it all by myself."

"You can do more than you think you can," Asch replied. "You just have to learn how to get started, once you do, I know you'll figure the rest out."

"But... what? What could I possibly do, just me?"

"Don't think about it that way," the young monarch cut his sibling off. "If you could do anything at all, what would you do? Forget all the obstacles in the way, the politics involved, just pretend that you had the power to do absolutely anything you wanted. What would you do?"

"I- I don't know... I'd want to help people, I guess... I want to fix some of the mistakes I've made... the damage I've caused. Places like Chesedonia and St. Binah that are still trying to recover from when we lowered the Outer Lands, I want to fix it all so things could be like they were before all this. I... I would want to..." Luke trailed off.

"You'd want to what?"

"I'd want to rebuild Akzeriuth," Luke said so quietly Asch was strained to catch what he said.

Asch stopped for a moment, somewhat taken aback by Luke's answer. He wasn't entirely sure why it surprised him as much as it did; the more he thought about it, the more he realized it was the only right answer for Luke. After all this time, a part of Asch thought Luke may have finally been able to put the disaster behind him. That was wrong, and seeing the seriousness in his sibling reminded him how foolish of a thought that had been. Luke would never forget the victims, never forget the losses the disaster had wrought... and he was grown up enough to realize how to carry that burden.

"I think that's a great idea," Asch finally replied.

"Yeah, well, it isn't like I would have the time to accomplish something like that anyway," Luke replied, feigning nonchalance.

"Maybe, maybe not. You were right when you said we can't know how much time we have left, and that it would defeat everything we've been fighting for if we were to squander it waiting for the end," Asch said. "The most important thing... is just to live your life staying true to yourself and to what you believe, no matter where you go, what you do, or how much time you have. And who knows, it may only start as a dream, but if others share the same dream then it will stay alive, even after you're gone."

Luke felt a realization and a wave of warmth wash over him with Asch's words. As long as others shared his dreams, his goals... as long as he had his friends who believed in him and the things he'd accomplished... a part of him would always be alive and with them.

"I still have a hard time imagining it without you there to keep an eye on me," Luke admitted. His mood significantly lightened. He cracked a smile and saw his sibling do the same. "It would just be weird not having you around... it would feel wrong. I just have a hard time swallowing the idea of us being separated... I don't want that. I don't want to be alone."

Asch sighed, his smile still widening. "You'll do just fine. You and I, we each have our own place, our own world where we belong. We may not always be next to each other, but you will never, ever, be alone." Luke smiled; Asch reached out and ruffled his sibling's hair. "No matter where you go, you'll always be my goofy little brother."

"Yeah, and you'll always be a pain in the ass," Luke retorted attempting to fix the mess Asch had made of his hair.

"Well there won't be much left of you if you don't go meet Tear like you said you would."

"Crap!" Luke jumped to his feet, sending a layer of dust showering down on the stall below.

"You didn't forget," Asch taunted.

"Not really," Luke shot back with a wink as he leapt to the street below. "Hey Asch,"

"What is it?"

"Have you chosen yet?"

"Chosen what?"

"Your path."

Asch froze for a moment before a smile crawled back to his lips.

"Get going before you're late."

"Me too," Luke said with a certainty Asch hadn't heard from him in awhile. The two of them exchanged a mutual grin; whatever the future would bring, whenever it would come, they would handle it then, and every day until that time was theirs to live.

Asch remained on the roof for awhile longer, watching as the dipping sun began to spill red across the horizon. The murmur of activity in the city below was comforting and Asch allowed his thoughts to drift, to tomorrow, the day after that and the days beyond. The young monarch felt someone watching him, but he was far too peaceful to pay it any mind. Jade could wait.

"So you'll keep that secret of yours until the end, will you?" Jade's voice rose to his ears all while seeming quiet enough that the people walking in the streets took no note. Asch turned to face the man and saw him leaning back against the building, his hands in his pockets; it was the most casual stance he'd ever seen the Colonel take. It made him seem more human somehow, that even he was taking in the calm before the storm.

"I don't want to hurt Natalia," Asch answered simply. Asch felt Jade staring from the corner of his eye. "No, that's not entirely true," the redhead admitted. "I just couldn't take the way she'd look at me. I couldn't handle the strain, watching her try to pretend nothing was wrong so she wouldn't make me feel bad. I don't want that. In its own way, that may be much crueller to her... but that's what I decided. So go ahead, tell me I'm being selfish, give me the breakdown of what's wrong with my plan."

Silence.

"You're much softer than you pretend to be, you know," Jade noted.

"Your point?"

"Hmph," Jade smirked. "You've changed a great deal. There was a time you'd have dug your own kidney out with a spoon before admitting to something like that."

"And you've still got the same disturbing analogies."

"Why certainly; at my age it's far too late to change such habits."

"You just keep telling yourself that old man," Asch shot, rolling his eyes. "But whether you're going to admit it or not, I'm not the only one who ended up a total softie thanks to this crusade. If I remember right you used to be a stuck up prick who liked to make us all miserable."

"Your assessment is far too generous," Jade said with a mock bow.

"I used to hate you; I hated the way you knew everything and never passed up a chance to shove it in our faces. I found you obnoxious and insulting."

"Your use of the past tense suggests you feel otherwise," Jade remarked somewhat tauntingly.

"Maybe not about the obnoxious part," Asch shot back. "I may have had to suffer for it, but I've learnt a lot from you over the past year. You've been like a teacher and a mentor to me. So thank you."

"My my, what's this? Saying all your goodbyes are you? That's awfully morbid."

"Aren't we the one to talk?"

"I'm quite certain I've no idea what you're trying to imply."

"I'm not saying goodbye," Asch retorted. "I decided I don't want to regret things anymore, and that means saying the things I've needed to say for a long time. You pretend to be objective and distant, but you've been watching out for us for a long time."

"What in Yulia's creation gives you a notion such as that?" Jade asked sceptically.

"You haven't said anything about Luke's and my condition," Asch stated simply. "You've been helping us while not giving off any kind of sign that something's wrong. If you were the same person as when all this started, you'd have announced it as soon as you had the chance; you'd have tried to strategically adjust to the possibility of our absence in every situation."

"You sound so certain of your conclusions," Jade stated.

"Of course," Asch retorted. "I learnt how to read people from you."

"I hate teaching," Jade said firmly. "I don't impart knowledge, I don't take apprentices."

"That's fine," Asch replied; jumping down from the ledge, creating a small cloud of sand and dust at his feet. He took one last look over his shoulder, a cocky grin adorning his face and confidence dancing in his emerald green eyes. "I've gotten this far haven't I? I'll just take what I need for myself." Jade smiled as he watched the redhead depart.

"You are more than welcome to try," he replied to no one in particular.

"What was that?" A young female voice pierced above the rustle of a crowd.

"Hello to you too, Anise," Jade replied.

"Fess up!" Anise continued her tirade, lowering her voice somewhat now that she knew she had the Colonel's attention. "What were you and Asch talking about?"

"I don't see how that bears any consequence to the matters at hand," Jade replied.

"Well you said something. I haven't seen Asch look that happy in like... forever."

"Excluding your escapades in Grand Chokmah last week?" Jade asked slyly.

"Oh shut up," Anise sneered playfully. The Colonel had acted all innocent but every one of them knew he was behind the entire ruckus. Poor Luke hadn't said a word for three days after whatever the Colonel had put him through.

"So," Anise stated, effectively resetting the conversation. "What are you going to do Colonel?"

"Whatever might you be referring to?"

"Oh come on," Anise grumbled. "You know what I mean. What are you going to do once all of this is over?"

"Must I do anything?"

"I'm just curious!" Anise stated, her voice edging on frustration. "Are you going to go back to the military or what?"

"Thinking of joining me?" Jade asked tauntingly.

"Me? No way! I've got way bigger goals than being your lap dog for the next ten years." Anise protested and Jade chuckled.

"No, I don't imagine I'll go back," Jade confessed. "Working with you lot has left me a bit too lazy for active duty."

"Hey!"

"I was merely stating the truth."

"Well then what are you going to do?

"Really Anise, why the interest?" Jade asked. "I assure it is nothing that will make me enough money to be worthy of your attention."

"Booooo," Anise stuck her tongue out. "You're no fun at all. Besides! I've given up on marrying rich. I don't want to be tied down to some boring old fogey; I've got way more important things to be doing.

"Oh? And what could be more important than your never-ending search for an easy and luxurious life?"

"I want to follow in Ion's foot-steps," Anise admitted in a more serious tone. "You know, I really admired what he was doing with the Order. Not everyone liked it, but the changes he was making were for the better, and if he'd had the chance to finish what he wanted to do, everyone would have seen how wonderful things can be without the Score. I want to finish what he started... I want to rebuild the Order the way he dreamed it could be."

"That's quite the endeavour," Jade pointed out. "It won't be easy."

"Yeah I know," Anise stated. "But it'll get way easier once I become the first female Fon Master!"

"I wish you the best of luck in that regard."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!" Anise demanded.

"Nothing, I assure you," Jade shrugged.

"You don't think I can do it, do you?"

"Can you not take anything I say seriously?"

"No."

Jade smirked. "Well then in that case, I should inform you that as soon as we've defeated Dorian General Grants, I intend to free Dist from his imprisonment and with him hold His Majesty's rappigs captive until he agrees to declare Keterburg an independent nation."

"You suck Colonel," Anise stuck her tongue out.

"No, that would be rather counter-productive of me, now wouldn't it?" Jade continued. "I think instead perhaps I'll return to my research, the world will be in dire need of a new source of energy with the Planet Storm gone, and I'm afraid it's already in dire need of more knowledge on the replica populace it's recently adopted."

"You're going to take up fomicry again?" Anise asked.

"I think so," Jade feigned nonchalance. "I should hate to see them all die from lack of care after all the effort put into sparing their lives. None should ever have to succumb to such a fate when there would be a means to avoid it if only we'd known more."

"Yeah, that's true. Research has been illegal all this time so there really isn't much out there," Anise agreed. Jade remained conspicuously silent.

"Well I think that's a great idea!" Anise broke the silence. "With you working at it we'll know everything in no time!"

"Not soon enough," Jade muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, dear Anise. Nothing at all."

Asch wandered Chesedonia's streets, the setting sun slowly emptying the stalls of their patrons as everyone scurried home before the cold desert night set in. With all the military activity, much of Chesedonia's night life had been put on hold, and other than the odd person heading for the bar, after sundown the Trade Center was unusually quiet. Asch hadn't really any idea where he was going, just wandering, letting his feet take him where they would, and before he knew it, he was down by the pier listening to the sound of the waves as they crashed against the docks.

"I should have known I'd find you down here," A familiar voice turned Asch's head. Natalia smiled when Asch's eyes met her own and the redhead extended a hand, inviting her to join him.

Natalia sat nervously, watching the water, pacing her breath with the waves lest she grow flustered and alarm her fiancé. Twice she opened her mouth to speak but could not bring the words forth, how could she voice such fears? Ask questions with implications so dark and so cruel she didn't even want to consider them... she simply couldn't. Not here... not now. Not when the world was quiet and Asch finally seemed at peace. So instead she remained silent, keeping her conversations with Guy to herself and listening to the water beat against the pier in time with her heart.

The nervous silence grew comfortable, and then warm as they sat, their feet dangling above the waves, bathed in the sun's setting glow. Natalia rested her head against her fiancé's shoulder, taking in the last rays of sun and the warmth of the person beside her. This warmth would always be there, right? The comfort of his embrace, the deep beating of his heart that always put her nerves to rest... they would be hers forever... she simply had to believe that. She simply couldn't consider the alternative. If she trusted in nothing else, she would trust in him, in his words to her all those years ago. The worries, the fears, they could wait. If there was a single instant in time she would like to become trapped in, this was it. This moment was theirs.

"It doesn't seem so long ago, does it?" Natalia finally asked.

"What doesn't?"

"That we used to sit on Baticul's pier like this," she replied. "Watching the sun, the ships come in and out of port. Things were so simple back then."

"It doesn't seem that long ago," Asch agreed. "And yet..."

"It feels like a lifetime ago," Natalia finished for him.

Asch smiled.

"I still remember when I first began this journey, that ferry to Akzeriuth. I spent the entire way there angry with all the attention you were giving Luke," Natalia said with a chuckle. "I was so foolish."

"We all were," Asch replied. "We had no idea what was going on around us, we went in completely blind and we all paid the price for it. Then... well things haven't stopped since then."

"No they haven't," Natalia agreed. "Even that brief moment of peace after the Absorption Gate didn't feel as such. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to relax a little once everything has been cleared up."

"I still haven't forgotten that promise I made you," Asch stated.

"Promise?" Natalia quickly racked her brains but couldn't for the life of her come up with anything. Her heart started to race, she hadn't forgotten something important, had she? "W-What promise?" She asked hesitantly.

"On the way to Akzeriuth, I promised you that once everything was done we would do something special, just for the two of us." Asch put his arm around Natalia and pulled her closer.

"Oh that promise," Natalia said, relieved it wasn't as dire as she'd feared it might be. "Really, you needn't worry about it. You've already done so much for me... I couldn't imagine anything more."

"No," Asch protested, bringing himself to his feet. "There's something I have to do... something I've owed you for a long time."

"What is that?" Natalia asked, looking up at his determined emerald eyes.

Asch took his hand in Natalia's and knelt down so their eyes were locked. "Once I asked you this, but after everything that has happened, I owe it to you again. I'm not who I was back then, and neither are you. Both of us have changed; we've been through a lot together and I believe we've come out better people for it. So I ask this not just of Princess Natalia, but of you, the woman who is in front of me right now."

"Asch..." Natalia grew flustered. The air caught in her lungs and she could scarcely breathe through the fluttering of her heart. She knew the words that would come; she knew and yearned to hear them with all her heart, every fibre of her being. Her every desire cumulated in this moment.

"Together, let's change this world. Change it so no one has to be poor, so no one has to suffer for things they can't control. Change it so that war never happens, so people can live out their lives to the fullest. Will you work together with me to change our world? For the rest of our lives... together."

Natalia felt the tears in her eyes; the heart that beat in her throat as she watched her every dream come true. Whatever may lie in the future no longer mattered. They would face it together.

"Yes. With you, Asch. Forever."

Natalia threw herself into her fiancé's arms, and there she remained until the last of the sun's rays faded from the horizon.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself?"

Guy looked over his shoulder and saw Noelle smiling at him, but returned his gaze to the water before him. Chesedonia's Eastern beaches weren't quite as nice as the Western ones, but rumour had it a certain couple was planning to meet there later so the blond was just as content to relax on this side of the city. The company over here wasn't so bad anyway.

Noelle stood beside Guy, watching him as he seemed lost in thought. She'd been kind of worried about him lately, something was on his mind that was weighing him down; something other than the impending events that tomorrow would bring. He seemed lighter tonight though, as if he'd made a decision of some sort. Noelle suspected she'd never figure out the particulars, but that was okay with her. Some things you just need to figure out for yourself. If nothing else, she was glad to see he'd sorted it all out before tomorrow.

Guy glanced back down at Noelle, chuckling to himself when she quickly averted her gaze. The blonde pilot was going to be flying them to Eldrant tomorrow, with her older brother flying decoy. Given how often they used the Albiore, Jade had decided it would be the more obvious target and it would be safer to let it fly decoy while taking the Albiore II. He couldn't say he liked the idea of either of them up there taking on Eldrant's aerial artillery but if anyone had proven themselves able it was Noelle and Ginji.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Guy asked her.

"Are you kidding? I was born ready!" She declared energetically. Guy gave her a sceptical glance. "Okay maybe not entirely," she confessed. "I don't think anyone's ready for tomorrow. I mean, we're deciding our future. Either we win it all, or we lose it all; there's no more postponements."

"That's true," Guy agreed. "It's do or die from here on out."

"Give me break," she teased. "It's always do or die with you guys."

Guy chuckled. "You may be right. To be honest I really wish things didn't have to end this way."

"You used to be friends with Van, didn't you?"

"How do you know that?" Guy exclaimed.

"A little redheaded birdie told me," she said with a wink.

"Which one?"

"My lips are sealed."

"Luke."

"Who knows, maybe they were switched," she said with a laugh that Guy couldn't help but echo. She was glad to see a smile back on his face. Something about seeing him sad made her heart break.

"Yeah, Van and I were friends," Guy said. "We practically grew up together. I always looked up to him, believed that he could do no wrong. I'm not that naive anymore. I know we've reached this point not because one of us is right and one of us is wrong, but because our beliefs of what it right for this world differ, and neither of us can afford to concede. He was always stubborn, maybe even more so than Asch."

"Really?"

"Well, maybe not," Guy said with a chuckle. "I guess tomorrow will tell us the answer to that."

"You know..." Guy continued after a pause. "Van always watched over me; I would cower in fear while he defended me, I lost track of how often. He'd tell me to be strong, that I had to stand on my own, but he would still be there to defend me the next time. Now we're on opposite sides of the battlefield... now it's time for me to show him how strong I've become. That I can stand on my own two feet and defend the people I care for, even if it means destroying him."

"I'm sorry," Noelle said genuinely, holding Guy's hand for comfort. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry!" She suddenly realized, dropping her hold. Guy only smiled. "Wow, you really are over it, aren't you?"

"Yeah," the Malkuth noble said with a soft smile. "Cantabile made me realize it; how I see the past is entirely up to me. I can choose to see only the hate and destruction like she did, or I can choose to remember the good along with the bad. The bad things will always be there, but as long as I remember the happy times, it becomes more bearable." Guy placed his hand back in Noelle's. "I'm glad I can remember my sister with joy and respect, not repulsion and fear."

"I think that's exactly what she would have wanted you to do. Mary and Cantabile, they both would have wanted you to be happy."

"I'd like to believe that," Guy agreed.

"Then believe," Noelle answered simply. "That's all it takes. Believe in a better world, and slowly you will begin to see it happen. You guys showed me that. It seems impossible at first, but you just need to believe in the possibility, and before you know it, you'll be flying through the skies."

Noelle let go of her companion and ran towards the water, the sunset casting an orange glow over her brilliant smile. The waves lapped around her feet and she spun around, never losing her carefree grin.

"I believe that tomorrow will be only the beginning," she said.

Guy reciprocated her smile.

"Then that's all you need."

It had been a long time since Luke had really taken the time to appreciate the night sky. The stars erupted into a brilliant canvas over his head, like the morning dew at first light, shadowed only by the full moon that hung enchantingly among them. It seemed bigger than usual, somehow, Luke thought, and the way its light sparkled on the water reminded Luke of the night everything had begun in Tataroo Valley. The quiet night air still held onto the warmth from the day despite the cool breeze that tossed his hair about.

"Am I late?" Luke turned to face Tear's voice, wearing a warm smile that lit up his face.

"Not at all."

"You're still a terrible liar," Tear replied.

"And you used to be more punctual," Luke shot playfully.

"You said after sunset," Tear pointed out. "It's after sunset." Luke chuckled, extending his hand to his companion. She accepted it and Luke pulled her into his arms.

Tear found herself gently wrapped in Luke's embrace and sank into the gesture, letting his warmth penetrate her core. She could feel her heart racing, yet was somehow completely at peace in the same breath. Here, the waves lapping the shore, her feet warm in the sand, she couldn't help but wish that tomorrow would never come. That she would never have to face her brother, that she wouldn't have to watch him die... she wished that her life could be as simple as her and Luke in this moment, where nothing mattered but the moonlight dancing on the ocean.

But tomorrow would come, and Tear wasn't sure she was ready for it. It was strange, she began this journey completely prepared for how it would end, and here she was on the doorstep of accomplishing everything she had set out to do, and she didn't want to cross that threshold. She knew she would, she had to; her brother had left her no choice! If she didn't act the entire world would perish... but that didn't mean she wanted to. She didn't want anyone else close to her to die.

Was it Luke that had changed her so much? Was it this incredible and cheerful person in whose arms she found herself that had completely destroyed the walls surrounding her? His smile, his energy... and the way he valued life in all shapes and forms had completely shifted her perspective. Once she hadn't cared about the casualties, death was inevitable on the battlefield. In order for one to stand victorious, the enemy had to die, even if the enemy was her brother. Those who fought went into battle prepared for that fate, so there was no sense in shedding tears for the fallen... yet Luke had.

Time and again she watched Luke mourn the loss of life, watched him try to protect that life at all costs, even when it meant putting his own on the line. She began to respect him, to cherish the way he lived so fully. The life he had was so much more than a disposable commodity; it was something beautiful, something to be protected. Then she had almost lost him. Faced with the thought that she would never see Luke again, her heart had completely seized up, her stomach turned to knots and thinking about it even now was enough to make her want to disappear. She didn't want to ever feel that way again, about anyone. Did she really have the courage to look her brother in the eye and send him to his grave?

"It's hard to believe tomorrow is already here," Luke said softly, breaking the silence. Tear looked back at her companion and his distant gaze told her his thoughts weren't so far from her own.

"It's been so long in coming, and so much has happened, even since the last time we faced my brother. The day I broke into your manor feels like such a distant memory," Tear admitted. "Things are so different now."

"Some for the better," Luke agreed, squeezing Tear's hand. Tear smiled and returned the gesture, but the unsaid words hung in the air.

Some for the worst.

Though they'd accomplished a lot, they also lost a great deal, and even the deaths of their enemies were heavy blows. Some cities were still recovering, others were lost for good. The citizens were anxious and the entire world was in a state of upheaval. They carried with them the hopes of all the people they'd met along the way, and the millions that they hadn't.

"Are you going to be okay?" Luke asked.

"I should be the one asking you that," Tear said, and she meant it. He carried the heaviest burden of them all, and he carried it with a smile.

"I honestly don't know," Luke confessed. "I'm trying not to think about it because it puts knots in my stomach. Just thinking about the immensity of what we're doing and the thought of facing Master Van... it's not going to be easy."

"I wish there was another way," Tear confessed. "I know my brother has done awful things, but I still don't want to see him die."

"Then let's try talking to him one last time," Luke stated simply.

"Luke, after all this time, he's not going to just give up now. We've tried talking to him; he simply won't change his mind!"

"We can still try!" Luke insisted. "Not just for you, for everyone who cares about him. He was Guy's friend, and Legretta still cares about him. He was my instructor too; I won't give up on him until I know for sure there's no other way."

"And if there isn't any other way?" Tear asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Then remember that you have friends now," Luke replied. "You won't be alone."

Tear couldn't help the smile that spread across her face; was she really that transparent? Luke saw right through her; her fears, her hesitation... she was a book he'd learnt to read with frightening skill, but surprisingly she didn't mind. Instead it comforted her. It was nice to have someone who understood; it was nice not to be alone.

The only thing that bothered her, the small thorn in her happiness was that the feeling was not reciprocated. As Luke had learned to read her, he in turn had become more of an enigma. The more she learnt, the less she realized she knew, and the boy whose actions she could have almost predicted once was now shrouded in secrets. She could see it in his eyes when he looked at her. She could see the inkling of regret, the flicker of a sorrow buried so deep within she could never reach it.

Tear trusted Luke when he said he wasn't hiding anything from her, but on the same token, she knew that such a statement could never be completely truthful. Everyone carried things with them that they didn't share, feelings they couldn't reveal, sometimes because they themselves didn't even know such things were buried within. So Tear was satisfied, she knew Luke would eventually share whatever it was with her in time. After tomorrow, they would have an entire life ahead of them, a future in which they had all the time in the world.

"I'm thinking of leaving the Oracle Knights," Tear confessed, unsure what had brought forth that issue from where she'd buried it in the back of her mind. Perhaps it was all these thoughts of the future that had her thinking about it again. Perhaps, she just wanted to talk about it with someone; perhaps she just wanted Luke's support.

"I thought you might," Luke replied, not at all fazed by the turn in conversation.

"Really?" Tear asked, taken somewhat aback by Luke's lack of surprise.

"Well you became a member of the Oracle Knights for Van's sake, right?" Luke asked. "I guess I kind of figured once all this was over you'd do something else. No offense or anything, but being a soldier doesn't really suit you that well anymore."

"Is that so?" Tear asked, trying to sound offended. She obviously failed, because Luke started to chuckle.

"Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part," Luke added playfully. "I like Daath and all, but I don't fancy living there. So if you're leaving the Oracle Knights, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know yet," Tear confessed. "I'm pretty pathetic, aren't I? I don't even have any kind of plan as to how I'm going to support myself, or how I'm going to live. I just know that I don't want to be a soldier anymore."

"Well if it's pathetic, then we're both pathetic because I don't have any more idea what I want to do with my life than you do. I've thought and thought and thought about it but I can never come up with anything."

"Try not to get too frustrated," Tear said calmly. "You're only eight; it's not surprising that you're uncertain about what you want to do with your life. Things will fall into place, you'll see."

"That's what Asch has always said. He says that there are thousands of possibilities out there for me, I just have to find my place."

"He's right."

"I know he's right," Luke argued. "What he doesn't understand is that that's the problem. There are so many things I could do; I don't even know where to start thinking about it. The thought of deciding what to do with the rest of my life... it scares me."

"Don't be afraid," Tear answered reassuringly, rubbing Luke's arm that was still embracing her. "Don't think of it so definitively. The future is fluid; it's always changing. Nothing is certain, that's what my brother can't understand. He can't accept that no single choice lasts forever, that people can turn around and fix their mistakes. I believe that now; you've shown me how things always change, how life will never stop surprising you. You certainly haven't stopped surprising me."

"The way you say that... I don't know if I should be taking it as a compliment or not."

"Take it however you want to," Tear replied, turning around to face Luke. "You don't need to know what your future will bring; that's what is so amazing about a world without the Score. You can just live life, and carve your own place. No one will tell you where, no one will tell you how. It's hard, and people will make mistakes, but I believe that is what makes life worth living. It's our mistakes that shape the people we are, our missteps that allow us to grow."

"You know," Luke commented, "Sometimes I wonder why Yulia made the choice she did."

"What choice is that?"

"The decision to create Score," he explained. "She knew what path it would lead the world down, then she deliberately chose to hide the final fonstone, misleading everyone into thinking it would end in prosperity. When deciding between freedom and an inflexible, inescapable future... why did she choose the latter?"

"Maybe she didn't," Tear replied. "The Score gave her a means of saving the people and the world that she loved more than anything. She chose to hide the truth of the Score because she knew her choice was wrong but couldn't bear to hurt those people. As long as they would live, as long as they could be happy that was enough."

"It just seems kind of contradictory," Luke stated, "She wanted to save them and yet she knew she was condemning them. She was only buying time."

"Are we really any different?" Tear asked. "We lowered the Outer Lands, silenced the core, shut off the Planet Storm all to buy ourselves the time we needed to accomplish our goals. Maybe she was the same... Maybe..."

"Tear? What is it?"

"That's it!" Tear exclaimed. "The final hymn, I understand! Yulia wanted the Score to be overturned. I can't believe I'd forgotten... it was my brother, it was Van who told me once. He told me that Yulia wanted to see the Score overturned, because she loved the world. The proof of that lies in the fonic hymns; they were a pact offered to Lorelei out of that love."

"And Lorelei returned that love by offering her the Key," Luke replied.

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing," Luke dismissed it. "I think I understand something Lorelei said to me once, but it isn't important. What is important is that you remembered the Seventh hymn."

"Van used to sing it to me as a lullaby," Tear recalled fondly. "It was the symbol of trust between Yulia and Lorelei, proof of their love for the world, their faith that we could build our own future."

"That's why I think we'll need the hymn to free Lorelei," Luke pointed out. "The Key is only half of the pact; you need to sing your hymn to awaken Lorelei, to give him the strength to fight Master Van. It's the only way."

"I don't know if I can," Tear confessed. "I only just remembered it, I don't know if I have the lyrics, the melody or if the meaning is even right."

"You solved all the other hymns; I know you can solve this one too."

"Thank you Luke."

Luke sighed, averting his gaze but Tear didn't miss the sorrow that swept across his face. Tear could see the struggle in eyes, the internal conflict that waged as he fought with an impossible decision. He saw her concern and tried to smile but the gesture was pained.

"Luke? Is something wrong?" Tear asked worriedly.

"No," Luke replied. "All the talk of the future and of freeing Lorelei keeps reminding me of something."

"What is it? I may not be able to help you, but I'll listen."

"No," Luke insisted. "Because I made a choice; it's just that following through with it is hard sometimes, but I really do believe it's for the best."

"Then when the future becomes difficult, remember that conviction," Tear said, her blue eyes piercing his own.

"Well there is one thing I know about my future," Luke finally said with a soft smile. "Whatever future I have, I want to spend it with you."

Tear felt her cheeks flush as Luke stepped in closer. "I would like that."

"I love you, Tear," Luke said, so close that Tear could feel the warmth of his breath, the softness of his skin against hers.

"I love you too, Luke," Tear replied, leaning in to his gesture, her lips brushing against his.

And there, on the moonlit beaches of Chesedonia, Luke and Tear shared their first kiss.

The sun rose on a silent city. The streets that had been packed the day before were bare; desert winds blew dust about and clattered wooden shutters that hadn't been sealed against the previous night's chill. A few hours ago saw the streets lined with soldiers, the piers full of ships but each and every one had since deployed, leaving only Asch, his friends and the two Albiores in the empty port. Asch didn't doubt life would return once they left, but until the entire operation was underway and out of sight, the citizens didn't dare stray outdoors.

The mission would commence at noon, but the Albiores were much quicker than either navy leaving them to wait for their allies to get into place before they could commence. The ships would open fire on Eldrant as soon as they arrived, leaving an opening for them to penetrate the fortress' defences from below. They would fly in first, with Ginji following behind them. The first ship would be most likely assumed to be the decoy so by having Ginji follow rather than lead, he could draw most of the fire. Once they landed, their primary objective was to stop Van and free Lorelei, but they would try to disarm the aerial artillery as best they could in the process.

"Don't think so hard," Guy commented elbowing Luke's ribs, his voice rising above the rumble of the Albiore II's engine as it roared to life and pulled out off the port.

"But don't stop thinking altogether," Jade stipulated with a smirk. "Let us not forget precisely who our opponent is."

"We're taking on Van Grants himself," Natalia stated in agreement.

"And he's going to be desperate," Tear added. "I wouldn't put anything past him at this point; we need to be on our guard for anything."

"The hardest part may very well be not running ourselves ragged before even encountering the man," Jade pointed out. "At all costs we must not work ourselves up to the point that we're worn out, understood boys?"

"Why are you directing that comment at us?" Luke and Asch demanded simultaneously.

"Gee, let's think about that," Anise said with a giggle.

"She's right," Natalia admitted. "You are the ones we're most concerned about. You do have a tendency to go overboard at times."

"Shut up," Asch shot.

"She's kind of got a point," Luke confessed.

'Traitor.'

'Are you ready for this?' Luke asked solemnly.

'Does it matter?'

'Point taken.' Ready or not, it was here and there was nothing either of them could do about it. 'Just don't be reckless,' Luke teased.

'That's my line,' Asch shot back. 'I'm not the one who almost got shot last time.'

'No mistakes this time,' Luke said seriously, catching his sibling off guard. 'We're both making it home.'

'We're both making it until the end,' Asch agreed; the change in wording not lost on the younger redhead. Regardless he smiled reassuringly.

"Are you guys ready?" Noelle shouted back to her passengers. "We're just about in range of Eldrant's aerial artillery."

Jade glanced at his timepiece, both hands standing straight up. "We're right on schedule."

"Alright," Luke said with fiery determination. "For everyone who's helped us get this far, for the world we have to protect no matter what." Luke glanced sideways and caught a reassuring nod from Asch.

"Let's do this!"