As the two ran towards the Infirmary, Tear noticed the large amount of students also heading there, looking worried. A few supported unconscious and feverish friends, others not looking so great themselves. It was like a super fast epidemic, and it was scaring everyone.

They reached the Infirmary, and almost staggered at the amount of students having to fit in the hall. Luke dove in, undeterred, and Tear followed a moment later, trying to keep him in sight. As they wove their way through the masses, she couldn't help but marvel at his grace; he slipped through them like a shadow, not touching anyone and barely even being registered, while she bumped and crashed into people constantly.

A girl fell beside her, and she instinctively caught her, gently passing her to her worried boyfriend.

Turning back, she realised that she had completely lost sight of Luke in the two seconds it had taken.
Hesitantly she started forward, trying to figure out where he had gone.

"Luke? Luke!" she called, certain that she wouldn't be heard over the noise of the students.

A moment later he appeared in front of her, and she jumped. Even having seen him come, it shocked her at the ease that he managed to cut through them.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked, confused.

"I wasn't," Tear replied, a little put out, and Luke shrugged.

"Come on then," he said, grasping her hand and turning, diving back into the throng of students. Tear quickly got over her initial flustered reaction, and now finally seeing how Luke moved up close, she saw that not only was he graceful, but methodical as well. He kept up a constant, rather fast pace, allowing him to zip through the crowds and skim past the groups of students, leaving on a faint rustle to show he had been there. She began to copy him, marvelling at how much easier it got to avoid people.

Finally they reached where Asch and Lorelei were waiting, coming to a graceful halt in front of them.

"That was clumsy," Asch said, and Tear was about to snap at him when Luke nodded.

"I know. But I was kind of in a rush," he replied.

This caught her off guard. How on Auldrant could you be more graceful?!

"We should get started soon. Most of the students are here," Lorelei said, interrupting them.

"How are the ones who have collapsed?" asked Luke.

"Well enough, for now. But their fevers are dangerously high; if it isn't dealt with soon, it could have serious consequences. And..." Lorelei trailed off, then shook his head. "No, I'll tell you in a minute. Tear, if you would?"

Tear nodded, stepping forward. She looked at the crowd of students and felt nerves run through her, then a hand slipped into her own and she glanced back. Luke smiled.

"You can do it. Don't worry," he murmured, and she nodded, smiling, before turning back.

Taking a deep breath, she began singing.

"Va Rei Zue Toue Neu Toue Ryuo Toue Kuroa.."

The song was soothing, and the crowd began to calm. At the same time, she noticed a brief gold flicker around Lorelei and Asch, who looked vaguely confused.

As Tear trailed off, fearing that it hadn't worked, she heard a groan from beside her.

"Ow...what hit me.." mumbled a voice, and the student lying in the bed next to her sat up, rubbing his head.

Slowly, all around the hall, the unconscious students woke up, looking a little confused. Their friends hugged them, glad that they were feeling better. Asch leapt towards Natalia as the blonde girl woke up, looking relieved.

"Well done Tear. I'm very proud of you, and I'm sure Yulia would be too," Lorelei murmured.

Tear was about to ask where her mum was, but he had already disappeared into the mass of students. Tear sighed then turned to Luke.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, looking her over.

"Tired...so if I collapse, it's not because I'm ill," she said with a weak grin. Luke nodded, but didn't return the smile. She frowned. "Luke? What's the matter?"

"Well, it's just...have you noticed? That everyone who collapsed..even everyone gathered is...None of them are from Daath."

A/N: Dun dun dunnnnn! Plot development! (The whole 'graceful' thing was kinda pointless, actually, but it does work.)

So, I know the chapter was pretty short, but I kinda needed to cut off there. This was going to be in the last chapter, but it just didn't work, so...

Review?