AN: Alright guys, here comes the new chapter! Damn, almost a hundred reviews and I really enjoyed reading all of you guys awesome feedback and thoughts. It means so much to me and pushes me to keep writing. Thank you all for that, I mean it! Now then... time to respond to you awesome readers!
U-know Yunho: Well... not yet perhaps. Read on to find out! :D
BruceNadeauJr: Glad I surprised you then! Hahaha, yes he is. I was seriously thinking whether I should have done it, but I decided on it. Looks like it turned out well... if I could say it that lol
GroundZeroFirework: Hehehe, thanks man. I did? What twist on his personality? :o Haha, I don't have any more essays but I do hvae exams coming up in a week T_T
Riku Uzumaki: Hehehehe, well... when we are the ones writing the story, cliffhangers become so irresistible to insert since we know the outcome :P Thanks!
TheAnime4Fan : Well I meant it as a rhetorical question, I already figured out what is going to happen to him :p Yeah, I guess it was kinda obvious about Ludger's situation and 'fracture' Milla.
That Mysterious Reader : Muahahahahhahahaah! Don't worry... for now. Read and find out.
Time Heals All: Well, I guess I'm happy that it shocked you then. Haha, well you'll see in the coming chapters of whta will happen. Whether Rowen survives or not, only I hold the answer :D Thank you
Haseo55: Glad you enjoyed the changes. All you readers surprised by what happened to Rowen, I'm pleased I got that reaction, hehe.
Oh I see... I didn't know about that. I know Ludger isn't much in fanfiction, but I didn't know he had so little, lol. Maybe others think its hard to establish his character since he was a silence protagonist. But that's just what I think lol
Mr. AE Hachi-Roku: Huehue, yes he got stabbed XD
Ah yeah, this is the arc where all answers should be answered. This chapter will explain another fact about the changes I made on the Chromatus, so I hope you'll like what I have done.
Hmm... well, I'm not sure if it is possible or not, but in fanfiction, so long as the author gives a possible reason, anything is fine... that's what I think lol
Ghost: Hmm... an interesting thought, but whether or not I will or will not go down this path, I won't answer so that I do not spoil readers on where the story is headed.
Ah yes. I will be covering certain character chapters actually, but only if the chapter will have certain changes because of 'fractured' Milla's presence. After all, this story is about exploring how the story will be different if 'fractured' Milla was still alive.
chronotimeguard: Hahaha, glad I surprised you then XD But yeah, most of you readers got it right about Ludger and 'fracture' Milla condition thing.
Well, that's it for reviews. Once again, thank you all for giving up your time to tell me your thoughts on each new chapter. It really motivates me as well as help me improve on certain areas of my writing. Thank you!
CHAPTER 11: POWER OVER LIFE
Victor removed the blade from Rowen's body quickly, savoring the party's reaction on their faces. Victor's blade was painted with Rowen's blood. Rowen coughed blood and then started to fall on his back but instead, Rowen felt something soft supporting him. It was 'fractured' Milla. Although she was mentally broken by Victor, the shock of watching a person she knew receiving a fatal wound broke her out of her reverie. She cradled Rowen in her arms; the old man's breathing weak. The wound was close to his chest, probably a punctured lung.
"Damn you!" Jude screamed in fury, reaching Victor and throwing a fist at him.
Victor avoided the blow and the two locked in battle once more, "Yes, let me see your anger more Jude! It is the same face 'Jude' had when I killed Rowen of this dimension eight years ago!"
Jude screamed with each swing of his fist, but none of his attacks could hit his target, "Why?! Why did you kill Rowen?! What did they ever do to you?!"
Suddenly Victor went on the offensive and his attacks were thrown at full-force. Jude could barely keep up as Victor assaulted him. "What did they do to me?! Those so-called friends of mine… they betrayed me! They all made the grave mistake when they sided with that bastard Bisley to try and take Elle away from me!"
Jude swung his right fist and Victor parried it with his left forearm and returned an attack of his own with his right blade. Jude blocked it with his left bracer. Victor suddenly took a step forward and thrust both blades forward. Jude moved to the left but could feel a small cut on his right shoulder. Victor then spun and delivered a thunderous kick on Jude's face, throwing Jude off his feet and landing on his back hard. When Jude regained his bearings, Victor's blade was just inches away from his neck.
"Even my own brother was against me!" Victor spat in anger. "He sided with them!"
"Your brother…?"
"That's right… Julius. Julius Kresnik…"
Everyone that heard him received another shocking revelation. Ludger especially could hardly believe what he heard. "Then… that means..." Ludger said slowly.
"That's right." Victor interjected. His blade was still hovering above Jude's neck, "I am the fractured version of you. I am you eight years into the future." Victor then shifted his gaze back to Jude, "Yes… that's the look 'Jude' gave me before I ended his life. Those pathetic, gullible eyes! Let's repeat history!"
Victor readied himself to deliver the final blow but Milla would not allow him to do so. With her Four Great spirits to assist her, Milla moved to assist Jude. Victor saw the Lord of Spirits coming and backed away. For now, Jude was safe. Milla engaged Victor along with her Great Spirits and the two were evenly matched. Even with Victor's impressive speed, he had a hard time battling Milla. The Great Spirits throwing their own respective spells and attacks were troubling Victor.
Victor grinned as he blocked one of Milla's attacks, "Yes! I remember this! This was the same feeling the 'Milla' of this dimension had when she heard I killed her precious 'Jude'. That's the same fire you have in your eyes."
"Where is the 'Milla' of this dimension?" Milla questioned while blocking one of Victor's attacks.
"Who knows? She's still alive, but she's probably given up coming to the human realm for revenge. Every time she does, I simply remind her of how I slaughtered her friends. I remind her that her weakness allowed me to kill them. The last time she tried to avenge her friends was three years ago. I have not seen her since."
"Damn you!" Both Jude and Milla cried, with Jude re-entering the fight with Milla.
"No matter how much you try, you can't defeat me!" Victor mocked, "I have eight years more experience than you! I know how you fight!"
As if to emphasize his point, Victor focused on his fight and increased his speed. Victor disappeared and appeared behind Jude. Jude spun around and threw a fist. Victor anticipated it and side-stepped the attack. Milla came from behind Victor, her blade aimed at Victor's back. Victor jumped and landed behind Milla. Before the Lord of Spirits could react, Victor thrust his blade forward. Thankfully Milla dodged at the last second but Victor managed to slash Milla's sides, blood pouring out from the wound.
"Milla!" Jude called out.
Victor then moved to attack Jude, "You don't have time to look elsewhere!"
Jude had cross his arms in front of him, feeling Victor tackle him straight on. Jude lost his sense of footing and Victor took the opportunity. Victor delivered a clean cut across Jude's left forearm and his other blade went for Jude's exposed chest, exactly where the heart would be. Jude saw the blade closing in on him but before it could make contact, Ludger entered the scene and shoved Jude out of the way. Victor continued pressing forward but unlike Rowen, Ludger drew his blades and the clash of metal against metal echoed around the area. Ludger and Victor were locked in, their blades tugging at one another.
"Milla, are you okay?" Jude asked, rushing to her aid.
Milla nodded but she twitched in agony from the wound on her left side, "Yeah… I didn't expect him… to be so quick."
"He said he's 'Ludger' eight years into the future… that means he knows how we fight… and he's… killed us before. We have to be careful."
Milla nodded and summoned for one of her Great Spirits to heal her. Jude stood guard to make sure Milla was safe. For now, Ludger had to handle Victor on his own.
'Fractured' Milla could do nothing but watch Ludger and pray he'd be safe. Rowen was still breathing but he was struggling to breath. 'Fractured' Milla knew nothing of healing artes so she could do little to help Rowen.
"Milla… I'll be… fine… you need to help… the others…" Rowen said softly.
"What? No! You're bleeding! I can't just leave you here!"
Rowen coughed softly, stopping the blood from escaping his lips, "Milla… you're strong… Ludger and the rest… they need your help to… defeat him."
"…And abandon you? No… at my current condition, I'd just be getting in the way. I… I'll make sure Victor won't lay a finger on you!"
Rowen stared at 'fractured' Milla and saw her resolve. He chuckled and then smiled, "Well then I can't force you." Rowen joked, "But… don't worry Milla. Ludger… and all of us… don't think of you as a burden."
"What…?"
"I know what you're thinking young lady." Rowen said with a smile, "You… might think that Ludger… is using his powers… to save you because he has to… but you're wrong… Ludger… he is using his powers… to save you… because he chose to. He treasures you… as a friend… just like all of us. I want you… to remember that Milla."
'Fractured' Milla did not know what to say. Because everything that Rowen had said was true. She didn't want Ludger to sacrifice his life just so that she could live. She could never live up to that guilt. Ludger had already saved her once. He had already shown to her the warmth of having friends. He had shown regret of destroying her world. He had shown that he and everyone else saw her as her own self and not a copy of prime Milla. Ludger had given her everything. And he was now giving his life to let her live. And it was his choice! The thought of that brought 'fractured' Milla close to tears. Rowen could see his words had reached her heart and he was glad it did. 'The rest is up to you all.' Rowen thought.
Meanwhile Ludger and Victor's duel was spread out across the compound. Both used the same exact moves as they fought. It was like watching a Ludger battling a mirror. When Ludger switched to his dual pistols, Victor did the same. They each shot in the same direction and their bullets cancelled each other out. When they returned to their dual blades, both attacked in the same manner and thus, the blades met each other and neither Ludger nor Victor could reach their target. However as the battle dragged on, Victor was beginning to control the pace of the battle. His eight years of experience gave him the edge. Ludger was being forced on the defensive.
The blades clashed once more and Victor glared at Ludger in the eyes, "You're the only one that's standing in my way of my plans! But after I kill you Ludger… everything will be set!"
"What are you planning?" Ludger demanded as the two traded blows once more.
"All I wish is to live in peace with my daughter!" Victor exclaimed, swinging his blades towards Ludger, "However… I realized that was not possible when I am nothing but a fractured version… but Elle… she is something that even the prime dimension does not have. That was when Bisley… and all my 'friends' tried to take her from me!"
"…Something that… even the prime dimension don't have?" Ludger said in confusion.
"That's right. Elle is the Key of Kresnik."
"Elle is the Key of Kresnik?" Jude said in disbelief.
Victor side-stepped Ludger's attack and returned a counter by sweeping Ludger's feet, forcing Ludger to slip. Ludger quickly rolled away and the two gained distance, the stop coming to a temporary halt.
"That's right." Victor confirmed, "My daughter is the Key of Kresnik. Only very few are given this privilege. If you think it was Ludger's power that allowed you to bring the Waymarkers back to the prime dimension, you're wrong. It was because Elle, my daughter, was with him! Only the Key of Kresnik can bring in other objects from one dimension to the other. That is probably how you managed to bring that 'fake' Milla as well. Normal Chromatus users can enter a fractured dimension but can only destroy divergence catalysts. Basically, without the Key of Kresnik, it is impossible to pass Origin's trial." Victor spat, "And Bisley… he wanted to bargain with the prime dimension for my daughter! No… that was when I killed everyone. I made them drown in their own blood!"
"Victor…"
"But… I have to thank them as well." Victor said, "Because of them, I realized… that coming from a fractured dimension, we will never last long. Everything is set… in the prime dimension! So to do that, I needed to become a version of the prime dimension!" Victor charged towards Ludger, restarting the fight. "That's why I said you're the only one that is standing in my way! If I kill you, I can become the prime Ludger!"
Victor and Ludger continued their battle, both swinging their blades and their weapons clashing against one another. Milla was still being healed by a Great Spirit and could not move to assist yet. Jude could see it. Her muscles were aching to rush in. But Milla did not allow her emotion to overrule her actions. If Milla rushed in while still harboring that injury, she would just get in the way. Jude could help Ludger as well but for now, he felt if he moved in now, it would disrupt Ludger's flow. Jude only hoped Ludger could hold on until they could help.
Ludger blocked an attack close to his chest and then found an opening. Ludger faked a right, forcing Victor to back away. With the momentum on him, Ludger closed the distance and dived forward with his blades in front. The attack just barely found its target, revealing a small cut to Victor's right cheek. In retaliation, Victor spun around like a whirlwind with his arms out, but Ludger had created distance between them. Victor stopped spinning and the two same individuals glared at one another, panting.
"You're really… an annoying one." Victor said with malice, "But it's okay… now that you're in my dimension, I can fight you on equal grounds."
Ludger tilted his head to the side, confused, "What do you mean?"
Victor scoffed, "Did you think I waited for you to just come to me? Don't be a fool! I tried to kill you earlier… so that I could put my plan into motion!" Victor chuckled and then sighed, "But it was impossible. I entered the prime dimension and immediately had to use a large portion of my Chromatus form just to remain in that dimension. No… just having to remain in the prime dimension was too much for my body. And I was already a few years ahead, so my body wasn't at its peak. With the huge strain, I had to abandon the plan of killing you in the prime dimension."
"You… entered the prime dimension…? To kill me…?"
Victor nodded, "Yes… Four years ago, I entered the prime dimension. But… I could not last. I was dissolving too quickly… and even before I entered the prime dimension, I have been using the Chromatus ability before, so I was just shortening my lifespan… so I returned to my dimension… and then, I thought of a way to force you to come to me instead." Ludger at first did not know what Victor meant. Then it hit him. Victor saw in Ludger's eyes what it was and Victor continued, "That's right. I knew Elle would bring Ludger to me! After all… in order to get to the Land of Canaan, you need all the Waymarkers… and I am the final Waymarker!"
"So you'll kill me and trade places with me?!" Ludger questioned.
"That's right! You didn't think I didn't try getting to the Land of Canaan myself, did you?! I did… and I found out… only the ones from the prime dimension can do so! That's why… that's why I'll erase you myself! I'll take your place… and make my wish! Then I and Elle can finally live in peace!"
"Even if you kill me, you need to use the Chromatus to beat Chronos!" Ludger opposed, "If you're really me eight years into the future… that means you won't last long! Your body should be close to its limit due to the Chromatus!"
Milla and Jude heard Ludger's words and realized it made sense. If Victor had been using the Chromatus ability after all this time, his plan would still fail since his body was close to its limit as well. However the party instead found Victor laughing. It was as if Victor had heard the joke of the lifetime.
"I told you, didn't I?" Victor said with an evil grin, "The Chromatus form is not a one-way street."
Ludger recalled those words. His jaw dropped slightly, "Y-you mean…?"
"If you actually thought I just wish to kill you to take your place, you're wrong. Like I said, there is a way to reverse the process." Victor paused, "I guess you could call it a part of Origin's Trial… to test how selfish humanity is. You see… while it's true the Chromatus form kills the user the more you use it, there is a way to… 'Cure' your body from abusing the Chromatus ability."
Ludger, Milla, Jude and 'fractured' Milla all focused for Victor's words. Especially 'fractured' Milla. She had been cradling Rowen in her arms all this time but now that she heard there might be a way to help Ludger, she focused her attention to Victor. If there really was a way, she wanted to help. No matter the cost.
"If a Chromatus user kills another Chromatus user… the victor will absorb the other's entire life source." Victor revealed, "This… is the core of Origin's Trial. To test us to what extremes we will sacrifice just to allow the other to pass." Victor got serious and charged towards Ludger, "And that's why, I will kill you! I will absorb your Chromatus's entire life source and revive mine! I will no longer be afflicted with the illness of the Chromatus! I will pass Origin's Trial and get my wish!"
Ludger was caught by surprise and could barely defend himself. Victor swung his blades, breaking through Ludger's defenses and tackling Ludger to the ground. Victor placed his blade on Ludger's neck, "It's over Ludger. Thanks to you, I will absorb your Chromatus and undo the damage my body has sustained from using the Chromatus form. Now, you die!"
Ludger saw Victor's blade moving towards his neck. Ludger was vulnerable. But Victor could not do it. Not because he felt guilty or so. That sort of feeling did not exist in Victor. It was because he saw his most precious being watching him.
"Daddy? W-what are you doing?" Elle asked, "Why are you fighting with Ludger?"
Victor refused to turn to his daughter, his blade just inches from Ludger's exposed neck, "Go back into the house honey. Daddy and everyone… we're just having a little talk."
"B-but… Ludger…"
"It's okay Elle… after this… we can finally go to the Land of Canaan and we can finally… be together!"
"…Really…? We… really can?"
Victor nodded and turned to see his daughter. Victor reached out his hand and Elle slowly approached him, forgetting about Ludger and everyone's current situation. Milla was almost healed and could enter the fight soon.
"Don't listen to him Elle!" Ludger cried out.
Ludger's words got through to Elle and she stopped. She hesitated in moving any further and this merely enraged Victor. In his fury, he stomped Ludger hard on his stomach, Ludger coughing out blood from the impact. Elle stepped back, frightened.
"Stop hurting Ludger!" Elle pleaded, "Why are you fighting with him daddy?"
Victor ignored Elle and gritted his teeth towards Ludger, "Don't you dare order my daughter around! She's mine! Once I kill you, I'll be the prime Ludger… and I'll make a wish from Origin to restart my life! For everything to start from scratch! But this time… I will be born in the prime dimension." Victor then turned to Elle with a gentle smile, "And… Elle will be reborn as well in the prime dimension… we won't fade away as fractured beings anymore… we will be safe in the prime dimension."
"I… I will be… reborn…?"
"That's right! We'll all be together again…" Victor said with hope, "Even… even mummy will be with us. All of us."
Victor had hope in his eyes but to Elle, it was out of character. This was not the father she knew when she left. Ludger struggled to say something but Victor had his foot on Ludger's throat now, disrupting his vocal cord. Elle saw Ludger's desperate movements and then back to her father. His face was kind but what he was doing was not the person she knew. The father she knew was kind, loved cooking and did only the nicest things. To Elle, what she was staring at was not her father anymore but a monster.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" 'Fractured' Milla exclaimed in anger, "What kind of monster manipulates his own daughter? What kind of parent doesn't care about which is his daughter?"
"It won't matter!" Victor opposed, "Elle will still be Elle! We will still be together"
"No… you will all be different people. The Elle we all know now will not be the same Elle. I know this… because I'm the same! Just like… how I'm not the same Milla that Jude knows… we're the same person but not personality!" 'Fractured' Milla cried out and Elle heard them. And the words made sense.
"Silence woman!" Victor spat and then turned to Elle, "Elle… honey… come to daddy…"
Victor had his arm still stretched out. And then for the first time for Victor, Elle refused her father. Elle shook her head, "No… I don't want that!"
The words shook Victor to the core. His ears could not believe them and his will shaken. His precious daughter, the one who he raised with his blood, sweat and tears had rebelled against him. Ludger saw Victor was in his own little world and took the chance, throwing Victor's foot away and running towards Elle. Victor did not even realize it and saw Ludger grabbing Elle and regrouping with Milla and Jude. Victor saw Ludger put Elle down and then said something to her. Elle nodded and stuck to Ludger. The sight angered him. He was Elle's father! Not Ludger! And for a second, Victor's mind brought him back to one night two years ago.
"Good night Elle… pleasant dreams." Victor said as he tucked a six-year old Elle.
"Daddy…?"
"Yes? What is it, sweetheart?"
"We'll always be together, right?" Elle asked innocently.
Victor stared back at his daughter. Elle was too young to remember her mother. But Victor remembered the pain of losing her. He remembered when he buried his wife, he cried over her loss. The pain was unbearable. And with Elle's question, he wanted to make sure Elle never faced that sort of pain.
Victor approached Elle and kissed her on the forehead, "Of course… Daddy will always be with you… always…"
In the present state, Victor released a cry of anguish, "ELLE IS MINE!"
Victor then drew out an item from his pocket and he shinned brightly. Everyone recognized what was going on as Ludger had done the same thing with his powers. When everything returned to normal, Victor had transformed into the Chromatus form, almost exactly like that of Ludger's. However Victor's Chromatus radiated more power than Ludger and he his Chromatus was complete. He was covered in a red and black armor, a great lance and what seemed to be a mask of the Chromatus.
"Elle… is mine!" Victor said in a dark voice, "And I won't let you take her from me!"
Ludger instantly knew that this, was the level 4 Chromatus. A great power that Victor obtained… at the cost of his own life.
CHAPTER END
AN: Well, that's the second change I've made on the Chromatus. The fact that you kill another Chromatus user, you 'heal' and purge all of your body's sickness from using Chromatus. But this chapter have not answered everything yet. There is one more part I will be explaining in the next chapter about one other change I've made. See you then in the next chapter!