AN: Hello guys, I bring to you all the new chapter! I'm in my exam period now guys, so this might be the last update for some time to come. Of course I might write here and there on some days, but updates will be much slower than my usual 3-5 days update. So I apologize in advance!
Anyway, time to respond to you awesome readers!
U-know Yunho: Ah... yes, I guess I did... but I guess it's fine for me.
Riku Uzumaki: Yeah. Although he's broken, he's not too 'deep' in being destroyed. As for how it will playout with fracture Milla's request, you'll see how it turns out in this chapter :D
TheAnime4Fan: No problem. I'm glad you found it acceptable
That Mysterious Reader: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it
GroundZeroFirework: Yes, it was really long. Yeah, I totally forgot about the Hymn of proof part, but I think it can sort of work out. There will be a small Ju X Milla moment here ;)
Haseo55: Yes... Rowen will always be Rowen, even when facing death! Oh yes, I saw as well. The people on GameFaqs don't really take too kindly about Elle reacting like that. But putting ourself in Elle's shoes, her actions are quite understandable. She's just an 8 year old kid after all.
rpglady76: That's a nice addition. Because what Victor told Ludger that I did not reveal is a different part that will play a vital role very late in the story but that could be a nice addition. Thanks. If I do use it, I'll give my credits to you :)
Well, that's it for reviews! I hope you will all enjoy this chapter!
CHAPTER 13: TRUE FEELINGS
The journey to Drellin was a quiet one. After Leia and Elize managed to finally calm Elle down, the party travelled together. However it was a tense atmosphere. Elle refused to be near Ludger, which she normally would do. Instead she stuck to Elize and Leia. But Ludger did not hate Elle for it. He completely understood why she hated him right now but even then it was still painful to bear.
Rowen was safe now. Although the wound was quite fatal, Elize and Leia's superb healing artes brought him out of the danger zone. However he still needed support to walk and Alvin was being used as the support.
Jude turned to Ludger, "Hey… you okay?"
Ludger returned a weak smile, "Don't worry about me… I'll be fine…"
"Ludger…" Jude wanted to say more but the look on Ludger's face, he decided not to.
By the time the party arrived at Drellin, the sky was already dark. The moon had taken its place over the sun. The small town was quiet now, with most of its inhabitants already in the comfort of their homes.
"I guess we should spend the night here." Milla decided, "I think Elle could use the rest… and us too."
Jude agreed, "You're right. Let's get a place at the inn then."
"Let me handle it." Alvin said, "I know the owner. Well, sort of. He orders some products from me, so maybe I can get a little discount."
"Get me a suite Alvin." Rowen added in, "With my injuries, I think these old bones require a majestic place to lie on."
"Nice try old man, but you know you aren't getting it."
Rowen chuckled, "Well, it was worth a shot then."
Elle said nothing throughout the conversation. Normally she would participate in such jovial conversation but she ignored it. She looked on straight ahead, uncaring. Elize noticed Elle's change in attitude and this worried her. She did not want someone like her little sister to go through this alone. Elize decided she would confront Elle later on.
Inside the inn, Alvin negotiated with the owner for a reasonable price. They got altogether four rooms. Elize, Teepo and Elle shared one room. The adult females in one room, Rowen and Alvin in another while Ludger and Jude in the last room. It was almost the same arrangements in Fennmont.
"Oh by the way," Alvin said to Ludger, "I got the owner's permission. He said you can use the kitchen to cook." Alvin scratched the back of his neck, hesitating on his words, "Listen Ludger… I know you have it tough right now… and well, I know you say cooking takes your mind off things. It's like your hobby and all, right? So yeah…"
"Aww, look at you Alvin." Leia teased, "You're getting red. Is it embarrassing to talk about your feelings?"
"S-shut up!" Alvin retorted, "A-anyway… call me out when dinner's ready, alright? I'm just gonna… rest up for a bit in my room." Alvin climbed the stairs quickly, disappearing a moment later.
Ludger made his way to the kitchen, "I guess I'll prepare dinner." Ludger then stopped before the kitchen door, "By the way Milla… you don't need to help me… I wanna be alone for a while."
Before 'fractured' Milla could respond, Ludger entered the kitchen. "Yeah… okay…" was all 'fractured' Milla could say.
Normally ever since 'fractured' Milla lived with Ludger, she would cook with him. While Ludger prepared the main dish, she would help in creating the other dishes as well as the soup. The friendly rivalry in cooking made it fun as well. This was a first really that Ludger wanted to be alone.
"I'm going to my room." Elle said suddenly.
As Elle walked away, Elize asked, "Do you… want some company?"
"Yeah!" Teepo added in, "We can use the time to catch up."
Elle shook her head and climbed the stairs to the second floor. Elize clutched her chest, worried about how the death of her father by Ludger was seriously affecting her. She did not know how to comfort Elle. After all, the situation was quite… complex. Ludger had to kill Elle's father to obtain the final Waymarker.
"Elize…" Teepo muttered in worry. "It's okay… I'm sure Elle just needs time, right?"
Elize slowly nodded her head, "Maybe you're right… but I'll need to talk to her… to sort things out."
While Ludger cooked, the rest of the party (except Alvin and Elle) sat at the dining table.
Skit: Elle & Ludger
Present: Jude, Milla, 'fractured' Milla, Leia, Rowen, Elize & Teepo
Milla: So… we've finally got the final Waymarker.
Leia: Yeah. Now we can finally prepare to get to the Land of Canaan and beat the trial! So far, things are looking good.
Jude: At what cost? Ludger… has been sacrificing his life just so that we can complete the trial. And now… with what happened to Victor… and Elle is not taking it well.
Rowen: It is understandable. Victor might have been twisted in a sense, but he was Elle's father. And he was a fractured version of Ludger as well. I'm sure he was a great father to Elle.
Leia: And that just makes it much more painful for Elle then… she saw her father… killed by… someone she looked up to.
'Fractured' Milla: Ludger…
Elize: Isn't there anything we can do to help?
Teepo: There must be something we can do!
Rowen: As much as it pains me to say it, but I'm afraid there is very little… or nothing at all we can do for them.
Elize: Rowen…
Jude: Yeah… I always keep telling myself that I want to help Ludger but… but in the end, Ludger continues using the Chromatus and… I can only watch.
Milla: Ludger is of the Kresnik line… as well as Elle. I do not know about Elle, but Ludger is the only can capable of using the Chromatus. So he is the only one who can pass Origin's Trial for us.
'Fractured' Milla: What're you trying to say?
Milla: I'm sure you know Milla… we think alike after all.
'Fractured' Milla: … *Frustrated*
Jude: …Damn it!
Leia: I hope Elle can go through this…
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Ludger spent some time alone in the kitchen but he was almost done with preparing dinner. He spent most of the time thinking about Elle. He was worried sick about her. He almost burnt himself several times because of that. He cooked her favorite meal, hoping to at least cheer her up. It was not much but for Ludger, he felt that he had to take small steps to make it up to her.
As Ludger continued stirring the soup in the final touches of cooking, the door to the kitchen opened. It was the two Millas.
"How're you feeling?" Milla asked.
Ludger focused his attention on the soup, "I'm fine. I'm more worried about Elle."
"I tried to talk to her." 'Fractured' Milla said, "But… she won't even open the door. Elle… it's going to take Elle some time to recover from this."
"I see…" was all Ludger said in response.
'Fractured' Milla took a step forward, "Ludger… just… don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
Milla nodded in agreement, "She's right Ludger. You're not alone, remember that. We're here with you to the end."
"I know." Ludger replied, "Don't worry about me. Anyway I'm almost done with this. Can you let the others know?"
"I'll tell Jude to get Elle." Milla said and then went out of the kitchen. 'Fractured' Milla remained in the kitchen with Ludger.
"What is it?" Ludger asked without facing 'fractured' Milla.
After a short pause, 'fractured' Milla spoke, "Ludger… I need to talk to you… alone…"
"…Alright… can it wait after dinner though?"
"Yeah… sure."
Ludger turned and smiled towards 'fractured' Milla, although to 'fractured' Milla, it looked like a forced one. "Well, I'm done cooking. Can you help set up the table? I'll bring the soup over."
'Fractured' Milla grabbed some plates from the kitchen and brought them over to the dining table. Jude was upstairs getting Alvin and Elle. Rowen and Elize helped set up the plates and utensils. A few seconds later, Ludger emerged with the pot of soup and set it up on the table. He returned to the kitchen and came back with two large bowls. One bowl was mabo curry and the other was a sort of stew.
Alvin arrived as soon as Ludger set the two bowls on the table. Behind Alvin was Jude with Elle. Ludger was hopeful that Elle's mood had changed but she refused to have her gaze fall in Ludger's direction. Although it was painful, Ludger had to bear with it.
"Come on Elle." Jude said encouraged, "You must be hungry, right? Ludger made your favorite."
Elle made no response but she sat on the dining table anyway. Ludger served everyone their meal. However while everyone started eating, Elle did not. She stared down at the soup in front of her, not reaching for her spoon.
"Go on Elle," 'Fractured' Milla urged, "It's really good. Ludger made sure it's your favorite."
"…No…" Elle muttered softly. Everyone on the table focused on Elle. It was the first words she had uttered since leaving Lake Epsilla. "This isn't it…"
"Elle…? W-what do you mean?" Elize asked.
Elle suddenly glared at Ludger, shoving the bowl of soup away and causing some of it to spill, "This isn't my favorite! Daddy's cooking is my favorite! You're not my daddy! Give me back my daddy!"
"Elle, calm do-" 'Fractured' Milla was saying, hoping to spare Ludger from any more damage.
"No!" Elle shrieked, "I don't want to eat your cooking anymore! I want daddy to cook! Why did you have to kill him Ludger? Why… why did you do it?! This isn't fair! Why…?" At this point, Elle broke down in tears and ran upstairs and back into her room.
A heavy silence fell on the dining table. The bowl of soup that Elle pushed away lay on the center of the table, as if mocking Ludger. Ludger went ahead and picked up the bowl.
"It's okay." Ludger said to everyone, "She's probably not hungry… and what happened is still fresh."
Jude looked at Ludger, "Elle doesn't mean any of that. You know that right?"
Ludger forced a smile, "Yeah… I know. Anyway I'll go clean up the mess I made in the kitchen from preparing dinner. You guys enjoy your meal."
Before anyone could stop him, Ludger disappeared into the kitchen. Jude sighed and went back to eating. It was a complicated situation really. Jude understood and supported that Ludger had to kill Victor but at the same time, Elle was not wrong in blaming Ludger for her father's death. It was a twisted situation basically. Jude did not know how help the two make up.
Alvin took a spoonful of the stew and "Well… the food's delicious though." He hoped it would clear the tense atmosphere. It did not.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After everyone was done with dinner, they all retired to their rooms. Ludger however said he wanted to be alone and stayed on the ground floor at the dining room. As for Elle, she was already asleep when Elize and Teepo entered their rooms, so Elize didn't have the opportunity to speak with her.
Jude tried to take his mind off things by catching up on his research materials. However while his eyes skimmed through the words, his mind was elsewhere. After a couple of minutes, Jude knew it was pointless. He got up from his seat and went out of his room. He decided he needed to speak with the two Millas, to talk about what to do. He knocked on their door and heard Milla say 'come in'. Jude twisted the door knob and opened the door. To his surprise, he only found Milla in the room.
"Is there something you need Jude?" Milla asked.
"Yeah… I need… to talk with you two but… err… where's 'Milla'?"
"She said she needed to speak with Ludger in private. She just left not too long ago." Milla answered. Upon hearing that, Jude was about to exit the room when Milla grabbed his arm. "Don't Jude. Let them talk it out."
Jude turned to Milla in confusion, "What? No! I need to talk to Ludger as well! If she needs to talk to Ludger alone… then I know what she's going to say to him! I need to be there!"
"No you don't."
"Milla! Don't you know what 'Milla' will tell Ludger? She'll tell him to stop using his Chromatus powers on her! Ludger doesn't need any more burden on his thoughts!"
Milla sighed but her grip on Jude did not soften, "I know… and that's why I'm telling you to leave them be. Have a little faith in Ludger…"
"But…"
Jude's resolve had weakened and Milla wrapped her arms around Jude from behind, "Jude… tell me… if I was in Ludger's situation… and I told you that I'll think of a way, despite your protests, what will you do?"
Jude thought about it. He really thought about it. Although Ludger's situation was much more serious, it was not too different. Milla could not remain in the human realm forever. And yet, even when she's gone, Milla entrusted her hope to Jude.
"I… I'd believe in you… believe in our promise." Jude answered.
Milla smiled, "That's right… 'Milla'... she might be different, but she thinks like me. I know… that she'll come down to the same conclusion about Ludger."
Jude closed his eyes and nodded in agreement. Milla did not release the hug. And Jude made no complaints. The two continued with the silent embrace, enjoying the warmth the other provided.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"Ludger…?"
Ludger was startled by the voice and found 'fractured' Milla in front of him. He was so lost in thought that he had not sensed her presence. "Oh Milla… what are… oh right, you said we needed to talk?"
'Fractured' Milla nodded, "That's right… but before that… are you okay about Elle? Maybe you should have talked to her before she fell asleep."
Ludger shook his head, "No… I can't… what can I say or do to make things better? I… I killed her father… if she wants to hate me forever, then… I can't really do anything but accept it."
"You can't be serious!"
"I don't know… I don't know what to do with Elle anymore." Ludger said, his voice a mix of anguish and sorrow, "Elle… I'd do anything for her. But in the end, I'm the one who hurt her the most!"
'Fractured' Milla said nothing more. She watched Ludger clench his fists in anger, veins visible on his fists. She had never seen the kind and gentle Ludger act this way. It simply shows how Ludger was really blaming himself for this. 'Fractured' Milla knew she needed to speak now or else her resolve would weaken. She needed to be strong with this. She had already made her choice.
'Fractured' Milla took a deep breath and said, "Ludger… about what I wanted to say…" This caught Ludger's attention and his gaze returned to her. "I… Ludger… is it really true… about what Victor said…?"
Ludger looked away. Even without 'fractured' Milla finishing the sentence, he knew what it was. So Ludger answered the truth, "Yes…" Ludger then returned his gaze to 'fractured' Milla, "But it's okay… After I… killed him, I got his life source. I can feel it. My body is back to normal. I don't feel sick or feel any pain."
'Fractured' Milla's expression then turned cold, "So what? So long as I exist, you'll have to still use your Chromatus powers to keep me in the prime dimension! I don't want that anymore! I… I've been enough of a burden to you! Don't you see? I… I'm not meant to exist! Just… let me disappear, like how I should have. Stop killing yourself just so that I can stay here. You've done enough!"
Ludger shook his head, grabbing 'fractured' Milla's hands, "…You're not being a burden Milla. And also, you're precious to me. Elle, you, Jude, Alvin, Leia, Elize and Rowen… even Gaius and Muzet… I'll do anything to make sure that we can all beat Origin's Trial together. So stop saying that Milla. I won't let you disappear! You're important to me!"
"Why…? What will happen if you die? Don't you think about Elle? You need to live, for her sake!"
"And letting you disappear will be any different?!" Ludger challenged. 'Fractured' Milla looked away because she knew Ludger was right. "Elle is important to me and you're important to Elle… and I'm sure you feel the same way. Milla… look at me." 'Fractured' Milla hesitated but she turned to Ludger, "It is my power… and my choice… even if it destroys me, I choose to use the Chromatus to make sure you live. I don't care about the consequences! So please stop… stop thinking you're a burden… if Milla heard that, she'd give you a piece of her mind."
"But why? Why are you willing to go through so much for me?!"
'Fractured' Milla and Ludger stared at one another for a moment. Ludger could not answer immediately. He stared at 'fractured' Milla's for a while. He recalled every bit about her. From when they met and when he destroyed her dimension. He remembered the adventure they had along with Jude when they hunted the bear for 'fractured' Milla to cook. Ludger wondered since when he started treasuring 'fractured' Milla's presence. She transformed from a person who hated him to someone who would support him. Ludger did not know what he did next. His eyes never left 'fractured' Milla but he saw his hand cupping her cheek.
"L-Ludger…?" 'Fractured' Milla muttered in confusion.
Ludger inched closer. 'Fractured' Milla did not move. She wanted to, but her body and legs refused to obey. The only thing both could hear was the other's breaths and their heartbeat. 'Fractured' Milla's cheeks flushed a deep red and she could feel her face getting warm. Her breathing increased although she did not know why.
Then Ludger whispered, "Because… I… I think… I fell in love with you."
And before 'fractured' Milla could react to the confession, Ludger leaned in and caught her lips.
CHAPTER END