A/N: Hey guys! I bring to you all the new chapter for this story! Due to this chapter's number of flashbacks, I've created a line to separate between present and the past so as to not confuse you guys. Normally I don't do this but this chapter is an exception!
A word of advise, you should read this chapter while having the OST "For the sake of mutual proof" playing in the background. You can find the song on youtube. It's not necessary but it will enhance the reading experience for this chapter!
Now then, time to respond to you awesome reviewers!
U-Know Yunho: Don't cry! It's sad how it's going to be but they have no choice!
I wonder if this chapter will make you cry more
RKF22: This chapter focus more on the emotional bond of the brothers rather than the fight
Riku Uzumaki: Hahaha! I guess you were one step ahead xD
Yes, that's what makes Ludger an amazing character for me. I mean, he took so much heat and was still able to continue with what he needed to do. Of course I'm guessing that's what the bad ending in the game was for: where Ludger actually 'snaps' and turned on the group.
flashyhero: You see what I did there? *wink wink* hahaha
That Mysterious Reader: hahaha! I'm not surprised you'd think that. I believe in the game, Ludger almost snaps and that's where the difference in whether Ludger actually breaks or not. That's what makes him an amazing character imo
Well I hope you'll like this chapter as it doesnt focus on the 'fight' but more on the emotional bond between Ludger and Julius. I felt that the game could have done more to show just how close the two brothers were
MagatsuIza: Well you'll have to see how it goes about fractured Milla :3
Well that's it for responding to reviews! I hope you guys will like this chapter! I tried to write this chapter in a way to pull your heart strings but honestly, I don't know if I managed that. ANyway I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter so please let me know what you guys think!
CHAPTER 33: BROTHERS FOREVER
Ludger and Julius have begun their fight, the Kresnik brothers slashing at one another with their dual blades. The two brothers fighting pattern were almost similar so the two were able to read the other's attacks and defense. Their fight was not a matter of difference in skill but over who would commit a mistake. Since their fighting methods were similar, the one who makes a mistake first would be the one to lose.
"This is terrible!" Elize cried, "Is this really the only way? Please stop!"
"Aw man, I can't watch!" Teepo added in, turning in the opposite direction with a grim look.
Elize wanted to call out to Ludger to stop but Leia grabbed the young girl and embraced her in a hug, "Elize please… don't make this any harder for Ludger."
"But Leia… Ludger… and Julius… they…" Elize could not even finish what she was trying to say as she burst into tears. It was just that painful to see Ludger fighting someone he loved and admired.
Leia struggled to answer, "Ludger… he's not fighting Julius because he wants to. We all know how much Julius means to Ludger. But… he doesn't have a choice."
"I don't want them to fight." Elize choked
"I know Elize… I know." Leia said and embraced the girl tighter, "I don't want them to either." Before she realized it, a tear rolled down Leia's cheeks.
Jude heard Leia and Elize's exchange and felt the same way. It was painful to see Ludger fighting the brother he admired and loved. He could not imagine what Ludger was feeling right now. If Jude was forced to fight someone he cared about, like Leia, Rowen or even Alvin, there was no way he could do it. He felt like breaking down just from that thought alone. So he knew what Ludger was experiencing right now was cruel because he has no other choice but to fight his brother. And he was also disgusted that once again, he could do nothing to help the Kresnik brothers. It was a curse that no outsiders could interfere with. Ever since Jude met Ludger and learned of his lineage to the Kresnik clan, he never could help Ludger.
It was not just Jude that felt this way. Alvin and Rowen were also troubled by what Ludger had to do. In Alvin's life of being an Exodus, he had done things he wished he could forget. Murdering Galland's family in cold blood was one of them but none of his actions could be compared to what Ludger was doing, which was to take the life of his brother. Rowen on the other hand had taken many lives throughout his career in the military so he knew his hands were not clean. But in all his life, he had never experienced or seen what Ludger had to do now.
Even Gaius and Muzet could tell what Ludger needed to do was something no ordinary human could do. For that, Gaius respected Ludger.
For now, the party could only watch the two Kresnik brothers fight it out.
Julius dashed in and attacked but Ludger blocked it with his dual blades. "I've always thought of you as a child." Julius said whilst looking directly into the eyes of his brother, "I looked at you as someone to be there for… someone to protect. But I was wrong."
Ludger shoved Julius away with his dual blades and threw his own flurry of attacks, "Julius!"
"I was wrong…" Julius repeated while continuously evading Ludger's attacks, "And I accept it now. You now have the power and the will… to choose for yourself! To choose the path that is before you!"
Ludger released a desperate cry and engaged his brother once more, their dual blades clashing against one another. Everything was on the line. Every time their dual blades made contact, Ludger and Julius could feel the emotion, the thoughts and desire of the other.
Julius blocked another set of Ludger's attacks and both Kresnik brothers' blades were locked. This gave Julius the opportunity to take a close look at Ludger. And seeing him so close, it brought back a flush of memories for Julius. Memories of the time he first met Ludger, his brother.
"Please… don't take my son…" The woman begged to a thirteen year old Julius, "I… don't want him to… suffer the Kresnik curse… I don't… want the same thing… to happen to him… like my sister."
Julius was confused. A minute ago, he was simply walking in the streets of Elympios when he encountered his aunt Claudia Kresnik, the sister of his mother. When he called out to her, she saw Julius and her eyes were filled with fear before she ran. He gave chase to her and when he finally managed to corner her, Claudia attacked him for no reason. He just wanted to talk to her. He never wanted to fight. So when she attacked him, he acted on self-defense and drew his blades. Before he knew what transpired, he was staring at a mortally wounded Claudia. It was over in a second.
Julius quickly rushed to Claudia's side in panic, "I... I didn't mean to hurt you! Why… why did you attack me?!"
"Please… my son… is all I have left…" Claudia said softly, completely ignoring Julius's question. It was almost as if she did not recognize Julius as her nephew, "I… don't want him… to be… used…"
With her final words, Claudia struggled for one last breath. And then everything stopped. Julius searched for a pulse but there were none and she was no longer breathing. She was gone.
"Why…" Julius whispered to himself, "Why did she attack me…? I just wanted to talk to her…"
It was then Julius saw him. A small boy, around the age of five, cowering behind a baggage of empty boxes. The little boy had witnessed everything and from what Julius could see, the boy was in a state of shock. His eyes were dead and he was trembling like a twig.
That was the first time Julius met his half-brother, Ludger.
Julius remembered Ludger passed out after witnessing the death of his mother. A short while later, Marvin Kresnik, the father of Claudia and Cornelia, entered the picture. Julius explained what happened and quickly took the two boys in. In order to protect the existence of Ludger, Marvin altered the family register and both Julius and Ludger inherited the name of Kresnik.
When Ludger regained consciousness, he had forgotten everything. The death of his mother by Julius's hands was wiped from his memory, probably the brain working in such a way to avoid trauma. All Ludger knew was that Julius was his beloved older brother who took care of him. Marvin continued to financially support the brothers.
Julius then had another flashback.
Julius was fifteen years old when he became an agent of the Spirius Corporations. He was briefed about Origin's Trial, the Chromatus powers along with the pocket watch and everything one should know about the Kresnik clan. He had already destroyed a large number of fractured dimensions and his Chromatus was already at level two, an impressive feat especially since he was still so young.
Ever since Julius learned of the Kresnik fate, he made it his mission to not fall victim to the Kresnik curse. That was why he needed to grow stronger. He was not going to end up as a 'tool' for Bisley to use!
At the moment, Julius had just finished work and was returning home to the apartment that he and Ludger shared. Since he was now earning an income and could provide for himself and Ludger, they were able to afford an apartment to live in.
Julius turned the door knob and entered the apartment to find Ludger waiting.
"Welcome back Julius!" An eight year old Ludger greeted excitedly, "I've got a surprise for you!"
"Gah!" Julius yelped in surprise, "Ludger! You surprised me."
"S-sorry…" Ludger apologized. Then before Julius could say anything more, Ludger rushed to the kitchen area.
Julius followed, wanting to lecture Ludger a little more when his eyes widened. Ludger was cooking a pot of soup but because he was still too short, he had to use a chair to stand on. Unfortunately when Ludger lifted the pot of soup off the stove, he lost his balance. Ludger dropped on his behind and the steaming hot soup was about to pour over him.
"Ludger!"
Julius dashed towards his brother and shoved the young boy away but he could not take his hand away on time. The boiling hot soup splashed over Julius's left hand and the sound of the soup hissing from making contact with skin was heard. He screamed in pain and held his burnt left hand, trembling in pain.
A few minutes later, the two brothers cleaned the mess up in silence. When the cleaning was done, Ludger approached his brother.
Ludger was close to tears, "I… I'm sorry…"
"What were you thinking Ludger?!" Julius almost shouted in anger, "Why were you even cooking in the first place?!" When Ludger was too scared to answer, Julius raised his voice again, "Answer me!"
"I just… I was just… trying to cheer you up." Ludger managed to croak out.
Julius's anger changed to confusion, "Cheer me up? What are you talking about?"
"I… I always see you tired when you return from work. So I just wanted to do something to help you. I thought I'd try making something for you to eat when you come back from work. So… so I wanted to try make soup for you… b-but… the stove's too high and… I… I tripped."
Julius blinked a couple of times, stunned by Ludger's reasoning, "You… were worried about me?"
Ludger nodded, trying hard not to burst into tears. For Julius, he was touched by his little brother's gesture. All this time, Julius never acknowledged Ludger as his brother. He only took care of Ludger because he was planning to use Ludger in the future as his 'soul bridge'. He never once said to Ludger that he loved him and only interacted with him if there was a need to. And despite being cold to Ludger, Ludger still loved him as an older brother. It finally made him open his eyes to see that they were truly brothers, even if their mothers were not the same.
"I… I'm sorry about your hand." Ludger choked out.
Julius looked down at his left hand and remembered the burns he received from the boiling soup. His left hand was horribly disfigured with multiple burnt wounds but it would heal with time. Now looking at it, he smiled at the sight. His burnt left hand would be a reminder… a reminder of the day he finally saw Ludger as his brother. A reminder that Ludger was kind-hearted to the core. And a reminder that Ludger was someone that he needed to protect from the Kresnik curse.
Julius found a black glove and wore it. He then turned to Ludger, "Don't worry about my hand, its fine. It'll be a reminder that you need to learn how to cook properly!" Julius then opened his hands, "Now come and give me a hug."
Ludger ran to his brother and hugged him tightly and the two Kresnik brothers embraced each other. But while Ludger was happy that everything was back to normal, Julius was deep in thought.
'I must protect Ludger from learning about the family curse.' Julius thought in his mind, 'Bisley doesn't know that Ludger exists thanks to Marvin changing our family name… but at this rate, Bisley will find out. I must make sure he never finds out about Ludger. I'll make sure Ludger doesn't know about the Kresnik curse!'
Julius was brought back to the present when Ludger disappeared from his sights. Julius turned around and at the nick of time as he dodged Ludger's dual blades, although he could sense that Ludger was attacking with no sense to intention to kill him. He was too soft. But that was exactly the reason why Julius loved him as a brother… and why he wanted to protect him.
"I'm home." A twenty year old Julius announced as he entered the apartment.
Ludger greeted his brother with a smile, "Welcome back!"
Julius took a big whiff of the aroma in the apartment, "Oh… that smells good. What're you making?"
Ludger grinned and gave out a thumb up, "Your favorite. Pasta margherita and some added tomatoes too!"
"Still buttering me up with tomatoes eh?" Julius said with a laugh and took a sit at the dining table, "By the way, I've got good news."
Ludger was at the kitchen and scooping out pasta on a plate for Julius, "Good news? What is it?"
Ludger placed the plate of pasta in front of his brother and took a seat on the opposite side of Julius. Julius took a spoonful of the food and moaned in bliss. Ludger's cooking had improved dramatically from all these years.
"So what's the good news?" Ludger asked.
Julius dabbed his mouth with tissue and said, "You're now looking at the newly promoted Director!"
"Really Julius?! You're a director now?" Ludger asked in excitement.
Julius nodded. Of course he left it rather vague, not wanting to say he was the Director of Dimensional Affairs. He swore he would keep Ludger out of Spirius and away from the Kresnik affairs so he did not need to tell Ludger every bit of detail. Until now Ludger assumed the Spirius Corporation was just a commercial corporation with an elite-trained 'security guards', which was what Julius was.
"So does that mean you can vouch for me when I take a job interview at Spirius?" Ludger asked.
Ludger's question stunned Julius. "You… you're planning to work at Spirius?"
"Yeah! I mean, I've always wanted to be like you Julius. So that's why…"
Ludger continued talking about why he wanted to join Spirius but Julius was not listening. He was worried for his brother. Since he was fifteen, he had dedicated himself in protecting Ludger, making sure he was safe from Spirius's gaze.
"No… I cannot let Ludger work at Spirius." Julius muttered to himself, "I'll make sure of that."
Once again Julius returned to the present, backing away from Ludger's attack. The whole time Ludger had been on the offensive but his attacks were never meant to kill. Julius could sense it. He knew that Ludger was holding himself back, not wanting to kill him.
Ludger charged in and engaged Julius once more, thrusting his dual blades forward. Julius blocked the attack and spun around before landing a thunderous kick on Ludger's ribs, sending the younger Kresnik sprawling across the ground. Ludger quickly stood back up and the fight was paused.
Julius stared at his loving brother and remembered all the time he spent with Ludger.
Julius was asleep on the couch with Rollo sleeping next to him. Ludger was busy washing dishes at the kitchen sink. When Ludger was done, he turned around to find his brother asleep. With a sigh and a smile, Ludger entered Julius's room and took Julius's blanket before returning to the couch and covering Julius with it. Rollo snuggled closer to Julius after that and Ludger looked down with a loving smile at this brother.
Julius shook off that memory but every time he looked at Ludger, he was reminded of all the time the two brothers have spent together. He remembered all the times Ludger cooked for him when he returned home from work. He remembered the time the two just spent a whole afternoon just spending time with each other, strengthening their bonds. He remembered how Ludger treated his minor injuries without asking him how he got them. The two brothers truly understood each and this was why it was so hard for either of them to give it their all in this fight.
Through all these flashbacks, Ludger finally found an opening and lunged forward. Even though Julius's guard was open, Ludger still hesitated to attack and this gave Julius enough time to side-step the attack and Ludger only lightly grazed Julius's shoulder. If Ludger had attacked for real, Julius would have been mortally wounded.
Julius grunted in pain and inspected the small cut. His gaze then landed on Ludger, "That's not good enough Ludger! You're still hesitating! You'll never achieve victory if you're still holding back!"
Ludger released a frustrated cry, "I know that! I… I know I have to fight you but… I just can't bring myself to do it."
"You need to be stronger than that Ludger!" Julius scolded, "I thought you were ready before our fight! If you don't strengthen your resolve, you'll never be able to break our family's curse! You'll never be able to defeat Bisley!"
"Julius… I…"
Julius had enough and dashed forward, surprising Ludger. Ludger tried to defend himself but Julius jumped up and kicked Ludger, breaking through his defense. Julius landed on his feet and charged towards Ludger. When Ludger was about to attack, Julius suddenly disappeared only to appear behind Ludger, knocking the back of Ludger's head with his elbow. Ludger yelped in pain but stayed on his feet but Julius did not allow his brother to regain his footing, throwing a number of fast attacks with his dual blades before ending it with a kick across Ludger's face. "Time Disintegration!"
Ludger spun around before he landed on his back, receiving his own familiar arte of 'time disintegration' that he had used so many times on monsters. The difference between Ludger and Julius now seemed so much bigger.
"If this is your resolve, you're not ready for the Trial." Julius said to Ludger.
Fractured Milla, who had been watching the whole fight, finally had enough of this and wanted to put a stop to it. She ran towards Ludger but she was not alone. Jude also wanted to put the fight to a stop and followed fractured Milla before Milla could stop the pair.
However Julius appeared in front of fractured Milla and Jude, pointing each of his blades at the pair. "You will not interfere with our fight. This is between us Kresnik brothers."
"Just stop this!" Fractured Milla cried, "Ludger doesn't have the heart to fight you! He loves you too much to do this!"
"If he cannot defeat me as his brother, then his resolve isn't strong enough to face the Trial." Julius replied and turned around to look at Ludger, "The Trial is much more cruel than this. He's not ready."
Jude wanted to step in but Milla entered the picture and stopped him. There was nothing he or fractured Milla could do. This was something Ludger needed to face alone because it revolved around the Kresnik family only.
Ludger was panting lightly and moved into a defensive stance. Julius saw in Ludger's eyes that he still had a look of determination and decided that his brother still had hope.
Julius moved into an attacking stance, "Do you have what it takes Ludger? To pass the trial? Answer me! Ludger Kresnik!"
Ludger released a scream, "AAAAAAAH!"
Instead of being on the defensive, Ludger attacked and swung his dual blades in an arc. Julius parried the attack and counter-attacked, thrusting his left blade forward while his right blade went for Ludger's ribs. Ludger backed away to avoid the attack on his ribs and reflected the other attack, leaving Julius open. Thinking he found his opening, Ludger moved in for the finishing blow but to his surprise, Julius was enveloped by a flash of white light. It blinded Ludger and a shockwave blasted Ludger backwards, skidding through the ground.
When the flash of light was gone, Ludger saw that Julius had transformed to his level three Chromatus form.
"That's it Ludger!" Julius praised, "That's the resolve I've been looking for but it won't be enough! If you wish to beat the Trial and rescue Elle, you must be willing to sacrifice everything to achieve that end! You need to give everything you have for the Chromatus!"
Ludger realized that this was the first time he was seeing Julius's Chromatus form. "Julius…"
Julius burst forward, "Your desire fuels the Chromatus! It won't grant power unless you want it! Do you have what it takes?!"
Now in his Chromatus form, Julius was much stronger and faster so Ludger had no chance. Ludger blocked all of Julius's attacks but each of Julius attacks sent Ludger skidding backwards, pushing him over the edge. Julius wanted Ludger to show him his resolve!
Ludger took out his pocket watch and transformed to his level three of the Chromatus form. The two Kresnik brothers have now fully embraced the cursed powers that only the Kresnik family could ever possess. But Ludger was not done.
Through Julius's words earlier, he remembered why he came to Marksburg. He was here to save Elle from the clutches of Bisley! But that was not all. Ludger recalled the time he rescued fractured Milla from the ritual of summoning Milla. He remembered all the happy memories that he spent with her and Elle together. He wanted to save this world from Origin's Trial because it was the world where Elle and fractured Milla were living in. Ever since he met those two, his life was filled with happiness and purpose. He had a family! He was going to protect them with his life! And to do that, he needed the power to do so.
The pocket watch sensed Ludger's desire of wanting to save Elle and protect fractured Milla and finally gave in. Ludger was enveloped in a bright light much greater than Julius was covered in earlier before finally releasing a great shockwave that covered the area in dust and debris. After a couple of seconds, the dust settled. Julius and the whole party saw Ludger had transformed into the final form of the Chromatus. The level four Chromatus.
Ludger released a cry and grabbed his lance, charging towards his brother, "JULIUS!"
Julius was staring in awe that Ludger had actually managed to achieve the final level of the Chromatus. "My dear brother… Now I see your resolve." Julius then also made a charge towards Ludger, moving to meet Ludger head-on, "Let me see how much you have grown! LUDGER!"
Jude, the two Millas and the rest of the party watched as the two Kresnik brothers in their Chromatus forms charging towards the other head-on. This was nothing but a test of raw power between the two Chromatus. Ludger had his lance pointed forward as he neared Julius while Julius used both dual blades to mark an 'X', which contained a great amount of raw power held in the shape.
The two Kresnik brothers met. And in an instant, the winner was clear.
Ludger's lance broke through Julius's attack and when Julius saw that, a faint smile grew on his lips and closed his eyes. The fight was over. Ludger's lance blasted through Julius and if it was not for the Chromatus armor, Julius would have been killed. Instead Julius was knocked into the air before he landed hard on his back, his Chromatus form dispelled. The duel between the Kresnik brothers came to an end.
Julius slowly got back up, feeling the sting of his injuries. He had been defeated at full strength. He was proud of Ludger. And seeing Ludger, his little brother, draped in the final form of the Chromatus, he knew Ludger was ready.
"I see your resolve now." Julius finally said with a soft smile, "Ludger… I'm proud to be your brother. I've raised you… I've loved you… I've taught you everything that you needed to know and trained you in techniques since you were young. I have given you everything… but there is one more thing I can give you. My life. Use my life to create the soul bridge Ludger. And use it to cure yourself from the Chromatus side-effects. It is… the last thing I can give you as an older brother."
It was now time for the final task. Julius was offering his life so that Ludger could reach Canaan.
"I can't do it!" Ludger said through his Chromatus mask, "I… can't…"
Ludger then dispelled his Chromatus form and the sight was heartbreaking. Ludger's face was streaked with tears, the water pouring down his cheeks like a river. Now at the final stage, where it was clear what Ludger needed to do, the younger Kresnik's resolve had broken down once again. To take the life of his brother… the brother he loved and respected with all his heart. There was no way for Ludger to commit such an act.
Julius gave a warm smile and walked towards Ludger. The party wondered what the older Kresnik would do and to their surprise, he embraced Ludger. Now that Ludger was once more in the arms of his brother, the gates of his emotion were unleashed. He cried his heart out and his tears soaked Julius's trench coat. He sobbed like a baby and Julius smoothed Ludger's back like a mother would do with a crying child.
"It's okay Ludger." Julius said, consoling his brother who was still in tears, "Don't worry about me. I've already done my part of taking care of you and protecting you. Ludger, it's now your turn to look after someone special."
When Julius said that, Ludger saw in his mind the image of Elle, the girl he wanted to protect. And next to Elle was fractured Milla, the woman he cared about and also needed to protect. These two were what he wanted to protect.
Julius released the hug and looked at Ludger, "Go… go and create your perfect world."
Julius then takes his pocket watch, which was battered and scarred and placed it in Ludger's hand. Ludger looked at it and remembered all the time he saw his brother tinkering with the little gadget. That was a time when he did not know about the Chromatus or any of this.
Ludger was then stunned when he heard the next bit.
Julius started humming the hymn of proof, the old family song. Ludger almost started crying again when he heard that because he remembered all the time Julius sang that song to him. He remembered how Julius used to sing it to him as a lullaby while he slept when he was still eight years old. The sweet and peaceful tune allowed him to fall asleep. Ludger shook his head, trying to clear away the memories. He needed to be strong! He can't have his resolve wavering now.
Ludger took out both his and Julius's pocket watch and transformed into his level four Chromatus form. Without hesitating, Ludger went in for the kill. He had to be quick. If he waited, he knew his feelings would stop him from doing what he needed to do. As Ludger neared Julius, the hymn of proof got louder, simply reminding him that it was his brother who he was about to kill. Ludger's vision was blurred from his tears and for a second, he thought he saw Julius smiling at him. A gentle and warm smile.
Jude and the rest of the party could not move or speak. Elize heard everything and could hear Ludger's footsteps nearing Julius so she shut her ears and Leia held Elize harder. The two women were crying, unable to watch Ludger actually go through with this. Alvin looked away while Rowen, Gaius and Muzet watched on, although they had a disturbed look on their faces. Fractured Milla and Jude knew there was no escaping it but they still hoped a miracle would save the Kresnik brothers from doing this. Only Milla was able to watch the whole thing with a straight face.
When Ludger's lance penetrated Julius in the chest, everything was silent. The only sound coming was from Julius, who continued to hum the hymn of proof. Ludger was crying as he finally dealt the killing blow to his brother. The ground below their feet was decorated with Julius's blood.
Ludger released a piercing scream, tears still continuing to drip from his eyes, "WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ludger dropped Julius's pocket watch and it landed on the ground and was covered in the blood of its owner. The pocket watch's glass shattered but it still continued to run, the hands on the clock still moving. Then it started moving slower and the ticking soon gradually reduced. Julius's hymn of proof was also slowly getting softer and softer. And then Ludger could no longer hear his brother.
Then… the pocket watch stopped.
It was over.
CHAPTER END