A/N: I was in a brief hiatus but I finally snapped out of it. I'll have to come up with something for David and Leia's keys, though. Let's just say, I felt like Ludger in this chapter.
Unable to go to the fractured dimensions without Elle, the group help Elize quell an Exodus attack, later finding out that they were trying to save their comrades who were captured in the attack on Pelune, and the way Marcia decides to handle it causes Elize to strain from her. They also accompany Gaius as he discovers what it's like to have friends as they accompany Kyle and his friends in the Sapstrath Deepwood, which could possibly turn into an international incident. They even help Jude confront Celsius, who is still bitter at Jude for the device, and they also learn that spyrites only manifest in the living realm for as long as the mana in their fossils remain. They make a deal with Celsius to help her find a place of nostalgia. David also got potential Perfect Links for everybody. He got a Riolu for Jude, a Marill for Milla, a Milotic for Alvin(David thinks Presa would've liked it), an Abra for Rowen, an Espurr for Elize, a Pyroar for Gaius, a Misdreavus for Muzet, a Sneasel for Lloyd, a Plusle for Colette, a Ralts for Genis and Raine(Genis' is male, while Raine's is female), a Nincada for Sheena, a Minun for Zelos, an Eevee for Presea, a Hitmonlee for Regal, a Nidoran for Scott and Ramona(Scott's is male, while Ramona's is female), and finally a Mawile for Ludger (David didn't have to get one for Sectonia and Leia because they already have theirs). David said he got them all based on certain aspects of their personalities, and some of them weren't easy to get. Ludger says that they're perfect for them and the group promises to treasure them. After paying a bigger portion of the loan than usual, per David's promise to Nova, Vera calls again.
"There is urgent news for the Brave Adventurers. The Universal Core matter seems to have resolved itself, and the barrier between universes has been dispelled."
"Already?" David asked. "We've spent too much time paying Ludger's loan..."
"Do not fret. There's a chance that the keys you and Miss Rolando have will serve an even deeper purpose."
David starts to cheer up. "You know... You really are a nice girl deep down. By the way, how do you know about the Universal Core and stuff?"
"The very technology we use to track fractured dimensions is also used to detect anomalies. Spirius is very versitile that way. On an important note, we've completed preparations in accordance with directions from President Bakur. Please make your way to the Spirius offices with all due haste. I'll be waiting for you. Also, don't tell Nova about the 'nice girl' thing. She'll never let me live it down." Vera hangs up at this.
"Sorry..." Ludger aplogized, knowing it's his fault that David and the others didn't make it to the battle.
"There is no need for you to apologize, Ludger." David said. "Our primary focus is reaching Canaan, anyway. Besides, this means that new life will be bred into this world and many others."
Ludger chuckles at this. He'll never understand how David can be so optimistic all the time.
When Ludger got to Spirius, he was met by Vera...and Rideaux.
"Welcome back." Vera said as David, Jude, Milla, and Sectonia appear beside Ludger.
"Hold your horses." Rideaux said, stroking his hair. "Only authorized personnel past this point."
"You'll really come with me?" Ludger asked the four.
"Of course." Jude said. "We didn't come here just to sit in the lobby."
"Very well." Vera said. "If that's Vice President Kresnik's decision, I will abide by it."
"Vice President?" David asked. "When did that happen?"
"Effective immediately. You may use the CEO's office as you see fit until he returns from his departure. This way." Vera leads the group to Bisley's office. "The CEO has left you a message." Vera presses a button and Bisley appears on the monitor.
"Ludger, David. I apologize that the Universal Core matter got settled without you. It's a shame, but there's nothing we can do about that now. Regardless, if you're watching this, know that I intend to travel to the Land of Canaan and put an end to Origin's Trial."
"This'll be interesting." Sectonia muttered.
"But not before I tell you the full story. You see, it was all a game: the fractured dimensions, Canaan, all of it. Just a giant game created by the Primordial Spirits Chronos, Maxwell, and Origin." The group was shocked at this development.
"That's right." Rideaux said. "And they've been playing it ever since humanity figured out spyrix two millennia ago."
"The three spirits disagreed over whether humans could truly control spyrix technology or not. So they devised an experiment to reveal mankind's true nature. They wanted to see for themselves if human beings were capable of resisting the temptation of ultimate power."
"This was before the schism, you see, back in the old days when Maxwell still trusted humans."
"So the chromatus was nothing but a test, then." David said.
Bisley's message continued. "Chronos granted the chromatus to the Kresnik family as a means to measure how well humans can suppress their base desires. If someone reaches the Great Spirit Origin before a million divergence catalysts appear, mankind passes the test. If no one does, then mankind fails and the spirits leave. That was their pact." The group look to Milla at this.
Rideaux speaks up. "But here's the catch. The game was rigged right from the very start."
"As was passed down, 'Origin will grant the wish of the first human who comes before him.' No human could resist such a prize. It fostered greed amongst the people. As a result, the Kresniks were constantly at war over it."
Vera spoke up. "Thanks to all of their bickering, catalysts and fractured dimensions have multiplied like rats."
"A vast number of people across all the dimensions transformed into catalysts, and as a result, were destroyed. It's likely now that their number is approaching one million."
Rideaux speaks up. "The Spirius Corporation was established to put the brakes on this whole disaster."
"David, again, I aplogize for the inconvenience regarding the Universal Core. And Ludger, I haven't forgotten your reward. You no longer have to worry about that pesky loan. Now, just leave the rest to me. I will create the universe that your generation deserves." Vera pressed the button again and the screen went off. Then Ludger's GHS went off, and it was Nova.
"H-Hey, Ludger! You're not gonna believe what just happened! The big president stopped by just now. And guess what? He said that I don't need to bug you about your loan anymore!" Ludger was shocked as it was true. "How'd you manage to pull that off? Wait, you're not blackmailing anybody, are you?" Ludger hangs up before Nova starts asking questions.
"You've verified the reward." Vera said.
"So, Bakur's already gone to the Land of Canaan?" David asked.
"Correct."
"Well, that's just not fair! He said he'd tell us how to get inside!"
"I wasn't informed."
"Alright then, answer me this, then: How does he plan to make it past Chronos? The chromatus came from Chronos. Bakur wouldn't be able to use it against him."
"I do not know."
"What about Elle?" Jude asked. "Did Bisley tell you anything?"
"Excuse me, I'm running late for a meeting."
Rideaux spoke up. "You know... I'll bet you that the CEO is planning to use Elle to kill Chronos."
"Director Rideaux!" Vera couldn't believe what Rideaux is revealing, as neither can the group.
"I believe our guests' business has concluded here." Agents appear to take the group except Ludger before Rideaux and Vera leave themselves.
When Ludger got downstairs, he confronted Rideaux.
"Forgive me for my silly comments back there." Rideaux said. "How might I help the new vice president?"
"You were trying to say something before." Ludger said. "What was it?"
"Oh yeah, that. Elle is the true Key of Kresnik. Origin's power flows through the Key. One only comes along every few generations, and the Key is the trump card in the Trial. As you can imagine, he or she is always at the center of Kresnik's family feuds. The most recent Key was the CEO's wife, until she was killed. Not that you have any relation to that one." This meant that the woman spoke of was Julius' mother.
However, something else was on Ludger's mind. "Bakur's wife was the Key of Kresnik?"
"Pricisely. The prime dimension's true Key of Kresnik. Years ago, the CEO used his wife's power in a battle against Chronos. It cost her her life. That didn't sit well with the eldest son. He fled the nest and started his own family, or so the story goes. To make a long story short, the only way to reach Origin is to defeat Chronos. And the only thing that will defeat Chronos is with the power of the void, which is wielded by the Key of Kresnik. Of course, the power to beat Chronos would immediately turn the Key into a divergence catalyst. And that's the rub." Ludger realized what this means happens to Elle and walks up to Rideaux. Now he knows why David hates him so much. "Oh please. Don't try to act so high and mighty. You had no qualms at all about using the girl's power willy-nilly."
Ludger took out his GHS and called Bisley. "Ludger? You must've heard more details from Rideaux. He was only supposed to keep you occupied. I'm sorry for tricking you, but please understand. This sacrifice is necessary to make a universe purely for humans."
"Am I hearing this right?" Ludger asked. "A universe purely for humans?"
"Yes, you heard correctly. When I finally fulfill Origin's Trial, I will wish for all spirits to surrender their will. They will become mankind's loyal tools. But do not worry. Their first task will be to eliminate all fractured dimensions."
"Gimme that!" A voice said, getting Bisley's GHS. "Ludger? It's me!"
"Elle?!" Ludger asked, hearing her voice.
"I'm gonna fix it all so you don't have to do scary stuff anymore! I'll use my wish to make sure that nobody ever has to disappear again! Mr. Bakur says only I have the power to do that. So don't come after us, okay? I'm fine, really! I know I broke our promise without telling anyone, so... I'm sorry. Forgive me." Elle hangs up at that. Ludger tried calling again, but Bisley's GHS is marked unavailable.
"Nothing to do now but leave things to the CEO, I suppose." Rideaux said. "If we go charging in, he'll just use us. Just like he's going to use Elle."
"Shut up!" Ludger gets out of his mouth just as Rideaux leaves.
When Ludger gets to the first floor, they see the four with Vera.
"If you continue to resist, I'll call security." Vera said in a threatening tone.
"We're not leaving until we get the full story!" David said.
"Ludger." Milla said as she sees him. The group then walks over to him.
"Did you find out anything?" Sectonia asked.
Ludger reluctantly told the group what he found out.
"Turning spirits into tools..." Milla said. "So that was Bakur's plan all along."
"And to think he'd use a little girl like Elle." Jude said.
"Not if we can help it." David said. "Let's get to Canaan!"
"Then we'll need to find Julius." Sectonia said. "He'll know how to get inside."
Ludger, however, was still hesitant.
"Ludger? What's wrong?"" Sectonia asked.
"By any chance..." Milla starts. "Do you feel like you've already performed your duty at this point?"
"Maybe..." Ludger muttered.
"He's done enough. Let's go." Milla says as she starts to leave. "Ludger doesn't need to risk his life for this world. Not anymore."
"But what about Elle?" David asks.
"The girl pleaded him not to come."
"You can't..." Jude started. "You two don't get it, do you?" Jude walks up to Ludger. "There's no way Elle meant what she said. You mean the world to that girl. You actually think that she's okay with saying goodbye?!"
"Jude..."
"Let him be, Milla." Sectonia said. "I have a feeling I know where Jude is going with this."
Jude gets into stance.
{Cue Song: Indomitable Fists that Know No Equal- Tales of Xillia}
"Security!" Nova calls, but Sectonia looks to her.
"Don't interfere with this. I want to see if Jude can get through to him."
Ludger can see that Jude resists earth, wind, and lightning attacks, but is weak against fire. "Elle is waiting for you! Show me you have what it takes to save her!"
The two of them were at a standstill until Jude uses his Final Fury. "Why are you hesitating?!" Jude deals a flurry of punches. "Think!" Jude charges in with one last punch. "Is Elle not family to you?!" Just as Jude lands the final hit, Ludger got into his chromatus and unleashed his Form Destroyer. "It can't end here..."
{End Song}
When the attack is finished, Jude is on the ground with one knee, and Ludger breathing hard. "How can you use the chromatus without Elle being here?" Ludger looks to his watch, thinking about that.
Milla speaks up. "Come now, it should be obvious. She's calling to you. Still thinking of staying behind?" Ludger reaches out to Jude and helps him up.
(Bonus Scene: Jude)
"You really are stubborn, you know that?" Jude asks. "It reminds me of a certain someone."
"And you really are a do-gooder, aren't you?" Ludger asks.
Jude laughs at Ludger's comment. "Took you this long to figure me out?" Ludger smiles sheepishly at that comment.
(Bonus Scene End)
"Looks like done." Milla said. "Let's get to Canaan."
Rollo meows, getting the group's attention.
"Of course you can come too." Jude said with a smile.
Just as the group was about to leave, the alarms went off, and Spirius agents surround the group.
"Not a step further, Vice President Kresnik." said a voice, revealing it to be Ivar.
Rideaux was there too. "I know it's cliché and all, but orders are orders."
"Move, Ivar." Milla said. "I don't have time for your games." Ivar stepped back when he realized it's the prime Milla.
"Ergh..." Ivar lets out. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Lady Milla."
Rideaux was chuckling at this. "I never realized bossy girls were such a turn-on. So cold, so ruthless, so-"
"Ugh... What a creep!" interrupted a voice, revealing to be Muzet, who knocked out a guard. Gaius, Lloyd, and Colette knocked out a few guards, too.
"Need assistance?" Gaius asked. "Hope you don't mind."
"Not at all." Sectonia asked. "If fact, we're glad you're here."
Rideaux spoke up. "Well, well, well... The royal pain has come to hold court. But my head will roll if I don't stop Ludger from leaving. And I happen to like my head." Agents aimed at the group.
"You think your corporate cronies can stop us?" Muzet asked as she fired a dark sphere, one of the agents fired a blast that blocked it. "They dispelled my artes!"
"What the heck did they just do?" Lloyd asked.
Rideaux answers. "It's the Lance of Kresnik. A portable version, sure, but as you can see, it gets the job done. This will be fun. I wonder if Lord Maxwell will moan as I suck the mana out of her."
"You sick bastard..." David growled.
"Don't speak to her like that!" Ivar said, charging at Rideaux, but Rideaux has him on the ground with his foot on his chest.
Rideaux presses the foot on Ivar. "And how dare you speak to your boss like that!" Milla charges at Rideaux, who countered her blade with his knives, The agents fired pulses at Milla, who expertly dodges them. "You'd risk your life to save this sniveling coward? You really are a benevolent deity."
Milla gets up. "He's still my handmaid. I don't recall ever dismissing him from the position." Ivar was in awe of her words, as she still cares for him.
"Such a stubborn and proud spirit, but not for much longer."
"Well, Ludger?" David asked. "Any way out?"
Ludger remembered the rigged exam that Julius gave, hearing him say that the site stretches to Trigleph's city limits. "There should be an exit from the underground training grounds."
"We'll have to take that elevator then. However, one of us should stay behind to hold these guys off."
Ludger considered his options, and made his decision. "Here's your cue, Sectonia."
Sectonia nods. "Leave it to me."
"Be careful, Sectonia." David says worriedly.
"I will." Sectonia drifts away from the group with agents focusing on her.
"It's clearly a diversion!" Rideaux exclaimed as the rest of the group head for the elevator, the agents spot them but were knocked out by Sectonia.
"Look out!" Ivar exclaimed as the agents start firing at them.
"Don't worry about me!" Sectonia said. "I've got this!" The elevator closes and the group descend.
"Don't let them get away!" Rideaux commanded.
"I hope Sectonia will be alright holding them off by herself." David mutters.
"She'll be alright." Colette reassures him. "Right now, we need to get out of here!"
During their escape, the group get into a conversation.
"So, you're able to use the chromatus again." Lloyd said.
"That's Elle's power, isn't it?" Muzet asks. Ludger nods.
"I see." Gaius says. "So this is the Key of Kresnik. The power of the void that Elle commands, the power of Origin, can transcend time and space to reach you."
"That's the kind of power we need to resist Chronos."
"But..." Lloyd starts. "Won't using the chromatus hasten Elle's transformation into a catalyst?"
Ludger thought about this. "I know that it will, but if we don't hurry, Elle will be in even greater danger."
"That's a pretty big gamble you're taking."
Gaius spoke up. "Power is a double edged-sword. And only a warrior who understands that has any business wielding it. Ludger, are you prepared to accept the consquences of wielding your power?" Ludger nods. "Very well."
"You sure about this, Gaius?"
"I, too, am prepared to do what must be done. Lloyd, Muzet, I would ask the same of you. The harder that we fight, the less Ludger will have to use his chromatus."
"You got it."
"Understood. You can count on me." Muzet said.
"We must hurry, Ludger!" Gaius said. "You can thank us when the battle is won."
When the group reached the end of the underground training grounds, they run into Rideaaux and Ivar.
"We must stop meeting like this, Vice President Kresnik." Rideaux said.
"I was thinking the same thing, Rideaux." David said.
"So, this is what you do now, Ivar?" Milla asked.
Ivar nodded. "Yes, this is my new occupation. My new life after failing as your handmaid!" Ivar drew his swords.
"Ivar, you can't be serious." Jude said.
"I am, Jude. I have to accomplish something, anything, or I'll never amount to more than just a washed-up handmaid."
"I see." Milla draws her sword and Jude gets into stance. "Then out of respect, know that we will not hold back."
"Does it really have to be like this?" Colette asked. "Can't we just work this out?"
"You and me both, Colette." David said, looking at Ivar. "However, it seems that this is a battle that cannot be avoided."
Lloyd nodded at this. "That's right. We will get to Canaan, even if we have to plow through you."
Gaius crossed his arms. "You two can't stop all of us."
"Don't be so sure of that, Your Highness." Rideaux said. He then tapped his chest. "I was a sickly child, you see. Several of my organs had to be transplanted with spyrix. A doctor named Mathis performed the surgery. He's the one who saved my life."
"Dad did what?!" Jude asked.
"I've since made a few improvements of my own. I now possess double the strength and acuity of a normal man."
"That's crazy talk! Your body can't take it!" David said.
"No, of course it can't. But that's fine with me, as long as it holds together long enough to crush you." Rideaux then got the insane look in his eyes.
"Why would you destroy your body like this?" Colette asked.
"That's for me to know, and you to find out." Rideaux said as he goes into his chromatus.
"Jude, Lady Milla, I won't hold back!" Ivar said as he charged at them.
"Yes. As you shouldn't." Milla responded.
"We wouldn't want it any other way, Ivar." Jude added.
"I've had enough of you scum! It's time for you all to die!" Rideaux said as he charged at the group.
The group fought against Rideaux and Ivar, with each having their own weaknesses. Rideaux is weak to everything except darkness, and Ivar is weak to wind but resists earth. After a while, Lloyd and Milla saw an opportunity to use their mystic artes. Lloyd was up first.
"I'll show you!" Lloyd holds his twin blades while jumping high in the air. "Take this! Divine Justice!" He then fuses the blades into one silver sword and slams it into the ground, creating a fissure that strikes all enemies on the battlefield while moderately healing Lloyd. With Ivar having the lower health, he was down for the count. After a while of building up more Over Limit, Milla got a chance to use hers on Rideaux.
"You don't mind, do you?" Milla asked David.
"Not at all. Let him have it!" David said.
"Come!" Milla dashes forward, lunging to the ground as feathers burn behind her feet in a blazing line. "And gather!" She then raises her sword skyward, calling forth splashes of water. "Combine!" She turns around and swipes a blade of wind, leaps back into the air. "Take shape!" Milla summons blocks of stone to strike Rideaux. "And be my blade! Elemental Mastery!" Finally, she causes a glyph consisting of the four elemental colors to appear around her as she gestures with her arms to emanate forth streaks of supreme power. Rideaux falls on his back and Ivar goes to his knees.
"First a failed handmaid, and now a failed agent..." Ivar mutters.
Jude walks up to him. "Failure is just a learning experience, Ivar. That's what I think, anyway."
"I don't need a pity party!"
"This is not pity!"
Ivar looks up to Jude. "Hold on, you regret dispelling the schism, don't you? That's your 'learning experience'."
"I want to make sure it doesn't end in failure. Why do you think that I'm giving this everything that I've got?"
Milla speaks up. "Ivar, you're a man of many failures. But even if you add all of those failures together, it doesn't compare to all your years of loyal service. Thank you, Ivar. I appreciate everything you did for me."
Ivar was in tears at this. "Lady Milla..."
David spoke up now. "What happened was not your fault, Ivar. You just happened to be on the wrong side of circumstance."
"That's why you pound me into the floor without a second thought, huh?"
"Of course, we'd rather not fight at all, if possible."
Ivar laughs at that. "You and Jude always manage to say the most aggravating things!" At that Ivar gets up and limps away.
(Bonus Scene: Gaius and Lloyd)
"Heh. What a complete farce this is." Rideaux mutters out.
"Something funny?" Lloyd asks.
"Share it with us." Gaius said. "Even foes can come to understand one another."
"Never took you for a bleeding heart." Rideaux said to Gaius. "Enemies kill each other. That is simply what they do."
Gaius and Lloyd draw their swords. "If that's the case, then you know what happens next."
"You people stab me, and I die. Done and done."
"Allow me, then." Ludger said as he draws his blades.
"Ooh, when did you become so ruthless? I'm sure Julius would be proud of how far you've come."
"Don't fall for it, Ludger." Lloyd told Ludger. "He just wants you to dirty your hands, and stoop you down to his level."
(Bonus Scene End)
Ludger puts his blades back and the group start to leave. "Let me make a little prediction for you." Rideaux said. "You people will regret leaving this place, until the day you die." The group then leave him, and he starts to get up. "Damn twerp. He and that punk gave me the same contemptuous look as his bastard brother!" Spirius agents then walk to Rideaux. "Don't just stand there, you goons! Help me!"
The male agent spoke. "My apologies, sir. I'm afraid the CEO has given us entirely different orders."
The female agent spoke next. "We were told to bring Director Rideaux before him."
Rideaux looked to the ground. "I figured as much." He then goes into his chromatus. "Probably thinks he can use me as the 'bridge'. Not gonna happen."
The male agent pressed a button and Rideaux's chromatus was disabled. "As you can see, we know the control codes for your spyrix organs."
"Wh-what?!" The agents then drag him away. "No, no... Damn it! Once I'm somehow brought back to life... I'll make that blonde punk and wretched queen pay for this!"
The group finally manage to make it out of the caves.
"Ahh, it feels so good to get out of those icky caves!" Muzet said as she floated in the air.
"I hope Sectonia made it out alright..." David muttered.
At that moment, Ludger's GHS was ringing and Julius was on the other line.
"Hey, it's me. Are you alright?"
"Of course." Ludger responded. "I'm not about to die before reaching Canaan."
"So your mind's made up. Guess you've gone too far to turn back now. Alright, fine. I'll tell you everything. I'm in Trigleph. Sectonia's here." Julius hung up at that.
David sighed in relief. "I'm so glad she's okay. I was getting worried for a minute. Let's head for Trigleph."
When the group got to Ludger's apartment building, Sectonia was waiting outside.
"Sectonia!" David said, bringing her in for a hug. "I'm so glad you're alright!"
Sectonia returned the hug. "Me too. I thought for sure I was done for. I would've been dead if it wasn't for Julius." The group looked around for Julius. "He left already, but he left me a message. He said, 'Come find me when you've steeled yourself.'"
"Steeled?"
"Also... Julius told me how to get inside the Land of Canaan. In order to enter, you have to build yourself a soul bridge."
"A soul bridge?" Lloyd asks. "How is that made?"
Sectonia closed her eyes before looking back to the group. "It requires a human sacrifice. A powerful member of the Kresnik family."
Ludger gasped at that. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Which means..." David started. "We have to kill Ludger or Julius..."
"Where is Julius now?" Colette asked.
Sectonia responded. "He said he left a letter for Ludger at the house." Ludger then remembered Rideaux's last words to the group, then ran into the house. "That's not all. Julius left us a message, too."
"A message?"
"Yes. He said that if Ludger won't go through with this, we have to go ourselves...and watch him sacrifice himself."
"Is he serious...?" David muttered. "I take it he also told you not to tell Ludger any of this." Sectonia nodded and David sighed. "Well, this is a fine mess we're in..."
A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor