Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss.

Chapter 23

Remday, Gnome-Decan 45, ND2019 – 1:30pm local time (Padamiya)

Getting back to the Albiore was just as hot and miserable as the rest of the sojourn inside the volcano, but Jade ignored his discomfort. His mind was in turmoil. Ifrit's explanations had raised more questions than they had answered.

Why are the passage rings interfering with the flow of fonons? he wondered. Ifrit stated that the Planet Storm disrupted the power of the sentiences. What, precisely, did it – or he – mean by that?

Well, at least part of the situation made sense.

The Sephiroth are the planet's fon slots, where fonons gather, Jade reasoned. Apparently, the majority of those fonons are coming from the core. It would only be logical that, with the passage rings impeding the upwelling fonons from reaching the fon belt, enough fonons would gather to become sentient. But these fonons are more than merely sentient. They have personalities. They have intelligence. They even have emotions.

Florian has made pacts with Sylph and Ifrit. That leaves Shadow, Gnome, Undine, and Rem. Shadow is almost certainly at Shurrey Hill, Gnome must be in the Zao Ruins, Undine is on Mount Roneal, and Rem is...where? Hod and Akzeriuth are gone, the Absorption and Radiation Gates are unlikely, and nothing odd has been reported in the Meggiora Highlands.

Ifrit said that I have strong resonance with the Second through Fifth Fonons, but very little resonance with the First and Sixth. Is that why my first human replica was short of First and Sixth Fonons? Is that why it – no, she – went on a murderous rampage?

And if I have resonance with the Third Fonon, Sylph must have meant that my heart isn't pure. Well, that's certainly no surprise. But why is it that one person, Florian, must form pacts with all six sentiences, rather than six people forming pacts with one sentience each, or some other combination?

"Colonel?" Anise asked, startling him. "What are you thinking so hard about?"

Jade shrugged. "Oh, nothing." Nothing useful, anyway.

"Yeah, right," Anise said scornfully. "Come on, tell me!"

Jade was relieved to see that Anise had calmed down enough to be more like her usual self, but he didn't want to worry her with any of his uncertainties. He stalled by saying, "Anise, a proper lady doesn't pry."

"Well, I'll just have to be improper. Tell me!"

Jade sighed. "Isn't that rather unbecoming of a future Fon Master?"

"Nope!" Anise said, smirking at him. "I'm only going to become Fon Master if I break a few of the Order's traditions. Being a 'proper lady' isn't compatible with that."

"I suppose not," Jade admitted.

"Soooo, what are you thinking about?" Anise prodded.

"I was just thinking about lunch," Jade lied.

"Lunch? That's all?" Anise said, looking skeptical.

"Yes."

"You're kidding."

"I assure you, I'm too hungry to think about anything other than lunch," Jade said lightly. "Most people will have eaten already, by this time of day. You're rather late getting started on cooking, Anise."

"What?!" Anise said indignantly. "I thought it was your turn to cook!"

"Oh, is it?" Jade asked in mock surprise. "Dear me, I must have forgotten. Well, in that case, what would you like me to make? Pizza? Fruit parfait?

"Don't try to change the subject, Colonel. Something's bothering you."

"Indeed. A certain former Fon Master Guardian is bothering me. She's quite pesky today."

Anise made a moue. "Booooo. That was mean, Colonel! I'm just worried about you."

Jade laughed at Anise's expression. "Ha ha ha! There's no need to worry about me, Anise. If you're going to worry about someone, worry about Florian."

"Are you worried about Florian, Colonel?" Anise countered.

"Not especially," Jade said with another shrug. "He survived his encounter with Sylph, so I'm fairly confident that he'll survive whatever ill effects may occur from his pact with Ifrit."

Anise gave him a sharp look. "Fairly confident? Colonel, what are you hiding this time?"

"Nothing. I just always hedge my bets when it comes to predicting the future."

"That's really all?" Anise asked suspiciously.

"Perhaps we should ask Florian," Jade replied, glancing toward the front of the group where Florian was walking next to Guy.

"I can hear you, you know," Florian called over his shoulder. "And I'm fine. I'm tired, but I'm not dizzy this time. I hope we get to the Albiore soon, though. This volcano is way too hot!"

A few minutes later, they came up to the rim of the volcanic crater, where the Albiore was waiting for them.

"Welcome back," Noelle greeted them as they boarded. "How did it go?" she added anxiously.

"I made the pact with Ifrit!" Florian said cheerfully. "Now Daath will be safe."

Tear ushered Florian toward the crew cabin, saying, "You should rest, Florian. Go lie down."

Florian went without protest. "Yeah... I'm really tired. But like I said, I feel better than last time."

"Good," said Guy. "Keep it that way. Take it easy, even after we get to Daath."

"Is that where I should take you next? Daath?" Noelle asked.

"Yes," Jade confirmed. "To Daath, first. Once we're done there, I suggest we head for Keterburg to find out what we can about Mount Roneal, before we meet with Undine. We can stop by Yulia City on the way and ask Mayor Teodoro to search the archives there for information about the passage rings. Then, on our way from Mount Roneal to wherever we go next, we can return to Yulia City and see what Teodoro has found for us. Delegating that part of the search to him will save us valuable time."

"Is there anyone in Daath who could search the library there for us, as well?" Natalia asked.

"Tritheim is the only one I'd trust with that," said Anise. "And he's gotta be really, really busy right now."

"Yes," Tear agreed, "but we should at least tell him what we plan to do and why."

"We need to let Emperor Peony and King Ingobert know, too," Guy put in.

"Indeed. I'll write to Father at once," said Natalia.

"I'll let Guy explain matters to His Imperial Majesty, while I assist with the search of Daath's library," Jade said, smirking at Guy.

"Not again..." Guy grumbled.

"Wait a minute," said Anise. "Colonel, don't you still have that book Asch gave you?"

"If you're referring to Genesis of the World, I handed it over to the fontech engineers in Sheridan when we asked them to build the device to neutralize the core's vibration," Jade replied. "I have no idea what they did with it after they finished the project."

"Grandpa Aston has it," said Noelle, pausing on the stairs to the flight deck and looking down at the group. "If you need it back, I can ask him for it next time we're in Sheridan. But why do you need information about the passage rings? Is something wrong with them?"

"Guy will explain once we're in the air," Jade said firmly. He received a glare from Guy in response.

"One of these days, Jade, I swear I'm going to—" Guy began.

"Now, now," Jade chided. "Consider it practice for your letter to His Majesty."

"Ugh..." Guy groaned. "Fine. Let's go, Noelle." He followed the pilot up the stairs, with Natalia behind him.

"I'm going to check on Florian," said Anise, heading for the crew cabin.

"I'll go with you," Tear volunteered.

Anise smiled. "Thanks, Tear. Oh, and Colonel?"

"Hmm? What is it, Anise?" Jade inquired, only half paying attention as he turned his thoughts toward what he could recall from Genesis of the World.

"You asked me what I wanted you to make for lunch. I want spaghetti."