Sky's Heart, Earth's Soul

Disclaimer: Don't own TOtA or TOS

AN: Less serious looking quote for this chapter, yet I love it all the same. And, uh, enjoy? I kind of enjoyed it myself.

Chapter 4

Climb it Hastily

That was so cool, Sheena! Man, I wish I could conjure Summon Spirits too!... And say cool things like, "Burn to oblivion!"

Knowing Lloyd, he's more likely to end up setting one of us on fire.

...What's that supposed to mean?

~Genis Sage and Lloyd Irving, Tales of Symphonia

Luke was choking a little as Marta pouted. Really, though, it was completely fair. After all, it seemed Marta's cooking had just tried to kill them. Emil(surprisingly) had hidden his food while Luke began his show of choking to death and was now cooking up a new meal. When the other two noticed, Marta perked up at the thought of having some of her Emil's cooking while Luke was just quietly thanking someone called 'Rem' for something decent.

Once it was done, the two(plus Tenebrae, who had appeared from nowhere, as usual) gawked at the meal. It was beautifully set up and Luke shot the blond a demanding look, "Why in the name of Lorelei are you not a professional cook?" Emil blushed deeply and Marta crowed her agreement to the darker red-head's statement.

When they cleaned up afterwards, Luke insisted he do most of the work("You both cooked! I need to do something!") while both of the younger fighers waved their hands and said that they should all work together("It'll be faster that way, Luke!").

Later on that morning, once they'd finally cleaned up, they had set out for the mountain pass. Once they go close, Luke began to complain about having a 'very bad feeling about this'. Of course, they tried to ignore their own bad feelings and assured Luke that they'd be fine.

They were proven dead wrong at the sight of Alice at the entrance to Hakonesia. "Well, Hawkie? Have you gotten the information on Colettie?" The brunette man winced at the half-elf's tone, "According to our informant, the Chosen is heading to Luin. However, we have news that Lady Marta is heading in this direction."

"Poo!" Alice pouted in exaggeration, "That's Decus' area! I so wanted to capture Colettie~! Oh,well, I'll have to make due with setting a trap for Mart-Mart in Palmacosta. Well? Let's get to it, Hawkie~" The two walked off then, with Hawk trembling like a leaf the whole way.

Luke stared after him, "...What a wimp." "I know," Marta sighed, "But now we have to watch out for Alice when we head to Palamcosta..." Emil fowned. "We don't have a choice, then?" He asked in concern. "No," Marta shook her head. "I get it..."Luke mumbled. Tenebrae shot him a look, "Got, what?"

"Well," The red head began, "The only reason we have to go to Palmacosta is because we need to get to another continent, right? For more centurion's cores?" Marta nodded while Emil's eyes lit up in realization. Tenebrae frowned, "You are a bit smarter then I first thought..." Luke shot him a dead pan look. The Centurion of Darkness gave his version of a smirk and disappeared into Emil's shadow.

Marta shook her head, "Some times I wonder if he doesn't have a death wish..."

"Hey, Luke?"

"What is it Marta?

"We~ell, I was wondering if the highlights in your hair were really gold?"

"I guess they are...why?"

"Oh, no reason..."

"...Marta."

"Yeah, Emil?"

"...You owe Colette twenty gald."

"You were betting on whether or not my highlights were really gold? !"

Luke crossed his arms as he surveyed the entrance of Palamcosta, "Well...It doesn't look like there are any Vanguard soldiers here..." Emil nodded a lightly, "Yeah...Maybe we got here quick enough that Alice hasn't had time to set up her trap." Marta walked forward, "Whatever the case is, you two, I think we need to split up and talk to everyone in the city, about what we're going to do. We'll meet back up in front of the church, okay?"

The other two were not given a chance to object as she rushed off. The red-head frowned, "Splitting up is never a good idea. What is she thinking...?" Tenebrae appeared at his shoulder, "Most likely thinking it will be faster this way. Well? What are we waiting for? Emil has already gone ahead." Luke glanced up to see said blond walking towards a cathedral type building and he an to catch up with the younger male.

It was when Luke was half way across the plaza that he saw it happen. An older man, with deep auburn-red hair, appeared and spoke with Emil. While the two were distracted with their conversation, Alice had appeared and was approaching them. Luke hissed and hurried his pace up.

"...Mart-Mart's little pet~!"

"Shut your mouth!"

The platinum blond spun around and glared at him, "Well, if it isn't Colettie's little bodyguard. What're you doing here?" "Traveling with Emil," came the cool response, "That is all." Alice glared over her petite smile, "Oh? Can't you tell me anymore?"

Luke smirked, "I don't speak of matters that don't concern you. So scoot off, brat." Alice's fake smile crumbled and she glowered at him before turning to the other man, "Well, Richter, If I see the pet and Colettie's bodyguard with Mart-Mart, then all bets are off~ See you~" So...This is Richter... The red headed swordsman frowned as Alice walked away. Said man sighed, "I don't think you've realized what you've gotten yourself into...Good bye Emil."

The man departed and Emil look significantly squashed. "Hey?" The blond looked up. "What's wrong?" "Well..." The younger swordsman explained to Luke who exactly Richter was to him and what he had just learned. "That...really sucks," The elder murmured. Emil nodded lightly.

He glanced up at the church, "I wonder if anyone still comes here?" Luke glanced at him, "Dunno. But it doesn't matter to me, either way..." Emil was curious. "What do you mean?" The red-head sighed and rubbed his temples, "I don't believe in Martel the Goddess. I believe in the spirits that govern this world's...mana." Emil was startle,d of course, as he was to every say something like that to him. The two then set off, Tenebrae going back to Emil's shadow, obviously miffed that he had been ignored the whole time.

As the two walked through the crowds of people here and there, Luke saw someone. Someone he hadn't seen for some time. "Tear?" He whispered once and then, louder again. The brunette twitched and began to turn. The red-head panicked and grabbed Emil's arm, dragging him to hide in an alleyway. They stood there for a moment, Emil giving his teacher a bemused look. Luke, on the other hand, was peering around the corner, staring at his old friend. The younger woman looked a tad confused but then turned back and returned to what she had been doing.

"...That was stupid," He mumbled to himself. "Uh, who was that?" Emil questioned. Luke looked away, "...Someone who looked a lot like the woman I love." The blond stared up at him in surprise. The sad look on his face was enough to dissuade him from asking any further questions.

Later, after a hour of searching, they found Marta in the local Tavern, trying to find out more about the storms hitting the area. She expressed regret for not telling Emil sooner that Richter was part of the Vanguard but also informed them of what she learned. They left and moved on to their next goal, meeting with the Governor-General. There they learned that there was someone who had an idea of what was happening but he had gone missing...in the Dynasty Ruins. They offered to go and find him...

Which is, of course, why they were currently outside the City Building having a stare down with Richter, whom had just attempted to kill Marta. Luke had one hand on his sword and Emil's was already out, ready to block another attack. The second attack, however, was blocked by a flying sword.

"Now, now, you shouldn't hurt a lady."

Everyone turned their attention to the speaker, another red-head wearing mostly pink. No one noticed Luke's expression go deadpan at the sight or the strangely angry look that Emil's face took on. The new comer strode forward and twirled Marta, "Now, what is a lovely lady such as yourself doing so close to such a ruffian, hm?" Marta raised an eyebrow at the man's antics.

Richter, on the other hand, was hardly amused. He frowned and sheathed his weapons, "If you weren't here..." He began to walk away, before tossing over his shoulder, "Don't die, Emil." The blond watched him go, a sad look on his face. Luke touched his shoulder briefly, before returning his attention to the newcomer. Said man was kissing Marta's hand, "I'm afraid I must say farewell, my lovely beauty, but time is of the essence. The Governor-General needs me."

"What a weirdo." was Luke's only comment.

"You know, that guy kind of reminded me of someone."

"...Please don't say Colette, she's nothing like him, even if they're both the Chosen."

"What? No, I meant he kind of reminded me of two of my friends from a little while ago."

"Oh? Who?"

"...WELL, Tenebie, they happen to be none of your business, so shoo."

"Do not treat me as if I am a common dog! I am a centurion and that demands a level of respect-"

"Shush, BraeBrae."

"WHY YOU-"

"There they go again..."

"(...He dodged the question completely.)"

"So, these are the Dynasty Ruins, huh?"

The trio plus centurion stared up at the still relatively in one piece castle. Marta gave a nod in response to Emil's question. Luke frowned, "Not really a ruin, if you ask me. Not if it's in this good of condition." The spinner wielder sighed, "I can't really explain it...It's just the way it is."

Luke shrugged.

"I wasn't complaining."

Now, normally, they would have just gone in and found the fisherman they were meant to find and then returned to Palamcosta. However, one person dropped their smoothly sailing ship into an abyss.

This person was a few inches shorter the their red-head swordsman and held a staff loosely in her hand. Not only that, but Luke had a frozen and Emil found the woman to be somewhat familiar to him. He soon found out why, when the woman turned around and his eyes locked with her blue ones.

She regarded Marta and Emil with some surprise, until her gaze fell on Luke. As soon as she saw him, she froze up just as badly as he did. The first of the two to speak was the red-head, his voice hoarse, "Tear?" The woman was blinking back desperate crystal clear tears before she too spoke...

"Luke?"

Luke gained the title 'Love-struck Fool'!

- You called out to her and then clammed up...What were you thinking? !

Marta gained the title 'Bar Hopped'!

- I was just looking for information!

Emil gained the title 'Curious Cat'!

- You know, Curiosity killed the cat...but Satisfaction brought it back?

Can now access skit 'Hair Highlights PT 1' in archives!

Can now access skit 'Reminder' in archives!

Hey, Listen!

I updated!

It's a miracle!

...Also. In case those of you who believe in the end of the world are reading this...It's already the 22nd in Australia, Japan, and China.

See you next update!