Hey, hey! What're you doing?
You're so slow!
If we keep on like this, I'm gonna dry up and shrivel into a husk and die...
Master, you walk too fast.
Shut up, Thing.
I don't want to keep Master Van waiting.
Our goal isn't to catch up with Van, you know.
That aside, I don't understand...
How come Luke can hear Asch's voice?
Dist probably did something to him in Choral Castle.
Even so, why tell us where he is?
I don't know!
I just heard what I heard!
The Zao Ruins.
If you get it, come here immediately,
pathetic little lordling.
He makes me sick.
Anyway, let's hurry to those Zao Ruins.
He's starting to get on my nerves...
What's wrong, Natalia?
That Asch the Bloody...
He really looks like Luke, does he not?
So it's you!
Yeah.
He might be his long lost brother.
But Luke is supposed to be the only son of Duke Fabre.
There's no point worrying about something we can't understand.
We should focus on rescuing Fon Master Ion for now.
I suppose so.
So these are the Zao Ruins?
Yes.
All right, let's go!
Even inside, it's still not exactly cool.
Yeah.
It's so hot...
Especially my back...
Fire!
Hey– Mieu!
It's hot, damn it.
I wanted to help everyone by lighting the place.
We can see just fine without your fire!
But what could they be planning, dragging Fon Master Ion to such a place?
Now, release the seal.
What are you planning to do?
Even if I open it, nothing will happen.
Do it.
Good.
Master Ion!
Asch!
Who the hell are you?!
What are you trying to do?!
That dreck...
Asch, give Master Ion back to us!
Hold it.
Sync!
Well, well, Largo the Black Lion.
So you're still alive?
As if I could've been killed by a wound like that,
Jade the Necromancer.
Out of the way, you bastards!
I don't have time to waste on you here!
This should be amusing.
Show me how you've grown since I last saw you cowering on the Tartarus.
Shut up!
So you can actually attack now, huh?
Don't make fun of me!
I see you've grown a little, brat...
But you still have a long way to go!
Luke, out of the way!
Shunjinsou!
Is that all you've got?
I see you still haven't managed to get rid of the fon slot seal.
Largo, you jerk!
Ouch!
Asch, just what are you planning to do?
I'm going to give you back to them.
Huh?
Nocturnal Light!
So fast...!
Were you aiming at me?
You running around is an eyesore!
That was close!
Don't take your eyes off the enemy!
Don't get too cocky!
That...
That was one of Master Van's moves...
Hey, hey! This isn't good!
Why can you use Master Van's moves?
It should be obvious.
It's because we fight in the same style, you cretin!
I–
Stop it, Asch!
You always get carried away.
Let's retreat for now.
Sheathe your sword. Now.
Wh–What are you talking about, Asch?
You don't know how fortunate you are.
Wait!
Watch out!
Are you all right, Natalia?
Yes, thank you very much.
Natalia...?
Largo, what are you doing?
So that was Princess Natalia, huh?
It must be fate.
What do you have to do with Natalia?
It's a thing of the past.
I've forgotten.
We don't need to know each other's past.
You should know that better than anyone.
You, the leftover ashes of the sacred flame.
Master Ion, are you okay?
Yes...
Let's get out of here.
Yes.
Everyone,
I'm sorry for causing so much trouble.
You should be.
We're keeping Master Van waiting.
Wait a–
I'm sorry.
I was careless.
Please don't!
There's no need for you to apologize, Fon Master Ion!
It's fine, Tear.
Anise, thank you.
Hey, don't get so worked up.
By the way, Ion,
what did they make you do?
This place is a Sephiroth, isn't it?
Those are the most powerful fon slots in the land, are they not?
Yes.
The Order of Lorelei has placed seals with Daathic fonic artes to protect the Sephiroth.
Only a Fon Master can remove one of these seals, and they asked me to do so here.
Removing the seal has no effect however...
If that's so, why does the Order protect them?
That's...
confidential.
I don't care about that.
Let's just go already.
What's up with him?
We'll take the ferry to Kaitzur from here, right?
Yes.
Master Ion, maybe you should find some place to rest a bit.
Rest?!
We don't have time for that!
What's the matter with you?!
What?
I'm the goodwill ambassador.
If I say we go, we go.
I'll be fine without a break.
Master Ion...
So, what do you plan on doing now, Ion?
If nobody minds, would you please take me along with you?
Huh? But Grand Maestro Mohs will get angry at us!
I was entrusted with the letter by Emperor Peony.
So I would like to report to him personally regarding conditions in Akzeriuth.
But...
Well, why not?
Once the rescue operation in Akzeriuth is completed, he can come with me to the capital.
Thank you very much.
Oh dear me.
Luke is the one to decide, isn't he?
You...
So, our dear goodwill ambassador, your decision?
Do whatever the hell you want!
Damn it, he's so obnoxious!
My!
Huh?
What are you doing here?
Huh?
Don't you look crabby?
Well, if you have another job for us, just say the word.
Who... are you guys?
What are you talking about,
Sir Asch?
Did you say Asch?
Could it be...
you're not... Asch?
Whaat?
Do you guys know Asch?
Wh–What was that...?
Hey, Luke!
What's wrong?
There were some weird guys here!
Huh? Where?
Damn it...
Guy!
O–Ow!
What's the matter, Guy?
I–I don't know...
My arm just...!
Please let me have a look.
This is... a curse slot.
A curse slot...?
It's one of the Daathic fonic artes.
It uses people's hidden memories to control them.
How did he get such a thing?
It was Sync...
Huh?
He hit me here back in the Zao Ruins...
That would mean he's probably around here.
What?!
The closer the user, the more powerful the curse slot is.
Let's get away from here immediately.
He's resisting more than I thought he would.
Anyway, they'll all die in Akzeriuth.
Guy, are you all right?
Yeah, the pain's subsided...
So Sync really was nearby then?
Only Fon Masters are able to use Daathic fonic artes.
As I thought, he's...
Once we've crossed this pass, we'll be at Akzeriuth.
Hey, Luke, loosen up.
Van's waiting for you in Akzeriuth.
We shouldn't have made that detour in the desert.
Hey! What do you mean, "detour"?
A detour is a detour.
Even if Ion isn't around, the war won't start as long as I'm here.
You're an idiot.
A–An idiot?!
Luke, even I thought that was very arrogant of you.
This peace could only be achieved because of the deep respect my father and the emperor of Malkuth both have for Fon Master Ion.
No, it's not that both countries respect me.
They just want Yulia's Score.
That's not...
I can't agree with that way of thinking.
Ion is like a deterrent.
Though I guess that's also thanks to Yulia's Score.
I see, I see.
You're all still so young.
Well, shall we be on our way?
Man, he never passes up an opportunity to say things like that.
But, my young Master Luke,
you were really bad just now.
Honestly, is Mister Luke this much of an idiot?
Oh, what's this? Is our Anise angry?
O–O–Of course not!
I really love Mister Luke and his fortune ~
Ah, well, I did get a little upset...
This path is in better condition than I'd thought.
It's true.
Especially since this road isn't used often anymore nowadays...
How come?
This was originally a road from Kimlasca to Akzeriuth.
Since the town was taken by Malkuth, there has been no need for it anymore.
Well, if Kimlasca is eyeing Akzeriuth, then it would make sense to keep it in good repair.
What is that supposed to mean?
I said if.
If.
You really do have a way of testing one's patience with your words.
Indeed.
I'll be more careful.
Master Ion!
Are you all right?
Shall we take a break?
No.
I'm all right.
No, you're not.
Everyone, let's take a break!
A break?
What are you talking about?
Master's already way ahead of us!
Luke! It will be all right.
She's right.
It's a tough mountain path, he can't help it.
I'm the goodwill ambassador.
If I say we go, then we go.
Wh–Why you...
Well then, let's rest for a bit.
Fon Master Ion, will that be all right?
Hey!
Luke, I'm sorry.
It's my fault.
All right, fine. But only for a little while.
Thank you very much.
Major Legretta!
You...! Did you come to take Ion again?!
Tear, why do you keep following these people around?
What about you, Major? Why do you keep on kidnapping Fon Master Ion to take him to the Sephiroth?
To win back freedom and free will for humanity.
What is that supposed to mean?
This world is ruled by the Score.
Don't you find it strange that people rely on the Score for everything they do?
The Score is but a tool to show people the right path!
Perhaps for you, Fon Master, but too many people have become overly dependent on it.
The worst cases even consult it to decide what to have for dinner.
You are no different.
We don't go that far, but...
It is certainly easier to just rely on the Score.
That's exactly what I find insane.
Tear, come back to us.
Is that my brother's order?
It isn't, but Commandant Grants is worried about you.
You're the Commandant's younger sister, Mystearica, correct?
Grandfather, who is this...?
She's a subordinate of Van's, Legretta.
Van sent her to supervise your training.
Like a private instructor, you can say.
A private instructor?
Don't let your guard down.
Doing so only invites an enemy attack.
Yes, ma'am...
It's because of your guidance that I'm here now, Major.
But I still doubt my brother's intentions.
Until these suspicions are cleared, I won't go back.
Tear!
Are you saying you choose this reject over the Commandant?
R–Reject? You mean me?!
I see.
So it really was you who revived that forbidden technology!
Jade, don't!
Some things people are better off not knowing.
Ion, you knew?
Wh–What?
Don't just keep on talking while leaving me in the dark!
Whose idea was it? Dist's?
Are you talking about fomicry?
What good would it do you to know?
Answer me!
The die has been cast, Jade the Necromancer!
Why, you...
Tear, come back to us at any time!
This is no laughing matter!
Colonel...
Pardon me, I got carried away.
I'm fine now.
Let's go.
What was that?
You guys keep on talking about things I don't get!
Wait!
Don't screw with me!
You guys are making fun of me! You're ignoring me...!
I'm the goodwill ambassador, you hear?!
Give it a rest already!
You're always acting like a child!
Master... Master wouldn't make fun of me like this!
He'd always explain the things I don't understand!
Master is the only one who's ever kind to me!
Then you're just a puppet who can't do a thing without my brother.
What did you say?
I give up.
But I'll give you a warning:
If you don't start thinking for yourself, one day you will make an irrevocable mistake.
Damn...
Please don't get so angry.
Then don't talk to me!
You all piss me off.
Master!
Master's the only one...
Master's the only one who understands me!