[Guy would be lying if he said that he was unaffected. He was trying to hold everything together in the wake of losing his best friend, but it was hard to catch a break. Between Badaq's betrayal and busting out of the Renegade facility, he had no idea what he was doing. None of them did. And now, the Rheiards they'd used to cross to the other world were completely useless. They were out of fuel and out of ideas.

All that was left... was to head to the capital of Sylvarant. It was in much better shape than Tethe'alla. They could find answers there, couldn't they? Anise seemed sure of it. One thing was for sure: staying here wouldn't help Luke or anybody.

The small party made their way toward the coastal capital of Palmacosta. The grass was so much greener here, even though there were more people around and more thieves. It really felt alive. Natalia kept stealing glances at Luke as they went, as if he might suddenly snap out of it and look at her and smile, but he never did. At the very least, she'd stopped trying to call out to him. Tear was much more reserved. Guy could tell she was troubled, but she kept it inside and tried to fill the stern, soldierly spot that Badaq had left. Anise walked ahead. She seemed eager to get home, maybe too eager, or maybe just nervous.

And Luke-- Luke didn't seem bothered by anything. There wasn't even a faint smile on his face. His wings were out and he simply followed them without asking, without stopping, without sitting down when they paused to rest. He was like a doll.

Guy's grip on his sword tightened at the thought.]

Someone's behind us, [Tear warned.

Guy turned. There were shadows in the little valley below, but he could barely make them out. They didn't seem numerous enough to be a threat, at least.] Doesn't seem like the Renegades or the Desians. Maybe they're gypsies?

[Anise had an opinion.] We should keep going! You want to help Luke, right?

[Natalia resisted, sort of offended too.] Yes, of course! However, these people might need our help.

[And so, they waited. Guy slid down the hill a few steps, to see if he could meet them halfway.]

[After dealing with putting his brother back to bed, Luke is tired and exhausted himself. It's draining to deal with the kind of stress he's had today on top of being a Chosen, and with the other Asch harping along in his head, he's pretty sure he'd rather go to sleep than track down the mercenary from another world.

But he can't sleep. He hasn't been able to for a while. So while Asch entertains Asch, he's combing through the streets looking for Kaneis. Luke finds him in the cemetery at the opposite edge of town. A little weird, but a lot of weird things have happened today. Maybe he's looking for someone he knows?

Luke stumbles over air as he nears the gate and trips, throwing it open and instantly alerting Kaneis to his presence.]

... oops.

[Luke sighs and picks himself back up, ignoring a new cut on his palm. He can't actually feel it.]

[He can see tiny silvery branches stretching through the darkness. He follows them, though he can't explain how, and shivers as the light blue leaves brush his cheeks. At last, his hands touch the core. He is engulfed by a warm light, though without the humming he sometimes dreams about, and then there is fire. And then there is nothing at all.

The strange dream is only a prelude to something stranger. Expecting to wake up at an inn, Luke's sprawled out on cold, hard ground. The natural grass here is dry and itchy, and the sky is overcast. It's also missing the band of fonstones that can be seen night and day in Auldrant.

He sits up quickly and looks around. To the north is a gathering of white mountains, shrouded by clouds. To the east is a swamp and a line of more mountains. Otherwise, the land is gentle and not too hilly. Feels like he's sitting on something--

-- oh, hell. It's his /replica/. It's his replica and they've both been kidnapped this time. Luke rolls off and frantically shakes his shoulders.]

Ugh. Wake up, you idiot!

[He can't tell underneath all that hair, but they are both certainly gifted with some new... features.]