Chapter Text
"Hey! Alchemist!"
Yumia pauses just beyond the outskirts of the Ligenus Base at the sound of Rutger's shrill call of her occupation rather than her name. After several months of traveling and investigating together, the more impersonal greeting had become a term of endearment he used when he was especially pleased with her work on one his weapons or when he simply wanted a favor.
And then there were times, like now, when he would bite out the word impatiently as if she were slowing him down, which shouldn't have been the case seeing that she had just said her goodbyes to him and the rest of their friends less than ten minutes ago. Their primary investigation was over, and Erhard had instructed everyone to follow whatever path felt best to them. Of course, for her specifically that would include a visit to the capital with him and Nina in the near future, but for the time being she had special permission to visit her mother's resting place.
Viktor and Isla would be returning to the capital to resume their duties as knights. Viktor already had several assignments lined up, some of which included additional training sessions that would give him the skills necessary to assume his late father's role. Isla, though accompanying him, was determined to set up a business in which she would sell her lavish designs to the public. Of course, doing so would mean some adjustments when it came to her own noble duties, but Yumia held no doubts about Isla's ability to succeed.
Lenja had already set off on the return trip home to her tribe. The young Welleks girl was eager to share the stories of her adventures with them. Despite her timid nature, Lenja had become far more confident in recent weeks. She would continue to grow stronger and stronger as a person, and Yumia was grateful to have been a contributor to the young girl's growth.
Nina had plans to continue her work as a mercenary should everything go well at the capital. Her and Erhard were currently tying up loose ends of their recent investigation together. He's been asking her many questions about what she remembers of Aladdis and even her mother, two subjects Nina was all too happy to discuss after years of secrecy.
And as for Rutger, he had already mentioned going back to what he'd been doing before ever meeting any of them. He was an explorer seeking treasures to either collect or sell for profit, and while in pursuit of riches he planned to carve out some time to hunt down the Alchemist he sold many of his memories to.
The quest was less about revenge and more about ensuring no one else suffered through the same losses he had.
Which is why Yumia is baffled by his sudden reappearance.
"Miss me already?" she asks cheekily, pivoting to meet his gaze as he saunters up beside her in his usual lackadaisical fashion.
"Don't flatter yourself," he responds quickly, smirking the instant she scowls at him. "It's just a happy coincidence that my first order of business is in the same direction as yours."
"Uh huh…"
Clicking his tongue, Rutger brushes past her with an extra spring to his step. "There was a rumor around the base about some rare artifacts and ore in an abandoned mine north of Eustella. This is the direction I have to go to get there. Period."
"Going where the profits lead," she presumes, placing a hand on her hip.
"Obviously."
She groans once, mildly agitated at Rutger's continued flippancy even after everything they'd just been through facing Basillius.
The battle had been far more than any of them had bargained for going in, and by the end of it, all of them were heavily injured in some way.
Flammi didn't return from the fight at all. Her ever faithful alchemic assistant that her mother made...was destroyed.
Yumia still hasn't processed that loss fully yet, as there hasn't been much time to truly dwell on it. When they first returned to the base closest to the site of the final battle, everyone's attention had been fixed on tending to Rutger's wounds, as he had taken the most hits.
Some of that was the result of him protecting Lenja. Throwing himself in harm's way for the young Welleks girl wasn't uncommon behavior for him. Despite all his grumbling, he has a soft spot for kids.
However, the brunt of the damage came from how often he'd taken severe blows meant for her.
She still remembers the spurt of blood that erupted from his shoulder after he shoved her away from what would have been a lethal strike. Regardless of how terrified she'd been for him in those fleeting seconds, he'd given her no room for her to freeze. He flung himself back into the front line, shouting at Viktor all the while for a joint assault on their enemy.
By the time they returned to base he was practically catatonic from blood loss.
He could have...
"Hey! Listen to me when I'm talking to you, Alchemist!"
Startled, Yumia takes a step back from his looming figure.
"Sorry. What did you say?"
He tsks at her with a shake of his head. "I said that I figured we could travel together until we reach the city."
"Oh." She nods, consenting to his proposal. "That's…fine I suppose."
His frown deepens into a sharp scowl.
"That's the reaction I get!? I thought you'd be happy."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because you asked to come with me after we finished investigating Aladiss," he replies, rolling his eyes. "Remember?"
She blinks once, wracking her memory for the exchange he's referring to.
He crosses his arms over his chest while watching her, that expression of irritation becoming even more pronounced as the seconds tick on.
"Didn't you say no?" she asks, narrowing her violet gaze on his golden one.
"I changed my mind. I'm allowed to do that, aren't I?"
"Y-yeah…"
"Then it's decided," he grumbles, waving a hand as he pivots along the dirt path before them. "Frankly, I've gotten too used to traveling in a group. Working with a team may have been a hassle, but we had good symmetry in battle."
"That's true," she answers, falling in step behind him after a few seconds of hesitance. "Diving into solo adventuring after so much time spent as a team would be an adjustment."
"Exactly." Rutger's smirk returns. "Which is where you come into this little debacle of mine."
"Of course."
"Don't look so glum about it," he bites back, glaring at her expression of pure disdain. "You get to benefit too. Wouldn't you like some of that rare ore for your alchemy?"
Yumia's violet eyes brighten at the words. "Actually, some ore would be useful…"
"I'll make sure to sell it to you at a discounted price then."
Her mouth falls agape.
"Discounted! Wait a minute! Rutger…I thought…"
"That I would give it to you for free?"
"Well…"
"Not a chance," he interrupts, clicking his tongue again. "But… if you agree to work with me on this, you can keep whatever ore you find on your own."
She rolls her eyes. "How generous."
He smiles, showing off his pointed teeth. "I'll even add in the extra caveat to veer off the planned path to go somewhere you want first. The ore and artifacts aren't going anywhere, so if you have something more important to do, I don't mind lending you my expertise."
Her expression softens.
Rutger has never been good at articulating his true feelings, but over time, Yumia has gotten better at reading the underlying messages of his brash behavior. She's repeatedly mentioned her desire to view the grave-site of her late mother, a figure of her life she no longer knew.
Those memories were sacrificed during the investigation.
Accompanying her now is his way of offering support for a tragedy she hasn't fully absorbed, even now after everything is said and done. She's not sure what she's supposed to feel or what path to take beyond using Alchemy to help others. That task on its own may prove to be an uphill battle, even with all the positive results that came from her involvement in the Aladdis investigation. Though the members of the research team are all skilled fighters, that hardly made them politicians. It took special permission to use Alchemy for the research efforts, and though Viktor and Isla's testimony will provide help in granting her the use of her abilities permanently, their words don't guarantee her freedom from scrutiny or a long-term reunion with the friends she's relied so heavily upon in the wake of heavy losses.
So much of what had shaped her is simply...gone.
Flammi was the last link she had to her mother. Even if she couldn't remember her, the sentiment of the woman's love had remained by her side.
The core of who she is managed to survive in spite of these things, but her determination to keep moving forward doesn't erase the hollow sensation lingering inside her heart. Visiting her mother's grave isn't likely to fix that feeling but she may gain a sense of closure.
"But what if I do remember something?"
Yumia bites down on her lip. The small trace of pain chases away the fleeting hope she knows won't come to fruition.
"Do we have a deal then, Alchemist?"
His words shake her out of her thoughts.
"We do."
Rutger slows his pace then, allowing her to catch up as she breaks into a short jog. Once side by side, the two walk in a comfortable silence. They've never needed to talk much to understand one another, nor have they ever engaged in any major disagreements, even in the times when he'd been in his more abrasive moods. He doesn't disclose much about his experiences or feelings, which makes him a complicated figure in Yumia's mind to some extent, but she's happy they've developed a bond that doesn't need words.
With him walking beside her she doesn't feel as lonely or confused. There's an immediate directive to follow her quest for closure, which means she won't have room to dwell on any negative emotions that may come from facing the turmoil stirring inside.
He knows she needs that. Needs the distraction. Needs companionship.
She's glad and grateful for his compassion.
"Rutger."
"What is it?" he asks brusquely.
…
"Thank you."
…
"Whatever."
With a smile, the Alchemist shifts her attention to the azure sky above them. A light breeze shakes through the foliage of the surrounding trees, and a few leaves break free to drift along the wind.
"Yumia."
The softer tone of his voice draws her attention to his face.
"Yes?"
He stares at her for a long moment, his golden eyes scrutinizing her from behind the lenses of his glasses.
"After this…will you be okay on your own?"
She hesitates. She wants to say that she'll be fine. She doesn't want him to worry. She doesn't want anyone to worry about her.
In defeating Basillius, Yumia did what she set out to do.
But…
…
"Will you, Rutger?"
They both halt in their footsteps. The wind around them picks up, stirring the loose leaves that had fallen to the ground as a heavy silence settles between them.
Though neither of them speak, Yumia knows exactly what's going through his mind thanks to the slight twitch to his brow and the subtle gritting of his teeth when he closes his eyes.
A part of her wants to ask him why he protected her...why he put all of his ambitions on the line to ensure she lived past that final fight.
Instead she waits. She knows he'll answer what she can't voice when he's ready.
That's how they communicate. That's how they've always communicated, and it's enough.
…
"Surviving isn't difficult for me," he says after a while, smirking. "But I might miss the convenience your alchemy provides. This scythe you made me is definitely the best I've ever used."
He slices the air with the weapon dramatically for emphasis.
Yumia offers a soft smile in return. "Be careful not to damage it then."
He nods once. "You'll fix it if I do though, right?"
Her smile transforms into a mischievous smirk that matches his.
"For a price."
At this he laughs outright, and it's a good sound. Rutger doesn't laugh often.
Yumia allows herself to laugh a little too…because she knows it might be one of the last times they'll exchange a joke amongst themselves.
It's impossible to know if they'll even remember each other upon meeting again.
...
The alchemist that stole Rutger's memories is still out there. They could steal even more from him.
What if he forgets her?
…
What if she forgets him someday?
…
"Am I going to have to drag you along?" he chastises, practically growling when he wraps one of his gloved hands around her wrist. "You keep spacing out."
Yumia glances up at him, shock coursing through her as he gently tugs her along.
Beyond pushing her out of the way of an attack during the final battle, he's never touched her before. Not even once.
"Pick up your feet, Alchemist."
"R-Right. Sorry."
He releases her after a moment, and the loss of contact makes the hollow space in her heart ache.
She isn't sure what that sensation means or if it even matters.
…
The only choice she has is to keep walking forward. Step by step. Moment by moment.