Atelier still doesn't see how that would work, but something is making her change her mind. Something not quite friendly. "Really…?"
"Yes, really," his voice rings in her ears, coaxing her to listen. "Trust me."
She nods, caught in a daze. "I'll go after him."
Chanjyushir's eyes glow with a flare of red. A malicious grin carves its way across his face. "Yes, please do."
---
"He's not back yet, Lucem."
Lucem stares into the distance, struggling to suppress his emotions. "It's time."
"He might be on his way back. We ought to wait a little longer," Tao protests. "I have a bad feeling about this, Lucem. We should hold this off until –"
"We gave him enough time." Lucem glances to the glowing Core. His Materia burns a deep, dark blue in his wrist. "He would have returned by now, if he wanted to."
