MHST Ride On: Lute, on Guilt and Integrity
Hello lovelies, this will be the final installment of my Chevlute analysis. Since I have been mostly focused on Cheval's character about his trauma and loss. This time, I am going to focus on the next best boi, Lute.
You can check my previous analysis here:
part 1 / part 2
Lute's Integrity
In ep 30. This is where the the clash between Cheval and Lute gets more heated, and their relationship is so broken that they just clash whenever they're together. Their rivalry even showed in the anime's second opening
We no longer see the two of them together and it is now replaced with a sequence of them fighting, two friends. Now enemies because of their conflicting ideals .
Cheval has already lost his faith in people and monsters. Together with Hyoro and Millie, they slay blighted monsters with out a second thought.
As I said in my previous analysis, Cheval is not wrong for slaying the blighted monsters. But throwing his empathy and kindness towards them is what changed him for the worst. He become colder and paranoid. He stopped calling his monstie, Rathi. He sees her as nothing more than a tool. He even wanted to slay Ratha just to make sure that he would not hurt anyone despite not being able to prove that Ratha would kill anyone.
Cheval then drew his sword out and demanded Lute to fight him, no matter how many times he goaded Lute. He would draw his weapon at him.
Lute did not even flinch as the sword was pointed at him. Despite their fallout, he still sees Cheval as family. All the times Cheval scorned at him and threw such hurtful words. Lute did not take his insults to heart, and he still does his best to reach out to Cheval, despite his refusal.
This right here shows how steadfast Lute is. He is not afraid to stand for what he believes in, even when people says otherwise.
He is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Lute's optimism and kindness is what makes him see the good in others.
When Lute's words falls on deaf ears, Cheval tried to finish the job and raises his sword to slay Ratha. Then this happens.
Lute drew his weapon at him, to Cheval's surprise. Lute is more of a pacifist, he does not like fighting Riders, Hunters or monsters. But when the people he loves is in danger. He would not hesitate to stand up and fight back.
Notice how the two of them fight. Lute only raised a hand at Cheval when he threatened Ratha and only punched him once, meanwhile Cheval slugged Lute hard, the later was unarmed.
Even when Lute says he refused to fight, Cheval hit him multiple times. Poor boy was bruised badly. (Dang these kids are strong, Lute even managed to block Cheval's punches)
No matter how many times Cheval insulted him, Lute still believes that he can change Cheval and steer him away from his path to vengeance.
Lute is just a sweet guy who loves his friends. For a 13 year old, he's such an admirable kid.
Lute's Guilt
Cheval's grief is much more prominent. You can see a huge change in his character. He's much more ruthless and obsessive, he has nightmares over his mother's death, and he pushes his friends away.
Lute's grief is much more subtle. Even when he's goofing around and is seen smiling all the time. Deep down, there is still some scars left in his heart.
The poor kid just watched his own mother figure die right in front of him. His way of grieving was blaming himself for everything. Lute blamed himself for not being faster, for not being strong enough to stop the Nargacuga. He even believed that he was responsible for his broken relationship with Cheval.
You can see his inner conflict about this in ep 39. After Cheval left Hakum Village and abandoning Rathi. Lute is starting to feel discouraged now, he began to question himself and his ideals. Then Chief Omna tells him to go to the Tower of Illusions to help him find what he is looking for. Together with Avinia, the tow of them went to the tower
Lute's trial began once he entered. The tower then brought him to the day of the Nargacuga attack. Lute tried his best to change the outcome of Vlau's death. No matter how many times he tried, he kept on failing to protect her.
It's heartbreaking to see a kid this way. Lute nor being able to protect the people he loves. Him being wounded makes the scene even sadder.
As he sunk deeper, a hand reached out to him. He opened his eyes to see an illusion of his father. His father then asked what is kinship to him. Lute already filled with despair, has nothing to say to his father.
His father then comforted him, he said "That desire to share your life is what's been driving you onward. It is what's helping you to live your fullest potential. I believe in that emotion - that is kinship. You have friends who want to share your life. They're waiting."
Upon hearing Ratha's roar, he then realized what Kinship meant to him. Him wanting to be a part of his friend lives, and their bonds. Are the driving force that pushed him forward. It helps him to face any trials head on.
Lute realized where he went wrong. He forgot that he has friends he can rely on. All this time, he wanted to bear the burden of protecting everyone by himself, and carry his grief alone. Instead, he should have turned to them when he can't shoulder his burdens anymore. He finally knows what to do to get out of his trial.
He returned to the illusion the third time, apologizing to his friends for not depending on them when he needed them, and trusting on their individual strengths. For the first time, he asked for his friends for help.
This scene, this phrase. This is the central force of Lute's and Cheval's relationship. They have been through so much, despite them not seeing each other eye to eye. The boys rely and love each other.
Though it's just an illusion. The tower probably knows what's in Lute's heart and how their bons was never broken, despite Cheval's animosity towards him.
It is only when Lute reached out to his friends, they were finally able to defeat the Nargacuga at last. Cheval smiled at Lute, happy that their battle was victorious. Lute just looked at him in shock, then he smiled back. Since the last time this happened, Cheval blamed him for his mothers death. Lute was probably happy to see the positive outcome if he was able to save Vlau.
As the villagers congratulated the riders, he saw Vlau behind them. Lute went to Vlau, with guilt and sadness in his eyes. He was about to apologize to her for everything that happened.
Vlau never blamed him for everything that had happened, she just thanked Lute for being a part of her life. Though she may be gone, she knows that Lute will always be there fore Cheval. Then she disappeared.
I could be reading way to much in this scene. I like to think that the show focused on Lute's reflection in the mirror is that he made peace with himself. To make him a foil to Cheval, the latter was seen looking at his own shattered reflection, symbolizing his internal turmoil. The Tower of illusions made him face this particular trial so that he could be able to overcome the guilt he had and learn to move on from it.
Final Thoughts
I adore this show so much. It is such an underrated anime. I adore all of the characters, the art, the music. I mostly love how the show portrayed Lute's and Cheval's relationship. Whether you see Chevlute in a romantic or platonic light. It still does not change the fact how well written they are and how they care for one another. Lute, Cheval, and Lilia mean everything to me as characters. They exemplify the true meaning of bonds in the show.
Though it's unlikely, I hope that there would be a MHST2 anime, or Lute makes a comeback for the third game. That's a wrap for my Chevlute analysis. I hope you enjoyed reading them ^^
Have an extra Chevlute pics to make your day.
(So glad they became cottage core bf's in the end. Good for them)
