A/N After a bit of back and forth, I finally managed to get myself into getting this fic published. Hopefully it does well enough for everyone's sake. Mind everyone this fic will get dark, so expect some brutal confrontations and such. Anyway, have fun.
Third Person View
On an island off the coast of Torim Harbor; Yuri Lowell is lying on his back on the beach; soaked to the bone and apparently unconscious. It is near the evening since the sun is setting across the horizon, showing a soothing orange glow in the distance. The warmth of that glow spread onto Yuri's face and gave it color again after being in the cold water. He coughed awake and slowly opened his eyes after catching his breath. He sees the sky and the clouds that had an orange tint to them by the sun's setting.
He sat up to scan the area around him to make a guess where he is. Unfortunately, he couldn't figure it out. He sighs and throws himself back flat on the ground. He may be awake, but he is still tired. "That was one hell of a jump. I guess that wasn't too smart." Yuri yawned.
"Jump?" A familiar voice called out from the forest. "What happened that it would permit such an action." Yuri opened his eyes again and rolled over onto his stomach. He peered over to see who that voice is. Duke appeared out of the bushes and walked over to Yuri. Even after a long time has passed since they meet, it felt like they met just yesterday.
"Let's just say I needed to get away from somewhere." Yuri said as he fixed his body posture into a sitting position he normally uses. Duke does the same by stabbing Dein Nomos in the sand and sitting himself at Yuri's side. "It's been a while."
"Indeed, although you do seem to have a problem for falling at such great heights." Duke noted to Yuri.
Yuri chuckled while remembering the number of times his life had been saved by Duke. "I figured it was you that brought me here. I always seem to run into you when I'm in some form of trouble."
"I did nothing of the sort. You merely washed ashore here during my time of travels." Duke volleyed back at Yuri. Although Duke wouldn't admit it, he really did save Yuri from his watery grave. "I saw you fall from your companion's ship. May I ask what is it that is in your mind to even think of leaping off like that?"
"It may be difficult for you to understand, but I guess I could." Yuri sighed, not wanting to explain to Duke of all people his situation.
Flashback
Judith and Yuri were in the sky with their friends Ba'ul. Yuri leaned on the side of the boat looking down at the ground as they fly past everything. He seemed deep in thought at the time as he paid no attention to anything around him. Eventually they began to cross over the ocean, which immediately registered to Yuri that they weren't going in the direction they should be. Yuri stood up straight and turns towards Judith.
"Where are we going?" Yuri asked. They were supposed to be heading back to Dahngrest, but they shouldn't be going over water to do so.
"Oh, I thought it would be a good idea to go back to Zaphias first." Judith answered in her usual manner. Yuri crossed his arms; knowing that there is more to this then just a visit. Judith, feeling Yuri's seriousness, gave into Yuri's inquiry. "Listen, I know all you are doing is helping people, but now things are getting too far Yuri."
Yuri sighed, knowing what where this is going. "You too huh."
"You know very well as much as I do that murder is a crime." Judith continued. "The empire wouldn't take these actions kindly, even from you. So I think it's time for you to pay up to what you've done."
"You mean turn myself in?" Yuri deducted from Judith's statements.
"I have turned a blind eye to what you've been doing because I know that you mean well for everyone, but now it's gone too far." Judith shot back; getting more serious in this endeavor. "What would Estelle and Flynn think if they knew you were continuing this behavior?"
"Estelle took it rather nicely when she found out before after I took care of Ragou and Cumore." Yuri stated. "Flynn I know would probably go on a knightly rampage with me about it again."
"If you know that then why continue?" Judith asked.
"You've seen this world as it is right?" Yuri answered with his own question. "We may have saved the world, but society, even after the unity, has gone under."
"Yuri." Judith knew what he was talking about. She did know that the amount of crime and chaos in towns have gone up after so long.
"I can't just sit back and watch the world tear itself apart." Yuri enforced his position. "I can't count on the knights to do anything about it since they are always held back by guidelines of intervention, and I know them well being a knight for a few months."
"But now you can't just simply go doing as you please now that you are in a guild remember? I have to draw a line, for Karol's sake as well." Yuri eyes shut closed and he remained silent. Judith, now knowing that talking isn't going to do much anymore, walked away to the front of the ship; leaving Yuri by himself at the tail end.
Yuri felt a ping of regret from his actions now. He had forgotten his position as a member of Brave Vesperia, but that served as a line he had to cross. He knew the world is getting more rotten by the day even after everything that has happened after the Adephagos. Yuri reopens his eyes and turned to look over the ship. He saw the ocean below. "Sorry Judy. But I can't ignore what is happening." Yuri took a step on the ledge and with a single thrust with that same leg, he leaped over, falling down to the ocean below.
Present
"I started hunting down criminals by my own leisure again. Even with all the blastia gone people still insist in making life harder for others for their own selfish gain. Be it noble or bandits, I couldn't look away to those who take advantage of the lives of others."
"So you are merely performing justice on your own accord." Duke rationalized. "And the problem in that is what? It's the nature of man to punish one see's fit. Although some people may not like your actions, I can see that you do so in the best of interest to everyone around you."
"Yeah, but I'm not turning my back on humanity; I am merely cleaning up the filth in it."
"And so you would dirty your hands with the blood of filth so that the clean can live without fear or oppression?" Duke inquired further. "If so, your goal may be noble, but the empire wouldn't approve of your affairs."
"I know. Murder is a crime to them after all." Yuri exhaled the held breath he didn't know resided in him. He knew full well that his actions wouldn't be approvable to anyone. If Flynn or Estelle caught wind of it would mean trouble for all three of them, and that's the last thing Yuri wanted to happen. "You know, you're the last person I'd expect to actually support what I'm doing." Yuri's mind clicked in realization of how the conversation is progressing.
"I am not approving. I'm merely digging deeper to the heart of this matter to understand you a little more." Duke explained his position. "And it seems that I found out what I wanted to know."
"Probing my mind huh?" Yuri grinned at Duke. "But you still sounded like you approve of my actions."
"It is true that what you are doing is helping humanity as a whole, but don't allow yourself to get driven too deep." Duke rose back up on his feet and picked Dein Nomos from the ground. "If you do, you may no longer be able to turn back if you wanted to. Not that I'm concerned about you of all people."
"You don't need to worry about me. It's not like I'm killing everyone in sight." Yuri said as he stood up as well while brushing off the sand on his clothes, although the wetness made the sand stick. "Just the ones who continually terrorize the people."
"Very well then. If that is the path you choose, so be it." Duke began to walk away, but slowly; as if he is waiting for Yuri to follow. "This island is near Torim Harbor. If you wish to go there I have a boat ready to return."
"Nice enough to give me a lift huh?" Yuri muttered to himself and ran up to Duke's side. "Once we arrive, we part ways."
"Of course. I wish not to be dragged into your affairs." Duke told Yuri. They both walked side by side quietly until they reached for the boat that would take them back to town
Torim Harbor
It is night time now in the city and it began to rain. Duke and Yuri had already parted ways to do their own thing. Yuri signed in at the inn to rest for the night. He laid on his bed undressed with only a spare black trouser worn on him. It was given to him by the inn keeper when he noticed his clothes were still drenched, so Yuri got the offer of having his clothes cleaned.
While his clothes were being washed and dried Yuri heard noises outside his window; they weren't pleasant sounds to his ears. He got up and peered out the window. He saw three thugs chasing a business man from fortunes market in the back alley. The man tripped and the thugs pounced on him; stripping him of his belongings that he carried for sale.
Yuri couldn't turn a blind eye to this. He grabbed his blade that is placed at his bedside and walked out the inn quietly. He approached the alleyway that the businessman got trapped in by his pursuers. Yuri saw him on his knees, pleading for mercy as he is being harassed after getting stripped of everything he had on him, even his clothes. Now the bandits are just humiliating the businessman while pointing their daggers at him.
Yuri's stomach churned, feeling sick of what he is seeing. He grabbed a lid from the trash can next to him and threw it like a Frisbee at the middle thugs head. He tumbled to the ground with his knife dropping to the ground. The thug that fell got back up and turned with his companions to face the one responsible for that attack.
Yuri stared at them with cold eyes. "You should give back everything you took if you know what's good for you."
"Just who the hell are you?" One thug said with his knife pointing at Yuri. "You think you can take on all three of us?" Yuri said nothing, but rather he drew his sword. Through this action it told the thugs that the time for talking is over, only the trading of blows.
"Hah, this guy is hardly even dressed and he thinks he can beat us!" Another thug shouted as he rushed forward; his companions following from behind. Yuri stood still, waiting for the front most attackers to come close enough. When he did, Yuri lunged with pure concentration of speed. The thug couldn't keep his eye on Yuri; he was too fast for him. The only thing that the thug felt was Yuri's cold steel piercing through his stomach, certainly killing him.
Yuri threw him to the side and lunged forward against the other two. The scene moved too fast for them to regain their composure after their comrade had been killed. Yuri parried the knife away from the thug on the left of him and followed up with a horizontal slash from the ground up; cutting through the man's ribcage.
The last one thrust his knife towards Yuri's chest. Yuri spun by pivoting with his foot, allowing the thug to miss and pass him. After the evasion, Yuri stuck his blade through his back, piercing one of his lungs. Yuri withdrew his blade from his victim and allowed the body to fall on the ground. Seeing the blood trickling from his blade, Yuri grabbed a cloth on his victim's body and wiped his blade clean. With a satisfying swish afterwards he sheaths it.
Yuri turns to see the businessman, completely dumbfound by what had happened. Although slightly scared at Yuri after killing three thugs, he is mostly relieved that he had been saved by him.
"Are you alright?" Yuri asked kneeling down to him.
"Y-Yes. Thank you." He replied back as he scurried around to grab his clothing. Although they are drenched along with most of his belongings, it's better than going around naked. "If you hadn't come I might have-" The business man looked back at where Yuri once stood only to see that he disappeared from sight. He became confused, but knew that he had run away from the area before people notice what had happened. He nodded with a slight smile, feeling that he must do the same before he gets caught. "I owe him one."
Torim Harbor Inn
Back to being drenched again, Yuri decided to go and take a bath to wash up, mostly because he had some blood spilled on him. Nothing that was new to him though. With the amount of thugs and bandits he killed in the past, this was just another day for him.
Yuri submerged himself in the water of the tub, leaving only his head out in the open while lying back. This would be a good time for him to relax; to help ease his mind of around him. However his conversation with Duke kept ringing in his head; it bothered him more than helping him. Mostly from the idea that if he did go too far then he would never be able to turn back.
Yuri lifted his hand out of the water and stared at it. Although it is clean now, he can visualize the blood of his victims covering it like a stain. He submerged it back into the water and sighed. "I think it's already too late now." Yuri muttered to himself and allowed himself to sink deeper into the tub, leaving only everything above the mouth exposed and breathing through the nose.
He shut his eyes, allowing the warm water to take control of him so he can relax better, his hair also flowing gracefully around in the water. After riding his thoughts on his encounter with Duke, he began thinking about his argument with Judith. He knew that she wouldn't rat him out to Flynn, but he still felt worried about what can happen in later days.
He knows now that he would have to cut his ties with everyone, he would have to cut himself from Brave Vesperia as well. Although regrettable, Yuri already did too much and he didn't want to drag any of his friends down with him. His only real concern is the feeling of Rita's fireballs hitting him when she calls him an idiot or something to that effect. That thought made Yuri chuckle under the water.
In the end, this means that Yuri is gonna have to become a lone wolf, but first he has to make sure that his companions won't pursue him. Repede can stay with Flynn; I can't take him with me this time. Estelle I should just leave alone and avoid her for a while. Judith shouldn't be able to do anything against me for now, still too soon. Yuri stopped his thoughts real quick to reemerge his mouth to take a large breath. All that I should really be worried about is Raven and Karol. Guess that means I should head over to Dahngrest. Yuri declared in his head on his destination.
Yuri got out of the tub moments later and grabbed the bathrobe and towel that is placed on the seat next to the door. After drying off he threw the robe on and exited back to his room. He saw his clothes that were drenched earlier on the bed with a note on it. He walked over and read it.
"Fresh out the laundry. Take care."
-Innkeeper
Talk about service. Yuri thought in his head while having a mental chuckle. He removed his robe and began dressing himself up back in his fresh clothes. Feeling back to normal now that he is wearing his old garments again, he threw himself on the bed and shut his eyes. I'll leave in the morning. It's a two day hike from here to the Heliord, and a three day one to Dahngrest. Man, not having Ba'ul around sure sucks.
Yuri woke up the next morning feeling refreshed from his adventure yesterday. He sprung to his feet from the bed and grabbed his blade. When he walked outside he noticed a large group of people near the entrance to the alley Yuri was in last night. Yuri knew what happened since he was the cause of it, but he didn't want to get caught up in that mess. So he skipped out of town before he is seen by anyone.
Not too long after, Yuri made it to the forest that would eventually meet up at Heliord. Instead of walking, he decided on jogging his way to make good time. At the rate Yuri is going he would make it to Heliord by the end of the day. Although traveling alone did make Yuri feel a bit lonely after a while, but he knew he would grow out of it. He had to; otherwise it would be problematic when he begins hunting again.
"Hello there!" A voice called out to Yuri from behind. When Yuri turned, he saw the businessman he saved the other night riding on a caravan. "I never got a chance to thank you. If you're going to Heliord I can give you a lift. I'm Leeroy by the way."
"Yuri." Yuri placed his free hand on his hip and leaned to one side. "I am, but I'm actually going to Dahngrest." Yuri explained.
"Even better, I have to report there anyway by the day after tomorrow. You can travel with me until we get there." The businessman told Yuri. "You saved me from last night, this is the least I can do for you."
Yuri's mood brightened up by this encounter. Now he can make it Karol and deal with him even sooner than planned. "I'd be rude to turn you down. I'll take that offer." Yuri leapt up into the caravan. Who knew my luck would turn around now of all times.
"Once we head to Heliord I will have to pick up a few items. Afterwards we will leave and make it to Dahngrest by nightfall the next day."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll help you along the way if need be." Yuri offered. And once I make it to Dahngrest, I can settle things with Karol.
A/N Well, that's it for chapter on. Once again i hope this fic brings up your interest in it. I usually have a hard time making a series like this. Nothing more for me to say other than that. Hope you guys are enjoying this as much as I am. Review and fav if you like, it helps get me into making another chapter faster.