Disclaimer: ToV and ToS do not belong to me.
I had no idea deleting the first chapter would cause you guys to be unable to review. Eh, it had to happen at some point, right? Well, at any rate, the third chapter. We complete the Martel Chapel!
"It's sealed," Yuan notes. Thank you, captain obvious.
The 'seal' is a large gate with a semi-circle archway over top and slightly in front of it. In the middle of this archway is some blue energy shield, preventing us from getting past. Flynn was right. It's definitely blocking our path. And looking over it with my eyes, I find no ways to get past it without disabling the shield first. Looks like there's some sort of key needed to open it.
Estelle closes her eyes and recites once again from her photographic memory, "Glyph crystallization, when harnessed by angelic technology, allows the user to emit mana when necessary. However, only one such device, called the Sorcerer's Ring, is known to exist. This Sorcerer's Ring is a gift from the angels of Cruxis to the Chosen of Mana to aid her in her quest to regenerate the world. It is a holy artifact of the Church of Martel, and only the Chosen and her companions are allowed to wield it," She opens her eyes, "The ring is enshrined somewhere in the temple."
Okay, simple enough. But what sort of universal object IS the Sorcerer's Ring, anyways? I'll have to ask Rita about it once the world's done going crazy. Flynn asks Estelle where we could find it, and she responds that she doesn't know EXACTLY where it is. Just that its in the temple. Lovely. Now we'll have to go on a treasure hunt. Well, at least things couldn't get any worse...
...oh, wait. We could still run into Rita. My bad.
So we backtrack a little and go up the left staircase. And get ambushed by monsters. And Estelle and Flynn are totally worshiping Mister 'I'm Better Than You'. Gag me. This way ends up being blocked by fallen debris (Honestly, why don't they clean this place?) We backtrack through the temp- CHAPEL again and go up the right staircase. And... more monsters. What a shock. This way isn't blocked so we continue forward, only to run into MORE monsters! Oh joy. I can't wait to get the Sorcerer' s Ring. We can cut down on these annoying encounters.
There's a stairwell that's, surprisingly, NOT guarded by monsters. Estelle and Flynn are chatting about some homework that's due tomorrow, not that I care, and Yuan keeps staring at me. Whenever he realizes I've caught on, he turns away and pretends he wasn't staring. He KNOWS something. I'm sure of it now. Either that, or he's just plain creepy. And coincidences... there are no coincidences. Everything that happens to us, every chance meeting, was all planned out ahead of time. By Alexei with Raven, by Leviathan's Claw with Zagi... it's all planned.
So now I'm wondering... who the heck planned this? I shake the thoughts out of my head. I'll figure this out later, but now I've gotta keep my head in the game. Prove, once again, that I can protect Estelle.
We pass to the bottom of the stairwell when Flynn goes running off unexpectedly, then leans over the edge of a balcony, pointing at something. I pull him back off the edge as I've done before with Karol (where did this youthful energy come from?) and peer over myself. It doesn't take a genius to recognize something they've worn on their finger for the entirety of an adventure. It's so close... yet so far. We can't just jump off and reach it. The pathway below our feet, that leads to the ring, is dotted with holes that would prevent us from passing.
"That's the Sorcerer's Ring, right?" Flynn asks, "It seems so close..."
I nod at him. Two great minds think alike, right? "We'll have to think of a way to reach it," I turn to ask Yuan if he had any ideas because, as much as I hate to admit it, he IS pretty smart, and spot something behind him. A giant rock? And next to that giant rock is... "ESTELLE!"
Without thinking, I dash right past Yuan and pull out my sword just in time to prevent the giant stone from harming Estelle. It reared back its rocky fists, ready to strike again. Remembering the fight from that golem-thing in the Shaikos Ruins, I dash behind it and knock it down. One thing's for sure. It's definitely less powerful than the rock giant there. It turns a lot quicker, though, as I find out when its arms suddenly spin around and knock me flat on my back. It prepares a finishing strike, but, luckily, I have a blond-haired back-up. Flynn's fireball finishes at that moment, knocking the thing away from me. Estelle then joins, throwing her Chakram to knock it backwards when it tries to get up. Nice one, Estelle!
I run up to it and drive my sword through its rocky abdomen. It curls into a ball and... transforms into a square...
Yuan, meanwhile, doesn't do anything useful. AGAIN.
Estelle inspects the square, "Did that thing... turn into a rock?" She moves closer for a better look.
"It was kind of a rock to begin with..." I note. Estelle moves even closer, poking and prodding it... a little too much. The rock, as a result, falls into a hole in the floor, with all of us staring down at it.
It fills one of the gaps in the walkway below.
"Oops..." Estelle looks down at it, worried, "I'm sorry guys! I screwed up!"
I smile at her, trying to be re-assuring, "It's fine Estelle. I think I've figured out how we're going to get the ring."
"How?"
Flynn takes over for me, having connected the dots as fast as I had, "Any moment now, another monsters going to appear..." As if on cue, another one magically appeared out of thin air. Estelle gasps.
Yuan appears to have gotten it too, "Okay, now we must defeat this thing and drop it down below."
"Why would you-" It clicks, "Oh, I see now. He-he," She adds in a nervous giggle to cover her embarrassment. I place my hand on her shoulder, comforting her. Whatever changed in this universe has appeared to have made her slightly... what's the word? Ditzy. Yeah, that will do.
So, defeating the next one was somewhat simpler, with all of us FINALLY working together. Yuan actually does some decent fighting, Flynn deciphers new formulas (or whatever they're called here), Estelle trips during battle and finds out she can pick up enemy items that way and I figure out how to jump over my opponents head while still causing damage. Overall, the battle was pretty simple. With Flynn's guidance, we figure out exactly which hole to drop it down pretty easily. Unfortunately, we need a second one to complete the pathway to the Sorcerer's Ring. Another fight, another golem defeated. Honestly, by that point it was pretty boring. We were all pretty powerful, having fought pretty much every monster we've seen. Maybe Rita's talk about having bad luck was onto something... or maybe my curse passed over. Point being, we defeated this one with ease and dropped it down, too.
"Well done, everyone!" Estelle congratulates after we finish the path. Flynn and I both smile at her while Mr. Grumpy-Pants just grunts and walks away, towards the stairwell leading to the pathways. Well, then!
"So, this is the Sorcerer's Ring," Flynn observes when we arrive at the alter where it's enshrined, "It's talked about in most of the readings of the Chosen Ones and the Book of Martel," Seriously, Church of Martel, Book of Martel? What next, a tower of Martel?
Yuan nods, taking the ring and presenting it to Estelle, "Most traps and obstacles shouldn't be a problem with this."
Upon receiving the ring, Estelle stares blankly at it before presenting it to me, "You take it, Yuri!"
"Seriously?" I ask. Secretly, I'm relieved I didn't have to beg like a child for it. Having that ring on my finger would increase the normality of my life at least a little bit. It's... familiar, you know? Flynn makes a comment about me being a little kid when I take it, but whatever. Let him talk.
The others talk about the trials of the Chosen One on the way up. I listen in and participate, having started the conversation by asking if everyone is okay. Yuan seems completely at home with fighting, I notice. Maybe it re-enforces his traveling mercenary story, but I still don't like him. On the contrary, Flynn and Estelle don't seem nearly as comfortable with fighting as they should. They're not used to this. They should be more than used to this. Even considering the alternate universe thing, I would imagine that they'd at least have some fighting experience. I mean, the towns can't even protect themselves with barriers. How do they survive?
Once we arrive at the gate, Estelle tells me to use the Sorcerer's Ring to open the door. A fire bolt, about the size of a level two Sorcerer's Ring fires through the blue energy shield, dissipating it. The doors open as a result. I shrug, motioning the others to follow. Flynn mutters something about getting bored, or me getting bored. He doesn't know I've used this thing countless times.
A glowing panel lies on the ground behind the door. And I have to admit, I'm not impressed. Sure, it lights up when you stand on it, but that's it. Flynn rolls his eyes and follows me onto the panel, pressing on the center of it with his foot. The light expands, and the surroundings suddenly grow dark. When the light comes back, we're in a different area. Okay, forget my initial response. That was pretty cool.
Estelle and Yuan use the warp portal after us, after Flynn ushers me off. Captain Obvious looks around and states, "This must be the top floor," Yeah, the giant alter in the center and hole in the ceiling SO did not give that away.
"Yes," Estelle ignores his obviousness, "This is the Alter where the Oracle will appear," Ah, hell. Estelle's been taking obviousness lessons, "That shining thing in the center is the Cruxis Crystal. They say I was born with that in my hand," She smiles at me, and I smile back, "Each Chosen has possessed one of these crystals," Huh, something you don't learn everyday.
"Look at that light," Flynn interrupts. The hole in the ceiling become invisible as the third or forth blinding light of the day shines through. I'm losing count. A golden orb floats down from the light. Yet another blinding light flash. Then, in place of the orb, is a man. With wings. An angel... if only the others could see this...
Yuan stares at me, "Hmm?" And I realize I whispered that last part aloud. I wave him off and bring my attention back to the angel.
Then Flynn asks a question which, mostly likely, will start a chain of emotional events for poor Estelle, "So, that angel... is Estelle's real father?" I stare at him, then Estelle. Her eyes are wide with awe, seemingly ignoring but no doubt contemplating Flynn's question. My attention then shifts to the angel. His robes are what you'd expect a priest to wear. Perfect image of an angel, I guess. Estelle walks forward.
"I am Remiel," The angel introduces himself, "I am an Angel of Judgment. I am here to guide Estellise, daughter of the Mana Lineage, on her journey to heaven as the Seventh Chosen," Seventh? That doesn't have good implifications for Estelle...
The red crystal in the enter of the alter flies upward, into Remiel's hands, "The time has come to awaken the goddess Martel, who sleeps at the center of the world," Doesn't that sound familiar?
"That's the same legend Rita was talking about in class, wasn't it?" I turn back to Flynn, "The one that says that the angels with the edict must be awakened or the world will be destroyed?"
Flynn shakes his head, "You don't have to be so crude about it... but yes, that's the legend."
The crystal flies from Remiel's hands towards Estelle, setting itself on the base of her neck. Estelle fingers it, while Flynn gaps in amazement. I silently scan Remiel. He seems innocent enough, but... well, so did Alexei. I don't say anything though. If Flynn and Estelle knew how skeptic I was being, they'd never let me live it down.
"From this moment, Estellise becomes the Chosen of Regeneration," Funny, I thought she already was, "We of Cruxis bless this event, and hereby bestow the Tower of Salvation upon Sylvarant," Looking out the window, we see a large tower suddenly flash into view. Has it always been there?
"That's the Tower of Salvation?" Flynn's question is more out of disbelief than anything, "It's huge!" He turns back to Estelle, smiling, "Now the world can be saved!" Seriously, I'M the childish one here?
Remiel continues, "Estellise, Chosen of Regeneration, unlock the seals that lock the Tower of Salvation, and climb its stares to heaven in distant lands."
Estelle nods, smiling, "I humbly accept this task," Has she rehearsed this? This isn't the kind of thing you just accept. She's been through all this before, the hypotheticals and phrasings, hasn't she? Remiel nods in approval.
"Very good. We of Cruxis shall grant you the power of the angels with each seal you unlock. Once you are reborn as an angel, this eroded world shall be regenerated," Estelle bows her head, thanking him and swearing that she will regenerate the world. I briefly wonder what fates decided to put this burden on her shoulders. First she's expected to destroy the world. Now she's expected to save it, practically on her own, "First, head South to the seal of water. Offer your prayers in that distant land," Estelle agrees. Remiel begins to ascend again.
"Please, wait, Lord Remiel!" Estelle cries, "I have a question for you, if you would answer it," Remiel doesn't respond directly, so she continues, "Are you really my fath-"
He doesn't express any emotions, "Head to the Seal of Fire first. Understood, my beloved daughter?"
Estelle gasps, "Father! So, you really are my true father!" Tears begin seeding in her eyes, though she seems to have willed herself not to cry. I don't dare interrupt, despite my doubts that he's telling the truth. And he never directly says it.
"We shall meet again at the next seal, my daughter," Another blinding light, and Remiel disappears through the hole in the ceiling, once again an orb of light. After a moment of being shocked out of their minds, though honestly, I've seen more shocking, Yuan tells Estelle they should leave now. The two of them take off, though not before Estelle invites myself and Flynn over to her house later.
"...so, guess the rumors were true," Flynn comments out of the blue, probably just trying to evade the silence.
I stare at him, "What rumors?"
"The ones about Estelle being the daughter of an angel, and having no real relation to her current father."
I shake my head, remembering Hank and Ted, the others from the Lower Quarter and my guildmates. The people I've come to consider family, "I don't think that matters. Estelle will always be Frank's daughter, not because they're related by blood, but because they love each other. No matter how you put it, family is family," Flynn looked away, as if suddenly ashamed. He apologizes, "Don't become Estelle," I tease, "Toughen up," It may seem harsh, but that's just the way we are. That will never change, as evident by Flynn's eye roll and smirk.
Again through the warping panel which, surprisingly, doesn't loose its touch. We talk about what happened -actually, it was just me making up an excuse to not give back the Sorcerer's Ring- and walked into the Central Chamber of the temp- CHAPEL. Where we find...
"This is-" The person cuts herself off, shaking her head and re-examining something.
"...Rita?" I asked, only seconds later realizing what a big mistake I made. She turns around suddenly, shock evident on her face, before it hardens into a glare. Flynn shoots me a look that says 'nice going, genius'.
"WHAT are you two doing here? I thought I told you to stay and study! Flynn, you of all people should know better," Flynn looks away from his 'sister', ashamed, "And you... what the hell were you thinking, coming here?" I shrug, "Honestly!" She takes a stance for a magical spell, then... stops and walks up to Flynn.
"R-rita... please, don't..." He begs. I shut my eyes, hearing some harsh smacking noises. Ouch.
"YURI!" And now its my turn. I open my eyes to see Flynn lying on the ground, thoroughly beaten. I smile at Rita, backing away. Even I'm not stupid enough to pick a fight with an angry Rita. She kicks me, it all goes white for a moment, and then... I'm lying against the wall on the other side of the room, "Now," She seems to have calmed down, "if you two idiots have learned your lesson, go home. I'm staying and finishing up some studies here. Flynn," The boy looks up, "I'll meet you back home. You wanna cook tonight?"
"Yes, ma'am," Rita walks off to another part of the temple.
We both head for the exit. Flynn cuffs me, hard, on the arm, "Nice going, brainiac."
"Sorry," I shrugged, "I wasn't really thinking," In truth, I'm used to being able to talk to her without having my brains blown out. This Rita, however, appears to hate me. It may take a while to resolve that.
We walk up the stairwell, almost out of the temple when this creepy, almost evil laugh echoes through the now empty halls. I exchange a glance with Flynn, "...what the hell was that?"
He sighs, "Really, you're better off not knowing," and rushes out of the temple. All I can do is shrug.
POOR Flynn... I stuck him with Rita. And no more complain about them being/looking nothing alike. I've already got that part planned out. This chapter felt short...
And at this point, all characters were about two levels above Kratos. The moron. I'll also explain why I chose each character to be the character they are:
Yuri (Lloyd)-For the purpose of putting him in Lloyd's shoes (Seriously, those are some red boots to fill)
Estelle (Colette) - It fit. Worldly burdens and all that.
Flynn (Genis)- Honestly, because of the similar relationships between Y/F and L/G. Nobody else notices this?
Rita (Raine)- Similar personalities, if you think about it.
Yuan (Kratos)- SPOILERS!
Party Members at this Time:
Yuri Lowell (Lloyd Irving)
Flynn Scifo (Genis Sage)
