After the hot springs incident, Rita went back to Aspio to try investigating the Ultimate Blastia. Judith and Karol rode the Fiertia to Dahngrest to catch up on guild work while Yuri, Raven, Repede, Estelle, and the Shadow Wielders were dropped off at Zaphias. One week later, word had gone out around the lower quarter that Flynn had been released from the hospital. Unfortunately, when Yuri had gone to see him in the morning, Leblanc, Adecor, and Boccos were standing guard at Flynn's door.
"The commandant is very busy at the moment and won't be seeing anyone. Please come back later," Leblanc had told Yuri, a hint of smugness on his face. "Oh, and I wouldn't even think about using the window if I were you. Unless you want to get arrested by the Knights there."
Yuri gazed out of the window of his room at the lower quarter's inn and leaped out of it when he spotted the person he needed.
"Hey, Raven!" Yuri called out.
"Need somethin'?" Raven asked.
"I went to pay Flynn a visit, but Tweedle A, Tweedle B, and Leblanc were on guard duty. I was going to force my way through after hearing his window was also being guarded, but decided this wasn't the best time to get arrested again."
"An' what does all this hafta do with me?" Raven asked.
"I need you to convince your former lackeys to let me through," Yuri replied. "Think you can do it, Captain Schwann Oltorain?"
Raven sighed. "Fer cryin' out loud, it's not Schwann anymore. Alexei buried that miserable son of a bitch in Baction. I'm Raven, a guildsman. Not a Knight."
"Oh give me a break," Yuri replied. "It's just for this once. Plus you still have a debt to pay for double-crossing us."
"Okay, okay. Geez, don't need ta remind me," Raven said.
"Think maybe you could pull that trick like you did in the Weasand of Cados?" Yuri chuckled. "You know, before we knew you were Schwann? That ought to do the trick."
- - -Flashback- - -
Yuri, Estelle, Rita, Karol, Raven, Repede, and Judith were running from Flynn's brigade after Raven fired an explosive arrow to make the monster Mist and a few Knights tamed freak out. This created a long enough distraction for the seven to slip past the first part of the blockade to Nordopolica and into the Weasand of Cados, a tunnel through the mountains dividing the continent of Desier. They had to meet with Belius by the night of the new moon. It was clear Flynn was planning something, and it didn't seem good.
They were just about to the exit when they spotted Leblanc, Adecor, and Boccos of the Schwann Brigade standing guard. The group took cover. The three Knights were facing away from them and were completely oblivious to their presence.
"Huh, guess it's only natural they'd guard this side, too," Raven said.
"Raven, can't you do something like you did before?" Karol asked.
"Best not ta press yer luck when the Knights're takin' their work so seriously," Raven replied, rubbing the stubble on his chin.
"They don't look that serious from here," Rita said, staring at the Knights through half-lidded eyes.
"I say, woe is me!" Adecor was whining.
"How has our illustrious Schwann Brigade ever been reduced to playing back-up for Flynn?!" Boccos added disbelievingly. Leblanc turned to them.
"Enough complaining! If you don't like it, we'd better produce some results!" he growled.
Just then, Repede turned around and crouched, growling. One of Flynn's Knights was running in their direction. "There they are! Capture them!"
"They found us...!" Karol gasped.
"What is this?" Adecor asked, he and Boccos turning around. On an overhang above where Yuri's group was, another Knight appeared.
"You three! Don't let them escape!" he ordered. Yuri and the others came out of hiding.
"Ah, if it isn't Mr. Yuri Lowell!" Leblanc exclaimed. However, since Raven was turned away, he didn't see his captain's face.
"Hey, Leblanc. It's been awhile," Yuri replied.
"A-and Your Highness!" Leblanc stammered, seeing Estelle with them. The three ran toward the group.
"What are we gonna do?!" Karol exclaimed. A tamed monster appeared and was galloping toward them from the opposite direction. Raven turned around.
"Oh, well. Here goes nothing!" Raven ran up in front of the group and halted. "A-ten-SHUN!"
Leblanc, Adecor, and Boccos stopped right away and stood at attention. "Y-yes sir!" Leblanc replied. Raven, followed by Yuri and the others ran right past them.
"Not sure what's going on, but now's our chance!" Yuri said as he ran past. The two Knights and the monster stopped in front of the three. Leblanc just then realized what had happened.
"Raven, what did you do...?" Karol asked.
"Ahh, it's nothin'," Raven replied.
- - -End Flashback- - -
"Nah, I don't think that'd work anymore," Raven chuckled. "But I'll see if I can get you past."
as he and Raven entered the public quarter, Estelle was running toward them, her eyes wide with horror. Yuri knew instantly something was going on at the castle.
"What the hell happened?!" Yuri asked.
"Remnants of the Blood Alliance are attacking!" Estelle managed to gasp out.
"The Blood Alliance?!" Raven exclaimed. "I thought we took care of Barbos!"
"They've got a new leader and are out for revenge!" Estelle replied. "You need to come right away! They're overpowering the Knights!"
"Got it! Let's go!" Yuri shouted, taking off toward the castle.
"Wait!" Estelle said. "There's more! They've also hired Zagi!"
Yuri stopped in an instant and turned. "They hired that psychopathic maniac?!"
"They must be pretty desperate," Raven said. "But I thought Zagi was a member of Leviathon's Claw. Unless..."
"No way Leviathon's Claw and the Blood Alliance could be working together!" Yuri said. "We killed Yeager in Zaude."
"Yer forgetting two people who could be holding a grudge," Raven reminded him.
"Gauche and Droite..." Yuri murmured. "But what could they be holding against the Knights? I thought they'd be after Brave Vesperia."
"Alexei forced Yeager ta work for him," Raven replied. "And as a result, we had no choice but to kill him. I think that's reason enough for the girls ta hate the Knights."
"Enough!" Estelle exclaimed. "We need to hurry!"
The three ran as fast as they could to the castle. By the time they reached the noble quarter, they could see smoke billowing out of the castle.
"The Blood Alliance must still be bent on taking out the Knights so the guilds can take over," Yuri said as they passed the castle gates.
"Which would mean Flynn an' Ioder are in danger," Raven added.
"I'll look for Flynn," Yuri said. "Raven, you look for Ioder. Estelle, help out the Knights."
"Got it!" the two replied, bursting through the main doors. Inside, Knights were fighting against the Blood Alliance and Leviathon's Claw. There was no sign of Zagi or Gauche and Droite.
They made their way through the hall on the right, Raven breaking off into the hall leading to the Sword Stairs. Yuri and Estelle stopped at the hall leading to Flynn's room. Mist was up against the wall. A large diagonal gash ran across her chest. Estell knelt down and began using her healing artes while Yuri ran down toward Flynn's room.
'Please don't let them have gotten to Flynn!' Yuri pleaded silently. However, his hopes dropped when he saw Flynn's door had been broken down. Upon entering, Yuri wasn't too surprised by who he saw.
"I swear you're as hard to kill as a cockroach, Zagi," Yuri muttered. Zagi turned away from Flynn, who was barely able to stand. An X-shaped gash was on his chest. Zagi's blastia arm had been upgraded since their last battle, when he had appeared onboard Heracles. His red hair was slicked down instead of spiky.
"Yuri Lowell," Zagi replied, his voice higher pitched than last time, "How nice of you to show up so that I can kill you. You know, this is the place we first met! Don't you remember?"
"How could I ever forget the time someone mistakens me for Flynn," Yuri said.
- - -Flashback- - -
Yuri was escaping the castle after being arrested for the millionth time after breaking into an aristocrat's house chasing after the thief that stole the lower quarter's aque blastia. He ran into a pink-haired noble named Estellise (though Yuri doesn't know her name yet) who needed to see Flynn. At the same time, the castle was being attacked, distracting the Knights enough for them to make it into Flynn's room. However, Flynn wasn't there.
"He's really keeping this place cleaned up," Yuri commented, looking around. "Flynn must be off gallivanting around somewhere."
"Then... that means I'm too late," Estelle murmured. Yuri turned to her.
"So what sort of wickedness did you do anyway?" Yuri asked.
"Me? I haven't done anything wrong," Estelle replied. Yuri walked over to Flynn's bed.
"And yet a bunch of Knights were chasing you around the castle... Yeah, that makes sense."
"Um, you see...Yuri!" Estelle suddenly exclaimed.
"Whoa... What is it?" Yuri asked.
"I can't be specific, but Flynn is in terrible danger!" Estelle replied. "I've got to go and warn him."
"So go if you want to go," Yuri said, sitting down on the bed. "What's wrong with that?"
"I wish I knew..." Estelle murmured.
"Listen, I've got something I've gotta take care of right away, too," Yuri replied. "As soon as things quiet down outside I want to get back to the lower quarter."
"In that case, would you take me with you? Please?" Estelle asked, running up to Yuri. "Other than Flynn, there's no one I can depend on. Will you at least help me get out of the castle? Please, I'm begging you."
"Okay I can see you're serious, but why don't you tell me your name first."
Before Estelle could reply, the door was knocked down, causing her to scream. She ran over then backed up slowly, a hand in front of her mouth. A spiky red haired man walked in and looked over at Yuri.
"Prepare to fall victim to my blade..."
Yuri was looking away, trying to ignore him. The man took out a curved dagger and swung it out, smashing a vase. Yuri got up.
"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" Yuri asked.
"i am Zagi... The man who will end your life. Now die, Flynn Scifo!" Zagi replied before taking out his other dagger and leaping out at Yuri. Yuri took Second Star out just in time to block and push back.
"You got the wrong guy!" Yuri shouted.
"Die..." Zagi growled, almost taking Yuri's head off.
"You really should listen more!"
"My name is Zagi... Remember it well Flynn..." Zagi replied, leaping out of the way of Yuri's sword. He held both up to block one of Yuri's strike artes, Azure Edge.
"Listen, I'm not Flynn!" Yuri insisted, leaping back when Zagi swung a kick out.
"Heh heh heh... what's wrong?" Zagi taunted.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Yuri exclaimed, swinging his sword. Zagi tried dodging, but the sword made a shallow cut on his chest.
"I'm gonna kill you and carve your name into my blood..." Zagi continued.
"Yeah, that's pretty disgusting..." Yuri replied.
"Yeah, this is gonna be fun!" Zagi shouted. He charged at Yuri, but Yuri sidestepped.
"Azure Edge!" Yuri said, sending out a blue energy wave at Zagi. The attack sent Zagi into the wall. He slowly got up, chuckling like a maniac.
"Ahh, now I feel it!"
"You feel what? I'm not feeling anything over here," Yuri replied.
"Yes, so full of confidence," Zagi said. "Ah hah hah! That's it! That's it! Now I feel truly alive"
"What's with him all of a sudden?" Yuri murmured. Zagi laughed maniacally and leaped at Yuri, swinging a dagger. Yuri blocked it with his sword, struggling under the pressure. Estelle, meanwhile, had found a saber and a shield and ran over.
"Let me help you!" she said. Yuri shoved Zagi back.
"Stay away!" Yuri shouted.
"But- -" Estelle protested.
"Bring it! The more the merrier!" Zagi exclaimed.
"If things get out of hand, run for it," Yuri said.
"I will," Estelle replied.
"Oh, don't give up so soon. I haven't had a fight like this in years!" Zagi shouted. "Hah hah hah! This is fun!"
Yuri dashed at Zagi, bringing his sword down but Zagi blocked it.
"Relax," Estelle said. "He's just doing that to mess up our fighting." She put her shield up to block Zagi's attack and warded him off by swinging her saber.
"You relax!" Yuri countered. "Trust me, he's not thinking that hard."
"So... that's just who he is?" Estelle asked.
"The more you talk, the faster you die, Flynn," Zagi said, lashing out again at Yuri and managing to give Yuri a cut on the arm.
"Dammit, I am not... Urgh, never mind. You're not listening anyway," Yuri grumbled.
When Zagi went for Estelle again, Yuri got in between them, thrusting his katana out and stabbing Zagi in the shoulder. Zagi pulled himself away, one hand on the wound.
"You've got the wrong guy," Yuri said. "Aren't you supposed to know this stuff?"
"He's not Flynn!" Estelle insisted.
"Details, details. Bring it!" Zagi replied.
"This guy's nuts," Yuri said. "Flynn sure has made some interesting enemies." A red-eyed man with a knife attached to each wrist came in.
"Zagi, we're leaving," he said. "The Knights are onto us." Zagi punched him down, the man getting back up, rubbing his jaw. "How dare you!"
"Hah hah hah! Mind your own business! I'm just getting to the best part!" Zagi laughed.
"Hurry, before the Knights get here. Or would you rather have your fun end today?" the man asked. Zagi glanced over at him and cut him down. The man didn't get back up. Zagi glanced at Yuri, giving him a small, evil smile before turning and leaving the room.
- - -End Flashback- - -
"Now, Yuri, it's time for you to die!" Zagi cried out, leaping at him. Yuri pulled his sword out.
'It's official. I'm cursed' he thought.
Raven ran through the hall leading to the throne room. He stopped as soon as he got there, he saw two girls, one with red hair and a red sword and the other with green hair and a green sword both looking to be about fifteen years old, were facing off against a group of guards defending Ioder.
"Gauche! Droite! Stop this now!" Raven shouted. The two girls spun around in surprise.
"Why are you here?!" Droite exclaimed.
"We are here to avenge Yeager," Gauche told Raven in a calm voice. "The Knights are partly at fault for his death. However, Brave Vesperia is next."
"Revenge isn't always the answer," Raven said.
"It doesn't matter!" Droite shouted, stamping one foot down. "We won't feel right until we DO something!"
"Enough, Droite," Gauche said.
"Sorry, Gauche," Droite replied. Gauche turned to Raven.
"If it wasn't for the Knights or Brave Vesperia, Yeager would still be alive. He was like a father to us after helping us raise money for the orphanage in Capua Torim."
"Then help the orphanage instead of doing all of this," Raven replied.
"Sorry, but that's not going to happen," Gauche said. She and Droite raised their swords. Raven sighed and drew out his bow and readied an arrow. Raven saw with satisfaction that Ioder had already been escorted out of the room by the Knights, leaving him and the girls alone.
"There's still time. Don't do something yer gonna regret later," Raven warned.
"We have no regrets," Gauche replied. The twins dashed at Raven, who leaped up into the air, using Serpent. The girls got out of the way in time to avoid the explosive arrow. Raven landed and the girls held their swords in front of them.
"In an instant we echo and our hearts meet..." both said at the same time. Raven folded his bow into the melee form and held it up like a shield, preparing for their Mystic Arte. "Impact Cross!"
Both of them shot out diagonaly, colliding with Raven and sending him flying back. Casey's compact fell out of his pocket. When he got back up he quickly grabbed the compact and paused. Gauche and Droite had lowered their swords, both staring wide-eyed at the compact.
"Where did you get that?" Gauche demanded. "Give it to us!"
"Why does it matter to you?" Raven asked.
"Please." Gauche was begging now. "It belonged to Casey, someone very dear to Yeager."
"Someone dear to Yeager, huh?" Raven murmured. He stared at the only memento he had of the woman he loved, the woman who died in the Great War. He looked back up at the twins and tossed it over to them. Gauche caught it with a hint of surprise on her face.
"Wh-what?" Gauche stammered.
"Why are you simply giving it to us?" Droite asked.
"You need something ta remind you of Yeager and I'm givin' it ta you," Raven replied. The girls glanced at each other then looked back at Raven. Gauche pulled out a bow and tossed it to Raven.
"This...this is Casey's bow...!" Raven gasped. "I've been looking all over for this!"
"We're even now, but then next time we meet we won't go easy," Gauche warned. She and Droite pulled out smoke bombs and threw them down, making their escape.
"Next time, huh..." Raven murmured, staring down at the bow, Divine Cannon. "I'll be ready."