Aaand looks who's back with another chapter of ToV2:DoZ! ...It looks weird shortened like that. o.O

Review Responses:

CrescentMoonAngel56: Hehe... Glad the story is keeping you guessing! The one thing I wanted to say in response (since I can't answer all your questions... Spoilers and me being mean and whatnot) was that Rita can actually learn one of the Lightning spells. She can learn Thunder Blade as an Altered Arte of Blade Roll if she has the skills 'Hell fire' and 'Gale' active. However, due to there not being a lightning Element in the game, it is counted as a fire and wind elemental spell. I dunno if you'll find that interesting but there you go. I'm just gunna make it that she never learnt it for the plot's sake ^_^'. Anyway, thanks for your reviews, I really enjoy reading them!

School for me has returned... *sigh*. Updates will now unfortunately become less frequent but I'll do my best. After all, I need something to ease the pressure of the work... Well, on with the story!


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Chapter 6: The Nor Warehouse

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"Huh, I see... You guys have had a rough time getting here." Karol muttered sadly.

"Especially you Rita... I'm sorry about your home." The mage girl in question shrugged and put on a neutral face.

"Hm... Yeah." She said simply. Karol was surprised at his friend dismissing it like that.

"You're not upset about it?" He asked.

"Well yeah, earlier I was. But my house can be rebuilt while I'm travelling around. Plus most of the research lost was on Blastia which aren't around any more." Rita explained.

"But... All those lives lost... It's too cruel." Estelle said looking down. Everyone, including Rita, also had sad expressions.

"Hey, Dayren right? Where do you live?" Karol said trying to change the subject to something he hoped was happier. The young man looked up from his seat on the floor (which everyone was confused about since perfectly good chairs were available.) and knitted his eyebrows.

"I don't have a home either. I've travelled around most of my life sleeping in alleyways, in trees or if I was lucky, the free travelling Inn. I'm kinda used to the ground I guess... Oh yeah, there's chairs there." He said and Karol sighed.

"Oook... Oh, Yuri! Now that your here finally, I can tell you our new job!" Karol said suddenly happily.

"Yeah, since that's we've chased you all the way here for." Yuri said with a small smirk.

"Ehehe... Sorry." Karol said sheepishly and both he and Estelle giggled.

"But on the bright side, our job is based in this town." He laid out some paper on the table.

"Alright here's the mission brief troops!" Karol said in an excited but commanding way somehow. When only Yuri and Estelle went to the table, Karol looked at the older teens with a hint of annoyance.

"Wait you mean me too? I'm not even part of your stupid guild!" Rita shot at him.

"Yeah, I think the same as the hot-headed mage here. Minus the 'stupid guild' bit of course." Dayren said crossing his arms casually. Rita turned on him.

"What did you call me?" She growled but Dayren gave her an uninterested look.

"Hot-headed." He answered simply.

"I am not! Are you looking to get smacked!?" She said with a glare. Estelle stepped forward.

"Rita, please calm down." She said calmly

"Estelle... He's the one who..." Rita started, still facing Dayren.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND GET OVER HERE!" Karol yelled. Both teens looked at him surprised but slowly made their way over. The young guild leader look proud of himself as they studied at the blueprints in front of him.

X-X-X-XX-X-X-X

"Alright, our job is very straightforward. A thief stole a valuable possession from our client, Mr. Harrison. He said they were some very important documents that he must get back ASAP. From the information he uncovered, the thief was last seen entering Nor Warehouse." Karol explained.

"So, we go in there, beat up the thief and return those documents right?" Yuri summed up.

"Yeah, basically. Now he would most likely be in the big office here, on the second floor. It has a vault and from its position, a good view of intruders and easy to guard. So, we'll go in this way to avoid detection but it means we have to take the long way round to get to the office." Karol continued, pointing to relevant part of the blueprint when appropriate.

"Well that sounds simple. Hope you guys have fun!" Dayren said with a wave.

"W-Wait! Are you gunna come along with us?" Karol asked

"Uh... you realise that I've only just met you guys right? Sure, your all nice people but I'm a complete stranger to you." Dayren replied. Rita turned to him with a scowl.

"Hey Idiot! You still haven't taught me Lightning magic yet. So you can't leave until I learn it!" She snapped. Dayren just raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you were serious about that? Huh, it's surprising that you, Rita, want me to stay." He said with a cheeky grin. Rita went slightly red, which seemed to be most likely due to her rapidly building anger.

"Shut up! I'm only interested as I am a researcher and I've never heard of Lightning magic. I need to make sure your not just pulling some kind of trick." She argued. The other teen sighed.

"Yeah, right. I believe you." He said and dodged a punch from Rita. Suddenly, Karol's face lit up with realisation.

"Oh yeah, and the thief had a metal arm. That should make it easier to recognise him, right?" Karol said innocently. The room went silent. Dead silent. After a few minutes, Karol had gotten really concerned.

"What's the matter you guys? You're freaking me out." Dayren turned to Yuri.

"We 'd best go soon. Otherwise they might do something." Despite it being directed at Yuri, The whole group nodded. (except Karol, he was confused.).

"Wait, now you're coming too? What's going on?" Karol said flailing his arms.

"We're going to the Warehouse. Ready Captain?" Yuri said. Karol still looked confused but was glad to finally be going.

"Alright! Brave Vesperia, fall out!" Karol called and led the 'charge'. Dayren was the second to leave with a look of amusement.


Skit: Brave Vesperia

Dayren: Hey Karol, I have a question.

Karol: Hm? Sure, what is it?

Dayren: What do Brave Vesperia specialise in?

Karol: Well... to be honest, we don't specialise in one thing in particular. Since our members are so multi-talented, we can do many different jobs!

Dayren: Heh... Well with the company I now find myself in sure seem like they're good at many things. How many member have you got?

Karol: Well there's me and Yuri as you know but there's one more person from our original group who joined us. She can't be here now because her friend is sick... But in total, we have about five other new recruits training in Dahngrest.

Dayren: Interesting. Eight members and you've been active just over a year.

Karol: Yup! So, what's with the questions? Did you wanna join too?

Dayren: Ehehe... Uh... Nah, not now at least.

Karol: Oh. But does that mean you'll think about it?

Dayren: ...Sure, I-I'll think about it.


They soon reached the old Warehouse in a part of the city that none of them had ever been too. Much like the rest of the city, it was run down and unwelcoming but also ominous. Estelle shivered at the sight of it and Repede whined.

"Doesn't this look like a nice place. I wasn't expecting butterflies and rainbows but still, yikes." Dayren commented.

"It does look like the ideal spot for a thug to hide out at." Yuri said.

"There is only one thief, right Karol?" Estelle asked a little scared.

"Uh, I think... But it wouldn't be all that surprising if there's a small group of them." Karol said waving a finger. Dayren then turned his head to Estelle.

"Is it really a good idea to bring the Princess to such a place?" He asked. They all looked surprised, especially Estelle.

"I-I'll be fine thank you, but how...?" Estelle started but was interrupted by Yuri

"Now how did you know she was a Princess?" He asked suspiciously.

"Well your heroic little adventure last year wasn't exactly small-scale. The Princess herself was in the group that saved the world. Word gets around, especially if like me, you live on the go." He said as if it was the most obvious thing ever. Yuri accepted his answer, it did make sense after all. Destroying the Adephagos and all the world's Blastia disappearing surely would have affected everyone. Speaking of Blastia...

"Hey Rita, the reason we were going to see you was to ask about why we can all still do Artes. But with everything that happened, it slipped my mind." Yuri said. Rita turned to him and cupped her chin.

"Hmm, yeah. It is weird since we don't have Bodhi Blastia. I just kind took it for granted back in Aspio. I'll investigate while we travel around." She replied and a sense of foreboding spread among the group.

"That sounds... Terrifying." Dayren said taking a step back. Rita glared at him for the umpteenth time that day. Karol was getting impatient.

"Come on! We need to go round to the back entrance!" The group looked at him for a few seconds before nodding. Then off they went to infiltrate the Warehouse. And it wasn't long before they found their entrance. Yuri tried turning the handle... To find it was locked. He sighed and made way the young leader's 'turn'. Dayren watched Karol 'work' curiously and after a few seconds, the door opened.

"Nifty." Dayren said impressed and led them in. The inside was a reflection of the outside, but worse. The walls were grimy and discoloured. On the floor there was broken glass and puddles of oil left ignored. And the smell was unpleasant. Partly from the oil but mostly from rotting fish. Poor Repede whined at the smell and looked unwell.

"Ugh... This reeks." Rita complained covering her nose.

"Agreed. But it's a good way to keep people away." Dayren said looking disgusted at a fish-head in a barrel.

"Maybe so, but that thief must be pretty desperate to hide here... Assuming of course they can smell." Yuri said pulling a face at the same fish-head Dayren had discovered.

"Why do you say that?" Karol asked.

"You'll find out pretty soon Kiddo." Dayren said ruffling his hair. The boy was not pleased and knocked his hand away, earning a chuckle from the teen.

"Um... May we go now so we can leave here as soon as possible? I'm starting to feel unwell." Estelle said slightly pale. The group nodded and moved as quietly as possible.

X-X-X-XX-X-X-X

Unfortunately, it was futile as a Partly Mecha Man on patrol spotted them and ran to attack.

"So much for not getting detected." Yuri said sword ready.

"W-What is he!? He's..." Karol said wide-eyed at the Part Mecha.

"Dayren, take him out with a Lightning spell." Yuri said to the twin-swordsman who nodded in response. Closing his eyes, orange lights lit up at his feet signified that he was charging up the spell.

"Haaa... Ready? Light...! Uh..." He stopped the spell and instead drew his swords.

"Hey Idiot! Why didn't you zap him?!" She asked angrily.

"Because... Ugh... The oil on the floor may catch on fire if I did." Dayren replied, the grunt was from blocking the Part Mecha's attack.

"Damn... Hadn't thought of that. Good call kid." Yuri said running to help him. By now, other Part Mechas had joined in so the party sprung into action.

"Hey don't call me kid. Or I'll call you an old man." Dayren countered with a smile. Soon they were surrounded but the party seemed to be handling them... Until there was a cry from the back of the party. They all wipped around to see Karol being carried off up some stairs. Many Part Mechas' blocked the group from getting near.

"Karol!" Estelle called very concerned. By the time the small group were taken down, Karol had been taken into their original target, the office. The group didn't hesitate to give chase.


Skit: We are not!

*Rita walks across screen. Suddenly Dayren rushes in behind her*

Dayren: Rita, watch out for the...!

*Rita slips over backwards*

Rita: WHAAA-

*Dayren catches her*

Dayren: Careful Rita! Do you not remember me mentioning the oil on the floor?

Rita: S-Shut up Idiot! And lemme go!

Dayren: Ok, jeez... Isn't there sumin else you should be saying?

Rita: ...Thanks

Dayren: Heh, you're welcome. But be more careful or you'll get hurt.

Rita: Hmph, I don't need you worrying about me.

Dayren: Oh but I do...

Rita: Huh? Why?

Yuri: *from off-screen* Hey, would you two love-birds hurry up? We gotta save Karol!

Dayren & Rita: ...! We are not love-birds!


Skit: Battle Freak

Dayren: *from off-screen* Hahaha! Take that you pile of scrap metal!

Estelle: Dayren... really likes fighting, doesn't he?

Yuri: Yeah, its worrying... Woah, look at him go. He's destroying them!

Estelle: Yuri, you seem more impressed than worried...

Rita: That boy is really an idiot. I've never seen someone enjoying a fight like that. Apart from Yuri.

Yuri: Me? I don't think so. And what's wrong with him liking a good fight? I bet he'd put up a good challenge.

Estelle: I knew it... You're impressed. *gasp* Yuri! Don't tell me you want to fight him yourself.

Yuri: ...Hmm.

*Dayren enters*

Dayren: Phew, that's the last of them... for now.

Rita: What's with that stupid smile? You Battle Freak.

Dayren: What?!


Battling their way up to the office, Estelle and Rita weren't able to help much due to the need to keep moving. Now that they were on the steel pathways above the ground floor, Dayren could use Shock fang. This made the battles quicker and soon they reached the office. Before Yuri could burst in, Dayren placed an ear to the door. He heard voices but couldn't hear what they were saying. He laid on the floor and listened from the space under the door.

"...secure in the Ruins?" Came a robotic and distorted voice.

"YES. PRISONERS FROM ASPIO ARE UNDER SUPERVISION OF SILVER ARROW, SIR" a monotone, also robotic, voice responded.

"Tch! I shoulda been put in charge of them! Then I could kill them one by one. Hahaha!" The first voice said. Dayren got up and relayed what he'd just heard to them. They all gasped.

"Did they say which ruins?" Estelle asked but Dayren shrugged.

"No, but the nearest ruins would be the Shaikos Ruins, so I'd place my bet on there." He said.

"We can worry about them after this. We gotta save Karol." Yuri said and barged into the office. The occupants turned in around but looked like they had expected them. The first thing Yuri noticed was Karol tied and gagged in the corner.

"Damn you! Let him go right now!" He yelled at the two figures, one was a normal Part Mecha but he didn't recognise the other. The other figure was wearing full body armour that was silver and black. On his face was a sinister looking 'W' shaped metal face mask that covered the majority of his face. From what the mask didn't cover, Yuri could see that the right hand side of his face was metallic, complete with a glowing red-eye that was staring right at him. To complete his evil look, he wore a black hooded cape that hid his hair. The flesh side of his mouth twitched up under the bridge of the 'W' as if trying to smile. Yuri couldn't help but feel he'd seen this person before.

"Oh, whose come to die now? Hmm... Wait a minute." The figure said in the distorted, robotic voice. His red-eye seemed to scan Yuri.

"You... Yuri Lowell?" He said seemingly happy

"Huh? How do you... No..." Yuri said, grim realisation creeping over his face.

"YurilowellYurilowellYurilowe llYurilowell... YURI LOWELL!" the figure screamed in a crazed and gleeful way.

"AAAHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I will KILL YOU Yuri LOWELL!" The figure drew two strange daggers, held in reverse grip. He started spinning the one in his right hand as he crouched into his battle stance.

"No... How... He's..." Yuri stuttered

"You have to be kidding... It's impossible!" Rita cried. Estelle was too shocked to speak. Dayren looked confused.

"Who is this nutcase?" He said, weapons drawn.

"AHAHAHA, You can call me... Radiant Zero! But Yuri... you can call me YOUR DEATH!" His scream distorted and crazed as he rushed forward.

To be continued...


Oooh snap. I've done it now.

First and foremost: Credit for Radiant Zero's appearance and name belong to Mist-To-Gun. Thanks so much for the idea! I really hope you like what I did with it...

Like I said, with school back, updating will be difficult. However, I am planning on doing one a week, every Saturday. Whether I can keep to that remains to be seen. So... next chapter is tomorrow, yay!
As a side thing, the number of words per chapter have been increasing each chapter. I'm so proud of myself :D

Review if you wish and hope you look forward to the first major boss battle!