Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY and Tales of Vesperia they are the rightful property of Rooster Teeth and Bandai Namco.
Italics are thoughts
Bold and Italics are flashbacks
Bold are artes being performed
Chapter 7 Over Limit
(Location: The Sealed City of Scholars Aspio Ilyccia continent Terca Lumireis)
The group returned to the city in a cave, after their journey at the Shaikos Ruins. Flynn's information was very helpful. They did found a thief that was searching for blastia cores. Apparently, he wanted to sell them because they fetch a high price. That wasn't all. The group found out the identity of the one that stole the core from the capital's lower quarter. He goes by the name Dedecchi, along with the description of the one in charge of this blastia core stealing scheme. They also got the information the thief and his boss will be in Torim Harbor. Now Yuri knew where to go next. But to think, this will take him so long to get the core back. It was a good thing that aque blastia stopped working or everyone would have drown and the lower quarter would have become an aquarium. Either way, they have good news and they also bringing the hooded thief back to leave him with the authorities.
Blake was in thought. She was still feeling stronger than she has ever been. The fight with the golem blastia has activated her bodhi blastia. Giving the faunus the ability to learn artes. Just like Yuri said. She has learned a few. It gave them the edge to take down the stone giant. According to the long haired swordsman, she's bound to learn more artes if she keeps up fighting. So, the more you fight, the more artes you will unlocked, and the stronger you will become. These bodhi blastia's are really something. The raven haired girl knew if they have these kind of technology back in Remnant. Huntsmen and Huntresses will become even stronger. Adding their semblance, they will be an unstoppable force. The Grimm will never have a chance. Great, here she was thinking of such when she didn't know herself how to return to her world in the first place. Still, it was a great possibility with positive outcomes.
Now that wasn't all, the cat faunus was thinking. Her amber eyes have turned to Rita. After leaving the Shaikos Ruins, the mage has been in deep thought. Even during the fights with monsters, once they were outside of the ruins. There was something bothering the young girl. Blake felt like she could read her mind. It has to do with Estelle. When the pink haired girl healed her during the blastia golem's attack, the mage was shocked. She took a long look at her bodhi blastia. The huntress knew there was something about Estelle. That her abilities weren't exactly normal in this world. Ever since she healed the great tree of Halure. From what she has seen, and read. Healing artes are very rare. Not many people possess them. Any mage can cast offensive artes, but not healing ones. That was enough to suspect the pink haired girl. Looks like she wasn't the only one curious, and wanting to know the mystery behind Estelle.
But anyway, capturing the hooded thief has also lead Rita to be out of Yuri's suspect list. There was no such thing as Mordio the thief. She has been proven innocent. Blake was glad that was the case. The mage girl may lacked social skills and manners. But deep down, she was a good person that cares a lot for blastia. She thought it was weird she will treat them like they were people. It made the faunus wonder if blastia or their cores are really alive. Back at the ruins she said blastia have a heart too, during their fight with the golem blastia. Too much thinking was really going to give her a headache. But the huntress wasn't aware that said mage has been staring at her for a while. First Estelle and now the raven haired girl. So many questions, and she couldn't find the answers. She put it aside for now, wanting to get the answer to another question. Just as they were arriving at the entrance to the city.
"So Flynn wasn't in there, either" started Estelle.
"So who is this knight, exactly?" asked Rita.
"He's Yuri's friend."
"Hmmm. "Your" friend? That must be a pain."
Blake was expecting that kind of answer from the mage. Yep, lack of social skills, rude and not used of being around too many people. She didn't had anyone to call" friend", except blastia. It sounded sad. But once more, the huntress was very observant of the people she's with. Deep down, the girl wanted to give the chance to what's it like to have friends. Being locked up in her house with no one to talk to must have affected her. Did she grew up alone. She might have something in common with Estelle. At leas the pink haired girl had someone to talk to. Blake doubted Rita, was that lucky. Then again, she must be over thinking and Rita meant it in a sarcastic way. After seeing Yuri act. Yeah, the faunus smiled, he was a handful.
"Huh?" the swordsman turned around hearing his named being called.
"Never mind. So, what brings him to this town?"
"He was looking for a mage to repair Halure's barrier…."
"I remember. He came to see me, too."
"Was he all right?"
Yeah, I guess."
"You guess?" said Karol.
"Since he's a knight. I'm sure he got some mage or another. Maybe he's already back in Halure."
"Should we head back?" asked Blake to the swordsman.
"Well, do you trust me yet?"
"I don't think Rita's the sort of person to steal. I'm with Blake that she's not a thief."
"I guess. We already got this guy to confirmed the real thief" said the former Knight holding the hooded person" still, Blake did said thieves are also good at lying. For all we know, this one must have lied. How do we know this Dedecchi, is the Mordio thief?"
"You still don't believe her?" the faunus sighed.
"I'm sorry Rita" said the pink haired healer.
"Don't bother trying to make him believe me. But, I really didn't do it, y'know."
"Hmph. Well, I guess research seems to fit you better than robbery."
"We can confirm if he's telling the truth by going where he said. Dedecchi was supposed to meet someone at Torim, right? The one behind the operation of stealing blastia cores. If we go there, we will finally know if Rita's innocent or not."
"It will be a long journey. If we want to reach Torim Harbor, we have to cross over Ilyccia" added Karol.
The swordsman just waved his hand, walking ahead.
"Yuri, isn't very good, at expression his feelings" said Estelle.
"He might be stubborn and hardheaded. But he's only worried about the people of the lower quarter. Without the core of that blastia, they don't have a water supply. And the Empire won't do a thing either, or they just don't care" followed Blake.
"What a weirdo."
The cat faunus nodded agreeing, with a smile.
"I'm going to let the city guards know about what happened, so they can take that thief from our hands. Go and wait for me at my lab."
"If you want to prove to Yuri you're innocent. Why not come with us?" said the huntress.
"Oh yes please!" Estelle smiled widely" I don't mind traveling with another girl. It will make the journey even better."
"Go with you?" Rita ignored the pink haired girl's joyful reaction.
"Think about it. If you come with us, Yuri can keep an eye on you. You obviously won't do anything. When we get to Torim and catch the real thief, he will finally believe you."
"Honestly, I don't care if he believes me or not. I have nothing to do with those thieves. But I can't forgive them for stealing blastia cores."
"Then you have a reason to join us."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I have a busy schedule" the mage girl went ahead.
Estelle sighed in return.
"I did my best to convince her."
"Yeah, thanks Blake."
"Still, she can change her mind. If blastia means that much to her."
"I hope you're right."
"I don't think those stubborn guards will let us pass through the entrance" said Yuri from ahead.
"True, then take this with you" Rita threw him some sort of card" show this to the guard and they should let you through."
"Thanks" the swordsman noticed she passed him by without a smile.
"You can't expect her to act nice with you" said the huntress.
"I have my reasons for not trusting her."
"And I thought Weiss was stubborn as a mule."
"Got it? Don't leave town without my permission or you'll be sorry!" she finally left.
Rita gave them a passport so they were able to pass. The guards didn't said a word once Yuri showed them the card. Looks like they won't have to go through the back door anymore. That was a relief, one less crime worry about. The group did as told and waited for the mage at her home. Yuri, Repede and Karol were all seated on the ground. Blake decided to check up some of the books in the girl's collection. They were obviously all about blastia and formulas for them. It was very interesting and she never minded the new knowledge. The more she knows, the more she can get acquainted with this world. As for Estelle, she's been walking non stop from the same corner to another. If she keeps it up, she might end up forming a hole from walking so much. Looks like it really bothered her that the mage wasn't coming with them. She really wanted her to come with them.
"If you're that worried about Flynn, would you rather leave now?" asked the long haired swordsman.
"It's just...I've got to say a proper goodbye to Rita…."
It doesn't take that long to think about a goodbye. Unless, she really wanted the mage girl to accompany them. And she was the one who brought the idea. Great, now Blake was feeling bad with herself. For lifting Estelle's hopes.
"Then take it easy."
"What are you gonna do after this, Yuri?" asked Karol.
"I guess I'll go pay a visit to the guy behind all this core stealing. We already know Dedecchi is going to the same place too."
"In that case, we should make a beeline for Nor Harbor" said the young guild member.
"Nor Harbor?" said the raven haired girl.
"Didn't he said Torim Harbor?"
"Oh right, you don't know."
"Don't know what?"
"Nor and Torim are both ports of a city that extends across two different continents."
"One of them being Ilyccia, where we're at" added the huntress.
"That's right. On the Ilyccian side, is the port of Capua Nor. People call it Nor Harbor. Capua Torim is the port on the other side, on the Tolbyccian continent. It's usually just called Torim Harbor. So first we'll go to Nor Harbor. We'll have to pass Ehmead Hill on the way, but it's not that far west from here."
Blake was so glad to have someone like Karol with them. He was full of knowledge on the many places of this world. Guess he must have learn from traveling a lot with a guild. So they needed to go cross over a hill before heading to Nor Harbor and from there it's up to Torim. This journey was getting longer by the minute. But if she gets to travel more, that means her chances of finding Sun or anyone from the crew of the ship, will be higher.
"I'll be going back to Halure. I still need to follow Flynn" said Estelle.
"Hmm, I don't know. Maybe I'll head back to Halure, too."
"It's fine with me. I don't see a problem going back to check on everyone" added the raven haired girl.
"Huh? Why? How can you say that? The thief's gonna get away!" said the boy.
"There's no reason to panic. According to our friend in the ruins, it sounds like his client is based there. Besides, if we're going west, that will take us close to Halure."
"So you believed the thief when he said that. And yet you don't believe Dedecchi is the Mordio thief?" the faunus called out on Yuri's hypocrisy.
"If we meet the one behind all of these core stealing. I won't have to doubt Rita anymore. I'll take my chances with the words from a thief."
"Aww man, but I…." Karol trailed off.
"You gotta be somewhere? A girlfriend with an incurable disease or something?"
"Man, if only she was a frail girl like that…."
The door opened and Rita finally arrived. The mage frowned seeing Yuri lying on the floor.
"I know I asked you to wait for me, but you sure made yourselves at home, didn't you?"
"Oh, welcome back. What ended up happening to the thief?" said Estelle.
"He's probably crying quietly to himself in his cell by now."
"Sorry for suspecting you" Yuri got up.
Blake's eyes widened. Why was he apologizing to the person he doesn't believe. Unless, he does believe her now. Sometimes, it was hard to figuring him out.
"What a heartfelt apology. I'll take it though. It worked out pretty well for me, too" the mage stared at her chalkboard with a formula, then back at the pink haired girl.
"Rita?"
"Well, thanks for the hospitality."
"What? Going so soon?"
"We don't want overstay our welcome. Plus, we're in a bit of a hurry."
"I'm so happy to have met you, Rita. I'm afraid we have to go now. I'll thank you properly, later" the pink haired healer gave a bow.
"Okay…."
The group started leaving. Blake turned to the mage giving her a look, before leaving too.
"…...…."
Blake knew Rita was going to join them. There was something in that look of hers that she wanted to go. She was sure it was about having people to talk to. Or maybe, because they didn't saw her as weird like the people here. For the mage, this could be the chance to actually socialize. Honing those skills and maybe, she can have friends. The faunus has always enjoy solitude while reading. But too much of it, she couldn't take it. Even someone like her needed people to talk to. And she eventually found those friends. As the group climbed the stairs away from the mage girl's home. Blake's cat ears reacted, someone was right behind them. A smile spread her lips, of course she will come.
"If you're seeing us off, we'll say goodbye here" Yuri saw the girl approaching them.
"I'm going with you."
"Y-you're doing what?" said Karol baffled.
"Oh, so this is why you told us not to leave without saying goodbye, huh?" said the swordsman.
"Yeah."
"Is that it? Just "yeah?""
"Can you just leave like that? You're an important mage here, right?"
Yuri had a point. Rita was really important and famous. But Blake had a hunch she will come up with a valuable reason to tag along.
"Hmm…." the girl stood in thought as an idea popped up" I want to see Halure's barrier blastia for myself. It's no good to the people there if its broken, right?"
"That's a good excuse" the huntress hide her smirk while the mage glared at her.
"Actually, the four of us fixed it together" said the guild member.
More like Estelle fixed it on her own. But the cat faunus decided it should stay like that. In order to keep the boy's confidence up.
"Huh? What do you mean you" fixed it"? You're just amateurs."
Guess Blake forgot to mention it. But then again, so did everyone else.
"You know, we revived it. It was great Estel-"
"Let's just say it was beginner's luck" Yuri cut the youth off.
"Now I'm really worried. I'll have to go and see if it's been done properly or not."
"Suit yourself."
The pink haired girl went to her smiling so happy.
"W-what?!"
"I'm so glad to have another friend my age!"
"I-I'm not so sure we're-"
Blake was sure Rita was around Ruby's age. So, she was fifteen probably sixteen. Either way she wasn't eighteen like herself and the pink haired healer.
"This is going to be so much fun!"
"Y-yeah…."
"It's strange you want to come with us now. You did say you have a busy schedule" the huntress just needed to bring it up.
"Yes. But I already said I want to check on Halure's barrier blastia."
"And yet you didn't bothered to volunteer when Flynn came to you asking you to help him fix it."
"That's because I was busy at the time when he came! And I have to come now because you guys claimed to have fixed it. I have every right to check on it! Why do you keep asking questions?"
"Nothing. Just curious."
Yuri chuckled at the last part while the raven haired girl elbowed him. She shouldn't have said" curious".
"And while we're at it. I have a question to ask you" the mage pointed at the huntress's head" why does your bow keeps twitching?!"
Amber eyes widened in shock. So, she was observant enough to noticed.
"She has you there" smirked the swordsman.
The faunus sighed while Karol looked at her curiously. Looks like he hasn't noticed. Estelle knew and she wasn't bothered with it. Though she still wanted to touch her cats ears.
"There! It twitched again!" said Rita.
Blake wasn't going to argue with her. So she didn't thought about it. The huntress removed the white bow. Revealing to the guild member and mage. On top of her head, were black cat ears. Karol was shocked, eyes widened and his mouth was also wide opened. Rita just blinked a few times staring at them.
"Are-"
"Yes they're real, and no you can't touch them."
"I...I've never seen anything like it!" it was the boy's obvious reaction.
"Happy?"
"Whatever" Rita stood calm" I'm a blastia researcher, not a zoologist. It doesn't peek my interest."
"Glad to know" Blake went to put the bow back.
"Why are you putting it back on?" asked Yuri.
"Let's just get going."
"More friends to travel with!" smiled Estelle.
Sun traveled the fields heading to Nor Harbor. After crossing Ehmead Hill, Judith dropped him off in the outskirts of the port city. The monkey faunus held his staff just in case. There will always be monsters lurking around in places that don't have a barrier. Eventually, he was unfortunate enough to encountered some of them. Not that much of a challenge. Some were weak, others, pretty damn annoying. And if it wasn't just monsters there were just bandits wanting to steal his money. Too bad for them he didn't had that much. Judith gave him some along with some items, like apple gels, a life bottle and a panacea bottle. The Krytian told him to use them wisely and not to waste them. Once those battles were done, the faunus kept walking into the distant city. He noticed the large dark cloud above it. The weather was bad there. Strange thing, the cloud didn't looked like it was going anywhere any time soon.
His eyes widened when he spotted someone on the ground. A man with short brown hair with one of his eyes bandaged all the way around his head. Wearing a gray jacket with a black shirt, a white ribbon strapped on his waist with green long pants, with green boots. Sun immediately ran to the unconscious man, checking his pulse. The faunus was relief, he was alive but he seemed hurt. Good thing, he wasn't that far from the town. Carrying him by his shoulder, the monkey faunus kept going. As soon as he was in Nor Harbor, it was raining strong. He got wet along with the man he was carrying. Bad weather, not a good sign. Looking, he did his best to get themselves into a roof. And a place that warm them up. The inn will be the most appropriate place. He did had gald, enough to spend the day. Another thing he noticed the lack of people. Even with this rain, it shouldn't be deserted.
"Hang on buddy. I'll get us out of the heavy rain."
"Teagle!"
Sun saw a woman heading their way. With short brown hair and eyes, wearing a blue vest with a black top, a long white skirt and brown sandals.
"My goodness, Teagle!" she sounded so worried gazing at the downed man.
"You know him?"
"Yes, he's my husband. Oh my gosh, he's hurt."
"I found him on the outskirts of the city unconscious."
"Follow me. I'll take you to our house."
The monkey faunus didn't argued. Anything to get out of this rain. He followed the woman further into the town, until reaching a small house. She immediately let him in as he set down her husband on a bed, near a fire. Sun smiled feeling the warmth, much better. She has taken a small first aid kit, trying to tend his wounds. All he could do was watched. He was no medic but it looks like she knew what she was doing. He groaned a little. Sun wasn't happy when Judith told him to try not to catch too much attention. By that, she meant to hide his monkey tail. He would never do such thing. He was proud of his faunus trait. Not like Blake, who would use a bow to hide it. But the Krytian was right, people will be baffled if they see someone with a tail. So, he wrapped it around his waist like a belt inside of his pants. But it was so uncomfortable, it was bothering him. Sun saw the woman walking to him with relief and a smile on her face.
"Thank you, thank you so much. For bringing him back to me. If you have never found him, he would have gotten killed by the monsters. I'm in your debt."
"It's cool, you don't have to thank me."
"Don't be so modest. I'm Kellas. I was so worried, thinking I would never see him again" she sobbed.
"You don't have to worry anymore. I'm Sun. He's safe, right?"
"Yes, I managed to tend to his wounds. Unfortunately that was the last of the supplies for the first aid kit. And with our current situation it will be impossible to buy a new one, let alone some gels."
"Why? What's wrong with your situation?"
"You must be a traveler. This has to be your first time in Nor Harbor. This town is in complete control of the Empire. They currently have a monopoly established."
That didn't sounded good. Maybe that would explain why there wasn't so many people around.
"Paying taxes has become nearly impossible as of late. Ever since the new Magistrate came to power, he has increased the tax rate to triple the amount. My husband, is a fisherman and I own a small item shop. I have ran out of supplies because I can't afford them and I'm currently not working. It's the same with Teagle."
"There's no way he'll be able to go out fishing in this weather."
"That is right. Therefore, none of us can't pay their crazy amount of taxes. Because of it…." Kellas trailed off as she started sobbing.
Sun did his best to comfort the woman. Damn, he had no idea things were this bad in Nor Harbor. It didn't changed the fact that he was still on a mission. He needed to find the Hermes blastia Judith told him about. According to Ba'ul, its supposed to be here in this city.
"I'm sorry…."
"They took our son. They told us, they won't give him back to us until we pay them."
"No way!" the monkey faunus stood shocked" they kidnapped your kid to use him like he was leverage?"
Talk about scum. Whoever is this Magistrate must be the lowest of the lowest. Seriously taking a child from their parents because they can't pay their taxes. It was too cruel.
"That's not all…." Kellas resumed" they also said, there's a time limit to pay them. If we don't give them the money soon then, our son will be…."
"They wouldn't?" this time, he got upset.
"He will be executed…."
That was horrible. Seriously this was inhuman. Not even the White Fang will go to such drastic lengths and they were a terrorist group. These people are with the Empire, the ones who's suppose to look after their people. Not treat them like crap. Just because they have power it didn't meant they can abuse it, increased taxes, captured kids and threaten the families until they get the payment. If there was something he could do. It wasn't his business, but still. He felt like he wanted to do something. Finding the blastia came first. Or he can put that mission asides, for now. Judith can probably a little longer. It suddenly occurred to him.
"Hey, Kellas?" he got the woman's attention" this rain doesn't look like it's planning to let up any time soon."
"It won't. It's been raining this way for months."
Now, Sun was no weather expert. But rain that keeps up pouring for such a long time. That wasn't normal. The black cloud he saw, the source of the heavy rain was still. It was planning in moving away. He might be onto something here. Maybe, asking anyone around can provide him with more information about this weather. His thinking was interrupted as Teagle has suddenly woke up, groaning in pain.
"Teagle, stop! Don't struggle!"
"Calm down, dude you're safe now!"
"No...I have to find Rhybgaro….I must…."
"Teagle!" Kellas gasped seeing her husband falling unconscious again.
"Rhy-what?" asked the monkey faunus.
"Rhybgaro. They say it's a powerful monster that resides somewhere in the west of here."
"And your husband was planning to fight it? But he's a fisherman not a fighter" Sun thought the man was crazy.
"I know, but he has every intention of finding it and beat it. The men of the magistrate say Rhygbaro has a horn. That it's very valuable, if we can sell it we'll be able to pay our taxes. Maybe, others too."
"But it's crazy. If he can't fight, he'll get killed."
"I told him the same thing. But he's too stubborn. All he wants is to save our son. We're in a bind, here."
"Damn, there must be something I can do. This guy can't fight a monster and if he does Kellas will lost both her son and husband."
"Where?"
"Huh?"
"Where's that monster?!"
"I don't really know its exact location. Why do you want to know?"
"Because I'm going to find it and get that horn!"
"What?" she stood shocked" that's impossible, they say Rhybgaro is strong and wild. Only the Knights or an experienced guild should be able to take it on. One person won't be able to defeat it. Many have tried, and they didn't make it."
"I'll take care of it. I'll be back before your husband wakes up."
"I can't let you do this. This is crazy!"
"It's the least I can do. If it solves your tax problems, it will be worth it."
"Wait!" it was too late, he has left the house.
"Sorry Judith. But the Hermes blastia will have to wait."
Sun ran the rainy city while growling. That's it, he has had it. He removed his tail letting it free. It felt so much better to have it out. It was bothering him being in his pants. Now that this was out of the way. He went to the task at hand. Finding this monster called Rhygbaro. Kellas it was somewhere west of this city. As the faunus was leaving, someone saw him. The same old man from the Zaphias prison. He kept staring at him, blinking a few times. Thinking his mind was playing tricks. But, it was pretty much real.
"Did that guy, had a tail? Now, that's somethin' ya don't see everyday."
Blake was relief this whole thing with her cat ears was no big deal. With those that have recently found out. Rita could care less since she was more into blastia, making the point clear. As for Karol, the young guild member freaked out at first. But he calmed down a bit. He promised her to keep it a secret, that was good. The less people know, the better. But after traveling and fighting more monsters. They finally arrived at Halure, returning to the city of blossoms. Rita was in shock when she saw the barrier was active. When the giant tree was fully healed. How was that possible. The barrier blastia has been restored. Last she heard, the tree has withered making it, impossible for the barrier to work. These people weren't experts in blastia, so how did they do it. The mage was dumbfounded that this was real. How amateurs were able to pull this off. She had no idea.
"H-hey! The tree's already blooming?!"
"Heh heh, I told you! We brought the tree back to life" said Karol.
In return the mage walked over to the boy and smacked him, before leaving to get a closer look on the tree. Blake sweat dropped. He didn't deserved that. Maybe Rita saw it offensive since she's an experienced blastia researcher and as she said, they were just amateurs. The poor guild member was rubbing the top of his head where he got hit. Looks like she didn't hit him that hard. His tone was arrogant, another reason for the girl to smacked him. The group saw the mayor of Halure standing by the front of his house as he was expecting them to come.
"Oh, you're returned! Just as the knight said."
"Um...Do you mean Flynn?" asked Estelle.
"So he came back" replied the huntress.
"Unfortunately, you just missed him" the older man was holding an envelope.
"No way! Not again" said Karol.
"He was quite surprised that the barrier has been fixed."
"Um...Would you happen to know which way he went?"
"No...I'm sorry, I don't know...However, he did entrust me with a letter."
The mayor handed Yuri the letter as the swordsman opened it. His eyes were on the content, yep this was Flynn's handwriting no doubt. But it wasn't one but two papers. They were wanted posters. One was a drawing of what's supposed to be the long haired swordsman. He looked hideous. The former Knight hold his laughter. The second one, was obviously of Blake. The cat faunus saw her drawing and frowned. Now, she didn't had a vanity but she was pretty sure she wasn't that ugly. She looked like an evil old witch. The worse part, the drawing had her with her cat ears. The raven haired girl mentally groaned of course those will be drawn. Those two Knights saw her with her cat ears in the opened as well as that silver haired knight that came to picked up the old man. This only gave her a better reason to continue wearing the white bow. Finally, both criminals took a look at the reward money. Yuri was at five thousand gald and she was at two thousand.
"As if things couldn't get any worse" Blake sighed.
"What? W-wanted posters? W-why?"
"You believe us now?" asked the faunus this was more than proof that the Knights were after her and the swordsman.
"I guess we made a little too much mischief."
"You made a little too much mischief" glared the huntress.
"W-what kind of mischief gets you into this?!" said the young guild member.
Blake stood in thought, where should she start. Breaking into private property, assault on two Imperial Knights, breaking out of prison, kidnapping should be added because of Estelle even if she wanted to go with them, another assault on the same knights, breaking into Aspio without permission. That sums it up, for now. She has the list right, and ready to updated with new information as they resume their journey.
"It's...My fault" added the pink haired girl.
"It's anything but your fault" added the amber eyed girl.
"Oh come on...Only five thousand gald?" Yuri sounded disappointed.
Blake sweat dropped again, was that something to be proud of. Guess someone like him, it would matter to keep his reputation going. But at least she only has two thousand this could mean she wasn't that much of a threat.
"That's way too high for just breaking out of jail! You must have done something else!" argued Karol.
The cat faunus only nodded. And with the more crimes he makes, she guessed they will raise the reward. The same can be said with her. Nothing to be proud of.
"S-so, what does the letter say?" asked the pink haired healer.
There was another piece of paper behind the two wanted posters. Estelle kindly took it from the swordsman's hands.
"I'm going to Nor Harbor. Catch up with me."
"Catch up with me" huh? Easy for him to say."
"He also writes we should watch out for assassins."
"Wow, he even knows we're being hunted!"
"Sounds like this guy knows what he's doing" said the boy.
Blake nodded, Flynn sounded very resourceful and responsible. The contrary to Yuri. The thought made her chuckled. As for the assassins part. It should be expected after running into that psycho Zagi back at Zaphias castle. He was originally after Flynn but after the fought him. Sounds like he's more interested in fighting the long haired swordsman instead. The same with her.
"Sounds like we have some dangerous people after us. What are you gonna do?"
"Well...I…." Estelle didn't know.
"I'm going to go to Nor Harbor. I could pass on the message for you, if you want."
"But...I…."
"Take your time. We're not in a hurry" said the huntress.
"Right. Think about what you want to do. I'm gonna go make sure Rita isn't causing too much trouble."
"I'll go too" added the faunus.
They left the two while Repede decided to take a nap. The duo went for the tree's location.
"What about you? Are you staying, or coming with me to Nor Harbor?"
"I told you, I have no place in particular to go. I still have to find my friend. Going with you might help me find him. I'll help you catch the core thief while I'm at it."
"You sure? If you keep hanging out with me, you'll only get into bigger trouble."
"More trouble than having your own wanted poster. Can't possibly think it" she smiled.
"Trust me, they will double the reward amount the more time passes. Or the more mischief we cause."
"You will cause…."
"Anyway, it's not so bad. They will never find us with these ugly posters. Whoever draw them isn't a skilled artist. Just look at yours, you're too pretty and they completely ruined it with this."
Blake has suddenly blushed from the compliment. Her heart beat a little fast. It's nice that someone will give you a compliment. But, coming from Yuri, there was something about it that will make her. It was hard to explain.
"What about mine? Do you think they captured my good side?" he showed her his wanted poster.
"I say it matches perfectly with your appearance" she smirked not knowing why she felt like teasing him.
"Ow, there goes my manly pride" the former Knight pretended his feelings have been hurt.
She rolled her eyes in return, ever the sarcastic person. When they arrived, the mage stood staring at the healed tree. She was probably thinking dozens of questions to how of this happened.
"I can't believe it. I've never seen anything like this. The flowers are in full bloom even though it's not the season for it. And the barrier's strong, too. Did Estellise really do this?"
"What do you mean?" Yuri pretended like he didn't know.
"Karol let it slipped when we were leaving Aspio. You tried to change the subject but it was too late."
Blake knew she would have figured it out. Rita was too smart, smarter than she thought.
"Guess I blew that one" the long haired swordsman got seated on the ground.
"I don't know why you tried to hide it from her" added the huntress.
"Just trying to keep her out of trouble."
The faunus knew what he was talking about. It was clear what Estelle did to the tree was not normal. Keeping it a secret was the natural thing to do.
"We mages have nothing even remotely like she has."
"So you just decided to come with us to eliminate the competition?"
The raven haired girl shook her head. First, he accuses her of being a thief and now a murderer. It was okay to care for others. But this, was crossing the line.
"Don't be ridiculous! I have a formula that I have to work out!" the mage was obviously not happy.
"Not a good thing to accuse her of being a murderer" muttered the huntress to the former Knight.
"A formula? What do you mean?"
"Blastia stuff, I guess" replied Blake.
"Exactly. But I doubt someone like you will understand. Just, forget about it!"
"So what did you want? You came here for something, right?"
The cat faunus was impressed. Rita was really smart, she was able to read Yuri like a book. The swordsman still didn't know if the pink haired girl will stay behind or come with him to Nor Harbor. Even knowing the danger they'll be walking into. It was no wonder why he will be worried. It wasn't just the Knights but those people in black. And Zagi.
"Well, that just took care of half of it."
"So what's the other half?"
"You said it was easy working for blastia because they never betray you."
"Yeah? So?"
"You and Estelle are both human. You're not blastia."
"Oh, I get it. You're worried for her. Worried I might hurt her."
"Estelle's honest. Good. Unlike you or me."
"That's enough" Blake has really had it with his talking" you're both wrong. I don't think any of you are, whatever is you're thinking. Yuri, you might not be the best role model. But you still care, for the people in the lower quarter, Flynn even if you won't admit it, Karol, Repede and Estelle. Rita, you might be rude and violent sometimes. But I also believe you're good too. I doubt you will try to hurt Estelle. I never thought you were the blastia core thief, not with your dedication to blastia. Point is, don't sell yourself short, both of you."
"That speech made me fell all warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks a lot" the former knight smiled at her.
"Can you please, for once act serious? I mean it."
"And I mean what I said. Thanks for letting me know you care for me and Rita."
"I will disregard the rude and violent part, because it's true. I do have a temper, but I appreciate your honesty. You and Estelle believed in me. It's a very unfamiliar feeling."
And the huntress didn't blamed her. With how everyone in Aspio sees her, she bet barely anyone would talk to her. No contact with people, only her research. That's why she believes working with blastia is better. They will never betray her unlike people. She needed friends in her life, whether she likes it or not.
"Come on, let's go back. Karol and Estelle are waiting for us."
"Estelle won't stay. She's determine to find Flynn" said the faunus.
"Yeah, I have a strong feeling she's not going to sit still" said the swordsman.
When they climbed down, they saw trouble ahead. Leblanc and his knights were already there with Estelle and Karol. Blake got annoyed, they have found them again. These guys are a stubborn group. And now that she and Yuri have wanted posters. It was going to get worse.
"Now, come back with us while you can!"
"I say, we've come to courteously escort you back to the capital!" said Adecor.
"And then we can clamp Yuri and his partner in chains where they belong!" followed Boccos.
Yuri didn't reacted as he walked forward with Repede following him. Blake and Rita were right behind him. The three knights reacted seeing the two wanted fugitives. There was no way to escape them this time. They will have no choice but to fight them.
"I've been waiting for you. Yuri Looowell! Don't you move a muscle!" said Leblanc.
"Same goes to your partner" said Boccos.
"Jeez, this guy never lets up, does he?"
"An old acquaintance you may be, but today I can overlook your transgressions no longer!"
"Yuri isn't a bad person. I asked him to go with me!" defended Estelle.
"Somehow, I doubt they will listen" said Blake.
"Argh, Yuri, you ruffian! You're coercing Lady Estellise!"
"No! This is what I really want! I'll go back to the castle. Just leave me be for a little longer."
"I cannot allow that! Return to the castle with us!" argued the lieutenant.
"I can't go back. Please understand this!"
"We have no choice. We'll have to apprehend the criminals as well…."
"So much for reasoning with them" said the huntress.
Adecor ad Boccos readied their weapons, the same with the group. If it's a fight they want, a fight they will get.
(Music: "Furnace of War" from the Tales of Vesperia original soundtrack)
Blake didn't minded a fight. She will gladly use her new artes. Maybe, she might learn another one too.
"Kiss your freedom goodbye, for it ends today!" said Boccos.
"I say, prepare to face the Imperial Knights ultimate arte, the Over Limit!" said Adecor.
"Over limit?" Blake didn't know there was such technique.
"Ultimate arte. Oh brother" Yuri rolled his eyes" the over limit doesn't belong to the Knights. Anyone can do it, last I checked."
"Does that mean I can do it too?" the huntress gazed at her bodhi blastia.
"I say, be quiet!"
"An over limit?" asked Estelle.
"It's a technique to increase your abilities while fighting. I'll show you how it's done."
Blake was now interested in this over limit. It was like a power boost to give you the advantage in a fight. That sounded good in her book.
"I'll blow you away!"
Everyone saw as the long haired swordsman was now covered in a blue energy. Blake was in awe, so this was the over limit.
"I say, this is the last draw!" Adecor followed using his over limit.
Boccos charged at the former Knight. Not on the faunus' watch. Her blastia was glowing again, feeling the power again. Could this mean she will learn another arte.
"Sharpshooter!"
The raven haired girl was filled with a quick energy. Did it do something. She found out unleashing Gambo Shroud in gun and fire a couple of shots. It hit the short knight stunning him. She followed with quick draw, beating him. That was fast. This new arte must increase her accuracy. A very effective technique. The other two were clashing in their over limit mode. But as expected, Yuri was stronger than Adecor. He beat the knight in a second.
(Music end)
"I'm sorry. I can't go back" said Estelle.
"That was fast" said Karol.
"We didn't get to fight. That was boring" said Rita.
"Urrgh! What a shame!" said Leblanc disappointed in his own men.
The mage girl decided to do something about it. As she unleashed fire ball hitting the three knights.
"She says she's not going back, so get lost!"
"Yuri! It's them again!" said the pink haired healer.
Blake turned around to see the men in black hoods. They have found them too. But it looks like Zagi wasn't with them. That was a relief. She didn't wanted to deal with that maniac.
"Damn it. I knew they were still after us."
"What is it this time?!" said the mage.
"What do you mean?" followed the guild member.
"I'll explain later! Karol, which way is Nor Harbor?"
"Uh, ah, it's west! West! You go over Ehmead Hill and Capua Nor is right there."
The others left while Estelle was hesitant to go. She was still deciding what to do. Blake rolled her eyes and took the girl's hand draggin her away, telling her she will thank her later. Of course she wanted to continue traveling with them. She wanted to see Flynn. Yuri stayed behind seeing the men in black hoods not that far. He had an idea turning to the three knights. Thanks to his short time being a Knight.
"Imperial Knight point 1# with this sword I shall protect the people, wasn't it?"
"Indeed! Come on boys. Let's show them what the Imperial Knights can do!"
The swordsman left as the Leblanc, Adecor and Boccos stayed to fight the shady men.
"Yuri?" called Blake.
"Hm, what?"
"What is this over limit?"
"I'll explain that too along the way" he had a feeling she wouldn't know.
To be continued
-I lol at Blake showing her cat ears to Rita. Of course she doesn't care about that, blastia is all that matters to her.
-The new arte Blake learned is called Sharpshooter (suggested by NoxObscurum). It increases accuracy by 5%, after being used over a 100 times it increases effect by 10%. An arte like Quick Draw and her normal fire will be very effective against enemies. A handy support arte.
-Replying to reviews:
*TheEmeraldMage- always happy with your constant support. And regarding the Bumblebee ship it wasn't just the fans that kept asking for it. But the producers and writers too, CRWBY is mainly to blame. Yang and Blake's VA Barbara and Arryn both ship it. And RT who supports the lgbt community, it's not enough to bring lgbt representation in the show but they also have to make a ship. I don't hate Bumblebee. But here's the thing, if they like the ship so much why not make it right? Do it slowly from the ground up. Like you plant a seed and take care of it, watering it, giving it sun and shade as it slowly grows into a beautiful tree. I think that's exactly what they're doing with Lancaster (Ruby/Jaune). Cause I don't see Ruby getting together with Oscar or Weiss. Lancaster has had slow development since the first volume. And I see that chemistry between them.
*JustLuck- LOL I see what you did there, yeah I got the joke good one.
*Guest- Tiger Blade? I think Flynn has that arte along with Demon Fang and Sonic Thrust. Now Squall Shot and Cross Cleve I might think about those. Thanks for the suggestion.
*CT7567Rules- well the Tales series are full of action if you're always fighting. Graces f is my most additive game because to me it has the best battle system of the franchise.
-As always thank you very much for the favs, follows and reviews I really appreciate it.
Next time: Ehmead Hill