Everyone went back to Zaphias castle to come up with a plan to fight the Balaur again, expecially if it gains possession of the Ultimate Blastia. Brave Vesperia, the Shadow Wielders, Flynn, and Mist were in Flynn's room.
"We'll need to warn the Aspio mages about the Balaur," Rita said.
"We don't know for sure if it's headed for Aspio," Flynn replied. "We'll need to warn the residents of Halure, Deidon Hold, and Capua Nor."
"In other words, every Ilyccian town," Yuri said. "But it would seem more reasonable that it's going for the Ultimate Blastia."
"Hold on," Judith interrupted. "We don't even know if the Balaur even knows the Ultimate Blastia exists. It could just happen to be escaping in that direction."
"Do you think you could ask some nearby Entelexeia took keep a lookout for it?" Mist asked.
"I'll try. I think Altima is the closest. I'll contact her first," Judith replied, putting her hand to the side of her head.
"In the meantime we should head for Aspio," Flynn said. "I'll order Knights to guard the other Ilyccian towns, including a higher guard on Zaphias. The Sodia Brigade will accompany us."
"That woman gives me the chills," Mist murmured.
"We should leave right away," Kluke said. "The Balaur travels quickly when it breaks itself apart."
"Mist, inform Sodia of my desicion. Tell her to have her brigade prepare to depart. We'll be meeting outside the noble quarter in three hours," Flynn said, turning to Mist. "In the meantime, I'll assign the others where they'll be positioned."
"Yes, sir," Mist replied, leaving the room. She spotted a Knight passing and stopped him.
"Do you know where Captain Sodia is?" she asked.
"I believe she's in the dining hall," he replied.
"Thank you," Mist said. She headed down the hall and took a right down the stairs and went down that hall until she reached the dining hall. She went through the large doors. Several Knights were eating, though Mist easily spotted Sodia's bright orange hair, even from a distance. Going over to her table, she sat down.
"Captain Sodia, Commandant Flynn has ordered your brigade to accompany us and Brave Vesperia to Aspio," Mist said. "You are to meet us outside the noble quarter in three hours."
"Understood," Sodia replied. "So how are things going with you and the Commandant?"
Mist began blushing. "What do you mean?"
"Rumors are flying around the castle that you two are having an affair," Sodia replied.
"Th-that's not true!" Mist stammered, blushing even harder.
"I am a bit jealous, though," Sodia continued. "He's the kind of man I would like to spend the rest of my life with. The fact you're his second-in-command give you many more opportunities to be in a relationship. Although, not to be rude to the Commandant, he's a bit too thick-headed to realize when a girl has a crush on him."
"You're telling me..." Mist muttered miserably.
"Well, anyways, I'll have the brigade ready in three hours," Sodia said. "I'll see you then."
Yuri and Repede headed down to the lower quarter to prepare for the trip. Ted stopped them at the inn.
"Yuri, where are you going this time?" he asked.
"I'm going to Aspio. Take care of Hanks while I'm gone," Yuri replied.
"I can take care of myself just fine," Hanks said, coming over. "It's you who need to be taken care of."
"Oh give me a break," Yuri replied. "I'm doing just fine. You're the one who's probably gonna kick the bucket soon,"
"I may be old, but I'm not that old," Hanks said. "Just make sure you don't go dying in any ditches."
"I thought you'd be grateful if I did," Yuri replied sarcastically.
"Heh, wouldn't be the same without you getting in trouble with the Knights," Hanks laughed. "After all, you're practically living in jail."
"Aw, I'm hurt," Yuri said. "I don't get thrown in jail that often." He looked over to where Ted was petting Repede. "We'd better get ready to leave."
"Tell me all about you're trip when you get back!" Ted said. Yuri put a hand on his head and started messing up his dark green hair.
"Don't worry, I will," Yuri replied.
"I've contacted Altima," Judith told Flynn. "She told me she'll keep a sharp lookout and will warn the other Entelexeia about the Balaur."
"That's good," Flynn replied. Judith walked over to him and locked her violet eyes with his blue ones. Flynn began blushing at her sudden closeness. Her breasts were dangerously close to him and he was reminded of the time Chastel accidentaly shoved his face into her breasts after he was forced to get involved in the bar fight Yuri started when Yuri was in the Knights. It wasn't one of his prouder moments and it continued to haunt him.
"What do you think about Mist?" Judith asked.
"Huh?" Flynn replied. "What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is do you like her?" Judith said, grinning mischieviously.
"Um, I guess so?" Flynn replied.
"I mean, do you like her as more than a friend or second-in-command," Judith pressed.
"Um, Judith, that's kinda personal..." Flynn said, beginning to blush.
"Oh, so you do?" Judith said.
"No! That's not it!" Flynn exclaimed.
"Aw, what a shame," Judith sighed, turning around and heading for the door. "Because Mist sure seems to like you a lot."
"She does?" Flynn asked.
"Just how dense can you possibly be?" Judith replied, turning her head sharply to him. "She's been working right beside you this whole time and you haven't even noticed?! No wonder you're single!" She headed out the door.
"Judith, wait!" Flynn said, but Judith had already closed the door.
Jiro spotted Kluke staring at the fountain in the lower quarter. An old man was talking to her.
"...The fountain is powered by the aque blastia," he was saying. "It was stolen by a mage, but Yuri got it back."
"This is just amazing," Kluke replied. "I didn't know these stones could power so many things."
"Well, Rita could probably tell you more about the cores, though you'd probably be in for a long lecture," the old man added with a laugh.
"Thanks for telling me about this, Hanks," Kluke said.
"Pleasure's all mine, miss," Hanks replied. Kluke noticed Jiro coming over.
"Hey, Jiro, the blastia are just facinating!" Kluke exclaimed.
"Well, machines are in your interest," Jiro replied.
"These are much more advanced than machines!" Kluke said. "Just a single blastia core can power an entire house! And they don't require electricity to work! I bet we could power a mechat with one of these. Then we wouldn't have to worry about a crash landing if we run out of fuel."
"Yeah, that had been a close call," Jiro said with a smirk.
- - - Flashback - - -
While flying over the desert in the mechat, Kluke and Bouquet had been arguing nonstop about whose ruins they were going to visit next. Shu and Marumaro managed to distract them for a short time, but then they went straight back to arguing.
"I don't care what you asy, it's my turn next!" Bouquet shouted.
"You can keep thinking that all you want, but your ruins are just too far away!" Kluke retorted.
"Come on! No fair!" Bouquet exclaimed. "We already went to your ruins! You got that cool pendant, remember?" Bouquet pointed to the feather-shaped crystal necklace Kluke was wearing.
"That has nothing to do with it!" Kluke replied.
"Oh, I see. You're just upset because Shu and I are engaged, is that it?" Bouquet countered.
"What?"
"Oh wait, you're jealous that I'm so much prettier," Bouquet continued, striking a pose.
"Let me just say thinking's not your strong suit, Bouquet," Kluke replied.
"Look, you're not so hot just cause you can fly this thing!" Bouquet shouted.
"Maybe, but at least I serve a purpose," Kluke said smugly. "What is it you do around here again?"
Bouquet gasped then looked down. "That's so mean... You don't have the right to say something like that to me, Kluke! I can do lots of thinks to help you guys!"
"Woah, fine, calm down," Kluke said.
"I will help! Uh..." Bouquet said. "I don't know..."
"Enough, you two." Both girls turned to see Zola climbing up the ladder to the deck.
"Zola!" Kluke exclaimed.
"No matter where we go next, there's something we must do first," Zola said, walking over to stand next to Kluke.
"Okay, what is it?" Kluke asked. Zola pointed to the fuel gauge bar. There was a yellow bar followed by a red empty bar. The yellow light vanished, signalling the tank was empty. Kluke screamed as the mechat began quickly desending.
- - - End Flashback - - -
"We were lucky a Grankingdom fueling station was nearby," Kluke said. "Come to think of it, where's Bouquet now?"
"Probably with Shu, doing who-knows-what with him," Jiro replied.
"I hope we catch the Balaur this time," Kluke murmured. "We can't afford to let it keep escaping."
"I know what you mean," Jiro said.
"Hey, hold on," Kluke said. "Where's Marumaro?"
Marumaro was chasing a bunch of girls around the public quarter. Raven stood at the side, amusement on his face.
"Ya need ta pick those legs up, buddy," Raven said. "Otherwise the girls'll get away."
"Raven!" Raven jumped and spun around. Rita was there, staring death at him. "That creep had squeezed my ass and now I hear you encouraging him?! I'll kill you!" A red magic circle appeared under her.
"W-wait, Rita!" Raven said, holding his hands up. "This is all just some big misunderstandin'!"
"I'm not gonna hear it! Fireball!" Rita shouted, blasting Raven away. She charged another one and shot it at Marumaro as he ran past, sending him flying on top of Raven. Jiro and Kluke came running over.
"Why am I not surprised..." Kluke muttered, sweatdropping.
"Those two had it coming," Jiro added, crossing his arms. "Though I highly doubt they learned their lesson..."
"I hope you two are ready..." Rita growled, walking over to the two perverts.
"N-now Rita, remember yer blood pressure..." Raven said.
"You're dead!"
Everyone was on the Fiertia, including the Sodia Brigade. Raven and Marumaro were late and when they went to search for them, they found the two implanted in a building, smoke billowing from them. It took several minutes to pry them out.
"R-Rita, yer a monster..." Raven had moaned.
"M-maro... it hurts..." Marumaro added.
Once they got back in the ship, Ba'ul took off, headed north toward the mountains where Aspio was located, passing over Deidon Hold and Halure. Estelle was telling Yuri and Karol about where Halure got its name from.
"Three type of flowers grow on the tree barrier," she was saying. "The harmonia, the luluria, and the renin. The beginnings of their names make Halure."
"Heh, guess you learn something new every day," Yuri replied.
Finally, Ba'ul landed in front of the cavern in the mountain, Aspio, and dropped everyone off before taking off again.
"Ah, nothing like Aspio!" Rita exclaimed as they passed through the main entry in the cavern, going up the stairs bridging over one another onto a large platform. She turned to Flynn.
"You can let the Knights go now. I've already informed the head of Aspio about this."
"Okay. Captain Sodia, spread your Knights out. We don't want the Balaur taking possession of the Ultimate Blastia," Flynn said.
"Yes, sir," Sodia replied. She started giving orders to her brigade as Rita led the group down several flights of stairs to the cavern floor. In the center, surrounded by guards, was a spade-shaped blastia with a glowing blue core. The blastia itself looked to be about ten feet tall.
"This thing doesn't even compare to the size of Zaude's core," Yuri said. "How could it be just as powerful?"
"Because the core it the apatheia of an ancient Entelexeia king," Estelle replied.
"How'd you know that?" Karol asked.
"The five spirits are telling me that their king, Alrodoh, died during the Gerios Civilization and his apatheia was formed into a blastia," Estelle said.
"With any luck, the Balaur won't reach this," Rita said. Yuri pulled out his katana.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that..."
A little ways away, dark particle combined into the Shadow of Balaur.
"You've gotta be kidding..." Mist grumbled.
"Sodia! Get your brigade down here!" Flynn shouted. A "Yes sir" came from above them. A magic circle appeared in front of the Balaur and dark energy was shot at the group. The attack took them by surprise and they didn't have enough time to react before they were blasted away.
"D-dammit," Yuri hissed, struggling to his feet.
"He's powerful..." Mist commented.
"Is everyone alright?!" Flynn exclaimed.
"We're good," Karol replied. He got up, pulling his gigantic hammer out of his bag. Mist, Estelle, and Rita began preparing spells. Judith pulled out her spear and charged at the Balaur alongside Yuri and Flynn. The Shadow Wielders summoned their Shadows.
"Crushing Nail!" Shu shouted. Blue Dragon's hands were covered in blue energy in the shape of blades and slashed at the Balaur. At the same time, Minotaur came up next to the Balaur as it tried dodging.
"Waves of Rage!" Jiro shouted. Minotaur punched the Balaur to the ground and got out of the way as Judith began performing her Mystic Arte.
Lightning came out of nowhere around her, some striking the Balaur. She leaped up into the air, her spear, Brionac, covered in blue energy and the image of a moon apeared above.
"Radiant...Moonlight!" she shouted, bringing the spear down and striking the Balaur. She leaped out of the way as Flynn readied his Mystic Arte.
He held up the White Knight Sword and golden energy enveloped it and pulled it back.
"Ligh Dragon...Destruction!" Flynn swung his sword, three golden dragons coming out and carrying the Balaur into the air. Mist activated her Mystic Arte.
"Queen of all dragons, hear my call and appear before me!" Mist chanted. A magic circle appeared above the still airborne Balaur and a high dragon made out of red energy came down on top of it. Mist hopped onto it's back as the high dragon flew up, she and Mist both charging an energy attack.
"High Dragon Fury!" Mist shouted. She swung her sword and a large energy wave shot out while the high dragon fired an energy beam, both hitting their mark. The high dragon landed and vianished when Mist leaped off of her.
"Oh power that is at the root of all creation..." Rita chanted, red, green, purple, and blue energy spheres circling her before shooting out and expanding, surrounding her and the Balaur. "Oh memories enscribed in ages past, hear my call and arise before me..." She pulled her scroll out, twirling around and producing a barrier around her. "Ancient Catastrophe!" Energy from the four elemental spheres reflected off the barrier, creating an explosion the sent the Balaur flying back.
"Nightengale!" Estelle said, completing her spell and healing everyone.
"Blitz Claw!" Marumaro shouted as Saber-Tiger, merged with Hippo and Bouquet, slashed through the Balaur. Yuri, Karol, Raven, and Repede used their Burst Artes while Phoenix used Eternal Breath. Sodia's brigade used magic artes to keep their distance in case the Balaur still had some fight left in it.
"Is it over?" Karol asked. Just then, they were all blasted back by Kronos. The Balaur got up, clearly weakened, and slowly moved toward the Ultimate Blastia. Everyone was too injured to move.
"Oh no..." Mist murmured.
"This is bad..." Rita agreed.
"Dammit...!" Yuri spat.
"We have to do something!" Shu exclaimed.
Just as the Balaur was about to come in contact with the Ultimate Blastia, a white light appeared between it and the blastia. When it vanished, an Entelexeia appeared.
"Altima!" Judith exclaimed. Altima had a black furred rabbit-like body. Her fluffy white ears were long and hanging down. Long clumps of black fur hung down from the back of her head. Her slender black arms and legs were hairless. Two long plumey tails swished behind her. Her belly fur and snout were white.
"You will not have this blastia!" Altima growled at the Balaur. When the Balaur lunged at Altima, the white light engulfed her and the blastia and both vanished, leaving the Balaur to attack thin air. He roared in frustration and dissipated, the particles flowing out of Aspio.
By then, everyone recovered enough to get up, Estelle casting Nightengale again to heal their wounds.
"What the hell just happened?!" Mist asked Judith.
"One of Altima's powers is to teleport," Judith replied. "More than likely, she teleported the Ultimate Blastia to a safer location for now."
"So we just need to find her?" Yuri asked.
"She will more than likely need help," Judith replied. "The Balaur was able to withstand the strongest attacks we could throw at it. She may end up an apatheia if she fights him alone. I can contact her to find out where she went."
"Good," Mist said. "We need to find her before the Balaur does."
"What I'm wondering is how the Balaur found where the Ultimate Blastia was so quickly," Rita said.
"Maybe a lucky guess?" Bouquet said.
"It could have detected a large amount of energy flowing from the blastia and followed it here," Judith replied.
"I'd think Zaude's core would be a larger beacon," Raven said.
"No. Zaude is different somehow," Rita said. "Even though it's much larger, it's producing a much different energy. Kind of like a...a...like a barrier!"
"A barrier?" Yuri asked. "I though Zaude was a weapon."
"I know, but the energy radiating from it doesn't feel similar to a bohdi or even a hoplon blastia," Rita replied. "It's like it's holding something powerful back."
"If that's the case, I wonder what," Mist said.
