Chapter VIII: The Capital of Bale

Although it was still in the middle of the morning as they walked into the main plaza of the city, many of the townspeople were up and walking around Bale, leaving a lot of crowds for Stryfe, Dart, Shana and Lavitz to push their way through all while trying to not to lose sight of each other. Pushing his way through the crowds, Stryfe found Lavitz near the entrance to an art gallery after he lost sight of Dart and Shana.

Venturing inside to look for them, Stryfe and Lavitz only found the young owner of the gallery painting a portrait. Before they could turn around to leave,
the girl noticed their presence and began to become very excited when she saw Lavitz.

Portraitist Girl: Oh my god! It's Sir Lavitz!

Lavitz: Well, hello again.

Stryfe: You know her?

Lavitz: She took my portrait in the past. She's quite the skilled painter.

Portraitist Girl: Oh, Sir Lavitz! Please, let me draw your portrait again!

Lavitz: Well, I guess it couldn't hurt. You don't mind, do you, Stryfe?

Stryfe: *sigh* I guess not.

Portraitist Girl: Okay! Don't move!

As Stryfe kneeled on the wall and waited patiently, minutes felt like hours as time flew by. Finally, the girl finished the portrait just before Stryfe lost his patience.

Portraitist Girl: It's done! Here!

Lavitz: Thank you.

Stryfe: It's about time. Hmm...It's that a little TOO handsome?

Portraitist Girl: I don't think so!

Lavitz: I'll be sure to treasure this.

Portraitist Girl: Okay!

Stryfe: Come on, Lavitz. We gotta find Dart and Shana.

Exiting the art gallery, Stryfe and Lavitz noticed that the crowds weren't as bad as earlier, allowing them to traverse through them more easily. Finally, they found Dart and Shana waiting near the main plaza's center fountain.

Stryfe: Dart! Shana!

Dart: There you two are!

Shana: Where were you?

Stryfe: Getting Lavitz a portrait done...unintentionally.

Lavitz: Hey, at least you were patient in waiting.

Stryfe: Barely...

Dart: Well, in any case. Lavitz, where is Indels Castle?

Lavitz: It's to the west of here. Follow me.

Following Lavitz into the western part of the city, Stryfe, Dart and Shana were eventually greeted with the sight of a large castle standing on a platform across a lakeside, with many small fishing boats floating around it. Stryfe was in awe as the sun's light reflected off the castle walls beautifully as he climbed up the steps to the main entrance with Dart, Shana and Lavitz. As they entered the main lobby of the castle, Stryfe was again awed as he had never been inside a castle before.

Continuing to follow Lavitz, they entered the throne room, where Lavitz suddenly kneeled down in respect to someone. Dart and Shana were quick to follow, but Stryfe took a bit to realize why they were kneeling down. Noticing a young man around his and Dart's age on the throne pedestal above him, Stryfe immediately kneeled down in order to not show any disrespect.

Lavitz: Your Majesty King Albert, Lavitz Slambert of the First Knighthood reporting back from the field.

King Albert: Lavitz! I was feeling uneasy because I heard you were missing! Please, all of you, rise and make yourselves at home!

Lavitz: Your Majesty, it's more than I deserve.

An older man walked up to King Albert's side. He seemed to be the one who knew knowledge that many have forgotten over the years.

Minister Noish: It's true! His Majesty was so dismayed that he couldn't see to his affairs of state.

King Albert: Well, Lavitz is a childhood friend of mine as well as a master of martial arts. Anyways, where have you been?

Lavitz: After my First Knighthood was wiped out, I was captured by Sandora and held against my will in Hellena Prison...

King Albert: In...Hellena!?

Lavitz: However, thanks to the acts of these two young men and young woman, I managed to break out. Allow me to introduce you to Stryfe, Dart and Shana. They are from Seles.

King Albert: I thank you for saving Lavitz. In gratitude for this, tell me if you need anything.

Upon hearing that, Stryfe saw Dart look at Shana with concern. This caused him to become curious.

Dart: I have a favor to ask. Is it possible to leave Shana in the care of this castle?

Shana: What!?

Stryfe: Dart, what the hell are you doing!?

Dart: Imperial Sandora attacked Seles to take Shana away. So, they could go after her again. When I think of that...

Shana: Is that the reason you brought me here!?

Dart: Shana...

Stryfe: Stop being so conceited, Dart! She's already come a long way since we busted her out of Hellena! After all that, you're just gonna leave her again!?

Shana: He's right. I can walk beside you, Dart! I will continue to do so until the end of days!

Dart: Stryfe...Shana...

King Albert: Unfortunately, you cannot leave her here. Imperial Sandora obtained the force of a legendary Dragon, and are now on the offensive, as I'm sure you already know. We're holding the battle line in Hoax, but if the Dragon breaks through, we cannot defend against it even with the high ramparts.

Stryfe: So there is...no place safe in Serido now?

King Albert: That is unfortunately correct. Besides, Dart, you know how she feels about you? Don't you?

Stryfe clearly saw Dart and Shana blush upon hearing that question from King Albert. Stryfe knew them well enough to tell if they were hiding something, and they were clearly trying to hide how they truly felt about one another. Trying to stay focused, Dart turned to Shana.

Dart: Shana, it may be even more dangerous from now on.

Shana: I don't mind as long as I can be with you, Dart. You as well, Stryfe.

Stryfe: Heh, thanks Shana.

Dart: Well, I take back that request.

Stryfe: Actually...I have a request, Your Majesty.

King Albert: What is it, Stryfe?

Stryfe: I would like to ask a question to the man next to you. Minister Noish, I presume?

Minister Noish: Yes. My head is filled with all the legends and history of the Continent of Endiness.

Stryfe: Me and Dart were on a journey to pursue the one known as the Black Monster.

Minister Noish: The Black...Monster...You two know of it?

Dart: Yes...the monster attacked our home village of Neet eighteen years ago. The only thing I know is that he deprived us of our parents and home.

Minister Noish: Hmm! You were a victim of the devil!

Stryfe: It was more of a twist of fate. Minister, if you have anything to tell us, please do so!

Minister Noish: Unfortunately, there is hardly any information left. Everything that was related to him was reduced to ashes during one of his rampages. The only thing I know is that the Black Monster is called the devil that disobeyed the great existence, and is also know for devouring the god.

Dart: Devouring the "god"?

Stryfe: Are you serious?

Minister Noish: Yes, and surprisingly, it shows up in history beginning eleven thousand years ago.

King Albert: That was the time the war known as the Dragon Campaign ended.

Stryfe: The...Dragon...Campaign...

Minister Noish: You're exactly right, your Majesty. Instead, I will tell you the story of the Dragon Campaign.

While Minister Noish told them of the Dragon Campaign, he told them of winged humanoid beings known as Winglies, who were once the rulers of all other life in Endiness until Emperor Diaz began an uprising that resulted in the Dragon Campaign. Listening to his description of the Winglies, Stryfe began to piece together the similarities of the Winglies from the story and the ones known as "The Winged Ones" that killed his grandparents and changed his father. After putting the pieces together in his head, Stryfe realized that the Winglies and "The Winged Ones" were the same thing.

Stryfe: *snaps fingers* That's it!

Dart: What's "it", Stryfe?

Stryfe: Dart, remember when my father constantly mentioned "The Winged Ones" after my grandparents were murdered?

Dart: I wish I could forget. Your father became...a very horrifying person after that happened.

Stryfe: The Winglies from Noish's story...They have the exact same characteristics as "The Winged Ones"! They must be the same thing!

Dart: You sure!?

Stryfe: I'm positive!

Minister Noish: Who are these "Winged Ones" You describe, Stryfe?

As Stryfe explained the incident that took his grandparents lives to Minister Noish and what a single witness saw that day, Minister Noish seemed to have the same conclusion that Stryfe had.

Minister Noish: Your description...The Winglies had the exact same characteristics. But it's improbable.

Stryfe: Why?

Minister Noish: After the Dragon Campaign ended, the Winglies all but disappeared. No one has seen them in almost ten thousand years.

Stryfe: It was no fluke. My father spent the last years of his life hunting them down. If they're out there, I have to find them.

Dart: What are you going to do if you do, Stryfe?

Stryfe: I'm going...to ask them why. Why they murdered my grandparents. I have to know why they killed them.

Just then, a praetorian entered the room to speak to King Albert.

Praetorian of Basil: Excuse me, sir! It's time for the war meeting!

King Albert: I see. Tell them I will be there soon.

As the praetorian left the throne room, King Albert turned to Stryfe, Dart and Shana.

King Albert: Stryfe, Dart, Shana...This war will be a particularly harsh one for those who no longer have a home to return to. I think now is the best time to think about your future.

Shana: But, this is our first time in a castle.

King Albert: Well, there is a place with a great view next to this room. Go enjoy yourselves.

Shana: Oh! I see! Please excuse me!

Dart: Yeah. Please excuse me, too.

After Dart and Shana kneeled in respect, they left to see the view from the balcony outside the throne room. As Stryfe watched them leave, he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. It was Lavitz.

Lavitz: Why don't you join them?

Stryfe: What about you?

Lavitz: I'll catch up. Just go.

Stryfe: Alright.

Opening the door to the balcony, Stryfe saw that King Albert wasn't joking when he said that the view of the city was incredible. Dart and Shana were already captivated by the awe of the sight by the time Stryfe joined up with them.

Stryfe: Woah...

Dart: From here, we can see all of Basil. Do you think we will even be able to see Seles?

Shana: Seles is over the mountains. Besides, we cannot see it anyways because were too far away...

Stryfe: I hope everyone is alright...

"Yes, they are."

Stryfe, Dart and Shana turned around to see Lavitz standing behind them with a smile on his face.

Lavitz: According to the brief from my aide, most of the people in the village are safe.

Stryfe: That's good to hear.

Dart: I'm relieved to hear that.

Lavitz: However, it will take some time to rebuild the village.

Shana: Still, that's good. I can see everybody again.

Lavitz: But, we have bad news too.

Stryfe: What is it?

Lavitz: Sandora is now readying itself to attack us. They are planning to use the Dragon for the offensive on Hoax.

Stryfe: WHAT!? That's insane!

Dart: If they release that monster into the battle, it will be total genocide!

Lavitz: Our role as the Knighthood, is to stop it. I'm heading to Hoax soon. Maintaining the battle line will determine the fate of Basil.

Stryfe and Dart shook their heads. After giving some thought, they both turned to Lavitz.

Dart: I have lived only for myself for the last five years. I believed it was something I had to complete by myself even if I had to leave Shana and the people I cared about behind.

Stryfe: During these last five years, I too have had my sight set on one thing. I had hoped that, by traveling with Dart, I could finally find the answer to my grandparents deaths. But...

Dart: When we came back...it was like this. I...We almost lost our hometown again!

Stryfe looked at Dart, giving him a slight smile. As they both nodded to each other, they knew what they had to do.

Stryfe: Lavitz, we're going with you! Neither Dart nor myself want to see anymore bloodshed!

Lavitz: But what about the Black Monster and "The Winged Ones"?

Stryfe: They can wait!

Dart: Yes, we have to end this war first!

Shana: *giggles* Once Stryfe and Dart make up their minds, they never change them. Of course, I'm going too! I can't stand the war either, and I can fight too!

Lavitz was amazed by Stryfe, Dart and Shana's determination. He never even asked for their help, yet they were offering to aid him.

Lavitz: You guys...

Stryfe: I guess everything is determined now.

Dart: All we have left to do now is prepare.

Lavitz: Th, then, let's go back to the city! There are item shops, weapon shops and my home! Please, meet my mother!

Stryfe: Are you that big of a momma's boy, Lavitz?

Lavitz: N, no! It's just that my mother hasn't had a guest in such a long time! It'll make her happy!

Dart: Well, if that's an invitation, then how can we refuse?

Stryfe: It would be nice to sleep on a bed for a change. Alright, let's go!

Leaving the castle behind, Stryfe, Dart, Shana and Lavitz traveled back into the city to stock up on items and supplies for the eventual battle they were about to take part in. After they finished gathering supplies, Lavitz led them to the northern part of Bale, where the residential sector awaited them...