Tibarn's group passes quickly through Semper, drawing steadily closer to the imperial capital. The hardships of the journey allowed the group to overcome any racial differences, and forge bonds of friendship and trust. However, Almedha, the queen of Daein, remains alone and aloof, lost in thoughts of her own.
"I hope Lady Almedha's all right. How's she doing?" Elincia asked.
"Reyson's song seems to have calmed her for now," Tibarn said. "You know, at first, I doubted her claim that she was the daughter of that useless old lizard. But I have trouble holding her down! She's certainly no ordinary beorc woman."
"I agree. Lady Almedha and Prince Kurthnaga share a striking resemblance. Not just faces, but mannerisms, too," Elincia said.
"That's how beorc spot blood ties? The laguz stick to scent. Speaking of which… Almedha. She has no distinct scent. It's like she's neither beorc nor laguz," Tibarn said.
"She told me something I wanted to ask about. She said that she lost her power when she became pregnant with King Pelleas," Elincia said.
"Hm… the ancient songs are true… it is said that the goddesses forbid that laguz and beorc procreate. If a couple breaks the taboo, the punishment is dealt to the laguz parent. He or she loses the power of the laguz and becomes something belonging to neither species," Tibarn said. A twig snapped, and Tibarn turned about.
"Halt, who goes there?" Tibarn asked.
"If those lyrical compositions indeed hold truth, then my duty is to keep the honourable king of the hawks from being on his lonesome with my bewitching beorc queen. Are you not in agreement, Ellie?" the man asked. Elincia smiled, and beckoned for Bastian to approach.
"My apologies for the lateness of this hour. The proper social graces are always at their most difficult to observe during the game of war," Bastian said. "I have been absent for a time period of great length, Ellie. I apologise again from a place deep within my heart."
"Bastian… you're all right! Oh, how I worried for your safety!" Elincia said.
"Sorry to interrupt such a tender reunion, but… where on Tellius have you been, Lord Jester? What have you been up to? OUT WITH IT!" Tibarn said.
"I suppose one with the swiftness of the skies is highly unlikely to consider patience as a virtue. But fear not! Everything shall be told in a lovely, circuitous fashion! First, I must ask of you that you step away from other ears. And, if it is possible, would you kindly arouse the prince of wings purest white?" Bastian said.
"…You want me to get Reyson? Fine. But only if you talk like a normal person," Tibarn said.
"He's right… this is a terrible habit of yours, Bastian. You always use ten words when two will do," Lucia said.
"Ah, dearest, beloved Lucy! It pains me to imagine the piteous tears that you shed during cold, lonely nights spent without my presence! Be of good cheer, little one! This day, tears of joy will be shed in a loving embrace of my own creation!" Bastian said.
"…Ever the optimist, eh?" Lucia asked, shaking her head.
"And Geoffrey! Is that you?" Elincia asked. Geoffrey nodded, grappling with a hooded man in a concealing robe.
"Ellie… I swear that I shall never… ever… leave your side… again!" Geoffrey said, his grip on another figure in an impressive cape. Elincia smiled, and hugged him.
"…Hello," a voice said from the shadows.
"Don't sneak up on me, Volke! Oh, Ellie… this is Volke. He is a spy… no, a 'fireman' in Count Bastian's employ. He worked for Ike in the Mad King's War, perhaps you remember that?" Geoffrey asked.
"Our captive has disappeared. He has not shown himself for approximately half an hour," Volke said casually.
"He has made an escape? To borrow a word from the Gallians…" Bastian said.
"Um, Bastian, I tried that in Ranulf's presence. Apparently, it's a Begnion word," Geoffrey said.
"IT MATTERS NOT! Volke, your next assignment is to find the escaped prisoner with all due haste!" Bastian said.
"Two thousand," Volke said.
"Do it before the night is out and I'll double it," Bastian said.
"Understood," Volke said. Tibarn appeared, escorting Reyson.
"Oh my… this is quite rude of me, after I hastened you here, but we have an emergency. Would you gather after the escapee has been regathered?" Bastian asked.
"Fine by me. I'm not fond of darkness, anyway," Reyson said.
"And Geoffrey? Give me a hand, would you? I would like to take him to the carriage," Bastian asked. Geoffrey nodded, and the wrestled the man in the cape away.
"Lucy… who's the man in the black cape?" Elincia asked.
"I asked, Ellie. Neither of them would budge," Lucia said.
"Geoffrey? I didn't think he kept secrets," Elincia said.
"A mysterious escaped prisoner… a man shrouded in black… my, this is quite the big night for secrets," Lucia said.
"Oh! Aunt Ellie!" a small little girl said. Amy had appeared, escorting the young Elena.
"Oh, Amy! Elena! You're safe… I'm so glad to see the both of you!" Elincia said.
"I came here with General Geoffrey!" Amy said.
"Geoffrey?" Elincia asked.
"I was outside the day the bright light engulfed everything. I thought time had stopped, at first… but then I realised everyone had turned to stone. I rode around the city to investigate, and I found the little one running around outside Ike's," Geoffrey said.
"Did you find anyone else, maybe?" Elincia asked.
"…No," Geoffrey said.
"How tragic… well…" Elincia said. She knelt down, and hugged both children.
"Where's Mommy? I want to see mommy!" Amy said.
"I'm sorry, Amy. Your mommy is somewhere else," Elincia said. "Yours too, Elena." Elena began crying, with Amy putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Mommy… isn't here?" Amy asked.
"No… she isn't. But they'll all be doing well…" Elincia said.
"Mommy… Daddy…" both Amy and Elena cried.
"Hey, now, don't cry! Mommy told you not to cry, Amy? Remember?" Ranulf asked, appearing behind both girls.
"Kitty cat man?" Amy asked.
"Unkie Ranul! Unkie Ranul!" Elena said.
"Good… you remembered me! Now listen carefully… if you're good and travel with us without complaining, you'll both see your mommy and daddy really soon. Sound good?" Ranulf said.
"Really?" Amy asked.
"Would I lie to you two? And I'll tell you a secret… if you're patient, we can get all your friends back to normal, too!" Ranulf said.
"I'll be patient! I'll watch over Elena! I promise!" Amy said.
"Good girl…" Ranulf said, tousling both of the girl's hair.
"Amy, Elena, it's late. Let's go to my tent and get some sleep. All right?" Lucia said.
"…Unkie Ranul come?" Elena asked.
"Sure! I'll even let you sleep on my furry belly!" Ranulf said.
"Yay yay yay!" Elena said.
"Don't tell anyone, Amy, but my belly's super comfortable! You'll fall asleep in no time!" Ranulf said.
"Great… Amy, Elena, let's get going," Lucia said.
"Yeah! Kitty cat pillow! Kitty cat pillow!" Amy said.
"…Thank you, Ranulf," Elincia said.
"Don't mention it. I'm a sucker for kids. And Largo, Calill, Ike and Mia have all been good to me. I'll catch up later," Ranulf said.
"How unusual… I can't believe small children like them have been saved from petrification. That'd be a first," Reyson said, walking in with Tibarn.
"King Tibarn, Prince Reyson…" Elincia said.
"I'd assumed that only people with some power were safe from petrification. I must've guessed wrong," Tibarn said.
"I'm wondering if there are even rules at all," Reyson said.
"Well… Calill and Mia will be so happy once you break the news, at any rate," Elincia said. Reyson nodded, and grabbed the sending stone.
"Sheesh… all I'm saying that you should take it, Ulki!" Janaff said.
"No… you're older than me. One should respect one's elders. It's yours, Janaff," Ulki said.
"Ulki, how come I've never heard you use that line before? Besides, you two are five years apart!" Gavina said.
"Five years is five years. You deserve the perks of old age. Take it," Ulki said to Janaff.
"Did you call me an old codger?" Janaff asked.
"…I don't care who keeps it. Just make a decision already! It's annoying, listening to you pigs bicker away like mad. Repopulating the hawks is going to be a living nightmare…" Gavina said.
"…SHUT IT, Gavina! This is strictly between me and Ulki!" Janaff said.
"Should you really address the hawk king's brain with words like those?" Ulki asked.
"Who cares? It's not like Tibarn can hear!" Janaff said.
"Selfish magpie…" Ulki said.
"Solitary peacock…" Janaff said.
"All right, Janaff, that's enough," Gavina said, taking the gift.
"You're scolding me?" Janaff asked.
"You too, Ulki. You press his buttons too much. Don't egg him on," Gavina said.
"…What are they fighting over?" Reyson asked, approaching.
"They're arguing over who would take Tibarn's gift. Neither of them seem willing to take it," Gavina said.
"Really? How uncharacteristically selfless of you, Ulki," Reyson said.
"What do you mean, White Prince? Ulki's an ungrateful wretch who doesn't appreciate my thoughtfulness! He'll never understand!" Janaff said.
"Since the item is so nice, I thought you should have it. I'm not the stubborn one," Ulki said.
"Well, since neither of you want it, I'll take it," Reyson said, grabbing the gift.
"What?" Janaff asked.
"Prince Reyson?" Ulki asked.
"It'll come in handy during a battle, right? Then I will wear it and fight by Tibarn's side. It's good to be thoughtful and giving, but if neither of you appreciate it, there's no point," Reyson said.
"Reyson's right, there. All right, Reyson, you can take it. Reyson can be my one and only aide from now on. Shoulda thought of this sooner!" Tibarn said, walking up behind the four.
"I'll take it!" Janaff said.
"I will take it. And then we will discuss who will wear it," Ulki said.
"…Do you agree, Janaff?" Tibarn asked.
"…I have no problem with that," Janaff said.
"Reyson?" Tibarn asked.
"Fine with me. As long I can stay nearby, I'm all right with whatever you decide," Reyson said.
"It's a deal. Now, do you two feel stupid for arguing in front of Gavina? And, after that, being lectured by Reyson? …Gavina, sorry you had to see that," Tibarn said.
"It's all right, there. I'm used to this stuff," Gavina said.
"Sorry, Ulki…" Janaff said.
"I apologise, Janaff," Ulki said.
"I've been with you and Tibarn since before our feathers grew in. I guess we know each other a little too well… well, the White Prince reminded me of who I am. I am an aide to the King of Phoenicis!" Janaff said.
"…I was reminded, too. Janaff, you take it," Ulki said.
"Hey… wait a minute! You think you pulled a fast one? Get back here!" Janaff said, running after Ulki, and dropping the gift. Gavina picked it up.
"…You might as well, Gavina. Like you said earlier, this is going to be a rough life, and I don't know if the hawks will make it out alive," Tibarn said.
"…Thank you, Tibarn," Gavina said, smiling nervously.
"…So, we have a bit of a predicament… I know it is none of your affair, but we would greatly benefit from laguz assistance in our hunt for last night's escapee," Geoffrey said, looking between Tibarn and Ranulf.
"No problem. I could always use some exercise before breakfast," Tibarn said, stretching.
"Thank you, King Tibarn. Please follow me," Geoffrey said.
"…Why are the others up so early?" Lucia asked, walking up with Elincia.
"Are we under Disciple attack?" Elincia asked.
"No, Ellie… it's not them… it's something worse," Geoffrey said, turning and running towards his horse.
"Geoffrey!" Lucia cried out.
"Get on the pegasus, Lucy. We'll follow him!" Elincia said.
"Bastian? What in Ike's name is going on? And I want an answer this century!" Elincia said.
"Ellie! Lucy! What are you doing here?" Geoffrey asked.
"That's of no importance. Explain what the Feral Ones are doing here!" Lucy said, looking over the group's shoulder to see a gathering of cats, tigers, ravens, hawks and red dragons.
"See the odious man joining with them? He controls them. He uses fell magic to summon poor laguz souls which had been turned into the Feral Ones. He is the man who escaped our custody… Volke found him just now. His name is Izuka. He designed the process to create Feral Ones," Bastian said.
"He's the butcher of my laguz brothers and sisters? He won't die quickly. I'll make sure his screams echo about Phoenicis, Gallia… and even Goldoa and Kilvas. They'll echo for years!" Tibarn cried out.
"Dare not speak of me that way! My work is humanity's greatest triumph! Depraved? Show them the meaning of genius! Come, my children! Come, my Feral Ones!" Izuka said.
"We can't let him roam free! We must fight!" Elincia said, raising her sword. This scene of so many feral laguz was unnerving to the army, from Geoffrey to Tibarn. These may not have had the blessings of the Goddess of Order, but they were their own kind driven to insanity. Hawks, ravens, tigers, and cats showed signs of the foul magics pulsing through their veins. There could only be one mercy for them, they were too far gone for any antidote to cure.
With great sorrow and anger in their hearts, the Hawk Army collided with the Ferals. Geoffrey and his sister stood alongside the rest of the Crimean Knights in a shield formation around their Queen, who had more than enough to contend with the mad hawks. Thankfully Janaff and Uliki were there to give her an aid against their wayward cousins. Pushing forward with Ranulf, Kysha and Lyre were the two riders of Daein. They fought hard, they fought with all of the skill and fury of one freed from the trappings of mortal flesh, but the Feral Ones fought without a care for the wounds they suffered. Urged on by their master's nasally orders, and with more seemingly coming from nowhere, desperation began to set in for those carrying Yune's blessing.
Thankfully Rhys was there to keep the calm with his powerful healing abilities reaching those who were wounded with ease and providing some reassurance to those who feared of being wounded. Tibarn himself was at the front, tearing his way through tigers and beasts with his talons. A look of pure murder filled his eyes, and Izuka was their target. Marcia and Rolf were also providing some much needed support to the ground forces, the agile pegasus managed to get through the opening left for them by the maddened birds. Her spear and his bow offered the much needed shoring up for defences of the other fighters.
Bastian surprised everyone by using his magical ability along with Volke seemingly fading in an out of existence delivering well placed blows by the dozen. Spurred on by the bard's theatrics and bravery, the Hawk Army began to make headway into the army. Before long they were next to Izuka, fighting off his most prized of maddened pets.
"Please, have a care, Crimean count. If I die, you lose your only hope of curing that man," Izuka pleaded with Bastian as the two mages stood ten paces away from each other. Bastian did an exaggerated thinking expression while he thumbed through his tome.
"True… your vast knowledge is most valuable to my grand efforts," he said in his thickened accent.
"My lord… you are most kind," Izuka said. Those who were close enough to hear the exchange clenched their teeth in anger. Here they had the bastard in their hands and Bastian was going to let him live?
"I seem to have prominent recollections of some of my anatomical knowledge. Perhaps, when you have been murdered most efficaciously, I can probe the deepest lobes of your odious brain and identify the root and source of your arcane knowledge," Bastian said casually, as if he was deciding how he would like his meat cooked for dinner.
"Wh…what you suggest is monstrous!" the summoner blurted out with a cast of electricity at the count, who flicked it aside with the back of his hand.
"Yet you would not make any hesitation at all to do activities much worse to a laguz. Now I will speed you to the afterlife, where you have eternity and a half to contemplate your egregiously misbegotten deeds," Bastian said, a ball of wind and kinetic energy formed in his hands. Letting the power pass through his hands, the count threw the might of his Arcwind at the mad alchemist. Izuka tried and failed to completely defend himself. By all rights he was a powerful wizard, though he was not prepared for the onslaught. Rolf took occasional shots at him when he had the chance, and more and more of his Ferals were dying to the terrible onslaught of the army. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lucia come towards him, but by the time he had the chance to fully comprehend what was happening she was bringing her sword slashing down. He threw up his arms in defence, but the blow cut through his book and drew copious amounts of blood. He stumbled back into the earth and was soon surrounded by half a dozen points of iron aimed at his vulnerable parts of his body.
"If you kill me, you are killing the remaining untested subjects as well!" Izuka said desperately. There was a bit of hesitation as Geoffrey dismounted and walked closer, his spear still aimed at the chest.
"What do you mean 'untested'?" Geoffrey asked.
"Do…do you really think these are all of the half-breeds I have?" He coughed up a lungful of bloody mucus. "I was trying to find a way to see if I could create ferals without the needs of a potion. There are probably fifteen young female hawks who are almost dead from starva-hurk!" Before anyone could react, Gavina was upon Izuka, her hands clamped around his throat.
"If this is a lie to let you live, I will kill you by tearing off bits of your flesh slowly and over a prolonged course of time," Gavina said, eyes narrrowed. Despite himself, Izuka laughed.
"Why would I lie? They are only females, and I know how desperate you are for them. You need them for breeding stock. But if I die you…" He stopped speaking as Gavina took in a deep smell of his clothes. The other beasts did the same.
"We now have your scent. We will find out where they are. But now, for exploiting my fear that I am to be the mother of an entire nation… whatever will find your corpse to eat will not have to chew," Gavina said. With talon sharp nails, Gavina began to tear Izuka apart like she promised. Bit, by bit, by bit, by bit. Lucia, despite the damage and suffering this monster of a man caused, looked slightly green. Janaff leaned in and shook his head.
"As unusual as it sounds, our females do have quite the temper," he said. Lucia could only smile weakly, her eyes still trained on Gavina's rage.
"Disgusting filth. I can't kill him enough for what he has done," Tibarn said, watching the pieces drop to the ground like confetti. The Feral Ones, like the Disciples of Order, had dropped upon the loss of their leader.
"At least he is finally gone. No one else will suffer by his hands," Elincia said.
"That's all there is, then…" Reyson said. He stepped away, and hummed a peaceful tune. The Feral Ones all smiled, disappearing into white lights.
"Laguz brothers and sisters… may your souls find peace," Ranulf said.
"Oh, thank goodness you're here! I can't hold down that man in the black cape! Please, follow me!" Daniel said, beckoning. Bastian jumped, and hastened his pace. The man was writhing on the floor, frothing at the mouth.
"Shush… calm down, sir… it's all right, sir. You are a strong man… you will pull through. Please, you must calm yourself, Duke Renning!" Bastian said. The man threw off his cowl, and Renning's face was recognisable.
"It cannot be… Uncle Renning is alive?" Elincia asked.
"Ugh… Argh… Grr…" Renning said.
"What's wrong, Uncle? Speak to me! It's me, Ellie!" Elincia said, approaching Renning.
"It's no use! Your noble uncle's mind has been broken by the Feral drug," Bastian said.
"No! How… Uncle! Uncle Renning! Hold on!" Elincia said. Bastian grabbed Renning, and pulled him away to a more comfortable spot.
"Forgive me… I must collect myself," Elincia said.
"What happened? Who is he?" Tibarn asked.
"That is Duke Renning, the younger brother of Crimea's King Ramon, and Queen Elincia's uncle. He was next in line to be seated upon the throne of Crimea, but he was believed to have been killed in the last attack by Daein, three years ago," Bastian said.
"What's wrong with him now?" Tibarn asked.
"No more secrets, Bastian. Tell us everything," Lucia said.
"Duke Renning was apparently killed three years ago… but he is still living. Duke Renning was one of Crimea's mightiest warriors, and when Daein attempted to make him a corpse, their efforts failed. The Mad King heard of his skill, and had Renning kidnapped and given the Feral drug. The drug boosted Renning's might, and shattered his mind. He became Bertram, one of Ashnard's Four Horsemen," Bastian said.
"…But… oh, Renning…" Elincia said, looking at Amiti.
"After he was defeated by… uh… Lady Mist at Pinell, I had him taken back to my castle of residence. I intended to find a cure for his brain, but in the desire to not raise false hope, I kept the experiment a secret. His mind continued to wither, however, and there were no signs of improvement. I hired Volke to investigate the cure… Volke discovered that Duke Renning's transformation had become engineered by a man called Izuka. This man was the aide to the new king of Daein, and was thus not difficult in the slightest to isolate. We kidnapped him to learn more of the condition with the utmost in speed. We returned to Fayre, and interrogated Izuka at greatest lengths. Surprising no one, beorc are affected differently by the Feral drug to laguz. Izuka offered to create an antidote in exchange for freedom," Bastian said.
"Did you agree?" Geoffrey asked.
"Certainly not! Such a monster cannot be allowed to roam free! Besides, there is a more certain way to cure Lord Renning," Bastian said.
"Of course!" Lucia said.
"Prince Reyson… I beg of you. Please save my uncle!" Elincia said, turning to Reyson. Reyson nodded solemnly.
"I can't guarantee it will work… but I will try. Please give me a moment," Reyson said.
"Are you sure, Reyson? I thought the galdr of rebirth was too powerful for one heron," Tibarn said.
Normally, yes. But right now, Ashera has infused this world with order. I've never felt stronger. And as if that wasn't enough, Renning seems to be in a weaker condition than the Ferals. I think I can do this…" Reyson said. Bastian laid Renning down, and Reyson began to sing. The galdr of rebirth's complex notes were struck perfectly, and Renning began to glow.
"…It worked. He sleeps peacefully. When he wakes, he should be back to normal," Reyson said.
"Thank you, Reyson!" Elincia said.