After the meeting Sodia was finally able to yell out her frustration. "What is Lord Galcian thinking?! Admiral, you can't seriously be considering this…this infidelity!"
Flynn turned to Witcher who had just arrived at the facility. "Has there been any news from the researchers if Galcian has made such an offer to them?"
"Only a select few such as myself and a few lead researchers in Moon Stone technology. Beyond us, Lord Galcian has been keeping his cards rather close."
"Until that announcement." Gregorio looked to his pocket watch again, "Now is a breaking point, of either disgrace or valor…" Gregorio handed the watch to Flynn, "There are a few things we need to discuss, alone."
The Delphinus launched from Sailor's Island to seek out Valua's Dangral Island. Below the clouds there wasn't much traffic to indicate where the Armada might be hiding now. Domingo and Tikatika noticed a large rock formation that seemed rather large to still be floating in the deep sky. Ba'ul and Judith went to the rock formation to scout it.
Vyse was waiting on the deck with Yuri to hear what the duo found. "It would seem that Vuala has been rather busy. The entire rock formation is being hollowed out. They aren't even finished with construction."
"A base that big has to have ventilation…"
Judith answered Vyse by pointing with her spear toward the top of the rock, "We spotted an opening we can take from the surface. I would recommend a strike team enter while the Delphinus holds as back up."
Vyse turned back to the bridge, "Enrique and Raven should be able to help us. Yuri, you and Repede up for this?"
"No need to ask me that."
"Now just to convince Fina and Aika to stay behind."
Judith and Ba'ul were keeping watch of the main entrance to the facility as Don and Lawrence had the Delphinus at the ready to attack. Rita, Estelle and Casey forced their way onto the away party, filling out the lifeboat and preventing any one else from joining, much to Aika's annoyance.
Aika watched Vyse climb down the ladder and disappear into the base. "I hate not going with them…"
Kalifa appeared behind Aika, "Have no fear. The captain and the other will return unharmed. Of that, the Red Moon assures me."
Karol tried his best to help her too, "Hey, we've got an important job too. We've got to protect the Delphinus, otherwise they wouldn't be able to return to normal air space."
"And if they do get captured you could lead us into a rescue mission." Though Marco was trying to help to, the thought of Vyse and the others getting captured wasn't helping.
Fina assured Aika, "They'll be back. I believe in them."
Aika smiled, "Yeah, your right. Vyse will be fine."
Traveling through the ducks, and the slow moving fans they managed to end up in the docks where De Loco left the plans for upgrades need to allow a vessel to survive diving even deeper into the Deep. Vyse grabbed the plans, "All the specs we need, from hull to engine. It'll be quite the undertaking that'll require all hands to complete."
Rita however was busy looking up to the Chameleon, "Looks like they're already modifying her for the journey…"
Casey snapped Rita out of her trance, "Hey, don't worry about them. Right now they're completely unaware that we're here. Let's keep that advantage and get out before the entire base goes into lockdown."
Vyse turned back toward the nose of the Chameleon, "Hold up." He pulled out the Moonfish catcher, launching it, "Now we can go."
Things continued to proceed rather smoothly, avoiding Valuan patrols and workers. Before they could reach the final stretch and back to the surface Repede stopped and started to growled. Yuri quickly unsheathed his sword, "We've got company!"
"Stop, Air Pirates!" Raven stopped with dread as the group turned to find Galcian with his sword in tow, "It looks like we meet again."
"Galcian!" They quickly readied themselves for battle, unsure if they were even a match for a man like Galcian.
Galcian seemed rather amused, "Not only once, but twice, you escaped from the Grand Fortress. Very impressive. However…do not think you will escape a third time."
Enrique and Estelle both stepped forward, "Galcian…what is Valua planning to do by building a place like this?"
"Hasn't the Empire done enough damage to the world by chasing after the Gigas?"
"If it isn't the Little Prince and Princess… Whatever Valua does, your highnesses, is no longer any of your concern, if I'm not mistaken. You were the ones who threw away your responsibilities and sided with these… pirates."
"We did not throw away our responsibilities!"
"We're working to rebuild the Empire!"
Galcian laughed at the two of them, "Heh heh heh… it matters not to me. I have no interest in Valua anymore. I shall dispose of you here, once and for all."
Raven seriously didn't want to fight, not here. "This is great…of all people to get caught by…"
Repede suddenly stopped growling, looking back. Yuri took a glance, "He's not the only one…"
Casey quickly turned around, bow at the ready. "We've got another Admiral!"
"It has been a while, Prince Enrique. Princess Estellise."
"Gregorio?!" With Flynn at his side. Enrique looked back to Galcian, trapped between the two Admirals, "How ironic… that fate has led us both here to pit sword against sword with one another."
Gregorio and Flynn moved closer, Flynn stopping beside Enrique as Gregorio moved through their group, "Do not worry. I am not here to fight you."
"What? What are you doing?!"
"This way, your highnesses," Flynn motioned them to follow through the door they were trying to escape through where Sodia was waiting.
"The path way has been secured, Admiral!"
Galcian wasn't amused any longer, "Gregorio…you understand the consequences of your actions?"
"Lord Galcian… It appears that you do not understand the consequences of your actions. You wish to revive the ancient horrors and use them to make the world yours… I cannot sit back and watch you destroy the world!"
"What are you doing?"
Gregorio smiled, "Prince, Princess…you spoke the truth when we last met at Esperanza. The Empire has chosen the wrong path. You two and Vyse are the only ones that can stop the Armada. Prince Enrique…Princess Estellise… let my last act be in your honour." Yuri and Flynn both ducked as Gregorio knocked the others back with his lance to throw the group into the corridor.
Yuri and Flynn then prevented Enrique and Estelle from returning to Gregorio's side. Enrique was fighting Flynn to get back through, "Why?"
Sodia wasn't informed of this part of the plan, trying to get through herself as Flynn tried to stop her as well, "Admiral!? No, don't!"
"Sodia, please calm down!"
Gregorio was ready to seal the door, "I will hold him off. Escape while you can."
Enrique broke free of Flynn, but then was stopped by Raven. "Not so fast there, your royalness."
"What are you saying?! We will fight with you!"
"Gregorio, please! We don't want you to sacrifice yourself for nothing!"
"We can't let you do this, Admiral!"
"You must not take Galcian lightly! He is more powerful than you can imagine. And this is a military base of the Armada…if you don't escape soon, we will all be surrounded. If you die here…the world will be doomed. Go…our last hopes lie with you, Young Prince and Princess." Gegorio glanced to Raven, "Admiral Schwann, I leave the protection of the Prince and Princess in your capable hands. Flynn, remember what I told you and Sodia, do not blame your new Captain. He was only following my orders."
"Grandfather!" Sodia reached out to get to him, but Flynn wouldn't let her, tears rolling down his eyes.
Gregorio smiled to Sodia, "I earned the nickname Iron Wall Admiral. I won't let him past me. And, I will be able to die defending all of you. I cannot ask for a higher honour."
Enrique punched Raven in the face only to be tripped over by Repede. "Wait! Don't do this!"
"Please, uncle! Don't!"
"Young Prince…Princess…Flynn…Captain Vyse. Please…you must stop Galcian. You are our last hope… Farewell!" Gregorio smashed the controls with his shield, sealing the passage for them.
Sodia collapsed onto her knees crying. Estelle was still struggling in Yuri's arms and Enrique was pounding against the sealed door. "NOOO!"
On the other side of the door, Galcian was ready for battle, "Gregorio… Have you made your peace?"
Gregorio donned his helm, readying his spear, "I am ready to die, Lord Galcian, but I shall die defending my people against a tyrant."
Rita pulled Estelle, "Come on, we've gotta move!"
Casey stopped Rita from trying to drag Estelle. "I've got this. Are you three going to just stand around and waste your Admiral's noble sacrifice for you? Get off your asses and get moving, or do you want that bastard Galcian to win?"
Estelle got up, and helped her brother. Sodia however was still crying, unwilling to move. Flynn gave his hand to her, "Sodia, please understand that Admiral Gregorio knew there'd be no other option left. Either one of us dies today, or all of us. He knew you'd understand one day, but for now remember him as the bravest soldier in the Armada. The man who stood against an evil that all but consumed the Empire. So please, let's go. The Auriga and the rest of the Third Fleet are waiting for us."
Raven was already trying to get going, "Hey, can we continue all of this on the Delphinus or something and away from the scary Valuan base under the clouds?"
They quickly retreated back through the vents, and Yuri decided to take matters a step further by destroying the controls for one of the generators that powered the base.
On the surface a second lifeboat was at the ready with Witcher waiting for them. "Vice Captain, where is Admiral Gregorio?"
Flynn helped Sodia onto the lifeboat, "We'll discuss that later, Witcher. For now we need to go. Captain Vyse, if you can please get us to normal air space, we can do the rest on our own."
"Of course. Flag down the Delphinus. We'll surface as soon as we're out of here."
With the Air Pirates gone and power finally restored, a group of guards found Galcian and the body of Gregorio. "Lord Galcian! What is going on?!"
Galcian actually broke a sweat from the battle, though he glanced to the soldiers, "…Send him back to Valua. And make sure his body is well taken care of. It is worth more than your life."
"Yes, Lord Galcian!"
The guards gathered Gregorio's equipment before they prepared to move his body. Galcian walked away, "Gregorio…you were always the kind to be the last to stay on a sinking ship."
The mood on the Delphinus was rather morbid with the loss of Gregorio hit quite a few people hard. Even Rita started to feel low after Flynn delivered a locket with a picture of her parents in it. However the loss was felt the most by Sodia, Enrique and Estelle. Moegi tried to help Enrique to the best she could, as Casey did the same for Estelle.
Arriving at Sailor's Island, Yuri, Repede and Vyse saw Flynn off. "You guys going to be alright?"
"This is not a wound that'll heal quickly. But when we're able, we'll help bring Galcian down."
Before they left, Yuri called out, "Flynn, don't do anything careless."
"Isn't that my line?" Repede walked over to Flynn's side, sitting next to him. "Thanks Repede." After a few strokes down his back, Repede got up and returned to the Delphinus. "Good ol' Repede."
"If you guys ever need a place to crash…"
Flynn bowed, "Thanks for the offer, Vyse. However Admiral Gregorio left me with instructions on what to do before we confronted Galcian. You'll need numbers, and Admiral Gregorio's fleet will be ready for that day."
Vyse looked to the ship, "We should let the crew relax for a time before returning to Crescent Isle. A lot has happened, and some of need it more than others."
Sodia was still rather distant after her grandfather's sacrifice. Not to be unexpected, however Flynn knew he had to get her out of this rut. "Sodia, I know there are no words to express how you must be feeling right now. Even so, Galcian must be stopped and Admiral Gregorio knew it. Right now we're heading to a Valuan fortress where the Admiral's fleet is currently under standby orders. Our next move is clear. I need your help to ensure that the men understand that this isn't about me or the Admiral. This is for the Valua that Gregorio and their highnesses believe it."
"I…I know. But Gregorio…he…"
"We'll avenge his death. That I promise." What the trio didn't anticipate however was seeing Admiral Schwann's fleet actively patrolling the area. Whether this was also part of Admiral Gregorio's plans or not they would have an answer soon as the Phoenix approached with Leblanc waiting for them on the deck.
Even as the crew tried to recover Karol received news about the Hunting Blades. It would seem that they returned to Ixa'taka to hunt the legendary Roc. The only reason for this was because of the discovery that Vyse made of the Roc nest.
Tikatika and Merida explained the old legend from their village about the Roc. A bird so large that it could carry entire villages away to is nest, with talons sharp enough to tear through any normal ship. Vyse didn't know why the Hunting Blades were going after such a creature, but he was willing to investigate to make sure that Nan was safe.
Upon returning to Ixa'taka thing seemed rather peaceful until the spotters found thick smoke rising from behind one of the mountains. And given the distance, it was close to where they first found the nest.
They quickly arrived to find at least seven downed ships and another six that were barely able to keep afloat as the rest of their ships continued to attack the Roc. Aika was looking around, "I don't see Clint or Nan anywhere. Do you think…"
Karol looked almost ready to give up too, before he spotted the crescent boomerang flying at the giant red bird. "Nan!"
Vyse got ready, "Looks like the Hunting Blades are in trouble. We've got to get in this battle, whether we want to or not now."
Raven looked down to the men recovering from their injuries, "Uh…I know I've got no voice in decision making, but are we really sure about this? The Hunting Blades are professional monster hunters. It's not like they aren't able to…"
The ship where the boomerang returned to was grabbed by the Roc as it slowly crushed the hull until it caved and tossed the ship out toward the deep sky. "NAN!"
Vyse and Aika nodded to each other. "Let's go Karol! Emergency rescue maneuver! You too, Fina!"
Casey grabbed Raven's collar, "No point in standing around. Hold up!"
"Yuri, think we can get that bird's attention?"
Two of the gun turrets started to aim at the bird, "Polly want a cracker?" The guns fired a few warning shots to draw the Roc away from the Hunting Blades.
The Delphinus started to rise up as four lifeboats were launched and headed toward the falling ship. While Vyse and the Delphinus keep the bird busy, Aika, Karol, Fina, Raven and Casey quickly caught up to the falling Hunting Blade ship.
Aika secured her boat to one part of the ship as Casey and Raven did the same at the opposite end to level it out. When it was stable Karol jumped onboard, "Nan? Is Nan here?"
"Karol? What are you doing here?"
"I could as you the same. I thought the Hunting Blades withdrew from Ixa'taka."
Nan looked away, "We did. After the Valuan contract came to an end we pulled out because there were too many monsters to try and clear with the numbers we had. We returned with reinforcements before that giant monster attacked us."
Raven whistled, "Not to put a damper on the reunion but we've gotta drop the ship soon!"
Karol grabbed Nan's hand, "Come on!" pulling her to one of the boats. With everyone safe they cut the lines as the ship plummeted down below the clouds.
Tikatika was trying to shoot at the Roc with his bow and arrow, though Domingo was having difficulty trying to get him to stop. "I know you've got your pride as a hunter, but can't you just let the big guns to their job."
"An Ixa'takan warrior cannot allow the Roc to fall without a proper battle!"
The Roc cried out using its wailing voice to throw the Delphinus off course. Domingo and Tikatika had to brace and hold onto the railing, "I think the Hunting Blades gave it a good fight. Now we're ending up finishing what they started."
A/N: The Iron Wall Admiral always seemed incomplete without a helmet, even if it is one of those stupid Valuan helms. I always felt bad about attacking the Roc, even if it was only acting out of instinct.
