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So, I haven't actually finished NaNo, but this Chapter is back up to an acceptable standard of editing. Still not good, mind, but better than the past weeks. Mainly because I've had to add in essential scenes and... yeah.

Tales of Xillia and the Tales of Series are the copyright of Namco Bandai and whoever else owns the rights. I own nothing except for OCs that have unfortunately appeared.


Chapter 55: Devil's Beasts

Milla Maxwell opened her eyes to the morning sky of Trigleph's coastal hotel. After returning to the city, they'd searched for lodging and eventually located the hotel. The keepers were ecstatic for the business, and lucky for all parties, gald was accepted on both sides of the schism.

Though she was decidedly rather annoyed by the seahaven for an Elympios city looking the nigh same as all the ones she visited in Rieze Maxia. Along with some annoying man shouting mutton to an aggravating degree.

Still, those were minor concerns. The major ones being how they'd actually get home. Her sister was still unstable and Milla would rather not risk them solely on Sylph or Undine's power. Though there was the possibility the seafaring schedule had changed. She'd need to investigate that.

She left her room (everyone save Gaius and Muzét was sleeping separately) and headed down to common area near the inn entrance. A few of the Rieze Maxians were waiting, perhaps anxious to get home already. "Has Gaius been through here?" she asked them.

An older woman with white hair answered, "His Highness is just outside."

"I see, thank you," she answered. She'd rather not abandon these people either but a quick look outside wouldn't hurt. Milla opened the door and finally noticed—the mana rain had stopped.

She hadn't investigated it in her room but... here on the ground she could see it clearly. The seahaven was almost entirely fabricated, so it wasn't overflowing with greenery like the rest of the city, but plenty of plant life crawled over walls and down gutters.

Gaius, and Muzét, were just to the left, investigating the very same concerns as she.

"Muzét," Milla drew the attention of the duo, "can we return to Rieze Maxia yet?"

"Unfortunately no," the other great spirit shook her head. "But at my current rate of replenishment I might be able to before the day is over."

At least they might finally be getting on with it. She'd kept her worry for her wards repressed, but she was bearing a longing to reunite with them.

But that also brought to mind other concerns. "Gaius," she turned her attention to the man called king. "With the schism dispelled, your goal has been ripped from your grasp. What do you intend to do now?"

The dark-haired man didn't turn to face her, his gaze still looking over the seahaven, but he still deigned to respond, "I intend to take a walk."

"What?"


It was only when he woke up that Rowen realized he'd fallen asleep after his appointment with Jude's parents. Somewhat embarrassing even, but as he looked over he noticed that Wingul had not recovered even with a night's rest. Though perhaps there would be no true way for the young man to rest with the King missing.

Feeling significantly better himself, Rowen moved out of bed and gave himself a few stretches before quietly exiting. Ellen, by the front door noticed, but he couldn't trouble a lady so he made his way over. She, unable to let a patient go, came and they met halfway.

"Are you feeling alright?" she asked first.

"As well as any other day," he answered. Which meant the usual aches of age, but nothing to be concerned about.

"Good," she nodded. "You're the first one awake it seems."

Or the first one she noticed, Rowen murmured at the thought. He wouldn't put it past Presa to feign sleep. "Has there been any other trouble we should be informed of?"

"Nothing lately," she shook her head. "Breakfast is already being prepared, you should join us."

A mother's meal certainly seemed a luscious idea... but he had another task at the moment. "I certainly will," he responded in kind. "Later. For the moment I must investigate that monster and our troop strength. And... the condition of my wounded allies."

"I can't help with the former, but for the moment everyone in the Lodge is stable," despite the good news she frowned. "Leia's alive but... she's shown no signs of improvement." She slowly shook her head at the uncouth news. "Come back the moment you get hungry. Since you're friends with Jude you can just use our kitchen instead of dealing with food trays on a bed."

"Yes, thank you," he gave her a bow. Though honestly he was no stranger to being fed by bedside thanks to Carrie. Even memories like that were precious to him now, no matter how blood-soaked they were.

With no further cause, she stepped out of his way letting Rowen exit the building. The sunlight of a morning greeted him, and that alone. The mana rain had halted. Hopefully its effects would be enough to sustain Elympios for a time.

But Elympios was far away and far out of mind. For now he needed to deal with that monster. He began walking in that direction while thinking about the situation. Spirit climes shifted by the seasons affected monsters, the Lord of Lakutam being the most prevalent. So ones like that ferocious beast could be affected by the lack of them. Perhaps it was somewhat of a miracle people themselves weren't adversely affected—monster attacks aside.

The main street itself was scarcely populated. People too afraid to leave their homes it seemed, and any soldier would be on perimeter duty. His presumption was true as he drew closer, the ranks of the soldiers standing tall near the towns edge. It was the usual mix of Rashugal and Auj Oule soldiers, somewhat humorous that they'd integrated themselves so well. Ivar wasn't among them (it was possible he escaped on his wyvern) but the person of interest was the auburn-haired woman who was Leia's mother.

He'd been hesitant to give condolences earlier, Jude needed to be the first. But seeing the situation seemed as perfect a time as any to speak about Leia. Though describing it as perfect sickened him.

"Madam," Rowen flourished with a bow when he was close enough. "I am Rowen J. Ilbert."

"Sonia Rolando," the woman answered. "You in charge of this batch of weaklings?"

Rather harsh considering they came to the rescue. But if Ellen was correct she was the one who defeated the large beast. "I act on behalf of the Rashugal forces at least. The leader of the Auj Oule troops is still resting."

"Bah, if they want to rest do it out here," she crossed her arms. "What do you want?"

A blunt woman wasn't she? Rather unlike he daughter then. "I wish to speak of this matter in private," it was clear what he intended.

"Just spit it out," she didn't seem to care.

He'd rather not get into a scuffle with her. Both because of her grief... and because he just realized she was the mannequin that exploded at the Hallowmount. Wingul mentioned something about safety protocols... and it was easily deducible it was some sort of limitation. If this woman broke it when a Nachtigal fit to Rowen's prime image could not... well either Leia thought so highly of her she was invincible, or she was invincible outright. Neither theory was one Rowen wished to put to the test.

"Very well then," he cleared his throat. He froze his face in the most solemn expression he could and bowed as much as his back would allow. "It is with my deepest sympathies and utmost regret that your daughter was delivered to you in such a state."

He didn't move in he slightest as he waited for her answer. Seconds bled into minutes as she simply stared straight into his eyes with an unflinching resolve of her own.

"Did you do this for forgiveness?" her words, she asked so empty of feeling.

Nothing could ever be forgiven for this act. "No, I am simply expressing grief in my own way." There were no parents to mourn for Milla. No words to soothe Ivar. But the lose of a loved one like this, he could relate to.

She stepped past him, and he dare not follow her with a gaze. "Don't speak to me about grief." Her words were plan and simple but still chilled him to the core. Her footsteps away were the only thing he heard... besides his own thumping heart. He never felt closer to death. Not when he leapt from the Hallowmount, not fighting the monster, nor the hundred battles that made his life. He thanked Leia...

Rowen turned to face the soldiers once he regained his composure. Some of the soldiers were staring at him for leadership now, and he took command qith a question, "Where is the body of that large beast leading the attack?"

"Just outside town sir," one of the Auj Oule soldiers answered. Addressing him as sir hm? "The disposal teams are readying a burning pit. We can't have their corpses spreading disease."

"Of course." In the wild you could let them drop because another monster would just come along to consume the corpse. But with such numbers it was possible the island's entire ecosystem would be affected. "Thank you."

"Sir." The soldiers saluted before Rowen headed off.

Just like he said, a good deal were digging up large swatches of earth with shovels and spirit artes. The monster pile was taller than a man, and the stink was starting to set in. Hopefully this would be finished soon.

"Conductor sir!" one of the Rashugal soldiers noticed him. "This operation doesn't require your oversight sir!"

"That it doesn't, but I need access to the corpse of the largest beast," he explained. "I'd like to see how it's mana lobe was affected by the spirit climes dissipating."

"Oh, uh, right sir," the soldier said. "We've kept his body separate kind of for that purpose." He waved off to one of the Auj Oule troops who took a run on the other side of the body pile. Rowen followed after the mess, and just like he was told it was pinned down nearby with its own handful of guards. "We weren't sure if it could revive itself or not and didn't want to risk prodding it pointlessly..." the same soldier gave a logical-enough excuse.

"I see, very good," Rowen complimented them. His knives should suffice for a dissection.

"Oh!" the soldier spoke up again before Rowen could being. "One more thing sir," he mentioned. "Show him."

One of the ones by the monster pulled out... part of its tail? Rowen glanced over and noticed the appendage was severed.

"There's something weird about its tail. It's well... it's a weapon. Like, a real weapon not something improvised."

"What do you mean?" It wasn't really that clear.

"Show him," he repeated.

The one holding the tapered point fiddled with something. Holding it outright, the point flung open.

In a very familiar fashion. "That resembles Agria's weapon!" Rowen cried out. The coloring was of purple, black and red (instead of the latter two solely for her own absent weapon). But its bizarre shape hardly meant it could be anything else. There was no feasible way a monster could fashion such a complex and illogical tool such as hers. Was this creature fabricated? But why make a copy of Agria's weapon?

Rowen walked over and took ownership of the thing. It almost felt... alive, as disturbing as it sounded. Perhaps a fitting match for the girl herself... but should he hand it over? They were likely not to get into any engagements between now and when they headed to Kanbalar... and if they did fight it would be amongst each other and who knew what peculiarities this thing held. Still... something... told him it wasn't harmful. He couldn't place it, but he was sure... eerily sure.

"Thank you soldiers," he replied to the unified forces. "I'll take possession of this... armament for the moment." He could discuss it with the others at a latter time. "But we should get back to work."

"Sir!" the soldiers complied, and those few off duty snapped back to it.

Rowen glanced between the weapon and the creature it came from. Perhaps the secrets were inside its body. He readied his knives...


Gilland waited impatiently outside the door to the sickbay on board the Elympios flagship. They'd been reduced to a fifth of their original ship numbers and even less of actual personal, so floating here waiting because the Morrison brat didn't feel like moving until she made sure her useless husband was alright was dangerous, reckless and endangered them all. It took outrageous amounts of effort just to convince her to move the ships further north, lest the Rieze Maxians, and in particular the Auj Oule beasts, notice them.

Yet despite all their hardships, morale was at an astounding high for everyone else. The schism was down! Elympios was saved! But Gilland wouldn't be getting even half the accolades he'd receive if he had kept his spirit-fuel plan running. It was the only reason he let the woman and her little group of survivors live in the first place. Getting a living recommendation of support was worth more than killing them and plying his own word. She might attempt something, but he had Celsius and the full breadth of knowledge on spyrite production. She couldn't touch him. He was set for life either way. Maybe not as glamorous as he so rightfully deserved, but certainly better than anyone else on this mission.

Save one tiny mistake. Alfred had retaken the golden gun that symbolized Svent family leadership. He could carefully make his bid to become patriarch and take over as he always intended, but so long as Alvin was out there with the gun he could contest it. Even if he didn't care about becoming head himself, he'd do it just to spite Gilland.

Which again led into his annoyance with the General's daughter. Gilland wanted to press their advantage and take care of the Rieze Maxians while they didn't have the cover of that Great Spirit. But she didn't want to risk any more lives when their objective was complete. When this inevitably blew back on her he'd certainly savor it, but for now he was just stewing in her mistake.

The door to the room wrenched open and the woman he was just thinking about slowly, barely even, walked out. The bags under her eyes, the pale skin, lose of breath. She hadn't slept the entire night. She was worse off than right after fighting Maxwell. The telltale sign of red eyes and tear cracks stained her face, but she didn't show a hint of emotion.

"What do you want Svent?" she asked him after quickly composing her thoughts.

Clearly it went well in there. "Are you finally finished? We should move as soon as possible."

She paused a moment while looking at him. "We'll make for Helioborg Fortress once I return to the bridge." She resumed her walk, heading past him.

Of course, but not what he wanted. "There's another issue we need to take care of first."

"We're not playing hunt the Rieze Maxians!" she snapped at him. "We have contact with command again, we wait for orders."

"I don't care about your orders but there's something essential left behind that we need to retrieve. Now may be the only time," revealing this was almost too dangerous, but it also may be their greatest bargaining chip.

She paused again to consider the options... but she didn't have all the information. "The Lance of Kresnik?" she asked. "No, it can't be, I saw it inside Maxwell's domain."

Interesting to learn, but irrelevant, for now. "There's a certain specification of research I left behind. I need to retrieve it."

She laughed. "I thought you have everything all tucked up in that head of yours?" She was looking for any reason to dispose of him wasn't she?

"Call it research materials then," he gave it a more accurate term. "They'll be useful for dealing with Rieze Maxia."

"Just ask for them in the peace talks," she scoffed at his idea.

Now it was his time to laugh. "You truly think there will be peace here? Gaius won't allow it. He sees Elympios as a threat to be crushed."

"He's probably dead, he was right next to Maxwell when he blew," she shrugged. Her fatigue was impacting her functions wasn't it?

"You survived, he bloody well could as well!" he lost his temper a bit and yelled.

For her part she didn't react. "Yeah, well orders are orders. Until I get in touch with Command I'm not making any attacks."

What a good little drone. Best switch tracks a bit then. "I never said anything about an attack. Just call it... reclaiming my rightful property. No need for anyone to get hurt."

"I'm sure if this is so valuable it's completely unguarded," she sarcastically answered.

"They don't know what they're guarding," if they knew they'd destroy it immediately. "With Celsius, I can take it with the barest of efforts." She was the one who found them in the first place. If he didn't have all that time this plan never might have come to fruition.

"Like she's so inconspicuous in her methods?" she looked at where Celsius would appear. "Or you aren't on the most wanted list?"

He laughed again at that. "Fennmont's sentries are so incapable they let Maxwell—Milla"—what an annoyance—"into the city multiple times with wanted posters plastered everywhere. The only thing I trust them to be is incompetent." He had to use regular army units to trap her second attack on the Lance after all. Then when confronted with the sentries again, she made it out of the city perfectly fine! If only they caught her at the time this entire situation would have been greatly different.

"You're asking us to head in the exact opposite direction of home, just so you could get... what exactly? What rivals the Lance of Kresnik?"

"You already know..." he smiled right before he explained his plan.


Driselle Sharil finishing penning her signature on another of the numerous documents requiring her attention. It was just a small order to take down some of the superfluous medical tents now that the injuries were dwindling down, but someone needed to sign the order, and with her brother Cline up in Fennmont keeping the peace, it was now all on her shoulders.

Until she actually tried her brother's work, she never realized how exhausting it was! She stretched her pained back and cracked her fingers. She'd kind of been a burden on him all these years... and he was certainly doing even more at the capital! So she had to work twice as hard.

Because if Cline became King, this was probably what she'd be doing every day anyway. That was the other reason Cline went to Fennmont. He'd sent out invitations to the heads of the Six Ruling Houses to gather there. With their permission, he'd be crowned king of Rashugal.

It was almost unreal... having her brother as king. Did that make her a princess? She giggled at the thought. But it may mean she was head of House Sharil instead then. She didn't know much about the noble assembly either. She really was kind of a leech wasn't she?

Well, now was the time to make it up! She worked extra hard on the next document, one about the relocated villagers of Nia Khera. She worried for Elly's sake, Rowen's sake, and everyone else. They just had to be alright. Even if Milla wasn't with them, they were strong and brave. They wouldn't lose!

So neither would she!

One of the Sharilton guards burst into her office. "Lady Driselle, we're under attack!"


Sergeant Flora Kitarl was in charge of the wyverns investigating the area around the Nia Khera Hallowmount for signs of His Highness King Gaius. Sir Wingul and the Chimeriad had left to stabilize the rest of the kingdom in light of the schism falling and His Highness leaving. It surely pained them do leave the control of this operation to someone... well anyone who wasn't them, but Kanbalar would need a stern presence in light of everything. They could provide that. The soldiers here, could not.

The latest recon team landed down, the trio of riders slipping off while stable hands took their monster mounts over for rest and food. They'd been driving the beasts hard, but finding his Highness was worth any price.

The riders, which consisted of one beastcraft adept and two normal troopers, reported in. Like everyone else they'd had no luck whatsoever. All of them cursed the circumstances that led to it. But there was little to do but try again. Luckily there'd been no interference from Elympios, and the mana rain had stopped recently. So there were some small things to be thankful for, even if they relied on the wyvern's ears to check for His Highness. In the unlikely event—no! She shook her head. She didn't even want to finish that thought.

She sent the riders away to get some rest of their own and she certainly wished she could join them. It was nearing the end of her shift before Sergent Johan Kitarl(one of her cousins) came in to take over lead. They might have half of Rieze Maxia explored already if Yurgen or Chief Jiao were leading... but well Yurgen was probably Chief now. But Clan matters were irrelevant now. Flora and any other Kitarl in the army had deliberately severed ties with their clan once they enlisted.

She certainly wished she could do more, like so many others but, she simply didn't have the capabilities. Sir Wingul and His Highness had to rely on those others... the ones from Rashugal. She hated that they were strong enough to help him where they could not. She was not nearly alone in that sentiment.

So now... she at least wanted to succeed at this! Help His Highness and Sir Wingul in some real capacity.

"Sergeant Flora!" one of the perimeter soldiers came running up and she focused her attention on him instantly. "We're under monster attack!"


Karla Outway exited the school's warm interior for the freezing air of Kanbalar's streets. Even if she'd only recently returned to the capital of Auj Oule, her body still held up admirably in the biting cold of the city. She'd insisted on holding classes for her students even in light of the peculiar mana rain falling on the city, and the abrupt departure of Gaius and the Chimeriad. People needed to feel at ease even in such unorthodox times.

She tightened a scarf around her neck and began walking. Though she had returned to the city, she was still using the inn as her place of rest. Finding a new home was somewhat difficult considering the attack by the soldiers from the sky had ransacked hers, and a great deal many other people's accommodations. Large scores of populace were resting inside Castle Gaius... but not her. That just... wasn't an option for her.

But that did mean the inn was quite empty. Though her funds were also draining quickly on account of it. She'd yet to receive her first pay, and getting everything refurnished in her place had cut into her savings. So it ended up becoming a quick sinkhole, and without Gaius or Wingul around to handle governmental duties, such things as reimbursement got pushed to the side.

Once again, she didn't mind. Certainly under the rule of Melard Sarakhs the people who were put out of a home would have been left to freeze without care. But there was no use thinking about such things like that. Gaius' reforms were significant improvements, even with small bumps like this. Or his earlier mistakes.

Gaius was the bright future of this country, that was certain. Any small difficulties she was complaining about would be solved immediately once he returned. And he would always return. He was the strongest person in Rieze Maxia. He won the Xian Du Tournament when he was twelve without a Lilium Orb. Then just scant months later, fought in the war with Rashugal. He formed Taurus, crushed the armies of Melard and earned the fealty of Long Dau, Kitarl, Aktau—all the clans of Auj Oule. Even her own Outway Tribe, which was where his crusade even began.

It was something of a proud accomplishment for the Outway Tribe. They hailed and hurrahed at being the center of Gaius' reforms, the first among many to be part of his group of Taurus. Even now they still wore it as a badge of honor, despite Gaius' proclamations that all were equal. It was probably the only thing a whole Tribe could agree upon these days...

And that was why she left. Gaius was a great man... Obviously, why she was thinking about him. That and she was preparing herself for tomorrow's lesson in Auj Oule History! But one could only listen to such boasting for so long. So she left her Tribe, traveled a bit. Found herself good at teaching.

Days like this, memories of her true home... she wished she could see her family. But she couldn't. It was too... dangerous. They all understood that. That was why she was here, ruminating on secrets she could never reveal, but that had been dragged more and more to the front of her mind.

She thought back to that young girl, Elize, and her steward, Rowen. Speaking with them about the history of Auj Oule had been refreshing and convinced her she could get on with teaching once again. Then the war with Rashugal, with the soldiers from the sky, the mana rain and the King's constant disappearances. Even if she didn't want the children to worry, she herself was afraid.

These were the days she wished to be held in her fiance's arms, or tend to father or confide. But Gaius had made each of those an impossibility.

"We're under attack!"


Balan toiled away at his computer trying to recover the lost spyrite data, but it was just one last desperate gamble. The things were fried, literally. One of the techs stuck their finger through the scorch mark Volt had blasted through it. Funny at the time, less funny when all their painstaking research ended up useless. Still, uncle was supposed to be coming back soon. Once he had some proper equipment their research should resume at a brisk pace.

Losing the Rieze Maxians hurt, but keeping them against their will when that Gaius fellow was demanding their release would be worse. Balan made enough hasty favors and call-ins to ensure they were unmolested on the way out. Which was entirely a day ago now!

Morning rays came in to his work station, no longer tainted by the residual mana fall from the schism falling. It'd stopped sometime in night really, but he was too absorbed in work to give it more than a nod of acknowledge. Fruitless work, but a paycheck was a paycheck.

He gave himself a stretch and took the last swig of lukewarm coffee from a mug. Once he got back to his apartment he'd crash without even taking his spyrix off. Just like glasses, wearing it to sleep wasn't a good idea, but he barely had the faculties to type much, less fiddle with it.

The alarm clock rung and he quickly it it back off. Extra shift was over. Time for home. He spun out of his work chair and headed out the door. All the other people on this floor, those with their own offices, were taking off as well. Military escorts would protect them through the Highroad/jungle on the way back to Trigleph, so there was no time to dawdle. Though with how many monsters were slain during their attack on Helioborg there wasn't likely going to be any trouble.

Didn't mean he wanted to hoof it home alone of course! If his spyrix suddenly gave out he wouldn't want to be a lonely cripple after all.

The elevator was working again, and was spacious enough to accommodate everyone perfectly well. They rode it down to the tune of work chatter that he didn't feel like intervening in. Getting a taste of free Rieze Maxians was quite an experience for some of the more sheltered researchers, and things were temperamental enough without him weighing in.

The elevator dinged and opened its doors back to the ground floor. Last one in meant he was first out, of both the elevator and the building. He got a face full of clear Elympios air and a nice amount of shade from the trees springing up over Helioborg's walls. Mana certainly was an extraordinary substance. If he didn't have a prior engagement with his pillow he'd go have a cup of tea with the Rieze Maxians. But alas, sleep called!

The last of the researchers filtered out, taking their own breaths of relief at the sights. A patrol private was supposed to be their escort here... but it was only them. Curious. "Guess the monster clean-up took longer than I thought," Balan mused on the situation. No corpses were in sight and there weren't any sounds of battle.

Said soldier came running around the corner panting from moving so fast. "Uh, doctors, sirs, I'm going to have to ask you to step back inside!"

Well this wasn't good! Balan suppressed a laugh and asked, "Whatever for, Private?"

"There's been an outbreak of poison gas!"


Cline Sharil finished his round around the streets of Fennmont. Escorted back up and into Orda Palace. He desperately wanted to fall down in bed and get a real night's rest. But he had documents to sign, commands to order, and more inspections to conduct once he'd finished eating.

He'd come to Fennmont personally to help ease the transition from the sudden lose of spirit climes. A significant portion of the capital's population had never left, only experienced light coming through the works of spirit artes. So when the night clime fell and they were exposed to sunlight for the first time ever, there was a considerable amount of panic.

Though really, it was perhaps the first time anyone in Rieze Maxia felt the true light of the sun. If Milla were still around, he could ask her if the light they saw was artificial, or some sort of reflected glory like a mirror. But she wasn't, of course. But still, this was what she wanted. Maybe without the panic, but she wanted the schism to fall, and she surely put her mind to doing so. Even if they inherited the idea, her will still directed them.

Those were the thoughts that took his mind as he absentmindedly ate and signed away papers after a quick confirmation of their contents. He didn't even have time to savor the food, a shame really. Orda Palace's chef was supposed to be legendary, yet it was reduced to just simple meals for energy boosting. Though he certainly needed it.

He hastily finished off his food and cleaned himself off before heading back outside with his escort. By now the second natural night Fennmont experienced was leaning over the horizon. A welcome relief for many of the citizens. More-so than his presence even.

This would allow him to concentrate on his other matters for a bit. Once the sun vanished and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, he'd head back to Orda Palace. Invitations to House Banya and House Zumay were already reciprocated. He stood for House Sharil, Rowen for House Ilbert. That left the more delicate situations of Travis and Fenn. Fenn was... well simply put there was no Fenn family anymore. At the end of his reign Nachtigal was the sole member of his House. Even his investigations into the family tree only revealed dead-ends and long-shots not worth considering.

And yet, that was still less of a problem than Nadia. Just like Nachtigal was, she was the only surviving member of her House, and she'd made it clear she'd be Rashugal's enemy to the day she died. Even if she did consent to her title, she would clearly vote against him anyway. Excluding her would be breaking the laws passed down by former King Milan. But they needed a united Rashugal to stand against the influence carried by Gaius. Cline had no desire for war, against the king of the north or Elympios, but he did not blind himself to reality either. Wingul had made his intentions clear. So Cline needed to make his own clear. He would extend the offer to Nadia, but when she rejected it, he would go forward irregardless. This was a new dawn for Rashugal.

Things were stable enough in the Trade District for now. Cline gave a few basic greetings through his bodyguards and got a few replies back. The people were slowly beginning to settle in. It was a welcome relief to see things stabilizing at least. Though the recent trend of events told him it wasn't going to last.

"Lord Cline!" a soldier came running up just as he was finishing that thought. "There's been a fire in the Research District!"

"Send word to the firefighters right away and block off the area!" he instantly fell into his command position. "What is the source of this fire? Are we under attack?"

"No clue, the Grandoise Research Lab just caught on fire all of a sudden!"

That was one of the labs Gilland was associated with. "Get a contingent of soldiers to the area as well, search the waterways for any enemy spies." Was it possible Gilland was covering his tracks? But if that was true, why not just bombard the area? And what did it mean for Rowen and the rest?

"Right away sir," the soldier ran back in the direction he came.

"Bodyguards, we'll head there as well," Cline gave the order and took charge into returning as well. It didn't take them long to arrive either. He only noticed the smoke being sent into the air by that time. The twilight made it difficult to tell from further away. A crew of firefighters were already channeling water and ice into combating the blaze, but the small-sized lab was already thoroughly aflame. The sheer speed of this clearly meant it was intentional, even if the building was small. But his investigations into both Laforte and this lab bore nothing useful. Was it just a distraction from something else? Or was he being too paranoid?

"Sir!" a soldier in House Sharil green came running from the direction of the Trade District. "Sharilton was attacked!"


They'd been kept locked up in Helioborg for the better part of the day as the military futilely tried to combat the encroaching waves of poison gas. Eventually they had to come begging the help of Balan and everyone else to find some way to delay or contain it. So then they spent nearly the remaining part of the day converting the weapons and ventilation systems into a sort of giant fan to at least keep it at bay. It was so haphazard and simple it was brilliant! But they couldn't rely on it to maintain for any real length of time.

They frankly needed to cut if off at the source... but the source was well out of their area of expertise. Someone said something about the Tatalian Abyss cave system off the Rusalle Highroad, but there was no way they could haul so much equipment that far. Who knew what waited in the sickly purple fog of the poison gas? They didn't have enough closed-air suits to fit everyone and the poison gas was outright moving in multiple directions at once. Helioborg might be safe, but Trigleph and plenty of other towns and cities would be in danger. And with the communication equipment still out from the rampages, there was no way to warn anyone.

The soldiers wanted to wait until a battleship arrived to fly them out. But a good few others wanted to just put on suits and hoof it back to Trigleph.

The Rieze Maxians that stayed behind had their own idea of combating it with spyrites, or their own calculatrics, but without boosters there was no way to attempt the former, and without boosters the latter was less effective as well.

So it was quite the predicament! If Milla and her pals had stayed behind this might be less dangerous... well, he knew who he'd talk to once he got back. Though really it was an "if" at this point. A great spirit or great spyrite might have an effect, but they were fresh out of both. Volt was barely alive and too dangerous even if he wasn't sealed back up.

Eventually discussion settled, and the researchers—Balan among them, and the Rieze Maxians would be escorted out with a small contingent of troops. The rest would wait at Helioborg instead of taking the chances in a poisoned jungle.

It was kind of a pain getting the somewhat thin suit over his leg spyrix, but he managed. It was also a grim truth that if the monster hadn't attacked there would be more researchers than suits. Fate and stuff sure were funny. After sending Milla away he was gonna be going for her help just as quickly!


What could possibly be attacking Kanbalar? Karla's head snapped in the direction of the shout, one of the gates outside the city. The one to the Xailen woods. Soldiers were already gathering. They were serious? Was it the soldiers from the sky again? Karla scanned the sky she could see, but there was nothing but snow as usual. There was no way it was Rashugal, was it?

The soldiers at the gates attempted to brace it as the giant doors began to pound inwards. What a monstrous force to budge such large gates! Monstrous? Were they under attack by monsters?

But no, either way, she needed to get to safety. Even relay the news to other authorities and people. Some of the lightly armored soldiers were running through the streets directing people into their homes or any building. Some others were running up to the slide cars or down streets she couldn't see. One of them shouted at her to reach safety before running on.

The gates started to crack and break before whatever danger was trying to force itself in. Spirit artes and bodies were trying to strengthen it, but each hit against the door pushed those holding it backwards. There was just no way it would hold!

Karla began directing citizens as well, it was all she could do. A few children were among those caught in the confusion, and a welcome face of a teacher helped get them moving. Most of the populace were cleared out when the doors finally broke to the mighty charge of the beast. It plowed through the dozens of guards in its path and could have easily kept on and trampled her had it not stopped itself and bayed.

It was almost like a horse, larger of course, with its knees bent backwards. Its skin was a molt of dark blue-gray, and crystals fanned from its tail to its head of a bright blue. The same color as its claws. But most curious was the large sword protruding downwards from its head. A scaled blade of cyan. What manner of creature was this? It whirled its body about and faced off against the soldiers it ran through. Allowing Karla to see one last thing, a molted patch of skin on the back of its long neck. It charged into battle, one against an army. Almost like Gaius in a way but...

She grabbed a child running too slow and ran. This was all she could do!


"We're under attack?" Sergeant Flora Kitarl repeated the soldier's claim. "From who? Is it Elympios?" The wyverns should have caught that!

"No!" the messanger shouted back. "It's some monster!"

"What?" the wyverns weren't honing in for them so it was possible but... "The wyverns should easily be able to handle it!" To make no mention of the soldiers.

"That's what Sergeant Johan thought at first but when he saw the monster he sent me to get you!"

Johan was asking for help? Then it certainly was dire! She was better at beastcraft, they needed to calm it down then! "Right, I understand I'll be right there!" She called for a wyvern and quickly mounted the beast to follow the trail of destruction to the source.

Bolts of lightning and the cries of battle were relayed to her through the wyverns cries as they passed in to the villages edges and close to the Xagut Floodmeadow.

Lightning on the floodplain? No...

She heard the sounds of battle for herself, and commanded the wyvern to land right into her worst fear.

A giant tiger... its fur of light purple with darker tinged stripes. Its body cackling with electricity as it cleaved through the soldiers. A wicked rod clenched in its tail.

Gatrega!

They had to retreat immediately! Not even Chief Jiao could defeat this creature! "Fall back!" she shouted and looked through the crowds for her cousin. Scores of soldiers were down—dead or alive she couldn't tell in the chaos. The Gatrega charged about without a care devastating and crushing the lines and even drove off the wyverns. There was no victory here!

She hated to abandon His Highness but there was simply no way to defeat this thing. The soldiers scrambled to retreat as the Gatrega roared in anger. Indescribable anger. It was mad... about the spirit climes? No! That didn't matter! She ordered her wyvern in to buy time for the escaping troops, but a sudden tackle from the creature knocked her off. With one bite it chewed out the throat of her wyvern and paralyzed her with fear. It looked down at the powerless her and swung its claw...


"We're under attack?" she stood up from Cline's desk instantly. "From what?" Was it those Elympios soldiers? But why?

"No ma'am it's monsters!" the guard replied. "Some giant harpy just swooped in with a whole army and began attacking the windmills!"

"The windmills?" but without spirit climes they were moderately useless. "No, that's not important. Send word to the people to stay in doors until we deal with this situation!"

"Already done ma'am," he answered, already a step ahead of her. "We're here to safeguard the mansion and yourself."

"I see..." she was just a burden wasn't she... but... she was in charge, she had to make some small difference! "I'm heading outside to help oversee the evacuation! Allow people into the mansion as well!"

The guard froze in response as she made her way out from behind the desk. "B-but ma'am you don't have any combat training!"

"Neither does my brother, but he goes on the front lines," maybe this was childish and reckless. Cline and Rowen might lecture her for it... but she could do something other than sign documents! "I am the acting governor of this city, I won't be denied." She walked over to him. "Do I have your support?"

The soldier mulled over his options, but time was of the essence. "Yes milady," his words turned formal. "I'll put together a protection detail!"

"Yes, of course," that was necessary after all.

The bodyguard led the way downstairs and relayed the orders. With Driselle's insistence the mansions guards relented and escorted her out. Almost immediately they were attacked by a gang of flying monsters but the quick movements of the enemy were nothing against a bulwark of shields with archer support.

The sudden attack drew her mind of off just how dark it was. The skies were filled with the creatures! The ground was almost pitch-black from their shadows. It was all she could do not to panic... If this was how bad it was in the most defended part of the city, how horrible must it be elsewhere? "We need to head to the trade district!" she commanded the guards. They complied and covered her as they moved forth.

A handful of other holdouts from the populace or guards were in their path and she desperately shouted them to take cover in the Sharil Mansion. A few complied, others just panicked. If her brother was here they'd obey him... but now wasn't the time for doubts! Push on. Just like in Fort Gandala!

It got even darker as they moved on to the trade district. Louder to as the endless screams of people resonated out. Plenty of soldiers were already in combat when they arrived, and the archers supporting her quickly added their own arrows into the overwhelming crowd. But a few of the monsters taken from the sky fell down dead on people! "P-pick your shots!" she shouted, commanded! "We can't let them fall on people! Just shoot the ones attacking!" She didn't know if they heard understood or cared, but it made her feel better.

One of the harpy monsters swooped down, aiming at a child! "Look out!" she shouted. She couldn't spirit channel very well but at least she might annoy it! She sent a small ball of light at it... which let one of the archers shoot it with an arrow. Thank goodness! She broke over and embraced the child. A young girl... from Nia Khera? No, that didn't matter! She dragged her back over to the protection of her guards—which were ripped apart by the sudden appearance of an enormous monster!

"No!" she shouted as her guards were torn to pieces in front of her. Worse than anything she saw in Fort Gandala. She shielded the child as the giant red harpy turned and aimed at her...

"Get away from her you beast!"

...as it was knocked aside by the timely interruption of another flying monster?

"Ivar!" the girl in Driselle's arms shouted in joy at its appearance.

"Ivar?!" even she felt like joining in.

"This is just like in Leronde!" Milla's handmaid leapt down from the back of his wyvern. "If we take out this big one the rest will fall!" he shouted at the soldiers. The harpy roared back at him, calling a squad of her lesser brethren to her. "Alright Folzam, I beat you back in Leronde already, time to go two for two!" Ivar accepted her challenge and charged it head-on!

The smaller harpies tried to bar his path but he cut through them quite easily to get to his target. He jumped into her domain, cutting into her white wings with his twin swords and making her flight falter. She beat back, throwing him with a gust of wind but the handmaid gracefully recovered. He yelped something... inhumane and his wyvern flew off. Flew into combat, as it began tearing a hole into the lines of the harpies.

The giant leader screeched and swooped in to attack Ivar again, and the handmaid met her charge. He struck forward with a flurry of slashes to her pecks, but his hitting her face was a great deal more effective. The harpy reeled back and... vanished?

Driselle looked around, it certainly couldn't be that easy. Ivar joined in... and finally he saw it a second before she did. It flew on top of one of the walls and wailed at Ivar. Its howl was an arte! The noise crashed into Ivar... and he gripped his ears in panic, shouting to drown out the noise. It called out, more harpies moved from the army and joined in.

The wyvern tore into their ranks and rejoined the battle between master and man and roared out a challenge of his own. The harpy pulled back, and spiraled into a dive, talons first. The wyvern threw its wings up to shield itself but the attacked broke through and nearly hurled it into Driselle and the girl.

She couldn't stand mesmerized by this anymore! Driselle pulled the girl up. "Ivar!" she shouted over at him. "We can't fight this we need to get indoors!" She desperately hoped he would listen...

"No!" her hopes were dashed as he took advantage of the harpy leader's change in focus to get in several hits on her back. "I can beat this thing!" The harpy vanished again.

Why was he being stubborn? "Too many people are d-dying!" she yelled at him. "You can fight this but we can't!" All around her the soldiers were being pushed back.

"Just gotta take this one out!" Ivar dove to the side just in time to avoid an attack from the harpy boss. "I'll show you my true power!" Ivar kicked into the air before slamming back down, cracking the road with his attack. Mana entrapped the beast while Ivar jumped back into the air before delivering another brutal attack.

The harpy railed in confusion and anger, even Driselle could hear that and it flew back up. "Get back here you coward Folzam!" he shouted at her? Why was he naming it?

The harpy screeched and the army at its command spiraled together and flew high into the sky. Sunlight returned as they quickly... left. It was almost more confusing than why they were attacking, but that didn't stop the people from cheering anyway.

Ivar was the only one who didn't. Milla's handmaid was instead swearing up a storm... though Driselle let the girl go and deliver a hug to their savior. She herself wasn't far behind... save the hug part. "What happened?" she asked the sudden hero.

"Something about their objective being done? I dunno, I don't see any windmills around here," Ivar shrugged. He looked down at the girl and began to placate her...

...but windmills? Driselle looked over at the famous windmills or Sharilton... completely destroyed. Larger than any house, and yet completely powerless before an army of monsters. Even without the spirit climes to power them the usual winds and spirit artes would work...

But why would the monster wreck them? "Ivar, do you have any idea why they'd attack?" He had that Auj Oule beastcraft ability, right?

"They were yelling something about spirit climes," he looked up from the girl. "Same thing happened in Leronde, sort of. Everyone else is off being useless over there."

D-did that mean Fennmont might be attacked next? "S-someone! Send word to Fennmont and Sapstrath and every other settlement about these attacks at once!" She shouted with whatever authority she had. "Get the injured treated right away!" Signing away the medical tents to be taken down was such a mistake in retrospect...

"Ivar," she spoke to the handmaid again. "Would you please tell me about the conditions of the others?"

The handmaid grunted. "Fine, give me a bit to make sure my people are alright first."

"Thank you very much!" she earnestly answered.


Gaius' little "walk" had been an invitation for all of them. Milla, (the Four), Muzét and all the rescued Rieze Maxians. The group wandered through the streets of the Elympion city, watched as the grass and trees were cut down to clear paths. Despite the sudden burst of life, merchants and buyers still went on. Children played in the untouched grass, even some adults joined in. The schism being undone had preserved these people, made them happy.

Did this make up for Maxwell's 2,000 years of condemnation? Could Elympios make it up to the spirits? To Rieze Maxia?

Did they have that time? Did she have that time? being manifest in this form was leeching off the unleashed mana. Her time was limited, as was Muzét's. But she needed to be sure that the two lands wouldn't move to destroy one another, or everything she had fought for would be ruined.

Gaius, perhaps, was thinking the same thing. As despite his stoic face and quiet nature, he observed all the same things she did.

But the peace and quiet of their walk was suddenly interrupted by a gaggle people dressed head-to-toe in yellow suits. They reminded her of one of the Laforte uniforms, actually, curious.

More curious was when they spotted the group, and one of them ran towards them! Milla's hand drifted towards her blade, but stopped when the man tore off his headgear.

Balan. "Boy am I ever glad to see you folks," the researched smiled at them. "There's a bit of a problem that we could really use your help on."

After everything that happened he was coming to them for help? It must be dire indeed.

Perhaps the same thought was shared by Gaius, as he said, "Speak your peace Balan."

"Right, well," he slipped in without a care. "Well, I spent the whole night trying to recover the spyrite research data. Long strong short, I couldn't get much when the recording devices are melted together. So when all us trapped researchers got let out, we got told that Helioborg was being assailed by poisonous gas."

Poison gas? "Was it a swell of purple?" She asked as one of the most dangerous things welled in her mind.

"Yes, exactly," Balan answered to one of her greatest concerns. "I take it this isn't gonna be good news." He gave a panicked little laugh.

"Miasma..." she called out its name. "A cursed substance that was crushed underneath the planet's crust when it was formed."

"If you say so," Balan looked utterly baffled at her explanation.

"How dangerous is this miasma?" Gaius asked, his curiosity piqued.

Milla looked up at the Four, who relayed a few more details to her. "If left unchecked it could sweep across the whole planet. Elympios, Rieze Maxia, both are irrelevant in the face of this threat. Planets, animals, humans—it'll kill them all indiscriminately." People exchanged worried glances at this news and she couldn't blame them.

"How far has it spread?" Gaius turned his question to Balan.

"It was nipping at our heels when we came in. The military's organizing countermeasures using giant fans, but I was thinking you people and your calculatrics could help."

Gaius grunted in distaste at the suggestion, "After everything you've done you have the nerve to come begging us for help."

"Yeah," he shamelessly answered. "Even if you leave us to die, Milla just said it'll spread to Rieze Maxia. Better to try and stop it at the source."

"Do you know where the source is?" Gaius relented on his defense at least.

"A cave system called the Tatalian Abyss. Not far from where I found you people after all," Balan tied things together.

Did Maxwell's death have something to do with this? She looked up at the Four... who relayed exactly what she needed. "We won't be able to stop the flow of miasma with just a giant rock, the pressure emanating from the gas is too great" she explained. "There were seals placed on the gave by ancient spirits eons ago to contain the miasma. They've no doubt failed over time, but the Four should be able to replace them."

"I'll even put one of my own," Muzét giggled at her own idea. "Surely that would be even better?" Being actively helpful? Interesting.

It couldn't hurt. But her sister going depended on Gaius... she might be able to accomplish it on her own. Any monster would be well dead by now. "Does she have your permission then, Gaius?" she asked for her sister's sake.

Gaius shook his head. "I cannot abandon these people here at the mercy of Elympios again," he rejected the proposal. "Even if it is a threat to Rieze Maxia. I have all confidence you can handle this on your own Milla."

A corner of her lip tugged into a smile at the slight praise. "Well, I suppose that's the highest praise you'll ever give." She faced Balan again. "I should be able to handle this on my own."

"Yes, excellent!" he excitedly answered. "I have a contamination suit you can wear so you don't have to shield yourself with your calculatrics along the way. Save your energy."

"A good idea." She nodded in agreement. She might be able to simply have Sylph drop carry her through the air anyway. "I'll need a better indication of where this Tatalian Abyss is first off."

"Yes, yes, I'll give you everything you need."


Cutting through the monster's rigorous flesh had taken a great deal of time. His inspection had revealed two more clues into its identity. An overly-developed mana lobe, finer than any he'd ever seen, and two more of the purple-black jewels Alvin showed on the Zenethra. The latter was truly the most baffling thing. Monsters hoarded valuables, yes, that's partially what separated them from animals. But these two jewels were embedded into its flesh to such a degree that it was beyond it. This certainly had to be some sort of artificial creature. What was worse was the feeling in his gut about there being more beasts like this out there. It had no basis in fact, but it certainly felt true.

He needed to consult the Fennmont archives for anything regarding monsters such as this. If it was artificial as he believed, there had to be some record or history of it.

But that was for latter. He aided the soldiers a bit more in disposing of corpses before returning to town. He'd rather not intrude on the Mathis home with the vile smell of these monsters... so Rowen made a quick detour into the battleship first. He spoke with the soldiers, commended them for a job well done and learned Ivar had left (unsurprising really) before taking to his quarters and cleansing himself with a quick shower.

He returned to the Mathis residence just after. Jude's mother noticed his hygiene. "Oh, you took a shower elsewhere? We'd have been quite fine to lend ours out."

He respected her kindness but couldn't impose to such a degree. "I had business requiring my attention on board our ship as well. I did not wish to impose on your home any more than we have."

"It's no trouble, but thank you for your concern," she gave him a grateful nod.

"Has anyone else awoken?" Rowen asked, putting his hand to his beard.

"Jude's cooking, but he's it. Though I think that woman in blue's awake? It's hard to tell. She barely breathes even when she's asleep."

Spy skills at work. But her words it had him worried for Wingul and Alvin's well-being. Nonetheless there was little to do, and his days toils had left him quite hungry. "Is the offer to eat still on the table?"

"It's why he's cooking," she happily replied. "He's really improved during his time away."

Rowen never had the pleasure of a comparison, so this meal was going to be a welcome surprise if the joy Jude's mother was espousing came true. "I look forward to it."


Gilland hated Fezebel. Even if it was the source of his greatest success, it was also where he'd been dragged into this stupid world. The muck and the rain continued on despite all the corpses added to the swamp. If he never had to set foot in here again it'd be too soon.

But this was the only place he could meet with the expedition fleet. Anywhere else was too dangerous. Even being here was too dangerous. Though he was certain he could take over Fennmont on his own with Celsius' help, he'd rather not lose so many resources pointlessly.

Though he may have to do it if that damn woman didn't arrive. He was vastly aware she could leave him, or shoot him with the battleship cannons, or even rat him out to Fennmont's useless sentries. But what he recovered was far too valuable to risk. With this he could leverage his position against the Elympios government even more. Finding trustworthy partners would be more difficult however...

The telltale sign of the battleship faded into the view through the murk and mist surrounding the Marsh. He smirked at the sight. The bay doors opened and the retrieval cable dropped down. As he took the cable and was pulled up, he smiled. Even if she hated him, she knew the value of what he carried. She clearly wanted one of her own... and just maybe she'd get one. Even if she turned against him, he would still have the upper hand. But having her as additional support outweighed any threat she could be...