p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: large;"Chapter 38/span/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"3/span/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"rd/span/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;" person (Folgen)/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Folgen was met with a rather gorgeous sight. An endless blue sea, where it was accompanied by a big, bright white moon. The door she originally came from left her right on the previously mentioned ocean, where it remained still and unmoving. She slowly got back up, seeing the door was still there, but closed. "Uh oh..." She whispered, thinking she was locked in here, and the others locked out. She tried to reopen the door, pulling as hard as she could, but it proved fruitless./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Approach me, summoner." A mythical sounding voice called out. Folgen turned where she heard it, unsure where it came from. If she had to guess, most likely in the water, obviously. "I guess I'm on my own for now..." She whispered to herself, stepping forward, seeing the rippling water below her feet. It was kind of pretty to look at. Just when she was going to confront the Divine, she heard the door open behind her again, as she would see her sister fall right in, more water splashing in./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Rein!" Folgen said, as she went to her sister's side, kneeling down to help her up. "Are you okay?"/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen nodded, as she got right up with the help of her sister. "I'm okay, Folgen. I just... I suppose expecting a red carpet would be a bit much." She remarked, looking down at her soaked outfit. "I'm probably gonna catch a cold by the time we're done."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"My patience runs thin." The voice called out to both summoners, making them turn their heads to the direction the voice came from./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Let's not keep Leviathan waiting any longer." Fallen stated, being given a nod by her sister as a response. With that in their minds, they would walk towards the endless ocean before them. They had no idea where Leviathan exactly was, so they just followed where they heard the voice. All they saw was that mentioned moon in the reflection of the water, and the ripples of their footsteps./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It wasn't long until they would see a sudden eruption of water before them, and a lengthy beast come out of it. Long, slender, the colour of a moonlit dark sea, a maw that could swallow a ship. And despite the length of the creature that circled the air a few times, it seemed that wasn't even the entirety of it, the rest remaining in the sea./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The two summoners gazed upon the summon they would bring with them. Or so they could hope to./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You are brave to approach this forgotten Divine. To risk your lives to even open the door." Leviathan spoke to them. "I would consider the attempt to do so proving of your loyalty already, but I must know if my summoners are even worthy of my strength, by having you match it."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Folgen was about to form her staff into her weapon, but Fallen put her hand in front of her, to have her stop her attempt to arm herself. "Leviathan, please. Time is of the essence. We have a great threat as we speak, and if we don't deal with it now, we may never get the chance to save it."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I've grown aware of it. But was is the difference between the lives of mortals and if they join the enemy? I will not be worshipped anymore than I am now." Leviathan explained to the summoners. "Or like I used to be."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen pursed her lips, trying to think on what to say. She could kind of tell that it was gonna be hard to convince her. Especially out of a fight. She went silent for a second, thinking she could bargain. "How about I bring people to worship you?" Fallen offered./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Leviathan's small eyes narrowed a bit, listening to what she offered. "Continue." Leviathan simply responded./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It might take a while, but we could drain the water and clean it out after all of this. Then we can bring people to worship you." Fallen explained. "As I said, it will most likely take a while, but I never back down on my promises."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"There was silence between the three, before Leviathan would nod it's giant serpent head gently. Soon, the two would watch as an orb would float below them from the water. They gently floated into their chests, earning the blessing./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I will help you save the world." Leviathan promised them. "Summon me when you desire my assistance. However, you would be wise not to break the promise."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Both summoners nodded as a response. "Thank you, Leviathan." They said in unison, before they turned around and walked towards the door, but another appeared before them./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You will not be able to leave through the other." Leviathan explained to them./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Oh, thank you." Folgen responded, as they would step right through, both feeling proud and happy to have gotten that summon. It was rather easy, but maybe that fight would have been a hell of a lot harder./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (Kurve)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Kurve was sitting by the platform that was above the submerged water like before, but he was the only person there. They simply stayed outside. He was beginning to grow nervous on what could have happened in there. He was almost tempted to jump in and go find them, but his thoughts were interrupted once the opening of the door happened, but... above him./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"He eyed the strange occurrence, soon watching Fallen and Folgen would then fall right out and into the water, both coming out and coughing from accidentally swallowing water./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You guys are okay!" Kurve said in joy./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"We got what we needed... but she could have at least have put us away from the water?" She complained, stepping out of the water and sighed, looking at her soaked cloak. Same with Fallen, her frowning as well./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well, we can always leave them out to dry before we leave. I'd rather not have you guys catch a cold." Kurve commented, turning to head for the exit, both summoners following the child./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"As soon as they stepped out, they would come back to find the previous party waiting for them. "We got ourselves a way through the ocean!" Kurve announced to them in a cheering manner./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Alright!" Vanessa cheered, but everyone cheered in their own way, either calm or actually cheering. "I mean, I'm terrified of going in the ocean... but you know, I'm not backing down."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I don't think any of us are gonna back down either." Fallen commented. "Hey, uhh... can we head back to that village? I could give these clothes a nice wash."br /br /There was a sudden screech from Folgen, making everyone jump and jerk their heads towards Folgen. She threw a dead fish on the ground, having just taken it out of her cloak. Kurve immediately went to the fish and picked it up, taking it to the ocean and tossing it in. It may have been dead, but he thought that was the nice thing to do. After that, the group returned to the village, coming back victorious./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"And as they did, they would come back to the sight of Bereit playing ball with the kids. Bereit was on the side of the playing field though, watching them run around, kicking a ball back and forth, with two makeshift goals of two torches made of old, dry wood. There was cheering and grunts all around. One of the kids kicked the ball right towards the goal, but the goalie would slap the ball away. There was cheers of his great save, but the kid was holding their hand, pained hissing heard from the goalie./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit went to the side of the child, looking at his hand to see if it was okay or not./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Come on, let's go watch." Kurve suggested, as he would go ahead to watch the kids play. The others would soon follow./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (Bereit)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Looks fine to me, probably just stings really bad. You can go sit down for now and let it get better. Let me know if something happens." Bereit instructed the boy, turning to watch him head for the side of the makeshift soccer field on the sand. And because he turned around, he saw the others had returned, but noticed that Fallen and Folgen were soaked to the bone. He approached them, occasionally checking the kids play to make sure everyone was alright and playing fair. "So, how did it go?"br /br /"We got ourselves a way into the ocean." Fallen answered. "Luckily, we were able to convince Leviathan without fighting." She informed him, being somewhat proud that she was able to do it. "Though, we're gonna have to drain that shrine of water and clean it once all of this is over. I kinda promised..."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well... I suppose we do owe Leviathan." Bereit replied in an unsure tone. He was sure he didn't want to do it, but he'll deal with it. "Uhh... you guys want some change of clothes?" Bereit asked both summoners./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen blushed a bit, looking away from his eyes, like he was staring. "Y-yeah. Thanks." She responded./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"As long as it isn't some kind of grass skirt." Folgen added./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Right. I'll be back in a bit." Bereit informed them. "Mind watching the kids play for a bit?" He asked them./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Leave it to us." Imbir responded, heading to the side of the field and then sat right down. The others joined in as well, while Bereit went off to fetch clothes./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (General)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Throughout the time, Fallen and Folgen shivering a bit from their soaked clothing, they were entertained by watching both teams kicking the ball around or stealing it from their opponents. There was definitely some among the party that were choosing which side to cheer for, but they were silent for the most part, just to be polite. Well, other than Tier and Vanessa, both choosing opposing sides./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It took Bereit a bit, but he returned with some fresh clothes for the two summoners. He gave them both said clothes, being just plain brown shorts and shirts. They were definitely as plain as it came, but that's how things were in Ozean. "Here." Bereit said as he handed the clothes to them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Thanks, Bereit." Fallen responded as she looked behind herself to see a house she could hide behind and quickly change. She stood right up and went right behind, Folgen following and doing the same./span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"He sat down with everyone, seeing the sun was beginning to set over the ocean. He huffed quietly as he gazed at it, looking back at the kids right after./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"So you've been caring for these kids all yourself?" Scharf asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well, at first." Bereit answered. "Ever since we left Ozean with Cid, The Captain and the others were caring for them while I was gone. The kids told me they're gone right now because they're getting some fresh food and ingredients."/span/p
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p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The Captain?" Scharf asked, unsure of what he was talking./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"A crew I used to be with. The Frozen Hearts. I feel like I still am but... it's been a while..." Bereit explained to him, as well as explaining it to Zelkova and Strake, since they weren't caught up to speed on what he was talking about. "But before I met them, I was caring for them all by myself. I mean, I taught them to fish and everything so they can feed themselves."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"And how did they come across and recruit you?" Strake asked curiously./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"They came here on a treasure hunt. At first they thought we were the island that held it but they made a wrong turn at one point. But I saw the way out of here as an opportunity to get some stuff to make life easier for the kids." Bereit explained to them. "I was lucky they even let me on, but I was so thankful that they did. Soon, it became a paying job to get even more stuff. Then I was a member among them. Few years later, here we are."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Damn, you worked hard to keep the kids happy, huh?" Strake responded./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Mmm hmm. They're family, as cheesy as that sounds." Bereit said with a gentle chuckle./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It's better than just having no attachment what-so-ever." Scharf commented./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Not talking about experience, are you?" Bereit asked, remembering that he had talked about his kid way back./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You read my mind."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Where is he now?" Bereit asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Scharf went silent for a second. "He's in Holhen, in an orphanage right now. Ever since I was brought in by Fallen's family to work for them."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You brought him there?" Zelkova asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I did. I've never seen him cry so hard in his life. But... I wasn't gonna make him live with someone like myself." Scharf said, sighing quietly. "But when this whole thing is over... I'm going back and we're gonna live a normal life together. Now that I have a second chance."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"1/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"st/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (Bereit)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"At that point, I realized that this was more than just the fate of mortals, this was the lives of some of my dear friends. So much so that if I had slept that night, I most likely would have some dark dreams./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (General)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well... if it makes you feel any better, I'll do my best to make sure your son can see you again." Bereit vowed, with a gentle smile./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Scharf laughed gently, as he shoved his shoulder. "You're getting soft for a 'Frozen Heart.'" He said. "Actually, what's that even mean? Frozen Hearts?" He asked curiously./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The Captain's just a nerd." Bereit answered, shaking his head. Of course, he meant that playfully. It wasn't meant as insulting. "He came up with that name because he thought it sounded cool. All the way back when he was a kid. For people being named 'Frozen Hearts' we were pretty kind and did all sorts of work."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Scharf snickered, as did some of the others. "That's kinda cute, honestly." Tier spoke up, listening in the conversation./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It sure is." Bereit agreed, as Folgen and Fallen came back, both holding their soaked clothing. He turned back and then brought his hand to them. "Here, I'll bring them somewhere to dry up." He /br /Fallen gave him her clothing, but Folgen was a bit hesitant, not trusting him with her clothes. "If my cloak becomes a mini-skirt, I'm killing you."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit was soon handed her cloak, along with what came underneath, looking at it with an intrigued look. "There's an idea." He replied, before he turned around and went off to get them dried./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Folgen pursed her lips, before she sighed right after. "That man sometimes..."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Oh, he's just having fun." Fallen commented./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I'm sure he is." Foglen replied, before she sat right down and kept watching the kids play, though, the two joined in just as the game ended between them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It was unsaid at this point, but everyone decided to take a little break. Or perhaps extend it after the last one they had before. The sun was on the very edge of setting, signalling that it was time for the kids to prepare for dinner./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fishing. The classic way of Ozean. Not only did all the kids try to catch their own food, but the party took part as well. To most, this was their first experience of fishing, but to Scharf and Kurve, this was nothing new./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"They all sat next to each other, their lines off in the waters, waiting for a bite to reel it in./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Hey, Bereit?" Fallen spoke up. "You used to do this everyday before you met all of us?" Fallen asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"That's right. Not a fan of fishing?" Bereit asked her./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It's not that. It's just... it's a lot of waiting." Fallen admitted. "I don't know if I could keep doing this just for dinner. But I get it when there isn't much of a choice."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit went silent for a few seconds, looking at his fishing pole. "You know, once we eat, we need to get going immediately, right?"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Right away?" Fallen asked, before she remembered that time was running short. "Oh, right. But don't you want to stay with the kids for a while?"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I do... but who knows what's gonna happen if we waste anymore time."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It was clear to Fallen that she wasn't the only one that was worrying about the end of this entire thing. Or what might happen during. "Bereit... if that's the case, don't you think you should spend some time with them? I mean, we can always take some time to stay. Like it's our last."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit was silenced again, really taking in her words. 'Our Last.' Those words really made him feel a pit in his stomach. He was even left wondering if it was intentional she put it like that. "Well... if it gonna be our last, then I'd like it to be the best night of my life."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Then allow us to help you with that." Fallen said, as she put a hand on his shoulder. "After all, my guardians' happiness is more important than my own."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit laughed quietly, looking back ahead of himself. "Fallen... you're great. I hope you realize that. You and everyone that stuck with me. Or you, since we started with the shrines."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen blushed gently, before she felt her washing pole get tugged on, gasping right after. "Hey! I think I got one!"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Go on, lead it towards yourself!" Bereit instructed./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen soon began to lean the pole back, pulling the fish towards herself slowly, watching the waves form from the fish that was reaching the surface. Bereit occasionally told her to let go for a bit to not snap the line. She would soon get the hang of it, pulling then letting go every few times. And soon, she pulled the fish right out, getting a decent sized fish. About the size of her head. "Look at that! First try!" She cheered proudly./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Hey! I got one too!" Tier called out, as she would mimic what Fallen did. She eventually pulled her fish out of the water, getting one that was definitely bigger. "Aww yeah!" Tier cheered./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Each person got one after a while, Folgen and Vanessa having struggled the most, but ultimately earned their dinner. Then came time to cook them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Each fish was put on a rotisserie and spun over the big fire in the middle of the village, everyone gathered together around the fire that lit everyone's surroundings up. And throughout, it was just pure bliss for Bereit. He was with his family again. But not only that, with his companions too. Like this was just one giant gathering. Fallen said that he should enjoy it like it was his last, and that's what he was gonna do. Laughs were shared, stories were told, and emotions were shown to everyone. Some more than others. Truly, this was one of those moments Bereit, no, everyone here wasn't gonna forget. Without a single doubt./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You have to go again, Bereit?" One of the kids asked, sounding really sad./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I know, I hate to leave too, and we've done this song and dance before, but I really have to. If I don't... well, something bad could happen. I promise, once this is over, there won't be anything else to worry about." Bereit told them. "Now, before I go... group hug." He brought his arms out, instructing what came next. And soon, one by one, each kid would hug Bereit, knowing he would come back, but goodbyes always hurt./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The party watched from the airship's storage platform, Folgen and Fallen both wearing their outfits again, it was still a bit damp. "You better make sure he comes out of this alive, you hear me, sister?" Folgen said./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen turned her head to Folgen, being silent for a bit. "Yeah... I'll do my best."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="color: #000000;"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"span lang="en-CA"Save your game up to this point?/span/span/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="color: #000000;"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"span lang="en-CA"Yes/span/span/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="color: #000000;"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"span lang="en-CA"No/span/span/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"3/span/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"rd/span/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;" person (Folgen)/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Folgen was met with a rather gorgeous sight. An endless blue sea, where it was accompanied by a big, bright white moon. The door she originally came from left her right on the previously mentioned ocean, where it remained still and unmoving. She slowly got back up, seeing the door was still there, but closed. "Uh oh..." She whispered, thinking she was locked in here, and the others locked out. She tried to reopen the door, pulling as hard as she could, but it proved fruitless./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Approach me, summoner." A mythical sounding voice called out. Folgen turned where she heard it, unsure where it came from. If she had to guess, most likely in the water, obviously. "I guess I'm on my own for now..." She whispered to herself, stepping forward, seeing the rippling water below her feet. It was kind of pretty to look at. Just when she was going to confront the Divine, she heard the door open behind her again, as she would see her sister fall right in, more water splashing in./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Rein!" Folgen said, as she went to her sister's side, kneeling down to help her up. "Are you okay?"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen nodded, as she got right up with the help of her sister. "I'm okay, Folgen. I just... I suppose expecting a red carpet would be a bit much." She remarked, looking down at her soaked outfit. "I'm probably gonna catch a cold by the time we're done."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"My patience runs thin." The voice called out to both summoners, making them turn their heads to the direction the voice came from./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Let's not keep Leviathan waiting any longer." Fallen stated, being given a nod by her sister as a response. With that in their minds, they would walk towards the endless ocean before them. They had no idea where Leviathan exactly was, so they just followed where they heard the voice. All they saw was that mentioned moon in the reflection of the water, and the ripples of their footsteps./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It wasn't long until they would see a sudden eruption of water before them, and a lengthy beast come out of it. Long, slender, the colour of a moonlit dark sea, a maw that could swallow a ship. And despite the length of the creature that circled the air a few times, it seemed that wasn't even the entirety of it, the rest remaining in the sea./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The two summoners gazed upon the summon they would bring with them. Or so they could hope to./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You are brave to approach this forgotten Divine. To risk your lives to even open the door." Leviathan spoke to them. "I would consider the attempt to do so proving of your loyalty already, but I must know if my summoners are even worthy of my strength, by having you match it."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Folgen was about to form her staff into her weapon, but Fallen put her hand in front of her, to have her stop her attempt to arm herself. "Leviathan, please. Time is of the essence. We have a great threat as we speak, and if we don't deal with it now, we may never get the chance to save it."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I've grown aware of it. But was is the difference between the lives of mortals and if they join the enemy? I will not be worshipped anymore than I am now." Leviathan explained to the summoners. "Or like I used to be."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen pursed her lips, trying to think on what to say. She could kind of tell that it was gonna be hard to convince her. Especially out of a fight. She went silent for a second, thinking she could bargain. "How about I bring people to worship you?" Fallen offered./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Leviathan's small eyes narrowed a bit, listening to what she offered. "Continue." Leviathan simply responded./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It might take a while, but we could drain the water and clean it out after all of this. Then we can bring people to worship you." Fallen explained. "As I said, it will most likely take a while, but I never back down on my promises."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"There was silence between the three, before Leviathan would nod it's giant serpent head gently. Soon, the two would watch as an orb would float below them from the water. They gently floated into their chests, earning the blessing./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I will help you save the world." Leviathan promised them. "Summon me when you desire my assistance. However, you would be wise not to break the promise."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Both summoners nodded as a response. "Thank you, Leviathan." They said in unison, before they turned around and walked towards the door, but another appeared before them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You will not be able to leave through the other." Leviathan explained to them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Oh, thank you." Folgen responded, as they would step right through, both feeling proud and happy to have gotten that summon. It was rather easy, but maybe that fight would have been a hell of a lot harder./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (Kurve)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Kurve was sitting by the platform that was above the submerged water like before, but he was the only person there. They simply stayed outside. He was beginning to grow nervous on what could have happened in there. He was almost tempted to jump in and go find them, but his thoughts were interrupted once the opening of the door happened, but... above him./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"He eyed the strange occurrence, soon watching Fallen and Folgen would then fall right out and into the water, both coming out and coughing from accidentally swallowing water./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You guys are okay!" Kurve said in joy./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"We got what we needed... but she could have at least have put us away from the water?" She complained, stepping out of the water and sighed, looking at her soaked cloak. Same with Fallen, her frowning as well./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well, we can always leave them out to dry before we leave. I'd rather not have you guys catch a cold." Kurve commented, turning to head for the exit, both summoners following the child./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"As soon as they stepped out, they would come back to find the previous party waiting for them. "We got ourselves a way through the ocean!" Kurve announced to them in a cheering manner./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Alright!" Vanessa cheered, but everyone cheered in their own way, either calm or actually cheering. "I mean, I'm terrified of going in the ocean... but you know, I'm not backing down."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I don't think any of us are gonna back down either." Fallen commented. "Hey, uhh... can we head back to that village? I could give these clothes a nice wash."br /br /There was a sudden screech from Folgen, making everyone jump and jerk their heads towards Folgen. She threw a dead fish on the ground, having just taken it out of her cloak. Kurve immediately went to the fish and picked it up, taking it to the ocean and tossing it in. It may have been dead, but he thought that was the nice thing to do. After that, the group returned to the village, coming back victorious./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"And as they did, they would come back to the sight of Bereit playing ball with the kids. Bereit was on the side of the playing field though, watching them run around, kicking a ball back and forth, with two makeshift goals of two torches made of old, dry wood. There was cheering and grunts all around. One of the kids kicked the ball right towards the goal, but the goalie would slap the ball away. There was cheers of his great save, but the kid was holding their hand, pained hissing heard from the goalie./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit went to the side of the child, looking at his hand to see if it was okay or not./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Come on, let's go watch." Kurve suggested, as he would go ahead to watch the kids play. The others would soon follow./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (Bereit)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Looks fine to me, probably just stings really bad. You can go sit down for now and let it get better. Let me know if something happens." Bereit instructed the boy, turning to watch him head for the side of the makeshift soccer field on the sand. And because he turned around, he saw the others had returned, but noticed that Fallen and Folgen were soaked to the bone. He approached them, occasionally checking the kids play to make sure everyone was alright and playing fair. "So, how did it go?"br /br /"We got ourselves a way into the ocean." Fallen answered. "Luckily, we were able to convince Leviathan without fighting." She informed him, being somewhat proud that she was able to do it. "Though, we're gonna have to drain that shrine of water and clean it once all of this is over. I kinda promised..."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well... I suppose we do owe Leviathan." Bereit replied in an unsure tone. He was sure he didn't want to do it, but he'll deal with it. "Uhh... you guys want some change of clothes?" Bereit asked both summoners./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen blushed a bit, looking away from his eyes, like he was staring. "Y-yeah. Thanks." She responded./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"As long as it isn't some kind of grass skirt." Folgen added./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Right. I'll be back in a bit." Bereit informed them. "Mind watching the kids play for a bit?" He asked them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Leave it to us." Imbir responded, heading to the side of the field and then sat right down. The others joined in as well, while Bereit went off to fetch clothes./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (General)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Throughout the time, Fallen and Folgen shivering a bit from their soaked clothing, they were entertained by watching both teams kicking the ball around or stealing it from their opponents. There was definitely some among the party that were choosing which side to cheer for, but they were silent for the most part, just to be polite. Well, other than Tier and Vanessa, both choosing opposing sides./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It took Bereit a bit, but he returned with some fresh clothes for the two summoners. He gave them both said clothes, being just plain brown shorts and shirts. They were definitely as plain as it came, but that's how things were in Ozean. "Here." Bereit said as he handed the clothes to them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Thanks, Bereit." Fallen responded as she looked behind herself to see a house she could hide behind and quickly change. She stood right up and went right behind, Folgen following and doing the same./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"He sat down with everyone, seeing the sun was beginning to set over the ocean. He huffed quietly as he gazed at it, looking back at the kids right after./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"So you've been caring for these kids all yourself?" Scharf asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well, at first." Bereit answered. "Ever since we left Ozean with Cid, The Captain and the others were caring for them while I was gone. The kids told me they're gone right now because they're getting some fresh food and ingredients."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The Captain?" Scharf asked, unsure of what he was talking./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"A crew I used to be with. The Frozen Hearts. I feel like I still am but... it's been a while..." Bereit explained to him, as well as explaining it to Zelkova and Strake, since they weren't caught up to speed on what he was talking about. "But before I met them, I was caring for them all by myself. I mean, I taught them to fish and everything so they can feed themselves."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"And how did they come across and recruit you?" Strake asked curiously./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"They came here on a treasure hunt. At first they thought we were the island that held it but they made a wrong turn at one point. But I saw the way out of here as an opportunity to get some stuff to make life easier for the kids." Bereit explained to them. "I was lucky they even let me on, but I was so thankful that they did. Soon, it became a paying job to get even more stuff. Then I was a member among them. Few years later, here we are."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Damn, you worked hard to keep the kids happy, huh?" Strake responded./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Mmm hmm. They're family, as cheesy as that sounds." Bereit said with a gentle chuckle./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It's better than just having no attachment what-so-ever." Scharf commented./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Not talking about experience, are you?" Bereit asked, remembering that he had talked about his kid way back./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You read my mind."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Where is he now?" Bereit asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Scharf went silent for a second. "He's in Holhen, in an orphanage right now. Ever since I was brought in by Fallen's family to work for them."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You brought him there?" Zelkova asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I did. I've never seen him cry so hard in his life. But... I wasn't gonna make him live with someone like myself." Scharf said, sighing quietly. "But when this whole thing is over... I'm going back and we're gonna live a normal life together. Now that I have a second chance."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"1/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"st/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (Bereit)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"At that point, I realized that this was more than just the fate of mortals, this was the lives of some of my dear friends. So much so that if I had slept that night, I most likely would have some dark dreams./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"3/spansupspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"rd/span/supspan style="font-family: Constantia, serif;" person (General)/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Well... if it makes you feel any better, I'll do my best to make sure your son can see you again." Bereit vowed, with a gentle smile./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Scharf laughed gently, as he shoved his shoulder. "You're getting soft for a 'Frozen Heart.'" He said. "Actually, what's that even mean? Frozen Hearts?" He asked curiously./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The Captain's just a nerd." Bereit answered, shaking his head. Of course, he meant that playfully. It wasn't meant as insulting. "He came up with that name because he thought it sounded cool. All the way back when he was a kid. For people being named 'Frozen Hearts' we were pretty kind and did all sorts of work."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Scharf snickered, as did some of the others. "That's kinda cute, honestly." Tier spoke up, listening in the conversation./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It sure is." Bereit agreed, as Folgen and Fallen came back, both holding their soaked clothing. He turned back and then brought his hand to them. "Here, I'll bring them somewhere to dry up." He /br /Fallen gave him her clothing, but Folgen was a bit hesitant, not trusting him with her clothes. "If my cloak becomes a mini-skirt, I'm killing you."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit was soon handed her cloak, along with what came underneath, looking at it with an intrigued look. "There's an idea." He replied, before he turned around and went off to get them dried./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Folgen pursed her lips, before she sighed right after. "That man sometimes..."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Oh, he's just having fun." Fallen commented./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I'm sure he is." Foglen replied, before she sat right down and kept watching the kids play, though, the two joined in just as the game ended between them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It was unsaid at this point, but everyone decided to take a little break. Or perhaps extend it after the last one they had before. The sun was on the very edge of setting, signalling that it was time for the kids to prepare for dinner./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fishing. The classic way of Ozean. Not only did all the kids try to catch their own food, but the party took part as well. To most, this was their first experience of fishing, but to Scharf and Kurve, this was nothing new./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"They all sat next to each other, their lines off in the waters, waiting for a bite to reel it in./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Hey, Bereit?" Fallen spoke up. "You used to do this everyday before you met all of us?" Fallen asked./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"That's right. Not a fan of fishing?" Bereit asked her./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It's not that. It's just... it's a lot of waiting." Fallen admitted. "I don't know if I could keep doing this just for dinner. But I get it when there isn't much of a choice."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit went silent for a few seconds, looking at his fishing pole. "You know, once we eat, we need to get going immediately, right?"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Right away?" Fallen asked, before she remembered that time was running short. "Oh, right. But don't you want to stay with the kids for a while?"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I do... but who knows what's gonna happen if we waste anymore time."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"It was clear to Fallen that she wasn't the only one that was worrying about the end of this entire thing. Or what might happen during. "Bereit... if that's the case, don't you think you should spend some time with them? I mean, we can always take some time to stay. Like it's our last."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit was silenced again, really taking in her words. 'Our Last.' Those words really made him feel a pit in his stomach. He was even left wondering if it was intentional she put it like that. "Well... if it gonna be our last, then I'd like it to be the best night of my life."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Then allow us to help you with that." Fallen said, as she put a hand on his shoulder. "After all, my guardians' happiness is more important than my own."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Bereit laughed quietly, looking back ahead of himself. "Fallen... you're great. I hope you realize that. You and everyone that stuck with me. Or you, since we started with the shrines."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen blushed gently, before she felt her washing pole get tugged on, gasping right after. "Hey! I think I got one!"/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Go on, lead it towards yourself!" Bereit instructed./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen soon began to lean the pole back, pulling the fish towards herself slowly, watching the waves form from the fish that was reaching the surface. Bereit occasionally told her to let go for a bit to not snap the line. She would soon get the hang of it, pulling then letting go every few times. And soon, she pulled the fish right out, getting a decent sized fish. About the size of her head. "Look at that! First try!" She cheered proudly./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Hey! I got one too!" Tier called out, as she would mimic what Fallen did. She eventually pulled her fish out of the water, getting one that was definitely bigger. "Aww yeah!" Tier cheered./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Each person got one after a while, Folgen and Vanessa having struggled the most, but ultimately earned their dinner. Then came time to cook them./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Each fish was put on a rotisserie and spun over the big fire in the middle of the village, everyone gathered together around the fire that lit everyone's surroundings up. And throughout, it was just pure bliss for Bereit. He was with his family again. But not only that, with his companions too. Like this was just one giant gathering. Fallen said that he should enjoy it like it was his last, and that's what he was gonna do. Laughs were shared, stories were told, and emotions were shown to everyone. Some more than others. Truly, this was one of those moments Bereit, no, everyone here wasn't gonna forget. Without a single doubt./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"You have to go again, Bereit?" One of the kids asked, sounding really sad./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left""span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"I know, I hate to leave too, and we've done this song and dance before, but I really have to. If I don't... well, something bad could happen. I promise, once this is over, there won't be anything else to worry about." Bereit told them. "Now, before I go... group hug." He brought his arms out, instructing what came next. And soon, one by one, each kid would hug Bereit, knowing he would come back, but goodbyes always hurt./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"The party watched from the airship's storage platform, Folgen and Fallen both wearing their outfits again, it was still a bit damp. "You better make sure he comes out of this alive, you hear me, sister?" Folgen said./span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"Fallen turned her head to Folgen, being silent for a bit. "Yeah... I'll do my best."/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="color: #000000;"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"span lang="en-CA"Save your game up to this point?/span/span/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left" /p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="color: #000000;"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"span lang="en-CA"Yes/span/span/span/span/p
p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%;" align="left"span style="color: #000000;"span style="font-family: Constantia, serif;"span style="font-size: medium;"span lang="en-CA"No/span/span/span/span/p