Felinis:Oh boy! Following the PS3 version is odd thing because I'm almost looking at things blind
The underground is pure darkness and Yuri can barely see his way as they walk down the pathway. Rita thankfully finds a lux blastia to light the path and keep off monsters. Yuri is so grateful that these are just canals because he doesn't think his nose could stand going down another sewer. As they're traveling the newer stone work paves way to old cements and they come across a wall covered in writing.
"In the past, our ancestors discarded their countries that had forgotten their duty to protect their people and thus became their own, true protectors of freedom. That event was the origin of the guilds. However, now, once again, the iron shackles of suppression have been wrapped around our necks. We have forgotten the pledge of our ancestors and have become people who do naught but pursue our own self-interests and fight amongst ourselves. Therefore we once again return to the underlying principles behind guilds, and use not our strength for the individual. Our swords serve our freedom. Our shields serve our friends. Our lives serve everyone. Here we pledge the old oath anew." Estelle recites.
Karol tilts his head and turns to Raven. "Hey... Isn't this the Pledge of the Union? It sounds like the motto that was created when the Don formed the Union."
Raven nods. "Since you can't depend on the empire to protect you, you protect each other. For that reason, everyone unites and puts their lives on the line for each other. Or something like that."
"But why is the pledge written here of all places?" Karol muses running his hands over the words.
"The Union's origins come from when the guilds were compelled to oppose the Empire when it occupied the city. Up until that point, the guilds were scattered and did whatever they liked. They only unified if there was a problem. And, once that problem was resolved, they would scatter again. So, when they were occupied by the Empire, they finally realized how bad that was."
"And the one who took charge of bringing all the guilds together was Don Whitehorse!"
"Yeah. This canal must've been pretty useful back then." Raven says scratching at the rock grain.
Karol is enamored at the sight. "So, back then they made the pledge to unite here?"
"Seems like it. There's always been talk that the real thing's written somewhere, but who'd have thought it'd be some scrawls on a wall like this?" Raven notes almost disappointed somehow. Maybe he was expecting something a little grander.
"The pledge being written on a wall is somehow very lovely." Estelle perks and looks closer at some words on the bottom. Right here... It says 'Aifread'."
"Oh, you mean that supposed big bad pirate boss?" Yuri whistles.
Raven grins. "It seems he was once a sworn friend of the Don's. But he was so quick-witted and shrewd, he must've been tough even for the Don to deal with."
The Don seems to have a habit of keeping around sketchy people. "The Don must be a pretty capable guy to still call someone like that a sworn friend." As they make their way further Yuri sees that Karol still has a starry look in his eye. "'Our swords serve our freedom', huh... Not for the unaccommodating empire, but for their own freedom. Sounds nice."
Karol grins. "If you can empathize, then you're probably suited for a guild, Yuri."
He shrugs. "Hm? Well, I wasn't suited for the Knights."
"He really wasn't." Repede barks.
"Oh, Repede, you agree?" Karol says curiously and the dog nods.
"Yes. Yuri is far too stubborn to deal with authority." Shut up! Yuri just doesn't like being told what to do is all. A guild, huh... It seemed more like a passing thought, but it doesn't seem like a bad idea. They finally make their way to an exit that Yuri sees is a panel in the wall. They're inside the bar that Rita was trying to get into and Raven gestures them up the stairs. Shouting and bickering reaches all their ears as they open the balcony to see the sight of the rising sun and Barbos relaxed in a chair with goblet and a steaming Ragou.
"It's the world series of villains and you had to take the best seat in the house?" Yuri jests striding up as Barbos looks to them.
"Oh ho, if it isn't the little runts I met on the ship."
Estelle charges forward with an accusing hand. "You're the one who's been causing all of the recent chaos!"
The man cackles taking a large sip. "And what of it? You fools will never manage to capture me."
"Oh yeah? What's your reasoning there?" Rita spits moving into a combative stance.
"A villain is someone who never considers losing a possibility. That's why he thinks the way he does." Yuri says tapping his sword on his shoulder.
"If so, then that makes you quite a villain, Yuri." Karol says.
Yuri grins tossing his antenna. "Yep. I'm nefarious."
Raven shakes his head in disappointment. "Man, decidin' to rebel? Yer pretty troublesome."
"You've got a big mouth, brat." Barbos says whistling for his men that run up from behind. Yuri flicks off his sheathe and holds his sword at the ready. "You would dare to oppose me? I thought I told you before that next time you wouldn't get off so easy."
"All the better for us to tear things up!" Yuri snarks.
"Take them down!" Barbos gestures as he peers over the edge with a manic smile. "Haha, the fools have started to march! Now that meddlesome Don and the Knights will destroy each other!"
"He did this to destroy the Union and to eliminate the Don!" Karol gaps.
"If the Knights are destroyed, who will protect the empire?" Estelle mutters and stares at Ragou holding her sword. "Ragou, why would you...oh!" Her head falls in realization.
"Of course...he's going to weaken the Imperial Knights so that the Council can step in and control the empire." Rita hisses as arte starts lighting under her feet.
"And the Blood Alliance will seize control of Altosk and reign over the Union, too." Raven hisses knocking an arrow in his bow. The Knights and the Union going down together...it's just as Flynn said.
"Hmph, so what if you know now? No matter what you do, you won't be able to stop the battle!" Barbos cheers as he looks madly over the lining troops and guild men. That has yet to be decided the horn signally the armies march rings and they watch as a single knight rides into the middle of the field forcing the charge to a stop. Man, that's cutting it a little close, but Flynn is a cheeseball who Yuri can't imagine not showing up at the most dramatic moment.
Barbos stops and turns in fury to the councilman who has shriveled on the floor like a rat. "Ragou, you fool. You didn't keep up your end of the bargain."
"Don't hurt me!" Barbos spits on his face and yells at them me who bring out a hoplon blastia and run to the balcony taking aim. Estelle shout in horror, but the blastia is knocked away onto the ground and Barbos picks it up firing at them knocking them off their feet.
Yuri coughs and gets back up running towards Barbos. "Get out of here. Head for the exit."
"Yuri, no, it's too dangerous!" Estelle calls from behind and Rita yells about recharge time. The blastia is almost about to fire in point black at Yuri when out of nowhere a blast of fire strikes at Barbos. Yuri stares as he sees the dragon rider and the…. Well, he should probably call him an Entelexeia.
Rita start to launch a fire spell but Yuri knocks away her concentration. "Rita, knock it off! Our enemy's over there!" He gives the dragon a small nod ignoring the mage's protest marching towards the ledge. "Thanks for the save."
No problem.
Barbos stands up from the ground pulling out a bizarre sword covered in a sharp chain. "I'm gonna make you wish you hadn't done that!" They all stare at a bizarre and awesome sight as the large man is lifted off the ground by a torrent of wind.
"What? He can fly?" Karol yells as everyone else let's out their own exclamation at the sight of the man tearing off into the sky.
Drat, he's getting away!
Yuri is surprised, because he's certain that was a different voice. He doesn't think the rider has spoken once even mentally. "If you're going after him, let me come with you! We're a little short on wings around here."
Of course
The dragon lowers itself and Yuri jumps on his back. "Thanks."
"Are you crazy? This jerk's our enemy!" Rita yells from below as the Entelexeia starts rising.
"No matter what happens, I've gotta catch that guy."
Karol looks up at him waving his hammer. "Wait! What about us...?"
"You guys hold down the fort here! Stay out of trouble!" Yuri waves ignoring their yells as they fly. Oh, right! "And let Flynn know I'm stepping out for a while!" As he's holding onto the riders back he realizes how thin the person inside truly is. "Hey… so um… I was wondering which of you invited me? I can't tell who was talking. I know one of you has to be a Krytian…" Man he feels like an idiot.
Yuri is surprised when he sees the rider laughing. "If it helps I can talk." It's a woman's voice… Very soft. Very pretty. Extremely playful. It's a relief since Yuri has always found mental conversations to be creepy. "I'm sorry it bothers you."
He blinks… "You can read my thoughts?"
"Yes, your mind is very loud. I could hear you clear way across Dahngrest." Well, fuck! "You're a strange one."
I don't think we've ever exchanged names, brother.
"Uh, Yuri… Yuri Lowell."
Ba'ul. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.
"Likewise…" Yuri is downright afraid to think anything offensive but the thought slips in all the same. This is so weird that he's related to a monster. "Do you…"
I can't say I know him.
The wind around them turns fierce and Yuri clutches the rider tightly. A cyclone is raging below and they dive into the eye of the storm down onto a giant tower. Yuri sees the aer storming around and the sound of the blastia screaming loudly.
Hold on!
Yuri feels the warmth of that fire burn inside Ba'ul builds that releases in a fiery explosion breaking off part of the tower. The winds calm and with a great jump he lands on the top of the tower. He looks at the crackling blastia in the center as the light slowly fades with the wind.
Barbos looks at him holding his sword towards him. "You... You've destroyed the blastia!" Yuri gets ready to fight when almost a dozen fireballs launch through the air knocking the raider from Ba'ul. Yuri spies the men down below with their hoplon blastia who cast it below and he's furious. Bastards! "You're next, punk!"
I'll be fine. Do what you will.
He nods running to the edge jumping down below to the men dodging the fireballs and cutting them down. Yuri hear the call of Ba'ul and watches the him fly up. "Come on, we're just getting started." Yuri grins tapping his swords.
"Heh. My men won't have any trouble taking care of a Krytian like you." Barbos says letting out a whistle and a dozen men crawl from the woodwork. "Now rip him to pieces!" Yuri let's out an arte heading towards the men at the forefront slashing one down and punching another unconscious. Yuri leaps backward over a large man's back that brings his sword down taking care of them with the heavy fire of destruction field. One manages to surprise him by grabbing his antenna and the pain turns to rage as he headbutts the grunt followed by a kick to the crotch. One manages to land a punch on him, but Yuri breaks the man's hand with the pommel of his sword. He stands over the group of fallen me with a wild leer.
"Is that all you got?"
Barbos walks to him veins throbbing. "Looks like I'm gonna have to teach you your place." Lightning thrusts from the blade snapping his sword in two as it's thrown from his hand.
Yuri realizes he knows the voice yelling in the core. He's heard that blastia his whole life in passing and in days of just sitting by the fountain. "Huh... That's a handy sword you've got." He's been looking for that core for forever.
"Think you lost because of this sword, huh?" What a barking dog with no teeth.
"I don't know, what do you think?"
"Yeah, talk it up while you've got the chance." Barbos says and more men come in. Yuri groans knowing when he's beat and lets them take him by the arms Barbos sneers over him and takes in one of his antennas. "You've got nice coloring. You're gonna sell really well on the market. Or maybe I'll hang them up on my wall."
Why did he have to know that line was coming? He's dragged along till they toss him along with the dragon rider into a cell full of other people. Her helmet is discarded after an attempt to defend an old man from the guards revealing a beautiful Krytian woman. Her blue antennas are longer than his and far thicker. She winks at him as she strips away her armor in what Yuri thinks is a strip show that the other men in the cell are salivating at. Is this really necessary?
Oh, but isn't more fun this way?
Yuri shakes his head. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. Thank you." They lean on the wall as far as they can form the other people. They all look to be normal townsfolk and some of which are giving the usual 'ahh, it's a Krytian how unholy' mutters.
"So tell me. What are you going around destroying blastia for? Not a big deal if you don't feel like talking about it." But, he is curious.
She crosses her arms and smirks. "I'm afraid it's not as impressive as you might think. I'm destroying them because I want to."
"You're right, I'm not all that impressed." But, there's got to be more to it. "So that's why you mashed up Barbos' blastia too."
She nods knitting her brow. "Yes, but I didn't finish the job."
"Are you planning on destroying this?" He says holding up his bodhi blastia and she chuckles.
"...There wouldn't be any fun in destroying something like that." She looks at him with a long hard gaze. "You… what are you? I thought you were an Entelexeia, but you aren't like Ba'ul. You feel… human."
Yuri shrugs. "I think I'm a half-breed... Really I don't know anything! I only found out I was one just recently."
"Hmm…" Her face is pressed right up in Yuri's and he sees how deep wine color her eyes are. "Your eyes are like Ba'ul's." Yuri feel her hand touch glide on his antennas and he shivers which turns into a squeak when she pinches. "But, these are like mine."
"Please don't do that again!" Yuri says pushing her away casually glancing at the door. "Hey, why don't we work together a little longer?"
"Hmm... It's true I wasn't able to finish off the blastia on the roof." She nods. So what do we do?"
Well, there's always the classic way. "Hmm... There's one way I was thinking we could get out of here. But, I have a feeling you already know."
"Well, if you think it might work, what's the harm in trying it out? I always say, 'Those who can, should.'"
"Okay, just go along with me on this."
I'll just follow your lead.
She cracks her knuckles with a smile. "Don't worry. It's a little nerve-wracking working with a pretty lady, though." His fist launches into her face knocking her back and she runs hitting him just as hard in the chest. Yuri picks up with an ouch swinging another fist at her and grabbing at her antennas. The Krytian grabs back furiously and they wrestle about hearing the people inside yell and cheer. The two start yelling at each other and when the guards come in they turn from swinging their fists at each other to the guard. The captives jump at the open door and run out leaving the two Krytians to smile mischievously.
"Ta-dah, you're free." She says striding through the door with him.
"Thanks for your help."
She tilts her head a little. "I think I still owe you one more." Before Yuri can respond she smack him across the cheek. "Guess I overdid it back there..."
"There, that makes us even." Man, that stings! "Judith." Huh? "My name is Judith."
"Judith...? Judy is easier to say." Yuri says.
"Fine by me. All right, on to the next objective."
"Next? Well, we could check out the blastia on the roof. All we have to do is go up." Yuri says looking about their surroundings.
Judith hums curiously. "Won't your friends be waiting for you?"
"I don't mind taking care of the blastia first." His friends are more than capable of handling the things back in Dahngrest.
"Up we go then." Judith chimes pointing up at what looks to be a hallway above them.
Yuri squints his eyes. "And how exactly do we go up?"
You can't just fly? What a shame.
Looking to see Judith messing about with some levers. Yeah, just wander off... Reminds him of a certain princess. "A princess?" Judith grins but he waves her off. As they turn the corner he notes how little she's wearing… Why was she wearing that stuffy-looking suit of armor? "Oh? You didn't like it? It's pretty sturdy, and protects my body quite nicely." Judith says leaning in front of him. "See? Look at this beautiful skin, free of bruises and blemishes!"
"Very nice... I'm actually worried where my eyes might wander." Yuri says halfheartedly.
Judith pouts setting her arms on her hips. "You don't look all that worried to me."
Yuri shrugs. "You seem to be running around in my head so I don't think I need to bother explaining. So, you're okay? You don't mind leaving your armor behind?"
"It's sturdy, but it's heavy. Walking around with that on tires me out." Much to Judith's chagrin her weapon is missing while Yuri just grabs a sword that isn't shit. As they make their way through they find a valve full of aer that gives the sorcerer ring a power up and Judith teases him about his lady skills. Yuri isn't sure if Judith is just teasing or serious… but if what she said about his thoughts are true then She's laughing at him. They here ruckus as they make their way outside to see his crew fighting red-eyes.
"Huh... Looks like you guys have things under control." Yuri calls striding up to be taken into a huge bear hug by Estelle. She fusses over him checking for any wounds and Yuri laughs telling her to calm down. "I thought I told you all to stay put for a while."
Karol shakes his head coming up and giving him a pat on the back. "What do you expect? We were worried about you!"
"Hey, just for the record, I wasn't worrying about him." Rita yells holding up her hand to strike Karol but awkwardly drops her guard turning red.
"Well, I for one was worried sick!" Raven says slinging an arm on his shoulder.
Yuri pushes him off. "Yeah right. And why did you bother coming all the way out here, anyway?"
"It's like this, see?" Raven says clicking his tongue. "The Don's havin a fit sayin' there's no way he'll let Barbos make a fool outta him, but I'm the one he sends to do his dirty work."
Fishy… "What do you guys think you're doing, coming in this way?"
Karol just shrugs with his hammer. "Well, the front door was locked."
"That's not the point..."
Raven whistles at the sight of Judith and he grabs her hand with a smile. "...A-and who might this lovely Krityan be? Is she a princess?" She laughs and pulls away her hand.
Rita looks like she might vomit. "Layin' it on a little thick there, old man."
"This is Judith. We were locked up together."
Everyone starts their greetings when Raven jumps in at the end. "And I am the great-"
"Old man." Rita interrupts.
"It's Raven! R-A-V-E-N! Raven!" He says throwing a mini tantrum.
Karol just shakes his head. "You have to wonder about people who introduce themselves like that"
Judith laughs. "What an interesting bunch of people."
Raven grins and nudges Rita with his elbow. "Ooh! I think she likes me!"
"Idiot." Judith hides under the cover of being caught on a research trip that they accept with enough ease. As they're about to decide what to do next one of the men his friends had been fighting earlier gets up and lunges at Yuri only to fall down.
"Flynn!" Yuri exclaims seeing the blonde beam at him.
"Are you all right?" Flynn says now his turn to look him over like a mother hen.
"What the fuck are you doing here alone?"
"We're short on manpower, and we don't know what kind of dangers lie ahead." There's a knowing smile on Estelle and Yuri is wondering if she expected this. "The Don told everyone the truth, so they settled down. There's no longer any worry of conflict. We have secured Ragou and his subordinates. In addition, the Union has suppressed the mercenaries. Barbos is all that's left. Your Highness, it's dangerous, so please stay here with Yuri and the others."
Estelle immediately burns with fire in her eyes. "It's too dangerous to go on your own! We'll go with you!"
"I cannot allow it!" Flynn protests.
"Hold on, we've got all sorts of reasons to go after Barbos, too. We're not stopping after coming this far." Yuri growls crossing his arms. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Estelle's going to follow you no matter what you say."
Flynn takes in a deep frustrated sigh. "Fine, then let's go together. We're short on time, and it'll be safer this way." Rita bitterly notes on Judith's spear and Yuri sighs internally thinking of how much of a pain things will be if Judith is found out. This isn't a place for Estelle where Yuri knows a fight like this will likely be to the death. Flynn should have stopped her, but then Estelle chose herself. She's pretty brave and Yuri admires that.
As they make their way through a gear puzzle Estelle stops to look at Flynn who is bitterly glaring at Yuri… So what if he jumped on a dragon in the middle of something important! It all worked out. "Flynn, you didn't take Sodia and the others with you?"
"That's right. I left Ragou's arrest in their hands and came here alone."
Rita raises her brow and shakes her head. "So, you ditched your platoon and rushed off all by yourself? Some lieutenant you are."
"It's just like him to do that, though."
Repede rolls his eyes. "You're one to talk."
"Barbos will be judged by the laws of the empire. To that end, the Knights have an obligation to capture him." Flynn states sternly. "And yet, here you are doing our job for us. I can't accept that."
Rita snorts. "You've got an excuse for everything, don't you?"
"That's what being an Imperial Knight is all about." Yuri boasts patting him on the back.
"I was referring to how you two use every excuse to find a moment to bum each other."
Flynn turns bright red and starts to stutter as Yuri rolls his eyes. "When are you going to stop making gay jokes at us."
"When I stop getting a reaction."
"We're not dating!" Flynn yells in a stutter and Rita is holding back a laugh. The mage and princess start whispering to each other and Judith slips in to join. They're giggling and laughing as they move and it's no secret they're talking about them. He's not sure why.
"If you keep this up your face will stay red." Yuri jests slapping him on the back.
Flynn coughs into his hand. "Lets move on."
Felinis: When you gay, but everyone but you knows you gay