Felinis: That moment when you deviate from the plot because you don't want to write dialogue. No seriously, everything that happened in Nor Harbor was because I didn't want to write all that shit.
The scientist watches in intrigue at the creature screaming in the cage. Scales coat its skin as it howls ramming at the barrier desperately. "Now, miss Miria how are you feeling today?" The creature slams its head on the barrier grabbing the cage bars with clawed hands. "Are you hungry?"
Screeeeeeeee!
"Miss Miria, how are you?" The creature stops and blinks a moment. "Miss Miria are you happy?"
The thing in the cage stops and hisses at him. "Die!"
The man clicks a button and the blastia zaps through the monster tossing it to the ground in pain. "Interesting." He notes down his observations and walks down the hall to where a human man is sitting curled in the corner of a cage. "Mister Harrison, I hope you're feeling well today."
Harrison shivers as he grips his arms. "Let me go! Please, I never did anything wrong!"
"Now, Mister Harrison, it's not about who you are but what you are. Tell me are you hungry?"
Harrison is so furious as he looks up at the scientist biting his lip. "I haven't eaten if three fucking days! Of course I'm hungry. Take me back to my family you fuckers! Let me out!" He gives a large painful whine as he lies on his side. "Please…"
"All right, Mister Harrison. We haven't gotten any decent results from you so my superiors have said you'll be let go."
Harrison jumps at the bars of the cage. "You aren't fucking with me! This isn't a joke?" Harrison starts to cry dry tears when he gets a nod. Harrison doesn't have a moment to react again as a single button ends his life.
The scientist cares nothing about the ashes in the cage as he moves to another with a Krytian man inside. "Hello, Mister Quin how are you feeling today?"
Yuri blinks open his eyes in pain as he hears rustling and clinking of armor. His eyes drift over his surrounding and he's so confused. Why is he in Flynn's tent? Why does his jaw hurt? "Flynn…?"
"Finally awake?"
"I guess… What happened?" Yuri sits up his jaw in pain and his head thrumming softly. It's not that painful, but he feels like his thoughts are traveling through cotton. "Did I do something to your pants?"
Flynn leans over him eyes burning like blue coals. "No. You barged in while I was sleeping to yell about how pretty I was. Then you kept rubbing your hands all over my head to the point it hurt!"
"Uh… did I do anything else?" Yuri chuckles.
Flynn's face turns red and he turns away. "You did everything to deserve getting punched in the face."
Well, that explains the pain in his jaw. "Like breaking your cot."
"Exactly!"
"Can I make it up to you somehow?" Yuri sits up now realizing he's been on the ground the whole time. Compared to some places Yuri has slept in his life this actually pretty nice. "Get you coffee or something?"
Flynn points out giving him a harsh glare. "Out!"
Yuri chuckles awkwardly and back-steps out of the tent. "Cool, cool. See you around." He sighs and heads back to the inn. Yuri killed a man and he can safely say he feels good for doing it. But, it's wrong for him to have done so… He kicks off his shoes and plops on his bed. It's almost dawn and everyone has started waking up. Yuri ignores them and just lays there letting his brain sit… What the hell was Flynn so mad about? It had to be more than a broken bed. Yuri couldn't have told Flynn about the murder because there's no doubt he would have woken up in a jail cell.
"Yuri? Are you awake?" Karol says shaking him and Yuri turns on his side. "Estelle and Rita already took off. If you hurry, you might still be able to catch her."
"I can meet them anytime I want." Yuri mutters knowing it's a bit of a lie. He doesn't think he could ever live a peaceful life in Zaphias anymore. He doesn't have any grace as a halfer like before. Then there's the fact Yuri needs to go to Nordopolica for the sake of answers. Karol wanting to start a guild in Dahngrest doesn't sound half-bad all considering. Yuri can't live safely in the empire anymore and this city is lively enough. It's not like he'll be missed in the Lower Quarter. Yuri was just the local freak after all. Yeah, he may never go back to Zaphias and Yuri figures that's fine. The aqua blastia core is still being safely returned and if Estelle really wants to see him she'll find a way.
Karol puffs his cheeks and turns away stomping out the door. "Jeez, Yuri. Fine, if that's how you're gonna be."
"Even if I did go, it would just make it harder for them to leave." Yuri sighs but jumps from his bed when he hears a large rupture outside. His feet fly outside and he looks up at a giant bird with flaming wings high in the sky. "An Entelexeia?"
"An Entele-whata?" Karol says and Yuri puts a hand on him telling him to stay back. Why is an Entelexeia here in the city?
He runs towards the bridge seeing Flynn and his soldiers on the ground as the Entelexeia stares down at Estelle. As Yuri gets closer he sees the commandant yell something about Heracles, but pays no mind to Flynn who's still breathing or the commandant yelling at him. Yuri feels his feet fly forward and stands in front sword at the ready. If this thing can hear his thoughts then he already knows why Yuri won't let him hurt Estelle.
"The insipid poison and the atrocity. Both of you must be purged." Both their eyes go wide. These guys can actually talk! Atrocity… Sadly, Yuri has that one a fair amount so nothing new there. Guess, that means this guy is another person who has a beef with dad.
You should have never been born!
Before the Entelexeia can attack the loud whiz of cannon fire tears through the air as the beast dodges in the air with such grace. The firepower in their sight is immense far greater than Yuri ever new the empire had. Karol runs forward tripping a little as sparks drift near them. "Whoa, we've gotta get out of here!"
"I'm going to leave the city and continue my journey." Yuri says to Estelle looking at the way she refuses to go back across the bridge.
"What do you mean?"
"If you're going back to the capital, you shouldn't keep Flynn waiting." The Knight is back on his feet and is running towards them. "It's for you to decide."
Estelle struggles for the words and Yuri can only guess why. She's a girl who has struggled her whole life to do anything for herself. She's someone used to not making her own decisions, but he can see how much this girl wants to see the world. Flynn has to know that; no, the world has to see that in Estelle's eyes. "Then, I... I want to continue the journey as well!"
"Now, that's what I wanted to hear." He holds out her hand to take as they start running down the bridge when a torrent of heat and force thrusts them forward. They look back and see that a chasm has been made in the bridge cutting them off from the city.
As they're running forward Estelle stops to see Judith standing at the bridge likely talking to the Entelexeia. "Don't! It's too dangerous!" Estelle says pulling Judith away see the spear in her hands thinking she plans to attack.
Yuri huffs because they don't have time for this. This bird wants both of them dead! "Look who's talking."
"I'll be fine, you go on ahead." Judith smiles and Yuri hears her tell him how she plans to negotiate.
"Come on, quickly!" Estelle says pulling the Krytian along.
"My, you're a stubborn one." Judith smirks as she nods subtly at the monster.
You live for now son of Lowell. But, know that when we next meet I plant to finish ending both you and that monster's life.
That's twice they've called Estelle a monster, but why? They watch as the Entelexeia takes off and flies off away from the cannon fire and out of sight. "Yuri, Lady Estellise, wait!" Yuri turns and sees Flynn standing at the edge of his side of the bridge. Here comes the cavalry.
Estelle walks to the edge and bows softly. "I'm sorry, Flynn. I realize now I can't just go back to the capital. There are too many things I still need to know."
Flynn calls desperately. "Surely, after returning to the capital you can-"
"The voices of the people suffering in Nor Harbor never reached the capital. I won't achieve anything if I'm not willing to approach these problems head on... I've come to realize that during my travels. That's why! That's why I have to keep going!"
Flynn's face falls and Yuri walks up to the edge of the bridge tossing with a strong arm. "Flynn, get this core back to the lower quarter!"
"Yuri!" Flynn struggles moment to catch the core but looks up in confusion.
Yuri grins shrugging as he calls. "I won't be going back to the capital anytime soon. I'm going to start up a guild. Give my regards to Hanks and everyone else."
"...A guild. So that's what you meant by doing things your own way."
"Yeah, I've finally made up my mind." Yuri has no reason to go back to Zaphias and he's more than fine with that.
"That's fine, but what about Princess-"
Yuri waves walking away. "Take care, Flynn. Sorry about your cot!" He knows Flynn is calling for him and is probably pissed, but Yuri doesn't care. He's looking forward to seeing where this path takes him. "I suppose I should've talked to you first, but here's to our new guild, Karol." Karol grins widely as they give a hi-five strolling down the road out of town.
They all stop and stare at Duke who's standing idly on the bridge. "Hello?" Estelle greets and the man barely acknowledges her.
"And here Estelle's being so nice...Somebody needs to work on their manners." Yuri chides.
"You're one to talk, Yuri." Karol notes shaking his head. "Hey, that monster's gonna attack us again if we keep wandering around here."
"Y-yes, you're right." Estelle stutters turning away as Duke looks back at them.
"You were the target of his attack?" Duke seems less surprised at Estelle's confirmation and more at Yuri's.
"...What? Oh, yes. Um...do you know what he meant when called us-?"
"What, is that your pet or something?" Yuri interrupts.
"We follow the same course of action." Great… so this guy hates dad too.
"Then, does that mean you've come here to attack us too?" Estelle says timidly reaching for her weapon.
Duke looks between them his face a mask of indifference. "My blade does not exist to pass sentence on humans." His eyes drift towards Yuri. "Nor to end ones I value with utmost respect." Duke walks away silently leaving them in confusion.
They've been heading down the road at a quick pace till Karol calls out. "I know we've got to get out of town, but I'm dyin' here...And why is Judith coming with us?"
"What else do you expect me to do with the bridge out?" Judith says placing a hand on her chest with a pout.
"I don't mind the extra company, but we've got to pick up the pace. It's not much further. Come on." Yuri says.
"Just how far are we going?" Judith notes as they walk forward.
Yuri thinks a moment. "I guess Heliord's our closest destination. So at least until there." Yeah, it's about a day or two out, but it's better than nothing. He ignores Karol's complaints about wanting breakfast saying they can rest in another hour or two. That hour quickly turns to almost four and Karol is completely annoyed especially since it started raining.
Judith idly looks over her shoulder clearly in a conversation. "It's probably a good time. Looks like no one is following us anymore."
Estelle tilts her head. "...How can you tell?"
Judith hums tapping her lips. "Intuition I suppose."
"Intuition...?" Karol mutters crossing his arms.
And by that she means Ba'ul has informed her that the coast is clear. "I say we trust Judy's hunch. Let's take a break. I'll make breakfast." Yuri sets his bag down and start pulling out supplies to make a makeshift tent for them to stay dry. "How does eggs and bacon sound?"
There's chorus of agreement as everyone helps to pull an extremely temporary camp together. "I can't believe that monster spoke!" Karol says over his plate. "It actually spoke our language. Yuri… you called it an Entele-something."
Yuri sips his coffee idly. "I said no such thing. But, man talking monsters! Incredible!"
You could just tell them. I don't they'd connect any dots together.
No way. Yuri refuses to make more trouble for himself when Estelle has been inching to the truth far more than he would prefer. "A talking monster is indeed fascinating. And that weapon the empire had was incredibly powerful."
Estelle nods. "I know. I've never seen anything like that. It's a little terrifying that the empire has a weapon like that at their disposal."
"Yeah, they could blow up Dahngrest whenever they wanted." Yuri mutters. With that kind of power the knights and the council could abuse people all they want and nobody would be able to fight back. When they pack up to leave Estelle is glancing at him with the usual worry and pulls him to the side as they walk down the road.
"Yuri… Why did the monster call you an atrocity?"
"I dunno. I'm a halfer so maybe that's it-"
"Stop bullshitting me!" Estelle stops in shock covering her mouth just as surprised as she is at her words. "… Yuri, at this point I think it should be clear I'm not an idiot or someone who would do anything to hurt you. I'm tired of your excuses! I never bought them once so tell me what's wrong!"
"Estelle-"
"I mean it. This involves both of us."
Yuri takes in a deep breath crossing his arms. "Look... can this wait till Heliord? I promise I'll tell you what I know when we get there but for now can we wait till we can get some real privacy."
"Fine. But, I'm holding you to your word Yuri."
Flynn wipes the sweat from his brow as the drama from the day has for the most part calmed down it seems. It doesn't change the fact that he'll be spending his evening for the most part writing paperwork… "Ahem."
Flynn jumps and quickly scrambles into a salute. "Commandant Alexei! What is it you need of me?"
"At ease. Flynn Scifo, I am correct in presuming you and Yuri Lowell have close ties."
Flynn nods his mood souring because whatever news this might be he doubts it will be good. "Yes, we grew up together."
"Follow me." Flynn follows silently as Alexei leads him to docks where Heracles sits tall and imposing next to the city skyline. The knights standing guard salute the commandant as they walk aboard. "What you are about to see is classified and normally not something I would show to a captain as green as you." Alexei fiddles on one of the elevator keyboards and Flynn follows inside hearing the thrum of machinery as they are brought lower and lower into the belly of the machine. "But, your relationship with the subject may prove valuable in helping this epidemic."
"Commandant Alexei what do you mean by-" Flynn's words are cut off as the door opens revealing cages filled with unnerving monsters and Krytians growing horrific appendages. He sees a woman that's been chained to the bed and from what she's screaming Flynn can only assume it was to keep her from killing herself. "What is this?"
"This the epidemic." Alexei strides forward gesturing for Flynn to follow and he does so cautiously. "Have you ever heard of Entelexeia?"
"No, sir." Flynn lies looking at the man whose arms have morphed into something akin to wings as he screams from the cage.
"In short Entelexeia are what you would call the genetic ancestor of the Krytian people. Their original forms were that of monsters that could speak, much like the one that invaded today."
"But, what does that have to do with these people?"
"Krytians and Entelexeia are genetically unstable beings. While their ancestors were intelligent enough to be on par with humans Entelexeia would sometimes suffer aer poisoning." Aer poisoning? "Being creatures that live off aer if poisoned even with the smallest amount it was found to destroy an Entelexeia's mind and eventually claim its life. Many giant monsters in the world are Entelexeia who have lost their sanity and are now mere mindless monsters causing havoc."
"What does this have to do with Yuri?"
"The empire has been seeing more and more problems with aer poisoning occurring in Krytians and even some half-breeds. What you see in here is the result." Flynn glances at the cages and the screeching monsters. In the corner is one that looks mostly human aside from how their skin seems to be turning a translucent hue. The way he's looking about and acting is too close to Yuri for Flynn to be comfortable. "Every Krytian here has been poisoned by aer and it's destroyed their minds."
"And… you believe the same thing might happen to Yuri?"
"Oh no, Yuri Lowell has been ill for some time now." Alexei says opening another door to reveal a lab. "Admittedly, we've been monitoring him for some time now. His appearance is near identical to an Entelexeia who sabotaged the first laboratory almost twenty years ago. Before Garista's untimely passing he noted that the DNA taken from a blood sample closer to an actual Entelexeia and we determined Yuri Lowell must be the supposed son that died in childbirth. When we last had Yuri in our custody we preformed another blood sample." Alexei idly goes through drawer and pulls something from inside. "We found his DNA was five percent closer to being that of an Entelexeia than a human. In that time Yuri Lowell has gone through drastic physically alterations and from the fear in your eyes I suspect you understand exactly what I mean."
Flynn stutters for the right words. Yuri has been changing a lot lately and then there's the people in the hall. Could you even call those things people anymore? They were beyond any sort of sense or reasoning, Flynn knows from experience. "What would you want me to do."
"If Yuri Lowell is truly half Entelexeia then he might be the key in helping to stop aer poisoning." Alexei holds out a tiny blastia core different from he's ones Flynn has seen before. It's jagged and a clear color that feels rough when he touches it. "This was patient forty-two Miria Caley. She started showing symptoms when called in for a routine checkup in Mantaic. In less than a year she barely resembled a human and eventually the aer in her body compressed and imploded into the core your holding."
The horror hits Flynn immediately. "This is her corpse?"
"Yes. It might even be the fate of your friend if we can't stop it." This will happen to Yuri? But, why? "We've been able to see from the numerous cases the timeline most patients have. I would like you to give me as much detail as you can. We're hoping that because Yuri Lowell is a closer genetic match to the source we might be able to find a way to stop even reverse the process." It almost sounds too good to be true. Flynn is certain it is, but at the same time things in this facility are tied up in Yuri's condition. He trusts his commandant so he nods and starts to tell almost everything he knows.
Felinis: Let's face it, if you body slam a person sleeping on a cot it will break