Felinis: It is 2 am... and I really should sleep
They don't manage to catch up to Yeager or Cumore unfortunately. The scum has managed to slip away leaving them behind. "We should probably just get to the harbor rather than going back to Heliord." Yuri says knowing the trail is long since cold.
"What? But what about Cumore?! Do we just let him go?" Estelle exclaims.
"I thought the purpose of your journey was to find Phaeroh. I wasn't aware Brave Vesperia was formed to follow your random whims." Judith chimes.
Estelle's eyes fall. "...I-I'm sorry. That was never my intention..."
"Aww, she's just telling you to relax." Yuri smiles reassuringly. "Besides, Flynn's on the scene, right? You can be sure he'll take care of things."
"Hey. 'Phaeroh'? 'Brave Vesperia'? Start explaining." Rita shouts bumping in between them.
"Just about ta ask the same questions myself." The group jumps as they turn to see Raven striding in behind them. "What's wrong, miss genius mage? Forget me already? It's me, Raven the Great."
"Who the hell do you-!?"
"I told ya, Raven the Great..." Raven smirks looking down at her burning eyes. "...Man. Yer a scary little kid, ya know that?"
"So? What are you up to?" Yuri says with skeptical eyes.
"With all the stuff you've been doin', poor Raven got sent all the way out here to keep an eye on ya."
"Why would they do that?" Karol asks.
Raven snaps his fingers. "First things first, let's go find an inn at Torim Harbor. I'll tell ya everything there. Raven's pretty hungry, ya see..."
"I suppose there's no point in hanging around here." Yuri says walking forward paying him no mind. Torim is a long way to go for a meal though. The only way they'd make it Torim in less than a day is if they got a ride on wagon. Annoyingly, they are low on supplies so they desperately try to cover as much ground as possible so they won't have to go hungry. They barely make it at the edge of sunset exhausted and starving.
Yuri isn't sure how he managed to stuff four servings of salad and stew, but he has. Everyone sits in the room looking idly as Raven starts to explain himself. "Huh. So even the Union can't sit still when it knows a princess of the empire is out on the loose." Yuri mutters.
"Then the Don knows that I'm a candidate for the imperial throne too."
"Yup. That's why he told me ta come keep an eye on ya." Raven says picking his teeth.
"So you're here to observe her? That's kind of creepy." Karol says tapping his foot as he sits on the floor.
"Really?" Estelle notes.
Well, the princess has grown up under the watchful eyes of the knights and the council. She's probably used to it by now. "What...? Is it just me?"
"Anyway, here I finally catch up with ya and I wind up stickin' my foot in that mess back there. It hasn't been easy for old Raven."
"...But why worry so much about Estelle?"
Rita turns a page in her book and rolls her eyes. "It's only natural considering the state of things between the empire and the Union."
"Each side is trying to feel the other out. The Don just wants to keep track of their movements." Yuri says biting a loaf of bread… He's still hungry somehow.
"So, you're all planning on looking for this Phaeroh by going to the Sands of Kogorh." Rita shuts her book and crosses her arms. When Estelle confirms her word the mage huffs in frustration. "Do you know what sort of place a desert is?"
"Well it's hot, and dry, and they've got a lot of sand there." Karol blurts.
"That's putting it lightly. It's not as easy as all that though."
"Our plan is to get to the area together first."
Rita taps her foot scrunching her face. "And then?"
Estelle falters a little. "Then I guess we'll go around and ask where Phaeroh is."
"...I don't even know where to begin commenting on that plan." Rita sighs. "So it's not just that you don't want to go back to the castle anymore, right?
Estelle nervously starts as Raven grins in a somewhat fishy manner. "It'd be easier on old Raven if you did, though. I'm just sayin'."
"No. I'm sorry, but I have to know the truth behind Phaeroh's words." Estelle steels herself.
"Huh. Well the Desier continent actually suits me just fine."
Judith perks. "Why is that?
"I've got ta go to Nordopolica for another errand I'm runnin' for the Don." Raven starts waving about a letter. "Have to deliver a letter to Belius."
You were going to visit Belius too, if I'm not mistaken?
Yuri subtly nods. "That's the boss of the coliseum and ruler of Nordopolica, isn't it?"
"Technically speaking, she's called the Duce." Karol chirps.
"Do you know what's written in the letter?" Judith asks.
Raven leans back comfortably on the bed. "Hm. It's got somethin' ta do with those monsters that attacked Dahngrest. In particular about that Phaeroh chap you all are followin'. The Don thinks Belius will know somethin' about that monster."
Even more reason to go there, Yuri can get double the answers on the matter. "Looks like it just became worth our while to pay this Belius a visit too."
"So if ya don't mind, Raven here'll just tag along with ya."
"That's fine. But you'll have to follow the laws of Brave Vesperia." Karol yawns with exhaustion.
"Got it." With that everyone breaks for the night except for Karol and Yuri.
The boy is sitting slumped on the bed with his knees pulled up. "What's the matter, boss?"
"Mmm... I don't know if I like you calling me that."
Yuri sits down on the bed leaning back. "The boss is the boss! What would you have me call you instead?"
"Just call me...whatever you called me before. This boss thing seems a little over the top. It makes me feel silly to have you calling me that..."
"Don't you think you'll get used to it?"
Karol twiddles his thumbs and rolls onto his back. "Well, maybe..."
"Well, you know way more about guilds than I do, right?"
"I guess..." Karol sighs. "The boss of a guild has to stand as a role model for everyone else. I wonder if I could be that great of a person...?"
"Come on, it's not like you're expected to be the best boss ever from the very beginning. You can take it a little at a time." Yuri says giving him a light punch in the shoulder. "For now, our guild has a job to complete."
Karol nods. "You're right. First we need to take Estelle to meet Phaeroh... ...But do you think we'll be able to meet him?"
"Our guild's job is to figure out a way to meet him." Yuri shrugs. "If we can't meet him, we won't get our reward, and people will lose confidence in our abilities. That's all there is to it."
"I think we may have picked something a little too tough for our first job..." Karol groans.
"It's more of a challenge that way. And our reward will be that much bigger, too." Yuri smirks. "Besides, with my luck it'll work out for sure."
"That is both is reassuring and not." Karol yawns. "I'm gonna sleep…"
Yuri walks out the inn spying Repede waiting for him at the door. "Oh, hey."
"You were going to kill Cumore weren't you?"
"I said that I would deal with things in my own way... But I let Cumore escape that easily. What a shame." Yuri sighs.
"Do you really think that is what you should be focusing on? You have a job to do and more important matters." Repede scoffs.
"I know I know. We have our guild's job to deal with rather than Cumore." Yuri kneels getting down to Repede's level.
Repede chews his pipe and sighs. "You still plan on going through with this?"
"Yeah... I can't just let him loose." Yuri says gripping his swords. "Men of his kind will never learn and will always repeat the same thing forever. I'll have to do something. I left the Empire and formed a guild for this kind of purpose."
Repede stands up. "I can't stop you, I understand that. I know that he's an unredeemable human, but Yuri think before you go too far."
"Yeah, yeah. It'll work out." He walks through the dark streets and Judith pops from the shadows grabbing his arm. "Hey, may I help you?"
"Follow me." Judith guides him a small distance outside of town where Ba'ul is lying in a clearing. "I brought him over!"
It's good to see you, Yuri
"Likewise." Yuri says. "Hey, why can't you talk like we do?" The Entelexeia yawns a little. "It's not a problem or anything, but I was wondering."
I'm fairly young, for our kind… I think I turn three-hundred-and-twelve this year. I haven't figured out human speech quite yet.
Yuri whistles. "Wow, that's young? I feel like a kid now."
Judith walks over and sits beside the large creature. "It's not as old as you think. In human years, he's about in his twenties." She pats the grass beside her and Yuri plops next to her. So why has Judith decided to bring him out here? "I wanted to talk to you about Phaeroh."
He rather hates you from what I understand. Yet, you plan on still going to see him?
Yuri nods leaning against the scaly form. "Yeah. I need answers on what's going on. I want to get to the bottom on who my father is and..."
Judith sets a soft hand on his. "I understand." Yuri finds the day's exhaustion hit him as he leans onto the soft feathery like tufts closing his eyes. Ba'ul's surprisingly soft and there's a comfort nestling in his chest while lying here. "You also need to see Belius as well, right?"
"Yes." It doesn't matter if Belius hates him as well. If she can provide him with answers Yuri will gladly take them. Yuri yawns trying to blink way sleep… The sun wakes him up and he rolls awake on the grass. "Huh? Judy?"
She's standing under Ba'ul pressing her face to his before he takes off. "Morning, sleepyhead. I was pretty surprised you just dozed off like that."
Yuri yawns rubbing the last traces of sleep from his eyes. "Guess I was pretty tired."
"Don't worry. Besides, Ba'ul makes a wonderful pillow." The Entelexeia takes off to the sky leaving them to walk back to the town. As they make back to the inn Rita declares she will join them on their trip to Desier. They briefly pass Ioder on their way to the dock to the group's surprise, but it's lasts no more than a moment till they reach the port and shouts fill their ears.
Standing at the docks dictating to a man at her side is woman with bright cherry hair and Estelle turns to Yuri. "Isn't that the woman we met at Deidon Hold?"
"Yeah, that's her all right."
"Wh-why do you guys know her?" Karol stutters in surprise.
"We just met her once a while back. She a friend of yours?"
"I wouldn't say I know her. She's the president of Fortune's Market, one of the five master guilds."
"In other words, she's one of the top dogs of the Union." Raven adds.
A light goes off in Karol's head. "Hey, I just got an idea! Maybe she could get a boat for us to take across to Desier."
It's not a bad idea and when they walk up Kaufman linger on him… "Do I know you…? Wait, I remember you're Yuri Lowell! Hmm, you've changed since we last saw you. Nice bumping into you."
"It's good to see you, too."
That keen business radiates off her as she strides up. "Listen, I've got a job that would be just perfect for you."
"Hard labor, huh?"
Her scarlet lips turn into a foxy grin. "I like a man who can cut to the chase. As you may have heard, schools of mermen often attack cargo ships at this time of year."
"Huh? But I thought there was another guild that always served as your escort." Karol interrupts, but quickly quiets himself.
"It seems the leader of the mercenary guild I hire passed away suddenly, so they aren't available. The other guardian guild simply has no backbone. I don't know what to do."
"What was the name of that guardian guild you mentioned?" Karol asks hesitantly.
"The Blood Alliance." Kaufman sighs. The awkward tension passes quickly enough as she brings up how she does have a boat to offer them. Beat up some merman, get her to a port, don't call it business and they'll get a boat along with arriving in Nordopolica. Not a bad deal at all.
The boat sets sail onto the water as they stand at the ready. Kaufman has stated that the mermen show up about a day out of port. As they stand waiting on deck to see when the mermen finally show themselves. The boat is rocked in a sudden jerk as ten mermen swarm the deck.
The largest holding it's gaping mouth open as they all hear from its mouth. "I think... I'm a little seasick..."
"No way, it talked!" Karol exclaims losing a little grip on his hammer.
"Look sharp, here they come!" Yuri says as merman dives for their heads. It dents the boards below and Yuri quickly takes to launching a destruction field followed by leaping on high to dent this thing's thick skull.
Fireballs are launched as Rita mutters spells and whacks a monster back with her scarf. "Take this fish freak!"
Estelle blocks an incoming strike and lunges into one's eye. "Rita be more careful! That was reckless!" The made just huffs and continues to throw out spells. Raven is launching arrows swiftly towards the thick muscles and when that proves mostly useless aims for casting spells.
Judith throws one of with a deep lunge of her spear to the chest throwing it across decks as she wipes sweat from her brow. Karol has bludgeoned a few enough that Repede has been able to make deep cuts into their flesh. It's quicker than Yuri figured would be when the mermen have stopped trying to board, but it was draining. Kaufman pats them on the back with a smile while Raven pats his back in pain.
"I tell ya, Brave Vesperia doesn't have any shame in working an old man down to the bone!" Raven whines. "Even while I'm looking for apatheia and doing all sorts of other things."
Yuri grips his chin. "Apatheia? Isn't that what you were looking for back in Nor Harbor?""
"That's right."
Rita snorts crossing her arms. "That's nothing but a fairy tale. I researched it a while back, but eventually I realized that there's simply no way it can theoretically exist."
Raven rolls his eyes. "I'm well aware people think it's a fairy tale."
"Why are you looking for it?"
Raven groans. "Well... Because the Don told me to." Well, that's not suspicious in the least… There's sudden gasps and commotions as the large merman corpse sitting on deck wiggles; it rises to its feet and spits out a familiar figure.
"Patty?" Estelle exclaims running up and casting healing artes on the girl who raises a hand.
Patty stands brushing off her dress with a smile. "It was smooth sailing."
"I wouldn't call being swallowed by a monster 'smooth sailing'." Yuri laughs awkwardly.
"How did you end up like that?" Estelle says looking over the girl for any wounds.
Patty similes innocently. "I was walking along searching for treasure when I fell into the sea. And then I started playing with a monster!"
"Well, isn't that great? You were about to turn into fish food." Yuri jests with a sad shake to his head. A scream is heard and they see the monster Patty climbed out of was still alive and has attacked the ship captain Tokunaga. The bloody mess is quickly healed, but it still comes down to the man being out cold for a time. To their surprise Patty states herself as a capable sailor and grabs the wheel.
"Nordopolica, was it? Don't worry, I'll get us there in no time." They're on the open sea a few days making great time according to Kaufman. While Tokunaga is better he lets Patty drive out of curiosity. She's more skilled than he claims a child should ever be and to Tokunaga's surprise he's learning tricks from Patty.
It's the firth day when they find a disturbingly thick fog has rolled in. It's becoming unnerving as the thick fog continues to coat the air around them. Talk of bad things happening and ominous whispers soon turns to a reality when the Fierta crashes into another ship and the motor breaks. It all comes down to who wants to walk on the spooky ghost ship. In the end it's Karol, Yuri, Repede, and Judith who head aboard the creaking boards of the ship. The walls are lined with mirrors as they walk along noting the earie silence.
As one point, Yuri looks at the mirrors and he swears he sees his reflection wave at him. A shiver is sitting on all their spines as Yuri notes faint shadows walking by as laughter cackles at the edge of his ears. Is he the only one seeing this?
Yeah, I think so.
Great… Yuri isn't one who's easily spooked, but this ship is fucking creepy. As they wander through the grate door behind them slams startling everyone. "Well, looks like we gotta move forward."
"Yuri, I think I saw something in the mirror!" Karol shrieks ducking behind his leg and Yuri takes a hard swallow. That man has no skin…
"It's nothing!" Yuri laughs awkwardly pushing Karol foward. "Let's just keep moving." Something is moving around their feet and Yuri refuses to pay it mind because he has this feeling it's covered in blood or is something of his nightmares.
Judith looks about opening the door and pouting. "Man, I was hoping it be more exciting."
"I don't know, it's pretty exciting on its own." Karol stutters possibly catching sight of something. "Yuri, that man has no skin!"
"Ignore it and move on." Yuri says as he brushes past a moaning skeleton hanging from the ceiling. Do Entelexeia also have ghost vision…?
From what I understand, it's more likely that you're seeing monsters normally invisible to the naked eye.
Either way, it's something Yuri could live without. As they make their way through Karol screams when a door opens, but stops when he sees it's the others. "How did you guys get in here?"
Estelle laughs awkwardly as Patty proudly strides forth. "The mast broke outside so we climbed the side and found a way in. With the help of my leadership, of course."
"Nice work." Yuri says patting her on the head. "So know a way out?"
Estelle nods. "Yeah, just through that-" The door Estelle was pointing to is slammed shut and everyone jumps. "Eek, the spirits are luring us to the bottom of the ship towards are doom!"
"Th-that's ridiculous!" Rita stutters sternly. "Don't go making stuff like that up." Yuri shuts his mouth about the disembodied hand that is beckoning at the stairs. They make their way upstairs to the captain's quarters the door leading out locked for some reason. At the desk, a skeleton sits clutching a chest drawing everyone's attention.
They walk and see an open books so old that they don't dare to touch the pages. The words are near absolute gibberish, but Yuri does make out a small bit. "Year 232 of Asule, 13th day of Bluerre?"
"The Asule period and the month of Bluerre are from a time before the empire." Estelle notes.
"So over 1,000 years ago..." Rita mutters in fascination.
Estelle clears her throat and starts to recite the test. "Adrift five and forty days. Food and water used up. Men succumbing to thirst and starvation. I cannot give in, though. I must see the clear ciel crystal safely to Yormgen. This crystal holds the power to banish the monsters, and with it the town may yet be saved. I have stored the clear ciel crystal in my red chest, a gift from my dear Yuefan. It won't be much longer until I am in her arms again. And then we will all be saved." Estelle's face falls. "...But he wasn't able to return to his town. He passed away here..."
Rota rolls her eyes and starts talking, but Yuri stops listening. The red chest is thrumming like a core, but it's different.
Yormgen. I want to go to Yormgen… I promised… Take me to Yormgen.
Yuri takes his hand and pulls out the red chest. There's such a longing that he feels from inside. The voice is solid like a person and Yuri feels that feeling similar to the grave they came across. "I understand…" Yuri pulls the chest in tight as everyone watches the door fling open.
I need to go to Yormgen.
Yuri nods. "I'll take you home."
Thank you.
Yuri opens his eyes to the sight of everyone casting him odd looks. "Yuri?"
"I-it's nothing!" Yuri says and waltzes out the door. "Come on, let's go." He refuses to let go of the chest as they make their way back to the boat. He's not sure how to explain it, but he feels the need to protect it… It's like the pull he feels with the Entelexeia.
"Yuri, are you sure you don't want dinner?" Estelle asks entering his cabin as he lies on his bed.
He shakes his head. "No. I'm not hungry."
Estelle sets down a tray and leaves. "I'll leave this anyway. Um, are you having an episode?"
"No." Yuri says shaking his head when a pain bursts in his head. He grips his head as tries to grit through the pain.
"Yuri!" She yelps gripping his shoulders. "What should I do?"
"Tie me to the bed and lock the door." Yuri winces. "I'll be fine for the rest. There should be some rope in my bag." Estelle quickly pulls some out and ties him down. "If you get worried send Judy down."
"Judith? Wait, Judith already knows?"
"Yeah, from the start." Estelle looks furious at the statement. "She's a Krytian! From what I understand she can literally hear everything thought in my brain." Estelle tightens the rope. "Look, when I have an episode I seem to have bloodlust towards you. This just seems like a better idea."
Estelle walks to the door and slams it shut.