Felinis: at last a new chapter! I hope you all enjoy.

The fastest time they can make to Dahngrest even with all their combined effort is six days. six maddening days of running the ship with minimum sleep and almost overheating the engine. The days of not knowing what was happening to Yuri. Was he even alive? What was happening to Nordopolica? Despite all their exhaustion the moment the ship was docked the group took towards the Union headquarters.

Estelle marched with a tired purpose in her steps. People's lives were in danger and more importantly, Estelle could never stand the idea of sitting around waiting for the world to be saved. They waltzed up to the Sagittarius the people inside looking at Harry and Raven with ravenous curiosity.

Raven doesn't even bother knocking as he kicks open the door where a few well-dressed men are sitting along the Don with drinks in hand.

"Whaddya want?" The Don barks and given the tone of whatever meeting was going on word hasn't reached of the events that transpired back in Nordopolica.

"Hate to be the bearer of bad news," Raven pushes Harry forward who hangs his head in shame, "but this idiot went and got Belius killed."

The Don straightens immediately. "What! Belius!?" He shoos the other people out and orders for Raven to lock the door. "What the hell happened ta Belius?"

Harry begins to explain his part of the story. About how Ruin's Gate sent a message talking about crimes Belius was performing and how the Hunting Blades and he set out to fix things. Then Raven steps in to provide their half and what he knows. The Don never once shows what is going on as the gears turn in his head. It's clear to everyone though that what's afoot here is an atrocity. Don swirled the drink in his hand as he plotted. "Leviathan's Claw needs to be dealt with first. They along with Ruins Gate will be banned and arrested."

"What about the Hunting Blades?" Karol squeaked and then curled in embarrassment.

"They'll be dealt with accordingly. If they're just pawns, then the guild has nothing ta fear." Some relief filled the poor boys face. At least Nan would be okay. "This whole things a giant mess. Palestralle is gonna be on us in a matter of days asking for war. Even if the empire has em tied down ya can bet yer ass they'll send everyone they can ta settle the score over here."

"War!" Estelle gasped. "But, it's a misunderstanding! Surely there's something we can do!"

The Don took a heavy drink. "Oh, yes. There's always a way. Just depends on how much you're willing to pay for peace. At this point, war with the empire is gonna happen whether ya like it or not. They've gone too far with this."

"But, Ioder would never approve of any of these actions! I'm certain he's unaware. If we got a message to him perhaps- "

"Perhaps nothin." Raven spats. "Doesn't change the fact that everyone else is just gonna see a warmongerin empire. After all, it was a knight who did Belius in. With the Union involved Palestralle will think there's an alliance and then. It's a war conspiracy of the highest caliber. All the empire needs ta do is point the bigger finger here."

Estelle bit her lip. It's true, but she still wants to believe that Flynn only did what he thought was right… But, it hurt so many... Flynn was acting more the part of a villain than a hero. "There has to be a way." To save both of them…

The Don stands. "Leave. Not you Raven. I need ta stick around with ya some more."

Raven pouted. "Really?"

"Yes. The rest of ya get some sleep. Ya, look half-dead."

He had to get out of here. Yuri had to leave because one more day trapped in the hellhole and he thinks he might finally snap. Or maybe he's already snapped. It amazing how quickly a person can forget how to be human. Yuri's not sure long he's been here, but it can't have been that long… Can it? He thinks it's boredom coupled with experiments that are making him this way. There's nothing for him to do when the scientists aren't taking blood samples or strapping electrodes to his brain. He tried just doing exercises to keep his body busy and to not lose strength until he could figure a way out, but that got tiring quickly. There's only so many crunches and one-armed push-ups a man can do before he has peaked in boredom. Yuri eventually found himself practicing how to move the tails independently from himself. It's a difficult thing, but he figures out how to move each on their own and the limits of their strengths. The double edge sword of exploring what Yuri thinks could be a possible weapon hits with him subtly finding those instincts crawl in. He does chase his tails several times and because of the lack of any way of bathing himself like a human being starts grooming himself like an animal.

It becomes too easy to not walk upright all the time even though he can stand up in the cell. Too easy to sleep in a ball rather than sprawled out on the bare floor. Too easy just not think about everything around him. It doesn't help that nobody will talk to him or that his water supply is a bowl sized indent in the floor, so Yuri had to lap it up with his tongue once his hands proved a terrible idea. He did every fucking thing he could think of to stay human in his mind.

But, it's so hard… Isolation kills people slowly. Three days of pure isolation is enough to leave some people catatonic and blathering. Imagine almost a week… He tries to talk with the Krytians around him through thoughts, but nobody has ever much to say or they're going insane like him. He's not sure when he starts hallucinating, but Yuri knows he must be because he sees his friends in the times he's alone and not sleeping. He saw Flynn a few times, but it's always an illusion because when Yuri goes to punch in his face and call him an idiot nothing is there. He's still changing or he's able to see what he was trying to hide. The splats of fur consuming his body are no longer a fuzz, but thin fur about an inch thick all over. He doesn't have even the start of fingernails just claws at the end of his fingers that are barely more than small sausages. It's a miracle he can still use his thumbs. His feet seem to be starting a similar process.

"Mister Lowell, how are you today?" It's one of the scientists here to ask him that same thing they do every day, or what he's using to count days before they haul him off to the lab.

Yuri growls thinking about he wants to rip the man's head off with his teeth. "Fuck all of you!"

"Now, that's very rude Mister Lowell." The man says jotting down his notes. "Are you happy?"

"Oh yes, I'm just wonderful." Yuri spits.

"Are you hungry, Mister Lowell?"

He's so hungry. It doesn't matter what food they put in the cell he can't eat and he's starving. Yuri's mind drifts back to that spring in Kiev Moc and he waters at the thought. "Yeah, I'm hungry. I'm also really uncomfy and would like to finally have some goddamn clothes!"

"Hmm, interesting." The man presses a button and Yuri is shocked unconscious. He wakes in the lab strapped to a chair. It's always like this... Yuri waking with a bit in his mouth to keep him from biting and his joints sore from the position. They aren't dumb enough to let Yuri get a lay of the area and walk on his own. He asked the others hoping he could at least make a mental map, but they don't know, or they've gone batshit.

Alexei walks front addressing his workers as he slips on gloves. "What were the results of yesterday's treatment?"

A masked woman shakes her head. "It's a negative sir. The subject had zero response to the injection."

"That's too bad. You mentioned something being unusual in the brain scan?"

"Uh- yes!" The woman runs forward holding out a file. Yuri starts to tune them out because it's all just science babble from here. They keep talking boring nonsense till someone peeks his interest.

"Your Excellency we would like to inform you that we believe there to still be a mass number of Krytian fugitives."

Alexei frowned. "I see."

"Flynn Scifo is also requesting an audience with the test subject." Flynn! As much as he was furious with the bastard right now if Yuri could get a message or even just see him he might convince the knight to help him escape.

"He's to be denied entry until further notice."

"But, sir… He's been requesting nonstop the past few days. I'm worried he might grow suspicious and attempt investigating on his own."

"That would be a problem. I suppose we'll just have to arrange a meeting. The subject is to be heavily drugged, naturally."

The scientist's bow. "Of course."

Drugged, huh? Yuri could work with this... He had an idea. If he couldn't get help inside, then there's just one other way to go.

Estelle was pulled from her sleep by the frantic arms of Karol. "Estelle it's awful!"

"Huh?" She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "What is it? Did something happen?"

"The Don! He-he's gone! He just took off and left the Union!"

"Probably headed towards Leviathan's Claw HQ. After all, Don doesn't have any formal information on any of this." Raven said. "He's gonna want every piece of dirt he can use."

Patty came in a moment later with a cup of coffee in hand for Estelle. "Here. Not to mention, the fact that Leviathan's Claw has made quick work of spreading rumors already. Any Palestralle members over on this side of the continent are gonna come running in asking for blood."

Rita turned from the window she was looking out and sighed. "There already are riots. I heard someone mention there were Palestralle members near Heliord. If the Don isn't back soon… That idiot! He should have just sent a grunt!"

"We have no choice, then." Estelle stood up a ran a hand through her locks. She wasn't going to waste time on a brush when there was so much afoot. "We're following after the Don. We need to get him back as soon as possible!"

Everyone looked at her like she was insane. "That's crazy! We can't just dive into an enemy lair. We have more important things to focus on!"

"I know that!" Estelle covered her mouth surprised by her shout. "Sorry. Look, I know we need to be focused on finding Yuri and stopping the empire, but if the Union goes to war than we may as well lose our only ally. Besides, if Yuri were here we all know he'd never stand for this."

Patty grins. "Aye! I'm all aboard this plan. Besides, ain't Brave Vesperia's motto to do just and punish the unjust?"

Raven shook his head. "This is a terrible idea. For once me and Rita are on the same page." But, Estelle's resolve was steadfast and strong. So they gathered their gear and headed out towards the Manor of the Wicked. Estelle wouldn't stand for more people getting hurt. This wasn't her forgetting her mission and her original reason. This wasn't forcing her friends on a whim. For Estelle, this was about doing what she could to stop further tragedy. A war couldn't break out! She wouldn't let it! More importantly, Estelle was going to rescue Yuri and stop Alexei.

They were injecting Yuri with something thick that he felt crawl through his veins. The grunts picked his slab and put him inside what he now understood was a pressurized aer pocket. He'd been in there a few times today and he was well on his way to passing out from the pain. They kept saying something about a breakthrough. Yuri didn't bother screaming for his throat was so raw he couldn't as the aer tore at him. When the scientist pulled were done he heard a chorus of cheers.

"It's amazing! We'll have to see if it works in the long run, but for now, we know that this will halt any further growth."

"I knew once we had the sample on hand we could crack it within a few weeks."

"Still, I'm worried this won't be effective after a time. It's only been a few days and we're not certain whether it will have adverse health effects."

"All it needs to do is live long enough for us to create an artificial formula for the catalyst. If he does, then great. We can use him and the rest of the other materials for other experiments."

"I am curious what would happen if we crossbred the retrogrades with a purer source."

"What about his little friend that keeps bothering?"

"It doesn't really matter much. It'll be braindead by then. I'll see to that."

A volt goes through Yuri and he's knocked out.

Estelle is a little shocked to hear mention of Judith at the Manor. Even if Judith turned her blade on Estelle she didn't hate the woman. Actually, she respected Judith and hearting the Hunting Blades were after her and with how injured she was… As they passed through the many long halls and corridors to get to the Don they duck in a small room to avoid the eye of a guard. When they finally reached the room where the bellows of the Don ring out.

"I never dreamed you'd try anything this risky." Yeager cackles ducking out of the way of the Don's blade.

The swung again but like usual, Yeager proved as slippery as an eel. "Finally made up my mind that this mudball'd be a much prettier place without you on it."

"The other master guilds surely won't like you ignoring the Union's laws for your personal vendetta." Yeager swung his scythe as the crashed onto the steel of Don's sword.

"And I'll face the consequences." The Don looked to the window and pulled back. "But it's daybreak now. Looks like I've underestimated ya a touch." He grinned with a strange respect for the crook. "I'm outta time. If I don't get myself back ta Dahngrest, those fools're gonna start a war with each other."

"H-heh. I think it's a bit late to prevent that little accident from happening."

"A couple eggs might have ta be broken. But I'm prepared to pay a price."

Estelle watched the color drain from Raven's face. "A price..."

Rita launched five fireballs at the man that he jumped from nimbly. "You've still got us to deal with, Yeager! I'm gonna beat yer ass for all the shit you've pulled."

Yeager tsked. "Well, it looks like the tide's taken a turn, ja indeed. Bye bye!"

"Hey, wait!" Rita shouted as the man dropped a smoke bomb and the sound of a broken window could be heard. The mage ran to window and cursed. "That ass! When I see him next I'm gonna kill him!"

Don turned and looked at them. "Now what's with all of you? Just how'd ya figure comin' down here'd be the smart thing ta do?" His eyes stop and drift toward Patty. "Hmm? Who's this little number?"

Last night Patty had stayed to rest at the inn so he obviously hadn't met her prior. "I'm not little. I'm Patty."

The smile on the man's face curls. "Sorry 'bout that. Patty, was it? Come 'ere and lemme take a closer look at ya." He knelt down stroking his chin curiously. "...This is a surprise. Ya... look exactly like Aifread. Just the spittin' image."

"Huh? So Patty really is Aifread's granddaughter?" Estelle says.

"A granddaughter? Hmm... I'd never heard of Aifread havin' grandchildren."

Karol grins. "So Patty's 'probably' wasn't wrong at all."

"After what happened, I'm sure ya were barred from doin' lots of things for bein' family."

Patty rocked on her heels in that little way of hers and something in the Don's eyes sparked. "I'm following after Aifread for my own reasons. I came here to ask if you might know anything since you used to be friends."

"Hmm, callin' us friends is pretty exaggerated." The Don muses. "Aifread was a free spirit and didn't bother tellin' me about going wherever, whenever. 'Course, that means I got no idea where Aifread's now."

Patty nods. "I see…" She narrows her eyes and cups her chin. "Have we... met somewhere in the past?"

"Eh? With me? No clue." Don said. "Hate ta cut and run, but I'll leave the rest of these thugs ta you." With that, he leaped from the broken window leaving them to fight their way out and run to the chaos of Dahngrest. Of guild men holding hoplon blastia at each other ready to kill one another. It was then Estelle realized Palestralle group was composed of mostly Krytians. Belius's loss wasn't just a crushing blow for the guild but for the group that called that city home… that called it safe.

"So, he made it back in time. Looks like my hunch was right, though..." Raven says his eyes narrowing.

"What do you mean, 'your hunch'?" Estelle says.

"He's been planning for this ta end in his death all along."

"What? Why would he want to do something like that?" Rita exclaimed.

Raven just shook his head. "Belius died because of Harry's rash behavior. She's the Duce of Nordopolica. Ya can't just say, 'Sorry, I got some bad information.' Which means there's gotta be compensation ta make up for losin' Belius."

"So the price Don mentioned back at the Manor of the Wicked was..." Estelle griped her hands in dread. "His own life… Which is why he didn't need to worry about the laws…"

Karol's face twists in agony. "No! He can't do that! It's the empire's fault anyway!"

"There has to be some other way!"

"That's not how they're gonna see it. To them this a war from both the Union and the knights. Both sides are at the breakin' point. This thing could go off at the drop of a hat. And if it starts, it'll mean all-out war between the Union and Palestralle and the Empire."

Patty lowers her head. "There's no time to fix anything. It's the only thing he can do. The Union will be hurt but they'll survive and be able to put their efforts where it's needed."

Karol felt tears prick his eyes as he ran through the crow pushing past people. This can't be happening! The Don can't die! He's the Don! He's Karol's hero! He's supposed to be immortal! Karol keeps pushing through despite the yells and at one point he trips. There in the center, the Don stands sword in hand and a smile on his face.

"Please, you can't die!"

The Don puts a gentle hand on Karol's head. "Hang in there, kid. Yer a boss now, right."

Karol's lips quiver. "But it's like there's nothing I can do on my own..."

"So then ask fer help. That's what friends're for, right?"

"I wasn't able to help when they needed it."

"And ya can't always. But, that's why ya gotta get strong enough ta protect 'em when ya can."

"Don…" It's all he can say to the man who's been his hero for as long as Karol can remember.

"Take good care of them, and they'll be there whenever ya need 'em." Karol is crying. He knows he's crying.

There's a cry as figure burst from the crowd. "I'm coming with you!"

"Like hell you are!" Raven says pulling Harry into a vice grip and tossing him aside. Raven is smiling, but it's a shallow drunk smile. "Well, old man, it's been fun."

"Raven, you better nail Yeager for me. Also, keep that idiot in line."

Raven laughs hollowly. "That's a heavy load for somebody like me. I'm already looking after one brat."

"Yer the only one I can ask."

"...Whitehorse." It shouldn't have turned out like this. The Don should never have needed to do this.

"Lil' miss, ya should go to the underground through the warehouse in the town bar." The Don says calling to Patty. "There's a wall there with Aifread's name on it. If yer Aifread's grandchild, it might be a good idea ta see a bit've Aifread's life and history."

With that, the Don proudly offers his life with the same grin. He demands for a second and nobody steps forth from the crowd. Nobody wants to take the life of a man so great not even the members of Palestralle. A sigh slips from Raven as he starts to inch forward only to find Karol has stepped to the plate.

"Ya sure kid?" Karol nods. There are screams and cries from the crowd.

"Stop, he's just a kid!"

"Someone else get up there!"

"He's just a boy!"

This is Karol's out. All he needs to do is let somebody else come up, but he finds his hands steeling around the blade the Don hands him. He's not afraid to do this and somebody needs to do this. Karol is a guild boss! He's not a little kid! Don Whitehorse is right. If Karol wants to be strong enough to protect the people he cares about then he needs to make the effort. Because this isn't a time where he can rely on someone strong like Yuri to take care of things. He can't always fall to Estelle or Raven… hell, even Rita. Karol needs to build the strength in him.

Starting with this.

"It's too bad I didn't get ta see yer friend again. Was lookin forward to it."

Karol tries to put on a brave face but he's still crying. "I promise I'll send your regards once we rescue him."

"Yer a good kid. Ya'll make a fine boss." The Don looks to the crowd and stands one last time. "Listen up! You all gotta stand on yer own two feet from here on! There's a new age coming, so get out there and make it for yourselves!"

And with that, the metal slinks into his body. Karol will never call this a moment he's proud of. It's a moment of resolve and nothing more. With the loss of the Don is the loss of a dream he once held dear.

Felinis: I'd like to think in a scenario where Yuri has been removed from the plot the characters like Karol would really be able to shine. After all, Karol has the capacity for bravery, it just takes some time for him to get there.