felinis: it has been a very long time... I am sorry. it's admittedly a very nothing chapter. I'm sorry
The Elder's house is finally on their agenda as they set on over with the intent of finally learning some semblance of this world's past history with the blastia and the aer. They listen silently as Judith strings the tale from the mural of aer and Armageddon. Of a calamity that almost ate the earth and of the Children of the Full Moon fading with the world's prayers.
Estelle is firm and cold as they leave with a small thank you and Yuri can only hope she hasn't gotten any dumb ideas.
"If that legend's true, then maybe the power of the Child of the Full Moon isn't the only thing to blame for bringing up the Adephagos," Yuri suggests once they make their way back to the inn with the intent on packing and setting after Alexei.
"But what about the 'hearing the world's prayers, life faded from the Children of the Full Moon' part?" Raven huffs and leans against the wall appearing to pick at the dirt under his fingernails.
"Maybe they averted danger by killing the cause of the Adephagos, the Children of the Full Moon," Judith says and despite her calm tone she clearly is also unsettled by the idea.
Karol swallows as he shoves the gels they bought in their bag, "B-but, wait, aren't the Hermes blastia the real cause? Can't we just stop those?"
It's Flynn's turn to be frustrated as he taps his foot on the ground. "It might not be just the Hermes blastia. That legend made it sound like all blastia disturb the world's aer."
Rita stops from her pacing to give him a gruff acknowledgment. "The elder said that blastia are blastia. There are no normal ones or special ones. I think that means the only thing that's different is how much aer each formula uses."
Yuri glides over the bodhi blastia on his wrists, he misses his bracelet. "Even the blastia we're using?"
"Bodhi blastia are special, but all blastia utilize aer in a formula. They're all the same. And formulas need aer to work." Rita's been writing in the margins of her book nonstop since getting back with Judith. "The Hermes technique, the Children of the Full Moon... They're probably only part of the danger. With more and more blastia, the Adephagos will awaken. This is what the Entelexeia are afraid of."
"So does that mean we have to stop every blastia? Like the people here in Myorzo did?" Karol says and weight of the matter continues to fester.
Ever the optimist Patty clasps her hands tosses a change of clothes into a bag. "Well then, we just have to get rid of all the blastia. Ships have oars for a reason!"
"That's impossible. We need blastia for our everyday lives." Raven interjects and Flynn follows right after.
"Barrier blastia, aque blastia, bodhi blastia, too. Not to mention most modern medicinal procedures and other miscellaneous subjects too numerous to list."
Judith lets out another sigh to add to the already impressive collection building up in the room and flops on the bed. "I wish we could use blastia without worrying about consuming aer... But I guess that's just a dream."
Rita stops and shuts the book. "The Rizomata Formula..."
"What's that?" Yuri says and watches Rita's eyes narrow as the clear sign of her gears turning and her genius raging burns.
"All things exist due to the sublimation, reduction, formation, and dispersion of aer. Some think that a still undiscovered theory could freely manipulate those essential mechanisms of aer. Formulating that theory is the ultimate goal of current magical research by mages around the world. If it's found, manipulating aer will become so much easier."
She pauses and looks between Yuri and Estelle. "Estelle is the closest thing to the Rizomata Formula. If we can use a formula to interfere with and neutralize Estelle's power..." Her voice trails as she starts to mumble. "And then yes… that would fix it possibly."
It's a pipe dream that Yuri doesn't quite get but understands that if they can figure this out they can save Estelle and she can live a normal life like she's supposed to. They could cut off the head of madness by destroying Alexei and his Hermes blastia producers and figuring out this formula. But somehow that in all of this seems way too easy after so much hell- his own problem aside because that's a whole other can of worms he doesn't want to touch at the moment.
Estelle finally dips a little and brushes back a lock of hair. "I-I'm going to get some fresh air. I'll be back in a bit."
Raven follows out shortly afterward claiming he's tired and there's a look in his eyes that speaks that in volumes. Yuri too eventually gets tired of not being much use and decides a stroll is in order it's around then his feet wander to a patch of greenery among the stone structures and he spots Raven fiddling with some metal object as he leans against a tree.
They don't acknowledge each other and it's only after a time Raven even glances his way. "Hanna Jaqueline Quinn. That was her full name."
"She was the second in command at Mt. Temza before it went belly up in the war. Honestly, liked her but never understood her. Tried flirting with her once and well… decided she wasn't my type shortly after actually getting to know her." He stops and Yuri waits. "You don't look like her. I mean it, ya don't. You got her eyes and a bit of the cheekbones but for the most part, you got yer dad's features."
"She liked quiet places… but always said they needed a degree of being loud. Took me forever to figure out what she meant by that. She really liked the mountains and the desert. Just running around in them…" Raven stops and his brow furrows. "Bet, that's why she found 'im first."
Yuri leans back till he's staring straight up and tries to take a better look at the memento in his hand. "That old soul who knew her barely got a proper year with her… Frankly, I hate yer dad and Damuron hated yer dad. He just stared at ya like some puppy-eyed kid all the time. Always appeared and disappeared on a whim too. Just some sleaze who smiled all the time and never thought anything of what he did. And he could have left her… But that's the past."
"You've been so tight-lipped up till now. What changed old man?" The locket is tucked back away, and Raven stands up with a light groan as he stretches himself out.
"Tales don't mean much to a dead man." There's a final wave as he finishes walking off and Yuri heads back to the inn. The plan had been to take off after Alexei by that afternoon and this was not gonna be up for debate but upon entering the first question asked was 'where is Estelle?'
The next moment they were on a mad dash to the ship fearing the worst. All they have a faint sign saying they'll be on Hypionia
Estelle's hands hurt from the position she was in, but she kept quiet despite herself. "See princess, I ain't got much worth living for. And I'm not stupid enough to think you guys will just stumble onto a few miracles and fix everything. A bloodied hand will get the job done quicker."
There's little time to scream betrayal as they quickly find themselves in the path of Heracles desperately dodging cannon fire. It's then they spot it, another Entelexeia desperately dodging more cannon fodder than they are that Judith recognizes after a bit as Astal.
They watch as the beast weaves through the sky before diving into the temple.
"Let's land over there and see about making our way in. Five gald says that Alexei and his group are already running in." Yuri says as Judith starts giving Ba'ul some commands.
"What about Estelle?" Rita shouts as the boat makes a rough landing onto the ground below before taking off again with Ba'ul for safety.
"If my hunch is right Raven probably already handed her over on a silver platter." Yuri hisses and their legs burn as they try to reach the shrine as soon as possible. Better to cut off the head as soon as they can. And there she is when they finally stand at the entrance of the shrine and by his side hovering above is Estelle screaming to be let go and pounding on the surface.
The commandant turns with that cold smile that quickly turns into a deep scowl. "How annoying and yet fortuitous. I was worried I'd have to go hunting for you again Yuri Lowell but thankfully you are disgustingly persistent."
Yuri readied his stance sword strapped tightly at his wrist for balance. "Yeah well, I'm not going back in that cage."
Karol took a step forward raising his hammer up high, "Yeah, and Estelle is coming with us."
"Commandant Alexei I will not stand for your crimes any longer! This unforgivable what you are doing," Flynn hissed pointing the sword and Alexei looked particularly amused by the sight of him.
"Looks like you actually survived the exposure congrats Scifo you're quite the lucky fool." With that, they set to charge too late to hear Estelle's warning as electricity crackled through the air and a whip of energy pulled from the sphere knocking them to the ground while Estelle writhed in torment.
Through all the pain Yuri keeps conscious just long enough for Alexei to tell them that the attack drains Estelle's lifeforce as an incentive to stay tight. "I want the mutt alive, anyone else is disposable." As Alexei descends into the temple a group of knights surrounds themselves around them with everyone struggling to keep steady on their feet.
A silent nod passes between everyone as they bring their weapons up and begin the fray struggling but still managing to slice through the enemy in decent time. They do collapse and dig through their supplies for gels as they ready themselves for the next leg. It's about then that familiar blue uniforms and a call of recognition reach their ears.
"Captain? Are you all right, Captain?!" A sudden rush as Sodia runs to Flynn's side pulling him into a hug. "Alexei claimed you turned traitor and ran but if you're here it must be to stop him." As she pulled away her joy faded as she stared at the scales that were coating Flynn's face in blotches, "Captain… What- what happened to your-" Her eyes turned to Yuri, "What's wrong with him?"
"It's a bit of a long story Sodia. Why are you here?" Flynn coughs straightening himself out but it doesn't do much. Flynn doesn't have his armor and is just wearing some loose secondhand clothing they found in Myorzo that was even slightly fitting.
"Right now, the Flynn brigade and a portion of the remaining forces are the only ones left siding with his highness. We need you to return to the forces. The Knights need their captain. After you return I'm sure we can sort out whatever is going on with your… skin and you can explain the full extent of Alexei's damage- and-."
Flynn holds up a hand and walks past her. "As a knight, that's what I should be doing. I know that... all too well. But right now, I'm not a knight. Right now, I'm a friend who needs to save another friend's life." With that, he walks ahead ignoring her please, and Sodia is left to stare through Yuri as she takes in the full sight of his monstrosity.
"You…" Her eyes widen and Yuri realizes that she didn't actually recognize him. "You… You know, I'd heard that the Captain had taken a prisoner with him when he escaped of considerable value but you- You're just a monster! A criminal and a beast."
"Yeah, I am." Yuri spits.
"Our Captain is the ideal to which we all aspire. He's the epitome of an Imperial Knight. How can the Captain possibly consider someone like you his friend?!" Yuri looks at her clenched fists.
"Hey, what bothers you more- the fact that I'm a criminal who took your captain. Or the fact that I'm a monster."
Sodia doesn't hesitate. "I've known Flynn for a long time and whenever you came up- whenever- For some reason when he's with you, he is not himself. Just like this last time... Listen well, Yuri Lowell. Your very existence is hurting our Captain. Stay away from him! You are poisoning our Captain with every part of your being."
"You don't have to tell me that fact," Yuri huffs and steps forward. "I've lived my whole life knowing that, but cutting that tie is something Flynn has to choose. Come on we have shit to do."