The Group journeyed with Zephyr II through the scorching valleys near the Wall of Fire and Balselph's castle and soon came to the Slavery Settlement of Ulzebek. It was here the Crimson Crows had established their secondary base of operations.
"Okay people, this is it. Ulzebek." Zephyr II said.
"No sign of any Renan Guardsmen." Iron Mask said.
"The Renans aren't as populous as the Dahnans. Probably figure stationing guards in a place like this would be a waste of precious manpower." Zephyr II said.
Magress looked around as he saw some Dahnan refugees have a strange crystal on the back of either their left or right hand.
"Are they the Embedded those soldiers mentioned?" Magress asked himself.
"Seems like it." David said.
"They're almost like exspheres." Emil said.
"Yeah… This is really hitting home for a lot of us here." Genis said.
"All the more reason why we want to take down this Balseph guy. We do that and blow open the gates of fire, we send a message to the other Renan Lords and take a big step to liberate this place." Hope said.
"We do not have enough information on what the other lords are like. For now we focus on Balseph." 2B said.
"We'll worry about them once we cross their territories." David said.
"So yes. Let us focus our efforts on defeating Balseph for now." Leonora said.
"But first, we gotta get you in some new clothes, our masked friend." Vashyron said.
"Do you have something that he could wear by any chance, Sir Zephyr?" Baril asked.
"Go see Tilsa, she'll fit him with something." Zephyr II advised.
And so they did, meeting this Tilsa in one of the huts. She fitted Iron Mask with some new clothes that got him out of his ragged slave gear. He was now wearing a white shirt with various protective blue leather pieces around his chest and waist, brown pants, leather boots, and brown gloves.
"Ta-da! Fits like a dream, doesn't it?" Tilsa asked.
"Yep. Looks really spiffy." Sectonia said.
"Yup, it's a good look on you." Ace said.
"So, you're not interested in new clothes?" Glimmer asked Shionne.
"In case you all need reminding, I'm here because our interests overlapped, nothing more." Shionne replied. "At no point I'd say I've given up being a Renan."
"So you wanna get a new outfit thats in your style. Gotcha. Where do we go to shop for Renan clothes around here?" DW typed.
"I don't think there are any around here." Sheena said. "Renans get a pretty bad rap in these parts, remember?"
"Well there is the dress factory on the Edens Zero." Rebecca suggested.
"We'd have to go all the way back to the Galaxy King to use the factory. And even if we could, don't you think the Renans would find it and put it under surveillance after we escaped from the mines?" Catra asked.
"Catra's got a point. They'll be expecting us to go back there." Zacian said.
"There must be a place here that has Renan equipment then." Glimmer thought.
"You could ask Nayth about it. He knows everything about where things are here in Calaglia." Tilsa recommended.
"That sounds like a very good idea." Kabuki said.
The group took in the sights of the encampment when they met with Nayth.
"A place where you can find Renan equipment, huh?" he asked.
"Yeah, we're looking for gear for Shionne here." Hope said.
"Anywhere with those damn bright eyes is gonna have tight security. Even with a big group like yours, you cant just go carelessly poking. Unless… across the wilderness outside Ulzebek, you'll find the Fagan Ruins. There's some kind of ol' Renan castle out there. Other than being impenetrable, I forgot. But, with a Renan tagging along, who knows? Maybe you can find some way in."
"Well, it's the best chance we got." David said. "You up to this?"
"Let's go. We can't waste time." Shionne said.
And so the group headed to the Fagan Ruins, heading there through the Igila Wastes. They had to fight Zeugles along the way, vicious beasts that called Dahna home.
"Even though they're called Zeugles, they're still the same monsters similar to the ones back on our worlds." Stahn said.
"Yeah. These Zeugles aren't really anything new. Erm, no offense, Zacian." Genis said.
"None taken." Zacian said.
"What's the deal with them anyway?" Eddy asked.
"Ask her. The Renans brought the Zeugels with them when they invaded." Iron Mask pointed to Shionne.
"They're not just from Rena. Each one has been modified to carry out a purpose." Shionne said.
"So they're like… experimental creatures?" Glimmer asked. "Huh."
"That's quite a detail to consider." Zelos said.
"We're here." Sakura said as they found the Fagan Ruins. The inside of them looked high tech as the group looked around.
"Definitely Renan Architecture. I know it when I see it. Looks like this place used to be a supply depot." Shionne said.
"Maybe. This place looks very futuristic. We're bound to find something in here." Fulgore said.
"Feel free to look around to find anything useful. Me, I just want something to wear." Shionne said.
They explored the depot for a bit before finding a large futuristic box with lots of outfits in it.
"Wait…so is that…" Rarity said.
"The former owner's wardrobe." Shionne said.
"Pretty good quality too. You'd think they'd have a few wrinkles or something." Sectonia said.
"They're a bit outdated…but they'll do." Shionne said as she went and changed into one of the outfits. She soon emerged in a noble looking outfit complete with a tiara.
"Whoa, this looks much better on you." Mayumi said.
"Thank you. Now let's head back." Shionne said.
"Yeah, it's best we go back to Zephyr and prepare with him to go after Balseph." Hope said.
"Agreed." Jexi said as they headed back. On the way, they saw smoke rising from a number of towns. "Seems he's going nuts trying to get his core back."
"Yep. We gotta defuse this fast!" David said.
"There's only one way…hang tight, wild beast. We're coming to kick your ass." Natsu said.