For several minutes, all they could see was white. Then the Synard burst out of the clouds and roared across blue open sky. From his vantage point, he could see Fun City, Armlock, Giveaway…almost all of the cities on this artificial world could be seen from this height. He remembered the past few weeks, visiting the various places, discovering new caverns, meeting new "I still think we could've taken his on" adventures. He knew that they had a job to "We're almost out of supplies at is" would achieve it.
It was becoming too hard to think, so Claude joined the conversation. He turned to Chisato. "We have four blueberries, one blackberry and no supplemental other supplies. We need to go to central city, take a break, and then go kick Indalacios ass. Okay?"
Chisato looked unfazed and irritated. "We lost a day just by coming down that tower. We'll lose a night by resting. And we'll lose another day by going back up. For all we know, he's invoking the crest of annihilation as we speak. Supplies or not, we had to try. At least to save some time."
Ashton spoke up. "I'd rather not die, thank you. Claude's right, we stand no chance against Indalacio without supplies. We're this world, and countless other worlds, last hope. We can spare a day."
Chisato just slunked and lay down on the back of the beast. Claude turned his head back to the Synard and yelled, "Central City!" The wings soared outwards from hover to speed, and they shot across the sky like a bullet. The feeling, the rush, it never got old. Not for Claude.
The Synard slowed down as the buildings came into view, and touched down a slight distance from them. They hopped off of her back, and she bounded off after a rabbit. Claude wasn't worried, he knew she'd be back, and he knew she could defend herself if necessary. He chuckled at the thought of some gorilla taking on that huge beast. That would be the shortest fight ever. He ran to catch up with Rena as they walked into the huge courtyard.
Rena spoke first. "All right, it's too late to try and go back to the tower today. Let's split up so we can get supplies faster. Ashton, you and Chisato should go gather berries, resurrection bottles, all of the essentials. Claude and I will go look for raw materials for foods, paintings, and etcetera. Let's meet at the inn when we're finished. Everyone agree?"
They all nodded, and Chisato pulled Ashton down the square, jabbering a mile a minute about random things. Ashton looked pleadingly at Claude, but all he could do was shrug. Such an odd couple, those too…chatty and quiet. At least they both fight well. He shrugged again and just was happy that he got to spend time alone with Rena for a change.
Claude and Rena walked steadily around the plaza, picking up artist's supplies, unprepared foods, metals; things they could refine in the towers should worse come to worse. The wisemen's guardians no longer scratched them, so they wouldn't need to use many supplies on the way up.
Claude was pulling out some money to pay for machine packs when Rena walked up next to him, leaning against him. "Claude, we should see if Chisato is in her office. Maybe she's working and not picking up our supplies." Claude just rolled his eyes and agreed.
Claude walked after her, bags in hand. They'd been successful in collecting supplies, and they'd meet up with the other two later, assuming Chisato wasn't where they hope she wasn't. They really needed those supplies. They sifted around the crowds of the large city before entering the City Office.
Rena skipped through the doors, oblivious to just about anything. Claude almost followed her lead until something caught his eye. In the corner, a young looking girl was sitting against a support pole, resting. Claude recognized her vaguely.
"Rena," he called to her. She stopped and walked back to him. "Do you recognize that girl? I've seen her before, somewhere."
Rena peered at the girl, then her eyes widened. "I do remember her…from Clik. That's Filia! But how did-"
The girl stood at the sound of her name. She slowly got to her feet and walked towards them. "The heroes, I take it. I trust…you remember me?" She then grabbed on to the support, nearly collapsing.
"Filia, you're hurt!" Claude yelled. Rena began chanting something.
"NO!" Filia yelled. She took a coin out of her pocket and threw it at Rena, hitting her on the head and effectively breaking her concentration. "Please, don't help me…"
Claude and Rena looked at her curiously.
"Actually…you can help me. There is a way."
"How?" Claude asked.
"Kill…me."
Rena gasped; Claude took his hand away from his sword. "What the hell for?"
"Please…there's no time. I talked to Narl…he'll tell you…he'll be awake soon…"
"Please," Rena yelled, "Tell us why!"
"Indal…father…I am a limiter, he will use me when he awakens his true power…please, destroy me! If you want to save the world and your own small lives, defeat me!"
Claude and Rena looked at each other for a moment, and then sighed in unison. Claude walked to her, unsheathing the weapon that'd been forged for him, glowing bright blue. "Bow…your head." She complied, and he raised his sword about his head. Forgive me, Tr-
Before he finished his thought, a bright white shot out from Filia, knocking Claude back against Rena. Filia didn't flinch, she only looked sad. From her, a shadow grew outwards…the shadow in the shape of the last Wiseman. Rena shuddered.
The white light diminished, and not to their surprise, Filia wasn't there. They looked around in hopes they might see her, but there wasn't a trace. Filia was gone.
~