(During Issue 7, After Meridian and Earth earthquake)
"Are you sure Ray's going to be alright?" Eric asks as he places cold ice packs to his bruises as he sits beside Ray who now lies and rest to one of the infirmary beds.
After Grantaire stops the growth of the portal, Eric and Nigel help the tired and fainted Ray into one of the improvised infirmaries in the surrounding settlements near the large portal, together with the wounded and the injured rebels. In a large hall, is a set of improvised beds where the injured are treated and are taken care of.
"He will be." Grantaire replies as he wraps bandages on Ray's burnt hands. "Just give him time to rest, to regain his magical mana back. No harm done!" he hisses. "You should thank your friend over here who came along with me, if it wasn't for him, no one can hold the barrier as much as he can!" he proudly points to Nigel.
"Oh right, I forgot to ask." Eric says to Nigel who sits at the other side of the bed. "How did you get here even in your legionate uniform? I never told you to come with us because of your date."
"And it's a good thing I did." Nigel crosses his arms. "After I walked Taranee home, Grantaire met me and asked me about Caleb's favor. I told him that you and Ray were already in Meridian discussing the matter. He was about to leave when I had a suspicions that something was wrong with the both of you, so I decided to wait up on me as I wore my uniform back in my home."
"And so when we entered here through Clearview Crossing, we learned about an upcoming siege to the 'Old Palace' by Phobos' men." Grantaire continues. "So we decided to join Jolras' forces, fought the soldiers off from our rebel bases and met you boys here."
"I'm sorry to what happened to your 'Old Palace'" Eric apologizes. "If we could have been here on time or did the right spell to save the building before it sinks to the portal, we could have saved it by then—"
"Do you think that the 'Old Palace' is just the queen's lodging house?" Grantaire cuts him off with a question.
"What do you mean by that?" Eric replies.
"The 'Old Palace' is not just the rest house itself." Grantaire explains. "What you're standing on, Atlas, is one of the 'Old Palace' settlements."
"So in other words, 'Old Palace' is just another alias to this location and the settlements here?"
"That's right." Grantaire replies. "Look around you, if it weren't for him, the portal could have been a catastrophe, as it will swallow up the surrounding settlements here. We should thank you instead." he explains.
"That reminds me, the reason why I became so doubtful in the first place was because it took your sweet time to answer Caleb's favor." Nigel says. "Why did it take you so long to deliver a single 'yes' to him."
"So it really is true!" Grantaire exclaims energetically. "You agree to help us then."
"I'll explain later about our long journey, but yes, we actually came here because of that." Eric explains.
"Lyndon." A low and grunting voice calls Eric from behind.
"Vathek?" Eric turns around to see a familiar large galhot behind him.
"Excuse me Gjhoel—I mean, Grantaire, but Caleb wants to see him now." Vathek points to Eric.
"He knows we're here?" Eric asks.
"And what you have done to fight for the rebels, to release the captives and to sustain the portal? Yes he has." Vathek explains. "Now if you will please, come follow me right away."
"Don't worry, Atlas" Grantaire says. "I can assist your friend here and if you want, let Nigel go with you in your tired friend's stead."
Eric and Nigel quietly follow Vathek from behind as they travel a series of damp rooms, long and shadowing narrow hallways and winding staircases that reach the upmost floor of the settlement. "Wait here." Vathek says to them as he enters one of the rooms of the tall dwellings.
Nigel sighs heavily. "Should they ever trust a big traitor like him?" he grumbles angrily as he finally let his complaints out.
"Calm down, Nigel. He might hear you." Eric says as he looks out from the window as he gazes the large portal outside. "Besides, it's been a while when he changed sides. From what I heard from the rebels, he evacuated all the poor citizens and rebels out of that fifteen-story rest house just in time before the structure sinks."
"Flames!" Nigel surprisingly says as he sees the portal from above. "Though I've seen the portal from the ground, but never knew this is one heck of a portal! How could anyone built a rest house on top of that?"
"Actually, it was Elyon and that Guardian of Earth who did this when they combined their powers against the soldiers."
"Cornelia? And Elyon? They did this?" Nigel surprisingly asks. "So the Guardians are here?"
"Never seen the rest of them throughout the fight. I bet she came alone."
"I think that seems legit." Nigel thinks.
"What's legit?"
"Before this Meridian and Guardian craze happened to them, Cornelia and Elyon are considered to be best of friends for such a long time." Nigel explains.
"Are you implying that Cornelia is here for Elyon?" Eric asks. "Or was it was miraculous coincidence that they did meet up here."
Then the door behind them creaks opens as Vathek signals them to get in. Eric and Nigel walk into the room as Caleb's sad eyes stares out to the window. Vathek then exits the room and closes the door behind him.
"Please take a seat Atlas and—" Caleb stops as he looks at Nigel.
"Lieutenant, this one of my comrades and another member of the Vangaurd, Nigel Ashcroft." Eric introduces Caleb to Nigel as he removes his hood
"Please to meet you, Lt. Caleb" Nigel says, bows his head slightly to him and then sits down.
"How's your other comrade by the way? And are you treated well here?" Caleb asks.
"Oh we're fine, thank you." Eric replies. "I just placed ice packs on my bruises and bandaged myself while Ray is resting to regain his mana back."
"That's good."
"Can you mind telling me what you called us for? Is it about the favor you asked of us weeks ago?" Eric asks.
"But before that, I want to say my thanks to you, Earth legion, for defending the 'Old Palace'." Caleb says as he sits on broken chair. "If it weren't for you, all of these poor people might be arrested and the portal outside would cause a massive disaster for us."
"Oh! Please don't thank us lieutenant—" Eric stops him.
"I would also like to properly apologize on Vathek's behavior when he tried to invade your world and all the hardships and time and blood you spent for my people. I would now understand if you won't affirm to my past favor." Caleb then bows humbly to them.
"But sir, we are actually here to agree on receiving and training your men on Earth." Eric replies.
"I-Is that so?" Caleb stutters with guilt. "But w-why?"
"We know it's a big risk on our side to let them in, even what causes us to refuse you because of Vathek." Eric explains. "But we would want to continue what General Oswyn has done for this army. But we couldn't resist seeing your people suffering because of Phobos and we gladly wanted to help you and your people. We have the provided spaces for your soldiers back on Earth and we have also the time to train them."
"B-But Atlas" Caleb cries out as he gets off from his chair then bends his knees and bows before them. "I am ashamed of everything that you have said but I am begging you to please consider an alternate request!"
"What alternate request?" Eric asks.
"It's not only the rebels who must not cross to Earth, but all the poor people of Meridian as well!" Caleb pleads. "They need to leave this place and find a home in your world where they will be safe."
"I don't understand, what's going on?" Nigel asks.
"I've been protecting my people since I became one of rebellion leaders here." Caleb explains. "I created this hidden settlement community, the 'Old Palace' to keep ourselves away from Phobos' rule. And now since the soldiers have found this place, anytime soon they will be back again finish us off! I'm not sure if I can keep up to save my people's miserable lives here in Meridian. It's impossible to live in this dark world here anymore."
"But what about Princess Elyon?" Eric asks. "Isn't she the Light of Meridian, the savior of the world? She will take her throne to replace his brother, right?"
"She is and she will be, yet I don't want to risk believing in such prophecies right now." Caleb doubts. "Truly, she is the Light of Meridian, but how can she be the savior and the light to the world if she is a puppet to her own brother when she becomes queen? Even worse, maybe evil as he is? I even don't have the voice to speak out her highness' true identity to the people because of his relationship with his brother. Even my men couldn't believe that she is the Light!"
Caleb kneels bends his body once again as his head reaches to the floor. "I'm running out of options! Please! I beg of you, save my people!"
Eric gazes at him as he feels empathy for Caleb. A proud and dignified lieutenant humbly bows before a young legionate, just for the sake of his people. It's because of his brave gesture that Eric would want to affirm his new request. "I'm sorry, sir, but it's a no." Eric sternly negates.
Nigel and Caleb looks at him with a shock written on their faces. "I-I see." Caleb stutters in disappointment.
"Because you forgot about one thing," Eric approaches him and makes him stand up. "Elyon is not what you think of. As of right now, she is still confused about who she is and we must help her find her a reason for being here."
"What do you mean?" Caleb asks as he crosses his brows. "You met her highness?"
"When we arrived here to search you, we met Elyon as she strolled and observed around the life of Meridian. And did you know what she saw? She saw the sadness and depression around her. She even tried to stop the soldiers who were hurting the civilians, twice in fact. One, from another Phobos' Pillage and recently, here in a rebel base against his own brother."
Eric continues as he places his hand on his shoulder. "In other words, lieutenant, she's beginning to open her eyes to reality. We just need to help her to realize of who she needs to be. The light and savior of Meridian"
"But my people, how can they believe that she is who she is?" Caleb asks. "They might even doubt her. They may even doubt me."
"I don't think so, lieutenant." Eric replies. "These people you saved, they follow what you order and believe what you say because the place they trust in you. To be frank, it seems like you just doubt yourself, sir." He continues as he clears his throat. "Again, I'll be waiting for your soldiers as you send them to Earth. I'm sorry once again for refusing your second offer, because I still hope for Meridian, and I think you should too."
The long silence rules the atmosphere as Eric and Nigel gazes at their humble lieutenant who still arches his head down. 'I didn't say something offensive, right?' Eric thinks. 'If Ray were here, he could've done the talking!'
"If you excuse me," Caleb sternly says as he suddenly breaks the silence. "We will talk about the negotiations later on, so you are no dismissed. I have an appointment to make." He says as he creates a portal on the wall and rushes through it. The portal closes behind him as he leaves the two boys puzzled and confused.
"Darn! I blew it!" Eric panics as he frantically scratches his hair. "I didn't think that he would be so offended!"
"Nah, I think you did well." Nigel refutes as he walks to the door
"What make you so sure about that?" Eric asks and follows him from behind.
"Because I felt something strange around here when I entered this floor." Nigel replies. "Two powerful yet different magical senses near us. Actually they're just two rooms away from here."
"You don't mean Elyon and Cornelia? So you mean Caleb…" Eric thinks.
"I bet he followed your advice after all." Nigel says.
(During Issue 7, Caleb converses to Elyon for the first time)
