Lillian had pushed herself a little too much and ended up needing a few extra days before she was cleared for light duty. When she was, the most she was allowed to do was help with cooking or laundry and other light duties of the sort. When talk came of an expedition being planned to follow Zorah Magdaros' trail, she went to speak with Edgar about going along.

James was returning from overseeing a training session at the arena when he saw Lillian talking to the Commander. Curious, he went over to give his report on the training session and see what they were talking about.

"Ah, James, how was the session?"

"It went well, the hunters have been improving quite a bit." James replied, then looked to Lillian. "How are you feeling, Lily?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"Sorry, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything?"

Edgar shook his head. "Not at all, you actually came in at a good time. Lillian here was asking to join the upcoming expedition."

"But she's not ready!" James said. "You aren't seriously considering letting her go, are you?"

"I've agreed to let her go under the conditions that she leave the fighting to the other hunters on the expedition, at least until she is fully recovered." Edgar replied. "Her keen eye would be an asset to the expedition and you're going with her to help keep an eye on her." He raised a brow. "That won't be an issue, will it?"

James sighed and shook his head. "No, sir. When do we leave?"

"One hour's time. Make your preparations, then meet the hunters at the eastern gate."

"Understood."

Lillian excused herself, going towards the communal living quarters to gather her things. She knew James was worried, and she had only added to it the night she went to the training arena, but she wished he wouldn't be so protective of her. 'He's playing favorites again...'

"Lily?"

Lillian looked up from her equipment chest to see James standing in the doorway. "What is it?"

"Are you sure you're up for this?"

"I wouldn't ask to go if I wasn't."

James felt a bit guilty hearing her tone, knowing that she was a bit upset about his reaction. "Lily..."

"Look, there's still a lot to do before we leave..." She started pulling out a few changes of clothes, extra bandages, anything else she might need.

James sensed she didn't want to talk, so he left things at that and left her alone to make her preparations.

Just as they were all preparing to leave, James waited with the others and wondered what was keeping Lillian. But before he could go looking for her, the Commander came up and pulled him aside.

"Have you thought about what I said the other night?"

James knew what he was referring to and sighed. "I'm still not sure that I have an answer, Grandfather."

"Perhaps you'll find your answer on this expedition."

James made to reply, but Lillian had finally joined them and Edgar stepped back to wish them luck on the expedition. As they started to leave the settlement, Lillian lost her balance a bit and when James tried to help her, she brushed it aside and forced herself forward.

'She's upset...'

Edgar saw this and sighed. 'You have to tell her, lad, before it's too late.'

It didn't take them long to reach the Great Ravine and pick up the trail left behind Zorah Magdaros. They followed it along the fissure and when they had come out on the other side, they had reached the Coral Highlands. James stood with Lillian and looked at the landscape before them.

"Wow..."

James looked down at Lillian and smiled, seeing her reaction. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Lillian nodded, astounded at the sight before her.

James chuckled, then looked over as Sarah excitedly jumped down and waved them over. She and the other hunters started to make their way forward, marvelling at the new environment. He and Lillian started to follow after them, but a sense of danger started to rise. James saw that Lillian had sensed it, too.

"Sarah, be careful." Lillian called.

"I'll be fine! Come on, this way!"

James and Lillian climbed down, but then Lillian looked over the edge and noticed something zip by.

"Lily?"

Lillian looked towards Sarah, whatever creature it was flying passed her and circling around. "Sarah!"

"Lily, wait!" James hurried after Lillian as she ran to where Sarah was. But whatever the creature was popped up in front of them and a gust of wind sent Lillian and Sarah over the edge and down towards the ground. "Lily!" And as quickly as it came, the creature vanished again.

"We have to find them!"

James looked down, his chest tight. "Lily..."

Lillian woke to find herself in a strange place that reminded her of the ships at Astera. She was sore, a few of her injures having reopened from the fall, but overall she was fine. She got up from where she was laying and looked around, seeing Sarah up a few floors above her. She carefully climbed the stairs, finding a wyverian woman in a kimono with her.

"You're awake!" Sarah hugged her. "Are you feeling alright?"

Lillian nodded. "Ya, just a bit sore. Where are we?"

"I don't know, I just woke up myself."

Lillian looked to the wyverian woman. "Thank you for treating our wounds."

"You are welcome. A friend of ours found you napping in the vale and brought you to us. I am Ritsuko, Master of the Third Fleet, and this is our Research Base." Ritsuko leaned forward. "Our fleet consists entirely of scholars. Which fleet are you with?"

"The Fifth, ma'am."

"And how did you get here? What happened in the Great Ravine?"

Lillian explained that they were apart of an expedition trying to pick up the trail of Zorah Magdaros again after having failed to capture it, but when they reached the Coral Highlands they were attacked by a creature and she and Sarah were separated from the rest of the expedition.

"Hmm, I see... Well, I suppose after all this time we may finally get to do what we came here for. I must say that I'm... stimulated." Ritsuko leaned back. "Let's not waste any time. We need to pick up Zorah Magdaros' trail. An expedition into the Coral Highlands might be fruitful, don't you agree?"

Lillian nodded.

"A nice, thorough expedition should reveal the highland's secrets. And you can find the rest of your expedition as well."

"We should hurry, then." Sarah said, looking to Lillian.

"Agreed." Lillian turned to Ritsuko and bowed. "Thank you, again. We will report back to you once we've found something."

"Be careful out there and good luck."