Chapter 6: Severed Bonds
"That Edea...I'm going to get her someday!"
"Calm down, Jean. Agnès did warn us."
"That doesn't excuse her actions!"
Yu sighed at his fellow companions. The city of Guatelatio is still bustling with life, with people rushing to and fro from the Crystal Orthodoxy's main building to the various shops on ground level. Ports loaded traveling ships as they made their daily trips, offering a place for a respite. Earlier that day, just as the three of them were ready to leave the city, Edea called from Yu's communication device.
"Oh, Yu! Thank goodness I finally learned to use this contraption!" The leader of the Orthodox Knights exchanged a pleasant greeting with the abnormally jumpy woman.
"Hello, Edea. Is there anything you need?" Yu asked politely. Behind him, Jean tensed slightly.
"Ah yes, can I speak with Jean for a bit? I just have one small favor to ask him." Her voice leaned on the borderline of teasing, but Yu didn't catch it. Nodding once, he handed the device to Jean.
"Yes, Edea?" To Yu and Nikolah, he whispered, "Give me a minute." He walked away from them until he was sure he was out of earshot. "Edea, I already know what you're going to ask me, and I'm not going to do it." The newly-appointed Grand Marshall pouted as his statement. "Oh, do you? Tell me what I was going to request then." He snarled at her "innocent" tone. "You were going to make us take a worldwide trip around Luxendarc to deliver the wedding invites."
Edea chuckled at his slightly angry scowl. "Oh Jean! You make me laugh!" The fencer was not amused. Eternia's Grand Marshall ceased her laughter, and her aura turned a bit dark and menacing. "Jean, you will deliver them for me. I would myself, but duty calls." He groaned, already tired over their fight. "Edea, I don't have time to take a round trip. Please go ask someone else."
Edea was more determined to get her way, however, and she leaned in closer to the screen. "Oh, but Jean, I recently found something very important..." His ears perked up. She couldn't have possibly learned of his plans, right?
"And if you help me with these deliveries...I will tell you what it is." It only took him a few seconds to find out that he was being bribed. "And if I still refuse?" he inquired. The blue-clad leader chuckled some more. "I know you won't refuse. You're too obvious, Jean."
"She's right. Damn this!"
The fencer resigned to her. "Okay, fine. I'll do it." She jumped in victory, letting out a girlish cheer. "Oh, thank you, Jean! I'll send a messenger with all of the invites right now!"
"You are still telling me what you know," he grumbled.
"Of course, Jean! Well, stay safe and good luck!" And with that, she cut off the device. The defeated wolf walked back to his team; a very sour frown graced his face.
"Oh, Jean, what did Edea want?" Yu asked. Nikolah only stood patiently. Knowing Jean...he probably lost the argument.
"Ah, Edea wants us to deliver the wedding invites...personally."
Nikolah shook his head at Jean, shooting him a silent message that clearly expressed his disappointment. The fencer turned away from the older man, instead choosing to look at Yu's tiny frown.
"S-she can't possibly make us do that!" Yu denied.
"We have no choice. She was informed of...complicated matters," Jean explained to his reluctant leader. Silently gauging the time it will take to complete their journey, Yu let out a tiny hum as he crunched together numbers in his head. "Well...if we can get a nice boat and pack enough supplies, it shouldn't be too bad." He scanned the city, suddenly aware of their missing parcel.
"So...where are the…"
"Ah, there you are!"
Jean and Nikolah both stepped back in shock, while Yu looked over his shoulder to the source of the voice. "W-who is it?" Jean blurted out.
"Why does this sound familiar?" The bishop crossed his arms at his thought.
"Sorry if I'm late! I had to find a bag big enough for all of these invites," clarified Magnolia. She had an average-sized white bag strapped over her white shrug of the military cadet uniform. A chirpy smile lit her face, and Yu couldn't help but return the gesture.
"Oh, Magnolia, are you our messenger?" The delivery girl stretched her left arm out and answered, "Good Gravy! That's right!" Jean almost let out a choked groan that threatened to catch the attention of the two.
"It feels like they're purposely doing this!"
The bishop noticed Jean's slightly appalled glare. He cleared his throat and addressed the former moon resident. "Magnolia, huh...Well, it's nice to see you doing well." The girl in the school uniform lightly giggled, the drooping white petals on her head floating up and down with each giggle. "Yes, it's nice to see you doing well, too, Nikolah. So, everyone, let us head off!" Catching Yu off guard, she grabbed his hand and ran out of the town, leaving Jean and Nikolah in the dust.
"Neh, Nikolah-san. Isn't this sort of coincidental?" questioned an incredulous Jean. The bishop could only shake his head in dismay. "You should seize the opportunity to gain some information then." Jean entered his thinking pose, grumbling intangible words.
"Well...we better catch up to them, then," he finally replied.
Party Chat: Edea's Methods
Yu: "Hey, what exactly is this complicated issue that Edea was informed of?"
Jean: "Ah! It's nothing you need to concern yourself with!"
Yu: "Really? This matter must have been really important if you got persuaded to do her bidding."
Jean: "Yes...she's really persuasive, all right…"
Nikolah: "Frankly speaking, she could be bluffing, and Jean could have fallen into that trap."
Magnolia: "That doesn't sound like Edea though. Sure, her antics are...unorthodox, but she's a very straightforward person. To think she resorted to bribery…"
Nikolah: "Jean is...stubborn, if that's the right word. Maybe her stubbornness overpowered Jean's."
Magnolia and Yu: "That sounds about right."
Jean: "Thanks for the save, Nikolah-san."
…
"We made pretty good progress...I think we covered a good portion of the list today," Yu yawned out. His snug, cozy tent was set up in the deepest part of Junkyou Forest. Jean knew they wouldn't make it to Eternia by nightfall, but they still pressed onwards, and by the time night had settled in, they were too far off the main path to keep going.
Magnolia had already slipped into her dream world, while the knights stared at the oil lamp housing an encased flame within its glass cover.
"Ah...that's good news...I guess." The Zeneolsia heir gave an odd look at Jean. "Is there something on your mind, Jean? You have been...distant lately." He was silent, along with Nikolah. Both knew exposing their suspicions would not mix well with their leader, but when he's so eager to listen…
"Yu...if something precious was taken away from you, would you do anything to get it back?"
The question threw the freelancer off guard. "W-what brought this up, Jean?" Ignoring his shock, Jean pressed forward. "Yu, what would you do?"
Their leader was silent for a moment, but the answer he gave afterwards was absolute.
"I would do anything to get it back, of course."
Satisfied, Jean stated, "Good. That's all I need to know." The frown on Yu's face did not change, however, but he didn't push the subject. "Neh, Jean, it feels like a long time since we fought on the same side. It's giving me nostalgia, even though we're going to be like this for a long time. It's a silly thought, right?" He nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
"No, I don't think so. Even I missed fighting alongside you. Right, Nikolah-san?"
"Yes. It has been too long, Yu."
The three men then sent the night recalling their past missions and battles. Strings of memories flooded the quiet tent, and laughter spiraled into the cold, dark night. It truly bonded the three even more, but unconsciously, the three of them avoided talking about their first mission.
Unbeknownst to the knights, Magnolia softly grinned at their recollections, having pretended to sleep just so she could experience what the Orthodox Knights were like without outside interference.
"They really make a good team..."
The next day…
"Come back here!" thought an irritated Magnolia as she ducked under a branch. The pack of goblins was faster than she originally thought, already a few feet ahead of her. Behind her, she could hear the distressed cries of Yu and Jean.
"Magnolia, slow down!"
"No, I won't! They took the invites!"
"How did that happen?!"
"I have no idea!"
The four of them continued their chase, eventually crossing across an open plain. "I had enough!" Magnolia whined as she nabbed the thief asterisk from her pocket. A sudden bright light- and her military cadet hid the hoodie and purple scarf. A bow was drawn.
"Special move!"
Her bow was aimed to the sky, and a quick charge was initiated. She let the luminous arrow go, and it streaked the sky with a flurry of white light. When it reached the pinnacle of its flight, the arrow split into countless other rays of light, blocking the group of goblins from advancing. A critical hit, her move struck the mob dead on, and soon, all that remained was her white bag, unscathed and spotless.
"Whew, thank goodness…" she sighed as she grabbed her stolen invites.
The rest of the group witnessed her spontaneous attack in disbelief. "M-Magnolia...is that necessary?" Yu stuttered out. The schoolgirl only shrugged.
"Ah...maybe…" she mumbled into her fist. The three men all huffed exasperatedly.
"You know...we left our tent behind...with all our supplies…" Magnolia, Jean, and Nikolah all stared at Yu, who was shifting back and forth bashfully.
"What?!"
…
"Let's take a break. I'm sure everyone's hungry, considering how we haven't stopped yet," Yu suggested. They're currently situated inside the kingdom of Caldisla, standing outside of the inn.
"Yes, we should. I wonder what kind of food they have here...Ah, how about I go reserve a stay in the inn for tonight." Magnolia suggested. The rest of the group nodded in affirmation, with Jean even offering to accompany her.
"Ah, Yu, could you handle the invites of this town with Nikolah? We'll meet up outside of the inn."
"Of course. Your bag, please."
Once the flawless white bag hung loosely on Yu's shoulder, the group parted ways. The door to the homely inn alarmed the bell attached nearby, and Karl glanced at the two from the corner of his eye. Dropping his book onto his desk, he advanced over to his new guests.
"Ah, Magnolia, is it? Welcome to Caldisla. How may I help you?" the innkeeper greeted.
"Karl, how are you? You don't need to be formal with me," corrected Magnolia. The two soon entered a casual discussion about room arrangements, and Jean stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.
"Now that I think about it...I'm not very familiar with Caldisla."
His mind wandered off, and soon, the stone path turned into grass. When he snapped out of his daydreams, he was standing in front of a grave.
"Here lies Til Arrior, beloved brother," Jean read aloud.
"That's right. Tiz's brother was buried here."
The sudden intrusion caught him off guard, and his feet stumbled to regain balance. "Magnolia," he lamely addressed. Magnolia walked almost tentatively over to Jean's side, allowing him to re-enter his thought process.
Once the silence between them numbed their ears, Jean spoke out.
"Did we ever meet before in the past, Magnolia?"
His female companion flickered through a multitude of emotions, rendering her silent. But, as Jean observed her body language, he found her mainly staggering in a failed attempt to regain her posture. To her, the question was so sudden and out of the blue.
"What? Where did this come from?"
In the midst of her confusion, Jean tapped his foot irritably. Snapping out of her dazed state, she answered as honestly as she could.
"I don't believe so. Have we met before?"
She didn't catch his flinch. His teeth grinded against each other and his gloves hid the whitening of the skin underneath. Concerned on his lack of response, Magnolia weakly called out his name. Before she could ask what's wrong, she heard Yu shouting her name from a distance.
"Magnolia! Jean! There you are!" Their leader energetically broke their awkward moment. "The invites have been delivered to their respective recipient. So, should we head over to the inn?" Yu failed to notice his ally's distressed state, and he turned to head towards their temporary lounge. As the others went on ahead, Jean stayed behind and glanced sharply at the grave.
"Ignorance is bliss, isn't it?"
…
After weeks of travel, the list of recipients shrunk considerably. The band of deliverers has arrived at their last region, Harena, but getting there was an adventure none of them wanted to recall. The only thing they would be willing to tell is how...troublesome (for better lack of words) it was.
"Only a few more to go, right?" Yu wiped the sweat off of his forehead. The giant clock piece in the middle of the desert city routinely beat with strong ticks, shaking the core of every outsider who isn't used to the clock's almost dreadful countdown.
"Yes. Let's get these invites to their intended destinations and then get to Istantal by nightfall," urged Nikolah. The group split off, with Magnolia and Yu heading to the prime minister's palace, while Nikolah and Jean went to restock their diminishing rations.
"Did you gather anything useful, Jean?" questioned the bishop.
"No, unfortunately. Magnolia denies the notion of ever meeting us, but she could be lying," relayed Jean. Nikolah crossed his arms, hugging his staff into his chest. "What was her reaction when you asked her?" The question threw Jean slightly off-guard, and he stumbled on the stairway leading down to the magic shop.
"Her reaction? She...she…" He faltered at his response. His mind attempted to bring up her demeanor, but to no avail. Before he could respond, the two missing members of their party are already running back.
"We finished this city in such a short time. Last stop, Istantal!" Magnolia cheered, running towards the desert sand with visible vigor.
"She sure is excited today," noted Yu, who laughed nervously when she dashed past the three knights, essentially leaving them behind. Incredulous at her energy, Jean exasperatedly narrowed his eyes at her retreating form.
"It must have been a handful traveling with her, Yu."
"You could say that…"
…
"Here you go, Norzen-sama. I hope you are able to come." The last white envelope of her equally white bag was exchanged with a sort of renewed, yet gentle jubilation. Receiving the invitation with a joy equivalent to her cheery smile, the astrologer graciously accepted the folded envelope.
Outside, the Orthodox Knights discussed plans for dinner. Right now, it is between the noodle shop and that restaurant they tried after Jean's collapse.
Once Magnolia joined back, all of them simultaneously heaved a sigh of utmost relief.
"We finally finished!" cried out Yu.
"Yes, it does seem like everyone on the list is accounted for. So, Magnolia, where would you like to eat? Jean and Yu can go rent a room in the inn and meet up with us later," Nikolah suggested. When Yu opened his mouth to possibly object, he was met with a subtle, but stern glare from the older man. Resigning, Yu and Jean left the group.
Now turning to the bewildered female, the bishop politely asked, "Shall we get going?"
Party Chat: Spicy Influence
Magnolia: "That was really good! I never had a bowl of noodle that was so spicy before!"
Yu: "I'm impressed, Magnolia. Usually, I sweat at the smallest hint."
Jean: "Is it normal to put that much spicy sauce? I could feel the heat from where I sat. That's definitely not normal."
Magnolia: "Well, Edea might have been part of the reason…"
Jean: "Oh?"
Magnolia: "Yeah. I remembered when she made her stuffed hamburger. It was so spicy, but the taste was amazing! I was so fascinated by the sensation that I went out of my way to try all sort of spicy foods."
Yu: "I definitely remember that...not exactly the best thing I ate…"
Jean: "Yu, you're making a weird face."
Yu: "I am? My bad."
Magnolia: "An ice cream stand! Yu, can I get one?"
Yu: "Coming, coming…"
Nikolah: "That woman's appetite can match the bottomless abyss that is Edea's stomach…"
…
Only one half of the moon is visible. There was little activity on the streets. While everyone slept inside and dreamt of frivolous desires, a lone person standing outside of the borders of the city exchanged glances between the moon and the hourglass in her hand.
"What's happening? I don't know why these things are occurring…"
Magnolia observed the blue sands in her hourglass trickled down slowly. The collapses of Jean and Yu were no mere accidents. Not anymore. Somewhere...somewhere, there has to be an explanation for their sudden blackouts.
"Why…"
"Why indeed, Magnolia Arch."
The acute tone threw her off-guard, and she turned around, her eyes taking in the form of Jean Engarde.
"J-Jean? Why are you up so late?" Her question made him scoff. "I could ask you the same question," he replied. Magnolia switched her attention back to the object in her hand.
"I couldn't sleep. I was trying to figure out some things."
The fencer crept closer to her.
"Forgive me…"
He drew his sword.
The sound of unsheathing metal broke Magnolia's trance-like state. This time, she was truly shocked as Jean pointed his blade to her.
"This charade is over."
"Jean, what...why are you…?" The clueless freelancer continued to stare at the polished blade, not knowing how to react, let alone get him to lower his sword. Jean heaved a heavy sigh, one of frustration and disappointment.
"Tell me, Magnolia. What is your purpose now? Why have you remained here, in Luxendarc, when you should have gone back home?"
She didn't answer.
Irritated by her silence, he swung his rapier, demanding her attention. Magnolia remained unfazed, and she continued to avoid eye contact.
"I can't tell you that," she finally responded.
Gritting his teeth, Jean refused to sheath his sword. "Oh really? Then answer me this. When did you first come to Luxendarc?"
This time, her answer came without prompting.
"I first landed in Luxendarc near Eternia. My spacecraft crashed next to a cabin, and that's where I met Yu."
She sounded sincere, but yet...
"Lies…" he somberly muttered.
"Jean, what's with these questions...I don't-"
"Lies!"
Finally succumbing to his emotions, Jean lashed at Magnolia. Thanks to her reflexes, Magnolia was able to avoid taking massive damage from his swipe, but the blade nicked a portion of her sleeve.
"Jean, stop! Why are you acting like this? What did I do to you?"
He hesitated at her last question. By now, her spear had been equipped, and her stance had turned defensive.
Neither side looked ready to yield, but before Jean could move to land the starting blow, one voice broke the atmosphere.
"Jean, there you are! I was looking for you. Apparently Edea wanted you to..." Yu chose this time to notice his two closest comrades ready to engage in combat.
"Wait, Jean, Magnolia, why are you two-" he was cut off by Jean's offhand comment. "None of your business, Yu. Stay out of this." His dismissive tone elicited a narrow frown from Yu. He ran in front of Magnolia and drew his own rapier.
"Please stop. I don't want to see the two of you fight!"
Jean cursed the conditions presented before him. He thought that he would have this interrogation with Magnolia alone. Just get the answers (even if he had to use force), and clear up the situation. But now…
Falling into his wolf stance, Jean growled out, "If you're not willing to move, I will fight you instead." Apparently, Yu had the same idea, for he positioned himself into his normal fighting stance. "I won't let you hurt Magnolia. Not until I know the reason. And since you are unwilling to share...we can do this like before!" The two men charged, metal clashing against metal.
A parry. A thrust to the side. The clashing of steel. Magnolia stared on as the two men continued to battle, each pouring their convictions out only to have them sliced apart. She stood paralyzed, unable to move her legs and interfere with their fight. Her mind cursed at her immovability.
"Tell me. Why do you insist on protecting her?" Jean shouted over the clash of their weapons. Yu could only mash his teeth together. Jean continued his barrage of questions.
"Don't you know what she had done to you? To me and Nikolah, and to a dozen more people?"
Hesitation followed confusion. Yu's stance faltered, and the fencer took this chance to thrust his sword to an exposed part of Yu's chest. The attack was blocked, and both men glared with ferocity unseen before.
"I don't! How am I supposed to know when you won't tell me?!"
They both jumped back. Slightly panting, Jean and Yu wasted precious seconds regaining their breath. And then, supposedly from the confusion and pressure, Yu suddenly blurted out at the top of his lungs,
"I love her!"
The phrase impacted Jean and Magnolia more than the men's fight, for Jean had staggered back at his declaration, and Magnolia was blown away, her mouth opened wide.
"She makes me feel extremely happy. When things were rough, she was there to support me. We have gone through so many things..." Yu adjusted back into his stance. "And I will make sure I don't lose her. Ever." With that, Yu engaged Jean into combat again.
As their fight raged on, Magnolia mulled over Yu's words. It was the first time Yu had purposely spoke of his feelings with another witness. She couldn't imagine what Yu could be thinking right now. The sting of doubt, betrayal, overwhelming confusion. How much longer will she stand and watch her friends tear each other apart?
No, she's the reason for this, and she won't forgive herself if it goes on much longer.
When Jean landed a critical hit, causing Yu to fall to his knees, Magnolia had to move. Now. As Jean readied the blow to end the match, Magnolia impulsively ran in between of the two men. The horror on her lover's face was painful to see, and she instinctively closed her eyes at the sight.
It was too late for Jean to cancel his attack.
And the only thing all three of them could hear was the sound of metal slicing flesh.
"Ahhh!"
She collapsed. His attack had successfully opened a clean gash in her back from her left hip up to her right shoulder, barely missing her neck. Blood dripped down the jagged cut, staining her purple dress to the color of the night sky. When she had the strength to open her eyes, her eyes spotted white petals on the desert sand, sliced in the same way her back was. At the sight of the wilting flower petals, tears began to cloud her vision. She wept, and as Yu tended to her injury, Jean could only look away.
She was not crying in pain. Rather, the gnawing, crushing epiphany swirling around her clouded mind was to be the reason.
For Jean had destroyed the magnolia Yu had given her.