The flight seemed to take forever. With the wind blowing her hair in her face, Elaine had to tie hers back in a ponytail to keep it from bothering her too much. No word was said and apart from the plane engines, and winds, there was no sound to break that silence. Even Johanna was sleeping peacefully against Descole.

The winds began to get colder, signalling they were close to or at least at the edges of Russia. It wouldn't be too long until they reached the cave again. She was sure that the Professor, Emmy, Luke and Aurora were on their way. They would probably take the Bostonius and seeing how Emmy at least knew how to fly, there shouldn't be much difficulty for them to follow.

Elaine felt Descole pull her closer and wrap some of his cloak around her shoulders. Glancing down, she saw some of his cloak was already around Johanna.

"Thought you could at least be a warm enough by the time we get there," Descole mumbled.

"… Merci," Elaine mumbled back.

"Still angry with me?"

"As if you care, right now."

"I'm not incapable of doing that."

"Well some of the peace we've built up 'as been slightly damaged now."

"And we'll rebuild it like we always do," said Descole point blank.

"Not really the best thing to say right now."

"Master, we're almost there," Raymond announced.

"Good then. Soon, this will be over."

The rest of the flight still felt a bit strained, but there was at least some peace in the plane. Though, if it wasn't for the possibility that the others would be using it to follow them, Elaine did wish they could have taken the Bostonius. At least there she could have found something to distract her mind. A distraction was something she needed desperately.

They arrived outside Froenburg, though in the spot they landed in they were only a five minute walk from the cave. Elaine nearly shivered as Descole helped her out of the plane. She had forgotten how cold it was here. How the memory slipped her mind so easily, she couldn't say. Then again, their time spent here last time was inside a cave so that might have had some effect on her memory of the temperature here.

Descole also apparently had a spare sword since Descole took one out from under the seat and sheath it.

"Be sure to keep Johanna safe," Descole told Raymond after making sure said girl was safe in the back.

"I sure you, if need be, I'll protect her."

"Thank you." Descole turned on his heel and gripped Elaine's wrist and started to walk. But a yawn was then heard and Descole froze.

"P-papa?" Elaine could see him swallow and then looked back to the plane. A slightly dazed Johanna was sitting up, looking at the pair of them in confussion.

"E-Elaine? Where's papa? Who's that?" Desmond released Elaine's wrist and removed his hat and mask (though his movements showed the reluctance), before looking back to Johanna.

"Papa? Why are you dressed like that?" Johanna asked in confussion. "Are you pretending to be Jaques Descole?"

"N-not exactly, honey bunch." Descole cleared his throat. "I… Elaine and I have something to do."

"Where are the others?"

"They… Couldn't come with us." Johanna frowned at that answer, a light fear taking her eyes.

"They… Those bad people have them! Don't they? I said going there was bad!"

"Johanna, Johanna," Descole tried to calm her down. "They're fine, I promise. They just… Had to take a different route is all."

"So… they're not dead?"

"Of course not," Descole assured her. "Now look. Elaine and I have to do some things. I'm not entirely sure how long we'll be, but I want you to stay with Raymond and do as he says. Alright?" Johanna looked a little unsure at first. After staying quiet for a moment, she asked,

"You'll be coming back, the both of you, won't you?"

"I plan on it."

"And, you'll try to keep him safe?" Johanna asked Elaine.

"… I'll try," Elaine murmured. Johanna thought this over and glanced down.

"Just… Just don't get hurt papa. I don't want to see you bleed again." Elaine looked away. She had forgotten that Johanna saw her father got shot when Targent kidnapped her. It must have traumatised the poor girl.

"I can't promise that, but I'll be back," Descole murmured before he gave her a tight hug.

"I love you, papa."

"I love you too, sweetheart." Giving one final kiss on her forehead, Descole turned back and placed his mask and hat back on before taking Elaine's wrist with less force this time, and began making their way towards the cave.

The cave felt warmer than it was previous. As though a fire were heated in sign, though there was certainly no sign of one. Arriving in the chamber where they had first found Aurora, they saw that the rest of the ice had melted as though non-existent.

"It warmer. Must some way of greeting from the Azrans to the victors who solved their riddles up to now," Descole mused as they walked on.

"Such a shame the rest couldn't be 'ere," Elaine commented dryly. Descole didn't respond to that remark. They just walked through the newly created tunnel until they found a new chamber. It was smaller, but there was a stone door with writing on it. Perfect to use the stone key on.

"Here it is," Descole murmured. "The door to the greatest Azran prize."

"Do I even get to know what you intend to do with said prize?"

"When we get there, I assure you that your curiosity will be satisfied," Descole told Elaine. "Now, let us-."

"Stop right there, Descole!" Elaine nearly smiled when she heard the Professor's voice. Descole scowled at bit as he turned them to face the Professor, Emmy, Luke and Aurora. Perhaps there was still hope to end all of this.

"No. The final Azran puzzle is mine to solve, and mine alone."

"No! You can't! Aurora begged. "You mustn't!"

"Stay where you are, all of you!"

Brightened hopes just seemed dashed when Bronev and a handful of soldiers entered the chamber. Bronev was smirking. Pleased by their annoyed or shocked reactions.

"I will take it from here, ladies and gentlemen. Hand over the key," Bronev ordered, guns from the soldiers raised. Mostly towards Descole and Elaine.

"Pfah!" Descole took the key that was still in Elaine's slightly shaking grip and through it to Bronev before stepping down from the door, Elaine following after.

"Heh heh heh. That's it."

"Stop!" Aurora told them. "You mustn't go any further! The power of the Azran… It isn't what you think. It could destroy the world!"

"Listen to the girl!" Elaine knew they wouldn't. But trying to use reason was all they could do now.

"Why tell us this now? Are you not the Azran emissary?" Bronev asked sardonically. "It is your sacred duty to help us unlock their legacy." Aurora looked defeated, and held her head down.

"Give it back!" Luke glared at Bronev. "That's our key! We collected all the parts!"

"My dear boy, you only collected them because I allowed you to do so."

"Bronev, wait. Listen to me." Maybe the Professor could make Bronev see reason. "The Azran legacy is not the great gift we imagined."

"Nonsense!" Bronev waved it off. Elaine scowled. There had to be something they could do. Anything. Elaine glanced around before noticing the seal beneath their feet. It looked… It looked like the one in the Azran chamber in Hoogland. The one that…

The Professor appeared to have noticed it as well. Just before the guns of the soldiers began to react to the magnetic force and pull upwards towards the ceiling, trapped by the seal on the ceiling.

"What nonsense is this?" It was certainly pleasing to see Bronev look baffled. The man's self-assurance would be something that could compete with Descole's.

"Now, Luke!"

Luke dashed from the Professor's side during the brief confusion. He reached Bronev and snatched the key from Bronev's hold and quickly threw it to the Professor who caught it.

"But how?"

"It's quite simple really," Elaine said with a smug smile. "The Azrans don't want weapons in their sanctuary, and nobody is above their rules."

"We've turned the tables on you, Bronev!" Luke wasn't hiding his proud smile. But, Bronev began to lose his baffled look. He gave a knowing smirk as he folded his arms, chuckling at some hidden joke.

"Have you?"

What happened next was something no one could forget too easily. A betrayal by someone so trusted. She grabbed a sharpened icicle, followed by Luke and stepped back from the group with the icicle to Luke's throat.

"Professor! Hand over the key stone!" Emmy ordered.

How could this happen? Emmy was a friend? Wasn't she? She had laughed with them, smiled with them. They enjoyed the trip and adventure together up to now. What had changed?

"Emmy?! What's going on?!" Professor Layton had a mix of emotions on his face. If Elaine had to guess, there was fear for Luke's safety, confusion about everything, and hurt. Just plain hurt.

"Stop it, Emmy! This isn't funny!" Emmy just narrowed her eyes at them all.

"No, it's not," she said in a deathly calm voice. "I'm deadly serious."

"Emmy, do you mean to say…" The Professor couldn't seem able to finish his words, but Emmy certainly had no troubles doing so.

"That's right. I work for Targent. All the time I was working as your assistant, I was watching you. My instructions were to report all your findings relating to the Azran."

"It can't be!" Luke looked just as disbelieving as the rest of them. "Say it's not true, Emmy!" Emmy just held the icicle closer to his neck.

"The key! Hand it over!"

"Emmy… Why? Why are you doing this?" The Professor demanded. "You know what's at stake. If the Azran legacy is awakened, a terrible fate will befall the world!"

"Think about it, Emmy! You can't do this! Please don't!" Emmy however just gritted her teeth. Whatever she was feeling, she might have been fighting against it as she snapped,

"Everything I've done has been for Uncle Leon. Uncle Leon is all I have in this world!"

Elaine didn't want to say it, but… She actually felt sympathy for Emmy right now. Despite her actions, she was definitely different from the rest of the soldiers here. She wasn't just some blind follower to some who held the most power in the group. She did so out of a genuine loyalty. To someone who may very well have been all she had before meeting the Professor. If related by blood, he was her only living family by blood. If 'uncle' was just a term of endearment, then the only persona entirely.

But that didn't excuse Emmy using Luke like this. Elaine could never allow any action to justify harming or even threatening to harm children.

Elaine clenched her teeth. She might be taking a risk, but for Luke's sake, it would be worth it. She quickly snatched the key from the Professor, muttering,

"Desole, but I'll 'and it over to 'er." The Professor didn't bother arguing. By the look on his face, he was likely going to do it anyway. That at least one trouble for Elaine. Now the next.

Elaine slowly walked towards Emmy, hands raised as she held onto the key by its head. Emmy kept a steady eye on her. Elaine kept calm though. She just had to wait for the moment and then she'd take it.

In front of her now, Elaine glared as she lowered her arms, appearing to hand the key over. Emmy didn't show any particular expression as she slowly lowered the icicle from Luke's neck.

Lower… Lower… Lower…

Perfect.

Elaine's glare sharpened before she swung the key to knock the icicle out of Emmy's hand before trying to deliver a kick towards her chest. While the brunette had been briefly stunned by Elaine's new use for the Azran key, she was quickly enough to dodged Elaine's kick and tried to return one before Elaine dodged to the side herself.

"We did say we'd have a match at one point," Emmy muttered, tightening her hold on Luke.

"Such a shame it won't be as friendly." Elaine ran foreword. Emmy already moved to the side and move a kick towards her head before Elaine caught her ankle, and kicked her away in the side.

"I was 'Elaine the Pain' on my college kick-boxing team," Elaine scoffed. Flicking a loose piece of hair from her face. "You're going to 'ave to do better than that, little girl. If it makes you feel any better, I'll try not to kick any teeth out."

Emmy had quickly steadied herself and ran towards Elaine. While Elaine had dodged a kick to her side, Emmy used that opportunity to trip her onto her back. Elaine winced at the pain in her head from hitting the hard surface before Emmy began to press her foot down on Elaine's throat.

"Just hand over the key, Elaine. And no one gets hurt." Elaine narrowed her eyes up towards Emmy, trying to ignore the pain on her bare throat.

"I think you'll find Emmy, I tend to be very stubborn," Elaine replied, gripping Emmy's ankle. "This is no acception." Elaine managed to force Emmy's foot off her throat, briefly wincing as the sole of her boot lightly scraped against her throat before using the stone key to hit away Emmy's hand when she tried to punch the Frenchwoman.

'At least the key can make a substitute mace,' Elaine thought before managing to kick move out of another kick directed by Emmy, and kicked her side. Elaine briefly cringed when Emmy winced. But this had to be done. Emmy made her choice, and Elaine couldn't just let her or Bronev get away with any of this, or possibly end the world.

Emmy was holding her own. Maybe Elaine wasn't as incredibly strong as Emmy, but at least she was able to fight her. Even if it hurt getting kicked in the chest by her. But Elaine was still able to avoid the punches at least, and return a few kicks and punches of her own. It was a little difficult since she was holding Luke, but that-

Bang!

"Ah!"

"Elaine!"

Elaine stumbled back as she grabbed her arm, falling onto the ground. Dropping the key stone from the shock of pain.

She tried to make sense of what just happened. There was a bang. Someone yelled her name. She looked at the main focuses of interest.

Her left arm, bleeding a little below her shoulder, staining her shirt and skin. It bled from two sides so at least the bullet went through instead of getting embedded in bone.

The bullet itself was not too far away. Copper coloured and stained with her blood, droplets of which were on the ground.

Luke looked terrified and shocked (the others probably did too, though Elaine didn't look to them), and even Emmy had a similar expression. It was good to know that she may not have been completely been faking friendships with everyone.

Bronev, casually putting away his gun.

"Emmy… The key…"

"Y-yes, Uncle Leon." Emmy put back on an expressionless mask and quickly picked up the key that had dropped closer to her. Looking quickly to Elaine she mouthed, 'I'm sorry.' The key in hand now, Emmy swiftly returned to her 'uncle.

"Good work, Emmeline," Bronev congratulated as he took the key from her. Elaine suddenly felt hands pressed against the one feebly trying to cover her wound, and looking to her side, she saw Descole was holding her bleeding wound with both hands, though he was glaring up at Bronev.

"I'm sorry, Layton. It's evident that you've grown attached to Emmeline. I must say, her performance was outstanding."

"Stop it!" Aurora cried. Now Elaine finally looked to the others. Aurora looked desperately to Bronev, but she seemed to see it was useless. Professor Layton had looked to Elaine in concern before looking back to Aurora and Bronev.

"Of course I'm using it!" Bronev held the key up before the door. The light lit up on it, and it opened. The sanctuary was open for everyone in the chamber.

"Countless millennia, and nothing has changed…" Aurora commented in a disappointed tone.

"Come, girl! You will help us solve the final puzzle," Bronev told her. Aurora looked defeated. She hung her head low as she approached Bronev. No signs of struggling when he grabbed her arms and pulled her in like a rag doll. Emmy following, still holding a yelling Luke hostage, as well as a few soldiers Bronev brought.

"Damn it," Elaine muttered. "Just… Just damn it." Being frustrated wasn't going to solve anything. But action would. Elaine attempted to stand but winced when Descole kept her down.

"You're bleeding."

"It's nothing, we 'ave more serious problems now," Elaine countered as she tried again, but it was useless.

"Descole's right," Professor Layton said. "We should treat the wound first before we talk of what happens next."

"But Luke-."

"Damn it, woman! Just let us fix your wound!" Descole snapped before taking out a clear handkerchief (trying not to get much of the blood on his hands on it) before holding it to Layton. "The water back where we found the girl should be clean enough to use on her wound. Think you can accomplish that?"

The Professor didn't respond to Descole and said to Elaine,

"I'll be back quickly, I promise."

"Merci," Elaine sighed as the Professor ran to wet the handkerchief. The men weren't going to let her go. She just had a small, bleeding wound! It wasn't that serious! It just went through her arm!

"I could 'ave won," Elaine muttered when she was alone with Descole. "If stupid Bronev 'adn't cheated and shot me."

"I'm sure you could have," Descole murmured. "But that was still a stupid stunt."

"Like anything you did was better," Elaine spat.

"… You actually had me scared."

"'Uh?"

Descole just sighed. "You had me scared. Do I have to say it again?"

"I 'eard you. Just… Didn't actually expect to 'ear you say that." Descole gave a tiny frown.

"… You know I care for you."

"I know."

There was another moment of silence before Descole broke it.

"Bronev was the one who shot me. When he stole Johanna."

"'E was?"

"He came to my front door with two of his thugs. Ordered me to call my daughter down. I only did so because I didn't want to risk leaving her an orphan."

"And… did this somehow bring back those memories?" Elaine inquired.

"A little," Descole admitted. "There are some obvious differences."

"I'm surprised you can remember them, old man." Descole grunted.

"'Old man'? Where did that even come from?"

"I need a new insult for you," Elaine said. "You seem like you're older than me."

"Thirty nine is still young, thank you very much," Descole scoffed.

"Old compared to my thirty four." Elaine gave a light smile that Descole actually returned before he leaned to give a brief kiss on her lips.

"… We're still on the revenge path in regards to Targent, oui?"

"Indeed."