-Chapter 4-
The sun has risen. Gabriel made haste with putting on his armor, when a sudden knock came from the door.
"Gabriel, may I speak with you for a moment?"
Gabriel quickly opened the door to let them in.
"Lord David!" Gabriel bows his head. "To what do I owe the honor of you bestowing your presence on a lowly knight?"
"Please, your flattery is unnecessary. I wish to inform you on our next trip."
Gabriel looks up, fearing it is a very urgent matter. "Yes? What is it my lord?"
"Your noble actions and quick wit were duly noted, and it is decided that you will lead a union while we head back to Athlum."
"Quoi? Me? It is an honor Lord David. However, it is not deserved."
"Is something wrong?"
"In truth, I was just attempting to show off. No such honor in that my lord."
"Ah, yes. Well, that is exactly why you were chosen."
"That's right, that's why I— wait, what did you just say?" Gabriel did not believe he was hearing his Marquis correctly.
"While your initial reasons may have been flashy and made to impress, deep down, your intentions were good and your heart was in the right place." David explains.
"But how do you know it wasn't just all a façade? Lord David I-"
"It's alright Gabriel. You need to learn to give yourself more credit where it's due. That's an order."
"But I-...Yes, my Lord."
"Hmm..." Gabriel smirks a bit.
"Something else on your mind?"
"Non, it's just no wonder Sir Rush thinks so highly of you."
"...Pardon?" Lord David's face turns red for a brief moment.
Gabriel laughs. "Nothing, nothing."
David clears his throat. "Well...after Torgal and I make our rounds through all the rooms, head towards Gefyri. We'll decide our plan of action there."
"Yes, Lord David."
Gefyri, Undelwalt's most prominent commune. It has a weapons shop, a blacksmith, and stock on some of the most valuable herbs and item arts. Everything travelers need to get ready for the journey ahead. Rush wanted everyone to suit up, and strategize for their next trip at the same time. It was his impulsive nature impeding his judgement yet again. David was standing at the center of Gefyri, getting ready to debrief the teams. The group had many curious looks from townspeople and other tourists. Onlookers stared at the crimson rose and teal garments Lord David had, really wondering if it was the Marquis, and why he was in Undelwalt of all places.
"Alright men," David begins. "This time, we will travel through Mt Vackel, Berechevaltelle, The Southwestern Road, Ivory Peaks and back to Athlum. These are the teams. In Rush's Troop, Nora, Baulson, and Wyngale. In my Division, Glenys, Caedmon and Rhagoh. Allan will take the lead with Gaou, Roberto, Leucetius and Darien. Gabriel... "
Gabriel becomes startled for a second, then looks back at Lord David. 'Lord David was serious about that?'
"...will have Loki, Paris, Sheryl, and Violet." David finishes.
" …!" Gabriel is too shocked for words.
"Even worse…" Gabriel mumbles.
" ….?" Violet gives him an odd look.
"Are we clear on that?" David asks the whole group.
"Yes, my lord!"
"Now then, we shall proceed. Onwards men!"
...
...
Mt. Vackel. The brisk air, ankle deep snow, and horde of monsters don't fail to remind Rush of the harsh conditions of this place. On good days, it would have mostly Dondas and Vánargand. These monkeys and snow vultures would be a walk in the park for them. Though on worse days, Greater demons, Glasya Labolas and Brynhildr would plague their progress. As it turns out, fortune did not favor them this day.
"...Which is why you don't have send two groups at them." David calmly states. "Have one group constantly support the others who are in a deadlock."
"That's not even the problem!" Rush exclaims. "They have absurdly high health for NO reason and other groups that deadlock risk getting laser-breathed to death or extremely low when they cast that 'Switch' move!
"As I mentioned earlier-" Lord David gets interrupted by a large roar.
A large dragon with golden scales stares at the group, with a dead Donda under its right talon, it's back sliced open and spinal cortex protruding outward.
"Oh...well..."
"I think we got in the way of meal time. Should be no problem if we walk past it."
"Alright then, we'll just move along-"
"NO." A Sovani with forest green plated armor walks up to them.
"Mitra, is your mind so feeble that you've already forgotten what I've told you mere hours ago?"
"What?" Rush looks at him curiously. "Oh...oh yeah."
"What is it Rush?"
"I promised Allan earlier that I would go find him the husk of a Brynhildr..."
"That's right, mitra." Allan lifts him off the ground by his shirt collar. "Now go get it before I toss you into that ugly, gaping mouth of his!"
"Now hold on just a-"
The Brynhildr roars again, demanding the group to leave its territory or face its wrath.
'...This is such a waste of time...' Rush thinks. "Alright, alright. Put me down, Allan. Let's get you that rind."
"Good."
'I didn't want to bother anything that wasn't chasing us to the ends of the earth but….' Rush sighs. "Sorry Brynhildr. This will be over quick."
...
...
Now that the group has made it off Mt. Vackel, they make their way to the land of beautiful horses. Well, now it's just a land filled with Jhanas, Bullfighters, and the occasional Nusscracker. The scenery is still quite a sight, though. Heading down from the mountain path, Rush and the gang tread south towards the exit. A few Nusscrackers and Jhana ignorantly stand in their way. A fight ensues.
"Pfffft. You losers aren't even a challenge!" Rush smirks.
Allan was oh so eager to rip them to shreds, so he started off with a Caustic Blast. The burning earth underneath the fighters cracks, and shoots out lava at the crazed gorillas.
Gaou's not far behind him with a swift Dragon's Tail, smoothly cutting his Obsidian through the horde, successfully wiping them out. Rush's Troop attacked the Nusscrackers, with Nora landing the first hit. She hits them really hard with a regular attack, with Baulson following up with his own basic, and Wyngale finishing them off with his Silencer evocation.
"Alright!" Rush gleams.
Gabriel's Faction gets to the last group. Loki hits them with a jab so bad it nearly splits their knees in two. Paris tries to curse them with a Maledict, and succeeds in doing so to the leader, rendering them unable to attack. Violet takes advantage of this and finishes the job with a Flash Bomb. The group then proceeds to the exit.
"Hey!" Rush states to no one in particular.
"Yes? What is it, Rush?" David asks him.
"I forgot we'd be heading towards Elysion. Anyone wanna take a break?"
"Lord David, we do not have time for such pleasantries." Torgal reminds his Marquis. "We have a schedule to keep and-"
"A break right about now sounds lovely. Shall we go to Hendler and restock on healing items, Rush?"
"Sounds good to me!"
"Men, be back here in half an hour. We will be waiting at the top of the stairs next to the guild."
Everyone scatters. Torgal's left by himself in the middle of the entryway, silently scowling to himself. 'My carefully laid out plans…'
Gabriel walks towards Tula Street. He's very aware of how busy the city is, with all the tourists that visit this town and souvenir shops in the Genaade district and here.
'I haven't been here in such a long time. How many years has it been? Five? Six? ...Seven? Perhaps even more. It's still as busy as it was back then...' Gabriel's thoughts start to shroud. His mind is cluttered, recalling back to his younger days. He was a rudimentary boy with nothing really going for him. No special skills, nothing of the scholarly sort. Gabriel was often looked down upon by his relatives.
"Hmph..." A young Gabriel pouts. "Owwwwwwww!" He stares begrudgingly at the knightly figure towering over him. A Sovani in silver armor that shines even in the most dimly lit places. Their Valac Princeps placed directly across from them mounted on the marble beam.
"Hold still young one! You're lucky your arm wasn't chopped off just now. I'm nearly done wrapping the bandages." He reassures the boy, carefully tying the cloth around his tiny, mitra hands.
"No one asked for your help!"
"Heh. It's always you mitra infants that have something to prove."
"Infant? I'm not an infant, I'm a teenager!"
"Most of the world looks young to me with all that I've seen and lived through. It's been both a blessing and a curse."
"..."
"So, any reason you decided to act this foolishly? It would be nice to look back on some stories for my extensive travel ahead."
"I wasn't being foolish. I thought if I could kill that thing and bring it home, my family could see me for what I'm worth."
"Your worth?"
"Yeah."
"There's a bounty on this thing. Whoever slays it gets 500 gold."
"I see." He looks at the kid quizzically. "And what would that have done for you?"
"Helped my family." Gabe blurts out. "My dad says we're not doing well, so I told myself I needed to do something. Anything that could put us in a better situation."
"Hmmm." The Sovani contemplates. "Those are some big words for such a small lad." He laughs. Gabriel crosses his arms and frowns.
"Well...I don't really know of your circumstances; however, you need to be patient. Your redeeming qualities will shine through in due time."
"..."
"I'll be off now. You can make it back home from here, it's a short walk to Athlum from Celapaleis' Grants way."
"Yeah. Whatever." Gabriel flaps his right arm up and down. The pain stings him, so he slows his pace. It seems he's able to move it around decently enough without any pain settling in. He looks up to the knight. The Castle's windowed doorway reflects sunlight onto his armor, nearly blinding Gabriel. The Sovani speaks one more time.
"Oh, and don't be so rash next time. If you hadn't dropped your dagger during that last strike, you would have defeated it. Knowing when to attack and when to withdraw are the keys to surviving a battle. You do have potential. In two or three years your time, I would suggest looking for mercenary work in this city..."
...
Gabriel idly tosses a coin in to the air and catches it repeatedly. 'I don't really remember what had happened then. I ran away from home, tried to fight a vile lizard at Robelia Castle, and a Sovani with green eyes came to my aid...I wonder where that Sovani is now?' Gabriel ponders. 'I never really understood what he meant by redeeming qualities. I did take his words to heart though, and left to do mercenary work as soon as I could. Which is how I ended up with my first assignment...'
Violet Gilles Barre Nielson enters Tula Street. She walks towards Dee's workshop. Has small talk with Dee, and hands over her Warlord's Cudgel so the blacksmith can repair the damages done to it during battle. Due to Violet's request, the Cudgel will also be tweaked, to a Prismic Cudgel. Violet turns around and sees Gabriel staring at nothing in the shadows of the stand by Karen's goods.
"Gabriel! I didn't see you there!" Violet waves.
"..?"
Gabriel doesn't respond.
"Gabriel?" Violet raises her voice a tad.
Nothing. She then walks over to him and gives him a light tap on the forehead.
"Whoa!" Gabriel snaps back to reality. 'Christ…' He tries his best to smile. "Ah...hello...Mrs. Nielson."
"Mrs. Nielson? Gabriel, are you okay?"
"Just...fine."
"Oh...well I wanted to congratulate you on becoming captain!"
"Merci Beaucoup."
"...Okay, something's definitely wrong with you." Violet's eyes squint suspiciously. "What is it Gabriel?"
"Nothing." Gabriel turns his head.
"Don't tell me it's nothing! Out with it!"
"..." Gabriel sighs. "I can't."
"Well why not?"
"I just...can't. C'est impossible."
Violet looks at him curiously. She was about to say something when Paris interrupts them.
"Hey guys! He shouts at them. "What are you doing over there? The rest of the group is about ready to leave!"
"You heard him. Everyone's leaving. We should as well M'lady."
"But..."
Gabriel walks down towards the future ruler of Royotia. "Sir Paris, is shouting really how a Lord behaves?"
"S-Sorry..." Paris states. "I was just glad to see you guys is all. Oh, and congrats on becoming leader, Sir Gabriel."
"Don't be sorry. I'm merely trying to save you from your servants yelling at you for that later. Your father is a strict man."
"You raise a valid point." Paris nods his head.
"Thank you for the praise as well, Sir Paris. Tell me, how do you like being in my Faction?"
The two of them walk to Hendler, talking the whole way. Violet trails behind. When they reach the rest of the group, they get back into formation, and Gabriel, along with the other leaders, escort everyone out of Elysion.
"That's it, men. Ivory Peaks." David says as he treks on the rugged path. "If we can get through before sundown, we'll be home free."
Gabriel looks around at the rock walls, slowing leading the group unto the pathway towards the entrance.
"Ah, yes. Ivory Peaks. The place where all this began..."