The group decided to do more jobs to help Ludger pay his debt. Something seemed to be on Jude's mind, though.
"I never imagined that'd be how I'd run into Ivar again." Jude said out loud.
"How do you even know that guy?" Scott asked. "And why does he drop down on people like that?"
"Sorry about that..." Jude said sheepishly.
Ludger chuckled at this.
"I don't see how you can laugh at this, Ludger. He pinned you to the ground like it was nothing." Sectonia's comment seemed to have embarassed Ludger.
"Ivar's a skilled warrior. As Maxwell's handmaid, he had to be." Jude told the group.
"Maxwell's...handmaid? Sounds complicated." David commented.
"It shouldn't have been, but it was. Even though we both wanted the same thing." The two decided to leave Jude to his thoughts at that. It seemed that he had lasting memories of Ivar.
After leaving Ludger's apartment, they ran into Miss Kitty Catt, who lost 100 cats as she was moving to Trigleph, scattering throughout the world. They told her they can help, since they have Rollo, who might be able to track and find them.
One of the jobs included defaeting a Scorpactus, a scorpion-like creature that has it's body like a cactus.
"So... That's the creature, huh?" David said.
"Yep. No doubt about it." Sheena comfirmed. "I think those of us who fight hand-to-hand should sit this one out."
"Wise choice. I'll handle this." Ramona says as she gets her hammer from her bag.
"You go, Ramona!" Zelos cheered.
The Scorpactus roars at Ramona as she tightens her hammer.
{Cue Song: A Formidable Foe Stands in the Way- Tales of Vesperia}
The creatures charges at Ramona, as she uses her hammer to deflect its attacks.
"You think you can beat me with those attacks? Even Roxy can hit harder than you." Ramona said, taunting the beast.
"It's true." Scott said, remembering his encounter with Roxy.
Ludger however, was amazed at Ramona's moves and how well she was handling her hammer.
"Lightning Wave!" Ramona's hammer is coating in lightning as she strikes the enemy. "Dragon Pillar!" Ramona sends the enemy upaward with an upward strike when her hammer glowed blue. The two continued to battle until Ramona dealt the final blow.
{End Song}
"Phew... Piece of cake."
"Wow! That was amazing, Ramona!" Elle said as she cheered.
"That was an elite monster, stronger than the regular monster, and you took it out like it was nothing!" Jude couldn't believe what he's seen.
"That just proves Ramona's strength. With the proper elemental ores, those Alliym Orbs can be really helpful." Sectonia said in a praise.
"Thanks. I'm willing to do anything to help Ludger pay his debt." She said with a smile.
The reward money for defeating the Scorpactus was enough to make the next payment. Since Ramona put the most effort into the payment, Ludger let her have the call.
"Well, well! Looks like I can lift another one of those pesky travel restrictions! But only one! So... Marksburg or Helioborg, what's it gonna be?"
Ramona wasn't sure what to do. They had things to do in both towns, but she knows that Ludger would try to find leads on Julius. "Let's go with Marksburg."
"Roger that! Ah, Marksburg... The slender thread that ties Elympios to Rieze Maxia. I've never been there myself. You guys gotta tell me what it's like! Send me a postcard or somethin, will ya?"
"We'll...do what we can."
"By the way, just a teensy bit more and I might be able to lift the other restriction, too. Toodles!" Nova hung up at that statement, and Ramona gave the GHS back to Ludger.
"Well, looks like we're heading to Marksburg."
Ludger was happy that he's look for Julius, but wished Ramona would ask him first.
Ludger, Jude and Ramona, along with Colette, Zelos and Presea, headed off to Marksburg. To say the place was bustling would be an understatement. They saw a girl at the docks and they decided to talk to her. The girl blushed seeing the group and waved her arms.
"Ah! N-nothing to see here! Move along!" the girl said in embarassment.
"What the heck are you doing, Leia?" Jude asked walking in.
"Jude?!" Leia was astonished to see him. They heard a cat meowing and saw it between the crates.
"Were you talking to that kitty over there?" Presea asked in interest.
"Not exactly." Leia reasoned. "I need to catch it for a special assignment."
"I thought you were a newspaper reporter, Leia. What gives?" Jude asked, dumbfounded.
"I told you, it's a special assignment!"
Colette walked over to the crates, but tripped into them, causing them to be pushed back a bit, much to the group's shock. "Oh no... I did it again... I thought I've gotten over it." Nonetheless, the cat walked out toward the group, causing Leia to grab it.
"Now I gotcha, Julius!"
"Wait... That's Julius?" Zelos asked.
"Yep. That's his name. Julius Catstantine III. I've been asking all over for this cat."
"So, we ended up on a wild goose chase. The info we got from Vera was actually Leia asking about the cat." Presea analyzed.
"Don't be so glum about it. This cat belongs to our biggest advertiser."
"So you were chasing after this cat to keep your sponsorship? I can dig that." Zelos said, listening to Leia's story.
"Oh, where are my manners? There are my friends: Presea Combatir, Zelos Wilder, Colette Brunel, Ramona Flowers, and Ludger Kresnik." Each of those mentioned waved as Jude introduced them.
"I'm Elle and this is Rollo." Elle said in introduction.
"I'm Leia Rolando. It's a pleasure to meet you all." Leia said with a bow.
"So, Leia, are you a cat catcher?"
"Huh?! No way! I'm a newspaper reporter! Think of me as a truth catcher. It's an honorable job!" Leia said, crossing her arms.
"Speaking of which, have you heard about the train hijacking?" Ramona asked.
"That right there's the story of the decade. Like I heard, they put out a warrant for that Spirius bigwig... Julius Kresnik, I think?" Leia then realized something. "Wait... Julius Kresnik?!" She said looking at Ludger before turned to Jude. "Did you step into trouble again?" Jude nods, causing Leia to sight in defeat. "Honestly, Jude... What am I going to do with you?"
Jude tries to reason with Leia. "But Ludger is-" Leia cuts him off, however.
"I know, I know... He's a friend of yours." Leia then became her energetic self again. "Let's head for Duval! I have an informant there. She's super-duper in the know, so I'll introduce you guys."
"Now, we're somewhere! Thanks, my sweet Leia." Zelos said lovingly before Ramona stopped him.
"Zelos... Don't make me bring out the hammer." Ramona said in a dark tone. Zelos stepped back at that.
After that scene, the group spot Ivar talking to the cat that Leia was looking for, however when the group call him, he dropped the sledgehammer he was holding, causing the cat to run away, though Ivar tries to act cool about it before giving the sledgehammer to Ludger. Ramona decided to give Ludger tips on how to use it before engaging him in a practice battle. Ludger was able to keep up with Ramona and defeat her.
"Impressive." Ramona said, getting up from their battle. "I think you'll put that hammer to good use."
"Yeah, it's impressive, but I'm warning you two: Don't go swinging those things around town!" Ivar told them, causing the two to smirk. "Some people have no consideration, I swear..." He says as he walks away.
"So Ivar's working here in Elympios." Leia wondered. "Oh, and don't worry about the cat. We have more important things to worry about, don't we? Now, off to Duval!"
At the station, Leia begins talking to herself out loud.
"Exclusive Expose! The Terrible Untold Truth Behind Terrorist Train Tragedy! Investigative reporter Leia Rolando unravels the shocking mystery!"
"What are you writing, Leia?" Colette asked.
"Just jotting down some notes for an article."
"Wow, you really are like a reporter!"
"Hey, there's no 'like' about it!"
Jude decides to point something out. "But those aren't articles, they're just dramatic headlines. You can't just write a story to match a predetermined conclusion."
"Hey, professional journalists don't accept unsolicited advice from amatuers, mister."
"So, as a professional, are you hitting your deadlines? You can't just copy off my homework the morning before class like you used to."
"Zip it, Jude! Why do you hate the free press so much?!"
"What does any of this have to do with the free press? I'm talking about professional responsibility here!"
Zelos comments. "Those two are like a married couple."
"Married?!" Jude and Leia say at the same time.
Leia laughed sheeplishly. "Now what would make you think that?" She triwls her staff. "Seriously though! Do we really look like that?" Leia ended up hiting Zelos a few times, leavinh him writhing in pain.
"Wow... Leia's strong." Colette said, commenting her handling with the staff.
"I-I'm sorry! It wasn't on purpose!"
Ramona smiled at this scene. "I guess in Leia's case. The staff is mighter than the pen."
Zelos was writhing in pain after Leia's assault. "Sweet Martel, why me...?"
"I think you need to work on your approach."
Upon arriving in Duval Station, and with Zelos recovered thanks to Jude, the group run into a green-haired woman.
The woman had her hands on her hips when she saw Leia. "I figured you were a no-show!"
"Sorry. I'm late." Said Leia with her head on her hat.
"Is this your informant?" Presea asked.
"Yep. Everyone, say hi to Jolyne." Leia turned to Jolyne. "Anyway, what's the scoop?"
"The train hijacking, right? Maybe I know something, maybe I don't." Jolyne said.
"What if Ludger, Jude and Elle tell you what they saw on the train?" Ramona suggested.
As if on cue, they tell Jolyne what happened.
"So that's the real story..." Jolyne thought out loud. Jolyne then told the group. "Word on the street is that Braht, the government around here, been funneling something to Exodus."
"What could they be sending? Weapons?" Presea asked.
"Nope. Spirit fossils and boosters."
Jude was shocked to hear this.
"Not only that, but people say that there's a demon prowling the streets. He looks just like a regular guy on the outside, but I hear he's hiding some monstrous power. He uses it to stalk his prey. Word is even some of Braht's elites have fallen victim. I just wrote it off as an urban legend, but maybe it's related to the train hijacking after all." The group were worried at this news. "Oh, by the way, Leia. Do you still have 'it'?"
"Huh?" Leia takes out a blue key. "You mean this?"
"Yes. That's the one." Jolyne told the group.
"What is it?" Colette asked.
"It's one of the keys to something called the Universal Core." Leia told the group.
"Universal Core? This sounds important!" Zelos said.
"The Universal Core is an artifact that has been sealed away long, long ago. The only way to undo the seal is with seven keys, each scattered onto different worlds. However, the Universal Core contains tremendous power. If anyone with malicious purposes intends to reach the Core, it will only spell disaster." Jolyne told the group. "Leia, I'm trusting you to keep it safe."
"I'll try. But it's still not resonating. Maybe it's still looking for its proper wielder." Leia said, looking at it.
"Maybe..." Jolyne said. "Anyway, I'm leaving the matters of Duval to you all."
The group were tense with the information they got on the demon rumors and the Universal Core. They reached a certain part of the alleyways
"So, this is the demon's stomping grounds?" Leia asked, looking around.
"I hope not..." Said Elle, a little nervous.
"It's okay to be scared, Elle." Presea said.
"I'm not scared! Besides, it might help us get to Canaan."
"That and the Universal Core aren't the only things I'm curious about." Leia said.
"What reason does Exodus have for gathering materials to make spyrites?" Jude asked.
A man walks up to them. "Did someone say spyrites? If you folks have got the gald to spend, then I've got the goods."
"So... You're the guy peddling spirit fossils?" Ramona asked the man.
"You bet, young lady. Only lesser spirit class ones, though."
Jude asked the man. "Speaking of that, have you heard about people gathering spirit fossils recently?"
"You mean Exodus, right?"
Another man stuck a gun to Jude's back. "Don't move, Dr. Mathias. We're taking you into custody, unless you try something foolish."
"In broad daylight? There are so many things wrong with this picture." Zelos said.
"Doesn't matter."
Just then a group of people surround the group.
"These men... They're Braht agents." Presea said in observation. She then looked to Rollo. "I'm sorry about this." Presea stepped on Rollo's tail, causing him to screech, distracting the men long enough for Jude to elbow the man holding him hostage, but shots were fired, causing Elle to scream as a light flashed on the group.
When the light faded, the group were back in the alleyway as if the events never happened.
"Looks like Sectonia and the others weren't making this up, after all." Zelos said, looking around. "Now I kind of feel bad for not believing them."
The man from before walked up to them. "Hey, what's the matter, buddies? You look like you've seen a ghost." Jude noticed the gun wielder walk to him again, but this time, Jude has him pinned.
"I get why you and Exodus hate me so much, but if you can't trust us..." Jude said, pushing the pinned man back to the group. "...then at least trust in the spyrites! That's all I ask of you! We're so close to making them work!"
The man, however, waved his arm forward, causing the scene to repeat itself. "Curse that Jolyne. She must've ratted us out."
The man that Jude pushed back spoke. "Show no mercy. They're probably all Rieze Maxians."
An old man's voice was heard. "No mercy? Very well." A knife appeared in front of the attackers, then two more behind them in a perfect triangle formation that renders them immobilized. The group realized he's using spirit artes. "A close one, this."
"Rowen!" Jude said happily. The group wondered how he knew him. "He's an old friend. We went on a journey together."
"Rowen's super smart. He knows everything." Leia told them.
"So he knows where the Land of Canaan is?" Elle asked.
"Or even details on the Universal Core?" Ramona asked.
"The Land of Canaan and Universal Core, you say?" Rowen asked the group.
"The Land of Canaan is a magical place that grants wishes!" Elle said.
"And the Universal Core is an artifact that has the power to rewrite entire worlds!" Colette said.
One of the attackers smirked. "I've got something for that Canaan place and Universal Core to grant. Death to all Rieze Maxia scum! Every last one of them! Anyone who looks at you arte-wielding monsters and thinks you're people like us is crazy!"
"Quite right." Rowen said as he starts burning them alive, causing Ludger to cover Elle's eyes.
"S-stop! What do you think you're doing?!" Coleete asked Rowen.
"Need you ask. Elize, Gaius, Lady Driselle... I must avenge their deaths. I must atone for dispelling the schism." Rowen said solemnly.
"Schism?"
Jude explains to Colette. "Rieze Maxia and Elympios used to be two separate worlds. The schism was a sort of barrier."
"Yes, and we never imagined that the unification would lead to this." Rowen looked to the group, particularly, Ludger and Elle. "Unfortunately, this means those two must die as well." Everyone get to their battle stances at that.
"That's not Rowen!"
"Truly, every last Elympion must be sent to their doom." Rowen said as his skin turned black and eyes turned purple, much like Julius.
"Be careful, everyone! This may not be Rowen, but he has very powerful spirit artes!"
"Got it! Ludger, let's use our hammers to knock him down while he's casting!" Ramona said, linking her Allium Orb to Ludger's.
"Okay." Ludger replied.
Zelos stepped in. "In that case, I'll fight magic with magic! Lighning!" Zelos sent a lightning bolt on Rowen.
"Energize... First Aid!" Leia used the same spell on anyone that Rowen damages in his attacks.
"Splash!" Rowen as a curtain of water falls on Ramona.
"Ramona! Are you alright?" Colette asked in concern.
"I'm fine. It's just as Jude said. He's tough." Ramona concluded. Zelos links his Allium Orb with Leia's.
"Oh, no you don't! I don't care if you're a powerful spirit arte user! No one lays a finger on Ramona!" Zelos knew that if Scott found out about Ramona dying, he'll kill him himself. Zelos decides to kick it up a notch. "Crimson fury, burn! Eruption!" At this a burst of lava sprouted from under Rowen, severely weakening him. As Rowen charges another spell, Ramona got the jump on him.
"Not this time!" Ramona swings her hammer and knocks Rowen down. "Now, Ludger!"
"Got it!" Ludger says as they prepare a linked arte.
"Link Pillar!" Ludger and Ramona stand side-by-side and smash the ground in front of them, creating a large, spiraling pillar of energy that engulfs Rowen.
"Vengeance...must be mine..." mutters Rowen as he collapses.
"It can't be... That can't be Rowen..." Leia utters in shock.
"Yeah..." Jude says as Ludger transforms again and uses his spear to stab Rowen, causing him to disappear into the dark gear from before. The gear breaks, causing the scene to shatter.
The group return to their own dimension, only behind the attackers.
"People don't just vanish into thin air!" One of the guys says, shocked.
"They must be hiding around here somewhere, so find them!" Another one says.
The first one saw the group behind them. "What did you monsters do?!"
"It's more of that spirit arte trickery!"
"You really are monsters, aren't you?!"
Just when they're going to fight again, an authoritative voice spoke up. "That's enough." At that, a man in a black suit and Rowen, this time in a blue suit, walked up to them.
"And just who are you?" The man in black took out a long katana blade and used it to knock the guns out of the attackers' hands, before pointing it at one of their throats.
"You're going to tell me something. Why is Exodus so intent on gathering spyrite materials?"
"Imagine if they unleashed an out-of-control spyrite into the world. Everyone would see the danger in it. Public support will vanish in a flash." Jude gasped at that.
"Indeed they would. The plan is a cunning one." The man sheathes his sword.
"Hold on a second. You're not gonna kill us?"
"We're not the monsters you think we are." The attackers go around the man and escape. "Nothing changes overnight."
Rowen spoke up at this. "It would appear that hatred of Rieze Maxia runs deep within the veins of this city.
Elle spoke up. "Maybe you can go to the Land of Canaan or the Universal Core and wish the hate away."
"Beg pardon?"
"The Land of Canaan is a magical place that grants wishes for people, and the Universal Core has the power to rewrite entire worlds."
Rowen chuckles at this. "Quite the locale, that. Alas...the power to alter men's hearts in the blink of an eye would be frightening indeed."
"We could easily wish away that which makes us human." The man in black spoke.
Jude decides to reassure the group, who were antsy with Rowen's arrival. "It's okay. These two are the real deal."
"Rowen, Gaius... Thank you." Leia said to them.
"Erston." Gaius said, leaving the group confused. "At the moment, I'm just a man about town, much like any other. Please, call me Erston."
Rowen spoke up. "His Highness is traveling incognito to get a sense of public opinion in Elympios."
"Not a good one, from where we were standing." Zelos commented.
Jude walked up to him. "Can you really do that? I mean, you are the King of Rieze Maxia."
"Regardless, it's a pleasure to meet you, Erston." said Ramona.
"My pleasure." Gaius replied.
"I just thought of something." Colette said. "Do you think the demon of the alleyways was actually Mr. Gaius- I mean, Erston?"
"Maybe, but Rowen here made quite the impression." Ramona said.
"Did I?" Rowen asked.
"Well, you see..."
Jude and the others explain to Gaius and Rowen what happened.
Gaius was taking it all in pretty well. "Interesting. It would seem you've got yourselves wrapped up in some sort of paranormal phenomena. Your thoughts, Rowen?"
"Something's afoot." Rowen commented.
"Based on?"
"A hunch."
"Good enough for me. Now get to the bottom of it."
"As you wish." Rowen bows to him, then turns to the group. "Would you all be so kind as to allow me to accompany you henceforth?"
"It would be our pleasure." Presea told him.
"I'm Rowen Illbert. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances." He said with a smile.
Gaius turns to Jude. "Jude."
"I know." Jude told Gaius. "I can't let Exodus get me down. I'll perfect the spyrite tech and prove them wrong." Gaius smiles and nods at that, knowing that's the ideal that Jude fought him for a year ago, and leaves. "Guys. Let's get the Helioborg restriction lifted so we can pay Balan a visit. We conducted spyrite research together there."
"You got it, Jude! Though, the trip to Marksburg was a bust. We saw no signs of Julius, and now we have not only Exodus, but Braht at our necks." Zelos commented.
"It wasn't a total loss, Zelos. We made some new allies and we some insight on the Universal Core. We know at least one of the keys is in this world." Ramona told Zelos.
"Yeah, and Leia has it, though she said that the key's proper wielder hasn't been found yet. But you're right, Ramona. We need to focus on the positive side of things. Right now, let's just focus on making the next payment so we can get to Helioborg." Zelos said with determination.
A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor