[99 days Avalician after the Kingdom Stone Heist]
In the trees a hundred yards from the entrance to an underground bunker deep in the Avalician countryside, a lone bat waits, listening intently to the fight brewing within. She is surprised to hear a motorcycle approach, but she pays no attention to the wildcat and puppy riding it, nor the purple dragon‑girl who accompanies them. Moments later, the door to the bunker is destroyed as a huge fireball flies out of the bunker, propelling a quicksilver‑clad hare a hundred feet before he lands and slides another fifty feet. There's no doubting they're using the Fire and Metal Crystals.
As the fight progresses, the bat watches on, noting that the Fire Crystal is being wielded by a vixen, and that the dragon-girl unexpectedly has the Water Crystal in her possession. The bat remains concealed as the dragon-girl defeats the vixen, using the steam and dust cloud produced by the final clash to make her escape.
An hour later, the bat reunites with a peregrine falcon on the outskirts of Shang Mu.
"Ah, Akairo," the peregrine greets. "I trust you found something?"
"Yes Hayabusa," Akairo reports. "Hanna Skarlett and Rob Stiil definitely have the Elemental Crystals. Evidently, they obtained them after the Elementals' compound burned down, although it seems they have caused conflict between them. I also saw Sash Lilac with the Water Crystal, though I get the feeling she only has it on loan."
"That's three confirmed functional," Hayabusa summarises. "Presumably, the other two are, although we've yet to see proof. I wonder if it was Hanna and Rob that torched the compound."
"It's a possibility. Anyway, even if it turns out the Wood and Earth Crystals are actually duds, three out of five is still worth reporting," Akairo reminds. "And unlike when the Ethereal had them, we know they're genuine."
"Agreed. I'll send a message to the captain."
"Shall I continue my surveillance?"
"I think that is wise."
Many lightyears away, Captain Aquila enters the bridge of Genso No Fukushu. "Lieutenant, report."
"No news on the Crystals, sir," the lieutenant reports. "Ship systems are nominal, and- Excuse me sir, incoming message."
"Who from?"
"Agent Hayabusa, sir."
"Hayabusa… oh yes, I remember. Father recruited him on… I forget the name. Some awful backwards mudball. What's the message?"
"A moment please sir, it's not yet finished transmitting."
"Very well."
A moment's silence.
"Captain?"
"Yes lieutenant?"
"We have a confirmed location."