Part One: Concepts of A New Dawn
Verdant Rain Moon
Chapter Seven: Pursuing Trouble
The bandits from Nuvelle territory had fled to the Kingdom, along the way they looted and pillaged the surrounding villages in Charon territory. The bandits finally settled and consolidated in a castle near the Alliance. But this castle was special to Byleth. As soon as he heard he rushed to the Council of Six who approved his request. Upon his return he called the Emerald Sharks and Maira to his chambers to discuss their mission for the month.
Before Maira and the Sharks entered Byleth's chambers, Maira stopped.
"Are you okay, Polopeka?" Finn asked.
"Yes." Maira said, strained. "Lawe, Hukai, take them inside, I need a minute."
"Of course Maira. Come along now students." Lawe escorted the students inside. Finn looked back before entering the chamber.
"Sothis, why do I feel like this?" Maira gasped while clutching her stomach. "It all feels painful. Like I'm boiling."
"I feel it too. I also feel anger, like something is being taken from me. I feel my presence fading." Sothis' voice was faint.
"I also feel you fading. I feel like I need to be doing something, like I'm not protecting something important." Maira said. "But I think it's fading."
"Yes it is, I wonder what it was though?"
"Professor, the Headmaster is calling for you." Fiafia said.
"Maira, are you okay?" Byleth asked as she entered.
"I will tell you about it after this council." Maira said.
"I fear I know what you are talking about. First I would be remiss if I didn't congratulate you on making a friend of Yuri. The President sent a letter of congratulations to our school after your departure." Byleth said.
"Thank you Headmaster but I get the feeling from your tone that you have much more to discuss." Finn commented.
"No, the bandits you drove out have consolidated and completely overran the Kingdom's Grand Armory. This is a problem because it is where I stored the Sublime Sword of the Creator." Byleth said while staring at Maira.
"The Sword!" Sothis said. "That is what we were feeling! Nobody else can take that sword!"
"The legendary sword that you used to use." Atamai exclaimed.
"If that got into a bandit's hands, that would be catastrophic." Penina remarked.
"Yes, that is why the Council of Six has agreed to let me send your class to rout the bandits and Maira retrieve the sword. That power is now for her to wield." Byleth gestured towards Maira.
"Father! You can't be serious!" Maira objected.
"Finally, we can reclaim our true power!" Sothis cackled.
"I am very serious!" Byleth responded. "You alone can wield it. And I have this feeling that it is time you take this power, strange forces are coming. Wynne has already come to me, you must speak with him."
"Polopeka, you should be proud. You can wield a grand power, and if it gets away from you we are here to help." Finn smiled.
"Very well. We will depart at the end of the month, I need some time to prepare my students, and myself." Maira said.
The entire room cleared out after that, leaving only Maira and Byleth.
"I'm sure Sothis was excited to hear this." Byleth laughed to himself.
"She was. More excited than I am. You gaining that Sword was the beginning of that war. It was why you were dragged into it." Maira said.
"I was dragged into no war. I chose to align myself with my students because I believed in Edelgard. The Sword was a conduit for my power." Byleth argued.
"I just want there to be peace. I don't want to choose a side." Maira truly didn't want to go to war.
"Hopefully you won't have to. The reason I brought the Officer's Academy was to try to promote unity throughout Fodlan. The Sublime Sword of the Creator is just an instrument for you to help me achieve that dream." Byleth explained. "And it keeps it away from anyone seeking to cause pain in Fodlan."
"You are right." Maira relented. "I'm ready."
"Hey Wynne, Father told me that you had something to tell me." Maira ran to catch up to Wynne.
"Oh, hey Maira." Finn seemed kind of sad. "Yes, let's talk where it is more private."
The two walked to an empty room.
"So what is it?" Maira asked.
"I don't want the other professors or students to hear this, understand?" Wynne was dead serious.
"I understand." Maira said.
"Alright, on my travels with the Scarlet Crows we have been investigating a certain group across Fodlan. We actually tracked them to the Abyssal Congregation, but you were sent instead." Wynne sounded sort of bitter when he said those last words.
"So the bandits that we took care of, and now threaten the Sublime Sword of the Creator are part of this group you've been tracking?" Maira clarified.
"Yes. But Father deemed that you were going to be the one to wield the Sword so my students and I are off chasing down another lead." Wynne definitely sounded angry.
"Do you want to use the Sword?" Maira asked.
"Not necessarily. It just irks me that Father didn't even take me into consideration for the user of the Sword. He has always favored you, I think because you two are more alike." Wynne looked away.
Then Maira remembered that Wynne didn't know Sothis was in her head. Of course he didn't understand that that is why Maira had to be the user.
"Come on Wynne. Father loves you just as much as he loves me. There is a reason he chose me instead of you." Maira hinted.
"What?" Wynne asked, clearly confused.
"Sothis is in my head. She appeared a little while back, around the time we rescued the lords before the Academy opened. I am the only one with the power to wield the Sword." Maira told him.
"You have Sothis! How interesting. Well now I feel better." Wynne let out a sigh of relief.
"Do you feel good enough to get back on topic?" Maira asked impatiently.
"Yes, sorry about that. The group of bandits you will face are part of this sort of bandit ring. I've started to hear whispers about a leader but that lead is actually being chased by Winona. This month I am chasing something more important, their plans. I've heard their plotting against the Academy, but if all goes well then we can prevent it before it even starts!" Wynne said excitedly.
"That's great! Then I guess we both have our work cut out for us this month." Maira said.
"What happened in Kapena?" Finn demanded an answer from Lawe and Hukai. "Atamai received a letter asking where the two of us were, apparently the two of you were supposed to take us back to speak with Oceania."
"If there was something happening in the capital then we should have known about it." Atamai scolded the two seasoned warriors.
"Listen Your Majesty, Lawe and I agreed that developing a relationship with Yuri was more important than coming back to the capital. That is why the two of you were left here." Hukai explained.
"What happened?" Finn said firmly.
"There was a minor insurrection in Kapena. It was a protest about General Ikairo. He is not very popular after he chose to stand firm in his beliefs after the Royalists were defeated." Lawe explained.
"How was it handled?" Finn ordered.
"Though the soldiers were handling it, it was made apparent that a different presence was required. Oceania herself came out and spoke to the citizens. But General Ikairo chose that moment to appear and the mob rushed the castle. Oceania has minor injuries and assures us, and told us to assure you that she is fine." Hukai explained the details.
"Mother was hurt! Finn the situation is starting to get out of hand. Do you think we should return permanently?" Atamai asked.
"Atamai! That is the last thing that…" Lawe started to object when Finn raised his hand for silence.
"No, we are not going to return. I am upset that this happened and we weren't there…" Finn glared at Lawe and Hukai. "But we can't abandon what the Academy means. This is our shot to set up the future of the Naval Meritocracy. We just have to trust Oceania."
"A wise choice Your Majesty. I couldn't have put it better myself." Hukai smiled.
"Do not mistake my agreeing for forgiveness. You should have at least conversed with Oceania, Atamai, and myself before you take matters into your own hands." Finn scolded them.
"Had you laid out a solid argument we probably would have agreed with you." Atamai explained.
"Exactly. Now you all are dismissed. I must speak with Olaga, I want to see how she would feel about rising to take territory earlier than expected." Finn ended the meeting.
The next meeting Finn called was between Penina, Malosi and Olaga.
"Hey Finn, what do you need?" Olaga asked when she walked into the room with the rest of them. "Why are you all so serious?"
"Finn has laid a pretty serious proposal out for us." Malosi explained.
"Thought up with the help of me." Penina added.
"Yes, Penina helped me a lot with this one. That is why I am going to let you explain." Finn looked at Penina.
"You just don't remember all the details." Penina rolled her eyes. "Anyways, before we start I should ask, what are your goals for the future?"
This caught Olaga off guard.
"You look as scared as I did when they asked me." Malosi commented.
"Well, after I graduate from here I was thinking of joining the Kiai, like Lawe and Hukai. Maybe serve under you Finn until I feel like testing to become one of the nine lords. By then Father will be older and I can request his territory." Olaga explained.
"As much as I would love having you guard me as a member of the Kiai, I am afraid I must ask you to change your plans." Finn frowned.
"What do you mean?" Olaga asked.
"Recently there was an insurrection in the capitol, a lot of anti-Royalist hate. When your father appeared the insurrectionists couldn't be contained, in their rage Oceania was harmed." Malosi explained.
"That is where my plan comes in." Penina interrupted. "As you know, Generals Ikairo, Alisi, and Kuma all hold the southern territories on the border of the Empire. Well it just so happens that is where the three most Royal aligned Generals reside, your parents."
"And since I trust the three of you considerably more than I trust the current Generals I ask that after we graduate the three of you all test immediately. You all can calm your territories better than the current Generals can." Finn added.
"I have agreed to this. I love my mother but her preferences will not help the Meritocracy." Malosi said.
"I have also agreed. This is the best way forward. And just think of how fun it would be if the three of us all became Generals at the same time." Penina smiled to try to cheer Olaga up.
"Well I didn't expect this." Olaga finally said. "But if you think that I will be able to help the Meritocracy, then I will agree. I trust you Finn, and the two of you too. I won't let you down."
"No, I don't think you will." Finn smiled. "But right now let's focus on the present for now."
"That would be nice." Olaga agreed.
Maira spent the next week teaching the students and training them for siege tactics and how to take a tower. It was mostly for the attack they would be performing at the end of the month. But before they went to fight for the Sublime Sword of the Creator they first had another mission. And it came from one of their students.
As Penina and Atamai trained in concentration so Atamai could cast more spells at a time, Atamai got distracted by Penina working in the background.
"Penina! Is that what I think it is?" Atamai asked.
"Atamai we are working on keeping our concentration." Maira started to scold him but his focus was already lost.
"I'm so happy that you recognize this." Penina smiled. "Not many recognize this kind of stuff, only true battle studiers."
"How could I not know what that is? Does it work?" Atamai asked.
"What is it?" Maira asked. Atamai and Penina were hunched over what appeared to be a light blue conch shell.
"This Professor is a magic item that our Outsider ancestors used to use in ancient times. It is said that they used them for communication. But I have never heard any call through it." Penina frowned.
"I wonder who has the other one?" Atamai wondered aloud.
Just then a voice came from the conch shell. It was slightly panicked and shaky but they could all understand.
"Damn! Does this thing even work? If anyone is listening, we are under attack. The villagers have gone crazy, they are after General Kuma, they claim she is nothing but an Imperial pawn. If anyone hears this, send help! We can't send a message any other way, they are attacking our messengers." the voice then stopped abruptly.
"From what I've heard of General Kuma she is indeed a Royalist. But still, we can't leave them." Atamai said.
"That's right. Especially if I want to take that territory one day, I can't let the citizens act like this." Penina agreed. "Professor, can we go help them?"
"We leave at once." Maira nodded her head.
"Alright I informed the guards that we have arrived." Penina said while walking towards Atamai and Maira.
"Great, do you have any schemes, Penina?" Atamai asked with a smirk.
"I'm no schemer Atamai. But I am one hell of a planner. The way I see it we have two goals." Penina said.
"Obviously one is to escort the occupants of that castle to safety." Atamai said.
"Exactly, and the other is to not harm any of the citizens. They are just fighting for what they believe in, so that means no lethal spells Atamai." Penina shot a dirty look at Atamai.
"Penina, have more faith in me than that. I'm not that angry with the world." Atamai defended himself.
"Just checking." Penina responded. "I think if we can have the rest of the Sharks defend and escort the castle occupants away while the three of us head to and defeat, not kill, the leader, then we can end this before anyone gets hurt."
"That sounds perfect. So where should we approach from?" Maira asked.
"Well the rest of the Sharks can disguise themselves as angry citizens and get to the front then turn around and defend the front. Meanwhile, we can attack from the rear. Odds are the leader is approaching from the back, less chance they actually have to do anything." Atamai explained.
"That is a great idea!" Penina complimented Atamai. "Alright, let's go take care of this."
"We better be rewarded for this." Atamai added before they left.
The defending team had an easy time getting to the front. Once they were in position they communicated through the conch shell and the guards came out. What's difficult about holding back in battle is that the enemy is not. As soon as they turned on the mob the mob started to attack with everything they had. Finn used the tactic of sending spells towards the ground instead of at enemies in order to scare, disorient, or just send enemies flying instead of actually killing them. Keola, Olaga, Fiafia, and Kai were all using training weapons instead of lethal weapons so while they could damage the mob odds were nobody would die. For this fight Fetu was acting as a Priest and healing any knights of the castle that had been injured as well as his allies. They were holding the mob back fairly well, and a lot of occupants had escaped. That is when the remaining knights shifted. They started to attack the mob, and they were coming for blood.
In this fight Penina had switched to her Thief class. She needed the extra speed to really let her make use of her sword. Though she wasn't going for the kill she still had to be able to knock members of the mob unconscious. Maira was playing a very similar role to Penina, but her job was more about hanging by Atamai and making sure he stayed healthy. Atamai was focusing hard on casting Miasma Δ and Banshee Θ. He didn't focus on anything but the movement of his hands and where he wanted the spell to go. Concentration is hard to maintain on a battlefield though. There are so many things happening. But Atamai was anchoring himself on his hatred. His complete hatred towards the forces that be. This hate made it so he could use dark magic. He hated that Maira had to defend him because of his disability. It also made him easy to have dominion over the dark. He understood the darkness because he was a child of it. He was controlling his hate. He refused to let it control him, like the hate was controlling these people right now.
"Has anyone spotted the leader?" Penina asked after pacifying another citizen.
"I think so! That guy on the platform, it looks like he is the one giving the orders." Maira responded while holding off two villagers.
"Alright! I'm going to go see if I can talk him down. You two keep it up," Penina said before disappearing into the crowd.
Things had gotten complicated. Not only were the Sharks holding off the mob so they didn't storm the castle, they were also trying to stop the knights from killing any of the citizens. Finn and Fetu went around taking down knights while the others were trying to hold them off. By the looks of it they weren't going to last much longer, they really needed Maira and the others to finish this before there were any casualties.
"Hey!" Penina shouted.
"Who are you?" the man in charge said.
"I am Penina Lowan." she said, jumping onto the stage. "You need to call these people off!"
"No! General Kuma and her knights have no interest in serving us, they wish to become Imperial nobles." the man scowled.
"But I care about you all. I know General Kuma isn't the best, but she earned her position, the same way I hope to earn the title of General and take this territory." Penina was trying to reach out to him.
"It doesn't matter. We must destroy her before she gives this land up to the Empire."
"You are endangering these people!" Penina yelled. "Now call this off or I will make you." Penina readied her sword.
"Foolish child! Get out of my way!" the man yelled.
He charged Penina swinging wildly with his lance. It was clear he hadn't had military experience. Penina dodged and analyzed his movement. Right now she ducked and dodged, trying to tire out but quickly she understood she didn't need to. She waited for him to commit to a strong attack and then parried sending the wait of his lance in an awkward direction so he completely dropped his guard. From there she kicked him in the stomach forcing him to the ground.
"Now call it off." Penina demanded.
"Everyone stop. We must retreat!" the man squeaked.
It took a little while but eventually they did leave. General Kuma emerged from the castle and met with Atamai, Penina, Maira, and the leader.
"General Kuma! You have some explaining to do." Atamai exclaimed.
"Yep, why did you order your knights to kill the villagers?" Penina raised her eyebrow.
"I was protecting my territory from a hostile force. I don't know what you expected from me." General Kuma said innocently.
"I expect you to rule so that your citizens don't become a 'hostile force'" Atamai said using air quotes. "My mother will hear of this. I hope by then you and this man will reach an agreement about how to govern in your short future as a general." At the last word he smiled cruelly.
"Really! You would let me help?" the man asked.
"Yes, though I don't agree with you raising an army, I do sense that you really care about these people." Penina smiled at him.
"No! I refuse to deal with this any longer. I am leaving, the Empire will gladly take a general of my caliber." General Kuma exclaimed, turning and starting to walk away.
"I don't know where you are going with that sword." Atamai yelled after her, casting a spell to impede her movement.
"Fine, take it girl. You are in charge of this territory." General Kuma said unsheathing a sword with a deep blue and jagged blade and wooden hilt before throwing it to Penina. With that General Kuma was gone.
"Penina, that's Kuma's mark. You are the new General of this territory." Atamai's eyes widened. "You are now General Lowan."
"I speak for all the citizens here when I say it is an honor to have you as our General." the man kneeled in front of Penina.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't accept full responsibility just yet. I need someone to govern while I finish at the Officer's Academy. Will you do it?" Penina asked the man.
"General Lowan? Do you really mean it?" The man was bewildered.
"I do. I will be around occasionally, but I need a personal connection to the territory. I hope you can start to mend the relations between the General and the people." she said.
"I will, My Lady." the man said before rushing into the castle.
"I'm not going to get used to that." Penina shook her head.
"That is another one of the coral weapons." Maira remarked.
"Yes, Manao. It means Mind, which is fitting considering its' backstory." Atamai chuckled. "According to legend a very powerful sea creature possessing amazing telepathic powers died and a coral plant grew from its head. The blade is made of coral from that patch. It bolsters the user's mind."
"And apparently it also gives the user telepathic abilities." Penina seemed to say. But Maira realized her mouth hadn't moved.
"So it's true." Atamai said telepathically.
"Yes, it seems that I can open telepathic communications with this sword." Penina said with her mind. Then she switched to speech. "But not for very long, at least not yet."
"Well that is creepy." Maira said.
"That it is." Atamai said, clearly unnerved. "But if anyone can use Manao to its fullest potential then it is you Penina."
"Thanks Atamai. I am already thinking about how this can be used in battle. I can't wait to brainstorm with you." she said, giving Atamai a hug.
"That is certainly enough of that." Atamai blushed.
"Fine! Let's head back to the monastery, Professor." Penina said.
Maira was just beginning to understand how important her class was becoming. It hit her one day that she and her students were starting to become the most powerful force in the Meritocracy. Her student roster consisted of the to be leader of the Meritocracy, the son of the current leader, two generals of territories, and others that soon will become generals. The thought made her happy, she was happy to call these kids her students. Her students were also powerful on the battlefield, Fetu was one of the best healers Maira had ever seen, Keola, Olaga, Malosi, Atamai, and Fiafia were all so talented with their weapons. And Kai and Penina, those two when they used their coral weapons, were almost unstoppable. When Maira sparred with Kai she had to move unbelievably fast. The bow not only seemed to drain Maira but it also granted Kai a supernatural speed. Penina was also hard to deal with. Sword on sword Maira had only one option, because of the mind reading ability Maira could only act on instinct, she couldn't try to analyze Penina because Penina would know Maira's analysis. It was very tough. Then there was Finn. His aptitude for elemental magic was unreal. His spell list was also incredible, and now that he understood Faith magic it was only getting larger. Finn was a force. While Maira could handle Kai and Penina, she could no longer beat Finn, and he was only getting stronger. Now that they all felt fully prepared, it was time to visit the resting place of the Sword of the Creator.
"It was unfortunate that neither Lawe or Hukai could join us. I really would've appreciated their presence." Fiafia said.
"Yeah, somebody to hide behind would have been very welcome." Fetu agreed.
"Come on Fetu. I thought after your talk with Dorothea you were over this." Olaga scolded Fetu.
"Absolutely not! Sure I put on a brave face for that goddess but my place should be reenacting this battle, not actually fighting in it!" Fetu argued back.
"Fetu, shouldn't you be excited to fight alongside your friends. I know whenever we all fight together I feel better." Fiafia smiled.
"Fi's right." Keola added. "When we fight I feel so close to all of you. Even Malosi."
"While I don't appreciate the backhanded compliment I must agree." Malosi relented. "I thoroughly enjoy fighting alongside you all."
"The Academy is one of the best things that has happened to me. When I'm with you all I forget about all my problems back home." Kai smiled.
"While I admit I feel good fighting alongside you all I just wish that the Officer's Academy would offer a play or musical instead of a mission every month." Fetu explained.
"Nah, I'd rather not sing. Though I hear Atamai has a pretty good voice." Olaga teased.
"Keola I thought you said that would be our little secret." Atamai said with a look of betrayal.
"It was!" Keola defended himself. "For at least five minutes."
All of them were laughing and having a good time when Finn and Maira came back from their reconnaissance mission.
"Are you all talking about Atamai's singing voice?" Finn asked when he rejoined the group.
"Even Finn knows!?" Atamai yelled.
"Half the school knows." Malosi laughed.
"I guess we just have to hear it in person when we get back from this battle." Penina said.
"No, under no circumstances will any of you hear me sing." Atamai refused.
"Not even if I make you those cookies that you love." Fiafia offered.
"Curse you and your wonderful cookies!" Atamai yelled.
"Then it's settled, when we return Atamai, and anyone else that wants to, or is forced to, will sing for the group while Fiafia passes out cookies. I will even talk to the kitchen staff about preparing a nice feast for you all. Think of it as a reward for how well you have all progressed." Maira said.
"Really!" Fiafia's face lit up. "Thank you Professor."
"Why!?" Atamai cried out.
"Finally! A chance to display my true talents." Fetu grinned.
"Alright, everyone settle down. Before that we have an actual battle to fight." Finn said, suppressing a big smile.
"Yes, Finn and I were able to uncover an unguarded door." Maira said.
"Yes. We are going to split into teams of two. Maira, Atamai, Keola, Olaga, and Kai will be moving towards the treasure room. Your job is to make sure you reclaim any lost goods. Penina, Fetu, Fiafia, Malosi, you are all with me. We will be attacking from the lower levels and moving up, that way we can defeat any bandits that got away from the other team." Finn explained.
"Sounds simple enough." Kai said.
"I suppose it isn't too much work." Fetu sighed. "Penina, I will take healing duties so you are free to take the more offensive class this time."
"Got it, I will Fetu." Penina nodded.
It was fairly easy getting to the top area without getting spotted. There honestly weren't a lot of bandits on the lower levels. But there were a lot of them once they got to the treasure room. Maira could instantly sense where the Sublime Sword of the Creator was. It was right there, sitting on a table with a magical force field guarding it. The bandits seemed to ignore it though, because they were waiting for Maira and them. It was a trap. As soon as they emerged at the top of the stairs the doors closed and they were locked in with the bandits. All of which were ready and charging her and her students.
"They were waiting for us." Atamai gritted his teeth. "Not good."
"We are just going to have to hold them off." Keola said, readying his axe for combat. "Olaga, are you ready for this?"
"I'm offended you had to ask." Olaga smiled.
"Get me to the Sword." Maira instructed. "Finn and the rest should be able to break through but our best odds are if I can get to the Sword."
"Understood. I will stay back with Kai and Atamai and hold the rear. Olaga, take Maira and hurry." Keola said as he swung his axe at the first bandit to strike. It was a clean strike to the chest.
Atamai started to sling spells at the approaching bandits while Kai shot at the enemy. Kai shot an arrow at the bandit in front of Olaga to quicken their approach to the Sword.
"Hey Atamai, I want to try something, care to help me out?" Kai asked.
"Sure, what do you need?" Atamai asked as he sent another few soldiers flying.
"Channel a blast and shoot it toward the ceiling in the back." Kai ordered.
"As you wish. My magic won't break the ceiling though." Atamai said, but he blasted at the ceiling anyway.
Kai watched the dark energy and released the arrow, mid-flight the arrow hit the spell and combined the energy from 'Uhane and the spell to create a silvery black explosion that pulled the ceiling on a large group of bandits.
"It worked!" Kai exclaimed.
"Great thinking Kai!" Keola complimented him.
Meanwhile Olaga and Maira were doing their best to break through the bandits. Maira was trying very hard to keep the guards away with her sword while Olaga pushed forward. Olaga was a master at getting in close, disarming her opponent and then eliminating them. It took a lot out of her though. She was really starting to hurt. But finally they were getting to the Sword.
"Alright Professor, grab the Sword. I will hold them off as long as I can." Olaga said.
Maira reached at the Sword but the force field was causing her so much pain. But she could stop. It was calling to her. Her arm was on fire but she still didn't care. Finally she had her hand on the Sword and pulled it out with her. Power coursed through her.
"Finally, it has been too long since I've felt this way." Sothis laughed.
Maira also started to laugh. The energy coursing through her was so great. Then the Sword started to change its shape, it morphed and twisted until it formed a type of weapon Maira had never seen before. The handle was in the middle and from both ends emerged a five foot long curved blade. The weapon was shaped almost like an elongated S. Instantly Maira knew the name of this weapon. "Ultimus." she said before the building shook.
Two of the stoned pillars holding the room up broke. The pillars started to stand up, they were stone golems meant to protect the Sword.
"Oh come on!" Olaga yelled while all the bandits around her started to flee. Just then the doors flew open with a blast of Thunder and Fire.
"We're here!" Fetu announced his presence before entering the room. "What the hell are those!"
"Trouble." Maira answered. "You all handle the other one while I handle this one."
"By yourself?" Finn asked.
"Yep. It will be no problem." Maira responded.
The second team knew something was wrong when they didn't experience any resistance on their way up. It was too easy. When they saw the closed door, their hearts sank.
"It had to be a trap." Malosi said.
"They have to still be alive. They are all so strong." Fiafia assured the group.
"They are. Thanks to Manao I can hear all of them thinking, but they won't be if we don't open this door now!" Penina urged.
"Alright. Malosi, help me blast this door open. Fetu, get ready to heal, this is officially a rescue attempt." Finn said, readying his magic.
"You can count on me." Fetu assured Finn.
At the same time Finn cast Thunder and Malosi cast Fire. It was more than enough for the doors to come flying off their hinges. When they rushed in they were not expecting the scene they were confronted with. Maira's hair and eyes had become a dark shade of green. There was no sword in her hand, only a strange weapon none of them recognized. Olaga was beside her, clearly injured. The bandits were no longer paying the students any more attention, they were busy rushing out the door Finn and Malosi had opened, trying to escape. But a golem blasted the bandits, incinerating all of them. Kai, Atamai and Keola were obviously exhausted. Keola specifically looked like he was about to collapse. Fetu rushed off to heal his injured friends while Finn, Malosi, Fiafia, and Penina approached the stone golem that Maira wasn't fighting. The golem resembled a very large crudely shaped human. It was almost fifteen feet large and at the ends of their arms there were no hands, just magical cannons. Finn and Penina rushed to the right while Fiafia flew on her pegasus and started to dart around its face to distract and annoy it. Malosi went to the right. Fiafia was doing a great job attacking. She would wait for an opening and then rush in for a large scrape putting all her force into her lance. It being made of pure stone didn't make it easy to damage though. The golem tried to swat at her but all that weight made it slow, which meant Fiafia easily dodged and weaved between the arms. On the ground Finn was using Wai to slow down the golem's movements even more. It was like the golem was trying to walk through a marsh. The vortex created by water made it so the golem could barely raise its leg. Malosi was blasting the monster with whatever magic he could muster. But he was also trying to help Fetu heal his injured allies. Penina was the real MVP though. Manao was powerful. It was attacking with magic so the tough exterior of the golem was no problem. The sword attacks caused great damage and was causing the golem visible pain.
"Hey Fi! Pick me up! I want to get to the head." Penina said to Fiafia through the sword.
Fiafia started to dive but this time the golem was able to knock her out of the air with its arm.
"I'm good!" Fiafia said when she started to get back up.
"Stay there. Fetu will heal you. Penina, I'm gonna try something crazy. When I say so, jump." Finn ordered. As Penina ducked and dodged, Finn finally gave the order. "Jump!"
Penina jumped as high as she could and just as she was about to fall she was sent soaring upwards. Finn had used Wind but instead of damaging her it raised her so that she put her arms around the golems neck. When she got a good enough handle she took Manao and stabbed down into its head causing the golem to crumple to the ground. The other golem had also just fallen. Maira had thrown Ultimus at the golem's arm and it came clean off. Then the weapon came back like a boomerang and she disconnected the two blades. She then slashed at the air but that created waves of energy that badly hurt the golem. A few more of those and the golem was split in two, completely defeated.
"Polopeka, that was scary if I'm going to be honest." Finn laughed as he approached her.
"Yeah, Professor, that weapon is on a whole different power level." Atamai said, looking at her with concern.
"I'm just happy we are all okay. That was scary." Fiafia said while hugging her pegasus that was pretty beat up.
"But it was no accident, they were expecting us." Maira said. "We need to tell…" Maira started another sentence but collapsed, she was drained.
"Professor!" Keola exclaimed. "Is she…"
"She isn't dead. She is still thinking." Penina said before Keola finished his thought.
"Good. I couldn't handle it if she died." Olaga admitted.
"Our focus right now is getting her back to the monastery." Finn said. "Fetu and Penina, you stay with her and monitor her condition."
"Got it. Keola and Olaga, can you help us carry her back to the return point?" Penina asked.
"Of course! Anything for her." They both said before picking her up.
"You better be okay, Polopeka." Finn muttered.
"She will be Finn. She is too powerful to be gone." Atamai reassured him.
"Thanks Atamai. We do need to tell Byleth about what happened here though. While I get the Sharks together do you mind taking care of that?" Finn asked.
"Of course not. Do you need me to inform Lawe and Hukai?" Atamai asked.
"No, I will take care of that. Thank you though." Finn thanked him.
"Of course. I am your second-in-command." Atamai said.
"I know you wish you were first but I really do appreciate what you do Atamai. Really, I can't thank you enough." Finn said.
"If this is the role I was destined to play then so be it. It just means I have to be the best at it." Atamai gave Finn a long look. "We should be going."
"You're right. Let's go." Finn said.