"Alright, cough it up, what're you doing?"
Jack turned to Hortensia as if the younger princess had suddenly sprung up out of the desert sands to assault him with a staff. Which, considering her tone, she wasn't far off from doing. The morning sun was just cresting over the horizon, and the desert had taken on an orange tone from the light - making Hortensia stick out like a sore thumb as they both walked along the convoy going through the sand.
"Good morning to you, too, Princess Hortensia. Is today my birthday or did you decide to visit me all because you missed talking to me?" Jack asked dramatically, placing a hand against his chest. "If it's the latter, then of course I have time for a rational adult conversation! What do you wanna talk about?"
"Oh by the Fell- keep talking like that and this staff will have a new ornament! Your face!" Hortensia said, her eyes twitching before she sighed. "I wanna know why you're skulking around my sister all the time. It's not right."
"I'm not 'skulking' around her. Do you even know what that means?" Jack asked.
"Yes, I do! Now answer the question and quit avoiding it!" Hortensia demanded, stomping her foot down.
Jack grunted. "Heh. Fair enough. Can't blame me for getting a little fun in before the day really begins."
"Yes I can, especially when it's at my expense," Hortensia grumbled.
"Well, maybe you shouldn't make it so easy, then," Jack replied, rubbing his forehead.
"Stop avoiding the question. Stop. Just answer it, please?" Hortensia pleaded. "Seeing you around her all the time - it just makes me nervous, alright? She's the only real family I have left, so…"
Jack frowned, looking away guiltily. "Shit. Sorry, kid. Didn't mean it like that. Alright, well, I'm not the one 'skulking' around her, she's 'skulking' around me. She's tracked me down ever since I fed everyone for lunch a day or so ago."
"She follows you? Why?" Hortensia asked.
Jack shrugged. "Obviously because I'm just a stellar guy."
"That's a stupid reason," Hortensia pointed out, crossing her arms as her brows furrowed.
"I'm not screwing around right now - that's the only reason I can think of, and I also agree that it's really, really stupid," Jack replied. "I mean, she's really nice once you get to know her, and I kinda wanna know more about her, but that doesn't mean anything. Not what I think you think it means, at least."
"You can't be with her! You can't. It wouldn't- they'd tear you apart, you know?" Hortensia said, and Jack thought for a moment that she was saying it out of some misguided sense of protecting her sister - nevermind that Ivy was in her early twenties and could make her own decisions - but then Jack noticed her expression, and it wasn't one of anger, but one of concern.
Directed at him.
Jack held both of his hands up. "Look, I don't know where you got this idea from, but this friendship is strictly platonic, alright? I've only known her for, like, a month or two? Way too soon to enter a relationship."
"Do you think she's pretty?" Hortensia asked.
Jack blinked. "Seriously?"
Hortensia's eyes narrowed. "Yes, seriously."
"Hortensia, no matter how I answer this question, you'll get mad," Jack replied.
"You- shut up. Anyway, I'm serious! The Elusian Courts will eat someone like you alive. Just like they-"
Hortensia stopped abruptly and looked away.
"Just stay away," Hortensia started again. "It'd be better for you if you did."
"I'm not gonna stop talking to her, if that's what you want," Jack said softly. "I don't know what happened to you to make you react this way, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, thanks," Hortensia brushed off. "I'm asking you to stop talking to her. I'm just asking that you keep it as friends. Trust me, it's better for you."
Jack took in a deep breath. "There's one person you're not factoring into this, Hortensia: Ivy herself. What if she-?"
"She won't."
"Oh, well, that's a relief. And also hurt a lot," Jack said, rubbing his chest.
"Ivy is gonna be Queen of Elusia," Hortensia continued, "she won't have time for people like you in her bedchambers - I dunno who she wants to marry. Or if she'll even marry, but that's something to worry about later. Much later. When we have Elusia and our castle back."
"So maybe you should focus on that instead of butting into your sister's love life?" Jack replied, giving Hortensia a side eye.
Hortensia turned away with a 'hmph'. "I'm her little sister. It's my job to worry about stuff like that in between keeping you idiots alive."
"Well then, taskmaster, don't let me keep you occupied. You really do care though, don't you?" Jack asked. "I mean, you wouldn't be here if you didn't-"
"I still don't like you for taking the Ring of the Princess Exalt from me," Hortensia said suddenly, looking at Jack with half-lidded pink eyes.
"I didn't take it from you," Jack clarified. "Alear took it from you. You traded it for Goldmary's safe return. Not that we'd have done anything to her even had you refused."
"Yeah, but you were the reason she was in that mess, and you were the one who eventually got it, so I don't like you. I don't need to make sense to the likes of you," Hortensia quickly explained.
"You were working for Sombron! The hell else was I supposed to do?" Jack said. "Besides, Alear gave me that ring, too! Go hate him, or something."
"Yeah, and get an earful from Ivy on just how great the Divine Dragon actually is, and that I should go and convert at the soonest possible opportunity! I think I'll pass on that," Hortensia replied.
"What? Don't wanna sit through one of Pandreo's sermons? You know, ever since we recruited Panette, he's been getting really into them. It's almost like a party," Jack noted. "Except there's communion wafers instead of cake. Or were those even communion wafers? Hortensia, do the people in the Church ritualistically and symbolically eat Alear's flesh?"
Hortensia turned around. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that."
"Ah, I'll take that as a no," Jack hummed. "Good talking to you, Hortensia. I think you're pretty cool."
"Cute! Not cool. Say I'm cute!" Hortensia demanded, whipping around and glaring at Jack.
Jack snorted. "Fine, then. You're very cute, Hortensia."
Hortensia struck a pose. "Am I the cutest you've ever seen?"
"No."
"Hmph. No taste whatsoever. You wouldn't know what cute is if it hit you with a staff," Hortensia said, turning around and stalking off.
Jack couldn't help but chuckle to himself for an hour after that.
"Ah, so you must be Seadall. The dancer, right?" Jack asked.
Jack finally found the wayward dancer after a few days of travel. He didn't know why, but there was a deep pit of dread settling in his stomach the longer time went on. It had nothing to do with Seadall, but it started after they had started searching for him. Something was off, but Jack couldn't quite place what.
"Yes, I am. And you must be Jack. I have heard a lot about you since I joined this army," Seadall said, turning around with his chin between his thumb and forefinger. He looked Jack up and down. "Yes, you look exactly as Lionel described you. I am glad we finally got to meet."
"Erm, likewise," Jack replied, rubbing the back of his neck. The terrain the army was traveling through wasn't exactly the best place for a conversation, he had to admit. The sky was blocked by a distant sandstorm - thankfully not heading in their direction, but everyone put face and eye protection regardless. It was always going to happen eventually, but it also meant Jack couldn't get a good look at Seadall's face.
Not that he was modest anywhere else, and his long brown hair flowed in the wind. Besides the face and eye covering, Seadall's body - well, Jack knew who he was, but even he had to admit that Seadall looked good.
Then again, not that much of an accomplishment in Alear's army. The Divine Dragon seemed to lure in the most attractive people around the continent. With Jack himself obviously being the exception, of course.
"You can see the future, yes?" Seadall asked. "I heard that from the others - though they have said that it is limited."
"You probably have better future sight than me at this point, Seadall," Jack admitted with a shrug, looking at the distant sandstorm and shivering as the convoy moved past them. "I knew a pretty accurate timeline of events up until a few months ago. Now, I'm really just another soldier in Alear's army. Nothing special."
"Hmm. As far as I know, you are one of three individuals that have come from a world unseen - that makes you special, in my opinion, though you may not think it so," Seadall replied, turning to follow Jack's gaze. "Oftentimes, what little I can tell of the future is in the cards, and they can be as murky as that storm."
"Four, actually," Jack said, holding up four fingers. "Sombron came from another world."
"B-by what- Oh, I see, that must have been revealed to you in your dreams as well," Seadall said, reorienting himself.
Jack shrugged. "It doesn't really matter. It does make all of this seem rather poetic, huh? Sombron's plans for Queen Lumera and Veyle were undone by some moron from Maryland. Maybe we should carve that on his tombstone. Actually, no, putting it on Griss and Zephia's tombstones would work better."
"I will take your word for it on that front. I do not even know who Griss and Zephia are, though I assume they must be some of the Fell Dragon's generals," Seadall commented. "Nonetheless… you have my thanks for helping Lionel out of the Northern Fortress."
Jack scoffed. "You know, about that, what was he even doing there by himself? He could've got himself killed. I know he can use magic now and he has a Hurricane Axe, but, well, one man against a legion of skeletal undead - the odds aren't in favor of the one man."
"Yes. My thoughts exactly," Seadall replied calmly, before sighing, "I had discovered the Ring of the Crux of Fate within that old ruin. She spoke to me, asked me to take her to the Divine Dragon. But before I could, the fortress came under the control of those creatures - the Husks, I believe they are called.
Seadall wiped his forehead, letting out another sigh. "They came up out of the ground, and I had escaped, but not before the Emblem Ring was taken from me. Lionel heard of this and… came to the conclusion that he could single handedly save the Emblem Ring and drive the Husks off. I tried to stop him, but as you found out, that appeared to be inadequate."
Jack shrugged. "At least it meant I got to meet him again. But, say, how much do you know about his… er, condition?"
"You may speak candidly, Jack," Seadall said. "I don't believe he is around to hear us, though I admit, speaking of it while he is not here makes me feel disquiet."
Jack sighed. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It was never a big deal in my world; he got the antipsychotics and that was it. We just gotta watch him, you know? Maybe find a way to deal with it. Like a healing staff to the head or something."
"I tried that. Or rather, the village we were both staying in tried that. It did not work," Seadall answered, and Jack could imagine the frown on his face. "I have seen this condition before, but it was always on the fringes of villages, and they were not…"
"Please, Seadall, you don't need to say anymore," Jack said, holding a hand up. "Really, you don't. There's gotta be some way, and I'm not gonna stop until I find it."
"Then you may rely on me as well," Seadall said, bowing his head. "Lionel has been a good friend to me, even as his condition has worsened. It would be a terrible thing to not repay his kindness."
Jack let out a small chuckle. "You know what, Seadall? You're alright. I'm glad I met you."
"And I am grateful that I met you. I have been itching to learn what you know of the future," Seadall said, a small bit of excitement entering his tone. "But that can wait for later, once we are out of sight of that dust devil…"
Jack circled around Alear, a wooden sword raised on his left side as if preparing for a thrust.
The water below them rippled with every step Jack took, and the subtle, cool green light from the Arena almost seemed to mirror the expressions on both of their faces; calm, collected, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Alear kept his heterochromatic eyes trained on Jack, and Jack continued to walk, like a wolf that had found easy prey.
Finally, Jack lunged forward, aiming low. Alear was easily able to block that blow with his own wooden sword, but anticipating that, Jack swung upward, quicker than he thought his muscles were capable of doing. Alear was barely able to move his head beyond the sweeping arc of the wooden sword, countering with a thrust of his own.
Alear scored a glancing blow against Jack's side, but Jack wasn't out just yet. Instead, he used Alear's outstretched arm to his advantage, and lunged forward once again, slashing his sword along Alear's chest.
Jack took a deep breath after that, letting his wooden sword clatter to the ground as he put his hands on his hips. "If that had been an actual sword you were using, I wouldn't have been able to do that, huh?"
Alear shrugged. "You may or may not have, depending on if you were wearing armor or not. Armor is useful for glancing blows."
"Which is why you don't wear any, right?" Jack pointed out, snorting. "You have some fancy clothes, at least. They fit you! Just saying, if it's so useful, maybe you could at least have a pauldron? Or maybe a simple breastplate?"
Alear shrugged. "Does it sound weird that I think I don't need it?"
"No. What sounds weird is telling me that we are sparring in the middle of some pocket dimension that's larger on the inside than it is on the outside," Jack replied. "But, honestly? The only constant that's always been around, for every game I played - dragons are weird. So you being weird isn't anything to write home about."
"I… think that may have been a compliment?" Alear asked, rubbing the back of his neck and he looked bashfully to the side. "Truth be told, something has felt… different about me, since I transformed the first time. I haven't done so again but - my skin, it feels… thicker, somehow."
Jack shrugged. "If we had Tiki, we might've been able to ask her questions. Or Queen Lumera, but she's back in Lythos again."
"Hm. Are there any differences you can recall at this moment?" Alear asked. "Maybe I can compare how I feel to what some of these other dragons have said."
"If anything, Alear, you're an outlier. Not many dragons tended to get up close and personal, using weapons and stuff," Jack replied. "Honestly, I can count on my hands how many dragons used weapons, while most either relegated themselves to non-combat positions, or used their stones more liberally. Shit, why don't you transform right now? Maybe you'll get a better feel for how you are in human form if you do that."
Alear raised a brow. "I don't see how that's gonna work."
"Well, you started feeling all weird after you transformed at Destinea Cathedral, right?" Jack asked.
Alear nodded.
"Then - now I'm not saying this stands to reason, 'cause there's nothing reasonable about this, let's be real - maybe doing it again will make things clearer?"
Alear crossed his arms. "You just want to see me turn into a dragon again, don't you?"
"What? No. Definitely not," Jack denied.
Silence reigned for a few seconds before Jack let out a sigh.
"Alright, you caught me. But I am serious, though. Having a way to turn into a dragon the fly, Alear - that's a pretty valuable power to have. If it weirds you out, maybe just think of it as Engaging with an Emblem, except it's just you. And whatever concoction of Fell and Divine energy you got swirling inside you," Jack said.
Alear closed his eyes before producing his dragonstone from a pack by his side. "I have kept it with me all this time, even if my first instinct upon waking up after Destinea Cathedral was to throw it away. I don't know. Every time I touch it, it feels as if it sends sparks throughout my body."
Jack hummed to himself. "Just don't catch yourself on fire. And look, I'm not gonna make you do anything you don't wanna do. I just think you should consider it."
"I've considered it," Alear replied, opening his eyes. "And if there is one place where it would be good to test it, it would be here. Stand back, Jack."
Jack blinked before doing as Alear said and backing away, and just a few moments later, the red-and-blue stone in Alear's hands glowed with iridescent light, swirling upward as if to form a spearhead before exploding out like a flower. Power both red and blue exploded from Alear's shifting form, and before long, Jack was face to face with the dragon for the first time in months.
Just as before, Alear's dragon form was covered in gray scales, though the scale-less parts of his body were glowing a mixture of red and blue, cycling between the two. The crown of scales atop his head, so much like Queen Lumera's, added a few more feet of height to an already massive creature. Finally, the eyes - they reflected Alear's human form in that they were red and blue, alight faintly with draconic power.
Jack approached Alear cautiously as the Divine-Fell Dragon looked around.
"You still in there?" Jack asked. "Can you hear me?"
Alear looked down, and Jack felt like a spotlight had been trained on him. The dragon leaned his head down, and let out a low croak, almost like a frog but far deeper than any frog could ever hope to match.
"Come again?" Jack said.
There was a deep rumble as Alear bobbed his head up and down.
"Can't talk? Sombron and Lumera can talk…" Jack hummed. "Keep trying."
Alear shook his head as the door to the arena opened, and a familiar head of blonde hair peaked inside.
"Hey, are you guys done or- by the Divine Dragon!" Alfred said, slamming the door shut after letting out a high-pitched scream.
Jack blinked. "Well, we scared Alfred."
Alear let out what Jack assumed was an affirmative gurgle.
"Do you think he'll come back inside?" Jack asked, looking up to Alear.
Alear looked down and shook his head.
"I mean, I dunno, Alfred can be-"
The doors opened again, and Alfred hid behind it like a child, looking forward at Alear with only one eye.
"S-so that's Alear's dragon form, then?" he asked shakily.
"No, I summoned Sombron," Jack replied.
Alear let out a high-pitched whistle that almost sounded as if he was trying to say something. For a few seconds, Jack felt his ears tingling as Alear finally formulated one word.
"Alllllfredss," Alear hissed. "Fedssss. Alfredsss."
"I think he's calling your name, Alfred," Jack suggested, crossing his arms. "He's getting the hang of his dragon form. Ain't it beautiful?"
"I-I suppose it is?" Alfred stuttered out, entering the arena proper and walking forward, his footsteps punctuated by splashing water. "I've never seen anything like that before. Doesn't look like Sombron or Lumera."
Jack shrugged. "I think it suits him."
"Huh. Yeah, you know what, now that you mention it…" Alfred said, moving forward until he touched Alear's arm. "Not so bad. Jack's right; it suits you. Think you could fly me to Firene really quick? I wanna make sure mom is alright. I mean, I get letters at the Somniel, but, you know…"
"Rrrrrrrhm. No," Alear replied.
"Shot down in his prime," Jack said, shaking his head. "You hate to see it."
"Can you fly me anyway?" Alfred pressed.
"Need. Need figure out flying again. Tried with fath-er Sombron. Will fly then," Alear replied, his voice - it was like hearing him talk from a great distance, yet somehow it had become amplified to the point that it was all Jack could hear.
"Just make sure you don't push yourself - or you can. I'll be there beside you, giving you water when you need it! Boucheron does the same for me sometimes. I mean, I'd need to fly too - which I can't do because we don't have any griffons and the wyverns wouldn't let me fly them anyway. Actually, what was I talking about?"
"You were talking about flying," Jack reminded him.
"Right, yes, that! Thank you, Jack. You're good at reminding people about what matters!" Alfred said.
"Well, watching you two fumble around each other like a bunch of fourteen year-olds at Prom is my other hobby, but I don't get near enough credit for that one," Jack snorted.
Alear froze for a moment before looking down.
"Need transform back," Alear rumbled. "Have something give you."
Jack and Alfred stood outside Alear's room. Jack had his back against the wall, leaning on it and hopelessly rummaging through his pockets for a phone - some bits of muscle memory never went away, even though it had been months since Jack had last seen a phone. Alfred, on the other hand, had his arms crossed and his foot was tapping against the ground, driving Jack slowly insane.
"What do you think he has for you?" Alfred asked.
"A wedding ring, probably," Jack replied, "Sorry, Alfred. Looks like you lost."
"Haha. Now, be serious," Alfred continued, and Jack blinked.
"...Alfred, you know I was joking. No need to get all-"
"I know exactly how I'm supposed to get, Jack," Alfred said, moving forward with furrowed brows. His arms fell to his side and his fists were clenched. "That is, if that's even your real name…"
Jack blinked, before both of them ended up letting out a couple snickers.
"You almost had me," Jack admitted, shrugging. "You almost had me, I'll say it. You actually sounded jealous for a second."
"Ah, good to know my acting's been getting better! I know I don't have anything to fear from you - you and Princess Ivy talk a lot, so I just assumed-"
"Woah, woah, woah, you're making a lotta assumptions there, boy scout," Jack interrupted. "Look, you and Hortensia - hell, everyone just needs to back off on that. There's nothing between us, I don't-"
Jack himself was interrupted as Alear opened the door and sheepishly shuffled out into the open, holding an ornate sword in one hand. Jack marveled at it for a moment - even though it was sheathed, the guard shined like silver, and the grip looked to be made of the finest leather. And the pommel - Jack wasn't one to nerd out over a sword, at least, he didn't think he was, but something about the one in front of him was different.
Alear turned to Jack, a small smile on his face. "This is for you."
Jack looked up from the sword, back to the sword, and then back to Alear. "What? It's not Christmas, Alear."
"What's Christmas?" Alfred asked, though his eyes were zeroed in on the sword as well.
"I did suggest getting a sword for you to someone," Alear explained. "The way you fought in the arena earlier - it's clear you have talent."
"Given to me by Emblems, yeah," Jack said, looking down. "Didn't get it through blood, sweat, and tears. Not like the rest of you. Why waste such a valuable piece on me?"
"Because it's a gift, and not from me," Alear continued. "This, Jack, this is something Princess Ivy wanted me to give to you."
Jack's heart stopped. He pointed at the sword.
"This is from Ivy?" he asked.
"Yes. Er, well, I am the one who suggested it, I suppose, but she went through the trouble of buying it, and asked me to give it to you," Alear clarified, holding the sword out. Take it, my friend. It's yours."
Jack gingerly reached his hands out, and Alear let him take it. Jack looked down at it, letting out a deep breath.
"Well, look at that…" Jack whispered, before looking back up at Alear. "You sure she asked you? She didn't pray to you?"
Alear laughed awkwardly, looking away. "It was a bit dramatic, yes, but not quite that bad, thankfully. I was merely thinking that you needed another weapon - we'll probably be fighting in close quarters soon, and while that Flame Lance is powerful, who knows what we'll find beneath the capital?"
"Nothing good, definitely," Jack said, before looking down at the sword in his hands and smiling. "This is… probably one of the nicest things anyone has ever given me."
"You know what this means, don't you?" Alfred asked, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder.
Jack turned his head and raised a brow. "I mean, it's just a nice and thoughtful gift from a friend-"
"This is a marriage proposal, I think!" Alfred declared. "Or maybe, something else? Sometimes people in Kering had some wild theories on Elusians."
"I feel like that's profiling, Alfred," Jack muttered.
Alfred waved a hand. "Whatever! I didn't mean anything by it. Still, I think I can see something between you two. Aren't you two talking all the time?"
"Define 'all the time'," Jack replied, fiddling with the sword belt and trying to get it around his waist. "We talk, yeah, and sometimes maybe my heart goes a little crazy when she smiles at one of my stupid jokes - even though she tries to hide it. And it's true that I haven't really looked at her the same way since she saved me from Elusia Castle, I-"
Jack's jaw closed with an audible 'clump', as both Alfred and Alear looked at him with smug eyes and grins.
"Are you two gonna kiss anytime soon?" Jack asked, looking between Alear and Alfred. "Seriously, kiss right now. Do it. I'll only watch from between my fingers."
"I don't think you'll be able to get out of this just by drawing attention to that, Jack," Alear said, letting out a small chuckle. "Nonetheless, I won't push it further. Just know that you have our support."
"Heh. Yes! You have the support of the crown prince of Firene and the Divine Dragon himself! What could possibly be nervous about?" Alfred asked.
"About the constant and horrible teasing that's sure to come down on me now?" Jack answered, rubbing his scalp. "It's what I'd do."
"Well, good thing we're not you, then. I guess?" Alear said.
"Nah, this isn't something worth teasing you over. At least, not yet," Alfred concurred, pressing his cravat against his chest. "I'll wait until you two are actually a thing. Then I'll tease you. At least a little bit."
"Never before have I been glad that you two aren't like me," Jack said, letting out a sigh of relief. "I mean, I'm happy about that every day. I wouldn't be able to stand it for more than a few minutes. Could you imagine? Thirty of me? We'd all go mad and kill each other after one of us cracks a joke about- I dunno, something stupid."
"This conversation has gotten a bit too weird for me," Alear said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What, and transforming into a dragon wasn't weird?" Jack asked.
"I will need to do it more often, preferably in that chamber," Alear said, "could one of you two watch over me next time I do it as well? It makes me feel more comfortable knowing someone is by my side while I'm… er, exploring my capabilities."
"There was no way you were gonna word that so it wasn't strange-sounding, but points for trying," Jack commented.
"I'd be honored, Alear," Alfred said, bowing his head. "And, well, seeing you in dragon form was really spectacular."
"Thank you, both of you, for being with me through all of this," Alear said.
"Oh good lord, are we all just gonna spill our hearts out today?" Jack asked, turning around and leaning on the railing overlooking the cafe. "Look at us, a buncha bleeding hearts out here. Careful that you don't get blood on the nice carpets."
Alfred laughed. "Whose blood?"
"I dunno. Hard to tell without ways to test for DNA," Jack replied, shrugging.
"Where would I be without you two?" Alear wondered openly.
They were supposed to reach Serenissima soon, Jack reminded himself. And yet, the sky grew darker with clouds, and the city felt as if it was a million miles away. The only reason he felt like he could keep going was because of the Somniel - if that floating island didn't exist, and Alear had no way to teleport to it, life would have been a lot more dreary.
He just wished he could've found Ivy before they began to march. He still needed to thank her for the sword still decorating his side.
Of course, Jack was just being a drama queen; they had only just begun marching, straight toward the capital, and the others weren't nearly so dour. Then again, Jack couldn't quite place his finger on why he felt so bad. He hadn't felt it earlier, and he didn't feel particularly sick. Something was just off.
The clouds overhead - they weren't like the sandstorm they had gone past on the way to Serenissima. They were like billowing storm clouds.
In the end, his questions were answered when the convoy crested the very same hill they had when they first traveled to the capital.
The city was aglow with orange light, with large columns of smoke billowing high into the sky. The palace itself was nothing more than a glorified ruin, with it apparently having suffered the most damage - its charred shell was practically all that remained. The fires had long been extinguished around it, making it seem like the flames started from there.
"No…" Timerra whispered. "No, no, no! We need to get in there, now!"
Fogado said nothing, merely staring at the flames with the most serious expression Jack had ever seen on him. Alear nodded, and unsheathed Libération.
"Let's go, everyone! We need to save as many people as we can!"
Jack pulled on his Flame Lance, and joined the charge wordlessly.
If Jack thought the outside of the city looked rough - what with the fires and destroyed buildings and all - the inside, being among them, was an entirely different story. The streets were cracked and broken with holes into the abyss everywhere. Buildings were caved in or destroyed completely, leaving nothing behind but rubble and the occasional body. Despite that, Jack was surprised by how few bodies there were. Either they were dragged beneath the earth, or they had gotten away safely.
Jack hoped that it was the latter.
He sent a fireball forward and it engulfed a Husk's head, and the creature spent a couple seconds clawing at its head before Jack dismembered it. The others were pushing forward, straight to the city center and to the castle beyond that. He would catch glimpses of them through the chaos of battle - Alear's sword glittering in the darkness, Alfred running over the enemy. Diamant cut a Husk in twain while Ivy engulfed several in fire that fire exceeded the Flame Lance Jack had. There was no 'bulk of the horde' though; there was no giant mass of Husks for them to fight, and the ones they did fight against all seemed to either be milling around or trying to retreat into the holes in the earth their entrance had no doubt created.
What was strange about them was that the cracks, crevices, and holes did not merely disappear into barely perceptible divots in the ground. And they only became larger the further they pushed into the city.
Timerra, Fogado, and their retainers fought the hardest, though Jack expected that - the capital was their home, and the thought of what had happened to their mom must've been eating away at them. Jack only hoped that what was left of the palace didn't contain Queen Seforia's remains.
Even though it wasn't technically his fault, Jack knew he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if she died. Which was strange, considering he hadn't said two words to the woman. Or at least, he didn't remember doing so.
The Husks easily fell to Alear's army - there were only a handful left by the time they made it to the city center, and what Jack saw made his heart drop into his stomach, and his veins to run cold.
There was a lance buried in the middle of the city center, with the cracks in the earth surrounding it leading straight into the abyss. Jack recognized the lance: it was Venomous, one of the weapons received if the player invested in Solm in the game. It made sense that it belonged to the royal family, but the fact that it was stabbed straight into the ground, with Queen Seforia nowhere in sight-
The last of the Husks were cut down, their metal and bone bodies crumpling into piles, and Jack watched as Timerra ran forward and placed a hand against the lance. He couldn't hear what she murmured as the others gathered around nearby.
"Before you ask," Jack began, "No, this never happened in the timeline saw - and I think it's important for you all to know that I am freaking the fuck out."
"I wasn't going to ask that," Alear replied. "We already knew that there were ruins beneath the capital, I just never expected them to- that rumbling we felt! In the village we recruited Seadall from! That must be when it happened!"
"That was days ago," Diamant said, "If that's the case, then everyone here… the queen, the royal guard, the citizens…"
"This damage is fresh," Timerra said, joining the conversation with Venomous in hand. It almost looked too large for her to wield, but wield it she did. "This couldn't have happened more than a few hours ago."
"That would mean that Queen Seforia-" Céline began, before shaking her head. "By the Divine- that woman was able to hold off this onslaught for a week?"
"Mom can be very stubborn when someone imposes on her," Fogado commented, though it was devoid of its usual jolliness.
"I believe our goal is clear, then, and we cannot waste any time," Ivy said, looking toward the fissures that lined the ground. "Much as I am… frightened by what we might find down there, and I am not a fan of tight spaces, there is little choice. If there is still time to save the queen before whoever built these Husks does- whatever it is they do to their captives, then we must take it."
"Agreed," Alear said. "Get ready, everyone. We're going to find a way down there. And then we'll end this."
Jack felt his heart thumping in his chest. He felt like he was on a massive precipice, looking over the edge into the dark below. Some part of him felt exhilarated, and another part felt as if his whole world was going to crumble around him.
Nonetheless, he prepared himself just as Alear ordered.
Please, let this end soon. Let Queen Seforia be alright…
Now we're getting into the meat and potatoes of this act. I can't wait!
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See you guys next time!