For this chapter, there's still some action at the start. I just realized I am playing the Sai portion of Castii's story a bit differently than the game did, oh well.
Disclaimer: Octopath Traveler 2 was made by Square Enix. I only own my OCs. Though I owe some of the credit for Nathan and Vanessa to Earthernwolf/Winterwolf, I should've mentioned that in the first chapter.
A Sandy Resolution
Hikari, Osvald, Nathan and Priscilla made it out and headed to the town entrance where several sandworms were encroaching upon the town. Priscilla frowned"These are just garden-variety monsters, but it would seem that the worms were driven here by the Sand Lion's rage."
"Evidently" The older Scholar grunted.
Hikari drew his blade"We need to stop these monsters and then go check on Alistair and Castii."
"Which way to the sand lion's den?" Osvald asked.
"Probably at the west outskirts of town" Priscilla replied, calmly"I didn't see any caves back at the east part of town."
Nathan shrugged"I can handle the worms, the rest of you get outta here, do your own thing."
"Don't be a fool! I'm not even going to let you out of my sight!" Priscilla snapped"When this monster attack ends, I'm sending you to Frigit island!"
"Don't worry your pretty little head, we'll settle things next time, for sure" Nathan chuckled, stepping forward"A few sandworms aren't gonna kill me. I'm in no hurry to make you pay for my father's incarceration!" He rushed off to fight the worms.
Osvald thought back to his time on Frigit Island, Nathan had looked quite a bit like one of the other prisoners he had encountered during his stay, could this truly have been Sylas's son? He did not question it aloud though, given how personal things are between Nathan and Priscilla.
"Is something amiss?" Priscilla asked the older scholar.
Osvald shook his head"Its not important, we must go, now." Sylas had been one of the other prisoners on Frigit Island who he was made to work with as they mined Phosphoal for the guards and Warden Davids. Of course, for obvious reasons, he wasn't able to talk to Sylas directly, instead hearing him ramble here and there about his son and wife. But Priscilla didn't need to know about his encounter with that man from when he was in prison.
Nathan grinned and lunged at the sand worms, killing one before having to dodge an attack while Osvald, Priscilla and Hikari headed to the west side of town. Nathan smirked as he easily took down another worm'Heh those things are no match for me.'
"Not bad, rookie, but you mustn't get over your head" came a voice as a certain woman with red hair and armor over her clothes came onto the scene of the battle, accompanied by three more Crimson Sun members.
"I got this, but nice assist" Nathan grunted as he cut down another sand worm.
Scarlet laughed"I like your spunk, but I'm not keen on risking you becoming worm food" she drew her own blade and went to cut down a sand worm.
Priscilla arrived at the battlefield which was close to the Sand Lion's den. A brunette mercenary was reporting to a few knights who are preparing to go assist Castii and Alistair.
"Lady Priscilla, what brings you here?" Sergeant Gareth asked, he knew of her by reputation.
"Monsters have been spotted near town, apparently a Sand Lion has woken and gone into a frenzy" Priscilla replied. She would wait to report Nathan until after the situation is under control.
The sergeant nodded"Yes, my lady. Alistair and Castii just went to deal with it, I was about to go aid them."
"I'm going" Priscilla said bluntly.
"As am I" Hikari put in"I am Hikari of Clan Ku."
Gareth nodded"Pleasure, I know of your clan by reputation, Prince Hikari. And this other man is?"
"Osvald" The older scholar grunted"And we've no time to waste."
"I thank you for offering to go in my and Edmund's stead, just take due care" Gareth cautioned the three"The Sand Lion's den is not too far from here."
Priscilla nodded and accompanied Osvald and Hikari into the sand lion's den. Gareth, Edmund and the remaining knights and Mercs elected to stand near the entrance, just in case.
Alistair and Castii still waited near the Sand Lion's lair with Griff and the surviving Timberain soldiers, they had occasionally had to fight off other monsters while waiting, but otherwise remained where they were. The man from Edmund's group was nursed to health by Castii once they found him.
"Alistair" Priscilla called as her group caught up"I got wind of the Sand Lion situation. Is everything all right, otherwise?"
"For now" Alistair nodded"Timberain and Sai are currently at a standstill, their fighting above its territory caused the monster to go on a rampage. And what of Gareth and Edmund? I asked Edmund to gather the other available knights and have them come join me and Castii to put the Sand Lion to sleep."
"I offered to come help, the Sai troops are waiting outside the cave" Priscilla explained"I know its risky, but not more so than catching criminals. I think we have a pretty good chance at defeating the Sand Lion."
Alistair nodded thoughtfully"Knowing Prince Hikari and Osvald's skills, I see no reason to doubt it."
"Alistair, correct?" Griff addressed him, calmly"Though I understand that Vella is Sai's ally, I must thank you in advance for coming to aid me and my men, anyway."
"You are welcome" Alistair told the Timberain commander"I hope we can find a peaceful solution to the war."
The Timberain commander nodded"I will do what I can after you finish your business, here."
Alistair nodded and headed into the lair of the Sandlion. Castii, Priscilla, Osvald and Hikari followed. They entered a large sandy chamber where a insectoid monster with pincers awaited them.
"Ugh, did I mention that I hate bugs?" Priscilla groaned in disgust.
"No, you didn't" Alistair replied"Understandable, though."
"It comes" Osvald warned, seeing the irate Sand Lion move towards them.
Hikari and Alistair took to the front, slashing at the monster. The Sand Lion reared back and slammed the ground, causing piles of rocks to fall. Priscilla and Osvald dodged, casting Icewind in unison while the two swordsmen avoided the falling rocks, entirely.
Alistair rushed forward to slash at the monster, only for it to harden itself with sand, barely deflecting the attack. Osvald analyzed this situation"It seems that the Sand Lion can harden its shell."
Priscilla cast Icewind, only for the Sand Lion to shift the sand beneath her and suck her into some shallow quicksand"Augh!"
"Hold on" Hikari slashed the Sand Lion and began distracting it while Alistair moved to help Priscilla out of the sand hole that the monster had made. The Antlion was having none of it, however and unleashed another quicksand, temporarily trapping Alistair and Osvald.
Castii promptly imbued her ax with poison and swung at the Sand Lion, piercing it. The monster reared back and lunged at the Apothecary, driving her back. Hikari drew his spear and jabbed and slashed the monster, disrupting its concentration enough for Osvald, Priscilla and Alistair to be freed from the quicksand.
"For a seemingly docile creature, it sure can put up a fight when provoked" Priscilla gasped as she took a breath.
Hikari dodged at the Sand Lion countered his attacks, rushing the monster with a slash and a thrust. Castii used an ice spell on the Sand Lion and sliced at it, narrowly dodging as it tried to pierce her with its pincers. The monster's body started to tremble as it unleashed a powerful turbid stream, sending Alistair and Hikari into the nearby sand pit, the others were blown back just a bit.
While Alistair and Hikari did their best to escape the sandpit, Osvald focused his magic, his latent powers flowing as he prepared to unleash a barrage of spells. Priscilla cast thunder to try and stagger the monster. Castii followed up with a slice of her ax. The Sand Lion brought down another barrage of falling rocks, prompting Casii and Priscilla to dodge.
Osvald let loose with a powerful Icewind spell, blasting the Sand Lion back. Hikari tapped into his inner shadow power upon being freed from the sandpit and lunged, slashing and thrusting at the monster, staggering it further. Castii took this chance to slice at the Sand Lion's chest and blast it with a final Ice spell. The Sand Lion writhed in pain and ultimately collapsed, dead.
"We held out, somehow" Alistair said, glancing at the now-dead Sand Lion.
Castii looked at her companions and administrated some medicine when needed"At least we're all safe."
"Are all Apothecaries trained to fight?" Priscilla asked, impressed by Casti.
The Apothecary shook her head"Not all Apothecaries are trained to fight, they only need to if they're traveling." She took a moment to use her Healing Touch spell on herself"I'm sorry I dragged you into this."
"You need not apologize" Alistair assured her"We should head back, now."
Castii nodded, and the group headed back to meet up with Griff, Edmund and Gareth.
Nathan and Scarlet made short work of the sand worms, putting their weapons away. The Mercenary captain looked thoughtfully at Nathan"You really are very skilled. And you're from Vella, correct?"
"Yes" Nathan replied"So, you're name is Scarlet, correct? I heard a bit about you and your employer from Shane."
The woman nodded"Yes. Now, you are certain Seymour has been dealt with, correct?"
"Yes, though I also ran into a certain someone" Nathan replied"Priscilla Whiteshore, a Prosecutor and a so-called genius." He made it no secret from his venomous tone that he despised Priscilla.
"Hm." Scarlet looked at him thoughtfully"Your last name is Whiteshore, correct? My employer is very thorough when recruiting potential members, including performing background checks. I know Shane and Rick have been captured, partly due to your little grudge which I don't know much about."
Nathan squared his shoulders"Well, now she's a secondary objective, and I don't think she'd be much of a threat. Its not like she knows anything about you or your employer."
"Nonetheless" Scarlet continued, her expression serious"I have strict instructions to take care of any potential interlopers. And while I am not happy with you for indirectly contributing to Rick and Shane's arrest, I will allow you to work with me from now on. We will go to the east continent for our next missions. As for this 'Priscilla,' my Employer would be very interested in hearing about her."
Nathan nodded, despite her stern demeanor, Scarlet seemed like she cared about her comrades in the Crimson Sun"Thank you for allowing me to join you for this next mission. What's the job?" He asked.
"Its primarily a recon job" Scarlet replied"We know little about the going-ons in New Delsta, Montwise and Stormhail, so we can't accurately hunt for anyone the boss would deem corrupt."
"Oh, that's right, that's because Sai and Timberain have been fighting for some time" said Nathan, thoughtfully"But why would your employer be interested in the eastern continent? Its a bit of a stretch, going there just for petty criminals."
"He has his reasons" Scarlet told him, not that she knew what they were"Now, we best leave before anyone sees us." She and the other Crimson Sun mercenaries started to walk away, Nathan followed them.
Priscilla, Alistair, Hikari, Osvald and Castii met up with Edmund and went with Griff and everyone else to the makeshift hospital to see to the wounded. Edmund was grateful to Castii for saving his comrade who had fallen into the Sand Lion's den with the Timberain soldiers. Osvald and Hikari went to go wait for their friends near the town entrance while Gareth and his squad went to rest up.
As Edmund, Castii and Mao worked to finish seeing to the injured, Priscilla filled Alistair in on what happened at Seymour's manor. The red-haired knight was troubled to hear this"Its true that some of the more corrupt nobility fancy themselves untouchable, but why does the Crimson Sun feel it truly necessary to administer justice from the shadows?"
"I can't imagine" The Prosecutor replied"And we have no leads as to where the Crimson Sun's headquarters are. Minister Lian said that Flamechurch could be of help in the investigation, if there's anyone from the Inquisition available that is."
"They might" Alistair said thoughtfully"Assuming they do not have their hands full with other matters, already."
The Timberain commander came into the tent, having had time to rest up at the inn"Alistair, Edmund. I never imagined that you would save the lives of my men and come to my aid in the Sand Lion's den."
"It was no trouble" Alistair assured him"Even if we were on different sides, I could not leave a helpless man to his fate."
"Even so" Griff looked at him and Edmund solemnly"I long thought of outsiders only as locusts, contributing nothing while eating our food. It seems that I was very much mistaken."
"Honestly, we have the Bonemender and her friends to thank for sticking their noses into our fighting" Edmund said, humbly"It seems I now owe you an apology."
"So then, the war between Sai and Timberain is over?" Alistair asked.
Griff nodded"I shall beg my king to let us lay down our arms and welcome the people of Sai as our own. Alistair, Castii, I shall remember your valor and mercy, I am grateful for what you've done. And perhaps we of Timberain can extend a hand of friendship to Vella as well."
"Your people would be welcome to visit" Alistair inclined his head"I bid you good day."
"To you and Lady Whiteshore as well, Sir Alistair" Griff stated.
Priscilla and Alistair left while Griff and Castii spoke with each other for a bit longer. Osvald and Hikari were waiting for them. The prince spoke to Alistair"What do you intend to do now that Sai is at peace?"
"I'm going to send King Lorian a message that the war between Sai and Timberain has effectively ended" Alistair replied"And I am concerned about the very fact that Ku is becoming aggressive once more under Mugen's dominion."
"Vella has been pressured into aiding Ku before, correct?" Priscilla asked, despite having been neglected for most of her childhood, she'd taken to studying history in addition to economics and law.
Alistair nodded, a grim expression on his face"I suspect that Mugen will attempt the same, either that or try to destroy Vella. He may have his hands full with the surrounding clans near Ku at the moment, but I wouldn't suffer the chance that my fellow knights and the rest of the people would suffer another pointless war to come across our doorsteps. If this wasn't enough..." He trailed off, uncertainty in his expression.
"Is there another problem?" Priscilla asked"I know we're not hopeless against Ku if you intend to fully cooperate with Prince Hikari to defeat Mugen."
"Its not that" Alistair sighed deeply, troubled"I'm sure you are familiar with what happened between my parents."
"Oh, yeah" Priscilla said thoughtfully"That was over thirty years ago, I was just three years old."
Alistair nodded"It was Prosecutor Percival Whiteshore's final case before he was falsely convicted. He and his student, Mr. Aden Davis were involved in an investigation in which my mother was embezzling funds." He frowned at that.
"I had no idea the Chief Prosecutor took part in that case" Priscilla commented, impressed"Could you maybe tell me more?" She asked, curious.
Alistair sighed deeply"Its quite a story, I'd have to tell you some of my history to do so. Its part of the reason why I'm hesitant at the prospect of suggesting that we spare some troops for Prince Hikari's cause."
"What about Gareth and his squad?" Priscilla asked.
"They'd still need the king's permission" Alistair reminded her"And I was ordered only to keep an eye on the situation, here and in Conning Creek."
"I never intended to drag Vella back into Ku's problems, especially knowing that my father kept pressuring your king before his change of heart. But I thank you for the consideration" Hikari told Alistair, gratefully.
"You are welcome" Alistair told him.
Castii returned to meet up with them"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Its all right" Hikari assured her"What did you and Commander Griff speak of?"
"We talked a little bit about Eir's Apothecaries. After, I asked Mao if she knew anything, Eir's Apothecaries was a group I was a part of" Castii replied with a serious expression"Afterwards..." She felt silent, remembering the other woman, Malaya who know one else seemed to have noticed"Have you seen Malaya pass by? She's a traveling Apothecary."
"I didn't see anyone pass by here, recently" Priscilla replied, then asked"Is something wrong?"
"Its just" Castii blinked, as though unsure how to explain"I talked with her, recently. But after, I started to remember something, something terrible... Images of a village being decimated by purple rain, and a main in a plaque doctor mask."
"Purple rain? That sounds... Unusual" Alistair commented.
Priscilla nodded in agreement"Sounds like it could have been some form of magic, or even a concoction. Do you remember who this man you mentioned was and what he was doing?"
Castii shook her head"I'm sorry, that's the most I remember right now. I need to go to Winterbloom, there might be someone else there who recognizes me and can help find out who that man was."
"It sounds like we're getting closer to the truth regarding the rumor about Eir's Apothecaries and what exactly happened to the people of the village they'd allegedly destroyed" said Priscilla thoughtfully, wondering for a moment if the man in the plaque doctor mask Castii mentioned is the true culprit behind the abandoned village's destruction or if he was trying to save people. There was not enough information to know for sure.
"I'll be going to Winterbloom after we get back to Canalbrine and board a ship to the east continent" said Castti.
Alistair nodded"Its fine. Though you may want to wait until we hear from Throne and Ochette, it would not do to take any unnecessary risks."
"Sir Alistair" Gareth and his squad came to meet up with the group"We're ready to depart."
"Good" Alistair nodded.
The group, accompanied by the knights started their long journey back towards Conning Creek. It was well into evening when they got back to the beach-side town, so most of the group went to the tavern for dinner while the knights set up camp outside a short way away.
Priscilla took the time to check her travel funds"Hm."
"Is something troubling you?" Hikari asked.
The Prosecutor shook her head"Just thinking about how much longer I can afford to pay for all of us staying at the inn and for our food. My family is wealthy, so if I asked my mom or wait for my next payment, I can probably afford everything for a few months. I'm sure my mom would harp on me about draining our family treasury, though. Plus, I need to leave enough for my mom to take care of herself."
"I brought some Leaves myself when I left Ku" Hikari said, thoughtfully"If necessary, we can take part-time jobs or undertake errands for people to earn more revenue."
"Agreed" Osvald concurred, he and Throne had stolen quite a bit from people before arriving at Conning Creek, so he could pitch in if he had to. But Priscilla didn't know that, and he could just get arrested again if he mugged anyone while in the presence of a Knight and a Prosecutor. Plus, stealing is no longer necessary thanks to their shared funds.
Priscilla nodded and put away her wallet"So Alistair, what exactly did happen with your family and the Chief Prosecutor?"
Alistair was a bit uncomfortable telling his story, owing to the damage his mother had caused to his family's reputation"My family always believed strongly in justice and honor. But we were not without our share of troubles."
"Troubles?" Castii asked, curious.
Alistair nodded"My father is the commander of the royal knights of Vella, and my mother was a high-ranking member of the king's court. I was just a boy, training under my father to one day become a knight."
The rest of the group listened intently as Alistair began telling his story.
Okay this turned out shorter than the last couple chapters, but I tried my best with it. The next chapter is almost entirely from Alistair's point of view as it explains his backstory.