Here goes, the next chapter is up and ready. Gonna flip between Sabrina and Priscilla's groups, I probably should mention that there are heavy spoilers ahead, mostly for Osvald's story and Hikari's chapter 2.
Disclaimer: Octopath Traveler 2 was made and copyrighted by Square.
Tides of Intrigue
Priscilla spent the next couple of minutes asking around about Hikari and Agnea's whereabouts, keeping what Scarlet had said to her out of her mind. Temenos privately looked over his notes again while the Prosecutor gathered information. He'd taken the liberty of taking notes on Scarlet's connections to Red and the Crimson Sun in order to help Priscilla in response to how she had assisted on his investigation regarding the murders that transpired at Canalbrine.
'Though my own investigation has nothing to do with bringing the Crimson Sun to justice, I'm rather curious as to who Scarlet's employer is and exactly what they're trying to accomplish. This could be a clue to dragging the identity of the syndicate's leader out into the open.' He thought. Sabrina, Osvald and Partitio had not yet returned from the library, but the Cleric believed they can handle themselves.
Priscilla was speaking with one of the older villagers"So this underground arena is where some wealthy people bet on the challengers who compete in the matches as Gladiators, correct?"
"Quite so" The man replied"Your friends may, at the least be competing in the Gladiator matches, already if they are not merely watching."
"Where can I find it?" Priscilla asked, the sooner she can catch up to Scarlet, the better.
The man gave her directions"Its down a nearby set of stairs, you can't miss the cave-like opening which leads to the underground arena. Might not be your kind of place, mind, given how tough the competitions get and depending on how much money you'd be willing to wager."
Priscilla nodded"Thank you." She then headed back over to Temenos"Well, I know where to go next. Do you suppose Hikari and Agnea have found Kazan, yet?"
"I haven't seen them anywhere else in town, yet, so possibly they are at the arena" The Cleric replied.
Priscilla nodded and headed towards the arena.
Sabrina had reached the library and came across a hidden passageway, which was still visible"How curious." Figuring that Osvald and Partitio must have come across the passage, themselves, she headed into the passage.
The Scholar and the Merchant were cautiously heading down the tunnel when they encountered a couple of deformed monsters. Osvald conservatively used his weaker fireballs to weaken the creatures while Partitio struck at the monsters with his spear.
"These sure aren't normal monsters" Partitio commented as he barely finished off one of the deformed creatures.
"Possibly Harvey's handiwork" Osvald grunted as he drove back two more monsters with Icewind.
Sabtina caught up to the two men and used Tonitrus Conare to zap the remaining monsters with her magic, obliterating the creatures.
Partitio turned"Perfect timing, thanks for the assist."
"You're quite welcome" Sabrina replied"So, where does this passageway lead to?"
"Harvey's laboratory is close by" Osvald replied.
"Harvey is the one who killed your family, right?" Sabrina asked"Its such a shame that this happened to you."
"I'm surprised that you believed me, you have no more evidence than I do" the blond Scholar commented.
Sabrina shrugged"Its true that I only have your word to go by, but Priscilla clearly believes that you are innocent. Priscilla's credibility as a Prosecutor is unquestionable from what I heard of her accomplishments, so I don't see any reason not to believe your story."
"You may be a bit rough around the edges, but as far as I can tell, you're not really a bad guy, Osvald" Partitio added"You must really have loved your family if you're seeking revenge for them."
Osvald didn't personally consider himself a good person at this point, Harvey had taken everything from him, so he had no qualms about hunting down the man responsible for his difficult circumstances"Enough talk, we should nearly be at the laboratory."
Sabrina and Partitio nodded and continued accompanying the Scholar. They came to a small room with containment tubes, more strange creatures were being contained within.
Osvald glanced at the creatures that were in the containment tubes"What on earth...?"
"Huh?" Sabrina paled as she looked at the monsters"Could those be...?"
"Chimaras? Most likely" Osvald said, scrutinizing the gruesome sight before him"Could Harvey have been...?" He trailed off, deep in thought.
"They sure don't look too pretty, what are they?" Partitio asked.
Osvald looked at the creatures for a bit longer"Harvey must have been combining different monsters with stronger magical elements... This sort of study is forbidden, he must think that this will lead him to the answer regarding the One True Magic."
Sabrina nodded in agreement"I know not what this One True Magic you speak of is, but I have to agree that this is beyond the pale. Such experiments are forbidden for a reason."
Partitio noticed the tubes were starting to crack"Uh, we might wanna brace ourselves."
The three jumped back as the mutated monsters broke out of their containment. Osvald noted that the creatures were snarling at them"They see us as enemies... So be it, we shall evaluate the results of Harvey's research, ourselves."
The bird-like monster was about to dive at them, only for Partitio to shoot it down with an arrow. Sabrina cast a chain of fire magic, which barely fazed the other two creatures as they advanced. Osvald channeled his magical power, blasting both monsters with thunderbolt, staggering them long enough for Partitio to strike down another of the monsters with his spear.
The last one lunged at Sabrina, who dodged and zapped it with a thunderbolt, Osvald and Partitio quickly pitched in with Icewind and an arrow, respectively, seriously injuring the monster. The monster turned to counter, only for Sabrina to finish it off with a chain of thunder.
"Goodness, that took quite a bit out of me" Sabrina ate an Inspiriting Plum, which she had in her pocket to magically replenish her stamina. She was getting a bit weary from the strain caused by using many powerful spells in the same day.
"Sorcery is indeed more powerful than the basic spells used by Magic Scholars, but supposedly they certainly use quite a bit more stamina" Osvald said as he replenished his own magical energy reserves with an Inspiriting plum.
Just then, a voice rang out"So, at last you caught up with me, Osvald. And with a couple of other people in tow, I see." A man with a large black coat and a long cape came into view, he had red hair and a goatee, a red comb-over dropping down one side of his face.
Osvald tensed as he turned to look at his former colleague"Harvey."
"Harvey, is it?" Sabrina looked at the red-haired Scholar"I am Sabrina Anders."
"Spare me your prattling. Still, quite intriguing, sorcery of your caliber is quite rare. And Osvald... You earned a passing mark! I didn't think you'd make it."
Osvald narrowed his eyes"Harvey... You-"
"You have much to answer for" Sabrina told the red-haired Scholar, tersely. Partitio just silently stayed near Sabrina and Osvald.
"Yes, yes, there's time to talk, but first" Harvey directed a question at his old colleague"Did you understand the thrust of my research prior to your arrival?"
"Abstractly so, yes" Osvald replied, tersely"I can see that you overcame a major hurdle with the help of my formulae."
"So, you were partners, right? Like my pa and Roque" Partitio asked Osvald.
Osvald nodded grimly.
"And I thank you, my friend" Harvey laughed, smirking at Osvald"Everything that was once yours is now mine!"
Osvald sighed, responding angrily"You can have my research, but why take Rita and Elena, too!? I will never understand why you had to take them."
"Think, Osvald, the critical mind is they key to all" Harvey sneered, using his dark power to call forth a monstrous stone golem with purple flames and what appeared to be purple blood dripping.
Sabrina and Partitio turned to look at the creature, paling at the sight of it.
"What is that?" The Vellan princess asked.
"Doesn't look too pretty" Partitio commented.
The golem swung its fists down, driving the trio back. Harvey laughed"Such power! Its beautiful."
Osvald noted the dark power driving the monster's actions"What have you done, Harvey!? What is the source of that power?"
"Was that a shout of amazement?" The red-haired Scholar gloated"I knew you would understand, its why I made you my closest friend. The source happens to be a little someone I stole from you."
"What are you getting at?" Sabrina asked, disgusted.
Just then, a feminine voice seemed to speak from the Golem"My... Dear..."
"It can't be, is that you, Rita?" Osvald asked the golem, shocked"But the fire..."
"You misunderstand, my friend. You found a corpse that night, but it wasn't hers" Harvey chortled"Goodness, no, she didn't burn. I abducted her. You see, I needed her blood. The corpse twas that of another's."
Sabrina and Partitio felt sickened at the revelation.
"My dear..." The voice repeated.
Osvald addressed the golem again"Is that truly you, darling?"
Harvey laughed"It is your beloved wife, Osvald! I made the creature with her blood."
"How far will you fall, Harvey!?" Osvald demanded.
"As far as I need to, for the answer" Havey replied, smoothly.
Sabrina was beyond peeved"Despicable..."
"Behold, the product of my research!" Harvey laughed.
"Look out!" Partitio cried as the Grieving Golem slammed its fists down at Osvald. Osvald dodged and retaliated with Thunderbolt. The Grieving Golem unleashed a torrent of dark energy, blasting Osvald, Partitio and Sabrina back. Sabrina got back onto her feet, first, countering with a barrage of Ice magic. The golem swung its massive fists again, driving the group back.
"I'll try to keep us going" Partitio had thankfully procured some Healing Grape Bunches, distributing some to his companions before shooting at the Grieving Golem's arm. The Golem was barely fazed as it countered by bringing its fists down from above the merchant, which he barely avoided. The Golem then cast a dark torrent, which the group barely withstood.
"She's mighty fierce" Partitio grunted.
Sabrina nodded, casting a couple of fire spells at the golem, Osvald followed suit with Thunderbolt. The Grieving Golem staggered a bit before swinging its fists again, prompting the group to dodge. Osvald shot the monster with another blast of Icewind, while Partitio fired another arrow. Sabrina cast a barrage of Thunderbolts, staggering it. The Grieving Golem unleashed another Dark Torrent and tried to slam its fist down on Osvald. The blond Scholar dodged, attacking again with Thunderbolt.
The Grieving Golem let out a sharp cry, lunging at Osvald and Sabrina, barely nicking them. Partitio cast a Fireball to slow the Golem down, only for it to retaliate by slamming downward at the merchant, which he narrowly dodged.
"Boy, that smarts" Partitio grunted, healing himself with a Healing Grape.
The Grieving Golem cast another torrent of darkness at the group, wearing them down a bit more. Osvald grunted"Sabrina, try casting your magic at the same time as me." He channeled his magic, strengthening his next spell.
Sabrina nodded, powering up to cast a powerful barrage of thunder spells. Osvald followed with a powered-up Icewind, staggering the Golem, greatly. On its last legs, the monster slammed a fist at Osvald, knocking him back. Sabrina quickly went to administer a healing grape on the blond Scholar.
Seeing what it just did, the Grieving Golem let out a cry and started to crumble, its dark power flickering as it self-destructed, collapsing face-first down onto the ground. Partitio took a breath"That was tough. We probably would've fared better if we had Temenos to help us."
"At least it looks like the monster died, but was it truly human, once? Not once did it speak during our fight" Sabrina said, puzzled.
Osvald went to inspect the Grieving Golem's dead body, frowning after a moment"No... It isn't Rita, after all. All Harvey did was give it her blood, it lacks her soul..."
"What brilliant deduction" Harvey commented, he had been watching with amusement"The very smarts that I admired. Yes, its true, Rita is truly dead. She'd served her purpose, after all."
Osvald bowed his head"Forgive me, Rita. I brought this upon you." Sabrina put a hand on Osvald's shoulder in comfort.
"I'm sorry about your wife, Osvald" Partitio said, giving his condolences.
A flame of darkness seeped from the inert Golem. Puzzled, Osvald looked at it"What is this dark power? Is it what gave the creature life?"
Harvey stepped closer"That is the answer."
"The answer to what?" Sabrina asked, glaring at the red-haired Scholar.
"Why, the one true magic" Harvey sneered"Its what Osvald and I researched, together. Ha, ha, ha. I found it, in the end. The seventh source."
"What?" Osvald asked, confused.
"You really don't know?" Harvey smirked"The creature was made of Lumina blood. Rita Lumina's family was known as the Lineage of Light. As you know, light gives birth to the darkest shadows. With this in mind, I took your research, and your family."
"What did you do with Elena?" Osvald asked.
Just then, a little girl with blond hair, a blue skirt and white shirt entered the room"Papa?"
Osvald, Partitio and Sabrina turned their attention to the girl. Osvald was surprised.
"So, now we know the whole truth, then? Osvald was completely innocent" Sabrina said.
Osvald stepped forward, looking fondly at his daughter"Elena... Its really you, you're alive!" He smiled"Come."
To Osvald's shock, Elena walked towards Harvey, instead. The red-haired Scholar looked at her"Elena, did I not warn you against entering my laboratory?"
"Eh, is she really your daughter, Osvald?" Partitio asked.
"Yes, but something is wrong" Osvald replied, still shocked.
"I'm sorry, papa" Elena told Harvey, apologetically"I was worried, you didn't come home."
Osvald paled"Harvey, you..."
"Have you seen the look on your face? Your mind has ground to a half" Harvey laughed, leading Elena to the stairs.
"That scum, first he faked your family's death, then he murdered Rita, and now he lied to and brainwashed your daughter, then?" Sabrina hissed, silently.
After speaking with Elena for a bit, Harvey addressed Osvald"I took Elena in to raise as my own, after altering her mind a bit, of course." He smirked.
"What are you saying?" Osvald asked.
"What the heck are you going to do with that innocent chickadae?" Partitio asked Harvey.
"Nothing more than what I do with the monsters, I assure you" The red-haired Scholar replied, coolly.
Osvald scowled"You're the monster, Harvey!" He said, angriy.
Harvey just smirked"You see, Rita was a failure. Fortunately, Elena's blood is even better than her mother's. This time, I shall find the One True Magic!" With that, Harvey left the laboratory, taking Elena with her.
"Harvey!" Osvald tried to give chase, only for the gate to close in front of him.
"That poor little girl, where do you reckon that madman is taking her?" Partitio asked Osvald.
Osvald pondered, he had at the very least found a little peace, having lost half of his reason to enact his revenge"The Lineage of Light..."
"What of it?" Sabrina asked.
"D'arqest, the Archmage studied that very dark power, before, I presume he believed it to be the source of the One True Magic, himself" Osvald replied"There's only one place Harvey could have taken my daughter... Gravell, the resting place of the Archmage, himself."
"Gravell's at the very northeastern part of the west continent, correct?" Sabrina asked.
Osvald nodded"Yes, I must hurry there as fast as I can. Are you coming, Partitio?" He asked the Merchant.
"Shucks, I'd love to help you further, Osvald, but I've my own business to attend to at Wellgrove" Partitio replied, apologetically"Though I wouldn't mind visiting Toto'haha Island for a rest. I hope you'll be able to rescue that poor girl before she ends up like her ma."
"I will, I won't let Harvey get his way" Osvald replied.
Sabrina pondered"Harvey may prove to be a worthy opponent with that foul magic of his. We'll want more help. Alistair is stationed at the west continent, correct?"
"Yes, he is assisting with reforms at Conning Creek" Osvald replied.
Sabrina turned to go"I will send him a carrier pigeon and request that he meet us at the Wildlands. I might be going against my father's instruction, but so far I only have seen traces of Crimson Sun activity here in Montwise. We'll meet up with Priscilla's group and fill her in before we go to Gravell."
The three headed out of the laboratory.
At the arena, Hikari and Agnea had made contact with Kazan, an aging man with gray hair, beard, a ponytail and white robes over his clothes. He'd agreed to help Hikari, but only after the warrior would do him a favor first, claiming that he is in debt. As a result, Hikari had been fighting in the arena as a part of his deal with his father's old tactician while not taking a life if he can help it.
As Agnea and Kazan watched, Hikari was eventually challenged by a man in a green and brown tunic with a green headband and leather accents on his clothes. The black-haired warrior stood his ground, ready for the match to begin.
"Nothing personal, but only one of us can walk away" The man in the green and brown tunic told Hikari"I am Zeto the Butcher."
"Then shall we begin?" Hikari readied his blade.
While Hikari and Zeto dueled each other, Priscilla entered the arena with Temenos. The Prosecutor looked around"Quite a crowd, I can't imagine that Scarlet will even be able to try anything. She must have been bluffing."
"Its possible, but we can't be too sure" Temenos replied"And it looks like Hikari is partaking in the arena."
"He must have his reasons" Priscilla went to the spectators' stand where Kazan, Agnea and some other people were watching.
Kazan noticed the two newcomers"Did you happen to come to bet on the match? I just did."
"No, but I want to know what's going on" Priscilla replied"My name is Priscilla, I am of House Whiteshore."
"Hikari is fighting in the tournament to help Kazan pay off his debt" supplied Agnea.
"I see" Priscilla turned to watch the match for a bit before asking Kazan"Have you by any chance seen a woman with red hair and armor come by, recently?"
Kazan blinked"Hm. That does not ring a bell, I'm afraid. I did not see anyone with that description fighting in the arena."
"I see" Priscilla was not too surprised.
At the center of the arena, Hikari managed to disarm Zeto. The leather-clad Gladiator was impressed"You're too good. Now, finish me."
Ignoring the cries of the audience's clamoring for Zeto to die, the prince offered a hand"I will not, there's no need for anyone to die."
The majority of the audience was infuriated, as was the owner of the Arena. The arena owner, Borneau scoffed and sent his own personal fighter to kill Zeto. The fighter approaching Hikari and Zeto had black hair, beard and armor.
Zeto paled"Oh, sh**."
The fighter drew his massive blade"You refuse to kill one another, eh? I'll do it for you."
Before the black-bearded man could strike, Hikari shielded Zeto with his sword. The black-bearded man scowled and jumped back"Why do you interfere!?"
Hikari stepped forward"Allow me to be your opponent."
The black-bearded man sneered"Oh? Very well, then. Tomorrow, we settle this."
Hikari nodded, and stepped out of the ring. Priscilla frowned as she pondered"Who was that?" She asked Kazan.
"That is the arena owner's personal fighter, Bandelam the Reaper" Kazan replied"He will not be an easy opponent for Hikari on his own."
"I can see why, he looks quite formidable" Temenos commented.
Hikari walked over"Priscilla, Temenos, I am glad you can join us. Tomorrow, I must face Bandelam."
"I think it may be best if Priscilla and I help you, Hikari" Temenos said.
"I'll fight, too" Agnea pitched in"So, I guess we need to wait until tomorrow, then?"
Hikari nodded"Yes, let's return to the inn."
"Scarlet doesn't seem to be here right now, anyway. Either she was bluffing, or she was just biding her time" Priscilla frowned"Let's go, then."
"Until tomorrow, everyone" Kazan said.
Hikari, Priscilla, Temenos and Agnea exited the arena and headed for the inn. Not far away, Partitio, Osvald and Sabrina emerged from the library and walked towards their companions.
"Oh, hey, how did it go?" Agnea greeted Osvald.
"I caught up to Harvey" Osvald replied, bitterly"He has my daughter, she and and my wife weren't killed in the fire. Harvey had abducted them."
The rest of the group who weren't present at the laboratory were surprised at this news. Priscilla spoke after a moment of contemplation"Something about this doesn't fit, if your wife and daughter weren't murdered in the blaze, then whose bodies were found after the fact?"
"Clearly, Harvey killed two other people who looked similar enough to Osvald's wife and daughter and used their bodies. I was in the laboratory with Osvald and Partitio when we learned the whole truth of what happened five years ago, when the magical fire allegedly killed Rita and Elena" Sabrina explained.
"So that means the evidence that must have been used to convict Osvald five years ago was false" Temenos commented"But if their bodies were retrieved after the fire, it may have been impossible to distinguish them from that of Osvald's wife and child. Especially if the Judge and other people who weren't native to Conning Creek didn't know what they looked like. Even if that were the case, he'd be still have been accused of murdering two innocent strangers."
"And what's more, Harvey plans to use Elena's blood to uncover what he believes to be the source of the One True Magic" Sabrina continued"Rita was murdered by Harvey, himself. He used her blood to create an abomination that Osvad, Partitio and I had to fight."
Hikari, Agnea and Priscilla were especially disgusted to hear this.
"Harvey even brainwashed Elena into believing that he is her father, presumably to make her compliant to his scheme" Osvald added, grimly"I deduced that he is taking her to Gravell, a town on the west continent, which is the resting place of D'arqest the Archmage."
Hearing this, Priscilla was even more disgusted"One thing is for sure, Harvey got away with murder for too long."
"Agreed. He'll pay for his crimes. But for now, we best to the inn, its getting late" Osvald grunted.
The group headed to the inn, Sabrina took the time to write her letter to Alistair and send it via carrier pigeon before heading to bed. Priscilla went over her own notes in her room before going to bed.
Scarlet was camping outside town, there were too many people at the inn now that Vella's best Prosecutor, Flamechurch's local Inquisitor and the Princess of Vella were all there, making it impossible to maintain a nice facade, especially after her fight with Priscilla. She had planned to carry out a quick assassination at the Arena, but stayed her hand and remained hidden, for she had been intrigued by the gladiator matches. She'll have to finish taking care of business, tomorrow.
"Captain" one of her remaining mercenaries approached"A carrier pigeon from Nathan arrived a short time ago."He handed her a letter.
Scarlet received the letter and frowned, so this Greg tried to forcibly take the position as leader of Winterbloom? On top of that, there was also mention of the Snowhares and the Blacksnakes in the letter"So he didn't kill this Greg? And he is going to help someone to earn their true freedom?" She scoffed after a moment's pause"Soft. But then again, the part about exterminating the Snowhares and possibly the Blacksnakes does fit in with the boss's aim to wipe out all crime and corruption by force."
"What do you make of the rogue Blacksnake who is coming here with Sir Nathan to kill that Father guy?" The lower-ranked mercenary asked.
Scarlet smiled wryly"Hardly worth a fuss, its just as well. Besides, he'd earn the boss some good publicity in the eyes of the public by aiding others, making it all the harder to expose the boss's true colors." She chuckled privately to herself before continuing"And I have something special in mind to bring up to the boss regarding a way to deter Prosecutor Whiteshore, if not draw her into a trap. Carry on."
The lower ranked mercenary saluted"Yes, ma'am."
The following morning saw the group getting up early and heading to the tavern for an early breakfast. While most of the group ate inside the tavern, subsisting on soup or stew, Agnea elected to eat her meal, a simple veggie soup outside with Hikari, who was eating a traditional dish from his homeland, to keep him company.
"Hey, Hikari" The dancer sat next to Hikari at the outdoor table"What are you eating?" The color of the porridge was unlike what she'd seen before.
The prince paused after having a bite of his breakfast"Azuki Porridge" he replied"The red beans are native to Ku, and are a favored way of preparing it. I brought some with me for an occasion like today's."
"What do you mean?" Agnea asked, curiously as she took a bite of her soup.
"This porridge is traditionally eaten before a battle" Hikari replied after swallowing another bite of porridge, feeling quite nostalgic"The color is meant to represent the blood that was spilled, the friends we lost. So I eat it when I want to be reminded of home."
"Sounds like its a special dish" The dancer commented as she had another bite of her soup.
"It certainly is" Hikari agreed, after which the two of them finished their breakfast in silence.
The others came out to meet up with them after finishing their meals and paying the bill. Priscilla took the time to speak with Hikari"After we're done with the arena, I am probably going back to the west continent. Depends if I am able to catch Scarlet or not."
"I might continue to accompany Agnea, depending on where I go next after I defeat Bandelam" The prince said.
Agnea flushed"Well, I might stop by Toto'haha. I still need inspiration for lyrics to the Song of Hope."
"I'm headed there, too, actually" Partitio told Agnea and Hikari"Mind if I come with?"
"Not at all" The prince replied.
"That leaves myself, Osvald and possibly Temenos and Priscilla to meet up with Alistair and go save Elena from Harvey" Sabrina nodded"Are you okay with this, Temenos? Gravell is in the Wildlands on the west continent."
Temenos nodded"Of course not, there are ruins at Crackridge that I am planning to visit. It takes me further away from Stormhail, but its not too big of a deal. But first, we've unfinished business at the arena, correct?"
Priscilla nodded"Yes."
"Then Sabrina and I shall join your group after you and Hikari are done with business at the arena, Priscilla. Crackridge is on the way to Gravell" Osvald said. He suspected that Harvey would wait to sacrifice Elena until he comes to try and save her, though that crazed Scholar probably hasn't gone far, yet.
"Then we have our plan" Hikari said.
The group then headed to the arena,.
I think I'm gonna cut this chapter, here. I hope I don't have to raise the rating to M, considering the content. I couldn't help but add one of Hikari's travel banters from the game itself, by the way. Hope it was enjoyable. Hikari and Agnea sure are a cute couple in my opinion.