A/N: Sorry this took so long, I was trying to figure out how to do the antlion and Mom Bomb boss fights as well as the whole Battle of Fabul sequence including the 1v1 fight of Cecil vs Kain(or Rosa vs Kain in this case).
Outside was a hovercraft parked in front of the castle that Edward, Rydia and Rosa used to cross the desert sands as well as the shoals located around the northern, eastern and western sections of the kingdom. The antlion's den was isolated to the east of Damcyan and the only way to get there was by hovercraft as the den was partially surrounded by a mountain range on the eastern and southern sides of it, leaving the western side accessible. A small section of desert dominated the peninsula outside the cave next to the swaths of greenery beside the mountains. Edward parked the hovercraft outside of the cave before the three of them exited the vehicle and headed inside.
The inside of the cave was somewhat of a complex system of tunnels that seemed to have been made by antlions and other monsters, sand drizzling from the ceiling in small mounds. There were also manmade things like bridges and stairs, signifying that people had been here previously, likely Damcyan royalty or adventurers. It was nothing bothersome for the trio. They came here for one thing only and didn't want to linger for too long. Rosa inwardly cringed a bit as she didn't want to know what would happen to Cecil if they made it back to Kaipo too late. She steeled her nerves as she didn't have time to worry about that, the sand pearl was the most important thing to think about right now. Even if it meant she had to fight an antlion over it.
Small clouds of dust and sand kicked up with each step they took. Some of the dust flew up Rydia's nose, causing her to sneeze.
"Bless you," one of the adults commented before she replied with a thank you.
It wasn't long before they reached the innermost section of the den where the antlions made their nests.
"This is where the antlion lays her eggs," Edward said as he walked near one nest.
There was a subtle rumbling sound as the antlion rose from the ground, sand pouring from its body. Rydia yelped as soon as she saw it and nearly fell on her butt.
The prince assured her, "There's nothing to fear. Antlions are quite docile. They won't harm humans. Here, let me take one of her pearls."
Edward tried to grab a pearl and barely avoids getting pinched by the snapping pincers. He screamed loudly, prompting both Rosa and Rydia to run to his side and fight off the aggravated antlion.
"Rydia, with me!" The dark knight said as she drew her sword and shield.
The summoner nodded as she stood behind her and beside the cowardly prince. The antlion snapped its pincers threateningly at the trio as if warning them what will happen if they got too close. The antlion rose out of the sand and attacked Rosa as it saw her as the bigger threat out of the three. She raised her shield to defend herself from the pincers while Edward strummed his harp and sang and Rydia began casting Blizzard spells. Suddenly, the beast's eyes turned red which wasn't a good sign.
"The antlion counters magic when its eyes are red!" Edward warned and Rydia got the message to stop casting offensive magic, otherwise she'd get hurt pretty badly.
Rosa meanwhile channeled darkness into her blade and struck causing the beast to go for Edward this time. Edward yelped and braced himself just as the antlion came near him. Luckily, he was saved by the dark knight who urged him to keep singing.
"R-Right!" The prince nodded and did what he was told, making sure to keep a regenerative field up.
Rosa pushed the creature away from him and the summoner before charging at it. The antlion's eyes changed back to white which was a good thing as Rydia could now cast her spells again. She hit it with another Blizzard spell while the older female let loose a stream of dark energy from her blade. The antlion screeched but eventually backed off for now before burrowing into the sands, too exhausted to fight anymore as it would surely die if it kept going.
"It makes no sense," Edward commented as he held the gleaming pearl in his hand. "Why would an antlion try to harm us?"
Rosa sheathed her sword, "Monster populations are swelling, and beasts once harmless now turn hostile. Something is afoot."
She didn't have time to think about this as she felt Rydia tugging at her hand, trying to get her attention.
"Rosa, we have to get back to Cecil!" She said, making the older female nod.
"Right. Let's go!"
Sand pearl in hand, the three leave the den and return to Kaipo, using the hovercraft to get there faster since the waterway would unnecessarily take longer than usual.
Once back in Kaipo Rosa, Rydia and Edward head over to the house of the sweet old couple who were still caring for Cecil. The others stood by with bated breath as Rosa removed the sand pearl from her pouch and shone its light on Cecil's face. It seemed to do something as his brows unfurrowed themselves, a serene expression washing over his handsome features. Cecil moaned as he sat up then blearily blinked his eyes open to see none other than the dark knight standing over him. He had half a mind to hug her but was still weakened from the desert fever.
"Rosa! You're safe! Oh, thank goodness!"
"What were you thinking, Cecil?" Rosa lightly chastised her friend.
"They told me you'd died in the earthquake at Mist," he replied. "But... I knew it couldn't be true."
Rosa gently held his hand in her own two armored ones, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to make you worry. But Cecil, what's this talk of a man named Golbez?"
"King Odin called upon him to lead the Red Wings in your stead. His Majesty has been acting even more peculiarly since Golbez came to Baron. He's not himself. I can't be sure, but I have a feeling Golbez is the one manipulating the king – to gain the Crystals for himself. The Water Crystal you took from Mysidia... The Fire Crystal of Damcyan... Fabul's Wind Crystal, and the Earth Crystal of Troia."
"The Fire Crystal is already taken," Edward remarked, prompting the white haired mage to look at him before Rosa spoke again.
"This is Edward, Damcyan's prince. It's thanks to him we were able to save you. And this is Rydia of Mist."
"Do you feel better now?" Rydia asked as she shyly held her hands behind her back.
Cecil nodded, "I do. Thank you, Rydia... and you, Edward. If Damcyan has fallen, he'll be swift to move against Fabul. We need to..."
A series of coughs wracked his throat before he could finish his sentence. Rosa shook her head as she knew he was still ill from the fever.
"You need to rest. We'll go to Fabul and warn them."
"But how?" The prince asked. "There is only one road that leads there. It lies through Mount Hobs, and the way is blocked by a wall of impenetrable ice."
Cecil turned back to Rydia, "Rydia, you can cast Fire, can't you?"
Rydia shook her head. "No... I can't."
"But you're a summoner. Surely you've learned the spell? It's the most elementary of all–"
He coughed again, further worrying the dark knight who promptly shook her own head again.
"Cecil! You're in no condition to be going with us."
"I'll be fine. I won't be a burden. I am a white mage, after all."
Rosa was silent at this. As much as she wanted him to rest Cecil would still be stubborn enough to insist on going with her anyway. His health was important after all and it would do them no good if he slowed the group down while he was still sick.
"Rosa... Cecil wants to be with you," Edward pointed out, causing the former to reluctantly sigh.
Rosa resigned herself to her fate, "All right. We'll all go together. It will be dark soon, and we should leave early in the morning. Make sure you get enough rest."
Cecil nodded, "I will. Thank you, Rosa."
Cecil eventually joins the party and they rest for the night. Later, Edward stepped outside to mourn for Anna, harp in hand. All was quiet out as everyone else had gone to bed for the night leaving the prince alone out here by his lonesome, the sound of flowing water from the oasis breaking the night's silence.
Edward looked at the oasis, "Anna... I am so lost without you."
He played his harp for a moment, the sound echoing through the night which somehow drew the attention of a monster, causing him to yelp. Realizing that he was alone out here, Edward had no choice but to fight the Sahagin by himself. Suddenly the ghostly apparition of Anna floated overhead.
"Be brave, my love!" Anna urged, making him look at the sky in shock.
"Anna!?"
"You are stronger than you know. But you must believe in yourself!"
"I... I will try!" The prince nodded, having felt this newfound surge of bravery. With one final strum of his harp, the beast grunted as it fell to the ground before vanishing.
As he looked back up, Edward noticed Anna's spirit starting to fade away.
"Anna!" He cried.
"Edward... I can be with you but for this moment. The Spirit calls me onward, to become a part of it again."
"Don't leave me, Anna," Edward pleaded but Anna simply smiled at him.
"Edward, you must be brave. Golbez cannot be allowed to have the Crystals. You gave your love to me once. Now share it with all the world."
With the last of her strength, she departed for the heavens, leaving him alone again.
"Anna, my love. I... I will try. But, what would you have me do?"
The following day, the party ventured towards Mount Hobs, where the ice wall Edward spoke of is indeed a troublesome object. It was too wide to go around and too high to climb, not to mention cold as well.
"Rydia, will you please try to cast Fire?" Cecil asked.
Rydia didn't respond, possibly as fire scared her. Especially after what happened to Mist when Rosa and Kain first arrived there. No doubt the poor girl had nightmares every time she closed her eyes of a sky dyed orange by smoke – numerous houses, people and animals set on fire. The smell of smoke and burning flesh filling her nose and her mother laying lifelessly on the ground dead as the town is decimated by exploding bombs.
Edward looked at her with an inquisitive stare, snapping her from her thoughts, "Rydia?"
Cecil urged positively, "You can do it. I know you can!"
"I don't want to," she refused, causing the adults to blink at her including Cecil.
"You don't want to?"
"I hate fire!"
"Her village was burned to the ground by that ring we delivered," Rosa explained, still feeling guilty about that.
Cecil kneeled down to Rydia's level, "Please, Rydia... Listen to me. You're the only one among us with the power to melt that ice."
"We can't make you do it. But unless we make it through here to Fabul, a lot of other people will be hurt. I know it's not easy, Rydia, but please... you must be brave!"
Rosa stood silently by as both Edward and Cecil pleaded and encouraged Rydia onwards as she was the only one in the group that knew black magic including Fire. Rydia was stuck at an impasse; on one hand she was scared of fire and refused to learn the spell. But on the other, if she didn't melt the ice wall many people would die in Fabul and its Crystal would be taken due to her irrational fear. She had to do this, otherwise she'd end up disappointing the adults and Rydia didn't want that. Swallowing her fear, the little summoner girl began gathering magic in her hands.
"...Fire!" She yelled, sending a few tongues of flame at the ice. Within a matter of minutes, the ice wall melted, leaving behind a puddle of water that eventually evaporated into steam allowing them access to Mount Hobs's interior.
"Rydia, you did it!" Edward cheered, getting a giggle out of her. "That was incredible!"
Cecil decided to add onto the praise as well while Rosa gave Rydia a soft smile and patted her head as her way of saying thanks. With the ice wall melted the group proceeded to climb the mountain. Of course that meant that Mount Hobs had its own dangers as well as monsters roamed the mountain on a daily basis, prompting the party to fight them off until they reached a protective ward to rest awhile. Afterwards they continued their trek up to the peak of Mount Hobs where they came across a lone man fighting off a horde of monsters.
Rosa saw the man's unusual attire as he was shirtless but wore pants and shoes. He also appeared to be wielding weapons shaped like claws as well but was holding his own against the monsters.
"What's this?" Rosa asked as Edward recognized the man's clothes.
"Clad like that – that's a monk of Fabul!"
The monk yelled out as he fought off the weak enemies until suddenly a giant bomb monster appeared before him. It seemed that he was going to be in trouble if the others didn't do something soon.
"That's no ordinary foe!" The prince commented while Rydia nodded.
"We have to help him!"
Swiftly, all four individuals ran to the monk's side to help fight the monstrosity. But try as they might their attacks weren't doing very much but making the bomb angrier.
"TAKE COVER!" Yang yelled and all five individuals ran to safety to shield themselves from the impending explosion. When the dust settled all that remained were scorch marks where the bomb once stood.
"You have my deepest gratitude," the monk bowed gratefully. "I am Yang, grandmaster of the monks of Fabul. We came here for training, and found death instead. A great host of monsters waylaid us. I am the only one who survived. My monks were fine, strong men, but even they could do little."
"We are on our way to Fabul," the dark knight said before Cecil spoke up.
"A man named Golbez has taken control of Baron, and is using its forces to seize the world's Crystals."
Yang's eyes widened, "And you think he intends to come for our Wind Crystal as well?"
Edward nodded, "Yes, and soon. He has already taken the Fire Crystal from Damcyan. Fabul will be next."
"And our monks, slain... The castle is all but undefended! The few who remain in Fabul lack proper training. We would have no hope of fending off a strike from Baron were it to come now."
"The monsters that best you were most likely sent by Golbez as well," the white mage commented.
Yang's brows furrowed, "To eliminate us, and leave Fabul defenseless..."
"If that is true, he may be moving against your kingdom as we speak."
Rosa urged, "We must hurry. We'll aid you in whatever way we can."
"I am grateful for the offer, but there is no reason for you to be dragged any further than this..."
"Our stake in this conflict is no less than yours," Edward said. "I am the prince of Damcyan."
"Cecil and I are of Baron. And this child here lost all she knew because... because I allowed this enemy to deceive me."
Yang gave a curt nod, "I see. Then I will most humbly accept whatever help you are willing to provide."
"Come, then," Rosa said. "Time is our enemy!"
"Fabul lies east beyond the mountains. We'll go at once!"
The now group of five consisting of Rosa, Cecil, Rydia, Edward and Yang eventually leave Mount Hobs and continue onwards across the plains to reach Fabul Castle, surrounded by a moat and home to Yang. The city of Fabul itself was built inside the castle for the safety of its citizens, who along with the castle, were defended by a squadron of monks with Yang as their leader. Speaking of which there were monks training and doing their daily katas and meditation as the party passed by them on their way to the throne room. Even the citizens were training too along with the monks, some of which aspiring to be monks themselves or to learn some basic self defense skills. Eventually, the group immediately asked to speak with the king as Yang led them through the doors to the throne room where they were greeted by the King of Fabul.
"Oh, Yang," the king greeted from his throne. "So you've returned..."
Yang kneeled in front of him while the others did the same, "Your Highness, I return with urgent news. A man known as Golbez is coming for the Wind Crystal, with all the might of Baron behind him."
The king's eyes widened at this information, "What!? You're sure of this?"
"These people before you came to warn us."
"And who might they be?"
"Your Highness, there is no time for introductions," Rosa urged, cutting the conversation short. "Your castle must be secured, and quickly!"
The king suspiciously narrowed his eyes at her, clearly not liking her tone as well as her being a dark knight from Baron as clearly he had a history with one or some of them when they passed through his kingdom previously.
"Your armor would have you for one of Baron's own dark knights. Why should I trust you?"
"Their trustworthiness is proven, Your Highness," Yang said as he vouched for Rosa's valor. "I had already lost my men, and fought for my own life when they came upon me. They could have stood and watched me die, but they aided me instead."
"I assure you, your enemy will not wait as you do," the dark knight added.
"Please, you must believe us!" Cecil pleaded, hoping the king would stop being stubborn and hear them out at least.
Edward stepped forward, "It is an honor to see you again, Your Highness. It has been many a day."
Somehow hearing and seeing Edward in the flesh had managed to put a smile on his face, despite his attitude moments earlier.
"If it isn't Prince Edward! I'd hardly recognized you. How fares Damcyan?"
"It has fallen," the prince replied, still mourning the losses he suffered from his own kingdom. "The Fire Crystal is ours no more. I lost my mother and father – even my beloved Anna. Tell me you will not let your own land suffer the same fate as ours."
The king's expression changed to a more somber one as he regarded Edward before apologizing, "Forgive me. I only found it hard to believe you spoke the truth, but it seems you do. Still, without our monks there is little we can do. Will you aid us in our defense?"
Yang extended one of his arms to the side as he gestured to both Rosa and Edward, "These two have both strength and courage. By your leave, I would have them stand with me on the front line of our defense."
"If that is your wish, I will trust to your judgment. Might you two mages assist our healers?"
"Certainly," Cecil nodded, glad that the king was finally seeing reason.
"My kingdom's fate, then, is in your hands."
Yang bowed gratefully, "Your Highness. Very well, then. Rosa, Edward – with me!"
Cecil called out to Rosa, "Rosa! Be careful."
Rosa nodded as she heeded his warning, "I will. And you, too! Rydia, keep Cecil safe for me, you hear?"
Rydia nodded as she and Cecil left to go help the healers while Rosa, Yang, Edward and a group of monks waited outside for the impending attack. Soon it wasn't long before the guard standing watch from the lookout bridge spotted a bunch of monsters approaching the castle on foot.
"Enemies!" The guard yelled, thus alerting the others.
"Attack!" Yang commanded as he and the group fended off the first wave of enemies, only to find the airships now in the battle as the Red Wings flew overhead and began dumping cannon blasts at the castle walls. A few monks weren't so lucky as they were hit by the cannons.
"We'll die like dogs out here!" Rosa said as she and the others dove for cover to avoid getting blasted to smithereens.
The grandmaster pointed to the castle's keep, "Retreat to the keep!"
Not needing to be told twice, they do so and barricade the gates, making sure that no one could get through. Deciding that this is where they would hold the line, and should they fall the castle would be defenseless as the enemy would overrun Fabul for its Wind Crystal.
"Forgive me," Yang apologized. "I've drawn you into a hopeless fight!"
The dark knight shook her head, "I told you before, this fight is as much ours as anyone's. And it isn't lost yet!"
"They're... they're breaking through!" Edward cried as a creaking sound could be heard.
Unfortunately for them, the gates gave way as another enemy party stormed in and attacked, causing Yang and the others to fall back and retreat deeper into the castle while some of the monks confronted the enemies. Upon running through the halls, Rosa couldn't help but wonder if the king and the citizens had taken shelter away from all the fighting. The last thing either of them needed were unwanted and unnecessary casualties of people dying in cold blood, something that Rosa knew all too well as she had a hand in the Mysidian raid days earlier.
"Isn't the throne room just upstairs?" She asked, getting a firm nod from the grandmaster.
"It's all right! The king has taken cover elsewhere with the women and children. We need only draw the enemy here and crush them!"
The doors burst open just as he said that revealing more enemies breaking into the room. Yet no matter what they did, more enemy waves kept advancing. Edward looked around for anywhere they could hold the line but found nothing of the sort.
"This is no place for us to make a stand!"
"Hmph!"
They eventually retreated to the throne room and locked the door behind them.
"I locked the door," Yang said. "We must stop them here!"
"Where is the Crystal?"
"In the chamber above us!"
The last monk with the party turned around as if to check the door. With a wicked smirk on his face, he unlocked it which surprised them.
"What are you doing!?" The grandmaster roared at his subordinate's sudden betrayal. Except this "monk" was actually one of Golbez's minions in disguise waiting for the right moment to strike.
"That's no monk!" Edward commented before he and the others fought the monsters.
Try as they might, the enemy waves were wearing them down as Rosa, Edward and Yang had some scrapes and bruises, but nothing major. The dark knight had a feeling that this was what Golbez wanted – to overwhelm and wear down his enemies until they were too exhausted to fight back against his forces. Once weakened and devoid of strength was when the man would make his move and take the Crystal for himself.
Rosa huffed, somewhat tired but still able to fight. "There are too many of them."
"We've no choice. We'll make our last stand in the Crystal chamber!"
All three nodded as they rushed towards the Crystal room. Edward yelped as he tripped and fell behind, alerting the others just as more monsters approached.
"Edward!" Rosa gasped as she and Yang hurry to Edward's aid and proceeded to the Crystal room once more. As they prepared to fight again, a familiar face appeared – one of which the dark knight immediately recognized if the dragonlike armor didn't give him away.
"It's been some time, Rosa," Kain regarded her, bring a small smile to her face.
She couldn't help but feel a bit of warmth bubble in her chest at the sight of seeing her friend alive and well. It had been some time since the bombing of Mist Village, and even days later left her wondering if he had survived. Yet here Kain Highwind was alive and in the flesh with barely a scratch on him.
"Kain! You're alive!"
"I am."
"You'll fight, then?"
"Of course. That's the very reason I've come."
Suddenly the dragoon grinned or rather smirked, showing his teeth as he drew his spear. "But, Rosa... The one I'll fight is you!"
Rosa was confused as she thought that he was going to fight with them, not her.
"Kain!?"
"A duel, Rosa!" Kain said as he pointed his spear at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Draw your blade!"
Seeing as she had no other choice, Rosa drew her blade as she and her former comrade fight, despite their shared history.
Rosa raised her shield to block just as he struck, "Why, Kain!?"
"I will not answer your questions!" Kain hissed, this time hitting her sword instead.
"What's come over you?"
"Be silent!"
Rosa's fingers twitched hesitantly and Kain rewarded her by jumping into the air before smacking Rosa across the head, dazing her. She bit back a scream before falling to her knees, shaking her head to clear the spots from her vision. Kain then swung his lance and used the flat end to hit Rosa with enough force to send her flying into the wall. A pained grunt left her as she collapsed into a heap on the floor. The dragoon walked over then pressed his foot on her midsection.
"Not a step closer!" He warned Yang and Edward just as they were about help her. "Or you will regret it."
They stopped cold in their tracks and fearfully glanced at each other before Kain retracted his lance from their general direction before smacking Rosa again. If either the bard or grandmaster acted rashly, Kain could easily finish off Rosa with one attack. It didn't help that the mirrors reflected everything, thus allowing him to see around the room in case they'd try anything.
"Kain... Even you now?"
"This is the end, Rosa," Kain smiled cruelly. "Let me ease your suffering."
"You'll do nothing!" Yang yelled as he ran over to the fallen dark knight to protect her but was merely batted aside before Kain continued his assault. The dragoon raised his lance to land the finishing blow, however a voice stopped him.
"Stop!"
He turned his head to see Cecil and Rydia rush into the room, a worried look in the former's eyes.
"Cecil!"
"Kain, tell me you've not turned traitor!"
"Don't... look at me!" He groaned, planting the tip of his lance into the crystalline floor before someone else entered the room, evidenced by the booming voice thereafter.
"Kain! Why do you now hesitate!"
"Golbez!" Edward cried just as the man walked in with everyone else looking in his general direction.
When Rosa got a good look a the stranger, she noticed that he was taller than both Kain and Yang. He was covered head to toe in jet black armor with gold accents while a floor length cape with purple lining hung from his shoulders. Her eyes widened as she instantly put two and two together from what she heard from both Edward and Cecil. This man was Golbez – the one behind the attacks on both Damcyan and Fabul as well as the reason for King Odin's strange behavior. No doubt that he was part of the reason for her being deployed to Mysidia to take their Crystal as well.
Rosa grunted as she staggered to her feet, Cecil and Rydia running to her side. "You're him – the usurper!"
Golbez barely acknowledged her, seeing her as nothing more than an insect to be crushed under his heel.
"So, you are Rosa. Allow me to give you something – a gift to remember me by."
Dark magic formed in Golbez's hands as he blasted her with it. The dark knight let out a pained cry as he blasted her with it. Edward gasped when he saw her get hit.
"Rosa!"
"Let me through!" Yang barked as he and Edward both ran to her, effectively shoving the dragoon out of the way.
Golbez raised his hand again at the two men, "I did not come to treat with worms."
They cried out in pain as they were sent flying through the air, before the taller main turned to Kain.
"Kain. Enough of this foolishness. Bring me the Crystal."
"M'lord," Kain said simply and did what he was told, walking up the steps to where the Wind Crystal lay. Before he could grab it however, Cecil called out to him, stopping him cold.
"Don't do it, Kain!"
That seemed to work as he hesitated upon hearing his friend's voice once more. However, this caught the attention of both Rosa and Golbez with the former trying to keep him from getting involved and the latter smirking darkly behind his horned helmet.
"Cecil, let it be!"
"Oh, you care for this one, do you? Then let me take him along as well. To hold in trust until we are graced with the chance to meet again."
Golbez suddenly walked to Cecil's side, grabbing and ensnaring him within his cape before turning away. Cecil gasped and try as he might to struggle free from the armored man's grip, his efforts were in vain.
"Come, Kain."
Wordlessly, Kain grabbed the Crystal from its pedestal and put it in a pouch on his waist then marched down the stairs past the fallen bard, monk and dark knight. The little summoner girl watched helplessly as the three adults lay defeated on the floor, having failed to protect the Wind Crystal from enemy hands.
"It would seem your life is spared... for now, Princess," he said before walking out of the Crystal room after Golbez.
"Kain, wait. Urgh..." Rosa weakly reached out to him but he kept on walking until he was completely out of sight. Inky blackness soon overtook her sight.
Rydia bit her lip as she emerged from her hiding place, skittering up to the fallen adults. She glanced around the room just to make positively sure that Golbez and Kain were gone entirely, and that no more horrible surprises were going to come inside. When all was quiet she raised her arms into the air and casted a Cure spell. A shower of sparkling light washed over the three still adults, Rosa felt her wounds healing while Edward and Yang struggled to their feet. Yang frowned as he looked at the now empty pedestal of where the Wind Crystal once sat before it was stolen away mere moments ago.
"Are you all right?" She asked hesitantly, her eyes darting to each one of them. The answer seemed obvious, but she felt compelled to say something.
"Yes," Edward nodded as he straightened up. "Thank you, Rydia. But now they have Cecil."
"We could not even defend the Crystal," Yang lamented, slamming his fist against his other hand.
"Cecil..." Rosa murmured.
She closed her eyes again, stifling a sob. She failed to protect the Crystal and Cecil as they were both taken away from her. Not only that her best friend and comrade in arms had betrayed her, selling his soul to the enemy. Rydia frowned as she stared at them in dismay with about half a mind to hit all three of them as they sat there throwing themselves a pity party.
"What's wrong with you? They took Cecil, but they didn't hurt him. We just need to rescue him! And the Crystal – we can take it back, too!"
"She's right," the prince said, agreeing with her.
Yang nodded as well, "It's my turn to help you, Rosa. Let us heal our wounds, and think of a way we might free Cecil."
"Yes... Thank you, Yang," Rosa whispered before looking away, the moment of Cecil getting grabbed and taken by Golbez never leaving her mind. Defeated, the now party of four departed the Crystal room. On the way to the inn, they stop at Yang's chambers where his wife Sheila waited anxiously. She knew her husband was strong but not strong enough to take on an entire army by himself.
"Yang!" Sheila ran over to hug the grandmaster, "Oh, you're all right!"
Yang hugged her back, "Thanks to these brave people. They saved me, and Fabul."
Sheila looked over to Rydia, Rosa and Edward and bowed gratefully, "Then you have my gratitude. Thank you all."
"And you, Sheila? You're unhurt?"
His wife put her hands on her hips haughtily, "Of course I'm unhurt! Whose wife do you think I am? A few soldiers tried to bust their way in, but I busted them right back out – with my frying pan!"
Rydia couldn't help but chuckle at that while Rosa was somewhat impressed. Sheila must have been just as tough as Yang if she was able to beat a few monsters back with just a frying pan. Afterwards, the party headed towards the Inn to rest after the attack. Upon seeing the tired looks on their faces the innkeeper decided that no payment was needed and they could rest there free of charge.
"You must be exhausted, Master Yang. By all means, rest here if you would like."
Yang nodded at him before leading the others to a spare room where they all sat down on separate beds.
"We must formulate a plan," Edward said as he set aside his harp, he and the others were all tired from the day's events. Exhaustion clear on their faces.
Rosa took off her helmet and ran a hand through her golden hair, "If we're to take on Golbez, we'll need an airship. But the only man who knows how to build one is in Baron."
"Is there no way we can enter the kingdom?" Yang asked before she replied.
"The Red Wings comprise the brunt of Baron's power. It's maritime forces are relatively weak. If we go, we go by sea."
"Then we need a boat," Rydia added. Sometimes it surprised Rosa at how smart she was, but she did have a point. In order to reach Baron by sea, they would need a boat to cross the ocean to get there from Fabul.
"I will ask His Highness to lend us one on the morrow," the grandmaster said, having made up his mind. "You've done much for him, and for our kingdom. He will not refuse such a simple plea."
Rosa nodded gratefully, "Thank you."
"That dragoon... Who was he?"
"His name is Kain. He is – or was – my friend. We'd sworn to fight Baron together."
Yang noticed the look on the young woman's face as she looked at the floor before apologizing, "I see. I am sorry."
"Come, we should rest and recover our strength while we can," the bard piped up before everyone agreed to rest and meet the King the following morning.