The Way Back

"Yeah... I guess I knew you would too..." Lucien sighs sadly. "As the old saying goes those who try to catch two rabbits end up with none. Guess I lucked out huh?"

---

"You want me to go in Celsius?" he drops the madame since it seems like Celsius didn't like it.

*Derek enters the palace silently, searching for Kelphy (dur.)*

Derek: <Kelphy? Can we talk?>

"What?"

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <It's blood. From a Jade Rabbit. Nearby.>

*He runs off. Kelphy and Derek are standing up ahead, Kelphy is holding the map again.*

Kelphy: <...was just-->

Jade Rabbit: <Show me that!>

=====
~Derek & Kelphy~

*As he walks in, the scenery around him shifts to a starry sky too, like he's floating in outer space. Kelphy is standing up ahead looking mighty confused. She's holding an old map. She looks at him somewhat frightened.*

Kelphy: <I don't know what happened, I was just-->

*The Jade Rabbit comes running up to her.*

Jade Rabbit: <Show me that!>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

[Celsius: <He's inside... Calling me...>]

*The blonde thiefess walks over to Crowley.*

Blonde Thiefess: <(Some magic stuff about the Aeldi Maxwell. Any idea how to capture an Aeldi without forming a pact? Could be huge cash.)>

Spade: <It's a bat nest.>

*Spade walks into the cave.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

Lin: <No, it's just... Our elder is dying. They're appointing a new village leader tonight... me.>

Kentaro:<I think we solved the mystery of that odd symbol. Or at least he did.>

"Oh..." Lucien says. He then gets a look in his eyes like one Lin hadn't seen before. Strength, fire; there was a warm yet powerful flame burning there. "Then my return trip will have to wait."

---

"Don't step into the light Celsius!" Creed follows her.

*Crowley looks to the thiefess.*

Crowley: <(I see... I don't know how to do that, though. I'm not familiar with magical things at all. I'm starting to get interested upon hearing about the money involved, though.)>

*Crowley follows Spade into the cave.*

Derek: <Whoa!>

*He looks around.*

Derek: <This is weird...>

~Kari & Kentaro~

*Kelphy crouches, showing the map to the Jade Rabbit. Staring at the red crescent-shaped symbol on the map, he frowns and winces repeatedly and his gem glows even more intensely.*

Kelphy: <I-Is everything okay?>

Jade Rabbit: <Ugh... eek... here!>

*He shoves his right paw right through an island near the coast of Toros with his eyes closed.*

Kelphy: <What's there?>

Jade Rabbit: <It's where... it's where the Jade Rabbit the blood was took from died.>

*Kelphy looks up and around from Kari, to Kentaro, and then Derek in a CSI-ish "We got him." moment.*

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

*Walking inside the cave, they're suddendly in a weird place. The sky is dark purple, with the occasional white lightning bolt striking down in the distance. The ground is completely covered in a thick layer of white mist, to the point where it seems as though they're walking on clouds. They hear a somewhat hoarse, deep male voice echoing around.*

{Celsius... Who are these humans you bring to my sacred shrine?}

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

Lin: <W-What? You know... You know you can't go to the village.>

Crowley: <Huh? Who's there?>

*Crowley puts his right hand on his sword and looks for the person who had just spoken.*

Kentaro:<Would you like to tell us anything else about that island?>

Derek: <Would someone mind cluing me in as to what's going on?>

"But I can wait till after the ceremony. I'd feel wrong if I wasn't there to congratulate you."

---

"Maxwell?" Creed asks Celsius.

~Kari & Kentaro~

*Kelphy gets up, leaving the map on the floor, and turns to Derek.*

Kelphy: <...This map was in the folder I brought from that library near the airship hangar in the Yurion ruins. I haven't been able to decipher it for the past 6 months... but it would appear he has done just that.>

Jade Rabbit: <I can't say much, really. I see a metal structure... in a jungle. And then blood... So, when are we leaving?>

Kelphy: <E-Excuse me?>

Jade Rabbit: <You want to visit this island, don't you?>

*Kelphy nods and smiles awkwardly.*

Kelphy: <I'll request an airship be prepared.>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

{Your magic... it is constrained. You made a pact? With a human? Well, well, after so long it would appear summoners are a reality once again. Very well.}

*A rock arc appears out of nowhere ahead.*

{But only three of you may proceed beyond this point.}

*Spade up and strolls through the arc without so much as looking back. He disappears in a flash of light as he does so.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

Lin: <...Well... thank you. But what about your friends over there?>

"I have a chance to make amends..."

---

"Looks like its on you thief."

Derek: <If we're lucky we might be able to catch the one I took.>

*Crowley walks through the arc, following behind Spade.*

Kentaro:<Goodie...>

~Kari, Kentaro, Derek & Kelphy~

*Kelphy nods and repeatedly looks from Derek to Kari and Kentaro.*

Kelphy: <Will you come with me, too?>

=====
~Creed & Crowley~

{It has been a long time since one of you last visited me, Celsius... I trust you'll guide the humans wisely... or else.}

Fat Bandit: <Now I go too.>

Blonde Thiefess: <Wait, are you stupid? The Voice said it wants Celsius. You're no where near as sexy as she is. Yeah, that's right. I read books.>

Fat Bandit: <No, you see pictures only.>

*Epic bitchslap moment.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

Lin: <Well, then. I will be back after the cerimony tonight... It was very nice seing you again.>

*She heads up the road towards the village. Allina waves at Lucien.*

Allina: <Your fish is cold, Lucy!>

"No... I think its heating back up... wait... what? OH GOD MY FISH!!" Lucien says dreamly at first but then realization hits him.

---

"Wait? Why does do Celsius and I have to go?"

"Yes."

Kentaro:<All right. Although we kind have a bit of a problem.>

*Crowley is enveloped in flashes of light, closing his eyes to avoid going blind.*

Derek: <Of course.>

~Kari, Kentaro, Derek & Kelphy~

Kelphy: <...Thank you.>

Jade Rabbit: <Field trip, field trip! It's like 6 months ago all over again!>

*Kelphy turns to face Kentaro.*

Kelphy: <W-What's wrong?>

=====
~Creed~

[Celsius: <Well, we don't have to if you don't want to.>]

=====

~Crowley~

*He appears atop a tall towery rock pillar in the middle of a similar location. Looking down, all he sees is mist/clouds, and looking up, the dark purple sky and occasional lightning. A thin rock path leads off into the distance from where he stands, like a fragile bridge. Spade is standing around, looking at him.*

=====
~Lucien & Allina~

*Allina chuckles and hands him a piece of tuna on a plate. After lunch, she takes her clothes off and goes for a swim in her light pink bikini. Aera sits on a rock, staring at the caravel nearby.*

Aera: <(Yes... Alda seems like the right place to visit. Perhaps I can even visit Olympe.)>

Crowley: <[This place is so... strange...]>

*Crowley starts to walk along the rocky path.*