The Valiant

~Mullonde~

"Okay, okay, I didn't mean to offend you, or anything. I'll go find her."

*Euryale heads off in the direction of the library before realizing there's no way either of them could know where the library is. So she just starts wandering the hallways.*
============================
~Nelveska Temple~

R"No. I didn't mean, 'why did he join,' I meant 'why did the church hire him. What are they after?'"

Gustav<Are you...honestly speaking about me like I'm not here?>

L"Gustav, was it? You'll speak when spoken to, & answer the questions we ask."

Gustav<I...you....>

Archer<Should we...kill them?>

Gustav<Yes, damn it!>

*With that, both of the mages begin charging spells, & the archers notch their arrows.*

Mortal is equally as lost.

--

Zac shoots one of the mages with an Arm Shot.

~Mullonde~

*Mortal stumbles into a room & the Celebrant from before shuts the door behind her, standing in front of it.*

<So...why don't you tell me what that little show outside was about?>
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*Folmarv walks into the room Noctis is in , gripping Euryale by the arm.*

Folmarv<This girl tells me that you & your hand maidens are wandering the cathedral halls unsupervised. Would you care to explain yourself?>

"Sorry, Noct."

Folmarv<Quiet.>
====================================
~Nelveska~

*That mage stops charging. The other one blasts Lilith with lightning, but it misses by a wide mark. Each of the archers shoots at one of the trio. Gustav swings at Roatha, sending a lightning bolt at him.*

<I'll leave you all with nothing!>

"One wanted to see the library, and left, I asked this one to find her, and bring her back," Noctis replied, "It seems nothing ever goes the way you want it to."

--

Mortal shrugged, "I must have mistook him for someone else. Do you know where the library is?"

--

Zac splits the damage with his archer, then uses a Leg shot on the one that shot him.

It seems like the church is more corrupt than I realized... I'll have to do something about that.

Sorrel leaves town the way he came in order to meet up with Duke Larg again.

~Eagrose~

*Larg & Dycedarg are at the table soon after Sorrel arrives to meet him.*

Larg<What did you wish to report?>
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~Mullonde~

<Yeah, it's right between the departments of "don't lie to me bitch" & "I'm not afraid to have you hanged." You don't fool me. No one tries to strangle a man because they "mistook him for someone else." And Bremondt was definitely afraid of you. You have a history with him. Look, we can make this quick & painless for both of us--I'm not on his side either. So just let me in on your little secret, & just maybe it'll be enough for me to ruin him.>
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Folmarv<It sounds to me like this is the fault of the leader's irresponsibility. Perhaps I should make an example out of this one?>

"Wh--what do you mean by that?"

Folmarv<I thought I told you to be quiet. Here, take it back. I will locate the other one, then the three of you will leave the Holy Island. Do we have an understanding?>

*He shoves Euryale towards Noctis.*
===================================
~Nelveska~

*The archer does not let this bother him & shoots him again. Lilith uses Kiyomori on the group. The other archers shoot at her. Roatha dashes right up to Gustav, slips to his side, & slashes twice. Gustav manages to block the second hit. Stumbling back, he swings his weapon at Roatha, a blast of white light shooting down from the sky at him.*

"Dunno if word has traveled here already but apparently it was Ramza who was responsible for the assassination. I dunno something seems to be up with the church. I'm looking into it" Sorrel says.

"What news do you have?"

"Okay, so lets say you ruin him, assuming what he has done is even remotely bleak enough to warrant his removal, you don't seem like you're any better, and there are sayings about devils, and sticking with the ones you know," Mortal said, folding her arms, "How am I supposed to believe that you'll make Ivalice, and the Church any better than Bredmondt can when you're literally making a back room deal with me, while threatening to have me hung?"

--

Noct shrugged, "Crystal clear." She then looked at Euryale, "Are you alright?"

--

Zac smiles triumphantly, "Ooooh, it feels good knowing you can't run away from me," He said, tanking the other arrow, and splitting the damage with the archer, again. He the moves a bit closer and unloads a Barrage into him.

~Mullonde~

<I do not appreciate slander: I am threatening to have you hanged. There is a very significant difference. To answer your question, of course we'll make Ivalice a better place. For ourselves. Do you know what happens to idealistic fools who talk about improving the lot of the common man? They end up hunted down in disgrace, like Wiegraf Folles. Do you want to be the next Wiegraf Folles?>
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*Folmarv turns & walks back down the hallway.*

"Yes, I'm fine. But that man...there's something not right about him."
================================
~Eagrose~

Dycedarg<You wasted the Duke's time to say THAT?!>

Larg<Settle down, Dycedarg. Yes...we had heard about Ramza's crimes. Most unfortunate, but if we find him, we'll have no choice but to turn him over to the church. We've had our first skirmishes, but no significant developments. Did your hired mercenary not turn against us in favor of the church, Dycedarg?>

Dycedarg<Yes, but he was also reported dead. I suspect Ramza slew him as well. With all things considered, I believe we can safely assume that they are plotting against you.>
=======================================
~Nelveska~

<Who was running? All this means is that we can keep firing at you.>

*And do they do. Fortunately, Lilith steps forward & uses Murasame.*

L"I just want the record to show that I saved you again."

R"Shut up."

Gustav<You've saved nothing, only grouped yourselves together.>

*The undisabled mage begins charging another spell. Gustav swings his sword, hitting Lilith & Roatha with lightning.*

"If he is a failure, then no, I do not," Mortal said, trying to figure out the difference between hung and hanged. Putting that thought away for the time being she continues, "Alright, so who exactly do you mean by 'ourselves'? The church, the upper class, Southern, or Northern Sky. I find it hard to keep all of these different factions in order."

--

"I'm not a fan of most church officials, least of all the templarate," Noct said, "I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy Mullonde's library though. Hopefully the rest of our trip will be more enjoyable."

--

Zac empties another Barrage into the archer after splitting the damage from the arrow with the archer who shot him. He also distances himself from the rest of the group for a second, planning on taking care of the other mage after dealing with the archer.

~Nelveska~

*The archer, of course, drops dead. One of the others continues shooting him, while the other walks over & uses a Phoenix Down on his fallen comrade. Roatha runs up to Gustav, attacking him and being blocked both times. From behind him, Lilith points another katana at them, a rest blast streaking through Gustav. For his part, Gustav keeps backing off towards the mountain.*

Summoner<Shiva!>

*A blue sprite-woman descends from the sky, scattering ice crystals that stab into Lilith & Zac, before vanishing.*
==================================
~Mullonde~

<Don't be ridiculous. There are no "factions." Anyone with a modicrum of intellect in Ivalice is only looking out for themselves. To be honest, I don't even particularly care what happens to Gustav, & I'm sure the feeling is mutual. We only maintain ties because he's in the Templarate & I'm in the Inquisitorial Squad--together, we have the might of the church's 2 main enforcement branches.>
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"Well, yeah, those other two didn't seem all that great either. What did they call themselves...Celebrants. But still. That was nothing like the feeling I got from the knight."

"What do you mean, exactly?" Noctis asked.

--

Mortal simply shook her head, "This church is entirely too corrupt. Sadly, I'm beginning to think it is a trait inherent in all those with power." Mortal looked back at the door, "Listen, can I just leave. I doubt anything I have to say would be useful anyway, and you probably wouldn't believe me to boot."

--

Zac furrows his brow, "You," He pointed at the archer, "Stay put." He then turned his sights on the Summoner. He made his way over to him before unloading a Barrage into him.

"That's if the church isn't making shit up" Sorrel says rather bluntly.

~Eagrose~

Larg<It doesn't matter. In Ivalice, the church's laws rival those of the crown. We would not risk losing support by defying them, over a wayward boy who has disgraced his name.>

Dycedarg<Evidently, his mother's blood runs thicker than that of our late Lord Father. Ajora rest his soul.>
=================================
~Nelveska~

*The summoner drops dead. The archer does stay put. Also shooting him. The two other archers also focus their efforts on him. Gustav lets loose a second Holy Explosion. After being hit, Lilith stumbles around in confusion. Roatha, meanwhile, slips behind him & stabs him with both weapons. Gustav falls to his knees.*

Gustav<This can't be...when did...how did you...become skilled enough to defeat me?>

R"What are you talking about? This is the first time you've fought me on even ground, without hiding behind your minions & hostages. When you do that, you always seem to lose. Frankly, I wonder why Wiegraf ever made you his lieutennant in the first place."

*Gustav stands back up & lands a punch to Roatha's chest that sends him flying into the mountainside.*

Gustav<Don't you DARE mock me, you pathetic human!>
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~Mullonde~

E"When I looked into his eyes, they felt...cold. And yet, somehow, they burned. Like...like he wasn't really a person, but a corpse that was kept moving by a desire to kill. But not like an undead. If I feel anything at all from them, it's usually sorrow. But he had nothing like that."
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*He's about to say something when he's hit in the back of the head by the door.*

1<Gah! Why you--who do you think you are?!>

*Folmarv steps in.*

Folmarv<Lord Folmarv Tengille, Commander of the Knights Templar.>

1<I--what I meant to say was, "Good afternoon, Lord Tengille. How can I be of service?">

Folmarv<Of course you did. You. Come with me, I'm taking you back to your master.>

*He points at Mortal.*

Zac lets out a sigh, "He just referred to us as 'humans'. I don't like the implication there." After splitting the damage with the archers he returns to shooting another barrage at the one who shot him originally.

--

"Great, so the Church employs the incarnation of hate, and bloodlust..."

--

"My mas-- Oh, yes. I guess it is about time we left this place anyway," She said, following along.

OOC: The time has come to whip this out again.

~Mullonde~

E"That's the thing. No one else seemed to notice."

Folmarv<Notice what?>

E"How...how shiny your armor is!"

Folmarv<Yes, well, I do keep it well polished. And make it a point to have the blood cleaned off of it regularly.>

*Euryale lets out a nervous laugh.*
=============================
~Nelveska~

R"Go ahead. Use it. You don't scare me."

*With one of the archers' corpses unnecessarily pumped full of bullets, the others shoot at him, putting him in critical condition.*

Gustav<You've only glimpsed my true form. You'll have something very different to say when I'm crushing your head like an overipe melon. But worry not, I'll ensure that you have all the time you need to correct your mistake.>

*Gustav takes out his Zodiac Stone. There's a twinge of red energy & wispy spirits fly into him, moaning. He is then consumed by light & electricity, which finally explodes outwards, releasing more spirit wisps. When he is finally visible again, he's standing on a set of 6 crab-like legs with a scorpion like tail arching behind him. Keeping with the theme, his arms also end in big crab claws. His face is rather like a bee's, with several pincers protruding from it.*

Beelzebub, the Lord of Pestilence<How could the church rebuke me, when I myself have become closer to a God than any mere mortal ever could?>

*Lilith is too busy using an Osafune on absolutely nothing to take notice of this turn of events.*

Zac sighed, splitting the damage with the archers, "Crap, I forgot I killed that one." With that he downs a potion, then turns towards another archer and shoots a Leg Shot at him. Needless to say, he has his hands full with the archers, and doesn't have the time to slap Lilith in the face to snap her out of her state.

--

"Time to go."

"Agreed."

~Mullonde~

E"Where to?"
==========================
~Nelveska~

*Beelzebub crawls up onto the mountain path & begins charging something. Roatha, clearly not wanting to get too close, throws a shuriken at him. Lilith starts stumbling towards Zac whom, predictably, the archers shoot.*

~1, 2~

~Arm Shot has worn off!~

"I'm not so sure the church is supporting you so much as setting up a scapegoat. I'll need to look into things further. I don't want to see the Order burn just because the church decided to make it its fall guy."

Zac bumps Lilith in the head with the butt of his gun, then continues on to the mage who just got over his arm shot, putting four holes in him with a Barrage.

--

"Uh, I don't know," Mortal said, "Wherever you want to go."

~Magick City of Gariland~

"In that case, we can head into Eagrose, & after a nice walk through the forest & a couple towns, we can visit Orbonne Monastary."
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~Nelveska~

*Killing the summoner was probably a good thing, as the remaining two archers are suddenly hastened. One raises his comrade with a Phoenix Down while the other uses a potion. Lilith uses Murasame on them. Having cast his spell, Beelzebub crawls down & lashes at Roatha with his claw, critically wounding him. Lilith finally turns to notice him.*

L"Dear Ajora, what the Hell is that?!"

*Once again, Lilith's sword literally falls to pieces.*

L"That...that just isn't fair."

~2, 3~
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~Eagrose~

Dycedarg<Even the Church of Glabados would not dare to launch a full inquiry into the Order. They would be pitting themselves against myself, Zalbaag, the Duke, & the Queen herself.>

"Considering who's in charge of the church nowadays, as I have seen, such a thing seems to be increasingly more possible Dycedarg. It fear the worst" Sorrel took a seat and took his helm off so he could rub his temples.

"There's something going on and I need to get to the bottom of it. Sadly I doubt I can squeeze even the most talented of my spies into the church. It was hard enough getting some into the Southern Order and even those I have yet to hear from in recent days."

Zac shoots a barrage at one of the archers again, "Gustav had a Zodiac stone."

--

"Alright then, let us get going then," Noctis said.

~Nelveska~

Beelzebub, the Lord of Pestilence<So you are aware of the others, then?>

R"You're a group? What are you trying to accomplish?"

Beelzebub, the Lord of Pestilence<That depends on whom you ask. We are not all of one mind. But you will not need to hear more. My companions will see to that.>

R"Can I just say one last thing?"

Beelzebub, the Lord of Pestilence<Very well.>

*Roatha throws a shuriken that hits him in the face. This apparently annoys the Lucavi, as he begins charging another spell. One of the remaining archers picks off Roatha. The other begins pulling back on his bow.*

~1, 2, 3~
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~Siedge Weald~

*Soon after they enter the forest, the area in front of them begins shimmering. An effect like a Graviga spell appears for a moment. When it fades, a man hidden behind an executioner's hood is standing in front of them. The seam of his cloak resembles a golden, stylized "Y," or a misshapen cross. Underneath, he wears rust-red plate armor.*
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~Eagrose~

Dycedarg<Getting a message beyond the front line will be difficult, without an intermediate contact within the Northern Sky.>

Zac raises Roatha with a phoenix down after making his way over to him.

--

Noct furrows her brow, "Who are you?"