The Valiant

~Zeklaus~

*The Behemoth finally collapses under the force of the combined attacks.*

Ramza<Sab...what are you doing here?>

The battle is won!:

==================================
~Tchigolitch Fenlands~

*Euryale follows Mortal. The skeletons just head straight into the water because, for some reason, they are immune. The Malboro starts moving along the peripheral edge of the swamp.*
==================================
~Finath Creek~

*When the newly-formed party arrives at the creek, they see a broad-shouldered man in a Southern Sky Knight uniform, modied to have a hood, curled horns on the helmet, & a cloak of fleece plated in fine gold. On either side of his waist, he has a weapon: a mace at his right, a spear at his left. Standing behind him is a female summoner, a female archer, & a male samurai. Each of them, like him, has a cloak made gilded leece, though with one or more Fleur-de-Lises, as opposed to his total adornment.*

L"Baron Grimms? What are you doing here, Ser?"

<Why, I came as soon as I got your message...Lilith, wasn't it? Something nefarious is going on at Nelveska Temple. I thank you very much for informing me. You may return to your post now.>

R"...Something isn't right here."

"I was heading to Lesalia with him," She pointed to Iliad, who was wiping his blade and sheathing it, "We just returned from Lionel Castle. The church, it... it played an ugly, center role in this whole fiasco it seems."

--

Mortal kind of just waits for them to get closer.

--

Zac was wary of the situation as well, but did not voice his concerns, lest his 'paranoia' spark a battle. He simply looked from Lilith to the Baron, waiting to see what would happen.

~Finath River~

L"But...I...as you wish, Ser."

*Lilith hangs her head in disappointment & turns to leave, but Roatha grabs her shoulder.*

R"Hold on. Why did he come here with a small battalion? If he's getting ready to fight, why isn't he at Nelveska? From the looks of things, he just came from Goltanna's fortress."
===================================
~Zeklaus~

Ramza<They are not alone. It seems the Northern Sky staged the abduction of Ovelia. The church then abducted her again, to give Goltanna the means with which to make war. They tried to eliminate Lady Agrias & I as well. Ser Gaffgarion, he was working all sides from the very beginning.>
===================================
~Fenlands~

*When the Malboro gets close to Mortal, it gurgles something that sounds like "kiddle your fadiddle" & swings tentacles at her.*

Not knowing what that meant at all, Mortal Counters the hit with two swings, then swings at it twice again, hoping at least one of her strikes will be accompanied by an ice spell.

--

"So, Ivalice really will find itself at war soon. This is awful," Sab said.

Iliad looked at Luso, who was more than likely just finding out about most these events just now, "Are you alright?"

--

"I agree, something isn't right here, Lilith. I don't trust him," Zac added, fully expecting Seraph to get bored and light one of them on fire within a few minutes.

~Finath River~

L"You don't trust him? You think something's not right? That's Baron Grimms you're talking about! The head of the Blackram Knights! He single-handedly purged Zeltennia of the Corpse Brigade!"

R"Lilith...the Brigade was never IN Zeltennia."

L"Oh? Really? What makes you so sure? ...Didn't think so. But you know what? It doesn't matter. Obviously, SOME large company was imprisoned in Fort Besselat during the rebellion."

<I tire of this. If you peasants are going to openly plot against me, I'll have no choice but to destroy you...& anyone who fights alongside you. This is your last warning: Be gone from my sight, or be slain.>
====================================
~Zeklaus~

Ramza<The Dukes have already moved for the capital, I'm afraid.>

???<Well enough. My name is Luso, by the way.>

Ramza<Oh, that is right. My name is Ramza Beoulve. This is Sab Rosa. We worked together guarding the Princess. I have some other companions, but I've sent them on ahead. I'm not certain who that man with her is. What were you doing this deep in the desert?>

Luso<Hunting game...well...that & maybe being a bit lost.>
====================================
~Fenlands~

*The Malboro is looking a bit...deflated. Euryale finishes it off with an Aurablast. Meanwhile, the skeletons are continuing on their merry way towards Noctis.*

Sorrel has the realization dawn on him that this is why his father solved issues by shoving blades into people's throats when they didn't follow him. He then sighs. "Whatever"

Noctis mother fucking flew through the air, and landed beside Mortal, and continued dancing.

"What the-- You can--"

"Fly? Yea, it isn't a big deal. Most proficient dancers can."

--

"I am Iliad Bell," He said, introducing himself, "I would suggest a bit more caution when venturing out into the desert. That battle could have been a lot more dangerous if we were not close enough to help." He then turned to Ramza, "Did you say that the war is about to start in Lesalia?"

--

Zac didn't want to get Lilith in any trouble within the Order, so he held his tongue, looking to Roatha to see what he would do.

~Zeklaus~

Ramza<I would argue that it has already started. And what's more, I am told that Dycedarg had a hand in it. I'm on my way to Lesalia to speak with my other Lord Brother, to see if we can stop this madness.>

Luso<Makes what I'm doing look pretty lame in comparison. Could I maybe join you?>

Ramza<I don't see why not.>
=================================
~Finath River~

*Roatha lets go of Lilith & continues forward, drawing his weapons.*

<Oh? You mean to fight me all by yourself? Or perhaps you'd like to be the Duke's new jester. Sorry, but we require a bit more...hygiene.>

*Seraph also steps forward.*

<...A child & a decrepit old man. The Gods truly do have a sense of humor, don't they?>

S"Hopefully. I've been meaning to set that dead ferret on your face ablaze, & I'll be upset if it doesn't work."

<I think not. The rest of you, kill these knaves! Show that your loyalty lies with Ivalice! The less Gil we have to spend on severing their heads, the more will go into your purses!>
=====================================
~Mullonde~

<Well, isn't this a treat? I'm feeling all nostalgic now.>

*A man steps into the audience chamber. Though his uniform has changed, Sorrel recognizes him as the Time Mage from the Corpse Brigade, wearing his familiar smug grin.*

<How's the family?>
==================================
~Tchigolitch Fenlands~

*The skeletons stop walking forward & begin pelting Mortal with balls of lightning.*

Slightly annoyed, Mortal said, using Beast Tongue, "Stop that, you saw what I did to the Malborro. I can do the same to you, I'd just rather not have to get wet."

--

Zac let out a small sigh, "I apologize if this winds up getting you in trouble, Lilith." He then turned to the other group and unloaded a Barrage into the samurai.

--

"We were headed that way as well," Iliad said, "Perhaps we could travel together. Safety in numbers."

~Finath River~

*Lilith draws her sword & brings up the rear. With her other hand, she draws a Kiyomori, a green mist emanating from it, protecting them all. She lets go, gravity resheathing it.*

L"You may be a war hero, & my commanding officer, but...I trust their judgment."

*Grimm's face turns deep scarlet as he grinds his teeth.*

<Traitors! The lot of you! You had your chance, now I'll kill you all!>

*His team makes their own preparations. The Samurai uses a healing rain on himself, & the Summoner calls down Carbuncle, to bathe them all in a reflective light. The archer takes a stance, gradually pulling the string of his bow.*
================================
~Fenlands~

<You don't fool us, human. We know you're afraid of the swamp's poison.>

*And so they keep their shit up while Euryale looks a little freaked out at the growling noises they're making.*
=================================
~Zeklaus~

*Ramza nods.*

Ramza<Very well. But we must separate again once we've left the castle. Lady Agrias & I have decided that it's too dangerous to stay as one large group for very long. The eyes of both the Order & the Glabados Church are on us every way we go.>

"The poison means nothing to me, I'm hardy enough to survive long enough to kill you both before--" She was pelted by the Animas, "Fine, FINE! You try to be nice and all that happens is they lecture you, and insult you, and make you feel bad! I was a fucking dragon! I don't want to hear her poor me story! I had an honest job my first day as a human, my first day, but NO, she's right! It is much easier to be a thief, and lecture people on how they 'just don't understand' when you try to help them!" As she was angrily ranting at the Skeletons in Beast Tongue, she began wading into the water after them, and picked one to attack twice.

Noct gave Euryale a confused look, wondering if she knew what the fuck Mortal was doing.

--

Iliad nodded, "That is probably for the best."

--

Zac shoots another Barrage at the summoner this time.

"Dead, but business is booming. You look like you've gone up in the world" Sorrel doesn't even have a hint of malice in his voice beyond the lingering irritations caused by the white mage.

~Warjilis~

*They remain close enough to the door to hear voices.*

Tavernmaster<I'm surprised you all agreed to stay on security, after the Cardinal's murder. I thought for sure you'd want to investigate.>

Knight<Leave that for the Templarate. No one in the clergy wants to be at Lionel Castle right now.>
=================================
~Fenlands~

*They of course move back & away from each other, continuing to fire at her. Euryale continues to look confused & freaked out, but then a dawning look of comprehension crosses her face, just before she punches the ground, a shockwave flashing through one of the skeletons. In addition to the wounds from the electric shocks, Mortal begins to feel very sick.*
==================================
~Finath River~

<Your defiance renders your lives forfeit!>

*He draws his weapons & shortly thereafter is consumed in a burning red glow. He then rushes down the mountain in the direction of Roatha, who is standing out front. The archer shoots Lilith in the knee as the summoner goes down. The samurai moves forward keeping a pace or two behind the charging Baron.*
=======================================
~Mullonde~

<Time is a very strange thing. Apparently, Gustav transcended death, & shortly thereafter invited the bulk of us to work with the Glabados Church. Except for Wiegraf. It almost seems as though he's on less-than-friendly terms with our former commander, after dying at his hand.>
=======================================
~Gollund~

*Soon afterwards, they pass into Gollund where, a good block or so away from them, they see the man in the cloak being harrassed by a large group of thieves in the slums. One of them pulls off his cloak, revealing him to be a man in a suit of blues & golds, clutching a large tome, & with the terrible fashion sense to have a triangular collar & a fauxhawk-ponytail ensemble. Ramza opens his mouth.*

Luso<Allow me to guess: "We have to help him"?>

"Time is indeed a funny thing. That aside, does the church have any leads into the incident at Lionel Castle? Its terrible business."

Clyde: <[Seems things are getting pretty serious over there...]>

*He shrugs and walks off.*

James: <Where are you going off to?>

Clyde: <Places.>

*He goes to look for that other knight that talked to him earlier, James following him closely behind and asking a billion questions.*

Mortal powers through it, still chasing them down, "You know what, I hope I do see her again, because if I do I guarentee you I won't make the same mistake. If she tries to hurt me, or, or, or Noct, or Euryale!" She began chasing down the one that didn't get hit by the shockwave, attacking with a double slash if she was within range.

--

Zac shoots a Barrage at the archer, "Lilith, can you move?" He asked, figuring an arrow in the knee would probably hinder mobility.

--

"Of course we do," Sab said, casting haste on everyone.

~Gollund~

???<I appreciate the favor, but I might have another idea.>

*The mysterious man lifts his hands & a bunch of strange glows light up in the sky. At that instant, all of the thieves are paralyzed, literally stopping the fight before it begins.*

Ramza<Why were these men attacking you?>

???<My name is Olan Durai, thank you for asking, but I suggest we continue our introductions elsewhere.>
==================================
~Fenlands~

*The skeleton keeps just out of her reach. The other one makes a beeline for Noctis.*

<...You'll abandon them, like you did just now?>
==================================
~Finath River~

L"It's not mobility that will be a problem."

*With a grunt, she yanks the arrow out, trying to ignore the sudden surge of blood. Baron Grimms moves to Roatha's side. Roatha blocks his spear stab, but then he smashes a mace into his torso while yelling incomprehensibly. The archer moves forward, to be healed by the samurai, then fires another shot, this time at Zac.*

~2~
======================================
~Warjilis~

*The knight is nowhere to be found in the city.*
======================================
~Mullonde~

<As a matter of fact, we know exactly who it was, & have already begun circulating word of the Heretic Hunt. Cardinal Delacroix & Vice-Cardinal Tepes were murdered by Ramza Beoulve.>

"I suspected as much but wanted to confirm it with the church" Sorrel says with shocking calm.

Noct flies away to another outcropping of land.

"I'm not abandoning anyone! Shut up!" Mortal said, hopefully, finally, getting close enough to one to strike it down.

--

Zac splits the damage with the archer who shot him, then shoots him with a Barrage.

--

"Then by all means, lead the way Olan," Iliad said.

~Gollund: Behind the Mine Shaft~

Olan<Well, if you must know, I'm on a mission from my father, Count Orlandeu.>

Ramza<I see. I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I am Ramza Beoulve.>

Olan<Be--Beoulve?!>

Ramza<You have something against my family name?>

Olan<Err...no. It's nothing. So, what about you? Just passing through?>

Ramza<Somewhat. I'm planning on meeting with my Lord Brother, in Lesalia.>
==============================
~Fenlands~

*Nope, it dodges again. However, its foot slips on the mud of a shallow slope, & it is unable to back up any further.*

<You'll be abandoning them & the rest of this world soon. Your already pale, weak flesh has been poisoned.>

*It lunges at Mortal, to stab it with its hand. Meanwhile, the other skeleton just keeps continuing for Euryale, who backs away, after hitting it with an Aurablast.*
=================================
~Finath River~

*Soulbind failed, but the archer is critically wounded again. Of course, the samurai heals him, & he begins charging another arrow strike. Lilith tries to move up the hill, but she's smashed in the face by a blind-side blow by Baron Grimms.*

R"You rotten--"

*Roatha's rebuke is cut short as he's stabbed in the shoulder.*
===================================
~Mullonde~

<We suspect the fugitive is moving for Lesalia, so we've dispatched a Celebrant there already. We will also be requiring someone to replace Cardinal Delacroix. That fat bastard Bremondt is trying to buy his way into the position. But Lionel Castle is the base of the Lion Knights, so the Templarate holds much sway there. And I think Gustav will persuade the rest to support me.>

Since Noct has been dancing the Polka since the start of the battle, the stab should have done very little damage. In direct contrast to that, Mortal's four slashes should have shut that fucking skeleton up once and for all.

--

Zac does the same shit again.

--

Sab and Iliad quietly listen to the conversation.

~Fenlands~

*Suffering just a few broken ribs, the skeleton attempts to get at Mortal's side & scratch her again. Noting the effects of the Polka, the other skeleton switches tactics, blasting Euryale with lightning before backing off.*
================================
~Finath River~

*As do they. Zac is shot & the samurai heals. Lilith heals herself & Roatha. Roatha retaliates against Grimms with two slashes. Grimms retaliates with 4, to the point where Roatha collapses & starts hacking up blood.*
================================
~Gollund~

Olan<Well, if you've no further business, this is where we part--I'm heading the opposite way, back for Zeltennia.>

Ramza<Very well. Take care.>

*Ramza holds out his hand. After some hesitation, Olan shakes it.*

Olan<Aye. You as well. And...try to keep a low profile.>

Zac does this shit again.

--

Moral does her shit again.

--

"Seems your name my carry some unwanted weight there, Ramza," Iliad observed.

~Gollund~

*Presumably, Olan fucked off.*

Ramza<...In the past years, I've found my brothers have done things I believe would shame father. That is why I introduced myself to Gaffgarion & Lady Agrias using my mother's name. But I couldn't run from my past forever. It's likely that the Southern Sky marks us as its greatest enemies. But hopefully, they will realize I left Eagrose, let alone the Northern Sky, some time ago.>
====================================
~Fenlands~

*The rest of its ribs fall off, followed shortly thereafter by an arm & its horns.*

<You lose, human...I will probably be reborn, but you will remain dead where you fall.>

*Its legs buckle & it finally finishes falling to pieces, becoming a pile of bones. On the far edge of the battlefield, Euryale continues her sissy long range fight with the other skeleton.*
================================
~Finath River~

*Lilith heals herself & Roatha again, then moves in front of him, catching the Baron's spear attack. And, surprisingly, the samurai heals the archer again before the archer shoots Zac.*

L"This isn't working. You're faster than I am, you take out that Samurai. I'll try to hold off Grimms."

"Good luck. I also came here to check on the supplies for the church. What with all this funny business going on I fear the last supply convoy might have not reached it here."