In The Name of Love

~Warjilis~

Monk<I'll have no regrets if you let me drown the fool behind us first.>

Archer<Deal.>

Mortal gets up, "What was that?" She begins to make her way out of the room, and finds that Noctis and Sab are already making their way downstairs to see what happened.

--

"What do you plan to do, Roatha?" Zac asked.

~Limberry~

R"Someone's gotta hunt down Seraph like the dog he is. Ramza, if that--thing--is after Zodiac Stones, he'll be coming for you & your brother. Be sure to send word to Limberry if you learn anything."
===================================
~Lesalia~

*At the entrance level; The Celebrant, along with 2 archers, a Chemist positioned behind him, & two knights on the stairs, are standing at the top of the stairs, facing off against Senthose, at the bottom of the stairs. Near Senthose's feet is a dead ninja. Additionally, the Dragoon steps out from behind Mortal.*

Zeit<I can't believe you merely walked through the front door!>

E"Is it just me...or are all of his troops female?"

Senthose<I can't believe you were stupid enough to take this job?>

Zeit<Hehe, you fool! Whoever you are, you couldn't possibly hope to defeat such a large force alone!>

~2~

Mortal goes in for a Rend Weapon double slash, Noct starts dancing a forbidden dance, and Sab uses hasteja on herself, Mortal, and Euryale.

--

"Do you have any leads on where Seraph might be?" Zac asked.

~Limberry~

R"If he's with Mimic Man, then probably in the general direction of Eagrose."
======================================
~Lesalia~

*Senthose watches with dull surprise as Mortal runs halfway down the stairs & Euryale immediately takes off after her. Since they still have half a staircase & a landing to cross yet, zero fucks are given.*

S"I knew you'd go in for the surprise attack."

Zeit<Just shoot him.>

*The Chemist levels a Blaze Gun, but just before she fires, a Red Dragon jumps in front of the shot & roars. Also, a familiar scarred ninja walks in from behind assassin & dragon.*

Senthose<Fortunately, I had the foresight to bring friends.>

Vanessa<It's that kind of preparation that makes you unbeatable.>

*As she speaks, faint wisps of blue energy emerge from her lips.*

Senthose<I know. I try.>

*Senthose holds up the white katana in his right hand & dazzling rainbow spirals cover his troops. Seeing how real shit just got in the space of 15 seconds, the knights & archers begin advancing down the stairs.*

~1~

Mortal felt a pit in her stomach, and a feeling that she should have expected to see her again on the battlefield, "Vanessa! I thought I'd never see you again!"

Sab begins to charge a Slowja on Senthose.

--

Zac nodded, "Well, I wish you safety in your travels."

~Lesalia~

*Being way too far away to be hit by magic, Senthose doesn't care about what Sab is doing either.*

Vanessa<I thought I would have to go back to stealing from travelers on the trade routes. Fortunately, I found an equal opportunity employer.>

*Blue wisps emerge from her lips.*

Vanessa<And once we're done here, you'll be in the same boat I was.>

Senthose<No one reacts to the fact that a 500 pound dragon just kicked down the front door? I named her Mortale.>

*The dragon turns to stare at him. Senthose ignores it & reappears in a flash to where the 2 knights are.*

Senthose<By the way, I know Master Teleportation.>

*He jabs one before she can even react, killing her instantly. When the other one slashes at him, he sidesteps, jabs her in the neck, & drops her as well. He then proceeds to catch both arrows that are shot at him & toss him aside. Frowning, the Celebrant begins charging a spell & takes several steps back.*
==================================
~Limberry~

*Lilith writes some shit down on a piece of parchment & hands it to Roatha. He looks down at it.*

R"What's this?"

L"An emergency order in the event that the Cardinal is assassinated. It grants you use of a trained War Chocobo under the validation that you are a mercenary contracted to hunt down the assassin before he escapes. I'll try to clear up the Evil Eye Incident as well, but for now, just don't let anyone know who you are."

"Would you please stop saying that! You always say that, and then I just make your life worse..." Mortal frowned, "Just stop fighting me, our lives could be so much better if we weren't enemies!" She then looked at the dragon, "You don't want to attack us. We're going to win this fight, just join us while you still draw breath."

Sab used Slowja again, now that Senthose was close.

--

Zac chuckled a bit, remembering a story he heard at a tavern about some noble being pecked to death by Chocobos.

~Lesalia~

Vanessa<Don't you dare threaten me! Now I see why you've been winning all of these fights, & why you're so determined to wreck everything. Once a monster, always a monster.>

E"Hold your tongue!"

Vanessa<But it doesn't matter, that all ends here. You can't possibly hope to defeat us, Senthose just cleaned out half of your forces. And I now see that my mistake was giving you nobles quarter in the first place. I'll attack you directly, & take what is rightfully mine!>

*The Dragoon leaps down to join the party.*

Dragoon<What you're going to do is cease this senseless struggle against the natural order, or taste a mouthful of spear.>

*The Red Dragon dashes to the Dragoon's side, opening its mouth & pouring lightning over her. When Noctis's dance triggers, a film of darkness covers the dragon's eyes, Vanessa is rendered mute, & it misses Senthose entirely. He teleports to Noctis's back & slashes her twice, at which point the Celebrant calls down a beam of light over one of the knights, which restores her to full health. The Gryphon Ninja turns into a blue crystal.*

~2~
=====================================
~Limberry~

*Once Roatha is gone, Lilith & Zac meet with the other knights to give her account of the Marquis's death. She claims that Argath assassinated him on Dycedarg's behest, & that she slew Argath with Zac's help. She then has a message sent to Delita, giving the same account. They are now waiting atop the castle, looking out for enemies or replies.*

Mortal furrowed her brow, "You, shut up! This has nothing to do with you!" She then turns to the dragon, "Stop that, or so help me I will... Wait, this is my territory... Legitimately," She stared down the dragon, "I'll deal with you later." Finally she turned to Vanessa, "Vanessa, please, I'm not trying to threaten you. I just don't like how things are, not when things could be so much easier, so much better! Cease this foolishness! You will not be the victor here for you have chosen the losing side. Stop, please!" With that she double slashes the dragon.

Noct flies away from Senthose, and switches to Last Waltz. Sab begins to charge a Farie on Noctis.

--

Zac let out a sigh, "It was a crazy night."

~Lesalia~

*Since Vanessa can't speak, she just double-slashes Mortal when she turns her back.*

Dragoon<Well, you can't say I neglected to warned you.>

*She stabs at Vanessa, but Vanessa dodges. Euryale also punches the dragon, who then goes & gobbles up the crystal, fully healing itself. Senthose points at the raised Chemist, turning her to stone. The raised knight turns to run after him, but he ignores her.*

Senthose<This was your big plan? You were just going to have me rushed en masse & hope I couldn't defend myself from so many attacks? So you finally get a taste of wealth & power, & you're too cheap to arm your pawns with basic previsions? How pathetic.>

Zeit<Oh, silence yourself. I am more than just a Celebrant, you know.>

*Several gray numerals descend on Senthose as bolts of darkness emerge from underneath him. He emerges from both spells completely unscathed.*

Zeit<That's...that's not possible. My magic is without equal, how are you overpowering every attack?>

~1~
=======================================
~Limberry~

L"Indeed. And Ramza informs me that Lord Folmarv is a Lucavi as well. I can't believe they've invaded our society so far. Who knows how many more are lying hidden, out of our sight? Do you think the masked man is a Lucavi himself?"

As Sab begins to charge a meteor for Senthose, Divum and Dawn walk out, "Hey, I heard a commoti-- What the hell is going on?!"

"Go back to your room, we'll have this sorted out momentarily," Noct said, dancing a Last Waltz still.

Mortal turned around and used a double rend power on Vanessa, "Give me a second, I'm trying to deal with the dragon."

--

"Perhaps," Zac said, "In all honesty, anything is possible, and the conditions always seem perfect to produce the worst case scenario. What about you though? How are you taking things?"

~Lesalia~

*Golden sparks emerge from Noctis, causing all of the foes to stop moving.*

*When the knight comes up & tries to attack him, Senthose stops acting, & petrifies her.*

Senthose<Was I just sorted out?>

*Zeit holds up a hand, charging another spell.*

Zeit<Well, don't just stand there, try another method!>

Archer<All we have is Knight skills, & our arrows can't hit him!>
=======================================
~Limberry~

"I'm still getting used to the notion that I'll now be responsible for the welfare of this province. A province I inherited in poor health, no less."

"I have faith that you can do it," Zac said, "You're strong, and smart, and passionate about your duty. It is admirable really."

--

Noct continues dancing, Sab continues charging, and Mortal double slashes the dragon, "So, are you finally going to calm down, or do I have to keep beating you up before you realize you've chosen the wrong side here?"

~Limberry~

"Thanks. You know, I've been thinking...something similar about you. I don't know if work & obligation are good ways to repay you for everything you've done for me, but...I do need a second-in-command, now that Argath is dead."
===================================
~Lesalia~

*Once the dragon can move again, it breathes fire over itself, causing its scales to grow over & seal shut his wounds.*

Dragon<What are you babbling about? We're winning!>

*Vanessa hangs back & hurls a Yagyu Darkrood at Mortal. The slain knight then crystalizes, so one of the archers grabs it & shoots Senthose in the back.*

Archers<The arrows can reach him! Attack from behind!>

*Senthose charges towards the Celebrant, causing Sab to bring a Meteor down on them both. Senthose then leaps through the explosion, slashing him twice & critically wounding him & killing the archer beside him.*

Zeit<You stupid wench!>

~3~

Sab was about to use a Fairie on him, but stopped after he insulted her and decided to go for a graviga on Senthose instead. Noct continues to dance. Mortal double slashes again, "Give it some time."

--

Zac smiled, "I would love nothing more than to help you in anyway I can, even if I do need a bit of on the job training... I'm not exactly sure what a second in command does."

~Limberry~

"Depends on the commander, I suppose. I'm not even certain what I'm supposed to do."
====================================
~Lesalia~

*At this point, Senthose just ignores being shot in the back, & continues moving forward.*

Zeit<Worthless fool...very well, I'll handle this! Do you know what Wiegraf had when he died? My magic truly is without peer. Though I did not wish to resort to this, enjoy the Necropolis!>

*He raises his hand to call down a beam of light on Senthose, who once again just keeps walking forward. As his trump card is useless, Zeit turns to run, but Senthose grabs him & cuts him down.*

S"I've given enough warnings. It's time for someone to die."

*And so he takes the dead Celebrant & teleports them both out of the room. After Vanessa hurls another Yagyu at Mortal, Euryale becomes sick of it & starts chasing her down. The dragon moves away from Mortal, blasting her with lightning over its shoulder.*

~2~

Mortal chases down the dragon double slashing, gaining health from her auto-regen, and lifefont. Sab uses Graviga on Senthose, I guess, since once it is locked distance from the user doesn't matter, and Noct continues her last waltz.

--

"Then it looks like we'll both be learning on the job," Zac said, "I'm sure we'll both figure something out."

~Lesalia~

*Sab casts her spell. Of course, she has no idea if it works. Euryale uses Aurablast, knocking Vanessa down. The dragon breathes fire over itself.*

E"Without Senthose here, you don't stand a chance of beating us."

Vanessa<We don't have to. All we have to do is buy time.>
--------------------------------------------------------
*Senthose arrives in the parents' room & deposits the dead Celebrant in the corner.*

S"I've been nice, haven't I? I avoid actually doing my job, waiting for you to give me the info I want. I ignore every time my targets foolishly attack me, when I could kill them easily. And how do you show your gratitude? You hire some church vanity project to try & kill me. As though you would succeed. Not that I'm not mad about it anyway."
===========================================
~Limberry~

"There's the messenger. Come on, I have to go be formally inducted as the next Marquis."

Clyde: <It was a joke.>

Dawn shrugged, "I am blameless in this debacle. Those monsters I call daughters plotted this scheme on their own."

"We have no control over what they do," Divum said, "I was only trying to help them along, I had no idea they planned to kill you."

--

Mortal double slashes with rend speed, that way she could put in more damage than the dragon could heal.

Noct stopped dancing and floated down the steps, and used Intimidate, "Why exactly do you continue on with this? You're pathetic, and not because of the caste of your blood but because of how you squander whatever redeeming qualities you may have on one fool after another. Not only are we going to win this fight, like we always do, but if you don't walk away once and for all, I promise this will be the last time you ever fight."

Sab begins to charge a graviga on Vanessa, after moving a good distance down the stairs.

--

"Alright then, let's mosey, my lady."

~Lesalia~

Senthose<Well, that's just a shame. Especially for you.>

*He points at Dawn as the archer kicks down the door & threatens to shoot him.*

Archer<Unhand the High Celebrant, & soften the Chemist that she may return him to life!>

Senthose<Seriously? You're doing this? Do nobles enjoy being murdered? Is that a cultural tick I was previously unaware of? Why do you even care about this third rate magician? Baron Grimms was, like, 8 times the antagonist he'll ever be!>

~1~
--------------------------------------------------------
Vanessa<...Wow. Okay, maybe I won't see the end of this battle, but I'll at least see the end of you!>

*She attacks Noctis head-on with both swords.*

*The dragon takes this time to retaliate with thunder breath.*

~0~
========================================
~Balias Swale~

*When they arrive, Zerro is standing about 20 feet away from them, near a tree on their bank of the river. He appears to be alone.*

Zerro<You had best have been rehired to carry the ransom.>
=========================================
~Limberry~

*The formal process wasn't really all that formal. Mostly, she just signed some documents, & was asked to speak at Elmdore's funeral, to be determined at a later date. They are now in Elmdore's office, a marble room with a long wooden table, a large window, & a red carpet.*

L"If the church still aspires to seize control of Ivalice, they'll have to act soon. By their own doctrine, once a King is named, he rules by divine mandate. But almost everyone is in either Delita's or Dycedarg's pocket. Almost everyone."

Zac nodded in agreement. "Who exactly is left for them to control at this point?" Zac asked, looking over at the new Marquis, "Delita has the princess, I still think he has the best... well, easiest to defend claim to the throne."

--

Noct, now peeved, does it again, "Two things, first, it isn't maybe. If you continue on with this foolishness you will die. I'm not even saying anything that sounds unreasonable, you've tried this before. You are an ant who aspires to kill a boot. Try as you might, there is no way you will be anything but crushed if you continue. Second, that hurt, and I'm going to make you pay for that."

Mortal double slashes the dragon, then looks back at Noctis, "Noct, stop it! Quit being mean to her."

--

Dawn is as indignant as ever, "Me?! What do I have to do with any of this?"

~Limberry~

L"Dycedarg has his brother, Zalbaag as commander of both the Northern Sky and the Lionsguard. He also has Prince Orinus on the run. Deita has imprisoned Queen Louveria. But having most of the Royal Family out of the way works best for both of them. Delita has also killed or removed all of Goltanna's old vassals."
====================================
~Lesalia~

*Vanessa goes in for a second attack, but Euryale steps between them. She punches Vanessa in the gut, dealing critical damage in a single blow.*

E"It's a good thing Noctis softened you up. I thought you'd be hard to beat. Now, look, I don't want to have to do anything worse, so just back down, okay?"

*Vanessa seems to run away.*

E"That worked well...she's going towards the dragon, isn't she?"

*Said dragon uses fire breath to heal itself again.*

~0~
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Senthose<Your death-->

*Senthose is shot in the rib.*

Senthose<One second.>

*He holds a hand out to the archer, petrifying her.*

Senthose<As I was saying, your death will send a clear message, that everyone linked to House Talea, be it by birth or amour, will be eliminated one-by-one until I have what I sought out for.>

*The Celebrant turns into a crystal before Senthose, at which point it dissipates as light into his body.*

Senthose<Also, for anyone keeping score, I am now a Celebrant & a Sorcerer. Their every move makes my victory even more complete!>

"My death?!" Dawn frowns, "You can't kill me, take him instead!"

Divum, to his credit, steps between Dawn and Senthose, "I won't let you hurt my wife!"

--

Mortal is unhappy that two rend speeds did nothing to slow the fucker down, and is also unhappy at everyone attacking Vanessa. She takes out her unhappiness on the dragon with a double slash.

"And god is fake!" Noct called after her.

--

Zac let out a small sigh, and looked out the window, "Seems like they've got everything figured out." He looked back at Lilith, "But enough about them, this is an important day for you. You shouldn't have to concern yourself with such matters all the time. You should try to relax."