The Zodiac Brave Story

~Bervenia~

<Sorry, folks, guess my eyesight just isn't what it used to be. Anyway, I can do that. Anything else you need?>
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~Lesalia~

*Lilith also sighs & facepalms.*

L"Do I even want to know why you would do something so brazen?"

"Believe it or not, Mortal wasn't crazy," Noct said, "Bremodt was pretty much as she described. Everyone here can attest to it."

Sab nodded, "He even hired an assassin to kill Mortal."

"Senthose," Mortal said, "But we beat him up before, so I'm not to worried."

Zac was pretty surprised, "Well, that... is... not what I had expected to hear."

Azuma: "Nope. That'll be it."

~Lesalia~

L"I never said he was a good guy, but what you did was very reckless, you'll surely be named heretics for it. And besides, most church officials are sleazy, it doesn't mean they wield secret magicks!"

E"No, you misunderstand. We can attest to it because we saw him transform himself into a dragon."

L"...Truly? He can wield suck magicks? This 'dragon-making' is not the fevered dreams of a madwoman?"
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~Bervenia~

<Really? You don't want any information? Any food?>

Mortal looks struck, "I told you I wasn't a madwoman. I had no reason to lie to you then, and no reason to lie to you now." Mortal frowned, "What makes them more believable than me?"

Azuma: "In the morning. Unless either of you object."

Taiyo: "I'm kinda hungry."

Mimiru: "After that nonsense at the temple, how can you shrug off hunger?"

Azuma: "Easy. Fine then. Food and lodging now, information in the morning."

*They all take a step back*

Safian:<What are you talking about?>

Cassandra:<We were just wondering what happened here.>

~Bervenia~

<Certainly. You can either sit up here and eat, or sit down at a table, and I'll send a Dancer over.>
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~Eagrose~

*While they're being dumbasses, they become surrounded, 2 male thieves behind them, a male monk to their right, a female black mage & squire to their left, & finally a male archer goes to the weapons & grabs a longbow. Plus the 3 knights guarding the weapons.*

Knight1<What's going on here is we're taking our country back!>
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~Lesalia~

L"Apologies if I've offended you, but you'll find I don't as readily take to wild claims as the church's flock does. They've numbers, for starters. It's less likely that all of you are afflicted. And they didn't come off of the streets claiming to be monsters."

E"...And the fact that Noctis is a noble, like yourself?"

L"That...that has nothing to do with it!"

*She doesn't sound entirely convincing. Or convinced. She furrows her brow, crosses her arms, & looks down the street.*

L"In any case, I didn't say that I believed this tale. I merely find it more likely than I did before. It is still possible, for instance, that Bremondt has afflicted you with some madness through his magicks."

E"...A spell designed to make people think you have the power to turn humans into dragons? That makes sense to you?"

Azuma: "Well, this is closer. Especially after walking all over God's green earth."

The three pull up a stool.

*Cassandra draws her sword, Namond raises his bow, and Safian holds out her staff, ready to start charging a spell*

Cassandra:<We're monster hunters. We have no idea what you're on about, especially how we took your country in the first place.>

Mortal shook her head, "It doesn't matter. Believe or do not. I've been honest, and so has everyone else. You cannot expect anything else from us."

~Bervenia~

<Uhh...what are your orders?>
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~Eagrose~

*The archer shoots Safian as the others continue to advance towards them, except for 2 of the knights, who remain stationary to guard the weapons.*
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~Lesalia~

*Lilith is about to say that she could expect, you know, actual bloody proof, instead of hearsay and rumors, but she bites her tongue. Euryale puts a hand around Mortal, rubbing her shoulder.*

E"How about we go home, eat, bathe, and get you that massage?"

Azuma: "Surprise us."

"I had almost forgotten about that," Mortal said with a smile, bringing her hand up to rest upon Euryale's, "How foolish of me."

Noctis says, "Wait, Zac, are you going to be here? How can I reach you?"

"I'm staying at Limberry indefinitely," Zac said, "But I'll be in Lesalia for a little while. Perhaps we'll see each other again."

Sab waves goodbye to Lilith, and says, "It was nice to see you again."

~Bervenia~

*They all get steaks.*
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~Lesalia~

*Lilith nods to Sab, & the others in turn.*

"Likewise."

*She turns to leave.*

Long awaited update:

Azuma: "Ever wonder what Behemoth steak tastes like?"

Mimiru & Taiyo: "No."

Zac gives Noctis a hug, and waves good bye to everyone else before catching up with Lilith, "What an interesting night."

--

The girls head home.

~Bervenia~

<Well, if you did, then today would be your lucky day!>

*He grins broadly, holding his arms in the air like it's a celebration.*
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~Lesalia~

L"Yes, it was. I only hope that the fall of so many church officials isn't a precursor for darker times. As much as I dislike them, their losses threaten Ivalice's stability. Especially if they begin searching for retribution."
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E"Think it might be wise if some of us eat while the others bathe, and then we switch?"

*Safian begins charging Fire3, while Cassandra hits anyone who comes near with the flat of her blade. Namond casts Cure2 on Safian. While doing this, they all move back towards the entrance*

Azuma: "Oh. I'm not noticing a difference between it and a regular one."

"Sure," Noct said, "Sab and I will eat, you two can have fun in the bath."

--

"I was actually thinking that myself," Zac said, "We've done our fair share of Cardinal slaying, but I still think what we've done was the right thing. That said, the church is probably reeling from the repeated killings, from all angles, for all manner of reasons apparently. How long before it crumbles without any structure?"

~Lesalia~

L"Please, we should be so lucky. They'll find new leaders in no time. If anything, they'll be more dangerous while they're looking. Every candidate will want to prove that he's the biggest persecutor of the Church's enemies."
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*And so Mortal and Euryale wind up in the bath, the latter behind the former, massaging her neck & shoulders.*
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~Eagrose~

*As she's not targeting anyone or anything with the spell, she is doing nothing of the sort. The Black Mage begins charging a spell, the Squire throws a stone at Cassandra, & the Monk hurls an invisible long-range punch at Namond.*
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~Bervenia~

*The Tavernmaster shrugs.*

Mortal's life at this very moment is the picture of perfection.

Noctab is eating a caesar salad. When they're done they go to their room and snuggle in bed while they wait for Mortale.

--

"True," Zac chuckled, "Why does everyone always want to kill everyone else?"

*Safian targets the other black mage then charges. Cassandra steps out of the way of the rock, and Namond shoots the squire*

~Eagrose~

*Safian is hit by a bolt of lightning. The Black Mage moves forward & begins charging another spell. The Squire is shot, but shrugs it off. The Monk hits Namond with another Aurablast. Now armed, the Archer begins moving around the pile, to get a shot at them, sticking behind the Knight. A Thief each stabs Namond & Safian in the back. At this point, Safian hits the Black Mage, & kills her.*

~3~
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~Lesalia~

L"Unfortunately, it's Ivalician Culture. We're brought up to believe in violence as a solution to all of our problems. The Church uses it to defend the faith. Powerful Lords use it to achieve status. Other nobles use it to gain prestigious jobs as Knights, in service of these Lords. Our citizens hire armed adventurers to protect them from thieves and monsters. Surrender is not an option. To surrender is to be seen as weak, or to subject oneself to treaties that probably won't be honored. We either kill every last one of you, as we did the Corpse Brigade, or you never raise arms in the first place. Choose wisely."

*They enter the inn.*
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~Lesalia~

*It can be assumed that Mortale eventually finishes their bath, & gets out to go get food.*