The Zodiac Brave Story

~Limberry~

*Lilith waves the Squire off.*

"I thought she was the sister you referred to earlier...but even if it doesn't make sense, I rather doubt our spies could make such a grievous error."
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~Lionel~

*That's gross. The Time Mage, for some reason, did not see fit to protect against Silence. The Archer that is not charging a spell is stopped. Euryale lets loose with a Shockwave, becoming the first person to successfully wound Aliste. Beowulf just fucking stabs himself in the lower abdomen, which elicits a raised eyebrow from the other Templar, who keeps sapping his MP.*

~3, 1~
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~Zeltennia~

*The pair head towards the Western Gate.*
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~Gariland~

Tavernmaster<Looking for a job, or information?>

Cassandra:<Job.>

And to the West Gate they go.

"My sister is Noctis," Zac corrected, "I am just dubious about all of this. I've been away, but I doubt there is another child, least of all one that would have a bounty on her head."

--

"Beowulf, what are you doing?!" Sab asked, shuffling around again to shore up more MP. Noct continues her dance, hoping to turn one of the fuckers into a toad. Mortal, begins to chase down the stopped Archer, and double slashes him when she gets close.

~Lionel~

*While Mortal is trying to cross the field to attack a minor enemy like some kind of not-at-all-efficient fighter, Beowulf slashes in Aliste's direction. Waves of blue energy crash in on the Templar, & explode, giving him a gash in the same spot as Beowulf's. Aliste falls into critical health.*

Aliste: Mayhap your edge is not lost after all.

Beowulf: We've fought enough, Aliste! Will you not end this madness?

Aliste: It's not over. Not yet...if I can't injure your body, & your Jade Armlet prevents me from petrifying you, then I'll just see to it that you can't move against me.

*Aliste slashes, sending magick chains at Beowulf, which bind his limbs before vanishing. He then teleports back up to the castle, where he is joined by the Time Mage, who uses an X-Potion on him. Meanwhile, a big lightning bolt pelts Noctis, knocking her into critical. Euryale decides to jump into the aqueduct & take the magic-casting Archer down with a Repeating Fist, before attending to anyone's wounds.*

~3, 3, 2, 0~
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~Gariland~

<We've got quite a few offers in this region, as of late. You could quell the Peasant Uprising in Eagrose, or escort a silk merchant from here to Dorter. There have also been reports of an unusually dangerous monster in Mandalia Plains, & ghosts at Brigands' Den.>
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~Zeltennia~

*The knight turns once they reach the Gate.*

???<Seek the Princess's life if you place no value in your own.>
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~Limberry~

"Why don't you just ask your family?"

*Cassandra turns to the others*

<What sounds good?>

Safian:<Let's deal with the ghosts.>

Cassandra:<Alright, we'll do that one.>

Azuma: "Our business has nothing to do with the princess. Or anyone of the crown."

Mortal begins making her way over to the Time Mages. Noct begins to make her way closer to Euryale, being that she just got hit with a bolt of lightning. Once there she begins dancing again. Sab moves closer to Aliste and begins to cast Graviga.

--

"I'm kind of scared to go back," Zac admitted, "When I left it wasn't on good terms, and I'm not sure I'll be welcomed back. I'm a blot on my family's name and honor. To return like nothing happened would make matters worse."

~Limberry~

"Then why not send a message?"
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~Lionel~

*Euryale uses Chakra, then quickly races off towards Beowulf. Aliste then teleports to the inside of the castle gates to face off with Mortal. He swings his sword, red energy emerging from from her wounds like a cloud of blood & healing himself. Once she reaches Beowulf, Euryale heals him with Purification.*
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~Zeltennia~

Delita<Then why have you been following us so earnestly?>
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~Gariland~

<Right then. Brigands Den is just south of Mandalia. A local fisherman will take you to the island, & pay you a total of 30,000 Gil if you can exorcise the spirits. This is in addition to any spoils you gain from the battle, but they mean exorcise, not kill. Make sure they don't come back again.>

Mortal counterattacks, then attacks swinging 4 times, and hoping for a ice spell to pop off in there somewhere. Noct is still dancing, and Sab regrets the Graviga now that Mortal is so close.

--

"I... suppose that could work," Zac said, "It still seems kind of wrong, and even more impersonal, but at least it won't be messy."

Azuma: "Coincidence. We're heading for the West Gate."

~Limberry~

"You can just grab any Squire to send the message. Meet me outside when you're done, I have to get ready for the trip."
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~Lionel~

*Mortal cannot counterattack that, as it was a long-range/non-physical attack. Aliste once again blocks each attack. He moves to disable Beowulf again, but this fails when Beowulf swings a slash that removes his own faith.*

Beowulf<Mortal, keep him occupied! The rest of you, keep him from any crystals!>

*Euryale does as he says, once the ninja's spirit yields a purple crystal. She then begins charging a summon.*

~1,1,0~
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~Zeltennia~

Delita<And where would you be going, hm?>

Azuma: "Some temple. Treasure hunting."

Cassandra:<Alright, sounds good. Is there anything else we should know?>

Noct begins to make her way over to the closest crystal, Sab probably drops Graviga by this point, and Mortal nods and goes for 2 Rend Speeds.

--

Zac does so, writing a quick letter inquiring about the existence of a 'Mortal Talea' and who she was exactly.

~Lionel~

*Noctis gains the other ninja's crystal, unfortunately, he has no abilities or equipment to offer. Aliste blocks Mortal's strikes while Beowulf gets behind him & runs him through, at the same time, Euryale cancels her summon & hits him with an Earth Slash. He slumps to the ground.*

Aliste: I am...defeated.

Beowulf: Aliste!

Aliste: Dwell not on this, Beowulf. My days were already at an end. *chuckle* Even the noble Ser Aliste cannot best malady.
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~Limberry~

*Lilith waits for him. If he's already handed off his message & come outside, she asks if he's ready to go.*
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~Gariland~

<The ghosts are said to consist of knights, thieves, & white mages.>
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~Zeltennia~

Delita<There are no temples to the west of Zeltennia.>

"Certainly," Zac replied, "Let's not dilly dally any longer."

--

Mortal laments over the fact she can't steal Aliste's sword.

Azuma: "Where the hell are we going?"

Mimiru: "Nelveska. Which is north."

Azuma: "Oh, damn it."

~Zeltennia~

Delita<Well, for the sake of the gods, be on your way, then.>

*Meanwhile, Lilith & Zac are coming in to the city from the south.*
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~Lionel~

Beowulf: What?

Aliste: I'd not die...in a sickbed, succumbed to weakness and...and infirmity. What...what are you doing? Go! Go...and save Reis! She awaits you within. Take her...and your freedom. I die now...fulfilled. Fare-well, Beowulf...my lord...

*He falls over, & produces a blue crystal.*

Beowulf: You fool!

The three leave heading in the direction they should have went.

Azuma: "He seemed eager to be rid of us."

Mimiru hits him.

Mimiru: "God, you're an idiot."

Coming in from the south... If you know what I mean... And I think that you do.

--

"He... ended his life like this simply so that he could feel like his death was more dignified than dying in his bed?" Noct asked. "What a--" Sab kind of nudged her. "Fine, whatever, lets go."

~Lionel~

"I don't know, it makes sense to me. If I had the choice between dying sickly and alone, or dying in my prime, doing something I enjoyed, to help my friends, I'd go with the latter."

Beowulf<He should have retired when he had the chance.>

Time Mage: I hear that! ...Please don't hurt me.

Beowulf<Recover yourselves. Use the crystals, if you must. We will have to fight our way to Bremondt, no doubt.>
==================================
~Zeltennia~

"Do you expect to meet much resistance?"

Delita<There may be a few Northern Sky stragglers who haven't heard of Dycedarg's & Zalbaag's deaths. Other than that, we should be safe. To be perfectly frank, your role here is more for show. Ovelia will be expected to have a Royal Escort.>

Mortal took Aliste's, seeing as it was the closest. Sab found another. Noct already healed herself so she simply looked at the remaining time mage and pointed to the horizon, "Get out of here, and don't do anything to screw us over."

And north they continue to go, Mimiru and Taiyo with their arms locked together.

Taiyo: "So what kind of treasure do you think we'll find?"

Azuma: "Probably a rock with a weird symbol on it. Won't be worth beans, but it'll cause a lot of hassle for us."

Cassandra:<Thank you.>

*The three exit the tavern, then stand outside*

Cassandra:<You coming Namond?>

Namond:<I don't see why not.>

Safian:<I'm going to go leave a note so my Dad knows where I am, I'll meet you at the gate.>

*Safian heads off back towards her house, while Cassandra and Namond head off towards the nearest gate to their destination.>