Chapter Text
"So, what's our first order of business?" Yuri asked the next day. The group gathered outside the castle gates.
"Getting the leaders of the worlds together," Flynn stated. "Brave Vesperia should be the ones to asked the Union and Palestralle. You Shadow Wielders can talk to the kingdoms' leaders. From what you told us, it seems you're pretty famous. We can meet at Aurnion within a week."
"So, what are you and Hope going to be doing?" Shu asked.
"We'll be looking for clues as to where the enemy Entelexeia could be hiding," Flynn replied.
"Sounds dangerous. Are you sure you'll be okay?" Judith asked. "This sounds like something we should do as a group."
"We can't just stand around twiddling our thumbs for the week," Hope replied with a smirk. "Wouldn't be fair if you guys did all the hard work."
"Hey, maybe we could get Logi to help us," Shu suggested.
"Are you crazy?!" Jiro snapped. "Have you forgotten he was the one who shot us down and tried to kill us?!"
"But this fight concerns the entire world!" Shu protested. "It makes sense that he should help out too! Besides, he's helped us against the Darkness and the Legion of Elite Species, so why wouldn't he help us now?"
"Hey, Andropov," Kluke said, turning to the silver-haired boy. "Do you think you could get us in to see Logi?"
"Yeah, come to think of it, Logi still trusts you, maro," Marumaro said.
"You have a point," Jiro admitted. "If Andropov's with us, Logi shouldn't be too willing to attack us."
"Think you can pull this off?" Kluke asked.
"I'll see what I can do," Andropov replied.
"But what if he attacks us, mira?!" Marumira whined. "What then?"
"We beat him up, or course, tora!" Marutora grinned. Kluke shot the two Devee a look.
"We aren't going to be doing any kind of fighting."
"Worst-case scenario, we can use Phoenix's teleporting powers to escape if he does decide to attack," Shu said.
"Can't we leave Logi for last?" Bouquet asked. "He scares me!"
"Good idea," Jiro said. "We should stop by Korin and see how reconstruction's going."
"Okay. Let's head out!" Shu announced. He turned to the Terca Lumirans. "Good luck! We'll see you in a week!"
"Take care!" Estelle replied. Blue Dragon, Saber-Tiger, Phoenix, and Albiheim were summoned, Shu and Jiro on Blue Dragon, the three Devee on Saber-Tiger, Kluke and Bouquet on Phoenix, and Andropov on his Shadow. The Shadows then took off, leaving Zaphias.
"I'll call Ba'ul," Judith said, her hand going to the side of her head.
"So, where we goin' first?" Raven asked, hands going behind his head.
"Maybe we should start in Palestralle. After all, they weren't involved in the battle," Karol pointed out.
"Good point, Captain Karol," Yuri said. "Besides, we're on good terms with Natz."
"Yeah! Let's go to Nordopolica!" Patty exclaimed. "The nighttime parties they have are so much fun!"
"We aren't going there to party, just so you know," Rita replied. Repede huffed and agreement. Ba'ul's howl sounded and the Entelexeia came into view, landing the ship just outside the noble quarter.
"Well, that's our cue. Time to go!" Yuri announced. The group, minus Flynn and Hope headed for the ship. However, Yuri stopped just before leaving the city, turning around to face Flynn, giving the Commandant a hard look. "Don't go dying."
"Same to you. I'm pretty sure the Union wasn't too pleased that you didn't assist them," Flynn replied. Yuri glanced at Hope.
"Do you want me to pass a message to Katrina?"
Hope hesitated, then shook her head, sadness welling up in her eyes. Yuri nodded in understanding. He headed for the ship, climbing onboard, Ba'ul taking off with a howl.
Once Ba'ul was out of sight, Hope turned to Flynn.
"Judith does have a point, you know. We could be going on a suicide mission if it's just the two of us."
"I'm aware of that. And that's why I've got a brigade coming with us," Flynn replied.
"Sodia's?" Hope asked. Flynn shook his head.
"No, she's helping out with the relief effort in Deidon Hold, and many of the other captains have been sent out trying to protect our cities from the increased monster attacks due to Jennuir's influence. The Knights in our brigade were included in the effort, as you already know."
"Then...who's coming?"
"One of the newer captains and his brigade," Flynn replied. Hope thought back to who was recently made Captain. She could recall only one, and as soon as that thought entered her head, the blood drained from her face.
"Oh no... You can't mean..."
"Captain Leon Magnus [1]," Flynn finished.
"But why?! That kid is so stuck-up! I'll go crazy before the week is up if I have to spend it with him!" Hope exclaimed.
"Well, thank you for expressing your thoughts on me."
Hope glowered, slowly looking over her shoulder. The 16-year-old captain was headed in Hope and Flynn's direction, accompanied by ten Knights.
"Oh yay, look who's here," Hope growled.
"Nice to see you, too," Leon replied, flicking away the raven hair partially covering his right eye.
"Hope, why are you so dissatisfied with him?" Flynn asked.
"Because he's an ass!" Hope exclaimed.
"And you're a nag!" Leon retorted. Hope honestly couldn't stand the kid. Sure, he was a prodigy with a sword, but that also made him completely arrogant.
His sister, Rutee Katrea [1] wasn't much better. The woman was a pickpocket and a thief. But despite Hope's misgivings about the 18-year-old, she had some good points too. The money she both stole and earned from monster hunting went to orphanages.
Hope had met Rutee on a few occasions, usually when it came to Rutee's run-ins with the law. And it was from Rutee that she found out that Leon Magnus wasn't the young captain's real name.
"He's too embarrassed by it, so when he applied for the Knights, he changed his name," Rutee had explained.
"So what is his real name?" Hope had asked. Rutee then had a little twinkle in her eye.
"I'll tell you it...but it'll cost you. 10,000 Gald."
"WHAT?!"
"Sorry, but the brat kinda threatened my life if I told anyone."
Hope and Leon stared each other down, gold locking onto violet. The members of the Leon Brigade were beginning to look a little nervous and Flynn shook his head miserably.
"This is going to be a long week..." Flynn grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing.
"There's Korin!" Shu exclaimed, pointing down from Blue Dragon.
"Looks like they're doing well with the repairs," Kluke commented. The city still showed signs of devistation, but many buildings had already been repaired, including Sui's mansion.
"Maybe we should ask Sui to come to the meeting," Jiro suggested.
"That's a good idea. And with her connections, she could help us investigate Jennuir and his forces," Kluke agreed. Everyone else nodded in agreement, the Shadows landing at the door. After a couple of knocks, Sui opened the door, surprise written on her face when she saw the group.
"I didn't expect to see you guys so soon. I figured you'd be after the monsters who trashed the battlefield.
"You heard about that already, mira?!" Marumira gasped.
"Word travels faster than you'd think," Sui replied. "You all can come in and get comfortable."
"Thanks, Sui," Shu said, he and the others going inside Sui's mansion. Once they were all sat down, Sui began.
"I assume you're here for information on Jennuir."
"How'd you know his name?!" Bouquet exclaimed. Sui smirked.
"The word's all over Zaphias. It didn't take long for my informants to get the information."
"We were actually going to ask you to attend a meeting to discuss a world alliance against Jennuir's forces in Aurnion a week from now," Jiro said. "But while we're here, do you have any information on his whereabouts?"
"Unfortunately, no," Sui replied. "We're searching every nook and cranny of the world for clues on his hideout, but we're coming up with nothing. It's almost like he comes from out of nowhere."
"Well, when one of Jennuir's followers appears, maybe an informant could tail it?" Kluke suggested.
"Too risky," Sui said. "If the informant gets caught, it'll be all over for them. Besides, those things are way too fast and stealthy to follow very well." She stood up from her chair. "I'll attend the meeting. Hopefully the world will be able to find a way to get along. I know where to find Aurnion. I'll see you guys there."
"Yeah, see you later," Shu replied.
Ba'ul took off from Nordopolica with a howl, his next destination now Dahngrest.
"I'm happy that Natz agreed right away to a world alliance," Estelle said, grinning.
"I think he's just as tired of all this conflict as we are," Yuri replied. "Besides, we've helped him numerous times in the past, so it doesn't surprise me that he's willing to return the favor."
"Now onto the hard part: getting the Union to agree," Karol said.
"Harry still isn't looked up to much in the Union," Raven pointed out. "Lots of guildsmen may not agree ta an alliance. Guess we'll jus' hafta cross our fingers an' hope this'll all work out."
"They'll need to agree to this," Judith said. "It's either that or annihilation by Jennuir."
"Yeah, but those guild guys can be pretty stubborn when they put their minds to it," Rita added. "They'll probably think they can handle the whole problem on their own."
"But Jennuir's so powerful!" Patty exclaimed. "They'll be killed if they try that!"
"Which is why we need to get them to work with the rest of the world," Yuri said. He glanced at Tokunaga. "How much further to Dahngrest?"
"We should reach Dahngrest in about two hours," Tokunaga replied. Yuri sighed, reaching down to scratch Repede behind the ears, the dog leaning into it.
"Guess we have some time left to think about how to handle the Union."
Ba'ul howled and Judith looked up, a serious look on her face. She faced the group.
"Prepare yourselves. We have company."
"Is there any land?" Yuri asked.
"Just up ahead are a couple of small islands," Tokunago replied. Judith nodded, looking up at Ba'ul.
"Land us there, Ba'ul!" she called up. Ba'ul howled a reply and descended the ship. An explosion rocked the ship, knocking almost everyone off their feet.
"What was that?!" Rita demanded.
"An Entelexeia!" Judith replied. "One of Jennuir's." Another explosion shook the ship as Ba'ul landed it, everyone getting off right away, facing the direction of their attacker.
The Entelexeia assaulting them landed in front of the party. It was a large serpentine beast with golden scales covering its body and was twice as tall as the ship. Six sky blue angelic wings came out from its back, spines surrounding where the wings connect to the body. A long, thin tail trailed behind it, the end tuffed with red fur. It's muscular arms and legs were equiped with deadly white claws. It's face resembled a lizard's, violet eyes glaring at the group before it.
"I take it you're here to eliminate us?" Yuri called to it. The Entelexeia's gaze shifted to the swordsman.
"I am Mo'ang," the Entelexeia replied, his voice gutteral. "By the order of Lord Jennuir, you are to be erased from existance."
"If you can, that is," Yuri smirked, taking Second Star out.
"Remember, he's very powerful!" Judith warned. "Do something without thinking it through and you'll be dead."
"Tell us something we don't already know!" Rita retorted, casting a spell. "Demon's Lance!"
A spear of dark energy formed above Mo'ang, shooting down at the Entelexeia. However, Mo'ang suddenly vanished, the spear hitting the ground and vanishing.
"Wha- -" Before Rita could finish, Mo'ang appeared behind the mage, his tail slamming into her and sending her flying.
"Rita!" Estelle exclaimed, running over to where Rita landed, crouching down and casting a healing arte.
"Take this!" Patty shouted, shooting repeatedly at Mo'ang while Raven accompanied the bullets with a barrage of arrows. Unfortunately, Mo'ang used his agility to swiftly dodge the attack. He roared, flapping his wings and causing a giant gust of wind to knock Patty and Raven off their feet.
"Dammit, he's fast!" Yuri growled, dashing forward in the direction of the two, using his sword to block the claws Mo'ang was aiming at Patty and Raven. Judith suddenly appeared above the Entelexeia, performing Moonbeam and managing to make Mo'ang stagger back a few steps from the shockwave.
Karol leapt up, performing Rending Drop and diving headfirst toward the lizard, smashing his axe into the Entelexeia's back. Mo'ang spat, taking off into the air with Karol still on his back.
"Yuri! Judith! Someone! Heeeeelp!" Karol cried out.
"Ba'ul!" Judith shouted. Ba'ul opened his mouth, charging an energy beam and firing it at Mo'ang, hitting two of his right wings. Mo'ang flailed a bit before crashing back down to the ground, his damaged wings smoldering from the blast. Karol took this chance to leap off the Entelexeia's back before it had the time to recover.
"Now Estelle!" Yuri shouted to the princess, who had just finished charging up her spell.
"Holy Rain!" Estelle shouted, arrows of light raining down from the sky, pummeling Mo'ang.
"Indignation!" Rita's Mystic Arte struck the lizard square in the middle of his back, causing him to roar in pain. Repede used Shining Fang, leaping up and spinning forward quickly, his dagger making a deep wound in the Entelexeia.
"Curse you humans!" Mo'ang growled, getting back onto his feet. He opened his mouth, charging an energy beam similar to Ba'ul's and fired it.
"Force Field!" Estelle called out, a barrier made of green energy surrounding the party. However, after a few seconds, the shield began to crack. Estelle grit her teeth, trying to force more power into the barrier.
However, the shield shattered, the blast from the energy beam sending the party flying, a large cloud of smoke covering the area. Mo'ang turned to face Ba'ul, who had just taken off to find a safer place, and began to charge another energy beam.
Yuri erupted from the smoke, swinging his katana and landing a blow on the side of Mo'ang's head, canceling its attack. Mo'ang growled, swiping with one hand at Yuri, managing to slice the swordsman across the chest.
"Yuri!" Estelle shouted. Judith charged at the Entelexeia, followed closely by Rita, Raven, Karol, Repede and Patty. Judith leapt up, catching Yuri in midair and landing, Estelle and Patty rushing toward the Krityan. The other three continued to fight off Mo'ang.
"Damn, that hurts!" Yuri hissed, one hand covering the gash. Blood was staining his black tunic and Judith set him down so that Estelle could heal him.
"Yuri! Hang in there!" Patty exclaimed. Yuri gave the pirate an annoyed look.
"I'm not gonna die, you idiot. Help everyone else!"
Patty looked like she was about to protest, but Judith grabbed the girl's arm, dragging her toward the fighting.
"Less talking, more fighting!" Judith reminded her. Patty hesitated, then gave the woman a small nod, raising her pistols and using Variable Trigger, quickly firing three bullets at Mo'ang. The Entelexeia easily dodged it, but stepped where Raven was waiting.
"Blast Heart!" he shouted, his blastia heart expelling massive amounts of energy. He grabbed at his chest when his Mystic Arte was finished, panting heavily.
"Don't strain yourself, Raven!" Karol called to the older man. He used Destruction Street, slamming his axe into the stunned Mo'ang's leg, creating a large bleeding gash. Repede used his Mystic Arte, Slash, a golden light enveloping the dog warrior and he shot forward, slamming into Mo'ang and spinning around, finishing with a strong uppercut with his dagger. Judith used Rising Moonlight Havoc, damaging the Entelexeia's torso while Rita followed it up with Flame Dragon, sending Mo'ang skidding a few feet away.
The Entelexeia was now bleeding from several wounds, panting heavily. Yuri, whom Estelle had just finished healing, approached it, raising his sword to deal the finishing blow. However, Mo'ang flapped his undamaged wings as hard as he could, stirring up an enormous cloud of dust, blinding everyone. Once it cleared, Mo'ang had vanished.
"Dammit! He got away!" Yuri spat, sheathing his sword.
"He probably went back to Jennuir," Judith said. She suddenly fell to one knee, gripping her right arm tightly, grimacing.
"Judith! Are you okay?!" Estelle exclaimed, rushing over to the Krityan.
"Mo'ang managed to give my arm a good blow with his tail," Judith admitted. Estelle closed her eyes, clasping her hands together as she cast First Aid, green light enveloping Judith's injury.
"Anyone else hurt?" Yuri asked. Everyone else shook their heads, but Yuri could see some bore a few wounds. The sleeve of Raven's coat was ripped, blood oozing from the scratch beneath. Karol had several scrapes on his face. Rita was favoring her right leg. Patty was clutching her side. Repede was licking at an area on his flank where some fur was ripped off.
"Judy, could you call Ba'ul?" Yuri asked. "Well get some gels to help with the injuries. We don't want Estelle passing out after all," he added, seeing Estelle wobble a bit after she finished healing Judith.
"I'm fine," Estelle insisted. However, she fell back, Yuri catching her just in time.
"Sure you are. Now let's get back on the ship and get some rest."
-----------------------------------------
"Arrogant brat!"
"Crazy bitch!"
"Little bastard!"
"Commandant's pet!"
Flynn groaned. Hope and Leon had been arguing back and forth for about an hour now, and he was starting to get a major headache. He'd attempted to break up their fight about five times already, but to no avail. And the worst part was that since they were stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean with no means of escape, he had to put up with it. He was honestly surprised they haven't gone for each other's throats yet.
"Commandant, where are we heading?" one of Leon's knights asked.
"Desier," Flynn replied. "We'll land the the ship on a strip of land in the northern part of the desert and from their, we'll head for Mt. Temza."
"Why Temza?" Hope asked, taking a break from fighting with the raven haired boy long enough to ask the question.
"It's a desolate area thanks to the Great War," Flynn answered. "With no inhabitants, it would make the perfect place for a hideout."
"What'll we do if it is their hideout?" Leon asked. "We'll be killed if we try to take them on."
"Never thought I'd ever hear the day when you admit your own powerlessness," Hope smirked. Leon shot her a glare.
"Shut up!"
"Make me!"
"Enough, you two!" Flynn said sternly, Hope and Leon turning their heads away from each other with a "Hmph!"
"So what will we be doing, sir?" a Knight asked.
"If we do find evidence of a hideout, we'll leave on the ship immediately. Once it's time for the meeting in Aurnion, we'll pass on the information. However, we could still run into trouble, so be on guard."
"If Temza isn't the place, where will we head next?" Hope asked.
"It'd have to be a place without the Great Spirits or other Entelexeia," Flynn replied. "Probably on the continent of Yuzorea."
"Sure we can get all this done in a week?" Hope asked.
"Probably not," Flynn admitted. "But it's worth it if we get any leads."
The ship docked itself at the designated area, the Knights making their way through the desert to the devestated mountains ahead. After a few monster encounters, the group finally made it to the crater in the mountain.
"Still hard to believe that the Entelexeia did this during the Great War," Hope commented.
"Where do we begin?" Leon asked.
"We'll spread out and see if we can find anything," Flynn replied. "If anyone finds anything that could lead to the discovery of Jennuir's hideout, fire a flare with your blastia. The rest of us will rush to that location as soon as possible. Same thing if you encounter any trouble, such as one of Jennuir's Entelexeia. Also be aware that the Giganto Monster Pterobronc resides in these mountains as well, so stay on guard."
Everyone nodded in understanding, fanning out to scope the mountains for clues. Hope searched around every rock she encountered, looking for an overly large scale, an enormous feather, a huge tuft of fur, anything that would point to the existence of an Entelexeia. However, she kept coming up with nothing.
"Dammit..." she sighed. "There's nothing but rocks, rocks, and more rocks!"
"What'd you expect? We are in the mountains."
"Shove it, Leon!" Hope growled, turning to face the teen. "And why are you here, anyway? Shouldn't you be searching elsewhere?"
"That should be my line," Leon said, crossing his arms. "I was searching when I looked up and saw you."
Hope blushed and looked around, surprise by how far she'd wandered off from the area she was scoping.
"Heh, seems you're always screwing up," Leon smirked. Hope glared daggers at the Knight.
"I'm warning you: don't push your luck, kid!"
"Like you could do anything to me," Leon retorted.
"Asshole!"
"Bitch!"
A roar interrupted the two. They turned to the source of it. Down in one of the many craters dotting the mountains was Pterobronc, and it didn't look even the tiniest bit happy.
"Damn you, Leon! Look what you did!" Hope growled.
"Me?! Your shouting is what caused it to get pissed!" Leon snapped back.
"Like you're one to talk!" Hope spat. She raised her arm that had her blastia on, charging up spirit power and ready to release a flare when Leon slapped her arm down. "The hell you doing?!"
"I can handle this one on my own," Leon replied, taking out his sword and dagger, shifting into a battle stance, facing the Giganto Monster which was now approaching him.
"As much as I'd like to see you dead, I don't think this is the time for you to be an idiot," Hope said. "That thing will chew you up and spit you out!"
"How long are you going to keep underestimating me?" Leon growled.
"I'm pretty sure this entire time I've been overestimating you!" Hope retorted. She pulled out Last Fencer. "You can't win this alone! We need Flynn and the other Knights here to assist us!"
"I though I told you I got this!" Leon snarled. Pterobronc was almost upon them, its four wings spread wide and its mouth open in a deafening roar. An earth magic circle appeared under Leon and he raised his sword. "Stone Blast!"
The numerous rocks scattered around the area were fired at the monster. However, Pterobronc folded its wings over its body, protecting itself from the spell. As soon as it opened its wings up again, Leon surged forward using Glimmer Dragon and knocking the monster back. Pterobronc's barbed tail shot out and Leon held his sword up to defend himself.
"Dragon Claw!" Hope shouted, the red energy released from her sword knocking the tail away. Leon shot her an annoyed look.
"Keep out of this!"
"I highly doubt you would have been able to keep yourself from at least getting scratched by that. Don't forget the barbed tail contains poison. I just saved you, you know?!" Hope snapped back.
"I already told you I can handle this on my own!" Leon shouted back. He didn't notice Pterobronc getting back up, raising one clawed wing and swinging it at the young captain.
"Leon! Duck!" Hope exclaimed, but her warning came too late. Leon spun around and attempted to raise his blades to defend himself, but the Pterobronc's attack broke through his defense, blood flying from the new gash in his right shoulder.
"Shit!" Leon spat, clutching at the wound as he attempted to get back on his feet. Pterobronc was right in front of him now, mouth wide and lunging forward. However, Hope rushed in between Leon and the monster, swinging her sword and slicing Pterobronc's chin open. As it reeled back, Hope fired a flare from her blastia, the spirit energy exploding in the sky.
"We can't win this alone, don't you get it?!" Hope snapped without facing the raven haired swordsman. "Your pride is meaningless if it gets you killed!"
"I'm aware of that!" Leon retorted.
"No, you aren't! If you were, you'd agree to having backup!" Hope countered. "Now get up off your ass and fight!"
------------------------------------------
Flynn saw the flare in an instant. He saw that it came from Leon's position, yet the spirit energy resembled the energy from Hope's blastia.
'Something must be wrong,' Flynn thought, dashing off in the direction the flare came from. 'I hope it's not an Entelexeia!'
Flynn was aware of the time it was taking him to reach the area, anxiety setting in as he heard fighting going on up ahead. Arriving in the area, the first thing he saw was Leon and Hope holding their weapons tightly, both panting heavily. Hope was bleeding from a wound on her forehead, the woman having to sometimes blink some of it from her eyes. Crimson was staining her side from a large gash. Leon didn't look much better. Blood from his shoulder soaked his blue uniform. Red blossomed from a gash on his chest and blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.
A roar sounded and that's when Flynn noticed the Pterobronc. He rushed forward, drawing his sword. "Hope! Leon!"
The two faced him, relief lighting up Hope's face. "Thank the gods you're here! This idiot wanted to fight Pterobronc on his own!"
Said monster was now upon them again. Flynn leaped up, bringing his sword down on one of Pterobronc's wings, slicing the arm of it deeply. Pterobronc roared in agony, shaking the blonde off. It lowered itself to the ground, wings spread out far, and spun around, knocking away the three Knights as they attacked, stunning them as they landed hard on the ground.
Pterobronc flew toward the three, but a fireball stopped it. Flynn glanced over in the direction it came from, seeing Leon's brigade heading toward them.
"Commandant! Captain! Hope!" one Knight shouted, reaching the three. The other nine in the brigade assaulted the Giganto Monster, a few being flung back by the monster's struggles.
"Take Hope and Leon back to the ship for treatment!" Flynn ordered. Hope had hit her head on a rock and passed out. Leon groaned loudly, blood starting to pool around him.
"Yes sir!" the Knight replied saluting. He gestured for three more Knights to help him, two taking Hope and the other two taking Leon. Flynn got back to his feet, slight dizziness from the impact making him stagger a little, but charged in nonetheless to assist the others of the Leon Brigade.
"Sword Rain: Alpha!" Flynn shouted, performing rapid stabs at the Pterobronc. By now, the monster was badly wounded, it's attacks becoming weaker and slower, allowing the Knights to launch more powerful attacks.
"Splash!" a Knight called out, water blasting from out of nowhere at the monster, knocking it to the ground.
"Sonic Thrust!" several other Knights said, rushing in at astonishing speeds and stabbing the Giganto Monster. Flynn's Beast arte sent it sliding a few feet away where the other Knights had leapt into the air, stabbing their swords down into the beast. Pterobronc gave one last quiver before going still, its eyes clouding over.
"Well done, everyone!" Flynn announced. "As it appears there's nothing here after all, we should head back."
The other Knights replied with "Yes, sir" and the group headed back to the ship.
When they were almost out of Mt. Temza, a person approached them, his long silver hair flapping in the wind and his crimson eyes surveying the group.
"Duke Pantarei," Flynn said, stepping forward. "What brings you here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Duke replied.
"We were investigating the area for signs of the mountains possibly being the enemy Entelexeia's hideout," Flynn answered.
"The Draconian Entelexeia do not reside here," Duke said.
"We've already figured that out," Flynn replied cooly. "Now, why are you in this area?"
"I'm just revisiting the site of the Great War," Duke said. "That's all."
"I see. Well, if you'll excuse us we need to head back to our ship. A captain, Leon, and my second-in-command, Hope, had been wounded in the fight with Pterobronc and we need to get them treated."
"Hope? I thought her name was Mist," Duke said.
"That wasn't her real name. She was orphaned and her name was soon lost to her. However, she's regained her memory of it," Flynn replied. Something seemed to flicker in Duke's eyes, but it was gone so quickly Flynn wondered if he imagined it.
"You'd better hurry to your ship then," Duke said, walking past the Knights.
"Duke, there's a meeting that will occur in Aurnion a week from now to form an alliance in order to stand against Jennuir," Flynn said, turning to the man. Duke stopped, but didn't turn around. "Would you be interested in attending it? Your strength would be a welcome asset."
"I have alligned myself with the Entelexeia that side with Alrodoh," Duke replied. "I will follow them. However, I'll attend this meeting of yours anyway. I need to know what you plan to do if this war is won."
"What we plan to do?"
"I understand you are allying youselves with Alrodoh's Entelexeia in order to stand against Jennuir's. But what about after? Will you turn against the Entelexeia who assisted you as you turned against Elucifer?"
"I promise I won't let that happen," Flynn replied.
"Hmph, we'll see." With that, Duke took his leave, heading up to Mt. Temza.