The Unnecessary Balance VII

(Continued)

You quickly skim through Helga's wares, impressed as always, when a few of her special items catch your eye. Stunned and a little scared, you do a quick double take, staring at said items, and back at a very nonchalant, cheerful Helga. "Uh... Helga? How did you say you find these um... Wares again? Your network of a thousand sisters, right? Your sisters don't happen to slay kings and topple armies for a living, do they?"

Helga gives a thundering laugh, and at this range, you're lucky you're still alive. That being said, you're going to be deaf for the next day or so. "Now, now Emperor. I've told you before, trade secrets and all that. But what caught your eye? I'll be more than happy to cut you a fair price."

What caught my eye? Oh, nothing much. Just the swords radiating enough power to impress a dragon. When you tentatively point to said swords, Helga laughs again, but this time you're prepared, and you quickly plug your ears. Though the ungodly sound still gives you the migraine of the ages.

"Aye, you've got a good eye there Emperor! Though I suppose we already knew that, eh? Those are some of the finest pieces from my big sis's treasury. Afraid I can't cut you a deal on those beauts. That one there will cost you five mil, and the other will cost you ten mil."

"Ten million?!" You gasp in utter disbelief. "That's more than the budget of most countries!"

Completely undisturbed by your outrage, Helga only shrugs, very casually mind you. "What can I say, Emperor? Those particular items are worth every last coin."

You sigh, clearly a bit disappointed. "Trail, catch!"

You turn to Lazareth just in time to catch the brown leather bag he tosses at you. You give him an odd look, and he motions for you to open the bag. You do so, aaand... You find a hoard of gold and gems to rival any dragon's stash.

"You can sell everything in there Emperor, except the diamond. That is for Leah. While I don't think you'll get enough to buy those swords, you should still get quite a bit."

Well, that certainly helps a lot. You thank the good man and sell the items to Helga, earning you almost another hundred thousand gold. You hand the obviously magic bag back to Lazareth, and in the end, while you don't have enough to buy the swords, you still purchase a fair amount of worthwhile goods. Including, you might add, a Scale of the dragon who almost killed you. You're a bit surprised Helga managed to find such a thing, though she refuses to reveal how, and you stop trying. You also purchase an old set of armor, something you think Jim might enjoy, a few Elixirs, a Scroll that may come in handy, and two interesting stones, radiating a kind of aura you've never sensed before. You also purchase a couple Crowns, and a rare Heaven Seal, as those are always useful.

*You received the Enigma Stone, Eye of Dargon, Scale of the Unknown Element, Rusty Armor, Heaven Seal, Master Crown x2, Elixir x7, and Aegis+ Scroll!*

"Hey Helga, could you craft this into a necklace and ring for me?" Lazareth asks suddenly, handing her the very large and very pure diamond.

Helga blinks in astonishment, her eyes sparkling with glee. "Ooooh... This is one of the largest diamonds I've ever seen. Sure, I can craft this for ya. It'll probably take me about a day. Come back tomorrow."

Lazareth nods and thanks her, and you give Helga the items you just bought to place in the Convoy, keeping only a few Elixirs for yourself. You walk out of the room, and to your pleasant surprise, you find your daughter waiting for you. You raise a single eyebrow, as your Rhia bashfully stares at the ground, wringing her hands behind her back. Well, this isn't like her... "Rhia darling? What's wrong?"

"Daddy, I um... Could we talk?"

You smile. "Of course, my girl."

--------

Lazareth strides down the hallway, making for Leah's room, his step much slower than usual, as he's deep in thought. He could have sworn he's seen that Helga before... But where? If he had come across one of her Sisters, he would have remembered. And besides, he had broken his seal only recently... But... Why does he get this overwhelming sense of dread when he's near her? This feeling of...

Just who is Helga?

Helga is the goddess of Death or the most OP character in a cyoa filled with OP characters . That's why Lazzy gets tense around her.

Good guess, but no. Wrong character.

Trail x Rhia B

"Daddy, you know a lot about our legends, right? I mean, about Manakete legends."

You give your daughter an odd look, as you walk with her back downstairs. "Well, I probably know more than most," you reply honestly. "Not as much as my father, or even Artemis' father, but I know enough to get by. What do you want to know?"

She looks away, clearly hesitant, and your worry only grows. You halt in your tracks, and gently pull her to a stop. "Rhia, my sweet... What's wrong?"

She bites her lip and steps into your arms, affectionately nuzzling your chest. "I just don't want to worry you, daddy... You have so much on your mind, I don't want to add to your stress..."

You sigh and tighten your arms around her, tenderly stroking her hair. "You came to me, remember? Besides, I'll be even more worried if you don't tell me. Would it help if we went somewhere more private?"

She gives a subtle nod, and you smile. "Alright, my girl. Would my room be alright?"

She nods again, and you lead her back to your room, where you promptly settle down on the sofa, and Rhia climbs into your lap. "So, why the sudden interest in the legends of our people?" You ask quietly, as you gently play with her hair.

Rhia gulps. "Do you know of something called the Arumthsar? I heard it's a legendary ring with the power to find anything or anyone that's close to the bearer's heart."

You incline your head, though you fail to understand what's bothering her. "I know the tale of Arumthsar, yes. The legend of Arran and the Divine Dragon, and the Star of the West. It was one of your grandmother's favorite stories."

"Do you think the ring actually exists?" She asks hopefully, staring up at you with big, beautiful eyes.

You practically melt at your daughter's adorable look. What would you ever do without her? You would gladly walk through the lava pits of Helheim just to see that look. How could you ever tell her the truth? That the ring is just a fairy tale? Seeing that beautiful face marred by disappointment... It would break your heart.

"It's possible," you say finally. "But the only people who would know for sure passed away hundreds of thousands of years ago. Why are you so interested in the Arumthsar, anyway?"

Rhia sighs and relaxes in your arms, and some of the worry fades from her delicate features. "Just a little girl's dream, really. Back when... You know, everything happened... I was separated from Ethan, and since I was so young, I couldn't fend for myself very well. And... You remember how sickly I was as a child, even for a Manakete. Separated from my family, whom I believed were all dead, and lost in the mountains, cold and starving... I had all but given up on life. I simply lied down to die. But then Erik found me. He was an older human, a hunter, who had lived in a cabin nearby. He rescued me, he fed me, he taught me what you and mum weren't able to, and most of all, he gave me a home. He saved me, daddy. I owe everything to him. And then one day... He just disappeared. No note, no goodbye, no anything. He was just gone, like he never existed. I set out to find him, and along my travels, I finally reunited with Ethan, though many years later. I want to find him, dad. That's why I want the Arumthsar."

Oh, Rhia... My poor, darling girl... You tenderly crush her into your embrace, wanting only to hold her. To make up for all those years you never did. "I'm so, so very sorry my Rhia. For everything. But that was so long ago... There's no way a normal human could still be alive."

"But that's the thing," she whispers softly. "Looking back, all these years later, I don't think he was normal. He was so... Ethereal. I don't know how else to describe him. In a way, he reminded me of Lord Lazareth and Lord Eregor. Don't ask me how, but I just know he still lives, somewhere. And I want to find him. To... Thank him."

Well, it wouldn't be the oddest thing, for a child of yours to be saved by a wandering Deity, especially since Ethan was likely saved by one. "Alright Rhia. We'll find Arumthsar together," you tell her sincerely, and she beams.

"Thank you, daddy!"

You locate the Hunter's Guild rather easily, though that's probably because the guild is right across the street from the Inn. The air is chilly outside, and the bitter wind blowing in from the sea doesn't help any. Kanis shivers, and you immediately pull her against you, in an attempt to keep her warm. She smiles lovingly at you.

The Guild, like the city, is mostly abandoned. It's not nearly as large as the branch in Aeidenn, you quickly find out. Instead of a state of the art two story building, the Guild is small and cozy, almost like a cabin, or small home. There are six Job Boards in total, and while you're curious, you have more pressing matters at the moment. All of the Hunters are probably out patrolling the town, but the Guild isn't completely abandoned; A tall woman with long fiery red hair and striking emerald eyes sits behind the counter, a woman with an uncanny resemblance to Freya, oddly enough. An entire ocean of papers and maps lay strewn in front of her, and from her Silver Chainmail and the deep scar across her left cheek, you can tell she's no clerk.

"Are you Captain Iona?" You ask curtly, striding up to the counter.

"Depends. Who's asking?" She replies dismissively, not even looking up from her work.

"The Dragon King," you reply stoically, admittedly a little amused. Well, that certainly isn't a tone I'm used to... It's been a while.

The woman looks up then, a single eyebrow already raised. She gives both you and Kanis a double take, and to her credit, she doesn't even seem fazed. At all. Again, not something you're used to.

"Well I'll be a dragon's uncle. If it isn't the famed Emperor and Empress of the North. What brings two of the world's mightiest heroes all the way out here?"

Surprisingly, you find her blatant sarcasm refreshing. It's nice to meet someone who just doesn't give a damn once and a while. "We're here on Guild business, in fact. I'm the one who took the job to find your missing men and deal with these attacks."

"And we're a package deal," Kanis adds cheerfully, tightening her grip on your arm.

The woman- who is obviously Iona- casually leans back in her chair. "Is that so? Good to hear. As you've probably already guessed, I am indeed the leader of this branch. Pull up a seat. I'll tell you all I know."

You do as she suggests, grabbing a couple chairs from across the room. "I take it these Ligers are more dangerous than you thought," you say grimly, motioning to her scar.

Iona nods. "You can say that again. I thought the beasts were just mutations, maybe about as strong as your average Lion. The last thing I expected was to run into a creature bigger and stronger than a Godtiger. Now, I'm no fresh recruit. I've seen plenty of battle, as a Hunter, and as a commander in the Knights before that. I like to think I can handle myself. But this... This thing was something else. Something... Different. I managed to kill the beast, but as you can see, I didn't make it out unscathed."

Well, that doesn't sound pleasant... "So what did you find out then?" You ask, this time motioning to the mountain of research in front of you.

Iona's expression darkens even further, and she crosses her arms. "Not nearly as much as I'd like. But I can tell you this: Whatever is going on in that dammed cave sure as hell isn't natural. And whatever the Mayor may have told you, this sure as hell didn't begin only a month ago. While I didn't suspect anything at the time, one of my Hunters reported seeing men in black robes near the forest's edge, a little over three months ago. They were apparently dragging something into the cave there, the very same cave that is now a den of bloodthirsty beasts. I investigated this at the time, of course, but I didn't find anything. Sorry I don't have more."

You shake your head and stand up to leave. "It's alright, that helps more than you might think. Now, if you'll excuse me... I'm going to speak with the family of those who went missing."

Kanis joins you, but before you get very far, Iona stops you in your tracks. "Oh, Emperor, say hello to my sister for me."

You stop, and turn. "You're Freya's sister?" You ask, honestly surprised. Sure, they do look alike, but you weren't even aware Freya had a sister.

Iona nods, smiling. "I am. Though we haven't spoken in a while. I don't even think she knows I'm stationed here."

Well that's... Interesting. You're tempted to ask if she knows Freya is engaged, but somehow you don't think she does. And it's not your place to tell her anyway. You promise to let Freya know, and thank her for her help, before leaving.

"Do you think it's the Culture?" Kanis asks, as you step back out into the cold night air.

"Unfortunately... That seems to be the case. Black robes? Unnatural experiments? That has the Culture's name written all over it. The only question is... Why bother experimenting with beasts? What are they playing at?"

Kanis doesn't answer.

Ethan x Gawain B

The sky is too dark, far too dark... Something is coming. Something terrible.

Ethan stands outside, leaning against the railing of the second floor balcony. Some might say he was brooding, but in truth, he was merely thinking. Although he wouldn't have minded company... Luckily, it seemed Origin heard him.

"Milord, may I ask what you're up to? It is rather cold out here."

Ethan turns at the familiar voice, surprised to see Gawain standing in the doorway. "How many times have I told you, not to call me that? You and I are simply friends. You may address me as such."

He gives an amused grunt. "Just like your father, eh? A crusty old dragon to the bitter end."

Ethan smiles slightly. Oddly enough, he may actually be right. Maybe he has more in common with his old man after all. "Perhaps. But surely you didn't venture out into the cold just to insult me, old friend."

Gawain scratches his head, grinning slightly. If Ethan didn't know any better, he'd swear the former Grand General was nervous. "Well, maybe not," Gawain admits with an uncharacteristic laugh, and Ethan just now notices he's been hiding one hand behind his back.

"I just wanted to know if you'd like some company. Maybe a game of Pai Sho? Humor an old man, would ya?" Gawain reveals his hidden hand, which carries a small portable table and a familiar board game. Ethan's eyes widen slightly. How did he manage to hide that? With one hand, no less! What is he, a sorcerer? Still, I'm not going to pass up a friendly game.

Ethan shrugs nonchalantly, and he too grins. "I don't mind. If you want to get the fire beaten out of you by a crusty old dragon, that's your call."

Gawain sets up the table near the balcony railing, snorting in derision as he does so. "I ain't gonna lose to you again. The missus would have my head for wasting time, if I didn't get anything to show for it. Real bossy, that one. Just pray you never find yourself a lady dragon. I tell ya, they're a heck load of trouble. Don't get me wrong though. I love my wife more than she loves that damn horse of hers. But ah, listen to me ramble! I suppose you just want to play, eh?"

"Actually, I rather like talking with you," Ethan assures him, smiling. For once, perhaps the first time in years, it was a real genuine smile.

Still... A Lady Dragon, huh?

He leaves that very night, without telling anyone. It's better that way... Easier. He's used to slipping through the shadows, unseen, like a wraith. It's having a family he isn't used to... He wouldn't even know how to approach his father about any of this. Besides, he's comforted by the thought his father would understand. And he'll be back by morning anyway...

Father and Rhia aren't my only family. Nagi needs me too, and I refuse to let her down again.

Crimson thunder sparks through the dark clouds, illuminating a gargantuan shadow flying through the heavens, a sight that would be truly terrifying to any who had seen it. He isn't used to flying in his new form, and while his bulky frame seems more efficient on land, he is still far faster than any Wyvern.

Ethan lands on the far northern coast, crashing to the ground amidst an arid wasteland of charred earth and dead trees. This... This is the aftermath of their battle... Nagi, please be safe...

He returns to human form, and resumes his search on foot. Thanks to the guidance of her mother, locating the fallen dragon proves surprisingly easy. A lone patch of ground stands apart from the wasteland around it; a patch of beautiful grass beneath an even more beautiful Aspen tree. Leaning against that tree is an even more beautiful woman, a woman he never thought he'd see again...

Ethan kneels at her side, gently pulling her into his arms. Nagi...

Peace, Ethan. She is only resting. With Tia's help, I was able to sever her connection to the Culture, but even I am unsure what effects this will have. Now, she needs a safe place to rest and recuperate. Hmm... Maybe a place with her family?

He shakes his head in resignation. "No. You and I both know better. She can't stay with me. It will be the first place he'll look, and we aren't ready to stand against the Culture yet... And as you said, we don't know what will happen now. Ephidel may very well be able to reclaim control, and if he did, he would use her proximity to lay waste to my father's family... To my family. I will not allow that."

Very well... You're right, of course. Though I don't have to like it. Go to the water's edge. A friend will be waiting. Place her in the water.

Ethan slowly rises to his feet, scooping her up into his arms as he does. He carries her the short distance to the beach, where gentle waves crash against a gray, ashy sand, and he tenderly lowers her into the cool water. The dark water immediately begins to glow a light green, and he watches, stunned, as the effect spreads as far as his eye can see.

The entire northern sea begins to glow, as droplets of light bubble up from the depths. The light begins to take physical form, revealing a Spirit unlike any he's seen before.

He opens his mouth to speak, but the Spirit presses a finger to her lips, silencing him. "Worry not, I am a friend. You may call me Aquarius. I will see to her safety, as she recovers. You have my word."

Ethan nods, too numb to argue. He knew it was for the best, but... Why? Why does fate have to be so damn cruel? After so long, so many centuries, he's finally found her, only to lose her again...

The woman he once loved floats into the air, enveloped in a gentle green light. The light carries her into Aquarius' arms, and the two vanish beneath the waves, leaving him alone once more. The sea returns to normal, and Ethan slumps to his knees. He stays there, for quite some time, simply looking out at the sea. It's well past midnight, by the time he finally begins the flight home.

-------
*Paralogue 35: The Bonds of Time has been unlocked*

Begin the Paralogue now?

A:Yes
B:No

Note: If A is chosen, the Paralogue will not officially start until after Camp. You will have slightly different dialogue in Chapter 13x and during Aquarius' Sidequest, if you complete this Paralogue first. There will also be different dialogue in Chapter 24, a different scene, and you will be able to recruit the Unknown Element earlier. You will also be able to survive Chapter 20, which is otherwise impossible.

A

A.    

Super Dragon Fist