After being sent away from Alfaic's odd plans of recruiting his ally, Ardine approached the Figment bazaar in a generous mood to purchase a special gift for Claire. The mental image of her dramatic transformation in Qliphos and the attribution of her hatred and uncertainty toward that moment made him think of ways to remedy the situation.
No, not me, of course. I would never, he thought to himself.
"You're softening up," A voice beside him called to him as he stood in front of a Figment's miniature jewelry and accessory shop. Ardine's eyes widened in surprise as he found Dorothy right beside him, adorned in leather combat gear. She held a bead bracelet that twinkled in azure and violet in the afternoon sun. "I've never seen this side of you before."
"D?" Ardine called, wondering if he was imagining her presence. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm overseeing the humans stationed here," Dorothy replied, placing the bracelet down on the countertop. "Some of them were refugees taken from these creatures... and I've done my part in protecting them."
Ardine hovered his eyes over her wrist, noticing no initiation bracelet attached to her arm. "How did you get in?" He asked. "Didn't you need to pass initiation?"
"Didn't need to; I was one of the lucky few," She said. "The chief watched me protect the humans and the Figments during a skirmish outside of the village. They said I was allowed inside, passage all free."
"That's... great," Ardine said, voice lowering after hearing how simple it was for her. "I honestly didn't expect you to be here, out of all people. I thought to myself, I must have been dreaming, or something."
"Same with me," Dorothy said, extending her view throughout the rest of the shining jewelry accessories marked on the table with prices written incorrectly in poor legibility. "Who would have thought a charming pirate like you would be shopping for jewelry in a place like this? That's so unlike you."
"Yeah, well... things change, I guess."
"You've been getting awfully close to them, haven't you?" Dorothy asked. "Starting to care for all of them like a family. That's really sweet of you. Still unexpected."
"Not like I had a choice," Ardine said, pointing out something still lingering in his mind. "After all, hearing that the people in Gietha were after Alfaic made me not feel so "homesick" in the end. Do you know anything about that?"
Dorothy kept quiet for a split second before eyeing an expensive ruby bangle on the table. "No. Haven't heard a single thing." She confessed.
"The overseer wanted to talk to you that day. He's the only one who could have commanded the guards to find Alfaic. He really didn't tell you anything?"
"He couldn't," She immediately said without a single stutter in her voice. "He's dead, along with the rest of the royal guards. They didn't last long."
It didn't take Ardine long for him to process the news. "What...?!" He yelled in a hushed tone, turning his torso toward her. "What... what do you mean, he's dead? The guards too? What about... what about the civilians and the refugees?! Are they safe?"
"I don't know," Dorothy admitted. "I was one of the few who tried to protect the overseer. But it was overrun with Rot, and it was too late. I had to save myself and some of the children before it was all over."
"That... that makes no sense," Ardine denied. "Lyn and Alfaic defended that place for a whole month. We had established barricades, boundaries... rations and supplies that could fight against them all. The royal guards... they could have handled it!"
"But they didn't," Dorothy pushed forward. "And that's all that matters. It doesn't matter, anyway. A civilization like that in the desert of all places was bound to fall sooner or later without proper help."
"What...? How could you say something like that?"
"Because I'm tired of being pitted against everything," She said. "You'd understand if you were in my shoes. In the heat of the moment, when everyone's relying on you to save them, sacrifices have to be made. And I'm done with it all. I'm done playing 'guardian' to those who were failed to doom from the start. That's the reality of it all, Ardine. People have to fall, sooner or later. You can't save everyone."
Ardine looked away, thinking of his family and how the same could have applied for them. He declined to oppose against Dorothy's sudden inflated narcissism over human life, believing her struggles when she stated so. Instead, he chose to lighten the mood as he always had done with her in the past, hoping they could reconcile over their previous interactions.
"How about I buy this for you?" Ardine said, pointing out the ruby bangle with his finger to pick it up. He smoothly touched the jewels on it, bringing it up to Dorothy's face. "This ought to cheer you up, hmm?"
"Jewelry doesn't really interest me." Dorothy said, turning away and moving toward the rest of the bazaar.
"Hey, where are you going?" Ardine said, speeding toward her after placing the bangle down. He stopped her in her tracks. "You've never been one to flee without greeting the others. Lyn's getting along with everyone. She's... getting better."
Dorothy's ears perked to the side like a curious cat. Her eyes traced toward Ardine's, seemingly piqued about the news. Instead of wanting to pursue the group for a momentary greeting, she chose to keep herself hushed and secretive, which was unusual to Ardine.
"Are you sure?" Dorothy asked.
"Yeah... she's different now."
"Different how?"
"Acting more... human, I'd say?" Ardine clarified. "Smiles in the face of positivity, as anyone would. More compassionate and kind, choosing to forgive some of our hardships and mistakes. Never really thought I'd see the day, to be honest. It's going really well."
"Hm." Dorothy puffed, nodding in understanding. She turned away after seemingly not appearing interested in the topic any longer. "Take care, Ardine."
"Wait, D-"
"Ardine!" Lyn's voice shouted through the end of the bazaar from where he originally exited from, near Dead Man's Land. Curving his head around, he noticed multiple Figment soldiers riled up from the sudden appearance of Arisz, whom they supposedly condemned because of their perfectionist attitude toward the past. Lyn, Claire, and Arisz were surrounded by the crystalline soldiers, pointing their spears in unison.
"Damn it, what's going on now-" Ardine muttered before turning back to where Dorothy was last seen, only mere seconds ago. However, she completely vanished from sight. The other Figments from the bazaar began to abandon their shops, seeking shelter toward the front of the village. "Dorothy...?"
Upset at the unusual circumstances, Ardine clenched his teeth and holstered his rifle by his side before rushing toward his allies.
"Get back!" Arisz's blunt voice shouted, criticizing the Figment soldiers for turning on him despite being of the same species. He extended his silver spear firmly with one arm, tucking it underneath his shoulder as he pointed it to each of the combative Figments. Each of them took a step back, hesitating and quivering to thrust forward to initiate against them. "All of you damn traitors! Get BACK, I said!"
"Monster! Get back!" One of the Figments yelled.
"You are not one of us!"
"Out of here! Out of here!"
Lyn, Claire, and Alfaic who transformed into his sword form, formed a small perimeter that resembled a strong phalanx to defend Arisz from the small battalion of soldiers engaging them. Claire inched close to Lyn, looking up at her with a questionable glare. "What's going on?!" She asked.
One of the Figment soldiers thrusted toward Arisz's flank, only for him to parry it and send it flying until it stabbed firmly on the ground beside them. "You want a PIECE OF ME?!HUH!?" Arisz shouted, shoving the Figment back against the other soldiers, flaying them down on their backs.
Claire stepped in between them and projected her hands outward by her side to separate them. "Stop it!" She exclaimed. "You're all supposed to be on the same side! Why are you all doing this?!"
Lyn pushed herself out of the phalanx and stood her ground in front of the Figment soldiers. Their eyes had never gazed upon a human with such self-confidence in defending what they considered a traitor.
"You heard her," Lyn said, summoning Alfaic by her side, knowing that the others had no knowledge of the existence of his sword form. "Back off, or die."
"Lyn...!" Claire's voice fluctuated.
Arisz placed his slender hand on Claire's shoulder, moving her behind Lyn and Alfaic. "Stand aside, my little apprentices," He began, twirling his spear with a single hand. "You want me gone. But you forgot your place. Allow me to step in and remind you all that you all BELONG TO ME!"
Lyn held Claire back as Arisz swept the surroundings with his silver spear, creating space for him to unveil his deceptive art. He curled his knees down with his spear holstered through his silver arm, holding up his left hand by his chest with his fingertips curled down. Silence paused the verbal conflict between them and prepared them for combat. Although the Figments were quivering in their skins after remembering Arisz's special ability.
"Show me a good time." Arisz whispered before vanishing in a portal he tore through, slipping inside. Lyn, Claire, and Alfaic backed away together to steer away from the trouble that was about to occur.
A small portal beneath one of the six Figment soldiers tore open, snatching one of their legs into the abyss. Several hundred meters away, from a distant tower constructed out of crystal, the same Figment free fell to the unknown away.
Besides another Figment, who was scurrying by itself with its spear clutched fearfully extended. A portal quickly opened beside it where Arisz's arm extended outward, poking the Figment on the shoulder before porting away. As the Figment turned back, Arisz stepped out from beside it and slammed his fist into its face, knocking them cleanly cold. Arisz fanned his silver fingers rapidly, breathing hot air on them with his mouth to indicate that his fist was mildly injured.
"Point for style, Alfie." Arisz muttered under his breath with a delightful tone.
"Bloody showoff." Alfaic whispered.
As Lyn, Claire, and Ardine huddled together and gave the ensuing combatants enough space, Alfaic could not resist to urge to join the fight as he reminisced about the past when he once fought with his closest ally. When two Figments stood back-to-back with their spears quivering in search for Arisz, Alfaic escaped Lyn's grasp and darted directly toward the center of the two. Arisz's bolted out of a portal in between the two Figments, snatching Alfaic by the handle and sweeping outward with both him and his spear, whisking away the enemies with ease.
"Hey, he's going to-" Claire voiced out.
But Lyn stopped her; she knew he would eventually reveal himself, for it was his nature. He was reunited with a long lost friend, and there was nothing else at the moment that could make him feel more alive than being what he really was; human.
"HAHA!" Arisz cheered. "Who's next, you filthy traitors?!"
"That is enough." A voice came abruptly from the crowd of Figments repelling Arisz and Alfaic's frantic behavior. With her eyes solely focused on the battle, Lyn did not notice the over encompassing crowd of Figment civilians piled up behind their soldiers, parting aside as a rose golden Figment strutted through with the presence of a goddess. The Figment's eyes were pure white, and her straight intimidating posture reminded Lyn of Kaiden, who fought like a war-laden gladiator during their battle.
In an instant, the Figment soldiers dropped their spears to the ground and bowed with both of their knees clutched close to their chins. Arisz hid Alfaic behind his back by angling him with the handle. The others watched as the rose gold Figment stopped in its tracks, peering down on Arisz with contempt and disappointment.
"Kneel, dog," The Figment insulted. "Not only was a home provided for you, but you show your face by turning against us once again. A simple request, was it not? The deal was you remain in your land, while we remain in ours. We continue to shelter you-"
"Under a home called "Dead-Man's Den," Lyn interrupted, opposing the belligerent Figment by standing firmly in front of Arisz and the others. The Figment soldiers lifted their heads in awe, astonished by her foolish insistence to defend the dog. "What kind of message does that send to someone like him? Do you take pride in knowing that you're sheltering a dirty dog in your perfect land?"
"You whelp," The golden Figment's voice rose. Fear trickled down the spines of all the Figments around her as she stood her ground. "The dog brought guests as well, and they weren't even trained on a leash. If you'd known only half of what this traitor had done-"
"I could care less about that," Lyn retorted. "I'm not here to butt heads or mince words against the likes of your fellows. I'm taking him, and we're leaving."
"Yes, ah, well... about that..." Arisz muttered.
"This one is bound to us," The Figment said, nudging her head towards Arisz. "By law, he must remain as a prisoner to us. A traitor was, a traitor he is, and a traitor he forever must stay. And now... all of you three humans, who dare step unto our territory... must remain as well."
"Alfie!" Arisz hissed as Alfaic leaped from behind his standing position. The Figments watched in shock as Alfaic reverted back to human form, astonished as if the thousand-year aged ghost they banished came back to haunt them once more.
"I'm here to redeem my bargaining chip," Alfaic said, staring ferociously at the golden Figment eyeing directly through his head. "Any objections, Chiwa?"
Chiwa, the chief of the Figments in D'Avuzel, appeared aghast at the sight of Alfaic's presence. Lyn and the others could tell that the history between them was incredulously strained. The two stood firmly as if they were having a personal standoff, where one was about to perish in the battle.
"You dare show your face-" Chiwa began.
"I'm just here to claim my reward, that's all," Alfaic interrupted. "You owe me that much for saving you all."
"You... have saved... NOTHING!" Chiwa hissed, leaning forward to admonish him. "Countless lives were lost because of you and your terrorism! Both you and this... traitor. You all deserve the worst to come now that you have shown your faces!"
Alfaic remained silent as Lyn, Claire, and Ardine remained behind. Lyn trailed her eyes over Claire, who remained patiently observant with her hands clasped together in front of her. Ardine seemed distracted by something else in the moment as he glanced around his surroundings nonchalantly.
As Chiwa began to calm from the accusations, her gaze never endlessly and continuously pierced through Alfaic. "Humans," She addressed to Lyn and the others, catching their attention. "Are you aware that you travel to these lands under the support of a murderer... and a liar?"
"We've already talked about this," Alfaic said. "They were my brothers, and I called them off. I saved countless lives, and so many more could have been lost. But I chose to betray them. Which is why I'm here."
"Chose to betray," Chiwa said. "Many choices were made that night, and none of them were the right ones!"
Lyn stepped forward beside Alfaic, catching the attention of Chiwa, who appeared more than furious at the memory of the past. She took a swift glare at Alfaic before turning her attention to the golden warlord in front of her. "Tell me the story." She calmly requested.
"Lyn-" Alfaic said before he was cut off.
"I deserve to know. So do the others," Lyn said, addressing Claire and Ardine. "Don't you think you've kept enough secrets?
Chiwa, hesitant at first, turned her shoulder against Lyn and the others and slashed her arm out, commanding two of her nearby Figment shoulders to rush at her with a royal red cape. After placing the cape on her shoulder and dispersing moments after, Chiwa slashed her opposite arm out, sending the injured and readied Figment soldiers away without speaking a single word.
"I will not utter another word... until the price has been paid," Chiwa stated firmly. "Until, then execution of the traitor and the outlaw must be carried out!"
Out from her cape ejected a hidden longsword, raised above normal human height. Claire fervently stepped in and extended her blade toward Chiwa's neck, rejecting her opportunity for execution.
"Don't you dare come close to any of my friends-" Claire began.
"Step aside, human! Their family must be condemned to hell!" Chiwa shouted. "If you do not move aside, then you will share the same-"
A sudden whizzing blow nearly shattered the eardrums of all those who stood beside the chief. Claire's eyes fixated firmly on Chiwa's towering height, but she never expected to see how sudden her eyes quickly went blank. A long-range bullet pierced directly through the center of Chiwa's chest, shattering the glass-like translucent body that defended her interior. Lyn blinked once and watched as Alfaic lashed forward, catching Chiwa from tumbling on her own. Arisz snatched Claire's shoulder and pulled her toward shelter, as Ardine spun around toward the direction of where the single shot presumably came from. He took cover with his rifle out, checking for any glints in the distance where the mountains towered the village.
"The chief!" One of the Figment soldiers wailed. "The chief is dead!"
Ardine focused all of his resolve in searching for the target, when suddenly, a brush of light came across his scope. Movement was spotted in the distant mountains, and a direct shot was near to impossible.
"Lyn!" Ardine shouted, pointing his head in the direction of where the assassin was.
Before she understood his remark, she looked back at Alfaic, who was clutching Chiwa closely. He nodded at her in a hopeless expression, approving her ascent to the mountains. Arisz, who held Claire close, disappeared through his deception technique, leaving Claire alone in the shelter.
"Chiwa," Alfaic called, propping her up from the ground. "Stay with me. Come on!"
Chiwa's white eyes flickered momentarily, regaining life in sudden milliseconds. As the others watched as she attempted to speak, she drew Alfaic close and whispered in his ears. The words she spoke gave Alfaic sudden clarity, as his eyes perked open in astonishment. Chiwa closed her eyes once more, and laid limp and dead.
As the chaos in the village ensued with the Figment civilians and soldiers mourning and rushing to cover, Lyn kept the chase, leaping from crystal column to search for her target.