King Of Limbo

Aron and Evanora had made their way towards Rose's room where they had found her lost in her thoughts as she looked over the little she had managed to decipher so far.

"How's the progress?" Aron asked immediately upon entering the room and broke Lady Rose out of her thoughts. Evanora only glanced around the room but said no words as usual.

"Slow, I'm starting to understand it more but the manner in which they spoke was strange. Some characters look similar but one small difference or the addition of another character gives them an entirely different meaning all together. Have a look." Lady Rose explained before passing the parchment to Aron for him to quickly skim through.

"I'm also unfamiliar with it but maybe she'll have a better understanding. Evanora, do any of these characters mean anything to you?" Aron turned to Evanora who was now blankly staring at a painting on the wall and held out the parchment at her.

Evanora walked over to him and narrowed her eyes as she began looking at the characters on the parchment. "All tribes...have been asked... to gather... this may be the end. Evanora can't understand the rest." She said after reading out what little she did understand.

At this moment Lady Rose walked over and stood by Aron's side before glancing at her oddly. "How?" She asked while looking at Aron but he shook his head.

"I don't know, we'll probably learn more as we decipher the other books. Shall we?" Aron asked and Lady Rose took a moment to look at Evanora once more before agreeing and bringing out the other books she attained from the ruin.

The rest of that day was spent entirely on trying to decipher as much as they could. The majority of books Lady Rose had gotten were logs that seemed to record the type of beasts that were brought into the ruin which wasn't much help.

However the journals did provide small insights into what kind of society the ruin belonged to as well as a possible lead to finding out what occurred in the past.

All this was indeed useful information but for the current situation it was useless, what Aron and Lady Rose were searching for was a location on perhaps another ruin.

"I think I've found something." Lady Rose said before quickly walking over to Aron with another parchment in her hands. Evanora remained seated cross legged on the floor transcribing what she could understand.

"Let's see." Aron hurriedly received it and began looking at its contents. Surprisingly it wasn't from the journal but from the beast logs. "This talks about the transfer of some beasts to what is only described as the main facility due to their low survival rate outside of their natural habitats." Aron described what he understood from the parchment and Rose nodded in agreement.

"Yes, however no coordinations or landmarks are given so I've met a dead end unfortunately. What do you think?" She asked with her arms crossed while Aron remained silent for a while before an idea clicked.

"No, we can use this. The beasts being transferred are mentioned, I just need to see which beasts these are and look at their characteristics to determine what their ideal habitat could have been. It's no major lead but it's something." Aron didn't look all that eager as the clue was indeed very minuscule and held no guarantee of leading to a result.

"I suppose, though much of Pesia's geographical features have changed since the times of old. Will you still be able to predict where their natural habitat could have been?" Lady Rose was unsure but Aron nodded at this without hesitation. "Yes, so long as I observe a region long enough I can determine what changes it underwent."

"What an interesting talent. Let me decipher the beast characteristics for you then." Lady Rose commented with slight interest in her eyes and walked back over to her table to began deciphering.

Aron came up from behind and watched her do so which she didn't seem to particularly mind. Just like that the trio continued on with their work.

....

At that time back in the Newman highlands on Juliet's assigned Galos Academy airship, a gathering of sorts was being held.

Juliet stood near the high seat and looked at everyone present for a moment before speaking up. "As you all may know our purpose in coming here was to uncover the ruin, this could be said to have been a failure since we came up short from Aron and his faction."

As Juliet said this, a frown could be seen on Lucas's face. He began to recall what Aron had said to him before the Journey had even began. 'This is the closest you shall ever be to me...'

The more Aron made achievements the more that statement began to seem to true to Lucas but he wasn't willing to accept that. He too had a dream, he too wanted to influence change in the world and bring about a united continent. Despite this, Lucas continued to listen keenly as he wouldn't be dispirited so easily.

"However this venture did bring about great experience for you all in many categories and that can be considered a success. We already have formal permission to continue venturing out to explore for more ruins or information that could lead us to such."

"In the past days you've all witnessed the dangers that come with this, even nobles from the top families aren't spared from disaster so I can not and will not guarantee anyone's safety. If you are willing to risk your lives for greater power and prestige then you're welcome to continue traveling with me but if you're content with where you stand then you shall be rewarded for contributions thus far and can return to the academy on another airship."

Juliet's voice was calm, sharp and cold. She didn't sugar coat her words nor did she mince them. The other members gathered took a moment to look at each other but no one raised their hands.

The eruptions of the Newman highlands could be said to be an eye opening event to them as they had never witnessed so many people die before. Some were scared of course but even more determined to continue traveling as explorers under the Galos Academy name.

They were after mere commoners who didn't have much going for them in the first place whilst some of them had more deeper reasons behind their choice to stay.

Seeing that no one was standing up or raising their hand, Juliet gave a small nod before turning towards Lucas.

"Anastasia has left to attend to familial matters so our team lacks a vice vanguard. Until she returns the post will be held by you, you've contributed the most and you hold a good relationship with your fellow members so it's befitting. You'll be assigned an assistant to help you in your duties so do not fret, for now please enjoy yourselves." Juliet spoke quickly and handed down this post in an almost casual manner before leaving the room.

Lucas was slightly taken aback by this sudden role but Juliet had already gone before he could even voice his thoughts on the matter.

What followed were numerous congratulations being passed towards him. They had all come from similar origins and what's more Lucas was very kind and friendly to them all so they were happy to see him get this position.

"Thanks, but I feel Sharla was more deserving of this. You're more of a leader than me..." Lucas chuckled awkwardly unable to respond to all the various praises he was receiving.

"No, you've earned this but if you ever need advice on a matter feel free to ask me." Sharla said genuinely with a smile on her face. It was thanks to Lucas after all that they were no longer discriminated against on the airship.

"I agree with Sharla. Congratulations Lucas." Mirai added softly before clapping her hands lightly. This scene brought a warm feeling in Lucas's heart so he couldn't help but smile back at everyone present. "Thank you everyone..."

....

While the the discussion began to turn into a celebration, Juliet returned to her quarters. Once there she had found a small thin piece of paper laying on her bed.

She narrowed her eyes and first looked around the room as if searching for someone but came up empty. Only then did she bring her attention to the paper which she opened after determining it wasn't dangerous either.

[ The Sovereign faction is currently residing within the port city of Hazenloft. We've been unable to place a link within them for now but anything capable of gaining the interest of Lady Rose cannot be small. You are to stay on their trail and learn as much as you can without drawing attention to this.

From: Lord Lamarck ]

Upon reading the letter, Juliet's showed a frown and narrowed her eyes before crumpling it. 'He finally decides to speak to me and it's through a letter, to give me an assignment no less.'

Juliet thought before clicking her tongue in irritation.

"I have my own matters to pursue dear father..." She said in low tone that carried great seriousness.