Aurora greeted the group with a smile on her face.
Aurora: Now that we have Amani, it's time to start Operation Unify officially!
Amani: Unify? That seems-
Everyone just gave Amani a look as she kept her mouth shut.
Ci: We need to decide where to go...we have seven of the Witches left to find...not only that, but we need to also look for the Beast Keys and Ancient Shackles.
Akeru: So what do you suggest we do? Split up?
Cleo: Well, we discussed doing that...but the problem is the AWF. We would have issues if we send too many out and they get captured or killed.
Itsuki: Luckily, we have the Grand Realm and the Link points...
Aurora: Yes, and I have been working on a little something regarding those two spells~!
Akeru: What do you mean?
Ci: It came to our attention that three of you could not use Link, so we thought of a solution. Follow me, please.
Ci opened up the Grand Realm and walked through it, everyone following her. There was a large stone structure with portals now, with the names of the three countries written above each doorway.
Akeru: W-What is that?!
Aurora: I call it the Link Square!
Cleo: We need to stop letting her name these things...
Ci: These portals are permanent portals to the Link points we set...meaning once you are in the Grand Realm, you can use these portals to go wherever you please. We marked them at the top to tell where you will end up.
Itsuki: S-So I learned Link for nothing...
Ci: Not at all; you can set your points. Besides, the more spells you learn, the stronger you become.
Amani was hugging her seal plush tight as Itsuki looked at her.
Itsuki: Off-topic, but why did you want the seal plush anyways?
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Amani: I...uhm...
Cleo: You idiot...
Itsuki: W-What?!
Cleo: Think about it; she wanted an animal that could swim. She can't exactly get in the water and swim around...
Itsuki:...R-Right...sorry...
Ci: Speaking of swimming...I must rule out the possibility of gaining the Sea Witch.
Cleo: Why not Arie? Having her power would be helpful!
Ci: How will you get to her? Besides upsetting her as we did on the ship when we sailed to Polisha...
Akeru: Ship? I don't remember seeing a Witch!
Itsuki: N-No way...are you implying that the mermaid-
Ci: Exactly, the mermaid who tried to take you was the Sea Witch, Arie.
Ravenbeard: So the sea be a Witch...
Ci: But as you recall, we told you there were seven countries by technicality. She rides in the underwater region of Aquari.
Akeru: Can we not use magic or something to get there?
Cleo: I'm afraid not; it's far down into the sea.
Itsuki: Then how can we get there?
Ci: My suggestion is to find the Techno Witch, she builds machines all the time...she can make us something to get us there.
Akeru: So that's it then, we are heading for the Techno Witch?
Cleo: She is also an issue...she resides in her flying fortress, Teck.
Itsuki: Yeah, but we can fly, so why is this an issue?
Aurora: While we can fly to it, it's getting past the defenses. We must let Amani explore the outside to find a way in. Now and again, it docks in a country to fill up its resources, but we have no clue when that is.
Akeru: So instead of waiting, you suggest we go for another Witch to use our time efficiently?
Cleo: Exactly, but we still can't decide the best choice out of them all.
Ci: I want to find the Death Witch due to her wisdom...but finding where she is now a days will be difficult...so I suggest we go after Ashuria, the Ash Witch, who rules over the country of Evalot to the west.
Akeru: You mentioned that was the mountainous area, yes?
Aurora: Indeed...it would be dangerous to take a caravan through there; on top of that, the volcano there will make it hard to fly through it due to the smoke...
Itsuki: Great, at least we can set a Link point up there when we arrive...now the question is, who is going? I'm assuming Akeru and me, but who else?
Benjiro: Ravenbeard should stay here due to his peg leg, and I have to stay with Aurora...so that leaves the three left.
Ci: Amani will be in the air searching, so she will not...and with my ice magic, I'm afraid I would be useless going there...so that leaves Cleo.
Akeru: A-Are you sure that is a good idea?
Cleo: What's wrong with me?
Akeru: Y-You have a bit of a...y'know...
Cleo glared at Akeru as Itsuki sighed.
Itsuki: You have a temper but are better at controlling it, so this should be fine. Besides, your sand carpet and your knowledge of your former country should help get us to the west.
Cleo: See, Itsuki gets it! What an intelligent boy~!
Itsuki blushed a bit as Akeru sighed heavily at the two.
Ci: Then it is settled; you three will head to the west. Feel free to come back to the Grand Realm to rest up or check in...and Cleo-
Cleo: I know; I'll make a damn Link point when we get to the city...you don't have to remind me!
Ci: I do have to, unfortunately.
Amani: Cleo is a bit of a dummy~
Cleo: What was that, flattie?
Amani glared at Cleo as Ci stepped in between the two, shaking her head.
Ci: Be on your way. Amani, please get ready to do what you do best.
Cleo: What, be -
Itsuki pushed Cleo into the Polisha portal as Akeru followed behind. When they reach the other side, the portal behind them closes as Cleo huffed a bit, summoning her sand carpet. Itsuki and Cleo get on it as Akeru tries but falls through.
Akeru: H-H-Hey!!
Cleo and Itsuki were snickering as Akeru got on it this time; the three set off for their adventure to the country to the west, Evalot!