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PATIENCE
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Patience stood near the cliff's ledge of war-torn Marina Veridia. Both oppressors demanded his attention at once, though one didn't know about the other. At least I hope so.
"Do you recall what I told you when we first met?"
Patience's lip curled upward, and he swirled his tongue around inside his dry mouth, biding his time. Of course I remember, you petulant fucking sow.
Her sanctimonious voice rose from a charred and blackened corpse in front of Patience. The body belonged to some Iron Maiden fledgling, likely a Hunter, caught in Judas Priest Zeke's Soul Sacrifice, some poor soul who'd tried to flee the chaos and torment and probably tried to leap off the cliff in some imagined form of desperate salvation. Weak bastard couldn't save himself.
Pat glanced out at sea, where a small ship headed west; its sails boasted the crest of The Iron Maidens Faction. The cost of—
"Failure comes at the price of your life."
Patience's blood pressure and heart rate spiked. He glared at the corpse. Surely this old bat can't read my mind, not while I'm hundreds of miles away. "I remember the words." Icy wind swept Patience's long, black hair all about.
"Do you, truly? You were but a child when I told you. Perhaps you were too young to take its meaning to heart."
"When I dedicated my service to the cause—and You—I knew what I signed up for."
"Then are you ready to pay your debts?"
"Always. But, if I may ask, what exactly did I fail? I cornered Wrath and delivered him to you and Pastor Zeke, as was required of me." You were the one who failed.
"Your reputation has emboldened you to stupid pride. Do you think you don't share in Our failure of this mission?"
"Perhaps We should not see it as a failure—as that would come at the price of Our lives, I'm sure You remember—but instead as a successful recon mission. We certainly learned a lot about Wrath." The voice remained silent. I wonder if She's suffering of Her own wrath right now. I'll not have my life ripped away from me so soon. Especially when the entire plan wasn't revealed to me. "We also learned certain…weak points regarding the Black Sacrament."
"The Spider, calculated as always. We shall view Marina Veridia as an advancement of enemy intelligence. However, the public has become aware of something they should remain ignorant of."
"A failure of Pastor Zeke's, to be sure." If You think I'll take the blame for such a low-rent supposed leader, then maybe I should—
"Silence. You let Wrath slip through your fingers for a third time. Furthermore, you have nothing to show for the loss. Re-education seems appropriate."
No! Anything but that. I'll not endure what Greed and Sloth did, just to have some pompous book written about me with some stupid fucking euphemism attached to it.
> DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BOARD SO EASILY, DEAR PATIENCE.
Patience's other oppressor had finally joined in. Quiet, you fool.
> "THE PANIC OF PATIENCE" IS WHAT THEY WOULD CALL CALL IT.
Oh, fuck off. "Imprisonment doesn't suit me. Perhaps another mission would benefit Our holy cause more."
"Hmm, I am in need of a tidy house, so perhaps a reassignment seems appropriate."
A demotion!? After all I just went through!? No—No, fight back.
"I can clean up after You." After Your failure. "I will need more information on this Black Sacrament though, in order to do a thorough job."
"Silence! You must rid it of your memory as well, along with all of the living."
I see. No re-education needed here. Just a massacre.
> WITH YOU INCLUDED. DO YOU FORGET YOUR LEVERAGE?
Surely you don't mean…?
"Fix the problem, then return to Sylvan Hollow."
No other option, I suppose. "You think too little of me. I didn't walk away from the battle empty-handed." I wish I could see Her ignorant face right now. "I got a lead on Lust from Wrath himself." The icy wind cut through once more, then faded away. The sunlight warmed Patience's bones once more.
"My greatest disciple, Pat of the Dunes. Why not mention this before? I fear I have been too harsh on you. You have a new assignment."
"Forgive me, I am always caught up in Your glory and power when We meet."
> YOU BASELESS COWARD. YOU DOG.
"I shall set sail for Shinsora immediately, then."
"No, Pat. Both missions fall to you, and remember—The cost of failure comes at the price of your life. Now, extinguish all remnants of my presence. We shall speak again soon."
> [Sabbath Bloody Sabbath — Quest Objective ADDED: Clean up all loose ends in Marina Veridia who witnessed the Black Sacrament.]
Just like that, The Iron Maiden has fled Marina Veridia, a failure. Good thing we already planned for a clean up. Eh, Voice?
> WE? HA! FOOLISH CHILD. IF YOU REFUSE TO STAND UP TO HER NOW, HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO FACE HER WHEN DESTINY DEMANDS IT?
I have a plan, but I need to learn more about the Black Sacrament first. Charlotte, it's time. Patience reached out to his desert tarantula Familiar. They'd been stationed in Marina Veridia for a week, and she'd spun her webs all around; she'd also left behind one of her five remaining eyes inside Pastor Zeke's cabin, which was now led by an entirely different crew.
> YOU HAVE LED JULES TIDESHAPER TO LUST. NOW IT IS TIME FOR YOUR NEXT ASSIGNMENT…
> [Master of Puppets — Quest Objective ADDED: Lead Wrath to Lust in Shinsora.]
>
> [Master of Puppets — Quest Objective ADDED: Capture Lust in Shinsora.]
>
>
>
> [New Quest Available: Mouse Trap]
>
> [New Reward Available for Mouse Trap: A new gun for hire.]
>
> [Mouse Trap — Quest Objective ADDED: Hire the Desert Mouse.]
Before I find him, I need to talk to them. The Shinsorai won't be an easy fight.
> [Mouse Trap — Quest Objective ADDED: Ask the Harbormasters for the Desert Mouse's location.]
"It seems the work just keeps piling on, doesn't it?"
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SERAPHINA
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Nightfall engulfed her wondrous city of Shinsora in darkness. Blazing torches lined the streets and buildings and attempted to fight off the gloom, but shadows danced all around with the flickering lights. Sera had been born into the shadows, and raised in them, but tomorrow, she'd take her first true step into them.
Ravens surrounded her as she snuck through an alleyway, flying high and cawing into the night air. Banners lined the streets beside the flames. The Shinsorai's premier festival began at dawn, and no one dared walk the streets tonight. Even the Guards had lowered their staff to a bare minimum.
Perfect night for a heist.
Her grappling hook secured along the roof's edge, and she scaled up the temple's side. Once on top, she scanned around the massive castle. Only a few Samurai and Ninja patrolling outside. Hopefully even fewer inside. Though it does feel like someone's watching me…
> [Pang! Stealth increased to Level 20.]
>
>
>
> « Reinforced » « Thread »
A steel rope shot from her palm toward one of the castle's ramparts, and she tied the other end around the temple's spire. Sera adjusted the mask about her face, then descended down her makeshift zip line. When she got to the other side, she pulled the thread back into her palm, and still felt that feeling of being followed, so she crept through a door to the castle.
Just inside the room, she opened a false panel wall and entered a secret passageway, like she'd done dozens, if not a hundred times before. As she descended down into the underground tunnel, she left behind a trap for her pursuer along a rough stone wall at the tunnel's thinnest part.
> « Binding » « Rope »
No way he'll get around that one. Sera continued through the tunnel until she was underneath the barracks. She scaled the wall and lifted a thatch hatch which screeched as it opened. Fucking Luca didn't oil it last time!
"What was that sound?" a Guard asked. His footsteps drew closer, and the floor creaked beneath him. Sera saw him through small cracks in the false wall, headed right to her.
> « Shatter »
Far away in the opposite direction she was headed, a vase fell to the ground with a loud smash. The Guard mumbled and left to inspect it. Sera unlatched the false wall and entered the hallway, then hung the hidden entryway back up. She sprinted through a corridor that led to the armory. The Ninja-like armor caught her attention immediately, as it always did, but it was too obvious a choice for her. She approached the Samurai armor instead, but still admired it. A mounted katana hung horizontally above it. She reached for the sword first—
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Caught red-handed." Sera spun around, embarrassed, shocked, her blood boiling. "What are you doing, Seraphina?"
"Taking the First Step, Luca. What else does it look like?" She took the katana and Samurai armor into her Inventory and walked around in an arc toward the corridor; he followed in the opposite direction, toward the remaining Ninja armor set that originally caught her eye.
> [New Quest Available: Step into the Shadows]
>
> [New Reward Available for Step into the Shadows: Join the Shinsorai Faction]
>
> [Step into the Shadows — Quest Objective ADDED: Complete "The First Step into the Shadows"]
"You are too predictable," Luca said.
"How'd you get past my trap?"
"You mean the same one you always use? It's tripped me up enough times to know how to get past it." Yeah, literally tripped you up. "So you really are planning on Stepping into the Shadows' Path tomorrow? This hasn't all been some fantasy of yours?"
Sera stopped at the corridor. The secret passageway lied just around the corner. "Luca, please… Don't tell Mom and Dad."
"They've already warned you not to do this," her brother replied. "Too many times to count."
"Screw them, and screw the old ways. With respect, of course."
Luca laughed. "Naturally. But what about our ancestors? Screw them, too? And their honor?"
"I see it as the opposite. Proving my salt in a world of—"
"Men," Luca said. "You know women are forbidden to join the Shinsorai. And you know why."
"No, I don't."
"What, you expect us to allow foreigners in, next?" Yeah, actually. How do I bribe you…
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
"Luca, listen—"
"Musashi will be there tomorrow himself." Luca's trying to pause for effect, as if that'd sway me. "You don't think he'll see through your little act?" I'm counting on it. Looks like I inherited all the brains, dear brother. "And what about the closing ceremony? You're supposed to ride on the—"
"What do you want, Luca? You know I've always valued your…discretion."
"I hear voices in here!" A Shinsorai Guard marched through the hallway behind Sera. Luca bore a greedy smile. Damn, he's got me trapped now. Sera hastily pulled down her mask to reveal her face. Two Guards entered the armory.
"Hey! Lord Jiro's sword and armor are gone—"
"Takeshi, Kenzo," Sera greeted them.
"Oh, it's just the Raventree heirs," a third Guard said after entering the room. "Why are you two in your father's study this late?" Study, huh? Everyone looked around at each other suspiciously.
"Funny you should ask—"
"Please don't tell my father," Luca interrupted Sera. "I was about to…borrow his Shinsorai set. Sera here, she was going to help me train before tomorrow's events, so I could get a real taste of it all." Sera relaxed her tense shoulders. "I know I can't do it until next year, but there's no better time than the present."
"Right you are, Sire," Kenzo said. "There's a heavy weight upon your shoulders, that's for certain."
"Starting out young. You'll bring honor to us all." Takeshi bowed slightly at Luca.
"Hmmm," the third Guard grumbled. Asahi is still suspicious, as always. Gotta find a way to get him off our backs. "I suppose I can wait to tell him until tomorrow. After the ceremonies."
"Luca and I will be in your debt. Thank you very much."
Asahi grunted in response. Immune to bribes, this one. But he doesn't want to cross our father. "Well, you two better clear out. Time to get some sleep before tomorrow. You'll learn more by watching than by playing with Miss Raventree, here." Prick.
"Of course, come on Sera." Luca grabbed Sera's arm and dragged her away. I wonder what this is gonna cost me…
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PATIENCE
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> [Sabbath Bloody Sabbath — Quest Objective COMPLETED: Clean up all loose ends in Marina Veridia who witnessed the Black Sacrament.]
Patience stormed through the wide and crowded streets of Lustris Haven, the nation of Coralith's capital city. With nearly every stride, he bumped shoulders and shoved people aside. Fucking Gilded Tide Festival, of all days. A waste of time. I should already be there.
I hate this city.
Everyone around him cheered and drank and reveled together, strangers and friends alike. A lady tried to place a beaded necklace around Patience's neck—he ripped it from her hands, and beads scattered all along the cobblestone road. Overhead, The Fleet's zephyrs floated in the sky and cast a shadow over him.
I hate zephyrs.
Finally, he marched up the long marble steps to the Harbormasters overly ornate and pristine headquarters, composed of granite and engraved with jewels. Patience pushed open two massive doors made of solid gold. He spat at the entryway.
I hate the Harbormasters.
Patience strolled through like he owned the place. Guards tried to stop him, but he just flashed his Iron Maiden crest, and, without looking them in the eyes or even a word, they allowed him through each checkpoint through the building. He followed a red carpet all the way to the doors to what the Viktoria family had dubbed the War Room. Patience stopped before the closed doors and took a deep breath. He dusted the common rabble off of his robes, and re-tied his long hair back into a tight bun.
But what I hate most of all is begging for help.
He heard them laugh on the other side of the doors.
"Allow me, Sir—"
Pat ignored the Guard and burst into the War Room. At the closer end of a long table that could seat forty, only two men sat. They both turned in their chairs to face Patience with wide and greedy smiles. They already smell the blood.
"Thank you, Teacher," the younger man said to the older. "We will resume another time. Greetings, young Maiden. I see you…found your own way in." Great, the Viktoria brat. Couldn't even send Lucius in himself to negotiate?
"Lucien. I'm afraid I am short of time, today. As it would seem your father, The Harbormaster, is as well."
"You're in good hands with me." Lucien leaned back in his chair.
Nepotistic shit head. Can't believe they placed him above his siblings. Or cousins. Or fifth-cousins. Or literally anyone else outside, partying on the streets. The other man rose from his seat; Lucien quickly followed suit.
"Welcome to the Harbormasters," the older man said. "We've been expecting you. I've heard whispers of a spectacle in Marina Veridia."
How could he have already heard? It just happened yesterday, and there were no survivors…
Fucking Alters.
"Hello, Mr. Cat," Patience said. "May I call you Mr. Cat?"
"Oh, please!" The Alter leaned in to shake Patience's hand. His green eye was full of malice, but his blue eye seemed to put Patience as ease somehow. "Only my friends call me that. Everyone else calls me by my full name."
Are you there, Voice? There was no answer. I hope you're watching this one.
"Lucien Viktoria." Patience nodded slightly at the man-child, but wouldn't stoop so low as to shake his hand. "Would you please make the introductions…?" Let's see if you are considered the Cat's friend. Lucien looked from each man to the other, then cleared his throat. Ah, you finally get it.
"Pat of the Dunes, allow me to introduce to our outside adviser—" You mean your leader. "Though he certainly needs no introduction—The Cat of Ninetails." By that grin, the Cat likely saw the point of this little exercise. Perhaps it is better that the Habormaster himself stayed away.
"Lucien," Patience said. "Please do not forget the man's title of Alter, next time. But it begs the question, if the Viktorias aren't close enough to you to be considered friends, who possibly could be?" Could it be the other Faction you're rumored to be associated with?
"My dear Spider," The Cat of Ninetails' voice turned thick and harsh, "Lucien is one of my most esteemed pupils. A first-name basis would be inappropriate. I'm sure you wouldn't address Her Holiness as Ms. Iron, now would you?"
"Oh no, never," Pat said. Lucien stifled a laugh. "I'd have a much more colorful moniker." Lucien's face dropped.
"So, back to Marina Veridia," The Cat of Ninetails continued. "What was Wrath like? There was also a rumor of another."
"Wrath is strong, fierce, and merciless. Though he can be," Patience glanced at Lucien, "a bit impatient."
"And is that something that you lack?" The Cat of Ninetails placed a hand on Lucien's shoulder. Probably to preemptively shut him up. "Patience, I mean."
Fucking Alters.
"Certainly not in this moment." Pleasantries are over, boys.
Lucien motioned to the table, and the three of them sat down, Patience on the side opposite of Lucien, and the Cat of Ninetails at the head between them. Hm, a buffer and mediator, or the true leader here? Best to play them both.
"So, why request an audience with us?" Lucien asked. "Does The Iron Maiden need our help so soon?"
"So soon?" The Alter smiled like an actual cat. "It's a little too late, if you ask me."
"I am following up on another…thread," Patience said. "Of the Iron Maiden's will, of course. And I need your help. Two-fold."
"Spill it, then. Both of them first, before negotiations." It appears you aren't a complete idiot, Lucien, kneecapping my leverage like that.
"I need ships to sack Shinsora. And I need to find the Desert Mouse."
"The Mouse!?" Lucien shouted. Patience's eye twitched at the disrespect. The Alter watched his protege, flailing in action, in silence. "What would a Spider want with vermin?" Push him to anger.
"I'd prefer to speak with the man who knows his whereabouts, not his lapdog."
"That's a poor start to negotiations, especially in a place you lack leverage," Lucien snapped back.
"I need the Desert Mouse—if you'd please address him by his proper and full name—for an extract mission. Speaking of names, you'd do well to address me by my proper title as well, The Spider."
The Cat of Ninetails chuckled at the hypocrisy. What, at least I asked you.
"Right," Lucien said. "Quite the price tag for that information."
"You'd let this fool broker for you?" Patience asked the Alter.
"What's this about Shinsora?" The Cat of Ninetails changed the subject entirely. Doesn't he care about the Desert Mouse? Bit of a history with those two.
"Her eyes are set on the island," Patience said.
"Ah, yes, the column of light," the Cat of Ninetails mused. How transparent of me. "So it needs…purification?"
He implies a Sin. While true, if only you knew the newer stakes for those like me. "I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say—"
"Of course not." Lucien waved a hand through the air. "But you will anyway. You know, the Gilded Tide is ongoing outside as we speak—a wondrous, marvelous spectacle, with live music and dance troupe performances. but—I think I'd actually rather listen to you sing and dance in here, right now."
I wonder if the Cat would allow me to kill you in here, right now. He'd have to execute me immediately afterward, but he could stop me from doing it in the first place. But would he? Or would he let it slide? Ah, temptation.
"Careful, Lucien, lest you push our guest too far." A glint of light passed by the Alter's unevenly colored eyes.
"Of course. Anyway, if The Iron Maiden has Her sights on it, there must be a Sin." Slow to the punch as always.
"Hold your tongue," teacher warned student. The Cat of Ninetails leaned in to Patience. "I've heard tales—forgive me, I should say rumors, haunting rumors—that after Marina Veridia… Well, let's just say, there could be a Virtue in Shinsora."
Fucking info brokers. Let's play, then.
"Rumors spread like wildfire, causing damage to all who touch them." You better watch your back, speaking about Her like that. "I will tell you what lies in Shinsora." Patience paused for Lucien to fall into the trap.
The Alter looked at Lucien. Patience understood it was a teaching moment, and wondered if the boy realized it, too. "For a price? Fine." Realize it, he did not. "We will send fourteen ships to Shinsora under some trading guise." The Cat of Ninetails shook his head. Caught your star pupil in my web. Perhaps you should leave politics to the fools, Alter.
"Twenty-eight," Patience demanded.
"Deal." Patience smiled widely.
"You fool," the Alter scolded his student.
"What?" Lucien looked at Patience with a deepening frown and narrowed eyes.
"A Sin lies in Shinsora."
"Yes, we already suspected that, but who—Ah. I see." Lucien looked at the Cat of Ninetails. "You could have warned me."
"Pain is the best teacher, child. Now, continue negotiations with newly earned wisdom."
"So who is it?" Lucien asked. "And who was the other Sin at Marina Veridia?" I may live to regret insulting you one day. I see you improving before my very eyes. You must be so proud, Alter.
"I can only disclose one of those, but I will let you choose, in exchange for the Desert Mouse."
"It makes the most sense to know who was with Wrath, as we'll all know who's in Shinsora soon enough."
I retract my last statement. What a fool; no one will ever see her but me. Patience flashed a greedy smile. "That was—"
> « Silence »
"What, Mr. Cat got your tongue?" Patience glared at the Alter restraining him. "While I'd like to allow my pupil the chance to learn from his own mistakes, I have learned from my own. I will not forfeit this information for his education. Who resides in Shinsora?"
> « Release »
Patience cracked his neck, side-to-side. Lucien straightened up in his seat. Forceful Script in a private negotiation, how cowardly.
"You may be my teacher, but I am the Harbormaster representative here, with the highest rank. We will talk about this later, Alter."
"Highest Rank? Interesting choice of words, boy," the Cat of Ninetails quipped. "We certainly will."
"The Desert Mouse first, if you will," Patience said. After that stunt, I don't trust that you'd tell me. The Alter laughed.
"He's outside Hinomura as we speak. I will arrange a zephyr for you. I know how fond you are of those." How do you know…?
> [Mouse Trap — Quest Objective COMPLETED: Ask the Harbormasters for the Desert Mouse's location.]
"Very well." Patience yawned and stretched his arms out wide. When he returned his hands to his lap, he reached under the table. Better drop another eye here, Charlotte. I sense there is much said behind these closed doors with such loose lips. Patience studied Lucien while his Familiar quickly worked. Then, he stood up and walked to the door. "Anything else I should know? Specifically where to find him? Better directions would be nice—take a left at this dune, a right at the oasis?"
"No." A wicked grin spread across the Cat of Ninetails' face. Lucien eyed his teacher cautiously. Seems the rumors of his alignment with the Assassin's Guild are true. Perhaps those are your true friends, on a first-name basis, after all. "I'll assign you an escort to show you the way."
Ah, of course. I won't find him—he'll find me. Another of Kazuma's lambs to the slaughter, it seems. So it goes. Patience continued for the door, waiting for Lucien to react.
"What about our end?" Lucien rose from his chair.
"Patience, dear boy. You must have Patience. I've not left your chambers yet." I just want to get as far away from that Alter as possible before telling him. "You will find Lust in Shinsora. I have word that Wrath and—the other Sin," Patience winked at Lucien, "are headed there now, too. Rendezvous in five days."
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JULES
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Overcast skies floated high above them on the open sea.
"Phew!" Jules sighed and crashed onto the deck beside his motley crew. "So Lust is in Shinsora, and the island itself is just in sight."
"I can't believe we've already encountered three Arcanics," Cyrus said. Three? I only count one.
"Are you counting me and Kat in that number!?" Jules asked.
"No—uh, yeah, kinda." Katarina glared at Cyrus through half-opened eyes while he scratched his chin like the moron she thought he was. "Uh, Kat, Maddie, and Patience, though we haven't really met him yet."
"You're counting me but not you're best friend? Thanks. I feel so included."
"No—Kat, it's not like that!" She ripped Cyrus' shirt that she was Tailoring. "How many times are you gonna do that!?"
"One thing's bugging me still," she said. "Why didn't Krakenbane do anything about Lust? It feels like a trap is coming, like it's right before my eyes."
"He was likely headed to do something about it," Whiskers said. "But after Coralhaven…"
Jules looked off at the sunset. "Yep. After Coralhaven."
"Time to don our armor and change the sails. Can't let anyone see our faces, or those crests." Cyrus pointed to the Iron Maiden's Faction emblem, which took up most of each sail.
"It's super creepy being on The Iron Bitch's ship," Katarina said, "after watching her control dead men, and the Black Sacrament… What's the plan for when we land, Jules?"
"Search for Lust. We take every lead we can get and follow it to its end. Avoid any and all cultists."
"Hey, summon our resident freeloader," Cyrus said. "I wanna ask him something."
> « Summon »
The ghost appeared, stretching and rubbing his eyes.
"Kaizen, do you know who the Magi are?" Cyrus asked.
Kaizen stopped mid-yawn. "The who…? How did you learn that name!?" Ok, that's weird.
Cyrus jerked his thumb to Jules. "This idiot, when he was possessed in Coralhaven, asked Zeke if he'd met the Magi. I asked Davy Jones, and he seemed to have an idea." Everyone, not just Katarina, glared at Kaizen through half-open eyes. They inched closer to him, except Whiskers and Rukia, and cornered him. "And we're suspecting you must know something, too."
"Well now," Kaizen said. "That's one of those rules—I can't even say the word you just called them! Uh, yet."
"Riiiiiight. So what'll happen, exactly, if you break that rule?" Katarina cracked her knuckles, Jules his neck, and Cyrus his back.
"Uh… We can find out. If you'd like." Jules, Cyrus, and Katarina all collapsed to the ground, completely defeated by the ghost. Damn, he called our bluff.
"How's your Seal, Jules?" Kaizen asked. "That heptagram's still filling in?" Changing the subject already. Guess it really can't be helped. Yet.
"It's not filled black anymore, but it's still there. And my Seal is lit up red now."
"Hey, guys…" Katarina showed them her Seal, which was also outlined in a heptagram, with green lines outlining her numeral for 1.
"Is that because of the damage you took from Felix?" Jules asked.
"I don't know. That wound has barely healed, and I don't think it's going to ever fully recover, even with Regeneration. But I didn't notice my Seal changing before then."
"One thing's for sure," Whiskers said, "we need to find a way to cure this curse of hers, not to mention her eye."
"Damn cat—quiet!" Katarina rubbed her eye, or the Vessel that had replaced it. "It's getting better. It's almost fully taken. Don't worry about me."
"Riiiiight," Cyrus said. "OK. I'll let you come to terms with it first. I give it three more days."
I'll change the topic for you. "We need to start focusing on our Classes now, even while looking for Lust. I'm glad we focused on Skills first, though. We got the chance to Level a ton into the 30s and 20s. Our Ryoku is insane for 1st Ranks."
"Speak for yourselves." Cyrus kicked his legs out and and rested his hands behind his head. "You all need to reach 2nd Rank, ASAP. Then maybe you can be as strong as me—I mean, I'm at two times Kat's Ryoku pool."
"Maybe you want to die today."
"Yeah, Kat and I need to pick up fifth Skills. We've really got our fourth ones lined up."
"Not to mention we can join Factions now," Cyrus said. "I'll be up in the Etherealist's business in no time!"
"I don't think they let idiots sign up."
"Come on, Kat—It's fun to dream!" Jules said. "We know you want to join the Forgers. And I've always wanted to join the Shinsorai and the Arcanians."
"In your dreams," Whiskers added. "None of you will ever join those Factions."
"Stuff it!"
"Can it!"
"Freaking buzzkill!"
"Cats suck, foxes rules!"
"Who let this sourpuss on our ship!"
Whiskers' eyes twitched. "Crafting. I've said this a dozen times. You all are going to be out on your own as outlaws for a long time, and you need to rely on each other to craft equipment and improve it."
> [Bounty Increased by ₹4,200,000 for crimes committed in Marina Veridia. Total Bounty is now ₹5,670,890.]
>
> [Rukia's Bounty Increased by ₹500,000 for crimes committed in Marina Veridia. Total Bounty is now ₹1,000,000.]
>
> [Katarina's Bounty Increased by ₹1,000,000 for crimes committed in Marina Veridia. Total Bounty is now ₹2,250,000.]
>
> [Whiskers' Bounty Increased by ₹500,000 for crimes committed in Marina Veridia. Total Bounty is now ₹750,000.]
>
> [Cyrus' Bounty Increased by ₹100,000 for crimes committed in Marina Veridia. Total Bounty is now ₹155,900.]
"Ohhhh shit," they all collectively said, though Cyrus seemed more pissed off than concerned.