Most of everyone was gathered in the main hall. Azul was with the rest of the cadet leaders gather in the front. While traveling up the hall, Hotshot heard there was some kind of commotion going on.
"What is goin on here? I should ask Azul and the others later." Hotshot said as she watched as a young squire was talking to a group of older squires, and it didn't look pretty.
"The only thing of note..." the young squire looked up from his paperwork amongst the group quickly stammering at the older boy. "A..a ..an ...no..another shipment of supplies was attacked. All the goods were ransacked and the mercenary that did the transport all died. The caravan was struck last night on its way to Eagrose."
The older boy snarled at the boy. "Was it the Corpse Brigade again?" He gestured towards the others getting there attention.
"Cut the shit," Azul chastised. "It is not the Corpse Brigade and you know it."
Before the squire was able to answer, the older boy turned around and declared loudly, "the filthy peasants should all be killed. Who is with me? Leave them all dead at sort this out after."
"How can you say that?" Riku questioned. She had run over and grabbed the papers from the scared squire's hands. "The reports say nothing of the sort. In fact, we have heard around town that people have even dressed up like the Corpse Brigade causing trouble. They have been doing everything to keep the peace!"
Talks started to break out amongst them.
Ramza said to his squad, "I wonder where all this leads...Delita. What do you make of this?"
"I'm not sure. I have my guesses, but...I think Duke Larg is coming to Garland." Delita said as he gazed into the crowd to see how they will react to the situation at hand. His teeth clenched when none moved to help. "My sister.. my sister says people are using this to exploit the masses."
"Who would risk the populace like this? Especially with unrest in the capitol. Seeing that his friend was distracted he turned to him. Ramza placed his hand in front of Delita gesturing for him to continue, "I'm listening. Wait did you say Duke Larg? Why?
"Not just the duke. The marquis Elmdore de Limberry, too. All of Ivalice is in turmoil. The Order's supposed to be keeping things under control, but the fact is, they number too few." Delita said in a firm tone as he looked at Ramza. "Rumor has it, your brother is involved."
"That's the first I've heard of it," Ramza said looking away. He was lying. He didnt want to believe his brother was involved in something like this. "This has not the sound of a state visit. Hmm, what are you doing here Co-Squad Leader?" Ramza said to his team before addressing Hotshot.
"So are you just gonna stare or will you do something?" Hotshot glared at Ramza and Delita. They looked at her like a deer caught by headlights. "Hmpph, wimps." She then strode forward to the fool that was 'preaching'.
Everyone started to get riled up with the fool. Biotic strands flowed around freely. Most were just little whispers of fear that turned into anger in the wrong direction and at the wrong foe. Riku was keeping some at bay, but she was just a cadet in there eyes. Not one big or important.
"What do you know wench?" The older boy said to her. "Get down and on your knees were you belong. Hahaha."
"Why you dirty little." Riku grumbled looking at him. "I will beat the tar out of daddy's girl like you." She pulled out her dagger and was getting ready to teach the squad leader a lesson he would never forget.
"Who do you think you are talking to?" The older boy said. His cheeks were flushed red with anger. "I willl.."
"You will do what?" Tifa said pinning his arm behind him. She lifted him up with ease into the air. "Our Commander told us not to cause a scene and handle this peacefully. I am starting to think that would be a waste of time. Killing scum like you is a better idea. What do you think?"
"I..I will.. ahhh." The older boy groaned in pain. "My father wont.. he won't stand for this."
'Mental Cleansing.' Azul passed it over the crowd causing them to return to their senses. "Tifa.. let him go at once." Azul said calmly but with authority. Paragon energy moved about the room. He watched as Tifa threw the man to the fireplace. His cape catching and going up in flames. "Tell them all that you have to say and be done with it Riku. If they cant understand, then so be it."
"You got it, Commander." Riku smiled and raised her hands catching everyones attention. "Commoners and/or peasants are not livestock to be slaughtered. If you truly think that take off that uniform, you are undeserving of it!" She watched as they looked around at each other. "We make up the majority of the world. We are smart, we are strong, we can fight and lead with the best of them."
"Yeah, your right." The crowd started to grumble. "We can do anything that they can do." More people joined in.
Paragon +133
Riku continued for a little more. A few people understand but some didnt. The lack of education crushing them. Azul was thinking about the last time they were here and what they managed to change. They wouldn't waste there time to much with the order this time. Take there people and book it. That was the plan. Seeing another much older Commander coming up, he gestured for Riku to get down.
"OK, Riku that is enough." She nodded and moved back down and to the side.
"So, the peasant king decides to speak finally. This is all you have to say, pitiful brat." The older Commander mockingly talks to Azul. He looks around and saw the looks of the cadets in the room. "Well, what say you rabble?! Looking to commit treason."
System: Persuasion Check 27 Pass
"Alright, this is just a blowhard who doesn't know any better. He is old and not the good kind that is wise. Just another bastard born prat. He doesn't care about anything but lining up his pockets and keeping you all down." Azul said giving them info he knew from casing the area with his biotic powers. "Leave the Oder before it gets you killed. Before they get you killed. Flock to the princess's banner. Her actual banner. Fight in her name."
Hotshot had walked over and helped the young messenger up. Azul spit over his shoulder and started to walk away. Stopping at the young messenger he said, "everyone is just rattled from what's going no need to be alarmed, but do your self a favor and get away from this place." He dropped a few golds in the boy's hands and left.
The messenger looks down and starts to grab his scattered papers and mumbles, "you need not to concern yourself with me, Commander it is fine." He looks up with a strained smile while nodding his head.
Galtea: Thank you for pushing them towards the princess. It will work in your favor in the future. Help pick up the paperwork again, new information to help exploit for the future.
'That makes sense thanks.' Azul said through the link and activating Adrenaline Rush. "Ah", he let out an audible sigh to show a little disappointment. He then started to pick up the immediate papers near himself with Tifa's help. Glancing over most of the contents before handing it to the squire.
"Oi, you coward turn and face me. Do not think you can just disrespect me and walk away as if nothing happened." The older commander says as he walks from the front. He just finished talking to the others about what happened.
Hotshot intercepted him. "You really don't wanna do this old Commander." Her voice came out disdainfully. "You should just try worrying about yourself and your team before others. Or hey, just a thought use your power to help direct attention to the monsters that wreaking havoc. Letting that no good son of yours abuse the laws and inciting rebellion."
Tifa smashed her hands togethor. "Come on master, let me deal with him. You shouldn't exert yourself too much." She had a resolute look in her eyes. "You to Co-Leader. This is work for the grunts."
"What it should be me!" Riku said heatedly. "He insulted and slander me."
"No, it is my fight. I need to fight more." Hotshot said. "Acting the way I have lately will only hinder us. I need to embrace this chance." She stretched her arms grabbing each elbow. "Stand back the rest of you as well. No reason for anyone to get hurt because of me unwinding." She gave Azul a head nod.
'Oh, you want me to watch this? Why?' Azul had sent her a mental message. She responds in kind and wanted him to see her fight. Just to stand back and watch. So he did just that. 'Very well. Good luck.'
"Heh," the older squire lunged at her from the side.
She saw him coming a mile away with the residual effects coming from Azul. Hotshot blocked it with ease with her wristguard. "Skkrr," the blade traveling and sending sparks flying.
'Now this is a good time to hone my skills and try going a little bit. Since my main soul is here. It should make it easier for me to Synch up. I like traveling this way. I cant believe I never went before with you all.' Hotshot said to Azul. She focused her biotic shield to a smaller state giving it a deeper tint but less coverage area.
For every blow of the old Commander, she gave a parried with her left. On the last strike, he pulled back. "Draw your sword, and fight me seriously woman." He then fixed his stance. He started to calm himself and drew magic around.
Galtea: Fight him just usuing your physical abities and monk abilities. The class Monk carries all the Lin Kuei fighting for you.
'Oh yeah!' Hotshot cheered mentally and smashed her fist togethor. Water formed around her gloves and feet.
"Oh, a monk eh. Your just full of surprises!" The old Commander charged at her. The magic was that of a time mage. He was speeding himself up.
Dodging to the left his sword went past her right side. Barely even scratching her clothes. Steeping back over to the side, Hotshot brought her left fist to the front. With a snap of her wrist, the sword deviated.
"Ting," it hummed in the hall before getting stuff in the stone. "Thunk," Hotshot brought her foot down and snapped it. Taking the opportunity of the old Commander getting surprised, her other fist came up.
"Boom," the blow hit the old Commander in the chest. "Crrkk," his sternum audibly cracked next.
"Kuff, kuff," the old Commander fell to his knees as Hotshot stepped back. "How weak." She scoffed and moved away. The old Commander's son moved to strike her back.
"Treacherous snake!" Tifa said.
"Ting," the contact of Azul's biotic shield hitting his sword echoed in the hall. His sword held against the blow. He looked slightly shaken from the impact. Seeing the blue glow around the wrist he gave its strike. "Whack," Azul hit it just right as the sword dropped. "Ting, ting," it fell to the floor in a clatter.
Tifa came around the side and punched the squire right in the gut. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. Before he touched the floor, Riku grabbed his legs and swung him into the fireplace.
"Ahhh," he screamed as his clothes caught fire. Seeing a few squires move to attack them, Azul held out his palm and pulled the fire over. "Flame Fist," wrapping the fireplace well fire, he attacked the others.
System: Intimidation Check 23 Pass
"Enough or it gets worst. Like this." The closes enemy was pulled by the collar with his right and then slammed into his left fist. "Krack!" A sickening crunch came out upon contact. Pulling back, his fist was fine as he held the squire up for all to see. His nose, forehead, and cheekbones had cuts and were bleeding slowly. The fire then started to burn the wounds shut next.
"Ahhh," a few squires were already beaten by Tifa, Riku, and Hotshot.
'Hmm, that was fun." Azul said.
Galtea: Your Flame Fist combined with your strength is extremely deadly. The only reason he is not dead or worse is that you didnt want to kill him. You are learning control. Well sort of anyway.
Everyone was staring at the outcome of the little skirmish.
System: Persuasion Check 28 Pass
"Give him a potion dammit! Don't just stand there like fools. This was just a dispute that was solved with our fist, not one to the death." Several cadets scrambled for a potion. Soon some of them realize that they were a chemist. A minute or two later the old Commander and his son were back to full. Azul walked up to the man "Sorry about the excessive force, you sorta hit a sore spot with the words you said to them. I want to kill you personally."
"Get them to the infirmary!" A squire yelled. They were carted off on gunnery instantly.
"You might get in trouble Commander," Delita said coming over. "You may have done to much."
"You might be correct. I may have been out of line with some of what I did, but too many people are dying due to their manipulations." Azul turned to look him in the eye. 'Biotic strands are a little different not enough change for it to matter. I will have to let his sister know.'
Galtea: There is an optional mission available would you like to take it?
'I.. yah know what.. sure Galtea we will try to do it on the way I forgot how I need all the exp I can get. Or ones for the others.'
Man's Voice (from outside the hall) "All right, everybody, form up!"
A knight instructor walks in with a small group of archers. His eyes darting around the room glancing at each of them quickly before moving on to the next order of business.
'Galtea brief me about how to meet up with Mileuda while he is talking. No sense in dawdling here once we get Alita.' Azul sent his biotic strands around the room taking in everyone's reactions. Confusion but a lot of them were having doubts about attacking the Corpse Brigade.
"I said to gather around you brats!" At that, the squads all form up. "Listen up you all are getting flushed out for some assignments. There is a new uprising of riots in a few towns, your orders are clean up and put a stop to it at once. Treat this like it's your final test," the knight instructor stopped at a short pause reading everyone's faces.
He started giving the details about what each squad was gonna go up against and answered some questions from some of the cadets. After a few minutes of this, he realized the time and started to settle the crowd down. "Alright, that's it, good luck out there and come back safe."
The knight instructor gave everyone a once over before leaving with his attendants.
Galatea's brief informed Azul how to meet up with Mileuda. It seems The System fixed it for them to meet up during the test. It was set up that they could take a little detour to meet with her, even though were there due to getting Alita mostly. Well also to get Mileuda and Tietra there bodies to make it cheaper for there Rifting. The outward scenarios will happen as well, also didn't seem to matter what order they did things.
'Galtea mark Mileuda for the meet up first. We will deal with the so-called rebels after we get her situation fixed up.'
Galtea: Verl well. I am getting some strange readings. Glad you have found a way to keep Paragon options open. In your own unique way.
'Yeah, well thems the breaks. I dont know, it is weird here.' Azul looked around seeing the different faces. 'So different from last time. Heck, even Leonhart is missing.'
Galtea: You have leveled up my User. Some bonus stats have been awarded. What do you want to do with them? Assign to the others I take it.
'Yeah seems for the best.' Azul agreed. Then he realized Zelda was really quiet. 'Zelda you ok?'
Galtea: I think she is napping. She seems to be having a nightmare as well. Leave her be for now. Also with our synchro going up, you have unlocked more of your special User ability. I can dive in and connect it all better if you like. But it will hurt some.
'Tsk fine do it. But see what you can do to help Zelda out.'
"That knight instructor has no love for you Commander," Hotshot said coming over.
"You still have love for me right? Perish the thought Hotshot, if he pays more attention than he needs to. You and the others.. well heck you should realize by now. Safety, now that's what counts.
"What now?" Tifa said walking over.
"I dunno lets get some things squared away before heading out. Also, all of you go tend to what you need to. I have to go get Alita." Azul told them.
"I will get us plenty of potions and phoenix downs. actually I dont like the way that squad was looking at me earlier. Riku come with me." Tifa said looking to her left. Three girls were looking at her with a bad look.
"Commander, how may I help you?" Ramza asked. He was getting his team ready to head out as well. They were all geared out. "You are not planning to start another fight are you?"
"Heh, we aren't abusing authority so we are good," Delita said.
"I am here to help you actually." Azul lean close to him. "This is for your ears only. What do you know of Mossfungus?"
"It is the devil's own grass that has killed many in the past. Only small bits of it remain here. To get it one would have to travel far out of our country to get effective doses. Surely you do not wish to acquire it, Commander?" The color in Ramza's face drained the more Azul spoke.
"No, my new friend. I just wish to study it a little. If you can with your connections can you acquire some it or an antidote for me? Even small amounts will help me actually. It does come with its own risks. The person who was poisoned with it last was one of the most influential in the lands. The one who poisoned him will go to great lengths to keep it that way. Will you be able to handle this? Do this for me and I will help with your family situation. Namely, I will help you specifically what say you?"
System: Persuasion Check 27 Pass
"I will have to think about it, Commander." Ramza had his head down and he seemed to be thinking hard on the offer.
"Take your time there are other things I must tend to." Azul said as he walked over to Delita. "My Brother in law Delita I will try to make this quick. Ramza' father was poisoned. If you don't do something he will be next most likely. This I can guarantee. Do not trust his half brothers so easily they have very strong jealousy towards him." Delita just looked at him shocked and slightly angry.
"That is crazy talk. They would never." Delita shook his head strongly. "How am I your brother in law?" He folded his arms as he looked at Azul.
"Dont believe me then," Azul said looking around. "As for Tietra, she is not staying in that monastery or here for that matter."
Azul walked through the Akademy and made his way through the halls. He was searching for Alita. The thing was Galtea couldn't pinpoint her.
"One who hears my voice come to me. I need to see you." Alita finally said. It was weird. The voice came out like a song. It reminded him about the Rachni. Which then remind him of Shalla.
'Galtea she made contact.' Azul said speeding up. He then felt something was wrong. He started to see the silhouette of several people fighting. Psychic impressions. 'This is definitely something new. I think. I don't remember this being here last time.'
System: Willpower Check Auto Pass
"Ughh, my hearts hurt a little," Azul grumbled.
Galtea: Whatever is going on.. It is powerful. Still, be mindful and cautious.