In a new world, in a new city... The worn out girls explored the unfamiliar settlement and discussed their plans of how to begin searching for their missing friend. With luck, he made his way through such a well seen place. After getting getting used to the layout, they discussed who they would ask come the morning, and retired to rooms in the Pendants, the Crystarium's inn.
Morning came early. Moreso when there was hardly any sleep to be had. Alone in an unfamiliar bed gave little more than an unsettled feeling. Soon after rising, Aurya found herself in the aptly named Cabinet of Curiosity, a many leveled library within the Crystarium. It seems, however, Tomo slept even less and greeted the green haired cat as she entered. Aurya rubbed the sleep from her eyes and joined the diligent Au Ra who pointed to a globe next to her.
Rak'Tika Greatwood. A large jungle like region that spanned northeast of where they were. It seems that there were rumors of a black haired Miqo'te who had 'appeared' in some ancient ruins deep in the forest. It was the lead they were hoping for, and with their destination set they wasted no time departing.
Sure enough, in the far northeast reaches of Rak'Tika, they found the entrance to the ancient ruins known as the 'Qitana Ravel', a relic of the 'Ronkan Empire', a bygone civilization that used to rule this land long ago. The area was ornately decorated with stone monuments that were painstakingly hand chiseled with intricate patterns and glowing crystalized aether. As someone who found a fascination in ancient history and cultures, Aurya was delighted to see such an amazing place. But their purpose here was not for that, and the animated golems patrolling the area left little time for gawking.
Slowly working their way through the stone halls of what seemed to be a temple... Carefully navigating various traps, avoiding magic stone sentries, and fighting a few monsters that have taken up shelter in the area. The winding passage ways seemed only to lead in circles or to dead ends, and they found little of interest and no clues to their missing cat. The only thing it seemed is whoever made this temple worshipped... Owls?
Their exploration discovered only one room of some interest. In the center was some pedestal with a glowing sun like symbol, and around the outside were various stone cubes? They were similar to containers, but couldn't be opened in any way Aurya tried. Perhaps something was supposed to go on the raised center block? But there was nothing to be found. Tomo told Aurya to keep looking here while she backtracked to see if there was anything they missed.
Aurya searched alone in silence for nearly half an hour with nothing to show for her efforts. The echoes of her footsteps and shuffling made the lack of Tomo's presence felt all too strongly. And by this point, worry was starting to settle in. She wandered from the room and back down the hallway they had come from. A few turns later and armored footsteps rounded the corner.
"Halt! Who are you to trespass in territory ruled by the Lord of Eulmore?", the knight questioned, drawing weapons that seemed alight with flame. Though normally not one to lie, Aurya didn't want to compromise her reason for being here, not her friend's safety. She told the man she wandered here alone to explore the ruins of legends she had read about. Her answer was enough to stay the man's blade, but not enough to be left alone. "Come with me. You're under arrest for trespass upon the Lord's land.", he ordered and began leading her through the temple towards the exit.
Aurya followed obediently, for now. She didn't want to stir trouble when she knew so little of the situation, or if there were more armed men nearby. Fortunately, she didn't have to deliberate her actions long before another voice called from elsewhere commanding everyone to catch a black haired girl with horns. After confirming she 'came here alone', the man decided the other matter was more pressing and told her to leave and not return.
Keeping quiet and careful not to run into anyone else, Aurya made her way back to the entrance. As she took a moment to consider what to do and how she could find her friend, a familiar voice caught her ear. Peeking from around the corner of a large pillar near the opening of the temple was the Au Ra she was looking for. They discussed the situation with the armed men, and Tomo gleefully produced the source of their frantic actions, an ornately carved golden statuette of an owl in the same style as seen inside. Uncertain of it's significance, they could only tell it was magical, so they agreed it should be looked into further. Without any hint of Kan, perhaps this artefact could offer a clue.
The sound of heavy metal footfalls silenced the girls as one of the knights walked out of the temple. He stopped several feet away from the girls and raised a hand to his ear, as if listening closely to something. "No sir, neither the girl nor the idol have been found... Y-yes-- Understood. The village? Yes, nearby... B-but sir, it's unlikely they have-- Rebellion? Exterminate? ... ...yes sir. Understood." The man lowered his arm and slumped slightly. He looked in the direction of a settlement of Viis, a race of women with long rabbit like ears, who prided themselves as protectors of the forest. With a nod, the knight straightened himself up before turning and walking back inside. Within a few moments a small group of soldiers left the temple and marched away from the area, commands of regrouping and preparation were heard as they departed.
Aurya turned and looked to Tomo as a feeling of dread washed over her. The black haired girl sighed and closed her eyes, shaking her head. "No, we aren't here for that... There's nothing we can do for them. We can't afford to spend so much time if we are to find Kan.", she said flatly.
She looked towards the village. "...then go. Take that and hurry back to the Crystarium and find out what you can. I'll find a way to stop them." Aurya looked back to Tomo with a somewhat sad smile. "You know I want to find him... More than anything. But if I just went on and left after hearing something like that... Then I wouldn't have the right to look him in the eyes again. Don't worry, I'll catch up to you."
"I'll expect to see you soon, then. Don't do anything stupid like getting yourself killed, you foolish cat...", Tomo responded. Despite what seemed like callousness, her hesitation to leave was clear. None the less, she summoned her mount, and with a last look and nod to her friend, she made haste to the southwest.
Near the village, Aurya waited and watched for the approaching troops. It took close to an hour, but a contingent of five similarly armored men were spotted marching in her direction. Quickly and quietly, with daggers in hand, she made her way through the forest to intercept them from behind before they could reach their target. With silent precision, she took down two of the men. The first was pounced upon from behind, a quick release of aether called down a lightning bolt on another soldier next to him.
The remaining three turned to confront their attacker. A few steps forward and a flash found Aurya suddenly behind the leader of the group with a blade carefully placed against his neck. With some well spoken words and the feel of steel against soft flesh, she was able to convince them to value their lives over their order. They were to report their order as completed, then leave this place.
Satisfied, Aurya was just releasing her hold when an instinct told her to move, and fast. A slash from her blind side, through where she stood and the man whom she just negotiated with, dropping him dead to the ground. Large and adorned in bright silver armor stood a knight much like the rest but clearly of a different rank.
"I have no need for traitorous cowards who would abandon their orders.", a raspy voice uttered from beneath his metallic helm. Almost as fast as she could blink, he cut down the remaining two men and turned to face her. With a low, sadistic laugh he brandished his blade toward her and charged. Aurya faced off against the man, barely holding her own for a while, but her inexperience was soon shown to be lacking against the grizzled captain's own skill. It wasn't long before she was overpowered and brought to the ground.
Remorseless, he stood over her with his sword leveled at her neck. His cruel taunts preceding his final act against her. As he was about to deliver his final cut, an arrow flew last his face. Followed by more, several pinging off the man's armor with enough force to leave small dents and a resounding ringing of metal. Near to the entrance of the village stood a blue haired woman with rabbit ears, bow drawn and ready to release another arrow. She was not alone, as many of the villagers stood with bows raised, and more joining.
The captain looked to them, as if calculating the option of cutting them down despite a hail of arrows. Before he could raise his blade, however, a ball of fire struck him from the side. A red creature, a summoned Egi, defended alongside an Au Ra woman who readied to command another attack as she landed and hopped off her mount. With more force gathering against him, the Eulmorean knight rationalized that furthering his attack would be against better judgment and took his leave. "Prepare yourselves, rebels. The retribution you shall receive will make you regret ever having lived.", he issued in threat as he retreated from the woods.
The Au Ra woman made her way to the fallen girl and helped her to her feet. "You must be Aurya.", she began. "If it weren't for how urgent and demanding that friend of yours was, I doubt I would have made it in time. Though it seems your actions have earned you no shortage of support.", the woman observed as she motioned to the Viis gathered by the entrance of the village, collectively relieved that she was safe.
The Summoner introduced herself as Hikaru, and explained, as her uniform conveyed, that she was part of the Crystarium militia and would be stationed here in Fanow to ensure that the man's promised retaliation wouldn't bear any fruit. Aurya explained her situation and their search for their lost black haired cat. Interested, Hikaru mentioned that there was a man who matched that description who came from the forest in the city just a few days ago. It was her dismay to report that the Miqo'te left only a day ago to travel to Eulmore.
"Damn... We just missed him.", Aurya lamented. "Though, if he so much as caught wind of the sort of thing that happened today, then I have no doubt he went to try to deal with it at the source.", she concluded. She gave her thanks and said her goodbyes as she departed to return to the Crystarium.
It didn't take long before Aurya was able to reunite with Tomo. She filled her friend in on everything that happened over a well deserved meal. While their lead to Rak'Tika didn't result in finding their friend, it got them a step in the right direction. They agreed to get some proper sleep, and set out after their missing cat in the morning.
