Chapter 2 - Forest of Elrit - Valkyrie

Before Gwendolyn returned from a lost chase, Aether took the time to look over the strange crystal when he was approached by several Dwarves and turned to them for advice. "Hello, how can I help you men?"

"We heard that you found something odd, mind if we see as well?"

"Certainly, go ahead." Picking the jewel up and handing it to the Dwarf, Aether took a seat as the Dwarves studied it with interest and debated about the 'chances' of finding something of this caliber. The young man placed his face onto his palm as he figured that it would take a while for them to finish their talks so he left them to their agenda when he spotted Gwendolyn enter the halls with a disgruntled look. "And here I was wondering if you were lost somewhere."

Gwendolyn looked up in surprise before realizing that it was Aether. "Forgive me, my pursuit was not successful."

"No trouble, but I am sure that King Odin will have us to do something." The two of them proceed toward the hall as they walked in silence. They soon started to walk with a pair of Dwarves who were talking about the Cauldron.

"That technology is so advanced, we can't make it work." The first one waved his hand in expression that, despite their efforts in converting some of the ruined country's machines into their greater devices like the Battleship, the Cauldron was severely different to tamper with than a standard hunk of scrap.

The second pointed out something that alerted both the Psyphers of their encounter. "That witch from the forest must have put the Cauldron's fire out."

The first scratched his head as he questioned. "How did the witch stop the Cauldron?" During the conversation, Gwendolyn started to piece the witch in question to the mysterious individual that had escaped her.

'That was the Forest Witch?; If I'd known, I wouldn't have let her go.' Aether reassured her that the Witch had escaped via speed, not Gwendolyn's inactivity in the short moments. They continued on until they came across Brigan who was fuming as it appears that rumors of the Witch had spread fast through the castle.

"That witch is a refugee from a fallen enemy nation; It's the king's fault she's still alive." This was a indirect attack on Odin and Aether was angry that the 'general' would even insult Odin as such, but Gwendolyn proved the calmer right then as she spoke her piece.

"Lord Brigan... Please refrain from making such critical remarks in front of the soldiers."

"I cannot still my tongue in the face of weakness." And he left, perhaps to drink himself down in his ale while the pair continued on, Aether releasing his anger slowly over the fact of Brigan's stupidity as they headed further into the castle. They soon were approached by a Valkyrie who seemed out of fighting shape as her right leg was in a limp and she sported several wounds that grounded her for a time.

"Princess, please!" She stopped a moment as she gathered the words in discomfort. "May I ask that the king retract the marriage he arranged for me?" She tried to lift her spear in vain as she was too injured to see the battlefield again, was likely in the fray with too many enemies to battle. "I can still fight. I would rather die fighting than be subservient..."

Gwendolyn wanted to help, seeing the Valkyrie's will to battle, but shared a look that she was unable to keep on the fight if she couldn't recover from the wounds which will take too long to heal. 'I would like to help... But, this is the law.' Thankfully, some of their fellow Valkyrie supported her out to heal as a Leader approached, overlooking the exchange and explained what was going to happen as Aether was still confused over the matter for years.

"Valkyries that cannot fight are wed to brave warriors to bear brave children." She shook her head in regret as it is the fate of all Valkyrie within time. "They are stripped of their pride and honor and live under a man's thumb..." This was both a blessing and punishment as Valkyrie are retired to give life to new blood to fight, but they are consigned to being a wife to the men they are married to, some losing their right completely as they are bounded to their new homes forever more. Aether nodded and the Leader followed the trio to ensure that none does occur under her watch. Gwendolyn was silent on the exchange and Aether could tell that she was thinking of it, would she die on the battlefield or fade away as a mere housewife to some man. Shaking her head, Gwendolyn continued on with Aether following close behind as they saw Myris walking toward them, a saddened look upon her face as she looked up to her charge.

"Princess Gwendolyn... If that horrible Cauldron never existed, then this bloodshed would not happen."

"Hold your tongue. My father is never wrong in his tactics." Gwendolyn stomped off at the mere mention that Odin was wrong, leaving Aether to breathe as he knelt and held the Pooka's hand.

"Don't worry about the Cauldron, we merely have lost some hope in it, but you speak as if you see the Cauldron as a tool of destruction instead of a device for aid." He comforted the Pooka as she breathed, slightly hurt with Gwendolyn's view. "You have done no wrong so let us worry about the Cauldron instead of fearing it completely." She nodded and Aether took off to find Gwendolyn again before taking a moment to catch his breath as he listened to two Warriors down the corridor.

"Was the Shadow Knight there?"

"He killed many of our troops."

"I heard that he pledged his soul to Death and traded his life for demonic powers." The warrior shook his head as he was scared of the Shadow Knight known as Oswald as many others do, but Aether saw something strange in the Shadow Knight instead of the blood thirst that people are likely to see. "All I know is that I hope I never meet him on the battlefield." At that point, The Bullet left and started to stroll the castle when he came across Gwendolyn who was buying a few Mulberry seeds from a vendor close by. She finished up and turned when she saw Aether standing there, arms crossed as he stared her down, the vendor taking a few paces back to avoid any problems that they might have.

"Princess, you and I both know that Myris is a good soul and she was simply stating a opinion, why would you feel threatened by her words?" Gwendolyn looked away, not wanting this talk to happen or wishing to involve herself in it further, but Aether was a argue point. "We both understand Odin's claim to be the superior nation and his willingness to bring it to bear, but hearing others grants us a broader understanding than what we see."

"...I agree, but..." Gwendolyn's words started to feel misplaced as her harsh tone was uncalled for on Myris. Aether shook his head and started to speak to the merchant who was trying to make a profit, but was getting less than wanted as they weren't celebrating as expected in light of the Cauldron. Aether finished up with a few Mulberry Seeds of his own before Gwendolyn spoke. "Aether, I apologize for my behavior toward Myris..."

"Don't apologize to me, say it to her when you have the time, but for now, I am sure that we need to speak to the king about our next action." She nodded and the two headed toward the throne room...

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King Odin was readying to leave as Lord Brigan stomped toward the king. "Do you understand how much we have sacrificed here!?" He stopped a short span of Odin as they shared a intense staring. "If it all was for some hunk of scrap iron, it is a disgrace to the dead." Brigan turned and walked a few paces before speaking again. "I'll catch that witch and make her spill her guts about that Cauldron." He looked to the side in a angry mood. "If she plays dumb, her head will fly." Brigan stomped off as Odin looked to the Valkyrie to his sides while Aether and Gwendolyn arrived.

"Someone stop that fool before he leaves." Odin shook his head as the Valkyrie took off to stop the mountain of flesh. "No, he cannot be serious about opposing me." He walked pass the two before him and looked back to Gwendolyn. "I shall find the witch. Gwendolyn, I leave the rest to you." But before he could leave, Gwendolyn called out to him.

"Father, please wait..." Odin looked back at his daughter who had a fire burning within. "A king cannot idly abandon his own castle." The panic would be great if they discovered that Odin went to find the witch on his own. Gwendolyn walked closer to Odin and looked up his mighty back. "If I had not let the witch go, this would not have happened." She placed a hand to her chest as she stated her motives. "Allow me to redeem myself. I shall capture the witch." She bowed and started to run with Aether behind when Odin spoke.

"...Gwendolyn, wait."

She turned and looked to his face in question. "Yes, Father?"

"Heed my words. Do not cause undue harm to the witch. She's--" He stopped, thinking his words through, the first time Aether had ever seen the king speechless before continuing. "Well, she's--" There was a hidden meaning behind the words that Odin was doing well to hide, though he was at a loss to explain it in a different manner. "She is special. Be respectful."

Gwendolyn shared the same as she was unsure of what he was saying, but dismissed it for a later date. She knelt before her king alongside Aether. "As you wish, Your Majesty..." They stood back up  and headed out, ready to find the witch and bring her back for answers.

Aether followed a short distance before he spotted a dwarf coming with the prism so he nodded to Gwendolyn before heading over the dwarf, getting down to the dwarf's level before speaking. "What say the Dwarves in their opinion?"

"What you have found is truly a wondrous sight, Protector." Returning the jewel back and handing a small sachet. "What you brought was a Phozon Prism, a very potent jewel that contains a great amount of crystallized Phozons." He pointed to the crystal with a explanation. "Though it is unlikely that we can forge these into Psyphers, we have a high guess that the Prism and many others can impart powerful abilities onto the Psyphers." Aether nodded as he looked it over, making sense of the strange shot and Gwendolyn's frost attack on the battlefield and, slinging the bag on, followed the route to Elrit as he plans to utilize any new abilities that they would use in the times to come...

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The forest spanned out before them as the trees hid the sun from sight and leaving them lost with no clear method of locating the Witch. After a revised version of the Prism, Gwendolyn took Aether's words to heart and headed in with her protector close behind as they started to search. However, as they headed deeper, Gwendolyn spotted a small chest a ways off and opened it, curious as to what she was looking at. "Aether, what are these?"

"Hmm?" He looked to where she was and noticed the clear vials that she had found. "My, these are quite the find and a good time to teach you as these woods are home to some toxic creatures." He plucked a vial from the chest and shook the clear liquid inside. "What these are happen to be bases for Alchemy, known as Materials."

"Alchemy?" Despite the sounds about them, the Valkyrie was wondering what it is by the sound of it.

"It's a simple understanding once you get a handle on it." He lifted another and looked about the two with great interest. "Through Alchemy, one can create powerful potions that can create gales of wind, eruptions of power, deadly toxins, and healing tonics." He looked about until he noticed a large carrot-like plant protruding out from the undergrowth like it was misplaced. "The next components that are needed are commonly known as Mandragoras." Suddenly, Aether stomped by the plant, causing it to reveal its true appearance as a odd carrot creature before getting a shot into its small body to which it reverted into a large curved carrot, Aether picking it up with a smart look. "These mandragora are shy and timid creatures that burrow out of sight, despite some tell-tell sign that they are there, but what they can do is truly impressive." With that, Aether held a material and focused on combining the carroteer with the material, both watching as the mandragora turned into a stream of magical power and was channeled into the material, transforming the clear liquid into a light green that Gwendolyn recognized as the same as the health potions that a few merchants were selling. "...And with this newfound knowledge, we should be fine as we traverse this place." Storing the health potion, Aether continued on with a short explanation that Alchemy is still used nowadays, though only those who understand the process can easily do it as Gwendolyn simply nodded, her thoughts more focused on the Witch and what importance she has that demands respect instead of forcing her to release the Cauldron from its silence...

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Through the forest, the pair had to fend off venomous bees and their hives, honey-hungry Grizzlies and their stronger brethren of Teddies, small pockets of thieving Goblins and found their skills tested once more with the overgrowth of the Alraune and the monstrous Manicore before they reached a heavily-swampy location. A flash of red ran down a path up ahead and Gwendolyn took flew to catch the Witch as Aether booked it through the swamp as another pair of eyes caught sight of the pair gave chase. Despite the head start that the Witch had, Gwendolyn was faster as she dropped in front of the Witch and announced her claim. "I will not let you escape this time."

"You'll never get your wish, Valkyrie. Confront me all you want, but you cannot change my resolve." The Witch tossed a hand down in sure resistance. "Go back and inform the Demon Lord. I will not listen to your pleas."

Gwendolyn, however, was not willing to let this individual slip through her fingers. "You have no choice in the matter." She readied herself for a swift strike. "If you insist that you will not repair the Cauldron..." She struck with a strike from below, but the Witch quickly jumped over it and faced Gwendolyn as they stared in varying degrees of anger.

"That evil spear and my chain are both Psyphers. If we battle, it will be a serious affair." Gwendolyn was not deterred as she leveled her spear a few inches from the Witch's torso.

"You're hesitating..." Anger started to build up as she was going very frustrated with the Witch. "Bluffing will only get you so far. If you valued your life, obey the king." The Witch struck back, swinging her chain flail and forcing Gwendolyn back and replied with a sneer.

"You ignorant fool. You cut short your own life by meddling in my affairs." She spoke stronger as to prove a point as Aether arrived. "Using the Crystallization Cauldron will doom the entire world." She peered down as if what next was said truly rang true. "That accursed Cauldron served as a trigger to the horror that befell my native country of Valentine..." She once again tossed a hand as she regained her fire. "It is cataclysm's womb, and it should not exist."

Gwendolyn started to remember how the fall of Valentine was told in Nebulapolis. "The great magical country of Valentine is said to have been destroyed overnight..." She continued on with her guard ready. "I am aware of the story that you describe..." As the Witch eased a tad, Gwendolyn went on with what little she was told. "The Valentine Prophecies say the world will be destroyed by five disasters." Aether started to think as well as Gwendolyn spoke some more. "One of those five involves a furnace that spews despair." Gwendolyn looked directly at the Witch, square into the eyes. "You say that line refers to the Crystallization Cauldron?" Aether could sense that, while Gwendolyn's words were spot on like the rest of Ragnanival, there was little more to prove such a thing. "'Tis but a rumor from a ruined land."

"War will spread across the world... The winning country will rule over the entire land." Aether could tell that this was coming too close to sparks to be good. "Your country's ambition is merely a convenient lie for the Demon Lord." Gwendolyn threw her own hand in defiance at what had been spoken.

"Do you imply that my king is deceiving everyone? I will not hear this mockery." Anger boiled in Gwendolyn's frame as she addressed with more force. "Stop this nonsense. I shall take your life if I must..." Without another word, the two clashed and Aether could easily tell that this was not part of their mission, instead that tensions were too built up as is to stop the conflict and anger.

"How many times must that woman be hardheaded to not see a larger picture on hand..." Aether shook his head as he primed 'Ragnell, but before he could, he spotted an incoming blur and dodged out of the way, bring his rifle up to face the new attacker, a short knight in plated armor, and taking note that there were Pooka ears sticking out the top of the visor helmet. "This conflict has nothing concerning you, Pooka, depart before I put you down..."

"You shan't hurt the Lady of the Forest, you fiend!" The Pooka stood back up with a buckler and sword, both of which were crafted as Psyphers with the crystals split between the two, resulting in a visible Valentine symbol on the shield and a mix of steel and crystal for the sword. Aether scuffed as he readied Ragnell and fired, shots flying as the Pooka blocked with its shield while Gwendolyn and the Witch continued their bout. For every stab and swing that they made against the other, Gwendolyn would use her shield to deflect the strikes while the Witch projected a magical shield and made the attacks mute. Despite this, Aether was certain that they would prevail as he dodged out of the path of the blade while trying his best to hit the swift creature, but each round was either met with the Pooka dodging out of the way or bringing the shield up to block the attacks.

"Cease this foolish venture, you can't keep dodging." Breathing for a second, Aether aimed his weapon and fired, the Pooka dodged but did not realize that the round slammed into the tree behind and hit the Pooka's back, sending him off balance while Aether fired several more to put the Pooka on its toes, giving the impression that all the shots were the same as the one that struck. "This battle ends here." Focusing the energies into Ragnell, Aether aimed and fire the bolt that had pierced at the Pooka as the shield came up, blasting enough force to put the Pooka out for some time. He walked up to the body and plucked the weapons off. "I'm keeping these on hand until we meet again." Placing them onto the pack with Ragnell, Aether pulled the Pooka and placed him against a tree, hidden from sight before rushing back to help Gwendolyn, only to find that the Witch, noticing that the Bullet was coming, threw several potions of Blaze to bar his way as she whipped at Gwendolyn who stood firm against the flurry. Aether could only watch through the flames as both unleashed their Psypher abilities with Gwendolyn getting the upper hand, despite a small advantage of skills that the Witch possessed. The Witch forced Gwendolyn back and both prepared to fight again in a clearing when a new voice entered.

"Wait! Both of you, cease fighting!" All battle stopped as a hulking figure stomped into the area, the figure of King Odin who towered over them all as the flames died out.

"Father!" Gwendolyn said surprised that Odin would come into this forest without an escort. "Why are you here?"

"I had a premonition of something like this, so I came here." As Aether approached, he caught the Witch's voice as he stood behind her a few meters, sensing a ire toward the king.

"Odin..."

"I cannot allow you to hurt one another." But as Gwendolyn stepped forward to speak, Odin was swift to reply. "Gwendolyn, step away." Gwendolyn fall as her father continued. "Do not interrupt what I have to say..." Odin walked past Gwendolyn and stood before the Forest Witch who backed up some, being mindful of Aether. "Velvet... You look so much like your mother..." Aether was baffled at the tone, not of a overlord of men, but as a guardian or father to Velvet, making the Bullet question if there was something there. While Velvet was silent, Gwendolyn simply hung her head in shame. "My dear daughter... Why do you act against me?" Both the Valkyrie and charge were shocked at the mere mention, that Velvet, the Forest Witch, was actually of Odin's blood, a shock that exerted a surprised Gwendolyn to utter '...Daughter?' and prompted Aether to thought.

As Gwendolyn came closer to Odin, Velvet replied in a hateful tone. "Do not call me your daughter. Do you think I am a fool?" Her rage seemed to have stemmed in the past, before either daughter was of life. "While the nations of Valentine and Ragnanival were at war, you disguised yourself and seduced my mother, the princess, with sweet words." So she was of both Valentine and Ragnanival bloodlines, but she was more of being a hermit in a forest than in the eyes of her father as she posed with defiance. "And you were quick to flee when she became pregnant." She hung her head in grief as she thought back to the moment when it all faded. "Because my mother gave birth to an enemy's child, she was executed for loving you." Odin's own face turned in apologize as Velvet continued, looking up to his turned face, ready to strike out in rage. "It is the same as if you had killed her yourself."

"That is not true, my child..." Odin's words felt true, despite his many words for he was a man of honor and likely to battle to the end than surrender like that. "We did not know each other's real names nor our ranks." As Velvet shifted back, the king continued with his heart. "I did not run away from her. We were torn apart." He placed a hand over his armor covering his heart. "I truly loved the princess." Whereas Velvet seemed to ponder it, Gwendolyn whispered a gentle 'Father...' before the red hooded head whipped back up in anger.

"Lies! If you loved my mother, who is this other daughter here?" Gwendolyn remained silence as Velvet continued "I do not think of you as my father, and I have no desire to help you." The silence that followed was short as another voice entered the fray, the voice of Brigan who had followed Odin into the forest, as he laughed with great volume.

"Well, well... I followed the king and stumbled into a royal spat." He stomped closer as he continued. "Fraternizing with the enemy. Who could've guess...?"

"Brigan..." Despite any formal address, Aether could tell that Odin was not pleased to find that his top general had decided to listen in on a personal chat.

"Although their demise was sudden, Valentine was still our enemy." Brigan seemed more smug with the fact of ease dropping. "And while the battle raged, the king had an affair with their princess and even had a child." He leaned in confindent, something that should have given Aether reason to knock the general around. "Deary me... The subjects will be most upset." He straightened up and spoke with a firm tone. "But as I am a loyal servant of my king, I will carry this secret to my grave..." He leaped over all present, nearly crushing Aether if he had not rolled out of the way, and looking down on the petite witch. "But that Cauldron is another story." He leaned close with a smile before continuing. "Now come, winsome little witch. You will help us gain its might." He bellowed in laughter as he approached closer to take the girl, only to be forced back a tad by Aether, a fire burning in his eyes.

"My charge and I will escort the Witch, Lord Brigan, we were the ones who defeated her after all or would you be of a dishonoring caliber, I wonder?" Brigan looked like he would blow, but instead resigned to leading the party out while Aether took the chains with care. "You have a choice of us or Brigan; you choose, Forest Witch." Velvet gauged between the two and nodded to Aether while keeping a distance from Gwendolyn as they headed back to Ragnanival...

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All stood present of Odin's forces as a dwarf address Velvet. "How did you stop the magic furnace? There must be some type of 'key' to it." The short warrior spoke louder at the silence that Velvet gave. "Speak, Witch, if you value your life." Velvet raised her head to the dwarf as she spoke.

"Even if I told you, there is nothing you can do." Aether questioned why this would be as she explained. "The Cauldron may only be controlled by a ring named Titrel." Fancy names with fancy country, it would seem. "A terrible dragon holds the ring presently." That was the danger, if a dragon had the ring, then it would take hundreds, if thousands of men to obtain it. "Wagner, feared by all, keeps the ring within his stomach." Aether dreaded the mere volume of it as others started to whisper in terror, as Wagner is the King of Dragons and was quite a threat if he ever decided to torch the castle.

"How could this be?" Aether observed Velvet as it seemed strange to give the ring to the dragon and with no injures, as if there was a purpose behind her giving the ring.

Odin's face turned as he thought the same of the problem. "Wagner, of all things..." Gwendolyn looked back to Odin with worry on her face as it is not within reason that Wagner would give the ring Titrel willingly.

Brigan's great voice boomed as he addressed Odin. "My lord, what do you plan for the girl who has harmed our country so? If we cannot use the Cauldron's magic, the inevitable, final battle shall be a recreation of the awful war against Valentine." Addressing again, Brigan seemed to be trying to pull a response out of Odin. "How are we to inform the soldiers and the citizens!?" Velvet hung her head as Odin continued his own.

"...I know." He turned to ponder this when Brigan dared to place such a crude idea.

"We must sacrifice her flesh to the dragon and retrieve the ring!" He was now pulling reactions from everyone there. "Command me to sacrifice the witch! Suppress everyone's anger with blood!" Odin was more trying to find another way as he seemed less pushed to kill at that moment, unfortunately, Brigan was more smug than that. "Hm... I sense my king is not content. Is there any reason to protect this witch?" In a more hushed voice, Brigan voiced the secret like a fool, a fact that tipped Aether off as he was beside Gwendolyn during the exchange. "Is there anything at all between our king and his daughter from an enemy land?" This prompted a reaction as Odin glared at Brigan.

"Brigan... You..." But anymore was dispelled as Brigan turned and bellowed.

"Ah, Sire. I hear your command. The witch shall be sacrificed." Two Warriors flanked Velvet as Brigan glanced at the witch. "Away with her." All dispelled as Brigan took some of his loyal soldiers to take Velvet to Horn Mountain, the frigid ridge where Wagner is said to reside as Odin headed for the throne room with a heavy weight on his heart, Gwendolyn shortly following while Aether took stock of the Phozon Prisms that they had found and went to work on finding out what skills he had learned, besides a stronger shot, the piercing laser, and reflective rounds.

"I just hope that Gwendolyn doesn't do something reckless this time." But deep down in Aether's being, he knew what must be done and he need only Gwendolyn to take that first step...