Chapter 37: The duet of a coward.
As Lillia and Kyle stepped through the fog Arvel and Riften were already waiting for them. Arvel in particular had a stern expression and as they came into range he opened his mouth to unleash his dissatisfaction only to be beaten to the punch.
Lillia strode up to him fingers pointed angrily, "You- Suck!"
"Ah what?" he replied dumbly.
Kyle sniggered, "You called us back at an awkward moment is all. Also save your scolding, I know what we did was reckless but I knew you'd come get us. More importantly, Riften my dear friend, care to come over here?" As Kyle stepped forward the black haired man stepped back.
"Yeah how about no," he held his hands up open and wary.
"Oh? Why? Are you perhaps afraid I'll do something to you?"
He laughed awkwardly, "So I'm assuming you really did meet Kalvara huh. She's got a lovely appearance as a women don't you think?"
"How could you not tell me!?" Kyle glared at him.
"Because you might try kill her," Riften answered from a distance. "Which I assume you didn't."
"I honestly came close but-." He cut himself off and took a deep breath, "I won't hit you. We have a lot to sort out."
"Promise?"
"Yes I promise," Kyle rolled his eyes. "We have our way to find Philius."
Arvel's eyes widened, "You convinced Kalvara to help us?"
"Yes but there are some conditions and other things we need to consider as well. We're going to be busy."
Lillia crossed her arms and mumbled annoyed, "Stupid work always getting in the way." She was however mostly ignored.
*
A strained silence had permeated the air. Though the meeting had only started a minute prior, before the introductions could even take place, the tenuous atmosphere had taken over. Despite it all the environment was pleasant. Outside in near perfect weather, the group of eight sat around a round table beneath the shade of a pagoda. The relatively small garden was beautifully maintained and just went to show the care that Kalvara's people had for their lord.
Valandus, the one most out of place on the table cleared his throat awkwardly, "Umm Ms Kalvara you have a lovely garden."
Kalvara smiled amicably, "Thank you. Though we lack land, I have always believed places like this important to ease the mind. Please enjoy the refreshments. Before that however we should finish our introductions. As you know I am Kalvara, Archdevil and Lord of this world." She looked to Riften who sat beside her.
"Riften, handsome rogue of the Ever-Garden," he smirked.
Arvel who was next didn't let his eyes off Kalvara, "Arvel, the past Hero." It was clear that he had some trepidations about being so close to the Archdevil.
Next was the Church's representative, "Eloi, I am descendent of the Ever-Garden's children and currently Chair of the Church Council. I must say Kalvara, I grew up with stories of your... 'deeds'. You are not what I expected."
The devil laughed, "Well the current me is far from what I once was. Aside from my perpetual beauty and youth, I lack any power so you can rest at ease. Your four heroes here would make short work of me."
"Tch," Lillia spat. "If we tried to kill you this world would collapse as well."
"Not quite," Kalvara smiled softly. "It would last a while longer. I couldn't let my sudden demise affect the people. I was quite prepared for Estile to end my life when we met yesterday."
Kyle frowned, "And from that I would have been bound to save those left behind?"
"Well that was a possible outcome," Kalvara admitted. "Though I prefer our current situation more. Lillia and Estile aside, who may you two be?"
Maila who sat next to Valandus didn't lose her composure, "Maila, caretaker of the Garden and recently appointed Champion of the Church. I as well grew up with stories about you and the other Archdevils. I hope you change my opinion of your kind."
Finally it was Valandus last, "Uhh, you can call me Valandus, I am here in place of 1st Officer Pelmont who was unable to attend. I'm in contention for promotion at the moment so I'm here to take notes and report to the Hero's Guard."
"Val" Maila sent a glare his way.
"S-sorry," the driver back peddled. "I'm just not sure how to act in front of Heroes and an Archdevil who's committed genocide.
"Val!" the pressure in Maila's gaze swelled.
"Ah I mean I'm also here because I know the most about how the Sky Fortress functions."
"Do not be sorry, I appreciate the honesty." Kalvara looked at the two curiously, "Though if I may be so rude to ask, is there something between the two of you? The way you two are seated and the swirl of emotions I can feel is quite intriguing."
"N-No!" Maila shut it down a little too quickly.
Before Kalvara could make another quip, Kyle cut in, "I'd appreciate if you didn't tease our side. We have a lot to discuss."
"Exactly," Arvel folded his arms, "So shall we hear it?"
"Hear what?" Kalvara took a sip of the tea that had been prepared on the table.
"Your conditions for assistance. I find it hard to believe that you don't want anything else other than integration."
The Archdevil sighed, "Your distrust is clear Arvel and fair considering what I have done to you in the past. One thing I have prided myself on however is to never lie. Yes, I could ask for more, however there is little need to at this point. I have spent the better part of 400 years like I am now. Though I have lived for thousands, my memories have been filled with only those relatively recent. I truly do not wish for more."
"Then what about in the future?" Arvel didn't let up. "Once you are free from maintaining this world, could you really say you won't revert to who you once were?"
"That...," Kalvara couldn't answer.
Kyle however spoke for him, "It's okay Arvel. We can't see the future, but that's also why we're here. If Kalvara chooses the wrong path, I'll be the first to put an end to it."
"Thank you Estile," Kalvara spoke tenderly.
"Don't thank me," Kyle's reply however was blunt.
*
An entire week passed and with it another incursion was settled. Though the demons had come in greater number and strength, Riften alone took care of it with the help of the Hero's Guard and the reinforcements from the other states. The day of departure had come and in the most disadvantage situation. Like Kalvara had said, he could only find them when Philius' plan was already underway. They were marching in to a fight that they might not return from.
The location was Kalvara's world and standing together, a gathering of heroes.
"Why me?" Valandus asked for not the first time. "There are plenty of people stronger than me in the Hero's Guard right?"
"Shut it Valandus," Reina said bluntly. "You should be thankful that you were promoted and able to join a mission like this."
"Maybe, but I really don't want to die," he cried. "Being a 1st Officer is nice and all but I want to spend that money, not leave it to charity."
"You won't die," Kyle laughed beside him. "Arvel will protect you. Besides you know the Sky Fortress better than anyone else here. If we want to capture it again, you're needed."
"And we get a chance to avenge the Captain," Reina added as she clutched her spear. "It's our duty to make up for the work he couldn't be here for."
At those words Valandus gave in, "I know. I'll make sure Urza gets what he deserves."
Kyle gazed at the others that were with them. Kalvara could only transport ten of them including the air ship. They'd appear as close as possible while remaining undetected. The plan was simple enough. Arvel, Valandus, Melissa, 1st Officer Leela and Mica would sneak into the sky fortress and take it over using a program that Lavise itself had helped contribute to. While many of them had followed Philius, those like Talia the Lavise knight who they had captured in the Church reliquary, didn't feel so inclined with his plans. It was with her help that they'd communicate with potential dissenters and make the process easier.
The second team comprised of Kyle, Lillia, Reina, 1st Officer Pelmont and the Church's newly appointed champion, Maila. Both Kyle and Lillia had been surprised when the quarter elf had signed on to the mission and just as surprised to find how strong she could become with the right tools. Their team would assault the temple of the Sleeping God, or wherever Philius may have gone. It was all but guaranteed at this point that they would be facing a false god in combat and for Kyle, while he trusted his companions he also couldn't help but worry. They made up a very large and real portion of those he cared about. Losing any of them was something he couldn't stand.
"Kyle are you alright?" Maila asked him smiling peacefully. "You're worried about us aren't you?"
"You could tell?" he laughed.
"Well after you became Estile it feels like that would be your biggest worry. You're no longer concerned with how strong you are."
"You're not wrong.... I just don't want to lose anyone."
Maila took a deep breath and sighed, "That's why I decided to join you. I've hidden myself from all this for too long and I've seen too many of my children disappear. Kyle, we'll win. If anything, I know from the legends that you'll make that true."
"We already failed the world once," as he said the words his grip tightened, "we can't afford to do so again."
"That's the spirit," she lovingly held his cheeks.
Lillia who was close by gently removed Maila's hand from his face, "I know I shouldn't be concerned but I'll admit I get jealous easily."
Words of encouragement were spread around as those who had come to wish the group luck stood with them. Eloi, the church's representative and Maila's mother, Rin, the knight who had cared for Tai, Riften, who was in charge of protecting the world in their place and many others with anxious expressions. As the time ticked by and preparations were finalised Kalvara stood before them.
"Is everyone ready?" she asked looking at them all with confidence.
Kyle turned to those beside him and was answered with nodding heads, "Looks like it."
"I'll remind you that I can only do this once and then after I'll be forced to sleep. You're only way back is to capture the Sky Fortress."
Riften laughed, "They know that. You can leave things here to me."
Arvel looked at him with solemnly, "Thank you Riften."
"It's better you finish what you started anyway," the black haired man grinned. "You can rest assured that if you do screw up I have things covered."
"Riften if you were closer I'd punch you for that comment," Kyle smiled at him with deceptive sweetness.
The man cleared his throat, "Ah yeah sorry. Good luck!"
"Then let's go," Arvel firmed himself and whispering a word in Riften's ear led the group of ten to the airship. As the airship ascended into the sky and the fog beyond, it was hard for those left behind to not feel anxious.