You and Epel stare wide eyed at Rook.
"I said at SDC that people are powerful when they truly believe in themselves and each other. And yet I set off alone without nary a word, leaving you both behind. Epel, you always stay true to your heart, and that makes you strong and beautiful."
Rook looks to you. "And Y/N, you have such a big heart. Always caring for this around you. You never cease to amaze me, ma belle. I'm ashamed to have lied to myself for such specious reasons."
What do you mean by that?" Epel asks.
"I feel just the same as you, Epel." Rook responds. "The truth was that I couldn't stand by while my boon companion came to harm. I'd convinced myself that it would be wrong to involve teachers or friends in my self-centered quest."
Epel chuckles. "Well, it's a little late for that. We've been wrapped up in this for a while now."
"D'accord. Very well, Epel, Y/N. Shall we undertake this journey together? My only condition is that you do exactly as I tell you. Can you promise me that?"
"Sure can do! I mean, yes sir!" Epel chuckles. "We did it, Y/N!"
You laugh and shake your head.
Rook looks to you with a smile. "Epel and I both have a tendency to charge headfirst and lose sight of what's around us. You, however, never fail to see the big picture. I'm sure your presence will be a real boon to us."
You smile brightly. "Thank you. I'll do everything I can to help."
Epel rubs the back of his neck. "I've never seen you lose sight of what's around you, Rook. I mean, the charging in headfirst part, sure..."
"Ah, but you have." Rook chuckles. "I smacked right into Y/N in the Hall or Mirrors because I failed to notice my surroundings."
Epel laughs. "I guess you did. You know, now that I'm thinking about it, a lot of people in Pomefiore pull reckless stunts, despite seeming calm and collected. Vil included."
"Tenacity is our dorm's credo, after all. And that could arguably mean mustering one's determination to face what must be faced. The Fairest Queen is usually depicted as aloof and statuesque in art and literature. But personally, I suspect she may have been rather active and energetic."
Epel nods. "I have a hard time imagining her flying off the handle and storming out on her own like we did. Surely she never would've done that."
You think back to the dreams you've had about her. "I wouldn't be too sure about that."
A low growl cause Rook to freeze. "Quiet. I hear an animal growling. It's close by."
Epel sheepishly laughs. "Sorry, umm, that was me."
"Oh là là!" Rook laughs. "And here I was, worried we'd incurred the wrath of some forest beast whose territory we disturbed."
Epel grins. "It's way past when I usually eat dinner."
Took shakes his head. "I can just imagine how Vil's beautiful brow would crease if he heard that. Very well, we shall have a quick repast before setting off. I'll go over our flight route while we dine."
Epel lets out a satisfied sigh. "I'm stuffed! Thanks for the meal, Rook."
You nod. "Yeah, it was great."
Rook smiles. "I'm just glad I thought to pack food and a camping kit."
Epel rubs the back of his neck. "We just took off right after you, so it didn't even cross my mind to bring food."
"Worry not." Rook reassures. "There are cities aplenty en route to our destination. We can always buy more sustenance if we need it."
"You said you didn't know where the Island of Woe was, but you could 'envision' where Vil and the others were." Epel tilts his head. "What did you mean by that?"
"That's what my signature spell allows me to do."
"You're using your signature spell?" Epel asks with wide eyes.
"It's quite a weak one, actually." Rook shrugs. "I can't hurt anyone or control anything with it. Nevertheless, it is an essential spell for a huntsman such as myself."
"What does your spell do?" You ask.
"It enables me to locate anyone upon whom I cast it. Even if they go over the Seven Jeweled Hills, or go beyond the Seventh Fall, even to the very edge of the world."
"Dang." Epel shakes his head. "That's a mighty scary piece o' magic."
"When those Charon goons took Vil, I swiftly cast my spell on one of them."
"I didn't even notice." You say.
Rook chuckles. "I suppose it's time for the grand unveiling. Come, see if you can flee from me. Arrow Afar! A map is shown with a path of twinkling lights, though cut off abruptly."
Rook frowns. "As I feared."
"What's wrong?" Epel asks.
"For all my boasting, my spell is by no means omnipotent." Rook sighs. "If there's some magic-blocking vehicle or structure between myself and the target, my guideline is sharply cut off. It appears they transported our friends in a technomantic stealth aircraft that can block magic."
"What?" Epel's eyes widen. "Does that mean even your signature spell can't track them?"
"Not quite." Rook shakes his head. "Not even a technomantic plane can completely block out magic. They must drop stealth for the briefest of moments when using magic or radar. And in those precious seconds, I can envision the mark I've put on my prey. Every halting step is laid out before me, like the lovely footprints left by a dainty princess wandering the woods. For I am a huntsman. Once I set my sights on a quarry, I never let it escape. The same map is shown, except there is a farther path of twinkling lights."
His eyes light up. "I see it!They left the Land of Dawning where Sage's Island lies, and ventured northward over the Coral Sea. My tracking shows they crossed the Sunshine Lands and Kingdom of Heroes, then it stops well out over the water."
"That's where Grim and the others are." You say excitedly.
"However, it's quite a ways from here to the Island of Woe." Rook states. "We won't be able to reach it on brooms alone."
Epel tilts his head. "Then how were you planning on getting there?"
"One of my ancestors was an avid traveler." Rook explains. "They had villas all over the world. And those villas contain teleporters that link to each other. We'll be using those. Luckily, there's a villa in the land of Dawning, the Sunshine Lands, and the Kingdom of Heroes. We should be able to cover a substantial distance in one night using the teleporters."
"Wait, what?" Epel exclaims. "Your family has villas all over the world? With magic teleporters that go between countries? Don't you need some kind of special government permission for that? Just what does your family DO, Rook?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Rook laughs. "I am especially grateful to my ancestors right now for their love of travel. There's a chance the teachers have noticed our absence and filed a report, so I'd prefer to avoid public transit."
Took shakes his head. "Oh, I can imagine the disapproval on my forebears' faces if they knew what I was up to. 'Don't use our legacy to upset your professors!' They'd say. But this is all in service of beauté and l'amour. I can only beg my ancestors' forgiveness. Anyway! Now that we have a plan of action, let us away before anyone notices we've absconded!"
Epel burst out laughing. Rook quirks an eye. "Is something amusing, Monsieur Pommette?"
"Oh, it's just... You're such an eccentric guy, and I can tell your family's super rich. But here you are, sneaking around like the rest of us when we do something bad, trying to hide it from the teachers."
"Is there any student on campus who doesn't fear the faculty raining lightning upon them?" Rook asks. "I am but one of many troublemakers attending Night Raven College."
His eyes light up. "Oh, yes, I recommend you both put on something warm before we set out. Our dorm uniform would serve you well on a long broom flight. Apropos of that, here's a fun little tidbit. They're woven with magical threads that retain heat and provide insulation from the cold."
Rook looks to you. "In fact, allow me to lend you a uniform from our dorm as well, Y/N. Here you go."
Rook waves his pen and your clothes transforms into the Pomefiore uniform. Its long sleeves and coat warms you up immediately. "Wow! Thank you so much, Rook!"
He smiles. "Of course, Y/N. We're visiting our queen Vil, after all. We must be dressed for the occasion." Rook turns to Epel who has just finished changing into his uniform. "Epel, I will not slow down to match your pace. Will you be able to keep up whilst in the air?"
Epel smirks. "Don't you imply my flyin's slow. I'm the best freshmen flier in the whole Spelldrive Club. Leona said so himself! I ain't gonna fall behind!"
"Merveilleux!" Rook grins. "Just what I like to hear from a Pomefiore student. Now, to the Island of Woe! Allons-y!"