Episode 32: Search & Rescue

It was an early morning at Fairytail Shiva was at the bar preparing some tea while Dorion sat with a coffee that had the smell of what may have been alcoholic. For now, he sat tired-looking. Shiva wondered what put him in such a mood but, didn’t press for the time being. As the two sat in silence Ruby walked up to the bar herself resting her heads on the wood. Dorion made brief eye contact with Ruby before, asking Shiva for the rest of the coffee kettle from the kitchen. Something must have happened between the two but, Shiva as usual tried her best to keep the peace. As Shiva's hands Dorion his coffee, Tefh also came out of her chamber from her slumber.


Tefh stands off to the side, though her eyepatch and bangs help hide it, she was still visibly saddened.  The worry had rendered the typically lively Captain quiet and taciturn, a faint frown becoming a normal feature over time. Dorion looks up from his concoction to notice that Tefh was in the room apologizing for not noticing her presence. Dorion takes another sip of his coffee and lets Tefh know that Leric and Jai are on their way back from venturing in the search for Anthi. Shiva expresses to Dorion that she was happy that they were able to move so quickly.

   Tefh agrees with Shiva and asks Dorion what they have learned.  Dorion explains that Leric mentioned that he had found the hat Anthi wore. It was in fairly good condition and smelled of ocean water, which would confirm what we already knew.  While Leric was able to spot the item, Jai was like an animal, he could track a scent for miles. Jai always compared things to scents such as floral or nature-based scents and something about the hat made him think of a particular area they were to travel to.


Trunks hears the conversation which somewhat relieved him as he had been researching currents with Jayne just as everyone else did. Shiva suggests that they accompany Jai and Leric on their journey with Tefh to find Anthi which leaves Dorion and Ruby to agree. Ruby tells Tefh that she would like to thank Anthi for what she was able to do while she was here at Fairytail. As the group talks among each other in regard to their future travel, Dorion receives a call on his linkpearl, and he excuses himself from the room.

   Dorion answers the Linkpearl to hear Leric’s voice and he asks if everything is okay. Leric reassures Dorion that he is fine but, he and Jai had to split up during their journey as Leric was able to find additional beastmen traveling around. Dorion disagrees with Leric being out there alone, but Jai also tunes into the call and tells him that Dorion has grown soft and that Leric can take care of himself. Jai explains to Dorion that he is just a few moments from stepping into the house which leaves Dorion to watch the front door for now.


Almost as soon as the call ended Jai pushed the door open and introduced himself to Captain Khamazom. Tefh acknowledges her name as asks Jai about what he has learned. Jai explained that he had spent a lot of time in Aleport as Leviathan’s storm was dying down.  Once the waters calmed, Jai returned to Aleport to check on the survivors to see if she was among them or if any of her items were left behind. In Aleport, Jai was able to find her hat and a small bag with pipe bombs. Even though it smelled mostly of gunpowder it had a similar scent to the hat. Jai also found what looked like a piece of the tier and a rope hanging on it which made him presume that Anthi held onto it for some time before drifting out to sea. Jai asked some of the locals if they saw the pattern of the tidal waves and by the information, they were able to provide him with a lot of debris washed North of Aleport. Jai took the smallest boat he could find, and it took him to the waters near Dravania. Once Jai arrived there, he remembered that one of the locals in Aleport told him of an area to search, however. Jai took into the caution of the region it was once an area to the Red Veil location. Jai felt that he was not safe to go there alone and Leric also felt the same and that they should return to the area with more of The Legacy.


Tefh was trying to understand how Anthi could have drifted out so far and Jai agrees with her. As crazy as that sounds, Jai suggested that the water patterns were off the charts and the locals were right; Leviathan made quite the impact on the area; a lot of locals were grateful to The Legacy for defeating Leviathan when they did. Ruby agrees with Jai and says how she felt that every bit of water was connected by underground passages, caves, rivers, and this wasn't a normal tidal wave. It was caused by a primal so it all made sense to her.

   The group decides that is best that they all travel in numbers and stay together so that no one gets lost another day. As Tefh is eager to leave in search of Anthi, Jai stops Tefh for a moment. Jai explains to Tefh that he understands her eagerness to go, and he suggests before they leave Tefh, and the others pack some warm clothes as they will be traveling through Corethas. Dorion tired from a lack of rest asks if Jai and Shiva could lead the group in his absence which the two agree almost instantly. Dorion thanks them for their work and tell them that should they run into any trouble he will have his linkpearl and head out should they need him.


The journey through the lands was a quiet one for the most part Jai, Tefh, and Ruby conserved their energy while Shiva carefully navigated Azul’s carriage through the snow. Shiva was the most familiar with Corethas lands and felt that she could best take the group through it. As Shiva drove the Chocobo carriage, Trunks trailed behind on his mech mostly keeping to himself and not being himself. Shiva asked if Trunks was feeling okay to which he responded with a cold yes. Shiva calls Trunks out on his emotions saying he does not sound well at all. Trunks asks for Shiva to promise him that if they can not find Anthi that she moves forward with The Legacy without Shiva. Shiva puts her foot down and tells Trunks that he is acting absurd but, he says it is the right thing to do if they do not find her as he will begin his search in another place. Shiva now questions what Trunks' true intentions are but for now, bites her tongue. Shiva is left with the thought of if they have moved too fast on their journey together; does she need to reevaluate her relationship with the man?


While Shiva and Trunks have their quarrel, Jai focuses his attention on Tefh and Ruby. Jai asks if Tefh is feeling alright which leaves Tefh to say that the lands and the current situation bring bad memories to her. Jai hands Tefh a warm compress to try to keep her mind off of the cold and asks her if it's okay to talk about her past. Tefh tells Jai that in times like this it is hard to remember those who were lost along the way. Jai understands as he was a military leader on the Crystal Dorion and the others were from. Jai recalls memories and moments he saw on the field no one should have to see. Tefh tells Jai that, unlike others, she can give the orders when need be but, it's never easy to forget the names and faces of such sacrifice. Jai sadly recalls memories of those lost along the way but, also it reminds him of all the names he remembered from those times. He reassures Tefh that they will find Anthi because he refuses for her to just be another name lost to the past.


Finally, the group crosses into the Dravanian Lands and Jai pulls out a notebook to recall where he traveled last with Leric. The group stops in tailfeather for the moment to hide Azul and Jai remembers that he is Leric were just heading up the river when Jai picked up her scent last. Shiva questions how Anthi would travel so far which leaves Tefh to say if she followed her heart, she was simply looking for dry land. Ruby stands alongside Jai and suggests that she senses Anthi’s aether which gives the group hope that she is within the area.


Shiva can sense that Tefh was nervous and did her best to stay close to her and reassure her that they would find Anthi. Tefh smiles weakly to Shiva but, as a Captain looking for her crewmate, it was hard to get her to focus on anything else. Jai and Ruby noticed that Anthi’s aether was coming from The Iron Fest and that they needed to climb up there to see if she was okay. As they made their way into the Iron Fest a few clues were found. Shiva found torn fabric and a blood-soaked jacket that belonged to Anthi. Jai found a feather sliced which made Jai wonder if Anthi fought a winged creature. As they try to analyze the clues that they have found a screeching sound came from the skies leaving the group to quickly gather together. As the winds slowed down a large griffin landed before them.


Shiva recalls seeing this griffin in a book within the Fairytail Library and identifies the bird as Senmurv. Senmurv looks to the party and swallows another item from the water as Jai looked at the group. Jai suggests that it may be something of Anthi’s and for the group to be careful for the time being. Trunks nodded silently as he whipped out his weapon but, his mind was still clouded on where Anthi was. With Trunks did not focus the creature targets Trunks first darting a feather past his face and cutting his cheek.
 
Seeing Trunks in danger Jai acts quickly and rushes into battle. Jai reaches for a bracelet on his wrist and runs his hand along with a series of buttons and the pole attached to his jacket turns into a bow; strings and all. Then as Jai continues to press the buttons another strap and bag appear from behind his coat. He reaches inside of the bag and shoots a poisonous arrow hitting the right ear of the griffin. Jai suggests that if they take out the bird's eyes and ears, it would make for an easy kill. Keeping with the idea of messing with the creature's senses, Ruby leaps forward and attempts to obscure the creature's sight by slamming her blade hard into the water. The Griffin sees Ruby to the side and pushes her back into the waters only stinging her a bit. Tefh hurries in after Ruby, but the Griffin buffets her back with a powerful flap of its wings, the water spray blinding Tefh so she can't follow through.
 
 Shiva tries to move forward but finds the beast shooting feathers at her as well...this time hitting her arms and waist. Trunks tries to use his magick to help the team further in battle. Trunks drops to his knees and holds his arms out palms up. A violet light begins to shimmer about his body, a strong wind blows through and as it feels like it’s about to settle around everyone; it would weaken him but give everyone an advantage in the battle for the time being. Jai grabs another arrow but feels the griffin fly close to him and strike him with his leg...Jai stumbles back into the water…trying his best to channel the magick that Trunks was sharing with the party. With the aid of the winds, Ruby holds her hand up and concentrates her aether. Ruby tries to use her magick to have the griffin spit out the item it took but it refuses for the time being.


Trunks remained in the calm state that he was in concentrating on his spell, moving his hands in swirls ever so often guiding the winds. Instead of fighting the beast Trunks was willing to get injured to channel the winds above them. Tefh tried to follow up on Ruby's attack, but the griffin kicks out, clipping her in the shoulder and stopping her swing in its tracks as she staggers away from the hit. With the boost of magick that Trunks was giving the party, Unaware Shiva let out a gasp and grabbed the necklace on her neck. As She clutched her necklace her breath tightened, and a light came over her.  Saint Shiva was present once more, stomping her feet along the ground she walked up to the griffin snapping her finger allowing a beam of ice to strike the griffin in the spine. Jai looked surprised to see The Saint forward once more but loaded up his arrows and aimed for the other ear of the griffin. Ruby bothered by her magick failing tries to target the griffin again leaving the bird to try and fly away. Tefh leaps up into the air and slashes at the Griffin as it leaves the ground, hitting its wing. Jai cheers the Captain on takes his aim this time at the wing that Tefh hit. Jai suggests if that they work together, they can keep it on the ground.


Ruby continues to concentrate on the power Trunks was giving the group and Ruby feels a sudden shift of her powers. Saint Shiva watches Ruby charge up so she decides to step forward and use her ice once more this time, helping to hold the injured wing down. While Ruby was concentrating her aether once more, Ruby smiles as lightning begins to build up around her; instead of letting it go where it wants, she directs every bit of her power directly into the griffin’s wing. The wing falls to the ground leaving the bird to defend itself with one wing. With one wing down, Tefh runs back in and uses the beast's reflexes against it.  She feints for a strike at its head and steps in punching it in the gullet with her armored fist. The Griffin drops to its legs and staggers to get up, as it falls an item flies out of the griffin's mouth.

   The punch to the gullet was stronger than what the Griffon was expecting. Perhaps it shouldn't have tried to have another meal so soon after eating? But because of the blow to its stomach, it retches a few times and coats the ground in the contents of its stomach. The most notable item? An arm ripped off at the shoulder holding a very unique-looking gun. Saint Shiva looks down at the arm and to the remaining members of The Legacy with her eyes focused on the Griffin Shiva continues to strike the bird in hopes of taking it down. Jai was visibly shaken by the sight of the arm; that too has a similar scent to Anthi. He wanted to be in denial thinking maybe the acids were overcoming someone else's arm and he begins to focus his arrows on the other wing. Right now they needed to take down this bird and find Anthi.

Tefh feels her blood run cold.  Her expression doesn't seem able to settle on any recognizable emotion.  Just a kind of resignation. Her eyes rise to meet the Griffin's.  In her eyes steely cold grit of a hardened veteran.  This was no longer a rescue.  This is now a matter of vengeance.  She raised her blade and points it between the beast's eyes.  Shiva feels the anger from Tefh and places her cold hand on her shoulder and flies up into the air and she begins to chant. Shiva's hand extends to the moon above and a howl could be heard from the sky. Flying down comes Fenrir and with one swift move it removes the other wing from The Griffin. Shiva flies back down her focused on the bleeding creature.
   
Now breaking out of his spell Trunks feels tears run down his face as he gazes over to the Captain Tefh Khamazom, he stares at the griffin, his heart is broken and confidence broken. Trunks yells out in agony as lighting begins to surround him and crash around. Trunks looks to the griffin and in rage Trunks has broken off its beak, grabbed its head and slammed it into the ground. He grabs its arms and tears them into pieces with all his might. Digging into its eye sockets he tears the eyes out and crushes them in his hands.
 
 By the time that Trunks' rampage end, all falls deathly silent. The griffon exploded in a mass of gore, bones, and feathers. This left the entire group in red from the remains, and all that remained of the Griffon was is a crater quickly filling with water and a splash from the North; fresh blood began to flow down the steps. Tefh walks up the stairs and then slows to a stop as she reaches the top of the stairs.  She stands there for half a second in shock, then snaps into action, darting into the water to haul the eviscerated, but living, body of Anthi up to rest against. The Saint sees that Shiva is needed and allows for her to come forward. Shiva gently sits Anthi up and begins to run her hands along each open wound using her light to cover the wounds. Her dress now soaked in Anthi's blood she continues to tap into her magick further. Shiva tries to hold back her own emotions by doing all she can to stop the bleeding. Shiva suggests that for now they get out of here so that Anthi can heal properly. Ruby agrees and opens a portal for the group to escape through. The search and rescue was a success but, there was also some major damage done. It would take a lot of time from Ljrn once more to heal another patience while some of The Legacy members would consider their goals for the group moving forward and also being able to rid the world of Lady Death. Where would the focus go from here?