They had technically been victorious today and escaped the Varuna yet again, so why did this victory feel so hollow? Perhaps it was the realization that, like before the Magi would return yet again to try and have them slain. And just like before they would be woefully unprepared no matter how hard they fought, the fact of the matter was they were outclassed in every way imaginable. It could also have something to do with the dismantled Cecil in the rear of the cart, having solely suffered the most during the entire exchange. Nymira's aches and fatigue paled in comparison to what the Machina had endured whether he could feel pain or not, and much of that had to do with her own inability. Had she not been so careless and left herself open he would not have had to protect her. Had Ethan not been so foolish perhaps things would have turned out differently but the battle hadn't relied on his prowess; of the Magi in their group it was clear she was the most seasoned, it had been her duty to ensure they escaped safely. Now instead of heading to their next destination with their heads held high there was a somber tone in the air, and the knowledge they were racing against a clock trying to repair Cecil before the next inevitable attack.
Ethan wanted so desperately to believe Amuné would be correct, that everything would turn out fine. Yet even an endless well of optimism eventually ran dry and after so many attacks on them it was impossible to not begin to waver. Cecil was gravely injured far as anyone knew and they had only made it out alive because of this woman and the Dimuran's help. What would happen if they were attacked again? Clearly none of them were strong enough to defeat the Varuna and he was hardly the only enemy they had faced. There was the old man as well from before, and while last time he'd fought for their sake Ethan would be hard pressed to call him an ally. The fact of the matter was if they were attacked again things would turn out just as they had now, or even worse. Just as he'd been lying to Amuné that they would find her parents, just as he'd lied to himself that Cedric would be found unharmed, he wanted to tell himself that they would be okay next time. He'd never been a good liar though not even to himself and Ethan knew the harsh reality that awaited them; they were likely going to be attacked again, and if he was so insistent on not attacking back with the intent to kill, if he valued his silly ideals over the lives of his friends, someone was going to die.
"We're safe for now... Let's be grateful for that much," Ethan muttered, a sorrowful smile pulling at his lips as he pulled Amuné close in a hug, "W-We should rest... We'll be okay. Cecil's going to be okay." Leaning back against the wall of the cart he laid his head on the wall and glanced skyward, watching as the clouds silently drifted by. How much of this was worth it, he wondered. The desire to see Cedric safe was burning brightly as ever and yet Ethan was being forced to realize how silly his quest had been. If people like that Varuna were the ones who had taken his friend then what was he ever going to hope to do? He couldn't beat them on his own and he certainly couldn't ask the others to risk themselves either, so where did he go from here? Closing his eyes as he felt his chest tighten up again he took a shaky, long breath and tried to will himself to relax and rest, figuring they still had a journey ahead of them until they arrived in town. Whatever he decided could wait, they would probably be in town for a while yet and he didn't need to make an immediate decision, he was too tired to anyways.
Mutebo was at last in view as the sun began to dip below the mountains, casting a long shadow over the valley below. Off almost a beaten path and without a guide there was a very real chance they may not have found the city on their own, and for that Ethan was even more grateful for their saviors. With Zander and Geoffrey no longer in their group they'd lost the few people who might know the area so having someone to help them along, even temporarily, was of immense help. Placing an arm on the back of the cart he pulled himself up higher to get a better view of what awaited them, awestruck by the size of the city. From the path high above it was clear it sprawled out for several hundred meters in all directions, and even more still could just be seen around the bend of a mountain beyond. Galloway and Warren had been huge on their own to be sure but they were just towns, this was a proper city. The first Ethan had ever seen, and perhaps the first for the others as well. In his awestruck moment he could temporarily forget their troubles as he took in the majesty of such a large place, wondering how in the world such a secluded spot ever came to be.
Nymira wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to how... Green Adelon was. From the rocky, barren hills in the west to something like a lush mountain valley was about as big a contrast as one could find. It just felt so alien to her as they descended the mountain pass and began passing through farmlands, like they had stepped into a dream. Everything felt so detached from the rest of the world, the toils of their battle earlier almost like a bitter, distant memory. Almost. Her own exhaustion coupled with that of her companions was a powerful reminder of what they had just endured, as was Cecil's current state. At the very least being in such a place, so removed from the rest of the world, should grant them some respite. The Varuna wasn't likely to travel so far off the beaten path and into the mountains as it seemed horribly out of place for the likes of him, one who called water home. There was the river that ran along the city yet she doubted he would find it, or he would be so bold still as to attack. The woman and the other Dimuran who had saved them would be present as would doubtless other Magi, attacking them while here was tantamount to suicide.
Speaking of the other Dimuran though where did she know him from? In a striking sense of deja vu Nymira swore she recognized him from somewhere, even while so heavily clothed and wearing the goggles. She knew full well Dimurans didn't solely live in the western territories, she had seen far and few between in her travels, but she was certain she knew this man somehow. With enough on her plate though she decided not to pursue it just now and focus more on getting to Mutebo to rest. She was barely able to keep herself on the horse and her back and thighs ached from the constant jostling, her hands cramping from perhaps gripping the reins too tightly. The sooner they arrived and she could dismount the better.
"Well here we are kiddos, Mutebo! Gem of the Valley, or whatever the hell the people here call it!" One of the few places in Adelon that was removed from the nonsense of the Church, and as such proved to be an excellent place for people like her to call home. So long as she didn't bring any unwanted trouble to the city they agreed to house her and those like her, Magi who refused to join the ranks of the Church. In exchange for being allowed to live in Mutebo she and the others provided protection: protection to traders who traveled to and from the city, protection from the beasts which lingered in the hills surrounding Mutebo, and protection from bandits who might stumble upon it, thinking it defenseless.
They stopped halfway across the bridge that spanned the river, with the woman gesturing for everyone to stop for a moment. "Listen up kids! I know the world outside of here has been a shit show lately, but in Mutebo things are a little different. Magi aren't treated like trash so you can rest a little easy, got it? That being said don't go running around throwing fireballs and shit like you own the place either, otherwise we're going to have a problem. We've got a good thing going here and I won't have any of you messing it up for us. That especially means you, Ydran girl," she added in gesture to Asta, smirking as she pointed at her, "None of that summoning shit alright? There's Vazra that live in the mountains here among other things so its a real touchy subject with the folks here. Unless you want to incite a panic and give me a fucking headache no summoning, got it?"
"We won't cause any trouble, you don't have to worry about that," Nymira answered back, "We've barely the strength to stand now, never mind be throwing magic about carelessly." So this place was plagued by Void beasts as well? Strange since aside from her own home the Dimuran hadn't seen many places where Vazra roamed. The regions between the two couldn't have been any more different and accounting for the small pack they'd fought along the road before there almost seemed to be no rhyme or reason to where they could be found. Was it a result of people like Asta simply losing control? Or was there another Magi simply summoning them and letting them loose, as a sort of spiteful act towards the Church?
Ethan would have seconded Nymira's sentiment had he thought it necessary. Once they were finally settled in there was a good chance every single one of them would be out like a light, the only thing keeping him awake was the sense of impending danger. Hopefully that would fade once they were within the city itself. After hearing how the woman spoke to Asta he looked across at the Ydran and offered a sympathetic smile, hoping she wasn't feeling too ostracized. "For what it's worth I'm glad you're here... Things might have gone a lot different without your help," he said, looking down at Amuné as he placed a hand atop her head, "Right? Didn't Asta help us out?" They were all tired and the last thing they needed was to start at each other's necks. He wouldn't argue with the woman who had saved them but Asta had helped, Ethan didn't want her thinking otherwise.
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