Return and risk

The return trip is uneventful, which is just as well, because getting used to having Lilith in your head is difficult. Even when you remove the armor, she remains, and she has comments to make on everything. At first, it’s aggravating, but eventually you learn to treat her as background noise. She doesn’t seem to mind.

The rest of the girls seem relieved that this was as simple as it was. Even Nadia relaxes, despite her wariness about the armor. You ease her worries somewhat by explaining the history of your parents, especially their strength of magic. Though you’re saying it for Nadia’s benefit, you can tell that Lilith is listening intently as well. Somehow, you get the impression that whatever she is, she’s intrigued by your history.

When you arrive back in Hope, you’re glad to find the town already nearly completely repaired, and spirits seem high, despite the vicious fight that happened less than a week ago. When you are spotted, a cheer goes up, and you’re quickly sent to meet with Victor, who apparently is waiting for your arrival.

You find him and Amara in the meeting hall, having a discussion with one of the people you had sent to Thalberg. It seems that your timing couldn’t be better; there’s a building being prepped for a headquarters, and they’re ready for the next step. With Samus due to return in the next couple days, you decide to rest until then, instead of rushing off on another mission.

Victor and Amara share a glance, and the panther man speaks. “So, what will you do? It seems like you’re being pulled in several different directions.”

You sigh. “Well, as much as I’d like to be everywhere at once, we both know that’s not how this works. Once we speak with Samus, I’ll likely go with the girls to Thalberg, and that’ll be my main base of operations. Hopefully we can make quick progress there.”

Amara nods. “From the sounds of things, your timing is good. The garrisons were stripped to skeleton crews to bolster Niran’s forces.”

Melora looks at you. “You’re planning something else, Nicholas. I can see the wheels turning. It’s something big.”

You chuckle. “You read me too well. Yeah, it’s something big, and I imagine you won’t approve.”

You feel Lilith stir in your mind. My, my! You don’t think small, do you?

Ferra looks at you with narrowed eyes. “Master, you’re planning something really dangerous, I can tell.”

You nod. “You know me. But this is important, especially since we’re probably running out of time.”

Everyone looks around in confusion, except Sarah. She stares at you, and then her eyes go wide. “You’re going back to the capitol!”

You nod again. “Got it in one.”

Victor shakes his head. “But why? We just got you out of there! What could possibly be worth going back?”

You sigh. “We supposedly have a cure for the corruption now. And we have an ally that could use it. An ally that helped us before, and should really be repaid.”

You look around the room.