A rescue mission

The next couple days go by, and you make no progress towards a meeting with Harald Feyran. The man is reclusive and private, and difficult to approach. Everything you’ve heard has said that he’s also paranoid, sure that there’s people out to get him, and for that reason is difficult to reach. Frustrated, you wonder if it’s worth taking a different approach with him. Regardless, you’re out of one, and you decide to hold off on further attempts until you return from your mission.

Speaking of your mission, you break the news to the girls that most of them won’t be coming with you on the rescue. In fact, you plan on only bringing Ferra. For the most part, they accept it, though Alex hates being left out of anything, and all of them worry for your safety. They’ve all learned, however, that once you’ve made up your mind on a plan, it’s almost impossible to sway you.

In the morning, you and Ferra head out to the forest, having left instructions for everyone to lay low while you’re gone. If all goes well, you should only be away for a couple days at most. The two of you slip out of the city, and when you reach the forest you find Samus waiting in the same place as before. He greets you with a nod.

“Just the two of you? Good. That will make this easier.”

You smile. “Easy is a relative term. But Ferra and I can get in and out easier than the whole group.”

You know, it would be nice to be included here.

You sigh. “Yes. Of course Lilith will be with us. Between Ferra, Lilith’s armor, and Caliburn, we’ll be protected enough. We just need to find Kaeli quickly and get out before we draw too much attention.”

Samus nods again. “I can aid you there. Since freeing me, she has been confined to her quarters. I can place a guidance in Ferra’s mind. With your permission, of course.”

You glance at Ferra. “Are you ok with that?”

The golem girl nods. “Of course, master. This is important.”

You smile at her. “It is, but you know I would find another way if you didn’t want to.”

Ferra nods and takes your hand. Samus steps forward, placing two fingers on her forehead, and closes his eyes for a moment. Ferra shivers, and blinks, seemingly surprised by what happens, but relaxes immediately as he steps back. She looks at you and smiles.

“I know where she is now, master.”

You nod. “Then I think we’re ready. What now?”

Samus places a hand on your shoulder and another on Ferra’s. “Now I transport us to just outside the city. From there, I can drop you into the palace undetected. After that, it’s all up to you.”

You look to Ferra. “Are you ready to go?”

She nods. “I am always ready, master.”

You pat the gemstone in your armor. “And you, Lilith?”

As if I have a choice. Yes.

You sigh. “Good enough. Let’s do this, Samus.”

The demigod doesn’t answer, simply closing his eyes once again. There’s a blinding flash, and a lurching feeling, and when your vision clears, you’re somewhere else entirely. Just beyond the trees, you can see the walls of the capital. Just like that, a journey of weeks, covered in a flash.

Samus looks at you seriously. “Last chance to back out. If you fail here, it’s all over.”

You nod. “No stopping now. This needs to be done, for many reasons. Once we have Kaeli, we’ll bring her here.”

Samus nods. “Very well. Good luck, Nicholas. You will need it.”

He closes his eyes again, and concentrates.