The sun shines its rays from a clear sky, looking down upon the shores of a tropical beach. The rich white sand glistens with minerals that give the waters its vibrant color. It is only natural to expect that a scenery such as this would attract several people of all kinds.
Underneath a few palm trees, a wooden shack is crowded with many beach-goers looking to refresh themselves amidst the pleasantly warm weather. After patiently waiting in one of the five serving lines, a woman steps up to the counter, nonverbally greeting the server.
"One medium tropical punch for Emma?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"That will be seven silver coins, please."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for doing business with us, ma'am. Can I take the next customer in line?"
Emma, a canine demi-human woman, carries the drink through the crowded beach, doing her best not to spill its contents which are on the verge of overflowing. Despite being able to skillfully avoid bumping into anyone, the uneven terrain due to the sand causes her to spill a small drop on her bikini. Before things could potentially get messier for her, she arrives at a man relaxing on a beach chair under a parasol. His colorful tropical shirt and shades combined with his crossed legs gives an air of casualness and relaxation that one would hope to have at such a place.
"I have returned, apostle."
"Well, you sure took an exceptionally long time. Did something hold you up?"
"My apologies, master. My time in the restroom went on longer than I expected and I–"
"Remember what I always tell you–punctuality is king. This is less than your usual standard–the only standard I find acceptable."
Emma bows her head, humbly receiving the criticism.
"My deepest apologies for my inadequacies, master. I assure you that I will never treat your time with such carelessness ever again."
Hearing Emma's commitment to repentance, the man dismissively waves.
"Save the groveling, Emma. The air is already humid enough without your useless usage of your breath. Did you at least bring me exactly what I asked for?"
"Yes sir, here is your tropical punch with extra lime extract."
"With no ice?"
"No ice."
"Excellent, looks like your blunder isn't irredeemable after all."
The man holds out his hand, gesturing for Emma to pass the drink. After she obediently obliges, he takes a sip through the straw.
"Ah, what a nice fizz…."
In the middle of the man's drinking, Emma's bra flashes in a certain spot. She reaches into her bra, pulling out an insignia with a symbol of two interloping green ovals that form an infinity-like symbol.
"Master, I am receiving a transmission from Pai...again."
"And? What does that unwise fool have to do with me right now?"
"I am sure that he is calling me in order to get to you, apostle. At least, that is what he communicated to me."
"So you were held up in the restroom chatting with him? You were really wasting both of our time for him?"
"..."
"...Fine, receive his transmission. I will entertain him for a bit."
Emma tapes her insignia, and a small hologram of Pai appears.
"Apostle Zateon, finally, I have managed to get in contact with you!"
"I'm giving you two and a half minutes. As you can tell, I am too busy to have my time wasted right now. Use your time wisely."
"Zateon, they're gone–I couldn't locate them anywhere."
"Are you referring to…?"
"Yes, those two: the demi-human kid who slaughtered Minda and the man who stole her from our custody. Reports indicate that they were put under arrest and should have been in prison, yet they are nowhere to be found."
"So, you are calling me to remind me of your failure?"
"No sir, I–"
"Pai, I gave you and Minda the responsibility of handling that girl as well as the other demi-human children. I entrusted you, yet the both of you miserably failed due to one random guy. And I am supposed to take you seriously?"
"...without Minda's assistance, our branch's profits have been declining. We…we're having a harder time obtaining demi-humans to enslave. Our revenue is decreasing, and our reputation in Avarice isn't the greatest now…"
Pai's voice softens as he slightly angles his head to the side, pointing away from Zateon's direction. Zateon continues without wavering.
"No Pai, that's where you are mistaken. The organization is not having a harder time–the system is designed to function with or without any particular individual. It's you–you are the problem."
"...yes, that is true. I'll be honest, Minda's death…my sister's death…has been weighing on me. I…I just can't concentrate or perform like I used to without her. I've been looking for the culprits as you've instructed…and also so that I could avenge Minda. However…"
"You were supposed to speak with Lord Olan about the matter. At least try to save face."
"About that…I did manage to get in contact with his daughter in his stead…"
____________________________________________________________________________
A few days ago…
"Um, excuse me, Lady Endori. Would now be an inappropriate time?"
One of Endori's most elegant maids, Yami, slightly bows her head as she steps out into a small indoor garden. Responding to her maid's request, Endori, who was tending to some flowers, comes to a stop and turns towards Yami to acknowledge her presence.
"That depends on the situation. What's the occasion, Yami?"
"Some gentleman requested to speak with you directly. I attempted to ask him for details concerning his inquiry, however, he insisted that you must be the one to answer."
"Then answer him, I will. Please bring him here; you may attend to your other duties while he and I discuss."
"Yes, milady. He's standing just inside the hall. I'll call him."
Yami turns around, facing the rest of the palace interior that was beyond the interior garden room. She cuffs her hands around her mouth, increasing the volume beyond her normal voice, but still appropriate for indoor etiquette.
"Please come in, sir. Lady Endori is waiting for you."
A man with a somber look on his face enters the room without wasting a second, exchanging his placement with Yami. His expression in conjunction with his manner of walk conveys his tone and intent. Being the graceful noble that she is, she stands tall, fully facing the man, gently placing the flower in her hand behind her ear.
"Pardon me, Lady Endori. I have only a minor request."
"And who are you, exactly? Introduce yourself before considering requesting anything from me."
"Right, where are my manners? I am Pai, a representative of the demi-human trafficking operations in this region."
"Oh, so you're the guy who was supposed to sell a special demi-human to our family."
"Yes, and I deeply apologize on behalf of my company. We did not anticipate such an infiltrator to disrupt the transactions…anyway, I was wondering if you knew the whereabouts of the man in question, as well as the demi-human he stole that was intended for you."
"That man…you wouldn't happen to be talking about Vex, right?"
"Hmm, If I remember correctly, I think that is his name. Do you know–"
From the moment Pai confirmed Endori's suspicion, pulsating hearts form in her eyes, her breathing intensifying. This emotional whiplash understandably caught Pai off guard–his face showing traces of genuine terror.
"...milady, are you okay?"
Snapping out of her trance, Endori wipes the small drop of saliva that was dripping from the corner of her mouth, taking a few deep breaths in order to reestablish her composure. Unbeknownst to her, she failed to catch a drop that accelerated towards the petal of a nearby flower, causing the entire flower to disappear. Although he said nothing outwardly, Pai couldn't help but let out an involuntary gasp.
"Ahem, yes…pardon me for that. Anyway, why do you want to see them?"
"Well, as I am sure you know, they are both criminals–the man is a thief and the girl is stolen property who also happened to murder one of our dearest members. I think it is only fair that employees from our company handle them accordingly–"
"There's no need–I have personally dealt with them as I've seen fit."
"I–I understand that, milady, but this matter means a lot and we would like to take it off your hands–"
"I told you, there is no need. I have already dealt with them both."
"But how did you–"
A sharp glare beams from Endori's crimson eyes, absorbing the remainder of Pai's breath, forcing him to shut-up.
"I resolved everything there is to do with them, and that is all there is to it. If you dare lay a finger on them, especially Vex, I will spit on you!"
______________________________________________________________________
"Lady Endori, known for her elegance, threatened to…spit on you? Are you kidding me?"
"No I am afraid not, sir. I have no idea what she meant, but based on her maid's facial reaction, I could tell that it wouldn't be pleasant. Although she was scarce on the details, I assume that Endori may have pardoned the two criminals for personal reasons."
"Pai, at this point, the only thing you should focus on is redeeming your pitiful performance and stop tanking the company's reputation. Forget about going after those two, I will entrust that with someone I can actually rely on."
"Zateon, with all due respect…I'm just not feeling it anymore. My mental state has been on the decline since–"
Refusing to let Pai finish his grieving, Zateon cuts him off with an audible scoff. He sits up from his once relaxed position and points his finger directly at the hologram.
"Are you expecting pity? You, a demi-human child trafficker? Accept the position that you are in and suck it up. It's been three minutes–I will not let you waste any more than the thirty seconds you already have. Emma!"
"Yes sir."
With a single call of her name, Emma promptly taps her insignia once more, ending the holographic transmission and returning the device back to its original resting place. Zateon rubs his face, deeply sighing.
"Oh great, now I don't feel like finishing the rest of this drink. Here, drink the rest of it for me."
"Oh no sir, I cannot–"
"Take it. I can clearly see that the tip of your tongue has been hanging out of your mouth. You need to cool off, so please drink it. Go move around too while you're at it–it's still a beautiful day regardless."
"Understood. Thank you for your generosity, apostle."
Emma takes the drink being offered to her from Zateon's hand, she walks away while slurping the remainder of the drink.
BZZT!
A vibrating sound emanates from Zateon's short pockets. He takes out the source of the buzzing: an insignia similar to Emma's, but laced with a decorative chain. He taps the device, and a holographic young woman appears.
"Huh? I'm receiving a call from her? That's unusual…"
"Apostle Zateon, are you receiving me well? I have a pressing matter to discuss if you are available to listen…"
"Nazz, why are you choosing to contact me via transmitter? Telepathy is a much more efficient method that was gifted by our dearest Alectrix ."
"Alectrix?"
"Pay that no mind, I was referring to our goddess. It would seem rather ungrateful to not utilize the gifts that she has given us, no?"
"Well, I am a little burned out on mental communications at the moment…"
"Is that so? Then why are you calling me? State your business."
"It's about this man that I had to deal with recently. Well, not just Him, but a demi-human child that accompanies him as well…"
"What do you mean by that? By all accounts, they should be somewhere in Avarice."
"I met them at the temple here at Gannet recently. Has Anava—I mean, the goddess told you about them?"
"Was she supposed to? If so, then I may be in trouble."
"No, it must not be her will then…well, they are searching for special crystal orbs in an attempt to summon the goddess. They may search for you to ask for its location in Fraus. I think the goddess has bestowed a special favor over them…I cannot comprehend the reason, but just be careful when dealing with them."
"...Duly noted. Thanks, Nazz."
Not bothering to wait for her farewell, he ends the transmission. He kicks his legs up and places his arms behind his head, resuming the relaxed posture he had prior. Shortly after, Emma returns to his side, another drink in hand.
"Apostle Zateon, I ordered a fresh drink for you…master? You seem rather delighted…."
"And you seem rather stressed. Here, come sit on my lap."
Zateon pats his thighs, welcoming Emma to rest her buttocks on them. Emma obediently sits, harboring no eagerness, but no hesitancy either.
"Master, what's the purpose of this, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Just relax, Emma. You think too much, when there's never any need to. Everything has been laid out for you–by me."
Zateon lightly taps Emma's thigh, communicating to her a request. Understanding his intention, she lifts up the drink in her hand towards his lips, allowing him to easily take a sip.
"Let's enjoy the calm before the storm…"
Feeling satisfied with the taste, Zateon softly pushes Emma's hand away from him and towards her lips. Without saying a word, Emma likewise takes a sip of the drink.
"...watch as the pieces fall into place."
Arc 2 Intermission END