Wakfu: Aeri The Eliatrope

Chapter 45: The Solution

It had almost been a week since the war on Crimson Claw Archipelago. Aeri was currently busy trying to find a solution for Qilby's situation. Of course they couldn't just let him go, he DID try to end the world, but putting him in the Blank Dimension was far too cruel for anyone to bear. She worked hard each day trying to get the pieces to match to the bigger picture. Qilby of course went with her where ever she went since she had promised not to let him out of her sight. Yugo, Shiro and Adamai went with her, to really make sure he wouldn't try anything. They were currently on the way to Justice Tower. ;"And you're sure we'll find what you need here?" Adamai asked doubtful. ;"Yes Adamai, I'm sure. They had them last time we were here." Aeri said reassuringly. ;"Them?" Qilby asked curiously. ;"You'll see." She said. Once they were there, they were greeted by both Justice Knight and his Father, both of them posed like heroes. ;"How can we help you?" They asked. ;"We're in need of one of your Inhibitors, if you don't mind?" Aeri asked. ;"For what?" Justice asked. ;"For ermh.. shall we say "living arrangements?"" She said. They DID happen to have one they could take, but the knights still wondered what it was for. Aeri hurriedly covered it with her cloak, thanking the two for their contribution. Next, it would be a visit to the Sadida Kingdom. This would be the harder part of their little journey.

Amalia was glad to see Yugo, Adamai, Shiro and Aeri, but she didn't exactly squeal with joy upon seeing Qilby there. Aeri had to work as a mediator between them. ;"We're here on a mission actually, though it does help that you're here Amalia. It's something that concerns you and your Father." Aeri said. Qilby tried to ignore all the angry looks he was getting, when he walked in the hallway. Aeri walked close by lightly holding onto his shoulder. Yugo and Adamai still weren't quite sure about all of this, but Shiro at least tried to stay hopeful of the situation. They were allowed an audience with the King. ;"King Oakheart, it is nice to see you again." Aeri started, bowing to him. The others did the same. "I'm here to talk to you about a rather important topic.. It is about Qilby actually." She said. "Everyone seems to be worried about what to do with him, and to be honest, the other option of sending him to the Blank Dimension, doesn't really seem fair to me." She explained. King Oakheart looked at Qilby, frowning. ;"Not only did he take the Eliacube, he lied to us, used us, and nearly caused the world to end. Why have you brought him with you here?" He asked pinching the bridge of his nose. ;"It is BECAUSE he did all of that, that I think he should remain in this world. He isn't able go leave even if he wanted to now, which in itself is  punishment enough. But I know that many would rather see him behind bars." She said. The King nodded. ;"Myself included." Aeri coughed. ;"Which is why I'm asking you, if it would be possible to place him in one of your jail cells? We have an inhibitor with us, which stops him from using all or his Eliatrope powers. He wouldn't be able to escape." She showed the eye to them, quickly covering it after. "Of course, I would come by to see him personally as this arrangement was my idea to begin with." She continued. ;"THAT'S your plan? Putting him in jail?" Adamai argued. ;"I'd rather that, than let him rot in a Dimension without time." Aeri said back. "Besides he'd had all the time in the world to reflect on his behavior here as well. This is just more humane." She said. "Of course only if you allow it King Oakheart." She said. The King pondered for a while. ;"The Brotherhood of Tofu has saved my Kingdom from certain doom before, and they just saved the world from this mad man's plans.." He said. Aeri remained hopeful, but could feel the cold sweat fall down her temples as she awaited the King's answer. ;"I don't pretend I know what you've all been through because of him, but what I wish for you to do is to take the full picture in consideration. He is at the end of the day, part of our people, even with his faults. He was driven mad by being in Blank Dimension, sending him back there wouldn't change a thing, plus we'll be able to monitor him here much better. We'd know his every move. I hope you'll understand that." Aeri explained them.

The King lift his hand up and towards Qilby. ;"Qilby the Eliatrope, for your crimes against the people of Sadida, nay the people of the World of Twelve. I hereby sentence you in behalf of everyone else, to jail in Sadida Kingdom, indefinitely." He said. Aeri could feel a surge of mixed feelings arising. Sure she was happy that Qilby would stay with them in World of Twelve, but sad that he would indeed have to be imprisoned. Even though she saw no other option for it. He was placed in a jail cell, with the Inhibitor in the ceiling watching his every move. The room he was in was different from most. The cell itself was made from stone and wood, but the room was much cleaner and on upper levels for holding a special kind of inmate. Aeri watched as Qilby was put in the jail cell. ;"I promise you I'll come visit you as often as I can." She said quietly at him. He nodded. "I'm sorry it had to go this way, I just wished there was another solution. But..there really isn't. Right?" Qilby lifted his head up to look at her. ;"Not that I can think of, no. But this is probably for the best. For now at least." He said. Shiro put his hands on her shoulders reassuringly, as she got teary eyed from having to witness Qilby's imprisonment. ;"Happy now?" She asked Yugo. He didn't look at her. She didn't resent him, but felt bad they'd have to split their family apart like this. If only there was a way they could all be together like they used to.. Before the war. Adamai huffed. ;"Well it's a step forward at least. You sure you can keep coming here just like that though?" He asked Aeri. ;"Please. I can handle this much. I think." She said trying to sound brave. ;"Let's just go home." Yugo said. While he wouldn't exactly say it out loud, he was relieved he didn't have to send Qilby to the Blank Dimension, that decision alone gave Yugo a lot of anxiety. Aeri thanked Amalia on the way out, as well as King Oakheart.

During her visits, Aeri would bring Qilby some books to read to help pass the time. She would spent some time talking with him about everything, and eventhough they had a guard next to them, it seemed to go rather well most of the time. Qilby nearly forgot he was in prison to begin with, the only thing reminding him were the bars in front of him. Alibert was quite worried for Aeri, as she spent most of her time in Sadida, with Qilby, while Shiroazaad helped around with Grougal and Chibi, with Yugo and Adamai. After some time had passed, they'd even let Qilby go on walks. With a guard who held the Inhibitor of course. During those times him and Aeri would be able to enjoy the nature, be nearly free. Only his powerlessness serving as a reminder, they weren't alone with each other. ;"Aeri, in theory. If us leaving wouldn't take the planets energy, would you come with me?" He asked her. Aeri smiled. ;"I would've liked nothing more than that." She  answered. The guard assigned to Qilby had accidentally started listening to their "private" conversation. ;"If only it was that simple." Qilby said sadly, adjusting his new glasses, which Aeri had given to him, since his old ones broke, after the transformation. ;"But this planet isn't so bad either. I just wish I could show it to you. And let you meet the people I've met during my travels." Aeri said. The guard got a bit teary eyed listening to them, trying to hide the fact. ;"Maybe some day you will.." Qilby said. ;"You'd like them I'm sure." She told him. Telling him about the Rogues in Bonta and about Palani and other Huppermages
"But most of all I wish I could go on a journey with you and Shiro." She said. "You along with Shinonome are my favorite people! Don't tell the others though, they could get jealous." She said giggling. Now the guard was just plain crying. ;"It's so sad! Why can't you two just travel together??" The guard said, earning confused glances from both Aeri and Qilby. They both laughed soon after this. Qilby may have had done some questionable things during his time, but Aeri knew that even so, his past gentleness and kindness towards her and his sister hadn't been a lie or a ruse. He had truly cared about them, and still did.