Eight Intertwined II

228 - Revenge

Cyrus, Primrose, and H'aanit let out sighs as they touched down just outside of Quarrycrest. They had spent the remainder of their morning searching Yvon's birthplace for any signs of notebooks or other records that could enlighten them as to the greater plan around the Gate of Finis. Unfortunately, they found nothing of note, and it seemed as if all of the evidence that may have once been there was long gone. The papers that had once littered the floor of the grand hall they had fought Yvon in were missing now, and Cyrus knew instantly where they had gone. If someone had broken into Atlasdam to steal Yvon's records there, then they had likely come to Stonegard too to take what he had left behind when he died. 

In other words, they weren't just trying to chase down the truth of the Gate of Finis. They were also forced to battle concerted efforts to cover up everything they had been trying to uncover. There was a greater group responsible for all of this, and they seemingly knew the travelers were onto them. As a result, they were doing everything in their power to brush the truth under the rug. If they hid the truth for long enough, then they would be able to finish their business with Galdera without being caught. It was a miserable thought, but it was all they had to cling to anymore. 

Cyrus, Primrose, and H'aanit took Ophilia, Olberic, and Alfyn from Duskbarrow to Saintsbridge using the Warp Staff. From there, they had taken Tressa, Therion, and Cordelia to Grandport from Bolderfall. No one seemed to have any information just yet, but Cyrus was hoping that would change before they day ended. He needed it to change. 

Since his search in Stonegard had wrapped up so early though, Cyrus, Primrose, and H'aanit were looking at an entirely open afternoon. It felt like the perfect chance to conduct a bit more research, so they decided to travel to a town no one had planned to investigate that day: Quarrycrest. No one would really want to return to Quarrycrest after the absolute disaster their previous trip had been, but Cyrus decided that he would rather go back there than force Ophilia into it. Besides, he and Primrose would have a lot more influence with hopefully getting Odette to share something valuable with them. If anything bizarre had happened in Quarrycrest, then Odette was bound to know about it. 

As Cyrus started to trace the path leading to her home, he found himself looking around the town. The residents of the city seemed to be in a much better place now than they had been during his last trip through Quarrycrest. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Cyrus had to confess that Morlock's death had seemingly helped the people's quality of life massively. No one seemed sick with anxiety over people going missing either, and that was yet another point in the right direction. The travelers had left Quarrycrest a better place than they found it, and even though it had been a hard battle to win, it was worth it in the end. 

"I am glad everyone seemeth happier," H'aanit remarked as she passed by a stall with a line of customers beside it. "I was worried given the... State we leften the town in last time we were here."

"So was I," Primrose admitted. "But things seem to really be looking up now... I'm glad for it. If you ask me, it seems like there's really been an organized effort to make sure the town recovers."

"It makes one wonder what the new leadership is like," Cyrus hummed. "A massive effort like this must have a dedicated group behind it. I doubt the people would be able to organize effectively after they had just lost so much at the hands of both Morlock and Gideon."

"We can ask Odette about it when we get there," Primrose said, and Cyrus nodded. They were walking up the stairs leading to Odette's home now, and Cyrus found himself smiling at the thought. He had a lot to catch Odette up on, and while he would have loved to recount their adventures from beginning to end, he knew he didn't have time at the moment. Still, it would be a reason for him to return to Quarrycrest again later to speak with Odette, and Cyrus was always happy to have an excuse to speak with her.