Chapter 46: Missing In Action

"It’s a lot to process I’m sure, but I believe the events and alibis of the survivors match together very near perfectly."

Flora frowned. "Im not doubting the validity of what Ive been told. It’s only that it’s quite a lot to process, as you so aptly put it. Admittedly, I don’t think I fully understand all of it."

"I’m still stuck on the first part." Margaret ran her fingers through her hair, looking a little unnerved. "The WGC gave out rooms? I don’t recall ever...."

The room fell into complete silence as Margaret’s voice tapered off, the three women present each baring a solemn look, or some semblance thereof. Having only recently made their way into the small room belonging to the Third Trial, Yokina had just finished explaining the ongoings of what had happened within the Spider Dome. Though only knowing bits and pieces through the survivors of the incident, the white haired Rift Hunter had layed out everything as best she could. From the moment the Subjugation force made contact with the Mapel Hideout to the moment everything went belly up, Yokina had done the utmost to paint the clearest image possible.

"The entire Hideout was destroyed by an Antimatter Necklace, which Uglio had somehow managed to get his hands on." Flora folded her hands over the table in front of her as she rehashed some bits of the story given. "The only survivors were the non Rift Hunters who went along on the mission and a choice number of slaves found within the same Hideout. All the other Rift Hunters were caught up in the blast and vaporized instantly. This I get. However, that leads me to my next few questions."

"Proceed." Yokina nodded slightly towards the blonde receptionist.

"How are you still alive?"

"My True Magic is Snowman Magic." Yokina waved a hand through the air, leaving behind a small trail of levitating snow. "One of my spells allows me to separate a piece of my soul and place it in a snowman. As long as that snowman isn’t destroyed, I’ll be revived in the same location as the cut off soul."

"So, before the mission, you set your spell up as a lifeline in case things went south."

"Precisely."

Flora nodded, as if accepting what the Rift Hunter had said.

"Setting that aside, what about these rooms that the WGC handed out?" Margaret looked between Yokina and her coworker. "The ones for the first floor. Who handed those out?"

Yokina seemed slightly perplexed as her eyes flicked over to Margaret’s violet hues. "Do you think you’re the only Branch with a Parent Orb for this mission?"

"The Branch that approves the request and assembles the team, along with the necessary details revolving around the same Quest is the one who divides out responsibilities." Flora gave Margaret a side eye. "The only thing we did was hand over Jak Yanda to them. It barely qualifies us to even have a Parent Orb, and on that same token, it’s only possible thanks to the work of Sir Lugoh who put in a good word. We would barely have any say in the matter under normal circumstances."

"Speaking of Jak Yanda." Yokina leaned forward. "The Elemental Rookie and Water Wolves Captain Mako Kunzite, and the Crimson Swordsman Jak Yanda are Missing In Action."

"Missing in action?" Flora frowned. "But I thought all the non Rift Hunters were....."

"They are." Yokina once again affirmed what the receptionist was saying. "This is why I’m stopping by here today. Not only to report the conclusion to the Quest given by House Raine, but to address the disappearance of 2 Elemental Rookies in hopes of putting together a search party for the two of them. With such an enormous loss for the WGC, it’s of paramount importance to ensure the safety of its Elemental Rookies. Even if one of them is rather.....unsavory."

"Jak?" - Flora

"Jak." - Yokina

"You’re certain they’re alive though?" Margaret leaned forward in her seat, eyes shifting between the two. Rather than look confused like moments prior, now she looked much more anxious. "Weren’t they at the epicenter of the blast?"

Yokina immediately frowned, acknowledging the receptionists choice of words. "I didn’t say anything about their positioning."

"I was only asking. Not telling." Margaret’s facial expression shifted from nervous to embarrassed within moments, her face flushing. "Forgive me if I was wrong."

Yokina narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "No. You were very much correct. The Rookies in question were actually the closest individuals to the Antimatter Necklace when it activated, according to the reports. They’re very much alive. But they weren’t teleported out via Psyche Cho’s Arc Soul Shift."

"Then how-"

"It’s unknown." Yokina shook her head. "Someone else’s magic, a Teleportation Stone, a Magical Array. Everything was destroyed. There aren’t any clues to go off of aside from a brief flash of white light."

"White light?" - Margaret

"Let’s say for a second that we put together a new Coalition, one dedicated to finding Mako and our redheaded edge lord." Flora took over the conversation, drawing it back to the heart of the matter. "Even with a well rounded team and magic specifically used for scouting, it could take us weeks to find him on a planet that big. We should trust in these children to bring themselves back to us in one piece. That’s how they grow as adventurers."

"And if they die? When we could have saved them? What then?"

"Have some faith in the next generation. I’m sure they’re doing fine. Jak may be hot-headed, but he has Mako-"

"How about you let ME go and search for them?" A feminine voice, one filled with playfulness echoed through the room. "I know those idiots all too well."

"Do you even know where you’re going?"

"I’m sorry. Did YOU wanna lead the way, oh wise leader? Can you even tell which way is North with the amount of brain damage you have?"

"Can you even tell what the word North means?"

"Can you even tell that that comeback was weak?"

Jak and Mako pushed aside the branches of a rather thick bush, Knox and Meru travelling close at their heels. It was hard to tell how much time had passed since the group had set out in pursuit of not only the ominous forest but the Parthenon itself, but the twin suns had long since set. The previously intense rays of heat were quickly replaced by a biting chill that swept through the area, a cold that could make water freeze in its tracks. Despite the temperature change though, Jak and company continued forward without pause, paving their way to their destination.

Albeit, with more than a modicum of difficulty.

Though Mako would never admit to it out loud, he hadn’t exactly memorized the course taken to reach NorthClaws one and only library. Having been too enthralled with Hunopil’s storytelling and the forest itself, he had neglected to actually study the twists and turns needed to reach said Parthenon.

"Master Kunzite...sir." Meru spoke up for the first time in a while. Her voice wavered slightly, as if she wasn’t used to speaking up. "We passed this tree three times so far."

Mako flinched, making a small face. However, he quickly recovered, shooting the other two a smile as he stood up. "I was just showing Jakky boi the scenery. Helping him get to know every inch of the place prop-"

"What are you children doing here?"

Mako’s voice trailed off as Hunopil made his way forward, pushing through the mishmash of greenery, stomping over fruits and vegetables alike. Unlike before, the Equenik looked a lot less hostile compared to when him and the blue haired Rookie had first conversed. It wasn’t a friendly expression by any means, but it also wasn’t a hostile one that screamed death and destruction.

"Oh. Hunopil. You have the timing of a Primordial." Mako grinned. "We were just on our way to the Parthenon. Jak has something he wants to speak to the Chief about."

Hunopil didn’t answer right away, analytical hues sweeping over the group present. His look wavered when he noticed Knox but it quickly fixed itself after eyeing Meru in the mix. Eventually, his gaze rested upon the redheaded Rookie himself, an unknown expression taking shape. After a minute or so, he turned around and began to walk away.

"Come with me. Ontoki also has a few words he wishes to impart."

Mako and Jak gave each other small glances before ultimately shrugging and following the small trail left by the Equeniks horsen rump.

It turns out, they had been going the wrong way. With Hunopils help, they reached the Parthenon within the span of five minutes, far faster than if Mako had been the one leading the way.

After taking the time to admire the intricately carved buildings exterior and unorthodox interior, Jak and company were lead to Ontoki. The Oxuon in question hadn’t strayed too far from where Mako had initially left him, still hidden behind the thick table holding the numerous amount of scrolls and books. However, this time, the Chief seemed rather keen on meeting them, shutting his book the moment he saw the Adventurers enter the buildings confines.

"Well. This is a surprise." Ontoki’s golden hues took in Jaks figure as the group approached, a look of curiosity on his face. "You not only survived the strike but managed to get up within a few hours. Truly Adventurer child, you have remarkable durability. Perhaps I should have hit you harder."

Jak shook his head. "Any harder and my head would’ve been come clean off."

"Fair enough." Ontoki looked from Mako to Knox and then over to Meru. "Did your friend fill you in on what’s going on?"

Jak nodded. "You need help ridding NorthClaw of your...vegetation problem."

"That’s right." Ontoki gestured to the top of the table in front of him. "These are some of the collections related to plant related magic our scholars could find. If you have any sort of questions during your search, just refer to these."

Jak shook his head. "Actually Hook Chief-

"-Speak with respect!!" Hunopil looked genuinely pissed, but was stopped when Knox let out a low growl.

"-I have a few things I’d like to talk to you about. For starters, I’d like to see a map."