With everyone suddenly remembering that the Princess was there after her speech, some converging in on her space now, Thea simply stands quietly. Her hand was there, ready to hold Princess Zelda's when she fumbled for it. She had the desire to pull her into a tender hug and soothe her tears, however with the burden of responsibility and wisdom beyond her years upon her shoulders, she's quickly surrounded, addressed, tears wiped and pledged too like any reigning monarch. Princess Zelda's forced to present and hold herself together like a practiced adult, robbed of her childhood innocence and whimsy, having to cull bickering adults into getting along for a common goal, for the greater good. This indeed is a heavy and exhausting burden, and Thea's heart ached with empathy at her side. She gives her hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement. When all falls silent, and the children are forgotten once again to the priorities of adults, Thea would still be there.

     Judal is about to chime in that the Souther Oracle had seemed to be decided before the whole sword debacle but then chooses to remain silent instead.  Like as not the remnants of the other team would decide the other way just to be contrary to his suggestion.  

     Instead he looks over to Thea and considers for a moment.  She had been with them since the grasslands.  Not overly long, truthfully, but she seems to have melded far better with the Remnants than either Malenia or himself.  First tending to the girl Kaede and then to the Princess herself.  Judal wonders if this is a thing that deserves consideration or is Thea just more one to care for others - The Remnants certainly seem to need more tending to than Malenia or himself.  Or could it be that the sword has more subtle influences than direct possession?  Judal is worried about this and unsure if he should be or not...

     Trying to catch Thea's eyes he tilts his drink if he does in a manner to ask if she would like one.  With a positive response of some kind Judal will grab a second mug of ale and deliver it over to her.  "How you doing?" he asks and tries not to allow his dark worries show.  

The Princess stands there, wiping away her tears as she tries to regain some of her composure from her speech.  She had not garnered the reaction she had hoped, though had at least gained a bit more unity than the group had displayed only moments before. 

"It seems then there are hard decisions to make."  She says, a sour twist in her voice as she pushes away tears with the heel of her hand. "My lady Stasolya, you have been as loyal and kind to me as my own mother.  But now I have to ask you to go away again, to go on your own.  I would ask you to return to the College of Lore, to what's left of it, to ensure the preservation of the knowledge of our world.  I would ask too, while you are there, for you to dig into the lore of Sauron, now Ganon, and the lore of the Spirit of the Hero, that I may call upon you again someday."  

The Princess takes another moment, then offers a hand to Violet.  

"The Goddesses have truly blessed us by sending you to us."  She said, reaching for the hand of the strange little Beholderkin.  "Friend Violet.  Please.  Tell the others about your gift.  Then we are going, all together, those who have made their vows and determined their ways, not for the Shard of Division, but to the Southern Oracle."  

Remaining quiet, no visible signs of emotion on the little of her face that is revealed by the helmet she now wears. When she hears that the Centaur would be leaving them once again, she spares Stasolya no words or even eye contact. That bridge between them was in ashes by the centaurs own hand, now Malenia had more important things to worry about. Primarily of which the safety of the Princess. Addressing this concern Telepathically. 

Secondary of her concerns was this strange sense she had now, She saw NONE of them as companions anymore. Not even Thea or Judal. Perhaps the welling emotions from being consistently abandoned since she began her Journey had reached a boiling point. First her Brother, then every individual she considered a close friend. Making no move to join the Remnants as they seemingly buried the hatchet with Judal, Uncaring as Kaede wrapped the blade in some sort of fancy cloth and stepped beside her. Zelda was her only concern now, Wherever the Princess was, Malenia would be there to. 

On hearing the news that Stasolya would be leaving them, Rum raises a mug to her.

"Friend Stasolya, I wish you safe travels. May the Great Dragon protect you on your journey and see fit for us to meet again, although I cannot see how it could be more dramatic than our last meeting", he says with a little chuckle. After all, it isn't every day you see a centaur fall from the sky into an underground world during a kaiju fight.

He looks back to Princess Zelda as she details her plan for their immediate future, "Going for the Triforce of Wisdom makes sense, as does marshalling our forces to that end. Ganon will likely know where it is by now as well, so we must expect competition".

He then looks to Violet expectantly, with an encouraging smile.

Greko shakes their head "Sad...We need all the help and allies we can get, flying off to....No matter we will make do." Greko says to himself and anyone listening before coming forward "Since we will be working together, let me tell everyone what exactly the sword does now that we have calmed down a bit. This sword is almost as black as Jek Utinni, seeming to be forged from darkness itself. There is no question that it is the finest sword Greko has ever seen. Not that Greko has held many swords....So barbaric.... but this sword is alive and will dig inside your mind twisting it and if you are taken by surprise you can be controlled. This sword makes a Lightsaber look like a sword crafter by an apprentice swordsmith. The sword....it is a powerful weapon, but also has magical abilities crafted into it. There are spells that can be cast Divine Word, Call Lightning, Finger of Death when it is wielded, but it also randomly casts spells when it is pulled from the scabbard as well....Aboleth's Mist, Armor of Agathys, Bane, Compelled Duel and Hex which is what was cast on poor Violet...." Greko turns to Violet once more apologetically "Greko feels horribly that Greko tried to attack you. Thankfully Rum was quick to disarm and Malenia....." Greko rubs his jaw "The sword makes the weilder faster, but anyone that pairs with it will be deafened if they're too far from it, and it has the ability to shift their alignment every day as it digs through their mind. With a little more time I could figure out the history...of course without touching the sword, if that is something you all would like..."

"Does Greko-sama think the sword's curse can be removed, in some way?  Or, could the wielder master it in order to control it's actions, without having it take over the mind of those who wields it?" Lady Kaede inquisitively asks.

"Or, is our only course of action to dispose of this sword in the fiery pits of Mount Doom?"

Stasolya rises as the others pledge fealty--or come together to drink in comradery. She smiles at even the small amount of reconciliation between the faded heroes. "This is the hope of Hyboria. It often seems bleak... but as many of your brave hearts have already reminded us, our victory is in our perseverence through all the suffering, all the odds."

As Princess Zelda speaks, Stasolya bows to her again. "Wherever I can be of most help to you, I will go. The knowledge of all that Hyboria is and has been will be remembered." She touches the Princess' shoulder gently, giving her one last look of concern. "Take care of yourself, Princess. We sacrificed much to find you... I know your suffering has been greater than all of ours. But through it you show your strength in taking up the mantle you must for the good of Order and victory over the darkness."

The centaur smiles at Rum. "It was good to see you again, Rum. And may we meet again one day, I hope to celebrate the final defeat of those who threaten Hyboria."

Next she goes to Thea, giving the girl another embrace. "It has been an honor, Thea. You are a light to all around you. Keep shining."

Stasolya notes Malenia's refusal to look at her or speak to her with some sadness, but she speaks to the Jedi nonetheless. "Goodbye, Malenia. I hope that your suffering finds healing as well. Remember in the darkness what you learned in the light. Take care of Princess Zelda... I know you have, and that you will continue to do so. Thank you for the burden you have carried, and that even now you have not set it down... the easy path is deceptive... but you know this. Farewell."

"And to the rest of you---fight well, heroes of Hyboria. Perhaps I will see you again, perhaps not... but my heart is with you, and with all who fight for the Childlike Empress."

Stasolya leaves the group to their ale and their further plans, and shouldering her bagpipes and checking the straps on her saddlebags, she clops over to Atoh Khan and the waiting luck dragons.

Violet hesitantly reaches out and takes the princess's offered hand.

"I... I don't know what say, Your Magesty," the aberration says. "My powers...? I... I am the spawn of a Beholder's dream... and I inherited some of its power to change reality with the gaze of my many eyes... mostly I just cast spells the same as any other mage, but when I focus hard enlough I can make things happen by my will alone. Or use several eyes at once to cast more spells. I... I'm thankful to be here... when the Remnants found me I was lost in a strange place, and everyone I had seen until then was trying to hurt me... I don't know what would have happened if they hadn't found me."

When Stasolya says her goodbyes, Rum places a paw over his heart and inclines his head to her in respect and then listens as Violet tentatively tells those remaining about her powers.

"The Remnants were pleased to help you, Violet. And in turn you helped us greatly as well. Your knowledge of our road ahead was critical, and I can attest to how useful those abilities of yours are. I do hope you consider yourself a Remnant, because that is how I see you", he replies to the beholder-kin.

"The Remnants have been quite a fluid band since leaving Skyloft in truth. Oten and Kit-Tik having left us in Spook City after ensuring we safely made it into Subternia, and Wo-Dan and Amitola left us after we defended the Duergar settlement from Imperials and killed Gmork for a second time. Ro the Red joined us and left, and friend Greko returned to swell our ranks as well. And of course we bumped into both Violet and Stasolya on our travels, as well as finally returning to the Scorpion, as arranged when friend Greko and I were part of the Twilight Embers. The Great Dragon has ensured we have found allies when needed", he adds thinking back to those that have left and those that have replaced them.

Before Violet speaks Greko answers Kaede's question with a great deal of caution "This curse is ancient. It can be removed but would require great patience and skill. Ancient swords with this power were often created for evil purposes. For milenia others far greater than Greko have tried to wield such artifacts thinking they would master it only to succomb to it over time. Look at the rings of power and how the power engulfed those who thought it was a great gift...strong of mind, body and will all failed when it came to the one ring's hold over all of them. They could not relinquish the rings which then took hold of them and forced them to do Sauron's will.....Use caution Lady Kaede." Once Greko finishes his cautionary tale he sits down again listening to the others. He is disappointed that with all the evil in this world currently defeating the last remnanants of good, they sat here bickering. Now with Stasolya getting ready to fly off on some research quest, Greko looks at the others. There is Malenia with her helmet down making no gestures and saying nothing, Judal and Rum drinking putting aside their differences, but Greko can't help but wonder how long that will last, Thea standing quiet next to Zelda, Violet overwhelmed a bit by everything they've gotten themselves into, Kaede fizted on the sword and trying to assert herself, Greko presumes, as the ruler of King's Landing, and himself, tired and discourgaed. 

Violet speaks her part and ability to change events. Greko wonders what she will use it for. Such a great power to have with an even greater responsibilty to use it properly. Greko feels badly for young Violet, created from a dream by a beholder and set about in this world directionless.....Greko half listening to Rum as he is deep in his thoughts blurts out "And Lelith....Her need for power and being seen caused her to follow a dark path...."

     Handing Thea her drink (if she had shown a desire for one) Judal then pauses besides her and listens to Greko speak of swords and rings and curses...  

     "You speak of the RIngs of Power.  Do you mean to suggest we need a Hobbit to properly wield the sword?  Or at least be able to for time enough to us at least find a place to destroy it?" Judal asks.  "I've known several Nelwyn and have indeed always found them surprisingly hardly and stronger of mind and spirit then they are given credit for... Alas, I know of none close by."

     "Still, even the One RIng was held and used by others for a time.  Many a cursed item is quite useful and there is a certain justice in using the items of the enemy against them.  You speak of the swords curse as ancient... But can you speak on how long it would take to sway one who was able to withstand it's initial corruptive onslaught?"

     When Violet speaks Judal cannot help but have Greko's word echo through his mind:  Abomination... Abomination... Abomination...  Judal squeezes his eyes and tries to shake the word out of his head, he is generally far more accepting and kind than this, but Greko's voice and word echo on.  "What... What kind of things can you make happen by will alone?  Can you banish enemies?  Heal allies?  Move mountains?  'Things' is a bit vague," Judal asks, trying to keep his tone neutral and his distrust out of his voice.

Greko smiles and appreicates Judal's interest and questions "No, no hobbit necessary but even they had to fight the corruption and curse. Good men have always sought to use the enemies weapons against them and often times fail. If someone wishes to try to control the weapons they may but Greko would advise against it. The sword will attempt to break the person every time they unsheath the sword....Greko supposes if the sword is never sheathed that problem may be solved. Greko would need more time to study it to properly answer your questions but those are my assumptions for now.

     "Indeed, good men often times fail using their own weapons as well.  If the enemies were easily disposed of they would not be enemies for long," Judal points out with a wry grin.

     "Wielder of the Unsheathed Blade.  Has an ominous ring to it, does it not?  Surely with the paranoia that abounds it would not be wise for me to offer, though it would not be the first cursed item I carried around.  But if indeed the corruption only attacks when unsheathed then perhaps one could have the blade bound into their hand in some fashion so that the wielder must carry it until the time to set the blade aside arises..."

Pulling a piece of dried jerky from the bag at her side as well as her water skin, Malenia lets the conversation happen. Of course she has her own opinion on the blade that is being discussed, In fact she may have a way to make the blade safe to use. Yet not only is the method untested, meaning that if something were to go wrong during the process. They would likely throw another fit towards her, But she finds herself mildly curious to see one of them wield the blade. 

Her voice comes across within Greko's mind. "Sorry about your Jaw, Again." Giving the COLDEST of shoulders to Stasolya in the process. "So there were evil rings and now theres an evil sword? How can things be evil?" Speaking for the first time since the altercation, she questions the morality of crafted objects. Despite her Age, Likely being one of the oldest on the ship. Malenia was still relatively new to Hyboria, having spent nearly all of her life in Isolation.

"Also......Whats a beholder?" 

"Someday, Stasolya, when I reestablish my kingdom, I will bring you to my side again."  

The Princess the smiles at Violet as the girl speaks of her abilities in the vaguest of terms.  As the Beholderkin takes one hand, the Princess reaches out and takes the other, and then gently lowers herself into a kneeling position on the deck of the ship, guiding Violet down with her.

"All those eyes."  Princess Zelda remarks while her eyes begin to shift from side to side with little turns of her head.  It's as if she's suddenly reading a book that isn't there.  "All those lovely eyes.  

Violet, the Order of the Gash is able to traverse worlds by opening doorways the rest of us cannot see.   They move without impunity between Hyboria and Leviathan, and I suspect they can do the same thing elsewhere..."

Her eyes continue to weird, distracted motion like she is reading, but one of her hands lets go of Violet.  She reaches out, without looking, her hand guided as though by some other sense as it reaches for Thea.  

"Thea is the Last Unicorn."  She says, gentle and commanding, her own flesh prickling as she says this.  "Of all the things in Hyboria, flora or fauna, beings or inanimate objects, nothing represents the lifeforce of the world as much as Thea does.  Her life is tapped directly into the magic of Hyboria, the very magic that makes our weapons and armor stronger, our tools capable of miracles.  And that is why the AURYN's have crumbled.  I suspect soon that other magic will begin to fail too as the world's magic is drank up by the Crawling Chaos."  

She guides Thea down, next to Violet, creating a stark contrast; the little Beholderkin, a stranger in a strange land representing the weird and wonderful lifeforms that come from elsewhere, and the andromorphic unicorn, quiet power wrapped in a beautifully fragile shell.  Princess Zelda creates a triangle between the three of them, holding hands with each, and guiding Thea and Violet's hands together while they kneel together.  

"All those beautiful eyes..."  The Princess says again, as though she's becoming lost in Violet's gaze.  "Together, with those eyes, you two can take us where we need to go.  It won't be...exact...and it's rife with danger...but it's doable, and in this dying world where time is not on our side, it's our best hope.  

I want you to see, Violet.  I want you to look through Hyboria, through Leviathan, and find us a door.  I know you can do it.  Squeeze my hand.  Squeeze Thea's hand.  You two can work together to do something amazing.  Feel her power, borrow from it.  Let her act as the conduit for all Hyboria, and see.  See through our world, and into Leviathan...  Help us to step through the veil, so that when we step out again, it'll be with the sands of the Stygian Wastes beneath our boots...

Thea, channel your power through your alicorn.  Lend it to Violet so she can open the door.  We shall shunt from here to the Wastes somewhere near Engewook's Workshop.  There will be more answers there..." 

Her eyes never stop moving as though she is reading...

To Malenia: "While the object itself may be neutral, the history and purpose it has served can imbue it with a certain energy. A blade used for countless acts of bloodshed might carry a weight, a darkness that clings to it.  In my training, I've witnessed firsthand how a seemingly ordinary blade can be used to commit terrible acts. The ease with which it can take life can leave a darkness on the wielder's soul."

"Legends speak of Muramasa swords driving their owners mad, twisting their minds with bloodlust. This one… it seems to whisper promises of power, of effortless victory. But there appears to be an undercurrent too, a seductive song of cruelty and despair."

Lady Kaede removes her helm, based on Rum's valid comment that others might think she herself is possessed by the cursed sword.  She stands there, mouth agape, staring at the Princess, Violet, and Thea as they form their triangle and begin their awesome display of magic.

In a hushed tone, she asks Rum "Forgive my ignorance, but… how do they think to achieve that....magic? Is it some hidden technique of martial arts that I'm not aware of?!"

Still in disbelief, she whispers to Rum (hoping to appeal to his background as a monk) "Magic is the tool of those who seek power through shortcuts. True strength lies in discipline and the blade."

Violet hesitates a moment... she isn't sure exactly what's happening. But she nods. She trusted the Remnants, and they trust the Princess... so she will also trust in the Princess. She focuses, squeezing both the Princess's hand and Thea's tightly as she does her best to focus and see what the Princess told her to see, gazing with her 11 eyes... she isn't sure how to do what the Princess asks, but she hopes that it will come to her as some sort of instinct as she draws on Thea's power to see with sight beyond sight...

So much is going on now Rum has to really split his attention. The information regarding the war of rings and history of cursed swords is something he is very interested in, and he warily listens as Judal makes his suggestion for the sword without interfering. But he also can't help but watch the trio of Princess Zelda, Thea and Violet, getting the feeling something major is about to happen.

"I know not, Lady Kaede", he whispers back as he puts his mug down and takes out his hunting horn. "I think Violet's abilities are beyond our current understanding, as are Thea's and those of the Princess. I think magic can augment the abilities of discipline and blades. I am even dabbling myself. We should make ready though, they are speaking of a door, which means travel".

He stands up and just before he puts the horn to his lips, he lets the others know what he is doing.

"I will summon the Star Lancers. Flying sharks for those who didn't spot them when we arrived. They are allies, despite their appearance and I don't want them left behind whatever this door is. I just hope they are together", he says loudly and then blows on the horn. No sound can be heard, but he seems satisfied.

Greko realizes that Baturday is probably flying around waiting for him to give him a call...So Greko not wanting to leave his besty behind...makes some bat noises summonig Bsturday to his side before whatever happens, happens.