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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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They were supposed to have reached Falcon's Nest by now. The operative term being [i]supposed[/i]. Instead, they'd diverted two days' away from the city upon seeing a Valheimr airship landed near an otherwise unassuming hill. A hill that Selene and Eos had promptly informed Esben that contained a major spiritual presence: most likely another Eidolon. 

Skael possessed two Eidolons to its name: the Eidolon of Ice, Saint Shiva. And of Wind, Garuda. And Saint Shiva's sacred ground was widely known to be far south of here, near Solitude. By simple deduction, only one conclusion could be reached. 

They'd made double time afterwards, pushing on to the hill. The Kirins were halfway up before the sights and sounds of combat could be heard, gales of wind clashing against gouts of flame. And interspersed between were...bursts of light? Considering what had happened with Ramuh and Leviathan, was Cid already present? 

There wasn't any further time to contemplate the matter, however. Two dozen Valheimr blackhelms charged down the hill, having evidently detected the party at last. 

[b]"Hold them back!"[/b] The apparent officer in command screamed, brandishing a gunblade. [b]"We need more time until the operation is complete!"[/b]

Needing no further prompting, Izayoi hunched down for her sword, that unholy gleam returning to her eyes as it always did when faced with men of Valheim.