Jason hadn't drank a drop of alcohol the whole night thus far. He couldn't bring himself to join in on the revelry. There was too much on his mind, too much to be aware of. He kept his eyes firmly locked on the forest, looking for any scrap of crimson hair to emerge from the darkness of the woods. People kept luring him into conversation, but Jason was barely able to participate, still looking to the woods.
Gali had said that the elves had been quiet, as if something was wrong. They mentioned tensions with the Akan-Dari, but could that truly be the reason for all this? It was hard to say, but he found himself worrying for Belaine's safety. She was powerful, but she had no chance against someone like Tuji.
"Jaaason~" Lance giggled from behind him, "Why dontcha wanna drank?" She asked, draping her arms around his neck as she laid against his back, her hair tickling the nape of his neck, "C'moooon~"
"I need to stay aware." He told her, keeping his eyes on the trees ahead, "As soon as it's daylight, we're heading into the woods. We'll need to leave the Rhino behind, I don't want Tuji ambushing us while we're driving. If he breaks the Rhino, we'll be-" Jason hesitated, struggling to recall marine speak. "We'll be screwed." He nodded to himself.
"He wonbeapromlem." Lance said quickly, "It'll all be fiiine."
"We'll have to see. I need to play it safe until we know more." He said firmly.
He jumped when Lance blew a raspberry right in his ear, "What was that for?" He asked, indignant.
"Worry wart!" Lance accused, "It's a feasht, not a warplanplashe." She slurred, before adjusting herself, resting her chin atop his head and leaning her elbows on his shoulders, "It'll be fiiine~"
"But what if it isn't?" Jason questioned, "I can't be intoxicated if he shows up, I need to be in top form."
Sure, he could purify himself of the intoxicants if he wished to drink, but he wanted to be ready the instant Tuji appeared. Jason was stronger, more capable now, but that didn't mean that he should take the Pillar-Born lightly.
"Ohhhkaaay." Lance complained, hugging his head tightly.
"What are you doing?" Jason asked.
"Keeping away the scavengers." She said, suddenly sounding somewhat lucid.
"Scavengers?" Jason asked, looking around at the other feast-goers.
He saw more than a few people staring at them, but he was used to that already… hmm… There were a few women in the crowd too, seeming to glare at him. Why were they mad at Jason? He hadn't done anything wrong- wait, it wasn't him they were directing their ire towards, it was Lance. Jason turned to look at Lance, intending to ask her what the issue was, but instead, she pressed her cheek up against his with a devious giggle.
"Jusht lettin' them know whatsh what." She chuckled, "It's for yer own good, trusht me."
"Of course I trust you." Jason nodded, "Do whatever it is you think is necessary."
He felt the heat emanating from her face at his words, and before he knew it, Lance had planted a kiss on his cheek. His eyes widened for an instant, time slowing as he considered why it was she had just done that. He relished the contact, and a primal urge arose, attempting to push him to reciprocate the kiss with one of his own. He suppressed it as he focused on just why Lance would do something like that.
She'd told him that she was 'keeping the scavengers' away, indicating the women that were glaring at her. This was after she had begun hugging him, but what was it that made those women scavengers in her eyes? Something about these actions were intended to protect him from the female Fiendwallers, it wasn't because Lance had wanted to kiss him, of course not.
Then it hit him. Those women were interested in Jason, as he was interested in Lance. He didn't understand why, since he was practically a monster, but he was grateful to Lance for enforcing the idea that he was already taken. That way they wouldn't try to bother him, what a fantastic idea. He did find himself wishing that the kiss was a legitimate sign of affection, but Jason knew now that she was only doing it for his sake; she'd said so herself. The surrounding women that had been glaring at Lance stormed off, clearly frustrated that they had lost their quarry.
"Thanks for scaring them off." Jason smiled, "I appreciate it."
"I can do that whenever ya want~" Lance giggled, her ears red as a tomato, "I can't believe I did that… hehe."
"I can't either." Jason nodded, "Your operation seemed to be a success though, so you can drop the act."
"No!" She said firmly, "Not a chance."
"Huh?" He asked.
"There'll alwaysh be more of 'em tryna take ya away from meh." Lance scowled, "I won't let 'em."
"I wouldn't reciprocate." Jason confirmed, "You don't need to pretend anymore-"
"Jusht shtop." Lance slurred, nuzzling into the nape of his neck, "I'll be a shcarecreeew."
"Whatever you say." Jason smiled.
He wasn't opposed to having Lance cling to him this way anyhow, it felt pleasant, albeit unprofessional. Then again, his professional career was over, he didn't really need to worry about how he was viewed by strangers any longer. For a while, he forgot his worries, enjoying his time with Lance and the Fiendwallers as they engaged in song and revelry. He still didn't drink, and as soon as he had eaten his fill, the helmet went back on, but his stress had greatly eased.
The feasting continued throughout the night, dozens of people coming up to thank him and Lance for slaying Kazon. He did what he promised himself earlier, and did nothing to confirm their assumptions. It was only when the sun was beginning to rise that the partying began to slow down, tables and chairs were overturned, men and women both lay around in the grass or were slumped over in chairs, even Gali himself snored loudly in the middle of it all.
He had eaten his fill a dozen times over, and as he had told Lance before, he'd only eaten steak, much to her chagrin. She'd sobered up only an hour ago, but the redness in her ears still hadn't left.
"I can't believe I was so bold." She mumbled under her breath, rubbing at her eyes, "Ah well, I needed this. It was a great time." Lance smiled.
"Affirmative." Jason nodded, "Are you ready to head into the Faewood?"
"Are you?" Lance asked him, "You only have your guns on you right now, do you not wish to bring Zaiga and Malthung?"
It was a good question. The blade and shield were both Artifacts and therefore as indestructible as Adium, at least until put up against another Artifact anyhow. Malthung may be the only thing, aside from his Sectis, that could therefore pierce the Phalanx suit; he was grateful that the foes he'd taken them from hadn't been too dangerous. They'd been nothing compared to Tuji, if the Pillar-Born had possessed Malthung during their battle… Well, it may not have ended quite the same way.
Now that Jason possessed them though, it might be a good idea to equip them, just in case. Tuji's hide was tough enough to resist shotgun blasts, but if Jason could hit him with Malthung, even once, he could completely bisect the orc.
"Let's go get them." Jason told her, "You ready to go?"
Lance nodded, "Sure am-"
She paused, staring at the tree line as a shadowy figure emerged. Jason had seen it as well, turning to face it. Not Tuji, but an elf, specifically a Night Watcher from the looks of it. Lance let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh good." She waved, "Let's go talk with them first, see what's going on."
"Affirmative." Jason confirmed, before walking toward the elf, Lance by his side.
The Watcher continued toward them, waving a hand and removing his mask, a deep frown on his face. They were all well outside the bounds of the Fiendwall's camp, standing on the hill that led up into the Faewood.
"Greetings, Lance." He said, frown still on his face as he loomed over them on the incline.
Lance froze as she read his eyes, Jason stopping beside her.
"What is wrong, Yeli? You're terrified." Lance said, concerned.
"I-" Yeli stumbled, "I have been sent to-" He gulped, averting his eyes, "I've been sent by King Terlin to inform you that you are barred entry to the Fiendwood."
Lance's mouth fell open, green eyes widening, "What?" She asked after a moment, shaking her head, "King? You're calling Terlin King?" She questioned, disbelief clear in her voice. "Yeli don't mouth such stupidity openly, save the jokes for our celebratory feast, Kazon is dead!"
"I'm aware of that, I congratulate and thank you both for slaying him…" Yeli winced, still unable to look Lance in the eyes, "But I'm not joking, Terlin is King, and you are an exile. You are not to enter the Faewood under any circumstances, and that goes for you as well, Hoplite." Yeli said, as if each word were being forced from his throat, "I'm sorry, we have no choice."
Silence hung in the air for a few seconds, before Lance planted her hands on her hips, chains rattling with the motion.
"What of the Harkmother!?" Lance questioned, face becoming red, "You expect me to believe that she just let Terlin take over, just like that!? And what is this business about him being King? Explain yourself!"
Yeli's fists clenched, "He-" He gulped again, tears welling in his eyes, "She is deposed and exiled, Terlin also slew any members of the former Harkhall that opposed him, only she and Geravall remain alive, but both are long gone and-" He hesitated, "Your clan has been exiled as well, no Trinkett's remain in the forest. They're in the lands between the Faewood and Akan-Dar now, though I know not their fates."
"But-" Lance gasped, hands going to rub budding tears from her eyes, "But that isn't fair!"
"It isn't my choice!" Yeli yelled, "No one but the most twisted among us support him! He never disposed of the Pillar-Born's body, he took it as his own and possesses it at this very moment! That is how he seized power, and none can stand up to him, please stay out of the woods, Lance. It is no longer safe for you, forgive me."
So that was why, that was why Tuji was in such a miserable state in the Dream. It all made sense now, he must have still been conscious of the actions Terlin was forcing him to commit. That was why he had asked Jason to return and finish the job. While he didn't owe the Pillar-Born any favors, he fully intended on fulfilling his wish. It wasn't because Terlin unfairly seized power or anything like that, his reasoning was quite simple, primal even.
Terlin had made Lance cry.
"You cannot enter the forest freely. Forgive me." Yeli bowed his head, clearly ashamed.
Jason's hands went to his shotgun, pulling it free before marching straight past Yeli, "I'll just kill him." He said, tone icy as he marched toward the forest.
"Wait-" Yeli started.
"Get in my way," Jason warned, not turning back, "And I'll kill you too."
Yeli froze, eyes wide with terror.
"Jason don't!" Lance cried, pursuing him, "I can't bear the thought of you killing elves to get to Terlin! Please!"
"There won't be any problems, as long as they don't get in my way." Jason snarled, his blood boiling.
"Jason stop!" Lance yelled, "Please!"
He said nothing as he reached the top of the hill, preparing to break into an earth-shattering sprint as he walked.
Right as he was about to pass into the forest, Lance yelled, "Listen to me or- or I'll never talk to you again!"
Jason froze, half turning back to Lance. Was she serious? She wouldn't ever talk to him again if he went after Terlin? Absurd, surely she didn't actually mean that… but then again, maybe she was being serious. Time slowed as he considered his options. He could assault the Bastion on his own with no issue, no elf would be able to put up a fight against him, even if they had access to the weaponry that had been within the pod. If Terlin had Tuji's body, then it was safe to assume the pod was compromised, Tuji had been just about as strong as Jason, so if Terlin wished it, he could have pried it open by now.
Lance would need to stay behind, he didn't want her catching any stray bullets. There was another issue with facing Terlin however, now that he was thinking about it. He was a vastly experienced mage, and now he possessed the body of a Pillar-Born, meaning his magical capabilities would be greatly amplified. Terlin could be as powerful as Kazon now, for all Jason knew, with access to an ocean's worth of Foundation.
No, it wasn't likely that Terlin would be as big a threat as Kazon, but Tuji's body with Terlin's magic was still a force to be reckoned with. If he charged in like a mad dog, then Jason might lose. Belaine was also a factor here, she had gone into the Faewood first, likely that was how Terlin found out about them. She could be compromised and had joined Terlin's side, or she was being held captive. Jason leaned more towards the latter, rather than the former, she had made her distaste for Terlin quite clear on the long drive back here.
Lance threatening him with permanent no-contact was to avoid elven casualties, which, now that he thought about it, made sense. Most Watchers were apparently not keen on Terlin ruling the Faewood, it was only a few that fully supported him. The majority of them only followed Terlin out of fear, not love. If Jason could convince them that he could slay Terlin, then they may just let him through unopposed. Either that, or he could avoid killing any Watchers entirely, even if they tried to engage him in combat.
They wouldn't be able to stop or slow him down, hell, they wouldn't even be able to keep up with him if he ran all the way to the Ilum Tree, which is where he assumed Terlin resided. Ideally though, he would like to ambush Terlin and kill him before he could get the chance to defend himself. Though to go that route, he'd need to sneak through the woods, which could be done easily via Cloak and Sound Suppression.
Unless the Faewood had counters to such spells that he wasn't yet aware of. After all, if Cloak and Invisibility could carry him straight to the Bastion with no issue, then any mage could do it. He couldn't assume it would be that easy, he was certain there would be some sort of magical detection in place, otherwise any mage could infiltrate the Bastion with no issue. Or could they?
With how the Root Wall functioned, they wouldn't be able to climb it safely, not unless they could fly over it- Damn it all, he was blundering around in the dark, he simply didn't know enough about the Faewood to launch an assault on it yet. He relented, his blood still boiling as he fully turned toward Lance.
"F-forgive me." Yeli stammered, "If you wish to be with your clan, you will need to take a boat down one of the Shots to avoid passing through the Faewood, it is the only way."
Lance said nothing, just staring at Yeli with a blank, teary eyed expression. Jason walked back to Lance, trying to suppress his burning fury as Yeli slunk back into the Faewood, shoulders slumped.
"I can't believe this." Lance sniffed, covering her face with her cloak, "How could he do this?"
"Is there a way for me to sneak into the Bastion without detection?" Jason asked her, "What are the Watcher patrols like, do they have mages as well-"
"Just stop." Lance sobbed, "Please."
Jason paused, a horrid knot like feeling rising in his chest as he looked down at Lance, who was now openly crying. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, his logic was failing him. He wanted nothing more to rush to the Bastion and kill Terlin, fighting him seemed easier than watching Lance weep. Yet he couldn't bring himself to just leave her behind, so he let instinct take over. He attached the Magnus to his back before gently grabbing her by the shoulders, pulling Lance into an embrace. Her sobs paused for an instant, before strangely, they intensified, with her wrapping her arms around him in return.
Instead of feeling worse though, Jason felt a sense of… of rightness, even though on the surface all the hug did was make her sobbing worse. He held her like that for a long time, until eventually, her sobs quieted. More time passed, until finally Lance spoke.
"I don't know what to do." She admitted, "B-but I do know this, we can't leave Terlin in control."
"So you agree that he needs to be removed." Jason nodded, "Affirmative, I'll do it for you."
"We can't just go in and shoot him, Jason." Lance sniffed, "Powerful mages are likely by his side, some of the most powerful the Fire-Eyes clan can muster, not only that but there are probably elves that now possess some of your weaponry, I believe Terlin could have broken into the pod we left behind, so we'll need to deal with thunderstaves as well."
"That won't be a problem for me, but for this operation, I would prefer that you remain behind. I don't want you being shot." He explained.
"But I-"
"Just one bullet is enough to take you away from me forever." Jason told her, "I can't allow that to happen."
"I-" Lance said.
"I won't allow that to happen." Jason told her firmly.