Velmorian Negotiations

Itsuki had not expected that he'd be returning to the illustrious banquet hall of Velmoria any time in the near future. Yet here he was. 

The spread wasn't quite as lavish as the last had been, but that made sense given that the Velmorians were focused on rebuilding after the recent Cataclysm. It was enough to provide for those present. Itsuki, Lord Vaelric, as well as Shin. The latter two individuals had both been escorted by a large quantity of their own guards. 

"I must admit," Lord Vaelric began. "Never in my wildest imagination did I think the leader of the Directive would just walk into my castle. Nor did I expect him to be the sibling to our dear Judge..."

Vaelric's tone carried a hint of malice. Itsuki did vouch for Shin and his entourage upon their arrival to Velmoria. That being said, it was clear the Directive wasn't typically welcome here. 

"I do apologize if our organization has done something to offend you," Shin noted. 

"I'm not sure if an apology is going to be enough to account for your wanton kidnappings and homicides throughout the Fallen Lands. It is my understanding that vampires have in the past drawn your ire for some rather cruel experimentation..."

"I will not try and defend our actions," Shin declared. "We did what we had to do to protect our citizens, just as any community would. All I can be certain of is that everything we've done has been for the greater good..."

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions, my dear Overseer."

"That's enough out of both of you!" Itsuki piped up. "I didn't bring us together so that we could bicker about the past. The larger threat to all parties involved is from Evermere and the Goddess. I cannot successfully complete my duties as the Judge if she intends to hunt me down, so I need allies."

"So you propose this tenuous alliance instead?" Vaelric questioned. 

"The Goddess will certainly intend to hunt me down - in one form or another. She knows that we were here in Velmoria prior to traveling to Evermere. This is going to be the first place she tears apart in her quest to find me."

"The Directive is willing to help Velmoria defend itself against any attempted infractions by the Goddess," Shin interjected. "While I'm not keen on the idea given our current state, my brother has insisted that he believes it worth the effort."

"I see," Vaelric pondered. "I'm curious then, my dear Judge. Why are we worth the effort, exactly? What is it you believe you can gain from us that the Directive can't provide?"

It was a valid question. For all intents and purposes, Itsuki could just remain hidden in the Directive and leave the Fallen Lands to its fate for the next several months. That was certainly the safest option, and yet...

"Before we left, you gave Yuna the title of 'honorary Velmorian', right? That means that this is the closest thing to a home Yuna has left. Even if it was done as a formality, I believe she would want Velmoria to be safe from all of this turmoil. I want to see her wishes be fulfilled, especially in her current condition."

Both Vaelric and Shin seemed surprised by Itsuki's admission. It was necessarily the most logical or strategic reason. On the contrary, it was a very simple reason - one laced with human emotion and compassion. 

And sometimes, that's what it meant to be wise. 

"An interesting perspective you have," Vaelric chuckled. "But yes, I can imagine dear Yuna saying as much herself if she were currently here."

Vaelric let out a deep breath. With it, the tension and negativity he bad been carrying previously seemed to dull. 

"Very well, then," he finally spoke up. "We will cooperate in this alliance. If the Directive is willing to work with us - and cease all activities involving Velmorian citizens - then we will make it so!"

"A reasonable request," Shin acknowledged, turning his attention to Itsuki. "You now have your desired alliance. Now what? I presume you must have some plan for the next few months?"

Itsuki sat back in his chair. Now that he had secured cooperation between the two, he could start thinking about the best way to put his plans into motion. 

"Yes," he started off. "My goal is incredibly simple - to train."

Once again, both Shin and Vaelric seemed a bit startled that his plan was so simplistic. Itsuki didn't give them a lot of time to ponder. 

"If there's anything that's apparent, it's that I am wholly incapable of defending myself in this world. Yet, I have this wondrous talent to be able to absorb any knowledge that is within written form. The Directive has loads of written texts, as well as modern weaponry that relies less on brute strength than precise practice and training."

Itsuki then turned his attention towards another in the room - Alarak.

"The training you provided me on the way to Evermere was painful, but effective," Itsuki admitted. "Yuna is out of commission for at least six months. If I train my ass off for six months, I should be able to get in peak physical condition."

"A simplistic and somewhat barbaric approach, but perfectly suited for this world!" Vaelric exclaimed. "You intend to combine the strengths of both of your allies as part of your training regimen?"

"Yes. Yuna was able to pierce Evermere's resistances and cause boatloads of damage. If I can get at least as effective as she is at combat, then there's going to be very little that can stop me from completing my journey."

"Very well, then. Alarak is free to train you until you're vomiting blood! I trust in him to determine the best approach to optimize your progress."

"We will work in tandem on your training," Shin chimed in. "It's a perfect pairing. Once the Velmorians have physically drained you, we can study and practice at the Directive for your modernized training. I can also begin to show you how to tap into the powers of your Godmark. Given enough time, that should reveal some additional powers at your disposal."

"Alright," Itsuki declared, standing from the table. "Starting first thing tomorrow morning, my training will begin. Even if it kills me, I want to become a nightmare on the battlefield by the time this training is over. Just as Yuna is."