The Master

**"The Master"** is the tenth episode of Season Two and the twenty-third episode of *The Demon's Light*.

## Synopsis

Atticus is taken on a short tour of Statodnim. The Search Party finally reaches the Port City Eight. Lisa, Chris, and Marshall have a discussion. Savannah learns how to manipulate reality.

## Narrative

### Nirvana

Situated in the map room, an awkward conversation unfolded as the two groups finally met each other. Leaning against the wall, a giant chart of Euclid behind her, Blossom gazed at the Search Party across the room.

"So, let me get this straight, Governor Rosington — Atticus' father — sent you guys to find us before the GU did? I'd say that failed."

"Yeah," Jordan replied. "Uh, I don't mean to stir anything up, but where's everybody else? Last I heard, you guys were the Port City Eight, not the Port City Two."

Blackmore crossed his arms, "Steven was..." He looked towards Blossom, "...dead, before I met them, Melissa and Samuel had their reasons to leave." Blackmore turned his gaze back to Jordan. "They're probably both dead now. Muné doesn't forgive... And then we wake up, Atticus is missing, and the GU know where we are. Draw your own conclusions there."

"You're not seriously blaming him, are you?" Blossom asked, both shock and anger were visible in her tone.

"Is Atticus seriously gone?" Jordan asked, choosing to ignore Blackmore's accusation. "I spent all that time searching for my best friend, and now nothing?"

"He is," Blossom sighed. "As Blackmore mentioned, he disappeared - we haven't seen him since last night. And erm, about 'your friend.' He doesn't even remember you anymore, he has amnesia."

"Amnesia doesn't matter. I'm sure if Atticus were to ever see me, he would remember me right off the bat. The way that Savannah spoke of him, he seemed to be in adequate condition," Jordan said, visibly upset by his friend forgetting him and Blackmore's accusation. "I refuse to accept he would rat you guys out."

"Wait, who? Savannah?" Blossom asked, thoughts quickly developing in her head. "Savannah Whitesmith? When did she say this?"

"A month ago, I believe," Jordan replied. "She was part of our search party looking for you. I was surprised that she knew Atticus, considering I hadn't met her before, and we were inseparable."

"What the hell? She's dead. Fontaine told us this months ago, he even showed us proof. Alchem killed her, it's part of the reason we attacked them at Remnant Rock." Blossom replied, uncrossing her arms.

"She is very much al-Fontaine? As in my uncle John Fontaine? What happened to him?" Jordan asked, surprised.

Florence's eyes lit up. "John Fontaine? We had our suspicions he was with you. One second," He pulled out the folder from his jacket again and pulled out a paper with Fontaine's face on it. "See here, he was reported dead by Alchem after a scuffle in Silivia while chasing after a rogue android. An unidentified female civilian died, reportedly associated with the android's escape and the theft of Alchemilia equipment."

Florence pointed at a small bit of text on the page. "Only problem is, he was reported dead a full half year before the attack on Remnant Rock, and his brother Aaron had seen him multiple times in that window."

"I'm sorry, but your paper has to be wrong," Blossom answered. "He, um, went missing during the Remnant Rock attack and we believe he died as well. Sorry for your loss, Jordan." Thinking quickly, she tried to change the conversation.

"What can you tell us about Savannah? Where is she? As I mentioned, she died and we saw proof of it."

"I may not have seen him often, but it's still sad to lose a family member," Jordan replied.

"Savannah Whitesmith never stated that she died. She joined our Search Party, but randomly left with the Nuyö-Dyavol Coalition," Charles explained.

"The NDC gave us this after she left with them," Dexter said as he held up a small purple object. "It granted us safe passage through demon territory and allowed us to reach Nirvana safely."

"That might open up a few options for us, like Hala, Muné, or Euclid#Nuyö#Nuyö," Li spoke up. "But..."

The old man considered their options before continuing. "Escape would prove incredibly difficult. The GU officers might shoot on sight if they spot us attempting to flee. I can't think of anywhere we could even hide."

"We should surrender," Li concluded. "Running has worked so far, but our luck may soon run out. That, or we'll run out of people. Our original group has been shrinking since Remnant Rock. At least if we surrender, they will have to give us a trial before sentencing."

"Maybe there are people like me, who saw the evils Alchemilia committed from the inside and are willing to speak about them now that their influence has waned. Maybe some of those who brought about those same evils are willing to confess for a lighter sentence. I'd rather take my chances on trial than against a firing squad."

"So what your saying is, there's no easier way out? There's no other option?" Zade asked, sounding concerned.